All posts filed under: Features

Dyson Hair SuperSonic hairdryer

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Say hello to the game-changing hairdryer. Dyson – maker of (literally) the coolest fans and some of the most powerful vaccuum machines around – has launched its first hairdryer. And it has that signature negative space – a circle for this gadget- that makes it so coveted; at least in our books. Because you need to look stylish even when drying your hair. Here’re the other reasons we think the SuperSonic is revolutionary: 1) The design is ergonomic. The motor is tucked into the handle of the hairdryer, instead of the head/ near the nozzle. The weight of the dryer is balanced in the grasp of your hands, so you will find it easier to perfect that blow dry. 2) It is a multi-tasker. The gadget distributes negative ions to reduce static, keeping hair smooth and slick. 3) Super-powerful. Though small, the motor’s impellers are cut from aerospace-grade aluminium. It moves over 13 litres of air at high-velocity and high-pressure through the gadget. So you can dry and style your hair quickly. 4) So easy to use. You can make …

Kat Von D VS Jeffree Star: Battle of the liquid lipsticks

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So. If you don’t already know, there is plenty of chatter online about the recent fiasco between the tattoo artist Kat Von D, and Internet sensation Jeffree Star. I don’t want to get into the details of the drama, because I honestly don’t care. As a consumer, I’m most concerned about what I get when I pay for their products. Now that Kat Von D Beauty is available in Sephora stores in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand – when it was previously impossible to buy it online in the region – everyone wants to know…so what’s the main difference between Kat Von D’s bestselling Everlasting Liquid Lipstick and Jeffree Star’s Velour Liquid Lipstick? Which formula is better? Especially when both KVD and JS products are supposedly made in the same factory (just like the rumours about Bourjois and Chanel make-up; and Kylie Cosmetics and Colour Pop Cosmetics)? I’ve been a fan of Jeffree’s Velour Liquid Lipstick since around the end of last year or so. I like Kat Von D’s stuff, but never had a chance …

The palettes to invest in, now

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Besides the awesome new BeautyKiller palette by Jeffree Star, here are the other face combo boxes you should consider investing in at the moment. Like Star’s, the other two palettes that caught my eye on social media (as they were trending like crazy), are created by self-styled Youtube gurus who hit the jackpot. There’s the Becca Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette. I don’t know Jaclyn Hill, but her gorgeous and literally gleaming face palette caught my eye online and in the store. Made for that ethereal, healthy glow, the compact features five shades inspired by delicious bubbly: Pamplemousse – A deep coral pink blush with subtle gold flecks Amaretto – A tan-terracotta blush Rose Spritz – A rosegold-bronzey confection with iridescent shimmer Champagne Pop – A crisp, gold-based highlighter with iridescent shimmer Prosecco Pop – A slightly frostier highlighter with iridescent shimmer Comes in a beautiful, hefty, gold-speckled casing. Quick tips for using this palette and highlighters in general: To avoid looking greasy and sweaty when wearing highlighters, avoid the T-zone and chin areas, where …

Skin on skin: Caring for your tattoos

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Why do some tatts look better than others? Tattoo artist Morris Terence (Instagram/ @mowwwis) says while 50 per cent is attributed to the artist’s skills, the other 50 per cent depends on the aftercare. Here’s what to expect, and note, the month after you get your skin inked.  Day 1 – 3: The lines of the tattoo are essentially open wounds. So most importantly, keep it clean and dry. This means there is no need to apply moisturiser or Vaseline on the freshly inked skin. Don’t go swimming, soak in a tub, or take long showers. If you live in a humid climate, avoid wrapping the tattoo in cling wrap.  You can shower and exercise as usual. Just keep the tattooed area clean and dry afterwards. Pat skin dry with a clean towel after showering, do not rub. Avoid stretching and rubbing the tattooed areas when you work out. Stay out of the sun. Sunburns will cause skin to peel unnecessarily, and there goes the clarity of your tatt. Day 3 – 7: The inked part starts …

Make-up for vampires?

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Who else remembers Twilight the book? I have to admit, I was never really a fan. I bought the book because everyone else was reading it. And I couldn’t get past the first page. I enjoyed the movie though! Kat Von D is finally launching in Singapore Sephora stores. And the gothic themed, coffin-shaped and shiny black packaging just got me thinking of vampires. Here are some of the brand’s classics. The Shade + Light Contour Palette is a perfect palette for sculpting the face. Unlike most contouring palettes that only come with two shades at most, this one has six. Three of the darker milk chocolate shades at the bottom are made for bronzing or sculpting. While the three lighter ones on top are for colour-correcting and highlighting. So you can blend and mix the shades to suit your skin tone. The textures are also completely matte, so they meld into the skin and make your visage look naturally sculpted. This palette, however, is only suitable for those with fair to tanned skin, not …

Clarins men’s skincare

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When men decide it is time to give their skin some TLC, most don’t know where to start looking for skincare.  So they look in their wives’ or girlfriends’ beauty cabinets for an idea. Just like how my husband rummaged through mine and spotted Clarins.  And when he discovered that Clarins made skincare for men as well, he made a beeline for the counters.  This was 2005, and today, he is a skincare “expert”, and Clarins is still one of his favourite brands. Here are four new products to look out for:  1) Fresh Moisture Toner with Apple Vinegar: Formulated for Asian men, this toner is to be used right after cleansing and shaving. It contains apple vinegar to balance out skin that has been exposed to hard water. Skin is also softened and prepared for better absorption of skincare applied afterwards. 2) Line-Control Eye Balm: A lightweight eye cream that de-puffs eyebags, smoothen lines and firms the eye contour. Feels cool against the skin too. Apply on clean skin. 3) Line-Control Balm: A lightweight, non-greasy serum made …

Urban Decay Vice XX Ltd Reloaded

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What does technology company Cisco Systems and beauty label Urban Decay have in common? The same co-founder, Sandy Lerner.  Lerner wanted “crazy” shades like purple or green that were beyond the regular offerings of sweet pink, reds and beiges available in the market.  Through serendipity, she met fellow makeup addict Wende Zomnir and teamed up with her to start Urban Decay.  Wende Zomnir Inspired by the unnoticed and ugly side of the urban landscape, they started Urban Decay with 10 lipsticks and 12 nail polish shades with names like Smog, Rust, Oil Slick and Acid Rain.  The successful cult indie brand has since been bought over by French conglomerate L’Oreal, and marks its 20th anniversary this year.  (Zomnir says she still roadtests every product with full make-up on as she surfs, snowboards and does yoga.) To celebrate, Urban Decay has launched the UD XX Vice Ltd Reloaded palette ($83, available June 16, exclusively at all Sephora stores and online at http://www.sephora.sg/brands/urban-decay).  Representing the 20 years of UD, the palette comprises of three new shades, five …

Kat Von D launches in Sephora Singapore stores July 

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Earlier last month, we shared that Kat Von D might be coming to Singapore stores. Sephora Singapore has since confirmed the launch, and the American label will be hitting its stores in July, and on Sephora.sg. Prices start from S$31 for the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick to S$73 for the  Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette. At the launch preview held at Chijmes last week, Ms Von D made an appearance and shared her thoughts on the concept of beauty. How do you balance having a successful makeup line and your tattoo shop? I find a lot of joy and happiness in being able to create and making ideas come true in a tangible state where you can hold something in your hand. It is a really awesome thing. I don’t know what it is like to take a vacation, or work cause everyday is a dream. That is what happens when you love what you do. When did you first discover your love for make-up? I have always loved makeup, I …

Air pollution and your skin

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The air is clean, crisp and fresh in Singapore; most of the time.  But when the neighbouring countries practise irresponsible burning of the forests, my lung and skin suffers from the grey smog that hits. Like now. It’s a problem you would face too if you live in cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, New Delhi.   In such dreary conditions, my skin flares up easily if I don’t take precautions.  Here’s how I keep my skin balanced when air pollution literally hits me in the face:  1) Stay healthy; the skin is a reflection of inner health So eat well, sleep well, and drink enough water. Because when your body’s immunity is down, your skin will be affected too. 2) Give skin more vitamin shots than usual To deal with aggressive pollutants, I take extra care to slather my skin with more antioxidants.  I use the lightweight serum oil, Estelle & Thild Super Bioactive Repairing Oil Complex, to soothe and pamper my skin. Then I seal it all in with Allies of Skin 1A All-Day Mask, which …

Why scented skincare probably won’t work for your skin

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Especially if you have skin that becomes easily irritated. Dr Alain Khaiat, president of the Cosmetic Toiletry Fragrance Association of Singapore (CTFAS), and vice-president of Technical and Scientific Affairs ASEAN Cosmetic Association; gives The Beauty Gazette the low down. Fragrances do not irritate the skin; their level in skin care products is low, usually below 0.2 per cent to cover the smell of the formula and give a pleasant odor on the skin. However, some have developed an allergy to fragrance ingredients. In Singapore, data from the National Skin Center shows that five per cent of the allergic population is sensitised to fragrance. In general, the percentage of the allergic population is about 10 per cent of the total population (or 0.5 per cent of consumers in general) may have an allergy to one fragrance ingredient. They will react to most fragranced products, so their best choice is “fragrance-free” brands. Do not make the mistake of thinking that natural fragrance oils or essential oils are different. The odorous ingredients that are responsible for some of …