Niche brands you haven't heard of but should

You may not have heard of these brands, but you should.

1. Koh Gen Do

Known for its plant-based skincare and high-definition make-up that is often used on Hollywood movie sets, the products of the Tokyo-based beauty brand do not contain artificial fragrance, petroleum-based mineral oil, parabens and alcohol.

The high-definition make-up was launched at Level 3, Takashimaya Department Store, last July, while its new skincare line Oriental Plants was made available here in April.

Prices start from $53 for a tube of facial wash to $140 for a jar of moisturising cream. Look out for the Night Moisture Mask ($110) that firms and repairs skin while you sleep.

2. Hand Chemistry

This Intense Youth Complex hand cream might be just the one to prevent your hands from giving your age away.

A bestseller in Britain, it contains hi-tech ingredients such as tremella fuciformis sporocarp, a derivative of mushrooms that is said to be 400 times more moisturising than hyaluronic acid; and algae ferment, sacha inchi nut oil and maize propanediol from corn, known for their moisture-retaining properties.

Made to hydrate, firm, strengthen, brighten and smoothen hands, the product's tagline promises to make them look 10 years younger after 10 days.

After just one use of the rich cream that sinks easily into the skin, my hands were a lot smoother and the skin felt firmer. Priced at $35, the hand cream is available at selected Guardian stores.

3. ORA2

Stain-removing toothpaste and mouth wash do not usually get us excited. But the latest limited-edition products from Japanese oral care brand's Stain Clear range are fronted by J-Pop star Kiriko Takemura, better known as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.

The products are decorated with bright graffiti-style cartoons that will brighten any bathroom.

Formulated with silica and stain-control agents, the products promise to get rid of accumulated tea and coffee stains on your pearly whites.

The toothpaste ($6.95, from selected Watsons stores) is available in Natural Mint, Apple Rose and Peach Leaf flavours.

This article was first published on June 20, 2014.
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