For years, finding products that worked perfectly for my Brown skin was no easy feat. Enter South Asian–owned brands like Kulfi and Live Tinted. Now, my daily beauty routine has become quicker and easier. To be understood and seen in the beauty world is not something I take lightly. While finding confidence in my skin was a personal journey I completed on my own, finding these products was just another piece in continuing to feel empowered. I used to spend too much time mixing and researching products, and knowing that these products were made by women who look like me and have similar skin concerns in mind takes that unnecessary pressure off my shoulders.
After trying (and loving) the products below, I was eager to share them with anyone who could benefit. Thanks to these brands being available at Sephora and Ulta, I’m sensing a positive shift in the beauty industry that has been a long time coming. Of course, there’s still a lot of work left to be done, but supporting these brands is a step in the right direction. Keep scrolling to see the four beauty products from South Asian–owned brands that have become integral parts of my beauty routine.
For years, I figured there wasn’t a concealer for me. To get the right match, I used to mix multiple shades together to get something close to what I needed for my skin and undertone. That was until Kulfi released its concealer. While I still use a color corrector here and there for extra coverage, a little goes a long way with this product. I also have dehydrated skin along with dark circles, but with vitamin E infused into the formula, this concealer helps keep my under-eye area hydrated and crease-free.
As a South Asian woman, kajal is a beauty product I’ve known since childhood. The problem with the kajals that my mom and aunts once used is that many contained high levels of lead and also smudged pretty easily. Kulfi’s kajal was a game changer for me. Not only does it come in multiple colors that show up on my skin, but it’s also lead-free and infused with vitamin E and aloe vera, making for easy and smooth application. Its long-lasting color also doesn’t budge unless I put my cleansing balm on it.
I’ve grown from who I was as an insecure teenager and have learned to embrace how my skin looks, and that includes my discoloration. I don’t opt for full coverage on a daily basis, but when I do, Live Tinted’s Huestick makes color correcting simple.
Many mainstream-hyped highlighters tend to look pretty on lighter skin but can often end up a little chalky looking on my skin. I wanted something that seamlessly blended with my natural skin tone while adding a healthy glow. That is precisely what Live Tinted’s Hueglow does.
