These beauty products may seem weird at first glance, but they are actually downright ingenious. Here’s why you need them in your life.
1. MegRhythm Steam Eye Mask
Available at Watsons and Guardian, $6.50 for a box of 5
Okay, so I don’t know who Meg is or what she has to do with rhythm but this eye mask is BOMB DIGGITY. At first glance, the MegRhythm Steam Eye Mask kind of looks like…well, a sanitary pad (see below). Surely I’m not the only one who sees the resemblance?
Questionable appearances aside, this innovative steam mask is a soothing treat for tired eyes. The mask gradually warms up once it’s taken out of the package, so you don’t even need a microwave or hot water to use it. Just take it out of the package, slap it on and revel in the fact that nothing else comes close to feeling better than a warm sanitary pad eye mask on your face.
The mask cools down on its own after about 10-15 minutes, so don’t worry about falling asleep with the mask on (which you might) and waking up with wrinkly eyes or something.
It’s supposed to help with eye bags and dark circles too, but I don’t know how effective that was for me (although to be fair, my dark circles are pretty bad). In either case, the MegRhythm Steam Eye Mask feels amazing. It also comes in a few different scents, but Fresh Rose seems to be the most popular one? At least according to the Watson’s auntie who sold me this, that is.
Look at me being the epitome of sexy with my fabulous eye mask that really looks like a sanitary pad.
2. Nail Polish Shields
Available on Qoo10, $5.95 for a set of 5
You know how you somehow always smudge your nail polish while it’s drying? These nail polish shields are the perfect tool to prevent just that. I know what you’re thinking – R U CRAY woman?? But no really, these nail polish shields will change the way you see manicures. No more gingerly reaching into your bag for your phone, or trying not to bump into things. No more accidentally ruining your fresh manicure and feeling aghast at the ridges in your once smooth and shiny nails.
(Source: aliexpress.com)
Just clip these nail polish shields on and go about your day as per usual. I mean, who cares if you look like you have hair clips on your fingers? At least you won’t ruin your new manicure. *flips hair defiantly*
3. Baby Foot Mask
Available at BHG Bugis Junction, $29.90 per box (1 pair in a box)
At the risk of bordering on TMI, I’m just going to put it out there – my feet are dry. And scaly. And reaaaaallly- okay, maybe that’s enough for now. So you can understand why I would be intrigued by the prospect of a foot mask that somehow uses voodoo magic innovative Japanese technology to get rid of the dead skin on your feet. I mean, hello? Baby smooth skin on your heels? I’m sold.
Okay so the diagram looks kind of graphic, but holy moly does this foot mask work wonders.
There are quite a few different brands of foot peels and masks in the market, but the Baby Foot ones are supposedly one of the best because they come in a boot form (as opposed to a sheet). Boot mask = all around exfoliation. And prancing around in your exfoliating boot mask if you so wish (gets a bit slippery though, so watch out).
Using the foot mask is easy – just stick your feet in and let all that exfoliating goodness seep into your skin for about 30 minutes. After that, wash off the excess liquid and wait for the magic to happen. The dried skin on your feet will gradually start to peel within 2 to 7 days, revealing the baby smooth feet you never knew you had.
The peeling process is kind of disgusting, but I have to admit that it is also strangely satisfying to see all that dead skin just wilt away. #tmi #buttrue
(Source: Baby Foot)
4. Eyelash Shaper and Comb
Available on Qoo10, $1.95
I love trawling Qoo10 for random (but perfectly useful) products, especially if they somehow contribute to an easier beauty routine. To the untrained eye (aka men), this Eyelash Shaper and Comb may look like a weirdly large toothpick (or maybe even a torture device of sorts), but those in the know would be familiar with the wonders of this nifty little tool.
If you’re a noob at eye makeup (or just generally have clumsy hands), then this Eyelash Shaper and Comb will prove to be a useful tool for you. Place the curved side under your lashes (either the top or bottom) as you apply mascara to prevent any smudging on your eyelids (and frantic searching for makeup remover – we’ve all been there). To finish off, use the toothed side to comb through your lashes to get rid of any unsightly clumps. Ta-daaah, perfect lashes. You’re welcome.
5. Every Drop Beauty Spatula
Available on Qoo10, $19.90
Now here’s one for the cheapskates out there. The Every Drop Beauty Spatula is just as its name suggests – a handy tool that will help you get the most out of your makeup products.
This is such a #firstworldproblem, but poorly-designed makeup or skincare bottles and tubes are a huge pet peeve of mine. I mean, you have such a good (and expensive) product, but a good part of it ends up stuck in the nooks and crannies that no finger can reach. Unless you have long and slender fingers – in which case, well aren’t you lucky. (Bitch.)
Enter the Every Drop Beauty Spatula to save the day. With this, you can finally scrape the last bits of serum or moisturiser from your bottle and decant it into an empty tub. And revel in the satisfaction of having completely emptied the bottle.
If you’re wondering how different this is from using a satay stick – the spatula head is specially designed to cleanly scrape the edges of a bottle or tube, while the flexible handle bends easily for ease of use. And seriously guys, what are you doing poking a satay stick around in your expensive face cream? Are you not afraid of splinters?!
6. Pore-Cleansing Facial Brush
Available at BHG Bugis Junction, $12.90
Facial brushes have been all the rage since the Clarisonic entered the market, and for good reason too – they help to accelerate the exfoliation process, giving you smoother and softer skin after each use. Also, I don’t know if it’s because I’m generally quite OCD, but I always feel mighty pleased after giving my face a good, clean scrub.
This generic Pore-Cleansing Facial Brush, in particular, seems to be a dupe of the popular Ciracle Pore Cleansing Brush from Korea. The bristles are dense but soft, and surprisingly work well without causing abrasion to your skin. It’s kind of like a manual Clarisonic, I guess. At a tenth of the price.
All you have to do is wet the brush, add a bit of facial cleanser and use the brush on your face in a circular motion. Try not to use facial scrubs (or cleansers with exfoliating beads in them) with this, or you’ll get stuff stuck within the bristles. To clean the brush, just rinse with warm water and let it dry for a bit.
I got this from the beauty section at BHG Bugis Junction, upon the recommendation from an auntie with surprisingly good skin. She also very kindly told me to get this generic one, instead of the other more expensive brand name one (“Same one lah, only the box got no name lor.”).
7. Brush Guard
Available on Qoo10, $1.70 for 1 metre
Brush guards are one of those things you never really think about, until you realise that your precious makeup brushes are balding at an alarming rate. Then you start to frantically Google for ways to maintain your brushes.
At only $1.70 a metre (you’ll probably only use 2 inches max per brush), these brush guards are an inexpensive way to prolong the life of your brushes. Just cut off an inch or two, and pop it over the brush head after washing (which I sincerely hope you do regularly – bacteria guys, bacteria). The brush guard will keep the bristles in shape and also prevent water from seeping into the glue at the bristles. If you can, dry your brushes upside down so that the water will drip away from the bristles.
On a side note, don’t these brush guards look like the styrofoam net guards you find on expensive imported fruit? Maybe that’s where they got the idea from.
8. Expandable DIY Cotton Masks
Available at BHG Bugis Junction, $6.90 for a bottle of 40 pieces
Ever since I saw an SK-II ad of Tang Wei and her amazing Korean star-worthy skin, I’ve been kind of into facial masks. Sadly, the SK-II facial mask is out of my budget, so I’ve resorted to using DIY Cotton Masks with my own facial essence water. #cheapskatehacks
With these DIY Cotton Masks, you can use however much essence you want, without having to worry about wastage (as with pre-soaked facial masks). And hey look, even Michelle Phan is doing it.
Also, how cute are these?? They look like tablets, but once you soak them in liquid they expand to form a face mask. Ingenious.
