Gloss Angeles Episode Summary: "DIBS Drops Mascara, Sara’s Toenail Drops Off, and Expert-Lead Beauty Brands Take Over"

Release Date: August 5, 2025

In this engaging episode of Gloss Angeles, co-hosts Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan delve into a mix of personal anecdotes, product reviews, and industry news, delivering their signature blend of humor and expertise. The episode seamlessly transitions between Sara’s unexpected toenail mishap, a comprehensive review of Dibs Beauty’s latest mascara launch, and exciting updates on new beauty brands spearheaded by industry experts. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key segments discussed.

1. Sara’s Toenail Catastrophe

The episode opens with Sara sharing a personal and somewhat harrowing experience related to her toenails. After embarking on a half marathon with new Nike shoes designed for speed, Sara encounters severe pain and discovers her toenails have turned black—a sign of bruising and potential loss.

• Sara’s Account:
  • [01:09] “I ran my half mar, I did not do what you need to do before you run every long run. And that was clip down my toenails.”
  • [01:50] “I was like, are they gonna fall? They gonna just be bruised. I'm not sure.”

Sara recounts the progression of her condition, detailing the eventual loss of her toenails and the emotional impact it had on her and her family. Despite the distress, she maintains a positive outlook, emphasizing that her toenails are regrowing.

• Family Reaction:
  • [02:50] “Matt was just like, please, I cannot, like, do not talk about it. I cannot look at your feet. I love you so much, but, like, I cannot.”

Kirbie adds her perspective, sharing a personal anecdote about her grandmother to illustrate her fascination rather than disgust with toenail loss.

• Kirbie’s Insight:
  • [04:52] “I am not actually grossed out by this at all. I'm more fascinated by it.”

Takeaway: Sara emphasizes the importance of proper foot care, especially when engaging in long runs or wearing tight shoes, advising listeners to regularly trim their toenails to prevent similar issues.

2. Podcast Guest Policies and Community Interaction

Kirbie addresses listener feedback regarding guest appearances, highlighting the challenges of managing guest schedules and avoiding overlapping appearances with other beauty podcasts.

• Guest Scheduling:
  • [07:38] “We were asking, do you like it if you hear somebody on one podcast and then they come on ours?”

Kirbie explains their strategy to space out guest appearances to maximize exposure without causing listener fatigue.

• Listener Engagement:
  • [09:30] “Check her back catalog. … if you're listening on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, wherever, look up Los Angeles and the name of the person that you're looking for, chances are it will pop up.”

The hosts encourage listeners to explore past episodes to discover favorite guests, fostering a deeper connection with their content library.

3. Dibs Beauty’s Double Standard Mascara Review

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to reviewing Dibs Beauty’s newly launched Double Standard Mascara, a double-ended product featuring a brown tubing mascara primer and a deep black volumizing mascara.

• Product Introduction:
  • [11:34] “Through Los Angeles Confidential, 150 of you tested this new mascara, the double standard mascara.”

Kirbie expresses her enthusiasm for the product, calling it a "game changer" and sharing her transition from skepticism to becoming a Dibs convert.

• Kirbie’s Praise:
  • [12:01] “We need pie to the sky lashes.”
  • [19:09] “Desert island beauty status. Dibs, the double standard primer and mascara duo.”

Sara highlights key features such as the ease of removal and the dual functionality of the product.

• Sara’s Feedback:
  • [15:34] “If you have a mascara that you love that you can't quit, this makes it tubing if you apply the primer first.”

Notable Quotes:

• Kirbie [12:50]: “The primer being brown is so genius.”
• Sara [17:45]: “Dibs is all about, like, making makeup easy. Like, convenient.”

Audience Reception: The hosts share positive feedback from their testing group, noting that many listeners have dubbed the mascara their "holy grail" product. They also discuss minor feedback, such as difficulty distinguishing between the two ends of the product, which they address with practical tips.

• Kirbie’s Tip:
  • [16:21] “If you have a product that has multiple items within it, look for the logo. Because the logo, you read it left to right. Primer comes first, then mascara.”

Conclusion on Dibs Mascara: Both Kirbie and Sara are highly impressed with the Double Standard Mascara, praising its versatility, ease of use, and the innovative brown primer that sets it apart from traditional white primers.

4. Exciting Launches from Expert-Driven Beauty Brands

The hosts shift focus to recent developments in the beauty industry, highlighting new brand launches from renowned experts in hair and skincare.

• Mary Phillips’ New Brand:
  • [21:58] “Mary is going to be on the podcast this month. She has never been on, so it's a great conversation.”

Mary Phillips, a respected figure in makeup artistry, announces her new brand launching at Sephora. The hosts express their excitement about the brand’s potential to revolutionize makeup application with products that promote a more natural and intentional look.

• Kirbie’s Enthusiasm:

  • [20:10] “It's completely changed how I do makeup.”

• Sara’s Perspective:

  • [25:50] “In times where there's a lot of misinformation and information overload, that's when the experts rise to the top.”

• Chris McMillan’s Product Line:

  • [22:14] “Jennifer Aniston's BFF has done her hair forever. Works with Michelle Williams, Sarah Jessica Parker.”

Chris McMillan, a legendary hairstylist known for his work with celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Britney Spears, is launching a new line of seven styling and hair care products at Sephora. The hosts commend the quality and thoughtfulness of his products, emphasizing his commitment to hands-on salon work and expertise.

Notable Highlights:

• Chris McMillan’s products include:
  • Styling Balm: Provides a dry texture.
  • Blow Dry Spray: Facilitates easy styling.
  • Hair Gel: Designed for versatile styles, including slicked-back buns.

Industry Insight: Kirbie and Sara discuss the trend of expert-led brands becoming the new influencers in the beauty industry, democratizing ambassadorships and empowering younger artists to establish their own brands.

• [25:43] Sara: “The experts are back at the top. … that's when the experts rise to the top.”

5. Community Engagement and Future Episodes

Towards the end of the episode, Kirbie and Sara interact with their audience, encouraging feedback and reviews to help grow their podcast community.

• Call to Action:
  • [09:52] “This is our yearly request to leave an Apple review, but only if it's nice.”

They also tease upcoming guest appearances, including Mary Phillips and Chris McMillan, building anticipation for future episodes.

• Upcoming Guests:
  • [22:14] “Mary will be on the podcast this month.”
  • [22:40] “Chris is launching with seven different styling type and hair care products.”

6. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with a brief recap of the topics covered and final thoughts from the hosts, reinforcing the themes of resilience, innovation, and community within the beauty industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Personal Resilience: Sara’s experience with losing toenails serves as a reminder of the importance of self-care and attentiveness to one’s body, especially during physical activities.

• Innovative Products: Dibs Beauty’s Double Standard Mascara stands out for its dual functionality and user-friendly design, receiving widespread acclaim from testers.

• Expert-Led Brands: The rise of brands founded by industry experts like Mary Phillips and Chris McMillan signifies a shift towards quality and expertise in beauty products, catering to informed and discerning consumers.

• Community Growth: Encouraging reviews and feedback is essential for the podcast’s growth, fostering a vibrant and engaged listener base.

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah [07:16]: “If you're ashamed of losing a toenail, you're not alone. Don't be ashamed.”

• Kirbie [12:50]: “The primer being brown is so genius.”

• Sara [17:45]: “Dibs is all about, like, making makeup easy.”

Final Thoughts:

This episode of Gloss Angeles offers a rich blend of personal storytelling, product innovation, and industry insights, all delivered with the hosts’ trademark wit and expertise. Whether you're a beauty enthusiast navigating your skincare routine or a professional keeping up with the latest industry trends, this episode provides valuable information and relatable experiences to enhance your beauty journey.

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes featuring exclusive interviews with Mary Phillips and Chris McMillan, where Kirbie and Sara will dive deeper into their new product lines and expert tips.