Outspoken Beauty

In this week's minipod I'm tallking about my experience of Reformer Pilates and also go into detail about what I do to keep my mental health in check when I feel my anxiety starting to bubble up. There are also some really lovely products to tell you about including a delicious and affordable lip mask, some great colour correcting under eye concealers, the mascara that let me down and the one that never does and I throw forward to Sunday's skincare episode.xx

In this truly enlightening episode I chat to Liz Sergeant who is a Registered Functional Nutritionist and Women's Health Specialist. Liz and I chat about how we can make ourselves feel more balanced and get ourselves sorted as we approach perimenopause.During the episode we cover:Gut health and how to work out if ours is in good orderBlood tests and how they can reveal more than meets the eyeWhy going on HRT too early isn't a good idea How to understand our cycles Empowering our daughters and making them feel positive about their periodsNutritionand so much more.Show notes:Here is the instagram post where Liz lists the functional lab ranges for blood tests:https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct08LK0oRzw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Liz woud also love to offer us access to her Women’s Health Assessments with a 20% discount. These private 1-to-1 sessions and the personalised blueprint are designed for women looking for professional insight into what’s going on from a health & hormones perspective, followed by priority next steps and bespoke supplements. You can find more information and sign up here: http://wellnourishedclub.com/wha using code BEAUTY20 at check out.And if you'd like more practical information about harmonising your hormones, her fabulous free ‘Feel Good Foundations of Happy Hormones’ Guide is for you. You can download it here http://wellnourishedclub.com/happyhormones/.

In this episode I chat to the woman hailed "The Brow Queen" by the likes of Harper's Bazaar and Cosmopolitan, the wonderful Shavata Singh.Brow bars are pretty commonplace these days but Shavata is the woman who first introduced them to the UK and with it revolutionised the beauty industry.During the episode we chat about the chance meeting that propelled her from a talented beautician to the woman that everybody from editors to top celebrities wanted to see to get their brows done.Shavata also tells me about the many things that having good brows can do for our faces, gives some great tips about brow shaping and also opens up about her story and how she has juggled building her business with being a single mum. (I love her attitude around mixing her career with motherhood).Shavata is a lovely and incredibly talented woman and it was a real pleasure to get to know her here after briefly interviewing (and instantly loving) her at an awards ceremony. Enjoy this episode Outspoken Beauties xx

In this podcast, they discuss the challenges of January and the importance of slowing down. Topics include bras for big boobs, tips for making gel manicures last longer, and dealing with the fear of flying. They also mention a new comforting fragrance and recommendations for beauty brands.

It is such a pleasure to welcome Charlene Flanagan and Niamh Ryan onto Outspoken Beauty.I was at an awards event a couple of months ago and was introduced to Niamh. Within minutes I knew that I had to get her onto the podcast. She was so warm, inspiring and filled with SO much passion for what she does.Niamh, an advanced skin therapist, cosmetic scientist and wellbeing advisor and Charlene, a makeup artist, influencer and social media expert joined forces in 2017 and launched a truly beautiful skincare brand called Ella and Jo. It has done incredibly well in Ireland and for good reason. The skincare is an utter pleasure to use and the messaging behind the brand is spot on - they really put women first and work to empower us and make us feel good.During the episode we chat about how they came together and made their fabulous brand....the challenges, the highs, the lows.....juggling a skincare brand and large families.....the difference between running the brand now compared to during the pandemic and why it is now time for the rest of the world to fall in love with Ella and Jo.This is such a great episode with two women who to my mind are doing so much right. In fact they sum up everything that is good about the beauty industry.

I'm doing a shorter episode today as we're still away in Bath. Business resumes as usual next week.During the podcast I chat about how unbelievably expensive things are at the moment and why if I'm spending my money I expect things to over deliver or at the very least do what they say they will. (There is something very wrong about brands that promise things that they then fail to deliver).I also talk about how my slipped disc has opened my eyes to a whole new world, why I wish I could go back in time and tell some of my exes exactly what I think of them with my 43 year old attitude and I also tell you my honest thoughts about the No 7 tubing mascara that I bought the other day. (I had high expectations).If you fancy a catch up about anything you've heard on the podcast you can message me on Insta @Outspokenbeautynicola. xx

In this week's minipod I'm doing a beauty focus. I start by chatting about some of the products that have helped sort my skin out after it became excessively oily and congested and highlight how a simple and minimal routine can sometimes be the best thing.I also mention some interesting new products that have already been released this year and also chat through a couple of makeup colour trends for 2024 (one of which you need to be careful with as used wrongly it can end up making you look a tad ill).Finally, I talk about the cheap and cheerful way to look after your cuticles and discuss a slightly pricier product will do wonders for your skin and save you money in the long run.If you're enjoying the podcast remember to rate it on Apple Podcasts and if you fancy a chat you can find me @outspokenbeautynicola on Instagram xx

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 loveNicola 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 brand new series coming for you in 2024.