All posts tagged: features

The Future of Beauty

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The other day at the swanky launch party of a new serum, I was chatting with a make-up artist who lamented the impending doom of beauty brands. Because science and technology is developing so quickly, he says in between slurps of canapés. As precision medicine – where healthcare, treatment, and medicine is customised to the patient based on his or her genome – is (very) slowly but surely becoming mainstream, there may soon be a day when beauty cocktails would go the same way. “Before you know it, anyone can get their DNA sequenced and have skincare potions and make-up tailor-made for their skin type, colour, texture and genes,” he rattles on. “Then what can beauty brands do when nobody wants generic products, but only skincare and colour cosmetics that is customised just for them?” He painted a futuristic picture where a woman just has to slink up to a beauty counter, gets her DNA analysed, and then presented with creams, serums, and compacts concocted for her skin’s needs based on her genetics. It was …

Kose Esprique Point Makeup

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If you only wear makeup to gently accentuate your features, then make your way to the Kose counters. Subtlety is the name of the game there. The lightweight base makeup range provides light to medium coverage, is mattifying, and relatively long-lasting. Perfect for those who do not like any shine; just that velvety matte finish of baby skin. The Kose Esprique Pure Skin Pact UV is a fine powder compact with SPF26/PA+; while the  CC Base hides pores and offers SPF50+ PA+++ protection. Cover up spots and dark circles with the creamy Fit Up Concealer UV that comes in a convenient twist stick; high coverage, long-lasting, with SPF30/PA+++. The brand also offers two options for fuller-brows that will make you look younger. If you want precise strokes, try the Kose Esprique W Eyebrow Liquid & Powder. The handy pen offers a stiff brush liquid liner on one end, and a spoolie brush on the other. Pull on the opposite ends, and out pops a sponge applicator with powder tucked in the cap. Prefer brows that …

Cosme Decorte AQ MW Eye Glow Gem, summer makeup, and The Animal Project

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It is easy to be a fan of beauty brands with a heart. Such as Cosme Decorte which has tied up with social enterprise The Animal Project which supports special artists. Spend a minimum of $200 at Decorte Singapore counters (including two AQ MW Eye Glow Gem eyeshadows), and you can get your hands on a pink flamingo emblazoned pouch designed by artist Tay Jun-Yi. The pouch comes with a four-piece skincare set and a $20 Decorte voucher. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Autistic Association Singapore. Now on to the new AQ MW Eye Glow Gem ($35 each): the moussey-creamy eyeshadows are awesome. Lightweight, easy to blend, long-lasting and best applied on lids with fingertips, this non-greasy range of eyeshadows are distinctly Japanese: the shades are translucent, but builds up nicely for a fine wash of colour, subtle shimmer and beautiful payoff. The pigment and fine glitter is not too in-your-face, so you don’t have to worry about making mistakes. Perfect for accents or worn on its own for everyday makeup. And what’s …

Three Cosmetics launches in Singapore at Tangs Plaza, Orchard Road

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Known for its skincare oils, the cult Japanese skincare brand Three Cosmetics will be available at Tangs Orchard, level 4 come September 2017. Outside of Japan, Three was previously only available in Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan. Three is in good company at the newly renovated level 4 of Tangs Orchard; where other indie beauty labels such as Eve Lom are stocked, and the beauty spas of Sulwhasoo, Aesop, Shiseido, Dr Georgia Lee, and Lancome are located. Urbanhair, which was previously on Seviin at Tangs on level 7, is also now on level 4. Previously seating just 15, the salon is now more spacious with 21 chairs, and a cool marble-themed interior.

New fragrance label to watch: Mirko Buffini Firenze

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A bottle of perfume, when done right, can lead to magical moments. Such as a chance encounter with a stranger. Or evoke a beautiful memory from the distant past. For Florentine Mirko Buffini, a vial of patchouli-based juice from one of Firenze’s last artisanal perfume workshops, led him to create his own fragrance label.   A friend gave him the fateful bottle five years ago. “On the first spritz, I hated it. But 10 minutes later, the scent developed on my skin with a woodiness that was unlike any fragrance I’ve ever worn. I thought it was the best thing I’ve ever put on my skin,” says Buffini.  Intriguingly, when he wore the perfume again the next day, it smelled different, but in a good way. He thought to himself, how did the scent change? Is my mind playing tricks on me? Those ruminations set him on a path towards the art of perfumery. Buffini, who was already in the cosmetics manufacturing business with his company Aroma Firenze, had the connections to readily turn his …

TBG Interview: Rowena Bird, Lush co-founder

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In today’s crowded global beauty market, there isn’t another brand quite like Lush. The British label is literally one of the most effervescent around: it is energetic, colourful, vivacious, dynamic, and its bestsellers include fizzy bathbombs that release a riot of colours and essential oil blends into the bathwater. Lush is also firm in its beliefs, everything from animal rights to environmental causes; and is loud and proud about it. Founded in 1995, Lush is actually an incarnation of the six founders’ previous mail order business, Cosmetics To Go (CTG) [more on this in Q&A below]. Today, Lush is available in 50 countries across more than 800 stores. Rowena Bird, one of the brand’s founders, tells The Beauty Gazette why, in the face of increased competition, Lush still stands out. Today, the beauty retail market is overcrowded. But what do you think has led to the success of the brand, so it can hold its own?  Lush is incredibly unique in what we offer – with creativity and innovation running through everything we do. When …

Cle de Peau Beaute’s new Concentrated Brightening Serums

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Premium beauty label Cle de Peau Beaute’s iconic skin-brightening serum has been given a shot in the arm. The newly-reformulated Concentrated Brightening Serum ($260) contains mangosteen extract for improved cell regeneration (naturally exfoliated, smoother skin); nourishing chai hu extract for rejuvenated and more supple skin; as well as artemisia extract to improve skin clarity and fairness. This skincare cocktail also contains ingredients that promise to reduce the yellow  skin undertones for a brighter visage. Apply the lightweight and easily-absorbed serum after lotion/ essence, and before a heavier cream or moisturiser. While you give your face TLC, don’t forget the rest of your body. The new Concentrated Brightening Body Serum ($120) is concocted for the neck, as well as the décolletage and limbs. It also contains chai hu extract, as well as other skin-brightening ingredients that the brand usually reserves for its exclusive face-care collection. Moisturising but lightweight (and non-sticky), this body serum is a luxurious addition to your skincare ritual. Available at Cle de Pau Beaute counters.  

His story: Roland Chow and Singapore’s early hairdressing scene

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In the mid-1970s, when the teenaged Eugene Ong decided that he wanted to become a hairstylist, he looked to the prominent industry veteran Roland Chow as a role model.  “Then, almost all hairdressers were women. And Roland was so glamorous, all my friends’ mothers were always talking about him,” recalls Ong, the director and founder of Urbanhair.  “Women of a certain social standing all had their hair done by him.” Through serendipity, Ong’s first apprenticeship was with Christine Wah, Chow’s top assistant.  “Christine would tell me how exclusive his salon was. Roland even had a drawn curtain around each client for their privacy.” The curtains were also there for another reason. The hair maestro did not want observers to “steal” his skills; only the privileged few could watch  him in action, recalls Ong. Born into the upper crust of Shanghainese society in 1926, Chow fled to Singapore in 1949 to seek refuge from the communists.  Chow first made a name for himself as a fashion designer; he was often described as the “Mr Dior of …

Elizabeth Arden’s new Eight Hour Cream collection

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Elizabeth Arden is the original Lipstick Queen. In 1912, she supported the women’s suffrage movement by supplying them with red lipstick,  turning bright rouge into a mark of female liberation. Arden is also best known for her Eight Hour Cream, which she formulated in 1930 as a multi-purpose balm to treat everything from chapped lips to ragged cuticles and cracked heels. The apricot-coloured formula contains the skin-moisturising petrolatum, soothing beta-hydroxy, and Vitamin E. Apparently, Arden even used the balm on her thoroughbred horses to heal their cracked hooves. The bestselling balm has clinched 22 international beauty awards, and is a celebrity fave. To ride on the balm’s cult status, the brand has churned out at least 13 products in the Eight Hour Cream range. The latest of which is the Eight Hour Miracle Hydrating Mist, blended with pomegranate, acai, mangosteen, noni, goji, apple leaf, and coffee seed extracts. Use it to tone, soften and refresh skin, or even set your makeup. TBG’s other picks in the range: the Lip Protectants, and All Over Miracle Oil …

TBG 2016 Skincare Picks

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The 2016 skincare launches that worked for my skin. Skin Inc Pure Serum Mist. Seriously makes my face GLOW. I spritz it on to refresh my skin in the middle of the day, before I touch up with a BB cushion for a porcelain-like complexion. Super love. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Ampoules. My go-to when I have had a late night but need to look well-rested the next morning for important meetings. I layer the dry oil-like formula on top of the brand’s signature ADR serum for a 💥-packed skin-nourishing combo.    Clarins Booster. The idea is so ingenious. This watery formula is not to be used on its own but blended with a cream, serum, or even liquid foundation. It does not change the consistency of the product you’re blending it with, but you get extra customised benefits for the skin. I like the Energy version which visibly perks up my tired skin. Lush Softy Foot Lotion. I use this not just on my feet but all over because it smells amazing with …