Beauty

Team Buro Answers: What is your beauty go-to for a confidence boost?

15.03.2019

By Wei Yeen Loh

Team Buro Answers: What is your beauty go-to for a confidence boost?

While we’re all for self-love and body positivity (yas), there are a handful beauty essentials that we absolutely cannot leave the house without (or live without). For some of us, the mere idea of walking of the house sans eyebrows is akin to walking out of the house without clothes on—a shoutout to our fellow sparse-brows sisters out there. If we really distill the real idea behind slapping on makeup and taking care of your skin, we all can agree that the power of such beauty products lies in the way it empowers us.

Whether it’s a flush of colour on the cheeks or a spray of our favourite scent, there are plenty of ways to start your day refreshed and confident—below, Team Buro shares their favourite beauty wonders that are practically self-care in a bottle:

TERRY SAW, editor-in-chief
 

If I was stranded on an island but granted three wishes, they would most certainly be chocolates, Netflix and a bath tub—in no particular order. I’ve always been a super fan of relaxing baths (bubbles, bath bombs, bubble bars—you name it) but it wasn’t until I got into the business that I realized it was the benefits of scent therapy that got me hooked. Besides my makeup stash for daytime confidence, I’m a big believer in essential oils and its power to help me navigate through this thing called life.

Scent therapy is super calming (important), relieves stress (need) and works magic to improve your well-being especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the world on your shoulders. Over the years, my top favourites include REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil, deep sleep Pillow Spray and Stress Check Roll-On for my travels and of course, the beautiful bath offerings from LUSH cosmetics when I need to recharge and reset my mind—works a charm every time.

GWEN ONG, deputy editor
 

I love what a spritz of fragrance can do for the spirit and soul. My earliest encounter with scent is credited to my mum—she had a vanity shelf that was neatly organised with a few bottles of perfume that she’d only used for special occasions. I remember how her smile grew wider each time she spritzed on her favourite eau de parfum—it was truly fascinating to my young mind to witness this magic. Now as an adult, I revel in the same uplifting feeling whenever I spritz on my Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt and Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Celestia.

JOAN KONG, fashion editor
 

For someone who has the sparsest of eyebrows, the first beauty product that comes into mind is eyebrow pencils, but recently, I’ve developed a newfound love for something a little unexpected—highlighter. And for someone who isn’t a major makeup enthusiast, I think it’s almost an achievement. I’ve recently switched up my skincare routine, hence a much-improved complexion; so what better way to show it off than with swaths of illuminating glow? I’ve tried a few different brands and textures, but my favourite so far is Benefit Cosmetics’ cream highlighter, aptly named Watt’s Up. I love how the soft-matte champagne hue is subtle yet adds that nice shimmer to my skin, not forgetting how fuss-free it is to apply. Simply glide it on, blend it with your fingers, and you’re good to go!

STEPHANIE BOEY, fashion writer
 

My daily makeup routine is close to nada. Ask anyone in the office and they’ll tell you I’m most often bare-faced save for sunscreen (An absolute must—skin care first, ladies!). But when I do paint my face, I’m rarely without a cat-eye flick. My eye shape is very round so I work with what I have but try to elongate the sides to give the illusion of the much-desired almond eye. I’ve gone through my fair share of liquid eyeliners through the years to know that I have oily lids. And no matter how perfect or balanced the flicks are, it all just goes to waste when the pigments transfer to the top of my eyelids, even with the added assurance of pressed powder (my right eye in particular loves to misbehave). Kate Tokyo Digital Memory Liner works best with my skin and doesn’t smudge even when I forget to put powder on. Flicks on fleek, all day!

WEI YEEN LOH, senior beauty writer
 

When it comes to beauty gripes, I’m completely accepting of all things deemed less-than-perfect on my face—after all, why vie for perfection when it’s the most irregular (and singular) features that make you stand out? But on days where I feel like I need a jolt of something (no thanks to late nights and under-hydrating), nothing beats a cheek and lip colour that can add some semblance of life to my pallor, not to mention, a boost of confidence. I find multi-use colour sticks an absolute lifesaver especially when I’m on-the-go, such as Nars The Multiple Tint that’s currently one of my #empties, mostly to revive my complexion and give it a healthy glow that would work for any occasion.

RACHEL AU, lifestyle editor
 

If I had to pick, it would be the Shiseido Waso Color-Smart Day Moisturiser. I never leave the house without applying this. I’ve always been very self-conscious about my uneven skin tone, especially the reddish patches on my cheeks, so this is truly a huge confidence booster. It applies well and it doesn’t take a lot to get a good amount of coverage (except for huge pimples, sadly, that doesn’t do the trick so well). It’s also oil-free, which works well for my skin type (combination skin) for a slightly matte finish. Oh, it also has SPF 30 (though yes, I know that’s not enough as Senior Beauty Writer Wei Yeen always reminds us). All in all, it helps me feel better about my skin.

SU FEN TAN, senior writer
 

I’ll admit, I’m a zit picker. That coupled with a long bout of hormonal acne over the past few years has left a slew of less-than-desirable post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scars on my face. These days, my go-to product for presentable skin is Dr. Jart+ Dis A Pore Beauty Balm. Granted, it doesn’t make my skin flawless (it’s no foundation after all), but it covers redness well enough and leaves behind a smooth, matte finish. SPF is always a plus too! My only gripe is that it does have a slight grey cast—nothing a good primer won’t fix.

ALYSSA LEE, special projects writer
 

Makeup is magic! Contour and voila, cheekbones! If you want, highlight yourself a nose bridge! But to me, the whole shebang is nothing without good brows. If your face were a painting, the brows would be the frame to hold it up. Now, for those with naturally thick, bushy, meaty caterpillars, just scroll down, or click away—I’ve wasted your time. For those still listening however, these are my recommendations: very lightly sketch out your desired eyebrow shape and check both sides for balance, fill large gaps in with brow powder, and feather out the outline with a spoolie. Then, using a good eyebrow mascara, coat the life out of those measly brow hairs! Tips: always use short strokes to mimic natural hairs when filling in a brow and for something that can last through 24 hours of sweat, sebum, and rubbing, try the Shu Uemura Eyebrow Ink—it’s water-proof and as I like to say, “life-proof”.

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