IN SEOUL - I can count with one hand the number of times a beauty product totally enraptured my heart. Being a beauty writer means you get to try almost everything on the market way before it’s launched.

Sulwhasoo’s Luminature Essential Finisher was no different. The brand was so confident that this product was going to work, it flew me to Korea to put it to the test.

A brand based on balancing ‘qi’

Sulwhasoo started way back in 1966 when its founder Sunghwan Suh created the first ever ABC Ginseng Cream. Since then, the brand has tapped into the anti-ageing properties of Korean ginseng and traditional herbs, creating a plethora of products that promise to balance your skin’s “yin” energy from the inside out.

But how can you tell that a product really works? Sulwhasoo sent me to its award-winning spa to put the product to the test.

Nestled in the heart of Seoul’s Lotte Hotel, Sulwhasoo Spa is a quiet haven that promises to give you the most luxurious treatment possible. The spa is spacious yet intimate, and I get the feeling that every detail is deliberate and planned. For example, before my treatment began, I was tasked to pick my favourite scent from the brand’s signature collection. This scent then accompanied my entire treatment, which added a personal touch to the experience.

To kick start our journey, I underwent Sulwhasoo’s signature Brightening Boost treatment: A ginseng-infused facial that promised to leave me with radiant skin like never before. Sulwhasoo assured me that this facial was like no other, but to be completely honest, I still had my doubts. After all, the best facials I’ve been to could never make me glow.

The real deal
After being escorted to a private facial room (which was huge, by all standards), I was given a ginseng foot massage. At this point, I began to notice that the room was filled with the same scent I had picked earlier. Coincidence? Probably not.

Unlike facials in Singapore where rooms are filled with nifty gadgets and machines, Sulwhasoo’s spa was minimalistic to say the least. There were no equipment to help with exfoliation or steamers to open up pores. The brand relied heavily on its own products to rejuvenate the skin - and I have to say that it worked.

The brand’s concoction of ginseng products was carefully layered onto my skin in between massages. This meant that my skin was given enough time to rest between products, while also ensuring that my face wasn’t being massaged the whole time.

At the end of the whole facial, the therapist gently applied a generous dose of Sulwhasoo’s Luminature Essential Finisher, and I couldn’t wait to see what I looked like in the mirror.

The true game changer

Sulwhasoo’s Luminature Essential Finisher literally made my skin glow. It wasn’t just the blissful short lived glow we sometimes get from good facials, it was a glow that lasted the entire afternoon. One that you get from a great facial.

Let me prove my point by posting a photo of myself without makeup (with the rest of the glowing media) when we went for the Sulwhasoo’s Luminature Essential Finisher’s event in the afternoon.

All of us glowing. I'm the girl with the squinty eyes and sunnies on her head.

I tried to prod the Sulwhasoo R&D team behind the secret of this product, but no matter how I asked my questions, they just didn’t budge. Sulwhasoo has managed to use the modernity of science to bring out the best in traditional Korean medicine. The result is truly spectacular.
 

Sulwhasoo Luminature Essential Finisher, $112, is available at Sulwhasoo counters. For more information, visit www.sulwhasoo.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

The Autumn Winter 2014 runway show

Technology has helped fashion transcend physical boundaries. No longer do you have to actually fly to New York, London, Milan or Paris to be front row at the various fashion houses’ runway shows. Thanks to handy livestream videos, you can catch all the action wherever you are in the world.

This Spring Summer 2015, Topshop has gone one step further to make its runway show more accessible through social media. Besides live streaming the runway show that will take place in London on September 14, 2014, at 10pm Singapore time on its website, a part of the high street’s Spring Summer 2015 collection will also be revealed on Facebook.

That’s right, so whether you are in Singapore or in London, the last few looks of Topshop Unique’s new collection will be seen only on the brand’s Facebook page as part of the Social Catwalk campaign – a fashion week first.

Another first in the history of fashion week is the click-to-buy concept. No longer do you have to wait half a year to get your hands on the Spring Summer 2015 looks. Six pieces will go on sale on the Topshop website after the show and can be delivered in days.

You may not be in London but your Tweet could appear in the window of the Oxford Circus flagship store

It’s now common place to have a personality take over a brand’s Instagram account for a day like how Alexa Chung posted on Tommy Hilfiger’s account for its Spring Summer 2015 show. But how about five Instagram stars? They will be feeding Topshop.com with what they snap during London Fashion Week. You too can be part of the experience, just hashtag your Instagram with #Topshopwindow to be featured in the window of the Oxford Circus’ iconic flagship store!

Watch the Topshop Unique Spring Summer 2014 live on Topshop.com on September 14, 2014 at 10pm Singapore time and don’t forget to hop over to www.facebook.com/Topshop to catch the rest of the looks. Follow Topshop Singapore’s Instagram account for live updates.

How's this for small-faced envy?

Conduct this little experiment at your next family fete: Plonk your sullen teenage cousin next to wise ol’ Grandma, then pore over the differences in their facial features.

Barring one too many mysterious lunch-time disappearances by Granny, you ought to notice some degree of droopiness along her jawline and jowls; contrast that with the sharp chin and sharper cheekbones of her 16-year-old granddaughter. Essentially, the pleasingly inverted “triangle” of youth becomes the “pyramid” of age (see, primary school geometry is useful).

Need pictorial proof? Here’s a roll call of the smallest faced celebs vaunting their enviably V-shaped visages on Instagram:

Good grief, G-Dragon. No one ought to be able to obscure more than half their face with just one palm!

Open memo to Dara of 2NE1: Girl, you’re making all of us regular fast food-eating folks feel self-conscious with this twee little Moschino ensemble. Judging from your pocket-sized profile, I’m pretty sure you don’t partake of actual pie and fries yourself!

Ooh, look. Pixie-faced princess on the loose! (You'll always be Mia from The Princess Diaries, Anne Hathaway.)

Remember her in her slender salad days? Old Father Time must have held his breath for Elva Hsiao, because the Mandopop maven’s impossibly small mien more than holds its own against those of the nubile young things moving along today’s conveyer belt of fame.

Lupita Nyong'o is working the hell out of the camera in this selfie. There’s the posh hat, the pop of purple on the peepers and her most astounding asset yet – that incredibly incandescent skin on her petite face.

Oh yeah, my imaginary best friend’s also breaking beauty boundaries like no other; in a telling sign of the times, she’s also Lancôme’s fresh new face for this year. Hurrah for diversity!

Oppa alert! Choi Si-won’s tweed pullover is beyond covetable, but the fact that his fabulous flower brooch is just about the same size as his face makes me feel all kinds of inadequate.

See? Size does matter. Happily for us, there’s a big bag of off-the-counter tricks for fending off saggy signs of age, starting with the latest superheroine salve from everyone’s favourite French beauty brand (well, mine, at least).    

Lancôme’s Rénergie French Lift is redolent with wrinkle-busting actives like hyaluronic acid and resveratrol, the latter being a heavy-duty antioxidant found in yummy stuff like blueberries, blackberries … and red wine!

(Side bar: I asked the lads over at Lancôme Singapore if they would consider waltzing me off to a vineyard in Bordeaux on account of said wine-derived ingredient; no such luck. Bummer.)

In any case, this near-miraculous tightening night cream is said to do it all: It shields skin from toxic office air; sops up fiendish free radicals; and amps up collagen production for fish ball-bouncy complexion.

Also thrown into the mix is a really cool silicone-cast, double-sided massage disk that, when used after application of the cream, is said to boost the potency of the potion by up to three times. Ask your friendly cabin staff to show you how to use the tool, and you’re well on your way to molding your mien into Photoshop-free, Instagram-ready fabulousness. V for victory!

Lancôme Rénergie French Lift, $170, is available at all Lancôme counters. For more information, visit www.lancome.com.sg and follow Lancôme Singapore on Facebook and Instagram.

From left: Lee Seunghoon, Nam Taehyun, Song Minho, Kim Jinwoo, Kang Seungyoon of WINNER

You’ve probably already heard all the hubbub surrounding one of the most anticipated concerts this year.

Some of the hottest names in the K-Pop scene will descend upon Singapore this weekend – all thanks to YG Entertainment, one of the top three entertainment companies in Korea. From September 13-14, 2014, Samsung will be hosting the YG Family 2014 Galaxy Tour here for the first time. Big Bang, PSY, 2NE1, Epik High and YG’s highly anticipated new boy band, Winner, will form the impressive line-up. Expect solo and group performances and witness collaborations amongst the YG artistes at the concert.

Fans don’t have only the concert to look forward to. In the run up to the concert, Samsung will be organising a series of pre-concert and on-site activities for customers and fans alike. As Singapore will be the only stop in Southeast Asia for the YG Family Concert, fans are flocking in from all over to catch a glimpse of their idols. Although tickets for the concert have been high in demand, Samsung customers still stand the chance to win some tickets by participating in these activities. Rehearsal tickets and other limited edition gifts will also be up for grabs!

Included in the slew of activities Samsung has planned for the weekend is a fan-meet with newly debuted group Winner, the so-called “monster rookies” of 2014. Head to the Samsung Experience Store at Westgate on September 14, 2014, at 11am. You may just walk away as one of ten lucky customers to get up close and personal with the fresh faces from the YG Family, along with autographed memorabilia. Keep your eyes peeled for the recruitment post on the Samsung Mobile Singapore Facebook page!

Samsung will also be setting up the Samsung Galaxy Studio Power Station at the concert venue (Singapore Indoor Stadium), starting at 11am on both concert days. Fans will be able to dabble with the latest Samsung products first-hand and glean the opportunity to receive exclusive YG Family memorabilia. Utilise Samsung’s gear to record a voice memo to your favourite YG Family artiste, have a photo op at the YG Family photo wall and more!

For more information, go to Samsung Mobile Singapore’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/samsungmobilesingapore.

To key to a longer life? Getting off your butt. © Cover Media

Standing up could be the key to a longer life, according to a new report.

Scientists have discovered that sitting down less and remaining on two feet can prevent a person's DNA from ageing. The British Medical Journal published the findings, which showed that less time on the sofa is strongly linked to the lengthening of telomeres, which sit on the end of chromosomes in cells - DNA storage units in the body.

Scientists liken chromosome functions to the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces, and say that lifespan is linked to their length.

"In many countries formal exercise may be increasing, but at the same time people spend more time sitting," said Professor Mai-Lis Hellenius, from Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm. "There is growing concern that not only low physical activity but probably also sitting and sedentary behaviour is an important and new health hazard of our time. We hypothesise that a reduction in sitting hours is of greater importance than an increase in exercise time for elderly risk individuals."

Researchers came to this conclusion by observing 49 overweight sedentary adults in their late sixties. Half of them had taken part in an exercise programme that lasted six months, while the other half had not. Their level of physical activity was assessed using a diary and pedometer to measure how many footsteps they had taken each day, and then it was worked out how long they had been seated via a questionnaire.

The researchers measured the length of the telomeres in their blood cells and the study revealed that, although people who did more exercise tended to be healthier, the most important factor for lengthening of telomeres was how much time they spent sitting down.

Scientists found that the less time a person spent sitting, the longer their telomeres, and the greater their chance of living longer.

There are simple things you can do, like taking a walk around in your lunch break rather than watching catch-up telly at your desk. Or consider walking short distances rather than driving or catching a bus. © Cover Media

You can’t make these things up. Humblebrag alert: I’ve canoodled with Cate Blanchett and Michele Reis, among other luminous luminaries, but this interview is the most confounding one yet.

Ladies and gents, meet Marge, spouse of Homer Simpson and the yellow new face of M.A.C Cosmetics’ insanely covetable Simpson’s collection. D’oh.

So many questions. Is her radioactive hometown of Springfield part of our universe? How many mint-green tube dresses does she own, exactly? And is a vampire squirrelled away in her blue beehive the secret to her ageless appearance?

Ah, well. When Marge Simpson speaks, we listen. Let’s just roll with the punches and see where this rabbit-hole leads us, shall we.

The exact height of Marge’s monumental hairdo is … Drumroll, please. On the record, quite possibly for the first time and straight from the cartoon’s mouth: “It’s two feet tall, just like anyone else’s.” No word if the hair’s all hers or whether there’s some wig witchery going on.

Beauty buddies, take notes. This is the key to immortality. Marge says magic happens when you well, don’t change your clothes: “Wear the same outfit every day of your life if you can help it. It’s worked for me!”

Oh yeah, and it probably helps to be a little loony, too. Make what you will of the following doozy of a quote: “I don’t really know how I stay so young! Homer and I were just talking about that at Bart’s 25th tenth birthday party.”

My head hurts just trying to wrap itself around that. Moving along …  

Good ol' Marge, always in on the latest pop culture gag. #Anaconda

Single and looking to snag a Homer of your own? Wear this lippie (or twerk like Nicki Minaj in Anaconda). If you can’t already tell, the matriarch of the family has a really fun sense of humour – probably necessary if you’re married to someone like Homer Simpson. “He goes wild when I wear [M.A.C lipstick in] Carnal Instinct (a gorgeous gold-flecked burgundy), though it might be because he thinks it’s called Caramel Instinct.”

Marge’s top style tip for switching up your day and night looks? Listen, up, girls. This is an honest-to-goodness pearl of wisdom: “I slip off my day red pearls and put on my evening red pearls. They are different you just have to look really, really close.” Uh, okay.

If you have a hubby like Homer Simpson, blusher is strictly optional. Marge’s makeup must-haves? No cheek colour, please: “Definitely lipstick and mascara, [although] most days Bart or Homer does something that makes me blush, so I’m covered there!”

While we’re on the topic of beauty, Marge says she’d love to switch things up with a flirty flick of eyeliner: “I’d love to try a cateye – but I think our dog wouldn’t be too crazy about it. I don’t like to play favorites with my pets.”

Back to serious business! Once your sides have stopped aching from laughing, you should scoot down to the nearest M.A.C cabin to suss out the collection, which boasts incredibly adorable eye quads, fab falsies and intensely pigmented neon Lip Glasses.

Have fun getting a Marge makeover, and cheers to the woman for maintaining some degree of sanity in the Simpsons household (it’s tough, we know)!

The M.A.C Cosmetics Simpsons collection, $25 to $77, is available at all M.A.C counters. For more information, visit www.maccosmetics.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook and on YouTube.

Fine so we can't all rub shoulders with Michael Kao like Chinese actress Gao Yuan Yuan here but at least we share the same taste as him. Credit: Getty Images for Michael Kors

The collections we have seen on the recent Spring Summer 2015 runways in New York have been somewhat of a puzzle with muted colours and layers more suited for colder seasons. So it was a relief to see the bright yellow and breezy light pieces on the models at the Michael Kors show – that’s what Spring Summer should be about.

The American designer normally doesn’t stray from his signature American sportswear aesthetic and this season, he built on that with a post-war ‘50s theme. Think high-waisted full skirts that moved with every step and the very American gingham print. There were flowers too, something that cannot be avoided for Spring Summer, in retro-faded prints, appliques and lace.

It truly wasn’t easy to pick our favourite looks because honestly I really would wear everything if I won the top prize in the lottery. So imagine my surprise when I found out that my top five was Kors’ personal favourites too. Hey Michael, high five!

Check out these looks that the designer felt best embodied the entire collection.

This look was perfection on model Malaika Firth. From the Peter Pan collar to strappy flat sandals, there’s nothing we don’t adore about it. Plus, I have a feeling that leather flower belt will be the new “It” accessory for next season.

A duffel coat in a sunny yellow is nothing short of grown up sophistication with a black turtleneck and perfectly cuffed jeans peeking out.

I’ve always liked an off-shoulder top and I can think of many ways to wear this fitted and cropped version but nothing will beat the original Michael Kors pairing with this full gingham skirt.

A dress that ticks all the boxes – flattering shape, pockets, eye-catching print, and a V-neck that reveals just the right amount of skin.

This is how Kors wants you to wear transparent pieces – the embellished see through skirt was ideally conservative with a tucked-in dress shirt so long that it covers all your lady parts.

The Michael Kors Spring Summer 2015 will be available from February 2015. For more information, go to www.destinationkors.com. You can follow the brand on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michaelkors, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/michaelkors and on Instagram at @MichaelKors www.instagram.com/michaelkors.

EARTH TO ECHO
Director: David Green
Stars: Teo Halm, Brian "Astro" Bradley, Reese Hartwig
What: A group of boys stumble upon a stranded alien robot in the desert, which they befriend and name Echo. The government gets word of an alien spaceship in the area and sets out to find and take down Echo, much to the horror of the boys. Shot in found footage format, this feels like Steven Spielberg's E.T The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) updated for children of the 21st century, what with all its references to smartphones and apps.
Watch this if you like: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Aliens In The Attic (2009)

DISNEY'S PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE 
Director: Roberts Gannaway
Stars: Voices of Dane Cook, Ed Harris and Teri Hatcher
What: This animation is a direct follow-up to Disney's Planes (2013), about Dusty (Dane Cook) the cropduster plane, who has a talent for air racing in the big leagues. But in this sequel, he can no longer race due to a damaged gear box, so he goes into aerial firefighting instead. The film is targeted at the younger set of 12 years and under. Parents, be prepared for your children to start begging you for Planes merchandise.
Watch this if you like: Disney's Planes (2013), Cars (2006)

THE MAZE RUNNER
Director: Wes Ball 
Stars: Dylan O'Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter
What: Based on James Dashner's 2009 book of the same name, this is the latest to join the popular slate of movies adapted from best-selling young adult dystopian novels. Here, a group of young
men wake up trapped in a massive and dangerous maze, with no memory of how and why they got there. Using clues from the labyrinth, they hope to uncover what is going on and find a way out. Going by the immense success of other movies in the same genre – think The Hunger Games (2012) and Divergent (2014) – this looks set to be a massive teenage hit.
Watch this if you like: The Hunger Games (2012), Divergent (2014)

THE BOXTROLLS
Directors: Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi
Stars: Voices of Ben Kingsley, Simon Pegg, Elle Fanning, Isaac Hempstead-Wright
What: Produced by animation studio Laika, which is known for its acclaimed stop-motion features Coraline (2009) and ParaNorman (2012), this is a stop-motion film based on Alan Snow's novel Here Be Monsters! (2006). At the centre of the story is orphan Eggs (Hempstead-Wright), who works to save his adoptive troll family from getting killed by pest exterminator Snatcher (Kingsley).
If this has even half the promise of its studio predecessors, it should prove to be a compelling story paired with arresting visuals.
Watch this if you like: ParaNorman (2012), Corpse Bride (2005)

PUDSEY
Director: Nick Moore
Stars: Pudsey the dog, David Walliams, Jessica Hynes, John Sessions
What: Simon Cowell sure works fast in cashing in on others' success. After Pudsey (a border collie, bichon frise and Chinese crested powderpuff mix) won reality TV show Britain's Got Talent in 2012 with his cutesy ability to stand on its hind legs and twirl, Cowell went and produced this, a comedy flick featuring Pudsey as a heroic dog who saves human children from bullies. Reviews have not been kind since it premiered in Britain in July, but the pooch may be cute enough to draw viewers.
Watch this if you like: Beethoven(1992), Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008)

IMAX 3D DOCUMENTARIES
What: For something educational, check out this series of five Imax 3D nature and science documentaries, which takes viewers on breathtaking journeys from the oceans to outer space. Each film is narrated by a Hollywood celebrity. For example, Under The Sea, which showcases some of the most colourful ocean life, is narrated by actor Jim Carrey. You can be sure that the films are educational, moving and beautifully shot.
Go to www.shaw.sg/imax for details.
Watch this if you like: March Of The Penguins (2005), The Blue Planet (2001), Planet Earth (2006)

Photo of Earth to Echo courtesy of Golden Village Pictures; Fire & Rescue courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Singapore.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on September 10, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

(Relaxnews) - Behind the scenes at the recent Versus Versace show, Topshop takes some of its fall looks outside, and McQ goes manga-style: here's our selection of the week's hottest fashion films.

Anthony Vaccarello x Versus

This black and white 'Making Of' film from Versus Versace shows Donatella Versace and young Belgian designer Anthony Vaccarello discussing their collaboration on the capsule collection that got its unveiling in New York City this weekend.

Topshop

Soundtracked by Tom Nelson and Marcus Ward, "Out of the Shadows," part of the fashion story by Alice Goddard and Theo Sion in the latest Topshop Magazine, shows off some select looks from the new fall collection. We love its colorful yet autumnal feel.

Alexander McQueen

This short, sweet manga treat from the McQ label is the work of Japanese artist Yoshiyasu Tamura. The flipbook-style animation shows the brand's McQBunny as a samurai, battling on the streets of Tokyo. We want more where that came from!

- AFP RELAXNEWS

EGGS
These are excellent sources of choline, a compound that helps the brain build neurotransmitters, says Susie Rucker, nutritional therapist from Body With Soul. The best part is that eggs are versatile and can be eaten any time of the day. Serve them chopped in a salad, poached, scrambled or boiled, as a hearty omelette, or added to rice and noodle dishes.

DARK-GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES
Vegetables like spinach, bak choy, kale, kai lan, chye sim and kang kong are full of the vitamins and minerals that aid the various biochemical processes going on in the body, says Adam Friedman, naturopathic physician from the Integrated Medicine Institute in Hong Kong. Without these important processes, none of the necessary steps for memory production can occur. Serve these veggies lightly steamed or stir-fried. They should be prepared as simply as possible to preserve their nutritional profile. You can make them more palatable by topping them with fried garlic and shallots, and drizzled with a bit of chilli oil. They also give stir-fried rice and noodle dishes a nutritional boost.

CACAO
Susie recommends substituting store-bought chocolate milk drinks with nut milk to which cacao powder has been added. And instead of regular milk-based chocolate bars, most of which contain too much refined sugar, let your kids snack on organic cacao products that have been naturally sweetened. Cacao is rich in antioxidant compounds called flavonols, which are believed to boost cognition and increase brain flow to the brain.

HEALTHY FATS
The brain is largely made of fatty tissue, and thus requires fats to function properly, says Adam. The best and healthiest sources are wild salmon, sardines, mackerel, coconut oil, olive oil, meat, nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds, bone broths, and fatty fruits like avocados and olives. Some easy ways to enjoy these foods: breakfast smoothies made from almond milk, nuts and fresh fruit; soups made from bone broth and bulked up with vegetables and wholemeal noodles; grilled salmon drizzled with cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil or olive oil; and avocados mashed with lemon juice as a dip for crackers or vegetables.

WHOLE GRAINS
Foods like oats, barley, quinoa, brown rice, bran and spelt pasta are packed with B vitamins that help the body produce and release energy, says Susie. They're also rich in magnesium, which helps kids sleep soundly. Substitute refined white bread, cereals and pasta with these whole grain alternatives. Bonus: Your kids will be getting extra fibre with these foods.

BERRIES
Berries, especially blueberries, are loaded with antioxidants that can help protect the brain from oxidative stress, thereby maintaining its health and function, says Adam. Your kids can enjoy berries alone as a snack or dessert, as a cereal or yogurt topping, or baked into muffins.

This article was originally published in Simply Her September 2014.

SPLURGE

DERMA-RX BIO-CELLULOSE FACIAL MASK
$20 each, from the DRx Clinic, 16-01 Tong Building

Made with a pulpy and highly absorbent material, this bio-cellulose mask is soaked with neuropeptides to reduce the apperance of expression lines, cerasomes complex to carry oxygen deeper into the skin, sodium hyaluronate to moisturise, vitamin C to brighten and firm, as well as other soothing ingredients.

It is also gentle enough for those who have just undergone aesthetic procedures.

REVIEW: I love masks which are made with quality bio-cellulose as they are elastic and I can mould them to the shape of my face.

This mask did not dry up easily. I left it on my skin for about an hour and it remained moist throughout. There was also enough extra serum in the pack for me to slather on my neck, decolletage, arms and legs. The next morning, my face was especially radiant and supple.

SAVE

BEAUTE FOREST HYALURONIC ACID & NATTO MOISTURIZING MASK
$10.90 for a box of six, from selected Watsons stores

This brand of sheet mask was recommended on the Taiwanese lifestyle and beauty show Lady First.

It is made with an absorbent pulpy paper material, and is saturated with a watery serum that contains hyaluronic acid, natto gum and job's tears seed extract.

REVIEW: The paper mask did not tear easily. It was also thin enough to wrap around the contours of my face. It stayed moist for about half an hour. The next morning, my skin felt bouncier.

DOUBLE INTENSIVE HYDRATING MASK BY GUARDIAN
$2.70 each, from selected Guardian stores

This two-step mask comes with an attached sachet of Enriched Ampoule to be used before the mask, which promises to protect, balance and refine pores as well as moisturise, soothe and soften skin.

The mask is soaked with an essence that contains hyaluronic acid and chia seed extract.

REVIEW: The amount of ampoule serum in the sachet is generous. There was enough of it for me to spread all over my face, decolletage and arms. I also liked the watery gel texture of the serum, as it helped to prepare my skin for the mask and gave it an extra shot of moisture.

The pulpy fabric mask was still damp after about half an hour. The next morning, my skin remained moisturised.

One gripe though: the mask stuck out at certain angles, such as around my nose, and I had to keep pressing it down.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on September 12, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

As New York Fashion Week draws to a close, the fashion focus shifts to London. Iconic British label Burberry Prorsum will be doing a live stream of its show at London Fashion Week on September 14, 2014, starting at 8pm (Singapore time).

SEE THE SPRING SUMMER 2015 BURBERRY PRORSUM WOMENSWEAR LIVE STREAM BELOW FROM 8PM (SINGAPORE TIME) ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15:

1. ESTEE LAUDER MODERN MUSE EDP
from $88 for 30ml, from Estee Lauder counters

This scent is the brand's biggest perfume launch since Beyond Paradise in 2003. Fronted by American model Arizona Muse, the juice is signature Estee Lauder - clean and floral - but with an added hint of sexy.

Mandarin, honeysuckle nectar, jasmine sambac absolute, tuberose and lily accords are blended with Madagascar vanilla, amber wood and musk.

2. GIORGIO ARMANI PRIVE OMBRE & LUMIERE EDP
$950 for 100ml, from Armani/Prive at Tangs Beauty

Made to complement the Italian designer's spring/summer 2014 collection, there are only 1,000 bottles of this scent available worldwide.

Inspired by the ethereal and billowing fabrics from that collection, the juice is a blend of jasmine sambac absolute, iris and violet accords.

3. AESOP MARRAKECH INTENSE EDT
$105 for 50ml; parfum $127 for 10ml, from Aesop stores

A unisex scent based on the bustling markets of Marrakech in Morocco, this is a warm woody-floral (neroli, jasmine and bergamot) perfume with a hint of the animalic. 

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on September 12, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

From a print that showed up in various forms across several shows to the urban vibe and retro inspirations that informed the collections, here's our pick of the top trends from the Spring Summer fashion shows in New York City.

Trouser trellis at 3.1 Phillip Lim ©3.1 Phillip Lim

Trellis print
Following on from the recent Autumn Winter 2014 trend for checks, the trellis pattern appeared on the runway this season as a bolder update. At 3.1 Phillip Lim, the designer took his cue from the quilting on mattresses, working the trellis check throughout his collection. Elizabeth & James also employed the effect in the brand's city-meets-surf pieces, most notably on their stunning semi-sheer shirts. Meanwhile at Proenza Schouler, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez opened with a thick trellis reworking of the classic plaid shirt, and then used the pattern in perforated leather pieces.

Pared-back urban classics at Rag & Bone ©Rag & Bone

Urban minimalism
For another season the New York shows were mostly dominated by a sporty, pared-back take on urban clothing. Rag & Bone were key proponents, sending out slick and minimalist versions of summer coats, trenches and utility jackets. Victoria Beckham worked a similar vibe, but broke up her clothes' clean lines with some brighter (but still restrained) prints and color. Tim Coppens was one of a series of designers (including Hood By Air who added a punkier element) who worked with New York City's streetwear heritage.

Retro romance at Anna Sui ©AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD

1960s retro
Every season there are always a couple of designers who delve back into the past for their major inspiration, and this one was no different. Anna Sui, Tory Burch and Jeremy Scott all looked at the 1960s and 70s but in very different ways! As usual Scott went maximalist with his use of slogans and vibrant prints, riffing on a cartoonish version of California hippie culture. Sui's look at the psychedelic rock god's of that era was more refined and dreamy. Tory Burch went retro with a mix of her usual preppy pep, and a folky twist on the last century through the lens of artist Françoise Gilot. - AFP RELAXNEWS

British beauty brand Neal's Yard Remedies is the latest organic brand to enter the Singapore market.

But unlike many brands that claim to be organic without credentials to back it up, the 33-year-old brand is completely upfront about the contents of its formulas.

Printed clearly on each of its jars and boxes is a logo of the Soil Association, as well as the exact percentage of organic ingredients used in each formula.

The Soil Association is a United Kingdom-based non-profit organisation which designed one of the world's first organic certification systems, and certifies businesses that meet its organic standards. Neal's Yard Remedies was the first health and beauty company to be certified by the association in 1991.

Ms Fran Johnson, the brand's formulation manager, says: "On our packaging, we are transparent with the ingredients used.

"To ensure that our products are made ethically and are friendly to the environment, we also design, manufacture and pack all our own products, so we have full control of them, from conception to the shelves."

The company's products are made in its eco-friendly headquarters in Gillingham, Dorset.

Ms Johnson was in town last month for the launch of the brand's first store here at Millenia Walk.

Currently, Neal's Yard Remedies is available in 23 markets, including Japan (where there are 30 stores), Qatar and Greece.

The franchise here is owned by Ms Janice Chew, a 36-year-old entrepreneur.

The 511 sq ft store stocks at least 80 per cent of the entire range of products available in the UK, including essential oils, skincare, bodycare, a mother and baby line, candles, tea and herbs. Prices start from $14 for a lip balm to $148 for a 2.5ml bottle of Rose Otto Essential Oil.

The store also houses a treatment room for facials (from $78 for a 45-minute session).

There is an in-store service where you can buy treatment oils and bath gels to blend yourself at home. There are 50 different types of essential oils and prices start from $18 for a 10ml bottle of Eucalyptus Organic Essential Oil.

Started in 1981 by Ms Romy Fraser, a teacher and pioneer of organic skincare who used to live in a commune in the 70s, the brand got its name from the location of its first stall in Neal's Yard, Covent Garden in London.

Ms Fraser, who also practised homeopathy, started out selling essential oils and herbs, as well as traditional remedies in Neal's Yard. Two years later, she started to blend her own formulas, including the Frankincense & Myrrh Skin Cream (now called Frankincense Nourishing Cream, $64), which remains a bestseller.

Over the years, the brand has gained celebrity fans such as Thandie Newton (who calls the Wild Rose Beauty Balm her "secret weapon"); Jennifer Aniston (who uses the Almond Oil on her skin and nails); Jade Jagger (who stocks up on the Frankincense skincare collection); and Kate Moss (she uses the Eucalyptus Organic Essential Oil in her steam room).

In 2005, Ms Fraser decided to return to teaching and sold her business to organic farmer and former publisher, Mr Peter Kindersley.

The brand's annual revenue in 2012 and last year grew around 20 per cent year-on-year.

And while Neal's Yard Remedies is still big on organic ingredients and traditional formulas, it has been taking strides towards hi-tech concoctions.

One example would be the Frankincense Intense Cream ($138) that was launched last year. Made with organic frankincense sourced from northern Kenya, gardenia plant stem cells and peptides, the brand says it has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, while firming and boosting skin suppleness. It took Ms Johnson and her team three years to produce it.

"We made the product to show that organic products can be proven to be effective and perform as well or even better than non-organic formulas.

"So with certain products, we're going in the direction of Frankincense Intense, while sticking to traditional waxes and oils for others. We want to combine ancient wisdom and technology," she says.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on September 12, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

IMAGE: Lane Oatey/Blue Jean Images/Corbis

The Asian phenomenon of BB creams is starting to win the world over. But although BB creams are great in almost every way, they are a hassle to re-apply. So I leapt with joy when the makeup gods invented BB cushions – a sponge-like applicator saturated with a BB cream.

The relatively new invention has been winning fans in Singapore, but in true Singapore style many people still have issues with it.

Due to its fine liquid texture, BB cushions generally don’t give you much coverage. The dewy finish also means it makes it difficult to wear if you have oily skin. I refused to believe that some of these reasons are valid, so Fashion Writer Tianyun and I put the products to the test.

PS. Tian has dry skin, while I have combination dry skin (that gets really oily in the afternoon).

Sulwhasoo Evenfair Perfecting Cushion

A luxury brand owned by AmorePacific, Sulwhasoo prides itself on using traditional Korean medicine in all its products. The brand primarily targets mature skin, so even its BB cushion is infused with a plethora of anti-ageing ingredients such as white lily and apricot kernel oil. From whitening to anti-wrinkle benefits, Sulwhasoo’s Evenfair Perfecting Cushion seems like the anti-ageing BB cushion to beat.

Tian: This is the first BB cushion that I tried and boy was I pleasantly surprised. The sponge was really fluffy soft on my skin and the redness around my nose disappeared under a thin layer. Although I didn’t notice it myself, my friends commented that my complexion appeared more radiant.

Phoenix: The cream is easily picked up by the sponge, which was great for days when I’m in a rush. On the flip side, it took a few layers before the BB cream covered my mega zit. True to its promise, my makeup did last the entire day ‒ but my T-zone looked like a mini oil spill by the end of the day.

Dr Jart+ BB Bounce

The only BB cushion with a unique “bouncy” texture, Dr Jart’s BB Bounce is so dense, you can literally feel and see the cream move about. Housed in a wire-mesh applicator, the BB contains Marine Collagen and Pomegranate extract: Promising to give you firm and radiant skin in one bouncy step.

Tian: The 30 SPF sun protection pales in comparison with the rest we tried that are mainly 50 SPF. I’m not used to such a sticky and thick texture ‒ it felt uncomfortable on my skin. But I would use it for a special occasion if I know I need good coverage.

Phoenix: The creamy texture gives me very decent coverage with just one swipe. The sticky texture may need some getting used to, but once you get over it, it works great. My makeup stayed intact most of the day, no major touch ups required!

Pure Heals Propolis 27 Cover Cushion

A derivative collected by bees, Propolis has been proven to heal the skin and provide anti-bacterial properties. This might be why Pure Heals decided to create the Propolis 27 Cover Cushion. Filled with 27 percent propolis, the brand says that its cushion can soothe sensitive skin while giving it the coverage it needs.

Tian: For some reason, there’s a slight fishy smell when I unwrapped the compact from its silver foil. I had to be careful when dabbing the sponge onto the cushion because a slight touch would pick up a substantial amount. But the tiny dab I used gave me an even skin tone and felt weightless on my skin.

Phoenix: The first thing I noticed was that the cushion was smaller-than-average, so it was great that the sponge picked up a substantial amount of BB with each dab. Apart from that, the BB didn’t adhere to my skin as much as I hoped it would, with regular touch-ups necessary throughout the day.

Laneige BB Cushion

Probably the most publicised BB cushion on the market, Laneige’s BB Cushion touts six benefits in one chic compact. Available in two options: Original and Pore Control, Laneige’s BB Cushion uses Green Tea and Vitamin B extracts to give your skin a radiant even finish.

Tian: I’m partial to the aroma of green tea so the hint of green tea won me over. The cream had a cooling sensation on my skin although I wasn’t sure whether I was a fan of the dewy look. A friend actually asked me whether I put on makeup (I usually don’t) when she saw me later in the day. She said my skin looked flawless.

Phoenix: The BB gave me a dewy look instantly, which became oiler as the hours went by. It also took a bit of pressing before I could get a visible pool of BB onto the sponge. If you have oily-prone skin, I would suggest dusting a generous layer of loose powder over.

The Face Shop Screen Cell Cushion

Branded as a makeup tool with skincare benefits, The Face Shop’s Screen Cell Cushion is a BB cushion that is covered with a patented screen. The micro screen cell acts as a very fine filter, which I suppose refines the texture of the BB cream before it adheres to the sponge. The brand says that this cushion is filled with ingredients to brighten your skin, while reducing the appearance of wrinkles at the same time.

Tian: The filter impressed me although I was confused to whether the filter was to block out impurities from the cushion or to prevent the sponge from picking up other stuff than BB cream. Maybe it was psychological but it felt more hygienic. Apart from the filter, I achieved an even skin tone and the light coverage was good enough for me.

Phoenix: At first I thought the filter was just another marketing gimmick, but it really did make a difference to the makeup. This BB was comparably smoother and finer than most, making it a breeze to apply. I had this on for a date night out, and I noticed that it didn’t smudge or leave my T-zone an oily mess.

We’ve certainly found our favorite BB cushions, and we hope you have too.
 

Dr Jart+ BB Bounce, $47, is available at selected Guardian and Sa Sa stores. For more information, visit and follow the brand on Facebook.

Laneige BB Cushion, $59, is available at all Laneige stores and counters. For more information, visit www.laneige.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

Pure Heals Propolis 27 Cover Cushion, $43, is available at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.pureheals.com and follow the brand on Facebook.

Sulwhasoo Evenfair Perfecting Cushion, $74, is available at Sulwhasoo counters. For more information, visit www.sulwhasoo.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

The Face Shop Cushion Screen Cell, $49.90, is available at The Face Shop stores. For more information, visit www.thefaceshop.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.