We sit down with this week's D.I.P. Jessica Parker who is the founder and CEO of KUSSHI, a female-focused makeup bag, and brush organizing system. She runs a remote team from her home in Munich, Germany, but always loves coming home to New York. Jessica has lived in many places over the last 5 years including Vermont, Germany, England, and China, and her love of beauty, travel (and staying organized while doing so) led her to start her company almost 4 years ago. KUSSHI has been featured in Forbes, Oprah Magazine, Huffington Post, and Business Insider to name a few while achieving 300% YoY growth since its launch.

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So many times we hear about the accolades and accomplishments of our guests, but today's D.I.P. shares the failures and challenges it took to get to where she is today. Divya Gugnani is a serial entrepreneur, mother of two, and proud overachiever. She not only has an Ivy League education with an MBA from Harvard Business School, but she also has extensive experience in investment banking, and venture capital. Wander Beauty is her fourth business, that she co-founded with model Lindsay Ellingson. They pride themselves on being a clean, cruelty-free beauty brand that is looking to streamline your beauty routine while not skimping on luxury. Five years later, the New York City-based brand is sold at Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter, and Sephora — not to mention becoming a cult favorite among customers everywhere.

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This week's guest has built an amazing business in just 5 years and was listed in Forbes top 100 America's Self-Made Women of 2019. Karissa Bodnar founded Thrive Causemetics after she lost her friend Kristy to cancer at the young age of 24. We talk about how she started a grassroots business in her garage and how important the charitable giving has been for the growth of her company. To date, Thrive has donated over 1 million products to charities and sells one mascara every nine seconds. We are happy to say that we have been supporters of Karissa since day one and the conversation with her was one to be heard and is so inspiring.

Thrive Causemetics

Briogeo

Olaplex

Alterna Kendi Oil:

Bamboo Smooth Kendi Pure Treatment Oil

Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Micromist

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As protesters continue to flood the streets to demand justice, we felt it was the right time to sit down with our friend Ted Gibson. Jamie and Ted have known each other for over a decade and Teenie has been a long time fan of his work since his "What Not To Wear" days. We were so honored to hear his story as a gay black man working his way up to being one of the most well-known names in the industry. We talk about the current state of the nation, how he was able to rise to the top despite facing racial inequality, and how he created a business that clouts the most expensive haircut in the world. An influential style maker, Ted talks about STARRING, which is the world's first smart salon, the independent beauty movement that celebrates the individual and his styling product you are going to want to get your hands on.

Website: tedgibson.com

Salon: starring.tedgibson.com

Instagram: tedgibson

Twitter: tedgibson

Shop* the episode: Shooting Star Texture Meringue

*Amazon links provided are part of our Amazon Affiliate partnership. The Make Down earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thanks in advance for helping to support this free podcast!

During this time of racial injustice, we feel the need to focus on the current affairs right now instead of talking about our usual, unrelated topics. The last thing we would want is to sound insensitive or tone deaf to those people that are losing their lives to fight for their rights. We are all in this together so we wanted to share a few, quick words with our viewers.

This week’s DIP is the one and only, Jessica Bendinger (Bring It On, Sex and the City, Mob Queens podcast) who has had an anything but a normal rise to the top!  Jessica lets us in on all the hardships and resilience it takes to get anything made in Hollywood and why you can’t be a jerk in this industry.  Plus, she’ll share some crazy stories from friendships with people like Russell Simons to dancing on stage with the Beastie Boys.

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Becca Ultimate Lipstick Love, Sorbet

själ Bio-Regeneratif Active Energy Lift Serum

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM SPF 30

Eye Scrub Sterile Eye Makeup Remover & Eyelid Cleansing Pads

Smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner, Crimson

SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Lip Stain 01 Always Red

Episilk Pure HA

Dr. Sebagh - Rose De Vie Serum

All Amazon links provided are part of our Amazon Affiliate partnership. The Make Down earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thanks in advance for helping to support this free podcast!

Amy first met Jamie about 5 years ago and has been such an inspiration ever since. She is a girls girl who is not afraid to share her knowledge. She talks to us about how she turned her skin problems in to our skin saviors by creating the booming beauty brand Tower 28. The clean makeup line was born after Amy herself worked in the beauty industry for many years. With her connections and resources she continues to build one of the hottest new brands out there. Make sure to listen how this mom of THREE does it and why she truly believes "you have to give before you get."

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Tower28beauty.com

Tower28 on Revolve

Tower28 on Credo

Tower28 on Sephora

Furtuna face and eye serum

Mara face oil

Heather McMahan has kept jamie and Teenie laughing for quite some time now. She is a hilarious comedian that you definitely want to follow. she talks to us about quarantine life, her secret tool to why her nails look so damn good, and why she would never do reality TV.

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Static Nails

livylash LENGTH

Lashify Control Kit

French Onion Cashew and Almond Dip

Batiste

Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara

Tammy Taylor Deluxe Gel Mani Kit