Gloss Angeles

Today’s guest is legendary hairstylist Chris McMillan, one of the most influential hair artists of all time and the creative force behind some of pop culture’s most iconic looks. From redefining ’90s beauty to creating cuts that still shape salon trends today — yes, including The Rachel — Chris shares stories from his decades-long career working with A-list clients like Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Aniston, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, and more. We talk about building a career before social media, how the industry has changed in the age of constant trends, and the foundational lessons that still guide his work. Chris also dives into his love of short hair, iconic transformations, and his rapid-fire takes on timeless cuts, underrated products, common hair mistakes, and what actually matters most for better hair every day.

In this episode, we honor the life and legacy of Shirley Raines, founder of Beauty 2 the Streetz, whose work reframed beauty as a tool for dignity, connection, and care for unhoused communities in Los Angeles. We also discuss Sara’s Harper’s Bazaar essay, “I Want a New Face, But My Kids Have My Old One,” unpacking the complex guilt millennial moms face as cosmetic treatments become more normalized while raising children who share the features they sometimes want to change. Plus, we break down the news of Pat McGrath Labs filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and what it could mean for the future of the iconic brand — before putting Kirbie to the test with a quiz on Sephora.com’s top 10 products of 2025.

The Sephora vs. Ulta K-Beauty takeover is officially on. This week, we break down the biggest news yet: Sephora is teaming up with Olive Young to launch curated K-Beauty zones in ~650 stores across the U.S. and Canada (plus online) starting fall 2026—with a broader global rollout planned for 2027. We talk about why this is a smart “trust + awareness” play for Olive Young as it opens in L.A., what this means for existing K-Beauty brands already at Sephora, and which brands might get the merchandiser boot. Plus, Cover FX and Mally are shuttering, and introduce a new game: Beauty Quiz Show!

Today’s guest is Jacquelyn De Jesu, the founder, CEO, and inventor of Shhhowercap. Built 11 years ago, Shhhowercap turned the humble shower cap into a premium, reusable staple designed to protect blowouts and styled hair from water and humidity. Made with breathable, hydrophobic nanotech fabric that repels water, is antibacterial, machine washable, and backed by seven patents, the brand is a testament to thoughtful design and innovation in beauty. Jacquelyn shares how her background as a creative director led her into beauty, her advice for founders without a “traditional” industry path, and why protecting her invention through patents was non-negotiable while building the business. Plus, what happens when your patent is challenged and the outcome of Shhhowercap’s 2023 jury trial. 

We’re kicking things off this week asking ourselves the eternal question: why do we willingly go get waxed?! The conversation is inspired by Marcello Hernandez’s painfully accurate bit about just how brutal beauty salons can be. On that note, we’re sharing a major listener-exclusive deal with SEV Laser — a free underarm laser hair removal treatment for first-time customers (!!).Then we dive into What’s On Your Face?, including Saie’s new CitySet setting spray and Kirbie’s current lip-and-cheek MVPs. From there, we time-travel back to 2016 beauty trends — think blinding highlight, matte liquid lips, bold brows, mermaid makeup, and the YouTube era that made beauty feel playful, expressive, and empowering — and unpack why we’re all so nostalgic for that moment.Finally, we break down the latest headline around Kendall Jenner denying plastic surgery, what Accutane can (and can’t) do to your nose, and why face-analysis culture online is getting increasingly out of hand.Part of this episode is sponsored by Saie. We partnered with them on this content, but all thoughts and opinions are our own.

We’re joined by Erica Taylor, a professional makeup artist with nearly 30 years of experience, the internet’s go-to voice for women over 40, and the Global Makeup Coach at IT Cosmetics. With a community of more than three million followers, Erica has built a loyal audience by demystifying makeup for midlife skin, blending expert technique with refreshing honesty. Erica breaks down her current must-haves and explains why skin-first, forgiving formulas matter more than ever for mature skin. From her early days in portrait painting and working makeup counters to navigating social media as the “midlife makeup guru,” Erica opens up about aging in a youth-obsessed industry, the makeup mistakes women over 40 should stop making ASAP, and the realities of being an influencer later in life.This episode is made possible by IT Cosmetics, as part of Gloss Angeles Confidential.