There is no doubt about it: YouTube was irrevocably changed in 2007, when Vietnamese-American college student, Michelle Phan, posted her first-ever beauty tutorial. And while the entrepreneur and Internet sensation is currently easing up on her content creation efforts, it’s safe to say that Michelle Phan is still a formidable force within the sphere with the success of her make-up label, Em Cosmetics. Vogue Singapore sits down with the legend herself to get the lowdown on her beauty philosophy, self-care routine, and more.
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My three desert island beauty essentials
First, a tinted lip treatment. The Em Cosmetics Lip Cushion Tinted Lip Luminizer, which I developed, does the job. I love my lip balms with a touch of colour. I don’t have a lot of brow hair, so I use a warm-toned taupe eyeliner as a brow pencil and eyeliner. And lastly, a tinted sunscreen with at least SPF 50 since I’m on an island.
A book I’m currently reading
Achieving Oneness With The Higher Soul by Master Choa Kok Sui. I try to find new tools to help with my spiritual practices.
The best beauty hack I picked up on recently
To apply my base make-up with the Piccasso Makeup Spatula. It makes my skin look smoother and airbrushed because of how thin and even the layer is.
My signature fragrance
I have more than one. Off the top of my head, it has to be the Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait. It carries a majestic energy that I love wearing for special occasions. My everyday scent is the D.Grayi White Rabbit. It is inspired by my favourite candy from childhood called White Rabbit and is a wonderful mood-boosting fragrance. My second daily scent is the Maison Francis Kurkdjian 727. It has a clean linen scent that makes me feel fresh.
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A skincare step you never skip
Sunscreen. I’ve been wearing it since I was a teenager. It’s a habit, like brushing my teeth.
An underrated beauty product you wish more people knew about
Beauty essence. On days when I don’t wear make-up, I use essence to wipe off any excess sebum or dirt on my face, and I apply more after. I also adore the Equmal Curved Edge Eyelash Curler by beauty creator Lamuqe. It was made for Asian eyelids and the mouth is more flat, so it grabs onto all the lash hairs.
What self-care looks like to you
Taking a soothing bath and lighting my favourite scented candle. Spending an hour doing my make-up, because why not? Indulging in moments where I just love myself, essentially.
The one beauty lesson you wished you picked up on earlier
I wish I had known about finding my personal colour when I was younger. I look back at some of my older beauty looks where I’m wearing unflattering colours that don’t suit my autumn deep undertone.
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My biggest source of beauty inspiration
Celebrities from the ’90s and 2000s like Monica Bellucci, Shu Qi, Aaliyah and Mika Nakashima.
The most impactful make-up item in my arsenal
These days, it’s the Em Cosmetics Portrait Mode Setting Powder. Even on days when I wear zero base make-up, I want my skin to look matte but not chalky, and for it to have a blurring effect to reduce the size of my pores. This powder gives me a finished look and it doesn’t feel like anything on my face.
Your beauty philosophy
Less is more. Bring more focus to your favourite beauty attribute. I’m also a huge believer in radiating good energy like kindness and grace.
