Mind Pretty Soul

In this episode, I’m joined by Dija Ayodele, a highly respected skin health specialist, and the founder of the two time Aesthetic Award winning and Vogue Beauty Finalist Black Skin Directory; founded in 2018 as a means to better connect people of colour to professional skincare in all of its facets. Dija also writes a column for Glamour Magazine, and her work as an educator and authority in diversity has seen her lead panel talks with the likes of the House of Commons, Stylist Live, The Financial Times and Refinery29.

If that’s not enough, Dija has her own clinic, West Room Aesthetics, and has just released an incredible book called Black Skin: The Definitive Skincare Guide, which investigates and celebrates the journey of Black beauty through a historical and cultural lens but it is also your ultimate practical and myth-busting companion in learning how to care for Black skin.

Dija and I go way back, and we reminisce on those times in the episode, as well as talking about everything from her career highlights to the importance of finding a properly qualified professional for injectables like lip filler. It’s a super insightful episode for everyone, whether you’re an everyday person that’s just into her skincare or you’re a seasoned veteran in the beauty game.

You can find Dija on Instagram and Twitter - @dija_ayodele and West Room Aesthetics on Instagram - @westroom_aesthetics. 

Also check out  Black Skin Directory on Instagram and Twitter - @blackskindirectory and @b_skindirectory respectively.

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We’re now in the thick of autumn, a season that’s symbolic for rest and rejuvenation. If self-care was a season, it would definitely be autumn!Taking good care of yourself during the colder months is crucial, and my guest Selma Maloumi and I talk about this in great detail in this episode, with invaluable tips on giving your body the support it needs. Selma Selma is a graduate in BSc Biology and MSc Medicinal Natural Products and Phytochemistry at UCL, as well as being an Integrative Health Coach.Selma and I talked about everything from how wellness intersects with things like Islam and capitalism, as well as the incredible work she does including her content and hikes for women in London.You can find Selma on on Instagram - @seedsofselma.Stay in touch with Mind Pretty Soul on Twitter and Instagram: @mindprettysoul.Mind Pretty Soul is now on YouTube! To watch episode snippets with my guests, subscribe to the Mind Pretty Soul channel and watch here - https://bit.ly/2Y2AthP I recently launched a newsletter for Mind Pretty Soul. For exclusive content, podcast news and other tidbits, subscribe by checking out the following page - https://www.mindprettysoul.com/newsletter.

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As all 1991 babies embark on the next chapter of life - their 30s - I thought I’d gather my girlfriends and have an episode dedicated to reflecting on our 20s and discussing our hopes for this new decade of our lives.

Stay in touch with Mind Pretty Soul on Twitter and Instagram: @mindprettysoul.

I recently launched a newsletter for Mind Pretty Soul. For exclusive content, podcast news and other tidbits, subscribe by checking out the following page - https://www.mindprettysoul.com/newsletter.

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I’m sure you’ll agree when I say that September’s a month that gives connotations of new beginnings and a fresh start. September’s the month that we’d have returned to school after the summer holidays. Considering how impactful our childhoods are on us to this day, it’s no surprise that September still evokes that warm, fuzzy feeling!

In this episode, I talk about my plans for beginning anew for the rest of the year. I also talk about Stoicism, nipping worrying about the future in the bud and some of my goals for the rest of the year.

Stay in touch with Mind Pretty Soul on Twitter and Instagram: @mindprettysoul.

I recently launched a newsletter for Mind Pretty Soul. For exclusive content, podcast news and other tidbits, subscribe by checking out the following page - https://www.mindprettysoul.com/newsletter.

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As I recover from Covid-19, here’s a snippet from an unreleased episode with medical herbalist extraordinaire, Nirvana Safa. We talk about herbs, particularly adaptogenic herbs from maca to ashwaghanda to rhodiola, that support the body amidst the stresses and demands of busy city living.

Before trying or introducing any of these herbs into your diet, please consult a practitioner before introducing things like herbs and supplements to your diet.

You can find Nirvana on Instagram - @nirvana_herbalist.

You can also find our food page, Dish Your Herbs, on Instagram - @dishyourherbs.

Stay in touch with Mind Pretty Soul on Twitter and Instagram: @mindprettysoul.

I recently launched a newsletter for Mind Pretty Soul. For exclusive content, podcast news and other tidbits, subscribe by checking out the following page - https://www.mindprettysoul.com/newsletter.

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In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with two incredible women - Schae Graham, a beauty and fashion influencer who hails from the Bay Area in California, and Tahmina Begum, a journalist of Bangladeshi origin and the writer of one of my favourite newsletters, The Aram.

We talk about self-care and wellness through their respective cultural lenses, and so expect conversation around beauty standards, self-care practices, spirituality and more.

You can find Tahmina on on Instagram and Twitter - @tahminaxbegum. Also check out her newsletter, The Aram - https://bit.ly/3qGuBEJ

You can find Schae on on Instagram - @schaebreezy_

Stay in touch with Mind Pretty Soul on Twitter and Instagram: @mindprettysoul.

I recently launched a newsletter for Mind Pretty Soul. For exclusive content, podcast news and other tidbits, subscribe by checking out the following page - https://www.mindprettysoul.com/newsletter.

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It’s a super quick one from me this episode. I talk about the commodification of self-care and wellness, and how it looks like spending £7 on protein smoothies, pricy jade rollers and £20 yoga classes. It’s quite the contrast from the origins of self-care where activists, particularly black and women’s rights activists, turned to self-care for survival.

Granted I love these things (I’m a sucker for a smoothie after my reformer pilates class!), however it’s important to not allow the idea of self-care to be lost in marketing messaging and spending as it’s an action after all…

How I see it is this - treat yourself to CBD oils or that lavender scented sleep-spray or jade roller, but let’s get the actions down first. For me, some of the things that make up self-care are journalling, turning inwards and listening to my body, self-discipline, setting boundaries and great sleep. Nevertheless, to get the great sleep my body truly needs, I felt the need to buy a weighted blanket and a blackout eye mask recently!

The articles I quote in the episode:

A history of self-care - http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2017/04/the_history_of_self_care.html?via=gdpr-consent

Why the commodification of self-care might actually be a good thing - https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/soul/article/44463/1/commodification-self-care-good-thing

Stay in touch with Mind Pretty Soul on Twitter and Instagram: @mindprettysoul.

I recently launched a newsletter for Mind Pretty Soul. For exclusive content, podcast news and other tidbits, subscribe by checking out the following page - https://www.mindprettysoul.com/newsletter.

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In this episode, I’m joined by an incredibly special guest - my sister, Hamda Issa-Salwe. Though I see her as my baby sister, she is of course an individual in her own right! She’s a businesswoman, being the owner of Ayeeyo’s Blends offering a signature blend of traditional Somali tea spices, directly inspired by Somali tea culture.

Hamda also works in the music industry, having worked in merchandise and branding, as well as being a freelance journalist with her words having graced publications from Fader to Gal-dem to BuzzFeed.

Expect to hear fun chit chat about our shared childhood memories and then things take a deep turn.

You can find Hamda on on Instagram and Twitter - @hamdainc. 

Ayeeyo’s Blends is also on Instagram and Twitter - @ayeeyosblends. Order your own jar of Ayeeyo's Blends from their website - https://ayeeyosblends.com 

Stay in touch with Mind Pretty Soul on Twitter and Instagram: @mindprettysoul.

I recently launched a newsletter for Mind Pretty Soul. For exclusive content, podcast news and other tidbits, subscribe by checking out the following page - https://www.mindprettysoul.com/newsletter.

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In this episode, your ears have the pleasure of just hearing my voice alone… just joking... not about the going it alone thing, but you get it... I hope? Anyway, I talk about the concept of romanticising your life and the importance of cherishing even the most mundane aspect of our lives, especially during the ongoing Covid19 pandemic.

Whether romanticising your life looks like putting on a cute outfit and some makeup for your daily coffee shop trip or plating your breakfast in a way that rivals the fanciest of restaurants, do you!

Article on romanticising your life - https://bit.ly/3mgBSsD 

I'm now on TikTok sharing the mini vlogs I mention in the episode. Follow me on @mindprettysoul. You can also in touch with Mind Pretty Soul on Twitter and Instagram: @mindprettysoul.

I recently launched a newsletter for Mind Pretty Soul. For exclusive content, podcast news and other tidbits, subscribe by checking out the following page - https://www.mindprettysoul.com/newsletter.

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In this episode, we discuss something never covered on the podcast - children! I was joined by Ayaan Ali, a mother of two and the founder of My Positivity Cards, positive affirmation cards designed for children. It’s Ayaan’s passion for children’s emotional wellbeing, literacy and having spotted a gap in the market for resources specific to Black and Brown children that led her to create My Positivity Cards.

Mind Pretty Soul started as a newsletter in 2016, and returning to those roots fills me with so much joy, and I cannot wait to share exclusive content, podcast news and other tidbits with you with my relaunched monthly newsletter. To subscribe, check out the following page - https://www.mindprettysoul.com/newsletter

As mentioned, something that’s been making my soul sing lately is creating food content. Check it out on Instagram at @dishyourherbs.

You can find My Positivity Cards on Instagram and Facebook - @mypositivitycards.

Stay in touch with Mind Pretty Soul on Twitter and Instagram: @mindprettysoul.

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