Looking for some new skincare and make-up? These Asian-owned beauty products have everything you need
The western beauty industry wouldn’t be what it is today without the influences of Asian beauty. The creamy cushion foundations, strawberry-scented lip tints, and near-to-water primers; these are only a fraction of products that have taken the industry by storm. On the daily, we stand before the great names of beauty; Bobbi Brown, Mac, Pat McGrath, and now – it’s time we pay attention to some of Asia’s upcoming beauty names. Thanks to the powerhouse of social media, we’ve been able to stay in touch with the upcoming rise of Asian beauty trends – and now, what’s left is to honour the exemplary contributions these products have made to the industry at large.
1. Glow Recipe
Here’s a brand all K-beauty lovers will have heard about. Known for their enticing fruity formulas, Glow Recipe has everything from a watermelon flavoured clay pore mask to a juicy, pineapple serum to illuminate your face. Founded by Sarah Lee and Christine Chang – the brand only uses natural ingredients, all with the aim to gradually uplift and transform your skin.
2. Kulfi Beauty
Kulfi – referencing the sweet, milky South Asian ice cream was wittingly founded by Priyanka Ganjoo. With the hopes to celebrate South Asians, Priyanka wanted to be the voice that engaged with Gen Z members of all ethnicities after feeling like an outcast heavily dominated by western beauty standards. Pushing for diversity, Kulfi Beauty started by launching five Kajal Eyeliners (after the cultural trend of overlining the undereye for bigger eyes). Now, in combination with organic ingredients, these products are unstoppable.
3. Mango People Cosmetics
Tired of stumbling across mismatched lipstick shades or ones that appeared to be ashy – founder Sravya Kalyanapu decided to start her own beauty line. Suiting all skin tones (especially deeper ones), the label prides itself on sustainability and the use of natural ingredients where different clays, pigment-rich fruits, and florals are used. Packaged in a sleek, small tube – these items are also infused with olive, sesame seed and ashwagandha oils to nourish the skin.
4. Tatcha
Tatcha is one of the most popular Asian skincare brands today with its unique use of ancient Japanese ingredients and modern technology. Behind this is Vicky Tsai, who in an interview with Forbes revealed the brand is a “love letter to Japan” because the experiences in the country healed her skin and soul. The brand has gained a tremendous following, as their use of green tea, rice bran, red algae (to name a few) have given beauty moguls a brand new perspective on Asian beauty.
5. Em Cosmetics
Youtuber Michelle Phan has always been the centre of beauty trends. From her skincare reviews to make-up hacks, –the American content creator now has a collection of innovative make-up products. Her products are often hybrids between makeup and skincare, where you’ll find creations like Serum Blushes, that are infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
6. Jinsoon
Jin Soon Choi has been in the industry since the early 1990s, but 2012 was the year her long-awaited nail collection was finally released. Coming in various colours and glitters, Jinsoon also has hand and foot spas in New York City. Long-lasting, chip-proof and ultra-pigmented – this is a polish brand like non-other.
7. Youthforia
Youthforia was founded in 2020 by Fiona Co Chan with the purpose of creating products so fun and beneficial to wear that you don’t ever want to take them off (even in your sleep!). Designed with a vegan and cruelty-free approach in mind, she even creatively tested her products by sleeping in all the lab samples herself and even convinced her husband to do the same. Staying away from any harmful ingredients – you’ll find flattering products such as the BYO Blush (the world’s first colour changing blush oil) that universally reacts to your skin’s PH, giving you a natural flush.
8. Glamnetic
Born in the summer of 2019, Glamnetic provides an easy-to-apply yet glamorous solution for all eyelash
lovers. These magnetic eyelashes have become a lifesaver where all that’s needed is the brands’
magnetic liquid eyeliner and set of lashes. The eyeliner essentially acts as ‘glue’, allowing the lashes to naturally gravitate to the magnetics inside. Little did co-founder Ann McFerran know that these would sweep the beauty market away and today they’re everywhere – with ample reviews on Youtube, Instagram and Twitter.
9. 107
107’s key ingredient is slightly different from the rest; aged vinegar. Not just any vinegar, but one that’s been fermented for 30 years. Created by Chloe Kawak, a Certified National Aesthetician in Korea, and Seyong Shin, CEO of one of the oldest and largest aged vinegar breweries in Korea; the brand was built off the basis that generational beauty secrets matter. This tactic of using vinegar has been passed down 36 generations within the founders’ families, where the brands’ focus is to advance the skin naturally, with mundane resources. Products like their Everyday Glow Probiotic Set, Avocado Cuddle Sheet Mask and Chaga Jelly Low pH Cleanser work the best – even for those with sensitive skin!
