ON REFLECTION BEAUTY (ORB)

Today’s episode, the last in the current season, is a special edition of Talking Points. This is where I speak to people moving the needle on the beauty conversation. My guest today is Sharon Chuter,  the incredible LA based founder of UOMA beauty. She’s also the brains behind the grassroots campaign Pull Up For Change which was launched following  the death of George Floyd a year ago calling on beauty companies to be accountable and transparent around their black employees at executive level.  We discuss her journey as a beauty founder, her work as an activist and just how much has changed post George Floyd.  

In this week's show, I am joined by Chloe Hall, Beauty Director of US Elle. We discuss the culture of celebrity beauty brands, the beauty industry's  complicity in racism against the Asian community, Ashley Graham’s Instagram post on hair removal and honouring Ma'Khia Bryant, the 16 year old girl who was murdered by police on the day George Floyd's killer was found guilty,  through her love of hair and beauty, 

In this week’s show, I am joined by Kristina Rodulfo, the beauty director of US Women’s Health magazine. We examine  the racial disparities in the  field of dermatology, we ask why beauty’s strive for inclusivity rarely includes disabilities, we consider the future of skincare and discuss the news of Zara’s imminent makeup launch.  

In this week’s show, I am joined by Shannon Peter, the beauty director of Stylist Magazine.  We discuss the problem with problem solving beauty, question the post pandemic beauty boom,  delve into the bias around the  naming and numbering system for foundations and we debate the merits of a great sink. In Praise Of … is Emma Hardie's Midas Touch Super Serum.

In this week’s show, I am joined by Darian Symone Harvin, Founder of Beauty IRL, a newsletter publication that covers beauty at the intersection of politics and pop culture. We discuss the evolution of the selfie, what Meghan Markle’s experience tells us about the One Drop Rule and hair discrimination in America. In Praise Of … is StriVectin Intensive Eye Concentrate Plus and this week’s Talking Points guests are Ayana Byrd and Lori Tharps,  the authors of  Hair Story  - Untangling the Roots of Black Hair In America, a book that traces American history through the vehicle, politics and culture of black hair. 2021 marks its 20th anniversary. 

In this week’s show, I am joined by the Beauty Editor of Glamour UK, Lottie Winter.  We discuss Unilever’s decision to remove the word ‘Normal’ from the front of their beauty and personal care products. We also look at the rising trend of stool gazing , and consider post lockdown scents. In Praise Of … is StriVectin Super C Retinol Brighten and Correct Vitamin C Serum and this week’s Talking Points guests are Jane Cunningham and Philippa Roberts, the authors of  Brandsplaining , Why Marketing Is Still Sexist & How To Fix It. They reveal how marketeers are still speaking to women through a male lens, why they are not listening women and what can be done to change this.

In this week’s show, I am joined by the Acting Beauty Director of Elle UK, George Driver.  We discuss the disturbing findings about fillers and why influencers are having them removed, the US brand hoping to change the tattoo industry and the ongoing cross generational ‘side or middle parting’ debate. In Praise Of … is StriVectin Lactic Acid Nightly Retexturizing Serum and this week’s Talking Points guest is the model, author and podcaster, Naomi Shimada. She joins me to talk about beauty standards, the impact of social media on mental health and her BBC Sounds podcast, Beauty Fix.   

In this week’s show, I am joined by Buro’s Assistant Editor Phoebe McDowell.  We discuss why accentuating dark circles has become 'cool', whether Gwyneth Paltrow's misguided advice for dealing with COVID-19 boils down to white privilege and the news that Kris Jenner is the latest in a long line of celebrities launching skin care. In Praise Of … is StriVectin Wrinkle Recode Moisture Barrier Cream and on Talking Points,  Christina Funke Tegbe, joins me to discuss why she is using her Oprah endorsed  beauty brand, 54 Thrones, to dispel negative narratives about Africa. 

In this week’s show, I am joined by British Vogue’s Digital Beauty Editor, Hannah Coates. We discuss the rebranding of diet culture, whether instagram is no longer the place for frivolity and ask if every make up brand needs to launch skin care. In Praise Of … is Kate Somerville’s Peptide K8 Power Cream and on Talking Points,  Dr Rolanda Wilkerson, the principal scientist behind Pantene’s Gold Series Range for Afro hair joins me to discuss the brand’s campaign to end hair discrimination. 

In this week’s show, I am joined by Beauty Director  and founder of Beauty for Breakfast Dana Oliver.  We discuss the news that medical tourism is booming - more so in the pandemic, the Refinery 29 article on Kamala Harris, colorism and what it says about America's investment in whiteness and we question whether the investment in Thirteen Lune, black beauty platform, by the likes of  Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Watts marks a sea change for black beauty founders. In Praise Of … is Murad’s Clarifying Oil Free Water Gel and on Talking Points,  Freddie Harrel, shares how she went from  social media influencer to CEO and founder of Radswan, the afro hair wig brand that raised $2million dollars pre launch.