The Beauty Podcast, with Sali Hughes

Sali Hughes has been one of the most trusted voices in British beauty writing for more than two decades, and her podcast carries that same authority into long-form conversation. Each episode brings her into the studio with a guest from the beauty world, whether that is a makeup artist who has worked backstage at Fashion Week, a founder building a brand from her kitchen table, or a dermatologist tired of seeing patients damaged by bad internet advice. Sali has a knack for getting people to speak honestly about things they usually dodge in press interviews. She asks about money, about failure, about the products they actually use versus the ones they are paid to promote. Listeners come away understanding not just what a guest does but how they think about their work and the industry around them. The show also tackles broader issues, from the environmental cost of packaging to the pressure women face to look a certain age. Sali is warm and opinionated in equal measure, and her guests relax into that quickly. It is the kind of beauty podcast where a conversation about lipstick can suddenly turn into something much more substantive without anyone noticing the shift. For anyone who has read her columns in The Guardian or her books, the podcast feels like an extension of a long conversation with a smart friend who happens to know everyone worth knowing in the beauty industry. Produced in partnership with Avon, episodes are free and worth the time.