Insider Roundup: Puma X Pantone & More | Clozette


Whatever mood you're in, these headlines are sure to put you in a better one. From the release of an anticipated limited-edition shoe design to welcoming a new generation of celebrity babies, here are the hottest updates that you shouldn't miss today.


Puma x Pantone


Puma Buffalo London Nova Sneaker


Can't get enough of Pantone's 2019 Colour Of The Year? Then here's some good news for you: Puma and Pantone will be releasing an exclusive edition of the PUMA Nova sneaker in PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral. Several iterations of the classic running-inspired shoe silhouette will be available globally on PUMA.com by 9 May. For gals living in Singapore, the collection will also drop at Puma Bugis+, Marina Bay Sands and ION on the same date as its online launch.


Revlon x Gurls Talk



With the goal of raising mental health awareness, Gurls Talk, an online community that serves as a support system for young girls founded by Adwoa Aboah, and cosmetic company Revlon partners up to launch a collection highlighting the importance self-love and acceptance. The three makeup kits include nail polish, lipsticks and shimmer eyeshadows. 


Urban Decay to launch a Perversion 2.0


Urban Decay Perversion


Mark your calendars because on 23 May, Urban Decay will launch a bigger, blacker, and "badder" version of their beloved Perversion mascara. This time, the formula is waterproof and smudge-proof! Talk about lush lashes, right? 


Keira Knightley is pregnant again



In case you missed it, Keira Knightley is pregnant again. The momma-to-be is seen flaunting her little baby bump while decked in fabulous CHANEL dresses. This will be her second child with husband James Righton following the birth of her daughter Edie Knightley Righton. We'll surely be able to scout some savvy and chic pregnancy style tips from her, that's for sure.



Duchess Meghan is about to give birth anytime soon



While we're on the topic of celebrity babies, we might as well update you on the status of Duchess Meghan's pregnancy. It's reported that we can expect Baby Sussex to be born anytime soon. In fact, the Duchess is said to be already overdue by about six days. For those who are excited for the arrival of the newest member of the British Royal Family, the palace assured that they will announce once the expecting momma goes into labour. Here's hoping for a healthy delivery.


Missed last week's updates? Click here to catch up.


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"To me, there’s nothing sadder than a brow that’s smooshed down," quipped model and actress of Instagram fame, Emily Ratajkowski, on her date night makeup tutorial for Vogue. And to that, we agree. As we navigate our way through the warm summer months, it’s imperative that we find the right product to keep our face framers in place amidst the sweltering heat. Nobody wants sad-looking brows but it's the horror of horrors when your brows disappear mid-day. So here are the brow products for summer you can always rely on to keep your brow game on-point.


Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo


brow products for summer anastasia brow powder

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Ebony, SGD40/~USD29 (sephora.com)


Makeup artists love it and with good reason. The light and dark shades of this densely packed, fine-milled brow powder enable you to add more depth and dimension to your brows as required. You can mix and match two hues to counteract any changes in colour (such as oxidisation or ashiness) brought about by the environment. 


Benefit Brow Zings Eyebrow Shaping Kit


benefit brow kit

Benefit Brow Zings Eyebrow Shaping Kit in 01 Light, SGD56/~USD41 (sephora.com)


This handy compact provides all-in-one brow care for your arches. Highly pigmented wax gives brows shape and definition and setting powder locks them in place. Complementary brushes and tweezers enable you to define and groom your brows to perfection anywhere you go.


E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit 


elf eyebrow kit

E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit in Medium SGD4/~USD3 (elf.com)


Hands down the best drugstore option out there. Coloured wax helps define brows and give them shape while the complementary powder sets them in place. The double-ended Taklon brush has one end to arch up your brows and another to fill them in.



Glossier Boy Brow



Glossier Boy Brow in Clear, SGD22/USD16 (glossier.com)


Glossier’s cult formula features a soft, flexible hold that keeps brows in place without making them stiff or flakey. Oleic acid and lecithin condition brows to nourish them and give them a soft sheen while Atelocollagen helps strengthen hair fibres to encourage thicker, healthy-looking arches. P.S. We have a review on it here.


Kevyn Aucoin Precision Brow Pencil


kevyn aucoin precision brow pencil

Kevyn Aucoin Precision Brow Pencil, SGD35/USD26 (sephora.com)


This award-winning brow pencil boasts of a smudge-proof formula for all-day wear. The ultra slim tip allows for finer, natural-looking strokes while the spoolie carefully separates the hairs and brushes them up for more volume.



K-Palette Real Lasting 24H 2-Way Eyebrow Liner


brow products for summer k-palette brow pencil


K-Palette Real Lasting 24H 2-Way Eyebrow Liner in Natural Brown, SGD23.90/~USD18 (watsons.com)


If we’re talking brows that really last, we have to mention K-Palette. A bestseller in Japan, this eyeliner’s water-resistant, smudge-proof formula promises to stay put for an impressive 24 hours. The dual-ended pen features a fine-tipped brush on one end, which contains a translucent ink to help draw feathery-looking strokes, while the other end is a smudging brush with powder to help blend and set brows. 


(Cover photos from: @benefitcosmetics and @kpalette_sg)


Next, try this cheap and easy hack for perfect brows. 

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Over the weekend, Gucci launched what they call an 'experimental' campaign in line with the relaunch of their beauty line. The makeup range stars more than 50 lipstick shades in three categories — namely Rouge à Lèvres Satin, Rouge à Lèvres Voile, and Baume à Lèvres — with punk artist Dani Miller as the face of the campaign. While many were beyond excited for this release, others were astounded at the campaign's choice of aesthetic. 


Netizens were quick to share their opinions on the series of images Gucci used on both their website and social media platforms, one of which featuring a gap-toothed model. As expressed by Gucci's creative director Alessandro Michele in an interview,  the main goal of this campaign is to "create a humanised point of view, however strange," showing imperfections as a part of what should be celebrated as beautiful. But the message seemed to have been lost to some, with comments that they initially thought Gucci has been hacked, trolled, or meme-d because of how 'horrendous' the image was. 




On the flip side, others came to the defence of the campaign, claiming that people who are against it are the very reason why we are moving so slowly towards a totally inclusive industry. Some are even quoting the campaign's face, Dani Miller, saying that the campaign proudly suggests that now women can leave their makeup insecurities and simply "wear any colour with whatever features you have and just have a blast with it." 


But if you think that's the tricky end to it all, there is a third camp sharing their opinions on the matter. While the first half aim to bash and the second aim to defend, others say that their concern lies on the idea that the campaign was done in bad taste, passing poor hygiene for diversity and inclusivity.


This third half of the conversation raised parallelisms with promoting body dysmorphia, anorexia, or obesity as self-love even when one's health is on the line. They also shared how they think the campaign is justifying toxic behaviour for unwillingness to change or improve because of today's 'accept me for who I am' maxim. People who agree with this say that while there is nothing wrong with the campaign's goals, its exclusion of context upon execution made it questionable. Whether the last part was intentional, one thing's for sure: it got people buzzing. 


This is not the first time people on the internet were divided on such issues. Many brands have also gone through many trials before getting their inclusivity campaigns right, most of whom created campaigns that also focus on embracing one's imperfections while still critiqued as having a low bar for what is considered as 'progressive'. 


h&m stretch marks campaign 2018 criticism

(Source)



Just recently, Nike also got a handful of highs and lows on their Instagram's comments section after posting a model showing unshaved armpit hair. And who can forget Victoria's Secret's Barbara Palvin being tagged in controversy for being dubbed as a plus-sized model? Even Fenty Beauty — a brand widely celebrated for being body positive, inclusive, and diverse — was subject to backlash after calling one of their products 'Geisha Chic'.


Looking at all these examples, it is plain as day that our quest for inclusivity and diversity also intersects with appropriation, acceptance, and maybe even over-reaction. This makes it hard to know for both brands and consumers which route to take. Which makes us ask: how do we really get it right? 



Given that there's still a lot to learn from the industry's past shortcomings and today's misgivings, the key is accepting that we are still a long way to go from an absolutely open-minded perception of beauty. Apart from this, we also still have to learn how to be vigilant in recognising the difference between accepting one's imperfections and being apathetic towards self-improvement and health. Both brands and beauty enthusiasts should work together to discern between the two before we move forward. It's not until we settle these lines that we really know how to be truly welcoming to everyone's type of beauty. 


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