From a nomadic fragrance to unicorn-inspired nail polish, these are our favourite beauty buys of the month
This month, we tried a whole lotta new products, including exciting, revolutionary ones. Don’t believe us? In this list, we’ve got everything from dry shampoos in foam (not spray) formulas, volumising shampoo pastes and even an unusual blue gel mask. Curious? Keep reading to hear our favourite beauty buys of the month…
Aesop In Two Minds: Combination Skin Trio
“I’ve spent most of my adult life confused by my combination skin. It’s not exactly easy to find products that keeps my (extremely) oily T-zone in check, while making sure that my dry cheeks remain hydrated. Aesop’s combination skin trio is a godsend. Let’s talk about the cleanser first; it’s gel-based and mild on my skin – salyclic acid helps to remove any excess sebum without drying it out. Then comes the toner, which I gently pat on after cleansing my face. I can’t afford to skip this step, as it (who da’thunk it) plays a crucial part in ‘balancing’ my skin. The last time is the hydrator. It contains Andiroba, copaiba and acai oils to give my skin the necessary hydration without giving it too much – richer creams often clog up my pores and leaves my face looking shiny in the morning.”
– Nafeesa, Style Editor.
$43 (100ml for cleanser) to $80 (60 for moisturiser), available from Aesop stores including Raffles City and ION Orchard
Nails Inc Sparkle Like a Unicorn
“I’m the youngest in the company, and was the only one game to try these unicorn colours. My colleagues call them the colours of the 90s, but I liked them far more than I expected to. They’re both really iridescent as they contain 3D pigment, and add major sparkle to my nails. One comes in a soft sheen rainbow; the other with a blinding sparkle. Seeing how sparkly they are on my nails, I’ve convinced even my thirtyish-year-old colleagues to come to the dark side.”
– Darissa Lee, photographer
Price TBC, available from Sephora
Chloé Nomade
“Almost every girl I know has the signature gold Chloe perfume with the gold bottle and pink ribbon with a scent as girly as the bottle it comes in. So believe me when I say that I was surprised to hear about its new Nomad scent and the free-spirited, globe-trotting, adventure-seeking girl of today it represents. Like its signature bottles, this one too comes in a pink blush, and gold finishes but with round curves. Its scent first hits you with a strong woody note of oak moss, along with the sweet mirabelle plum. Then, it fades into flowery freesia.”
– Nafeesa Saini, Style Editor
Price and availability TBC
Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask
“Recently, I’ve switched up my skincare products with Mario Badescu Skin Care and it’s all because of Kylie Jenner. Thanks Kween. I’ve using the Super Collagen Mask for three weeks now and it looks like I’ve passed my plateau. My skin actually feels firmer and my pores became smaller! My complexion is brighter! Okay that’s the last of exclamation marks. Oh, and washing it off is easy and doesn’t leave muddy residues.”
– Hubab Hood, Video Producer
$40, available from Sephora
Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy mask
“If you peer into my bathroom, you’d be shocked by how many masks I have stashed. I’m obsessed with these magical potions for detoxifying my skin, and clearing out gunk from my pores. But the bulk of these are clay, so to find one with a completely unique texture was like scoring a gem. The Blue tansy mask gets its deep blue colour from its namesake: a yellow flowering plant from the Mediterranean. Made with oils that are cold-pressed or steam-distilled, its texture is unlike any mask I’ve tried; it’s sticky and cool to the touch, and applies like a dream. I wash it off after ten minutes, and my skin feels clearer, and visibly looks cleaner.”
– Nafeesa, Style Editor
$69, available from Sephora
Christophe Robin Volumizing Conditioner with Rose Extracts
“I wanted to switch my hair care products to ones that were SLS-free and silicone-free and when I had my first whiff of the scent, I was hooked immediately. Besides the beautiful and natural rose scent, this one packs a punch. Created to protect colour, nourish the hair fibre and volumise body (basically all the things I want in a hair product), this one doesn’t weigh the hair down and kept my hair soft and fresh. Tip: when working it in your hair, try leaving it in for five minutes or more so you can really see and feel the effect!”
– Delfina Utomo, Lifestyle Writer
$79, from Sephora
OUAI Dry Shampoo Foam and Memory Mist
“YAAAZ to extra minutes in bed, OUAI’s line of hairsprays is perf for lazy girls. Thanks to celeb hairstylist Jen Atkins, its Dry Shampoo Foam and Memory Mist are absolute stars for turning my flat bed hair into lush waves. First off, the Dry Shampoo Foam will change your life (or just your hair routine). It removes build-ups and impurities, absorbs oil and leaves you feeling super fresh. I love the foamy texture (don’t worry about any gross residue or having wet-head), and the smell is just heavenly (it stays on pretty long). And if you’ve got an unpredictable mane like I do, the Memory Mist is fab for styling your hair (whether you want it straight or curled up), and when applied with heat, it pretty much stays in perfect shape throughout the day.”
– Camelia Khalid, Lifestyle Writer
$42 each for the dry shampoo foam and memory mist, available from Sephora
Nails Inc Lacquer Lock Extreme Long Wear top coat
“I use my hands for heavy lifting quite a bit. As a videographer, I’m always on the run, shifting props and putting myself in odd positions for the best angle. So as someone that frequently paints her nails, I need something to make my nail polish last and this is my solution. How it works? It has a sunlight curing technology to prolong the colour for up to 14 days. Apply your polish as usual, then finish off with a top coat and leave your nails drying in the sun. High tech beauty indeed.”
– Hazirah Rahim, Videographer
Available from Sephora
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