DAM: Today we’re speaking with the founder of Kaira Beauty, Dhruvi Halai. Dhruvi, tell us a bit about Kaira Beauty and where you’re based.
DH: My name is Dhruvi Halai and I’m the founder of Kaira Beauty. I’m Indian and born and brought up in Perth, Western Australia. Kaira Beauty is an Indian inspired skincare brand that utilises the powerful ancient wisdom of Ayurveda in combination with clinical actives to create effective beauty products.
“Kaira Beauty is an Indian inspired skincare brand that utilises the powerful ancient wisdom of Ayurveda in combination with clinical actives to create effective beauty products.”
Our products are meticulously crafted with time-honoured herbs, botanicals, and natural ingredients that have been cherished for centuries for their rejuvenating properties.
DAM: Why ‘Kaira’ beauty – what does it mean?
DH: The word ‘Kaira’ resonates with me for its positivity in Hindi, Sanskrit, German and Arabic; each conveying unique, opportune, pure, and sweet sentiments respectively. The notion of being distinct was the primary motivation behind the name choice, as it perfectly encapsulates the brand’s advocacy for differences in race, culture, and acceptance of imperfection.
“The name… perfectly encapsulates the brand’s advocacy for differences in race, culture, and acceptance of imperfection.”
Additionally, we bring something different to the market, particularly in Australia, by the virtue of being an Indian inspired brand. With the beauty industry often neglecting the rich South Asian culture, we have made it our responsibility to proudly present and honour the traditional beauty from India. The basis of our company lies in Ayurveda, a long-standing holistic recovery system coming from India, which focuses on balance and unity between the mind, body, and spirit. We decided on this approach not just to present successful and natural skincare options, but to recognize the ancient wisdom passed on for centuries throughout South Asia.
Our products are made with care, utilising traditional herbs, botanicals, and organic components that have been treasured for years due to their rejuvenating features. Our mission is to enable people to be proud of their heritage, to remember their roots, and to feel at home in a diversified beauty field.
“Our mission is to enable people to be proud of their heritage, to remember their roots, and to feel at home in a diversified beauty field.”
By combining the traditional Ayurvedic techniques, we intend to lift and join the South Asian community, and beyond, giving everyone the chance to relish in the richness of our culture. We strongly believe in the power of representation. Our brand’s dedication to diversity expands beyond providing outstanding skincare. It works to fill the cultural gap, promote self-assurance, and evoke an immense appreciation for the diversity that creates our world so beautiful. We desire to redefine beauty standards through cultural respect. We imagine a future where our roots are seen prominently in the beauty industry, resulting in a more comprehensive and peaceful global community.
DAM: Your products combine modern science with Ayurveda rituals, for those unfamiliar, what is Ayurveda?
DH: Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine that is believed to be the oldest form of holistic healing, dating back more than 5,000 years. The term ‘Ayurveda’ is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘Ayur’ (meaning ‘life’) and ‘Veda’ (meaning ‘knowledge’), which can be translated to mean ‘the knowledge of life’. Ayurvedic principles consider health and wellness as a combination of the mind,
body and spirit and believe that everyone is unique and has a distinct ‘dosha’, made up of the three elements Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (earth and water). Balancing these three elements is crucial to achieving optimal health and well-being.
DAM: You mentioned it was your mum that introduced you to Indian beauty secrets derived from Ayurveda, why do you feel you had initial hesitation towards this way of dealing with beauty? Was it ingrained in the opposition of what you were used to seeing in commercials on Tv?
DH: The lack of awareness about the benefits of using powerful Indian botanicals and traditional use of ingredients such as turmeric, yoghurt, besan, also lead to me being sceptical. I did not know they were so powerful and capable of transforming our skin which is why I hesitated. It sounded a bit gross to put things like turmeric and yoghurt on the face as those are foods we eat.
The influence of western beauty standards, following trends and ads and media portrayals and the promotion of beauty products, leads to a preference for those – rather than traditional remedies as they were not advertised etc. Don’t get me wrong, ingredients such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are amazing and effective. This is why I combined clinical actives with Indian herbs as growing up in Australia and being Indian, I am able to cherish the best of both worlds.
I saw many TV ads and YouTube videos with the title “how to clear your skin fast” or “how to get rid of pimples in 24 hours”. I watched those videos and wanted to purchase the products which the individuals recommended for a quick fix. However, there is no quick fix for skincare. It takes time and consistent use of skincare products with naturally derived ingredients, and I realised this later on.
It’s like hoping on to do something everyone else is doing i.e. Using that one product that claims to provide a quick fix, however, if we read the ingredients on those, they are quite harmful.
DAM: What changed your outlook in regard to trying/using the techniques your mum introduced you to?
DH: The reason I kept using Indian herbs in my skincare was because they really worked. I had a basic and short skincare routine back then, and I enjoyed it, which is still true today. I was really surprised to see my skin get better and heal from the pimples I had as a teenager. It took some patience—around 6 to 12 months for my skin to fully heal. However, by sticking to a straightforward skincare routine and using Indian face masks, my skin eventually healed.
DAM: So what sparked the idea for Kaira Beauty? Was it everything you witnessed above?
DH: The seeds of this idea were planted by the factors discussed earlier. Ever since I was young, I’ve had a strong interest in skincare and beauty. But what really pushed me was the noticeable absence of representation of South Asian culture and heritage in the beauty industry. This inspired me to work towards making a change. Growing up in Australia, where modern science is prevalent, while still holding onto my Indian heritage, gave me a unique perspective. Our Indian traditions are rich in herbal wisdom that has been passed down through generations, and I have a strong desire to honour and celebrate this heritage. This is why the idea of combining modern skincare practices with traditional Indian herbs resonated so deeply with me.
“Growing up in Australia, where modern science is prevalent, while still holding onto my Indian heritage, gave me a unique perspective. This is why the idea of combining modern skincare practices with traditional Indian herbs resonated so deeply with me.”
DAM: Would you say there is still a lack of inclusivity or knowledge in regard to beauty products in Australia?
DH: Australia lags noticeably in its awareness of Ayurveda, indicating a significant gap in knowledge. We don’t see Ayurvedic herbs in beauty products much. Some people may not even know what Ayurveda is. Furthermore, the underrepresentation of women of colour in a variety of body shapes and sizes as beauty brand models is undeniably disheartening. This underrepresentation greatly affects the sense of belonging for many young girls who feel left without representation. The scarcity
of inclusive options for diverse foundation shades compounds this issue, creating yet another challenge. Navigating the search for foundation shades that perfectly match both undertones and skin tones proves to be a formidable task. Unlike a simple trip to a nearby pharmacy or store, acquiring such products demands more effort and consideration.
DAM: What was the process like launching Kaira Beauty?
DH: The journey commenced after I completed high school. It proved to be a lengthy and demanding process, yet simultaneously rewarding due to my genuine passion for it. It involves extensive efforts into research and product development, and more – a seemingly never-ending list, if you ask me!
DAM: I’m sure it was quite the task! What’s the response been like since launching? Have you found yourself connecting to others who felt the way you did?
DH: The response has been incredibly heart-warming, and I am deeply appreciative of all the support my business has received from everyone. It’s truly heartening to witness so many young individuals resonating with the very sentiments I experienced.
“It’s truly heartening to witness so many young individuals resonating with the very sentiments I experienced.”
Many of them share the initial hesitations I once had about incorporating Indian herbs, perhaps finding it unfamiliar or even unappealing. However, I’m thrilled to observe a growing number of girls embracing practices like turmeric masks, as showcased on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
DAM: That’s beautiful to hear. Any words of advice to other people who might be wanting to start something like this?
DH: Life is too short. Just do it.
DAM: We love that, thank you Dhruvi, it’s been a pleasure hearing more about Kaira Beauty and we just wanted to say thank you for the work you’re doing in terms of Representation in Australia through your brand. Breaking down those barriers and misconceptions is important work.
DH: Thank you! Really appreciate your support.
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You can find more on Kaira Beauty here:
Website: https://kairabeauty.com.au
Product Link: (Restocking soon)
https://kairabeauty.com.au/products/unfiltered-glow-face-mask
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/_kairabeauty/
Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@_kairabeauty
Diversity Australia Magazine 