Saving 101
Staff Picks: AAPI-Run Brands on Rakuten
To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’ve tapped some shopping experts (i.e. Rakuten employees) to share their favorite buys from AAPI-run brands — all available with Cash Back, of course — to help spark some shopping inspiration.
Alice: Uniqlo Marimekko Shoulder Bag
“The Uniqlo x Marimekko collabs feature some of the cutest prints I’ve ever seen, and the new collection is no exception. This shoulder bag is roomy enough for my wallet, phone and water bottle, and it’s easy to rotate to the front when I need to get things out. I’ll be wearing this all summer!”
Uniqlo x Marimekko’s Round Mini Shoulder Bag is the only purse you’ll need this season. The popular bag is lightweight, fits more than you would think, is easily packable (making it perfect for summer travels) and is a great everyday bag to bring on-the-go. It’s made even cuter by its bold and colorful Marimekko print. Prepare for endless compliments!
Claire: Tatcha Rice Polish
“If I had to pick one Holy Grail skin-care product, I would choose Tatcha’s Rich Polish. It’s a foaming enzyme powder that gently exfoliates and keeps my skin glowing (I use the Calming version for sensitive skin). The quality of Tatcha products, even down to the packaging, brings a little bit of luxury into your daily life and makes having a skin-care routine fun.”
Tatcha’s Rice Polish is formulated with Japanese rice bran, which exfoliates and softens the skin, and Hadasei-3, a proprietary complex of antioxidant-rich rice, green tea and algae, to keep skin looking luminous. Unlike other exfoliants, which can dry out skin or be too harsh, the Rice Polish is gentle enough to use daily without any irritation or disruption to the skin barrier.
Danny: Simplehuman Step Can
“My Simplehuman waste bin is simply amazing! It hides odors really well, is extremely durable and looks so good in my kitchen. I also ordered a compost bin that fits perfectly next to it, which has made taking out the trash a breeze!”
“Beautiful garbage can” may sound like an oxymoron, but Simplehuman makes it a reality with their sleek 55-liter Step Can. Made with strong brushed stainless steel that’s coated in silver ion, which eliminates fingerprints and minimizes the spread of germs, the bin instantly elevates your kitchen in a way you never thought a trash receptacle could.
Joyce: Calpak Luka Belt Bag
“This Luka Belt Bag from Calpak is my favorite hands-free bag I use for traveling and going to music festivals. It is lightweight and I love the convenience of the inside compartments, which make it easy to keep things organized.”
Whether you’re in the market for new luggage, travel bags or everyday backpacks or belt bags, you can expect high-quality products and sleek and durable design from Calpak. The Luka Belt Bag is both fashionable and functional, comes in over 20 colors and, in addition to multiple interior compartments, features a hidden exterior pocket for easy access to essentials.
Courtney: Brooklyn Candle Studio Catskills Escapist Candle
“The cypress and pine scents in this candle make me feel like I’m in a forest instead of my Brooklyn apartment. When I light it during winter, it reminds me of the fun summertime memories with my friends in the Catskills as I await the warmer days hiking upstate.”
Brooklyn Candle Studio’s candles are all vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly, and made with 100% soy wax. With up to 70 hours of burn time, a minimalist design that looks great in any space and a fresh scent of fir balsam, cypress, cedar and more, this candle is an ideal gift year-round for a friend (or yourself!).
Hannah: Cocofloss Rainbow Set
“I love stocking up on floss with the Cocofloss Rainbow Set! The fun flavors make my dental routine way more exciting. It slides through even the tightest spots with ease. Plus, it’s fun to give a box to my friends and family!”
Dare we say that Cocofloss makes flossing … fun? The packaging and product is brightly colored, smartly designed and eco-friendly. The floss is made from 85% recycled polyester from plastic water bottles and was dentist-developed to remove 40% more plaque from between teeth than generic flossing picks. This set comes with six full-size flosses in flavors such as Cara Cara Orange and Peppermint to Passion Fruit. Like we said, flossing is fun!
Whether you’re looking for fashion and beauty buys, home goods or travel bags, we hope you’ve discovered a new brand or product to try. You can shop the AAPI-run brands detailed above and check out dozens more on our Shop With Optimism page. Happy shopping!
Join The Conversation