18 Female-Led Indian Brands That You Should Definitely Support This International Women's Day

You won't be able to stop yourself from clicking "Add to cart".

2020 has been one of the most difficult years humankind has ever witnessed and we're still reeling from its after-effects. As per a report by Google, Bain & Company, and AWE Foundation, which is based on a survey of around 300 women entrepreneurs and small business owners, the pandemic has adversely affected more than 70% of female-owned businesses in India. Here at BuzzFeed, we wish to support and celebrate just some of these fantastic beauty, home decor, fashion, and food brands that are led by amazing Indian women.

This, by no means, is an exhaustive list.

1. The Wishing Chair

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Founders: Avneet Mann and Vivita Relan

The Wishing Chair is "a homegrown Indian brand designing products that celebrate creativity, Indian craftsmanship, and life's little pleasures". They have everything from minimalistic planters, luxurious candles, and ornate serveware to cute journals, quirky earrings, and flowy dresses on their website.

Here's their website.

2. Henaa Hainaa Beauty

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Founder: Henaa K

Henaa (who also owns a website which re-sells makeup and skincare from international brands) started Henaa Hainaa Beauty because she wished to "create a brand where beauty lovers could share their collective beauty wisdom." With their excellent lashes, beauty sponges, liquid blushes, creamy eyeshadows, AND nosepins, the brand truly offers a plethora of luxury products at affordable prices.

Here are their websites.

3. Shop Lune

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Founder: Sreesha Shetty

With their stunning yet "everyday" jewellery pieces, Lune seeks to "use Indian jewellery techniques to craft modern, timeless, and nomadic pieces, while also creating and sustaining artisanal jobs." The celestial influence in their necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets, truly sets them apart.

Here's their website.

4. Ruby's Organics

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Founder: Rubeina Karachiwalla

If you're on the lookout for natural makeup that is made in India and uses organically sourced ingredients, look no further than Ruby's Organics. Their cream blushes and highlighters that come in a range of colours to suit different skin-tones are truly the bee's knees.

Here's their website.

Here's a post in which we've given Ruby's Organics a shoutout!

5. Country Bean

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Founder: Aditi Somani

The Country Bean promises cafe-like coffee at home and certainly delivers on that promise. Their coffee flavours range from hazelnut, caramel, vanilla, cocoa-mint, cardamom, and berry, among others and often taste better than the offerings of a certain international chain that rhymes with "scarsucks". Oh and did I mention that their classic hot chocolate is ~heavenly~.

Here's their website

BuzzFeed India is obsessed with Country Bean coffee. Here's more proof.

6. SUGAR Cosmetics

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Founders: Vineeta Singh and Kaushik Mukherjee

From lipsticks in every shade imaginable to long-wearing eyeliners, eyebrow products, blushes, contours, eyeshadows, foundations, and nail-polishes, SUGAR Cosmetics has every makeup product that you can think of and then some more. They've also been dabbling in some skincare with refreshing face masks and moisturisers.

Here's their website.

Here's a post about some wonderful products from SUGAR Cosmetics. Check out this one as well!

7. Pure By Priyanka 'Myoho'

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Founder: Priyanka Sarna

With skincare made using fresh and naturally-sourced ingredients, Pure By Priyanka — Myoho, aims to deliver "a blend of ancient Ayurvedic secrets and modern science". They have superb and effective serums and moisturisers that are made in small batches and are very affordable despite their supreme quality.

Here's their website.

8. Cuffs N Lashes

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Founder: Nidhi Katiyar

Cuffs N Lashes is the ultimate destination for affordable makeup with brands like Swiss Beauty, Blue Heaven, and Nicka K. They also sell fashion accessories and host some high-end international makeup products. The makeup brushes, eyeshadow palettes, and colourful matte eyeliners from their in-house brand are excellent.

Here's their website.

9. The Moms Co.

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Founder: Malika Sadani

The Moms Co. offers safe and toxin-free skincare and haircare that is great for moms, moms-to-be, babies, and basically everyone. Their under-eye cream, body butter, and the anti-hair fall range are totally worth spending your money on.

Here's their website.

Here are some posts in which we can't stop raving about their fantastic under-eye cream.

10. Tea Trunk

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Founder: Snigdha Manchanda

If you're looking for some unique gourmet tea blends — think marigold, mango mint, long island green tea, and chocolate earl grey — head over to Tea Trunk and you won't be disappointed. Tea enthusiasts will also enjoy their tea strainers, infusers and matcha bamboo whisks and spoons. Also, isn't that packaging the cutest?

Here's their website.

11. Okhai

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Head(s): Kirti Poonia along with 2300 women artisans across India. Okhai was set up by the Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development.

OKHAI is a sustainable fashion label with hand-crafted kurtis, dresses, sarees, jewellery, bags, and home decor. The mirror work, embroidery, and patchwork done by the hands of the many female artisans who bring these pieces to life is one of a kind.

Here's their website.

12. Carmesi

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Founders: Tanvi Johri and Rikshav Borah

Carmesi sells period and intimate care products such as eco-conscious sanitary pads, panty liners, and the world's first roll-on that relieves rashes caused by bras. Aside from this, they have been incessantly working towards spreading awareness about menstrual health by conducting menstrual hygiene workshops.

Here's their website.

Here's a post in which we've recommended some of Carmesi's amazing products.

13. Yogabars

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Founders: Suhasini Sampath and Anindita Sampath

Yogabars is a one-stop shop for healthy yet delicious energy bars, muesli, oats, and protein-rich nut butters. They're very particular about using minimal sugar and honey so that people don't end up eating empty calories and consume nutritious ingredients instead. If you're looking to get fit without having to compromise on taste, this brand is where it's at.

Here's their website.

Here are some posts in which we've shown Yogabars some love.

14. JODI

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Founders: Gauri Verma and Karuna Laungani

JODI brings stunning clothing to life by incorporating the art of hand-block printing on natural Indian textiles. One just can't get enough of their vibrant and unique dresses, blouses, skirts, and co-ord sets.

Here's their website.

15. Dot & Key

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Founders: Anisha Agarwal and Suyash Saraf.

Dot & Key offers "superior skincare that's absolutely safe, delightfully gentle and unquestionably effective." Their Vitamin C serum, retinol cream, pink clay mask, and hand cream + sanitiser are absolute game-changers and have become skincare holy grails for many.

Here's their website.

Here's a roundup of some excellent Dot & Key products.

16. YBP Cosmetics

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Founders: Payal & Satyen Thaker

YBP Cosmetics is centred around the concept of minimal beauty with their plant-based salves, serums, mists, and treatment elixirs. They make all of their products in small batches so you know that you're really getting the freshest and the most natural skincare out there.

P.S: Their gua sha collection is the icing on the cake.

Here's their website.

17. H A N N A N

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Founders: Bhaavya and Rishi

At Hannan, you'll find impossibly beautiful and minimalistic necklaces, charms, and earrings that are "inspired by the in-between — aliens, galaxies, dark humour, parallel universes, and our inability to fully fathom their existence." Check out their "wildflowers" necklaces and "little love" hoops and thank me later.

Here's their website.

18. Global Beauty Secrets

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Founder: Aishwarya Sawarna Nir

With products inspired by beauty rituals from across the globe, Global Beauty Secrets boasts of personal care products ranging from face masks, salves, and toners to body cleansers, shampoos, and creams. Their ingredients are all-natural and sourced from countries like Egypt, Japan, and Greece.

Here's their website.

Which ones did we miss? Feel free to share some of your favourite female-owned brands in the comments!