Beauty Front Benchers
I used an LED face mask every day for a month—here’s what happened
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Your beauty routine doesn’t need any more steps, it just needs smarter layering. Come to think of it, skincare and makeup were never meant to work in silos. They make the most sense when paired together—one preps, the other perfects; one protects, the other elevates. A vitamin C serum under your foundation? That’s glass skin without any filters. And a hint of glow drops mixed with moisturiser can help you nail your no-makeup makeup look. It’s all about knowing which formulas work harder when paired together.
Beauty editors, pro MUAs and even your favourite influencers are all experimenting with combinations that work for their skin—and so should you. Here, we break down the beauty duos that prove that two really do make a team.
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“My skin has always been very dry, so a good, heavy-duty moisturiser is a non-negotiable in my routine. I’ve tried many promising formulas, but this multitasking d’you moisturiser beats almost all of them. It contains a bunch of different ceramides to fortify the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. It feels instantly soothing and has also made my skin less prone to dryness and dehydration over time. The best part is that the texture feels super light to use and does not leave any greasy residue that’s sometimes common with richer moisturisers.”
This moisturiser is exactly what your skin needs to stay hydrated and protected. Infused with barrier-building ingredients, it helps replenish and lock in moisture while strengthening the skin’s natural defences. If you’re looking for a daily moisturiser that can tackle dryness and environmental stressors, this one’s for you.
This is one of those moisturisers that quietly becomes your most-used product. It’s fragrance-free, calming and packed with ceramides, peptides and niacinamide—basically a blanket for stressed, sensitive skin. It’s loved by the derms and your most skincare-obsessed friend.
As the rest of your visage is treated to some TLC, you’ll want to ensure that your lips get some love as well. For those that feel dry and chapped, Laneige’s lip sleeping mask makes for an instant saviour. Apply a generous layer of this berry flavour on to your pout before bedtime while you obsessively stay up reading and rereading fan theories all night.
If you want a naturally dewy look without overwhelming your skin with tons of oily formulations, give this combination a go. The moisturiser does the heavy lifting by locking in hydration and plumping the skin, while the glow drops slip in like the finishing touch, giving you a subtle, lit-from-within shine before you’ve even reached for a highlighter. This duo makes every product you layer afterwards look fresher or delivers enough radiance on its own when you want to keep things minimal.
A strong base is the key to a good makeup look, which is why Vitamin C and a good foundation are such a clever duo. A few drops of Vitamin C serum hydrate and brighten your skin, turning it into a great canvas. Then comes the foundation, which glides on effortlessly, evens out the skin tone without clinging to dry patches and holds its finish for hours. This combo offers you coverage that feels breathable, radiant and real, giving you a shortcut to glass skin.
If you struggle to keep your under-eye concealer from looking patchy, settling into fine lines or drying out halfway through the day, the problem may lie with your prep rather than your concealer. The simplest way to tackle this all-too-common issue is with a nourishing under-eye cream. It cushions and hydrates the delicate skin beneath the eyes, creating a base for concealer (and setting powder) to blend easily without drying out your skin. Don’t be in a hurry with this step—make sure you give the formula a few minutes to sink in, so that your concealer blends seamlessly.
No amount of lipstick can cover up dry or chapped lips. In fact, it usually shows the lines even more. We often tend to overlook lip-care in our skincare routines, but it’s the one step that can completely change how the makeup looks. A nourishing mask softens and conditions your lips, creating a smooth surface so that colour doesn’t settle into cracks or highlight roughness when you apply lipstick. You can leave it on overnight for maximum repair, or just a few minutes before applying makeup for a quick boost. When you follow it up with a lip tint or the lip product of your choice, the payoff is immediate. The tint applies more evenly, stays on for longer and looks effortless instead of patchy.
If you swear by your powder blush and have no plans of switching formulas, here’s one way to make it look smooth, even and a little more current. Powder textures can sometimes sit flat or emphasise dry spots on your skin, but a few spritzes of a hydrating mist can change your entire look. Use the face mist before going in with your blush and you’ll find that it blends more smoothly, with colour that looks diffused rather than dusty. You can also spray it after applying your blush to lock everything in while giving your skin a fresh, plump finish. It’s a simple trick that makes the classic powder blush formula feel instantly upgraded.
If you want a naturally dewy look without overwhelming your skin with tons of oily formulations, give this combination a go. The moisturiser does the heavy lifting by locking in hydration and plumping the skin, while the glow drops slip in like the finishing touch, giving you a subtle, lit-from-within shine before you’ve even reached for a highlighter. This duo makes every product you layer afterwards look fresher or delivers enough radiance on its own when you want to keep things minimal.
A strong base is the key to a good makeup look, which is why Vitamin C and a good foundation are such a clever duo. A few drops of Vitamin C serum hydrate and brighten your skin, turning it into a great canvas. Then comes the foundation, which glides on effortlessly, evens out the skin tone without clinging to dry patches and holds its finish for hours. This combo offers you coverage that feels breathable, radiant and real, giving you a shortcut to glass skin.
If you struggle to keep your under-eye concealer from looking patchy, settling into fine lines or drying out halfway through the day, the problem may lie with your prep rather than your concealer. The simplest way to tackle this all-too-common issue is with a nourishing under-eye cream. It cushions and hydrates the delicate skin beneath the eyes, creating a base for concealer (and setting powder) to blend easily without drying out your skin. Don’t be in a hurry with this step—make sure you give the formula a few minutes to sink in, so that your concealer blends seamlessly.
No amount of lipstick can cover up dry or chapped lips. In fact, it usually shows the lines even more. We often tend to overlook lip-care in our skincare routines, but it’s the one step that can completely change how the makeup looks. A nourishing mask softens and conditions your lips, creating a smooth surface so that colour doesn’t settle into cracks or highlight roughness when you apply lipstick. You can leave it on overnight for maximum repair, or just a few minutes before applying makeup for a quick boost. When you follow it up with a lip tint or the lip product of your choice, the payoff is immediate. The tint applies more evenly, stays on for longer and looks effortless instead of patchy.
If you swear by your powder blush and have no plans of switching formulas, here’s one way to make it look smooth, even and a little more current. Powder textures can sometimes sit flat or emphasise dry spots on your skin, but a few spritzes of a hydrating mist can change your entire look. Use the face mist before going in with your blush and you’ll find that it blends more smoothly, with colour that looks diffused rather than dusty. You can also spray it after applying your blush to lock everything in while giving your skin a fresh, plump finish. It’s a simple trick that makes the classic powder blush formula feel instantly upgraded.
If you want a naturally dewy look without overwhelming your skin with tons of oily formulations, give this combination a go. The moisturiser does the heavy lifting by locking in hydration and plumping the skin, while the glow drops slip in like the finishing touch, giving you a subtle, lit-from-within shine before you’ve even reached for a highlighter. This duo makes every product you layer afterwards look fresher or delivers enough radiance on its own when you want to keep things minimal.
A strong base is the key to a good makeup look, which is why Vitamin C and a good foundation are such a clever duo. A few drops of Vitamin C serum hydrate and brighten your skin, turning it into a great canvas. Then comes the foundation, which glides on effortlessly, evens out the skin tone without clinging to dry patches and holds its finish for hours. This combo offers you coverage that feels breathable, radiant and real, giving you a shortcut to glass skin.
If you struggle to keep your under-eye concealer from looking patchy, settling into fine lines or drying out halfway through the day, the problem may lie with your prep rather than your concealer. The simplest way to tackle this all-too-common issue is with a nourishing under-eye cream. It cushions and hydrates the delicate skin beneath the eyes, creating a base for concealer (and setting powder) to blend easily without drying out your skin. Don’t be in a hurry with this step—make sure you give the formula a few minutes to sink in, so that your concealer blends seamlessly.
No amount of lipstick can cover up dry or chapped lips. In fact, it usually shows the lines even more. We often tend to overlook lip-care in our skincare routines, but it’s the one step that can completely change how the makeup looks. A nourishing mask softens and conditions your lips, creating a smooth surface so that colour doesn’t settle into cracks or highlight roughness when you apply lipstick. You can leave it on overnight for maximum repair, or just a few minutes before applying makeup for a quick boost. When you follow it up with a lip tint or the lip product of your choice, the payoff is immediate. The tint applies more evenly, stays on for longer and looks effortless instead of patchy.
If you swear by your powder blush and have no plans of switching formulas, here’s one way to make it look smooth, even and a little more current. Powder textures can sometimes sit flat or emphasise dry spots on your skin, but a few spritzes of a hydrating mist can change your entire look. Use the face mist before going in with your blush and you’ll find that it blends more smoothly, with colour that looks diffused rather than dusty. You can also spray it after applying your blush to lock everything in while giving your skin a fresh, plump finish. It’s a simple trick that makes the classic powder blush formula feel instantly upgraded.
