Gloss Angeles Podcast Episode Summary
Episode: Rhode Against the World, Olive Young Comes to LA, and RIP P50?
Release Date: February 11, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan
In this vibrant episode of Gloss Angeles, co-hosts Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan dive deep into the latest happenings in the beauty, pop culture, and entertainment spheres. From Super Bowl marketing strategies to significant shifts in the beauty retail landscape, Kirbie and Sara provide insightful commentary and lively discussions that keep listeners engaged and informed.
1. Super Bowl Commercials and Campaign Dynamics
Timestamp: 00:34 – 05:24
The episode kicks off with the hosts dissecting the Super Bowl commercial landscape of 2025. Unlike previous years, there's a noticeable absence of beauty brands taking center stage. Kirbie remarks, “I don’t feel like I’m hearing much about the Super Bowl this year” (00:59), highlighting a shift towards more gender-neutral advertising strategies.
Key Points:
- Cedar Fill’s Approach: Kirbie notes Cedar Fill's focus on football-themed, genderless campaigns rather than targeting women specifically (01:18).
- Cetaphil/Cerave Shifts: The conversation shifts to Cetaphil's latest campaign featuring Charli D’Amelio and Anthony Davis (01:25). Sara humorously critiques Anthony Davis's participation, imagining him begrudgingly promoting the Sarah V Campaign while dealing with his NBA trade to the Dallas Mavericks (02:06).
Notable Quote:
- Kirbie on Anthony Davis: “This poor guy just had to pick up my life and move to Dallas.” (02:17)
2. Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake: The Defamation Drama
Timestamp: 05:24 – 07:00
A heated discussion ensues حول التشهير الذي يقوله كندريك لامار عن دريك، مما قد يؤدي إلى دعوى قضائية ضد Universal Music Group (05:50). Both hosts express their opinions on the potential fallout and its impact on Drake’s career.
Key Points:
- Defamation Concerns: Kirbie speculates, “Could Kendrick get sued for defamation by calling Drake a pedophile on national television?” (05:50), while Sara supports the notion that Drake's legal team is prepared to respond (06:10).
- Impact on Careers: They discuss Drake’s current career slump and how this incident might affect his trajectory, with Kirbie asserting, “If you are calling someone a pedophile, that is defamation if they're not a pedophile.” (06:36).
Notable Quote:
- Sara on Drake’s Response: “He has so many fans. I really enjoy Drake's music. So, like, just take a step back, just enjoy your riches.” (07:00)
3. Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl Fashion Expectations
Timestamp: 07:00 – 09:28
The hosts shift focus to Taylor Swift's anticipated Super Bowl halftime show outfit. Kirbie expresses her desire for Taylor to "slay," reflecting on past mixed reviews of Taylor’s fashion choices.
Key Points:
- Fashion Critique: Kirbie shares her admiration for Taylor's Grammys look but criticizes her inconsistent style, stating, “Sometimes when I see paparazzi photos to her, like, this could be good.” (08:15).
- Hope for Improvement: Both hosts express hope that Taylor will deliver a standout outfit, with Sara noting, “Whatever she does wear ends up selling out.” (08:24).
Notable Quote:
- Kirbie on Taylor’s Style Evolution: “I need her to truly hire Pat McGrath to do her makeup.” (08:34)
4. Rhode’s Lip Products and Sephora Partnership
Timestamp: 09:28 – 21:56
A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing Hailey Bieber's beauty brand, Rhode, and its burgeoning relationship with Sephora. Kirbie and Sara analyze Rhode’s innovative lip products and the strategic move to partner with a major retailer like Sephora.
Key Points:
- Product Innovations: The hosts delve into Rhode's peptide lip products, addressing consumer criticisms about their creamy texture and lack of visibility compared to traditional lip liners (09:48). Kirbie defends the product's design, explaining, “It's supposed to be a little messy,” and Sara adds, “All of the shades are very neutral and natural lip color.” (10:19, 10:27).
- Sephora Collaboration: They reveal that Rhode is set to be stocked in Sephora stores, a move expected to amplify Rhode’s market presence and challenge existing beauty brands (15:07). Kirbie shares insights from Rachel Strugatz’s report in Puck, emphasizing Rhode’s impressive DTC success and the strategic benefits of partnering with Sephora (13:31).
- Market Implications: The discussion touches on potential tensions with Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty, another popular brand at Sephora, and the broader implications for the beauty retail market (18:16). Both hosts advocate for coexistence rather than pitting brands against each other, emphasizing the need for diversity in beauty offerings (19:16).
Notable Quotes:
- Kirbie on Rhode’s Sephora Launch: “This is not a rumor, this is something that's actually happening.” (15:24)
- Sara on Brand Coexistence: “They both have their own empires. … They are allowed to coexist in the world as successful women.” (18:38)
5. Olive Young’s Expansion to Los Angeles
Timestamp: 21:56 – 25:29
Kirbie and Sara express excitement over the arrival of Olive Young, Korea's leading beauty retailer, in Los Angeles. They discuss the potential impact on the U.S. beauty market and the accessibility of K-beauty products for American consumers.
Key Points:
- Market Entry: Olive Young’s decision to open in LA is celebrated, with Sara highlighting the significant Korean immigrant population in the area as a strategic choice (23:36).
- Retail Experience: The hosts anticipate a revamped U.S. version of Olive Young stores, featuring enhanced user experiences, versatile payment options, and interactive product displays (25:29).
- Product Accessibility: They discuss the limitations due to U.S. regulations, such as the unavailability of certain products like sunscreens, but remain optimistic about the influx of popular K-beauty items like eyelid tape and cushion compacts (24:44).
Notable Quote:
- Sara on Olive Young’s US Strategy: “They are going to refine the user experience, payment options and product information display for U.S. consumers.” (25:29)
6. Clarifying the RIP P50 Rumors
Timestamp: 25:29 – 29:28
The conversation addresses misleading headlines about the discontinuation of Biologique Recherche’s P50 toners. The hosts clarify that only the P50 1970 version is being retired, dispelling widespread misinformation.
Key Points:
- Misreported Discontinuation: Kirbie clarifies that the original P50 1970 toner is being phased out due to regulatory changes, not the entire P50 line (25:58).
- Community Reaction: They discuss the strong fan base and emotional response from loyal consumers, including endorsements from beauty experts like Caroline Hirons (27:05).
- Regulatory Factors: The discontinuation is attributed to evolving FDA regulations regarding phenol concentrations, which were previously restricted in Europe (28:16).
Notable Quotes:
- Kirbie on the Misunderstanding: “It’s the P50 1970 version being discontinued.” (26:57)
- Caroline Hirons on the Change: “As with anything that is discontinued, it's sad, but it should be seen as progress.” (27:13)
Conclusion and Upcoming Content
Timestamp: 29:28 – End
Wrapping up the episode, Kirbie and Sara tease the upcoming Friday episode focused on Valentine's Day self-care, promising a soothing and special guest to enhance listeners' holiday preparations.
Final Note:
- Sara on Future Content: “We will see you on Friday for a little Valentine's Day self-care episode with a very soothing guest.” (29:28)
Overall Insights: Kirbie and Sara expertly navigate through a variety of topics, providing a blend of humor, critique, and informed opinions. Their discussions not only highlight current trends and controversies but also offer listeners valuable perspectives on navigating the ever-evolving beauty and entertainment industries.
Engaging Elements:
- Balanced Dialogue: The hosts maintain a dynamic and conversational tone, making complex topics accessible and entertaining.
- Relevant Commentary: By addressing both high-profile news and niche product details, they cater to a broad audience interested in beauty and pop culture.
- Clear Structure: Organized sections with timestamped highlights allow listeners to easily follow and revisit specific discussions.
This episode of Gloss Angeles is a must-listen for anyone keen on staying updated with beauty trends, celebrity endorsements, and the intricate dynamics of the beauty retail market.