Welcome to I Swear By This, an interview series where we chat with our favorite fashion and beauty insiders about the beauty products they use down to the last drop. This week, we asked Nancy Twine, founder and CEO of hair-care brand Briogeo, to share all of the products she's loving right now.
Nancy Twine has always been ahead of the trend. As a child, before the boom in natural hair-care tutorials on YouTube, Twine and her mother were using ingredients from her grandmother’s garden to create hair masks. That time spent in the kitchen led Twine to the realization that simple formulas could be effective, too. It was also the catalyst for founding Briogeo, the natural hair-care brand made with every hair type and texture in mind.
Here, Twine shares the nine skin-care, hair-care, and makeup products she’s loving as of late, including everything from her holy grail mascara to a leave-in cream that gives her soft, defined curls.
Photo: Courtesy of Nancy Twine
Scalp Revival Dandruff Relief Charcoal Shampoo
“My scalp tends to get dry and flaky in the winter, so this product is my go-to during colder months. It’s formulated with detoxifying charcoal, which really helps remove product buildup, dirt, and oil. It also has 3 percent salicylic acid. It’s an ingredient you typically hear a lot about in skin care, but we put it in this formula because it works to get rid of dandruff.”
Retinol Reform
“This is fantastic. It applies like a face cream so it doesn’t feel chalky and it doesn’t leave a sticky residue behind. With other retinols, I found that they’d be super-yellow, which would leave stains on my pillow. I don’t have to worry about that with this product. Plus, you see results without having to deal with redness or irritation, which is common with other formulations.”
KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA
“The exfoliants in this body scrub are super-fine but incredibly effective at polishing your body. It also has a lot of grip in the shower, so you can really scrub without feeling like the product is sliding off your body.”
Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
“This is a universal holy grail [product] because it helps restore moisture and rebalance protein levels in hair, which is crucial for warding off breakage. It also contains a complex of oils, butters, and waxes that really protect against dryness and damage, too.”
T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask
“I’m still a big fan of this product—I think it’s one of the best acids on the market. It gives you instant results. Whenever I use it before bed, I wake up with skin that feels softer and looks clearer.”
Shade Slick Vegan Tinted Lip Oil
“I’ve only been using this product on my lips these days. It’s great for hydrating dry lips, and I love how it gives you a glossy wash of color. It also isn’t a glue trap—I never have to worry about strands of hair sticking to my lips.”
Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
“This is my holy grail mascara. It’s literally the best mascara ever—I don’t think I’ve tried one better than this. It’s almost jarring how much of a difference it makes. It takes the length and volume of your lashes to the next level.”
Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave–In Defining Crème
“When I’m wearing my hair naturally curly, I want it to look defined without feeling crunchy. This gives me the perfect amount of definition while also hydrating my curls, leaving them soft and bouncy.”