Our Yearly List Is Not Just a Selection of the Best or Most Popular Beauty Buys. It Highlights the Top 25 Products That Do Better, Work Smarter and Achieve More Than Others in Their Range. Moh Shuying Reports.
Our Yearly List Is Not Just a Selection of the Best or Most Popular Beauty Buys. It Highlights the Top 25 Products That Do Better, Work Smarter and Achieve More Than Others in Their Range. Moh Shuying Reports.
Sulwhasoo Radiance Energy Mask, $102.
This overnight mask gave us a K-pop-worthy complexion just af ter one night’s sleep: dewy, sof t and smooth, with a slight glow. Formulated with white jade powder, it supposedly purif ies skin of free radicals, impurities, stress and toxins, while strengthening its protective barrier. Think of it as a herbal tonic for your face – you might not use it daily but when you do, your skin’s health improves pronto.
SK-II Genoptics Aura Essence, $199.
This is how it works: Prunus extract and inositol t arget visible dark spots, including hidden ones that have yet to emerge, but still contribute to the appearance of “cloudy” skin that lacks radiance, even in younger women. Our verdict: Skin looks immediately brighter and more luminous af ter using it.
Nars Velvet Lip Glide, $40.
Most matte lipsticks tend to be intense and strong, but can appear f lat or dry. This breaks the mould with the fluidity of a gloss and the hydration of a cream for a more modern and comfortable finish.
Chanel La Solution 10 de Chanel, $125.
A must-have for anyone with reactive skin, it is formulated with only 10 ingredients so as not to aggravate sensitive skin’s tolerance level – but don’t call this basic. What this moisturiser lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. One of the star ingredients is silver needle tea extract that not only soothes, but also reportedly fights damage from free radicals, and strengthens skin’s protective barrier.
La Mer Genaissance de La Mer The Serum Essence, $990.
Its hyper potent formula is infused with a concentrated version of the brand’s signature skin-healing ingredient Miracle Broth, which is said to accelerate skin renewal and rejuvenation, and soothe irritation. The result: a serum that targets all signs of ageing, from lines to uneven texture, enlarged pores to sagging and dullness.
Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Nightly Refining Micro-peel Concentrate, $99.
This might be extremely fuss-free, but it’s also very effective. Used like a regular serum, it’s formulated with quinoa husk extract, fruit acids and cactus extract to increase cell turnover, help refine texture, improve skin tone evenness, soften, and boost radiance.
RMK Concentrate Advance Cream, $116
Whenever we’re travelling to cold or dry climates, this goes into our beauty kit. Like a velvet veil, the cream feels weightless on one’s face, protecting skin and preventing moisture loss.
Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi+ Pollutant & Dullness Clarifying Cleansing Oil, $125
Given the haze, this is the one cleanser everyone here should have. The antioxidant-rich oil reportedly f ights free radical damage and reduces sallowness, as well as removes pollutants such as PM2. 5 that can cause premature ageing and irritation.
Laneige Water Bank Creamist, $27.
A moisturiser in mist form, this combines the hydrating properties of the brand’s popular Water Bank Moisture Cream with Hydro Ion Mineral Water, hyaluronic acid and quinoa extract to fight dehydration, strenghten skin’s protective barrier, tone and refresh one’s complexion. Great for normal to dry skin, spritz this to hydrate without clogging pores – either before applying makeup, or throughout the day as a quick pick-me-up.
Skin Inc Optimiser Voyage Tri-Light, $398.
Beauty insiders and makeup artists have been raving about this nifty device that uses both LED chromotherapy and low frequency stimulation to brighten, soothe, repair and sculpt – all in just 10 minutes. The best part: It’s the size of your fist, so you can easily bring it on holidays – like putting a spa in your pocket.
Kenzoki Belle de Jour Dream Night Mask, $136.
Like Xanax for your skin – with none of the side ef fects – this leave-on mask has white lotus extract to soothe, leaving the complexion more relaxed and calm, with less obvious tension lines. The marshmallowy textured cream also has belle de nuit f loral extract, which promises to reduce the harmful ef fects of damage accumulated during the day from pollution and UV rays, acting like a repair ointment for cells. Results are said to be equivalent to spending a whole day at a retreat.
Albion Embeage Excia Dionectar, $360.
This gel cream can take the place of both your regular night serum and moisturiser – yup, that’s how powerful it is. It also works as a nourishing and protective sleeping mask that f irms, brightens and sof tens the look of f ine lines, leaving you with a more supple and luminous complexion in the morning.
Astalift Moist Lotion, $64
Lotions are a part of most skincare routines because they help soften skin and boost the efficacy of the rest of your skincare. This one does much more. The watery liquid has the chemical compound astaxanthin and collagen peptides, which supposedly get rid of damaged collagen and cells to boost skin renewal, giving you a firmer and more supple complexion.
Skinceuticals Resveratrol B E, $248
This night serum has the antioxidants resveratrol and vitamins B and E to boost skin repair, radiance and suppleness. While it does all these, what we’re most obsessed with is how it instantly leaves the complexion so smooth and soft, our skin feels as good as 10 years younger.
Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart Broad Spectrum SPF50 Hydrating Shield, $99
Multi-tasking skincare isn’t new, but this takes the cake for sun protection. It has an anti-pollution shield technology that supposedly forms an invisible barrier to prevent harmful toxins and pollution particles from coming into contact with skin; a 100 per cent mineral blend SPF50/PA++++ formula to protect against UV rays; an antioxidant blend of green tea, amino acid and ferulic acid to help neutralise free radical damage; and enzymes from plankton and ocean bacteria extract to reportedly boost skin’s natural DNA repair. As though that isn’t enough, the cream is also lightly tinted to help hide flaws. Phew.
Diorshow Maximizer 3D, $53
This primer rocks an airy, whipped cream-like texture that makes lashes look visibly fuller after application (we swear, it’s almost fluffy). Its colour is a crystalline, reflective shade of pale white that enhances the shade of your mascara. And it even has an ultra-high content of lash-care ingredients such as fatty acids, vitamin E and soya extract.
