Bryony and Nicola - Buffet Woes, Leaping Lizards and Our Beauty Recommendations

In this week's minipod I'm talking about the slow but steady build up of stress that has wormed its way back into my life since I've been back from my holiday and how that's impacted my anxiety levels.I also tell you about a fragrance that has not only taken TikTok by storm but that I am utterly in love with....so much so that after spending a day repeatedly sniffing the wrist I tested it on in Selfridges I had to order it online. (It is a real crowd pleaser and needs to be tried!)I also have a recommendation for the best tights ever and a dry body oil that sinks in within seconds and smells delicious.xx

This episode is in collaboration with Marc-Antoine BarroisIn this special episode I'm joined by my On The Scent co-host and wonderful friend Suzy Nightingale as we sit down with @marcantoinebarrois - couturier turned fragrance house founder - for an intimate conversation recorded at the Piccadilly Arcade boutique (just before our On The Scent sold-out live event!) The discussion delves into Marc-Antoine's journey to becoming a renowned name in the world of couture and perfumery.Marc-Antoine shares heartfelt stories about his early passion for fashion, inspired by his grandfather, a textile industrialist in Northern France. His career took off when he was discovered by Dominique Sirop, leading to collaborations with iconic designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier at Hermès and John Galliano. These experiences shaped his distinctive style, characterised by sustainability and timeless elegance.A pivotal moment in Marc-Antoine's life was meeting perfumer Quentin Bisch in 2015. Describing it as meeting a "twin brother," Marc-Antoine recounts how their shared values and creative synergy led to a profound partnership. Together, they embarked on a journey to create unique fragrances that evoke emotions and memories, blending their expertise in couture and perfumery.During the podcast, Suzy and I explore the Marc-Antoine Barrois fragrance universe, uncovering the inspirations and creative processes behind each scent. Marc-Antoine and Quentin's collaboration is marked by mutual respect and trust, allowing them to craft perfumes that are both timeless and innovative.This episode is a testament to Marc-Antoine's dedication to his craft and his ability to inspire elegance and confidence through both fashion and fragrance. I so hope you enjoy listening! 

It's the Monday Mini Mini Pod and I've found the best pair of looser fitting jeans ever and they're only £35!I'm also talking about why we all need more nuts and seeds and how they are changing my health.

She's only gone and done it!Ruth Crilly...supermodel, content creator and creative genius, is one of the funniest and best writers in the business (as anyone who's read her blog/substack can attest to) and now she can finally say that she's a published author as well (and is in the Sunday Times Bestesellers list to boot!)Having known Ruth for a number of years I know that even though she wears many hats, writing is her true passion and in this episode we have a brilliant conversation about her brand new book "How Not To Be A Supermodel".Ruth talks us through how it felt to be told that she had a publishing deal, her writing process and also let us into lots of secrets about some of the personal/shocking and downright hilarious things that she writes about in her book.Ruth is one of my best people to interview and I love how self effacing and genuine she is during this interview. 

In this week's minipod I talk you through the perfumes that I've been wearing this week and why.There's the new one from Givenchy, a sweaty, sexy skin scent that has had me drooling, one that's so cosy and warm that it's like being swaddled in a cashmere blanket and more.If you're on the lookout for a new fragrance then hopefully you'll find something to explore here.

Reunited and it feels so good....Bryony and I are SO happy to be back together in this episode and have a whole load of catching up to do following our holidays.Amongst many other things we talk about:Bryony's CRAZY journey home from TenerifeThe lizard that jumped on Louis' tummy and the chaos that ensuedHoliday buffets and Bryony's partner's fear of themThe pervy man on the EurotunnelThe waitress who arched her eyebrow at me when I ordered the cookie ice cream sundae After the above hilarity, there are loads of really great beauty recommendations including a must have blusher from NYX.xx

I'm starting the week with an important chat about supplements.Lots of us spend so much on them at this time of the year and we need to know what we're buying and why we're buying them. The chances are that we might not need quite as many as we think we do!This is my very mini guide to buying supplements the right way.

This episode is in partnership with Avon's Brand New Fragrance Far Away ShineI've been SO looking forward to publishing this episode and finally being able to tell you about the new Far Away fragrance on the block.As you probably know, I've got a longstanding relationship with Avon that is very important to me. They are a brand that truly democratise beauty, enabling everyone access to truly good quality beauty products as well as empowering women in so many ways. One thing that really stands out is the quality of their fragrances and Far Away Shine is really very special, as you'll hear in this episode.During the podcast I chat to the brilliant Victor Costa who is Avon's Global Head of Fragrance and is incredibly passionate about what he does. He explains how Far Away Shine came into being, what inspired it and how it makes him feel.After this it's the turn of my darling friend and On The Scent co-host Suzy Nightingale, who takes us on a brilliant journey through her imaginative description of the scent. You'll literally feel like you're wearing it.Finally we'll hear from members of the Outspoken Beauty Trialling Panel who have been testing the fragrance over the summer and will give their honest opinions of the perfume.This is a great episode for fragrance lovers who want to discover something truly special and beautifully affordable.

Redefine Youth is Empowered by Tropic SkincareIn this week's Minipod I'm talking about where I'm at with my #RedefineYouth journey and how it's starting to change the way I feel about myself and my life in general for the better.I also talk about the big challenge that I have coming up at the end of the month and give some tips as to how you can join what is starting to become a bit of a movement.Let me know how you're getting on by messaging me @outspokenbeautynicola xx

What a great way to formally begin this new season of Outspoken Beauty.In this episode I speak to the founder of one of the most coveted and iconic skincare brands of recent years, Drunk Elephant.Tiffany tells us about how and why she came up with the idea for her brand, a brand that took the beauty world by storm and was soon adorning the shelfies of any serious skinthusiast.We discuss what Tiffany felt was missing from the skincare world and why she felt that skincare consumers weren't being served what they truly needed for healthy skin.We chat about the inspiration for the brand's name and bright colours and also have an honest conversation about the fact that many younger people have coveted Drunk Elephant and how Tiffany feels about it.Tiffany also chats about motherhood, empty nest syndrome and opens up about her life.This is a really great chance to get to know the woman behind a brand that I know many people are fascinated by.