The Charisse Report

This week’s episode is a brand new Meet the Founder with Jason Lau, the owner, founder, and just about everything else at Canadian beauty brand Phytosurgence. The Meet the Founder series is an opportunity to chat with the face behind the brand, and Phytosurgence is fast becoming a cult-like phenomenon. Personally, I think that’s down to Jason’s very hands-on approach; he truly enjoys the process of creating new formulas and colours. Meet the Founder always takes place on Instagram Live, as I wanted it to be an interactive experience; so if you’d like to see Jason and I in action – and you really should because his skin is ridiculously glowy! – then head to @beautymepodcast on Instagram and check it out. I apologise in advance for the audio issues on my side; occasionally you might come across a couple of glitches. In this episode Jason explains how he got his start as a completely self-funded business; why he doesn’t think the customer is always right, and why he will never sell to a Big Beauty corporation. Be sure to check out Jason’s amazing Instagram Stories over @phytosurgence on Instagram and sign up to my newsletter to stay in touch at You can also find me on Twitter @beautymepodcast and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKuq1As9ifCJOxvPOv6w3wQ

Hi! After a short break I'm back with an episode that's full of reflection, and questions! Burnout has been on my mind a lot, and as we make our way towards episode 100, I really want the next few episodes to offer solutions. I want to talk to my guests about their experiences with burnout, whether they’re beauty pros or students; whether they’re in the public eye or not. I want to ask them about their own personal solutions when they are feeling overwhelmed.  And I’d love to hear from you too, so please drop me a voice note over on the @beautymepodcast Instagram or email me beautymepodcast@gmail.com. Tell me how you’re prepping for these final days of a year that has been so incredibly tough. Let’s share our solutions; I’d love to hear from you. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter; this week's one has been much discussed as I finally watched that Jesy Nelson and Nicki Minaj video... Oh and just in case Instagram goes down again, you can also find me on Twitter @beautymepodcast – I’m also on Facebook. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKuq1As9ifCJOxvPOv6w3wQ Listen to The Cutting Room Floor: Having A Moment with Martine Rose: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0f9wnLTnvUsdQQAEhm0FjI?si=adc7a2a95c434690

This week’s episode is essentially about Skims, Kim Kardashians’ cult status lingerie and loungewear line that is known for its pretty much perfect fit. However, it’s more of a starter conversation, as themes of body image, plastic surgery and race are just some of the themes that do come up when discussing Skims, and we can’t possibly cover everything in one episode. But the subject matter of Skims and why many black women feel uncomfortable about admitting they purchase them is definitely something that’s being talked about in certain circles, although so far, it’s not really being discussed by the masses. I invited my guest Darian Harvin to discuss Skims with me because she's one of the people pushing the conversation - she's a beauty reporter and the host of Beauty Headlines on Clubhouse and has hosted a Clubhouse centred specifically on Skims, that openly discussed why some black women often feel conflicted about supporting the brand.  In this episode, I wanted to find out how Darian herself feels as a Skims-wearing person and if she could share any feedback from the Clubhouse she hosted. We ended up talking about choice, information and opinions and I think this is definitely something we could return to in the future. I would love to know what you think; do you wear Skims, are you a fan of Kim – do you think we can separate a product from a person? Let me know over in the DMs and feel free to leave a voicenote at beautymepodcast on Instagram. I hope you enjoy! Be sure to check out Darian's newsletter here. Article links: The Kardashians’ Multiracial White Supremacy by Ren Ellis Neyra https://www.publicbooks.org/the-kardashians-multiracial-white-supremacy/ Kardashians’ Legacy of Blackfishing by Cady Lang: https://time.com/6072750/kardashians-blackfishing-appropriation/ I Hate How Much I Love My Skims by Tahirah Hairston: https://www.thecut.com/2021/09/skims-kim-kardashian-west.html

This week I wanted to share some new beauty products that I’m actually loving. I’ve been sent quite a few lately, some of them specifically in preparation for a future episode on glowing skin, and some of them are too good to stay quiet about. Others are ones that I’ve purchased and have brought into my daily routine. It’s so easy as a beauty journo to instantly play with everything you receive, and then wonder why it’s having zero effect, so I try to plan when I’m going to use new items, which is why my reviews can take a while to go live. Each product in this episode has been used at least twice and many have been used daily or even twice a day – all linked below and any that were sent as PR are marked with **. Thanks so much for listening! Did you know I’ve also uploaded this to my YouTube? Check it out if you want to see the products in action. I’d love to know what you’re loving so feel free to email me at beautymepodcast@gmail.com. Products mentioned: **Ole Henriksen Glow 2 OH Dark Spot Toner: https://www.olehenriksen.com/shop-by-type/toners/glow-2oh-dark-spot-toner/OH70027.html **Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner: https://www.kosamebeauty.com/collections/isntree/products/isntree-green-tea-fresh-toner-200ml **Disciple London Juicy Mist: https://disciplelondon.com/products/juicy-mist **The Glowcery Shop Golden Nectar Nourishing Body Oil: https://www.theglowceryshop.com/products/golden-nectar-nourishing-body-oil-100ml Cosrx Advanced Snail Radiance Dual Essence: https://www.boots.com/cosrx-advanced-snail-96-mucin-power-essence-gel-100ml-10280721 **Isntree Real Mugwort Clay Mask: https://www.kosamebeauty.com/collections/isntree/products/isntree-real-mugwort-clay-mask-100ml **Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/youth-to-the-people-superberry-hydrate-glow-dream-mask.html **Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil: https://www.youthtothepeople.com/products/superberry-hydrate-and-glow-dream-oil Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/laneige-lip-sleeping-mask.html Ultra Violette SPF50 Sheen Screen Hydrating Lip Balm: https://www.spacenk.com/uk/skincare/lipcare/lip-balm/sheen-screen-hydrating-lip-balm-spf-50-MUK200029617.html Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautymepodcast/ Subscribe to my YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKuq1As9ifCJOxvPOv6w3wQ

In this episode I sit down with celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes in her London hotel room for a ‘90s makeup makeover. Think of it as two friends hanging out but one of them happens to be an amazing celebrity makeup artist! It’s a super chill chat – and you’ll likely hear our husbands in the background – but that doesn’t mean you won’t learn anything. Katie shares why she’s loving a super skinny brow and she breaks down what she believes makes a ‘90s look. We talk about why she’s a major supporter of using concealer all over and she asks me about how imagery on Instagram might have affected us differently if it had been around when we were kids. We also discuss product diversity and – really quickly – talk about her forthcoming makeup range, the first product of which should be with us mid-2022. I really hope you love this one it was SO much fun; and if you want to see us in all our IRL glory, head to my channel on YouTube for the full visual experience. Let me know what you think and be sure to leave a comment if you watch us on YouTube! Thanks so much for listening or watching; your support and reviews mean so much. Products mentioned: Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter in 5 Benefit 24 Hour Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel Katie Jane Hughes x Spectrum Collections 11 piece brush kit Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher in 4 MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Conceal and Correct Palette in Medium Nars Brow Perfector Jones Road The Face Pencil in 25 Jones Road The Best Eye Shadow in Dark Brown Bare Minerals Gen Nude Palette in Neutral Spectrum Bask Bronzer Makeup Forever Artist Color Pencil Vieve Muse Modern Lip Pencil in Tailored Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk Medium Vieve Muse Sunset Blush in Malbec Glossier Stretch Concealer in 5, 6 and 7 - image via Influenster Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Praline Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Links mentioned: Ava Welsing-Kitcher episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L_mVxJoPDI&t=2s Katie Jane Hughes and Jamie Genevieve: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7XFzj27wgo Link to Makeup Your Mind by Francois Nars: https://amzn.to/2URJHYr Katie’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFGbn_ULRVTUwRtHgOH2MbQ

At times of overwhelm we tend to fall into one of two categories; we either log off, socially and literally, taking time out to just allow all the feelings, or we try to find SOLUTIONS! How can we fix this? There must be a way to get through this! Many times over the past few months a common solution to dealing with life in 2021 often comes up as being ‘that girl’, or, as one of my favourite podcast hosts Pia Baroncini puts it, ‘that bitch’. In this episode I discuss the concept of being 'that girl' and share some examples of the content and 'tips' that have been created around it, and look at the possible pitfalls of following any trend that's about us bettering ourselves. Does that ultimately mean that we don't like our current selves? I'd love to know what you think; let me know if you're an avid subscriber to 'that girl' content, or if you're concerned about trends turning toxic. Either say hi in the DMs over on Instagram @beautymepodcast or email me beautymepodcast@gmail.com. Links to the content mentioned/sampled: Intro Reel by Ariana and the Rose on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arianaandtherose/ The Ultimate Guide to being THAT Girl by Vanessa Tiiu on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8Fq1rL2nm0 Hitomi Mochizuki Own Your Story for LG Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jISBdaOp8sc&t=26s

Via her blog, borntobeunicorn.com, Teresa, an English Literature teacher from Northern Italy, has been cataloguing perfumes and cosmetics on screen since 2010. I’ve been admiring her Instagram @worldwideaura, since former guest, makeup artist Rachael Todd, sent me the account. At the time I didn’t know anything about the person behind the posts, but I fell in love with their detailed accounts of specific beauty products that featured in television shows such as Sex and the City, Pose and Halston as well as films like the truly iconic Sunset Boulevard. I guess the account really made me want to embrace my own inner geek or obsessive, when it comes to beauty. In this episode I wanted to find out about Teresa’s love of packaging and how her passion for reading about vintage fashion, and buying Balenciaga bags (and we’re talking the epic Nicolas Ghesquiere era that began in 2001) brought her back to life after dealing with postnatal depression. I’ll be sharing some snippets from our chat over on Instagram so be sure to check me out @beautymepodcast. At Teresa’s request I won’t be sharing her surname, but you can check out her account at @worldwideaura and she also has an amazing Tilda Swinton account dedicated to Tilda’s iconic dress sense, @swinton_style. Please share this episode with anyone who can relate and enjoy! I’ll be sharing more in-depth thoughts on Teresa’s work over on charissekenion.co/podcast and you can check out her blog, borntobeunicorn.com.

This is the third episode in my Meet the Founder series and my guest has gone all the way from The White House to developing products for MAC Cosmetics, to starting her own brand. With a decade of experience that includes politics, government and beauty, Stephanie Lee’s own personal challenges when it came to her mental health inspired her to build a brand that was about self-exploration. The resulting brand, SELFMADE, is built with emotional intelligence at its core and in this conversation initially held on my Instagram Live @beautymepodcast, Stephanie shared how she recognised the signs that her mental health was being challenged and how her workspace wasn’t providing any coping tools. She discusses her career journey and how it influenced her decision to build a brand and shares how she ensures that the mental health of herself and her team at SELFMADE is the top priority. You can watch the conversation here and be sure to check out SELFMADE at https://www.beselfmade.co. Thanks for listening and do please share this episode with anyone who needs it.

This week’s episode is the second in the IGTV Meet the Founder series and my guest is Charlotte Ferguson, Psychotherapist and founder of Disciple London. Around three years ago, Charlotte decided to use her psychotherapy background to create a range of skincare products that would heal and calm a stressed-out body and mind. The result was Disciple London, a skincare brand that uses adaptogens, prebiotics and essential fatty acids and is quickly gaining cult status. If you want to watch this interview instead of listen, then head to my Instagram @beautymepodcast and check out the Meet the Founder series. You can also follow @disciplelondon for more information. Do please leave a review if you found this useful, or share the episode with a friend! Check out the full Disciple range here: https://disciplelondon.com Charlotte chose Dreamy Skin as her must-have product; find it here: https://disciplelondon.com/products/dreamy-skin-20ml She also mentions The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% +HA: https://theordinary.deciem.com/gb/rdn-lactic-acid-10pct-ha-2pct-30ml.html Find out more about Glow Bar London facials: https://glowbarldn.com/facial-massage/

It’s been a while since I hosted a guest face to face so I really wanted to give you something that was all about just two beauty enthusiasts sharing and comparing. My guest, Ava Welsing-Kitcher has been on BeautyMe before, as part of my Beauty X Wellness series, and I thought she’d be the perfect person to invite on for a good old beauty chat. Ava is a freelance beauty editor and columnist for Wardrobe Icons and is also an influencer known for her seriously glowing skin. In this episode I visit Ava in her home and we go through all our beauty essentials, sharing our favourite bases, highlighters and bronzers, blushers, mascaras, lips, brow products and fragrance. As you can imagine, we’ve both got a lot to say. Feel free to let me know your favourites over in the DMs or in the comments if you’re watching on YouTube. I’ve tried to squeeze all the product links, but if you want to see absolutely everything you’ll find it on my website, charissekenion.co. Also, here’s the link to my YouTube for an in-depth look into Ava’s amazing beauty cupboard: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKuq1As9ifCJOxvPOv6w3wQ If you like what you hear and see, please do review, subscribe, follow! Thanks for listening and don’t forget to follow Ava on Instagram @avawelsingk and me @beautymepodcast. Or you can check out my newsletter here.