Beauty lessons we can learn from Yanxi Palace actress Charmaine Sheh

Hong Kong actress Charmaine Sheh’s career reached a new peak with her portrayal of Consort Xian in the popular Story of Yanxi Palace.

But even before then, the recognisable thespian has been a mainstay in the Hong Kong and Mainland China drama circuit, with over 40 drama series under her belt since she clinched the 2nd runner-up position in the 1997 edition of Miss Hong Kong.

We gathered some of the birthday girl’s best beauty looks and break down the beauty tips you can glean from them.

Here, Charmaine tightlines her eyes just to enhance her already-big eyes a little. Plus, she goes for a gradient lip look so her red lipstick doesn’t look too bold.

ALSO READ: HERE’S HOW YOU CAN LOOK AS STYLISH AS YANXI PALACE STAR CHARMAINE SHEH

Try M.A.C Cosmetics Pro Longwear Eye Liner in Rich Experience, a dark brown that doesn’t look too harsh. The lead is soft enough to not hurt your eye while you do the tightlining. Plus, the formula is smudge-proof too.

$38, from M.A.C Cosmetic boutiques and counters, and Sephora

ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”

The Laneige Two Tone Matte Lip Bar lets you create a gradient lip look even if you have zero makeup skills. Just pick a colour you like – red, pink, orange, it doesn’t really matter.

$36, from Laneige boutiques and counters, Lazada and Sephora

ALSO READ: HERE’S HOW YOU CAN LOOK AS STYLISH AS YANXI PALACE STAR CHARMAINE SHEH

Attending a Balmain boutique opening in Hong Kong, the actress turns up the intensity by tightlining and drawing her waterline, and going for a smoky eye. She keeps her lipstick simple but goes for a deep side part to keep her look interesting and chic.

ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”

Try Tom Ford Beauty Eye Color Quad in Nude Dip. The shimmering metallic shades add glam to your look instantly.

$127, from Sephora and Net-a-Porter

ALSO READ: HERE’S HOW YOU CAN LOOK AS STYLISH AS YANXI PALACE STAR CHARMAINE SHEH

Use a light hold gel to keep your deep side part in place. The Brigeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Frizz Control Gel Rice does just that. It also has amino acids and tomato fruit ferment to prevent hair from frizzing up.

$30, from Sephora

ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”

Charmaine Sheh’s hair is a couple of inches below her collarbone but she manages to keep her top knot from looking too matronly by combing down the hair at her hairline and curling them slightly to create old-Hollywood waves.

ALSO READ: HERE’S HOW YOU CAN LOOK AS STYLISH AS YANXI PALACE STAR CHARMAINE SHEH

Hold down stray hair sticking out from your top bun with bobby pins or by tying it with a black hairband like this one from H&M. You can even tie a ribbon to dress up the bun as long as your outfit is not too complicated.

$17.95, from H&M

ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”

Spritz on a texturising hair mist like the Herbivore Botanicals Sea Mist – Coconut + Sea Salt Beach Wave Hair Mist if you find it hard to pull together your hair. The spray adds a little grit and makes it look less flat too.

$19 – $32, from Sephora

ALSO READ: HERE’S HOW YOU CAN LOOK AS STYLISH AS YANXI PALACE STAR CHARMAINE SHEH

Scroll through Charmaine Sheh’s Instagram feed and you’ll know she always goes for a natural or red lip – orange, not so much. But in the rare instance she does it, she does it right by matching her lipstick to the accent colour in her outfit.

ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”

We know everyone has a different orange shade in their closet, but we’re going to recommend the Dior Addict Lip Maximizer in #004 Bright Coral. It’s a shiny coral shade which goes on very sheer, meaning it looks different depending on your lip colour (yes, you can layer it on top of your lipstick), and it helps plump up your lips for sexier-looking puckers.

$50, from Dior boutiques and counters, and Sephora

ALSO READ: HERE’S HOW YOU CAN LOOK AS STYLISH AS YANXI PALACE STAR CHARMAINE SHEH

The Lancome L’Absolu Mademoiselle Shine in #323 Shine Your Way is a shiny, bright orange that has more intense colour payoff compared to the Dior lip gloss above. We like that it goes on super smoothly, like a lip balm, and has ingredients such as vitamin E to keep lips nourished and hydrated the whole day.

$47, from Lancome boutiques and counters from June 2019, and Sephora stores

ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”

As mentioned, Charmaine’s love for red lips is evident in her captions (Go see for yourself – you don’t have to take our word for it). We chose this because we like the message she’s sending about embracing your individual beauty, hashtagging #beyourownkindofbeautiful. Plus, the rest of her makeup is barely there, letting the red lipstick stand out even more.

ALSO READ: HERE’S HOW YOU CAN LOOK AS STYLISH AS YANXI PALACE STAR CHARMAINE SHEH

Try the Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Matte Lipstick in RD163, a red lipstick that suits all Asian skin tones. It’s not just the colour – the formula is super comfortable and long-wearing.

$38, from Shu Uemura boutiques and counters, and Sephora

ALSO READ: MAKEUP INSPO FROM THE HIT CHINESE DRAMA SERIES “STORY OF YANXI PALACE”

Or go for the Dior Rouge Dior Ultra Rouge Lipstick in #999 Ultra Dior. The iconic red shade from the brand is said to suit all skin tones, and the formula is long-wearing and doesn’t cause lips to dry out, even after eight hours of wearing it (trust us, we tested this personally). The semi-matte finish is also great for people who are not into matte-matte lipsticks.

$52, from Dior boutiques and counters, and Sephora

ALSO READ: HERE’S HOW YOU CAN LOOK AS STYLISH AS YANXI PALACE STAR CHARMAINE SHEH