Beauty flash

KOREAN BEAUTIES, PLEASE

To ride on the Hallyu beauty wave, even American and French cosmetics companies are now engaging actresses and models of South Korean descent to front their campaigns.

L'Oreal Paris and Soo Joo Park

Born in Seoul, the edgy 28-year-old model is now the first Asian global spokesman for the French cosmetics brand.

Raised in California and currently based in New York, she has walked the runways of Tom Ford, Fendi, Lanvin, Oscar de la Renta and Donna Karan. She has also been on the cover of international fashion titles such as Numero, Vogue and Wonderland.

Other models in the L'Oreal Paris brigade include Karlie Kloss, Lara Stone, Liya Kebede and Doutzen Kroes.

Bobbi Brown and Claudia Kim

The 30-year-old South Korean actress is the American brand's first Asian celebrity face. By July, her campaign pictures will be released in Asia.

Also known as Kim Soo-Hyun, the model-actress will star in the upcoming Marvel movie, Avengers 2: Age Of Ultron.

As part of her role at Bobbi Brown, she will also star in the brand's online how-to make-up tutorial videos.

SOFTEN YOUR SKIN WITH THESE LOTIONS

A new category of treatment lotions have become an essential part of the skincare routine.

Do not confuse these watery but viscous lotions with toners. The latter ensures that skin is thoroughly cleansed; but the alcohol-based ones also tend to leave skin tight and dry.

On the other hand, skin-softening lotions are meant to keep the skin moist and plump, and prepare it to better absorb other skincare products such as serums and creams.

Many have additional skincare functions to boost the efficacy of the potent serums applied afterwards. Others also provide gentle exfoliation.

These moisturising lotions are meant to be used right after cleansing (or if you like, right after cleansing and toning), and before a serum is applied.

Soak a cotton pad with the lotion and swipe onto your skin, or pour the lotion onto your fingertips and pat it into your skin.

Here are some of the latest to hit the shelves.

Lancome Blanc Expert Melanolyser Brightness Diffusing Essence In Lotion

$110, from Lancome counters

Mint, rose and gentiana flower help prevent skin inflammation; while yeast extract, vitamin CG (a form of vitamin C) and ellagic acid reduce the appearance of dark spots.

RMK Skintuner Smoother (S) Light

$60, from RMK counters

Citrus peel and bilberry extracts boost skin regeneration, strengthen the skin barrier, minimise the appearance of pores, and brighten and even out skin tone.

Rose fruit extract is added to restore skin elasticity, while apricot and hibiscus extracts soften and moisturise.

Available in two versions - one for normal to combination skin, and the other for normal to dehydrated skin.

Chanel Sublimage La Lotion Supreme Ultimate Skin Regeneration

$176, available at Chanel counters from April 17

Vanilla orchid extract, active ingredients and a magnetic water complex are supposed to keep skin hydrated for longer.

Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Forever Youth Liberator Essence-In-Lotion

$119, from YSL Beaute counters

A cream-in-droplet technology that is made to moisturise with a lightweight texture, and glycans (complex sugars in human tissues) to improve skin texture.

Sisleya Essential Skin Care Lotion

$200, from Sisley counters

Marshmallow, phytosqualane and plant glycerine moisturise and protect. The lotion also contains anti-ageing ginkgo biloba, brown algae extract and white willow extract.

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Treatment Lotion

$62, from Origins counters

This contains sea buckthorn berry, an antioxidant; and chaga mushroom, cordyceps and reishi mushroom to rejuvenate skin. Turmeric, ginger and holy basil soothe and reduce inflammation.

SEXY HAIR

Victoria's Secret has extended its cosmetics line with a new haircare range. The 10-piece range is said to have been responsible for the models' sexy and voluminous hair at the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

The products are also scented with accords of crushed leaves, freesia and water hyacinth.

Prices start from $25 for a bottle of shampoo to $28 for a bottle of hair serum.

PERFUME POP-UP

Luxury French perfume house Fragrance Du Bois has set up shop at Tangs Orchard; the pop-up will be located at the beauty department on Level 1 until April 26.

Fragrance Du Bois - which translates to "fragrance of the wood" in French - is known for its natural oud-based scents.

Oud oil from Agarwood trees is rare and prized among the wealthy Arabs and Chinese for its unique woody, animalic, smoky and spicy scent.

The pop-up at Tangs will feature the brand's entire range of fragrances.

Fragrance Du Bois' local flagship is located at The Fullerton Hotel. 

HERB-INFUSED FOUNDATION

Bobbi Brown's new Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40 ($85) is blended with the potent and energising traditional Chinese herb cordyceps. This foundation is the first of its kind.

But before you recoil at the thought of a cordyceps-scented foundation, it actually smells more like a light lavender oil.

The foundation, which is creamy, easy to blend and offers medium to full coverage with a semi-matte finish, also contains bamboo grass which is supposed to add radiance to the skin.

This article was first published on April 3, 2015.
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