The Charisse Report

This week's guest is Roshanne Dorsett, founder of The Glowcery Shop. No-one could have predicted that just a couple of weeks after launching her online skincare store, that Roshanne, and the rest of the world, would be forced to change our lives so drastically. This is the second in my #lockdown series and Roshanne is truly an inspirational woman. She describes how reading The Secret completely changed her approach to life, how she built her first business - and had to back down when a BIG beauty brand came for her (initial) name. Roshanne shares how daily affirmations helped her return with strength and renewed energy from this setback, and in early March she launched The Glowcery Shop, an online portal where Roshanne sells her own natural skincare range, packed with superfoods and antioxidants.

Do let me know what you think of this episode as I really think it will strike a nerve, especially if today is one of those blah days for you. Find Roshanne on Instagram @theglowceryshop and you can also find me @beautymepodcast, or check out my personal account @charisse.kenion

Look out for future #lockdown episodes - over the next couple of weeks I'll be doing two shows per week, in the hope that you'll find comfort and inspiration. Until then, do let me know when you're listening and tag me over on social! Thanks so much for each and every review and like. Stay safe, and sane and be kind to yourself.x

How are you doing? In the UK we're at the end of the first week of lockdown in a bid to slow the progress of COVID-19, but in Milan, Italy, today's guest Tamu McPherson, has been indoors for over three weeks. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Tamu lived in New York for 23 years and has spent the past 15 in Milan, where she has built a huge following as a style influencer.

I've been working with Tamu for about a year, providing content for her site alltheprettybirds, and after seeing her share her experiences during lockdown, I thought she could shed some light on what it's like for the rest of the world. In the first in a series of #lockdown episodes, Tamu shares memories of finding her style via '90s influences such as acid house and dancehall culture. Despite the fact that Tamu's current signature look is a gorgeous TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro), she takes me back to her early hair experiments such as her first relaxer, and booking in for Dominican blowdries in New York. We talk about how her routine has changed since lockdown and she shares her advice on how to adjust and accept, and most of all, #stayhome. Follow Tamu on Instagram and be sure to check out @beautymepodcast as I'll be sharing a ton of '90s hair and beauty imagery!

Products mentioned:

Living Libations Best Skin Ever Seabuckthorn: https://dutchhealthstore.com/product/best-skin-ever-seabuckthorn/

Link to Taye Hansberry's gel nail removal video: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17893831477475504/

Look out for future #lockdown episodes - over the next couple of weeks I'll be doing two shows per week, in the hope that you'll find comfort and inspiration. Until then, do let me know when you're listening and tag me over on social! Thanks so much for each and every review and like. Stay safe, and sane.x

Welcome to part two of my chat with Anil Salhan and Matthew Cove of Blacc + Blond hair salon, based in Birmingham, UK. In part 1 of our chat we talked about skincare and morning rituals, but this time around we’re talking about their slow hair movement  - the salon is the first slow hair space in the UK – and also about the concept of feeling beautiful applying to men as much as women. Anil also shares how he decided upon the name Blacc and Blond. Follow them at instagram.com/blaccandblond2.0 and find out more blaccandblond.com.

Also mentioned: The Lions Barber Collective/Men’s Mental Health: https://www.thelionsbarbercollective.com

If you follow BeautyMe on Instagram, check out my Stories – over the coming weeks I would love to talk to YOU. While we’re all confined to our homes in #selfisolation, it means that literally anyone in the world can come onto the show and talk. Please head over to Instagram and leave me a voice note saying why you’d love to be a guest.

You could be:

A beauty enthusiast like previous guest Iman Ogundeko: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talking-about-skin-fasting-how-judgemental-beauty-industry/id1466941875?i=1000456981079

Someone living with chronic illness who has developed their own route to self-care

Someone who has grown up with traditional rituals of beauty/grooming

Someone who has significant scarring and is coming to terms with the effects

Someone who is finding #selfisolation a positive thing when it comes to self-care

Basically, you can be anyone who has something to say when it comes to how you see yourself.

This podcast wouldn’t exist without you, so now is the perfect time to share it. Sending love and thanking you for every listen. Please do subscribe and review. I’ll see you back on YouTube with some solo episodes soon! If you want to take part, find @beautymepodcast on Instagram and leave me a voice note at https://www.instagram.com/beautymepodcast/ You can also find my personal account at https://www.instagram.com/charisse.kenion/

Until next week, stay safe and sane.

This week’s guests are Anil Salhan and Matthew Cove of Blacc + Blond hair salon, based in Birmingham, UK. Anil and Matt are the first male guests on BeautyMe but that doesn’t mean there’s zero beauty chat. In part 1 of our chat we talk a lot about SPF – or rather, how neither of them use it – but more importantly, they share their morning rituals, and I think, at such a stressful time, you might well find them useful. Anil talks about being a chubby teen and finding that taking care of his hair gave him a positive focus, while Matt shares how his six-month trip around South America helped him find grounding rituals that help him every day. Check out episode 2 next week to find out more about their slow hair movement and why they decided to become the first slow hair space in the UK. Follow them at instagram.com/blaccandblond2.0 and find out more blaccandblond.com.

If you follow BeautyMe on Instagram, check out my Stories – over the coming weeks I would love to talk to YOU. While we’re all confined to our homes, it means that literally anyone in the world can come onto the show and talk. Please head over to Instagram and leave me a voice note saying why you’d love to be a guest.

You could be:

A beauty enthusiast like previous guest Iman Ogundeko: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talking-about-skin-fasting-how-judgemental-beauty-industry/id1466941875?i=1000456981079

Someone living with chronic illness who has developed their own route to self-care

Someone who has grown up with traditional rituals of beauty/grooming

Someone who has significant scarring and is coming to terms with the effects

Someone who is finding #selfisolation a positive thing when it comes to self-care

Basically, you can be anyone who has something to say when it comes to how you see yourself.

This podcast wouldn’t exist without you, so now is the perfect time to share it. Sending love and thanking you for every listen. Please do subscribe and review. I’ll see you back on YouTube with some solo episodes soon! If you want to take part, find @beautymepodcast on Instagram and leave me a voice note at https://www.instagram.com/beautymepodcast/ You can also find my personal account at https://www.instagram.com/charisse.kenion/

Products/apps mentioned…

Anil:

Haeckel’s Marine Facial Cleanser: https://haeckels.co.uk/product/haeckels-seaweed-facial-cleanser/

Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturiser: https://www.malinandgoetz.co.uk/vitamin-e-face-moisturizer

Honest Lip Care: https://www.honestskincare.co.uk/shop/honest-lip-care-15ml

Matt:

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser: https://www.malinandgoetz.co.uk/grapefruit-face-cleanser-8fl-oz-e236ml

Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturiser: https://www.malinandgoetz.co.uk/vitamin-e-face-moisturizer

Lumosity Brain Training App: https://www.lumosity.com/en/

Chloe J Flowers is a freelance writer and a 9th grade English teacher based in Dallas, Texas, who has an inspirational approach to self-care. In this conversation I love how candid Chloe is in talking about everything from affirmations, taking care of her post-pregnancy body and why black culture seems to equate longer hair with beauty to why she often chooses not to smile in photographs. Links to the products and people Chloe mentions are below and you can follow Chloe here, or check out her blog Lady Fox. As always, thank you for your support! Please do hit subscribe and I would love it if you could leave a review. If you want to see more from BeautyMe, find me over on Instagram at @beautymepodcast or @charisse.kenion.

Alba Botanica Deep Pore Wash: https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/alba-acne-deep-pore-wash-60009801

Bare Minerals Powder Foundation: https://www.bareminerals.co.uk/makeup/face/foundation/original-foundation-spf-15/UKMasterSPF15Found.html

Alex Elle: https://www.instagram.com/alex_elle/

Stop Telling Women To Smile: http://www.tlynnfaz.com/Stop-Telling-Women-to-Smile

Cheer Up Luv: https://www.instagram.com/cheerupluv/

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Sinamon: https://www.fentybeauty.com/match-stix-shimmer-skinstick/FB30004.html

Check out the skincare I've completely used up this month, and why some of them are a MUST when it comes to re-purchasing.

Links to all the products mentioned are below, and now that they’re all done, I’d love to hear your suggestions on what I should try next. 

As always I really do appreciate every comment and like and would love to encourage you to hit subscribe! Until next week, you can find me on Instagram and Twitter @beautymepodcast and my personal account is @charisse.kenion 

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $29.50: https://www.paulaschoice.com/skin-perfecting-2pct-bha-liquid-exfoliant/201.html

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream, £45: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/peter-thomas-roth-water-drench-hyaluronic-cloud-cream.html

Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum, $88: https://drdennisgross.com/ferulic-retinol-wrinkle-recovery-overnight-serum-1.html

Garden of Wisdom Niacinamide Serum, £9: https://www.victoriahealth.com/product/Niacinamide-Serum/12852

Medik8 Blemish SOS Rapid Action Target Gel, £19: https://www.medik8.com/blemish-sos.html

Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, £35.50: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/dr-jart-ceramidin-cream.html

Vichy Mineral 89, £30: https://www.lookfantastic.com/vichy-mineral-89-75ml/12049147.html?adtype=pla&affil=thggpsad&gclid=Cj0KCQiApaXxBRDNARIsAGFdaB_cIaMcdcDngP3zvx9GbDxt_dm42vFRbB_EKTQlHui1H0bCks26CRkaAnNdEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&product_id=12049147&shippingcountry=GB&switchcurrency=GBP&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000047040822

This week it's just me, because I really wanted to share my thoughts on the latest 'controversial' documentary to target the beauty industry; Toxic Beauty, a documentary created by Phyllis Ellis. It all started with an Instagram post by beauty journalist Jessica DeFino (formerly known as Jessica L Yarbrough), promoting an article she'd written on the doc for US Vogue. So of course I had to watch it. At first glance, I thought it was simply about the beauty industry, but actually, much of the focus is on the 15,000+ lawsuits filed by women with cancer that have been taken out against Johnson & Johnson, the leading manufacturer of talc. On a side note about toxic products, I'm also keen to find out if any of you use DevaCurl. After seeing YouTuber, and former DevaCurl ambassador Ayesha Malik slate the products, I'd love to know your thoughts or if you've experienced any issues yourself.  Feel free to send me a voice note in my Instagram DMs, or email me [email protected]. See you next week! Thanks so much for your support and kind words on social media. Do please subscribe, rate and review as all feedback is welcome. In the meantime, you can follow me @charisse.kenion on Instagram or follow the podcast @beautymepodcast. You can also see my YouTube review of Toxic Beauty here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbtJ3Im1Pww&t=43s

Links

Jessica L Yarbrough article for Vogue on Toxic Beauty: https://www.vogue.com/article/toxic-beauty-documentary

Toxic Beauty on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toxic-Beauty-Deane-Berg/dp/B0846G4Y7P/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=toxic+beauty&qid=1581861285&sr=8-1

Link to Beauty Me Podcast with Dija Ayodele on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/london-aesthetician-dija-ayodele-talks-growing-up-in/id1466941875?i=1000465310193

The Eco Well on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theecowell/

Skin Deep: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep

Ayesha Malik’s Why I Stopped Using Deva Curl YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuo8UCcyDhg

It’s part 2 of my chat with London-based Dija. She’s so well-known in the British beauty community, but what I love about her is that she never rests on her laurels; instead she’s all about constantly expanding and refining her skincare knowledge. Not only has Dija recently opened a new boutique skincare space, Westroom Aesthetics in Maida Vale, she’s also the founder of the Black Skin Directory, an online resource for men and women looking for a skincare professional or dermatologist experienced in caring for darker skin.

Over on YouTube you can see the full conversation - and Dija's moves - now. Link below.

Thanks so much for listening! Please do rate, review and of course hit subscribe. In the meantime, join the Beauty Me fam over on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/beautymepodcast/ or Twitter at https://twitter.com/beautymepodcast

Links

Products mentioned

Skinceuticals Retexturing Activator: https://www.skinceuticals.co.uk/retexturing-activator

Skin Better Science Rejuvenate Even Tone Correcting Serum: https://skinbetter.com/products/rejuvenate-even-tone-correcting-serum/

Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen SPF30: https://www.glossier.com/products/invisible-shield?search=invis

Ecooking Sunscreen SPF30: https://ecooking.com/product/sunscreen-spf-30-50ml/

MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Dark Deep: https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13849/30734/products/makeup/face/powder/mineralize-skinfinish-natural#!/shade/Dark_Deep

Nars Cosmetics Blush: https://www.narscosmetics.com/USA/blush

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil: https://www.rimmellondon.com/en-gb/eyes/eyebrow/professional-eyebrow-pencil

House of Glam Dolls GlamBase Wheel 1: https://www.houseofglamdolls.com/online-store/GlamBase-wheel-1-Highlight-correct-conceal-contour-glow-p116551287

Aesthetician Dija Ayodele is so well-known in the British beauty community and she’s all about constantly expanding and refining her skincare knowledge. Not only has Dija recently opened a new boutique skincare space, Westroom Aesthetics in Maida Vale, London, she’s also the founder of the Black Skin Directory, an online resource for men and women looking for a skincare professional or dermatologist experienced in caring for darker skin.

This is the first of two episodes with Dija; we talk about growing up with a strict family ethos that was more about grooming and respectability, and how this didn't change when her family made the move from Sierra Leone to London. 

Next week you can catch the full YouTube video of both episodes too. I’m also keen to do a part 2 with Dija so if you’ve got any skin health questions, let me know! 

Thanks so much for listening, and as always, I would love it if you could rate, review and subscribe to Beauty Me; it really does make a difference. In the meantime, join the Beauty Me fam over on Instagram or Twitter.

Image of Dija by me for All The Pretty Birds

Links

New Yorker Anisa Benitez is Brand Manager for YouTube Music and has created a name for herself working in marketing at iconic brands such as Google and Time Inc. More recently, she decided to launch https://www.morebyher.com/home/, a platform dedicated to the advancement of female creativity, all about replacing the 'starving artist' concept with the #thrivingartist. Anisa is super passionate about creating a platform for women so that they don't need to question whether they can live and work as artists, and More by Her provides tons of examples of women living their best creative lives. Unfortunately we hit some major wifi bumps throughout this conversation, which really upset me because we touched on some very personal experiences. However, out of that hour-long convo I still have 30 minutes to share with you! We start off with Anisa explaining why, with so much on her plate, she decided to launch More by Her, and we also discuss the deeper reasons behind her going for the big chop.

Thanks for listening! Join the BeautyMe gang over on Instagram and Twitter by searching for @beautymepodcast and tag me when you're listening! You'll also find me on Spotify. Rate, subscribe and review and keep coming with the feedback. Follow Anisa @anisabenitez and @more_by_her and follow my personal account https://www.instagram.com/charisse.kenion/. I've started a YouTube channel too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk2it6QU8Ls&t=26s