Rock & Herb: Singaporean Skincare & Makeup Brand That Fuses Nature, Science & Tradition

By Rachel Yohannan on 17 Sep 2020

Senior Digital Editor

Crazy cat lady who loves afternoon tea, kawaii Japanese fashion, and all things Sanrio.

There are hundreds of options out there for skincare and makeup that making a decision can be mind-boggling. Though I tend to stick to choices I’m familiar with, new premium homegrown beauty brand Rock & Herb piqued my interest for using botanical ingredients in its anti-ageing formulas that promise not to clog pores in Singapore’s humid weather.

Besides using natural ingredients from age-old traditions over the world, their formulas are backed by Science - which already makes them extra legit from the get-go. I gave them a try and here’s why you should too.

Read on for our review of Rock & Herb’s moisturiser and lipsticks!

- About Rock & Herb -

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Formulated and tested by a team of doctors and scientists who are trained in health and beauty, Rock & Herb’s products combine the best of natural minerals and plant extracts used in traditional remedies with modern Science - resulting in safe, gentle products that actually work. All ingredients used are carefully chosen and cruelty-free, with no animal testing involved.

Bonus: They’re made right here in Singapore, where health and safety standards are high.

- Rock & Herb moisturiser review -

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Currently, Rock & Herb has two types of moisturisers: Tropical Magic Enzyme Rescue ($92) and Arctic Miracles Brightening Angelica ($98).

Enzyme Rescue, which comes in classy pink and gold packaging, is an anti-ageing formula that’s suitable for acne-prone skin. While balancing oil levels, it also helps exfoliate away dead skin and aids in hydration and collagen repair - with the help of hyaluronic acid, pineapple and papaya enzymes, and Vitamins C and E.

As someone who has problem skin myself but is also concerned with ageing, I was initially worried that the creamy consistency of the product would clog my pores, but thankfully this was not the case. True to its claim, it was lightweight and easily smoothed into my skin.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Though I tend to get pimples easily in humid weather, I found that this cream helped stave off my flare-ups. This was so despite how my face was trapped under the stuffiness of my surgical mask most of the time due to COVID-19.

Even a little bit goes a long way, so only a small dab of the cream is needed for your whole face.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

If your goal is brighter skin, go for Brightening Angelica - an anti-ageing moisturiser with hyaluronic acid, arbutin, and Vitamins B3 and C - which helps tackle dark spots caused by hyperpigmentation and ageing. This is a semi-gel moisturiser, which absorbs into the skin more easily.

One thing I noticed about these moisturising creams is that they both have a distinct, herbaceous scent. It might take some getting used to, but isn’t unpleasant. If anything, it’s proof that you’re truly getting the real deal of botanical-infused skincare.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Both moisturisers are suitable for all skin types, whether dehydrated, oily, or dry. If you have multiple skin concerns that need tackling, you can even incorporate both into your daily face routine. I personally prefer using Brightening Angelica in the day and Enzyme Rescue as a night cream, as the latter is richer in texture and can repair skin overnight.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

You can also pick your moisturiser based on the present state of your skin. For example, Enzyme Rescue can come in handy during that time of the month to combat hormonal outbreaks. When your acne subsides, you can switch over to Brightening Angelica for the rest of the month to lighten any leftover scars.

- Rock & Herb liquid lipstick review -

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Skincare aside, Rock & Herb also has their own cosmetics, namely the Mineral Aegis Liquid Lipsticks ($45), which come in a range of 5 well-pigmented shades:

Photo from Rock & Herb

I’m normally not a big fan of liquid lipsticks as their long-wearing properties tend to make them extra drying, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that these were decently moist and glided onto my lips smoothly with a non-sticky, velvety finish. This is probably because they’re made with chia seed oil, Vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.

Don’t worry about eating up your lip colour while on your tea break, as these are long-lasting and can even repel water. Perfect for parties, they’re kiss-proof as well! ;)

Photo from GirlStyle SG

If you have fair skin and want to go for a sweet, natural look, the nude Stoneflower and shimmery pink Frangipani Sparkle will be perfect for you. Rafflesia (above and below, left), a sensual deep red, and Hibiscus Jewel (below, right), a vibrant coral red, would stand out great on tanned complexions. Of course, there are no hard and fast rules, so you do you!

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Adventurous ladies can try rocking Nightshade - a dark plum that’s almost brown. It’s not as dark as full-on black lipstick, but still brings about an edgy goth vibe.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

You could even get creative and mix the various colours to come up with your own customised combos. Rock & Herb suggests layering a lighter hue over a darker one, or creating a Korean-style gradient with the lighter shade on the outer lip and darker shade on the inner portion.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Above, we have combined Hibiscus Jewel with Stoneflower to create a peachy shade. There are tons of possibilities, and the best part is that there’s no need to worry about the colours bleeding into each other as long as the base is dry.

Photo from GirlStyle SG

Natural beauty is the way to go, and Rock & Herb is a good place to look for safe, harmless formulas that are free of toxic chemicals. We can’t wait for them to add more products to their lineup so that we’ll be covered for every stage of our skincare and makeup routines!