Your Spring Beauty Picks, As Recommended By Sephora Beauty Advisors

Ah, Sephora press days are always fun. From swatching yet-to-be-released makeup palettes and texture-testing new skincare innovations to learning the steps of achieving salon grade hair (scalp scrubs, anyone?) and baby-smooth butt cheeks (thanks, Frank Body), press day at Sephora always lend a healthy dose of spa-like escapism. Indeed, pampering ourselves has become all the more important in this pandemic.

Of course, because of this mask-wearing, social-distancing season, press day is a more toned down, mellow affair this time around. But the air of anticipation to stay in the know about the latest in beauty still lingers. Spring is around the corner, and Springtime stirs up happy feelings and new beauty product launches. While we don’t get to see the faces of brand representatives the likes of Dr. Dennis Gross’ Carrie Gross and Nudestix’s Jenny Frankel, we got to speak with and get first-hand info from Sephora’s collective of Beauty Advisors. They are the ones on the ground every day and the ones who know the ins and outs of beauty where we are.

Ready to get your hands on some Spring beauty items from Sephora? Add more power to your beauty routine with makeup, skincare, haircare and everything-care recommendations by Sephora Beauty Advisors in Singapore.

Go Clean (Beauty)

With easy access to information, many of us have become discerning beauty consumers. As self-proclaimed beauty gurus, we scrutinise ingredients and make informed choices on the beauty products we use. This catapulted the beauty industry (and every other industry for that matter) into embarking on a clean movement.

Just so we’re clear, though, the opposite of clean isn’t dirty or bad. From Sephora’s standpoint, when you spot the clean seal from Sephora’s new Clean curation (expect 28 brands as part of this segment), that means that the product is formulated without formaldehydes, oxybenzone, sulphates and other ingredients that consumers would most like to avoid.

Dr. Dennis Gross’ B3 Adaptive Superfoods Rescue Super Serum, price unavailable

If you’re looking for a serum that’s both clean and clinical grade, Dr. Dennis Gross’ B3 Adaptive Superfoods Rescue Super Serum (launching 22 April at Sephora Singapore) features scientifically engineered microcapsules of superfoods, adaptogens and niacinamide to give stressed skin prone to flare-ups some TLC.

(Left) Frank Body’s Charcoal Body Scrub & Mask, SGD31/~USD23; (Right) The Inkey List SPF 30 Daily Sunscreen 100% Mineral UV Filters, price unavailable

Keep your butt cheeks in check with Frank Body’s Charcoal Body Scrub & Mask (launching 11 March at Sephora Singapore). This 2-in-1 deep cleansing scrub and mask helps to hydrate and clear buttne (butt acne), bacne (back acne) and more with charcoal, caffeine, tea tree oil, milk thistle oil and grapeseed oil.

Have sensitive skin? Try The Inkey List’s SPF 30 Daily Sunscreen 100% Mineral UV Filters. It contains 22% non-nano zinc oxide so it is less likely to irritate already sensitive skin. Want to know more about The Inkey List’s “less is more” philosophy? We spoke to CEO and co-founder of the UK-based skincare brand, Colette Newberry, on their simple yet effective formulations.

Multitask With These Beauty Multitaskers

Just like how we’re attuned to multitasking by now, we expect our beauty products to do the same and be ace multitaskers too. Beauty multitaskers are absolute fuss-free time-savers, and if they are also good at what they do – even better!

(Left) Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss, SD50/~USD37; (Right) Swatch shades in Happipetal and Pillow Talk

Our smiles may be covered by our masks these days, but the constant friction is wreaking havoc on our lips and we are not loving that. Launched today in Sephora Singapore is the Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss. Available in eight universally-flattering new shades (including the iconic nude-pink Pillow Talk and tawny nude Happipetal), this lipstick balm gives both hue and hydration with hyaluronic acid, C-peptide and other ultra-nourishing ingredients.

(Left) One/Size Secure the Blur Makeup Magnet Primer, SGD48/~USD36; (Right) Wishful Thirst Trap Juice HA3 & Peptide Serum, SGD79/~USD59

Primers are generally used as a base for your foundation or face makeup to go on smoother and extend its wear longer. But the One/Size Secure the Blur Makeup Magnet Primer (launching 25 February in Sephora Singapore), according to one Sephora Beauty Advisor (with a to-die-for eyeshadow look to boot), is one you should use on its own as well, especially when you don’t exactly need a face full of foundation under that mask. This mattifying primer, which contains niacinamide, witch hazel, glycerin and microspheres, instantly blurs and refines pores while controlling shine all day. Think of it as a tinted product without, well, the tint. Perfect for looking naturally flawless under the mask.

Want to add a bit of luminous glow on those cheekbones? Dab on Wishful’s Thirst Trap Juice (launching 18 February in Sephora Singapore). This supercharged serum also contains three different types of hyaluronic acid and a dose of peptides to improve skin texture over time.

Scrub Your Scalp

(Left) Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Deep Clean Scalp Scrub, SGD59/~USD44 and Virtue Labs Exfoliating Scalp Treatment, SGD68/~USD51; (Right) Living Proof PhD Weightless Mask, SGD51/~USD38; OUAI Fine to Medium Hair Treatment Masque, SGD58/~USD43; Percy & Reed Bye Bye Dry Hydrating TLC Mask, SGD40/~USD30

Hair us out if you’re ready to properly commit to a hair care routine beyond your shampoo and conditioner: scalp scrub. Exfoliate away styling residue and excess oil buildup on your scalp with Virtue Labs’ Exfoliating Scalp Treatment, which uses both rice beads and fruit enzymes for some dual-action exfoliation. It also contains Kalahari melon oil and jojoba oil, as well as alpha keratin 60ku® to condition and repair your tresses. Alternatively, there’s Coco & Eve’s Deep Clean Scalp Scrub, which features volcanic ash and coconut shell, AHAs and BHAs, caffeine and peppermint oil for an instantly energised crown.

As a bonus, follow through with a conditioning mask after. One Sephora Beauty Advisor recommends Living Proof’s PhD Weightless Mask, OUAI’s Fine to Medium Hair Treatment Masque and Percy & Reed’s Bye Bye Dry Hydrating TLC Mask.

Spring and romance go together. Check out the Valentine's Day limited-edition goodies you should snag this year.