There is a part of me—quite an insistent part— that wants to wash her face in the morning, slap on some sunblock and be done with it. It’s the same part that, in a parallel universe, has stopped colouring her hair and wears utility clothing. This version of me intensely dislikes, and maybe even disapproves of, excessive vanity. It comes hurtling to the fore when I watch certain beauty influencers on TikTok. It isn’t just the outlandish amount of makeup they all trowel on, but also the fact that they’re so young. They start off with a bare face and you can see the pertness in their skin, the gorgeous peachy bloom that they will spend the coming decades trying to recapture. They look beautiful. “Leave your face alone,” I mutter at my phone. Then, as the videos progress: “OK, fine, that’s nice”, and next, “Lovely. Stop there”. But they never do. And that’s the point at which I go all intransigent and think, every single time, “Oh my God. How is it possible to be so vain?”
This story is from the January 2024 edition of Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2024 edition of Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Lights, Camera, Passion
Korean actor and heartthrob Lee Min Ho talks about the difference between Hollywood and Korean productions, taking on as many roles as possible, and why he's saving the Northern Lights for later.
Follow The Sun
HELENA LEE savours an epicurean adventure in Portugal, come rain or shine.
Crafting The Future
Luxury brands are carving out pathways for the next generation of makers to keep artisanal traditions alive and thriving.
An Oasis For Healing
Creative consultant Tracy Phillips' home is a perfect representation of her dynamic and multifaceted personality.
FINE & DANDY
Move over, hype-beast. Designers and celebrities alike are embracing big dandy energy this season.
HOROSCOPE
Time for self-love and patience. Following the solar eclipse on the 8th, this will be a defining month for you. Look beyond the results of personality quizzes and get real about who you are.
THE HOUSE THAT FRED BUILT
FRED, the jewellery Maison that Fred Samuel created, pays tribute to his philosophy of life, light, and an unmistakable bold aesthetic in the art and pioneering craft of precious gems.
PHYSICAL 100
KENNETH GOH looks into the development, mastery and skill that go into Cartier's Trinity 100 collection as he savours the best of the best at the Maison's headquarters in Paris.
DREAM CATCHER
Encased in monogram and gleaming with pride and joy, the legendary LOUIS VUITTON trunk makes its way Down Under to crown the best in the world of tennis. KENNETH GOH reports from the Australian Open.
Colour Me Happy
Spark joy and confidence in your life with a little colour.