11 of the best Asian-Canadian fashion & beauty brands you need to know — Blume, Three Ships, Monos and more
Some of these brands are in the early stages, while others have already carved out a space in their industry. But what unites them all is their bold missions and dedication to sharing their stories with the world.
Whether you're looking for a new beauty staple or chic workwear, each brand on our curated list offers something special. Not what you're looking for?
Founded in 1999 by four women of South Asian descent, Vasanti Cosmetics was born from a shared struggle — finding products that looked good for their skin tones. They set out to create a beauty brand that embraces all skin colours and types, ensuring representation and inclusiveness for beauty lovers.
Recommendation: The Sun's Up! Tinted Mineral Sunscreen is a new SPF launch that works as both a sunscreen and anti-dark spot cream to fade spots overtime.
Co-founded by Connie Lo and Laura Burget in 2017, Three Ships is all about keeping things natural. Made with science-backed and sustainably-sourced ingredients, every product is a reflection of the founders' vision for clean, effective and affordable skincare. Plus, it's proudly made in Canada.
Recommendation: The Radiance Ultra-Hydrating Cream is lightweight, non-greasy and offers all-day hydration.
Sisters Bunny and Taran Ghatrora founded Blume in 2018 because of their personal journeys with acne-prone skin. Their goal? Gentle and effective products to make women young women feel comfortable in their own skin.
Recommendation: Blume's most recent launch, the Toffee Tripeptide-1 Lip Tint, delivers all-day hydration with a dash of colour.
Lisa Mattam launched Sahajan in 2015 after a moment of clarity: if she wouldn't use harsh ingredients on her daughter's skin, why would she use it on her own? Sahajan blends Ayurvedic beauty principles with modern science using clean, natural ingredients.
Recommendation: The Ayurvedic Blend Nourish Crème Riche is a cream that targets dryness and fine lines. It works to nourish the skin while brightening it with triphala.
Founded in 2010 by husband-wife duo Arjuna Thiagarajah and Min Kang, Oak + Fort is a minimal fashion brand created with the idea that style doesn't have to come with a steep price. You'll find high-quality, sustainable pieces that are chic and affordable.
Recommendation: This timeless cardigan is a great piece for transitional weather.
Launched in 2018 by a group of childhood friends who love to travel, Monos is a high-end luggage brand built with mindful travel in mind. They offer sleek, minimal designs that are made to last.
Recommendation: The brand's latest addition is the Gesso tote bag made out of 100 per cent cotton canvas. It's spacious and works great as a carry-on travel bag.
Two long-time friends came together to create Frank And Oak in 2012, with the goal of creating durable and quality pieces at a fair price point. Unfortunately, the brand recently announced they're closing their doors — but there are still some great deals to snag.
Recommendation: The Amelia Balloon Pants are chic and effortless, making them a versatile option to take from meetings to post-work cocktails.
When a group of friends from Vancouver found themselves always dealing with wet socks, they were compelled to create Vessi in 2018. The innovative brand features 100 per cent waterproof shoes made from a knit fabric that's soft, flexible and lightweight.
Recommendation: The Market Flat is a sleek loafer-style shoe that is fashionable and functional.
Silk & Snow, a premium sleep and bedding brand, was started in 2017 by two friends inspired by sustainability and comfort.
Recommendation: The Muslin Blankets and Bedding products are gentle and lightweight, making them a great bedding option for summer.
This trending beauty brand was founded in 2024 by Matthew Celestial to challenge the busy and burnt out mindset with a moment of self recovery through skincare — all while championing representation for all skin tones and types.
Recommendation: The Quantum Mud Mask purifies, exfoliates and moisturizes the skin, leaving you with a glowing complexion.
Ghlee was created in 2018 when brother and sister duo Varun and Arati Sharma realized how ghee could combat harsh Canadian winters. It's the first ghee-based beauty brand that blends traditional South Asian remedies with a modern approach.
Recommendation: This popular lip mask is made from ghee, olive squalane and kahai oil to hydrate and sooth dry, cracked lips.
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Refinery29
08-08-2025
- Refinery29
Meet Kulfi, The South Asian-Inspired Beauty Brand Making Waves At Space NK
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. I distinctly remember the day when I was at school and a boy in my maths class slipped me a note. I opened it and staring back at me was a rudimentary caricature of me, only with big, fat caterpillars where my brows should be. I wanted to disappear. The following year, I obsessively tweezed my brows to the point where they were uneven, scrawny husks of their former selves (luckily they grew back) and began shaving my arm hair and bleaching my moustache — even though it made my skin itch like it was on fire. It was one thing to be aware of things I didn't like about myself, but it was as if my worst fear was realised when other people noticed them, too. As a mixed-race Asian-American woman, I felt like I was constantly retaliating against my body's natural tendency towards hairiness; many Japanese women I saw looked as smooth as a dolphin and it made me feel like a beast in comparison. The stigma I experienced as a woman with visible body and facial hair was even heavier with the pressure of Asian beauty standards — and I'm not alone. A similar story inspired Priyanka Ganjoo to create a beauty brand, Kulfi, that celebrates and represents her Indian heritage. One of the brand's launches, Free The Brow, particularly embodies the brand's ethos of celebrating and enhancing your natural features: In addition to defining and enhancing brows in a single sweep, it conditions them with ingredients like vitamin E and sunflower oil. (Before you ask, no: It doesn't tame brows, because spoiler alert — they don't need to be tamed in the first place.) In an interview with R29, Priyanka gets candid about embracing body hair, finding inspiration in South Asian culture and why she's on a mission to make makeup fun again. The following interview was told to Karina Hoshikawa and has been edited for length and clarity. On starting a beauty brand It's wild to me that I started a makeup brand because I didn't even wear makeup until my late 20s. I just felt like it wasn't for me — it was for a certain aesthetic or a certain type of girl that wasn't me. I didn't feel included in that conversation. I did an MBA and got into the beauty industry from a business side at Estée Lauder, and then at Ipsy. I realised that makeup can be really fun, and I started trying things by myself and went on this discovery. I wondered, Are there brands serving South Asian consumers?, both from a product perspective — their undertones, products that address their concerns — but also the community. So I decided to do it myself. 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Time Business News
12-07-2025
- Time Business News
Women Fashion Jewelry Guide: What to Wear & How to Wear It
Jewelry has long been a symbol of elegance, self-expression, and personal style. From subtle pieces that add polish to bold designs that make a statement, fashion jewelry can transform an entire outfit. But knowing what to wear—and how to wear it—is essential to pulling off the perfect look. This women's fashion jewelry guide will walk you through the must-have pieces, top styling tips, and how to choose the right accessories for every occasion. Fashion jewelry—also known as costume jewelry—is designed to complement current trends without the high price tag of fine jewelry. Made with materials like brass, cubic zirconia, and gold-plated metals, fashion jewelry allows women to explore their style in creative and affordable ways. Affordable & stylish Easy to mix and match Trend-focused Widely available Perfect for experimenting with bold or seasonal looks Whether you're dressing up for a formal event or adding sparkle to your everyday look, the right jewelry can tie your entire outfit together. Let's explore the core categories of fashion jewelry and how to wear them. Earrings are one of the most versatile accessories. They can frame your face, highlight your features, and add personality to your outfit. Studs : Ideal for minimalists and everyday wear. Diamond or pearl studs go with everything. : Ideal for minimalists and everyday wear. Diamond or pearl studs go with everything. Hoops : Great for casual and semi-formal settings. Choose thin gold hoops for a classic touch, or thick, colorful hoops for a trend-forward look. : Great for casual and semi-formal settings. Choose thin gold hoops for a classic touch, or thick, colorful hoops for a trend-forward look. Statement Earrings: Perfect for parties or events. 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Charm Bracelets : Fun and personal—great for casual outfits. : Fun and personal—great for casual outfits. Bangle Sets: Ideal for traditional or festive occasions, especially in South Asian or Middle Eastern styles. Tip: If you're wearing a watch, balance it with a couple of delicate bracelets on the opposite wrist. Rings symbolize elegance and sophistication. They can be dainty or oversized—depending on your mood and occasion. Midi Rings : Worn on the upper part of the fingers; trendy and playful. : Worn on the upper part of the fingers; trendy and playful. Stackable Rings : Combine metals and stones for a modern, curated look. : Combine metals and stones for a modern, curated look. Statement Rings: A single bold ring can be your outfit's focal point. Tip: If you're wearing multiple rings, keep nails neat and choose complementary colors and finishes. 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Whether you're a minimalist or a maximalist, here are universal jewelry styling tips: Too many statement pieces can overwhelm your look. If you're wearing bold earrings, skip the necklace—or vice versa. Warm skin tones : Look best in gold, copper, and bronze. : Look best in gold, copper, and bronze. Cool skin tones : Complement silver, platinum, and white gold. : Complement silver, platinum, and white gold. Neutral tones: Lucky you—you can wear both! Mix textures, shapes, and chain lengths when layering, but avoid tangling. Stick to a unified color theme for a polished appearance. Small face? Avoid oversized hoops. Short neck? Skip chokers. Think of jewelry as a way to enhance, not hide, your features. Stay up-to-date with seasonal jewelry trends. In 2025, these are some popular styles: Chunky chains – Still trending in gold and silver. – Still trending in gold and silver. Colorful enamel – Adding vibrant pops to otherwise neutral outfits. – Adding vibrant pops to otherwise neutral outfits. Pearl reimagined – Asymmetric, baroque, and mixed-material pieces. – Asymmetric, baroque, and mixed-material pieces. Personalized jewelry – Initials, zodiac signs, and birthstones. Women Fashion jewelry is more than just a finishing touch—it's an extension of your personal style and mood. Whether you're looking for something minimal and sleek or bold and eye-catching, the key is to wear it with confidence. With the right pieces and a few smart styling tips, your jewelry can effortlessly elevate any outfit. TIME BUSINESS NEWS Jewelry has long been a symbol of elegance, self-expression, and personal style. From subtle pieces that add polish to bold designs that make a statement, fashion jewelry can transform an entire outfit. But knowing what to wear—and how to wear it—is essential to pulling... Women Fashion Jewelry Guide: What to Wear & How to Wear It
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
Canadian influencer Spencer Barbosa 'never saw girls that looked like' her growing up. Now it's her mission to 'just be real'
At just 22, Spencer Barbosa has amassed millions of followers (more than 11 million, to be exact), built a digital brand rooted in self-love, launched a partnership with skincare & beauty brand Blume and cultivated a loyal community that sees her as more than just a content creator. Known for her unfiltered takes on beauty standards and body image, the Ontario-born influencer has never been afraid to keep it real. "Growing up on social media, all I ever saw was perfect bodies, no hair, hair and makeup done all the time. ... So I made it my mission to just be real, because I never saw girls that looked like me on social media," she tells Yahoo Canada. Her TikTok and Instagram pages are filled with messages of body positivity and self-acceptance, from embracing "bikini bloat" and skipping makeup when she wants, to speaking openly about topics women are often taught to hide. "I became the person online that was the normal girl, that has stretch marks and cellulite and body hair and rolls on her stomach and sometimes wants to put a T-shirt on top of her bikini because she feels bloated," she says. "I just wanted to become that for other girls so that they felt more normal and felt accepted that way." In a candid interview with Yahoo Canada, Barbosa shares the reality of being in the public eye and what she's learned along the way. Despite her confidence, Barbosa admits being an influencer isn't always easy. "The most challenging part is trying to not compare yourself," she says. "Even if you're not comparing yourself to other people, everybody is in your comments comparing you to other influencers: If you're doing enough, if you got invited on this trip, if you're wearing this outfit, if your outfit looks good today, if your hair looks good today. "The most challenging part is that your life is underneath a microscope. Everyone is making up rumours about you ..., 'Oh, her boyfriend hates her,' or, 'Oh, she's not friends with this girl because of that.'"She says it can be difficult to remember what's real and what's fake: "Sometimes, I believe rumours about myself and then I'm like, 'Wait a damn minute, I didn't get a nose job when I was in grade seven.'" Like many other influencers, she also deals with negative comments. In the past, she hasn't shied away from openly responding to negativity she receives online. "It's never nice to hear someone say something bad about you," she says, adding she tries to keep in mind that it's not personal. "It's a 'them' problem ... a projection of their own insecurities. How do I deal with that? I make funny videos posting about the hate comments I get," she says. "I'd rather laugh at it than actually internalize it." Still, she says there are a lot of positives that come with being an influencer: "It is the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my entire life. It is mind-blowing to me, how much of an impact I can make on someone's life, even though I'm so far away from them. ... It blows my mind that what I'm trying to do in this mission that I have is actually happening. I feel so connected to my followers, I really feel like we are best friends." When it comes to mental health, Barbosa keeps the same energy that she promotes online: Honesty, vulnerability and realness. Still, she notes there are time where she can do a better job of taking care of herself. She adds things like self-care days, talking it out with her boyfriend and even sharing her experience on social media can help. "I sometimes struggle because I'm such an oversharer that I want to tell everyone everything all the time, and then I do realize that I'm allowed to have a bad day and don't need to tell everybody that," she says. "And I'm also allowed to have a bad day and tell people I'm having a bad day." She emphasizes that there's power in simply speaking up: "You should never feel ashamed about talking about your mental health. ... If I don't speak up about mental health just because nobody else does it, then no one will ever speak up about mental health. ... It honestly sometimes feels really good to be vulnerable, because I find more confidence in myself — I'm proud of myself, that I could open up that much." Barbosa says the biggest lesson she's learned in her 20s so far is to stop trying to please everyone. Instead, she's adopted the "let them" theory, as popularized by Mel Robbins of The Mel Robbins Podcast. "If somebody wants to say that I'm the worst influencer in the world and I'm the ugliest person to ever exist on this entire planet, let them, that is their opinion of me," Barbosa notes. "I will let them think whatever they want, and it's not my job to prove them wrong. "If they want to leave hate comments, I will let them, because that's on them, and that is their own projection of themselves." And when the criticism gets loud? She leans on advice she keeps close to heart: "Don't take criticism from people you wouldn't take advice from. ... It's not your body that needs to change. It's your mind."
