Singaporean singer-songwriter WhyLucas on going from uni boy to beauty boy

He loves music, he loves his grandma, he loves performing  but most importantly (in his own words), he loves to love. And yes, that affection extends to beauty too

Before he became a finalist on Chuang Asia Season 2 and started performing across Southeast Asia, 22-year-old business student WhyLucas didn’t give much thought to beauty. “I was really just a uni boy,” he laughs. “No sunscreen, no skincare. I’d even show up to festival performances without any hair or makeup done!”

That all changed when he began training and touring overseas. His time on Chuang, which included four and a half months in Thailand, exposed him to a different set of beauty standards. “I saw how much effort went into looking good on camera. Skincare started the night before. No supper if you didn’t want to bloat, and face masks before bed were a must.” Watching fellow trainees commit to their routines sparked a shift and soon, he was doing the same.

These days, Lucas keeps a steady beauty ritual. “I use skincare every morning and night: toner, serum, moisturiser and sunscreen. I’ve also started using a conditioner now that my hair’s longer.” On glam-heavy days, he double shampoos to remove product build-up.

Makeup was a learning curve. “I only really figured it out during Chuang,” he admits. “Some filming sessions didn’t have a glam team, so we had to do it ourselves. I struggled at first and had to ask my friends for help.” Now, he sticks to the basics: tinted moisturiser and powder, with contour or concealer when the look calls for it.

Exposure to Chinese and Thai aesthetics also helped shape his evolving style. “In China, they go for that ethereal, flawless, and filtered look, while people in Thailand prefer a more sculpted and glam look. Both really influenced me.” His own approach is still expressive, with a focus on features that flatter. “I love when a look enhances my best features such as contour at the jawline or a face-framing hairstyle. I’m always excited to try something new, like faux freckles, fake brow slits, or a sunburnt blush.”

His debut festival performance even featured a bold new look: “We went with sunburnt cheeks and lots of blush. I love pushing my beauty boundaries whenever I can.”

Lucas sees beauty not as a disguise, but as an extension of his artistry. “I used to feel pressure to emulate how other trainees looked,” he says. “But I’ve learned that being true to myself is what really makes me stand out.” These days, his stage looks are tailored for lighting, angles, and storytelling. “There’s a thrill in doing something I’ve never done before.”

His advice to young Singaporean artistes? “There’s beauty in exploring and experimenting. There’s no one standard to follow. As long as you’re searching for your identity, there’s no such thing as a wrong look. It’s uniquely yours.”

Credits:

Photography: Angela Guo

Art Direction: Adeline Eng

Hair: Aung Apichai from Artistry Studios using Kevin Murphy

Makeup: Lasalle Lee using Dior Beauty

Jacket: Dior 

Accessories: 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.