Simple yet effective, winning grooming products for millennials focus mainly on blemish prevention. Photo: Dominic Phua/Daydream
Millennials are an experimental lot, and there are endless grooming products to suit various needs for this age group. While it’s all fun, things like co-curricular activities and a night at the club can get already active sebaceous glands overactive, clogging the pores and leaving the skin looking like an oil slick. Not a good look if you want to hit it off with that girl across the hall. So we’ve tried and tested some of the best products in the market and helped you to narrow it down to effective products that help you to look the best while you live your best life
Head
Refreshing Shampoo: Fuji Green Tea™ Refreshingly Purifying Shampoo, $15, The Body Shop
Fuji Green Tea™ Refreshingly Purifying Shampoo, The Body Shop. Photo: The Body Shop
We’re not big fans of goopy shampoo that leaves too much residue when residue is exactly what we’re trying to get rid of, especially in a hot and humid climate like Singapore’s. Which is why we fell in love with The Body Shop’s Fuji Green Tea™ shampoo that not only cleans our hair thoroughly, but also leaves a nice, clean scent that we appreciate.
Lightweight Conditioner: Revitalizing Fresh Conditioner, $57, L’Occitane
Revitalizing Fresh Conditioner, L’Occitane. Photo: L’Occitane
This climate is hell for those suffering from an oily scalp. Trust L’Occitane’s Revitalizing Fresh Conditioner from the Aromachologie range to balance out scalp oiliness while leaving the hair feeling light and soft. The uplifting scent of mint, thyme, lavender, grapefruit and cedar essential oils is also another reason why we look forward to having a shower.
Styling Product: Matte Pomade, $36, OUAI at Sephora
Matte Pomade, OUAI. Photo: Sephora
This paraben-free hair product gives medium hold for all hair types, making it great if you want to enhance your natural (or freshly permed) waves or simply keep your suave hairdo in check. We also like the matte finish it imparts so our hair doesn’t look too stiff.
Wet-Look Hairspray: Style Lock Hair Spray, $29, Boardwalk at Sultans of Shave
Style Lock Hair Spray, Boardwalk at Sultans of Shave. Photo: Sultans of Shave
Whether it’s for your uni graduation or your big brother’s wedding, a well-coifed look with a sleek sheen always helps you to look suave and sharp. Boardwalk’s Style Lock Hair Spray is one of our favourites because all it takes it a couple of spritzes to lock the look down effortlessly.
Face
Gentle Facial Cleanser: Facial Washing Powder, $26, FANCL
Facial Washing Powder, FANCL. Photo: FANCL
More than just novelty’s sake, this washing powder does an incredible job at cleaning up grime on the face whether it’s after a good session at the gym or after an alcohol-fuelled night out. The powder foams up to a cleansing cloud but don’t underestimate its gentle demeanour – it packs a punch when it comes to cleansing while leaving your skin feeling soft and looking fresh.
Acne-Busting Cleanser: AcnoFight Anti-Acne Scrub in Foam, $9.50, Garnier Men
AcnoFight Anti-Acne Scrub in Foam, Garnier Men. Photo: Garnier
If your skin needs extra help when it comes to cleansing, trust Garnier Men’s AcnoFight Anti-Acne Scrub in Foam to really get down to business. Salicylic acid gets right into the pores to unclog filthy pores, while microbeads help to gently exfoliate the skin without it feeling raw. Congested skin will feel a lot smoother after a few washes.
Age-Defying Serum: Future Rescue Repair Serum, $105, Lab Series
Future Rescue Repair Serum, Lab Series. Photo: Lab Series
Prevention is better than cure as we all know, so if you want to age handsomely, start now. This lightweight serum is loaded with a slew of skin-nourishing ingredients from nutrient-dense ferments, youth-preserving botanical extracts (including mulberry, green tea and blueberry among others), as well as marine extracts from algae and plankton. Together, this serum fights the ravaging effects of free radicals and premature ageing, helping you to look younger for longer.
Lightweight Hydrator: AquaPower Lotion-In-Gel, $55, Biotherm
AquaPower Lotion-In-Gel, Biotherm. Photo: Biotherm
Sometimes cream moisturisers don’t sit well wth our skin – literally. Younger and greasier skin types might benefit from a hydrating concoction that not only sinks in well, but also performs well in keeping the skin hydrated and balanced, like Biotherm’s Lotion-In-Gel from the brand’s AquaPower line. Peppermint water plays a key role in the product’s concoction as locks in moisture while imparting balancing and toning properties so the skin looks fresh and dewy always.
Anti-Blemish Night Mask: Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask, $32.90, The Body Shop
Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask, The Body Shop. Photo: The Body Shop
Don’t be daunted about wearing a mask overnight. This lightweight formula sinks into the skin like a dream. And while you sleep, the tea tree extracts in the formula work to fend off acne-causing bacteria with its anti-microbial properties so you’ll wake up with healthier skin that’s greatly reduced in unsightly blemishes.
Stress-Reducing Night Mask:Chrono-Destressing Sleeping Mask, $99 (8 sachets), Sothys
Chrono-Destressing Sleeping Mask, Sothys. Photo: Sothys
Those suffering from long nights of mugging for exams and party-filled weekends might benefit from this powerful mask from Sothys. Bid farewell to dull, tired skin as the product brightens the skin with vitamin C and oxygen-boosting nasturtium extract while you sleep. You may feel like you just got hit by a bus, but at least you don’t look the part.
Moisturising Sunscreen: Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence SPF 50/PA ++++, $34.90, The Body Shop
Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence SPF 50/PA ++++, The Body Shop. Photo: The Body Shop
Nobody likes sunscreen (a daily essential, might we add) to leave a deathly white cast on the skin. The Body Shop’s Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence doesn’t do that and what’s even better is that it provides broad-spectrum protection at an SPF of 50 while keeping the skin looking radiant and bright thanks to vitamin C and red algae extracts. Simple, but really good.
Body
Refreshing Shower Gel: Verbena Shower Gel, $34, L’Occitane
Verbena Shower Gel, L’Occitane. Photo: L’Occitane
Waking up to head to school may feel like separating your soul from the body, but start your day right with L’Occitane’s Verbena Shower Gel. The bright and uplifting scent of verbena will get you in the right headspace to start the day on a good note.
Acne-Fighting Body Wash: Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body Wash, $18.90, The Body Shop
Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body Wash, The Body Shop. Photo: The Body Shop
While a good game of soccer may be an awesome way to unwind after a long day in lecture halls, unsightly backne is not something you’d want to get – it almost seems like it’s the price to pay for just letting your hair down. The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Shower gel will get that problem fixed thanks to its antimicrobial tea tree extracts which not only prevents backne (and acne anywhere else besides the face), it also keeps your skin feeling smooth and looking healthy.
Every Day Scent: Bleu de Chanel, $190 (100ml), Chanel
Bleu de Chanel, $190 (100ml), Chanel. Photo: Chanel Beauty
It may seem a little bougie, but why smell like any other deodorant-drenched millennial when you can smell crisp and well-maintained? Bleu de Chanel from Chanel blends the notes of grapefruit, sandalwood and vetiver in just the right proportions so you’ll get a conversation about grooming started among your peers for all the right reasons.
Credits:
Produced by: Syed Zulfadhli
Styled by: Chloe Cheng/Daydream
Photographed by: Dominic Phua/Daydream
Assisted by: Alfred Phang/Daydream
