We’re fresh into May (Already!) and it’s a good time to smell the roses — quite literally, because roses are in season! The May interlude, with the wetness of late spring and brilliance of early summer, makes the perfect climate for thriving rose gardens. You probably already know this, but roses are fantastic for the skin. These romantic blooms are one of the most potent anti-inflammatory and scar reducing ingredients. Roses also possess impressive astringent, antibacterial, soothing and moisturising properties, which makes them particularly great for oily/acne skin types. Best part? The rose is so versatile, you could build a whole routine around them for a true petal-powered skincare ritual. We’re ‘vibin with the rose energy of May. So here are 10 of the best rose-powered beauty elixirs to spruce up your vanity (and ‘amp up your routine) this month!
1. The Milani Rose Collection
Milani’s new Rose Collection is an ode to dainty bloom. The entire range is rose-infused and focused on prepping, quenching, and revitalising the skin. All things aside, Milani’s accessible price points also means you can take a rosy deep dive without burning a massive hole in your pocket. The brand is also vehemently 100% vegan and cruelty-free — how many boxes does that tick!
Milani Rose Prep + Brighten Face Oil
On a personal note, I’ve confessed my irretrievable love for facial oils multiple times and will give Milani’s Rose Prep + Brighten Face Oil (S$29) a stamp of approval. This luxurious oil-based facial serum is a blend of potent plant-based oils including Rosehip (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant), Sweet Almond (nourishing) and Apricot Kernel (softening). The formula is weightless and non-greasy, but delivers such a brilliant healthy glow. You’ll really want to try using this as the last step of your nighttime skincare routine for enviably lucent skin the morning after. And if you’re a beauty ingredient junkie, Rosehip Oil is excellent for rebalancing skin, so this facial oil might come in handy when you’re breaking out. In fact, use this on your hair, body and everywhere for top-to-toe rose goodness!
Milani Rose Lotion Primer
For rose-powered primer magic, Milani’s Rose Lotion Primer (S$21) is a supercharged skincare-primer hybrid for the ultimate complexion base. Formulated with an innovative Rose Complex (rose oil + rose stem cells), Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide, this smoothing primer evens out lines, pores and other imperfections. The finish is #skingoals: non-greasy, but with a subtle glow for beaming skin!
Milani Rose Transforming Lip Balm
Lip balm is a great way to start or complete any skin prep routine, you can’t go wrong with it (and can’t go without it either)! Milani’s Rose Transforming Lip Balm (S$21) is a deeply nourishing, conditioning, and protective lip treatment enriched with Rose Oil, Coconut Oil, and Vitamin E. This one also comes with super neat colour-enhancing technology: pH-reacting polymers in the lip balm will give your puckers a unique and always flattering rosy tint. Anyone feeling bare-lips-but-better?
Psst: Good things need to be shared! Hop over to our Instagram to find out how you can win a best-seller set from Milani’s Rose Collection.
2. Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Oil-Infused Serum
Fresh’s classic rose range needs little introduction. It’s a cult favourite for many good reasons, and if you’ve been a fan of the original Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum, you’ll want to jump on the Rose Deep Hydration Oil-Infused Serum (S$95) too. A first from Fresh, this silky bi-phase serum synthesises the nourishment of facial oils with watery lightness. The result? A lightweight, fast-absorbing treatment lotion for deeply hydrated, soft and plump skin — sans any grease. The rose cocktail features a mix of Rosewater, Damask Rose Extract, Rose Flower, and Rosehip Oils for layers upon layers of soothing hydration. I can imagine this being terrific for experiencing the potency of facial oils, while staying in the comfort zone of serums.
Psst: This oil-infused liquid serum will also hit all the right buttons for facial oil converts. Try it.
3. Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist
You might know Jurlique from the Jurlique Facial Spa. Although Jurlique really began from its range of botanical skincare made from organically-farmed ingredients! They’re one of those brands that seem to maintain a lower profile here, but which I think more people need to know about! Jurlique’s Rosewater Balancing Mist (S$65) is a signature. This hydrating and restorative mist is concocted with Jurlique’s own specially-grown Rose Extract to support optimum skin barrier function. While the glass bottle means you can’t exactly take this around (you’ll want to), this multi-purpose rosewater mist can easily be used to enhance any step of your indoors skincare routine. Use it to tone, layer, or to lock everything in!
4. Chantecaille Eau de Rose de Mai Pure Rosewater
For something superlatively pure rose, Chantecaille’s Eau de Rose de Mai Pure Rosewater (S$126) is made from 100% Rose de Mai (including the total extract from its petals and all its essential oils). No extras here, this multi-purpose elixir is gloriously simple and just unbeatably, potent rose. The refreshing watery formula can be used to tone, balance, reinvigorate or a personal favourite, as an instantly revitalising mask (soak your toner pads/dry masking sheet). Chantecaille’s Pure Rose Water may be well on the pricier end, but it’s an unmatched luxury if you’re looking to splurge on pristine rose goodness.
5. Bonabella Rose Water Tone Up Cream
Unlike primers, tone up creams usually target skin tone and colour-correction (so they may not necessarily blur out imperfections). Bonabella’s Rose Water Tone Up Cream (S$31) fills the gap between not-being-a-foundation-fan and not-wanting-to-stay bare-faced. Made with 71% essence (including 37% Rose Centifolia Flower Water) and with a radiant pink tint, the Rose Water Tone Up Cream brightens while offering wrinkle care properties. Bonabella’s thin and moisturising formula delivers a traceless, lit-from-within brilliance. Its pink tint blends out seamlessly — so you’ll never have that awkward “two-tone” / “pasty skin” look. Talk about cheat skin!
6. Oasis Hair Rose Solid Shampoo (Dry Hair Remedy)
I’m not sure how many people have explored the concept of solid shampoos, but I have my suspicions not enough! The biggest reason to try solid shampoos is simply, that they’re phenomenally more environmentally-friendly. Solid shampoos are package-free, have a much smaller carbon footprint, and last a lot longer (because of how concentrated they are). Oasis Hair’s handcrafted Rose Solid Shampoo (S$15) is a canelé of hair-loving natural ingredients; including Organic Rosemary Oil (stimulating, hair growth), French Rose Clay (gentle purifying), Damascus Rose Petals (reparative) and Egyptian Geranium Oil (balancing, revitalising). The nourishing shampoo bar is used directly on the scalp, to detox and condition your hair from the roots. Think soft, more manageable and silky hair — nasties-free!
7. Mise-En-Scene Perfect Serum Rose Edition
Mise-En-Scene’s original Perfect Serum is potentially one of South Korea’s best kept “road shop beauty” secrets — that you might have swiped off the shelves of Olive & Young while travelling in Seoul. The Perfect Serum Rose Edition (S$15) is the classic HG infused with Damask Rose oil for extra intensive damage care. The weightless serum also features a particulate matter block to guard against environmental aggressors. Now, fragranced skin care may not be the best… But the hair department is another story. Mise-En-Scene’s Rose Edition Perfect Serum will leave your hair lustrous and smelling like a blooming rose garden. Catch some hearts with this!
8. Furla Preziosa Eau De Parfum
Everything else aside, it’s no news that roses are wonderful in perfume. The rose note is nearly emblematic. They’re also wickedly malleable, and can quickly take you from morning to the after hours *wink*. We love a good, sultry rose (because they’re harder to come by) and Furla’s Preziosa Eau De Parfum (S$132) is as seductive as an aromatic rose gets. An oriental floral concoction, Preziosa opens with powdery and peppery notes of Saffron, Pink Pepper and Bergamot; leading into a heart of elegant Rose, Geranium and Freesia; closing with a warm base of Vanilla, Ambramone and leathery Suede. Furla’s Preziosa is one of those fragrances that wear even better as the day progresses. Far from your typical sparkling rose perfume, this is a sublime and quietly luxurious mix of sensual and exquisite!
—
We’re on the cusp of summer and all about sprightly, spirited energy. We’ve been working on something very exciting (hint: also to do with blooms) for the month of June and can’t wait to share the good vibes. Till then, have a rosy May!
Take care,
Melisa
