Beauty Reviews Singapore: What We Tried in January 2025

In 2025, more will be more. Yes, minimalist, hybrid skincare-makeup formulas never left: many of our favourites on this list are double-taskers like makeup primer-and-moisturiser or lip balm-and-lip gloss. But we can’t help but notice that colours are getting brighter and more expressive: take the luminous purple of Huda Beauty’s Ube collection, or the deep moody cherry red of Sigi Skin’s new Cherry Crush shade. 

We’re also seeing a burst of “self-care” products: luscious serums, foams and lotions scented with white flowers and enriched with shea butter and peptides. They’re a dream to apply, have lighter textures for the upcoming warm weather, and sink in quickly for a luminous, pampered finish. This extended holiday season, take a break and slather on Lancôme’s ultra-luxe Génifique Ultimate Serum, Bioessence’s newest Serum Body Lotion, and L’occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream– before things get really busy.

To stay on top of the trends, check out our 2025 beauty predictions.

Lancôme’s New Year 2025 - Limited-Edition Gifts and the First Refillable Serum 

Lancôme is kicking off the year with a showstopping collection that includes bold pinks, icy reds, and that signature Lancôme rose reimagined to symbolise new beginnings. To mark a momentous New Year, Lancôme has partnered with Cai Guo-Qiang, and created a uniquely striking work that features the iconic rose at its center. This CNY, you can look forward to Lancôme gifts captured in boxes adorned with cAITM’s contemporary, stylised rose. 

Now for the MVP in the house, The Génifique Ultimate Serum. This skincare hero got a recent glow-up with its stunning limited-edition bottle making it the perfect gift for the Lunar New Year. Packed with 90 trillion Beta-Glucans, this powerhouse serum tackles redness, smooths texture, and boosts radiance in just one week. 

Bonus points for the eco-friendly refillable design; luxe, but make it conscious. The 50ml format, which is also the first refillable serum on the market with a dropper, flaunts a refillable system that saves 177 tons of glass.

Your Lunar New Year look isn’t complete without a swipe of Lancôme’s Drama Matte Lipstick. This year’s collection brings fresh shades, from the playful cool-pink 399 Haute en Pink to the sultry brick-red 296 Rouge Dramaphoria. The formula is ultra-pigmented, buttery smooth, and infused with ceramides and Grand Rose Extracts™, so your lips stay hydrated and stunning all day. 

Why we love it: Lancôme’s Lunar New Year collection is all about fresh starts and timeless beauty. Aside from the stunning limited-edition packaging that deserves a spot on every dresser, you’ll find yourself with the gift of glowing skin. The Génifique Ultimate Serum helps to boost repair, reducing redness and achieving smoother, younger, more radiant, and younger-looking skin, one powerful drop at a time. 

As for the oh-so-stunning Drama Matte– at $61 a pop, these lipsticks are just the right mix of drama and sophistication, all wrapped up in a sleek matte tube with a satisfying “click.”

Available at Lancôme counters and on www.lancome.sg.

Huda Beauty - Get Your Purple On with the UBE Collection

Feeling the holiday blues? Then you need a solid dose of electric lilac in your life! Inspired by Huda’s love for Ube cake, the new limited-edition collection transforms some of her most beloved products into playful, pastel perfection.

Each year Huda celebrates her birthday with an Ube cake, and The Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder in Ube Birthday Cake's electric lilac shade pays homage to that sweet tradition. The rosy pigments in this setting powder work wonders under the eyes, neutralising, brightening, and blurring for a flawless finish with a subtle, blush-toned glow. 

Next in the lineup is the Blush Filter in Ube Cream, a vibrant lilac addition to the iconic Blush Filter range. Its ultra-creamy, soft-focus formula blends seamlessly, delivering buildable colour for the perfect “ubelicious” flush. 

Completing the trio is the Faux Filler Lip Gloss in UUU-Baby a sheer lilac gloss offering a high-shine finish and is infused with vegan collagen and vitamin E to keep lips hydrated, smooth, and looking fuller. 

Why we love it: Don’t let the purple intimidate you! Huda Beauty’s Ube collection makes a playful yet sophisticated addition to your beauty routine, guaranteed to make you fall in love with purple power. From a subtle tint to a bold pop of colour, you can choose to make this collection as radiant as you like. Nail the look with the Blush Filter on your cheeks, followed by Easy Bake under your eyes for that brightened, blurred effect. Finish with the versatile gloss, to tie it all together. We think you’ll like this one too!

Huda Beauty’s Ube Collection is available at Sephora Singapore. 

Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturiser, Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm – For That Peptide Boost

Peptides, the short chains of amino acids that form proteins like collagen and elastin to restore bouncy skin, show no signs of stopping as a skincare ingredient– and Paula’s Choice has fully boarded the trend with the release of the Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturiser and Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm. Each product is powered by 3 pro-collagen peptides for a non-irritating, much-needed boost to your skin.

The Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturiser has three active peptide ingredients: hexapeptide-5 (a water-binding peptide) which hydrates and adds bounce, oligopeptide-1 (a messenger peptide) which helps to preserve and support natural collagen, and tridecapeptide-1 (a signal peptide) which rapidly smooths and plumps fine lines. These ingredients were selected for their ability to signal elastin in the skin’s foundation– alongside biofermented hyaluronic acid, this moisturiser goes above and beyond simple topical moisturising by supporting collagen levels and actively hydrating. 

The Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm, also packed with three pro-collagen peptides, doubles as both lip treatment and lip gloss: beginning with a balmy texture, it melts away into a glossy, non-sticky finish. With tridecapeptide-1 to smooth lines, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 to support natural collagen production, and palmitoyl tripeptide-38 to activate natural hydration and prevent lip thinning. 

Why we love it: If you have oily skin, or have been looking for a more Singapore-weather-friendly moisturiser, the Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturiser might be that match. It hydrates without feeling heavy and nourishes in spite of its light, gel-like texture. The moisturiser can be used as part of a daytime or nighttime routine, and even as a makeup base.

Hate lip gloss? Non-tacky and a welcoming break from sticky lip gloss, the Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm is all things reparative and nourishing. You’ll never face chapped lips again!

The Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide is available at Sephora.sg and online at Paulaschoice.sg. 

Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream, FUTURE SOLUTION LX Universal Defense – Science-Powered Luxe Skincare

New releases from Shiseido this season have all your anti-aging needs covered: the Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream, and the FUTURE SOLUTION LX Universal Defense. With Shiseido’s research in your skincare routine, you’ll be protected from skin sallowness, dryness, sun damage, and more.

The Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream, the result of Shiseido’s study of the skin’s invisible nutrient network, revitalises and enables greater skin density and fewer wrinkles through the use of two unique technologies: SafflowerRED™ and ReneuraRED Technology™. SafflowerRED™ is powered by safflower/Benibana extract, which encourages vascular stability and supports the skin’s natural collagen production by delivering essential nutrients. ReneuraRED Technology™ on the other hand targets discolouration to renew the skin.

The Universal Defense sunscreen, newest to join Shiseido’s ultra-luxurious line of FUTURE SOLUTION LX anti-aging skincare products, is a sunscreen that combines premium UV protection and anti-aging care, with a refreshing, dewy finish. With SPF 50+PA++++ and containing the precious Japanese herb Enmei (with historically-recognised rejuvenating properties), this sunscreen protects your skin from external stressors. 

Why we love it: The Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream is designed for great skin, but also self care. Immerse yourself in hydrating goodness all while enjoying the calming fragrance of this skincare hero. The Universal Defense sunscreen finishes off your skincare routine with a no-cast finish, perfect for those with oily skin. It can be used on the face, hands and body, does not leave a white cast, and can be worn under makeup.

Buy yours at Shiseido’s online store or on Sephora.sg. 

Sigi Skin’s Butter Glaze Lip Jelly – Back in a Limited-Edition Cherry Shade

We asked, and Sigi Skin delivered– the Butter Glaze Lip Jelly is back in time for the double-festive season of Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day in a limited-edition, cherry-red shade. In case you’ve been keeping up with our Beauty Reviews, back in November we suggested a cool-toned red to round off the shades of Butter Glaze Lip Jelly in Sigi Skin’s lineup. As much as we’d like to take the credit for this, Sigi Skin has been doing their research, and they’ve landed on this shade right as it’s set to be one of the hottest colours of the year.

The new shade, Cherry Crush, is a cool-toned, buildable deep red shade. In the classic Butter Glaze Lip Jelly formula, it contains squalane to seal in moisture, shea butter and peptides (Hexapeptide-9 and Nonapeptide-1) for intense hydration and smoothing, and strawberry extracts, full of antioxidants, for a vibrant glow. Sunflower seed oil repairs sun damage and prevents chapping, while cocoa extract, packed with vitamins A and E and natural antioxidants, soothes and protects. Formulated with Singapore’s humid climate in mind, it treats dryness, dark spots and other lip concerns while giving a glossy shine. This formulation is safe for everyone, including those with sensitive lips and expectant mums.

Why we love it: Too many deep red lip products start out deep red and sheer out absurdly to bright fuchsia: Cherry Crush doesn't. It stays burgundy, whether applied lightly (it sheers out to a muted, red-bean colour) or packed on for drama. Crucially for a deep shade, it applies evenly. This lip balm begins with a sheen and slowly sinks into the lips over the hours for a softly radiant finish.

Snap up the Cherry Crush shade on Sigi Skin’s website.

Bioessence Serum Body Lotions – A New, Weightless Body Lotion Formula

Skincare brand Bioessence’s foray into body care begins with their new Serum Body Lotions. With their lightweight texture, absorb faster than traditional cream or gel moisturisers, making them lifesavers in humid climates like ours. A cross between body lotion and facial serum, these lotions deliver high concentrations of active skincare ingredients to your skin, like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. 

There are three Bioessence Serum Body Lotions: the “Moisture Plus Water Burst”, enriched with 90% pure hyaluronic acid and mineral-rich Algae extract to hydrate for up to 24 hours, the “Bright Plus Super Radiance”, with 120x Vitamin C and sweet orange extract to even out skin tone, and the “Renew Plus Deep Repair”, with a 5x Ceramides complex to stimulate skin renewal and soothing Camellia flower extract. 

Why we love it: It’s time to give some well deserved TLC to your body! The Bioessence Serum Body Lotions are dermatologically tested and formulated without alcohol, parabens or colourants. They contain Bioessence’s proprietary Bio Energy Complex™, which boosts the skin’s repair and replenishment by enhancing cell energy and oxygen absorption for firmer, more radiant skin. Plus, they come in two sizes each, 300ml and a travel-friendly 70ml for when you’re on the go!

Shop Bioessence Serum Body Lotions at Watsons, Guardian, NTUC Fairprice, on Shopee Mall, and at elected cosmetic houses.

The Ordinary GF 15% Solution – Transformative Skincare Technology Made Accessible

The Ordinary’s transformative new serum, the GF 15% Solution, features a recent breakthrough in skincare technology: the use of growth factors, a class of biomimetic (nature-identical) peptides, in commercial skincare formulations. The serum is part of The Ordinary’s mission to make effective, scientifically-powered and proven skincare accessible to all– you should be able to pick up dermatologist-quality skin solutions at the pharmacy.

Over time, environmental factors such as stress, pollution and UV light cause damage to the skin through irritation and a decrease in protective antioxidant molecules. This process is hastened by the natural depletion of key molecules in the skin that are responsible for the repair process. As a result, key structural processes and components in the skin are affected, which may lead to uneven texture, fine lines, discolouration and the loss of elasticity. 

With its formulation featuring a triple compound of plant-based EGF, IGF and TGF, the GF 15% Solution targets this issue by boosting the number of growth factors in the skin naturally occurring signalling molecules. These support the skin’s collagen-generating abilities, skin cell turnover, and protection against irritants, leading to an overall anti-ageing effect on your complexion – exactly how you’d like it!

Why we love it: Plumper, more youthful skin at an easy price point? Yes please! The Ordinary GF 15% Solution is getting rave reviews across the world and there’s every reason to include it in your skincare routine. Its watery, light formula absorbs easily into the skin without causing any irritation making it a worthy try. And at that price point($30), we say why not!

Shop The Ordinary’s GF 15% Solution on Sephora.sg.

L’occitane “Take Time to Care” – A K-Idol Endorsed Hand Cream

L’occitane has revealed its latest campaign, “Take Time to Care”, featuring beloved Korean idol and L’occitane’s Asia Brand Ambassador, Mingyu from the boy band SEVENTEEN. The campaign celebrates the simple act of caring for yourself and loved ones through little appreciative gestures: which L’occitane, a treasured self-care and gifting brand, knows plenty about. To mark the collaboration, L’occitane has also released a “L’occitane with Mingyu” gift set, including a handful of the brand’s favourites: the Almond Shower Oil, the Shea Butter Hand Cream, and an adorable Mingyu-themed bag charm.

Idols are busy people, and Mingyu himself has said that he uses L’occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream between schedules to care for his hands and keep them smooth– little acts of pampering throughout a long day. The Shea Butter Hand Cream, already an iconic product of L’occitane’s, is enriched with a high 20% concentration of shea butter, as well as honey, almond extracts and coconut oil. 

Why we love it: L'Occitane's Shea Butter Hand Cream is truly legendary. Users love it for its creamy texture, luxurious scent and smooth non-greasy finish. It’s vegan, too!

If you haven't tried it yet, we hope Mingyu's recommendation inspires you to visit your nearest L'Occitane store. 

Plus there’s an in-store Exclusive! Spend $100 or more, including the purchase of the iconic Shea Butter Hand Cream, and receive a complimentary L'OCCITANE with MINGYU Bag Charm. *Terms and Conditions apply, while stocks last. 

The L’occitane with Mingyu gift set, including the Shea Butter Hand Cream, can be purchased in all L’occitane retail stores and online.

Bzu Bzu Family Shower Cream – Nourishing Body Care For The Whole Family

Singapore’s beloved family care brand, Bzu Bzu, has been trusted with skin and body care products for babies and children to accompany them through the ups and downs of the growing years. Now, Bzu Bzu launches a shower cream suitable for all the family, from children aged three and above to adults. The new range of Family Shower Creams are luxuriously foaming, deeply moisturising, and light on kids’ skin– this dermatologically tested formula is safe for daily use, and ideal for guiding your kids into their daily hygiene habits.

The Bzu Bzu Family Milk & Silk Shower Cream is enriched with milk protein and silk protein, and is carefully crafted for sensitive skin to enhance skin softness, elasticity and radiance. Not only does it soothe rashes, scrapes and irritated skin, it also works to prevent wrinkles by tightening and smoothing the skin– how’s that for an all-ages multitasker? The other shower cream in the line, the Bzu Bzu Family Antibacterial Shower Cream, protects against 99% of germs and bacteria and eliminates body odour with Cica Extract and Tea Tree Leaf Extract, while maintaining a gentle, skin-soothing formula.

Why we love it: If like us, you enjoy skincare that works for everyone in the family, you will adore the affordable range by Bzu Bzu. Skin soothing ingredients, in easy to use pump-based bottles have given these a permanent spot in our shower space. We are sure your little ones will love them too!

Shop the Bzu Bzu Family Shower Creams at Watsons Singapore and online.