Outspoken Beauty

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 foun...

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: @lisaeldridgemak...

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 a...

*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...

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...

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 h...

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 b...

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...

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 o...

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...

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 bo...

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...

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 Jasm...

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...

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 pe...

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 tha...

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...

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 abou...

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...

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!

This Episode is in Partnership with Emma Hardie Skincare In this episode I catch up with the fabulous Jane Foulston, the co-founder and brand ambassador of the first skincare brand that I truly fell in love with - Emma Hardie. During the episode we chat about what makes the brand so special and how it has develped since I first fell in love with Moringa Balm many years ago. We also focus in on the...

In this week's minipod I'm talking about: The high street store with the most fabulous and affordable loafers The ultimate "no makeup makeup" with lots of skincare benefits An outfit idea that is so comfy and looks fabulous in most scenarios Two books that are on my radar, both VERY different Why my sister begged me to keep my knickers on (not quite as weird as it sounds) The wonderful hairbrush r...

When I first met Becki she was the beauty editor at Harper's Bazaar and I remember being struck by how down to earth and thoroughly lovely she was. She was also one of my favourite types of journalist, a woman with a thirst for knowledge and who asked all the right questions of the beauty brands at the various press events that we found ourselves at. Fast forward a few years and Becki is a leading...

Aesthetician extraordinaire Dr Sophie Shotter is back on the podcast and for good reason. She is one of the beauty industry greats with a huge knowledge of skin, hormones and health and a constant thirst to learn more and be at the forefront of the latest innovations. In this episode we're talking about the benefit of seeing a skin professional, the skincare brands that stand out because of the in...