My journey through beauty and representation wasn’t an easy one, and one that changed through my beauty journey. Being Brown in a white country meant representation wasn’t a thing.
When I was growing up, the faces I saw in magazines, ads, and even in the makeup aisle hardly ever looked like mine.
Finding the right shade of foundation or skincare that actually spoke to my concerns felt almost impossible. Back then, it didn’t even cross my mind that beauty could — or should — reflect all of us.
That’s one of the reasons I started my own page, @aruba.rizwan.
I wanted to create the kind of space I wish I had when I was younger and over time, I’ve connected with a whole community of incredible creators who are doing just that, and it’s been so inspiring to see how much the beauty space has grown.
So today, I want to share some of my favourite Brown creators based in Australia who are redefining beauty in their own ways. If you’re not already following them, trust me — you should.
1. Neha @neha_ethicalbeauty
Image: Neha @neha_ethicalbeauty Credit: Instagram
Neha is a talented ex-makeup artist and educator who shares her wealth of beauty experience through cruelty-free luxurious makeup routines and product reviews.
She explores beauty while also speaking out about animal cruelty hidden in the industry, and how we as consumers have a say in what products we choose to apply on our skin.
She is stylish, real, and most importantly, she stands for what she truly believes in.
For those who care about what’s going in and on their skin, Neha is a guiding light.
Recently launching Ethically Ever After, a luxe weekly email for conscious, elevated, cruelty-free beauty — with a soon to launch community to connect people who want to make their beauty picks in line with their values — she’s using her reach for good, and meaningful change.
Image: EAA’s Instagram
Sign up to EEA’s newsletter here. We’re big fans, and look forward to the weekly thoughtful curation.
2. Priyanka @coralsnmauves
Image: Priyanka @coralsnmauves Credit: Instagram
Melbourne based Priyanka (Pree) is the kind of creator who blends fragrance, skincare, and beauty talk in a way that feels like chatting with your best friend.
I love her simple to follow makeup looks, lipstick swatches, and her two cents on the everyday fragrances she reaches for.
In her 40s and absolutely thriving, Pree’s content reaches people like her — busy and working mums that still want to feel connected to their beauty routine.
She shared in a recent post re-introducing herself;
“…I am an Indian based in Melbourne, deeply proud of my roots and still love my Aussie life.
On this page, you will find a lot of lipstick/ lip oil swatches, a good amount of videos on everyday makeup, and fab suggestions on skincare products that actually work.”
Refocusing in on her skincare first ethos, Pree shares “I strongly believe a good skin care routine is the strongest foundation for any makeup and so I focus a lot on skincare.”
Recently working with brands like L’Oréal for their Revitalift campaign, Pree’s deep connection to her community who share her lifestyle helps her brand content resonate deeper.
Don’t hesitate to follow her if you want beauty content wrapped up in softness and depth.
3. Sonia @sonia.dsouza.au
Image: Sonia @sonia.dsouza.au Credit: Instagram
Sonia is one of the first Brown creators I followed in Australia. Since having her on my feed, I’ve been the biggest fan of her makeup tutorials.
She experiments with her whole heart and you can see it.
Her love for makeup peeks through the screen and by the end of those videos, you’re definitely checking something out of your Sephora or Mecca cart (you’ve been warned!).
Sonia is a true full glam lover, testing new launches and really putting them to the wear tests we all need to make good beauty decisions.
Recently dipping her toes into more skincare features, her picks have to be up to the task of prepping her glowing skin for makeup, and can’t let her flawless routine down.
Recent features on Sonia’s feed I’ve loved include Maybelline’s Lifter Lip Liners, and the review we were all hanging on, Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation.
She won’t sugar coat — if it doesn’t work for her, you’ll know.
If you want someone who’s real about what beauty works and doesn’t work, Sonia is one to watch.
4. Sima @si.ima4
Image: Sima @si.ima4 Credit: Instagram
Sima brings a fresh, modern energy to the beauty space.
Her feed is a mix of bright swatches, skin close-ups, and some of the most beautiful eye makeup I’ve seen.
I admire how she’s so unapologetically herself without any filters on screen, and yet so comfortable — if you want to see real glowing skin and reviews, you’ll love Sima’s skincare features.
I really enjoy watching her makeup tutorials, too. The full glam and bold eyeshadow looks will have you saving the looks for your next event, I promise.
Recently featuring South Asian owned POC beauty for her go-to juicy lip care routine, she’s got the ultimate makeup prep sorted.
I’ve also loved her NYX Smushy Matte Lip Balm swatches. Follow her and get some gorgeous colour in your feed, you won’t regret it.
5. Neeha @neehaaa_
Image: Neeha @neehaaa_ Credit: Instagram
Neeha’s content feels alive — you see movement, skin in motion, natural light, and candid closeups.
She doesn’t hide texture or pigmentation; instead she embraces it, showing how luminous skin and real skin can coexist.
Her feed is absolutely gorgeous showcasing her makeup favourites, stunning photoshoots, and glamorous Indian outfits.
Recently working with Lancome for their Sydney Skin Science Campaign, she shared in her post caption;
“I started posting on social media many years ago in hopes to represent the South Asian community in the Australian beauty space – what better way to do this than to work with an incredible brand that I’ve loved and trusted for years, while showcasing iconic landmarks of the beautiful country I’ve grown up in.”
Read: Neha Shares Her Journey Navigating the Aussie Beauty Industry as a South Asian
She shared in a recent write up with White Rabbit Social;
“I’ve also been a huge Bollywood fanatic. I’ve always been mesmerised by the colour, sets, outfits, songs and movies as a whole from a very young ages – this has transpired into my current content.”
Go follow her for skin-real, mood-full content with personality, and a bold celebration of culture.
6. Sal @strictlysal
Image: Sal @strictlysal Credit: Instagram
Sal’s feed, according to me is one of the most aesthetically pleasing feeds you’d ever see. She is graceful, stunning and confident, and brings forward a very beautiful take on minimal beauty and easy makeup routines.
Featuring cult French beauty brand Embryolisse, alongside home grown makeup brand Holme Beauty, Sal’s focus on minimalist beauty and makeup that’s high impact is across her whole feed.
Read: I Tried 3 Versions of The Viral Lait-Crème From Embryolisse. Here’s my Reviews
She also shares glimpses of her lifestyle which is satisfying to watch and you can always take up some inspo here and there.
Her skincare recommendations will be perfect for you if you have combination skin.
You can also follow her lifestyle and home page @salteladia, which celebrates her journey as a young mum.
7. Prunela @paintedbypru
Image: Prunela @paintedbypru Credit: Instagram
Pru’s name tells you what she does: painting, creating, curating. In her world, beauty is art, and the face is her canvas.
What I admire is how she blends colour theory with skin — she doesn’t just pick shades, she thinks why something contrasts or complements ‘Brown skin’.
Read: Professional Makeup Artist Prunela Castelino Tells us How to Make Brown Skin Shine With Makeup
She’s a Professional makeup artist which means you’re in for some very useful, practical makeup tips, alongside heaps of product suggestions that are perfect for Brown skin.
Pru proudly shared with White Rabbit Social in a recent interview;
“Brown skin is stunning as it is and we do not need to change that.”.
Her content spans across all platforms including YouTube, so be sure to follow Pru for tutorials you can follow step-by-step, and plenty of down to earth tips for makeup beginners.
8. Sadaf @sadafr
Image: Sadaf @sadafr Credit: Instagram
Sadaf’s online presence is warm and grounded. She often shares routines tailored to Brown skin, and she never shies away from speaking up for POC.
She is also a beauty and lifestyle writer so there’s always going to be something you’d take away from her page.
Her feed is a mix of lipstick combos, her favourite fragrances, cute fits & bits and pieces of her life.
Sadaf shared with Lucy Andrews of Fashion Journal;
“We need a lot more POC stories, faces and creatives in this industry, especially in beauty and fashion.”
Read Sadaf’s interview with Lucy here: How I Got Here: Adore Beauty’s Senior Beauty Editor on the power of POC representation in media
Her smile in her content is real; it’s the kind of profile you scroll through and immediately feel seen.
9. Alisha Bhojwani @alishabhojwani_
Image: Alisha Bhojwani @alishabhojwani_ Credit: Instagram
Beauty, lifestyle, and a welcomed celebration of her Indian culture— Alisha is helping women over 30 feel less alone.
She shares candidly on topics like dating and travel, and brings her audience along for the journey.
Recently collaborating with brands like Clairol for her stunning hair focused content, and Liverpool City Council for their Starry Sari Night event, which Alisha MC’d. The event focused on a celebration of culture, including gorgeous Saris and Indian fashion pieces.
I’m also obsessed with her recent full glam moment with Priceline, too!
Sharing in a recent post;
“…No matter how much our rituals are commodified for the western world there will always be people who label us as this [referring to a racist comment] and the funny thing is:
NO amount of money would ever make me switch to another culture [because] I’m sorry but being a part considered South Asian is a flex, not a chore.
So next time you say Indian and gross in the same sentence, remember this: it’s giving projection not fact.”
Final Thoughts
Every time you scroll through a beauty feed and don’t see faces like yours, it reinforces that you don’t belong — and I refuse to let that be the story for Brown skin here.
These creators remind me (daily) that shade diversity, honest product reaction, cultural nuance — all of that belongs in beauty conversations.
I hope this article has given you new creators to admire, and absolutely let me know if I’ve missed any I need to follow in the comments below.
Leave a Reply