With over 380,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, Gajen Chandra has undoubtedly become a recognisable figure for his authentic online presence over the years. Now, the 27 year old content creator is expanding his entrepreneurial pursuits with the launch of his own beauty brand, Chandra Skin. We spoke to the young creative about his take on the local beauty industry, beauty red flags and the inspiration behind launching this brand.
What’s exciting you about the beauty industry in Malaysia right now, and what do you think still needs to change?
I think it’s exciting that there are so many amazing local beauty brands with good quality products these days, and that people are supporting them. However, I think local brands have a long way to go in terms of inclusivity. A lot of their products, especially their base products, still don’t cater to darker skin tones.
The whole influencer-to-beauty-brand-owner pipeline—Kylie did it, Hailey did it, even Pharrell got in on it. What’s your take on this trend, especially in the Malaysian market?
While I fully understand the stigma surrounding influencer and celebrity beauty brands, I think if they’re actually putting out quality products that aren’t just cash grabs, I don’t see why not. I personally feel like influencer beauty brands aren’t that stigmatised in Malaysia, it might be a very saturated market but people are still quite supportive.
You could’ve done anything—fashion, food, tech—but you went with beauty. What was the moment that made you go, “Yeah, this is it”?
Back in 2021 – 2022, I used to run a clothing brand called Stimul8 Apparel and, while it was doing great then, I just lost my passion for it. I’m not a beauty or skincare influencer but I’ve always been into skincare ever since my college years, especially when I had really bad acne. When it comes to self-care, I think everyone needs to have a basic skincare routine, especially men.
So, Chandra Skin—give us the story. Where did the name come from, and what makes it different from every other skincare drop?
This brand is a lot more personal to me, so I decided to call it Chandra Skin, and I honestly just thought it sounded cool. I’ll admit the drop isn’t that different from other brands that sell lip products, but I’m grateful that my family, friends, and the people who follow me are excited about the launch.
What’s the first product hitting shelves, and why start with this one? What problem are you solving?
The first product is the Dewy Lip Butter! I personally have very dry lips and I literally cannot go anywhere without my lip balm. After trying every lip balm under the sun and I’ve never really been 100% satisfied, I managed to come up with a product that has the perfect balance of moisture and hydration—plus a sheer wash of colour that is universally flattering on all skin tones.
You’ve tried everything—high-end, drugstore, viral TikTok buys. What did you see (or not see) in the industry that made you want to create your own?
As someone with very dry lips, I’ve always struggled to find a product that again, has the perfect balance of being hydrating and moisturising. Products in the market always lean towards one end of the spectrum. When a lip balm is too hydrating, it feels amazing upon application but then it absorbs too quickly, forcing you to keep reapplying it. On the other hand, if a product is too moisturising but not hydrating enough, it only forms a barrier over your lips. Eventually, the skin underneath gets dry and tight.
What’s your beauty red flag? Like, if you see this in a product, you’re immediately out. And what’s a green flag that instantly makes you trust a brand?
I hate it when a product mentions “whitening”, it just feels so ugh and outdated. I also hate brands that greenwash their products, claiming they don’t use “chemicals” and are all natural. What also annoys me is when local beauty brands come out with skin products, like foundations and concealers, but they only cater to fairer skin tones. A green flag would be a brand that is very transparent with the ingredients they use.
Is Chandra Skin about more than just skincare? Are we talking a whole movement, a new kind of beauty philosophy, or is it simply about damn good products?
I’ll be honest, I haven’t planned that far ahead yet. I’m still testing the market by coming out with limited drops. My main focus now is just coming out with really good products that people are willing to incorporate into their daily routines.
Chandra Skin is just getting started—where do you see it going next? More skincare? Expanding beyond beauty?
While it’s called Chandra Skin, I do wanna venture more into makeup in the future. But for now, I definitely plan to put out more interesting shades and formulas for our lip butters.
Having started your content creation journey with funny skits and a laid back approach, most people would think of you as just another comedic influencer — what would you do differently with Chandra Skin to show that you mean business?
I acknowledge that comedic and unserious content is my thing or “niche”, but people who know me know that I’ve always been into beauty and skincare. I may not be a beauty content creator, but I talk about beauty and skincare here and there. The long-term goal is for Chandra Skin to stand on its own as a beauty brand.
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