Luxury Beauty Worth the Investment: Our Must-Have Picks

Summary

Gloss Angeles: Luxury Beauty Worth the Investment – Our Must-Have Picks

Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan
Date: October 21, 2025
Episode Theme:
Kirbie and Sara dig into the world of luxury beauty products, discussing which high-end brands and items are truly worth the investment, especially when replacing drugstore staples. Drawing on their deep experience as beauty journalists, they offer honest, nuanced takes on cult favorites, insider makeup techniques, and the real differences that expensive products can make in your beauty routine.

---

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on answering audience questions about luxury beauty:
Which luxury products are genuinely worth the splurge, and how do you know when to replace a drugstore staple with a high-end alternative?
The hosts break down their most trusted luxury picks, offer gifting suggestions, review pricey beauty tech, and share pro tips for everything from smooth skin to undetectable makeup.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Value of the “What’s On Your Face” Segment

• Kirbie and Sara reminisce about their long-running “What’s On Your Face” routine
• They discuss pulling back from doing it every episode to avoid overconsumption and ensure thoughtful reviews (00:49–01:33)
• Quote:
  • Kirbie: “In the culture of over consumerism, we just wanted to dial it back a little bit.” (01:20)

2. Current Obsessions: Lip Liners, Glosses, and Makeup Techniques

• Sara is loving the Katie Jane Hughes Precision Sculpture Stilo–especially in a deep brown for lining lips in a way that enhances her natural shape ("outlining the halo", per KJH) and the NEEN Glisten Up gloss (02:15–02:58)
• Kirbie describes the Half Magic Go Plump Yourself Precision Plumping Liner for lips and layering with Charlotte Tilbury’s lip liner and Hung Vanngo’s “Nothing Impossible” lipstick (04:42–06:33)
• Quote:
  • Kirbie: “Have you heard of this? So instead of, like, a gloss or a lip product that you put all over your lips to plump, this is a liner. So I outline my vermilion border with it, and it just gives, like, a little [plump] to the lip.” (04:47–05:08)

3. Luxury Brands Worth the Investment

Kirbie and Sara break down their top luxury picks, emphasizing which are truly innovative, effective, and gifting-friendly. (08:48–25:51)

a. La Mer

• Frequently dismissed as overpriced Nivea, but hosts defend it:
  • The Miracle Broth (proprietary, fermented sea kelp) offers unique anti-inflammatory benefits not found in drugstore creams (12:04–12:33)
  • Best for: Dry, reactive, or inflamed skin; gifting; a little luxury, e.g., the lip balm
  • Pro tip: Warm the cream in your hands and press into skin, don’t rub (14:31–15:09)
  • Quote:
    • Kirbie: “It’s made from fermented sea kelp. And it’s why when you use La Mer… your skin looks less red, calmed, less inflamed.” (11:49–12:09)

b. Sulwhasoo

• A revered Korean luxury skincare brand known for ginseng and botanical science (15:45–17:59)
  • Best for: Radiance, hydration, anti-aging, dry or unbalanced skin
  • Sara’s top favorites: The essential revitalizing water (essence) and concentrated ginseng rejuventating cream
  • Notable innovation: Blends old Korean beauty wisdom + advanced science; elegant packaging
  • Quote:
    • Sara: “They really harness ginseng and botanicals… to help repair, restore, rebalance the radiance in your skin.” (16:11–16:14)

c. Chanel

• Once dismissed as just a “name,” both now see value in Chanel’s makeup and skincare innovation (18:34–21:50)
  • Best known for: Red Camellia line, Sublimage, bronzing cream, Les Beiges foundation, and sensorial details
  • Why worth it: Years of R&D and proprietary ingredients; sensorial experience; often imitated but never duplicated formulations and packaging
  • Quote:
    • Kirbie: “No. Often imitated. Truly never duplicated.” (19:54)

d. Dior

• Rival to Chanel, Dior has captured Gen Z’s attention (22:04–24:53)
  • Best known for: Dior Addict Lip Glow Balm (status symbol among young consumers), Forever Skin Perfect Stick, wide shade ranges, and Rosy Glow blush
  • Pro tip: Refillable packaging and trend-forward shades and packaging. Cuticle cream (Crème Abricot) is a sleeper hit.
  • Quote:
    • Sara: “They have money to not only make it look cute…but also…the innovation, the formulas are just so, so good.” (24:14–24:23)

Honorable Mentions

• Cle de Peau: especially the concealer
• La Prairie: extremely high-end, but praised for innovation (25:17–25:44)

4. At-Home Beauty Devices: Are They Worth It?

• Discussion mostly about the Lima laser device (30:06–34:39)
  • Pros: backed by respected professionals, real tech (not just red light–actual laser); claims to reduce sun damage, lift jowls/neck, firm skin
  • Cons: Hugely expensive ($2,000+), inconsistent use yields little result, takes 12+ weeks of daily use, inconvenient to hold
  • Sara’s real-life use: on her daughter’s scar and her son’s bump—results unclear, possibly from other factors
  • Expert quote:
    • Kirbie: “I don't think that I can be like, you need to buy this $2,000, $2600…Maybe if…you have a scar, like what you were doing with Zoe, yeah, it could be worth it. But again, I think the key word is could.” (34:03–34:39)
  • Financial advice:
    • Sara: “Don’t buy this on your credit card.” (36:23)

5. Travel Beauty Buys & Gifting

• Top requests from friends/family abroad: US sunscreens, unique or local skincare brands, drugstore staples not available internationally (25:55–30:17)
• Pro tips:
  • In Europe: Look for La Roche-Posay, Eucerin; in Asia: Biore, Dear Dahlia
  • Some versions/formulations are only available internationally (ex: Shiseido UV Protective Compact)

6. Reader Q&A: Skin Smoothness, Exfoliation, and Base Makeup Tips

• Smooth skin woes usually tied to lack of exfoliation; both chemical (AHA/BHA) and physical options discussed (36:54–40:29)
  • Recommended: Dermaplaning, Dr. Lancer’s Polish, ExfoliKate, Shani Darden Triple Acid Peel, Dr. Dennis Gross or Medicube pads
  • Pro tip: Always use a washcloth or gentle physical exfoliation; once a week is plenty for physical exfoliants
  • Quote:
    • Kirbie: “You can use as many hydrating products as your heart desires, but if you have dry patches…you’re gonna have to give it a little mechanical help.” (39:32–39:51)

7. Blurring & Pore-Perfecting: Primers and Powders

• No magic bullet—technique matters most (40:34–43:01)
  • Application tips from makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes: Don’t slap on foundation under eyes, use a brush for concealer, strategic powdering only where needed
  • Favorite blurring/setting products:
    • Saie powder, Chanel, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush, Tatcha Silk Canvas, Pat McGrath’s under-eye powder, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
  • Consider lighter coverage (tinted moisturizer, stretch concealer) for aging or dehydrated skin
  • Quote:
    • Kirbie: “Make sure that you are not taking your foundation up to underneath your eyes. … Strategic powdering. So, like, T zone… That’s where you need powder.” (41:15–41:22; 42:26–42:34)

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The reason why we got rid of Voife or what’s on your face is because…we were doing it every single Tuesday episode for years, and then…we weren’t really giving you the best reviews” (Kirbie, 00:59)
• “La Mer…they have the miracle broth, which is like this…It’s widely studied, it’s made from fermented sea kelp.” (Kirbie, 11:49–12:09)
• “We do Stan La Mer in this household for sure.” (Kirbie, 15:40)
• “When I gift somebody La Mer for the holidays…they’re like, what?!” (Kirbie, 13:07)
• “Chanel…years of R&D, their own propriety labs…You’re paying for the best of the best of the best.” (Kirbie, 18:51–19:29)
• “Dior has really figured out how to capture the attention of Gen Z…All the girls want it. All the girlies want it.” (Sara, 22:29–22:31)
• “Consistency is key, as with every device. Like, I think that matters…” (Kirbie, 35:51)
• “Don't go over your budget to buy a beauty product.” (Kirbie, 36:17)
• “Exfoliate, babe. That's all.” (Kirbie, 40:27)
• “There’s not a magic product, it’s a magic technique.” (42:06)

---

Episode Timestamps: Key Segments

• 02:10 – What’s on your face? Current favorite lip products and techniques
• 08:48 – AMA: What luxury products are worth replacing drugstore staples?
• 11:32 – La Mer: The cult of the Miracle Broth
• 15:45 – Sulwhasoo: K-beauty luxury, ginseng focus
• 18:34 – Chanel: Secret science, iconic formulas, innovation
• 22:04 – Dior: Gen Z favorite, refillables, standout products
• 25:17 – Other luxury favorites: Clé de Peau, La Prairie
• 25:55 – Best beauty products to bring or buy while traveling
• 30:06 – Are at-home beauty devices (Lima laser) worth it?
• 36:54 – Listener Q: Getting smooth skin (exfoliation deep dive)
• 40:34 – Best blurring primers, powders, and pro foundation techniques

---

Recommendations Recap

Luxury Brand Musts:

• La Mer: Creme de la Mer, lip balm
• Sulwhasoo: Essential Revitalizing Water (essence), ginseng cream
• Chanel: Les Beiges foundation, bronzing cream, Sublimage, hand cream, lip balm
• Dior: Dior Addict Lip Glow, Forever Skin Perfect Stick, Rosy Glow blush, Crème Abricot cuticle cream
• Clé de Peau: Concealer
• La Prairie: (Very high end; innovative but pricey)

Devices:

• Lima Laser (with caveats): Only for those committed with ample budget and realistic patience
• Alt: See dermatologist for pro treatments if possible

Techniques:

• Warm and press in creams, strategic powdering only
• Exfoliate regularly (chemical or physical – but don’t overdo it)
• Try lighter base products and careful under-eye application

---

Conclusion

Kirbie and Sara provide a candid, expert take on luxury beauty investments—what’s truly worth the splurge, where to save, and how to get clinic-level results at home (sometimes). Their recommendations blend insider knowledge, real-world use, and honest caveats: splurge only where it serves you, technique trumps hype, and sometimes the little things (like a good lip balm) are the most luxurious of all.

---

Want more?
Check out the hosts’ favorite products linked in their shop and join their Slack to ask questions for future AMAs!

Transcript

[Capital One Advertiser]

If you love to travel, Capital One has a rewards credit card that's perfect for you. With the Capital one venture X card, you earn unlimited double miles on everything you buy. Plus, you get premium benefits at a collection of luxury hotels when you book on Capital One travel. And with Venture X, you get access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. Open up a world of travel possibilities with a capital One venture X card. What's in your wallet terms apply.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Lounge access is subject to change. See capital1.com for details.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Los Angeles. Hi, Kirby. Hi, Sarah. Welcome to Los Angeles.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

All right, we're back with another ama.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

I love these.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I almost considered doing wife because there were people in the slack going, bring back wife. Did you see?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

No. Yeah. I mean, I love.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

They're like, bring it back. The reason why we got rid of Voife or what's on your face is because, I mean, we were doing it every single Tuesday episode for years, and then we were like, we're not really giving you the best reviews also in this, because we're not spending time with these things. And we always had to find something to talk about.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And then this.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

In the culture of over consumerism, we just wanted to dial it back a little bit. But we could bring it back, like, once a month or twice a month or something like that. If there's, like, one product we used to, like, walk through the whole routine was a lot.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Like, we could think about it. Yeah.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

We could remember.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah. Our first episode is when we were only one episode a week. Who's been here since then? It was only one episode a week. We would literally walk. Okay, here's. Here's the walkthrough for this week. And then you understand why we were, like, losing our minds. Yeah.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

But then also it was like a lot of times, like, the same five products and then, like, a couple new ones thrown in there.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah. I'm like, I'm still sticking with this or whatever.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

We didn't really think through that those earlier episodes as well as we thought we did.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

It got us to where we are today.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Listen, we tried. So actually, before we do. Jump in.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

What are you wearing? What's on your face? Oh, what's on my face? Is there one thing that you're loving right now?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

I am using the Katie Jane Hughes precision sculpture stilo love to line my lips. And I like it because it's like, I can't remember what shade I'm using, but it's the dark. It was like, a darker brown one.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yep.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Because she was telling me to, like, line my lips. The shape of my lip. Because I have big lips already.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes. Yes. So you. She says there's two lip lines.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yes.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And you need to outline the halo.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

The halo?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes. The one that's, like, not your exact vermilion border.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yes. And so I did that. And then. Thank you. And then I'm using the NEEN in boss. Thank you, Janine, for not making that font super, super tiny. Glisten up.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Cute. Okay, so I reached out to Janine because I wanted to clip out the segment where she talks about JLO and the Wedding Planner. Yes. And that particular gloss. And I was like, hey, when is it? When is the bell coming out?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And she was like, October 21st, which is today.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Okay. And I have that one in my.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Purse today when it.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

When the episode comes out. And she was like, but do we need to launch it sooner? Like, we have it. I was like, no, no, no. He's like, keep your dates intact. That's fine. But we figured out that the NEEN package I was supposed to receive got sent to my old address, so that's why I didn't have anything.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Oh, okay.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And I felt so bad. Cause she was like, well, I sent it to you, and it was delivered on a Saturday. And I was like, I don't think I.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Is that gonna get to you, or do they send it back?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Janine was like, I'm gonna send you a new package. Because I was, like, playing with the mascara I stole from you. And of course, like, I have my highlighter that I love from them, but I really wanna try the glisten up. I think it's so beautiful. I wanted to try a lot of, like, the powder. Yes.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Is really good. Yeah. Everything's been really good. And she put. She puts, like, your initial. It's really sweet. Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

That's very.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

To ruin the surprise.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Okay. Well, I love your lips. Thank you. What about you? You look amazing. I also am using. I just call it the stilo.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. Because the precision.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Very long name, Katie Jane Hughes. But I use that as, like, a little bit of a contour. And then on my eyes as well. And I use all the shades.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. Like, I know they're all different things. Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

For different things. I do think that the very, very lightest shade, which I cannot remember the name of, it's good for a very specific look on me. Otherwise, it can look kind of muddy around my lips. Like, it looks like I ate a box of chocolates. Yeah. So I have to be very careful right now. I am wearing my lip. I'm very. I love my lip right now.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

It's really pretty.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Half magic Snoo. Go plump yourself. Precision Plumping Liner.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Ooh.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Have you heard of this?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

No.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So instead of, like, a gloss or a lip product that you put all over your lips to plump, this is a liner. So I outline my vermilion border with it, and it just gives, like, a little to the lip. And then I put a little bit, like, in the middle. And then really pretty, let it set because it kind of has.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

It looks a little matte.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah. Yes. And then.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

But it's, like, comfy.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes. And it dries down. And then. Wait, do my lips need some hydration?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

No, no, no, no. It look. No, it looks matte, but it looks like. It doesn't look dry. But it is the finish. Yes.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So it's. I let it dry down, and then I apply this lip liner from Charlotte Tilbury. And on one side, it's a contour, and the other side, it's like a regular lip liner color. And I have whittled this thing down. Like, it's like.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

I think I know what you're talking about.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So small that I'm like, okay, I should obviously get a new one. And by the way, when this is airing, we will have been with Char. Well, will she be there?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

I don't know.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

We'll be with the Charlotte Tilbury team, at least in Dallas, meeting the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

I think so. I don't want to, like, I am.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Going to be beside myself. I'm so excited.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

I'm like, do we get, like, we should wear boots?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

No, no. Like, we are going to be buying something specific to wear to this because we have to look perfect.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Are they gonna do our glam?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah, they're gonna do our glam. God, they're gonna do our glam. Thank God, y', all, we're going on this trip. Remember when we talked about this partnership between Charlotte Tilbury and the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders? And we're like, if they do a trip and we're not invited. Somebody heard that. Somebody heard that because we got invited. I have never said yes to something so quickly in my life. Me, too.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

See, Manifestation is real.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah. We put it in the world, and then it just came to us.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yes. We're so excited.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So, yeah, have that on. And then I have Hung's Nothing Impossible lipstick on top and that Nothing Impossible Lipstick, babes. It's not usually a shade I gravitate towards, but it is so pretty. It's like this peachy nude on me.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Oh, it looks so beautiful. I've been watching all of his videos with all his girls wearing the lipsticks, like Scarlett Johansson. I know.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I'm like, oh, Scarlet. Like, imagine that being your client and then having her wear your lipstick.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

And it's like, yeah, Between Scarlet and Selena, I'm like, geez, good for you.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Oh, did you see. Did you see Hung in Taylor Swift's video? Oh, so she. Selena posted a video that Taylor took of her when she was getting married. And it's the cutest video because they're, like, putting the veil on her and she's kind of still in her robe or whatever. And Taylor's there, and Taylor, they're like, drinking champagne, and Taylor's videoing her and going, oh, my God, I can't believe this is real. Like, you look incredible. And then Selena just looks so happy, and she says she's like, I'm so happy. But Hung's in the background, and I'm.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Like, I wonder if Hung cried.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Probably.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. I mean, that's so emotional.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So, so sweet. Okay, so that's what's on our faces.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Look at that.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

We obviously will link them all in our shop, Maya, as we do.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yes.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Okay, so let's come back to another ama. This is a question we get a lot. And we got this asked several times when we made a call for AMA questions. But this is, like, the general gist of it. We are partnering with our friends at Macy's to tackle this one. Macy's is now a partner of Los Angeles, and we are so grateful because Macy's. Macy's is keeping us in the studio. Yep.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Also a legacy brand. I feel like everyone has memories of shopping at Macy's, whether it was, you know, like, back to school shopping, but specifically also in the beauty department.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I think a lot of people are. Would be surprised if they haven't looked recently.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

That they carry all the same stuff that we are traditionally looking for.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

100%. You could still go and, like, obviously get your makeup done at the counter, but, like, get your brows done at the benefit bar.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Oh, you can. I didn't realize that.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yes.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I didn't realize that. I actually went into a Macy's recently, and I was like, they have Kylie cosmetics.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. Yeah, I know.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

It was like a very. Like, it was a bus in.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. I told beauty section when I was in at Macy's last week. The Dior counter was like, it was a party.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Oh, yeah. You were like, yeah. I don't know what in Here.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

But it's like they're talking about fragrance.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Pumped up.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Okay, so the question is, what are the luxury products you'd say are worth replacing drugstore staples for? I can't remember who asked this in the slack, but there was like, also another general question, like, which luxury products do you guys like, keep going back to? So obviously when it's a luxury brand, they stand out because they're expensive. They're this upper echelon, this, this price bracket that you aspire to, and it kind of puts them on a pedestal.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

But, you know, there's characteristics that make these brands effective as well as lux to use.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

But there's also, I think, a lot of hype around certain luxury brands that should not be there because they don't have the R and D. They're white labeling a lot of things. They're kind of copycatting what other people are doing.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Right. And that's, I think the thing that we talk about when we do invest in luxury is that these certain brands, like, they have their own R D. Yes. You know, their creative directors are like, you know, super, super accomplished and like, are really like, leading the charge in terms of, like, what's going to be trending in the next. Like, they, I mean, they're like working five years ahead sometimes, you know. Yeah. And like, the technology is really good and a lot of these skin care, so it is worth it. But not all of them are created equal.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes. But that's what we specifically look for. You know, this is why we often get invited on these press trips with some of these luxury brands because they want to show us, like, we can send you an email pitch, but, like, this is what we're actually doing in the lab and this is how long it's actually taken us to like, make these specific types of formulations or even how something is delivered.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah, there's true. Like, these brands have so much money.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So they have money afford to be super innovative. Yes. Yes. And we're going to talk about one of these brands. But it's why we see a lot of dupes from luxury brands. Specific ones, because they're able to innovate in a certain way. And then obviously people want to be able to like, buy it within their price point, 100%. But if you want the real thing, the original, if you will, I figured we should just go through and maybe pick two. I think we could, like, do way more because of course, we've tried so many over our careers. But why don't we each go through and suggest two luxury brands and why they stand out.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yes.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Okay, so I'll go first.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

This is a cosign. Yes. I think we all co. Sign all of them. But let's. Let's hear you talk about one of our beloved.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And I think we actually mentioned this product in the first episode we did. Ever. Did we? Okay. So it's La Mercury. And I hate to say this because I love La Mer.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

But I do feel like there is this aura around La Mer of. Well, it's just expensive Nivea.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And this is always my comeback to that. Like, you may get the same sensorial experience of using it, and you may even look at the ingredients and think that it's the same. But the thing that separates La Mer from Nivea is that they have the miracle broth, which is like this. Yes. It's very proprietary to them. It's widely studied. It's made from fermented sea kelp. And it's why when you use La Mer, you know, specifically the Creme. But it's in all of their products that you may find that your skin looks less red, less ready calmed, less inflamed. This seek help has been proven to really help, you know, take the fire out, if you will, of your skin. And that's why I will always listen. We are luckily gifted La Mer.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And I use that. Remember the big vat? Who's been here since the big vat?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

I mean, it's still in my. In my bathroom.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I mean. Yeah. It's. It's, it's still unusable.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. But I mean, you could use it on, like, our feet.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah. Legs or whatever. I think at one point I was saying I was using it on my feet to try to, like, use it up, but we got this giant vat from the brand during the happiest days.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Of my life experience.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes. With a bedazzled. Never forget it. No, I'll never forget it. And truly, like, you know, embarrassment of riches over here. But when I gift somebody La Mer for the holidays. Yeah. They're like, what?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. Oh, no, it's shook. It has to go to my. My mom, Evelyn Tan is always, like, waiting.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Baited breath.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Like, am I getting a La Mer?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Pot.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yes, exactly.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I also love one of the things that I like to do that, you know, it's still. It's a small luxury. Okay. It's not going to be as expensive as, you know, like, the Creme. The big Creme or whatever, but they.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Have a lip balm oh, it's one of my favorites.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And it's like, if you want to show appreciation to somebody that, like, you know, maybe you're not super close with, but you need to get them a nice gift when they get the bag. And they're like, la Mer.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. They're like, what? Also, that's just one of the best lip balms.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I love the lip balm. I love it.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Interviewed so many makeup artists who use the creme.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yep.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Is as like, one of their first prep steps for their clients. Hungry sample. Exactly. And then the lip balm too. Like, Kelly Zhang loves to use the lip balm. It's again, it's like, it's all about technique and application.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Right. And so if you have ever used the creme, the creme de la Mer, that's what we're referring to. And you feel like it doesn't work for you because it's very thick. That specific product is made for dry skin.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Now they have an offering of different moisturizers. So they have the soft or, pardon me, the fresh cream, which is meant to be for more oily skin types. And then there's also the gel.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Right, the gel cream, or do they make that?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

It's a gel cream, but it's the soft cream.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Soft cream.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So I feel like the fresh cream is more of the gel cream. I feel like it has more of a gel consistency because it's made for oily skin. Then there's the soft cream, which kind of gives me, like, ponds cold cream vibes. It's not as thick, and you don't have to warm it up in your fingers. But that's the whole thing with the creme. When you get the creme, I take a little spoon. I mean, you could dig your finger in there if you wanted to. But, like, take the little spoon, a little spoon, put it in your hands and warm it up. That's how every makeup artist uses it. And press it into your skin. You don't want to be rubbing in circles, because I almost feel like it just comes not comes off the skin.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

But you're just rubbing it off. This is expensive. You got to push it in there, put it in there.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Really make sure that you have it in there. And again, the anti inflammatory properties of the miracle broth, I think, is why so many makeup artists love it underneath. Like I've said in the past, I have combination skin. I love the creme, but the fresh cream, I. I love it because of my specific skin type. We've heard La Mer so often on this Podcast, especially recently. Yeah. That I was like, we can't not include it.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Totally. Yeah. I mean, she's always going to be that girl.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So we. We do Stan Lemaire in this household for sure. What do. What is your first one, Sarah?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Okay. One that I think I always go back to. And this is like, as a result of like, like, my mom being so obsessed with it when I was growing up is Sulwhasoo, which I think you also are a big fan of. This is like, you know, K Beauty before K Beauty was like, trendy. It's like a luxurious Korean beauty skincare brand. But they really harness, like, ginseng.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

And botanicals and again to like, help repair, restore, rebalance, the radiance in your skin. Um, so it's again, like blending science and, like, old, you know, Korean beauty wisdom into one. And I feel like it's just. It's really beautiful. The packaging is really beautiful. We're talking about gifts. Like, such a beautiful gift to give, a beautiful gift to give yourself. I personally love the toner is one.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Oh, yeah. Which is.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

It's technically, it's not. It's. It's an essence, which, you know, was popularized in Japanese and K Beauty. So that is like the first prep step. Do you still use an essence when you're doing your skincare?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I just started incorporating another. So I was using Tatcha.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yes.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Because Vicky graciously gave us one. But I also started using freshes.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Okay. So great. The Sulwhasoo essential revitalizing water allegedly delivers 10 layers of hydration in a single use. So it really is like, I'll use it at night, but sometimes in the morning if I'm feeling, like, really dry. Like, maybe it was just like, really dry that night or I didn't drink enough water the night before. Like, I will use it to prep before I do makeup. And I won't put a lot of, like, moisturizer serum after. But it really just, like, gets my skin, like, back to, like, where it needs to be.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

You know, so I love that. There's the Sulwhasoo concentrated Ginseng rejuvenating serum. This is part of their, like, anti aging ritual. You could use this before makeup, like, without putting a cream after. Like, during the day. The big mack daddy is the Sulwhasoo concentrated Ginseng rejuvenating cream. So those are, like, meant to be used together. But again, it's the same thing.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

When I think of solisu, I think of orange and I think of ginseng.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. Exactly. Which I like.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Amber color.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't ask me.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah. Colorblind over what color is, but it's just.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. I think, like, if you are someone that's looking, especially, like, if you found that you really love K beauty and you're looking for, like, the best of the best in that category and you haven't tried Tulu, so I would definitely recommend you either of these products. I think for me, like, the toner, the essence is so, so good. But I think Macy's probably has, like, the sample sizes too. You can go to the counter and try it. Yeah. I just love it. I absolutely love it.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

This next one, I know we both co sign it's Chanel, and I used to be a person that really thought in terms of makeup. It was not luxury. It was like, yeah, you're buying a name, but does it really matter? What's the point of difference here? Are they all exactly the same?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Chanel, I have since learned, and Sarah has been on more press trips with them than I have, but they have a great R D team, and they spend, like, actual years, five years with coming up with these proprietary ingredients. Obviously, the red camellia flower is, like, a big part of that. And, like, you'll see that infused into, like, their number one line. There's the sublimage line, which is really beautiful.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

These are, like, the best of the best labs. Doctors, you know, when they're doing their fragrance and you're, you know you're going to grass, like, these are the best fields. You know, they're like, you're paying for.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Like, the best of the best of the best. So obviously, like, they had their skincare, and I think a lot of people sleep on their skincare because they don't realize that there's so many. There's so many innovations within skincare at Chanel, but I feel, like, constantly duped with makeup. They're constantly duped with makeup. Their bronzing cream. I could list five. Oh, my God. Now.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Literally not even trying to hide it.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

No. Often imitated. Truly never duplicated.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Literally the same. Like pot.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

The same swirl and try to do.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

The same swirl, but they can't. Like, you cannot duplicate the swirl. I'm sorry. Like, I've seen it.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

I think that Chanel sends a, like, cease and descent or whatever.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

No, I guess, like, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Like, what are they gonna do about it? You know, like, people want. People want what they want.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Right.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And then they want at their own price point. So I don't blame anybody for buying a dupe. But what I am saying is that, like, when you're. It's like the Miranda Priestly quote, like, yeah, everyone wants. You saw that thing. But really it started here and then it made it to your bargain bin, whatever, you know.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

So that's where it started.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

And we had the opportunity to sit with their team of Comets Collective, the comments collective, where they are really like, trend setting. They're the ones that are basically telling us what we will be using in three to five years, you know?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Like, they know who they should be tapping to. That's going to be like the future of beauty, the beauty landscape.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So well, even think about this. Think about the foundation. Le Beige.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Oh, my God, again. Another one. Often imitated. I've so many.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Rose Inc. Was basically Chanel Light.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Rosie Huntington Whiteley, I think was just like, well, I only use Chanel products, so I'm gonna make all dupes of Chanel, essentially.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Totally.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

The last thing I'm gonna say too is if you go to the Chanel website and you, like, read about their beauty offering, it's not just so much like we've spent five years developing this thing or this proprietary ingredient or whatever with our own labs. It's also they care about the sensorial experience a lot. And I think that's demonstrated through even their makeup with, you know, the water fresh tint.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. When you open a compact and like, the powder is pressed into like the shape of a. A flower.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Or like, you see, like, Truly, again, we mentioned gifts, but like an amazing gift to give somebody for the holiday.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

The Chanel lip balm. The Chanel hand cream. And we talk about Chanel hand cream. The egg now the mist.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

The mist. Yes.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

The egg mist.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

There is now like the number one egg mist. Yes.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

So, I mean, I go on and on and on.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah. We could. Okay, what's your last one?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Okay. Not to immediately speak about the. The enemy, but Dior, the enemy of Chanel.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Sorry. Yeah, sorry. We had to do it.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

We had to do it. I feel like I. And I'm saying this with deep love and respect and, you know, Chanel is always like, will always be my number one. I feel like Dior has really figured out how to capture the attention of Gen Z.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes. They have.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

With their makeup.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yep.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

They're just like, all the girls want it. All the girlies want it. They want the Dior Attic Lip Glow Bomb.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah. Kind of like.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

It's like the status symbol. I remember Juicy Tubes. Yes. When I Gave it to Kenzie, like, two years ago, and she was like, that was, like, the most exciting Christmas.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

This is the social currency. Yes.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Just, like, stick it out of their little pocket. It's like the Le Booboo on one pocket and the little Dior addict lip go bomb in the other one.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

The Boo Boo still thing that's happening.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

It continues. I think so, a little bit. We'll see. Maybe not until. Maybe not until 2026.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Okay.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Okay. But it is a really good product.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Product.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Have you used it?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Oh, wait, the Labubu?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

No, no, no. The. The Dior Attic Lip Balm.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I was like, sarah, be so serious.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Oh, it's like, yeah, of course.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes, yes. I just feel like.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

And it's in. And that's why I think, too, it really resonated with Gen Z because, you know, parents were probably like, it's like a tinted lip balm.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

You know, it, like, it's really not.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Gonna be too heavy one way.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. But it's really beautiful. They have, like, really shimmery ones. They're refillable. So you can also buy the cute little, like, denim.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Really?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah, yeah. I think Dior and I think Chanel, too. I think it's all refillable now. Yeah. So then, you know, it's a little bit cheaper to buy the refill. You have already heard me talk about their Forever Skin Perfect Stick. It's just like, you need to try. I need you to try it so you.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I know I need to try it. I need to.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

And I think one thing, too, with Dior that is also really good is their shade range. Like, they are, like, really good with, like, I always find my perfect, perfect shade. I think I have a 2.5 N or something like that. A true neutral. Yeah, probably like, you. And then their Dior Backstage Rosy Glow Blush. These are so pretty that I don't even want to use them. They have money to not only, like, make it look cute in the packaging, but also the innovation. The formulas are just so, so good. I have so many of them. Like, so many of the shades that I love.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

We cannot forget the Dior Creme Abracot Strengthening Nail Care.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Oh, that's. Yeah. That's your favorite. They still make that?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes. And they sell it at Macy's. And I will tell you, I have searched far and long for this, because I thought they were discontinuing it. This is the best. It's not a hand cream. It's a cuticle cream.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

It's a cuticle cream.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

It is.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

But she's fancy.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

It's so fancy. It is the absolute best. They also have their own little hand cream as well. It's not an egg shape, but it's a little circle. And I'm like, oh, they. They really do. Like, they are. The girls are fighting. Like, they want to capture the attention in different ways, but. Yes. So, okay, those are, I would say, our top. I mean, there's a few more.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

But I would say those are our top four. When it comes to luxury, where we're like, I mean, we love Clay de Peau.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yep. We love Clay Depot.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Their concealer is balm. I'm trying to think La Prairie.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yep.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

La Prairie is another one. But again, also, I feel like those are literally, like, crazy expensive.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah, no, those are.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Those are like, on another level where I'm like, I don't even know if I can recommend these because they're so expensive.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

It feels. It feels wrong.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

When it comes to mine and Sarah's routines, these are the. The luxury brands we consistently go back to.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And you'll see on our vanity.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Go have fun at Macy's. There's just so much goodness.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes. You can shop all of these pics at Macy's in store or online. And now let's go on to our next question. Connie wants to know traveling to see family abroad soon. I would like to know what beauty items, slash brands do friends and family request from the US Skin care or makeup? I think we can both easily say sunscreen. Yeah, it's sunscreen.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Go to a French. I don't know where exactly you're going, but go to a French pharmacy if you're going to France.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. It just depends on where you're going. Like, if you're going to Asia, like, or like, Korea or Japan, like, the makeup is really fun to go to.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

All of young going to Asian country.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

And an associate and just be like, what are the bestsellers that I can't get in the U.S. yep.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

When I was in Singapore, Sarah was in Seoul, and I, we both came back with just so many goodies. But my favorite thing was going to be Sephora in Singapore.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

It's a different experience.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes. And also they have different brands available.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So it's interesting to see what was popping off there in terms of, like, the same brands that we have versus, like, what was not available to us and, like, how those fared.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Like, they had. They had ultraviolet there. Oh, right before it was available in the U.S. yeah. With the formulation that they, you know, have in Australia. And I Was like, like loading up. Yeah, I was just.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

I know you. I remember I just brought home.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

No, literally I brought home so much of it. It was crazy.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

But then they also had, you know, some K beauty brands. Why am I blanking on the name of this one? It was like Dahlia, dear Dahlia. Have you heard? Yes, yes, I loved your Dahlia. They make some amazing lip products and they have that in store at Sephora in Singapore. So I mean, again, I think it really just depends on where you're going. But like I would say if you go to a pharmacy of some sort, look for La Roche Posay because they'll have different form, the better formulations of Cicoplast, better formulations of their sunscreens. And then if you go to Asia.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Look for like the Biore.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes, Biore Aqua Riche. I'm trying to think of what else. I always pick up Eucerin when I'm abroad. The Eucerin sunscreen, they make one that is, it's not mattifying but it's like made for blemish prone skin and it basically just takes the redness and it's not green. So I really like it.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Speaking of luxury, sometimes some of the brands, like Chanel for example, you. They have like a sunscreen in Europe that you can't get here.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yep.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

So yeah, I would. I mean, whenever I'm abroad I love going to a department store because they're just so much better than the ones here.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah, totally. Okay. So what I was going to say as well in terms of going abroad and this was also asked in the slack, but you can only buy this online because they only sell it overseas. So there's a version that you can buy in the US it's the Shiseido UV Protective Compact Foundation. But it's made differently here. It's not as good. Yeah, the one. So there's like a lighter blue, almost like a turquoisey blue. That's the one you can get in the US and then there's like a true.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Royal blue.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

That's like their sunscreen.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes. And that one is the one you want to look for. I got this compact when I had a layover. Was it Amsterdam? It was the Amsterdam airport, actually. I had a layover when I was going, I think from Singapore. Yeah, I can't, I honestly can't remember to be completely honest. But I was in the Amsterdam airport and they had a pharmacy. I went in and I saw this and I was just like, I don't know if they have this in The US But I'm going to buy it. And I am devastated. I'm almost out of it now. And.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah, you gotta go.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I have to. I was like begging Melissa Herkman when she was traveling with Paris. I was like, can you please find this and bring it back to you?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Oh, you know what else I always pick up? The l' Oreal eye makeup remover.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yes. I was going to bring up, when we were in Amsterdam, bottles of it.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I bought 10 bottles in Amsterdam and I still have it. And Dr. Julian Sass told me that that product may be reformulated as well because there's something within it that apparently has been outlawed by the European Union. And I was like, why cannot we have nice things?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah, right? Like, what's going on here? Yeah, heck, I remember that. That was so funny. Okay, have either of you tried expensive at home devices like the Lima device? What are your thoughts? Worth it.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So go to our last ama because we did talk about devices like New Face and Droplet and things like that.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

But I picked this question because she specifically. Or sorry, I don't want to gender and genderize this person. They specifically asked about Lima. What are your thoughts on Lima?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Okay. I use it. I use it. Not regularly enough for me to actually really see a difference, but I trust Joanna. Check.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And I.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

You were able to meet with the founder and I feel like I've seen like, you know, some of the claims. I think that they know what they're doing. Like, I trust the science. Have I seen, you know, any huge differences? Not yet. I was using it on Zoe for that big scar she has on her forehead. TBD looks better. I mean, but it also could just be a number of. Of factors. Cade bumped his head. I also used on him. But yeah, I like will use it when I remember to use it. Do I think it's worth. How much is it?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

It's expensive.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

As.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

And now they have a bigger one.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I've had friends reach out to me asking me if I. If they need to buy this because it is such a huge investment in the skin. And if you go to the Lima website, the before and afters are crazy. However, this. Okay, so by the way, one thing that's different about this, this is what they consider their point of difference, that this is not just red light therapy, this is a laser.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And I did meet with the founder. I found her to be obviously very smart. And you know, she explained to me why she created this particular device. And again, like, if you're looking at the before and afters. And it's not just on, like, young people skin.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Right.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Like, it's on amazing, Amazing. Like, it's on arms, it's on faces. Like, it. So it says it can give you a neck and jowl lift, it can give you a skin transformation, it can reverse sun damage, and it can calm irritated skin. I think, to Sarah's point, I also use this. I don't use it enough.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Like, if we were to be like, okay, for the month of November, we're gonna use it every day for.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And take pictures before and after.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. Then, like, maybe we should. Maybe we should try it.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I also would love. I mean, we did not do like, a ton of research on this before we started talking about it on this podcast right now. But, like, I would need to know, what are the claims? Like, does it claim eight weeks? Yeah.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Like, I don't know if we would even see results in 30 days. I think the biggest hurdle for Lima that they're gonna have to figure out is devices are not only expensive to make, but when you price them like this, you're pricing out so many people. And so how are they going to grow their business in that capacity? Like, I'm not saying that they don't have a market for it, but I think that they struggle right now because it's associated with, like, only celebrities. Or they're guessing these celebrities. Not actually. Like, a lot of the celebrities are not even paying for this.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Right. Or it's estheticians who are using it during their treatments.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes. Which I think makes sense. But also, at the same time, you have to hold this device. This isn't like a red light mask where you can just, you know, secure the Velcro and then do your thing.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Right.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

You have to hold it, and then you have to, like, hold it in a certain area for a specific amount of time. So I think inherently they have. I mean, they just have a big hurdle to overcome when it comes to convenience factor, when it comes to affordability. And I also think that they just need to market with the right people. I mean, granted, like, Dr. Diamond's on their website, Dr. Dendi Engelman. Like, there are so many people that, you know, I know our listeners are familiar with and trust. Like, Dr. Glass. He's a plastic and aesthetic surgeon as well. He's the aesthetic director for Lima.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

But I. I also think that I. I just think they have hurdles. And so what I tell you, it's kind of like what we mentioned about Clay Depot and La Prairie. Like, have we had the ability to try all of these things at these. In these price brackets? Yes, of course. But I don't think that I can be like, you need to buy this $2,000, $2600. I mean, truly, it's. Maybe if, like, I don't know, maybe if you just had surgery or you have a scar, like, kind of like what you were doing with Zoe. Yeah, it could be worth it. But again, I think the key word is could.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. And, like, you could also just go to your dermatologist and get like, a higher grade laser or something, you know, professional treatment.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

This is like a supplement, something like.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

I think that they would argue that. So our dear friend Margot and Booba, who's the editor at Vogue, beauty editor at Vogue. She wrote a story. Is the Lima laser legit? I tried it for 13 weeks.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Oh.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

So the claims are 12 weeks. So it says you have to use it consistently for 12 weeks. It claims to help with any complaint you could possibly have about your visage, wrinkles, elasticity, texture, and known. So she used it for 13 weeks, and she said that she still decided to keep it into routine because she saw some of her sunspots started to fade and her skin looked plumper and brighter.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So we also. Did she. Does she have the big one or small one?

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

She has a small one.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

One.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Oh, this was written based on the small one.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

It's hard for me.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. I want the big one.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

It's just if I'm laying down, I'm probably gonna fall asleep. You know, I'm not thinking, like, okay. And I. What I did used to keep it on my bedside table to, like, remember to do it. But then also, you have to have some kind of slip to your skin, too.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So it was like, you have to go and then.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Right.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Put that on, then rub it on your face, then go back and watch your face again. It's. Consistency is key, as with every device. Like, I think that matters, but, like, I have some girlfriends that are like, I have sunspots. What can I do to get rid of this? Maybe Lima would be the answer if you didn't want to invest in laser treatments. I bet, like, four laser treatments would probably equate to, like, what the price of this probably is. And then you have something that you can keep at home. So it really just depends on, you know, your budget.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Right.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

This is our, I think, stance on everything. Don't go over your budget.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Right.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

To buy a beauty product.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Don't buy this on your credit card.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, we need a financial advisor in here. No. Do not put this on your credit card in order to get good skin. You can figure something else out for sure. Okay. Heather says, I'd love to know what products you both use to get smooth skin, no matter what. I've been trying, and I seem to always have dryness, especially around my nose and under my eyes. Then applying foundation and tinted moisturizer or concealer on top those areas makes the dryness even worse. Help, ladies. Okay. You're not exfoliating.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah, I was gonna say Heather, are you exfoliating?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

You are not exfoliating. And you don't have to, like, get a scrub and go to town, but, like, dermaplaning is a form of exfoliation. Doing that once a week. A form of physical exfoliation. Integrate some alpha hydroxy acid.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Some sort of twice a couple times a week.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Or as Katie Jane Hughes says, use a flannel.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yep. Use a washcloth.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Get a washcloth and physically wipe off your makeup at night with a cleanser and remove any excess around your face. Yep.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

And that'll do the trick.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

It will help. It will help. Because if you're noticing that there are these dry patches, it's not going to get any better. If you, like, don't physically remove the dryness.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. Literally use a washcloth.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Maybe treat yourself to a facial.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Like, if.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

If you really feel like you need, like, extra professional help. But again, I think, like, if you really aren't just, like, doing it at home, then that's probably what is causing this dryness around your nose and under your eyes. I still. I mean, I like AJ for sure, but I have some, like, physical exfoliants. Oh. That I still love to use. Chanel, actually. The La Masque. Have you used that one?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

No, I haven't yet.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

That one. I keep that in my shower. The one of my favorites is the Tata Harper cleanser that has. It's really, really, really small, and it, like, I don't even. I mean, yes, you would consider an exfoliating cleanser, but that one's one of my favorites. I use it, like, I don't use it every day, but at least once a week. Maybe, like, every other day. Especially if it's, like, this week. Kirby and I have been recording three days in a row, which means three days of glam in a row, which is like, I'm scrubbing. Yes. In the shower.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

So I actually like using a makeup eraser.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Okay.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Because I feel like it helps just to get everything Off. And it has that subtle form of exfoliation because it is a cloth. But in terms of actual exfoliants, I like exfolicate. And I also really love Dr. Lancer's polish. Dr. Lancer's polish, I feel, is what Kim Kardashian mimicked her skin by Kim polish off of. I like it to feel like sugar. Almost like my. If you're. If you're saying something is exfoliating and it's just like little round bubbles, I'm like, no, I'm sorry. This needs to. I need to, like, physically feel it. And I know that some estheticians are probably pulling their hair out screaming, going, like, you're gonna cause micro tears in your skin. I think that products are formulated properly.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And you use them properly. You're not using them every single day. Like, this is when I was, you know, 22 years old using scrub on a Clarisonic brush. Like, obviously that was not the move.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah, clearly.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

But, you know, once a week, I bust out that Dr. Lancer Polish, and I'm just like, I like the smell of it. I like the way my skin feels afterwards. Like, I. I notice a difference in my skin. Totally. You can use as many hydrating products as your heart desires, but if you have dry patches, you have that layer, you're gonna have to either it out until it naturally exfoliates itself or you're gonna have to give it a little mechanical help.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. I just remembered, I like to use the triple acid peel from Shani Darden, like, once a month.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Oh, yeah.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

It's a really great product, that one. I feel like really just, like, resets my skin. And then the Medicube zero pore pads, the one that's in, like, the little blue.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

I haven't. I didn't try those.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

I love it. It's like, it has bha. Aha. And it's a little wasteful. Sure. Because, you know, you have to.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Oh, the daily.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah, daily pads that you have.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Well, obviously, like, Dr. Dennis Gross.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Same doctor's gross. But, like, I truly, like. I ran out and I actually. I need to go get some more because I love it.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Okay, so exfoliate, babe. That's all.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

That's it.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

We are pro exfoliation in this household.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Let's go.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Okay.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Lastly, are there any episodes about blurring primers or powders? I'm only 37, and anytime I use foundation, like, any foundation, I feel like it ages me, especially during the day. I need a magic pore blur. Any suggestions?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Okay, so listen to the Katie Jane Hughes episode, if you haven't. This is from Adam, by the way, because she talks about. It's not a magic product. It's a magic technique. So if you're not swirling that potion properly, you're not gonna get what you want out of it. Like, it's not. It's not just, like, the one ingredient. It's. It's. It's it all together and then how you apply it.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

So. And then the Melissa Herkman Tip 2.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Strategic powdering.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Only where you need it.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah, strategic powdering. So this is what we would say. Make sure that you are not taking your foundation up to underneath your eyes. Because when I hear. I feel like foundation ages me, I think of under eye. So don't take it all the way up. You should put it in the areas that you notice that, like, you need more coverage. Forehead, nose, cheeks, chin. Blend it out. Then very, very strategically go in with the concealer. Put your concealer on your hand and buff it into a fluffy brush. And then apply under the eye. Yep. Prime the brush like Katie says. And then I also would. If you really feel like you need a primer, less is more G. Beauty makes a beautiful primer. I cannot remember the name of it to save my life, but I, I. It feels more like a gel moisturizer than a primer. And you need just the littlest bit. You can put it on your cheeks and underneath your eyes, on your nose, and. And it kind of just helps to blur your pores in a way. Smashbox obviously has like, a ton of primers that everybody knows. It's like the photo finish primer. Again, you do not need a ton of that product. I think the way people misuse it the most is they just put a vat of it in their hand and they rub it all over their face.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Like, just a tiny bit, like a P size drop of it in your T zone to help kind of like blur underneath the eye.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Yeah. I was going to say the. The one that I always love to use is the Tatcha one, the silk silk canvas, the liquid silk canvas one primer. But I also wonder, Adam, if you're using, like, foundation that's maybe too heavy. Like, maybe you would benefit from, like, a more like tinted moisturizer type or like Katie Jean Hughes, like, using, like, a stretch concealer on your, like, all over your face. Just something a little bit lighter.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yeah. You know, and also when it comes to powders, you know that we love the Pat McGrath the small one. I always forget the name of it, but I use the baby pink shade. It's a circle. It's not. I mean, she has a loose powder as well that we love, but I love that one because it's made specifically for under the eye.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Again, the Saie one.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Have you tried that one? Yeah, the Saie one's really beautiful. Love the Chanel one as well.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

Charlotte Tilbury, you like?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Yes, the airbrush, the pressed one. La Mer used to make an incredible pressed powder. I'm hanging on to it for dear life. It's probably way past expired. I don't know why they got rid of this thing. This was Melissa Herkman's favorite. I went out and bought it because of her. It was incredible. But again, strategic powdering. So, like T zone, if you feel like you're being aged because maybe your foundation is emphasizing your. The creases of your face on like, like the outside of your cheek or the inside of your cheeks, or like you feel like your pores are more apparent on your cheeks when you apply foundation. That's where you need powder. Because, like, as much as everybody preaches about having, like, dewy, glossy skin, I've never been able to be that girl because it just accentuates every line and pour on my face. Okay, if you guys have any more questions, of course you can ask it in our Slack channel, which is available on our socials, to if you would like to sign up and join. It's free to be in the Slack, but we have a Ask her being Sarah anything channel that you can go in and ask at any point. I feel like we kind of have. Have abandoned that channel and just let other people respond to everyone. But, like, we need to be better.

[Host 2 (Possibly named Sarah)]

About getting it, no? Yeah, we do. We do.

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

And then of course, we also ask in our main channel when we do AMAs. Like, do you have any questions? Put them in this thread. So we would love to hear from you.

[Capital One Advertiser]

If you love to travel, Capital One has a rewards credit card that's perfect for you. With the Capital One Venture X card, you earn unlimited double miles on everything you buy. Plus you get premium benefits at a collection of luxury hotels when you book on Capital One Travel. And with Venture X, you get access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. Open up a world of travel possibilities with a Capital One Venture X card. What's in your wallet?

[Host 1 (Possibly named G or similar)]

Terms apply. Lounge access is subject to change. See capitalone.com for details.