Who could possibly have better makeup and skincare tips than a beauty queen and model?! The stunning Rathi reveals all – from her beauty dos and don’ts to her most important feature (her eyes!)
It’s no wonder that Rathi Menon was selected to represent Singapore in Miss Universe last year; sweet and sunny with endless legs and killer body to boot, she’s everything you’d hope for in a national beauty queen and more. Despite being beamed into living rooms worldwide (in a bikini, no less!) and attracting thousands of Instagram followers, Rathi is a cool, down-to-earth chick with a humble outlook. We couldn’t wait to spend a day in her life; not just so that we could pretend to be an international supermodel for 24 hours, but to discover all the fabulous tricks a girl needs when it comes to looking incredible on the go!
Hi Rathi! What does a day in the life of Miss Universe Singapore usually look like?
Every day is certainly different – but I’m always busy! Workwise, I spend a lot of time modelling and attending events, plus I’m often in meetings with my manager. Of course, looking after my face and body counts as ‘work’ to me, although I do love hitting the gym and salon. Outside of work, I pass the time by hanging out with my friends and family – often over food – like a normal Singaporean!
Before we hit the gym (gulp!), tell us about your daily beauty routine.
Clean and fresh skin is very important to me, so I wash my face everyday with Shiseido’s White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam, followed by an alcohol-free lotion to balance my skin. Unfortunately, I get white heads on my nose quite often, so I apply paste made up of baking soda and water, which gets rid of them effectively. I’m also a big believer of pampering myself with DIY facial masks at least once a week. My favourite is to mix cucumber with yoghurt and honey.
Is your thorough routine so important to you because modelling is tough on your skin?
It is! Having make up piled on my face almost every day isn’t good for my skin, which is why cleansing is absolutely crucial to me. I remove makeup immediately after every photo shoot with a gentle makeup remover to let my skin breathe. I also like to use an invigorating apricot scrub once a week for that fresh-faced feeling. And on days when I don’t have photo shoots, I wear little to no make up.
What feature do you tend to spend the most time looking after?
The eyes! We all know the eyes at the window to your soul, so everyone should look after theirs carefully. It’s especially important for models and beauty pageant contestants to use their eyes to give the audience a variety of expressions and to charm the judges.
What do you do to keep your peepers looking bright and beautiful?
In my line of work, it’s important to find products that are simple, quick to use and effective. I have been using Shiseido Ultimune Eye since it hit stores in September and I am really pleased with the results. When I use other skincare products, it’s usually hard to see visible results for my under eye circles. But this one in particular seems to be doing very well for me – I can already feel the difference and I’m loving it. Getting plenty of rest really helps the eyes stay fresh as well – you can never have too much beauty sleep!
As a beauty queen (an international one, at that!), you must have handy make up tips to share.
It’s all about the base! It’s important to prep your skin beforehand with the right serum and moisturiser – followed by a suitable foundation and concealer. That way, your make up will look flawless and dewy, and it will last longer too.
Quick – name three things you grab before leaving the house?
My favourite perfume, a pair of stylish sunnies, and my vitamins. Oh and I’m on my motorbike almost every day, so I use sunscreen for its protective qualities.
‘Fess up; what’s most embarrassing thing you’ve done in the name of beauty?
I once attempted to look sexy by trying to do ‘smoky eyes’. It did not turn out well: it looked like someone had punched me in both eyes. I now know to keep it simple and let my eyes speak for themselves.
As a busy girl-on-the-go, you must know the best hangout spots in Singapore. Do share with us!
My all-time favourite fashion label is Topshop and I also love to shop at Far East Plaza. It has plenty of stylish, pocket-friendly options. Just be selective and you’ll definitely find some amazing gems. It’s hard to pick my fave foodie spot. I eat a lot so most places in Singapore excite me. I particularly like Dempsey for its great dining options like P.S. Café, The White Rabbit, and the new Open Farm Community. For weekend drinks with my friends, I love the atmosphere of Club Street Social and Oxwell & Co. on Club Street. I like to keep fit (it’s important in my line of work!), so you’ll usually find me working out at Level Gym or swimming at Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. When I’m training for a marathon, I always head to Macritchie Reservoir – you just can’t beat that view.
Shoot locations: Level Gym and Oxwell and Co