Gloss Angeles · Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan

What’s Going on With the New U.S. Sunscreen Filter? Plus: Selena’s Wedding and an Update on That Bubble Campaign

·41 min·3 clips

Kirbie and Sara debate Taylor Swift's surprising adult lyrics in her new song 'Father Figure'.

This episode of Gloss Angeles features hosts Kirby and Sarah discussing Taylor Swift's new album "The Tortured Poets Department" and its lyrical themes. They analyze the song "Father Figure," which interpolates George Michael's 1987 track and is interpreted as being about Swift's former manager, Scott Borchetta. The hosts note the song contains adult lyrics, including the line "I make deals with the devil because my dick's bigger," which they speculate could be a real phrase Borchetta used. Kirby and Sarah also discuss Selena Gomez's recent wedding, praising her Ralph Lauren gowns, short hair, and the overall timeless, elegant aesthetic. They share their hope that Gomez and her new husband will soon have children, mirroring a sentiment expressed in a Swift song about wanting a family. The conversation touches on the luxury of phone-free events, facilitated by Yonder bags, which were used at the wedding. The hosts review a new multi-use cream from Orsay Cosmetics called Cloud Dimensions, highlighting its oil-free, water-based formula and "expensive" shimmer. They follow up on a previous discussion about Bubble Skincare's campaign with Leighton Meester, after speaking with founder Shai Eisenman about the brand's clinical testing and in-house R&D. A significant segment covers the potential U.S. approval of a new sunscreen filter, Bemotrizinol, branded as Parasol Shield, which is already popular in European and Asian sunscreens. Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos is cited, explaining the U.S. has only 16 approved sunscreen filters compared to over 30 in other regions. The episode also mentions potential advancements in more inclusive sunscreen testing methods, like UV spectroscopy, to move beyond skin-reddening tests. Finally, the hosts answer a listener question by recommending several Sephora skincare brands, including Facile, Sophie Pavitt, and Shani Darden, for different concerns. A surprising claim is that the Monopoly game character, Rich Uncle Pennybags, has never worn a monocle, which the hosts present as a common Mandela effect. They find Swift's use of internet slang in her lyrics, like "bad bitch" or "savage," to be cringeworthy, believing she is a better songwriter than that. The hosts express excitement about the new Orsay product's texture and its ability to set without smudging. They were impressed to learn Bubble Skincare conducts all its research and development in-house, which changed their perspective on the brand. The lengthy, expensive process of getting a new sunscreen filter approved in the U.S., taking 20 years and millions of dollars, is noted as a key insight. The episode has a conversational and educational tone, blending pop culture analysis with beauty industry news and product reviews. Listeners interested in Taylor Swift's songwriting, celebrity wedding details, and the science behind sunscreen filters would enjoy this episode. Those seeking a highly structured, single-topic deep dive might find the range of subjects too broad.

As heard by us

Taylor Swift chatter leads into a beauty segment with practical product talk and a clear point of view.

Gloss Angeles starts with Taylor Swift chatter and then settles into a beauty conversation that becomes more grounded once it turns to how products wear in real life.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for Taylor Swift album chatter, racier lyrics, and a beauty detour that still gives you something useful.

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