Gloss Angeles Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Patrick Ta Beauty, Hair Color Litigation Chaos and More TikTok Drama
Release Date: December 18, 2024
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan
Description: In this episode of Gloss Angeles, Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan delve into personal reflections on burnout, dissect recent TikTok controversies in the beauty industry, and explore broader issues affecting beauty creators today.

Personal Reflections on Burnout and Career Uncertainty

The episode opens with Kirbie sharing her recent feelings of burnout and uncertainty about her career path. She mentions a heartfelt Instagram story that resonated with many followers, highlighting a collective struggle within their community.

Kirbie [00:49]: "I posted on my Instagram story last week about how I was feeling so burnt out and that I feel that I don't know what I'm doing in my life. Do I want to forge ahead in this career that I have?"

Sara echoes these sentiments, discussing the universal nature of year-end fatigue and the challenges of maintaining momentum amidst personal exhaustion.

Sara [01:33]: "I feel like we are all burnt out. We all don't know what we want."

The Pressure of Social Media and Algorithm Dependence

Kirbie and Sara delve into the pressures exerted by social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. They discuss how the relentless push for content creation and algorithmic favoritism can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and burnout.

Kirbie [09:30]: "We're also slaves to the algorithm, right? If I don't post for a certain amount of time, then the people that normally encourage you, if you're going viral, you want to keep posting so that people see more of your stuff."

Sara adds that the unpredictable nature of these algorithms often leads to frustration and a diminished sense of control over one's online presence.

Sara [10:32]: "There's no rhyme or strategy. It makes no sense."

Exploring Astrological Influences on Personal Well-being

The conversation briefly touches on astrological perspectives related to burnout. Kirbie references Aliza Kelly's insights on planetary retrogrades affecting mental clarity and life decisions.

Kirbie [07:46]: "Apparently astrologically, a lot of things are going on. A lot of planets are retrograde."

Patrick Ta Beauty Controversy: Creator Compensation Issues

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the controversy surrounding Patrick Ta Beauty and alleged non-payment to beauty influencer Ivana Sunshine. Kirbie explains how Ivana publicly criticized the brand for not compensating black creators, leading to widespread discussion on TikTok.

Kirbie [22:16]: "There's a beauty influencer, she has about 400,000 followers on TikTok. She claimed that she was not compensated by Patrick Ta Beauty for promoting his beauty products this past spring."

Sara and Kirbie analyze Patrick Ta's response, which included multiple apologies and attempts to rectify the situation, though skepticism remains about the company's internal processes.

Kirbie [24:07]: "It's clear she probably got these in PR... they have no idea. They have no idea."

The hosts emphasize the broader issue of delayed payments in the beauty industry, criticizing standard net 60 or net 90 payment terms as unsustainable for creators.

Kirbie [27:21]: "I'm not waiting four or five months to get a payment for something I did. It should be illegal."

Hair Color Litigation: The Goldie and Lindsay Drama

Transitioning from beauty product controversies, Kirbie and Sara discuss another TikTok drama involving hairstylist Goldie and her client Lindsay. The conflict arose when Goldie allegedly failed to deliver the desired cool-toned blonde hair, leading Lindsay to destroy the styled products and accuse Goldie of incompetence.

Sara [32:15]: "She specifically asked for cool toned. And Goldie, the hairstylist, did as she said and asked, but the client felt that it was too cool and it looked gray and was very dissatisfied."

The discussion highlights the escalation of personal disputes into public spectacles on social media, questioning the necessity and impact of such actions on the individuals involved.

Kirbie [37:13]: "This did not warrant a six-part series. I understand that likes and views are exciting, but we cannot keep going this direction."

Personal Anecdotes: Bad Hair Experiences

Both hosts share their own experiences with unsatisfactory hair treatments, reinforcing the notion that mistakes happen and advocating for private resolutions rather than public confrontations.

Kirbie [40:07]: "I walked out of that salon with red hair. I need this. And they were like, do you wanna talk to your colorist? I said yes... but then I told her no. Because you said, I am so out of it."

Closing Thoughts: The Need for Community Support and Realistic Expectations

In wrapping up, Kirbie and Sara encourage listeners to step back from social media pressures, prioritize self-care, and foster supportive communities. They advocate for realistic success metrics beyond follower counts and emphasize the importance of valuing personal well-being over online validation.

Sara [16:29]: "If TikTok goes away, I'm sticking to reels. Reels and YouTube shorts. That's where I'm going."

Kirbie [16:23]: "Leave your phone in the other room for a little bit."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kirbie [00:49]: "I posted on my Instagram story last week about how I was feeling so burnt out and that I feel that I don't know what I'm doing in my life."

• Sara [10:32]: "There's no rhyme or strategy. It makes no sense."

• Kirbie [27:21]: "I'm not waiting four or five months to get a payment for something I did. It should be illegal."

• Kirbie [37:13]: "This did not warrant a six-part series. We cannot keep going this direction."

• Sara [16:29]: "If TikTok goes away, I'm sticking to reels. Reels and YouTube shorts."

Conclusion

In this episode, Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan offer a candid exploration of the intersection between personal well-being and the demanding nature of the beauty industry's social media landscape. Through personal anecdotes and critical analysis of recent TikTok dramas, they shed light on systemic issues facing creators and advocate for a healthier, more sustainable approach to career and life balance.