Asian entrepreneurs who are revolutionising the beauty industry

Alice Chang leverages cutting-edge technology to revolutionise beauty through Perfect Corp. Her company utilises artificial intelligence and augmented reality to develop tools like Skincare AR and Face AI, enabling real-time skin assessments and virtual makeovers. Collaborating with brands such as Estée Lauder and MAC, Perfect Corp’s YouCam apps have garnered over a billion downloads, empowering users to experiment with beauty products digitally.

Marion Caunter co-founded Hairplay Salon with celebrity hairstylist Shaun Yap, focusing on delivering exceptional hair services. Recognising common hair concerns and the growing hair trend of focusing on scalp health, she also launched Mare, offering products like the “More is More Hair Vitamins”, a biotin-enriched supplement aimed at promoting hair growth and health. Caunter’s ventures reflect her commitment to accessible and effective hair care solutions.

Dr Aivee Aguilar-Teo leads The Aivee Group, a premier dermatology and cosmetic surgery center in the Philippines. Emphasising technological advancement, she has introduced treatments like Sofwave and the Picasso Laser, addressing various skin concerns. Beyond her clinical practice, Dr Aguilar-Teo established Beauty Beyond Borders, a foundation providing dermatological services to underserved communities, exemplifying her dedication to holistic beauty and social responsibility.

Anchisa Vacharaphol founded Everpink in 2019, offering beauty enthusiasts a range of products that emphasise a natural aesthetic. Despite launching during the pandemic, Everpink gained popularity for its accessible and ethically produced items, including palettes, lip glosses and the Hydrating Jelly primer. The brand is committed to clean beauty, ensuring all formulations are vegan and cruelty-free, aligning with the values of conscious consumers.

Ryan Chao, representing the third generation of Chlitina’s leadership, has played a key role in modernising the brand and expanding its global reach. Since joining the company in 2012, he has championed the fusion of digital innovation with Chlitina’s brick-and-mortar operations, enhancing the customer experience and streamlining services. Chao also prioritises diversity within the company, with women making up a significant majority of both the workforce and executive positions. Looking ahead, he aims to establish a foothold in Singapore, leveraging its global market access to propel Chlitina’s continued growth across Asia.

Julius Lim co-founded B&B Labs in 2014 with the vision of creating skincare solutions tailored to diverse skin needs. The company offers products ranging from anti-acne serums to skin-brightening treatments, incorporating Malaysia's rich biodiversity into their formulations. In 2024, B&B Labs introduced the Tribiotics 360° Suncare, a comprehensive sunscreen that protects against various environmental factors while promoting skin health through a blend of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics.

Claire Ongcangco co-founded Parlon to bridge the gap in the digitalisation of the beauty and wellness industry. Parlon is a platform that connects users to a wide network of salons and wellness centres, allowing for seamless booking and purchasing of services. Under Ongcangco’s leadership, Parlon has expanded to over 700 partner merchants across the Philippines and has begun its foray into Southeast Asia. The platform empowers small businesses by providing them with tools to manage bookings, payments and customer relationships, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and customer engagement.

Celebrated hairstylist and entrepreneur Winnie Loo is the founder of A Cut Above Salons and Academy, a chain of high-end salons known for its exceptional hair services. Her dedication to excellence has been instrumental in elevating Malaysia’s hairstyling industry, making her a prominent figure in the beauty sector.

Sarah Lee and Christine Chang are the dynamic duo behind Glow Recipe, a skincare brand inspired by Korean beauty principles. Their emphasis on natural ingredients and playful packaging has made skincare routines enjoyable and accessible. Glow Recipe has expanded into multiple markets, reflecting the founders’ commitment to making K-beauty a global phenomenon.

Tasya Farasya is an Indonesian beauty influencer and entrepreneur who founded Mother of Pearl Beauty. Her brand offers a range of makeup products designed to enhance natural beauty. Farasya’s deep understanding of her audience has enabled her to create products that resonate with beauty enthusiasts in Indonesia and beyond.

Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez co-founded Happy Skin in 2013 to offer makeup products that care for the skin. Recognising a market gap, she later launched BLK Cosmetics in 2017, aiming to provide high-quality, affordable beauty products. Both brands have gained significant popularity in the Philippines, with Happy Skin known for its skin-friendly formulations and BLK Cosmetics for its inclusive and versatile product lines. Her decade-long career in the beauty industry reflects her commitment to creating beauty solutions that resonate with Filipinas.

Longtime friends Arissa Cheo, Yoyo Cao and Lin Ting co-founded ROMI Beauty in 2022, driven by their shared desire for multifunctional beauty products that cater to modern lifestyles. ROMI Beauty’s flagship product, the Dream Skin Tint, combines hydration, sun protection and skin tone enhancement in a single application. The brand emphasises clean formulations, free from parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrances, aligning with the founders’ commitment to quality and simplicity. Their approach focuses on creating versatile beauty solutions that seamlessly integrate into daily routines.

Vicky Tsai founded Tatcha in 2009 after a life-changing trip to Kyoto, where she discovered the beauty rituals of Japanese geishas. Drawing inspiration from traditional ingredients like rice, green tea and algae, Tatcha blends time-honoured skincare wisdom with modern science. The brand quickly gained a devoted following for its minimalist yet effective formulations, culminating in its acquisition by Unilever in 2019. Despite its global success, Tsai remains committed to Tatcha’s mission of mindful beauty and philanthropy through the Beautiful Faces, Beautiful Futures initiative, which funds girls’ education.

Nina Ellaine Dizon is the founder and CEO of Colourette, a proudly Filipino beauty brand known for its inclusive and multi-use makeup products. Launched in 2015, Colourette has gained a cult following for its accessible pricing, diverse shade range and innovative formulations tailored to the Philippine climate. Dizon also founded Fresh Formula, a skincare line focusing on gentle yet effective solutions. Beyond her businesses, she is an outspoken advocate for social issues, using her platform to promote inclusivity, empowerment and consumer transparency in the beauty industry.

Patrick Ta, a Vietnamese American makeup artist turned entrepreneur, is the founder of Patrick Ta Beauty, a brand celebrated for its luminous, red-carpet-ready products. Launched in 2019, his brand focuses on glowing skin, bold pigments and ultra-feminine aesthetics, reflecting his signature makeup style seen on celebrities like Gigi Hadid and Shay Mitchell. Known for redefining modern glam, Ta’s brand has become a staple among beauty enthusiasts, offering innovative formulations like the Major Dimension eyeshadow palettes and the Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush duos.

Fiona Co Chan, a Chinese American entrepreneur, founded Youthforia in 2021 with the vision of creating makeup that’s so skin-friendly you can sleep in it. The brand went viral on TikTok, particularly for its BYO Blush, a colour-changing, oil-based formula that adapts to the wearer’s pH for a custom flush. Youthforia’s commitment to plant-based, fossil fuel-free ingredients has resonated with eco-conscious beauty lovers, cementing its status as a Gen Z favourite and a disruptive force in the clean beauty space.

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