Fave trend

Reigning queen of pop Lady Gaga has got to be the undisputed fashionista of the year – and for good reason.

From orb-like headgear to outrageous sunglasses and gravity defying sculpted outfits, the daring singer has tried them all.

While it may take a very daring soul to imitate her sartorial sense, Gaga’s greater contribution is that she has made extreme fashion mainstream.

Formerly fringe or avant garde designers such as Gareth Pugh and Benjamin Cho now roll off the tips of many tongues, thanks to her donning their outfits in her videos and performances.

It can only be good news for an industry fraught with financial woes this year now that even its young upstarts are household names.

I can’t wait to see what this one-woman fashion parade comes up with next year.

Fave find

I will remember 2009 as the year my skin became sensitive.

Maybe I tried one lotion too many as a beauty writer (new ingredients can irritate the skin). Or maybe I just lacked sleep.

Whatever the case, my once problem-free complexion has become prone to red patches and pimple outbreaks.

While I am now on the most pared down of skincare regimens – I simply cleanse, tone and moisturise – I still need my make-up.

After all, a girl’s got to put her best face forward.

Thankfully, I found the perfect solution at Sephora.

Its bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation ($42) is made of five mineral ingredients, including zinc oxide, which has anti-bacterial properties, and titanium dioxide, which doubles as a sunblock.

The finely milled mineral powder feels as light as air but gives a velvety smooth finish and provides enough coverage to even out my skin tone.

Best of all, my skin is looking and feeling a lot more radiant these days now that it is no longer suffocating under layers of skin clogging products.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.