The Allure Podcast

Ericka Hart is in the next phase of her lifelong sex education. Starting as a curious and resourceful teenager, looking for answers to supplement her abstinence-only sex-ed class, Hart built on her knowledge when she was diagnosed, at 28, with breast cancer. Until her diagnosis, Hart had never really thought about her breasts. “They really felt like they were in service to other people,” she says. That changed post-treatment when she went topless at a music festival in 2016, publicly displaying her mastectomy scars: “I just wanted people…to see me and my scars, and to see what breast cancer looks like in Black, queer, and trans people.” She also wanted to challenge the cultural default that desexualizes cancer survivors. People would tell Hart over and over that she was so inspiring, which was nice, but, she adds, “I’m also pretty hot.”  That next phase of her education arrived when she got pregnant with her partner using IUI (intrauterine insemination) and gave birth. “I feel much different in my body now as a 40-year-old who is three years postpartum than I did after breast cancer,” Hart says. “I think pregnancy and childbirth truly rocked me more than anything I’ve ever experienced.” Now that she’s raising a child, Hart is aware of another change—the feeling that she wants to keep her body to herself, asking, “What’s for me?”  Ericka Hart is a sex educator, activist, and the author of Nasty Work.  Allure’s Perspectives is a new series exploring the topics shaping women's lives today through honest, nuanced, and deeply personal conversations. The first season examines the cultural significance of breasts through intimate accounts and expert interviews, hosted by editor in chief Jessica Cruel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You can’t talk about breasts without talking about bras. So Jessica Cruel, Allure’s editor in chief, went to the source: Dr. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Dr. Steele is a pioneer in the field of fashion studies and that the clothes we wear–and what we wear underneath them–merit serious attention. She’s also the author of a book tracing the cultural history of the corset and how it influenced the development of other shapewear. Cue: the bra. Bras started to show up in the early 20th century as more women joined the workforce and pursued activities that required a broader range of movement and support. From torpedo-like bras to padded bras to more gamine bralettes, they are, according to Dr. Steele, “always in relation to the style of dress” that’s popular at the time and often attempt to balance looking “respectable” with being “sexually attractive.” Women, Dr. Steele notes, have always sought some form of shapewear, even if it's a rejection of the structure (e.g., bra-burning in the '70s). Today, as bra designers focus on balancing comfort with style, Dr. Steele highlights how there is still an impulse to nip, tuck, cinch, and lift the body. Allure’s Perspectives is a new series exploring the topics shaping women's lives today through honest, nuanced, and deeply personal conversations. The first season examines the cultural significance of breasts through intimate accounts and expert interviews, hosted by editor in chief Jessica Cruel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Actor Olivia Munn is no stranger to the spotlight, but in recent years, after the birth of her first child and a breast cancer diagnosis, things have looked a little different for her—a reality Munn is bravely leaning into. “When I get asked about any part of my health journey,” Munn tells Allure’s editor in chief Jessica Cruel, “it feels like I have purpose now.”  Munn walks Cruel through the physical and emotional challenges that came with the joys of her new motherhood. Munn was determined to breastfeed her son, Malcolm, but after working with multiple lactation consultants and trying acupuncture, supplements, and meditation, she turned to formula. Munn says she had “all of this guilt that ‘breast is best,’” adding that “breast milk is amazing, but that slogan is so difficult for women like myself.” She also wrestled with postpartum anxiety and its physical symptoms—waking up in the middle of the night, chest tight, heart racing—that soon did something “strange” to her brain, intensifying the loss of identity she felt during her postpartum break and financial anxiety about being out of the workforce. Two years later, at the urging of her doctor, Munn took the lifetime risk assessment test for breast cancer, and received a high score. After more testing, Munn was diagnosed with bilateral luminal B breast cancer. She’s had five surgeries since then, including a double mastectomy and reconstruction, and an operation to remove her uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes to reduce the risk of recurrence. “One question I have been asked,” Munn recalls, “is did I ever feel that my body was betraying me. That doesn’t make sense,” she says, because “my body is the thing getting me through this.”  Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool can be found here. Allure’s Perspectives is a new series exploring the topics shaping women's lives today through honest, nuanced, and deeply personal conversations. The first season examines the cultural significance of breasts through intimate accounts and expert interviews, hosted by editor in chief Jessica Cruel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For Allure’s Good Health for All issue, the comedians and hosts of the POOG podcast Jacqueline Novak and Kate Berlant discuss friendships—when they make us well, and when they don’t—with Allure writer Brennan Kilbane. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Allure's Content Director Jessica Cruel talks to lifelong activist Michaela Angela Davis, culture writer Zeba Blay, and award-winning journalist Dr. Ateh Jewel, who each wrote personal essays about “What It Means to Look Black” for The Melanin Edit: https://www.allure.com/collection/the-melanin-edit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are bringing you a new series from Allure: The Science of Beauty, where we answer the tough questions about skincare, hair, and more. If you love beauty and are curious about the science behind it, you're going to love this episode on stress. You can't always control a stressful situation, but you can control the way you — and in some ways, even your skin and hair — react to one. During this episode, Belisa Vranich, psychologist and founder of The Breathing Class, walks Michelle and Jenny through simple exercises that use breath to bring peace of mind. Next up is Amy Wechsler, one of very few humans to be board-certified in dermatology and psychiatry, who stops by to discuss the cruel and unusual ways stress can impact our skin and hair, and what we can do about it. Now, take a deep breath and press play. If you like what you hear, subscribe to Science of Beauty now on your preferred podcast app: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1531535720 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mwxxPykxDZtCQRiqsdK0X Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/allure-the-science-of-beauty Or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are bringing you a new series from Allure: The Science of Beauty, where we answer the tough questions about skincare, hair, and more. If you love beauty and are curious about the science behind it, you're going to love this episode on shampoo. As the old saying goes: An acid a day (or, uh, every few days if you're sensitive) keeps breakouts, fine lines, and dullness away. And no, we don't mean that kind of acid. In this episode, we're talking about AHAs and BHAs — the acids commonly used in skin care to help slough off dead cells and keep complexions bright. First, Michelle and Jenny try a product that proves how powerful acids can be — and completely gross-out their loved ones in the process. Then, dermatologist Laurel Naversen Geraghty (who — fun fact! — is a former Allure editor) stops by to help make sense of when and how to use these powerful skin-care ingredients. If you like what you hear, subscribe to Science of Beauty now on your preferred podcast app: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1531535720 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mwxxPykxDZtCQRiqsdK0X Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/allure-the-science-of-beauty Or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are bringing you a new series from Allure: The Science of Beauty, where we answer the tough questions about skincare, makeup, and more. If you love beauty and are curious about the science behind it, you're going to love this episode on acids. As the old saying goes: An acid a day (or, uh, every few days if you're sensitive) keeps breakouts, fine lines, and dullness away. And no, we don't mean that kind of acid. In this episode, we're talking about AHAs and BHAs — the acids commonly used in skin care to help slough off dead cells and keep complexions bright. First, Michelle and Jenny try a product that proves how powerful acids can be — and completely gross-out their loved ones in the process. Then, dermatologist Laurel Naversen Geraghty (who — fun fact! — is a former Allure editor) stops by to help make sense of when and how to use these powerful skin-care ingredients. If you like what you hear, subscribe to Science of Beauty now on your preferred podcast app: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1531535720 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mwxxPykxDZtCQRiqsdK0X Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/allure-the-science-of-beauty Or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are bringing you a new series from Allure: The Science of Beauty, where we answer the tough questions about skincare, makeup, and more. If you love beauty and are curious about the science behind it, you're going to love this episode on vitamins in skin care. You know vitamins as the micronutrients our body needs in order to function, but when applied topically, vitamins can have a profound effect on the health and appearance of our skin. In this episode, Michelle and Jenny learn about the man who first gave these micronutrients a name (he just so happens to have a very cool one himself) and tell the forgotten tale of the lost vitamins. Then, with the help of Dr. Frauke Neuser, PhD, Principal Scientist & Senior Director of Science Communications at Olay, Michelle and Jenny separate the facts from the fluff when it comes to vitamins and your skin. Yes, you should be using a vitamin C serum. And no, patting on vitamin D won't make your body produce more. If you like what you hear, subscribe to Science of Beauty now on your preferred podcast app: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1531535720 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mwxxPykxDZtCQRiqsdK0X Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/allure-the-science-of-beauty Or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are bringing you a new series from Allure: The Science of Beauty, where we answer the tough questions about skincare, makeup, and more. If you love beauty and are curious about the science behind it, you're going to love this episode on wrinkles. Let's get one thing straight: It's a privilege to have wrinkles. But if you want your skin to look as youthful as you feel, modern medicine has a few tricks up its sleeve, and injectables like Botox are chief among them. Ophthalmologist Jean Carruthers sits down with Michelle and Jenny to tell the truly unbelievable tale of how she "accidentally" discovered that botulinum toxin could smooth brows and erase frown lines. And dermatologist Melissa Levin shares the scoop on the most effective topical ingredients to treat every kind of wrinkle, even those pesky ones between your brows and along your neck. If you like what you hear, subscribe to Science of Beauty now on your preferred podcast app: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1531535720 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mwxxPykxDZtCQRiqsdK0X Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/allure-the-science-of-beauty Or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are bringing you a new series from Allure: The Science of Beauty, where we answer the tough questions about skincare, makeup, and more. If you love beauty and are curious about the science behind it, you're going to love this episode on pores. There are millions of tiny openings all over your skin — and if you didn't have them, you'd be dead. If that makes you feel squeamish, then cover your ears, because we've got dermatologist Sandra Lee, also known as Dr. Pimple Popper, in the house. The social media sensation and reality star walks Michelle and Jenny through how she extracted one gigantic blackhead from a single pore. After that, dermatologist Shereene Idriss joins the party to explain the misconceptions surrounding "poreless" skin and the best products to give your pores the TLC they deserve. If you like what you hear, subscribe to Science of Beauty now on your preferred podcast app: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1531535720 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mwxxPykxDZtCQRiqsdK0X Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/allure-the-science-of-beauty Or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are bringing you a new series from Allure: The Science of Beauty, where we answer the tough questions about skincare, makeup, and more. If you love beauty and are curious about the science behind it, you're going to love this episode on hyperpigmentation. Our skin is home to many tiny factories called melanocytes. They're responsible for producing the pigment that gives skin its color. But certain triggers like UV light can send those factories into overdrive, resulting in dark spots and discoloration known as hyperpigmentation. In this episode, Michelle shares a cautionary tale of some splotchy, unwanted mementos from one magical island vacation in her youth, and dermatologist Mona Gohara breaks down the best ingredients and in-office lasers to make them disappear. If you like what you hear, subscribe to Science of Beauty now on your preferred podcast app: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1531535720 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mwxxPykxDZtCQRiqsdK0X Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/allure-the-science-of-beauty Or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are bringing you a new series from Allure: The Science of Beauty, where we answer the tough questions about skincare, makeup, and more. If you love beauty and are curious about the science behind it, you're going to love this episode on sunscreen. Without protection from UV rays, every one of the greatest beauty innovations of the modern age — retinoids, AHAs, hyaluronic acid, lasers — is a big, old waste of time and money. It's fitting then that our debut episode is all about SPF. First, Michelle and Jenny have a frank talk with Shyla Raghav, vice president of climate at Conservation International, about how the state of our environment makes wearing sunscreen more crucial than ever before. Then, dermatologist Caroline Robinson shares everything you'd ever want to know about how to choose and use SPF, including the one place you're definitely not applying it — but should. If you like what you hear, subscribe to Science of Beauty now on your preferred podcast app: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1531535720 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mwxxPykxDZtCQRiqsdK0X Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/allure-the-science-of-beauty Or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you start group chats about the best scalp treatments? Google AHA vs BHA exfoliants until the wee hours? Take progress photos of your dark spots after trying a new vitamin C serum? You’re our people. And we know you’re going to love The Science of Beauty, a new podcast produced by the editors of Allure. Michelle Lee, editor in chief, and Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director, are deep-diving into the topics you’ve always wondered about and bringing dermatologists, cosmetic chemists — and even a reality-TV star — along for the ride. Allure: The Science of Beauty just launched, with new episodes releasing weekly. Subscribe now so you don't miss our first episode all about the one product experts say everyone (yes, everyone!) needs to use daily. Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Or wherever you get your podcasts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Deputy Digital Editor Kara McGrath interviews style icon Alexa Chung about her signature look, the differences between U.K. and U.S. beauty trends, and her favorite drugstores to shop around the world. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Allure Features Director Jessica Cruel (@jcruel) and Digital Hair Editor Jihan Forbes (@itsjihanm) interviewed Nikki Nelms (@nikkinelms), the hairstylist behind some of Janelle Monae, Solange, and Yara Shahidi’s most incredible red-carpet, on-screen, and editorial looks. Tune in if you want to hear how a chance encounter with Lil Wayne started her career, how her imagination led to her becoming a hair MacGyver, and how the talents of black hairstylists have been disproportionately used and copied, but rarely applauded in the editorial beauty industry. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The iconic supermodel and businesswoman Tyra Banks sat down with our Features Director Jessica Cruel a few weeks ago to discuss how she carved out a special place in the fashion world, how America's Next Top Model democratized modeling, and her new venture, Model Land. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The iconic makeup artist turned beauty founder sat down with EIC Michelle Lee to dive deep into how she started in the business, the obstacles she overcame to ultimately break records, and, of course, her own personal makeup, skin, hair, and wellness routines. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Allure Features Director Jessica Cruel (@jcruel) and Digital Hair Editor Jihan Forbes (@itsjihanm) sat down with prominent dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry (@drmichellehenry) to break down stigmas and myths about skin and scalp care for brown skin. >>> SUNSCREEN > 4:09 - NYT article "Should black people wear sunscreen?" // 6:19 - Sunscreen ingredients you should avoid // 08:16 - Are sunscreens above SPF 30 unnecessary? // 09:45 - One of the most common types of skin cancer in the black community // INJECTABLES > 12:30 - The "Black Don't Crack" myth // 14:04 - Injectables trends among black women // 15:26 - Why the areas black women get injectables in are different // 18:31 - The Right Age to Get Fillers // 21:47 - Injectables trends among Black men // 22:38 - The questions black women should ask when getting laser treatments // HAIR LOSS > 24:18 - The Hair Loss "Epidemic" // 28:18 - How long is TOO long to wear a protective hairstyle (i.e. box braids)? // 32:15 - How to regrow your edges // 35:49 - Is hair oil actually moisturizing? // 37:08 - Are scalp scrubs damaging? // HER BEAUTY ROUTINE > 38:36 - Dr. Michelle's Henry skin-care routine // 40:39 - The Benefit of Vitamin C serums (Theme music: "RSPN" by Blank and Kytt) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, award-winning fashion designers Phillip Lim and Prabal Gurung have a wonderfully wide-ranging conversation with Michelle Lee about building community, Crazy Rich Asians, beauty routines, and what their years in the fashion industry have taught them. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices