Forever35 Podcast: Episode 364 – The GlowJob x Forever35 Crossover

Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu
Guests: Julia Bellery & Sasa Lee (Co-hosts of Glow Job)
Release Date: August 11, 2025

Introduction and Welcome

Doree Shafrir (00:32):
Doree kicks off the episode by welcoming listeners back to Forever35, describing it as a podcast dedicated to self-care with a humorous and self-aware twist. This episode features a special crossover with the Glow Job podcast, introducing the listeners to Julia Bellery and Sasa Lee, the dynamic co-hosts of Glow Job.

Elise Hu (01:33):
Elise adds excitement about the collaboration, praising the Glow Job hosts and setting the stage for an engaging discussion.

Updates from Hosts

Doree Shafrir (02:10):
Doree shares her recent summer vacation on the East Coast, highlighting quality family time and personal activities. She mentions her upcoming tennis tournament, signaling her commitment to balancing personal interests with professional responsibilities.

Elise Hu (05:03):
Elise updates listeners on her recent medical procedure, providing a candid account of her experience. She also talks about her daughters' ice skating camp, reflecting on the challenges of balancing family commitments.

Doree Shafrir (07:02):
Doree reflects on the swift transition from summer to the start of the school year, sharing anecdotes about the cultural event Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl and her interactions with friends who attended.

Elise Hu (09:38):
Elise shares insights about her children's activities and her excitement for upcoming tennis tournaments, demonstrating the podcast's blend of personal and cultural content.

Introducing the Guests: Julia Bellery & Sasa Lee

Elise Hu (10:28):
Elise introduces Julia Bellery and Sasa Lee, co-hosts of the Glow Job podcast. She provides detailed backgrounds:

• Julia Bellery:

  • Former tech executive transitioned to skincare.
  • Leads strategic marketing at Lemieux Cosmetics.
  • Expertise in digital marketing, brand activations, and customer experience.
  • UC Berkeley art history graduate with a decade-long experience in sales and partnerships at Oracle and DocuSign.
  • Enjoys golfing and exploring Korean beauty trends.

• Sasa Lee:

  • Former fashion designer turned finance professional.
  • BFA from Parsons School of Design and MBA from NYU.
  • Private wealth advisor at Wells Fargo Private Bank in Beverly Hills.
  • Serves on the board of trustees at The New School.
  • Balances finance with ongoing connections to art and design.

Doree Shafrir (12:32):
Doree emphasizes the guests' expertise and charisma, noting their shared passion for beauty and professionalism.

The Origins of Glow Job

Julia Bellery (16:35):
Julia recounts the serendipitous meeting with Sasa in esthetician school in Los Angeles. They bonded over their shared interest in beauty, leading to the creation of the Glow Job podcast in February of the same year.

Sasa Lee (17:50):
Sasa adds that their esthetician program was more of a hobby, allowing them to explore beauty without the intention of becoming practicing estheticians. This flexible learning environment fostered their passion for beauty discussions.

Elise Hu (19:53):
Elise shares her connection with the Forever35 podcast, detailing how mutual professional acquaintances led to the collaboration between the two shows.

Discussion on Journalism and Podcasting

Elise Hu (21:56):
Elise delves into her background in broadcast journalism and transition to podcasting, highlighting the differences between traditional journalism and the more personal, conversational nature of podcasts.

Julia Bellery (23:16):
Julia discusses the evolution of content creation, especially in the beauty industry, emphasizing the preference for longer-form discussions over short, often superficial content prevalent on social media platforms.

Elise Hu (24:29):
Elise expresses concerns about the shift towards creator-driven content, fearing that important but less glamorous topics may receive less attention in favor of more engaging, viral content.

Exploring Dupe Culture in Beauty

Julia Bellery (25:52):
Julia introduces the topic of dupe culture, explaining how Glow Job approaches it with a balanced perspective. They recently debated the ethics and practicality of dupes, ultimately supporting them as affordable alternatives for consumers.

Doree Shafrir (25:52):
Doree underscores the importance of distinguishing between legitimate dupes and outright counterfeit products, emphasizing consumer safety and ethical considerations.

Elise Hu (27:00):
Elise shares her skepticism towards skincare dupes, citing the complexity of formulations and active ingredients that make true skincare dupes challenging to replicate effectively.

Julia Bellery (28:30):
Julia agrees, pointing out that while makeup dupes are more feasible, skincare products require precise formulations, making good dupes rarer.

Elise Hu (31:19):
Elise highlights a successful skincare dupe from Missha, showcasing the potential for quality affordable alternatives in the K Beauty sector.

Julia Bellery (31:56):
Julia elaborates on how K Beauty brands successfully create dupes by utilizing cost-effective ingredients without compromising on efficacy, contrasting them with brands that produce mere packaging replicas.

Favorite Dupes and Product Recommendations

Elise Hu (34:00):
Elise shares her favorite skincare dupe, the Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence, which she praises for offering similar benefits to the high-priced SK2 Essence at a fraction of the cost.

Doree Shafrir (34:15):
Doree mentions her loyalty to NYX Concealer, appreciating its effectiveness and affordability, though she notes it's unclear which specific product it's duping.

Julia Bellery (35:16):
Julia emphasizes the importance of quality in dupes, especially in makeup lines where shade replication is crucial for consumer satisfaction.

Elise Hu (42:17):
Elise provides a detailed account of her skincare routine, highlighting products from brands like One Skin, Lemieux Esthetician Baseline, Medicube, and Missha, showcasing a blend of both high-end and affordable K Beauty products.

Skincare and Makeup Routines

Julia Bellery (40:14):
Julia offers an in-depth look at her skincare and makeup regimen, favoring minimalistic approaches and emphasizing product quality and ingredient transparency. She discusses her preference for products that prioritize skin health over trendy additions.

Elise Hu (42:21):
Elise describes her double cleansing routine, incorporating both oil-based and water-based cleansers to maintain skin health, and shares her struggles and preferences in selecting effective sunscreens.

Doree Shafrir (43:38):
Doree humorously admits to forgetting sunscreen, prompting a discussion on the challenges of finding effective and pleasant-smelling sunscreens, ultimately favoring mineral options.

Wound Care Tips and Best Practices

Julia Bellery (46:10):
Julia shares essential wound care tips learned from esthetician school:

1. Stop Activity: Immediately cease any activity if bleeding starts.
2. Wear Gloves: Always protect your hands to maintain hygiene.
3. Keep It Simple: Less is more when it comes to skincare routines, avoiding overuse of products to prevent skin irritation.
4. Patch Test: Always test new products on a small skin area before full application to avoid adverse reactions.
5. Listen to Your Skin: Pay attention to skin responses and adjust routines accordingly.

Doree Shafrir (46:18):
Doree echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of minimalism in skincare to maintain the skin’s health and integrity.

Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

Doree Shafrir (48:35):
Doree expresses admiration for the guests' vision and passion for the beauty industry, reflecting on her own experiences and intentions moving forward.

Elise Hu (48:53):
Elise shares her excitement for the continuous innovation in K Beauty products, highlighting the dynamic nature of the beauty industry and her eagerness to explore new offerings.

Hosts' Personal Updates (49:08 - 52:42):
Doree and Elise share personal updates about their families, upcoming events, and mutual interests, maintaining the podcast’s relatable and community-oriented atmosphere.

Conclusion

Doree Shafrir (52:42):
Doree wraps up the episode by thanking Julia and Sasa for their participation and emphasizing the enriching conversation they had.

Elise Hu (54:53):
Elise adds closing remarks, reiterating the value of the crossover and looking forward to future collaborations.

Notable Quotes

• Elise Hu (24:29):
  "I worry that the kinds of journalism that's gonna hold city hall accountable or the kinds that are really boring and about climate change or something that people don't necessarily gravitate to... might get sidelined."

• Julia Bellery (27:00):
  "Dupes are okay, they're good. Depending on what people are dealing with economically or the availability of petty cash, dupes are a great option for people to not spend outside of their means."

• Elise Hu (31:19):
  "SK2 makes its really famous facial treatment Essence, that sells one bottle every three seconds or something around the world. It's $190, and you can get a Missha dupe for $19."

• Julia Bellery (46:10):
  "Less is more, especially with your skin. The beauty industry's incentive is to get you to buy and try as many things as they possibly can, but sometimes it's better to keep it simple."

Key Takeaways

• Dupe Culture:
  Dupes offer affordable alternatives for beauty enthusiasts, though it's crucial to distinguish between genuine dupes and dangerous counterfeits.

• K Beauty Innovation:
  Korean beauty brands excel in creating effective skincare products at accessible price points, pushing the boundaries of ingredient transparency and product efficacy.

• Minimalist Skincare:
  Adopting a minimalist approach to skincare can promote healthier skin by avoiding overuse of products and paying attention to individual skin needs.

• Podcasting vs. Traditional Journalism:
  The shift towards creator-driven content in podcasting allows for more personal and in-depth discussions but may risk sidelining important yet less engaging topics.

• Personal Connections in the Beauty Community:
  Collaborations like this crossover episode enrich the beauty community by blending diverse perspectives and experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of beauty trends and industry dynamics.

For More Information:
Visit forever35podcast.com for show notes, product links, and additional resources mentioned in this episode. Follow Forever35 on Instagram @forever35podcast and support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/forever35.