Gloss Angeles Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Recapping the Top Headlines of the Year, Plus Our Mid-Year Brand Winners
Release Date: July 11, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan

In this mid-year special episode of Gloss Angeles, co-hosts and seasoned beauty journalists Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan delve into the most significant beauty headlines of the first half of 2025. They dissect trends, brand performances, controversies, and emerging products shaping the beauty, skincare, and wellness industries. Additionally, they announce their Mid-Year Brand Winners, highlighting standout brands that have made substantial impacts during this period.

1. Reflecting on the Past Six Months

Kirbie:
"We have covered every week of this year, so we have a lot to talk about. We're going to do little reminders, then we're going to pick our brand of the mid-year like we did last year."
[00:25]

Sara:
"Who was it?"
[01:02]

Kirbie:
"It was Glossier. It was Glossier. And unfortunately, Glossier is having a hard time. It's a little rough."
[01:06]

The hosts begin by revisiting last year's Brand of the Year, Glossier, discussing its current challenges, including leadership changes and fluctuating consumer perceptions. Despite internal struggles, Glossier's products, especially their lip liners and perfumes, continue to resonate with a diverse customer base.

2. The Rise of Facelifts in Beauty Conversations

Sara:
"I feel like everyone's been covering facelifts, and Kirby's been covering facelifts for a really long time now. It's like everyone's been realizing that you can be in your 40s and 50s and that's actually the right time to be getting facelifts."
[02:48]

Kirbie and Sara explore the increasing transparency around cosmetic procedures, particularly facelifts. They highlight a viral TikTok video featuring Michelle Wood from Guadalajara, whose dramatic facelift results have sparked widespread discussion about aging gracefully and the societal pressures women face regarding appearance.

Kirbie:
"The best facelift I've ever seen, ever. They gave you the Kris Jenner special. You look great. But it's not even done cooking."
[05:30]

The conversation emphasizes the importance of skincare maintenance post-procedure and the growing acceptance of cosmetic enhancements as a norm rather than an exception.

3. Navigating the Terminology of Aging

Kirbie:
"Val Monroe wrote the story about 'old lady energy' flashing its well-toned arms. People lost their ever-loving minds over this. It really started this conversation about why is old a four-letter word?"
[08:07]

The hosts delve into the cultural stigmas associated with aging, discussing the backlash against terms like "old" and the societal implications of aging gracefully. They highlight the challenges of celebrating longevity in the entertainment industry without diminishing a woman's worth based on age.

Sara:
"How are you supposed to celebrate someone's storied career without saying that they're old? We're just blowing smoke up each other's asses."
[10:26]

This segment underscores the delicate balance between acknowledging aging and combating ageism within the beauty narrative.

4. Brand Controversies and Consumer Backlash

a. Tarte Island Incident

Kirbie:
"Tarte Island was around the fires. I think that got us canceled on Tarte's behalf."
[07:16]

The hosts discuss the fallout from Tarte's controversial social media posts, which led to significant backlash and eventual distancing from the brand. They express respect for Tarte's leadership while seeking answers about the brand's future direction.

b. Tariffs Impacting Beauty Brands

Sara:
"People were pissed when SEI announced price hikes due to tariffs. Comments were like, 'Why are you passing this on to the consumer?'"
[13:11]

Kirbie and Sara analyze the consumer frustration over price increases from brands like SEI, Naturium, ELF, and Wheezy. They highlight misunderstandings about business operations and the complexities of international trade affecting product pricing.

Kirbie:
"I've seen some things that I'm just like, is this not common sense that you read a label and see where something is made?"
[14:31]

This discussion emphasizes the need for better consumer education regarding product sourcing and pricing mechanisms.

c. Lashify Legal Drama

Kirbie:
"The biggest drama this year was when Bethenny Frankel called out Lashify, leading to a lawsuit and public apologies from the founder, Sahara Lottie."
[15:56]

The hosts recount the tumultuous events surrounding Lashify, including public disputes with celebrities and allegations of racism, which culminated in Sahara Lottie's public apology. They express skepticism about the brand's future and its relationship with consumers.

Sara:
"Lashify is an invention, and we'll keep protecting it. But not at the cost of community."
[17:33]

5. Sunscreen Controversies

a. Tower 28 and Ultraviolet SPF Issues

Kirbie:
"Ultraviolet's Lean Screen sunscreen was tested twice and found to have an SPF of 4 instead of the claimed SPF 50."
[23:29]

The hosts critique the inconsistencies in sunscreen testing standards, spotlighting the alarming discrepancy in Ultraviolet's SPF claims. They call for a restructuring of sunscreen testing protocols to ensure consumer safety and product efficacy.

Sara:
"A lot of them are like both Choice and Ultraviolet have operated in the way that they should. Ava has even said, Becky and I would still put this product on our children."
[23:57]

Despite the controversy, some industry experts defend the brands, highlighting the complexities of accurate SPF testing.

b. Critique of Aerosol Sunscreens

Kirbie:
"One Size launched a setting spray with sunscreen, but it feels like a gimmick. Are you even getting the protection you're supposed to be getting?"
[25:07]

Sara and Kirbie express concerns over aerosol-based sunscreens, questioning their effectiveness and advocating for more traditional, reliable forms of sun protection.

Sara:
"We just need a good sunscreen that has the right protection that we enjoy wearing."
[28:50]

6. Brand of the Mid-Year

After evaluating numerous brands and their performances, Kirbie and Sara announce their Mid-Year Brand Winners:

a. Sara's Pick: Dr. Squatch

Sara:
"My brand of the year is Dr. Squatch. They figured out the white space and are expanding their reach effectively."
[32:11]

Sara commends Dr. Squatch for its innovative strategies and impressive sales growth, anticipating a potential acquisition that underscores the brand's success.

b. Kirbie's Pick: Sachu Beauty

Kirbie:
"My brand of the year is Sachu Beauty because they are all over TikTok Shop. Billie Eilish using their lip liner took them to the next level."
[34:36]

Kirbie praises Sachu Beauty for their popular lip stains and strategic TikTok presence, highlighting their product diversification with contour and blush stains. She notes the brand's sustainable growth and strong community engagement.

Sara:
"I bought the three-pack and it's great. I like that they're starting to expand."
[36:03]

The hosts agree that Sachu Beauty's innovative products and effective marketing have positioned them as leaders in the current beauty landscape.

7. Future Beauty Trends

Looking ahead, Kirbie and Sara speculate on upcoming trends and products that may dominate the beauty industry in the next six months:

• Increased Popularity of Stains:
  Both hosts predict that lip and blush stains will continue to rise, driven by consumer demand for long-lasting, pigmented products.

• Return of Bold Makeup:
  Despite previous trends towards minimalism, they foresee a resurgence of bold and expressive makeup looks.

• Body Care Innovations:
  Products like body oils and shimmer lotions, exemplified by Fenty's Body Lava, are expected to gain traction, offering versatile beauty solutions.

Sara:
"I feel like stains for sure. We've talked about this, but it's like tinted lip oils... it just takes a lot of work and costs a lot of money."
[40:10]

Kirbie:
"I agree. More makeup is back, and I also think body oils are making a comeback."
[40:12]

8. Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement

Kirbie and Sara invite listeners to share their own Mid-Year Brand of the Year selections and discuss any significant beauty news they might have missed. They emphasize the importance of community input in shaping the podcast's content and fostering a collaborative beauty dialogue.

Kirbie:
"Let us know your mid-year brand of the year. Who did we miss? What news items did we miss?"
[40:57]

Notable Quotes:

• Kirbie on Glossier's Struggles:
  "I feel like the consumer perception of Glossier is positive. But then when I talk to industry people, they're like, I'm sure Emily Weiss is like, pulling her hair out because the road acquisition."
  [01:19]

• Sara on Aging Terminology:
  "How are you supposed to celebrate someone's storied career without saying that they're old?"
  [10:26]

• Kirbie on Sunscreen Testing Issues:
  "The whole thing needs to be restructured, in my opinion, and refigured out. We need to have some more advancement in this area."
  [24:23]

• Sara on Brand Trends:
  "We just need a good sunscreen that has the right protection that we enjoy wearing."
  [28:50]

Conclusion

This mid-year episode of Gloss Angeles offers an in-depth analysis of the beauty industry's current landscape, addressing both triumphs and challenges faced by leading brands. Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan provide thoughtful insights into evolving beauty standards, consumer behaviors, and the dynamic nature of beauty trends. Their selections for Brand of the Year—Dr. Squatch and Sachu Beauty—highlight the importance of innovation, community engagement, and strategic marketing in achieving brand success. As the beauty world continues to evolve, Gloss Angeles remains a crucial source for informed perspectives and expert commentary.