All posts tagged: beauty

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 …

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani 

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I’ll say it here. Urban Decay’s Lipstick collab with Gwen Stefani is to die for.  The colours are so rich, creamy, so pigmented, so gorgeous. Best lippies from UD so far. They are long-lasting, stain the lips evenly, and are opaque in one slick. But because they are so pigmented, they tend to bleed a little. It isn’t a big issue. But if you are particular, you may want to layer a complementary lip liner underneath.  I really like Spiderweb (a bright blue-red), Rocksteady (a dark red), and Firebird (a hot orchid fuchsia).

Urban Decay and Ruby Rose

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So, Urban Decay is working on its edge factor. It has appointed Australian model, DJ, actress, model as its new muse and brand ambassador. Rose is known for her gorgeous features, colourful tattoos, androgyny, and her devil-may-care attitude. “Urban Decay believes in supporting individuality and personal self-expression – two values I hold very dear – because everyone deserves the freedom to explore their personality and discover their true selves,” says Rose. Can’t wait to see what this partnership means for upcoming Urban Decay collections 🤘🏻

Tom Ford Spring 2016 collection

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Tom Ford’s makeup collection always makes my heart beat faster.  Ford’s glamourous image and branding, the sleek packaging, the innovative formulas, and the intense colours all make up a winning formula. This latest spring collection is a hit with me, especially with the new Patent Finish Lip Color. A combination of an intense lip stain and gloss, the lightweight liquid lipstick is dispensed through a click-pen velvet-tipped applicator for precision. Despite the formula’s viscous consistency, it is comfortable on the lips with no sticky afterfeel. The liquid lipstick is also relatively long-lasting and stains the pout.     Available in eight shades of red and pink.  The Cream Eyeshadow is smooth and silky, and offers sheer, buildable coverage with a fine iridescent, metallic finish. Perfect as a powder shadow base for longer-lasting eye make-up, and for lining the eyes lightly.     Ford’s Eye Colour Quads are my all-time favourites. The pigmented colours and textures (matte, metallic, glittery, iridescent), all complement each other well for interesting and dimensional eye make-up.  Disco Dust, one of the latest palettes, …

Why scented skincare probably won’t work for your skin

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Especially if you have skin that becomes easily irritated. Dr Alain Khaiat, president of the Cosmetic Toiletry Fragrance Association of Singapore (CTFAS), and vice-president of Technical and Scientific Affairs ASEAN Cosmetic Association; gives The Beauty Gazette the low down. Fragrances do not irritate the skin; their level in skin care products is low, usually below 0.2 per cent to cover the smell of the formula and give a pleasant odor on the skin. However, some have developed an allergy to fragrance ingredients. In Singapore, data from the National Skin Center shows that five per cent of the allergic population is sensitised to fragrance. In general, the percentage of the allergic population is about 10 per cent of the total population (or 0.5 per cent of consumers in general) may have an allergy to one fragrance ingredient. They will react to most fragranced products, so their best choice is “fragrance-free” brands. Do not make the mistake of thinking that natural fragrance oils or essential oils are different. The odorous ingredients that are responsible for some of …