7 Beauty Brands You Need to Know (+ My Favorite Picks)

Yes, I try and test a lot of products. But there are some brands in particular that have been knocking it out of the park. I have seven brands, ranging from drugstores to luxury beauty, that I want to introduce you to. 

• 1:25: #1: Neuma - Neuma focuses not just on your natural hair texture as it is, but the hair you want to have. It’s a sustainable, high-performance haircare range. They recently underwent a full brand refresh and re-introduction. I was lucky enough to attend a launch breakfast with Neuma, and ever since then, I’ve been adding these new products to my routine. My favorite products: Neuma NeuVolume Styling Spray ($32), which I’ve been using for months now as a styling product. If you have natural or curly hair and you want your hair to have volume on demand, this is a great product. It’s the perfect fix-all for volume. The Neuma NeuStyling Air-Dry Shaper ($32) adds body and shine for easy, everyday air-dry styles. 

• 5:10: #2: Kerastase Paris - You’ve probably stumbled upon this brand in a hair salon. The brand's Nutriative range is designed for dry hair, and it’s infused with plant-based proteins that help the hair maintain moisture. I love this range for blowouts/ heat protection. The Karatese Paris Nutritive Nectar Thermatique ($24) is great for medium-thick dry hair. After washing my hair and drying it, I add a few drops of this product. If your’e planning a heat-basd style and want to protect your hair, this is perfect for you. Secondly, the Karatese Paris Plant-Based Beautifying Detangling Blowdry Mist ($40) is closer to a traditional heat protectant, and is a valuable part of your leave-in haircare routine. It’s also a great detangler! If you’re doing a lightweight heat-based style and want more protection, both  of these products should be on your bathroom counter. 

• 8:25: #3: OGEE - OGEE is a luxury clean beauty brand, with excellent ingredients throughout. The brand is nontoxic, cruelty-free, and truly beyond ‘clean beauty.’ I like it because the makeup products almost feel like skin care products. The skincare product I love is the OGEE Elixir Nautral Retinol with 2% Bacuchoil ($88).  If you listened to arecent episode of Bri Books, you’ll know I shared some retinol and Bacuchoil based picks. Here’s a link for where to listen. The OGEE Golden Contour Collection ($136) is a collection of supernatural, ethereal, and warm contour shades that’ll add definition and warmth to the face. My favorite shade is TOPAZ, a rosy-peach, and it looks excellent on the apples of the cheeks and all over the face. 

• 12:00: #4: La Roche Posay - This brand has been a Bri Books mainstay for a long time. I want to shout out the Niacinimide 10 Serum ($39) and the Effaclar Salycilic Acid Serum ($39). The Effaclar Salyscilc Acid Serum is a super lightweight acid/ treatment serum that helps tp orevent new breakouts. It’s great as an overall face treatment, and perfect for clearing up active breakouts. The Niacinimide 10 Serum helps to balance out the skintone, and its’ great for all skin (especially sensitive skin!) 

• 14:40: #5: Flexitol - If your skin gets dry during the winter, the Eczema Dermitisis Cream and Hand Cream ($16)  are perfect for you. Scent-free, these intensive moisturizers are perfect for hard-worked hands.

• 17:00: #6: Nabilah K - Activated Charcoal Fask Mask ($20) is the absolute darling of my collection. A super luxurious, natural and clean beauty brand, so many of the ingredients in Nabila Ki’s range are derived directly from nature with lots of essential oils, etc. Bonus: the brand carries a lot of travel-sized products, perfect for the beauty lover on the go. If you’re on the hunt for a super luxe yet affordable lifestyle brand to fall in love with, I recommend Nabila K! 

• 19:30: #7: Paula’s Choice - This brand is known the world over for its effective yet affordable products. Paula’s Choice products are essentially divided into five categories: Cleanse, Tone, Exfoliate, Treat and Moisturize. My two favorites are part of the Treat phase (Phyotestrogen Renewal Serum), and the Exfoliate phase (2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $28)). The Phytoestrogen Renweal Serum helps to smoothe the look of my skin, and the BHA 2% Liquid Exfoliant is my go-to nightime treatment for revealing brighter, fresher skin. 

 

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Products Mentioned

1. NeumaNeuVolume Styling Spray with Coconut Oil and Avocado Oil ($32

2. Neuma NeuStyling Air-Dry Shaper ($32)

3. Karatese Paris Nutritive Nectar Thermatique ($24)

4.  Karatese Paris Plant-Based Beautifying Detangling Blowdry Mist ($40)

5. OGEE Elixir Nautral Retinol with 2% Bacuchoil ($88)

6. OGEE Golden Contour Collection ($136) 

7.  Niacinimide 10 Serum ($39) 

8.  Eczema Dermitisis Cream and Hand Cream ($16)

9. Nabila K. Activated Charcoal Fask Mask ($20)

10. Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant with Salycilic Acid ($28)

11. Paula’s Choice Phytoestrogen Elasticity Renewal Serum ($39)