If it seems like navigating the beauty world has become a bit of a minefield, there’s now an easy way to get expert advice on tap – by tuning into one of these beauty podcasts. Whether you’re looking to stay up to date with the newest trends and techniques or want to learn about the science or insider businesses hacks behind your favourite skincare brands, we’ve rounded up the beauty podcasts to tune into now.
Beauty Podcasts to Listen to Now
Keeping Face
Ever wondered how beauty brands cope in moments of crisis? This new podcast from veteran beauty journalist Kathleen Baird-Murray focuses on just that, looking at how top beauty entrepreneurs rallied and rebounded when things went wrong. Tune in to hear U Beauty founder Tina Chen Craig reveal how she turned weaknesses into opportunities, as well as startling revelations from Bobbi Brown, Cult Beauty founder Alexia Inge and renowned French hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai. Refreshingly honest and life-affirming, the seven-episode series shows that even the most successful of people can feel a little insecure at times.
Breaking Beauty
Helmed by top beauty editors Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn, this podcast is the place to come to learn about breakthrough brands, trends and products, as well as to hear tips and advice from the best in the business. Recent highlights include the Duchess of Sussex’s facialist Sarah Chapman revealing her royal skin secrets, Hailey Bieber on her beauty brand Rhode and Brit-born Hollywood facialist Georgia Louise getting back to skincare basics and telling us how we should all be moisturising our skin. Insightful, warm and witty, you’ll learn something new every time you tune in.
Green Beauty Conversations
This thought-provoking podcast from the organic cosmetic science school Formula Botanica is here to challenge the way you think about the beauty industry. Hosted by Formula Botanica’s CEO Lorraine Dallmeier, each episode tackles topics about green, indie and sustainable beauty, and opens up debates on some of the thorniest issues facing the industry today. Latest must-listen episodes include one looking into how we can formulate cosmetics for climate change, and another on whether fossil fuel-free beauty can ever be achieved. After listening to a few episodes, you’ll think very differently about the products on your dressing table.
Beyond the Beauty with Bobbi Brown
If there’s one woman who knows a thing or two about the world of beauty, it’s Bobbi Brown. The renowned make-up artist and businesswoman left her namesake brand in 2016 after 25 years and went on to launch her own beauty podcast, where she talks to some of the industry’s heavyweights about the changing face of beauty and takes an honest look at the latest trends. Highlights include an episode with Venus Williams where she talks about her SPF brand, EleVen, and reveals the secrets behind her superstar confidence, and a discussion with Hollywood make-up artist Gucci Westman about her A-list clients.
On Reflection Beauty
This podcast, hosted by esteemed beauty editor and author Funmi Fetto, will keep you up to date with the latest beauty news and provide personal product recommendations, but it will also make you think. Offering up a global view on the culture of beauty, Fetto delves into everything from fatphobia and racism to body hair and diet culture, bringing along a host of fascinating guests including Uoma Beauty founder Sharon Chuter and a many of the UK’s most influential beauty editors for the conversation.
The Beauty Brains
Hosted by cosmetic chemists Perry Romanowski and Valerie George, this beauty podcast is here to tell you all about the products you should use – and the ones you should avoid. Think of it like having your very own skin expert in your headphones. They answer all the big questions – such as whether more expensive skincare products are actually more effective, and how to fix dehydrated skin for good – as well as delving into more niche topics like the best shampoo to tackle eczema and the laser treatments that can help with rosacea. It makes for fascinating listening.
Outspoken Beauty
Outspoken Beauty is often billed as the UK’s most honest beauty podcast, and it’s not hard to see why. Hosted by columnist and broadcaster Nicola Bonn, no topic is off limits, from ageism and hormones to the effects of grief on your physical and mental health. As well as speaking to top beauty experts including Trinny Woodall, Dr Maryam Zamani and Dija Ayodele, Bonn also releases weekly 10-minute Minipods, where she reveals her favourite new beauty products of the moment.
Fat Mascara
If you feel like you never seem to be quite up to date with all the latest beauty trends, fads and crazes, this is the podcast for you. Hosted by Teen Vogue’s Jessica Matlin and Marie Claire’s Jennifer Goldstein in the US, there are two episodes released every week, so you’ll never be behind on the hottest beauty news. They’ve had all the biggest names in make-up on – from Charlotte Tilbury and Kat von D to Isamaya Ffrench – as well as top plastic surgeons, dermatologists and perfumers, to give you the full industry lowdown.
Full Coverage
Presented by two bona fide beauty obsessives – make-up artist Harriet Hadfield and veteran beauty blogger Lyndsey Kelk – Full Coverage is described as ‘a beauty podcast by beauty addicts, for beauty addicts’. This is the place to come if you want to learn about the cult new beauty products before they go viral on TikTok, or if you’re looking to hear from the most informed industry insiders. Must-listen episodes include Caroline Hirons discussing her bestselling book, Skincare, and Sali Hughes on her work with the Beauty Banks charity.
Main image: Fat Mascara