Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary Episode: Harry Styles Vibrators and Estée Laundrie’s Grand Return
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan

Bluestone Sunshields & Picosure Pro Laser Treatments

[00:53 - 07:00]

In this segment, Kirbie and Sara delve into the benefits of Bluestone Sunshields, emphasizing their necessity for anyone undergoing skincare treatments. Sara shares her personal experience with the Picosure Pro laser treatment performed by Vanessa Lee at "The Things We Do."

Sara (02:21): "The Picosure pro now not only treats pigmentation, acne scars, fine lines, but it also works on skin tightening as well and like, improving the texture of your skin, refining pores."

Kirbie expresses interest in the skin tightening aspect, highlighting its appeal.

Kirbie (03:33): "I'm interested because of the tightening aspect. Yeah, I think that's very, very sexy to me."

Sara explains the minimal downtime associated with Picosure Pro, noting that the treatment effectively addresses both current and long-term skin issues.

Sara (05:09): "But it immediately tells you when you hear the clacking, that's where you need to be wearing more sunscreen."

The hosts also discuss the importance of consistent sunscreen use, especially for those frequently exposed to sunlight, like Sara in Los Angeles.

K18 Heat Bounce Conditioning Heat Protectant Review

[07:00 - 21:50]

Kirbie and Sara transition to reviewing K18's latest product: the Heat Bounce Conditioning Heat Protectant. This innovative formula serves as both a heat protectant and a leave-in conditioner, aimed at providing superior protection and moisture.

Kirbie (08:04): "It's a heat protectant, but also a leave-in conditioner. So your hair is going to feel smooth. It's going to look smooth and it's going to feel moisturized."

The duo shares their hands-on experiences, highlighting the product’s ability to detangle, moisturize, and protect hair without the typical heaviness associated with many conditioners.

Sara (13:14): "Madison Turner here who said thoughts so far? Someone with low porosity curly hair... feels soft, detangles easily, and seems to stay fairly tangle free between wash days."

However, they also address some criticisms, such as the potential for stickiness and the learning curve associated with proper application.

Kirbie (15:01): "Some said it felt sticky. And I think that this is going to boil down to the education that K18 is going to have to do in terms of application."

To mitigate these issues, the hosts suggest spraying the product into the palms before distribution and using a comb for even application.

Sara (18:13): "A lot of people are doing this. They said that they actually like it more after they spray it into your palm and then work it through your hair accordingly."

Overall, Kirbie and Sara commend K18 for creating a multi-functional product that simplifies hair care routines while providing effective protection and conditioning.

Beauty Industry News

a. Fleur Acquisition by TSG Consumer Partners
[21:50 - 25:31]

Kirbie and Sara discuss the acquisition of Fleur, a fragrance brand co-founded by Chriselle Lim, by TSG Consumer Partners. They highlight Fleur's impressive growth and strategic marketing efforts that have positioned fragrance as a booming category within the beauty industry.

Sara (22:25): "Fragrance is outpacing skincare and makeup in growth with 12% growth in prestige, 8% in mass, while skincare and makeup growth was well below that."

The hosts analyze the success factors behind Fleur, including its storytelling and influencer-led marketing campaigns, which have resonated deeply with consumers.

Kirbie (24:28): "Fragrance is notoriously the hardest category to talk about because we don't have smell o vision. So how do you share with someone without smelling them that this is the fragrance for you?"

They also touch upon the broader trend of influencer-led brands being acquired, citing examples like Summer Fridays and Naturium, and emphasize the importance of strategic partnerships and authentic brand storytelling.

Kirbie (27:25): "Same with Criselle. So I think this just goes to show that, like, yes, it matters. It's important. And, like, consumers actually really care about connecting with that human."

b. Harry Styles Launches Pleasing Sex Toys
[25:31 - 34:52]

The conversation shifts to Harry Styles' foray into the sex toy market with his brand "Pleasing." Kirbie and Sara commend the strategic marketing behind the launch, which cleverly taps into existing fan culture and popular TikTok trends.

Kirbie (31:02): "Harry Styles launched female pleasure toys, sex toys, and promptly sold them out as well. Wow."

They discuss the product design, highlighting the double-sided vibrator and the accompanying lube, both of which quickly sold out due to effective marketing and Harry's devoted fan base.

Sara (32:28): "It's the color of the brand. It's purple and pink."

However, the hosts critique the minimal involvement of Harry in the product’s promotion, noting that his limited presence in marketing materials left them questioning his direct role.

Sara (31:58): "What did we give him in our report card or whatever? I think we gave him a C."

Despite these critiques, Sara and Kirbie appreciate Harry's ability to connect with his audience and his strategic move to monetize emerging trends in female pleasure products.

c. Estee Laundrie Makes a Grand Return
[34:52 - 44:51]

Estee Laundrie, an anonymous collective known for their critical insights into the beauty industry, have resurfaced with a renewed focus on long-form content through Patreon. Kirbie and Sara explore Estee Laundrie's impact on the beauty community, recalling their role as watchdogs who held significant companies accountable.

Kirbie (35:03): "They were the industry watchdog. They were responsible for a lot of things that happened in a lot of drama, this business."

The hosts recount notable exposures by Estee Laundrie, such as internal memos from Marc Jacobs Beauty and problematic content from Estee Lauder executives. They praise the collective for their role in maintaining transparency and accountability within the beauty sector.

Sara (41:02): "They have also held people accountable, which I really like about them."

Kirbie and Sara also discuss the strategic choice of Estee Laundrie to move to Patreon, allowing for monetization and deeper engagement with their audience through subscriptions.

Kirbie (43:48): "They have yet again gotten the glams to test a product before it launched."

Ultimately, the hosts express interest in potentially featuring Estee Laundrie on their podcast to further explore their insights and contributions to the beauty industry.

Conclusion

[44:51 - 46:14]

Kirbie and Sara wrap up the episode by engaging listeners with questions about their experiences with K18's new product, Harry Styles' Pleasing collection, and Estee Laundrie's resurgence. They encourage audience participation and feedback, fostering a sense of community among their listeners.

Sara (45:23): "I'm going to immediately after this."

The episode concludes with a brief advertisement for Acast’s podcast sponsorship services, inviting brands to connect with their target audience through personalized podcast recommendations.

Notable Quotes:

• Sara (02:21): "The Picosure pro now not only treats pigmentation, acne scars, fine lines, but it also works on skin tightening as well and like, improving the texture of your skin, refining pores."

• Kirbie (08:04): "It's a heat protectant, but also a leave-in conditioner. So your hair is going to feel smooth. It's going to look smooth and it's going to feel moisturized."

• Sara (13:14): "Madison Turner here who said thoughts so far? Someone with low porosity curly hair... feels soft, detangles easily, and seems to stay fairly tangle free between wash days."

• Kirbie (24:28): "Fragrance is notoriously the hardest category to talk about because we don't have smell o vision. So how do you share with someone without smelling them that this is the fragrance for you?"

• Sara (41:02): "They have also held people accountable, which I really like about them."

This episode of Gloss Angeles offers an in-depth exploration of current beauty trends, product innovations, and pivotal industry news, all while providing expert insights and engaging discussions from seasoned beauty journalists Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan. Whether you're interested in the latest skincare treatments, hair care innovations, or significant moves within the beauty industry, this episode delivers comprehensive coverage to keep you informed and inspired.