Breaking Beauty Podcast

Can oily skin achieve a perfectly “dewy” glow? This week we’re re-visiting all of the rules that you thought you knew about makeup with veteran makeup artist and friend of the show, Lori Taylor Davis. Lori has helped shape Smashbox’s artistry and product development for more than two decades, counting celebrities like Sandra Bullock and Paris Hilton as past clients. Tune in as we tune up your spring makeup routine with take-note tips on contouring, snatching, glowing, mattifying and more!You’ll learn about:The evolution of “glow” according to Lori, and how it means something very different in 2026 vs 2006. Glowy! Matte! Velvet! How-to master your skin finish with the right prep and application technique, no matter what your skin type.How-to contour in 2026: the best way to snatch eyes, cheeks and jawline — with a sneak peek at Smashbox’s new Precision Contour Sticks.Cream blush over powdered blush, or powdered blush over cream blush? Turns out you can do both, depending on the benefit you need. Lori’s “rolling” application technique for covering skin texture, so that skin looks seamless in real life–especially on textured skin. For any products or links mentioned in this episode, check out our website: https://breakingbeautypodcast.com/episode-recaps/ Get social with us and let us know what you think of the episode! Find us on Instagram, Tiktok,X, Threads. Join our private Facebook group. Or give us a call and leave us a voicemail at 1-844-227-0302.   Sign up for our Substack here. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to watch our episodes!  Related episodes like this: Smashbox Cosmetics Co-Founder Davis FactorTrendless, Ageless Everyday Makeup Secrets Revealed with Look Good, Feel Good Makeup Artist Katey DennoMakeup Artist Ash K Holm on How-to Create a “Snatch-ural” Lifted Look, The Throwback Bronzer She’s Resurrecting and the Lip Combo Duo She’s Got Us Sharing in The Group Chat  PROMO CODES:  When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!   BlissyWake up with clearer skin, smoother hair and cooler sleep. Use code BREAKING for an extra 30% off at blissy.com/BREAKING. Because you’re a listener, Blissy is offering 60-nights risk-free. Your skin and hair will thank you.R+CoR+Co was founded by a collective of world-renowned hair stylists–all of their products have high-performance ingredients with modern technology. Visit randco.com and use our exclusive code BEAUTY20 at checkout for 20% off your first purchase. Qualia Life Magnesium, multiplied. 10 forms for total support. Go to https://qualialife.com/BEAUTY to get 50% off and save an extra 15% with the code BEAUTY. Quince  Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to quince.com/BREAKINGBEAUTY for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.SuaveHave you heard? Suave is now available in Canada, and we’re loving the whole lineup. Affordable deodorants with 48-hour sweat and odour protection and hydrating body washes infused with glycerin and vitamin E. Shop the full lineup and find your favourite scents for just $3.97, exclusively at Walmart.*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*  Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya
 Produced by Dear Media Studio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are officially kicking off spring with a #DamnGood episode featuring our reviews of the products making headlines right now.Listen in as we fill you in on the next-in-texture innovations, from “milk de parfum" pour-on scents to the pan-free pigments emerging from “Leaked” Labs and lip products galore! You’ll hear about:A first look at “Leaked Labs” by past guests The Lipstick Lesbians, including a review of their out-of-the-box, pan-free Flexible Powder, the debut product from their new brand that aims to bring lab-fresh formulas to the public for the first time.A deep dive into spring’s lip stain liner trend, as we compare Kulfi’s crayon stain to the marker versions we’ve seen from drugstore brands.New additions to the “quiet gourmand” fragrance trend, featuring Summer Fridays and the novel, skin-first “Mylk de Parfum” from Noyz.Esthetician Sofie Pavitt’s "acne-safe” SPF 30 — and how the label claim is changing the game for the breakout weary.The spring lip edit: We try out the blurring effect of Merit’s Signature Lip Blush, celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo’s new lip hues and the return of Bite Beauty royalty with Susanne Langmuir’s lanolin-rich, poppy lip masks from LIXR.Psst: Join Carlene on her Instagram live on March 24 at 12pm EST for more info on how-to use her signature product from Cassatt.  For any products or links mentioned in this episode, check out our website: https://breakingbeautypodcast.com/episode-recaps/ *Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*   PROMO CODES:  When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!  R+CoVisit www.randco.com and use code BEAUTY20 for 20% off your first order.QUALIA LIFEMagnesium, multiplied. 10 forms for total support. Go to https://qualialife.com/BEAUTY to get 50% off and save an extra 15% with the code BEAUTY.SUAVEMajor self-care update: Suave is now available in Canada. We’ve been loving their affordable self-care lineup, including deodorant with 48-hour sweat and odour protection and hydrating body washes made with glycerin and vitamin E. Shop the full lineup and find your favourite scents for just $3.97, exclusively at Walmart.Related episodes like this: Drop Everything: Our 2026 #DamnGood Budget Beauty (Under $30!) Guide is HereHow-To Get a #DamnGood Beauty Sleep with Guest Editor Siff Haider, Co-Host of Dream Bigger PodcastMeet Sofie Pavitt, The "IRL Face Tuner" Who’s Seriously Transforming People’s SkinGet social with us and let us know what you think of the episode! Find us on Instagram, Tiktok,X, Threads. Join our private Facebook group. Or give us a call and leave us a voicemail at 1-844-227-0302.   Sign up for our Substack here. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to watch our episodes!   Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya
 Produced by Dear Media Studio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Athena Hewett is the cool girls’ master aesthetician (she counts stylish faces like Chloe Sevigny, Sofia Coppola and Greta Lee as clients). She’s also the hands behind the glowing skin at Khaite and Victoria Beckham’s (!!) A/W 2026 runway shows. Plus the San Francisco-based facialist holds artist-in-residences at the iconic Hotel Chelsea in Manhattan and most recently, with a limited pop-up at Vie Projects Gallery during Paris fashion week, in collaboration with the iconic Dover Street Market Parfums Market.Listen in as Athena reveals all of her quiet luxury secrets, like her unique breakout-busting philosophy that involves a skincare diet of nothing but face oils, her innovative pimple extraction technique that promises to reduce skin damage, along with details on how as a skincare formulator, she chooses ingredients for her small-batch botanical skincare range, Monastery.You’ll discover:How Athena’s creative collaboration with the Coppola Hideaways came to be (and yes, it’s as special as it sounds)How the facialist preps skin for the runway vs red carpet – and the lessons we can borrow at homeHow her skin “reset” philosophy for acne sufferers is totally different than standard approaches– and why she swears you’ll see results on her face oil-based planWhy salicylic acid and tea tree oil are big time no-no ingredients for acne-prone skin, according to the master estheticianThe differences between carrier oils vs essential oils, and when Athena says you should use eachWhy Athena believes you don’t need blue light to treat breakouts, but powerful “burgundy” light therapy to help calm skin insteadFor any products or links mentioned in this episode, check out our website: https://breakingbeautypodcast.com/episode-recaps/  Related episodes like this: Skincare Guru May Lindstrom: From Living in Her Car to Creating a Cult-Favourite “Blue Cocoon” Balm Celebrity Facialist Lord Gavin McLeod-Valentine Reveals His Top #Skincare Secrets! #beautytipsCeleb Esthetician Candace Marino (The LA Facialist) Spills Her Secrets on How To Get #RadiantAF Skin PROMO CODES:  When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!   Jones Road BeautyFor a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE Shimmer Face Oil on their first purchase when they use code BEAUTY at checkout. Just head to JonesRoadBeauty.com and use code BEAUTY at checkout. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them our show sent you. Qualia Life Magnesium, multiplied. 10 forms for total support. Go to https://qualialife.com/BEAUTY to get 50% off and save an extra 15% with the code BEAUTY. Timeline NutritionDon’t let another year go by feeling less than your best. Grab 30% off your first month of Timeline Mitopure Gummies at timeline.com/beauty while the offer lasts. QuinceDon't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to quince.com/BREAKINGBEAUTY for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada too.Get social with us and let us know what you think of the episode! Find us on Instagram, Tiktok,X, Threads. Join our private Facebook group. Or give us a call and leave us a voicemail at 1-844-227-0302.  Sign up for our Substack here. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to watch our episodes!   *Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*  Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya
 Produced by Dear Media Studio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy International Women’s Day! Welcome to this very special bonus episode in partnership with our friends at amika. Today we’re coming at you LIVE from the brand’s Brooklyn HQ to chat with the two of the women behind one of the most successful growth stories in modern beauty: amika CEO Chelsea Riggs and Director of Diversity, Equity and Impact, Gianne L. Doherty. In an industry that often feels cut-throat and transactional, amika has spent 15 years proving that being a “friend to all” is actually the ultimate business strategy. Tune in as we discuss: Why amika’s philosophy of “rising tides raise all ships” is the blueprint for the next generation of female founders via amika’s Rooted in Growth initiative. Nice guys don’t finish last? How staying true to core values – like B-Corp certification and net-zero goals gives amika a competitive edge.Gianne shares how amika moves beyond buzzwords to embed equity into their R&D and product testing for every hair texture and identity.Scoop alert! We get a sneak peek of their by-popular demand bodycare collection drop that’s in partnership with Forested, a women-led organization that supports both people and the planet through climate-positive, community-centered farming practices. Chelsea explains the internal culture of “radical candor” that helps make amika a “Great Place to Work” for three years runningPssst! In honour of Women’s Day and for a limited time only, get 20% off all amika products using code BreakingBeauty20 on loveamika.com from March 8th to March 15th 2026. And for any products or links mentioned in this episode, check out our website: https://breakingbeautypodcast.com/episode-recaps/ Related episodes like this: The Backstory Behind The #1 Ranked Hair Care Brand at Sephora with Amika CEO Chelsea RiggsSaie Founder Laney Crowell on the Brand’s Cool Girl SecretsLive Podcast! Dupe Culture, Wellness Musts, Skincare That Makes a Difference and *The* Colour of The Year With Jenny Bird & Laney Crowell Get social with us and let us know what you think of the episode! Find us on Instagram, Tiktok,X, Threads. Join our private Facebook group. Or give us a call and leave us a voicemail at 1-844-227-0302.   Sign up for our Substack here. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to watch our episodes!  *Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*  Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya
 Produced by Dear Media Studio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lili Reinhart – actress, producer and newly-minted beauty entrepreneur – joins us this week! Best known for her role as Betty in Riverdale as well as her scene-stealing turn in Hustlers. In 2024, Lili added beauty founder to her resume with the launch of her acne-friendly skincare line, Personal Day. Tune in as Lili shares how she learned to care for her acne-prone skin – and why she felt that the time was right to become a beauty founder in the sea of celeb launches. Plus, Lili tells us how she manages to keep her mental health in check - from becoming a Reiki master to exploring neuroplasticity along with hints on her campy turn in the witchy female-ensemble film, Forbidden Fruits, debuting at SXSW this month.Tune in to hear about: How Lili uses Personal Day’s viral hit products, the Unplug Blackhead-Melting Nose Strips and the “Trust Me on This” Hypochlorous Acid Spray, in her own routine – and the one product that she loves to test-drive on her actor boyfriend, Jack HughesLili’s exact fave eye shadows, foundations and lippies in her makeup bag right nowHow Lili is still learning to make peace with her hair, and the products she trusts to care for alopeciaHow Lili is using her role as producer to mentor up-and-coming talents, like co-star Lola TungStay tuned to the end for a fun game of “Forbidden or Fruit” - inspired Lili’s latest film - where the actress shares her dos and don’ts in fashion and beautyPsst! If you’d like to try Personal Day yourself, including the new Personal Day Soft Slip Priming Milk, use code BREAKING15 at personalday.com for 15% off.For any products or links mentioned in this episode, check out our website: https://breakingbeautypodcast.com/episode-recaps/ Get social with us and let us know what you think of the episode! Find us on Instagram, Tiktok,X, Threads. Join our private Facebook group. Or give us a call and leave us a voicemail at 1-844-227-0302. Sign up for our Substack here. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to watch our episodes!   Related episodes like this: Kate Hudson’s Secrets To Glowing From The Inside OutHailey Bieber on What She’ll Glaze Next, Nail Secrets and The One Thing That No One Knows About HerThe Top Hair Colour Trends With Celebrity Hair Colourist Matt Rez PROMO CODES:  When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast!  R & CoR+Co was founded by a collective of world-renowned hair stylists - all of their products have high-performance ingredients with modern technology. Visit randco.com and use our exclusive code BEAUTY20 at checkout for 20% off your first purchase. Merit Merit is a minimalist beauty brand that makes elevated makeup and skincare designed to help you look put together in minutes. Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag FREE with your first order at meritbeauty.com.Nutrafol Let your hair be one less thing to worry about. See visibly thicker, stronger, faster growing hair in 3–6 months with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and enter promo code BREAKING Sephora Sephora has quality skincare for every skin type, and knowledgeable Beauty Advisors who you can trust for recommendations. You’ll find top brands like Summer Fridays, Rhode, Laneige and Caudalie. Shop Skincare at Sephora!  *Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.*  Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya
 Produced by Dear Media Studio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Jeni Thomas, Global Principal Scientist at Pantene and hair-science expert, explains scalp oxidative stress, shedding vs breakage, and why affordable drugstore formulas can deliver lab-grade results. She covers root-anchoring strategies, antioxidant-driven routines, washing myths, and how new tools like AI phototrichograms advance hair research.

Ramón Pagán, NYC cosmetic chemist, product developer and aesthetician behind Glow by Ramón, breaks down how chemists read ingredient lists and what really makes products pricey. He debunks alcohol myths, explains actives versus functionals, and dives into sunscreen science, biotech ingredients, and formulation tradeoffs. Expect quick takes on upcycling, pigment challenges, and his save-or-splurge product picks.

They hunt for high-performing beauty buys under $30, from a $13 micro-emulsion moisturizer to a $12 red lip treat spotted on the Grammys. Viral K-beauty “pudding” and mousse blushes get a road-test alongside soft-matte foundation and a whipped cheek-and-lip mousse. Drugstore fragrances and $5 concealer steals round out the recession-proof roster.

Dr. David Kim, a Stanford- and Columbia-trained board-certified dermatologist who blends Korean aesthetics with Western dermatology and founded Lightsaver, dives into K‑Beauty must-knows. He unpacks PDRN salmon sperm treatments, oral tranexamic acid for melasma, spicules versus microneedling, Pico lasers for texture, non-surgical lifting tech, and the K‑Beauty layering rituals worth trying.

Dr. Michael Apa, a cosmetic dentist who pioneered Facial Aesthetic Design and crafts celebrity smiles, shares practical teeth tips. He covers veneers basics, when to choose Invisalign or braces, how cosmetic treatments like fillers affect smile design, and why rapid weight loss can change timing for makeovers. He also offers budget-friendly glow-ups and lists common dental no-nos.