This week we’re talking all things cosmetic chemistry with someone who really knows her way around a science lab: Ramya Viswanathan, founder of CMPRESSD Beauty — the zero-waste hair care brand making solid shampoo and conditioner bars that actually perform like your favorite salon formulas on all hair types. With over a decade in product development, formulation, and manufacturing, Ramya’s here to school us on ingredient “green flags,” misunderstood actives, and the real tea on shampoo bars.

We dig into listener-submitted questions from our Glamgelenos Slack, covering everything from the future of U.S. sunscreen regulations to the next big ingredient trend, whether skincare “dupes” can actually deliver, and if multi-active formulas are really worth it (or just marketing fluff). If you’ve ever stood in the aisle decoding an ingredient list or wondered what a chemist actually thinks about your favorite products, this episode is your backstage pass to beauty R&D.

Shop this episode

Watch our episodes!

CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426

Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Twitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Gloss Angeles, we’re covering it all: Kirbie’s run-in with a not-so-nice influencer, the heartbreaking news of UOMA Beauty and Pull Up for Change founder Sharon Chuter’s passing, Louis Vuitton’s very expensive beauty launch (which includes a $160 lipstick), Ultra Violette’s sunscreen recall, and the viral MAC Cosmetics LAX manager who lost her job after posting behind-the-scenes videos of her job on TikTok. 

Shop this episode

Watch our episodes!

CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426

Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Twitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you to our partners, Laneige, for this episode! The Lipstick Lesbians are back: Alexis Androulakis and Dr. Christina Basias Androulakis join us to unpack K-beauty’s past, present, and future. We cover the first wave vs. today’s resurgence, what Korean skincare does better than Western beauty, how AI will be involved, what makes a brand truly “Korean Beauty.”

Shop this episode

Watch our episodes!

CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426

Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Twitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big news, Glams: Sara is stepping away from Refinery29 and putting more time and energy into Gloss Angeles! She shares what this new chapter means, what’s ahead, and why this moment feels so surreal.

Then, we’re diving into one of the buzziest (and most controversial) beauty headlines of the week: comedian Matt Rife teaming up with e.l.f. Why would a major beauty brand collaborate with someone surrounded by controversy? Is this “rage marketing” at play? We break it all down. Note: at filming, e.l.f. had not posted an apology or spoken with the press. CMO Kory Marchisotto spoke with Business of Fashion about the ad here.

Watch our episodes!

CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426

Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Twitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She’s the queen of underpainting, the mastermind behind some of the most *chef’s kiss* red carpet glam, and now she’s adding “founder” to her already stacked résumé. This week, we’re sitting down with celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips — the woman responsible for sculpting faces like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Jennifer Lopez — to talk about her new brand, m.ph, and the art of making high-level techniques accessible to everyone. (P.S. It’s available exclusively at Sephora now!) 

Mary spills her kit must-haves, the secrets to her signature look, and the beauty mistake that actually changed the course of her career. We get into what people are getting wrong about underpainting, the product from her debut lineup that’s about to have a sleeper-hit moment, and why even with her access to everything, she still saw a gap in the market. 

She’s the queen of underpainting, the mastermind behind some of the most *chef’s kiss* red carpet glam, and now she’s adding “founder” to her already stacked résumé. This week, we’re sitting down with celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips — the woman responsible for sculpting faces like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Jennifer Lopez — to talk about her new brand, m.ph, and the art of making high-level techniques accessible to everyone. (P.S. It’s available exclusively at Sephora now!) 

Mary spills her kit must-haves, the secrets to her signature look, and the beauty mistake that actually changed the course of her career. We get into what people are getting wrong about underpainting, the product from her debut lineup that’s about to have a sleeper-hit moment, and why even with her access to everything, she still saw a gap in the market. 

Shop this episode

Watch our episodes!

CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426

Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Twitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Glamgelenos got first dibs on DIBS Beauty’s new Double Standard Mascara Duo through Gloss Angeles Confidential — and the reviews are glowing. Kirbie shares why this dual‑ended lash MVP (primer + lengthener on one side, bold volumizer on the other) has become her ride‑or‑die. Use code GLOSSANGELES 8/1-8/31/25 to get 15% off your order on their website!

TW: Feet! Sara gets real about a runner’s nightmare: losing toenails. She reveals how she ended up with fake toenails (yes, that’s a thing), plus tips to prevent it and care for your feet post‑race.

We’re also talking the rise of expert‑led beauty brands, from Chris McMillan’s debut haircare line to Mary Phillips’ m.ph. This is the next big wave in beauty.

And a friendly reminder: if you love the pod and enjoy testing new beauty products with us, please drop us a review on Apple!

Shop this episode

Watch our episodes!

CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426

Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Twitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re kicking things off with our latest Gloss Angeles Confidential test‑drive: K18’s new HeatBounce Conditioning Heat Protectant. It’s a leave‑in that claims to go deeper than your average spray to protect against up to 450°F heat, UV damage, and breakage. Our Glamgelenos gave us the real tea on how it performs (and how to actually use it without overdoing it).

In beauty news: Phlur is the latest brand to be acquired and we’re digging into what this could mean for the fragrance world. Plus, Harry Styles’ Pleasing is stepping into the sex toy business. A surprising pivot… or a move that’s been in the works all along? Last but not least, industry watchdog Estée Laundry has re-emerged, and we revisit some of the scandals they broke in their early years.

Shop this episode

Watch our episodes!

CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426

Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Twitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rare Beauty just dropped its most personal product yet — a fragrance — and we’re giving you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how it came to life. Joyce Kim, Chief Product Officer at Rare Beauty, joins us to talk about what it’s like working with Selena Gomez and what it takes to create products that truly resonate, beyond just going viral.

We get into the development journey behind Rare Beauty’s new scent, Rare Eau de Parfum (including how our Glams got to test it first through Gloss Angeles Confidential!), the global inspiration behind the ingredients, and how the team prioritized inclusivity in every design detail, down to the bottle cap.

Join our Slack for testing opportunities!

Shop this episode

Watch our episodes!

CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426

Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Twitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re joined by Sarah Cheung: beauty content creator turned founder of the viral brand Sacheu Beauty. You’ve probably seen (or worn) her game-changing Lip Liner STAY-N (Billie Eilish, Kirbie, and Sara are all fans!) which sells every six seconds and has redefined what it means for makeup to actually last.

We chat with Sarah about the journey from filming beauty tutorials to formulating hit products, what inspired her leap into entrepreneurship, and how she built a loyal community in a crowded market. She shares the story behind Lip STAY-N, how personal frustration sparked innovation, and what makes Sacheu’s formulas truly innovative. 

Shop this episode

Watch our episodes!

CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426

Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Twitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We kick off this episode with a quick trend report before diving into the news about Ami Colé. ICYMI, the brand is shutting down after four years — a major loss for the industry. We unpack what this means for beauty as a whole and how it reinforces our (unpopular) take on patronizing your favorite minority-owned brands at Target.

On the flip side, Urban Decay might finally be entering a new era. We break down their bold ambassador pick and the campaign that’s bringing real edge back to a brand that’s been struggling to stay relevant.

Shop this episode

Watch our episodes!

CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426

Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Twitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratan

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.