We’re celebrating South Asian beauty by highlighting the makeup and skincare brands making a name for themselves in the industry!

My culture is a huge part of who I am. As a child, I used to live two lives, one at home and one at school. We would have all benefited from more representation. Now our worlds are beginning to be more united.

There are many South Asian ingredients and practices adopted by non-South Asian brands like oiling and turmeric facials/lattes. I am happy to see South Asian beauty brands taking inspiration from their heritage, background, and issues they have dealt with while creating a space for themselves in the beauty industry.

Skincare 

Before our clean and plant-based movement, Ayurveda is one of the oldest approaches to holistic healing (5000 years), a natural system of medicine. Full health = balanced mind, body and spirit using our bodies (yoga meditation and massage) and natural ingredients and herbal remedies.

Sahajan is a Canadian-based company, founded by Lisa Mattem. They’ve worked with doctors in southern India, and have performed clinical trials and consumer testing. They were featured in Vogue, Refinery29.

• Looking for immediate results and glow? Try the Radiance Serum + Oiling. It combines the powers of Western and Eastern ideals.

Ranavat was founded by Michelle Ranavat. They use ingredients that the royals used to encourage self-care.

• Royal Tonique uses Jasmine: A hydrator, and a very popular South Asian Flower.
• Radiant Rani – Turmeric + Saffron: Great for inflammation and brightening.

Brand Representation 

Sephora

• They had their second Diwali Campaign, which united the worlds of many South Asian Canadians.
• One of the few times a retailer has celebrated our culture with us and created belonging.
• Sharing the stories of creators and change-makers across skin colours, ages and cultures.
• Ramie Veerappan: a single mother, advocate for women, opened a nursing agency in Canada
  for mothers and babies, the first woman of colour pharmaceutical representative.
• Ruby Dhillion is the CEO & Founder of the non-profit Pink Attitude which focuses on empowering South Asian women to achieve their full potential in their chosen endeavours.

Vasanti

• Brands barely prioritized the issues people of colour frequently deal with, like hyperpigmentation
  until there was M.A.C and Vasanti.
• Built on the bonds of sisterhood and inclusivity, founded by 4 sisters in 1998.