Joan Liew, 37

At the time of this interview, the Singaporean bodybuilding veteran was preparing for the biggest competition of her 20-year sporting career: the prestigious Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding competition, the largest amateur bodybuilding contest in the United States, which took place Mar 1.

For the record, Ms Liew came in second in the over 55kg category.

Ms Liew, who is single, co-owns the two Fitness Factory gyms in Boat Quay and Martin Road and is a self-professed beauty junkie.

She shares with Urban her beauty secrets.

What is the one product you would not step out of the house without?

Sisley's All Day All Year Essential Anti-Aging Day Care moisturiser ($450, from Metro Paragon). It moisturises my skin and has sun protection properties.

I like its lightweight texture because I'm always out and about or training.

I do my workouts indoors so I don't need a heavy sunblock. It also keeps my combination skin matte for longer.

What is the one grooming service that you cannot do without?

Monthly colour touch-ups on my hair roots and a trim at Shunji Matsuo Hair Studio (05-23 Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Shunjimatsuo.com.sg).

I've been going to my hairstylist, Qing, for the past 15 years because he knows how to get my preferred hair colour - deep red streaks with bright red highlights - right.

He is also genuine and recommends products that are good for me, not because he wants to sell them.

Which to you is the best beauty invention?

YSL Touche Eclat highlighting pen ($55, from YSL Beaute boutiques, such as B2-34 Ion Orchard).

My best friend introduced it to me about a decade ago and I've been using it since. It is easy to apply and blend - I use it on my undereye area - and it makes me look awake instantly.

Make Up For Ever's cosmetics are great too. I use its foundation and bright, pigmented eyeshadows when I compete because they are waterproof and smudgeproof.

What is the most ridiculous thing you have ever done in the name of beauty?

Getting my upper lashline tattooed last December. I wanted a fuss-free eyeliner because I work out and sweat a lot. But I didn't know that the process would be so painful and that I would end up with swollen eyes and bruises for three days.

While I was doing it, I kept thinking I should have just stuck to drawing on waterproof eyeliner every morning.

But I don't regret it now because I no longer have to apply eyeliner if I don't want to.

What is the best beauty tip anyone has given you?

One of the make-up artists that I usually engage for events shared this tip with me.

She introduced Urban Decay's All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray ($48, from Sephora stores, including 01-05 Ion Orchard) to me and said to use it as a make-up base instead.

This means I apply it as the first step instead of the last. I find that this helps my make-up to stay on even longer.

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