Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary

Episode: Kris Jenner’s Facelift Debut and The Surprising Top Fragrances of 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan
Date: October 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging Tuesday news episode, beauty journalists and pop culture insiders Kirbie and Sara dissect two buzzy topics sweeping the beauty world: Kris Jenner's much-talked-about facelift reveal and the shock results in 2025's top-selling fragrances. Having attended a star-studded Shark x Kris Jenner event, the hosts give listeners an inside look at “the facelift of the decade,” the event’s new product drops, and their own fragrance faves. They also present real-world testing insights from the Gloss Angeles Confidential community on the latest retinoid night cream—a must-listen for beauty fans, Kardashian followers, and anyone chasing the big trends in wellness and pop beauty.

Kris Jenner’s Facelift & The Star-Studded Shark Event

[00:53–14:59]

The Scene at the Shark x Kris Jenner Event

• Kirbie and Sara were present at the Shark (the beauty tech brand) launch, where Kris Jenner made her first public appearance post-facelift.
• Kris’s new look was styled on site by celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, featuring a striking blonde wig.
  • “We decided tonight you’re going to be blonde.” — Chris Appleton, quoted by Sara [03:35]
• The entire crowd was buzzing about her transformation and the level of transparency Kris offered about her procedures.

On Kris Jenner’s Facelift

• Both hosts rave over how youthful Kris looked, with Sara joking:
  • “She looks younger than when she was younger.” [04:50]
• Kirbie credits Kris’s plastic surgeon, Dr. Steven Levine, calling her face “the most incredible billboard for his work.” [03:47]
• The $300,000+ procedure instantly made Dr. Levine even more in-demand:
  • “It’s kind of like a badge of honor if you can even get a consult with him now.” — Sara [04:13]
• They note no details on additional procedures were shared, but speculate about likely adjunct treatments (veneers, Fraxel for the chest) based on Kris’s all-over glow.
• Kirbie points out Kris’s long-term skin health likely made her an ideal facelift candidate:
  • “The best patient for a facelift is someone who has been wearing sunscreen, who has been taking care of themselves, because you can only do so much.” [06:33]
  • “Texture doesn’t lie.” — Sara [06:43]
• Emotional moment: Kris teared up reflecting on this decade being her favorite of her life, and feeling confident and happy in her skin. [05:01]
• Both marvel at Kris’s personality and work ethic, hinting she’d be their dream podcast guest. [07:33–08:04]

Product Launches & Event Highlights

• Shark Glam Hot Tool:
  • A new hot tool for hair styling/drying, promising glossy, shiny blowouts with minimal heat damage.
  • “Straightens hair in as little as one pass for glossy blowouts and sleek, high shine styles.” — Kirbie [02:31]
• New Shark Facial Device:
  • 3-in-1 facial device with hydra-powered extractions (like HydraFacial), hydration boost, and daily sculpting with trademarked dual-temp (hot/cold) technology [09:59].
  • “It looks like a gua sha. It looks like an electronic gua sha.” — Kirbie [10:31]
  • Model Sophie Pavitt featured in promos [10:44].
  • Hosts are eager to do real-world testing to see if it lives up to clinical claims.

Memorable Moment

• Kirbie FaceTimes her mom during the Kris Jenner event so she could “see Kris walk in.” [08:08]

The Surprising Top Fragrances of 2025

[14:59–26:22]

Industry Sales Data & Insights

• Kirbie and Sara review a report by Beauty Independent, breaking down 2025’s top-selling fragrances at Sephora, Ulta, and Amazon.

Key Stats and Trends:

• Sephora:
  • Sol de Janeiro dominates, responsible for 10 of the top 20 scents.
  • The top spot, however, goes to Kayali’s Yum Boujee Marshmallow.
  • Sephora perfume sampler gift sets also rank high.
  • “If you are not buying one of the cologne or perfume sampler gift sets from Sephora, you are missing out because you get to...buy the full size of it.” — Sara [18:33–18:40]
• Ulta:
  • Sol de Janeiro leads (notably Cherry OSA 48 Mist), with a strong showing from legacy brands like Prada, Lancome, YSL, Valentino, and Kylie Cosmetics (“Cosmic” by Kylie Jenner).
  • Notable trend: more mature/legacy scent offerings compared to Sephora’s slightly younger/gourmand skew.
• Amazon:
  • Features a totally different set: lots of affordable, TikTok- and influencer-hyped brands (e.g., Lattafa, Rasasi, Afnan) and celebrity scents (Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Victoria’s Secret).
  • Lattafa’s popularity is tied to viral TikTok shop trends.
  • “Lattafa is a popular brand on TikTok...I bet a lot of people searching what they see on TikTok Shop on Amazon because you get free shipping if you have prime.” — Kirbie [25:32–25:59]

Fragrance Sampling and Gifting:

• Both hosts swear by fragrance samplers for holiday gifting and personal discovery, lauding their value and Sephora’s clever marketing setup [17:43–18:48].

Personal Favorites:

• Sara: L’Or Desperte, Glossier You, various Chanels.
• Kirbie: Prada Paradox (“all day, every day”); also enjoys Valentino Born in Roma.

Store Setups:

• Hosts discuss differences in fragrance department layouts at Sephora vs. Ulta, noting Ulta’s greater accessibility for fragrance exploration [21:31–22:53].

Gloss Angeles Confidential: ESK Ultimate A Gold Cream Community Results

[28:03–35:39]

Product Introduction & Listener Testing

• 150 listeners tested Evidence Skin Care (ESK) Ultimate A Gold night cream.
  • Features: 1% retinal (not retinol), 5% niacinamide, lactobionic acid, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and other skin-barrier-friendly ingredients.
• Designed to be tolerable for sensitive skin and those new to retinoids.

Real-World Listener Feedback

• Highlights from Testimonials:

  • Kat K: “Usually peels like crazy with retinoids... been using this nightly, can still use actives in the morning, no barrier issues. Skin looks brighter and more even... stopped wearing foundation.” [31:38]
  • Candace W: “Improvements on forehead, under eyes, and squint smile lines. No reaction.” [32:05]
  • Kira W: “Applied over healing eczema spot — no irritation, looked better by morning... milia gone.”
  • Victoria T: Experienced retinoid user with melasma, found this gentler than prescription tret, “no breakouts or dryness.”
  • Ali B: “My tone looks even, no breakouts, makeup goes on well.” [33:14]

• Majority report minimal to no irritation, even layering with other products.

• Small minority experienced irritation; hosts note this is common with retinoids and may depend on user skin type/regimen.

• Packaging/Website Critique:

  • Some testers found ESK’s website generic-looking and not reflective of how effective the product turned out to be.

• Price: $92 via eskcare.com, discount code “KIRBIESKGLOSS” valid through Dec 31.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “She teared up talking about how this is her favorite decade of her life.” — Kirbie on Kris Jenner [05:04]
• “It’s the most incredible billboard for his work...” —Sara, on Kris Jenner and Dr. Steven Levine [03:47]
• “Texture doesn’t lie.” — Sara, on the limits of facelifts [06:43]
• “If you are not buying one of the cologne or perfume sampler gift sets from Sephora, you are missing out...” — Sara [18:33]
• “You can only do so much. Texture doesn’t lie.” — Sara [06:43]
• “Lattafa is a popular brand on TikTok...I bet a lot of people searching what they see on TikTok Shop on Amazon because you get free shipping if you have prime.” — Kirbie [25:32]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Kris Jenner Facelift Highlights: [00:53–08:08]
• Shark Event & New Product Launches: [08:08–12:12]
• Reflections on Kris & Kardashian Family: [12:12–14:59]
• Top Fragrances of 2025: [14:59–26:22]
• Listener Product Test: ESK Ultimate A Gold Cream: [28:03–35:39]

Closing Thoughts

This episode delivers snappy reporting on major beauty news and groundbreaking pop cultural moments in a way only Kirbie and Sara can—mixing sharp editorial insights, humor, and direct-from-the-event anecdotes. Whether you’re hunting for your next night cream or wondering what scents will rule holiday gift bags, there’s something here for everyone passionate about beauty and trends.

For more, check out Gloss Angeles every Tuesday and Friday.