In our beauty black book this month are launches ranging from anti-ageing skincare, makeup that protects and cares for the skin and a calming scent to help you sleep better every night. Get ready to take notes.
Fans of Lancome’s signature Advanced Genifique serum should check out the brand’s new virtual flagship store, which marks the debut of Lancome’s inaugural official e-boutique in Singapore – an immersive online platform where the full breadth of their products is stocked.
Here, customers will be able to redeem a seven-day Genifique trial kit that’s customised to their skin’s needs. Another first for Lancome is the E-Youth Finder, their inaugural mobile skin diagnosis tool that’s powered by artificial intelligence, with which visitors can experience a personalised virtual skin consultation.
As part of Lancome’s continued efforts to empower women to lead a #StrongerEveryday life, the brand will be supporting Daughters Of Tomorrow (a Singapore charity that assists economically challenged women into sustained employment) as their appointed charity for the virtual flagship. With every registered sample redeemed there, a $5 donation will go towards supporting underprivileged women in their back-to-work journeys.
Check out the virtual flagship store here
American powerhouse Kiehl’s has also established a new 3D-based virtual shop, where online customers get to ‘walk’ around the store, enjoy product displays, and complete purchases the way they normally would – all from the comfort of their home.
The brand has also employed augmented reality technology, which allows customers to view Kiehl’s products in the setting of their homes. They are able to zoom into the products to read the product labels and ingredients clearly, as though they are viewing the product in stores.
What also sounds exciting is the introduction of a new AI-powered online diagnostic digital experience for customers – the Instant Skin Reader. Customers simply need to upload a selfie and answer three questions regarding age, skin type, and skin sensitivity. The Instant Skin Reader’s unique algorithm, developed by dermatologists, has a 90.1 per cent accuracy rate. It’ll analyse the uploaded photo, comparing it to a diverse set of 10,000 other images, and the customer will instantly receive results on their skin.
Visit Kiehl’s 3D Virtual Shop here
The latest addition to SK-II’s repertoire is the Skinpower range, which consists of four products at the moment: the Skinpower Airy Milky Lotion, Cream (pictured), Essence and Eye Cream.
Its USP: SK-II says it discovered that the skin can fluctuate from youthful and glowing, to dull and tired, in a single day, due to known external stressors such as UV rays, pollution, lack of sleep or temperature changes in the environment (for example, when you travel from one climate to another).
This results in visible and acute pore ageing in skin which amplifies the visibility of pores and emphasises lines. To combat that, the Skinpower range features what the brand calls “InfinitPower Technology” which includes extracts from herbs and plants such as the calla lily, dokudami (a Japanese herb) and peonies to keep the skin at optimal health.
From $153. Available at SK-II stores and Sephora
Everyone knows that retinol is the holy grail of anti-ageing. However, it gets a lot of bad press as it can often leave skin dry, tight and peeling. But here comes the good news: The new Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum uses a precise daily-dosage formula that combines retinol, ceramides and peptides to give you all the benefits while minimising the uncomfortable side effects often associated with traditional retinol use. Say goodbye to fine lines, wrinkles and sagging and hello to a youthful-looking you.
$130. Available at Kiehl’s stores and counters, and Kiehls.com.sg
Get that healthy lit-from-within flush with the new Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush. Inspired by the brand’s 2019 Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint, this light gel formula contains micro-droplets of colour pigments that melt onto the skin to impart a subtle wash of colour and offer an immediate sensation of freshness. For best results, apply with a blusher brush or lightly dabbing with your fingers. Comes in four natural, easy-to-wear shades.
$84 each. Available at Chanel Fragrance & Beauty boutiques and counters, and the brand’s e-shop
The new Rouge Dior Natural Balm is infused with more than 95 per cent natural-origin flora formula with ingredients like shea butter and pomegranate flower, red hibiscus, red peony and fig blossom extracts to keep your pout soft and kissable for up to 24 hours. The balms come in three finishes– satin, velvet and matte, and 12 irresistible shades that leave lips with a flattering wash of colour.
$56 each. Available at Dior Beauty boutiques and counters, and Sephora
Now there’s a new option to skin well-hydrated thanks to the La Mer Hydrating Infused Emulsion. Packed with the brand’s iconic cell-renewing Miracle Broth along with nutrient-rich kelp and soy, and antioxidant-rich lime tea concentrate, its ultra-fluid texture instantly hydrates the skin yet doesn’t leave it feeling sticky – perfect for Singapore’s hot and humid weather.
From $200. Available at La Mer stores and counters, and Sephora
Enriched with the Chronolux Power Signal Technology – found in the well-loved Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum, the improved Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix boosts skin’s natural repair abilities, targeting multiple eye concerns like fine lines, sagging, puffiness and dark circles. It also contains a Visco-Elastic Polymer and hyaluronic acid blend to combat the visible effects of dynamic expressions – think blinking, squinting and smiling, to keep the delicate eye area looking youthful. Best bit? The custom-designed cooling cryo-steel applicator increases micro-circulation and instantly reduces puffiness.
$120. Available at Estee Lauder stores and counters, Estee Lauder official site on Lazada and Sephora
Make your lipstick uniquely yours thanks to the Christian Louboutin Beauty Sooooo… Glow collection. Part of the brand’s sustainable beauty initiative, this refillable lipstick collection allows you to change up your lip colour according to the occasion or vibe. Start by selecting your lip colour from an array of 15 shades from nudes and pinks to reds and purples. Next, choose your lipstick case – comes in three pop hues of red, pink and yellow. Finally, add a charm or two, or three – choose from six emblematic charms including the brand’s iconic stiletto, spiked sneakers and Elisa bag, to customise your new lipstick case.
From $76. Available at Tangs at Tang Plaza and Tangs.com
If you have trouble sleeping, the new Scent by Six Sleep, Returns collection is here to help. A woody, aromatic and calming scent inspired by the Six of Swords tarot card, it helps you drift off to la-la-land with lemongrass, pine needles, cedarwood, hinoki, patchouli and sandalwood. In fact, it’s also received positive feedback from a global panel of 45 participants who indicated that the scent has improved their sleep quality and duration. Take your pick from a Reed Diffuser, Pillow Mist, Mini Nebuliser with Aroma Essence and Aroma Essence. And as with its 2020 Hikaru collection, Scent by Six will be donating $10,000 from the sale proceeds of Sleep, Returns to the Singapore Association of Mental Health, to raise awareness of mental health issues and the importance of caring for our mental wellbeing in Singapore.
From $28. Available at Scent by Six stores, including the newly opened Jem Scent Bar at #01-K1 JEM, and Scentbysix.com
The well-loved Ryo Haircare shampoos are now fortified with five naturally-derived anti-hair loss ingredients found in Korean Traditional Herbal Medicine, including ginseng, caffeine, green tea, Chinese skullcap and liquorice, and uses a new Ginsen9EX technology to address nine different scalp and hair concerns. Plus, the Hair Loss range also introduces two new options – Weak Hair and Anti-Dandruff, which is great if you have hair loss woes in addition to other hair and scalp concerns. Now you can get lustrous locks just like Park Shin-Hye.
From $19.90. Available at Guardian and official Ryo stores on Lazada and Shopee
Thanks to the success of the Laneige Neo Cushion, the new Laneige Neo Foundation is just what we urbanites need. Its sweat-resistant formula reduces redness and hides the appearance of enlarged pores for a flawless finish. In addition, it features AmorePacific’s first patented makeup electro-filter ingredient that protects against fine dust, pollution and UV rays, as well as a unique Water Color Solution technology that prevents oxidation so your complexion looks perfect all day. Comes in two variants – Neo Foundation Glow and Neo Foundation Matte.
$64. Available at Laneige stores and counters, official Laneige store on Shopee and Sephora
Drawing inspiration from the Asian philosophy of qi, the new Kenzoki restores the “flow” of hydration within the skin. The secret is the Sacred lotus flower water and oil extracts derived from lotus flowers grown along the Mekong River in Vietnam that protects skin against free radical damage while soothing the skin and keeping it healthy, strong and youthful. Choose from three new ranges – Youth Flow protects against oxidative stresses keeping skin plump with youth, Hydration Flow keeps skin deeply moisturised and Nourishing Flow strengthens the skin barrier on the body and hands.
From $22. Available at Sephora store and Sephora.sg
A version of this article first appeared in Her World