Outspoken Beauty

In this episode I get to know Val Monroe. Val was the Beauty Director at O, The Oprah Magazine for 14 years and has since started a newsletter called How Not To F*CK Up Your Face where she encourages women to learn how to be kind to and love their faces.Val and I were really aligned on many of our views, particularly around pro-ageing. I also loved Val's insight into how she and Oprah wanted to do a different, more positive sort of beauty coverage in the magazine.Valerie and I also have a good old chat about the products she adores. Enjoy xx

In this episode I'm joined by clinical nutritionist Emma Ellice Flint. I first came across Emma when she was talking about gut health at an event and I knew at that moment that I needed to get her on the podcast. She was so knowledgable, passionate and spoke so much sense and having listened to her for 20 minutes I felt inspired to research her further and make some instant changes to my own diet.During the episode we chat about why more and more research is showing just how vital the health of our gut is to the wellbeing of the rest of our body. Emma gives amazing tips and insights into how we can simply improve the way our gut functions and also gives some other really useful nutritional advice. There is also some great supplement guidance in there.Emma's speciality is Peri/Menopause nutrition and her book The Happy Hormone Cookbook is I think a must read for any woman over 40. You can also connect with her on Insta @Emmas_nutrition and if you'd like to see her in person, she works alongside Dr Louise Newson at the Newson Health, Menopause and Wellbeing Centre.I hope that you get a lot out of this episode whatever stage of life you're in.

In this week's Minipod I chat about 4 of my favourite online destinations for really excellent, personalised skincare and guidance. From Skin and Me where you have your own treatment made in-house, to Get Harley where you have the opportunity to have a consultation with a top skin consultant for a fraction of the IRL price, to Lionne and The Skin Nerd Network where the most amazing holistic approach is taken, there's something for everyone and every budget and best of all...you'll be getting advice and recommendations that are tailor made to you and your skin.I hope you enjoy learning more about these amazing offerings and as ever any questions, DM me @outspokenbeautynicola.

In this episode of Old, Borrowed and New Bryony and I talk about motorway driving, doorstep ice cream vans, the wonder of Grease 2 and of course go through our beauty picks of the week. Bryony has an AMAZING candle recommendation plus a shower gel that she can't get enough of and we also talk about the pros and cons of one of the most expensive face creams ever. I also talk about a perfume that starts off sweet and innocent but then becomes naughty and illicit.

In this special episode in partnership with Eucerin, I'm talking to Sophie Habboo about her experience of pigmentation, how it has affected her both physically and mentally and the things that have helped her to deal with it plus those which she has found less useful.Sophie has been working with Eucerin to promote their extensive Anti-Pigment range which has been game-changing for her and we discuss the products that she loves and how she incorporates them into her routine.Later in the episode I interview Eucerin's in-house expert Dylan Griffiths who tells me a bit about the science behind the range and why it works so well.I loved chatting to Sophie about her experience and am also so impressed with Eucerin and the huge amount of work that has gone into a range that is super affordable and accessible. I truly believe that good skincare should be available to all and that's exactly what Eucerin are doing.

In this week's minipod I talk about 5 things that I've loved this week, including a brilliant book, something that has totally turned my weak nails around, a fresh and lovely fragrance and my perfect glowy base. Enjoy :0)

In this episode I get to know Ronke Adeyemi, the brilliant founder of and brains behind Brown Beauty Talk ( a beauty website that connects black and Asian women with brands that cater to them. )Brown Beauty Talk had been on my radar for a while as the content they produce is really brilliant and it was such a pleasure to get to know the woman behind it.During the episode we chat about Ronke's inspiration for the website, we get all nostalgic about The Body Shop and we of course chat through the beauty bits and pieces that Ronke loves and recommends. (Much to my delight she's really into fragrance too!)Ronke is great and I can't wait for you to get to know her. I also thoroughly recommend brownbeautytalk.com for really great beauty content.

In this episode I speak to psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher aka @anxietyjosh. As well as being a therapist who specialises in anxiety and panic, Josh has written three best-selling books on the topic, with his most recent being the hugely popular Untangle Your Anxiety.As a long term anxiety sufferer myself, I was really keen to explore Joshua's views on the topic and hopefully get some great tips on how to manage something that I have put up with for a very long time.What makes Josh so interesting to me is his authenticity. He himself suffered from crippling anxiety and after a lot of hard work managed to overcome it which led him to author his books and to qualify as a psychotherapist.During our conversation we talk about various aspects of life with anxiety and Josh gives really down to earth, BS free and at times strict advice on how to overcome them.I hope that you get as much out of this episode as I did. The topic of mental health is so important to me, as is being open about my own. I'm on a mission to overcome my anxiety and as part of my podcast would like to take you on the journey with me from time to time. If you want to ask any questions or connect with me about anxiety and mental health then please do DM me via Instagram @outspokenbeautynicola. You can find Josh @anxietyjosh.

In this week's Minipod I'm talking about a few of my favourite things this week. I chat about a new liquid bronzer that blends beautifully, a great guide to breathing, power showers, a fabulous makeup brand that have you covered when you exercise and a box created just for female pleasure. I also tell you about an offer from the brilliant skincare brand Pestle and Mortar just for Outspoken Beauties.Products mentioned:Skin In Motion Mascara and tinted moisturiserWim Hof 11 minute Guided Breathing for Beginners (YouTube)Glossier Solar PaintShe Spot Intimate Pleasure BoxPestle and Mortar: Use code outspoken at checkout for a free 30ml Balance Spray and Pure Hylauronic Serum Ampoule with every order over £40.

In this episode Bryony and I talk foot warts, the "foolproof" way to find lost items, Naked Attraction, our favourite body parts and designer vaginas. We then go onto the main event and talk beauty. Our recommendations include Bryony's favourite ever blusher, an amazing spf/primer hybrid and an eyebrow product that never fails us. We loved recording this episode and hope you have fun listening xx