Since Luxola became Sephora Singapore’s official online store, we’ve been rejoicing over how our favourite Sephora-exclusive brands like Marc Jacobs Beauty and Tarte can now be purchased online. But we’re still incredibly grateful to the good people at Sephora for still stocking all the underrated cult brands that Luxola was known for, because as we’ve discovered, sometimes the smaller, under-the-radar brands can really surprise us with the quality in their products. Here, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best beauty finds that you probably don’t know about; but a number of them are popular enough to currently be sold out on the site, so you’ll definitely want to get on Sephora.sg’s waiting list to get notified the moment they come back into stock.
Edward Bess Defining Lip Liner, $38
What most people like about this buy is they get two lip liners in one set. “Barely” is a flesh-toned shade, meant to mimic the natural colour of the lips, while “Natural” is a rose-toned beige that you can wear on its own. Another plus point is that it’s an automatic gel liner, so no sharpening required; and reviewers gush about how smoothly it glides on, and how natural both shades look. While Kylie Jenner lips are still trending, we all will need a good nude lip liner in our arsenal – and $38 will get you two good ones, in this case.
Alima Pure Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow in Chai, $22
If you like your eyeshadows sparkly, it’s quite easy to fall in love with Alima’s mineral powder version in this rose gold shade. There are plenty already raving about it online, about how universally flattering it is on different eye colours and skin tones, and its versatility: wear it as a light wash in the day for work or school, or layer it with other shades to create a smoky eye.
VMV Hypoallergenics Hydra Balance Gentle Cream Cleanser, $30
Those with sensitive, breakout-prone combination skin laud this one for its ability to cleanse without stripping the skin of moisture. The price tag is really reasonable, too, which probably explains the need to get on a waiting list now to get your hands on a bottle. When it comes to cleansers, most of the time, simple is best; also, cream cleansers are generally extra hydrating.
RevitaLash Advanced, $156-$237
Yup, this is one of those lash growth serums. It’s pricier than most other offerings in the market, but people who have tried it insist its effectiveness is worth the price tag. As long as you use it regularly, thicker and longer lashes will be come a reality – but one downside is, there have been reviews that mention a darkening of the eyelid area as well.
Sachajuan Ocean Mist, $34
We love hair texture sprays, but we’ve come to realise that some might be too heavy-duty, and can turn sections of hair into a stiff, tangled mess if not sprayed on too evenly. That’s why this one is so light and lovely – just a few spritzes, and you end up with a nice, even and textured finish. It smells rather expensive, too.
Rahua Shampoo, $54
This is one pricey shampoo, but Rahua fans love it for how soft and shiny it makes the hair, thanks to its organic Amazon forest-sourced ingredients. It’s free of sulphates and thus doesn’t lather up much, but at least you know it isn’t stripping colour from your hair that way.
Julie Hewett Cheekie Cheek and Lip Shine in Jami, $34
Jami is a light mauve that looks natural as both a blush and lip stain, and it’s loved for how fuss-free it is. It goes on slightly dewy as well, so remember to use a light hand on the cheeks to avoid ending up with too much shine – but all in all, a shade like this is really a necessary makeup staple for everyday use.
DaLish Cosmetics Silk to Matte Foundation, $51
Most reviews for this liquid foundation rave about how it really keeps oily skin in check throughout the day, so we can see how this would work really well in the Singapore climate. It dries matte, but not the chalky kind of matte that can make your makeup look like a mask – this one has just a bit of dewiness, and blends evenly.
