Celebrity Life

As much as we love a professional facial, sometimes it’s just easier to slip into our pyjamas and treat ourselves to a pampering in the comfort of our own home. So when we were tasked to evaluate the best products for the ultimate at home spa ritual for this year’s Prestige Beauty and Wellness Awards, we were prepared for a true state of relaxation and beautification. When we came across a product that was equally nourishing as a before bed routine as well as an early morning revitalizer, we knew we found a winner. The clinically-inspired and science-led beauty brand 111SKIN ticked all the boxes when it came to their hydrogel mask, offering the R&R we are always after.

At Home Spa Winner: The Hydrogel Mask

[caption id="attachment_160581" align="alignnone" width="2560"] 111SKIN Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask (HK$250)[/caption]

Forget flimsy sheet masks. The satisfyingly thick 111SKIN Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask takes at-home -- or midair, if that’s your thing -- pampering to a luxurious new level. Simply peel off the outer layers, apply to the face, and allow the pure-gold and rose damask extracts to sink into the skin while silk amino acids, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica extracts go to work on wrinkles, fine lines and uneven skin tone. After 20 minutes soaking up the serum-like nectar the mask is coated with, we definitely feel a little bit brighter and a whole lot hydrated.

Special Mention: Sub-zero De-puffing Eye Mask

[caption id="attachment_160584" align="alignnone" width="7087"] 111SKIN Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Mask (HK$685)[/caption]

111SKIN goes beyond just your face. For a more targeted treatment, the Sub-zero De-puffing Eye Mask does just the trick. Inspired by the invigorating effects of the extreme cold, the hydrogel mask tackles the first signs of fatigue that are normally found around the eye area. In just 20 minutes, eyes are de-puffed, undereye bags are reduced, dark circles are erased and even wrinkles are smoothed out thanks to the tightening and contouring qualities of tetrapeptide and marine complex. For an extra cooling effect, store in the refrigerator for even more intensified results.

111SKIN says this bestselling mask is a celebrity and supermodel favourite, and it seems there are selfies to prove it. Ashley Graham posted it on Instagram Victoria’s Secret models used it before their shows and Priyanka Chopra is rumoured to have used it before pal Meghan Markle’s wedding.

For more information, visit joyce.com/beauty.

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Ever since Sephora closed the doors of its Mong Kok location in 2010, Hong Kong's biggest beauty fanatics have been desperately holding their breath for the French cosmetics chain to reopen here. Finally, the wait is over, as Sephora Hong Kong debuts its 4,200-square-foot flagship at ifc mall this week.

Even for creatures of habit with their default beauty regimen and favourite skincare brands, who could resist the urge to pop in to see the new store and sample some new products? Especially considering that Sephora Hong Kong will stock over 60 brands, of which more than 25 are exclusive or making their Hong Kong debut.

But with an overwhelming amount of choices, what should make it onto your product shelf? We've done the hard work for you, rounding up 10 tried-and-tested products to create our ultimate Sephora shopping list. Read on to discover 10 products that are worth a try and a buy. (An * indicates the brand is exclusive to Sephora.)

Fenty Beauty

[caption id="attachment_162149" align="alignnone" width="1000"] HK$298[/caption]

Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

The reason Rihanna’s foundation has reached holy grail status is that this single bottle has everything a girl could want in a liquid foundation: It’s got medium-to-full coverage that’s buildable (without being cakey), enhanced wearability, the ability to blur pores and fine lines, and a matte finish to keep unwanted shine at bay. It also comes in 40 shades, so there’s no question that you’ll find a perfect match for your skin tone.

Supergoop!*

[caption id="attachment_162140" align="alignnone" width="1000"] HK$250[/caption]

Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40

For those still sceptical about sunscreen being easy and comfortable to wear, you'll soon be convinced with the only brand dedicated to sun care alone. Long gone are the days of falling time and time again for promises of protection. Free of sticky grease and chalky mess, this sunscreen is designed for everyday wear and goes well under your makeup without any slippage, so everything stays in place from day to night.

Anastasia Beverly Hills

[caption id="attachment_162141" align="alignnone" width="1000"] HK$145[/caption]

Lip Primer

Ever find yourself wondering why you need a lip primer and what it actually does? It wasn’t until we discovered ABH that we finally found priming to have a real use. It works to prep your lips to lock in moisture so they’re soft and supple and ready for even the driest of matte lipsticks. The holding power makes sure that colour wont budge for hours, so you won’t have to worry about colour bleeds or setting powder that doesn’t mix well with your gloss game.

Tarte*

[caption id="attachment_162150" align="alignnone" width="1000"] HK$190[/caption]

Tarteist™ Double Take Eyeliner

This 2-in-1 eyeliner takes care of both upper and lower lash lines, making it one of our must-haves. You can define and contour with the pencil liner end, while the opposite liquid liner end has a precision tip that gives you a perfectly defined dramatic wing. Thanks to the Amazonian clay in the formula, it’s bold and hyper pigmented so that you won’t need to trace back and double up on coats.

Drunk Elephant*

[caption id="attachment_162143" align="alignnone" width="1000"] HK$270[/caption]

Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser

Just the name itself is a dream, but this luxurious buttery balm will help melt off what’s left of your makeup on your face. It’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive of skin, but tough enough on makeup, oil and pollutants. The fruit salad blend is a mix of soothing extracts like blueberry, kiwi and strawberry; and replenishing extracts like cranberry, açai oil and watermelon seed that are nice to the skin -- and it smells deliciously sweet. Happily, this product will make makeup removal a step in your regime that’s actually feel-good instead of must-do.

Olaplex*

[caption id="attachment_162144" align="alignnone" width="1000"] HK$280[/caption]

Hair Perfector No. 3

If you’ve been sceptical about putting oil in your hair, we’re with you but trust us: Once you try Olaplex, you'll be converted into a true believer. Ironically non-greasy, the No. 7 Bonding Oil instantly gives your locks a lustrous shine and softness, not to mention a punch of vibrancy for those of us who have had a colour job.

First Aid Beauty

[caption id="attachment_162145" align="alignnone" width="1000"] HK$315[/caption]

Coconut Water Cream

A continuously trending ingredient for beauty brands (and for all the good health reasons, too) with super-hydrating, antioxidant, anti-ageing properties -- the list of benefits goes on. At FAB, they’ve taken this thirst-quenching elixir and formulated a lightweight, hydrating, water-based cream to keep skin supple all day long.

Farmacy*

[caption id="attachment_162146" align="alignnone" width="1000"] HK$380[/caption]

Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer

Farmacy is the farm-to-face skincare range that uses cutting-edge science and natural ingredients and is huge on sustainability. Their Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer has made it on our list of new favourites because it’s packed with antioxidant-rich honey, hyaluronic acid and golden cupuaçu butter beads. That good feeling should extends beyond the surface of your skin, knowing that all ingredients are farmed locally and the packaging is made from renewable raw materials.

Nudestix*

[caption id="attachment_162147" align="alignnone" width="1000"] HK$260[/caption]

Nudies All Over Face Colour Bronze + Glow

As the name implies, Nudestix is the way to go for a nude look, but better. The crayon-style formula makes it impossibly easy to apply: One end of the stick is the balmy formula, while on the other end is a brush applicator for blending. It’s sheer, it’s buildable, it’s long-lasting and can triple as a blush, contour or highlight.

Huda Beauty

[caption id="attachment_162148" align="alignnone" width="1000"] HK$550[/caption]

Rose Gold Remastered Palette (HK$550)

We all know Huda from YouTube, or at least from her custom false lashes that catapulted her into one of the leading brands in the beauty industry. Since her first launch in 2013, she’s come a long way, and not only are her lashes constantly out of stock, but so is our favourite eye palette, Rose Gold Remastered. The 2.0 version of the original palette consists of 18 shades (mattes, metallics and pressed pearls) that can work alone or harmoniously together creating any subtle or dramatic, day or night look. The high pigmentation means that it’s easy to pick up and blend out, too.

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We at Prestige are big believers in establishing -- and enjoying -- a skincare ritual. And why not make it luxury while we're at it? Nothing quite beats starting the day off right with a little pampering to get you armed and ready for what's to come. That's why whenever possible, it's always a good idea to sneak in a bit of prestige where possible. For us, it all begins with our morning skincare routine with Prestige Beauty and Wellness Awards winner lavish serums by La Prairie.

Daytime Skincare Winner: The Essence-in-Lotion

[caption id="attachment_159394" align="alignnone" width="2598"] La Prairie Platinum Rare Cellular Life-Lotion (HK$5,460)[/caption]

La Prairie Platinum Rare Cellular Life-Lotion is one way we've found to bring a sense of opulence to our everyday routine. From its amethyst-hued packaging and satisfying magnetic closure system to its silky serum-like texture and subtle floral scent, the essence-in-lotion is a pleasure to look at as well as to use. The product is designed to be the first step, cleansing, in your skincare routine and works to support the skin's cellular detoxification processes -- repairing existing damage, preventing future damage and optimising skin function. We like to pour a few drops in our hands, then gently pat on the face. It's great for mature, drier skin types and leaves just a hint of luxurious iridescence on the skin.

Louis XVI of France famously called platinum "the only metal fit for kings". The durable, hypoallergenic material is also the ingredient of choice for La Prairie's proprietary Platinum Peptide Complex, which consists of anti-ageing peptide particles bound to platinum particles that together help to boost collagen production.

Special Mention: Skin Caviar Eye Lift

[caption id="attachment_159424" align="alignnone" width="2378"] La Prairie Skin Caviar Eye Lift (HK$3,990)[/caption]

The eyes are the first giveaway to a woman's true age. The delicate part of the skin needs special attention to keep its youthful gaze, which is why our eye care is a top priority when it comes to skincare. La Prairie's Skin Caviar Eye Lift is the first eye-opening serum created as an answer to eye lifting and firming concerns. Dot the formula along the eyelid crease and dab gently along the eye contour upwards and outwards for more tightened lids, reduced visibility of crows feet and erasing of the under eye bags and dark circles.

For more information, visit laprairie.com.hk.

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It’s been a long day and you’re exhausted. You’d want nothing more than to dive into bed and pass out.

We’ve all been there, the “I’m too tired to remove my makeup” moment. You know you’ll regret it. Going to bed without thoroughly removing makeup can weaken skin condition and cause damage. Makeup removal is the most crucial part of your n-step skincare routine. Think of all the makeup products that you’ve put on your face layers by layers. Those finely-sized makeup particles can make your skin looks flawless, but at the same time, can harm your skin if they are not thoroughly removed as they easily get hidden deep into pores. That means, of every bottle and tube of skincare product in your cabinet, the one you should be most discerning about is your makeup remover. For Prestige's Beauty and Wellness Awards, we were keen to see what gets you squeaky clean.

Evening Skincare Winner: The Makeup Remover

[caption id="attachment_157768" align="alignnone" width="2457"] FANCL MCO Mild Cleansing Oil (HK$208)[/caption]

You might think your skin woes – dullness, roughness, blemishes and blackheads – are caused by wearing makeup. In fact, it’s not the makeup but the incomplete removal of makeup that wreaks havoc on our skin. That’s why we need a makeup remover that can remove long-lasting foundation and waterproof mascara as well as melt away oil, toxins and the particles that clog up our pores on a daily basis. FANCL MCO Mild Cleansing Oil is fortified with a unique Nano Cleansing Technology that penetrates deep into pores to remove stubborn makeup, with a velvety texture that prevents friction and rubbing of the skin. The ultra-gently formula also washes off completely, leaving skin feeling clean and refreshed, and is free of any preservatives, mineral oil, fragrance and artificial colourings.

Special Mention: FANCL Facial Washing Powder

[caption id="attachment_158416" align="alignnone" width="2407"] FANCL Facial Washing Powder (HK$155)[/caption]

Just like the FANCL slogan, less is more. Its Facial Washing Powder doesn’t contain any chemical foaming agents, including SLS or SLES, and still can easily form dense and rich foam that can penetrate deeply into small pores and effectively adheres to grime. It retains skin moisture and preps skin to fully absorb the nutrients from subsequent skincare products without leaving skin tight and dehydrated.

Our recommended beauty tip:
Use FANCL MCO Mild Cleansing Oil on a dry face, paying particular attention to the pores around the nose and chin. Follow with FANCL Facial Washing Powder for a complete double cleanse.

For more information, visit fancl-hk.com.

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A fragrance has been said to exude certain feelings, represent you, trigger memories and even transport you somewhere. That’s what the team at New York perfumery Le Labo had in mind when designing its range of scents. In its newest line, City Exclusive, the thirteen fragrances have all been bottled with ingredients native to the origin, capturing the essence of the city’s characteristics.

One of the 13 fragrances created is Bigarade 18, an exclusive scent dedicated to our very own Fragrant Harbour, Hong Kong. The intention behind Bigarade 18 is to bring forth the powerful tension of contrasting elements of the city – it’s old and new, rigid yet comfortable. As the name suggests, 18 ingredients have been blended to express that tug of war balance with the classical smell of citruses and white florals contrasted by transgressive notes of dark woods and ambergris.

[caption id="attachment_158795" align="alignnone" width="951"] The components of a truly Hong Kong fragrance[/caption]

Each location selected for the City Exclusives collection is meaningful to Le Labo’s founders and their upbringing and travel experiences. For Hong Kong, perfumer Eddie Roschi pays tribute to his version of Hong Kong (as he spent a part of his childhood here), expressing his personal experiences of the city back in the 80s.

[inline-quote author="Eddi Rosch, Le Labo Founder"]"I have memories of strolling through the hallways of the Repulse Bay Hotel that was lined with fragrant lilies and citrus trees. In developing Bigarade 18 for Hong Kong I wanted to mix the old classicism of ‘old school’ ingredients, whilst making a scent that stayed contemporary and unforgettable, a tribute to my exposure and memories of Hong Kong, a mix of old and new."[/inline-quote]

What differentiates the City Exclusives line of fragrances with others is that each fragrance will only be available for sale in its origin, with the exception of this September. For one month only, all 13 blends will be sold worldwide so you can get your hands on the scents of the world without purchasing that plane ticket.

City Exclusive Scents:

1. Bigarade 18, Hong Kong
2. Gaiac 10, Tokyo
3. Vanille 44, Paris
4. Tubereuse 40, New York
5. Poivre 23, London
6. Musc 25, London
7. Aldehyde 44, Dallas
8. Limette 37, San Francisco
9. Baie Rose 26, Chicago
10. Cuir 28, Dubai
11. Benoin 19, Moscow
12. Mousse de Chene 30, Amsterdam
13. Tabac 28, Miami

Visit Le Labo's website for more information on the City Exclusive scents here.

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Perhaps the most used makeup item in every girl’s (or boy’s) cosmetics bag is foundation. It’s obvious why too; foundation is the veil you can hide behind, covering imperfections, evening out skin tone, faking a glowy complexion. But as its name suggests, it’s the base of all makeup, and when worn everyday it can stress out our skin. If there’s one makeup item that you can’t cut corners with, it’s the foundation. When assessing the foundation up for the Prestige Beauty and Wellness Awards, we had a few criteria that had to be met: high performance, natural-looking, nourishing for the skin, and a pleasure to use.

Daytime Makeup Winner: The Liquid Foundation

[caption id="attachment_157544" align="alignnone" width="2303"] Guerlain L'Essential Natural Glow Foundation SPF 20 and Brush (HK$450; HK$350)[/caption]

It was a nice surprise when we first tried Guerlain's L’Essential Natural Glow Foundation SPF 20 and L’Essential Retractable Foundation Brush. The lightweight, buildable formula comes in 10 shades and because it doesn’t destabilise the skin’s natural microbiota, it’s proven to actually improve the skin with each use. The bottle’s unique design, meanwhile, comes courtesy of renowned designer Mathieu Lehanneur, who “worked for free, unconstrained forms and assembled them like cells”. The accompanying brush is equally eye-catching with the added benefit of being retractable.

Special mention: Abeille Royale Creams

[caption id="attachment_157552" align="alignnone" width="1568"] Guerlain Abeille Royal Day Cream and Night Cream (HK$1,190; HK$1,400)[/caption]

Though the L’Essential Natural Glow Foundation SPF 20 is good for the skin, it never hurt to lay on a little more nutrition and treat your skin to a burst of hydration. Guerlain’s award winning Abeille Royale formulas are packed with honey, a powerful and natural ingredient to repair and protect. The BlackBee Repair technology has been employed to create four magical potions – Day Cream (HK$1,190), Mattifying Day Cream(HK$1,190), Rich Day Cream (HK$1,190) and Night Cream (HK$1,400). Each of the day creams can be applied based on your skin condition, your environment and the complexion you desire. The best part about this series and why we love it so much is for its anti-aging properties and healing powers.

For more information, visit guerlain.com.

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With a name that means the “key to beautiful skin”, Clé de Peau Beauté has built its reputation on cutting-edge skincare science and aesthetics. The Japanese beauty brand, launched by the Shiseido group in 1982, is best known for its signature La Crème, a rich night cream formulated to firm, brighten and moisturise, and its cult-favourite, full-coverage Concealer.

This month, Clé de Peau Beauté embraces the new pro-ageing concept with the introduction of its Key Radiance Care collection. The three-step skincare ritual – comprising a serum, lotion and moisturiser – builds on the brand’s scientific approach to achieving radiant, healthy-looking skin.

It’s also a response to what the brand sees as a widening focus of beauty “to include the radiance of wisdom and lived experience”. The all-out pursuit of erasing wrinkles and freezing time has been replaced by discovering one’s own strength and inner glow.

Clé de Peau Beauté aims to support this “global call for holistic, sustainable beauty” by creating products that allow skin to reach its highest potential, through improved texture, contours and skin tone. And rather than delivering a quick fix, the products are designed to work together to enhance the skin with each passing day.

[caption id="attachment_156152" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Five key ingredients: Platinum Golden Silk Extract, Perilla Extract, Theanine, Japanese Pearl Shell Extract and Angelica Acutiloba Extract.[/caption]

The first step in the Key Radiance Care collection is Le Sérum, an easily absorbed formula that prepares the skin for the steps to follow. Like all products in the series, it’s powered by the new Skin-Empowering Illuminator, which works to awaken, nurture and boost Skin Intelligence.

Next is the lotion, in two types for different skin needs. Hydro-Softening Lotion has rich moisturising agents to reduce roughness, while Hydro-Clarifying Lotion targets visible pores. Both feature extracts of the medicinal herb scutellaria baicalensis to protect skin from oxidative stressors. The lotion is applied morning and evening, after The Serum, with a cotton pad.

An emulsion or cream is the final step in the ritual, the former applied with a cotton pad and the latter by hand. Protective Fortifying Emulsion and Cream are designed for day use and Intensive Fortifying Emulsion and Cream for night, all with Clé de Peau Beauté’s Time Tune technology to work with the skin’s circadian rhythms.

Key Radiance Care launches on August 8, but tests carried out by more than 100 Asian women in Korea and more 100 Caucasian women in the United States have already have shown the overwhelming majority appreciate the indulgent, luxurious textures and felt the products helped keep their skin in optimal condition.

Discover more at Clé de Peau Beauté Hong Kong.

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