Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2022 i Her World Singapore

For the longest time, I had a life plan: Graduate from university at 23, get married at 25, become a mother at 27, and a magazine editor by the ripe old age of 30. I always felt like I was racing against time. At 26, my dad passed away suddenly. Life as I knew it changed forever. For a few years, I couldn’t bring myself to talk about him. In my mind, he was on a long holiday with no reception or Wi-Fi connection. I threw myself into work to distract myself from grief. The race towards career success became more urgent than ever. When I became an editor of a lifestyle publication at 29, I breathed a sigh of relief. I finally felt like my dad could be proud…

Lately, I’ve been thinking of getting a mini shoulder bag. This might not be of much significance to you, dear reader, but as a die-hard fan of the crossbody (which can be carried in multiple ways and is oh-so-functional), this shift in bag desirability comes as something of a shock to me. Perhaps after being inundated with countless images of celebs carrying the Prada Cleo or Balenciaga Le Cagole tucked snugly under their arms, I’ve somehow decided that this bag shape is my next step to attaining ultimate chicness. This is not the first time that I’ve lusted after a bag of this shape. Fifteen years ago (or maybe it was 20?), I remember rummaging through my mother’s cupboard to steal the much-desired Fendi Baguette for the weekend. This was…

“I want her to feel as though she is in a fantasy.” Working under the tutelage of Nicolas Ghesquiere just after graduating from design school in Paris in 2009 has definitely been a credential booster for South Korean designer Kiminte Kimhekim. As the best student in his class at Studio Bercot, a private fashion school in Paris, it’s no surprise that he earned his place at the revered fashion house. He was also the only one in his graduating class to intern for a luxury fashion house. According to Kim, one of the most memorable experiences in his two-year internship at Balenciaga was visiting the atelier building and observing the 40 artisans working their magic on the Balenciaga masterpieces. “I was the youngest boy in the studio and always super…

ETERNAL MARVELS It’s all about the thinnest, the most complicated tourbillon, and the very sophisticated use of horological ingenuity. WARDROBE STAPLES A great staple watch is not only versatile and stylish – it also packs a punch. Comprising a simple outlook with edgy functionality, these options run the gamut of stainless steel watches with bold designs and innovative complications. BLUE CRUSH Both regal yet understated, it’s no surprise that these deep, vivid blue tones are the choice of royalty. FOREST GREEN Reminiscent of nature, these popular shades of green reflect the watch industry’s obsession with sustainability. Case in point: Panerai’s use of recycled materials for the straps of its new Submersible watches. RED ALERT Red reigns supreme in limited edition timepieces that feature skeleton complications and bedazzling diamonds. WORKS OF…

YU-BENG AND I WERE ALWAYS SAYING, OUR DAUGHTER, SHE LIKES HANGING OUT WITH US. THAT’S GREAT! At 59, actress Tan Kheng Hua is at one of most exciting moments of her life. Not only has she successfully landed new roles in Hollywood, her daughter, Lim Shi-An, has also blossomed into a talented young creative. Here, Kheng Hua discusses the life lessons she’s learnt, her relationship with Shi-An, as well as her thoughts about ageing gracefully. It’s like a horse gave birth to a deer!” jokes Tan Kheng Hua as she peers at the laptop where images of her daughter, Lim Shi-An, ethereal and enigmatic in a dusky pink Prada dress, are flashing across the screen during our photoshoot for this story. As Shi-An – her daughter with ex-husband, actor Lim…

One of Singapore’s top athletes, Shayna Ng has put the nation on the world map by winning numerous international championship bowling titles. In 2021, she clinched another historic gold medal in the Women’s Singles event at the International Bowling Federation Super World Championships. “When I turned 30, I did a lot of thinking about what I’ve done with my life so far. What did I want to do that I have not yet achieved? I started feeling a little anxious, like time was running out. Being in my early 30s during Covid-19 made me think, how long am I going to go on for [as an athlete]? You can work in the corporate world until you retire, but It’s inevitable that for athletes, you have to retire at a certain…

She’s Singapore’s first Youth Poet Ambassador and the director of the Singapore Writers Festival since 2019. Pooja Nansi also published the poetry collection We Make Spaces Divine last year, and founded the performance and page poetry platform Speakeasy. “Especially for women, I think the narrative of ageing is such a patriarchal one. The idea that the older a woman gets, the less desirable she becomes, because youth is the goal to strive for: anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle creams in the beauty industry, the narrative that there’s an urgency to achieve things in your youth – like getting married or having children – these are the narratives I think all women have come up against at some point. I don’t really know what age means, to be honest. But I do think…

I was featured in the March issue of Her World (ed’s note: the International Women’s Day edition of #HerWorldHerStory), and I had requested that my age not be reflected in the article. My reason: I hoped that society can move away from age-stereotyping, and focus on a woman’s worth through her personal stories or achievements, independent of her age. I challenged the writer to consider not stating a person’s age by default. I will turn 52 this year, but flip the numbers around and you’ll get a better sense of how I feel mentally and physically. Emotionally too – I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. In my life, I’ve had my fair share of loss, disappointment, heartbreak, triumphs and successes. Does my biological age really accurately articulate who I am?…

Hear the words “filler” along with “aesthetic treatments”, and more often than not, an image of Kylie Jenner – with her full lips – comes to mind. That, or photos of filler treatments gone wrong, courtesy of the American cosmetic surgery reality TV series Botched. It’s no wonder that dermal fillers can get a bad rep. And yet when used correctly, they can help restore lost youth in a natural way. Contrary to what many might think, fillers aren’t just used to fill in lines and wrinkles, or to make lips look luscious and pouty. In fact, there are many ways to use fillers, says Dr Melvin Tan, medical director and founder of Epion Clinic. “Injecting it [serves a function that’s] more like a scaffold; we can replace structure in…

M.A.C Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, $61 A one-step powder and foundation that gives complexions a smooth and velvety matte finish. It offers buildable medium-to-full coverage that reduces the appearance of enlarged pores, while wicking away oil and shine to keep complexion looking fresh for 12 hours. More importantly, it won’t leave darker skin tones with an ashy grey tone. Comes in 32 shades. Available at M.A.C boutiques and counters Hermes Plein Air Complexion Balm SPF30/PA+++, $148 A hydrating complexion enhancer that offers a “second skin” finish. It also contains skin-loving actives like hyaluronic acid, evening primrose, baikal skullcap and white mulberry to nourish and protect skin. But here’s what makes this so unique: Each shade caters to several skin tones, so there’s something for everyone. Comes in 10 shades;…

There’s been much debate on the topic of elective egg freezing, even before the release of the White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development in March. Previously, only women with valid medical reasons like cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were eligible for the procedure. And over the past decade, women’s groups and public figures like Tampines GRC Member of Parliament Cheng Li Hui have called on the Government to allow it for all. After the hallmark policy change with regards to egg freezing earlier this year, Ms Sun, alongside Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo, explained the Government’s change of heart. “There were worries in certain quarters that making elective egg freezing available would send the wrong signal about marriage and parenthood, that they need not be prioritised and can always…

Think about what job satisfaction means to you. We’re all motivated by different things, so it makes sense that everyone has different definitions of “career fulfilment” and “job satisfaction”, says Seraphine Ann Chia, academic manager of Aureus Consulting. A high salary, work-life balance and good working relationships are just some factors that may influence how we feel about our job. So, evaluating how happy you are in your position would mean figuring out which of your motivations are fulfilled. Find out what’s making you unhappy and try to address it. “If you’re not fulfilled in your job, it might be time to talk to your supervisor about how you perceive your role. Then, review each other’s expectations of deliverables and try to realign,” says Seraphine. “If you don’t think this…

FERTILITY Twoplus (twoplusfertility. com): Besides retailing fertility-enhancing products, the platform offers services such as its Get Pregnant Programme, a six-month personalised fertility coaching programme. Simone (meetsimone.com): The remote screening and monitoring platform for PCOS supports users in their nutrition, physical activity and mental health via its app, peer support group meetings, and quarterly hormone testing and monitoring. PREGNANCY Biorithm (bio-rithm.com): The start-up spun off from Nanyang Technological University offers the Femom foetal monitoring solution, which includes a foetal monitor, mobile app and physician dashboard to improve perinatal outcomes. SEXUAL WELLNESS Maison Mika (maisonmika. com.sg): The intimate lifestyle boutique retails products ranging from a spectrum of sex toys to erotic accessories for bondage and kegel balls, alongside a blog that covers issues related to romance, relationships and sex. DellaHQ (thedellahq. com):…

The fringe takes on many forms this season as it makes its return to the runway in an exciting display of experimentation. While this decorative embellishment first became fashionable as a hallmark of the flapper look in the 1920s, today, the desire to glam it up is not constrained to an invitation to a cocktail party. Going for a quick coffee run or picking up your kid from school? Get all dressed up in fringe – whether it’s a dress, skirt or a pair of trousers. And let’s be clear here: We’re not talking fringe details around the hem of a skirt or on a blouse as an afterthought; fringe for Spring is meant to be embraced in the most dramatic way. And here’s the best part – you can…

Standing out from the crowd is second nature to fashion and lifestyle entrepreneur Jemie Phua. So it comes as no surprise that eclectic, eccentric and bold are some of her favourite words when it comes to describing her larger-than-life style. Ever curious and drawn to art and architecture, the adventurous dresser is always willing to try anything once. “Fashion is a way of self-expression. It is not just ‘clothes’; it builds and creates culture and communities in society.” “I’ve always been attracted to colours and prints,” she says. “They speak to me and my personality. I like having fun styling them, and experimenting with different textures and silhouettes.” Jemie’s CV includes being the head honcho of Unniki (unniki.com), an online decor and lifestyle retail brand, and co-founder of media site…

QUEEN OF THE STAGE As a rapper and dancer for Blackpink, Lisa performs with an infectious amount of energy and passion, which translates into her bold and daring outfit and accessories choices on stage. We can definitely picture her rocking this stunning pair of sunglasses from Louis Vuitton. GOLDEN GIRL Born in Thailand, Lisa created a buzz when she paid homage to her birth country in her first solo music video Lalisa, dressing up in a modern interpretation of a traditional Thai outfit. The regal outfit is topped off with an elaborate gold headpiece that would complement this gorgeous pair of earrings from Boucheron. TOMBOY CHIC This Harry Winston watch captures Lisa’s versatile style personality – the diamonds represent her over-the-top costumes on stage, while the minimalist design captures her…

The only daughter of actors Tan Kheng Hua and Lim Yu-Beng radiates a quiet maturity that is both earnest and alluring. In 2021, Shi-An graduated with a business and art degree from the National University of Singapore (NUS), and she’s now exploring various creative pursuits, including acting, graphic design and singing. “I just graduated in December from NUS, and am doing a bit of acting for Mediacorp. I’m also doing freelance graphic design work, so I have a few long-term gigs – one is with Love Bonito, the other is with an ad agency. Acting with my dad in the MeWatch TV production Sephia (2021) was both fun and natural. It’s an apocalyptic series on MeWatch. The director was Raihan Halim, who’s known for his work on Suria. This was…

Adlina Anis is the founder of her namesake Muslimah fashion brand and a content creator. She tells us how she went from being afraid of ageing to embracing it. “Up till a few months ago, I was afraid of turning 40. But then I had a breast cancer scare recently, and right now, looking back on my life, I’m very much looking forward to growing older. I think I’m currently at my peak because I’ve achieved the things I wanted to do and am able to set new goals. Now, instead of associating growing old with dying, I see it as an opportunity to be able to do more – things that I wasn’t able to do when I was younger. Experience is important, and I treasure everything that I’ve…

While eco-friendly beauty products are not new, there has been a steadily increasing demand for them, with more brands joining the green movement. A 2021 Nielsen report showed that consumers prefer to buy products that respect the environment (17.6 per cent), and use recyclable and reusable packaging (15.8 per cent and 7.9 per cent respectively). This is especially true for Gen Zers, who not only challenge traditional beauty standards, but are also hyper-aware of brand authenticity and sustainability efforts. When it comes to going green, opting for refillable products is an easy option for beginners. Refill packaging uses less resources to produce, including reduced plastic waste and lowered carbon emissions during transportation, which all lead to lowered costs – a win-win situation for ecoconscious shoppers as well as the brands…

Acne outbreaks, dull skin and dermatitis are some ways that stress can show on your skin. It can also trigger chronic skin issues like psoriasis where red, scaly patches appear – on the knees, elbows and even the scalp. Research has proven that the brain-to-body connection is triggered by exposure to both psychological and environmental stress. Under stress, the body produces hormones in the fight or flight response. The increase in cortisol helps to reduce inflammation caused by stress, but it also increases sebum production, which ironically causes inflammation in the skin and affects collagen, leading to dehydration and the formation of lines and wrinkles. THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PRESSURE Stress unsettles the skin’s epidermal barrier, affects hydration, and skin’s ability to repair itself. As stress can cause sleepless nights,…

Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum, $99 A powerful hydrating serum that plumps skin with its complex of moisture boosters – hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid and squalane – together with collagen-supporting copper peptides. The result is bouncy, dewy and youthful-looking skin. Available at Sephora stores and Sephora.sg Dr Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream, $114 Enriched with a Phyto-Retinol blend that contains retinol, bakuchiol, rambutan and ferulic acid, it plumps fine lines and wrinkles while firming and strengthening skin. Also contains antioxidant-rich arnica and centella asiatica to protect against free radical damage, and keep skin feeling soft and supple. Available at Sephora stores and Sephora.sg Filorga Time-Filler Intensive, $114 Inspired by aesthetic injectable treatments, this intensive serum promises to smooth all types of wrinkles in…

When it comes to money matters, what you don’t know can hurt you. With retirement and re-employment ages for Singapore workers raised to 63 and 68 respectively come July 1, we can’t help but ask ourselves: How much harder or longer do we want to go on for? If you, like us, fantasise about spending our silver years pursuing hobbies, we have both bad news and good. The bad news is that the path to financial freedom requires diligence, prudence and confidence; the good is that we have done part of the homework for you. Read on for the tips. Anna Haotanto (AH), founder & CEO of The New Savvy, a financial, investments and career platform that seeks to empower women towards smarter financial decisions. She is also the managing…

I want kids some day, but my partner dislikes the idea of being a parent. I love everything else about him and I don’t want to break up with him over just one thing, but it is one rather significant thing. What should I do? To have a child or not isa rather significant thing, and you’re right that you should both be on the same page. The key thing I read here, however, is that you said you want kids some day. “Some day” makes me think you’re not looking to have kids in the next couple of years, which is good because it gives him time to perhaps change his mind. The decision to have kids, especially for men, can sometimes be related to where they are financially…

UPTOWN GIRL You can’t say that you’ve fully embraced the early aughts if you don’t give cargo trousers a chance, but this time, give it a chic – not street – twist. SUPER DUPER FLY The current way to channel the ultimate It girl style, defined by cropped tops and miniskirts, is to pair the look with oversized outerwear. THE COOL TOMBOY High-waist bottoms have been in fashion for years. Now, it’s time you embrace these low-slung options with a classy and understated spin. BODY BEAUTIFUL There’s no denying that this was the sexiest season we’ve seen of late – so go ahead and wear that sheer top and bralet with confidence.…

1 @beyonce BEYONCE, MUSICIAN “Queen Bey is such an icon and is  fearless when it comes to dressing up. As someone who is pretty full-figured, Beyonce is one of the people I look up to, not only for what she wears but also how she wears it. I’m always inspired by how she uses clothes to accentuate or flatter certain parts of her body.” 2 @susiebubble SUSIE LAU, FASHION WRITER AND INFLUENCER “Susie is the OG fashion blogger. She’s such an inspiration on how runway pieces can be worn and styled for everyday life. I follow her to keep up-to-date on new trends. She also wears lots of indie designers, which is totally my thing.” 3 @michellenorrisphoto MICHELLE NORRIS, ARTIST “She mixes colours beautifully, and she’s very bold when it…

WHAT DOES YOUR AGE MEAN TO YOU? Is it a mere numeral, a yearly reminder of the passage of time, or a guide to how well you ought to live your life? Her World speaks to Singapore women from their 20s to 80s, and delves into how they feel about age and ageing. These are their stories.…

The former president of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) recently wrote and illustrated three children’s books, and also published Where I Was: A Memoir About Forgetting and Remembering, an update of her 2013 memoir. She blogs at Constancesingamblog.wordpress.com on a vast range of topics, from activism to bird watching, and, yes, ageing. “Ageing is my favourite topic – it’s my life, isn’t it? Most of the time, I have to remind myself that I’m 86. I only realise it when I’m in front of a mirror. I am old – I can’t escape that reality. Age in terms of the numbers doesn’t mean much. It’s how it affects your health, your ability to move around, your functioning as a person. However much you ignore it, it…

Singapore athlete Nurul Suhaila Saiful won her first world silat championship in 2018 at the 15th World Pencak Silat Championship in Singapore. She comes from a family of silat practitioners, joining the likes of her sister Nurul Shafiqah and brother Muhammad Nur Shafiq, who are also from the Singapore national team. YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING YOU WANT AT ANY AGE. JUST ENJOY THE PROCESS. “I used to view age as a timeline for achievements in life. I always thought that the more accolades you earn at a younger age, the better it was. It was a natural thought process for me as I started combat silat training when I was just six, and then trained competitively at 11 years old. Despite having resilience and willpower, I was overshadowed by insecurity,…

MATURITY IS AN UPSIDE OF GETTING OLDER. AS YOU GET OLDER, YOUR MENTALITY CHANGES. JUST BE YOURSELF, BE NATURAL, AND NOT TRY TO COMPETE WITH ANYTHING. “You can’t fight ageing. It’s more important to stay healthy than to stay young. Age is a state of mind. You can be 60 and still have a 30-year-old boyfriend. When you’re younger, you have so many years ahead of you and you don’t actively think about ageing. It’s when you start to get older, and you want to live longer for your children and your family (that you start to think about it). You might not look forward to ageing, but it’s a process you can’t avoid. Maturity is an upside of getting older. As you get older, your mentality changes. You have…

1. Drunk Elephant Wonderwild Miracle Butter, $55 Thanks to a nourishing blend of marula butter, shea butter, coconut oil and meadowfoam oil, this hardworking SOS salve treats and relieves irritation such as rashes and sunburns. An essential in any makeup bag, it can also be used on cracked heels, chapped lips and dry, dead ends. 2. The Powder Shampoo (Purifying and Regulating), $39.90 This vegan water-activated powder formula sops up dirt, oil and debris in hair with refreshing peppermint essential oil and exfoliating papaya extract. One bottle of this powder shampoo is equivalent to five bottles of liquid shampoo (which requires up to five litres of water to produce). This not only makes The Powder Shampoo easy on the wallet, but also on the environment. 3. Guerlain Kisskiss Bee Glow…

Dr Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive Superfoods Rescue Super Serum, $115 This serum is packed with superfoods like avocado, perilla sprouts, cacao, and coffee to correct the damage done by stress. It reduces the look of fine lines and regulates collagen production for firmer skin. Clarins Calm-Essentiel Restoring Treatment Oil, $100 Sensitive skin will rejoice with this lightweight oil, which provides immediate comfort for reactive skin, while providing intense moisture as it protects against pollution. Its blend of clary sage extract and organic apricot oil helps to relax as it nourishes thirsty skin. Glowdrop 4-in-1 Facial Device with Nasa-inspired LED Lights, $120 This double-sided cleansing brush helps with sensitive skin, and uses red and blue LED lights to work on acne breakouts and angry skin. The warming light boosts serum absorption,…

The search for the right foundation can sometimes be harder than finding the Holy Grail. While more brands are starting to recognise the need for more shades that cater to Asian complexions, it can still be a hit-and-miss process, considering how the undertones of our skin are vastly varied. This was exactly how Shih Yu-Chen, founder of Los Angeles-based makeup brand Orce Cosmetics, felt before leading the charge to address the unique needs of Asian skin in 2019. Growing up, Yu-Chen – who is of half Taiwanese and half Malay descent – had always felt overlooked by the beauty industry. “The global Asian community is much more colourful than we think, and not all of us have fair skin. What most of us do have in common is a golden…

Book your next beach vacay in Desaru It’s been a month since quarantine-free international travel has returned to Malaysia, and if you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway, why not consider booking a stay at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas? Situated along the Desaru coastline in Johor, the luxurious beach property overlooks the South China Sea, with choices ranging from a one-bedroom lagoon pool villa, to a three-bedroom villa designed for group vacations – all decked out in floor-to-ceiling windows and equipped with personal plunge pools. For a truly indulgent vacation, there’s the option of engaging a butler to curate your meals or plan a private barbecue on the deck. Those who are planning a longer stay can also look forward to activities such as an outdoor cinema screening…