No Stain no Gain: How to get a Healthy Glow on the Cheeks in the Skin-dulling Haze

Ah, the haze. No one told me about this buzz-killer before I moved to Singapore, and it’s an understatement to say that it was quite an unpleasant surprise. Learning about the hazardous effects that the haze has on our health, it is no wonder we all spend more time inside to avoid being exposed to the polluted air – fellow expat women all across South East Asia alike. The lack of fresh air and a healthy dose of vitamin D from the sun leaves me with a dull looking skin. My complexion lost its glow and is less radiant than usual, with an overall less fresh and healthy look as a result. Naturally, we will need to adjust our daily skincare routines to external factors such as air pollution – the right exfoliation, cleansing and moisturizing can do a lot. But sometimes we just need a quick fix. There is one product in particular that I find the ultimate fast and easy solution in this situation: a cheek stain.

Don’t get let the word ‘stain’ scare you off; a lip & cheek stain (mostly these products serve a dual purpose) is a liquid pigment that colours your skin, without building up much of a physical layer of product on your skin, which is more or less the case with a powder or cream blush. Instead, a cheek stain just subtly ‘stains’ the skin with a see-through rosy flush, with a very natural, dewy and healthy appearance as result. It makes you look like you went for a long walk, getting a breath of fresh air that provides you with that desired healthy glow.

So why a cheek stain and not a liquid or powder blush? In the hot and humid South East Asian weather I prefer to stay away from too much layering of makeup, as physical layers of makeup tend to melt and come off easily under the tropical heat, giving you a smudgy look. A stain is very long lasting and doesn’t wear off as easy as a powder or cream that rests on the skin in the form of a layer. Besides the worthy result of this type of product, I particularly like the fact that lip & cheek stains can be used by anyone, regardless of your skills & expertise, beauty routine or makeup preference. Stains are very easy to use, and work on both a bare naked face and a complexion covered in a hefty layer of make-up (or anything in between for that matter).

Do keep in mind though, that the more makeup you wear (foundation, powder etc.) before you apply the stain, the more colour the stain will give. And vice versa; the less makeup you wear, the more see-through and naturally dewy the effect of a cheek stain will be.  This is due to the fact that other layers of makeup on your skin will stain with colour as well, as opposed to merely staining your direct skin, when you apply the cheek stain on your bare cheeks.

“WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK IT"

A lot of different brands offer (lip &) cheek stains, but the one I like best by far is Benefit’s “Benetint” lip & cheek stains. Benefit is a very fun brand from San Francisco that approaches makeup and beauty with a very healthy dose of humour: “Whistle while you work it” and “Fake it till you make it”. Benetint lip & cheek stain was originally developed for an exotic dancer in the 1970’s, and has soared to absolute cult status ever since.

Swatches on arm, left to right: Chachatint, Posietint, Lollitint & Benetint.

Benefit’s lip & cheek stains promise to be “the sexiest flush you can get from a bottle; the kiss-proof and smudge-proof, indelibly sheer tints give you an innocent yet provocative glow to keep everyone guessing”. And all and more is true...

PRODUCT REVIEW: BENEFIT CHACHATINT

The outright cult-colour is “Benetint”, the original rosy colour it all started with back in the seventies. This tint provides you with the most natural effect. Besides “Benetint”, three other shades are available that go by the following names: “Chachatint” (Coral/Mango colour), “Posietint” (Girly, Poppy-Pink colour)  and “Lollitint” (Candy-Orchid Lilac Pink colour). I review Chachatint here as this colour works best for my skin, but apart from the colour the product features are alike for all four of Benefit’s cheek stains.

The product comes in a small bottle the size and shape of a nail polish; when you unscrew the cap it really looks a nail polish because of the little brush applicator that you use to apply the product. Brush three dots of cheek stain on the apples of your cheeks and blend right away with your fingertip(s). Don’t let the dots set, as they will stain your skin. Usually, I put the makeup I am about to use on my face on the back of my left hand first (I’m right handed), as this provides me with an always-at-hand (literally) palette to work from, and thereby makes it easier to dose the amount of product you want to use. However do not do this with this product, as it will stain your hand when the stain stays too long on your skin without blending it! All this talking about ‘staining your skin’ has probably made you wonder if the product is easy to remove; when blended after application, any makeup remover, face cleanser or soap will get the stain off your cheeks. Just make sure you don’t leave a big drop of the stain on your skin without blending it, as this is a different story…! If you are insecure on how to apply the cheek stain, make sure to check out Benefit’s Youtube tutorial on how to apply Chachatint. 

Three dots of Chachatint give a very healthy-looking and natural glow, but if you wish a deeper “pop” of colour, just repeat and apply a bit more with the brush applicator and blend onto your skin. This works both on bare skin and on foundation/powdered skin. It’s easier to apply more after an initial round of testing what the cheek stain does for you; removing excess stain is somewhat impossible because –remember?- the colour stains your skin instead of adding a layer of coloured product to it.

The result? A sexy, natural and healthy glow that is sweat-proof and lasts all day and that I recommend to anyone who needs a quick fix during the skin-dulling haze. Benefit’s cheek stains are so versatile that the product is a must-have for women who like a natural to look as well as women who like a more dramatic look (just add more cheek stain). Moreover, the formula and way of application make the product incredibly easy to use, so the cheek stains can be used anyone – from the clumsiest makeup amateurs to the most experienced pro’s.    

 Chachatint, Benetint,  Posietint and Lollitint come in 12,5ml for 54 SGD.

Available at Sephora - find stores here.

Must-have Beauty Products for Hot Mamas - PART 2

Part two of my absolute beauty lifesavers for moms that refuse to stop caring about how they look and feel because of momlife: "how to fake looking (and smelling) clean and well put together, as well as claiming that well-deserved me time". BAM!

From a practical point of view, I've learned that motherhood can be summarized as a sudden, paralyzing disability to just get anything properly done anymore. Except for child-related tasks and demands; the past months I became an absolute star in single-handed diaper changing, bottle feeding and assisting a screeching baby B to his pacifier, for god knows how many times. As I'm writing this with one index finger, Baby B is crying nonstop, I'm on the phone with Ministry of Manpower about an employment issue we both don't seem to understand and yelling at the Redmart delivery guy not to leave a bag of frozen goods at my sunny porch at noon. I've got some appointments with clients in CBD in the next hours, still need to figure out what to serve my husband for dinner AND want to attend a Pilates class end of the afternoon. I sure won't be arriving as flawlessly coiffed and mentally fit (last week I actually forgot my baby's name when someone asked, not lying...) at my work meetings as I used to.

Like the products I shared before, the beauty products I share below have been absolute lifesavers for me as a new mom. To fake looking (and smelling) well put together and clean, as well as a great excuse to claim some well-deserved me time.

OUAI - Dry Shampoo

Apart from being incredible practical (try washing, conditioning, blow-drying, straightening and styling your hair with a crying baby), this dry shampoo adds an instant whiff of chic to your not-so-glam life as a (new) mom.

It has an amazing and long-lasting scent, "Ouai No. 2 Fragrance", that is a refreshing and mesmerizing cocktail of Italian lemon, amber, and white musk. A very welcome change to the persistent smell of old milk, wet diapers and unwashed hair (the choice between sleep or clean hair is quickly made, eh?) that I feel has been my signature scent lately.

OUAI, Dry Shampoo 132ml
Price: 36 SGD
Available at Sephora, in stores and online

HERBIVORE - Coconut Milk Bath Soak & Detox Soaking Salts

Because sometimes mama just needs to chill. Handover your baby to your hubby, helper or babysitter and tell them not to disturb you for at least one hour. Take a book or magazine or put on some music, fill up your bathtub, add some Herbivore Botanicals Soak or Salts and just relax. 'Me Time' isn't bullsh*t once you're a mother, as many moms claim - just claim your time instead! And don't feel selfish for indulging and taking time for yourself, as in order to be a good parent, self-care is crucial. 

My regular do-not-disturb-me bathing sessions really helped me through the first chaotic weeks and I particularly liked Herbivore Botanicals' "Coconut Milk Soak" and "Detox Blue Clay + Eucalyptus Dead Sea Soaking Salts".

Herbivore Botanicals, Coconut Milk Bath Soak
Price: 28 SGD (226gr) / 50 SGD (452gr)

Herbivore Botanicals, Detox - Blue Clay + Eucalyptus Dead Sea Soaking Salts
Price: 28 SGD (226gr)

Both available at Sephora (I got mine online)

BIO OIL - Bio Oil

Serious skin maintenance shouldn't be limited to preventing the formation of stretch marks during pregnancy. Made of collagen and elastin, our skin expands when we gain weight during pregnancy. After giving birth, our belly has a hard time returning to the shape it once was, with loose skin and a saggy tummy as a result. What I found that works well is first of all to be nice to that piece of pudding on your belly and pamper it, instead of despising it. That's step 1, because it will take a while and some hard work before it's gone.

Step 2 is continuing to use body oil post-partum as well, as it leaves your skin smooth and improves elasticity. I love Bio Oil as it's light and non-greasy. I used it during my pregnancy with zero stretchmarks as a result, and feel it has been really firming my "belly pudding" over the past few weeks, using it twice daily. A nice bonus is that it helps improve the appearance of stretch marks and scars if you have any, in my case only the latter as I had a c-section.

Bio Oil, 125ml 
Price: 25,90 SGD
Available at a.o. Watsons and Guardian

A Shiny Face in The Tropics: How, Why and Goodbye

Apart from frizzy hair, one of the main beauty complaints I often hear is that tropical heat and humidity makes our faces feel oilier and appear shinier than usual. This is an unfortunate fact, but what causes the excess shine, and –more importantly- what can we do to prevent ourselves from shining from the outside instead of from within?

Let’s start with the basics: the fluids that our skin secretes on the surface are sweat and sebum (oil) – the first from sweat glands, the second from sebaceous (oil) glands. Although the one is often mistaken for the other, these are two very different substances:

Sweat is produced by sweat glands, which are small tubular structures (shape: like a semi-rolled up garden hose) of the skin. It is very fluid and contains mostly water, with traces of dissolved salts, minerals, lactic acids and urea (an organic chemical compound, essentially the waste produced by the body after metabolizing protein). The main function of sweat is to cool down the body due to evaporative cooling on the surface of the skin.

Sebum (oil) is produced by sebaceous glands, which are small, many-lobed structures (shape: like a raspberry) of the skin. It is very waxy and primarily composed of triglycerides, wax esters, squalene and free fatty acids – all very fatty organic chemical compounds. The main function of sebum is to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair.

So which of the two is guilty?

You might wonder why this is important. I believe that understanding the mechanism that is causing a symptom that you are fighting makes it easier to effectively fight it. So, is it sweat or sebum that makes our faces sticky, oily and shiny in the tropics, especially our T-zones (forehead, nose, chin)?

The answer is both; the result of a very interesting interplay between sweat, sebum aand the humidity levels around us. 

As can be read in the Encyclopaedia Britannica, sweat glands regulate body temperature by secreting water (i.e. sweat) onto the surface of the skin, where heat is then removed by evaporation. In other words, by evaporating, each drop of sweat will take a bit of body heat away. The exact mechanism that causes heat to vanish through sweat is a bit more technical than this, but this description is will do for now.

Sounds like another smart body function, right? The problem is though, that water can only evaporate properly when there isn’t much water in the air. This means that when humidity is high, the air around us already contains a lot of water molecules and cannot hold many more, disabling sweat to evaporate and cool down our body. In that case, every drop that we sweat but that cannot evaporate to cool us off, is a wasted drop of sweat. The thing about our body is that it does not like to waste energy and valuable resources.

Therefore, when humidity is high and sweat cannot evaporate, our body prevents the sweat from falling off our skin, its hydrating and cooling benefits going to waste.  This is where sebum comes into play: the production of sebum contributes to the formation of a ‘sweat sheet’ on the skin, discouraging the loss of sweat drops from the skin. Some theories claim that heat and humidity increase our actual sebum production, whereas other theories state that the mere temperature change of sebum is enough to form a proper sweat sheet on the skin. Reasoning behind this is that in cold conditions, sebum is more solid or highly viscous, offering a coating function to shield and waterproof the skin. Above 30°C however, sebum changes in fluidity and acts as an emulsifier of sweat, a surfactant, contributing to the formation of a sheet of sweat that is not readily dropping off our face.

N.B. This is the way I understand the mechanism from different academic sources; feel free to comment below if you believe another theory applies or if you have any additional comments to make!

Goodbye Shiny Face - Oil Controlling & Absorbing Products

Because of the role that sebum (oil) seems to play, whether it be increased levels of it or simply its temperature and/or an interplay with sweat, I decided to test some oil controlling and/or absorbing products to fight the shine. To clarify, I’m not including products for oily skin but for skin that is otherwise ‘normal’ and only excessively shines in the hot and humid tropics. In addition, although oil and shine messes with your makeup, I’m not including products to prep and set your makeup to make it look neat and tidy and last longer (looking for this? See my article on setting sprays); only products that specifically promise to take the oily shine away, whether you wear tons of makeup or none.

Powders & Papers do the trick

Products to remove the shine from your face are mostly either blotting sheets or powders. Removing shine through sheets of paper has been practiced in Japan for centuries. The original Japanese facial oil blotting papers are called Aburatorigami (あぶらとり紙), meaning "oil removal paper". These papers were used by kabuki actors and geisha to help keep their thick makeup on while absorbing excess oil and sweat during their performances in non-air-conditioned theaters. Traditional aburatorigami is made from only the finest grade of Abaca leaf, rather than pulp or rice paper.

Product #1: Clean & Clear - Oil Control Film

Product Claim: “Won’t clog pores & instantly removes excess oil and removes oily shine”

These oil absorbing sheets are actually made in Japan but consist of Polypropylene (plastic) instead of Abaca leaf. They promise to instantly soak up excess oil and remove shine from your face, without smudging makeup or leaving behind powder. The sheets come across somehwat surgical to me, definitely not a glamorous product to pop out of your bag to be seen with, in my humble but self-conscious opinion. There are actually more glamorous options to be found, but as this is supposedly one of the bestsellers within its category, I decided to opt for this particular product.

I don't find the packaging very practical; I accidentily took too many sheets out and it's impossible to get them back in. What I do like about the packaging is that the flat pack fits in the tiniest purse or clutch or even in a pocket. Directions are very easy, just take a sheet (but not too many like me) out and pat your t-zone with the sheet.

The sheet visibly absorbs oil, which looks a bit gross. You can see (and feel!) the actual grease on the sheet, like fat stains on your paper napkin when you are eating a yummy but far too greasy pizza.

The result: before (left) & after (right). 

As a base, I applied Dermalogica Active Moist and I'm wearing Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF40, set with Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre (all applied about 6 hours prior to taking these pictures)

The result? It does the trick, but I feel the result is a bit blotchy and not evenly matte across my face (difficult to capture in a picture); some small shiny patches remain visible, places that I apparently missed - it takes a while to have covered every millimeter of my face. Overall, I don't feel or see a world shocking difference. And the slightest difference that I experienced was gone after about an hour. Like? Nah, not so much.

Clean & Clear - Oil Control Film, 60 sheets
Price: 4,80 SGD
Available at a.o. Watsons (find stores here) and Guardian (find stores here)

Product #2: Tony Moly – "Face Mix" Oil Paper Powder

Product Claim: "Sebum control powder with a soft texture. Controls sebum without dehydrating the skin."

This loose white powder promises to absorb sebum as well as sweat and supply moisture to the skin, with a clear and healthy looking and silky soft skin as result. Key ingredients are Lotus Flower extract & Ceramide, to supply hydration and soften uneven skin texture respectively.

Although the powder is white, upon application it is translucent and doesn't make your face any paler (thank you Tony Moly). The powder is lightly scented; fresh and floral. It's a pleasant scent, but you only notice it when you stick your nose in the container, not when you apply the powder to your face though.

The powder can be applied with the powder puff that is included in the round plastic container. Not as easy as the oil absorbing sheets, but the result is amazing: my entire skin looks matte and feels incredibly soft! I wasn't necessarily looking for soft skin, but it's remarkable. I want to keep touching my face. Shine-wise, any trace of oily shine is evenly gone. Like really very much gone; it almost looks unnatural in the before & after picture. In real life it doesn't look as fake matte as on the picture though. The mattifying, shine-free effect lasts for about 2-3 hours.

The result: before (left) & after (right). 

As a base, I applied Dermalogica Active Moist and I'm wearing Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF40, set with Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre (all applied about 6 hours prior to taking these pictures)

Great product - the only slightly less favorable part is the fact that the container will not fit every evening bag, but it's worth it to choose a larger bag just to be able to bring this product on a night out.

Tony Moly – “Face Mix” Oil Paper Powder
Price: 21,90 SGD
Available at The Tony Moly Shop in Bugis (find address here) and online through Althea.

Juliette has a Gun "Moscow Mule" - let's get this party started!

What does a hot but sophisticated party - be it in an urban jungle night club in Singapore, a waterfront restaurant in Cannes or a sky bar in Tokyo - smell like? Like Juliette has a Gun's newest perfume "Moscow Mule". Get ready to party!

On my way to my Pilates class, a quick stop at Sephora (note to self: impossible) had me bump into the hat-wearing person behind Juliette has a Gun's fragrances. This super cool, niche-like perfume brand is a fragrance project of Romano Ricci, Nina Ricci's grandson, initiated in 2005. The big-in-Europe brand is exclusively available at Sephora in Singapore since this summer, and its most recent perfume goes by the resplendent name of "Moscow Mule".

Brain child & bottle

To me, Moscow Mule smells like:

...stumbling into Singapore's BRIX to dance on 5inch designer heels after an otherwise classy night of souper and sipping

...taking a sip of your cocktail at Shanghai's M1nt, realizing you have, pleasantly buzzed, been staring at the lobsters for at least half an hour

...a sophisticated suburban dinner on the verandah of a Bukit Timah mansion turning into a pool party out of control

...a lobster, cocktail and champagne-laden late afternoon hanging around W Seminyak's pool

In summary: sophisticated seductive, cultivated cool, jetset letting loose. 

Yours truly is known to like an international party or two

Juliette has a Gun's own description of Moscow Mule is even wilder:

Moscow Mule’s olfactory trail hypnotizes its audience, as if it were inviting everyone to share, over a glass of something, A timeless moment, where tongues are loosened and bodies scolding hot. A twist of ginger for the sexy side, a zest of lemon for the punch! A limitless pleasure to be consumed without moderation.

Top notes such as Bergamot, Ginger and Lime make this scent exciting and refreshing, whereas heart and bottom notes such as Jasmine, Ambroxan (one of the key constituents responsible for the scent of ambergris) and Norlimbanol (a dry woody note leaning towards patchouli) give the scent a deeper and more mysterious character.

Let's get this party started...!

Juliette has a Gun, "Moscow Mule" Eau de Parfum 100ml
Price: 165 SGD
Available at Sephora

Absolutely Hooked: 3CE Liquid Lip Color

Whereas the focus within Korean cosmetics is largely on its famous skincare, we must surely not forget about Korean makeup, in particular Korean lip products. These are equally as innovative as the beauty nation’s skincare and got me, not particularly fond of lip products in general, hooked. I picked up 3CE’s Liquid Lip Color when I was in Seoul, but fortunately the product is available throughout Asia and even in Europe and the US through 3CE’s webshop. Which is good, because I don’t think I will be ever able to live without this product again…

The product claims are actually very accurate, no hollow or vague promises, something you don't come across too often in makeup: 

CLAIM #1: Long-lasting formula for every busy woman

“The liquid to matte formula seamlessly adheres to lips and delivers long-lasting, vivid color, keeping your lips looking flawless in a single sweep without the need for reapplication.”

This is 100% true – the color lasts for several hours and survived a party I attended from 7pm till 2am. I’m not kidding. Most long-lasting lip products really dry out your lips throughout the hours, but this is not the case with this lip color.

CLAIM #2: Effortlessly Bold True Matte Color

“The super-soft, richly pigmented formula glides on smoothly like a cream and dries to a true matte finish. “

The color I got is called “Low Down”, a muted rose tint with a hint of beige. One of less bold colors (other available colors include bright pinks and corals and even a dark aubergine color), as I’m more the classic type. It’s still a cool color though, distinctive but not too much. I will definitely try more colors asap though...

The other Liquid Lip Colors

CLAIM #3: Precision-tip applicator

“The flexible cushion applicator allows anyone to create both a gradient and full coverage look like a pro makeup artist.”

True - I absolutely love the applicator, it makes it so easy to apply the product. Just squeeze the tube a bit and the soft applicator fills up with the product. The precision-tip makes it possible to draw steady lines just outside your natural lip line, so no additional lip pencil is needed. The product does dry up rather quickly and once it’s dry it is difficult to adjust a line as it is really ‘set’, so don’t work too slow. 

CLAIM #4: Matte on the outside, soft on the inside

“Plant-derived oils such as Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract and Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil provide intense moisture, keeping lips soft, flake-free and comfortable.”

Yes – this is what I meant above; I won’t say the product makes my lips especially soft, but for sure it doesn’t dry them out either. Very comfortable to wear.

The Result! Love it.

3CE Liquid Lip Color #LOW DOWN

Price: 17.000 KRW (around 21 SGD /18 USD)

Available at 3CE Stores in Korea (find stores here); 

Selected stores throughout Asia (find stores here - haven't seen this product in Singapore yet);

and online through 3CE/StyleNanda Webshop (find here - worldwide shipping, yay!)

A Korean/Japanese Lip Mask not just for Lips...

This is one of the many products that I picked up during my trip to Japan and South Korea last month. It seems that in Asia, there's a mask for everything, so a mask for lips isn't that big of a shock. I did however have to look twice when the back of the product indicated this mask can also be used for body parts that rarely see the day light...

Although Pure Smile is a Japanese brand, the products are made in Korea, probably to tag along on the success of Korean (made) cosmetics; “as long as it comes from Korea, it’s good and effective” is a popular believe in Asian cosmetics.

The pack shows a pair of picture perfect full and glossy lips, consistent with the duckface obsession that –in my opinion- unfortunately still hasn’t faded away. I look absolutely ridiculous when I duckface on pictures, but for that matter, who doesn’t?! Anyway, a pair of full and glossy lips is never away, whether the purpose is another self-glorifying selfie or, well, just because.

Front and back of the Choosy Milk lip mask

The description on the pack is almost entirely in Japanese (I bought mine in Japan but have come across the product in Korea and Malaysia as well), the only words in English being “Vitamin E” (an antioxidant that protects and repairs your skin), “Collagen” (making your skin look fuller and smoother) and “Hyaluronic Acid” (helps to retain and enhance the moisturize content of your skin).

An illustration of a pretty girl wearing the lip mask says “feel fit”. Could this mean that it makes my lips feel fit after use? Or should I experience a proper fit between my lips and the mask when wearing it? Not sure. According to another illustration, you can also use the mask for your chest, that is, to moisturize your nipples in case you find that necessary. I literally stick to my lips for now.

Due to the lack of a proper English product description, I decide to google and see if I can find a description on how to use the mask. According to other bloggers, I need to wear the mask on my lips for 30 minutes. Sounds crazy long given the fact that you cannot talk, eat, cough etc. when the mask is on your lips. Who has this kind of time nowadays?! For me, it’s not a big issue because I have my office at home and can wear any funny mask while working with the curtains closed. But when you work in an office during the day and have a family that requires spoken instructions for every futile little thing when you come home (“Honey, where’s that thing I left on the thing?” (?!) or “Mom, can I have ice cream for dinner”?) I guess this mask is not your thing...

...and neither when you are working at home, it appears. The lip-shaped mask feels like a sillicone sheet infused with a serum type of product. It doesn't really wrap around well, so I think it's safe to conclude the "feel fit" on the pack doesn't refer to the feeling when wearing the mask. It keeps falling of, so you can only use it the full 30 minutes when laying down dead still.

Awww look at that happy and excited face on the right!

The Result

Visibly, my lips look shiny but that's due to the serum I presume. They do tingle a bit (this went away after 20 minutes) and actually feel a bit more plumb and full (which lasted for about 40 minutes). Looking at the before and after pictures, before the mask my lips seem to have more lines i.e. after the mask my lips do look smoother.

Before the lip mask (left) & After the lip mask (right)

Don't let the fact that I kept my mouth slightly open on the right picture fool you to believe my lips look that much fuller. They do look smoother, but just a bit.

Success? Meh. I'm definitely not displeased with the results (especially for around only 1,30 SGD), but the 30 minutes towards it were anything but convenient. So only use if you are really dedicated to your lips and/or have a lot of spare time and/or don't mind spending so much time to get a somewhat more plumb and smooth effect.

Pure Smile - Choosy Lip Mask “Milk”
Price: around 100 Japanese Yen (1,30 SGD) in Japan / 2.000 Korean Won (2 SGD) in Korea
Available at Watsons Japan, Korea & Malaysia

Must-have Beauty Products for Hot Mamas (Literally & Figuratively speaking) - PART1

 

Technically, I'm still supposed to be on maternity leave. And I really should be, because gosh I am dead tired from all the broken nights and feel hotter than ever (literally, that is) due to a combination of hormones and constant baby lifting/carrying/cuddling/feeding. I do however feel an urge to share the beauty products that kept me sane the first weeks of being a mom, in order for other moms to survive. Call me vain or superficial, but when you look good and feel hot (this time figuratively speaking) you tend to feel much better - and a happy mommy equals a happy baby, right?

The reason why I decided to share these products was a comment my mother-in-law made on a picture of myself, my husband and Baby B on Facebook: "you look so well-rested!" - see below:

Such a happy family...

The opposite was true however (Baby B's face illustrates pretty much how well-rested I actually feel), and I replied her not to be fooled as it was just a matter of gooooood makeup. This made me decide to sum up the products that saved my life the past weeks that cannot be missed by new moms:

MAC - Mineralize Blush "Sweet Enough"

As natural and barely-there as it gets, this sheer blusher is a must-have makeup-cheat and absolute lifesaver. No matter how pale and sleep deprived you are, this blusher will bring your complexion back to life again - the corpse-look really isn't cool until Halloween.

Sweet enough, eh?!

I love how this blusher builds lightly, layer after layer, without heavy coverage. It looks great both with or without any other makeup; after all, the days that we had enough time for our full makeup routine are mostly gone. If -like most moms- you have limited time only, just mascara and this product will do!

MAC Mineralize Blusher, "Sweet Enough"
Price: 49 SGD
Available at the 12 MAC Stores island-wide.

CHANEL - Rouge Allure Lip Ink "Amoureux"

Suck this!

Amoureux - what's in a name! For the date nights that you have to plan at least once a week to keep your relationship from crumbling down after giving birth. This lovely lipstick is hassle-free and because of the natural color it doesn't require messing around with a lip pencil. It has a smooth and velvety texture that is extremely comfortable to wear yet long-lasting (a combination seldom seen), giving you ample time for each other instead of wasting time fixing up your makeup while you're finally out together.

Chanel Rouge Allure Lip Ink, "Amoureux"
Price: 50 SGD
Available at Chanel Cosmetics Counters and Boutiques island-wide (Tangs, Robinsons, Takashimaya etc.)

YSL - Touche Eclat Face Highlighter Pen

Please Mr Panda, make me look fresh and well-rested again...

For the inevitable dark circles under your eyes that arise once you live under one roof with a newborn. Technically, YSL's Touche Eclat isn't a concealer and shouldn't be used as such; having worked for YSL in the past, I'm somewhat ashamed to confess that I still use it more or less as a concealer instead of the "face highligher" it is.

The reason why is that most concealers are quite heavy and, in my experience, work best when you opt for full makeup including foundation, (loose)powder and bronzer/blusher. For daily use, I find concealers mostly too cakey or too heavy - they rarely look natural, especially when you don't wear much other makeup.

Whereas a concealer 'conceals' dark spots by covering and caking them, the pigments in a highlighter like Touche Eclat reflect light, which optically smooths fine lines and wrinkles and makes you look more awake instantly. I therefore apply Touche Eclat right under my eyes for a sheer and natural effect and a somewhat fresher appearance instead of heavy concealment of my lack of sleep.

Yves Saint Laurent, Touche Eclat "2.5 - Luminous Vanilla"
Price: 62 SGD
Available at Yves Saint Laurent Cosmetics Counters island-wide (Tangs, Takashimaya etc.) and at Sephora.

CLINIQUE - Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer

No more unwanted spots & splotches

Pregnancy combined with the tropical sun left me with quite some dark splotchy spots on my face, even though I (mostly) used a sunblock. These spots most commonly appear on your forehead and cheeks and are a result of increased pigmentation, which in turn is a result of hormonal changes during pregnancy. Any dark splotches you developed during pregnancy usually fade within a few months of delivery, but using Clinique's Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer twice a day, I felt that after only 4 weeks post-delivery I already started seeing results. So definitely worth a try. Do not forget your sunblock when heading out with your baby in the stroller though!

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer, 30ml
Price: 105 SGD
Available at Clinique Counters island-wide (Tangs, Isetan, Takashimaya etc.) and at Sephora.