I’ve been office surfing a bit this summer on the Upper
I’ve been office surfing a bit this summer on the Upper East, and one of the office mainstays (a guy in finance, mind you) mentioned he was going to Brazil and would I like anything from there. I couldn’t resist asking for some cult beauty products - ‘some what?’ - 'you know, things that are cult-ish, brands that are classic, funny little products, that kind of thing’ - 'I have no idea what you mean.’
Imagine my surprise when a pile of Granado items showed up on my desk! He told me a little about this brand, which is sort of the Kiehl’s or C.O. Bigelow of Brazil … and when I dug deeper I realized that, yes, this is the ne plus ultra of Brazilian cult beauty.
This apothecary was founded in 1870 in Rio, and was not only the go-to locale for tinctures of health etc., but was also a social center (sort of like a Starbucks, back when you wanted to hang out in Starbucks). The company was acquired from the Granado family in 1994, but hasn’t lost its roots in classic, effective and simple beauty products. (You can read all about the brand here).
My favorites are these lip glosses in Suave and Emoliente (technically smooth and emollient, but I think it’s more like matte and glossy).
I was also blessed with what is potentially a lifetime supply of these Terramater mud packs … they’re pure mineral mud, and you just add water to create a paste which is actually surprisingly exfoliating. I rub it on like a scrub, then leave it to dry like a mask.
I can’t wait to get back to Brazil and go in this place! The original flagship in Rio still exists … dreamy.
Go there: Granado, the cult apothecary of Brazil
Find this: Rua Primeiro de Março 14 Centro, Rio, Brazil (info here)
Thanks so much GABRIEL! You DO know what cult beauty is.