The colour craze has finally caught onto the digits.
I am totally excited by all the nail colours that I’ve been receiving lately. And one particular colour that caught the eyes of several beauty journos including myself, is OPI Nail Lacquer in Feelin’ Hot-Hot-Hot from the South Beach Collection. The pink is perfect for all year round – anytime you want to feel cheery and pretty.
For the longest time, I only wear dark shades like Chanel Nail Colour in Blue Satin, OPI Nail Lacquer in Mrs. O’Leary’s BBQ and Russian Navy on my toes because honestly, dark toes don’t look as goth as when they are on the fingers. But lately, I’ve decided to give dark nails a rest – besides, they can stain the nails if you wear them for a long time without any care in between. I started to venture into brights! As you can see here in the photos, I was so eager to try every colour possible I had them on my fingers and toes. I got compliments wherever I went – from clients, colleagues, friends, even my personal trainer – what’s more amazing was that I was able to do my own nail art!
Pokka-dotted in OPI in Elephantastic Pink as a base dotted with OPI in Done Out in Deco, and vice versa.
Feeling blue in Ettusais Vacance Nail Color in 9
Anyway, watch out for more exciting nail collections in Fall from OPI – Bright Pair Collection and M.A.C’s collaboration with a NY based nail artist. One advice though, you must be prepared to embrace colours and not be afraid to explore and experiment, as I did by reversing the colours on both my hands. But if you’d rather someone else do it for you, then you may want to catch Ms Kana Higashida from Japan. Simply purchase $100-worth of Ettusais products from June 1-10 at Isetan Orchard and you’ll be entitled to a full manicure service.
I am really bumped by the fact that I haven’t been able to put anything near my eyes other than some light makeup powder for the past three months!
It all started on the fateful second day of Lunar New Year when my entire family was hit by a very bad case of sore eyes. It started spreading like bush fire from my younger daughter to her sister, then father, domestic helper and me. We were quite a sight for an eye sore. Who would have thought that one case of sore eyes could lead to something so major? Everyone else in the family seemed to have recovered fine except me. My situation just kept worsening. Both of my eyes were so badly infected that every blink of an eye was painful. On days when I had to go to work, I didn’t dare look at anyone. Someone said I resembled a vampire while another thought I had a crying fit. All in all, it took three doctors and a specialist to finally point me in the right direction of hope and remedy.
Two months later, I was told that the virus still reside in my cornea. ARGH!
The senior consultant at National Eye Centre explains that everybody recovers differently – depending on how strong your body’s immunity, some takes longer. She then cites an example that one of her patients took nearly two years to fully recover from it! My case seems to be heading in that direction. I’m told not to wear contact lenses or put on anything that’ll cause potential harm to my peeps for a year. This is really bad news for a beauty ed - I can’t try any new eye or lash makeup - mascaras, eyeliners, etc.
Meanwhile, I am finding ways to reinvent my current geek-chic look. I find the best ways to look dressy instantly (without the aid of beautiful batting lashes) is through a bold coloured lippie – be it fuchsia, lavender or coral red. Next most important thing is to keep my hair current and well styled. As my wash-and-go hair tends to look flat, I make sure there’s some kind of product to give it texture and shape. And on days when I’m not really that made up, I give my nails some attention instead. This summer, you’ll find lots and lots of fun, funky nail colours that are simply too irresistible. Look out in particular for Anna Sui, Canmake, Chanel, Dior, Ettusais, and OPI nail lacquers.
To my surprise (or horror), I learn from some girlfriends that they have never had a facial done before! I guess I’ve taken many things for granted and assumed a lot of things to be part of a norm – facial being one.
Some believe that facial is just another way to spend “unnecessary” money. Others simply have no time and don’t know where to go. Of late, I’m more and more convinced that facials are as important as a good skincare regime to help me stall the signs of ageing. Here are at least six good reasons why you should go for a facial regularly as part of your beauty regime (not by order of importance).
In just a 60-90 minute session, it does all that you’ve failed to do on a regular skincare basis. Eg, blackhead removals, scrub, mask, etc.
A facial is an intensive treatment. It offers much much more hydration than your normal serum and moisturiser.
As most facials come with a facial massage, it helps to boost the circulation in your skin.
At the end of the session, your skin is guaranteed to look firmer and more radiant because of all the skincare products that have been smoothed onto your skin.
It’s a great way to suss out a new skincare brand or line.
It helps to relax your stressed-out skin – it’s even better when you fall asleep cos your skin will absorb all the skincare goodness while you rest.
My latest facial experience takes me all the way to National Skin Centre to try Skinceuticals facial treatment. As my skin’s currently going through a beauty mayhem because of the hundreds of products that I have to trough through for Beauty Hall of Fame, I requested to try their Calming Facial, $99 for 60 minutes, gentle enough for those with sensitive skin. I was told that there will be no extractions and shoulder massage. Nonetheless, I found the session to be an efficient one – the therapist cleansed my skin before layering it with their signature serums and mask. It does the job of boosting hydration where my skin needs most. I also like that the brand is being taken seriously enough to be situated at the National Skin Centre. For an appointment, call 6350 8209.
Today marks my last day with CLEO and the last time I’ll be updating this blog.
I can’t say it’s without a huge measure of sadness – this is my first job after graduating from university and I’ve learnt so much during my time here. It’s definitely been a blast, and after all, it’s not everyday that one gets to say that hanging out with 50 hot men and having an arsenal of beauty products at your disposal is all in a day’s work.Just in case you were wondering, I am moving to greener pastures, and I really do mean that literally.
For the next three months, I will be backpacking in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, spending time up in the mountains, trekking, hiking (but hopefully not getting too intimately acquainted with leeches, snakes and the like), really just doing all manner of things nature-y. A couple of days ago, I started packing for the trip. I put away all my nice dresses, and dug out all my super unglam clothes – shorts, berms, Tshirts and … cargo pants. That was the easy part. Then it came to packing my beauty products. Deciding what to bring is a far more gargantuan task than you may imagine … especially since I’ve established quite a rigourous daily beauty routine that I absolutely refuse to budge from. Telling me to skip one step is like telling me not to brush my teeth in the morning.
First, I threw in all the absolute essentials – shampoo, body wash, facial foam. Then I tossed in everything else: makeup remover, toner, whitening essence, day moisturiser, night moisturiser, two bottles of sunscreen for body, one bottle of sunscreen for the face, body scrub, facial scrub, facial spray, after-sun care, body butter, two types of hair wax, two types of masks (purifying and whitening), mattifying lotion, bottle of my favourite fragrance.And everything was full-sized. Woe betide the girl who’s gonna be caught without sunscreen for even a day.
My beauty products alone weighed about five kilos and took up the most space in my backpack. For someone who’s perfectly comfortable sleeping on less-than-comfy mattresses in $10-a-night dorm rooms in a town that may or may not have electricity and putting aside vanity for practicality by wearing berms, T-shirts and slippers all day, I’ve become quite high maintenance when it comes to my beauty regime.This is quite impractical considering that I’ll be moving around quite a bit, but I’m in quite a fix deciding what not to bring.And don’t even get me started about the pain and suffering I’m going through just thinking about leaving my hairdryer at home.So this was what ran through my head last night as I once again attempted to lighten my beauty load: “Having a scrub is quite an indulgence, maybe I should just leave the body exfoliating cream at home … But what if I grow scaly and gross for not scrubbing at last once a week? OK, maybe I’ll take out my whitening mask instead since I’m already using a whitening essence every morning. No, that’s a bad idea too, because I’m going to need all the whitening help I can get from all that sun exposure. Maybe just one bottle of sunscreen instead of two? But what if I’m stuck in some remote Laotian outpost and my sunscreen runs out?!”
Sigh. I’m sure I’ll be continuing this internal battle over the next three days before I leave. As a very wise beauty editor once said, “You may be on a budget, but do you really want to pay the price for negligence in the future?”
The neon trend is probably here to stay for a while more, we simply can’t get enough of it in our clothes, shoes, and now makeup. The hottest lip colour of the moment is fuchsia. Ok, admittedly, it’s not an easy colour to wear but it certainly makes a statement when worn.
Just take Gwen, Denise and I for example, it’s loud and it’s beautiful. The photo was taken at a Shu Uemura launch. The brand recently launched Rouge Unlimited Pink Collection – every shade of pink imaginable – from pale, nude, to neon pink. Honestly, even pink isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – until then, Denise for one never wears a pink lippie. Gwen, our key accounts director, has never worn a lippie this bright ever! As for me, I’ve started experimenting with bold lippies ever since I laid hands on Lancome L’Absolu Rouge in 366. Another favourite is Shiseido The Makeup Perfect Rouge in RS 320 – a lavender bordering on fuchsia and M.A.C Cremesheen Lipstick in Lavender Whip – which is worn by the model in Choose Your Side, P165 of March issue of CLEO.
Like any red lippie, it will take some getting used to. But once you’ve got it, like me, you’ll be hooked. It instantly dresses up your face. Just as how a bold fashion accessory works, keep the rest of your fashion style (makeup in this instance) understated to let that accessory stand out more. To practice what I preach, I like to wear my fuchsia lipstick with lots of mascara and little blush (I never go without it). This golden rule also applies on the reverse when you have dramatic eye makeup. The lips take a bare neutral stand instead.
Bottomline: try it for yourself. You may feel “weird” initially but get a friend to tell you if you look great in it. You just got to wear it with a lot of attitude.
Recently, I witnessed a friend’s transformation from caveman to metrosexual in one week flat. I think he’s possibly set the world record for fastest evolution in the history of mankind.
This friend dresses well, but he has always been averse to the idea of a skincare routine, labelling it “sissy” (but to be perfectly honest, I don’t think that a guy who carries an Agnes B man bag has any right going around calling other men “sissy”).
He’s always had these massive eye bags that make him look a lot older and worn out than he really is. But I saw an improvement recently, and so I commented, “Your eyebags aren’t as obvious as usual, I hope that means that you’re finally getting enough sleep?”
To which he replied, “It’s thermal plankton, man.”
To say that I was left speechless was an understatement. Even when I see him now, I go, “Did you just say thermal plankton?”
Not that I’m any stranger to thermal plankton, of course. It’s the famous anti-ageing active ingredient in Biotherm’s products. Apparently, something made him march to a Biotherm counter one day to find out more about skincare. One too many jibes about how his eye bags are big enough to go shopping with, I reckon.
Now, he has a veritable stash of skincare products to rival mine – facial wash (not soap!), night cream … even a toner!
I am duly impressed, and while he remains tight-lipped about what inspired the transformation, I can’t help but wonder if it’s a matter of time before men all around the world don’t just become open to the idea of skincare, but also to wearing makeup.
I’ll be the first to admit that I secretly cheer whenever I see a man who can carry off eyeliner. Come to think of it, it was another close guy friend (who’s into goth and punk culture) who first taught me how to put on and recommended me my first eyeliner.
Don’t believe me? I think eyeliner perfectly emphasises Jared Leto’s gorgeous icy-blue eyes.
And I’ve always thought that Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance was quite an average-looking chap, until I saw him with eyeliner. Woah mama, instant attitude! Not to mention that it also helps to draw attention away from that sallow complexion that’s the result of one too many parties.
It’s not just celeb rockers who can carry it off though. I was quite bowled over by some of the CLEO Eligible Bachelors 2008 who wore eyeliner for the fashion show segment of the Finals Party! They looked damn good! Unfortunately, none of them could be convinced that it’s a look that they should wear more often.
Anyway, I have quite a few female friends who don’t agree that men should experiment with eyeliner. What do you think?
Some of you may have already been waiting in anticipation for the arrival of Lancome’s coolest beauty gadget to date – Ôscillation Mascara.
It is the first auto-vibrating mascara (powered by battery) in the world with 7,000 micro-oscillations per minute, so that your lashes are coated 360 degrees for ultimate length, volume and separation.
“This mascara is like no other. My objective for over 30 years has been to further enhance eye beauty”, explains Jean-Louis Guéret, designer of all the Lancôme mascara brushes. “After four years of research, I have come to the conclusion that the application of formula around lashes in a non-random, ordered way, by charging lashes homogenously, heralds a new era in lash makeup. With oscillatory movement, the makeup result is unique and Lancôme creates the revolution on all levels.”
Fun facts
Taiwan: 450 pieces were sold on the FIRST day.
Japan: 579 pieces were sold on the FIRST day at Isetan Shinjuku & Hankyu Umeda
USA: 45,000 sold within first week of its launch. 21,000 are on waiting list!
When the mascara arrived on my desk (I’ve been told I’m the first to receive for my trial!), I nearly went bananas with excitement.
As the oscillations are not visible to the naked eye, you’ll only feel the vibrations when you press the button on the wand. Regular application of sweeping from root to tip is expected. And for a more dramatic effect, you can add more coats or leave the brush on a little longer at the base of lashes before you sweep up. There’s no need to use zig-zag action during application - simply let the wand works its own magic on your lashes. Truly easy to use and perfect for mascara newbies. FYI, you don’t have to worry about battery change cos it’s said to lasts up to 180 applications (90 applications for a regular mascara).
Check out the difference! My left eye looks so much better than the right after sweeping on some mascara!
You may also want to check out the application techniques on youtube at
Ôscillation Mascara, $68, will only be launched in April. However, a limited first edition pre-launch will be taking place for two weekends, so hurry!
9 – 11 Jan 09: Lancome counter at Takashimaya D.S.
Some of you may have already been waiting in anticipation for the arrival of Lancome’s coolest beauty gadget to date – Ôscillation Mascara.
It is the first auto-vibrating mascara (powered by battery) in the world with 7,000 micro-oscillations per minute, so that your lashes are coated 360 degrees for ultimate length, volume and separation.
“This mascara is like no other. My objective for over 30 years has been to further enhance eye beauty”, explains Jean-Louis Guéret, designer of all the Lancôme mascara brushes. “After four years of research, I have come to the conclusion that the application of formula around lashes in a non-random, ordered way, by charging lashes homogenously, heralds a new era in lash makeup. With oscillatory movement, the makeup result is unique and Lancôme creates the revolution on all levels.”
Fun facts
Taiwan: 450 pieces were sold on the FIRST day.
Japan: 579 pieces were sold on the FIRST day at Isetan Shinjuku & Hankyu Umeda
USA: 45,000 sold within first week of its launch. 21,000 are on waiting list!
When the mascara arrived on my desk (I’ve been told I’m the first to receive for my trial!), I nearly went bananas with excitement.
As the oscillations are not visible to the naked eye, you’ll only feel the vibrations when you press the button on the wand. Regular application of sweeping from root to tip is expected. And for a more dramatic effect, you can add more coats or leave the brush on a little longer at the base of lashes before you sweep up. There’s no need to use zig-zag action during application - simply let the wand works its own magic on your lashes. Truly easy to use and perfect for mascara newbies. FYI, you don’t have to worry about battery change cos it’s said to lasts up to 180 applications (90 applications for a regular mascara).
Check out the difference! My left eye looks so much better than the right after sweeping on some mascara!
You may also want to check out the application techniques on youtube at ">
Ôscillation Mascara, $68, will only be launched in April. However, if a limited first edition pre-launch will be taking place for two weekends, so hurry!
9 – 11 Jan 09: Lancome counter at Takashimaya D.S.
I'm sure that most of us are obsessed with at least one part of our bodies. I've long given up agonising about whether my butt's too big and my burgeoning beer-gut. I've decided to obsess over a part of my body that I can and will do something about – my hair.
I've had short hair almost my whole life, other than a year at university, when I had rebonded tresses up to my armpits. That wasn't a good phase of my life, and my long hair was a symbol of the extremely painful identity crisis that I have no wish to relive.
So I've gone shorty, and have never looked back since.
It irks me whenever a guy tells me that a girl should have long hair, as it makes her look more feminine. I'm confident of my femininity, thankyouverymuch, and I'll grow out my hair only if you reciprocate by going to the gym regularly to get bulging biceps and killer abs. Seriously. Yes, there may be a biological explanation for it (read all about it in the Feb issue) but we're not cavemen (and women) ruled solely by primitive impulses, right?
But gender rant aside, I still think short hair is completely underrated. I'll be the first to admit that I'm sick of the Posh bob (Pob), and it's time that Posh herself went for a style revamp. But there's so much that can be done for short hair in terms of textures, layers and colours. Be warned however, that contrary to popular opinion, short hair is not more fuss-free than long tresses. The difference between edgy and dowdy is a mere wax application away.
Agyness Deyn is the muse for many girls thinking of getting a pixie crop, and it looks fab on her because of her slim face and v-line jaw.
I'm a huge fan of this cut too – it's something that I myself wore in a slight variant during my Clash-worshipping years, but I'd only recommend this to girls who don't mind putting in quite a bit of time and effort maintaining the style. Cos it looks really bad when you don't. Like, out-of-bed-tousled-but-not-in-a-good-way bad. You need to be prepared to at least blowdry it and apply some wax. If not, don't even bother with this style unless you think the old Chinese teacher look is a good one to sport.
I quite like the short, wavy style too, as seen on Maggie Gyllenhaal and Cate Blanchett. Though it's not something you might want to be sporting permanently, give it a go if you have shoulder length hair that you don't know what to do with for that glamourous evening event.
My most recent inspiration is Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I love the rounded Beatles-inspired, androgynous cut. She's such a trailblazer! Right after I saw her sporting it, I saw the exact same cut (though with longer bangs) on catwalks around the world. It was the hairstyle I needed to have.
Then I saw it again on a press release that Toni & Guy sent out about trends for 2009.
So this is the hairstyle I’m currently sporting. If you think that your look needs a shake-up, I highly recommend being experimental with your hair. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? It’ll all eventually grow back.
I can’t believe how many girls are still crazy about makeovers. I know this for a fact, simply by the number of emails I get for Style Pimp each month. Many cosmetic brands have also informed me of their success rate with makeovers.
I remember one of my earliest assignments as a beauty journalist was to review the various image or makeover studios when makeovers were just starting to get popular. I had to do three to four makeup and style changes in each studio. Despite my very good genes, my face was threatening to break into an zit fest by the end of the third tryout. I can see why the frenzy to zip from one makeover studio to another – it’s the chance to be somebody else for a day – and especially to see your perfect glorious self in print.
As a perk of my job, I sometimes get to experience the latest products in the form of a makeover done on me by a visiting or celebrity makeup artist using the season’s latest makeup collection. My most recent was by Marcus AC, Majolica Majorca’s key artist, held at Watson’s Ngee Ann City. A lucky few were invited down to try their new Christmas collection. Here’s what I like about this makeover:
Step 1: A very light and natural base – concealing and highlighting only key areas like my eyes.
Step 2. A quick eyeliner to intensify the golden brown eye shade.
Step 3. Shading the eyes using Majolica Majorca Majolook (Luminostic) in BR788 – my current fave (which was also used on the campaign model).
Step 4. Brush of the famous Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing in Golden Brown – used as a golden highlight on the tip of the lashes when layered over a regular black mascara.
Step 5. The look is complete with a sweep of Rouge Majex in PK 211 to offset the earthy shades.
Voila! A makeover that didn’t try to make me look like somebody else and was done in 15 minutes – perfect for busy girls like me who had to zip back to the office after that.
FYI, head down to any Majolica Majorca counter to try the products for yourself. They are not offering any full makeovers at the moment, but guess what? 3 very lucky CLEO readers will have a chance to win a Majo-makeover. Call 6739 8671 to make your appointment now. Offer valid till 31 December 2008.
When I first told my friends that I was joining CLEO slightly over a year ago, they laughed in my face. They thought I didn’t know how to wield a mascara wand, or why anyone needed to exfoliate.
And they were right. I was completely clueless about the big, wide world of beauty.
I had no skincare routine, and owned a total of three makeup products which consisted of:
a 2-way cake
a blush (in a shade that I realise made me look I just stepped out of ‘80s)
an eyeshadow that was two years old (I’ve since thrown it out)
So when I first joined CLEO and was told that I’d be in charge of writing a couple of beauty columns, I freaked out. I thought serums were what mad scientists cooked up in basement labs to turn people into raging zombies, and that the eyelash curler was an instrument of torture.
Trust me, I tried to resist the spell of the beauty industry for quite long. Putting on a face of makeup didn’t feel “me”. I’ve been blessed with good genes (thanks, mum and dad), so I don’t have acne, eye bags, or dull skin. Back when I was still a student , and monetary resources were tight, I would rather spend my dosh on clothes and partying, than beauty products.
When the transformation took place, I still can’t quite recall, but soon, I began to find the a skincare regime at the end of a long day is quite a comforting routine, I can’t put on foundation (and it’s liquid, at that!) before a makeup base, and now I can draw eyeliner with a steady hand (I had tons of weird looks of incredulity when I asked members of the team how could bear to put something so sharp so close to their eyes). I think some of it was borne out of necessity. As someone working in the hottest young women’s magazine in Singapore, there is a professional image to uphold. As for skincare, well, though I don’t have any problems that I have to specifically target, I figure that it can’t hurt, and it takes just 10 seconds to put on moisturizer every morning and night. My mum’s had a skincare regime for over 20 years now, and that diligence is paying off. Although she’s in her 50s, she doesn’t look a day over 42.
I wouldn’t say that I’m a full-fledged beauty junkie though. I still go to work barefaced on most days cos I’d rather sleep in for that extra 15 minutes (I’ll put on my makeup at my desk just before I go out for events or meetings). And of course, there are those days when I come home at 4am and just want to crash into bed without going through the whole shebang. But I must say that I've picked up a trick or two in my time here.
So here are what I think are a few acceptable shortcuts on that odd occasion.
Not removing makeup under any circumstances is an absolute no-no. Even if you’re less than sober and have to crawl to the sink, do it. Invest in a good oil-based cleanser. Trust me, a good one should get EVERYTHING off, even waterproof mascara and eyeliner.
If, like me, you have combination skin, get a good mattifying moisturizer, preferably one that also has SPF qualities. It’s absorbed into your skin a lot quicker, great for the times when you’re already late and rushing out of the face and have no time to wait until your moisturizer’s absorbed before putting on makeup.
Can’t get your eyelashes to stay up no matter how many times you’ve curled it? Use your blowdryer and blast it at your curler for a few seconds. The heated curler will help your lashes stay up for longer.
As for the part about makeup not being “me”, well, I’ve found some products to create a couple of looks that I’m finally comfortable with. The two rules that I abide by for fashion is the same for beauty – don’t follow trends blindly and make sure that you’re completely comfortable with what you’re putting on.
If you have any other shortcuts or nifty tricks, I’d love to hear from you!
When I first told my friends that I was joining CLEO slightly over a year ago, they laughed in my face. They thought I didn’t know how to wield a mascara wand, or why anyone needed to exfoliate.
And they were right. I was completely clueless about the big, wide world of beauty.
I had no skincare routine, and owned a total of three makeup products which consisted of:
1.a 2-way cake
2.a blush (in a shade that I realise made me look I just stepped out of ‘80s)
3.an eyeshadow that was two years old (I’ve since thrown it out)
So when I first joined CLEO and was told that I’d be in charge of writing a couple of beauty columns, I freaked out.I thought serums were what mad scientists cooked up in basement labs to turn people into raging zombies, and that the eyelash curler was an instrument of torture.
Trust me, I tried to resist the spell of the beauty industry for quite long. Putting on a face of makeup didn’t feel “me”. I’ve been blessed with good genes (thanks, mum and dad), so I don’t have acne, eye bags, or dull skin. Back when I was still a student , and monetary resources were tight, I would rather spend my dosh on clothes and partying, than beauty products.
When the transformation took place, I still can’t quite recall, but soon, I began to find the a skincare regime at the end of a long day is quite a comforting routine, I can’t put on foundation (and it’s liquid, at that!) before a makeup base, and now I can draw eyeliner with a steady hand (I had tons of weird looks of incredulity when I asked members of the team how could bear to put something so sharp so close to their eyes). I think some of it was borne out of necessity. As someone working in the hottest young women’s magazine in Singapore, there is a professional image to uphold. As for skincare, well, though I don’t have any problems that I have to specifically target, I figure that it can’t hurt, and it takes just 10 seconds to put on moisturizer every morning and night. My mum’s had a skincare regime for over 20 years now, and that diligence is paying off. Although she’s in her 50s, she doesn’t look a day over 42.
I wouldn’t say that I’m a full-fledged beauty junkie though. I still go to work barefaced on most days cos I’d rather sleep in for that extra 15 minutes (I’ll put on my makeup at my desk just before I go out for events or meetings). And of course, there are those days when I come home at 4am and just want to crash into bed without going through the whole shebang. But I must say that I've picked up a trick or two in my time here.
So here are what I think are a few acceptable shortcuts on that odd occasion.
1.Not removing makeup under any circumstances is an absolute no-no. Even if you’re less than sober and have to crawl to the sink, do it. Invest in a good oil-based cleanser. Trust me, a good one should get EVERYTHING off, even waterproof mascara and eyeliner.
2.If, like me, you have combination skin, get a good mattifying moisturizer, preferably one that also has SPF qualities. It’s absorbed into your skin a lot quicker, great for the times when you’re already late and rushing out of the face and have no time to wait until your moisturizer’s absorbed before putting on makeup.
3.Can’t get your eyelashes to stay up no matter how many times you’ve curled it? Use your blowdryer and blast it at your curler for a few seconds. The heated curler will help your lashes stay up for longer.
As for the part about makeup not being “me”, well, I’ve found some products to create a couple of looks that I’m finally comfortable with. The two rules that I abide by for fashion is the same for beauty – don’t follow trends blindly and make sure that you’re completely comfortable with what you’re putting on.
If you have any other shortcuts or nifty tricks, I’d love to hear from you!
For a hardcore massage junkie like me who lives with an achy neck and shoulder every day, I’m always on the lookout for a good massage (or masseuse). By “good”, I mean the strokes are firm, fluid, the environment is conducive to total relaxation, and the masseuse is experienced enough to know where and how to work at the tension knots – to the point of customising the treatment by concentrating on the problem areas rather than going through the whole rigmarole of a massage treatment. Bottomline, you should come out feeling much relieved and relaxed (and possibly sore after a heavy session of kneading).
In my 10-odd years of visiting spas and massage parlours, I can remember the handful of therapists who did wonders for my over-exhausted shoulders. These days, I’d much prefer the no-frills and seriously painful tui na therapy to a relaxing Swedish massage. And the best ones are those performed by China nationals. But this is not everyone’s cup of tea. So I’ll share with you what to consider when booking in for a spa treat.
Do you own homework first – find out which type of spa appeals to you.
Don’t be late. If you’re running late, give a courtesy call to check if they can still accommodate you. Try to be there at least 5 – 10 minutes early to wind down and relax before the start of treatment.
Tell your therapist how you’d like your massage – soft (especially if you’re a newbie) or firm. And do inform her of the areas you’d like her to work on in particular. Eg, “I have a backache” or “My shoulders are really tense."
It’s OK to ask for the AC to be turned up, down or off completely – depending on your own comfort level.
Drink lots of water after the session to flush out toxins. Chill out for the rest of the day or evening – avoid any partying.
Head’s up on the spas:
If it’s unique spa treatments, then you may want to consider House at Dempsey Road (Tel: 6479 0070) or Spa Esprit at Paragon (Tel: 6836 0500).
If you crave for a green environment, then try Aramsa Spa at Bishan Park (Tel: 6456 6556) or The Aspara at Goodwood Park Hotel (6732 3933).
If you like the 5-star standards of a hotel, then consider The Retreat at Singapore Marriott Hotel (Tel: 6831 4526), the Oriental Spa at The Mandarin Oriental Singapore (Tel: 6338 0066), and The Asian Spa at The Fullerton Hotel (Tel: 6877 8183).
But for brand specifics, spa institutes like Lancome (Tel: 6737 6778), Clarins (Tel: 6838 5060), Decleor (Tel: 6334 0833) and Sothys (Tel: 6235 2821) are also most worthy of a visit.
For cosy spots, check out Eucalyptus Day Spa at Craig Road (Tel: 6324 1338), Lush Spa at Singapore Polo Club (Tel: 6254 9091), Qi Mantra at Club Street (Tel: 6221 5691), or Elements Spa at Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade (Tel: 6733 3772).
And for the only one in Singapore to have a sea view, The Retreat Spa & Thalasso Centre at Changi Village Hotel (Tel: 6738 0080) is not to be missed.
My most recent visit was to The Aspara Spa at Crown Plaza Hotel Changi Airport at Terminal 3. There’s a reason why there are only four rooms – it’s not a day spa where you can spend several hours there. It’s more of a pit-stop for transit passengers who want to hop in for a chop-chop one-hour massage session. But that doesn’t mean that non-travellers are not welcomed. I decided to book for their first appointment of the day at 10am. Although Well-Being Aroma Body Massage is a signature, I opted for the Indonesian Body Massage, simply because I was told it’s their “strongest” in terms of pressure.
It started with a cleansing of the feet – which I like cos I don’t want the therapist’s hands touching the rest of my body and head after massaging the feet. And Audrey, my therapist of the day, concentrated a bit more on my neck and shoulders – which was thoroughly painful – just the way I like it (not recommended for massage virgins). I felt much relieved by the end of the session.
Tip: If you desire a really hard massage, go for the first appointment of the day when the therapist is feeling recharged in the morning and her hands are not work-worn.
The Aspara Spa at Crown Plaza Hotel Changi Airport, tel: 6823 5389
