Is “Slop Face” Really Taking Over Hollywood? Plus, Our Case Against No Mascara Summer

Summary

Gloss Angeles Podcast: "Is 'Slop Face' Really Taking Over Hollywood? Plus, Our Case Against No Mascara Summer"
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan
Date: July 21, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this engaging and opinionated episode, Kirbie and Sara dissect two of the most curious recent beauty headlines: the Hollywood Reporter’s much-talked-about “Slop Face” article claiming sameness is sweeping celebrity beauty, and The Cut’s assertion that “No Mascara Summer” is the new “it” trend. Drawing on years of industry experience and their signature candid banter, the duo challenge these narratives, exploring issues of intersectionality, pretty privilege, and personal empowerment in beauty trends.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cyclosporiasis Outbreak and Food Anxiety

Notable segment: 00:54–03:53

• The episode opens with a chat about the recent parasite outbreak tied to various foods (especially at fast food chains). Both hosts express increasing food safety anxiety, joking about resorting to carbs and baked goods.
• Quote (Kirbie, 03:18): "It's so scary. I do this thing called thistle. It's like high protein meal delivery. They always have spinach in all their meals... No spinach today. Do I risk it? I'm scared."
• They lament salad’s tarnished reputation and riff on the need for some “PR damage control” for leafy greens (04:13).

---

2. “Slop Face Is Taking Over Hollywood” Article

Main segment: 05:32–16:29

Article Summary

• Sara summarizes a recent Hollywood Reporter article arguing that Hollywood beauty is becoming increasingly generic, a phenomenon they dub “Slop Face.” The article links this to AI beauty standards, industry pressures, social media, and the rise of virtual/self-tape casting.

Hosts’ Reactions

• Kirbie critiques the article:

  • Finds the article “whack” and lacking a clear thesis (08:23).
  • Notes the lack of intersectionality; almost no Black actors or women of color are mentioned (08:41).
  • Argues many current stars (e.g., Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Timothée Chalamet, Glenn Powell, Barry Keogan, Anya Taylor-Joy, Mia Goth) still present unique looks.
    • Quote (Kirbie, 09:34): "One of the things that this story says is, think about this. When was the last time you saw a star under 40 with less than perfect teeth? Today. Zendaya."
  • Suggests the article inadvertently conflates influencer beauty culture with actor casting.

• Discussion of what truly drives sameness:

  • Industry pressures, comments about celebrity appearances, people bringing edited photos to plastic surgeons at younger ages.
  • Interesting point: “A lot of influencers cannot break into traditional television and film, because they've used so many treatments, fillers, surgeries to have this perfect aesthetic... when Hollywood actually doesn’t want that.” (Kirbie, 16:01)

• Memorably snarky moment:

  • On the article’s clickbait approach and lack of diversity:
  • Kirbie (13:12): "Even the image that they use... I don't really know about that. Oh, surely, like, Zoe Kravitz will be referenced in this. And she's not. It's literally all white actors."
  • On mis-identifying Jenner sisters' alleged plastic surgery:
    • Sara (13:37): "They said Kendall Jenner's breast implants... and we all know it's Kylie."

• Critique of the ‘slop face’ label:

  • Both find the phrase odd and unconvincing, feel like it's a misplaced trend-spot that's out of touch with the diversity and distinctive looks actually present in modern Hollywood casting.
  • Sara (15:29): “I really felt like they were trying to make— they had this strong argument, and it just didn’t hit the mark.”

---

3. The Case Against “No Mascara Summer”

Main segment: 16:29–28:38

Trend Rundown

• The Cut published a piece claiming that mascara is “out” this summer, featuring naturally stunning celebrities (Alicia Keys, Pamela Anderson, Gigi Hadid) who skip mascara.
• Makeup artist Kellyanne Sewell is quoted: “It shows a lot of confidence because it's paring back and being really comfortable in your skin, which also comes with the privilege of aging and seeing that you're beautiful the way you are.” (17:35)

Kirbie & Sara’s Take

• Both push back hard, highlighting privilege behind these trends (“pretty privilege”).
• Quote (Kirbie, 18:21): "Over my dead body. Cue the Drake song. Over my dead body will I be giving up my mascara. You will bury me with MAC Gigablack Lash."
• They note that for many women, mascara and lashes are essential to feeling awake, confident, and more themselves, and the trend seems aimed at those who already meet conventional beauty standards.

Personal Stories & Cultural Reflections

• Stories about early career expectations (“You can’t wear fake lashes. Now you can’t wear mascara.”), the rise and limits of “effortless” beauty aesthetics (like Glossier’s early era), and the emotional comfort found in beauty routines.
• Deep dive into how “bare nails” and “no-makeup-makeup” trends, far from democratizing beauty, are often linked to status, privilege, and luxury lifestyles.
  • Reference to Christina Rodolfo’s newsletter: if you can afford to get your nails done regularly, that’s the real status symbol, not doing nothing at all. (24:44)
• Sara (27:30): "We all need to let everyone do what they want without making bold claims something is in or out... Makeup helps us feel good. It helps us be more confident. We enjoy wearing it and the process of it."

---

4. Meta-Commentary on Trends, Beauty Standards, and Privilege

• The hosts repeatedly note how beauty trends cycle back to privilege (“model off duty,” “clean girl,” “no make-up makeup”) and how these narratives subtly or openly exclude those who don’t match narrow standards.
• Strong advocacy for beauty as self-care, ritual, and personal empowerment, not just surface or “on-trend” choices.
• Kirbie (28:32): "Maybe at the core of it—if I could [go without mascara], I would. But in my opinion, how I feel, I can't."

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On slop face article’s lack of diversity:
  • Kirbie (08:41): “It was not intersectional at all. There is not one Black actress named in this article.”
• On ‘No Mascara Summer’:
  • Kirbie (18:21): “Over my dead body… will I be giving up my mascara. You will bury me with MAC Gigablack Lash.”
• On beauty rituals as essential confidence:
  • Sara (27:30): "Makeup makes us feel good. It helps us be more confident. We enjoy wearing it and the process of it."
• On rejecting prescribed trends:
  • Kirbie (21:29): "If you have been following us long enough, you know mascara is my desert island product."
• On pretty privilege & trend cycles:
  • Kirbie (19:29): “A lot of people who are pulling this off have pretty privilege. Hundred percent. They probably do not need makeup at all.”

---

Segment Timestamps

• 00:54–03:53 — Food safety anxiety and cyclosporiasis outbreak.
• 05:32–16:29 — Hollywood Reporter’s “Slop Face” article: reactions, diversity, and critique.
• 16:29–28:38 — The Cut’s “No Mascara Summer” trend and the hosts’ passionate response.
• 24:44–25:39 — Christina Rodolfo’s take on bare nails and privilege in beauty.
• 28:38–30:12 — Emotional reflections
 on beauty and “effortless” expectations.
• 31:05–32:16 — Final critiques on unfinished journalism & wrap-up on mascara testing.

---

Tone and Style

• Unapologetically direct, deeply informed by years of beauty editorial experience.
• Candid, self-aware, and peppered with humor, sarcasm, and personal asides.
• Consistently champions individuality and empowerment, even against "trendy" narratives.

---

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in beauty trends, pop culture, and media literacy. Kirbie and Sara interrogate buzzy headlines and challenge lazy narratives, all while reminding listeners that beauty is deeply personal—and no one gets to decide what makes you feel your best. If you’ve ever felt left out of “effortless” trends or wondered who gets to set the standard, you’ll find both solidarity and thoughtful analysis here.

---

Resources Mentioned:

• Hollywood Reporter "Slop Face" article (linked in the show notes and Substack)
• The Cut’s “No Mascara Summer” article
• Christina Rodolfo’s newsletter "Pearl" on bare nails and status

---

Listener Call-to-Action:
Did you read these articles? Are you giving up mascara? Join the conversation via Substack or social—Kirbie and Sara want your take!

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

Is your kid's birthday coming up? Don't stress the prep. The party shop at Michael's is your one stop. Shop for every theme from Bluey to rodeo. Transform your space into a birthday wonderland with dreamworthy tablescapes and decor starting at 99 cents. Plus get free helium inflation on select balloon styles. Whether you're crafting a one of a kind bash or grabbing the essentials, Michaels has everything to make their big day legendary. Shop now and order ahead for delivery or in store pickup. Michaels everything to celebrate anything.

[Kirby]

Glam los angeles.

[Sarah]

Hi, kirby. Hi, sarah. Welcome to los angeles.

[Kirby]

So is everybody just shitting their pants lately?

[Sarah]

You mean at concerts?

[Kirby]

No, like because of that parasitic.

[Sarah]

Yes. Huh.

[Kirby]

Cyclosporiasis.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Ass apparently being a crucial part of that name. Because all of my feed are news stories about cyclosporiasis outbreak. Taco Bell being investigated as part of the cyclospora parasite outbreak. What Taco Bell learned about Chipotle, you know what they learned when they had this problem. And, and then it's like, okay, it's not the produce, it's the water. And literally every single post on Instagram are people going, I feel like I don't have the parasite. I'm just always having diarrhea. Oh, which are you guys?

[Commercial Announcer]

Okay.

[Kirby]

I'm not surprised. Like, we need some food help in this country in terms of like what we're eating on a regular basis.

[Sarah]

No, but a lot of people have ibs and a lot of people apparently have inflammation.

[Kirby]

Inflammation is rampant in this country. I am truly terrified to eat anything now.

[Sarah]

No, I know. I'm like, what do we do? Just pizza and burgers?

[Kirby]

No. I was like, I guess it's like a great day to be a carb. Like I, I went home because I drove here at the wrong time.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

And then I had to go back home because I didn't have my computer. So I had nothing to do. What if I just went to the coffee shop and just sat there for an hour just like stone faced staring at the wall? That would have been nobody speak to me.

[Sarah]

Maybe that would have been good for you.

[Kirby]

They probably actually sounds lovely. We've talked about this. After every episode we shoot in the studio, we drive home in complete silence because it takes it out of us. It takes it out of us.

[Sarah]

We need to decompress. It's a decompress. I'm very worried. I feel like California has not been hit that hard with it yet.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Sarah]

But as everything it always it's going to hit us at some point, I'm

[Kirby]

scared for my parents. I'm like, they're older. Like, you guys can take them out to the process. I'm like, just microwave everything. Don't get lettuce.

[Sarah]

No berries, no cilantro, cucumbers. It was literally when that article came out or the news happened, I opened my fridge and it was like, raspberries, cilantro, lettuce, cucumbers, lettuce. I literally had just bought everything. And then I'm like, well, I just spent 20 at the farmer's market on these berries. Cool.

[Kirby]

It's so scary. I do this thing called thistle. It's like high protein meal delivery. They always have spinach in all their meals, but you're supposed to cook them in a pan and warm them up. So I'm like, okay. Like, no, I'll be fine.

[Sarah]

No spinach today.

[Kirby]

Okay, well, no. No spinach. No spinach. I'm like, do I risk it?

[Sarah]

I don't know.

[Kirby]

I'm scared.

[Sarah]

I don't know. That's the thing, because I also read because I'll wash everything with, like a vinegar. You know, wash my. My fruit. But they said that the vinegar doesn't kill it.

[Kirby]

No, no. So the only thing that's killing it, it has to be over 158 degrees. So I am scared.

[Sarah]

Baked goods.

[Kirby]

And apparently this type of parasitic outbreak does happen in the summers. Like, it's more prevalent in the summers, but there's also a reason why we have measles outbreaks and this happening more rampantly. And I'll let y' all be the judge of why that is.

[Sarah]

Also, I feel like salad needs a new PR manager because they've just been getting so much shit lately because everyone's like, eat warm foods, no salads. And then all of a sudden, it's like, don't eat lettuce because you are gonna poop your pants. Yes, salad. Listen, love to see your glow.

[Kirby]

Let us. Let us help you.

[Sarah]

Let us help you.

[Kirby]

Sounds like they need banana breads. Publicist from 2020.

[Sarah]

Yes, they do.

[Kirby]

Okay, enough about crapping our pants. Let's go on to things we actually know a lot more about, which is the beauty news of the week. There wasn't a ton going on. I do want to discuss the Charlotte Tilbury dupe conversation that's been happening on the Internet right now. But I think that there is a lot more that needs to be said, and I want it to be thoughtful and honed in. So we're going to put a pin in that for this week we have seen all of the different takes, all of the different dunking that people are doing about it. If you're not aware of what I'm talking about, then don't worry about it. But I know that we had some listeners reach out and say, can you cover this?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

And I just think that there's a lot of context that needs to be provided so people understand what she was actually talking about versus what it was interpreted as during that news segment.

[Sarah]

But we've got some fun headlines to talk about. So there was an article that Hollywood Reporter ran and the headline was Slop Face is Taking Over Hollywood and Making Beauty Boring. So I read this, and the reporter basically makes the argument that everyone in Hollywood is looking the same.

[Commercial Announcer]

And.

[Sarah]

And the author is dubbing it Slop Face, which is a nod to AI's influence on beauty standards. They said that, you know, older celebrities, older stars like Meryl Streep and Al Pacino and Denzel, they all had distinctive looks, but now they think that celebrities are starting to look more generic and interchangeable. And they are tracing it to industry pressure, social media, but also the rise of virtual and self tape casting, which I thought was really interesting. So this reporter said that they first started noticing the trend when they went to a CW upfronts party or whatever, where it's like all these new and upcoming celebrities for these new shows. And they were saying that all of the young stars looked like Disney princesses with like big eyes and long hair and they were very, very tiny. And I think, you know, all of us have started to see that with a lot of these. Specifically, I would say women celebrities, like, everyone's very, very tiny right now. And they are making this argument that, you know, obviously industry pressure, social media, where a lot of these actors and actresses are seeing comments that are being made about them, they're seeing the conversations around other celebrities and how beautiful they are and then bringing these pictures to their, you know, plastic surgeons and dermatologists and estheticians. And it's starting to get younger. We know that this reporter also spoke to Dr. Diamond who confirmed that, yes, plastic surgery has grown year over year since 2023, with patients skewing younger. 74% of surgeons say the average facelift patient is getting younger and up to 9% from the prior year. I don't know, like, I definitely see it and I do think that there is a lot of sameness, but I do think that there are still actors and actresses that are very successful and very unique looking. Like, to me, I Think Zendaya is a very unique looking person. I think she's so beautiful, but I don't think she looks like everyone else. Kirby, do you feel like this theory is right or do you think that there are other celebrities like a Zendaya who are bucking the trend?

[Kirby]

I think this is a whack take. Yeah. I think this is the weirdest article I've ever read. This writer is an acclaimed, award winning writer, so I don't want to diminish his accolades. And I. I did enjoy reading the article, but it does feel it's like.

[Sarah]

Like nothing.

[Kirby]

Yes. It said a lot of things without actually stating any type of actual thesis or having a strong point of view. And it also was not intersectional at all. When I read this. There is not one black actress named in this article. The only black person named in this entire article was Denzel. Is Denzel Washington. Yeah, sure. You went to a CW party. Arguably CW tends to trend white, so. Sure. But go to a Disney Channel original movie activation and there are a lot of different faces, a lot of different body types. People look different. I also have to wonder how old this writer is. He's probably our age. Maybe it's just because everybody starts to run together when you're not in the thick of how influential some of these people are.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

One of the things that this story says is, think about this. When was the last time you saw a star under 40 with less than perfect teeth? Today. Zendaya. And it's one of the reasons why I love Zendaya because she is an incredible actress, immensely talented. I freaking love her relationship with her husband Tom. And she is stunningly beautiful, incredible fashion, and does not have perfect teeth.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Jacob Elordi does not have perfect teeth. I mean, I know that it's. And it almost feels like he is making this particular point in this article, but he's actually talking about influencers.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

And not legitimate celebrities. I would argue that, like, Timothy Shallow is not a conventionally attractive dude. I think they literally tamed him. Rat boy, you literally.

[Sarah]

What about the words out of my mouth?

[Kirby]

Jim Allen White.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Like people call Glenn Powell. Love you, Glenn. They call him a capybara. They're like, Glenn Powell looks like a capybara. And that man is a hot looking dude.

[Sarah]

A handsome guy.

[Kirby]

Right. But he is not, let's say, what people may deem conventionally attractive. Like Michael B. Jordan.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Or Austin Butler.

[Sarah]

Totally. But I also think, like, I don't see anyone else that looks like Michael B. Jordan or Austin Butler. I think they just are all unique.

[Kirby]

I think they all have distinctive looks and I think that's actually why they are actors that are being put in roles that end up going, I don't think that Tom Holland looks like every other guy out there.

[Sarah]

No, I don't think so. And look how many movies he is in this summer. Right.

[Kirby]

I'm very confused by this. And I think like whoever was in the room dictating like what the stories for this particular issue was going to be were like, yes, like, let's talk about sameness. And then they're going through and the things that the people that they're naming. I'm like, what are you talking about? They use it as an example of like being different looking. Barry Keegan, which he has been completely scrutinized for how he looks mostly by Sabrina Carpenter fans. And they even mentioned Hot Rodent man there. He says even objectively stunning stars get scrutinized over any element. That's a departure from the norm. Anya Taylor Joy gets ridiculed for her widely spaced eyes. And Mia Goth gets singled out her. Her barely there eyebrows. Mia Goth's eyebrows I am pretty sure are intentionally bleached.

[Sarah]

And that's a choice.

[Kirby]

Anya Taylor Joy is not ridiculed for her eyes.

[Sarah]

I've never heard of that before.

[Kirby]

Literally something people compliment.

[Sarah]

She looks like a.

[Kirby]

Like a doll.

[Sarah]

Well, she looks like a. Yeah, a doll that. Like a Disney princess in the best way.

[Kirby]

Sydney Sweeney's breasts have caused a raging debate. Quote, unquote. Why is the discourse around Sydney Sweeney's breast so unhinged? Asks Vogue. While a Slate headline insisted Sydney Sweeney's boobs are not that big. Boobs get her booked. I'm not saying that she is not a talented actress. Producer, whatever. Yeah, because she killed it in euphoria this season. Whether you like her or not, it's. That's an objective fact. But Sydney Sweeney's boobs, literally, I think she has amazing boobs. And that is probably what is bringing people to the theaters.

[Sarah]

Does anyone disagree with that?

[Kirby]

I mean, you would have to be an idiot to not agree with that. She has amazing natural breasts. And by the way, and you know, made. She's like butt ass naked in the housemaid.

[Sarah]

I never saw that, by the way. You know, who knows? She has good boobs. Sydney Sweeney Sweeney.

[Kirby]

She lets. She uses them to her advantage and

[Sarah]

you know, she should.

[Kirby]

I just think this is such a weird article and I was in a very strong argument.

[Sarah]

And then even the image that they use, like where it's like, a face. And then they have, like, the different names. I was like, I don't really know about that. And then to your point, like, I was like, oh, surely, like, Zoe Kravitz will be referenced in this. And she's not. There's, like, it's literally all white actors.

[Kirby]

I mean, I do think that if you're going to be talking about aesthetics in Hollywood, woman's perspective would have been appreciated for this story.

[Sarah]

They also. There was a typo. They said, Kendall Jenner's breast implants.

[Kirby]

And.

[Sarah]

And we all know it's Kylie.

[Kirby]

Yeah. Kendall did not disclose under the muscle.

[Commercial Announcer]

No.

[Kirby]

She may or may not have had a boob job, but Kylie's the one that just flat out said, I've had my boobs done.

[Sarah]

Yes.

[Kirby]

And here's what I did, for sure. I don't know. I. I know I sound impassioned, but I'm. I'm passionate about everything. Guys get over it. I. I just get excited about things and, like, I just don't.

[Sarah]

No, I understand.

[Kirby]

I just don't understand this.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

It's interesting.

[Sarah]

We have, like, so many friends that.

[Kirby]

And, like, calling it slop face.

[Sarah]

Yeah. It was weird. It's weird.

[Kirby]

I don't think. I look at people on hbo, Max, or even, like, even Peacock. Like, even Love island this season. People were commenting about the fact that the women looked different, they weren't replicas of each other, and that all of them didn't have enormous amounts of filler in their lips or in their face. I just think that, like, when I'm watching television now, I don't see a lot of the same. And that's because the people that are being booked for these jobs are not being booked because they are this beautiful or whatever.

[Sarah]

I mean, yeah.

[Kirby]

I think one of the stronger pieces here could be, like, women in this industry are being held to a standard that is unachievable. And. And, like, they're talented, but then still judged for their looks. Like, there was a whole argument on Twitter at one point that Sydney Sweeney was ugly. And they just, like, were posting all these photos. Like, see, she has downturned eyes and, like, she doesn't even have that pretty of a face. And it's like, all her boobs. And I'm like, Sydney Sweeney is an objectively beautiful girl. Like, get. Be for fucking real.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Like, you don't have to find her attractive, but, like, that is a pretty girl.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

So I. I don't know. This was baffling to me when you put it in the thing, I was like, let me read this. I'm like, what the hell is this?

[Sarah]

Yeah, I really felt like they were trying to make. They had this strong argument, and it just didn't really hit the mark. And we have so much respect for the Hollywood Reporter. We have friends who write for them. But this really. This wasn't it.

[Kirby]

Slop Face is taking over Hollywood and making beauty boring, I think. Come talk to us.

[Commercial Announcer]

Hello.

[Kirby]

Yeah, I feel like we're an authority here.

[Sarah]

Maybe they needed to write about AI models and, like, AI influencers who then, yes, they all. They all look the same because they're trying to, like, create this dream person or. You know what?

[Kirby]

I actually would have loved to have read an article about why a lot of influencers cannot break into traditional television and film because they have used so many treatments, fillers, plastic surgeries to have this perfect aesthetic, quote, unquote.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Sarah]

When Hollywood actually doesn't want that, they're

[Kirby]

like, those veneers are egregious. You're never going to be on TV unless you're playing the part of someone with egregious veneers.

[Sarah]

Yep.

[Kirby]

I don't know. Maybe we should get rich and launch a publication.

[Sarah]

I think you should write an op ed.

[Kirby]

Emboldened and impassioned, we remain laughs. Let's go on to this next story. Sarah, have you heard, actually, you. You fit the bill for this, Sarah?

[Sarah]

I do, but not really, because it's

[Kirby]

a no mascara summer, according to the Cut. So the Cut reports. And by the way, we love the Cut. Yeah, the Cut reports that mascara is no longer stylish and perhaps chewy Kate Berlant set on Poog, her podcast that she stopped wearing it. And the Cut features images of Alicia Keys, Pamela Anderson, and Gigi Hadid as examples of celebs that are not wearing mascara this summer.

[Sarah]

When I read the headline, I was like, oh, this is rage bait. This has to be rage bait. No one actually agrees with this, right? I mean, I don't wear mascara. I haven't worn mascara in a very long time. But I have a standing appointment every two weeks for my lash extensions to replicate long lashes and mascara use. So I just was like, you've got to be kidding me.

[Kirby]

I commented on this, which we'll get to in a second. But they tapped our friend and makeup artist Kellyanne Sewell to elaborate on how to achieve this look. So Kelly says that she stopped wearing mascara last year. Quote, it shows a lot of confidence because it's paring back and being really comfortable. In your skin, which also comes with the privilege of aging and seeing that you're beautiful the way you are. She compares no mascara to the trend of getting filler dissolved and that it's actually functional, too. For working women, moms, etc. Who want to get ready quickly. She suggests that if you don't want to skip it completely, start by swapping to brown mascara to take the edge off. Or if you skip it altogether, create another focal point on your face and make sure to curl your lashes. Come here, come here.

[Sarah]

Zoom in.

[Kirby]

Come here. Real close. Over my dead body. Cue the Drake song. Over my dead body. Will I be giving up my mascara? You will bury me with Mac Gigablack lash. Count it. We need a counter. For how many times I have talked about this mascara. I would rather take my dress off right here and now with three other people in the room to conduct the rest of this podcast completely nude than to be on camera ever again or without mascara. Because, Sarah, do you know the last time I didn't wear mascara on camera, it was when we talked about Kristen Cavalieri. And then that clip went viral and everyone told me I looked old and haggard.

[Sarah]

Yep.

[Kirby]

And when I posted this story in my Instagram, people were writing me, like, totally agree with you. I look like a naked mole rat without my mascara.

[Sarah]

And that is how I look without extensions. And that is why they will also have to bury me with extensions or Kirby will have to do my mascara because I forgot how to do it.

[Kirby]

I will ensure that you have lash extensions in your grave.

[Sarah]

I'm sorry, but what are we doing here?

[Kirby]

Here's the deal. Yes. If you have been following us long enough, you know that mascara is my desert island product. If I had everything else that I needed, I would be bringing a mascara with me. I also have to argue that I think a lot of people who are pulling this off and really running with this have pretty privilege a hundred per cent. They probably do not need makeup at all. Kellyanne has the largest eyeballs I've ever seen. Again, she looks like a doll. Disney princess Gigi Hadid is a literal model. Pamela Anderson is known for being a beautiful, striking model woman. Same with Alicia Keys.

[Sarah]

Exactly.

[Kirby]

If I am not wearing my eye makeup, and I'm not just saying mascara, I'm saying, like, my liner, my shadow. I fell in love with beauty because I was able to make myself look more awake by wearing my eye makeup.

[Sarah]

Yes.

[Kirby]

So the fact that it's like, it's actually cooler and, like, it really goes back to almost like the model off duty, effortless look. It's, like, the reason why I hated covering backstage at Fashion Week. Because it would be, like, just a little.

[Sarah]

I don't give a fuck.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Because these people are naturally stunning.

[Sarah]

And that's not to say, like, you have really beautiful lashes naturally. You actually, like, I would kill to have your lashes without any mascara on. But it's how it makes you feel.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Sarah]

And, like, if it makes you feel more beautiful and more confident, and then you're reading this article that's saying that,

[Kirby]

oh, like, you know, mascara, and you're like, well, fuck. I mean, listen, there have been so many things deemed chewy, which I think that word is now chewy itself, and it doesn't even mean anything.

[Commercial Announcer]

Right.

[Kirby]

But, like, when they were saying that side parts were out, and, you know, this is out, and this is a sign that you're a millennial. I am a millennial.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

I'm not trying to hide. Guess who else is a millennial? Lady Gaga. She's the fucking coolest person I know, and I don't even know her, but she's cool. Beyonce. Millennial. Yep. Taylor Swift. Millennial. You guys need to pay your respects to millennials, because we were paving the way. Literally.

[Sarah]

We tried and tested it all. I also think, like, when I was. First of all, when I was reading these notes, I was laughing out loud because Kirby did write, I'd rather take my top off and conduct the rest of this podcast nude.

[Kirby]

I mean, which is true. Which is true.

[Sarah]

But I was, like, so angry about it that I was, like, live texting Kirby, and I was like, we need to just save it for the podcast. But. But it is very similar to, like, that no makeup makeup or that clean girl makeup look, where it does come back to the pretty privilege. Of course, anyone can pull that off if you are a naturally stunning human. But for the rest of us, makeup makes us feel good. It helps us be more confident. We enjoy wearing it and the process of it. Whatever happened to, like, routine, beauty is self care?

[Kirby]

Like, can I actually tell you why I'm so impassioned about this?

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Because when I first started working at POPSUGAR in late 2011, I had to film three videos a day. Okay. Every day I was at work. And I remember the first videos I did. My producer at the time, who was horrendous to me, by the way, hope you're okay.

[Commercial Announcer]

She.

[Kirby]

She literally wrote me on whatever chat platform, hey, you can't wear fake lashes anymore on camera. And I was like, why? Also, I'M not. And she was like, it's just too much. It's like not the look that we're going for. And I'm like, well, I'm just wearing mascara. She's like, you can't wear mascara anymore. So there are videos that I have since deleted from the platform where I'm not wearing any eye makeup. They wanted me in super minimal makeup and I'm the beauty host.

[Sarah]

Yeah, like, what do we do?

[Kirby]

Beauty authority. And people are going, why is she not wearing any makeup? It was the dumbest thing ever. And then I remember being like, I'm sorry, I have to wear mascara. Like, this is insane. And then they kind of let it go. But it's stuff like that where I'm like, It reminds me too of early days of glossier where glossier was a brand of like, it was very much rooted in like French girl, pharmacy, effortlessly cool model, off duty. You had your little balm that you put on your lips, you had your lash slick which barely did anything to your lashes.

[Sarah]

Skin tint was like, not there. It disappeared. Yeah.

[Kirby]

But it was like, it was makeup that was made for teenagers, 20 year olds and maybe 30 year olds that like didn't even need to wear makeup right now. Glossier has one of the best long lasting lip liners I've ever tried and I'm fully obsessed with it. We love their blush is amazing brow products and those are high performance products that actually stay on the skin. And like, that's why I, you know, when people talk to me about glossier and their business, I'm like, well, I'm a glossier girl and I was a convert two years ago.

[Sarah]

Right.

[Kirby]

And it took me a while to actually start to really like glossier. I felt like I wasn't being seen by that brand ever.

[Sarah]

Exactly.

[Kirby]

So here's the other thing too, and I think it's also important we talked about intersectionality in the previous news story. Christina Rodolfo wrote this great, great story in her newsletter Pearl about that bare nail trend being a status symbol. And in my opinion, if you have time and money to get your nails done, that is the real signal of luxury.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Most people don't have the time or the funds to do this anymore.

[Sarah]

Right.

[Kirby]

And I think saying like, oh, you're a part of the upper echelon class. If you have bare nails, like, you don't even need to care about your beauty. It really goes back to pretty privilege. There are plenty of people that are like, actually I have to get my nails done or else people are going to think that I am not capable of this, that, or the other thing.

[Sarah]

Yes. And then also, again, I love how I feel when my nails are done. Is that not enough? Is that, like, what are we doing here?

[Kirby]

Like, I will say, like, I do think some people listening are like, okay, then just wear your mascara and have your eyelashes and call it a day.

[Commercial Announcer]

Right.

[Kirby]

This is a beauty podcast.

[Sarah]

But I don't like the shaming around it. Like, why can't I just enjoy the fact that my nails, I get them done as often as I get my lashes done. And if there is a chip, I am making an appointment to get my nails to me. I need to have them done because it makes me feel like I am, like, a mess without them. So, yeah, I think that Christina hit that on the head so well, and I'm so glad that it went viral and everyone was talking about it.

[Kirby]

I'm gonna link it so that you guys can read in the show notes. And also Sarah will link it in our sub stack because again, to the

[Sarah]

women that we're talking about having bare nails. Gorgeous.

[Kirby]

No, literally, like, also, I would say to getting your nails done and wearing makeup that, like, you can see on your face. Women are not doing that for men.

[Sarah]

No.

[Kirby]

And arguably men are like, don't claim they don't like that.

[Sarah]

Right. They're like, oh, I like you with no makeup.

[Kirby]

Do something that's, like, inherently for us. Yes. Like, I have leopard print French tips. I guarantee you I didn't do this for any man on this planet unless it was, like, I don't know, Bobby Burke or something. You know what I mean? I don't know why Bobby first came. I'm thinking of. I'm trying to think of a gay man.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah. Yeah. You know what I mean?

[Kirby]

Jbn. I don't know. You know what I mean? Yeah, Clayton. Yeah. Like something to that effect. But I guess I'm just, like, I look ill as well. Like, people ask me if I'm doing okay if I don't have on my eye makeup. And I understand because my eyes open up. I illuminate when my. My lashes are to the gods. My brows are filled in, and I got a little wing going.

[Sarah]

Yes, yes. I just think that we all need to let everyone do what they want to do without making these bold claims that something is in or out. And yes, we are beauty podcasts, so naturally, we do talk about those trends. But the ones that are saying, like, this is cheugy. Yes, this is cheugy. Or things that people have Been doing since the beginning of time to make themselves feel more confident, more beautiful. Why are we on that?

[Kirby]

Yeah. I mean, over my dead body.

[Sarah]

That and, like, if you don't wear mascara, don't get your nails done and feel beautiful and confident. Like, I love that.

[Kirby]

That's your prerogative. That could never be me, but never go for it.

[Sarah]

But, like, please go on and live your life and congratulations. But let us get our nails done, Wear mascara, have our fake lashes.

[Kirby]

Yeah. I think it's just, like, I keep on thinking about it, like, why does it ruffle my feather so much? Because normally I'm just like, okay, whatever. I'm not going to be participating in that trend.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

And I think for me, it's like, maybe at the core of it. If I could, I would.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Commercial Announcer]

But I.

[Sarah]

Right.

[Kirby]

In my opinion, how I feel, I can't.

[Sarah]

Right.

[Kirby]

So would I love to be able to just wake up and be like, Kaia Gerber and. And literally, I mean, I cannot imagine how stunning she looks when she wakes up.

[Sarah]

Oh, my God. Probably the same.

[Kirby]

She's, like, such a beautiful specimen. Like Zoe Kravitz. Like, imagine just waking up and being like, that's.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Like, ready to go.

[Sarah]

And that's why these people are famous.

[Kirby]

Literally. But, like, for me, personally, yeah. I'm like, okay, like, gotta get in glam.

[Sarah]

Right. And we're not saying that to, like. I don't want anyone to make, like, feel bad for us.

[Kirby]

Like, that's not where we're going here.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

I feel like we always come from the point of, like, we just know universal truths about ourselves.

[Sarah]

Like, I'm excited to do my nails. I'm excited to walk through my whole process of doing my makeup, especially when I have the time to do it.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Sarah]

Nothing brings me more joy.

[Kirby]

I am actually testing out a new mascara today. I enjoyed the process of trying to figure out how the wand works.

[Sarah]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

I mean, listen, maybe I could be a part of the cool girl crowd because there's, like, a Taylor Swift lyric in here somewhere. Like, all I do is try, try, try, man. Like, I'm not an effortless person. I think it doesn't take a rocket scientist to about me. Like, I am, if anything, earnest. I try very hard. And I'm just never gonna be nonchalant. I'm just never gonna be nonchalant. I'm never gonna be that. That nonchalant girl.

[Sarah]

No. And that is why, also, that's why we have this podcast.

[Kirby]

That is why some of you said I looked orange a Couple of weeks ago, in that Trini Woodall episode, someone commented and goes, I hope you don't mind me commenting. But, yes, I was. What was the term that they used? I was distracted or I was. She used a word like, I hope you don't mind me saying this.

[Sarah]

Yeah, like, trying to say in the

[Kirby]

most respectful way, but, like, your. Your tan was, like, alarming.

[Sarah]

Thank you. Were. I did not think that you were very orange at all.

[Kirby]

I didn't either. But then I wrote back, and I was like, I actually do mind, because I didn't ask you for your opinion, and you're not the one being interviewed. That's another takeaway that I think people should take to heart. Yeah. I don't think at any given point, if you're a listener of this podcast or know me in person, you've thought, kirby so chill and laid back and, like, really just whatever. Maybe if I was on, you know, medication, maybe that's coming for me. Maybe. Maybe.

[Sarah]

No. You never, never change. Never change.

[Kirby]

So we want to know, did you read this Hollywood Reporter article about slop face? What were your initial thoughts? We know Blake Lee Thornton has some thoughts about it, so if you want to see, go check out his video. That's actually how I first heard about this.

[Sarah]

Oh, I haven't even. Okay, I can't wait.

[Kirby]

I didn't watch the full entirety of his video until after I read the story, because I knew that you had put it in here. So I saw it, I saved it, I went and read the story, and then I went and watched his, and I was like, valid points. But he always has his foot on the neck of the Hollywood Reporter.

[Sarah]

Totally. Can I also just add something to that? That article is. If I were an editor, I'd be like, this is not finished. It felt unfinished.

[Kirby]

That's actually a great point. When I was going through it and I was reading it, I thought. I was like, does it just stop?

[Sarah]

It feels unfinished.

[Kirby]

It's a couple of paragraphs. It's not very. I don't know. I thought this was gonna. There was gonna be a stronger take, like, a better point being made. Did you guys read the slop Face article? If not, we are linking it in our sub stack. Also, did you read the no Mascara summer article? Do you agree participating?

[Sarah]

Are you throwing out all of your mascara?

[Kirby]

We know that the Gloss Angeles Confidential testers aren't because they are testing a secret mascara right now, which you guys can sign up for Gloss Angeles Confidential by subscribing to our substack.

[Commercial Announcer]

Is your kid's birthday coming up. Don't stress the prep. The party Shop at Michael's is your one stop. Shop for every theme from Bluey to Rodeo. Transform your space into a birthday wonderland with dreamworthy tablescapes and decor starting at 99 cents plus get free helium inflation on select balloons. Styles Whether you're crafting a one of a kind bash or grabbing the essentials, Michaels has everything to make their big day legendary. Shop now and order ahead for delivery or in store pickup. Michaels Everything to celebrate anything.