There are many things that get me annoyed. Sweltering heat, shoes that bite, bugs… these all rank pretty high up on the annoyance list, but the worst of them all has got to be exorbitant shipping prices. I mean, sometimes all I want is but a single item from a particular site, and they have to go ahead and charge me crazy shipping fees that’s half the price of my actual purchased product. No. Freakin’. Way.
And while we do have pretty impressive Sephora outlets that house a decent array of cult-favourite brands on our Singaporean shores, local beauty junkies have to admit that there’s so much that’s missing. How we wish our local Watsons and Guardian / department stores were as chockfull of beauty products as Macy’s / Ulta / Boots / Superdrug in the States and/or the UK, where we can just waltz right in and pick up what we need. Or even better, have the items purchased right at your fingertips, with free shipping included.
Free shipping. That is possibly the most romantic phrase in all history.
But it is what it is, which is why I like to purchase my makeup locally, as much as possible. There’s the usual Revlon and L’Oreal, and now Rimmel (wew), but an innocent browsing of ZALORA’s Beauty section (I didn’t even know they had one) led me to a whole new world of beauty shopping in Singapore. The local online site actually offers items from rave indie brands that we would very gladly and aggressively add to cart, pronto.
Plus, free shipping on every $40 spent. That’s an easy amount to hit, but should you not have enough, normal shipping is but $4.90. And your items get to you in five days or less. How great is that?!
1. BH Cosmetics
Say whuuuuut? Possibly one of the more underrated brands available, it’s a shame that BH cosmetics doesn’t get the amount of hype it deserves. As a broke student with a huge appetite for makeup, quality products at affordable price points are most welcome (because not everyone can afford a $70 Too Faced palette, yes?). The LA-based brand makes some of the best brushes and eyeshadow palettes — the former being soft and beautifully blends products out, while the latter being crazy pigmented. I used to always pay US$7 for shipping (can’t control myself…) when all I got was an 18-colour palette for US$16.
P.S. They’ve also collaborated with YouTube beauty influencers Shaaanxo and Carli Bybel on palettes that are top-shelf worthy!
Shaaanxo 18 Colour Eyeshadow & Lipstick Palette, $33.52. Modern Mattes Eyeshadow Palette, $29.52. 10 PC Sculpt & Blend Brush Set, $46.32.
2. Makeup Revolution
This isn’t UK’s top selling drugstore brand for no reason… the prices of their makeup are almost unbelievable for the product you’re getting. Still not convinced? YouTubers Jeffree Star, Laura Lee, and Tati (GlamLifeGuru) have all raved about the brand and we’re buying it. Literally. One caveat of buying from ZALORA is that items from Makeup Revolution are all sold in sets — their Vivid Baked Blushes are sold in a pack of six for $36 (two normal powders and four baked), while their palettes come in a set of two for $30. It’s honestly not *that* much to commit, and unused products could make for great gifts for girlfriends.
Handbag Heroes – #SELFIE Palette and No Photos Please Palette, $30. Blushing Hearts Triple Baked Blusher in Original, $30 for two. Vivid Baked Blush Best Sellers Collection, $36 for six.
3. Pony Effect
Korean MUA Pony should be no stranger to those who dabble in K-Beauty. Other than being absolutely gorgeous, Pony’s makeup tutorials include a healthy range of both Korean and Western products, alongside various makeup techniques that are easy to catch and learn. She has collaborated with Etude House for their Play 101 Stick, which obviously sold out in Korea at some point in time. Her own brand Pony Effect fuses Korean and Western elements, evident from her offering of both BB cushions and matte liquid lipsticks (something that isn’t common in K-Beauty). I never knew that ZALORA stocked it, and now that everything’s come clean… my wallet’s gonna bleed bad, I’m sure.
Everlasting Cushion Foundation SPF, $55. Stay Fit Matte Lip, $25.50. Conceptual Eye Quad, $45.
All products mentioned are available on zalora.sg. Free shipping in Singapore available upon purchase of $40 or more.
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