Roxanne Silva: From Makeup to Movement

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Roxanne Silva has turned passion into purpose. From launching beauty brands like MakeupbyRoxx and Roxx Beauty to creating wedding and lifestyle platforms like Sithara Weddings and Bridal Mantra, she’s redefining what it means to empower women. Across Singapore, Malaysia, and beyond, Roxanne combines artistry, culture, and authenticity to help women feel confident, celebrated, and unstoppable. Her mission isn’t just about products—it’s about creating a movement that inspires women to embrace their individuality and build their own legacy.

You’ve built multiple beauty brands across Singapore, Malaysia, and beyond—what inspired you to start this journey?

My journey started 15 years ago with MakeupbyRoxx, born out of pure passion for artistry and helping women feel confident for their most important moments. Over time, I realized the products available didn’t always work for women in humid climates or suit the undertones of our skin. That’s what inspired me to launch Roxx Beauty eight years ago—a line created to celebrate diversity and withstand our weather.

This year, I introduced Sithara Weddings to simplify the complexities of Indian wedding planning, where multiple events can overwhelm brides and families. And most recently, I took over Bridal Mantra, tying everything together by offering not just artistry or products, but a full ecosystem that connects beauty, fashion, and wedding experiences. Each step wasn’t random—it was a natural evolution of solving real needs I saw around me.

Roxx Beauty, MakeupbyRoxx, Sithara Weddings, and now Bridal Mantra all celebrate individuality and cultural pride—how do you ensure your products and services resonate authentically with diverse audiences?

Authenticity is everything. I’ve built my brands by deeply understanding the women I serve—from brides in Singapore to beauty lovers in Malaysia and beyond. MakeupbyRoxx celebrates individuality through artistry that enhances rather than masks. Roxx Beauty products are tested on multiple skin tones to ensure inclusivity. Sithara Weddings respects traditions while modernizing them for today’s brides. And Bridal Mantra creates a space where culture meets luxury in a way that feels both authentic and aspirational.

Because I’m part of the community I serve, I don’t have to guess—I listen, I observe, and I create with them in mind.

Your work emphasizes women’s empowerment—what does empowerment mean to you, and how do you embed it in your businesses?

Empowerment means giving women the tools and confidence to stand tall in their truth. Whether it’s a humidity-proof foundation, a bridal look that celebrates natural beauty, or streamlining the stress of wedding planning, I want every woman who engages with my brands to feel unstoppable.

Beyond beauty, I mentor women to build their own businesses, stand firm in their identities, and create lives they’re proud of. Empowerment, to me, isn’t a buzzword—it’s a mission woven into every decision I make.

Representation is central to your mission. What changes have you seen in the beauty industry regarding diversity, and what still needs to be done?

The beauty industry has opened up—shade ranges have expanded, and diverse faces are more visible in campaigns. But there’s still a gap between representation in marketing and representation in decision-making. Until we see more founders, creatives, and executives from diverse backgrounds shaping the industry at the core, it’s incomplete. My role is to continue building brands that don’t just include women on the surface, but place them at the center.

How do you balance the creative artistry of beauty with the practical demands of running multiple businesses?

It’s about knowing when to wear which hat. The creative in me thrives on artistry, storytelling, and product innovation. The entrepreneur in me is disciplined about strategy, numbers, and scaling sustainably. I’ve learned to build systems and delegate effectively so my artistry doesn’t get lost in operations, but also so my businesses remain strong foundations to support creativity.

Mentorship is a key part of your advocacy—what advice do you give women entrepreneurs starting today?

Start with clarity. Know why you’re doing what you’re doing, and let that be your anchor. Be willing to test, fail, and adapt quickly. Build community—your network is your most valuable currency. And above all, stay authentic. Trends come and go, but your story and values are what create lasting impact.

You aim to help women feel unstoppable in their own skin. Can you share a story where your work made a real impact on someone’s confidence or self-expression?

One bride I worked with had struggled with self-image for years. She always felt her skin tone didn’t fit into traditional beauty ideals. On her wedding day, when she looked in the mirror after I finished her makeup, she cried—not because she looked different, but because she finally felt beautiful as herself. That moment stays with me, because it shows that beauty, when done right, is about revealing someone’s essence, not changing it.

What challenges have you faced as a South Asian woman leading brands in multiple markets, and how have you overcome them?

Being a South Asian woman, I’ve had moments where I wasn’t taken seriously—whether for my age, my gender, or because I was challenging industry norms. But I turned those barriers into fuel. I focused on results, built credibility through consistency, and created brands that spoke for themselves. Over time, the very things that were seen as disadvantages became my strengths, setting me apart in the market.

How do you see the intersection of beauty, culture, and social change evolving in the next five years?

Beauty is moving away from being just an external pursuit—it’s becoming a space of identity, culture, and empowerment. In the next five years, I see more women using beauty as a form of self-expression and activism, demanding inclusivity and sustainability. Culture will no longer be an afterthought—it will be at the forefront of what makes brands relevant and powerful.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for the movement you’re building through your brands and the legacy you hope to leave?

I’m building more than businesses—I’m building a movement where beauty is a catalyst for confidence, culture, and empowerment. My vision is for every woman who interacts with my brands to feel celebrated, represented, and inspired to create her own legacy.

The legacy I want to leave is this: women no longer waiting for permission to belong in the industry, but boldly creating their own platforms, their own narratives, and their own futures.

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