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.

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. 

Annie and Nick talk with former beauty editor and current host of the podcast Unholier Than Thou Phillip Picardi about a controversy in the skincare community surrounding Krave Beauty and the chosen church of its influencer-founder, Liah Yoo.

Plus, Annie and Nick discuss electrolyte drinks, The Carlyle Group, and more.

Annie and Nick talk with celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton and industry vet, ColorWow founder Gail Federici about revitalizing the "dusty" (Nick's word) hair category, hairstylists-as-celebrities, plus their new product collab, a hair mask called "Money" and their impressive roots (Federici invented John Freida's Frizz-Ease & Sheer Blonde lines). 

Annie and Nick get into the week’s biggest stories, including Cardi B’s hair care aspirations and new facets to NYC’s weed legalization legislation. Plus, and perhaps most importantly, they speak with writer, comedian, and bald expert Julius Sharpe to get insights and honest reactions to Prince William being named Sexiest Bald Man in the World.

Nick rides solo in an interview with quarantine’s favorite fitness instructor, Peloton’s Cody Rigsby. They talk Cody fan TikTok accounts, teaching in relative obscurity before he started getting 25,000 cyclists tuning into his "#FreeBritney" and "Xoxo, Cody" rides, what goes on behind the scenes of a Peloton production, and how he keeps up appearances, inside and out.
Plus! Top stories and products of the week!

By popular request: Annie and Nick are back with another Q+A episode. Your most pressing makeup, skincare, and ADHD questions, answered. In under one hour.

This week, Annie talks with Instagram’s favorite makeup artist, Katie Jane Hughes. Annie and the Brooklyn-based Hughes reminisce about working together over the years, their holy grail products, plus we get the scoop on Katie’s own brand launch... And of course we have the week's biggest beauty news and a very special Product of the Week from our own Alisha Bansal.

Products:

The Snoo Smart Sleeper Bassinet by Happiest Baby: https://bit.ly/3teJFJT

Hyper Skin Vitamin C Serum: https://bit.ly/38A2Xl4

Annie and Nick are back this week, discussing the abrupt closure of Becca Cosmetics, an attempted Latin-inspired rebrand of KVD Beauty (post-Kat Von D), and Estée Lauder’s big-deal acquisition of Deciem, the parent company of TikTok famous clinical brand The Ordinary. Plus, Nick talks about being a daddy (zaddy?) and we have a Creme de la Mer dupe thanks to a reader-submitted Product of the Week!

Products:

Just For Men Control GX Light Shade Shampoo: https://bit.ly/3qkR08W
Typology Organic Jojoba Oil: https://bit.ly/3rlzJOd
Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream: https://bit.ly/3c8pzKr

Annie and Nick talk with beauty pioneer and industry rabble-rouser Paula Begoun, the founder of the cult skincare brand Paula's Choice and the product review database Beautypedia. They discuss Begoun's decision to launch a skincare brand on the internet in 1995; her ingredient research process; and why no one should pay more than $100 dollars for anything they put on their face (injectables are another story...). Plus, Annie and Nick make Begoun play a few rounds of their favorite either-or-game, Paula's Choice.

Allure Editor in Chief Michelle Lee joins Annie and Nick to talk shop: too many brands, the future of beauty tech, and how she gave everyone at the Conde Nast title a new role when she started in 2015. But first, QAnon vs. Sephora, and Ulta curves the 15 Percent Pledge. 

Annie and Nick talk with Chanel Makeup Artist & Groomer Tasha Reiko Brown about her early days, doing graffiti in NYC and assisting Pat McGrath, and ultimately hitting it big in Los Angeles as the go-to men's groomer for rock stars and Michael B. Jordan (and scoring a Chanel contract).

Plus, products of the week!

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

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). Plus, Annie and Nick dig into the inauguration glam, Kylie Jenner's confusingly low shower water pressure, and more. Plus, the first reader-submitted product of the week!

Follow Jenna Lyons at @jennalyonsnyc on Instagram. 

Shop Loveseen lashes at loveseen.com.

Watch her HBO Max series, Stylish With Jenna Lyons, wherever you take your streaming content.

Products:

Renée Rouleau Anti Bump Solution: http://bit.ly/2MeiVJn

Holifrog Sunopee Sacred-C Brightening Powder Wash: https://bit.ly/2KCOegt

Cetaphil Pro Dry Skin Soothing Wash: https://amzn.to/3o4MABJ

Annie and Nick keep it Top Stories-only this week, covering all the topics we missed over the holidays, from Korean skincare brand Purito's SPF scandal to COVID party-shaming (or is it accountability?) to the FTC's rejection of Billie razors' Proctor & Gamble acquisition to the results of Sephora's "Racial Bias in Retail" study. And so much more. Plus, Nick discovers he has more than a beauty-fixation in common with J*free St*r... 

Products:

Purelift Face Non-Invasive Face Lift: https://bit.ly/2LAmARx

Burlap & Barrel Ground Black Lime: https://bit.ly/3sqRH2H

P.S.: Make sure to DM @eyewitnessbeauty with your Products of the Week for a chance to be featured on a future episode!

AKA the best holiday gift guide ever. Annie and Nick take 50+ reader-submitted questions about the hard-to-please people in their lives. Toughies such as: what to buy your father and his new family? Your snobby step-mother? Your hypebeast brother who buys everything he wants himself? Your boss who always says you remind her of herself when she was your age....

For a list of products mentioned (and links), check out our *just launched*  website EYEWITNESSBEAUTY.COM (link here)! 

(Shoutout to Brie Hawkins (https://briannahawkins.com/) for the killer design and execution.)

Annie and Nick dive into the week's top stories, including Sephora's new 10-year partnership with Kohl's, JLo's skincare line, a rebrand the world didn't ask for, and more. Plus, Nick explains the intricacies of baby diaper changing and Annie reveals her go-to skin-evening concealer palette.

And make sure to DM us on Instagram @eyewitnessbeauty with your gift-giving quandaries. We'll find something for everyone. Next week is our 2020 finale gift guide episode!!!!!

Annie and Nick invite Glowing Up hosts Esther Povitsky and Caroline Goldfarb to weigh in on the top stories of the week. Hilarity ensues. Not to be missed!

Subscribe to Glowing Up on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3lPWbN1

Follow Caroline on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/porkchop.biz/

Follow Esther on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esthermonster/

Follow Sleepover by Esther: https://www.instagram.com/sleepoverbyesther/

Follow Fishwife: https://www.instagram.com/fishwife/

Annie and Nick talk with actor, writer, podcaster, and overall ray of light Clark Moore (Love Simon, My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Soul Balm podcast) about black and queer representation in movies and TV,  his own path from Dartmouth College to Hollywood, and the pretty simple skin and hair routine he's honed over the years. Plus, Annie and Nick call the celebrity 'creative director' trend  beauty (Emrata, Dakota Johnson, Jennifer Aniston all have new titles!), try to understand Revlon's ongoing issues, and find the absolute best eyebrow tweezers (that are actually sold at your local Joann's Fabric).
 
Subscribe to Clark's pod Soul Balm: https://apple.co/3nISwkh

Follow Clark on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrclarkmoore/

PRODUCTS

Diptyque Eau Capitale: https://bit.ly/3nMjOq3

Dritz Quilting Tweezers: https://amzn.to/36TN9Ie

Annie and Nick are together (in the same room) and taking all of your wonderful and sometimes random questions, in a very special episode of Eyewitness Beauty.

Annie and Nick catch up with friend and Moon Juice founder Amanda Chantal Bacon about discovering skincare in her 30s (P50 was her gateway drug) and the future of the wellness industry. Plus, top stories and products of the week!

Annie and Nick talk with Frank Voelkl, the nose behind some of today's most ICONIC fragrances (Santal 33, Paris Hilton's Dazzle, Glossier You) about his formula for success, what your scent preferences say about you, and the fragrance-in-skincare debate. Plus! It's a slow news week in the beauty industry but that doesn't stop Annie and Nick from breaking down the stories of the week and just generally having a chill time.

Annie and Nick talk with the one and only Ben Gorham, professional basketball player turned perfumer and founder of Byredo, the cult fragrance brand that now makes candles, handbags, leather accessories, sunglasses, and as of this month, color cosmetics. They talk about the challenge of selling smells on the internet, maintaining brand relevance, and making makeup with Isamaya Ffrench. Plus, Nick worries about BLACKPINK and Annie has a new addiction...

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...

Annie and Nick talk with community psychiatrist Dr. Jessica Isom, MD, MPH about the ways in which the COVID-19 crisis and anti-Blackness are manifesting as trauma in the Black community--and the beauty industry's role. Plus, Annie and Nick discuss Ben Gorham x Ikea, cute hiking outfits, Amazon's 11-hour shoppable livestream (which we couldn't find?), and good ol' fashion Crest 3D Whitestrips.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

https://www.beam.community/
https://communityhealingnet.org/emotional-emancipation-circle/
https://blackmentalhealth.com/

Find Dr. Isom on Twitter: @drjessisommdmph

PRODUCTS

Crest 3D Whitestrips: https://bit.ly/3dwHqLg

Amika Heist Molding Blend: https://bit.ly/2Fzwv6Y

Salomon Hiking Boots: https://bit.ly/2SXwsoK

Annie and Nick talk beauty techniques and trends with Kim Kardashian West's makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic aka @makeupbymario. They chat about his personal and professional development, his wildly successful Master Class, why he always starts with the eyes, and of course, his new makeup collection, Makeup by Mario (out now at Sephora). Plus, Annie and Nick explore the...chewy science behind gummy vitamins, Selena Gomez's #StigmaFree pledge, and shout-out the only concealer brush Annie will shell out $40 for.

LINKS

Makeup by Mario collection: https://bit.ly/3iKKioV

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream: https://bit.ly/36NskzA

Agustinus Bader The Cream: https://bit.ly/3ddj8G1

Annie's Favorite Concealer Brush: https://bit.ly/33KsVjJ

Nick's Tie-Dye Face Masks: https://bit.ly/33KlsRK

"Consumption junction, so we're fucked, then?"

Annie and Nick nerd out about beauty packaging with consumer-product engineer Lucas Lappe of Doris Dev, the NYC- and Hong Kong-based product development firm. They chat about the current landscape of sustainable options in both packaging and operations. It's way less scary, and much more interesting, than it may sound. Plus, Annie and Nick flip the script and start with their products of the week and try to make sense of $128,000 photo-op Estée Lauder is producing with NASA. Advanced Night Repair...in space!

LINKS

Byredo Mascara in Space Black: https://bit.ly/34iChlP

Motivational 1 Gallon Water Bottle: https://amzn.to/2GbJxIo

Learn more about Doris Dev at https://www.doris.dev/

Annie and Nick talk with BuzzFeed News international correspondent Megha Rajagopalan about the controversial marketing of skin-lightening products in Asia and Africa by global beauty corporations (the same ones that expressed social-media solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement). Rajagopalan's reporting has added to the mounting pressure these companies are facing from citizens and media alike to rethink (and, potentially, discontinue) the problematic yet popular "skin-lightening" or "skin-whitening" category. Plus, Annie and Nick try to unpack Alicia Keys' new Keys Soulcare concept, and discuss some good news (magic mushrooms?) and bad news (COVID-19) for those struggling with depression. And so much more....

Find Megha on Twitter: https://twitter.com/meghara

Megha can be reached at megha.rajagopalan@buzzfeed.com.

Annie and Nick take listener questions, dole out some career advice (that they WISH they'd taken), and phone a few expert friends in this very special question-and-answer episode. Cannot be missed!

PRODUCTS

Check back for links!

This week, Nick talks with A-List nutritionist and Instagram's favorite food coach Kelly LeVeque (aka @BeWellByKelly) about the pitfalls of trendy diets, losing the Quarantine 15 (or 20...), and how to eat a pint of Ben & Jerry's without hating yourself. Kelly also shares her secret sauce for regulating hormones and making healthy food decisions every day. Plus, Annie and Nick give a TED Talk on the beauty industry's obsession with "holiday" kits, discuss Sephora's new CEO, the booming Plexiglass market, and Annie offers a f&king great tip about candle-burning.

LINKS

Kelly LeVeque: @bewellbykelly on social + https://kellyleveque.com/

PRODUCTS

Siete Almond Flour Tortillas: https://amzn.to/2FksWBy

Siete Grain-Free Tortilla Chips: https://bit.ly/3k8Cgan

Frederic Malle candles: https://bit.ly/3bNPLcw

A Is For Activist: https://bit.ly/3k7enjx

Reparations Club bookstore: https://bit.ly/2Zv8vsn

In this very special, limited-edition, exclusive episode drop, Annie and Nick talk shop with podcasting veterans/comedy stars Esther Povitsky (@esthermonster) and Caroline Goldfarb (@porkchop.biz) of the beauty podcast Glowing Up (@glowinguppod). Plus, they discuss a new FDA-approved acne treatment, The New Yorker profile of Kardashian contour lord Mario Dedivanovic, and more. And, of course, their products of the week! 

LINKS

Glowing Up podcast: https://apple.co/3lPWbN1

Esther Povitsky: Hot For My Name: https://on.cc.com/3i3f5xu

Caroline's tinned fish company Fishwife: https://bit.ly/32X5MsO

PRODUCTS

Rahua Classic Shampoo: https://bit.ly/3jGacuK

Bite Toothpaste Bits: https://bit.ly/3gZlIQh

Annie and Nick talk with cereal entrepreneur (!!!!!) Gabi Lewis, co-founder of the hit breakfast brand Magic Spoon about engineering a food for the future (a cereal that's super high protein, low-carb, no-sugar, and made from...milk?), plus his first swing in the food industry (he co-created the cricket-protein brand EXO with his college roommate Greg Sewitz). Of course, Annie and Nick also discuss the week's top stories, from the F-Factor Diet backlash to Matthew McConaughey-led meditation and, of course, a little news from the Kardashian-Jenners. AND products of the week, of course!

LINKS!

Magic Spoon: https://bit.ly/2ErdcfN

Annie's new makeup brushes: https://bit.ly/2QARuIq

Annie's Amazon t-shirts: https://amzn.to/32wXacd

Nick's La Mer face sunscreen: https://seph.me/3gxVSm8

Annie and Nick celebrate their 10th full episode with THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES ONLY! On deck: Byredo and Supreme making color makeup for hypebeasts, going Outta The Gloss, Revlon's $1 billion mistake, the best cotton underwear on Amazon, and more. 

Annie and Nick talk to Instagram star and Megababe founder Katie Sturino about bootstrapping and building her brand of thigh chafe sticks, boob sweat powder, and deodorants (now sold in all Target and Ulta stores). Plus, they discuss Lauren Conrad's new project, WAP, and more.

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 influencer extraordinaire Edward Zo (@edwardzo) about his rise to social-media fame and branching out into men's wigs and styling products (his brand MoonFiber's hair pieces will run you $1,000). Plus, they discuss a new batch of influencer beauty brands, L'Oreal employees going back to the office, and two (atypical) products of the week!

Annie and Nick talk with NYC-based esthetician Sean Garrette about his career highs and lows, and his path to becoming the Global Ambassador for Rihanna's latest beauty project, Fenty Skin. Plus, they break down Kendall and Gigi's home tours, new research on Botox, and more.

Annie and Nick talk with actor-comedian-writer Yassir Lester (Showtime's Black Monday, Duncanville on Fox) about his skincare routine and thoughts about the new "men's makeup" brand Stryx, which is launching in 2,000 CVS stores this year. Plus, their thoughts on Zuckerberg's sunscreen face, the week's top beauty stories, and product reviews! 

LINKS:

Tom Ford Men's Bronzing Gel: https://bit.ly/34ultbA

Haeckels Bladderwrack and Fennel Hand Cleanser: https://bit.ly/3lfNn1N

Annie and Nick talk with LPA creative director and host of the podcast Everything is the Best Pia Baroncini about her latest project: preparing for pregnancy. After experiencing a miscarriage last year, Baroncini enlisted the help of a pregnancy consultant, a fertility doctor, and went clean with her beauty and household products. Enjoy this bonus episode, and make sure to check out Baroncini's pod on Apple Podcasts.

Annie and Nick talk with British makeup artist Dick Page about his decades-long career, from his early days working with Kate Moss and photographer Corinne Day, to creating the "heroin chic" look (the media's term, not his), to starring in a "controversial" Marc Jacobs ad, and now working on sets in a COVID-19 world. Plus, Annie and Nick discuss the week's top stories and two of the products they're obsessed with right now.

Annie and Nick take a deep-dive into the week's top stories, including allegations of abuse at Beautycon and the legendary NYC yoga studio Yoga To The People, plus they discuss Annie's analogue at-home workout and Nick's laser fixation. 

In this bonus episode, Annie and Nick talk to Alexis Page, a NYC-based beauty product developer, about her experience with I.V. ketamine therapy.

Annie and Nick speak with Dr. Robert Meisner, MD, medical director of McLean Hospital's Ketamine Service and a clinical fellow in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, about the new frontier of depression treatment using the synthetic drug ketamine. Plus, they discuss the misuse of ketamine as a sedating agent by first responders, and the worrying mental health data that should be front page news.

Annie and Nick talk with Carol's Daughter founder and Black beauty trailblazer Lisa Price about her 20-year journey from crafting hair products in her kitchen to selling her company to L'Oréal (and the associated backlash). Plus, esthetician Nai Roberts-Smith (a.k.a. @LABeautyologist on Instagram and The Golden RX on YouTube) joins to discuss hyperpigmentation treatments by skin tone. Finally, Annie shares an expensive lip gloss and Nick extols the virtues of butt scrub.

Hand sanitizer: are we doing it right? Emergency room physician Dr. Darien Sutton, MD shares his advice for staying safe while adjusting to our new normal. And, with the "fox eye" trend taking over social media, GoodSkin Clinics founder Lisa Goodman, PA gives the lowdown on injectable threads some people are using to get a lifted brow look. Plus, Annie got a new hairbrush and Nick likes fake candy.

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 talk with Uoma Beauty founder/CEO Sharon Chuter about racism in the beauty industry and her social-media initiative, #PullUpOrShutUp, which asks beauty's largest corporations (the ones that posted Black Lives Matter content on Instagram) to "pull up" and disclose the number of Black people they actually employ. Plus, Annie and Nick discuss hair removal and eye cream.

Follow Sharon on Instagram at @pullupforchange.

Follow Eyewitness Beauty on Instagram at @eyewitnessbeauty.

Products Mentioned
SoftSheen Carson Magic Shave Hair Removal Cream
Buy Naturium Multi-Peptide Eye Cream

Producers: Hannah Beal, Annie Kreighbaum, and Nick Axelrod-Welk
Post production: Jackson Bierfeldt 
Theme music: Danny Presant

Are Christian Girls the next big thing in influencer beauty? Annie also shares her caulking journey, while Nick reminisces about the time he got to spend $1.2 million in a month (for work).

Nick and Annie are joined by Lara and Elizabeth from Too Niche for a special crossover episode “hauling” failed celebrity beauty brands. 

Check out more Too Niche on Instagram, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.