Throughout the month of May, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is the annual recognition of the contributions that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander Americans have made to history and the culture of the United States. While recognition and appreciation are important parts of observing, there's another, more tangible way to show some support for the community: buy APPI-owned brands.
No matter the time of year, AAPI-owned brands feature prominently in our beauty routines here at NYLON. From hair-enhancing gadgets to powerful skincare to makeup and nail polish that shine, so many brands and products have enriched our lives by giving us great recommendations to share. Read on for our top 25 beauty picks to shop from some of our favorite AAPI-owned beauty brands and show the community a little extra love, this month and every month.
The shower filter for healthy hair
“I've gone on the record recommending this shower filter and still maintain it as a better version of another popular model that blew me away within a few weeks. For me, this one has stronger purifying properties (and thus softening the hair), better staying power and won't reduce water pressure to a trickle. — Chelsea Peng, Editor-in-Chief
“I'm not exaggerating when I say I have hundreds of eyeshadows, but I've found myself gravitating towards this little single over and over again. I'd say the color is a neutral shimmer – it just gives your eyes a little dimension without read them to others as complete brilliance. — Sam Neibart, beauty editor
“We know that facial mists don't do anything for us, but I swear this one tones and hydrates on contact. That's why I keep one on my desk and another in the fridge at home.” – hang
“If you see that this serum is available, you should grab it while you can; always runs the risk of burning out. Deliverance is one of the products I will reliably return to for a fix when my skin has misbehaved. The way it calms the irritation and brings back my light is amazing.” —Neibart
The sunscreen you'll want to reapply
“These, in mini form, were stashed poolside at a Coachella party co-founder Mei Kwok was DJing—I'm glad I had any body sunscreen to use, but the liquid gel it applied so easily with a nice cooling effect that I went through almost the whole bottle over the weekend. It's so good.” – hang
“Vanilla scents always get me, and this is one of my favorites. It smells sweet and sticky, but in a sensual way. I love wearing it alone, but I'll also wear it with almost any other fragrance if I have I want to smell a little more delicious.” —Neibart
“As a millennial, I will always have love for Michelle Phan, one of the original beauty YouTubers who changed the game. Her beauty line, EM Cosmetics, makes the best serum-based blush that brightens my face with just a couple of drops and it blends like nothing else.” —Neibart
The aroma of the warm embrace
“This scent is one I keep coming back to because it's so warm and gives me a cozy and comforting vibe every time I spray it. It's an addictive skin scent, musky with sweet and sour ginseng, rose and vanilla that smells like she had borrowed a worn-out sweater from a loved one (smells really well). —Neibart
The reliable heat protector
“This leave-in conditioner from Fable & Mane is the perfect post-shower TLC for my bleached strands. It smells like a lush tropical vacation and leaves my hair feeling silky smooth. I don't dry my hair (or air-dry) without him”. — Faith Xue, Executive Beauty Director
The most beautiful water filter you have ever seen
“Some may say we've gone too far with water filters, but I say I've seen the evidence, and it ain't pretty. This super cute sink fixture is nice for peace of mind when you're washing your face or teeth, and the installation makes you feel a bit like a woman in STEM.” – hang
“As a nail enthusiast, I know what a good set is. These are shaped to look so good on my natural nails, it makes them look more real and last longer. I wore these pink velvet ones to a wedding and no one could believe I got my nails done.” —Neibart
“I've been using these drops non-stop since I first reviewed them in January. Two or three pumps after sunscreen but before makeup ensures I'm awake and vibrant in the morning, even when I'm not the case. They also make it much easier to get away with their position with less foundation.” —Neibart
The patch of undetectable pimples
“I love a fun pimple patch as much as the next person, but sometimes I try to keep my pimples down. These are the thinnest hydrocolloid patches I've tried—they camouflage blemishes and spots and are basically unnoticeable once the I forget I'm wearing them until I go to wash my face at the end of the day.” —Neibart
“This body serum is so heavenly – it's lightweight, smells divine, and gives my skin an instant glow. I can't wait to put this on every day. It also contains powerful ingredients, like copper peptides that boost collagen lagen and the Japanese yuzu tonic in the evening. — Kelly Reed, Senior Social Strategist
“Jin Soon is always ahead of nail color trends and called this season's jelly nail trend from a mile away. I'm obsessed with the semi-translucent, hot orange Crush polish, it's one of those summer-ready shades that makes me happy every time I look at it on my nails.” —Neibart
The most fascinating nail color
“We've already declared this NYLON team's favorite indie nail polish line, but I still can't say enough good things about Mooncat. These strange color changes and nuances are impossible to find anywhere else, and if that's not enough, the polishes are also incredibly durable. It's like magic.” —Neibart
The workhorse cleaner
“This kimchi-infused cleanser is the clean white t-shirt of cleansers, as in, an everyday staple. It's gentle, removes makeup, has a satisfying lather, and leaves my skin feeling soft. Plus, I love it the smaller size makes it perfect for travel. – Whistle
The indestructible fixing spray
“New York City's sweaty summer is coming up, so I'll definitely be stocking up on this spray. I'm obsessed with the continuous spray can, which means no stray drops in the finished makeup. It's like it creates a force field for your face and it just makes everything stick better.” —Neibart
The ultimate basic palette
“This palette of neutrals makes it possible for a chronic packer like me to pare down the makeup I wear whenever I'm out on the town. (I refuse to travel without options!) It has every shade I could want for any kind of simple everyday look or dramatic smoky eye, plus a creamy brown and black that double as eyeliner. —Neibart
“Body mists take something away from me; I just want to soak in it. Lately, I've been loving Phlur's Dragon Fruit – it's a mixed fruit salad of pineapple, watermelon and dragon fruit (obviously) mixed with sandalwood and amber to give the juicy aroma a bit of punch. —Neibart
The treatment for your hair and scalp
The lightweight moisturizer
“This lightweight hydrating gel from founder Erica Choi (aka @eggcanvas) is my go-to in the morning because it hydrates without feeling heavy. But we also recognize the great packaging design — see it on the counter from the bath (and holding it in the palm of my hand) feels undeniably relaxing.” – Whistle
The effective alternative to retinol
“If you're not yet a Tatcha devotee, you will be after trying the brand's Silk Serum. The retinol alternative feels like a light, milky emulsion and sinks in instantly without any smell or stickiness. It feels like I'm wrapping my skin in the softest cashmere; plus, it left my skin smoother and brighter by the time I finished the bottle. – Whistle
The essential tinted moisturizer
“I use this Tower 28 skin tint every day and when I'm close to the end, I panic and buy another one before I finish it to make sure I don't go a day without it. It's the Perfect tinted moisturizer because it evens out my skin tone and has a slight blurring effect. The SPF doesn't hurt either.” – Whistle
The resistant make-up remover
“This balm is like the power washer of makeup removers. Just one little glob can remove all my stubborn mascara and eyeliner in one go. It's so good I have to actively stop myself from using too much to accident at the same time, because the texture is very satisfying to the touch.” —Neibart
