A decade after founding aromatherapy brand Mt. Sapola, Cheryl Gan has turned it into Hyssess, a beauty label based on essential oils. Karen Tee sniffs out what this local beauty industry go-getter is into besides oils and scents.
A decade after founding aromatherapy brand Mt. Sapola, Cheryl Gan has turned it into Hyssess, a beauty label based on essential oils. Karen Tee sniffs out what this local beauty industry go-getter is into besides oils and scents.
LATEST BEAUTY OBSESSION
“Floral mists. I’ve tested 25 different hydrosol samples from our lab and my skin feels really soft after using them, so I’ll be using them in my daily routine when we launch them within the next few months. We have ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration, and vitamin E to fight free radicals. We’re also adding skin-friendly essential oils, including calming lavender, antioxidant rose and oil-balancing rosemary.”
SIGNATURE SCENT
“As I work with scents and essential oils all the time, I avoid using perfume on weekdays. Sometimes on weekends, I lather on body oils or apply natural perfumes. My favourite is Hysses Jasmine Body Oil and natural perfumes from Le Labo – it has lovely solid perfumes and oils.”
FAVOURITE ESSENTIAL OIL
“Jasmine. It’s extremely calming and (the scent is) slightly intoxicating to me.”
MAKEUP MUST-HAVES
“I have very light eyebrows so drawing them in is a must. I prefer pencils with crayon-like textures, like the ones from Urban Decay, as they’re easy to apply. I also love BB creams for their added skincare benefi ts like ultra-moisturising ingredients, with a sheer formula for colour correction. Right now, I’m using Shiseido Anessa Face Sunscreen BB.”
NIGHT-TIME BEAUTY RITUAL
“I always use Bioderma Sensibio H2O micellar cleansing water and Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic toner before I go to bed, so that I wake up looking fresh.”
GO-TO BEAUTY GURU
“My trusted freelance makeup artist and hairstylist Cannice Teo. She has a good eye, so I never end up with bad contouring or the wrong shade of foundation or blush, which can really show up in photos. She also does a great job of keeping my stubbornly straight hair curled for the whole day.”
RECOMMENDED DESTINATION SPA
“Kayumanis Nusa Dua Private Villa & Spa in Bali. The spa team is incredible and the environment is so relaxing, I can spend hours there.”
MUST-VISIT BEAUTY HAUNT
“Bite Lip Lab in Soho, New York. I made a customised luxury lipstick for a friend there, and it was such a fun experience choosing the shade and scent. I regret not making one for myself.”
SECRET BEAUTY HACK
“Mix a little bit of peppermint oil into your lip gloss to give an instant plumping, full-lip effect. It feels cooling and looks great.”
