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In this episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta sits down with renowned celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa, who has spent over 18 years perfecting her craft behind the scenes of high-profile events like New York Fashion Week and major beauty brands like MAC Cosmetics. Nydia shares her unexpected journey from admiring her mother and grandmother’s makeup to building a career where her hands-on expertise and dedication have opened doors to the glamorous world of celebrity beauty.
E.281: Finding your perfect foundation+skincare in 1 product- a new approach ft. Nita S.
Let’s ChatWhen Life Gives You Lemons 🍋 is a brand that believes we don’t need to compromise good skin health for our favorite makeup look! Join Ekta as she interviews Nita who is the founder of this revolutionary brand and discusses the journey of bringing her vision to life.
Crafting a Cult Beauty Brand in the Age of Social Media Influence with SACHEU Beauty Founder Sarah Cheung
Step into the world of beauty innovation with Sarah Cheung, the dynamic founder of Sacheu Beauty, as she recounts her transformation from a makeup devotee to a pioneering entrepreneur. Our exchange is more than skin deep; we unveil the breakthroughs behind Sacheu's sensational lip liner, a product that emerged from Sarah's clever repurposing of brow tint for the lips, shaking up beauty routines everywhere. Her story unravels the gritty determination it takes to fill a gap in the market, resonating with anyone who's ever been let down by their makeup's staying power.
Navigating Hollywood, Demin, and Height - A Deeper Look at Fashion Entrepreneurship with Kathryn Brolin
Imagine having to toggle between the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and the intricate world of fashion entrepreneurship. Today's episode brings you an engaging conversation with Kathryn Brolin, who does just that! She's an accomplished actress, producer, and the powerhouse behind a denim brand tailored for tall women.
Intentional and Impactful Beauty with Patrick Starrr of ONE/SIZE
In this episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with the iconic Patrick Starrr—beauty mogul, influencer, and founder of ONE/SIZE—for an unfiltered conversation on how empathy, innovation, and identity can redefine what beauty means today. Patrick opens up about his transition from top-tier influencer to brand founder to licensed esthetician, sharing how a desire for true efficacy and skin knowledge drove him back to school, even while leading a growing brand.
E.355: Korean Skincare Infused Makeup, SIIA Cosmetics Is Leading The Way To Everyday Glam
Megan Rein is an experienced entrepreneur and executive with extensive experience in international business, industrial development and in the beauty industry.Megan grew up as a theatre kid and was always the head makeup artist for shows, receiving a county-wide makeup award. During received her Undergraduate in International Studies from the University of South Florida and studied abroad extensively, spending a semester in Morocco studying Arabic and Arab Studies. She then achieved a Masters of Science from the London School of Economics in International Development with a focus on development in the Middle East.
Fashion Friday Exclusive ft. Nadja Sayej - Author, Celebrity Journalist & Writer
Join us for our 500th feature and 2nd fashion Friday episode featuring the iconic, Nadja Sayej. Nadja Sayej is a New York-based writer, journalist and photographer who has interviewed over 500 celebrities, from Salma Hayek to Susan Sarandon and David Lynch. As a culture journalist in the game for 15+ years, she has covered celebrity news, music, film, TV and more for publications like The New York Times, The Guard-ian, Vanity Fair, VICE and VOGUE, from a critical pop culture lens, while tapping into the bigger picture.
From Soap Operas to Skincare, Kelly Kruger on Reinventing Beauty Standards
In this episode of Skin Anarchy, actress and entrepreneur Kelly Kruger shares her evolution from Hollywood to clean beauty, revealing how her personal struggles with skincare and wellness led her to create Madison Charles Oils. With a career rooted in storytelling and a passion for mindful living, Kelly discusses how she transformed her love for natural solutions into a growing brand dedicated to fragrance-free, all-natural oils.
Research Spotlight: Inflammaging is the Future of Skincare and Longevity with Dr Ekta Yadav
In this special episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta Yadav celebrates a milestone moment—her latest mini review, Inflammation and Aging: The Skin Inflammasome in the Context of Longevity Science, has been published in the Journal of Cellular Immunology. This episode offers listeners a deep but accessible dive into the mechanisms that link chronic inflammation, skin health, and the biology of aging.
E.318: The Necessity Of Vitamin D In Skin Care ft. Celeste Hilling of Skin Authority Skincare
In this episode we sat down with the brilliant Celeste Hilling , Founder of Skin Authority Skincare, and discussed how her remarkable realization of the central and fundamental role of vitamin D led to the development of an industry standard range of skincare products. Celeste explains how this ingredient has been heavily overlooked in the industry and how she filled the white space with her science forward and cutting edge, and technologically driven products.
Nina Zilka and David Krause, founders of Alder New York
Nina Zilka and David Krause, cofounders of Alder New York skincare, talk about their transition from fashion to beauty and how they used their background in another industry to create their sustainability forward and accessible line. Nina and David provide advice for new entrepreneurs.
Céline Talabaza, CEO of Noble Panacea
Céline is the Chief Executive Officer at Noble Panacea, which she co-designed with Sir Fraser Stoddart, the Founder and Nobel Laureate of Chemistry 2016, and Audrey Bois Nicolai, the Head of Brand Development. She comes with fifteen years of experience in brand development and strategy crafting in the Beauty industry. She made her debut globally at top multinational corporations such as L’Oréal, LVMH, and Unilever where she led these functions across international markets in Paris, Madrid, New York City, Singapore, and most recently, Zurich. Céline brings her expertise in creating a unique brand vision that is holistic and relevant to the modern high-end client.
E.279: Finding the BEST matches for skin and makeup using NakedPoppy’s algorithm ft. Jaleh Bisharat
In the age of endless product options, NakedPoppy aims to streamline the process of finding what fits us the “best” based on their quiz based analysis of the important factors that determine the products we NEED AND Want!
E.415: NYFW Fashion Friday Featuring moon d’elle shoeware
For the launch of our new series, Fashion Fridays, we wanted to start off with something everyone can relate to: a great pair of shoes that are finely crafted to perfection. moon d’elle is a line inspired by the rich background of two sisters, Chandra and Tabitha, as they grew up with a global awareness of what fashion truly meant. From concept to execution, every step of the moon d’elle production process takes place in the Lombardy region of Italy—best known for the art of luxury shoemaking.
Terri Bryant Founder of Guide Beauty
In this episode, hear from Terri Bryant, founder of the innovative line, Guide Beauty. Terri dives into her journey in the beauty industry as a professional makeup artist and talks about how she adapted and overcame the health changes impacting her career by recreating an easier way to do makeup, without compromising precision and artistry.
Why Swiss Skincare is Setting the Standard for Skin Health with Cellcosmet
In this episode of Skin Anarchy, we sit down with Dr. Jérémie Soeur, Chief Scientific Officer, and Jennifer Hessel, General Manager of North America at Cellcosmet, to explore how cutting-edge research is redefining skincare. With a science-first approach, Cellcosmet is setting new standards in microbiome support, peptide technology, and cellular rejuvenation.
Reprogramming Skin Cells for True Anti Aging with Serucell
In this episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta is joined by Dr. Walter Netto and Dr. Brett Jarrell, founders of Serucell, to explore the brand’s groundbreaking approach to skin regeneration. Rooted in wound healing research and cellular communication, Serucell goes beyond surface-level solutions to restore the skin’s natural vitality by reprogramming its cellular language.
Engineering Bras For Comfort & Confidence Ft. Evelyn & Bobbie
In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta sits down with Bree McKeen, founder of Evelyn & Bobbie, the brand rewriting the rules of bras with comfort, science, and confidence at the core. For decades, bras have been built on outdated designs that cause pain, poor posture, and even body dysmorphia. Bree is here to change that.
Victor and Alisha from MOB Beauty
Victor Casale and Alisha Gallagher, beauty industry veterans and pioneers in makeup artistry and formulation, present their new sustainability driven line, MOB Beauty. Victor has held roles as the head chemist and formulator for MAC cosmetics while Alisha is a classically trained makeup artist under the iconic Laura Mercier. Victor and Alisha dive into how their team has created makeup that is not only environmentally conscious but beautifully formulated and crafted to be used by top makeup artists and enthusiasts in the industry.
Jamie Makeup on Celebrities, Beauty Brand Building, and the Future of Eco-Friendly Makeup
Every makeup enthusiast knows a quality product can transform not just a look, but a life. Enter Jamie Greenberg—celebrity makeup artist and founder of Jamie Makeup—who paints us a picture of her vivid career journey, from her early days at Ulta to becoming a trailblazer at the counters of Dior. As Jamie narrates her rise to fame and the inception of her beauty line, she doesn't hold back on the realities of the industry or the personal touchstones that fueled her creative endeavors. Her story is a vibrant fusion of art, entrepreneurship, and the quest for the next big thing in beauty.
The Secret to Seamless Makeup Starts with Beautyblender
In this special episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta sits down with beauty industry legend Rea Ann Silva—the woman behind the iconic Beautyblender. Before the teardrop sponge became a global staple, Rea Ann was transforming faces behind the scenes on the set of Girlfriends, one of the first shows shot in high-definition. Faced with the need for flawless, undetectable makeup in this new visual era, she improvised a tool that would go on to change the beauty world.
Cheryl Yannotti Foland, Founder of lilah B.
Cheryl Yannotti Foland, founder of lilah B. talks about the importance of versatility in a good makeup product and discusses her incredible journey while creating the iconic brand.
Laura Geller, Beauty Industry Icon and creator of Laura Geller Beauty
Laura Geller is an iconic figure and personality in the beauty industry and has been a top selling entrepreneur on QVC for 25 years. Her work has not only inspired women to feel beautiful on the outside but has given options to many women who didn’t know where to start when it came to makeup or enhancing their natural beauty.
Exploring the Sacred Ritual of Beauty Products and the Power of Mindfulness
Imagine embarking on a journey with beauty industry veteran, Nicholas Gavrelis; a journey that spans over three decades, weaving through the gloss and glamour of fashion photography, makeup artistry, and retail management. Join us as we uncover the incredible insights Nick gathered from his time at Nordstrom and Mac, and learn how his spiritual awakening has deeply influenced his approach to beauty.
Explore the Science of Mitochondria and How Timeline is Changing the Skincare Game
In this episode of Skincare Anarchy, host Ekta Yadav introduces listeners to Timeline, a groundbreaking brand merging longevity science with skincare. Joined by Jamie Holmes, Chief Branding Officer at Timeline, they discuss how Timeline's products are revolutionizing the way we think about aging by focusing on cellular health.
Revolutionizing Online Shopping with Neha Singh, CEO of Obsess: The Future of Virtual Stores
Ever fancied a shopping spree, but dread the crowd and queues? Well, guess what, our guest for this episode, Neha Singh, founder and CEO of Obsess, has transformed the shopping experience. Neha, with her vibrant mix of engineering and fashion insights, has interlaced technology and shopping, making it possible for us to have an immersive and interactive shopping spree right from the comfort of our homes. A journey from Google to Vogue to Obsess, Neha's tech-fashion fusion has given brands a new dimension to interact with customers and has revolutionized the online shopping experience.
E.295: Skin Routines That Hollywood Stars Are Crazy For Ft. Angela Caglia
"My skincare philosophy is based on nourishing your lipid barrier, less is more when it comes to products, and only use the world’s best ingredients when formulating. My ethos is represented in each product in my assortment. I also bring my 26 years’ experience working directly on skin, that’s over 20,000 faces, so I have an acute understanding of what works. Plus, when you consider my clients are some of the most discerning and recognizable faces in the world, there is no margin for error. “ - Angela
Embracing Natural Beauty with Carmindy's Five-Minute Makeup Routine
In this episode of Skincare Anarchy, host Ekta Yadav sits down with Carmindy Bowyer, founder of Carmindy Beauty and the makeup artist known for her empowering approach to beauty. Carmindy shares her journey from working in high fashion to becoming a TV makeup expert on TLC's What Not to Wear, and how she built her beauty brand around celebrating natural beauty.
Celeste Lee and Lorrie King, co-founders of Caire Beauty
Lorrie and Celeste knew they were onto something ‘important’ when their friends were constantly asking for skincare recommendations because their long-time moisturizers and regimens were not ‘doing’ it. Both Lorrie and Celeste believed that aging and menopause need to become de-stigmatized and become openly acknowledged as a time of growth, wisdom, and shared community strength.
Kyoko Getz and Shannon Britt, Co-Founders of OLURA Skincare
A highly sought-after celebrity aesthetician, Kyoko has developed products and facial protocols for a number of luxury skincare lines before joining Olura to design our product line and create protocols for our clients.
E.385: Formulating Skincare That Merits Praise ft. MERIT Beauty’s SVP of Innovation and Growth
Join us for a phenomenal discussion with the lovely Aila Morin, SVP of MERIT’s Growth, Brand & Innovation. Aila shares the evolution of the minimalism inspired line from being makeup dominant, towards an active presence in the realm of skincare. MERIT has taken the spotlight with their latest launch being their debut skin product , “Great Skin™ Instant Glow Serum.” Aila explains the difference between creating skincare for the true minimalist and the challenges and discoveries that allowed the brand to express their underlying DNA in the skin space without compromising on science.
From Stage to Stardom Learn How Stacy Jones Turns Brand Partnerships into Gold
In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta sits down with Stacy Jones, founder and CEO of Hollywood Branded, to uncover the secrets behind creating authentic brand partnerships with celebrities and influencers. Stacy shares her inspiring journey from theater production to becoming a trailblazer in Hollywood marketing, offering invaluable insights into building resilient businesses and thriving through industry challenges.
Fearless Hair Artistry and Timeless Style Secrrets from Dimitris Giannetos
In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos for an honest look at what it really takes to shape iconic hair moments in Hollywood and beyond. From growing up in Thessaloniki with a dream that defied family expectations, to styling the biggest stars on the planet, Dimitris’s story is proof that fearlessness and timeless skill can take you anywhere.
RE: Brad Pitt’s New Line & Celebrity Skincare Hype
In this commentary, Ekta addresses the multiple reasons behind the lack of support celebrity skincare has been experiencing as of late. From brand founders standing up and writing letters to Brad himself all the way to iconic editors voicing their thoughts on social media, the concern is real and has the beauty industry buzzing.
Aida Bicaj, Celebrity Facialist and Biologique Recherche Ambassador
Aida Bicaj, Ambassador for Biologique Recherche, shares the amazing journey she has had in the skincare industry and the wisdom behind the iconic serum crafted by her mentor and father figure, Yvan Allouche. Aida is a celebrity facialist and expert in the art of maintaining healthy, glowing skin.
Neha Oberoi, Professional Editorial Photographer and Founder of Neha Studios
Neha is a NYC based beauty and fashion photographer. Her style is inspired by femininity and allure. She enjoys creating classic imagery in a world full of fleeting trends. Her career in photography began after leaving an unfulfilling profession in the corporate world in pursuit of a creatively driven and artistic life of purpose.
E.405: The Role Of PR In The Success Of Beauty Brands Ft. Lindsey S., Founder VLIV COMMUNICATIONS
Lindsey Smolan launched her strategic communications firm VLIV Communications in 2021 to amplify the stories of the beauty and fashion industry’s most exciting companies after more than a decade as a sought-after NYC PR consultant and publicity powerhouse.
Alyssa Hardy, Author, Former Fashion News Editor for Teen Vogue and Senior News Editor for InStyle
Alyssa Hardy is a fashion writer who’s worked in the industry for over 8 years. She was formerly the Fashion News Editor at Teen Vogue and the Senior News Editor at InStyle. She recently launched a newsletter titled, "This Stuff" which publishes twice weekly. In each edition, readers will find timely commentary on news stories and current events in fashion, along with personal essays, and musings on trends and celebrity style, featuring personal anecdotes from Alyssa’s life as a fashion insider.
Jill Manoff, Editor In Chief of GLOSSY
Jill Manoff is the editor-in-chief of Glossy, which explores the transformation of the fashion, luxury, beauty and retail industries through the lens of digital and technology. She oversees the editorial content and growth strategy of the media brand, launched in May 2016. Manoff joined Glossy from Mode Media, where she was the editor of Glam.com starting in July 2015. Prior to that, she was the editor of searsStyle and head copywriter in Sears’ apparel division.
Navigating Career Shifts and Fame with Davina Potratz from NETFLIX's Selling Sunset
What do you get when you cross a savvy real estate professional, a former model and a star from the Netflix series 'Selling Sunset'? You get Davina! We're thrilled to bring you our conversation with this accomplished professional, who candidly shares her unique journey from the world of fashion to the high-stakes realm of real estate. Get ready to hear all about her intriguing work on luxury development projects in Los Angeles, the Middle East, and more.
MAKEUP BY MARIO Launches Product: Learning About SURREALSKIN AWAKENING CONCEALER Featuring Mario Dedivanovic
Join us for a launch day exclusive episode featuring Mario from Makeup By Mario as he discusses his most requested product launch , SURREALSKIN™ AWAKENING CONCEALER, and why he created the magical formula to be an all in one for concealer lovers everywhere. Mario is back for part 2 on Skincare Anarchy and shares all the amazing progress his brand has made since last time along with the exciting details of this beautiful new launch.
Unveiling Authenticity: Marlena Stell’s Vision for the Future of Makeup
Explore the transformative power of beauty with Marlena Stell, the visionary founder of Makeup Geek, in a heart-to-heart that's as enlightening as it is inspiring. Marlena shares her journey from a makeup-obsessed child to a YouTube powerhouse, revealing how the art of cosmetics became her avenue for self-empowerment. She delves into the nuanced relationship between self-esteem and beauty, and how embracing one's image through makeup can be an act of self-love. In the creation of her latest venture, the Makeup Geek Academy, Marlena is on a mission to provide a sanctuary for learning and passion for makeup away from the social media circus.
Debunking Fragrance Myths W/ The Queen Of Scent, Veronique Gabai- E.425
Join Veronique Gabai and Ekta for a discussion about some of the most common myths and misconceptions that exist in the minds of fragrance fans. The conversation does a deep dive into not only the popular opinions/ views around this niche of the beauty and fashion industries, but also sheds insight into the historical relevance of where such misinformation stemmed from over the centuries.
E.390: How Does Fragrance Impact Culture & Vice Versa w/ Veronique Gabai - Masterclass Series
Join Veronique Gabai and Ekta for a discussion around the role of culture in fragrance as we know it today. The conversation does a deep dive into not only the popular culture around this niche of the beauty and fashion industries, but also sheds insight into the historical relevance of cultures as they have evolved into the norms present globally around the use of scent in day to day life, today.