Founder Friday

Meet Nancy Twine of Briogeo

Edited April 2024 to include my curly-hair routine.

Welcome to our inaugural Founder Friday where we highlight brands led by women who are creating exceptional companies while driving positive change. Today, we’re excited to share the story of Nancy Twine and how her soul-searching journey led me to the ultimate curly-hair routine. 

The Product

Briogeo Curl Charisma Leave-In Defining Crème & Frizz Control Gel 

Why We Love It

I’m on a journey to overhaul basically everything in my life, and that includes reducing my exposure to plastics and chemicals in my daily routine. As someone who embraces my natural curls, finding effective styling products has been a struggle only made harder by my recent transition to “clean beauty.” Enter: Briogeo: a clean hair care company ‘creating formulas that are better for you, and better for our planet.’  The brand seems tailor-made for me. The name combines the Italian word “Brio” meaning ‘full of life’ and chosen to celebrate NYC’s vibrancy, with “Geo,” a latin word meaning ‘of Earth or nature.’ 

The Curl Charisma products work great and are priced well given their clean-ingredient list. All Briogeo products are free from harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, DEA, and synthetic dyes, making it easy to make the clean-switch.

The Woman Behind It

Briogeo was founded by Nancy Twine on a foundation of love, invention, and inclusivity. Nancy left her career at Goldman Sachs and began a soul-searching journey after the tragic passing of her mother. Drawing inspiration from her mother’s experience as an entrepreneurial family doctor, Nancy launched Briogeo in 2010. At the age of 29, Nancy became the then-youngest African-American woman to launch a product line at Sephora. Today, you can find her highly-awarded brand at Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, MECCA, and Cult Beauty. 

As a successful entrepreneur, Nancy Twine is now passing on her experience to motivate and inspire others to unlock their potential. When I chose Briogeo for today’s inaugural Founder Friday, I had no idea Nancy was so aligned with Matria’s mission – to empower and invest in women — but I’m not surprised. It’s just another synchronicity illuminating the way on this new path.  

“This life is not promised to anyone, and we owe it to ourselves to find our happiness, pursue our passions and make the most of this life.” - Nancy Twine 

My Routine

I’ve been embracing my curls since high-school with one notable 4 year period where I was straightening my hair almost full-time. With that period aside, I’ve loved my curls and the JOURNEY they provide. I get asked about the products I use and my routine very often, so here’s a quick guide for my curly girls and guys out there:

• MOISTURE: I moisturize at every turn. I deep condition at least weekly and leave a small amount of my conditioner in on wash days. I use gels and cremes in place of drying mousses and hair sprays. I wash my hair infrequently - max twice per week

• WASH: I love Prose, and recently added Davines Minu Shampoo & Conditioner to the routine.

• STYLE: This is where the Briogeo products come in.

  • Shampoo & condition your hair (using your fingers to comb, and then a wide-tooth comb to detangle). Rinse. Add a teeny amount of conditioner to your wet hair and leave it in.

  • After the shower, I squeeze out excess water, stopping it from dripping uncontrollably, but keeping it wet.

  • I use the Briogeo Creme next - I flip my head upside down and distribute the creme evenly, encouraging my curls to stay in big coils. I then use a soft towel or cloth to squeeze out more water.

  • After flipping back up-right, I shape the curls around my face.

  • Then I use the Briogeo Gel by scrunching the curls up with my hands.

  • Finally, I blow dry my hair with a diffuser until dry. Then I shake it out and wear those curls nice and big.

What ‘clean brands’ do you love? Share the love in the comments.

Cheers and love

Michelle