All posts tagged: beauty

Pamper: Olaplex treatment for stronger hair

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One of the latest haircare treatments to hit salons in Singapore, Olaplex’s secret is a straightforward three-step process to prevent hair breakage. The salon treatment is formulated with a patented active ingredient that apparently works on a molecular level to repair broken bonds in the hair caused by chemical and heat damage. Each session in the salon lasts a relatively speedy 45 to 60 minutes. First, hair is soaked in the Olaplex No.1 Bond Multiplier liquid to re-build broken disulfide bonds, so that hair strands can better bend and stretch but not break. (If you’re having your hair coloured or dyed, the Bond Multiplier can even be mixed in with the colourant or bleach, so hair is treated at the same time.) Then hair is rinsed in another Olaplex No.2 Bond Perfector that continues the bond-repairing process to add shine to the hair. Both solutions are shampoo-ed off, and hair is blow-dried. Even without being brushed, my hair looked shinier and smoother immediately. The frizzy ends looked at least 50 per cent more sleek. Afterwards, …

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Mist

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A good facial mist is always useful. As the first step of the skincare routine to soften skin As the finishing step for makeup, to add glow to the skin Over makeup at the middle of the day to hydrate skin. On the plane to refresh tired skin Sulwhasoo’s new First Care Activating Serum Mist is a spin-off from its iconic Activating Serum. The mist has an oil-and-essence water formula that boosts absorption. It contains the brand’s signature Jaum Balancing Complex that promises to add vitality, firmness, and clarity to the skin. Ingredients include jojoba seed oil, olive, honey and walnut extracts.

Laneige Stained Glass Stick

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This range could just be one of the best lipstick balms on the market. Laneige’s new Stained Glass Stick lippies are very moisturising with a melt-on texture that coats lips evenly with a hint of colour. Each shade is flattering on Asian skin tones, and has a high-shine finish that is rarely achieved by a lipstick/balm formula. The slim lipstick bullet makes application easy-breezy. Although the Glass Stick is not very long-lasting, it stains the lips to keep the face from looking washed-out. Available in 10 shades. The light blue No.1 Blue Topaz goes on clear, while the rest glide on with varying shade of pink, coral, red and plum.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, Wonder Glow Primer, Magic Foundation

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You can always tell the difference when a cosmetic brand is made with the thought process of a beauty industry veteran. After all, some of the biggest beauty brands today were the brainchild of top makeup artists of their generation. The eponymous brand of makeup guru Charlotte Tilbury seems set to be a classic beauty brand for years to come. At least based on the formulas reviewed for this post. The Magic Cream has legendary status. Apparently Tilbury uses her special custom-made blend to perk up and firm the tired skin of supermodels and celebrities backstage. Whipped with shea butter, aloe vera, camellia seed oil, damascena rose, sunflower seed oil, the cream seems heavy at first touch but blends so well into the skin. No need for an additional serum layer underneath. With SPF15, you don’t even need to layer sunscreen on top (unless you intend to spend long hours under the sun). As a base for beautifully made-up skin, Tilbury created the Wonder Glow Instant Soft-Focus Beauty Flash Primer. Use it three ways: under …

Laneige Water Bank range: Upgraded

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Moisturised, hydrated, supple, dewy skin. The signature Korean beauty look is built entirely on the skincare routine that soaks skin in moisture and oils. So Laneige has stepped up its flagship Water Bank collection with the extracts of water cress, kale, beetroot, and garden cress. The star products of the lightweight moisturising range are the Hydro Essence and Gel Cream (for combination skin); and Moisture Essence and Moisture Cream (for drier skin). Look out for the Water Bank Quick Hydro Pen as well. It is the perfect handy skincare tool for those random dry patches on the cheeks or undereye area that appear in the middle of the day. Just click the pen to dispense a gel cream, and apply. Also contains extracts of artichoke, lima beans and brussel sprouts.

Iles Formula Haircare

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Tired of haircare that cannot instantly repair her celebrity clients’ hair for red carpet appearances, hairstylist Wendy Iles decided to make her own. Iles Formula is sulfate-, paraben- and silicone-free. The Haute Performance Shampoo lathers well, and cleanses my bleached and dyed hair well without stripping it of the oils and colour. The Haute Performance Conditioner is the star product as it is made with silk proteins from Japan, a technology that seals and smoothes hair cuticles, as well as tucuma palm and macrobola tree seeds from the Amazon rain forest. The Finishing Serum works like a vitamin shot for the hair: nut oils, silk, ceramide. When used together, the trio gave me soft, voluminous and frizz-free locks. Most haircare products leave my chemically-treated hair stiff and dry, which I usually have to smoothen with at least two other kinds of leave-in haircare serums. I also love how the Haute Performance range is perfumed with pleasant white-flower and white musk accords, adding a touch of luxury to my me-time in the bathroom. Iles Formula is …

Urban Decay Born To Run collection

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Inspired by #travel #wanderlust #bornfree #wishuwerehere Insta posts, Urban Decay has launched its new Born To Run eyeshadow palette. With 21 bright hues in matte, metallic and iridescent textures, this palette is handy for travels as it lets one create a wide variety of eye makeup looks. From sunset dinners in Santorini to beach parties in California, the palette has you covered. The shadow formula gets a little powdery when the brush dips into the pan; but tap off the excess and it goes on smoothly with minimum fall out. The colours are pigmented, but as with all shadows, best used with a primer. To complement the range, there are three limited edition bold Vice Lipstick shades: a glittery coral pink, a plum and a mauve pink. As well as three 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils to match the shades in the palette.

Clarins Limited Edition White Flowers Collection

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To add a little luxury to your summer skincare routine, Clarins has rolled out a limited edition range of products themed on white flowers. The Hand and Nail Treatment (S$15 each) is available in three scents: Magnolia, Neroli, and Jasmine. While the Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector (S$33) which deeply moisturises lips and gives it a glossy shine, is available in a pretty rosy pearlescent finish that brightens the natural lip colour. Perfumed with neroli, the Catch-Light Face Highlighter (S$36) comes in a stick form and is easy to use for extra glow on the cheekbones, brow bones, decolletage and cupid’s bow.

Fujifilm’s Beauty Label Astalift Launches New Makeup Range

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You would never have thought that there would be a connection between photographic film, and skincare. But in 2007, Japanese film manufacturer Fujifilm made a stunning diversification into the beauty business with the launch of Astalift. Tapping on its assets such as R&D in collagen and nanotechnology, it created beauty creams that were effective in delivering antioxidants to the skin. Today, its skin-firming and brightening skincare formulas, as well as supplements, are some of the best in the market. This May, Astalift launches its new makeup range Flarosso to complete its line of products. It comprises of quartet shadow palettes ($65), lipsticks ($46), blush (S$55), and a highlighter (S$55). The brand says it has incorporated technologies related to photography to colour correct the skin for perfect selfies: an overlay effect of yellow, magenta and cyan colours for more vibrant shades. Stay tuned for a video review snippet that will be updated in this post, this weekend.

Laneige White Dew Vita Capsule Sleeping Mask

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Amorepacific’s Laneige changed the masking game when it launched its Sleeping Mask in 2002. Busy and stressed out women could finally fall asleep with a beauty mask slathered on, and without being worried that they would wake up with “over-treated” skin and irritation. Now, Laneige has upped the ante on its bestselling Sleeping Mask. The new skin-brightening White Dew Vita Capsule Sleeping Mask comes with a separate sachet of Vitamin C powder to be blended together, for a more intense moisturising and skin-whitening treatment. This keeps the formula fresh and more effective. The gel mask soothes and envelops the skin in a thick layer, as each capsule is a generous 0.3ml. The lightweight packaging makes it easy to slip the mask into a beauty travel pouch, and keep your face bright, even, and hydrated while on the road.