Top 12 cult beauty products to try

Not found in physical stores here (yet!), these online-only beauty goodies make us look and smell amazing.

All prices are accurate at time of print; may be subject to change. This story was originally published in the March 2016 issue of Her World magazine.

These products are only available online for now, but we're sure you've heard of them. Here are the top 12 beauty products you need to try

1. LEE JIHAM DR'S CARE VITAL CC CREAM, $48.

This beautifully lightweight CC cream contains vitamin tree extracts that are said to have 800 times more vitamin C than apples, making it great for brightening the skin and evening out its tone. While the cream dispenses white, it will adapt to your skin tone once applied and doesn't leave a greyish cast.

Get it at: www.hkcplaza.com

2. 111SKIN CELESTIAL BLACK DIAMOND CREAM, US$1,365 (S$1,958).

This has the British brand's patented star ingredient, NAC Y2, which features the amino acids and antioxidants used by astronauts to slow down the accelerated skin-ageing process in space. We got radiant and hydrated skin in five days.

Get it at: www.net-a-porter.com

3. HERBIVORE BOTANICALS BAMBOO CHARCOAL CLEANSING BAR SOAP, US$12 (S$17).

A must-have for those with oily, acne-prone skin, this helps dry up small pimples and reduce the redness of cystic acne. Bonus: its fresh, citrusy scent.

Get it at: www.herbivorebotanicals.co

4. CHARLOTTE TILBURY LUXURY PALETTE COLOUR- CODED EYE SHADOWS - THE REBEL, US$70 (S$100).

Known for the smoky feline eye looks she creates for Kate Moss and Rihanna, celeb makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury now has her own makeup line. Her eyeshadow quads feature richly pigmented, slightly creamy shadows that are a dream to blend.

Get it at: www.net-a-porter.com

5. MAY LINDSTROM SKIN THE YOUTH DEW, US$120 (S$173).

This brand is the brainchild of model-turned-entrepreneur May Lindstrom. Its cult hydrating facial oil is meant to be used on wet (not damp) skin and has 20 botanical oils, including avocado, jojoba and sea buckthorn, to leave skin plump and silky-smooth. It is also formulated with coenzyme Q10 to reportedly help prevent signs of ageing caused by excessive sun exposure - so useful in our tropical climate.

Get it at: www.maylindstrom.com

6. ALPHA-H LIQUID GOLD, $56.

We're all about glowing skin, which is why we love this mini-peel treatment that is rich in glycolic acid. Use it the night before a big event, or slap it on two to three times a week to reduce the look of fine lines and pigmentation.

Get it at: www.luxola.com

7. GO-TO EXCEPTIONOIL, A$51 (S$51).

This salve basically works everywhere; use it to condition your hair, hands and elbows. It has skin-softening monoi oil as a base ingredient, and its gardenia scent means it can easily double as a sexy (but subtle) perfume.

Get it at: www.gotoskincare.com

8. DR JACKSON'S NATURAL PRODUCTS 05 FACE AND EYE ESSENCE, US$101 (S$145).

British brand Dr Jackson's favours plant-based ingredients such as the rose water, and camomile and baobab extracts in this face and eye gel, which work to tighten the skin, especially around the eyes. We love using the essence after a day out in the sun, as it helps reduce redness and irritation.

Get it at: www.net-a-porter.com

9. MERMAID SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER, US$60 (S$86).

Gentle and sulphate-free, this haircare duo has the cutest retro packing, the best name ever and a great beachy scent - pina coladas, anyone? Enriched with sea kelp, the formula leaves hair clean, tangle- free and smelling great for hours.

Get it at: www.mermaidperfume.com

10. KAHINA GIVING BEAUTY BRIGHTENING SERUM, $95.

First off, we love that this fair-trade brand is helping Berber (an ethnic group in Morocco) women make a living - the organic argan oil used by the brand is produced by them. Then there is the lightweight serum itself, which combines the hydrating benefits of argan oil with the brightening effects of Japanese seaweed and white lily.

Get it at: www.charisnaturals.com

11. TATCHA POLISHED CLASSIC RICE ENZYME POWDER, US$65 (S$94).

This cleansing powder from the American brand - whose products are inspired by the beauty rituals of Japanese geishas - uses age-old Asian ingredients such as rice powder, papaya enzymes and pearl powder to brighten and exfoliate. It creates a rich but gentle foam when mixed with water, and gives skin an instant radiance boost.

Get it at: www.tatcha.com

12. PIXI GLOW TONIC EXFOLIATING TONER, £18 (S$37).

Once available only at the Pixi store in London, this toner from the cult British makeup brand is now available online. The alcohol-free, aloe-infused toner has 5 per cent glycolic acid, an AHA (alpha- hydroxy acid), to gently get rid of dead skin cells. We love that it doesn't sting, unlike other acid-based exfoliants.

Get it at: www.pixibeauty.com

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