12 female-owned beauty brands to support (and shop) today and every day

A brand spotted in Kim Kardashian’s collection (yep, the lip balm was just snapped as part of her latest haul) is definitely one worth taking notice of, especially when it’s one that was created by a local. Ipsum (a collection of oils and balms for face and body) is the brainchild of former beauty journalist Janet Hayward, who (as the range’s ingredient lists would suggest), believes wholeheartedly in the skin-transforming powers of pure, native plant oils.

Our product pick: Ipsum Best Skin Body Oil Patchouli Rose

The driving force between Stewart’s silky range of Slip pillowcases, eye masks and accessories? Cystic acne. After her derm suggested she sleep on a silk pillowcase to avoid aggravating her angry skin, she saw an opportunity to transform beauty sleep forever; and that she did. Slip has since developed quite the celebrity following, with stars from the Kardashians and Hailey Bieber to Ariana Grande and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley counting themselves as fans of everything from the silky scrunchies to the OG pillowcases.

Our product pick: Slip Rose Gold Collection Queen Size Pillowcase

Ever doused yourself in Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Mist or loaded your mug up with their Dewy Skin Cream? (Yes, we’re big fans of their dewy-specific products, can you tell?) Well, you’ve got Tsai to thank for that glossy glow you’ve been serving ever since. After quitting her job and deciding her only plan would be to travel without any actual concrete plan, Tsai found her inspiration among the beautiful ingredients and timeless beauty rituals she discovered in Japan and created Tatcha to share all she’d learned in Kyoto with skin care lovers worldwide.

Our product pick: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

With years as a beauty editor and author under her belt, Foster Blake was no doubt very well poised to launch her own line into the skin care space. She’d already spent a decade deciphering what worked, what didn’t and what cut through the beauty BS, after all. Her goal? To take skin care from confusing and fussy to simple, smart and hell, we’ll say it, sassy. If you’ve ever read the packaging of your Go-To products, you’ll know exactly what we mean – the brand’s chatty tone is as impressive as the formulas.

Our product pick: Go-To Exfoliating Swipeys

After starting their careers at beauty giant L’Oréal, Chang and Lee decided to team up in 2014 with one goal in mind: create the most 'grammable brand there ever was. Or hey, that’s just what we’re guessing based on Glow Recipe’s ridiculously pretty pastel lineup. There’s a product that pulls benefits from almost every fruit under the sun: a banana hydrating cream, a plum plumping serum, a blueberry brightening cleanser and many, many more. But visuals aren't all they offer, either; with genius K-beauty philosophies as the backbone of each fruity formula, the range leaves skin looking just as glorious as the packaging does.

Our product pick: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum

First developing a loyal client base of those who shared the need for an expert in wavy, curly and Afro hair care, Mutsiwa then opened both her own Sydney-based salon and launched her own line of products; phew. Her objective across both ventures? To ‘simplify curly hair’. Offering a range of texture-friendly cleansers, sprays and gels as well as silk pillowcases specifically designed to protect curls and coils against tangling and damage, Rumbie & Co is one of the most exciting and important Aussie brands in the haircare arena, and Mutsiwa's expertise is unrivalled.

Our product pick: Rumbie & Co Leave-In Curl Spray

Honestly, Atkin is part celebrity-hair-stylist, part-actual-celebrity-in-her-own-right at this stage. She’s the genius behind some of Bella Hadid, Chrissy Teigen and Hailey Bieber’s best hair looks as well as extremely aesthetic (and efficacious) haircare brand Ouai (pronounced 'Way', FYI – saying it wrong won’t do your cool-girl cred any favours). The line’s iconic Wave Spray kicked off the pandemonium, but every innovation (from dry shampoo foam to fragrance) that’s followed has been just as hype-worthy. Our advice? Stock your shower shelf up ASAP.

Our product pick: Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam

This Aussie-born beauty-lover has over 15 years of makeup artistry experience. With a cornerstone of education at the forefront of the Holme Beauty brand, Hilary wants everyone to learn, grow and know what products are right for them. That’s why when she launched her own brand she chose to be as inclusive as possible, and even launched her Holme Beauty Masterclass Program. 

Our product pick: Holme Beauty Base Primer

These two beauty industry alum have a mountain of knowledge between, while working together in the industry they hatched the idea for Ultra Violette. Born from the creative genius of its founders, Ultra Violette launched into our lives in January 2019. And we’ve been slathering ourselves in the stuff ever since (along with seeking shade and dressing accordingly). If you’re looking to prevent the signs of premature ageing, be sure to slip, slop, slap. 

Our product pick: Ultra Violette Fave Fluid Spf 50+

This wellness empire grew from Jessica Sepel’s love for recipe writing, creating meals that were not only tasty, but downright good for you. The three-time best seller uses her passion for embracing a balanced lifestyle to encourage people to ditch the dieting fads. Think, a more holistic approach, backed by (doctor recommended) supplements. 

Our product pick: JSHealth Plump + Glow Bundle

This mononymous founder is so synonymous with her brand that they share the same moniker. The award-winning brand helmed by Mukti was at the forefront of all things ‘natural’ with her focus being on creating green cosmetic chemistry to provide hard-hitting, good for the environment products. 

Our product pick: Mukti Hyaluronic Marine Serum

Get ready to sing happy birthday, because Sundae Body is turning three this March. The skin-loving body foams have brought a whole lot of fun to shower time. Slowly taking over the supermarket (and Priceline) shelves. Lizzie Waley launched the brand in the height of COVID times, and has taken it from strength to strength, even expanding into ultra-nourishing moisturiser. 

Our product pick: Sundae Body Birthday Cake Foaming Body Wash