Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary

Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan
Episode: Shay Mitchell’s Sheet Masks for Toddlers, Dua Lipa’s New Skincare Line, and Skims Beauty’s New Hire
Date: November 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging discussion, longtime beauty journalists and co-hosts Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan dive deep into three headline-making stories at the intersection of beauty and pop culture:

• The surprising appointment of Giada (founder of Ami Colé) as the EVP of Beauty and Fragrance at Skims Beauty.
• The launch of Dua Lipa's new skincare line, "Dua," in collaboration with Augustinus Bader.
• Shay Mitchell’s new kids’ skincare brand "Rinny" and the conversation it’s sparked about skincare for children.

With characteristic wit, critical insight, and personal anecdotes, Kirbie and Sara evaluate these developments—questioning marketing trends, celebrity involvement, and the beauty industry’s shifting focus.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. AI Animal Videos & Social Media Brain Rot

(02:02 – 07:32)

• Kirbie and Sara open with a humorous riff on viral AI-generated cat videos overtaking their social media feeds, describing the melodramatic plots and cat-centric soundtracks (including "Meowing Billie Eilish").
• The segment highlights how digital trends shape even seasoned journalists’ attention spans.
  • Quote, Sara (02:02): "You're not sending me these videos of these AI cats... it is the definition of brain rot... but I can't stop watching."
• Sara shares about naming a favorite AI dog "Walter," leading to playful speculation on future pet acquisitions.

2. Skims Beauty Hires Giada (Ami Colé) as EVP

(07:32 – 17:52)

The Announcement

• Background: Kim Kardashian's Skims is expanding into beauty and fragrance, hiring Giada, founder of Ami Colé, as Executive Vice President.
• Both hosts emphasize the strategic PR rollout, referencing Kim’s appearances on other major podcasts and highlight this as Skims’ third beauty rebrand (from KKW, to Skin by Kim, now Skims Beauty).
  • Kirbie (07:49): "She mentioned that they are moving skims into beauty and fragrance... This is a third rebrand for this brand."
  • Sara (09:52): "Those [KKW] were very specific to Kim's, like, you know, esthetic, her vibe. So that felt very on brand... with Skin, it just felt like, yeah, cash grab."

The Industry’s POV

• Hosts critique earlier iterations (KKW, Skin by Kim) for lacking authenticity and innovation.
• Skims Beauty is expected to emphasize Kim’s signature “glam” aesthetic over skincare expertise.
  • Kirbie (10:55): "People know her for glam... Not a skincare routine."
• Hiring Giada, a respected Black woman founder, is seen both as smart business and a potential lightning rod for criticism regarding cultural appropriation and equity.
• They discuss industry speculation about the timeline and behind-the-scenes negotiations, suggesting this was a meticulously coordinated move.
  • Kirbie (12:33): "Things don't move that quickly. That's not how it works."
  • Sara (13:36): "Chad is probably also so tired. Like, it is not easy to run an indie brand... This is a golden opportunity."

Mixed Reactions and Broader Impact

• The co-hosts acknowledge mixed reactions online, especially among Black beauty consumers, who are happy for Giada but see complexity in the optics.
• The financial and career windfall for Giada is framed as a significant positive—potentially enabling generational wealth and more seats at decision-making tables in beauty.
  • Kirbie (15:43): "But Giada... was the All Star selection... she's going to have a huge budget... If she wanted to start another brand in the future, she'll probably be able to."
• Takeaway: While some feel ambivalent about her exit from Ami Colé, Giada’s new leadership could truly shape the next phase of Skims Beauty.

3. Dua Lipa & Augustinus Bader Launch "Dua" Skincare

(17:52 – 28:44)

The Launch

• Augustinus Bader and Dua Lipa launch “dua,” a science-driven, “accessible luxury” skincare line, featuring new proprietary tech TFC5 (versus Bader’s standard TFC8).
• The hosts note the branding emphasizes “high performance for real life,” but express confusion over the tangible difference between TFC5 and TFC8—and the overall product necessity.
  • Sarah (19:47): "Maybe it's just that simple. Like, TFC8 is higher... TFC5… is not as potent."
• Product lineup: $40 cleanser, $80 glow complex, $75 renewal cream—positioned for a younger demographic, but still at a luxury price point.

Critique of Celebrity Beauty Branding

• Kirbie and Sara express skepticism about Dua Lipa’s authentic connection to skincare, observing that she hasn’t publicly established herself as a beauty aficionado.
  • Kirbie (21:34): "Can we collectively get a grip, guys?... This, to me, is not interesting."
  • Sara (24:20): "If you are launching a celebrity beauty brand, you should never name it after yourself... You have to breadcrumb that you know this stuff and that you care about it."
• Reference other celebrity brands, highlighting Hailey Bieber’s “Rhode” as a model for credibility and authenticity, contrasting it with Dua Lipa’s sudden entry into beauty.
  • Kirbie (24:21): "The reason why Rhode works so well is because Hailey was a beauty girl through and through... I don’t believe that Dua Lipa only uses these three products."
• Suggestions for Better Strategy: Both agree it would've been more strategic for Augustinus Bader to position Dua as a brand ambassador, rather than a founder, for a youth-oriented range that might outlast the celebrity tie-in.
  • Sara (25:27): "I think they should have just called it something else and had her be the face of it..."

Broader Takeaways

• The line’s price point doesn’t truly qualify as “affordable luxury,” potentially limiting its appeal to both Dua’s fanbase and young customers.
• The hosts are curious to try the products but remain unconvinced the celebrity connection will translate to lasting sales or brand equity.

4. Shay Mitchell’s "Rinny": Sheet Masks and Kids’ Skincare Controversy

(28:45 – 39:24)

The Pitch

• Shay Mitchell and friend Esther Song have launched "Rinny," a K-beauty-inspired skincare line for children, with the intention of making skincare fun and safe for kids (not "Sephora tweens").
• Launch products: Three sheet masks (hydrating, after-sun, everyday), animal faces, priced $5.99–$6.99, targeting parents of young children (ages 3–5).

Hosts’ Mixed Feelings & Community Response

• Sara admits initial discomfort with the visuals of toddlers in sheet masks and expresses concern about “teaching” kids they need these products.
  • Sarah (31:05): "Do children need sheet masks? No, they don't."
  • Sarah (32:18): "It feels weird. It feels really weird."
• She receives feedback from her mom community—some find it innocuous for spa nights or stocking stuffers, but most believe it's unnecessary and potentially sends the wrong message to children about their skin needing intervention.
  • Sarah (33:58): "The idea that we might be teaching our children with these masks is that they need it. And they don't... Naming a product an ‘everyday sheet mask’ — you don't need it every day."

Business Perspective & Industry Context

• Kirbie approaches the launch from a business angle, questioning the sustainability of the "mommy and me" sheet mask as a profitable category.
  • Kirbie (34:46): "I almost think that makes their case worse because I think this would be better for Sephora tweens... versus the 3, 4, 5 year olds that they're featuring."
• They critique the “free from” clean marketing, noting how fear-based messages often prey on new or expecting parents.
  • Kirbie (36:03): "The thing that kills me about clean beauty in general is it feels so Maha conspiracy theory adjacent."
  • Sarah (36:11): "The beauty industry loves to prey on [moms]... just fear mongering so much."
• Both feel products like face/body crayons (for removing face paint) would have been a more practical launch focus, as opposed to sheet masks.
  • Kirbie (37:24): "I would rather Esther and Shay have made products that were helpful for moms and started a category that way."

The Verdict

• The hosts agree: children don't need elaborate skincare, and the campaign’s focus feels off—aimed more at the desires of parents than actual child needs.
  • Kirbie (36:46): "I don't think that a child needs to learn how to take care of themselves, because this brand is not for the children, it's for the moms."
  • Sarah (37:20): "They don't need... It's okay to say no."
• Final advice is to stick with fun, safe home-made activities for bonding, rather than introducing unnecessary products or habits.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On industry over-hyping:
  • Kirbie (21:34): "Can we collectively get a grip, guys?... This, to me, is not interesting."
• On clean/’free from’ beauty fear-mongering:
  • Kirbie (36:03): "The thing that kills me about clean beauty in general is it feels so Maha conspiracy theory adjacent."
• On teaching kids about beauty:
  • Sarah (33:58): "The idea that we might be teaching our children with these masks is that they need it. And they don't... Naming a product an ‘everyday sheet mask’ — you don't need it every day."
• On celebrity beauty branding:
  • Kirbie (24:21): "The reason why Rhode works so well is because Hailey was a beauty girl through and through... I don’t believe that Dua Lipa only uses these three products."
  • Sara (24:20): "If you are launching a celebrity beauty brand, you should never name it after yourself..."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• AI Cat Novellas & Pet Chat: 02:02–07:32
• Skims Beauty & Giada’s Hire: 07:32–17:52
• Dua Lipa x Augustinus Bader Launch: 17:52–28:44
• Rinny (Shay Mitchell’s Kids’ Skincare): 28:45–39:24

Final Thoughts

This episode captures how beauty’s convergence with pop culture and celebrity continues to fuel debate, skepticism, and occasional head-scratching launches. Kirbie and Sara’s journalism roots are on full display as they probe branding, the motivations behind launches, and the cultural wider context, serving up a recap that’s sharp, informed—and often hilarious.

For anyone considering a trending product, a celeb collab, or the next “must-have” for themselves or their child, this episode is a must-listen for the real story—and a few good laughs along the way.