The Best Local Beauty Brands in Singapore

From skincare to nail wraps and muscle-soothing essential oils, local beauty brands pack quite a punch

With the rise of multi-label lifestyle stores like Naiise and Keepers helping to take local brands to unprecedented heights even beyond our own shores, we’re inclined to #supportlocal now more than ever, mama! While everyone loves themselves some world-renowned products from Europe or South Korea, these homegrown gems also deserve a space on our vanities.

Independent sellers and products made in small batches also mean that what you’re buying off the shelves is always fresh and given extra care and attention; plus points if they’re made of organic, non-toxic ingredients. From delicious and all-natural baby balms to cult-favourite cosmetics, check out some of the best in local beauty right here!

Balm Kitchen was started by an eco-conscious mama looking to find an all-natural solution that could solve both her own chapped lips and her little boy’s atopic eczema outbreak. Officially founded in 2014, it’s now a homegrown skincare and body care line that combines gentle yet effective botanical ingredients with cosmetic formulation techniques. From moisturising body balms to deep cleansing facial clay masks and even products that help soothe bub’s diaper rash, they create simple, nourishing skin food for the whole fam!

Balm Kitchen, www.balmkitchen.com, also available at Naiise online and in-store, www.facebook.com/balmkitchen, @balmkitchen

Having just launched the grand opening of their flagship store at Plaza Singapura last week, Faux Fayc is set to be one of Singapore’s most promising up-and-coming local makeup brands. With an aim toward “celebrating individual expression”, not only does the brand create products that help women transform into their more confident selves (or ‘alter egos’, as they call it), but also weather-appropriate makeup with formulas that combat our tropical climate. Try their highly-raved Fauxlash Mascara Duo (complete with natural fibres to lengthen lashes), Fauxstix Matte Liquid lipsticks in 16 bold colours (for all-day staying power while you’re out running errands with the kids!), and more – especially with their new full range of products in store!

Faux Fayc, 68 Orchard Road, Plaza Singapura #B1-32A, Singapore 238839, Tel: (+65) 6341 9672, www.fauxfayc.com

Cruelty-free, high quality and lovingly handcrafted, 13rushes makeup brushes are some of the best in the market. Their brushes are made of plush, super soft Taklon bristles for optimal makeup application and pro-level blending. We love their wide range of tools, from single brushes to great travel kits and even those for your everyday cleansing routine.

13rushes, www.13rushes.com

With a philosophy that focuses on long-term skin health, Alexiares & Ani is a luxurious line of products that does away with using harsh ingredients like sulfates, parabens and alcohol. Instead, they formulate their skincare with skin-loving natural botanical extracts and phyto-nutrients that benefit the skin. They even have an advisory page on their site that walks you through how to assess your skin type, and the best products for it!

Alexiares & Ani, available at Naiise online and in-store, www.alexiares-and-ani.com

For mamas that are all too familiar with hectic schedules and have virtually zero ‘me time’, Allies of Skin will become your new go-to. They create smart, effective products for the modern day multi-tasker, designed to effortlessly complement all aspects of a demanding life. They believe skincare should be easy, and we agree! Start with their 24/7 kit and you’ll be set.

Allies of Skin, www.alliesofskin.com

Coat is Singapore’s first ever organic nail polish brand and producer of the first 5-Free nail lacquer, meaning the formulas don’t contain formaldehyde, resin, camphor, toluene and dibutyl phthalate. Coat offers up to 20 richly pigmented colours, available for convenient online purchase. We can’t wait to get our [perfectly painted] hands on them!

Coat Colours, www.facebook.com/coatcolours, www.coatcolours.com

100% natural, 100% non-GMO, 100% Organic, 100% paraben-free and 100% against animal testing, FrankSkincare is all about achieving healthy skin in the most natural way. They have products for everyone, from mamas and papas to even the little ones.

FrankSkincare, available at various stockists and online, www.frankskincare.com

Getting polished nails in a flash is easier to achieve than it sounds, mama. Gummi Nails is a cool homegrown nail wrap brand whose products are incredibly easy to apply while being fashion-forward and effortless. Simply peel and paste the wrap on your nail, file and you’re ready to go!

Gummi Nails, available at various stockists and online, www.gumminails.com

Completely vegan and cruelty-free, Handmade Heroes makes beauty products that look and smell good enough to eat. Top products include the Butt Kickin’ Deep Detox coffee scrub (which I’ve tried, tested and have fallen totally in love with!) and face masks that have quickly become crowd favourites! Besides skincare, they’re also big on keeping your hair in tip top shape – just try their Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo made of bamboo charcoal, refreshing peppermint and eucalyptus.

Handmade Heroes, available at various stockists and online, www.handmade-heroes.com

If you love coconut oil as a beauty treatment mama, get ready to buy everything from Katfood’s range of organic skincare, lip care, hair care and deodorants – it’s in all their products! Making generous use of ‘nature’s super gift to mankind’, the folks behind Katfood produce effective yet simple products that suit everyone.

Katfood, available at various stockists and online, www.ilovekatfood.com

With a simple, natural and effective approach to skincare, Mandy T believes that substituting chemicals with safe, 100% plant-based alternatives and eliminating unnecessary packaging takes us one step closer towards making the world a healthier and more sustainable place. Their products are created in small batches and the proof is in the pudding really. Or in this case, their Jasmine, Mint + Orange Body Cream that has bagged many awards from local and international publications alike. One application of this miracle moisturiser and your skin will brighten and glow, and feel instantly softer and firmer – we’ll take 10.

Mandy T, www.mandytskincare.com

Quirky, kitschy and uniquely Singaporean, Shophouse Sixtyfive is a brand that’s very much inspired by the heritage of this Little Red Dot’s vibrant culture. With products named after local kueh, iconic landmarks and cheeky Hokkien terms (read: Wah Chio Bu Lady Lip & Cheek Stain), these little gems could also double up as awesome souvenirs for friends and family back home!

Shophouse Sixtyfive, available at various stockists and online, www.shophousesixtyfive.com

Being the daughter of a beauty salon owner (three salons in total, to be exact) back in the day has its perks. Sabrina Tan’s early exposure to skincare naturally left her curious to find the perfect paraben- and fragrance-free product, hence giving life to Skin Inc. and putting Singapore on the beauty map! Fans from all over the world rave about their serums, so it’s only right that you try it out for yourself, mama.

Skin Inc Concept Store, ION Orchard 2 Orchard Turn, #B3-43, Singapore 238801, Tel: (+65) 6222 7428, www.iloveskininc.com

ZVI Fine Oils makes practical oil blends for relieving symptoms of common ailments while also supporting overall immunity and wellness. Besides their wide range of relief blends that can help relieve symptoms of colds, headaches and even after-workout body aches, they also offer pet care, therapeutic foot soaks, insect repellent spritzers and fragrant perfume oils.

ZVI Fine Oils, available at various stockists and online, www.zvioils.com