From snail cream to Coca Cola makeup and our new favourite scent, these are our best beauty buys of the month
This month came a whole slew of exciting products with our top fave being a Coca Cola makeup collection which has feeling like preteens again. But more than just #throwback cosmetics, we tried a couple of mega hydrating skincare collections, including cleansing oils and toner-lotions (say what?), as well as a bizarre snail cream. Curious? Keep reading to hear our favourite beauty buys of the month…
Hermès Eau de Citron Noir cologne
“I’ve had a thing for unisex scents for a while and have raided my husband’s stash on more than a few occasions: my fave scent of all time has been the Hermès classic Eau d’orange verte. Until Eau de Citron Noir cologne was released last month. This is a slightly more feminine version: it’s spiked with refreshing citrus including finger lime, Eureka lemon, Buddha’s hand fruit and kaffir lime, but gets its depth from black lime. Never heard of it? It’s a fresh green lime that’s boiled in salted water, then dried in the sun for weeks until it turns black and assumes a smoky, spicy quality. I can’t get enough of this scent – it’s totally uplifting, but still complex, and it seriously lasts.
– Selina, Editor in Chief
From $132, available from Hermès and selected department stores
Mamonde Creamy Tint Squeeze Lip
“Confession: I don’t like the feel of most lipsticks; they often feel too heavy on my lips. This Mamonde creamy tint applies like a dream; the squeeze tube enables you to control the look of your lips. A little pressure leaves a velvet matte finish, full gives lustrous, pigmented ones. It applies softly to lips, thanks to cooling gliding technology, and leaves them supple thanks to the infusion of rosewater.”
– Nafeesa Saini, Style Editor
Mamonde Creamy Tint Squeeze Lip, $18, available from Mamonde Boutique at Basement One, Takashimaya S.C., Mamonde counters at TANGS VivoCity and Isetan Tampines, as well as Lazada.
Braun Satin-Hair Professional SensoDryer
“I recently purchased this hairdryer as I was looking for something affordable yet impactful. It’s a good alternative if you don’t believe in paying hundreds and hundreds of dollars for a hairdryer. Two things caught my eye with this hairdryer: the powerful air flow and its advanced heat control system. It prevents the dryer from overheating and doesn’t get hotter whether you have it on low heat or no heat and remains at the same temperature. Cheers to more good hair days!”
– Hubab Hood, Video Producer
Braun Satin-Hair Professional SensoDryer, $129, available from Harvey Norman.
The Face Shop x Coca Cola
“This collab gives us major #throwback feels to our pre-teen days of Coca-Cola lip smackers. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an actual fan of the carbonated drink; it’s too cute to pass up and, perhaps more importantly, the stuff actually works. The collection includes lip tints, a powder and cushion compact, lipsticks and our fave: an eyeshadow palette. Best of all, all are cola scented.”
– Nafeesa Saini, Style Editor
The Face Shop x Coca Cola collection will be available at The Face Shop stores from 8 June.
Eau Thermale Avene Bright’Intense
“If there’s one thing I’m bad at, it’s sleeping. I rarely sleep through the night, and almost always have trouble falling asleep. And when this happens too often, my skin looks sallow and dull. Instead of relying on makeup, I’m using skincare instead. I swear I’m not imagining it – the Eau Thermale Avene Bright Intense essence and emulsion gives my skin a natural, radiant glow. It’s even specially formulated for sensitive Asian skin. It’s all thanks to the formula’s C-Pearl complex which reduces melanine production (bye bye uneven skin), boosts skin smoothness and is formulated with three ingredients with each targeting an essential quality for luminous skin. BRB I’m gonna glow for the Gods now.”
– Chelsia Tan, Creative Services Editor
Eau Thermale Avene Bright’Intense, available at Watsons and Guardian.
Chanel Anti-Pollution Cleansing Oil
In case you haven’t noticed, we’re all about the oils, especially when it comes to double cleansing. On application, the oil transforms into a soft lather, removing makeup (yes, even the waterproof ones) as well as any impurities. As with Chanel skincare, this one has power-packed ingredients like blue micro-algae to protect the complexion from pollution, and Marine Salicornia Extract to moisturise and fortify.
Chanel Anti-Pollution Cleansing Oil, $64, from Chanel Beauty boutiques.
Minon Amino Moist
“The press kit we received in the office came with a skin thermometer for us to test our skin moisture, which I thought was a really useful touch! While my skin didn’t measure as dry, I do often have dry patches, depending on the time of the month. As always, Japanese brands are always ahead of the curve, and Minon’s no different – its lotions are like upgraded versions of toners; they don’t just remove impurities but also moisturise. These, along with the moisturisers, are packed with nine types of hydrating amino acids. While it may all seem like talk, I could really see the difference – my skin honestly feels so plump after applying this religiously day and night for over a week.”
– Delfina Utomo, Lifestyle Writer
Minon Amino Moist, $25.90-$32.90, available at Watsons, Don Don Donki, BHG.
MagicShop Snail Extract Deep Cream Repair Cream
“I may be surrounded by beauty products all the time, but that doesn’t mean I don’t experiment with stuff on my own dime. Take MagicShops’ Snail Deep Repair Cream. In case you haven’t heard, snail mucin is magic at replenishing moisture and boosting cell regeneration. I use this as night cream, and despite its rich texture, I don’t wake up with greasy skin – instead, skin feels soft and plump, and just a little bit firmer.”
– Nafeesa Saini, Style Editor
MagicShop Snail Extract Deep Cream Repair Cream, $98, available on Qoo10.