Score an A-grade difference to your beauty routine with these game-changing tips.
Score an A-grade difference to your beauty routine with these game-changing tips.
Ace it: Brown Lipstick
This ’90s lip trend is making a comeback. Whether you like it matte, glossy or metallic, having a chocolate pout is equal parts cool and yummy.
CHOOSE: Searching for the right brown lipstick takes patience and experimentation. If you just want to dip your toes into the brown lipstick trend but don’t know where to begin, start by using one with a sheer finish.
PREP: Lipsticks can emphasise the dryness and flakes on your lips and they might not glide on smoothly when that’s the case. Use a gentle lip scrub to exfoliate lips, never ever pick at your lips with your nails as they will cause your lips to bleed. Then, apply a nourishing lip balm to keep your pucker soft.
LINE: To keep the lipstick on point, makeup artist Larry Yeo recommends the use of lip liners to create definition. Always choose a lip liner that is a similar shade to your lipstick or it might end up looking weird.
FILL: After lining your lips, use the lip liner to colour in the rest of the lips before applying your lipstick. It will help lock in the colour so that it can stay on longer.
Bonus points: MSGM
■ Ensure that skin looks polished and flawless to make the lips really pop. “Conceal your under-eye area for an even-looking complexion,” advises Larry. “Or you might end up looking like you didn’t wipe off last night’s Nutella sandwich from your face.”
■ Balance the strong lip with well- groomed brow, but stay away from excessively drawn ones as they might end up taking attention away from the lips which should be the focal point.
■ Lay off the bronzer. Too much brown might end up making the face look like a walnut.
Ace it: Radiant skin
The most beautiful skin is the kind that can reflect light, but before you think that flawless radiance is all about loading on highlighters, makeup artist Larry Yeo tells you how to achieve #nofilter perfection.
PREP: Foundations with dewy finish have a tendency to slide especially in our weather. Help foundation stay put by applying primer so that it adheres and stays on better. If you have oily skin, use a primer which controls shine. Radiance enhancing primers often contain shimmer, so use sparingly to avoid looking like a disco ball.
APPLY: Use a flat top brush to apply foundation as it ensures an even and high coverage. “For those who prefer sponges, try using the shu uemura Lightbulb Sponge,” advises Larry. “The rounded end allows you to apply liquid foundation easily, controlling the coverage with ease.”
HIGHLIGHT: Keep the glow natural by applying subtle highlighter to the cheekbones, nose bridge and Cupid’s bow. Those with pale skin might want to use a pink-based highlighter, while tanned skin looks amazing when gold-toned highlighters are applied. Highlighters don’t always have to be shimmery – matte highlighting powder accentuates cheekbones just as well.
Bonus points:
■ Always touch up. “In our weather, skin can look greasy and patchy after a while,” shares Larry. “Take the effort to blot away extra shine and touch up so that skin looks flawless at all times.”
■ Oily skin can look even greasier with shimmery highlighting powder. “Use products that have mattifying properties like the M.A.C Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone to control shine,” suggests Larry.
■ It’s okay to mix foundations. If skin is oily on the T-zone, use oil control foundation on the forehead and nose, and apply BB creams with dewy finish on the sides of the face to give it more dimension.
Ace it: Frizz-Free Hair
Split ends and damaged hair can go out of control, especially in our weather. Fix unruly hair with these tress-taming tricks.
TAME: Fixing frizzy hair starts before you even wash it – shampoos can dry out hair but pre-wash treatments can be used to repair hair shaft and prevent it from dehydration after washing.
TREAT: Aside from conditioning hair to make it shiny and smooth, use a hair mask at least once a week to deeply nourish hair strands. Towel dry hair after washing instead of leaving it dripping wet, then apply hair mask starting from your ends and working your way up. Avoid applying directly to roots as it might weigh hair down after you rinse the mask off.
STYLE: Protect hair from styling stresses with hair serums and heat protectants. Ensure that hair is completely dry before using a flat iron to straighten hair – using it on wet hair creates steam, which essentially damages hair from inside out. Flat irons coated with Teflon don’t tug at strands, giving it a smooth and shiny appearance after straightening.
Bonus points:
■ Cut styling time in half with a 2-in-1 styler, which allows you to blow dry hair while straightening it.
■ Use the cool air setting on your hair dryer to seal in the hairstyle, and prevent lingering heat from damaging hair strands.
■ Impurities can weigh down hair and cause it to look flat. Invest in a monthly scalp cleansing ritual like the PHS Hairscience DSR 360 Detox Scalp Therapy to rid buildup which can clog pores.
ACE IT: THE NEW FRENCH
Unlikely hues and finishes breathe new life into this classic manicure.
CHOOSE: Traditional French manicures call for white nail polish to be painted over a nude base to mimic natural nails, but don’t be afraid of mixing things up. Experiment with different colour or texture combinations – there are no rules here, and the possibilities are endless.
BASE: Like makeup primers, base coats allow nail polish to go on smoothly and enhance the longevity of painted nails. It also protects your nails from being stained from darker nail polishes.
PAINT: If you’re afraid of painting onto the skin surrounding your nails, fill a clean nail polish bottle with white craft glue and use it to paint around your nail before putting on nail polish. “Simply peel off the glue that surrounds your nail. It will leave your skin clean of all the mistakes that you have made earlier,” suggests Jenrine Tan of The Nail Artelier.
Start off by painting the base colour, ensuring that each coat is completely dry before brushing on the next layer. Depending on the opacity of the base colour, about two to three coats should do the trick. Those that are skilled or have steady hands can go on to paint the tips, but if you require a little bit more help, use French tip guides or nail art pens. Let dry completely before painting on a shiny top coat, and voila, runway ready nails!
Bonus points:
■ Use a small paintbrush dipped in nail polish remover to clean off mistakes. If you don’t have brushes on hand, cotton buds and toothpicks work as well.
■ French tips don’t always have to be curved, paint a V-shaped one for an edgier look. If you really want to upgrade your nail game, go for tri-colour V-shaped tips!
■ Give yourself enough time to paint your nails. Instead of doing it 30 minutes before your dinner, cater more time so that the nail polish has enough time to set and dry.
■ “Besides manicure guide stickers, you can also use clear plasters and ring hole reinforce stickers to help you with the curved edge,” says Jenrine.
