Pamper

THE GLOW UP

News from the beauty aisle PREP TALK

Makeup artist Leticia Bishop teaches us how to get our skin primed for makeup.

The key to flawless makeup begins with having a good skin prep routine. Looking after your skin and following the right steps will make sure your makeup goes on perfectly and stays put all day. Everyone is different, and finding the right routine for you might take time, but here’s a simple guide that will suit most complexions.

START WITH EXFOLIATION

Some type of gentle exfoliation a few times a week will help improve your skin and create a good base for applying makeup. Makeup can do lots of things, but it’s not great at changing your skin’s texture. For me, I opt for a chemical type of exfoliation over a physical scrub because I find it gentler.

TIMING

Some people do their makeup directly after skincare and sunscreen, but I encourage people to leave a gap if possible. Do your hair, brush teeth, find your outfit, and then apply your makeup.

Why? Leaving your skin for a few minutes allows time for your skincare/ sunscreen to sink in, avoiding that dreaded pilling effect (when little balls of product roll off your skin) when applying foundation. If you’re leaving time for your products to absorb and are still getting product pilling, check your ingredient labels. It could be that too many of your products contain silicon, which doesn’t layer well.

You may have the opposite routine, and do your skincare and sunscreen first thing, but you don’t apply makeup until you leave the house. If you applied your skincare several hours ago, your skin needs a refresh so the makeup can blend well. If this is the case, spritz your face with a moisturising mist to dampen the skin.

PRIME TIME?

Makeup primers are beneficial, but in my opinion, not always needed. You should assess your skin, the weather and the look you’re doing. In winter, they are often required less, as you’re less likely to sweat your makeup off. For oil control, evaluate your skin and just apply a primer in the affected regions, e.g. in the T-zone.

When doing an eye look with using different eyeshadows, it’s useful to apply an eye primer to hold shadows in place and help prevent creasing. Do be sure to blend the primer well; otherwise, your shadows on top won’t be as nice.

BEAUTY NEWS

GREEN THUMB

Looking for a manipedi that’s eco-friendly AND cruelty-free? Head down to South Island, where you’ll find new nail bar, Urban Chillez. This Wong Chuk Hang salon uses only vegan products that are at least 9-free (free from the nine most harmful chemicals commonly found in beauty products). The space itself is a stunning converted industrial space just steps from the MTR, making it a quick and easy spot to duck into when you’re southside. Like any good salon should do, this place feels like an oasis of calm a world away from the busy streets outside. Guests are welcome to unwind with a glass of wine on the house whilst perfecting their talons with beautiful - and biodegradable - nail art.

2A, E-Fat Industrial Building, 4 Heung Yip Rd., Wong Chuk Hang, 5597-4277, urbanchillez.com

TRENDING

HOME GLOWIN'

Looking for a little upgrade to your beauty routine? We’ve noticed a slew of A-listers, including Chrissy Teigen, Katy Perry and Jessica Alba, using athome LED light masks to keep their skin looking bright and red carpet-ready. What is an LED light mask, and how does it work? These devices expose your skin to different wavelengths of light in order to produce a wide range of benefits. The light stimulates collagen production, giving your skin a brighter and smoother appearance, while fighting other common skin concerns like fine lines, pigmentation, and acne. If it’s good enough for Chrissy, it’s good enough for us! While these tend to run on the more expensive side, if you’re keen to give one a go this winter, we recommend the relatively affordable Deesse Mellite LED Phototherapy Face Mask ($3,980), which you can order online from Thea Home Beauty (formerly The Artistry). theahomebeauty.com