The #ITGTopShelfie interview series focuses on the beauty routines of Into The Gloss' lovely, accomplished, and loyal community of readers. Submit your own on Instagram—post your Top Shelfie (tag us @intothegloss!) and include the hashtag #ITGTopShelfie for a chance to be featured on ITG.
"Dear ITGers, I'm Dr. Brendan Khong, he of BbbBbbBKkkKkkK (no, I can't remember my Disqus handle either) and @brendannnnk on Instagram. I am living in Bristol, United Kingdom, at the moment and have been here for the past 12 years. I'm originally from Singapore and moved to the UK for my studies and medical school. I’m currently working in the emergency department at a hospital, with fun hours. And I've always been interested in dermatology—coming from a science background, I think of skincare and procedures with that in mind. I don't tend to buy into trends—just because a certain ingredient is the ‘it’ ingredient of the moment doesn't necessarily mean it is going to be beneficial for your skin. My trick is consistency— it's all cumulative. I have my lazy days too, especially at night after a long day at work, but I still always double cleanse and slap on some retinol.
In the mornings, I cleanse with Tatcha's The Deep Cleanse, Dr. Sam's Flawless Cleanser, or IDS Delicate Cleanser, and then use Biologique Recherche P50 all over. I’m a big, big fan of P50 and am literally covered in it—scalp, face, and body. I use it everywhere, twice a day, and have grown to love the vinegary smell. I also use their Masque Vivant, VIP O2, Visolastine, and Biomagic. Biologique masks make you glow and they actually fix problems. I try to mask every other day, depending on how my skin feels. I recently also got the Cryo Sticks to give myself an at home cryo facial.
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an exhaustive list of serums which I've tried, some of which I swear by. Right now I use a mixture of different Biologique serums—Complexe Iribiol, Placenta, Elastine Pure, and Collagen Natif—and then I use IDS C-Plus or Skinceuticals Serum 10. I follow that up with Biologique Eye Cream, Creme aux Acides de Fruits or Dermopurifante. To seal everything in, I spritz the Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist or Fluide VIP O2 as a finishing fluid.
Three layers of my IDS sunscreen comes next. It is an SPF50+++ and you really need the correct amount to be able to provide that SPF amount. You need about 1/3-1/2 a teaspoon to get the full SPF protection. I've always been taught to stay out of the sun—I’ve worn sunscreen faithfully ever since I was 13! If you see me in the summer, I drive around with a visor which never fails to gather odd looks, and also wear a jacket with sleeves backwards. Not only because of vanity but also of the risk of skin cancer. Everyone knows about the risks of smoking but sun and skin cancer tends to be overlooked.
My look is always dewy and shiny. I hate matte skin—I find it very aging. My friend Jordan once said I had ‘dolphin skin,’ which is fairly accurate. I want skin so glowy, you can see your future in it. My first step for makeup is protect my skin with Tatcha's The Silk Canvas and then Clé de Peau's Concealer to hide any blemishes. Sometimes I’ll mix in Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher or Glossier Stretch Concealer in Medium to even out my complexion. Working in a hospital is so incredibly dehydrating and warm with air conditioning and heating so I like to freshen up with Omorovicza’s Queen of Hungary Mist and Caudalie Beauty Elixir. And a touch of boy brow is essential.
In the evening, I double cleanse with Shu Uemura Ultime8 Cleansing Oil, which I have used for the past decade. I also use Biologique's Mc110 once to twice a week and always see a difference in my complexion. I also believe in retinol—Neostrata's Skin Active Retinol or IDS A-plus are both really good. I love beauty gadgets but my star find is the ZIIP machine—I use this every other day with their silver gel. It tightens, lifts and fixes problems. I like that. The Foreo is also a nifty little device that's great to use a couple of times a week.
I believe that the skin reflects your overall health as well. I take some supplements daily, in particular crystal tomato, which is high in lycopene and a strong antioxidant, a green powder from Udo's Choice or Amazing Greens, and biotin. I also believe in regular facials. Every 3-4 weeks, I go for a deep cleansing facial to remove any impurities and product build-up, and I've been experimenting with radiofrequency and dermapen as well. I hate facials that just slather you in creams and call it a day—I can do that by myself, thanks. The best facials incorporate lifting massages and things that I can't do on my own at home, like microdermabrasion or mesotherapy. Sheet masks are also an essential, especially after a night shift, which ages you approximately 14 years. I love sheet masks and am currently in talks with a close friend to develop a line of them! Watch this space."
—as told to ITG
Photos via Instagram.
