S5, Ep8 – In conversation with Sonia Haria
2 December 2024
Joining Dr Reena in our latest episode of Life & Smile is Sonia Haria. As an industry great, Sonia is an award-winning journalist, brand consultant and author with over fifteen years of experience in the beauty industry. Sonia has been the Beauty Director of Telegraph Media Group since 2016 and works closely with the British Beauty Council, sitting on the Council’s Advisory Board and Policy Committee.
Listen in full as Sonia reveals the inspiration for launching her debut book South Asian Beauty, how she built her career and tips for making it work so effortlessly on a daily basis. Plus of course this episode wouldn’t be complete without Sonia revealing her little black book of products she can’t live without and places to visit – be prepared to take notes.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
The show opens with a mini recap of Sonia’s journey so far – she was a real bookworm as a child, and from the age of ten, she knew she wanted to become a journalist. Beauty wasn’t always on her radar – she was initially focused on news – but working on a makeup counter on weekends in Sloane Square opened up a whole new world.
She later secured a placement at The Telegraph, where a three-week internship turned into six months. Sonia was then offered a role as an editorial assistant, which she took on while completing her third year at university. She’s now been with the publication for seventeen years.
The beauty desk had always been in the background — and it was the most incredible part of the newsroom. Beauty, empowerment, working with women, and lifestyle combined into what Sonia describes as the ultimate mix. It’s been a long journey, but a brilliant one.
Sonia’s passion lies in storytelling – the ability to express something powerful through words. Starting with a blank page and turning it into something magical is, for her, the ultimate creative privilege. Sitting behind a laptop to write is where she feels most at home.
She especially loves being part of the constantly changing language of beauty. During the pandemic, The Telegraph pivoted to become a “beauty news desk,” working closely with the British Beauty Council and positioning themselves at the forefront of breaking news. They used social media as a key tool to communicate messages from industry leaders.
Social media’s evolution is something Sonia has watched closely throughout her career. She believes that getting out into the world and gaining hands-on experience is crucial — nothing beats learning on the job. With the industry becoming more digital, it’s now harder for the younger generation to develop these real-world skills.
On her daily commute, Sonia always has an audiobook playing. She limits her time on social media to make space for reading and staying culturally in tune — particularly because it’s so easy to get distracted.
The conversation then turns to her debut book, South Asian Beauty, a celebrated release packed with advice, history, and cultural insight. Drawing on her experience as a beauty journalist, Sonia reflects on how exciting it is to be South Asian right now – something brands are finally beginning to celebrate. The book has launched in both India and the US.
And finally, what’s in Sonia’s mini survival kit to stay on point throughout the day? A voice recorder is always in her handbag, along with a lip product, her phone, a notepad, and pen… or, more realistically, a toy that belongs to her young daughter.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Beauty is not just about vanity — while it’s nice to present yourself in a certain way, it’s deeply tied to confidence and how you feel inside.
Nothing ever beats on-the-job experience — hands-on learning is invaluable.
Keep an open mind with journalism — you don’t have to specialise; writing across a variety of topics all comes down to being a really good communicator.
Push yourself and meet people in person — personal connections and stepping out of your comfort zone are essential for growth.
You might also like
Previous episodes
S4, Ep7 – In conversation with Alex Eagle
In this episode of Life & Smile Dr Reena is joined by a figure renowned for making her name in retail as the creative director of her eponymous luxury concept store, which blends fashion, lifestyle and elements of a gallery.
S2, Ep5 – In conversation with Daniel Norcross
Famously described as “the most interesting commentator of the new generation” and renowned for often placing an unusual perspective into the commentary box, in this episode of Life & Smile we welcome to 75 Harley Street a household name in broadcasting.
