Homegrown beauties

These Singapore beauty brands know exactly what local women want and need.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

These Singapore beauty brands know exactly what local women want and need.

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Allies of Skin

Allies of Skin is minimalist skincare at its best. With only three products designed for use throughout the day, it’s perfect for those who prefer a hassle-free skincare regimen. Founder Nicholas Travis believes in the skin’s ability to heal itself, and developed Allies of Skin’s products to do just that – stimulate collagen and elastin growth, while promoting cellular renewal and inhibiting melanin production. The products are formulated without parabens, silicone, mineral oils, alcohol and fragrances – great for those with sensitive skin.

Must try: 1A Overnight Mask, $109.

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Skin Inc

Not everybody’s skin falls into a specific type or category, and Skin Inc founder Sabrina Tan understands the struggle. Their star product, the Skin Inc My Daily Dose Custom Blended Serum, allows individuals to choose three types of serums based on their skin needs, and combine them. There are nine different serums, making up a total of 84 possible combinations to create serum blend that you can call your own.

Must try: My Daily Dose Custom Blended Serum, $169.

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Browhaus

You might be familiar with the different brow services at Browhaus, but they actually carry their own line of eye makeup products ranging from mascaras, eyeliners, brow pencils to serums. Each product is developed with the busy Singaporean women in mind, offering quick and easy solutions to their makeup needs, and of course, able to withstand the humid weather.

Must try: HD Mascara by Browhaus, $17.90.

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Handmade Heroes

For those who are discerning about the products and ingredients they use, Handmade Heroes offer an amazing range of hair, lips and body care products made with natural plant-derived ingredients. They not only smell great (the Coco-licious Luscious Lip Scrub, $7.90, smells like Gula Melaka!), but are also free of parabens, preservatives and alcohols. Besides being a vegan friendly brand, they also advocate against animal testing and is certified cruelty free by PETA.

Must try: Butt Kickin’ Deep Detoxing Coffee Scrub, $19.90.

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Klarity

With research laboratories located in Korea, Klarity focuses on addressing skin concerns. The best seller, the Lasertox V-line Shape Up, $69, helps women achieve a V-shaped visage by shaping and firming skin around the jawline and neck. The Lasertox Miracle White CC Lotion, $39, another star product, is an 11-in-one CC cream which boasts of whitening, firming and hydrating effects, all in one.

Must try: Lasertox V-line Shape Up, $69.

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DrGL

After a traumatic allergic reaction which resulted in blisters on the left side of her face, Dr Georgia Lee was left with persistent hyperpigmentation which only went away after using a cream which she has customised for herself, giving her the push she needed to start her own skincare line. Armed with a wealth of clinical experience, love for skincare, and an unrelenting pursuit for perfection, Dr Georgia Lee started DrGL, a premium skincare brand which targets skin problems like oily skin, acne, uneven skin tone, sensitivity and ageing skin.

Must try: Sun Protection Mist SPF 29 PA++, $88.

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13rushes

Gone are the days when you think that synthetic brushes are of inferior quality compared to makeup brushes made with natural hair. In fact, when it comes to makeup brushes from 13rushes, it’s almost hard to believe that synthetic bristles can feel so soft. Made with dryklon, a mould-resistant fibre which dries quickly, their brushes are suitable for liquid, powder and creambased products.

Must try: Flat Top Foundation Brush, $23.

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Faux Fayc

Beauty-junkies Eileen and Yuan’s foray into the beauty industry started off with just one product – the Faux Fayc (pronounced foh-fase) Fauxlash Mascara Duo, $38, a two-step lash fibre and transplanting gel which gives short Asian lashes a 300 per cent boost in length and volume. Their success led to a range expansion, and most recently they opened a store in Plaza Singapura – an amazing feat for a local brand.

Must try: Fauxstix Matte Liquid Lipstick, $36.