Above main picture: (from left to right) #801 Eyemazing AMO Pastel Type A, Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara, and New Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye & Lash Duo
Walk into any Watsons' store, and you may notice there is something different as you enter.
Having recently completed a revamp, the stores' sport a more colourful, livelier layout.
But more than that, it also boasts a complement of healthcare, beauty, skincare and hair care offerings that can give even the most hardened beauty junkies an adrenaline rush all over again.
At its most recent Beauty Day Out, media were given a sneak preview to 11 such labels, of which 6 were exclusive to Watsons.
And with an emphasis on Asian beauty, there is plenty for those who love their beauty fixes to get excited about.
Here are some of our favourite offerings:
The eyes have it
The eyes remain a major beauty fixation, with lash serums, mascaras, and fake eyelashes -- all to help you create that doe-eyed, long-lashed look.
Candy Doll, Jewelove, Eyemazing will be stocking mineral eye powders and fake eyelashes, for those who are keen on achieving the Gyaru, or doll-like look.
Look out for the Eyemazing x Zipper x AMO x Pastel, a collaboration with Zipper model AMO-chan and a unique range of brown lashes that is the first to be launched in Singapore.
The #801 Eyemazing AMO Pastel Type A ($21.90 for three pairs) lashes are full and long, ideal for creating the Hime-eye (Princess eye) look; whilst the #802 Eyemazing AMO Pastel Type B ($21.90 for three pairs) half-length lashes are perfect enhancers for natural, gorgeous-looking eyes.
Heroine Make, another Japan label, have mascaras to achieve everything from long and curly, to voluminous and curly eye lashes, if fakes are not your thing. Long & Curl Mascara ($21.90, 6g) for 120% lengthening, Volume & Curl Mascara ($21.90, 6g) for 130% fuller lashes or, Impact Frame & Curl Mascara ($23.90, 7.5g) for 180% fuller lashes, barely-there lashes should become a thing of the past.
For those of us who want to extend the same kind of care they lavish on their skin for their delicate eye area and eyelashes, zoom in on the New Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye & Lash Duo ($49.99).
The eye cream, with Amino peptide Complex and Hydra-firming Complex penetrate deeply and hydrate the eye area, while the Lash Serum is formulated with the conditioning key ingredient, glycerin, nourishes and conditions lashes from base to tip and coat damaged lashes and thicken the look of lashes.
Make-up and skincare
Make-up and skincare for the skin is just as exciting, with affordability and exclusivity a major draw for those who are looking for something exciting to add to their beauty arsenal.
Look out for these morsels:
Pure Beauty Antioxidant series
Guard against harmful free radicals and protect collagen reserves with this range of skincare that offers the entire gamut from exfoliating foam cleanser ($13,90, 100ml) to serum ($27.90, 30ml) and facial mask ($17.90, 5pcs/box).
Containing deep-action antioxidant Swiss Radicare™, as well as Organic EcoCert ingredients such as Organic Hamamelis Water, Organic Apricot Kernal Oil, Organic Sunflower Oil and Organic Lemon Balm Water, this is a complete care natural skincare range.
Korean Pomegranate and Bulgarian Rosewater are further added to provide anti-ageing and moisturising benefits.
Pure Beauty Multi-Function BB Cream (Bulgarian Rose SPF 42 PA**) (pictured left)
A 10-in-1 Multi-Function BB Cream ($20.90, 120ml), it combating signs of ageing with a unique herbal combination of six antioxidants, including Cranberry, Blackberry, Acai Berry and Camelia extracts that seeks to restore skin’s youthfulness through their moisturising, brightening and skin toning properties.
A lightweight texture with sun protection gives skin a silky finish.
For those who want to control shine, try the Heroine Make BB Mineral Loose powder, which is available in two shades. Tip: Use sparingly for a natural, translucent coverage. (Price to be confirmed)
Elite Paris Fantastic Primer ($24.90, 15ml) (pictured right) - Review by Lee Peijie, AsiaOne Multimedia designer
It mattifies, hydrates and energises your skin. Unlike some commercial primers in the market which gives a plastic wrap effect due to the high amount of silicon, this primer is of a gel-like
consistency and its texture reminds you of a face serum. It also has a pleasant cucumber fragrance.
I used a pea-sized amount and apply it with my fingers in a circular motion all over my face before putting on my foundation.
It melts into your skin easily and makes your skin feel well hydrated and at the same time works to control oil production while making your make up last longer throughout the day. It comes in a
sturdy glass bottle that makes it convenient for traveling.
Nail that look
Always fancied sporting a manicure with a snazzy design, but unsure if you can pull off a DIY? Now, you can, and at an affordable price too. Rock Beauty's nail wraps (pictured left) feature designs from classic to 3D.
Take your pick from Money, Disco, Tribal Gold or Gold Cheetah, to Doodad in black and metallic mix with raised bumps for added texture, and Glister in gold and multi glitter to create a sparkly crackle effect on your nails.
The stickers are easy to apply and mistakes are minimal. Each pack contains 16 nail wraps in different sizes for fingers and toes and retails at $9.90 (standard stickers) and $14.90 (3D stickers).
Skin savers
From established Japanese beauty brand, Shiseido, comes two masstige labels - AQUALABEL and SENKA (pictured top right).
Appealing to the younger, professional set with its affordable skincare backed by prestige label research and expertise, it is easy to be won over by the quality in each of the skincare series.
Senka boasts fragrance-free formulations that do not contain artificial colours. Its latest offering is the Hoshitsu Lotion, a water-soluble moisturizing liquid that contains two types of hyaluronic acid and royal jelly GL to retain moisture and deeply hydrate the skin.
Available in Hoshitsu Lotion (Moist) (200ml, $17.90) for normal to dry skin, Hoshitsu Lotion (Fresh) (200ml, $17.90) for normal to oily skin, and Hoshitsu Emulsion (150ml, $17.90).
Look out also for its UV Protection, with a mineral-water-based gel that is highly absorbent into the skin.
The Perfect UV Gel SPF 50/PA++ (40ml, $16.90) and Perfect UV Gel SPF 27/PA++ (80ml, $16.90) blocks UV rays whilst retaining moisture. Resistant to sweat and sebum, it contains baby powder for a silky-smooth finish.
The highlight of Aqualabel must be the Royal Rich Essence ($35.50, 90ml) (pictured left), from its anti-aging line. A moisturising essence containing double hyaluronic acid and Asian Ginseng Extract brings instant hydration.
The star ingredient in this range is fermented royal jelly, which activates skin cells for a more youthful vitality. Another ingredient, M-Tranexamic Acid, alleviates chronic skin inflammation that gives rise to dark spots and freckles.
Hair do's
Toni & Guy Glamour Serum - Review by Lee Peijie, AsiaOne Multimedia designer
This product is a clear serum which not only targets at taming dry and frizzy hair, but also gives healthy hair the extra shine. The packaging is functional as it sits in a 30ml glass bottle with a pump. It has a nice subtle scent that is not too overpowering.
I used 2-3 pumps and rub it in between my hands before coating it from midway down to the ends of my towel-dried hair, avoiding the roots. It smoothens out any knots and makes it much easier for me to comb through my hair. My hair feels soft and moisturized but not greasy as its lightweight texture absorbs easily without weighing down my hair.
As you only need a small amount of it for each use, this bottle of serum will last a long time. However, this serum does not protect against heat. So be sure to use a separate heat protecting product before subjecting your hair to high temperatures from irons and dryers.
Inner care
Brand’s InnerShine Marine Collagen Essence Strip ($30, pack of 10 strips)
This collagen supplement is specially designed to fit active, urban lifestyles. Its compact and light packaging allows you to bring it along wherever you go and giving your skin the energy boost anytime you need.
Each strip contains 1000 mg of micro marine collagen and it works to give your skin the necessary energy for growth and repair, keeping your skin supple and maintaining its elasticity. It also tastes delicious, resembling grape flavoured jelly. For the diet conscious, each strip is only 12Kcal and makes a perfect choice of guilt-free snack.
In addition, each strip contains a unique collagen matrix that combines its hydrolyzed deep sea fish-derived collagen with Niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B3, promotes energy for skin’s growth and repair) and Vitamin E (protects skin from photo-ageing).
Formulated with Kyoho grape juice for a fruity burst of flavour.
