A Formulator on What Your Routine Really Needs (and What It Doesn’t)

Have you ever wondered if your $40 shampoo is ACTUALLY better than what you can get in the supermarket aisle? Or whether the skincare-inspired ingredients popping up in haircare are doing anything particularly groundbreaking? This week, we're joined by Cassandra Celestin (aka The Beauty Chemist), a cosmetic chemist, product developer and scientist, to separate haircare formulation science from marketing spin. We’re getting into what makes a good haircare product, which ingredients are worth paying attention to, and how to get more out of your hair routine. Also in this ep: our thoughts on refilling an empty Aesop hand soap with something cheaper, some of the products we trialled over the break, and our MVPs. Links below!

This week, we're talking all things eyes with Dr Maryam Zamani — Consultant Oculoplastic Surgeon, Facial Aesthetics Doctor, and founder of MZ Skin. With over twenty years of experience across the US and UK, Dr Zamani breaks down what's happening as our eye area ages, why "tired eyes" isn't always about sleep, and walks us through everything from skincare and injectables through to blepharoplasty — helping us figure out what's worth considering, surgical or not. Plus, the beauty buys we don't think are worth the money, Carli's honest post-Botox experience, and the new-gen retinoid ingredient that's flying under the radar but might be worth watching. And our MVPs this week: Carli's tried and tested 10-minute self-tan mask for when you've got zero time but still want a glow, and Bettina's happy accident of a K-beauty lip tint.

After a brief (unintended) hiatus, we are back! And because some of you told us your favourite bits of the podcast are when we chat beauty and the MVPs, today's slightly chaotic and silly episode is just that. We're bringing you the beauty pitches that caught our attention, including the most interesting celeb perfume launch to date and which seat on a plane is optimal for your skin, and double the fun with two MVPs each. Links below! Boring Without You Rem Repair Aquaporin Lamellar Barrier Cream Moisturiser Kerasilk Liquid Cuticle Filler Tir Tir Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation Mecca Cosmetica WEEKEND SKIN Hydra Tint with SPF50 Maybelline Maybelline Brow Inserts

We're talking about all the words on the front of your product packaging, things like "medical grade," "clean," "clinically proven," "natural" — the phrases that sound official. But is it really official? We also have Carli's review of Medik8's new PDRN serum, an update on Bettina's Crown Affair Finishing Hair Spray (it's not looking promising guys), plus our MVPs! A tubing mascara that survived 38-degree heat in Vietnam without smudging, flaking or budging, and a new makeup brush collection you'll want in your kit.

KBeauty is everywhere and taking over our skincare regimens one product at a time. So what is it about Korean skincare that has us overhauling and expanding our routines? And, more importantly, is it all it’s cracked up to be? Dr Amy Chahal joins TBP to navigate what’s worth it in the Korean skincare space, what’s more hype than results, and what’s not really getting the flowers it deserves. Also in this ep: the concealer application technique to prevent under-eye wrinkles, new-to-us beauty brands and the products we want to try, and our MVPs of the week