The Charisse Report

My FINAL guest of 2024 is here!

I've wanted to have makeup artist Sara Wren on the show for so long, and I'm so glad that the Director of Artistry for Milk Makeup is our final guest interview.

In this episode the Philadelphia-based makeup artist takes us behind the scenes of her life in makeup. From being inspired by Gwen Stefani and her first makeup counter job working for Christian Dior to how she became Director of Artistry for one of the most no-nonsense, multi-tasking beauty brands to come out of the 2010s: Milk Makeup.

As well as being hilarious and enlightening, this episode is a great opportunity to learn more about beauty retail, because when Sara first started working at Milk Makeup, she actually worked in account management, spending much of her life on the road and in hotels.

If you love this episode as much as we did, feel free to reach out in the DMs over on Instagram or find me on Threads - @charisse_kenion for both. And if you really loved this episode, give the show a rating or review - that would be the perfect Christmas gift to me.

Also, be sure to follow the show wherever you're listening.

Links

Find Sara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrentar

Find Sara on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrentar

Purito Centella Unscented Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422441

Purito Centella Unscented Recovery Cream: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422443

Mutha Rebirth Amniotic Toner: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422448

Obagi Clinical Vitamin C + Arbutin Brightening Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422452

The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422455

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422458

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422459

Youth to the People Superfood Hydrate + Firm Peptide Eye Cream: https://go.shopmy.us/p-11422465

Shop Milk Makeup: https://milkmakeup.com/

Find me on YouTube:

Find me on Threads:

BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

Today's guest is Charlotte Palermino, a woman who speaks her mind about the beauty industry and beyond, while also having an amazing skincare brand, Dieux.

Charlotte is one of my favourite accounts to follow when I want products that work but don’t necessarily want to buy a load of different things.

In this episode she shares so much - from growing up surrounded by French women, to how people judge you based on your weight, to her post-election feelings and what’s next for Dieux.

TW: Early on in the show the conversation covers eating disorders. So if that’s something that’s triggering for you, please forward a good 10-15 minutes.

If you enjoyed this episode, let me know over in the DMs on Instagram @charisse_kenion or find me on Threads @charisse_kenion.

Don’t forget there’s also a newsletter that you can read for free at beautymenotes.substack.com, and be sure to follow the show on Spotify, Apple or wherever you listen, so you never miss another episode!

Find Charlotte on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlotteparler

Shop Dieux: https://www.dieuxskin.com/

Shop my favourite Dieux products: https://shopmy.us/collections/1099249

Find me on YouTube:

Find me on Threads:

BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

Today’s guest is Alicia Lartey, a London-based esthetician, skincare expert and cosmetic chemist student who also works in new product development.

As such we talk a lot about skincare and Alicia’s approach

However we don’t just talk about the products we put onto our skin; Alicia is also candid about her journey towards feeling comfortable in her own skin, especially when it comes to her health.

She also shares on her hilarious early experiments with makeup involving her mum’s Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation!

I would love to know if you enjoyed this episode so let me know in the DMs over on Instagram @charisse_kenion, or find me on Threads at @charisse_kenion.

You can also share your thoughts by commenting on my Spotify page now so we can have a little chat - just be sure to follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening so you never miss another episode.

Follow Alicia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alicia.lartey

Follow Alicia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicia.lartey

Find me on YouTube:

Find me on Threads:

BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

This episode is an absolute MUST for anyone considering working in the fashion industry as a hair or beauty pro.

London-based Aminata Kamara is a hairdresser who’s spent most of her life working in hair and has become known for her beautiful braided styles at shows such as Kenzo and Louis Vuitton.

In July 2023 Aminata's stunning designs for the Dior haute couture show went viral and she learned just how useful social media could be in making connections.

This conversation is an inside guide to working in the fashion industry and Aminata shares on every aspect; from assisting rather than leading, the importance of being organised and saying yes to every opportunity you can.

Along the way we also discuss the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and Aminata shares how doing someone's hair, is never simply about creating a style; it's often a precious moment of care in an industry that can be pretty ruthless.

If you enjoy this episode, please feel free to leave the show a rating or review wherever you're listening and be sure to follow the show so you never miss another episode.

Find Aminata on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aminatacreative

Find me on YouTube:

Find me on Threads:

BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

It's a Week in Beauty and what a week it’s been – there’s a new Sephora in my hometown of Birmingham here in the UK and we’ve seen the finale of hit HBO show The Penguin which has given us a brand new super villain in the form of Sofia Falcone, also known as Sofia Gigante.

I had to talk about this show because the actress playing Sofia, Cristin Milioti, goes through a stunning transformation thanks to the hair, makeup and wardrobe teams.

Also I’ve got a new meet the founder interview with model and actress Denise Vasi, founder of Maed Beauty, which

Be sure to let me know if you’ve watched The Penguin and what you thought of this episode over on Threads @charisse_kenion or @charisse_kenion on Instagram.

And don't forget to follow the show on Spotify, Apple or wherever else you like to listen – this way you’ll never miss another episode and we get to build a real community together!

There's also my newsletter, which is free to read over at beautymenotes.substack.com.

Sofia Falcone outfits: https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/the-penguin-sofia-falcone-outfits/

Link to Sofia Falcone/Gigante outfits on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/whatthefrockk/comments/1gpmym0/sofia_falcone_the_penguin/?rdt=32958

Link to Vulture article on Sofia’s transformation into a

Link to episode 243, Feud; Capote vs the Swans: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2GAaL5NAxV3vbY5Zpd7cPm?si=3199e6c326cf4196

Find me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT

Find me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

Today’s guest is makeup artist James Boehmer, whose dreams took him from St. Louis, Missouri, to New York, to Japan – working at one of the most influential makeup brands in the world: Nars.

In this episode James shares how he got to where he is today but also shares where he started, as a little queer kid growing up in St. Louis and watching glamazons such as Donna Summer and Debbie Harry on television.

James shares some amazing stories from the late ‘90s when he first began working for Nars and how his entire life changed when he began working in Japan after the brand was purchased by Shiseido in 2000.

James also shares on the differences between living and working in hectic Manhattan to the quieter, slower surroundings of Connecticut and how he’s finding the early days of opening a new store, Peggy Mercury.

EDIT: In the episode intro I say that James moved to Japan; this is not the case. Although he travelled there often throughout his role at Shiseido, he was never a resident.

I would love to know what you think of this one, so don't forget to let me know in the DMs over on Instagram @charisse_kenion, or find me on Threads at @charisse_kenion.

You can also share your thoughts by commenting on my Spotify page now!

Also, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss another episode and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel too, link in the shownotes.

Links

Find James on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesaaronboehmer

Follow Peggy Mercury on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itspeggymercury

Shop James’ skincare faves: https://shopmy.us/collections/985162

Find me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT

Find me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

This week I’m chatting to a very special guest; makeup

In 2020 Sam retired from the beauty community but recently she made a quiet return to YouTube.

In this episode Sam shares on everything she learned from being so active on YouTube, to why she walked away and why she's loving what she creates today.

We cover so much in this chat from why it's so important to curate the social media that you want to see to how to re-envision yourself as a solo creator after being one half of an extremely successful creative and business duo.

I would love to know what you think of this one, so don't forget to let me know in the DMs over on Instagram @charisse_kenion, or find me on Threads at @charisse_kenion.

You can also share your thoughts by commenting on my Spotify page now so if that's where you're listening, feel free to drop me a line.

Also, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss another episode and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel too, linked below.

Links

Follow Sam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samchapman

Find Sam on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@samchapmanmakeup

The Asher House on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theasherhouse

That Good News Girl: https://www.instagram.com/thatgoodnewsgirl

Find me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT

Find me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

This week I’m chatting to a very special guest; Lauren Nicole, plus size content creator, influencer and new founder of the LND studio, a London location dedicated to content creators, podcasters and events.

We cover so much in this chat from how we pick up on our differences from a young age and being inspired by YouTubers like Jackie Aina and Alissa Ashley to Lauren’s first experiments with beauty.

Lauren also shares her journey from blogging to influencing to now having her very own creator studio.

It’s just a great chat, I hope you love it, and I know you’ll love Lauren!

If you enjoyed this episode please let me know by either dropping a DM over at @charisse_kenion on Instagram or tagging me when you’re listening or you can now comment directly on Spotify and I can actually respond!

Also, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss another episode.

Links

Follow Lauren on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laurennicolefk

Find her studio at: https://lndstudio.co.uk/

Sol De Janeiro Beija Flor Body Wash: https://go.shopmy.us/p-9182858

Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion: https://go.shopmy.us/p-9182855

Naturium Skin Renewing Retinol Body Lotion: https://go.shopmy.us/p-9182856

Find me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharisseKenionYT

Find me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@charisse_kenion/

BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

It's the episode I didn't think I was going to make, because I didn't think I would end up watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show making its comeback.

In this episode I'm sharing a brief history of the brand before sharing my first impressions, and then I go through the show itself moment by moment.

Finally I share my highs to balance out the lows.

The second segment is an interview with Amy Gordinier, the founder of Skinfix and an entrepreneur who’s focused on giving all of us our best skin ever.

Let me know if you enjoyed the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show over in the DMs @charisse_kenion on Instagram or find me on Threads @charisse_kenion and you can also let me know direct on Spotify if that's where you're listening.

If you enjoyed this episode please do write a review on Apple Podcasts or give the show a rating on Spotify.

Don’t forget there’s also a newsletter you can subscribe to and read for free at beautymenotes.substack.com and I’m also now on YouTube!

Links

Watch my video review of the high points of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show:

‘Angels’ in Hell: The Culture of Misogyny at Victoria’s

Skinfix: https://www.sephora.co.uk/brands/skinfix

Find me on YouTube:

Find me on Threads:

BeautyMe newsletter: https://beautymenotes.substack.com

Find me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charissekenion

BeautyMe on ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/beautyme 

In this episode I talk to the brilliant Dominic Skinner, Director of Makeup Artistry at MAC Cosmetics and it is SUCH a good chat.

Many of you will know Dom and his signature moustache from the hit TV show Glow Up, currently on Netflix, but he’s been working at MAC for 20 years now, so you can imagine how many stories he has to share.

We cover Dom’s early days of working at MAC Cosmetics and he shares a wide array of life insights from how he truly embraced who he was, how he adapted after divorce and how he learned to be more selfish with his time.

Of course we also talk about his new book, Glowography which is out October 24th!

This is a great episode for anyone who wants to know more about working in makeup but it’s also the perfect wake-up call for anyone who needs to hear it.

Let me know if you enjoyed this episode over in the DMs @charisse_kenion on Instagram or find me on Threads @charisse_kenion and if you really want to show me how much you enjoyed it do feel free to write a review on Apple Podcasts or give the show a rating on Spotify.

Don’t forget there’s also a newsletter you can subscribe to and read for free at beautymenotes.substack.com and I’m also now on YouTube!

Links

Check out my video where I wear Dom’s controversial lip combo:

Follow Dom on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominic_mua

Pre-order Dominic Skinner’s Glowography: A Practical Guide to New Makeup: https://www.waterstones.com/book/dominic-skinners-glowography/dominic-skinner/9780711295001

MAC Cosmetics MACstack Mascara: https://go.shopmy.us/p-8706890

MAC Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer Skin Balancing

MAC Cosmetics Macximal Sleek Satin Lipstick in Cream

MAC Cosmetics Macximal Sleek Satin Lipstick in Modesty:

MAC Cosmetics Macximal Sleek Satin Lipstick in Call it

MAC Lip Pencil: https://go.shopmy.us/p-8707711