Gloss Angeles Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: What’s Going on With the New U.S. Sunscreen Filter? Plus: Selena’s Wedding and an Update on That Bubble Campaign
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan

Overview

In this episode, Kirbie and Sara dive into an array of buzzy beauty and pop culture topics: the new FDA-approved sunscreen filter arriving in the U.S., Selena Gomez’s stunning wedding (and that Rare Beauty breakdown!), a follow-up on Bubble skincare’s campaign with Leighton Meester, their favorite new makeup release, and a practical skincare brand guide for shopping at Sephora. The tone is fun, casual, and deeply informed, blending beauty intel with celebrity talk and industry insights.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Taylor Swift’s New Album & Lyric Deep Dives

[00:39 – 07:01]

• Kirbie and Sara open with a playful debate about their Taylor Swift fandom status and discuss standout tracks from Taylor's latest album.
• Sara’s favorite new Swift song is "Father Figure," interpolated from George Michael and perceived as referencing Taylor’s fraught business relationship with Scott Borchetta.
  • Notable lyric: “I can make deals with the devil because my dick’s bigger.”
  • Sara: “When I was literally, like, typing away on my computer, I hear ‘my dick’s bigger.’ I’m like, girl, what?” [03:27]
• Quick commentary on Taylor’s edgier lyrics, subtle career references, and internet slang in songwriting.
• Talk of Swift’s evolving themes; the album’s "moody, dark" tone with pop moments, references to Fleetwood Mac and the Jackson 5, and even some Travis Kelce shoutouts.
• Notable take: Even when Taylor addresses negativity, she does so “maturing as a woman” with “positive” undertones.

2. Selena Gomez’s Wedding Look: Rare Beauty in Action

[07:08 – 11:58]

• Deep appreciation for Selena Gomez’s "timeless, classic" style at her wedding.
  • Sara: “She looks, first of all, so happy. She looks so happy. So happy smile. I love, like, her big, cheesy smile.” [07:20]
• Makeup artist Hung Vanngo created a glowing look; most of the products were from Rare Beauty, including a new neutrals palette.
• Selena’s wedding dresses praised for their consistency in style (halter necklines, draping, lace), and the "reception dress" being tea-length and worn barefoot.
• Both hosts love that Selena controlled the narrative around her wedding photos: “Selena was like, I am posting these first images. No one else is posting them. No one gets the exclusive.” [10:49]
• Notable quote: “The new luxury is no phones. Being present. Being able to connect with other humans.” [11:20-11:27]

3. Beauty Review: Orcé Cosmetics “Cloud Dimensions”

[12:00 – 18:54]

• Sara introduces Orcé’s Cloud Dimensions, a new multi-use color cream for eyes, cheeks, face, and lips. The texture is described as “literally cloud-like” with an “expensive shimmer.”
• Product highlights:
  • Oil-free, water-based, sets quickly, applies sheer or builds up, infused with hyaluronic acid and Tahitian pearl ("for that soft focus glow").
  • Both love the compact size, travel-friendliness, and multi-use appeal.
  • Kirbie: “This looks like it was a cream to powder. That’s what it feels like. It definitely feels powdery. Quiet luxury.” [15:52-16:02]
• Orcé’s foundations and powders get high praise for shade inclusivity, especially for golden or olive undertones; recommended for Asian skin tones.
  • Sara: “If you are an Asian girly or man or person and you are looking for a complexion product, I highly suggest going to Orce and trying out their foundation.” [17:56]

4. Follow-Up: Bubble Skincare x Leighton Meester

[21:09 – 26:34]

• Recap of last week’s skepticism about Bubble’s choice of Leighton Meester as their campaign face.
• Kirbie shares details from her conversation with Bubble’s founder, Shai, who clarified:
  • Bubble does skew younger (Gen Z/Alpha), but is dermatologist-backed and “efficacious...just as effective as Cetaphil, Cerave, La Roche-Posay.”
  • All R&D is done in-house for quality control.
  • Leighton was a strategic choice: “It’s like a rite of passage for a teenage girl to watch Gossip Girl.”
  • Bubble wants to expand demo and prove efficacy to both younger and older consumers.
• Hosts appreciate brands providing transparency: “What I really appreciate about brands reaching out to us like this, even when we are being critical is like they’re giving us more information in a very nice way.” [25:49]

5. Beauty News: The New U.S. Sunscreen Filter

[27:01 – 32:49]

• The long-awaited update: the U.S. is set to get a new sunscreen filter, bemotrizinol (BEMT), branded as Parasol Shield.
  • BEMT is already popular in European and Japanese sunscreens (e.g., La Roche-Posay Anthelios, Japanese Biore UV).
  • The U.S. has only 8 commonly used sunscreen actives vs. 30+ in the EU/Japan.
  • Notable quote: “It’s why we’re hoarding sunscreen when we go on an international adventure.” [28:29]
• The FDA approval process has taken 20 years and millions of dollars; regulatory sluggishness is blamed for U.S. lag.
• New, more inclusive sunscreen testing methods are emerging — using UV spectroscopy instead of relying on sunburns for SPF testing, which is not inclusive for deep skin tones.
• Reality check: don’t expect immediate transformation—FDA is slow to adapt, but hosts are “very excited” for progress.

6. Skincare Q&A: Trusted Brands at Sephora

[32:54 – 41:19]

• The hosts offer their expert recommendations for trustworthy skincare brands at Sephora, tailored by skin concern or goal:
  • Facile: Founded by Dr. Nancy Samolitis. Standouts: De-Stress serum (soothes redness), Brighten serum, Cleanser, Moisturizer, Lip Balm. (“You know it’s going to work, again, backed by a derm, made by a derm.” [33:59])
  • Sophie Pavitt: “Acne whisperer.” Mandelic serum (“gentle but clears breakouts quickly”), Cleansers, Ice Packs, Toner Pads, Moisturizer.
    Sara: “Her mandelic acid serum—I go through it so quickly because I’m using it all the time.” [35:52]
  • Shani Darden: For “aging skin” and texture. Hero: Retinol Reform, and her “slept-on” eye cream, azelaic acid serum, and essence.
  • Tower 28: Specifically for sensitive or “tween” skin, minimalist essentials.
  • Astura (K-Beauty): “Korea’s number one dermatologist-recommended cosmetic brand for sensitive skin.” Kirbie: “It reminds me of Rhodes barrier repair cream, but lighter...it’s like our Cetaphil.” [41:10]
• Shopping tip: Focus on one brand’s “system” to simplify and get reliable results.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Taylor Swift’s Lyricism:
  “I can make deals with the devil because my dick’s bigger.”
  — Sara (reading Taylor Swift lyric) [03:09]

• On Selena Gomez’s Wedding:
  “Selena was like, I am posting these first images. No one else is posting them. No one gets the exclusive.”
  — Sara [10:49]
  “The new luxury is no phones. Being present. Being able to connect with other humans.”
  — Kirbie & Sara [11:19-11:27]

• On U.S. Sunscreen Regulation:
  “It’s why we’re hoarding sunscreen when we go on an international adventure.”
  — Kirbie [28:29] “Traditionally, researchers apply sunscreen to volunteer skin and then expose them to UV light until the skin turns red...not only uncomfortable...ethically questionable.”
  — Kirbie [31:02]

• On Brands Responding to Criticism:
  “I love to be told I’m wrong and I like to get more information. Like, if you’re giving me more information, I’m entitled to change my opinion.”
  — Kirbie [25:50]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Taylor Swift album & lyric chat: 00:39 – 07:01
• Selena Gomez wedding recap: 07:08 – 11:58
• Orcé Cloud Dimensions review: 12:00 – 18:54
• Bubble x Leighton Meester campaign discussion: 21:09 – 26:34
• New U.S. sunscreen filter explainer: 27:01 – 32:49
• Skincare brand recommendations Q&A: 32:54 – 41:19

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a masterclass in blending product intel, pop culture, and real talk. The hosts offer actionable beauty advice and delve into topical debates with humor (“forget readers—we’re bringing back monocles!”), all while empowering listeners with science-backed context for industry shifts. If you missed the conversation, this summary covers every essential, witty, and thought-provoking exchange.