Episode Summary: The Beauty Brains – Episode 377: Beauty Product Talk!

Release Date: November 7, 2024
Host: Valerie George
Guest: Sarah Bellum

In Episode 377 of The Beauty Brains, host Valerie George welcomes back co-host Sarah Bellum for an engaging discussion centered around their personal experiences with various beauty and cosmetic products. Departing from the show's usual format of addressing listener questions and beauty news, Valerie and Sarah delve into the products they currently use, share honest opinions, and exchange recommendations across different beauty categories. This in-depth conversation offers valuable insights for both beauty enthusiasts and those seeking expert opinions on everyday cosmetic products.

1. Hair Care

Pantene Pro-V and L'Oréal Wonder Water

Valerie and Sarah begin their conversation with hair care products, highlighting their enduring trust in established brands.

• Sarah Bellum emphasizes her loyalty to Pantene, stating, “I’m the most basic in, to be honest... I always go back to Pantene shampoo and conditioner” (02:24).

• Valerie George defends Pantene’s reputation, particularly in professional settings, noting, “Pantene Pro-V gets a bad rap... But there's nothing special about it. It's not leaving this horrendous residue on the hair” (05:01).

Sarah adds that during her time at Alberto Culver, “Pantene always won” in blind benchmarking tests compared to salon products (05:17).

• L'Oréal's Wonder Water is another product discussed. Sarah appreciates its effectiveness despite its simple formula, likening it to an old-school VO5 treatment: “the formula is pretty basic, but it works well, so I go with it” (02:24).

Valerie shares her mixed experience with Wonder Water, highlighting its affordability and performance but critiquing its strong fragrance: “it felt like it had 150% fragrance in it... but it did make my hair feel smooth and strong” (03:17).

Garnier Sleek and Augustinus Bader Shampoo

Valerie mentions her use of multiple shampoos to cater to her hair’s needs, specifically praising Garnier Sleek for its clarity and cleansing properties: “It doesn’t leave a lot of depositing stuff on the hair... my scalp gets really clean” (06:19).

Sarah contrasts this with Augustinus Bader’s Shampoo, describing it as “the most interesting shampoo I’ve ever used” due to its unique cream-like texture: “it’s a cream shampoo... it feels like shampoo is coming out like a ribbon of honey” (07:15). Despite finding it intriguing, Valerie critiques its high price point: “the price point's really high” (07:15).

2. Body Care

Method and Olay Body Washes

Transitioning to body care, Valerie and Sarah discuss their preferences in body washes.

• Method Body Wash: Valerie shares her positive experiences with Method’s creamy body wash, appreciating how it makes her skin feel pampered: “my skin feels amazing when I get out of the shower” (09:39).

• Olay’s Relaunched Body Wash: Sarah prefers Olay’s new body wash, which she describes as “very moisturizing and very creamy,” ideal for her sensitive skin with eczema: “it feels very soothing” (09:34).

Valerie humorously admits she hasn't used the new Olay product as much as Dove’s offerings but praises the scent and texture of Method’s body wash: “the shea butter lavender version... I feel a little pampered” (10:26).

Dove Super Gentle Body Wash

Sarah recommends Dove Super Gentle Body Wash for those with sensitive skin: “very creamy. My skin, I have very sensitive... it feels very soothing” (09:55).

3. Skincare

Cleansers and Exfoliants

The discussion shifts to skincare routines, focusing on cleansers and exfoliants.

• Sarah Bellum has adopted an oil cleanse regimen using Clinique’s Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, which she credits for improving her dry skin: “skin feels noticeably smoother after use” (15:08).

• Valerie George shares her appreciation for Skin Fix Cleansing, describing it as a non-fragranced, oil-based cleanser that maintains her skin’s barrier: “it's a lot of gums and some surfactants... my skin doesn't feel really dry afterwards” (16:58).

• Paula’s Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant is highlighted by both hosts for its gentle yet effective exfoliation. Sarah praises its non-irritating formula: “I don’t get redness, but I still get that smoothness” (18:54). Valerie discusses the benefits of BHA, especially for sensitive skin: “salicylic acid doesn’t sting like glycolic acid” (20:20).

Serums

When discussing serums, both Valerie and Sarah express a mix of satisfaction and ongoing search for the perfect products.

• Sarah Bellum favors The Ordinary’s niacinamide and retinol serums for their affordability and effectiveness without irritation: “I like it because it doesn’t irritate my skin” (21:53).

• Valerie George admits her struggle with finding suitable serums, sharing mixed experiences with products like Barbara Sturm and Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Serum: “the fragrance I wasn’t crazy about... it felt really cocooned” (25:12).

4. Sunscreens

Supergoop and Other Tinted Sunscreens

Sunscreen discussion centers around tinted options that offer both protection and aesthetic benefits.

• Sarah Bellum praises Supergoop’s GlowScreen SPF for its dual functionality as a sunscreen and a light primer: “it acts as a little bit of makeup or primer as well as a sunscreen” (27:12).

• Valerie George highlights the importance of tinted sunscreens, explaining the role of iron oxides in blocking visible light and aiding in hyperpigmentation prevention: “Iron oxides don’t necessarily have an SPF value themselves, but they’re great at blocking visible light” (28:46).

• Both hosts share their disappointments with certain tinted sunscreens, such as Tatcha’s Tinted SPF, which Valerie criticizes for its runny texture and overly dark shade: “the product was extremely runny... it got everywhere” (29:24).

• Prequel and Murad Essentials are mentioned as preferred alternatives: “I really like this one. It’s very lightly tinted” (30:25), and “Murad Essentials... smells like oranges” (30:25).

Valerie concludes with her intention to purchase Paula’s Choice 2% BHA and Supergoop GlowScreen, while Sarah plans to try the Skin Fix Cleanser (31:45).

5. Final Thoughts and Recommendations

As the episode wraps up, Valerie and Sarah exchange their favorite products and reaffirm the importance of personal preference in beauty routines. They emphasize finding products that not only deliver results but also enhance the user’s overall experience through texture, scent, and ease of use.

Notable Quotes:

• Valerie George: “It should make you feel good. There’s also an aesthetic part to it” (25:55).

• Sarah Bellum: “I love talking about beauty products... it was like this was what heaven was like” (32:06).

Conclusion:

Episode 377 of The Beauty Brains offers a candid and insightful exploration of personal beauty product preferences. Valerie George and Sarah Bellum provide listeners with honest reviews and thoughtful recommendations across hair care, body care, skincare, and sunscreen categories. Their expert perspectives, grounded in scientific understanding, make this episode a valuable resource for anyone navigating the vast landscape of cosmetic products.

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