Welcome to the GRAZIA Beauty Black Book 2024, which spotlights the crème de la crème of beauty. Spanning skincare, haircare, fragrances, bodycare and makeup, these products are adored and trusted by Singapore’s tastemakers—including leading makeup artists, beauty influencers and a skincare expert—as well as the GRAZIA Singapore editorial team, and would make wonderful additions to your vanity.
Tastemakers
SKINCARE
Cream Moisturiser CHANEL BEAUTY N°1 de Chanel Revitalizing Cream, $185
JR: Living in Singapore, dry skin isn’t a big area of concern for me. But when I travel, this product is perfect. It’s thick and feels very luxurious on the skin, but also absorbs quickly and leaves skin lightly scented with a floral fragrance. It’s also packaged beautifully and it feels like I’m giving my skin a treat when I use it.
Night Serum LA PRAIRIE White Caviar Pearl Infusion, $1,160
RW: This serum is slightly heavier, so I only use it at night. I’ve seen it help with the redness on my skin and my skin also looks smoother the following day. One of my absolute favourites that I can’t live without!
Day Serum SK-II GenOptics Ultraura Essence, $365
KZ: This lightweight essence effectively targets dark spots, leaving the skin brighter and more even‑toned. It layers beautifully with other skincare and makeup products, making it a seamless addition to my routine. It also has a calming scent, so when I apply it, it feels really relaxing.
Eye Cream ESTÉE LAUDER Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel‑Creme Synchronized Multi‑Recovery, $130
HL: I don’t use eye cream every day, but when I do, this is the one I always come back to. It has a rich gel texture and it feels like a special treat for my delicate eye area. It helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark circles.
Makeup Remover SHU UEMURA Ultime8∞ Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil, $185
KZ: This cleansing oil effortlessly removes all makeup in one step, making the process incredibly fast and efficient. It leaves my skin feeling clean yet moisturised, without any dryness or tightness.
Sunscreen BEAUTY OF JOSEON Relief Sun Aqua‑Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++, $24.90, Watsons
STC: I was a Beauty of Joseon fan right off the jump, but its latest formulation has really won me over. Having both oily and sensitive skin, I really appreciate lightweight formulations, especially when it comes to sunscreen. This one really delivers with its hydrating, moisturising finish without being too rich—perfect for the humidity of our island home.
Night Cleanser ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash, $82
RW: This enzyme cleanser removes any cleansing oil, remaining makeup and leftover gunk in your pores. It has a mildly exfoliating effect, but is still gentle enough for everyday use, thanks to the extracts of moringa and poria mushroom, both of which have soothing and hydrating properties.
Mask LA ROCHE-POSAY Cicaplast B5 Masque, $45.20 for a box of five sheets
JR: I love this mask, which is designed for people like me, who have sensitive skin. Its active ingredients are the B5 vitamin, also known as panthenol, and an extract of centella asiatica (both have soothing and reparative properties). After getting IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal on my face, I started using this sheet mask to heal my skin barrier and it has worked perfectly. My skin always feels softer and moisturised after use. I love so many La Roche‑Posay products because they work well, but this mask has to be my most repurchased item.
Day Cleanser ESMI SKIN MINERALS Probiotic Skin Mylck Cleanser, $46, Sephora
HL: This is great for sensitive skin. I’ve used products from many, many brands due to my job in beauty and this one is really memorable. I suffer from hormonal acne and my flare‑ups are always during that time of the month. They take so long to heal after and this probiotic cleanser helps to manage the bacteria on my face. My skin barrier always gets damaged when I attempt to dry out the acne, but this one helps to protect my skin. It’s really gentle and works well for my acne‑prone sensitive skin.
Exfoliator PAULA’S CHOICE Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $55
FF: After discovering the difference between chemical and physical exfoliants, I now only use chemical exfoliants in my routine and the best one that I use regularly is this one from Paula’s Choice. It really helps with tightening pores, smoothening the skin and preventing breakouts.
Acne Treatment CAUDALIE Vinopure Salicylic Spot Solution, $26, Sephora
KZ: This spot treatment visibly reduces acne bumps and redness. I apply a tiny amount to blemishes, and it quickly flattens and soothes the area, making it a reliable solution for breakouts. There’s a minty feel when you apply it, which helps to relieve the itch of breakouts.
Moisturiser DRUNK ELEPHANT Protini Polypeptide Cream, $150, Sephora
SA: I use this moisturiser for both day and night. It has a gel‑like texture that my combination skin really loves. Plus, I adore Drunk Elephant for its commitment to making products that are free of harmful ingredients.
This story first appeared in the November 2024 issue of GRAZIA Singapore.
PHOTOGRAPHY JAYA KHIDIR
ART DIRECTION MARISA XIN
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANTS NOWO KASTURI, TAWFIQ ISMAIL
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