1) The lip balm - Few would acquiesce to shelling out gobs of cash for something that appears to play a secondary role in your beauty regime, but it's amazing how much difference this inconspicuous little tube can make. Make the most of special discounts offered during the Great Singapore Sale and invest in a reputable balm that ensures lips are kept supple and chap-free, before layering on the usual gloss and lipstick.

Lip Balm, Kiehl’s $15

2) The powder compact - The one item that local lasses can't live without in the humidity is a good powder compact. It mops up oil, sweat and sebum and good ones prevent breakouts and shine. Try ZA's Two-Way Foundation, which has won multiple awards and remains Singapore's top seller of foundation powders.

Two-Way Foundation, ZA $24.50

3) The lipstick - The raison d'être of every makeup kit, and the main accoutrement of Mom's which made many of us start experimenting with makeup in the first place, our lipstick collection is the one beauty product which we are compelled to expand during the sale. Add to your collection a myriad of colours and finishes available from the likes of Estée Lauder, M.A.C, and Shiseido.

Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick, Estée Lauder $34

4) The oil cleanser – There's only so much even the most stellar of beauty products can do for a clogged canvas, so prep your skin with an effective cleanser to eliminate dirt and build-up before embarking on your customary makeup regime. Those with skin prone to blemishes will do well selecting a cleanser that not only deep cleans, but maintains good moisture levels. Try the original oil cleaner from Shu Uemura – a premium slather that paved the way for all other oil cleansers in the market today.

High Performance Cleansing Oil Classic, Shu Uemura $53 for 150ml / $148 for 450ml

5) Moisturiser – The Great Singapore Sale and MasterCard present the perfect opening to nix the common myth that moisturisers only serve to make your face greasier than a scrambled-egg pan - this beauty essential in fact prevents excess sebum production caused by overly-dehydrated skin. This newest offering from Biotherm combats shine, visible pores and imperfections.

Biopur Moisturiser, Biotherm $70

6) Concealer – The foolproof alibi against any evidence of OT-slaving or hard-partying, concealers are widely favoured for the temporary reprieve they offer before one finally gets down to tackling the damage with restorative creams and anti-blemish formulas. Buy time with cult favourites such as YSL's famed Touche Eclat. Do also check CATALOG's concealer story in #45 for the best ones to buy.

Touche Eclat Radiant Touch, YSL $58

7) The mainstay fragrance – While we undoubtedly embrace the inevitable changes that come with revamping your vanity table, there's no better time than the Great Singapore Sale to stock up on your favourite, most timeless scent – or simply use your MasterCard to splurge on a deluxe-sized bottle, such as 150ml editions of Chance by CHANEL and the eponymous perfume by Marc Jacobs for Women.

Chance Eau de Parfum, CHANEL $137 for 50ml / $200 for 100ml

8) The spa package – EVERYTHING – from your skin to your hair - deserves an occasional deep treatment for added vitality and lustre. Pamper yourself with a well-earned head-to-toe spa package, presided over by expert maestros at HOUSE at Dempsey or Raffles Amrita Spa. Here's a tip for the road – be sure to keep your eyes peeled for credit card tie-ups from the likes of MasterCard while selecting your spa treatment of choice.

90 minutes Kajogal massage + 90 minutes Budapest customised facial, Spa Esprit at HOUSE $340 (UP $400 = 15% off)

9) The luxury item – If you're not one to splurge on a regular basis, the Great Singapore Sale presents a timely opportunity for you to cash in on much-coveted extravagant beauty buys. We recommend a magnificent anti-aging cream such as Elizabeth Arden's Prevage, which optimises and enhances the skin's repair cycle during its sleep cycle at night.

Prevage Anti-Aging Night Cream, Elizabeth Arden $232

10) Anti-sun remedies – Aspiring beach bunnies, take heed. Because lightening up staves off premature aging and sun spots, it's only prudent to load up on the SPF before venturing outdoors. For a faux glow, try bronzing powders or UV ray-banishing self-tanners from Guerlain and Clinique.

Protective Tanning Dry Oil SPF 15, Hawaiian Tropic at WhatHeWants $17.70

1) Hair care – Even scruffy alpha males can’t deny to being especially particular about their hair above all else. Go all out and indulge yourself with a complete haircare set, including a fine shampoo, conditioner, deep-treatment mask, and styling products from reputable mane gurus like Redken and Kerastase.

Mint Clean Shampoo and Conditioner For Men, Redken $38 each

2) Cleanser – Even those who cherish no-frills grooming philosophies won’t fail to recognise the importance of getting squeaky-clean with a solid cleanser. Our favourite picks include the all-men’s range from Clinique and the Paris-based Clarins.

Liquid Face Wash, Clinique Skin Supplies For Men $35

3) The fragrance – Variety is the spice of life, and the Great Singapore Sale, along with MasterCard, offers you the greatest leeway to pick and choose. Fortunately, the wide variety of men’s fragrances available on the market, like the latest from DKNY’s Be Delicious collection, is reason enough for you to find that new personal favourite (or two) now.

Be Delicious Charmingly Delicious, DKNY Fragrances at TANGS Orchard Beauty Hall $98 for 125ml

4) Moisturiser – Because male skins tend to actively produce more sebum than that of females, opt for an oil-free formula that keeps your face nourished and hydrated without the complementary zit gripes.

NIVEA For Men Oil Control Moisturiser, NIVEA at Watsons, Guardian and Cold Storage Outlets $13.40

5) Toner – Yet another must-have for males, toners are the most foolproof components of a hassle-free beauty regime. Maintain clear skin with a toner containing glycolic or alpha hydroxyl acids that effectively reduce pore sizes and prevent ingrown hairs. Remember to moisturise generously after use to avoid dehydrating skin excessively.

Blue Astringent Herbal Toner, Kiehl’s $41

6) The luxury item – Granted males may be working with a narrower palette where beauty buys are concerned, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t entitled to lavish themselves every once in awhile - brands such as 4V00 are already helming higher-end facial products (which include face-lifting gels and masks) aimed at the more beauty-conscious male customer. Go ahead and indulge - with a little booster from your trusty MasterCard, of course.

Confidence Corrector, 4V00 at WhatHeWants (www.whathewants.com.sg) $81

7) The lip balm – Just as crucial for males as they are for the ladies, the protective characteristics of lip balm prevents the skin of your lips from flaking and protects against harmful exposure to UV rays. We especially like the 100% organic Balm Balm available at Apothecary & Co.

Lip Balm, Balm Balm at Apothecary & Co $10

8) The breakthrough - You don’t have to be a science whiz to get first dibs on the latest and most innovative products in the beauty field. Simply keep your eyes peeled for promotions and special discounts offered by MasterCard during the Great Singapore Sale on the best beauty breakthroughs on the market - such as Strip’s scrumptious White Chocolate Waxing packages, which feature a wax made specially from white chocolate that is rumoured to reduce pain by up to 70%.

Vanilla White Chocolate Boyzilian, Strip (Wheelock Place #03-04, T: 6836 1200) $86

9) The all-in-one shaving kit – The male penchant for gadgets gets a new metrosexual twist. Compact, handy, and above all highly functional, the all-in-one-shaving kit makes the best grooming accessory for the men on the go.

Chatsworth Chrome Two Piece Shaving Set, Edwin Jagger at WhatHeWants (www.whathewants.com.sg) $219

10) The spa package – The onset of the Great Singapore Sale also marks the time to ditch the stuffy corporate disposition and take a breather with a terrific traditional Chinese acupressure massage from the experts at Qi Mantra.

Complete Health Blast, Qi Mantra (80B Pagoda Street, T: 6423 0335) $120 for 120 minutes.