True story: Not too many moons ago, one of my girlfriends pulled me aside to ask if I could tone down on the illuminating powder – apparently, certain colleagues were sick of being literally outshone by my complexion. (And for the record, I wasn’t using any, thank you very much.)
This amusing anecdote got me thinking, though. I mean, I was all for stashing away these secret skincare staples of mine, but I suppose good things must share … Presenting my personal pick of multi-purpose moisturisers you can use under makeup for a beautifying boost. Cheers to a complexion that’s bouncy and buoyant like a firm fishball – and yes, you can thank me later!
Ah, NARS. ‘Nuff said, right? This exquisite emulsion for oily-combi complexions has been engineered to offer both mattifying and brightening benefits, and by golly, they ain’t lying – a smidgen of the spectacularly smooth salve under sunscreen is plenty to sop up gunk and grease throughout the day. I’m also crushin’ on its cool consistency, which is super sexy to the touch. I’d say an airy agar-agar is the closest approximation – perfect for patting on under your foundation for budge-proof beauty all day, e’er’ day.
And while it isn’t tinted per se, the difference is noticeable: My skin looks like my own, only better. Put this right on top of your list of go-to unguents for no-makeup makeup days: Think Sunday champagne brunches, when you want to look presentable without being preternaturally polished. A light lotion that functions as an Instagram filter on standby? Yes, please!
This seriously soothing new hydrating hero comes positively packed with nourishing niacinamide and vitamin E, both of which work in tandem to wick water into the deepest layers of your skin. Throw in a skin-softening suite of botanicals – think exotic elixirs the likes of citrus aurantium peel, bilberry, neem leaf and camu-camu extracts – and you’ve got yourself a formidable face fighter that’s the one to beat this year. Beauty bonus: The cool citrusy scent makes this a really refreshing and relaxing treat to slather onto your skin in the dog days of summer.
As for the results proper, I must say that this has been an utter godsend in soothing scaly spots, reducing redness and diminishing dryness. Slap this on for skin that’s zippy and zingy like the most kawaii handmade mochi (y’know, RMK being a Japanese brand and all.) Cheers!
This blue-bottled baby from one of the most criminally underrated Taiwanese brands around quenches parched skin like almost no other. Consistency-wise, I adore its intriguingly spongy springiness, which works like a dream over makeup: Dab a dollop over any dry patches or spots for an instant smoothening fix.
The moisturiser itself contains mystical malachite, a semi-precious stone cherished by crystal-gazers for its near-miraculous healing properties; as well as aquaphyline, a next-gen hydrating agent – the happiest marriage between spage-age tech and New Agey mysticism, if you ask me.
This gorgeous gel suffuses my skin with a subtle sheen that’s very fetching indeed; if you have a good canvas to begin with, this ought to be able to double up as a pretty primer. No complaints on the fragrance front, either: The crisp citrusy notes are energising and just evanescent enough not to overwhelm. Get this if you’re gunning for the delightfully delicate, lit-from-within luminescence Taiwanese thespians are touted for!
Seriously, this brightening booster is #DaBomb. The swishy Swiss brand’s newest and niftiest offering in its Skin Caviar age-preserving line, you get a cream with a consistency that’s sheerer than ever – perfect for a caftan-cloaked, champagne-clinking weekend at a sun-drenched tropical villa.
For this road test, I gave this a good four weeks to work its magic on my mien, and I’m pleased as punch to report that it’s quite the lifesaver. My cheeks are supple and springier than ever, and I feel like it tacks on the appearance of a good eight hours of sleep to nights when I’m hardly getting any.
Then there’s the texture. Buttery beyond belief, the comforting concoction sinks straight in; no smearing or spreading required. No complaints whatsoever when it comes to packaging, either; the almost obscenely opulent cobalt-and-chrome carafe demands pride of place on your dresser. Big beauty bonus: The product more than passes the smell test; slapping on this subtly scented salve is ridiculously relaxing, especially when it’s hot as blazes outside.
Bottomline? This luxe lotion is well worth saving up your pretty pennies for. Because hey, anything that allows you to go from lethargic and lacklustre to divine and dewy literally overnight is #DieDieMustBuy in my books.
Saving one of the best for last. This delightful Dior darling is divine beyond belief – for starters, it’s stuffed to the gills with red hibiscus, a beguiling bloom said to boast phenomenal detoxifying properties.
Armed with an arsenal of antioxidant and anti-adhesion actives, this silky sun-protective salve is said to deter dust and soothe sun-induced inflammation – the sum result of which is skin that’s as pillowy as petals plucked from the famed Dior Gardens themselves. The gorgeous gel-like glide also makes this potion perfect for priming purposes – pat it on under facepaint and you’ll find that your makeup pigments “grab” better.
And because this is Dior we’re talking about, expect packaging that’s perfectly on point. This sunscreen comes sequestered in a reassuringly solid red receptacle that befits its posh Parisian pedigree – fantastic for a #flatlay shot for your social media feed!
Text: Eugene Quek, Her World Plus / Additional Reporting: Arissa Ha
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