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When you’re wondering what to buy, it’s usually not about the product itself. It’s about the issue you’re currently facing. Whether it’s nails that keep flaking, make-up that irritates sensitive skin, or a routine you want to simplify without feeling like you have to compromise on the results. At Concept Story, we don’t select brands based on what’s currently trending, but on what actually works for specific needs. This guide brings together all the beauty brands we stock into a single collection: organised by the situations you’ll actually find yourself in.
Nails: Manucurist Active™ and Green Flash™ — where to start and what we recommend
For a long time, doing your nails at home meant choosing between the lacklustre results of traditional nail polish and the complicated gel system offered by salons. Manucurist has taken both options to the next level, and is a natural fit for the Concept Story range.
Active™: effortless, one-step manicure
If we had to choose one collection that best captures the Manucurist philosophy, it would be Active™. These polishes combine nourishing ingredients with a subtle beautifying effect in a single step – no base coat, no top coat, no fuss. The result on the nails looks polished; the formula is 84% naturally derived, vegan and 9-free — free from nine controversial substances commonly used in traditional nail polishes, such as formaldehyde, toluene, camphor and dibutyl phthalate.
Active™ is ideal for women who want a quick, everyday manicure whilst knowing exactly what they’re putting on their nails. It’s not a compromise, but a deliberate product design for a different kind of routine.
Green Flash™: gel manicure at home without damaging your nails
Green Flash™ is Manucurist’s answer to a salon-quality gel manicure. It is an LED lamp system that you can use at home and which lasts significantly longer than traditional nail polish. The formula remains true to the brand’s standards: 84% naturally derived ingredients, with no unnecessary compromises.
The first application takes a little longer, but from the second one onwards the process is intuitive. If you’ve been visiting the salon regularly and want to replicate the results at home, this is a system that makes it possible to do so in the comfort of your own home.
In a nutshell: Active™ is a quick, everyday manicure with a conditioning effect. Green Flash™ is a long-lasting gel manicure for home use that doesn’t damage your nails.
Why is the French gel manicure in a league of its own? Find out more in the article about Manucurist.
Make-up: (M)ANASI 7 vs. Fraela — organic make-up for healthy skin vs. natural make-up for sensitive skin
Make-up is the category where customers ask the most questions, and where the difference between brands is most significant precisely when you ignore it. (M)ANASI 7 and Fraela are both natural and both vegan. And yet they are not designed for the same skin type or the same make-up style.
(M)ANASI 7 — clean make-up that cares for your skin throughout the day
The Swedish brand (M)ANASI 7 approaches decorative cosmetics with a focus on organic formulations, multi-functional use and the natural relationship between make-up and the skin. The products are designed to feel comfortable on the skin all day long, without feeling heavy, cakey or mask-like.
Lightweight textures, mineral pigments and carefully crafted formulations create a finish that doesn’t sit on the skin as a separate layer, but rather as a natural extension of it. This is why (M)ANASI 7 is not like classic make-up in the traditional sense, but rather an intuitive part of your daily routine, where make-up and skincare naturally blend together.
The Furusato flagship collection features earthy and muted shades that look natural across a variety of make-up looks. The multifunctional (M)ANASI 7 make-up products and highlighters can be used across several stages of your make-up routine – on cheeks, eyes and lips – creating a naturally harmonious look without the need for a large number of products. Our founder Barbora, who has many years of experience in the field of make-up, has been using (M)ANASI 7 products for a long time and recommends them to her customers precisely because of this versatility and consistency of texture.
(M)ANASI 7 is the choice for women with healthy or normal skin who are looking for a natural-looking make-up with a carefully formulated composition and who appreciate fewer products that deliver greater results.
Fraela — Slovak natural decorative cosmetics for sensitive and reactive skin
Fraela was founded in Slovakia with a very specific aim: to create decorative cosmetics suitable for sensitive, reactive or allergy-prone skin. The products are based on mineral pigments, plant oils and waxes, which sensitive skin generally tolerates very well. The formulations are vegan and free from parabens, SLS and synthetic fragrances.
The Fraela Multistick, which customers had the chance to try out at a beauty event we organised with a professional make-up artist, shows that when it comes to sensitive skin, less is often more. A single product can be used to create both a subtle daytime look and a more dramatic evening make-up look.
Unlike (M)ANASI 7, Fraela is primarily designed for skin that reacts to standard make-up with redness, irritation or discomfort after a full day of wear.
The decision is simpler than it looks:
- Healthy or normal skin, interested in organic, clean make-up with multi-purpose products: (M)ANASI 7
- Sensitive, reactive or allergic skin, where gentle formulations are a priority: Fraela
You can try both products directly on your skin at the Concept Story store in the centre of Bratislava. When it comes to make-up, this is the only way to be absolutely sure.
We’ve also taken a closer look at each of these brands individually: What makes (M)ANASI 7 different from other make-up brands, and Why Fraela was created for sensitive skin.
SPF: EVY Technology vs. Darling — the same need, different skin texture and profile
UV radiation affects the skin all year round. UVA rays penetrate even through clouds and glass, and it is these rays that are responsible for premature ageing and long-term skin damage. SPF protection makes just as much sense in January as it does in July, and you simply won’t use a product that doesn’t feel good on your skin. That’s why it matters which one you choose.
EVY Technology — foam protection for sensitive skin and active outdoor pursuits
EVY Technology from Sweden has introduced a patented foam technology that is revolutionising the way SPF is applied and absorbed. The foam applies without leaving white streaks or a greasy feel, making it a popular choice for people with sensitive or reactive skin. The foam technology helps create a more durable protective film that lasts longer on the skin than many standard SPF formulations.
EVY is the perfect choice for women who spend time outdoors, play sports or are looking for an SPF that doesn’t require constant reapplication and is gentle on sensitive skin.
Darling — light, everyday protection with an Italian flair
Darling from Sardinia uses modern, next-gen UV filters, a lightweight texture and vegan ingredients. Their Glowy Screen Face Cream SPF 50 is our best-selling Darling product. The cream provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, blue light and pollution; it absorbs without leaving a white film and works seamlessly under make-up. The scent of coconut and tiare flowers makes it a product you’ll form a personal connection with – something that doesn’t often happen with SPF products.
For those times when you need to reapply sun protection during the day, Darling also offers Mist Me Sunscreen Spray SPF 50. It is an ultra-lightweight spray that applies seamlessly, even over make-up.
Put simply: EVY delivers performance for sensitive skin and active outdoor pursuits. Darling is a comfortable daily SPF routine to use before applying make-up and throughout the day.
We’ve taken a closer look at each brand individually: Why EVY’s sun protection is different from other SPFs and What makes Darling SPF an everyday ritual.
Sensitive and problematic skin: Codex Labs — when standard skincare isn’t enough
Sensitive skin, eczema or a compromised skin barrier require a different approach to a standard skincare routine. Products that work for healthy skin can make reactive skin worse, not because they are bad, but because they are not designed for this type of skin.
Behind the Codex Labs brand is Barbara Paldus, a scientist with a PhD from Stanford and more than 55 US patents to her name. The brand wasn’t born out of a trend, but out of concern for her son, who has ADHD and severe allergies. When, as a scientist, she systematically read the ingredients of the products they used every day at home, it was a stark revelation to her regarding what the cosmetics industry considers standard practice.
The result is a range of products where every claim is backed by clinical data, and the clinical test results can be found directly on the product packaging.
What sets Codex Labs apart from standard care
Codex Labs formulates its products with a focus on the skin microbiome – the community of microorganisms that protect the skin, regulate inflammation and help restore the skin barrier. When this balance is disrupted by stress, harsh products or hormonal changes, the skin reacts with sensitivity, dryness and redness.
The brand uses two proprietary complexes, each designed to meet a different need:
BiaComplex™ is a range for sensitive, reactive and compromised skin. It focuses on supporting the microbiome and restoring the skin barrier, and is formulated with a focus on very sensitive skin, including children’s skin. If you have eczema, atopic symptoms, chronic reactivity or skin that reacts to almost every new product, BiaComplex™ is a natural place to start.
AntuComplex™ is a range for mature skin aged 30 and over, and for anyone dealing with oxidative stress, the first visible signs of ageing, or looking to adopt a long-term healthy-ageing approach. It combines antioxidant and regenerative ingredients that help the skin become more resilient to external influences, rather than simply masking its reactions.
The proprietary PreservX® preservation system protects the product without irritating the skin, which is what customers with sensitive skin appreciate most.
We had a unique opportunity to meet Barbara Paldus right here in our shop. We received first-hand expert training, and our customers had the chance to ask questions without holding back. Codex Labs isn’t a brand that wins you over with marketing. It wins you over with what it can explain.
Codex Labs is for you if:
- you have sensitive or reactive skin, eczema, atopic symptoms or a compromised skin barrier,
- have you already tried various products without lasting results,
- You want to tackle the root cause, not just mask the symptoms.
Why is biotechnology changing the rules of sensitive skin care? We’ve explored the whole philosophy in our article on Codex Labs.
Clean Beauty: Noili vs. Omorovicza — affordable everyday clean beauty vs. premium thermal skincare
This is the comparison our customers ask about most often. Both brands work well, and both have fans on our team. And yet they are not interchangeable.
Noili — clean beauty for every day
Noili is a Slovak brand that focuses on simple formulations, natural oils and antioxidants. Noili serums and products are designed for your daily routine: morning, evening, day after day, without the risk of irritation. Here, a minimalist approach to formulation is not a limitation, but a deliberate choice.
Noili is the natural choice for women looking for a clean skincare routine that focuses on long-lasting hydration and skin elasticity. It also works well as a base for more targeted skincare treatments.
Omorovicza — luxury thermal skincare
Omorovicza, based in Budapest, uses thermal waters from Hungarian springs that boast an exceptional mineral profile: magnesium, calcium, silicon and sulphur. Its patented Healing Concentrate™ technology delivers active ingredients deeper into the skin, rather than just to the surface. It is precisely in this respect that individual premium skincare brands differ most significantly.
We put together the range for Concept Story following a visit to the brand’s flagship store in Budapest during Budapest Fashion Week 2025. We tested the products on our own skin and selected them with the real needs of our customers in mind. Concept Story is the only high-street shop in Slovakia where you can try Omorovicza products for yourself.
How to choose:
- A daily skincare routine, long-lasting hydration, simple, clean ingredients: Noili
- Intensive care, visible results, a healthy-ageing approach: Omorovicza
- Both can be used at the same time. Noili as the basis of your daily routine, and Omorovicza as a more targeted treatment.
We have also looked at each of these brands in more detail individually: What lies behind Noili’s philosophy and Why Omorovicza’s thermal waters are different.
Fragrance: Oraculum — a perfume as a closing ritual, not the final step before leaving the house
At the end of every beauty routine, there is one step that most women take automatically: applying perfume. Oraculum transforms this step into something meaningful in its own right.
The Czech niche brand Oraculum is founded on the belief of its founder, Renáta Muchová: a fragrance is not a beauty product, but a psychological experience. Every fragrance in the collection has its own mood, rhythm and character; it does not describe the world around you, but expresses who you are.
In niche perfumery, ingredients are used in higher concentrations and the scents develop differently on each person’s skin. The same perfume can smell completely different on two people, and that is not a mistake, but the intention.
Two fragrances our customers keep coming back to: Santalist, warm sandalwood with a surprisingly fresh touch of cucumber and bergamot – memorable without being overpowering – and Arabesque, a woody-sweet, delicate scent featuring carrot seeds, iris and creamy ambergris. For those looking for something more distinctive and profound, there is Katarzist with Turkish rose, oud and leather. It is a fragrance that works for both men and women.
Concept Story ambassador Babsy Heriban has chosen ‘Krucifist’ from the entire collection – a fragrance of spices, incense, patchouli and tonka bean that isn’t for everyone, but for some, it’s just right.
If you’re new to Oraculum, the discovery set containing five 2ml fragrances is the best place to start. Test the fragrance on your skin, not on a strip, and see how it changes throughout the day. Niche fragrances have a more pronounced development than commercial perfumes.
Oraculum is not available in high street perfume shops. In Bratislava, you can find it at the Concept Story store at Lazaretska 31, where you can try all the fragrances at your leisure and without any obligation – taking the time that testing niche perfumes truly requires.
You can find the brand’s philosophy and a description of each fragrance in the article about Oraculum.
Deodorants: Corpus — when you want a natural deodorant that really works
We’re including this section in the guide with a specific caveat: it isn’t the most frequently searched-for topic, but it is one where customers’ experiences are most often disappointing. Most of them tried a natural deodorant, only to give up on it after two weeks. And the problem wasn’t with the concept of natural cosmetics, but with the specific product.
Corpus was developed in California and is free from aluminium, bicarbonate of soda (which is a key detail, as bicarbonate of soda is the most common cause of irritation in sensitive skin), parabens and synthetic fragrances. Instead of blocking the sweat glands, it neutralises the bacteria responsible for odour. The texture absorbs without leaving a sticky feeling, leaves no marks even on dark clothing, and the fragrances are carefully crafted and long-lasting.
The transition from an aluminium-based antiperspirant usually takes two to four weeks. Your skin and microflora gradually adjust, so you may notice more intense sweating or odour. This isn’t a sign that the product isn’t working. It’s an adjustment phase that most women go through when using a high-quality product. At Concept Story, we tested Corpus across the team, and most of us haven’t gone back to using any other deodorant since.
It helps you get started during the colder months, when the strain on the sweat glands is naturally lower.
Why do most natural deodorants fail, but Corpus doesn’t? We explain in our article on Corpus.
How these brands work together and what that means for you
At Concept Story, our beauty selection isn’t based on trends. Every brand featured in this guide has been thoroughly tested by our team, by customers in-store, and through feedback from long-term, everyday use. For some, we met the founders in person (Omorovicza in Budapest, Barbara Paldus from Codex Labs here in our shop), whilst for others we’ve completed specialist training directly with the brand.
That’s precisely why we’re able to tell you not only that a product is good, but also who it’s naturally suited to and in what situations it will work best. And, to be honest, if we think another product would be better for you.
If you’re not sure where to start, pop into the Concept Story store in the centre of Bratislava. You can try the products for yourself, compare textures, scents and shades directly on your skin, and get personalised advice from our team. You can also find the entire collection on the Concept Story online shop.
What lies behind the choice of brands at Concept Story
If you’re wondering why we chose these particular brands for Concept Story and what has convinced us of their long-term value, we explore each topic in more detail in separate blog posts.
How we select brands — our philosophy
How we select brands at Concept Story: a philosophy that isn’t about trends — Why nothing in our selection is left to chance.
Skincare and the skin barrier
The skin barrier: what it is and how it keeps your skin healthy — Why the skin barrier is the foundation of any effective skincare routine.
Clean beauty: myths, facts and what to look out for before buying — What the term ‘clean beauty’ actually means in practice – and what it doesn’t.
Noili Beauty: Clean beauty that really works — our take — A philosophy of minimalism and active ingredients for healthy skin.
Omorovicza: Hungarian thermal springs in every drop — Premium skincare with clinically proven Healing Concentrate™ technology.
Codex Labs: When biotechnology truly works for your skin — Clinically proven skincare focused on the microbiome and skin barrier repair.
Corpus: natural deodorants from California that really work — Clean ingredients for the skin beyond your face.
SPF and skin protection
SPF by EVY Technology: Why sun protection is a year-round concern — UV radiation is one of the most commonly overlooked factors that weaken the skin’s barrier.
Darling SPF: luxurious sun protection with an Italian flair — an SPF you can actually wear every day.
Mani Handcare: A gentle hand cream and a skincare routine that really works — Your hands are exposed to hand sanitiser and the sun every day — their skin needs protection and to restore its barrier.
Clean make-up
(M)ANASI 7: Clean make-up that cares for your skin whilst you wear it — Organic formulas that combine make-up and skincare in one.
Fraela: Slovak natural make-up for sensitive skin — Make-up with no compromises on ingredients.
Nails
Manucurist: Why the French gel manicure is the future of nail care — Natural ingredients in gel polish and nail care products too.
Fragrance
Oraculum: Fragrance as a Psychological Experience — Niche Perfumery with a Difference — Why niche perfumery is changing your relationship with fragrance.
