By Adele Chan
The following items are all surprising discoveries. I didn’t think I’d like any of them, but as it turns out, they have become my favourites and I’m now using them every day! Here are my recommendations for new beauty products to check out (and buy!) in the coming months:
SHU UEMURA STAGE PERFORMER FRESH TINT ALL-IN-ONE HYDRATING UV CUSHION, SPF 38 PA++++
$68, launching 1st August 2017 at shu uemura stores and counters
Available in 3 shades: Sand, Beige, Deep Beige
This is shu uemura’s latest cushion compact that’s only going to hit counters in August. When this was introduced to me, I was told that the coverage is very sheer — barely any coverage at all. It’s supposed to simply enhance skin and make it just look like an improved version of itself. The first time I tried it, that was my expectation — a sheer finish. But wow, this cushion actually results in a soft, velvety matte texture; very surprising and even more satisfying. When I pat the cushion (the brand emphasised it’s a high quality cushion) on my skin, I can see my skin’s texture transform before my eyes; it gets more smooth, pores disappear, and unwanted shine gets toned down into a subtle glow. What’s funny is that this cushion was presented to me together with the upcoming Lightbulb Essence liquid foundation, which is touted as one of the brand’s flagship base products (and that I’m sure shu uemura is expecting to perform really well at the counters)… but I’ve tried both products and I’m putting my recommendation behind the cushion. Its only downfall is that shades are extremely limited. There are just three in total: Sand, Beige and Deep Beige; and if you’re outside of this spectrum, tough luck.
ESPRIQUE GEL PENCIL EYELINER IN JET BLACK
$32 (refill at $15) at KOSÉ counters
Available in 2 shades: Jet Black and Natural Brown
This was such a pleasant discovery from Esprique. Esprique isn’t a “loud” brand in Singapore; I hardly see any advertising from them, and no one really talks about any of their products. So to be honest, I wasn’t expecting this pencil eyeliner to be anything but ordinary…which makes this discovery even more delightful. The first time I glided this tip across my waterline, I was amazed at how easy it was to draw with this pencil; the formula came out super smooth and pigmented. In fact, I didn’t need to draw over it to get an intense line, and even more impressive, it lasted the entire day without smudging. I love that it comes in the form of a refillable cartridge that I can bring around by itself without the holder. This is the best pencil eyeliner I’ve tried in a while — beating out my usual favourites from shu uemura, YSL and Charlotte Tilbury.
CRABTREE & EVELYN GOATMILK GENTLE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
$30 each, at Crabtree & Evelyn stores
When Crabtree & Evelyn launched their Goatmilk Hand Wash last year, it was the first time that I was in love with a hand wash. The product smelled comforting…like a baby, and made my hands clean and smooth. They got their formula right again with the new hair collection — the shampoo and conditioner have that same relaxing fragrance, and makes my hair immediately super soft without weighing it down. I can really feel a difference each time I use these products. Good to know: the collection only uses free-range goat’s milk that is sourced from a family-run farm in Pacific Northwestern USA, Mount Capra.
BENEFIT COSMETICS BOI-ING AIRBRUSH CONCEALER
$35 at the Benefit store and counters, and Sephora
Available in 3 shades: Light, Medium, Deep
I really have to hand it to Benefit… when they launch something, they go big. In the case of their new concealers, they launched four different types, each in three shades (that’s 12 new concealers!). And I hardly bother with new concealers because I believe I’ve found the one with clé de peau beauté’s stick concealer (it’s so good, but this post is about Benefit). Back to Benefit… their new concealers were so adorable (they are packaged like erasers!), I had to try them. The one that was impressive was the Airbrush Concealer; it has a soft texture that blurs and smooths the skin, creating a soft-focus effect. The product claims to be waterproof, and doesn’t crease, cake or crack — and so far so good… I use this mainly below the eyes to “erase away” my dark circles, and it actually works really well. It could be that the product name is influencing me to imagine that my skin looks airbrushed, but who cares… this concealer seems to be doing its job and I’m happy with it.
LA PRAIRIE SKIN CAVIAR ABSOLUTE FILLER
$960 for 60ml, launching 1st September 2017 at La Prairie counters
La Prairie is not typically a brand that people we know use (do you know anyone who uses La Prairie?). The prices of their skincare can’t even be called expensive; it’s ridiculous. But you know what’s more ridiculous? Consumers. Luxury skincare like La Prairie exist because there are people who are willing to pay for it. And in all honesty, I wouldn’t even go near the brand if I wasn’t a beauty journalist and given the products for review. I was handed this blue jar when one of the NYLON writers came back from the press event; “It’s very rich”, she said. So I was expecting a cream that was rich like butter, and maybe even oily; but surprise, surprise… the white cream is silky smooth and absorbs quickly into skin, leaving behind a comfortable, slightly tacky feeling on the skin. And because my skin has recently been feeling rather dehydrated because of travel and the flu, this moisturiser is a godsend. It’s just been five days since I’ve switched to this cream as my night moisturiser, and I’m absolutely loving it. I wake up to super soft skin and all my pores appear to have shrunk. The jar itself is also very clever; there’s a mirror in the flip top lid and it’s such a simple thing, but it’s so smart of the brand to include it. It’s proven to be the most useful thing on my night table now — I reach for this jar every time I need a mirror. Also, the cream is dispensed just a little at a time with a reverse pump — very hygienic and it gives excellent control as to how much product you want each time. I’d completely recommend this product if your skin is dry and you can afford it.
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