All posts tagged: beauty

Fancl Zero Preservatives Skincare

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I recently contracted a bout of contact dermatitis on my décolleté, an allergic reaction to a product I applied on my skin. It itched and burned, and was covered in angry and red welts for weeks. Now that I’ve recovered with antihistamines, I’m left with patchy scars on my chest. I’m just patiently waiting for my skin tone in that area to even out. It was a painful reminder to always pay attention to the ingredients in my skincare. Now while I cannot guarantee that Fancl skincare would not cause you to break out in an allergic reaction, as everyone reacts differently to skincare products; it is a “cleaner” option. This Japanese skincare brand which is well-known for its oral collagen skincare supplements, is also renowned for its preservative-free and fragrance-free formulas. Its anti-ageing and moisturising range are sold in relatively small 30ml bottles, which are doubly-sealed. The rationale: as it is preservative-free, it needs to be kept fresh and you need to use up the content of the bottle quickly for best results. The …

The Lipstick to Wear Under A Mask

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So are you also one of those freaks who wear a full face of make-up and lipstick under your protective face mask? Well then, here’s the perfect non-smudgy but super intense lipstick range for you: The YSL Beauty Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Velvet Radical Highly Pigmented Velvet Matte Lipstick. The colour glides on opaque in one stroke, easy to blend with a fingertip, smells sexy and powdery. The matte finish allows the colour to set quickly on the lips. Blot gently with a tissue three or four times; and the colour will not budge under your mask. So that when you whip off the face cover to drink your coffee or eat lunch; your perfect make-up will pleasantly surprise.

Kiehl’s Ferulic Brew Rejuvenating Facial Essence

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An antioxidant-rich brew for your face? Why not. The new fermented essence by Kiehl’s is made with enzymes from brassica extract and ferulic acid, brewed for 120 hours and fortified further with lactic acid and squalane oil. The Ferulic Brew Rejuvenating Facial Essence, a bi-phase formula, sweeps away dead surface cells while nourishing the deeper layers of the skin. Great as a first step in your skincare routine, right after cleansing. For days when you don’t want to load on the products, just pat the essence onto skin and a light moisturiser to perk up your complexion.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Light Catcher

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Known for its makeup range that offers the perfect #wokeuplikethis look, Laura Mercier has done it again with a new setting powder that offers a candle-lit glow on the skin. The new Translucent Loose Setting Powder Light Catcher is made to set makeup, and prevent it from shifting. The perfect product to wear under your protective face mask, when you’ve got foundation, blush and contouring makeup on. (Why? Because sometimes, we need to look great when eating in public.) This champagne colour -tinted powder – named Celestial Light – provides the finishing touch to your makeup routine. It is also a secret weapon for when you need to take video calls: it does not leave a white cast or metallic finish on skin while blurring out imperfections.

Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum

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While it is an effective anti-aging ingredient, retinol is notoriously difficult to incorporate into the skincare routine. Because often, it can cause dryness, redness and even peeling of the skin. Now, Kiehl’s has taken out the guess work in allowing you to effortlessly incorporate retinol into your beauty ritual. Tapping a “micro-dosing” technology, Kiehl’s new Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily feels comfortable and gentle on the skin as it also contains soothing peptides and ceramides. This new product can even be layered with other Kiehl’s serums. Here’s how to layer it on, effectively: 1. Moisturising Toner or Essence 2. Other Kiehl’s serum 3. Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum 4. Face cream (go for a more hydrating one) 5. Sunscreen (skip this for the night routine, clearly)

Best Sunscreens To Buy

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Summer or autumn, pandemic or peace times, the one skincare item that you should always have in your beauty routine is suncare. If like me, you love hanging out on a sunny balcony, a bright spot at an outdoor cafe, or stepping out for a bike ride to unwind, never forget to slather on the sunscreen to slow down skin ageing. Here are my favourite sunscreens that I reach out for on a daily basis. They all have a few things in common: Non-sticky finish Feel lightweight on skin Have high broad spectrum protection Contain added skincare benefits (moisturising agents, anti-pollution ingredients, etc. Multi-purpose (provide skin-perfecting illusion) Work brilliantly as a make-up primer (just layer under foundation) I’ve added hyperlinks to the list so you can go straight and buy them (no affiliation, btw).

Home Spa: Dr Dennis Gross DRx Spectralite BodyWare Pro

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With quarantines, lock-downs, and touch-less retail and services being de rigueur during COVID-19, home beauty devices are a perfect addition to your beauty routine. Clearly, these DIY grooming machines are convenient so you don’t have to trudge off to a salon. Plus, it is much safer since you will not have to share any of the beauty tools and accoutrements with others, and be potentially exposed to the novel coronavirus. Dr Dennis Gross’ DRx Spectralite BodyWare Pro taps on LED light therapy to provide anti-aging (red LED) and anti-acne (blue LED) benefits on your neck, decollete and limbs, while you’re chillin’ and Netflixin’. The best part? You can actually mould the flexible device to your body so you get a customised treatment. Just don’t use it on your face (and eyes!) as the Bodyware Pro is not meant for that. The device provides 3 options for the 3-minute sessions (red, blue or red + blue). There’s also a bonus option: a 14-minute red LED treatment to soothe muscle and joint pain. The Bodyware is also …

Aesop Othertopias EDP Collection

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Aesop’s new Othertopias eau de parfum range is a poetic ode to the wild landscapes that inspired photographer/artist/nose Barnabe Fillion. From the stormy sea (for Miraceti – a hint of oud, whiskey and incense), the rugged shore (for Karst – metallic salty notes, cumin spice, sandalwood), to the rustic country (for Eremia – white musk, yuzu, resinous galbanum). Perfect for when travelling to strange lands is not an option for us during the pandemic. The Othertopias range is in Singapore stores 5 Jul. These are great additions to the others in Aesop’s unisex EDP range: Tacit, Hwyl, Rozu and Marrakech Intense. All sensual, smoky, and bound to make heads turn.

The One with the Friends

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The coveted Friends’ reunion that ran in May has inspired many to revisit the iconic 10-season series on Netflix. Clearly, one other reason why Friends is trending (on Netflix) is obvious: many of us are still quarantined due to the pandemic. With not much else to do, indulging in the good old Friends’ bubble is incredibly comforting. The jokes are timeless, the exchange witty with the righ dash of political-incorrectness, and comc timing is on-point. And the fashion brands are paying attention to what the consumers want: Friends’ fashion. High-waisted straight-leg jeans and bermudas made of sturdy denim, crochet, figure-hugging cropped tops, strappy dresses and knits fill the racks in stores (both on and off-line). So here are snapshots of Rachel’s, Monica’s and Phoebe’s blowouts and makeup, for you to match the Friends’ sartorial trends.

Kiehl’s Marks 170th Anniversary

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Started out as a go-to apothecary of the neighbourhood in a street corner of New York in 1851, to say Kiehl’s has come a long way is, an understatement. To celebrate its 170th Anniversary milestone, the illustrious skincare label churns out a limited edition series of old-favourites. We’re particularly enamoured with the Heritage Rosewater Toner, which smells heavenly, and feels gentle yet refreshing. We’re petitioning for it to be made a constant in the collection. Also look out for the Essence Oils, named after the moods we all want to be in: Love Luring (jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang), Fortune Seeking (citrus and white tea), Jinx Removing (vetiver and sandalwood). The crowd-favourites come in classic limited edition white and gold jars and bottles. Because the Kiehl’s bestsellers always deserve some space in your skincare cabinet. Afterall, they’ve got 170 years to prove it.