Transitioning to Natural Hair: 9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Transitioning to Natural Hair I’m recording this episode inspired by an article I wrote at Glamour.com about transitioning to natural hair. In this episode, I’m sharing the 9 things I wish I knew before transitioning to the natural hair world. 0:45 - My natural hair origin story 2:00 - Tip #1: Be patient and kind with yourself--and your hair, and make sure you’re in a good headspace before starting your hair routine.  3:15 - Tip #2: You still need regular trims. “It's really important to cut your split ends on a regular basis, especially in the first few years,” says Takisha Sturdivant-Drew, the stylist behind Kerry Washington's immaculate curls. 4:15 - Tip #3: You don’t have to big chop if you don’t want to. It’s up to you which road you take, as long as you keep your new growth deeply moisturized. Remember, if you choose to transition your hair, your strands will essentially be two different textures. Opt for protein-rich and moisture-packed hair treatments. 5:05 - Tip #4: The right tools will make all the difference. Detangling brushes! Wide-tooth combs! Silk bonnets! You’re not imagining things—your bathroom counter space is shrinking. Arming yourself with the best tools possible at the onset will save you headaches (literally—good headbands are a must) down the line. 6:00 - Tip #5: Experiment with protective styles--carefully. Aim for your at-home protective styles to last a week and for professional-grade wig or braid installations to last about three months at most. “It can be tempting to play with your hairline while it’s in a protective style, so choose one where there’s flexibility at the crown and your edges," Sturdivant-Drew says. 7:25 - Tip #6: Try to limit heat styling as much as possible. If you do prefer to wear straight styles on your natural-hair journey—I mean, I get it; having two totally different textures in your hair isn't an easy transition!—you’ll need a flatiron that does as little heat damage as possible. I tried the Dyson Corale and can confirm the hype is real and well-deserved, 8:00 - Tip #7: Deep condition weekly. Natural hair requires a lot of extra TLC, and the best way to baby it is to give it lots (and lots) of moisture. To help your deep-conditioning mask work overtime, Sturdivant-Drew recommends putting it on roots to ends and sitting under a heating cap for at least 20 minutes. Doing this once a week will help moisturize, strengthen, and hydrate your curls 9:00 - Tip #8: Consider holding off on color until your transition is done. Sturdivant-Drew warns that keeping up a new hair color and a new natural-hair routine simultaneously can be expensive. “Maintaining color requires a whole other set of hair care and upkeep," she says. "You want to make sure you get to a good place with your natural hair before adding color.”  9:45 - Tip #9: When in doubt, simplify. On the days when my hair journey feels like more of a slug than a full-blown adventure, I like to take a deep breath and go back to basics. Two universally flattering and fool-proof styles I swear by? A simple middle part paired with a low chignon or a ponytail hair extension clip-in. 

Bri Books

9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Transitioning to Natural Hair

Welcome to the Bri Books ‘Career Crash Course' mini-series! I’m sharing all the tips needed to help recent grads navigate the confusing yet exciting ‘real world’ after college. Join me as I discuss career topics that most students don't learn in college--like how to actually land a job--and go deep on lessons learned from my own career across tech, social media, and journalism. For job search coaching questions and partnerships, email at bri@bribookspod.com. In this episode, we sit down with Amelia Duffy, a junior and Research Associate attending the School of Information at the University of Michigan School of Information. Amelia and Brionna chat about how to leverage interests and hobbies in order to build a portfolio career for yourself postgrad, and the power of having multiple interests when it comes to the working world. For job search coaching questions and partnerships, email at bri@bribookspod.com, and follow @bribookspod on Instagram and Twitter. SHOW NOTES 0:00-2:20 - Intro 2:45 - Meet Amelia Duffy, a junior at the School of Information at the University of Michigan, class of 2023.  4:00 - Amelia walks us through her thought process surrounding selecting courses, and how she’s using her college courses to help her make a more informed decision about her career path.  7:00 - “When you stop trying to force something on yourself, what you’re meant to do will come naturally.” - Brionna Jimerson  8:20 - Brionna’s podcast recommendation, “Side Hustle Pro” podcast by Nicaila Matthews Okome, a University of Michigan Ross School of Business graduate who pivoted her entrepreneurial passions into a full-grown career.  12:00 - On moving from company to company: “One of the things I’ve been trying to avoid is feeling pigeonholed into one space. It’s nice to hear about someone who has comfortably switched between roles and companies.” 13:00 - Brionna’s advice on how to switch jobs as a recent grad: “Once you’re on the boat, you can always change decks.” Find a company that has other business arms that interest you, where you can expand and grow into. Set up informational interviews with people who have the skillsets you’re trying to develop.” 20:30 - Amelia’s career advice: “You want to go into a career that goes on your strengths instead of one that just makes money, because 1.) You’ll enjoy it because it’ll come easier to you and 2.) You’ll constantly be trying to catch up because the career won’t ride on your strengths but will ride on the strengths of others.  22:30 - What Amelia wishes she knew about the job search and wants undergraduates to know now: “You don’t need a big name company right out of college. You can grow so much more in other areas of companies. Not every single person in the US from the top college is competing for the same jobs. Take a step back. You have to understand you can grow in other places.” 26:00 - How to pursue interests and extracurriculars as part of your career DNA 29:00 - Brionna’s #BriBooks recommendations for Amelia: “Data Science from Scratch: The First Principles of Python” published by O’Reilly, and “Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence” by Vicky Robin and Joe Dominguez. 

Making the Most of Your Undergraduate Career

SECRETS TO FINDING A JOB AS A RECENT GRAD Welcome to the Bri Books ‘Career Crash Course' mini-series! I’m sharing all the tips needed to help recent grads navigate the confusing yet exciting ‘real world’ after college. Join me as I discuss career topics that most students don't learn in college--like how to actually land a job--and go deep on lessons learned from my own career across tech, social media, and journalism. In this episode, we sit down with Ameenah Rashid, an Associate Analyst at eCommerce startup Profitero, and Tufts class of 2021. Ameenah and Brionna chat about navigating post-grad life and how to make those first crucial career decisions after college. For job search coaching questions and partnerships, email at bri@bribookspod.com, and follow @bribookspod on Instagram and Twitter.    SHOW NOTES 2:45 - Meet Ameenah Rashid, 21, Associate Analyst at Profitero, an eCommerce startup in Boston. Here’s the story of how Ameenah navigated those first decisions post-college by leaning on her interdisciplinary interests.  3:45 - How Ameenah spent almost the entirety of her senior year of college applying for jobs, ranging from analyst to finance to tech roles. Now that she has some stability, she’s ready to think about the next steps and play her cards more wisely. She’d been on the job search treadmill for a year, and now that she has a chance to stop, she’s working on being intentional about the next phase of her career.  5:20 - On the importance of cultivating interests outside of work. “I’ve always been left-brained and right-brained in my professional interests and hobbies. Career-wise, I’ve done a lot of marketing because there are so many marketing positions. I’ve done marketing, strategy, social media, some consulting, digital work, and I currently work as an analyst. My current role as an analyst is more technical than any role I’ve had before, so I’m leaning into that side of things.” 6:30 - Why it’s important to focus on getting the skill sets you need in order to set yourself up for success, and how to mine your own life’s experiences for ways you can incorporate your own knowledge into your professional life. “In my undergrad life, I’m proud of exploring internships in a diverse range of industries--from engineering education to the Olympics to marketing the editorial--it’s taught me that it doesn't matter if you don’t know everything about the experience. You can pick things up on the fly.  9:30 - The dangers of trying to put yourself into a ‘box’ professionally, and how to leverage your college activities as part of your job search process   16:00 - How Ameenah is making the most of her first job post-college, and Ameenah's advice for soon-to-be graduates/ what she wishes she knew six months ago. . "The whole time I was applying for jobs I was irrationally stressed when in reality if I didn't have a job it'd be fine."  18:00 - Brionna’s #Bribooks read: “Consumed” by Aja Barber 20:00 - Brionna’s #Bribooks recommendation for Ameenah: “Your Money Life: Your 20s” by Peter Dunn. 

Secrets to Landing a Job as a Recent Grad

It’s finally fall! Time to bring out your inner cozy girl and build your relaxation routine. In this episode, I’m sharing my relaxation rituals and tips on how to build a routine of your own, along with my go-to relaxation techniques for stress management. What’s a Relaxation and Stress Management Routine? Your relaxation routine is whatever you want it to be. Maybe it’s an hour per day spent in your own company or a weekend per month off the grid. Basically, whatever helps you turn off one part of your mind and dial into another, that’s the cornerstone of your relaxation practice. Here are 5 ways to build a relaxation routine all your own: 2:25 - Be intentional and selfish about your energy and routine. Plan for it! Take a moment and look ahead on your calendar to set aside dedicated time to practice your relaxation routine. By being selfish with your energy and being intentional about taking your relaxation routine seriously, it’s easier to get back on the horse if you fall off. 3:35 - Romanticize your own life and make a date with yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything intense, but get serious about blocking off time that says ‘Date Night with Me.’ During this time, do whatever you want! Romanticize your own life! Time spent in your own company is never time wasted. 5:05 - The ultimate relaxation cheat code: Indulge the five senses. That means do something that honors your sense of touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing. For my relaxation routine, I’ll choose an activity that honors each of those scents and dedicate a half hour to each one. 9:19 - Focus on little luxurious moments. This concept was introduced to me by Lydia Elise Milen-Gordon, an outstanding creator and businesswoman I’ve been following for years. Recently, Lydia’s been delving more into internal happiness and how everyone’s definition of luxury is different. For me, luxury is going out into my garden in the mornings and seeing new tomatoes, planting seeds, hearing church bells, adding essential oil mist to my freshly-laundered clothes—those are my favorite luxurious moments. Empowering yourself with luxurious moments is crucial to a relaxation routine. Luxury is quality time, not quality things, and a relaxation routine that reflects that doesn’t cost a thing. 11:50 - Create before you consume!! This is a doozy. When I focus on creating before I consume, I notice the anxiety I have around creating was a result of consuming. By creating before consuming you’re able to focus where you want your attention to go when you’re relaxing. It’s all about creating what you want to SEE in the world, before allowing yourself to be sucked in BY the world. What do you do to relax? Sho w me your relaxation routine on Instagram at @Bribookspod and tag me! 

How to Create the Perfect Relaxation Routine

Today, I’m sharing my ultimate fall refresh essentials--everything you need to start the cozy season off right. Any change in the seasons and calendar is an opportunity to reset, reflect and refresh and get into the coziest, comfiest fall state of mind. Let me know what your autumn refresh routine looks like at @bribookspod on Instagram and Twitter, and by using #bribooks while you listen! 1:37 - #1: A notebook! Every autumn, I go to Paper Source and Barnes and Noble to scour the Leuchtturm1917 notebooks, which come in every hue under the sun. I love the bullet journaling approach (here’s an episode of Bri Books about how to start bullet journaling!) I’m starting your fall reset with a notebook because you have to know where you want to go to get to where you want to be. Having a designated place to dump thoughts, plans and problems alleviate mental clutter. (Here’s a link to my favorite Leuchturn1917 notebook.) 3:20 - #2: New tote bag! The CALPAK Haven laptop tote has taken the place of my everyday canvas bag. Inside the CALPAK tote is a removable laptop compartment. My favorite function? The slit in the back AKA the ‘luggage pass-through,’ so you can slip through your carry-on luggage handle. This is the bag that’ll define my fall ‘on-the-go' look. (Here’s a link) 5:40 - #3: Bluetooth earbuds! The ones I've been using all summer and will use into winter are the Jaybird Vista 2 wireless sports earbuds. They're designed for athletes--think runners, rock-climbers--who need reliable earbuds with strong sound performance. They hold a charge for about 24 hours, and the case itself is a charging port. Here’s a link to where to grab the Jaybird Vista 2 wireless sports earbuds, a definitive fall essential that you’ll use year-round. 8:20 - #4: Kitchen essentials! Namely the Balmuda kettle and toaster. When the temperatures cool down, I get excited to make hot beverages around the clock and roast vegetables 24/7. In this respect, the Balmuda kettle and toaster have become a non-negotiable. All of their products are designed with a minimalist aesthetic to be beautiful and functional. From the kettle's painted stainless steel to the ergonomic handle, using the Balmuda kettle is a downright pleasure. You can use the toaster for roasting veggies, warming bread, baking cookies, steaming fish, warming up leftovers, roasting veggies--basically anything. If it’s time for you to make an investment in your kitchen appliances as the cozy season creeps up, the Balmuda kettle and toaster deserve a spot on your list and kitchen counter. Here’s a link to purchase the Balmuda kettle and toaster.  12:15 - #5: Tea and cider! Now is the perfect time to add tea and cider to your beverage collection. You can make apple cider slushies, cocktails, etc. at home to give a seasonal refresh to your beverage collection. My favorite autumnal teas are Traditional Medicinals and TeaPigs.  15:00 - #6: Handcream! Two hand creams I’ve been loving: Caudalie Nail and Hand Repair and Avya Nourishing Hand Treatment. I’ve been using Caudalie Nail Repair for five years now, and I buy a new tube each autumn. Rich in shea butter, avocado butter, polyphenols, the touch is so hydrating. If you prefer a rich hand cream that doesn't leave a greasy film, this is the one. Here’s a link to purchase the Caudalie hand cream. Up next: the Avya Nourishing Hand Treatment. Avya nourishing hand treatment is rooted in ayurvedic medicine and has hyaluronic acid that helps hydrate and protects the dry chapped skin of your hands. The best part: the founder of Avya Skincare originally created the product as a face cream. Here’s a link to where to pick up the Avya hand treatment. 17:23 - #7: Aromatherapy tools! When you think of autumn, certain scents come to mind: pumpkin, dried leaves, apples, rain, mulled cider. Take that exact same energy, bottle it up, and you have Aromatherapy Associates’ atomizer diffuser. The atomizer is a waterless and portable diffuser, meaning you can carry it with you from room to room. Aromatherapy Associates is one of my favorite British brands, well-known in the wellness space for their innovative approach to aromatherapy.  The diffuser disperses a microfine mist directly from the essential oil bottle. And  since there is no water, it is easy to move around without the need to clean between uses. The ‘Deep Relax’ essential oil blend and the ‘Breathe’ pure essential oil blend are my absolute favorites for everyday use. Don’t overlook the power of scent in creating a space that feels warm to you. Here’s a link to where to purchase Aromatherapy Associates’ atomizer.  20:30: #8: A staycation! This autumn, hop on the highway and get out of dodge. Choose an easy location (no more than 150 miles away) and treat yourself to a long weekend trip. One of my favorites is going to the Catskills in New York state, especially the town of Kingston, New York. I find that the autumnal bliss I crave can be found 100 miles outside of New York City. Stone Ridge Orchard, a fantastic local orchard, grows everything from apples to pears in the autumn, and the pumpkin patches are plentiful. I highly recommend a trip to Kingston Wine Company in downtown Kingston, and a lazy afternoon spent popping into and out of vintage shops blows away the end-of-summer blues. Wherever you are in the country, find the hidden gems of your region or hometown to remind you that magic is all around--and you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars to be inspired and reinvigorated.   OTHER EPISODES MENTIONED AND PRODUCTS MENTIONED Bri Books: How to Get Started Bullet-Journaling Leuchtturm1917 notebooks CALPAK Haven laptop tote Jaybird Vista 2 wireless sports earbuds Balmuda kettle and toaster Traditional Medicinals and TeaPigs teas   Caudalie Nail and Hand Repair and Avya Nourishing Hand Treatment  Aromatherapy Associates’ atomizer diffuser Staycation to the Catskills in New York state, especially the town of Kingston, New York 

8 Essentials For the Ultimate Fall Refresh

Welcome to Bri Books! Today I’m sharing the 7 best sunscreens for dark skin. It’s the dog days of summer: when temperatures start to soar around sunrise. I’m somewhat on the sunscreen beat, you could say, thanks to my writing about SPFs at Glamour.com. My stories include a review of Black Girl Sunscreen and ‘11 Women of Color on the Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin.’   1:30: The fact is, anyone, no matter skin tone, can get sunburned. Repeated unprotected sun exposure can cause skin damage, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer. It’s no secret that historically the beauty industry hasn’t made slathering up with SPF an enjoyable experience--far too many formulations aren’t made to blend in on dark skin. I’m sharing with you my holy grail picks that don’t leave a greasy residue or ashy tone behind. 2:55: #1: Black Girl Sunscreen’s founder, Shontay Lundy, was having a beach day in Miami and had a hard time finding a sunscreen that didn’t leave residue on her skin. At that moment, BGSS was born as a solution for Black women looking to protect their skin. Since they’ve, they’ve expanded nationally to Target stores and secured a $1M investment recently. One of my favorite things about BGSS is that it absorbs quickly and is a great base for makeup. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to be able to sweat without worrying if sunscreen is leaving streaks down my face. BGSS is available at Target for $15.99.  4:20 #2: La Roche Posay SPF 100 Anthelios Face and Body sunscreen: This is a sunscreen I reach for whenever I’m on a beach or outdoors all day. At SPF 100, it’s great for children and adults with sun-sensitive skin. It melts right into the skin and is great if you need to be confident in your SPF protection if you’re hiking, walking, or at the beach. I recommend it for part of your year-round SPF collection. La Roche Posay SPF 100 is available online for $25.00.  5:36: #3: Peter Thomas Roth Max Matte SPF 45: This mattifying shine control sunscreen feels so luxurious. I love the weightless, sheer finish it gives. The texture feels like any other moisturizer, but with the protection of sunscreen. Pro tip: Use this SPF to create your dream tinted moisturizer: I recommend applying a few drops of liquid foundation into the SPF. Also, this sunscreen is phenomenal for the decolletage, and for building the habit of applying sunscreen to the neck, collar, top of the chest, and other areas that are prone to burning. Peter Thomas Roth Max Matte SPF 45 is available for $34 at Sephora. 7:25 #4: La Roche Posay AOX SPF Serum: This has become my favorite SPF serum because it reminds me of the importance of wearing sunscreen year-round. During winter, when we don't have to worry about sweat, we have to stay vigilant about wearing sunscreen. It's lightweight enough to be worn alone, with a moisturizer, or under makeup.  La Roche Posay AOX SPF Serum is available for $42.50. 8:20: #5: Bask Suncare SPF 30: This sunscreen feels good and does good at the same time. Bask Suncare partners with the Sun Protection Foundation to increase access to sunscreen. This reef-safe SPF is free of oxybenzone, parabens, sulfates, and irritants, and I feel the light vanilla and coconut scent gives a childhood memory of days and nights spent outside. Bask Suncare SPF 30 is available for $28 at Basksuncare.com 9:40 #6: Sol de Janerio Bum Bum Sol Oil SPF30: This super luxe feeling and smelling oil formula combines reef-safe SPF30 and skin smoothers like capucha butter and acai oil. It’s infused with Sol de Janeiro's iconic fragrance, and it’s one of the sunscreens I reach for if I’m having a long day in the sand or a sweaty day in NYC. After showering, I’ll throw this oil on my body and go about my day. The scent has peachy-tropical notes with hints of coconut vanilla. It truly smells like summer. Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Sol Oil SPF30 is available for $38. 11:20 #7: Farmacy Green Defense Mineral Sunscreen: This zinc oxide mineral sunscreen sits on the skin surface to reflect damaging UVA and UVB rays. This is a great SPF pick if you want to dip your toe into the world of mineral sunscreens. I put it on the areas that are underlooked and prone to burning, like the back of my legs, the inside of my arms, etc. It’s definitely the SPF I’ll be using this fall and winter to remind me that if the sun’s up, the sunscreen’s gotta go on. Farmacy Green Defense Mineral Sunscreen is available at Sephora for $36.    ARTICLES MENTIONED 11 Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin Black Girl Sunscreen Review SPF GRAPHICS/ INSTAGRAM POSTS 6 Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin IG Reels  3 Beach-Perfect Sunscreens for Your Next Beach Day

7 Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin

Welcome to Bri Books! Today we’re jumping into the best new makeup products to buy at Sephora! Listen to part one here, “The 6 Best New Skincare Products at Sephora.”  1:25: #1: Merit Beauty, a luxury clean, minimalist beauty brand, just launched at Clean at Sephora! I was able to test out Merit products while at Glamour.com (here’s a link to my Glamour.com article reviewing the Merit Minimalist Makeup kit) Their seven-piece collection is a curated chorus of everyday products, including foundation sticks, eyebrow gel, mascara, lip slicks, cheek tint, a makeup brush, and highlighter. I think Merit’s products are perfect for what I call a ‘Zoom beat,’ and they’re perfect to just grab and apply during the summer months. My favorite shade slick in shade Sangria looks phenomenal on deep dark skin, along with the Day Glow highlighter! The Merit Beauty Day Glow highlighter is $30 at Sephora.  4:40: #2: Charlotte Tilbury Nudegasm Palette: Finally, a Charlotte Tilbury palette that works flawlessly on my deep brown skin! I’ve been waiting for this palette all summer--it’s a four-color quad with shades from soft champagne to luxe chocolate that give a luxe, marbled, old Hollywood glow. Launching at Sephora on August 26, this palette will become your go-to for all of your late summer, early fall, and even winter (!!!) beauty looks. Charlotte Tilbury Nudegasm Palette is available on CharlotteTilbury.com and at Sephora.com on August 26. Bonus: The Charlotte Tilbury Tinted Love lip and cheek tint in ‘Love Chain,’ gives the prettiest cherry glow and instantly brightens up my makeup look. Tinted Love is available at Sephora for $34.  8:33: #3: Bite Beauty Changemaker Supercharged Micellear Foundation: I love that this foundation is water-lightweight, and gives perfect light to medium coverage. It’s perfect for the humid summer months when you can’t be bothered with a full face of makeup. I like to apply this foundation with a touch of sunscreen or moisturizer to create a tinted moisturizer that stands up to summer sweat. Bite Beauty Changemaker Supercharged Micellear Foundation is available at Sephora for $44. 10:15: #4: Fenty Skin Buff Ryder Exfoliating Body Scrub: Robyn Fenty has done it again! The Fenty Skin Buff Ryder Exfoliating Body Scrub is a gentle, tropical-inspired scrub packed with super-fine sand, sugar, and nourishing oils. I love to apply this scrub in the shower, rub it into my skin, and then let the water rinse the excess scrub away.  Fenty Skin Buff Ryder Exfoliating Body Scrub is available at Sephora for $32. 12:15: #5: Kosas Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash: Kosas understands that only focusing on the skin on your face does a disservice to the rest of your body. This daily exfoliating cleanser helps to unclog pores, visibly smooth the texture of the skin, and fight body skin blemishes. It’s gentle enough for everyday use and leaves my skin feeling brand-new.  Kosas Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash is available at Sephora for $18.  Let me know what your skincare routine looks like at @bribookspod on Instagram and Twitter, and by using #bribooks while you listen!

5 Best New Makeup Products at Sephora This Summer

Welcome to Bri Books! Today I’m sharing with you the best new products at Sephora--this summer’s best new Sephora launches that are worth your time, energy, and coin. My intention is to inspire your fall beauty routine, so I’m breaking it down into the best skin care products at Sephora, the best makeup products at Sephora, and the best new body care products at Sephora. I’ve included links to all the products in the show notes and on bribookspod.com! 1:55: #1: Augustinus Bader Rich Cream: Originally released in 2018, the Rich Cream quickly attained unprecedented status among the skincare elite. I was able to review The Cream as part of a beauty story for Glamour.com. After that experience, I got the hype! For the 2021 update, Prof. Bader and his researchers returned to the lab to create a new version that focuses on cellular renewal. Since I've been using the original The Cream for a year, after trying out the updated formulation, I did notice a visible reduction in the pollution and clogged pores I had. I love to use The Cream as the highlight of my nighttime routine. It includes TFC8, which is known to reduce hyperpigmentation in the skin. The Rich Cream with TFC8 retails at $170 at Sephora, and you can pick up a half ounce bottle for $85 at Sephora. 4:45 #2: Saint Jane Hydrating Petal Cream: I've been quietly obsessing over Saint Jane all summer and spring, and the brand has finally launched in Sephora! The Hydrating Petal Cream is an all-day moisturizer with hibiscus peptides and floral essences (a cottagecore skincare dream) including antioxidant-rich magnolia and honeysuckle. Inspired by how  flower petals maintain luxurious hydration, the Saint Jane founder developed this incredible product that helps to reduce stress in the skin. The best part? It doubles as a post-sun treatment with soothing active ingredients that calm sun-sensitive skin. Saint Jane Hydrating Petal Cream is $68 at Sephora.  8:00: #3: Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Serum in Cream Treatment: Another new to Sephora launch, this Tatcha treatment began as a personal formulation request from Vicky Tsai, founder of Tatcha, who dealt with eczema and flare-ups over the last year and wanted to create something to soothe her own skin. If you’re dealing with regular skin inflammation, the Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Serum is for you. I love how this product rebalances my skin at night and helps it regenerate itself while I sleep. After a long night (or early morning), I reach for this treatment to get rid of any irritation. It exceeded my expectations, and I think it’s a great pick for acne-prone skin. The Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Serum in Cream Treatment is available for $88 at Sephora. 10:30: Quick Break 10:50:  #4: Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Mask: This clay-based skin mask is great for combating oily skin in the summer months. It delivers a chill and purifies the skin, similar in effect to the Nordic cold cleanse tradition of jumping into chilly water. It’s perfect for skincare Sundays and hot summer days alike. Here’s a link to an Instagram Reels I created all about the Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge mask, which is available at Sephora for $38.  13:30: #5: Ole Henriksen Dewtopia 20% Night Acid: Packed with lemon enzyme, aloe juice, AHAs and PHAs, this night acid is the perfect one-and-done acid product for your skincare routine. It just launched in Sephora on July 26, inspired by Ole Henriksen’s spa heritage. This product feels custard-like, the lemony sugar scent is divine at the end of a long day. Dewtopia is the perfect balance of exfoliating and nourishing components. Ole Henriksen Dewtopia 20% Night Acid is available at Sephora for $55.  16:30: #6: Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Dark Spot Correcting Peel: This epic vitamin C-based peel is formulated with spirulina, a blue-green algae known for its antioxidant properties. I use it as a resurfacing peel to help reduce hyperpigmentation and was blown away at how gentle this peel is. If the words ‘peel’, ‘correcting,’ and ‘brightening’ conjure up thoughts of burning skin, fear not, this is by far the most gentle, non-irritating peel I’ve ever used. There’s a tingle--so you know it’s working--but it quickly vanishes. Pro tip: Pick up Algenist’s Vitamin C Brightening Serum for double protection. When used together, I saw results within a week, and members of my family who also tested the product reported noticing a more even complexion and skin texture after a week of regular use. Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Dark Spot Correcting Peel is available at Sephora for $85, and the Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Serum is $72.    Let me know what your skincare routine looks like at @bribookspod on Instagram and Twitter, and by using #bribooks while you listen!    Products Mentioned at Sephora: Augustinus Bader Rich Cream: $85 or $170  Saint Jane Hydrating Petal Cream: $68 Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Serum in Cream Treatment: $88 Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Mask: $38  Ole Henriksen Dewtopia 20% Night Acid: $55 Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Dark Spot Correcting Peel: $85  Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Serum: $72 Articles Mentioned: Glamour.com: Best Augustinus Bader Products Worth Your Money   MORE SKINCARE-FOCUSED BRI BOOKS EPISODES What to Buy at Sephora During The VIB Sale 5 Best Beauty and Skincare Books for Beginners AM & PM Skincare Routine: Early Autumn Edition Makeup Bag Highlights and Fenty Beauty Mascara Hot Take  

6 Best New Skincare Products at Sephora This Summer

What does 'luxury' mean, and how can you create a truly luxe home? In today's episode, we're sitting down with Dominique Brielle Fluker, who is a content strategist and storyteller by day, and most recently, founder of DBF Interiors. With DBF Interiors, Dominique brings her interior styling talents to modern professional women. Dominique believes luxury is truly experienced when one feels inspired to slow down, embrace a sense of ease, and enjoy life. In this episode, we get into the nitty-gritty of it: what it means to be an entrepreneur while keeping a 9-5, how to upgrade your space, how to make your home feel bigger, and how to create a ritualistic presence about your home. If you're looking for design inspo or ways to redesign your space, this is the episode for you.  4:30 - Dominique's earliest design and decor memories from childhood 6:30 - How to cultivate a mindset of luxury  9:00 - The story of DBF Interiors 13:00 - Two easy ways to upgrade your space  21:00 - How to inject personality, sanctuary, and style into your home 24:00 - The secrets to a successful staycation "It's about mindset, about having the agency to curate your own life, and having the time and mental clarity to really luxuriate in certain experiences." - DBF Interiors Dominique Fluker Follow Dominique on Instagram, follow DBF Interiors on Instagram and online to book a consultation, and keep up with one of Dominique's favorite decor blogs, 'ABlackGirlinWestElm.'    If you’re new to the show, leave a review of Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud! Please tell me what how you create a luxe home by using #bribooks on Instagram, and subscribe to the Bri Books newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter. 

The Art of Luxurious Living Feat. Interior Designer Dominique Fluker

Today we’re talking with wine and food creator/ enthusiast Sarita Chaves. If you’re all about your wine, spirits, and food, you need to meet Sarita. She’s a DC native with a love for food, wine and city living. Sarita’s the founder of the Swirl Suite podcast, a cohort of Black women who work in the wine and spirits industry. She created her blog ‘Vinemeup’ in 2013 after years of working at a local winery in Maryland and highlighting unique wines on social media. Currently, she cooks and creates wine pairings in her own kitchen which you can watch play out on her Instagram and on her Instagram Stories.    In this episode, Sarita teaches us how to pair the wines with the seasons, shares her own history and journey through the wine industry, and reveals to us the striking similarities between winemaking and farming.   PS: The Vinemeup Activity Book is almost here! For those that desire to celebrate  Blacks in Wine in a most creative way. Whether you are a seasoned oenophile or someone who is still learning what makes a wine wonderful,  the VINEMEUP Activity Book is an entertaining and satisfying experience that compliments wine-sipping. Click here to sign up for updates about the book launch!   SHOW NOTES:   4:10 - Sarita’s wine career story 8:05 - What makes Maryland wine so special and the magic of Maryland soil: “I think Maryland wine is a Cinderella story.” 10:15 - The parallels between winemaking and farming: “Winemakers are studied farmers.”  11:15 - How Sarita uses wine to elevate her homecooking and to freshen up her everyday meals: “After watching my mom, I started to cook with her, and when I lived on my own, it cranked up a bit. Cooking has always been my thing, but the wine took it up a notch. There are things I’ve experienced foodwise with wine that I've never experienced in my life. I’ve never sat on a hill atop a vineyard, eating duckbreast and drinking zinfandel until I became a wineblogger. That’s when I started to pay attention to chefs on TV--what they’re using, their techniques, etc.” 14:00 - How to travel the world through a bottle of wine: “Find a really good wine shop, and get to know someone who works there, and get on the email list! Follow them on Instagram! Join a wine club!”  16:00 - Shoutout to our fave wine stores: Simple Syrup in Brooklyn, and Wardman Wines in DC (where wine author Julia Coney reigns!) 26:00 - How to transition your wine palette throughout the seasons 29:30 - The best wine to drink during each season 30:00 - 37:00 - Gardening talk: The best things to grow in each season!     Follow the Swirl Suite on Instagram

Traveling the World Through a Bottle of Wine Feat. Sarita (@VineMeUp)

Welcome back to Bri Books! If you’re new to the show, leave a review of Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud! Please tell me what you're growing by using #bribooks on Instagram, and subscribe to the Bri Books newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter. Follow @theBriGarden on Instagram for garden tours, growing hacks, and gardening secrets. In today's episode, we're talking about all things organic gardening, and how to grow your own food with Misilla of 'Learn to Grow.' Whether you're starting your own garden or you haven't given it much thought, after this episode you'll be yearning to get your hands on some seeds. Misilla is the host of 'Learn to Grow,' a channel on YouTube with over 114,000 subscribers. She's a crafty mom of 4 living and working in the Pacific Northwest. Her videos and social posts consist of garden how-to's, growing hacks,  healthy living ideas, science experiments, DIY projects, and gardening inspo. Misilla's family has been growing food and farming for generations. She's passionate about inspiring others to grow their own food, and she's passionate about getting kids involved in the garden.  Follow Misilla on Instagram @learntogrow Follow Misilla on YouTube at Learn to Grow

How to Get Started in the Garden Feat. Misilla of 'Learn to Grow'

Welcome back to Bri Books! If you’re new to the show, leave a review of Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and SoundCloud! Please tell me what you're growing by using #bribooks on Instagram, and subscribe to the Bri Books newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter. Follow @theBriGarden on Instagram for garden tours, growing hacks, and gardening secrets. On today’s episode, we’re talking about falling in love with the garden this spring. Almost every day, Carla of @gardenplot.57 treats us to vibrant photos of her cut flower garden, homemade skincare products, and dozens of veggies she’s growing in her backyard garden in Cornwall, England. In this episode, Carla gives tips on how to start (and maintain) a garden in a small space, and shares tips on DIY gardening projects we can do right now to get a jump on the season. Carla and I bonded over the amazing book “Floret Farm's A Year in Flowers: Designing Gorgeous Arrangements for Every Season” by Erin Benzakein, an amazing resource that’ll inspire you to step up your flower arranging (and flower growing) game. Carla also shares the secret to getting kids interested in gardening and how to lure them away from the X-Box and towards the garden box.    Carla’s guide to gardening in a small space:  Utilize your patio by planting pots with salad greens, herbs, and dwarf tomatoes.  Go high! Make use of vertical space by creating vertical planters. Archways and trellises allow you to grow “up,” and make use of tiny amounts of space for things like beans, peas, cucumbers and tomatoes.  More gardening resources recommended by Carla and Brionna: Huw Richards YouTube channel and book, “Grow Food for Free” Sandria of A Beautiful Nest Misilla of Learn to Grow Adam Yn Yr Ardd, a wildly talented Welsh gardener Carla's blog Carla's Instagram TheBriGarden Instagram   If you’re new to Bri Books, leave a review of Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and SoundCloud! Please tell me what you're growing by using #bribooks on Instagram, and subscribe to the Bri Books newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter. Follow @theBriGarden on Instagram for garden tours, growing hacks, and gardening secrets.

How to Fall in Love with Gardening This Spring Feat. Carla of @GardenPlot.57

On today's episode, we're talking all things International Women's Day, the best female-founded companies, and 10 amazing brands you need to know, shop and love from now on. Over 70% of the women and founders on this list are women of color.  Celebrated on March 8 annually, International Women's Day is one of the most important days of the year to celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness about women's equality, lobby for accelerated gender parity, and fundraise for female-centered charities. I'll be sharing some fantastic brands and initiatives that are perfectly aligned with International Women's Day.  This episode is proudly sponsored by briCandles, 100% natural soy candles hand-poured in Brooklyn. Bri Books listeners get 20% off their briCandles.com order with the code BRIBOOKS.  If you’re new to the show, leave a review of Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, Spotify  Stitcher, and SoundCloud! Show me what you're reading by using #bribooks on Instagram, and subscribe to the Bri Books newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter. Follow @BriBooksPod on Instagram and @bribookspod on Twitter.   Uoma Beauty, founded by Sharon Chuter Cashe cashmere donates 10% of all purchases to the Nepal Youth Foundation. Their new 'Women of Nepal' docu-film, created via a partnership with multimedia journalist Rajneesh Bhandari on behalf of the Nepal Youth Foundation (NYF), showcases the intersection of livelihood and motherhood for two profound women. Black Girl Sunscreen was designed to start the conversation around sun safety and education, and works to decrease the risk of melanoma within the Black community, one bottle of SPF at a time.  K-Swiss Girl Scouts collection.  Each shoe takes details from its namesake and translates them to a reimagined take on the iconic Court 66, with textures that mimic the Girl Scout Cookies they represent.  Here's a link to how you can build community partnerships with your local Girl Scout troop.  The Lip Bar's story is a complete Cinderella story. The founder, Melissa Butler, was turned DOWN from Shark Tank! But that "rejection" just sharpened her direction, because now you can find TLB in Walmart and Target stores across the country! Here's my favorite new product from TLB, a 3-in-1 skin conditioner tinted moisturizer which comes in 8 glorious shades.  Soon Skincare is a beauty brand started with the goal of bringing the excitement and innovation of Korean beauty to the entire world. The company is named after co-founder Lisa's grandmother and means 'smooth and pure' in Korean, which is at the crux of the entire line. I'm obsessed with the Vitamin C + E serum, and the Mermaid Marine collagen serum. DBF Interiors founder Dominique Fluker is an interior design service bringing interior styling to modern professionals. Dominique believes luxury is truly experienced when one slows down and embraces the fruits of her labor. Here's a link to book a consultation with Dominique.  Dominique Broadway is an award-winning millennial personal finance expert and entreprenuer. Her personal journey to educate and assist women of color in reaching their financial goals began with working with the uber wealthy and realizing that money advice should be available to anyone who wants to learn it. Through her platform and The Wealth Transfer Investing course, she has changed the game and broadened so many people's understanding of what's possible when it comes to making money in the market. More than that, she's passionate about changing people's money mindset, which is crucial.  Corey Paige is a designer who started her business in her dorm room at Tulane University. Nowadays, Corey is designing leggings, jogers, crewnecks, phone cases, face masks with her signature 'Millennial Lisa Frank' aesthetic of bright, cheerful colors.  Bearaby is a weighted blanket comapny I've been loving for about two years. Bearaby believes that self-care should be joyful and deep, revitalizing rest should be natural. The blankets are all-natural, sustainable and made from recycled materials. The founder Kathrine Hamm was led to create the brand out of her on sleep struggles. It's a brand I can put my name (and money!) behind.  

10 Women-Owned Brands to Shop on International Women's Day (and Always)

This episode is proudly sponsored by briCandles, 100% natural soy candles hand-poured in Brooklyn. Bri Books listeners get 20% off their briCandles.com order with the code BRIBOOKS.  We're starting season 6 with Samio, a full-time blogger and content creator from Manchester, England. Samio is a 'style enthusiast' who focuses on quality over quantity in all things in life. Over the years, Samio has been able to develop her love of photography into a full-fledged blog, YouTube platform, and Instagram platform. In this episode, Samio and I get into the nuts and bolts of living. She gives encouragement to people who are afraid to start something new, and we dig deep into why it's important that you're careful about how you think about and talk about yourself. Samio loves to delve deep into this topic on her YouTube channel, which feels like having a (virtual) chat with a close friend. Follow Samio's journey on Instagram, YouTube, and her blog!  If you’re new to the show, leave a review of Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, Spotify  Stitcher, and SoundCloud! Show me what you're reading by using #bribooks on Instagram, and subscribe to the Bri Books newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter. Follow @BriBooksPod on Instagram and @bribookspod on Twitter. 

The Power of Positive Self-Talk Feat. Content Creator Samio

Bri Books is the podcast that encourages, entertains and enlightens by engaging with the ideas on and off the pages. We serve a community of ambitious, curious people hungry for conversations and books that transform, challenge and inspire us. What are you reading? Shout it out using #bribooks

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