

If you haven't gotten into a good podcast this year, you might want to reconsider your priorities. The convenience of getting information, inspiration, and entertainment while you multitask at home is invaluable, and there's a podcast for almost anything. The subjects seem endless, and if you're a beauty enthusiast, finding top beauty podcasts can be a lifesaver since there's always some new beauty product, hair trend or self-care YouTube tutorial.
We've got a few great beauty podcasts for you to check out that cover skincare, haircare trends, product picks, and more:
Fat Mascara
Beauty editors and besties Jessica Matlin and Jennifer Goldstein talk about the industry's latest news and share their inside stories about celebrity interviews, new skincare treatments, innovative products and beauty fails. They also host conversations with celebrity makeup artists, perfumers, plastic surgeons, and manicurists.
Image via Naked Beauty
Naked Beauty
When Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli is not busy slaying the game as Instagram's product marketing manager, she's talking all things skincare via the Naked Beauty podcast. The beauty enthusiast regularly interviews people like BET style director Danielle Prescod, K-Beauty expert Charlotte Cho, and beauty author Rio Viera-Newton and gets to the nitty gritty on top products, explorations on self-perception and redefining beauty standards.
Beyond the Beauty
Makeup industry vet Bobbi Brown hosts discussions with leaders in entertainment, beauty and fashion on topics including how to dress for your body type, DIY and natural remedies for skincare, wellness while working from home, and of course, the latest news from one of the most successful makeup brands on the market. (FYI, Brown turned a $7.50 investment into a billion-dollar global brand.)
Photo via Full Coverage
Full Coverage
Touted as a "podcast for beauty addicts, by beauty addicts," Full Coverage is hosted by pro MUA Harriet Hadfield and self-professed "beauty junkie" Lindsey Kelk. Past episodes have gotten into the real on topics like combating maskne, new celebrity product lines, and the latest from popular brands including Fenty and Colourpop.
Goop's The Beauty Closet
The original podcast was hosted by actress Gwyneth Paltrow, founder of Goop, an early Web-based disruptor in the lifestyle and beauty space. Today, the platform continues to cover fashion, wellness, travel, and of course, beauty, and its podcast offerings have expanded. The Beauty Closet, hosted by editors Jean Godfrey-June and Megan O'Neill, includes insights on subjects like "clean beauty", tips for "glowy-dewy skin" and best practices for the ultimate hair health, and features interviews with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and influencers.
Breaking Beauty
In Breaking Beauty, beauty editors Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins share inspiring stories behind how best-selling beauty products came to market from the founders like Glossier's Emily Weiss adn Tata Harper. They also get the tea from celebrity makeup artists and experts on tips and tricks that you can use at home, and feature industry faves including Mario Dedivanovic, Dr. Pimple Popper, and Jen Atkin. In one of their latest episodes, they catch up with Sharon Chuter, the Nigerian-born Uoma Beauty founder and former beauty executive, to talk Black Lives Matter and filling a void in the international market for Black women.
Photo via Snatched Edges
Snatched Edges
If you haven't already guessed from the title, Ebuni Ajiduah, a U.K.-based trichologist and member of the International Association of Trichologists, offers tell-it-like-it-is insights on solving common hair and scalp issues, no matter the hair type. She features discussions with people who have experienced hair loss and the remedies they've found helpful, as well as tips and advice for healthy haircare.
Allure's Science of Beauty
Known as the beauty-product bible in the publishing industry, Allure has now expanded its reach with Allure's Science of Beauty podcast which will offer its brand of expert advice and exploration of the latest products and trends—fact-checked and researched. Editor-in-chief Michelle Lee leads conversations with influential voices in fashion, beauty, entertainment and lifestyle to talk about beauty obsessions and innovations.
Photo via Balanced Black Girl
Balanced Black Girl
Led by a personal trainer and nutrition coach, this podcast taps into the work of boosting beauty from the inside out. The show seeks to help millennial Black women approach a perception of beauty from a place of health and wellness, and includes interviews with experts on holistic wellness practices, nutrition and its effect on the body, and stress management.
The Glossy Beauty
Presented by Glossy, a publication that embraces the intersection of fashion, beauty, and tech, The Glossy Beauty podcast includes candid chats about trends and their role in shaping the future of the beauty and wellness industries. If you're a true beauty geek and forward-thinker intrigued by conversations about retail strategies used for managing beauty floors or what skincare products and crystals have in common, this one is for you.
Hello Beauty
Host Joyce Platon, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist and groomer, discusses topics that bring to light the real deal on trending beauty treatments, social issues, and challenges people of color face related to beauty. The latest Hello Beauty episodes tackle demystifying beauty procedures like PDO thread lifts (described as a "nonsurgical facelifts") and Morpheus8 (a procedure that combines micro-needling and radio frequency), and advocating for black beauty entrepreneurs via interviews with founders including Brittney Ogike of BeautyBeez.
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Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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After Decades-Long Career, Terri J. Vaughn Is Finally The Main Character: Exclusive
Terri J. Vaughn first captured our attention in the late ‘90s as Lovita Alizay Jenkins on The Steve Harvey Show. Decades later, she is starring in her very own series, She The People, which is now available to stream on Netflix.
The political sitcom, which she co-created with Niya Palmer and later teamed up with Tyler Perry Studios, is about a Black woman named Antoinette Dunkerson who runs for lieutenant governor of Mississippi. She wins and becomes the state’s first Black lieutenant governor. Now, she’s forced to balance working with a racist and sexist governor while also trying to keep her family from running amok.
According to the beloved actress, this project was a long time coming. “I’ve been trying to get my own television series for like 20 years, pounding the pavement, meeting with people, getting clothes, being lied to, just a whole bunch of stuff,” she says in an exclusive interview with xoNecole.
“But just keep going, because this is what I do. This is what I love, and I know how important it is for us to continue to show up and make sure that we are seen, make sure that our voices are heard. For several reasons. I just never give up. So here I am, 20 years later, finally sold my show.”
She The People is inspired by the true story of London Breed, who became the first Black female mayor of San Francisco, Terri’s hometown. And to help make the show more authentic, the Cherish the Day actress tapped former Atlanta mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms to come on as a producer.'“I’ve been trying to get my own television series for like 20 years, pounding the pavement, meeting with people, getting clothes, being lied to, just a whole bunch of stuff."
After bringing the former mayor aboard, it was time to pitch again. And this time, the companies were pitching them. Ultimately, Terri decided to work with Tyler Perry on the series.
“We decided to do it with Tyler for several reasons. I love that. Well, most of the companies we met with were Black-owned companies, but he was the only studio,” she explains. “Tyler is like Walt Disney. That's literally what he is. He has the studio, he has the content. He operates just like Walt Disney.”
And thanks to the cast, the show is nothing short of laughs. The series also stars social media creator Jade Novah as Antoinette’s crazy cousin/ assistant, Shamika, Family Mattersstar Jo Marie Payton as Anotinette’s mom, Cleo, and Terri’s husband, Karon Riley, who plays Michael, her driver and love interest.
While we’ve watched Terri’s career blossom in various ways. From directing to producing, and playing diverse characters, the mom of two says her The Steve Harvey Show character will always be her favorite.
“Well, Lovita was definitely my favorite, especially for my time, the age and everything that I was. Now as a grown ass woman over 50, Antoinette Dunkerson is everything that I've wanted to play. She's everything. She's a mother of two teenagers. She's divorced, so she's co-parenting with her ex-husband. She has to wrangle in a very eclectic family,” she says.
“So I like playing characters that are really flawed and trying to figure it out and doing their best to try to figure it. And she's very flawed and she is trying to figure it out, and she fucks up sometimes. But her heart and what she's trying to do and what her vision is and purpose, it's all for the people. I mean, she the people. She’s for the people, she is the people.”
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