If there’s one thing COVID-19 and the past year has taught us, it’s that Zoom Face and all things phygital are here to stay. As Phase Two (Heightened Alert) measures kick in, Vogue Singapore speaks to these beauty professionals who have made presenting on camera a way of life. Here’s everything you’ll need to get glam and gorgeous as you work and play from home.”
Sahur Saleim
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Nudestix Cream Concealer. “I used shades 5 and 6 depending on different parts of my face. Super lightweight concealer that instantly conceals and evens skintone. Buildable coverage. Seamless finish and blends into the skin super naturally! It’s my go to for evening out my skintone and making my face look super clean.”
“Once I have corrected any darkness or discolouration on my skin with the concealer, I like to use my Sahur‘s Art Glazed Crème in Vienna to add some dimension and colour back into the skin. I use ‘Vienna’ on the highest points of my cheekbones and on my lips. The formula is super versatile so you can blend it out or even build up as you see fit! I’ve seen some people with fairer skin tones use our Glazed Crème in 1908 for the same purpose! It’s the perfect instant perk up for the skin that lasts all day and feels completely weightless. That’s my go to routine when I only have 5 minutes and it makes all the difference.”
Michelle Sielman
For luxury beauty content creator, life might have slowed down slightly but this only made way for anxiety to mount, inhibiting creativity and her motivation to blog. “It’s hard to feel the need to post about ‘must-have’ new launches when everybody is going through difficult times”, she admits, mentioning maskne and hair loss as result of all this uncertainty and added stress. She does, however keep positive through her @bubblymichelle Instagram account which populated with glow essentials and sunsets, and she finds normalcy in Zoom meetings: “I use it as an excuse to put on some make-up and ‘meet-up’ with my friends from the industry. Most of the time I do concealer, a light foundation and a bright lip—focus on what gives you maximum impact.”
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Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Finish Foundation. “It looks like I’m not wearing a lot of makeup cos the formula is so thin but has good buildable coverage. Then I dab on some Clé de Peau stick concealer for any spots and undereyes. The goal is to look flawless without looking like I really made an effort.”
Chanel Rouge Coco Flash or Rouge Allure Laque lipsticks “My favourite shade is Invincible. It’s a stunning red and instantly makes me look fresh! You can look really washed out on Zoom if you wear a nude or the usual ‘my-lips-but-better’ shades, so normally the brighter the better for me.
Marc Teng
Veteran hair and make-up guru, Marc Teng tries to look at the silver linings of recent social distancing measures in Phase 2. “I try not to see this as a lock up but rather an opportunity to focus on other things that makes me happy. A time to indulge in beauty treatments, food (deliveries), more time with our loved ones or even ourselves.”
This situation is only temporary. Remember when we were kids and when we would wait for the rain to stop so we could go out to play? I’m looking forward to the day when the sun’s out and we can all meet and play.
In the meantime, let’s all take good care of ourselves and our loved ones!”
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Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. “For radiance in a flash.”
Percy and Reed No-Fuss Fabulousness Dry Shampoo. “A few spritzes on the scalp to remove oily scalp and hair instantly refreshes and gives body to your hairstyle.”
Marie Soh
Reflecting on how the pandemic has affected the local beauty scene, Marie shares: “I’ve just been keeping an open mind, if I don’t have any make-up bookings I focus my time on being a mum and my baking sideline. To keep optimistic and hopeful, I don’t allow my mind and thoughts to spiral,” says the make-up artist. “I tell myself to focus on what I can do and control and trust that everything else will sort itself out. I’m also constantly praying the childcare centres won’t close.”
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Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Illuminating Face Primer. “It gives an instant glow to my skin to make me look awake and like I slept really well…even though we all know that probably wasn’t the case!”
Stila Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Intense Black. “A classic winged liner is my go-to for instantly make my eyes more obvious on video and like I put a lot of effort into looking professional.”
Sylvia Ramirez
For doctor Sylvia Ramirez, Medical and Scientific Director of Cutis Medical Laser Clinics Singapore, the increase in time spent looking at ourselves in front of the screen since lockdown has resulted in a busier work schedule for her: “Both adults and millennials want to look more confident online and are now considering Baby Botox or a lower-than-normal dosage of botulinum toxin injections. Such procedures also have intangible benefits, as they can make you feel more confident, which can translate to less stress, fear and anxiety about the ongoing pandemic”.
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Dr. Sylvia Skin Care 20% Vitamin C with Ferulic Acid.“Zoom is a nightmare! We rarely watch ourselves talking and we now see facial movements that we weren’t aware of previously. In a recent survey we did, over 90 percent noticed their wrinkles, sagging and other facial concerns more during this period. So don’t forget to apply your vitamin C serum! I use our in-house 20% Vitamin C formula as this ensures that you have the correct pH and formulation of Vitamin C to protect your skin from oxidative damage. On top of this, you need sunscreen—remember, even if you are staying at home, UV rays are everywhere.
Hourglass Lighting Bronzer. “The laptop’s front-facing camera can distort images, translating to an extreme “wide angle” view, plus webcams give the face a one-tone appearance, which can make you look flat and colourless. Apply bronzer in all the areas the sun would normally hit your face: the cheekbones, top of the forehead, sides of the face and below the jaw. This and a little concealer to brighten up your under eyes, tightener to define, and a lip balm to complete the natural yet polished look.
Jane Shah
“I would say there is never a better time to treat your skin. Letting your skin breathe doesn’t mean you can’t make yourself look presentable at the same time. It’s also a good idea to be prepared to switch things up. If you’re working remotely, there are tricks on how to look good without using bold makeup while at the comfort of working from home,” says Jane, make-up artist of 10 years.
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Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator. “It is always vital to ensure that our skin is often moisturised. This lightweight oil-free formula provides skin hydration for over 100 hours that goes over 10 layers deep. It locks in moisture so that our skin is endlessly plump and surfaced with a healthy-looking glow.”
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation. “Due to my uneven skin tone, using a soft matte foundation helps to even out my skin tone and provides an instant lively look for my face.”
Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm. “Glosses play a part in attracting eyes to our lips. Giving colour allows the lips to be more fuller and eye-catching.”
Ann Lopez
“When it comes to work opportunities online, it has been a blessing in disguise. I’m grateful to be working alongside more brands lately. I used to always do full glam Indian wedding make-up, but the pandemic made me share more natural looks since most of us are now staying indoors. It’s also taught me to be more experimental and versatile, change is the only constant thing in life”, says model and social media strategist, Ann Lopez.
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Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base. “Citrusy and nourishing, this two-way moisturizer and primer is my go-to product this season. It leaves a little glow and makes my skin feel like butter. Notes of grapefruit and shea butter leave an uplifting scent for a fresh wake up look!
Dior Diorskin Rouge Blush in 999. “Blushes are a signature look for me, especially on lazy days! It gives a rich, luminous glow that lasts all day (Minimal effort, maximum impact!)”
Annie Lam
For hairstylist, Annie Lam, the pandemic really shook things up, what with the restrictions on salon visits last year and the lack of overseas clients and tourists who would regularly visit Kim Robinson where she works. She has since done more hair outcall services, and invested more time in creating content for her social media platforms, with videos like how a good “face line cut” will not only frame but contour your face like your favourite K-drama actress.
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Oribe Serene Scalp Soothing Leave-On Treatment. “People may be washing their hair less at home, and we’ve also noticed more sensitised scalps due to heightened stress levels from the lockdown (last year) and now, with another Phase 2. I recommend using the full Oribe Serene Scalp range—including the exfoliating scrub weekly—and leaving this scalp soother on through the day to calm and balance.
Etude House Tint My 4-Tip Brow. “I can recreate full, natural-looking brows with this unique eyebrow marker that creates hair-like strands effortlessly. The formula is long-wearing and smuge-proof, and it comes in an array of shades so I can switch things up according to my hair colour.
