TOP 20 LOVE HITS

MAKEUP

The French beauty giant ropes in the playful Parisian illustrator Soledad Bravi – better known by her first name – to put a Valentine’s Day spin on its invigorating rose water-scented setting spray: Each bottle features a scrawl of her signature female heroine holding a bottle with hearts emanating into the air.

With a unique “flat-to-fat” brush (one side is wide and bristly to pick up formula and pump up volume while the other is more comb-like to define and curl), the first mascara from the house of Riri lets one create a variety of literally eye-opening, flirty lash looks. Extra points for being water, sweat and smudge resistant.

Specially for this V-day, the vegan cosmetics label pairs up two sophisticated, high-intensity shades – a tawny brick and a dusky pink – that reportedly won’t smudge or feather. Distinguishing this limited edition release: a heart icon on the sleek gold applicators loved for their precise control.

What’s so V-day about this makeup tool with a mouthful of a name: It has a heart-shaped head packed with the brand’s award-winning bristles that promise an airbrushed finish; its pink handle is speckled with heart-shaped confetti; and it’s limited edition, sold exclusively at Sephora’s e-store.

Trust the badass tattoo artist to translate the colours of flowers as classic as dahlias and peonies into lip glosses with a thrilling, vinyl-like shine. Her first venture into gloss, each of the six shades spanning the mauve pink Carnation to crimson red Tulip is said to be ultra saturated, offers full coverage and is vegan to boot.

Pre-launching at Sephora’s Westgate and online stores on Feb 13, this limited edition collection puts a playful, modern spin on the colours of the romantic cherry blossom season. The Plenty Of Pout Plumping Lip Gloss, for example, comes in three universally flattering sakura-inspired shades and contains ginger root complex that’s said to leave a cooling sensation while instantly plumping puckers for a bee-stung effect.

In six sophisticated metal-inspired shades including copper, warm bronze and pale gold, this shimmer-loaded eye colour need not necessarily be as outre as its name suggests. Swipe a light wash across lids then blend to inject subtle sultriness in the day. (PS: It’s reportedly formulated not to crease or slide.)

The name was first used on the lip balm offshoot of the brand’s cult, peachy pink Orgasm blush that was released last year. Now it refers to a whole new line that makes creating modern, head-turning looks easy. There’s a cheek palette with three satiny blushes and three gel-to-powder (read: smooth-as-second-skin) highlighters aptly dubbed Overlust. The eyeshadow kit has 12 glamorous, high-octane shades in various finishes, including a shimmery pale gold, matte peach and metallic fuchsia. And of course there are new tints of the comfy lip balm such as the cherry red Turbo and shimmery pink Deep Throat, each offering a sheer wash of colour and subtle shine.

In winsome shades like the terracota Tahiti Hottie and light rose Bahama Mama (yes, the names delight us too), this light yet velvety liquid lippie is said to be non-drying, has a blurring effect and is formulated to also be worn on the cheeks and eyes. Women on the go can use the brand’s “dot and blot” technique to lend that hint of colour for a fresh-faced, natural look or build it up for added glamour come date night.

A brand new line that features 20 hyper saturated and lustrous lip glosses said to instantly plump up the look and sensuality of one’s puckers. Shades range from classic vampy red to pretty lilac to a bold yet sophisticated deep brown, while a trio of avocado, olive and jojoba oils ensures all-day comfort.

SKINCARE

As its name suggests, this newcomer to the brand’s luxurious, hyper sensorial Sublimage line reportedly boosts radiance significantly and instantly, thanks to anthyllis extract – known for its ability to control pigmentation – and the regenerative vanilla planifolia. Massage on a la how it’s done at the maison’s spa at The Ritz in Paris (adapted instructions are provided) and that glow of (self) love is said to be even more evident.

The latest equivalent of a lush bouquet of roses from the French beauty house (and far more useful): a concentrate packed with a whopping 22 micronutrients derived from the fruit and flower of Dior’s Rose de Graville bloom, known for its intense reparative qualities. Encapsulated into minute, membrane-free pearls (explains the caviar reference) to retain freshness and that melt easily when massaged into skin, it’s said to effectively diminish signs of fatigue and revive even the most damaged of complexions. The best part: It can also be used as a mask and around the eye contours to brighten peepers.

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Moisturiser

The latest addition to the brand’s so-sensorial-it’s-hard-not-to-love Lotus Youth range, this lightweight day cream taps on Super Lotus – essentially active molecules extracted from the actual living plant – to protect skin from external aggressors while providing the perfect base for makeup.

Supergoop! Bright Eyed Mineral Eye Lotion

A few generous pats of this fast-absorbing, 100 per cent non-nano zinc oxide eye cream (read: it’s reportedly safer than those with nano particles) is said to instantly freshen the look of one’s peepers, thanks to its pomegranate content and illuminating pink tint. Bonus: The addition of wild butterfly ginger flower protects the skin around the eyes from the ageing effects of blue light while extracts from the African resurrection plant hydrates and smoothens.

SCENTS

Burberry Her Blossom EDT

Meant to evoke London at springtime, this light blend of mandarin, pink peppercorn, plum blossom, musk and sandalwood is what courtship should smell like: upbeat yet romantic. To make it sweeter, one can personalise the scent with the addition of an engraved gold charm around the bottleneck.

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Hair Oil

What’s often regarded as the most youthful of the brand’s feminine Chance fragrances gets adapted into a lightweight oil that supposedly helps strengthen locks while leaving a healthy glow and its signature floral-fruity scent.

Dior Miss Dior Rose N’ Roses

To simulate the romantic rush of being greeted by a neverending field of roses, the latest adaptation of the fragrance Christian Dior created in 1947 as a tribute to his sister and that’s meant to symbolise love boasts four varieties of the bloom: Damascus, Grasse, Turkish and Bulgarian. Sprightly notes of mandarin and bergamot lend a jolt to this rich, sensual floral. 

Diptyque Eau Capitale EDP

A gender-neutral spritz inspired by the City of Love, created by one of its most cult artisanal fragrance houses. Said to be the brand’s first chypre (typically a warm, dry scent built around a woody accord of – in this case – patchouli), this lively perfume opens with notes of bergamot and pink pepper before delving into a lush layer of roses. Ambrofix – known for its elegant, earthy odour – rounds out its base. Complex and captivating.

Gucci Guilty Love Edition

Designed for “eccentric lovers” (Jared Leto and Lana Del Rey star in the campaign), the Pour Femme version is a nuanced blend of musk, citruses, heady narcissus accord and jasmine sambac, and oh-so-comforting mineral amber. The Pour Homme alternative is spicy-meets-green with notes of ginger and pink pepper balanced out by lavender, patchouli and a kick of vetiver. Aren’t you already intrigued?

Mikimoto Eau de Parfum

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TEXT & COORDINATION NOELLE LOH DIGITAL IMAGING ADELINE ENG