Story of a Writer, Beauty Alchemist & Girl Boss of Mmerci Encore

Originally published on I Love Skininc‘s Tastemakers series x I first discovered Skininc during my days helming the beauty desk at BAZAAR and I won’t lie. It was a godsend for my extremely sensitive skin. The Singapore label was founded by Sabrina Tan, an inspirational powerhouse who has over the years become a dear friend and the Japanese-formulated treatments are going from strengh to strength. It’s true, I really am in love with their masks! Read on to discover more.

Alli Sim has one of those perfectly curated Instagram feeds that you wish was yours – incredibly stylish in harmonious hues. Alli combined her love for beauty with her knowledge, having been the beauty editor at Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore, to create a beautiful, in every sense of the word, apothecary-style label Mmerci Encore.

Tell us what you do in your own words.

I’m a writer who rediscovered her childhood passion for aromatherapy and handcrafted spa goods.

Do you remember the first time you realised how much you loved beauty?

I’ve always been drawn to my mother’s makeup and perfume collection but it wasn’t till I started spending my pocket money on books with herbal, apothecary-like recipes at 7 or 8 did I really fall in love with scent and creating masks.

You started working at Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore as a fashion stylist before you became a beauty editor. How did that move happen, and why?

I loved my time in fashion but always had my eye for beauty. One day while waiting for lunch, I took out my makeup kit and proceeded to talk through every single cosmetic item with my editor. I must have bored her to tears but I just loved yammering on about my must-haves & beauty obsessions. The impression must have stuck.

Let’s talk about Mmerci Encore. How did that happen?

It actually began life as a blog – after writing about the commercial & external facets of beauty for that many years, I wanted to return to writing about things that inspired & moved me. So it’s really a field guide into the small, overlooked things that make life amazing. Beautiful lyrics, a haunting poem, art, travel, soul food. Eventually I also created aromatherapy goods for friends which they in turn bought as gifts for their loved ones.

Where do you find satisfaction after a hard day at work?

I need to know that a product has been made well, from beginning to end. The cherry on top of the cake for me is the amazing feedback we get from clients – I keep everyone’s handwritten notes & emails.

And now to the Tastemakers Top 5!

1. Tell us your beauty regimen.

I use a cleansing oil to remove makeup and dirt then I tone my face with organic apple cider vinegar & witchazel. I follow that up with a bespoke oil blend I prepared myself, ditto with Mmerci Encore’s Luxe Gloss Body Serum. I hate dry scaly skin!

I use Skininc’s Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask as a sleeping mask every couple of days because the sun & aircon here can take a lot out of your skin. On days when I feel my skin is dull or lackluster I use Skininc’s Snow White Mask after exfoliating with the Pure Revival Peel. I always pack these masks in when I’m on the road as the air in Paris & Melbourne can be really dry.

2. A holy grail skincare/ makeup product?

SPF Sunscreen. Probably not the sexiest of answers but I’m hoping this investment into my skin will pay off in spades in the future. Time will tell.

3. If you had to live the rest of your life eating just one dish from one restaurant in the world, which would it be?

This is a tough one as I live to eat. I want to say the Cappelletti truffled ricotta ravioli at Osteria Morini in NY, but another part would be so content to have Chwee Kueh, a vegetarian dish from Singapore’s Tiong Bahru market.

4. If you were bottled up in a scent, what would you smell like?

Milk & oranges. Zesty citrus rounded by the creaminess, the powdery aspect of milk.

5. Your favourite Skin Inc product.

The Pure Deepsea Mask hands down.

Thank you Faz for the interview x

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