These trendsetters, makeup artists and hairstylists know all about looking fab in party pics, and they’re ready to spill their secrets.
These trendsetters, makeup artists and hairstylists know all about looking fab in party pics, and they’re ready to spill their secrets.
Clutch essentials
Social media star Nicole Wong is completely obsessed with these little bottles of colour. Here’s why you should snap them up too.
“Moonshot Cream Paint, a multi-use cream product, is so smoothly textured that it practically glides onto my skin and blends so evenly. I don’t just use it on my lips and cheeks; I also use it to highlight and accentuate my features. I recommend getting it in #805, a nude hue, and #105, a classic red. You can do nude lips and rosy cheeks for day, then switch to red lips with highlighted cheekbones (using the nude hue) for night.”
Get a gravity-defying updo
Maurice Chee, creative director at Prep Salon, is the Her World team’s
go-to guy for elaborate updos for glam evening parties. Here, his top
three tips for keeping your hair up all night.
1. Shampoo at the right time:That would be the day before your event, not the day itself. Day-old hair is less slippery and tends to hold up better for updos.
2. Use dry shampoo: It’s a great way to maintain volume and texture without weighing your hair down. Spray dry shampoo all over your locks before you start styling – this creates a bit of friction between strands so your style will stay put for longer.
3. Hairspray matters: Use a flexible-hold hairspray instead of a strong- or medium-hold one, as the latter can make your hair look stiff , not light and bouncy.
Get picture-perfect skin
...no filter necessary. Associate beauty editor Jaclyn Gunasilan shares her five must-use products before a big event.
The night before
Aesop Blue Chamomile Facial Hydrating Masque, $61. This soothing mask boosts radiance and helps calm angry-looking spots – great for my acne-prone skin.
La Mer The Renewal Oil, $370. I have an oily T-zone and this fab oil – apply it right after cleansing – helps balance out the greasiness so my complexion looks less shiny the next day.
The day of the party
Clarisonic Smart Profile, $330. I can’t go without a thorough cleanse with my Clarisonic device – it makes my skin smoother so makeup glides on with ease.
Ettusais Skin Version Up Mask, $25 for five sheets. A sheet mask with pore-refining and anti-inflammatory rosemary and lemon balm extracts, as well as moisturising hyaluronic acid and glycerine.
Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate, $210. This cult serum sinks into skin quickly to leave it silky-smooth. You’ll also reportedly get a more even-toned complexion as well as firmer, plumper skin with continued use.
Keep sexy waves from falling flat
Ark Lin, founder of and creative director at Air Salon, tells us how to achieve (and maintain) Victoria’s Secret model-esque tresses all night.
WASH
I’d recommend starting with freshly shampooed hair. Oil or product build-up will weigh your waves down, preventing you from getting the volume you want.
PREP
Spray mousse or volumising spray on fine hair – you’ll need all the texture you can get. For those with thick locks, use a dollop of styling cream on damp hair before styling to hold the curls.
STYLE
Depending on the look you’re going for, use a hairdryer or let your locks dry on their own. Blow-drying will give a neater, more coiffed look, but if you’re going for beachy waves, air-drying is the way to go. To create natural waves, braid your hair or put it up in a bun for a few hours before heading out. If you’re looking for more defined curls, use a curling iron or Velcro rollers.
FINISH
Spritz on hairspray to prevent the waves from loosening throughout the night.
Glam up in 10 minutes
He’s worked with the likes of Fann Wong and Zhang Ziyi, so we trust makeup artist Clarence Lee to know a trick or two about dolling up in minutes.
Mist before makeup
Spritzing your face with a facial mist freshens up the skin and helps prep it for base makeup such as concealer and BB cream.
Focus on the lips and cheeks
A little bit of colour on these areas goes a long way in perking up a dull complexion, so if you’re running low on time, just touch up your cheek and lip makeup
Mist before makeup
Spritzing your face with a facial mist freshens up the skin and helps prep it for base makeup such as concealer and BB cream.
Focus on the lips and cheeks
A little bit of colour on these areas goes a long way in perking up a dull complexion, so if you’re running low on time, just touch up your cheek and lip makeup
3 steps to the statement eye
Cool girl and fashion designer Linda Hao does hers in five minutes flat.
1. Apply bronze eyeshadow all over the lids to make your eyes look more deep-set.
2. Create cat-eye flicks with glittery liquid eyeliner – loose glitter tends to create a mess.
3. Put on falsies that fan out at the outer corners of your eyes to accentuate the cat-eye look you’re going for. Done!
Touch and go
We love makeup artist Larry Yeo’s Instagram account (@larryyeo) for the slew of beauty tips, such as these pre-selfie must-dos.
1. Unsightly smudges and dark circles aren’t a good look, and there’s only so much Mei Tu Xiu Xiu (a photo-editing app) can do, so reapply concealer on the under-eye area (it’ll soften the look of those fine lines too).
2. Spotlights (the lighting of choice at most parties) can make the T-zone look exceptionally greasy, so dust some loose powder over it to soak up all that excess oil.
3. Flaky lips can show up in photos and make your lip colour look patchy, so apply lip balm to smooth your pout before snapping that selfie.
Home remedies
Your usual salon too busy to accept your last-minute booking? Do what MTV VJ Hanli Hoefer does, and head to your kitchen instead.
“Turmeric mixed with lemon and yogurt (applied as a mask) is so good for brightening up a dull complexion. To keep my tresses looking shiny and conditioned, I apply coconut oil on my mane and leave it on overnight – it’s so simple.”
Don’t sweat it
Ever wondered how Narelle Kheng of The Sam Willows looks so good performing under harsh lighting? Mystery solved.
SK-II Auractivator CC cream
“This gives a beautiful, dewy finish and makes my skin look porcelain smooth, but somehow doesn’t come off when I perspire.”
Benefit the porefessional: agent zero shine
“I like using matte powder such as this one, because it helps absorb oil and gives a flawless finish without looking cakey.”
