If you’re a fan of sheet masks, you need to know Klaypeau – a homegrown skincare multi-brand e-commerce site selling sheet masks from 10 cult, well-loved beauty brands from South Korea, Los Angeles, Thailand, and Taiwan.
Instead of selling these sheet masks in boxes of 10s or 20s, Karen Khoo, founder of Klaypeau decided it was (pocket) friendlier to allow skincare fans to buy and try these highly-raved masks in single sheets. Khoo founded Klaypeau in August 2020.
For someone who lives and breathes sheet masks, we wondered if Khoo masks everyday – and if she even uses any other types of skincare products. And boy, did she surprise us with her huge skincare collection.
SWW: What are your favourite beauty secrets or tips?
Karen Khoo, Founder of Klaypeau (KK): Deeply moisturise your skin before putting on any makeup – it helps your makeup go on smoother and reduces the chance of it looking cakey which can make you look older than you are!
When I wake up to dry skin on certain days, I’ll put on an intense moisturising mask even for that 5 minutes before I put on my make up and it makes a difference. Also, putting on your skincare right after your bath helps your skin to retain that moisture better!
KK: The second most important tip for me is [to] switch things up! Our skin gets [too] used to the same skincare product after awhile. By switching things up, it not only allows you to try the different skincare products out there, but also allow your skin to be better conditioned.
Also, different skincare products have different beneficial properties, switching things up allow your skin to be exposed to all these different ingredients.
SWW: What’s your go-to product or trick for fixing a skin disaster?
KK: As my skin is combi-dry, one of the issue I face at times is dry skin that cause small bumps to appear.
Masking usually does the trick for me as it helps to deeply moisturise my skin and I usually like to slap on some face oil thereafter on days where I need that additional help. I like L’Herboflore Bio-cellulose moisturising mask, Huxley Oil and Extract or Shangpree’s Marine Jewel hydrating mask for that purpose!
For face oils, La Mer’s or Cle de Peau’s face oil usually does wonder for me.
KK: When it comes to hyperpigmentation or acne scars, keeping my skin moisturised does wonder as it helps to make the skin much more easier to manage. I will put on some brightening face mask from time to time but I’m cautious of using anything too harsh.
I usually ensure that I moisturise my skin even more thereafter as brightening products have the tendency to make your skin dry. And of course, the saying that prevention trumps all is definitely true. So, sunscreen is a must for me these days, especially the days after putting on a brightening face mask.
SWW: What was your relationship with beauty like 10 years ago and what is it like now? How has it changed over the years?
KK: It’s embarrassing to say but I used to be really lazy and ignorant about anything skincare.
My mom often had to force me to put on some moisturiser or sunblock, but I never bothered. I was young then and thought skincare was girly and troublesome.
I only started to be more conscientious of it when I started working and noticed women who have way better skin than I had back then even when I was probably the youngest on the desk. I was envious and started to realise the importance having good skin.
You may not see the difference day to day from taking serious care of your skin, but you can definitely tell if someone has put in the effort or not – many years later. And I guess the Korean wave in recent years also make me more aware of what beauty or good skin is.
SWW: Beauty advice you’d share with your younger self?
KK: Please at least put on some sunscreen – minimally!
SWW: Take us through your morning skincare routine!
KK: As I start work very early and my working hours are pretty long, time is of the essence to me. I take around 15mins to get ready on most days.
KK: I start off with a gentle cleanser, toner, eye and face serum, followed by eye and face cream. This is then followed by a SPF50 sunscreen before patting on my makeup. My makeup typically consist of light foundation, eye liner, mascara, eyeshadow, blush, and some lipstick.
If I have some time left, I typically try to clear my mailbox before I step out of the door. As part of the new year resolution, I am trying to wake up 5 minutes earlier and include a short meditation or stretches before starting my day.
SWW: Any mid-day perk-me-ups for the skin?
KK: I will when I travel, especially to countries where the air is dry. I’ll bring a bottle of face mist to keep my skin moisturised.
SWW: What about your nightly skincare and wind-down routine?
KK: I typically start off by double cleansing, using an oil-based cleanser to remove my makeup before washing it off with a face wash. I will then put on a face mask (on alternate days) and either meditate or try to use that time to catch up or reflect on my day.
On a really bad day, I will put on some Netflix and let my brain go idle while I mask. This is followed by eye cream, moisturiser (facial oil on some days) to seal in the benefits of the mask. I will typically use some facial tools to massage and improve the blood circulation. Then it is off to bed!