BILFPOD - Skincare & Makeup Tips From a NYC Pro: What Actually Works (And What’s a Waste of Money)

Episode Date: May 21, 2026

🔥 Special Offer: Get 72% off all Sintra AI plans at https://sintra.ai/bilf or use code BILF — backed by a 14-day money-back guarantee. What does a celebrity makeup artist ACTUALLY know that you don't? In this episode of the BILF Pod, host Mara sits down with Amanda Gabbard — professional makeup artist, esthetician, bride whisperer, and the woman behind some of the most powerful faces in the room (yes, including Kamala Harris). Amanda holds nothing back — from the beauty industry's dirty secrets to the drugstore products she swears by over luxury brands, to the skincare routine that will actually change your skin. In this episode: The rice powder hack for outdoor/summer weddings 💦 Why your moisturizer might be doing nothing for you Serums vs. moisturizers — what actually penetrates your skin The truth about makeup wipes (you're probably using them wrong) How Amanda built a 25-year career in NYC from scratch Why confidence IS kindness The one thing that makes you look older faster (and it's not your face) Whether you wear a full face every day or just want better skin — this one is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes

Welcome back to the BiltPod where authenticity trumps authority. Well, I'm excited today because this is something that I love. I love anything with aesthetics. So today's conversation is going to be about cosmetics, but I also have a professional makeup artist. She's an esthetician, also a host. I'd love to welcome you to the BiltPod. Welcome, Amanda Gabbard. Thank you so much for having me.

I'm excited. Yes, I'm so excited. Well, welcome to the show, girl. I'm so excited. Me too. This is like a topic that I absolutely love and I'm sure that you can give me a little tips, tricks and everybody else that's watching because every who does it? I think everybody likes makeup, men, women, everybody. Yes, makeup and skincare. It's like endless topics, endless questions.

Yes. Yes. Have you always, so is that something, because we were talking before about makeup and like growing up. Now, has this something like that has always been something of yours that you love skincare and makeup or? A hundred percent. Like, I didn't care about dolls or toys as much. I wanted to like go to the drugstore with my $5.00. and be like oh my god like the biggest decisions of my life were how can I spend this five dollars like and I would just play with it and I'd keep it for years like in a gross way too long but I was like it's special and so um I loved like anything glamorous and like fancy perfume like just the girliest girl ever and then um it's so funny then I started like playing on my friends with it and then

watching my mom get ready she would do shows at night and I've just I love the smells of it my grandma would come and she would do a play I'd be like wow I just couldn't wait to slather stuff on my face. I had small goals. I love that. So when did it become for you more of like a real interest as opposed to a hobby? I think when I also loved the entertainment world and acting and singing. So I did that for years.

I got a BFA. I went to New York in 1999. And on the side, you know, you used to have a side hustle, right? So you can white tables. I did makeup. I did temp jobs, everything. So I loved performing. I loved people and entertaining them.

And on the side, I love just as much making them feel awesome, talking to them, getting them ready. And then one day I was like, I'm more excited about the phone call of, hey, Mandy, can you do makeup on the commercial rather than be in the commercial? I was like, yes. I don't know why. I think also I'm too type A. So every day, I mean, it gives you a very thick skin, which I love. Right. Being rejected every day.

But I don't know. I just was like, I want to create and do things. And I'm not going to wait to create. I'm going to do it myself. Right. So you, so when you made the switch, right, you went to school. You went to school here. I went to school in St. Louis at a conservatory called Webster, which was really like cutthroat and very tough.

Right. And then you just, and then when did you make the transition that you know what? This is what I'm going to really do for a living and kind of. I would say like about 20-ish years ago, I've been in the city 25 years. And about 20 years ago I was like, I think I'm ready for the switch. And it felt so right that every networking and auditioning skill and people skill I learned, I put it toward makeup and beauty industry. and it just went like this. So I connected my two loves. I do beauty for the entertainment world.

And so it's kind of like a perfect combination. It's just a perfect storm there. Now you've been called the bride whisper I heard. Oh my gosh. So what can you like can we talk about that? What does that mean? Yes. I was just telling your friend here in the studio that my parents were all psychiatrists. And so I was my joke is like, I am too with the makeup brush. But I think it really is like I'm so close to people every day of the week. We're like this. Yeah. I'm not behind there doing hair. You're in front of their face. I'm But across it, yeah. We are so close on like a dentist and like one more inch. So you get to like feel their energy and talk to them and know that night.

I think it's important in any profession to adapt to the human in front of you. Yes. What do they need? Maybe just get out of your own mind for a minute. I feel their energy. Are they nervous? Are they excited? Are they insecure?

So with a bride who's having her biggest day ever, with a Broadway performer who's about to go sing in front of thousands, a TV. I know that red carpet. There's so much pressure on them. So I feel like I'm the makeup whisperer. general because I'm like, I got you, you're going to be amazing. Yeah. And like when I watch them go, I'm like, I'm so proud of you. Like, because I know how you're ranking it is. Sometimes you need that. I know what it's like when I'm getting dressed or getting ready to do something public. You,

you know, you're in your head. So when you have somebody, I feel like I tell the makeup artists that I just meet more shit, like than anybody around me. They probably know more about me than like my own close personal friend. We really do. And I'll see them a year and I'll be like, hey, how was your son doing? Like I'll remember, like all these things where I take that really personally and very, I'm very thrilled that they trust me. I take it very seriously that they are telling me, like we're talking about like aging, marriages, our weight gain or anything. Because like when I take their makeup off, it's like trying on a bathing suit. They're like, don't look at this, don't look at this. And I'm like, look at these bags. Look at this. Like we all have it. And then we end up laughing at the end of the session. Like it's kind of like giving each other confidence. I need their energy as much as they need mine. Yeah, for sure. And then they, I mean, they're literally being. coming on glued in front of you too. So to have somebody there that is, you know, their personal cheerleader, but also someone that's a confidant. Now, coming to New York, though, I mean, that's, this is a pressure cooker just in itself

being here. Competition, did you start in, well, I know you were in St. Louis. That's where you went to school. Now, when did you, like, transition here to New York? In 99, I moved here. And I was always prepared for how the entertainment business would be, right? Actors and actresses and all that kind of vulture-type behavior. I never wanted to be that.

That was never something I aspired to. So I thought if I was in an audition, my husband says this too, when we didn't even know each other, we had to be auditioning and someone say, oh, my God, I didn't know we had to have a side, a script for today. We'd be like, oh, here, take mine. Like, I'm not that insecure that I would worry that I'm not going to be competitive. Right.

That's not fun. So they're going to decide who they want in the room. So interesting, I say this all the time. And I think a lot of people in the industry and the beauty industry would agree with me that beauty is so much uglier than the entertainment business. Because acting, they're like, oh my God, so nice to see you. And then they're like, blah, la, blah. But beauty, they're in a filter.

They're just like, I think you're a loser. I think you're terrible at what you do. And I'm going to screw you over. Like, it is so mean. Wow. I didn't know it's like that. It's really bad. And so that's not exciting to me.

That would not make me feel proud to get a job because I screwed someone over. Anyone who knows me knows like, hey, you need some help. I'll totally help you out. Yeah. I just think, I don't know why we're competing with everyone. I compete with myself enough that I'm like, hey, I don't know, you needed something. I have a job for you. I can't do it. Do you want it? Like, yeah, and I feel like there's so much business here in the city anyways. Like, I don't understand why I'd be so cutthroat.

Like, if there are enough faces, the people are that cutthroat or that insecure, that they have to be nasty. Wow. Unbelievable. And I see it happen all the time and I just think confidence is kindness. If you're insecure, you walk into a room and everyone feels it and sees it. Yeah, 100%. But if you're confident, they're like, hey, how are you? Are you approachable when you walk in a room or are you just like, I'm out here to get everyone? That's not. exciting. Yeah, how did you get your clientele? I know you talk a lot about having a circle and networking. Yes. Can you touch on that for, you know, people that are out there, just entrepreneurs in general, that are trying to get their business started because I'm imagining what I'm picturing envisioning is you're coming from St. Louis, you're here and you're like, how am I going to get this going? So what was that like? And you talk about community a lot. Community, 100%. And your relationships are so important. Remember how you talk to someone, how you treat someone.

You may not see them for a year, but they may say your name in a room. And I love to brag about my friends. And I'll say, oh, my God, you need a good lawyer. Oh, my God, you need a good doctor. I have a friend for you. The power of connection makes us so stronger. Even if it doesn't benefit me, I'll say, oh, my God, you should do this person. And then I'll walk into a room.

I'll strike up a conversation, maybe about the cheese table. Maybe they're insecure, that person next to you. I'll end up meeting someone who's like a CEO of something. But they were nervous going to that event. So get out of your own head. And just be approachable. I talk to everyone. I, when I quit acting, I got vista print cards.

This is so many years ago. I'm so dating myself. I went into every hotel, dressed nice. Hi, I think you should hire me. And they all date. I mean, what are they going to do? Say no. No, they're not.

I think that's great. I'm just your approach in general, like on the business side of it. Literally, I was, I just spoke at Fordham, and that was the topic. It was being comfortable with being uncomfortable. And during networking. And how do you get out there? and how do you, you know, how do you go and strike up conversations? Because it is nerve-wracking.

Listen, it's hard. I'm outgoing, but that is, I would say, one of the hardest things for me because I like to be in rooms with people I know. So when you stick me in a room with somebody and, yeah, I'm, I have lots of confidence. I'm an alpha female, for sure, I have alpha energy. But even for me to go in a room like that and to network with people I don't know is super intimidating. So I love what you said.

You know, you never know who you're going to meet. And also, they're feeling the same way you are. Absolutely. They don't want to be in a room where they don't know anyone. We all want comfort. I kind of get a little high off of it because I'm like, who am I going to meet tonight? And also, maybe we'll have a funny conversation about a Netflix show. I don't know, but they're going to get to know you as opposed to pitching ourselves, compliment them, say something.

And those little things open up the door because I watch my parents who are psychiatrists talk to other people. And they listen. They don't interrupt. They comment on what you said. And then they'll follow up with it. That relationship, you're going to remember that next time you see them. You'll say, oh, my God, I like that person. Yeah, it's true.

It's so true. Like that's why God gave us two years in one mouth. So you can pay attention. But seriously, people like to talk about themselves. So when you, like, when you go and like, what do you do for a living? Great opener. That's a great opening. Or like, hey, I like your shoes.

Great opening. Where are you from? Yeah, I love it. I mean, and like you just have good energy, though. You're so approachable. You're like, obviously, I think you're always with a smile too. So it makes it that much easier. So anyways, for anyone that's listening, I hope that you heard that little

nugget there. It's not always easy. Nobody loves doing it, but once you get outside of your comfort zone, it's not that hard. Yeah. And you'll think, okay, I can do that again. Yeah. Yeah. So, okay, so now, as you're known as the bride whisper, I'm going to give you real wedding day, like, chaos. Okay. So you're going to give me like the calm plan that you want to do, all right? I'm going to switch gears, make it fun. Totally fine. All right. The sweaty summer ceremony. Outdoor wedding 90 degrees. Photographers say flash is brutal. What's the non-negotiable skin prep lock and plan? I know. I just got sweaty under my pits hearing that because I understand this feeling. So, non-negotiable would be, obviously, a waterproof makeup, a foundation base, but the primer underneath

has to be, has to withstand that heat in the makeup, but not make you dry and cakey. And here's a magic word, rice powder. Rice powder. It's like, to explain. Dr. Hauschka's, that's the first one I used, it's like nothing. You can put it on your armpits. bottom of your feet in between your thighs, I'll lightly dust it on top of the shiny areas because you want to be dewy, but not a sweaty, gross mess, because you'll be crying anyway.

So after all the prep, you'll do your setting powder and then a little bit of rice powder, game changer. Hack. Hack, everybody. This mic has dropped, and so is yours. Oh, my God. I love it. It's a little thing. All right, the I don't look like me, panic.

Bride looks in the mirror and says, I don't remember. recognize myself. What do you say in that moment and what do you change first? It's the brows. If it's not the brows. It's the lashes. Too much. Too much lipstick. Who doesn't like a lot of lash? Thank you. I always say if I was a drug dealer, I'd deal lashes. And I would proudly start girls very young. I love lashes. It's not going to hurt you. It's not expensive. I'm like, first one's on me. Try this lash. You're going change your life forever. I love lashes. I think it's character. And if you're out somewhere, I feel like the bigger, the better. Listen, sometimes they're just like a little like, two. You know, too much. But who doesn't like want a good lash? Like, come on. Less eye makeup. And as we get older,

I do that. Our eyes, like I'm probably way older than you. No way. Eyes go back into our sockets. Our lips get smaller. Lashes pop it out without doing like a heavy eye makeup. I usually, I have eye makeup on right now, but usually I wear no eye makeup in lashes. I think it just looks better. But your eye shadow color is perfect because it's not dark to close off your eye. It's like enhancing the crease. I love you. I love it. We're going to talk about more makeup stuff. All right, the bridal party time bomb six bridesmates two are late one's crying timeline is collapsing what's your triage order um i hire a great team um my girls robin cat kelly just those are my people who i just look across the room and they know and we know you just give them the look so all right and there's one

bridesmaid who needs more attention maybe it's a sister and they need just as much attention i just need one more i just need one more we got to be like here's your touch-up kit here's what we're doing guys it's been so great we gotta get out of the door and I protect the bride I'm like come here I will move her chair so I'm like the light's better over here I'm like I got you she's like I can't stand everyone's talking to me there are so many things where we have sensors all around us the person behind us the hair is going too long she doesn't like her hair she wants to take it down she wants it up to do it it's it it is just all cylinders and your adrenaline goes and the second it's done you're like I can't talk and I need to eat a cheese burger and sit oh I was actually out a wedding and the bridesmaid went ballistic. She didn't like her hair. It didn't even look bad. And she went apeshit in front of everyone, lost her shit, went out of control over her hair. She wasn't even the bride. She was the bride's me. That's the story I hear. It's never the bride's. It's never the bride's. It's the sister or a bridesmaid who loses her mind and we're all like, oh my God, okay, you're okay. And then we never want to see them again. Never. Who cares? It's not even your

day. It's not even your day. Like, who cares? I couldn't bear an ugly hairstyle. I wouldn't I can care. I was looking at you. Yeah, nobody cares about you. I would have, no, nobody can. And also be a good friend. This is her day. But so is bride's me?

Is that like your specialty or you're really into like the celebrity world? I do minimal weddings a year. I used to do them a lot. I'm more picky. My price points higher, but I've been an awesome team under me. If I don't do it, I still want to give them a great experience. So I'll have a team who's like a little bit more affordable. I love doing TV.

I love doing celebrities. I like Fashion Week. Those things are like, it comes from, it starts at the very bottom and the outcome you're watching it unfold and you're like, it's like a show in and of itself. You've got, you know, whether every celebrity wants to feel important too and they're nervous and they're insecure about maybe their hair or their pants. Everyone's just a human. Right. So it's like we're taking it from bare bones to then getting them dressed and the hair and then makeup. And you see the transformation as their shoulders go back and it's like, sweet.

it's like you're watching a performance before the performance happens. And I feel the exact same excitement about my everyday woman that I work on. The tired moms, they're like, hey, I just don't feel like insecure. When they leave, they're like, I call my friend. And the way they walk out is like why I do what I do. Yeah, it's so true. I know, like even when I had this morning, I was putting on my makeup and then I see the makeup on. I'm like, there she is.

Good morning, Mara. I can do today. Yeah, I'm like, okay, there she is. She looks much better than she did, right? Like she looks so much better now. There she is. There is. There is.

There is. There is. Look, whatever people like, they like. Like, it is what it is. I'm not the one that's not going to, I'm not going to, I'll go out of my house to the gym without makeup. But when I'm out in my professional world, I have makeup on. I think that the way that you look governs everything.

And I talk a lot about it. I talk a lot about vanity. And you can say whatever you want about me. But the first thing people see is the way that you look. And if you don't look put together, people are going to judge. you. You have one shot. Thank you. I mean, that's what I think. It's not vanity. It's confidence. It is confidence. It's a package all in one. Like you take care of yourself. I think it says a lot about a person when they look well. You can tell a lot. If they look like, if they look like, if they look like,

if they look like, if they look like, if they look like, if they look like, how are you going to treat my business? Amen. That is exactly. And I think I have to do, sell me a house. If you look like you just roll out of bed and you don't care, that makes me that. Amen. That is exactly. And I think I have to. fight this all the time where people are like, you know, she was beautiful before she had makeup. I'm like, I know. What I'm doing is putting icing on her face cake. That's exactly what it is. I don't know what it is. Like icing on her face. Like she already is beautiful. This few little tweaks, not heavy glam, like five to seven steps and some good skin care makes her feel really good. And I think that's all that's about. That's what it's about. It's the way, it doesn't matter what

other people think about. It's the way that you feel about yourself inside and outside. Yes. And that's, I mean, I have to fill my cup and look good. in order to perform because when you look good you feel good when you feel good you do good like you woke up at five today but you have a good outfit on you got your hair and your makeup done you're like that's okay I can do this my warrior pain yeah I could do this I could do this I could do it I'm here I'm showing but it's so true and you've made a business so wait you so you have a whole team underneath you yeah so now like you took your interest from something that you absolutely love doing and you created a whole so let's talk a little bit about

the business um I love okay so I do events I teach a lot too big seminars or small one-on-one I Bring me all your makeup and skincare that you have, that you use, and you don't use. Do this online, like mastermind courses? I'll do it. Like, I'll travel all over. I'll come to them. They'll come to me. So I teach.

I also write for all the beauty magazines because I write the way I talk. I'm not an elitist. And that bothers me if you're like, I only use YSL. I only use the most expensive. I don't care what your budget is. I want you to feel good. So editors will just reach out to me because they know I'm only going to tell the truth. Yeah, I love that.

I don't work with any brand. I just. And I found some pencil in. CBS. Yes. It was like a big fat pencil. No, it's the big fat one. Fat one that I wear on my, I love it.

I love a smudgy. It's cheap. It was, I love it. I love it. Expensive doesn't necessarily, I mean, you're the makeup expert, but I don't think expensive necessarily means better. No. And when they say luxury makeup artist, that's not my products.

That's me. I'm the luxury of how I make you feel and how give me wet and wild. I'm going to make you look like a baller. Wet and wild, I remember wet and wild. I don't care. It should be your skills. So I do think a lot of the. stuff unfortunately is made the same factory so you don't need to be spending a good

foundation you like sure some good skin care agreed you don't need to make the bank but yeah so I I decided to be a Jane of All Trades instead of stay in your lane Amanda Jane of All Trades did you guys catch that Jane I love it and people are like well you do so much yeah and I love it because I only live once I'm going to do it all like I can do the TV I can do the fashion I teach people I write for the magazines I also started a production company a branding video with a friend of mine who's a director because we have the same vision. And so I'm in front of the camera and behind the camera, and we kind of make people look amazing.

So you can do everything. Yeah. And most recently, which is so totally silly, is that I used to sing and do like comedy and stuff. Like my dream was always SNL. If there was a dream that would be like doing makeup for SNL and being on SNL. I could totally see you on SNL. Like that was everything to me.

So I started to and I auditioned for it and I got close. I auditioned for Mad TV and like I loved all those things. And I was like, no, man, you need to be a very serious makeup artist. Then I was like, I miss having fun. So I started singing crazy songs about beauty products that I love. That's funny. Just to be silly. And now brands are like, will you sing about my beauty product?

And then I started singing about menopause. Because I am going through menopause, and it sucks. And so I heard Naomi Watts speak at a shop today event with her partner, Kara. And they were making it really funny and very like, oh, my God, we're all in this together. So they gave me products. I started posting about them and singing about them. And Naomi Watts reached out or team reached out and said, Naomi's a big fan.

You write some funny songs for, I'm like, what? What about my makeup skills? No, I'm kidding. But like, you never know what's going to hit. And then get all those silly videos get way more attention than my makeup. Now, because everybody wants to, nobody wants to see syndicated stuff. They all, everybody, nobody wants curated shit anymore. They want to see like raw, authentic.

Yes. Yeah. Like my daughter's like, stop with that weird voice that you do on the podcast. I'm like, what weird voice? She's like, that weird voice that you do. She's like, just talk like yourself. Like, nobody gives a, I'm like, what about the cursing? She's like, that's your personality.

She's like, just fucking say it, mom, like, enough. Just be who you are. Like, it resonates more with people. You're right. I love it that you said that. Authenticity. Just do you. Yeah, stop.

Like, we're saying earlier. That's bad mouth. I mean, and I'm just not your traditional CEO either. Like, I'm so inappropriately dressed sometimes. I love it. Yeah, I don't give a fuck. I don't care. I don't give a fuck anymore.

And I like that because as a guest, it makes me more comfortable too as opposed to like now Amanda do you like makeup no I'm not going to ask you that I'm sure you do I mean it's talking to a friend yeah but I love what I really love is that you've taken something that you absolutely love and you've created passion for it well you've had a passion but then on top of that you've also put the business mind to it so you really can have it all you can because a lot of times they say if you have a passion you that should not be your that shouldn't be your profession and I don't necessarily agree with that if you absolutely love what you do Why would you not want to do that?

And then not only that, you're obviously giving the opportunity to other people because you said you have a team. Yes. And even if I just met someone once and they seem nice, I'll throw them a job. And then it turns out to something else. She's like, oh my God, you just saved my financial bubble. I'm like, that makes me elated. Like, I'm not all about me because I'm only one person.

Right. And I think to spread the wealth. Like, I'm going to do everything. And I'm going to be authentically me, but for so many years, I pushed down, funny, silly Amanda singing crazy songs for her friends and her family. I'm like, no, I'm doing that online now and I'm having a ball. I feel like a kid

again. Yeah, but that's all that matters. You're doing what you love. I think, I mean, just in general, you did say something that was really that I didn't highlight. You were talking about pricing, and I think a lot of times business owners, they get caught up in pricing. Like, do you, if I have something, if I have a product, should I be the most competitively priced? And you were talking

about that you're a luxury, you're a luxury makeup artist. It's not luxury makeup. So can you just talk a little bit about the difference on pricing and like what your worth is? I think people, they either go up in price to show their worth or maybe down to like to compete. I actually am more in the in between because I don't want to price myself out of something. Yeah. Because then someone loses out on that opportunity. Is it always about a couple hundred dollars more or is it about that relationship you built and all the tentacles that go out from that. So I, it sounds so crazy. Yes, I'm a businesswoman, but I'm more people driven than money driven. I agree. And the money follows. I mean, I resonate with that, 100%. I definitely think so. And I feel like

I'm not going to open my kit and have the most expensive things in it top to bottom. I'm going to have drugstore to mid, high, mid, low. And again, the luxury is our service. What am I giving you? So again, it's something that bothers me about just, there are many, like, elitists who are looked down on other people. No, it's just makeup. Yeah. And beauty and skin care. We're not saving anyone's life in the ER. Let's stay in our lane and also branch out and not be so like, like, share your tips and tricks.

If I see someone younger than me, I'm like, hey, what is that? Should I be using that? Yeah. Someone older than me? Yeah. Like, if you're too young, you don't know enough. If you're too old, you're not with it enough. So I've seen it in this business with actors, with professional CEOs.

Like, you get past a certain age. You're like, maybe they're kind of out of it. Well, what about the knowledge that they have? Pick their brain. I love that. I absolutely love what you're saying because, you know, as we get more seasoned, it's hard. It's definitely hard. And like I started in my industry as the youngest and hottest.

No, I was the youngest female. And now I see all these other females coming into the business. and my ego wants to say they don't know more than me, but honestly, like, they know different than I do. So there's nothing wrong with it when you're asking. And then obviously someone more seasoned than me, I love to hear what they have to say about life or how to deal with the situation. I think it just makes you more well-rounded.

You can never stop learning. It's so true. Something you never thought of like, I never thought about doing it that way. Or, like I'm saying, like, ask someone a question about themselves. Like, little things learn from everybody. All right, so we're going to make this fun and fast. Yes. All right, quick fire, don't overthink it.

Ready? Your ride or die product, you save in a fire. Oh, God, this is too hard. My serums, my face oils. Face oil. I love it. All right. One beauty rule, you hate that people still believe.

In a lot of white cakey powder underneath your eye. And filling your whole face with powder. So when you stop smiling, you can see it. Yes. I don't like the powder. Speaking from experience. I've been spraying, I've been spraying the shit on my face now. Most underrated confidence booster that cost.

zero. Oh my gosh. Um um um um mum mum mum mum I like I would say walking into a room with your head held high and your shoulders back and a little smile on your face. That shows that you are confident and you are attracting people to you. I absolutely would agree. But you should also have gloss and a little bit of tinted foundation on. Just saying. Um dream person to glam living or dead. Oh god mara mera. Oh my God, I don't even know. Okay, you might think this is really weird. Will Ferrell? Will Ferrell?

Yeah, why Will Ferrell? Just because I think he's hilarious. And I came this close to doing his makeup once, and I was like, because I don't get nervous that much. I think Will Ferrell I would totally flip out for, which is so crazy, living or dead. And that I've got to say, I got to say Marilyn for the person who's past. Just what weird people that I just said back to back.

but I'm sure there's other people besides Will Ferrell, but oh my God, there's so many people who I would just drop to my knees and be like, I love you. Who was your most exciting person? Kamala Harris. I would say like... Did you talk politics or no? No, no. I think it was the only time I was nervous because there was people around me to make sure that I was, you know, just...

She was so powerful. I mean, Brooke Shields was amazing. Al Pacino, these people are so amazing. There was something about her presence when she walked in the room. Like you knew she was there. Like the Oprah effect where you're like, oh, God, I don't know. Like, I don't know how to use the side pencil. I just felt like, I just, like, she was so cool and she was like, I like my lashes, medium, short.

I was like, got it. Okay, girl. I loved it. And then she was like, I love that she knew that. I'll put my own lipstick on. I was like absolutely. Like, she was so cool and so smart. And I thought, God, if I ever get an argument, will you please be on my side?

Because she would win every argument. Like, she is just the coolest. They're just, and her skin is so gorgeous. I just thought, I grew up in Kansas. I'm a little kid from Kansas. And so I was like, I can't believe I'm doing your makeup. It was just so cool. And she was really nice down to her.

Oh, so cool. That's so funny. All right. Finish the sentence. Confidence is. Kindness. Yeah. If you're confident, you're kind.

Yeah. I think you're right. Yeah, you're right. Confident people are not nasty. They might mask it, but like real. confident people, there's no reason to be nasty. No. And every reason to be kind.

Yeah. I love that. What about your skin care? What is like, what's your favorite skincare regimen? Thank you. I love to talk about this. So what I say, basic Betty. You don't need 17 products and spend two hours.

In the morning, you're going to sprit your face with some sort of essence, a rosewater, a balancing toner. And the next product you put on is going to get sucked in so much better. That's going to be a vitamin C. You're active in the day. Vitamin C, neck and chest. I'm listening attentively because I slop shit all over my face. Now, you have a really good skin.

Yeah, but I slop this shit all over. And I'll message you later, like a really good plan. And the biggest thing is you buy so much moisturizers and so much lotion. Every woman does. Serums, hydrating oils are the way to go. So, moisturizer sits like this on our skin, hugs it. Serum is like, bleu. That's a horrible sound effect.

But that's why your skin looks like that. Your skin just looks like very. It looks like 50 and set. A glass doll. Like you look, you have beautiful skin. But I have to work a lot at it. And I bought all those expensive lotions and potions. And then I got my friend from Morocco.

I was like, she has smokes and drinks. How does she have good skin? She said, it's Moroccan oil. Yeah, Moroccan oil. Oh, my God. They swear by it. They sell it everywhere. Yes.

I know my friend, she said, get rid of all the shit that you have and just put this. You'll be better out. That's what I do. And body lotion, no, oil. Oil is going to get into our skin and anti-aging from within. It's going to get, the molecules are so small. it goes into the grains and then I'll put my moisturizer with an SPF on top because I'm really dry.

Yeah. But serum is a game changer, neck and chest, and then at night do the same. On your chest you can't even tell you have no, you have no spots, nothing. I slather it with all the stuff because here is, we got so obsessed with this all here and at night. And then the hands.

My retinal on the back of my hands at night because then I'm not washing my hands, neck and chest, everything. That's why your hands look, that's, you have night that you can tell. I mean, you could tell right away. That's the first thing I could see. You can see aging right in the chest and the hands. Always, always, always.

And I remember like Sarah Jessica Parker in some article said, if I'd only taken care of my hands and my neck the way, took care of my face, I think it was her. But like, it's so true. Like, everything is connected and we have one skin. Yes. So I would say serum and oil is a game changer. And retinal a few times a week.

Let's do retinol three to four times a week. Exfoliate in the shower, your face three times a week. Basic things like that and do a mask once a week. Yeah. You don't have to do that much red light therapy is great. I bought the red light thing, this mask thing that I look like a robot. I know. It looks like a hockey mask, right?

Yeah, I look like a robot. Red light therapy does work. Does it? It really does. It helps with texture and just elasticity and all the things. Yeah, all the stuff that you, all the insecurities and all the, you give me a red mark. I can like literally circle around everything that's wrong with my face. And like if we look at a photo, we're going to see what's wrong with it.

Every imperfection. We're not going to go, I look really good in that. I'm like, look at my dark circles, look at my bleh. Why do we do that? That's just because we're our worst critics. And we're the only ones I can actually see it. That's the truth. Nobody else can see it.

So when it comes to, okay, so now you also are really into, now are you doing a skincare line? No. Here's what I believe. We have enough products on this earth. Find the one that works for you. I like to work with all different ones. I think developing a makeup line or a skincare line is really tough.

And God bless the people that do. I'm a huge fan of like Dinessema Myricks and Dalton and Aura Beauty. Like, I'm such a fan, but I never want to be in a lab. I want to dissect their products on my own and look at them and tell people what they should use, but never do I want to align. What do you think the next step is in the beauty world?

Like the next innovative thing that's going to... I think skin care is the focus is more heavy on that than the makeup. I agree. and having it be bare-faced and taking care of that skin so much, like to the point of like, there are 17 steps a day, but these young girls who were doing it, they all are doing it. But the girls, like, I mean, I will say the awareness, because think about it, growing up, I mean, my mom, listen, I was sitting out there with baby oil and iodine, you know, and my mom was sitting out there with the, like, that's what you wanted.

You wanted your skin to be, like, crispy. Yes. And nobody really knew that the sun was that bad. Yeah. So the awareness wasn't there. But my daughter is actually the one that started forcing me to get into the skin care. She does her little skin care routine, which I think is great. I don't think you need to overkill it.

Yeah. But the awareness is now there that people know that you have to take care of your skin first. And the sun, I don't go in the sun. I can't anymore. Yeah. I mean, I'll sit out just, I will be covered completely with a hat. Everyone laughs at me. I have the glasses on the hat.

And you're going to age so much better for it. Yeah, I'm just not. It's so bad for you. And I don't think people. And there's so many tanning products out there. I spray in all the time. I love it because it makes you feel good. I just don't need the damage anymore.

Yes. I mean, when you get a good spray tan, you're feeling good. You're like five pounds thinner. Everything looks so much better. Then do a little like shimmer lotion after it. So like when it moves, like if I have anyone with a strapless dress, I'm like, hold on. I've got to make the arms and everything look dewy. Like, yes, I love it.

It's little things. Oh my God. Our conversation is so, this is like right up my alley. So what's next for you? Like, what's your next? Oh my gosh. I'm doing, I'm getting back into a lot of hosting like doing beauty. segments. I went to NBC in Florida two weeks ago to do a makeup and skincare segment and then I did

like, you know, how to get through menopause, you know, aging gracefully with humor. And I'm going back again in two weeks to do skincare to get like a teenager on the right track like we were just talking about. And tanning products. So like I think there's, I love to make it basic and easy for people to understand. So I love getting back into kind of being a talking head about it and asking people questions and helping them not be intimidated. You can go home and do this. It is intimidating. So like think about it. When you go in like especially for me, when I go into like Sephora or any beauty store, where do you go first? I think that's really a, I think that's actually a good question. Like where do you go? How do you know what you're getting? It's just so overwhelming.

It's so overwhelming. Go in with a list. Head down. look at your list you've already done the research and it's hard to have someone match you the lights weird they're gonna have you spend a lot of money have a plan and go in do your research before it's really tough to go in for like two or three products and you leave spending thirteen hundred dollars for someone that wants to start their like skincare routine what would you like what are they looking for I know I know you just said right now what it is but what is there like a starter kit I would say like even if you are so

nervous, do like serrivy or setafil. Oh yeah. Start easy with that, a cleanser day and night, an exfoliant, SPF and moisturizer. Start basic. See how your skin reacts. And then, okay, I'm still pretty dry. Oh, I'm acneic. Every line now has, you know, for acneic skin, for mature skin, for oily skin, for dry skin. So there's so much awesome knowledge on the internet and all over. Google it. and then also kind of compare and contrast. So it's hard for me sometimes to listen to influencers who are 22 and have only put skincare on their face and only put makeup on their face. When lots of was like, I've touched faces for 25 years.

So I'm like, ask someone who's been in the trenches. Right. Who's like, you walk into a room and you're like, do, do, do, do, do all the different skin types. Here's what I have in my kit. Basic things. Don't complicate it. How about this is a serious question?

I always want the wipes, like the Neutrogena wipes. Is this awful for your skin? Does it dry out your skin? I love these questions. You're so good. I love this. I'm so glad you do this for a living. Because this is a really important question.

So when you wash your face at night or in the morning, you're going to do a washcloth with your cleanser. People are just doing this with their cleanser, pushing it all back in. So I got my esthetian's license after I'd have been doing makeup for a long time, so I want to know more about the skin. So the grains on the cloth, which I call like the little nubbins,

go in a circular motion with your cleanser day and night that's going to take all the grime off. If you're cleansing with just your fingers, you're kind of pushing all that dirt and oil back in. And, wait, I just got off on the, wait, what was I saying? The wipes. Oh, the wipes, yes. Then after that, then you take the wipes.

You and I wear makeup. Or if you just had like a tinted sunscreen on or whatever, then go over it. You still might see, use the wipes after you cleanse. Yeah. To see what an eye also end up doing a mycelor water with like a garnier with like the cotton pads because I'm like oh wait Amanda you forgot to get the makeup you put down here and then if in a pinch always have the wipes beside your bed if you had a late

night and you're tired only in desperate times where desperate measures are are needed but the wipes it's not doing it yeah yes I know I'm using this new stuff that I like embed into my face and then take it off no more wipes yeah yeah I feel like the wipes are like drying out my face exactly in a pinch sure that's fine sure but not in everyday thing. No, no. Especially if we wear makeup, we have to take it off. Those are, I mean, amazing answers.

These are things that I want to know, so I'm pretty sure the viewers want to know. So if people want to find you, where would they find you? My Instagram is always the most updated. So Amanda S. Gabbard, G-A-B-R-D. And I have on my website Amanda Gabbard Beauty. Yeah, I'm on Facebook and TikTok. It's tough. I'm still trying to get a...

I can't do it. I'm done. I'm done with TikTok. I mean, great from who I can. I'm not doing TikTok. I'm done. I can't do it. I did fashion week for TikTok creators. I was the head makeup artist for a fashion week. I'm like TikTok. I did not even know the language they were talking about. No, me either. They're like superstars making millions. And I'm like, what?

Millions. Millions of dollars on TikTok. I know. I mean. What am I doing wrong with me like? I don't know. Me too. I'm done. I'm not even trying anymore with TikTok. I'm done. I'm putting it to bed. I tried. At the end of the day, I'm like, I didn't even get another follower today. Nothing. Or a view. Then you're like. My views just stayed. I'm like, my shadow. Earth just went down. I'm thinking I'm funny. My stuff is good and then no view.

I'm like, this is going to kill. Yeah, this is going to go viral and no one. Nothing. Crickets. It's terrible. I get it. I know. I stop.

I'm done. I am absolutely done. I think I am. I know. I've met my defeat. It is what it is. Today's episode was absolutely, if you didn't gain a million nuggets, I don't know what you were doing during this episode.

I mean, Amanda gave all the outstanding tips, tricks, every cheat code. I hope that you guys, well, I know that I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it just goes to show you that you can do what you love and there's no shame and you can have a great time while doing it. So if you like today's episode, go ahead and hit that, like, subscribe. If you didn't like it, I mean unsubscribe, I don't know, tell a friend, whatever you want. But until next time, it has been an incredible, incredible time talking to you. Thank you for coming on. Thank you for having me. This was so fun. This was awesome.