Editor’s Beauty Picks — March 2021, including Lancôme, Kanebo, Chanel, SkinCeuticals and Drunk Elephant

The best beauty products of the month include a makeup base, a skincare essence, and of course, a CHANEL lipstick. Read on for our recommendations on what to buy now.

KANEBO EVEN FIT PRIMER
$62 (30ml), available at Kanebo’s official store on Lazada

Above: The small packaging for Kanebo’s new Even Fit Primer

Kanebo always has great base makeup and this newest primer is as expected, very good. There’s a slight tint to the product; it comes out an orange beige that is meant to control and correct bluish appearances in the skin, resulting in a radiant complexion. I think the difference in tone was so subtle I didn’t notice any “colour change” or correction, but my skin tone doesn’t have particularly blue undertones to begin with; but that also means that this primer should work well for all skin tones and types.

Above: product swatch of the even fit primer

The texture is watery — but not drippy; it’s like a liquid cream that glides easily over skin, and sinks in, disappearing into a “second skin” finish. It’s undetectable when worn, but evidently improves the skin’s texture and appearance. Pores look smaller, the surface looks smoother, and general skin tone is more even.

Above: Even fit primer blended into the skin

This primer creates the perfect, smooth base for foundation, or it can be worn alone for light coverage. I also do like that the packaging is compact, and there’s SPF 28/PA+++ included in the formula.

LANCÔME CLARIFIQUE DUAL ESSENCE
$148 (150ml) / $205 (250ml), available at Lancôme’s official store on Lazada

NYLON’s Deputy Editor, Amelia recently tried this new skincare and she loved it. You can read her full review here. When she told me how good it was, I needed to try it for myself, and she wasn’t kidding… this essence is really, really good. It may feel like “nothing” or just like water (because of its watery texture), but when it hits the skin, it feels simply luxurious; it instantly turns that spot of skin into silk. Skincare typically takes weeks of use to see or feel a difference, which makes this essence extremely impressive because the results are instant.

Above: Lancôme Clarifique dual Essence bottle

The bottle needs to be shaken to mix and “activate” the essence; you’ll notice fine bubbles in the mixture and that’s fine. This essence is best applied with a cotton pad (just swipe it across skin), or just simply use your hands like I do if you can be careful not to drip it everywhere.

Above: the mixture when shaking the formula

Above: The watery texture of the essence

If you want to try this essence for yourself, you can redeem a free deluxe 10ml sample through this form. You won’t regret it.

CHANEL ROUGE COCO FLASH IN 154 DOUCEUR
$54, available at CHANEL Fragrance and Beauty Boutiques and counters

Above: CHANEL Rouge Coco Flash in 154 Douceur

This lipstick is part of CHANEL’s Le Blanc Perles Et Éclats De Chanel makeup collection and is a pearly ivory pink that can be used as a top coat by dabbing it onto the centre of lips, or on its own as a sheer, natural and healthy-looking shade. There’s some shimmer in this, which reflects light beautifully, and plumps the lips. If you love non-colours or nude shades, this one’s for you.

Above: Swatch on the back of the hand. It’s a barely-there shade that supplements the “no makeup” makeup look

SKINCEUTICALS SILYMARIN CF
$248 (30ml), available at SkinCeuticals official store on Lazada

Since the launch of SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, the product has been the industry’s gold standard for Vitamic C serums; it’s effective in improving fine lines and wrinkles, firming skin and brightening skin tones. This month, the much-anticipated version for oily and blemish-prone skin is launched.

Above: The new Skinceuticals silymarin cf

The ingredients are similar to the original CE Ferulic, with the addition of 0.5% silymarin (an antioxidant derived from milk thistle that helps prevent oil oxidation and protects against free radicals), and 0.5% salicylic acid (exfoliates, refines pores and helps reduce the formation of blemishes).

Above: The product’s texture is similar to the brand’s famous ce feRulic

This is a good solution for skin maintenance and prevention of breakouts. If you want to justify the cost, think of it as an investment in your skin; you’ll love it when you stop getting pimples.

DRUNK ELEPHANT PROTINI POWERPEPTIDE RESURF SERUM
$116 (30ml), available at sephora.sg

Above: The new Protini powerpeptide resurf serum

If you feel like your skin is looking dull and blotchy, this serum may be able to fix that. The description says it has a concentrated blend of 11 peptides, restorative amino acids and exfoliating lactic acid to strengthen and renew skin, bringing it back to an optimal, healthy state.

Above: Swatch of the texture

It feels slightly tingly on the skin, but despite its potent formula, I had no bad reaction to it. In fact, every Drunk Elephant skincare product I’ve tried has worked for my normal-type skin. I like that this product feels cool and hydrating, has no added fragrance, and actually does improve the texture of skin after a few uses. For Drunk Elephant fans, here’s another one to add to your regime.