As Estée Lauder announces a new CEO, Nick reminisces about his stint at the storied beauty conglomerate. Then, Annie discusses her many parallels to mom-to-be X3, Gisele Bündchen.

Nick and Annie are suspicious of a yet-to-launch beauty startup founded by finance bros, which has already raised close to $75 million. Also: the troubling new trend of pet-grooming microwaves, and Nick comes out as a Mark Zuckerberg apologist.

Rough week for half of America. Annie and Nick discuss coping mechanisms, Martha Stewart, the oily skincare fad of yore, and a posh beauty retailer’s physical future. Plus, some deliciously scented product of the weeks you WON’T want to miss.

Annie and Nick talk trad-wifing, the luxury beauty slow-down, why we love Martha Stewart, and a new, expensive, and frightening Gen-x beauty brand in a Sephora near you.

It’s better to give than to receive—unless you’re on the receiving end of one of our ‘24 gift picks. Happy shopping!

Annie and Nick talk first impressions of Victoria's Secret's return to the runway; Walgreen's house brand goes full dupe; and unveil a new weekly segment, Roses & Thorns.

Annie and Nick discuss the new Hailey Bieber launches, Naomi Campbell's latest (alleged) humanitarian misstep, and more. Plus, Nick cries real tears thanks to his Product of the Week (the excellent new film GOODRICH). And Substack is launching! Make sure to follow us and receive a free 1-month subscription.

Annie finds time in the midst of an Italian-baby-clothes shopping spree to log on with Nick to talk through the week’s top stories. They answer questions such as, Should We Feel Bad For Bernard Arnault? Did Nick Go To Sleepaway Camp With Céline’s New Artistic Director? And more…

We’re baaaaack! Annie and Nick make their triumphant return to the pod for … season 4? Topics discussed: Joe Biden in Annie’s backyard, Rare Beauty’s latest launch, docking, soaking, halal brows, and the demise of everyone’s fave MLM-in-sheep’s-clothing, Beautycounter.We missed you!

Youthforia is hiring, should one of us apply? Nick also reminds us who you should ask when seeking fiber advice, and Annie wants Reformation to reform its retail experience.Check out Nick & Annie’s Products of the Week:Metamucil Premium BlendSaatinsight Soft Watery Cream Primer

Annie and Nick welcome back to the pod an all time favorite guest, author Caroline Calloway. She shares the success of her self-published book “Scammer,” how to use anger to overcome one’s creative parasite, and what it takes to survive going viral (in a bad way). For more Caroline Calloway, check out her Website, Instagram & Tik Tok.

Apparently $350k in the first few hours is not impressive if you’re Bella Hadid. Nick also weighs in on age restrictions for beauty products, plus Annie shares her foot look for the summer. Check out Nick & Annie’s Products of the Week:Dieux Skin Air Angel Hydrating Gel CreamOPI Cosmo-Not Tonight Honey! Nail LacquerVictoria Beckham Bitten Lip Tint

Nick and Annie discuss how Hailey Bieber’s Rhode Beauty may be a victim of its own success. Plus, Kiehl’s is out at Equinox, but the non-vegan OG formula is back at Glossier.

How was your Met Gala? If we’re being honest, it was a sleeper. Annie also shares that she is an equal opportunity flirter, and Nick (hopefully) clears up any remaining Arnault/Pinault confusion. 

Orebella just launched, and we have thoughts. Plus, Youthforia’s foundation feels like a f*** you to the Euphoria generation…

Annie reminds us that not everything the Kardashians touch turns to gold. Plus, Nick can’t tell the difference between Victoria Beckham Beauty and Westman Atelier...

Ulta shares are down, but the beauty industry still carries the weight of luxury fashion on its shoulders. Nick has more bad news about microplastics, plus Annie’s instagram algorithm has become entirely evangelical christian content.

Annie and Nick talk with fashion icon turned beauty entrepreneur (and newly minted TV star) Jenna Lyons. The former president and creative director of J. Crew (she invented an entire 2000s aesthetic) speaks candidly about disentangling her identity from the preppy retailer she spent 27 years working for, her new false-eyelash venture, and the harsh reality of building a business from the ground, up (all on a HBO docuseries). Follow Jenna Lyons at @jennalyonsnyc on Instagram and shop Loveseen lashes at loveseen.com.

Annie and Nick dig into the news of the week, including Youthforia’s product development-slash-DEI hire, Glossier You’s new flanker fragrances, and the Menendez Brothers on Netflix.

Annie and Nick discuss the who, what, when, where, and why of Cassandra Grey's re-acquisition of Violet Grey; the past and future of 'content and commerce,' and more.

Annie and Nick talk going blonde in a crisis, Momtok, Bath & Body Works, and more. Plus, a huge moment for the pod: a brand partnership (and discount code EYEWITNESSBEAUTY) with friend-of-the-pod Amanda Chantal Bacon's MOONJUICE!

Annie and Nick dig into HBO’s new docuseries Chimp Crazy, Yolanda Hadid’s new personality/identity, and ask the question: was it AI bots…or publicists behind the It Ends With Us Blakedown?

Annie and Nick discuss the week’s top stories, including the launch of a new Bum Bum Cream competitor called…Twerk Créme, and more.

While Nick’s away, Annie’s got the latest(ish) news on the never-ending Blake Lively (Brown?) drama, and has been boots-on-the-ground shopping and showering in Flamingo Estate. Plus, a major turning point for the pod—a day we thought would never come. 

Annie and Nick are still processing Blake Lively’s bathroom decor, plus Charli xcx’s birthday, Pommel Horse Guy, Pole Vault D*ck, and more.

With love in their hearts, Annie and Nick dissect the launch of Blake Lively’s hair care brand, Blake Brown Beauty; plus, more top stories and products of the week.

Professional youth expert and author of the popular After School newsletter joins to talk teen fragrance flexing, the state of color cosmetics, and to finally unravel the mystery behind who is keeping Harry Styles’ Pleasing brand in business.

Subscribe to After School by Casey Lewis!

Nick expounds on his theory regarding the raw milk consumption-to-Trumper pipeline. Annie paid $50 for a stranger on the internet to Looksmaxx her. Both are fascinated by the new Dunkin’ Donuts and Crumbl deodorants.

Annie’s out of town this week, but worry not: friend of the pod, comedy writer and tinned-fish evangelist Caroline Goldfarb joins Nick to explain the cult cookie-to-cosmetics pipeline, her current beauty faves, and more.

Follow Caroline on Substack

Nick and Annie catch up after a whirlwind start to the new year. Updates on Blake Brown Beauty, Invisalign, and Annie’s product of the week is a facelift for $75.

While Nick’s away, Annie is joined by the reigning Queen of Substack, Emily Sundberg. Her newsletter, Feed Me, is the premiere ‘stack to sub for all things business and culture.

Emily was in DC for the Inauguration, and shared deets on rubbing shoulders with the children of Trump’s regime and MAGA martinis, and we talk Tiktok’s place in Meta country. Pl…

Nick’s back from Korea and chomping at the bit to talk beauty news: Violet Grey opening an **actual** NYC location, Ulta replaces a regular boss (man) with a #girlboss, Melania channeling her own inner #girlboss in her official portrait, someone let a Kardashian into the Chanel show, and Pat McGrath’s new launch is so two thousand and late.

Products of …

Nick got something new injected into his face, Britney Spears has big plans for fragrance, problematic Super Bowl happenings, Comedians in Cars Getting Gooped.

First: an enthralling discussion on Nick’s Invisalign journey.

Then: we hear from the #LEAVEGLOSSIERALONE movement as the precious brand gears up to launch a new fragrance. [link: Glossier’s New Exit Strategy via Puck News]

Also:

MAC creative director Drew Elliott (@drewpsie; formerly of Paper Magazine, “America’s Next Top Model”) leaves Lauder to go to A…

This week we discuss the darkest social media platform, LinkedIn and the LinkedIn-ification of Substack.

Plus —

Is Annie a b***h? Nick weighs in.

Coffee with your cosmetics? We question why every single brand must now open a cafe.

Sound off in the comments, let’s hear it!

Annie and Nick reunite to talk about Annie’s new company/vanity project, Kraum. Reporting in live from launch day, Nick grills Annie on how Kraum came to be. Also discussed: Nick’s clandestine project, famous people.

This episode is brought to you by Kraum, Inc.

Shop the Micro Brush Collection only at kraum.co.

Also, it’s me, Annie. I touch on this in the episode, but I want to say it here, too: thank you all for every little bit of support and encouragement on Kraum. Even as small as liking something I post, or thinking a happy thought. I have been very touched and it’s been so energizing, probably more helpful than you even realize.

That’s all for now! Send me any questions on Kraum, I love talking about it.

-Annie