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AI Can Suggest a Lipstick But Not How It Feels, Say Beauty Educators The Lipstick Lesbians
Alexis Androulakis and Dr. Christina Basias Androulakis, the couple behind The Lipstick Lesbians, argued at a New York City panel that beauty consumers have a discernment problem, not an information shortage, as AI grows in product discovery. Their education platform is expanding into paid courses and consulting.
Speaking at a panel in New York City earlier this month, the married duo behind The Lipstick Lesbians said that as artificial intelligence takes on a larger role in beauty discovery, human expertise, touch and personal connection will only become more valuable. Alexis Androulakis has worked in makeup artistry, product development and consulting, while Dr. Christina Basias Androulakis holds a Ph.D. in education and technology.
The pair has built a following of nearly 1.8 million by explaining how beauty products are formulated, packaged and marketed. They noted that AI can recommend a lipstick, but it cannot tell a consumer how that lipstick feels — a gap they see as central to the limits of automation in beauty.
Beyond social content, the business now includes product-development consulting, professional speaking and an eight-hour paid course covering the development of lip, cheek, eye and face products. The couple also discussed beauty misinformation, meaningful innovation and personalization during the panel.
The Lipstick Lesbians grew out of Fempower Beauty, a lipstick company the couple launched in 2019 and which inspired the account’s name. They put at least $500,000 of their own money into the venture. The account began as a way to offer a behind-the-scenes view of their founder journey.
The couple ceased operating Fempower in 2022, citing a lack of sufficient funding. That background has shaped how they think about the expanding volume of beauty advice online, where they argue discernment matters more than access to information.