Scoop

Nancy Twine is the founder and CEO of Briogeo Hair Care, a leading authority on “green beauty”, and the youngest African American to launch a product line at Sephora. The bright packaging and community spirit of the brand has made it one of the fastest growing names in the US.

Interview

Why clean beauty is becoming more of an expectation in the hair world and the secret behind going viral

So much of my ability to build my confidence over the years came from seeing people who looked like me pursue their dreams and goals. I grew up with a mother who had a successful physician practice, which let me see that I wasn't disadvantaged as a woman or as a woman of colour.

When I worked in a large finance firm as a VP, the nature of working in sales and trading means you come into work each morning and you never know what you're going to get. Markets are constantly moving and changing, and you need to be ready for anything. Working as an entrepreneur is very similar – especially when you’re starting out. You wear many hats, and every day at work is completely different. When you’re starting a company, relationship building (in my case, with buyers, manufacturers, investors, and other entrepreneurs) is key to your success.

Honey Bear has become a cult fave because it features an innovative formula that’s powered by our unique apple honey complex, which intensely boosts moisture in your hair. Plus, the adorable bear packaging is very social media-worthy – it doesn’t look like most of the haircare packaging on the market, and I think people are having a lot of fun with it because of that.

Across the board, clean beauty is continuing to become more of an expectation than just a category – meaning, hair care brands are prioritising clean formulas, without unnecessary or harsh ingredients, and ramped-up sustainability efforts. The whole hair care industry is going through a fundamental shift because of how consumers are now shopping and thinking about their beauty regimens. Consumers want to support brands that know that preserving our planet is an ongoing and important initiative.

Going forward, I want to be that example for others. I recently launched NancyTwine.com, a content site with a mission to empower other women to succeed in reaching their dreams and goals. I’m very passionate about giving back and helping other women.

Mango