This Lunar New Year (celebrated today, February 1) ushers in the Year of the Tiger—which according to the Chinese zodiac should bring about adventure, risk-taking, and a newfound sense of braveness. While we’re excited about the fierce and festive Lunar New Year collectible beauty products launched every year from the spectrum of luxury to indie brands, it’s particularly an important moment to discover and show support for Asian-owned brands.
While washing or cutting your hair is a no-go today according to Chinese tradition—as doing either of these things can be seen as washing your fortune away, dramatically reducing the chances of prosperity in the year ahead—after you’re okayed to clear out your makeup bag, you might be in the mood for some new products. These are the Asian-owned brands you’ll want on your radar this New Year and beyond.
This year, two cult-favorite AAPI-founded brands Cocokind and Tower 28 have collaborated for a glowing kit with curated skincare and makeup essentials.
Five dollars from each purchase of the kit will be donated directly to the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum.
Muihood is a brand born from founder Charlotte Yau’s desire to reconnect with her culture. “When I started Muihood, I wanted to celebrate traditional Chinese medicine ingredients and their ancient powers in skincare essentials,” she says.
Powered by Chinese botanicals, the Good Chi buttery cleansing balm removes makeup with ease and the soybean oil in the formula (rich in fatty acids and vitamin E) keeps skin feeling soft to the touch.
The brand is known for the internet favorite BYO Blush which reacts to your skin’s natural pH to instantly give you the perfect shade of natural flush. But get ready to love the ultra soothing and redness reducing Pregame Primer (sleep-tested by Chan).
Pink Moon is a great brand to help introduce you to the 4,000-year-old holistic health massage technique, gua sha, that originates from China. Check out gua sha tutorials on the brand’s Instagram.
Pink Moon’s ultimate Gua Sha Toolset is on sale now. It includes the perfect gua sha tool for you scalp, body, and face.
Black Bean Grocery is a haircare brand established in 2018 by designers and engineers, Braondon Ly & James Bui.
Growing up in a Chinese household, Supernal founder Melissa Medvedich says there was “an inherent emphasis placed on caring for your skin”. As she reached adulthood, she says this was a full-fledged passion and thus Supernal was born, a botanically-based skincare line of refined essentials.
The brand’s Cosmic Oil Glow is an elegantly textured oil, that’s naturally rich in Vitamin C and Omegas 3, 6, and 9 to help seal moisture into your skin and give you a glow.
Ling New York is a luxury spa founded by celebrity esthetician Ling Chan. As a facialist to the likes of Naomi Campbell, Alexander Wang, Renee Zellweger, Mariah Carey, and Madonna since the ’80s, Ling’s skincare line is based on her signature facial treatments based on Asian beauty principles of proper exfoliation and hydration to balance the skin while preventing and treating skin ailments before they arise.
For CNY, the website is currently offering 30% off products, including the brand’s best selling Dual Moisture Emulsion.
The brand is offering a Lunar New Year Gift Set including everything you need to get a flawless complexion.