Show Notes
Is being an influencer still worth it in 2026... or has the golden era officially ended? This week on GlowJob, we break down the creator economy from day one to now: from early beauty bloggers and YouTube legends like Michelle Phan, to Instagram’s glam era, to TikTok virality, and today’s rise of UGC creators and AI-powered commerce. The industry is now worth hundreds of billions globally, with brands spending $40B+ a year in the U.S. alone — but follower count no longer equals money. Virality doesn’t guarantee income. And the old “get paid to post” model is basically dead. We unpack: • Why Gen Z sees influencing as a full-time career • How FTC rules changed trust forever (ad culture) • The biggest influencer scandals (James Charles, Tati Westbrook, Jeffree Star, Chiara Ferragni) • Why UGC creators with zero followers are out-earning traditional influencers • How TikTok democratized fame • Why brands now care about conversion, not clout Plus, we sit down with Nicole Clay, co-founder of Hue, to talk about how AI, data, and UGC are reshaping how brands sell — and why everyday creators are becoming more valuable than celebrities If you’ve ever thought about becoming a creator — or you’re a brand trying to understand influencer marketing — this is your no-BS breakdown of what actually works now. GlowJob is the beauty podcast that makes you hotter and smarter.-------- Follow GlowJob™ Socials: Instagram Youtube GlowJob Website TikTok Shop My Email: [email protected] -------- The only podcast to make you hotter AND smarter.
GlowJob™ goes beyond the headlines to unpack the business and culture driving the world’s most influential industry… beauty. Hosted by best friends Julia Bellary and Sasa Li, GlowJob dishes on the conversations you actually want to hear — and the ones everyone else is too afraid to start. From celebrity drama to billion-dollar beauty deals, join us as we break down how skincare, makeup, and wellness collide with society, culture, and business.
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Shop everything in the episode HERE! Hero Cosmetics co-founder Ju Rhyu and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Aimee Paik join Julia and Sasa to announce the official launch of Vize, a $24 daily face sunscreen built for all year, not just beach season. The Vize co-founders explain SPF stacking and why almost everyone under-applies. They explain why powder sunscreen barely works, what the FDA's absorption studies actually found about chemical filters, and the UVA you're getting through your car window. Plus: why Vize refused to make a "no white cast" claim it technically had, the BEMT hype, and a rapid fire that ends in a surprisingly unanimous F, Marry, Kill. Follow us @glowjobpodcast -------- Follow GlowJob Podcast™ Socials: Instagram Youtube ShopMy GlowJob Website Email: [email protected] -------- GlowJob Podcast is the fastest growing beauty & business podcast that makes you hotter and smarter. Best friends & co-hosts Julia Bellary and Sasa Li cover the internet trends, celebrity news, brand drama, and cultural moments shaping how we live, spend, and think — from viral TikTok controversies and influencer culture to billion-dollar business moves and the conversations everyone's having right now. Funny and unapologetically candid, Julia & Sasa break it all down with episodes you didn’t know you needed.
Shop everything mentioned in our ShopMy here! This month's lineup is stacked: "zombie cell" skincare that's actually backed by science, an innovative scalp conditioner (yep you heard that right), and the fragrance house that designed a scent around Britney and Justin's double-denim moment. Julia and Sasa break down Dr. For Hair, Shaz & Kicks, Dae, Healing Bird, Versed, Peach & Lily, Icon Skincare, Grown Alchemist, Benefit, WeNatal, and PerfumeHead — the brands, the lore, and the science behind what actually works. As always: hotter and smarter, never just the packaging. Follow us @glowjobpodcast -------- Follow GlowJob Podcast™ Socials: Instagram Youtube ShopMy Website Email: [email protected] -------- GlowJob Podcast is the fastest growing beauty & business podcast that makes you hotter and smarter. Best friends & co-hosts Julia Bellary and Sasa Li cover the internet trends, celebrity news, brand drama, and cultural moments shaping how we live, spend, and think — from viral TikTok controversies and influencer culture to billion-dollar business moves and the conversations everyone's having right now. Funny and unapologetically candid, Julia & Sasa break it all down with episodes you didn’t know you needed.