All posts filed under: Tried and tested

Popstar Cosmetics

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Nothing makes us more excited than quality, mid-prices cosmetics. Popstar Cosmetics, a two-year-old label founded by Singapore-born makeup artist and photographer Donald Chiu, is TBG’s new favourite. With a keen eye for visuals, Chiu’s work has been featured in the advertising campaigns of Brand’s such as Shiseido, Shu Uemura and Make Up For Ever. The artist dreamed up Popstar Cosmetics so that his clients could recreate the glamorous makeup looks on magazine covers and advertisements on their own. “I often have clients telling me that they want a certain look in magazines. But it is not possible to do so with just the products advertised or mentioned in the magazines,” says Chiu. “To recreate the rich colours and textures of the makeup shown in print, in real life, I often need to improvise. I once had to use a cream eyeshadow on lips because the colour was more vivid and durable.” His vision for Popstar Cosmetics was crystallised: make-up that glows onscreen, and on the skin. The products seem to have delivered on the brand’s …

Super Smooth

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I have nothing against women who prefer to keep the hair on their underarms as a feminist political statement. But personally, I prefer clean-shaven pits for hygiene reasons. The trouble of shaving (and the resulting ingrown hair) is literally a pain for me. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve put on a pretty sleeveless outfit; and just before heading out, realise that I need to shave. At a friend’s recommendation, I decided to try a session of hair removal laser treatment on my underarms at Super Smooth. Tucked away in a nondescript corner of the CBD area at Robinson Square, the salon does not even have a signboard. Yet, it has a constant stream of regulars to keep the clean and spacious area in business (a sign of a reliable enterprise). Previously, Super Smooth was located at Amoy Street. I opted to treat the hair follicles on my underarm ($60 per session; $1,027 for eight sessions and additional necessary ones within three years). After the areas were shaved with a disposable razor …

Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator

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We’ve heard of long-lasting makeup, but never long-lasting skincare that promises to keep skin hydrated for up to 72 hours. This new Moisture Surge (S$75 for 50ml) gel-cream moisturiser contains hyaluronic acid, a moisturising “matrix” to seal in hydration, as well as a formula of caffeine and “activated”‘aloe water to help the skin rehydrate itself. I slathered on a thick layer of this viscous product before bed as an overnight mask, then slept in an air-conditioned room. The slick texture also makes it ideal for facial massages. The next morning, my skin felt more supple than usual. As I washed my face, I could still feel the moisturiser on the skin; that is how well it adheres. This multi-tasking moisturiser can also be blended with a liquid foundation, bronzer or highlighter to give skin added hydration as you apply your makeup.

Clarins Hydra-Essential: Skin quenchers to start 2018 right

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Dehydrated skin always looks tired, dull, and lined. Plumping it up with moisture is that one thing you can do to make skin look more youthful, immediately. According to Clarins’ research on the skin, it is exposed to sudden changes in temperature and humidity everyday; on the commute, air-conditioning, rainy days, even post-gym. This “shocks” the skin, and it ends up dehydrated if it is not replenished with the right levels of moisture. To keep skin supple and hydrated throughout, Clarins’ new Hydra-Essentiel range contains organic Leaf of Life, an organic succulent herb with antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Sourced from the Jardins du Monde in Madagascar, the organic and fair trade Leaf of Life supposedly keeps the skin’s moisture level optimal through the “shocks”. The Hydra-Essentiel Intensive Bi-Phase Serum is a watery formula that sinks easily into the skin. I find that it plumps up skin immediately, making it look brighter and firmer. For best results (especially for those with normal to combination skin), use it with the Hydra-Essentiel Cooling Gel to seal in …

Three Point Makeup Spring Summer 2018

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These are some of the subtlest makeup products around; just for that hint of colour to make your face look fresh and youthful in a few minutes. Dab on skin, blend, and you’re good-to-go. These new point makeup products from Japanese label Three’s Sprint Summer 2018 collection may all look like lip gloss, but they’re really makeup multi-taskers with skincare benefits. The Whisper Gloss for Eye (S$45) is an eyeshadow/ eye cream. The gel formula has a pearlescent texture and sheer colour to lightly colour/ contour lids for some definition. Just add mascara for brighter looking eyes. The formula contains oils of tea seed, argan, jojoba, evening primrose, rosehip, olive, and meadowfoam; as well as shea butter and beeswax to moisturise. Still, it is surprisingly long-lasting and non-sticky. The Epic Mini Dash (S$43) lightweight gel blush gives a light and fresh dewiness to the skin. Dab on cheeks and blend with finger tips. The product will look good on the lids too. It also contains inca inchi oil and all the oils mentioned above; except …

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer

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Primers are indispensable if you need your makeup to last from breakfast to evening cocktails, through the heat, dust and oils. They help makeup to go on more smoothly, and set on the skin for longer. One of the star products from Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty range; the Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer is a good option. The lightweight gel texture feels refreshing on the skin; and blurs the appearance of pores and fine lines. It colour-corrects subtly too. Makeup glides on more easily with a base layer of this primer. The formula also mattifies the face – because Rihanna prefers her skin to look that way – but leaves it with a soft glow. Wear it on its own to even out the complexion on off-days; or under foundation for longer-lasting full-on flawless makeup.

Laneige Perfect Renew Eye Serum

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A refreshing gel-textured formula, the Laneige Perfect Renew Eye Serum (S$65 for 14ml) is made to moisturise and firm the eye area. It contains rejuvenating ginger water and lavender oil to keep skin supple for longer; a perfect non-oily base for concealer make-up on the under eye area. This product kept my eyes looking brighter, more awake and youthful.

Nars Wanted Eyeshadow Palette

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This limited edition palette by Nars is christened “Wanted” for a reason. Highly covetable by makeup junkies, it is a beautiful rose-gold-themed palette (soft pinks, nudes, and milky brown tones) that looks good on all skin tones. With a mixture of matte, metallic and shimmer powders, this palette is all you need for complete day-to-night looks that are on-point. The powders are easy to blend with minimal fallout; especially if you use them with an eyeshadow primer. Watch this clip to see how the shadows look in real-life, and perform.

ReFa Carat Face and Face-Up Cream

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A slimmer-looking face with lifted contours in minutes might sound too good to be true; but it is not impossible. Especially when you are in the hands of a trained facialist familiar with massage techniques on lymph nodes around the face, and able to get rid of water retention effectively. Or you could train yourself to pin point the lymphatic areas including the back of the earlobes, under the chin, and along the jawline. Otherwise, consider investing in a beauty device by Japanese brand ReFa. The platinum-coated rollers of the ReFa Carat Face (S$279) are ergonomically-designed to mimic the fluid movements of an ethetician’s hands, boosting circulation and lymphatic drainage. The device also taps on a micro current technology to stimulate collagen and elastin production for lifted contours of the face. Results are immediate (a slimmer face, sharper jawline, lifted corners of the mouth), and last for up to eight hours. Use the solar-charged gadget at least once a day for long-lasting results. To enhance the effects of the device, ReFa has also recently launched …

Skin Inc Oxy-Recharge Bubble Mask

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If you only have an extra minute to amp up your skincare routine, give Skin Inc’s new Oxy-Recharge Bubble Mask (S$76) a shot. This product is a combination of the oxygen bubble mask (typically, a gel formula that you slather onto skin and it bubbles up), and a peeling mask. Skin Inc’s formula contains an Activated Carbon Perfluoro that supposedly releases oxygen into the skin; as well as antioxidants from Japanese yuzu, rosemary, green tea, and soothing licorice, chamomile and aloe. After the formula bubbles on skin for 20 to 30 seconds, rub it on skin to remove dead surface skin cells. Rinse. The entire process will not take more than a minute, but you’ll have fresher-looking and smoother skin. Skincare will be better absorbed, and make-up can be applied more smoothly. Use this mask (which smells delightfully of yuzu) a maximum of three times a week; and before your skincare and make-up routines for best results. Watch this clip to see how it works.