The Vanity of Influencer Culture (We're Exposing It All)

We're back with another episode of The Double Cleanse, and this week James and Robert are asking the big question: Do we actually want innovation in beauty, or do we just want fun? After opening with Robert reminiscing about his professional makeup kit days (neon pigments for natural bridal makeup, obviously) and the organizational chaos that came with it, the twins dive into a Fact or Fiction story about an influencer who ran a "giveaway" worth $3,000, and the drama of influencers selling their free PR packages for hundreds or even thousands of pounds on resale sites – because nothing says gratitude like profiting off gifts, right? The real topic hits when James and Robert ask: what does innovation even mean in beauty anymore? They debate whether brands care more about going TikTok viral than creating genuinely good products and discuss how innovation has shifted from science-driven formulas to visually appealing packaging. It seems that some brands want cutting-edge science... whilst others want fun packaging and exciting textures! Don't forget to subscribe and catch new episodes of The Double Cleanse every Monday! *Product Recommendations* Jordan Samuel Skin Hydrate Facial Serum Little Ondine Powder Blush Follow The Double Cleanse Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleansepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James and Robert are back with another episode of The Double Cleanse, and this week they're calling out performative influencer culture! From the fake "minimal beauty routines" to the virtue signalling... it's all getting addressed. We're kicking off the episode by diving into the rise of wellness supplements disguised as skincare. From Medicube's collagen tongue strips to the Korean pick-and-mix supplement shops that feel like Crocs with Jibbitz, they're questioning whether any of this actually works or if it's just fun theatre. The real conversation starts when James and Robert tackle the performative influencer behaviours that are taking over social media – particularly the sudden trend of everyone claiming to have a "minimal routine" despite having PR rooms full of hundreds of products. James and Robert aren't buying it! They discuss how influencers are trying to separate themselves from the negative perception of beauty influencers by pretending to be low-maintenance, anti-consumerist, or morally superior... when in reality they're still promoting products left and right. The twins call out the hypocrisy of dermatologists who claim they "never do sponsored posts" (which just means they don't trust themselves to stay honest), and they champion genuinely authentic creators who aren't afraid to recommend other brands even while running their own. The key message? The general public isn't as stupid as some influencers think – people can see right through the performative nonsense. Don't forget to subscribe and catch new episodes of The Double Cleanse every Monday! *Product Recommendations* FRANKLY - PDRN Bounce Ball Cream YUNJAC Skin Perfecting Protective Base Prep Follow The Double Cleanse Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleansepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James and Robert are back with another episode of The Double Cleanse, and this week they're asking the question on everyone's mind: Is drugstore beauty even "drugstore" anymore? After kicking things off with stories about getting old (good quality basics are now exciting, apparently) and the best Gen Z customer service experience at a coffee shop, the Welsh Twins dive into the disappearing world of affordable beauty. Remember when you could walk into Boots or Superdrug with £5 and leave with multiple products? Those days are gone, and James and Robert are breaking down exactly why. From the "run don't walk" TikTok viral culture that's pushed drugstore prices sky-high to the brands that used to be affordable entry-level luxury but now cost as much as mid-range products, the twins are calling out how influencer purchasing habits and collecting culture have completely changed the game. They discuss how drugstore hauls used to be a massive YouTube genre, but now that same money barely gets you one or two products. The conversation gets real about how online beauty culture shifted shopping from "buying necessities when you run out" to actively hunting for the next viral sensation – and brands realized they could charge more because people would buy it anyway. The verdict? Drugstore still has gems if you look hard enough, but the era of throwaway purchases and impulse buys is officially over. Don't forget to subscribe and catch new episodes of The Double Cleanse every Monday! Thank You To Our Sponsors... Dr. Reju-All PDRN Rejuvenating Cream is available now: https://amzn.to/4vfIA5k. #rejuall #drrejuall #rejuallpdrnn Sign-up for your $1 per month Shopify trial today at http://shopify.com/double Follow The Double Cleanse Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleansepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're talking all about the wild world of beauty hacks and skincare techniques on this episode of The Double Cleanse - what's actually useful and what's just viral clickbait! After opening with nostalgic stories about their school days (including a conspiracy theory about James inventing Cadbury's Dream chocolate bar), the twins dive into the modern beauty hack phenomenon. Are influencers really showing you groundbreaking techniques, or are they just making content look more interesting than it actually is? The twins are breaking down the difference between genuinely educational hacks – like colour correction tutorials that teach you colour theory – and the ridiculous "you're using this product WRONG" videos that are purely for entertainment. They're calling out the pressure on influencers to make everything seem revolutionary when really, you can just rub the damn product on your face. The key takeaway? If something is already working for you, ignore the hacks. Don't forget to subscribe and catch new episodes of The Double Cleanse every Monday! *Product Recommendations* The Beauty Crop Weightless Wonder Airbrush Blurring Setting Spray Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Moisture Lotion Follow The Double Cleanse Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleansepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with a new episode of The Double Cleanse, and on this episode they’re shining a spotlight on the underrated beauty brands that deserve way more attention than they're getting! After opening with an absolutely chaotic conversation about Kewpie mayo factory tours in Japan (yes, really), autocorrect disasters, and why eggs on mayonnaise packaging make James physically ill… the twins dive into today's topic: brands that are doing everything right but flying under the radar. From the peel-off lip mask that actually works, to Medicube’s criminally underrated serums that get overshadowed by their viral toner pads. Robert passionately defends toner pads as a "treating yourself" skincare moment, while James argues you could just use a serum instead. The twins are also calling it now: Chinese beauty is about to have its moment in 2026, and if you're bored of clean girl aesthetic, your brand might be Girl Cult. The overall message? These brands aren't playing the viral sensation game – they're just making genuinely good products that work. Don't forget to subscribe and catch new episodes of The Double Cleanse every Monday! *Product Recommendations* Laka Devil Lip Balm JUNG SAEM MOOL Essential Mool Cream Follow The Double Cleanse Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleansepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Double Cleanse, James and Robert are handing over to you as they review YOUR most controversial beauty opinions, as submitted via social media. Does SPF need to be worn in all climates… even cold ones? Are ingredient lists pointless (unless you have allergies)? And is skincare being marketed too much like make-up? It’s all being debated in this episode! We’re also getting passionate about how game-changing brands have created a generation of self-proclaimed “experts” who don’t actually understand formulation, and we’re addressing conspiracy theories about microplastics in skincare. If you've ever had a hot take on beauty, this episode is for you! Robert & James also give their opinion on the Jackie Aina controversy… do you always need to be grateful for gifted products? Or, perhaps, it’s more of a trade-off than you might think. Don't forget to subscribe and catch new episodes of The Double Cleanse every Monday! *Product Recommendations* REHAB. Retreat Hydrating Under Eye Patches Mizumi Lip Oil Serum Follow The Double Cleanse Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleansepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the undeniable return of the Y2K aesthetic dangerous? On this episode of The Double Cleanse, James and Robert are tackling the return of nostalgic beauty trends – the good, the bad and the dangerously problematic. Starting with a discussion about the recent America’s Next Top Model Netflix documentary – and the return of “heroic chic” (we’re NOT here for it) – James and Robert get brutally honest about the worrying resurgence of extreme thinness being glorified, the rise of "lunchtime procedures" and how Y2K nostalgia is bringing back some seriously toxic beauty standards. They also discuss their own relationships with cosmetic procedures and why they think their generation has become somewhat immune to the "you should look like this" messaging. The twins are hoping we can keep the fun nostalgia of Y2K – the Hilary Duff movies, the pop music, the glittery makeup – without sliding back into the damaging beauty standards that came with it. Don't forget to subscribe and catch new episodes of The Double Cleanse every Monday! *Product Recommendations* Knock Melt-In Body Toner MEDIHEAL Madecassoside Derma Cream Follow The Double Cleanse Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleansepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with another episode of The Double Cleanse, and this week James and Robert are getting petty about the weird, annoying and downright questionable things beauty brands do that make them NOT want to buy their products! After opening with their obsession with limited-edition K-beauty packaging (Pokémon Pikachu Sunscreen, anyone?) - and a particularly conflicting episode of Influencer Fact or Fiction - the twins unleash their brutally honest pet peeves. From brands constantly bragging about making millions while underpaying staff, awkward email marketing that feels too personal (or not personal enough), and brands that just can't read the room. The twins discuss why indie brands celebrating their millionth million gets old fast, influencer partnerships that feel misplaced, and why sometimes the smallest brand missteps can turn you off forever. If you've ever refused to buy from a brand for a petty reason, this episode is for you! Don't forget to subscribe and catch new episodes of The Double Cleanse every Monday! *Product Recommendations* Saltair Driftwood Nourishing Body Oil Laura Mercier Tinted Blue Balm Follow The Double Cleanse Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleansepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James and Robert are known for their obsession with K-Beauty! On this episode of The Double Cleanse, the twins are diving into everything that K-beauty is getting right – and why they’re worried that Western influence might ruin it. To the expertly crafted brand philosophies, to the product innovations that are genius, James and Robert are highlighting just why K-beauty is so addictive. But, they’re also not holding back: calling out the brands that are starting to pander to Western audiences and TikTok trends instead of sticking to what they do best. From celebrity endorsements like “Kylie Jenner’s top picks” and why Cardi B promoting a cream feels so out of place in this space, the twins are spilling all about the things that they think K-beauty needs to STOP doing in an attempt to become Westernised. Along the way, they share their genuine K-beauty favourites, from Charlotte Tilbury's plumping lip balm (yes, it's technically Western but bear with them) to the incredible variety of makeup sponges available at Olive Young that will change your entire application game. The message is clear: K-beauty does everything right – the marketing, the imagery, the products – so please don't mess with perfection! Don't forget to subscribe and catch new episodes of The Double Cleanse every Monday! *Product Recommendations* numbuzin No.4 Serum HERA Sensual Nude Balm - Glacier Shade Follow The Double Cleanse Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleansepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes beauty brands just can't seem to get it right... and on this episode of The Double Cleanse, James & Robert are sharing their brutally honest takes on the beauty brands hey have complicated relationships with. In our Fact Or Fiction segment, the twins discuss a horrifying tale about viral skincare gone wrong. When a woman tried one of those trendy overnight peel-off collagen masks, she woke up with wrinkles that wouldn't disappear – and two months later, she needed filler to fix the damage. Is it fact or fiction? The answer might shock you! James & Robert are calling out luxury fashion houses for selling eyeshadow palettes in cheap plastic packaging, questioning why luxury nail polish is so terrible and... which brand needs to update their packaging? You don't have to love everything a brand puts out, and you're allowed to be picky with your beauty purchases. Don't forget to subscribe and catch new episodes of The Double Cleanse every Monday! *Product Recommendations* Dr.G Vita Clear Sun Serum Phytosurgence Cosmetics Cream Blush Follow The Double Cleanse Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleansepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thedoublecleanse⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices