Thea Green MBE Takes Us Inside Her Beauty Bag

No one has disrupted the British beauty industry quite like Thea Green. The former fashion journalist is the founder of Nails.INC, the beauty giant that brought nail bars from the streets of New York to the UK high street. Set up in 1999 – when Green was just 24 – Nails.INC is now the UK’s leading nail brand, and has succeeded in putting nailcare firmly on the British beauty map.

But beyond the world of polishes, cuticle creams and nail treatments, Green’s beauty philosophy is all about giving her skin a radiant glow. ‘I’m obsessed with glow products,’ she tells C&TH. ‘I have versions of them from all my favourite brands – including Westman Atelier, Merit and By Terry.’

Below, Thea Green takes us through her beauty bag (including her favourite glow products), daily routine and the best piece of beauty advice she’s ever been given.

What’s Inside My Beauty Bag? With Thea Green

Thea Green

Let’s start with the bag itself – describe it for us.

I always keep my Nails.INC travel cosmetics bag with me. I love a mini makeup bag, as it lets me have my tools on the go. It’s also transparent, so it allows me to see all my products at a glance – perfect for quick touch-ups.

How do you prep your skin?

I’m currently trialling a whole Korean skincare routine; it’s too many steps for my everyday life, but the results are fantastic. Normally I switch between low-cost French pharmacy brands like Avene, and more luxury treat-worthy skincare like Augustinus Bader. A friend of mine recently recommended an amazing hyaluronic acid by Anua and it really does give great glow, so I will be repurchasing.

Let’s break down your beauty routine – face?

I apply Tan-Luxe Face Drops once a week. On a daily basis, I mix either Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Drops or MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tint with my moisturiser – Augustinus Bader Rich Cream or Avene Daily SPF30 Rich Hydrating Cream.

I’m not a big fan of foundation, as I prefer a lighter product, so I’ll then apply Westman Atelier Vital Concealer. I also like to use Merit Bronze Balm in Clay to add bronze and contour. For blush, I use the Merit Flush Balm in the shade Stockholm, which is a cream blush. The aim is to create a more dewy complexion.

Eyes?

I use the Blink Brow Bar Ultra Slim Brow Definer, I brush them through and then use the pencil to fill in. For mascara, I use ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara, as this is nice and subtle.

Lips?

I love using the Kylie Cosmetics Lip Pencils. I have a variety of nude shades. My go to lip product is the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in the shade Iced Coffee which is the perfect everyday nude colour.

Tools?

I always carry the Real Techniques Cosmetics Beauty Sponge in my make up bag and a bronzer and bronzing brush for top-ups throughout the day if I look a bit grey. I am also a massive fan of the Slip Silk scrunchies and keep these everywhere.

What makes you instantly feel made up?

A great glow product, Westman Atelier makes some of my favourites.

What’s the one beauty item you always carry in your handbag?

I always keep an It’s Topless Nails.INC Nail Polish in my handbag. It’s a one-step polish, so no need for a base or top coat.

What’s the most expensive thing in your beauty bag?

Augustinus Bader Rich Cream (but I’m trying to ween myself off it).

And the most luxurious?

Byredo Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum. I feel naked without it.

What about the hero product you can’t live without, and have used for years?

Apart from everything Nails.INC, it must be the By Terry Brightening CC Serum.

Thea Green (photo by Louis A. W. Sheridan)

Tell us about a beauty trend you love.

I am currently loving experimenting with Korean haircare products.

And one you can’t wait to see fall out of fashion?

Heavy contouring and ‘too many steps’ makeup.

What’s something you did beauty-wise in your youth that you’d never do again?

Blue eyeliner – no need to repeat that trend!

What’s your beauty philosophy?

Skin first, less is more, and a little glow goes a long way.

What item do you think should be in every beauty bag?

It must be Nails.INC It’s Topless Nail Polish and MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tint.

More From Thea

Keep up with Thea Green on Instagram (@theanailsinc | @nailsinc) or over at nailsinc.com