Outspoken Beauty

In this episode I welcome back the brilliant aesthetician and author Dija Ayodele. Since our last episode, Dija has written one of my favourite ever skincare books "Black Skin: The Definitive Skincare Guide". The book is brimming with information, advice and also explores the concept of Blackness and identity in the beauty industry. (I couldn't put it down). During the episode we chat about the bo...

In this episode of Tried and Thoroughly Tested, phenomenal beauty science journalist Becki Murray talks us through the two mild retinols that have performed the best during the most thorough of trials. Both of the retinols mentioned are mild enough to use on most sensitive skins, increase hydration and with long term use will have the beneficial effects that you would expect to see from stronger a...

In this episode Bryony and I chat about everything from Bryony'd fear of mice and rats to camel hooves to my worst ever kiss (with the most beautiful ever man) to the time that Bryony's friend majorly let her down when she was being chatted up by a total adonis. We do of course get down to talking about beauty too and we have a great selection of recommendations in store for you this week. Enjoy x...

In this episode the amazing skincare expert Sarah Chapman returns to the podcast. (She was first my guest way back at the start). During the episode we talk about how skincare has changed since we last chatted, the trends that Sarah approves of, supplements, skin non-negotiables, LED Masks and even delve into Sarah's own routine. Sarah is such a brilliant guest and I always learn so much from her....

*This episode is in partnership with Aurelia Skincare* In this episode I take a deep dive into the gorgeous skincare brand Aurelia and find out what makes it stand out from many others on the market. I chat to Antonia Knox who has been with Aurelia pretty much since the start and she explains why the brand is so special, what inspired their founder to start it and how their specific use of probiot...

In this episode I chat to the brilliant Vogue Williams (I've been wanting to get her on the podcast for so long). Vogue and I chat all things podcasts, pregnancy and the gross things that our kids bring home (namely nits and worms...yuck!). Then we get onto some of the beauty products that Vogue can't live without, her tanning range, what she does to chill out and why she has a real penchant for r...

In this episode I get to know the amazing Marina Mansour. Marina is head of beauty at Kyra, a company that specialises in understanding and working with Generation Z. During the episode we chat about how this generation is a force to be reckoned with and the way that members are harnessing the power of social media to make big changes in the world of beauty. This is a conversation about fighting t...

In this week's Minipod I recommend a brilliant book by a very feisty woman indeed. I also tell you about a sublime perfume oil, I look at both sides of the Augustinus Bader debate (can it ever be worth THAT amount of money?) and I chat through a brand new face mask that will do wonders for skin that is sensitive/compromised or just needs a good old dose of hydration. Enjoy Outspoken Beauties!

Bryony is back and in this episode we're talking about see through leggings, naughty dogs, posing for the postman and why sometimes you just need to take a bit of time out. Later we talk about an affordable and brilliant cleansing balm, a candle like no other, a buildable foundation that will give you a guaranteed glow, an iconic blusher plus much more. Enjoy!

We're having a week off Tried and Tested (it will be back next Friday) so today it's another episode of the Minipod with little old me. This week I'm giving initial impressions of some new beauty launches including Trinny London skincare, an amazing Avon Mascara and a PHA Exfoliator that stands out in so many ways. I also chat about the most beautiful addition to your shower that will turn your da...

Bryony is having a much needed week off and will be back next week but do not fear, I have an amazing guest in store for you! My guest this week is the brilliant Shannon Peter. She's the Beauty Director at Stylist and when I first met her a few months ago I was struck by how natural, kind and intelligent she was. In this episode we hear her brilliant career story and then get into the nitty gritty...

I am SO excited to share this episode with you. Sali Hughes is back and this time she joins me and Suzy Nightingale for an episode of On The Scent. If you heard the first episode I did with Sali many moons ago, you'll know that fragrance is one of her biggest passions. In this episode Suzy and I delve deep into the fragrances Sali uses in her emotionally-supportive toolkit and we find out so much...

In this week's minipod I talk about some of my favourite products at the moment from the most amazing serum that does it all to a perfume that is perfect for Spring to a review of Dr Sam Bunting's new eye serum. I hope you enjoy hearing about this week's picks. If you'd like to join the Outspoken Beauty Trialling Panel email me nicola@outspokenbeauty.co.uk and I'll send over a form. Products Menti...

In this episode I'm joined once again by the fabulous Estee Lalonde. This time we're delving into her beauty rituals with a big focus on her love of baths and why they play such an important part in her life. Estee also updates me on the beauty products that she is loving at the moment and we have a really good chat about anxiety and depression, both of which Estee suffers with and is really open...

*This episode is in partnership with GetHarley* In this episode I introduce you to an amazing platform that makes some of the best skin experts in the UK accessible to us for a really good price. GetHarley, which was founded by the brilliant Charmaine Chow enables us to book online appointments with experts who would usually charge hundreds, for as little as £40. Charmaine is not only trying to de...

Science journalist and beauty tester Becki Murray joins me for another episode of "Tried and Thoroughly Tested." In this episode Becki has been putting hair oils through their paces and she's here to reveal which two stand out as being the very best options particularly for textured/curly hair. I love doing this episode with Becki and introducing you to the products that are proven to work in thor...

In this episode Bryony Blake is back and we're talking about her life as a makeup artist and her current work with the brilliant David Walliams on Britain's Got Talent. I also reminisce about a rather eventful interview I once did with Jason Donovan, David Walliams and Matt Lucas where I got into a bit of trouble. This leads us to chat about strange cab journeys, over-working and of course we tell...

In this episode I get to know the truly inspiring Faye Speedie. Faye was forced to take a step back from her high powered role in the beauty industry due to health issues and the fact that she was finding it hard to conceive. During the episode we chat about issues that apply to so many of us. From health to the pain of not being able to conceive, to having the strength to step away from your care...

In this week's minipod I talk a bit about the high levels of anxiety that I have been experiencing and what I'm doing to try and get them under control. (If you're also struggling I'm always here for a chat. Just DM me @outspokenbeautynicola). I also talk about another body cream that has had the Becki Murray stamp of approval (she'll be back for another episode next of Tried and Thoroughly Tested...

In this week's episode of My Beauty Habits my guest is the amazing fragrance journalist and expert and my great friend and co-host of The On The Scent Podcast, Suzy Nightingale. Suzy and I have had so many incredible conversations about scent but I've never really asked her about the other aspects of beauty that she love. I'm so happy that I now have because I absolutely ADORE her beauty habits an...

In this episode I have the pleasure of speaking to psychologist Dr Julie Smith. Julie has made it her mission to spread her knowledge of mental health to the masses and her incredibly popular TikTok account (which now has over 3 million followers) has become a hub for useful nuggets of wisdom that are helping so many people. During the episode we talk about Dr Julie's views on mental health and fo...

In this week's minipod I'm joined by the brilliant beauty science journalist Becki Murray. As part of her job, Becki works in a lab and tests beauty products to the nth degree to ensure that they are doing what they claim that they do. I feel incredibly honoured that Becki has joined me to share some of her findings and to tell us about some of the products that have out-performed themselves...the...

The delectable Bryony Blake is back from Thailand and joins me for another of our episodes. This week we're talking Covid testing Thailand style, overcoming Bryony's fear of heights, why Bryony is cooler than me and why she'll will soon be touching David Walliam's face. We also have our usual six beauty recommendations with this week's picks covering everything from a beauty balm with guaranteed g...

In this episode I get to know playwright and artist Matilda Velevitch. Matilda works with the charity Care4Calais and helps many refugees and in this episode we talk about what she has learnt and about the reality of their situation. We focus in on what it means to be a female refugee, lose your dignity and experience challenges that many of us couldn't even dream of. Matilda also reveals some tru...

In this week's Minipod I chat through some of the things that I've been loving this week, from an excellent multi-functioning retinoid/vitamin C to the vase of dreams to a truly brilliant frizz tamer, these are the products that I really rate. I also make an exciting announcement about a brand new series that's coming to the podcast which will see me being joined by science journalist extraordinai...