With COVID-19 restrictions finally loosening this year, many of us are preparing for the Christmas and New Years festivities. Family, friends, and loved ones will gather again soon and the fun will begin! However, when the festivities begin, we might not have time to refresh or redo our makeup throughout the long events. So, we’ve got to make sure we get it right the first time, and of course get a long lasting makeup look too.

With that said, I have taken the liberty to test out some makeup and skincare products that have been released this holiday season, and some signature products too. Spoiler alert, I think I’ve made the right decisions with the choices of products. Without further delay, let’s get into the deets and my review on products from Dr Dennis Gross, Supergoop, Sephora Collection, Real Techniques, and NARS!

How To Get The Perfect Long Lasting Makeup Look

It’s no simple task getting your makeup perfect and ensuring that it lasts throughout the day too. Especially during festive season, where you’ll be sure to go through a bunch of activities and might break a sweat or two (even more so in our Malaysian weather). Therefore, I’ve got some tips for you that I’ve found out along the way throughout my makeup journey.

A Good Base

It all begins with a good base. Creating a smooth and hydrated base before you layer on your favourite foundation for a long lasting makeup look. First of all, begin your skincare routine with a good exfoliator. Remove all the dirt, dead skin, and makeup residue on your skin. This will allow your skincare to absorb into your skin and for your skin to reap all of their benefits. Add on a lightwieght moisturiser to finish off your skincare routine.

Use An Eyeshadow Primer

If your eyelids get oily, like me, it’s best to add on a eye primer or your favourite oil free concealer as a base for your eyeshadow. This will not only help it last longer, but help your eyeshadow stand out too! Find out the best eyeshadow primers in Malaysia here.

Sunblock

Never forget to protect your skin with some sunscreen even if you’re staying indoors all day. 80% of harmful UV Rays can still attack you through the windows. Sunscreens often come with hydration and moisture, which will help you keep your skin away from dryness while helping you achieve a long lasting makeup look that won’t crack. Layer on some sunscreen as the final step of your skincare routine before you apply makeup, and you’ll be set!

Essentials You Need To Achieve The Perfect Makeup Look This Holiday Season

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

In just 2 minutes, Dr. Dennis Gross’s Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel will give you smooth, and gorgeous skin. With daily application, you’ll notice an immediate brightness and wonderfully changed skin: your pores will appear smaller, wrinkles will erase, and your skin will appear more equal and balanced. For ageless-looking skin, the remainder of your skincare absorbs faster and makeup applies better. The combination of 5 AHA/BHAs, antioxidants, and vitamins effectively removes dead skin, excess oil, and pollutants while also correcting uneven tone and texture. This product is also Vegan and Cruelty Free, without an Parabens.

Review: I am often very cautious when it comes to exfoliators. Going into this product, I expected a rough exfoliant but I was pleasantly surprise with the cooling feel and texture of the pad that came with the product. It had plenty of product on the pad to use and it did not feel drying or harsh on my skin. As mentioned earlier, to create a clean and smooth makeup application, exfoliate your skin. My final verdict is that this Daily Peel is a good option for day time exfoliation.

Where to buy: RM380.00 at Sephora Malaysia

Supergoop! Glow Screen Broad Spectrum Primer Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++

With SPF 40 and blue light protection, the Glow Screen sunscreen is a lightweight, iridescent makeup-gripping primer. With built-in wide spectrum UV protection, this moisturising sunscreen offers a wonderfully dewy and radiant canvas for makeup. It provides a sheer glow with a slight tint that can double as a highlighter.

Review: I have been using this sunscreen for the past few months and it is now my favourite sunscreen. On days that I don’t feel like packing on makeup, I use the Glow Screen sunscreen for an even base. It’s slight tint is what makes this sunscreen my go to, especially with the glow that gives my complexion a healthy and bright look. It also grips onto my makeup throughout the day just like a primer. Plus, as a primer the Glow Screen Sunscreen will definitely help you get a long lasting makeup look. My final verdict is that this Glow Screen sunscreen is the amazing even for my oily skin which I have been struggling to find a sunscreen to match for a long time.

Where to buy: RM160.00 at Sephora Malaysia

Sephora Collection Holiday Vibes Blockbuster Makeup Palette (Limited Edition)

Sephora Collection’s Holiday Vibes Blockbuster Makeup Palette is an all-in-one comprehensive makeup palette is the ideal method to let your imagination go wild, from simple daily looks to spectacular nighttime looks! It’s also a great first-time cosmetics palette that would please any beauty aficionado. The palette includes:

  • 60 highly pigmented eyeshadows, with matte, shimmer, and glitter finishes
  • 3 creamy eyeliners, in black, brown, and blue 
  • 3 eyebrow powders
  • 6 face powders (2 blushes, 2 highlighters and 2 bronzers)
  • 16 lip glosses mirror
  • 1 face brush
  • 1 dual-ended eye brush

Review: This hefty palette was a joy to work with. It is a great addition to anyone’s makeup collection whether you’re a beginner or a pro. As a creative makeup artist, I definitely loved that this palette came with a vibrant blue eyeliner. In Malaysia, it is quite a task to look for vibrant coloured eyeliners but this palette came with one which provides a lot of room for creativity especially with the 87 other shades of products that comes in this palette. There is however, some fall out with the powders in this palette but the pigmentation does pay off. Overall, this palette is a great palette to travel with since it comes with all you need for makeup looks during your holidays.

Where to buy: RM219.00 at Sephora Malaysia

Real Techniques

Best Selling Everyday Essentials

This best selling brush set from Real Techniques promises to help you achieve an ON POINT makeup look with every single brush. With their cult favourite Miracle Complexion Sponge included in this set, it is no wonder that makeup enthusiasts love this set so much. They’re also travel friendly so you can pack it up and bring it anywhere you’re spending your holidays at with ease!

Review: I have always been a fan of Real Techniques. I’ve always used their Miracle Complexion Sponge and Everyday Eye Essential Set. The Everyday Essentials set is very versatile and despite each one having a label on them you are still able to use them for any purpose and any product on your face. The brushes have soft bristles that don’t cause irritation on the skin and glides products smoothly without causing rough patches of product on the skin.

Where to buy: RM149.90 at Zalora Malaysia

Artist Essentials

From head to chin, the Artist Essentials set has you covered for any and all events! These brushes may be used to apply foundation, contour, highlighter, blush, eyeliner, and lip products beautifully! All artistic souls desire and require this set in their makeup tools collection.

Review: My favourite brushes from Real Techniques’s Artist Essentials are the two smallest brushes (425 and 317). I love the angled brush for eyeliner because it is thin enough for percision and it can be used to shape my eyebrows too. Similarly, the denser brush (425) is a versatile brush that can be used to apply eyeliner under your eyes too. Overall, they all pick up products effortlessly and applies powdered and cream products well.

Where to buy: RM159.90 at Zalora Malaysia

NARS

Bijoux Eyeshadow Palette

This new limited edition Bijoux Eyeshadow Palette comes with sixteen stunning jewel-tone shades in matte, satin, shimmer, and glitter finishes. This is NARS’s biggest eyeshadow palette yet, and it is a total dream come true! These shades make the perfect companion for the holiday season with shades to compliment your moods.

Review: Let’s talk pigmentation because WOW. The pigmentation in all the shades are beautifully formulated. After wearing it half a day, I can totally say that they stay on for a while without fading despite my oily eyelids. They are easily blendable, hence making it perfect for beginners too. Therefore, if you’re planning for a long lasting makeup look, this is the eyeshadow of choice!

Where to buy: RM230 at Zalora Malaysia

Watch Us on Youtube

Don’t know what look to go for this Christmas? Watch Rika and Farah do a Glam vs Simple Holiday Makeup on our Youtube channel here!