Swatched

In this episode of Swatched, Khera speaks with Shirley Ibe, the founder of Madeup Beauty, a clean, inclusive cosmetics brand that’s changing the game for diverse skin tones. Passionate about transparency and representation, Shirley's brand is also the first BIPOC-led brand to launch at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada.Shirley shares what led to her groundbreaking partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart, including the pitching in an Ikea parking lot (!!!!). She also shares the reality of being an entrepreneur and the balancing act she does with managing multiple full-time roles while staying true to her vision of high-performance, skin-loving makeup.This episode is perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, beauty lovers, and anyone interested in turning their passion into something bigger! Hope you enjoy 💖Follow Shirley and Madeup Beauty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeupbeautyConnect with Khera on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kheraalexander

In this episode of Swatched, Khera speaks with Sydney Givens, a seasoned dermatology PA and founder of Skincare by Sydney. Sydney shares her HATE for Beautyblenders (!!!!!) and key methods for anyone with sensitive, hyperpigmented, or acne-prone skin, while emphasizing consistency and a holistic approach to our skincare over trendy quick fixes.Get your best skin ever in 2026 and tap in to snag the easy, straightforward skincare gems Sydney shares.Connect with Sydney on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydneygivens_skin/ Take Sydney’s Skincare Quiz: https://skincarebysydney.com/pages/the-skincare-matchmaker-quiz Connect with Khera on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kheraalexander/Sponsor:Take Khair Beauty: Your new favourite curly hair salon and beauty supply that’s all about high-quality products and expert care for textured hair. Go to  https://takekhairbeauty.com/ and use code KHERA15 for 15% off your first service or product purchase from Dec 18 2025 - Jan 31 2026.

In this episode of Swatched, Khera sits down with the inspiring beauty content creator, Pouja Tharan, known as Blends by Pouja. They delve into Pouja's journey from a curious child experimenting with makeup to becoming a prominent voice in the beauty community and a creator sharing South Asian-friendly beauty tips. Discover how Pouja manages her love for content creation while being a full-time student and her mission to promote inclusivity in the beauty industry. Tune in for a fun and insightful discussion on overcoming judgment, embracing authenticity, effective time management, and being passionate about the power of representation.To connect with Pouja on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blendsbypouja/Follow Pouja on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blendsbypoujaSubscribe to Pouja on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@blendsbypoujaTo connect with Khera on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kheraalexander/Sponsor:Take Khair Beauty: Your new favourite curly hair salon and beauty supply that’s all about high-quality products and expert care for textured hair. Go to  https://takekhairbeauty.com/ and use code KHERA15 for 15% off your first service or product purchase from Dec 18 2025 - Jan 31 2026.

In the first episode of the year, Swatched host Khera is joined by Sarah Carvalho, host of the Cosmetic Chronicles podcast, to discuss some of the buzziest beauty trends and stories of 2025. From the resurgence of '90s makeup to the business moves of beauty giants like Pat McGrath and Huda Beauty to the impact of tariffs on beauty brands, this episode dives deep into the year's highlights. Tune in and celebrate the new year with Khera and Sarah!!!!!!!!To listen to the Cosmetic Chronicles: https://open.spotify.com/show/656TfDQaDCIMPurviOCoce?si=lAHAspDASfWMLP5YAweJnATo connect with Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glowandflowbysarahTo connect with Khera on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kheraalexander/Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Take Khair Beauty. Take Khair Beauty is your new favourite curly hair salon and beauty supply that’s all about high-quality products and expert care for textured hair. Go to  https://takekhairbeauty.com/ and use code KHERA15 for 15% off your first service or product purchase from Dec 18 2025 - Jan 31 2026.

In this episode of Swatched, host Khera Alexander speaks with Jules and Ange, co-founders of the Fitzroy, a Toronto-based fashion rental business for dresses, gowns, accessories, and formal rentals. They discuss their long-standing friendship, the transition from retail to rental, understanding customer needs, and the importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship. The conversation also touches on their roles within the business, the significance of hiring, and their insights on fashion trends and beauty aesthetics. The episode concludes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlights of Canadian brands to watch.To learn more about The Fitzroy: https://www.fitzroyrentals.com/To connect with The Fitztoy: https://www.instagram.com/fitzroyrentals/https://www.tiktok.com/@fitzroyrentalsTo connect with Khera: https://www.instagram.com/kheraalexander/?hl=enSponsors:Take Khair Beauty: Your new favourite curly hair salon and beauty supply that’s all about high-quality products and expert care for textured hair. Go to  https://takekhairbeauty.com/ and use code KHERA15 for 15% off your first service or product purchase from Dec 18 2025 - Jan 31 2026.Fitzroy Rentals: Canada’s go-to dress rental service with a curated collection of designer pieces you can rent for any event. Visit https://www.fitzroyrentals.com/ and use code SWATCHED15 from November 1st to December 31st, 2025.

In this episode of the Swatched podcast, Khera Alexander speaks with Joanna Auguste, a nurse practitioner and founder of The Face Lab, about the world of medical aesthetics. They discuss Joanna's journey into aesthetics, the importance of representation in the industry, and the stigmas surrounding medical aesthetics in communities of colour. Joanna shares insights on navigating treatments for diverse skin types, starting an aesthetic journey, and the trending treatments for 2025 and beyond. The conversation emphasizes the need for education, empowerment, and personalized care in the field of aesthetics.To learn more about The Face Lab: https://www.thefacelab.caTo connect with The Face Lab: https://www.instagram.com/thefacelabca/?hl=enTo connect with Khera: https://www.instagram.com/kheraalexander/?hl=en

In this episode of Swatched, host Khera Alexander sits down with Jenn Harper, visionary founder of Cheekbone beauty. As one the first Canadian Indigenous-owned and founded cosmetics companies, Cheekbone beauty is a B Corp-certified, purpose-driven brand with sustainable, high-quality, clean, vegan, and cruelty-free products. Founded with a core belief in giving back, Cheekbone Beauty supports communities through product, monetary donations, and community projects. To date, the brand has donated more than $200,000 to a wide variety of causes and initiatives, including the Navajo Water Project, One Tree Planted, Shannen’s Dream, and the FNCFCS.In this episode, Jenn speaks about the dream that started it all, some of the challenges shes faced while building her business, the importance of sustainability in her personal and professional life, remaining authentic as a leader, and more.Grab your favourite drink and get cozy for this honest and inspiring hour-long conversation between Jenn and Khera.To shop Cheekbone Beauty: https://www.cheekbonebeauty.com/To connect with Cheekbone Beauty: https://www.instagram.com/cheekbonebeauty/To connect with Jenn Harper https://www.instagram.com/cheekbonejenn/To connect with Khera Alexander https://www.instagram.com/kheraalexander/

Welcome to Swatched, a podcast hosted by makeup artist and beauty writer Khera Alexander exploring beauty’s intersection with wellness, entrepreneurship, and pop culture. After over 10 years in the beauty industry and digital media space, Swatched was created to cultivate a space where inclusive conversations and multiple passions could exist at once. Every other Thursday, Swatched episodes will explore different aspects of the beauty industry, from expert insights to products that are making waves to honest conversations with leading creatives and entrepreneurs from Canada and the U.S. If you love beauty — not just the products, but the people, the business, and the craft — this podcast was made for you.