From The Straits Times    |
Fake it with wallet friendly beauty buys

These days, if you haven’t got it, you can fake it – with help from over-the-counter products. These key tricks help you look like you still, only better.

Fake it with wallet friendly beauty buys

Fake healthy, shiny nails
Little point in flashing a big rock if your nails aren’t fit to be seen. But there will be some girls whose nails are just way too soft to grow out nicely.

Get help with a gel nail manicure, available now at most mani-pedi places. You can use a gel nail polish on actual nails to strengthen them, or use it with shortish, fake nails.

The finished look is wonderfully fresh, and nails get a healthy gleam, especially if you pick a pale, neutral hue.

Fake radiant skin

Fake radiant skin
If stress is making your skin look peaky, and hydrating masks haven’t helped, a BB cream will.
    
Blend a thin layer on face until you have enough coverage. Avoid piling on; BB creams can look whitish because they’re usually sunblocks. Apply loose powder with a nice big brush; skin should look powdered, but not too matte.

Once the cream “melts”, you’ll look radiant with a nice sheen. Touch up during the day by brushing on powder, especially on the T-zone. That’s the only area that should not shine.
    
There are many brands available and most work similarly. Some of our faves (for nice, not-too-rich textures) include Skin79, Skinfood and La Roche-Posay.

PHOTOGRAPHY AIK CHEN, STYLING CYNTHIA TAN & JANICE SEAH,  HAIR SEK/ESTIQUE, USING REDKEN, MAKEUP RICK YANG, USING L’OREAL PARIS, MODEL DASHA/MANNEQUIN