BRIGHTENING CUSHION

Sulwhasoo has added a new cushion compact to its line-up. The Perfecting Cushion Brightening ($80, inclusive of one refill; available at Sulwhasoo counters from next month) visibly brightens skin and offers a medium coverage with a satin-matte finish. The original best-selling Perfecting Cushion provides greater coverage and gives skin a dewy texture.

Both are relatively long-wearing.

The new compact contains a pearlescent complex to add radiance; as well as skin brightening ingredients white magnolia blossoms, liquorice water and white ginseng extract.

DE-STRESS WHILE SHOPPING

Get a shot of goodness for your mind, body and soul when you shop at these two stores.

• De-stress at Aveda's new store at B2-33 Capitol Piazza. Spend at least $150 and enjoy a 20-minute Aveda Stress Relieving Sensorial Ritual.

The session includes a customised facial, neck and shoulder massage that is based on an analysis of your lifestyle, skin concerns and mood.

The promotion ends Aug 31.

• To introduce its Lotus collection of skincare, Fresh is giving away lotus treats at its store at B3-45 Ion Orchard.

Snack on lotus tea and lotus seeds when you consult a sales assistant on your skincare needs. With any purchase, you will get a Lotus Youth Preserve Skincare Experience Kit (three 2ml sachets of a face cream, lotion and eye cream).

Spend at least $100 and receive the Experience Kit, a trial yoga lesson at the wellness studio Upside Motion, as well as a bottle of cold-pressed lotus juice.

Promotion ends at the end of this month.

SPOT OUT

For those who are often plagued with spots just before their monthly cycle, Orbis promises a new solution.

Its new Clear skincare collection supposedly prevents acne linked to hormonal swings.

According to Orbis, an increase in the female hormone progesterone leads to a decrease in the skin's defence against bacteria which, in turn, leads to acne occurring. The gromwell root extract in the Clear collection boosts the skin's bacterial defence system, and so prevents the spots.

This discovery was given the Best Paper & Presentation Award in the Basic Research Field by the renowned International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists.

The Clear range is also made to work on other kinds of mild acne, and on men.

Prices start from $18.50 for a concealer to $39 for a powder foundation compact.

FIRM IT UP

These two oral supplements promise tighter, more supple skin and lifted facial contours.

ASTALIFT PURE COLLAGEN DRINK 10000
$60 for 10 x 30ml bottles, from Astalift stores

The latest supplement drink from the Fujifilm-owned company contains low-molecular weight fish-derived collagen that supposedly will be more easily absorbed by the body. Vitamin C and rice extract ceramides are also stirred in to boost the effectiveness of the collagen drink. The amino acid ornithine is added to boost growth hormones which, in turn, firm skin.

The 46-calorie caffeine-free drink comes in a tasty peach flavour.

IOMA COLLAGEN RENEW
$160 for a box of 105 capsules to be taken over five weeks, from Ioma counters

The result of a decade of research at consumer goods conglomerate Unilever (which has a stake in Ioma), this capsule is made to smoothen the appearance of wrinkles.

The brand's claims: Collagen production happens deep in the skin, so topical products are unlikely to reach it, while ingested collagen seems to be ineffective.

Ioma's capsules do not contain collagen. Instead, they are made with soya isoflavones and omega 3 fatty acids, which may support collagen synthesis; vitamin C which is crucial to the production of collagen; as well as vitamin E to protect the skin.