HAIR

Make your hairstyle last longer

Living Proof Prime Style Extender
$26, from Sephora stores

This promises to protect and keep your hair coiffed for twice as long, so you spend less time touching it up throughout the day, and taming it the day after if you do not have time to wash it.

Even after one wash, your hair would be more manageable than usual. It also detangles and smoothens cuticles. Apply on damp hair and style as usual.

Avoid waking up with bedhead

Essential Treatment Milk
$11.90, from selected supermarkets and personal care stores

Think of this product as a night serum for the hair, only better. Besides moisturising and treating parched ends, it also promises to reduce the friction between your hair cuticles and the pillowcase (which can worsen the condition of damaged hair).

This means you can wake up to a good hair day or, at least, to a day of more manageable locks.

Smoothen your locks

Alterna Caviar CC Cream 10-in-1 Complete Correction Leave-In Hair Perfector
$38, from Sephora stores

The first CC (Complete Correction) Cream for hair is an all-in-one leave-in treatment which promises 10 benefits: moisture, shine, softness, smoothness, UV and heat protection, manageability, stronger hair, anti-breakage and a light hold.

SKINCARE

Apply sunblock the fuss-free way

BeautyBiotics UV White Sunscreen + Whitening Mineral Powder
$49, from selected Watsons stores

The fine SPF 50 PA+++ sunblock powder is conveniently dispensed through a small pot topped with a powder puff. Simply tap and blend for even coverage.

The mineral powder also promises to brighten skin.

Touch up your sunblock on the go

Sulwhasoo Snowise Whitening UV Compact
$74, from Sulwhasoo counters

This SPF 50+/PA+++ sunscreen in a compact promises brighter-looking skin (thanks to an extract from the white cloud grass herb) and an even complexion. Use the spongy side of the powder puff, which comes with it, for thicker coverage and the velvety side for a sheer finish.

The powder is fine, which means you do not have to look into a mirror when applying it.

Get an all-over glow

RMK Glow Stick
$33, from RMK counters

The size of a lipstick, this pearlescent rose gold stick highlighter lets you nimbly define your cheekbones for a sexy glow and the nose bridge for sharper features. You can even use it on the collarbones to highlight them; just swipe and blend with your fingertips.

Perk up tired eyes

GlamGlow Brightmud Eye Treatment
$92, available at Escentials and Sephora stores next month

This non-rinse eye mask perks up your peepers in a jiffy. Leave it on skin for three minutes before wiping it off to reveal brighter looking and less puffy eyes.

Even better, a box of the caffeine-and-peppermint leaf mask comes with 12 capsules, each the size of a contact lens container. Each capsule comes with two individually wrapped pods filled with enough product for each eye. This comes in handy when you want to refresh your eyes on the plane.

Ensure your skin gets enough moisture

Ioma Youth Booster with Mems Sensor
$230, from Ioma counters

We have not seen another product quite like this. Built into the cap of the moisturiser is a device which supposedly is able to measure the skin's hydration levels. This allows you to determine how much hydration your skin needs, so you do not have to waste time applying moisturiser when it is not necessary.

Place the device against clean skin in the morning and wait for three seconds. If up to three of the six red LED lights light up, use the omega-ceramide infused moisturiser only once a day. If more than three of the bulbs are lit, apply the moisturiser twice a day (day and night).

The device is based on microelectromechanical systems, a type of technology used in the fields of aeronautics, telecommunications and medicine. It can be used 300 times, which is roughly equivalent to how long it will take you to finish the bottle of moisturiser.

MAKE-UP

Maintain perfect complexion while on the move

Shu Uemura The Lightbulb UV Compact
$80

The popular liquid Lightbulb foundation - it gives your face an all-over glow, hence the name - now comes in a compact powder version. We are most excited about the product's double-sided sponge applicator.

The regular sponge side lets you apply the powder on skin for a matte finish. Then, flip the sponge around and use the fine fabric coated side to "polish" the areas you want to highlight, such as the bridge of the nose and cheekbones, for an overall semi-matte glow. There is no need for a separate highlighter.

Get thicker lashes

M.A.C Haute & Naughty Lash
$35, from M.A.C counters

This handy mascara lets you lengthen and volumise lashes with two different brushes at once. Twist the sparkly magenta cap for a thick and dense brush that adds volume to lashes. Twist open the fuchsia cap and you get a less dense mascara brush that lengthens lashes.

Get rid of shine

The Porefessional Agent Zero Shine
$47, from Benefit counters

Just twist the bottom of the cylinder to remove the built-in brush, tap some powder onto the cap, swirl the brush in the cap and apply. Done.

The tinted translucent powder is fine and does not leave skin cakey, even when applied over liquid foundation.

Add colour to the face

Nars Matte Multiple
$60 each, available at Nars counters from next month

The iconic shimmery Multiple, a creamy all-in-one stick for the lips, cheeks (as a blusher and for contouring) and even the lids, now comes in a matte texture.

Just pick up the product with your fingers and blend on the skin. Use it dry for a bolder look, or dampen your fingers before picking up the product for a sheer finish. Available in seven shades.

Get fast and flawless coverage

Diorskin Airflash spray foundation
$88, from Dior Backstage Studio at Ion Orchard

Inspired by the manic pace found backstage at Dior's runway shows, this one-of-a-kind foundation-in-a-spray-can offers skin an airbrushed finish fast.

Hold the can about an arm's length away from the face and spray lightly in a zig-zag motion. The fine spray does not stain clothes; but if you are going to wear a white outfit, it is best to put it on after you are done with your make-up.

Next, use a foundation brush to ensure that it is blended well into the skin. The entire process will not take you more than three minutes. If you want heavier coverage, spray the foundation onto the back of your hand at close range and apply it like you would a liquid foundation.

This formula offers light to medium coverage and is available in 10 shades.

De-puff and brighten your eyes

Marc Jacobs Remedy Concealer Pen
$44, available at Sephora stores from next month

One of Jacobs' personal favourites - he said so in an online video while promoting his brand - this concealer comes with a palladium tip that feels icy cool against the skin to soothe and quickly deflate puffiness. The formula instantly brightens dark circles while moisturising skin with a shot of antioxidants.

One simple click of the pen dispenses just the right amount for one eye.

Achieve smoky eyes

Tarte Skinny Smolder Eyes
$30, from Sephora stores

Not only is this liner super-smooth and inky, it comes with a sponge tip at one end which you can use to smudge the strokes to quickly get the smoky-eye effect. Plus, this pencil is waterproof.

PHOTOS: ALTERNA, BEAUTYBIOTICS, BENEFIT, DIOR, ESSENTIAL, GLAMGLOW, IOMA, M.A.C, LIVING PROOF, MARC JACOBS, NARS, RMK, SHU UEMURA, SULWHASOO, TAR

This story was first published in The Straits Times on March 14, 2014

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