

Gloss Angeles
Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan
Co-hosts and longtime beauty journalists Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan give their perspective on all things makeup, skincare, and wellness at the intersection of pop culture and entertainment. Experts in the field and friends IRL, they pull back the curtain on trends, treatments and popular products — all the things you're likely searching or watching on TikTok. (They'd know — they've spent 10 years creating and optimizing editorial content for mainstream digital beauty publishers.) Tuesday episodes reveal the most notable beauty headlines with informed takes while Friday episodes feature guests from experts in the industry to celebrity spokespeople, including Hailey Bieber, Halsey, Selena Gomez; Dr. Jason Diamond, Danessa Myricks, Mario Dedivanovic, The Lipstick Lesbians and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 25, 2025 • 30min
Lip Liner STAY‑N and the Rise of Sacheu: Sarah Cheung’s Founder Story
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 episodeWatch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 22, 2025 • 27min
Ami Colé’s Goodbye, Urban Decay’s Gamble — and What It All Means for Beauty’s Future
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 episodeWatch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 18, 2025 • 41min
How to Look Better in Photos, According to Beauty Photographer Max Bronner
Max Bronner, a talented beauty, fashion, and editorial photographer, shares his expertise on looking great in photos. He reveals how his background in beauty retail influences his aesthetic and identifies common photo mistakes with quick fixes. Max provides insightful tips on natural lighting and flattering angles, while also sharing surprising iPhone tricks for capturing better images. With anecdotes from celebrity shoots and a discussion on the evolution of beauty photography, he offers valuable advice for anyone wanting to elevate their photography game.

Jul 15, 2025 • 25min
Retail Report: Rhode’s Sephora Era + Ulta’s Big Space NK Buy
Rhode is officially landing at Sephora — but what does that mean for other brands at the retail store? Kirbie and Sara dive into Rachel Strugatz’s report on Puck and unpack how Hailey Bieber’s buzzy brand could disrupt the Sephora ecosystem. Plus, Ulta Beauty has acquired beloved UK beauty retailer Space NK — is this the first step toward UK expansion, or a move to solidify Ulta Beauty’s luxury ambitions stateside? Tune in as we explore what’s next in the beauty retail landscape.Shop this episodeWatch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 11, 2025 • 41min
Recapping the Top Headlines of the Year, Plus Our Mid-Year Brand Winners
We’re officially halfway through 2025, so Kirbie and Sara are breaking down the biggest beauty headlines of the year so far. From Rhode’s major sale and Drunk Elephant’s decline, to Kylie Jenner getting real about her boobs and the rise of Caveman Skincare, we’re recapping it all. Plus, we’re talking sunscreen drama, Lashify lawsuits, Tarte trips, Old Lady Energy, blephs, facelifts, and the brands we think are winning 2025.Shop our episodesWatch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 8, 2025 • 32min
Our Top 6 Beauty Tips We've Learned in 6 Years of Podcasting
This week, we’re celebrating six amazing years of Gloss Angeles with six beauty lessons and tips we’ve picked up along the way. From how to sharpen your brow pencil without a sharpener to strategic powdering and drenching your face in setting spray, we’re sharing our personal game-changing tips and lessons. Plus, our incredible listeners share what they’ve learned – like powdering lashes before mascara, their favorite makeup brushes, thinking critically before buying into beauty hype, and their favorite guests. Thank you for supporting us for the past six years. We truly couldn’t do it without you. Tune in and celebrate with us!Shop this episodeWatch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 27, 2025 • 59min
From Girlfriends to Global Icon: The Beautyblender Story, As Told To Us By Founder Rea Ann Silva Herself
Hi Glams! Just general PSA that we will be taking the week off next week. See you for our anniversary on 7/8! She’s the mastermind behind one of the most revolutionary tools in beauty history: the Beautyblender. This week, we are joined by legendary makeup artist and founder Rea Ann Silva for a conversation that goes way beyond the sponge. Rea Ann takes us back to the '90s, reflecting on her experience as one of the go-to MUAs for Black actors and artists, and how that ultimately led her to create the Beautyblender while working on the set of Girlfriends. She walks us through how exactly she invented the sponge, how she grew it from set secret to global phenomenon, and why you won’t find a patent on it. Plus, Rea Ann reveals the five products she always keeps in her kit, and gives us the inside scoop on the most underrated Beautyblender product that she believes deserves way more hype.Shop Rea Ann's episode Watch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 24, 2025 • 32min
What Was Really Going on With Those Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Set Photos
This week, Kirbie and Sara are dishing on two new products they cannot stop using: Kosas’ latest mascara that somehow does it all and Colourpop’s juicy Glossy Lip Stain that delivers major shine with surprising staying power. Plus, the internet is in a tizzy over Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s hair in Ryan Murphy’s new series — is it historically inaccurate or just plain bad? We have details from Amy O'Dell and Lauren Sherman. And in breaking news: Sara has officially dragged Kirbie into the Labubu multiverse. There’s no turning back now. Shop this episode Watch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 20, 2025 • 48min
The Inimitable Isamaya Ffrench on Her Well-Rounded Beauty Career, AI, and Creating
In this episode, Sara sits down with Isamaya Ffrench, boundary-pushing makeup artist, creative director, and founder of Isamaya Beauty. She shares how it all began with painting faces at kids’ birthday parties, and the wild, wonderful road that led her to creating unforgettable looks for Rihanna and redefining the rules of beauty. From her early influences in 3D art and industrial design to the moment she finally felt “seen” in the industry, Isamaya reflects on the evolution of her artistry, her brand’s journey to Sephora, and the five products she always keeps in her kit.Shop this episodeWatch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 17, 2025 • 28min
Kylie Gets Candid, Gen Alpha Gets Irritated, and the Cowboys Cheerleaders Get the Tilbury Treatment
This week on Gloss Angeles, we’re talking about Kylie Jenner getting real about her boob job—and why we’re here for this new era of honesty from the beauty queen herself. We’re also breaking down a new study on TikTok-fueled skincare routines among teens and tweens that has us seriously concerned for Gen Alpha’s barrier health and future sun damage. Plus, we touch on the Boy Smells Citrush relaunch and the Charlotte Tilbury x Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders partnership that has us ready to do some high kicks. Shop this episodeWatch our episodes!CALL or TEXT US: 424-341-0426Instagram: @glossangelspod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanTwitter: @glossangelespod, @kirbiejohnson, @saratanEmail: glossangelespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.