Beauty Full Stories with Erin's Faces

Latest Episodes:

46. Should I Keep Quiet About Pregnancy Loss? with Katherine Phifer May 04, 2021

Show notes

Katherine Phifer is a psychotherapist and life coach who works with female leaders to help them run their businesses from a place of grounded soul AND own the power that they were born with. And she likes sparkles a lot so Erin is in!
In this episode, we hear about Katherine’s journey and her unique view on leadership. After seeing the sacrifices that so many people make when they are in high level roles, and she shares why she believes we don’t have to give anything up to get to where we want to be. We talk about the importance of establishing boundaries to protect ourselves and ensure we are not drained by interactions.
Katherine also bravely opens up about her pregnancy loss, where we hear about her angel daughter and the value she brought to Katherine and her family’s life. As the show wraps up, Katherine talks about managing her Crohn’s disease and what she has learned about taking better care of herself in the process.

Our email this week (44:26) is about why we decided to use glass for so many of our products. Erin shares the story of how she came to use this packaging and why it is a decision that she is now so happy with.
Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“I’m of the mindset that you don’t have to sacrifice anything, that you don’t have to give up something in order to be a leader.” — @katherinephifer [0:07:40]

“My appearance and my self-image was always wrapped up in my anxiety about life, anxiety about how life was going to work out, and my appearance was wrapped up in that.” — @katherinephifer [0:41:48]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

45. Should I Let Competition Kill My Kindness? with Ali Ewoldt Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

Ali Ewoldt is one of Broadway's leading ladies, and was the first Asian woman to play Christine in The Phantom of The Opera on Broadway (and is a DELIGHT!). In this episode, Ali talks about her journey of falling in love with performance and musical theater. We hear how she landed her career-defining roles and what it was like working with some of her idols. As a Filipino, she found a home in the Asian-American theater community and highlights how the tight-knit group supports one another. We also hear about when she was told she "was not Asian enough" for a role, and what she did when she faced this baseless criticism. As our conversation wraps up, Ali sheds light on her 10-year-long journey to playing Christine, why single accomplishments will not make you feel fulfilled, and she also shares some of her tips for getting comfy seeing yourself on Zoom!

Our email this week (51:53) is about how you can best use a lash and brow serum. You will also hear about some other products that will help strengthen those lashes and brows!

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“We're all kind of apples and oranges and it only helps when we lift each other up and support each other.” — @aliewoldt [0:27:38]

“Because I am mixed, it's hard to throw me into a casting box. That's a thing that we love to do in musicals and theater, in acting and casting in general.” — @aliewoldt [0:32:48]

“We have an idea of what somebody who's Latino looks like, what somebody who's Asian looks like, and none of these things are monoliths.” — @aliewoldt [0:34:35]

“Comparing is silly. It imagines that we're all capable of looking the same way and achieving the same things and honestly, that would be terribly, terribly boring.” — @aliewoldt [0:48:15]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

44. Should I Laugh at Sexist Jokes to Fit In? with Fifi Buchanan Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

It is rare to find someone as comfortable in the science world as they are in the creative one, but today’s guest, Fifi Buchanan, floats seamlessly between the two. Fifi, also known as Divine Hostess, is a qualified mechanical engineer and currently works as a technical writer, voice-over artist and also hosts her own podcast, Wonderfully Made. In this episode, we delve into what it was like working in the male-dominated field of engineering, and Fifi shares her experiences from college through to the workplace. As someone whose interests lie between the creative and scientific worlds, Fifi felt like she had to hide a part of herself because she did not want her colleagues to misunderstand her interests. She shares the value that she discovered in not sticking to one path and the solace she found in her creative work when she felt increasingly limited in the workplace.
Our conversation also touches on representation, particularly in the clean beauty space, the implications of the lack of access to green products for Black women, and the beauty of being able to express yourself through makeup without using it to fix you. Fifi is an insightful and all-around brilliant woman whom we really admire, and we know after tuning in, you will too!

Our email this week (40:20) is about how to make makeup last longer in hot weather. With summer coming up, it is a timely question and we give product recs and tips to help!

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“Going through school in engineering, I didn’t realize that sexism would be a bigger issue than racism.” — @divinehostess [0:12:24]

“I often felt either unwelcome in certain spaces or uncomfortable, just because it was kind of this old boys’ club.” — @divinehostess [0:14:02]

“It bothers me that the implication is that if it has Black people on it or in it, then it is only for Black people.” — @divinehostess [0:22:58]

“It makes me tired just thinking about it because I won’t get what I need.” — @divinehostess [0:26:58]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

43. Should Green Beauty Exclude Black Women? with Erin Clemons, Lauren Hooper & Chelsea Williams Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

Is the clean beauty industry inclusive and representative of Black women? And what does it make you feel when you don’t see yourself in these spaces? We explore these and more with Erin Clemons, Lauren Hooper, and Chelsea Williams, members of the Diversity Team at Erin’s Faces. In this episode, we’ll hear some of the insights from our conversations. Erin Clemons is a creative professional who is passionate about the intersection of arts and activism, and finds joy in creating connections. She was our guest in Episode 8 where we discussed her experience in Hamilton onBroadway. Lauren is a mother of two who finds joy immersing herself in her garden and applying her mind to her onscreen roles, most recently appearing in Homeland. Chelsea of That's Chelsea is a plant-based public health specialist who holds a Master’s in Public Health Nutrition, and is a media contributor and wellness writer.
We discuss their clean beauty experiences and the frustration they have felt at not seeing women who look like them in these spaces. The team touches on superficial representation and performative allyship; how brands need to do the work and educate themselves to speak to Black women’s needs. All of the women came to green beauty differently, but they share similar struggles in not being able to access the full range of products available from brands. Our conversation also touches on the work white-owned brands have to do to move past their blind spots, colorism, the value of thorough market research, and why true inclusion benefits the bottom line.

Our email this week (50:52) is about what makes an ingredient Active or Inactive.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“We can put a man on the moon, but we can’t find products or clothes that [fit] different body types.” — Lauren Hooper [0:15:07]

“It’s like you have to be assimilated in order to be accepted.” — @HiThatsChelsea [0:16:21]

“This whole issue, it’s a human issue, it’s not a brand issue. I just wish that human beings would talk to each other more, ask the questions, be able to listen, take the feedback, and use it. Don’t just placate.” — @ErinEClemons [0:48:22]

“I will take my dollars where I feel valued and appreciated and create a shift that way if that brand doesn’t want to improve.” — @HiThatsChelsea [0:49:18]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

42. Should I Suffer in Order to Succeed? with Joanna Carpenter Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

Whether it is over our weight, our jobs, or our appearances, women are generally told they have not lived up to societal expectations, and this can often cause shame. Rather than be bogged down by this, our guest today, Joanna Carpenter uses these feelings as a springboard to question the status quo.
Joanna is an actor, singer, community organizer, and diversity, equity, and inclusion educator. In this episode, Joanna talks about working in hospitality and why she is such a strong advocate for underrepresented groups who work in this space. Growing up in the industry meant that Joanna was exposed to the space’s shortcomings early on. She has since used her voice on behalf of those who are not able to. We talk about how women, particularly women of color, absorb shame and face the disproportionate brunt of a system that can be sexist, classist, and racist. Joanna also shares her frustration at the marketing of health and wellness products during the pandemic, the pressures she felt as a Chinese-American performer, the idea that women have to be small and soft to be desirable, and the lessons she has learned from her difficult childhood and relationships. Joanna’s value in standing out rather than trying to fit in is well worth hearing.

Our email this week (51:53) is about which ingredients you want to avoid if you want to go clean with your lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balms. These include petroleum, its derivatives, fragrance, and FD&C dyes.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“Shaming exists not only everywhere, but shaming also exists on a spectrum.” — @thejoannac [0:11:56]

“Women absorb the toxicity of an inherently classist and sexist system, especially women of color, on a level that is difficult to empathize with if you are not in those groups.” — @thejoannac [0:14:41]

“There’s a sect of society that spans across socio-economics, demographics, race, ethnicities, and upbringings that is just so threated by the idea of women not only being mentally powerful, but also being physically powerful.” — @thejoannac [0:26:20]

“Toxic masculinity involves shutting down any potentially open door to vulnerability.” — @thejoannac [0:29:41]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

41. Should I Encourage My Child To "Fit In"? with Nicole Paloma Sarro Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, we talk with Nicole Paloma Sarro, actress and operations manager, about the challenges of being a parent in the pandemic. Nicole shares how she is showing up differently for her daughter, Paloma, during this time. We hear about how Nicole has marched to the beat of her own drum her whole life and the deep sense of self-love she has always been able to access. While she still experiences insecurity, she simply does not try to be anything other than who she is.
We touch on parenting messaging and the tough conversations Nicole has had to have with her in-laws about the way she raises her daughter. Generational parenting styles vary so much, it can be hard! Nicole wants to instill independence, open-mindedness, and free-thinking in her daughter. It is not easy helping someone navigate this world, and the way Nicole has chosen to raise her daughter is inspiring!

Our email this week (45:40) is about whether you should buy a new SPF this spring if you have one from last season. We hear why it is best not to reuse old SPF and get a fresh one instead. Remember, SPF is not only for warmer months; you should be wearing it year-round.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Nicole Sarro on Instagram
Podcast Episode 15 with Rosalynn Glover - Should I Try to Prove Myself to You?
Roxy the Last Unisaurus Rex
The Lapsed Fan
Erin's Faces Pumpkin Enzyme Peel
Erin's Faces Clarifying Green Clay Mask
Erin's Faces Peptide SPF 30

Tweetables:

“It’s not easy to be a human being during this time, and it’s exceptionally challenging to be a parent right now.” — Nicole Sarro [0:06:25]

“For the last couple of months, I’ve had to just show up, as a mother, as a person, a constant in Paloma’s life more than ever in the last six years and to take time to connect with her.” — Nicole Sarro [0:15:04]

“For now, the antidote has been to level up as a person, as a mom, as Paloma’s safe place. And I feel honored and grateful to do that, but damn, it’s exhausting.” — Nicole Sarro [0:40:47]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

40. Should I Stop Eating? with Ashton Fineout Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

Women face so much pressure when it comes to appearance, and can fall into the trap of attaching self-worth to the way they look. But this week's guest, Ashton Fineout, believes that we are all valuable because we were created that way.
Ashton is not only a professional violinist and clean beauty lover, but she is one of the most consciously kind people Erin has ever met. In this episode, Ashton bravely opens up about struggling with an eating disorder in her early 20s. She was encouraged by comments people made about her weight loss, which reinforced the idea that the skinnier she was, the more worthy she became. Ashton shares what the turning point was, what she wishes she knew then, and her path to recovery. As shown by Ashton’s story, healing is not something that needs to happen alone, and if you are struggling, there is always someone you can reach out to for help. If you are needing support please contact the National Eating Disorders Association.

Our email this week (48:23) is about how often you should be exfoliating your face. The answer is different for everyone and Josey and Erin talk about it.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Ashton Fineout on Instagram
TCU College of Fine Arts
Ashton and Aubrey's Violin Duo on Instagram - TheFineStrungDuo
Erin's Faces Tamanu Oil
Erin's Faces Pumpkin Enzyme Peel (chemical exfoliator)
Erin's Faces Clarifying Green Clay Mask
Erin's Faces Antioxidant Facial Polish (manual/scrubby exfoliator)

Tweetables:

“In the business of performance and performing arts, women, particularly, when they are deemed attractive or appealing, they get more jobs, they get more favors. And people that are not as ‘conventionally attractive’ they may not have as many opportunities.” — Ashton Fineout [0:16:24]

“Just the knowledge that I blew a really great opportunity for myself because I wasn’t taking proper care of my body and that I was actually starving it, that’s when I knew things had to change.” — Ashton Fineout [0:22:45]

“Personally, I really believe that I was created in the image of God and that he designed me with intention and creativity, and I would tell myself back then to not question or criticize the features you were created with. Because the features that you were given were not an accident.” — Ashton Fineout [0:27:32]

“Expectations do not equate to value because you were born valuable because God says that you are.” — Ashton Fineout [0:28:58]

“If you are thinking of a compliment to say to a person that you find beautiful, then tell them something that’s beautiful about them that doesn’t have to do with their physical appearance.” — Ashton Fineout [0:39:51]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

39. Should I Take Up Less Space? with Shanna Tyler Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

Few people radiate sunshine and light the way today’s guest, Shanna Tyler, does. Not only is Shanna an incredible woman, but she is also a brand and business coach for mission-driven entrepreneurs and the CEO of Confused to Curated, a branding school that helps business owners build the best, most purposeful brands they can. In today’s episode, Shanna shares her journey with us. Due to the nature of the content, we have placed a trigger warning on this episode [TW: suicidal ideation which we discuss between [0:14:50] and [0:16:33]].
We hear about how she went from leading a life that looked good on paper but left her unfulfilled to moving forward with purpose and passion. Shanna shares the trials and tribulations of building a business and gives us insights into what it has taken to get hers off the ground.
We also talk about the wellness space, where Shanna worked for some time, the lack of representation, and why brands are losing out by not spending time and money investing in Black women, who would be willing customers if they felt heard and represented. Shanna discusses her passion for brand-building and how she built her brand that she was able to leverage into a full-time business. Shanna shares that she has struggled with claiming her space and owning her brilliance, but as she has grown older, she is consciously stepping into who she was always meant to be, and is thriving!

Our email this week (47:50) answers the question what order you should be applying your skincare products? This is a question we get often, and while there is some wiggle room, there are some non-negotiables in every routine. Tune in to find out what your morning and nighttime skincare routine should include.

Call Outs from the Episode:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 1-800-273-8255
Victoria Verlezza DEI - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Neilson Report on African American Spending Power
Episode 10 with Marisa Corcoran
Episode 15 with Rosalynn Glover
Erin’s Faces Skincare Order Card to Print

Tweetables:

“It is so important for brands to come and step correctly.” — Shanna Tyler [0:31:11]

“Black women don’t spend because you’re not talking to Black women, you’re not investing any time in Black women. And quite frankly, when you look at the numbers, just from a business perspective, Black women are the highest paying in the beauty industry.” — Shanna Tyler [0:33:17]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

38. Should I Buy "Clean" Products Out of Fear? with Molly Hill Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

Molly Hill of the clean living blog, Maison Pur, shares the knowledge she has gained through her extensive research so that people can use information rather than fear to make decisions about which products to buy.
Molly also shares how battling malaria led her to the world of clean living and how being pregnant heightened her awareness around the products she was using. Throughout the conversation, Molly shares some of her favorite goodies, including her must-have household cleaners, skincare, and makeup products.

Our email this week (49:56) is about stretch marks, specifically on pregnant bellies.
Call Outs from the Episode:

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

37. Should I Let Fear Hold Me Back? with Mandy Gonzalez Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

One of Broadway's leading ladies, Mandy Gonzalez played Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton, originated the role of Nina in In the Heightsand played Elphaba in Wicked (and that's not even everything!). Now she can add author to her resume with her new book Fearless!
Mandy discusses being both Mexican-American and Jewish and how she did not fit neatly into a box for other people. She talks about her identity and the journey she went on to clarify it, despite many in the industry telling her she had to change in some way to succeed. We hear how it affected her move to New York to pursue a career on Broadway and the fearless pursuit of her dream. She was never afraid of failing because she didn't worry what people would think if something did not work out (and it totally worked out!).
Mandy also opens up about her journey with breast cancer and how her Fearless Squad offered her support she did not know she would need. As we wrap up the conversation, we talk about the importance of self-care for us women and why we should not feel selfish for taking time to look after ourselves.

Our email this week (43:29) is about why your mineral loose powder foundation might be changing color over the course of the day.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“I always felt like I belonged with the people that loved me.” — @_mandygonzalez [0:08:24]

“I felt like I had to see my own way and imagine things that maybe weren’t possible yet or weren’t out there yet. So, in that way, I had to dream. I had to dream really big.” — @_mandygonzalez [0:15:54]

“I’ve learned that your dream is going to take a lot of different turns and that’s okay. Because that’s your journey.” — @_mandygonzalez [0:18:03]

“Being able to rely on your family, knowing that from birth, has been such a gift for my life because I really lucked out with a great family.” — @_mandygonzalez [0:28:26]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

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