By Evonne Ng, pinata maker and founder of Owithdoubledots at Etsy.

WHAT YOU NEED
1 medium-sized cardboard box
Penknife
Pencil and ruler
1 cable tie
Masking tape
Candy
Crepe paper in black, white and orange
Glue
Scissors

DIRECTIONS
1. From the cardboard box, cut out rectangles in these dimensions: 40x28cm (2 pieces), 40x16cm (2 pieces), 20x8cm (1 piece), and 28x16cm (1 piece).
2. For the two 40x28cm and two 40x16cm rectangles: Along one of the shorter ends of each rectangle, make a mark 4cm from the right corner, and another mark 4cm from the left corner. Draw a diagonal line from the right mark to the bottom-right corner of the rectangle, and another diagonal line from the left mark to the bottom-left corner of the rectangle. Trim away the marked segments with a penknife.
3. For the 20x8cm rectangle: Using a pencil, poke two holes in the middle, 2.5cm apart. Thread the cable tie through the holes to make a loop for hanging the pinata.
4. Tape the two 40x28cm and two 40x16cm rectangles together lengthwise, as shown. Tape the 28x16cm piece to the base.
5. Fill the pinata with candy, then seal it with the 20x8cm piece, keeping the loop of the cable tie on the outside.
6. On the front of the pinata, pencil in the penguin’s outline, eyes, nose and feet.
7. Cut out 5cm-wide strips of black and white crepe paper. Make equally spaced cuts, 2.5cm deep, along one length of each strip.
8. Glue the strips one by one onto the pinata, covering it completely. Use the pencil outline as a guide for where to paste the black and white crepe-paper strips. Then cut out the shapes for the eyes (black crepe paper), nose and feet (orange crepe paper) and glue them on. 

This article was originally published in Simply Her December 2014.

Christmas is the season of giving, but who says you can’t give yourself something too? It’s time to give yourself some credit for all the hard work you have put in throughout the year and splurge on that one beauty item you’ve been eyeing these holidays – or all 10 of these makeup and beauty sets at once. Go on, you deserve it!

The 10 holiday makeup and beauty sets you deserve

#1 YSL Wildly Gold, Complete Makeup Palette

This all-in-one palette comes in a sleek leopard print case that you can easily slip into your party clutch. Everyone will wonder how your lip colour lasted through three glasses of champagne and an eight course meal, because no one will ever guess that you have been touching up with this super sleek, erm, phone case? (Nah, they’ll notice your palette and want it too, really.)

#2 Guerlain Palette Petrouchka

Guerlain is known for their Meteorites Perles, but why not check out their all-in-one makeup palette this holiday. We might not have the habit of wearing eyeshadow everyday, but these colours look so versatile that it might be time to start. Plus, those cheek colours at the bottom of the palette — wow. Need I say more?

#3 Nars Virtual Domination Cheek Palette

All those months of lusting over the Nars Virtual Domination Palette on YouTube is over — it has finally landed on our shores.

#4 Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette

If you want the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette, you’ll need to act fast. Net-a-porter.com is having a free shipping promotion at the moment so you save that extra US$15 (about S$20) for this flattering cheek palette.

#5 Makeup Forever Beauty Kit

If you’re a foundation addict, ace your base with none other than Makeup Forever’s HD primer and powder. This set also includes an eye pencil, mascara and two lip products, so you can perfect that real-skin finish without worrying about what colours to wear.

#6 Etude House Pink Wish Tree Precious Mineral Any Cushion

If you feel guilty about keeping all these goodies to yourself, get these adorable Pink Wish Tree Precious Mineral Any Cushions from Etude House and do your part for charity. The K-beauty brand will contribute 100 Won (S$0.12) to the School Me Campaign by Save the Children for every item purchased from its Pink Wish Tree collection. The campaign will help to provide educational opportunities for African girls in Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire and Uganda.

#7 SK-II Aura Glow Set

If you have experienced the wonders of Pitera, pack it on this holiday for that lit-from-within glow with this SK-II Aura Glow Set. Use the mask the night before your party and your luminous skin will be guaranteed to turn heads as soon as you walk into the room!

#8 Origins Best of Both Worlds

Pack the Origins Best of Both Worlds set for your holiday, especially if you are travelling to a wintry country! Use the Drink-up Intensive hydrating mask onboard the flight and the GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser to combat tired skin in the day, and the High Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral-Enriched Renewal Cream to repair parched skin at night. Don’t forget that eye cream for bright peepers!

#9 Biotherm Aqua Source Deep Hydration Set

The Biotherm Aqua Source range is great if you hate using a cream in the day. The gel texture is cooling on the skin and absorbs quickly. Get a set of these skin-quenchers and wake yourself up in the morning with its fresh scent. (Beware: Your other half will be snooping around your vanity for this too!)

#10 Asta-lift Moisturising & Lifting Set

You’ve heard of applying essences, oils and booster serums before you begin on your skincare regimen proper, but did you know that there’s also a “jelly” that you can use for this step? Asta-lift’s Jelly Aquarysta is the brand’s best selling product and is said to target the visible signs of premature ageing, such as dark spots, lines and dull skin. Get adventurous and try the full regimen with the Asta-lift Moisturising & Lifting Set for visibly smoother and plump skin.

YSL Wildly Gold, Complete Makeup Palette, $129, is available at all YSL Beaute stores and counters. For more information, visit yslbeauty.com/en-SG, and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Guerlain Palette Petrouchka, $122, is available at all Guerlain counters and Sephora. For more information, visit www.guerlain.com/int/en-int, and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Nars Virtual Domination Cheek Palette, $120, is available exclusively at Sephora ION. For more information, visit www.narscosmetics.com, and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette, USD$61.94 (about S$82) is available on www.net-a-porter.com. For more information, visit www.hourglasscosmetics.com, and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.

Makeup Forever Beauty Kit, $54, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.makeupforever.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.

Etude House Pink Wish Tree Precious Mineral Any Cushion, $32 each, is available at all Etude House stores. For more information, visit www.etude.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SK-II Aura Glow Set, $532, is available at all SK-II counters. For more information, visit www.sk-ii.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook.

Origins Best of Both Worlds, $68, is available at all Origins counters. For more information, visit www.origins.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook.

Biotherm Aqua Source Deep Hydration Set, $69, is available at all Biotherm counters and stores. For more information, visit biothermsg.com, and follow the brand on Facebook.

Asta-lift Moisturising & Lifting Set, $128, is available at all Asta-lift stores and counters. For more information, visit www.astalift.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook.

1. CHRISTMAS BANANA
$64 (1.1kg), from Patisserie Glace, www.cakeglace.com. Available from Nov 1 to Dec 20.
We thought this swirl of fresh cream and dark chocolate meringue with a whole banana tucked in the middle would be cloying, but it was surprisingly light. We especially loved the contrast of the
delightfully fluffy cream against the crisp meringue.
Score: 8/10

2. ROLLED APPLE CARAMEL TATIN LOG CAKE GREAT FIND
$26.75 (500g); $48.15 (1kg), from Raffles Hotel, tel: 6412-1100. Available from Dec 1-25.
If “pretty” had a taste, this log would be just that. Its lush mousse is laced with the delicate flavour of Earl Grey tea, while crunchy bits of caramelised apple embedded throughout it add texture and sweetness.
Score: 8.5/10

3. CARAMEL CHESTNUT LOG CAKE
$72.76 (1kg), from Grand Hyatt Singapore, tel: 6734-6731. Available from Nov 17 to Jan 3.
The fantastical mushroom meringues sprouting all over the log had us cooing – a good start. Taste-wise, the cake was an interesting combination of bitter coffee, sweet chestnut, earthy pistachio and sour cherries that played off against each other well.
Score: 8/10

4. STRAWBERRY MINT YOGHURT YULE LOG
$77.04 (1kg), from Sheraton Towers Singapore Hotel, tel: 6839-5636. Available from Dec 2-25.
Smooth as a New York bake, yet airy like Japanese sponge, this soft, cheesecake-like log is in a class of its own. The snowy frosting isn’t too sweet, but the jelly-like cubes could do with more fruity acidity.
Score: 7/10

5. BRONTE PISTACHIO AND CRUNCHY PRALINE LOG CAKE GREAT FIND
$79 (1kg), from Regent Singapore, tel: 6720-8000. Available from Dec 1 to Jan 1.
The “most memorable log cake” award goes to this fluorescent green beauty – the unexpected combination of nutty vanilla almond sponge, tart mango curd, and sweet-salty white chocolate and pistachio mousse miraculously works.
Score: 8.5/10

6. 7TH HEAVEN YULE LOGEDITOR'S RAVE
$69 (1kg), from The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, tel: 6877-8178. Available from Nov 27 to Dec 25.
This stands out with its delectable mix of textures, from the pillowy chocolate fudge sponge and silky mousse to the layers of crunchy hazelnut nougatine and chewy melted marshmallow. Altogether sinful, decadent, and surely something you’ll want to warn your guests to save tummy space for.
Score: 9.5/10

7. GRANDMA 66% LOG CAKE
$58 (1kg), from Shangri-La Hotel, tel: 6213-4448. Available from Nov 28 to Dec 25.
This is the chocolate cake for dessert lovers of all ages – the buttery milk chocolate is not too bitter for kids, and not too light for the grown-ups.
Score: 7.5/10

8. CHERRY YULE LOG CAKE
$72 (800g), from Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, tel: 6831-7253. Available from Nov 1 to Dec 24.
Instead of weighing down the palate, this dark chocolate cake is unexpectedly refreshing with moist, loosely packed crumbs, juicy cherries macerated in alcohol, and just a touch of spice.
Score: 8/10

9. TRIPLE CHOCOLATE DECADENCE LOG CAKE
$55.64 (750g), from The St. Regis Singapore, tel: 6506-6860. Available from Dec 1-25.
Composed of vanilla cream, chocolate ganache and a copious amount of brandy, this roll is strictly for adults only. Once you recover from the potent hit of liqueur, your taste buds will find the chocolatey cake itself moist and satisfyingly rich.
Score: 7.5/10

10. MONT BLANC LOG
$62.95 (800g); $83.25 (1.2kg), from Flor Patisserie, #01-01, 2 Duxton Hill, tel: 6243-0813. Available from Dec 1-31.
The very soft, moist sponge roll tastes a little plain, but that simply allows the star component on top – the velvety squiggles of chestnut cream – to shine. Light and pleasant, it’s not at all cloying.
Score: 7/10

11. GOODWOOD D24 DURIAN CHRISTMAS LOG CAKE EDITOR'S RAVE
$74.88 (1kg), from Goodwood Park Hotel, tel: 6730-1867. Available from Dec 1-26.
Snuggled between layers of moist vanilla sponge, the luscious durian puree delivers a welcome dose of pungency before unleashing its unmistakable flavour. It showcases the king of fruits at its best.
Score: 9/10

12. CHOCOLATE FUDGE LOG CAKE BEST VALUE
$32 (500g); $60 (1kg), from Singapore Marriott Hotel, tel: 6831-4708. Available from Nov 26 to Dec 25.
Ultra-rich, dense and brimming with gooey chocolatey goodness, this is one solid chocolate cake that is without any distracting elements.
Score: 8/10

13. 70% CHOCOLATE MOUSSE AND CARAMEL BANANA CAKE
$37.45 (500g); $69.55 (1kg), from Fairmont Singapore, tel: 6338-8785. Available from Nov 7 to Dec 25.
Dusted with cocoa powder, this log uses chocolate made from a blend of cocoa beans from countries like Tanzania and Ghana. Its intense bitterness is moderated perfectly by the sweetness of ripe banana chunks and lashings of caramel.
Score: 8.5/10

14. CHOCOLATE ROULADE
$48 (500g); $96 (1kg), from Laurent Bernard Chocolatier, #01-11 The Pier at Robertson Quay, tel: 6235-9007. Available from Nov 15 to Jan 1.
Shards of chocolate adorn this dense roulade of sponge and mousse. The cake celebrates the richness of bittersweet dark chocolate, and would have been a little heavy, if not for the tangy raspberry filling that sliced right through it.
Score: 7/10

It is recommended that you order these log cakes at least five working days in advance.

This article was originally published in Simply Her December 2014.

All product and pricing information was correct at the time of the magazine's publication. We advise readers to check with the stores for the latest availability and pricing information.

The annual Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) was held last night in Hong Kong. We round up the six best things that happened this year.

#1 NICHKHUN CHEERING ON HIS GIRLFRIEND, TIFFANY
It is not easy for K-idols to come out in the open about their personal relationships, much less showing affection for one another. So 2PM’s Nichkhun’s bashful clapping and silent support for his girlfriend Tiffany, from Girls’ Generation, (Aww) on international television (The show was streamed on YouTube) is something we definitely need to cheer about.

[#2014MAMA] #nichkhun cheers on #Tiffany lovingly! pic.twitter.com/b7XthOWgoX

— MAMA(엠넷아시안뮤직어워즈) (@MnetMAMA) December 3, 2014

#2 RED CARPET VINES
The reactions from the 360-degree camera on the red carpet are awesome! Here’s actress Choi Ji Woo looking slightly embarrassed but oh so elegant (as usual!).

Even our favourite Runningman stars Song Ji Hyo and Lee Kwangsoo were amused by it!

#3 EXO’s PERFECT SYNCHRONISATION

EXO has always been known for their power dance moves and perfect synchronisation, and here it is in its full glory.

[#2014MAMA] EXO's Drum dance pic.twitter.com/G3pK8SRKb0

— MAMA(엠넷아시안뮤직어워즈) (@MnetMAMA) December 3, 2014

#4 BTS JIMIN’S HULK MOMENT
Girl’s Day (and the rest of the world) went crazy for some beastly (AND SEXY) shirt ripping from BTS’s Jimin.

[#2014MAMA] Girl's Day goes crazy when #BTS#Jimin rips his shirt off pic.twitter.com/EiqRQsty5S

— MAMA(엠넷아시안뮤직어워즈) (@MnetMAMA) December 3, 2014

#5 G-DRAGON AND TAEYANG BEING THEMSELVES
A super #swag GD and a topless Taeyang, because that's all we really need right?

[#2014MAMA] Good Boys #TAEYANG& #GDpic.twitter.com/X2hdmjuS7c

— MAMA(엠넷아시안뮤직어워즈) (@MnetMAMA) December 3, 2014

#6 KANG SO RA’S $49.90 DRESS
You would have never guessed that an actress would turn up in a $49.90 dress for such an event, but Kang So Ra did. Props to the actress for showing us how to look like a million bucks in the off-shoulder H&M dress. You go girl!

Source: BNTNews, Kim Chi Yoon

For those interested, here’s the dress from H&M. You should probably rush to the store before it sells out!

Meet your new lingerie-wearing, nude lippie-rocking superhero!

Powers-that-be, make Taylor Swift an official Victoria’s Secret Angel, stat. The honourary VS model – Victoria’s Swift? – was rocking the runway like a bona fide be-winged babe … setting aside the hilariously goofy “sexy” faces she was pulling, of which the less said the better!

LIPS

Speaking of faces, hers was particularly on point, if unusually un-Taylor in colourway. Let’s take her look apart, shall we? For me, the thing that jumps out the most is the startling absence of her signature red lippie. In its place was a perfectly pink pout, pretty and plumped up with a glossy topcoat.

Pulling off T-Swizzle’s sexy smackers is a cinch: All you need is to “overdraw” – beauty parlance for tracing over and above your natural lip line. Use the creamiest pencil for maximum manoeuvrability – I’m mad for Chanel’s new Crayon Levres in 91 Rose Délicat, which is as rosy and delicate as its name suggests – and outline the pillowy contours of your puckers.

Next, swipe on a rosy rouge straight from the bullet – I like doing the matchy-matchy thing and running with Chanel’s Rouge Allure in Badine – and inspect yourself in the mirror. Switch to a cotton swab to clean up any stray marks, then add a super shiny sheen courtesy of say, Fresh’s fantastic Sugar Shine Lip Treatment in Rose.

Use the doe-foot applicator to dab a little right in the centre of your lower lip for a dewy petal effect, allow the formula’s hydrating hyaluronic spheres to get to work, expect heads to turn.

(Bonus reading: Load up on all the tips and tricks you’ll ever need to make your lipgloss stay locked in place.)

EYES

Yes, Karlie Kloss, that's how your BFF looks like sans red lippie. #MindBlown

Moving on now. We’ve all heard of the lips-or-eyes maxim that is the makeup equivalent of the legs-or-bust rule. Taylor’s VS look is an excellent example of that particular tenet: Her relative restraint on the lip side of things is more than offset by her winged out cat-eye and OTT falsies (those can’t possibly be her real eyelashes.)

If you’re not ready to go the full-on faux route, you can fake a flirty flutter by wiggling your wand over your top and bottom lashes with several coats of mascara – and make that the darkest black you can find, please.

Gun for Givenchy’s gasp-inducing Noir Couture mascara, a fabulous fashion-forward contraption with bristles precision engineered to envelop every single strand with a follicle-fortifying formula.

Pair with its sidekick, the Liner Couture, which boasts a beautifully soft felt-tip applicator that glides like a dream to dispense a line as thick or thin as you desire. Make like Taylor and really go for it; flare out your line into a fierce flick that tapers off just below the outer edge of the brow.  

That’s about as far as you should go, eyes-wise at least. Some judicious editing is in order now: See how Taylor’s tacked on (unnecessary) drama by way of a smoky lilac lid? Much too much, in my opinion: You’re better off leaving  your lids clean – just one sweep of a taupe shadow over the crease will suffice.

CHEEKS

Finish off with a delicious dusting of a brick-bronze blusher on your cheekbones; for this you deserve nothing less than Chanel, this time courtesy of the very covetable camellia-embossed Jardin de Chanel.

And you’re done! All the “Blank Spaces” filled in, save for Taylor’s satin nightgown and a VS-worthy bod. Have fun channelling your inner Angel!

Chanel Rouge Allure 154 Badine Limited Edition, $48, Le Crayon Levres in 91 Rose Délicat, $32, and Jardin de Chanel Limited Edition, $75, are available from all Chanel counters from January 2015. For more information, visit www.chanel.com/en_SG and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment in Rose, $31, is available at all Sephora stores.  For more information, visit www.fresh.com and follow Fresh Singapore on Facebook.

Givenchy Noir Couture Volume Mascara, $51, and Noir Liner Couture, $48, are available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.givenchybeauty.com and follow Givenchy Beauty on Facebook.

Yes, this body is a big plus. Image: Multimedia Entertainment/Straits Times

No, don’t lose it just yet. Jay Chou hasn’t gone off and married Hannah Quinlivan in secret.

Sorry to put a dampener on “Jaynnah” shippers out there, but today’s tidbit is well worth toasting in its own right: Chairman Chou has just been crowned Spotify’s most popular artist of the year for Singapore!

What’s more, Jay’s win is a repeat of last year’s triumph, in which he too was the most streamed artist in Singapore. Want to know something even more remarkable? As the Straits Times points out, he ranks as the only Asian artist in the international top 10 list this year. Pretty neat, yes?

Oh, and for good measure, a separate Asian artist list for Spotify also has him sitting pretty at the top, ahead of his T-Pop peers from Mayday at number 2 and Singapore son JJ Lin at number 3. In other words, Jay Chou is the Asian guy analogue of the equally unstoppable Taylor Swift. Whoo-hoo!

These accolades must count as sweet cherries on top of what has been a most fulfilling year for the man ... save for one thing. Our countdown clock’s still ticking – as is Hannah’s, I’m sure. Get that white tuxe fitted, stat!

You can follow Jay Chou and Hannah Quinlivan on Weibo.

Stop pressuring me to get married! Image: Mark Cheong for The Straits Times

Zhang Ziyi is blaming us for her single lady-dom.

Speaking to a pack of Singapore press in one of the promotional rounds for her latest film, Ziyi insists she isn’t the difficult diva Chinese reporters have made her out to be – not least when it comes to cowing her Chinese compatriot Wang Feng into marrying her.

Rather, Ziyi says – and we quote in full: “I've never pushed him. It's the media.”

Oh, and proving that the good woman isn’t the crabby crone some of us have pegged her to be, Ziyi also swivelled her attention to an English-speaking scribe and delivered this doozy of a pull-quote: “You understand, right? You won't write it wrongly?” Roger that, duly noted!

All jesting aside, the 35-year-old A-lister does have a point; an expat friend working in China has complained more than once about the ubiquity of Ziyi’s scowling mug plastered all over the Guangzhou gossip rags.   

Another interesting thing to note: Ziyi has been surprisingly forthcoming when fielding queries about her love life. Besides the “I’ve never pushed him” assertion, she’s also offered this Instagram-worthy #QOTD: “When it comes to marriage and life, you have to go with the flow and let nature take its course. You can't plan how relationships pan out [and] you won't know what will happen tomorrow.”

A Zen lady with a self-deprecating sense of humour? Who are you and what have you done with our famously feisty Zhang Ziyi?

Well played, Ziyi, well played. Perhaps leopards really do change their spots. We’ll be sure to catch your new epic period drama, which is looking really good, by the way. Judge for yourself in the trailer for The Crossing below. Enjoy!

You can follow Zhang Ziyi on her fansite at www.helloziyi.com.

We love using eyeliner to make our eyes look bigger, but what about mascara? Most of the time, we give up on using it altogether because it is difficult to work with, or we simply have no time to do so. When used properly, however, mascara can give you the same eye-opening effect as eyeliner, without having to go through the pains of waterlining.

So here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can apply mascara. You might already be incorporating these steps into your routine without realising it — since mascara application is so intuitive — but it is good to know why you should “wiggle” the mascara wand or “pull” your lashes upwards.

STEP 1: CURL YOUR LASHES (WITH OR WITHOUT A CURLER)
This is the one step you should never forget. Here’s how to use an eyelash curler: Clamp it from the root of the lashes and work your way up in a curve to the end of your lashes.

While this is ideal, we all know that we don’t necessarily have time to curl our lashes properly (we still have clothes, bags, accessories and shoes to think about.), so here’s how you can do it anywhere. Just grab a metal spoon!

With the back of the spoon facing your eye, press your lashes onto the edge of the spoon, starting from the root — easy peasy! You can also heat the spoon gently for better curl.

STEP 2: COAT YOUR LASHES
Coat both the top and bottom of your lashes to thicken them. You want to make sure you’re starting from the root.

You can “line your waterline” here with this trick: Go as close to your waterline as you can and gently press the mascara wand onto it. This will mimic the effect you get from using eyeliner to line your waterline.

STEP 3: WIGGLE THE BRUSH FOR VOLUME
Wiggle the brush left to right as you apply mascara from the root. This will help your lashes appear fuller.

STEP 4: “PULL” THE BRUSH FOR LENGTH
Your mascara should be semi-dry at this step. Think of this step as “pulling” your lashes with the mascara wand and concentrate on the tips of your lashes.

STEP 5: SEPARATE YOUR LASHES
Finally, hold your brush vertically and lightly run the mascara wand across your lashes to separate them. Coat your under lashes if you like a more wide-eyed look, and you’re done!

Remember to care for your lashes when you remove your mascara at the end of the day with these 2 Tips & 3 products for fuller and longer lashes!

SPACE INVENTION CAMP BY WONDERSWORK
#02-23 Liang Court, tel: 6333-4088. www.wonderswork.com.sg
WHEN Dec 1-3, 8-10 or 15-17, 10am-2.30pm
FOR KIDS… Aged six to 12
WHAT Kids dress up in astronaut suits in this space-themed camp and exercise their creativity. They are assigned to groups to design and build space models using recycled and craft materials such as cartons, bottles, chopsticks and DC motors (which run on magnetic currents).
Other activities include using a computer to program robots or rockets made from Lego bricks, which they will then take outdoors to launch, weather permitting. Through the stages of testing and improving upon their models, kids will learn about space science. They also get to take their creations home with them.
HOW MUCH $458 a child. The price includes course materials, lunch, a flight suit and a goodie bag.

MOSAIC ART CLASSES BY FUN MOSAIC
#01-01 Unit K, Bukit Timah Plaza, tel: 6469-7955. www.fun-mosaic.com
WHEN No fixed schedule; call to make an appointment
FOR KIDS… Aged five and above
WHAT Let your little ones explore mosaic work. In this one-hour class, they’ll make simple designs on small items like coasters, photo frames and magnets. They’ll also learn to combine colours, shape a picture, and place and cut tiles.
Classes are conducted on a per-item basis; most children are able to complete a mosaic coaster in one session. Larger pieces may require more time, so you may have to book a second class for Junior. All materials are lab-tested and child-safe.
HOW MUCH $20-$180, depending on what the child is making.

FLIPPA BALL BY SINGAPORE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION
At various swimming clubs in Singapore. www.swimming.org.sg/water_polo_overview/flippa_ball.htm
WHEN Refer to the website to find out which swimming clubs offer Flippa Ball sessions, and their schedules.
FOR KIDS… Aged six to 10
WHAT A scaled-down version of water polo for little ones. The rules are also modified: Kids play in teams of seven, they can use both hands to catch and pass the ball, and are allowed to swim with it. Don’t worry if Junior isn’t a strong swimmer – Flippa Ball is played in a smaller pool (15x10m) that is 0.8-1.2m deep – shallow enough to stand in. Sport Singapore also organises regular orientation programmes for kids to experience Flippa Ball.
HOW MUCH Free for the Sport Singapore orientation programme. If you join a club, the fee is determined by the club.

DECEMBER SOLSTICE PROGRAMME BY CAMP MAGIC
First week: at the Chinese International School, 60 Dunearn Road. Second week: at Nexus International School, 201 Ulu Pandan Road. www.ilovecampmagic.com
WHEN Week 1: Dec 15-19; Week 2: Dec 22-24, 26, 27. There are two time slots: 8.45am-3.15pm (full-day programme) and 8:45am-12:30pm (half-day programme).
FOR KIDS…Aged three to 12. Choose between the full-day and half-day programmes for kids aged three and four.
WHAT For kids who want to try their hand at everything, the programmes offer a huge range of activities from arts and crafts to storytelling and songs, soccer, circus activities such as stilt-walking, unicycling and plate-spinning, and learning how to play the ukulele or drums.
Additional classes (at extra cost) are available for older kids. They include woodworking, leathermaking, and advanced circus skills that focus on training in a specific skill. At the end of each week, the children put up a performance for their parents. Both indoor and outdoor activities are closely supervised by adults.
HOW MUCH $580 a week for a full-day programme; $385 a week for a half-day programme.

SUPER CHEF BY CAMP ASIA
Conducted at the Australian International School, 1 Lorong Chuan. www.campasia.asia
WHEN Dec 15-19, 9am-3pm
FOR KIDS… Aged six to 11
WHAT If your kids show proficiency in the kitchen, help them hone their junior-chef skills at this camp. Led by celebrity chef Emmanuel Stroobant and his team, your little ones will create four to five dishes a day – from sweet treats like rainbow cakes and chocolate brownies, to savoury favourites like chicken parmigiana and yakisoba.
They’ll even pick up the finer points of dining, like restaurant settings and workflow. In “masterclass” workshops, keen foodies get to watch demonstrations by Chef Emmanuel on whipping up more complex dishes, like breads and meringue. On the last day of the camp, the kids will show off what they’ve learnt – by cooking for you!
HOW MUCH $695 a child. Price includes lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, and a Camp Asia T-shirt.

LONDON — On the night of November 30th, 2014, the who’s who of British theatre and fashion all turned up in stunning Burberry creations for the 60th London Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

This probably has something to do with the fact that the event was co-hosted by Burberry’s creative director Christopher Bailey and queen bee of the fashion world Anna Wintour (also known as editor-in-chief of Vogue US) so naturally, everyone was dressed to impress. Check out the five guests who scored sartorial points for their floor-sweeping evening gowns.

NAOMI CAMPBELL

All images: Burberry

Naomi’s gown is the winner of the night hands-down. This gold sequinned Burberry gown with a plunging V-neck and knee-high slit is sexy glam personified. Coupled with a smouldering gaze and that perfect blowout, it’s no wonder this woman is queen of the modelling world.

SIENNA MILLER

If you’ve got sculpted shoulders like Sienna, show them off in an off-the-shoulder neckline! This delicate dress with floral embroidery is gorgeous against her edgy chin-length bob. But the master of the soft evening gown look really goes to…

SUKI WATERHOUSE!

This is by far one of my favourites. The British model just proves that evening wear doesn’t have to be all diamond and bling in this lacey baby blue creation. To pull this off, make sure your hair is loose, soft and bouncy instead of pulling it back in a tight knot, and keep accessories to a minimum.

VANESSA KIRBY

The British actress milks her 1.7m frame by wearing this all-white creation which shows off her statuesque figure. I am loving the unexpected bow detail in the back that tones down the androgyny of the dress to something more feminine.

GEMMA CHAN

I love the simple and elegant look that this British-born Chinese actress is going for. All you need is minimalist strappy heels, a box clutch and a classic red lip for a look that’s also perfect for the party season.

Freelance make-up artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis is known on the international circuit for her creative use of colours and expert strokes.

Based in London, the Vietnamese is frequently seen backstage during London Fashion Week and editorial shoots. She was in town last month to create the make-up looks at Digital Fashion Week with The Body Shop.

Here are three of her favourite easy statement eye make-up looks.

#1 ALL-OUT GLITTER

1) Apply a kohl liner on the upper lashline without being too precise. Stroke it out with a blending brush.

Then, apply more kohl on the lids and smudge it to lightly cover the eye-socket area. You can create a cat-eye shape if you like.

2) Prepare some fine glitter and lash glue. Start by applying a thin layer of glue on the outer corner of the eyes. Then, place a clean finger in the glitter pot to pick up the sparkles and press onto the glue-covered skin. Wipe the finger on a tissue to remove the remaining glitter - this step is crucial to prevent a mess. Repeat until the entire eye is covered with the glitter of your choice. Use the smudged kohl areas as your guide.

Do not worry about being too neat and precise as the eye make-up is meant to be a little smudged.

For this look, gold glitter is used on the inner corner of the eyes, while emerald glitter is speckled on the outer corner.

Whichever colour you choose, the lighter shade should always be used on the inner corner, while the darker hue goes on the outer area. This makes the eyes look larger.

Fine glitter should be used. Glitter which comes in big pieces, such as those sold in craft shops, looks tacky.

3) Further define the eyes by lining the upper lashline with a liquid eyeliner. Finish by lining the lower water line (the moist strip of flesh between the eyeball and lashes) with a kohl pencil.

4) To remove, dampen a cotton pad with a water-based cleaner, place it over the eye make-up for three seconds and wipe in a clean sweep. Repeat until the eye is free of glitter. Do not rub as that will cause the glitter to fall into your eyes.

Remove the remaining liner and eyeshadow with an oil-based make-up remover.

#2 PEACOCK SMOKY EYE

1) Apply black kohl on the lashline and the lids and smudge to fill the eye-socket area. You can choose to give this kohl base a winged shape.

This first layer of smudged kohl will make the eyeshadow you apply on top last longer and give it a velvety finish.

2) Layer blue kohl or blue gel eyeshadow over the smudged black kohl base and blend.

3) Dust some turquoise eyeshadow on the mobile lid.

4) If you want something more dramatic, blend purple and pink eyeshadow along the edges of the smudged blue kohl.

5) Dab some gold eyeshadow on the inner corners of the eyes. Finish with kohl on the lower water line and coat lashes with mascara.

#3 PEARLESCENT SMOKY EYE

1) Apply a soft wash of metallic rose gold cream eyeshadow all over the lids.

2) Dab on some blue or black eyeshadow on the inner corners of the eyes and blend.

3) Apply blue or black eyeshadow on the outer corners of the eyes to form a triangle. Imagine it as the tip of your usual smoky cat-eye make-up. Blend the eyeshadow upwards.

These tricks create the illusion of a full-on smoky eye, although you have accentuated only the inner and outer corners of your peepers.

4) Finish with mascara. To keep the look soft, there is no need for more eyeliner.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on December 5, 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.

#1 MOISTURE PROTECT DRYER
$189, from selected department and electronic stores

This hairdryer is made with an infrared sensor that supposedly detects the temperature of the hair and prevents it from overheating and stripped of moisture.

Review: Besides the temperature setting, there is another switch which allows me to control the airflow. This function is handy when I want my hair to be dried with a high temperature but gentler airflow.

There is also a Moisture Protect button that can be turned on to give hair extra protection. So even when I switched the heat settings to the highest, the hot air did not feel as drying. I often scald my scalp with my regular hairdryer, but had no such problem with this tool when the Moisture Protect button was on.

Afterwards, I found my hair smoother, less frizzy and less stiff than usual. The leave-in hair oil I applied later was also better absorbed as my hair was not as parched.

However, as the heat from the dryer is not as powerful when the Moisture Protect button was on, it took a slightly longer time for my hair to be completely dry.

This blow-dryer also comes with an extra volume diffuser adaptor that is made to give hair more body.

#2 EASYSHINE IONIC STYLING BRUSH
$55, from selected department and electronic stores

This battery-operated hairbrush is built with an ioniser to neutralise the positive charge of static electricity, and to smoothen hair.

Review: The best way to use this brush is on damp hair, so I brushed my towel-dried hair with it. I was impressed when my hair was later left frizz-free and smoother than usual. I also tried this on dry hair and it performed just as well.

However, this brush works best on long straight hair that is not too damaged.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on December 5, 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.

PARK HYE MIN, IN HER 20S

Best known as Pony, the popular South Korean make-up artist was in town in October for the launch of Etude House's world's largest flagship store at Wisma Atria.

She is best known for her step-by-step tutorials on YouTube (Pony's Beauty Diary) on feminine make-up (how to wear pastel shades), dealing with cosmetic conundrums (eye make-up for those with single lids), and celebrity look-a-like looks (HyunA, AngelaBaby, SNSD).

Ms Park is also an Instagram star - she has more than 207,000 followers at @Ponysmakeup.

What is the one product that you would not step out of the house without?

BB Cushion as it helps me to fix my make-up easily no matter where I am.

What is your favourite perfume?

Etude House Love Me Forever EDP because I like floral scents.

What is your must-have grooming session?

Masking. No matter where I go or what I do, I will always try to keep my skin hydrated. I use a variety of masks, such as soothing and moisturising ones, to suit my current skin condition.

What is the most ridiculous thing you have done in the name of beauty?

I tried to replicate Scarlett Johansson's look as Black Widow in the movie The Avengers. As Asians and Caucasians have very different skin features, it was very challenging. I featured the steps on YouTube and it was well received.

Share a beauty tip with us.

To deal with Singapore's humid weather, I strongly recommend all women to cultivate the habit of applying a make-up base or primer as the first step in their make-up routine.

It creates a good foundation for the cosmetics, controls sebum and helps make-up last longer.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on December 5, 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.

2014 saw an explosion in wearable tech, from dedicated fitness and health trackers to watches and augmented reality solutions. It also saw the luxury world sit up, take notice, and start collaborating with tech giants on a range of upmarket gadgets. What were the big hits this year when the worlds of tech and luxury teamed up to create wearables?

1. THE MICA BRACELET BY OPENING CEREMONY & INTEL

The MICA bracelet by Intel & Opening Ceremony | Image: ©Intel, Opening Ceremony 

Publicly unveiled at the Opening Ceremony Spring/Summer 2015 fashion show on September 7, 2014,  in New York City, MICA stands for 'My Intelligent Communication Accessory'. The tech side of things (taken care of by Intel) can display SMS messages and notifications, on a curved sapphire glass touchscreen display. The luxe part was designed by Opening Ceremony which created one design in black watersnake skin, with Chinese pearls and Madagascan lapis stones and a second with white watersnake skin, South African tiger's eye, and obsidian from Russia. Intel announced another deal this week with Luxottica (owners of the Ray-Ban and Persol brands) to create eyewear with built-in tech capability.

2. GOOGLE GLASS BY DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

DVF Made for Glass | Image: ©Google Inc

Google were, of course, one of the first one the scene when it comes to high-tech eyewear. Diane von Furstenberg first incorporated the device into her Spring 2013 runway show to offer her fans a unique insider's perspective from the catwalk. This year the American designer introduced five new Google Glass frame styles and eight sets of shades, all designed to create a little more fashion buzz about the wearable tech item which has had plenty of people buzzing about the potential of augmented reality.

3. PENDANT BY TORY BURCH & FITBIT

Tory Burch for Fitbit pendant | Image: ©Fitbit

This year Fitbit found a stylish way to keep their fans happy. They teamed up with Tory Burch to create three pieces designed to accommodate the Fitbit Flex (US$99.95/S$132, sold separately). The line-up, which was released this summer, includes silicone printed bracelets (US$38/S$50) in a choice of blue or pink, a brass fret pendant necklace (US$175/S$231) and a brass hinged bracelet (US$195/S$257).

4. HEADPHONES BY FENDI & BEATS BY DR DRE

Fendi's first headphones created in collaboration with Beats by Dr. Dre | Image: ©Fendi

The Italian luxury brand teamed up with the now Apple-owned cult headphone brand for a line of luxurious over-ear cans, which were unveiled during the Spring/Summer 2015 menswear show in June this year. The headphones are crafted in selleria leather and handstitched by Fendi's artisans. An ultra-luxe black crocodile leather version was also created to celebrate the launch, but the color options include sunflower yellow, fire red, emerald green, blackboard and asphalt, all in ton sur ton design with the Fendi logo on the side and top.

5. APPLE WATCH

The Apple Watch collection | Image: ©Courtesy of Apple Inc

Okay, so this may be a contentious one for two reasons. First, Apple is not necessarily considered first and foremost a luxury brand, and there's no official collaboration here. And second, this product was only teased this year and hasn't hit the real world. But Apple's investment in fashion and luxury executives (including the former CEOs of Burberry and Yves Saint Laurent) shows its desire to be a mainstream luxury company. Also where Apple leads others follow. Rumors about an Apple Watch have been swirling round the industry for years, now Apple is set to deliver a product, we'll see how revolutionary this technology might prove, especially with a luxury 18-Karat 'Apple Watch Edition' model, looking to compete with high-end watchmakers. -- AFP RELAXNEWS

1. SAY "NO" TO MUMMY GUILT
“When you become a mum, it’s easy to feel guilty about everything you’re doing – or not doing – for your child, especially if you’re a working mum. I’m lucky because I have a flexible schedule; some of my mummy friends aren’t so fortunate – they feel the guilt much more,” muses Jamie.

Which is why the chatty 37-year-old, whose daughter, Alysia (Aly), is almost four, wants everyone to banish mummy guilt once and for all, although she’s no exception to the rule. “I was presenting the Lions XII matches this year, and had to travel every other weekend. That was when the guilt hit the hardest.”

So how does she deal with it? “I tell myself that I’m working to contribute to Aly’s future. Work also keeps me sane, and lets me keep my own identity while being a mum. When I’m home, I find myself so caught up with things like having to throw the best birthday party or worrying that Aly can’t speak Mandarin well. If I only have her welfare to think about, these become the most important things in life, and it’s not healthy for both of us.”

2. CREATE INTERACTIVE MOMENTS WITH YOUR CHILD
It’s okay to let your children watch television or play a game on the iPad – within reason – if you’re busy or too tired to play with them after work. Even so, try to engage them in conversation to have more meaningful interactions with them.

“For example, if she’s watching a cartoon about a brown bear, I’ll say: ‘Hey Aly, doesn’t this brown bear look like your brown bear? Do you like what he’s wearing?’ That lets her know that I’m still paying attention to her.”

3. YOUR KIDS DON'T ALWAYS NEED YOU
Admitting to being a helicopter parent – one who hovers over the kid constantly – in Aly’s first year, Jamie says it took a while before she learnt to relax. “Aly was born premature, so I was anal about making sure that she only ate organic food. As she got older, I was lucky if she ate half of what I gave her (laughs). That made me realise that she needed to grow into her own person.”

Seeing Aly interacting with others and making friends at preschool also gave Jamie the confidence to let go. “I read books on parenting and learnt from my friends’ examples, and saw that giving Aly space to play on her own, or with friends, boosted her imagination and helped her not to be so ‘sticky’ with me.”

4. STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS
Between juggling work, motherhood and www.mums.sg (her online shopping and community platform for mothers), Jamie says she hardly has time for anything else. But one thing she does carve out time for is a monthly girls’ night out with her closest friends.

“In 10 years’ time on a Friday night, your kids aren’t going to be hanging out with you; when you ask them where they are, they’ll ignore your texts! (Laughs) It’s crucial to maintain your friendships – this will not only help you cope with empty nest syndrome, you’ll also be emotionally healthier.”

5. BE ON GREAT TERMS WITH YOUR HELPER
Jamie’s secret: Make sure your helper first knows that you care for her. “My current helper – who’s into her third year with us – and I have an understanding that we’re all going to have off-days. If I’ve been unreasonable with her, I’ll apologise; if she’s done something wrong, she’ll do the same. She has a daughter back home, so I allow her to have an old laptop to Skype with her whenever she misses her.”

In return, Jamie has nothing but praise for how her helper has made her life easier by taking the initiative to ensure that her household runs as smoothly as possible.

6. DON'T TALK ABOUT THE KIDS ALL THE TIME
Try not to let your conversations with Hubby revolve only around your children, so that when they’ve all grown up, you won’t find that the two of you have nothing much to talk about. “My hubby Thorsten and I still go on date nights once a week, and we make it a point not to talk about Aly when we’re out. This keeps the focus on us – what we’ve been up to when we’re not together, our work lives, interests and so on,” says Jamie.

7. A LITTLE STRESS CAN BE GOOD FOR YOU
Oddly enough, Jamie likes being stressed. She explains: “Mild stress helps me power through the day – like how stage performers appreciate having some nerves to give them the adrenalin to get through
their performance.”

But too much stress isn’t good for health – you need to have a routine to help you unwind. In Jamie’s case, she enjoys hitting the gym for a quick run, or going out for a good meal and drinks.

8. POWER NAPS ARE ALL YOU NEED SOMETIMES
If you’re really tired, don’t force yourself to stay awake because you feel bad for not spending time with your kids, says Jamie. You’ll end up being crabby with them.

“When I was hosting the World Cup 2014 shows for Mio TV, I went to work at 3am every day. By the time I got home, I just wanted to sleep. But Aly would want to play; I had to explain to her that I needed a good rest first, so I could be a better playmate later.”

This article was originally published in Simply Her December 2014.

You know the feeling of needing to cut your nails, but you cannot seem to find the time for a proper manicure? That’s exactly what I am feeling now. My nails have grown beyond an acceptable length and I have started to peel and pick at the dry skin around it, resulting in a big red swollen spot at the side of my finger — ugh.

It does not help that we’re getting so close to the party season. How am I supposed to shake hands with strangers and hold champagne glasses elegantly with these claws?

So if you are like me, embarrassed at how your fingernails look, maybe it is time to give yourself a quick manicure at home.

The tools you will need: A cuticle pusher, a nail file, a nail buffer, a nail clipper and a nail trimmer. 

STEP 1: CLEAN YOUR NAILS WITH NAIL POLISH REMOVER

Take off your nail polish thoroughly. Do not skip this step even if you do not have nail polish on. The nail polish remover will help to remove any dust or dirt that is clinging onto your nails. Don’t forget the undersides of your nails too!

STEP 2: SHAPE AND BUFF YOUR NAILS

Cut your nails if you find them a little too long, or you can go straight to filing them. I like to file my nails in a square shape and round off the edges. You can also go with a round shape. Remember to file the underside of the edge of your nail. This will help to take away any feathery bits. Finish off by buffing your nails.

STEP 3: SOAK YOUR NAILS

Apply a hand cream or cuticle oil, then soak your nails for five minutes in a bowl of warm water. You can also add a moisturising soap to the water or a few drops of oil. This will help to soften your cuticles. Do this while you watch tv! It’s really relaxing when you use a fragrant oil.

STEP 4: PUSH YOUR CUTICLES BACK

Take a cuticle pusher and gently push back your cuticles. You don’t want to be too rough or your cuticles will end up red and sore. I don’t recommend trimming your cuticles because it can cause an infection, only trim the hangnails.

STEP 5: PREP YOUR NAILS FOR COLOUR

For this step, a manicurist will spray a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water to your nails to soak up any excess oils, so that the polish will adhere better to your nails. Since most of us do not have rubbing alcohol at home, just put some nail polish remover onto a cotton ball or pad and tap it onto your nails.

STEP 6: APPLY A BASE COAT

Never forget base coat whenever you paint your nails. I did and look how yellow my nails are now. Try to get one that treats your nails. My favourites are OPI’s Nail Envy for strengthening, and Chanel’s Protective Base Coat for prevention of yellow nails. If you have an uneven nail texture, try Chanel’s Base Coat, which will help to fill the ridges in your nails for a smoother surface.

STEP 7: APPLY TWO COATS OF POLISH

If you want that smooth surface of colour you get at a salon, here’s a tip: Apply the nail polish as thinly as possible. You can do this by removing the excess nail polish from the brush at the sides of the bottle and scoop up a small amount at the tip of the brush. Start from the center of the nail and work towards the sides for an even application.

STEP 8: TOP COAT AND CUTICLE OIL

Finish with a top coat! For quick drying purposes, use the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. I like the Dior Gel Coat for extra shine and a gel nail look, but when I want a thinner formula, I’ll go with the Chanel Extreme Shine Nail Lacquer. Apply cuticle oil and you’re done! Your nails will look like they have just gone through an hour of pampering at a salon!

The hunt for that gorgeous party dress was tough.

Now, the last thing you want in your painstakingly put-together #ootd is an exposed part of the bra, visible bra straps or – perhaps the worst culprit of all – an unsightly VPL (visible panty line)!

You wouldn't want to ruin a gorgeous dress like this with visible bra straps! Here's the guide you need. | Images: Showbit, Aimer, Zalora, Net-a-porter, La Senza, Marks & Spencer, Uniqlo, Triumph, Zodee, Wacoal, Asos

Here are the 9 types of lingerie that every woman should know about when it comes to party dressing.

1. THONGS / G-STRINGS

Appropriate for: Bodycon dresses and skirts, tight-fitting pants and shorts

Let’s start with the obvious. This is the only way to eliminate the odds of getting a VPL (besides going commando, which is entirely at your own discretion). Do get one that is the right size, because we’ve seen women walking around with a G-string VPL due to a too-tight thong, which I reckon is worse than the average VPL. You do not want to be that woman.

[Clockwise from top left] Aimer low waist T-back, $36 from aimeronline.com; Absorle G-string, $14.90 from zalora.sg; L’Agent by Agent Provocateur Rosalyn flocked tulle thong, $48, from net-a-porter.com; La Senza G-string, $23

2. SEAMLESS PANTIES

Appropriate for: Bodycon dresses and skirts, tight-fitting pants and shorts

If G-strings aren’t your thing because it feels like you have a permanent wedgie, try seamless panties that are exactly like underwear, but without the hard seams. They will “melt” into your skin so they won’t show up (hopefully!) when you’re in tight-fitting clothes.

[Clockwise from top left] Marks & Spencer No VPL knickers, $15.90; Uniqlo ultra seamless shorts, $9.90; Agent Provocateur Sandra lace and tulle briefs, $265, from net-a-porter.com; Calvin Klein Underwear stretch-lace briefs, $52 from net-a-porter.com

3. SHAPEWEAR

Appropriate for: Anything tight-fitting and A-line silhouettes

What’s a woman got to do when there’s feasting and party dressing involved? Use shapewear, of course. It’s the shortcut to preventing that post-meal bump – or ‘food baby’ as many now call it – as shapewear lingerie works like a corset by nipping in the midsection or constricting the upper thighs.

[Top row: L-R] Triumph body contouring corsage, $199; Triumph long leg trimmer, $179 [Bottom row: L-R] Uniqlo body shaper seamless half shorts, $14.90; Marks & Spencer Ultimate Shaping Magic Low Leg Knickers with Magicwear Technology, $99.90; Marks & Spencer Ultimate Shaping Magic Waist Cincher with Magicwear Technology, $99.90

4. STICK-ON OR BACKLESS BRAS

Appropriate for: Dresses or tops with back cut-outs or backless designs

This goes without saying; you don’t want to spoil that perfect ‘backscape’ in your gorgeous backless dress with an unsightly bra strap (or clasp!). If stick-ons aren’t your thing, try going for a bralet which has an interesting back strap design worthy of exposure.

Hollywood reusable strapless backless hidden bra, $33.59, from zodee.sg

5. SEAMLESS BRAS

Appropriate for: Tight-fitting tops and dresses

We’ve all heard of the VPL, but have you heard about her less notorious sister the VBL (visible bra line)? It’s an unsightly strapline or underwire that shows up when you don’t get the right lingerie. Get a seamless or lacey bra and voila, problem solved (plus, you have more cute lingerie!).

[L-R] Wacoal Simply Support wired ¾ seamless bra, $69.90; Calvin Klein convertible push up bra, $69, from net-a-porter.com

6. PUSH-UP BRAS

Appropriate for: Low-cut necklines

Some of us need more support to fill out a low-cut top. There’s no harm giving your bosom buddies an extra boost with push-ups!

[L-R] La Senza Beyond Sexy push-up bra, $95; Wacoal’s “Up By Two Cups!” push up wired lace bra, $89.90

7. LOW-CUT BRAS

Appropriate for: Low-cut necklines

‘Shawty got low! You’re obviously going for a cleavage-baring dress to show off your best assets and you’d better invest in heavy-duty protection.

[Top row: L-R] Triumph party bra, $89.90; Triumph Aqua Deep-V, $99.90 [Bottom row: L-R] Agent Provocateur Yoshie floral-embroidered stretch-tulle underwired bra, $225 from net-a-porter.com; Fine Lines Charlotte low cut strapless bra, $56.02 from zodee.sg

8. NIPPLE TAPE

Appropriate for: Extremely revealing necklines where no bra is possible

To the daredevils when it comes to necklines, sometimes nipple tape is your only option! It works exactly like stickers to prevent nip-slips when you face a wardrobe malfunction.

Fashion Forms nipple tape, $26.68 from asos.com

9. CONVERTIBLE STRAPS

Appropriate for: Halter dresses, toga dresses and low-back dresses

Sometimes we like wearing things with unconventional necklines, but our bras shouldn’t compromise on that front (or back) as some of us really just want that back support for comfort. Try these low back bras and convertible straps for maximum support and zero visible straps.

[L-R] Marks & Spencer ultimate multiway bra, $69.90; Triumph low back convertible straps, $19.90