Cosmo Singapore April issue on the stands now! [yes, you see the return of the other page because it's a scan. sigh]

photography: Micky Wong
styling: Janice Pidduck
hair & makeup: Andrea Claire

image source: my behind the scenes Instagramming.

model: Yana K / UpFront Models Singapore

Products I used:

On her skin: Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream, FACEatelier Ultra Foundation
On her gorgeous wolf eyes: Tom Ford
Cheeks: MAC
Lips: NARS Chelsea Girls - love this so much you have no idea.

Update: oh yeah... I did hair too. duh - I've been using Original & Mineral a lot lately. I LOVE them. Original Queenie to humidity proof hairspray and it doesn't smell like Grandma's comb-out!

Sure - us beauty experts say 'paws off your mug!' - but sometimes you just gotta squeeze that one zit or attack the army of blackheads. What you don't know is that you can make your skin from bad to worse as that one pesky pimple can multiply. The juicy insides of a pimple contains bacteria and when you squeeze it exploding all over your mirror, some of that can and probably will spread onto your face or a simple blackhead that you declog is now open to refill and if you aren't careful picking, prodding and poking can lead to scar tissue and/or infection.

• Before touching your face always wash your hands first with soap and water - preferably fragrence-free soap because even a hint of fragrance on your fingers can be an irritant when squeezing a zit
• Wash your face too. Clean fingers but dirty skin can still cause zits to multiply or become infected
• After you are done poking, wash your hands and face again - this is a great time to apply Dermalogica's UltraCalming relief masque to soothe your skin
• Know when to call in the experts. Underground pimples that are the size of Mt Olympus may need to be injected with dermatologist's magic

 
SKINMISO have some products to declutter your nose of unsightly blackheads and help control the oil.

The Skinmiso Pore Beauty Nose Pack is a multi-step blackhead removal that takes the old Biore nosestrips one step further - and a lot more effective from my opinion. I have tried both - if you have a blackhead problem you are going to LOVE Skinmiso.

Step 1 Remove blackheads and whiteheads with the first nose mask formulated with plant extracts.
Step 2 Contract pores with the second nose mask with ingredients such as witch hazel extract and keep skin moisturized with its patented materials.
Step 3 Control sebum and absorb oil keeping your skin smooth and dry.

For those blackheads playing hard to get you can give them a gentle push but careful! Although this Comedo Remover by SKINMISO has no sharp edges you need to handle with care. My mother had a Revlon blackhead pusher-outer-thingy when I was in high school that I almost shish-kebabbed my eyeball because my nose was too slick from oils - so trust me when I say -wash your face first! Gently press onto blackheads - don't force them - the stubborn ones will eventually come out. And wash your comedo tool with soap and water plus spray with rubbing alcohol before and after use.

SKINMISO is available through BellaBox.

image source: me with my HTC ONE S

This is Melissa, Singaporean model/actress represented by Looque in a behind the scenes photo that I just had to share - I mean - look at that lip colour! I'll get there...

On Melissa's already flawless skin:

Skin: Prepped with Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream and IPSA On the Peak Eye Aesthetics - an amazing eye cream (why am I sharing this with the models - note to self: covet)

Foundation:  A combination of Dermalogica's Covertint in Medium with FACEatelier Ultra Foundation #1

Cheeks: Again with a combo, in order of application: MAC Cosmetics Posey Cheekblend Blush , Bobbi Bown Shimmer Brick Bronze in the hollows and Jemma Kidd All Over Dewy Glow in Iced Gold as a highlighter.

Eyes:
based with black|Up Cosmetics Intense Radiance Eye Shadow in ME04 from lid to brow bone and Mono Eye Shadow in MP04 at the top & bottom lash line
Tom Ford Onyx Eye Defining Pencil in the waterline
NARS Hollywoodland soft touch shadow pencil on the inner corner
Revlon Photoready 3D Volume mascara in Blackest Black

Le BIG finish:

Lips: GOSH lipliner in Pink Peony with Tom Ford Flamingo lipstick

The past couple of days I've been shooting with globe-trotting photographer David Dobson - his work is gorgeous AND he's a nice guy. See, fashion isn't just full of bitches... I kid.

Speaking of... 

Here's another behind the scenes I took from our shoot with members of [the] Collective - left to right: Angelique Nicolette Teo, Linda Black and Mohini Sule.

I know - I work with really ugly people. sigh

BRAZIL-BRIDE PARADE

So you are flying off to get hitched at the latest and greatest resort in Bali? Bora Bora? Fiji? Niagara Falls (Canadian side of course)? A hair & makeup artist may not be in your budget to fly to Paradise Island and your options to hire locally may be limited. The cost of being a ladder wielding bride may mean that you are having to DIY your bridal beauty. Here is your makeup how-to from start to finish:

Dermalogica

Step 1 - Skin prep: hopefully you are the glowing bride radiating from within with your love but if your skin is a stress mess - blotchy and broken out calm by exfoliating with raw sugar followed by a calming masque. SPF is your last step before your makeup. To keep your oils at bay on your big day I recommend using an oil-free moisturizer which minimizes shiny skin in photos too. Try Dermalogica's Oil Control Lotion or for normal to dry skin use Skin Smoothing Cream. You can boost your spf coverage by adding in the Solar Defense Booster spf50 to any moisturizer.

Step 2 - Primer: Dermalogica SkinPerfect Primer with its active ingredients it’s the first of its kind to offer a blurred line between skincare and makeup - speaking of blurring... The pearl essence also helps to diffuse fine lines and pigmentation prepping the skin for foundation.

There are other primers on the market that I like such as Laura Mercier Foundation Primers which also come in a variety of choices from matte to radiant, and have travel sizes too to minimize packing space.

Step 3 - Flawless Base: FACEatelier Ultra Foundation is the ultimate second skin foundation. Hyper-pigmented yet breathable leaving your skin smooth and flawless. I have been using foundation virtually exclusively in my work since 2004.

Follow with your concealer as needed - most women I find overuse concealer. Make sure you are lit from the front and not from above when applying your makeup - GREAT lighting is needed for a proper makeup application. My latest concealer fave is Laura Mercier's Undercover Pot which is also great for traveling as it contains a concealer for under the eyes, a camouflage for breakouts and a little setting powder.

You won't see me recommending powders often in foundation nor for setting - powders age you. Who wants that? But for the sake of your wedding makeup after your base is complete powder minimally! I LOVE Alison Raffaele's setting powder - it's the best in the biz as far as I'm concerned - truly for all skin tones and skin types without accentuating fine lines. I've tried the Amazing Cosmetics Setting Powder - that one is ok too.

Eye brighteners are NOT to be mistaken as concealers but often are. Move over Touche Eclat! Tom Ford's Illuminating Highlight Pen is a must! Conceal as (and if) needed and then use an eye brightener to perk up tired eyes. Eye Brighteners are reflective to help diffuse fine lines and tired eyes so over-application can leave with you with white blotches under the eyes with flash photography - yes use this but sparingly.

Step 4 - Blush/Contour/Highlight

You can never go wrong with my blush faves that happen to be the cult faves of many makeup artists and celebs.
From top left: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze on it's own creates a beautiful dewy colour and contour with its prism quality, NARS Laguna or Soap & Glory Solar Powder make great contours, NARS Copacabana for that dewy highlight (replacing my soon to be bankrupt Jemma Kidd All Over Dewy Glow) and of course NARS Orgasm for that err...uh... flushed glow. 

Step 5 - Eyes:

An eye primer is a must especially for brides who need eye makeup to stay put all day. NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base which is colourless or Benefit creaseless cream shadows available in select colours for a light champagne base (Birthday Suit) up to a smoky base - they are also slightly reflective which adds depth and a little forgiveness if they aren't applied with the accuracy of a pro's hand. 

This is wear it gets tricky. Do you want a simple natural eye or a smoky eye? Whatever your choice, refrain from being too on trend with your big day beauty. The latest blue eye shadow is going to be an eye sore in 10 years - you want to display your pictures with pride not cringe at what was in style. Classic gowns, hair and makeup is the way to go.

A classic eye which is also influenced by the 40s:
*Using a shimmery neutral cream shadow applied from lash line to brow bone. Benefit's Birthday Suit is my #1.
*In the crease apply a medium shade for contour. Try MAC Wedge or Laura Mercier Coffee Ground
*Apply a gel liner at the lash line using a bent liner brush to help with precision
*Use a Red Carpet eye popping trick with MAC Shroom applied to the inner corners of the eyes.
*Curl lashes and apply your fave mascara

If you are keen to do a classic smoky eye with more of a matte texture try Tom Ford Titanium Smoke palette (pictured).

An easy Smoky Eye:
*Base your lid with a cream shadow - I like to use bronze for green or hazel eyes, earthy plum for brown eyes, amber for blue eyes.
*Smudge a dark brown shadow at your lash line top and bottom and into your crease
*Line at your lash line and into your waterline with a smudgeable liner - I prefer to use black and smudge it with your brown shadow but you could opt for dark brown. My go to eyeliners are Tom Ford Beauty or MAC Powerpoint
*Lots of mascara and fake lashes if you can master them. Only use Ardell Lashes. 

Step 6 - Lips

My two favourite lips for weddings: Red lips or nude lips; leave the frosty pink at home for your 80s themed party.

The best reds are Julie Hewett's Noirs pair with Givenchy Rouge lip liner

Nudes lippies: NARS Chelsea Girls, FACEatelier in Cameo, black|Up in #1 pair with Givenchy #12 lip liner or FACEatelier Cameo lip liner

Check back soon as I will do a DIY Bridal hair post soon.

Feuilles de Tabac Eau de Parfum 50ml, Miller Harris. A sexy scent of rich woods, tobacco leaves, spices, Cuban cascarilla oil and pimento berries contrast with a cooling heart of pine needles and velvet sage whilst creamy tonka bean and Malay patchouli. Great for the guy who may be new to the world of fragrance - manly but more sophisticated than a lumberjack.

In Singapore get your Miller Harris here.

Have no sense when it comes to scents? Check out The Whale and The Rose - no nonsense on scents. *a wink & a groan*

Dermalogica Shave System  $35.00 USD at Ulta. Does your guy have skin? He needs skincare. If your man is face cream resistant, start with a gift catering to good skin disguised as a shaving kit then perhaps for his birthday you can give him the whole chi-bang including some fabulous eye cream. Baby steps for your big boy. *wink*

M?naji Skincare for Men Anti Shine High Definition Powder Vision $35.00 at Nordstrom I am not to sure if I should encourage makeup for men... My HB will never use it - although he did accidentally use my SPF tinted moisturizer and I didn't have the heart to tell him.  Apparently this "HDPVTM (High Definition Powder Vision) was developed for professional actors and news anchormen. Due to the improved picture clarity of high-definition television today, professional television male grooming demands flawless coverage; traditional 'pancake' makeup does not provide the desired look." Hmmm... I have never seen a news anchor who didn't look all caked up...

I bought this shirt for my HB when we were just dating from Bluenotes in Canada 7 years ago and it is still going strong! [probably because he refuses to wear it out in public] You can easily get a t-shirt made for the guy in your life for a fun stocking stuffer.

Fred Perry - Classic Overnight Bag (Black/Ecru) - Bags and Luggage $75.00$67.99 USD at Zappos for the hipster art director boyfriend type. Fill it with overnight basics for when he crashes at your pad.

Boconi Bags and Leather - Tyler Tumbled Plaid About You - Office Traveler (Black Leather) - Bags and Luggage  $548.00 USD at Zappos for the grownup BF or HB remind him that his backpack is so college and he gets to upgrade to big boy status.

Have a fabulous gift idea for the man in your life? Do share!!

Dermalogica (Singapore) invited me to speak at their launch of  AGE Smart SkinPerfect Primer SPF 30 to discuss: Pearl-fect skin.

Dermalogica says that they are blurring the lines between makeup and skincare, which is a great balance as some women just want to add a glow and smooth out fine lines, skin tone and brighten without a heavy base and the added beauty bonus? It is are still considered skincare as the primer contains active cosmeceutical ingredients. The velvety silicones create an instantly smooth surface prepping for a flawless make-up application. Wear alone over your moisturizer or after moisturizer application and before foundation to help [poly]fill fine lines for a lasting make-up finish.

Alongside the primer we also launched Sheer Tint SPF 20 and

Cover Tint SPF 20 - the common ingredient to all of these? Pearl essence.

FASCINATING: Pearl powder is believed to be a long time favourite of Asian women. Used during the Tang Dynasty to protect their skin under stage makeup... hm... and now in Skinperfect Primer!! How pearl-fect! ;) Pearl powder applied onto the skin speeds up the skin's natural metabolism which tones and rejuvenates the complexion. Can you not understand why my love for Dermalogica remains unconditional?? They are the skin professionals in the know!

For your day makeup:

1. A great base starts with the Skinperfect Primer followed by Sheer Tint or Cover Tint (slightly more coverage), both give a luminous glow. Glowing skin diffuses imperfections so you even out skin tone and smooth skin with the benefits of a slightly highlighted pearl effect.
2. Adding an extra highlighting cream to the 5 face lifting points - cheek bone, brow bone, bridge of nose, mid-chin and forehead - colour is up to you -I love NARS The Multiple Sticks for this. Try NARS Copacapana for lighter skin or Lamu for darker skin.
3. Follow with a tri -colour blush for dimension FACEatelier Peach Glaze is a beautiful colour that suits all skin tones. If you feel the need for slight sculpting, apply a darker tone of the Sheer or Cover Tint into your cheek hollows first.

**If you suffer from oily skin you can use your powder over top but in this MUA's opinion: powder is often overused to fight oily skin. Best to first check that you are on the correct skincare regimen - over powdering can result in your sebaceous glands thinking that they need to produce more oil so you effectively could be making your oily matters worse.*

Image via DermalogicaSG - lovely Hazel, my model from the launch day. Notice the pearls on her eyes.

Night makeup 

1. Glamorize any day makeup by simply boosting up your lips. A red lip, with pearlescent eyes suits everyone and can get you from office to soirée in under 15 minutes.
2. Want to try something a little fun and swaying from the norm? Why not a fine line of small pearls above your eye contour (oribital bone) or use the pearls to accent your winged liner.

Chanel: Runway - Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring / Summer 2013

Hair tip:
Why not accessorize your chignon with pearl drops a la Chanel?  Try a simple hair bow chignon - secure first, accessorize with pearls after.

Thank you Dermalogica and Aster Spring for having me part of your event! It was my pleasure sharing my makeup and hair tips with the media, bloggers, customers and staff!

Ms Photogenic - Kyra looked stunning in so many photos that I obviously had a hard time picking images to use.

I had a call-out on my Facebook page looking for a glam makeover volunteer [and thank you as I had many!] - Singapore-based photographer - Kyra Ann was happy to oblige.

Known for my love for Dermalogica you can bet that that was part of my first step.

Kyra's base includes:

• Oil-Free Matte, Skinperfect Primer, Sheer Tint in Light & Dark all Dermalogica

• FACEatelier Ultra Foundation #3

• Savoir Faire Concealer (that I am just trying out - review later)
• SkinFood Peach Sake powder only in the t-zone

Yes- I used those lashes too but they were applied later.

My NARS Danmari All About Cheeks palette is well-loved.

Kyra's eyes:

NARS Pro-prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base a primer that grips shadows from lash line to brow bone to avoid creasing and fading
NARS Nymphea on the lids [pictured above]
Urban Decay Snakebite in the crease which I applied slightly above Kyra's natural crease to create a more open shape
Bobbi Brown Gel Long-Wear Eye Pencil in Jet smudged on the upper lash line
Ben Nye Cork from the Essential Eye Shadow palette under the lower lashes
Ardell Cluster Lashes - just a few in the middle of the upper lashes
Rimmel Scandeleyes Mascara

I set Krya's hair using Remington's travel rollers from Target - they're ceramic, cheap, dual voltage and fab! The goal here is not aiming for curl but just added body, shine and a bend to the hair to work with - make sure the ends smooth around the roller avoiding fishhooks.

Barbie? Is that you??

*Tip - Set hair in rollers as you do your makeup -this gives the hair time to cool for a longer-lasting shape. If the hair has not cooled down leave the rollers in until it does.

Brush the hair straight and slightly upwards. Gather as if to put it into a ponytail - grip hair at the base with one hand and twist the tail with the other hand until it twists in your hand creating a seam - pin along the seam with 'X' to lock your pins.

*Tip - clean up all the fly-a-ways at the hairline if they bother you with a toothbrush and hair wax

Back brush the ends of the hair - I used my fabulous Mason Pearson brush. Why back brushing vs back combing? Back brushing creates a fuller build up of hair.
Gently brush the top layer of the hair back, over the lovely nest you just made and pin at the back.
[who else thinks 'If I had a photograph of you... ' here?

Kyra never wears a red lip so I wanted to show her how much a makeup can change with just an alternate lip colour.

With Givenchy #5 Rouge lip liner and NARS Jungle Red lipstick

FACEatelier's Cameo lip pencil and MAC Cosmetics classic Twig lipstick

*aside from the on-camera flash and my Glamcor Lights Kit there is nothing fancy going on here besides Kyra, hair and makeup products. I have no Photoshop - nor would I know how to use it.

Now you are set to strut your stuff down the Red Carpet, the aisle or at a fancy gala.

My latest hairspray love? O&M Original Queenie - that 'do is going nowhere in a convertible on the Autobahn

Red lips are stunning but also high maintenance - don't forget to check your teeth!

I show you more red lip tips here on Yahoo's Glam Up!

Our Seventeen Singapore team:

Creative direction / styling: Furqan Saini
Photography: Aik Chen
hair & makeup: Andrea Claire using TRESemme, Dermalogica, Maybelline and Sally Hansen assisted by Sital Patel. 
models from Looque

Cute moustaches I bought at Target. Just in time to support Movember!

Me-OW!

Some of what I used:

TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Protective Spray $5.50 at Folica.com - I seriously love this stuff and I love to protect my models hair too. ;)

Skin Kit - Normal/Dry  $35.00 USD at DERMSTORE - anyone and everyone who sits in my chair gets Dermalogica - no makeup looks fabulous without it - the real foundation to great makeup.

Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24Hr Eyeshadow  $6.99 USD at drugstore.com

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips  ss$9.99 at Walgreens. The ones we used you can see closeup here. So easy to use and zero trying time!  

The super cool, vibrant REAL hair extensions are from D'Vontay Hair and Beauty Supply in Kitchener - Waterloo, Canada. My hometown. I stumbled upon this great shop while in the Farmer's Market stocking up on maple syrup to bring home to Singapore - a girl's gotta have her gourmet pancakes.