About Salamin Eyewear
Salamin Eyewear is the FIRST Filipino-American heritage brand designed with the Filipino face in mind.
With inspiration by the Filipino culture: the food, nature, textiles, history, people, etc., Salamin Eyewear is meant to celebrate Filipinos, Filipino-Americans, and those who just haven’t had a great time trying to find a great pair of glasses that fit well. One that says, “Ang galing-galing!”
For decades, eyewear has followed a narrow set of facial standards. Many Filipino faces have lower or flatter nose bridges, softer contours, and high cheekbones. Proportions that just aren’t considered in traditional frame design. The result is glasses that slip, sit unevenly, or feel uncomfortable by the end of the day.
Salamin exists to change that.
We design frames starting with fit. Bridge shape, balance, and comfort come first. Style follows naturally. The goal is eyewear that feels secure, looks intentional, and reflects who you are.
Salamin means mirror/reflection but also means eyewear/glasses. This brand is about finally seeing yourself reflected in what you wear.
Launching October 2026.
The Founders Story
Kumusta! I’m Adrian, the guy behind Salamin Eyewear. And honestly? This whole brand started because of my own face. Yep, my nose, my cheeks, my bridge, the whole Filipino package.
When I was younger, finding glasses was… a mission. In high school, my mom had an Asian gift shop on the Air Force base, and right across from her store was this tiny optical shop. I spent SO MUCH TIME there after school that the optical manager Jeff, probably, no DEFINITELY thought I lived there LOL.
I’d wander in, try on a bunch of frames, and still nothing felt right. Nothing fit my face the way it should. Nothing fit like it was for me. I thought, “Ay nako, there’s like nothing here for people like me.” But still I kept going in and kept on trying glasses, but still didn’t buy a single pair.
Eventually, I went in so much that me and Jeff ended up becoming friends. He told me he played guitar in a band, and I told him that I sang in the choir. Very Filipino, huh? LOL. Eventually, he offered me a job — and that's how I accidentally started a 20-year optical career. Little did I know, that was the start of almost 20 years learning everything about glasses and fit.
Over the years, I helped all kinds of people find frames that worked for them. But what really struck me was that I rarely saw anyone who looked like me walk in. And when I did, most of the glasses didn’t fit. Sometimes, I’d have to send people elsewhere. Sometimes I could only make them “okay” with what we had. Every time though, I felt like, “Dang, this isn’t enough.” Filipino faces were being left out, underserved, and ignored.
That frustration, plus a lot of life experience, turned into a mission: Salamin Eyewear.
Salamin isn’t just an eyewear brand. It’s a statement. Glasses are personal. They sit on your face all day, shape how you see the world. and shape how the world sees you. If it’s part of your daily life, it NEEDS to be done right. Worth it. The better the fit, the better the comfort, and the better the confidence.
But Salamin is more than function, it’s community. It’s about representation. About finally seeing Filipino faces reflected in eyewear that doesn’t make you compromise. It’s about being seen. It’s about connecting people who’ve always had to “make it work” instead of having options made for them.
Your glasses should be a reflection of you. And that’s exactly what we’re here for. To help you see yourself clearly, comfortably, confidently. Fully you.
Salamat, Adrian Balansay.
Join the Kapamilya!
Be a part of the Pamilya! Join the waitlist to follow the journey, get ear access to our first drop, and see frames before the public launch.