I went without make-up for a couple of days last week. It felt good, much better than anticipated. However, for those days, when you feel like you have to put something on, in preparation for the battle ahead, yet dread the fuss, we have something special for you this week.
Watch the video and take a leaf from Phyl's morning routine.
This is what she has to says:
A good friend also shared her tip of getting those envy-inducing, bouncy curls without going to the haste of perming your hair or blow-drying in the morning. This is magic.
I’ve always liked the rosy flush on Phyl’s face. Ain’t it gorgeous? She usually takes less than 10 minutes to put her make up on. We decided to do a little tutorial for the fuss-free and 5-minute morning make-up routine. We are no beauty bloggers, so the takeaway is experiment, explore and discover a quick make-up fix that is catered to your skin and complexion!
Watch the video and take a leaf from Phyl's morning routine.
This is what she has to says:
Everyday Look:
Avène Thermal Spring Water
You can buy it at any Watsons or Guardians in a variety of sizes and they often sell them in value twin-packs.
Laniege BB Cushion Pore Control with SPF50
I’ve been using the #21 Natural Beige but probably should switch to #23 Sand Beige. You can buy it in-stores at Laniege boutiques or on Luxola for SGD59.
I’ve been using it for years and really love its value for money. I use it everyday and it lasts for 2-3 months.It has a felt tip end that feels and should be used more like a brush (instead of a pen).
Shake well before use and it’ll go on inky black. When it doesn’t, you know it’s time to switch to a new one.You can find it in almost every supermarket/pharmacy in Singapore - NTUC, Watsons, Guardian etc. Typically retails for about SGD20.
I got the special edition Lip & Cheek doll last Christmas, but it’s essentially the same as their normal lip & cheek stain. Gives a great rosy glow so I don’t look like a zombie and takes a minute to apply. Retails for SGD24.90 at all Bodyshop stores.
‘Night’ look:
Use same products except for the lip and cheek stain, plus these:
ZA Perfect Fit ConcealerI use this to conceal dark eye circles, currently using shade #2, which seems to work well for me.I’ve used other concealers before but this seems to work best and for the best price. Retails for about SGD15 in most Watsons, Guardian, etc.
You could use a brush to apply (which I suppose is the correct method) but using my fingers is a lot more fuss-free.
Bare Minerals Matte Foundation with SPF15Apply with a kabuki brush. I currently use shade Medium Beige.This provides light coverage without making you feel like you’re clogging your pores with heavy product.Available at Sephora for about SGD50-60.
Sleek Makeup Face Form Palette
This is a 3-in-1 palette with a darker contour shade, lighter shade for highlighting and a peachy blush shade with a bit of a golden glow. I am currently using the ‘Light’ palette.
I’ve found this to be really easy to use and affordable and non-intimidating to use because it’s powder-based and doesn’t require heavy blending to work.
Apply the contour shade just below your cheekbones (suck in to find it), highlighters to bring out your cheekbones (or generally wherever the light hits your face) Retails for SGD22 on Luxola.
Apparently Etude House has 2 different curlers - for girls with single eye-lids and double eye-lids. The double-eyelid one works fine for me, but if anyone uses the single eye-lid one, I would love to know if it makes a difference in the process.
Maybelline produces the best mascaras IMO. I used the Big Eyes one which has a different brush for the upper and lower lashes (available for SGD23.90 on Luxola or at Watsons, Guardian etc).
Personally though I think I prefer the Rocket Volum’ Express one (available for $19.90 on Luxola at at all other Watsons, Guardian, etc) so I’ll probably switch out when Big Eyes is used up.
Nyx Matte Lipstick in MSL10 in Perfect Red
I have a number of lipsticks from Bobbi Brown, Revlon, etc. Nyx is one of my favourite brands. Their lipsticks generally retail for about SGD10 and are great quality — moisturising and great pigmentation. This shade is the perfect blue-toned red and a great dupe if you find the Chanel Rouge Allure Matte a little too pricey and too drying (I find this a little more moisturising).
Final Tip: Nyx Mattifying Spray - I normally use this to set my make-up and help keep a lid on the shine that seems to be unavoidable in our climate. Unfortunately Sephora no longer carries it (WTF?!) so to Qoo10 I will go.
***Avène Thermal Spring Water
You can buy it at any Watsons or Guardians in a variety of sizes and they often sell them in value twin-packs.
- Tip: I buy the small 50ml ones for use on-the-go since you can also use it after make-up, to help hydrate skin. Plus it feels super refreshing in our hot, sticky and humid weather.
- Tip: You should always pat it in to help your skin absorb. If you just leave the mist on to ‘air-dry’, you’ll end up de-hydrating your skin instead
Laniege BB Cushion Pore Control with SPF50
I’ve been using the #21 Natural Beige but probably should switch to #23 Sand Beige. You can buy it in-stores at Laniege boutiques or on Luxola for SGD59.
- Tip: Alternatively you can get it on Qoo10 for SGD38.90 (get one plus an additional refill;We make no guarantee on behalf of the seller but I have bought from this guy and it went without a glitch.
I’ve been using it for years and really love its value for money. I use it everyday and it lasts for 2-3 months.It has a felt tip end that feels and should be used more like a brush (instead of a pen).
Shake well before use and it’ll go on inky black. When it doesn’t, you know it’s time to switch to a new one.You can find it in almost every supermarket/pharmacy in Singapore - NTUC, Watsons, Guardian etc. Typically retails for about SGD20.
- Tip: If you want a winged eyeliner look, start with the wing and work your way backwards. Ideally you want your wing to look continuous from your bottom eye-line. Mark out your wing and then fill it in. I’ve been doing it every day for years so I no longer mark it out so precisely and just go by ‘feeling’. Sometimes the two eyes don’t look exactly the same but I don’t get fussed about it!
I got the special edition Lip & Cheek doll last Christmas, but it’s essentially the same as their normal lip & cheek stain. Gives a great rosy glow so I don’t look like a zombie and takes a minute to apply. Retails for SGD24.90 at all Bodyshop stores.
- Tip: since this is meant to look like a natural rosy glow, there’s no need to be too precise about the application. Great for a short morning routine!
‘Night’ look:
Use same products except for the lip and cheek stain, plus these:
ZA Perfect Fit ConcealerI use this to conceal dark eye circles, currently using shade #2, which seems to work well for me.I’ve used other concealers before but this seems to work best and for the best price. Retails for about SGD15 in most Watsons, Guardian, etc.
You could use a brush to apply (which I suppose is the correct method) but using my fingers is a lot more fuss-free.
- Tip: to conceal dark-eye circles, apply concealers in a triangle area under the eye, then blend out. Excess concealer can be applied to the bridge of your nose to act as a highlighter
Bare Minerals Matte Foundation with SPF15Apply with a kabuki brush. I currently use shade Medium Beige.This provides light coverage without making you feel like you’re clogging your pores with heavy product.Available at Sephora for about SGD50-60.
Sleek Makeup Face Form Palette
This is a 3-in-1 palette with a darker contour shade, lighter shade for highlighting and a peachy blush shade with a bit of a golden glow. I am currently using the ‘Light’ palette.
I’ve found this to be really easy to use and affordable and non-intimidating to use because it’s powder-based and doesn’t require heavy blending to work.
Apply the contour shade just below your cheekbones (suck in to find it), highlighters to bring out your cheekbones (or generally wherever the light hits your face) Retails for SGD22 on Luxola.
- Tip: purchase the Stigma F05 small contour brush to use with it. Also available on Luxola for SGD29
Apparently Etude House has 2 different curlers - for girls with single eye-lids and double eye-lids. The double-eyelid one works fine for me, but if anyone uses the single eye-lid one, I would love to know if it makes a difference in the process.
Maybelline produces the best mascaras IMO. I used the Big Eyes one which has a different brush for the upper and lower lashes (available for SGD23.90 on Luxola or at Watsons, Guardian etc).
Personally though I think I prefer the Rocket Volum’ Express one (available for $19.90 on Luxola at at all other Watsons, Guardian, etc) so I’ll probably switch out when Big Eyes is used up.
Nyx Matte Lipstick in MSL10 in Perfect Red
I have a number of lipsticks from Bobbi Brown, Revlon, etc. Nyx is one of my favourite brands. Their lipsticks generally retail for about SGD10 and are great quality — moisturising and great pigmentation. This shade is the perfect blue-toned red and a great dupe if you find the Chanel Rouge Allure Matte a little too pricey and too drying (I find this a little more moisturising).
Final Tip: Nyx Mattifying Spray - I normally use this to set my make-up and help keep a lid on the shine that seems to be unavoidable in our climate. Unfortunately Sephora no longer carries it (WTF?!) so to Qoo10 I will go.
A good friend also shared her tip of getting those envy-inducing, bouncy curls without going to the haste of perming your hair or blow-drying in the morning. This is magic.
I’ve yet to perfect the techniques of using these rollers. You can get a pack of these rollers at Sasa at an affordable of around SGD6.50 and have fun with them. Let us know if you figure the best way to use these sponge rollers!