Variety is the spice of life - and that's also true when it comes to your circle of friends. While some support and encourage you, others will push you and some will offer you constructive criticism.

Friends can be divided into three very general groups according to Mind Body Green: elevators, stabilisers and analysers. Of course some pals will straddle two or even all three groups and it's important not to generalise or oversimplify your relationships. Instead, use this assessment to get a deeper understanding of individuals you spend time with.

Elevators

These are the friends that encourage you to pursue your dreams and are always excited about seeing you achieve. They're the kind of people who will gear you up before a big interview or give you that final push to reach for a promotion.

If you're about to take a big step, surround yourself with more of them. They'll get the best out of you and see your potential, even when you might not be able to.

However, be warned. Those who consistently put you down and suggest you're not good enough are not elevators. In fact, they're not even real friends. Anyone chipping away at your self-esteem should be cut out.

Stabilisers

These are the friends who love you exactly as you are. They are probably people who've known you for a long time. They are accepting of your quirks, your moods and the things others might perceive as negative. The great thing is that you can really be yourself around a stabiliser. You won't feel judged and will be encouraged to be comfortable in your own skin.

Be careful you don't get too comfortable or complacent though. Stabilisers don't actively hold you back, but they also don't push you. So if you're keen to make changes in your life, consider spending a little less time surrounded by these kinds of people.

Analysers

These aren't exactly your cheerleaders, but they do mean well. Analysers will be honest enough to point out flaws in a grand plan you've dreamed up and may highlight things you hadn't taken into consideration.

Just make sure to take some things they say with a pinch of salt. Their advice comes from a good place, but analysers tend to get caught in a negative funk and may not see alternatives to a problem. Don't confuse their opinions with your own, either. If you truly believe in something, always go for it.

© Cover Media

There is no escaping the influence that technology has played in our lives. Being able to edit and even spellcheck your work on the computer is living proof that we’ve come a long way.

Instead of having to deal with Einstein hair, now you can choose to use a hair straightener in the comfort of your own home. And straighteners are even smart enough to adjust its temperatures on its own so your hair wouldn’t burn.

In this article, I round up the latest beauty gadgets that have made our beauty routines a breeze.

NUFACE TRINITY

Known as the “stay at home” facelift, Nuface’s Trinity device is an FDA approved contraption that is said to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as firm and tone the skin. The mini heads on the product delivers micro-currents to your face, which the brand says stimulates muscles to tighten and collagen to grow.

I had the chance to interview Rachel Vicknair from NuFace, and she said the device works as it “retrains the muscles and cells to stimulate collagen growth that happened in your early twenties, making collagen production more efficient.” And unlike most at-home devices that have to be used repeatedly for results, the brand says you can see results instantaneously.

Which is pretty true. When using the machine for the first time, I felt my muscles tighten, and I could also see that my cheeks were visibly lifted (although this only lasted for a few hours). Over the next few days, I realised is that the initial “tightness” that I experienced wore off, and the “lift” became more pronounced. Rachel Vicknair said that this is exactly what the device is supposed to do, condition your muscles so it produces collagen and firms the skin over time.

BRAUN SATIN-HAIR 7 SENSOCARE STYLER

Dubbed as an intelligent styler, Braun’s latest nifty device is a hair straightener that adjusts its temperature to suit your hair. Using in-built sensors, Braun says that this product uses an “automatic heat adaptation technology” to change the heat of the styler when it moves from the root to the tip of your hair. Active ions are also continuously delivered while you style your hair, working like a hair conditioner to restore lost moisture. If that isn’t smart, I don’t know what is.

FOREO LUNA

Cleansing devices have started to take the beauty industry by storm. But instead of the regular “brush” we’re used to seeing on the market, Luna by Foreo is a new cleansing device that uses a silicone facial brush.

The device head features nodes of different sizes that gently pulsate to clean your face, so instead of a bristle that rotates on the surface of the skin, Luna’s silicone nodules “vibrates” the dirt out of your pores. Available in different silicone heads for different skin types, the brand even claims that its T-Sonic technology gives your skin a deep and gentle clean, while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
 

Braun Satin-Hair 7 Sensocare Styler, $160, is available at major electrical chain stores, departmental stores, selected hypermarkets and independent electrical stores. For more information, visit www.braun.com and follow the brand on Facebook.

Foreo Luna, $299, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.foreo.com and follow the brand on Facebook.

NuFACE Trinity Kit, $536, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.mynuface.com and follow the brand on Facebook.

These days, it seems that it’s all about putting the 'ready' in ready-to-wear.

These cute quirky-polished necklaces from In Good Company are ready for pre-order once they make their debut at Digital Fashion Week. Credit: In Good Company

Singapore fashion label In Good Company (IGC) will make its Capsule 5 Accessories collection ready for pre-order immediately after its show at Digital Fashion Week on Friday, October 31, 2014. It’s a move reminiscent of Moschino and Versus Versace, when both fashion labels made pieces from their Spring Summer 2015 collections available right after their runway shows.

IGC's ready-to-order collection is available in eight styles and will be delivered a month after the order date. Each quirky-polished necklace is handmade by the team at IGC “with love” as they say, and consists of metal wire, double-faced satin ribbon, ceramic balls and customised IGC hardware.

Prices range from $129 to $189. Orders will be taken through Kapok at the National Design Centre from October 31 – November 3, 2014, and www.ingoodcompany.asia from October 31 – November 15, 2014.

Yes, you can look and feel as happy as her when running 10km. Credit: © Manzo Niikura/amanaimages/Corbis

There are some things in life that a girl just has to do. Like deciding to have salad instead of fast food for dinner; wearing killer heels that look a million bucks but kill your feet; and completing a run. You read the last one right – crossing the finish line of a run is an achievement. Think of it as a badge of honour that gives you bragging rights. Do I even have to mention the health and fitness benefits that you reap through all that training?

Even if the last time you ran more than one km was back in school, taking part in your first run is totally doable. You can start off easy with a fun run, but if you want go in for the long haul, signing up for a 10km will give you that much needed motivation for train.

The year-end mass runs are a great starting point for beginner runners, thanks to the cooler weather. You also get the license to indulge in more festive feasting. One run I will mark into my calendar is the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore happening in December. This year, 2014, is the 12th year that the event will be organised and be it the full marathon or a 10km run; it’s going to be one smooth run without any bottlenecks.

Once you have taken the plunge and registered for your first run, check out my list of five things you will need to help make training for your first run more fun and less painful!

 

Week 7 - Legs and Cardio \ #kayla_itsines x #imtitan Crab walks are deceiving, they seem easy enough but it's insanity! Legs feel completely jelly \ one workout at a time X body Kong lesdudis #bodykongordietrying #kaylaitsines #trainmeaniamlean #scms

A photo posted by Sofie C. (@so_fieeee) onAug 8, 2014 at 5:24am PDT

1. A ROCKING PLAYLIST
If running doesn’t come naturally to you, trust me that’s absolutely normal. I find that listening to my favourite tunes, especially the fast-paced ones, helps to spur me on for another 500 metres. One of the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore official #TEAMSCMS ambassadors Sofie Chandra (above) who happens to be Zouk’s Head of Business Development and PR has shared with us some of her playlist:
• “C'mon” Danny Marquez & FORMATIVE
• “Survivors” Ran-D & Digital Punk- Survivors; 
• “Rush (In Screeches We Trust Edit)” Re-volt

2. A GADGET TO TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
You are bound to get stronger through your training and even if you can feel your body becoming fitter, it’s always fun and extra motivation to be able to see how well you are doing. The Fitbit Surge may only be available in 2015 but this new tracker is poised to be a “fitness super watch”. Built-in GPS will show you a comprehensive summary of any workout you do; experienced runners will be able to up their training by focusing on their heart rate thanks to the continuous wrist-based heart rate feature; and smartwatch features like caller ID and text alerts help you stay focused when you are out on runs.

The Fitbit Surge will retail for $329 and be available in early 2015 at major electronic retailers.

3. JOIN A RUNNING CLUB
Are you the sort that experiences all sort of inertia when it comes to exercise and can’t be trusted to work out if you are alone? If your answer is yes, then you are the perfect candidate to join a running club. Running clubs are gaining in popularity in Singapore and if you ask me, there’s no better way to run than with a friend. If you are thinking, are all these people like professional athletes who run 42 km every day, don’t be intimidated. One of the clubs Ridge Runners welcomes anyone to run, jog or walk through the Southern Ridges, some members even bring their pets! You never know who might join in – a little bird told us that Taiwanese star Vanness Wu has been spotted running with the club!

The Ridge Runners meet every Sunday at 6.15am at Mount Faber Carpark D.

4. GOOD RUNNING SHOES
Duh, if you are going to run, you need good running shoes. If you prefer to go for a run at night ‒ it is much cooler – you have to get your feet into the Nightcat Powered edition of the Mobium Faas 600 V2. Besides encouraging a natural gait cycle, this special edition features 360 degrees reflectivity and a blue LED light right on the top of the tongue – the light lasts up to four hours when fully charged! You’ll be set for a safe run no better how late in the night.

The Nightcat Powered edition of the Mobium Faas 600 V2 retails for $179 at all Puma stores.

5. PILATES MOVES
Yes, your legs do most of the work but a strong core is important when you run too! Strengthening your core helps prevent leg injuries and backaches. If you practice Pilates, the breathing technique will also help you maximise your lung capacity! Here is a simple Pilates exercise you can do at home that a trainer from Pilates Fitness has showed us. You will stretch your hip flexors that are usually tight from running while preventing runner’s knees and strengthening your abs and back muscles at the same time.

Step 1: Get in a lying down position, facing up with upper body flexed off the mat. Your lumbar spine (lower back) is gently resting on the mat (imprinted position) and legs in a tabletop position. Your hands are resting against outside of knee caps, with shoulder blade stabilised. Inhale then exhale. Begin to extend one leg out to a diagonal position, moving outer hand to ankle, inner hand to knee of flexed leg.

Step 2: Inhale. Begin to switch legs and hands.

Step 3: Exhale. Fully extend other leg, changing hands to flexed leg

Step 4: Inhale to switch legs. Complete 8 to 10 repetitions.

Pilates Fitness is located at 85A, Serangoon Garden Way and 434, Telok Blangah Road.

This is the year of the kitty, Hello Kitty that is. The famous Japanese cat celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2014 and the brand has been marking this milestone with limited edition everything– makeup now included.

For November 2014, the brand has tied up with Sephora to launch a limited edition Hello Kitty makeup collection. And, I am pleased to report that the makeup does actually work as well as it looks.

Hello Kitty's 40th Anniversary Collection Nail Kawaii Set

The entire collection comes mostly in sets (one for the eyes, lips, and nails!), all individually packaged and printed with Hello Kitty all over. Despite the overwhelming Kitty decal, you will be pleased to know that the makeup is worth its higher-end price tag.

The Pop-Up Party Eyeshadow Palette, for example, features twenty shades that are extremely buttery and pigmented. Named after some of Hello Kitty’s favourite things, the shades come in a variety of glitter and matte options that are very wearable for Asian skin tones.

Similarly, An Apple A Day Lip Gloss Trio showcases lip glosses housed in irresistible apple containers. Infused with extracts of lemon, strawberry, and vanilla, the brand says each lip gloss is highly pigmented and very moisturising. What I love though, is how the apple containers also feature a mini-mirror that is perfect for touching up on the go.

I know what I’ll be spending my money on next week!
 

Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary Collection An Apple A Day Lip Gloss Trio, $31, is available from Nov 6 at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.sephora.com/hello-kitty and follow Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.

Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary Collection Nail Kawaii Set, $60, is available from Nov 6 at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.sephora.com/hello-kitty and follow Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.

Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary Collection Pop-Up Party Eyeshadow Palette, $80, is available from Nov 6 at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.sephora.com/hello-kitty and follow Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.

Yoo In-young's secret? It's a C-Word.

Ladies, meet Mr Ceramide, the cosmetics champ you probably never knew existed.

Here’s why this intriguing ingredient is the one to watch: Ceramides are said to be anti-aging, anti-acne and anti-eczema – essentially an all-in-one superhero. 

WHAT IS IT?

Interest piqued? Let’s break it down, shall we. A blanket term for a bunch of fatty acids lining the skin, ceramides are, as their “ceramic” connotations suggest, a crucial component of the skin’s scaffolding.

What this means is that ceramides are incredibly important in staving off the sags and bags of age – indeed, studies show that there’s a precipitous slump in ceramide production once you hit your 30s. The implication? Without brick-and-mortar ceramides propping up your face, the rapidly crumbling foundation betrays itself in the form of brittle skin, fine lines and such.

What else does ceramide do? Well, now that we’ve established that ceramide levels correlate with a bouncy, babyfaced mien, it turns out the soothing substance is superb for alleviating acne.  And because they do double duty as moisture magnets for the skin, ceramides have also shown promise in dealing with the dryness and itchiness associated with dermatitis and eczema.

WHERE TO FIND IT

So, where can we get our paws on the good stuff? For one, any beauty buff worth her bathing salts will know that ceramides are the centerpiece of Elizabeth Arden’s suite of beloved skincare products.

Try the new Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide range of anti-agers, which are well, powered by ceramide, plumping peptides and brightening boosters like licorice and adenosine.

On my #DieDieMustBuy list? The Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide Caplet Serum, a spectacular concoction of suspended capsules which shatter like crackly candy upon contact with your skin. One of the coolest cosmetic creations around, and so much fun to use!

If you’re a long-suffering eczema survivor like me, you’ll be pleased as punch to know that ceramide’s also found in sensitive skin-specific products such as Cellnique’s deeply quenching Barrier Rescue Essence, a multi-purpose serum which I’ve found to be a bona fide skin saviour whenever I’m battling a bad bout of rashes. (Aside: It bears repeating that eczema cannot be passed on by rubbing up against a sufferer. Hugs for yours truly, anyone?)

Ceramides are also the secret new weapon for zapping zits and squelching shine. Case in point? Curel’s Sebum Care Moisture Gel, which I massage into my mien in lieu of my regular moisturiser on days when my face feels like a sebum-glazed donut.

So yes, to recap. Ceramides are perfect for negotiating that no woman's land between battling post-pubertal blemishes and warding off post-menopausal wrinkles. Keep an eye out for the ingredient the next time you’re browsing the beauty aisles – and do me a favour by bookmarking this page for easy reference. Sending you good skin vibes!

Cellnique Barrier Rescue Essence, $99, is available at all Cellnique counters. For more information, visit www.cellnique.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

Curél Sebum Care Moisture Gel, $34.90 for 120ml, is available at selected Guardian and Watson’s stores. For more information, visit web.kao.com/sg/curel and follow Curél Singapore on Facebook.

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide Caplet Serum, $99.00 for 30ml, is available at all Elizabeth Arden counters.  For more information, visit www.elizabetharden.com.sg and follow Elizabeth Arden Singapore on Facebook.

Serves 4       
INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp cooking oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
100g ginger, thinly sliced
300g minced pork
White pepper, to taste
2 tsp light soya sauce
1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed 
3 cups water

For the stock:
450g pork bones
2 litres water
50g coriander roots 
A pinch of salt
A dash of white pepper

3 ½ tsp Thai fish sauce
Light soya sauce, to taste
Coriander leaves, to garnish

DIRECTIONS
1 Heat the cooking oil. Fry one-fifth of both the garlic and ginger over medium heat until brown and crisp. Remove the garlic, ginger and oil from the heat and set aside. 

2 Season the pork with the pepper, soya sauce and the remaining garlic. Set aside.

3 Bring the rice and water to the boil in a pot. Cover the pot partially and simmer over low heat for 15min, stirring occasionally. 

4 In a separate pot, bring the stock ingredients to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 40min, skimming the surface regularly to remove the scum.

5 To make the pork balls, scoop teaspoonfuls of the pork mixture into the stock. Bring it to the boil before lowering the heat and simmering for 10min. Season with the fish sauce and a dash of light soya sauce. 

6 Add the pork balls and the stock to the porridge, then stir in the remaining ginger. 

7 Top with the fried garlic-ginger oil and coriander leaves. Add pepper to taste.

Ron Poh is the owner of Spicy Thai-Thai Cafe at #01-35, 115 Aljunied Avenue 2, tel: 6747-8558.

This article was originally published in Simply Her October 2014.

Zalora goes offline! Credit: Zalora

What’s your pet peeve about shopping online? Do you get annoyed when your online buy arrives and the size is completely off or it looks nothing like it did on the website? Well, online store Zalora hopes to put an end to inaccurate sizing and representation with its “click-and-mortar” store.

So how different is The Zalora Shop @ Ion from other online stores that venture offline? Plenty! The store functions more like a showroom than a retail store. A curated selection of exclusive brands sold on the Zalora website like River Island and Material Girl are displayed by theme – think party, summer, and more.

A new different check out experience! Credit: Zalora

Pick and try on the pieces you like. If you decide that you want to buy, head over to the self-serve express checkout counters to scan the barcode and make your purchase online. Now here’s the difference – instead of carting your new buys around town, your Zalora purchase will be delivered to your mailing address. This hands-free shopping is ideal when you are meeting your honey for a romantic dinner or heading off for a night of fun with your pals after shopping.

This digital interactive shopping experience allows you to touch, feel and try the pieces you might be hesitant to buy online. Plus, if you do want to exchange any of the pieces bought on the Zalora website, just drop it off at the store for a hassle-free exchange or refund!

The Zalora Shop @ ION is located at #B2-04/05 ION Orchard until end January 2015. For more information, go to www.zalora.sg/.

BEST FOR A PERSONAL RETREAT
The busy 37-year-old splashed out on a solo retreat – her first – in September last year, at luxury health spa Como Shambhala Estate, in Bali.

She says there’s nothing like finding solitude and looking after your well-being on a personal retreat – she’d recommend the experience to anyone.

“I took guided morning walks, swam, did aqua therapy and yoga, and saw a nutritionist to learn how to eat better. At mealtimes, I enjoyed my own company, but a couple invited me to dinner one night – they must have felt sorry for me!” laughs Belinda.

“One of the biggest draws at Como Shambhala is the food – all meals are provided, and the resort has a comprehensive menu serving healthy, delicious Western, Balinese and even raw food. I felt so pampered during my three days there,” she adds.

BEST FOR SCENIC ESCAPES
Relatively untouched by technology (the nation only lifted its ban on television in 1999), Bhutan is “beautiful in a mysterious way”, says Belinda.

“It has a very pure and serene quality. One of the most picturesque spots is the Tiger’s Nest, a Himalayan Buddhist monastery that you can reach only after a four-hour hike up the mountains. After the hike, we had a picnic on one of the surrounding hills to celebrate the birthday of the Singaporean I was visiting there. The view is absolutely stunning; even the Bhutanese love going there on dates!” Belinda shares.

BEST DO-NOTHING DESTINATION
Boracay, the famed island paradise in the Philippines, was where Belinda spent one of her most relaxing trips. “Beach vacations are good for much-needed rest and relaxation – you can read by the beach or people-watch, and work on your tan while sipping a cold drink. While you’re there, make sure you stop by Real Coffee – a cafe that serves the most delicious and fragrant calamansi muffins.”

BEST CITIES TO EXPLORE ON FOOT
“These would be the small towns of Dordrecht and Leiden, on the outskirts of Amsterdam,” says Belinda. “Whenever I visit, I feel like I’ve stepped into a childhood fairy tale – there is so much vintage charm and beauty in the old cottages and gardens. Even the roads are lined with pretty wildflowers.”

This article was originally published in Simply Her October 2014.

IMAGE: STRAITS TIMES

Professor Jean Krutmann helms the dermatology and environmental medicine department and is director of the Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine at the Heinrich Heine University in Dusseldorf, Germany. He was recently in town to attend the International Pigment Cell Conference at Shangri-La Hotel.

He has worked on skincare products with La Roche-Posay and SkinCeuticals and gives us the low-down on antioxidants.

In times of environmental stress - infrared radiation, cigarette smoke, pollution, sun damage and heat - the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body can rise dramatically and cause cellular deterioration. ROS is a category of damaging oxygen molecules, including free radicals.
An antioxidant is a molecule which neutralises ROS and halts cell damage.

Topical vitamins C and E have been proven to enter the skin and provide protection against cellular damage.

However, for topical application to be effective, certain conditions must be met.

Vitamin C must be in its pure form - L-Ascorbic acid. Vitamin C derivatives, such as ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, are not absorbed by the skin or converted to vitamin C in significant concentrations.

Other factors, such as its stability, concentration (the maximum concentration which can be absorbed by the skin is 20 per cent) and a low PH level (3.5 and below), are also crucial.

Vitamin C also protects the skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays, is anti-inflammatory and boosts collagen production for firmer skin.

Vitamin E is the body's most important fat-soluble antioxidant, with significant functions in the lipid-structure of the skin. Pure vitamin E is most potent in its biologically active form - alpha-tocopherol. This can be found in natural oils, such as sunflower oil and wheatgerm oil.

To apply, spread antioxidants across the face (avoiding the eye area), neck and chest. There is no need to massage the product in, just lightly tap it into the skin. During the day, follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on October 24, 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.

(Left) Urbanears x Marc by Marc Jacobs - Humlan in 'Berries' (Right) Urbanears x Marc by Marc Jacobs - Kransen in 'Ocean'. Image: ©Urbanears

The hip Swedish headphone maker has worked with Marc by Marc Jacobs on a new collection of in-ear and over-ear headphones.  

The Marc Jacobs second line, Marc by Marc Jacobs is currently being led by the British double act, Katie Hillier and Luella Bartley, who were respectively named Creative Director and Womenswear Design Director last summer. Now two seasons in, the designers have updated the collection to critical acclaim, and their latest project, a headphones collaboration with Stockholm-based brand Urbanears, looks equally fun.

Urbanears x Marc by Marc Jacobs - Humlan in 'Oil'. Image: ©Urbanears

The two headphone styles, the Humlan overear cans and the earbud Kransen models, come in a choice of three colourways: oil (in white and black), berries (in shades of red), and ocean (blue).

Available online now, the Humlan headphones are priced at €60 (S$97), with the in-ear Kransen models selling for €45 (S$73). Previous Urbanears collaborations include special edition headphones made with Pendleton and Harris Tweed fabrics. 

The headphones are sold at Urbanears.com which ships to Singapore. 

This is probably one of the fastest ready-to-wear collections made available to shoppers worldwide.

Shop these investment-worthy pieces on Net-A-Porter.com. Image: Loewe @ NET-A-PORTER

 Net-A-Porter.com has launched Loewe's Spring Summer 2015 collection straight from the runway – a five-piece capsule featuring a blouse, a tunic, a maxi dress and two skirts.

It is also the the debut collection for British designer J.W. Anderson, the young and newly-minted creative director at the 160-year-old Spanish luxury leather house, so these pieces are basically “iconic” already and well worth the investment.

“We’re so excited to be stocking Jonathan Anderson’s first collection for Loewe, just one month after the show,” said Sasha Sarokin, Net-A-Porter.com's buying manager. “Our customers love the feminine and fluid shapes – Jonathan has truly captured the spirit of the house in a fresh and exciting way.”

See the capsule collection below!

To shop the Loewe SS15 capsule collection on Net-A-Porter, go to www.net-a-porter.com/Shop/Designers/Loewe. For more information about Loewe, go to www.loewe.com. You can follow the brand on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Loewe, on Twitter at @LoeweOfficial and on Instagram at @loewe.

On the heels of comparable guidelines for men, part two of the first-ever study documenting how the spine moves during sex has released recommendations for women on how to put the pleasure back in lovemaking.

The team that hails from Waterloo University says it depends on the kind of back pain afflicting the patient.

Women who experience pain upon stretching to touch their toes or after extended periods of sitting are considered flexion-intolerant, and the researchers recommend they try spooning or doggy-style sex in which the woman supports herself with her hands rather than elbows.

On the contrary, women who are extension-intolerant, meaning that they experience pain upon arching their backs or lying on their stomachs, should stick to the missionary position and place a pillow under their spine for support.  

Spooning was once recommended for the extension-intolerant, but the Waterloo study has disproved this since the first wave of its findings was revealed, recommending doggy-style sex for men looking to avoid back pain.

"Traditionally, spooning was recommended by physicians to all individuals with back pain because it was thought to reduce nerve tension and load on the tissues," says Natalie Sidorkewicz, a PhD candidate at Waterloo who led the study. "But when we examined spine motion and muscle activity, we found that spooning can actually be one of the worst positions for certain types of back pain."

Ten healthy males and females performed coitus in five pre-established positions, including doggy-style while supporting the body with the elbows and again supporting the body with the hands.

They also performed two variations of the missionary position, one of which required increased flexion at the hips and knees. The final position observed was spooning, deemed "sidelying" by the researchers.

Both infrared and electromagnetic motion capture systems were used to assess how subjects moved their spines during intercourse.

They did not take note of factors such as condom use or hormone-based birth control that could have affected genital sensitivity and therefore movement during lovemaking.

The study was published in the European Spine Journal.  -- AFP RELAXNEWS

Beware, manly man in the house. Enter at your own risk!

There’s a frisson of giddy glee coursing through the Her World office, and we have David Gandy to blame. Or, more specifically, David in his skivvies.

The “world’s only male supermodel” (his words, not ours) has gifted the world with a new line of sleepwear and other sexy bedroom-friendly bits and bobs, and we just cannot deal. 

As it stands, David’s Marks & Spencer collab is a right old doozy. I mean, just look at these distractingly appetising ad visuals!

Girls, if you like your beefcake, then you’ll lap up the testosterone-laden tenderloin on ample display like so many cats on catnip.

We’ve clocked in more office hours gawking at the David Gandy for Autograph collection than we'd care to admit to HR, but we’re happy to report that the 34-year-old gent is ripening nicely like the rarest whisky.

That taut torso is tauter than ever, if that’s even possible; indeed, David’s bod more than matches Michelangelo's statue, pec for pec. 

Some of our favourite shots: David practically oozing pheromones through our smartphone screen, lounging languidly against a hardwood wall; David reclining in bed, his bedroom eyes burning holes into our soul; David being David … and we haven’t even talked about the tightie whities!  

For the undies proper, expect nifty details like a subtle houndstooth embossed on the seams (the press notes explain that this is a nod to David’s love for posh British menswear) and silhouettes “traditionally found in men’s tailoring”. 

Burning question: Does all the design emphasis on men’s outerwear mean it’s now carte blanche for guys to traipse around town in (just) their tailored underwear? 

Oh, just in case you think all of this is much too much, we’re betting your man will be comfortable flashing these in the gym’s changing room; the sombre black-white-grey colourway is perfectly respectable and redolent with manly manliness.

For what it’s worth, though, more than one female friend have remarked on the canny marketing strategy of appealing to both wearer and beholder. David himself says he’s given much thought to ensuring “great comfort and fit”, while the slim fit boxers come with “a lower rise and shorter short” that’s clearly meant to be aesthetically, if not physically, stimulating ...

In other words, this collection has been created with women in mind, which is quite frankly gratifying to know!

The David Gandy for Autograph collection, from $49.90 for a cotton vest to $89.90 for pyjama bottoms, is available at Marks & Spencer Wheelock Place  For more information, visit global.marksandspencer.com/sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

Growing up, I was always told that I look tired (even when I’ve had plenty of rest). I soon figured that my makeup and skincare was what made me look like a perpetual insomniac. When that happened, I always doubled up on my foundation and concealer - hoping that my fine lines and dark circles will be well tucked away. Ironically, that made it worse.

The trick to looking like you’ve slept like a baby is actually a lot simpler than you think. Follow this guide to learn on how you can fake a good night’s rest.

TIP ONE: COLD SHOWER
There is nothing that will wake you up as instantly as an ice-cold shower. If your face is flushed or puffy in the morning, opting for a cold bath will help. Chilling temperatures contract your blood vessels, resulting in less blood in your capillaries: so your face doesn’t appear hung over and red like a baboon’s butt.

TIP TWO: MOISTURISE MORE

Fresh Rose Hydrating Gel Cream is a moisturiser that works to give your skin 24 hours worth of hydration

Dry skin ages you and makes you look tired. When your skin is dry, fine lines and wrinkles become terribly obvious. Which is why moisturising becomes a crucial factor in faking a good night’s rest. Layer on an extra layer of cream or lotion to plump up your skin and hide imperfections.

TIP THREE: DAB AND BUFF
I was recently experimenting with a new foundation, and although I loved it to bits - the only comments I got was that it made me look tired. I then realised the culprit: foundation was caking on my face.

Clio’s Kill Cover Highest Wear Pact is an ultra-fine compact that gives you superb coverage while masking the appearance of fine lines

Tired faces are often the result of flaws becoming obvious. In my case, the foundation was emphasising fine lines and panda eyes that I was supposed to hide. So to prevent your foundation from caking up, lightly dab or buff on coverage instead of just swiping it on. This will ensure that you’re not piling on more powder than you actually need.

TIP FOUR: COLOUR
It is no secret that colour does wonders in making you look fresh and energised. Whether you prefer piling on a swipe of coral blusher or bright red lippie, colour will certainly make you look fresh and energised.

My favourite cheat is to use Fresh’s tinted lip treatments, since lip balms are a lot more forgiving compared to lipsticks in terms of application. I just swipe two layers of my favourite colour and I’ll look like I slept like a baby.
 

Clio Kill Cover Highest Wear Pact, $32.90, is available at selected Watsons stores. For more information, visit and follow the brand on Facebook.

Fresh Rose Hydrating Gel Cream, $68, is available at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.fresh.com and www.sephora-sea.com, and follow the brand on Facebook and Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.

Fresh Sugar Ruby Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15, $33, is available at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.fresh.com and www.sephora-sea.com, and follow the brand on Facebook and Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.

With a crew that hails mostly from Sardinia and the majority of the Singapore restaurant’s ingredients imported from Italy, it’s no surprise that the food is authentically Italian. Even the extensive wine list is nearly exclusively Italian, including 43 reds and whites available by the glass – cheers to that! 

The value-for-money three-course set lunch ($38) changes with the availability of seasonal produce – we spotted options like swordfish carpaccio and spaghetti with mussels. But if you’re tempted enough to order from the a la carte menu, then order these:

1. Garnished with fennel leaves, celery and olives, the sous vide tentacles in the Octopus Salad ($28) boasts a remarkably meaty bite, almost like chicken or lean pork, that we love.

2. The Grilled Sardinian Pecorino Cheese ($22) is one of the best things we’ve ever eaten, each bite of the firm, salty cheese tempered with a sweet glaze of chestnut honey and chunks of fresh, juicy figs.

3. Home Made Fresh Ravioli Agnolotti ($35). The silky pockets of pasta stuffed with burrata cheese and black truffle are tremendous on their own, but the chef kicks it up a notch with a rich, flavour-packed veal ragout sauce. Now, we’re afraid we won’t be able to settle for ravioli anywhere else.

Alba 1836 Wine Bar & Restaurant is at 28 Duxton Hill, tel: 6222-2048, www.alba1836.com. Open Mon to Fri, noon-2.30pm; Mon to Sat, 6.30-10pm.

The above specimen is a real-life, living person 

Close your eyes. Picture, if you will, the prototypical android used to engineer today’s assembly line of K-Drama starlets.

Now open your eyes. See what I mean? Lee Yeon Hee is as “contemporary Korean” as oh, I don’t know, sticky-sweet soft serve ice cream. In other words, Lee Yeon Hee is a most curious candidate to front a beauty brand as quintessentially Japanese as SK-II.

Despatched to Singapore to plug this year’s profusion of festive coffrets, the 26-year-old actress appears terribly bashful, meek even, in the face of flashing bulbs; it’s all I can do to not reach out to stroke her silky hair and tell her everything’s fine. 

One of SK-II's festive coffrets for 2014: As pretty as Yeon Hee herself!

Shyness aside, Yeon Hee has one astronomical asset – her well nigh perfect skin. I was sitting this close to her, and I’m a pretty good judge of complexion (if not character), so I can attest to her incredibly incandescent mien.

How does she do it? Apparently, all one needs to do to be a K-Beauty is to carry on being lazy. When asked for her morning regime, Yeon Hee says her only essentials are SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, sunscreen and a smidgen of BB cream, so yes, she’s one of those rare, legitimately no-makeup girls. I spy lots of glinting, green-eyed monsters – don’t be jealous!

Does she fancy any K-Beauty fads? Well, Yeon Hee hews to a surprisingly stripped down and Zen approach to beauty – which makes her appointment as an SK-II ambassador that much more believable.

Best beauty memory? The recipient of the Best New Actress at the 2008 MBC Drama Awards giggles and says it has to do with last year’s Busan Film Festival. Observation: She has visible smile lines! She isn’t an animatronic doll!

But back to her unforgettable experience. I can’t spoil everything for you, can I? You’ll have to watch our video interview for the crazy shenanigans she gets up to, plus various illuminating bits and bobs. Click “play” on the video below, and try not to get too worked up over her impossibly poreless skin.

SK-II Revival Deluxe Set, $452, consists of the Limited Edition Facial Treatment Essence (215ml), Stempower cream (80g), Stempower Eye Cream (15g) and Skin Signature 3D Redefining Mask (1 piece). For more information on the festive coffrets, visit www.sk-ii.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook and YouTube.

1 Antoinette
#B1-08/09/10C Palais Renaissance, tel: 6735-6392; #02-33/34 Mandarin Gallery, tel: 6836-9527. Both outlets open daily, 11am-10pm. 
30 Penhas Road, tel: 6293-3121. Open Mon to Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri & eve of public holidays, 11am-11pm; Sat, 10am-11pm, Sun & public holidays, 10am-10pm.

The cakes and macarons at this French-style patisserie-bistro in Singapore have always been a hit, but the new slew of savouries introduced by chef-owner Pang are set to impress. Take for example the photogenic The Grand Garden of Antoinette ($30) (photo above), a hefty-sized salad resplendent with colour, flavour and texture – asparagus, carrots, mushrooms, pickled pears, mixed greens, sunflower seeds, cherry tomatoes, lotus root chips and an impeccably roasted duck breast are tied together with a sweet-tangy caramel orange dressing, while a poached egg dribbles its glorious molten golden yolk all over.

Also delish is the French Toast with Ham & Cheese ($14), which has homemade brioche stuffed with melted gruyere and ham, then dipped in egg and fried so the surfaces are light and crisp. Served with whipped cream and maple syrup, this simple yet satisfying dish is a blissful union of sweet and salty.

Pang’s new desserts, however, remind us why he’s first and foremost a pastry chef. The Baked Alaska ($25), lit ablaze at the table, is a pretty lavender-hued blackcurrent meringue wrapped around vanilla ice cream, kirsch-macerated cherries, orange confit and almond nougatine – a real show-stopper.

2 The Disgruntled Chef
26B Dempsey Road, tel: 6476-5305. Open Tue to Thu, 12-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm; Fri & Sat, 12-2.30pm, 6-11.30pm; Sun, 12-4.30pm, 6-10.30pm.

After a one-year hiatus for a restaurant interior overhaul, chef Daniel Sia is back to wow with his European sharing plates, including Beet-Cured King Salmon ($18) in the prettiest shade of petal pink and a gorgeous Crackling Suckling Pig ($68) balanced with sauerkraut puree and pickled mustard seeds.

What we’ll really be returning for, though, is the Seared Scallop Carpaccio ($18) (above). A carpaccio usually comes with an acidic dressing, but this one has drops of salty soy brown butter sauce and just a hint of lime to pair with the sweetness of the Hokkaido scallops. The Grilled French Quail ($32) is also a must-try – it’s easy to overcook such a small bird but chef Daniel had it cooked just right. Its gamey taste is subtle, toned down by accompaniments of a poached egg, frisee, and crispy bacon chips.

If you’re visiting during the weekend, when 12 variations of tartines are available, zoom in on the Marie-Antoinette ($20), a dreamy pile of sliced almonds and almond cream on fluffy brioche, served with a scoop of the most heavenly prune and Armagnac ice cream – it tastes like rum and raisin, but better.

3 Restaurant Ember
50 Keong Saik Road, tel: 6347-1928. Open daily, 11.30am-2pm, 6.30pm-10pm.

What new head chef Sufian Bin Zain brings to the table at this 12-year-old European restaurant is a splash of Asian flavours, perfected in his stints at prestigious fine-dining establishments Iggy’s and Waku Ghin. For a taste of chef Sufian’s refined Eurasian cuisine, pop by for the very reasonably priced set lunch ($42), which offers three courses out of an appealing range of starters and mains that include scallops, Angus beef and barramundi.

Our pick for the entree is the Flan (above), a chawanmushi so smooth and fair. No matter how hard we looked, we couldn’t find a single bubble beneath its topping of shredded mud crab, seaweed and asparagus. The Duck Confit makes a failproof main with meat falling of its bone, crispy yet fatty skin, velvety mash and mushrooms in a glossy brown sauce.

Off the ala carte menu, the Pistachio dessert ($15) is most memorable with nutty, earthy textures of sponge, crumble and ice cream lifted by a frothy topping of ginger-milk foam.

The cold is not bothering many Elsa-wannabes this year. ©2013 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

It's set to be a cold, cold Halloween this year as characters from Disney's 2013 animated film "Frozen" top the chart of the most popular costumes.

According to a study by e-commerce provider SLI Systems, Internet users in the US, the UK and Australia have conducted over one million online searches this Halloween season for "Frozen"-related queen, princess and snowman characters.

It looks like we're in for a Hollywood Halloween in general, with seven out of the top 15 costume searches relating to movies.

"Frozen" is way ahead, prompting 122 percent more search activity than its closest movie costume rival, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." Other popular film costume ideas include the 'Minions' of "Despicable Me" as well as characters from "Maleficent" and "Book of Life."

The study was carried out by analysing search activity across 17 costume retailer websites based in the US, the UK and Australia from September 1 to October 26, 2014.

Here are the top 15 most-searched costume themes of 2014:

1. Frozen 
2. Zombie 
3. Ninja 
4. Pirate 
5. Clown 
6. Witch 
7. Vampire 
8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
9. Book of Life 
10. Flapper 
11. Batman 
12. Despicable Me 
13. Maleficent 
14. Monster High
15. Star Wars

The American singer is the latest popstar to take on the cosmetics company's crusade against HIV and AIDS as the spokesperson for Viva Glam. 

Twenty-one-year-old Miley Cyrus has been named as the latest face of MAC's Viva Glam line. Miley takes over duties from Barbadian singer Rihanna, who also has her own line with the cosmetics company. 

Viva Glam Miley Cyrus lipstick in Hot Pink (Amplified) is set to go on sale for US$16 (S$20), while the Lipglass in Hot Pink with Sparkling Pearl will be priced at US$15 (S$19). As usual, 100 percent of sales from the Viva Glam products will go to HIV and AIDS research. 

The two products will go on sale in North America on January 22, and will then hit international MAC locations on February 12.  

MAC founded Viva Glam in 1994 and in the following two decades the initiative has raised almost $340 million for research into the disease. Previous Viva Glam spokespersons include Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and Pamela Anderson. -- AFP RELAXNEWS