What exactly is Dior’s new Powder-no-Powder? Makeup maestro and creative and image director of Christian Dior Makeup  Peter Philips explains: “Powder is a well-known product, essential for a makeup artist. But sometimes, it can leave a powdery finish on the skin. And so I wanted a different, modern texture, that would provide a new sensation and a new makeup result.” The Dior Backstage Face & Body Powder-no-Powder is designed without talc or mica and has a patented technology to ensure that the finish is completely translucent and natural; thanks to a gel base that is infused with soft-focus pigments. This multi-purpose non-powder blurs out blemishes, evens out skin tone and completes your look with a matte, luminous—non-powdery— finish.

Available at all Dior boutiques and counters. 

Chanel calls this their most effective serum, ever. The Chanel Le Blanc Serum is the result of the most complete brightening action ever developed by Chanel Research with an unveiling of new data on the exclusive Chanel ingredient: the TXCTM molecule, an active ingredient for skin brightening. It reduces the appearance of pigmentation in size and darkness as well as new ones from forming, as well as strengthens the skin barrier too. In the Le Blanc Serum, the TXCTM is combined with a new moisture-boosting active ingredient: gardenia fruit for radiant, even skin with a healthy glow.

Available at all Chanel beauty boutiques now and counters from March 5. 

Gucci Beauty debuts the first set of lip pencils and eyeliners, developed under the creative direction of Alessandro Michele.

The new Crayon Contour des Lèvres and Stylo Contour des Yeux are available in six shades respectively, featuring universal nudes and reds for the lips, and a rainbow of waterproof shades for the eyes.

The Crayon Contour des Lèvres can be worn alone or underneath a preferred lip colour as a primer for longer-lasting lip makeup. It can naturally enhance the fullness of the lips as it offers an instant and intense bold colour result. The creamy texture makes application much easier on the lips. As for the Stylo Contour des Yeux, it is a waterproof kohl eyeliner pencil that can be used to achieve a cat-eye, for tightlining the eyes and even as eyeshadow. The formula is soft and blendable enough such that it glides onto the lids, so using it to create a smokey eye look is possible, too. 

The lip crayon is presented in a sleek white tube with a gold-plated cap, featuring the colour of the lip liner, and finished with Gucci letterings in gold while the eyeliner looks the same except it is housed in a nude pink tube.

Available at Gucci Beauty counters at Takashimaya, BHG Bugis Junction, Tangs at Tang Plaza, BHG, Takashimaya e-shop, and at Sephora Ion and Sephora's online store from April 22.

Not all concealers are made equal and Laura Mercier’s new launch is a two-in-one concealer, where one side is specifically created to correct facial imperfection, offering high pigments and full, long-lasting coverage; while the other brightens the under-eye area with skin brightening plant extracts and ingredients to boost hydration. The Secret Camouflage Brighten & Correct Duo takes inspiration from the brand’s founding product, the iconic Secret Camouflage concealer set: “Camouflage is the reason why I wanted to start my brand in the first place…it was a way to artisanally retouch the face in order to get the skin to be the most real and the most natural possible,” says Laura Mercier.  

Available at Laura Mercier boutiques and at Sephora from March 11.

Aesop’s perennial favourites like the gel-based Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash and Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, have a new addition to their family: the Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Mist, which comes in the much-loved scent profile featuring mandarin rind, rosemary leaf, and cedar atlas. The convenient spray allows one to clean and refresh hands on the go, without drying or irritating skin: simply spray a couple of pumps onto hands and allow it to evaporate. Parallel to this, Aesop is also launching a responsibly-designed pouch in collaboration with Ræburn, featuring 300 limited-edition Ræmade Adventurer Roll Ups made from silk aeronautical navigation maps from the ’60s.

Available at all Aesop boutiques and online. The limited-edition Ræmade Adventurer Roll Ups are available on Hypebeast.

BB and CC creams are stepping aside for the new CCC cream: an overachieving cream that is a primer, foundation and sunscreen. CCC cream stands for Colour Control and Change cream, and this is from Korean-American brand Cle. Simply blend a pea-sized amount in on cleansed skin and its microcapsule technology enables the pigments to be released and its colour to adjust and adapt to your skin top for a dewy, natural finish. This is perfect for makeup minimalists.

Available on Ksisters.

Luxury Korean beauty brand The History of Whoo has released the 11th edition of its Gongjinhyang: Mi Royal Pact, with a stunning case that takes inspiration from ancient Korean royal Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, and the art of traditional Korean knots. Every edition meticulously evokes the look of precious jewels and accessories donned and loved by the Korean Empress, and this year’s edition is no different. Inside, the finishing powder contains pearl, gold and amber for a flawless finish, as well as ingredients like pine tree and ginseng to hydrate and protect the skin.

Available at The History of Whoo counters. 

The star of the Concentrated Ginseng Rescue Ampoule is the Ginseng Berry, an ultra-rare ingredient that when combined with Ginsenomics (an anti-aging ingredient: active beauty ginsenoside), results in visibly noticeable skin improvement immediately. It’s also used as an SOS serum or a skin salve to heal and protect from external irritants— Sulwhasoo indicates that Concentrated Ginseng Rescue Ampoule is able to calm skin with just one use.

The bottle is unique in allowing one to activate the formula right before your first use, by twisting the top of the bottle until the black bar meets the bottom half right. Apply this after the toner step of your skincare routine in the morning and night and it’s recommended that you complete the bottle within three weeks.

Available at Sulwhasoo counters and online. 

If you’re a fan of discovering cult favourites in the French pharmacies, you might have come across this makeup artist favourite and fashion week backstage essential. Now the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is finally available in Singapore; alongside the new Lait-Crème Sensitive which shares the same ultra-moisturising properties in a new formulation developed for sensitive skin. So what can Lait-Crème do? It soothes irritated skin excellently – whether it’s an immediate reaction to a new product or skin with dry flaky spots. It can be used on the face (including under the eyes) and on the body, and it is safe for babies too. Use it as a moisturiser, after-shave cream, quick makeup spot removal, even a mask by applying a thin layer and blotting it away after about five minutes. It’s one of those brilliant multi-taskers that you always need in your makeup kit.

Available at Watsons and Amazon.

Yours Skincare is a direct-to-consumer Singaporean brand that personalises regimens based on one’s skin, lifestyle, and environment. The startup, helmed by Navneet Kaur is backed by investors like Sequoia and Jay-Z’s venture capital firm Arrive, and the products are Swiss-formulated and made. Its latest product addition is the Bounce Back Balancing Toner. While toners can be overlooked these days,  Bounce Back was developed to combat this perception and created to go beyond just pH-balancing. It repairs dark spots, plumps up the skin, evens out skin tone, and reactivates the skin’s natural defense with its blend of five power minerals.

Available online. 

The newest member of Glow Recipe’s “Glow Gang” is here: the Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum. Fans of this cult K-beauty-inspired skincare brand will know that hydration is at the core of its mission. So it makes sense for a hydrating serum to join the pack.

Use this serum before applying a moisturiser of choice; one or two pumps will suffice. Pat it gently onto slightly damp face (don’t forget the neck) until the product is fully absorbed. It is lightweight, silky to the touch and is a great way to prep your skin before the next step in your regime—which should be your moisturiser.

The serum contains three types of plum, hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen, making it a super hydrating formula that’s perfect for locking in moisture.

Available online at Sephora.

(Related: Glow Recipe in Singapore: The Founders Reveal How To Achieve Glass Skin and More)

Raise your hands if you're constantly fretting about whether you have enough sunscreen on—especially after you’ve applied makeup. And what about the fact that you may need to apply more SPF while you're out and about? It’s not always convenient but this product by Supergoop is a great solution.

The new and improved Supergoop Resetting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35 is a setting powder SPF that has broad spectrum SPF 35 protection—which means you can set your makeup with just a few swipes while refreshing your UV protection over it. The powder texture is much smoother and softer now, so it’s more blendable and most importantly: it’s translucent. Additionally, the doubled concentration of key ingredients such as ceramics and olive glycerides help in preventing moisture loss to counteract the drying effect of traditional setting powders—which we are all too familiar with.

The Supergoop Resetting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35 is available in a translucent powder and three other shades: Light, Medium, Deep. The SPF 35 has a new component that features improved functionality, allowing you to turn off the flow of the powder after application. Also, from May 13 onwards, refills will be available at Sephora's online store so you can have an even more sustainable beauty routine. 

Available online from March 30 and in stores from April 1.

When news of Lawrence Wong's skincare line was first released, I wasn't very sure of what to expect. But to the China-based Singaporean actor's credit, he does have great skin. However, after multiple uses of his debut made-in-Japan facial mask range—I'm sold. First, the mask is made of biodegradable materials so I like the fact that I'm doing my small part for the environment while trying to attain radiant skin. Second, it leaves the skin feeling thoroughly moisturised and supple.

But the best part is that it is supposed to work as a multi-tasking face mask that contains African aloe vera that acts as a natural moisturiser for the skin; tripleurospermum maritimum which helps reduce inflammation and redness; and also caulerpa lentillifera, a key ingredient that improves skin elasticity and produces collagen plus antioxidants.

And that's incredibly important for a lot of women (and men) in Singapore who are working from home and need a quick-fix solution for their skincare needs. It takes only 20 minutes for the skin to absorb the mask serum fully. 

What else does Wong have in store for skincare addicts here at home in Singapore? Time will tell, but we're excited for more. 

Available online.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, various skin problems have surfaced with the most prominent issue being 'maskne'—which is acne caused by excessive wearing of face masks. There are several products out in the market to combat maskne now, including homegrown aesthetics brand Only Group's new product, Afterglow. 

(Related: From No Makeup to 'Maskne': How Mask-Wearing is Changing Beauty Habits Amid Covid-19)

Afterglow acts like a barrier between your mask and face; to use it, hold the product at an arm’s length away from the face and spray it all over evenly. It helps to spray the product on the inner layer of your face mask before and after wearing it too. This helps to keep bacteria and germs from settling in and causing maskne as a result. 

The mist is made from natural plant-based ingredients and is odourless. It is also really useful if you enjoy using facial mists to freshen up the skin, especially in Singapore's warm climate. 

Available at all Only Group outlets and online.