Model Hayati Azis’s shaved head defies local Indonesian beauty standards

We speak to the Muslim model about how her recently shaved head has given her a new lease of life Growing up in Jakarta, Hayati Azis never fit in. A tomboyish child who wanted to play with the boys and didn’t look like the other girls, she was frequently bullied no matter how hard she tried … Read more

Indonesian cosmetic brands Emina and Make Over switch up digital agency

Cosmetic manufacturer Paragon Technology & Innovation has appointed PHD Indonesia to manage the digital planning and buying duties for its Emina and Make Over beauty brands. The appointment is effective 1 April, and comes following a pitch held in December 2019. Big Evo was the incumbent on the the digital accounts for both brands, and … Read more

Beauty and belonging in West Papua

Papuan waria draw on foreign ideals of beauty in their quest for a sense of belonging in their local communities Terje Toomistu Five hours before the opening of the West Papuan waria beauty pageant, the salon of the Sorong community elders was busy with preparations. Among 10 to 15 waria – … Read more

Sitting petty: Indonesian netizens allegedly bully Filipino internet celebrity Reemar Martin into leaving social media for being ‘too pretty’

Ah, Indonesian netizens, what won’t (or can’t) they do on the internet? The latest episode of their wrath sees a Filipino internet celebrity leaving social media after allegedly being subjected to overwhelming online hate. Reemar Martin’s name topped Indonesia’s trending topic on Twitter yesterday after being widely talked about among netizens in the country, most … Read more

Fans object to K-pop girl group Twice endorsing whitening products

SEOUL – K-pop girl group Twice were named the ambassadors of Indonesian beauty brand Scarlett Whitening last week, but not everyone is happy about it. There have been calls worldwide, not just in Indonesia, for Twice’s management agency, JYP Entertainment, to end the endorsement deal. In an e-mail template which gained traction on Twitter over … Read more

Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after harassment allegations

The new crown, with pear-shaped blue sapphires surrounded by diamonds and valued at approximately $5.58 million, was the prestigious mark of honor for the winner of the 71st Miss Universe Competition held on January 14, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Miss Universe Organization / Released WASHINGTON, United States — The Miss Universe Organization has cut ties with its Indonesia franchise, it … Read more

UV skin care boom in South Asia

In both India and Indonesia the market for UV skin care products is extremely active. It all started with improving basic offers with lighter textures adapted to climate and promising “no white cast” – one of the biggest issues reported when using sunscreen, especially for darker skin tones. However, today’s brands are coming up with … Read more