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

1. 11 Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin
2. Black Girl Sunscreen Review

SPF GRAPHICS/ INSTAGRAM POSTS

1. 6 Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin IG Reels 

3 Beach-Perfect Sunscreens for Your Next Beach Day

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!

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:

1. Augustinus Bader Rich Cream: $85 or $170
2.  Saint Jane Hydrating Petal Cream: $68
3. Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Serum in Cream Treatment: $88
4. Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Mask: $38 
5. Ole Henriksen Dewtopia 20% Night Acid: $55
6. Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Dark Spot Correcting Peel: $85
7.  Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Serum: $72

Articles Mentioned:

1. Glamour.com: Best Augustinus Bader Products Worth Your Money

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2. 5 Best Beauty and Skincare Books for Beginners
3. AM & PM Skincare Routine: Early Autumn Edition
4. Makeup Bag Highlights and Fenty Beauty Mascara Hot Take