Minipod - Makeup Recommendations From One of The World's Top Makeup Artists!

In this week's mini mini pod I'm talking about a product that really helps to calm me down. I also mention how you can cleverly use scent to make positive associations that will help you when things are more challenging.

My guest this week is the perfect woman to listen to if you're already getting stressed at the thought of wearing a bikini this summer.Katie Sturino is a body acceptance advocate, founder of the amazing brand Megababe (they do the best anti-chafe stick in the business) and author of the brilliant book "Body Talk".During the episode we talk about the moment that Katie realised that it wasn't just her who was unhappy about her body but also a lot of the women who had the bodies that she dreamt. In short, women had been taught to feel unfulfilled with their bodies and THAT was the problem. Cue a shift in mentality and the beginning of Katie's journey as a body acceptance ambassador who has been so influential that Oprah invited her on her show to relay her message to the nation.Katie also talks about how to stop people commenting on your weight, how to feel good about yourself and we also talk about how she has made the most amazing business (and the ups and downs of that).Katie is funny, outspoken, irreverent and will make you feel good about yourself. I adore her and am so excited about this episode.

This week I had the honour of interviewing Lans Nguyen-Grealis, one of the world's truly great makeup artists. Every time you see Raye or Paloma Faith looking fabulous, you can bet your bottom dollar that Lans was the woman who made them up. Anyway, following our amazing interview (coming soon), Lans let me have a good old look at her (huge) makeup kit and also made some excellent recommendations which I'm sharing with you on this week's minipod.I'll also be talking about the affordable cabinet that I use for fragrance storage, a really affordable and beautiful high street scent and more.Enjoy xx

I know I know...this is meant to be a beauty podcast! But the thing is that once Bryony and I start talking we basically have no idea where the conversation is going to go! This week we chat throughGlastonbury and lost tentsNudist Festival etiquette and our feelings about the Killing Kittens Sex CruiseHow we feel about the general election and why we both HATE it when politicians feed us BSMakeup by MarioSome great beauty productsAlso.. as promised, the shoes that I mention are from Esska.

If you're looking for warm skin, bursts of fresh neroli and the most sensual dry down...if you like Tom Ford Neroli Portofino but want something a bit different....if you want a scent that simmers on warm skin but is also bursting with sunlight, then you need to listen to today's mini mini pod xx

In this episode I'm joined by presenter, Sunday Times bestseller, Mum, former popstar and all round wonderful woman Frankie Bridge.Frankie and I had so much fun recording this episode and cover a whole host of beauty related topics including products and beauty habits that make Frankie feel great, how Frankie's attitude to beauty and the way she feels about herself has changed as she's got older, Frankie busts some beauty myths and we also have a great chat about how we apporoach mum life.Frankie was such a pleasure to chat to and I left the interview with a huge smile on my face. I hope you do the same :0)*Although Perfectil is mentioned by Frankie, this episode of Outspoken Beauty is not sponsored*

Thanks for all of the questions you asked me on Instagram (@outspokenbeautynicola) this week.I'm chatting about brown mascara, the Lisa Eldridge products that I recommend, Led Masks, the best upper eyelid eyeliners and I also tell you about a sensational fragrance.Enjoy :0) 

When I started Outspoken Beauty I knew that beauty was the perfect starting point for deeper conversations and this week's guest is the perfect example of this.Sallyha Din has a huge story to tell about family, culture and the challenges of shrugging off others' expectations in order to forge your own path. This is the story of how a woman who was expected to abide by strict cultural rules went her own way and reclaimed her body, her image and her passions.Sallyha Din is a passionate motorcyclist and we'll hear about how this came about and the path it has taken her on. Of course there is a huge beauty angle, with Sallyha chatting through her very favourite products, including those that stay perfectly put under her biker's helmet.Here are some of the products that Sallyha mentions:Caudalie Beauty ElixirAurelia Miracle Cleanser & Anti Pollution MaskHaus Labs Blush OPI Nail EnvyPalette Nail PolishPlease do follow Sallha on Insta @sallyhadin - her pictures and content are beautiful and she makes me want to get on a motorbike and zoom into distant lands.

In this week's Mini Mini Pod I tell you about the perfect red/orange lipstick that made me feel so glamorous over the weekend. I also have the perfect fragrance for you if you're someone who doesn't gravitate towards Chanel no 5 but wish that you did. Finally I tell you how I've turned my skin around after my terrible inflammation last week.

I haven't stopped thinking about this episode since I recorded it and it definitely goes down as one of favourite ever interviews.My guest is the incredible Dr Alex Box and boy does she have an impressive CV!  Alex is an internationally renowned artist and beauty futurist who has redefined the role of creativity in makeup, beauty and identity. She was the creative director of Illamasqua (she's the woman who put it on the map as being a brand that challenged the beauty status quo and took it to cult status), her TedX talk is truly inspiring and she has also worked with everyone from Chanel to Vivienne Westwood. Alex has recently founded V-Metics which is at the forefront of the future of makeup design and she is truly one of the most exciting and fascinating women I have ever met.During the episode Alex talks about challenging the status quo from a young age and the incredible path that it took her on. We chat about what beauty means, where it's going and why Alex sees it as her role to help shape it's future. We cover so much more ground and I can't wait for you to hear what Alex has to say. I hope she inspires you as she has me.