5 questions with facialist Su-Man

SINGAPORE — London-based Taiwanese dancer Su-Man never intended to be a celebrity facialist, and it certainly never occurred to her that her “magic hands” would attract A-list stars such as Anne Hathaway, Freida Pinto and Juliette Binoche.

Describing her now-illustrious career as a “beautiful accident”, Su-Man said her journey began when she severely injured her back while bending down to wash her clothes. She was bed-ridden for weeks.

“Every morning, it took me 40 minutes to be able to walk properly,” Su-Man recounted. “One day, my sister introduced me to a shiatsu master in my hometown, who made my pain disappear in six months. That was the moment where I found my second love.”

Oddly, when asked about the best advice she’s ever received, she replied: “Squatting”.

Surely she can’t be serious? “I was skeptical at first, but that’s the best advice I ever received from an osteopath.” she insisted. “Barefoot, you squat on the floor, keeping the weight on the balls of your feet and your heels raised. Stay there for a minute, and repeat the movements 20 times a day. I call it rewinding and reconnecting your software in your body. Trust me, you’ll be walking pain free every morning.”

Q: What are five beauty products you can’t live without?

A: My own skincare line, of course! Phyto shampoo, because it’s very volumising. Mascara by Yves St Laurent called Baby Doll, which really volumises and lengthens my lashes. Also, a Dolce and Gabbana lipstick, a really red number from the Monica Voluptuous collection. It’s very sexy. Lastly, La Roche-Posay’s sunscreen.

Q: How do you maintain your makeup in sweltering Singapore?

A: I have three important tips. Firstly, use a primer after moisturising your face. It gives the makeup a smooth fill and holds it together. Secondly, use tinted moisturiser instead of foundation. Foundation is thicker and it blocks your pores, whereas tinted moisturiser is airier and lighter. Thirdly, use bronze powder in areas that you need it. It’s much better than pressed powder, which can also block your pores. When you sweat, blot your face with tissue and don’t wash it. People in a hot climate tend to over-wash their face, causing dehydration and eventually whiteheads.

Q: What are some tips to maintain healthy skin?

A: Never fall asleep with your make-up on. It blocks your pores. If it takes you two minutes to do your eye makeup, you take two minutes to remove it. Warm a cotton pad with your cleanser, and gently tap your eyes using vibrating motions. To remove mascara, remove it like you’re brushing your hair — first downwards, then upwards. This protects your eyelashes because the skin around your eye is very delicate.

Q: Foods to improve the skin, and foods to stay away from?

A: Good food is definitely beneficial for your skin. Fresh fruit, vegetables, vitamins, minerals and rich antioxidant food is great. There are three things that are very bad for your skin. Firstly, sugar: It destroys the skin’s elasticity and makes it sag, making you age faster. Secondly, deep fried food: It’s oily and unhealthy, because oil has been cooked again and again. Lastly, spicy food!

Q: What is your take on diets?

A: I consider my diets long-term. I always ask myself: If I do this diet, will I be able to sustain it for the rest of my life? If it only lasts one or two weeks, it’ll become a yo-yo diet. It’s bad for your body, because you’ll be destroying its system. Don’t even compare it with a supermodel’s diet. They don’t eat anything! That’s the “nothing” diet! Laetitia Wong