Drea Chong's go-to face slimming serum and other August beauty favourites

Drea Chong's go-to face slimming serum and other August beauty favourites
PHOTO: Instagram/ dreachong

1. Sisley Hair Rituel The Cream, $120

Ever since I bleached my hair two years ago, I realised I needed a completely new set of haircare products. My needs have become different and somewhat more… desperate. This heat-activated product that protects and restores hair is now my must-have.

Bleached hair takes a long time to dry, so blow- drying is a necessity. I love how this cream – when activated by heat – forms an adhesive micro-gel to seal the damaged parts and repair breakage. My hair is left softer and glossier. At Metro and BHG

2. Ole Henriksen Dewtopia 20 per cent Acid Night Treatment, $78

I’m a big believer in acid ingredients in skincare, and this night serum doesn’t disappoint. With a potent blend of 10 per cent AHAs and 10 per cent PHAs, Dewtopia interestingly doesn’t trigger my sensitive skin at all.

After using it for just five consecutive nights, I saw a glowy, bright complexion on the morning of the sixth day. Its light texture, with a refreshing lemony scent, means it’s easily absorbed into skin too. At Sephora

3. Estee Lauder Pure Color Whipped Matte Lip Color, $49

Bold, hydrating and lasting – the key words for my ideal lip colour, and this certainly checks all of them. One stroke is all I need. Comes in nine shades, but my faves are Bar Noir and Love Fever. At Estee Lauder and Sephora.

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4. Clarins V Shaping Facial Lift Eye Concentrate, $99

The first winning point of this eye serum for me is its in-built cryo-cooling applicator. The cooling effect is immediate and lingers for several minutes after application.

The serum, containing botanical ingredients such as Irish moss extract, Zerumbet ginger extract and horse chestnut, is lightweight enough for it to be quickly absorbed. After two weeks of using it day and night, my eye area looks more rested. At Clarins

5. Fenty Skin Buff Ryder, $48

Smelling the Barbados cherry, coconut oil, pomegranate, papaya and pineapple enzymes in this body scrub transports me to Ubud, the heart of Bali. This vegan, and gluten- and cruelty-free formula of sugar, salt and actual superfine sand is a gentle yet effective exfoliator that works great on my dry skin. At Sephora

6. Chantecaille Flower Power Cheek Shade, $70

I usually find it challenging to find the perfect blusher as it’s one area you really shouldn’t be experimenting much with, unlike eyeshadows and lipsticks – plus it has to look natural on your cheeks.

The super light micro-fine finish and silky emollient powder in this means the formula melts upon application, resulting in a healthy, second-skin flush. At Takashimaya and Tangs at Tangs Plaza

7. Aesop Karst Eau de Parfum, $255

The Australian brand has just launched a trio of parfums, idyllically named Othertopias. Perhaps it’s my desire to travel, but the scents deeply appeal to my senses and imagination. Karst, in particular, smells peculiarly familiar, with cumin and sandalwood conjuring salty, metallic notes reminiscent of the tides. At Aesop

ALSO READ: Fenty Skin's Buff Ryder Exfoliating Body Scrub and other hot beauty products to try in July

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