The Chinese period drama “Story of Yanxi Palace” set during the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911) that follows the story of an imperial court maid who manages to become one of Qianlong Emperor’s favourite concubines has become one of the most talked-about topics on social media since it started airing in July.
Aside from “Story of Yanxi Palace,” another Chinese palace intrigue drama, “Ruyi’s Royal Love in The Palace,” has also gained in popularity recently. The show is based on a novel by Liu Lianzi and is a sequel to the 2011 drama “Empresses In The Palace.”
In addition to the addictive plot and well-rounded characters, we can’t help but notice how good the actresses in these shows look. Here is a list of must-have beauty products used by actresses who starred in the recent talk of the town Chinese period dramas.
ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”
While the Chinese actress’ radiant complexion might be thanks to good genes, she also gets a boost from her holy grail sheet mask, the Biomass Graphene Deep Hydrating Mask from Mageline ($37, Lazada).
Soaked in a serum made of hyaluronic acid, black tea enzyme, sunflower polysaccharide gel, mushroom glucan and oat fermentation protein, this mask plumps up and firms skin while delivering a heavy dose of moisture. Also, it’s made of natural plant fiber that fits like second skin.
Photo: Weibo
The Chinese star of “The Story of Yanxi Palace,” Wu Jinyan (Wei Yingluo), has a luminous and blemish-free complexion, and she credits it to the BA Black Massage cream by Japanese skincare brand Pola. On the Little Red Book microblogging site, the actress revealed that she applies this massage cream after removing her makeup and before using her sheet mask to hydrate her skin.
In that same post, Jinyan uploaded a clip of a “face-ercise” she does after applying her massage cream to massage away facial bulges and bloatness. She starts by clenching her fists and pressing her knuckles against her face, starting from the chin and moving up to her cheeks in a gliding motion. She ends off the massage by sweeping outwards from her nose to iron out any fine lines.
Photo: Little Red Book
ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”
The Hong Kong actress is famed for her flawless make-up looks and often sports a vibrant lip for her on-screen appearance and on the red carpet – with a little help from the Guerlain Rouge G ($47 for refill and $24 for case) lippy in 03 Light Rosewood, a warm and rich brown-toned rosewood.
This creamy lipstick is formulated with a combination of jojoba, mango butter, ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid and plant-based polymers to hydrate the lips and blur out any wrinkles.
Photo: Charmaine/Instagram
The “Story of Yanxi Palace“ star never looks anything short of flawless, but she has a little blemish-banishing help from pimple patches from Cosrx ($5.31, Watsons) and Olive Young. Instead of popping or pricking your blemishes, slap a medicated pimple patch on top of it. Unlike spot treatments, these stickers won’t cause your skin to get dry and flaky.
Most of these patches contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid to absorb fluid from the pimple. After a night’s sleep, peel it off, and the skin where your zit once was flattens and becomes redness-free. Acne stickers also have the added benefit of blocking you from picking your pimples.
Photo: Little Red Book
ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”
It comes as no surprise that Janine’s go-to is Tom Ford’s Fabulous ($325, Selfridges). The doe-eyed Taiwanese actress’ signature scent is bold, decadent and unapologetically confident. It starts with a clary sage top note while a combination of almond and vanilla creates a sweet and warm trail.
Photo: Weibo
Not quite matte, not quite sheer, the gorgeous actress’ vibrant Yves Saint Laurent Vinyl Cream Lip Stain ($52) is a happy medium.
Her favourite shades are #407 Carmin Session and #409 Burgundy Vibes. This intensely pigmented lippy has a diamond-shaped applicator that allows for perfect lip contouring and colour that glides on evenly in just one stroke.
Photo: Weibo
ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”
One reason why the Chinese actress who plays the empress in “Story of Yanxi Palace” looks so flawless? She’s adamant about moisturising. She relies on her new favourite product, The History of Whoo Bichup Self-Generating Anti-ageing Essence ($212), to maintain her healthy glow. The essence that is formulated with ChoJaHaBiDan – a secret royal court remedy, boasts anti-inflammatory effects, increases skin elasticity, and discourages wrinkles.
In a Weibo post, the actress shared her secret tip to get more out of her essence. She would douse a compressed sheet mask in her go-to facial essence and leave it on for a few minutes before patting in any excess.
Photo: Weibo
The shade of your coral lippy will change depending on the tone of your lips. The lighter your natural lip colour, the pinker the coral will appear, the darker your natural lip colour is, the redder it will look.
Pinker corals like this beautiful hue seen on “Story of Yanxi Palace” actress Jenny Zhang are more flattering on cooler complexions because they will help to brighten your complexion. She is wearing the Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment ($36) that delivers a sheer wash of colour with a glossy healthy glow.
Photo: Weibo
ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”
The actress who plays the Imperial Noble Consort Gao Ning Xin in “Story of Yanxi Palace” has a preference for citrus floral scents. Her signature scent, Tubereuse 40 New York Le Labo boasts top notes of bergamot, tuberose at its centre and base notes of sensual musk and oak moss.
Photo: Weibo
This perfect pinkish red lip seen on the “Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace” star is all thanks to the Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour ($45). Lauded for its long-lasting wearing and high-pigment colour, this lippy harnesses the power sweet almond oil, sappan wood and green tea for added hydration.
Photo: Weibo
ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”