Maybelline Volume Express Hypercurl Mascara

I have always envied my husband's long, curly lashes. Now why would a guy need such lushes lashes? Mine are short and stick straight. Just like my hair. Sigh, life can be so unfair.

Anyway, as you may imagine, I need all the help I can get in the mascara department, so when I spied the Maybelline Volume Express Hypercurl Mascara in Very Black at Watson's the other day, I didn't hesitate. After all, Maybelline is renowned for its great mascaras. So did this one work?

It's easy to apply, if you're familiar with the curved wand, and the mascara dries within seconds. However, I still need to use my eyelash curler and apply two coats before I could get a decent black.

What I love most about this though, is that it is seriously smudge-proof and stays obediently on my lashes until I wipe it off at night with my eye makeup remover. It's also waterproof and I was amazed at how it survived a torrential downpour. Ok, I exaggerate. Two big glops of rainwater fell into my eyes and onto my lashes the other afternoon during one of our sudden storms. But hey, what do you know, the mascara remained perfectly still and did not run.

Sally Hansen Get Growing Multi-Vitamin Nail Growth Solution

This is how I transformed my nails from ugly to lovely.

I'd been a nail biter when I was younger so my nails have always been ultra short (bitten to the quick, really) and very soft. They would break really easily, making it very difficult for me to grow them.

When I was preparing for my wedding last year, I had no choice but to get nail extensions so that the close-up photo of the wedding ring (as every bride knows, this is one of the most important shots of your wedding day) would look good. That was the final straw and I decided that I simply had to do something about my nails.

I went to the drugstore and bought the first nail growth solution that caught my eye. Luckily for me, that happened to be the Sally Hansen Get Growing Multi-Vitamin Nail Growth Solution.

I applied this religiously to my clean nails twice a day for two weeks and before I knew it, I had beautiful nails that were much sturdier. I could finally grow my nails long! My friends who've known me since secondary school are amazed at my 'new' healthy-looking long nails, and  I now no longer have to hang my head in shame when I go for manicures. Together with the brazilian wax, this has really changed my life.

YSL Touche Eclat (Radiant Touch)

A perennial favorite of beauty editors and makeup artists, this is one makeup tool you should have in your arsenal.

The slim gold pen houses a remarkable liquid highlighter that contains light-reflecting pigments. Use it under your eyes and on your brow bone to make your eyes appear instantly brighter so you look more alert.

It's really easy to apply. A click of the pen releases enough liquid for an application, which you can then blend into your problem areas using the integrated brush applicator. The moisturizing liquid glides on smoothly and does not cake. It also lasts the whole day. Apply over your foundation.

Estee Lauder Idealist Micro-D Deep Thermal Refinisher

You simply must try this amazing skin exfoliator from Estee Lauder.

Part of the Idealist range, the Micro-D Deep Thermal Refinisher is described as a 'gentle, at-home alternative to micro-dermabrasion'.

Apply it twice a week to clean, damp face. The product immediately heats up upon contact with your skin, opening up your pores so that the formula can penetrate deeper to dislodge dead skin cells, oil and other impurities that block and enlarge your pores.

An exclusive TripleSphere Refinishing System comprising three micro-resurfacing spheres of different shapes, sizes and firmness, penetrate into your skin to deliver various goodies. Microcrystalline spheres free your skin of dry and dulling surface flakes in order to restore radiance. Bamboo spheres, which contain sap from the bamboo tree, refine, detoxify and minimize pores. Micronized jade spheres enable deeper and more intense exfoliation to enhance the look and feel of your skin.

The enclosed sheet provides clear instructions on how to apply and massage the refinisher into your skin. After just one application, you will see dramatic results. I swear that my skin was visibly smoother, more radiant and yes, younger looking. For best results, follow immediately with the Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher.

Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher

This is one of my favorite skincare products and is the reason behind my much improved complexion lately.

I've been using the Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher for  2 months now, and am seriously addicted.

The wonder lotion comes in a blue-green bottle with a pump dispenser. I'm totally in love with the fresh scent and silky smooth texture, which glides really easily onto the skin, and is absorbed instantly. Your skin immediately looks smoother and your pores are visibly reduced after just one application. Seriously.

According to the product information sheet, Idealist works by weakening the bonds that bind dead, dull and flaky cells to your skin's surface and boosts the activity of the specific enzyme that is responsible for shedding these cells. It also dissolves the surface plug (dirt or oil that accumulates in your pores and enlarges them) and penetrates deep within the pores to remove blockage, thus shrinking the pores. Natural skin brighteners such as mulberry help to fade the appearance of dark spots and discolorations.

Get a 30 ml botte for $80.75 from Sasa or Estee Lauder counters.

YSL Matt Touch Foundation

You'd be amazed at how few brands in Singapore carry shades suitable for the darker Asian (non-Chinese) skin tone. So, I was happy to find the perfect match in the YSL Matt Touch Foundation.

This lightweight long-lasting foundation with SPF 10 has a mousse-like consistency and glides on smoothly when applied. I love the mousse-like texture and my skin feels like it can breathe when I have this on.

To apply, simply squeeze a small pea-sized portion from the tube onto the back of your palm, and using your fingertips, blend the foundation into your face and neck. A little drop goes a long way. Trust me.

The foundation mattifies (if there's such a word) instantly to provide light to medium coverage. Use it on its own for a dewy complexion or dust some translucent powder on top. It also provides oil control to prevent shine. Get it from YSL beauty counters.

Chanel Precision UV Essentiel SPF 50/PA+++

Living near the equator does come with its own hazards. We have warm weather the whole year round, which means lots of sun. And we all know that too much sun exposure is bad for your skin. Not only does it gives you wrinkles but your skin will turn leathery. Ugh! Not only will you look terrible, but you also run the risk of getting skin cancer.

While there are many sunscreen lotions with high SPF factor for the body, most make-up unfortunately do not contain enough protection against the harsh tropical sun. So you do need to apply facial sunblock to keep those wrinkles at bay.

Last week, while I was getting my regular dose of retail therapy at Tangs Department Store in Orchard Road, I chanced upon the Chanel counter. Ok, I admit, I have been nursing a thing for Chanel lately, but that's another story. Anyway, the lovely sales assistant dabbed a little of their facial sunblock on me and when I saw how non-greasy, fresh smelling (totally unsunblocklike) and easily absorbed it was, I immediately bought a tube.

The Chanel Precision UV Essentiel Protective UV Care Anti-Pollution (what a mouthful) comes in a distinctive white 30 ml tube with black lettering and the familiar intertwined Cs on the cap, which would look good on any vanity.

More importantly, this lotion has a rating of SPF 50 and PA+++. The SPF factor indicates how much longer you would be able to stay out in the sun by protecting you from UVB rays that cause sunburn, while the PA factor indicates how much protection you're getting from harmful UVA rays that cause long-term damage to your skin cells.

This sunblock should be applied after your moisturizer and before your primer/foundation. You must remember to shake the bottle before use to mix the lotion. Just a pea-sized drop is enough to slather on your whole face and neck, so the tube should last you a long while.

I've been using my new facial sunblock for almost two weeks now, and I still get a kick from its lovely scent and smooth texture. I also feel good knowing that I'm protecting my skin against the damaging effects of the sun.

Get it for SGD 69 from Chanel beauty counters. Your skin will thank you for it.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes

I've just returned from the gym and I must let you in on one of the coolest (for me at least) time-saving tools I was introduced to by a friend. Facial cleansing wipes from The Body Shop, which cleanse and tone while removing makeup, impurities and dull skin cells.

The 100% biodegradable moist wipes come in a pleasant pink pack that can be squashed into your toiletry bag, and are infused with vitamin E, a known antioxidant, to help you get rid of free radicals that cause aging. Each resealable pack contains 25 wipes.

What I love about these wipes are that they are gentle on your skin, yet remove makeup (even eye makeup) so easily that you just need to use one wipe each time, unlike drugstore branded ones. Their subtle talc-like scent leaves you feeling fresh and clean.

I just need to pull out a wipe (and they do come out easily from the pack), unfold it into a single ply, wipe my whole face and neck (cos you know you have to put foundation on your neck too) with it, and I'm ready to work out.

Of course, these wipes should not replace a proper skincare regiment but for busy women who flit from the gym to the office, they are really useful and do their job effectively. As an added bonus, you would not need to carry bottles of makeup remover, cleanser and toner, which add unnecessary weight to your gym bag. Get a pack for SGD 10.90 from The Body Shop.