Associate editor Eugene’s favourite non-oily BB cushion foundations for soft matte skin

Newsflash to those of us looking forward to the new year and beyond: “Wet” skin is so 2016. Which is a good thing, really, as the delightfully dewy complexion so coveted in our K-Obsessed world can be problematic to pull off in Singapore’s searing weather.

You see, a full face of shine can be incredibly challenging to execute IRL. There’s an exceedingly thin line to tread between glowy and greasy, and we’re wont to cross that line in the perpetually sweaty steam sauna we call home.

The solution? You’re in for a nude awakening with this this carefully curated treasure trove of what I’ve taken to calling “moist matte” cushion compacts, all of which are true “weightless wonders” – welcome watchwords indeed, given the constantly clammy clime of sweltering Singapore. For your perusing and purchasing consideration, please.

Want more? Invest in my personal pick of luxuriously lightweight floral fragrances, all of which will pass the smell test in Singapore’s clammy climate, and check out this sexy sapphire spin on your conventional liner look that’s pretty perfect for the office. Get your daily dose of beauty at www.herworldplus.com/beauty.

Ah, lovely, lovely Lancome. The fab French beauty behemoth has muscled its way into the lucrative K-Beauty BB cushion market – and into my heart.

To wit, this new Parisian product is a bona fide Korean-style BB cushion, convenient compact and all – amped up a notch or two the way only the French can. I’ll like to single out the squishy surface of the “sponge” in particular, which is sheathed in a netted sieve that allows just the right amount of fluid foundation to be dispensed and deposited only when the pad is pressed onto your face – waste not, want not.

Formula-wise, this makes good on its high-coverage promise too, with the carefully calibrated symphony of stay-true pigments providing a perfectly polished finish that doesn’t read as shiny in my selfies. No creases and crinkles after a night of gallivanting, too, so it’s budge-proof to boot.

A quick aside on application: Be sure to sweep the puff away from the centre of your face, using soft strokes to skim towards the jaw and hairline. Sheering out the product this way lends a seamless finish, and “wastes” less liquid, too. This gentle graduation also softens any discernible demarcation between your face and decolletage, which is always a good thing.

Bottomline: Like the slinkiest of lingerie, this tried-and-tested tincture boasts the perfect fit and finish, and should, with any luck, leave your skin feeling fresh, flawless and fabulous, all day, err’day. Portable perfection in a purse, if you ask me.

Shu Uemura’s buzz-worthy new baby from its beloved Blanc:chroma range boasts a number of cool innovations that sets it apart from the pack: An incredibly plush puff composed of flocky nylon fibres, for one, coupled with blemish-blurring powder pigments coated with amino acids to amp up adherence to the skin. In practice, this translates into a longer-lasting finish that glides on like a dream.

Then there’s the J-Beauty brand’s claim that this cushion cancels out the four colours (for the record, said hues are brown, red, yellow and green) thought to contribute to dull complexion. The SPF50+/PA+++ rating also means this sunscreen equivalent is shielding your sensitive skin from the rapacious rays of the Singapore sun, so feel free to wear this on your naked face.

Finally, finely milled pearlescent particles also contribute to the brightening promise inherent in the product’s name – and no, there’s nary a sign of the garish glittery effect you may encounter in lesser formulations. I experienced no creasing, crinkling or pooling into pores, either, although a midday touch-up is probably par for the course.

What else? Honorary mention must surely go to the subtle scent and pretty purple-and-white packaging – very calming in its own Zen way, if you ask me. Top takeaway: Shu Uemura’s Blanc:chroma Brightening UV Cushion Foundation is a crackin’ good choice if you’re looking for the sort of poreless porcelain princess complexion Japanese women are justifiably renowned for!

OMG, I’m officially obsessed with YSL’s latest and biggest blockbuster of a bauble. The exquisite embossed exterior is pretty much perfection in my beauty books, so it’s maximum marks possible for packaging alone. The gorgeous gold-ribbed canister is as close to cosmetics couture as it gets: Whip this baby out in the boudoir and watch the girls turn green-eyed with envy!

Ensconced within the incredibly Instagram-friendly compact is a fluid formula based off the equally elegant Encre De Peau Fusion Ink Foundation. Expect the same superbly silky and sheer finish, with a delightfully satiny drydown that’s just dewy enough to read as “real” skin.

Wee word of caution: You may want to lube up with a pre-makeup moisturiser if you’re prone to peeling, as the mattifying powders can magnify patchiness in your complexion. Caveat aside, special sweat- and sebum-sopping polymers in this product means your face stays matte, not flat, plus the “stain” is virtually invincible, too: I slapped this on before a sweaty sundown soiree and saw no need for mid-party touch-ups. Whoo-hoo!

No complaints on the all-important colour front as well. Thanks to scrupulous sun avoidance and genes gifted by my Mum, I can get away with pretty much any porcelain-to-pale shade. (FWIW, I’m a No.10 for this cushion.) If in doubt, feel free to ask your friendly YSL cabin staff for advice on the six Asian-friendly hues carried in Singapore.

All told, this posh Parisian perfector is a startlingly strong contender in the saturated sphere of BB compacts. Who knew the French folks over at YSL Beaute could take on a K-Beauty essential and transform it into something so extraordinary? I’m a F-Beauty cushion convert!

This baby is every bit as Biotherm as it can get: Dependable, durable and darn good for your skin. Best for fans of the #IWokeUpLikeThis nude look, this moist mousse offers the subtle sheen so coveted in today’s K-Obsessed world, sans stickiness and shine.

Thanks to its hugely hydrating cocktail of botanical brighteners and antioxidant actives, slapping on this hybrid product should cover the bases for both skincare and makeup. Translation: The comfortably creamy compact has become well-nigh indispensable on frantic workday mornings when I can’t be arsed with a seven-step regime. Even better, I’ve found that the pearlescent pigments in the formula permeates my face with a gorgeous “day” glow, even in the dead of night – sort of like having a steady stream of sunlight trained on your face 24/7.

Only conceivable drawback? It may be slightly too sheer for some tastes. For fuller coverage that doesn’t look too “forced”, simply press your puff deeper into the cushion to pick up more product, then go back in and focus on your areas of concern, such as under the eyes and around the nose and mouth. This targeted second coat essentially doubles up as a concealer of sorts, quick’n’dirty style.

Final detail that seals the deal for me: This cushion’s more-than-respectable SPF 50 rating, which means that you should be able to skip sunscreen if you’re an indoorsy boardroom warrior. (Just remember to top up before venturing out into our searing streets.)

An awesome all-American contender that’s perfectly able to hold its own in a “cushion-off” against its Korean counterparts, this makeup marvel is a bravura showcase of Bobbi Brown’s technical know-how.

How so? For starters, the “cushion” comes in the form of an airtight coffee capsule-like pod that promises to preserve the purity and potency of the formula, and is paired with a palm-sized puff that’s incredibly intuitive to use, even for beauty beginners.

What’s within more than passes muster with me, too. For one, the satiny serum-like consistency is Goldilocks-good: Not too matte, not too dewy. And seeing as this is Bobbi Brown we’re talking about, the compact also comes chock-full of soothing botanical superstars, chief of which are lychee and silk tree extracts, said to work in tandem to reduce redness and curtail the pale pallor of sickly sallow skin.

Cushion connoisseurs will also dig the buildable coverage, which drapes over the contours of my face to blur out blemishes without masking them entirely;  the hint of “real” skin peeking through is very sexy indeed. Then there’s the cooling sensation, which is super “shiok” in hot and humid climates such as ours. So yes, this fab find has secured a permanent spot on my monthly repurchase list. Suss it out for yourself, stat.

Right, then. Good luck getting your glow on, pretty people, and have fun beauty shopping!