Podcast Summary: Style-ish – "The Ultimate Guide: A Fashion and Beauty Editor's Best-Kept Secrets"

Podcast Information

• Title: Style-ish
• Host/Author: Shameless Media
• Description: Style-ish is the podcast for all things fashion, brand, business, and beauty.
• Episode Title: The Ultimate Guide: A Fashion and Beauty Editor's Best-Kept Secrets
• Release Date: February 27, 2025
• Guest: Sapna Rao, Fashion and Beauty Editor at Sheer Lux

1. Introduction to Sapna Rao

In this episode of "Style-ish," host Maddie welcomes Sapna Rao, a renowned fashion and beauty editor at the UK publication Sheer Lux. Sapna brings a wealth of experience from her roles in broadcasting, podcasting, and writing, including co-hosting Lux Gen's podcast "Group Chat."

Notable Quote:

• Maddie [01:11]: "Sapna, you are a fashion and beauty editor at Sheer Lux. She has a wealth of experience in broadcasting, podcasting, and writing. Talk about a triple threat."

2. Beauty Hack: Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Sapna shares a highly effective and unconventional hack for cleaning makeup brushes using a silk pillowcase. Instead of the recommended weekly cleaning, she suggests placing all brushes in a silk pillowcase and washing them in the machine without detergent. This method saves time and extends the life of makeup brushes.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [02:11]: "I put it in, like, a silk pillowcase and put it in the washing machine, but with, like, nothing, no detergent, nothing, like nasty glossy in there, but just put it in and it works."
• Maddie [03:37]: "And if it saves me having to buy new makeup brushes every few months. Or even worse, using dish liquid."

3. Sapna Rao’s Journey in Fashion and Beauty Editing

Sapna discusses her transition from a PR role focused on fashion to becoming a beauty editor. Her passion for both fashion and beauty, nurtured through creating a blog and writing about trends, paved the way for her current position at Sheer Lux.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [05:15]: "I had already been creating a blog and writing a lot about fashion and beauty. And so it just made sense that the job was sort of for both."
• Sapna [06:31]: "With any job you have to almost love it so much to like be able to get your foot in the door for it."

4. Career Advice for Aspiring Editors and Writers

Sapna emphasizes the importance of building a portfolio, especially for those lacking direct experience. She advises creating a blog or writing samples in the style of the target publication to demonstrate capability.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [06:45]: "If you don't have the experience, you have to create the evidence."
• Maddie [08:23]: "I absolutely love that piece of advice."

5. Navigating the Fast-Paced Beauty and Fashion Industry

Discussing the unpredictable nature of the industry, Sapna shares personal career lessons, including the necessity of self-advocacy and continuous learning. She underscores the value of being well-informed and adaptable.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [08:49]: "You have to really just vouch for yourself."
• Sapna [09:32]: "Especially working in this kind of industry, you have to really roll with the punches."

6. Building Confidence and Resilience in the Workplace

Sapna talks about developing self-confidence, especially when working alongside older colleagues. She highlights the importance of self-belief, personal reflection, and seeking mentorship.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [09:44]: "You are your own biggest cheerleader."
• Sapna [11:00]: "I definitely have those people for me who I respect so much and whose careers I really respect."

7. Balancing Media Roles with Public Presence

Sapna explains how her media responsibilities and public-facing roles complement each other. Her passion for content creation has seamlessly integrated into her professional life, enabling her to manage both aspects effectively.

Notable Quote:

• Sapna [11:41]: "It feels quite mutually beneficial almost."

8. Surprising Aspects of Being a Beauty Editor

Sapna reveals that beauty editors receive an overwhelming number of beauty products, which, while exciting, raises concerns about sustainability due to excessive packaging.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [12:28]: "The sheer amount of products that we are sent is crazy."
• Sapna [12:51]: "Especially as someone who's so planet conscious, the amount of cardboard and plastic and things that I receive a week is mental."

9. Upcoming Beauty Trends for 2025

Sapna forecasts major beauty trends, including the integration of skincare ingredients into hair care and makeup ("skinification"), vibrant red hues in makeup, and innovative haircuts like micro fringes.

Notable Quote:

• Sapna [13:34]: "We've seen this sort of skinification happening, which basically just means that a lot of, like skincare ingredients are moving into hair care, makeup, basically every category."

10. Refining Skincare Routines

Reflecting on past trends, Sapna advises simplifying skincare routines and advocating for less product layering. She recommends maintaining essential practices like double cleansing in the evenings while keeping morning routines minimal.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [14:36]: "We need to be like streamlining our routines. Less is more."
• Maddie [15:32]: "I would never think to double cleanse in the morning."

11. Favorite Travel Beauty Essentials

When traveling, Sapna prioritizes versatile makeup tools, such as a dual-ended brush, a mini razor, a reliable concealer, and a multifunctional palette. These essentials ensure she remains polished without overpacking.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [17:55]: "A dual ended brush, I feel like that is like you could do so much with that."
• Sapna [19:04]: "It's probably like a really light tinted serum and then concealer everywhere basically."

12. Controversial Beauty Opinions

Sapna advocates for age restrictions on skincare products, especially those with active ingredients like retinol. She expresses concern over young children using advanced skincare products without proper guidance.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [23:17]: "I think it needs to have an age on there."
• Sapna [24:12]: "Especially young kids are on social and they're seeing XYZ products and they're using it."

13. Fashion Insights and Favorites

Discussing her favorite Australian brands, Sapna mentions Dish, Camilla, Mark, Sir The Label, and Lioness. She highlights Camilla, Mark for their versatile and stylish trench coats, which seamlessly blend with various wardrobes.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [24:51]: "Camilla, Mark. Just because I think like the vibe really goes with like London as well."
• Maddie [25:38]: "They're very well known for their trenches."

14. Wardrobe Management and Organization

Sapna shares tips on maintaining an organized wardrobe, emphasizing regular cleansing and only keeping pieces that are frequently worn. She admits to relying on her boyfriend for organizing her closet, highlighting the importance of shared responsibilities.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [38:29]: "I have this really nice, like, shirt and trouser Striped camel colored set."
• Maddie [39:08]: "That's such a good find."

15. Prized Wardrobe Possessions

Sapna treasures specific items like a cherished blazer from Ray and a vintage Bottega bag from eBay, which hold significant sentimental and stylistic value. These pieces are irreplaceable and symbolize her unique fashion journey.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [35:26]: "I have this blazer from a brand called Ray which used to be stocked on matches fashion which sadly doesn't exist anymore."
• Sapna [36:31]: "If you're looking for something specific, the chances are you're not going to find it."

16. Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Sapna concludes with advice on fashion inspiration, encouraging listeners to draw from platforms like Pinterest while developing their unique style. She emphasizes the importance of accessorizing and personalizing trends to fit individual wardrobes.

Notable Quotes:

• Sapna [31:20]: "I love Pinterest, so I'm like someone who every quarter has a Pinterest board for Like a vibe, a mood."
• Sapna [32:12]: "But I think it's better to take bits and bobs and then put it together in your own way."

Conclusion

In this insightful episode of "Style-ish," Sapna Rao imparts valuable wisdom on navigating the intersecting worlds of fashion and beauty. From practical beauty hacks and career advice to deep dives into upcoming trends and wardrobe management, Sapna offers a comprehensive guide for enthusiasts and aspiring professionals alike. Her candid discussions on sustainability, personal growth, and maintaining authenticity provide listeners with actionable tips and inspiration to elevate their style and professional journeys.

Notable Closing Quotes:

• Maddie [40:02]: "Thank you so much again. We know it's very early your time when we've recorded this and you've done it without coffee, so my hat goes off to you."
• Sapna [40:27]: "Always was, always will be Aboriginal land."