Podcast Summary: The Review of Mess – Episode: "BBL Drizzy, Taylor Swift Perfume, Merkins & More: A New Podcast About Celebrity Beauty Mess!"

Release Date: May 24, 2024

Hosts: Jessica DeFino and Emily Kirkpatrick

Introduction and Podcast Launch

Jessica DeFino (00:17) opens the inaugural episode of The Review of Mess, a podcast that critically examines the lowest points in pop culture, particularly within the realms of fashion and beauty. She introduces herself as the writer behind The Review of Beauty newsletter and welcomes her co-host, Emily Kirkpatrick (00:35), the creator of I <3 Mess, a weekly roundup focusing on the best of the worst in celebrity fashion.

Emily Kirkpatrick (00:43) expresses her enthusiasm for launching the podcast, highlighting their shared vision of embracing the audio format without a visual component. The hosts discuss the burgeoning podcast renaissance in the fashion sector, referencing peers like Lauren Sherman and Alyssa Vingen who have recently launched their own fashion podcasts.

Notable Quote:

Jessica (02:12): "I aspire to that level of shadiness."

Quick Hits: Mariah Carey's Staged Paparazzi Moment

Emily (06:00) kicks off the content with a "quick hit" about a recent paparazzi shot featuring Mariah Carey. Carey is seen on a roller coaster ride for her child's birthday, accompanied by her hairdresser who meticulously maintains her glamorous appearance amidst the chaos.

Jessica (07:12) praises Carey’s commitment to her diva persona, comparing her to Dolly Parton and applauding her ability to blend artificiality with authenticity. They discuss how such staged moments serve as entertainment, emphasizing the constructed nature of celebrity images.

Notable Quote:

Emily (07:19): "The artificiality of it, I think, is kind of beautiful because it's already a very artificial, very weird setup."

Deep Dive: Celebrity Beauty Brands and Market Saturation

The conversation shifts to the challenges faced by Brooke Shields in launching her new hair care brand, Commence. Jessica (08:41) highlights Shields' struggle to establish credibility, despite her iconic status, quoting Shields:

"Just because I'm Brooke Shields and I have hair doesn't make me an expert. The efficacy of the products is what I'm painstakingly focused on." (08:57)

Emily (10:06) draws parallels to the collapse of Amyris, a biotech company housing multiple celebrity beauty brands, suggesting that the market may be nearing saturation. They debate whether celebrity endorsement alone is sufficient to sustain beauty brands in the current landscape.

Notable Quote:

Jessica (11:03): "I think it's probably both. Like, I don't really know who her target market would be."

Taylor Swift Perfume and the Decline of Celebrity Fragrances

Jessica (12:56) touches upon rumors of Taylor Swift launching a perfume, citing Emily Sundberg's newsletter as the source. They analyze the lukewarm reception of recent celebrity fragrances like Kylie Jenner's Cosmic and Bella Hadid's Orabella, noting their lackluster performance in the market.

Emily (14:10) speculates that the fluctuation in brand trust may be influenced by celebrities' personal actions, such as Bella Hadid being spotted smoking, potentially affecting consumer perception.

Notable Quote:

Emily (14:23): "I think it's very Gwyneth Paltrow to have, like, a wellness brand and smoke a cig."

Trending Topic: The Comeback of Natural Pubic Hair

Jessica (27:24) introduces a disturbing beauty trend from TikTok where individuals are painting their nails to match their boyfriend's pubic hair color. She expresses her discomfort and discusses the broader implications of such trends on societal beauty standards.

The hosts delve into a survey Jessica conducted, revealing significant support for natural pubic hair among respondents:

• 80% of women remove at least some pubic hair, while 20% maintain their natural hair.
• 60% do not remove butt or butthole hair, indicating a gradual shift towards embracing natural body hair.

Notable Quote:

Emily (46:04): "We grew up in the same, like, soup of beauty standards."

Deep Dive: Merkins and Pubic Hair in High Fashion

The duo explores the use of merkins (pubic hair wigs) in fashion, particularly spotlighting the latest Maison Margiela collection. Models adorned with embroidered merkin thongs and prosthetic hips create an eerie, doll-like appearance, challenging natural beauty norms.

Jessica (38:28) criticizes the collection for perpetuating the idea that natural features are mere accessories, not celebrating authentic body hair. Emily (39:47) praises Pat McGrath’s technical prowess in makeup but questions the cultural implications of transforming women into cyborg-like figures, devoid of their natural selves.

Notable Quote:

Emily (39:59): "It's like, why not just bring in the scientist?"

Aging and Beauty Standards in Celebrity Culture

The hosts discuss the problematic portrayal of aging in celebrity culture, referencing Cardi B’s rejected old-age makeup for the Met Gala. They critique the superficial celebration of aging when it excludes authentic representations and acknowledges the extensive cosmetic measures taken by older celebrities to maintain youthfulness.

Jessica (50:57) shares her disappointment in the missed opportunity to align Cardi B's appearance with the Met Gala theme. Both agree that true celebration of aging would require acknowledging the natural process rather than masking it with heavy makeup and prosthetics.

Notable Quote:

Emily (55:42): "Or even just like some nod to like all the work that goes into being an older woman who looks that way."

Celebrity Rebrands: JoJo Siwa vs. Camila Cabello

Emily (64:07) and Jessica (64:14) compare the rebranding efforts of JoJo Siwa and Camila Cabello. JoJo's transformation from a child star into an edgy adult is critiqued for its inauthenticity and the heavy influence of her controlling mother. Conversely, Camila's rebrand is praised for its authenticity, drawing from her Miami roots and personal growth.

Notable Quote:

Jessica (68:38): "Camila, she's different."

Mess of the Month: Ava Louise and BBL Drizzy

Emily (72:17) introduces Ava Louise, an OnlyFans model poised to become a significant performance artist. Known for her chaotic presence on platforms like TikTok, Ava has stirred controversy by fabricating rumors, such as alleging that Kanye West is dating Jeffree Star, and engaging in provocative stunts that blur the lines between performance art and reality.

Jessica (77:38) highlights the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, focusing on Drake’s cosmetic enhancements like Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL) and ab etching. They discuss the misogynistic underpinnings of such criticism, linking it to broader societal stigmas against men's engagement with traditionally feminine beauty practices.

Notable Quote:

Jessica (77:38): "The messy, and most entertaining part is how much plastic surgery factors into this feud."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode concludes, Jessica (84:53) and Emily (85:04) encourage listeners to subscribe to their respective newsletters for ongoing insights into beauty and fashion messes. They reflect on the extensive conversation, acknowledging the depth and complexity of the topics discussed.

Notable Quote:

Emily (85:04): "I will be reposting this somehow in a way that makes sense on there."

Key Takeaways

• Celebrity Beauty Trends: The podcast critically examines how celebrities stage moments, launch beauty brands, and navigate rebranding, often reflecting and perpetuating unsustainable beauty standards.

• Market Saturation: The decline of celebrity-endorsed beauty brands suggests a market overwhelmed by similar products, challenging the efficacy of celebrity influence alone.

• Natural Beauty Movements: There's a notable shift towards embracing natural body features, including pubic hair, challenging decades-long grooming norms.

• Aging in Fashion: The superficial portrayal of aging in high fashion underscores a disconnect between genuine representation and the industry's emphasis on eternal youth.

• Rebranding Challenges: Authenticity in celebrity rebrands varies, with some like Camila Cabello successfully aligning their personal growth with public image changes, while others like JoJo Siwa struggle with inauthentic transformations.

• Controversial Figures: Personalities like Ava Louise and Drake ("BBL Drizzy") exemplify the messy intersections of performance art, personal branding, and societal beauty expectations.

For more in-depth analyses and updates on pop culture's messiest moments, subscribe to Jessica DeFino's Review of Beauty and Emily Kirkpatrick's I <3 Mess.