8 International Beauty Brands That Are Coming to the US in 2017

Beauty brands not native to America have invaded the market over the past few years — occupying prime shelf space everywhere from Sephora to Target. But instead of erecting walls to keep outsiders at bay, U.S. consumers have wholeheartedly embraced the hair, makeup, and skincare crazes from foreign lands as if they were their own. (Perhaps beauty products are even better than an olive branch?)

Korean beauty, for example, is such a big hit that several stores (like Nordstroms) have devoted precious square footage to the country’s cosmetic exports, while K-themed pop-up shops (like Glow Recipe’s Glow Studio in New York City) and subscription services deliver goods straight to your door (there’s Soko Glam’s Klog Box and Mishibox to name two popular options) abound from coast to coast.

But Korean companies aren’t the only ones interested in expanding their territory and capturing the hearts (and complexions) of an adoring American public: Argentina, Brazil, Britain, Canada, France, and more are quickly making their way onto the scene. After all, it takes a (global) village to look gorgeous. And if Stateside beauty addicts can get down with snail gel (a popular K-beauty ingredient that’s gone mainstream), there’s still hope that we can build bridges instead of barriers between nations. Here, eight international imports you need to add to your daily lineup ASAP.

Courtesy of Buly 1803

L’Officine Universelle Buly

Country of origin: France

Everything you need to know: Walking into the quaint apothecary on Rue Bonaparte in the sixth arrondissement of Paris is like taking a trip back in time to 1803, when perfumer and cosmetician Jean-Vincent Bully made a name for himself by whipping up aromatic vinegars and artisanal fragrances. Today, the husband and wife duo of Ramdane Touhami and Victoire de Taillac strike a delicate balance between Old World tradition and contemporary technology (all the formulas in the range are paraben-, silicon-, and phenoxyethanol-free) —offering beauty junkies a wide assortment of exotic lotions, potions, powders, and oils packaged in shelfie-friendly glass bottles and metal tubes complete with weighty silver caps and vintage-looking illustrations. Buly recently opened a shop on the beauty level of Bergdorf Goodman (a New York City icon, but an infant when compared to the history of the French heritage brand), outfitting the Fifth Avenue space with advertising posters from the 1920s and ivory-colored, cracked-lacquer countertops imported from France. And just like the flagship store in the City of Light, every product is hand-labeled — making every purchase, no matter how big or small, feel très chic.

The product people can’t get enough of in France: Pommade Concrète, a thick balm infused with soothing chamomile water to help heal dry, cracked hands.

What you should stock up on in the States: Buly’s dental offerings are pretty damn enticing (who knew oral care could be so sexy?), with gourmet toothpastes in flavors like mint coriander cucumber and orange ginger clove. But more adventurous customers may be interested in the colorful clays, powders, and oils imported from exotic locales like China, Tunisia, India, and Zimbabwe, as well as unusual accessories (including sea sponges from Greece, pumice stones from Morocco, and toothbrushes with luxe silk bristles). For a one-of-a-kind beauty souvenir only available in the States, pick up the specially designed bottle of Eau Triple (a water-based perfume devoid of fragrance-altering glycerin and alcohol) inspired by those fancy foreign countertops at Bergdorf Goodman.

Courtesy of Natura Brasil

Natura Brasil

Country of origin: Brazil

Everything you need to know: What started as a small store in 1969 on Oscar Freire street in São Paolo, quickly turned into Brazil’s largest beauty brand. Despite being a cosmetic conglomerate, the company is committed to “creating an economy in the Amazon that doesn’t depend on cutting trees,” says innovation adviser Roger Schmid, noting that the key ingredients (like acai, maracujá, murumuru, copaiba, pitanga, and patauá) used in the hair, skin, and body products are sourced from river communities in Amazonia. Additionally, all the plastic packaging is made from post-consumer recycled materials or bioplastics sourced from sugarcane ethanol. This socially responsible and sustainable approach even earned the brand the United Nations’ Champions of the Earth award and B Corp certification (given to companies that set the standard for “social and environmental performance”). Launching with 85 products in the U.S. and a new store in New York City’s Nolita neighborhood, Natura Brasil hopes to bring the concept of bem-estar-bem — the Brazilian idea of feeling comfortable with your body, your community, and the planet — Stateside.

The product people can’t get enough of in Brazil: Castanha Hand Cream, a moisturizing murumuru butter formula featuring the nourishing Castanha nut that falls during Brazil’s rainy season.

What you should stock up on in the States: You may have to work your way up to sporting a Brazilian bikini on the beach, but you can easily dip a toe into the South American action with this brand beloved by many a Brazilian supermodel. While not every product in the range is available in the U.S. quite yet, and some of the fragrances and formulations have been tweaked to better suit the American market, there are still plenty of iconic exports to try. The Triple-Phase Oil (a must-have amongst Brazilians) offers a quick shot of in-shower hydration that’s perfect for hot and humid weather, whereas the heavier Body Butters and Whipped Body Mousses (exclusive to the U.S.) were designed with American winters in mind. Other products you can only snap up in the States: scented candles and the Patauá haircare line (featuring smoothing Patauá oil, the “olive oil of Amazonia” that Brazilians have used for generations as a hydrating hair tonic, says retail manager Adriana Duarte). The best introduction to the brand, however, might be the exfoliating soap and hand cream duo that comes complete with a rainbow raffia clutch hand-woven by 40 women from a small fishing village in Bahia.

Courtesy of Noughty

Noughty

Country of origin: United Kingdom

Everything you need to know: This 97-percent natural line has already received rave reviews from eco- and budget-conscious beauty fanatics across the pond. Available at Superdrug in the U.K., it makes sense that brand is landing in the American equivalent of the retailer come June: Ulta. (Online shoppers can head to naturallycurly.com.) While the company prides itself on being vegan, animal friendly, and free of petrochemicals, silicones, parabens (preservatives) and sodium lauryl sulfate (a common surfactant), don’t expect the typical tree-hugger approach, as the brand’s goal is to “bring a sense of humor to the serious naturals market” via punchy lilac packaging and whimsical product names.

The product people can’t get enough of in the U.K.: To The Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner, a duo designed to hydrate dry, frizzy strands via coconut oil, shea butter, and sweet almond and sunflower seed extracts.

What you should stock up on in the States: With every product priced under $10, you can afford to try more than one. The line will launch with four shampoos and conditioners, one detoxing two-in-one formula, and a leave-in conditioner, but the brand plans to follow up its initial offering with “products catered to the afro-textured market,” which includes a co-wash, leave-in mask, and several oils. In short: Watch this space.

Courtesy of Fueguia 1833

Fueguia 1833

Country of origin: Argentina

Everything you need to know: Inspired by Patagonia, sourced from a 50-acre plantation in Uruguay, manufactured from top to bottom in a lab/factory in Milan, and packaged in wooden boxes hand-built by carpenter students in Argentina, this brand unites nations via artisanal fragrances. Made in small batches (only 400 bottles per run), founder and head nose Julian Bedel ensures that only the best natural ingredients are used at the time of production — and pretty much guarantees you won’t smell your signature scent on anyone else. The perfumer is equally concerned with sustainability as he is with quality: Many of the plants used in the fragrances are cultivated and distilled by local Argentinian communities, and the entire range is formulated without synthetic preservatives or dyes and polycyclic musk compounds (said to harm aquatic species).

The product people can’t get enough of in Argentina: “Argentina is a big country where you have the city and rest of the country,” explains Bedel. However, Sudestada (a blend of black tobacco and bergamot) and Cactus Azul (a mix of cactus flower, cedarwood, and mint) are the biggest hits with men, while Amalia (a fragrance centered around jasmine) and Huemul (a Patagonian vegetable musk) are popular with women.

What you should stock up on in the States: “For the first two months, I was the sales manager of the Soho boutique [in New York City], and I was totally amazed by the American customer,” says Bedel. “All my dark fragrances that underperformed in other markets suddenly found a home in the U.S. Men were interested in leather, dark woods, and animal scents. Women gravitated to the super musk, indolic florals that exude sensuality.” But with over 71 unique blends to sniff, it can feel somewhat overwhelming to find the one. To cater to American fragrance fiends, Bedel created three new fragrances specifically for the States (out this fall): Los Humos Sagrados (inspired by “pagan woods”) and Dunas de un Cuerpo (a “natural and intense amber”). The third, Ceniza de Coca (on shelves in the New York boutique this month), is bound to be as addictive as the name suggests. The nose and founder describes the main note as “leathery coca leaf with an ash scent,” but explains that the ingredient is used in its purest form by South Americans “as an aphrodisiac — not a drug.” Beauty junkies, prepared to get hooked.

Courtesy of Prismologie

Prismologie

Country of origin: United Kingdom

Everything you need to know: Founded by Intisar and Fatima Al-sabah, a mother daughter duo from the ruling family of Kuwait, this rainbow-hued range of lotions, balms, scrubs, oils, and more is centered around gemstone and color therapy. Each multi-sensorial product’s packaging reflects the mood the formula inside is designed to create: white for clarity, yellow for confidence, pink for comfort, green for serenity, red for vigor, and indigo for stillness. Plus, each ultra-rich offering is infused with precious ingredients — like crushed diamond, citrine, rose quartz, jade, ruby, and sapphire — that claim to heal the mind and body. (Even if they only have a placebo effect, why just wear diamonds when you can slather yourself with them from head to toe?) And equally passionate about wildlife as they are beauty products (Fatima is the vice chairperson and executive director of the Kuwait Society for the Protection of Animals and Their Habitats), nothing in this collection is ever tested on animals.

The product people can’t get enough of in the U.K.: Enriched with arctic rose extracts that are said to boost your mood and increase endorphins in the skin, the millennial pink Rose Quartz & Rose Hand and Cuticle Cream is a must-have across the pond.

What you should stock up on in the States: Starting this month, all products are available for purchase and U.S. shipping on prismologie.com and in store at Cedra pharmacies. (More brick and mortar retailers are expected to follow later this year.) While everything in the range is guaranteed to brighten a bleak bathroom, the Rose Quartz & Rose Body Balm might be the most innovative, as you apply this creamy powder with a puff for a featherweight dose of moisture — perfect for perking up dry, dull skin that hasn’t seen the sun in months.

Courtesy of Le Petit Marseillais

Le Petit Marseillais

Country of origin: France

Everything you need to know: Beauty editors have long lugged this French pharmacy favorite back to the States, but now they can free up some much-needed space in their suitcases. Born in and inspired by Provence, this range evokes the south of France with fragrances that reflect the famed region (otherwise known as the perfume capital of the world) and materials sourced from surrounding Mediterranean countries (including lavender, beeswax, shea butter, argan oil, sweet almond, and chamomile).

The product people can’t get enough of in France: Extra Gentle Shower Crème Vanilla Milk, a creamy body wash laced with ylang ylang, pistachio, and vanilla for a sweet (but not overly saccharine) shower experience.

What you should stock up on in the States: You won’t find exactly the same product offering in the U.S. as you will overseas (the range also includes haircare, deodorant, scrubs, and lip balms) — at least not yet. There are plans to expand and launch even more body care products in 2018. However, the best-selling body wash in France is available Stateside (look for gourmet scents like lavender honey, mandarin lime, and orange blossom now, but expect additional fragrances to drop later this year), along with body milks and creams, hand lotion and cleanser, and basic bar soap.

Courtesy of Saje

Saje Natural Wellness

Country of origin: Canada

Everything you need to know: Our neighbors to the north have remedied everything from stress to seasonal allergies with products from this natural wellness company for over two decades. Founded by the husband and wife team of Jean-Pierre and Kate Ross LeBlanc, the brand got its start after Jean-Pierre (who has a background in chemistry) discovered the healing powers of essential oils following a car accident. The bespoke blends he whipped up to aid in his recovery are still best-sellers and available on shelves today. With everything from sculptural ultrasonic diffusers to face creams to organic teas to Liquid Sunshine (a foaming, citrus-scented hand soap), there are no shortage of ways to soothe your mind and body both inside and out.

The product people can’t get enough of in Canada: The Pocket Farmacy is an iconic kit that includes five of the most popular essential oil blends: Peppermint Halo cooling and soothing oil blend for the head, Fortify antitussive cough suppressant, soothing belly massage blend, Stress Release soothing blend, and Pain Release topical analgesic.

What you should stock up on in the States: With five new stores opening in New York and California this year, beauty addicts on both coasts can get in on the plant-based healing action. While the company says some product names have been changed due to U.S. regulations, the range remains the same inside the tubes, jars, and bottles. Perk up minus the caffeine jitters with Brainstorm Invigorating (which uses lemon, myrtle, and orange to energize your mind and body), chill out with the Yoga Grounding Bath Salt Soak, or arouse your senses with Tantra Natural Perfume featuring a jade rollerball applicator.

Courtesy of Votary

Votary

Country of origin: United Kingdom

Everything you need to know: Kate Middleton’s makeup artist, Arabella Preston, and entrepreneur/ business guru Charlotte Semler, are the geniuses behind this oil-based brand from Britain. After cooking up bespoke concoctions at her kitchen counter, Preston noticed the calming “shoulder-drop” effect luxe, natural elixirs had on her A-list clientele and their complexions. In addition to four facial oils and a cleansing oil (all packaged in emerald-green glass bottles that preserve the precious botanicals inside), the range features a night oil infused with rosehip and retinoid, a toning serum, a pillow spray, a supplement containing cold-pressed seed oils, a silk pillowcase, and fluffy cotton face cloths. Even if you’re not a proper princess, this luxe line is guaranteed to pamper your skin like one.

The product people can’t get enough of in the U.K.: Rose Geranium and Apricot Cleansing Oil gently dissolves makeup without harsh surfactants and foam.

What you should stock up on in the States: While a selection of products is available online at Net-a-Porter and Anthropologie (with more U.S. retailers to be announced next month), the brand’s website offers the full collection and free shipping. Revamp your daily regimen with the three-step routine, which includes the cleanser, toning serum, and face oil.

---

See how Icelanders like to pamper themselves: