Local R&B trio brb. makes beauty personal, one song (and look) at a time

For Singaporean R&B trio brb. consisting of Clarence Liew Oliveiro (CLO), Marc Lian and Auzaie Zie, beauty and styling aren’t about spectacle, but about storytelling. Every detail, from grooming to wardrobe, is crafted to complement the music’s emotional landscape. “We treat styling the way we treat production. It sets tone and mood. If a song feels intimate, we keep the styling soft and unguarded. If it’s bold and rhythmic, we dial up the structure or edge. We want the visuals and sound to speak the same emotional language,” Clarence explains.

That balance between presence and subtlety is at the heart of Dandelions, the group’s latest single. “Dandelions drift through a world where love feels both fleeting and eternal, like a moment suspended in golden light,” Marc shares. “Inspired in part by the dreamlike warmth of Klimt’s The Kiss, the song explores the delicate balance between passion and impermanence.”

That same intentionality carries through to how the band presents themselves on and off stage. Though “brb.” began as a passion project just before the pandemic, their sound and following grew quickly. Over the past few years, they’ve played to crowds in Korea, Thailand, and the US. “Thailand has always felt like a second home,” Clarence says. “We first played there in 2019 in this tiny Chinatown venue, and the whole room was singing along. It was surreal.”

Touring, especially in the US, brought new intensity: nine shows in 12 days, with the band flying between cities and working without a glam team. That’s when their grooming routines and perspectives started to evolve. “We got a crash course in beauty from our makeup artist Kenneth (@kenmuu),” says Zie. “He trained us before the tour so we could handle everything ourselves. While we’re still not great at it, we’ve definitely gotten better.”

Still, touring wasn’t just a practical lesson. It became an aesthetic awakening. Korea, in particular, left a strong impression. “The attention to detail in Seoul was next level,” Zie says. “It made us rethink how we present ourselves. It wasn’t just about looking good. It was about communicating who we are.”

On the road, the group leans on consistency. “Basic but consistent skincare is key,” says Clarence. “Flights, time zones and late nights really take a toll. Mentally, we try to take small moments to check in with ourselves whether it’s journaling, stretching, or just zoning out to music with noise-cancelling headphones.”

As Asian artistes navigate global stages, there’s also been the question of expectations. “There’s sometimes an unspoken pressure to either match the polished “K-pop” look or lean into Western minimalism,” Marc says.  “But over time, we’ve learned to create a hybrid space for ourselves. One that respects who we are culturally, while staying true to our music and aesthetic identity.”

For those still finding their own visual or beauty identity, Zie offers this: “Take your time and don’t feel boxed in by trends. Your beauty identity isn’t separate from your artistic one. They feed into each other. Use it as a tool to express how you feel, not just how you want to be seen. And don’t be afraid to experiment, even the ‘off’ phases teach you something.”

Whenever the band returns home, they’re reminded of where it all started. “Coming home always grounds us,” Marc says. “After all the global influences, we’ve learned to blend them with our roots and that contrast makes the evolution feel more honest.”

Credits: 

Photography: Angela Guo

Art Direction: Adeline Eng

Hair: Aung Apichai from Artistry Studios using Kevin Murphy

Makeup: Lasalle Lee using Hourglass Cosmetics 

Glasses, Gentle Monster

Outfits, Stylist’s own

About this series

The way we dress, style our hair, and paint our faces is more than aesthetic. It’s a reflection of who we are. Like a mirror, beauty captures identity shaped by culture, connection, and the places that leave their mark on us.

In celebration of SG60, this six-part series spotlights homegrown performers who’ve taken their craft to international stages. Touring the globe has not only elevated their music and performances, but also transformed their personal style.

Here, they open up about the beauty rituals they’ve picked up abroad, the signature looks that define them on and off stage, and how life on the road continues to shape their glow.