Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary

Episode: "Nobody Wants This’ Egregious Ad Placements, MAC Enters Sephora & ULTA Beauty’s New Invite-Only Marketplace"
Date: November 4, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan

Episode Overview

This episode is jam-packed with beauty industry news, cultural observations, and the hosts’ trademark candid takes. Kirbie and Sara dive into the controversial product placement in Netflix’s "Nobody Wants This," discuss ULTA Beauty’s new curated marketplace, unpack MAC’s entry into Sephora, and address pressing consumer and legal issues in the beauty space. As always, their conversation weaves in social issues, industry insider knowledge, and plenty of humor.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Civic Announcements and Social Responsibility (00:33–06:33)

• California Special Election (Prop 50):

  • Kirbie urges California listeners to vote, especially regarding temporary changes to congressional districts ("If you're in line, you get to vote." – Kirbie, 01:15).
  • Both are voting YES on Prop 50 to support fair redistricting ("Sarah and I will be voting yes on Prop 50 if you want to support the redistricting..." – Kirbie, 02:17).

• SNAP Benefits & Food Insecurity:

  • 42 million Americans affected by the SNAP funding holdup due to the government shutdown.
  • They stress food is a human right regardless of circumstance ("I don't care what side of the party line you are on. Everyone deserves food." – Kirbie, 03:26).
  • Suggestions to help: Donate to local food banks, use Mutual Aid Hub and Fridge Finder, participate in “Grocery Buddy” programs.
  • Kirbie shares impactful commentary from TikTok rebuffing the idea of drug-testing for food stamps and emphasizing dignity for all (03:26).

2. In-Depth Breakdown: Product Placement in "Nobody Wants This" (06:44–17:24)

• Rampant and Blatant Product Placement:

  • Both hosts criticize the “egregious” and obvious branding moments ("It is so blatant and obvious and that is what is getting people riled up." – Kirby, 06:47).
  • Examples include: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (Kristen Bell’s character even applies it over makeup, which is unusual), Spindrift, Airbnb, and Dunkin Donuts – the latter described as highly implausible for the show’s LA-based characters.
  • Memorable moment: "Welcome to your Airbnb experience at Moza. I went to Murder." (Kirby like a cringey line from Netflix, 09:27)

• Discussion on Authenticity:

  • Sara and Kirbie question the effectiveness and audience immersion of overt placements versus subtle brand references ("The best ones are the ones you don't even realize are influencing you." – Sarah, 07:56).

• Mechanics of Product Placement:

  • Kirbie explains, via a TV writer contact, that product placement varies in price and intensity depending on how directly the brand is shown or mentioned (11:27).
  • Speculation that some brands, like Fly By Jing or Jennifer Meyer, may be included for authenticity, not payment.

• Effect on Show Quality:

  • Hosts feel product placement disrupts storytelling and immersion ("It made me sick... It's real bad. It's like taking me out of the show." – Kirbie, 16:02).

• Industry Insight:

  • Placement fees typically go into show budgets for things like music rights or hiring guest stars.
  • Sara asks, “Who is making the money off it?” – to which Kirbie explains it funds the show directly (13:42).
  • Noted irony that influencers must disclose sponsorships, but TV shows evade such requirements.

Notable Quotes

• “Bucks would have been more believable... Especially one in Los Angeles.” – Sarah, 10:05
• “When I worked at Popsugar... this is how you hold a product for these product shots so that you don’t cover the label." – Kirbie, 12:34

3. Ulta’s New Invite-Only Marketplace (18:34–21:41)

• Ulta Marketplace:

  • is curated and invite-only, counter to the Amazon/Walmart/Target model ("No third party sellers are allowed." – Kirbie, 19:17).
  • Shoppers can use Ulta points and, in some cases, make returns—adds to customer incentives.

• Ulta’s Strategic Competition:

  • Hosts infer Ulta now sees Amazon, not Sephora, as its main competitor (20:03).
  • Heavy focus on K-Beauty is part of this new direction (“They want to be like the K Beauty site and retailer.” – Kirby, 21:37).

4. Industry Moves: LVMH Reportedly Selling Fenty Beauty Stake; Impact on Kendo (21:42–26:52)

• LVMH and Fenty:

  • LVMH is rumored to seek buyers for its half of Fenty Beauty (22:41).
  • Discuss what this means for Kendo, LVMH’s brand incubator, which now has only three brands: Fenty, Ole Henriksen, and Lip Lab (24:16).
  • Concerns about the future and sustainability of Kendo and its brands.
  • Speculation on Fenty’s brand value and challenges of staying fresh in a crowded celebrity beauty market.

• Rihanna’s Place in Beauty and Culture:

  • Sara muses on Rihanna’s transformation from pop star to business mogul.
  • "Maybe she just takes it over and then she's like, surprise, bitch." – Kirbie, 26:04

5. MAC Arrives at Sephora (26:25–28:46)

• Discussion on Retail Shift:

  • MAC, a longtime fixture at department stores and Ulta, is entering US Sephora locations.
  • They muse on what Sephora MAC counters/services could look like and if MAC artists will staff them.

• Reaction from MAC Community:

  • Hosts and audience express trust in MAC’s makeup artistry, which is differentiated from Sephora cast members ("I only really trust a MAC person to be doing my makeup." – Kirbie, 28:01).
  • The move is hailed as big news and possibly a recession indicator (per fan comments).

6. Ulta’s Clean Beauty Lawsuit (28:46–32:51)

• Background:

  • A plaintiff claims Ulta’s “Conscious Beauty” label misleads, as some products contain ingredients on the ‘made without’ list.

• Kirbie’s Legal Take:

  • She explains the five-pillar model: products may be labeled as “conscious beauty” if they’re clean, cruelty-free, vegan, sustainable, or charitable—but not necessarily all five (31:14).
  • Kirbie and Sara dismantle the plaintiff’s reasoning, arguing there is no actual case.
  • “Take us to court. Ulta, we're here.” – Kirbie, 32:09

7. FDA’s Warning on RF Microneedling (32:52–37:43)

• Safety Concerns:

  • FDA issues communication about risks: fat loss, burns, scarring, nerve damage.
  • Hosts cite Dr. Amir Karam’s caution: depth and proper use of the device is critical (33:29).
  • Only trustworthy, experienced providers should perform RF Microneedling.
  • Sara’s advice: "Ask how long they've been using this device." (36:16)

• Red Flags:

  • Watch for practices where the device is new or staff are poorly trained.
  • Be wary of non-doctors offering the service in California and check for appropriate licensing (37:43).

8. Quick Fire: News & Cultural Notes

• Neutrogena Makeup Wipes Recall:

  • Brief mention of contamination/risk for bacterial infection. Neutrogena's batch numbers are key to identifying affected products (38:23).

• A Teaser for Next Episode:

  • Top-searched beauty treatments – to be covered next time.

Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

• "I think when I was at the height of my addiction, I still deserve to eat." – Kirbie recounting a TikTok, (03:26)
• "It is egregious this season." – Sara on product placement in "Nobody Wants This" (06:44)
• "Welcome to your Airbnb experience at Moza. I went to Murder." – Paraphrasing the show’s forced dialogue, (09:27)
• “Nobody goes to Dunkin… Especially one in Los Angeles." – Kirbie, (09:45)
• "The best ones are the ones that you don't even realize are influencing you." – Sara, (07:56)
• "This is how you hold a product for these product shots so that you don’t cover the label." – Kirbie, (12:34)
• "There needs to be...more disclosures." – Sarah on product placement transparency, (16:44)
• "MAC is all about artistry. The people...are trained...they can do your makeup. They can talk about the product." – Sara, (28:05)
• "Take us to court. Ulta, we're here." – Kirbie, (32:09)
• "Ask how long they've been using this device." – Sara, (36:16)
• "If you were to take a shot [each time there’s a product placement], you might be on your ass at the end of the episode.” – Sarah, closing joke, (39:23)

Key Takeaways

• Product placement is under greater scrutiny for undermining viewer experiences—and may need more regulation like influencer disclosures.
• Ulta is doubling down on curated, quality-first e-commerce to compete with Amazon, not just Sephora.
• LVMH’s mooted sale of Fenty could signal turbulence for their incubator model and exposes the challenges of maturing celebrity beauty brands.
• MAC’s arrival at Sephora marks a major shift in prestige beauty retail.
• Legal actions over clean beauty claims reflect ongoing consumer confusion—and need for transparency.
• FDA microneedling warning serves as a strong reminder to research both the procedure and providers.
• Kirbie and Sara continue to balance beauty journalism with real-world advocacy and humor.