Support Local: Homegrown beauty & fragrance brands you should not miss in Singapore
I love local brands and am incredibly proud of our homegrown brands for making a splash in the staid cookie-cutter retail scene with well-designed, quality and effective products – many of which are award-winning and social enterprises. So, with our nation's 57th birthday fast approaching on 9 August, here's a tribute to our hardworking local entrepreneurs who are making our little red dot's presence felt on the world map.
Let’s see how far we have come and build one another up by supporting local, okay? Happy birthday my beautiful homeland Singapore!
Beauty & Skincare
Kew Organics
Believing in "Bare skin rocks", the first thing you notice when you step into Kew Organics is how the staff's skin glows, even without a tinge of makeup. That is how powerful the message Kew Organics sends to its customers. Founded in 2014, Kew Organics debuted as Singapore's first ladies-only organic facial bar, offering a comprehensive and targeted menu of organic face and body treatments. Founder Lily Kew also won the Women Entrepreneur Award 2018 and Spirit of Enterprise 2019. She is currently expanding her geographical footprint, continuing her mission to harness the power of organic skincare to help Kew Organics users achieve skin so clean, clear and healthy that we can ditch the use of makeup. How wonderful is that?
Related read:
Go natural & needleless with Kew Organics medical-grade facials and skincare products
Kew Organics Age-Defying Set (37% savings with free Facial Treatment worth $137!), S$453 (was S$533)
Porcelain
A cult-premium local brand founded by a veteran aesthetician, Jenny and her daughter, Pauline, Porcelain is guided by its philosophy of achieving healthy and radiant skin from within. A multi-award winner since its inception in 2009, Porcelain Spa and Porcelain Skincare is well-known for its manual extraction method that Jenny has developed and perfected over 30 years. Try it to believe it.
Porcelain HA+ Hydrating Serum, S$198
IDS
Homegrown skincare brand IDS (Innovative Dermatological Solutions) Skincare was started in 2014 by one of the pioneers in the field of aesthetics in Singapore, Dr SK Tan. IDS houses a wide range of established and thoroughly researched skincare products to improve specific skin conditions.
IDS Skincare Probiotic Mask, S$71.69
DrGL
For maximum efficacy and minimum fuss, DrGL formulations are based on decades of medical & aesthetic experience, patient feedback, clinical tests, and exacting standards. Their team of skin experts: aesthetics doctors, pharmacists, advanced aesthetics professionals and professional beauticians have amassed more than 5 million contact hours with day-to-day clients, and addressing real skin concerns.
Not just that, the brand’s proprietary skin and hair care formulas are developed with premium ingredients and science-driven research. The brand takes pride in putting extra care and effort into product development. DrGL products are tested and assessed by independent toxicologists to be safe for use and free of 1400 harmful ingredients. A true mark of a homegrown label that is here to stay. The brand encourages you to try it and experience the improvements yourself.
DrGL Moisturizer Anti-aging (Face/Body), S$122.23 (was S$128)
Scents
Scent by Six
Proudly Singaporean, Scent by Six is also the appointed scent provider for Singapore Airlines and several hotel chains such as Fullerton Hotel. To say this brand is borne out of love is not an exaggeration. The story goes that founder and loving husband Jason, who honed his craft at the world-renowned fragrance house, Givaudan, wanted to commemorate and encapsulate his love for his fragrance-loving wife-to-be. He presented his wife-to-be three scents which served as wedding favours for his guests. Of course, the scents were a hit and the rest is history.
Subsequently, when his wife had insomnia during pregnancy, Jason sought to create another range of scents to ease her discomfort and promote sleep. The brand is also driven by social causes and is a strong advocate for several charity organisations. Scent by Six has recently collaborated with a non-profit organisation, Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL), of which a portion of the sales proceeds will be donated to CAL to enable them to provide training and support to caregivers of persons with mental health issues.
Related read: Fragrances and scents for you and your home
Scent by SIX. 27°F Biei Pillow Mist, 30ml, S$28
Fashion
GinLee Studio
GinLee Studio is one of the best examples of our country's immigrant roots. A product of global citizens who have found a home in Singapore, designers Gin Lee & Tamir Niv are all about Making Fashion That Matters. Practicality is on their minds when thoughtfully designing functional and unique clothes that flatter various sizes. One of their most noteworthy design passions is extending 3D elements that complement the female forms, making day-to-night wearable art designed not for the perfect body but the everyday body.
Read on for worthy mentions of our proudly Singaporean labels such as Charles & Keith and Love, Bonito that are making us proud on the world map.
Related read: Support local: Singaporean fashion brands Yahoo editors love
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