The beauty landscape comprises a multitude of options. Across every skin type, complexion and preference, there is no shortage of products promising transformative results. But in such a saturated market, it might pay to look closer—towards the brands that understand us best.
In Singapore, beauty is shaped as much by our environment as it is by innovation. The relentless humidity, year-round heat and fast-paced urban lifestyle create a unique set of skincare needs that homegrown founders know intimately. It is this understanding that has been the driving force behind the wave of locally developed products which are thoughtfully formulated, highly effective and built to thrive in our climate.
As Singapore celebrates National Day this August, it’s also an opportune moment to recognise the local beauty brands whose work is putting Singapore on everyone’s radar. From labels like Sahur’s Art to Blunies, these homegrown names are proving that formulas designed in Singapore can stand confidently alongside their international peers. Ahead, the Vogue Singapore beauty team rounds up its favourite local releases that are certainly worthy of a place in any beauty routine.
1 / 7
Jing Botanics The Restorative Conditioner
As someone who is constantly subjecting her mane to perms and other forms of heat styling, a nourishing conditioner has been a lifesaver with regard to bolstering my hair health. On this front, The Restorative Conditioner by Jing Botanics certainly delivers. Touted as a multi-peptide conditioner and treatment, it can be used as both a daily conditioner or a leave-in hair mask depending on the condition of your strands. My fine, brittle locks benefit the most when I don’t wash it out, and I’ve observed that it gains a glossy-like finish within just days of use. For optimal results, scrunch a dime-size amount through wet tresses and dry it on medium heat with a diffuser attachment. — Emily Heng, beauty editor
Jing Botanics The Restorative Conditioner, $48, available at Jing Botanics
2 / 7
Romi Beauty Lip Treat Oil
After years of wearing liquid lipsticks with ultra-matte finishes, my lips could admittedly use some TLC. While I’ve since moved on to creamier products, some days just call for extra nourishment. That’s when the Lip Treat Oil from Romi Beauty comes to my rescue. Formulated with a whole host of peptides, ceramides, Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, it glides on effortlessly like butter. One swipe delivers a sheer yet buildable tint that pairs well with a darker lip liner. The best part—it wears like a rich balm and has the sheen of a gloss without the dreaded stickiness. After a day’s wear, my lips feel more hydrated and have fewer fine lines. I especially love the metal applicator, which provides a cooling respite from the heat and is oh-so-easy to clean. A personal favourite is the shade Rosewood, which produces a delicious caramel brown hue. — Anis Nabilah, beauty intern
Romi Beauty Lip Treat Oil in Rosewood, $24, available at Romi Beauty
3 / 7
Bareness Skin Sculpt Screen
As expressive as my face is—coupled with how oily my face gets—my blush doesn’t always stay put all day long. My go-to way of touching up the pigment has been with this nifty compact from Bareness Skin, which works equally well as both a cheek and lip tint. Packed with UV filters and iron oxides, it deposits creamy, nourishing colour while also protecting against UV and visible light. A few swipes of this is an effortless way of topping up sun protection on the go, especially since it can also be snapped onto the back of the phone with its MagSafe component. —Aileen Liang, beauty writer
Bareness Skin Sculpt Screen, $68, available at Bareness Skin
4 / 7
Blunies Ultra Brightening Deodorant in Sakura Blossom
A deodorant that does the most. Beyond ensuring my underarms stay cool, dry and pleasant-smelling, Blunies’s star product also contains rainbow algae and aloe vera to moisturise as well as speed up skin renewal, which means discolouration is no longer an issue. The Sakura Blossom scent—which also comes with light hints of cherry and rose—is a personal favourite for its long-lasting capabilities. — Emily Heng, beauty editor
Blunies Ultra Brightening Deodorant in Sakura Blossom, $12.90, available at Blunies
5 / 7
Sahur’s Art Olive Hydration Jelly
Before the Olive Hydrating Jelly from Sahur’s Art, finding a moisturiser that could withstand Singapore’s relentless humidity without veering into greasy territory felt like an impossible pursuit. Best known for its glimmering eyeshadows and seamless complexion products, the brand’s debut skincare offering is, to me, the most compelling release yet. The featherlight gel-jelly texture melts quickly into the skin, delivering an instant surge of hydration without any lingering residue. Infused with squalene, the formula leaves my skin feeling smooth and hydrated, while visibly calming any redness. The semi-matte finish works as a final flourish, gripping makeup from the very first step. — Anis Nabilah, beauty intern
Sahur’s Art Olive Hydration Jelly, $59, available at Sahur’s Art
6 / 7
Postcard x Sojao Sleep In Anywhere Fragrance
My first time stepping into a Sojao store, this perfumed the air: a soft plume of jasmine and lilies, anchored by the comforting depth of pinewood. Reminiscent of sun-dried linens swaying in the breeze, a few spritzes of this on my pillowcase and sheets instantly calms the nerves after a long day. What I appreciate most is the phthalate-free formulation, which makes it safer to breathe in all night long. Out of all the pillow mists in my collection, I find myself reaching for this whenever I truly need a good night’s sleep. —Aileen Liang, beauty writer
Postcard x Sojao Sleep In Anywhere Fragrance, $45 for 50ml, available at Postcard
7 / 7
Ést.Lab Vitalift A+ Cellular Renewal Serum
In truth, there are times when I feel inundated by the sheer number of serum options I could pad in between my toners or moisturisers. Often, I fall back on something more simple and effective, like a hydrating serum, for example. That changed with Ést.Lab Vitalift A+ Cellular Renewal Serum, which employs a slow, dogged approach to refining skin texture and boosting skin recovery over time. By slowly building it into my night routine, this overnight formulation has been crucial in revitalising my dull, sallow skin, with the main inclusion of Lactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles, which derives its power from probiotics. When combined with other antioxidant ingredients and retinol (a key tool for stimulating collagen), I find myself on the receiving end of a great deal: lessened appearance of texture and pores, the obvious removal of dead skin cells and overall radiance that is worked into my skin. — Azrin Tan, associate digital editor
Ést.Lab Vitalift A+ Cellular Renewal Serum, $176, available at Ést Lab.
