It's the first week of 2024 and Bryony Blake and I are here to hopefully give you a few giggles, some friendly chat and some beauty tips to boot. During the episode we're talking about resolutions, orgasms, Harry Styles, X Factor, giving Leona Lewis a pedicure and much more. We hope that if you're feeling a bit post festive seasonish that this lifts your spirits :) Loads of love Nicola and Bryony xx
In this, my last little episode of the year I look back at the things that I've learnt in 2023. From insights into how to overcome anxiety to life as a woman who can no longer fit into all the clothes and has encountered chafing for the first time to lessons about people who don't always behave well and how to stand up for myself, this is deep in places and equally light-hearted and irreverent in others. Happy New Year Outspoken Beauties and here's to lots of outspoken adventures in 2024....
A lot of you have asked for a little catch up episode before the New Year so I have of course delivered. I'll be talking about the ups and downs of my new Apple Watch, why I'm loving Victoria Beckham's Satin Kajal in Bordeaux and am not getting on as well with a new Benefit Mascara that I purchased. I'll also be taking all the pressure out of your New Year's Eve and any resolutions that you have a feeling that you may struggle to keep. Oh and how could I forget?...I'm going to tell you about a b...
Happy Christmas Eve Outspoken Beauties! This one is short and sweet as I'm sure you'll be busy today, but in it I'll be answering some of the festive dilemmas (beauty and otherwise) that you sent me via Instagram (@outspokenbeautynicola). Thanks again for all your amazing support this year and for being the best community of listeners ever! Loads of festive love Nicola xx
It's the final part of the Outspoken Beauty Podcast Awards 2023 and this week I'm talking about more of the products that have really stood out to me this year. In this episode I'll be talking about the fragrance that has had everyone asking me what I'm wearing, an affordable but utterly luxurious body oil, dreamy bath products, my hair tool of the year and lots more. I hope you've enjoyed my awards series and thanks SO much for being the most amazing community of listeners! Also on the subject ...
With mere days to go before Christmas, my guest in this episode is Francesca Bonn aka Outspoken Grandma aka my Mum! It was my Mum and incredibly glamorous Grandma Lily who inspired my love for beauty and ever since I was a teenager, my mum and I have got mutually excited about products and trends and have shared many a product over the years. I will also say that she has been one of my biggest influnecers when it comes to everything from bath products to makeup to fragrance. During the episode w...
She's one of the loveliest people in the beauty industry and it is SO nice to have her back on the podcast. In this episode I'm joined by makeup artist and wonderful human Rose Gallagher. Rose has compiled a list of her very favourite beauty products of 2023 and during the episode she's sharing them with us and telling us why she rates them so much. We're also chatting about Christmas plans and have a humorous moment that leads Rose to tell me about her fear of spiders. This is a gorgeous episod...
It's my annual celebration of the year's best in beauty. In this week's Outspoken Beauty Podcast Awards I'm looking at the skincare category and what has really stood out to me in 2023. There are some old favourites in there and some new products and brands that are truly brilliant. Skincare is very personal but I think that a lot of these products are suitable for many skin types. Congratulations to all the winners: @avon_uk @mortarandmilk @dermalogicauk @skingeniusuk @weledauk @exuvianceuk @of...
I'm so happy to have Bryony back this week. In this episode we're chatting about: Awkward social situations and why we both hate them The simple way to get treated like a Lord or Lady and always get the best table/seat/treatment The time Bryony served Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie in a department store Glittery eye makeup and how to make it work for you Bryony's exciting saucepan purchase (she's REALLY excited about it!) The time my dad got weed on when he was trying to do a good turn and of c...
In this episode I welcome the utterly incredible campaigner and anti-bullying advocate Maia Gray. Maia who is known as @its_just_acne to her 142K Instagram followers, was so bullied about her skin when she was at school that she hid in the loos to eat her lunch. Things got more serious when her friends turned their backs on her and she even started receiving death threats. Since then Maia has found the confidence to show the world her acne online and helps thousands of people to know that we don...
It's time for the first installment of my annual Outspoken Beauty Awards. In this episode I'm doing makeup and will be going through my top 23 makeup products of 2023. (This was my Mum's idea. If you listen closely you'll also be treated to a very special performance by her 😂) Here are all the winners of the makeup category. They are all great brands doing really exciting things: @lisaeldridgemakeup - Strawberry Shock Insanely Saturated Lip Colour and Elevated Glow Highlighter @kosas - Revealer...
I have no doubt that you are going to absolutely love my guest this week. Genevieve Turley is JUST my type of woman...she's opinionated, funny and is also a blimmming good makeup artist. During the episode we have a frank chat about her views on anti-ageing (they're very similar to mine), the pressure on brides to look perfect and also how we worry about our kids, what they are hearing when they are away from us and how that's affecting them. We then get onto Gen's beauty habits and prepare your...
*This episode is in partnership with Absolute Collagen * In this episode I interview one of the most inspiring women I've ever met. Maxine Laceby founded Absolute Collagen in her early 50's and has gone on to build a company that is not only worth millions but helps a huge range of people both through the products and the community that Maxine has built. During the episode Maxine and I chat about the many changes that she had been going through when the idea for Absolute Collagen came to her. (T...
In this week's minipod I'm giving you ideas for beauty gifts that are so thoughtful that they would bring a tear to the eye of the Grinch himself. I'm talking personalised products with an extra sprinkle of magic, beauty experiences you can do together, the gift of calm, the iconic skincare product that never fails to impress and something neon, retro and initialed. These are not just beauty gift ideas...these are Outspoken Beauty gift ideas!
In this episode I chat to the incredible Catherine Bossom. Catherine has been a top beauty buyer for the likes of Harrods and Space NK and now has a business called Yellow Flamingo where she helps guide new beauty brands so that they have the best chance of making it in this very busy market. During the episode we chat about beauty buying and what makes a really amazing product. Catherine shares her dos and don'ts when starting a brand and we also have an amazing chat about her top products (all...
In this episode I chat to the amazing Donna Dia. Donna's career is in events and she has organised everything from an intimate party for Prince Philip to huge events for thousands of people. Recently Donna has pivotted her career and launched what will hopefully an annual two day beauty extravaganza called Beauty Beats which is the first ever luxury beauty event that is truly diverse. There will be loads of brands there and talks with industry great including Dija Ayodele, Candice Brathwaite and...
In this week's Minipod I talk about a wonderful aspect of Christmas and get outspoken about another side of it that really gets my goat. I also talk you through quite possibly the best bath oil in the world, jeans that never let me down, a magical Christmas candle that changes scent throughout the day, the eccentric beauty brand with excellent eye products and a fragrance that smells of sexy, warm skin and can be layered with all your other fragrances to make them sparkle! Enjoy amazing Outspoke...
Bryony Blake is back and this episode is a lot of fun and covers a lot of ground. From my adventures as a VR Gorilla to a rather surprising chat about death to a debate about silver trousers and Nigel Farage's bottom, we have a lot to talk about. Bryony also has the best recommendation for a festive eye palette and talks us through how best to use it and I have the perfect SPF solution for those of you with really sensitive skin plus lots more beauty recommendations. Enjoy xx
This episode is in partnership with the amazing brand Skin Diligent I'm so excited to introduce you to Tule Park and her wonderful skincare brand Skin Diligent. I was first introduced to Tule at an event that Dr Sophie Shotter was hosting with her. I was instantly excited. Tule was so authentic and passionate and I couldn't get over how much research she was doing in the fields of epigenetics and the microbiome to ensure that her skincare is truly forward thinking and exceptional. Tule is about ...
I've got SO many great things to tell you about in this episode including: The ultimate tinted lip balm The perfect cosy candle A concealer that will totally match your skin shade and type A towel that will dry your hair by 50% and is big enough to cover all hair types A machine that makes personalised fragrances for £45 The best snack for when you're flagging A great liquid eyeliner A bath and body collection that smells woody and super expensive Enjoy Outspoken Beauties xx...
This episode is SO good! Sarah-Jane has been a beauty journalist and editor for most of her career and a brilliant one she is at that. She has a passion for beauty that still shines through after her years of being in the industry and I love how thorough she is about testing and researching the products that she recommends. During the episode we have a chat about her career in beauty and then get onto talking about the many products that she adores from skincare to makeup to fragrance. (Her reco...
There is no one who can make skin glow like Jasmina Vico can. She's the skin health and laser expert that Jodie Comer, Margot Robbie, Sienna Miller and a whole lot of other celebrities go to and I totally get why. You see Jasmina doesn't just work on the skin's surface, she goes way deeper than that, imparting her incredible knowledge about health, nutrition, stress and biohacking. I've known Jasmina for a few years now and have had her on the podcast a number of times. I love our conversations ...
In this week's Minipod I talk about my amazing experience at the Chanel exhibition at the V and A. I also chat through my Mammogram and how I'm feeling about my colonoscopy. I have some lovely recommendations for you this week including a body scrub that warms up on contact with your skin (utter bliss), a perfume that is proven to make you feel energised and happy and the lipstick that never fails to make me feel incredible. xx
It's time for Bryony Blake's fortnightly episode and this week there's a lot to discuss including: The kid's party that ended up being like a scene from Motherland. (Reptiles were involved.) The awards ceremony that went a bit wrong Something highly embarrassing that happened in a steam room in a super posh spa and lots more. We also share our 6 products of the week with Bryony recommending the perfect, suit-all lipstick for this time of year. Enjoy xx...
In this episode I chat to the effervescent and award winning aesthetics doctor and GP, Dr Ahmed. If you've listened to the podcast for a while you'll know that I am a huge fan of pro and health ageing and that I take issue with the idea that we should feel like we need to turn back the clock to be accepted by society. Ageing is a gift and we must never be ashamed of it. However, I'm also aware that a lot of women just don't feel that the face that they see in the mirror matches the way that they...
I've got some really brilliant things to tell you about this week including an AI powered fragrance machine coming to London very soon, a damn sexy high street perfume to give you confidence and a strut in your step, an excellent cleanser, a hair tool that makes styling effortless and the perfect black shirt. I'll post a video of me demonstrating the hair tool on @outspokenbeautynicola so you can see how it works Enjoy this week's Minipod Outspoken Beauties xx
In this episode it's just you and me (post trick or treating) having a bit of a life cach up. I'll update you on my anxiety and how I'm going about coming off some of my medication. I also talk about things I know I need to do but that I never seem to be able to stick to, an interesting chat with a gasterenterologist, the sex chair of doom, the haunting perfume that I just can't stop thinking about or wearing and why my skincare routine is currently a bit boring but that's OK....
I cannot tell you how much I loved recording this episode with Madeleine, who for those who don't know her is an amazing journalist, writer and podcast host with a passion for Elvis and who is at times to be seen wearing a dirndl at her equally fabulous father's traditional Austrian restaurant in London. Madeleine and I were recently at an event and we got onto the subject of our tattoos (Mads has considerably more than me) and why people seem to judge women of a certain age who get them. What e...
In this week's Minipod I'm talking about: The pelvic floor chair with a surprising side effect Colonoscopies A truly beautiful beauty advent calendar that is only £35 The product that gives my hair guarenteed oomph The bath salts that are affordable but utterly brilliant And much more. Enjoy xx
The fabulous Bryony Blake is back and this week we're talking about the thing that Nicola said that shocked her therapist, the David Beckham documentary, Madonna's amazing concert and we have some really brilliant beauty buys to tell you about including what we think is the best beauty advent calendar of the year. Enjoy!
