The Charisse Report

Back in January 2021 I invited TikTok creator Sonia Valencia onto the show. At that point Sonia was already known for creating no BS content that centred on her being over 40 and wanting to experiment with skincare and play with makeup. She became known for her very real and honest reviews on social media and occasionally, you’d hear her swear. In that episode, number 61, we spoke a lot about Sonia’s experiences of being a mum from the age of 15 and never having much time for herself as a working mum who’d also made a name for herself in the beauty space. Today, Sonia, who is of Mexican heritage, has left her family home of Washington and swapped it for a very different life, and climate in Los Angeles and she’s living and working as a full-time beauty creator. I had to get her back on the show to be a little bit nosy about how much her life and work has changed in the past year. So, in this episode I ask all the questions that Sonia’s 500,000 plus following on TikTok is no doubt dying to ask. I do ask about her marital status and I find out exactly what it means to be part of the Sephora Squad – I also ask her about being single in her 40s after spending more than half of her life taking care of a family. Be sure to check out @soniavalencia0303 on TikTok and Instagram and I hope you enjoy this conversation. Let me know your thoughts over on Instagram @beautymepodcast and please rate and review this episode if it made you laugh! In the meantime you can also find me on Twitter @beautymepodcast and I also have a newsletter at beautymenotes.substack.com. See you next time. Products mentioned: Murad City Skin Age Defense SPF Eucerin Sun range Dermalogica SPF range Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant Dermalogica Microfoliant Exfoliator Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant  Dermalogica Circular Hydration Serum with Hyaluronic Acid Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Gel Cosrx Advanced Snail Radiance Dual Essence L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renew Midnight Serum: https://www.boots.com/loreal-paris-age-perfect-cell-renew-midnight-serum-30ml-10301413 Skin Fix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream: https://skinfixinc.com/products/lipid-peptide-cream?variant=27960067326051

This week I’m talking about sleep hygiene and how it influences not only the quantity and quality of our sleep, but also the quality of our work, relationships and more. In this episode I'll explain what sleep hygiene is and share some advice from the experts while also acknowledging how there are some counter arguments when it comes to just how damaging lack of sleep might be. I also speak with Dorset-based wellness and nutrition expert Simone Thomas, who opens up about her own experience of becoming addicted to sleeping pills after losing her mother. Finally I also share four key tips that I've gathered through my research, all aimed at helping you have a slightly better night's sleep. I'd love to know what kind of sleep you've been getting, so please take part in the poll if you're listening to this on Spotify, and take part in the polls I'll be conducting on my Instagram Stories. Be sure to follow Simone @simonethomsawellness and if you enjoyed this episode please do rate and review! Also, did you know I have a newsletter? If you want to know more about what I'm up to day to day, head to beautymenotes.substack.com to sign up for free. Links mentioned Huberman Lab Master Your Sleep & Be More Alert When Awake https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JIM6biMG5CQDsSMQFwG3O?si=f73abaf275054a47 Bill Gates review of Why We Sleep: https://www.gatesnotes.com/Books/Why-We-Sleep Maintenance Phase The ‘Sleep Loss Epidemic’: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4r0Vawq8xAfnsnKbYVUNhc?si=0e241719aca241f6 Simone Thomas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonethomaswellness/ Oura Ring: https://ouraring.com Sleep & Glow Omnia pillow: https://sleepandglow.co.uk Artwork image by me. https://www.charissekenionphoto.co

After two weeks of being ill I’ve had a lot of time to read, to listen to podcasts and watch documentaries I’ve always wanted to see and it got me thinking about the concept of lessons. I think, since the pandemic hit, we’ve leaned way more into self help - it used to be something that people might cringe at or feel like they couldn't take about. But after living under huge amounts of stress over the past two years, it's clear we're looking for answers more than ever before. I realised that this podcast has actually provided me and my listeners with a wealth of lessons; so many guests have come on to talk about their own experiences without even realising the impact those stories have. So, in this episode, I'm sharing with you the 5 lessons I've learned on how to love myself - it's not a typical kind of 'take baths and long walks' kind of episode. It's about play, being kinder to yourself, accepting that we don't need to have it all. In this episode you'll hear from photographer Brinsley Edwards; multiple business owner and mother Jasmine Wicks-Stephens; makeup artist and artist in general, Ehlie Luna; Therapist and content creator Funmi Monet and Confidence Coach Tiwa Ogunlesi. One thing this episode has reminded me of, is how great each of these guests were, so be sure to check out their full episodes below. Ep. 72 with photographer Brinsley Edwards Ep. 42 with business owner and mother Jasmine Wicks-Stephens Ep. 77 with makeup artist Ehlie Luna Ep. 121 with therapist Funmi Monet EP. 39 with confidence coach Tiwa Ogunlesi If you enjoyed this episode please do give it a rating on Spotify or Apple and be sure to subscribe and follow so you know what's next! You can also find out a little bit more about what I'm up to by signing up to my newsletter; it's free and you can find it at beautymenotes.substack.com. Thanks for listening and feel free to say hi over on Twitter and Instagram @beautymepodcast, or check out my personal account @charisse_kenion.

This week it’s a new Meet the Founder episode, and if you don’t already know, Meet the Founder always takes place first on Instagram Live. As such you will discover that the editing is minimal, but my guest’s advice makes it all worth it. April 2021 wouldn't be the most obvious time to start a new beauty business, but for San Francisco born and bred Fiona Co Chan, it made total sense. With a background in tech, Fiona decided that she would use social media, particularly TikTok, to promote Youthforia, a brand that has become known as fun, colourful and innovative. And TikTok is the place that really got the beauty industry fired up about her hero product, BYO Blush Colour Changing Blush Oil, a blush that changes colour based on your individual skin pH. In this episode Fiona shares how she started out by doing everything herself, from looking at formulas and design to creating content, something she’d never done before. She also opens up about the challenges that came with building a brand and shares that the entire experience has been a real test of her resilience and  has taught her about her own mental health journey. Be sure to check out Youthforia on Instagram @getyouthforia and tag me when you're listening on Instagram @beautymepodcast. If you want to see us Live and in the flesh, you'll find our chat in the Meet the Founder series on my Instagram page.  As always I’d love it if you could rate and review this episode if you enjoyed it and be sure to hit subscribe so you know when the next episode is out! You can also sign up for my newsletter here: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

TW: Before I share details of this episode please be aware that we briefly mention suicide and abuse, so if that could be upsetting please feel free to listen to a different episode. This week’s guest is content creator and licensed therapist Funmi Monet. While the Dallas, Texas-based creator has become known as TikTok’s ‘fave fragrance Aunty’ - she has over 200 perfumes in her collection - we end up spending way more time talking therapy. The former Bobbi Brown makeup artist really breaks down the value of therapy; why it’s important to see yourself in your therapist, the signs to look out for when it's time to seek professional help and how we should all learn to listen more. I really hope you gain something from this, and do please share this episode with anyone who might need it. Let me know if this resonates with you and tag me on Instagram @beautymepodcast when you’re listening. If you found this episode of value then I’d love it if you could leave a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts. To keep up with what’s coming next be sure to sign up for my newsletter at beautymenotes.substack.com. See you next time.

This week’s episode is a Shop my Stash episode; I feel like it's so easy to constantly scroll and buy makeup on social media platforms, often without really thinking and definitely not needing that new lipstick or blush. So I decided to open up my makeup stash and pick up the things that I sometimes take for granted but ultimately always go back to. It's a complete coincidence that this goes out on Earth Day, but what better time to think about how much we're consuming? I'd love to know what you think; do you feel the same? Is it almost too easy for us to shop? Or do you think it’s down to my poor willpower? Let me know over @beautymepodcast on Instagram or email me beautymepodcast@gmail.com. Do please rate and review if you enjoyed this episode. Products mentioned: Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer: https://fentybeauty.com/products/cheeks-out-freestyle-cream-bronzer-teddy Danessa Myricks Balm Contour: Danessa Myricks Balm Contour: https://www.gurumakeupemporium.com/products/balm-contour Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter Duo in Ginger Binge/Moscow Mule: https://www.boots.com/fenty-beauty-killawatt-freestyle-highlighter-duo-10263148 Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser: https://www.narscosmetics.co.uk/en/pure-radiant-tinted-moisturiser-spf-30-pa/0194251013336.html Nars Bronzing Powder in Casino: https://www.asos.com/nars/nars-bronzing-powder-casino/prd/20639790 Nars powders: https://www.narscosmetics.co.uk/en/makeup/face/powders MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish in Global Glow: https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13849/30735/products/makeup/face/powder/mineralize-skinfinish?shade=Global_Glow Emolyne Metamorphosis Velvet Long-Wear Lip Definer in Morocco: https://www.emolyne.com/product/lip-definer/?attribute_pa_shade=morocco Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara: https://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/product/pillow-talk-push-up-lashes-mascara

This week’s guest is someone I’ve admired from afar for a very long time. While I can’t remember when or how I first discovered Navaz Batliwalla’s writing, I’ll always remember how much I love/d the name of her blog – Disneyrollergirl. London-based Navaz is a writer who’s serious about her research (thank goodness!) and she loves to dive into a subject and write about the culture behind specific industries. Thus far she has written two successful books; one on fashion, the other is all about beauty. In 2016 she wrote The New Garconne; How to be a Modern Gentlewoman and last year, during the pandemic she wrote Face Values: The New Beauty Rituals and Skincare Secrets; featuring beautiful imagery and meaningful conversations, it’s a book I truly adore. During my chat with Navaz, themes that come up include identity, Americanisms, the Metaverse, her writing process, social media and of course how beauty influenced her earlier years – I loved hearing her share about the time she and her sister dressed up as ‘80s British icon Boy George to go to the local greasy spoon café at a time when social media didn’t exist. Enjoy this one; because I did! Be sure to tag myself and Navaz when you listen; you can find me @beautymepodcast and Navaz @disneyrollergirl. Let us know what you think and if you enjoyed, do please rate, review and/or subscribe. Also, have you checked out my newsletter yet? This week it’s all about that Rihanna cover shoot for US Vogue. You can sign up for free here: https://beautymenotes.substack.com See you next week!

This week’s episode has been a while in the making and it all started with a voice note. My friend, beauty editor Ava Welsing-Kitcher, who recently moved to the US, told me how popular the UK Black Girl makeup look was becoming on TikTok and that I needed to take a look. A few hours later and I was hooked; not just on the makeup style itself, which we'll go into in this episode, but I loved the supportive comments shared between the US and UK creators. The two key names that came up over and over again when I started researching the trend that's racked up 38million views on TikTok, were that of Uche Natori and Melachild. Both creators are based in the UK and have been called the originators of the look that's centred on a highlighted under-eye and seamless blending. I invited both of them onto the pod and I'm  happy to say that Uche said yes and our ensuing conversation felt so refreshing and real. At no point did Uche take credit for anything; in fact she paid homage to the makeup artists of the '90s, to drag makeup techniques, makeup artists such as Makeup By Mario and Melachild herself and also commented that American women like makeup artist King Mali Magic are the ones who have long been influencing the trends. Also in this episode, I speak with Funmi Monet, a Dallas, Texas-based creator and therapist, about why she thinks American women are falling in love with  UK Black Girl makeup and there are also some clips from the inimitable Melachild and I share UK makeup artist @v A note: When I commented on social media that I was putting the episode together and that Uche was part of it, someone sent a screenshot of a 'post and delete' that the UK version of The Shade Room had shared (The Shade Room is like the online black version of a gossip magazine you might find in a supermarket - I think that's the best way I can describe it). In it Uche had commented that the 'clean girl look is low key anti-black' and said black women need 'coverage and structure'. As she deleted it, I'm guessing she realised it was a bit off, because when we spoke, she was very detailed about why black women might prefer fuller coverage for reasons such as hyperpigmentation. I'm mentioning it here in case any listeners thought I wasn't aware. I'm definitely aware but I feel what Uche has to say in this episode has more importance than what she posted. If you disagree then my DMs are always open @beautymepodcast or you can email me at beautymepodcast@gmail.com. Stay tuned to @beautymepodcast on Instagram and my TikTok @charissek because I'll be sharing some iconic video content too! If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review and be sure to tag me when you're listening. See you next time.

This week it’s the episode that almost didn’t happen! I’ve been working on an episode that I think is going to be amazing, but when the time came to record it I was in bed with the worst period-related exhaustion. However, I still really wanted to check in with you, so this episode is kind of a catch up with my week.  Leading on from that feeling of exhaustion, I start by discussing how women are often the ones who grin and bear it in the work environment, and the burden of guilt we feel if we take any time out. In the episode I mention an article I'd read on why single and childless women are the ones feeling the brunt of the always-on post-pandemic culture the most. I couldn't remember the name of the article so here's a link to it: https://www.elle.com/life-love/a38988964/childless-women-toxic-jobs-overwork-pandemic-workaholics-2022/ From there I move on to Byoma skincare, which has actually been my Holy Grail in a week where my hormones were wreaking havoc all over my face and share my excitement at heading to beauty industry event Professional Beauty this weekend. Pro Beauty started out as a beauty industry magazine that turned into a 3-day annual event that sees global leaders host live events and seminars. If you're a beauty pro you can find out more information here: https://professionalbeauty.co.uk/site/newsdetails/get-pb-london-ready Finally I share some new products I've bought and that I'll be bringing you another SPF special soon. As always, I'd love to hear more from you. Let me know if you don't mind this more relaxed kind of episode and who you'd like to see on the show next. Feel free to email beautymepodcast@gmail.com or head to my DMs @beautymepodcast on Instagram or Twitter. Do please rate and review if you enjoy the show! See you next time. Oh and don't forget to sign up for my newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

This week it’s another Deep Dive and it’s a super specific episode dedicated to Nanoblur. Nanoblur is an award-winning product from the brand Indeed Labs and although it’s been around since 2011, it’s definitely seen a huge resurgence since Donni Davy, the head makeup designer on the MASSIVE show Euphoria, said that Nanoblur was a must on set. In this episode, as well as looking at how Donni and other influencers like to use the product, I'm also sharing a little bit of the history of the product. I'm also doing a LIVE reaction to me using Nanoblur for the first time, from when I first open the box to trying it over a full face of makeup.  I'd love to know if you’ve used Nanoblur yourself, so send me a DM over @beautymepodcast on Twitter or Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode do please rate and review and be sure to subscribe to my newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com Intro commentary is from Stephanie Valentine, AKA the brilliant @glamzilla on the @indeedlabs TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLuSFTwF/ Indeed Labs Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/IndeedLabsOfficial Skincare-Obsessed Mary YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdbenJI8mXY Nesci YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uc4w2FQ-AA Donni Davy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donni.davy/ Kirbie Johnson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirbiejohnson/ Products mentioned: Indeed Labs Nanoblur: https://www.boots.com/indeed-labs-nanoblur-instant-skin-finisher-10132695 Indeed Labs Retinol Reface Skin Resurfacer and Intensive Wrinkle Repair Serum: https://www.boots.com/indeed-labs-retinol-reface-retinol-skin-resurfacer-10163871 Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Serum: https://www.boots.com/indeed-labs-hydraluron-moisture-boosting-facial-serum-10140287