Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary

Episode: Sara’s Big News + e.l.f. Cosmetics's Big Drama
Date: August 19, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan

Episode Overview

This episode marks a major transition for co-host Sara Tan, who announces her full-time focus on the podcast after leaving her long-held role at Refinery. Kirbie and Sara then dive into the major beauty industry headlines, most notably the backlash surrounding e.l.f. Cosmetics' latest campaign featuring controversial comedian Matt Rife. The hosts break down why this casting choice has ruffled feathers, contextualize it within broader marketing trends, and debate the implications for e.l.f. and industry PR at large. Finally, they share excitement for an upcoming fragrance launch, Lore, from Melanie Bender (of Versed, Rhode, and Merit fame).

Sara’s Big News: Going All-In on Gloss Angeles

[00:47–03:14]

• Sara announces she is leaving her position at Refinery to focus on the podcast full-time.
  • “I'm leaving. Not the podcast, not the podcast. I'm doing the opposite. I'm leaving Refinery and that means we're doubling down on the podcast, baby.” — Sara Tan [00:54]
  • Kirbie shares her excitement, reflecting on their working relationship and mutual support:
    • “My prayers have been answered. She's leaving the corporate media.” — Kirbie [01:05]
• Emotional mutual appreciation between the hosts; both praise each other’s professionalism and friendship.
• Sara notes the podcast will ramp up: “Get ready for more content.” — Sara [01:22]

COVID Update & Missing Rare Beauty Event

[03:34–09:40]

• Kirbie recounts her recent battle with COVID, noting quick onset and recovery compared to older variants.
• Missed opportunity: Kirbie was unable to attend a Rare Beauty event and missed meeting Selena Gomez, which their former social media manager Jovi attended (a lifelong Selena fan).
  • Touching story of Jovi meeting Selena and showing her a childhood video with Selena products.
  • Both hosts share the significance of authentic fan experiences and fangirling moments.
• Sara and Kirbie thank their community for understanding a recent hiatus due to illness.

e.l.f. Cosmetics’s Matt Rife Drama

How Did This Happen?

[09:50–21:47]

• Introduction: Kirbie asks Sara about e.l.f.'s newest ad featuring Matt Rife and Heidi N Closet.
• Sara’s hot take: Surprise and mild shade at the casting—
  • “I was like, oh, who is this white man? They couldn't get Benny Drama back... sorry to this man, but he has so many followers.” — Sara [10:10]
• Who is Matt Rife? (Context from Kirbie):
  • TikTok comedian, mostly popular among women, became infamous after a Netflix special featuring a domestic violence joke.
  • Kirbie details the offending joke and subsequent “apology” (a mocking link to a helmet store for “special needs”), as well as further insensitive jokes.
    • “He starts it off with a joke of domestic violence… People did not like this. There was a cancellation, quote, unquote.” — Kirbie [11:31–12:11]
• e.l.f. controversy:
  • Kirbie questions why a brand that aligns itself with progressive values would highlight a figure facing backlash for misogynistic and ableist humor.
  • “What I do not understand is why Elf thought he should be the guy to be in this video… This completely missed the mark for me.” — Kirbie [13:54–16:27]
  • Sara is surprised at the lack of fun or creativity in the ad:
    • “It wasn't funny. I didn't really understand, like, why they felt the need to do it.” — Sara [16:30]
• Larger trends in beauty marketing:
  • The hosts talk about outrage marketing vs. authentic brand-building.
  • Sara reacts to online backlash:
    • “So many of the comments are like, I'm done.” — Sara [20:52]
• Deeper Marketing Analysis & Brand Choices:
  • e.l.f.’s PR strategy compared to American Eagle’s use of Sydney Sweeney.
  • The disconnect between brand leadership and relevant target audiences:
    • “I don't look to Sydney Sweeney to decide what beauty products I'm using... it doesn't make any sense to me.” — Kirbie [18:02]
  • The hosts debate whether online outrage will actually affect consumers’ buying decisions.
    • “We have to talk about the Internet is not real life... Will in a month they be like, oh, actually, I wanted this thing, and I went and bought it?” — Kirbie [21:03]
  • Kirbie proposes e.l.f. could recover by donating to domestic violence initiatives.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sara, about leaving Refinery for the podcast:
  “This is just the beginning for us. So buckle up.” [03:14]
• Kirbie, on the missed Rare Beauty event:
  “I was crying. I was actually crying. I told Sarah to FaceTime me. I'm in bed wearing a baby Yoda shirt.” [06:34]
• Kirbie, on e.l.f.’s decision:
  “This feels like a very bizarre move, truly. And I would love to hear from her specifically, like, why Matt Rife? Like, what. What was the thinking there?” [15:27]
• Sara, reflecting on the brand's values:
  “For a brand that is so, like, feminist and supporting, you know, women's sports and just so innovative and thinking ahead... I feel like this is taking the brand, like, 10 steps, 100 steps backward.” [19:33]
• Kirbie, on influencer effectiveness:
  “I cannot get a singular damn person to reveal to me, on background or not, how she [Sydney Sweeney] actually translates for these brands.” [18:02]

New Brand Buzz: Lore Fragrance by Melanie Bender

[21:53–29:40]

• Sara and Kirbie express genuine excitement about Lore, a new fragrance brand founded by industry veteran Melanie Bender (ex-Versed, Rhode, Merit) with the founders of Youth to the People, Jo and Greg.
• First Impressions:
  • The branding and bottle are described as artful, luxe, and unique.
  • “She [Melanie] wanted to start fragrance because she was tired of talking about people’s faces, which I love.” — Kirbie [23:55]
• Scents & Descriptions:
  • Sublimity: Fresh grass with sweetness; reminiscent of certain nostalgic scents and the scent experience on the Disney “Soarin’” ride. [24:31–25:20]
  • Somewhere but Nowhere: Familiar, light, slightly powdery and musky, but hard to pin down. [25:37–26:43]
  • Lovely and a Little Twisted: Fruity, cherry-like, but not gourmand or vanilla; both hosts' favorite. [27:00–27:29]
  • Disfruta: Citrus-forward and fresh; Sara’s personal favorite. [27:49–28:12]
• The hosts remark that these scents are not following the current “sugary, gourmand” trend and feel distinctive.
  • “These do not smell like any other fragrances... These are very, very different in my opinion.” — Kirbie [27:13]
• Lore will be launching at Sephora; more details to come.

Quick Mention: Made by Mitchell Controversy

[29:40]

• The hosts acknowledge a trending topic about Made by Mitchell but admit they haven't researched it enough to discuss it responsibly this week.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Sara’s Announcement: Podcast Goes Full Time — [00:47–03:14]
• Kirbie’s COVID Story & Selena Gomez Rare Beauty Event — [03:34–09:40]
• e.l.f. Cosmetics & Matt Rife Controversy — [09:50–21:47]
• Brand Marketing Analysis/American Eagle & Sydney Sweeney — [17:12–19:49]
• Lore Fragrance Launch: First Impressions — [21:53–29:40]
• Wrap-Up & Forthcoming Topics — [29:40–End]

Bottom Line

This episode is a blend of personal milestone, industry analysis, and product excitement. Sara’s leap into full-time podcasting promises even richer content going forward. The main story—the e.l.f./Matt Rife campaign—sparks thoughtful debate about brand responsibility, marketing strategy, and the true impact of “outrage marketing.” Finally, the preview of Lore fragrance offers listeners an early scoop on a thoughtfully-crafted, non-cookie-cutter perfume lineup debuting soon at Sephora.

If you want more real talk on beauty, culture, and behind-the-scenes dish, stick with Gloss Angeles—now with even more content as Sara and Kirbie double down.