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Outspoken Beauty

Nicola Bonn

Featured as one of the Top 10 podcasts by Harpers Bazaar and a must listen by Stylist, Glamour, Good Housekeeping and Vogue Italy, Outspoken Beauty is the UK's most honest, straight talking beauty and wellbeing podcast that uses beauty as a way to start powerful conversations. It's hosted by beauty columnist and broadcaster Nicola Bonn.

As well as great product recommendations and tips expect conversations with an array of experts, specialists and inspiring humans that cover everything from the joy of lipstick, skincare and supplements to debates around ageism, diversity, self pleasure and challenging the status quo.

This is a podcast for anyone who finds joy in beauty, who wants to feel great about themselves in a way that is so much more than just skin deep and who wants the confidence to find beauty in who they are rather than what society expects of them. Prepare to be challenged, informed and inspired!

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43 episodes
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Tuesday · 40 min
Break Out Of The Cage - Davina De Campo on Being Unapologetically You
What an absolute joy to welcome one of the stars of the very first series of RuPaul's Drag Race onto the podcast. My guest in this episode is the amazing Davina De Campo! Davina is in the midst of one of the most challenging roles of her career (well 14 roles in total). She's taking on the role of Amanda in the one person musical monologue Amanda - The Night Before Me. (Tickets are available here) During the episode we chat about Amanda which is a musical that takes place in the hours before her gender affirming surgery. As the clock ticks, she relives her entire life which is portrayed via the 14 different characters that Davina plays so brilliantly. As well as delving into Davina's performance of a lifetime, we talk about their own life, journey to self-acceptance and escaping society's expectations. I learnt SO much from them about being bold, brave and about a book that gave them the courage to be the amazing person they are today. If you feel stuck or that you are struggling to be the person who you really want to be, then I guarantee that you'll feel different when you've listened to this!
Saturday · 55 min
Outspoken Beauty x Gatineau: Glowing The French Way and A Female Founder Like No Other
*This episode is part of a wider partnership with Gatineau Skincare* In this episode I'm chatting to the amazing Heather Berry. Heather is the Sales and Marketing Director of Gatineau Skincare and a woman who I have been getting to know over the last few months. (She's funny, outspoken and authentic...a true Outspoken Beauty!) During the episode Heather tells me the story of Jeanne Gatineau, a woman who was way ahead of her time and founded her business in the 1930's when she was in her mid 40's. Jean was an aesthetician who truly understood skin and her legacy lives on to this day. We go on to explore what makes Gatineau such a special brand .... the science, the independent clinical trials, the feel of the products, the excellent results AND the way it uplifts women. This is a brand that I rate incredibly highly and the more I use it the more I don't want to be without it. We'll talk you through some of their icons and explain why they're so good. Keep listening as you'll also hear from four members of the Outspoken Beauty Trialling Panel. We've had 100 Outspoken Beauties trying the new Multi-Acid Resurfacing Pads and Bec, Zara, Lucy and Lauren will be giving their honest thoughts about them. This is a great episode about one of my favourite skincare brands. I hope you enjoy getting to know them.
Friday · 17 min
The Outspoken Beauty Editor - The Vitamin C Episode
Perdi Nouril is the Beauty Editor of Women's Health and I'm so lucky that she also joins me each week to do deep dives into the beauty industry, ingredients, trends and more. I also love the fact that she's not afraid to be outspoken. This week we're having a much needed chat/reminder about why Vitamin C is such a good skincare ingredient and why. We're also talking about the different forms of Vitamin C, the one that is best for sensitive skin and brands that we really rate when it comes to formulating with this proven and brilliant ingredient. In an industry that is brimming with newness and can feel very over-whelming, it's nice to go back to basics in this episode.
September 23 · 15 min
The Outspoken Review- The Final Clue, Exciting Plans and Advent Calendar Overload
In this week's Outspoken Review I'll be telling you about some of the incredible things that I've got planned for you over the next few months. I'm also going to give you the final clue for the Win £1000 Worth of Beauty Products competition. Finally I have a list of favourite products of the week, will report in on some Festive launches I've been to and also need to tell you why I think there are too many advent calendars around this year.
September 21 · 9 min
We're Not Lazy - We're Overstimulated!
Feeling exhausted and just want to sleep the whole time? In this episode I'm chatting about my realisation that whilst I thought I was switching off, I was actually bombarding my brain and totally over stimulating myself which I think has led to a general feeling of exhaustion. I'll tell you about something simple that I'm going to try and do in to make sure that my poor nervous system has a break.
September 19 · 41 min
Jo Fairley - The Beauty Bible Goes Iconic
My guest in this episode is beauty royalty. I'm really excited to welcome author, speaker, co-founder of Green & Blacks Chocolate, On The Scent Media AND The Beauty Bible, Josephine Fairley. In this episode, Jo and I are delving into her brand new book, The Beauty Bible, Iconic Edition. Jo and Sarah Stacey launched The Beauty Bible in 1996. The idea was to get women to independently trial products and give their honest opinions (much like the Outspoken Beauty Trialling Panel). The results were then shared via their first book The Beauty Bible and later on their website beautybible.com. Now, 30 years later, they've published their final book which features products that have stood the test of time, lots of tips and hints and interviews with some of the industry's greats. It's a book that every beauty lover will adore! During the episode we chat about Jo's career, her Beauty Bible journey and how the beauty industry has changed over the years. We also delve into the book. There is nothing about beauty that Jo doesn't know about. She's a true doyenne of the industry.
September 18 · 21 min
The Outspoken Beauty Editor - This Week's Big Beauty Launches
Beauty editor Perdita Nouril is back and we're chatting about some of the amazing and incredibly inspiring beauty launches we've been to plus why we all need to rediscover Dr Haushka!
September 16 · 12 min
The Outspoken Review - The BEST liquid eyeshadow, living longer and overpriced makeup on Instagram
In this week's Outspoken Review I'm telling you about: The most stunning liquid eye-shadow from MAC and why it beats all the others I've tried A GP's tip for living longer and helping just about every aspect of our health Autumn fashion Why I've fallen back in love with Laura Mercier and lots more.... The third letter in the big beauty competition will be revealed on Sunday xx
September 12 · 39 min
Bryony and Nicola - The September Reset, Practical Magic and Some Excellent Makeup Tips
Bryony Blake is back for our fortnightly catch up and we've got lots to discuss including September resets and Bryony's amazing experience at the Practical Magic Premiere. We're got some lovely makeup recommendations too. If you'd like to be in with a chance of winning £1000 worth of makeup goodies make sure you listen out for this episode's letter. Once you have all four, work out the word and leave a comment on @outspokenbeautynicola or DM me. The winner will be picked at random and announced on 30th September 2026.
September 9 · 8 min
Win £1000 Worth of Beauty Goodies That I Love!
In this week's Outspoken Review I'm giving you the first of four letters that you'll need to collect in order to be in with a chance of winning £1000 worth of beauty goodies. This is all in celebration of 8 years of the podcast!!* I'll also be talking about the new Trinny London Fearless Skin Drops and a beautiful illuminating base from the brand Votary. Plus I'll be telling you why The Body Shop are doing some incredible things at the moment and why notepads are so important to me! Download wherever you get your podcasts. *Competition t's and c's: Listen to this and the next three episodes of Outspoken Beauty to collect four letters that make up a word linked to the podcast Either DM me the word or leave a comment under a post about the competition over on my Insta @outspokenbeautynicola Tag a friend who you'd like to share the prize with and make sure they're following me The winner will be picked at random on 30th September 2026.
September 5 · 39 min
It’s Never Too Late to Find Yourself: Roxy Bourdillon on Coming Out Later In Life
In this episode I'm chatting to the brilliant editor Editor-In-Chief of Diva Magazine, beauty lover and author of the amazing book What A Girl Wants, Roxy Bourdillon. During the episode we chat about: The incredible lipstick that Roxy swears by How it took Roxy ten years to come out, having lived the "straight dream" with her then boyfriend Her amazing relationship with her grandma Society's ideas around whatr a lesbian "should and shoudn't be" M & S knickers in unexpected places The joys of lesbian s*x The freedom of making up your own rules in a relationship The inspiration behind her book. Roxy is the most brilliant woman and I loved every second of our chat.
September 4 · 17 min
The Outspoken Beauty Editor: The Lowdown on Sarah Creal's New Makeup Brand for Over 40's and Feeling Let Down By Elizabeth Arden
This week's edition of Outspoken Beauty Editor is an episode of two halves. On the one hand we're celebrating Sarah Creal's new makeup brand (which Perdita will delve into for us) but on the other we're lamenting Elizabeth Arden's decision to go big with anti-ageing messaging. The beauty industry can do so much good and bring so much joy but at times it really baffles us!
September 1 · 47 min
Outspoken Health - These Are The 10 Things All Women Over 40 Should Do To Protect Their Health
Outspoken Beauties! I am so excited to publish the first episode of OUTSPOKEN HEALTH, a brand new series with the utterly brilliant NHS GP (with an expertise in women's health), author and Media Dr, Dr Anisha Patel (@doctorsgetcancertoo). I met Dr Anisha via The Eve Appeal and was so impressed by her knowledge and passion when it comes to women's health. I was as also in awe of the way that she was using her own experience of bowel cancer to help so many people. Anyway, after a lot of chatting and planning, we are finally starting a series that I think is the most important that I have ever done on this platform. Outspoken Health is your place for BS and misinformation free health advice. This is the polar opposite of the overload of noise you are being fed on social media. It's evidence based, solid and trustworthy advice that you can confidently follow. In this episode we start with the 10 things that you can do right now to invest in your health for the present and future. We'd love any questions, comments and ideas for future episodes. We're here to help you!! Don't hesitate to DM us @outspokenbeautynicola or @doctorsgetcancertoo or email nicola@outspokenbeauty.co.uk
August 29 · 43 min
Cally Beaton - This is What Happens When You're 45 and Joan Rivers Tells You You Should Be A Comedian! (and why it's NEVER too late to chase your dreams.)
I was looking through my interview file the other day and my eyes nearly popped out of my head when I realised that I had somehow forgotten to publish this interview with Cally Beaton which we recorded last year. I mean I LOVED this interview. It inspired me so much and as we did it I was thinking about how much she was going to inspire you as well. Anyway, I'm so very glad that I did find it and that you're getting the chance to listen to this brilliant comedian and author. When we recorded she was promoting her truly brilliant book Namaste Motherf**kers which is now celebrating its 1st birthday. If you haven't read it you simply must. During the episode Cally talks about how she made the life changing decision to become a comedian at 45 (Joan Rivers told her that she should be one!!) and how she radically reinvented herself in midlife. This is exactly what SO many of us need to hear and I just know that Cally will show you that we're only just getting started, whatever our age!!
August 28 · 23 min
The Outspoken Beauty Editor - These are Some of the biggest Misconceptions About K Beauty
Beauty Editor Perdita Nouril is back and this week we're doing a deep dive into some of the misconceptions around K Beauty. We're talking about what Korean beauty experts REALLY think about topical PDRN, how many steps are really in a typical Korean skincare routine and why the trending Korean beauty product that you use in the UK may not have quite the same formula as the original. Any topics you'd like us to get to the bottom of? Let us know with a DM or email nicola@outspokenbeauty.co.uk
August 26 · 12 min
A Tribute to Dolly Parton - Outspoken Beauty Style
I was so sad to hear about the passing of Dolly Parton and really wanted to pay tribute to her. In this episode I'm talking about why if there was ever an example of an Outspoken Beauty it's Dolly. I discuss the person who inspired her style, her refusal to please anyone but herself with her appearance, her beauty habits, why she loved Vaseline, her scent, her love of wigs and so much more. I truly think that we all need to be a bit more Dolly and show up in the world in a way that makes us happy. Dolly never wanted to be fashionable. She created her own style and it made her an icon.
August 22 · 36 min
Bryony and Nicola: Feisty Therapists, Sibling Horror Stories and Affordable Makeup Gems
Bryony and I are having a long overdue catch up. The last time we saw each other was when we found ourselves on the same Eurostar to Paris...what are the chances! This week we're chatting about: My very strict and feisty therapist Siblings Paris adventures What happens when you get friends from different parts of your life together Brilliant, affordable makeup Lots more Enjoy xx
August 21 · 14 min
The Outspoken Beauty Editor - On a Mission to find the beauty brands we can actually trust
Perdita Nouril and I are back for a new season and we are two women on a mission. We've always delved into beauty but now we're putting on our journalistic detective hats and we are DEEP DIVING. This all started when I was introduced to a report that showed that at least four major skincare brands were selling SPFs that when tested were shown not to contain UVA protection, even though they claimed that they did on the labels. Perdita and I are calling time on BS and are unearthing the brands, products, trends and ingredients that are proven and that are worth your precious time and money. Welcome to The Outspoken Beauty Editor!!
August 19 · 10 min
Holiday Anxiety and Really Affordable Eyeshadow Palettes
In this week's minipod I'm chatting about the suprising amount of people who feel anxious when they go on holiday and can't settle for the first few days, often not feeling fully right for a week. I'm also talking about the chaos of coming home after being away and the brilliant, affordable makeup that I bought this week.
August 16 · 10 min
I Loved Who I Was in Paris
In this little episode I talk about the chaos of coming back from my holiday and how a couple of days in Paris helped me reconnect with a side of myself that I haven't acknowledged in a long long time. I also chat about things to do with the kids in Paris and the things I liked (and didn't like so much) about the now infamous Citypharma.

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