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Shopping
Go for natural prettiness
Spring is all about easy glamour, whether it's soft smouldering eyes, bright lips or glowing skin
By Angeline Neo
March 01, 2010
I AM fascinated by the transvestites at Orchard Towers. They are truly a fascinating study of beauty.
Everything is a spectacle - from the collagen lips to the boob implants and now, you can even pad your hips with injected fat to give shapelier, womanly curves.
Technology really has come a long way.
In the right get-up, some of them look pretty near perfect. Save for one nagging, tell-tale sign that gives it away that they were once men, and no it's not the husky, raspy voices when they strike up a friendly conversation.
It's the fact that they just wear too much make-up.
Strangely enough, there are also women - biological ones - who are guilty of this.
Don't get me wrong. I love playing with eyeshadows, cream blushers and mascara wands.
Heck, I believe in the transformational power of one good lipstick shade.
But I baulk when women cling on to their thick make-up like some security blanket, as if going without cover might be a terrorism act.
Girlfriend, it's make-up, not camouflage, just chill.
Wearing make-up is a lot like cooking. When a cook gets heavy-handed with condiments, it masks the natural sweetness of even the freshest ingredients and ruins the dish.
Similarly using cosmetics, is really about enhancement. It should bring out your natural prettiness. Not hide it. Your make-up should not arrive before you do.
In other words, if people can spot your eyeshadow from across the street at mid-day, you're a flaming drag queen.
Thankfully, Spring's beauty looks are about easy glamour - easy because there's little chance to err, while still achieving a gorgeous front.
The looks are feminine and make women look like, well, real women.
Here's what you need to know:
Eyes
Think candy-coloured eye make-up like those seen on the runways of Christian Dior or Michael Kors this season.
Popular shades include violets, mint green and turquoise, with intensities that run from pastel to electric. It's only intense if you are strong-handed.
Stick with sheer washes of colour and blend well so the effect is bright but not garish.
Tip: Round it off with black mascara and thin black liner, so it won't look jarring.
Another popular eye do: Dusty shadows like soft browns or greys, instead of charcoal and blacks, for a muted, smoky look. The effect is more sensual than hardcore, and still womanly.
Lips
Bold mouths. It's a strong look that instantly dresses up the face, and you need little else, save for a spot of foundation on the face and two coats of mascara.
Haute colour: Orange-based reds like scarlet or vermillion, that complement Asian skin tones beautifully. Wear a shiny or matt lip, they're both in at the moment.
Skin
Go for glow - not quite the same as oily.
Young skin has a dewiness. It's the same idea.
Cheat by using face highlight products, like a shimmer powder in beige or off-white.
With a powder brush, dust it lightly over cheekbones, the nose and the bow of the mouth.
Voila! Instant youth.
Shopping
Go for natural prettiness
Spring is all about easy glamour, whether it's soft smouldering eyes, bright lips or glowing skin
By Angeline Neo
March 01, 2010
I AM fascinated by the transvestites at Orchard Towers. They are truly a fascinating study of beauty.
Everything is a spectacle - from the collagen lips to the boob implants and now, you can even pad your hips with injected fat to give shapelier, womanly curves.
Technology really has come a long way.
In the right get-up, some of them look pretty near perfect. Save for one nagging, tell-tale sign that gives it away that they were once men, and no it's not the husky, raspy voices when they strike up a friendly conversation.
It's the fact that they just wear too much make-up.
Strangely enough, there are also women - biological ones - who are guilty of this.
Don't get me wrong. I love playing with eyeshadows, cream blushers and mascara wands.
Heck, I believe in the transformational power of one good lipstick shade.
But I baulk when women cling on to their thick make-up like some security blanket, as if going without cover might be a terrorism act.
Girlfriend, it's make-up, not camouflage, just chill.
Wearing make-up is a lot like cooking. When a cook gets heavy-handed with condiments, it masks the natural sweetness of even the freshest ingredients and ruins the dish.
Similarly using cosmetics, is really about enhancement. It should bring out your natural prettiness. Not hide it. Your make-up should not arrive before you do.
In other words, if people can spot your eyeshadow from across the street at mid-day, you're a flaming drag queen.
Thankfully, Spring's beauty looks are about easy glamour - easy because there's little chance to err, while still achieving a gorgeous front.
The looks are feminine and make women look like, well, real women.
Here's what you need to know:
Eyes
Think candy-coloured eye make-up like those seen on the runways of Christian Dior or Michael Kors this season.
Popular shades include violets, mint green and turquoise, with intensities that run from pastel to electric. It's only intense if you are strong-handed.
Stick with sheer washes of colour and blend well so the effect is bright but not garish.
Tip: Round it off with black mascara and thin black liner, so it won't look jarring.
Another popular eye do: Dusty shadows like soft browns or greys, instead of charcoal and blacks, for a muted, smoky look. The effect is more sensual than hardcore, and still womanly.
Lips
Bold mouths. It's a strong look that instantly dresses up the face, and you need little else, save for a spot of foundation on the face and two coats of mascara.
Haute colour: Orange-based reds like scarlet or vermillion, that complement Asian skin tones beautifully. Wear a shiny or matt lip, they're both in at the moment.
Skin
Go for glow - not quite the same as oily.
Young skin has a dewiness. It's the same idea.
Cheat by using face highlight products, like a shimmer powder in beige or off-white.
With a powder brush, dust it lightly over cheekbones, the nose and the bow of the mouth.
Voila! Instant youth.
