By now, we’re all familiar with the allure and reputability of Asian beauty products. From viral K-beauty trends to rising Southeast Asian brands like Sunnies Face, our region’s myriad beauty offerings are widely lauded for their aesthetic appeal and high performance alike. Now, an increasing array of beauty products are harnessing the scents and tangible benefits of traditional Asian ingredients.
There’s nothing performative about the matcha found in formulas like Laneige’s Matcha Bubble Tea Lip Sleeping Mask, Tatcha’s The Matcha Cleanser, and Peach & Lily’s Matcha Pudding Antioxidant Cream. For fans of similarly caffeinated infusions, a further bevy of beauty products incorporates the benefits of tea. Consider Armani Beauty’s Thé Yulong Eau de Toilette, an arresting blend of green and black tea notes, or skincare staples like Innisfree’s Green Tea Hyaluronic Mist.
Taro and ube have inspired the eye-catching hues of Laneige’s Taro Bubble Tea Lip Glowy Balm and Huda Beauty’s Ube Cream Blush Filter, respectively, while the much-loved red bean lends its exfoliating properties to the Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask. On an even more surprising note, Fresh’s Sake Bath is formulated with real sake to cleanse and moisturise the complexion, whilst the traditional Middle Eastern dessert kunafa (or knafeh) inspired the golden hue of a Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder shade.
Take in Vogue Singapore’s selection of beauty products incorporating these beloved flavours, below:
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Laneige Taro Bubble Tea Lip Glowy Balm
From the Philippines to Taiwan, taro is a beloved staple of many an Asian diet. As part of a limited edition Bubble Tea collection, Laneige unveiled the cult favourite Lip Glowy Balm in a taro scent that infuses lips with the balm’s signature hydrating and softening properties—and a healthy dose of taro flavour to boot.
Laneige Taro Bubble Tea Lip Glowy Balm, $28, available at Sephora
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Huda Beauty Blush Filter in Ube Cream
Inspired by the vibrant purple hue of ube, Huda Beauty has whipped up a delectable pink-lilac shade for the liquid Blush Filter. Dot on and blend with ease, in sheer and buildable layers, using the convenient sponge applicator.
Huda Beauty Blush Filter in Ube Cream, $39, available at Sephora
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Tatcha The Rice Wash Cleanser
The unassuming rice grain is a classic, time-honoured skincare staple across Asia. This much-loved cleanser from J-beauty brand Tatcha gently cleanses and hydrates the skin without leaving it feeling stripped, thanks to a formula that incorporates softening Japanese rice powder and hyaluronic acid.
Tatcha The Rice Wash Cleanser, $61 for 120ml, available at Sephora
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Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
In a tradition harking back to the Joseon Dynasty, ground red beans were used to cleanse the skin for a renewed complexion. This wisdom has been harnessed by Beauty of Joseon in the form of an exfoliating clay mask, which diminishes impurities while unveiling a brighter skin tone.
Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask, $27, available from Beauty of Joseon
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Armani Beauty Thé Yulong Eau De Toilette
The allure of both black and green teas is captured in this sublime, fresh fragrance from Armani Beauty. Evoking the Yulong Mountains of China, the blend is achieved through the exclusive extraction of hand-picked tea leaves. The result is an uplifting blend of freshness (courtesy of green tea) and smoky woodiness (courtesy of black tea), elevated by citrus notes.
Armani Beauty Thé Yulong Eau De Toilette, $295 for 100ml, available at Sephora
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Fresh Sake Bath
Made with real sake, this luxuriant bath soak is an instant portal to calm—and a complexion that’s deliciously soothed and moisturised. Inspired by the ancient beauty rituals of Japanese geisha, this delicately foaming formula is also infused with ginger water, apricot kernel oil and peach leaf extract.
Fresh Sake Bath, $145 for 400ml, available from Fresh
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Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder in Kunafa
Named for the traditional, pastry-based Middle Eastern dessert that shares its golden shade, this setting powder is wonderfully suited to deep tan skin tones. Locking in a seamless finish for make-up that lasts all day, its fine pigments impart luminosity while brightening and colour-correcting.
Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder in Kunafa, $66, available at Sephora
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Laneige Matcha Bubble Tea Lip Sleeping Mask
As silky smooth as your go-to matcha, Laneige’s beloved Lip Sleeping Mask was recently released in an on-trend Matcha Bubble Tea flavour. Achieve supple lips overnight by coating the hydrating, distinctly scented balm on your pout before sleeping. Protective vitamin C and nourishing shea butter are also star ingredients.
Laneige Matcha Bubble Tea Lip Sleeping Mask, $36, available at Sephora
