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 Ma...

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 th...

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-ti...

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...

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...

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 div...

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 com...

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...