All posts filed under: Features

Experts’ take: The future of beauty

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With new beauty products rolling out every week, what will the next truly innovative product look like? Dr Shekhar Mitra, member of the Procter & Gamble Global Leadership Council; Dr Donald Bissett, research fellow at Procter & Gamble; and Ms Rameet Kaur, managing director of Skin Inc USA and Canada, give their take. The Beauty Gazette (TBG): Encapsulation technology is increasingly gaining popularity in beauty formulas. Why is the encapsulation of active ingredients so important in a skincare product? The encapsulation of actives in skincare is important as it ensures the stability, purity and potency of the ingredients. Vitamins and other antioxidants can degrade when exposed to light.  Certain ingredients provide benefits to the skin when used individually. But when they are added into a formula with multiple other ingredients, the various components may react with each other and lose their efficacy. The protective encapsulation layer maintains the efficacy of the individual ingredients before they are delivered into the skin. The encapsulation of single ingredients also allow for easy customisations of formulas to suit individual skin …

Wearing make-up to the gym

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With all the hip new exercise options in the most bustling spots in town, looking tired while you sweat it out is not an option.     Especially with the latest virtual gym passes (KFit, Guavapass) that get you through to the fancy spinning classes, barre, MMA sessions, and aerial yoga time-outs.  You want that post work-out glow before the work-out. It’s the same reason why you would shell out the money for pricey designer sportswear. The sleek cuts and cute cut-outs make you look good while you prepare to get your heart pumping. It is proven that if you feel good before you actually hit the gym (or the tarmac), you would perform better. Now, for the make-up to match those spiffy Lululemons. (If you already unintentionally wear make-up to your workouts when you rush to classes after work, these tips are for you too.) 1) Stay away from the pore-clogging make-up.  I would not recommend slathering on picture-perfect foundation just before you sweat it out. It might end up patchy and stain your perfect (and …

Tasteful makeup

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As the queen of tasteful make-up Bobbi Brown says: “Confidence is everything, but a little makeup can’t hurt.” But to some, it seems that “Make-up is everything, but a little confidence can’t hurt.” Like all art forms, makeup is a form of expression. It expresses a woman’s aspirations (like red lipstick for an extra dose of sophistication); and the way she wants to portray herself (say, bold and arched brows to channel confidence).  At the same time, a woman’s make-up highlights her fears and insecurities. I can always tell when a woman uses makeup as a crutch. She erases her natural features and transforms her face into something completely different.  There is nothing wrong with going to the extremes with make-up.  But there is something not quite right when everyday, a woman’s visage looks like a caricature. Her eyes seem too large with copious amount of liner, lashes and mascara; while her nose bridge and cheekbones look painted-on. (Granted, in some cases, the OTT make-up is unintentional; they just need better make-up skills) It is one …

Spring Summer 2016 backstage trends: MAC

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MAC’s looks on the Spring Summer 2016 runways… #The not-so-classic red lip    At Kenzo, a glossy red lip is accented with gold pigment powder.     Over at Oscar de la Renta, a powdery matte pink and red ombre lip.     Zac Posen’s neon red lip and clean face with a hint of blush. — #2 Fresh-faced ingenue    Blush and highlighter that mimic a sexy sunburn (if there is such a thing) at Alberta Ferretti.  Marsala and gold eyeshadow with  plenty of mascara completes the look.   Clean face, pearlescent lids at Lea Peckre.  Prabal Gurung: A hint of mascara, blush and lilac-rose lipstick. —  #3 Colour shock    Veronique Leroy’s violet and lilac-lined eyes with rosebud lips.  Gorgeous navy liner, blush across the cheeks and nose, and clean gloss at Moschino.    Smudged electric blue liner and a clean face at Jonathan Saunders.  Lilac shadow, silver sparkles and pastel violet lips at Delpozo. Picture source: MAC

A classic beauty formula

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How many beauty potions out there are made with a formula concocted more than a hundred years ago?  Of course, the others that come to mind is the heavy Hazeline Snow cream (late 1800s) and Nivea Creme (early 1900s). But Shiseido’s Revitalizing Essence – launched in 1897 as the first pharmaceutical-based lotion – is unique.  Scented with “rain-washed peonies”, this lightweight watery lotion is made to soften and prepare skin for the deeper absorption of other skincare. At the same time, it moisturises skin lightly. Fast forward to 2016, watery skincare essences and lotions are a must-have in the beauty routines of Asian women. Shiseido was founded as a Western-style pharmacy in 1872. And today it is still on point with its Eudermine lotion, which continues to be part of Shiseido’s product line-up.  Of course, the original formula has been tweaked to better suit the skin of modern women. In my opinion, the sleek and modern red glass bottle (with the red glass stopper, and the unique lettering) is the epitome of chic. The faceted …