For many beauty enthusiasts who love to travel, one of the most exciting parts about going on holiday is checking out the beauty counters and aisles to see what’s available.
Sure, there is no lack of beauty brands and products galore in Singapore. But there’s just something about finding cult brands or everyday favourites from the places you visit that make the heart flutter.
If you’re not confident in trying something completely new, it pays to trust those who are in the know. Some of Singapore’s trusty makeup artists share what they stock up on on their travels to some of Asia’s well-loved beauty capitals such as Tokyo, Seoul and Bangkok.
You might just find a new beauty love from the list on your next trip.
CLARENCE LEE
Known for: Achieving flawless and radiant complexion on clients such as Stefanie Sun, Paige Chua and Joanne Peh.
From Tokyo: Locobase Repair Cream
“This is my all-time fave cream. It’s thick and has a long staying power yet doesn’t have a sticky texture. It really softens my skin and I love using it on my dry cuticles and heels. It also helps with annoying hang nails too. I also find that it’s especially good when I’m on long haul flights and when I travel to countries with drier climates.”
From Tokyo: Kate Pinpoint Color Sniper in OR Orange
“This is a pretty new product from Kate that I found on my recent Japan trip. It might say orange, but really it’s a peachy colour, which is good for making most dark circles appear lighter. Plus, it comes in a convenient pen style, which makes it easy to use too.”
From Tokyo: &Be UV Primer
“This not only helps makeup adhere better and last longer, but it also easily gives your complexion a sun-kissed glow.”
SHAUN LEE
Known for: Fresh-faced beauties. In addition to lots of beautiful brides (#shaunleebrides is a thing), Lee is also Rebecca Lim’s go-to makeup person.
From Sydney: Lanolips Tinted Lip Balm
“If you have very dry lips but still want to have some colour on them, this is perfect. It’s very moisturising for the lips and come in a variety of colours so you won’t have to choose to have just one or the other.”
From Tokyo: Kesalan Patharan Makeup Brushes
“These brushes have super, super soft natural bristles that feel so good on the skin. You’ll actually want to do your makeup daily.”
From Tokyo: IPSA Foundation Ultimate SPF25/PA++
“Don’t be fooled by its packaging. It’s actually lightweight and has a very thin, translucent texture that doesn’t compromise on its coverage and is still able to effectively conceal blemishes. Plus, it’s water- and sweat-proof, making it ideal for Singapore’s humid weather too.”
GINGER LYNETTE
Known for: Fashion-forward beauty trends and glow-y, elegant bridal makeup.
From Bangkok: Srichand Bare To Perfect Translucent Powder
“This is a much raved about product on social media, and it does live up to its hype. It covers well and helps makeup last longer, even when faced with the heat and humidity.”
From Tokyo: IPSA Creative Concealer
“A palette that contains three Asian-friendly shades that match our Asian skin tone well. It’s also handy to use for touch-ups when you’re out and about. Best bit? You can also find this brand in Hong Kong if you’re not heading to Japan.”
From Seoul: Lilybyred Starry Eyes 9 To 9 Gel Eyeliner
“These come in a wide range of colours, from white and cream to coral, brown and black. Plus, they’re also very versatile and have a long-lasting formula. It’s great to use if you want a softer look for the eyes – try shade #13 Caramel Brown – and can even be used as an eyeshadow by blending it out before it dries down. And a beauty trick that I do is to use the shade #10 Shine Gold to create that ageyo-sal K-beauty trend (lining just under the eyes to give the illusion of bigger, doe-like eyes).”
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