When it comes to beauty trends knowing what's in, what's out, what works and what doesn't can be hard work. To lend a helping hand are four personalities who provide a broad spectrum of all that is trusted in fashion and beauty. From an elegant concert pianist to a charming leading man, from a dapper bespoke tailor to an international fashion icon, each brings something different to the table, but all are connected through their effortless sense of style.
Carl Ng, Actor
Carl Ng might not be the billboard-friendly pretty boy he once was, the actor settling into roles that play up his rugged looks - but the ageing gracefully embrace wasn't premeditated. It's all a matter of Ng not taking things so seriously.
"It doesn't matter how good or stylish you are if you can't relax and accept a few flaws," says Ng. "Makeup, a stylish wardrobe and skincare products can only take you so far, but yoga is a great way of maintaining the mind and body. Stress will eventually manifest itself physically on your body and face, so fix the inside and you don't need to disguise the outside."
Ng is passionate about yoga and practices it almost obsessively, but that doesn't mean he neglects his looks - especially in a place like Hong Kong. The city's "cauldron of pollution" as he calls it, demands that Ng implements a strong and sturdy grooming regime.
"I don't mind the few wrinkles that have crept up on me, but dried-out skin is never nice to touch," he says. "Clinique products for men are great - it has a good PH neutral facial cleanser and matching toner, followed by a deep surge moisturiser for eyes and face that's a must. And Kiehl's hair products, because they make my hair look natural."
An easy and effortless way of life goes beyond beauty products, trickling down into his choice of style. "I'm not one to put too much thought into my wardrobe or how I look on a particular day - style should be effortless, something that comes without thought," says Ng. "It's a very personal decision; my style is comfortable and classic - simple, clean lines and basic colours, things that can be worn regardless of what year it is and what people are wearing around you. Comfort is important to me; standing out isn't."
In that regard, his key items are traditional but high quality: a lived-in pair of selvage denim jeans, simple shirts with good stitching, fine cotton or handspun cashmere scarves, and lots of bespoke items from smaller brands.
"I'm somewhat jaded by what luxury brands deem as good design," says Ng. "The recent growth of individual boutique fashion is more interesting. People are tired of being corralled into certain looks and are trying to make their own choices against the masses. It brings back individualism and personality."
Rosey Chan, Pianist / Creative Director
Classical musicians don't often venture past their genre's influence, let alone into the worlds of fashion and beauty - but Rosey Chan isn't your average Brahms and Beethoven performer.
As an international pianist and composer, Chan's creative director role at this month's Hong Kong Liberatum Festival will showcase her wide array of musical influences: among the hand-picked participants are Pharrell Williams, Marianne Faithfull and Khalil Fong.
But it's not just music that defines her; Chan is renowned for her fashion sense, listing such timeless celebrities as James Dean, Katherine Hepburn and Jean Seberg as her style icons.
That's more than apparent in her graceful but contemporary on-stage looks. "I try to avoid current fashion, and like to buy fairly timeless clothes that can be combined and re-used forever," she says. "I work very closely with Boudicca; they understand the multi-dimensions of my work. Joseph Li is great for my music and art projects, and I love Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada and Alexander McQueen."
There are also Chan's ever-present Jimmy Choo couture heels, which have become something of a signature look for the performer. "Jimmy Choo has custom designed for me so many times," she says. "He once made me an exquisite pair at the last minute, literally dashing to the workshop as soon I realised I'd packed the wrong shoes for a Kuala Lumpur concert. You could still smell the freshly cut leather as he brought them to the door, just 30 minutes before I went on stage."
Constantly jetting around the world for sold-out performances, the endless climate changes and airplane journeys would normally wreak havoc on one's beauty regime, but Chan has a simple and affordable solution. "Heard this years ago; know this now," she says. "Drink lots of water - it's that simple."
But she does rely on modern methods to treat her flowing tresses. "I never travel without Tara Smith organic hair products. And I love its product motto: 'tested on film stars and not on animals!'"
By P. Ramakrishnan
All Photos by Earl Wan
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