Asian beauty is widely coveted for its formula-driven ingredients. Korea in particular contain a consumer base that is more knowledgable when it comes to learning about beauty products, especially skincare. Asian cosmetics tend to also be skincare-minded with hydrating ingredients like vitamin c and hyaluronic acid. Here’s a round-up of some Asian-founded beauty brands worth checking out, not just during Lunar New Year but all year-round.
Tower 28 – Founder Amy Liu. Marketed as clean makeup designed for sensitive skin, Tower 28 is a brand that (so far) never misses. My first introduction into cream products was the Tower 28 Bronzino Cream Bronzer ($26) and since then I’ve never looked back. Their lip glosses ($19)? Perfection. Never sticky, budget-friendly and moisturizing. Their blushes ($26)? Perfection. Dewy, pigmented, easy-to-blend and never enhances texture.
Fur – Co-founder Lillian Tung. Taking care of your skin and hair isn’t exclusive to what is above your shoulders. Fur is best known for their Fur Oil ($60) formulated to be used wherever hair meets skin, whether it’s your luscious locks or beautiful bush and hairy pits. It not only soothes and hydrates your skin and hair, but also aids in the prevention of ingrown hairs.
Tatcha – Founder Vicky Tsai. It’s hard not to fall in love with Tatcha skincare products. To their award winning formulas to their stunning packing there is no denying that skincare enthusiasts around the globe love Tatcha. The Japanese brand has thousands of positive ratings on Sephora and a strong cult following for the Silk Canvas Protective Primer ($68) which inspired other skincare-first jar primers. Truly often replicated, never duplicated.
Glow Recipe – Founders Christine Chang and Sarah Lee. Cutest packaging ever award goes to… Glow Recipe! This K-beauty inspired skincare line features all of your fave fruits with high-quality ingredients and adorable glass packaging in soft hues. I cannot say enough good things about their Watermelon Glow AHA Pink Dream Body Cream ($37) – it’s a dream babe scent and the addition of AHA makes it ideal for keratosis pilaris, also known as chicken-skin.
MIFA and Co. – Founders Michelle Lui and Fatemah Hamidi. MIFA is a fave of mine, founded in Vancouver by two moms in a kitchen. With sustainability and wellness in mind, their products are truly no-fuss wonders that work without excess fluff. Transform your shower to a spa-like experience with their Eucalyptus Coco Body Wash ($35) that will have your washroom feeling like a steam room in no time.
Patrick Ta – Co-founder Patrick Ta. Something that BIPOC immigrant parents love to do is point out when someone successful is the same ethnicity as you. This is my way of telling y’all that Patrick Ta is Vietnamese. Patrick Ta is a makeup artist that has worked with every single modern-day celeb you can think of and when he launched his eponymous line I knew that shit was going to be real good. I don’t know how to describe the Major Beauty Headlines – Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush ($45) without getting too vulgar but OMG. Never before would I ever dare to apply cream blush OVER powder blush but Patty has a hold on me like no other and it gives me the perfect flush every time.
INH Hair – Co-founder Sharon Pak. I have been a Sharon Pak fan since her days at ColourPop Cosmetics and when her and her bestie started INH Hair, I was on board for that too. I attribute Sharon to a big part of the success that is ColourPop today with her humour and enthusiasm for the brand while sharing swatches and since she left ColourPop I honestly don’t keep up with the launches as much. Her new baby, INH Hair offers high quality hair extensions, hair pieces and wigs to give you the perfect Ariana Grande style ponytail or a pink bob just like Natalie Portman in Closer.
Fable and Mane – Founders Nikita and Akash Mehta. Did you know that hair oiling has traditional Indian roots (pun intended)? Made with ashwagandha, the Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil ($45) is a unique oil meant to be used prior to washing your tresses to promote healthy hair growth while stimulating your scalp. Did I mention it also smells divine? A musky floral that smells like red champaca and jasmine sambac. *Elmo voice* delicious.
Byredo – Founder Ben Gorham. I’m a gal who would love to have a signature scent, but there are so many great fragrances it’s hard to pick a fave. If we’re just talking fave brands though, Byredo is HIGH on that list. If I was a rich girl, I would bath in Mojave Ghost from Byredo ($257) because it is one of my most unique fragrances. It’s a woodsy floral that suits any season. It’s one of those scents that iykyk. Not looking to spend over $200 on a fragrance? I get it. Fret not, they collaborated with OUAI to sell their Leave-In Conditioner ($34) in the iconic scent.
Kid Sister – Founder Maxine Tamoto. Face oils. I love them and I am going to keep loving them. Even though I have an oily skintype, the right facial oil can add a lot of nutrients to my skin. I have been loving the Kid Sister Super Ego Face Oil ($67) because it adds enough slip to use skincare tools, like my gua sha and facial cups, without weighing it down.
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