All posts tagged: skincare

Cle de Peau Beaute Rouge a Lèvres Lipstick

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The new Cle de Peau Beaute Rouge a Levre lipsticks come with a new lipstick bullet shaped like a wave, so that it hugs the lips closely for intense and precise application. Currently the top picks in our lipstick collection, these are moisturising and lightweight while offering opaque colour in one swipe. Relatively long-lasting, the formula has a high-shine finish. Because the texture is so creamy, it does not pull or drag on lips during application so you get perfectly-shaped lips every time. Available in 12 shades; The Beauty Gazette picks are: No.7 Dragon Red, a true blue red (watch the swatch); No.9 Silk Thread, a dusky rose pink; as well as No.10 Chinoiserie, a light coral pink.  

Origins Clear Improvement and Modern Friction: Gentle but effective deep cleansing

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Origins’ launches this year have been impressively effective. Its new trio of skincare products offer a deep yet gentle cleansing of the visage. The Modern Friction Cleansing Oil is as pretty as it is beneficial for the skin. The formula has a gold and lavender gradient, as it is made up of radiance-boosting white and purple rice oils that are mixed only when you pour the viscous concoction into your palms. And something interesting happens when you apply the oil onto your face: a soothing warm sensation that softens skins, melts away makeup, and widens pores for deep cleansing. Add water to turn oil into a milky emulsion, and rinse. This formula – which contains rice bran oil, camphor extract, and soybean oil – left my skin supple, clean, smooth, and actually clearer. Origins’ new exfoliating products are made for different skin types. For those with oilier skin, pick the Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Exfoliating Cleansing Powder. Add a splash of water (or even a light watery toner) to the fine sooty charcoal powder with …

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 …

Clarins Double Serum – 8th Generation

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Clarins’ biggest launch in 2017 – and possibly the last couple of years – is the 8th generation of its Double Serum. The all-in-one anti-ageing serum (or as Marie-Hélène Lair the brand’s scientific communication director calls it, a “Swiss-army knife”); is made to improve the skin’s regeneration, hydration, nutrition, oxygenation, and protection. As its name suggests, the Double Serum has a unique dual-phase formulation: two-thirds hydric (water), and one-third lipidic (oil). The pump bottle contains two different vials for one important reason: when the hydric and lipidic solutions are kept separate until the point of application, the efficacy of the potent ingredients are preserved. The first-generation Double Serum Multi-Regenerant Concentre was bottled in 1985 in exactly the same way – the formula literally came in a set of two dropper bottles, with the contents to be mixed upon application. The latest Double Serum has been formulated based on the findings from the School of Medical Studies in Namur, Belgium, which has discovered the link between skin-ageing and cell receptors that regulate cell activity for skin vitality, …

Codage Paris Prescription: On The Road Again

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The latest niche beauty label to hit Escentials’ shelves is Codage Paris, the French brand which prides itself on potent serums.  The range of seven serums are made to suit different skincare needs and lifestyles.  A good way to start experimenting with this new-to-market brand is to pick up the On The Road Again “prescription”. Packed to treat skin that is imbalanced due to the drying cabin conditions and unfamiliar weather, it contains: 1) Micellar Water (50ml) – a gentle but effective cleanser that also hydrates skin. It does not leave the skin tight and dry, and there is no need to rinse. Just dampen a cotton pad with the solution, and wipe skin clean. 2) Serum No.1 (10ml) – for intense moisturisation, the clear serum is lightweight but soaks skin easily. It contains complexes and ingredients to stimulate the skin’s own natural moisturisation levels (hyaluronic acid, aquaporin stimulator peptide) for long-lasting hydration, as well as antioxidants to protect. 3) Serum No.3 (10ml) – for radiance and energy. Also formulated with ingredients that deeply moisturise, …

SK-II RNA Power Magnetic Kit

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A good beauty gadget can do wonders for the beauty routine. SK-II launched its first gadget, the Magnetic Wand, for use with its Stempower Eye Cream some two years ago. Made to boost absorption and gently massage the delicate eye area, it taps on the waves of bi-polar magnetic particles. Earlier this month, SK-II debuted its second gadget act with the new Magnetic Booster – which looks like a spinning top but with a flat base – at Shilla Duty Free in Changi Airport. To be used together with the RNA Power Cream and RNA Essence, the Magnetic Booster uses a magnetic micro pulse technology to deliver up to 7,000 gentle vibration per minute, so skin is massaged and the active ingredients are absorbed deeper into the skin. After application of the the skincare product, slide the Booster from the centre of the face, outwards. Powered by two LR 44 batteries (the small tablet-sized, flat and silver ones), the Booster definitely worked for me. The RNA cream is relatively rich and hydrates the skin thoroughly. With the …

Kenzoki Belle de Jour Sacred Lotus skincare range

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Kenzoki is one of those skincare brands which is understated, and not that super well-known for its skin-nourishing formulas.  Kenzo Parfums – the fragrance and beauty arm of the Kenzo brand – is better known for well, its perfumes. But, give Kenzoki products a chance and you will be more than pleasantly surprised. The skincare textures are luxurious, beautifully scented (without irritating the skin), and moisturising. The new Belle de Jour Sacred Lotus skincare range is case in point.  Formulated with sacred lotus extract, as well as antioxidant-rich seaweed and plankton, the luxurious line is great for pampering and hydrating the skin. The Face Oil ($120 for 30ml) is a lightweight dry oil with a calming floral scent; the Serum ($143 for 30ml) is a viscous and rich gel formula which cocoons the skin; while the Face Cream ($143 for 50ml) is relatively lightweight and absorbed easily. I use the trio day and night in this order: oil – serum – moisturiser; it calms and soothes my dehydrated skin for the entire day. Great products …

Decorte Whiteologist Bright Express Brightening Serum

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The Japanese are known for their skin-brightening products for fairer, brighter, healthy- and translucent-looking skin (sorry, not really that bleached, beached whale kind-of-white that some might assume Chinese/ Korean/ Japanese women want to have). As summer comes round, and the sun’s rays are at its strongest, Kose launches its latest trio of skin-illuminating skincare products. The latest version of the Whiteologist Bright Express Brightening Serum contains a proprietary active complex (comprising of seaweed extract, Japanese honeysuckle, saffron, mallow, wild thyme, glycerin, and kojic acid) that disperses melanin clusters. This helps to prevent melanin from becoming dark spots on the surface of the skin. This clear serum is very watery, so use it after an essence and before a more viscous serum. Perfect for layering of skincare. The serum now comes in a limited edition fancy silver 60ml bottle worth $260, and retailing at $330. Available at Cosme Decorate counters in Singapore. You can use all the skin-brightening serums you want but skin will not stay fair if you do not use a good sunscreen on …

Laneige Fresh Calming Morning Mask 

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Once again, Laneige proves that it is ahead of the beauty game. The brand launched its best-selling Water Sleeping Mask in 2002, so women too busy living their lives can indulge in a fuss-free leave-on mask.  This summer, it launches its new Fresh Calming hydrating range, featuring a “Morning Mask”. More than just another mask with a catchy moniker, the Morning Mask is a first with its texture and formula. Dispensed through a pump can, it is a relatively viscous mousse emulsion that envelops skin in a cushiony gel. It sinks into skin with a few minutes of massaging.  I was really impressed with the texture. Besides the dense foamy facial wash of Japanese brands, I’ve never tried anything else quite like this Morning Mask. Moisturising and soothing, it is a multi-tasking all-day mask and moisturiser that prepares skin for makeup. I also tried using this as a night mask, and it worked just as fine. The next morning, my skin looked clearer, and matte; signs that show it is balanced. The Fresh Calming Morning …

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.