The Makeup Twist: Creative Cat Eyes

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Cleopatra’s were crazy, Audrey Hepburn’s classic, and Amy Winehouse’s cool, but, ahem, it’s already 2018. The look’s been reinvented to iconic status repeatedly, so what would make it fresh without being cliched? At the S/S ’18 shows, Oscar de la Renta created the flick (yes, just the flick) in a contrasting colour, Monse went for “double cat eyes” (a shorter line drawn above the main one), while Tom Ford did rounded, graphic tips. And these here are our own exaggerated adaptations, which leave the answer: by not being limited by the others that came before.

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Perfect the look with (from top): Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Intense Black, $33, Sephora. K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Real Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner in Natural Black, $19.90. Burberry Beauty Cat Eye Liner, $62

Photography Zaphs Zhang Styling Imran Jalal Hair & Makeup Sha Shamsi, using Sebastian Professional & Urban Decay Model Claudia/Mannequin

The Star Upgrade: Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer

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This perennial bestseller of nearly two decades is so good that the brand has never needed to formulate another of its type. Like a real-life skin-perfecting app (take that, Facetune!), this concealer (in six tones, $105 each) blends imperceptibly into skin to mask dark circles, fine lines and blemishes, without leaving tell-tale signs like caking. So, how to top something this effective? Add essential sun protection of SPF25/PA+++, as well as potent skin-brightening ingredients to treat while covering.

The Must-Try: These Overachieving Cushions

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Did the word “cushions” get you? We knew it. Women’s expectations of coverage haven’t quite been the same since cushion foundations exploded onto the scene two years ago. Now the two here don’t just promise heavy duty coverage alongside a lightweight, melt-into-skin texture, as well as the ability to combat sallowness and dullness. Dior’s Prestige Le Cushion Teint de Rose (top, $140) is boosted with skin-regenerating benefits, and helps recreate the soft glow and pinkish tone of the bloom that inspired it. Meanwhile, Sulwhasoo’s upgraded Perfecting Cushion EX ($80) is a godsend for thirsty complexions, thanks to skin-balancing ingredients and beta-glucan – a natural moisture magnet.

The Next Cult Buy: YSL Tatouage Couture

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The word “tatouage” is French for tattoo, which sums up the USPs of this lip colour. It doesn’t budge (reportedly not for at least eight hours). A spatula-like brush means application is as precise as a pro’s. And its matte finish (in 18 shades of red, orange and pink, $55 each) is as inky, hyper-pigmented and badass as Ed Sheeran’s surprisingly mad tats. (His body art include the Heinz ketchup logo and Van Gogh’s Starry Night.) For all this edge, its as-light-as-nothing feel means as much comfort as the geeky pop star’s tunes.

Photography Vee Chin Art Direction Adeline Eng

This story first appeared in Female’s February 2018 issue.

Like this? Check out the upcoming Sephora Spring 2018 makeup launches to add to your wishlist, the beauty ingredient everyone needs for a glowing complexion and how Korean women treat oily skin.