Beauty editor Simone Wu’s picks of the month.
Beauty editor Simone Wu’s picks of the month.
EXPRESS HOME FACIAL
When you can’t get an appointment with your facialist during the holiday season or any other time, this is a great substitute: Cosme Decorte AQ MW Repletion Mask, $145 (six sheets). Each ultra-stretchy sheet is drenched with a bottle of AQ MW Repletion Serum to deeply hydrate skin and boost cellular function for a firmer, clearer and brighter complexion. To prep for a big night out, use it twice the week before, and at night.
“I’ve had eyelash extensions done and need a waterproof eye makeup remover that won’t damage the lashes or irritate my skin. ZA Makeup Cleansing Water ($16.90, 300ml) does all that and leaves my skin feeling smooth and fresh.”
“Lipsticks usually highlight my dry, peeling lips. But not Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid Lip Colour ($49) and Diorific Matte Fluid Lip & Cheek Valvet Colour ($60). They have a nondrying matte finish.”
“L’Oreal Paris Elseve Extraordinary Oil Merveille de Paris ($27.90) leaves my dry, bleached hair smoother and glossier. It has a soft floral scent and doesn’t leave my palms sticky.”
No Wrapping Required
These are so beautifully packaged, there’s really no need for that.
Aesop The Avid Explorer, $155. The amenity case with a beautifully illustrated paper sleeve designed by Norwegian artist Bendik Kaltenborn contains full sizes of Aesop’s pampering body products – A Rose By Any Other Name Body Cleanser, Rejuvenate Intensive Body Balm and Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm as well as Hand Wash.
Benefit Girls Gone Wow, $81. Bring an instant smile to all with this brightly coloured doll's head tin of Benefit’s full-sized They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara and Tinted Primer, the Porefessional, and Gimme Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel, as well as mini Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain.
Kiehl’s x Jeremyville Collection, from $17. Kiehl’s collab with artist and product designer Jeremyville showcases adorable illustrations of ice skaters, snowmen, and Christmas ornaments as well as shooting stars on gift packs as well as products like its bestselling Creme de Corps, Lip Balm #1 and Ultra Facial Cream.
SUPER TIME-SAVERS
These thoughtful products help you get ready in very little time.
Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup, $70, comes with a removable and washable cushion tip for easy and quick application and touch-ups.
Orbis Hand Treatment + Hair Care, $18, contains an ingredient similar to a lipid present in our skin and hair, so you won’t need to wash those hands after styling your hair.
Glide the dark brown cream section of the Laneige Milkyway Fantasy Two Tone Shadow Bar in No. 2 Smoky Dust, $38 (limited edition) along the upper lash line and then blend it out with your finger or brush for an instant smoky eye.
• L’Oreal Paris Blossom Tint Caresse, $23.90 (four shades). This multipurpose beauty has a cushion tip that lets you create ombre lips without a mirror. The highly blendable formula can also be used as a blusher and eyeshadow. It’s the perfect size for your party clutch, too!
Love, Love, Love!
We went through many gifts sets on the counters this year before voting these the best bang for everyone’s buck – including ours!
Elizabeth Arden 90-piece Ceramide Caps and Day Cream Set, $254: The 90 multipurpose Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum you get at this incredible price are the star attraction. The Ceramide Lift and Firm Day Cream SPF30/ PA++ (50ml) keeps skin moisturised and protected while Superstart Skin Renewal Booster (5ml) hydrates and strengthens to improve cell renewal.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian The Fragrance Wardrobe for Her, 2016 collection, $240: With eight 11ml tubes of divine floral, fresh and oriental notes, this is the best way to sample Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s always sought-after fragrances. FYI: One of the brand’s more affordable bottles is $219 for 70ml. Buy this for yourself – or split this among friends.
Estee Lauder Over The Top Blockbuster, $450: The perfect gift for makeup fans, this features fullsizes of two Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eyeshadow 5-Color Palettes in Defiant Nude for work and Currant Desire for play, and two Pure Color Envy Sculpting Blush compacts in Rebel Rose and Lover’s Blush, plus lipsticks, mascara, brow gel and lip glosses!
