The Charisse Report

Raisa Flowers is one of the most creative makeup artists we have - she does not do basic.

Head to her Instagram feed and you’ll see countless magazine covers that feature her work with Teyana Taylor, Precious Lee, Pat Cleveland, Jodie Turner-Smith and many more. You’ll also learn that she’s a DJ and a voluptuous model who has no qualms with appearing nude.

In this episode the New York-based DJ and makeup artist shares on everything from her first examples of makeup artistry via YouTubers Jackie Aina and Shrinkle, to how she’s learned to command a team backstage and she also shares on how she built her unapologetic confidence.

We enjoyed doing this so much that we’re planning a follow up visual episode where Raisa promises to share all her favourite beauty products, so stay tuned for that!

In the meantime be sure to follow Raisa on Instagram and let me know what you think of this episode. You can DM me on Instagram @charisse_kenion and if you’re listening on Spotify we can actually chat over there; so feel free to drop a comment and I will reply.

Also, don’t forget the monthly newsletter which you can subscribe to for free over at thecharissereport.substack com.

Links

Follow Raisa Flowers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisaflowers?

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://thecharissereport.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Business inquiries: [email protected]

#makeup #makeup artist #raisa flowers

For some the Maison Margiela Artisanal 2025 show was everything they’d hoped for – clothes that stood for something and contained an otherworldly beauty and thoughtful details.

For others, it was discomforting, even ugly and the fact that we couldn’t see the models’ faces was disturbing.

In this episode of The Charisse Report we’re going to look at themes of uglifying, destruction and sustainability, as well as smaller details like the body as a canvas the masks, plastic and the music from the show. After that I’ll share my favourite looks with you.

If you want a visual version of this episode you can find it on YouTube and Spotify.

In this episode:

Martin Margiela, Antwerp, Maison Margiela, Glenn Martens, Yohan Serfaty, Inge Grognard, Gary Gill, Diesel, Fashion, The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan, Lucas Emilio Brunner, Uglify, Lewis Carroll

Morgan DeBaun Digital twin video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMLHGpISF9u/?igsh=bnVrMjZqazU3c2d1

Nick Cave interview: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKZAqbBAB5a/?igsh=MWpsa2xkNGp1cDVjYQ==

Imagery:

Martin Margiela’s White Universe 1988-2008 published by MoMu Fashion Museum

Vogue Runway

@maison.margiela.archive on IG

Books

Ugly: The Aesthetics of Everything by Stephen Bayley: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116280726122

Maison Martin Margiela’s White Universe 1988-2008 MoMu 2025: https://tenderbooks.co.uk/products/martin-margielas-white-universe-1988-2008

Yes we are ba-ack!

New name, new format but still the same focus on bringing you the stories and guests who truly shape the fashion and beauty landscape.

My first guest for this new format is the one and only Sam Fine; the ground-breaking makeup artist who celebrates the beauty of women of colour through his work and created an industry bible in the form of Fine Beauty: BeautyBasics and Beyond for African American Women.

Today Sam's skills are still in demand for a slew of celebrity clients and most recently he won the Icon Award at the eleventh annual Met Gala Artists Dinner.

In this episode Sam shares on how he decided to become a makeup artist, how being adopted at just six months old gave him a different view on the concept of family and why he's so passionate about centring black beauty.

And there's more; as well as this episode there's also a fully-visual edited version over on YouTube so you get to see more of Sam's work in all its glory.

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCharisseReportLinks

Follow Sam Fine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samfinebeauty/

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://thecharissereport.substack.com/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Business inquiries: [email protected]

This episode is an interview with makeup artist Juho Lehiö. Based in Copenhagen, Juho’s work first caught my eye on TikTok and I fell in love with his style, even though if I had to, I think I would find it hard to pinpoint.

He has often worked alongside the brilliant Inge Grognard, my favourite anti-fashion makeup artist, as well as the icon that is Pat McGrath – so I feel like he knows how to do any look, from the most simple and deconstructed to the most creative, refined look.

We cover a lot in this episode; from Juho purchasing his first Wet and Wild makeup palette to learning how to treat his skin like a 60-year old woman, to how theatre and dance influenced his take on makeup and also how he’s noticed that some makeup artists backstage at fashion week don’t want to work on models with black or brown skin.

We also discuss the value of feedback when it comes to your work and how you can stand against oppression when you work in the fashion space.

Also, be sure to listen all the way to the end because I share a special announcement!

Links

Follow Juho on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lehiojuho

Follow Juho on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lehiojuho

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check out my ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Business inquiries: [email protected]

The 2025 Met Gala dress code was ‘Tailored for You’ and on the night, many of the guests were inspired by the themes and concepts on show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute exhibition ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.’

On the night we saw heavy influences of the Black Dandy, a little international flavour and a lot of tailoring with highlights coming from the likes of Zendaya, Lewis Hamilton and Teyana Taylor.

In this Met Gala special I chat with fashion creator Aston Em, beauty editor Kayla A. Greaves and stylist Justin Friedman to find out their top 5 blue carpet looks. As well as sharing my own favourite moments, I also share information on the history of the Met Gala and how Monica L. Miller’s book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity formed the basis of the exhibition.

Links

Find Aston on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astonemmm

Find Kayla on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylaagreaves

Find Justin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomfordforgucci

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Find me on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Business inquiries: [email protected]

Today's guest is Penélope Silva Miranda but you might know her by her social media name @documoda.

The Documoda account is one of the most well thought out fashion history accounts anywhere on the internet. Penélope doesn’t just spout opinions or react to current issues; she is someone who truly knows the value of research and has a genuine love for the deep dive and sharing it with her growing army of followers on TikTok and Instagram.

In this episode Penélope is open on a wide range of subjects, from the danger of the trad wife trend to how having a child changed her life as well as her experiences growing up in Latin America, feeding her fashion appetite watching the iconic Tim Blanks on Fashion Files.

Note:

In the final five minutes segment near the end of the show we discuss forgiveness and second chances as the conversation turns to two problematic men: John Galliano and Kanye West.

We do not support any kind of hate speech or antisemitism on this show, but if you don’t want to hear anything at all pertaining to these two, please feel free to end your listening there.

Links

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

Business inquiries: [email protected]

This week my guest is Michela Wariebi, a New York-based makeup artist who was born in Monrovia, Liberia.

I can’t remember when or how I first discovered Michela, but I know why I followed her; she has this brilliant relationship with colour, especially when it comes to black skin, and she is an artist in the truest sense of the word.

In this episode Michela is really open and thoughtful; she’s honest about what she calls her trash morning routine and she shares which beauty innovations have inspired her the most throughout her 15 year long career.

We also discuss the importance of grooming as a ritual and we talk about how beauty is not just about creating an aesthetic, it’s also how we communicate.

We also touch upon the recent conversations around why Pat McGrath Labs is apparently failing when Pat McGrath the woman is a unicorn in the beauty industry and the importance of archiving black beauty practices and products.

Follow Michela on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michelawariebi/

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

Business inquiries: [email protected]

Today’s episode is a Week in Beauty and it’s packed with a few things that I’m loving right now, from YouTube accounts and books to beauty products and beauty news, including the story behind makeup artist Erin Parson’s $800 moisturiser.

As well as all that, I’m also sharing not one but two interviews with you; first I invite a very good friend of the show Felicia Walker, AKA @thisthatbeauty to tell us all about her latest venture, a workbook called Your Glow Guide and I also have a brand new meet the founder interview for you. I chat to co-founder of OSEA, Melissa Palmer, who alongside her mum Jenefer created a skincare line founded in nature that features one of the best smelling and performing body oils you will ever try.

Links

Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation: https://go.shopmy.us/p-16263204

Victoria Beckham Beauty brushes: https://victoriabeckhambeauty.com/en-gb/pages/brushes-by-victoria-beckham

Makeup by Nikki La Rose on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Makeupbynikkilarose

Biobele  Braide on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bio.bele

Sarah Fennel’s Broma Bakery on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bromabakery

Preppy Kitchen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PreppyKitchen

Aston Em’s video on Erin Parsons: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdFCCDsv/

Erin Parsons original video: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdFCFqC8/

Javon Ford’s analysis of Biologique Recherche La Grande Crème: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdFCmSGF/

Felicia Walker on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisthatbeauty

OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil: https://go.shopmy.us/p-16263154

Andre Leon Talley’s The Chiffon Trenches audio book on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zgD9E3emRvpXfI94SpTcM?si=jVMe2_pWRMmEJUGjTWLdHg

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Business inquiries: [email protected]

This week I’ve got a very special guest in the form of Aston Morrison, known on the internet as Aston Em, the creator of some of the most aesthetically striking fashion content videos you will ever see.

Aston manages to create truly viral moments by showing the beauty that isn’t always shown, particularly when it comes to black models and black designers.

In this episode New York-based Aston shares on his first fashion memories including watching his singer mum Elizabeth get ready to take to the stage as well as the impact that Nerd members Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo had on his own personal style.

Aston is also very open about how he sees the benefits of using AI as a creative tool, but not something that you need in order to create.

Links

Nymphet Alumni episode with Evan Collins of CARI: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1psqjoLoRPK9oo4Lbci2vS?si=ea44eeae87a84b2f

Aston’s models you need to know video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHn0KpExhJj/?igsh=MWFxamp0MnA3YjhvMA==

Follow Aston on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astonemmm

Follow Aston on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astonemmm

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Business inquiries: [email protected]

This week it’s a very niche episode focused on 90s hair, specifically the impact and artistry involved in black hairstyles of that era and how Nneka Allison, founder of HoochTeestyle Hairstyling is bringing them back to life in a fresh new way.

I first heard about Nneka, AKA Tee via her PR Keysha Davis, and when she sent me Tee’s press release I instantly thought that she must be based in Atlanta or somewhere else in the US because her work was so niche, so precise and so specific, but then I found out that not only is she based in the UK, she’s basically down the road from me!

In this episode Tee breaks down her quintessential '90s hairstyles and how cultural influences such as Freaknik (an annual spring break street party in Atlanta during the '80s and '90s) and musicians such as Lil Kim and Mary J Blige inspired her to bring these styles back to life.

Artwork by Charisse Kenion

Follow Tee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoochteestyles/

Follow Tee on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hoochteestyles

WHERE TO FIND ME

Substack: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisse_kenion/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

Check me out on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme

Business inquiries: [email protected]