IMAGE: SHOWBIT
Being a girl is tough sometimes. You’re expected to have good skin 365 days a year, and I feel like I get disapproving looks when I have a pimple. Unlike some of my friends, I wasn’t born with porcelain-perfect skin. Acne (still) is an occasional problem, and don’t get me started on blackheads.
Things have certainly improved since my full-on breakout days, but I rely on makeup to make myself feel more confident and presentable when the occasion calls for it (which is every other day, as a beauty writer). It’s not that my skin is bad, but a girl needs some concealer, you know? So I’ve gathered the makeup essentials that are great for Asian skin, and their budget-friendly options!
PRIMERS
SPEND: VDL Lumilayer Primer, $36; This luminous primer combines the use of three pigments to create the illusion of clear and radiant skin. Using a special reflecting technology, the brand claims that the primer will create a three-dimensional look on your face, giving you a healthy glow without much effort.
SAVE: Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pink Transformer, $19.90; Tapping on the Korean craze, Maybelline’s Baby Skin Instant Pink Transformer is a primer that promises to give your skin luminousity. The brand does this by using an antioxidant-rich cherry extract with light-reflecting pink pearl particles ━ giving you baby pink skin in a jiffy!
FOUNDATIONS
SPEND: DrGL Pressed Powder Sensitive, $108; I always go back to DrGL’s Pressed Powder when my skin gets itchy all over. Perfect even for the most acne-prone, this foundation contains soothing ingredients that are said to heal your scars.The extremely fine powder sets well on any bumpy surface, giving you some coverage while you wait for that pimple to heal.
SAVE: Maybelline Super Mineral 24 foundation, $20.90; An impulse buy during my younger days, Maybelline’s mineral compact foundation is great for absorbing excess sebum and resisting heat and humidity. The perlite micro-minerals in the foundation promise to protect your skin, while Maybelline says the lack of fragrance and oils make it suitable for the most sensitive of skins.
CONCEALERS
SPEND: Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer, $42; Don’t be fooled by its size, the new heavyweight concealer has arrived. The creamy formula is incredibly pigmented, you really just need a tiny amount under your eyes to cover dark eye circles and imperfections. What's more, the hydrating formula contains honey and Vitamin E ━ ingredients that are said to nourish your skin, while protecting it from environmental aggressors.
SAVE: ZA Perfect Fit Concealer, $13.90; One of the brand’s best-selling products, ZA’s Perfect Fit Concealer boasts a fluid texture that promises to hide imperfections (like that zit on your nose) or panda eyes. Available in three shades, the lightweight liquid contains ingredients like collagen and hyaluronic acid, giving you buildable coverage with skincare benefits to boot.
MASCARAS
SPEND: Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara Waterproof, $50; After complaining about how certain mascaras irritated my eyes, my mum bought me this. It was almost love at first sight (I say almost because really, who wants to fall in love with a mascara?). The strictly no-clumping formula curls, lengthens, and volumises my lashes with a swipe of a wand. I loved it so much that I rationed its use over months and it didn’t dry up!
SAVE: Eyeko Black Magic Mascara, $32; The famous eye makeup brand is finally hitting our shores! Although I acknowledge this isn’t the cheapest of mascaras, the brand’s formula really makes up for the extra money spent (compared to more budget-friendly options). Filled with a unique formula that is water-resistant and very smudge proof, Eyeko’s Black Magic Mascara really give your lashes a curl up to the skies!
LIPSTICKS
SPEND: Chanel Rouge Allure, $46; The quality of this product makes up for the price you might be hesitant to pay. Chanel Rouge Allure goes on so well, the velvety-soft texture stopped me in my tracks. The creamy lipstick doesn’t skimp on colour too. If you prefer a satin finish, I will recommend the Rouge Allure in Conquise ━ a red that complements Asian skin tones.
SAVE: Too Faced Melted Lipstick, $30; This liquid lipstick goes on superbly and lasts for hours. The easy-to-use applicator features a special sponge-like tip, which the brand claims will give you a precise application with ease. My favourite colour is Fuschia ━ a neon pink that brightens up my face instantly.
Chanel Rouge Allure, $46, is available at Chanel Fragrance and Beauty Boutiques and Chanel Beauty Counters. For more information, visit www.chanel.com/fragrance-beauty and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
DrGL pressed Powder SPF20 PA++ SENSITIVE, $108, is available at Sephora Ion, Robinsons Orchard, Raffles City and JEM, Escentials Paragon and CK Tangs, and online via www.drgl.com. For more information visit www.drgl.com, www.escentials.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara, $32, is available from June 12 at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.eyeko.com or www.sephora-sea.com and follow the brand on Facebook, and Sephora Singapore on Facebook andTwitter.
Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara Waterproof, $50, is available at all Lancôme counters. For more information, visit www.lancome.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.
Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer, $42, is available from June at all Laura Mercier counters. For more information, visit www.lauramercier.com and follow the brand on Facebook.
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pink Transformer, $19.90, is available at all leading pharmacies, supermarkets and hypermarkets. For more information, visit www.maybelline.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.
Maybelline Super Mineral 24 foundation, $20.90, is available at all leading pharmacies, supermarkets and hypermarkets. For more information, visit www.maybelline.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.
Too Faced Melted Lipstick, $30, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.toofaced.com or www.sephora-sea.com and follow the brand on Facebook, and Sephora Singapore on Facebook andTwitter.
VDL Lumilayer Primer, $36, is available at all VDL stores. For more information, follow the brand on Facebook.
ZA Perfect Fit Concealer, $13.90, is available at all Watsons stores. For more information, visit www.za-cosmetics.com and follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter.