
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

Mar 23, 2020 • 36min
Ep. 22: Morning meditation, coffee and cigarettes and taking the long route to working in the hair industry with Matt and Anil
This week’s guests are Anil Salhan and Matthew Cove of Blacc + Blond hair salon, based in Birmingham, UK. Anil and Matt are the first male guests on BeautyMe but that doesn’t mean there’s zero beauty chat. In part 1 of our chat we talk a lot about SPF – or rather, how neither of them use it – but more importantly, they share their morning rituals, and I think, at such a stressful time, you might well find them useful. Anil talks about being a chubby teen and finding that taking care of his hair gave him a positive focus, while Matt shares how his six-month trip around South America helped him find grounding rituals that help him every day. Check out episode 2 next week to find out more about their slow hair movement and why they decided to become the first slow hair space in the UK. Follow them at instagram.com/blaccandblond2.0 and find out more blaccandblond.com.
If you follow BeautyMe on Instagram, check out my Stories – over the coming weeks I would love to talk to YOU. While we’re all confined to our homes, it means that literally anyone in the world can come onto the show and talk. Please head over to Instagram and leave me a voice note saying why you’d love to be a guest.
You could be:
A beauty enthusiast like previous guest Iman Ogundeko: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talking-about-skin-fasting-how-judgemental-beauty-industry/id1466941875?i=1000456981079
Someone living with chronic illness who has developed their own route to self-care
Someone who has grown up with traditional rituals of beauty/grooming
Someone who has significant scarring and is coming to terms with the effects
Someone who is finding #selfisolation a positive thing when it comes to self-care
Basically, you can be anyone who has something to say when it comes to how you see yourself.
This podcast wouldn’t exist without you, so now is the perfect time to share it. Sending love and thanking you for every listen. Please do subscribe and review. I’ll see you back on YouTube with some solo episodes soon! If you want to take part, find @beautymepodcast on Instagram and leave me a voice note at https://www.instagram.com/beautymepodcast/ You can also find my personal account at https://www.instagram.com/charisse.kenion/
Products/apps mentioned…
Anil:
Haeckel’s Marine Facial Cleanser: https://haeckels.co.uk/product/haeckels-seaweed-facial-cleanser/
Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturiser: https://www.malinandgoetz.co.uk/vitamin-e-face-moisturizer
Honest Lip Care: https://www.honestskincare.co.uk/shop/honest-lip-care-15ml
Matt:
Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser: https://www.malinandgoetz.co.uk/grapefruit-face-cleanser-8fl-oz-e236ml
Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturiser: https://www.malinandgoetz.co.uk/vitamin-e-face-moisturizer
Lumosity Brain Training App: https://www.lumosity.com/en/

Mar 12, 2020 • 39min
Ep. 21: Why beauty isn’t a feminine thing, why not smiling shows strength and why you need to feel desirable with Chloe J Flowers
Chloe J Flowers is a freelance writer and a 9th grade English teacher based in Dallas, Texas, who has an inspirational approach to self-care. In this conversation I love how candid Chloe is in talking about everything from affirmations, taking care of her post-pregnancy body and why black culture seems to equate longer hair with beauty to why she often chooses not to smile in photographs. Links to the products and people Chloe mentions are below and you can follow Chloe here, or check out her blog Lady Fox. As always, thank you for your support! Please do hit subscribe and I would love it if you could leave a review. If you want to see more from BeautyMe, find me over on Instagram at @beautymepodcast or @charisse.kenion.
Alba Botanica Deep Pore Wash: https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/alba-acne-deep-pore-wash-60009801
Bare Minerals Powder Foundation: https://www.bareminerals.co.uk/makeup/face/foundation/original-foundation-spf-15/UKMasterSPF15Found.html
Alex Elle: https://www.instagram.com/alex_elle/
Stop Telling Women To Smile: http://www.tlynnfaz.com/Stop-Telling-Women-to-Smile
Cheer Up Luv: https://www.instagram.com/cheerupluv/
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Sinamon: https://www.fentybeauty.com/match-stix-shimmer-skinstick/FB30004.html

Mar 5, 2020 • 13min
Ep. 20: My skincare empties - including Peter Thomas Roth, Dr Jart, Vichy and more #BeautyBuzz
Check out the skincare I've completely used up this month, and why some of them are a MUST when it comes to re-purchasing.
Links to all the products mentioned are below, and now that they’re all done, I’d love to hear your suggestions on what I should try next.
As always I really do appreciate every comment and like and would love to encourage you to hit subscribe! Until next week, you can find me on Instagram and Twitter @beautymepodcast and my personal account is @charisse.kenion
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $29.50: https://www.paulaschoice.com/skin-perfecting-2pct-bha-liquid-exfoliant/201.html
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream, £45: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/peter-thomas-roth-water-drench-hyaluronic-cloud-cream.html
Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum, $88: https://drdennisgross.com/ferulic-retinol-wrinkle-recovery-overnight-serum-1.html
Garden of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum, £9: https://www.victoriahealth.com/product/Niacinamide-Serum/12852
Medik8 Blemish SOS Rapid Action Target Gel, £19: https://www.medik8.com/blemish-sos.html
Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, £35.50: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/dr-jart-ceramidin-cream.html
Vichy Mineral 89, £30: https://www.lookfantastic.com/vichy-mineral-89-75ml/12049147.html?adtype=pla&affil=thggpsad&gclid=Cj0KCQiApaXxBRDNARIsAGFdaB_cIaMcdcDngP3zvx9GbDxt_dm42vFRbB_EKTQlHui1H0bCks26CRkaAnNdEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&product_id=12049147&shippingcountry=GB&switchcurrency=GBP&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000047040822

Feb 26, 2020 • 13min
Ep. 19: Toxic Beauty documentary - is it just fear-based marketing? Plus, do you use DevaCurl products?
This week it's just me, because I really wanted to share my thoughts on the latest 'controversial' documentary to target the beauty industry; Toxic Beauty, a documentary created by Phyllis Ellis. It all started with an Instagram post by beauty journalist Jessica DeFino (formerly known as Jessica L Yarbrough), promoting an article she'd written on the doc for US Vogue. So of course I had to watch it. At first glance, I thought it was simply about the beauty industry, but actually, much of the focus is on the 15,000+ lawsuits filed by women with cancer that have been taken out against Johnson & Johnson, the leading manufacturer of talc. On a side note about toxic products, I'm also keen to find out if any of you use DevaCurl. After seeing YouTuber, and former DevaCurl ambassador Ayesha Malik slate the products, I'd love to know your thoughts or if you've experienced any issues yourself. Feel free to send me a voice note in my Instagram DMs, or email me beautymepodcast@gmail.com. See you next week! Thanks so much for your support and kind words on social media. Do please subscribe, rate and review as all feedback is welcome. In the meantime, you can follow me @charisse.kenion on Instagram or follow the podcast @beautymepodcast. You can also see my YouTube review of Toxic Beauty here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbtJ3Im1Pww&t=43s
Links
Jessica L Yarbrough article for Vogue on Toxic Beauty: https://www.vogue.com/article/toxic-beauty-documentary
Jessica L Yarbrough on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicalyarbrough_/
Toxic Beauty on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toxic-Beauty-Deane-Berg/dp/B0846G4Y7P/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=toxic+beauty&qid=1581861285&sr=8-1
Link to Beauty Me Podcast with Dija Ayodele on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/london-aesthetician-dija-ayodele-talks-growing-up-in/id1466941875?i=1000465310193
The Game Changers’ James Wilks on Joe Rogan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0zgNY_kqlI&t=11782s
The Eco Well on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theecowell/
Skin Deep: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep
Ayesha Malik’s Why I Stopped Using Deva Curl YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuo8UCcyDhg

Feb 20, 2020 • 19min
Ep. 18: Skin tips for darker skin + why sunscreen isn’t just about avoiding cancer, with Aesthetician Dija Ayodele
It’s part 2 of my chat with London-based Dija. She’s so well-known in the British beauty community, but what I love about her is that she never rests on her laurels; instead she’s all about constantly expanding and refining her skincare knowledge. Not only has Dija recently opened a new boutique skincare space, Westroom Aesthetics in Maida Vale, she’s also the founder of the Black Skin Directory, an online resource for men and women looking for a skincare professional or dermatologist experienced in caring for darker skin.
Over on YouTube you can see the full conversation - and Dija's moves - now. Link below.
Thanks so much for listening! Please do rate, review and of course hit subscribe. In the meantime, join the Beauty Me fam over on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/beautymepodcast/ or Twitter at https://twitter.com/beautymepodcast
Links
Westroom Aesthetics: https://www.westroomaesthetics.com
Black Skin Directory: https://www.blackskindirectory.com
Beauty Me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgeNAKx82kk&t=1469s
My interview with Dija for All The Pretty Birds on Beauty Myths
Products mentioned
Skin Better Science Refresh Oxygen Infusion Face Wash: https://skinbetter.com/products/refresh-oxygen-infusion-wash/
Skinceuticals Retexturing Activator: https://www.skinceuticals.co.uk/retexturing-activator
Skin Better Science Rejuvenate Even Tone Correcting Serum: https://skinbetter.com/products/rejuvenate-even-tone-correcting-serum/
Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen SPF30: https://www.glossier.com/products/invisible-shield?search=invis
Ecooking Sunscreen SPF30: https://ecooking.com/product/sunscreen-spf-30-50ml/
MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Dark Deep: https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13849/30734/products/makeup/face/powder/mineralize-skinfinish-natural#!/shade/Dark_Deep
Nars Cosmetics Blush: https://www.narscosmetics.com/USA/blush
Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil: https://www.rimmellondon.com/en-gb/eyes/eyebrow/professional-eyebrow-pencil
House of Glam Dolls GlamBase Wheel 1: https://www.houseofglamdolls.com/online-store/GlamBase-wheel-1-Highlight-correct-conceal-contour-glow-p116551287

Feb 11, 2020 • 32min
Ep. 17: London Aesthetician Dija Ayodele talks growing up in Sierra Leone and how she built her beauty business
Aesthetician Dija Ayodele is so well-known in the British beauty community and she’s all about constantly expanding and refining her skincare knowledge. Not only has Dija recently opened a new boutique skincare space, Westroom Aesthetics in Maida Vale, London, she’s also the founder of the Black Skin Directory, an online resource for men and women looking for a skincare professional or dermatologist experienced in caring for darker skin.
This is the first of two episodes with Dija; we talk about growing up with a strict family ethos that was more about grooming and respectability, and how this didn't change when her family made the move from Sierra Leone to London.
Next week you can catch the full YouTube video of both episodes too. I’m also keen to do a part 2 with Dija so if you’ve got any skin health questions, let me know!
Thanks so much for listening, and as always, I would love it if you could rate, review and subscribe to Beauty Me; it really does make a difference. In the meantime, join the Beauty Me fam over on Instagram or Twitter.
Image of Dija by me for All The Pretty Birds
Links
Westroom Aesthetics: https://www.westroomaesthetics.com
Black Skin Directory: https://www.blackskindirectory.com
Beauty Me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgeNAKx82kk&t=1469s

Jan 30, 2020 • 32min
Ep. 16: Why cutting our hair off means a lot more than a new look, with Anisa Benitez, founder of More by Her
New Yorker Anisa Benitez is Brand Manager for YouTube Music and has created a name for herself working in marketing at iconic brands such as Google and Time Inc. More recently, she decided to launch https://www.morebyher.com/home/, a platform dedicated to the advancement of female creativity, all about replacing the 'starving artist' concept with the #thrivingartist. Anisa is super passionate about creating a platform for women so that they don't need to question whether they can live and work as artists, and More by Her provides tons of examples of women living their best creative lives. Unfortunately we hit some major wifi bumps throughout this conversation, which really upset me because we touched on some very personal experiences. However, out of that hour-long convo I still have 30 minutes to share with you! We start off with Anisa explaining why, with so much on her plate, she decided to launch More by Her, and we also discuss the deeper reasons behind her going for the big chop.
Thanks for listening! Join the BeautyMe gang over on Instagram and Twitter by searching for @beautymepodcast and tag me when you're listening! You'll also find me on Spotify. Rate, subscribe and review and keep coming with the feedback. Follow Anisa @anisabenitez and @more_by_her and follow my personal account https://www.instagram.com/charisse.kenion/. I've started a YouTube channel too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk2it6QU8Ls&t=26s

Jan 6, 2020 • 39min
Ep. 15: Mindfulness, depression and going HAM with skincare with Nush
It’s the first episode of 2020 and it’s GOOD! This chat with makeup artist Nush was super enlightening - not only is she an amazingly creative MUA, she’s also a major fan of mindfulness as a way of combatting down days. Nush shares some of her favourite ways to chill and find inspiration, and we talk about how she was doing Euphoria makeup way before it became a hashtag!
Products mentioned below:
Cerave Cleanser: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cerave-Moisturizing-Cleansing-Lotion-236ml/dp/B07C5R51Q9/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?adgrpid=56938646767&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9r6D9vju5gIVCbrtCh30qgVlEAAYAiAAEgKii_D_BwE&hvadid=259098973122&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9045544&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8420170048494369187&hvtargid=kwd-299218637686&hydadcr=13502_1718902&keywords=cerave+cleanser&qid=1578312695&sr=8-2
The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence SPF50: https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/face/moisturisers-with-spf/skin-defence-multi-protection-essence-spf50/p/p001071
Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50: https://skinsider.co.uk/product/cosrx-aloe-soothing-sun-cream-spf-50-pa-50ml/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqu2Ssfnu5gIVhrTtCh399AiyEAAYASAAEgLsBfD_BwE
The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/0340733500/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+power+of+now&qid=1578312886&sprefix=the+power&sr=8-1
Join the BeautyMe community over on Instagram @beautymepodcast and tag me when you’re listening! You can also listen on Spotify or WATCH us talk over on YouTube - so you’ll get to see how epic Nush’s eyebrows are. Just search for Beauty Me with Charisse Kenion or click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npuM-vfdGrQ&t=48s
Thanks so much for every comment, listen and subscribe and keep coming with the reviews! Follow Nush at @nush.mu and check out my personal insta https://www.instagram.com/nogracekelly/

Dec 27, 2019 • 13min
Ep. 14: BONUS: Beauty Buzz with Hard as Nails founder and nail tech Shenique
Hi! I'm back with another #BeautyBuzz - a minisode of the Beauty Me Podcast that’s totally product-focused. This week my guest Shenique of http://instagram.com/hardasnails.studio shares her top 5 hair and beauty products, listed below. I also share my absolute FAVE skincare product right now, the Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser:
https://www.lookfantastic.com/cerave-smoothing-cleanser-236ml/12207663.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000047040822&adtype=pla&product_id=12207663&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw7jS15XW5gIVhrHtCh0YdwEOEAQYAiABEgIknfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Shenique’s products:
Color Wow Dream Coat https://www.marksandspencer.com/dream-coat-supernatural-sealant-200ml/p/p60144581
Muk Spa Argan Oil Treatment https://www.mukhairuk.com/the-range/muk-spa-argan/
Jo Malone Tuberose Angelica Body Cream https://www.lookfantastic.com/jo-malone-london-tuberose-angelica-body-creme-175ml/12079199.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000047040822&adtype=pla&product_id=12079199&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoZSnl5fW5gIViZntCh25gAfoEAQYASABEgLIhfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Fenty Gloss Bomb https://www.boots.com/fenty-beauty-gloss-bomb-universal-lip-luminizer-10263147
Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Skin Cream https://www.johnlewis.com/egyptian-magic-all-purpose-skin-cream-118ml/p4805066?s_ppc=1dxDSA-BEAUTY-PP39700045867393082&tmad=c&tmcampid=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzszotZfW5gIVSrTtCh21xQ-dEAAYASAAEgL3xfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/beautymepodcast/ and head to YouTube if you'd rather see this episode with visuals too - including some dubious facial expressions from me... Thanks so much for listening and/or watching in 2019 - things will only get better in 2020! See you then 😘

Dec 12, 2019 • 47min
Ep. 13: Hard As Nails Studio founder and nail tech Shenique Dawkins
First up, I *have* to apologise for my flu-affected intro and outro on this episode! In between the sniffs you'll find an episode that's all about nails; in fact, former estate-agent-turned-nail-tech Shenique Dawkins pops over to do my nails while we chat. Find out how she made the change from real estate to nails and why she's never been a trend-follower. If you want to know more, you can find Shenique at instagram.com/hardasnails.studio to see more of her work.
Still getting to grips with the YouTube episodes but this one plus a mini episode with Shenique (#BeautyBuzz) will be up next week! I'd love it if you could rate, review and subscribe to the podcast on your chosen platform, and feel free to tag me while you're listening @beautymepodcast over on instagram.com. Thanks so much for the support - it really means a lot! I'm looking forward to bringing you some amazing guests in 2020.