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A couple months have passed since we’ve heard a peep from the Too Faced’s peach department. (In my head, the beauty brand has a dedicated number of people who focus on the fuzzy fruit 24/7.) Some major news was just teased, though: Another peach-themed palette may be on its way, namely the Too Faced White Peaches Eye Shadow Palette.

How ironic is it that someone who never shows their face manages to front a makeup campaign?
But we aren’t just talking about the anonymous stranger on the street; we are talking about one of pop music’s most coveted singer-songwriter, Sia, who has teamed up with M.A.C. Cosmetics to come up with her own makeup collection as part of their #VivaGlam campaign. Okay, maybe calling the collaboration a collection might be a bit much since there’s only one product – a single Viva Glam Sia Warm, Vivid Red Matte lipstick. The pop singer has always been a staunch supporter for animal rights and is also a vegan, but it looks like she’s also trying to do her part in helping support AIDs.

The M.A.C. x Sia in Viva Glam

The warm cranberry red lipstick comes in a matte finish, and its a shade that’s often spotted on Sia. Even though you can’t really see most of her features because of her wig, her mouth is the only part of her face left uncovered, which means that playing around with makeup mostly consists of changing lipstick colours. We aren’t complaining though – the red lippie is perfect for daily wear, and the classic black bullet is emblazoned with Sia’s name for an edgy feel worthy of the pop singer’s eccentric vibes.
The Viva Glam Sia Warm, Vivid Red Matte, $36, will be available at maccosmetics.com and in stores on 25 January 2018. 

There’s been absolutely no shortage of unique, and even at times, brilliant, nail art to hit our Instagram feeds in 2017. And as we prepare to close the book on the great nail art trends of 2017, another Instagram user has stepped forward with an idea that is literally on fire.

Here at NYLON, our jobs as beauty editors and writers mean we’re engulfed by avalanches of beauty products on a regular basis, and this year was no different. Of course, we know how fortunate we are to get our hands on the latest and shiniest even before they hit the stores, and 2017 has certainly left us with a heap of new holy grail items. That said, we’ve each got a handful of products we felt were a cut above the rest. Read on for our edit on the best beauty products of the year.
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Adele Chan, Editor-in-Chief
I can’t tell you exactly how many beauty products were launched this year (in fact, every year!) — it’s clearly too many to count; so the ones that stand out are really performers! Without further ado, here are my top 5 beauty products that were launched in 2017, all of which are exceptional and I’d say, are must-buys!

BENEFIT BOI-ING HYDRATING CONCEALER
$35, available in 3 shades (Light, Medium and Deep), at Sephora.
What is it: A concealer with a ring of balm around the centre, that moisturises skin.
What’s so good about it: When I first saw this product, I didn’t think much of it. In fact, to be brutally honest, I thought it would be awful; but I was wrong. This is such an excellent concealer that it has joined my beauty box since the day I tried it. It now sits alongside my holy grail concealer from Clé de Peau Beauté (a product I’ve been swearing by for close to 10 years, that I never imagined would get replaced in my makeup box). The concealer goes on really smooth with a satin-like finish, and offers medium to high coverage (although the brand says it’s sheer coverage), and conceals dark spots (lightens them!), blemishes (they all but disappear), redness and dark circles — which I must point out, this concealer is very effective in concealing dark circles, making them look like they’re barely there! Believe it or not, the finish on skin looks air-brushed.

CHANEL BLUE SERUM
$160, available at CHANEL beauty counters and boutiques.
What is it: A serum that improves the skin’s health. The formula includes ingredients found in some of the “blue zones” around the world, including green coffee from Costa Rica, olives from Sardinia, and lentisk from Greece. Blue zones are areas where people living there tend to live longer, and probably because of some magic in their natural surroundings.
What’s so good about it: My skin really did look and feel healthier when I used this product. I didn’t have any breakouts, and my skin texture looked glowy! And all this really happened when I started using this serum. Alas… it is rather pricey for a small 30ml bottle.

CHANEL SIGNATURE DE CHANEL INTENSE LONGWEAR EYELINER PEN
$51, available at CHANEL beauty counters and boutiques.
What is it: A liquid pen eyeliner with a brush tip. It comes in two parts: a pen holder, and an ink cartridge that is snapped into the holder.
What’s so good about it: Since the first time I tried this eyeliner, it has become the benchmark that I rate and compare all other eyeliners against. Let’s put aside that this product is from Chanel, and is the classiest looking eyeliner in the world; the pen itself performs incredibly. The brush is firm but flexible, the ink is dark and intense, and at least for me, it doesn’t smudge. I get a perfect, consistent line every time — except when the ink runs out. Alas, then it’s time to buy a new one. My full review gushing about this product can be read here.

KOSÉ INFINITY TIGHT LIFT BASE
$55, available at Kosé beauty counters.
What is it: An anti-ageing makeup base that has a technology called “Tight Lift Polymer”, which is said to harden with body heat, and keep the shape of the face firm throughout the day. It also includes SPF30 / PA++.
What’s so good about it: Not all primers are created equal. Some do nothing to keep makeup in place, others pill on the face when you pile on foundation (horrors!). This was a surprise find from Kosé; it creates a near-perfect base even before I put on any actual base makeup. My skin texture looks super smooth, even, and pore-free; and it makes my foundation look better than any primer ever has. This product is a quiet hero that deserves more attention.

THREE FLAWLESS ETHEREAL FLUID FOUNDATION
$75, available in 10 shades at the Three boutique at TANGS at Tang Plaza L4.
What is it: A liquid foundation with 80% naturally-derived ingredients. It claims to be free from parabens, synthetic perfumes, animal-derived ingredients, and mineral oils.
What’s so good about it: I reviewed a whole range of products from Three in September, see here, and the one product that really stood out was this liquid foundation. It goes on like a tinted emulsion (as described by the website) — cool and watery — but performs like a buildable liquid foundation. I can go sheer, or layer on for higher coverage. It’s this flexibility, and the beautiful soft texture finish that has me including this product in my 2017 must-buy list.
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Amelia Tan, Associate Editor
Whether it’s skincare or makeup, I’m always excited to try something new — and secretly hope that some of each year’s new innovations ends up on my can’t-do-without beauty regime. The problem is, with so many products coming in weekly, it’s hard to stick to something unless they prove amazing on the first take, and then the next, and the next. Well, you’ll be glad to know that these ones are tried, tested, and pretty much deliver the ‘amazing’ every single time.

SHISEIDO WASO SOFT+CUSHY POLISHER
$55, available at Shiseido counters.
What is it: A gentle exfoliator that removes skin impurities, clears pores and leaves your skin smooth after. It contains biodegradable, plant-based cellulose granules instead of artificial ones, is formulated with soy extract to help lift off dead skin cells and deeply cleanse the pores, while there’s also Sebum Absorbing Powder to deal with oily skin.
What’s so good about it: For those who’re used to harsh exfoliators that might feel like your skin’s really clean after (though a bit stripped of moisture), I’d say, you’ll find a new hero in this, fresh off Shiseido’s latest WASO line. Firstly, I’ve always felt a little guilty about the microbeads of physical exfoliators, as effective as they feel, simply because they seem kinda abrasive, don’t you think? Well, I’m glad I don’t feel any of that here. The surprising thing is how soft this feels on my skin; even as I’m massaging it in and feel the little granules, they’re still part of this nicely whipped texture that happens when the product comes into contact with moisture. After sweeping this across my face, my skin feels cleaner and more balanced, with lesser impurities, and no signs of irritation either — and yes, the ideal outcome of soft and smooth too.

FRESH UMBRIAN CLAY PURIFYING MASK
$95, available at Fresh stores and Sephora.
What is it: A purifying clay mask for normal to oily skin, that contains Umbrian Clay, which originates from Italy, and is Fresh’s proprietary ingredient with a high mineral content to help balance the complexion. This is combined with calming soothing ingredients as well, and the product can also be used as a daily deep cleanser and a spot treatment too.
What’s so good about it: I can’t live without clay masks in my regime — or else, what do I do when my skin feels slicker than average, or if I have a potential zit popping up soon? Like everyone, I panic, but you know what, maybe a little less because I’ve got this sweet companion to help me along. When I do feel my skin’s out of balance, I reach for this and slather it all over my face; the murky green colour makes me look a bit like the Hulk once I’m done, but I definitely feel Incredible after. My skin feels smoother, more in sync, and soft too so it doesn’t feel like all the moisture in it is stripped. What’s really a game-changer is when I feel the tiny bumps of imperfection and immediately treat it with this — rather than develop into a full-fledged zit, just two days of use will have the area calm down significantly. As they say, prevention’s better than cure!

NARS AQUA GLOW CUSHION FOUNDATION (shade: Finland)
$68, available at the NARS store and counters.
What is it: NARS’ first-ever cushion foundation is a water-enriched one that feels cooling on the skin and comes with a lightweight texture and a radiant finish. The coverage is medium, but buildable, while it also contains an Anti-Pollution Complex and SPF23/PA++ to protect the skin. There are 6 Asian-specific shades that cover both pink and yellow undertones.
What’s so good about it: I’ll trust NARS with anything, especially when it comes to bold makeup with perfect-looking skin — all the better when their foundation comes in my all-time favourite form, a cushion! I mean, convenience much? I just have to bring this tiny case (with a mirror) around, and use the sponge to lightly pat on and blend the foundation. Ah yes, this formula does feel really lightweight, doesn’t cake up the way some do over time, and instantly makes my skin look glowy — not oily — and fresh; I can go sheer or layer it up easily too, plus I’ll claim that it has the secret power to be a real confidence-booster. I never have to worry about my complexion with this on.

FENTY BEAUTY KILLAWATT FREESTYLE HIGHTLIGHTER (shade: Girl Next Door / Chic Phreak)
$50, available at Sephora.
What is it: A shimmery cream-to-powder highlighter duo that creates a soft, subtle glow with one side and a “supercharged” one with the other, designed for all skin tones.
What’s so good about it: By now you should be happily acquainted with all the hype that surrounds Rihanna’s breakout makeup line, Fenty Beauty, and boy has it earned its reputation alright. While the foundation is raved about and very quickly sells out too, I find myself drawn to the shiny, shimmery highlighters instead. This one was love at first swatch, mostly because of that rose gold. ‘Girl Next Door’ has a peachy sheen for subtlety, though I prefer the drama of ‘Chic Phreak’, a more shimmery shade that catches the light beautifully as I move, though with superfine shimmer so it doesn’t look that obvious either. On my fair skin, they double up as a hint of blush too if I’m too lazy for one. All it takes is a quick swipe for the highly pigmented shine to come through. The cream-powder hybrid is genius too — it melts into my skin without being tacky, is really easy to blend and stays on. I’m always suddenly tempted to take a hundred selfies to chronicle how good this looks. Oh please, you would too!

MAKE UP FOR EVER ARTIST LIQUID MATTE LIQUID LIP COLOR (shade: 401 Red)
$35, available at Sephora.
What is it: An ultra-matte liquid lipstick that promises good colour payoff and 20-hour comfortable long-wear.
What’s so good about it: So yeah, lipsticks are kinda my weakness — I already have so many of them, especially reds and nudes, but I can’t help but try more anyway because this craze is insatiable. Obviously. I’m always excited about the new ones that land on my desk too, but to be honest, this one didn’t stand out that much — at first. Liquid lipstick… Red… Pretty standard, no? Except it isn’t. I brought this out with me during a Singapore Fashion Week show and was pleasantly surprised by how it went on my lips; it glides on ultra-smooth and super pigmented — the applicator in particular feels steady — so all that you’ll see is a nice, flawless shade of red across my lips. It feels comfortable too, and doesn’t dry and settle into these awkward fine lines you’ll sometimes see on less satisfactory liquid lipsticks. I’m not entirely sure about the 20-hour claim because it does wear off a little after I eat, but the intense smack of colour alone, and in this statement-making red, is enough reason to make this one of my best surprise finds of the year.
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Michelle Ng, Writer
I’m the newest beauty writer on the block here, and I’m trying real hard to navigate the endless black hole of beauty launches so please bear with me. I don’t really change beauty products a lot because I tend to go back to the few same favourites, but ever since I started at NYLON, I’ve started trying out more products and wow, have I made loads of new discoveries. It was hard, but I managed to narrow down my top 5 new beauty items that I discovered this year.

RIMMEL SCANDALEYES BOLD WATERPROOF LIQUID EYELINER
$17.90, available at Watsons, Guardian and all other authorised retailers.
What is it: A waterproof liquid eyeliner that comes with a ball tip applicator.
What’s so good about it: The colour is as black as they come, which is perfect when it comes to drawing a bold cat eye. Unlike a hyper thin eyeliner with a super sharp tip, the ball tip gives you a thicker line the more pressure you apply. I only need one swipe, and the ball tip helps me to get both a thick line and a perfect cat eye all in one smooth movement. It takes a little mastering, but the ball tip is really useful as opposed to my initial doubts about it. Oh, and the ‘waterproof’ part certainly exceeded my expectations. As a keen photographer, gel and pencil eyeliners are a definite no because they’ll smudge, so I’m always on the lookout for really waterproof and sweat-proof liquid eyeliners that are also wallet friendly (struggling fresh graduate here). This eyeliner also managed to withstand all the sweat and rain at Laneway and Ultra in Singapore’s humidity, and I also wore it as I went down a water slide 10 times before heading to a foam party at It’s The Ship, and my eyeliner held up the entire time. Waterproof? Check. Sweat-proof? Check. Festival-proof? Check.

FRESH LOTUS YOUTH PRESERVE EYE CREAM
$74, available at Fresh stores and Sephora.
What is it: A pot of eye cream made from lotus and a blend of 7 other magical ingredients including hibiscus fruit extract, Vitamin C & E and star fruit extract that hydrates and boosts the radiance of your under eye area.
What’s so good about it: As I’ve started working full-time this year, I found that my under eye area was becoming really dry as I started to use makeup more often, especially around the eye area to cover up my dark eye circles. I received a little sample of this eye cream as I was getting some stuff at fresh and decided there was no harm in trying it out. While it didn’t do much to reduce my dark eye circles, it did keep my under eye area hydrated and helped to brighten the eye area whilst reducing it’s puffiness. It dries pretty quickly after application too, which makes it ideal as I hate products that take way too long to dry.

CELEBEAU ON STAGE LIQUID EYE SHADOW SHIMMER TINT IN 02 SATIN BRONZE
$29, available in 4 shades (#01 Aqua Pink, #02 Satin Bronze, #04 All That Coral, #06 Aurora Silver) at Sasa stores.
What is it: A liquid eye shimmer that comes in a bottle, complete with an applicator for easy application
What’s so good about it: It’s like eyeshadow, but in liquid form. Why didn’t I think of this earlier? The Satin Bronze shade is super pigmented and super shimmery when it dries, which makes it good to use by itself, or atop other eyeshadows. I liked how easy it was to apply – eyeshadow beginners will find that you can’t really go wrong with this. It also dries really quickly, sealing in the pearly pigments, which means that you don’t have to worry about fallout like all those other super pigmented glittery eyeshadows. Perfect for a night out in the club or crowded places!

MAMONDE CREAMY TINT COLOR BALM INTENSE IN #7 KISSING YOU
$16, available in 20 different shades at Mamonde outlets and counters in TANGS
What is it: A really moisturising lip product that is hybrid between a lipstick and a lip balm
What’s so good about it: It feels really light and moisturising when you first apply it! It also doesn’t dry out my lips after a whole day of wearing, which means I don’t really need to apply a lip balm before or after I take it off. The colour transfers a little bit after meals, but the colour doesn’t become patchy; instead it fades nicely into a rosy pink that works on its own even if I don’t apply a fresh coat. It might be its creamy texture, but the product lasts really long even though I use it pretty often, which makes it pretty wallet friendly. The entire range of colours is pretty extensive too, and I love the formula so much that I’ve got this in three different shades.

URBAN DECAY X JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT TENANT EYESHADOW PALETTE
$62, available at Sephora and UrbanDecay.com.sg.
What is it: An eyeshadow palette consisting of 8 stunningly bright colours inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat’s artwork
What’s so good about it: The intensity and pigmentation of the colours, which are simple GORGEOUS. It goes without saying that Urban Decay is known for their eyeshadows, gaining a cult following for their series of Naked palettes. While I’m not really a Naked kind of person, their other (more colourful) eyeshadow palettes have found their way into my makeup stash. I love bright colours, and the purple and blues are my go-to colours when it comes to eyeshadows. The intense pigments means that I don’t really need to spend too long building up the colour. My favourite shade is of course the matte blue because cooler colours work better on me, which I love to pair with blue eyeliner. The palette also comes in a limited edition case that is a mini reproduction of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s artwork, with a little hook at the back so that you can hang it up on your wall once you’re done with it (yes, you can use your eyeshadow palette as wall decor).
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Jade Yeo, Writer
Hi there. It’s your friendly neighbourhood beauty writer Jade, back again to remind you guys that I’m stuck with a combination of sensitive and acne-prone skin, which ought to explain why I’m really picky about the stuff I introduce to my routine. So before you scroll through my list and go, “That wasn’t launched in 2017!”, do note that the struggle to find beauty products I truly enjoy is in fact, very real. That said, I did manage to find 5 stellar items this year, and while 4 of them weren’t launched this year, I’m still incredibly grateful that fate (and my debit card) brought us together.

NYX MICRO BROW PENCIL (shade: Black)
$15, available at NYX stores and Sephora.
What is it: An affordable, micro-tipped mechanical brow pencil that shapes, defines and fills in sparse brows easily.
What’s so good about it: This has been touted as the best dupe for the famed Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz for good reason. My natural brows aren’t too sparse, so the skinny tip makes for great precision work when I’m feathering in fine lines to mimic my brow hairs. It’s not the first time I’ve raved about this, but I feel like this deserves another mention. Ever since I started using it, my brows have been getting regular compliments from friends, acquaintances, and even random strangers – I’m not kidding. This girl who stood opposite me on the train was staring at my face and the moment we made eye contact, she bashfully said, “Sorry… You have really nice brows.” D’aww.

JO MALONE ENGLISH OAK & HAZELNUT COLOGNE
$104 for 30ml, $208 for 100ml; available at Jo Malone stores.
What is it: A woody, spicy fragrance for both men and women, crafted by perfumer Yann Vasnier. Opens with green hazelnut before settling to a cedarwood base, rounding off with roasted oak absolute.
What’s so good about it: I prefer woodier, more masculine scents, and because of that, I tend to smell like a winter lumberjack melting in the Singapore heat, so I’ve been searching for a lighter option for humid days. This Jo Malone fragrance surprised me when I first wore it. It opened with a fresh mossy note that’s subtly tinged with hazelnut, and before it even settled down to a warm earthy base of roasted oak and addictive vetiver, I had fallen completely in love with it. It’s not as heavy as its fragrance notes suggest, so it’s pretty much the perfect scent to wear all year round, rain or shine.

KAIA NATURALS THE TAKESUMI DETOX BAMBOO CHARCOAL DEODORANT (scent: Cold Pressed Rose)
US$21 (full size) and US$9.50 (travel size), available at KaiaNaturals.com.
$32, part of Après Avant’s The Exercise Essentials Set.
What is it: An all-natural deodorant which features activated charcoal to absorb bacteria and toxins.
What’s so good about it: Like every other natural deodorant on the market, this is a cleaner, conscious alternative that rids your routine of aluminium, a common ingredient found in conventional deodorants that unhealthily blocks sweat glands and prevents perspiration. But natural deodorants aren’t always perfect. Most of them are made with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and aromatic essential oils to help reduce odour, ingredients my sensitive pits react to, which is why I appreciate Kaia Naturals for omitting those. The combination of activated charcoal and arrowroot powder helps to keep my underarms smelling fresh all day and dry for longer. It also doesn’t leave a tacky residue unlike other options that are packed with oils and shea butter.

KOSAS LIPSTICK (shade: Stardust)
US$28, available at KosasCosmetics.com.
What is it: A handmade, longwear lip colour that goes on sheer and leaves a semi-matte finish. One of eight fuss-free hues for all skin tones, consisting of reds, plums and rosy neutrals. Free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates.
What’s so good about it: Some of you might be aware of my undying love for natural beauty products, and here’s another one that joined my growing list this year. Made with a nourishing blend of shea butter, green tea, rosehip, and grape seed oils, this lipstick has been my daily go-to when my chapped lips are in need of some serious TLC. Formula aside, I’d been searching for a MLBB shade that’s neither too pink nor beige, so this shade fits the bill. It’s a warm rose with a hint of lavender, which is why this neutral shade is able to wake my overall complexion in dreary mornings. I’ve also been dabbing a little of it on my lids to add some definition to my eyes.

SUNTEGRITY 5-IN-1 NATURAL MOISTURIZING TINTED FACE SUNSCREEN SPF 30 (shade: Light)
$72, available at PureTincture.com.
What is it: A natural, all-in-one, tinted physical sunscreen / BB cream that nourishes, hydrates, protects, primes and evens out skin tone.
What’s so good about it: It’s probably the best green beauty swap for the cult-fave It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream. There’s balancing jojoba and sunflower seed oils in the formula to keep my skin hydrated throughout the day without feeling too greasy, while green tea and cucumber extracts work to soothe any irritation. My complexion looks much less like a tomato after I’ve smoothed this tinted cream on, so I don’t have to use as much foundation or concealer after, too. And of course, it’s fragrance-free – something my skin’s incredibly happy about.

Remember trying a cushion foundation for the first time? We do, and we haven’t looked back since. Applying base makeup has never been easier – there’s no need to scramble for a mirror or a brush, and you don’t even have to wet your makeup sponge, because with a cushion compact, you have it all in your hands. Believe it or not, this option didn’t exist 10 years ago. But that all changed when South Korean beauty and cosmetics conglomerate AmorePacific introduced their first-ever cushion to the world 9 years ago, and have continued to revolutionise K-beauty from that moment on.
 

 
This year, AmorePacific whisked us away to Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa at Kota Kinabalu for their annual summit, where we peered under the AmorePacific umbrella, home to K-beauty brands with the likes of Sulwhasoo, Laneige, Mamonde, Etude House and innisfree – major ones currently leading the cushion market. Over 3 days, we immersed ourselves in innovative sessions, hands-on classes, and a discussion spearheaded by a panel of insiders such as the Head of AmorePacific’s ASEAN Business Robin Na, Chief Makeup Artist Jason Lee, and a trio of dedicated in-house beauty researchers, Yunha Lee, Junseong Park, and Hajin Jung.
If there’s one name to look to when it comes to Korean beauty, Amorepacific is it. They’ve got a solid game plan to turn the innovation dial up, and they’ve showed us why their cushion compacts still reign supreme in a competitive global market.