The National Environment Agency (NEA) might have released an official statement saying that, contrary to those WhatsApp chain messages you’ve probably been receiving, no, Singapore’s temperatures aren’t going to hit a terrifying 40 degrees Celsius over the next few days. That’s somewhat comforting, but it doesn’t change the fact that we’re most definitely experiencing a heatwave, and the 34-35 degrees Celsius temperatures the weatherman has predicted is still going to be hot as hell.
So we’re doing whatever we can to keep as cool as possible, and we’ve found that incorporating the right beauty products into our days over this period of time does help a little. We’ve found these literally cool things that will offer some relief in these crazy days, and please do remember to keep hydrated and stay indoors as much as possible, people.
VDL Metal Cushion Foundation
If you think back to science lessons back in school, you might remember learning about why metal feels colder to the touch, as compared to other materials. Okay, we admit we didn’t remember why, and had to Google this: Metal has a relatively higher thermal conductivity, which means it draws heat away from whatever it’s in contact with at a higher rate. Science lesson aside, when it comes to VDL’s Beauty Metal Cushion, this simply means that the patented metal plate in this helps keep the foundation cool, and as liquid-y as possible, so patting it onto your face will offer at least some relief.
$52, available at VDL stores. vdlcosmetics.com/eng
Stila Aqua Glow Perfecting Primer
This gel primer has a mainly water-based formula, so when you put the stick to your skin, there’s an immediate cooling sensation – which makes us want to leave it there for an extra long time these days. It also has the huge bonus of getting your makeup to last longer under the all-powerful sun, without clogging up your pores or feeling sticky. We’ve found a therapeutic ritual in rubbing it all over our faces a few times in the mornings.
$40, available at Sephora. stilacosmetics.com
LANEIGE Mini Pore Waterclay Mask
There’s something about the texture of this clay mask that makes it feel extremely cooling when it first goes onto the skin. Of course it hardens as it dries, but after it’s washed off, the skin feels refreshed and hydrated, with excess sebum being kept in check.
$38, available at LANEIGE boutiques and counters. laneige.com.sg
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox De-Puffing Eye-Cubes
So what you do with these is pop them into the freezer, and once they become ice (eye) cubes, put them in the provided pouch to apply onto the eye area. The de-puffing and brightening properties of cucumber is meant to soothe the puffiness-prone eye area and dark circles, and become a delightful way to cool down at the end of a hot, hot day.
$100, available at Sephora. peterthomasroth.com
Korres Cooling After-Sun Face & Body Yoghurt
After you’ve been out in the sun the entire day, you’ll want to slather this yoghurt-based Korres cream alllllll over (tip: it feels extra shiok if you refrigerate it first). The yoghurt also helps increase the water content of the surface skin layers, so heat-induced redness and irritation is soothed.
$52, available at the Korres store at B2-16 Raffles City. korres.com.sg
Shiseido Ibuki Quick Fix Mist
A mist will be your best friend in the heat, since it’s really the quickest way to cool your skin down whenever the weather feels like too much to handle, plus your skin gets treated to a nutrient infusion. Shiseido’s newest mist is actually a gel formula that contains a herbal extract to keep skin hydrated, and a complex to keep shine at bay.
$45, available at Shiseido counters. shiseido.com.sg
