Minipod - Products and Thoughts of the Week

In this episode I get to chat to the wonderful content creator Helin Doski.Helin, who recently moved to Dubai, is followed by hundreds of thousands of people on TikTok and Instagram and on paper lives a dream life with incredible press trips, luxurious events and a wardrobe to die for, not forgetting her ability to influence more people than most politicians.During the episode Helin talks honestly about the ups and downs of influencer life and why it isn't always as perfect as it looks. She shares her father's reaction to her career choise (she gave up a future in medicine to create content), the reality of influencer events in Dubai and why people don't always get how much work goes into what she does. She also talks about her own insecurities.Helin also talks about what she loves about her career and we do get to talking about beauty and some of the products that she has discovered and adores since entering this world.I loved getting to know Helin and am so grateful to her for painting a rounded picture of a job that many people covet but don't always fully understand.

In this week's Minipod I have two summer scents that are both fabulous but couldn't be more different.I'll also be telling you about an overnight mask that provides fantastic hydration, a lip balm that doubles as a gloss and I'll be reading a section of the book Pixel Flesh that has really resonated with me.

It's half term and all is a little bit bonkers in the Outspoken Beauty household so for your midweek episode I'm chatting through five books that I think are bloody brilliant and have all taught me so much in different ways. I also have a bit of a wild card for you. I'm currently reading it and it's about a woman who gets to a bit of a impass in her life and decides that the answer is to make her marriage polyamorous. (I'm absolutely hooked).Enjoy Outspoken Beauties xx

Over the years I've had the honour of interviewing some strong, inspiring and at times life changing women and one of the very best has got to be Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica.I wanted to revisit this episode as it was meeting Jane that propelled me to leave the security of radio and start my podcast fulltime.I believe that we all have the power to make change in our lives. It can be so bloody hard but when you do it, a lot of other things fall into place. If anyone can help you harness that power, it's Jane. xx

In this week's minipod I have some really beautiful products to tell you about including a cleanser that will truly look afer sensitive skin, a fragrance that is reminiscent of a spring walk by the sea in Capri and my fav hair oil of all time. I'll also  bediscussing some great things I learnt from my therapist this week and why getting my crazy periods properly checked out was the best choice I could have made.Enjoy xx

Bryony Blake is back. Now I'll start by saying that we got SO many amazing beauty questions from you this week and we get round to answering lots of them in the second half of the episode.In the first half though, you can expect talk of:The strange thing my mum wants me to do with her ashesThe best teabags in the world (according to Bryony)Eyeball licking (literally don't ask!)Being naked at homeExtreme sex therapyAnd more....Hope we make you smile and giggle and that you get some great beauty tips xx

I love doing my mini mini pod to welcome in the week.This week I'm telling you about one of the best hair products I've ever used and the scent that my friend uses in her house that had me swooning.Enjoy xx

This episode is in partnership with Made of More I'm so excited to publish this episode which is definitely going to make you feel better about things if you, like me, are in a world of hormonal uncertainty.I met Jackie, the founder of the wonderful skincare brand Made of More, at an event a couple of months ago and I instantly adored her. Within moments we were talking openly about our kids, husbands, the challenges of our lives and perhaps most importantly, our hormonal journeys. Hearing Jackie's story I totally got why she launched Made of More and hearing about what she has put into the brand and the quality of her products made me certain that I needed to do this podcast.Jackie wanted this episode to be a combination of advice and education (cue a BRILLIANT opening segment with hormone specialist extraordinaire Dr Sohere Roked and an insight into hormonal skin with Dr Dhesi) and also a chance for you to hear her story and reason for lauching a brand that really does stand apart from all the menopause noise and in some cases BS on the market.If you'd like to explore Made of More then here's a link for you. I think that their Rescue Balm is a sensational product that truly saves skin that is in a bad wayand their Brightening Day Shield is a thing of wonder. If you do decide to go ahead and buy anything then use code NICOLA20 for 20% off sitewide.

It's my weekly bite size dose of product recommendations and a few of the things that have been on my mind.If you'd like to join the Outspoken Trialling Panel DM me and I'll send you a form. It's a great community and you'll get to test products and give your honest thoughts xx

It's Mental Health Awareness Week and my guest is the absolutely amazing human being Cat Sims aka @notsosmugnow. I met Cat at an event for The Eve Appeal and the minute we got chatting I knew that number one that she was my kind of woman and number two, I had to get her on the podcast.This is such an honest and in places raw conversation about everything from gynae health to ADHD to masturbation to parenting to alcoholism. Cat really does leave no stone unturned and her energy and honesty absolutely took my breath away.Preceding my interview with Cat and also as part of Mental Health Awareness Week,  I have a short insight into a wonderful brand called Feather and Down. In this paid for section of the podcast I chat to the lovely Clare Robertson who works for a brand that not only produces affordable and truly beautiful products to help with your nightly sleep routine but that truly wants to help people get good sleep. As you'll hear in the episode, Feather and Down would love you to join their sleep tribe. By signing up HERE  you'll get 25% off site wide plus a free miniature pillow spray with your purchase.Enjoy this special #mentalhealthawarenessweek episode Outspoken Beauties!