Go all creepy cute on your cuticles!

Word association: “Halloween”, go! Cotton candy clouds, pumpkin pie, American Horror Story, bloody baubles … and a ton of terrifying manis and pedis!

And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Sophisticated office ladies out there cowed by the prospect of looking clownish, don’t dismiss #HalloweenNails out of hand: With careful curation and a little elbow grease, you can allude to All Hallows’ Eve without looking harrowing yourself.

That said, the year-end spookfest is such an awesome period for polish addicts, particularly for those with time on their hands. All hands on deck? See these creepy-cool images for some instant Insta-inspiration, and have fun putting your talons to good use!

Oh, and if you’re especially excited about your new nail art, feel free to show us what you’ve got by following us on Instagram; tag photos of your “polished” work with the hashtag #HWPNails and we’ll repost the ones we like. Get on it, stat!

#1. Now this ruby-red stain is the very definition of eternal elegance ... like a vampire with blood on her hands, maybe? A really great crimson colour is the beauty equivalent of an LBD or a pair of black pumps – a foolproof fall-back for an instant pick-me-up.

Consider investing in Ruby Necklace, a standout shade from Ettusais’ excellent new plethora of hot holiday hues. Offered in a gleaming gel formula, this gorgeous gloss glides on like a dream, and will last you through Halloween’s horror night and beyond.

 

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#2. An orange-and-black combo can come off as completely contrived for Halloween, but this look nails it in my books. The devil’s in the details, so to speak: Note the slinky cat silhouette, subtle specks of gold and the tricky tendrils of the “tree”? Nicely done.

 

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#3. Shake things up a little with this venomous varnish in a slithery viper green. The stiletto nails are very Gaga: Not a bad thing at all, coming from a devoted Little Monster like myself. What really does me in is the adorable bear skeleton embellishment – beary cute indeed!

 

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#4. Nothing’s screaming Halloween in this one, but the pearlescent pigments and tiny twinkly stars are so very pretty, it’s well, scary.

 

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#5. There’s something strangely beguiling about the lava lamp-like blobs, don’t you think? The swirls sort of harken at the mask of Spiderman’s arch-nemesis Villain, too, so at least there’s a tangential relation to the holiday at hand … or maybe I’m just a colossal comic book nerd at heart.

 

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#6. Ooh, purple-and-black ombre in a high-shine finish. Deliciously decadent, like charbroiled eggplant. (Sorry, stomach’s rumbling.)

 

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#7. From eggplant to the finest glass of red ... Love, love, love the intoxicating drama of a burgundy lacquer on pointy nails.

Get your bloodlust going with Make Up Store’s spellbinding new polish in Elisabeth, which has a really opulent oily iridescence – like the slick surface of an evil empress’s caldron.

 

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#8. Saved the worst for last. Good grief, ghoulish, yes. Think stiletto nails were scary? Absolutely rainbows and unicorns compared to these pus-like boils and bumps.

Beauty powers-that-be, please, please don’t make #BubbleNails a thing. Fingers crossed!

 

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Ettusais Antique Color Nail Color Collection in Ruby Necklace, $10, is available at all Ettusais stores. For more information, visit www.ettusais.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

Make Up Store Nail Polish in Elisabeth, $22, is available at all Make Up Store counters. For more information, visit www.makeupstore.se and follow Make Up Store Singapore on Facebook.

We’re no cosplayers ourselves, but anyone who knows anything about us will be aware of our abiding allegiance to the Unburnt, the Mother of Dragons, the Silver Lady and all-round abuser of epic epithets, Daenerys Targaryen (if we had a word quota on this story, we would list down all her known aliases and be done for the day).

For those with less patience for the protracted commitment that comes with following a far-reaching fantasy series like Game of Thrones, here’s a pithy précis of the lady whose look we’re stealing in this story:

All you need to know about Daenerys “Dany” Targaryen is that she’s the last woman standing from an ancient royal bloodline – and that she birthed three live dragons. Don’t ask; just roll with it.

Now, the lovely lass playing the dragon-wielding Dany in the HBO television series is far from reptilian in form, shall we say. Just look at Emilia Clarke! An English Rose if ever there was one, Emilia’s cherubic cheeks and beguilingly bare complexion make for a delicious juxtaposition to her character’s fearsome rep as a (literal) dragon lady.

Major props to the massively talented team of face painters on set: Beauty industry watchers will recognise marquee names like Daniel Lawson Johnston, Pamela Smyth and Paul Engelen, who we think have done a fantastic job in balancing “period” piece considerations with showcasing Emilia Clarke’s ridiculous hotness in a no-makeup makeup way … and we’re here to show you how to ace the look for yourself!

First, we’ll make like economists and advise you to get your fundamentals right – which, if you’re Dany, means acquiring your allegorical dragon eggs (some heavy-handed nuclear warhead subtext going on here, but we digress), and which in our case means getting your base on point.

PREP & PRIME

STEP 1. Start by veiling your cleansed visage with a layer of NARS’ Narskin Aqua Gel Luminous Mask. A personal favourite, this divine rinse-off skin treat deeply quenches for an instant plumping effect; smother it on your face and neck in the mornings and wipe off the excess with a clean tissue.

NARS Narskin Aqua Gel Luminous Mask, $60, and Shiseido Future Solution LX Superior Radiance Serum, $365

STEP 2. Follow up with a generous pump-full of Shiseido’s ultra-luxe Future Solution LX Superior Radiance Serum, its mouthful of a moniker very much in keeping with Dany’s grandiose tendencies!

Packed with pearl extracts and redolent with the regal scent of rose petals, Japanese plum and sakura blossoms, this mineralised marvel also lends a really beautiful, almost painterly patina to your complexion. If you have really good skin, just a dollop of this under sunscreen will suffice.

Ettusais Pore Smooth Veil, $20, and Shu Uemura Lightbulb UV Compact Foundation, $95

STEP 3. Now, in a cosmetics sorting basket of gotta-haves and want-to-haves, we’ll plonk Ettusais’ Pore Smooth Veil firmly in the first category. We’re in love with the primer’s intriguing powder-in-gel formula, which smoothes over nasty stuff like spots and such for an opalescent finish that’s perfect for the soft-focus diffuse look we’re gunning for here.

FOUNDATION & CHEEKS

STEP 4. Apply a thin layer of the primer under Shu Uemura’s new hero base product, the Lightbulb UV Compact Foundation, which we adore for its surpassingly sexy dewy finish.

Expect all of the Japanese prestige brand’s oil-centric tech: The powder compact comes with what Shu calls “buildable oil” coverage, with the stay-true micro-pigments encapsulated in a sumptuous suspension of pearl powders and nourishing oils. The compact comes with an extremely handy double-sided polishing sponge; ask Shu’s friendly cabin staff to demonstrate how to use the tool for yourself.

Cosme Decorte AQ MW Face Powder, $72, and Tory Burch Bronzer & Blush in Divine, $70

STEP 5. Dany spends much of her time traipsing about in the sun-drenched desert wastelands of Westeros, so a kiss of cheek colour is in order.

We like Tory Burch’s new Bronzer & Blush in Divine, which comes packaged in the American fashion designer’s trademark tangerine hue. Swirl all the sandy shades in the palette together for a multidimensional glimmer, and sweep it high on your temples and cheekbones.

STEP 6. Seal it all in with our go-to setting powder of the moment from Cosme Decorte. The quietly elegant, vexingly underrated Japanese beauty brand is well-deserving of a spot on your vanity chest. This new Face Powder in Glow Pink, for one, is amazingly airy in consistency, and for good reason, too: Cosme Decorte says it’s spun from micronised strands of organic silk, and steeped in skin-comforting amino acids for a delightfully delicate, lit-from-within glow.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Brow Lift Duo, $44, Chanel Le Volume de Chanel in 40 Khaki Bronze, $52, and M.A.C Eyeshadow in Warm Neutrals, $207

BROWS & EYES

STEP 7. Flawless face aside, Dany’s most striking feature is her generously girthed eyebrows. Fake it with Estee Lauder’s nifty Double Wear Stay-in-place Brow Lift Duo, which works hard for its money by having a creamy chocolate brow pencil on one end and a universally flattering champagne highlighter on the other.

Fill in sparse spots with swift, feathery motions to simulate individual brow hairs, then switch sides to line the inner corners of your lower waterline with the glimmering accent hue.

STEP 8. The crease is a cinch to pull off. Just pick your favourite medium-intensity colour from M.A.C’s all-in-one, 15-shade palette in Warm Neutrals, then sweep it all the way to the brow bone, blending scrupulously for barely-there definition.

Always good to have around, this versatile M.A.C palette doubles up as a creamy liner; use a wet angled brush to apply a darker hue along the outer third of your upper and lower lash line and smudge it in well and good.

STEP 9. Keep everything soft and subtle with an espresso shot of coffee coloured mascara; try a coat or two of Chanel’s voluptuously volumising mascara in Khaki Bronze.

Lancôme Rouge in Love in 243M Belle Aurore, $40, and Shiseido Maquillage Essence Glamorous Rouge Neo, $43

Phew. This is the cosmetic equivalent of plowing through the entire multi-volume tome of Game of Thrones – nearly there, ladies! We’re down to the lips. 

LIPS

STEP 10. Notice how Dany’s pillowy puckers are are perfectly pouty but pretty natural; lock down the look with Lancome’s exquisitely refined Rouge in Love in 243M Belle Aurore. You have to head down to your nearest cabin to fully appreciate the meltingly soft rosy stain for yourself.

STEP 11. For the final flourish, dab on Shiseido’s sensationally shiny Essence Glamorous Rouge in a complementary hue; try the iridescent pink in PK205, which will add a jaunty jolt of juiciness to your lips.  

Viola, you’re done. A face fit for a dragon-birthing goddess in Westeros – or a contemporary chick in the realm of reality!

Chanel Le Volume de Chanel in 40 Khaki Bronze, $52, is available at all Chanel counters. For more information, visit www.chanel.com/en_SG and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Cosme Decorte AQ MW Face Powder, $72, is available at all Cosme Decorte counters. For more information, visit www.kose.com.sg and follow Cosme Decorte Singapore on Facebook.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Brow Lift Duo, $44, is available at all Estee Lauder counters. For more information, visit www.esteelauder.com.sg and follow Estee Lauder Singapore on Facebook.

Ettusais Pore Smooth Veil, $20, is available from May 2014 at all Ettusais counters. For more information, visit www.ettusais.com.sg and follow Ettusais Singapore on Facebook.

Lancôme Rouge in Love in 243M Belle Aurore, $40, is available at all Lancôme counters. For more information, visit lancome.com.sg and follow Lancôme Singapore on Facebook.

M.A.C Eyeshadow in Warm Neutrals, $207, is available at all M.A.C Cosmetics counters. For more information, visit www.maccosmetics.com.sg and follow M.A.C Cosmetics on Facebook.

NARS Narskin Aqua Gel Luminous Mask, $60, is available at all NARS counters. For more information, visit www.narscosmetics.com and follow the brand on Facebook.

Shiseido Maquillage Essence Glamorous Rouge Neo, $43, is available at all Shiseido counters. For more information, visit www.shiseido.com.sg and follow Shiseido Singapore on Facebook.

Tory Burch Bronzer & Blush in Divine, $70, is available at all Tory Burch Beauty counters. For more information, visit www.toryburch.com and www.robinsons.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter.

The most stylish shoes of the season are Singapore weather-friendly (except maybe knee-high boots) ©AFP PHOTO 

ANKLE BOOTS

In footwear, ankle boots reign supreme this season. Whether flat (Hermès, Roland Mouret) or with heels (Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Valentino...), every fashionista will have at least one pair of boots that stop at the ankle or mid-calf.  

When it comes to colours, anything goes: wine, camel or classic black, often with decorative accents (Vivienne Westwood). Also, for those who don't fear the cold, ankle boots with cut-out patterns are also big this season, as seen on the runways of Elie Saab and Emanuel Ungaro.

Ankle boots are the stars of footwear this season, as seen at Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2014. 
©AFP PHOTO / BERTRAND GUAY

MASCULINE STYLES

Womenswear designers didn't hesitate to draw inspiration from men's wardrobes for this fall. Flat, no-frills brogues in white, brown, black and dark green brought a minimalist look to the feet of the models at Victoria Beckham, Lanvin and YDE. In a bolder take on the trend, the models at Marni wore masculine dress shoes in various colours adorned with metal accents.

Also big this season: flat brogues and other shoes inspired by masculine footwear. Seen at Lanvin Fall Winter 2014. © AFP PHOTO / PATRICK KOVARIK

PLATFORMS

Specifically, this season's platform soles are roughly the same height at the toe and the heel, adding a few inches of height without pointing the toes downward. There are sexy, feminine versions at Dior and Nina Ricci, sandals at Sonia Rykiel, slippers at Moncler Gamme Rouge and fur-adorned creepers at Julien David. 

Platform heels remain in vogue this Fall Winter season. Seen at Julien David Fall Winter 2014. ©AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINA

KNEE-HIGH BOOTS

Notwithstanding the ankle boot trend, taller boots never seem to go out of style, and this season is no exception. There are flat knee-high boots with a retro style at Saint Laurent and Gucci, as well as lace-up ones with a sporty style at Chanel. But there are also knee-high boots with heels for a sexier style at Chloé, Véronique Leroy and Valentino, among others.

Knee-high boots are still as stylish as ever. Seen at Valentino Fall Winter 2014.
©AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINA

These shoes are reservation-only! 200 pairs are being sold in Singapore. Image: Bata

You've got to make your mind up quickly about this one.

Bata's classic tennis shoe is being relaunched for its 120th anniversary but only 200 pairs are being sold in Singapore. To get a pair, you've got to reserve it online and collect it within three days. Order it here: www.batatennis.com.sg

At $79.99 and available in sizes UK2 to UK11, the classic tennis shoe – perfect for that casual off-duty look – is being relaunched to celebrate Bata's 120th anniversary.

Classic colours are always a safe bet. Image: Bata

Five new colours have been added to the collection – grey, purple, pink, sky blue, and yellow – while the original white, indigo blue and black colours are making a comeback.

Collection and payment is to be made at Bata's flagship store at Peninsula Plaza. Remember: Only 200 pairs!

If you’ve ever used liquid eyeliner, you would know the frustration that comes with it. You’re always prepared to rub off excess strokes of mess, and getting the perfect flick at the end can take ages.

After years of trying to perfect my own “cat-eye” look, I finally discovered the most foolproof way in getting the angle right. You’ll never believe how easy it is.

STEP ONE: DEFINE

To ensure that your winged liner looks like a wing, you have to make sure that you’re using the right tool. Definition is key, so avoid using crayon or pencil liners as they wouldn’t be able to give you the perfect flick (the stubby heads will just make your wing extra fat). Liquid liners and eyeliners with a fine tip work best. Clio’s Waterproof Pen Liner Kill Black or Eyeko’s Visual Eyes Liquid Eyeliner are some cult favourites.

STEP TWO: FOLLOW THE BOTTOM

Following your lower lash line, draw a straight line upwards. No matter what your eye shape is, following the guidance of your lower lash line is a foolproof method to getting the angle right.

STEP THREE: BRING IT DOWN

Once you’ve reached the desired “height” of your winged tip, draw a curved line back down three quarters in. You don’t have to worry if this line isn’t perfect, as you will be covering it up later.

STEP FOUR: CONNECT THE DOTS

Starting from the middle of your lash line, draw a line towards the peak that you’ve just created.

STEP FIVE: FILL IN THE BLANKS

Fill in the “space” that you’ve just drawn. Once you’re done, you can choose to line the inner corner of your eyes like you do normally, giving your eyes more definition; Otherwise, you’ll still look great with the perfect wing you’ve just created.
 

Clio Waterproof Pen Liner Kill Black, $22.90, is available from selected Watsons stores. For more information, visit www.clio.co.kr and follow the brand on Facebook.

Eyeko Visual Eyes Liquid Eyeliner, $25, is available at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.eyeko.com or  www.sephora-sea.com and follow the brand on Facebook, and Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.

Another year, another Digital Fashion Week, another incredibly illuminating makeup masterclass by head makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Greaslis. Let’s get straight to it!

Loving this look laid out for Max Tan’s Spring 2015 show, which at first blush appears to be all about that punchy pop of pink on the lips. Not so. There’s a stellar ensemble cast supporting the star player, starting, naturally enough, with the base:

BASE & CHEEKS

STEP 1. We’re going on the assumption that you have solid skincare fundamentals down pat: Serum, emulsion, moisturiser, the works. Done? Now for foundation. We’re not gunning for blanket coverage here, which is why all Lan used was a deft dab of tinted lotion. Digital Fashion Week’s sponsored by The Body Shop, so she’s using the brand’s All-In-One BB Cream, but feel free to sub with your go-to blemish balm.

Quick note on application: Fingers are fine, but blending with a synthetic brush works best. Lan likes starting from the centre of the face and fanning outwards for a well nigh undetectable finish. Take your brush and and use stippling motions to buff up and out towards your jawline and temples – “stippling” being fancy vernacular for “dotting”.

STEP 2. Now for a bit of what Lan evocatively refers to as “underlighting”, which I understand to be an understated, less garish sister of highlighting proper. What you do is to mix a liquid concealer and highlighter in a roughly 1:1 ratio, then brush this custom concoction under your eyes and over strategic areas of your face: Brow bone, nose bridge, cupid’s bow; wherever you think would do well with a touch of light.

EYES & BROWS

STEP 3. On to the eyes. The lids are gilded with a creamy all-purpose balm; smudge with warm fingers right smack in the middle of the crease for a most fetching gloss. Very cool, and such a cinch to pull off. For definition, pick up the bronzier hues from a nude palette – try The Body Shop’s Shimmer Waves, a spectacular quintet of scintillating sandy shades – and lightly rim the outer third of your upper and lower lash line. (Use the same palette for a spot of cheek contouring.)

Don’t be too precious about this bit; the single best thing about applying makeup in this time and age is that perfection isn’t a prerequisite – casually smeared metallic lids are entirely fine, desirable even.

STEP 4. Next, grab an ebony liquid eyeliner for a subtle amplification of your peepers. “Tightlining” is the way to go: With a steady hand, “connect the dots” between your lashes, following your eye’s curvature and getting as close to your upper lash line as possible. Restraint is of the essence here. Don’t wing it out; rather, stop lining at the farthest end of your natural lash line.

STEP 5. Brows are bold, bold, bold: Think Cara Delevingne and then some. Top tip: Never use a true black, even if you do have very dark hairs to begin with, as you’ll end up with what Lan amusingly refers to as two “slugs” crawling across your face.

It’s all about calculated balance: You want to “anchor” the inner part of the brow with a stronger hand, so use a charcoal powder formula and “feather” it on with short strokes of a stiff angled brush. For the ends, where you want things to taper off nicely, switch to shading it in a softer brown. Incredibly intuitive, yes.

STEP 6. Now for mascara in a dark chocolate, but only on the upper set for lift and dimension. What Lan does runs counter to conventional cosmetics wisdom: Instead of sweeping up from the roots, she starts by wiggling the wand straight from the tips, pushing up and then swivelling down the length of the lash.

By depositing the product at the tips right from the get go, you get a really tight curl without the heaviness that can come with volumising formulas: Fantastic for droopy lashes.

LIPS

STEP 7. Seriously sexy smackers, coming right up. They’re what Lan calls “fashion lips”: Very editorial and runway-ready, but infinitely wearable if you’re game for a gamble.

You start by using a lip brush to trace a candy-cane pink lippie, starting from the middle of your cupid’s bow and hugging the curves down to the corners of your mouth. What you want is a beguiling, bee-stung effect, so by all means go over your natural lip line.

STEP 8. Fill it in, then switch to a fabulous fuchsia in a satiny finish; try The Body Shop’s Colour Crush in 205. You want this second layer to be super punchy, so swipe it straight from the bullet.

Gun for an almost ombre effect by applying it only the centre of your pout, so the two shades engage in a sort of sensuous dance whenever you press your lips together. 

STEP 9. Almost there! Now grab a neon salmon shadow pot and pat on with a fluffy paddle-shaped brush. Your lip colour will “grab” onto the powders like a moist cake would to a sugary crust. What you get is astoundingly beautiful: A vivid velvety finish like the petals of a blooming rose.

A final sweep of a silvery-white illuminating powder along the bony bit of your cheeks – remember to keep the highlighter right under your eyes and extending up into the temples – and you’re good to go. Bold brows, bright lips, perfect for party people. Break a leg, fab folks!

For more information on The Body Shop, visit www.thebodyshop.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook. 

For more on Lan Nguyen-Greaslis, visit www.lan-makeup.com and follow Lan on Facebook and Twitter.

Congratulations to 2014's Brand of the Year in "Fashion – Singapore", Raoul! Image: World Branding Forum

Singapore fashion label Raoul clinched the prestigious "Brand of the Year" in the "Fashion – Singapore" category at the 2014 World Branding Awards. Other Singapore winners include Singtel and Marina Bay Sands.

At the awards ceremony at One Whitehall Place in London on October 26, 2014, the stellar line-up of winners include Apple, Coca-Cola, Del Monte, Heinz, HSBC, Louis Vuitton, Samsung, Sony, PlayStation and VISA.

The Awards recognise the best in global and national branding. "We are indeed honoured and grateful to have been singled out and recognised from so many great brands," said Douglas Benjamin, co-founder of Raoul. "Our global vision is to be foremost in everyone's minds when they think of a brand that stands for affordable luxury and cool wearable clothes and accessories.”

Follow Raoul on Facebook at www.facebook.com/raoul; on Instagram at @raoulfashion and on Twitter at @raoulfashion.

Initial thoughts: Woah, this looks tough. Ten minutes later: Hey, this is pretty doable.

Here’s how Digital Fashion Week’s head of makeup Lan Nguyen-Grealis pulled off the sensational swagger of a traditional smoke with all of the flair and none of the fuss:

EYES & BROWS

STEP 1. Grab a gel liner in the glossiest obsidian – try Body Shop’s superb 2-in-1 Smoky Gel Liner – and trace a line over your socket crease.

Top tip: To locate the socket, palpate your lids with a flat brush until you hit the sweet spot that’s the little sunken curve just above your eyeball. Keep your hand loose - no need to be too neat!

STEP 2. Using the same gel liner, create a second upward tick mark from the tail of your lower lash line, extending it to meet the line you’ve just drawn across your socket (see visual above).

The delineations of this V-shaped wedge will serve as an easy reference point so you know where to stop “smoking”. Now that you’ve got your outline, switch to a small shadow brush, dip it in your gel pot and deftly sketch it in.

STEP 3. Time to fire away and really go for it. Using a softly bristled paddle-shaped brush for maximum malleability, tap in a matte black shadow like the evocatively named Colour Crush in Moonlight Kiss.

Sweep your instrument back and forth, going over the socket edges and smudging liberally for a soft smoulder.  At this point, you should be enjoying the emergence of elliptical rings of colour around the socket.

Don’t be too precious about this bit! As Lan herself puts it, the single best thing about a smoky eye in this time and age is that perfection isn’t a prerequisite – casually smeared lids are entirely fine, desirable even.

STEP 4. Now for a heaping helpful of punchy punk liner. First, choose your instrument. In this instance, Lan says soft, short and stumpy is good; warm up the nub of your pencil by rolling it about the back of your hand. A rounded tip in a charred charcoal hue will give you a really thick, solid stroke; for easier application, slant the applicator at a 45 degree angle for precision tapering of the tail.

To apply, gently use your free hand to pull the eyelid taut for a flatter canvas to work on. Starting from the outer corner and working inwards, take a deep breath and line your lower lid in a single swipe, simultaneously easing up on the pressure so that the line becomes naturally thinner at the inner corners.

STEP 5. Last lap! Give the edges of your socket, the inner eye corners and the rims of the lower lid a once-over with a gleaming gunmetal shadow. This grey glimmer affords much-needed relief from all the matte blackness. 

STEP 6. Make a run for mascara! Lan makes this so easy; simply close your eyes and sort of wiggle your wand a bit around the roots of your upper and lower lashes. Clumps are cool and will add lots of character to the lived-in look we’re gunning for here. 

STEP 7. For a high-fashion "editorial" look, Lan finished by prepping the brows with a clear gel, then using a clean mascara wand to brush on a bit of creamy flesh-toned concealer.

This virtually erases the hairs for a grungy, Gaga-esque vibe – much too much for real life, but this trick makes for a great, no-commitment alternative to bleaching your brows. Try it!

BASE, CHEEKS & LIPS

Another ace tip: For eye-heavy looks like this, always start with the eyes before moving on the base and lips. This allows you to clean up the canvas as you go; feel free to use a moistened cotton swab to sop up stray marks and mascara flecks.

Finally, the trick to not looking like you have a black eye is to balance out the charred smokiness with beautifully airy, beguilingly bare-looking skin. This means just a smidgen of tinted moisturiser and quick upward strokes of a silvery taupe shadow on the cheekbones in lieu of full-on bronzer.

Buff the shadow right up to the temples, dab a creamy nude concealer onto your lips, layer a balm on top and bam, you’re good to go. Smudged eyes, subtly contoured cheeks and a devil-may-care attitude in spades.

Pair your sexy, sooty eye with say, a monochromatic tank, distressed jeans and black leather booties, and you've successfully married high fashion with street punk. Have fun!

For more information on The Body Shop, visit www.thebodyshop.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

For more on Lan Nguyen-Greaslis, visit www.lan-makeup.com and follow Lan on Facebook and Twitter.

Citizens of the beauty world, time to exercise your right to vote! The annual Her World Beauty Awards is back, but for #HWBA2015, we're shaking things up a bit.

First, you, dear online voter, can choose between a drugstore or department store brand for certain categories – like the all-important cleanser or sunscreen, among other essentials – and select one purse-friendly and one luxe version each, if you like.

And because the year was full of exciting beauty breakthroughs, we’re inviting you to vote for your favourite new trends – think essence lotions and BB cushions – as well as the best new brand on the beauty block.

Now for the incentives. Vote before the closing deadline of November 30, 2014, and you'll be in the running to win goodies galore, including plush one-night staycation packages at the posh Canopy Room at Wangz Hotel worth $1,000 each!

Interest piqued? Head to the voting site at campaign.herworldplus.com/hwba2015 and share the link with your family and friends, so they get a chance to win, too.

Oh, and one more thing. Let us know what your daily regimen is like by snapping shots of your favourite go-to products on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Tag your pictures with the hashtag #HWBA2015 so the beauty community will know what you like. We promise we'll keep a look-out for and re-post your #HWBA2015 posts!

Once again, bookmark the site and vote at campaign.herworldplus.com/hwba2015. Good luck, and have fun!

Check out herworldPLUS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

To help fete the 40th anniversary of Japan’s iconic feline character, a pop-up restaurant in Tokyo will serve Hello Kitty-shaped foods like finger sandwiches, apple pie and even drumsticks stamped with the character's instantly recognizable, mouthless face.

The Hello Kitty cafe at the Shibuya Parco shopping center's Guest Cafe and Diner is just one of several events being held in Japan and around the world to celebrate one of the world’s most beloved cartoon characters.

Starting next week, guests can choose between twee little dishes and foods like turkey and prosciutto sandwiches in Hello Kitty cut-outs or dishes; apple pie; cheesecake; and herbed and Cajun-spiced drumsticks.

Hello Kitty specialty coffees like lattes and cappuccinos will also be available, as well as Hello Kitty red, white and sparkling wines. The cafe runs November 14 to December 25.

Meanwhile, South Korea is already home to a Hello Kitty cafe franchise with a handful of locations across the country that serve up Hello Kitty-themed coffees and desserts.

A similar concept is expected to hit the US next year, when a Hello Kitty Cafe food truck will open as a brick and mortar cafe in Orange County, California. The cafe will serve pastries and desserts as well as savoury foods like salads and sandwiches.

Over the weekend, a Hello Kitty convention in Little Tokyo near Los Angeles drew an estimated 25,000 fans over its four-day run.

And Taiwanese airline EVA Air flies a Hello Kitty jet on routes such as Taipei to Paris, Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong that includes everything from Hello Kitty-themed seats, soap, foods and flight attendants. -- AFP RELAXNEWS

Gingham and checked prints dominated Cristiano Burani's Spring Summer 15 collection. The yellow dress on the left is completely machine-embroidered, what Burani called "the masterpiece" as it took hours to complete. Image: Digital Fashion Week

Cristiano Burani’s looks are not just wearable, they are also useful for putting together fun and sporty looks. (Even Kendall Jenner is a fan.)

On the fourth day of Digital Fashion Week 2014, Italian designer Cristiano Burani showcased his Spring Summer 2015 collection, which made its debut at Milan Fashion Week.

The collection was a series of gingham, checks and sweet pastels in mixed fabrics that the crowd loved. So much so that Singapore designer (and master craftsman) Thomas Wee gave him a standing ovation when Burani took his curtain call.

“The Spring Summer collection is about relaxing wear, casual wear and what we call ‘norm core’,” said Burani to herworldPLUS when interviewed backstage before the show. “I think that there must be a new concept of femininity which is less shiny, less bling-bling and more conscious.”

Without going too overboard on the girly pastels and gingham prints, Burani – who has worked at Versace, La Perla and Blumarine – used masculine cuts and heavy fabric to balance out the girlishness, resulting in a pared-down aesthetic that is still very sporty, casual and feminine.

Japanese denim was used on some of the looks which Burani combined with big buttons and conspicuous white stitching for a look that he said was “in between couture and sport”.

Silk was mixed with nylon to create a flowy yet casual fabric. Image: Digital Fashion Week

Armed with an understanding of fabric manipulation, the Italian designer mixed materials like silk and leather with cotton and nylon to create a “summer effect”.

To keep the looks feminine (and covetable), Burani created checked prints with machine-embroidered sequins that made the clothes sparkle in a way that’s more pretty than over-the-top.

This fabric is a Burani original: Cotton mixed with an aluminium-like laminate to create a crumpled and paper-looking effect. Image: Digital Fashion Week

Burani even created an original fabric blend of cotton bonded with a laminate which looks like aluminium, and an additional lamina layer to create a crackly and “paper-y” effect.

Shoes at the Cristiano Burani shoes were just as covetable as the outfits. Images: Digital Fashion Week and herworldPLUS/Hong Xinying

And oh, the shoes! Stylish white leather creepers in gingham prints and monochrome platform sandals, which is the kind of “norm core” we think Singaporeans – the type who would rather not wear slippers – would love to wear on days they have to run errands.

Black sequinned outfits with sports luxe touches. Images: herworldPLUS/Hong Xinying and Digital Fashion Week

The final all-black outfits gave the collection a dash of sporty glam. The striped shoulder straps dialled down the ostentatiousness of the full on sequinned tops, and the mesh inserts helped tone down the bling on the skirts. It is sports luxe done right.

Outfits for Sunday brunch? Check!

The Cristiano Burani Spring Summer 2015 show was held on November 3, 2014, at the National Design Centre, as part of Digital Fashion Week 2014. 

Watch all the catwalk shows at www.digitalfashionweek.com/videos, which ran from October 31 to November 3, 2014. Follow Digital Fashion Week on Twitter at @DigitalFashWeek and Instagram at @DigitalFashionWeek. Hashtag #DigitalFashionWeek and #DFWinsiders.

And it’s a wrap! Another fashion week down, another decade shaven off my lifespan. All jesting aside, beauty observers were in for a sweet treat at Fyodor Golan: The sizzling salmon lashes were well worthy of a closing show. 

Now, at first blush, you may think this blazing look – fun, flirty and fabulous it may be – would be much too much to pull off for us mere mortals. Not so. As head makeup artist for Digital Fashion Week Lan Nguyen-Greaslis would have it, the crazy coral lashes are actually almost embarrassingly easy to execute. Here’s how to pull off pink peepers with panache:

STEP 1. The precise pigments used for this particular show is a trade secret, but here’s a top tip if you’re up for a bit of DIY fun.

Think of applying colourful mascara as being analogous to dying your hair: You need to “bleach” off the base hue first. In this instance, this means layering on multiple coats of white mascara.

STEP 2. Follow-up question: Where on earth can I find white mascara? Simple: You make your own. Lan says this is a splendid opportunity to salvage pots of shattered eyeshadow; crumble a creamy colour (say, The Body Shop’s Colour Crush in Sugar Gaze) into a clean container, then mix in a bit of a “wet” binding agent like a translucent brow gel.

STEP 3. For the pink coloured pièce de résistance, do the same: Grab the brightest pink shadow you can get your paws on (for Fyodor Golan, the artists used Colour Crush in Berry Cheeky, but feel free to experiment) and combine it with the same clear gel.

STEP 4. Custom concoctions all ready? Good. Now use an old mascara spoolie to stir the contents into a snowy slurry, then use the same wand to wiggle the white paste onto bare lashes.

STEP 5. Once you’ve lacquered your first layer on, switch to a stiff shadow brush to “paint” on a second or third layer, over and above the hairs of your upper and lower lashes. The goal is to completely obscure the natural dark black of your lashes, so don’t fret if you see lumps and clumps.

STEP 6. Wait a beat or two for the wet white lashes to become somewhat tacky, then slick on the pink. Repeat the same steps above to make sure the white is evenly enveloped with the second colour.

Here’s a neat trick to nail the really punchy pop of pink you see here. Do as Lan does and position your shadow brush at a perpendicular angle to your lashes, then weave the bristles in and out of the hairs to separate them into strands: This builds body and lends a fantastic falsie effect that’s perfect for the take-no-prisoners look we’re gunning for here.  

LIPS & CHEEKS

Eyes done? Congrats, you’re just about finished! Now, we’re going on the assumption that you’re boasting solid skincare credentials: Serum, emulsion, tinted moisturiser ... and that’s about it, really. Lan says this look calls for the lightest touch and the barest minimum –  absolutely nothing at all, if you can help it. 

Here’s why. For a really pleasing pop, you really do need to keep the rest of your face stripped down and more or less neutral – that means just a bit of mattifying primer on shine-prone zones, please. It might take some getting used to, but Lan says you’ll look many degrees more youthful if your visage isn't caked over with pancake product. Besides, the clean canvas serves as a foil for the really cool and rather busy eye effect we have going on.

Only concession: Concealer. If you have dark circles, warm up a bit of creamy concealer between your fingers, look down onto a mirror placed flat on a table to locate the crescent shaped shadow beneath your eye, then carefully pat in with your ring finger. Spread the wealth by using any remaining product on any visible blemishes, spots and such.

Now for a seriously cool sleight of hand: In lieu of a full-on highlighter, dab on a petroleum jelly-type product (try Body Shop’s skin-pampering Wild Argan Oil Solid Oil balm) on the inner eye corners, the cupids’ bow and along the highest plane of the cheekbones. The contrast between the glimmering “wetness” and the matte “dryness” of the nose and forehead gives your features a multidimensionality that’s very cool indeed – controlled shine, if you will.

Until next year, Lan. Best wishes on a speedy delivery, we’ll see you and your kiddo soon!

And that’s it! Ridiculously rad and so very simple, yes. An astounding reminder of the face painter’s power to thrill. “Eye” love it. Now, go out and paint the town pink!

For more information on The Body Shop, visit www.thebodyshop.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

For more on Lan Nguyen-Greaslis, visit www.lan-makeup.com and follow Lan on Facebook and Twitter. 

SHANGHAI– There’s no denying the underlying buzz in the room. Even without words, it was obvious that everyone was excited to meet Alexander Wang. The American designer had flown into Shanghai for a launch party for the Alexander Wang X H&M. With so much hype surrounding the collection and the massive she-bang that went down in New York two weeks earlier, the collaboration was the talk of the international fashion industry.

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Alexander Wang runs down the runway at the New York launch party. Credit: H&M

Alexander Wang appeared exactly how the media portrays him – long hair and dressed in all black. He was calm and collected. Even though he had probably discussed the collaboration with the high street brand to death, Wang was still happy to talk about what was H&M’s tenth year anniversary designer collaboration. In this 10 years, fashion houses like Versace, Maison Martin Margiela and Lanvin have joined forces with H&M and the Alexander Wang one is just, if not more, anticipated as the ones that came before.

A collection that’s completely new 

“For me, I’ve always wanted to do an activewear and performance collection. I never had the opportunity in my own line to do a capsule collection that embodies this kind of functionality. When H&M approached, I felt that this was the perfect time to do something that one, has never been done with H&M; two, has never been done with me and three, it’s a completely new take – the perfect way to launch a collaboration,” said Wang about the basis of the collaboration.

This partnership was a perfect match, as Wang explained, “H&M is very democratic, unpretentious and approachable and (the brand) caters to a lot of different audiences. For me, I think I share those values. I feel that fashion should be approachable and unpretentious. There’s an ease to these items – it’s not discriminatory, whether you shop luxury or mass, anyone who is active, who goes to the gym, who sweats, or is into fitness can appreciate these pieces.” 

Alexander Wang hangs out with Missy Elliot at the New York launch party. Credit: H&M

Activewear is the most advanced form of fashion

Wang has always been a fan of performance wear and it’s evident when he spoke about the different fabrics and technology. He said, “I’ve always had an admiration (and am) deeply inspired by this genre of clothing because I’ve always felt that it was the most advance in terms of fabric and make. When it comes to fashion, I think activewear really lives on its own. There’s a lot that has to go into it, in terms of development. When you say something is waterproof, or lasts through this many washes, it has to perform. We spent a lot of time developing materials and testing the finishes. That was a different process to how I’m used to working.”

He then elaborated on how certain factories in Italy could produce materials like foam-injected knit but because H&M produced larger quantities, these elevated pieces ended up at a very accessible price point.

Looks from the Alexander Wang x H&M collection. Credit: H&M

The new uniform: Sports at night 

“I didn’t want this to be a collaboration that was just redoing things I’ve done before. I wanted this to be a collection that would excite my customer as well as the H&M customer and maybe a new customer, so it was important 90 percent of the pieces were developed brand new. There wasn’t anything that exists in the collection that I have right now that competes,” explained Wang about his ambitious vision of the collaboration.

He did confess that he wasn’t one to go to the gym that often but he lived in gym clothes like T-shirts and sweats, “It’s just a part of my lifestyle. In New York, these days, health is such a big component to lifestyle these days and when I look out on the streets, running leggings, sports bras are the new uniform. That’s how people are going to the gym, they go to lunch, sometimes, they go out at night and wear a cropped sports bra and it’s just because the new standard. We try to find the right balance of something that feels elevated but is still multifunctional.”

The Alexander Wang X H&M collection will launch on November 6, 2014, at 8am at H&M Orchard Building and H&M ION Orchard. For more information, go to www.hm.com/sg/and wangxhmlive.hm.com/.

To get things straight: depression is a serious illness and anyone who has it should speak to their doctor. People can find themselves suffering from it for many reasons, with big life changes such as a death or redundancy often triggers.While we would never say lifestyle changes can cure depression, making small alterations to your routine could help raise your mood and leave you happier. Many of them are small and easy to tackle, too.

Slouching

When you’re down, you might find it difficult to march with purpose - but it’s also true that slouching can bring on a fit of bad mood. Health.com points towards a study in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, which suggests that people who hunch their backs and shoulders tend to have worse moods than those who stay straight-backed and swing their arms. Plus, those who slouch are usually plagued by more negative memories.

Pictures

Everyone has a few of those people who can’t be torn away from the camera in their social circle. Whether they are constantly snapping when you’re together or clogging up your Instagram and Facebook feeds when you’re apart, in might not actually be good for them. A Psychological Science study suggested people who take photos of things remember them less than those who just look at them. So maybe it’s time to step away from the camera and enjoy the moment.

Exercise

Yes it can seem like a chore, but working out really is good for you. Multiple studies have shown that those who regularly exercise tend to be less depressed than people who never hit the gym. Plus you’ll get a burst of feel-good hormones endorphins once your blood starts pumping fast. Don’t fancy group classes or pounding the treadmill? There are so many other options – walking, using the stairs, playing badminton… it all counts.

Problems

Most people put off boring things like visiting the post office or doing a tax return, but if you’re simply too anxious about a task to do, it you might be in trouble. You’ll find your nervousness will only increase as time goes on, leading to even more problems. Try a payoff – maybe you get to go out with friends or buy yourself some new clothes first, then you come home and get stuck in.

Laughter

When things are getting you down, it’s easy to be gloomy about everything. A bit of negative feedback can feel like the end of the world or an embarrassing incident like a slip or fall is debilitating. Practising psychotherapist Erin K. Leonard, PhD, told health.com that laughter is one of the best ways to ease anxiety and depression, which is easy to say but how do you start giggling? Take things slowly - maybe watch a funny TV show or talk to a pal and reminisce about silly times you’ve had together.

© Cover Media

She ain't bossy, she's just a Boss babe

Good ol’ Gwynnie has an undeserved bad rep for being a tad uptight and prissy, what with her gluten-free obsession and that groan-inducing bit about “conscious uncoupling”.

I, on the other hand, am of the opinion that the 42-year-old yummy mummy of two is dreadfully misunderstood; besides, her performance in Shakespeare in Love was absolutely stellar, don’t you think.

Not convinced? Fashion folks out there may be swayed by designer darling Jason Wu himself, who’s apparently willing to put his life on the (clothing) line for Ms Paltrow, per press notes: “The Boss woman is all about success and powerful femininity, and those are the qualities that I see very much in Gwyneth Paltrow.”

Some context for Jason’s high praise: Gwyneth is the face of Boss’ new Ma Vie Pour Femme Eau de Parfum. The nubile sister of Boss’ beloved Boss Nuit, Ma Vie is a perfectly respectable perfume, by the way; lots of juicy green notes courtesy of cactus flower and fresh rose buds mixed in with warm woods and bracing cedar for a scent that’s soft, smooth and very likeable indeed.

In any case, judge for yourself in the intimate video interview below, in which the Boss Pour Femme face talks shop about all manner of revealing things, including a little bon mot which makes her seem more human and less robotic Stepford Wife.

P.S. Absolutely gorgeous lippie, Gwynnie. Anyone able to ID the shade? We need it in our lives!

Boss Ma Vie Pour Femme Eau de Parfum and Boss Nuit Pour Femme Eau de Parfum, from $83 for 30 ml each, is available at all Hugo Boss stores and Boss Parfum counters. For more information, visit www.fragrances.hugoboss.com and follow the brand on Facebook.

Everyone is fawning over this little Beckham. Images: Burberry

LONDON - Burberry has launched its 2014 holiday campaign with a short film titled "From London with Love" starring the adorable Romeo Beckham as Cupid Boy in a Burberry suit and checked scarf.

This is the second time 12-year-old Romeo is helping to draw “Awws” to Burberry's advertising campaigns. See his first campaign in 2012 here.

Our UK correspondent Onin Lorente got to attend the exclusive preview and launch in London earlier this week (lucky guy), and told us all about it: “The Christmas holidays came early at the Burberry flagship store in Regent Street, London. We had a wonderful night of champagne, canapés, a live performance from British songwriter Ed Harcourt and, of course, got to see the new film, the highlight of the event. ‘From London with Love’ is a beautifully shot short film’. Christopher Bailey’s direction of Romeo Beckham, needless to say, is a very successful combination.”

WATCH ROMEO IN ACTION:

The film premiered on November 3, 2014, at Burberry’s global flagship store on 121 Regent Street in London.

Follow Burberry on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Burberry, on Instagram at @burberry and on Twitter at @Burberry.

Romeo Beckham stars in Burberry's 2014 holiday campaign.

Adriana Lima (left) and Alessandra Ambrosio will strut their stuff in the latest Victoria's Secret Fantasy Bras at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2014. ©All Rights Reserved/Twitter 2014/@VictoriasSecret

Every year, the Victoria's Secret Angels wonder who will have the honour of modelling the annual "Fantasy Bra," an annual one-off piece often worth upwards of a million dollars. But there's a twist this year. As announced on Twitter, Victoria's Secret is presenting not one but two luxury bras, both created by Mouawad Jewellery.

According to the details posted to the social network, the bras are worth two million dollars each and required 1,380 hours of labour to make. And the look would not be complete without the equally exclusive body jewellery made to accompany each bra.

To present these exceptional pieces in style, Victoria's Secret enlisted two of its most popular Angels: Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima, who have both modelled the brand's fantasy bras in previous years. The supermodels will wear the costly creations at the brand's annual runway show, which is set to take place this year in London on December 9, 2014.

Sigh, beyond beautiful skin. Images © Lancôme

It’s no secret I’m a gushy fanboy when it comes to Lupita Nyong’o, but why all the adulation? The woman’s astounding at her craft – and she has an armload of awards to prove it – but for us beauty people, it's all about that incredibly incandescent skin.

I’m not the only one obsessed with how much light and life there is in her face. Lancôme's besotted with Lupita, too – enough to make her the first black woman to front a campaign for the brand.

Happily, Lancôme loves us enough to give us a virtual back-and-forth with the newly minted Hollywood hottie. Here’s what I’ve discovered about the official new It girl of Tinseltown:

Lupita is a massive chocoholic – but the stuff has to be Japanese. How cool is that!

Ask any starlet for her go-to indulgence and chances are you’ll get bland platitudes like say, time off with the family dog.

Not Lupita. She’s disarmingly charming when it comes to describing her food fetishes, and so very Singaporean at that, too. To wit: “I eat chocolate when I feel like it, and that's often! My favourite right now, and I can't believe I left it in Morocco, is called Meiji Black Chocolate. It's heavenly. Smooth, light, oh my gosh!”

She loves the same women that I do …

Guess who’s a role model for the role model of our generation? Why, only Lady Galadriel herself: “[One of my personal heros is] Cate Blanchett, who’s such a phenomenal actress, a gentle and powerful soul with so much poise and elegance.” We can agree to agree, then. Cate’s awesome – and superb at snapping selfies.

… and odds are she’ll love my dear editor as well.

Asked for fashion advice, Lupita says she’s all for monochromatic chic: “I think you have to be eclectic. I know people who are incredibly stylish who wear only black and do it so well.” That’s practically a witness’ description of my boss at work!

And now, a tantalising tidbit on her role in the hugely hyped Star Wars sequel.

I’m of the opinion that Lupita deserves all the accolades in this world and galaxies far, far away, and evidently George Lucas and J.J Abrams concur. Here’s what she can say about next year’s Star Wars Episode VII: “I'm super excited to be moving to another planet for a while and with such a great group of talented people. My mother used to call me a space cadet, now I ostensibly get to be one!” Ooh, space cadet, huh. Padawans, speculate away. 

You have a random photog to thank for Lupita’s preternatural sense of poise.

Confession: I teared up YouTubing Lupita’s very moving account of teenage insecurity over the hue of her skin.

The tipping point? An intervention by an angel in disguise: ‘One particular man came up to me and asked to take my picture. That had never happened to me before. I accepted his offer, and when he was photographing me, he used such delightful words: ‘Oh yes! Perfect! Gorgeous!’ He was so enthralled by me, and I felt so beautiful. I felt like the sun itself. So that process changed how I felt about myself, and I wish that everyone who doesn't feel pretty could have that experience.” All together, now: Aww. 

Beauty people, here’s how to nail the "Lupita Luminescence".

Scurry to your nearest Lancôme counter and demand for Blush Subtil in Figue Espiègle. The woman says it’s just about her only makeup must-have: “My makeup artist Nick Barose used it on me at the Toronto Film Festival. I really like it because it brightens my cheeks without making me look overly flushed.”

Her definition of beauty is just the best.

Steal this #QOTD for your new Instagram post or Facebook status update, stat: “Beauty is accepting, acknowledging, and awakening desire. And desire is the fuel for love and aliveness.”

Lupita, if you’re reading this, I’m single and available.

Here’s what she digs in a man: “Honesty, humour and ironed shirts.” Hey, I pass muster on all three fronts!

You can follow Lupita on Twitter and Instagram.

For more information, visit www.lancome.com.sg and follow Lancôme Singapore on Facebook and Instagram.