My Top 9 Makeup Picks
1. Vitamin C serum or ampoule.
I know what you’re thinking. ‘How is that a makeup product?!’ But here’s the thing. Using active ingredients such as Vitamin C reduces the need for concealer to cover up hyperpigmentation. It also heightens sunscreens’ UV blocking effects. Here are my favourites: Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Anti-Blemish Serum and Isntree C-Niacin Toning Ampoule.
2. Sunscreen.
I particularly love these summer friendly sunscreens for minimal oiliness and maximum protection: Isntree Onion Newpair Sunscreen SPF40 PA+++, Goodal Vegan Rice Milk Moisturizing Sun Cream and Pyunkang Yul Calming Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++. I find that these are moisturising enough to not require a separate moisturiser. However, if you feel like you need an extra moisturising boost, here’s a summer friendly staple of mine: Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel.
3. BB Cream.
Heimish Moringa Ceramide BB Cream SPF 30 PA++ is cult favourite tinted moisturiser-sunscreen packed with skincare benefits. Harvard Medical School recommended the use of tinted sunscreen products in their article called ‘Tinted sunscreens: Benefits beyond an attractive glow’ (Nathan and Manstein, 2020). It is said that there is growing evidence that tinted sunscreen might be particularly helpful for those who are prone to hyperpigmentation and/or melasma. That is not to say that it wouldn’t be helpful for you if this isn’t a skincare concern of yours. Everyone can benefit from its SPF 30 PA++ all year round.
* For those who prefer a vegan option, do not fear; we have you covered. Dr Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea BB Cream SPF 30 PA ++ will be your new BFF. It too provides weightless natural coverage and has a plethora of skincare benefits thanks to its kombucha containing formula.
** And for those who don’t feel comfortable with a light coverage approach, it’s OK. Honestly. We have your back and so does Rom&nd! Rom&nd’s iconic foundation is back and even better than before – meet the Nu Zero cushion. It is a highly buildable cushion foundation with a semi-matte finish making it perfect for summer. Its special fixing formula ensures a velvety finish for longer – say goodbye to patchy skin and say hello to K-drama worthy skin.
4. Eye shadow.
Rom&nd Better Than Palette Eyeshadow. I love their range of makeup palettes due to its versatile shades and finishes. Peony Nude Garden is perfect for the day time – maybe a lunch date, shopping in the mall – that type of thing. Berry Fuschia Garden is perfect for Blackpink or Eras movie nights. The glitter makes it perfect for a night-worthy look; outfit changes won’t be necessary. The glitter does all the talking!
5. Mascara.
Rom&nd Han All Fix Mascara’s smudge free formula makes it perfect for hot summer days. No panda eyes this season! It was formulated to address consumers’ mascara quibbles. More specifically, women wanted mascaras that were impactful without being overwhelming. They also wanted brown mascaras without a red undertone. Having tried its entire line, I can attest to it doing exactly what it says on the tin* (tube). I highly recommend the Long Hazel for a natural lengthening effect. Volume Black is perfect for days that you want a little more oomph to your look.
6. Eyebrow fixer.
Rom&nd Han All Brow Fixer is perfect for a natural uplifted look. It adds a *little something* without being overpowering. It’s great for volumising the brows for a youthful effect. Perhaps I shouldn’t reveal this but you know that I would never lie to you about my beauty journey…so here goes. I over-plucked my eyebrows in high school due to thinking it would look more polished. It really didn’t look polished. It aged me by at least a decade. So, I tried tons of eyebrow products to no avail. Trust me when I say that I am an eyebrow product connoisseur. This is the real deal.
7. Blush.
Rom&nd Better Than Cheek Blush. I like to use a pale pink blush like Rom&nd Strawberry Milk or Odi Milk directly under my eyes for a brightening effect. I find it is a great alternative to concealer especially in summer months as powder blush provides a smoothing and mattifying effect without the risk of creasing. I then like to use a darker makeup blush to diffuse the initial blush for an ombre effect. My favourite shade is Blueberry Chip.
8. Lip tint.
Rom&nd Blur Fudge Tint is perfect for a long lasting matte lip. I’m particularly in love with the shade Cooling Up for a my-lips-but-better look. It wears beautifully throughout the day – no dry patches or uneven pigmentation – making it a great low effort everyday lip product. It’s not necessary to top it up throughout the day but I occasionally like to in order to enhance my just bitten lip look. It involves emphasising the inner lip area by applying a generous swipe of lip product; it is then followed by dispersing the formula outwards. It’s far more wearable than you think it sounds!
9. Setting powder.
Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder is my summer lifesaver. It’s the workhorse of my makeup routine. It doesn’t emphasise fine lines or dry patches due to being incredibly finely milled. I’d compare it to icing powder after putting it through a sieve; it’s soft and silky magic especially when used with the puff provided. I have 3 back ups to ensure that I’m never without it. I promise that you’ll be inclined to do the same after trying this powder out. #no gatekeeping.
Final word
We look forward to enjoying this look as much as we do!