Innholdsfortegnelse for march 2018 i Her World Singapore

The 38mm Ceramic White The material is on its case and bracelet. Complementing all that whiteness: a polished steel bezel set with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds, flanked by a matching steel crown. For more texture, the bracelet alternates satin-brushed H-shaped links with domed and polished interlinks. $25,500 The Skeleton Ceramic Polished and matte ceramics ensure a uniform finish without rendering it flat black throughout. To lend contrast to the skeleton movement: a rotor carved from a block of 18K pink gold. $54,300 – RT…

Part 2 of Charles & Keith x Disney The follow-up to their first partnership last August is a range of accessories featuring Tsum Tsum (a series of collectible plush toys based on Disney characters). They include a Minnie Mouse-shaped top handle bag, a bow clutch, pumps with kitten heels, and mules with Minnie Mouse-shaped lace, exaggerated bows, and pompoms. $39.60-$85.90 Melissa x Baja East The Brazilian plastic footwear brand has been busy with one designer collaboration after another (Jeremy Scott in 2016, Comme des Garcons in 2017). Its first for 2018 is with John Targon and Scott Studenberg (both pictured left) of Baja East, the New York-based brand best known for its chill luxe American sportswear. With embossed python as the key texture, the collection has one drawstring bucket bag…

Part-time beauty blogger Chio first visited Seoul as a web editor. The exciting offerings there got her hooked, and she became one of the earliest in the local blogosphere to embrace K-beauty. She became such a fan that she even spent three years learning Korean just so she would know the deals from the duds. So, what can you learn from someone who has honed her craft shopping K-beauty for the last eight years? How about how to make it simpler, yet do it better? Here is Chio’s straight-up advice: • Have a hit list – comb the Internet for product reviews, descriptions and blog write-ups. • Always start at the Myeong-dong shopping area. Nine out of 10 stores there are beauty-related, and multiple outlets of the same brands line…

Local makeup artist Clarence Lee’s fave: Cindy Seah from De Beauty “I have been going to her for more than 10 years. She’s very gentle with my skin (no redness from extractions after!), doesn’t use machines – just her hands – and she gives the most wonderful face massage using her palms. I’ve recommended even people with the most sensitive skin to Cindy, and they only have positive things to say. ” Find her at #03-60 Orchard Plaza, tel: 6737-2191. HW’s senior beauty editor Simone Wu’s fave: Shirley Mok from Annabelle Skin “She always adjusts the treatment according to my skin’s needs –she’s not just trying to make a quick buck. I tend to get restless during facials, yet she somehow always makes me feel so relaxed. I always leave…

Gone are the days when skin-tightening and face-lifting meant the surgeon’s knife, acute pain or long recovery periods. With improving technology throwing up new treatments ever so often, a growing pool of options is accessible to those looking to address signs of ageing with less risk and hassle. Astute Medical Aesthetics & Laser Clinic, opened in October 2017 and helmed by medical director Dr S Reddy, offers a wide range of treatments considered to have good track records for safety and efficacy. Some are non-invasive, others minimally so, but all have been tested and put through strict evaluation by the clinic. Whether you desire a V-shaped face, more defined features or smoother skin, Astute Medical Aesthetics’ technological know-how and understanding of Asian features can help you achieve your beauty goals,…

Dr Low Chai Ling, medical director, SW1 Clinic “Have combination skin with an oily T-zone but drier skin over the cheeks and under the eyes? Dab moisturiser sparingly on your cheeks and under-eye area. And use an oil-control serum for your T-zone.” Dr Siew Tuck Wah, medical director, Radium Medical Aesthetics “Avoid spending too long in a hot, steaming shower. Hot water removes the oil from the skin surface and can dry the skin.” Dr Jonathan Yong, medical director, Dr Jon Yong Aesthetic Clinic “It is always best to apply moisturiser after your bath when your skin is damp, to help lock in the moisture.”…

CATEGORY PRE-SERUM (Department/ Speciality Store) WINNER READERS’ CHOICE The skincare product applied right after cleansing is usually the best-absorbed one. That is why it’s important to make this first step count with a pre-serum that addresses the skin’s needs, and paves the way for subsequent products to work at their best. KANEBO The First Serum is a pre-serum with a watery texture that sinks in immediately to deliver moisture deep into skin. The effects of this are twofold: skin becomes hydrated and plumped-up; it is also prepped to absorb other products, boosting their efficacy. The product boasts what the brand calls the Hydra Botanical Complex. This has loquat leaf extract that binds to moisture from your surroundings and locks it into your skin; aqua glycoside to ensure that each skin…

CATEGORY HYDRATING MIST (Drugstore) WINNER EDITORS’ CHOICE A sticky mixture that bees produce by combining their saliva with beeswax and plant substances like tree sap, propolis is used as a sterilising coating for the insides of the hive. It’s a rich source of antioxidants and a natural antiseptic agent prized in skincare as it is said to repair damage, soothe redness, and moisturise. That is why CNP Laboratory has made it the key element in its Propolis Ampule Mist. This hydrating facial mist, which uses propolis from Amazon bees, is more emollient than regular facial mists; one midday application is all you need to relieve dryness. Beetroot extract, hyaluronic acid, and a form of vitamin B5 further boost its moisturising effects, while geranium oil relieves stress. The ultra-fine droplets do…

ANTI-AGEING TONER/LOTION (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice Albion Embeage Excia Lotion, $260 This lightweight product hydrates and brightens skin after a week’s use. It’s formulated to help regulate oestrogen and growth hormones to revitalise skin cells too. Readers’ Choice Estee Lauder Re-nutriv Ultimate Lift Floralixir Dew Regenerating Water, $180 Floral-scented and with a watery texture, this plumps up fine lines, and smooths and softens skin immediately. ANTI-AGEING MILKY TONER/LOTION (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice Shiseido Future Solution LX Concentrated Balancing Softener E, $150 Serum-like and hydrating, this glides on to even and brighten your skin tone. Its scent of cherry blossom, plum blossom and Japanese rose is soothing and relaxing. ANTI-AGEING SERUM FOR YOUNG SKIN (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice La Mer The Revitalizing…

CATEGORY BASIC BRIGHTENING SERUM (Department/ Speciality Store) WINNER READERS’ CHOICE Many Asian women rank dryness and a dull, uneven tone among their top skin concerns. Treating these issues usually requires separate targeted products, but South Korean brand Laneige kills two birds with one stone by using moisture to counter excess pigmentation. White Dew Original Ampoule Essence uses the brand’s Mela-vita CrusherTM technology to deliver ample moisture into skin so that this moisture fills up the melanocytes (pigment-making cells). According to Laneige’s research, this suppresses the melanocytes’ ability to form melanin, resulting in a clearer complexion. The easily-absorbed serum uses Phyto Sugar Water, which purifies skin, regulates its moisture levels, and boosts the serum’s skin-brightening effects. These ingredients work together with other brightening and moisturising ones like panthenol to soothe skin,…

LIQUID EYELINER (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice Cle de Peau Beaute Intensifying Liquid Eyeliner, $77 On one end of this liner is a brush that feels soft on skin, but is firm enough to draw a clean line. On the other end, a short felt tip gives you more control. Perfect for neat lines and sharp cat-eye flicks. Bloggers’ Choice & Readers’ Choice Chanel Signature de Chanel Intense Longwear Eyeliner Pen, $51 The brush makes applying this highly pigmented liner smooth and painless. It allows you to draw thin or thick lines easily, too. EYESHADOW PALETTE – NEUTRAL COLOURS (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice It Cosmetics Superhero Eye Transforming Anti-aging Super Palette, $68 You get six eyeshadows in satin and matte finishes, three powder eyeliners that can be used wet or dry,…

POWDER BLUSHER – ONE-COLOUR (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice & Bloggers’ Choice Tom Ford Cheek Color, $90 This buttery, creamy blusher is highly pigmented. We use less for the loveliest flush. In eight shades. Readers’ Choice Shu Uemura Glow On Creamy Powder, $33 This cream-to-powder is from the brand’s “customise your own blush palette” range. In 14 shades. POWDER BLUSHER – MULTICOLOUR (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice & Bloggers’ Choice Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo, $68 The pigments are so ultra-fine that we never have to worry about overdoing it. In five shades. Readers’ Choice Laneige Ideal Blush Duo, $39 Matte, super sheer, and best on fair skin as it’s that natural. In six combinations. CREAM/LIQUID BLUSHER (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice Cle de Peau Beaute Cream Blush, $65 Highly…

CATEGORY HAND CREAM (Department/ Speciality Store) WINNER EDITORS’ CHOICE Just as severely dehydrated, sensitive complexions require extra-nourishing but gentle care, hands suffering from these problems need products that are similarly tailored to address them. A hand cream for such fragile skin must provide moisture and lipids. It has to be comforting and lasting but not too heavy, and must soothe, repair and protect. Plus, it has to hit these marks without triggering further irritation. It’s a tall order, but one that local aromatherapy brand HYSSES kept in mind when formulating its Jasmine Hand Cream. A rich moisturiser for skin that is very dry or has mild eczema, it boasts pure essential oils with hydrating and protective benefits, chief of which is jasmine. Other ingredients like vitamin E, Asian rice bran…

A primate researcher saving a species. A hawker keeping her dad’s legacy alive. A martial artist teaching women to protect themselves. An image consultant dressing women for success. These are stories of ambition, sheer grit, andoptimism. Her World,incollaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information, sought out stories of passionate women who embody the ideals of Passion Made Possible. Get ready to be inspired.…

Choo Ling Er doesn’t get a day off. She trains seven days a week, sometimes twice a day. That’s a total of 25 to 30 hours of running, cycling and swimming each week. But for Ling Er, who’s Singapore’s only full-time woman triathlete, there’s nothing to complain about – not after the odds she de›ed to get to where she is today. In 2009, a horri›c collision with a car during a training session on her bicycle left Ling Er with a broken left femur and right ankle. Her doctor told her she would probably never run again. At the time, she was just three weeks away from competing in her ›rst Ironman 70.3 (commonly known as a half-Ironman) World Championship. She was devastated, but did not let it break…

The first months of the year are the perfect time to take stock of your spending and figure out how to save more. And the easiest way to achieve this is to spend smart. You won’t even have to make drastic life changes; just follow these five tips. Cut unnecessary spending Whether it’s the three cappuccinos you have every day or that gym membership you’re paying for but barely use, stop buying things you can do without. You don’t have to cut out all indulgences. Perhaps limit yourself to one cup of swanky coffee a day or a meal in a fancy restaurant once a month, instead of once a week. Don’t rush any financial decisions Whether it’s a home loan or your annual holiday, don’t go with the first…

The Baignoire Etoilee The original oval Baignoire face is extended – horizontally. Two rows of precious stones and a bracelet of diamonds and black spinels are then added. Limited to 15 pieces, each with an 18K white gold case and a quartz movement. The Baignoire Debordante It features a dramatic ring of open “petals” around its oval dial, set with diamonds and black spinels for a gradient effect. Limited to 50 pieces. The Crash Radieuse This is one of Cartier’s rare reinterpretations of its iconic Crash, which was first launched in 1967 and said to be inspired by an actual, accident-damaged Baignoire Allongee. In this take, gadroons are added to the Dali-like “crushed” bezel, distorted Roman numerals are distorted further, and carved “shockwaves” radiate from the centre of the dial.…

Crocs’ Literide Can the US brand’s foam shoes get any lighter and more comfortable? For S/S ’18, they have. Literide, the latest tech to replace the original Croslite from 2002, makes all the seven styles (including clogs, sneakers, sandals and slides) in Crocs’ new Literide collection 25 per cent lighter and 40 per cent softer. $59.90-$99.90 Customise Your Eyes Dolce & Gabbana’s latest project features three pairs of reversible and detachable lens frames to team with one round and gold-rimmed pair of sunglasses. This means that even if you buy only one of the former, you’ll still end up with a pair of shades with two looks. The clip-ons come in Leopard Print/Burgundy, Stripes and Roses/Black, and Sicilian Majolica/Brown Havana.…

For the best copper and gold highlighters, go to our digital edition.…

QI have chubby cheeks. This supposedly makes me look younger, but will they sag as I get older? If yes, what can I do to prevent this? – Kristine Wong A Yes, cheeks lose volume and sag with age. Whatever the cause of chubby cheeks (being overweight, having a poor diet, water retention, or hypothyroidism), collagen fibres and elastin in skin will eventually break down, leading to drooping. As a preventive measure, have a healthy diet with lots of antioxidants, minimise stress, reduce alcohol intake, and apply sunscreen diligently. Once your face shows signs of sagging, go for a yearly maintenance treatment – one that uses radio frequency, for example. This triggers collagen production in the epidermal and dermal layers to tighten skin and plump up fine lines. I would…

Expert tips on managing sensitive skin ✔ Understanding and managing sensitive skin through the different stages of life – from baby eczema to oily, sensitive skin, to dry, ageing skin. ✔ In-depth understanding of sensitive, ageing skin, including recommendations from a top dermatologist. ✔ Busting myths on how food affects sensitive skin, and tips on reading food labels. ✔ Step-by-step guide fromShapewriter Dawn Chen on face yoga, and how this can help in the care of ageing skin. ✔ Beauty tips from theHer WorldandShapebeauty editors on how to look and feel good from within. Date April 7 (Saturday) Time 1-4pm Place The Luxe Art Museum, 6 Handy Road (opposite Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, Exit A or B, beside The Cathay) Registration Sign up at http://campaign.herworld.com/hwxshapexcureleventby April 4, 2018. Fees $8…

CLEANSING OIL (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil, $65-$165 Reformulated five years after its launch, this now has a more nourishing, faster-working formula. Its rich texture is great for massaging with, and skin feels soft, supple and smooth after with no oily residue. MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER (DRUGSTORE) Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra – Reactive Skin, $32.90 Made for tetchy, sensitive skin, this has thermal spring water and 5 per cent glycerine to soothe redness and itching. One cotton pad (with both sides used) is enough to remove light to medium makeup, and skin remains moisturised with no taut feeling. Bloggers’ Choice L’Oreal Paris Bi-Phase Micellar Water, $22.90 There are two parts to its formula: micellar water…

CATEGORY HYDRATING SERUM (Department/ Speciality Store) WINNER READERS’ CHOICE Dry skin is dull, has an uneven texture, and makes fine lines look more obvious. And everything we do – working late, sleeping late, even exercising – can make skin lose more moisture. That’s why it’s important to not only drink eight glasses of water a day, but also to supplement this with skincare that helps replenish water loss. Clinique’s Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate is a lightweight gel serum that is suitable for all skin types. The formula is fragrance-and oil-free, and was tested on 600 people – 12 times each – to make sure that it wouldn’t create an allergic reaction in any instance. The product boosts moisture levels in the skin by 179 per cent upon application. It…

ANTI-POLLUTION CLEANSER (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice Cle de Peau Beaute Softening Cleansing Foam, $89 This lathers up into a thick foam that deep-cleans, and lifts off pollutants from skin like PM2.5 particles from exhaust gas or haze. Readers’ Choice Biotherm Skin Oxygen Depolluting Cleanser, $45 This gel-liquid foam has chlorella, an algae that absorbs heavy metals and pesticides. We got smoother, more even-toned skin in eight days. ANTI-POLLUTION SUNSCREEN CREAM (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice Lancome UV Expert Youth Shield Aqua Gel SPF50/PA+++, $75 The creamy gel has moringa – the plant that’s known for purifying dirty water – and vitamin E to counter free radical damage and inflammation. Good for sensitive skin. Readers’ Choice Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening UV Protector SPF50+/ PA++++, $92 This upgraded version not only provides the highest…

GLOW-ENHANCING FOUNDATION (DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice Kose Esprique Skin Care Foundation UV Kit, $51 The lightweight liquid reduces the appearance of pores and makes us look less tired. In two shades. Bloggers’ Choice Shiseido Makeup Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Fluid Foundation SPF20, $74 Gives sheer to medium coverage, but still makes skin look like skin. Better on oily than dry skin, and lasts from morning to night. In 16 shades with fair to dark, cool to warm and red to yellow undertones. Readers’ Choice Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup, $56 A lightweight liquid for a brighter and more even complexion. Its built-in sponge tip dispenses, buffs and blends the foundation. In eight shades. GLOW-ENHANCING MAKEUP PRIMER (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice Sisley Instant Eclat Instant Glow…

CATEGORY EYEBROW GROOMER (Drugstore) WINNER BLOGGERS’ CHOICE It’s an easily overlooked facial feature when you’re rushing through your makeup routine. But done right, eyebrows can be the difference between forgettable and standout. Just look at Cara Delevingne, Lily Collins and Emma Watson – each a testament to the power well-groomed brows have to wow. Among the many types of brow products available – pencils, gels, mascaras – powder remains the easiest to work with. Offering a softer finish than pencils and more control than some of the fancier formulations, powders add definition and fullness without making brows look harsh or exaggerated. One brow powder that will get your arches on fleek is Kate Designing Eyebrow 3D, which has a double-ended applicator designed to make your job a breeze. At one…

LIP TREATMENT (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice M.A.C Hint of Colour Lip Oil, $38 Dry lips feel hydrated and comforted. The high-shine finish looks like a translucent stain, and its colour changes according to your body chemistry – so it’s your very own personalised tint. The shine goes away after food and drinks, but lips stay moisturised. Bloggers’ Choice Cle de Peau Beaute UV Protective Lip Treatment, $85 We love that this colourless lip balm has a high SPF (SPF30/PA+++), which is quite rare among lip treatments. It leaves lips soft, and with a velvet-matte finish. You need to reapply it after food and drinks. Readers’ Choice Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask [Vanilla], $27 Lips feel soft and moisturised in the morning even after cleansing. You can use it in the day,…

WOMEN’S FRAGRANCE OF THE YEAR Editors’ Choice Chanel Gabrielle Chanel EDP, $180-$258 The brand’s first new fragrance in 15 years radiates warm, positive energy. A heady floral blend of orange blossom, ylang-ylang, tuberose and jasmine, this is a scent that’s ultra-feminine and proud of it. Bloggers’ Choice YSL Beaute Black Opium EDP, $229 “Glamorous” and “free-spirited” are qualities that come to mind for this sexy gourmand fragrance, which has notes of black coffee accord, orange blossom, cedarwood and patchouli. Dries down to a sweet, powdery finish. Readers’ Choice Dior J’adore In Joy EDT, $134-$194 Aptly named, this mood lifter evokes warm, fuzzy feelings of happiness with its blend of jasmine sambac, neroli, tuberose and peach. A touch of sea salt makes for an addictive scent. SOPHISTICATED Editors’ Choice Chanel Gabrielle…

1. Kombucha What it is: A carbonated drink made with tea and sugar, it tastes a little like cider or champagne. Why it’s great: Kombucha has 20 to 30 beneficial strains of bacteria and yeast, which break down sugars and release gas (that’s why the drink is fizzy). These probiotics also produce B vitamins and organic acids that destroy harmful bacteria in your gut. Drinking a cup every day is believed to help your digestive system and give you higher energy levels. Instead of cider, have: Ginger-Chia Black Tea Kombucha, $6.50 for 230ml Craft & Culture, www.craftculturesg.com 2. Milk kefir What it is: Fermented milk that resembles yogurt, but is more watery. Why it’s great: With 20 to 60 probiotic strains, milk kefir has more nutrients than regular yogurt (which…

The Codette Project started in 2015 with the aim of providing free coding classes to young, underprivileged Muslim women. But its founder, Nurul Jihadah Hussain – who started the project with seed funding from self-help group Mendaki – has since expanded the programmes to include social media branding, digital marketing, web design, and even how to excel in the workplace. She modelled the project after Black Girls Code – a non-pro›t in the US that teaches African-American girls tech skills to help them enter the industry. The Codette Project’s aim is simpler – tech can make women’s lives better, and Nurul wants minority women (whether they run their own companies or need a leg-up in their careers) to ride that wave. She cites teacher and travel blogger Atikah Amalina (popularly…

Just looking at Qin Yunquan’s credentials, you would think she’s invincible. Yunquan is the chief executive and instructor of Kapap Academy (a self-defence school), a former mixed martial arts competitor and national wrestler, as well as a recipient of the Queen’s Young Leaders Award for her efforts in equipping people (especially women) with the skills to protect themselves. But she wasn’t always like this. When Yunquan ›rst started taking lessons in Israeli martial art Kapap a decade ago, she was coming off the back of a two-year eating disorder that almost took her life. Her enjoyment of the self-defence classes was what shifted her focus from the scales to honing her skills, and helping classmates with their craft. Soon, she was juggling training and teaching. “I met fellow students who…

Twenty years ago, Kelly Wong’s father closed his wonton mee shop to focus on manufacturing noodles. In 2013, she decided to pick up where he’d left off, so she walked away from her cushy bank job to open Wong Kee Wanton Noodle at Maxwell Hawker Centre. While her mother was supportive, her father was less enthusiastic. Kelly had to badger him for months to train her as a cook, as he did not think she was up to the physically exhausting nature of the work. Eventually, he relented. She then spent more months learning to toss the noodles correctly, roast the meat, and make gravy and marinades from scratch. Today, Kelly runs the show entirely on her own. Many customers return for her comfort food with a twist – Kelly’s…

“If I’ve learnt one thing from being in a toxic relationship, it’s that you should always trust your instinct. The second you sense that something doesn’t feel right, you have to trust your gut. Don’t try to rationalise your feelings the way I did with Tim*. Things got so bad between us that we called it quits several times. Still, we kept getting back together because I wanted to believe that things could change, and that Tim could change. Even though I knew we’d be better off apart, I convinced myself that I should stay committed and stick it out. After all, I was already in my mid-20s – it was time to settle down and accept my partner for who he was, warts and all. Nobody’s perfect, right? This…

Simple Elegance Curved glass and simple lines make up High Noon ($399), Calvin Klein’s vintage-inspired timepiece. Choose a brown leather, black leather or stainless steel mesh strap; black or silver dial; or the chrono ($559) version. Team it with the brand’s Hook bracelet set ($249) in stainless steel and pink gold PVD; stainless steel and yellow gold PVD; black and yellow gold PVD; or brushed grey and yellow gold PVD. At Calvin Klein Watches + Jewelry boutiques and kiosks. Get Under the Skin The Skinboosters Skin Perfecting Program ($4,267.15 for four sessions) improves the firmness, elasticity and texture of prematurely aged skin with deeply hydrating Restylane Skinboosters microinjections of hyaluronic acid fillers. It also includes PDRN Skin Therapy – microinjections of biological molecules to kick-start skin renewal. Your skin may…

Seamaster Olympic Games Collection Yes, it’s made for the Games (Omega has been the official timekeeper since 1932). The collection is in the five colours of the Olympic rings, the inspiration is the brand’s stopwatches (used in 1976 in Montreal and Innsbruck), Omega’s Olympic milestones are on the case back, and it’s limited-edition (there are 2,032, a reference to the brand’s role from 1932 to 2032). But if you didn’t know all that, that’s fine too, as it’s also made for everyday life – from the easy-to-read dial to the perforated leather strap to keep the wrist cool. Each watch is $7,500. The Tresor Collection This year’s nine models are just as thin and ageless as previous ones. The new upgrade: They’re more feminine – pave diamonds curve along the…

It’s hard to tell from these pictures or by watching her on TV, but Jasmine Sim is an introvert. And she’s the first to admit she’s not great at small talk. “I’m okay with talking to people one-to-one. It’s just that I don’t work as well in a big group. If I’m in a big group, I’ll let other people talk,” she says, adding that she’s learnt to adapt by bringing a friend with her when she goes to events. But you could say that adapting is Jasmine’s thing. After all, the 24-year-old model – who studied business at Singapore Management University – never planned on becoming an actress. Yet, in the past year, she’s somehow found herself starring in TV dramas alongside some of local TV’s biggest names. Think…

It’s a surreal experience sitting in a rickety boat as it’s slowly rowed across the lotus-filled lake of Phnom Krom Lotus Farm, just outside the eponymous Cambodian town. The plants’ huge leaves scrape against the sides of the boat; every metre or so, beautiful pink flowers peek out from among the foliage. The blooms – some as large as salad bowls – are magnificent, with translucent pink-white petals that open to the sun. This ride from the start to the end of the farm, which connects to the Tonle Sap River, takes a good 30 minutes. Though the boat seems to rip through the plants as it drifts along, these flora are hardier than they look, springing right back into place after. The local guide says the lotus grows wild…

HYDRATING CLEANSER (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice Nia Wash + Glow Hydrating Cleansing Foam, $42 The foam cleanser removes dirt and base makeup, and leaves skin feeling moisturised with extracts of murumuru butter, olive and goji berry fruit. Readers’ Choice Origins Three Part Harmony Foaming Cream-to-oil Cleanser, $66 Transforms into a light, foamy wash that makes skin feel soft and smooth, not dry. Its soothing scent is from an essential oil blend. WHAT YOU NEED TO MOISTURISE The more hydrated skin is, the less oily it is (yes, for the last time, even greasy skin needs moisture). The more balanced the ratio of sebum and water on the epidermis is, the less sensitive it is. And the more moisture of the right kind skin gets at night, the better it feels…

CATEGORY HYDRATING MOISTURISER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN (Drugstore) WINNER READERS’ CHOICE Sensitive skin has it tough. It gets dry easily, flakes, and itches. Sometimes, it’s even oily, breaking out as it overcompensates for dryness with too much sebum. Often, these woes are due to it being thinner than normal skin, no thanks to a weak hydrolipid barrier. So, looking after such skin starts with strengthening this barrier. Uriage’s Eau Thermale Light Water Cream goes about this with a high 30 per cent concentration of Uriage Thermal Water from the French Alps. Rich in minerals and trace elements, the thermal water calms irritation and provides nutrients the skin barrier needs. Read: less moisture loss and better skin immunity. The lightweight cream moisturiser provides a fast, effective hydration boost. It also has hydrating…

BRIGHTENING TONER/LOTION (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Water, $80 Just a tad more viscous than water, it’s hydrating and softening, whether you pat it into skin or use a cotton pad. We had fairer-looking skin in just a week. BASIC BRIGHTENING SERUM (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice Orbis Advancing Essence Gel Oil Cut, $52 Get past the fact that the gel-like serum is a little sticky, and you will see brighter and less-spotty skin after just one week of using it. Readers’ Choice Laneige White Dew Original Ampoule Essence, $80 This is slightly runny, so it takes time to work it in. It’s worth it as it hydrates very well, and skin has a healthy-looking radiance after a week. BRIGHTENING MASK (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice Belif…

Whether you wear a full face of makeup every day without fail, or prefer a natural look with minimal makeup, a good concealer helps your skin look smoother, more even-toned, and free of dark circles and blemishes. However, concealers that provide high coverage tend to have a heavier texture that cakes, and are usually not recommended for the under-eye area. Also, our hot, sweltering weather makes it difficult for concealers to stay put. What makes the perfect concealer? Women want one that can stay on all day and provides full coverage, but is also lightweight so it doesn’t leave a cakey finish, and won’t sink into the fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer, the brand’s highest-coverage concealer, is designed to provide a natural-looking finish.…

HIGHLIGHTING POWDER (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice Burberry Fresh Glow Highlighter, $94 Easy to blend, it gives a subtle sheen even if you’re heavy-handed. Skin looks healthy, not shiny, and the glow stays through the day. In four shades. Bloggers’ Choice Kat Von D Beauty Alchemist Holographic Palette, $50 Each of the four holographic shades (which reflect green, blue, ultraviolet or pink light) acts as a highlighter. And they don’t cake even if you layer them thickly. Readers’ Choice Urban Decay Afterglow Highlighter Palette, $42 A powder that feels like a cream, it’s sheer, so you can build it up to your preferred intensity. The four shades – champagne-gold, pink, peach and peach-gold – suit a range of skin tones. HIGHLIGHTING GEL/CREAM (DEPARTMENT/SPECIALITY STORE) Editors’ Choice & Bloggers’ Choice Marc Jacobs…

CATEGORY MOISTURISING BODY WASH (Drugstore) WINNER EDITORS’ CHOICE When it comes to body washes, we dig lather and that squeaky-clean feel. Yet, such products often strip the skin of its natural oils, causing dryness and irritation. Bioderma’s Atoderm Huile de Douche, however, is a shower oil which feels like a rich gel that spreads easily, works up a decent foam and, despite its oil-based formula, rinses off without leaving a greasy film. It’s even gentle enough to be used as a facial wash. Made for very dry, irritated or sensitive skin, this hypoallergenic, soothing body wash has plant-derived oils that leave a protective, hydrating layer post-shower. Other key moisturising ingredients are lecithin (a natural fatty substance that attracts water and oil) and vitamin B3, which helps prevent moisture loss. It…

Good skincare doesn’t stop at cleansing. It requires appropriate therapies and products, and the same goes for scalp care. Normally, our body’s natural way of maintaining scalp health is to produce sebum, which acts as a protective moisturising coating. Just like on our faces, however, trouble starts when too little or too much sebum is produced and the scalp goes out of whack, becoming overly dry or oily. Such an imbalance has many possible causes, from hereditary factors and hormonal changes to stress or using the wrong products. However, you shouldn’t wait until problems show before taking action – the best time to start looking after your scalp is when you are not facing any issues like hair loss, thinning hair, dandruff or sensitivity yet. That’s how you can help…

Why do guys need to “mansplain” everything? My boyfriend does it all the time – whether it’s sports, politics, or just about anything – and it’s really condescending. How do I get him to stop? We feel the need to mansplain stuff because we know best. All the time. About everything. Okay, clearly that’s not true. I suppose your man does it because he thinks he’s helping you out. Just tell him straight up that you don’t need him to mansplain everything – especially if he’s no expert on “sports, politics, and anything else”. My husband gets annoyed if I don’t text him regularly or respond to his messages while I’m at work. I don’t see it as a big deal, and sometimes I’m busy, but he says it’s just…

Siti Khalijah Zainal did not train as an actor. But that hasn’t stopped her from becoming one of the most well-known names on the Singapore stage. A versatile actress, Siti K, as she’s known, has been nominated several times for her work in well-received playslike Gemuk Girls, How Did the Cat Get So Fat, Nadirah,and Off Centre. She’s twice won Best Actress at the M1-The Straits Times Life Theatre Awards – in 2011 and 2016 – and was awarded the Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council in 2014. She’s also flown the Singapore flag at arts festivals and performances in Malaysia, Australia, Russia, and the United Kingdom. But her success was hard-won. Siti fell in love with acting after performing in a stage production of A Midsummer Night’s…

Hazel Kweh takes unwanted flowers and turns them into beautiful bouquets that she distributes to strangers. It started out as an idea she came up with to help her sister Faith – who has visual and hearing impairments – navigate depression. A friend who had just got married offered to give Hazel the flowers after the wedding, and knowing how much her sister loved flowers, Hazel accepted. The plan: to rope Faith in to repackage the flowers and hand them out to strangers. The sisters then went door to door, distributing the flowers in a low-income neighbourhood, and received a warm reception from residents who were pleasantly surprised to get the free blooms. Hazel saw the potential for this to grow into a social movement where wedding flowers could be…

DAY 1 ELECTRIC CAR-SHARING It’s a fairly simple model: 80 electric cars spread out over 32 stations around the island are available for anyone with a registered BlueSG account to drive. Cars and parking spaces can be reserved via the app. To use the car, you’ll need an EZ-Link or Nets card to tap in (both work like a car key), or you can choose to have a BlueSG Badge mailed to you. As you’ll be charged by the minute for usage (33 cents a minute on a one-year plan, and 50 cents a minute for a weekly plan), don’t think of it as a rental car to drive around all day. So far, so good. However, the week I was due to test out a Bluecar, I got a…