
BeautyMe with Charisse Kenion
Charisse Kenion is a beauty journalist who's never stopped being obsessed with beauty.
Each week Charisse looks at beauty standards, interviews your faves, looks at the things that make us different and of course, shares her opinion on the latest makeup, skincare and hair products.
She breaks down trends and history and you can think of her as your personal shopper when it comes to all things beauty.
Find Charisse on Instagram or Threads @charisse_kenion and check out her TikTok @charissekenion for video content. Please rate and review the show if you enjoy it.
Latest episodes

Feb 28, 2025 • 22min
Ep. 293: Backstage beauty trends at London Fashion Week – no more perfection, we’re all tired!
This week it’s an intimate look backstage at tworecent shows for London Fashion Week. Dilara Findikoglu and Huishan Zhang.As well as sharing my time backstage I'm also discussing a trend I'm calling 'happy exhaustion' as a kind of precursor to the Great Exhaustion, forecast for 2026.Let me know your thoughts over in the DMs on Instagram or chat with me on Threads @charisse_kenion and if you’re listening on Spotify you can tell me your thoughts direct as we can now chat to each other over there!If you’re listening elsewhere do please leave a rating or review for the show and most importantly, please follow the show or subscribe so you never miss another episode.Remember there’s also a newsletter that’s free to read at beautymenotes.substack.com - I've spoken about the Great Exhaustion there too and shared some of my backstage imagery. You can also find me over on YouTube too now. Artwork: Charisse Kenion WHERE TO FIND MESubstack: https://beautymenotes.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme Business inquiries: info@charissekenion.com

Feb 21, 2025 • 1h 28min
Ep. 292: Talking transformation, being obsessed with the details and the beauty of a life lived with Phyllis Cohen - makeup artist, illustrator and creator of Face Lace
Today's guest is the brilliant makeup artist, illustrator and creator of Face Lace, Phyllis Cohen. For anyone who doesn't know, Phyllis has been working in beauty for four decades and during that time she has likely inspired many of the beauty 'trends' we see today.Her career as an illustrator and self-taught makeup artist has seen her working through some truly innovative decades - the 80s and 90s in particular - and you can imagine the stories she has to tell!Over the years Phyllis has worked with everyone from David Bowie and Tina Turner to Janet Jackson and Lady Gaga. It's actually impossible to cover everything Phyllis has done in 90 minutes, but I guarantee you've got a real treat in store.In this episode Phyllis shares some amazing insights on growing up in Vancouver in the 1960s as well as being adopted as a baby, and moves on to share her wild ride of a career which began with her studying illustration.Throughout the conversation we zigzag from era to era and honestly, this easily could have been a 5-hour interview.Phyllis also shares on her ideas on female beauty, why she started her insightful Perceptual Makeup Instagram account and how she created the truly innovative beauty brand Face Lace, in 2012.Be sure to let me know if you know Phyllis’ work or if you’re a fan of Face Lace – you can send me a DM on Instagram or chat with me on Threads @charisse_kenion and if you’re listening on Spotify you can tell me your thoughts direct as we can now chat to each other over there!If you’re listening elsewhere please take a minute to leave a rating or review for the show; it really helps.Remember there’s also a newsletter that’s free to read at beautymenotes.substack.com and I’m also over on YouTube too now.WHERE TO FIND MESubstack: https://beautymenotes.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme Business inquiries: info@charissekenion.com

Feb 14, 2025 • 42min
Ep. 291: The Week in Beauty; monumental minimalism at Calvin Klein’s NYFW show plus medical wigs with Yumiko Hikage and Meet the Founder with Daniel Isaacs of Medik8
Today it’s a week in beauty episode sharing my thoughts on themonumental minimalism of Calvin Klein’s return to NYFW after a 6-year hiatus, and I’m also sharing an important conversation with the lovely Yumiko Hikage, a Japanese stylist based in Paris who is changing the face of medical wigs for women experiencing cancer treatment-related hairloss.Finally I’m also sharing the first meet the founder interview of 2025, with founding partner of the truly innovative skincare brand Medik8, Daniel Isaacs.I'd love to know your thoughts, on medical wigs, minimalism or Vitamin C! So send me a DM on Instagram or chat with me on Threads @charisse_kenion and if you’re listening on Spotify you can tell me your thoughts direct as we can now chat with each other now!Wherever you’re listening please leave a rating or review for the show - it really makes a difference.Remember there’s also a newsletter that’s free to read at beautymenotes.substack.com and I’m also over on YouTube too now. LINKSCourting controversy; how Calvin Klein uses provocation: https://open.spotify.com/episode/32uFwO7vKlN3K5WO0xiJ2w?si=rF3g5CSUSNmGAlK39zrykQFind Yumiko Hikage at https://www.instagram.com/hikageyumikoYumiko Hikage for Beauty Papers: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE2CdTpq6R5/?igsh=bTZ5d2F2ZGVqY2x6Shop Medik8 at: https://www.medik8.com/Follow Medik8 at: https://www.instagram.com/officialmedik8/WHERE TO FIND MESubstack: https://beautymenotes.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme Business inquiries: info@charissekenion.com

Feb 8, 2025 • 38min
Ep. 290: The importance and beauty of Mexican American designer Willy Chavarria’s debut show at Paris Fashion Week
Willy Chavarria is one of the most important, if notthe most important designer to come out of the United States since launching his first runway collection in 2017.In 2023and 2024 Willy was named CFDA American Menswear Designer of the Year and in 2024 Vogue Business said that getting a invite to a Chavarria show was like winning a golden ticket.So in this episode you will get a mini bio of who Willy Chavarria is and what his enduring themes are when it comes to his collections, leading up to his recent Paris debut.Then I’ll break down the key themes of the Tarantula show - which for me were: Emotion, Resistance and Romance, and finally I’ll be going into the hair and makeup, because there’s no way I can talk about this show without talking about those two key components.I’m so glad to share an interview with the wonderful Yadim, who keyed the makeup for the show, as well as Ela Casati, fashion commentator and also Christiano Wennmann, one of the models who walked the runway.I would love to know your thoughts; what does Willy’s work mean to you? If you're watching on Spotify leave a comment and I can actually reply! If you're listening elsewhere then do please the show a rating or review, it really makes a difference.WHERE TO FIND MESubstack:https://beautymenotes.substack.comThreads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenionCheck me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme Business inquiries: info@charissekenion.comLINKSFollow Christiano Wennmann on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christiano.kei/Read Ela Casati’s blog on Willy Chavarria: https://www.elacasati.com/post/the-importance-of-being-willy-chavarria-everything-you-need-to-know-ahead-of-his-parisian-debutFollow Ela Casati on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elacasatiFollow Yadim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yad1m/Article on Pachuchos:https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/artbound/pachucos-not-just-mexican-american-males-or-juvenile-delinquentsArticle on the French Resistance:https://www.wondersandmarvels.com/2017/01/fashion-resistance-wwii-france.htmlArticle on Willy X Kendrick Lamar: https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-collection-1235249635/Willy Chavarria winning CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year: https://hypebeast.com/2024/10/willy-chavarria-american-menswear-designer-of-the-year-2024-cfda-fashion-awards-winner-listHypebeast Radio interview with Willy Chavarria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcSfKne1rlk&t=452s

Jan 31, 2025 • 1h 20min
Ep. 289: Talking mental health, identity and the importance of getting outside with Celeste Bell, daughter of punk legend Poly Styrene
Today’s guest is Celeste Bell, daughter of the one and only Poly Styrene, a woman who was an absolute punk icon.
If you know that name, then you’ll definitely know songs like Art-I-Ficial, Junk Food Junkie and Identity which Poly sang as the frontwoman of X-Ray Spex in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Through her music Poly Styrene inspired the likes of Neneh Cherry, FKA Twigs and many more, but it wasn't just her music, it was her attitude.
Sadly Poly passed in 2011 from breast cancer, but I reached out to her daughter Celeste after seeing the brilliant documentary she directed, entitled Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliche.
In this episode Celeste shares on her mother's mental health - and how being misdiagnosed made things worse - as well as the things that made Poly happy, such as makeup, dressing up, reading magazines and enjoying a spa day.
Celeste also shares her own experiences of motherhood, which inevitably draw comparisons with how she was raised by a mother who was often overwhelmed by life.
By the way, right near the end Celeste shares a hilarious story about women in punk, so be sure to keep listening!
TW: themes of religion, cults, mental health.
By the way, look out for my video on Poly, especially if this is the first time you're learning about her.
I’d love to know what you thought of this one, so if you’re listening on Spotify be sure to drop a comment, as I can actually respond now!
Also, please don’t forget to follow the show if you’re a Spotify listener, it really helps others to find it and let’s me know how this community is growing.
If you’re listening elsewhere on Apple Podcasts or anywhere else you get your podcasts, please do subscribe to the show and leave a rating or a review, so others know if they should listen.
You can also share feedback over in the DMs over on Instagram
@charisse_kenion, or find me on Threads at @charisse_kenion.
Finally, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you don’t miss the next deep dive!
Artwork via Instagram/@celestabella
Links
Weleda Skin Food: https://www.weleda.co.uk/skinfood
Watch Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliche: https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/poly-styrene-i-am-a-cliche/umc.cmc.50ofwo8uxwqzp1lcefvrlvvi4
Find me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT
Find me on Threads:
https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/
BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com
Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion
BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Jan 24, 2025 • 54min
Ep. 288: Sleepless nights and many flights - what it’s like to be a MAC Cosmetics Senior Makeup Artist with Vilde Feste
Today I’ve got the wonderful Vilde Feste, MAC Cosmetics Nordic Senior Artist as my guest.
Vilde lives in Copenhagen and through her work as a makeup artist she covers Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Norway as well as working backstage at some of the most exciting shows at the international fashion weeks.
For me Vilde is the queen of the lip combo so I really wanted to find out more about her inspirations.
In this episode Vilde shares on how growing up in a small city in Norway and constantly playing with her image meant that she always stood out.
I love how Vilde's story takes us from the time she bought her very first MAC Lipglass, to how she ended up being a Senior Artist for the brand.
Along the way she shares on the benefits of living in Copenhagen and why she could never give it up for a move to New York or London.
I’d love to know what you thought of this one, so if you’re listening on Spotify be sure to drop a comment, as we can actually talk now! Also, please don’t forget to follow the show if you’re a Spotify listener, it really helps others to find it and let’s me know how this community is growing.
If you’re listening elsewhere on Apple Podcasts or anywhere else you get your podcasts, please do subscribe to the show and leave a rating or a review, so others know if they should listen and I know if I’m doing a good job! You can also share feedback over in the DMs over on Instagram @charisse_kenion, or find me on Threads at @charisse_kenion.
Links
Weleda Skin Food: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364175
MAC Strobe Cream: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364180
MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tinted Moisturiser: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364185
MAC Face and Body Foundation: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364189
MAC Lip Pencil in Chestnut: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364197
MAC Clear Lip Glass: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12364211
MAC Lip Pencil in Root For Me: https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13852/340/products/makeup/lips/lip-pencil/lip-pencil?shade=Root_For_Me%21_
Find me on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT
Find me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/
BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com
Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion
BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Jan 18, 2025 • 1h 16min
Ep. 287: Talking like we’re on FaceTime with Tefi Pessoa. From the morning bloat to why she loves pop culture and why we should all stay weird
Tefi Pessoa is the queen of pop culture because she eats, sleeps and breathes it!
I knew I wanted to start 2025 with Tefi on the BeautyMe Podcast, because if anyone can bring light relief and laughter to your day, she’s the one.
Her deep dives on everyone from Richard Gere dating Cindy Crawford, to the weird and wonderful past of the members of rock group Fleetwood Mac have kept Tefi’s 1.9million TikTok followers engaged with a blend of nostalgia and comedy, but she also serves up laughs on the daily by sharing her own takes on current affairs as well as her dating life.
Today Tefi not only keeps her followers laughing; she’s also featured in fashion and beauty campaigns and she is the go-to when it comes to genuine, engaging red carpet coverage.
But Tefi isn’t just all about the laughs; she’s a ride or die for her follower friends when they’re looking for life advice and is an advocate for mental health and being confident in your skin.
In this video episode Tefi shares her thoughts on everything on the morning bloat to why she’s always down to clapback in the comments and the first time she felt like she was the star of the show.
I guarantee you’re going to laugh out LOUD.
Don’t forget to hit the like and subscribe buttons if you’ve been watching on Youtube and if you’re listening or watching on Spotify please leave a review or a rating – we can even talk on Spotify now so feel free to drop a comment there and do please follow the show.
If you have something you want to share, find me in the DMs on Instagram @charisse_kenion or tag me on Threads @charisse_kenion.
Follow Tefi on TikTok – if it still exists in the US at: https://www.tiktok.com/@hellotefi
Follow Tefi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellotefi/
Find me on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT
Find me on Threads:
https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/
BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com
Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion
BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Dec 20, 2024 • 1h 11min
Ep. 286: My life in makeup, with Sara Wren, the queen of the flushed cheek and Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup
My FINAL guest of 2024 is here!
I've wanted to have makeup artist Sara Wren on the show for so long, and I'm so glad that the Director of Artistry for Milk Makeup is our final guest interview.
In this episode the Philadelphia-based makeup artist takes us behind the scenes of her life in makeup. From being inspired by Gwen Stefani and her first makeup counter job working for Christian Dior to how she became Director of Artistry for one of the most no-nonsense, multi-tasking beauty brands to come out of the 2010s: Milk Makeup.
As well as being hilarious and enlightening, this episode is a great opportunity to learn more about beauty retail, because when Sara first started working at Milk Makeup, she actually worked in account management, spending much of her life on the road and in hotels.
If you love this episode as much as we did, feel free to reach out in the DMs over on Instagram or find me on Threads - @charisse_kenion for both. And if you really loved this episode, give the show a rating or review - that would be the perfect Christmas gift to me.
Also, be sure to follow the show wherever you're listening.
Links
Find Sara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrentar
Find Sara on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrentar
Purito Centella Unscented Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422441
Purito Centella Unscented Recovery Cream: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422443
Mutha Rebirth Amniotic Toner: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422448
Obagi Clinical Vitamin C + Arbutin Brightening Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422452
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422455
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422458
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422459
Youth to the People Superfood Hydrate + Firm Peptide Eye Cream: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422465
Shop Milk Makeup: https://milkmakeup.com/
Find me on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT
Find me on Threads:
https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/
BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com
Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion
BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Dec 13, 2024 • 51min
Ep. 285: Talking redefining beauty, misinformation, living in reality versus delusion and why French girl chic is a myth with skincare expert and founder of Dieux, Charlotte Palermino
Today's guest is Charlotte Palermino, a woman who speaks her mind about the beauty industry and beyond, while also having an amazing skincare brand, Dieux.
Charlotte is one of my favourite accounts to follow when I want products that work but don’t necessarily want to buy a load of different things.
In this episode she shares so much - from growing up surrounded by French women, to how people judge you based on your weight, to her post-election feelings and what’s next for Dieux.
TW: Early on in the show the conversation covers eating disorders. So if that’s something that’s triggering for you, please forward a good 10-15 minutes.
If you enjoyed this episode, let me know over in the DMs on Instagram @charisse_kenion or find me on Threads @charisse_kenion.
Don’t forget there’s also a newsletter that you can read for free at beautymenotes.substack.com, and be sure to follow the show on Spotify, Apple or wherever you listen, so you never miss another episode!
Find Charlotte on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlotteparler
Shop Dieux: https://www.dieuxskin.com/
Shop my favourite Dieux products: https://shopmy.us/collections/1099249
Find me on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT
Find me on Threads:
https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/
BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com
Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion
BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Dec 6, 2024 • 1h 3min
Ep. 284: Is your skincare ruining your sex life? Do we really need Vitamin C for glowing skin? Esthetician and skincare expert Alicia Lartey answers all these questions and more
Today’s guest is Alicia Lartey, a London-based esthetician, skincare expert and cosmetic chemist student who also works in new product development.
As such we talk a lot about skincare and Alicia’s approach
is really refreshing, especially when it comes to brands who have always put diversity at the forefront of their offerings - not just because it's a trend.
However we don’t just talk about the products we put onto our skin; Alicia is also candid about her journey towards feeling comfortable in her own skin, especially when it comes to her health.
She also shares on her hilarious early experiments with makeup involving her mum’s Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation!
I would love to know if you enjoyed this episode so let me know in the DMs over on Instagram @charisse_kenion, or find me on Threads at @charisse_kenion.
You can also share your thoughts by commenting on my Spotify page now so we can have a little chat - just be sure to follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening so you never miss another episode.
Follow Alicia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alicia.lartey
Follow Alicia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicia.lartey
Find me on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT
Find me on Threads:
https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/
BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com
Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion
BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme