Sephora, Beauty Discovery, and Why Everything Feels the Same with Business of Beauty Editor Priya Rao

Does Sephora still feel like the beauty store you fell in love with? Or does shopping there increasingly feel like seeing your TikTok feed on a shelf?

Amy Chang sits down with Priya Rao, Executive Editor of The Business of Beauty at The Business of Fashion, to explore how beauty shopping is changing and why some longtime customers feel left behind.

From Sephora’s younger shoppers to TikTok Shop, Amazon and Olive Young, they unpack who gets to decide what we discover and buy. They also discuss why so many beauty brands feel similar, what makes stores like Violet Grey and Space NK feel different, and whether a higher price really means a better product.

In this episode:

• Sephora, Gen Alpha and the millennial beauty shopper

• Viral products versus genuine discovery

• Korean beauty and Olive Young’s growing influence

• Amazon, convenience and the changing meaning of luxury

• Customer service, curation and trust

• Priya’s beauty brands to watch and predictions for 2027

MATERA is a physician-led aesthetic clinic in Santa Monica, CA, founded by Amy Chang and medically led by board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. John Frederick. We help patients age beautifully through personalized care and the MATERA Slow Beauty Method™.

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ABOUT MIRROR MIRROR

Mirror Mirror is a podcast that cuts through the noise and uncovers the science shaping beauty and the psychology driving our desire for it. Hosted by Amy Chang — LA Times contributing writer, Marie Claire 2024 Power Player, and a trusted authority in beauty, with over 2.4 million followers who turn to her for insights on cutting-edge treatments and science-backed skincare.

Expect unfiltered conversations, expert insight, and the freedom to love your lipstick — while still questioning what perfection means.

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