A celeb beauty brand that restored our faith, facial oils and holo makeup (say what?). Here’s what’s on the top of our beauty pile this month.
Another skincare and makeup product to add to your never-ending list? Hell, yes. This month, we’re breaking the myth of facial oils, saying yes to a celebrity beauty brand (stop it, you fellow doubters) and trying a spill-free liquid foundation. Adding to cart right now…
The Face Shop Ink Lasting Foundation
I’ve been using The Face Shop Ink Lasting Foundation products for a couple of weeks now and it’s completely overshadowed my other foundations. Not only does it give you an even coverage with just one application, it’s incredibly light on the skin. The Slim Fit To Go is compact and spill free – just press down on the compact to get more formula and then mop it right up with the applicator sponge. Best of all, the formula is moisturising with SPF 30 and PA++ which makes it a perfect addition to a quick makeup routine or for travelling.
– Sheralyn, Content writer
$17.50, available at all The Face Shop outlets
Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening and Exfoliating Mask
I’m a bit cynical when it comes to celebrity beauty brands, but Miranda Kerr, take my money. This two-in-one mask from the Kora Organics range seriously delivered the goods and my skin felt legit amazing afterwards. The secret ingredients? Papaya enzyme, which dissolves dead skin cells and stimulates renewal, and turmeric, which evens skin tone. It’s a pretty gentle but efficient exfoliant too, and this we need to shout about: the brand only uses sustainably sourced, natural ingredients. No plastic microbeads over here. We’re super impressed.
– Selina, Editor
$68, available at Sephora
Amos Professional The Green Tea Enhancing Shampoo and Intensive Moisture pack
Let’s face it: hair fall is a thing in Singapore, and if you haven’t been affected yet, thank your lucky stars. For the rest of us looking for a silver bullet, the anti-hair loss shampoo and conditioner is the first port of call, and South Korea’s number one professional haircare brand has a lot to live up to. Full disclosure: it’s only been three weeks and I don’t see a meaningful difference after using this K-beauty brand. But, I’m loving the conditioner, which seems particularly rich and makes combing out wet hair much less of a drama – it does prevent breakage, and hallelujah for that.
– Selina, Editor
$65 (shampoo), $43 (moisture pack), available exclusively at salons including Jiwon Korean Salon at Wheelock Place and Luxe XM Salon at I12 Katong; email [email protected] for enquiries.
Canvas Rose Otto Overnight Intense Moisture Mask
This Australian organic beauty brand has created the perfect intense-moisture mask for the time-crunched. High-grade rose otto essential oil does the heavy lifting: just slather it on before bedtime and rinse it off in the morning. Job done. I’ve been using it once a week and it does seriously hydrate my skin. If you aren’t into those soggy paper masks that scare everyone in your household while you’re lying back becoming beautiful, this is an unobtrusive, effective winner.
– Selina, Editor
$41, available at Canvas online
Marie Dalgar Holo Eyeshadow Palette
The makeup brand from China that won accolades for its eye-extending grafting mascara is coming to Singapore this October and we got first dibs on some star products from the holographic collection. All I can say – this is one for the glitter lovers. I may deny it but deep down, I’m a sucker for glitter. So you can imagine my silent oohs and aahs when I opened a palette of day-to-night iridescent shades. The creamy formula glides on easily but could be more pigmented. Also works as a great highlighter.
– Nicole, Lifestyle writer
$58, launching on 11 October at Sephora
L’Occitane En Provence Youth Oil
Never in a million years would I imagine applying a facial oil to the greasy spot I call my T-zone. But after learning that this divine youth oil regulates sebum production – making your skin less oily over time – I was intrigued. Three weeks later, I have less breakouts and though there isn’t a significant difference on my T-zone, it does make my skin glow. How I use it? I mix two to three drops with my current moisturiser, rub my fingertips lightly together and dab onto my face.
– Nicole, Lifestyle writer
$178, available online and at all L’Occitane outlets
Benefit Brow Contour Pro
This is the ducks’ nuts of eyebrow pencils. It’s a 4-in-1 pencil so you can define and contour your brows like a pro. If you go see the girls on the Benefit counter they’ll give you a quick lesson on how to use it – from using the two different shade eyebrow pencils to using the highlighters to define and contour perfectly.
– Kate, Content Writer
$57, available at Sephora
Fresh Sugar Lip Wonder Drops
If your lipstick stain doesn’t stay on your lips by lunch – even after prepping with concealer or the blot-and-set-with-powder technique – this is for you. This sugar lip gel gently exfoliates and smoothes dry, flaky lips, leaving them colour-ready in seconds. The drops have a pleasant smell that reminds me of ice-cream soda (probably comes from the blend of sugar, natural fruit and hibiscus flower extracts). Not too sure about the exfoliating properties but I did notice that my lip colour was bolder and stayed on longer than it used to. How I use it? Apply just one drop, use your finger to glide over lips until it absorbs. Finish with your favourite lip colour.
– Nicole, Lifestyle writer
$39, Fresh Boutiques Ion Orchard, Raffles City, Takashimaya and Sephora
Bio-essence Vitamin B5 Gel
The struggle is real. We spend the better part of our day in freezing offices where the aircon wrecks havoc on our skin. So when Bio-essence’s new Vitamin B5 Gel showed up on our radar, you bet we noticed. I’ve been religiously applying it at least once a day for a couple weeks now and the difference is noticeable. My skin is softer for sure. Although it’s a smidge sticky to touch for a while, it somehow controls the oiliness. This watery Vit B5 gel with sodium hyaluronate is like a tall glass of water for your skin that’s meant to hydrate and repair. And since it has dropped parabens, alcohol and fragrance from its ingredient list, it’s perfect for sensitive skin types.
– Aditi, Deputy Editor
$45.90 for 30ml, available at Watsons, Guardian, NTUC Fairprice
Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser
Most of us tend to forget that a good face wash is step numero uno for skincare. We tried this foaming cleanser from Neutrogena that’s so soft and creamy like a moisturiser. It genuinely feels gentle but manages to neatly remove my minimal everyday makeup and the aforementioned oil. Also, it doesn’t smell like a dessert – it’s mild and pleasantly scented.
– Aditi, Deputy Editor
$11.50, available at Watsons and Guardian
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