Byredo: Built around the Colour white. Top notes – White rose, pink pepper, aldehyde Heart notes – Violet, neroli, peony Base notes – Blonde woods, sandalwood, musk My thoughts: Laundered linen wrapped around a floral bouquet, with a hint of sexy muskiness.
Penhaligon’s: Head notes – Bergamot, mandarin, lavender, sage Heart notes – Geranium, coffee absolute Base notes – Vetiver, nutmeg, black pepper, cardamom, musk, leather, sandalwood, incense, frankincense, myrrh My thoughts: Straight from the bottle; it is rich, smoky, bittersweet, musky, warm, cosy, enveloping. Stronger and more long-lasting than the average cologne. Love it on my man.
Good sunscreens are incredibly important if you want youthful skin. Nothing ages the skin like harmful UV rays (besides stress, and a smoking habit). <!–more–> I really like this one by Shiseido. It is rich, thick and creamy; but sinks well into the skin without a sticky or greasy after feel. There is no visible white residue on the skin either. The moisturising formula – I use this when I need extra hydration on top of a lightweight oil – makes this a good makeup primer as well. Shiseido is one of my fave brands for sunscreens. Because the Japanese are particular about the textures of their skincare, Shiseido always aces the difficult-to-formulate high protection sunscreen (which can end up thick, sticky, and leave skin with a white cast). The technologies used in their sun protection products blow me away too; their latest waterproof one protects the skin even more when it touches water (will share more on that in another post). Another reason why I love this product: the packaging. The cap …
Beauty Gazette first brought your attention to the awesome Moonshot in April, and now it is here at Sephora Singapore stores. I love everything about this brand – especially the cool visuals – and their colour cosmetics. I’m hooked on their Cream Paint lip and cheek product (pigmented, easy to blend and long-lasting), UV Bouncer sunscreen (lightweight with a dewy finish), and Jelly Pot (pigmented gel-textured multi-purpose shadow and highlighter, as seen on model in the pic above) . This brand could very well be the next Nars or Shu Uemura from Korea. Moonshot is by YG Entertainment, which has brought you the big acts from Big Bang, 2NE1 to PSY. So make the connection: want to look like the fabulous K-pop star? You know where to grab the make-up.
I first fell in love with the Laneige BB Cushion three years ago. It is: Convenient – it gives me the flawless finish of liquid foundation without the mess. Just dab the sponge-like applicator into the BB liquid-soaked cushion, then apply it onto your face. Lightweight – I like to show off my skin, while perfecting it. If you want more coverage, apply foundation in the morning and use this for touch-ups throughout the day. For a cushion product with more coverage, go for Sulwhasoo’s. Good protection for the skin – With SPF 50+ Skin dewiness in a compact – for that ethereal glow. Moisturising – it is not too dry, so you can blend it nicely on the skin. Three years later, I’m still in love with the Laneige BB Cushion. But what’s new? There’s an anti-ageing version, a mattifying one, as well as new shades for more skin tones (including caramel skin and in-betweens). If you are new to BB creams/ foundation, this is the one you should get, because it is so easy …
If you’re ever in Jeju Island, pop by the Innisfree store to pick up its products and experience its free-spiritedness. Shop the brand’s skincare products; some of which are exclusive to the store. Make and match the ingredients to make your own masks… And make your own soap bars… Or just grab a drink from the cafe. A pretty green tea field where you can learn how green tea is picked and made, is just nearby.
Stick to these easy tricks and clear skin is guaranteed. These tips are not new; but I’m sure you need reminders. 1. Truly beautiful skin glows from inside out. Drink plenty of water to keep skin hydrated. Stay away from fried or processed food, salt and sugar. Eat nutritious foods that are as close to the source as possible. Sleep at least eight hours a day. Exercise to detox the body and skin. 2. Wear sunscreen Protect from sun damage that can lead to wrinkles, sagging skin, enlarged pores and cancer. 3. Relax Stress ages the skin. 4. Keep skin clean Never sleep with your make-up on and exfoliate at least once every two days. 5. Hydrate and moisturise Apply skincare when skin is still wet/ damp from a shower. Day: Essence -> serum -> moisturiser -> sunscreen Night: Essence -> serum -> night cream/ oil 6. Use products that suit your skin type. How do you pick the right ones that work throughout the month as your hormone levels rise and fall? Seek a …
Can you imagine a viscous skin-clearing oil? Layering an oil onto your clogged pores?Yes, but always on clean skin only please. I have tiny bumps on my nose and chin, and this oil clears them up. Just three drops, and use it in place of a serum and moisturiser. Because it is rather thick, I only use it at night. The ylang ylang in it smells so heady too; it totally relaxes me after a hard day’s work. Another reason why I love Aesop.
Essence lotions are a must in skincare routines. Skincare products – serums and moisturisers – just don’t seem to sink in as well when I apply them on just-washed towel-dried skin. One of my all-time faves is La Mer’s The Treatment Lotion. The watery lotion is a little viscous and spreads easily. I like to use it immediately after a shower, while my skin is still wet (once you wipe dry with a towel, the skin becomes tight and stiff). After tapping it thoroughly into my skin, the essence makes it feel bouncy. That, is a perfect time for me to press in some oils – warmed between my palms – into my skin. This essence has helped to make my skin look clearer, refine my pores and clear up the clogged ones.
Few mascaras work for me. But this one works wonders. The curved brush with different textures of bristles grip firmly but gently onto my lashes. So when I roll – this is the Roller Brush after all – the handle of the wand and comb through my lashes at the same time, lashes are thoroughly coated while slightly stretched. Just like how tresses are smooth ended and curled during a blow dry. This mascara hardly smudges too. Ingenious. Another reason why I heart Benefit.
The Beauty Gazette 