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You might be taking quite a number of selfies and wefies this festive season. And we understand the temptation to slap on that dog filter on Snapchat so you look great. But a good selfie can be done with no filters – here are some makeup tips that will help you be photo-ready for your next #nofilter selfie!

1. Prime it well

Before you put on any makeup, it’s important to prime your face to create a perfect canvas for flawless application. It doesn’t just make your makeup last longer, it also fills in any textural imperfections you may have on your skin.

Try: The Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer collection (SGD68-79) comes in eight different types with different purposes, depending on what your skin needs. It’s important to find the right primer, whether it helps colour correct any redness, minimises pores, hydrate your skin, or even fill in fine lines. A great primer will help your makeup look great, especially in close-ups.

2. Start with flawless complexion

Creating flawless complexion is going to help you go easy with filters with airbrushed effect or photo-editing apps that diffuse imperfections. Trust us, investing in the right foundation to achieve flawless-looking complexion is going to look more natural in photos and definitely in person when you can’t rely on filteres.

Cushion products are great to use for photos because they’re incredibly convenient to have on-the-go for any last minute touch ups you might need.

Try: Maybelline Super BB Cushion Fresh Matte (SGD28.90) or Etude House Any Cushion Cream Filter (SGD32)

These two cushion products serve different purposes but they both contribute for the effortless flawless look.

If you have oily skin, go for the new Maybelline Super BB Cushion Fresh Matte. It helps mattify your skin without heaving it appear cakey or dry. Because this BB cushion has medium to high coverage, it will cover any blemishes you need to conceal while removing oil and shine your skin produces. This BB cushion lasts for 12 hours, is lightweight, non-sticky, and has SPF25 for any potential outdoors photo session.

For all other skin types, consider the Etude House Any Cushion Cream Filter. This product can help create a creamy glow-filter on your skin, so it’s basically like adding an Instagram filter but in real life. The cushion is a combination of three different filters — a Glow Filter, Morning Filter, and a Moisture Filter. The combination helps your face appear moist and dewy, creating a selfie-worthy look. This cushion cream comes in five shades with anti-wrinkle, brightening and UV protection of SPF33 properties.

3. Perfect the cat eye look

A great eyeliner is a daily essential for those of us who can’t live without a cat eye and is also very important if you’re intending to take a good selfie. Whether it is for tight-lining so you can pull off an effortless #iwokeuplikethis look, or for a more dramatic wing so you accentuate the shape of your eyes, look for an eyeliner that has a good brush for precision and is long-lasting.

Try: Clio’s iconic Kill Black Eyeliner comes in brush (SGD25.90), pen (SGD22.90), and pencil (SGD17.90) form so you can create any look you desire. The colour of these liners are as intense as their name suggest, while also being smudge-resistant, waterproof, and most importantly in selfies, matte. However, if you’re more into the softer look, Clio also has the same product line-up in Kill Brown, a range of brown eyeliners for a more natural look.

4. #browsonfleek = selfie on fleek

To put it simply, brows frame your face. This is why having your #browsonfleek is one of the most important features of a good selfie. In fact, videos that show people filling in their brows perfectly are very popular on Instagram.

Try: Laneige Brow Cushioncara (SGD35) uses cushion technology to present a liquid-powder formula to help you create natural looking brows while keeping them looking well-maintained and clean. These kits come with duo shades with a brush/spoolie combination. Available in two shades: two-tone grey and two-tone brown, the compact is designed to flatter Asian eyes. Lazada retails it at an 8% discount, so you should check it out here.

5. Nourish your lips

Dry, flaky lips are not a good look and they’ll only look worse when you apply liquid lipstick – which you know is the product of the moment. Smooth out your lips before applying any lip colours – especially bold ones – with a nourishing lip balm.

Try: Himalaya Herbals lip care products. In four variants: Rich Cocoa Butter, Natural Soft Vanilla, Strawberry Shine Lip Care, and Peach Shine Lip Care, these lip care products are made with herbal actives to give your lips the tender, loving care that they deserve. Besides relieving parched lips, they also come with a pleasant, subtle scent.

6. Burberry Lip Velvet

As we’ve mentioned earlier, liquid lipstick that gives a bold and matte finish is the most popular product of the moment, and definitely takes the limelight in any good selfie. Choose one that feels lightweight and hydrating so your lips won’t be left feeling dry.

Try: Burberry Liquid Lip Velvet. This new liquid lipstick delivers bold pigment without sitting to dry on your lips. Because the Lip Velvet is lightweight on the lips, the finish is very comfortable and ensures that there will be no cracks after a long wear. These lippies come in 14 different shades and you’ll only need one coat to achieve the perfect pout. Find it online at Net-a-porter, which carries three gorgeous shades.

7. Look #lit, literally!

Strobing is a key trend last year and will continue to be relevant this year. And there’s no surprise why millennials are loving this technique – applying highlighter at the high points of your face is another key step in taking the ultimate natural selfie without being too heavy on makeup. Adding a soft highlight helps bring out the features of your face by creating light dimensions for a natural highlight.

Try: Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder (SGD59) is one of the most popular highlighters around because it delivers a naturally luminescent glow on the skin without looking too metallic and shimmery. Applying this moderately can give you a lit-from-within look; don’t overdo it or you’ll look very odd, especially in pictures! Find all four shades of this popular highlighter at Sephora.

8. Set it right

Last but certainly not least, after all that hard work applying makeup, you have to remember to set it all with a setting spray.


Try: Urban Decay Makeup Setting Sprays (SGD48). You might have already know of the famous All Nighter spray by Urban Decay, the brand has recently launched three variants of this iconic formula. Besides All Nighter, which can help makeup look fresh for up to 16 hours, De-Slick controls oil and deflects surface shine, while Chill features a time-release technology that cools the surface of makeup so it will not smudge. These setting sprays are available at Urban Decay free-standing boutiques and Sephora.