Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary

Episode: Breaking Down TikTok’s Caveman Skincare Trend, REN Skincare’s Closure, and IPSY’s 2025 Beauty Report
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan

TikTok’s Caveman Skincare Trend

The episode kicks off with Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan diving into the latest viral sensation on TikTok: the Caveman Skincare Trend. This trend centers around a skincare influencer named Tia Zacher, whose unconventional routine has sparked widespread debate.

Kirbie Johnson introduces the topic with curiosity:

"Kirby, what is caveman skincare and who is Tia Zacher and why is her face, like, kind of dirty looking?" (01:38)

Sara Tan provides a critical analysis, highlighting concerns from dermatologists:

"Every expert in the book was stitching this woman's video saying, you have dermatitis. You have a big problem. You need to see a doctor." (02:00)

The hosts discuss the potential health implications of Tia’s regimen, questioning the authenticity and safety of her methods. Sara expresses discomfort with Tia’s appearance, emphasizing the visible buildup on her skin:

"It doesn't look healthy. It doesn't look like it's getting her anywhere." (04:07)

They speculate that Tia might be dealing with a fungal infection rather than simply trying to restore her skin barrier, urging her to seek professional medical advice:

"Tia, I truly hope you're okay... please go see a doctor." (05:22)

REN Skincare’s Closure

Transitioning to industry news, the hosts address the closure of REN Skincare, a beloved clean beauty brand known for its sustainable practices and straightforward formulations.

Sara Tan shares the news:

"Ren Skincare clothes and I... Unilever announced last week that they were going to begin the difficult decision to formally close the Ren business by the end of the third quarter this year." (06:29)

Kirbie reflects on her personal experience with REN products, praising their efficacy:

"I used to use the tonic, the Radiance Ready Steady Glow tonic. I feel like it was sort of ahead of the game." (07:01)

The discussion delves into the challenges REN faced post-acquisition by Unilever in 2015, highlighting how losing the founders impacted the brand's vision and competitive edge. They cite expert Joel Palux, who stated:

"Founders matter. Brands that lose their founders too early often struggle to maintain focus, passion and vision." (08:30)

Sara Tan further explains that REN's lack of a distinct founder story and the saturation of the clean beauty market contributed to its downfall:

"The brand was stale, undifferentiated, and lacks a real reason for being." (10:27)

Kirbie underscores the importance of founder-driven narratives, especially for engaging Gen Z consumers:

"Gen Z likes to support like founder stories... mission-driven businesses with their dollars." (12:41)

The hosts express disappointment over REN's closure, urging listeners to stock up on their favorite products before they disappear from the market.

IPSY’s 2025 Beauty Report

In the Data Girl segment, Kirbie and Sara explore IPSY’s 2025 Beauty Report, which analyzes over 200 million product reviews, member feedback, and purchasing patterns to forecast beauty industry trends.

Key Insights Discussed:

1. Viral Buzz Influence:

   • Question: "What percentage of beauty lovers say that they're more likely to try a new product if it has viral buzz? 30%, 40%, 60% or 75%?"
   • Answer: 60% (15:14)
     Kirbie remarks on the significant impact of viral trends on consumer behavior.

2. Gen Z’s Top Beauty Must-Have:

   • Question: "In 2025, which product overtook fragrance as the top must-have item among Gen Z? Foundation, lip gloss, mascara, eyeliner."
   • Answer: Lip gloss (16:10)
     Sara humorously relates her personal affinity for lip gloss, sharing her overstock in her purse.

3. Beauty Routine Preferences:

   • Question: "Which generation is most likely to follow a beauty routine with six or more steps? Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z or Boomers."
   • Answer: Millennials (16:38)
     The hosts discuss how Millennials, now older, may prefer more extensive routines compared to Gen Z’s streamlined approach.

4. Consumer Drop-off Reasons:

   • Question: "What is the number one reason consumers say they stop using a beauty product? Price, the scent of it, ineffectiveness or packaging."
   • Answer: Ineffectiveness (18:11)
     While both hosts agree on ineffectiveness as a primary reason, they also share personal frustrations with product packaging issues.

5. Booming Beauty Categories:

   • Question: "Which of the following categories is seeing a major boom thanks to Gen Z shoppers? Makeup brushes, face masks, scented body lotions or scalp care."
   • Answer: Scalp care (18:54)
     Kirbie humorously notes her frequent invitations for scalp analyses.

6. Preferred Beauty Formats:

   • Question: "What beauty format are younger consumers showing growing interest in for its efficiency and portability? Liquid foundations, serum sticks, lip crayons, powder, SPF."
   • Answer: Serum sticks (19:21)
     The hosts discuss the practicality and rising popularity of serum sticks among Gen Z.

Discussion Highlights:

• Makeup Artist-Led Brands vs. Celebrity Brands:
  The report indicates that makeup artist-led brands are gaining more trust and traction compared to celebrity-founded brands, especially among Gen Z and Millennials.
  Sara Tan questions the methodology behind this finding, pondering whether the data adequately represents diverse consumer experiences:

  "How is this information being determined?... I need more information." (21:27)

• Critical Evaluation of Data:
  The hosts emphasize the importance of critical thinking when interpreting industry reports, suggesting that factors like curated product boxes could influence the results.

Brand Closures: Cover FX Speculations

Towards the end of the episode, Kirbie and Sara briefly touch upon rumors regarding the potential closure of Cover FX, a favorite among beauty enthusiasts. However, they remain uncertain and invite listeners to share any updates:

"If I miss something, please email, text or dm..." (14:27)

Closing Remarks

Kirbie and Sara wrap up the episode by reinforcing the need for transparency and authenticity in the beauty industry. They encourage listeners to stay informed and critical of the trends and reports that shape their beauty routines.

Notable Quotes:

• Sara Tan on Caveman Skincare:

  "If your skin was doing this, you wouldn't say, oh, my skin is resetting itself. You would go, I think I have a problem." (03:59)

• Kirbie Johnson on REN Skincare:

  "It's been a minute. I haven't used their products in a hot second." (06:21)

• Sara Tan on Beauty Efficacy:

  "I just want the product to work effectively like six Science." (10:32)

• Kirbie Johnson on Gen Z Preferences:

  "Gen Z likes to support like founder stories... mission-driven businesses with their dollars." (12:46)

Final Thoughts:

This episode of Gloss Angeles offers a comprehensive look at current beauty trends, industry challenges, and future predictions. Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan provide insightful commentary, blending professional expertise with personal anecdotes to engage and inform their audience. From scrutinizing viral skincare trends to mourning the loss of a beloved brand, and analyzing data-driven reports, the hosts ensure that listeners are well-equipped with knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving beauty landscape.