The Best Beauty Products of 2024 + What's Trending for 2025

Summary

Podcast Title: Let's Get Dressed
Episode: The Best Beauty Products of 2024 + What's Trending for 2025
Host: Liv Perez
Guests: Carlene Higgins & Jill Dunn
Release Date: December 9, 2024

---

Introduction to Special Guests

In this special beauty-focused episode of Let's Get Dressed, host Liv Perez welcomes Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn, co-hosts of the Breaking Beauty podcast and former beauty editors. The trio delves into the standout beauty products of 2024 and forecasts the trends set to dominate in 2025.

---

Personal Beauty Ethos

Liv Perez opens the discussion by inquiring about Carlene and Jill's personal beauty philosophies.

Carlene Higgins [02:16]: "For beauty, I think for me, it's about just looking like myself, but better. Of course. I think a lot of people are into that esthetic."

Carlene emphasizes a natural yet enhanced look, focusing on contouring to accentuate facial features without heavy makeup.

Jill Dunn echoes a similar sentiment, highlighting the importance of embracing one's natural attributes.

---

Biggest Beauty Trends of 2024

The conversation shifts to the prevailing beauty trends of the year.

Jill Dunn [12:00]: "I personally think that we're seeing skincare waning a little bit. ... K Beauty is not new. So we're kind of like, what, That's a trend, but that it's like TikTok generation."

Jill attributes the sustained popularity of K Beauty to TikTok's influence, making innovative and affordable skincare accessible to a younger audience.

Carlene Higgins adds that K Beauty's re-emergence is largely driven by TikTok, introducing these products to a new generation.

Carlene Higgins [12:36]: "The beauty of Joseon sunscreen is... absolutely iconic."

She specifically praises Joseon sunscreen for its elegant texture and effective hydration without oiliness.

---

Standout Beauty Products of 2024

The hosts highlight specific products that have made significant impacts this year.

• COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Snail Mucin Power Concentrate: Praised by Jill for its hydrating properties without being heavy.

• Glowy Super Gel Bronzer: Carlene discusses her shift from traditional mascara to contouring products like the Glowy Super Gel, emphasizing its versatility and structural benefits for her face.

---

Innovation and Leading Brands

Discussion moves to brands that have shown remarkable innovation.

Jill Dunn [18:29]: "Makeup Forever... They've nailed it. They've crushed it. They've innovated. Their formulas are amazing."

Both Carlene and Jill commend established brands like Makeup Forever and MAC for maintaining relevance through continuous innovation and collaborations, ensuring their presence in modern makeup routines.

Carlene Higgins [20:23]: "We're starting to see more innovation with brands that are actually the UV filters have been approved by the FDA."

She introduces Ultraviolet, an Australian brand making waves with its elegant, effective sunscreen formulations, set to launch in the US in 2025.

---

Beauty Routines and Gift Ideas

The hosts share their favorite beauty stocking stuffers and gift ideas, ideal for the holiday season.

Jill Dunn [26:40]: Highlights Dr. Jason Diamond’s plasma serum and creams as luxurious yet effective skincare gifts.

Carlene Higgins [29:27]: Recommends high-quality hair accessories like the Mej big clips and Mason Pearson hairbrushes, alongside premium nail polishes.

---

Looking Ahead to 2025: Predicted Trends

As the episode concludes, Carlene and Jill speculate on the beauty trends poised to take center stage in 2025.

Jill Dunn [36:02]: "Thin brows in for 2025... Bleached brows... Pimple patches in."

She forecasts a resurgence of 90s-inspired makeup looks, including thin and bleached brows, alongside the continued popularity of skincare essentials like pimple patches.

Carlene Higgins [35:32]: Highlights a significant shift towards catering to Gen X, with brands launching products specifically designed for women over 40.

Carlene Higgins [35:57]: "I think it's going to be a big year for Gen X Solent."

She underscores the industry's growing recognition of Gen X's purchasing power and unique beauty needs, anticipating more tailored products and marketing efforts.

---

Conclusion

Liv Perez wraps up the episode by expressing enthusiasm for future discussions, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the beauty industry and the exciting developments anticipated in 2025.

Liv Perez [37:35]: "I love hearing from you guys on all things. So. Thank you."

The episode concludes with a mutual agreement among the hosts to continue exploring and sharing beauty insights in upcoming episodes.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Carlene Higgins [02:16]: "For beauty, I think for me, it's about just looking like myself, but better."
• Jill Dunn [12:00]: "K Beauty is not new. So we're kind of like, what, That's a trend, but that it's like TikTok generation."
• Jill Dunn [36:02]: "Thin brows in for 2025... Bleached brows... Pimple patches in."
• Carlene Higgins [35:57]: "I think it's going to be a big year for Gen X Solent."

---

This episode of Let's Get Dressed offers a comprehensive exploration of current beauty trends, innovative products, and anticipates the shifts poised to shape the beauty landscape in 2025. Whether you're a beauty enthusiast or industry professional, Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn provide valuable insights to enhance your beauty regimen and stay ahead of the curve.

Transcript

[Liv Perez]

The following podcast is a Dear Media production. Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of let's Get Dressed. It's your host, Liv Perez. Today we are going a little bit off script, and instead of fashion, we are talking all things beauty. We're jumping inside the makeup bags of two beauty gurus, Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn, the co hosts of the Breaking Beauty podcast and two former beauty editors. They have seen it all and swatched it all. And in today's episode, they tell us all about the standout products of 2024, the brands that have made major waves in the industry and the ones that we need to keep our eyes on and what trends we can get very excited about for 2025. A few housekeeping notes before we dive into the episode. 1. Everything that we mentioned in today's episode is linked in the description of this episode in the shop. My link 2. I'm going to be on the Breaking Beauty podcast. So if you want to hear a little bit about my beauty ethos, how fashion and beauty intersect for me, and a few of my favorite products, make sure to head to their podcast on Wednesday, December 11th. It will be out then. It was such a fun episode. We basically talked about closet staples as beauty staples. So what's the beauty product that's like my perfect pair of jeans? What's the beauty product that's like my ideal white tee? It was a great one. You guys are going to love it. And the last thing is that next week's episode will be our last episode of 2024. Absolutely insane. After that, I will be off for two weeks on holiday, but I will see you guys back the first week of January. I hope you guys love this episode. Let's Get Glam with Carleen Higgins and Jill Dunn. So this is the first let's get dressed beauty pod.

[Jill Dunn]

Yay. Welcome.

[Liv Perez]

I'm so excited about this.

[Carlene Higgins]

Me too. I loved we just did a pod swap. You were on our show and I love where fashion and beauty meet. So let's keep going.

[Liv Perez]

It was so fun doing your pod because both of you came with like a Mary Poppins bag of products that you guys couldn't wait to talk about.

[Carlene Higgins]

Show and tell.

[Liv Perez]

And I could see how both of you have your own distinctive beauty looks. And a question I always love to open the show up with is what your ethos is getting dressed every day and kind of when you're in your closet, what's going through your mind in terms of how you want to present yourself to the world? And so I want to ask you guys, that question.

[Carlene Higgins]

But for beauty, I think for me, it's about just looking like myself, but better. Of course. I think a lot of people are into that esthetic. That's why clean beauty, the clean beauty aesthetic has been going for so long, and I think I'm guessing that's kind of your vibe to live. So, yeah, I'm really looking to. I'm not a big, heavy eyeshadow wearer. I love to play up my cheeks. I actually, surprisingly, people might not expect this about me because I'm not a full beat face girl, but I'm all about contouring. I love to contour because I find it makes the biggest difference in my face in terms of what makes it kind of pop is is giving it contour, where it accentuates my cheekbones, and it's just giving structure to all of the elements of my face. Plus, it gives a bit of almost like a bronzer effect. So my desert island product, which for a lot of people would be like mascara, something like that, I actually have converted over the past few years. It now would be a contour product. So it's the, say, Glowy Super Gel, the bronzer one, that's what I actually use that to contour. And that's. That's the biggest game changer. If I just did one thing to my face, that would be it.

[Liv Perez]

Where are you contouring?

[Carlene Higgins]

So the main thing is my cheeks. So I just kind of like, you guys can't see this, but I kind of do the duck face. And so I figure out where the hollow of my cheeks are, and that's where I put the glow. The say Glowy Super Gel. And then I also do along my hairline at the top, just because, you know, it's kind of pale up there. And that adds structure. And then along my jawline, so I do that contour. And then I also love the Glowy super gel in like the whitish color as well. So I do that on the starlight. I do that on the tops of my cheekbones. And then so that's the three system. If I were to cheat and do three, and then I do, I smile. And on the apple of my cheeks, that's where I do a blush. So that three step system. And it's funny, I was sitting down, it seems maybe obvious to, like, hardcore beauty heads, but I was talking to my friend who's like, really going through something right now, and she was like, we actually, funny enough, did a buy keep store kind of a session in person where I helped her clean out her makeup bag.

[Liv Perez]

Love that.

[Carlene Higgins]

And she. She was gonna toss the glow. The glowy super gel. And I was like, no, you are not tossing this. She's like, I don't get it. She was using it all over her face. She's like, okay, it's not really doing it for me. And I was like, no, no, no. Let me show you. So I showed her the three step and like, she's doing it every day now. She's like, I. And every time I see her, I'm like, your girl. Your skin looks so good because it also makes your skin just look so good. It's incredible.

[Liv Perez]

I love the Dior contour stick, the one that just came out. I've been using it nonstop.

[Carlene Higgins]

Okay.

[Liv Perez]

And I actually won't apply it directly to my skin. I've, like, switched my routine in the past month where I will especially because I use the road pocket blush and this new Dior stick.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

I'll put it on a brush and then apply it to my face. Kind of like I'm painting.

[Jill Dunn]

I just talked about that in our newsletter last month. But I'm using the foundation stick. Like, I'm using it.

[Liv Perez]

I haven't tried the foundation stick. I've heard it's amazing, but.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah, that's. That's the secret. Everyone, do not use it straight from the stick. You need your brush. Swirl, swirl.

[Liv Perez]

Go from there. And I love the way it looks.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah, me too.

[Liv Perez]

The tone is just really. I just do it on my cheeks cuz I like, try to accentuate my cheekbones. And I love it.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah. I just have one final tip and why I think I love the glow. Super. Oh, my God.

[Liv Perez]

Glowy, super gel.

[Carlene Higgins]

It's not a stick from, say, beauty. The reason I love it so much is the tone. It's a bit of a cooler tone, like a brown. And that's what I've found is the secret and milk makeup. There's little sticks, contour sticks. They're all cool toned. That is major key, because that's what makes it look more like a shadow than just a bronzer. That's really warm. And so that's. That's another, like, key learning for me.

[Liv Perez]

Okay, Jill, give it to us.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah, this is Jill speaking, by the way. I feel like we always have to, like, differentiate ourselves, literally.

[Liv Perez]

That's why I was just like, okay, Jill, give it.

[Jill Dunn]

Because I know it's really interesting. Like, if. If you're just talking about, like, feeling put together every morning. I'm a big brows girl as well. You were talking about that when you were on our show. And that is something like, I always do my brows when I. Before I leave the house. It's like.

[Carlene Higgins]

And.

[Jill Dunn]

And also, I would say I'd spend the most time on that and probably also on my hair. If I only had 10 minutes, I would have to do my hair and my brows. And then it's just going to be like lip balm and mascara. Like, I gotta go, because if I don't have my hair on point, it's like, I don't. Like, the day is off. The day is off to a bad start.

[Carlene Higgins]

It's the frame to the show. It's the curtain that we draw.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Carlene Higgins]

And then we can see your beautiful blue eyes, which I think you probably take for granted because you've had them for so long. Since the day you were born, perhaps. But they're this beautiful crystal blue. And sometimes when you do, depending on the makeup you do, it's like. And certain light, it's just like, they pop.

[Jill Dunn]

Oh, that's very.

[Liv Perez]

Blue eyes are the best beauty gift of all time.

[Jill Dunn]

I don't have to use the blue eye filter like Alex.

[Liv Perez]

Incredible.

[Jill Dunn]

But I think, you know, as an editor for all these years and just learning from all these amazing pros. Makeup by Mario or Pat McGrath. Charlotte Tilbury. We've, like, had the good fortune of interviewing a lot of them on our show. It's like, what they do is an exercise in restraint, and it's not overdoing it, and it's. It's leaning into what you are born with, kind of, to Carlene's point. And don't fight it. Like, I'm never going to be the girl that has the juicy lips, and I'm not planning on doing lip filler anytime soon, so I'm probably not going to play that up.

[Carlene Higgins]

And.

[Jill Dunn]

But I think that that's something that I've taken away from all of these experts. And that, honestly, in my opinion, is what is the difference often between a beauty editor and maybe a beauty influencer? Like, I really appreciate Meredith Duxbury and Michaela Negara, and I think they rock those looks. But I just. I just. It's just. It would feel so foreign for me to sit there and do that. So I think that that's kind of like, where I'm at these days.

[Liv Perez]

You know, I've had a hard time with brow gel lately.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yes.

[Liv Perez]

A lot of them are letting me down.

[Jill Dunn]

You know what? Okay. Recent. Recent brow product that I've fallen in love with. A little bit of a splurge. Everyone Victoria Beckham. Beauty, baby, blade love.

[Liv Perez]

Good to know.

[Jill Dunn]

And it was recommended to us by Rachel Goodwin, who's a makeup artist for Emma Stone, and she was raving about it. And then Victoria Beckham, full disclosure, they were an advertiser on our show, and they had sent us all the shades, and I was just, like, obsessed with how it goes on. And then she actually has a little brow gel that she calls the feather fix that I put on top.

[Liv Perez]

Okay.

[Jill Dunn]

But that one is colored, so you have to be careful with it. If you have no brow, it's not your friend.

[Liv Perez]

Right.

[Jill Dunn]

Because it will.

[Carlene Higgins]

It will.

[Jill Dunn]

It can move a little bit or it's like, got a comb, so you need to be precise where you're putting it on.

[Liv Perez]

I'm not a liquid brow girl.

[Jill Dunn]

Right, Right.

[Liv Perez]

I'm a crayon. I'm a child.

[Jill Dunn]

So this is. Yeah, this is like the Victoria Beckham one is the dual end.

[Liv Perez]

Recently, I swear, I've been putting hairspray on my brow brushes.

[Jill Dunn]

That's genius.

[Liv Perez]

I just and it. For me, I think my brows are very long and very bushy. They need, like, we need super glue up there.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

It can't be a light hold. Like, it needs to stay.

[Carlene Higgins]

I do recommend. I'm going to recommend one for you. It's the Kulfi free, the brow volumizing and laminating brow gel.

[Liv Perez]

Okay.

[Carlene Higgins]

So this is a brand that just launched at Sephora not that long ago, and I think rolled out in their stores, and it's the only one that I've used where it actually makes my brows stand up. But it doesn't flake at all. And it doesn't feel crunchy.

[Liv Perez]

I think because they're thick. They really need that extreme hold.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

Like the actual hairs are.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah, yeah.

[Carlene Higgins]

This product has popped off and it's like. Like it's sold out on their site right now, but it's available on Sephora. Highly recommend.

[Liv Perez]

Okay, thank you. Appreciate it.

[Carlene Higgins]

And it has a little brush on one end and so you can fully groom them.

[Jill Dunn]

Love, love that.

[Liv Perez]

Before we continue with our conversation today, a quick thank you to our sponsor of today's episode, Cotton. Cotton's the Fabric of Now campaign is challenging everyone to make the natural choice. Give yourself enough room to breathe so that you can be more intentional in your everyday life and in what you wear. To me, cotton as a fabric, it just feels like a giant bug. It's the thing that I go towards every single morning when I'm getting ready to tackle my day, because it's the Thing that makes me feel most like myself. It feels like a second skin. Plus, it goes really well with everything in my closet and just makes dressing a breeze. It's breathable and soft and comfortable. And honestly, it feels like doing that thing that you need to do for yourself to get grounded after maybe, say, a really hectic month. For me, that's going out in nature. And whatever it is for you, it's that feeling of getting back to yourself. I love to go out in nature, put my phone away, leave my laptop at home, be with my loved ones and totally unwind. I feel completely recharged after I do those weekends. And it feels so natural for me. It feels so good to leave those things behind and just get to the center of myself. Maybe read a good book, play a couple board games. That's really when I feel like my most self. And it's the same way that I feel when I'm wearing cotton. So cotton is asking all of us to recharge in your own way. Maybe that means putting your phone down for a few hours a day or just going out with your friends for the night and being really present. Whatever it is you do, you find that thing that feels natural and makes you feel good. Cotton is the natural choice. So go discover the fabric of now at the Fabric of Our lives.

[Carlene Higgins]

Com.

[Liv Perez]

Let's get back to the show. What do you both think was the biggest beauty trend of 2024?

[Carlene Higgins]

Hmm.

[Jill Dunn]

I personally think that we're seeing skincare waning a little bit. For so long in the pandemic, it was just skincare was everything. Skincare routines, leaning into self care. But I think the skincare standout that has survived and is thriving and is still growing so much is K Beauty. And I think there's a couple reasons for that. A, the innovation is always so incredible, but also TikTok is having, you know, having a new generation discover K Beauty. And yeah, the price point, it's a lot of things are less than 20 bucks and you can look phenomenal. You can get a whole skincare routine for like $50.

[Carlene Higgins]

We've been talking about this, and I think the thing with K Beauty is, is it is Tik Tok that's made it blow up again. Because we, as you know, we've been in this industry for so long. K Beauty is not new. So we're kind of like, what, That's a trend, but that it's like tick generation. Tik Tok are just kind of more discovering it now because. Just because they're so young.

[Liv Perez]

Yeah, you know, is there a K Beauty product that off the bat for listeners right now who have never tried anything, you're like, get your hands on this, you're going to love it.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah. The beauty of Joseon sunscreen is. Is definitely. I have one coming my way, but that is absolutely iconic. And sun. The sunscreen that they do with K Beauty is just. There's just not much like it in North America. It's just so elegant.

[Jill Dunn]

The.

[Carlene Higgins]

The texture of it and it's so effective. It can be like SPF 50, but it feels like milk on your face. And their focus is always incredible. Hydration. Hydration. So whether even if you have oily skin, you still need hydration. So they've just mastered the art of bringing you that hydration without making you necessarily an oil slick.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah. And I think the cosrx snail mucin 96% snail mucin power concentrate. No snails were harmed in the making of this product. I trust. I promise you it's an essence. It's very, very hydrating as well. And essences and toners, those are the steps in K Beauty that, you know, just take your skincare to the next level. Like, because we're used to like the 1, 2, 3 step here, but adding that hydration step in is like, I think it works for everybody's skin no matter what your age, ages. Yeah.

[Carlene Higgins]

I also would say, and you might agree with me, 2024 was the year of blush.

[Liv Perez]

Yes.

[Carlene Higgins]

I mean, everybody was doing a new blush came out, especially a cream one. And there were just so many trends, like TikTok trends. It was the boyfriend blush. It was Sunset. The sunset blush. Like, there were just so many different ways to wear it. It was almost like people were just discovering blush. And then of course, again, when such a directional kind of beauty company where you're waiting to see what they do next, like when road drops a pocket blush, it's just like, well, there you have it. It's, you know, it's just confirmation. So.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Jill Dunn]

I think also what I found really encouraging and really fun, and we've not really seen it before, is beauty companies and sports having a moment.

[Liv Perez]

Yes.

[Jill Dunn]

So finally we have. Well, glossier was first to do this. They sponsored the WNBA since a few years ago. But finally we're seeing, you know, Simone biles getting a K18 contract. Alona Mar working with. I know she talked a lot about Maybelline and then she has her own brand. Suni Lee went popped off and went viral for her lip combo, which in fact was my lip combo. Which is makeup forever wherever walnut lip line.

[Liv Perez]

She had summer Fridays on her too.

[Jill Dunn]

Yes.

[Liv Perez]

Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

[Jill Dunn]

So I was just really encouraged to see that because these are like strong, amazing, beautiful women who are representing, you know, so many different ideals. And we just did not really see that before. And I think it's amazing that it's at the forefront.

[Carlene Higgins]

I also think it's amazing that they're getting paid.

[Jill Dunn]

Yes.

[Carlene Higgins]

You know what I mean? Because you look at the inequality between women and men, whether you're talking about the NBA or, or whatnot. So it's just like, pay them.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Carlene Higgins]

Right. Like, they have huge followings on social media. They're really good at what they do. They should be getting the endorsements beyond Nike, all of that. And so I love to see it.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah, it was really fun.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

Was there a trend from this year that you are excited to see on its way out?

[Jill Dunn]

I'm gonna say the Clean girl is set. I come a little bored. Sorry, everyone. I know it's, it's a little, it's, it's, it's iconic. But Haley had her moment. We all glazed, we all buttered. And it's time to move on to something like a little bit more, I think trend oriented, like 90s makeup, I think is for sure coming back for 2025. And I'm here for it. What I thought was really interesting at the end of 2024, we all just watched the Victoria's Secret fashion show.

[Liv Perez]

Where were the blowouts?

[Jill Dunn]

What was going on with the hair? What was going on with the hair? Not Gigi. Right. I think her hair.

[Liv Perez]

But she has a bob.

[Jill Dunn]

She had the bob, so it was working.

[Liv Perez]

The day she cut the bob, I was like, I wanted a bob, but she looks a thousand times better. She looks so good with that bob.

[Jill Dunn]

Really fresh and cool. But some of the other hair was just sad, tragic. Where were the round brushes? We needed them. They weren't there.

[Liv Perez]

And there weren't a lot of slick back moments. That doesn't feel synonymous to me or representative of Victoria's Secret. Yeah. I really am missing. I agree with you. That 80s kind of big glam look. Like I'm, I am. And I'm someone who. A lot of my look is a slick back bun.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

I did it for my wedding. I wear it all the time. If you're on my Instagram in the first nine, there's at least one slick back bun there. And the other day I was actually wearing it and I was like, tired of this. Yeah, yeah. I've been wearing My hair, like, down a lot and, like, messy.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

And I think I am craving that, like, a little bit more of, like, not natural polished. Yeah. Like, I just want more.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

Beauty. I don't want to be so paired back.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Carlene Higgins]

And I think I keep saying that I. I'm putting this out in the universe. I'm wishing that Dyson's next innovation is a hot roller.

[Liv Perez]

Me too.

[Carlene Higgins]

That's just like saying that for years. Easy to use, you know, ruin our hair. Exactly. It's just like, let me put it in and it's like five minutes later, I take it out and it's done. Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

Because, listen, I love the air wrap. The air wrap. Like, you have to be very meticulous, and it takes time.

[Carlene Higgins]

Can we not have the air roll?

[Liv Perez]

Air roll, yeah. Give us the air roll.

[Jill Dunn]

Dyson.

[Carlene Higgins]

Let's get this going.

[Liv Perez]

Yeah. Is there a brand that comes to mind for both of you that you think was really leading the charge on pushing and innovating in the beauty space this year?

[Jill Dunn]

It's a good question. Personally, I think that I just kind of talked about it with you off Mike, but Makeup forever. They are 40 years old this year, but try to go on TikTok and find a girl who's doing her lip look without a Makeup forever pencil. It's pretty incredible that 40 years later, they maintain this relevancy as, like, a makeup brand. It's not a cute name. Makeup Forever. And it's. It's not necessarily even, like, outrageous packaging. It's very minimal packaging. But they've nailed it. They've crushed it. They've innovated. Their formulas are amazing. And I think that I was kind of shocked to see their presence in so many makeup bags across, you know, like, all the girlies on. On TikTok. That's one. And then Mac, also, they turned 40 this year too, which is. Which is incredible. So they kind of, like, revamped their iconic lipstick, and then they did some pretty interesting collaborations with, like, Gabriette, the model. Yeah. And so she's like, 90s grunge. Like, they still have their finger on the pulse of the cool girls, and those two sort of, like, stand out to me as, like, it's really hard to stay relevant in beauty. You know, there's not a lot of brands that make it 40 years.

[Liv Perez]

So it's like, you have your essentials, then what?

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So you want the performance, and I think that those two are standouts for me.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah. You know, we've kind of like, Done it all and seen it all and it's just kind of all worked being reworked in the beauty space. But where I do see the most amount of true innovation is in sunscreen. And we've talked about how K beauty are kind of rulers in this space. But we are starting to see more innovation with brands that are actually. The UV filters have been approved by the FDA and next year what I think is really exciting that's coming to the US it actually just launched in Canada this year is Ultraviolet. Do you know this brand?

[Liv Perez]

I've seen it, haven't tried it.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah. So Ultraviolet is out of Australia and they are. This is like a beauty editor darling right across the world. So we kind of chirp at each other from Australia and then the UK and Canada and next year it will be here in the US and so they have really nailed these like beautiful, elegant, really see through y type of formulas. So the one I'm giving you right now is a mineral so it's tinted.

[Liv Perez]

Oh, I love the consistency of this.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah, it kind of feels like it gives you this hug. But the best one which I don't have here that I love is the emulsion and it comes in a little bottle and the emulsion is really, really like milk when it comes out it's so thin. But because it's from Australia they have one of the highest safety standards and so does Canada for, for UV filters and we know that they're launching into the US they haven't had to take out anything to be able to come here. So I think that that's really exciting that we're getting these, these amazing textures with the efficacy of like an SPF 50. I think those are, they're really leading the pack.

[Liv Perez]

Love I would say my favorite. It's not a product, it's not a beauty product per se but therabody has been doing really cool things the beauty space and I think it's only been about like a year of them really going into. Yeah like they've always been body focused but I went to a dinner for them a year ago and it was right before they launched the red light that also like massage tools in it and I just got their de puffing wand, big facial massage girly. I have really bad inflammation in my everyday so I really love what they've been doing. It's been fun to see them go into that space.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah. And the red light therapy, LED therapy in general definitely has been a leading trend in skincare. This year we interviewed Dr. Dennis Gross on our show who really Popularized the at home version with that iconic mask. And he was talking about one of the things that really stuck with me is how LED red light. You can think of it almost like an ingredient that you're adding to your skincare routine. But obviously instead of working like a topical cream or serum, it's something that. It's the light itself. So it's almost like photosynthesis, the way that that works with when it hits.

[Jill Dunn]

You know, delivering energy to the cells.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah, exactly. So that's what skin kickstarting them. And if you're an inflammation girly like you and I are, the red light is really what's going to help to bring that down. Have to use it every day. But that category is absolutely exploded.

[Liv Perez]

Very exciting.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah. But I love how therabody is also getting into like the compression boots for lymphatic drainage. I think that's so cool.

[Liv Perez]

I think any brand that is allowing me to bring these things at home.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

And for me to be able to do them on a daily basis and not pay top dollar for them every time I go. Yeah, is is where my heart's at.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah, I'm excited for that. I want this compression booty so bad.

[Liv Perez]

I actually that's like my biggest like body ailment is when I get in bed every night. I have like really bad joint muscle pain in my legs. So.

[Carlene Higgins]

Interesting.

[Liv Perez]

One of those. I think it's an inflammation.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah. I have a lot of swelling on my lower legs as well. So I've started to get really into the idea of lymphatic massage and lymphatic drainage. And we just had detox by Rebecca on our show to talk about the benefits, the benefits of that. And I also have. I don't know if you've ever had this, but you know when. What's it called? Restless leg syndrome.

[Liv Perez]

I don't have that.

[Carlene Higgins]

Like when I go to bed at night sometimes it's like my legs will just kick on their own. And so I feel like maybe the compression. I need to try this.

[Liv Perez]

Yeah. You know, it actually did help me in the Cyclar new revamp gifting box, there is a silicone. It looks like a dome. Like.

[Carlene Higgins]

Or.

[Liv Perez]

Yes. It's like cupping for the shower. So I will put on her shower gel. I'll like squeeze the cup, put it on my leg so it grabs the suction. There's probably a formal name for this. I don't know it. Sorry, guys. Yeah, it's like a. I think she calls it like a body molder. And I Will, like, rub it up and down my legs and make sure that, like, the suction goes onto my skin. It. It's, like, painful, but good painful.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

It kind of feels like dry brushing.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

But it really. It's meant to increase circulation and. Whoa. Like, it feels. It's made the world of a difference for any of, like, my leg pain at night and just increases the circulation of my legs. I love it. It was so smart. She did that.

[Carlene Higgins]

Such a French thing. I tested that for a while on one thigh versus the other, and it was like this blue cup. I can't remember how long I did it for. And it did. It did reduce the cellulite.

[Liv Perez]

It's like a sculptor.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

Yeah. Big fan. I really liked it.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

Yeah. If there was one, say, luxury designer out there in the world right now that you think should start a beauty line, what would it be?

[Jill Dunn]

Oh, I've put a lot of thought into this because luxury beauty. Well, luxury beauty is definitely having a moment. Like, Celine launched their. Their collection. It's coming out officially in early 2025. Prada obviously just did the Celine. Whatever. I feel like I've seen it before.

[Carlene Higgins]

It's just the one lipstick.

[Jill Dunn]

So they have. They. I've seen all the.

[Carlene Higgins]

The pictures of everything coming in 2025.

[Liv Perez]

Yeah.

[Carlene Higgins]

It's like.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah, yeah.

[Carlene Higgins]

That's gorgeous. And we know that Marc Jacobs is launching next year. That'll be interesting.

[Jill Dunn]

Relaunching.

[Carlene Higgins]

Relaunch. Because they. For.

[Jill Dunn]

For sure. I mean, listen, we've talked about it many times. We need a real fragrance. And like, yesterday.

[Liv Perez]

That's what I was going to say. We need, like, a rose.

[Carlene Higgins]

Well, yeah, yeah.

[Jill Dunn]

We need the. No, makeup. Makeup. Give me the kit.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Jill Dunn]

And I will buy it. And I think that that is a big gaping hole that is just waiting to be filled.

[Carlene Higgins]

Potentially. Some accessories. Like, I could see them doing a Mason Pearson style brush and.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Carlene Higgins]

You know, these very kind of, like, cool, almost Japanese kind of accessories.

[Jill Dunn]

And then, you know, Phoebe Philo. What's she waiting for? She's got her collection.

[Carlene Higgins]

I mean, we need a scent that's.

[Liv Perez]

I think I'm gonna pass on a thousand dollar list. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm good.

[Carlene Higgins]

But the scent.

[Liv Perez]

Love you, Phoebe.

[Carlene Higgins]

I would try the scent, though, but.

[Liv Perez]

I would try scent, too.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah, I think. I think it's there for the taking, though.

[Liv Perez]

Yeah. Yeah, I know. Since this episode's coming out around holiday.

[Jill Dunn]

Yes.

[Liv Perez]

Tell me your top three favorite stocking stuffers. Beauty. Stocking stuffers.

[Jill Dunn]

Okay.

[Carlene Higgins]

Beauty's perfect for a stocking Stuffer, isn't it?

[Liv Perez]

There's nothing better.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

Like, every time my sister's husband is like, I'm doing a stocking for your sister, I'm like, go get her this liner. Get her a bomb. Get her this. Or just come to my house because I have beauty closet.

[Jill Dunn]

Exactly. Okay, well, I'm going to give you a splurge, love.

[Liv Perez]

It's important.

[Jill Dunn]

And I'm going to apologize in advance because this is not cheap, but. Dr. Jason Diamond.

[Liv Perez]

Oh, medicine.

[Jill Dunn]

A C, I, N E. So good. Okay, guys, I started using this and live. You can probably relate, which it's the most unrelatable thing ever. But you do get PR mailers and you start using things and then you're hooked.

[Liv Perez]

And then you got to buy them.

[Jill Dunn]

And then I looked up the price. So he has a, A, a plasma serum and a cream. And they are. Let me tell you, once I found out how much they were, I am like, savoring it now. I'm obsessed now. He just launched mini versions of these two products. So get the duo. Put it on your Santa nice list. I love it. I'm obsessed with it, and I think it actually is worth the money. I just really like how it's hydrating. It's very silky. My skin feels soft when I use it. It is amazing. My second thing, although I don't think it would fit in a stocking, I'm going to talk about it anyway. And that is the kitsch hair advent calendar. So it's like 12 or 13 pieces in there. And it's all of the fun things that you see all over TikTok. So the Heatless rollers, the claw clip, the satin hair ties, the. The pillowcase. It's like everything you would ever want because we all lose our hair ties. You know, the, you know, you always kind of want to upgrade those things. Your shower cap, it's like all of those fun essentials bundled together in one advent calendar. And I think it's around 90 or 100 bucks.

[Liv Perez]

Love that.

[Jill Dunn]

And it's a great gift.

[Liv Perez]

Love that.

[Jill Dunn]

Because also because it is hair, it's slightly larger. So you can get a big stock. Yeah. Like, and it feels like a very generous kind of gift if you are giving it. And then I, I use their stuff all. Every day I touch something that's like, from kitsch, which I think was their whole mo. When they started, they want to be.

[Carlene Higgins]

With her in the shower. They said, yeah, yeah.

[Jill Dunn]

And my final thing, let me see what I really am holding on to. Honestly, I think Victoria Beckham Beauty Again and their cleansing duo that she just started with Melanie Grant. I started using that earlier this year, and I'm obsessed with it. It's like an oil cleanser that just takes off your makeup perfectly. It never strips your skin, and then there's a gel part. So it's like step one and two put together for your cleansing regimen. And again, not cheap, not budget friendly, but really effective and really good. And she created it with a facialist. So. Okay, those are my three things.

[Liv Perez]

Good.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

What are yours?

[Carlene Higgins]

So I am of the belief that, you know, the best gifting is when you take a little item that's typically inexpensive and you give people a luxury version of it. Right. This always is a hit. So for myself, like, what I would love to get myself, I mean, I can't get enough of the mej big effing clips. I got a dark red one that somebody sent me in a press kit and I use Beauty. Oh, thank you. Rare beauty. Thank you. And I just use it all the time. And now I want one in every color. So hint, hint. Anybody out there absolutely love those. And it's, you know, it's pretty affordable. Like 34 bucks. And you can make somebody so happy. Same thing with nail polish. Again, like, I hate to, you know, name drop Chanel so many times, but.

[Liv Perez]

I do the best nail polish, but.

[Carlene Higgins]

They make the best shades. And there's a shade right now for holiday coming out called Storyteller, which is a really dark plum, like a vampy plum. And it would go very well with what we talked about. That refy limited edition plum collection kit. Like that together is just like the quintessential holiday look this year. I think that would be amazing. And then skincare wise, I think like a splurge, if you wanted to splurge and really impress somebody. I am absolutely obsessed with this new oil serum. It's by a facialist, her name, Sophie Carbonary. I'm going to be blowing this product up on, like every podcast I'm going to be on. But this is the first one. You can try it on your hand. It's called the serum. So Sophie is apparently the facialist to go to in Paris. She is like the. All the fashion girlies go there. The serum is the smell. Yeah, it's just like what I love about it is kind of like the face oils that have gained a lot of popularity. But it doesn't dry down like that. It's more like a dry oil meet serum. Like, Jill, you would be obsessed with this product. You feel like you're getting that beautiful hydration, but it's not an oil slick on your face, and it just has all these botanicals. Like, I really feel like my face has this. This great glow. And I. Especially for traveling, it's not cheap. It's like 300. So this is a luxury. Luxury splurge, but the kind of thing you would love to receive yourself. And it's made in Korea. They always get the textures right. Like you saw. It has this golden hue to it.

[Liv Perez]

Beautiful.

[Carlene Higgins]

I'm. I'm obsessed with this product.

[Liv Perez]

So good.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

I'm doing a Mason Pearson hairbrush.

[Carlene Higgins]

Oh, yes. Have you seen the baby blue and the pink ones they have now?

[Liv Perez]

They're the best. My mom got me hooked on those at a young age, and I love. Hate her for it. Okay.

[Carlene Higgins]

And by the way, I knew.

[Jill Dunn]

I see.

[Carlene Higgins]

I knew this was going to come up. I've been trying to get my hands on it. Did you know that they just came out with hair care? No, Mason Pearson.

[Liv Perez]

Got to check it out.

[Carlene Higgins]

Came out with shampoo, conditioner, hair serum leave in conditioner.

[Liv Perez]

Okay.

[Carlene Higgins]

I've been trying to get my hands on it, but I feel like that's also like a stylish girl's best holiday gift.

[Liv Perez]

Yeah, I'm going to try that.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

So it's my hairbrush. I'm going to do the little travel kit of the summer Fridays lip balms, because you guys know I love those.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yes. I want all the different colors and you beauty. Every girl I know wants those.

[Liv Perez]

The you beauty tanks. Collab was amazing. I forgot what it was called, but it was great. And then my last one is going to be the cyclor lotion because. Yeah. Ah, it smells so good.

[Carlene Higgins]

I need to try this.

[Liv Perez]

Yeah, it smells delicious. I love it so much. I think it's the sandal or whatever Santal one. We said something in that world. Sandalwood vibes.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

Yeah. Some word in there, but, yeah, those are mine. Okay. Let's talk 2025 as we wrap up here. What do you think is going to be the number one thing in beauty for 2025?

[Jill Dunn]

Oh, okay.

[Carlene Higgins]

Do you have your answer ready?

[Jill Dunn]

Okay. I think this. I just read about this, and I think it's gonna. I think it's really cool, and I think it's like the next evolution in beauty shopping. First of all, we're seeing a lot of changes in beauty shopping. Like net a porter is getting rid of their beauty, and they're just going to be an affiliate model. Now, Violet Gray has just bought back their beauty line. So I think we're going to see a little bit more curation happening there. And a beauty industry veteran, her name is Leslie hall, she just told Women's Wear Daily about this concept she's bringing to market called oat drops, like H A U T drops. And it's basically gonna be like the supreme drops of the beauty world and you can get it in three days. And it's brands like Topicals is already signed up. I can't, I, I, it's escaping me the other ones, but they're all like big names and bringing those kind of like trendy things we're seeing on TikTok in specific drops and bringing them to the masses. And quick turnaround you're getting, you're not waiting eight days and they're going to sell out. When they sell out and there'll probably be some kind of like, not price adjustment, but probably some kind of like deals you can get for a limited time. So I think it's a genius idea.

[Carlene Higgins]

I think that 2025, and again, this is my own personal bias, I think is going to be all about Gen X. You know, we are a generation who has just been completely ignored for so long. And I think that there's a lot of attention going to this group right now. I mentioned to you earlier, I think that I'm starting my own skincare brand that will launch in 2025 and it's specifically geared to women over 40. And the reason that I did that coming from the publishing world is because everything was so focused on everybody being so young. And when I looked at what was available and out there for women over 40, it was really like Good Housekeeping. Like kind of, you know, in Canada would be, you know, like Canadian Living. Like it was just very kind of, there was just nothing that like reflected who we really are, which is like vibrant. People who travel, are making the most amount of money, are the most comfortable in our own skin right now. Our kids are a little older, we have freedom. And yet we were just being ignored and made to feel like we have to, you know, buy something that a 20 year old is selling us and it's a wrinkle cream. So I think it's just been so off for so long. And you know, we see brands like Stripes from Naomi Watts. We see Brooke Shields line, that's a hair care line for Gen X.

[Jill Dunn]

We see Kate Moss on the Runway. We see Christy Turlington on the Runway. Cindy Crawford.

[Carlene Higgins]

Exactly. It's just like that's the cherry on the cake for me is like, yes, let's recognize, like the supers are still super. Let's. Let's highlight, you know, all the women who are just like ridiculously cool and, and doing things. So I think it's going to be a big year for Gen X Solent.

[Liv Perez]

Can't wait.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

Close out the show. Let's do beauty ins and outs for 2025. So just say in or out.

[Jill Dunn]

Okay.

[Carlene Higgins]

Celebrity beauty brands still in, in and out.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Carlene Higgins]

Some of them will be out and some of them will still be going strong.

[Liv Perez]

Six step beauty routines.

[Carlene Higgins]

I'm into it. Yeah. I probably do about that many eyeliner.

[Liv Perez]

Winged eyeliner.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yes. As somebody who just had bluff and can finally do a winged eyeliner, we're in all the post black girlies rise because we're all doing a. A cat eye or a kitten eye for 2025.

[Liv Perez]

The red lip.

[Jill Dunn]

Vampy lip. Vampy lip is going to be.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah, I would say out. Red lip out. And Bambi lip in. Yeah.

[Jill Dunn]

Thin brows in for 2025. If the, if the runways are to be believed in. It's 90s girl. It's here.

[Liv Perez]

Bleached brows.

[Jill Dunn]

Bleached. I saw in a couple and I mean, we just saw bleach brows and with Alex Earl in that denim campaign she was in.

[Carlene Higgins]

Yeah. But I'd say for real life out campaigns. Sure.

[Liv Perez]

Pimple patches.

[Carlene Higgins]

Definitely, definitely, definitely.

[Jill Dunn]

Yeah.

[Liv Perez]

Lip blushing out.

[Carlene Higgins]

I. I'm not a permanent makeup person unless you're doing like a sort of a medical cosmetic, which I think is very cool. People who are, you know, they might use it to cover a birthmark or a stretch mark or bluff scars or whatnot. I think that's very cool. Love Basma Hadid in Beverly Hills. Recommend. Highly recommend. Oh, love a good rec cardi b does too. Oh, yeah.

[Liv Perez]

Thank you, guys.

[Carlene Higgins]

This is so fun.

[Liv Perez]

Oh, my God. Wellness of knowledge. I could talk to you guys all day.

[Carlene Higgins]

I know, right? We have to do this again.

[Liv Perez]

This is so.

[Carlene Higgins]

We're doing this again.

[Liv Perez]

I would love to. I mean, I love hearing from you guys on all things. So. Thank you.

[Carlene Higgins]

Thank you.

[Jill Dunn]

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products.

[Carlene Higgins]

Or services referred to in this episode.