ep. 41: Laura Hutson Hunter

Writer, editor, curator, and art advisor Laura Hutson Hunter talks about why she became a professional writer, the balm that turns her into a “glowy goddess,” the best red lipstick for people who are scared of red lipstick, and why she buys her hair oil at Kroger.

“There’s something really cool about the easiness of [purchasing beauty items at the drugstore or the grocery store] to me. It’s like in Italy, they don’t drink wine out of stemware, they drink it out of little juice glasses. . . . it’s this easy sort of elegance. And I know we’re talking about cocoa butter, but I like having my habits being formed around ease. That, to me, is cool.”

— LAURA HUTSON HUNTER

Our guest this week is Laura Hutson Hunter, a writer, editor, curator and art advisor, and host of Artists Talk, a weekly art talk show on WXNA.  Laura’s writing has been featured in publications like the Nashville Scene, Vice, and Art in America.

In this episode, Laura talks about using her writing to explore the topics that interest her, and why she loves Nashville’s burgeoning art scene. Laura’s favorite products are a wonderful mix of drugstore finds and high-end splurges. She talked about using Palmer’s Cocoa Butter as a décolletage highlighter, the power of wearing red lipstick (including a recommendation for the red lipstick you should buy if you are scared to wear red lipstick!), the drugstore dupe for Dior Lip Glow, and why the cult favorite Clé de Peau concealer is worth its price tag. Laura also talked about why her Aunt Melissa (who happens to be a YouTube beauty guru with 80,000 subscribers) is her beauty icon. (P.S. - Melissa was recently featured in an article in the Guardian about the “New Generation of Beauty Influencers” — women in their 60s and 70s. In the article, she said that one of the reasons she became a beauty vlogger is because “It bothered me when Estée Lauder used Kendall Jenner to advertise wrinkle cream when she doesn’t have a wrinkle on her.” Preach, Melissa!)

Download the episode on iTunes or listen below, and scroll down for a full product breakdown.

You can find Laura online at LauraHutsonHunter.com or on Instagram @laurahutsonhunter.

laura’s desert-island products

1. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula

2. Clary Collection Olive Balm

3. Nars Semi Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave

4. Glossier Generation G Lipstick in Zip

5. Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer

6. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum

7. Agadir Argan Oil Treatment

Other products/things discussed in this episode:

1. Smith’s Rosebud Salve

2. Bonne Bell Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker Lip Gloss

3. Benefit Kitten Powder Puff (discontinued)

4. Jessica Simpson’s Dessert Beauty line

5. Glossier Lash Slick