Rednote (a.k.a. Xiao Hong Shu) Made Us Buy These Makeup Products, and We’re Recommending Them Too

Scrolling through Rednote (a.k.a. Xiao Hong Shu) and suddenly feeling the urge to buy that one product everyone’s raving about? Been there, done that.

Whether it’s the promise of a skin-perfecting foundation, a contour that blends like butter, or a blush that makes your cheeks look lit from within, the app has a way of making every recommendation feel urgent.

But while some viral beauty buys end up collecting dust in our drawers, others genuinely live up to the hype – and a few have even earned a permanent spot in our makeup kits.

Ahead, the Daily Vanity team rounds up the Rednote-famous makeup products we’ve actually tried and loved.

Carslan Traceless Liquid Foundation

This ultra-lightweight foundation made waves on Rednote for its skin-like finish and suitability for combination skin types.

Formulated with five hydrating ingredients, it strikes a balance between keeping dry areas moisturised and controlling oil in the T-zone. Its thin, fluid texture melts into skin for a soft, natural glow that blurs pores and smooths over texture with ease.

I kept seeing videos demonstrating its thin, liquid consistency and flawless finish, and was also enticed by the combination skin formula, which would strike a good middle ground for my textured, oily combo skin. The formulation is beautiful and incredibly comfortable to wear; it fills out my pores and makes my skin look incredible.” – Cevin Ung, Editorial Intern

Her only caveat? The shade range runs very pale, so she has to pair it with bronzer to deepen the overall tone. With a better shade range, this would be her holy grail base.

Carslan Traceless Liquid Foundation retails for S$15.26 on Shopee. A promotion is ongoing at the time of writing. Click in to view the latest price.

Carslan Black Magnet Soft Mist Pressed Powder

This compact powder features Carslan’s exclusive Magnetic Oil Control technology, designed to absorb excess sebum while keeping your base makeup looking fresh and filter-smooth.

Despite its strong mattifying power, it contains French snail essence to help preserve skin moisture, so it controls shine without making your skin feel parched. The powder is ultra-fine and lightweight, with a puff compartment that keeps the applicator clean and a large mirror for convenient touch-ups.

With an incredibly oily T-zone that sucks up and fades any product, I need a good compact powder for long-lasting setting and touch-ups. The powder itself is amazing and incredibly long-lasting. I hardly have to touch up as much as I used to, and the pore-blurring effect really lasts.” – Cevin Ung, Editorial Intern

Paired with the Carslan foundation, she says her skin looks “amazing and filter-like” — a high praise for any base combo.

Carslan Black Magnet Soft Mist Pressed Powder retails from S$15.26 on Shopee. A promotion is ongoing at the time of writing. Click in to view the latest price.

Judydoll 2 IN 1 Highlighter Contour Palette in #01 Waves

This four-shade palette from Judydoll took Rednote by storm with its versatile mix of matte contours and radiant highlighters.

The silky, soft-matte powders offer natural-looking sculpting for the cheekbones, jawline, and even the hairline, while the shimmery highlights add dimension to the nose bridge, cheekbones, and aegyo sal. The textures range from smooth to almost “mashed-potato”-like, blending seamlessly without fallout for a lit-from-within glow.

There was just so much hype around it when it first launched, and I had to get it! I had no idea how to contour back then, and this was such a good beginner palette. The matte highlighter in it also helps brighten up my face, making it a multi-purpose product.” – Galina Tan, Editorial Intern

Judydoll 2 IN 1 Highlighter Contour Palette in #01 Waves retails for S$13.47 on YesStyle.

Judydoll Liquid Contour in #02 Warm Cocoa Brown

If you’re not one for makeup palettes, Judydoll’s Liquid Contour makes defining your features fuss-free. The creamy formula blends effortlessly to create a soft, natural-looking shadow, while the built-in brush is designed for easy application on the go.

Despite the “Warm” in its name, the #02 shade leans more neutral, ideal for those who want definition without the orange or grey cast. It can also be used on the eyes and lips for added depth.

I was looking for a contour that isn’t too warm or cool-toned. This one’s a pretty perfect neutral. It’s easy to blend, gives me a natural sculpted effect without harsh lines, and works great on my egg-shaped face.” – Jade Yeo, Regional Editor

She uses it on her nose and eyes too, though she swaps out the built-in brush for a makeup sponge. A versatile, beginner-friendly pick for subtle, everyday contouring.

Judydoll Liquid Contour in #02 Warm Cocoa Brown retails for S$8.94 on YesStyle. 

Mooekiss Magnetic Tri-Color Contouring Palette

This 2-in-1 palette features three generously sized magnetic pans for contour and highlight. The finely milled powders blend smoothly into the skin, with colour options that cater to different undertones.

Infused with centella asiatica, meadowfoam oil, and squalane, the formula feels comfortable even with long wear. Plus, the refillable magnetic design allows you to customise or replace shades as needed.

I bought the Mooekiss Contour Palette after seeing a lot of beauty creators and cosplayers on Xiao Hong Shu using it. The formulation is creamy and blendable without being too powdery/chalky, and the pigmentation is good on the matte and glow highlight.” – Cevin Ung, Editorial Intern

Mooekiss Magnetic Tri-Color Contouring Palette retails for S$22.52 on YesStyle.

AZTK Jello Color Liquid Blush in JC04

This lightweight liquid blush from Rednote-favourite AZTK delivers a sheer, buildable flush with a soft-matte finish. Its watery formula blends effortlessly thanks to a sponge-tip applicator, while a liquid-to-powder technology ensures it stays put throughout the day.

Bonus: it’s waterproof, rub-proof, and designed to give a silky, natural-looking glow.

I’m quite the blush maniac and was looking for an affordable muted nude-pink to replace my current one. This checked all the boxes. The formula is so easy to work with – blends seamlessly, is never patchy, and lasts up to 16 hours.” – Jade Yeo, Regional Editor

Though JC04 looks like a muted nude-mauve in Rednote photos, she says it’s actually more of a pastel pink in real life, but the brightening effect it gives the complexion made it a go-to for her. Jade also recommends it as a budget-friendly alternative to luxe blushes.

AZTK Jello Color Liquid Blush in JC04 retails for S$12.02 on YesStyle.

PUCO Liberalism Highlighting Contour Single Color Blush in 04 Milky Mist Pink

This blush has quietly gained traction on Xiao Hong Shu for its soft, finely milled powder and natural, matte finish.

Designed to mimic the effect of a bare yet bright complexion, this sheer pastel pink shade works beautifully on its own—or as a layering tool to tone down overly pigmented blushes without washing out your look.

It was something I stumbled upon to tone down blushes that show up too strongly on my skin—and honestly, using a lighter blush on top helped add more dimension to my face. It did exactly what I needed: softened the intensity without completely muting the colour. It lasts the whole day – tried and tested in Vietnam’s heat.” – Galina Tan, Editorial Intern

PUCO Liberalism Highlighting Contour Single Color Blush in 04 Milky Mist Pink retails for S$27.61 on CuteHart.

DEZONE Smoothing Eyeliner Gel Pen in Brown

With its silky mousse-like texture, flat-tipped applicator, and smudge-proof formula, this Rednote-approved eyeliner delivers precise lines that last.

The 1mm x 2.5mm pen tip is shaped to hug the lash line effortlessly, while the quick-dry formula locks in place within seconds. Waterproof and sweat-resistant, it’s a practical pick for long, humid days.

I needed a quick eyeliner fix in KL as I left mine back in Singapore, so I got this one I saw on Xiao Hong Shu. It stayed on the whole day, even with all the walking, sweating, and even in the rain. The eyeliner also comes with a tiny brush at the end, which I used to sharpen the corners (doubles as an aegyo sal pen too!).” – Galina Tan, Editorial Intern

DEZONE Smoothing Eyeliner Gel Pen in Brown retails for S$6.65 on YesStyle.

JudyDoll Curling Iron Mascara

This social media viral mascara features a unique 6° angled brush head designed to hug the natural curve of the eye and prevent smudging, especially handy for beginners.

Its iron rod-style applicator delivers a thin, even coat that doesn’t clump, while the waterproof, sweat-resistant formula helps lashes stay curled and voluminous throughout the day.

The unique iron rod applicator instantly stood out to me, and I couldn’t resist my curiosity, so I picked one up.It’s also impressively long-lasting, while the curl can sag slightly over time, it generally holds up well throughout the day, and with a mascara fixer, it easily stays lifted all night. – Yewon Shim, Social Media Intern

She also noted that even after multiple uses, there was no product buildup around the brush – a common issue she’s experienced with other mascaras.

JudyDoll Curling Iron Mascara retails for S$19.62 on Shopee. A promotion is ongoing at the time of writing. Click in to view the latest price.

Givenchy Rose Perfecto Lip Balm in 117 Chilling Brown

Equal parts skincare and statement, this luxe marbled lip balm went viral for its pH-adapting tint and couture packaging. Infused with rose oil, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and shea butter, it delivers up to 24 hours of hydration while tinting lips with a glossy, your-lips-but-better hue.

The 117 Chilling Brown shade offers a fresh, wearable colour that shifts slightly depending on your skin tone – all housed in a pink leather case embossed with the iconic 4G logo.

I was attracted by the packaging – pink leather case, marble design lip balm, and I saw swatches that looked really pretty. It’s very balmy and moisturising, so it’s very comfortable to wear. The colour also looks exactly like how it did on Xiao Hong Shu. My friends always ask about it when I whip it out for a touch up.” – Kristen Juliet Soh, Editorial Director

Givenchy Rose Perfecto Lip Balm in 117 Chilling Brown retails for S$59 on Sephora.sg.

Featured image credits: @mclon880/Rednote and @lookhealthystore_official/Instagram