Podcast Summary: The Run-Through with Vogue Episode: The Beauty Routines We Are Taking Into 2026 Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of “The Run-Through with Vogue” dives into the evolving landscape of beauty and wellness routines Vogue editors are championing for 2026. Hosts Chloe Malle and Chioma Nnadi, joined by beauty editors Margot and Arden, discuss wellness obsessions, red-carpet beauty trends, hair innovations, the impact of technology on routines, and shifting industry attitudes about transparency and imperfection. The show also touches on major recent fashion industry news, including the Saks Fifth Avenue bankruptcy, and pays tribute to the legendary Valentino.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Saks Fifth Avenue Bankruptcy & Fashion Industry Reset

• Madeline Schultz, US Editor at Vogue Business, joins to discuss Saks Fifth Avenue’s bankruptcy and its broader impact on the fashion industry.

• Key Facts:

  • Saks is still open; its bankruptcy comes with $1.75 billion in financing for restructuring but slim hope for smaller or independent brands owed money.
  • Big-name brands like Chanel are owed huge sums ($136M). Smaller designers face significant risk as major retail buying drives their financial year.
  • The “reset” in fashion is ongoing post a season marked by 16 designer debuts; now, the industry faces phase two: adjusting creative teams, pricing, and marketing.
  • Pricing discussion: While brands avoid lowering prices, more “accessible” luxury (e.g., $2,000 bags) is being offered.

• Memorable Quote:

  • “For a lot of [independent designers], Saks retailers are the biggest wholesale accounts. One New York designer was telling me that he essentially plans his whole year around these Saks buys.” – Madeline Schultz [04:00]

• Timestamps:

  • Saks bankruptcy segment – [01:04] to [06:57]

2. Remembering Valentino

• Hosts reflect on the legacy of Valentino after his passing.

• Hamish Bowles wrote a comprehensive tribute for Vogue.

• Discussion of Valentino’s lifelong partnership with Giancarlo Giammetti and their influence on fashion history.

• The documentary “The Last Emperor” is recommended as essential viewing.

• Memorable Quotes:

  • “Hamish is so remarkably adept ... he wrote this beautiful, comprehensive tribute that’s extremely touching.” – Chloe [07:47]
  • “93 as well. I mean, you know, such a long, insanely magical life and moved so many.” – Choma Nardi [09:56]

• Timestamps:

  • Valentino tribute – [06:59] to [10:42]

3. Paris Men’s Fashion Week: Trends & Highlights

• Discussion of highlights from Paris and Milan men’s shows:

  • Jonathan Anderson’s adventurous men’s collection (blonde wigs, gender-defying silhouettes)
  • Pharrell’s imaginative set for Louis Vuitton
  • Dior’s festival-inspired looks
  • Prada’s “season defining,” sharply tailored, skinny silhouettes

• Connection between men’s and women’s collections, and the designers’ versatility.

• Quote:

  • “Because menswear was where Jonathan Anderson started, and I often feel like his men's collections are just so super strong.” – Choma Nardi [12:47]

• Timestamps:

  • Fashion Week trends – [10:42] to [14:42]

4. Beauty & Wellness: 2026 Manifesto

a. Choma’s “Extreme” Breakfast Routine

• Plant-based, liver cleanse tea, miso broth, “protein-rich porridge,” seed cycling, ghee, black seed oil, and more.

• Samsung watch that measures dietary antioxidant intake.

• Transparency and “celebrity mornings.”

• Quote:

  • “Isn't that crazy? I don't even know if we want to make this public ... but it gets me a good rating on a ... yeah.” – Choma Nardi [21:13]

• Timestamps:

  • Breakfast routines and wellness obsessions – [17:12] to [21:24]

b. The Decade Shift in Wellness Trends

• 2016 vs. 2026: Wellness once fringe, now mainstream—even “parasite cleanses” on social media.

• Aesthetic shifts from 2016: Top knots, side bangs, glitter, “Kardashian Beauty” skipping some, minimalist beauty for others.

• Reflections on how tattoo culture and attitudes have changed; mainstream acceptance, temporary and pop-up trends, and easier removals (Pico laser).

• Quote:

  • “You will not be seeing a photo of me with my black choker on because ... I have an idea of myself I'd like to maintain. And it's not that girl.” – Arden [22:38]

• Timestamps:

  • Beauty decade reflections and tattoo chat – [21:24] to [27:37]

c. Lasers, Transparency, and Anti-AI Beauty

• Rise of laser treatments (especially Pico for pigment, melasma), shifting norms around admitting to “work done.”

• Embrace of authenticity and imperfections in an AI-obsessed culture.

• Social media as a mirror: Moving from perfection (Facetune) to “showing your real skin.”

• Quote:

  • “This transparency of plastic surgery or work done is also something so big ... I do think it's like sort of an anti AI push to be like, I didn't Facetune. I did the work to get this done.” – Arden [28:40]

• Timestamps:

  • Laser treatments and cosmetic transparency – [27:37] to [29:38]

5. Red Carpet Beauty & Hair Trends

• Awards season as a “bright spot” for beauty inspiration; “Old Hollywood glam” returning—pin curls, bobs, updos, ringlets.

• Direct track from runway trends to red carpet; updos get sleeker and more avant-garde.

• Bobs remain perennial; current variations: sharp, Uma Thurman–style (Pulp Fiction), micro-bangs, “wet look.”

• Extensions now common even in bobs (“money pieces” for highlighting), careful movement toward “romantic” (soft, period-inspired) beauty, but also “indie sleaze” makes a comeback.

• Music and festival culture influences bold trends—glitter, statement eyes, experimental makeup.

• Memorable Quotes:

  • “The bob is not, it's not going away ... I think it's interesting to see people restyling it.” – Margot [35:09]
  • “The K-pop Demon Hunters girls are killing it ... everyone is giving me a different cool beauty look. We're seeing braids, we're seeing black lipstick.” – Arden [33:54]

• Timestamps:

  • Red carpet & hair trends – [31:11] to [39:34]

6. Social Media, Trends, and the Embrace of Imperfection

• Super long hair vs. bobs: extremes coexist, both on-trend.

• “Romantic beauty” is rising (“period drama” makeup), but so is a messy, lived-in “indie sleaze” look.

• Acceptance of “human-touched” looks over AI-perfection; cluttered realities valued over hyper-curated images.

• Memorable Quote:

  • “Now that everyone's sort of going into this, like, I want it to look human-touched. I don't want it to look AI.” – Margot [43:22]

• Timestamps:

  • Social media and imperfections – [39:34] to [43:47]

7. Toothpaste as the New Luxury & Oral Health

• Rick Owens’s “gin and cigarette” toothpaste flavor; the idea that daily routines should be pleasurable and elevated.

• Specialty toothpaste brands (Marvis, Celaton) and the “elevated mint” movement.

• Quote:

  • “You’re gonna brush your teeth every single day. Why not have it be fun and joyful and elevated?” – Arden [44:13]

• Timestamps:

  • Toothpaste/Oral health – [44:00] to [45:36]

8. Fitness Trends Going into 2026

• Norwegian 4x4 method (high-intensity interval training): four minutes max effort, four times.

• Japanese walking: interval-based, brisk walking or light jogging.

• Strength training emphasized for women’s health—bone density, future health.

• “Heated rivalry” workouts popular in Vogue’s London office.

• Quote:

  • “There's so many conversations right now about strength training and how important it is for women, whether it comes to bone density, future health. I can do a 15 pound weight now. That's my new update.” – Arden [47:18]

• Timestamps:

  • Fitness trends – [46:02] to [48:34]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On wellness and social cachet:
  “…so many of those people now are the ones that are leading a parasite cleanse on social media…” – Arden [21:59]
• On authenticity vs. AI:
  “Now that everyone's sort of going into this, like, I want it to look human-touched. I don't want it to look AI.” – Margot [43:22]
• On the stickiness of the bob:
  “I don't think that it's actually gonna go anywhere because it is so flattering. And I just think it's interesting to see people restyling it.” – Margot [35:09]
• On tattoo removal:
  “The pico laser will take that. It just blasts it off and it just brings your normal skin tone ... back to the surface, basically.” – Margot [27:21]

Episode Flow / Timeline

• Saks Fifth Avenue and Industry Trends | [01:04]–[06:57]
• Valentino Tribute | [06:59]–[10:42]
• Men’s Paris/Milan Shows | [10:42]–[14:42]
• Mailbag/Housekeeping | [15:04]–[17:12]
• Beauty & Wellness Routines/Trends | [17:12]–[21:24]
• 2016 Nostalgia, Beauty Reflection, Tattoos | [21:24]–[27:37]
• Lasers, Transparency, Cosmetic Procedures | [27:37]–[29:38]
• Red Carpet Trends (Updos, Bobs, Hair) | [31:11]–[39:34]
• Messy, Cluttered, Real Life Trends | [39:34]–[43:47]
• Toothpaste & Oral Health Talk | [44:00]–[45:36]
• Fitness & Exercise Trends | [46:02]–[48:34]
• Wrap-Up | [48:45]–end

Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is warm, conversational, and self-effacing—editors admit to “insane” wellness routines and nostalgic beauty gaffes, making space for listeners to feel both inspired and “seen.”
• Beauty and wellness are increasingly about authenticity, self-care, and “doing you,” whether that’s with a protein-porridge breakfast, a pin-curled bob, or radical transparency about cosmetic interventions.
• Technology is entering the beauty and wellness sphere—Samsung watches that judge your vegetable intake, lasers for at-home pigment correction, and nearly bespoke hair extensions.
• Fashion, beauty, and even oral hygiene are becoming more “fun,” personal, and reflective of an anti-perfectionism, post-AI cultural moment.

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