When you live in sunny Singapore, having a Hot Girl Summer takes on a different meaning thanks to our humidity and high temperatures.
Even the hottest of Hot Girls – like a certain pop superstar who recently performed six sold-out shows here – aren’t spared from the trappings of our equatorial climate.
With the right beauty products in your arsenal, however, exuding true Hot Girl Energy is possible.
And with Novela’s upcoming Anniversary Sale, which has up to 70% off an array of luxury skincare and makeup essentials, you can stock up on everything you need without blowing a very unsexy hole in your wallet.
Here, we’ve done the research for you and rounded up some of the best products you need to slay the day.
Every Hot Girl knows that the best looks start with the right skincare.
One product you should never go without is serum, which works wonders to target specific skin concerns while being lightweight and easy to apply.
Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Multi-Recovery Complex Serum should be a familiar name, even amongst skincare newbies.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Multi-Recovery Complex – 2 for 35% off, 4 for 45% off (U.P. S$295 each)
Source: Estee Lauder Singapore Market on Facebook
This cult fave lives up to the hype with a rapidly absorbing formula that, with consistent use, will help your skin emerge smoother and more youthful.
Purchasing two bottles at the Novela Anniversary Sale gets you a 35% discount, so this would be the best time to jio your BFF for a shopping trip.
After all, Hot Girls don’t gatekeep – they share.
As we saw with Miss Americana herself, humidity is no hair’s friend. Fortunately, there are workarounds to keep your tresses looking sleek and shiny, even in this weather.
One of them is Olaplex’s No. 7 Bonding Oil.
Made to protect against damage from temperatures of up to 230°C, you can either apply this on wet hair or before going in with a straightener or curling iron.
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil – S$36.40 (U.P. S$52)
Source: Olaplex on Facebook
This little bottle of ‘liquid gold’ also shields your locks from humidity while delivering a boost of nourishment and hydration, sealing split ends, and taming flyaways and frizz.
Upon application, your crowning glory should be soft and shiny, just like the stuff of shampoo commercials.
Living in this heat sometimes means that by midday, your skin may be shining not with the glow of a well-placed highlighter, but from sweat and excess sebum.
Not cute.
Makeup-setting loose powder is a must in this instance. One of the most buzzed-about products in this category is the Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder, which is going at almost 40% off at the Novela Anniversary Sale.
Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder in Mousseline Pastel – S$65 (U.P. S$103)
Source: Givenchy Fragrances & Beauty on Facebook
This loose powder has been making the rounds on #BeautyTok thanks to its ability to blur out blemishes and imperfections while leaving your skin matte with a soft, flattering glow.
As it can last up to six hours, you don’t have to fret over frequent touch-ups and will still be able to look polished even after a day of hopping around the city.
Let’s face it: you could leave the house with the most flawless makeup ever, but without the right setting spray, you’ll end up more hot mess than Hot Girl with smudged eyeliner and blotchy foundation.
Those who frequented the beauty guru side of YouTube in the 2010s would be familiar with the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray.
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray – S$33.60 (U.P. S$48)
Source: @urbandecaycosmetics on Instagram
While many more like it have come out since then, the OG still makes ‘Best Of’ lists everywhere to this day due to its unbeatable formula and effectiveness.
Designed to keep makeup intact for up to 16 hours, this magic in a bottle’s secret weapon is its Temperature Control technology, which works by lowering the temperature of your makeup, allowing it to stay put for longer.
As a plus, it comes out in an oil-free, microfine spray that coats your face evenly and weightlessly. The result is a natural yet flawless finish — no filter necessary.
So far, we have ticked off the skin, hair, and makeup boxes.
Nonetheless, there’s still one more thing to do to complete your Hot Girl transformation: an unforgettable scent.
While Jo Malone’s English Pear & Freesia Cologne might be its most recognisable scent, there’s another in its lineup that’s just as deserving of your attention, and that’s the Wild Bluebell Cologne.
Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Cologne – S$149 (U.P. S$245)
Source: @jomalonelondon on Instagram
Described as “vibrant sapphire blooms in a shaded woodland”, the scent comprises bluebell, persimmon, and white musk, making you smell like a walking bouquet.
By the way, it has a loyal — and royal — follower in Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. If you ask us, there’s nothing that screams ‘Hot Girl’ more than being able to nab a real-life prince.
These are only a small part of the deals you can find at the Novela Anniversary Sale, which takes place from 28 to 31 March.
Image courtesy of Novela
To give you an idea of why this event is not to be missed by beauty junkies, here’s a list of some of the other promotions to look forward to:
The discounts are available at the following Novela stores:
If you prefer to avoid the crowds and queues and browse in the comfort of your own home, you can also do that on its official website.
Irresistible deals aside, the Novela Anniversary Sale is also giving shoppers a chance to walk away with some pretty awesome goodies.
From now till 31 March, each purchase gives you one chance to enter a lucky draw.
Once you’ve thrown your hat into the ring, you’re in the running to win up to S$10,000 worth of prizes, including:
How about something sure-win? Here are the freebies you can get for spending above a certain amount:
Source: Shiseido Singapore
Fancy some vouchers for future hauls? Novela is also rewarding shoppers with these cash vouchers:
One more thing: all the offers here are exclusively for Novela members.
Don’t stress if you’re not one yet — signing up is free and all you have to do is download the app and create an account.
To learn more, visit Novela’s website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for all the latest updates.
As cliché as it sounds, there is a Hot Girl inside every one of us.
Ultimately, it’s about confidence and bringing out what makes you you, and that’s something that taking care of your appearance can help you achieve.
So while upgrading your makeup bag may seem like a small step in your Hot Girl journey, don’t underestimate what it can do for you in the long run.
Here’s to glowing up — inside and out.
This post was brought to you in collaboration with Novela.
Featured image adapted from @esteelauder_sg on Instagram and @jomalonelondon on Instagram.
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