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Beauty lies in the beholder, and in the case of Hong Kong, it also lies in the flawless fair skin, sharp eyes, and on-point hair. Skincare and makeup stores are aplenty in the city, and you could be forgiven for thinking that the local cosmetic chain Sasa is following your every step. Whether you’re a beauty junkie or are just curious about what people from Hong Kong do in the pursuit of beauty, read on and take notes.
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What’s beautiful, anyway?
Although the people of Hong Kong are in general very open and receptive to trends, there are a few basic tenants of beauty that will always remain, especially for women. The gold standard for skin is an even, fair, and bright complexion and skin should look youthful, plumped, and hydrated. Get used to seeing whitening products in various forms, from serums to face masks. "Whitening" shouldn’t be confused with "bleaching," as the idea is to reduce and avoid pigmentation caused by sun damage and age so that skin is as luminous as it can be.
When it comes to make-up, you’ll notice that many women pay a lot of attention to dressing up their eyes, emphasizing on defining them well, not with bright colours but with enhancing them with mascara or fake eyelashes. Heavy and over the top makeup isn’t preferred here, and the look is more clean and feminine.
You’d also notice in both men and women the trendy and well-maintained hairstyles. It’s nearly impossible to spot someone with a very obvious bad hair day.
Beauty secrets in Hong Kong
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Hong Kong’s beauty rituals are informed by both the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the latest trends from around the world. Make a visit to a traditional Chinese pharmacy or a local drugstore and get your hands on these beauty-boosting items.
Pearl Powder
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Pearl powder has been used since ancient times and is adored for its anti-ageing properties. The powder contains a high number of trace minerals and amino acids and is used not just for its ability to inhibit melanin production, but also for its calming and anti-inflammatory effects. For this reason, some girls incorporate pearl powder into their moisturizer to calm acne. The powder can also be taken orally to dispel heat in the body and to remove toxins.
The Wai Yuen Tong brand of pearl powder is popular and can be found in Sasa, the cosmetics chain that is ubiquitous all around the city. Alternatively, head to a traditional Chinese herbalist shop along Ko Shing Street and you’re bound to find vials of pearl powder.
Sheet Masks
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While sheet masks became on-trend about a decade ago thanks to Korean beauty brands, they have evolved and earned a place in the beauty rituals of the skincare-obsessed Hong Konger.
There is a sheet mask for every skin type and problem that you can conceive of, from troubled acne skin to pigmentation to dryness and lackluster skin. Korean brands like Innisfree and The Face Shop, as well as Taiwanese brands like My Beauty Diary and Dr. Morita, have been very popular not just with the locals but with any self-professed beauty guru.
You can get sheet masks from any drugstore, including Watsons and Mannings.
Natural and locally produced skincare products
In addition to international and cult brands, organic and natural skincare that is locally produced is gaining popularity. Clara Yeung is a brand that offers skincare products such as serums and masks that are handmade from natural ingredients that are free from toxic and where possible, obtained from fair trade sources too. The brand can be found at the Island East Markets in Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay.
Acupuncture
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Acupuncture is an ancient form of healing that works with meridian points to regulate and bring about equilibrium in the body. It is an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine that treats many types of ailments. It isn’t uncommon to find clinics that offer acupuncture sessions for weight loss or skin problems. As your both the environment and your internal state of health will have an effect on your skin, why not try a facial acupuncture session or two while you’re in town to kick start the process of improved wellbeing and skin?