What’s the latest in beauty? The entry of fashion brands into the beauty business is nothing new — we have Dior, Chanel, Hermes, Prada and Balmain at the top rungs — but Louis Vuitton’s recent foray with a $160 lippie upped the ante even more.

As if that weren’t enough, the upscale of upscale perfumes Maison Francis Kurkdjian has come out with the Baccarat Rouge 540 special-edition upgrade with a jaw-dropping price tag of $28,000. What!

To make the perfume even more prized, “only 540 bottles will be released over the next decade, each with a crystal display, hand-stitched lambskin sleeve and mirror-lines spruce box,” gasps thebeautyobserver.

Towards the other end of the spectrum, celebrity cosmetics lines have seen massive jumps in sales as online shopping redefined choices for the younger market. And as for the latest, that popular American brand Gap has also entered the beauty biz. Who’s next?

In the local scene, what’s tickling our fancy these days are those covetable yet highly affordable makeup lines selling like hotcakes on social media channels. But as much as PIXI, Issy, Happy Skin and O.Two.O are filling our makeup bags with their flush-inducing cheek sticks, we believe in that age-old advice: get good skin and the rest is just icing!

Of course, healthy food and drink are a must, as well as enough quality sleep. Drink plenty of water, too. Then ramp up the game with regular treatments.

Fragrance plus

Who said fragrance in skin care is dangerous?

Another trend we are seeing this year is the return of fragrance in skin care products. Rather, the benefits of scent are being recognized anew.

According to Ashley Horler, head of Product at Skin Rocks by Caroline Hirons, in a report on cosmeticsbusiness.com, “many are seeing past the fearmongering that once positioned fragrance as a ‘toxic’ inclusion.”

The article cites, “While the anti-fragrance movement is still strong, there is a shift happening — more people now understand that not all fragrance is harmful and that its presence in skin care can be a choice rather than a concern.”

Those who celebrate fragrance in brands that already promise good ingredients only will welcome the latest from Body Shop — a range enriched with passionfruit oil, which helps hydrate and plump skin.

With its high vitamin A content, it is also believed to rejuvenate the skin. Each product is also blended with Community Fair Trade aloe vera from Mexico, celebrated for its cooling and soothing properties that bring comfort and care to every skin type.

From shower gel to body yogurt, the range bursts with the zesty scent of passionfruit, an instant pick-me-up.

We recommend rinsing with warm water to open pores and soften skin. Exfoliate two to three times a week. Moisturize on damp skin until absorbed.