Outspoken Beauty

In this week's minipod I focus in on a selection of body serums, moisturisers and treatments that have landed on my desk recently.From simple but effective to luxurious and delicious to brimming with actives, there really is something for everyone.I don't always take the time to moisturise my body, but when I do I love the way my skin feels. As I say on the podcast, it's a bit like wearing really lovely underwear :0)

In this episode my guest is the amazing Alex Light @alexlight_london.So many of you have asked for this and I was elated when Alex agreed to join me for a chat.Alex is best known for being a body confidence influencer who works tirelessly to help women across the world feel better in their own skin. During our conversation Alex tells me about the long journey that she has been on to feel good in her own skin. She is so open and honest about the things that led her to have an eating disorder and how she hid it away as she tried to forge a successful career in journalism.We then chat about how things started to change for the better and have led her to become body "neutral" rather than "positive", which is how Alex likes to describe the place that she now finds herself.Alex has great wisdom and I know that so many of us will relate to and learn from this conversation. I also love how she talks about what beauty means to her.Alex is a truly brilliant guest and I can't wait for you to hear this very honest and important episode.

*This episode is in partnership with Dr Paw Paw and their new skincare range YOUR gorgeous SKIN*In this episode I get to know Pauline Paterson, the amazing co-founder of Dr Paw Paw.Pauline talks about the journey that her and husband Johnny have been on to build their incredible business which to this day remains independent.As well as chatting about her journey, Pauline talks about the inspiration for their brand new skincare range "YOUR gorgeous SKIN", a collection of products that have the Papaya at their very heart. They also put the consumer and the environment first, are affordable, original and I think are going to impress many a discerning skincare lover.After hearing from Pauline who will talk us through some of the products and introduce us to her patented ingredient Papayaluronic (a blend of papaya fruit and 8 hyaluronic acids) we get some totally non-biased reviews from some of the Outspoken Beauty Panellists who have trialled the entire YOUR gorgeous SKIN collection.I can't wait for you to get to know Pauline and hear about this exciting new skincare range.

In this week's minipod I talk about some of the trends on Tiktok that most definitely need to be taken with a pinch of salt. I also chat about my night at the CEW Beauty Awards Demonstration Evening where I encountered some incredible brands both old and new.I continue with a chat about a new perfume from Molton Brown that is incredible and a cult perfume that has actually become infamous on Tiktok...I give my views.Finally I have some makeup and skincare recommendations for you...and all in 10 minutes :0)

Bryony and I laughed a lot during the making of this episode.We have a lot to catch up on including surprising occurences on dates, why Bryony might go on Only Fans, our morning at the House of Commons and the man who annoyed us so much that we've christened him skeletor, plus much much more.Of course there's a whole load of fabulous beauty recommendations in there too.We also announce our new Agony Aunt Service. DM us with your problems and we'll try and answer them on the pod!Enjoy Outspoken Beauties and don't listen to this in front of the kids :0)

In this episode I meet the charming actress Gloria John.Gloria tells her incredible story of escaping an abusive father and leaving Korea aged 14. From there she trained to become a dentist and eventually pursued her dream of acting. She is now starring in the Amazon Prime dark comedy The Consultant.During the episode Gloria tells her story from leaving home at a young age to conquering Hollywood.(I love her honesty and authenticity).Later we chat about what beauty menas to her and go into her love of Korean skincare, false lashes and explore some of the things that she does for her health and wellbeing.Gloria was so wonderful to interview and her episode is as fascinating as it is inspiring.

In this episode I start with an honest chat about how hard it is when relatives become ill and how when you are in your 40's you suddenly find that your responsibilities can increase in quite a challenging way.This then leads to a chat about the joy of red lipstick and how I found myself reaching for one today to give me a bit of strength and joy at a hard time. I then chat through some of my favourite red lippies of the moment.Finally, in celebration of National Fragrance Week I have a brief chat about why fragrance is so important on so many levels.Do get in touch if you'd like to continue any of the conversations that I start on the podcast. You can always DM me on Instagram @outspokenbeautynicola.

In this episode I chat to psychologist, author and scientist Dr Meg Arroll.Meg and I use her new book "Tiny Traumas" as a starting point for a fascinating and enlightening chat about the things that we face in our everday lives that can affect us and leave us with a certain amount of trauma that we often just push aside.Meg tells us how we can deal with this trauma and talks about the importance of taking the time to understand how things affect us and how we can work to make our lives easier by dealing with the little things that build up.Whilst this episode is not directly beauty related, I am as ever a strong believer that beauty is about so much more about what is on the outside. We need to deal with what's on the inside in all it's guises whether that's mental or physical health.I hope you get lots out of this episode xx

In this episode I welcome back the brilliant toxicologist Rani Ghosh. Rani and I chat about the recent issues that people have allegedly been having with Olaplex and what exactly is going on from her point of view.We also delve into fragrance in skincare and best before dates on our beauty products.Rani is such a font of knowledge and I love picking her brains and putting all of our minds at ease when it comes to our beauty products.Make sure you give her a follow on Instagram @rani_ert.

In this week's Minipod I talk about the clothes shop that has finally delivered the jeans of my dreams (clue: it's high street and they were less than £50).I also mention a bronzing water that I can't get enough of, an iconic lip balm that is way out performing the rest and go through a few last minute ideas for Mother's Day. (I realise that this is a day that not everyone celebrates but if you are looking to celebrate an important friend, mentor, relative or indeed your mum then I've got you covered).