Ep. 73: A Minute To Obsess

Original cool teen and 80s movie legend Molly Ringwald came to the studio this week to discuss red heads (natural and dyed), her new role as Mary Andrews on CW's Riverdale, and the meaning behind feeling pretty. 

Also in this episode: Jess reveals the details of Pat McGrath's biggest collection yet. Jenn and Jess discuss the reasons your long hair keeps breaking and lament over the struggles (have you ever gotten your hair stuck under a shoulder strap?). Plus, they both discuss Allure banning the term "anti-aging" from its lexicon.

Below are the products and brands we talk about on the show. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or just want to say hey, email us at info@fatmascara.com or follow us on Instagram or Twitter.

Allure Magazine No More Anti-Aging Announcement
Pat McGrath Unlimited Collection
James Corbett
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Mask
Gabrielle Fishman
Getting the Pretty Back: Friendship, Family, and Finding the Perfect Lipstick
ALKIMme Vitamin C
ALKIMme Rose Oil
EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41
Glossier Cloud Paint
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Worth Je Reviens For Women
Carthusia Corallium
Nest Fragrances Sicilian Tangerine
Nest Fragrances Lemongrass and Ginger
Clarisonic Pedi Sonic Foot Transformation System

#RaiseAWand
Diamancel Callous Rasp
R+Co Sail Soft Wave Spray

Ep. 72: I'm Like A Truffle Pig

We're feeling feisty this week—and we apologize in advance for any weird vibes we're spewing on the episode! But, it's still an amazing show (duh) with a fabulous guest, Linda Rodin. We chat with her about face oils and fashion and get real about underrepresentation of mature women in the beauty world. But first, at the top of the show, we salute Helen Mirren for being a believable beauty spokesperson (read her recent comments about L'Oréal Paris moisturizers here) and give kudos to L'Oréal Paris for standing by her. There's also a discussion of eye cream: Do you really need it? And we talk about body-washing strategies to try and determine whether a bar or body wash is better—and which is the least icky in terms of bacteria growth.

Below are the products and brands we talk about on the show. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or want to say hey, email us at info@fatmascara.com or follow us on Instagram or Twitter.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect
Yankee Candles
Avon Instinct Fragrance
Nudu eye cream (Raised a wand on Ep. 69)
Olay Illuminating Eye Cream
Rodin Olio Lusso face oil
Maybelline Mascara
Rodin Original Jasmine Neroli Face Oil
Rodin Rodin Perfume
Rodin Bis Perfume
Rodin 3 Perfume
Rodin Lavender Face Oil
Rodin Geranium Orange Blossom Face Oil
Levi’s 501 Jeans
Zara Ballet Flats
Gap Ballet Flats
Colgate Toothpaste
Shimmer Lights Clairol Purple Shampoo

#RaiseAWand
Chair Massages
Saints and Sinners Velvet Divine Hair Mask
 

Everyone needs to Chill Out

I've probably pinned, saved, and ripped out enough DIY beauty recipes to make my own book, but up until recently, I actually only made one in real life. Why? Because the idea of using my precious hours to scavenge all the ingredients was just too much to bear. But once I started using AmazonFresh, I was able to order everything so quickly and have it delivered directly my door. It’s grocery shopping made way easier. Now I actually have time to make homemade beauty recipes—and to relax and enjoy them.

On that note, we have one last recipe we want to share: This lavender and chamomile bath soak, which feels just right for these dogs days of summer, when everyone is hot and cranky. The powdered goat’s milk has moisturizing, skin-softening fats and proteins (it’s hard to find at grocery stores, but AmazonFresh always has it in stock), and lavender and chamomile add relaxing aromatherapy benefits as well as some antioxidants. If you're smart, keep the bath warm, but not hot so you don't dry out your skin. —Jess

Chillax Bath
¼ cup Meyenberg Whole Powdered Goat Milk*
2 tbsp Tiesta Tea Relaxer Lavender Chamomile Loose Leaf Tea
1 unbleached coffee filter or an organza or cotton sachet bag, like this

Scoop the ingredients into the center of a coffee filter and tie it off with a piece of string, or—even easier—place them in an organza or ctoon sachet bag. Drop the sachet in a warm, running bath. (You could just dump the ingredients in the bath, but then you’ll be covered in little pieces of tea stuff—not cute.) Soak for about 15 minutes, dry off, put on some grownup pajamas—I like the ones from Liberty of London (listen to Episode 48 for more details)—and get into bed for some beauty sleep.

*Use common sense: If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, don’t try the recipe. And if you’re unsure how your skin might react, do a patch test first.

Thanks to AmazonFresh for sponsoring this post!

Ep. 70: Drunk Tank Pink

This week, we brought in positive psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman of Positive Prescription to discuss her expert opinion on how social media can drain our self-esteem through unrealistic expectations, how small moments throughout the day, such as smiling at your barista, can impact your mood, and how beauty plays a role in confidence.

Before that, Jess and Jenn get into whether beauty brands should be political or not, especially if their main goal is to sell product. Jenn gives Jess a little test in order to (sort of) prove whether drinking lots of water can actually improve your skin moisture, and finally, in honor of National Cleanser Week, Jenn and Jess discuss the importance of cleansing and promise a CeraVe package worth $37.64 to 50 listeners who send in their name and address to info@fatmascara.com. Hurry, it's not too late to win!

Below are the products and brands we talk about on the show. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or want to say hey, email us at info@fatmascara.com or follow us on Instagram or Twitter.

Mona Gohara
Being by Sanctuary
Kat Von D Contest
Pond's Cold Cream
CeraVe makeup removing cleanser clothes
CeraVe cleansing bar
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Facial Cleanser
Positive Prescription by Samantha Boardman
Biologique Recherche
Aquaphor
Aesop
5% Rogaine Mousse
Tom Ford Neroli

#RaiseAWand
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre Lip Gloss in Seduction
Wonderskin Skin Perfected Body Foundation

Ep. 71: Mass-pirational

This week, serial beauty entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore joined us in the studio to talk about her newest company Beauty Pie, her most democratic, for-the-customer brand yet. After having major success with her past brands Bliss, Soap and Glory, and Soaper Duper (which she still owns btw), she created Beauty Pie to give customers factory prices (like $2.12 for mascara!) but retail quality for only a $10 monthly membership. Marcia gives us her tips for success, her vision behind Beauty Pie, and of course, how she actually made the genius idea work.

Before that, Jenn gives her reasoning behind why she doesn't wear eye-shadow. They give their best beauty editor tips to Pat McGrath, newest beauty editor-at-large for British Vogue, and finally, the discuss whether hair makeup is worth trying.

Below is the crazy amount of  products and people we mention during the show. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or comments (a nice hello is always appreciated!) on Twitter, Instagram, or directly: info@fatmascara.com.

Benefit Lemon Aid Eye Primer
Urban Decay Eye Primer
Trish Mcevoy Eye Base Essentials
Urban Decay Naked Palette
Urban Decay Naked Heat
Bobbi Brown Nude on Nude Eyeshadow Palette
Charlotte Tillbury The Sophisticate
CoverGirl Tru Naked Eyeshadow Palette
Dior Inflame Eye Palette
Clairol Hair Makeup
Dominique Moceanu
Bonne Bell Lip Smackers in Strawberry
Noxzema Classic Clean Original Deep Cleansing Cream
Bliss Spa
Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit
Bliss Lemon + Sage Soapy Suds
Soap and Glory
The Originals by Adam Grant
Beauty Pie
Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream
Beauty Pie Pro-Glow Highlighter
FitFlop
Soaper Duper
Kerastase Shampoo
Beauty Pie Uber Volume-Boost Mascara
Beauty Pie Flash False Lash Mascara
Beauty Pie Plantastic Micropeeling Super Drops
Beauty Pie Fruitizyme Five Minute Facial
Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream
Hermès Eau De Mandarine Ambrée
Byredo Pulp Eau De Parfum 

#RaiseAWand
Lime Crime Pop On Nails
Oribe Glaze for Beautiful Color

The One Spa Service You Should Definitely Skip

This week, we're making body scrub. Why? Because as much as we love fancy spas for a good facial or massage, we’re not that into those expensive, full-body exfoliating treatment; that is something we can absolutely do for ourselves with an at-home recipe like the one below. That said, we don't want to go to the grocery store to gather up the ingredients because we're busy women with only so many free hours in the day. Enter AmazonFresh. You just log on, click to order your fresh produce and groceries (or, ahem, at-home beauty recipe ingredients), then it all appears at your doorstep, perfectly prop styled like the picture above. (Just kidding! Although everything does come in a kicky green tote.) 

Here’s why we love this partiular recipe: The scrub features lemon, which has natural skin-softening acids, and sugar, which acts as a manual exfoliant. FYI: Getting the turbinado sugar is important, because the texture is better for scrubbing than refined white sugar. It can be hard to find in grocery stores, but AmazonFresh has several varieties (we link to our favorite below). The last ingredient is hydrating sunflower oil, which brings it all together without being too slippery. The finished product is so natural, you could even eat it (Jess actually did; see below).  —Jenn & Jess

Skip-The-Spa Body Scrub
1 cup raw turbinado sugar*
one lemon
2 tbsp. organic sunflower oil
1 jar with latch lid (Amazon sells a Topwel plastic version, which is better for the shower than glass jars)

Place the sugar in the jar, then zest the lemon directly into the sugar. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze one half of its juice into the mixture. Add in the oil and mix well. Hop in the shower and wash as usual, then turn off the water, scoop out some of your DIY scrub, and take your time rubbing it all over, concentrating on rough spots like heels, elbows, and knees. Once you’re done, rinse and pat your skin dry. Save any leftover scrub in the jar for next time.

*Use common sense: If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, don’t try the recipe. And if you’re unsure how your skin or hair might react, do a patch test first.

Thanks to AmazonFresh for sponsoring this post!

Ep 69: Pat, don't rub

This week, we chat with beauty legend Jean Godfrey June, beauty director of Goop. Her career encompasses everything from starting out by sending in full stories (NOT pitches!) to the world's biggest fashion magazines, running Lucky’s (RIP) beauty team, and now being Gwyneth Paltrow’s reigning beauty authority at Goop. 

Before that, Jess and Jenn share NYC subway nightmares, explore why so many people think mineral oil is bad for you, and last, weigh in on whether or not pre-shampoo is a color savior or just plain superfluous.

As always check out the list of products we mention, and don’t be afraid to leave comments and questions below or hit us up on Twitter, Instagram, or directly: info@fatmascara.com.

Dr. Ranella Hirsch
Oribe (pre-shampoo not released yet)
VO5 Hot Oil Treatment
Leonor Greyl Paris L'Huile De Leonor Greyl
R+Co Palm Springs Pre-Shampoo Treatment Masque
Christophe Robin Moisturizing Hair Oil with Lavender
Living Proof Timeless Pre‑Shampoo Treatment
Alterna Caviar Moisture Intense Oil Creme Pre Shampoo Treatment
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Pre Shampoo
Free Gift with Purchase: My Improbable Career in Magazines and Makeup by Jean Godfrey-June
Ursa Major Force Field Daily Defense Lotion with SPF 18 
Naturopathica Daily UV Defense Cream SPF 50
Naturopathica Lavender Protective Moisturizer SPF 17
Goop Eau De Parfum: Edition 02 Shiso
Goop Eau De Parfum: Edition 01 Winter
Schmidt's Deodorant, Bergamot + Lime
de Mamiel Summer Facial Oil
Fur Stubble Cream
Fur Fur Oil
Sun Potion Organic Ashwagandha Root Extract
Amanda Chantal Bacon Moon Juice
Nature Made, Vitamin D3 2,000 I.U. Liquid Softgels
RMS Beauty Cover-Up Concealer Makeup
True Botanicals Shampoo
True Botanicals Conditioner
Lavett and Chin Leave in Conditioner
Rahua Conditioner 
Reverie Nude Conditioner 
Olio E Osso Balm in French Melon 
Beautycounter Dew Skin 
Juice Beauty Natural Mascara 

#RaiseAWand
Nudu Natural Beauty Eye Cream 
Urban Decay Naked Skin Shapeshifter‎

Ep 68: 12 Years to Make It

Um, paging Martin Scorcese! Harry Josh's story is made for the movies: It's full of ups and downs, gritty and exotic locales, and mega-celebs, and amazing clothes. Settle in and get ready for an exciting story plus a bit of free life advice.

Before that: We discuss the tricky world of wedding hair. Jenn shares her distaste for giant top knots with hair donuts, while Jess fathoms what her wedding hair will be in less than a year. Both also discuss and why it’s a big beauty no-no to wear a winter fragrance in the summer. There’s a difference, people!

Below are all the people and products we talk about. If you have any questions or comments about Harry’s past, summer fragrances or wedding hair, please hit us up in the comment section or message us on Twitter, Instagram, and info@fatmascara.com.

Dior Poison Fragrance
Acqua di Parma Eau de Colonia Eau de Cologne
Jo Malone Grapefruit
Jo Loves Pomelo
Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue
D.S. and Durga El Cosmico
Katie Mossman
Amy Astley
Aveda Thickening Tonic
John Frieda Mousse
John Frieda Luxurious Volume
Harry Josh Pro Tools
Adir Abergel x Lelet NY accessories
Aveda Invati
Clairol Shimmer Lights
Christophe Robin Shampoo
Christophe Robin Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt
RMS
Dr. Barbara Sturm Eye Cream
Dr. Barbara Sturm Blood Cream
Dr. Barbara Sturm Scrub
Christine Chin Eye Cream and Facials
SK-II Masks
Frederic Malle Bois d’Orage
Diptyque Baies Candle
Diptyque Mousses Candle
Pop Fashion Podcast

#RaiseAWand
Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Skin Liquid Lighting Highlighter
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Paints Metallic Galactic Foil

Your Weekend Plan: DIY Beauty Treatments!

I am all about cooking and crafting, but what I’m not about is grocery shopping; it’s like a competitive sport in my crowded Brooklyn neighborhood. Plus, I’ve yet to find one store that sells everything I need, so I inevitably run around to multiple places and then lug home a bunch of different bags, praying they don’t break and spill my stuff all over the street. But once I started using AmazonFresh, everything changed. I log in and order what I need in minutes—I usually do it on my phone while commuting to the office (multitasking!)—and then it’s all there the next day, waiting for me. And that means I can spend more time on the important things, like DIY beautification (see above) and scaring the bejeesus out of Jess's cat with our AmazonFresh resuable green tote acrobatics (see below).

Anywaaaay, one of my favorite at-home treatments to do is the hair mask recipe below; it works for anyone with combination hair—which is, uh, pretty much everyone (listen to Episode 37). The banana and green tea add shine, while the coconut oil is crazy-hydrating. One thing to note: AmazonFresh produce always arrives fresh and ripe for eating. Even though you can use the banana right from the AmazonFresh tote, I find it works better to leave one of the bunch to sit out a few days and soften for use in this recipe. Have fun making your mask, and check the blog next week for one of Jess's favorite recipes. —Jenn

Dry Ends Hair Mask
½ an ripe banana*
1 tsp Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
½ - 1 tbsp. Unsweetened Organic Green Tea
Puree the banana and coconut oil together in a blender (or mash by hand using a fork). Mix in enough green tea to thin the mixture slightly so it has the consistency of a hair mask. Distribute the mixture throughout the bottom half of dry, unwashed hair. Wrap your whole head in a warm, damp towel for 10 minutes. Unwrap, rinse the mask out with warm water, then shampoo and condition as usual.

*Use common sense: If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, don’t try the recipe. And if you’re unsure how your skin or hair might react, do a patch test first.

Thanks to AmazonFresh for sponsoring this post!

Ep 67: Dew Drop Puffy Cream

Jess flies solo this week (and misses jet-setting Jenn every second!) for her interview with dermatologist and wellness expert Dr. Murad. His expert advice is quite unique; has anyone ever told you to eat your water and your sunscreen before? Jess and the Doc even get deep, talking about the cultural stress and digital dependency in our society and his methods to combat the effects of it. Oh, and Dr. Murad says cellulite is totally normal, just in case you were worried.

Also in this episode: Jenn recaps her smashing trip to Nexxus’s Manchester hair lab this past week. Nexxus Global Creative Director Kevin Mancuso chopped off 200 of her hairs and sent them overseas, only for Jenn to find out weirdly specific, yet very interesting things about her hair, like her hair seeps protein at the tips —because every woman should know that about her hair, duh! Then Jess addresses Nars’s feather-ruffling Instagram about animal testing. Finally, we discuss the best products for shaving your legs. Jess prefers a puffy cream but will use anything that does not leave a rust ring, while Jenn is into shaving oil right now.

As mentioned in the episode, let us know what shaving products you use (bonus points if you include a picture of your bathroom), and while you're at it, maybe throw in a comment or two about the episode. Leave us a note below or hit us up on Twitter, Instagram, or directly: info@fatmascara.com.

Here's a list of the products/organizations/books/etc we mentioned. 

Products:

Nexxus Salon
Tree Hut Bare Moisturizing Shave Oil
Barbasol Original Shave Cream
EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream
Skintimate Skin Therapy Shave Gel
Avon Skin So Soft Fresh & Smooth Moisturizing Shave Oil
Conquering Cultural Stress: The Ultimate Guide to Anti-Aging and Happiness by Dr. Murad
Dr. Murad’s Insights App
Murad Face Defense Moisturizer
Murad City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturizer
Information about Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) *NOTE: Nars Cosmetics has partnered with them
Information about Leaping Bunny
Kat Von D

#RaiseAWand
The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter
Vinho Verde Ouro Verde Wine