Noora Raj Brown wears many hats. By day, she’s the EVP of brand at goop, by night, a wife and mother, and in between, she’s dedicated to breaking down barriers to civic engagement, and on the board of the Hammer Museum in LA. Besides her passion for art, politics, and culture, Noora has enviably chic style—she’s a Dries addict, after all.
Noora shares with us her mother’s wellness secrets, the transformative power of beauty, and her “desert island” beauty product.
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What does 'home' mean to you?
"Equal parts sanctuary and inspiration. A backdrop for beautiful memories."
Who are the important women or matriarchs in your life?
"My mother, who has embodied wellness in such a pure way since I can remember, before it was something that was widely discussed. Food has always been fuel to her, and she’s so careful with what she puts in her body: beautifully grown, whole foods that truly nourish you. She also has an incredible knack for maintaining her own mental health, and is brilliant at detaching from anything that isn’t additive to her life.
Gwyneth Paltrow, the CEO and founder of goop, who has taught me so much about authenticity, the power of staying close to who you are and putting beautiful things out into the world."
Beyond your day job as EVP of brand at Goop, you’re deeply involved in the art world. Why is a connection to art so important to you?
"I’ve always believed in the transformative power of beauty, whether that is art, fashion, food, literature, theatre… whatever moves you. Inspiration is an essential part of my life, and the older I get, the more I realize how important it is to be active in my pursuit of finding it. I’ll always drive out of the way for a great meal or to visit an art gallery that I’ve heard is doing something interesting. Art and science are inextricably linked; both are essential in preserving our humanity."
"I felt the most beautiful and connected with my body when I was pregnant. Post-partum was a completely different tale. But the strength we have as women – psychically and mentally – is astounding. I think that’s beautiful."
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
"To not feel so rushed. I’ve realized that, despite your best efforts, all the boxes are never checked. And often the boxes themselves change; what is important shifts with time."
Your personal style is so eclectic. What inspires your sense of fashion?
"I’m Indian and in our culture, we have such a rich history of color and pattern. I’ve always been attracted to gorgeous textures and fabrics. I have my minimalist moments, but most of my favorite pieces are vintage items that others might call a little wild: a brocade YSL jacket that brings to mind Yves’ Moroccan love affair, patterned coats and of course, anything Dries."
What’s the one step in your beauty routine you can’t skip?
"All of it? I’m very consistent with my beauty routine, and unsurprisingly, most of it is goop. I double cleanse with the goop jelly cleanser and de Mamiel cleansing oil. The goop peptide serum is my desert island product. I use it morning and night (you see results in a week, it’s magical). I finish with the goop water cream moisturizer or Bader rich cream if my skin is dry, and then a few times I week, I use the goop overnight glycolic acid peel pads before bed. I’m also obsessed with my Lyma laser."
Between your work and family life, what does it mean to ‘come home to yourself’?
"Connecting with the things that unequivocally give you joy. My daughter of course. But a great book, a beautiful song. My friend’s therapist told her that anything that turns your mind off counts as meditation, even if it’s Netflix on your bed. I think that’s a good philosophy."
Noora's Ritual:
