Eyewitness Beauty 4.25 V1 Nick: [00:00:00] Hello and welcome to eyewitness beauty, the podcast where we talk about the biggest stories in the beauty industry each week. I'm Nick Axelrod Welk joined as always by Diamond AKA Andy Kriegbaum. And for that lovely listener who left a review. On our Apple podcast site, whatever it's called. Anyway, can you explain the genesis of Diamond Creek Bomb? Annie: feel like it was a title that was bestowed upon me, but I'm happy to describe what I remember. We started using a transcription service at some point that, and this was, you know, when AI was in its infancy, so this was like a year ago, and they misunderstood Nick, [00:01:00] who said my name, Annie Kriegbaum. It was transcribed Diamond, and then what was the last name? Nick: Krieg, like a, like Krieg in a. You know in the woods And then bomb. Annie: Yes. Like, uh, so Nick: we just started saying diamond Creek bomb. That's that. Annie: That's that. Nick: Oh, geez. That if you thought Annie: this podcast had any depth, you've come to the wrong place. Nick: But what's also funny is that I've seen a few reviews, not that I read them that have said that we're, we have soothing voices and that it's like soothing to listen to us. And I was like, that is the first time I've ever heard that about my voice. Annie: My, how the times have changed because it used to be that we had very irritating voices and that we vocal fried, which I feel like, which I feel like is unfair. You've beaten Nick: everyone into submission. Annie: Like when everybody was speaking in like the [00:02:00] continental accent and like the forties were people writing into the newspaper being like, Nick: like trolling. Annie: Yeah. I can't stand these radio hosts with their, What do people, what do you think people talk? I know the continental accent wasn't actually how people spoke. It was just a Hollywood thing, right? Nick: You know, I don't know and I would be lying if I said I did Annie: God act like real a listers had such I don't know like an aura like listening to Marilyn Monroe's voice her like breathy Like Nick: I mean the funny thing about Marilyn about old Hollywood living in LA is like I feel like Every single apartment building in West Hollywood like Marilyn Monroe lived there Or like Charlie Chaplin lived there. Like, it's like they, these people just moved or either they moved around like month to month and all these different apartment buildings or someone's lying. But I feel like anywhere [00:03:00] you go, it's like, you know, this was actually Marilyn Monroe's last apartment, her first apartment, her middle apartment. Annie: One time on Craigslist, I saw a listing for a couch that said, Once owned by Casey Affleck. Nick: That is a big yikes. Annie: And it was kind of around the time that I think he had some bad PR. Nick: Oof. Was it a joke or do you think it was true? Like real? I Annie: think it was true. I think it was true. It looked like, it looked, maybe more talented but less famous younger brother's couch. Nick: Okay. Annie: Thespian. Nick: I feel like we have a lot of beauty news to catch up on, and it's gonna take us in a lot of different directions, so we should get to it. Annie: Okay, let's go. Nick: I think, okay, there's one story which I think is our biggest of the week, but I also feel like supremely unqualified talk [00:04:00] about it and comment on it. But I'm just going to put it out there because that ever Annie: stopped us. Nick: We'd be remiss if we didn't mention it. The debut of Beyonce's quote unquote, real hair in a video for her haircare brand sacred hit Tik TOK Instagram. I assume it went obviously viral. And to me, my first reaction was like, Oh shit, Sacred can't be doing that. Well, because I don't think it was, we Annie: need you. Well, it's random that Nick: like two months after they launched, this is when they're good. Like you'd think they would launch with that, but I think probably she didn't want to do it or not, not that she didn't want to show her hair, but she like, didn't want to be in a video for the brand. Or like that kind of video because like, Annie: I mean, here's the deal. It's she's, I, from what I read and I'm so sorry if this is not true, but I [00:05:00] believe she's completely financing the brand. So I feel like it's a little bit of a different scenario if versus her just being like lending her, licensing her name out to something and appearing in like, you know, a few interviews. Nick: Yeah. Annie: I mean, I Nick: don't know. I was reading somewhere, I forget where, that like the issue with sacred Is that it should have been like Tina's brand as like a former salon owner and hairstylist, like that would have been the sort of authentic angle, but to make it Beyonce's and then to try to sort of like, you know, like squeeze in Miss Tina, like into the narrative, like got a little bit confusing because when Sacred launched the number one, I feel like the number one comment was like, but doesn't she wear wigs? Annie: But that's why I was confused. Nick: Right, but [00:06:00] you, like many others, I guess, were confused. No, no, no, no, no, no. Annie: I'm confused why people thought Beyonce wouldn't have great hair. And I'm pretty sure we've seen her without wigs, like, frequently. And a lot of celebrities wear wigs. So I don't know that I, I was surprised to see this, the surprise over her revealing her real hair. Nick: I don't know, as a white man, I don't feel like it's a discourse that I really can participate in. But I, the only aspect of it, I feel like I can comment on is that it just it didn't seem like something she was necessarily excited to do. Annie: She has that very regal kind of, forgive me mother, rusting bitch face all the time though. Like when's the last time we saw Beyonce like, grinning from ear to ear? I Nick: don't think she has a sense of, I mean she kind of was a little funny in the video, but I don't think she's known as someone with like a big sense of [00:07:00] humor. Or like some big personality. I think she's a true performer. She's like a vessel. Yeah, but she Annie: went through like her series, or her like very silly like Oh, I'm shopping at seven 11 and like making little iPhone videos. Remember that? Like Nick: that video. I mean, I think that was creative direction. I mean, I feel like Beyonce's whole thing has been like, I'm giving you everything on stage and in videos and like, you know, the visuals and all this shit, but like, you don't get any of me. And that's sort of like the understanding that we have with her. Like she rarely, rarely grants interviews. And when she does, she like. Picks the photographer and she picks the interviewer. She has, you know, she, that's sort of been her thing. So I don't think either. We don't have a sense of really who she is or like, she's just a normal person who like is, has a skill and is really good at her job. You know, [00:08:00] Annie: and it's like, Nick: it's less about her being sort of like chatty and culture. Annie: Well, speaking of celebrities and beauty, we've had a A list week of beauty influencing. Nick: Tell me, Annie: I sent you that. Well, did you get my texts? Like the Barbara Sturm dinner where she was sandwiched between Justin Theroux and Diane Kruger for her face cream launch. Nick: So here you and I. Both know how like the economics of, you know, running a beauty brand, right? Like roughly. So like having a dinner You know, for 50 people, whatever, 75 people, whatever it is at like Theresa in New York is in the, you know, it's at least a hundred thousand dollars, if not more, because you're like having to close down a restaurant. Staff, everything, drinks, gifting, et [00:09:00] cetera. And I just explained to me. And on, and I'm willing to be wrong, how throwing a dinner at an Italian restaurant to celebrate the launch of the glow cream. Where's the ROI? Annie: I think it's in like maintaining the relationship with her A list friends and the halo effect it has on her brand. And it's a tax deductible expense for having a very lavish party. Thank you. Nick: Guess what the kicker is? You see these pictures, you're like, Ooh, I wonder what the glow cream is. It's not, you can't buy it. It's not open, it's not available yet. Annie: Yeah, exactly. I feel like she just wanted to have a party. Nick: Yeah, call the IRS. Like I saw some influencer posting like, like, so like the fashion crowd came out to toast the new glow cream. I'm like toasting the new glow cream. Like what? We have [00:10:00] lost the plot when we're toasting a glow cream. What does toasting a glow cream. Annie: Justin Thoreau like will influence me to do nothing. Like I don't care that he's there. Nick: It's random. Annie: It's random. and then we have our girl Victoria Beckham again who. Everybody raves about her products. Nick: She developed them with Melanie Grant, the facialist in LA, right? Annie: Her skincare, Angela, Angela Neal of Glossier is I believe her head of product development. Nick: Really? Annie: Mm hmm. Nick: Well, she used Melanie Grant. Who I always, who Annie: I always thought was destined for greatness. A consummate professional. Nick: But what, hold on, why is Victoria in the news? Annie: She had her 50th birthday party where the Spice Girls were united. They did the Stop Right Now dance. With David Beckham [00:11:00] filming them, Tom Cruise is randomly there and then, and Eva Longoria, and God knows who else. Nick: Are the Beckhams Scientologists? Annie: That's a great question. Nick: I feel like they have dabbled. they've definitely been on the cans. I'll tell you that much. Annie: Do, I wonder if Scientology like takes a little check here and there to do like just some contract work. Guest star. We need an Eevee, we need an Eevee interstitial noise. Nick: Say hello to everyone. You have to say hello in the microphone. Annie: Hi. She, I love her technique of just biting the top of the microphone. Sorry. Nick: Where were we? Scientology. Annie: So everyone walked out of the party holding big Victoria Beckham beauty gift bags. Nick: All the guests left the party with Victoria Beckham Beauty tote bags? Annie: Yeah. [00:12:00] Nick: Really? Interesting. Annie: Sama Hayek with her, like, gazillionaire, I love their love, by the way. Nick: I love their love too. Annie: Yeah. Nick: Because they actually seem like they're, like, she married a billionaire, but they seem like they're really in love. Annie: Yeah, and she seems cool. Nick: Like, you'd think they were both in it for the wrong reasons. You know, like, he'd be in it for, like, this, like, hot actress, and she'd be in it for this, like, rich guy. But actually, they are really hot together. And I think Annie: Excuse me. Both things can be true. Nick: That's what I'm saying. Like, you kind of like, I was skeptical, I guess, of it, this like, you know, idea. I feel like there was a trend of like, well, there was a trend of like supermodels marrying billionaires or having babies with billionaires. Like, Linda Evangelista has a baby with a billionaire. I want to say like, Doesn't Elle Macpherson have a baby with a billionaire? Annie: God knows. Nick: There's a, there's a few. Naomi Campbell's dated all these, like, [00:13:00] oligarchs. Allegedly oligarchs, I guess. She had Annie: her own baby, though. She has two. She didn't need any of them. Two! Mm Nick: hmm. I think she just had another. Anyway, um, where, where were you with Victoria Beckham Beauty? Annie: I was just saying they had excellent product placement amongst the elite. Mm hmm. Nick: Is it racist that I can't tell the difference between Victoria Beckham Beauty and Gucci West Minutelier? Yes. That's racist. That is. Annie: Yeah. No. Nick: They're the same brand to me. Annie: No, not at all. Victoria Beckham is more glam. West Minutelier is very like quiet. Nick: But is the pack, the packaging kind of looks the same? Annie: I don't know. I'm not like so familiar with the Victoria Secret or sorry, Victoria Beckham's packaging. I don't know why. I don't know why I haven't Ordered it. I just never, it never crosses my purview on the internet, in the stores. Where do they even carry it? Nick: I actually have no clue, [00:14:00] but it's Annie: doing really well. I've seen where I've seen several headlines, which I couldn't read cause they were paywalled, but they're apparently, if we're talking about M and a deals, luxury beauty brands, such as Victoria Beckham, she's like the dark horse brand that like might get a really big. Is that the right term? Yeah, I mean, Nick: I, I, this is sounding familiar. Are you sure you're not talking about Westman Atelier though? Annie: I swear to God. I swear to God. I mean, maybe Westman Atelier too. I've heard their numbers are great as well. I think I read something that in Sephora specifically, they've been doing very well. Nick: I heard that Westman Atelier was doing really well. Agreed. Annie: It surprised me because I think they, they're really quiet and I don't know, I, I couldn't tell you like what they're, and I know they're clean and I know their packaging is very expensive and heavy, but in terms of the formulas, I couldn't really tell you their Nick: point Annie: [00:15:00] of view. Nick: I had another conversation to have, speaking of influencers. Annie: There's a Nick: new TikTok account, new to me I should say, that I think is so good. And it's the Lipstick Lesbians. As far as I can tell, the Lipstick Lesbians is really, maybe one is holding the camera and one is on camera. I imagine that they're In a relationship, though, I could be making that part up. And they're cosmetic, she's a cosmetic chemist. Or rather, she's a product developer. And so she goes around Kind of like a, she, she could be like a cast member on real housewives of New Jersey. Like, she's kind of like, yo, you know what I mean? And she's like, but she has a really, really incredible ability informed by years and years of experience to like explain the difference in products and why certain products are more expensive than others [00:16:00] and how, You're getting like price per gram. Like she'll go into like the nitty gritty of like why certain makeup products are better than others. She'll review things. And I find her content to be so informative and interesting and it's all makeup. It's, she doesn't do skincare, but I just think I love her point of view because And I think this is sort of the conceit of the account. It's like, she doesn't, she's not a makeup girly, but she like loves it. So I can relate to that because I don't wear makeup except for lots of self tannery. She is a Annie: makeup girly. Nick: Yeah, but she's not like a glamazon makeup girl. Like she doesn't do a full beat. Do you know what I mean? Like she's not someone who's wear, like when I think of a makeup girly, I think of like NikkieTutorials, Makeup by Shayla and like people like that. I would Annie: consider myself a makeup girly. Nick: Yeah, but you wear makeup Like when you look have you seen lipstick lesbians? Annie: Yes. She wears way more makeup day to day [00:17:00] than I do. Nick: Really? Yeah, she just like, she seems like she's in it for the love of the industry and like the passion for like the product versus Getting dolled up or like, you know, but am I wrong? Am I is that the male gaze in me talking? Annie: I think that everything you're saying is correct I think for me personally if i'm just like speaking from my own experience, which is valid Nick: um Annie: I find i've been i've been served her videos There are videos lately and I find them to be very hectic because they film them in the Sephora, like she started Nick: doing ones in studio. Annie: Okay, thank God, because the ones I've seen, they're in a Sephora. It's like prime shopping hour. I don't know, like, Nick: all the Gen Zers are like ruining the displays Annie: there, but she is also like, I can't imagine, [00:18:00] like, just going to Sephora trying to like, Pick something up really quick. And then they're like filming content, like with the testers and it's really good testers and like. It's too stressful for me. Nick: I want to I want to be friends with her. I want her on the podcast. Annie: I respect her Expertise do not like the production value of the videos. Nick: Well, you should check out her new. Yeah, she's she's evolving I have another story Allegedly Kim Kardashian's private equity fund sky partners with 2ks Is having quote unquote difficulty raising funds according to Axios. it wanted to raise 1 to 2 billion dollars, but by the end of March. So, a year after it launched, it had only [00:19:00] raised 121, 000, 000. 80 million of that was just for invest in a minority investment in trough, the truffle hot sauce. So essentially out of one to 2 billion, they've only raised 40 million for the general fund. Annie: Yikes. Nick: And Annie: why do we think that is? Nick: So the article, the Axios story, and then some of the other pieces I'm reading in the anchlor are talking about, it's sort of, it's more. Tied to like the trend of the lack of interest in private equity, consumer private equity funds, and that like a lot of consumer, a lot of private equity funds aren't even investing in consumer products anymore. Like it's just not. Trendy right now. It's not seen as like good investments. So like they're kind of suffering from a Trend that is not just about them. I think others the other thoughts are [00:20:00] that if you have kim kardashian tied to your success then when you sell the brand She exits the brand How are you going to ensure continued growth and success without Kim? Annie: But I thought that the fund, I thought that that's the point of her having a fund. It's like she's not tied to the brands. She's just funding them. Nick: Well, I don't think anyone feels like that in and of itself is valuable then. I think they find the whole entire I would, Annie: if she wanted to give me money Nick: Industry is valuable. Annie: Her money is just as green as fucking, who do you, who's the Nick: Well no, I know right Josh Kushner. Of course. By the way, Annie: owns every magazine now. Nick: Agreed, but I'm just saying that Kim, what, well, I've seen this a lot in what I do is that, you know, investors are not us, right? They are a different type, a different age, a different demographic [00:21:00] of person, generally speaking. And I think that when they see, I mean, you know, this, when they see a woman, let alone Kim Kardashian. Don't tell me what I Annie: know. Nick: Like they see. No matter what you're telling them, like, You know, the LPs, the people that would invest in the fund are seeing, Oh, like I would invest in Kim Kardashian's fund versus someone else's because I get the, halo of Kim Kardashian in the brands. Like she's going to help ensure their success. Right? Annie: Yeah. But that's all fake. Nick: Well, clearly. I thought it was interesting that they're having trouble raising. The full round that investors are, you know, that I guess they're reluctant to invest in consumer private equity is overwhelming their interest in Kim Kardashian or their belief that like anything that Kardashians touch turns to gold, you know? Annie: Yeah, I [00:22:00] think that they've proven, unfortunately, that not everything they touch turns to gold. I mean, Kai. There's like, I would say like 50 percent of the brands launched from the Kardashian family have done very well, like Good American, Skims, 818, I imagine is doing well. Somebody was saying, who was it? Maybe it was somebody that said I couldn't say this. But good for you. I can't remember who it was. Kylie cosmetics is not doing well. Nick: No. So there's, I mean, Cody bought most of it a few years ago. And I think the industry chatter has been about like, what do you do with that brand? Like, what is it like, what is its point of view? Why does, you know, I think it was hot because it was DTC and it was sold out. And it was sort of at the moment where she kind of burst off. On to the cultural scene. After that, like I could see Kylie cosmetics being [00:23:00] like the new wet and wild, like if they went, if they figured out a way to make the economics of like really, really, really, really cheap, fast fashion, You know, beauty work, but it's not that inexpensive. And I think that Kylie sees herself as a luxury brand. So I think that, you know, Annie: for her, Halsey has already done that. Nick: Yes. At Walmart. But I think like, I, whenever I think, see those brands, like going into Walmart or Target, I'm like, And maybe this is because I'm coastal elite in a bubble, but I like, I'm always like, I want to do, I want to create the new, I want to give wet and wild and like Milani like run for its money. Like I don't want to fuck with like Walmart and target. I want CVS and Walgreens and Dwayne Reed, you know? I feel like that's more, and Rite Aid. Like those are more fun. Annie: Drugstore legacy brands. Like Nick: drugstore, like, where you, like, [00:24:00] targets are, like, drugstores are much more prevalent, I would imagine, than targets and Walmarts, right? There's more. Annie: Also target has just, you can tell that they are just testing and learning, like they're cycling through brands like constantly you go in there and like the hot brand that you saw on tick tock six months ago is now like 50 percent off everything like you can just tell it's just, they're just like throwing shit at the wall and see, seeing what sticks. And then they have that weird Sephora, no Ulta section too. That's like roped off from the rest of the beauty section. And then they have like, Which one is Nick: it? Kohl's is an Ulta, Ulta is in Kohl's and no Sephora is in Annie: Sephora is in Kohl's, Ulta is in Target. Nick: Sephora Ulta is in Target. Yeah. Annie: Right. Yeah. Nick: Yeah. I don't know. I don't know. Annie: I find the whole shopping experience to be like, Okay, Nick: can I have one more, um, story? Okay, this is for all my [00:25:00] billionaire, our billionaire listeners. I have a real, I have, do I have an opportunity for you? Annie: Okay. Nick: Santropay, the self tanner brand, Needs to be sold. The owner of San Trope, a company called PZ Cousins is selling its flagship brand, this is according to Women's Wear Daily, as part of a wider restructuring drive aimed at slashing debt and optimizing returns against a difficult backdrop, specifically this company, PZ Cousins assets are doing horribly in Nigeria. One of its largest markets. And so they have to sell San Tropez. Annie: Sorry. Wait, can you repeat that? San Tropez is doing poorly in Nigeria. Nick: So San Tropez was bought in 2010 by a company called PZ Cousins based in the UK. [00:26:00] Annie: Okay. They sound like scammers. PZ Cousins Nick: has lots of different assets and brands. I assume. A month, you know, they're heavily invested in Nigeria. Annie: And who knows what that means. Nick: According to the chief executive officer of PZ Cousins. Jonathan Myers, he said that the macroeconomic challenges and complexities associated with operating in Nigeria are significant. As such, we have undertaken a strategic review of our brands and geographies and have embarked on plans to transform our portfolio, refocusing on where the business can be most competitive. All of this is to say, because of troubles they're having in Nigeria, unrelated, I imagine. To Santro pay, they have to sell Santro pay. I think this is a huge opportunity for the right person. I think Santro pay is given that it's, they're not in a position of power to just like, they, they're going to sell it for whatever someone's willing to [00:27:00] pay. Cause they clearly need the cash. I think it's such a powerful brand. They, are self tanner and like with the right rebrand and the right, like collaborations. In the right hands. Like it could be a gazillion dollar business. Don't you think? Annie: Yeah, I guess there's no luxury brand doing self doing a full self tanning range. Nick: There was like that James Reed brand on net a porter. Remember like the white bottles with like Brown lettering. Annie: I agree. Yeah, but there's, there's no, and like central pay looks Nick: so kind of like 2010. Like it's very, remember those hair gummies that the Kardashians used to promote. It's very that, but I think that like, No, Annie: I don't think so. I wanna buy it. Nick: I wanna buy it. Annie: I feel like it's always felt luxury. It's always been priced. As like a prestige brand. And they were, I remember they, they were the first to do [00:28:00] like the tan towels. Nick: I remember saying as a customer, it's doesn't feel like a you're like not buying something chic and cool. You're buying like a, it feels very like a salon brand, if that makes sense. Annie: Yeah. They should like go the way of Garland in terms of branding. Nick: Yeah. Or like a Annie: new chic. Nick: Yeah. And like, I think they have a lot of innovation, and I just like, I just want people to, I feel like someone should buy it, if you're listening. Please, someone, take the opportunity to buy Saint Tropez and let's turn it into the next billion dollar brand. Annie: Can we speculate for a second? Nick: Mm hmm. Annie: Speaking of sun care brands, what's going on with Vacation? Why did they just launch like 18 products at the same time? Nick: Are they like just trying, Annie: are they trying to grow? Nick: I think they're probably trying to grow. They just, they close, I mean, you and I both are friends with the founders and [00:29:00] I think they're really smart and I think that they're, they closed around recently a financing where I think the goal is to like achieve profitability. They opened Alta, like they expanded in Alta. They, I feel like they opened in Target if I'm not mistaken. Right. I Annie: maybe in the Ulta and the targets, Nick: maybe, maybe good question. Good point. And I can only imagine that they're under just a lot of pressure to perform and to find products where the margins are really, really good. You know, I think there, I just saw someone forwarded me they have like a makeup self, you know, like a complexion kind of product, like a drop that it's like, uh, Bronzing Sheer, let me show you foundation kind of thing. I have Annie: held onto my favorite product like that. Nick: Okay. I'll keep talking. I forget what it's called, but it is definitely like a [00:30:00] make a makeup product. And I think that, and they launched orange Gelee, the Iconic or orange colored tanning. I agree Annie: with every product that they're making. I do think that there does need to be a cooling sunscreen. I've tried to develop it before, and like, couldn't get the formula right. If anybody can, menthol and sunscreen, just do it, please. Dakota, you can have that, but you will need to I want two dollars. I want two dollars from every unit sold, until I'm done. I, until we reach the five million mark, and then I'll drop it to one dollar. That's my final offer. Nick: The, okay Sharks, this is the product that they launched that I saw. It's called Studio Tone SPF 50, quote, the makeup artist's three in one secret. It is SPF Annie: 50, that's great. Nick: Yeah, SPF 50 I didn't realize it had Annie: sun protection in it. Nick: It has an [00:31:00] instant bronze glow and it also nourishes with acids and ceramides and collagen peptides. Annie: This is my version of that, except it has no sunscreen and I am really sad that they discontinued. I love Lan. Am I the only one? Nick: I feel like in France people are obsessed with it. Annie: I'll, I'll take anything. They make the meteorites. The bronzes. It's, they can do no wrong. And Clarence and Sicily. Listen, I'm clearly, I'm an old hag, but, um, this was a product. Guerlain Terracotta Le Eau Halle. And I think it's just, it's tanning, it's liquid bronzer that comes with a, in a squeeze pipette. Nick: Does it have shimmer? Annie: And it's just a sheer water. But it's discontinued. I don't know if you can find it. Nick: Terracotta. What is it called? Annie: Leu, L apostrophe E A U. Leu. [00:32:00] Halle. Halle. Oh. Leu. Found Nick: it. Found it. Hmm. It's on eBay for 109. Cooling bronzing water. Annie: Ooh, I didn't know it was cooling. I haven't used it in so long. Is that the one? I mean, send me a link. I'll tell you. Nick: I feel like they did discontinue it. Annie: They did. This is from the end of the gloss, like product drawers. I think I said before it was above the container store. The office was above the Crate and Barrel, which I basically wanted the same, no offense, but Nick: Oh, you know why you like Garland is guess who like the creative director of makeup is Violette. I Annie: mean, I like Violette. I have nothing against her, but I, I wouldn't consider her like my, like. Person, Nick: but I feel like she knows what she's doing with Makeup Annie: Yee. Okay, so you can buy it on Nick: eBay for $109. Annie: I would. I think you should do it. I don't think you'll regret it. [00:33:00] Nick: I mean with, I don't know if I can justify that, Annie: Nick, come on. Nick: Hmm. I'll think about it Annie: like Evie doesn't need what? Nick: I don't know. It looks really good though. Annie: I would send it to you. But is this my. This is from my like special protected inventory. Nick: Okay. Is that your product of the week? Not that we're there yet. Just wondering. Annie: No, no. I actually brought several for, to describe my whole look that I have on. Cause I realized, Oh, I have the perfect like summery makeup combo for everyone listening. I, we would be remiss Nick to not talk about the biggest beauty story of the week. As reported on Emily Berg's Substack, Nick: you launched a substack. I launched a, Annie: I realized long [00:34:00] form writing is in muscle that must be built, stretched, maintained, roll foam rolled, and I have been just pumping iron with it for the past six months, and I need another outlet. You know, Instagram does not cut it anymore. Instagram, in fact, gives me the, it gives me the heebie jeebies. I'll just say it. Nick: And so you are going on sub stack you're taking. Yeah, I'm just going to write. Annie: I'm just going to write. I just, let's write. I don't even know how to really use the CMS. So I know you can add photos and like customize banners and things like that. I don't know that I'll ever get there. Although Emily did offer me a, uh, tutorial session, which I will very much take her up on. Nick: I read every word of Emily Sundberg's newsletter. [00:35:00] I don't know. I've never met Emily. But it's really, she, she, it's, she's, it's really good. It's like, she's in my head. Annie: I can't figure out how to pay her, but I need to, because every time I scroll, To read it. It's like it stops you're not a paying Nick: subscriber. Annie: I subscribed to her and as a fellow Nick: sub stacker You're trying to get it for free. You think you you're entitled? Do you think that it should be free? You think that content should be free? I bet you're like I do using napster to get you think about think of all Annie: the free content I've given people over the years it's time. I know it's time people give me some content for free. Nick: It's true Oh the other story that we didn't talk about because we Probably don't care that much is Greg Renfru the former CEO and founder. Oh, no. We Annie: need to talk about this because you, Nick: Greg Renfru the former ceo. I was too scared Annie: to do that episode. We, no, we need to give the full story. Nick did a whole takedown of Beauty Counter. Nick: Beauty Counter is a brand that was founded by Greg Refr with [00:36:00] two Gs, a woman named Greg. It was acquired by the Carlisle Group. A few years ago, and this week it was announced that she, Greg is buying the brand out of foreclosure. Annie: Sounds like the Carlyle Group really f screwed the pooch on that. Nick: Well, it's like, okay, you're like invested in like military technology, and supreme, and Like women's makeup. Annie: MLM. Nick: Yeah. This is actually Annie: Illuminati. I Nick: know this actually, we probably shouldn't even be talking about this. I did do a takedown episode where I spoke to one of the reps from truth and advertising about the dangers of companies like beauty counter and their marketing to disadvantaged people. Telling them that they can, you know, get rich working from home, you know, by selling these products when [00:37:00] it's not as realistic as they're led to believe, or they're honestly as realistic as they're told. Annie: which is kind of the, the assumption about every MLM. I mean, MLM Nick: as a model is predatory. Annie: Right. Is it considered a pyramid scheme? Nick: It's the definition of a pyramid scheme. Annie: Then why do the, then why do the companies exist? How can they exist at all? Cause of pyramid schemes are illegal. Nick: Okay. Uh, this is according to the Attorney General of New York's website. The difference between a pyramid scheme and a multi level marketing company are that a legitimate multi level marketing company emphasizes reliable products or services, while a pyramid scheme uses products or services to disguise its quest for collecting money from investors on the bottom levels to pay other investors further up the pyramid. This And pyramid schemes are doomed to fail because their success depends on the ability to recruit more and more investors. Since there are only a limited number of people in a [00:38:00] given community, all pyramid schemes ultimately collapse legitimate multi level marketing companies, on the other hand, can be around for a long time, although the recruiting of additional investors is an essential part of the marketing practice, since legitimate multi level marketing companies have solid products. Participation in these companies are not sorry. Participants in these companies are not subject to huge losses. But yeah, Annie: I Nick: guess it's, it's like pyramid screams are literally like fake. It's like products. It's not about the product and like multi level marketing companies legitimate ones or product companies that use pyramid schemes as a way to As a I don't know business model. Annie: So what I was saying about this youtubers I guess she was looking at some sort of Facebook group or I God knows why or was just looking at the social media postings of Some of the women who were direct sellers, [00:39:00] so some of the contractors, I guess, a beauty counter and I guess they were all let go at a single time. They were sent an email. She even had the email pulled up. That was very, it was obviously written by, like, legal. It wasn't, it didn't have, like, an edit to be. Personable at all. It was very cut and dry. It was like, you're being terminated new Nick: CEO after Greg left and it was acquired by Carlisle. Annie: No, this happened now, like this week after Greg bought back the company, they fired all of the sales reps. I, I think, I don't know what's happening with the corporate team but they fired all the sales reps and like one fell swoop. They sent them this, like, strongly worded email from legal saying that, like, you know, you'll get paid whatever commission you're owed, but you're not allowed to represent the company anymore, blah, blah, blah, blah and I guess like a lot, there were a lot of complaints from the sales reps saying, you know, this is how I feed my family and. You know, [00:40:00] whatever, whatever. So some of these women, I guess, are making. Meaningful money doing this. I can't imagine that it's a large percentage. Um, Nick: well, that I mean, that's the whole thing with MLM is that like, they use this, the instances, like the very, very, very rare instances of um, Enormous success to recruit new members. Annie: And I think from what I know about kind of my interactions with beauty counter and Greg over the years, it's like, it's hard to say that she was trying to take advantage of like women by setting her company up in this way with sales reps, because I think one, she believed that it would work. And that word of mouth selling is like incredibly powerful for beauty. And it is in fact, a lot of brands. Glossier included have tried to set up similar models, like, you know, selling [00:41:00] through, Nick: but not commission based, recruiting based. Annie: They had a whole team recruiting people to sell products. So, yeah, they would get a percentage. But it was more like affiliate the way an affiliate link model was set up. Nick: It's not like I'm buying inventory and selling it. No, no, no, no, no, Annie: no, no. So I think, and I think and from what I know about the company is they were moving away from that model anyway. I mean, they were going into third party retailers and like selling direct. So this, the end of the sales rep time for beauty counter was, has been a long time in the making. Anyway, I hope I mean, Greg, if you're listening, feel free to send me a strongly worded email, correcting all the mistakes, but it was, it was weird. A lot of the complaints to where that Greg didn't acknowledge that she. Was the reason she was the one who purchased the company back and it was her decision to cut all the reps [00:42:00] but I don't know I don't think I think that they're kind of like holding her feet to the fire in a way that like they don't really need to they're like take accountability and it's like she's Buying her company back from Carlisle, who was the one who drove it into the ground she has to make some, like, difficult decisions and, like, let people go, but I don't know. It was like they wanted, they wanted her to really, like, fall on the sword for it. Nick: This is interesting. I'm like looking, I didn't know this. This was kind of a buried story that Beautycounter fired all of its reps this week. Annie: What? Not when you have Diamond Creekbomb on the case? Nick: No. Interesting. Well, we will, let's see what happens. Maybe she's like totally abandoning that model. Um, Annie: also, can we just talk about how Coachella is just basically, what's that big beauty conference that happens every year? That's like customer facing Nick: beauty con. [00:43:00] Annie: Yeah, it's basically beauty con, except for like more brands than just beauty. And people are paying to like, go to like marketing experiential marketing. Like tense for the whole week. It's like, this is not a music festival. I've never been to Coachella. So like, sorry, but I have been to a lot of music festivals. I mean, I lived in Austin. I went to college in Austin and was essentially, I mean, I deny that I was a groupie because my boyfriend was in the band, but, uh, lived that lifestyle very much and went to a lot of like, You know, like psych fest when it was at the power plant and then it grew every year and then it ended up in like this big field and like, there was no marketing whatsoever. It was so purely about the music and the drugs and the people. And I just. And I think I remember like ACL, I think I went one year and it was just why do people enjoy going to events [00:44:00] like that where it's just like, I never Nick: had fun at a concert. Annie: Have you ever been to a music festival? Nick: I went to Coachella 2008. Prince was the headliner. Number one, the thing they don't tell you about Coachella is that it's on a polo field, which means that it smells like horseshit. Period. Everywhere. And it's hot, and it's the desert. So it's a desert, you know, I didn't spend 40 years in the desert. Annie: Yeah, I don't like having to 40 years in the desert. Nick: You know what I mean? For like, DJ set like Tiesto or whatever. Annie: Oh, happy Passover. Thank Nick: you. I, can I say something that's controversial, but I felt really conflicted about celebrating Passover this year. And in particular about like posting any, like, [00:45:00] Social media content about Passover because I was worried that it would be construed as like pro israel or pro zionist or I think that Unfortunately the Pro israel content is a sort of it's been, it's kind of like a racist dog whistle, like in a really shitty way. Annie: That's unfortunate. And so, Nick: I Annie: mean, so much media now is like, so influenced by like Trumpian, uh, yeah, Nick: it feels like in the discourse talking about, you know, it's Annie: even people that consider, even people that consider themselves like leftists or do something that's like, completely non political, they're taking tactics from Trump, like outright lying, playing the victim, to like create narratives about themselves, and like, it's really bizarre. Nick: I couldn't, I [00:46:00] didn't want, because it didn't align with like my personal beliefs, like I didn't want to seem, it's just, it's like, it's weird, it's a weird moment. It's a tragic moment, but obviously that goes without saying, but it's also a bizarre moment to be a cultural Jew when you're like, I don't even, I want to celebrate Passover, but I'm not celebrating anything that's happening or that has happened. Anything. Well, I Annie: think that's a shame that you feel like you can't celebrate your religion without it being politicized. And I think that I mean, I'm going to be fine, Nick: but Annie: No, but I'm, I, but I think it's true for a lot of people. I think a lot of people are scared to, I mean, I think a lot of people are, a lot of Jewish people are like uncomfortable in New York right now. I don't know. Nick: Yeah. It's weird. I mean, it's just, it's so, it's It's bizarre watching a war and a centuries old conflict play out on a 10 year [00:47:00] old, you know, media, right? Or like, 15 year old media, social media, you know? Things are Annie: getting weird. A woman I follow, I had to like, do a double take, so I was like, hold on. And I get it, being very militant. In terms of like, I get like a lot, especially a lot of the like South American and Central American uprisings. Like you had, there was a lot of militant support for people that were not necessarily good guys, but we're fighting the good fight. Nick: Or the fight that the U S that aligned with the U S is interest,

Nick: should we start, wait, should we start a geopolitical podcast? Annie: I would be comfortable with that. I would just have to call, I would just have to call my brother like 10 minutes before every show and be like, give me my opinions on all these things. Should we have my brother on the podcast? It would be very funny. Nick: Also, you know what my opinion is? [00:48:00] I, you know, number one, I don't, I probably shouldn't speak on any of it. And number two, like, I think everyone, no one, no one's, no one wins. And it's all about power and money. Annie: Well, let me finish my story. She posted, she posted a pro Hamas post and I was like, it was jarring and I was like, I'm going to. that I'm going to Compartmentalize, Nick: like, tuck that away and not really think about that. It's still Annie: tucked away. I'm still kind of like, eww, about it right now. Cause I like her a lot. Nick: But The way that Hamas has won lots of hearts and minds and sort of transformed their narrative into this like freedom fighter narrative is Annie: There's only one explanation. And that is, who is Taylor Swift's publicist? Swift's publicist? She's also, there's no way that she's not doing Hamas's publicity. Oh, you Nick: know what else she probably did? What? Pomegranate [00:49:00] juice. Music: What's your problem with pomegranate? It's Nick: sugar. It's just sugar. And remember when pomegranate juice was like the new health food? It was like, don't do anything besides drink pomegranate juice. And guess what? pomegranate juice is not a cure all. It's actually gonna give you diabetes if you drink enough of it. Annie: Well, Nick, you know me, I'm on Banana Island. I've been here for weeks.

Oh, I did say I'm really happy for the Arnold. The Nepo babies, like all getting jobs at LVMH. Annie: we Nick: are no sons. Annie: Are no. God, me and the French language. Yeah, they all, they all have like, very powerful positions at the government. Nick: and they're billion, they're the richest people in the world, and they're sexy AF. Annie: Can I just say, can I just say, Does not buy you happiness. Nick: True, but these guys are also sexy. Here's speaking of money and happiness. [00:50:00] How do you feel about Keith McNally, restauranteur of Balthazar etc. Talking, saying the craziest shit on his Instagram about Lauren Sanchez. Annie: About our queen, Lauren Sanchez. I do not like it. Nick: Joanna Coles who's just bought the Daily Beast former editor in chief of Marie Claire and big up at Hearst and She produced that show, The Bold Type she is now running the Daily Beast. And she said that as a, as a response to Keith McNally's takedown or attempted sort of embarrassing of, Lauren Sanchez, she was hiring a chief Lauren Sanchez correspondent. Annie: I just think like, why, like, what is going on in his life where he's sitting there being like, I have to comment on how this woman looks. Nick: Here's what I think. I think that Keith McNally. I don't think he, I don't think he cares. I think that he had a [00:51:00] stroke several years ago, I believe. And I know I think he's literally like has no fucks left. I know he I'm saying he has no fucks left Oh, no. No, I'm not saying it's blaming their bad behavior Annie: on there. No, no, Nick: I'm not saying that don't get it twisted I'm not saying that it's cognitive. I'm saying that he had a really intense and traumatic Like health experience where he sort of was looking death in the eye and I think this is all Entirely my opinion that he was sort of like, Annie: he just, Nick: he just like, yeah, like full, no filter, like any thought he has, he like puts on his Instagram. He also like continually supports Woody Allen, even when like, he's not even promoting something. He'll be like, you know who I do welcome at Balthazar, Woody Allen. It's like, Keith, no one is talking about Woody Allen right now. You know what I mean? Like. I saw Harvey Annie: Weinstein in there the other day. Nick: [00:52:00] Exactly. Allegedly. He's a New Yorker in, I think though he maybe full time lives in London, but he's a New Yorker to me in that he Is just an fucking asshole. And he doesn't give Annie: a Nick: fuck. We all know, Annie: we all know who's going to be the Keith McNally Nick: of our generation. He like, well, he just like, we'll talk shit about his own customer. Like he is just in New York. It's kind of like that, you know, it's sort of like in the vein of the soup Nazi. You know what I mean? Annie: But is that the legacy he wants to leave? I'm like, if I had a near death experience, I'm, probably going to try to like, make up with people who I don't even need to make up with just so like, I don't think he Nick: thinks it's that. I think he punches upward. I think that he would probably, I think his reasoning would be he punches up, not down. So like the, you know, Jeff Bezos and his wife can, So this is him being, like, Annie: an anti capitalist activist. [00:53:00] Nick: Kind of. Maybe. I don't know. Annie: I don't know if I ever shared my theory on how, like, Lauren Sanchez is single handedly, like, ending old money aesthetic, and, like, now it's all new money aesthetic. It's like, mob wife, like, tacky, like, look at me, look at me, look at me, like, that is, unfortunately. Nick: To me, it's the lack of self awareness you have to have as a human to be Chrissy Teigen commenting on Keith McNally's Instagram of Lauren Sanchez saying, she's actually like a wonderful person, and this is like, Like a really, like, unfortunate thing that you did. It's like, Chrissy, you literally DM'd someone and told them to kill themselves, like, a few years ago. I don't think you're the person to make this comment. You know what I mean? Annie: People grow, they change. Nick: I agree, but, I mean, Annie: Nick just censored me for the record. Nick: You know, I think, I, [00:54:00] I would like to You know who Annie: wouldn't stand for that? Andrew Kriegbrom. Union leader. He started a fucking union at Bloomberg. I was gonna say, I Nick: thought you meant, I thought you meant Keith McNally wouldn't stand for that. He'd be calling me out Yeah, you should call me out on your Instagram, be like that ugly fuck, whatever he said about, like, here's what I think. I think that the world and life is hard in varying degrees for every single human, right? Because you only have your experience. So like, Your low is going to be different than someone else's low. And same thing with highs, you know, I, I decided when I was 25 years old or 24, and I was a reporter for memo pad at women's wear daily, which was like the media gossip column. I remember being told that I wasn't doing a good job. I was only doing my job. If I got an angry phone call in the morning from someone who like, didn't want that news to be out, or didn't like how I. Reported [00:55:00] on something and at first that's like very exciting, you know, to be like, to be interacting with like super high profile and powerful people very quickly. What I realized is like, we all have such a limited amount of time in our days and on this earth and like, to put out, even if it's fun and funny for me, I was like, I just don't want to put out negative things. Like, it's just not, it doesn't make my heart happy. Like, I consume it, like I'm, and I'm, I'm a, you know, red blooded American. Annie: Also a problem. Nick: Yeah, I consume it, but I just like, was like, you know what? Like, I just don't, this doesn't ultimately feel like my, what I want my contribution to be. Annie: Yeah, Nick: and I hope that on this podcast I don't think I hope it doesn't feel like we're all just we're just being snarky and taking things down I hope Annie: so, too. No, I don't I mean I I [00:56:00] do have sometimes anxiety about that. Like, oh, I hope that wasn't taken the wrong way or but No, I think we're fine. Nick: I try to like Annie: we have good it's all about your intentions, you know Yeah, Nick: and just my disclaimer is that I don't know anything and I don't mean anything I say And you know what I mean, Annie: we can all do better here. Here's what here. Can I tell you something? I learned from Lindsay Lohan and Olivia Singer, both incredibly famous media personalities. When I was at Lindsay Lohan's town home in London with Olivia hanging out, interviewing her, I learned the phrase, keep my side of the street clean. And that like Nick: alternate side street parking like what's Annie: that is, I believe it's from a 12 step program. I think it's from AA. And it just means mind your business [00:57:00] and keep your side of the street clean. Like, you know, like keep your world positive. Yeah, don't put any trash out there. And if you do, clean it up and that's all you can do. And that ultimately is like how you can feel comfortable that you are a good person. Nick: Similarly, my dad once gave me the advice or not advice, but just like the context of like you But when you go to bed, you put your head down on the pillow and you wake up as Nick Axelrod. Like you don't have to, like you can't and take on anyone else's like way that they exist and go through life. The only person you have responsibility for or can be when you hit, when your head hits the pillow is like you. Oh, that's so funny. That's a Annie: much nicer interpretation of that than like, I think, I don't know if it was my mom that said it before about [00:58:00] somebody who's just a horrible human or what, but she was like, you know what, Annie, you get to wake up every day as you, and she has to wake up every day. Nick: But it's the same idea, which is, I think it's like a helpful thing to think about is like, Sure, X person has done X and is making you feel bad about it. You know what I mean? But ultimately, Annie: yeah, Nick: you put your head on the pillow as as you Annie: but my problem is I think and I think that it's meant to Say like, oh the person knows that they're a bad person and so they have to wake up every day with that Cloud hanging over their head, but I think unfortunately what I've learned is that people that do bad Nick: don't know Annie: things You Are diluted enough to think that, like, their truth is the only truth and true at all for that matter. Nick: I think, yeah, I think that's true. I think you're, you're expecting the [00:59:00] metaphor or whatever it is to, like, be about, like, self realization when I think it's more about in the context of, like, humanity, you know, like, Your contribution, like the only thing you can, that you have is your, the way you exist in the world and like the way you contribute, you have no power and you have no responsibility, nor say over how someone else contributes to the world. So like, whether or not they realize what they're doing, if what they're putting out. Is not what you want to put out then you don't put it out. Annie: Yeah, be the bigger person be the What does I don't I mean? Nick: I don't know if I believe in being the bigger person because i've always I feel like been the bigger person and I regret it Annie: I've always just like tried to deal in like facts and truths and what I realized is [01:00:00] That is not how people like to Nick: No, they deal like an emotion and hearsay Annie: Yeah. Nick: I know. Annie: Yeah. Nick: And like, I've thought that like, you know, in arguments, it gets heated and like, people have said like, crazy shit to me and then I just like, don't, I like, bite my tongue to be the bigger person. I regret it. Annie: That's Oh, you regret it? Nick: I wish I hadn't. I wish I had just also said the crazy hurtful thing. Really? Because like, nice guys finish last. I don't know, we're throwing out a lot of different, differing angles of life advice here at the end of this episode. But, nice guys finish last, but they probably get the best sleep. Annie: I think as, when I was younger I, Did have it in me to really just unleash on, especially like, I don't know. I'll just say it. My poor, ex, we used to have just [01:01:00] like knockout, drag out, like Nick: your poor ex what? Annie: Braden. Nick: Oh, cause we also lived together. Annie: We lived together. We worked together. We were like out of, the precipice of our careers. Like it was just very high stress. And we almost like. You know, it was truly like a, it was almost like how I would fight with my brother. Like, it was so like, we knew each other that well in a way. And yeah, there were, were like very mean words, words exchanged on both sides. It was really funny. What do you want to say to Nick: him? If he's listening, Annie: he knows that I love him and like would do anything for him. And I, the feelings mutual and, you know, and I think he's like a very good person and. That's that. But I don't know what point I'm trying to make, but now, now I, I realize like the feeling of the feeling of getting that like dig in or insulting someone is yeah. Sometimes you like fantasize about like saying the funniest, [01:02:00] like most cutting thing, but then after the fact, it's like the guilt is just not worth it. I think it's just, I don't like, I would never want to be that person. I've never Nick: had the experience of like, getting in the thing. And like, I kind of wish I did. You've Annie: never had like a Nick: I always, like my, my instinct is to shut down. Not to like, react. Annie: Yeah, me too. Although I can't Nick: that's any healthier. Annie: My thing is like, if somebody is Being cruel to me, I don't necessarily have to be cruel back, but I will say, like, stop, like, I will be like, I recognize this behavior and like, you need to stop. And I'm like, not here for it and like, this is a boundary. But that doesn't work. I mean, that is really frustrating to me. I'm cool with leaving the situation too. That was funny. Whenever my mom and I would get in fights, I would always be like, I need to go. I'm going to go to my room and like shut the door. And she, I think she realized like late in later years, like, Oh, [01:03:00] that's actually probably like a healthy thing to do. But she did not like that. Nick: You set a boundary with your mother. Crazy. Did I tell you when I like shushed Evie and she was fully triggered? Annie: Yes. Yes, you did. Nick: Listen to women is all I can say. And with that, should we go to product of the week? Annie: Yeah. Nick: Okay. I think I talked about this last week or someone, maybe you were the one who mentioned it, the San Tropez bronzing water face mist. Annie: Um, Nick: as you know, I've been looking for self tanner. And I found this one called purity for natural glowing skin. Essentially what it is is it is a super fine mist. That feels really light. Like it's not droplets. It's like a really, really fine mist. You put it on, you know, five minutes before you go to bed and there's no [01:04:00] streaking, it doesn't collect around your beard or your eyebrows or your hairline because it's such a fine mist. Annie: Cutie. I think this was your product of the week, the last time we did this. Nick: No, I think it was the drops. Annie: Okay, Nick: and the the it was the aisle of It was what I know have I already taught I don't but I don't think I had this last week I Annie: thought we talked about the droplets being so small that they like Give you perfect coverage. Nick: Geez, I don't remember. Shout out Annie: again, if you really like it. Like, I'm not going to stop you. I love it because it's Nick: like such a fine mist, and so I was using the Isle of Paradise drops that you like put into your moisturizer but like still, and it's a gradual tanning thing, but still after a few days, like, your eyebrows would kind of look a little Discolored and like around your hairline, just because like, when you're smoothing something on with your hands in a moisturizer, it's not evenly distributed around across your face, but this is [01:05:00] literally like going to 1 of those, like, find missed booths, but in a little spray bottle and the genius is. that you can put it on while, uh, like 10 minutes before you go to bed, it dries completely. You do a very light layer. It's like any kind of like a face mist. And then there's no sugar. Do you put it on over Annie: your skincare or you just not do skincare? It doesn't matter. Nick: It's like, it's absorbed by your cells or, you know, it's like dying your cells or whatever like that sugar derivative does, but it works really well. Annie: And what's it called again? Can you say the name? Nick: It's called the San Tropez self tan bronzing water. This has so many different names on it. It says natural. It's called natural glowing skin, San Tropez self tan purity, bronzing water face mist. Annie: Do you know how much it is? Nick: I think I did mention it, or someone, maybe, 33. you know what, it's, it's just, it's also my it's also this week, I love it. What do you [01:06:00] got? Annie: I am also in like a bronzy state at the moment. Nick: I mean, it's about to be summer. Annie: Hell yeah, and you know what, I'm not even gonna lie, I've been out in the sun getting some color. So, and I also have a corrections corner, because I think I was a little harsh about Glossier Cloud Paint. A few episodes. And I recommended Cheek Heat in the color Rose Vibrant, which I still stand by. And as we all know, the formula can vary between shades of any product. I, Nick: let's get the lipstick lesbians talking about that. Annie: Let's get them on. I Needed a baby pink blush and I saw that puff cloud paint sitting in my drawer and I said it's your time and I Patted some on perfect perfect amount of pigment perfect baby cool pink And you need one of those for summer because it is [01:07:00] the perfect contrast with a glowy Bronze look for my glowy bronze. I like to use our friends at Westman, their biscuit, I think they call it a contour stick, not a contour stick. Too warm. It's a bronzer. And I put it, you know, on the high points of my forehead, around people that use fucking bronzer as contour. Nick: Why is that bad? Annie: Yes, it's so contour. The whole theory behind contour is it is a shadow. So you need to be using grays. You need to be using colors that are cool neutrals. You don't need to be like, you can't use an orangey bronze. An orangey bronze is, where does an orangey bronze develop on your face? Where the sun hits it. Not where the sun does not hit in the contours. Like it just, people are just, it's really crazy how like the skin, the beauty influencer community has like, all agreed to [01:08:00] disinformation like this. This is what I mean, like in the Trump era. Nick: Misinformation. Annie: Yeah. Fake news. So I, so yeah, West Minnesota, a bronzer and then puff cloud paint on the cheeks, hot on the apples, high apples to do, and then. This little guy, which I was, I actually regretted buying. Cause I was like, I don't like the formula. It's like too, it's neither here nor there, but then I used it. And I was like, I love the formula. It's everything. And it is the Surratt Lid Locker in Kogecha, Kogecha? And it is a bronzy, it is like a greeny bronzy. And when I say green, like Nick: Taupe, like a, like true Taupe. Annie: Yeah. Or like tacky, tacky. Yeah. Like it's not very warm except for the fact that it does have some gold shimmer, but the formula is like, it's called a lid lacquer and I would agree. It's [01:09:00] like not sticky. It's not going to stay, it is definitely going to like get warm and move around on your lids. So just this can kind of be the only like color that you put on your lids, but I'm wearing it now. And I think it's just like, and it stays nice. I wore it yesterday all day too. And it like, Nick: it Annie: feels like lip balm on your eyelids. I love it and I will never make it through all of this ever. It's such a big little compact. Finally Nick: too big El Lithian might say. Annie: Finally, this is a product I brought back from. My last trip to Tokyo, and it is the A P U, A, apostrophe P I E U, Juicy Pang Glossy Jelly Highlighter. And, I'm normally a little skeptical of these like, jelly formulas, but it's not like a bouncy jelly. Have you talked to Alexis Nick: Page about this? Annie: No, why? Does she not like bouncy stuff either? [01:10:00] That name, Nick: that name alone will excite her. Annie: What do you mean? She likes jelly or she doesn't like? Nick: Just like that, that texture sounds like jelly. She likes it. Yeah. Annie: Okay, yeah, because it's not, it's not aerated, but it's like very It still has that kind of like fluffy consistency, but it's very wet and it's still a cream and it is this beautiful champagne colored highlighter But the pearl or whatever the reflective Pigment in it is so small that it truly is like almost like a metallic paint And I just kind of put it more towards the inside of the eye And it's just so glossy now if you're Nick: not going to tokyo anytime soon. How can you get your hands on this? Annie: I think you could probably find it on YesStyle or Olive Young. And it is in shade number four, I think. I don't know. The bottom's all in Japanese. So that's my story. I also love using puff [01:11:00] on the lips. I'll do like a little neutral lip liner to, and then Pat puff on the lips too. So you get that baby pink all over. I just think it's like that's the perfect Summer and then black mascara and you're good to go. Nick: You heard here first Please follow us on patreon patreon. com slash eyewitness beauty we we Make this for the love of the game without any advertising. And if we want to keep it that way, we got to really get some more Patrion subscribers because essentially you're just paying for the production of this podcast. You're not paying for us to go on a booze cruise or anything. Then we wanted to say that eyewitness beauty is produced by Jonathan Corman, a friend of the pod, AJ Mosley. Is our editor, a sweet, sweet man. [01:12:00] And we'll be back next week with a brand new episode. Annie: Bye. I love you.