Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary
Episode: Spencer Hedges on Choosing to Get a Facelift, Fatherhood, and Mental Health
Date: March 27, 2026
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan
Guest: Spencer Hedges (Painted by Spencer)
Episode Overview
This episode features acclaimed makeup artist and beauty creator Spencer Hedges (aka Painted by Spencer), who discusses his journey in makeup artistry, his recent facelift and thoughts on plastic surgery, fatherhood via IVF, and his ongoing conversation with mental health. With candor and warmth, Spencer shares personal stories, insights from working with celebrity clients, beauty industry observations, and practical advice for listeners. The tone is friendly, supportive, and informative, with heartfelt moments and industry insider tips.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Spencer’s Current Skincare and Makeup Favorites
[01:35 – 04:15]
- Skincare:
- Loves exfoliators, especially Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant – “I love it ‘cause you can use it every day. It’s not going to strip your skin.” (01:57, Spencer)
- Recommends gentle exfoliation via cleansing balms, particularly by Elemis.
- Makeup:
- Currently prefers powder foundation over liquid/cream. Raves about One Size Bouclé Silk Powder and pairing it with One Size Powder Milk setting spray (“has glycerin and melts the powders in”).
- Shiseido Lash Curler is a must for flat lashes.
- Using Velour Beauty lash clusters: “They go underneath the lash, super easy to put on. I pop on three or four of them and they look so natural.” (02:53, Spencer)
- Sad Shoes lip stain in ‘Cold Call’ for cool-toned lips.
Advice for Clients & Unique Beauty Techniques
[04:07 – 05:14]
- Most frequently recommended product: cleansing balm for gentle exfoliation pre-makeup application.
- Technique: Leaves balm on for 5-10 minutes to soften skin, then emulsifies and removes with washcloth for light exfoliation.
- Quote: “There’s a really soft and elegant way of exfoliating your skin that’s more gentle, and that’s with a cleansing balm.” (04:18, Spencer)
Spencer Opens Up About His Recent Facelift
[05:14 – 10:09]
- Had a full “deep plane facelift, neck lift, brow lift” just over a week before the episode.
- Honest about stigma and desire to feel confident: “I’m owning it right now. I’m loving this part of my life where I’m just like owning it.” (06:14, Spencer)
- Recovery has been remarkable; credits his surgeon, Dr. John Vartanian (LA) for skillful incision and stitching work.
- Also shouts out Dr. Steven Levine (NY).
- Insider Note: There’s an “underground list” of surgeons among those in entertainment, often not the viral names online.
- Stresses the importance of surgical skill, particularly with incisions: “That’s the first thing I notice working on people ... not every doctor knows how to work with a needle and thread.” (07:18, Spencer)
- Spencer’s clients often rely on his judgment as a makeup artist familiar with nuanced surgical outcomes.
Reflecting on Plastic Surgery and Its Stigma
[10:09 – 12:01]
- Has wanted surgery for a while but was mindful about when and how to discuss it.
- Is careful not to normalize or glamorize cosmetic procedures, especially as a parent and influencer:
- “I never want to normalize plastic surgery... I don’t want to normalize Botox, fillers, lasers, because there is weight to all of that.” (10:36, Spencer)
- Decision driven by personal confidence, genetics, aging, and professional work on camera.
- Hosts echo and support his nuanced POV.
Early Career: Move to LA & Path to Makeup
[12:02 – 15:24]
- Moved to LA alone at 16, from Florida, driven by a passion for entertainment and creativity.
- Had no money, experience, or clear plan—became resourceful fast.
- Found way into makeup partly by accident, leveraging the rise of social media (Instagram/YouTube) to “create content and make change in people’s lives by recognizing their beauty.” (13:13, Spencer)
- Shifted from the traditional “makeup counter” view to content creation and private client work.
- His cinematic video style was chosen deliberately for artistry and atmosphere—“I wanted to go against what I was watching and what was trending ... just slow things down and enjoy the art form.” (14:33, Spencer)
Navigating Mental Health as a Creator
[15:24 – 18:24]
- Spencer has a calming online presence, which he attributes to managing severe anxiety and having bipolar disorder (diagnosed at 17).
- His calm delivery is a self-soothing mechanism: “If I allow my mind to become so anxious, I go into a manic episode ... this helps me just stay grounded.” (15:59, Spencer)
- Openly discusses how stigma and misunderstandings about bipolar disorder initially led to confusion in his youth.
- Sees it as a privilege to provide viewers with a safe space and escape.
Building Trust and Calm as a Professional
[19:14 – 20:34]
- Emphasizes the importance of providing a soothing energy for high-pressure celebrity clients:
- “It goes beyond technique ... more so the service you bring and the energy you exude.” (19:30, Spencer)
- Remains private about star clients, prioritizing service over clout—“I always wanted my clients to believe that ... I’m not doing this for clout.”
- Hosts agree: his calm is his superpower, making him an ideal artist for industry insiders.
Heritage, International Beauty Standards, and Masterclasses
[20:44 – 23:20]
- Cuban heritage and his grandmother shaped his bold POV: “Specifically with the Cuban culture, there’s a huge emotional tie to beauty... it’s loud, it’s vibrant, it’s celebratory.”
- Extensive masterclasses worldwide; observes differences:
- Middle East = dramatic detail, Asia = minimalist, skin-focus, Cuban/Latinx = maximalism.
- Common thread: “At the end of the day ... beauty itself is just an international language.” (22:20, Spencer)
Universal Beauty Desires and Complexion Secrets
[22:35 – 26:10]
- Across cultures, the biggest ask is always complexion—everyone wants “beautiful skin.”
- His pro tips:
- Exfoliation
- Mastering sprays: Use both setting (for dewy finish, melts powder) & fixing sprays (for longevity)
- On setting vs. fixing sprays: “Don’t be afraid of powders, but learn how to work with them and not against them.” (23:22, Spencer)
- Fave products: One Size’s Powder Melt (setting) and Until Dawn (fixing).
- Hosts echo admiration for the One Size brand.
Spencer’s Thoughts on Fatherhood Through IVF
[28:19 – 31:03]
- Daughter Celine born via IVF; sister-in-law carried her.
- “It was the greatest gift ever ... being able to experience this in this lifetime, being a father, oh my gosh.” (29:07, Spencer)
- Daughter changed Spencer’s outlook personally and professionally; he wants to teach by example about customers always coming first and building a business with integrity.
- “I wanted to have a daughter or ... a child and a family first so I could build a business from the ground up with them, not just pass down a finished product.” (30:18, Spencer)
Rapid Fire Round
[32:07 – 33:39]
- Common makeup mistake: Not blending foundation onto ears/neck/back. (32:16)
- Overrated Product: Lip oils. “Give me something new to work with … There’s only so many lip glosses and oils that I need.” (32:43, Spencer)
- Underrated Brand: Velour Beauty (lash clusters)
- Favorite Creator: “Glory. I love her content. It never feels forced.” (33:10)
- One product to pull a look together: Lip gloss (or oil) – “Just one good one you can throw in your purse... that goes with every outfit.” (33:32, Spencer)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On plastic surgery stigma:
- “I don’t want it to be my story ... and I never want to normalize [plastic surgery], because ... there is weight to all of that.” (10:15–10:40)
- Motherhood & business:
- “Every decision I have to make I have with her in mind. ... I wanted to have a daughter ... so I could build a business from the ground up with them, not just pass down a finished product.” (30:07–30:18)
- On mental health:
- “I’m bipolar. I was diagnosed ... many years ago. ... I misunderstood [it] ... but I became educated on it.” (16:56–17:53)
- “It’s a privilege. It really is. ... I want to create a safe space for viewers ... so they can decompress.” (18:24, Spencer)
- Spencer’s private, service-first approach:
- “I’ve never shared who my clientele are ... I just want my clients to believe ... I just want to provide a fabulous service to you.” (19:30–20:34)
- Advice to artists:
- “It goes beyond technique ... but more so the service you bring and, and the energy you exude.” (19:30, Spencer)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic |
|---------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
| 01:35–04:15 | Current product obsessions and beauty routine |
| 04:15–05:14 | Advice on gentle pre-makeup exfoliation |
| 05:14–10:09 | Facelift, plastic surgery, and surgeon recommendations|
| 10:09–12:01 | Spence’s thoughts on cosmetic surgery normalization |
| 12:02–15:24 | Early life, move to LA & creative career path |
| 15:24–18:24 | Mental health, anxiety, and building a calm presence |
| 19:14–20:34 | Trust, privacy, and energy for celebrity clients |
| 20:44–23:20 | Heritage, international beauty perspectives |
| 22:35–26:10 | Complexion advice & thoughts on setting/fixing sprays |
| 28:19–31:03 | IVF, fatherhood, and business values |
| 32:07–33:39 | Rapid fire advice and favorites |
Final Thoughts
Spencer Hedges’ episode is a rich, open, and engaging conversation that explores the intersections of beauty, personal growth, vulnerability, mental health, and the evolving role of influencers. Listeners gain insider knowledge, heartfelt reflections, actionable beauty tips, and an authentic look at how one creator balances artistry, business, and personal life.
For those seeking depth, empathy, and next-level pro advice in the beauty space, this episode stands out as a must-listen.