Jamie Rosen
Beauty writer & luxury consultant
Jamie Rosen has always had a way with words. She is equally talented in both writing a compelling story and spotting one. Jamie also has a supernatural ability to identify exactly what’s next before the rest of us catch on. With two decades in beauty and luxury journalism (think Town & Country and W Magazine) and work with coveted retailers including The Conservatory, Jamie has covered everything from the fine art of fragrance to what makes a great retail experience. Inspired by beauty questions she always gets asked by friends and readers, her new Substack shares all the secrets and takes a deep dive into what actually works, from serums to surgery.
Through her consulting work, Jamie lends her expertise to growing luxury brands, helping them craft stories and strategies that resonate. Whether launching LoveShackFancy’s fragrance line or advising some of the most exciting names in beauty and wellness, she brings the same sharp intuition and deep industry knowledge to everything she touches.
Jamie isn’t just reporting on what’s happening; she’s shaping the conversation. She has an eye for what feels fresh and what will stand the test of time — and she always takes the meeting. She took mine and offered equal parts honesty, generosity, and knowledge.
In this interview, we’re lucky enough to get a peek into her impeccable taste outside of the beauty world. Read on for her fashion and jewelry must-haves, carefully curated travel recommendations, and, yes, maybe a perfume or two that she can’t live without.
Q&A
You are known for identifying emerging brands and new talent. How do you know when someone has the “secret sauce” you are looking for?
A wonderful editor named Janet Ozzard once told me that there is always a sexy nugget to every story. When I speak to people about their work, I always try to find that little glimmer — the thing that makes it feel new, or has an interesting point of view, or data that is actually impressive, or a quality level that you can really see and feel, or an emotional connection you think others may have too.
Because beauty has become so very saturated, that is harder to find. There are so many people doing perfectly fine things in beauty — products work, they look nice, etc. — but to actually get really excited about something is rare.
What beauty trends do you think are fads, and which ones are here to stay?
Many trends are not actually new but are repackaged or named in clever ways that often make them invitations to participate in beauty. Things like slugging or boyfriend blush or strawberry girl makeup — it’s easy to dismiss them or roll your eyes, but they can be opportunities for education or simply a fun moment.
I’m a fan of trends that encourage people to play. I’m not a fan of the trends that make you feel like “you’ve been doing X wrong and I will now tell you how to do it right by buying my Y thing.” No one needs that.
Paid subscribers get access to the full interview below, including Jamie’s under-the-radar favorites, travel recommendations, and more. I hope you’ll consider becoming a paid subscriber to support our work — and a huge thank you to those who already do!
