French women’s minimal approach to beauty is intriguing. They stand by their effortless hairstyle and hydrated skin. What’s their secret? For starters, everything seems au naturel.
#1: DRINK LOTS OF WATER
Fashion model Céline Delaugère’s skincare routine includes Vitamin E oil, sleep, and lots of water. I am going to focus on the last element. Drinking water is essential for your body. It hyrdrates your skin and makes you look radiant. In some cases, it may even lighten your skin! Generally speaking, it keeps your skin from cracking or drying out.
Take it from a Parisian model, quench your thirst and make it a habit!
#2: CLEANSE YOUR SKIN
French girls grew up with the habit of religiously cleansing their skin before bed. One of the most coveted French products is the Collosol Eau de Lait. It has been passed on from generation to generation. However, a cheaper alternative is a gentle cleanser and face mask put on a regular basis. Try the dollar face masks available at your local Watsons.
#3: WEAR LESS MAKEUP
Discretion encapsulates the approach of French women to beauty. Their makeup must seem natural as possible. Its sole purpose is to enhance what is already there. So, everything is used in moderation. A woman with a full-face make is a rare sight in the streets of Paris.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Dabbing products is a money saver! Instead of opting for a harsh foundation, a BB cream with SPF is recommended.
#4: GO FOR A SIGNATURE RED
You can either go for a bold lip color or a flashy eye makeup. Remember that less is more! Do your research when it comes to choosing your signature red lipstick. Personally, I prefer Mac’s Russian Red matte lipstick. It complements my skin perfectly and adds a layer of drama to a seemingly simple attire.
A red lip with little makeup can often be worn with anything. It is a staple in the French beauty scene.
#5: TAME YOUR LASHES
French women never go without adding a good curl to their eyelashes. Some even apply lash conditioner or serums to promote growth and thickness. Nonetheless, you must always carry a tube of mascara in your bag. Consider buying the L’Oreal Paris False Lash Miss Manga Mascara (costing S$22.90).
#6: ACCEPT YOUR IMPERFECTIONS
One of the things that I admire from French beauty is their innate philosophy of embracing imperfections. They put emphasis on the unique aspects of their face and shy away from plastic surgeries. Instead of focusing on your small teeth, you highlight your huge smile.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Accepting your “flaws” is how you make a statement!
In the money driven world we live in, people value receiving something for free. This is why companies introduce “free beauty samples”. Free beauty samples benefit not only its consumers, but also its manufacturers.
You are given the opportunity to test out products without having to waste your money on a full-sized bottle. These beauty samples come in handy while travelling and while on-the-go. On the other hand, companies directly give the products to you in the hopes that you will like their products. The increasing admiration towards the product may lead to increase in sales.
Singapore is blessed with companies who are more than happy to share their products. Check out these free beauty samples that you can request now:
As a preschool teacher, we are taught that many people learn best through their experiences. Experiencing a product or a service directly is essential for modern consumers. This is where Sample Store comes in.
Sample Store lets you immerse yourself with up to four samples on a daily basis. You read that right! Get free samples delivered to your doorsteps through SingPost. Start by signing up at samplestore.com and by choosing from their wide product selection. Post product reviews in their website to earn more points and redeem more products.
You are free to explore more than 300 brands, but you can only receive one sample per product in a certain time.
Sephora is a place that serves as a haven for makeup addicts. It houses some of the best beauty brands out there! What’s more? Its online store offers free samples upon checkout. Simply comply with the mechanics.
Here are the basic rules that you must follow:
a. Add a saple to your bag at checkout.
b. Only one sample may be added to each order.
c. Samples are available while supplies last.
d. If a sample goes out of stock, Sephora will provide a substitute.
e. Samples are not available during sale periods.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
The current samples circulating the website include products from Make Up Forever, Kat Von D, Hourglass, Becca, and Fresh. You may receive samples of bigger sizes and of higher values by availing the Premium Sample. You can add a Premium Sample when your total bill ranks up to S$120 (i.e., before shipping and after applying the discounts).
KAO corporation has a variety of products ranging from a sanitary napkin to a steam eye mask. The latter is an interesting one!
It goes without saying that eye strain is common in our screen-dependant society. What better way to refreshen your hardworking eyes that by receiving a free “hot” eye mask. Simply request a sample by completing a questionnaire. It is a rather lengthly form compared to the ones available on this list. Furthemore, they are releasing limited samples.
Here are the other terms and conditions:
a. Sample consists of 1 piece of Steam Eye Mask.
b. Each residential address is limited to one sample request.
c. Please allow 4-5 weeks for delivery of the sample.
d. Entries with incomplete addresses will be deemed invalid.
e. This free sample request is only available for applicants residing in Singapore.
Having sensitive skin is an issue that I had to tackle throughout my life. I lean towards gentle cleansers and organic soaps. Countless hours where spent on testing products that may or may not work for my skin. Not to mention, the prices these products are tagged with. In the course of my determined search, I found an affordable product that I completely swear by. It is none other than Cetaphil.
Cetaphil offers a broad selection of skin care products for babies and adults. Thus, you choose the right product to suit your skin type (e.g., Oily Skin Cleanser for oily skin). Receive a Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser by answering a quick online form.
Now, let us move on to your baby’s regimen. Cetaphil baby is specially formulated for your beloved’s delicate skin. These products are dermatologically tested to help your child maintain a smooth skin and a healthy hair. Receive a Cetaphil Baby Skincare by answering a quick online form.
Your beauty products at up more than half the price.
VIIMART.com, an online beauty shop, will be running a promotion during the Great Singapore Sale. Besides having its beauty products and fragrances at 40% cheaper than retail prices, you can now enjoy further 20% discount during the sale.
From 1 – 30 Jun, enjoy additional 20% off storewide when you enter the discount code GSS at checkout. (That’s about 60% cheaper than what you find in local stores)
Discover special offers on all your favourite beauty brands with Shopee Beauty Bonanza.
From 17 – 31 May, there will be many beauty steals with their price discounted by 50% off (or more). With huge discounts on the top beauty brands like IOPE, Lancome, Laneige, YSL, as well as exclusive sets and multi buy options and many more, you’re certain to find the perfect beauty products to make you look and feel fantastic this new year. For example, you can buy YSL lipsticks at only $20.90!!!
During the same period, the Shopee Beauty Bonanza will see many themed sales, amazing deals, contests and games.
These products will be released daily at midnight starting from 17 May. Limited stocks available, so remember to camp in-app daily before midnight to be the first to snatch these items!
If you are a new Shopee user, you can enjoy an additional $7 off $15 on your first purchase. Simply enter the promo code BEAUTYxMD at checkout to enjoy the discount!
1. IOPE New Air Cushion Natural
$49.00 $24.50
IOPE Air Cushion is one of Korea’s best selling cushion compact! The all new and upgraded version of IOPE Air Cushion has made its comeback with more moist, lighter and robust coverage. This cushion pact perfects all-day radiant for those who prefer natural glow.
Simply dab at the air cushion with the provided sponge to pick up and apply as much or as little product as you want.
Sale starts at 17 May 2017 (12 midnight).
2. Lancome Teint Miracle Bare Skin Foundation
$39.80 $19.90
Perfect your complexion with Teint Miracle foundation by Lancôme. Enjoy weightless, even coverage and natural-looking results for a radiant finish. This foundation creates a beautifully bare and lit-from-within makeup look.
Teint Miracle foundation reveals the unique beauty of every complexion type. It contains a combination of pearlescent pigments which give a dewy look and radiant finish.
Sale starts at 18 May 2017 (12 midnight).
3. Pixi Glow Tonic
$44.90 $22.50
The Pixi Glow Tonic is an exfoliating facial glow tonic. It helps tone, firm and tighten the skin. It removes dead skin cells for healthier looking skin and is suitable for all skin types.
The tonic brightens, tones and conditions your skin after cleansing. Get it at $22.50 during the Shopee’s event!
Sale starts at 19 May 2017 (12 midnight).
4. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask Lavender Edition
$31.80 $15.90
The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask Lavender is a product that adds lavender to Laneige’s best selling Water Sleeping Mask. It is an intensive moisture sleeping mask that makes skin look clear, bright, and revitalized in the morning with the purification function of Sleep-tox ™. The Laneige Water Sleeping Mask lavender features the Sleepscent™ lavender fragrance for relaxation
Laneige’s Sleep-tox™ ingredient works its magic while you sleep. It keeps the skin moisturized and increases the absorption effectiveness of the active ingredients, the brand said. A light gel-type formulation is applied to the skin without irritation.
Sale starts at 20 May 2017 (12 midnight).
5. YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Or Pur Couture Satin Radiance
$41.80 $20.90
Adorn your lips in Yves Saint Laurent with Rouge Volupte Shine, a new generation of emblematic colors.
Formulated with a luminous satin texture and is presented in a modern golden case, designed by Yves Saint Laurent Couture Creative Director Stefano Pilati, for the ultimate in luxury and style. Hydrospheres and natural extracts provide all-day comfort and hydration.
Sale starts at 21 May 2017 (12 midnight).
6. Kose Lip Gel Magic
$19.80 $9.90
Kosé Japan’s Lip Gel Magic, a translucid gel that coats your lipstick and keep your lip product from staining. According to KOSÉ, the Lip Gel Magic isKOSÉ most powerful lipstick coating gel up to date. With one single swipe, the maximum-strength lipstick top coat gel protects our lip colour from fading, even after drinking or eating.
Sale starts at 22 May 2017 (12 midnight).
7. Tartelette Tease Palette
$35.00 $17.50
The Tarte Tartelette Tease Eyeshadow Palette comes housed in a tiny business card sized palette that’s about in inch thick. It’s a sturdy cardboard palette with a generously sized mirror inside and a magnetic closure. It takes absolutely no room in a makeup bag and it travels super friendly-like. It’s a nice palette to have around if you need to do a quickie look or even to just keep tucked away at your boyfriend’s apartment so you do a quick look if you happen to spend the night.
Sale starts at 23 May 2017 (12 midnight).
8. Memebox x PONY Shine Easy Glam No. 3
$29.80 $14.90
Pony, the famous Korean celebrity makeup artist teamed up with Memebox to design cosmetics that are beginner friendly and glam you instantly – Shine, Easy, Glam. The eyeshadow quad features warm, earthy brown-hued eyeshadows perfect for the spring. Its silky formula applies evenly, blends effortlessly, and stays put all day.
Sale starts at 24 May 2017 (12 midnight).
9. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Cherry Blossom 100ml EDT
$21.80 $10.90
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Cherry Blossom was released in 2012. Green Tea Cherry Blossom brings a romantic composition created of luminous citruses, tea notes, cherry blossom and tree, enriched with woody warmth and sensuality.
This functional and instant drink helps to restore your skin’s natural glow and clarity. Tackling not only the skin on your face, this drink works on the skin on the rest of your body as well, including your back, hands and legs! A glowing, healthy complexion can be difficult to maintain, with how our skin tends to look dull and lifeless due to lack of proper hydration, improper face cleansing routines, lack of essential vitamins, poor blood circulation, build-up of dead skin cells and environmental elements.
With all these factors to take in to account, many people may find it difficult to achieve that delicate rosy sheen. After experiencing Kinohimitsu BB Drink, you’ll realise that this isn’t true at all! Don’t live with a dull, dry and sallow complexion that makes you seem tired, worn out, ill or older beyond your years any longer. Kinohimitsu BB Drink will help to brighten tired-looking complexion, making way for blushing, luminous and vibrant skin!
Sale starts at 26 May 2017 (12 midnight).
11. Bodyblendz Scrubs
$25.00 $12.50
Body Blendz is a company that offers skin scrubs made from all natural, 100% pure active ingredients. They currently offer four scrubs: Coffee Scrub, Sugar Daddy, Coconut Delight and Oats Oats.
The scrubs are said to helps fight against cellulite and stretch marks. It also helps treat acne, reduce redness and improve the skin’s tone/texture.
Sale starts at 30 May 2017 (12 midnight).
12. Extraordinary Oil La Crème
$26.90 $9.90
From Japan’s No. 1 Hair Treatment Brand*, the Extraordinary Oil La Crème Lavante 3-in-1 No Foam Cleansing Cream is specially formulated in Japan for Asian hair. Enriched with a potent blend of 3 precious flower oil extracts, it is one of their most innovative haircare for very dry and damaged hair.
Sale starts at 31 May 2017 (12 midnight).
The Shopee Beauty Bonanza will also feature
Overseas Beauty Haul (trendy beauty products that are not available in Singapore) 17 – 19 May
Luxury Sale Extravaganza (beauty + fashion brand sale up to 60% off) 20 – 22 May
Buy one get one free sale from 23 – 25 May
Not on Shopee yet? Here’s something for you: Enjoy $7 off $15 on your first purchase. Simply enter the promo code BEAUTYxMD at checkout to enjoy the discount!
The global interest given to Japanese companies such as Shu Uemera and Shiseido paved way for the entrance of lesser-known Japanese brands. More and more Singaporeans are embracing these imported products into their vanity kits. You see, Japanese beauty products shine above the rest due to its adorable packaging and unique design.
The idea is perfectly encapsulated by Ms. Anna-Marie Solowij – the BeautyMART Co-Founder. She once said: “Their cosmetics and skincare products are exciting because they’re novel and exotic and they’re popular thanks to their high quality and innovation, for the same reason as their cars and electronics before them.”
On that note, here are 5 Japanese Beauty Products That Are Worth Every Dollar:
A beauty product that is ever-present in the “best” lists, DHC Deep Cleansing Oil has a water-soluble formula to completely rinse any pore-clogging materials from your skin. Let say you came home from a formal wedding ceremony. Massage the product to your face using your fingertips to remove your waterproof mascara and wipe off other clingy cosmetics. You will never see a greasy residue again!
The formula is suitable for people with sensitive skin as it was made from natural ingredients and is free from Paraben or fragrance.
Bioré Skincare made a bold claim when they highlighted that the Cleansing Water Makeup Removal can lift off a significant amount of makeup with just one swipe! I am not entirely sure that one swipe is enough as it depends on your skin type. However, this remover will easily cleanse your face from your pores to your lashes. This is because it is enriched with natural mineral water from the Northern Japanese Alps.
The formula’s weak acidity proves that it is gentle and safe on the skin. Thus, it is suitable for young people.
When I was in secondary school, oil blotting papers were all the rage! It originates from Japan and has been use for years by Geisha and actors (to freshen their faces before their performances). The traditional version was made from Abaca leaf, but modern technology is able to make it from pulp or rice paper. Muji’s version is made from the former.
Image Credits: muji.com.sg
The thinness of Muji’s Cosmetic Paper makes it more efficient at absorbing oil. Furthermore, the product and its packaging is environmentally friendly. Feel free to put it on the composting bin!
Putting black charcoal on your face may seem “unglam”, using this ingredient properly can provide many health benefits. Some of its benefits include minimizing the pores, soothing skin irritations, and cleansing oily skin. A top soap infused with activated charcoal is the Sumi Haigou Settuken Charcoal Bar Soap.
This bar soap has powder, which comes from the Kishu region of Japan. The makers begin by burning and cooling oak branches for several days. The end result is an activated charcoal powder that users claim to make their skin brighter and more even-toned. See for yourself!
Shiseido Company Limited houses a myriad of skin care, hair care, cosmetics, and fragrance brands under its roof. As one of the oldest cosmetic companies in the world, Shiseido introduced Tsubaki as its master for hair. The Tsubaki Damage Care Conditioner relies on age-old ingredients such as the Japanese camellia oil.
It is high in oleic acid to moisturize and strengthen your hair strands. It is also full of antioxidants to beat free-radical damage. Regularly using this products will help you achieve a softer and shinier “crown”.
