The Ultimate Expat Beauty Issue in the Tropics: Frizzy Hair

Frizzy hair - I know we’re talking first world problems here and there are definitely worse things than an unruly bush of hay on your head. Nevertheless, it’s the most cited beauty problem I hear from fellow expats around me: unmanageable, damaged and frizzy hair due to the humid climate and overexposure to sun and aircon. Luckily there are things we can do to revive our tortured tresses...

Living in the tropics, my hair is subject to the worst vicious circle it’s ever known: constant exposure to sun and aircon dries out my hair. The dryer my hair is, the frizzier it gets from the humid climate here. Trying to get rid of some frizz, I straighten my hair with an straightening iron; the heat of the straightening iron however further dries out my hair, damages it and makes it even more susceptable to frizz. Time for a beauty interception!

Why is our hair so much drier in the tropics?

Dryness is caused when hair runs out of its moisture and natural oils. As a result, your hair loses its sheen and appears frizzy, lifeless, and dull.  Apart from genes, physical health and hair care habits, environmental conditions largely contribute to this state of your hair.

Living in a hot climate, dryness particularly originates from exposure to sun and frequent swimmingin chlorinated water. In addition,  an air-conditioned room is as dry and arid as a desert because air conditioners pull out humidity from the air. Aircon’s are not selective about the source they pull moisture from, so your skin and hair are targets as well.

Why and how does dry hair get so frizzy?

Because dehydrated hair is so brittle and porous, it absorbs moisture from humid air more quickly than healthy hair. You might think that this is a good thing – after all, didn’t your hair lack moisture?! - but unfortunately that is not quite how it works.

Hair has multiple layers, and frizz occurs when the outer layer, the cuticle layer, of your hair is damaged and allows moisture to pass through, swelling the strands. As a result, your hair looks frizzy, whereas a flat and ‘closed’ cuticle layer make hair appear smooth and shiny.

In healthy hair, the outer cuticle layer protects the inner layers and doesn’t allow excess moisture to pass through and swell the strands on the one hand, and keeps moisture locked in on the other hand. When moisture from a humid environment is absorbed by dry hair with a damaged outer layer, it won’t be locked up in the strands but evaporates again instead.

What can I do to fight the frizz?

To combat dryness and break the vicious circle of frizzy hair you can do the following:

- Place humidifiers in air-conditioned rooms.

- Wear a hat or scarf outside to protect your hair from the sun

- Revive, nourish and protect your hair with the right haircare products– which, of course, is where this blog comes in handy…

This post features my personal and my frizzy expat friends' favourite hair masks - for all kinds of budgets- to help you say goodbye to dry and damaged hair. Hair masks that leave your hair soft and shiny instead of limp and oily, as some nourishing anti-frizz products tend to do.

In future posts I will go deeper into haircare topics such as heat protection to style your already dry and brittle hair; scalp-friendly shampoo’s; the delightful world of hair serums; and many more to come. 

Revive those Tortured Tresses

Favourite #1: Kerastase Masque Elixir Ultime

It's pricy but this hair mask feels so luxurious in every sense. The scent is voluptuous and rich which is due to ingredients such as Camellia, Argan and Pracaxi oil, that are part of Kerastase's "Oleo-Complex". These oils bring nourishment, deep conditioning and shine to the hair. The Argan oil helps to restore strength to the hair and protects it from external aggressor.

This hair mask scores sky-high points in pretty much every review of it that I've ever read. It really moisturizes and softens unruly and frizzy hair, even when your hair is severely damaged. Although it's an expensive hair mask, the product lasts long as you only need to apply a quarter-sized amount to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair (once or twice a week). Massage throughout the hair, pay close attention to the ends and comb through for even distribution. Leave in for 5-10 minutes and rinse thoroughly - I rinse twice as long as I do with other hair masks. The scent of the mask is still present in your hair after rinsing and drying, and leave your hair nicely scented for about a day or two.

Kerastase Masque Elixir Ultime, 200ml
Price: 73,80 SGD
Available at selected hair salons only (find a list for Singapore here)

Favourite #2: Inecto Naturals “Hello Hydration Coconut Hair Treatment” 

Coconut oil is rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients and has a myriad of benefits for hair and skin, which is why it is used in pure, pressed form by many DIY beauty adepts. I've tried treating my hair with pure coconut oil once and decided not to repeat it as it left my bathroom dangerously slippery and smelling like a coconut macaroon for days. A hair mask with coconut oil as ingredient is the perfect solution, and my favourite by far is Inecto's "Hello Hydration" Coconut Hair Treatment with organic coconut oil. It smells -ofcourse- like coconut, but in a soft and creamy way. The texture of the mask is very creamy as well and this product is much easier to rinse out than pure coconut oil. It leaves your hair healthier looking and a lot softer than before.

I love that this product is not tested on animals and is vegan-friendly. And funny; "Directions: spread generously through towel-dry hair, leave in for 3-5 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. If some escapes and gets in your eyes, we've had it happen to us too, rinse immediately with plenty of water."   

Inecto Naturals “Hello Hydration Coconut Hair Treatment”, 150ml
Price: 8,50 SGD
Available at BHG Singapore (find locations here)

Favourite #3: Toni & Guy “Nourish” Reconstruction Mask

Good old Toni&Guy. Founded in 1963 in Clapham, Toni&Guy Hairdressing has grown from a humble salon in the UK into an international chain of salons - and a salon-quality haircare line (a Unilever brand) since 2013. I've been using this mask for quite a while now and really like it. I've heard from others, whose hair was dull-looking and near dead-by-frizz and who had tried pretty much every brand of hair reconstructors or anti-frizz treatments around to reconstruct and revive their hair, that they would recommend this product to anyone as it does a fabulous job. The deep conditioning formula turns dry and brittle hair to soft and nourished with a smooth texture and a shiny overcoat. The scent of this product is a typical hair salon scent, but a mild one - not that enticing or unique, just pleasant.

Use once a week, after shampoo wash, and apply onto hair from mid-length. Leave in the hair for around 5 minutes and then rinse off thoroughly. As opposed to Kerastase's Hair Mask, the scent of the product doesn't linger in the hair after rinsing, only very subtly.

Toni & Guy “Nourish” Reconstruction Mask, 200ml. 
Price: SGD 25,90 
Available at a.o. Watsons, online through Redmart

Coming to Asia: Happy Skincare from MOOD Natural Barcelona

Last month I visited the 20th edition of Beauty Asia 2019, a trade exhibition showcasing the latest beauty and wellness products from across the globe. Lots of Japanese and Korean brands were present, presenting the latest technologies and ingredients amongst which ofcourse -yup- many horse fat and sheep placenta was to be found. Although these brands were by far the largest category present, the biggest surprise to me was a brand from Barcelona introducing its products to the Asian market for the first time: Mood Natural Barcelona.

What drew me to their stand was  the incredibly cool graphic design of the brand and the natural and joyful look of their products, something that stood out amidst the stringent and technological, often even surgical looking Asian brands. My first impression: a fun and honest brand that I can't wait for to be launched in Asia later in 2019.

Feel Mood, Feel Good!

Today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected culture leads to an "always on" mentality to many of us, and can be tiring and overwhelming. Mood Natural believes that we should take a break every now and then in order to nurture our body, mind and soul so we can be in our best moods and be the happiest versions of ourselves possible.

Mood Natural's products for visibly happier skin are based on the knowledge and traditions of five generations of women from the same Spanish family and consist of ancient formula's with active natural, mainly Mediterranean ingredients. Although great grandma Antonia prepared her herbal remedies in her kitchen, Mood Natural's products are made in prestigious laboratories where her ancient formula's have been translated to contemporary formulas that follow the most stringent and latest European Cosmetic Quality standards, resulting in innovative skincare with a green heart. 

The products do not contain parabens or allergens and are formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions, even for the most sensitive types of skin. The products are packaged in recyclable materials and the ladies work with local suppliers to reduce the brands ecological footprint.

Remarkable Ladies of Skin, Body and Soul

The ladies behind the brand, Elena and Laia Guasch, are the fourth and fifth generation of a remarkable family with passion and concern to cure skin, body and soul with natural products.

Great grandmother Antonia worked as a 'remeiera', an ancient profession in which the practitioner has deep knowledge of the healing virtues of plants and herbs. At her own house, she prepared remedies with natural ingredients only. She was especially known for the skin patches she prepared, which contained several different Mediterranean ingredients and were used to soothe a.o. chest pain, wounds and inflammations. Antonia passed her knowledge on to her daughter Maria.

Grandma Maria opened her own bakery in Barcelona, where she began to give importance to food and nutrition. She too prepared her own recipes, that in addition to quenching appetite, proved to promote intestinal well-being and improved a bad cold or cure urinary infections. She in turn passed on her knowledge to her daughter Tona.

Tona was a hard working woman with a free soul, dreamy and intelligent, ahead of her time. She became a successful textile trader. Working hard, she believed in the importance of a balanced mind and the cultivation of the soul. Her involvement in society, travelling, reading and a passion for culture and dance all contributed to her tolerant attitude and open mind.

The product range contains a.o. face care that can be personalized to individual needs (Hydrating, Anti-Stress, Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Aging etc), suncare, shower gel and body milk. Mood Natural will be available in Singapore later in 2019 so stay tuned!

In the meantime, take a look at their website at http://www.moodnatural.com/en/ - it gives a great impression of the brand, the awesome products and the lovely design - lots to drool over while counting the days till the Asian launch!

The Battle of the Liquid Eyeliners

In the almost 2 years that I’ve been living in Singapore, I’ve been blown away again and again by Asian cosmetics brands, in particular makeup and more specifically lip products and mascara. Just about everything seems to be better about makeup at this side of the ocean: innovative products, eye-catching design & packaging, amazing textures, long lasting quality and friendly prices. One product type I haven’t tried yet is liquid eyeliner, as I’ve been pretty pleased with Lancome’s Artliner for over a decade now. I’m curious though whether within this category too, Asian brands will kick my favorite Western liquid eyeliner out of my Holy Makeup Essentials Pouch. I have pouches and pouches full of makeup, but only one special pouch for the winning can't do without essentials - and spots aren't easily given away...

I personally prefer the pen or liner-style liquid eyeliners over pots with liquid eyeliners that need to be applied with a brush, mainly because it’s quicker and easier. As said, Lancome’s Artliner (42 SGD, available at a.o. Tangs, Takashimaya and Sephora) to me is a must-have product that I seriously stock up on to never find myself without. The felt tip is flexible, which makes it easy to follow the line of your lashes and can be used for both fine and thicker lines - perfect for a winged line. I also really like it that the tip doesn't easily block when you use the liner on top of layers of other makeup, like concealer and eye shadow, which is due to the ingeneous fact that the liquid liner doesn't come through the felt tip (as with most liquid eyeliners) but from the container part you take the felt tip out of.

Long time favorite: Lancome's Artliner

Even though it will be a tough favorite to beat, curiosity calls due to all the awesome Asian makeup brand that I’ve discovered over the past months. I’ll therefore be testing two different Asian brand liquid eyeliners: Holika Holika Magic Pole Eyeliner and Kiss Me Heroine Make’s Smooth Liquid Eyeliner Super Keep.

Kiss Me Heroine Make’s Smooth Liquid Eyeliner Super Keep, Holika Holika's Magic Pole Eyeliner and my favorite, Lancome's Artliner

LIQUID LINER 1: Holika Holika - Magic Pole Eyeliner 2X

The first liquid eyeliner I’m testing is the Magic Pole Eyeliner in 01 Black by Holika Holika, a popular South-Korean beauty brand that provides ‘fun practical cosmetic products to enhance every woman’s natural beauty’ and is mostly known for its quirky, cult-style products. Think ‘Golden Monkey Lip Glamour Lip 3 Step’ for plumb lips, ‘Smooth Egg Skin Soap’ for smooth skin and tight pores and ‘Wonder Drawing Hairline Maker’, described as ‘a shadow type corrector to cover hairlines and fill in empty areas of bang hair for a younger looking face’. Interesting products.

Fascinating and quirky cosmetics by Holika Holika

The Magic Pole Eyeliner has a spacy pack, with a purple-blue sky in which the Magic Pole is displayed as the center of the universe, with BIG EYE written to emphasize the promised result. The product description reads furthermore that "this stablized powerful, and magic wand-shaped brush helps stop your hand from shaking, allow you to draw line much easier. With only one touch, a bold and vivid line that makes your eyes look bigger is accomplished".

Fortunately, my hand is rarely shaking when I apply liquid liner, but I do wonder how an eyeliner actively helps to stop hands from trembling, though. Some other key promises: 2x BIG, 2x MAGIC, 2x LONG but what this refers to remains a mystery as the rest of the description is in Korean.

The felt tip is indeed a pole with a small ball on top it, which reminds me more of an antenna (which could explain the the reference to outer space?) than a magic wand. The ball is part of the felt tip and makes the tip actually wider than Lancome's Artliner:

From left to right: Lancome Artliner, Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner Super Keep & Holika Holika Magic Pole Eyeliner

As the round tip is not so thin, I find it hard to draw thin lines. But hey, that's not what they promised - "bold and vivid" lines are what this pole liner should bring. And it does. Heavy to heavier lines go very smooth and easy and the lines are deeply pigmented, hence very very black. The product dries very fast; good against running and smudging, but not so forgiving and hard to adjust once you drew the line. This eyeliner is SERIOUSLY waterproof, just water doesn't get the product off, you do need a special eye makeup remover.

Effect: so bold!

Holy Makeup Essentials Pouch Material? I'm deeply impressed by the intense black pigment. Just wow. But, I don't know what it is - maybe the fast drying or layer of pigments (intensity has to come from somewhere...) - but the liner doesn't feel so comfortable on my eyelid, like something is constantly lightly pulling it. It's almost like my eyelid is twitching. I can't get used to it and it won't go away the first 30 minutes after applying, so I took it off again. Sorry Holika Holika, no place for you in my Holy Pouch.

Holika Holika Magic Pole Eyeliner 2X - 01 black
Price: 13 SGD
Available in Singapore through Althea

LIQUID LINER 2: Kiss Me Heroine Make - Smooth Liquid Eyeliner Super Keep

The second liquid eyeliner I’m testing is the Smooth Liquid Eyeliner Super Keep in #01 Jet Black by Kiss Me Heroine Make, Japan’s leading drugstore makeup brand. The brand believes ‘that every woman plays the leading role in her own life story’ (I sure do) and is especially known the long-lasting and smudge-proof quality of its eye makeup, which I second - love their mascara's. The packaging of Kiss Me Heroine Make's products is hard to miss; Barbie meets manga with storybook romantic colors, curls, roses and sparkles.

Barbie meets Manga makeup by Kiss Me Heroine Make

Like all their products, the packaging of the eyeliner shows a manga barbie maiden, big bright blue eyes, heavily crying though, I suspect to promote the 'super keep' waterproof qualities of the product. Or because her Japanese Ken just cheated on her, who knows. Anyway, the pack furthermore shows a close-up of the felt tip, explaining it's only 0,1 mm - very thin. The back of the pack thoroughly explains the product in English as well, which is nice, promising the following: Waterproof & Smudge Proof, Ultra fine brush tip, Washable with lukewarm water and Jet Black color. 

The felt brush tip is indeed incredibly thin, in fact thinner than the tip of Lancome's Artliner:

From left to right: Lancome Artliner, Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner Super Keep & Holika Holika Magic Pole Eyeliner

They don't come any thinner than this; using this eyeliner is almost like Japanese calligraphy. Downside is that the product isn't very pigmented, the line isn't through and through black but more soft black instead. Which is good though if you want a more subtle result.

Effect: so subtle!

The thin tip is easy to manouvre and follows the round line of the eyelid well. The liner dries fast; faster than Lancome's Artliner but not as fast as Holika Holika's Magic Pole liner. This eyeliner too is SERIOUSLY waterproof and doesn't smudge in any way, not even when you rub.

Holy Makeup Essentials Pouch Material? I'm deeply impressed by the subtle effect you can create with this liner, that is barely there if you don't use much pressure on the tip. I generally like an effect that is slightly bolder, but will definitely experiment with this eyeliner when I opt for a more natural look. Keep? For now, entry into the Makeup Essentials Pouch because I want to try it more often. No official spot yet.

Smooth Liquid Eyeliner Super Keep - #01 Jet Black

Price: around 16 SGD (I bought mine in Kuala Lumpur for 52 MYR)

Available at a.o. Sasa and Watsons

New or Not, it's a Must-Have: Bioré UV Perfect Spray SPF50 / PA++++

I love NEW cosmetics & skincare. To me, a product that screams "New" on its packaging or in its advertising implies groundbreaking product features that promise the ultimate thrill to a beauty junkie: an earth-shaking experience with jaw-dropping results, the only thoughts that come to an extatic mind being "why didn't they invent this earlier??!" and "OMG my life will be so much better now".

Needless to say I was overly excited when I spotted an outdoor advertising campaign upon my return in Singapore after having spent the past three weeks in Europe. Bioré, the Japanese brand (part of KAO group) that produces my favourite sun block (Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel), advertised a NEW (!) sun block called "UV Perfect Spray SPF50". I had to run to catch my bus heading to Orchard Road, and as I couldn't see what the Bioré ad at the bus shelter said, I decided to look for the product while shopping downtown.

Sold Out Everywhere on Orchard Road

Turned out that the spray was sold out everywhere - Watson's, Guardian and some smaller cosmetic stores deep in the basements of large malls like ION and Ngee Ann City. Wow, this new product must be really groundbreaking if it is sold out everywhere - even the testers of the spray at the product displays where empty. At this point I was near hysterical, as I concluded that this product was likely to be the invention of the century (I can be a bit dramatic every now and then). Although I was dissapointed that I didn't get the product, the thought of being able to try this amazing product in the near future was soothing enough for now.

On my way home I stopped at the Fairprice supermarket in suburban Bukit Timah to get some groceries. At the check out, a Bioré tower display curiously placed in the frozen food aisle caught my attention. Shining on top of it: the UV Perfect Spray!!!

I couldn't wait to try the product to find out the revolutionary newness that I had projected on it. Unfulfillingly, apart from "New", the product description on the back of the pack does not disclose what exactly is new about the product. So I googled the product. To find out it had been launched in 2019 already - bummer.

The UV Perfect Spray itself is anything from unfilfilling or disapointing - I absolutely love it and it now shares the title of my personal favourite with Bioré's Aqua Watery Gel SPF50.

Non-Sticky, Water- & Sweatproof And Also Suitable For Balding Men

First and foremost, the UV filters in the UV Perfect Spray are broad spectrum:

• SPF50: Blocks UVB rays that cause dark spots, freckles and sunburn
• PA++++: Maximum level of protection against UVA to prevent sunburn and premature aging (wrinkles, spots etc)

For a more elaborate explanation on UVA, UVB and sun & skin check my other article.

Furthermore, the product is water- and sweatproof and pretty much invisible upon application. The texture is super light and quickly absorbed by the skin and leaves your skin non-sticky and non-shiny, even when in contact with water.

Middle Picture: The product is transparant and very light-weight (I sprayed on a lot of product here, otherwise it wasn't visible). Right Picture: Invisible result!

According to the ingredient list the product contains fragrance, but as opposed to Biore's profoundly scented Watery Gel, no particular scent is noted - it does ofcourse smell like sunscreen product.

A cool and very functional product feature is the 360 coverage that the spray provides. You can spray the product upside down and in every angle you wish - the spray will keep functioning perfectly. I find this is great to use for parts of your skin that you easily miss when applying sunscreen, like the sensitive skin of your bikini line and the areas of your skin that are alternately covered/not covered by the sides of your bikini top or bathing suit. Also great for area's that aren't easily covered by sun protection creams, like your hair, scalp and the part of your neck just below your hair. Or the somewhat bald head of your sunscreen-averse husband ("I rather burn than walk around with white cloths of sunscreen stuck in my hair. You are lying - I DO look ridiculous"); no matter what leftover or milimetered buzz cut hairs are in the way, this spray covers all.

But what is new about this product remains a mystery to me...if anyone know, please comment in the section below!

Bioré UV Perfect Spray SPF50 / PA++++
Price: 9,90 SGD
Available at: a.o. Watsons, Guardian, Fairprice

How to use: Shake well before use and hold 10-15 cm away from your body - spray on hands first to apply on face.

The perfect little souvenir from South East Asia - Innisfree Green Tea, Bamboo & Ginseng Face Masks

It's been a while as I've been incredibly busy with work, travelling and a combination of the two. As we speak, I am packing my bags to head to The Netherlands tonight, for both business and pleasure. The pleasure is seeing my friends and family again. After three years abroad, I still love to bring back something small for them from Asia (and they love it in return), but find myself increasingly out of inspiration what to bring. Luckily Innisfree has some awesome face masks with Asian ingredients that serve as the perfect little gift to bring back home!

Browsing Innisfree's store in Plaza Singapura in between meetings yesterday, I found the perfect gift to bring back home: face masks with the Asian ingredients Bamboo, Green Tea and Ginseng. I love the clean and serene zen-like product design, and with only 2 SGD per piece they make the perfect little gift (I'll actually be giving them out in bundles of three).

In the same range the Korean brand offers other masks as well, with ingredients such as Brocolli, Shea Butter and Manuka Honey. However, serving as a souvenir from South East Asia, Bamboo, Green Tea and Ginseng are the obvious choices.

Innisfree "My Real Squeeze Mask" 20ml
Price: 2 SGD
Available at Innisfree boutiques (15 in Singapore)

Skinia "Some Lip Tattoo" Lip Stain Colour: "Did you do fillers..?!"

I love coloured lips but hate it when I 'feel' and/or 'taste' a lipstick or gloss on my lips. As a self-declared fashion and cosmetics victim I'm prepared to endure a lot, but this is something I cannot get used to. Even lip products that are supposedly light weight or 'invisible' (or at least marketed as such) are already too much for me. Fortunately there is a category of lip products flourishing in Asia with products that colour the lips without leaving any product behind: Lip Inks, Stains and Tints. My favourite: a Lip Tattoo...

Apart from Benefit's cult-product "Benetint", several years ago Giorgio Armani Cosmetics was one of the first, at least in the West, to launch a Lip Ink that gave lips a coloured stain without leaving a physical layer of product on the lips. Never saw this kind of product again until I moved to Asia, where lip stains and inks are widely available. Korean Cosmetic brands in particular, trendsetting and groundbreaking as we would expect of them, offer a wide variety of choice.

From marker-like pens to ink-like liquids and from the sweetest pink to the most daring red. Online Korean Cosmetics Heaven 'Althea' even has a specific "Tints" section in the menu of their webshop, which supports the size and significance of this category today:

Lip Tints as one of the main makeup categories on Althea, a webshop that is pure Korean Beauty Heaven (and ships free to Singapore!)

For me, the main advantage of this type of product is that you do not physically feel or taste that you are wearing lipstick (or gloss or anything in between); another advantage is that these lip stainers tend to be long lasting, don't smudge and smear (great for the sweaty tropics!!) and -depending on the colour- give a fresh, natural and playful effect.

Product Review: Skinia "Some Lip Tattoo" in Sugar Pink

One product that I like in particular is Skinia's "Some Lip Tattoo" in Sugar Pink. The effect is very subtle, yet make my lips look like I've had some lip injections or fillers very well done (note: not my own words but an honest remark that I got!), especially when used in combination with a lip liner in a natural colour (my favourite: MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil, colour "Cultured"). 

This product is pretty unique within the category of lip stains; not an ink or a liquid that stains the lips with some colour (hence 'tattoo'), but a lipgloss-like gel substance that forms a thin layer on the lips that needs to be peeled-off after 5-10 minutes. 

So how does it work? 

1.) I first use some MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in colour "cultured" to contour my lips, but this is optional. The reason I use the lip pencil is to accentuate the shape of my lips and create a neat and well-kept effect; if you don't use a lip pencil the effect will be more natural and casual. 

2.) Apply the product on your lips, that comes in a tube, like you would do with any lipgloss. The texture of the product is quite thick and has a somewhat chemical scent to it. Make sure to cover your entire lips and apply the gloss fast, as the product dries up quickly. Leave on for 5-10 minutes...

...do not press your lips together while the product is drying (see below), the layers of product will stick together -and thus your lips- which makes you look like you walked straight out of a horror movie :)

3.) Peel of the thin layer (above) and voila: a slight hint of colour for a very natural effect that last a few hours through eating, drinking, dancing and sweating in the tropics!

Left: Before (nude lips with MAC lipliner) Right: The Result of Skinia's Some Lip Tattoo

To summarize, from left to right:

Besides the Sugar Pink colour, Skinia offers several other cool shades like Ruby Red, Candy Orange and Rose Garnet. Also a great plus: the Lip Tattoos are Cruelty Free, not tested on animals and vegan.

Skinia "Some Lip Tattoo - Sugar Pink"

Price: 23,80 SGD

Available at BHG Bugis - aLT / Beauty Department, 

Bugis Junction, Unit #01-02/100, 200 Victoria Street, Singapore

Online the Lip Tattoos can be purchased through a.o. Korea Department store (find website here)

Not just any After-Sun Gel, Balm, Cream, Spray or Lotion will do!

For a region with such an abundance in suncare products, remarkably little variety in after-sun products seems to be available. This could be explained by the fact that most products available are sun protection products, implying that the locals’ approach of hefty sun block coating works against the horror of anything that remotely resembles a tan. Add the near-religious sun-avoidance with UV-blocking umbrella’s and visors to that and a society lacking any need for after-sun products is born. But then there’s the expats, like me, that after almost 2 years of living in Singapore still tend to forget that the sun burns hard around the equator. And that one must always use a sun block, even when it’s just for a 5 minute walk to the supermarket somewhere mid-day. Find out how to cool down sunburns quickly, how a product that is labelled ‘after-sun’ is sometimes misleading and what products to use instead for effective sunburn relieve.

Whereas I would rarely get any sunburn back home in Europe, in Singapore especially my shoulders and décolleté are prone to burn fast.  Like I said, a quick walk to the supermarket is enough to redden the skin from sunburn. What to do, apart from trying to remember “when in Rome…”, a.k.a. to do as the locals do and put on a SPF 50, 60 or 120? Although there is no way to cure a sunburn - once the damage is done, it's done – there are several ways and products to relieve painful, reddened and inflamed skin.

SPF 75, 100 and 120 aren't rare in Asia...

1. Cool Down

Take a cool bath or shower to soothe the burn, but not for too long as water also dries out the skin. Avoid heavily perfumed soaps as these might irritate the skin even more and use a very mild body wash instead, like a baby soap.  You can also choose to use a cold compress instead of or in addition to a cool shower. Apart from the obvious ice (never apply ice direct to your skin; always wrap it in a cloth!) and ice packs, it’s very easy to make one yourself:

Chilled Milk Compress - Soak a washcloth in a bowl of chilled milk (add some ice cubes for extra chilled milk), then apply to your skin and let it sit on your sunburn for about five minutes. Don’t rub it on, just leave it on the skin! Milk soothes inflammation, and the cool temperature makes blood vessels contract, so your skin will be less red and puffy. The milk should come from a cow and not from a soybean or almond. Cold Yoghurt also does the trick.

Calming Chamomile Compress – Because of its anti-inflammatory qualities, chamomile tea has long been used as a remedy for skin issues such as rosacea. It also works for sunburns; prepare the tea as you usually would, chill it thoroughly and soak a washcloth in it. Apply to your skin and leave it sit until the compress is no longer cool.

2. Sooth & Moisturize, but not with just any after-sun!

Use a cream, balm, lotion, gel or mist to moisturize and further soothe your sore skin. When you store your product in the fridge, the cooling relief is even more divine – seriously, try it. A question that often arises is the difference between a regular moisturizer or body lotion and an ‘after-sun’ product that is specifically labelled as such.  Special after-sun products usually contain more ‘actively’ soothing ingredients, like Menthol, Camphor and Aloe Vera than a regular moisturizer. However, this is not always the case.

Don't trust a product just because it says "after sun"!

The blog ‘Honesty for Your Skin’ took a thorough look at the ingredient lists of several popular after-sun products, and although it is true that many of them contain ingredients such as Aloe Vera, products like Nivea’s Aftersun Moisture Soothing Lotion also mention alcohol and mineral oil high up in their ingredient list. Ingredients must always be listed in descending order, meaning the product contains most of the first ingredient listed and least of the last ingredients listed and you absolutely do not want to find large amounts of alcohol and mineral oil in your after sun, as these respectively dry out the skin and trap the heat which can make the burn worse.

I’ve listed my favorite after-sun mist, balm and gel below – these passed my own high standards, contain soothing ingredients and a minimum amount of alcohol, mineral oil and/or perfume. For the best result, gently apply the product while skin is still damp and repeat the next few days to keep burned or peeling skin moist; keep your skin as moisturized as possible to aid in its recovery!

MIST: Herbivore Botanicals - After Sun Soothing Aloe Mist 

I love this for product for many reasons. First of all, Herbivore puts a large emphasis on plant-based and organic. Each ingredient has a therapeutic purpose and all oils are cold-pressed or steam-distilled. Aloe vera helps sunburnt skin heal faster, while peppermint essential oil immediately cools hot skin due to its high-concentration of menthol. Lavender essential oil is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps reduce redness and induces calm with its herbal and floral aroma. I really like that the product comes in a spray; when your skin is really burned, it mostly really hurts to touch it - no need with that spray that gently envelops your skin in a soft and immediately refreshing mist.

The product has a herbal-floral aroma of which Peppermint and Lavender are the strongest scents. The design of this product is really cool (love the tropical leaves on the product label!) and the glass bottle makes it look and feel quite artisinal.

Just when you think you can't love this product more than you already do, listen to this:
Paraben-free, sulfate-free and phthalate-free; Not tested on animals; and Vegan. Someone give this product a medal!!!

Herbivore Botanicals After Sun Soothing Aloe Mist, 60ml & 240ml 

Price: 19 SGD (60ml) / 32 SGD (240ml)
Available through Sephora's Online Shop (find link here)

BALM: Clinique - After Sun Rescue Balm with Aloe

Good old Clinique. This after-sun balm contains Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Wheat & Barley Extract as main soothing ingredients; Aloe Vera helps sunburnt skin heal faster, Chamomile is known for its anti-inflammatory qualities and Wheat & Barley, high in vitamin E, is thought to improve blood circulation to the skin, which can relieve dry or itchy skin.

This white balmy cream is a solid allround after-sun product that helps minimize peeling and is suitable for both face and body. I'm not a big fan of the scent, which is the typical Clinique "non-scent"; i.e. it's not perfumed but smells a bit stale in my opinion. After application, let the skin absorb the product few minutes, otherwise it feels sticky to your clothes. Once it's dry, there's absolutely no tackiness but a very silky-satin finish.

Clinique After Sun Rescue Balm with Aloe, 150ml

Price: 38 SGD
Available at a.o. Sephora, Takashimaya, Isetan & Tang's.

GEL: Sukin - Aloe Vera Gel

Sukin is Australia’s bestselling natural skincare brand ("Skincare that doesn’t cost the earth”) with a portfolio of lines extending over more than 60 products across face, body and hair. This is a pure Aloe Vera gel with not much else in it; pure and effective simplicity, ideal to hydrate, cool and soothe dry skin. It's not especially developed (or marketed) as an after-sun product but is perfect for after sun care. This multi-purpose gel is suitable for all skin types, even for children, and also provides effective treatment for dry and irritated skin after shaving or waxing - a friend of mine even uses it to soothe insect bites. 

The gel is transparant and I really like that it doesn't leave a sticky feeling but is absorbed really well and really fast by the skin. Upon application there's a fresh Aloe Vera scent that however quickly fades away in less than 2 minutes. The only thing I don't like is that the bottle is so small and I always run out of pretty fast without remembering to buy a new one...but that's my fault, obviously.

Sukin Aloe Vera Gel, 125ml

Price: 14,90 SGD
Available at a.o. Guardian