Hit, miss, or add to cart? We spill the tea on the best makeup, skincare, haircare, and bodycare with our honest beauty reviews in Singapore.
Struggling to keep up with the latest beauty news? Or is your wallet protesting against that viral product everyone’s raving about? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with honest beauty reviews right here in Singapore. In this edition, we review lash resurrection treatments that work and full coverage concealers and moisturisers that glide on like a dream. Presenting our unbiased beauty reviews in Singapore.
Tried and tested: New beauty reviews in Singapore
1. Sekkisei Brightening Cleansing Oil & Brightening Foam Cleanser
Ever since I was given my first bottle of cleansing oil, I’ve never gone a day without double cleansing. And Sekkisei’s Brightening Cleansing Oil and Brightening Foam Cleanser might be my new favourite combo. It’s formulated with liquorice extract, known for brightening skin and having anti-inflammatory properties.
Most brightening products need time to take effect, but to my surprise, I noticed an instant change the moment I used it. Upon finishing my cleansing routine with Sekkisei’s products, my skin was noticeably brighter after just one wash. I love how I didn’t have to use too much product to get good coverage, and the foam cleanser leaves my skin clean but not feeling too dry or overstripped.
Price: Sekkisei Brightening Cleansing Oil, $31 and Brightening Foam Cleanser, $28
Where to buy: Sekkisei, available at all Kose departmental store counters, select Guardian stores, and online
– Review by Ashe Liao, Lifestyle Writer
2. Browhaus Brow Resurrection
Look, I’m not shy to admit I’ve got decent brows. They’re not exactly Lily Collins or Cara Delevingne-level of va-va-voom, but they’ve got a nice shape and suit my oddly small forehead. The only thing missing? That perfectly filled-in look.
Enter Browhaus’ Brow Resurrection, a semi-permanent brow embroidery treatment that creates natural-looking, hair-like strokes using ultrafine multi-pin needles. It’s designed to give you fuller, more defined brows (sans that harsh, tattooed effect), and it supposedly lasts anywhere from 12 to 18 months.
You can pick from five styles – Soft, Classic, Full, Ombre, or Blend – depending on the look you’re going for. I chose Ombre, which meant my session took a little over 90 minutes. We kicked things off with a quick brow clean-up (tweezers involved), followed by numbing cream to keep the ouch factor low. Then, my “Brow Architect” got to work, etching delicate strokes into my brows for a natural finish.
Ngl, after the first session, I didn’t see a major difference. I followed all the aftercare rules, but my brows still looked pretty much the same. It wasn’t until the touch-up session, about three months later, that I finally saw the magic kick in.
Price: from $1,000 per session, touch-ups from $160.50
Address: Browhaus, multiple locations including Plaza Singapura and Tampines
3. Krave Beauty Plumptuous Lip Jelly
Krave Beauty’s lip jelly has that perfect in-between texture (not quite a balm, not quite a gloss) with a sheer but buildable wash of pink that makes me look put-together even when I’m not trying. Hydrating? Yes. Non-sticky? Also yes.
However, even though the metal doe foot applicator sounds amazing on paper – it keeps things clean and cool with every swipe – in reality, it picks up very little product and applies unevenly on my lips. It also takes a bit of wrestling to remove from the tube and pop it back in, which makes the whole thing feel slightly clunky.
Price: $32
Where to shop: Krave Beauty Plumptuous Lip Jelly, available online and at Sephora
4. Sigi Skin Daylight Oasis Vitamin C Brightening Serum
I had a skin concern below my right eye, and I thought of leaving it alone. But after some Googling, I scared myself into thinking that it might be cancer-related. Thank heavens Sigi Skin’s Vitamin C serum entered the picture at the right time.
After continuous usage, the hyperpigmentation has largely faded into obscurity like a Z-list celebrity’s career; my face is also looking brighter with smaller pores. Sigi Skin’s version is runny compared to other Vitamin C serums; the nozzle is also a little finicky, so you either have to press harder or not apply too much pressure when you’re using it.
– Review by Sufyan Saad, Senior Lifestyle Writer
Price: $109
Where to buy: Sigi Skin Daylight Oasis Vitamin C Brightening Serum, available online
5. Glint Baked Highlighter
It’s no secret I love a gorgeous glittery moment. Glint’s highlighter, with its light reflecting finish, is a perfect match for me. I tried the diamond veil glitter, and it really shone through – the finish is even brighter than my future! Pro tip: employ a light hand with this highlighter, unless you really wanna blind people. My brush picked up a lot of the product, so I tapped it in after application to diffuse the glow.
Price: $26
Where to buy: Glint Baked Highlighter, available online and at multiple Guardian and The Face Shop outlets
– Review by Sufyan Saad, Senior Lifestyle Writer
6. One/Size by Patrick Starrr On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
I’m an oily girlie. While I appreciate Sephora’s setting spray, I’m always on the lookout for the one setting spray to rule them all. I’ve read many glowing reviews about One/Size’s setting spray; when I finally got my hands on the product, it was “worth the hype,” as the youths would say.
The setting spray looks and operates like hairspray, with an aerosol nozzle that generously spritzes the product onto your face. There’s a mild fragrance, but it won’t assault and offend you. I felt my pores tightening after the spray, but it’s nothing to be concerned about – that’s just the product working its magic. And everything’s all set for the day.
While my makeup stayed on through the heat, humidity, intense activities, and 14-hour days, I did notice minimal oil and shine peeking through. But that’s negligible for me as it didn’t make me look like an oil slick. A light pat courtesy of a matte powder, and I was as good as new.
Now, here comes the potential dealbreaker: the price might be steep for its three sizes. But this is a good investment if you don’t want to fuss with your makeup throughout the day. Also, it tends to sell out fast, so if you spot it online or in the shops, I recommend grabbing a couple of bottles just to be safe.
Price: from $30
Where to buy: One/Size by Patrick Starrr On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray, available online and at multiple locations including Ion Orchard
– Review by Sufyan Saad, Senior Lifestyle Writer
7. Strip AFT Hair Removal
As someone who has body and facial hair in areas that are ruining the vibe, I had to put Strip’s AFT hair removal treatment to the test. It’s a semi-permanent hair removal tech that claims to zap up to 80% of hair in just six sessions. It’s also known for laser precision, thanks to its wider 5cm crystal applicator.
Choose your fighter: Brazilian, underarm, legs – you name it, they’ve got it. I started with the Brazilian, then added face and underarms. Each session is quick and efficient — perfect for a lunchtime appointment. That said, your experience can depend on your therapist, so if you’re not feeling it, you can request another.
I stepped into a private booth, got wipes to disinfect the area, and my therapist shaved the hair before starting. This is where the only “ouch” moment happens — they apply an ice-cold gel. But trust me, it’s for a good reason: it keeps the device from getting too hot on your skin. It’s a laser after all, and heat is part of the game. I quickly got used to the hot-cold sensation. After a few rounds of beeps and zaps, the session ends with Two Lips’ Ice Calming Rescue Cream, which soothes irritation and keeps your skin moisturised.
They recommend six sessions to see results, but it really depends on your skin and hair type. I’m on my eighth session, and while I’m not a full-blown dolphin yet, at least 60% of my hair has stopped growing – and what’s left takes way longer to grow out. So trust the process. Psst: enjoy your first underarm session at just $48 (U.P. $190).
Price: From $95/session, packages are available
Address: Strip, multiple locations including Wheelock Place and VivoCity
8. Skin1004’s Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
Skin1004’s Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil is a suitcase MVP and skincare workhorse. I brought the travel-sized bottle on a month-long trip to Italy, and it barely made a dent. A little goes a very long way, even on full-beat days (yes, stubborn mascara included!).
Formulated with calming centella and six plant-derived oils (hello jojoba, sunflower and bergamot), this micellar-powered oil cleanser melts away makeup, sunscreen and grime without stripping the skin. As someone with sensitive skin, I love that it’s lightweight, gentle, and doesn’t leave a greasy film.
But here’s the tea: it stings my eyes a little, which is a bit of a dealbreaker for me. A real shame, because it does its job beautifully otherwise. If you’re not prone to eye sensitivity, it could very well be your holy grail.
Price: $45.40 for a 200ml bottle
Where to shop: Skin1004’s Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil, shop online at Shopee and at Watsons and Guardian stores
9. Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum
If you’ve got oily, sensitive skin like mine and live in a killer heat climate like Singapore, a hydrating serum is a no-brainer. I’ve bounced from one hyaluronic acid serum to the next without blinking, and Glow Recipe’s Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum has currently stopped me in my tracks.
Why? For starters, it’s lightweight, layers well under SPF and makeup, and doesn’t leave that icky sticky feeling. It also plays nice with my reactive skin while helping me fake that juicy, just-drank-3-litres-of-water glow. No miracles here, but if you want solid hydration without the drama, this one’s worth a try.
Price: $62 for 30ml
Where to shop: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum, available online and at Sephora
What product should we try next? Drop us an email at hello@thehoneycombers.com, and it might be featured on our list of new beauty reviews in Singapore!
