Outspoken Beauty

In this episode of #MyBeautyHabits I'm joined by former beauty editor of Grazia and award winning journalist Sam Freedman. Sam is also the co- founder of Curate Beauty which is a digital wholesale beauty buying platform that has totally turned the traditional beauty marketplace on its head. Sam is a super talented entrepreneur who goes out of her way to champion and help people discover independen...

In this episode I chat to the brilliant Sarah Brown who is the founder of Pai Skincare. Sarah talks about the persistent struggles with her own skin that eventually led her to create what is now seen as one of THE go to brands for sensitive skin. During the episode Sarah not only shares her story but gives great and practical advice for anyone who has ever struggled with their skin. Later in the e...

In this episode of #MyBeautyHabits I'm joined by the brilliant skincare expert and aesthetician Sherna Malone. Sherna's Mum was Ireland's leading skincare expert and opened Ireland’s first Beauty Training School in 1972. Sherna has inherited her mother's passion and talent for skincare and in this episode she shares her secrets and the products that she adores. This is a lovely episode and if you...

In the 3rd episode of #TheOutspoken Podcast we're talking covid and careers and are focussing in on the current situation in the beauty industry where any treatments that take place on the facial area are still forbidden. I start with the results of a poll I did in which more than 600 of you took part. I'll be revealing how many of you have had your livelihoods affected by Covid and the shocking a...

In this special episode in partnership with Stories Parfums, I'm joined by the wonderful Tonya Kidd-Beggs who tells us how a trip to Grasses to create her own personal fragrance led to the unexpected creation of her own beautiful brand and business. Tonya's fragrances don't just smell lovely, but have been created with the purpose of taking the wearer on a personal journey to discover their own st...

In this episode of #MyBeautyHabits I get to know makeup artist extraordinaire and Pat McGrath Labs UK Education and Artistry Manager, Adeola Gboyega. Adeola tells me the story of how with pure determination and grit she progressed from working at Boots to eventually taking on her dream role at Pat McGrath Labs. We also get to know her via the beauty products that she adores. Adeolya's recommendati...

In this episode I'm joined by Theresa Edward, the wonderful founder of skin/body brand Skin Alchemists. Theresa has the most wonderful story that begins on the Island of St Lucia where her Aunty was one of three herbalists who saw to the medical needs of many of the islanders. Theresa watched and learnt and became passionate about the wonderful ingredients that the island provided. Years down the...

Happy Lipstick Day Outspoken Beauties. In this episode of #My Beauty Habits I'm joined by amazing author and beauty journalist Rachel Felder. Rachel not only writes for The New York Times and GQ Magazine (amongst others), but is the author of Red Lipstick: An Ode To a Beauty Icon, a book that celebrates red lipstick in all its glory. During the episode we talk about Rachel's passion for red lipsti...

Welcome to Episode 2 of #TheOutspoken. In this episode we're talking about all things ageing, anti-ageing, ageism and positive ageing. I start by chatting to 86 year old comedian (dubbed the Joan Collins of the fringe), author and burlesque dancer Lynn Ruth Miller. If you've ever feared getting older then you need to listen to this woman. Her energy, ambition and joy in her age are just so incredi...

In this (the 200th episode of the podcast) I'm joined by consultant dermatologist and fountain of skincare knowledge, Dr Anjali Mahto. I first encountered Anjali via her brilliant book The Skincare Bible and was struck by her no nonsense approach that just made so much sense to me. She totally demystifies and simplifies our skin and what we should be doing to keep it looking its best. Anjali share...

In this episode I get to know food writer and entrepreneur Deliciously Ella. We chat about her new book "Simple Pleasures" and what has been an utterly crazy year getting it written whilst juggling a baby, a pregnancy and her business. Ella and I chat about her work, her life and of course her beauty habits. Ella loves natural skincare and recommends some beautiful, small brands, some of which are...

In this episode I'm joined by agent and author extraordinaire Melanie Blake. Melanie started her career as a camera assistant in The Top of The Pops studio but the more she to know all the stars, the more she realised that they loved hearing her opinions. Eventually this led to her becoming an agent to a whole load of well known and loved popstars and soapstars and subsequently an author. Melanie...

In this episode of #MyBeautyHabits I'm joined by broadcaster, entrepreneur and avid runner Jenni Falconer. Jenni and I reminisce about our radio days together and about all of the beauty product recommendations we used to share with each other. We chat through some of her favourite skincare and makeup products, her love of exercise and in particular what running means to her and a fantastic new co...

Welcome to Episode 1 of #TheOutspoken. This is a new fortnightly podcast that gives your voice a platform to be heard and where the overall aim is to build a community of outspoken changemakers. In this episode we talk about founder of Blink Brow Bar, Vanita Parti's frustration at not being able to offer brow treatments (even though men are allowed beard trims), Sophie Joanna kicks off a conversat...

In this episode I'm joined by the renowned American dermatologist Dr Ava Shamban. Ava has such a wonderful, sensible approach to skin, health and life in general and in this episode she share some brilliant tips as well as her beautiful sense of humour. I loved chatting to Ava and found myself feeling very uplifted after our chat. Enjoy :) xx

In this episode of #MyBeautyHabits I'm joined by the brilliant cook, writer and broadcaster Rachel Khoo. In 2006, Rachel, who loves an adventure, gave up a job in PR, moved to Paris (with no knowledge of French) and did a patisserie course at Le Cordon Bleu. Fast forward a few years and she had forged an incredibly exciting career with her own cookery show called The Little Paris Kitchen, and a nu...

Introducing my brand new platform and series #TheOutspoken. In this episode I tell you all about how you can get involved and become part of a community of Outspoken change makers. If you want to get your voice heard you can: 1. DM me on Insta @OutspokenBeautyNicola 2. use #theoutspoken in your Instagram posts 3. Join the private Facebook Community : The Outspoken 4. Email me directly: nicola@outs...

In this episode I'm joined by one of the first artists in the world to show their gender fluidity...the super talented Courtney Act. Courtney, who was one of the stars of Season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race, is not only a spectacular performer but is incredibly eloquent and passionate and we have a wonderfully honest chat about her childhood, gender fluidity, identity and of course beauty and what it m...

I'm taking a week off #MyBeautyHabits to have an in depth conversation with Dr Sam about her new Flawless Brightly Serum. So many of you have been in touch with questions about how to use the serum and what the ingredients will do for you and Dr Sam has all the answers. As you know, I'm a huge fan of Sam's and I have been incredibly impressed with this serum so thought it would be interesting to h...

Get ready for an episode that will uplift, inspire and energise you. My guest is the force of nature that it Ateh Jewel. Ateh, who has been challenging racism and prejudice throughout her 20 year career as a beauty journalist, producer and entrepreneur, talks about what it feels like to live with racism in your everyday life and how it has affected so many aspects of her career. She is using her v...

In this episode I'm joined again by the brilliant beauty editor/journalist Lucia Ferrari who talks us through her top edit of radiance boosting beauty products including skincare and makeup. Later on we talk through some of the beauty treatments that Lucia has mastered in lockdown and that she will continue to do by herself from now on. (I particularly love the hair removal cream that smells of ro...

In this episode I'm joined by entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Dame Tampons, Celia Pool. Celia launched the world's first reusable tampon applicator and in doing so reduced the huge amount of plastic pollution caused by our usual sanitary options. Celia and I don't just talk about the environmental impact of our tampons but we discuss everything from period poverty and shaming to the lack of legisla...

In this, one of my all time favourite episodes, I'm joined by the brilliant author Marian Keyes. Marian and I have a wonderful chat about her passion for all things beauty which is a hobby that gives her a great deal of joy. Amongst the excellent product recommendations and brilliant anecdotes, Marian chats through her attitude to ageing and how she will never subscribe to society's rules about ho...

In this episode I'm joined by artist, illustrator and social activist Florence Given. Florence was voted Cosmopolitan's Influencer of the Year 2019 and is renowned for being outspoken and brilliantly honest about topics ranging from sexual politics, sexuality and the importance of loving yourself. In this episode we take her new book "Women Don't Owe You Pretty" as a starting point for a discussio...

In this episode of My Beauty Habits I'm joined by the utterly lovely Kirsty Gallacher. Kirsty has been through a lot over the past few years but is in a much better and stronger place now. She chats honestly about how her life has moved on, what it's been like in lockdown with her two boys and how they've been keeping busy. Kirsty also shares the beauty products and treatments that she loves and t...