From The Straits Times    |
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(Photo: 13rushes.com)

Cruelty-free Brushes
If you don’t wear animal fur, you probably won’t want it in your makeup pouch either. 13rushes offers animal-lovers an excellent alternative to natural-hair brushes. Handpicked from more than 80 types of bristles, these synthetic brushes are every bit as soft and textured as natural brushes. Unlike machine-cut brushes, each brush is also hand trimmed for unmatched softness. Not only great for cream and liquid products, they also pick up and blend powders, blushers and eyeshadows impeccably for an airbrushed finish.
Shop at 13rushes.com 

 

(Photo: store.mmerciencore.com)

Artisan Aromatherapy
Inspired by first love, travel and evening walks, Mmerci Encore is the perfect feel-good fix. Its small and well curated collection features therapeutic-grade blends that will make you feel positively rejuvenated. Founded by former beauty editor of Harper’s Bazaar Singapore Alli Sim, ‘Mmerci Encore’ means ‘thanks again’ in French. Try the Glow Elixir, $37, a portable, whimsical and euphoric aromatherapy blend of blood orange, bergamot and rose geranium that infuses you with joie de vivre.
Shop at Store.mmerciencore.com

 

(Photo: mandytskincare.com)

Handcrafted Natural Skincare
With a farm-to-face concept, Mandy T’s handcrafted skincare products are brimming with natural goodness. In fact, many of the herbs such as rosemary, mint, basil and oregano are even grown in the founder’s own garden! Launched by publicist turned skincare artisan, these pure, holistic skin salves are handcrafted in small batches and free of harsh chemicals. Look out for exquisite blooms such as the Wild Rose + Geranium Body Cream, $55.90, as well as almost-edible skin food such as the Arabic Coffee + Coconut Body Scrub, $45.90.
Shop at Mandytskincare.com

 

(Photo: naiise.com)

Singapore-inspired Beauty
Looking for quirky beauty finds with a local flavour? Home in on design-driven shopping portal Naiise. Styling itself as a platform for emerging homegrown brands, Naiise is one of the few places you can find a soap shaped like an ang ku kueh. Other unique gems include the Sentosa Island, Rose Bandung and Honeydew Sago Kopitiam Lip Balms, $9.50 each, as well as the Samsui Lady Lip & Cheek Tint, $20. For fresh, organic, vegan and cruelty-free skincare, they also stock local brands such as Katfood and Handmade Heroes. Gorgeously designed, they deserve pride of place on your dresser.
Shop at naiise.com   

 

(Photo: luxola.com)

Cult Hits
Bored with regular drugstore picks? Luxola is the beautyphile’s paradise. Acquired by LVMH, parent company of Sephora in mid-2015, this multi-label beauty retailer is in fact, the online equivalent of Sephora. It carries more than 250 labels, 65 of which are exclusive to it. From makeup to skincare, hair, brushes, bath and homme maintenance products, this one-stop beauty haven will empower you with more choices, including rare finds from cult labels such as ModelCo, REN, Becca, Dr. Jart, Julie Hewett and the Balm. Have fun experimenting!
Shop at luxola.com

 

(Photo: laycy.com)

Fun Finds
For novel beauty products that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, LAYCY is your best bet. Its five exciting labels from the UK, Australia and the United States are tried and tested, and extremely addictive. Try Australis for cruelty-free and trendy hues, as well as excellent bronzers! Beauty UK is edgier, and BH Cosmetics is bold, colourful and exuberant! For a professional finish, Freedom is London’s answer to Make Up For Ever, and for kissable puckers, you can’t go wrong with Lip Smacker’s coke, cupcake, bubble gum, cotton candy and Fanta Grape flavoured balms.
Shop at Laycy.com

 

(Photo: zalora.sg)

One-Stop Shop
Zalora may be widely known for fashion merchandise, but it’s fast becoming a go-to beauty emporium as well. Its remarkable range of labels runs the gamut from high-end luxury such as SK-II to affordable staples such as Maybelline. The beauty adventuress will love discovering cool K-beauty labels such as Memebox and Daeng Gi Meo Ri, Japanese hits such as K-Palette and Sana, as well as cult Polish brand Inglot. Like any shopping experience in major beauty epicentres such as Korea and Japan, you’ll be overwhelmed by options and might just stumble upon a new addiction.
Shop at www.zalora.sg