Three make-up artists from different parts of the world. One cosmetics company - Dior International. One face. Mine. The result: Well, call it the face of globalisation.
Taiwanese Ivan Chiu, Briton Jamie Coombes and Spaniard Junior Cedeno, all 36 and Dior International Pro-Team make-up artists, hit town last month for the launch of the Rouge Dior Satin collection and gave lucky me a makeover.
The three are among just 11 artists in this elite group of make-up maestros. My plan was to meet them for a little chat on how women in their countries perceived beauty.
However, as make-up artists are prone to doing, they each decided to take turns to spruce up my tired, make-up-free face.
First up was Coombes.
According to him, British women are big on enhancing their natural beauty. So, with a light hand and a foundation brush, he applied liquid foundation to only the portions of my face that needed coverage, such as my cheeks and forehead.
Then it was Chiu's turn. Taiwanese girls, he said, are fond of big expressive eyes because 'they frame the face'. He gave me smoky eyes with a twist by adding a gorgeous shade of lavender and a touch of gold highlight on the inner corner of my eyelids.
Finally, Cedeno showed the way Spanish women like their lips - bold and red. I ended up with flawless skin, sultry eyes and a confident smile.
Coombes pronounced: 'You look so glamorous.'
While the look was really more suitable for black-tie occasions, the makeover gave me an insight into why there are more top male make-up artists than female ones.
As the charming Cedeno explained: 'They want a man to make them look beautiful.'
After being made up by three talented - and good-looking men - who am I to argue with that?
Dior make-up items are available at all Dior counters islandwide, including Tangs Orchard, Robinsons The Centrepoint and Isetan Scotts.
IVAN CHIU, TAIWAN
He is a minor celebrity back home in cosmetics-crazy Taiwan, where he has appeared in several television make-up shows. Chiu began his career as a photographer but soon realised he had an affinity for make-up when he found himself thinking: 'If I were doing this make-up, I could do it better.' He joined Dior in 2002.
What are women in your country obsessed with, beauty-wise?
Taiwanese girls love big eyes, so they use plenty of mascara and deep colours like black or coffee brown to create a smoky-eye look.
What do you think of Singapore women's make-up?
Compared to Taiwanese, Singapore women are more adventurous in their use of colours, such as bright blue eyeshadow.
Your favourite beauty tip?
You should use base make-up on your eyes to prevent your eyeshadow from sliding off in humid weather like Singapore's. Try Dior's Eye Show ($34), a waterproof cream eyeshadow that doubles as a base before applying your eye make-up. It will also intensify the colours of your usual make-up.
What three items should always be in a woman's make-up kit?
You need just two items - mascara and a lip gloss or lipstick.
JAMIE COOMBES, BRITAIN
Coombes, who has been with Dior since 1994, has travelled around the world with the brand. He has visited about 10 cities this year alone.
What are women in your country obsessed with, beauty-wise?
They want to look good effortlessly by enhancing their natural beauty. I always tell them not to go too crazy with foundation. They have to use the right type of foundation and only on parts that need more coverage.
What do you think of Singapore women's make-up?
They tend to wear foundation that is too light, which makes their skin look ashen.
Your favourite beauty tip?
Use a highlighter like the Dior Skinflash radiance booster pen ($55) to bring life to your complexion by applying it on areas on your face where light would hit, like the brow bones, nose bridge and top of the cheekbones.
What three items should always be in a woman's make-up kit?
A foundation, a foundation brush and a good moisturiser. With good skincare, you won't need to use too much make-up to look good.
JUNIOR CEDENO, SPAIN
Junior Cedeno discovered the art of make-up when he was freelancing as a model during his university days in Spain. He later quit modelling but continued as a freelance make-up artist and worked for brands like Prada and Yves Saint Laurent until he joined Dior in 2000.
What are women in your country obsessed with, beauty-wise?
They love red lipstick. It is the national colour of our country. My favourite shade of red would be Dior's Creme de Gloss in shade 845 ($38). Put a little bit of the gloss on your fingers and dab it on your lips for natural-looking red lips.
What do you think of Singapore women's make-up?
They tend to cover up their skin with too much foundation and powder.
You can wear foundation without it being too cakey by choosing the right tone and type of coverage.
Your favourite beauty tip?
If you have dry, flaking lips, you won't look fresh when you put colour on them.
A quick fix would be to use fine sugar as a scrub. For the long term, however, I would recommend drinking plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
What three items should always be in a woman's make-up kit?
A lipstick, a blush and a mascara as these are what you need to look made up.
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Nov 7, 2008.
