Product Recalls, Concerning Beauty Device Claims, and January 2025 New Launches

Summary

Gloss Angeles Podcast Episode Summary Episode Title: Product Recalls, Concerning Beauty Device Claims, and January 2025 New Launches
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan

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Introduction

In this episode of Gloss Angeles, co-hosts Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan delve into a variety of hot topics in the beauty industry, ranging from the latest product launches to concerning news about beauty devices and product recalls. Their extensive experience as beauty journalists provides listeners with informed perspectives on current trends, treatments, and products shaping the beauty landscape in 2025.

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New Beauty Launches

1. Rare Beauty’s Soft Liquid Contour

Sara introduces Rare Beauty’s Soft Liquid Contour, praising its seamless blendability and diverse shade range.

• Sara (02:04): “It perfectly blended. It looked like it was the perfect shade for my skin tone.”
• Kirbie (02:50): “It has a cooler undertone, which is great because contour can often look too warm.”

Key Highlights:

• Available in seven shades, catering to cool, warm, and neutral tones.
• Priced at $28, offering accessibility to a broad audience.
• Noted for its lightweight, skin-like finish that doesn’t appear overly dewy or dry.

2. Rhode’s Lip Pencil: Peptide Lip Shape

The hosts discuss Rhode’s Peptide Lip Shape pencils, designed not as traditional liners but for easy contouring and shaping without a mirror.

• Sara (06:03): “It's meant to be applied without a mirror and then buffed out for a natural look.”
• Kirbie (10:41): “Hailey Bieber does it again. This makes complete sense for her brand expansion.”

Key Highlights:

• Comes in 11 shades, including caramel browns and cool neutrals.
• Each pencil retails for $24, with sets available for additional savings.
• Endorsed by Tate McRae, signaling a strong influencer backing.

3. Benefit’s New Mascara: Bad Gal Bounce

Kirbie unveils Benefit’s Bad Gal Bounce Mascara, highlighting its unique dual-sided brush and flexible formula.

• Kirbie (12:22): “One side is curved for easy lash coating, and the other is straight for precision.”
• Sara (15:48): “It’s $29.50, which seems reasonable for a high-quality Sephora mascara.”

Key Highlights:

• Dual-sided wand combines a fine-tooth comb with fiber bristles for enhanced volume and definition.
• Claims of being clump-proof, smudge-proof, flake-proof, and transfer-proof, though it is not waterproof.
• Priced competitively within the Sephora range, balancing quality and cost.

4. Lisa Eldridge’s Pinpoint Concealer

Sara introduces Lisa Eldridge’s Pinpoint Concealer, emphasizing its precise application and creamy gel formula.

• Kirbie (17:03): “It’s extremely small, perfect for micro-correcting blemishes.”
• Sara (19:20): “At $35, it’s a bit pricey, but it offers exceptional precision and blending.”

Key Highlights:

• Available in 16 shades, catering to various skin tones.
• Designed for minimal usage, making it a portable and efficient solution for on-the-go touch-ups.
• Compared to Jones Road’s similar offerings, positioning it within the high-end concealer market.

5. Jones Road’s Gel Liner

The discussion shifts to Jones Road’s Gel Liner, a collaboration that brings Bobbi Brown’s expertise to a new formulation.

• Sara (21:46): “This is creamy, water and transfer-resistant, made for all-day wear.”
• Kirbie (22:10): “I’m a big fan of the Bobbi Brown liner, and this seems like a worthy alternative.”

Key Highlights:

• Available in black, brown, navy, and violet.
• Priced at $30, slightly above Bobbi Brown’s $36 version.
• Features a creamy gel formula with a brush designed for precise application and longevity.

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News Segment

1. Medicube’s Beauty Device and Bell’s Palsy Claims

Kirbie and Sara address a disturbing claim circulating on TikTok where a user alleges that Medicube’s Booster Pro Skincare Device caused Bell’s palsy.

• Sara (22:47): “This misinformation has been spreading uncontrollably, affecting Medicube’s reputation.”
• Kirbie (25:03): “I think we will end up seeing a brand sue in the future due to the detrimental effects of such misinformation.”

Key Highlights:

• Medicube’s Response: The company denies the claim, stating that electrical stimulation devices are commonly used to treat facial nerve damage, including Bell’s palsy.
• Comparison to Olaplex: Similar to how Olaplex was affected by unsubstantiated TikTok claims, Medicube faces potential long-term damage from viral misinformation.
• Legal Implications: The hosts speculate that brands may increasingly pursue legal action against individuals spreading false claims on social media to protect their businesses.

2. First Aid Beauty’s Voluntary Recall

The conversation moves to First Aid Beauty’s voluntary recall of their Coconut Vanilla Ultra Repair Cream.

• Kirbie (33:07): “This affects 2,700 jars within two lots. If you have this variant, you should dispose of it immediately.”
• Sara (36:43): “If you did purchase this, you should ask for a refund or replace it. Personally, I’m good without it.”

Key Highlights:

• Reason for Recall: The FDA classified it as a Class 2 recall due to the product being inadvertently distributed despite being intended for quarantine. The exact issue remains unclear.
• Affected Products: Only the Coconut Vanilla scented version is recalled; the Fragrance-Free Ultra Repair Cream remains unaffected.
• Consumer Advice: Customers are urged to check their product’s lot number via Allure’s website to determine if they are affected and take appropriate action.

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Conclusion

Kirbie and Sara wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to share their thoughts on the new product launches, the Medicube controversy, and the First Aid Beauty recall. They emphasize staying informed and cautious with beauty products, highlighting the importance of brand transparency and consumer advocacy in the beauty industry.

• Sara (37:22): “Let us know your thoughts on the Medicube Bell’s palsy fiasco and if you encountered the First Aid Beauty recall.”
• Kirbie (37:28): “We’re always here to keep you updated on the latest in beauty trends and news.”

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Notable Quotes

• Sara (06:03): “It's meant to be applied without a mirror and then buffed out for a natural look.”
• Kirbie (25:03): “I think we will end up seeing a brand sue in the future due to the detrimental effects of such misinformation.”
• Kirbie (33:07): “If you have this variant, you should dispose of it immediately.”

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This episode of Gloss Angeles offers a comprehensive look into the latest beauty product innovations, addresses serious concerns about product safety and misinformation, and provides valuable advice for consumers navigating the ever-evolving beauty market.

Transcript

[A]

Acast powers the world's best podcasts.

[B]

Here's a show that we recommend.

[A]

This season on the Dream.

[B]

Supplies are being by nurses who run out in the middle of the night and purchase diapers, but the hospital is still charging as if they still have these items.

[A]

We are digging into every topic we've ever wanted to cover on this show. It's a spinning plate analogy. The second that you stop spinning those plates, that crashes. So you can never stop working. The Dream season four comes at you weekly. Starting Monday, January 20th. Acast helps creators launch, grow and monetize their podcasts everywhere. Acast.com glam Los Angeles.

[B]

Hi, Kirby.

[A]

Hi, Sarah. Welcome to Los Angeles.

[B]

Kirby, it's been a year since I've seen you last. That's what it feels like.

[A]

Like a year. I know. We walked in here and we're like. And then I'm like, no, I actually saw you on January 3rd.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Right before your birthday where you offensively asked me what it was like to be a week older.

[B]

Oh, my God. And guess what? It's still January. Still January. How?

[A]

How?

[B]

Every time I wake up, I'm like, it's Monday. But it's not. It's still the same week. We're still in the same week. Even though it's been a really hard year so far, there's actually been a lot of really amazing launches, which I know is what you all want to hear about.

[A]

Yes. We have some new beauty launches that we're going to shout out. Some of them have just been teased. We haven't been able to get our hands on them. And then some of them are out in the world and we've been testing them for a minute now.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So, Sarah, since you have the product and I don't, what's the first one?

[B]

Okay, so the first one is the soft liquid contour from Rare Beauty.

[A]

Wow. Beautiful.

[B]

Gorge. I was really excited about this. Obviously the soft pinch liquid blush. That's what it's called. Correct. Is like, I think it's their best seller. Right.

[A]

100%. And I think it's the best selling blush at Sephora.

[B]

It's just so good. It's so good. All the colors are so good. I don't know why I like, sort of didn't think about her launching contour shades, but it just makes sense. And I used one today. It's in the shade mellow and I loved it. I loved it. It like perfectly blended. It looked like it was the perfect shade for my skin tone. Here, why don't you try It. Kirby.

[A]

It looks just like the same packaging.

[B]

Same packaging.

[A]

Soft pinch blush. Except it's larger.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

This is a mega size.

[B]

Same doe foot applicator.

[A]

I like this because it has a cooler undertone. Because sometimes contour still goes really warm. Actually, it kind of looks warm on me.

[B]

Don't you think that is actually a little bit warm on you?

[A]

That is warm on me.

[B]

There's definitely. There was another one in the PR Mailer that they sent to me that was cooler. That would probably look better on you.

[A]

This is more of a bronzer for me.

[B]

Yes. Yes.

[A]

So I'm tapping it into my skin. It does feel really dewy, and it's. It's melting into the skin, buffing out nicely. It's giving a wash of color.

[B]

Yes, but it does. It's not like. It's not like, a luminous.

[A]

Oh, it's not?

[B]

No, I don't think so. Like, it's not dewy, but it's like skin, like, it's skin, like. That's what I will say.

[A]

Will it dry down?

[B]

It dries down. Yeah, it dries down, but it's not drying.

[A]

Okay, I'm looking right now. Yeah. So there is a little bit of a. It does look like skin. Yeah, it looks like skin.

[B]

It's a really nice finish.

[A]

That is a really nice finish. Yeah, it actually looks like a nice tan on me.

[B]

It does.

[A]

Which I needed on hand, so maybe I do my other hand just to match it. No, doesn't really?

[B]

No. It doesn't smell. I don't think it has a smell.

[A]

It doesn't have. It's not, like, fragranced or anything.

[B]

I will say a little goes a long way. I went a little hard the first time and had to buff it out, but I really, really liked it. I mean, I've only used it once, so my first react. This product is available now. It comes in seven different shades. Great range. It has, like, from cool taupe to, like, a cool brown. So it's got both the warm, cool and neutrals. They're $28 each. Again, I'm shade mellow. Kirby, I feel like you might be gentle. Oh, which is a cool taupe.

[A]

Yeah. I was gonna say the cool taupe is speaking to me.

[B]

You literally just, like, dot blend. And I. Yeah, I really, really like it so far. Made in Korea.

[A]

Does it last?

[B]

I don't know. What do you think? I applied it probably two hours ago.

[A]

I really can't tell if you're wearing it, to be honest, but because I did, I like.

[B]

What about my Forehead.

[A]

Can you see it? No, I don't. I don't, actually, but I don't.

[B]

I'm, like, not a big bronzer. Bronzer person, anyways.

[A]

Contour you?

[B]

Yeah, I don't contour that much, so I think. I mean, it's definitely buildable. So if you want a heavier contour, then, like, by all means, go for it. But I really, really buffed it out because I just wanted it to have a little bit of, like, give myself a little bit of shape in my face. I really enjoyed it. I personally really liked it.

[A]

I'm looking forward to trying it because that was speaking. I'm really into contours these days. I am using Charlotte Tilbury's wand that everybody loves.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I'm also using this Scrandy beauty contour block that just launched recently, but I've been testing it for several months now. It's really, really good, especially for a nose contour. So I'm really down with that.

[B]

Okay, we'll report back.

[A]

Next up. Rhode is officially launching their lip pencil. They were very clear that it's not a lip liner. No, it's a lip contour lip shape.

[B]

That's what they're calling it.

[A]

Lip shape.

[B]

Road peptide. Lip shape.

[A]

Road peptide lip shape. There are 11 shades, and Haley, I saw, I think it was maybe Luk or Vogue, British Vogue or something. But she was saying that it's really meant to just contour your lips and that you don't have to be precious with it, like a liner, because she wants it to be so that you could apply it without a mirror and be able to just kind of, like, buff it out, if you will, and just kind of buff it out. She said that she used to use her fingers to buff it out, but at the end of the liner, there is a buffer tool to help buff it and make it look less precise and a little bit more blurred.

[B]

Did you ever try the. Is it refi or Refy? I still don't know.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. I heard the founder say, I think it's Refi.

[B]

Refi.

[A]

I used to say Refy, and I think it's Refi.

[B]

Okay, so the Refy lip blur lip liner. Have you tried those yet?

[A]

No.

[B]

So I think this product, like, when it came out, it was, like, a massive hit. Like, it went super viral. It's like a blurring lip liner that has a matte finish. I'm obsessed with them. Obsessed. So when Kirby and I were in London, I knew that Refi was big here, but it's, like, so Big over there. Like, there were actual, like, you know, refi gondolas in, like, the Selfridges. And this particular product was so, so popular. But the thing was, they were having trouble with the packaging and the product. The lip liner kept breaking, and I didn't have any. Any problems with it until recently. And then mine started breaking, too, which I was, like, pretty upset about. Cause I love this product so much. I feel like this Rhode lip shape is very similar in that it is meant to be applied easily without a mirror, blendable, but the tip is different. So the refi one is rounded, and then the peptide lip shape is a little bit pointed, which I like, because then it really is like you're able to shape the lip. I haven't tried it yet either, but I'm really, really excited. I feel like everything she puts out feel like it's just so good. So there's a lot of thought to it, you know?

[A]

Remember when she used Anywhere Caffeine from Makeup Forever? The Artist lip pencils or the artist pencils, you could not get anywhere caffeine literally anywhere. I went to professional beauty stores, Sephora. I went anywhere there could be a Makeup Forever Artist pencil. You could not find it in the city of Los Angeles. Yeah, it was crazy. And so I, I. They reached out to me about getting the package. Pick your four shades that you want, which I really appreciated. Cause some of those shades I was never going to use because they were too light or too dark for me.

[B]

Same.

[A]

I was like, find out what Haley's favorite is and put it in there. So I think I picked number two, four, five, and six.

[B]

Oh, my God. Those are the same ones that I requested. I'm pretty sure.

[A]

Yes. And I picked them because I did want a pink one. One. So that was number two.

[B]

It's pressed, which is the warm pinky mauve.

[A]

Yes. And I felt like that could be a little bit similar or maybe a lot similar to a pillow top.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Then I picked 4, 5, and 6, because one of those reminded me of Anywhere Caffeine in terms of the. It says it's like a caramel shade.

[B]

Yes. Yes.

[A]

And then the other two were more like, neutrals that I thought would match my lip tone.

[B]

Totally. Yeah. So I think I asked for the same thing. There was, like, a rosy beige, a warm taupe, and a caramel brown. Like caramel brown?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yes. And then it goes all the way to the deepest shade, which is, like, a deep, cool brown. I'm very excited to try these.

[A]

So Tate McCrae is the face of this, who is. If Sabrina Carpenter was my girl in 2024, Tate McRae is my girl in 2025. She's the second coming of Britney Spears, in my opinion. She can dance, her music's great, and I think that she's gonna totally blow up this year in a way that she has a huge fan base, but I just don't think she's really broken.

[B]

Through to, yeah, like, Sabrina Carpenter level. Not yet.

[A]

And I think she's gonna get there this year. I wouldn't be surprised if we see her at the Met Gala as well, based off of some of the fashions in her new music video, Sportscar. And if you listen to Sportscar, it's literally like I'm a Slave for your. And Buttons by Pussycat Dolls had a baby, and it was influenced by the Whisper Song by the Yin Yang Twins. So love that. Have fun with that one. How much are the Rhode liners?

[B]

Okay, so the rhode liners are $24. You can also buy the Peptide lip shape set, which comes with four lip shapes.

[A]

Cool.

[B]

Yeah. Great. I'm not gonna do the math, but I think you saved probably a couple bucks. A couple bucks.

[A]

There you go. Hailey Bieber does it again. I think this makes complete sense for her. I know she started off as a skincare brand, and then we got into the Blushes, but I think that, you know.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, it just goes hand in hand with the Peptide lip products, and I feel like she's been teasing this for a really long time.

[A]

Yeah. I actually like that she's been teasing it because we've been seeing her use it. And then I remember towards the end of last year, we saw it in the final packaging, and I kept commenting and messaging her going, give me this liner now. I need it so bad. So I'm excited to try those. We'll let you guys know. I know when I posted about it, a lot of people were like, okay, I have never tried Rhode before, but I think I'm gonna have to use this.

[B]

Ooh. Okay.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. I was like, wow. Not even the blushes got you into it, so we'll see. You guys know that we really like Rhode products here.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. Benefit knows how to do brows, but I also think their mascaras are top tier. Really, really good.

[B]

I feel. I mean, obviously I don't wear it, but I feel like so many of my friends who are even out of the beauty world always use a Benefit mascara.

[A]

Yes. They're real Roller Lash. They have a million of them at this point. Well, they're launching another one. It's called Benefit Bounce.

[B]

It's so cute.

[A]

It's very, very cute.

[B]

It looks like a balloon.

[A]

It does. And they just launched it. So the wand is really interesting to me.

[B]

Can you give us that ASMR when you're opening it?

[A]

Yeah. There we go. Okay. So it's curved on one side and it's straight on the other. So one side I have found is like really good for getting to the base of your lashes and kind of wiggling. And then the curved side really helps to coat every single other lash. This is the mascara that I have been wearing non stop since I got it before it launched. And people are like, wow, your eyelashes look really voluminous. How is, you know, what are you using? I'm like, I can't talk about it yet. So this is Bad Gal Bounce. You know they have the Bad Gal Bang. Yeah, Bad Gal Bang. So this is for full fluffy lifted volume that is also defined, separated and weightless and flexible. So it's just meant to make your lashes look really fluffy, really volumized, if you will. They say it's clump proof, smudge proof, flake proof, and transfer proof.

[B]

But it's not waterproof.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Okay. Which I feel like a lot of people are starting to veer away from that. Like look for non waterproof formulas.

[A]

Yes. Because it's hard on the lashes, but they want things that won't, for instance, transfer.

[B]

Right.

[A]

My opinion on transfer is it doesn't. It's not a formula thing. It is your eye socket thing.

[B]

Your shape.

[A]

If you have more pronounced under eye or fat top lids like I like to call them, like I do, you may have some transfer depending on if. I guess if the formula doesn't dry down as much, it could lead to transfer as well. But I feel like it really is an anatomy thing. And so if you do find you have transfer, you need to be making sure that you powder around the eye area. Because usually it's a mix of your skincare or oils or whatever, mixing and then causing the transfer to happen. So the formula says it's a flexible film former that wraps around the lashes for boosted density and then it contains an olive oil wax that isn't the heavy texture you're used to. And that's what gives it like the bouncy body. Then the hybrid brush, which is what I mentioned earlier, that's interesting to me. So there's a fine tooth plastic comb on one side and then a flexible fiber bristle on the other side. So it's Kind of the best of both worlds. I usually do not like the. I guess the rubber, if you want to call it that, a lot of people like to use as a wand, because I guess it helps with separation more and coating the lashes. But I'm like a bristle girly through and through, so I was very happy about the bristle inclusion. I will say I have had a little bit of fallout with this, a little bit of flaking, but I also am loading it up. I'm going, like, three coats, so perhaps it's not meant to be that heavy on the lash, so just be prepared for that. But I have come home after a long day and looked in the mirror, seen that I have some fallout.

[B]

Okay. But no clumping.

[A]

No clumping. I mean, also, I powder my lashes so that I feel like I never have to deal with clumping period.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

But the formula is not heavy enough or wet enough for it to clump your lashes together.

[B]

Yeah. So I guess that's the trade off because it does feel so, like, weightless. Yes. Got it.

[A]

So it's available now, and it is $29.50.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Under 30, I think that's expensive for a benefit mascara. Usually they're in the $24 range, right?

[B]

Yeah. Let's see. So, well, actually, benefits Bad gal bang is $29.

[A]

Okay. Okay. So then maybe their brow products are 24.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, I think that.

[A]

Or maybe inflation.

[B]

I was gonna say inflation.

[A]

There we go.

[B]

Ingredients, packaging. That's expensive. I pay a lot of money for my lashes, but I feel like $30 seems, like, reasonable for, like, in my head, if I'm going to Sephora and I really like the formula, I'm like, yeah, all right, I'll pay $30 for it.

[A]

Yeah. That's pretty typical for a Sephora mascara. For the most part. 20 to 30, I would say.

[B]

Your lashes look amazing.

[A]

Thank you. Okay. I'm really excited about this.

[B]

Ooh.

[A]

Lisa Eldridge is launching, or she has launched pinpoint concealers, if you know anything about Lisa. All throughout her career, she's talked about pinpoint concealing, meaning not just swiping a big gob of concealer on, making sure that you're very precise with it. Almost like little tiny pen or pencil marks over where the blemishes or whatever, and then kind of buffing it out. She launched these. I do not have them, but the minute I got this email, I was like, I need these immediately. Please send them.

[B]

They're so small.

[A]

They're extremely, extremely small. And because of That I have seen reviews from people that have gotten them, like Wayne Goss, who is a very popular YouTuber. If you're not familiar with him, he's an incredible makeup artist. He said that he loved the product. However, he couldn't recommend it based on the price point for how little product you get. And I get it. I understand. I also think that maybe it was priced based on how much you're supposed to use. You're not. You're not gonna get through it maybe as quickly as another product.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But I understand also, Lisa is a.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Prestige brand, but I do understand the complaint.

[B]

Yes. But I feel like this is a product that she is intending you to use to conceal the tiny, you know, little blemishes and whatever you're not using it to make. Well, maybe you. You want to, but you're not using it to contour your face or, you know, you're not using it heavily as you would maybe other concealers. How other people use concealers. Like this is intended to be used. Pinpoint micro correcting.

[A]

Right, Right. So it literally looks like a lip liner or a eyebrow pencil. It's that small. I mean, think of benefits or Kosas Nano brow. Okay. Maybe a little bit bigger than that. It's.04 grams. And it is called the Micro correcting pencil. It comes in 16 shades. I think that if I'm looking at it, I feel like there could be a better spread of shades, in my opinion. But I do. I'm really interested to try this because when I'm correcting something on my face, I'm using the tiniest little brush. And I like that. This is essentially a pencil. I know that Jones Road makes a fat face pencil that Bobby Brown, you know, intended people to use in a similar fashion. And, you know, I think that. And that one's only $27. This one is 31.50 on Liberty's website.

[B]

It's so 34 in the US I think.

[A]

Okay. Okay. Yeah. On Liberty's website, it's discounted, actually at 31.50, and it's normally $35. I have to say, I don't know if I. Because I trust Lisa, I would not be opposed to buying a product like this for $35. Yeah, I wouldn't, because it's going to solve a problem for me, which is not having to use a pot of concealer along with a tiny brush. I can put this in my bag, take it with me.

[B]

And I like that it says it's a creamy gel formula, you know, so even though it looks like it is in, like, pencil form, I feel like. I mean, the before and after pictures look incredible. Like, it looks like it blends really, really well.

[A]

Yes. But if you do, like a full face and you do want a lot of coverage, this probably is. I mean, it's not. Probably it's not worth it for you. It's also just not a product that you're gonna want to use. This is really for people that are just looking to cover up in very, very minimal ways. It's not something I think I would use on the under eye.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, I feel like it really is specifically for blemishes. Blemishes, dark marks, small ones, et cetera.

[B]

Totally. Okay, wait, you mentioned something, and I didn't write it down here, but can we talk about. You said Jones Road?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

They came out with a gel liner in a pot.

[A]

Oh, okay. I saw this as well, and I said, give it to me right now.

[B]

So I also called it in immediately. So we know Bobby Brown's eyeliner gel eyeliner is, like, iconic, right? Like, people have been using it for literally decades. So Bobbi Brown was like, well, let me make one for Jones Road. And she did, and it's really, really good. So it comes in black, brown, navy, and violet. It is. It's $30, and the Bobbi Brown version is $36.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

I know. Okay. I know.

[A]

She said, you may have my name exactly, but I'm gonna get the. I'm gonna convert people.

[B]

Yeah. It's creamy gel, it's water and transfer resistant, and it's made for all day wear. Similar to the Bobbi Brown one. I have not used the Bobbi Brown one in so, so long. I haven't used a gel liner in a pot in, like, forever. But I used to use it and I'm wearing this today, and I. I really like it.

[A]

I can't wait to try it.

[B]

So this is the brown one. I will say the brown. It's a little bit warmer than I would like. I usually like to wear, like, a cooler brown, but it's really, really good. And I didn't use the brush that they. They made. I have another eyeliner brush and it. It dried down really quickly, which I like because my. I. Whenever I wear any sort of eyeliner, like, I feel like it's always smudging. I don't think it's much. It's still there. My wings.

[A]

Yeah, I can see them. They're still there. I can't wait to try it. I am A big fan of the Bobbi Brown liner, although I've been using Inglot, per Alexandra French's recommendation because it does dry and it's super, super black. So we'll have to see if Jones Road looks up. There are a lot of other launches, however, we need to get into news.

[B]

We do.

[A]

Asap.

[B]

Let's do it asap.

[A]

All right. And news of the week. Sarah, what is going on with this tool brand and a potential medical issue?

[B]

Yes. Okay, so TikTok is back.

[A]

Yeah, we were like, TikTok's gone. Bye.

[B]

No, they were like, just kidding.

[A]

It was like a guy breaking up with you and then coming back the next day.

[B]

Exactly, exactly. We didn't even have time to miss it.

[A]

No.

[B]

Although everyone was, like, posting all of their tributes and then they were like, just kidding. We're back. Anyways, one thing that has been trending is this story. A creator claims that she developed Bell's palsy, which is temporary facial paralysis. And she says she's developed it on one side of her face after using the Medicube Age, our booster skincare device, which is, like, has been popular for, I feel like, the last couple of years. I get asked about it all the time. I think Haley Bieber, like, sort of helped to put it on the map. I know the Kardashians love this product. It's a Korean skincare brand. And this woman posted that. She. I mean, it's. It's. It's really sad because she was like, I've been using this. Let's play. We'll play. Can we play the video? Play audio from the video.

[C]

I am coming on here to talk about something that has happened to me, and this is just literally from my experience. And you know what? I'm not even gonna lie to you guys. I have filmed this video like 700 times, and I don't care any anymore. This is the last video that I'm filming. As you can tell the state of my face. I am paralyzed on this side of my face. This is a temporary paralyzation or paralyzers or whatever that is called. Bell Pulsy. Bell's Pulsy is a nerve facial nerve inflammatory that can be triggered by multiple different reasons. I'm just so sick and tired of seeing this stupid Medicube Pro booster device being promoted on Tick Tock and tons of people buying it. And this is the result of what happened to me after two days of using them. Two days, 12 to 24 hours later, I ended up being in hospital being diagnosed with this. Am I sitting here and saying this is the vault of Medicube? Never came out of my mouth. All I'm saying is that to look into Reddit, and I have seen people saying that they felt paralyzed in their face, they felt numbness in their face, someone ended up being blind on their face. I don't know if this is all things that we can prove, and we're dealing with a company that's extremely big and extremely popular, and they might actually sue me for making this video, but honest to God, I don't give a fuck.

[A]

Ooh, okay.

[B]

Yeah, she's obviously extremely, extremely emotional about it. How does one get Bell's palsy? So, according to Cleveland Clinic, Bell's palsy happens when there's inflammation and swelling of your seventh cranial nerve, the nerve that controls facial muscles. Certain conditions, like viral infections, can cause inflammation, but many cases of Bell's palsy have no clear cause. I watched this video of Sandra Lanchin.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And she said, you know, according to, like, traditional Chinese medicine, that another cause that they believe is wind.

[A]

Yes, I saw that. And I saw that in her comments as well.

[B]

Yes. Okay, but the bottom line here is that we don't know exactly what causes Bell's palsy.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

So this woman, Aminah is saying that she started using the Medicube device for two days and then woke up and this happened. So medicube released a statement, and then they said, we would like to clarify that the Booster Pro dev does not cause Bell's palsy. Recently, a viral video on TikTok has been spreading false information claiming that the Booster Pro device caused nerve damage. This misinformation has been spreading uncontrollably, not only affecting our customers, but also misleading new individuals who are unfamiliar with our brand. Medicube. The false narrative is creating fear that the use of the device could lead to health problems. And we are deeply concerned about the impacts on our customers, partners, and the overall perception of our products. And then the brand added that the support of medical journalism states that Bell's palsy is most likely caused by a viral agent. Noted that electrical stimulation, a component of the skincare device in question, is widely used in the market to help treat facial nerve damage such as Bell's palsy. So a lot of people have been using, like, the NuFace, the Zip Halo, to actually help when they have been diagnosed with Bell's palsy to sort of like, exercise those facial muscles again.

[A]

That's why I initially, when I saw that woman's TikTok, or had heard about that woman's TikTok. The first thing I thought was, that's really weird because this particular type of device is often used to help people that do have facial paralysis due to Bell's Palsy. Yes, it's very. It's something that we have heard a lot, especially in the beauty industry, talking to these experts. So I really appreciate that Medicube quickly got a statement out like this and presented backs because this is not the same, but it is similar in a sense to how I feel about Olaplex. Olaplex really took a hit because of a TikTok video that was unsubstantiated and it caused a lot of drama and fear mongering with people who were afraid to use their product based off of an ingredient list that was no longer in use and had not been in use for at least two years. And while Olaplex did eventually come out and make a statement, they did not go directly to the source, which was social media, and clarify. And not only did they put this out, they left comments on. And then somebody from Medicube made a video on their page as well. And I think that if you read the comments, a lot of people are like, I have had Bell's Palsy. The thing about Bell's Palsy that is really unfortunate is it's very hard to figure out what the root cause is. One of my former employers developed Bell's Palsy and it literally came out of nowhere. They were trying to figure out if it was stress induced because she had been traveling overseas with her husband and it eventually went away. It was temporary, but they have no. There was nothing that they could pinpoint to figure out. And that's the. It reminds me actually a lot of hair loss where people will say, hair loss is a result of this and this and this, or I did this and then my hair started falling out. It's like, well, there's so many other factors that can contribute to hair loss that it may not necessarily have been the product you used or how you treated your hair, but rather something going on internally that you weren't already privy to.

[B]

Totally, totally. Have you used the Medicube?

[A]

I have never used Medicube. I know that they have a moisturizer that people are obsessed with. It's kind of like a jelly consistency. And I've never really been interested in this product. Not. Not because I don't think it's not effective. I just, I have other products and.

[B]

Other tools that I. Yeah, that do similar things. Yes, yes.

[A]

Have you tried it at all?

[B]

No, no. But I honestly get asked all the time. They must have really, really good, like. Well, obviously, we know they're viral on TikTok, but Instagram marketing. But, Kirby, to your point, there are a lot of comments on the video that are saying, like, I have used this product and it's improved my skin. Like, this is how you respond to an accusation. Thank you for bringing the facts. So I'm curious to see if the brand will be affected by this woman's video or if you feel like, you know, this has, like, kind of, like, nipped it in the bud and, you know, people will continue to use the Medicube devices.

[A]

I do think that this kind of shines a light on what you bring to the Internet. I understand. I really empathize with this woman because obviously, when you experience something like this, it is traumatizing.

[B]

Totally. And the first thing you do is you look to the things that have changed and what you've introduced. And obviously, if she just started using it, I would also jump to that conclusion.

[A]

Totally. But I wonder if we're gonna see more brands in the future take action against people who say things and say them without any cause. There is unfortunately, no proof that this. Cause it's anecdotal. She can say that it was, but you can't actually prove it. And I think that brands are now seeing how detrimental a TikTok video can be to their business. I'm very interested to see how. I mean, I feel like we will end up seeing a brand sue in the future.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which people may argue is not a good look and not worth it to go after a consumer or an individual.

[B]

Right.

[A]

However, I think that they're gonna. A lot of brands are gonna say, I'm not gonna allow misinformation to cause my business to collapse. And I wouldn't be surprised if this year we get or in the coming years a lawsuit from a brand against a TikTok video.

[B]

That's a really good point. Speaking of legal actions, Kirby, tell me, what is being recalled?

[A]

So First Aid Beauty. This is a brand that I have been using forever.

[B]

Yeah, Forever.

[A]

I don't even. I mean, I think the first time I ever stepped foot in a Sephora First Aid Beauty was there.

[B]

This is a product that I feel like I recommend all the time to people.

[A]

And I also think this is the original sensitive skincare brand. The colloidal oat in it is very much what soothes people's skin. Anytime I travel To a climate that I. Whether it's too hot or too cold, I pack First Aid Beauty because I know that that's gonna be the one moisturizer that makes sure my skin is not going to freak out, essentially. So this Allure article kind of explains what's going on, but they had to recall a certain skew of their First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. And it says that this is a voluntary recall of a version of this particular cream. It's the Coconut Vanilla scented version. And the recall went into effect on December 23rd. And it does not pertain to the fragrance Free version. So the original Fragrance Free Ultra Repair Cream. All good. You don't have to worry about it.

[B]

I don't even think I've ever tried the Coconut Vanilla one.

[A]

I did not know they even had this version. And I honestly don't think I would want to use it.

[B]

Right.

[A]

To be honest, I don't want my facial cream to smell like that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So it says that this affects 2,700 jars within two lots of the Coconut Vanilla Ultra Repair Cream. And if you go to Allure's website, they break down what those lots are and when they expire and those numbers are on the packaging. According to a report from the U.S. food and Drug Administration, the jars were recalled because, quote, product intended for quarantine was inadvertently distributed. And what does that mean? Something went down with this lot and then instead of it getting thrown away, it got distributed to people.

[B]

Why does it have to be quarantined?

[A]

No idea. I'm truly terrified. So then it says the FDA classifies this recall as a Class 2, the second highest risk classification. So initially I had seen First Aid Beauty's Instagram post about this, and they.

[B]

Just said, out of an abundance of caution.

[A]

Yeah, we recalled this. These were never supposed to see the light of day, essentially. And then people were like, but why?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And they wouldn't clarify.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

They still won't clarify.

[A]

So the FDA says that a Class 2 risk classification is, quote, a situation in which use of or exposure to a volitive.

[B]

Is it volatile?

[A]

It says violative. Violative. I've never.

[B]

Yeah, no. Should that say volitive a violative or is violative like a violate itself?

[A]

Okay. Violative product may cause temporary or medically irreversible. Sorry, an ad popped up. Adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. The report does not go into detail about what exactly merited this classification. As of publication, the brand has not shared the reason. The lots were, quote, intended for quarantine. And has yet to respond to Allure's inquiry about those details.

[B]

Okay. Violative is a word.

[A]

Okay, great. Never used it.

[B]

Violating or attending to. Violate or offend against.

[A]

Thank you, fda, for introducing that word into our vocabulary. So First Aid Beauty provided this statement to Allure and it says, we voluntarily recalled a specific variant of our ultra repair cream, Coconut Vanilla, sold exclusively on firstaidbeauty.com this was one particular variant. No other First Aid Beauty Ultra repair creams are impacted. We've already reached out to a few customers who purchased this Coconut Vanilla Ultra repair cream and scent replacements. We know the word recall can feel unsettling, but we assure you that this product met quality standards. We strive to ensure all consumers have the best possible experience with our product. It's no longer available on the website, so you don't have to worry about purchasing it and getting a version that should have been quarantined. I really would need to know.

[B]

Okay. I'm curious, like, if it was meant to be quarantined. To me, quarantine means, like, a temporary amount of time. So, like, did it need to just, like, chill for a little bit?

[A]

I have no idea.

[B]

Or quarantine as in, like, permanently? Why didn't they just dispose of it? You know what I mean?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

If it was a bad batch, why didn't they just throw it out?

[A]

Yeah, I'm a little. That is a little weird. I think that people are freaking out over this, but I do think this is a very specific lot.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I don't know if a lot. I honestly cannot imagine that a lot of First Aid Beauty's customers would gravitate towards a Coconut Vanilla.

[B]

I know it doesn't seem popular to me. It seems like a very strange.

[A]

I do think, just in general, that's a strange offering from the brand. But if you did end up buying that, just look at the lot.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Go to allure.com, look up the story about the First Aid beauty recall of Coconut Vanilla and then see if your lot is affected or not. I would never be.

[B]

Toss it out.

[A]

Buying this.

[B]

Ask for a refund.

[A]

So I'm good.

[B]

Toss it out. Yeah.

[A]

Oh, yeah. I'm like, are they going to get refunded?

[B]

Well, I. Well, they said that they were sending replacements. Replacements, which I'm like, I'm good.

[A]

I don't think I want it anymore.

[B]

I'm good.

[A]

Yeah. Okay. So that's the news for the week. Glams. We want to know, are you going to try any of the new launches? Let us know about your thoughts on the Medicube Bell's palsy fiasco. And did you buy the Coconut Vanilla First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream?

[B]

It sounds like it probably smells good.

[A]

I'm sure it smells good, but I don't want it on my face.

[B]

Yeah, I'd use it on my body.

[A]

Yeah. ACAST powers the world's best podcasts.

[B]

Here's a show that we recommend.

[A]

This season on the Dream.

[B]

Supplies are being provided by nurses who run out in the middle of the night and purchase diapers, but the hospital is still charging as if they still have these items.

[A]

We are digging into every topic we've ever wanted to cover on this show. It's a spinning plate analogy. The second that you stop spinning those plates, that crashes. So you can never stop working. The Dream Season 4 comes at you weekly. Starting Monday, January 20th, Acast helps creators.

[B]

Launch, grow and monetize their podcasts everywhere.

[A]

Acast.com.