Gorgeous rising star Isabella Briggs is lighting up the screen with her captivating portrayal of Denise Russo in season three of The Summer I Turned Pretty. we were thrilled to catch a moment to capture her wearing looks that speak her style and ease and confidence in front of the camera. she is comfortable in her skin and her curls and wise beyond her years as you’ll see in our chat below. so scroll on down as we discuss the shows message of enduring love, her character, favorite music, amazing parents, astrology, skincare, curly hair care, and the bare essential she can’t get enough of.

the bare magazine: what might one find out that they didn't expect if they tune into the summer i turned pretty?

Isabella Briggs: That the show isn’t just about romantic relationships, it’s about love in all of its forms: platonic, familial and romantic. It’s a show that’s heartbeat stems from the bond that Laurel and Susanna shared for decades. And how their love for one another radiates through generations.

bare: what did you love most about diving into your character? what do you find compelling about her?

IB: I love Denise’s layers, her contradictions. Her tough as nails exterior, matched with a vulnerable, open interior. I loved exploring the times where her exterior faulted or her guard was completely lowered. Her candor is also one of my favorite things about her. She will always speak her mind, if she has an opinion she will let it be known. Does she like you? She’ll tell you. She thinks you’re talented? You’ll know about it. She didn’t like kissing you? She’ll tell you immediately. It’s fun to play a character who’s so refreshingly upfront.

I also really enjoyed getting to play her out of the office, with her hair figuratively and literally down. The bachelor/bachelorette scenes were particularly fun to film. While crafting her character, I always imagined her to be the kind of coworker who you’d randomly run into at a club and although you may be surprised to see her there, she’s actually friends with the DJ and goes there all the time.

bare: what sparked your interest in acting? in what way did/do your parents support and cheer you on?

IB: I feel like performing was always in the cards for me. I gravitated to it naturally as a child, putting on shows and skits for my parents. After years of begging, my family finally put me in an acting class at age 6 and I started professionally working at age 7.

I would say both of my parents have always been extremely supportive of my dreams, albeit I think my dad was always holding out slight hope that I’d be a lawyer. My mom drove me to every audition, acting class, performance and was (of course) with me on every set as a kid. I owe a lot to my parents for their constant support of me and my passion.

bare: we are adding the soundtrack of TSITP to our list its so good! do you have childhood music memories that contribute to some of your favorite current go-to tunes...such as your favorite Stevie Wonder?

IB: Stevie Wonder is big in my household, we play him all the time. ‘As’ is my favorite song of his, with ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing’ coming in as a close second. My parents always played an array of music while I was growing up. P!nk, Snoop Dogg, Mozart, Queen, Sade and Etta James to name a few, were in constant rotation.

I appreciate the early exposure to such a musically diverse group of artists, because it’s definitely influenced my current taste. If someone were to look at my playlists they may be confused, but I swear all the songs come together to make a perfect mosaic of music!

bare: you seem so comfortable and confident in your skin. would you say especially in your chosen field, that has been challenging?

IB: Yes and no. Growing up, my parents taught me how to stand up for myself and speak my mind, a skill I’ve carried with me throughout my life and my career. I think in terms of navigating this profession, you’ll certainly have an easier go of it if you’re comfortable and confident. What isn’t always easy is starting at, and/or maintaining, that baseline. I consistently oscillate between dealing with imposter syndrome and knowing that this is exactly where I’m meant to be.

I’ve dealt with a lot of anxiety in my life, so that tends to cloud my self worth and objective view on reality. However ultimately, what grounds me the most in my life and my career is the love that I have. My family, my friends, my boyfriend, all of whom I’m incredibly fortunate to have, are always there to remind me that everything’s okay.

bare: would you say if you weren't acting you'd be a pro astrologer? how and when did that interest begin?

IB: I think so haha. Either that or an esthetician. Maybe both! I’m still considering becoming a licensed Astrologer some day, just for the hell of it. I’ve always been interested in astrology and knew basic information about my sun sign (Gemini) when I was a kid. But my deep dive really began during lockdown, in 2020. With so much time on my hands, I just fell down a rabbit hole! Now I know all about the housing system, aspects, degree theory etc. I find it all so fascinating and fun!

bare: you possess such naturally glorious beauty! describe your hair and skincare routine?

IB: Thank you! I will say, my hair and skin care journey has definitely been fraught with challenges. As a teenager, I developed cystic acne that has carried itself over into my adulthood. I didn’t understand it then, but I now know I have highly sensitive and reactive skin. So for me, gentle exfoliants and hydrating products are the best. Oh, and absolutely no fragrances. I keep my routine simple: I double cleanse, then use the Laneige Cream Skin Toner and the Good Molecules hyaluronic acid serum as a base.

On my exfoliating days I use the Lissy Skincare mandelic acid serum, then I finish the routine with INKY List’s peptide moisturizer. And of course, if I’m going outside, Beauty of Joseon’s sunscreen. In terms of hair, I used to straighten and dye it a lot as a teenager, but as I got older, I stopped doing that. So for a while it was all about helping my hair grow and repair. Deep conditioning and keeping it away from heat helped a lot.

I also went through a bunch of different techniques until I found the styling/products that work best for me. Since I have fine, mostly 3A curls, less product is more, which is why I only use a gel and a cream. I’m also pro body and a little bit of frizz. I feel like that type of hair extenuates my personality more, so that’s what I aim for!

bare: we captured a sense of your personal style on our shoot. can you describe it? and also your collaborative efforts to bring it to life with your stylist?

IB: My style is completely dependent on how I feel that day. As previously stated, I’m a Gemini, so variety is key. I love mixing and matching styles/vibes, I feel that provides a more layered and curated look. I’m an autumn, so warmer earth tones are best for me.

I like playing around with shapes and lines. I’m also very big on mixing metals, why choose one when you can have both! I also love a theme, so when I work with my stylist, Maren Taylor, I like to lean into the vibe of whatever event/shoot I’m going to, while still bringing in my own personal twist.