Considering the beauty industry largely caters to women—although, that has definitely changed in recent years—most companies and beauty brands are, in fact, run by men. But thankfully, we’re starting to see a shift in that narrative, with influential women creating products that are catered to our specific needs, from brands founded with the intention of reducing our environmental impact, to those that celebrate women of all shapes, sizes, and colours—and yes, flaws and all.
Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, we’re choosing to celebrate the powerhouse women who are making waves on the beauty front—creating cult brands that have gone on to achieve international success. Below, 11 Australian beauty brands founded by inspiring women to shop now.
Vida Glow, founded By Anna Lahey
First launching Vida Glow on her wedding in 2014, Anna Lahey has spent the last seven years building what has since become one of the world’s most prominent ingestible beauty brands, with the brand cultivating a cult following, rave reviews, and a rapidly growing team, selling one unit of collagen every four seconds. Lahey started with the brand’s hero collagen powders but has since gone on to release innovative products including cult favourite Anti-G-Ox, Collagen Elixir, flavoured with lemon myrtle and Manuka honey, and most recently, their Hyaluronic Complex, ingestible hyaluronic acid flavoured in acai berry.
Instagram, @vida_glow
MCoBeauty, founded by Shelley Sullivan
After running her own model and talent agency in the ’90s, Shelley Sullivan founded ModelCo in 2002—her first product, a heated eyelash curler that no doubt most of us had in our beauty arsenals way back when. In 2016, the successful beauty mogul decided to launch a new luxe-for-less diffusion line called MCoBeauty, creating affordable “dupes” of high-end, luxury products, with nothing priced over $30. Unsurprisingly, it was met with dizzying success, with the brand’s most recent ambassador Australia’s social media queen, Celeste Barber.
Instagram, @mcobeauty
JSHealth, founded by Jessica Sepel
JSHealth is undoubtedly a brand you’re familiar with. Loved for their science-backed products designed to nourish both inside and out, they’ve helped thousands of women change their relationship with their bodies. From vitamins to help with hair growth and libido to collagen supplements and probiotics, they’ve really thought of everything. Jessica is a leader in her field, sharing her passion for healthy living each and every day.
Instagram, @jshealth
Emma Lewisham, founded by Emma Lewisham
Okay, while technically not an Aussie-founded label—Emma Lewisham’s luxe, natural, and scientifically-backed skincare is too good not to mention. Founded following the loss of her mother to cancer, New Zealand-born Lewisham has since gone on to create products that are 100 per cent naturally derived, without proven and suspected harmful ingredients, all while spearheading sustainability and reducing their environmental impact.
Instagram, @emmalewisham
RAWKANVAS, founded by Simona Valev
Co-founded by Simona. A range of Australian-made skincare, whose unique blends deliver high-quality natural, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients, all brought to life with aromatic natural scents and beautiful natural colours. The bottles are also designed in glass so consumers can recycle and earn benefits via them directly.
Go-To, founded by Zoë Foster Blake
Former beauty editor Zoë Foster Blake used her 15 years of experience to create this effective, clean, BS-free line of skincare. Go-To has all your face and body basics (made with plant-derived ingredients), garnering a cult following.
Instagram, @gotoskincare
Sand & Sky, founded by Emily and Sarah Hamilton
You’ve no doubt seen Australian beauty label Sand & Sky on your Instagram feed (you know, those pink bottles?) True to its minimalist approach, the brand has two cult products, including a wildly popular pink clay mask boasting Australian botanical ingredients that clean and smooth the skin.
Instagram, @sandandskyaus
Tribe Skincare, founded by Kayla Houlihan
Kayla Houlihan, a qualified beauty therapist, fell in love with the industry as she was captivated with the results that people could get from the correct skincare. Seeing a gap in the market, Kayla started Tribe Skincare, a now booming skincare brand that started off as a side hustle. Tribe Skincare is an all-natural, vegan-friendly Australian company that simply strives to give a bit of love to sensitive skin types. In 2 years Kayla has built a multi-million dollar skincare business generating $2.4M in sales. Tribe Skincare has a highly engaged audience who share before and afters and has had celebrities such as DJ Tigerlily, Tully Smyth and Lauren Curtis using.
Instagram, @tribeskincare
Lano Lips, founded by Kirsten Carriol
With celebrity fans including Drew Barrymore and Linda Evangelista and her products stocked at Net-a-Porter, Sephora, Nordstrom and Boots, Kirsten Carriol’s Lano brand is a bonafide global success. Since its inception Lano has evolved from a lip balm to a range that now includes hand cream and moisturiser.
Instagram, @lanolips
Bangn Body, founded by Priscilla Hajiantonii
Priscilla Hajiantonii is the creator of the yellow tube you have noticed on social media which is Bangn Body. The yellow tube of goodness got our attention from her consumers sharing theirs before and after of the incredible results they had achieved via her all-natural, vegan-friendly multipurpose products. Now 3 products in the range are all 100% recyclable and multipurpose. Priscilla has carefully created every aspect of the brand taking into consideration using Australian sourced ingredients. Celebrating 1 year in March 2020 Bangn Body now sells every 3 mins across the globe.
Instagram, @bagn.body
Frank Body, founded by Jess Hatzis and Bree Johnson
After meeting in university, Australians Jess Hatzis and Bree Johnson co-founded Frank Body, a natural beauty brand that was originally made up of one product – a coffee scrub – which quickly became a cult product and was later joined by 27 others. With a Forbes 30 Under 30 listing, a Veuve Cliquot New Generation award and over $20 million in brand sales in 2016 alone, we’d say this side hustle didn’t do too badly for itself.
Instagram, @frank_bod
Lumira, founded by Almira Armstrong
Lumira has quickly dominated the global fashion and interiors world since its inception in 2013, with its instantly recognisable candles reaching cult status thanks to their chic exteriors and luxurious scents, attracting even the most sophisticated fragrance aficionado. Sparked by a love of fragrance, former PR and marketing exec Almira Armstrong founded the first line with just four scents, which has since expanded to include gender-neutral perfume oils, room sprays, and a luxurious collection of Parfum.
Instagram, @aterlierlumira
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