Nailing your makeup game is no easy feat in Hong Kong. You have the weather and the pollution all working against you – not to mention that we’ve been yo-yoing between the strong, sweltering sun and torrential downpours for the last month. Luckily for us, we’ve been spoiled with plenty of new beauty drops to keep us looking fresh.
An OCD’s dream – you’ll see what we mean when you visit them in ifc mall – MALIN+GOETZ have just opened their first concept store in Hong Kong (and Asia) and if you haven’t heard of Crayola’s 58-piece makeup collection on Asos, well, you’re in for a treat.
Whether you’re looking for a new foundation (both Benefit and YSL have come out with some new, buildable formulas) or a sun-protecting primer and spray for a day at the beach, this month’s #HKBeautyHaul has you covered.
MALIN+GOETZ
You’ve probably seen their aesthically-pleasing, colour-coded products on the bathroom shelves of a hotel, only to discover that their shampoos and deliciously fragrant soaps actually work wonders. This New York apothecary, founded by Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz, focuses on natural and paraben-free products perfect for sensitive skin and have finally opened their first concept store in Asia at the ifc mall in Central.
Their skincare and haircare lines are all designed to provide simple skincare essentials for those who don’t have the time or the dedication (read: mental capacity – we’re looking at you Korea) for an endless skincare regimen. Some of their signature products include the grapefruit face cleanser (HK$320) and vitamin e face moisturiser (HK$440) duo, peppermint shampoo and, of course, the cannabis candle (HK$480).
MALIN+GOETZ, 1/F, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2326 3678
malinandgoetz.com.hk
COOLA
California-based COOLA is one of our favourite sunscreen brands. Unlike many suncare products, COOLA’s formula don’t come with any of the nasties, focusing on ingredients that are not only organic but sustainable and locally-sourced. Their signature Sunscreen sprays protect your skin without leaving any product residue or greasiness.
COOLA have just come out with two new products in time for summer – their SPF 30 Organic Classic Dawn Petrol Primer (HK$496) which offers UVA & UVB protection and mattifies and nourishes the skin with sunflower seed oil, licorice root extract and anti-inflammatory honeysuckle. This one is great for prepping combination skin before makeup on a humid and sunny day.
COOLA’s SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray (HK$425) uses aloe vera, algae extract, hyaluronic acid and peony stem cell complex to hydrate your skin, minimise pores and give you a cool, matte finish – everything you need so you don’t look like you’re melting.
A Beauty Bar, 15/F, Kin Tak Fung Commercial Building, 467-473 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2295 6072
abeautybar.com.hk
Benefit
You’ve got to love yourself some Benefit. Fun and always cheeky, this San Francisco beauty brand always has us at the packaging. Their newest launch is an all-new “Hello Happy” soft blur foundation (HK$285) which delivers light to medium coverage and SPF 15 PA+++. Aiming to give you that Insta- glow, the formula comes in 10 shades and contains nourishing shea extract and smooth, spherical beads which diffuse the light to create a blurred effect. All you need is a drop or two on moisturised skin and you’re good to go.
Basement, Times Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2110 9528
Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong, +852 3621 0598
Lab Concept Faces, Queensway Plaza, 93 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, +852 2116 9857
G/F, 22 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, +852 2157 0398
Find more locations around Hong Kong at benefitcosmetics.com/hk
YSL
YSL have also come out with a new foundation to add to its All Hours collection, a velvety matte waterproof foundation stick (HK$485). This is made for those who like no-fuss makeup and are constantly on the go. Compact and extremely easy to use, the luscious formula can be used to conceal, highlight, contour and to top of your coverage at a moment’s notice. Ideal for the summer, it offers a matte finish that won’t leave you shining as you get through the day.
Available at Lane Crawford ifc, Times Square and Canton Road, Sogo Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui and Harvey Nichols at The Landmark and The One.
For more locations visit yslbeauty.com.hk
Crayola
Yes, you read right. Crayola’s vegan and cruelty-free makeup line, available exclusively on Asos, is one you simply have to get purely for the novelty (and the ‘gram too). Not convinced? Surprisingly, reviews have said that their eye and lip crayons actually deliver incredible colour. They have everything from highlighters and face crayons for contouring to lip crayons and eye palettes. We’re eyeing the Crayola lip and cheek crayon in velvet pink (HK$95.74) but secretly want to buy every shade so we can DIY our own crayon box.
Available on asos.com
