Aliett Buttelman and Nina LaBruna Share the Story Behind Viral Faux Freckle Brand, Fazit
Ever since Taylor Swift wore a face full of stunning glittery freckles to a Chief's game last fall, the brand behind the look, Fazit, has been all the rage. That's all thanks to its incredible co-founders, Aliett Buttelman and Nina LaBruna.
The two come from different backgrounds, with Aliett growing up as a model and Nina raised by parents who were cosmetic doctors, but they were united through similar passions and an entrepreneurial drive that led to the creation of Fazit. The brand is beloved for both its skincare patches and its easy-to-apply makeup patches, which instantly give wearers the appearance of gorgeous natural, colorful or even glittery faux freckles. We've been fascinated by the looks since we first laid eyes on them, and we had the pleasure of chatting with both Aliett and Nina to learn all about Fazit and what makes the brand one of a kind.
Name: Aliett Buttelman Co Founder of Fazit
Instagram handle: @aliettbutts
TikTok handle: @aliettbutts
Hometown: West Palm Beach, Florida
Name: Nina LaBruna
Instagram handle: @ninalabruna
TikTok handle: @nina_labruna
Hometown: New York, New York
Zodiac sign: Cancer
(via Fazit)
1. Aliett's always been involved in the worlds of beauty and fashion.
"[I] start[ed] my modeling career at 15 years old. From an early age, I was on set shooting ads for major beauty brands around the world. Being in that environment, I was conscious of the importance of taking care of my skin and was surrounded by top makeup artists and I picked up on their favorite products and makeup tricks along the way.
Since I was getting my makeup done almost every day, I didn't really play around with my own looks much. On my days off, I'd just let my skin breathe and recover. But being surrounded by so many beauty pros really gave me a deeper appreciation for skincare and the art of makeup.
One moment that stands out was about 10 years ago when I got a facial from a Japanese esthetician who introduced me to facial massage. While she was working, she casually mentioned that I should start my own beauty brand. I had never thought about that before, but it kind of planted a seed in my mind. That's when I started thinking that maybe creating my own brand was something I could actually do."-Aliett Buttelman
2. Meanwhile, Nina got involved early on thanks to her parents.
"I grew up surrounded by beauty and skincare. Both my parents were cosmetic doctors, so immersion in this industry was part of my everyday life. Watching them work sparked a deep fascination with how science and artistry come together to empower confidence. My passion for beauty stayed with me as I delved into wellness while studying nutrition and teaching yoga during my time as an NYU student. Once I began making and selling my own beauty products, I knew I wanted to further my career in the beauty industry."
-Nina LaBruna
Also read about: Create Cute Faux Freckles With These 6 Easy Steps
3. Aliett's makeup journey started with her mom.
"I think moms always have an influence on their daughters' makeup looks and brand choices. Growing up, I went to a religious school until eighth grade where makeup wasn't allowed, so I didn't really experiment with it at all… unless I was covering up my rosacea or psoriasis.
When I hit ninth grade, I started modeling, and even then, on my off days, I'd skip wearing makeup to give my skin a break. Honestly, I've had the same go-to makeup look for the last 10 years. It wasn't until TikTok came around that I felt inspired to try out new products and experiment with different looks. The app opened up a whole world of beauty recommendations and trends that made me step out of my comfort zone and test new things… and now with Fazit, I'm wearing glitter freckles regularly."
-Aliett Buttelman
4. Nina's never been a big makeup person.
"Ironically, I'm not someone who wears a lot of makeup or knows how to apply it like a pro. My routine is simple—a little tinted moisturizer with SPF, some blush, eyeliner and mascara, and I'm done. However, it's the lack of makeup expertise that inspired the creation of Fazit's glitter freckles. They're effortless to apply and deliver an instant makeup artist-level finish without required skills."
-Nina LaBruna
5. The two met during Aliett's last year at Columbia University, shortly after Nina had graduated from NYU.
"A mutual friend connected us because we were the only two entrepreneurs he knew. We decided to meet up at The Wing, which at the time was a women-only workspace. That day, Nina shared her first skincare line with me, and I was instantly hooked. She introduced me to the world of clean beauty, and after trying her products, I knew we had to collaborate. It wasn't just about the products; it was her passion and knowledge that drew me in. We started working together, and it took a couple of years before our professional relationship evolved into a genuine friendship. That bond, along with our shared vision, ultimately led us to create Fazit together."
-Aliett Buttelman
"What started as a working relationship quickly evolved into a deep bond built on trust, hard work and friendship. That connection—and our shared love for creating—eventually inspired us to start our own brand. Together, we set out to build something that reflected both of our visions and passions."
-Nina LaBruna
6. "Fazit" has a layered meaning, reflecting personal growth as well as self-acceptance.
"/Phases/ of Life: It signifies the journey through different phases of life and how beauty routines naturally evolve with those transitions—adapting to new experiences, needs, and expressions of individuality.
/Facing It/: It's also about the courage to face skin concerns or insecurities head-on, embracing your unique beauty and being confident in your look—whether that includes makeup, no makeup or something in between.
The dual essence of Fazit captures the harmony between transformation and authenticity, making it more than just a name—it's a statement."-Aliett Buttelman
(via Fazit)
Also read about: 7 Makeup Tips For Girls With Freckles
7. Fazit's mission statement is about progress over perfection.
"Our mission is to redefine beauty as something playful, empowering, and ever-evolving. We celebrate the joy of experimenting, the freedom to express yourself, and the confidence that comes from embracing your skin and your unique look—whether bold or bare, glittery or natural.
Fazit is more than a beauty brand; it's a movement that rejects the pressure of perfection. Our community thrives on the idea that beauty should be fun, not intimidating—a space where creativity knows no bounds. We embrace the quirks, the glitter and the moments of self-discovery that make beauty an authentic expression of individuality.
Fazit is rooted in inclusivity and experimentation, encouraging everyone to play with their looks without fear of judgment. It's not about trends or rules—it's about confidence, joy and the freedom to be unapologetically you."
-Aliett Buttelman
8. Aliett's one must-have skin product is their first company, Labruna Skincare's, Nourishing Face Oil.
"I swear it's liquid gold its packed with so many intentionally sourced ingredients, it's like a juice shot for your face. I use every morning and evening. It's helped even my skin tone and works for my super dry skin both in summer and winter."
-Aliett Buttelman
9. Nina also never travels without her LaBruna Skincare Nourishing Face Oil.
"It's packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like sea buckthorn, moringa, goji berries and calendula, giving my skin an instant glow and a much-needed boost every time I use it. Recently, I started incorporating tretinoin into my routine for its anti-aging benefits. Unless I pair it with my face oil, my skin becomes dry and flaky. The oil is a game-changer and keeps my skin balanced, hydrated and looking its best!"
-Nina LaBruna
(via Fazit)
10. The best piece of advice Aliett ever received came from her fiancé.
"[He] reminds me every day to be gracious for what we have and not dwell on what we don't. He has this simple yet profound saying: 'Isn't life just so cool.' It's a grounding perspective that helps me appreciate the beauty in the everyday moments."
-Aliett Buttelman
11. Nina's favorite life lesson comes from her father.
"My dad always reminds me to wade with the waves life gives you. Don't fight the current. I love this metaphor because in life and in my career, it's important to continuously adapt and grow. We can't always control what happens to us, but we can control how we react and deal with it. By flowing with life's natural rhythm, we can navigate challenges more gracefully and find peace in the process."
-Nina LaBruna
12. Aliett's success so far has been all about knowing what habits truly work for her.
"I don't buy into the 'one-size-fits-all' routines like waking up before 8 a.m. or morning gym sessions—they're just not my thing. I thrive in silence and need a clean, organized workspace to stay fully focused, just like in school when I avoided social spaces like the library. I've switched back to coffee, because caffeine really does keep you going.
My routine is simple yet effective: I work in the same chair facing a window from 9 to 6 daily, rarely stepping out unless it's for a quick workout or grabbing lunch. This consistency creates a rhythm that keeps me on track."
-Aliett Buttelman
13. A consistent mindfulness practice has been one of Nina's most helpful habits.
"Whether in work or personal life, mindfulness helps me stay focused, present, make thoughtful decisions and remain grounded amid the chaos of entrepreneurship. Sometimes, when I feel my mind starting to drift into a more anxious or unproductive space, I take a five-minute break to close my eyes and focus on my breath. On a more tangible level, the best habit I've developed is tackling my to-do list. Completing tasks one by one helps me stay organized, maintain momentum, and ensure that I'm making progress toward my goals."
-Nina LaBruna
14. Aliett has found it extremely fulfilling to create something from the ground up.
"The most rewarding part of my work is knowing that I made the decision to start something from scratch, put in the effort and watched it grow. Building a community, assembling an incredible team and achieving success through dedication feels deeply fulfilling—it's proof that taking the leap was worth it."
-Aliett Buttelman
15. Nina's also loved watching Fazit bloom into the brand it is today.
"The most rewarding part of growing Fazit has been watching our team expand with incredible individuals who share our vision, passion and work ethic."
-Nina LaBruna
(via Fazit)
16. One thing that's super important to Aliett is that she takes a bath every day.
17. And Nina is a major animal lover.
"I am obsessed with animals and would love to open an animal sanctuary one day."
-Nina LaBruna
Love your freckles? Click HERE to discover all of the cutest captions for showing them off.