YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE THE SECRET TO FLAWLESS SKIN LIES IN A COMPLETE SKINCARE REGIMEN. HERE ARE THE ESSENTIALS AND EXTRAS TO HELP YOU BUILD YOUR PERFECT SKINCARE ROUTINE. CLEANSER It works to remove the day s makeup residue, oil, and dirt from your skin s surface, prepping it for everything else you apply later on. A good cleanser should leave your skin feeling clean and fresh - not stripped and squeaky-clean. 1. Cleansing Milk/Cream: Even if you don t wear makeup, it s important to remove all traces of waterproof sunscreen and dirt from your skin. Massage a generous amount on dry skin in circular motions and rinse or tissue off. 1 2. Cleansing Foam: Refresh your skin with dense, marshmallow-like foam that doesn t strip away its natural moisture. If you have dry skin, go for creamy types; those with oily skin will fare better with gel-type cleansers. 2 EXFOLIATOR Over time, dead skin cells accumulate on your skin s surface, creating a hard-to-penetrate layer. That s the reason why you notice your skincare becoming less effective! Twice a week, remove dead skin cell buildup with a gentle exfoliator. If you exfoliate, always use sunscreen to protect your new skin. 1. Grainy Exfoliator: Buff away roughness and dullness using a gentle scrub. Make sure the tiny granules are spherical because grains with jagged edges are abrasive and can damage the fragile surface of your skin. 1 2 2. Chemical Exfoliator: These exfoliators contain enzymes or mild fruit acids to gently slough off dead skin cells. Pineapple and papaya enzymes are well-known for their exfoliating benefits, and fruit acids can even brighten skin and diminish fine lines. TONER Also known as lotion in Japan, a hydrating toner preps skin after cleansing, allowing it to better absorb the skincare products that follow. Gently wipe your face with a toner-soaked cotton pad, and use the remnants on your neck and behind your ears to remove dirt and grime. Continue with the rest of your routine while your skin is still damp.
SUNSCREEN Not an option! Prolonged exposure to the sun causes wrinkles, dark spots, uneven skintone, redness, and sensitivity. Dermatologists also advocate the using sunscreen to prevent skin cancer caused by harmful UV rays. For our Malaysian weather, SPF 30-50 works best. Apply after moisturiser as the last step in your skincare routine. SERUM The priciest of all skincare products, but therein lies the secret to skin perfection. Serums are made with active ingredients in molecules tiny enough to penetrate the outer layer of skin and deliver potent doses of ingredients to treat various skin concerns. There are serums designed for nearly every skin concern: from acne to sensitivity to dullness. TIP! Always give your serum time to absorb. Wait at least five minutes before moisturising. MOISTURISER A moisturiser seals everything into your skin, locking in the goodness of your skincare products throughout the day. Pick one with added SPF benefits for the day, and at night, switch to a richer cream that nourishes skin while you sleep. TIP: Applying your moisturiser to a single spot on your face and smearing to spread can cause breakouts as you over-burden that particular spot. To apply moisturiser correctly, dispense a dollop to the back of your hand, pick up small amounts using your middle and ring fingers, and apply evenly to parts of your face, massaging in with circular or sweeping motions. The Extras Think of these as level up additions to your existing skincare routine. They address specific concerns and can be incorporated whenever necessary. You may not feel that you need it now, but it s ever too early to start a good thing! 1 1. Eye Cream: Skin around the eyes is extremely fragile and requires more care than other parts of the face. Designed to suit delicate and sensitive undereye skin, eye creams are lighter, less irritating, and easily absorbed than other skincare products. There are eye creams designed to treat puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles, so pick one that suits you. 2. Mask: Food for your skin! These treats deliver a concentrated dose of goodness. All you need is 20 minutes with a mask of your choice, once or twice a week. Depending on your skin concerns, you can choose a mask that boosts hydration, fades dullness, calms irritated skin, and more. 3. Face Oil: If you spend long hours in an airconditioned space, it may feel like your moisturiser isn t enough. Give skin a little boost with a skinloving face oil to restore hydration and reveal radiance. Warm a few drops in your palms and press into skin before moisturiser. 3 2
Skincare Basics - Hydration The secret to a clear, flawless complexion is hydration. Here s how to get started on your journey to skin perfection. 1. WHY HYDRATE? Well-hydrated skin is soft, supple, elastic, and heals faster when damaged. Without enough water, dehydrated skin loses elasticity and becomes rough. Did you know that even oiliness can be a symptom of dehydration? Dehydrated skin feels flaky, taut, itchy, and sometimes oily. Build up your skin s moisture level with lots of hydrating steps. 2. POWERFUL HYDRATING INGREDIENTS Aloe vera, beeswax, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter 3. SKIN HYDRATION RULES Get the basics sorted. Here are four easy but effective ways to keep your skin s moisture level healthy. 1. Invest in a good humidifier for your bedroom to keep your skin hydrated all night 2. Limit hot baths to 10 minutes to avoid stripping skin of its natural protective oils 3. Avoid high-sodium food, which can dehydrate skin and cause puffiness and sensitivity. 4. Look for hyaluronic acid, a lightweight but potent moisturiser for supple, youthful skin. 4. TRY THIS HYDRATING BEAUTY-SLEEP RITUAL STEP 1: After cleansing, exfoliate with a mild scrub to remove dead skin cells STEP 2: Apply toner, followed by a generous amount of hydrating serum STEP 3: Put on a hydrating sheet mask for 20 minutes, and massage in the remaining essence STEP 4: Seal in everything with your night moisturiser and sleeping mask
A FLAWLESS FACE WHEN IT COMES TO CREATING A FLAWLESS LOOK WITH MAKEUP, WHERE DO YOU START? HERE S OUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE MAKEUP GAME PLAN FOR SKIN PERFECTION. 1. Prep skin Always use moisturiser, primer, or even eye cream for a hydrated and smooth base. Makeup can sit on dry patches and exaggerate them. 2. Concealer Concealers are a must have for those who love a flawless but minimal look. When done right, they can hide and highlight. Blemishes, redness, and dark circles can be erased with the stroke of a concealer wand. Don t smear your concealer: just dot over target area and blend with a finger, brush, or sponge. 3. Foundation The big sister to concealer, foundation can even out a splotchy and uneven skin tone - like Photoshop in real life! Choose from liquid, powder, mousse, or sheer foundations to suit your skin type. For a natural finish, you can apply foundation just on the areas that need coverage instead of your whole face. Use gentle downward brush strokes to blend. 4. Add colour After evening out your skin tone, add colour to your face. Choose bronzer for a sun-kissed look, focusing on where the sun naturally hits your face. That s your forehead, chin, jawline, and the tops of your cheeks. Choose blush for a natural glow. A stain gives you a sheer flush, while cream is great for a dewy look. 5. Lips If you re pressed for time but still want to make a statement, reach for a tube of lipstick - the bolder the better! No one will notice anything else when you re rocking a delicious bold lip! For a pout that lasts, use lipliner as it s drier than lipstick and adheres to lips. Blot after applying lipstick to remove excess oil while sealing in the pigments. Then go in with a second layer!
BROWS BROWS FRAME THE FACE, AS THE NOW POPULAR ADAGE GOES. BEAUTIFUL BROWS DO ENHANCE EYES AND THE REST OF THE FACE, SO INVEST SOME TIME IN EYEBROW MAINTENANCE! HERE ARE OUR TOP TIPS TO KEEP YOUR BROWS IN TIP TOP SHAPE. TOP 5 BROW COMMANDMENTS 1. Don t tweeze and attempt to shape your brows when you re in a rush. You may accidentally over-pluck and be stuck with a bad shape or bald spot until they grow back! 2. When filling in brows, step back to inspect your work from time to time. Build up the intensity as you go along, because once you pluck there s no going back. 3. No time to pluck? Use clear eyebrow gel to keep stray hairs in place so you still look polished! 4. Don t thread, tweeze, or wax your eyebrows right before a big event. Skin often gets irritated after and redness happens. Brows tend to look their best a week after a good clean-up. 5. Keep your tweezers clean! Dirty ones can cause breakouts from bacteria, so sanitise them often with alcohol or hand sanitiser. BROW BEAUTY TIPS Your perfect eyebrows with this easy step-by-step! STEP 1 Use eyeshadow primer to prep brows and ensure brow powder stays. STEP 2 Use your favourite brow product to fill in brows - use short, feathery strokes for a natural look. Have the most pigment at the arch to create the illusion of lifted brows. STEP 3 Use a spoolie brush (one that looks like a mascara wand) to blend colour evenly and brush hairs in place. STEP 4 Dab highlighter beneath the arch of your brows and blend with a finger for a smooth finish. For an extra clean look, you can also use concealer to define the shape of your brows by blending along your brow line. TIP! Mimic extra full brows by dipping a damp spoolie in matte eyeshadow and brushing it through your brows!
EYES do s and don ts DO: Experiment with colour. Neutral and earthy colours are foolproof, but the an occasional bright accent colour lets you switch things up from the usual. Add a light shimmery shadow to the inner corners of your eyes and waterline for a (literally) bright-eyed look. Use an eyeshadow primer before applying anything to your eyes, especially if you have oily lids. Primers work wonders in helping your eyeshadow stay put. Try using a dark eyeshadow as eyeliner. Dip an angled brush in water before applying along your lower lash lines for a subtle liquid eyeliner effect. Dab gently with your finger to soften any harsh lines. DON T: Use a heavy shimmery eyeshadow if you don t want to draw attention to any wrinkles on your eyelid. Keep the shimmer slightly above, on your brow bone to highlight the arches. Pair a heavy smoky eye with heavy blusher. A little too much can look dated. Use false eyelashes on a daily basis unless your work demands it. All that glue and tugging can damage your natural lashes if used too often. Invest in an eyelash curler and pair it with a few coats of mascara. Even on a nomakeup makeup kind of day, this is your secret trick to looking polished!
MAKEUP LOOKS FOR ASIAN FEATURES INSTEAD OF CREATING OR FAKING FEATURES WE WEREN T BORN WITH, EMBRACE AND WORK WITH YOUR UNIQUE ASIAN CHARACTERISTICS! FROM DARKER SKIN TO MONOLID EYES, EVERY FEATURE IS BEAUTIFUL. HERE S SOME INSPO. Stroked To frame soft features, go with natural, straight brows, and intensify them when you need to. Regular maintenance and a brow pencil are key. Bedroom Eyes Sometimes, a touch of nude to the lips and a clearlydefined winged eye are all it takes. Instead of lining the entire eye, a triangle just at the outer corners shapes eyes better. Bring it down to your lower lashline and feather gently for a sultry night look. Lip Action This is a classic look for Asian women for a reason. Sharp winged black eyeliner, updated with a thicker edge at the inner corners, and a foolproof red lip - it just works.
Pastel Play If you ve got a fair, smooth complexion, use it to pull off a pastel lip and dewy skin. Matte doesn t work for everyone! Shadow On Take advantage of your creaseless eyelids with a big sweep of shadow applied in gradient tones. Go Bold Play up your pout with a luscious bold colour that will look stunning with your dark skin. Plump It Up Nude is a different thing for different people. Skin tone, warmth, and even lip pigment can affect how nude shades look on you. Once you find your perfect nude, go heavy with it for a quick day look!
Simply Put Women with coffeecoloured complexions look great with a dewy base! Focus your highlight on your cheekbones and temples, and glow on! Flushed Women with heart-shaped faces benefit from a light dusting of blusher just under the cheekbones. Swept up towards the temples, it will help balance out a strong jaw. Single Eyelids Play up your monolid with a heavy dose of eyeliner. It s a simple, onestep technique that s high on impact.
WHAT S YOUR HAIR TYPE? ASIAN HAIR COMES IN ALL SHAPES AND FORMS! DISCOVER WHAT HAIR TYPE YOU REALLY HAVE, AND HOW IT AFFECTS THE PRODUCTS YOU SHOULD USE. STRAIGHT Speaks for itself. Straight hair is often depicted as enviably full, bouncy, and glossy in shampoo ads, but real life can be very different. Straight hair is often fine, lacking in volume, and prone to breakage or oiliness. CURLY When healthy and cared for, curly hair looks beautiful - well-shaped, bouncy, and full of life. But when it s unhealthy, it can look messy, rough and unflattering! Curls don t always behave, but you can tame them with the right products and care. WAVY Wavy hair can look and feel like a mix of straight and curly hair, depending on the tightness of the wave. Your hair strands may also be fine, medium, or thick and course. TIPS: 1. Straight hair gets oily fast, as sebum can spread from the scalp to ends easily with nothing to interrupt its path down the hair shaft. Avoid oily-looking hair by shampooing every other day. 2. Avoid tying your hair at the same spot frequently if you don t want to stress your hair. 3. Chemical treatments like colouring and bleaching can weaken already-fine hair so keep those to a minimum. TIPS: 1. Wash hair every other day with a 100% sulphate-free shampoo. Traditional shampoos are often formulated with ingredients that are too harsh for your curls, causing dryness and frizziness. 2. Curly hair gets dry easily because natural oils from your scalp can t travel along hair as easily. Condition each time you wash, and use a leavein treatment ater. 3. Stay away from styling products with a high alcohol content like hairspray, gel, or mousse, They ll dry out your hair and make your strands more brittle. Go for water-based products for a natural, bouncy look. TIPS: 1. If your waves lean towards straight, they may lack volume and look lifeless. Opt for volumising products to give it a lift and revitalise waves. 2. For extra volume, use fingers or a wide toothed comb to separate your strands after shampooing, conditioning, and liftings. This ll give you extra lift at the roots. 3. Wavy hair can often be unpredictable. To bring it back under control, try a curling tong or straightening iron to achieve uniformity throughout.