STARTING THE YEAR ON A BRIGHT BEAUTY NOTE ISN’T HARD WITH THE SPATE OF NEW-TO-SHELVES SKINCARE AND MAKEUP THAT PROMISE A CLEAR, LUMINOUS COMPLEXION.
IF YOUR SKIN’S EASILY TRIGGERED BY THE ENVIRONMENT (OR UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES)
The product: Dior Prestige Light-InWhite La Solution Lumiere, $570
Why: Skin that’s sensitive to external aggressors (pollution, one too many drinks, you name it) is prone to pigmentation, so this serum’s been formulated to both brighten and boost. Its magic ingredient? Dior White Flower Bouquet, which contains ultrahydrating sea lily and reportedly strengthens skin’s barrier, while preventing the formation of dark spots.
What else: It has Dior White Rose that promises to improve skin tone by controlling melanin production and encouraging cell renewal.
On shelves: This month
IF YOU WANT PORCELAIN SKIN
The product: Chanel Le Blanc Essence Lotion, price unavailable
Why: Besides the line’s signature ingredient ume flower extract, which supposedly regulates melanin production, this update contains ume flower oil that’s said to intensely nourish, restore skin lipids, as well as lock in moisture for suppler (ie naturally more radiant) and more translucent skin. The addition of vitamin C ramps up the brightening effect.
What else: This treatment is made up of minute oil droplets (not visible to the naked eye) that are created via “PIT Technology” – used by the brand for the first time – for a slippery smooth texture and added radiance. On shelves: Next month
IF YOU WANT THE EFFECTS OF THE AFOREMENTIONED PRODUCT IN A MAKEUP BASE
The product: Chanel Le Blanc Brightening Gentle Touch Foundation, price unavailable
Why: This cushion compact is based on a different technology, but like the Le Blanc Essence Lotion, glides on smoothly and leaves a soft, luminous glow. To achieve the latter, a blend of liquorice and what Chanel calls “ceramic complex” evens out and brightens the complexion, while hyaluronic acid and glycerine keep skin hydrated for up to eight hours.
What else: It’s formulated as a water in-oil emulsion for a silky finish that makes creating the appearance of flawless skin a cinch.
On shelves: This month
IF YOU ALSO WANT TO TACKLE WRINKLES
The product: Clinique Fresh Pressed Vitamin C + A, $52 for both vials
Why: It’s really a handy pair of day and night treatments. The former is packed with vitamin C to brighten and reportedly improve skin’s defence system, and the latter with vitamin A – known for its ability to improve natural collagen production and reduce the appearance of lines. Use each on its own as a serum, or mix into moisturiser.
What else: The day booster comes in a sealed, light proof bottle, while the night one is packaged in a double-walled vial – all so the key vitamin content in each stays fresh and effective for longer.
On shelves: Last month
IF YOU WANT A PRACTICAL WAY TO FAKE THAT NATURAL GLOW
The product: Nars Super Radiant Booster, $52
Why: Enhanced with light reflective pearls that impart a pearlescent – not shimmery – finish, this illuminator comes in a universal rose gold shade, and can be used as a highlighter or mixed with one’s foundation. Extra points for feeling weightless on skin.
What else: The addition of vitamin E and squalene help lock in moisture, and provide antioxidant protection from environmental aggressors.
IF YOU HAVE DULL SKIN
The product: Skinceuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight, $139
Why: It’s rich in glycolic acid derived from sugar cane that breaks down and gets rid of accumulated dead skin cells, in turn promising to stimulate cell regeneration. Also inside: phytic acid that helps exfoliate and reportedly inhibit free radical formation, resulting in clearer, more luminous skin.
What else: A “soothing complex” of jojoba and sunflower seed botanicals forms a protective layer to lock in moisture and hydrate – all while helping to slough away dead skin cells.
On shelves: Next month
IF YOUR SKIN SERIOUSLY NEEDS HELP
The product: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream, price unavailable
Why: This lightweight moisturiser is a double threat at controlling melanin production. Its Sakura-Bright Complex supposedly suppresses the formation of abnormal blood vessels that are caused by UV rays and stimulate melanocytes. Meanwhile, a technology that uses rehmannia root extract, vitamin C and the brand’s patented 4MSK ingredient reportedly inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase, which also catalyses the formation of melanin.
What else: To improve the efficacy of all the ingredients, it has jujube fruit extract, which is known to energise skin, so that it responds faster to skincare.
On shelves: This month
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION THAT ISN’T MATTE
The product: Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfecting Foundation, $80
Why: Colour-true pigments ensure strong coverage, while vitamin C improves skin’s radiance over time.
What else: The addition of silver mushroom extract is said to offer skin 15 hours of continuous hydration so that it becomes plumper and smoother.
On shelves: This month
IF YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE WEARING MAKEUP
The product: Diorsnow Skin-Perfecting Liquid Light, $150
Why: Because this treatment also has cosmetic benefits. Optical correcting micro pearls diffuse light, creating a glow, and help neutralise the appearance of yellowish complexions. What it does at a deeper level: even out skin tone with a blend of Japanese angelica root and Diorsnow Brightening Edelweiss Complex, and make skin cells more resistant to external aggressors (these indirectly trigger the production of melanin) with a potent natural yeast extract.
What else: Using what the brand calls “Vitrail Technology”, this helps “blur out” imperfections like blemishes, making them less visible.
On shelves: This month
IF YOU WANT SPECIFIC DARK SPOTS TO FADE
The product: Clarins White Plus Targeted Spot Brightener, $60
Why: It’s designed as a roll-on so that application can be targeted. How it reportedly works: A vitamin C derivative inhibits tyrosinase (read: the enzyme that catalyses melanin production), while dipotassium glycyrrhizate (read: liquorice root extract) soothes and helps limit the over production of melanin induced by UV and pollution-related inflammation.
What else: Its handy size means you can slip it into your bag and use it on the go. PS. It can be applied over makeup.
