BeautyMe with Charisse Kenion

Brinsley Edwards is a talented, inspiring and inspired New York-based photographer and director who works mostly in fashion and beauty. Born and raised in North Carolina, she moved to New York to pursue her photography career back in 2017. Of course, like many of us, her creative career ground to a halt as we entered the pandemic in early 2020.  I first came across Brinsley's work, including her #unretouchedselfportraits, on Instagram, and fell in love with her amazing and varied art pieces, sometimes co-created with her fiancé James Conkle. In this episode I find out how makeup became Brinsley's go-to when it came to just getting through lockdown. She shares that journaling, writing morning pages and reading The Artist’s Way (a favourite of mine also) have helped with motivation and just being kinder to herself. Brinsley admits that: ‘everything I know about skincare is from TikTok’ and shares early memories of playing with her grandmother’s red lipstick and why she's taken up embroidery again. This episode is for the creatives and for those who are still too nervous to claim that label as their own. Oh, and a special thank you to Brinsley's cat Bestie, for making an entrance. I hope you love this one! You can follow Brinsley on Instagram and check me out @beautymepodcast. Thank you for listening. Products mentioned: CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser: https://www.boots.com/cerave-sa-smoothing-cleanser-236ml-10272454 The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23%: https://theordinary.deciem.com/gb/rdn-vitamin-c-suspension-23pct-ha-spheres-2pct-30ml.html Cerave Moisturising Lotion: https://www.boots.com/cerave-moisturising-lotion-236ml-10246703 The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution: https://theordinary.deciem.com/gb/rdn-aha-30pct-bha-2pct-peeling-solution-30ml.html Weleda Skin Food: https://www.weleda.co.uk/skinfood The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path To Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-artists-way/julia-cameron/9781788164290

This week's guest is New York-based makeup artist Jonet Williamson. I've been a fan of hers for a while now and love her approach to makeup. Watching her apply makeup on her Instagram Lives is often like watching a scientist or perhaps an architect, as she's clearly viewing her face - her canvas - with an analytical mind. In this episode I wanted to find out how Jonet's hometown of New Orleans informed her career choices and set her on the path to artistry - even though she had already decided on studying pre-med. Jonet shares advice for budding makeup artists trying to hone in on their style and breaks down what a Southern ‘beat face’ really is. She also discusses the differences between makeup in the South and makeup in New York. Be sure to head to my Instagram @beautymepodcast to see some outtake videos and follow Jonet @jonetwmakeup to see all of her amazing looks and regular Lives on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Products mentioned: Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daily-Rituals-How-Artists-Work/dp/0307273601 Rosen Skincare Earth Mask: https://www.rosenskincare.com/products/earth-mask Weleda Skin Food Light: https://www.boots.com/weleda-skin-food-light-30ml-10262723 Eve Lom Cleanser: https://www.evelom.co.uk/collections/cleanser/products/cleanser-50ml MAC Cosmetics Lipglass in Oyster Girl: https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13853/309/products/makeup/lips/lipgloss/lipglass#!/shade/Oyster_Girl MAC Cosmetics Lipglass in Oh Baby: https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13853/309/products/makeup/lips/lipgloss/lipglass#!/shade/Oh_Baby Lancôme Juicy Tubes: https://www.lancome.co.uk/makeup/lips/lip-gloss/juicy-tubes/115012-LAC.html Alex Wolf Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0pXc7mMC0L3wpvzmUHhLNV?si=9K_N5gslR4ePbZXwE4lWjw

This week’s guest is Anastasia Goron also known as @allyoucanface. I first followed Anastasia after makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes told me she was a must-follow due to her extensive content on facial massage, or what she likes to call ‘face yoga’. In just under a year Anastasia has amassed almost 600,000 followers on TikTok and I fully believe that is down to her dedication to sharing information as well as consistency. In this episode I find out just how she did that, from the comfort of her couch during lockdown. I really wanted to invite Anastasia on as part of my Beauty X Wellness series because I love how she is constantly reiterating the fact that how we feel affects how we look. She is extremely passionate about the concept of us having the power to change how we look in the palm of our hands and really wants us to rediscover why we don’t need lotions or fillers. More importantly, she truly values the potential of touch; how touching our skin can tell us how we’re really feeling inside. In this episode Anastasia shares just why she is so dedicated to sharing her knowledge of facial massage, and why she believes in the concept of mind over matter. You can find Anastasia anywhere @allyoucanface and find out more about her facial massage program at  https://www.allyoucanface.com You can find me @beautymepodcast on Instagram and in the meantime do please like, review and subscribe as it really helps BeautyMe be seen. Thanks so much for listening! Products mentioned: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser: https://www.boots.com/cerave-hydrating-cleanser-236ml-10246701- Had Labo Anti-Ageing Super Hydrator: https://www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face-Skin-Care/Anti-Ageing-Face-Cream/Hada-Labo-Tokyo-Anti-Ageing-Super-Hydrator-150ml/p/795470 Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum: https://alliesofskin.com/products/20-vitamin-c-brighten-firm-serum Skinceuticals C E Ferulic: https://www.skinceuticals.co.uk/en_GB/c-e-ferulic/635494363210.html CeraVe Moisturising Lotion: https://www.boots.com/cerave-moisturising-lotion-236ml-10246703 Allie of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment Moisturiser: https://alliesofskin.com/products/peptides-antioxidants-firming-daily-treatment-50-ml Elta MD Sun Care: https://eltamd.com/collections/sun-care Biossance 100% Squalane Oil: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/biossance-100-squalane-oil.html

Hanahana Beauty is a consciously clean brand that creates beautiful products often centred around Shea, sourced directly from the Katariga Women's Shea Cooperative, in Ghana. I've wanted to invite the brand's founder Abena, onto the podcast for a long time. Over that time I have loved watching her build her brand, often while travelling between Chicago and Ghana. Abena is a former algebra teacher and therapist who says that both of her prior careers were about the concept of sharing, and that she feels the same way now, as a founder of a skincare and wellness brand. In this episode I wanted to find out how Abena has managed to find that balance between having to nurture and grow a brand during a pandemic while also taking care of herself. Of course I had to ask all about the morning routine, and it turns out that Abena takes her mornings pretty seriously. She says that time is purely for her: whether that means meditation, cleaning, movement or simply catching up on social. Oh and she's definitely a fan of having multiple cleansers on deck. We talk about being ‘skin vain’ – how the only way we will give up something food-wise, is if it affects our skin, and how Abena believes that skincare isn’t just about AM and PM; it’s about curating a routine for your body, your period – even  the seasons. A key theme from this conversation is 'being intentional' - in what we do to our skin, what we put into our bodies, and how we take care of ourselves. We discuss the difference between intuition and anxiety and beauty and wellness overlap. I hope you enjoy, because I definitely did! You can follow Abena @beanieboamah and follow her brand @hanahana_beauty. You can find video snippets of this chat over on @beautymepodcast or feel free to say 'hi' over on my personal account @charisse.kenion. As always, if you loved the show, it would be amazing if you could post a review; it really means a lot. hanahanabeauty.com Products mentioned: Alaffia Cucumber Good Soap Bar: https://products.wholefoodsmarket.com/product/alaffia-cucumber-good-soap-bar-8fe322 Hanahana Beauty Exfoliating Body Bar: https://hanahanabeauty.com/products/exfoliating-body-bar Klur Cleanser Gentle Matter Daily Moisture Cleanser: https://klur.co/products/gentle-matter Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser: https://www.youthtothepeople.com/products/superfood-face-cleanser Hanahana Beauty Black + Brown Exfoliating Cleanser: https://hanahanabeauty.com/products/black-brown-scrub-1 Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray: https://www.tower28beauty.com/products/sos-daily-facial-rescue-spray?variant=13413450186807 My Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Gel: https://mytopicals.com/collections/skincare/products/faded My Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask: https://mytopicals.com/collections/skincare/products/like-butter

My second guest in the Beauty X Wellness series is Ashley Griffin. Based in Dallas, Texas, Ashley works in corporate marketing but is also the owner of one of my favourite style accounts, @theinspiredi on Instagram. I've always admired Ashley's approach to style but also how she seems to be so in tune with her body; whether that's by working out, drinking her favourite protein smoothie (literally the same recipe every day!) or taking on a detox fast. In this episode I wanted to find out more about Ashley's approach to work and we end up talking about the microaggressions that black and brown women encounter in the workplace.  Ashley shares how she loves to start her day as slowly as possible, why she loves to work out and why she's happy to be a homebody with an old soul. She also shares the sweetest memories of her first style icon, her school teacher. You can follow Ashley on Instagram @theinspiredi and you can find me @beautymepodcast. Over on Instagram I'll be sharing video snippets of this chat, so be sure to drop a comment! Products mentioned: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask - currently out of stock worldwide due to recall on 'bad' batch. Summer Fridays R+R Mask: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/summer-fridays-rr-mask.html CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin: https://www.boots.com/cerave-hydrating-cleanser-236ml-10246701- Cetaphil: https://www.boots.com/cetaphil- Mario Badescu Rosewater Facial Spray: https://www.beautybay.com/p/mario-badescu/facial-spray-with-aloe-herbs-and-rosewater/ Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/drunk-elephant-c-firma-day-serum.html CeraVe Sunscreen: https://www.cerave.com/sunscreen Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick: https://www.meritbeauty.com/products/the-minimalist Glossier Cloud Paint in Beam: https://www.glossier.com/products/cloud-paint Glossier Future Dew: https://www.glossier.com/products/futuredew

For the next month I'm fully focused on guests who want to discuss how the worlds of beauty and wellness are forever intertwined. First up it's London-based freelance beauty writer and editor Ava Welsing-Kitcher.  In this eye-opening chat I wanted to find out how Ava made her start in beauty media but more importantly, how her mind and body has adjusted to lockdown life. While we start off with the usual talk of morning routines - for Ava that's Child's Pose and ice cold water - we quickly move on to the subject of burnout, and how busy-ness had almost become a badge of honour before the pandemic hit. We discuss how we've seemingly become more in tune with our bodies over the past 12 months; we can no longer ignore any little niggles within the body, and we also discuss the emotional ups and downs of living in a different kind of normal. Ava shares how she has moved home a staggering 27 times and we discuss how that is what has very likely prepared her to be more comfortable with change. This is a great episode for anyone who needs to hear that it's okay not to share everything on social media, and that you're more resilient than you know.  You can follow Ava on Instagram @avawelsingk and you can find me @beautymepodcast. Over on Instagram I'll be sharing video snippets of this chat, so be sure to drop a comment!  Products mentioned: S’well Water Bottle: https://www.swell.com CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser: https://www.boots.com/cerave-hydrating-cleanser-236ml-10246701- Cosmedix Pure C Vitamin C Mixing Crystals: https://www.cosmedix.com/pure-c-vitamin-c Cosmedix Simply Brightening Serum: https://www.medicobeauty.com/products/copy-of-simply-brilliant-brightening-serum-30-ml-cosmedix Cosmedix Peptide-Rich Defense SPF50: https://www.cosmedix.com/peptide-rich-defense-50-ml Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint SPF30: https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/milk-makeup-sunshine-skin-tint-spf-30-sunscreen-16ml_R03735145/ MAC Cosmetics Powder Kiss Lipstick in Mull It Over: https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13854/60284/products/makeup/lips/lipstick/powder-kiss-lipstick#!/shade/Mull_It_Over Elaine Welteroth: More Than Enough: Claiming Space For Who You Are (No Matter What They Say): https://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Than-Enough-Elaine-Welteroth/dp/0525561587

This week’s episode is long overdue. While I’ve often spoken about skincare and might single out a favourite cleanser here and there, it’s only recently that I’ve realised that I’ve actually curated a cleanser wardrobe, almost like a cleanser for every occasion - especially when my skin is going through some ups and downs - so I thought it was time to share my top five. By the way, you don't need to have 'problem' skin to appreciate any of these cleansers - from the iconic Eve Lom Balm Cleanser to the cult fave CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser - you might well need one of these in your arsenal at some point. As always thank you so much for listening! When you get a moment, do please rate, review and subscribe to help BeautyMe be seen, and don't hesitate to let me know what you're using over in the DMs on Instagram @beautymepodcast. You can also watch this episode over on YouTube so be sure to drop a comment over there! You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKuq1As9ifCJOxvPOv6w3wQ Products mentioned: Eve Lom Cleanser: https://www.evelom.com/products/cleanser-100ml Eve Lom Begin & End Dual Pack: https://www.harveynichols.com/brand/eve-lom/845823-begin-and-end-dual-pack/p3990322/ The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter: https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/face/cleansers-and-toners/camomile-sumptuous-cleansing-butter/p/p000186 Living Libations Best Skin Ever Seabuckthorn Cleanser and Moisturiser: https://algorithum.co.uk/collections/frontpage/products/seabuckthorn-best-skin-ever CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser with Salicylic Acid: https://www.boots.com/cerave-sa-smoothing-cleanser-236ml-10272454 Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser: https://www.glossier.com/picks/milky-jelly-cleanser Neostrata Restore PHA Facial Cleanser: https://www.neostrata.com/product/pha-facial-cleanser/F30135XA

This week’s episode marks a kind of return to some good old lockdown content. I really wanted to reach out to someone who has tried to keep themselves busy during this time so I chose London-based makeup artist Rachael Todd. We’ve been chatting in the DMs for a while now and I really wanted to have Rachael on for a relaxed conversation about how lockdown has us feeling as creatives and makeup lovers. I wanted to find out what Rachael misses most about not being able to take on her usual makeup bookings, how she’s adjusted to being at home a lot more and how she copes with those not so great days. I also wanted to find out how she first got into beauty and how she pivoted to creating beauty content during this time. If you want to know know about Rachael be sure to follow her @rtmkup and @makeupyourmood and you can check out the video snippets of our chat over at @beautymepodcast. Thanks so much for listening! Do please rate, review and subscribe and don't forget to share any episodes that you love! Products mentioned: CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser: https://www.cerave.com/skincare/cleansers/hydrating-cream-to-foam-cleanser Caudalie Grape Water: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/caudalie-grape-water.html La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid Sun Cream SPF50: https://www.boots.com/la-roche-posay-anthelios-shaka-ultra-light-facial-sun-cream-spf50-50ml-10259635 La Roche Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Cream Gel SPF50: https://www.boots.com/la-roche-posay-anthelios-anti-shine-sun-cream-gel-spf-50-plus-50-ml-10155052 Black Girl Sunscreen SPF30: https://www.comprisbeauty.com/products/https-comprisbeauty-com-products-black-girl-sunscreen-spf-30-by-blackgirlsunscreen Danessa Myricks Illuminating Veil: https://www.danessamyricksbeauty.com/product/illuminating-veil-2 Danessa Myricks Balm Contour: https://algorithum.co.uk/collections/makeup/products/balm-contour

I felt like I had to do an episode on Malcolm & Marie. Not just because it’s likely the most talked about project we’ve seen in a while, but also because I’ve been wanting to launch new content that’s all about the hair and beauty we see in TV and movies. So I feel like this is a good barometer to see if you like it, and if there’s an audience for it. While I’m talking about the hair and beauty (because this is a beauty podcast!), I will also be giving you my review of the film – so if you haven’t seen it already you might well hear a spoiler or two.  A very simple outline of the film: Malcolm (played by John David Washington) is a filmmaker who’s just had the biggest night of his career. Marie (played by Zendaya) is his girlfriend, who we later find out is also an actress and had assumed she would be in his movie. As it progresses we learn that that the lead character in the movie is based on Marie’s own life experiences of drug addiction and getting clean, and that she resents that Malcolm only used her story, not her acting skills. Oh, and he also forgets to thank her in his acceptance speech.  This is my opinion; I am not a film reviewer but I am interested in opinions.  As always thank you for listening. Do please rate, review and subscribe as it really helps BeautyMe be seen. And definitely let me know if you think this episode was a good fit for the show, or if you think I should set up a new show focused on TV and movies. If you want to check out the video version of this episode – which is packed with imagery – head to my YouTube and be sure to subscribe! You can also find me on Instagram @beautymepodcast  Articles mentioned: Fashionista.com: https://fashionista.com/2021/02/netflix-malcolm-and-marie-zendaya-costumes-outfits-dress Thecut.com: https://www.thecut.com/2021/02/law-roach-on-zendayas-timeless-malcolm-and-marie-costumes.html Early movie makeup: https://www.cosmeticsandskin.com/cdc/early-movie.php Official Malcolm & Marie trailer: https://youtube.com/Netflix​

This is kind of a newsy episode; kind of an update on what’s changed since my last few episodes, where I’ve discussed trends with my guests or on my solo shows. It's pretty short and sweet and focuses on: The new trend for drawing on dark circles underneath the eyes, something that recent guest Sonia Valencia and I quickly dismissed in episode 61; how more makeup artists are choosing to work solely with concealer, even challenging themselves to use it to create a full face. And I also express my discomfort in receiving so many compliments when I got deep faked as Sophia Loren and Kim Kardashian, but also discuss why the developers of apps such as Reface don't consider a variety of skin tones when it comes to their 'innovations'.  As always I would love if you could subscribe, review and rate the podcast - your support means so much. Also, I would love to know which brands and individuals you would like to see when it comes to beauty and wellness? I feel that, more and more the two industries are becoming intertwined, and to me it makes a lot of sense. Let me know at beautymepodcast@gmail.com or say hi in my DMs at @beautymepodcast on Instagram or Twitter. See you next time.