349. Do You Really Need a Toner in 2025? Plus, Toe Rings and Snail Mucin
In this Expert episode, Tegan is joined by producer Jas (filling in while Sadaf soaks up the Euro sun) to unpack the real role of toner in a modern skincare routine. But first, a beauty holiday debrief, featuring the best (and worst) moments from our trips to Bali and Thailand... Then, we dive into the toner territory: from old-school stingy astringents to today’s hydrating milky lotions and acid-soaked exfoliating pads. Is toner a must-have or just a fancy water step? Plus, we settle the toner vs mist vs essence debate, recommend some bargain-to-bougie options (including the cult K-beauty pick that’s gone viral). Also in this episode: toe rings in WBR (Win, Bin, or Recycle?), and an Adore Anonymous asking if snail mucin is skincare magic or marketing fluff. Everything Mentioned: I'm From Rice Toner 150ml Medik8 Daily Refresh Balancing Toner tbh Skincare rebound skin milk activated cica toner 100ml I Tried Hailey Bieber's Viral Foundation & Toner Hack COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Join the conversation in our Beauty IQ Uncensored Facebook Group to discuss this episode, swap beauty tips, and submit your questions for future shows. This episode was proudly sponsored by Wella Professionals: trusted by salon pros and haircare lovers for over 140 years. Credits: Hosts: Tegan Mac and Sadaf Razi Producer: Jasmine Riley For more beauty insights and exclusive offers, visit adorebeauty.com.au Disclaimer | Privacy Policy Adore Beauty acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and podcast. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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34:54
348. Cult Serums Under $100, Melasma Help & The $14 Freckle Pen We’re Loving
We’re talking all things glow this week on Uncensored, from cult-status serums under $100 to the surprise return of permanent hair straightening. (Seriously, where is the Melbourne version of that GC/Sydney salon? Hannah needs answers.) Producer Jas is back with the latest and greatest from Adore HQ, including a $14 freckle pen that fakes summer skin in seconds, Laneige’s new donut-shaped lip serum, and a foundation brush she’s borderline evangelical about. Plus, a listener calls in about their stubborn melasma, and we get expert advice from our go-to skin queen, Dermal Clinician Yads, on what actually works long-term. Oh, and in breaking news: Hannah’s partner Nick has fallen off the skincare wagon. But don’t worry, she’s devised a system involving strong visual cues. You’ll want to take notes. Everything Mentioned: Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum 30ml BEAUTY OF JOSEON Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% - 30ml The Ordinary GF 15% Solution - 30ml MCoBeauty Freckle Face Pen - Natural Brown Laneige Tinted Lip Serum IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Spatula Foundation Brush Kérastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops Hair Oil VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot Lifting Eye Cream Submit your questions and cart challenges for Hannah and Mel @adorebeauty on IG. This episode was proudly sponsored by Wella Professionals: trusted by salon pros and haircare lovers for over 140 years. Join the conversation in our Beauty IQ Uncensored Facebook Group to discuss this episode, swap beauty tips, and submit your questions for future shows. Credits: Hosts: Hannah Furst and Melissa Mason Producer: Jasmine Riley For more beauty insights and exclusive offers, visit adorebeauty.com.au Disclaimer | Privacy Policy Adore Beauty acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and podcast. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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37:48
347. How to Have a Summer Glow All Year ’Round (Without the Sun)
This week on Expert, Tegan shares her ultimate guide to faking that effortless summer glow no matter the season — no sunbathing required. If you’re feeling pale, dry, or just missing that lit-from-within radiance, this episode is your go-to survival kit for skin that looks healthy and glowing from head to toe. We cover everything from prepping your skin with gentle exfoliation and hydration to choosing the perfect hybrid tints, illuminating SPFs, and makeup that layers like a dream. Plus, beauty editor Sadaf spills her favourite product recommendations that make glow-up easy and natural, sans the sun damage. In Win, Bin or Recycle, we weigh in on the latest press-on nail trends — are they worth the hype or just a quick fix? Over in Adore Anonymous, a listener wonders how long they should pause retinol before a skin appointment, and Tegan offers practical advice so you don’t end up with a skincare disaster. If you’re craving that summer radiance all year long, this episode has everything you need to glow smart and glow safe. Everything Mentioned: Giorgio Armani Sì Passione Eau De Parfum Intense Commodity Milk Expressive 100ml Goldfield & Banks SILKY WOODS Perfume 100ml M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Radiance Moisturizing & Illuminating Silk Primer Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer 30ml Join the conversation in our Beauty IQ Uncensored Facebook Group to discuss this episode, swap beauty tips, and submit your questions for future shows. This episode was proudly sponsored by Wella Professionals: trusted by salon pros and haircare lovers for over 140 years. Credits: Hosts: Tegan Mac and Sadaf Razi Producer: Jasmine Riley For more beauty insights and exclusive offers, visit adorebeauty.com.au Disclaimer | Privacy Policy Adore Beauty acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and podcast. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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346. We Tried the Viral Japanese Head Spa Taking Over Your TikTok Feed
This week on Uncensored, Hannah and Producer Jas try the viral Japanese Head Spa treatment flooding your TikTok feed. Cascading basin taps, a scalp massage that borders on hypnotic, and the kind of lather ASMR dreams are made of — we road test The Head Spa by Hikari in Melbourne and ask: is it worth the $260 hype? But first, we’re diving into a hot topic (literally): Is Love Island promoting a dangerous tanning culture? From sunbed confessions to tan accelerators, we unpack how this trend is playing out on social media and what it could mean for Gen Z sun safety. In Build My Cart, we’re personal shopping for a listener heading off on a Euro summer, with our tried-and-tested picks for surviving 40-degree heat. Plus, in Stuff We Love, we put Wella Professionals’ new Ultimate Smooth range to the frizz-fighting test… and yes, we have thoughts on The Devil Wears Prada sequel news. Everything Mentioned: Is Love Island Is Promoting Harmful Tanning Culture? The Head Spa by Hikari Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF50+ 50ml Luminising SKINSCREEN™ Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF 50+ Superlight Mineral SKINSCREEN™ Bondi Sands Sunny Daze Hydrating Spf 50+ Face Fluid Drops 30ml La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50+ 50ml ColorWOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 200ml ALTERNA HAIR Smoothing Anti-Frizz Blowout Butter 150ml VIRTUE Un-Frizz Cream 120ml Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Makeup SPF 20 MCoBeauty Miracle Flawless Setting Spray 100ml Dermalogica BioLumin-C Gel Moisturiser 50ml AB LAB by Adore Beauty Dewy-C SPF50+ Facial Sun Milk 75mL The Quick Flick Quick Screen SPF50+ 3 in 1 Sunscreen, Setting Spray & Hydration Mist Mini Alpha-H Melting Moment Cleansing Balm Mini 18g Esmi Skin Minerals Refreshing + Hydrating Skin Snack Mist Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair Hair Mask 75ml IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF50 Benefit Benetint Lip & Cheek Tint Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Oil 100ml Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Shampoo 250ml Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Conditioner 200ml Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Mask 150ml The Devil Wears Prada 2 is officially under way. Here’s everything we know Submit your questions and cart challenges for Hannah and Mel @adorebeauty on IG. This episode was proudly sponsored by Wella Professionals: trusted by salon pros and haircare lovers for 140 years. Join the conversation in our Beauty IQ Uncensored Facebook Group to discuss this episode, swap beauty tips, and submit your questions for future shows. Credits: Hosts: Hannah Furst and Melissa Mason Producer: Jasmine Riley For more beauty insights and exclusive offers, visit adorebeauty.com.au Disclaimer | Privacy Policy Adore Beauty acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and podcast. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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345. Can I Laser That? Your Biggest Questions, Answered by a Skin Expert
From Parisian pharmacies to the local laser clinic — we’re talking French skincare staples and laser FAQs in this week's Expert episode. We kick off with a Bastille Day-inspired chat about our all-time favourite French pharmacy buys (think: Bioderma, Cicaplast, Nuxe). Then, it’s time to talk lasers. As a skin therapist and laser tech, Tegan’s heard it all, from “Can I laser bruises?” to “Can you laser nipple hair?” Today, we’re breaking down exactly what you can (and can’t) treat with lasers. From pigmentation and spider veins to acne scars and body hair in unexpected places (yes, even your toes), we bust myths, explain how lasers work for different skin tones, and share the prep and aftercare rules you really need to follow. Later, in Adore Anonymous, a listener asks: Are fragrance-free products always better for sensitive skin? Plus, we weigh in on social media's “Collagen Banking” for this week's Win, Bin or Recycle – is it a legit preventative strategy, or just another beauty buzzword? Everything Mentioned: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ 40ml Bioderma Sensibio H2O Soothing Micellar Water Cleanser Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi Purpose Dry Oil Join the conversation in our Beauty IQ Uncensored Facebook Group to discuss this episode, swap beauty tips, and submit your questions for future shows. This episode was proudly sponsored by Wella Professionals: trusted by salon pros and haircare lovers for over 140 years. Credits: Hosts: Tegan Mac and Sadaf Razi Producer: Jasmine Riley For more beauty insights and exclusive offers, visit adorebeauty.com.au Disclaimer | Privacy Policy Adore Beauty acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and podcast. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Beauty IQ Uncensored is Adore Beauty’s must-listen podcast for straight-talking beauty lovers. Each week, we bring you two episodes filled with product reviews, skincare deep dives, and unfiltered beauty chat—because beauty should be fun, not confusing.
Mondays – Beauty IQ Uncensored: Beauty journos Mel and Hannah get into the good, the bad, and the unhinged of beauty. Expect trending product road tests, viral beauty deep dives, and your most hilarious beauty confessions.
Wednesdays – Beauty IQ Expert: Beauty editor Sadaf and skin therapist Tegan tackle the science of beauty. From skincare myths to ingredient breakdowns and pro tips, this is your go-to for expert-backed beauty advice.
DM us your questions @adorebeauty
www.adorebeauty.com.au
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