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The holiday season is all about spreading cheer, spending time with family and if we are completely honest, spending money on presents.
At The Quality Edit, we are always looking for ways to support small businesses during the holidays; specifically, BIPOC and AAPI-owned businesses. According to The U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than eight million minority-owned businesses in the United States.
These small businesses were hit hardest during the COVID-19 shutdowns. As people work to recover and revive themselves in a post-pandemic world, we’re thrilled to highlight and support some of our favorites.
Below are 15 BIPOC and AAPI-owned brands we’ll be shopping this holiday season; those on your list will thank you over and over for a gift from any of these stellar brands.
Live Tinted: Holiday Kit ($39.50)
Credit: Live Tinted
Live Tinted is best known for its magical Huestick; a four-in-one makeup stick that beautifully balances out dark circles and dark spots and can also be used as an eyeshadow, lipstick or blush. Deepica Mutyala founded the company after a viral TikTok video sparked an internet-wide discussion around the need for inclusive, diverse beauty. Live Tinted has since birthed a movement; conducting conversations around beauty and culture that led to product development at the company. Three Live Tinted Multisticks and a smudge brush are included in Live Tint’s holiday kit.
Healthy Roots Zoe Doll ($84.99)
@healthyrootsdolls
Did you know 65% of the population has curly or wavy hair? I have curly hair, as do both my daughters. Yet until Healthy Roots, there were no baby dolls on the market that represented those kids with curly hair. In fact, my daughters started asking me to straighten their hair at a very young age, to look like their dolls’ hair. Yelitsa Jean-Charles is on a mission to get every single kid with curly hair to love and embrace that curly hair, starting with one doll at a time. Be a part of that mission, this holiday season!
Dare To Roam Prodigy Bag ($98)
Credit: Dare to Roam
Ciara’s list of musical accomplishments is off the charts. Now, with her launch of Dare To Roam, she can add entrepreneur to her accolades. The superstar launched the company in August 2021 and is already making every mom’s dream come true with her antimicrobial, water-resistant fabrics on her accessories and clothing. Preventing 99% of bacterial growth, these bags are just what the doctor ordered as we venture out after nearly two years of pandemic living. And that’s just why Ciara created the brand: to make you feel protected as you head outdoors after so much time inside. The Prodigy Backpack is her original product, and she has since expanded to add additional accessories and apparel. If you go with the Prodigy Backpack, you can make it even more unique by adding personalization to the bag. And did I mention, Oprah is among the fans?!
Fly By Jing Tis the Season(ing) Box ($124)
Credit: @flybyjing
Spice up your holidays this year with the Tis the Season(ing) Box from Fly By Jing. The box includes a variety of seasonings including Fly By Jing’s bestseller, the Sichuan Chili Crisp and exclusive recipes. Founded by Jing Gao, the brand is beloved by foodies nationwide as Gao continues her mission to bring bold chinese flavors to American homes.
Poppy Bee Surfaces (starting at $59)
Credit: @poppybeesurfaces
Pictures are worth a thousand words, and you can elevate your masterpieces with Poppy Bee Surfaces. These high-quality, lightweight photo backgrounds are hand-made in Brattleboro, Vermont; the vibrant colors and textured backgrounds will bring every one of your pictures to life. Designed and painted by a husband-and-wife team, Poppy Bee Surfaces is a gorgeous, unique gift for picture takers and picture lovers (I’m both)! Founders Clare and Joe Barboza are photographers and artists by trade and work side-by-side to create every matte, durable and waterproof surface. Masterful!
SACHEU Beauty Gua Sha + Facial Roller ($60)
Credit: @sacheubeauty
A Gua Sha and Facial Roller are beauty staples that everyone needs. SACHEU’s toolkit comes with both beauty tools; perfect for that at home spa day. The roller instantly de-puffs and increases circulation to the skin while the gua sha's deeper lymphatic drainage massage sculpts your face overtime. Youtube influencer Sarah Cheung is the founder of SACHEU beauty and prides herself on bringing to market products she creates with her community's input, while also staying true to her heritage.
Soul Emotion Max Headphones ($119.99)
Credit: Soul Electronics
You’re sure to feel the soul and the beat of any music you listen to through the Soul Emotion Max headphones. These over the ear, noise canceling headphones allow users to transition between different audio modes, have breathable mesh ear cushions and have a foldable design for easy on-the-go use. I have the headphones in black, and they’re the most comfortable headphones I’ve tried in a long time (they really do feel like pillows on my ears). Plus, the Bluetooth Multipoint Technology users stream music, answer calls, and receive notifications from two separate devices at once. Co-founded by Gary So, Soul’s affordable, high-quality audio and wireless products prove style and sound quality can coexist.
Peggy Li My Moon and Star Earrings ($39)
I love my daughters to the moon and back -- that’s why I’m such a fan of Peggy Li’s Moon and Star earrings. Plus, these delicate, dainty earrings are the perfect earring to add to any earscape (a big trend of 2021). Since I got the earrings for my daughters, you can bet I’ll be borrowing (or stealing back) this accessory. The designer’s pieces are also a favorite amongst Hollywood's top costume designers and are regularly seen on TV show favorites like Dead to Me, The Bold Type, The Bachelorette and more. Peggy’s designs got that final rose!
POPFLEX Workout Gear (starting at $38)
Credit: POPFLEX
A new yoga mat made of vegan suede that’s as smooth as butter—yes, please! And how about a new workout outfit? Sign me up. Those are a few of the amazing athleisure items from POPFLEX you can gift to the fitness fan on your list this holiday season. Founded by YouTube influencer Cassey Ho, POPFLEX is designed to bring joy into all facets of fitness. Her vibrant and whimsical designs are a staple in her collections and one of the many reasons this activewear is a cult favorite.
OUI The People Big Mood Bath Soak ($28)
Credit: OUI The People
A post workout bath is one of my favorite ways to unwind. Now, you can give the gift of relaxation with this luscious bath soak. Made with a detoxifying mix of magnesium, potassium, and calcium, Oui The People’s Big Mood Bath Soak will leave you feeling calm for the rest of your day. Oui The People founder Karen Young worked to make this soak a “treat for your senses, your body, and your skin.” So don’t wait and treat your loved ones to this priceless product.
You Go Natural Satin-Lined Headwraps, Turbans, and Headbands (starting at $20)
Credit: @karisleemusic
You Go Natural is designed to keep natural hair protected and looking effortlessly stylish on the go! With eye-catching arrays of styles, fabrics, and colors to choose from for women and men, YGN wraps look and feel like traditional headwraps with the protection of satin and the ease of pre-tied knots. Dallas-based brand founder Monique Little created YGN as the functional yet stylish solution to keeping natural hair protected while still celebrating it in its truest form.
Partake Crunchy Holiday Sprinkle Cookies ($14.99)
Credit: @partakefoods
Santa loves a good cookie. And he’s sure to lick the plate clean if you put out Partake’s limited edition holiday cookies. These satisfyingly crispy, seriously festive cookies are filled with red and green sprinkles and are allergen-free. Denise Woodard started Partake after her daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies. Because of her safe cookies, everyone can partake in eating this holiday treat.
Copper Cow Coffee Peppermint Latte ($17)
Credit: @coppercowcoffee
I’m a sucker for a good latte. Add some peppermint and the ease of making it at home, and I’m one happy gal. Copper Cow Coffee’s Peppermint Latte meets those criteria. Copper Cow Coffee is the brainchild of Vietnamese-American Debbie Wei Mullin. Debbie introduced a premium, at-home pour over coffee experience with a sustainable twist that celebrates Vietnamese coffee and culture. Known for its naturally flavored lattes, Wei Mullin is bringing a taste of her culture to the masses through a hot cup of coffee.
Hairbrella Classic Satin-Lined Rain Hat ($39.99)
Credit: @hairbella
There is nothing worse than spending time drying your hair only to get caught in the rain. Thanks to Haribella’s rain hats, that’s no longer an issue. Hairbrella is a cute rain hat that combines both fashion and function, keeping your hair dry and style regardless of the forecast. Invented by Tracy Pickett, Hairbella is making a splash in the accessories market after launching a successful Kickstarter campaign. Now Tracy is on a mission to “empower women to conquer the world without worrying about the weather.”
Blume Glowy Skin Bundle ($48)
Credit: Blume
Blume’s Glowy Skin Bundle is a must-have, specifically for the teens and pre-teens you need to shop for. The jade roller is one of the best beauty tools around, great for stimulating circulation and reducing puffiness. Taran and Bunny Ghatrora founded Blume to make skincare easy and accessible, while simultaneously working to destigmatize normal teenage situations, like sex ed, puberty, and acne. The sisters are using Blume to rewrite the narrative around perfect skin; they want everyone to know healthy is always more important than perfect. And Blume will help you get there.
These 15 BIPOC and AAPI-owned businesses offer a ton of gift options at a variety of prices, wonderful for everyone on your list. So, without further ado, get to shopping and let us know what you’re loving this holiday season.
