7 former beauty editors share their best beauty tips and picks (Part 2 of 2)
SINGAPORE — We hope you have picked up some useful tips or even headed out to buy some of the beauty products recommended by my fellow former beauty editors we had featured last time.
Testing beauty products is a big part of our previous jobs as magazine beauty editors, and in the process, we have nailed down various beauty products that work for us. In the final feature of this two-part series, here are seven ex-beauty editors, including myself, with beauty advice we live by and products we can’t get enough of.
READ MORE:
Part 1: 6 former beauty editors share their best beauty tips and picks
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Jasmine Alimin, freelance writer
Jasmine was the beauty editor at L’Officiel Singapore from 2008 to 2010; and the assistant editor of Style Weddings from 2010 to 2018.
Do as she does. “My one beauty tip to good skin is to wear less makeup, especially if you’re lazy to remove it. On days where I have events to attend, I usually just wear tinted moisturiser, mascara, cheek tint, matte lipstick and waterproof liquid eyeliner. Otherwise, it’s just the Sunplay Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF50 PA++++ that works as a sunscreen and skin-correcting primer and brightener.”
Beauty picks she still uses.
1. Liht Organics Anti-Aging BB Cream, S$75.
“I’m not a fan of foundation because my skin will always break out after regular usage so I’ve switched to using tinted moisturisers. Early this year, I was recently introduced to this product and have made it my new BFF because this works as a moisturiser, primer, foundation and sunblock, all rolled into one. I swear, after I started using it, my skin developed a young-girl glow and my complexion looks more even-toned.”
2. Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser, S$34.
“I’ve been using this since it was first sold at Sephora some years back. I dare say it’s as good as a cleansing oil to remove stubborn makeup. But the best part is that it goes on oily to loosen waterproof makeup, then turns into a foamy lather when you add water, and lightly conditions like a skin softener. Really, all you need to do after that is apply serum, moisturiser and go to sleep. This is perfect for an impatient person like me!”
Joie Goh, barre instructor and communications manager at WeBarre
Joie was the beauty editor for L'Officiel Singapore from 2014 to 2015, and senior beauty editor for T: The New York Times Style Magazine Singapore from 2016 to 2018.
Do as she does. “Sleep at least eight to nine hours per night. Everything suffers if I don't get enough sleep: my skin looks dull and drawn, eyes puffy, and body bloated.”
Beauty picks she still uses.
1. Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-free Moisture Cushion, S$90.
“I first got a little sample in a press bag back in 2017 and fell in love with it and purchased the full-sized afterwards, and I've been going back to it ever since. It's one of the best moisturisers I've ever used - the texture is super light, sinks into my skin and somehow makes my pores disappear. No oily feeling or that weird glossy sticky finish you get with gel moisturisers, just soft, velvety and hydrated skin.”
2. IDS Clinic Spot Control, S$28.50.
“Hands down the best zit treatment ever. I've been using it since 2013 or 2014. Nothing zaps pimples as quickly or painlessly as this one, even the big, deep ones. The formulation has improved over time as well, and I love that it can be applied under and over makeup and sunscreen, and still be effective.”
Marianne Wee-Slater, director and founder of PR agency, Smitten PR
Marianne was beauty editor at Harper's Bazaar Singapore from 2003 to 2005, and beauty editor and then deputy editor at Style: magazine from 2005 to 2015.
Do as she does. “Never pile on makeup. I've always been obsessed with the no-makeup makeup look, even before it became a thing. The best advice I got was from legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath, who told me that makeup (especially foundation) should be applied with a light hand and layered on for more coverage where necessary. Also, it's OK to have some real skin showing through your makeup!”
Beauty picks she still uses.
1. Clarins V Shaping Facial Lift, S$122.
“I'm currently onto my eighth bottle, and for someone who's always itching to try new skincare, this is nothing short of miraculous. This lightweight serum is my go-to before an event or whenever I don't get enough sleep to de-puff a bloated face and eye contours. It never fails to make my face look slimmer in pictures!”
2. Re:erth Blemish Control, S$80.
“Never thought that I'd still be battling breakouts at 40, but that's Singapore for you. I'd tried hundreds of acne skincare but this is the only one that really works. It's lightweight, doesn't damage or dry out skin, and really kills acne bacteria - to the point where I rarely have breakouts now, which is a first for me. Love that I can also use it daily as a preventative treatment, and the encapsulated retinol seems to also help with firming up skin and smoothing out old acne scars.”
Moh Shuying, communications manager for a finance company
Shuying was the beauty editor for Female Singapore from 2013 to 2018.
Do as she does. “I apply a facial mask every day to give my skin a little extra help. To me, masks are like multivitamins for your complexion. You don't necessarily need them but they are good for you. I try to mix them up so I'm using a variety of different masks every week, depending on my skin's condition.”
Beauty picks she still uses.
1. La Mer The Concentrate, S$820.
“This treats everything from sensitivity, breakouts, dryness, fine lines and redness. I've been using it for almost ten years and it's the one serum I can't live without. I started using after my face started developing eczema after trying too many different products for a Her World Beauty Awards one year. After using it for about a week, my skin calmed down and the redness and dry patchiness I was experiencing disappeared. It's literally a miracle worker.”
2. Shiseido Perfect UV Protector S, S$63
“I'm a big fan of all Shiseido sunscreens because they generally have a really lightweight texture, doesn't leave any sticky sensation and provides strong protection. I've been using this sensitive version for about two years as I have eczema and it doesn't cause any irritation at all. Plus, its watery texture makes me feel like I have nothing on my face, and it never leaves my complexion feeling or looking oily no matter how hot or humid the day is.”
Pearlyn Tham, freelance writer/editor
Pearlyn was the senior fashion and beauty editor of Her World Singapore from 2011 to 2014, and editor of Her World from 2014 to 2015.
Do as she does. "I don't only apply eye creams at night; I like to layer some under my concealer before I head out every day because age shows up first in the delicate eye area."
Beauty picks she still uses.
1. Curel Aging Care Moisturising Lotion, S$36.80.
"Whenever I use a new product and my skin reacts negatively to it by turning rough and itchy, all I need is this product. It gives instant comfort and turns my skin baby-soft and smooth right away! I've been using Curel products for about five years now, ever since my skin turned sensitive in my mid-thirties. (I would recommend) anything from Curel, from its shower foam and shampoo to its moisturising lotion and anti-ageing cream. They are unscented and are really gentle on my sensitive scalp and face."
2. Shiseido Future Solution LX Eye & Lip Contour Regenerating Cream E, S$192.
"I've used this for more than five years now. It is pricey but a little goes a long way. This is more of a smooth paste than it is a rich cream so it works perfectly well as a primer under my concealer. I also like dabbing a little of it at the corners of my mouth when I accidentally nick myself with dental floss – yes, it's a real thing."
Simone Wu, freelance writer, and co-founder of lifestyle website, Superbly.xyz
Simone was the beauty editor for The Singapore Women's Weekly from 2009 to 2011, for Simply Her from 2011 to 2016, and senior beauty editor for Her World Singapore from 2017 to 2018.
Do as she does. “The skin on the neck and upper chest area is thinner than that on the face, and that makes is more prone to lines, wrinkles, sagging and discolouration. Caring for these areas doesn’t have to feel like extra steps and you don’t even need to buy dedicated products (like a neck cream) unless you want to. As you apply skincare to your face, spread the toners, serums, moisturisers and sunscreen to the neck and décolleté. And don’t forget the back of your neck, and while you’re at it, apply the remaining product to your hands.”
Beauty picks she still uses.
1. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Multi-purpose Soothing Repairing Balm, S$45.
“I have mild eczema, and every now and then, parts of my face and body would turn red, itchy and/or warm. This lightweight cream would soothe my inflamed skin, and leave it soft and comfortable—every single time. This has been a staple in my handbag for the past four years to relieve any on-the-go flare-ups. It is also suitable for babies, and I have been using it on my child’s skin since he was a baby to soothe diaper rash, itchy skin and insect bites.”
2. Tsubaki Botanical Smooth and Silky Shampoo, and Conditioner, S$14.90 each.
“I have gone through four sets of these since they were launched last year. Ever since I started bleaching my hair three years ago, my fine hair has become perpetually dry, brittle and frizzy. When bleached hair gets wet, it gets tangled - I have to be extra careful when I spreading shampoo and massaging my scalp so I don’t end up breaking off hair. This shampoo transforms into a creamy lather quickly, and it allows me to spread and massage the product all over my scalp, without creating any tangles. It also washes out easily, and leaves my hair smooth and tangle-free. I love that this conditioner rinses out easily, and leaves my hair so incredibly smooth, soft and light all day long. And I realised I don’t need as much conditioning hair oil on the ends of my hair as I did before. Bonus points for not leaving the bathroom floor greasy, too.”
Vanessa Chia, freelance content provider and editor
Vanessa spent almost 12 years at Elle Singapore from 2003 to 2015, working her way from beauty and health writer to beauty and health editor, and then, to beauty and health director.
Do as she does. “If your hair is dry, coarse and damaged from chemical treatments or dye jobs like mine, consider replacing your hair conditioner with a hair mask each time you wash your hair. Instead of leaving hair mask on hair for 15 to 20 minutes as stated on most tubs, I’d leave it on for one to two minutes to avoid flat hair. The result: my hair is softer, smoother and is more manageable. I’ve been complimented so much since I made the switch because my hair looks so much better.”
Beauty picks she still uses.
1. La Mer The Concentrate, S$820.
“This is my all-time favourite skin rescue and it leaves my skin smooth and supple, too. Whenever my skin is irritated and flushed, I just need a little bit of this to instantly soothe it. I also have even used The Concentrate to soothe and heal skin rash and burns. I have been using this since 2010.”
2. 28cubed The Light Serum, S$98.
“I am currently using a new Singapore-developed product, by a company called 28cubed. The product is called The Light Serum and uses a unique combination of food-based active ingredients to target pigmentation as it works with the skin’s 28-day rejuvenation cycle to give you an even-toned and radiant complexion. After four weeks of using this, my skin tone is more even, and there's a glow that I haven't seen in a long time (without the help of makeup of course).”
