10 Local beauty brands that have broken ground in Singapore

Lim Han 18 Apr 2017 updated the 20 April 2017 à 11:49

1/10
Katfood
Reminiscent of the world renowned organic British skincare brand, Lush, with its handwritten-esque font and sleek packaging, Katfood’s products bear further similarity in the aspects of their freshness and handmade quality. Expect their products to have short shelf lives as they’re made with 100% raw and unprocessed ingredients, free of any chemical preservatives. With natural skincare formulations that are said to even be edible, you can bet its safety of the highest order. Clinging firmly onto the belief that “less is more”, Katfood’s recipes are kept short and sweet, which ensures that every ingredient is highly potent and effectual.

Photo: Katfood Facebook

Website: www.ilovekatfood.com
2/10
Skin Inc
With stores spreading all across the globe, from Brunei to Spain, amongst others, Skin Inc is a force to be reckoned with. Sabrina Tan’s determination to find a remedy for her children’s eczema and her constant outbreaks of hives birthed Skin Inc, which broke ground in the global skincare scene by being the first skincare supplement bar to offer customisable paraben-and-fragrance-free serums. This involves thorough skin analyses and consultations which will aid them in accurately personalising a serum to target your individual skin condition. Impressed? Well, we definitely are.

Photo: Skin Inc Facebook

Website: www.iloveskininc.com
3/10
Handmade Heroes
Natural, vegan, paraben-free skincare products that work? It’s an absolute dream. Except, it’s not - Handmade Heroes has translated that fantasy into stone-cold reality with their handmade products made with the finest premium ingredients. Your skin will be cared for in the kindest way possible while being completely renewed. Their flattering packaging brags of bold fonts mingled with complementary neutral hues that are bound to catch your eye and have your fingers reaching out for them without a second thought. Beauty Warrior Face Masks and Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo will blow you away. Not to mention, their wallet-friendly prices, as well.

Photo: Handmade Heroes Facebook

Website: www.handmade-heroes.com
4/10
Auolive
Birthed from a woman’s quest to revolutionise tedious skincare regimes in order to make them efficient and effective, Auolive aims to provide busy working women with simple-to-use and hassle-free skincare products. Their stunning range of products harnesses natural active ingredients that promise to be safe on the skin and multi-functional. Not to mention, their playful packaging and girlish fonts are extremely appealing to the eye. From Day Glowers to Radiance Revealers, your skin will be more than doted on.

Photo: Auolive Facebook

Website: www.auolive.com
5/10
Faux Fayc
Makeup aficionados, heads up - you’re going to want to hear this. Locally born and bred, Faux Fayc is a stunning makeup brand that’s seen overwhelming success since its not-so-humble beginnings. What started out as a mere quest for the perfect mascara for Asian women rapidly escalated into a full-blown company which offers women innovative and empowering cosmetic products. From velvety lipsticks and pigmented blushes to liquid eyeliners and lustrous brushes, this brand has no lack of variety in the makeup department. Boasting of a physical retail store in Plaza Singapura, the evidence of their success is pretty clear.

Photo: Faux Fayc Facebook

Website: www.fauxfayc.com
6/10
Shophouse Sixtyfive
There’s nothing like chic beauty products which borrow elements from our local heritage and culture. It grants us a deep sense of national identity while infusing cheeky touches into our beauty routine. Shophouse Sixtyfive will draw you in with their vintage packaging and Singaporean local slang-inspired product names, such as Wah Chio Bu Lip & Cheek Tint and Rose Bandung Lipbalm. With whimsical handcrafted products made in meticulous small batches, this brand will provide the perfect nostalgic indulgence for your bath and body. Shower your mother, sisters and girlfriends with their endearing gift sets which they are bound to fall head over heels for.

Photo: Shophouse Sixtyfive Facebook

Website: www.shophousesixtyfive.com
7/10
Allies of Skin
Living up to its name, Allies of Skin is founded upon the firm belief in the skin’s divine self-healing power. Their products are specially curated to merely enhance and guide this healing process with the power of nourishing ingredients and effective anti-oxidants to rejuvenate the skin. Expect nothing less than sleek designs and fuss-free packaging from this elegant brand. Though it’s not the friendliest to your wallet, you can bet you’re getting your money’s worth with every inch of your flawless skin.

Photo: @jessicaval

Website: www.alliesofskin.com
8/10
Balm Kitchen
Fuelled by Teresa Foo’s resolve to treat her son’s persistent eczema, Balm Kitchen’s products are concocted with the upmost love and sincerity. Their name pays homage to the loving mother’s time and effort spent in the kitchen experimenting with a range of formulas. The result? Phenomenal handcrafted products made in small batches with gentle natural organic ingredients that will soothe and invigorate the skin. Teresa’s passion for green beauty and fervor for creating sterling skin food is clearly exhibited in her products and will indubitably be translated into your radiant complexion.

Photo: Balm Kitchen Facebook

Website: www.balmkitchen.com
9/10
COAT
Did you know that what you apply to your nails actually gets absorbed into the body? We didn’t. Thankfully, COAT has entered our horizons (and now, yours). COAT produces organic, toxic-free nail polishes that are safe for our nails and bodies, a standout from the crowd of paraben-and-camphor-containing nail polishes in the market. Not only that, their polishes brag of a kaleidoscope of colours specially selected to suit the Asian skin tone and are of a more viscous consistency, which solidifies their long-lasting nature. Get your hands on them via coatcolours.com, and indulge yourself in an extremely affordable mani-pedi sesh while you’re at it!

Photo: @shilohhandmade

Website: www.coatcolours.com
10/10
Frank Skincare
At first glance, we were of the impression that “Frank” was referring to a name, but after understanding their vision and values, it’s clear that it refers to the honest quality of their products. This cruelty-free brand harnesses completely organic and fresh ingredients that are lenient on the skin to restore its health and glow. Offering a range of skincare products, Frank caters to infants, men, women and even mothers-to-be. We absolutely love the earthy feel and brown hues of their packaging, which aptly symbolises the all-natural, stripped-down essence of their products.

Photo: Frank Skincare

Website: www.frankskincare.com

Ditch the products from lands abroad – it’s time to #supportlocal.

Sick of harsh chemicals breeding in your skincare products, toxic nail polish that seeps into your system, or bank-breaking mascaras that just aren’t cut out for your lashes? The answers to your problems are right here in the land of this Little Red Dot. Teeming with ambitious and innovative entrepreneurs who pour their heart and soul into the beauty industry, Singapore’s treasure chest of cosmetics and skincare brands is gradually reaching its brim (but, who cares if it overflows?). With many of them clinging onto ethical practices and eco-friendly values, the incredible people driving these brands are fuelled by passion and firm morals. Come on, what reason do we have not to support them?

Hold your jaws – we’re about to blow you away with some stunning homegrown skincare and makeup brands found right here in Singapore. From facial cleansers and clay masks to dainty lip tints and vibrant brushes, these brands promise to have your makeup drawers and skincare closets filled in no time. What are you waiting for? Head up to the gallery to check them out!

Lim Han

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