From The Straits Times    |

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IMAGE: RICHARD HICKSON/XAVIER COLLIN FOR CORBIS IMAGES

Celebrities often have such great skin on the red carpet, so I’m always interested in knowing what products they use to get that glorious glow. But before you think celebrities only use thousand dollar creams ─ stop.

After lots of searching through paparazzi photos and countless magazine interviews (celebrities don’t usually endorse products without being paid!), I managed to find the favourite budget beauty products stars like Jennifer Aniston, Miranda Kerr, Victoria Beckham, Kylie Minogue, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Middleton swear by.

Nivea Pure and Natural Moisturising Day Care

nivea collage B.pngYou may now share the same moisturiser as Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton (yes, its readily available in Watsons!). The British royal was photographed buying this moisturiser before a star-studded charity dinner in 2011. Since then, the beauty product has experienced the “Kate Middleton effect” ─ making this cream a sellout. I first bought this cream whilst studying overseas, and I was initially intrigued at how reasonable this organic product costs.

Containing no parabens or silicones, this cream is a tub of all natural goodness. It does its job of retaining the skin’s moisture by using organic ingredients such as argan oil and aloe vera; which are said to boost cell regeneration and protect your skin from free radical damage at the same time. Nivea recommends this cream for normal to combination skin, but I found it too rich for Singapore’s climate. I prefer to use an extremely thin layer in the morning, or as a moisturiser at night.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+

Before you baulk at the prospect of applying oil to your face, hear me out. Your skin produces natural oils, and these oils work to keep your skin hydrated and prevent premature ageing. Oils are naturally a part of our face, which is why your skin loses elasticity when you grow older ─ oil production slows down, and wrinkles start to become more obvious. Creams and lotions already contain oils, but they’re often not enough to keep our skin hydrated.

Apart from argan and olive oil, another oil has been making its rounds on the lists of celebrity beauty buys. Counting Miranda Kerr and Victoria Beckham as fans, rosehip oil has vitamin C and retinoic acid ─ both of which are proven anti-ageing agents. Rosehip oil has all of this goodness, and more. The organic lightweight oil contains a multitude of anti-ageing, brightening, and hydrating effects. Furthermore the anti-inflammatory property makes this oil is great for acne-prone skin (great for the occasional breakout!).

My favourite rosehip oil is Trilogy’s Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+. The weather in Singapore doesn’t encourage me to apply oil directly on my face, so I simply mix the oil with a cream-based moisturiser or serum. Apart from anti-ageing benefits, I’ve also found that the oil helps to lighten my acne-scars too.

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

Vaseline-Petroleum-Jelly B.pngHave you started to notice that crows feet are starting to appear around your eyes? If you feel that your regular eye creams aren’t helping you, you may want to take a tip from Hollywood A-lister Jennifer Aniston. The megastar attributes Vaseline Petroleum Jelly as being the reason why she doesn’t look a day older than 35. The actress apparently dabs Vaseline under her eyes as a daily ritual.

According to the brand, the jelly works by locking in moisture, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time. Before you worry that the extremely oily lubricant will clog your pores, Vaseline says that its wonder jelly is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (non pore clogging) ─ so your fears might be unfounded. At $3.85, this might be the cheapest A-list eye cream yet.

Bioderma Micellar Water

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Makeup removal is somewhat the price we must bear for being vain. When all you want to do is sleep after a great night out, having to remove your layers of foundation becomes a huge task. Which might be why stars like Kylie Minogue and Gwyneth Paltrow stand by Bioderma’s Micellar Water.

The brand is famous for introducing this French innovation to the world (and for making our lives a whole lot easier). Using gentle “micelles”, the liquid is said to pick up dirt and makeup in a jiffy ─ while moisturising and restoring the skin’s surface. Bioderma has even created micellar waters catering to different skin types, so you’ll definitely find one that suits you! (Although Bioderma Sensibo is the cult favourite, I personally prefer Bioderma Hydrabio ─ my skin feels silky soft and loaded with moisture after each use!)


Bioderma H20, $15.90 – $39.90, is available from all Guardian and Nishino stores, Robinsons Orchard, Raffles City and JEM, and John Little Marina Square and Plaza Singapura. For more information, visit www.bioderma.com and follow the brand on Facebook.

Nivea Pure and Natural Moisturising Day Care, $16.90, is available at Watsons stores. For more information, visit www.nivea.com and follow the brand on Facebook.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+, $58, is available at Beauty by Nature and John Little department stores. For more information, visit www.trilogyproducts.com and follow the brand on Facebook.

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, $2.10 for 1.75oz or $3.85 for 3.75oz, is available at all leading pharmacies, supermarkets and hypermarkets. For more information, please visit www.unilever.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

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