Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2021 i Her World Singapore

Gone are the days when we used to trawl through the classifieds to look for job vacancies. I recall it was as easy as calling a number, speaking to the recruiter and, ta-da, I got a holiday job as a door-to-door salesperson selling greeting cards when I was a wee 12-year-old. In today’s world of social media, “social recruiting” is a real thing, and we’re vetted not by a human headhunter, but a bot scanning through our CVs for keywords. As we navigate this new world, it’s good to update ourselves on what to look out for (page 90). One upside to more progressive work environments is the concept of reverse mentoring (page 88). I’ve always found the top-down management style dated and a lose-lose arrangement. Not only does reverse…

Walk along Orchard Road and you’ll very likely spot someone carrying the Dumpling – the lightweight nylon, water-resistant and reversible bag from Beyond The Vines. “We actually designed the first version of the Dumpling as part of a capsule collection back in 2019, but it really took off after we brought it back in fresher colourways and improved on the design,” says Rebecca Ting, who co-founded the Singapore brand with her husband Daniel Chew in 2015. Previously a womenswear label, Beyond The Vines is now a comprehensive multidisciplinary design studio offering womenswear, menswear, bags and lifestyle products. The pair started working on the rebranding at the end of 2019, and when the pandemic hit in early 2020, they quickly shifted the focus from ready-to-wear to accessories, to accommodate the demands…

“OKAY, LET’S DO IT!” Kim yells as she emerges from the makeup area, wearing a soft-but-sultry smoky eye look by famed makeup artist Shaun Lee, a sleek bob that’s been freshly trimmed by celebrity hairstylist David Gan just minutes before, and the same Dior Chez Moi short-sleeved jacket and pants set that she had arrived in. Her mood is exuberant, and her rambunctious laughter fills the cosy photo studio as creative director Windy Aulia walks her through the wardrobe for the shoot. Once in front of the lens, though, her demeanour switches in a split second: cool, composed and charismatic. Here’s where Kim’s not-so-distant past experience as a jet-setting style influencer comes through. She strikes different poses effortlessly, giving the photographer a range of shapes and expressions to work with.…

“Peptides are compounds made up of short chains of amino acids, and they are the building blocks of proteins, like collagen and elastin.”– Dr Kong Yan Ling, dermatologist A quick look through the ingredient list of your anti-ageing serum or lotion, and you might notice the word “peptides’’. Sometimes, it comes with prefixes like tri-, hexa- or tetra-, but don’t let that confuse you, because peptides, in any form, are essential active ingredients, particularly if you’re looking to keep skin looking youthful. According to Dr Kong Yan Ling, dermatologist at DS Skin & Wellness Clinic, “Peptides are compounds made up of short chains of amino acids, and they are the building blocks of proteins, like collagen and elastin, that are important components of the skin.” Paula Begoun, known as “The Cosmetics…

ALWAYS GIVE YOUR BEST “Earn the respect of your colleagues with your professionalism and quality of your work. This may require sacrifices, but there's just no shortcut to it.” BE A GOOD TEAM PLAYER “Supporting your colleagues will help build camaraderie and strong bonds that will take you through tough times.” BE FIRM ABOUT YOUR OWN VIEWS “I think women bring diverse perspectives into a male-dominated work environment and contribute to more balanced decision-making.”…

“When we sleep, our body releases a neuro-blocker that puts our non-essential muscles in a state of paralysis – especially our arms and legs – so that we do not act out our dreams. This neuro-blocker automatically clears when we wake up. Our body goes through three stages of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and one stage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (per 90-minute sleep cycle) – this period of fitful sleep is the time the body restores itself. Studies show that men and women appear to approach some of the processes of repair and restoration differently. Women are known to fall asleep faster and need additional recovery time – approximately 20 minutes according to studies. This may be the body’s natural tendency to adapt as women have traditionally…

These women are some of the key players in the global fashion arena right now, and they influence the way we shop and consume fashion, every day. And they all happen to be of Asian descent. Not only are they successful in their own right, they also look fabulous while they’re at it, with their instantly recognisable style often captured at Fashion Week – and emulated by many. Here, a breakdown of their individual looks, plus how you can get them too. Hypebae meets luxe EVA CHEN Her Linkedin bio reads as director of fashion partnerships at Instagram, but the New York-based fashionista’s influence extends beyond the digital platform with her sartorial wit – think street-cred meets luxury ensembles. Classic with a twist ELIZABETH VON DER GOLTZ Based in London,…

HOW SHE STARTS HER MORNINGS “Check my phone, eat my Ssunsu ginseng jelly, and take my vitamins.” HER COFFEE ORDER “Black, no sugar. I can drink up to three cups a day. If it’s Starbucks, I’ll get black coffee with almond milk and a splash of hazelnut syrup.” HER SON KYDEN “He’s brought me good luck. Everything in my life became better after I had him, and I’ve grown closer to my family.” HER MENTAL WELLNESS “I saw some mental health professionals when I was younger, but I keep getting misdiagnosed. I used to get depressive episodes a lot, but it’s been happening less now. I started seeing a psychiatrist earlier this year, and he’s been very helpful. It’s easier to change when you recognise the problem.” HER MOST-PRIZED HANDBAG…

1. Sisley Hair Rituel The Cream, $120 Ever since I bleached my hair two years ago, I realised I needed a completely new set of haircare products. My needs have become different and somewhat more… desperate. This heat-activated product that protects and restores hair is now my must-have. Bleached hair takes a long time to dry, so blow-drying is a necessity. I love how this cream – when activated by heat – forms an adhesive micro-gel to seal the damaged parts and repair breakage. My hair is left softer and glossier. At Metro and BHG 2. Ole Henriksen Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment, $78 I’m a big believer in acid ingredients in skincare, and this night serum doesn’t disappoint. With a potent blend of 10 per cent AHAs and 10…

With more awareness on sustainability, as well as being eco-friendly and cruelty-free, more consumers now expect these same standards to be applied in beauty products from start to finish. This has given rise to a wider range of products with a myriad of labels: clean, natural, organic. And vegan is a term that has emerged at the forefront of conscious beauty in recent times. How, then, does it differ from the other labels? VEGAN Vegan products contain zero animal -based or -derived ingredients and are also often not tested on animals, but that doesn’t mean they are 100 per cent cruelty-free. There are currently no global standards to register or certify vegan beauty products, but you can check if they are certified by the following agencies: Leaping Bunny, which guarantees…

SOFT GOTH Goth doesn’t have to mean looking like Morticia Addams. “For a softer look, add a light blush and diffuse your lip colour by blurring out the edges,” says makeup artist Melissa Yeo. For a bolder look, go with a well-defined lip and skip the blusher if your eye makeup is dark. TRY • Diorshow Mono Couleur Couture Eyeshadow in Rouge Trafalgar, $49 • Gucci Beauty Stylo Contour des Yeux #04 Bordeaux, $39 • Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture in #1966 Rouge Libre, $55 • Sephora Collection Lip Stain Liner in #17 Dark-red, $16 • Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Plush in Peachy Keen, $48 CITRUS EYES A dash of yellow on the eyes is cheery, fun and unexpected. And contrary to what you might think, the colour works…

In a traditional mentorship dynamic, the senior plays adviser to the junior. But there’s a type of mentorship that works in an opposite way: reverse mentoring, which entails a less experienced staff member mentoring a more experienced one. And if its implementation at various companies is anything to go by, it’s an effective practice that fosters inclusivity and sets employees of all levels up for success. KEEPS THE MENTEE RELEVANT There are several advantages to reverse mentoring. An obvious one is that it narrows the generation gap. “At a company I worked for, reverse mentoring was implemented for about a year. The juniors helped the seniors with social media platforms such as Linkedin, Twitter and Instagram. When the senior leaders became comfortable using these platforms, the programme was discontinued,” says…

1 FIND YOUR BRAND The first thing to do before starting the process is to identify your “Why”. The answers to that question will help identify the goal behind creating an online presence: Is it to connect with industry peers, find a job, or do you want to present yourself as a subject matter expert? Your responses to each of these questions will determine your strategy, and also the content of what you post, like and forward. When it comes to your career, your goal is really to brand yourself as an expert in your field – the go-to person your friends or connections would turn to when they have questions about your industry. You also want to show that you’re very willing to share. 2 BE CONSISTENT The first…

[1] INVEST IN YOUR BED A good mattress is crucial, but another key item is bed linen – choose materials that are soft to the touch and have a luxurious feel. Pick textures that give you a personal sense of calm – for example, some prefer silk, cotton or linen bedding that makes them feel more comfortable. I personally like Akemi for its soft Tencel fabrics; Sojao, which has great options for lovers of organic products; and Bedding Affairs, which offers various thread counts. [2] KEEP IT BALANCED Organisation is key in every room of the home, but more so in the bedroom. Keeping things organised and clutter-free will help with creating an ambience of calm in the space. Take care when curating the bedroom decor pieces –…

I was in my early 30s when my doctor told me that I had a low reserve of eggs, meaning it would be quite difficult for me to get pregnant naturally. I cried – I didn’t understand why as I lead a healthy lifestyle (note: there are many factors that could cause diminished ovarian reserve, including genetics, environmental factors and medical issues. Ageing also naturally reduces the reserve). I was single then, and decided to freeze my eggs in Thailand as social egg freezing is not allowed in Singapore. I’m a proponent of egg freezing for various reasons. For one, the younger the woman, the better the quality of her eggs. Many women feel pressured to rush into marriage and have kids, but in not having enough time to look…

Fast, efficient, convenient You probably already know that it’s crucial to remove your makeup before washing your face, as face wash alone might not be able to fully remove your foundation, blush, mascara, eyeshadow, etc. For a hassle-free yet efficient solution, look no further than the Biore Micellar Water Cleansing Sheets. What’s really unique about these cleansing sheets is that they’re made with magnet sheet technology – a special blend of non-woven fibres that help to attract makeup impurities and dirt. This prevents makeup residue from being transferred back to your skin, reducing the amount of time needed to completely remove your makeup, and the number of wipes needed to get the job done. Each sheet is 20cm by 20cm, so you only need to use one sheet for your…

Inspired. By. An. Oreo. Cookie,” says Lau Yunyi in jest when asked to describe her own style in five words. Although, technically, it’s the truth in the case of her mostly monochromatic wardrobe. This fashion fiend counts her mother as an influence in shaping her style sensibility. “We have completely different aesthetics, but she taught me to have an eye for details and to make my choices with conviction. As I learnt to be more confident in my decisions in life, I think my style similarly followed in the same way and became a natural extension of my personality,” says Yunyi. She recalls her first fashion memory: being mesmerised by Dorothy’s red slippers in The Wizard of Oz. It showed her the transformative power of fashion and its ability to…

What she wears daily It’s difficult for me to choose between the Quatre Radiant ring and our latest Jack de Boucheron creation, inspired by a jack plug. Her favourite jewellery I am lucky to own a Fleur Eternelle ring, composed of two blue hydrangea flowers, which was made with the same techniques we used for the Nature Triomphante High Jewelry collection launched in 2018. Blue hydrangeas bring back precious memories of my daughter: The first Mother’s Day gift she chose for me was a small bouquet of blue hydrangeas, and I still remember that day perfectly! When I wear this ring, it reminds me of that happy moment. On Boucheron’s brand philosophy I am engaged in a constant quest for new technical, artistic and aesthetic processes. I see my role…

When we talk about taking care of our skin, the focus has always been on our faces. It’s often too easy to forget that our skin, which is our largest organ, covers us from top to toe. Yet when it comes to bodycare routines, many of us fall short. That’s where these body-specific devices come in. Whether it’s a double chin, dimpled thighs, bacne or even soreness from exercising or spending too many hours on your smartphone (hello, text neck!), these high-tech gadgets promise to get you looking healthier and younger all over. DR DENNIS GROSS DRX SPECTRALITE BODYWARE PRO, $720 Uses LED light therapy How Often Three minutes per area for anti-ageing or anti-blemish treatment, and 14 minutes per area for pain management, two to three times a week…

The middle months of the year are typically the hottest – and the time when your skin is crying out for cold comfort. Besides the obvious sensorial relief, there are actual visible perks to keeping the face and body in a chill state. Studies have shown that there’s a close link between heat and sebum production – when skin temperature goes up by 1 deg C, sebum production increases by 10 per cent. More sebum, mixed with sweat, is more likely to clog pores, which in turn causes whiteheads, blackheads and zits. Heat also causes pores to become enlarged and visible – read: a more tired, frazzled and greasy-looking face. And those with sensitive or thin skin may find themselves frequently battling redness and irritation, as blood vessels dilate in…

ESQA ESQA, derived from the Celtic word “eska” meaning pure beauty, was created in 2016 by a pair of Indonesian BFFs who had studied and lived in Los Angeles when the conscious beauty mindset had just taken off. Frustrated with the lack of colour selections and clean formulations in their home country, co-founders Cindy Angelina and Kezia Toemion scouted labs that could formulate the products they wanted, creating a collection that became the first vegan beauty brand to be manufactured in Indonesia. The products are affordable, priced between $11 and $32, and suits the spectrum of Asian skin tones. The brand is Peta-certified cruelty-free, and also classified as clean beauty as it does not contain any harsh chemicals. It’s also one of the few brands to be halal-certified (everything from…

Poh Li San is a leader on both commercial and political fronts: She is the vice-president of Changi Airport Group and a Member of Parliament for Sembawang West ward in the Sembawang Group Representation Constituency. As you might imagine, she doesn’t have much free time, and she’ll be the first to tell you that striking a balance between these two roles is a constant work in progress. “I feel like a juggler tossing and catching five to eight balls. It’s not easy, and I have meetings scheduled back to back most days. I have to be very focused to make sure meetings are productive,” says the 45-year-old. “But there’s a limit to (managing different things simultaneously), especially when it comes to community work, where you have to walk the ground…

“Reverse mentoring helps to close the generation gap and foster an inclusive learning environment. It also builds up our employees’ confidence and creates a sense of belonging, which makes them know they are valued and comfortable in expressing their views. On a personal level, I have learnt a lot from younger employees, especially, in topics that they are passionate about – these range from social commerce and digital marketing to gaming and sustainability. They have contributed valuable insights for our strategy and that helps prepare HP for the future. However, I recognise that they may still have reservations when it comes to sharing. This is why we encourage younger employees to set aside their fears and voice their opinions, and remind our older employees to keep their minds open.” “Mentoring…

We spend one-third of our lives sleeping, or attempting to do so, according to research. As children, deep sleep is the time our body releases growth hormones – our bones, muscles and more build in slumber. As we age, it is while we sleep that our body repairs and rejuvenates – and multiple anti-ageing beauty products promote that aspect. If all that does not give a big-picture view of the benefits of sleep, there is enough material out there professing the ill-effects of bad sleep hygiene. According to Dr Leow Leong Chai, director of Sleep Disorders Unit and senior consultant, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, at Singapore General Hospital: “People who sleep for less than six hours per night on average have reduced life expectancy compared to those who sleep…

[LOADED GUN KITCHEN] Plant-based dips www.loadedgunkitchen.com @loadedgunkitchen Although less than a year old, Loaded Gun Kitchen is burgeoning in popularity, especially among millennials, thanks to its bold-flavoured vegan dips. With flavours like Sweet Miso Cashew Cream and Kombucha BBQ Pinto Bean Smoke-Out, the dips can not only be paired with carrot sticks and crackers, but also used as condiments, sauces and marinades. Operating out of her Dunbar Walk home, Chan Fang Lynn was inspired to start the business after eating only plant-based foods for a month. “At some point, I no longer craved salty snacks or meat-focused foods, and found myself wanting more plant-based whole foods – nothing out of a packet. The biggest takeaway for me was how much flavour could be derived purely from plant-based ingredients, and I…

A great guy friend of mine has been single for quite a while now, and it’s getting to him. What are some helpful things to say to make him genuinely feel better about himself? I haven’t had enough drinks to lower my standards yet. You could always have a friendly hook up with him just to boost his confidence. I’m kidding, that’s a terrible idea. Don’t do that. At this point, if your friend is feeling low, anything you say is probably going to be interpreted as you just trying to make him feel better. Maybe a better way is to get him out with you and some of your single friends. Don’t make a thing out of it, just put them together and see if anything happens. It’s the…

The iconic bag has been refreshed for the Spanish luxury fashion house’s 175th anniversary. Making its debut on the FW 2021 runway, it’s available in two new styles: the Amazona 19 Square and Amazona 28, both in buttery nappa calfskin and an Anagram jacquard variation on a cotton-canvas blend. Named after the courageous female warriors in Greek mythology, the Amazona first made its debut in 1975, a time when women were given the right to vote and gained equality in the workplace. Its design embodies the spirit of the era: a bag that is comfortable, versatile and elegant enough to carry 24/7. For the modern woman, new elements – large, zipped compartments for electronics, removable shoulder straps, and square, metallic “feet” at its base for extra protection – offer even…