Okay, I’ll admit it. Even though I work in a women’s magazine and have access to all the latest beauty trends and products, I am ridiculously low maintenance when it comes to caring for my skin. In fact, I’ll just put it out there that I don’t even use makeup remover … I skip that step, and go straight to washing my face. Yes! Horrible, I know!
However, when you work alongside Beauty Know-Alls (aka beauty editors and writers), you can’t help but pick up a few skincare pointers along the way. Here are a couple of nifty tips I’ve gleaned in my 1.5 years of writing for women’s magazines:
1. Whitening does not mean bleaching
Unlike most local girls I know, I’ve always favoured the sun-kissed look over the fair, dainty complexions sported by many female Korean celebs. But as more and more freckles started appearing on my cheeks, a helpful colleague advised me to start using whitening products. “Freckles may look cute now, but they may morph into bigger and uglier dark spots as you age,” said one beauty writer pal of mine. With that in mind, I did a skin analysis at a Shiseido counter and was so taken in by the friendly and knowledgeable consultant that I snapped up the entire White Lucent range that day. According to my consultant, whitening doesn’t equate to making me look pale and colourless. Whitening products actually help to brighten my complexion and even out my skin tone, so that my face looks fresh and clean from all angles. I can totally get onboard with that! After just two months of diligently using the cleanser, softener and serum from the White Lucent range, I found that my skin was indeed much clearer and brighter, making makeup application so much easier.
[Ed's note: Vanessa really is a White Lucent user. We feel we have to declare now that her arm wasn't twisted to say this.]
2. Sunscreen is not just for your face
I reckon I’ve been using sunscreen since way back in 1998. That’s because our local radio stations were playing Baz Luhrmann’s Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) ad nauseam, and somehow the message of wearing sunscreen drummed into my young mind. I started with drugstore brands, and as I grew older, persuaded my mum to buy me more luxe brands. However, I only applied it on my face. Then, I met a beauty editor who educated me on how it’s important to apply sunscreen on my face, neck and décolletage as well. This is because the skin in those areas is quite thin and would be even more susceptible to the harmful effects of the sun. Nowadays, I slather generous amounts of sunscreen (SPF 50 is the minimum for the tropics) on my face, neck, décolletage and sometimes even my shoulders!
3. If your skin is starting to break out in zits, it needs more moisture
Previously, whenever I had pimples that refused to go away, all I did was pile on zit treatment creams and pray that it will magically disappear overnight. When that didn’t work, I consulted the abovementioned beauty editor, who patiently explained that I should actually be stepping up on hydrating my face instead. Her explanation? “Having dehydrated skin means that dead skin cells remain on the skin. When dead skin cells are not removed, it can aggravate acne problems. ” After that enlightening piece of advice, I now consciously slap on a tad more moisturiser than usual to keep those irritating zits at bay.
Anyway, these are just a handful of the tips I’ve gleaned so far. If you want more detailed advice from the experts, be sure to head down to the Shiseido White Party! You’ll get to meet Deborah (editor-in-chief of Cosmo), Barbara Koh (editor of The Singapore Women’s Weekly), Shiseido’s senior trainers, as well as designers of Cruise by Saturday who’ll all be more than happy to share with you beauty and skincare advice.
Date: March 14, 2012
Venue: TANGS Orchard, Shiseido counter
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Registration: $30 (fully redeemable for Shiseido products)
Dress code: Show up in white and you’ll stand the chance to win exciting prizes!
Book your spot NOW by emailing your contact details to cosmopromo@sph.com.sg. Places are limited, so hurry!
