Pop-up shops are no longer blink-and-you-will-miss-it affairs held over one or two weekends.

At least eight establishments here have unveiled new ventures that last three to six months in prime locations and retail spaces. Five of them are at Millenia Walk. Here is a rundown on what to look for.

BooksActually, which has a pop-up store in Millenia Walk, is focused on expanding its brand presence and wooing a new crowd. -- PHOTO: BOOKSACTUALLY 

BOOKSACTUALLY

What: Home-grown bookstore with a good selection of Singapore literature and vintage knick-knacks

When: Until February 8, 2015, 11am to 8pm daily

Where: Millenia Walk, 01-83

Prices: From $10 for a chapbook and $3 for a wooden spoon

Info: www.facebook.com/BooksActually

PHOTO: HIC JUICE

HIC MARKETPLACE

What: Health-centric store that sells cold-pressed juices, organic snacks and bodycare items

When: Until early July 2015, 11am to 9pm daily

Where: Millenia Walk, 01-103

Prices: From $8 for a 250ml bottle of cold pressed juice and $6.50 for a packet of kale chips

Info: www.facebook.com/HICmarketplace

ART ASSEMBLY

What: An art gallery specialising in oil paintings and locally designed home accessories When: Until end of March 2015, 11am to 8pm (Monday to Friday), 10.30am to 8pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Where: Millenia Walk, 01-50

Prices: From $450 for a 80cm x 100cm painting

Info: www.facebook.com/a.assembly

PHOTO: SUPERMAMA

SUPERMAMA MOBILE GALLERY

What: Purveyor of locally designed home decor items and accessories inspired by Singapore culture and identity

When: Until end of March 2015, 11am to 8pm daily

Where: Millenia Walk, 01-49

Prices: From $20 for a pair of tabi socks and $38 for a porcelain cup

Info: www.facebook.com/supermamasg

NANA & BIRD

What: Multi-label boutique specialising in an eclectic range of accessories and fashion pieces

When: Till end of February 2015, 11.30am to 8.30pm daily

Where: Millenia Walk, 01-42

Prices: From $90 for a piece of Article 22 jewellery and $190 for an Aijek top

Info: www.facebook.com/nanaandbird

PHOTO: SHADY REPUBLIC

KEEPERS: SINGAPORE DESIGN COLLECTIVE

What: A collective featuring clothing, accessories and trinkets by up to 50 Singapore designers

When: Till February 15, 2015, 11am to 10pm daily. Its interactive visual installation Karaoke Party - a series of fashion films that viewers can sing along to, featuring home-grown fashion designers and musicians - runs from Jan 17 to 25

Where: Orchard Green, at the junction of Cairnhill and Orchard roads

Admission: Free, with some ticketed events

Prices: From $98 for a leather bracelet from jewellery label Carrie K and $56 for a top from fashion label mu

Info: keepers.com.sg and karaokeparty.sg

PHOTO: WORKSHOP ELEMENT

WORKSHOP ELEMENT

What: A retail experiment featuring edgy fashion items and accessories by about 20 local and regional brands.

When: Till February 28, 2015, 11am to 10pm daily

Where: 03-01/02, 313@somerset

Prices: From $99 for a men's shirt by Coupe Cousu and $85 for a sterling silver pendant by Yuki Mitsuyasu

Info: www.facebook.com/Workshop.Element

PHOTO: CRATEFUL

CRATEFUL

What: A modern grocery store that stocks made-in-Singapore produce and nibbles. When: Till end of February 2015, 11am to 6pm daily

Where: 1M, Yong Siak Street

Prices: From $8.50 for a packet of nougat by 3 Bites Full and $4 for a 50g jar of pineapple jam from GSH Conserves

Info: www.facebook.com/crateful.com.sg

This story was first published in The Straits Times on January 10, 2015. To read more, go to www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle. Please note, if you are not a subscriber you may not be able to access this page.

The supermodel of the moment announced her new partnership with the famous cosmetics brand on Instagram.

Image: Gigi Hadid's Instagram account

Many have predicted Gigi Hadid will be the model of the year in 2015, and she is certainly starting the year on a high note. The young woman was chosen by Maybelline as the star of its forthcoming advertising campaigns. The model shared the news with her fans in a video and a post on her Instagram account.

"I'm so beyond honored & excited (at a loss for words, really) to be the new face of @Maybelline ... It's such a dream come true to be a part of this family," Hadid told her followers, illustrating the post with a photo from the set.

At age 19, the lovely blonde has already walked the runways of Marc Jacobs, Jean Paul Gaultier and Jeremy Scott and posed in campaigns for Tom Ford and Sisley. She is also among the stars of the 2015 edition of the famous Pirelli Calendar. -- AFP Relaxnews

Every once in a while, some of us admire the impossibly impeccable style of our Korean counterparts.

Beauty looks notwithstanding, they seem just about flawless wherever they are – whether it’s sipping coffee at a cafe, going for a casual walk in the park, or boarding a plane at the airport.

You’ve got to take it from a real Korean OL (office lady).

Hyejin, 28, the creative director and co-founder of Korean online store ME-IN, shares some super-generous K-style tips with herworldPLUS! Ladies, get ready for some serious note-taking!

TIP #1. Try the latest Korean trend: “Romantic chic”! 

The latest K-Style trend is all about lace – the more delicate the fabric, the better! | Images: Wesley Kow, Me-In.kr

As Korean women tend to be shorter and more petite than the French, “French chic” doesn’t always have the desired effect (refer to TIP #2). Enter, “romantic chic”: It involves wearing shorter skirts and higher heels to create the illusion of longer legs. The choice of fabric is brighter and more delicate. “The style can be described as a fusion of Western minimalism and the irrepressible ‘cute princess’ lurking inside every Korean woman.”

TIP #2. Embrace the idea of “French chic”

Try pulling off "french chic" only if you get clothes that fit you right

It’s all about minimum effort and maximum sophistication. To emulate this effortlessly-cool style that’s so popular in Korea, go for a white top with well-fitting black bottoms or denim, as illustrated below.

TIP #3. Splurge on quality investment pieces

This one is pretty obvious – but that’s what the Koreans do! Draw the line between an “investment” piece and an “expensive” dress. It’s all about the quality and the cut. “Like a reliable suit for men, the right dress can be accessorised in a variety of ways,” says Hyejin. Don’t be afraid to splurge on a well-tailored dress made of a high quality fabric – it’s an investment piece you’ll want to wear for years to come.

A greyscale palette always works when you want to look professional and polished at the office.
Shop the dress, shoes and earrings at cool-find.me-in.kr

TIP #4. Be brutally honest about your body & save more money than you think

Let’s face it: Not everyone is born looking like a Victoria’s Secret Angel, and it certainly isn’t the paragon of the perfect body. Embracing your body type for what it is saves you from buying unflattering clothes that don’t fit. “Honesty leads to practicality as you choose items that conceal your weak points while bringing out your best features,” says Hyejin. So chuck the thinking that only skinny girls can wear nice things. If you’ve got that one item wallowing at the back of your wardrobe in the hopes that you’d squeeze into it one day, chuck that too.

A peplum skirt adds subtle volume to an otherwise stiff outfit.
Shop the blouse, skirt, shoes and bag at cool-find.me-in.kr

TIP #5. Opt for an elastic fabric when shopping for office clothes

Not only is it bound to feel comfortable, elastic fabric doesn’t crease! Who wouldn’t want an #OOTD that stays crisp and wrinkle-free all day? “Elastic fabric tends to be more comfortable while still giving you that great fitted look,” says Hyejin.

Allow a statement skirt to stand out by pairing it with white accessories. 
Shop the blouse, skirt, and shoes at cool-find.me-in.kr

TIP #6. Develop your personal style

Due to Korea’s seasonal climate, Korean women tend to emphasise their personal style rather than rely on fast fads. “The constant state of change creates a vibrant environment in which to ‘practice’ fashion, and could be one reason why Korean ladies are considered well-dressed,” she says. Hmmmm, we have hot and rainy seasons though ... does that count?

TIP #7. Have one main point of emphasis

If you're wearing a skirt as loud as this, keep the accessories to a minimum. Shop the blouse, skirt, shoes, bag, ring and earrings at cool-find.me-in.kr

Plan your outfit around one focal point, whether it’s an attention-grabbing bag or a statement accessory. When wearing a loud dress for instance, Korean women like to play down their accessories to create a visual balance. “It is always better to err on the side of less rather than more,” she says.

Want more K-style tips? Check out this video!

You can shop these Korean pieces at www.cool-find.me-in.kr, or follow them on Instagram @me_in_kr.

Official verdict: Kit Chan can’t sing.

Say what? A certain Chinese critic (Deng Ke, if you must know the specifics) has surmised that Kit was totally off-key during her last performance on closely watched reality singing contest I Am A Singer.

Oh, said critic also adds – a tad bit too gleefully, we feel – that listening to Kit emoting to Jacky Cheung’s torch classic Heart Cut By A Knife was akin to having his heart “cut by a knife.” Ouch. 

But wait, there’s more. Per The Straits Times, our dear Mr Know-It-All claims that producers also “corrected” Kit’s crooning in post-production – a pretty damning accusation, really.

Kit’s response? The Singapore songbird was classy as ever, merely releasing a carefully worded and incredibly polite statement via her management: “A singer is a public figure and we respect all critics. We believe that the China audience will have a chance to listen to Kit perform live in the future and not base their impressions of her on such one-sided reports.”

Industry pals have also been quick to prop her up. Take music maestro Eric Ng, for one, who told My Paper quite simply that “there's no doubt she has solid live singing abilities.” Bravo, succinctly put.

Haters gonna hate, but the proof, as they say, is in the pudding (or microphone, in this particular instance.) Kit will be holding her first solo gig in four years come June this year, so naysayers and supporters alike can witness her warbling in all its alleged off-key glory.

For now, see (and hear) what the fuss is all about in the performance below, and judge for yourself if our national nightingale deserved to be eliminated in this round. Here’s hoping your heart doesn’t feel like it’s been uh, cut by a knife!

You can follow Kit Chan on Weibo and her Facebook fan page.

Well, if Song Hye-kyo uses toner ... 

Are toners a must-buy skincare essential or not? If you’d asked me that very question a couple of years ago, I would have replied in the negative.  

Why is that, you ask. Traditional toners used to strike me as being a load of baloney, what with their cryptic claims of removing the “last traces” of makeup (surely a competent cleanser would suffice) and “refreshing” your skin (snort).

Besides, any beauty buff worth her bathing salts would notice just how much alcohol there was in the formulation of these old-school astringents – any “pore-tightening” effects would be short-lived, dehydrating and detrimental in the long-term.

Happily, toners have come a long way. The latest trove of toners have been cleverly rejigged and remodelled as skin-softening treatments in their own right, with the ability to comfort, contour and condition.

Take it from an expert: “The newer offerings on the market don’t function as a secondary cleanser, but are increasingly viewed as a vital remedy for specific skin concerns,” says Nicolas Ian Travis, pharmaceutical scientist and founder of homegrown grooming label Allies of Skin.

But there’s more. “Toners can also provide gentle exfoliation and help prep the skin for proper absorption of other skincare products used afterward, such as serums and moisturisers,” notes Dr. Daniel Stangl, Director of Innovation at La Prairie.

Case in point? The swishy Swiss brand’s beloved Cellular Refining Lotion, a pampering skin hydrator packed with beautifying botanicals for a super supple finish. (For what it’s worth, a pal of mine swears by this potion, and her skin is sick, I tell you.)

What else? Now that I’ve come around to the idea of incorporating a toner into my regime, it’s pretty much kid-in-candy-store syndrome: Everywhere I look, there’s an exciting new product to “pore” over, so to speak.

All of which is to say there are far too many toners to recommend, but Laneige’s lovely Clear C Advanced Effector is a great jumping-off point, particularly if you’re Krazy for K-Beauty. Steeped in “superberry” juices – think antioxidant-rich acerola and acai – this skin smoothie is said to fend off the formation of freckles and fine lines. Beauty bonus: This toner also comes with generously girthed two-sided cotton pads for day and night use. Neat, yes?

Or stick to a gold standard courtesy of Kiehl’s beloved Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion, which is shot through with cooling camphor and witch hazel for an acne-alleviating boost. Top tip: I like dabbing it “neat” along my pimple-prone jawline as a preventative nightly treatment; I’m also fond of decanting it into a facial spray bottle for use as a makeup-setting and mattifying mist.

Bottomline: Time to toss aside any lingering prejudice you may have for old-school toners. Next-gen formulas are the way to go!

Kiehl’s Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion, $45 for 250ml and $67 for 500ml, is available at all Kiehl’s stores. For more information, visit www.kiehlstimes.com and follow Kiehl’s Singapore on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Laneige Clear C Advanced Effector, $56 for 150ml, inclusive of 60 cotton pads, is available at all Laneige boutiques and counters. For more information,  visit www.laneige.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

La Prairie Cellular Refining Lotion, $152, is available at all La Prairie counters. For more information, visit www.laprairieswitzerland.com and follow La Prairie on Facebook.

FOR A COLD
“Add a few slices of onion to water and bring it to the boil. Sip your concoction slowly,” recommends Sebastian Liew, medical herbalist and doctor of naturopathy at Sebastian Liew Centre. “Onions are high in the antioxidant quercetin, which boosts the immune system and modulates inflammation and histamine release. This can help decongest a runny nose naturally.” Onions are also rich in sulphuric compounds, which help your body to flush out toxins.

FOR A FEVER
Ease your temperature with some galangal root powder tea or yarrow tea. “Galangal and yarrow are cooling, and promote the elimination of toxins via perspiration. These herbs also help support the immune system,” says Sebastian.

FOR A TENSION HEADACHE
Skip the pills and step into the shower instead to get relief. “Bathe in hot water for 1 minute, then switch to cold water for 15 seconds, and back again,” Sebastian advises. Alternating water temperature helps stimulate blood circulation and increase the flow of nutrients to your brain. You’ll also feel refreshed and invigorated.

TIP! 
Do a tech detox. “The sensory overload from tech gadgets can overstimulate your nervous system, which in turn, weakens digestion and immunity,” says Sebastian. The next time you’re feeling under the weather, ditch your smartphone to feel better instantly!

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

CREAM OF ASPARAGUS

Marks & Spencer Cream of Asparagus 
$3.50, from Marks & Spencer
It was a tie between this and the Baxters. This one will appeal to those who like creamier, thicker soup. It had more sizeable chunks of asparagus in it, although the flavour of the vegetable was more subtle.

Baxters Luxury Cream of Asparagus Soup with Fresh Double Cream
$5.95, from Jasons the Gourmet Grocer and Market Place
This boasted a more distinctive asparagus flavour, but it wasn’t overwhelming. It was more savoury than the Marks & Spencer offering, and had smaller bits of asparagus in it. A pleasing soup.

SEAFOOD SOUP

Baxters Luxury Cullen Skink Cream of Smoked Haddock Soup EDITOR’S RAVE 
$8.75, from Jasons the Gourmet Grocer and Market Place
We liked how the soup contained generous chunks of fish and potatoes, which made it quite filling. It was also creamy and savoury, and left a nice smoky aftertaste.

CARROT AND CORIANDER SOUP

Baxters Vegetarian Carrot & Coriander EDITOR’S RAVE 
$4.95, from Market Place
The carrot taste was strong without being overpowering, but the coriander was too subtle. Overall, we found that this thick soup had a comforting flavour.

Marks & Spencer Carrot & Coriander
$3.50, from Marks & Spencer
The coriander taste was much stronger in this thick soup, and there was a better balance of the two flavours. It had lots of carrot bits in it and tasted home-cooked, but some testers found it too sweet.

BEAN SOUP

Marks & Spencer Chunky Vegetable & Bean Chilli 
$3.50, from Marks & Spencer
This was a unanimous favourite of the three bean soups we tried. The spiciness gave it a unique and hearty flavour, and it had a generous amount of beans, which made it filling enough to pass as a meal.

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

DEEP SCRATCHES AND CUTS
Deep cuts tend to bleed a lot, so first compress the wound with a clean towel to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding stops, wash the cut under running water for 5-10 minutes to get rid of dirt. Apply an antiseptic gel or cream and leave the wound to heal.

“Observe the child to make sure the wound is healing, and see a doctor is there are any signs of infection such as increased swelling, redness, pus discharge or fever,” says Dr Lynette Wee Wei Yi, paediatric senior resident from KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

If it's a huge open wound, compress it, but still seek emergency care immediately, says Dr Ratna Sridjaja, a paediatrician from Gleneagles Hospital. “Any open wound may mean the need for a tetanus booster even when the child is currently immunised.”

SHALLOW BURNS AND SCALDS
Wash the wound under cool (not cold) running water for 10 minutes. Dr Ratna says you shouldn’t apply ice, butter, grease, medicine or ointment to the burn – just put a gauze bandage lightly over it.

Burns and scalds are also extremely painful, says Dr Wee, so it is a good idea to give your child painkillers. You should also look for signs of infection like increased redness or swelling. “If it’s a large area or it involves the face, eyes, groin area, palms and soles of the feet, see a doctor immediately,” she adds.

For fast-acting relief for shallow burns and scalds, you can use Aluminaid (from $2.95 at Guardian and Unity outlets). This burn dressing conducts heat away from first- and second-degree burns, thus relieving pain and preventing the heat from damaging deeper tissue layers. It comes in a range of sizes for use on the hands, torso, arms and legs.

NOSEBLEEDS
Nosebleeds can be scary, so help your child calm down first. A common misconception is that your little needs to lean backwards to stop the bleeding. “Instead, encourage your child to lean forward and put constant pressure on the soft part of the nose bridge for at least 10 to 15 minutes,”says Dr Wee. “This is so that the blood can drip out instead of going into the oral cavity or being swallowed, which may scare him if he vomits it up.”

You can also place an ice pack on the nose to help reduce the amount of blood. Avoid cleaning the nasal passage as you may remove the already formed clot and cause the bleeding to recur. 

CHIPPED TOOTH
If a baby tooth gets chipped or broken, remove the chip to prevent the child from choking on it. Apply clean gauze to control the bleeding and call the paediatric or family dentist. You can give acetaminophen to alleviate the pain, says Dr Ratna.

It’s a good idea to take your child to a dentist to make sure that the chipped tooth is not a result of it being weakened by dental cavities.

If a permanent tooth is chipped or broken, store the pieces in milk and immediately seek medical attention. The dentist may be able to fit the pieces back in place.

If the entire tooth has been knocked out, handle the tooth by its chewing end – not the root – and rinse it gently in cold running water or milk. Place the tooth in clean water or milk and bring it along with your child to emergency care, says Dr Ratna. “Stop bleeding using gauze or a cotton ball in the tooth socket and have your child bite down,” she adds.

NASTY HEAD BUMPS
Head bumps are common, and they tend to bruise and swell a lot. To reduce the swelling, apply ice or a cold pack for 20 minutes every three to four hours. “If you use ice, wrap it in a washcloth or sock – ice applied directly to bare skin can cause injury to the skin,” Dr Ratna cautions.

For the next 24 hours after a head injury, observe for signs of concussion: persistent vomiting, drowsiness, difficulty being awakened, behavioural change or seizures. Seek medical attention immediately if these signs appear.

SEVERE BRUISES
Kids bump into things all the time, and the bruises can be spectacular! Ice the bruise for 15 to 20 minutes; give acetaminophen for the pain. Dr Wee says you should check to make sure your child is still able to move the bruised joints or limbs as usual. “If there are any limitations to joint movement, I would suspect a deeper injury,” she explains.

CUT LIPS
Cuts on the upper labial frenulum (the piece of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum) are very common and usually heal without needing stitches. “It will bleed afresh, however, every time you pull the lip out to look at the site of the injury,” says Dr Ratna.

If the cut is small, compressing it will stop the bleeding. You may give your child painkillers like acetaminophen if the cut is painful. Dr Wee emphasises the importance of keeping your child hydrated while waiting for the cut to heal. If the cut is deep, see a doctor as your child may need stitches to stop the bleeding.

SPRAINS
Get your child to rest the affected limb and put an ice pack on it. “Apply the ice pack for no more than 20 minutes at a time, four to eight times a day,” says Dr Ratna. Use a compression bandage to help reduce swelling.

You should also put two pillows under the injured limb and elevate it, says Dr Wee. You can give your child ibuprofen or acetaminophen for the pain and to reduce swelling. If the sprain doesn’t get better after five to seven days, or if your child feels numbness in the injured area, see a doctor.

REALLY ITCHY INSECT BITES
Give your child antihistamines for itch control and make sure he uses insect repellant outdoors, even at the playground. If your child can’t stop scratching the bite, Dr Wee says applying a moisturiser can give extra skin protection so it does not injure as easily when scratched.

ACCIDENTAL POISONING
Do not give anything by mouth or induce vomiting, warns Dr Ratna. Take your child to the emergency department right away, along with the suspected drug or substance (different ones have different effects). According to Dr Wee, stomach pumping, chest X-rays or even blood tests may be required and if the dose has exceeded the safe levels, your child may have to be admitted to the hospital for further observation.

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

These wing-tipped Disney jelly shoes are coming to town in March 2015. | Images: Melissa

Hearts of Disney and Melissa fans alike will soar when they see this bewitching shoe collection.

The limited edition Melissa x Disney Maleficent Collection is centred on the Disney villain's little-known past, featuring the shimmery wings Maleficent once had in happier times before a lover’s betrayal changed her forever. (Ouch!)

The collaboration presents two designs: One affixed on the heels of the super-popular Ultragirl style, and the other spread across the top of the Solar sandal. They are available in colours black, gold, white and purple.

This collection joins Melissa's Spring Summer 2015 offerings, which include kitty flats by Karl Lagerfeld and a wedding collection by J. Maskrey.

The Melissa x Disney Maleficent Collection is available in March 2015 at MDREAMS stores at Wheelock Place and One Raffles Place. You can also shop them online at www.mdreams.com.sg. Adult sizes are $140 a pair and the kiddy shoes – from US3 to US11 – are $135.

Check out the magnificent collection below!

Ew. Boring and ugly. (The dress, that is; the wearer is fabulous.)

Let the pregnancy watch begin! K-Mid’s belly is back, yo.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been on the down low for a minute, but her burgeoning baby bump quite literally has a life of its own – enough to wipe out a website, apparently.

Here’s what went down. Let’s set the scene for this week’s very public display of pregnancy, shall we. Picture this: A so-British-it-hurts, posh primary school in London. Kate’s been invited to officially open a new art room at said school. The kids are fired up; some are clutching precious portraits of their generation’s People’s Princess in their itty-bitty paws.

Kate Middleton emerges from her limo. Boom. It’s undeniable. Now that the mummy-to-be has breached the six-month mark, that bump simply cannot be stopped.

Witness the rapid-fire response: Kate poses obligingly for the posse of photogs; the images are issued to major wire services; the blogs pick it up; fashion folks see her #OOTD, goes absolutely bonkers; e-commerce site flogging Kate’s dress promptly goes kaput from massive traffic spike.

The dress in question is courtesy of British heritage brand Madderson; the site describes it as being wrought from wool in a deep navy, with pockets trimmed in pink French tweed.

The damage? Just £450 (S$900), but hey, your wallet can rest easy: The dress is completely sold out, natch.

Now for some totally subjective critique of Kate’s dress. I absolutely hate it. It’s dowdy Chanel-lite in the worst way possible, plus those hideous pink pockets on her hips are making my eyes twitch the longer I look at them … but maybe that’s just bitter old me.

Happily, her hair game is strong as always, and the lovely apricot blush is beautifully applied. Besides, I’m sure there’ll be a few more photo ops before her second baby is born, so here’s hoping Kate selects something sexier the next time. (Give us a Kerry Washington moment, pretty please?)

We’ll be stalking your family on Instagram – yes, the royals are getting in on the social media action – so make it work!

You can follow Kate Middleton and her royal shenanigans on Instagram and Twitter.

I’m a huge K-Culture fan, and if you’re like me, you might have noticed how all Korean starlets have perfect teeth. This realisation brought me on a hunt for off-the-counter whitening strips in Seoul about six months ago. (Park Shin Hye teeth, I will have!) I used them everyday for three weeks until my gums started to hurt and the colour of them turned into a worrying red.

Viktor & Rolf Paris Spring 15

Having paper-white teeth isn’t realistic, and sometimes even dangerous to have, so the next best thing to do is to get a good daily clean to keep the plaque at bay, but how much is really enough? Do you brush your teeth up and down or in circular motions? For how long, exactly?

Well, the Oral-B ProfessionalCare 3000 power toothbrush claims to take the guesswork out of teeth cleaning.

First, it boasts a pressure sensor feature to make sure you’re not brushing your teeth and gums too hard. Second, there are three modes for users to choose from – daily clean, sensitive and whitening, depending on their needs. Each mode uses a combination of oscillating, rotating and pulsating movements. Finally, the result of these 48,800 movements per minute – compared to 600 for manual brushing – is cleaner gumlines and naturally whitened teeth in at least 21 days.

BUT DOES IT REALLY WORK?

Having not used a power toothbrush before, it took some time to get accustomed to it, especially in the first week. I’m used to putting a lot of pressure on my teeth and manually brushing it for more than five minutes every morning, so to suddenly switch to gliding a toothbrush along my teeth felt a little odd at first. (The handle flashes red when you use too much pressure.) When I got used to the sensation however, the toothbrush became a real time saver in the morning, with just two minutes needed.

If you’ve used a facial sonic cleansing brush like the Clarisonic, this toothbrush works the same way by alerting you every 30 seconds with a short stuttering sound to move to the next quadrant of your teeth. The round brush heads also make it very easy to maneuver around hard to reach areas like the molars at the back.

Now, if you like your toothpaste to foam – I do because it gives me a fresh breath feel after brushing – it will not happen as much with this toothbrush, but the issue is easily solved with your regular mouthwash, prolonging the minty sensation of your toothpaste.

After two weeks of use, I did not see any significant whitening of my teeth (14 days is too short a period to see the effect), but my gumlines are definitely cleaner, with less yellowing at the edges of my inner teeth surface.

So, should you get it? Yes, if you are serious about your teeth and want a proper daily clean, with those who can’t seem to get rid of stains at the gumlines and in between the teeth seeing the best return on this investment.

The Oral-B ProfessionalCare 3000, $199, and replacement brush heads, from $27, is available at all leading electronic stores and P&G's Qoo10 page. For more information, visit www.oralb.com/en-SG and follow the brand on Facebook.

Everyone knows how good looking Godfrey Gao is, but we feel the need to emphasise this again after meeting the actor and model in person during his visit to Singapore – this guy is seriously good looking. (Seriously. No wrinkles, no visible pores, just smooth skin.) He was here for the launch of SK-II’s new CC cream in January 2015 and we got the chance to spend some time with the Taiwanese-Canadian heartthrob after the event.

Well hello there, Godfrey. Image: SK-II

Godfrey was unfortunately feeling a little under-the-weather, though that didn’t stop him from being sweet, soft-spoken and the gorgeous Godfrey we all imagine him to be throughout our interview. We must commend this guy for sitting through about 10 interviews that day and entertaining us gushing reporters when we ask for photos with the 1.95m-tall actor, when he could have easily cancelled the session altogether on the grounds of being unwell.

That aside, we found out that glamorous Godfrey has not that much of a glamourous beauty past (his past regime is horrific, if we say so ourselves), oh, and which part of a woman’s face attracts Godfrey the most.

So ladies, want to know his answer? Just watch the interview below. Enjoy! (And, you’re welcome.)

Recipe by Chef Erick Chun from SET

DIRECTIONS

1 Soak 8 gelatin sheets in iced water until they bloom. Strain and set aside.
2 Combine 400ml fresh milk and 500ml whipping cream in a saucepan. Before it starts to boil, stir in the gelatin until it dissolves.
3 Add 75g sugar and a drop of vanilla essence, and stir until the sugar dissolves.
4 Remove from heat and pour into 5-6 short glasses. Leave to cool, then chill for at least 2 hours.
5 Sprinkle over finely crushed pistachio nuts and serve.

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

These new eye creams are made to reduce puffiness and brighten the delicate eye area.

Mara Hoffman New York Spring 15

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Energizing Eye Creme
$79, from Aveda counters

A blend of licorice root to reduce the appearance of dark circles, caffeine to energise the skin and soothe puffiness, as well as certified cupuacu fruit butter from Brazil to moisturise. The eye cream is scent-free.

Beauty salon Vox Studio at 111A Killiney Road, is now offering the Botanical Kinetics Eye Therapy treatment ($98 for 60 minutes; or $58 as an add-on service to the Elemental Nature Facial).

Benefit Puff Off Eye Gel
$45, from Benefit counters

Made specifically to refresh the undereye area, the gel promises to reduce puffiness and smoothen the appearance of wrinkles. To be worn in the morning, it is lightweight enough to be applied over make-up.

La Mer Illuminating Eye Gel,
$220, from La Mer counters

Contains the brand's signature regenerating Miracle Broth to hydrate and soothe; mineralised algae to smooth and refine skin texture; and an illuminating pearl ferment to brighten the skin.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on January 16, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

Image: Lush Instagram

WHAT IT IS: Who would have thought? It might look like a sad, grey looking bar of old soap, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. A quick internet scan reveals to us that it’s the only one of its kind - a solid serum bar.

Now that I have your interest, let me give you the lowdown - Lush’s Full of Grace serum sells itself as a solid face serum made of all natural ingredients with absolutely zero preservatives.

The key ingredients, portobello mushroom, murumuru and cupuacu butters, also promise to be soothing for even the most sensitive skin types, absorb well, and work in both hot humid weather and cold weather.

If you’re a Lush fan, you’ve probably embraced the brand’s tree-hugging beliefs as well: non-animal tested, ethically sourced, 100 percent vegetarian and freshly handmade beauty products. There’s also zero packaging with this product, so you get to do your bit for the environment. Sounds like a beauty hippie’s dream!

To use, simply hold the bar between your palms and let some product melt with your body heat. Apply it to your face in a gentle upwards swiping motion, avoiding the eye area and before your moisturiser for best results. If you’d like, the serum also acts as a great ‘massage oil’ for impromptu DIY facials.

Image: Lush

WHY I LOVE IT: If you like to travel, this rich serum will be great for you - airplanes use recycled air and that mega-dries out your skin. But bringing this aboard won’t be a problem since its a solid, not a liquid. Way to bypass the system!

For normal usage though, I found that it works better as a night time moisturiser, it’s too rich and oily to use in the daytime and causes any makeup you put over it to slide.

It’s also not for the people with combination skin - the serum didn’t absorb as well on the T-zone, though it did wonders on my cheek areas. Because of my oily T-zone, I would wake up to a greasy fringe in the morning, which wasn’t so great either. 

Overall, it did improve my skin; I still use it at night whenever I try a new product that aggravates my face (whoops). It also acts as a really good moisturiser as well as a great “slip” provider when I massage my face. I wouldn’t recommend it for users with oily skin though.

GET IT AT: Lush Full of Grace solid serum, $30.50, is available at all Lush outlets. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/LushSingapore and follow Lush on Twitter and Instagram.

Very nicely done, Jay; love your peacock collar! All images: Jay Chou's Facebook

Well, well, well. No one can accuse him of not keeping his promises. Yup, Jay Chou’s gone ahead and wedded Hannah Quinlivan on the cusp of his 36th birthday.  

Here’s what went down at the Taiwanese pop prince’s MV-worthy wedding. First, the location: Selby Abbey, a charming cathedral nestled amongst the pastoral plains of Yorkshire, north England. Timing: Saturday afternoon, carefully orchestrated to coincide with the chiming of the midnight hour back in his Taipei hometown.

The damage? Hong Kong rag Apple Daily pegs the posh proceedings at an eye-watering NT$23 million (about S$1 million), making this matrimony the splashiest shebang of its sort in Taiwanese showbiz.

And in another first, United Daily News says the assembled flutists and fiddlers serenaded the crowd with a specially composed ditty for the day.

But let’s shelve the facts and figures for now to feast our eyes on the woman of the hour’s fantasy frock. Ravishing, right? Hannah’s gorgeous gown comes courtesy of Taiwanese bridal boutique Sophia Wedding Collection; we especially “heart” the sexy heart-shaped cutout on the back.

No word yet on the groom’s wedding speech, but entertainment portal JayneStars reports that the notoriously reticent Mandopop MVP insists he has nothing to prove, what with his relationship having lasted four years – an eternity in showbiz years, really – and that his “mental age is about the same as hers and we just get along like children.”

The only bone of contention? Personal preference in movies, apparently: Jay says Hannah will ask him if he’d like to watch a particular film out of courtesy before catching it with her buddies instead. Aww, how sweet.

Next pit-stop on Jaynah’s’ very public tour of affection? A traditional banquet dinner in Taiwan come February, then another in Hannah’s home country of Australia … which means lots more pictures from the photogenic pair!

For now, cop a peek at what went down over last weekend’s main affair in this just-released (and rather maudlin) “mood” video, and have fun spotting the celeb pals in the mix!

You can follow Jay Chou and Hannah Quinlivan on Weibo.

If you love Michael Kors’ glitzy and glamorous aesthetic, you’ll fall in love with the look of the new Michael Kors store at Vivocity.

Images: Michael Kors

You will love shopping at the affordable MICHAEL Michael Kors line at the revamped Michael Kors store at Vivocity

The 1,876-square-foot store houses Michael Kors’ affordable line, MICHAEL Michael Kors. Shop ready-to-wear, small leather goods, eyewear and accessories from just $70 for a phone cover to $895 for a leather jacket. (This price range will differ from season to season, of course.)

Prices range from $70 for a phone cover to $895 for a leather jacket

The revamped Michael Kors store is chock full of eye-catching details like polished metal, animal-print rugs and vintage artwork. Sounds like an ideal place for a spot of retail therapy to me!

The new Michael Kors store is located at Vivocity, #01-21/22.

Follow Michael Kors on Facebook at facebook.com/michaelkors, on Twitter @MichaelKors, and on Instagram @michaelkors for the latest updates.

Say goodbye to skin tightness after cleansing with these three new gentle makeup removers, which will be hitting stores come February and March 2015.

Shiatzy Chen Paris Spring 15

Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Melting Cleanser

Think of the Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Melting Cleanser as your usual oil cleanser minus the mess. The turquoise gel turns into a comforting silky oil once in contact with your skin and spreads easily, but it will not trickle down your elbow like extremely fluid oil cleansers do.

The cleanser combines anti-aging ingredients, alguronic acid and microalgae oil, which provides essential nutrients to replenish, nourish and smoothen skin. Skin also feels comfortable after cleansing with softening effects from the bilberry seed oil, avocado oil and olive oil in the formula.

Bioderma Sensibio Lait

Love Bioderma’s Micelle Solution but wish it was a little more moisturising? You’re in luck. The brand is releasing a new cleansing milk for sensitive skin for the removal of face and eye makeup.

With glycerin and golden algae extract, the non-rinse cleanser immediately soothes and reduces any irritation on the skin. Plus, this milky emulsion isn’t tacky in texture at all – it’s ultra light and fragrance free.

First Aid Beauty Milk Oil Conditioning Cleanser

First Aid Beauty takes a spin on the classic cold cream with its new Milk Oil Conditioning Cleanser. Enriched with three oils – meadowfoam seed oil, coconut oil and avocado oil – the cleanser is said to protect the complexion and boost the skin’s moisture levels.

Just because it’s nourishing doesn’t mean its ineffective. The Milk Oil Conditioning Cleanser is also said to be able to dissolve all traces of makeup and dirt, including stubborn waterproof or long-wear formulas.

We recommend using this after being out in the sun the whole day. The licorice root, feverfew and white tea in the formula will help to fight free radical damage caused by UV exposure and pollution.  

Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Melting Cleanser, $51, will be available at Sephora from February 5. For more information, visit www.algenist.com, and follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter.

First Aid Beauty Milk Oil Conditioning Cleanser, $46.00, will be available at Sephora from Mid-February. For more information, visit www.firstaidbeauty.com and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Visit www.sephora.sg, and follow Sephora Singapore on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Bioderma Cleansing Milk for sensitive skin, $26.90 for 250ml, will be available exclusively at Bioderma counters in Watsons from March 2015. For more information, visit www.bioderma.com/en, and follow the brand on Facebook.

Recipe by Jane Tan from Naked Cakes

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

For the Swiss roll:
225g or four large eggs, whisked
55ml water
12g sponge gel (available at baking supplies chain Phoon Huat)
50g sugar
40g flour, sifted
20g corn flour, sifted
3g baking powder
10 strawberries, sliced

For the cream:
200g topping cream (available at Phoon Huat)
1 to 2 drops red food colouring
For the caramel sauce
100g sugar
80g cream

DIRECTIONS

For the Swiss roll:
1 Preheat the oven to 190 deg C.
2 Place eggs, water, sponge gel, sugar, flour, corn flour and baking powder in an electric mixer and mix on high speed until they form a creamy batter.
3 Line a 32x26cm baking tray with baking paper. Pour the batter onto the tray and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
4 Bake the cake for 10 to 14 minutes, until the top is lightly browned.
5 Remove the cake from the tray and peel off the baking bpaper. Leave to cool to room temperature.

For the cream:
1 Whip the cream until firm.
2 Scoop out half of the whipped cream and mix in the food colouring to get a pink hue.
3 Leave both portions of whipped cream in the fridge until ready to use.

For the caramel sauce:
1 In a small pot, melt the sugar over a low fire until it turns light brown.
2 Remove from heat and stir in the cream. Strain the caramel to get a smooth sauce. Leave to cool in the fridge until ready to use.

To assemble the cake:
1 Lay the cooled cake on a large sheet of baking paper. With a small spatula, spread the whipped cream over the cake.
2 On half of the cake, place the sliced strawberries in rows.
3 Using the baking paper, gently lift the cake on the side with the strawberries and roll the cake over.
4 Wrap the rolled cake tightly in clingwrap and leave to set in the fridge for 1 hour.
5 When ready to serve, remove from the fridge and spread the pink cream over the top with a spatula.
6 Slice the cake and drizzle the caramel sauce over. Garnish with more strawberries and serve.

This article was originally published in Sunday Life!, 11th January 2015.