Outspoken Beauty

In this episode I speak to the brilliant nutritionist Dominique Ludwig.Dominique is highly qualified and a hugely trusted voice in this field and during the episode we have an in depth chat about how ultra-processed food has become so commonplace and why it is the last thing that we should be eating if we care about our future health.Dominique also gives some brilliant advice and tips for the types of food that can really help us in our 40's + and why eating sufficient protein can be an absolute game changer. She also talks about why diets are a no-no and we need to shift our eating habits to set us up for life.I loved Dominique's no nonsense advice and extensive knowledge and hope that she inspires you to navigate the at times confusing and emotionally charged world of nutrition.

This week's Minipod is unapologetically beauty product focussed and I'll be telling you about some new products on the block that have got me excited.From the do it all Glycolic stick to the hair heat protectant and texturiser in one to the lipstick that really doesn't move, there are so many things to tell you about.Enjoy finding out about these greta new releases.

My guest today is the utterly brilliant Melissa Leong.Melissa is an Australian freelance food writer, food critic, television host and radio broadcaster. She is currently a judge on a series called Dessert Masters and was previously a judge on MasterChef Australia. In 2020 she was named Who Magazine's Sexiest Person of the year. And luckily for us, Melissa is also incredibly eloquent and passionate about beauty, fragrance and wellbeing.Our conversation is one of my favourite types in that we cover so much ground and it is all so interesting and enlightening. From the surprising turn of events in Melissa's career journey to how she handles depression and anxiety to the important lesson she learnt about exercise recently and how she takes herseld out of her comfort zone, there is so much to learn from Melissa. We of course chat about our mutual love for beauty and Melissa talks about her focus on glowing, healthy skin, her favourite style of makeup and what beauty means to her now she is in her 40's.You'll love getting to know Melissa and if you're anything like me, she'll inspire you in a whole host of ways. 

Welcome to my tiny Monday episode. This week I'm waxing lyrical about the benefits of press on nails and which brands I love xx

In this episode I get to know Denny Daily who is a Beauty and Grooming Expert at the Good Housekeeping Institute.During the episode we explore the many elements involved in testing a product at the Institute and why once a beauty product has been highly rated by them, there is every reason for us to trust that it is worth spending our money on as consumers (something that is incredibly important to me).Denny and I also talk about the products that have really stood out to her because they have performed so well across the board.Here are some of the things that she loves and recommends:Lancome Hypnose MascaraClinique high-fi volumizing MascaraMerit beauty Tinted Lip OilOlaplex Dry ShampooElemis Vitamin cElemis Collagen CreamMyVitamins Collagen gummies Quai Body butterProverb Natural DeodorantTropic Morning Mist

In this week's minipod I cover quite a lot in a shirt space of time including:My search for the ultimate, hydrating undereye concealer that doesn't settle in lines and stays putThe glowy base of my dreamsHow I'm taking advice from The Glucose Goddess in my bid to sort out my pre-diabetesThe questios we all need to be asking skincare influencersand more...Enjoy Outspoken Beauties xx

Bryony is back for a  post Easter treat to make you laugh, cry and to answer all of your most pressing beauty questions.In this episode we're talking:Taking photos without people realising (we've been assured that nothing untoward has taken place by Tom the editor who is taking the place of Chris this week...thank God!)Our books of the moment (Bryony is not nice about my most worthy literary choice)A delve into the life of hamsters and why everything I once believed may not be trueAnd of COURSE loads of beauty with your brilliant questions answered and lots of really great product and technique tips.Enjoy and hope we make you smile xx

Joshua Fletcher aka Anxiety Josh is one of my heroes. When I look back at my life and consider the people who really changed it, he will be up there. (When I was in the throes of the worst anxiety imaginable I reached out to him and he not only offered me support and SUCH wisdom but ended up inspiring me to finally get out of the house, after months of hiding in anxiety hell, and get on the tube to London). When I found out that Josh had written a new book I instantly reached out to him. I was desperate to get my teeth into it. I was sent a PDF  and even though it wasn't Kindle compatible and I kept losing my place, I could not put it down. It was the perfect combination of funny, emotional, candid,  informative...it was a truly brilliant book that I knew people would be wanting to read whether they suffered with anxiety or not. I had to get him on the podcast to chat about it!And so here he is. He's a kind. brilliant human being, a truly amazing therapist who excels because he has suffered just like the people he helps and my goodness can the man write. During the episode I get all the gossip about the book (and the characters who inhabit it), we talk about anxiety...fighting it, menopause, life. It's a conversation that I know will benefit so many of you whether you sometimes feel randomly anxious and don't know why or whether you're haunted by intrusive thoughts and panic disorder.As for the book, I've recommended it to everyone I know and you are most definitely included in that. Here's the linkEnjoy this Outspoken Beauties!

Hormones, phones, pre-diabetes, burgundy eyeliners and fragrances that make you feel like you're on a dream holiday in Positano....what more could you want from a minipod on Good Friday?!Enjoy my weekly catch up and don't forget to email me nicola@outspokenbeauty.co.uk if you'd like to be a member of the Outspoken Beauty Trialling Panel.

It is such a pleasure to welcome Aimee Connolly, the founder of Sculpted By Aimee, back on Outspoken Beauty.During the episode we reflect on how far she has come and delve into how she is building her beauty empire.Aimee also talks about what her brand stands for and why making makeup easy and accessible is so important to her.We also have a chat about how Aimee juggles her brand and what she does to maintain balance in her life and look after her wellbeing.I love this woman and she really is proof that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.