Is it vain to focus on how you look? In this episode, Amanda tackles that nagging little voice — the one that whispers that spending time or money on your appearance is self-indulgent — and takes it apart, piece by piece.

She shares her own story of growing up being taught that clothes were frivolous, and how that never quite matched the child who lived for her dressing-up box, saved pocket money for beads at Camden Market, and gazed longingly at colourful 80s prints.

 From there, Amanda looks honestly at where the "vanity" stereotype comes from — including celebrity culture and comparison to unrealistic, airbrushed or AI-generated images — before making the case that the everyday, joyful side of getting dressed is something completely different.

The episode closes with the science Amanda promises at the start: published research showing that looking after your appearance isn't just enjoyable, it's genuinely good for wellbeing — including its surprising link to social connection.

 Plus, a true story about a stranger's brooch-covered denim jacket that turned into one of Amanda's favourite moments of connection through fashion.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why the idea that caring about your appearance is "vain" or "shallow" doesn't hold up
• Amanda's personal story of growing up being taught that clothes were frivolous
• The real Merriam-Webster definition of vanity — and where the healthy line actually sits
• Two pieces of published research on why looking good genuinely supports wellbeing
• The surprising link between how we dress and social connection
• This episode's action step: a simple way to spread the feel-good effect of fashion to someone else

Timestamps

• 00:23 — Welcome, and the niggling doubt this episode is for
• 01:17 — Amanda's own relationship with the topic: wellbeing, not vanity
• 01:44 — Growing up being taught that clothes were frivolous
• 02:12 — Childhood rebellion: clothes as self-expression from age three
• 03:04 — Why style personalities shape how self-indulgent this can feel
• 03:47 — The pop-up shop moment: choosing "sensible" over what truly lifts you
• 04:14 — Colour analysis as investment, not indulgence
• 05:33 — Breaking down what "vanity" actually means (the dictionary definition)
• 06:12 — Where the stereotype comes from: celebrity culture and comparison
• 07:05 — Airbrushed and AI images, and why comparison never helps
• 08:06 — Growing up surrounded by books, but not fashion
• 08:34 — Camden Market beads, window-shopping dreams, and C&A reality
• 10:08 — Dynasty, Crystal Carrington, and Amanda's biggest fashion inspiration
• 11:09 — The "lipstick effect," and why this podcast is called Bright Lips
• 11:35 — The science begins: a 2019 study on beauty care and breast cancer patients
• 12:52 — The surprising discovery: looking good boosts social connection
• 13:45 — A 2026 UK study on wardrobe satisfaction, wellbeing, and social withdrawal
• 15:28 — The story of Brenda and her brooch-covered denim jacket
• 19:21 — This week's action step

Quote of the Episode

This Week's Challenge

Give a compliment to another woman about what she's wearing. It's a small thing that creates a real moment of connection — for her, and for you too — and there's nothing shallow about it.

Mentioned in This Episode

• QueenMee Accessories, Amanda's Jewellery and Hair Accessories brand
• Amanda Waterstone, Amanda's Colour Analysis and Personal Styling services
• Recover your smile (2019, Psycho-Oncology) — a beauty care intervention study for breast cancer patients
• The Look Good Feel Better programme
• A 2026 study in the Journal of Fashion, Style and Popular Culture surveying 252 UK women in midlife on wardrobe satisfaction and wellbeing
• The Merriam-Webster definition of "vanity"
• C&A, and Amanda's childhood wardrobe
• Dynasty — Amanda's earliest fashion inspiration

About Bright Lips

Bright Lips is a weekly podcast about personal style, confidence, and mindset, hosted by Amanda Waterstone. Each short, solo episode covers one simple idea — from colour and makeup to confidence hacks and styling — with a practical takeaway you can use the same day.

Follow & Subscribe

Loved this episode? Subscribe to Bright Lips so you never miss a week, and share it with a friend who's ever felt guilty for caring about how she looks. 

Thank you for listening, I'm so grateful you're here, Amanda X

How can it be - you've enjoyed fashion your whole life, but somehow you can't find the joy in getting dressed anymore? In episode 2 of The Bright Lips Podcast, Amanda digs into exactly why that happens — and what to do about it.

Amanda kicks off with an update from her own Episode 1 style challenge: rediscovering a hematite lariat necklace she hadn't worn in years, and the instant lift that came from wearing something "new to her" again.

Then it's into this week's main topic: the 5 real reasons your wardrobe might have stopped bringing you joy — from a wardrobe that hasn't caught up with who you're becoming, to clutter that hides the pieces you love, to a quietly toxic belief that you'll enjoy dressing again "someday." Amanda shares deeply personal examples throughout, including the wardrobe overhaul that came with launching her accessories brand, Queen Mee, and a childhood memory of her mother's seasonal suitcase that explains exactly where her love of "playing" with clothes began.

Stay to the end for Amanda's embarrassing style confession — the wardrobe imposter syndrome that nearly stopped her becoming a personal stylist — and this week's simple daily challenge to help you reconnect with your own sense of joy.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The 5 real reasons you might have lost the joy in getting dressed
• Why your wardrobe needs to reflect who you're becoming, not who you used to be
• How decluttering can feel like liberation rather than loss
• Why having a few "inspiring," not just practical, pieces in your wardrobe matters
• The toxic belief that's quietly keeping your joy on hold — and how to drop it
• A simple weekly habit to bring play and experimentation back into getting dressed

Timestamps

• 00:01 — Welcome back, and a recap of Episode 1's novelty challenge
• 02:22 — Amanda's own challenge result: rediscovering a forgotten necklace (and how to share yours)
• 04:44 — Reason 1: your wardrobe reflects an old version of you, not who you're becoming
• 07:10 — Reason 2: a cluttered wardrobe hides the pieces that inspire you
• 09:33 — Reframing decluttering as making space, not losing things
• 11:05 — Reason 3: why you need pieces that lift you up, not just "practical" ones
• 13:20 — Reason 4: the toxic belief that you'll enjoy dressing again "someday"
• 14:06 — Reason 5: giving yourself permission to play and experiment again
• 15:00 — Amanda's commitment to bring weekly "play time" back into her wardrobe
• 16.00 — This week's challenge, plus Amanda's most embarrassing style confession

Quote of the Episode

This Week's Challenge

Ask yourself: what's the one small thing you can do for yourself every single day to say "I'm back"? It doesn't need to be a big gesture — a spritz of your favourite perfume, wearing the earrings you usually save for best, anything that quietly brings the joy back into your day.

Amanda's own daily promise: committing to a little wardrobe decluttering every day, to make space for the pieces that actually bring her joy.

Get Involved

Tried last week's style challenge, or have thoughts on this episode? Amanda would love to hear from you — email [email protected] and share what you tried.

About Bright Lips

Bright Lips is a weekly podcast about personal style, confidence, and mindset, hosted by Amanda Waterstone. Each short, solo episode covers one simple idea — from colour and makeup to confidence hacks and styling — with a practical takeaway you can use the same day.

Follow & Subscribe

Loved this episode? Subscribe to Bright Lips so you never miss a week, and share it with a friend who could use a little wardrobe joy of her own.

Mentioned in this Episode

Amanda's Accessories brand:

QueenMee Accessories

Discover more about Amanda 

Amanda Waterstone

Welcome to Bright Lips! Amanda shares why she started this style & confidence podcast, plus a simple style challenge to help you feel alive again.

Welcome to the very first episode of Bright Lips — a podcast about personal style, confidence, and how the small choices you make about your clothes and makeup can genuinely lift your mood and your sense of self.

In this welcome episode, host Amanda Waterstone shares exactly what you can expect each week: short, solo, 20-minute episodes with zero fashion rules, zero trend-chasing, and zero judgment about what you "should" wear. Instead, each episode focuses on one simple idea to help you feel more confident, energised, and like yourself — plus an actionable style challenge to try that day.

Amanda also opens up about the two stories that led her to start Bright Lips: the lockdown-era struggle that turned her into a self-help obsessive (with a little help from the Mel Robbins Podcast), and the loss of her dear friend Mark — whose joy for life inspired the mission behind this whole show: to help women believe in themselves and celebrate their own personal style.

You'll also hear the story behind the podcast's name, and why a single swipe of bright lipstick can be one of the fastest routes back to feeling confident, colourful, and like yourself — even on the days you barely have two minutes in front of the mirror.

The episode closes with your first Bright Lips style challenge: a simple way to use "self-expansion" — trying something small and new with your style — to shake off that flat, stuck feeling and feel more alive today.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What Bright Lips is (and isn't) about, and why there are no fashion rules here
The real reason Amanda started this podcast, from a struggling small business to a life-changing loss
Why the podcast is called Bright Lips, and the two-minute lipstick moment that inspired it
The psychology of "self-expansion" — why trying something new with your style can make you feel more alive
Your first actionable style challenge to try today
Timestamps
00:43 — Welcome to Bright Lips, and what this podcast is about
01:10 — What you won't hear: no trends, no celebrity style, no fashion rules
01:39 — The format: short, solo, 20-minute episodes designed to lift your mood
02:08 — The real mission: using fashion as a tool to feel fabulous every day
02:36 — Why every episode ends with a small, actionable step
03:04 — The story behind Bright Lips begins
03:25 — Lockdown, a struggling business, and discovering self-help
05:20 — How the Mel Robbins Podcast helped inspire this show
05:48 — The gap Amanda noticed: nobody talks about clothes and makeup as self-help tools
06:13 — Remembering Mark: the friend whose joie de vivre changed everything
07:36 — The funeral question that gave Amanda her mission
09:14 — Why "Bright Lips"? The story behind the podcast's name
09:42 — The two-minute lipstick moment before a Zoom call
11:10 — This week's style challenge: the psychology of self-expansion
12:27 — Simple, no-makeover-required ways to try it today

Quote of the Episode

"I want to inspire women to believe in themselves and celebrate their own style."

This Week's Style Challenge

Trying something new with your style isn't just fun — it taps into what psychologists call self-expansion: a basic human drive to grow your sense of self through novelty. When life feels like Groundhog Day, style experimentation is a simple, low-effort way to feel more like yourself again.

Your challenge: pick one small thing to do differently today. Wear your scarf in a new way, put on the earrings you're "saving" for best, wear a colour that's been hiding at the back of your wardrobe — or do Amanda's favourite: put on a bright lipstick. No new wardrobe required, just one small step out of your comfort zone.

Mentioned in This Episode
The Mel Robbins Podcast
QueenMee Accessories — Amanda's jewellery business
Amanda Waterstone - Discover ways to work with Amanda on your style journey

About Bright Lips

Bright Lips is a weekly podcast about personal style, confidence, and mindset, hosted by Amanda Waterstone. Each short, solo episode covers one simple idea — from colour and makeup to confidence hacks and styling — with a practical takeaway you can use the same day.

Follow & Subscribe

Loved this episode? Subscribe to Bright Lips so you never miss a week, and share it with a friend who could use a little style-confidence boost of her own.

In this episode, I’m calling out three big myths that might be holding you back in your product-based business — just like they held me back in mine. Whether you're early in your journey or scaling to consistent sales, these myths can sneak in and make us feel stuck, confused, or even question our worth.

I’m sharing real experiences from growing QueenMee Accessories into a six-figure business — including the mistakes I made, the mindset shifts that changed everything, and what I wish I had known from day one. If you've ever thought "I just need more followers," or "does my business count as purpose-led," or "maybe my prices are too high" — this episode is for you.

Let’s bust these myths together and set you free to grow with confidence.

• Why more Instagram followers ≠ more sales, and what actually does create consistent income.
• How email marketing became my #1 sales driver — even when I was sending from a jam-covered kitchen table.
• The truth about pricing for profit vs. pricing for popularity — and why brave pricing attracts better customers.
• Why your business doesn’t have to “save the world” to be purposeful — and how creating joy and beauty is enough.
• Ways to give back sustainably, without compromising your income or wellbeing.

 Join the Priority List for 🎀Styled to Sell🎀

If you’re ready to grow your sales consistently, my new course Styled to Sell is launching soon.
Only 5 beta places will be available — join the priority list now to be the first to hear when doors open 🎊

💌 Resources Mentioned:

• 💻 Klaviyo Email Marketing – the tool I now use, helping me to generate 60% of my website sales through email marketing.
• 📥 Styled to Sell Course – Join the priority list here
• 🎁 Cancer Hair Care – the charity I donate QueenMee pieces to

💖 Connect with Me:

• Instagram: @amandawaterstone
• Website: queenmee.com
• Free resources: Linked in my Instagram bio

💖Join the priority list for my new course: Styled to Sell 💖

Be the first to know when the opportunity goes live!

What if your imagination could become your business strategy?

In this empowering episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the most powerful tools I use daily to grow my fashion business, QueenMee Accessories: visualisation. Whether you’re dreaming of your first sale, your next big milestone, or building a brand that lights you up — your imagination is more powerful than you think.

I’m sharing:

• What visualisation really is (and why it’s not just for elite athletes!)
• How I used it to create this very podcast (yes — this one you’re listening to!)
• The deeply personal vision that’s driving me to take bold, brave steps — including my dream to join Amy Porterfield’s Millie Club
• How visualisation helped me create not just one, but two transformational digital programs: From Stuck to Sparkling and Styled to Sell
• And how you can start small — even just visualising getting through your to-do list — and build from there

Plus, I’ll walk you through my favourite visualisation practice: the Dream Jar — a beautiful way to make visualisation part of your everyday routine, even on the busiest days.

You’ll Learn:

• Why your brain responds physically to vivid imagination (yes, there’s science!)
• How to tell if a vision is aligned — or if it’s not right for you
• The difference between wishful thinking and powerful, belief-fuelled visualisation
• How to use your senses to make your dreams feel real (and actionable!)
• Why small visualisations can help you stop procrastinating and start doing

I'd love to hear about your visualisation journey. Tag me or send me a message on Instagram: @AmandaWaterstone 

And if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review — it helps this podcast grow and keeps the light shining for more creative business owners just like you.

Episode Summary:

Feeling invisible in your small business? You’re not alone. In this honest and practical episode I share my personal journey of growing my fashion accessories brand, QueenMee, from marketplace anonymity to being featured on This Morning, Elle, OK!, and more — all by harnessing the power of PR, press, and influencer collaborations.

Whether you're just starting out or ready to elevate your brand’s visibility, I'll walk you through how to get noticed without needing a huge budget — and why visibility is about more than just being seen; it's about building authority, connection, and momentum in your business.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why visibility feels hard for small business owners — and how to shift that
• The difference between product visibility and brand visibility
• How I used PR to build QueenMee’s authority from the ground up
• My strategy for writing press releases that get picked up
• How to build lasting relationships with journalists and influencers
• The power of timely storytelling and tying in to cultural moments like Royal Ascot or International Women’s Day
• Why PR boosts more than awareness — it supports SEO and long-term growth

Action Step:

Create a list of local press, radio stations, and online publications where you’d love your brand to be featured. Having that list gives you focus and motivation — and brings you one step closer to landing your ideal coverage.

 Connect With Me:

If this episode sparked ideas or gave you the nudge you needed, let me know!
 📩 DM me on Instagram @amandawaterstone – I'd love to hear your story.

✨ Stay Sparkling:

Loved this episode?
 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow product-based business owner who’s ready to shine brighter.

In this no-holds-barred episode, I’m sharing the truth behind the sparkle — because no matter how glossy your business looks on the outside, we all have days where we feel like quitting. I open up about the reality of running pop-up shops (spoiler, it can be extremely tiring), moments of burnout, and the behind-the-scenes of QueenMee Accessories — and most importantly, how I’ve built resilience to keep going when things feel hard.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, drained, or just in need of a pick-me-up, this episode is here to help you find your spark again. I’m giving you four powerful ways to stay resilient and keep going, even when things may overwhelming or too hard.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why even the most passionate business owners feel like quitting sometimes — and what to do when it hits.
• The four resilience-boosting habits that keep me going through the toughest times:
  1. Crystallising Your "Why" – and how it can pull you through anything.
  2. Believing Your Success is Inevitable – and daily mindset shifts to support that. See Episode 11 for more work on this.
  3. Being Radically Kind to Yourself – mirror work, self-talk, and sugary rewards 🍰
  4. Taking a Break (without guilt) – and how rest helped me see new possibilities.

✨ Your Action Step:

Craft your "why" into a short, powerful phrase — one you can repeat daily to anchor your mindset.
 (Need help? Think: “She inspired women to believe in themselves.”)

💌 Connect with Amanda:

Let me know your biggest takeaway or what keeps you going on the tough days — I’d love to hear from you!
 📩 DM me on Instagram: @amandawaterstone

🎁 Free Goodies for You:

Want to build your confidence and visibility as a product-based business owner? Grab your free checklists and guides via the link in my Instagram bio!

p.s. l love this book, and mention it in this episode

"You are a badass at making money" by Jen Sincero

✨ Episode Summary:
In this revealing episode, I share the behind-the-scenes journey of growing QueenMee Accessories through the power of customer reviews. From hand-written notes and £50 startup funds to over 1,900 glowing 5-star reviews, I dive deep into the emotional and strategic value of reviews in building trust, driving sales, and creating genuine connection with your audience. Whether you're just starting out or ready to elevate your customer experience, this episode is packed with practical tips, inspiring stories, and encouragement to help you grow your product-based business.

📌 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why reviews are your most powerful marketing asset—especially when you're just starting out
• How Amanda built trust with early customers through handwritten notes and storytelling
• The exact review-gathering systems she uses across Amazon, Etsy, and her own website
• Why photo reviews and personal responses deepen customer loyalty and boost credibility
• Tips for crafting review requests that feel natural and authentic (and actually get results!)
• How to maximise reviews at in-person events and pop-up shops
• Real customer feedback that brought a magical moment for Amanda —and confirmed she’s on the right path

💖 Highlight Quote:
"I want my customers to know they’re buying from a person, not a faceless brand. That connection is everything." – Amanda Waterstone

🛠 Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Follow Amanda on Instagram: @amandawaterstone
• Free guides and checklists to grow your product-based business – linked in Amanda’s bio
• Listen to the episode where Amanda shares how she started QueenMee with £50

📩 Join the Conversation:
Did this episode spark ideas for your own review strategy? DM Amanda on Instagram at @amandawaterstone – she’d love to hear from you!

📣 If you loved this episode…
Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow creative entrepreneur. Your support helps spread the light and grow this community of brave-hearted business owners. ✨

Welcome to the podcast for creative entrepreneurs!

I'm Amanda Waterstone, of QueenMee Accessories, let me take you on a journey of self- belief. 

How would you approach the highs and lows in your journey, if you knew - for certain - that your dream business was just waiting to be connected to you? That it already existed?

This idea has been on my mind a lot recently, as I keep my goals for QueenMee in my sights. 

I'm grateful to already have a 6 figure business that I love, and this was once my big goal. 

Now that goal has come to pass, I hold the dream of a 7 figure business in my heart. 

In the early days of growing QueenMee - although I did have a belief that I would get to 6 figures - I was also crippled with anxiety and doubt.

😍 How would we approach things differently if we truly believed our success was inevitable? That it was only a matter of time, if we just kept trying?

💗 This week, I'd like you to imagine you're in a room and you know, for sure, that your dream business is behind a door.

There are 30 doors in the room. 

❔Do you give up when you open the first door and your dream is not behind it? 

🤲Absolutely not! You keep trying, and keep opening doors until you open the right one!

Instagram: @AmandaWaterstone

Are your sales feeling slow — or worse, stuck? In this episode of Bright Lips, Brave Heart, I’m sharing five of my go-to promotional strategies that you can use to drive sales in your product-based business right now.

These are tried-and-tested tactics I’ve used in my own six-figure fashion accessories brand to generate fast cash injections, shift stock, and engage loyal customers. 

Whether you're looking to hit a sales goal this month or just want to breathe new life into your offers, these ideas will get your creativity flowing and your checkout dings ringing.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

🛍️ The Secret Sale strategy that makes your customers feel like insiders
🎁 How a simple gift with purchase can increase order value overnight
📍 Why hosting an in-person event could be your most powerful visibility tool
✨ The magic of limited-edition bundles (and how to promote them properly)
📝 How a customer survey can spark conversation and bring in sales

Plus: sales psychology tips, and communication techniques that I've used successfully at QueenMee Accessories when promoting products.

📌 Resources Mentioned:

 📸 Follow me on Instagram: @amandawaterstone

💬 Connect with Amanda:

• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast: Bright Lips, Brave Heart — new episodes every Tuesday!

🎙️ About the Show:

Bright Lips, Brave Heart is the podcast for creative entrepreneurs building bold product-based businesses. Hosted by Amanda Waterstone — founder, mother, and visibility mentor — each episode is packed with practical strategies and honest stories to help you grow with courage and creativity.