Style-ish Podcast Episode Summary: "Has Wedding Prep Gone Mad?"

Released on March 4, 2025, by Shameless Media, "Style-ish" delves into the intersections of fashion, branding, business, and beauty. In the episode titled "Has Wedding Prep Gone Mad?", hosts Madison Sullivan Thorpe, Anika Joshi Smith, and Joanna Fleming explore a variety of contemporary topics, from the Oscars' influence on branding to the resurgence of natural pubic hair trends. Below is a detailed summary capturing the episode's key discussions, insights, and conclusions.

1. Opening Banter and Personal Style Chats (00:00 - 02:00)

The episode kicks off with hosts sharing their Monday moods and recent fashion purchases. Madison reveals her new suede bomber jacket, aiming for a more mindful shopping approach compared to the previous year's impulsive buys.

Notable Quote:

• Anika Joshi Smith (00:38): "You're looking very Oscars ready. Like I'm here for it."

2. Oscars Red Carpet Fashion Highlights (02:00 - 07:08)

With the Oscars underway, the hosts passionately discuss standout fashion moments from the red carpet. Anika admires Lily-Rose Depp's custom Chanel dress, applauding its blend of sheer elegance and edgy silhouette. Madison shares her admiration for Ariana Grande's red Schiaparelli dress, highlighting its emotional impact during the award presentation. The conversation extends to men's fashion, with Joanna emphasizing the impressive ensembles of actors like Timothee Chalamet and Jeff Goldblum.

Notable Quotes:

• Anika Joshi Smith (03:04): "She honestly looks so stunning, but still looked very much like Lily. So it had, like, a little bit of edge to it."
• Madison Sullivan Thorpe (03:29): "But the way I died when she got on stage in that red Schiaparelli with the little bow slippers as a nod to Dorothy for the Wizard of Oz. I was hysterically crying with her and Cynthia in, like, singing that."

3. Sponsored Segment: Lancome Genifique Ultimate Serum (09:09 - 10:25)

The hosts transition to a sponsored segment, introducing Lancome's newly launched Genifique Ultimate Serum. They discuss its enhanced formula, featuring licorice root and beta glucans, designed to repair skin damages like redness, pores, and fine lines within seven days.

Notable Quotes:

• Joanna Fleming (09:25): "For us skincare geeks, this is a breakthrough ingredient that is proven to increase the skin's capacity for visible repair and recovery."
• Madison Sullivan Thorpe (10:10): "The highly anticipated Longcom Genifique Ultimate Serum is available now. You can check it out over@longcom.com thank."

4. Oscars as the Super Bowl for Women-Targeted Brands (10:25 - 15:02)

Madison elaborates on why the Oscars have become a pivotal event for brands targeting female audiences. With 19.5 million viewers and a demographic skewed 60% female, brands like Poise, Skinny Pop, and L'Oreal leveraged the platform to showcase female-centric products. Joanna highlights the extravagant swag bags worth $200,000, exclusive to major nominees and hosts.

Notable Quotes:

• Madison Sullivan Thorpe (10:25): "The Oscars had 19.5 million viewers in 2024. And it's a real cultural event, but the audience, interestingly, is 60% female and is most popular with women aged 45 plus."
• Joanna Fleming (07:36): "It just seems unnecessary, doesn't it?"

5. Full Bush Revival and Pubic Hair Trends (16:02 - 26:43)

A significant portion of the episode delves into the "Full Bush Revival," a trend advocating for natural pubic hair, spurred by viral TikTok discussions and challenging longstanding beauty norms. Joanna recounts how a viral Etsy review and TikTok user Sujinda's chant "full bush in a bikini" catalyzed widespread conversations about body hair acceptance. The hosts share personal anecdotes and societal observations, emphasizing the shift towards embracing natural body hair and challenging societal pressures.

Notable Quotes:

• Joanna Fleming (16:02): "A full bush revival is apparently happening, and it's all thanks to an Etsy review and TikTok."
• Anika Joshi Smith (19:13): "It's all about being confident in who you are and what you want to believe in and you do you."

6. Listener Question: Pre-Wedding Skin Prep (28:40 - 36:26)

The episode addresses a listener's query about investing in at-home LED skincare devices versus professional facial treatments ahead of a wedding. Joanna, the in-house skin expert, advises that while at-home LEDs can enhance glow and texture, professional treatments may be necessary for more significant skin concerns. She emphasizes the importance of starting skin preparations well in advance—ideally six months before the wedding—for optimal results.

Notable Quotes:

• Joanna Fleming (28:40): "You don't need to completely change up your skincare. You don't need to go and have treatments, you don't need to be buying all of the different gadgets just because you're getting married."
• Anika Joshi Smith (35:18): "I absolutely love what Poise did with the Hollywood Reporter ad."

7. Conclusion and Announcements (36:26 - 38:55)

In wrapping up, the hosts tease upcoming episodes, including exclusive content available through their "Shame More" series. They express gratitude to their team and encourage listeners to engage via email or social media for opinions and advice.

Notable Quotes:

• Lucy Hunt (37:39): "In our Inner Circle episodes, we answer some pretty philosophical questions from our closest friends and family."
• Joanna Fleming (38:55): "Alrighty."

Key Takeaways

1. Oscars Influence: The Academy Awards continue to be a significant platform for brands targeting a predominantly female audience, mirroring the Super Bowl's impact on male-targeted marketing.

2. Fashion Cycles: Both women's and men's red carpet fashion trends showcase a blend of nostalgia and modernity, from hourglass silhouettes to bold color choices.

3. Beauty Innovations: Lancome's enhanced Genifique Ultimate Serum exemplifies ongoing advancements in skincare, merging traditional formulas with innovative ingredients for improved efficacy.

4. Body Positivity Movements: The resurgence of natural pubic hair acceptance highlights a broader shift towards body positivity and challenging societal beauty standards, fueled by social media platforms like TikTok.

5. Wedding Preparations: The pressure to achieve flawless skin for weddings underscores the evolving beauty rituals and the importance of personalized skincare strategies.

6. Consumer Insights: Listener polls reveal diverse attitudes towards body hair removal, indicating a market ripe for varied beauty solutions catering to individual preferences.

Final Thoughts:

"Has Wedding Prep Gone Mad?" encapsulates contemporary dialogues around beauty standards, the commercialization of cultural events, and personal autonomy in fashion and skincare choices. The hosts adeptly balance personal anecdotes with broader societal observations, offering listeners both entertainment and insightful commentary on current trends.