EMMA GUNAVARDHANA

Anna Whitehouse is Mother Pukka (@motherpukka/@motherpukka) and she joins me on the show to talk about her website  www.motherpukka.co.uk,  being an influencer and why she's a 'foghorn for flexible working' (her words).In our conversation we talk about her early journalistic career, being a mum and what it was that prompted her to start Mother Pukka and why the campaign for flexible working for parents is so important to her. I dare you not to be inspired by Anna, not least because she doesn't sugar-coat her messaging, but because she's being true to herself - and in this episode of the show she talks about the highs and lows of doing just that.Her blog post 'I Quit' is mentioned during the show and explains exactly why flexible working is so important to her. She also explains how she handles online trolls, and her early career in journalism. EG xx 

Caroline Neville is the President of Cosmetic Executive Women, CEW, (@cew_uk/@cew_uk) the organisation dubbed the beauty world's networking club. CEW celebrates 25 years this year and what started as a small club of women who held executive positions in the beauty industry is now an organisation with over 1200 members and enables companies and individuals to build their brand. CEW members include makeup artists, journalists, brand owners and editors and in 2014 men in the industry were also invited to join. If you're a beauty fan you'll likely be aware of the CEW Awards, regarded as the Oscars of the beauty world, and how the coveted CEW Award winner seal can propel a product to 'icon' status overnight.  As well as the CEW Beauty Awards there are also the CEW's Achiever Awards that recognise talent within the industry. Previous winners include designer Mary Quant, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Carolina Herrera, Dame Anita Roddick and Terry de Gunzburg. CEW has also had stars including Joan Collins OBE, Isabella Rossellini, Christy Turlington, Sarah Jessica Parker, Elle Macpherson and Kylie Minogue speak and their events and iconic model Twiggy says of CEW, 'It's a fabulous network of dynamic beauty professionals and enables women in business to create opportunities to grow their careers or brands.' If you want to become a member of CEW click here >> BECOME A MEMBER. If you want to get involved with CEW's philanthropy, click here >> PHILANTHROPY.  If you are interested in becoming a CEW sponsor, click here >> SPONSORSHIP. If you are looking for a job within the industry, click here >> JOBS. 

Alessandra Steinherr (@alexsteinherr on Twitter/@alexsteinherr on Instagram) is Beauty Director of Glamour Magazine and a social media sensation who joins me on the podcast to talk about her impressive career as a beauty journalist, her thoughts on weight and body issues, the power of positive affirmations and the importance of staying curious. We also kick off with chatter about gossip, what it's really like working in such an image-obsessed industry and where Alex's dreams of becoming a beauty director really began. I went to the Glamour Festival recently to watch Alex's Facebook Live with Estée Lalonde and one question that cropped up again and again was how to start in the industry - Alex explains all in this show... Alex is no stranger to long-haul travel thanks to shoots and interviews with supermodels and Oscar-winning actresses and she talks about how she manages such a jet-set lifestyle. To know Alex, and to listen to her in this episode, it's clear she has a lot of energy and we talk about how she channels it to be the best version of herself, how she unwinds and the only time she ever really switches off and does nothing... For anyone who battles with their weight Alex is right there with you and documented her impressive weight loss in the magazine and also in this feature here >> No More Yo-Yo Dieting. We discuss why a weight problem isn't a food problem, but an emotional one.   If following Alex on social media isn't enough for you then definitely head over to her website alessandrasteinherr.com where you'll find her beauty reviews, an archive of her beauty shoots and much more besides. If you enjoy this conversation then please let Alex and I know by tagging in your comments on twitter and instagram or by emailing me at thebeautypodcast@gmail.com. And finally, if you're listening on iTunes and you're enjoying the show, please leave a 5-star rating and written review to help the show carry on it's journey up the charts. Thank you. EG xx

You've been sending in emails, DMs and tweets so it seemed timely to answer all your questions in one go in a special 'Ask Me Anything' episode. Listen to the show for full details, but below is where you can find the links to anything mentioned in the episode. EG xxQuestion 1. How to break into beauty writing? Blog sites to look at include Tumblr, Wordpress, Wix and Squarespace. This website is built using Squarespace and I found it pretty painless to create the site and get it to do the things I needed it too. Listen to Sali here Sali Hughes Part 1. Question 2. How to deal with Hair loss...Speak to you GP, ask for a referral to a specialist or seek out a trichologist. Use the Institute of Trichologists as a reference. Philip Kingsley's London salon has three certified trichologists on staff and you can find their salon details here. Lucinda Ellery specialises in hair loss management and hair replacement solutions. question 3. What are my favourite beauty products, and why?Explained in full in the show, but here are the links...Origins GinZing SPF 15 Energy Boosting Moisturiser, £29. A'kin Rose & Geranium Creamy Cleanser, £19, and Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse, £24.The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, £5.90.Real Techniques Multi Tech Brushes, from £10.Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation, £37, Chanel La Teint Ultra Tenue Ultrawear Flawless Foundation, £37, Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, £7.99 and L'Oreal True Match Foundation, £9.99.Victoria Beckham Estee Lauder Lipstick in Nude Spice, £35 and Victoria Beckham Estee Lauder Bronzer in Saffron Gold, £48.QUestion 4. returning guests/guests requests.Answered in the show. I'm working on it...question 5. who are my dream guests, and why?Answered in the show but here are the links mentioned...RuPaul. What's the Tee with RuPaul and Michelle Visage.  Joe Rogan and Henry Rollins talking about Ru on the Joe Rogan Experience.Michelle Visage. As Above.Anna Faris. I'm a big fan of her podcast Unqualified with Sim Sarna. Victoria Beckham.Elle MacPherson.Jo Malone MBE. Here's the piece I wrote for Get the Gloss about Jo's brand Jo Loves. question 6. How do you/should I start a podcast?Here are a few links you may find useful:iTunes Guide.The 27 Steps to get your podcast into iTunes by School of Podcasting.How to set up a podcast by Appendipity.question 7. skincare, beauty and product advice...Nadine Baggott Part 2 is a great guide for so much skincare advice. Caroline Hirons tackles acne in her visit to the podcast. Oh, and you can buy a trampete - in my opinion it's the ultimate depuffer - from Argos. question 8. who has been my favourite guest so far?All of them! Find the full podcast library here on iTunes. question 9. anxiety.Here's a video that Sam and Nic Chapman of Pixiwoo did about anxiety. I personally found it a real comfort to see someone like Sam, who I really admire and like personally, being so honest about something that can feel incredibly crippling.question 10. will i being facebook or instagram lives in addition to the podcasts?Simple answer... If you ask for it then absolutely, 100%, without a shadow of a doubt YES!Thank you so much for listening and for your continued support!EG xx

Rock chicks of the world unite! Caroline and I met at a Mötley Crüe concert, which is why this show starts, not with a deep-dive into all things skincare, but a reverie of our favourite rock bands - and rock gods. We talk about the concerts we were both at in the 1980s, the rock stars that make us go weak at the knees and Caroline's incredible backstage experiences... Music aside, Caroline is famous in the beauty world for her no-nonsense approach to skincare - an objective approach earned from over thirty years in the industry. Her reviews have the ability to sell-out product - dubbed 'The Caroline Hirons Effect' - and leave the shelves of major beauty retailers completely bare. She has worked on the shop floor, has consulted for years with brands and has probably had something to do with the creation of many of the products living in your bathroom cabinet right now.  Because, who doesn't love an instagram story..? Caroline is someone I've admired for a while, not least because she seems true to and at ease with herself. When she speaks people listen and I wanted to unpick when she realised her voice was one that was being heard by a huge audience, as well as by the upper echelons of the industry. As she says in the show, having spent years in corporate business, realising that her true voice was one that was influential felt great. It's a responsibility she doesn't take lightly and Caroline is a bit like your best friend and your mum - and perhaps that's why she's garnered such a massive global audience who really trust her. Her website www.carolinehirons.com is a portal reviews, advice and must-read 'cheat sheets' and you can follow her on instagram @carolinehirons and twitter @carolinehirons. Pic credit: Dan Kennedy Caroline launched her first ever skincare product this year - Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse, £24, and I ask her whether we can expect more products and innovations with her name on it... We also chat about acne and her tips for how to handle it and why it's such an emotional issue. As a qualified facialist Caroline talks about intuition and about the times either putting her hands on someone's skin or seeing something she thought was suspicious has possibly saved lives.  Caroline also started the non-profit initiative Give & Makeup that aims to get everyday essentials into the hands of the women and children who need them. Whilst composing a blog post on beauty essentials Caroline started thinking about the people who have nothing, found this page on the Refuge website, scrapped the blog post and created the initiative. If you want to donate cosmetics, toiletries, clothes and childrens' clothes follow this link >> how to donate. Finally, if you want Caroline to return for a second instalment of the show then email me at thebeautypodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @emmaguns using #EGpodcast. Enjoy! EG xx

One good thing about being 5'4" - snuggle potential with my taller guests. Back by popular demand! In her second visit to The Emma G Podcast Nadine (@nadinebaggott/@nadinebaggott) returns to delve into, and debunk, skincare myths. You may know her as the Health & Beauty Editor of Hello! or as The Beauty Know It All over on YouTube, but one thing is for sure, she is an endless  resource of skincare knowledge and beauty know-how. After her first visit, where we discussed Generation Y, #antisocialmedia and how she came to carve out one of the beauty industry's most impressive careers, listeners wanted more - and you've got it! Here she talks cosmetic procedures, what you really need from your skincare and her healthy sense of skepticism. But it's a 90 minute show so we obviously indulged in a little Real Housewives chatter... Nadine is all about honesty - #nofilter #nofacetune and #ownyourshit In this episode Nadine explains why she's so passionate about skincare. Why every woman should be googling the ingredients on their product labels - knowledge is power - and whether you really need to spend money on your anti-ageing creams. We also chat about her rules for sunbathing, whether or not essential oils should play a role in your beauty buying and why she loves a skincare expert in a white coat. Ever thought about going under the knife, getting injectables or having a laser treatment? Nadine gives a no-holds-barred account of what the pain is really like and whether the results are worth it. And if you've ever felt guilty about falling asleep in your makeup, listen to Nadine - you won't anymore... Check out Nadine's product know-how and ingredient knowledge... Other topics covered in the show include the author Jo Hoare and her brilliant books, which can be found here on Amazon,  previous podcast guests Caroline Barnes and her Speed Beauty channel over on Facebook and Sam Chapman of Pixiwoo. Brands mentioned include: Paula's Choice, NeoStrata, Oxygenetics, Malibu, Obagi, Dr Dennis Gross and The Ordinary.If you've like Nadine to return for a third instalment let me know by emailing me at thebeautypodcast@gmail.comNote: Nadine called me after our chat to say she should have said Vitamin B3 and not Vitamin B12 when she was talking about Niacinamide. Blame the fact we were talking 19 to the dozen! 

Joining me in this episode of the show is Luke Hersheson (@lukehersheson) the Creative Director at Hersheson's (@hershesons) salons and is also part of The House of Experts at John Frieda. Let me just say this at the outset - Luke was a brilliant guest, not least because he's been tuning into the podcast and loves the show! In our conversation we talk about the fact Luke knew he wanted to follow his father's footsteps into hairdressing from a very young age, what it's like to have a busy, creative mind, his desire to want to make salons relevant again, travelling the world with supermodels and his pursuit of excellence. We each talk about our experiences with anxiety and the steps we've taken to overcome what feel, at times, crippling.   Luke tells me the story of how he was signed and started working on global advertising campaigns. His first trip, in 2001, was with supermodel Gisele for Missoni and he explains what it's really like to have to step up to the plate and how creativity comes together on a shoot. As well as Gisele Luke has styled Victoria Beckham, Sali Hughes, Emma Watson and Sienna Miller - among many others. Also in this episode of the show we talk about the technical revolution, how perhaps social media didn't seem like something we had to get involved with when platforms such as Facebook and Twitter started cropping up, but also how to find balance in a world of technical/social overload. We talk about meditation, the apps to use and the techniques that can help you find balance as well as Luke's plans for the future and how he goes about setting goals. Finally Luke and I chat about drive, about how passion spurs you on to work even harder, but also how to find a balance and why it's important to find and appreciate moments of calm between the frenetic schedules of fashion week and the like. We also kick the show off with an embarrassing tale from fashion week a few years ago when I stumbled into Luke at a party wearing one of the Hersheson Clip In Fringes. Every home should have one! There's no pesky waiting around for your hair to grow out after you've had a fringe cut in and it's so easy to clip-in and clip-out. I wish I could tell you I was a good model for it... The clip-in hair is just one part of Hersheson's excellent accessories offering - why not have a browse >> Hersheson's Accessories.

Dr Dennis Gross is one of the world's leading authorities in skincare. He is a dermatologist, scientist and dermatologic surgeon and I was thrilled to get the chance to have him on the show to talk about his own range of skincare - Dr Dennis Gross - and pick his brain about skincare generally, the types of ingredients we should be looking for in our products as well as when and how to look after our skin as we get older. What's wonderful about Dr Dennis Gross is his ability to make what can be quite complicated extremely simple and when it comes to skincare his approach is, 'If something doesn't make you look good then it's not working.' Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, £73.50 at Selfridges I met with Dr Gross during his visit to London to launch his products into Selfridges, which includes his iconic Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel - a two-step daily regimen that smoothes and firms skin gently. The entire collection can be viewed here - Selfridges. Given his background in skin cancer I asked him to share his ABCDs of what to look out for, how to check yourself and why 'pink is the new red'. His website www.dennisgrossmd.com is a brilliant resource if you want some further reading on the subject.  Finally, I couldn't resist quizzing Dr Gross about what else we can expect from him and from his range. He tells me about what's to come including new technology, devices, unique ingredients and light sources. Plus I also rave at him about the incredible Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad for Face, which I discovered via Alessandra Steinherr and which I urge everyone to try - it's one of my hero products. Dr Gross told me during our chat, 'I want people to try products that make them feel happy and look good' and his Glow Pads certainly deliver on that.

It's highly unlikely, if you've ever seen pictures from a red carpet, flicked through a glossy magazine or watched a music video, that you haven't seen Caroline Barnes' (@CarolineBMakeup/@CarolineBarnesMakeup) work. One of the busiest makeup artists working today Caroline joined me to chat about what it's like to be a freelancer working in the beauty and entertainment industry, how to take time for yourself and how to live in and enjoy the moment. She also shares how she battled acne for years, her top-tip for covering a breakout and the product that really helped. We also talk about intuition, spiritual healing and confidence. Speed Beauty by Caroline Barnes Caroline Barnes Speed Beauty is a brilliant resource for anyone who uses makeup, from beauty enthusiasts or those of us who have to do their makeup in a rush. She has funnelled her many years of expertise into easy-to-follow, 60 second clips giving tutorials on everything from the 40s red lip, smokey eye and perfect eyeliner, and much much more. If you want to request a video simply email thebeautypodcast@gmail.com or tweet me at @emmaguns using the hashtag #EGpodcastProducts mentioned during the show:Pink Heaven Cream by Jenny Harding for treating reactive and eczema-prone skin.MAC Studio Fix Powder - One of Caroline's essential tools for covering spots and breakouts.Other links...The Joe Rogan Experience feat. Henry Rollins. On being creative and not built to live the 9-to-5.Caroline's website Caroline Barnes. To get in touch with Caroline, see her portfolio of work and her clients.

This episode of the show follows a slightly different format from the usual long-form interviews. I'm talking all things elimination and by that I mean the unavoidable topic of cutting out particular food types. I'm not, for one second, suggesting that anybody cuts out either dairy, gluten or sugar without good reason - consulting a GP or nutritional therapist, for example, should be the first move. However, if it is a decision you have come to then this show features interviews with three real women who, for reasons of their health and/or wellbeing, have cut out either gluten, dairy or sugar. The purpose of this podcast is to simplify what can be a bamboozling topic, not to promote the idea of making radical changes to one's diet. Judy Johnson from e-zine Get the Gloss. Before we get into the interviews I asked Judy Johnson (@jjjourno/@judy_jay) from Get the Gloss onto the show to talk about the rising 'noise' around clean eating movements, elimination and extreme diet regimes. If you're interested to hear her views on the recent Horizon documentary you can read them here >> Is Clean Eating Just the Scapegoat for our own Confused Relationship with Food? Layla talks changing taste buds... Talking about her reasons for and experience with cutting out dairy is Layla Randle-Conde (@laylabombayla) from Earth Zest Cosmetics. The unexpected side-effect of no longer consuming dairy is one I certainly hadn't expected... More addictive than a Class A drug? Joining me to talk all things sugar is Emma Stavrinides (@moreliemoo/@emmastavrinides) whose experience of cutting out the sweet stuff when her health was threatened was featured in a Women's Health article here >> Real Life: I lost 4 stone in 9 months. Her perspective on looking at it as a lifestyle change, not a diet, is a useful one. Tired of your tummy troubles..? Finally Lauren Naylor (@laurenpnaylor/www.laurenpatricia.com) opens up about her years of embarrassing IBS attacks and how cutting gluten from her diet made all the difference. If you've suffered with IBS - and Lauren doesn't hold back in her description of some of hers - then you may be interested in how cutting out gluten has helped her manage them.If you did catch the Horizon Documentary: Clean Eating the Dirty Truth you might like to read this piece by Zoe Harcombe (@zoeharcombe) on the Clean Eating Movement.As I've mentioned, this podcast does not support eliminating anything from your diet without first finding out if it's necessary. With the noise, confusion and sometimes conflicting information around the best diets, how to eat and what to avoid out there, what I'm supporting is the idea of being informed. If it turns out that a GP, nutritional therapist or intolerance test shows that one of these things isn't perhaps the best thing for you, then this show gives you a resource of real women who have effectively gone about cutting them out and seen an improvement in their overall health. Please let me know what you think either in the comments section, over on twitter by using the #EGpodcast and tagging me, @emmaguns, into your comment, or email me at thebeautypodcast@gmail.comThanks for listening,EG xx

Joanna McGarry (joanna_mcgarry/joanna_mcgarry) joins me to talk about 'adding threads' to her considerable talents. A beauty journalist for over a decade Jo recently made the decision to embark on a full-time degree in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. The idea of a 'mid life leap' - making a dramatic shift from a career to a calling - has been around for some time, but in Jo's case she is broadening her knowledge, rather than choosing one over the other. I couldn't wait to sit down with Jo to find out why Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture called to her and how she was going about continuing to contribute to one of the countries most popular magazines.In my time with Jo we talk in detail about how she came to make the decision, what it's really like to go back to school in your thirties and why timing was an important factor.Somehow, via talk of meditation, we also bond over a love for reality TV, where we sourced our style inspiration as teens without the likes of instagram and twitter and how mindfulness is playing a role in both our lives.links to the podcasts, books, features and documentaries mentioned in the show... Tim Ferriss - 'The Human Guinea Pig' - find his podcast archive here...    the podcast jo was listening to...The Tim Ferriss podcast Jo and I talk about is: Tim Ferriss: The Art and Science of Learning Anything Faster.     Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind over Body on Amazon     The book Jo was reading...Dubbed 'popular science writing at its very best' and on Jo's reading list was: Cure: A Journey Into the Science of Mind over Body by Jo Marchant. The book/website Jo referred to as an entry-point for meditation and mindfulness is: Mindfulness: Finding Peace in  a Frantic World. Audrie & Daisy: A Netflix Documentary    the documentary jo recommends...The must-see documentary Audrie & Daisy, which is available on Netflix. Jo's features for Stylist can be found on her Author Page.    JOanna McGarry for stylistJo's feature archive can be found on the Stylist website on her Author Page.

Marisa Peer (@marisapeer/@marisapeertherapy) is a motivational speaker, celebrity therapist, behavioural expert and pioneering hypnotherapist trainer who invited me to her London home to record this episode of the show.She is listed in the Tatler Guide of Britain's Best Doctors, was named Best British Therapist by Men's Health and counts celebrities, Olympians, CEOs and Royalty among her clients. In researching Marisa I spent hours on YouTube watching her talks and the main take-away, for me, was that how you are today isn't how you have to be tomorrow. If you catch yourself saying things such as, 'I always do ____' and feel helpless to not do ____ again, then Marisa's methodology is well worth exploring. We all have patterns, but in this conversation Marisa explains the simplicity with which you can free yourself, especially if you feel a certain behavioural pattern - such as emotional eating - is holding you back or not allowing you to live the life you want to.At the core of her messaging is this idea of being 'enough'. Indeed she has 'I AM ENOUGH' written in lipstick on all the mirrors in her home and has given many talks (I've listed some you can find on YouTube below) where she outlines how not feeling enough can be at the core of the issues we all face. I feel very privileged to have been able to spend time one-on-one with Marisa and meeting her had a very positive effect on me, as I hope this podcast does on you. Marisa's talks can be found on YouTube, here are some stand-outs:The Biggest Disease Affecting Humanity - A-FEST3 Ways To Be Unf*ckablewith - Mindvalley AcademyMarisa's YOUTUBE channel.How To Avoid Rejection and Get Connection - TEDx TalksMarisa's books are available in book stores on Amazon here- Marisa Peer on Amazon. Ultimate Confidence: The Secrets to Feeling Great About Yourself.Trying to Get Pregnant (and succeeding).You Can Be Thin: The Ultimate Programme to End Dieting... Forever.You Can Be Younger: Use the power of your mind to look and feel 10 years younger in 10 simple steps.Thanks for listening. EG xx 

Jo Tutchener-Sharp (@jotutcheners/@jotutchenersharp) is the Founder of children's clothing range Scamp & Dude (@scampanddude/@scampanddude) which launched in the UK in November 2016. The idea for the collection, which has the motto 'a superhero has my back' at its core, came from Jo's experience with a sudden and life-threatening condition. In this episode of the show Jo talks to me about the moment the brand was born, how she's gone from having an idea in a hospital bed, in January 2016, to being one of the most written about and exciting new brands around. We discuss how Jo's health issues have changed her approach to life, how she plans to grow her business into a global brand, and why it's hard work, guts, grit and a lot of planning that get you where you want to be. She also tells me about how her intuition has changed since having brain surgery...I learned a lot from Jo in this episode and I hope you do too. The charities Jo and Scamp & Dude work with include: Don't Forget the Kids & Grief Encounter Scamp & Dude is available in-store and online at Liberty and from the website Scamp & Dude.If you'd like to get in touch with the show you can email me at thebeautypodcast@gmail.com or you can find me over on Twitter - @emmaguns and Instagram @emmaguns or go to Facebook to like the podcast's page.Thanks for listening,EG xxPhoto credit: @emilygrayphoto

This podcast with Melinda starts with her tales of hanging out with Brad Pitt the night before, and what her elevator pitch to him would be to get him to invest in her business...Melinda Nicci (@melindanicci) is the founder and CEO of Baby2Body. If you're a mum, pregnant, or planning on getting pregnant, this is the digital platform for you as it contains expert advice on fitness, wellbeing, nutrition, fashion and beauty for new, and nearly new, mums. A qualified Sports Psychologist, Melinda's goal was to create a destination where mums could get the expert information they needed to live better and have healthier babies.Baby2Body started when Melinda was pregnant herself and couldn't find the information she felt she wanted as an expectant. Today Baby2Body has nearly half a million subscribers, is a 500 StartUps company, was recently named in the Disrupt Top 100, and shortlisted as Best Health Tech Start Up in the Europas. Melinda herself was recently nominated for Start Up CEO of the year in The Europas 2016.Melinda invited me to her home to talk about turning an idea into a business, what it takes to make it when the odds are stacked against you, and a lot more besides. We also talk about the benefits of intermittent fasting, from the research that's out there suggesting it has significant health benefits, to how hard Melinda found it that first time she tried it...Enjoy EG xx 

Michelle Heaton (@wonderwomanshel / www.michelleheatonfitness.com) is a pop princess, TV presenter, reality TV star and actress, and there's a chance you think you have the measure of her. I wouldn't be so sure...In this podcast Michelle and I talk about health, fitness, motivation and how to deal with anything and everything that life throws at you.You don't need to follow the news too closely to know that Michelle has had her fair share of ups and downs. While she may have included us all in the good times via the glossy pages of celebrity magazines, the not-so-good times have been front-page news of the tabloids. From a public divorce to 'that' upskirt shot, and most recently a health battle that rocked her world, the one thing that remains constant is Michelle's candour.Rather than dwell on the bad stuff Michelle and I talk about how to stay positive, why being organised always helps and how to set and follow your dreams.Enjoy! EG xxPermalink

I was thrilled to sit down with Fleur Bell, better known as Fleur de Force (@fleurdeforce) to quiz her about her incredible success on YouTube and how she has turned filming videos for her beauty channel into a huge business.If you're a regular listener to the show, you'll know I like to unpick how my guests have achieved their incredible success, whether it's finding out how brand owners created and developed their products, how editors have found their voice in their editorial, and much more besides (there's usually a dash of RuPaul's wisdom thrown in for good measure too...)In seven years on YouTube she has grown an audience of nearly one and a half million subscribers, has a range of eyelashes with Eylure, and has authored two books; The Luxe Life and The Glam Guide We talk about the early days of YouTube, what it takes to make it as a vlogger, her rules to success, growing up online and in the public eye, and her work ethic.Fleur's Top 3 Products:Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra Light Makeup SPF15, £32.Yves Saint Laurent Luxurious Mascara for False Lash Effect, £25. Lancome Cushion Blush Subtil, £28.  Tati Westbrook and the Glam Life Guru (@glamlifeguru) Anger Management on The Ian Roe Show  Ian Patrick Roe (@ianpatrickroe)I really hope you enjoy the show. Let me know what you think over on Twitter @emmaguns using the hashtag #EGpodcast. Or drop me an email by clicking the little envelope at the bottom of this page - I do respond to each and every email as promptly as I am able.Enjoy! EG xx 

Grace Timothy (@GraceTimothy/@BabyMamaBeauty) joins me in this episode of The Beauty Podcast to talk about her website Mum Face and fusing her two passions; being a mother, and a beauty writer.You can find Grace on YouTube and in this conversation she talks about debunking the myths of what it means to be a good mother, her upcoming book on the subject, being published in Vogue, and we also talk about the pleasure of swearing... Weleda Nappy CreamEnjoy! EG xx 

In this episode you finally find out what Sali's 'sliding doors' moment is, and a lot more besides...Relaxed by the first hour of our conversation we talk about our first jobs, how to capitalise on luck, how she feels about the beauty industry, getting sucked into the vortex and much much more.Sali's book, Pretty Iconic, is available to buy NOW, and I highly recommend it. I've been reading mine and so far it's made me laugh, well-up, chortle and I've even been a teensy bit shocked... Thanks for tuning in, and thank you to everyone who has tweeted and emailed in.Enjoy! EG xx

Joining me in this episode is Sali Hughes (@salihughes/@salihughesbeauty) who invited me over just before the launch of her second book Pretty Iconic - the follow-up to her first book Pretty Honest - to have a good old chinwag. I'd like to be able to wrap up exactly what we covered during this epic chat into a neat little nutshell, but it is neither structured nor predictable - so do come along and enjoy the audio ride...What you do get for joining us, in the first of this two-part podcast, is some incredible advice on hosiery, an interesting discussion about Converse, and some 'lols' over a school reunion...On a more serious note we also talk about the importance of having a strong sense of self, the responsibility she feels towards her viewers and readers, and she reveals how she approaches the writing process.Sali is a columnist for Guardian Weekend, The Pool and Empire Magazine (the editor of Empire, Terri White, was a podcast guest back in the summer) and also contributes to Grazia, The Observer, Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Stylist, Woman & Home, Good Housekeeping, The Telegraph and Red.Links to Sali and anything she mentions are below:Oroblu Shock Up Tights Oroblu at Fenwick Sali Hughes Beauty on YouTube - her In The Bathroom series is a personal favourite...salihughesbeauty.comSali Hughes & India Knight on Soho Radio #prettyhonest #prettyiconic

Marcia Moody is an accomplished author and writer. She has penned two biographies, has written for every major magazine and newspaper, and she's currently a columnist for Weight Watchers Magazine as she charts her weight loss journey.She's also my dear friend and my go-to friend for no-nonsense, real life advice, which is why I couldn't wait to get her on the show.In this episode we talk about her weight loss journey with Weight Watchers which you can follow on instagram @wwmarcia and the two biographies she penned on Kate Middleton and Prince Harry. She also tells me about the times she went to the Oscars in LA - more than once I hasten to add - and the celebrities she's most enjoyed interviewing in her career. If you enjoy this episode of the show please do head over to iTunes and leave me a rating and review. And if you want to get in touch with the show email me at thebeautypodcast@gmail.comThanks for listening!EG xx