Author: Beauty Gazette

Estee Lauder Double Wear Cushion BB

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Now that cushion compacts – liquid foundation or BB cream soaked in a sponge for no-spill on-the-move applications – are a legit (and presumably profitable) category of cosmetics,  Estee Lauder has its own.     This version feels more like a foundation with full to medium coverage. It is rather pigmented and has a creamy texture, so a little bit is all you need for the entire face.  The Double Wear has a matte finish; great for those who dislike the greasy-dewiness on their skin. This formula also feels rather lightweight on the skin, and is long-lasting. Once you grasp the concept of a BB cushion because it is so convenient, you’re never going back to a cream or powder compact.  Most offer light to medium coverage, and can leave oily skin looking greasy. So if you are a conservative  – because you like your foundation matte with full coverage – Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Cushion is a good place to start. It has SPF 50/PA+++ for additional sun protection too   

Is colour-correcting make-up for you? 

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Colour-correcting make-up isn’t new. It has been around since the make-up artists of the ’80s improvised and used dabs of red lipstick and foundation around the eyes to correct dark circles. Or at least since Guerlain created its signature multi-coloured Meteorite pearls to make the skin look more even, and brighter with a subtle glow. But with the democratisation of the delicate art of make-up – through the countless Youtube makeup tutorials and Insta-clips available online – beauty brands think it is time to unleash pigmented colour-correcting cosmetics that used to be the domain of the pros, on the masses.  To be used as a primer, these colour-correcting base make-up are to be worn under foundation. Inspired by this NYT article on the latest colour-correcting make-up trend, The Beauty Gazette gives you the lowdown on how to get it right. Celebrity make-up maestro Clarence Lee dishes out the tips. He has more than two decades of experience below his makeup belt, and has worked with stars such as Gong Li, Li Bingbing, Liu Wen and Zhang Ziyi. …

Air pollution and your skin

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The air is clean, crisp and fresh in Singapore; most of the time.  But when the neighbouring countries practise irresponsible burning of the forests, my lung and skin suffers from the grey smog that hits. Like now. It’s a problem you would face too if you live in cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, New Delhi.   In such dreary conditions, my skin flares up easily if I don’t take precautions.  Here’s how I keep my skin balanced when air pollution literally hits me in the face:  1) Stay healthy; the skin is a reflection of inner health So eat well, sleep well, and drink enough water. Because when your body’s immunity is down, your skin will be affected too. 2) Give skin more vitamin shots than usual To deal with aggressive pollutants, I take extra care to slather my skin with more antioxidants.  I use the lightweight serum oil, Estelle & Thild Super Bioactive Repairing Oil Complex, to soothe and pamper my skin. Then I seal it all in with Allies of Skin 1A All-Day Mask, which …

#Kfever: Laneige makeup on Descendants of The Sun

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It’s happening again. The new K drama Descendants of The Sun has everyone’s eyes strained from watching too much TV.  According to news reports, Descendants has been played more than 670 million times on Chinese video site iQiyi. This new K drama is clearly on its way to surpassing the popularity of the red-hot drama of yester-year, My Love From The Stars. The winning formula is there, as usual.  Man and woman meet.  Man and woman fall in love. Man and woman pretend to not be in love with each other. Man and woman argue. Man and woman fall out. Man and woman meet again in a strange land. The story continues. Add to the mix a hunky baby-faced South Korean actor (this time round, it’s Song Joong-ki), and Kimchi Land’s fave actress (Song Hye Gyo).    Ms Song happens to be the face of Laneige, the flagship label of K Beauty superpower Amorepacific.  And so naturally, you get special makeup appearances 💄💄💄  While prepping for her first date, the female lead whips out …   …

Nars Spring 2016 collection picks

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There is something about all the best colour cosmetic shades. They don’t look like much in the pot or barrel. But the subtle colours offer just the right tint for a perfect make-up look.    I am in love with Nars’ new lipstick in Banned Red #9401.  It is an easy-to-wear milky red marsala-coloured lipstick that is incredibly flattering. If you want that je ne sais quois quality that French women seem to possess, this red lipstick is a good place to start. The colour is not too flashy, but it makes you look mysterious enough without coming across as being pretentious. This sophisticated shade is opaque in one slick, and has a soft shine to it. It is long-lasting and stains the lips as well. See what I mean. The Beauty Gazette’s other top pick from Nars’ spring collection: the new Blush Duo in Hot Sand/ Orgasm. I’ve never reached out for another pink/coral powder blush after I got my hands on the iconic Orgasm shade for the first time. The perfect peachy pink with subtle gold …

TBG Interview: Nicolas Travis, founder, Allies of Skin 

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With his new skincare label finally hitting shelves after years of planning, Nicolas tells The Beauty Gazette why Allies of Skin is a necessary addition to your beauty arsenal. What made you decide to start your own skincare label?  It’s been a lifelong dream of mine. I’ve always been fascinated by the link between good skin and confidence. I had really bad acne as a teenager and it took years to clear up. I remember the experience of finding the right products extremely daunting especially when you’re a student with a budget. There’s just so much noise and so many empty promises. The ability to leave the house as you are is powerful and it all starts with good skin. I want to help facilitate that. There is no silver bullet that is going to fix everything in a week. It takes diligence and patience. Using the right products is half the battle won. There are a lot of fear-based directives in the beauty industry – the use of the term ‘anti-aging’ for example. I’m …

Allies of Skin: 24/7 Kit

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It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a new honest-to-goodness Singapore label. Allies of Skin was recently launched, and it will be hitting some of the hippest multi-label beauty stores in town and beyond. After roadtesting the made in the US-of-A products in its new 24/7 kit, I think the label has plenty of potential. The Molecular Saviour Toner Mist is made to tone and refine pores, balance, calm, soothe, moisturise, and protect. In my opinion, a good rose mist is indispensable. It can help with soothing eczema flare-ups and provide extra hydration without messing up your make-up, at mid-day. I always have one on my work desk. The Molecular Saviour Toner is not your regular rose mist. When I spritzed it on, I could feel that it has a thin viscosity, not just a plain wateriness like most others. It feels more like an essence and leaves my skin feeling supple. Perfect for prepping the skin for the application of heavier creams, for all-day moisturisation. And like all rose mists, the light floral scent is …

Dr.Jart Dermaclear Trans-foam Clay 

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Best masks I’ve tried in a while. These from Korean brand Dr.Jart are one-of-a-kind. The texture is a cross between a bubbling oxygen mask, clay mask, and a foamy cleanser. It looks like a regular clay mask when you squeeze it out of the tube. It starts to bubble and  form a thick, foamy shaving cream-like layer when applied on the skin. And when you rinse it off after the clay mask dries, it cleanses the skin like a foamy mask. After I used the mask, my skin was super tight, glowy and clean.  But like most clay masks, it left my skin dry. So be sure to use a hydrating mask or thick oil or cream to replenish the moisture afterwards.  There are three formulas: Calming White (cheek areas); Moisturizing Pink (cheek areas); and Refreshing Green (for the oily t-zone and chin). All are made with French clay that cleanses the skin deeply. Perfect for multi-masking ✌🏻️

When K-Pop meets J-Beauty: KYE x Shu Uemura for Spring 2016

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Shu Uemura’s collaborations are always exciting.  The Japanese brand has covered the spectrum with artists (Murakami, Yaz Bukey), fashion designers (Karl Lagerfeld, Maison Kitsune), and even a filmmaker (Wong Kar Wai). It keeps the brand looking fresh and the products covetable. Now, the latest spring 2016 collab is with the hip Korean-American artist Kathleen Kye. The Central St Martins graduate is also a fashion designer whose high street wear is purportedly in-demand by the K-pop stars. This limited edition line is covered with cute cartoons illustrated by Kye. All apparently symbolize Korean youth culture.    In the collection, the most obvious K-Beauty item is the blush cushion compact, available in pink and peach.                   How to get theJ-Beauty + K-pop look:     KYE for Shu Uemura will be launched exclusively in Sephora Ion from April 14; and in Shu Uemura Boutiques from May 1.    Pictures and graphics: Shu Uemura

Clarins White Plus Tri-intensive Brightening Serum

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I love the sun (relatively).  I like to laze by the pool (on some days, but always under a huge umbrella), run in the outdoors (when there are pumping tracks on Spotify), feel the sun’s heat on my skin (after an entire day in a freezing office). But I want to stay as fair and spotless as possible.  If you are a Beauty Gazette reader, you’ll know what I mean.  I don’t mind my arms and legs looking a little tanned, but I can’t let my face go one shade darker without feeling guilty.  Perhaps because I think the skin on my face is alot more sensitive to UV rays and more prone to wrinkles and spots. So I’m always slathering on copious amounts of sunscreen on it, as well as skin-brightening products.    Clarins’ new White Plus spin-off is a recent discovery. I am loving its lightweight texture and barely-there floral scent (which surprisingly, does not irritate my skin which is intolerant to scented skincare).  If you have youthful, supple skin, this formula which feels like …