Layering Masks 101: Intermediate-level beauty lesson in progress! 

Beauty students, you’re already accustomed to layering standard skincare – even applying several serums at once– so the next logical step, really, is to master mixing and matching multiple facial masks at the same time.

Ready? Here’s the only “rule” you should memorise, mask-wise: Always apply a rinse-off product, regardless of what its purported benefits, before your clay or mud masks. “If you apply a thinner textured emulsion after a mud mask, it’ll never be able to properly penetrate the paste,” notes Nicolas Travis, founder of Singapore grooming brand Allies of Skin.

(Incidentally, the impermeability of “heavy” kaolin particles is also why the instruction labels of most mud masks recommend topping off with a toner to remove all traces of clay from your face.)

So we’ve established that order matters and that mud masks go on last. What else? List down your cosmetic concerns, then “beat” them using a one-two punch: A cream- or lotion-type formula for hydration and fine lines; then a detoxifying clay mask to purge your pores of grease and gunk.

Incredibly intuitive, right? Here are some killer combos in my beauty repertoire that have worked wonders for me. Check ‘em out:

FLAKY SKIN x BREAKOUTS = HYDRATING MASK + MUD MASK

Cruel conundrum: Most acne meds tend to dry out your skin. The unenviable result? Painful pimples plus peeling and flakiness.

Try this two-pronged approach to alleviating acne. First, quench parched skin with a moisturising mask. Single out stuff with soothing additives like the botanical blend found in Fresh’s fantastic Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask, $144, which comes crammed with “cooling” collagen-boosting lychee seed, rejuvenating jicama root juice and antioxidant actives courtesy of a black tea brew.  

Let your hydrating mask marinate for a bit, splash off and follow up with a blemish-busting mud mask. If you have a particularly bad case of peeling, “spot” treat by layering on the second mask only on acne-prone areas, like your cheeks and chin. This targeted approach addresses excess sebum and congested pores without aggravating the sensitive skin on other parts of your face.

Product recommendation-wise, I’m gaga over GlamGlow’s Thirsty Mud Hydrating Treatment, $92, a delicious-smelling, near-magical mix of calming oats and olive leaf, brightening orange blossom honey and hydrating skincare superstar hyaluronic acid.

Insider info: You know this is as good a cult fave as any when I have makeup artist acquaintances beseeching me to stock up on tubs of this hugely hyped Hollywood staple the next time I’m holidaying in the Big Apple!

DULLNESS x OILINESS = BRIGHTENING MASK + CLAY MASK

Another abhorrent complexion combo: Dull skin that’s also slick as a frying pan. First, reanimate lifeless skin with a brightening balm; gun for a gently exfoliating formulation like Peter Thomas Roth’s Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask, $83. Stuffed with a suite of potent stem cell actives said to regenerate and rejuvenate, I love how luxurious this lightly perfumed potion feels on my face. Talk about a skin treat!

Got your go-to brightening mask on? Good. Relax, rinse off, then slap on a clarifying clay mask to sop up sebum. My money’s on Fresh’s Umbrian Clay Mattifying Mask, $80, which boasts a naturally occurring, mineral-rich mud said to annul acidity and purify pores. Top tip: I like stirring in a dollop of pimple-clearing ceramide cream into the mix for a turbo-charged custom concoction. 

These are just two of the myriad mask medleys you can try your hand at, with the sole proviso being that you reserve the clay-type product for application last. Such a simple concept, but a bona fide skin-changer, if you ask me. Have fun mixing and matching your masks, and good luck!

Carina Lau serving up fashion fierceness in spades, hubby Tony Leung Chiu Wai (far left) and a photo-wall plastered with faux £50 bills in her likeness. All photos: Apple Daily/Straits Times

All hail Carina Lau, empress of unabashed self-love.

Want proof of her good-humoured knack for hype? Get this: The decor for her recent 49th birthday banquet at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong included a wall festooned with fake £50 bills – only with Good Queen Bess etched out and replaced with Carina’s likeness.

Oh, and the “bank” that issued the Carina currency? Hong Kong gossip rag Sing Tao Daily notes with some glee that the “illegal” tender was stamped with the emblem of the uh, “Bank of Ka Ling” – Ka Ling being Carina’s Mandarin monicker, naturally.

Spotted: Niki Chow and her model sis Kathy Chow looking fabulous and relatively restrained at the same time  

The woman’s #OOTD? A stunning ebony-and-ivory gown (first worn at the Golden Horse Awards in 1995, in a clever #throwback designed, perhaps, to remind us all of her many Best Actress wins) paired with enormous pearls and the most perfect accessory ever – her handsome hubby Tony Leung Chiu Wai.

A bug-eyed Faye Wong, looking typically ill at ease in front of the camera

As for the guests, here’s a sampling of the VVIPs who showed up to pay homage to the silver screen icon: Faye Wong, Rosamund Kwan, Miriam Yeung, Vicki Zhao, Cecilia Yip, Alex To, Liu Xiaoqing, Chingmy Yau, Ray Lui, Chen Kaige, Eric Tsang ... In other words, celeb catnip for the hordes of hungry Hong Kong paparazzi.  

Conspicuously absent at the swanky soiree? Faye Wong’s beau Nicholas Tse, who was said to have turned down the invite to keep the spotlight squarely on the birthday “girl”. Such a gentleman, no?

This right here is Tony Leung's Mum. Digging the embellished outerwear!

Nic’s no-show aside, Carina’s birthday speech was every bit as grandiose as you would expect from the diva. Apple Daily reports that thanks were given to her friends and, quite pointedly, select “wise” journalists who had earned her favour.

Referring to herself as a flower (!), Carina said her famous friends were her soil and sun: “Although there has been sunlight, there have also been storms. Thank you for getting me through them, and [for] making me stronger.” Cheers, Carina, and may your petals bloom in perpetuity!

You can follow Carina Lau on Weibo.

It's a whole new look for Julia Roberts as seen in Givenchy's Spring Summer 2015 campaign. | Image: ©Twitter.com/givenchy

The American actress is the new face of Paris-based luxury brand Givenchy for Spring Summer 2015.

Last season, Riccardo Tisci captured Erykah Badu for Givenchy; now this time around the Italian designer hired Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott to photograph Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts.

“I decided to make her more intellectual, more serious, more pure,” he explained to WWD. “It’s a different, fresh, new way to see Julia – really cool and urban, I think.”

The 47-year-old actress was shot in black and white, wearing a lace look in one image and a slick yet boxy tuxedo in the other. The tuxedo shot also appears in a diptych with a contrasting color shot of a traffic cone with the Givenchy logo.

She's not the first '90s icon to appear in a major fashion campaign this season: just last week Madonna was unveiled as the face of Versace for Spring Summer 2015. -- AFP RELAXNEWS

ROASTED PORK RACK WITH PEI FONG TONG CRUST

Serves 10
INGREDIENTS
For the marinade:
200ml oyster sauce
100g five-spice powder
50ml Chinese cooking wine (hua diao jiu)
50ml rose wine
10ml sesame oil
100ml honey, for the marinade

1.2kg pork ribs
500g sliced almonds
Cooking oil, for deep-frying
50g dried red chillies, thinly sliced
50g curry leaves
200g dried shrimp
10 cloves garlic, chopped
20g sugar
200g rustica powder* or Cajun seasoning
10g espelette powder*
30ml cooking oil
Honey, to coat the pork

*Rustica powder is a type of seasoning, and espelette is a type of chilli pepper. Both can be found, bottled, at major supermarkets.

DIRECTIONS
1 Mix all the ingredients for the marinade and season the pork ribs with it overnight.
2 Preheat the oven to 120 deg C, and toast the almonds in it for 15min until golden-brown, then crush them coarsely. Turn the oven up to 140 deg C to prepare for step 6.
3 Heat the oil in a pot, then deep-fry the dried chillies until crispy and set aside.
4 Deep-fry the curry leaves with the dried shrimp until crispy, then crush coarsely.
5 Mix the crushed almonds, deep-fried dried chillies, the crushed curry leaves and shrimp with the garlic, sugar, rustica and espelette powders, to make the Pei Fong Tong crust.
6 Heat 30ml cooking oil in a pan over high heat, and sear the pork on all sides until brown. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 30min.
7 Glaze the pork with honey and coat with the Pei Fong Tong crust, then serve.

CHICKEN POT PIE WITH SWEET POTATOES

INGREDIENTS
100ml vegetable oil
2 cinnamon sticks
5 star anise
2 tomatoes, cut into large chunks
2 green chillies, halved
2 shallots, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
50g ginger, finely chopped
500g chicken breast, diced
2 stalks curry leaves
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tbsp cumin powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
100ml water
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
400g sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
50ml coconut milk
2 sheets frozen puff pastry
2 eggs, beaten (for the egg wash)

DIRECTIONS
1 Heat the oil over high heat and saute the cinnamon, star anise, tomatoes and green chillies for 2min until fragrant.
2 Add the shallots, garlic and ginger and saute for 3min until golden-brown.
3 Add the chicken, curry and bay leaves, and powdered spices. Stir, then add the water and bring to the boil.
4 Lower the heat and simmer for 15min until the chicken is cooked through, then add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
5 In a separate pot, boil the sweet potatoes until very soft – pierce a fork through them to check. Drain and mash finely until smooth.
6 Stir the coconut milk into the sweet potato mash and season with salt and pepper.
7 Divide and spread the mash over the bases of two 12cm baking dishes, then top with the chicken.
8 Cover each dish with a sheet of puff pastry and brush the egg wash over.
9 Bake in an oven preheated to 160 deg C, for 15-20min, until the pastry is golden-brown.

CHOCOLATE JACKFRUIT PUDDING

Serves 12
INGREDIENTS
10 whole eggs
10 egg yolks
275g + 100g sugar
500g + 150g jackfruit flesh
500g cacao chocolate buttons*
500g unsalted butter
148g plain flour
Sifted icing sugar, to garnish

*Chef uses Valrhona 55% Cacao Chocolate Buttons, available at Sun Lik Trading, 33 Seah Street, tel: 6338-0980.

DIRECTIONS
1 Preheat the oven to 150 deg C.
2 Hand-whisk the eggs, egg yolks and 275g sugar in a bowl over a pot of boiling water until the mixture is even, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Set aside.
3 Mix 500g jackfruit flesh with the remaining 100g sugar. Set aside.
4 Melt the chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat.
5 Fold the melted chocolate, the sugar-and-jackfruit mixture and the flour into the egg mixture to make a batter.
6 Pour the batter into a 30cm baking pan and bake for 30min, or until a fork inserted into it comes out clean.
7 Garnish with the remaining 150g jackfruit and icing sugar.

All recipes by Vijayakant Shanmugam, executive chef of Parkroyal on Pickering.

This article was originally published in Simply Her December 2014.

Man on a skin-saving mission! Image: Lab Series Singapore

We’ve seen our fair share of gorgeously groomed gents (hey, Godfrey!) but man, I’m not kidding when I say Shane Pow’s skin is like, wow.

Quick primer on the perfectly poreless man of the hour: Shane’s 24 years young, an ex Manhunt Singapore contestant, and his social media clout (74,000 Instagram followers and counting!) is just off the roof.

Oh, he’s also the fresh new face of Lab Series Singapore; expect to see his pretty mug plastered across collaterals and counters island-wide. In other words, Shane Pow is so very clickable for us Web-savvy beauty pundits.

You know what’s truly gratifying? Unlike say, Godfrey Gao or even London-born George Young, there’s a real sense of ownership involved. Shane’s a bona fide Singaporean son and a proud alumnus of Woodlands Ring Secondary School and Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

#BTS at the campaign shoot. Shane giving his best sexy-face for the cameras!

Finally, there’s how incredibly friendly, frank and funny the Best Newcomer nominee at the Star Awards 2013 is in his interaction with the press, despite teetering right on the edge of superstardom. To wit, Shane freely informs us he used to be a pudgy boy (!), and that he freaks out when he well, breaks out.

Still not convinced? Check out the pull quote-worthy soundbites Shane’s furnished us with, and try not to chuckle if you’re reading this in your office cubicle.

Guy fans, brandish your gym-honed guns if you’re aiming to impress. Asked for what he finds most attractive in a dude, Shane says boys with big biceps are sexy: “I have many female friends telling me they love guys with toned arms. Not Dwayne Johnson-level muscles, mind, just a lean and well-toned bod.” In other words, someone like Shane.

Speaking of man parts, feel free to ogle Shane’s pumped-up pecs. Best physical feature? Shane says he’s most confident about his chest: “I used to be a fat kid and my belly balloons whenever I gain weight, but thankfully my chest remains unaffected.” We’re inclined to believe him; I mean, the man sure knows how to fill out a white tee.

instagram.com/p/n7hFGEFleK/

He’s a fan of K-Drama ... Quizzed on his celeb crush, Shane says it’s all about Song Ji-hyo: “I’m incredibly infatuated with Song Ji-hyo! She’s great on Running Man.” We agree!

But even if you’re not a K-Beauty, a full set of teeth is all you need to be eligible for a date with Shane. The man digs a “bright, cheerful smile” on a lady, so a quick trip to the dentist and would-be Shane suitors ought to be good to go: “I'm easily impressed! All a girl needs to do is to be herself and if there's chemistry, I'll ask her out!” Well, well. That gives us a whole lot of hope, then.

Prissy, indoorsy types need not apply. Shane says his dream date would be at the beach, under the stars: “I love the idea of a nice seaside dinner, with the weather at just the right temperature: Not too cold but breezy enough so that we both can be all dressed up.”

Oh, and if you intend to be with Shane, feel free to raid his bathroom cabinet. Sharing and caring is of the essence when it comes to hanging out with our Lab Series stud: “I have tons of female friends who have tried Lab Series products such as the Pro LS All-In-One Face Treatment, and they’ve told me they love how it’s working for their skin!” (Wee caveat: Ladies out there, stick to your go-to beauty regime if that's what you're comfortable with!)

Co-star with the sexiest skin? Shane fingers fellow up-and-comer Julie Tan as having one of the best complexions in the business: “I’ve never seen Julie Tan having bad skin ever, even without makeup on.” Want Insta-proof? This picture of a #MakeUpFree Julie with her adorable pooch may induce a complexion complex!

instagram.com/p/nw-PaqLwj0

Yes, he wears makeup. Deal with it. Shane’s a loyal Lab Series user (he has to be!), but he’s also perfectly comfortable getting a little help by way of warpaint on his face: “More men are putting on makeup! In my line of work, I have to wear makeup on a daily basis for filming, so I don’t think of it as ‘for women’ only.” Bonus points for being entirely at ease in his own skin!

Concealer is Shane’s best friend. We love a guy who’s unafraid of letting it all hang out, so Shane’s admission that he gets all panicky over a pimple is refreshingly endearing: “Everything on TV is high-definition nowadays, so the idea that everyone can see the big zit on my face horrifies me! Whenever I break out, I use concealer as a stopgap measure, then head home to wash my face thoroughly.”

See what we mean when we say Shane Pow’s the perfect idol for our comfortably masculine, non-gender conforming age? All the best for your projects next year, Shane, and good luck smashing gender stereotypes, one gym-going selfie at a time!    

You can follow Shane Pow on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. For more information on Lab Series, visit www.labseries.com.sg and follow Lab Series Singapore on Facebook.

One of the most enduring questions of our time has to be, admittedly: “How does Kate Middleton look so perfect all the time?” The Duchess of Cambridge has a knack for nailing the look: Every. Single. Time.

Granted, she probably has a talented style squad working behind-the-scenes. She is royalty after all. Nonetheless, here are 5 lessons we can learn from the one of the best-dressed baby bumps of all time, which are totally suitable for Singapore’s hot and humid weather!

TIP #1. Wear a dress with sheer panels

Images: Corbis

Whether it’s sheer panels on the sleeves, across the shoulders or along the bottom of the dress (just not the midsection!), the translucent effect takes the attention away from the bump and directs the viewer’s gaze to the exposed and thinly-veiled skin. This black lace gown by Diane von Furstenberg is the perfect example of that.

New Look Maternity lace bodycon dress, $60.60 from asos.com

TIP #2. Go for a peplum top

We all know by now what a peplum top does to our figure: It makes us look like we’ve been working out like, real hard. Accentuate your peplum top as Kate has done here with a belt! Notice how all the attention goes to the waist? Then, pair it with a flowy skirt to conceal the bump. Also, note the top she’s sporting: Sheer at the shoulders! (Refer to Tip #1)

Eva Alexander silk tunic, $139.05 from nordstrom.com

TIP #3. The wrap dress (or some variation of it)

This is one of the surest ways to get elegant maternity style, by going for one of the most stylish innovations in fashion’s history. The wrap dress, signified by the knotted effect on the side of the ribcage, draws attention up and away from the baby bump, while the textured folds shows off the pregnant silhouette subtly and gracefully.

Ingrid & Isabel wrap dress, $124.86 from nordstrom.com

TIP #4. Wear a collared dress

Don’t let the baby bump get in the way of pulling off a polished look! The takeaway here is to wear something with a neat collar. The idea of it resembles a schoolgirl uniform and frees you from buying only frumpy-looking silhouettes!

Paper Dolls pencil dress, $121.29 from asos.com

TIP #5. Go for a solid coloured dress with discreet details

This coat is one of my favourite pieces from the Duchess’ wardrobe of sartorial hits. Go for a dress that is a solid colour with subtle accents on the shoulders and the sleeves. Details add surprising visual contrast and earns your maternity style a few sartorial points instantly.

Seraphine navy maternity dress, from seraphine.com

WHAT IS IT?
For Clarins’ 60th anniversary, the brand is releasing limited edition bottles of its best selling Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil and Body Tonic Oil and introducing a full face and body treatment at its skin spa. The Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil and Body Tonic Oil will be available in luxurious gold packaging – a must-have for fans of these “golden” oils.

Apply the Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil on damp skin once a week to treat dehydrated skin. Do also try applying the Tonic Body Treatment Oil (favoured by pregnant women to prevent stretch marks) in the shower and spraying cold water afterwards for deeper penetration of the oil.

Clarins is also introducing – for the first time ‒ a full face and body treatment at its skin spa. Called the Art of Touch, it makes use of different “touch” techniques and a blend of products to address your face and body concerns.

These “touch” techniques are different from what you would normally expect from a traditional Thai or Javanese massage. They are softer and more targeted towards releasing “negative energy”. (People who are afraid of painful massages, you won’t experiencing that here!)

The massage is also said to improve blood circulation and will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated after the treatment.

WHAT HAPPENS
I had the opportunity to experience the 90-minute treatment and boy, am I rushing to book my next appointment as soon as I can!

I first had a skin consultation with the beauty therapist and spoke about my concerns of dehydrated skin, cellulite on my thighs and bloatedness from water retention.

Then, I sampled two fragrances and chose Eau Dynamisante for my treatment for its invigorating properties. (I had to go back to work.) It contains a blend of Lemon, Patchouli, Petit Grain, Ginseng and White Tea. This scent filled the room the entire time. The other option available for this is the Eau Ressourcante, which has essential oils of Basil, Iris, Cedarwood and Sarsaparilla to promote a feeling of total relaxation.

In the first step of the treatment, she smoothed the ClarinsPRO Pure-Melt Massage Body Butter – a professional grade product only found at the spa – over my arms and legs, applying just a little pressure. This step of the treatment is meant to cultivate a sense of calm, and it did. I had to fight really hard not to fall asleep.

She then cleansed my face and applied the Clarins Double Serum, on top of which she added the HydraQuench Anti-Thirst Cream-Mask, covering my eyes and lips as well. Similar to the rest of the brand’s spa treatments, there is no extraction for the facial. The mask was left on my face while she moved onto the second step of the treatment.

Using her palms and thumbs, the therapist started to progressively increase the pressure of the massage on each part of my body. She pressed the acupoints in my palms and feet. This step really relaxed my muscles ‒ I could feel her loosening the knots in my tight shoulders as she kneaded them in gentle but effective strokes.

At the last step, she removed the mask on my face, and the dryness I felt before was no longer there. For the body, she pressed the center of my stomach and the sides of my thighs in motions that are longer and deeper to firm and sculpt the skin.

Finally, she applied Eau Dynamisante in patting motions to each part of my body. The cooling sensation and scent helped to refresh and awaken my senses.

THE RESULTS
I went back to the office and had my most productive day yet, with colleagues commenting on how bright my skin looked without makeup. Plus, that night ‒ after a whole week of insomnia ‒ I slept like a log. Now you see why I’m definitely going back?

Grab a copy of the December 2014 issue of Herworld Magazine to read about associate features editor Jeanne Tai’s Art of Touch experience in Shanghai.

Art of Touch, $230 for 90mins, will be available from January 2015 at the Clarins Skin Spa at Wheelock Place.

Limited Edition Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil, $65, and Limited Edition Tonic Body Treatment Oil, $78, are available at all Clarins counters from January 2015.

For more information, visit www.clarins.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.

THE CLASSIC AMUSEMENT PARK

EUROPA-PARK
Rust, Germany
Europa-park in south-west Germany is one of the world’s leading theme parks, boasting countless rides and attractions for visitors of all ages. Dino Merry-go-round is a spinning ride for kids aged four and up. The Euro-Mir roller coaster takes kids aged eight and older right down to the ground in spinning gondolas, at up to 80kmh. Eurosat is an indoor roller coaster that zips through “outer space”. And the Children’s Lighthouse lets kids and adults pull themselves up to the top of the 9m structure.

Very young children will enjoy the Puppet Boat Ride, where gondolas glide slowly through the world of fairies and fairy tales, and the Silverstone Race Track, which takes kids around a course at full-throttle speed.

Some rides are closed in winter, so check the website (www.europapark.de) to see which are open.

WHERE FAIRY TALES COME TO LIFE

EFTELING
Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands
Kids of all ages will love the fairy tale- and fantasy-themed rides at Efteling, which opened in 1952 and now includes a hotel, theatre, golf course and holiday village.

Through Fairy Tale Forest attractions like Cinderella, The Little Match Girl, Hansel and Gretel and The Emperor’s New Clothes, your little ones can meet their favourite characters and experience the stories for themselves. Younger children will also enjoy the carousels and steam-train ride. Tweens can check out the indoor and outdoor roller coasters, the massive maze, or the adventure-packed Pirana water ride.

The Aquanura show is perfect for the whole family. It’s a musical extravaganza that uses water, light and fire to depict the park’s various attractions, and is a tribute to The Frog Prince, one of the original 10 attractions of the Fairy Tale Forest.

You will need more than a day to fully enjoy Efteling, and may have to queue for up to 40 minutes for each attraction during busy periods.

FOR A SPLASHING GOOD TIME

DISNEY’S BLIZZARD BEACH WATER PARK
Orlando, Florida, US
This water park offers an array of fun rides for kids, from preschoolers to teens. For the younger ones, there’s Melt-away Bay, a huge wave pool, and Tike’s Peak, a polar-themed playland with slides and water activities.

Older kids can try Toboggan Racers, a water slide on which they’ll “race” other “contestants” down a hilly slalom course; Runoff Rapids, an inner-tube high-speed water slide; Chairlift, which gives passengers a slow-moving scenic ride up to the summit of the park’s Mount Gushmore; Ski Patrol Training Camp, an activity-driven play area with tricky obstacles and intermediate slides; and Teamboat Springs, one of the world’s longest group whitewater raft rides, with each raft taking up to six people – hold on tight through 360m of twists and turns on this fantastically long, wide water slide.

NATURAL THRILLS

OCEAN PARK
Hong Kong
On top of the animal shows and displays at Hong Kong’s premier theme park, visitors can check out rides like the Ferris Wheel, Flying Swing, The Dragon roller coaster, Mine Train, water rides like Raging River and The Rapids, the Bungee Trampoline, and the Bumper Blaster with its classic bumper cars. Kids can also interact with the pandas as well as meet arctic foxes in their dens, and those who are at least 10 years old can even go snorkelling in the park’s massive aquarium.

EVERY ATTRACTION UNDER THE SUN 

BETO CARRERO WORLD
Santa Catarina, Brazil
Located on the coast north of Santa Catarina, Beto Carrero World features seven themed areas. Animal World, for example, is a zoo that lets you see the animals at close range, and it includes an alligator-inspired roller coaster and a caged walkway. German Village has classic amusement-park rides, such as bumper cars, rotating teacups, a ball pool and a tube maze. Pirate’s Island has carnival mirrors and a pirate ship, while Radical Adventure, more suited to older children, offers thrilling roller coasters, a maze and a kart track. Old West is like a frontier town, with saloons, horses and themed attractions.

A number of shows are also meant for the whole family, like Dreamworks’ Madagascar Circus Show, a performance by characters from the movie, and Blum, which features acrobatic performances.

THE ULTIMATE HOLLYWOOD EXPERIENCE
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Hollywood, California, US
In addition to the thrilling theme-park rides and shows, your kids will get to check out a real working movie studio and enjoy action-packed entertainment.

Among the main attractions: Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, a heart-warming and hilarious 3-D ride that starts in Gru’s home, and takes you through “Minion training” and a trip through Gru’s super-villain laboratory. After the ride, you can participate in an interactive, Minion-inspired dance party, as well as visit a recreation of the first film’s seaside carnival, Super Silly Fun Land, an outdoor family play zone.

Don’t miss the Studio Tour – Hollywood’s most famous backlot, home to sets from well-known TV shows as well as the award-winning King Kong 360 3-D attraction by director Peter Jackson.

This article was originally published in Simply Her December 2014.

Online shopping in Singapore is hitting fever pitch this Christmas season! These stores know you hate the Christmas shopping crowds, so they’re bringing the deals to your computer screen.

For 24 hours on December 12, 2014, online stores Lazada and Zalora will offer discounts you probably can’t find anywhere else.

Image: Screengrab from zalora.sg

On Zalora, shoppers can book flights on Jetstar, which will be offering discounted fares for 24 hours (!!) and at the same time, shoppers can make accommodation bookings through Hotel Club.

You can also find other Christmas essentials to spruce up your home for the holiday season from Courts, Redmart, Naiiseand Nescafe. Bookmark this page if you’re already getting excited – that’s where you’ll find all the deals conveniently summarised on one page.

For hard-core shoppers and insomniacs, Lazada will offer heavy discounts from midnight (tonight!) until 8am on nearly everything on the site, ranging from electronics to toys to sports equipment.

For those who need their beauty sleep and just can’t fathom the idea of staying up or waking up early to shop, there will also be hourly flash sales from 8am to 11.59pm, where different products go on sale at different hours of the day.

Screengrab from lazada.sg

Remember: It’s happening for one day only. Get ready to snag the best deals!

Deciding what to wear to the airport and how to pack your carry-on bag can be one of the most annoying things when it comes to travel. You want to keep your skin plump after 14 hours in the aircraft and look just as good as you get off.

Here are 5 tips on preparing for the long haul flight, and how to go through airport security as smoothly as possible!

#1 BARELY THERE MAKEUP
Try not to put on any makeup when you leave for the airport. For lazy girls like me, think about all the cleansing you have to do on the plane in the tiny toilet cubicle. If you can’t live without your makeup, do what the K-Stars do and use a base product that’s lighter, such as a BB cream or a tinted moisturiser.

These are products you can apply very easily with your fingers or a convenient cushion puff to blur imperfections on your skin, but still letting it breathe.

Most of these K-Stars also skip the eyeliner (hence the sunglasses). They mostly fill in their brows and apply a glossy lip tint for a fresh-faced look.

#2 GET READY TO CLEANSE
Before your skin can soak in all the goodness from the nourishing cream you bring on the plane, you need to get rid of all the makeup. Pack sample sized cleansers into your carry-on bag. I love buying the 100ml version of Bioderma’s Micelle Solution, or cleansing wipes like Koh Gen Do’s Cleansing Spa Water Cloths for this. They’re gentle on the skin and will not agitate it like some cleansing wipes do. Take note that you should not be too rough with the cleansing wipe and don’t rub it on your skin.

Bonus tip: K-Idol Kim Jae-kyung from Rainbow once showed on K-beauty programme, Get it Beauty, a neat trick on how to make your own cleansing cloth for the flight. Put some cotton pads into a ziplock bag and pour enough micellar water into the bag to moisten the pads.

Another product that’s really good for travelling is Laneige’s Trouble Relief Cleansing Tissue. The cleansing tissues are dry in the packet. All you have to do is to lightly wet the tissue and it will soften into the usual moist cleansing wipe! It’s great for reducing the amount of liquids to carry on board.

Remember: Sample sizes are always the best! Find out how you can avoid wasting precious skincare with these beauty packing tips.

#3 BRING A SLEEPING MASK
Beauty vloggers are all about masking on the plane, but no way am I sitting in my seat with a sheet mask on my face! (I already felt conscious putting on pimple patches!) So opt for a sleeping mask instead.

I like the Innisfree Green Tea Sleeping Pack and Glamglow Thirsty Mud for my combination-dry skin. Go with the former if you feel that you have slightly oily skin, while the latter is a lot better for those with drier skin.

#4 GO ALL OUT ON SUNSCREEN
The thing I dread the most about any flight is having to leave the window shields open for takeoff and landing. (Imagine all the UV rays hitting my skin!) Instinctively, I grab the safety pamphlet and shield my face, but you cannot control where the light comes from (usually in all angles). So go all out on the sunscreen and apply it not just on your neck and face, but your hands and other exposed parts of your body, too. Your skin will thank you for it 20 years later.

#5 USE A TRANSPARENT POUCH
With restrictions on liquids getting tighter all around the world, some airports may request that you declare all the liquids you are bringing on board. I was once flying out of a country in Europe and was asked to take out all my toiletries from an opaque navy blue pouch. Then, I was given two tiny ziplock bags (only because I said I was travelling with someone else) to stuff all my toiletries inside, toothpaste, bath soap and shampoo included. (Thankfully they were kind enough to spare me two bags, imagine if I travelled alone!)

So save the trouble (and embarrassment) of having to repack all your beauty items into a ridiculously small ziplock (those are the only ones available) and pack your toiletries into a transparent bag. You can find them at Muji or Daiso stores.

Of course, be reasonable about the amount you bring up the plane; no one is going to let you go up the plane with two big pouches full of liquids. Limit yourself to just one pouch with all liquids below 100ml, because you really do not need that much anyway. (You normally take a few months to finish a 30ml serum) To be safe, always double check on the limits with the airport staff!

Now you’re ready for takeoff! Check out how you can get beautiful skin even after a long haul flight with some bonus beauty tips from GaryPepperGirl.

Bioderma Sensibio Micelle Cleansing Solution, $15.90 for 100ml is available at Guardian Pharmacy, Robinsons, John Little and Nishino Pharmacy outlets. For more information, visit www.bioderma.com and follow the brand on Facebook.

1. Wear two open bands on the same hand

Images: Showbit

2. Instead of stacking multiple rings, go for a minimalist yet chunky ring

3. Oversized pearls lend a feminine touch to a houndstooth suit

4. A surrealist eye motif adds a surprising twist to an ensemble

5. If you like edgy animal prints or leather, get rock-star-worthy open rings like this one which spans four fingers

GET THE LOOK!

Lara Bohinc Sun and Moon Ring in sterling silver with onyx and cubic zirconia, $849 from larabohinc.com

Maria Black Jewellery Temple oxidised silver ring with diamonds, $590 from Club 21

Avec New York Nikki Pearl Open Ring in 925 sterling silver with pearl, $347 from avecnewyork.com

THE CLAIMS: This cream is the very essence, so to speak, of anti-aging. As per press notes, Laneige says lab analysis suggests a jar of Time Freeze Intensive Cream will “turn back your skin clock by 800 days.” Wow.

Quick mental calculus: That means one tub will reverse your skin age by a good two years. How? The potion promises to amp up production of your skin’s collagen, which can get sluggish over time. Laneige says you can expect a firmer face that’s perfectly plump and youthful, with softer wrinkles that appear blurred out with a real-life Photoshop wand.

Sorcery? These extraordinary claims are backed by what the K-Beauty brand calls Dynamic Collagen_EX, a carefully curated blend of your familiar hydrating hero, hyaluronic acid, and pinitol, the latter being a botanical extract said to turn on the “switch” that commands your skin to churn out collagen.

Well, if it's good enough for the preternaturally youthful Song Hye-kyo ... 

WHY I LOVE IT: Let’s be honest here, nothing short of an aggressive session involving scalpels and needles is going to make you look 800 days younger. Cold, hard truth there.

What I can vouch for, however, is how absolutely awesome this cream feels like when slathered on your skin. How to put this in words? Okay, if you’re familiar with Laneige’s lovely Water Sleeping Pack, think that and then some. The Time Freeze Intensive Cream is really quite something: A comfortably creamy concoction that thins out into a gel with the most gorgeous glide, like the very best Korean gelato.

All of which is to say, this isn’t the sort of suffocatingly rich salve your Grandma might wear to bed. I’ve experimented by layering this under and over makeup, and I’m happy to report that it sits like a dream: No slippage, no shiny slick, nothing.

To use, dab a dollop or two onto your forehead and cheeks, then spread upwards and outwards onto your temples and neck. No elbow grease demanded on your part, either: The cream sinks straight in; no rough rubbing equired.

Oh, and for what it’s worth, I’ll have you know that my pimple-prone skin is as sensitive as an emo rocker relic from the nineties, so it’s a real miracle that an ostensibly heavy-duty anti-aging cream like this one hasn’t broken me out.

Minor quibble: A point or two will have to be deducted for the tub-type packaging – your hands really do have to be clean before digging into the pot. There’s an almost perfunctory spatula tossed into the mix, but it’s much too much of a hassle to deal with on a daily basis; Laneige R&D folks, consider a pump dispenser for future iterations, please!

As for the results proper? Like I’ve mentioned, don’t expect this topical face cream to function like a Benjamin Button-esque cure-all on the level of Botox.

That aside, I’m pathologically obsessive when it comes to counting the creases and crinkles on my face, so I can honestly say that a month of twice-daily use wiped out the wee wrinkles on the side of my nose. Now for the true test of any beauty product: To repurchase or no? A resounding yes, please!

GET IT AT: Laneige Time Freeze Intensive Cream, $95 for 50 ml, is available at all Laneige boutiques and counters. For more information, visit www.laneige.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

Sometime during the weekend, I dropped the entire sponge from my BB cushion compact onto the floor (I’m not referring to the puff, but the actual sponge which holds the product). This was, mind you, one of the most premium sponges I bought on a trip to South Korea, unavailable in Singapore. So you can imagine the frustration I felt from having to wipe $70 worth of product off my bathroom floor.

I wasn’t going to go through the trouble of trying to get the product shipped to Singapore, but I felt bored having to go back to the same BB cushion I used before. Looking at all the liquid foundations I’ve left lying around the house ever since I became obsessed with cushion compacts, I decided to make my own. Here’s how you can do it too:

WHAT YOU NEED
To clean your cushion sponge, you will need: A brush cleanser, an antibacterial soap and a small dish to soak your sponge in.

For the BB cream, you will need: Sunscreen, foundation and moisturiser. Try to use products with a more fluid texture so that it’s easier to blend. The product travels through the cushion sponge a lot faster and easier too. If you do choose a creamy product – for instance, if you have dry skin and want to use a thicker moisturiser – make sure that the other products have lighter textures.

Remember that a wrong mix of products can cause your skin to react negatively, so always do a patch test on your inner arm to see if the mixture matches your skin.

Let’s get started!

WHAT TO DO

STEP 1: Wash the sponge and compact
Soak your sponge in the brush cleanser. You will need to put in a little effort into this because the sponge has been filled with product for a long time. I spent a week washing my cushion sponge because I could not find the time to wash it in between soaks, but you can probably get all the product out within a day. You will also need quite a lot of brush cleanser: I used half the bottle of my Beauty So Clean Conditioning Brush Cleanser (I’m very kiasu, okay). Follow up with an antibacterial soap.

I used a cleansing tissue to wipe away any product left in the compact and sprayed some brush cleanser onto hard-to-reach areas.

Once you’re done, leave it to dry.

STEP 2: MAKE THE BB BASE

BB creams are known for having a bunch of ingredients that are good for your skin. Here, I’m mixing an equal amount of sunscreen and moisturiser into the compact. You can also add a serum to the formula for an extra bit of punch.

STEP 3: ADD THE COLOUR

Mix an equal amount of foundation into the mixture. I’m going ahead with the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation because I want a “real-skin” finish to my BB cream. The formula is relatively liquid too.

Note: If you want a more skincare-focused BB cream, mix sunscreen, foundation and moisturiser in a 1:1:1 ratio.

You can stop at this step if you only want to make a BB cream and not a cushion compact.

STEP 4: SOAK THE CUSHION
Put in the cushion sponge and voila, you have your very own cushion compact! Just wait for the product to settle into the sponge.

The time varies depending on the consistency of your BB cream. I would leave it to sit for the entire day, with the compact turned upside down. Don't worry if you do not see product at the top of your sponge when you open the compact later in the day. Just press the sponge with your cushion puff to bring the product to the top and apply accordingly. 

Now you have your very own BB cushion. Remember to clean the puff every week. Enjoy!

Beauty So Clean Conditioning Brush Cleanser, $26, is available on luxola.com. For more information, visit www.beautysoclean.com, and follow the brand on Facebook. 

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation, $76, is available at the Make Up For Ever Academy & Pro Loft and Sephora. For more information, visit www.makeupforever.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

C+S ART PRINTS
www.csartprints.com
The local online store customises storyboards with your provided text, which can be a medley of memorable dates, places, quotes, or just words that mean something to you. They’re printed on high-quality cotton canvas wrapped around a frame, ready to display. From $250 for a 30x64cm canvas board.

POPPIN PRINTS
www.poppinprints.com
Turn your Instagram or other square photos into framed posters, graphic art prints, magnets, stickers, and most impressively, Chop Blocks (rubber stamps with a hand-drawn sketch modelled after your photo). From $10 for 12 2.5-inch stickers to $60 for a Chop Block pack.

ABC ME
www.abcmebooks.com
Featuring colourful animal illustrations and a short rhyme for every letter in the recipient’s name, The Perfect Name ($39.90) is a meaningful keepsake hardcover A4-sized book that can be tailored to any infant or toddler.

BYND ARTISAN
2 Chin Bee Avenue, tel: 6267-5066, www.byndartisan.com
This speciality store dealing in leather goods and bookbinding lets you put together your own journal for as little as $20, with your choice of cover colour and material. Embellishments such as snap buttons, clasps and elastic bands can be added before the book is wire-bound on the spot by Bynd Artisan’s craftsmen.

ORRO PRIVATE COLLECTION
#02-09 Pacific Plaza, www.orro.com.sg
For Mum, Sis or that special BFF you’re willing to splash more cash on, visit this jewellery store that deals with diamond simulants – they look as mesmerising as the real thing. Orro creates made-to-order jewellery according to reference images or your own sketches. From $1,500 for pieces set in 18K white, yellow or rose gold.

CASETIFY
www.casetify.com
While plenty of shops allow you to custom-order a phone or tablet case with your photos printed on it, Casetify is the only one that lets you create a collage with as many as 20 snapshots. Cases are available for a wide range of smartphones and tablets. Prices, inclusive of delivery, start from US$34.95 (S$43.70).

This article was originally published in Simply Her November 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.

In case you haven’t heard the news, Anna Sui has designed a limited edition tote bag exclusively for our little red dot’s golden jubilee!

Women here can carry around an exclusive tote bag featuring orchid motifs – Singapore’s national flower – which are available in black and cream versions. It is made of faux leather and sturdy nylon and comes with a longer strap for you to use it as a sling bag.

The limited edition Anna Sui tote bag for SG50 in the black version. | Images: UOB

To get your hands on the limited edition bag, you have to spend at least $1,500 on a UOB credit card within five receipts by December 31, 2014. Redeem the bag over the counter before January 11, 2015, at the Orchard Central concierge counter or UOB’s Orchard Branch, 230 Orchard Road, Faber Branch. The top 1,000 spenders will also get customised Anna Sui bag charms.

The limited edition Anna Sui tote bag for SG50 in the cream version.

For die-hard Anna Sui fans who don’t have a UOB credit card, you can still apply for one at www.UOB.com.sg/Xmas.

Anna Sui, the American-born Chinese designer, is best-known for her boudoir aesthetics in her eponymous cosmetics line. Keep a look out for an upcoming interview with her on her current obsessions and the one thing she regrets buying!

Here’s the “dirty” secret about hand sanitiser – it may, in fact, be causing cancer.

Now, before dismissing this out of hand as another bit of alarmist nonsense, here’s what we know. Recent research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences strongly suggests that long-term use of triclosan – an incredibly common antibacterial agent of which more later – may induce liver cancer, at least in mice and quite possibly humans.

“Triclosan’s increasingly broad use in consumer products may overcome its moderate benefit and present a very real risk of liver toxicity for people, as it does in mice,” warned Robert Tukey, co-author of said study and a professor at the San Diego School of Medicine in the University of California. Here’s his dubious “recipe” for coaxing cancer in mice: Do as Tukey and his colleagues did and rear your rats on triclosan-laced food for six months straight. You’ll find that your batch of rodents will be more prone to liver tumours, compared to a control group given a “clean” diet.

The scientists’ hunch: Specific liver proteins go haywire when doused in the chemical, causing a cascade of abnormal cell growth. This deduction dovetails with a disquieting body of evidence pointing to the toxicity of triclosan: It’s already been fingered as a dangerous disrupter of hormones.

Here’s the diciest bit: Triclosan is as common as it gets. Conduct a cursory scan of the ingredients label of any number of household items – detergent, disinfectants, plastic utensils, toothpaste and yes, hand sanitisers – and odds are the offending chemical will be there.

Throwing up your manicured mittens in horror? Here’s ace advice from Bruce D. Hammock, PhD, professor at the University of California, Davis: “We could reduce most human and environmental exposure by eliminating uses of triclosan that are high volume but of low benefit, such as inclusion in liquid hand soaps.”

Translation? Trash your triclosan hand sanitisers, which more often than not are alcohol-laden (read: dehydrating) and, as per the FDA, ineffective to boot. The most convincing nail in triclosan’s coffin, really, is the fact that the wheels have been set in motion to ban the chemical outright, such as a bill that was recently passed in Minnesota.

Don’t feel as if your hands are tied without sanitiser, though. The solution is elegant in its simplicity: Just revert to sudsing up with a good old fashioned bar soap, and keep your cuticles well conditioned by stashing a tube of hydrating cream in your cosmetics pouch.

Try Kenzoki’s softly scented Sensual Hands Balm, hands down one of the best for my money with its exotic blend of beneficial botanical butters and rejuvenating rice extracts.

Are we all good? Share this story with fellow hygiene freaks if you want to give it the thumbs up, and good luck!

Kenzoki Sensual Hands Balm, $20 for 50ml, is available at all Kenzo counters and at Sephora ION. For more information, visit www.kenzoparfums.com/nl/collection-kenzoki.