Episodes
-
This week's Minipod is unapologetically beauty product focussed and I'll be telling you about some new products on the block that have got me excited.
From the do it all Glycolic stick to the hair heat protectant and texturiser in one to the lipstick that really doesn't move, there are so many things to tell you about.
Enjoy finding out about these greta new releases. -
My guest today is the utterly brilliant Melissa Leong.
Melissa is an Australian freelance food writer, food critic, television host and radio broadcaster. She is currently a judge on a series called Dessert Masters and was previously a judge on MasterChef Australia. In 2020 she was named Who Magazine's Sexiest Person of the year. And luckily for us, Melissa is also incredibly eloquent and passionate about beauty, fragrance and wellbeing.
Our conversation is one of my favourite types in that we cover so much ground and it is all so interesting and enlightening. From the surprising turn of events in Melissa's career journey to how she handles depression and anxiety to the important lesson she learnt about exercise recently and how she takes herseld out of her comfort zone, there is so much to learn from Melissa.
We of course chat about our mutual love for beauty and Melissa talks about her focus on glowing, healthy skin, her favourite style of makeup and what beauty means to her now she is in her 40's.
You'll love getting to know Melissa and if you're anything like me, she'll inspire you in a whole host of ways. -
Missing episodes?
-
Welcome to my tiny Monday episode. This week I'm waxing lyrical about the benefits of press on nails and which brands I love xx
-
In this episode I get to know Denny Daily who is a Beauty and Grooming Expert at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
During the episode we explore the many elements involved in testing a product at the Institute and why once a beauty product has been highly rated by them, there is every reason for us to trust that it is worth spending our money on as consumers (something that is incredibly important to me).
Denny and I also talk about the products that have really stood out to her because they have performed so well across the board.
Here are some of the things that she loves and recommends:
Lancome Hypnose Mascara
Clinique high-fi volumizing Mascara
Merit beauty Tinted Lip Oil
Olaplex Dry Shampoo
Elemis Vitamin c
Elemis Collagen Cream
MyVitamins Collagen gummies
Quai Body butter
Proverb Natural Deodorant
Tropic Morning Mist -
In this week's minipod I cover quite a lot in a shirt space of time including:
My search for the ultimate, hydrating undereye concealer that doesn't settle in lines and stays put
The glowy base of my dreams
How I'm taking advice from The Glucose Goddess in my bid to sort out my pre-diabetes
The questios we all need to be asking skincare influencers
and more...
Enjoy Outspoken Beauties xx -
Bryony is back for a post Easter treat to make you laugh, cry and to answer all of your most pressing beauty questions.
In this episode we're talking:
Taking photos without people realising (we've been assured that nothing untoward has taken place by Tom the editor who is taking the place of Chris this week...thank God!)Our books of the moment (Bryony is not nice about my most worthy literary choice)A delve into the life of hamsters and why everything I once believed may not be trueAnd of COURSE loads of beauty with your brilliant questions answered and lots of really great product and technique tips.Enjoy and hope we make you smile xx -
Joshua Fletcher aka Anxiety Josh is one of my heroes. When I look back at my life and consider the people who really changed it, he will be up there. (When I was in the throes of the worst anxiety imaginable I reached out to him and he not only offered me support and SUCH wisdom but ended up inspiring me to finally get out of the house, after months of hiding in anxiety hell, and get on the tube to London).
When I found out that Josh had written a new book I instantly reached out to him. I was desperate to get my teeth into it. I was sent a PDF and even though it wasn't Kindle compatible and I kept losing my place, I could not put it down. It was the perfect combination of funny, emotional, candid, informative...it was a truly brilliant book that I knew people would be wanting to read whether they suffered with anxiety or not. I had to get him on the podcast to chat about it!
And so here he is. He's a kind. brilliant human being, a truly amazing therapist who excels because he has suffered just like the people he helps and my goodness can the man write.
During the episode I get all the gossip about the book (and the characters who inhabit it), we talk about anxiety...fighting it, menopause, life. It's a conversation that I know will benefit so many of you whether you sometimes feel randomly anxious and don't know why or whether you're haunted by intrusive thoughts and panic disorder.
As for the book, I've recommended it to everyone I know and you are most definitely included in that. Here's the link
Enjoy this Outspoken Beauties! -
Hormones, phones, pre-diabetes, burgundy eyeliners and fragrances that make you feel like you're on a dream holiday in Positano....what more could you want from a minipod on Good Friday?!
Enjoy my weekly catch up and don't forget to email me [email protected] if you'd like to be a member of the Outspoken Beauty Trialling Panel. -
It is such a pleasure to welcome Aimee Connolly, the founder of Sculpted By Aimee, back on Outspoken Beauty.
During the episode we reflect on how far she has come and delve into how she is building her beauty empire.
Aimee also talks about what her brand stands for and why making makeup easy and accessible is so important to her.
We also have a chat about how Aimee juggles her brand and what she does to maintain balance in her life and look after her wellbeing.
I love this woman and she really is proof that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. -
A little pod to start the week with.
Today I'm talking about my current favourite scent that I discovered at an amazing Space NK event last week, why I paid to have an in depth blood test (and think it's a great thing to do) and I also have a code for you (outspoken50) if you'd like half price off your first Klira purchase.
Enjoy xx -
*This episode is in partnership with Dr Emma Craythorne and Klira*
If you're a skincare lover then you're going to adore this episode. I'm chatting to consultant dermatologist, TV personality (The Bad Skin Clinic) and creator of Klira skincare, the utterly lovely Dr Emma Craythorne.
The inspiration for this episode came when I was invited to hear Emma speak about Klira. I was absolutely fascinated when she explained the very many "skin sizes" that exist and how her product caters for each and every one of them whilst also offering actives that truly make a difference. This was personalisation at a whole new level.
During the episode we talk about how Klira works and why it is so important to delve into specific sizes rather than making sweeping generalisations (such as "this product is for all menopausall skin")
We also chat about the many products that Emma loves using from cleansers to moisturisers to spfs and how Emma's totally female led brand came into existance.
I love Emma. She's sassy, funny, intelligent and boy does she get skin! I think you'll get a lot out of this.
I also need to add that I've been hooked to Klira and adore what it has done for my own skin. This partnership came about because of my fascination with the brand and love for the product. -
I'm doing a very beauty focused minipod this week where I update you on the products that I'm using on repeat and would really miss if they are ever discontinued. These are my mainstays and I am so impressed with them all.
I've taken a photo of everything mentioned on today's podcast and will publish it on my Instagram @outspokenbeautynicola.
Enjoy Outspoken Beauties! -
It's time for another great episode with Bryony Blake.
Fresh from doing a perfume workshop together earlier in the day, we're chatting about the importance of friends who make you laugh outrageously, my idea for a multi-functional product called The Triple Buzz and Bryony's trip of a lifetime to Universal Studios.
After that it's onto all things beauty and Bryony is answering more of your questions with everything from how to stop makeup brushes from going clumpy when you wash them to the very best red lipstick for a bride to whether we need to use essences or not.
Enjoy this. It's the perfect combo of fun and beauty tips. -
A short and sweet episode for you to start the week with you.
I've got a brilliant, balanced breakfast idea that was given to me by the brilliant nutritionist Charlotte Faure Green. It stops blood sugar highs (and lows) and always keeps me nice and full until lunchtime.
I also want to tell you about some really beautiful products from Rare Beauty.
Enjoy xx -
It's so good to welcome the amazing Sam Chapman back on the podcast.
During the episode Sam opens up about how she has gone about achieving happiness and balance in her life after her mental health started to suffer.
Sam also chats to me about the aesthetic treatments that she has had, how she helps her audience by sharing the details of what has worked for her and why she'll never be having a thread lift again.
Later Sam talks me through some of the products that she absolutely swears by, including the foundation that beats all others. We also talk about her amazing partnership with Beauty Pie and how she went about helping to design makeup that works for women of all ages.
It was so good catching up with Sam and I can't wait for you to listen to our conversation. -
In this week's minipod I talk you through some of the beauty trends that I noticed cropping up at the CEW Beauty Awards Demonstration Evening and the products that I can't wait to try.
The event was held at The Business Design Centre in Islington which is a huge venue. As far as the eye could see were tables with people demonstrating the products that they were hoping we would vote for in the upcoming awards.(Which are known as the Oscars of the beauty industry).
It was amazing seeing such a wide range of brands both small and large and so many exciting and brilliant products and I can't wait for you to hear about some of them during this episode. -
In this thought provoking episode I welcome the amazing Michelle Feeney, founder of Floral Street, back on the podcast for a chat about all things sex and scent.
Michelle and I discuss the way that some perfume is sold to us and why in many ways it feels outdated and demeaning. As consumers what do we actually want from our fragrances? Is it all about attracting someone else or should it be more about what makes us happy and if so should the advertisers re-consider their messaging and imagery?
This episode will make you question what fragrance stands for and how as consumers we should expect to be spoken to by the markettiers with the big budgets who don't always seem get it right. -
Over the weekend I did a story about IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream and there was much confusion about which one to go for. I hope this little podcast helps you get to know the different versions of this iconic (and brilliant) product a bit better.
Ps This is not sponsored/partnered...I have loved the different iterations of this cream for years and buy it on repeat. -
I think that this is one of the most important episodes that I've ever published on Outspoken Beauty and if you have a daughter/niece/teenage girl in your life then you need to hear it.
My guest is Jane Kenyon who is the founder of an utterly brilliant charity called Girls Out Loud. Jane has been working with teenage girls for over 20 years and her charity enables women in industry to become "big sisters" and mentor them through some of the trickiest years of school.
Jane's insight into the current chellenges that girls are facing is deep and makes for scary listening. Social media, porn, self doubt and poor body image are only some of the problems that our teenagers are facing. Whilst many women are having positive and empowering conversations, it would seem like the opposite is happening for the younger generations.
During the episode we talk about what is happening and how we might be able to make change and whilst this conversation doesn't make for easy listening, I know that it has the power to inspire change and action and we have the power to come together and make this happen. -
It's Minipod time and in this episode:
I'm calling time on the words "midlife crisis"Wondering out loud why on earth Grazia thought it was a good idea to feature Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty in an IWD seriesChatting through a makeup brand that get all their pigments from natureGetting excited about a dry body oil that smells of actual heavenTalking you through the cool perfume brand that everyone needs to know aboutAnd more.... (My perimenopausal brain has forgotten the rest :0) - Show more