All posts tagged: skincare

Aesop In Two Minds skincare

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Released earlier this month, Aesop’s latest In Two Minds skincare range was created to balance combination skin. And we’re talking about the oily T-zone and chin, with dry and flaky cheek areas, kind of combination skin. Three years in the making at the brand’s lab in Melbourne, In Two Minds comprises of a cleanser (S$43 for 100ml), toner (S$45 for 100ml), and a hydrator (S$80 for 60ml). Dr Rebecca Watkinson, Aesop’s Innovation and Research Manager says the products were a result of observations of its customers’ skin in the past decade, especially those in warmer climates: “They were finding it increasingly difficult to manage this challenging and often reactive skin type.” The cleanser is a gel-based low-suds formula that is mild but contains witch hazel, sage leaf and salicylic acid for gentle yet thorough cleansing. The toner is a refreshing blend of chamomile, witch hazel, niacinamide and panthenol. It softens and primes the skin for a dose of the lightweight hydrator, which feels rich when dispensed but disappears into the skin with gentle massages. This …

Cle de Peau Beaute Firming Serum Supreme

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Luxury Japanese skincare label Cle de Peau Beaute has launched a premium anti-ageing serum. The product is formulated with a “4D-Boosting Technology” that “sculpts” the face and enhances the skin’s natural collagen production. It also reduces the appearance of puffiness, sagging, pores, and expression lines. Formulated with coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed extract to firm and keep skin supple; licorice root to firm; raspberry extract to strengthen skin barrier; as well as an exclusive ingredient that regulates cell behaviour. Although this serum has a rich texture, it is easily absorbed and does not leave a sticky afterfeel Immediately after application, I also felt a slightly warm sensation. Skin was instantly plumped, and felt firmer and tighter. Use this in-lieu of cream on hot and humid days.

Net-a-Porter celebrates five years of beauty

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Last evening, luxury e-tailer Net-a-Porter marked its fifth anniversary in beauty. Its global beauty director Newby Hands was in Singapore to meet tastemakers, brand owners and beauty junkies to share the e-tailer’s latest offerings and market insights. Local celebrity makeup artist Clarence Lee; and Nicolas Travis, founder of homegrown skincare label Allies of Skin shared their beauty tips at the cosy session in the swanky attic of a members’-only club. When Net-a-Porter was launched five years ago, its offerings were meant to complement the shopping habits of its fashion consumers. Sophisticated, cosmopolitan, and discerning, these women have deep pockets but demanded mainly classic colours and effective skincare that would fit their jet setting and professional lifestyles, says Hands. The latest beauty trends and shades were not necessarily their priorities. “They may buy their bags and shoes in the latest pastel spring shades, but not the makeup in those colours,” she lets on. Starting out with just 10 cult beauty labels that were not well-known internationally but offered quality formulas, #NetaBeauty did not aim to be Sephora. …

Three Skincare: New and improved

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Japanese beauty label Three is known for its quality, effective and fuss-free formulas. To enhance the user experience, it has now launched a new range of skincare with a calming blend of frankincense oil to complement the skincare ingredients. All the products in the skincare line also contain laurel leaf oil (anti-bacterial), hot spring water (ionised alkaline), alpine rose extract (to protect skin). The textures are fine and easily absorbed by the skin. The Treatment Lotion is also formulated with watermelon and eggplant extracts to hydrate skin. While the Treatment Cream boasts kabosu and rosa rugosa fruit extracts to promote cell turnover and rejuvenate skin. The cleansers are also gentle. The Cleansing Oil contains sapote butter so dirt glides off; while the Clearing Foam is formulated with soap nut extract, a natural and gentle alternative to detergent.

Yves Rocher Elixir Jeunesse

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Haze season is slowly creeping back into the humid sticky Singapore air. To protect skin from the fine particles of pollutants, French beauty label Yves Rocher has launched its new Elixir Jeunesse line. Formulated with the aphloia plant from Madagascar because of its ability to repair and protect itself, this skincare range promises to protect cells from stress while repairing collagen fibres. Free from parabens, mineral oil, silicone and colourants, the range comprises of an essence, micellar cleanser, eye cream, detoxifying mask, as well as night and day cream. Prices start from S$19 for the micellar cleanser.

Pixi Beauty launches at Sephora Singapore

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One of the latest labels launched at Sephora Singapore is mid-priced beauty brand Pixi Beauty. Founded almost two decades ago by Swedish makeup artist Petra Strand, Pixi Beauty has a wide range of skincare and colour cosmetics. Infused with vitamins, minerals and botanicals, prices of the formulas start from S$15. They include the refreshing Rose Caviar Essence with rose petal bits suspended in the formula, and the Teen Vogue-approved alcohol-free Glow Tonic that exfoliates with glycolic acid and soothes with aloe vera.

Marc Jacobs Shameless Youthful-Look 24-H Longwear Foundation SPF 25

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Inspired by the “Shameless” tattoo on his buff chest – a daily reminder to remain true to himself – Marc Jacobs has launched a new foundation that does not cake up the skin. Available in an impressive 29 shades (S$74 each), the Shameless formula gives skin buildable medium-to-full coverage. It also offers “flashback-free SPF”, or encapsulated SPF that keeps your skin looking naturally beautiful in front of camera flashes, instead of chalky or ashen. So you can look Insta-ready at all times. This oil-free long-wearing formula which blends easily for a second-skin finish, also contains moisturising and soothing snow mushroom and blue daisy extract. The product gives skin a beautiful glow, while allowing its natural texture to come through. Watch it in action here.

Mamonde Pure White Ultra Active Line

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South Korean skincare label Mamonde’s new Pure White Active range is focused on skin-brightening. The star ingredient of this line is the rejuvenating magnolia flower extract, magnolin, to boost the skin’s translucence and luminousity. The key product in the four-piece line is the Essence, which contains violet brightening and colour-correcting capsules suspended in a clear, skin-firming gel. Lightweight and refreshing on the skin, the Essence also keeps skin supple and prepares it for makeup application.

ReFa Clear

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The latest beauty device from Japanese label ReFa is a cleansing one that taps on sonic ion technology to rid skin of impurities. ReFa Clear (S$360) deep cleanses with a replace-able ultra-fine, dome-shaped brush manufactured in Kumano, Japan that reaches round the contours of the face. The kumanofude glides and vibrates with sonic waves, and is charged with negative ions to exfoliate and repel debris. The device has three speeds: a soft one for gentle morning cleansing; a stronger one for ridding residual makeup at the end of the day; and the strongest mode is for a power-cleansing session. This gadget is also best used with the ReFa Cream Wash, which lathers well to produce a rich, cushiony, and smooth foam that gives the cleansing device a better glide on the skin. The wash also contains fruit extracts – hydrolysed prune and pear juice ferment filtrate – to soften and exfoliate dead skin. For me, the distinguishing feature between the ReFa Clear and other sonic cleansing devices is how gentle it is on the skin. My face …

Shiseido Future Solution LX Yutaka Treatment

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After a long day of meetings, I ate an early dinner and headed straight to the comforts of the Shiseido Facial Studio at Tangs along Orchard Road. My tired skin (body and soul) were in desperate need of a pampering session. So the skin-firming Future Solution LX Yutaka Treatment featuring the improved Future Solution LX formula with a potent medicinal enmei herb, was a treat. The relatively spacious room was filled with calming music composed with the recordings of chirping birds and running streams of Mount Koya, where enmei grows aplenty. Cocooned under comfortable sheets, and after a double-cleansing of the skin, I was given a most comforting massage with heated imari porcelain yutaka massage tools from Japan. Each is handmade meticulously. The smooth surface of the warm porcelain was rolled on my décolleté and face; while a larger piece was placed on my abdomen to soothe it. The heat was just right, unlike regular hot stone massages that can sometimes burn the skin. The therapist’s upward firming strokes on my face, décolleté and arms …