This girl is unfazed | Image: Nadia's instagram/@skinnykatwoman

Haters are gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, but Nadia is gonna shake, shake, shake it off.

Nadia Rahmat scored one for Singapore in a big way when she was cast in the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2015 campaign, but it seems that no matter what the good news was, there were also ‘haters’ who expressed their discontent.

Nadia told herworldPLUS in a phone interview that some people did not like the way she dressed in her #CastMeMarc picture, saying that it was “not suitable” and were disapproving of the ‘tattoos’ she had (which were actually hennas).

“At first I noticed the people posting [negative comments] online, and then friends began to ask me ‘did you read [the comments]’, but no, I don’t want to read it,” she said.

On January 22, 2015, Nadia posted:

She said over the phone resolutely: “It’s not affecting me or anything.”

Luckily for her, it probably has to do with the support she has received.

Singaporeans have gone out of their way to express support by sending her messages on social media.

“I’ve been receiving messages from strangers saying ‘don’t let it get to you, you’re doing really great’. People who’ve never even met me but are so encouraging.

“People who are not [Facebook] friends with me have sent me private messages on Facebook, and have commented on my Instagram posts as well.”

The Marc Jacobs ad featuring Nadia that was shot in New York | Image: Club 21

Her friends have been very protective and her mum was sassy enough. Her words to Nadia were: “Don’t worry, they don’t know you. You haven’t done anything horrible to anyone so just do your thing and be true to yourself.”

Looks like despite the backlash, it’s score 2 for Singapore supporters, 0 for haters.  

Nobody's pore-fect

Singapore quirk: Everyone and their mother seems to be preoccupied with their pores. It’s just as well, really – because odds are you (and you, and you!) will eventually end up with enlarged pores. Cue collective gasp from HDB blocks islandwide.

Here’s why. Singapore’s sweltering heat wreaks serious havoc on our skin. This rhetorical question from Dr Lim Luping, aesthetic physician at Mint Medical Aesthetics, ought to explain things: “Have you noticed that when you’re in sunny Singapore, humidity causes the skin to be oilier and pores more visible?”

Think of it this way: Us Singaporeans are steeped in a perpetual steam sauna, which in turn means perpetually swollen pores. Bummer.     

But wait, there’s more. Dr Lim says that age also amplifies pores: “As the skin ages, the amount of collagen and elastic tissue is reduced, and this weakened support of the skin structure results in gaping pores.”

So, quick mid-story recap: Singapore’s humidity plus the passing of time equals larger pores. Now, the link between sagging skin and super-sized pores may be a somewhat surprising (not to mention dismaying) one, but there’s hope yet.

It may seem counterintuitive for chicks with oilier complexions, but slapping on a daily moisturiser is of the essence, so to speak. Here’s Dr Lim again: “In humid Singapore, light-textured hydrators are ideal as they actually reduce oil production, keeps the skin matte and assists in unclogging pores." Sounds legit to me!

What to buy? There’s a plethora of pore-tightening products lining the beauty aisles, but I’m singling out Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Precision Lifting & Pore Tightening Concentrate for special consideration.

For one, this double-duty serum bills itself as boasting both anti-aging and pore-minimising powers. Kiehl’s says the potent potpourri of micro-filtered yeast extract and geranium essential oil has been clinically proven to prop up the “dermal epidermal junction” (which, not to get too technical about things, refers to a spongy layer lending skin the “bounce” of youth.)

The promise? Fewer fine lines, perfectly petite pores. We can’t change the weather, but we can certainly buffer it against the elements with a targeted skin treatment. Small pores for Singapore!

Dr Lim Luping can be contacted via www.mintmedaesthetics.com.

Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Precision Lifting & Pore Tightening Concentrate, $105 for 50ml, is available from February 2015 at all Kiehl’s stores. For more information, visit www.kiehlstimes.com and follow Kiehl’s Singapore on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Espa founder Susan Harmsworth wants to lure more Singaporeans to spend their holidays - no plane ride needed - at the sprawling 10,000 sq m luxury wellness spa at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).

"We already have many locals coming out of the city and taking three-day breaks at Espa as a retreat," says Ms Harmsworth (photo), who was in town in November for a market visit. The Briton started her spa and wellness brand in 1993.

"I think many people don't want to get on the plane if they can help it, especially when they can drive 20 minutes to a sanctuary with the sea and greenery."

As with all the Espa spas in cities around the world, about 50 per cent of the patrons at Espa RWS are residents of Singapore.

Today, there are around 450 Espa spas in 60 places. The one at RWS is the brand's Asian flagship.

Espa is known for its exotic spa locations (think Udaipur in India and Pointe de Flacq in Mauritius) and wellness experiences that tap on holistic traditions.

These include the Turkish hammam ritual, naturopathy and iridology, the study of the iris to understand one's health.

IMAGE: ESPA

To entice more Singapore residents to spend their vacations at Espa RWS, the premium Ultimate Wellness Journey programmes were launched last August.

These comprise three-night and five-night staycations, as well as full-on seven-night retreats.

Each package includes an Espa treatment a day, fitness sessions such as yoga or a bootcamp, holistic treatments such as nutritional counselling or naturopathic consultation, dining options at top restaurants around RWS and, or add-on customised tours to attractions on the integrated resort, such as Universal Studios Singapore.

Prices start from $4,500 for a three-night stay for one at a beach villa facing the sea, to around $17,000 for a seven-night stay for two people at a tree-top loft.

"Life is hard enough. So the new packages are put together to let you have fun together with the serious treatments," says Ms Harmsworth, who has two children and is a grandmother of six.

"And having a wellness retreat doesn't mean you have to starve yourself. Have a glass of champagne at the L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, learn about yourself and have a good time."

Previously, Espa RWS only offered staycations under its Lifestyle Retreats programmes that last between one and three nights. The activities and dining options are also limited within the Espa RWS compound.

Prices for the Lifestyle Retreats start from $808 for a one-night stay for one in a deluxe room in Equarius Hotel, to $4,608 for three nights for two in a beach villa.

WELLNESS PIONEER

Turning 70 in April, the impeccably coiffed, towering and light-footed Ms Harmsworth looks at least a decade younger.

No doubt, her youthful demeanour is the result of four decades spent in the spa and wellness industry, where she has possibly road-tested and researched every age-defying wellness treatment and routine popularised in the last 40 years.

Interestingly, Ms Harmsworth started her career at 21 as the features editor of British Vogue. While there, she helped Vidal Sassoon develop his first haircare range that was launched in the 1960s.

Her break into the wellness and spa industry came when she moved to Toronto, Canada, with her first husband in the late 1960s.

Noticing the dearth of good beauty salons in her new home and, ironically, an abundance of well-trained Eastern European therapists who had emigrated to Toronto after the war, Ms Harmsworth opened her first salon in 1970.

Eastern European therapists are traditionally trained with a medical perspective on skin and bodily functions. The knowledge that Ms Harmsworth picked up from them would stand her in good stead in her later businesses, including Espa.

She moved to France in 1980 to work at a thalassotherapy centre where sea water was used to treat conditions such as stress and post-surgery complications.

Then she returned to the United Kingdom to run a "health farm" for people suffering from stress, bereavement, divorce, drug or alcohol problems. The services provided there included personal training, reflexology and nutrition counselling - much like what is offered in Espa today.

After a stint in designing spas for cruise liners, she saw that while the hotels in the early 1990s had gyms and pools, they lacked quality spas.

"This was at a time when no one massaged the hands and feet, and facials ended at the chin," she recalls.

That was the beginning of the consulting arm of Espa, where she helps to conceive, design and staff the spas of five-star hotels, including Mandarin Oriental, the Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons.

Around the same time, she launched the Espa spas, and her own skincare line that is made with naturally derived ingredients to complement the treatments.

Ms Harmsworth says the success of a spa service is dependent on a few key factors: "While 60 per cent of the treatment experience is down to the skills of the therapist, the other 40 per cent is dependent on the massage bed, its warmth, the skincare products and music that does not drive you crazy."

The expert's tips on maximising your time at the spa?

"If the spa has amenities like a steam sauna or onsen pool, arrive at least 45 minutes beforehand to enjoy the facilities, boost your circulation and relax.

"It takes the therapist half an hour to warm up the muscles during a massage. But if you are already warmed up beforehand, you can benefit more from the massage."

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on January 23, 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.

Celebrity make-up artist Dollei Seah dishes out tips on how to turn spring’s palettes into wearable, everyday looks.

BRIGHT EYES

Bright turquoise eye make-up and glossy, soft coral lips make for a fashion-forward and pretty look.

Complexion: Apply a make-up base to even out the complexion and add a glow with a sheer foundation.

Eyes: Draw on brows and apply a metallic turquoise shadow on the socket.

Accentuate the upper and lower lashlines with a turquoise liner. Using a stiff liner brush, smudge the turquoise liner on the upper lashline and blend it with the eyeshadow for a seamless gradient of colour.

Smudge a little dark grey shadow on the lower, outer corners of the eyes

Coat upper and lower lashes with black mascara.

Cheeks: Dust on coral pink blusher on the apple of the cheeks, and accentuate cheekbones with a highlighter.

Lips: Apply a coral rouge on lips and layer on a pink gloss.

URBAN'S PICK

SHU UEMURA METALLIC BOUQUET IN COPPER DAHLIA, $44, available at Shu Uemura counters

ASTALIFT LIGHTING PERFECTION LIQUID FOUNDATION, $72, available at Astalift stores from next month

LANCOME KHOL HYPNOSE WATERPROOF IN 08 VERT TUILERIES, $36, available at Sephora Ion

LANCOME MY FRENCH PALETTE, $90, available at Sephora Ion

BURBERRY FRESH GLOW LUMINOUS BASE FLUID, $70, available at Burberry counters

MAC TOLEDO BLUSH OMBRE IN AZAELA BLOSSOM, $52, available at MAC counters in March

RMK VINTAGE DROP GLOSS IN NO. 02, $30, available at RMK counters

MAKE UP FOR EVER SMOKY STRETCH LENGTHENING & DEFINING MASCARA, $42, available at Make Up For Ever counters from March

LUNASOL STAIN COLOR LIPS, $46 each, available at Lunasol counters from next month

GRADIENT LIPS

Create a new spin on these Korean-beauty inspired lips with bold brows and barely-there make-up on the rest of the face.

Complexion: Use a semi-matte powder foundation with medium coverage and a slight glow for the base make-up. The semi-matte texture will make the bright lips

Eyes: Fill in brows with a deep brown shade; you can even use a brown eyeshadow palette if you do not have brow powder.

Apply an iridescent nude shadow within the socket.

With an eye pencil, use soft strokes and line the upper lashline, making it look natural. Alternatively, apply a liner with a stiff brush from the centre of the lashline, towards the outer corners of the eyes. Then sweep the remaining liner on the brush towards the inner corners of the eyes.

Apply a mascara primer to lift and curl lashes subtly.

Cheeks: Dust on a pink blush sparingly, to complement the lips.

Lips: Use a darker shade on the inner part of the lips, and a lighter colour to outline the pout and fill the outer lip. Use a lip brush for a more precise application.

URBAN'S PICKS

LANEIGE TWO-TONE LIP BAR, $34 each, available at Laneige counters from March

URBAN DECAY NAKED SKIN WEIGHTLESS COMPLETE COVERAGE CONCEALER, $40, available at Urban Decay counters from next month

NARS EYESHADOW IN VALHALLA, $38, available at Nars counters

RMK VINTAGE CANDY CHEEKS IN NO. 01, $49, available at RMK counters

ROUGE DIOR BAUME IN 488 BELLE DE PRINTEMPS, $47, available at Dior counters

CLE DE PEAU RADIANT POWDER FOUNDATION SPF 22 PA++, $130, available at Cle de Peau counters from March

NARS VELVET EYE-OPENING ACT SHADOW STICK IN DARK ANGEL, $44, available at Nars counters

ESTEE LAUDER LITTLE BLACK PRIMER, $40, available at Estee Lauder counters

BERRY LIPS AND LASHES

Match pink eye make-up to your lip and cheek colours. Sounds intimidating? When done the right way, it looks pretty on both tanned and fair skin.

Complexion: Prepare skin with a primer to even out the skin tone and to help the make-up stay on longer. Apply a foundation with a semi-matte finish, so it does not take the attention away from the pink shades on the various points of the face.

Eyes: Fill brows with a soft brown shade and apply a sheer or pink lilac shadow within the socket.

Apply lash primer, or black mascara, on the top and bottom lashes. Then layer fuchsia mascara over the lashes.

Cheeks: Dust pink blusher on the cheeks. Apply a highlighter to define the cheekbones.

Lips: Slick on a bright berry colour.

URBAN'S PICKS

RMK W COLOR MASCARA IN 03 PINK GOLD, $65, available at RMK counters

SHISEIDO SHIMMERING EYE SHADOW, $32 each, available at Shiseido counters before the end of this month

MAKE UP FOR EVER STEP 1 SKIN EQUALIZER, $68 each, available at Make Up For Ever counters

URBAN DECAY SHEER REVOLUTION LIPSTICK IN ANARCHY, $33, available at Sephora stores from next month

GUERLAIN METEORITES PERLES DE BLUSH IN  ANGELIC RADIANCE, $75, available at Guerlain counters

LUNASOL TENDER CLEAR EYES EYESHADOW, $77, available at Lunasol counters from next month

CHANEL ROUGE ALLURE VELVET IN NO.50 LA ROMANESQUE, $48, available at Chanel counters

CHANEL JOUES CONTRASTE BLUSH IN 190 ANGELIQUE, $68, available at Chanel counters

RMK VINTAGE SWEETS FACE COLOR IN NO. 01, $79, available at RMK counters

METALLIC PASTEL EYES

Be daring and wear a pastel and metallic liner on its own. Then swipe lashes with a mascara in a contrasting colour.

For a more conservative spin on this look, just draw on a dark liquid liner on top of the metalic liner and close to the lash line. And switch the coloured mascara for a black one.

Complexion: Apply a sheer make-up base on the skin. If you have a good complexion, skip the foundation.

Eyes: Apply a lavender shadow on the socket area. Draw on a metallic purple liquid liner in the shape of a cat-eye flick above the upper lashline. Feeling adventurous? Slick on a contrasting shade of liner, say fuchsia, on the flick.

Coat top and bottom lashes with a blue mascara.

Cheeks: Apply blusher on cheeks. Define cheekbones and browbones with a highlighter with silver shimmer.

Lips: Finish with sheer, nude lipstick or gloss.

URBAN'S PICKS

ETTUSAIS HEART CHEEK COLOR IN PK, $33, available at Ettusais counters

SHU UEMURA METAL:INK LIQUID LINER, $40 each, available at Shu Uemura counters

AQMW EYESHADOW PALETTE IN NO. 57, $82, available at Kose counters from next month

NARS BLUSH IN RECKLESS, $50, available at Tangs Beauty from the end of this month

GUERLAIN METEORITES BABY GLOW LIGHT-REVEALING SHEER MAKEUP ANTI-FATIGUE EFFECT BABY GLOW, $74, available at Guerlain counters

TOM FORD EXTREME MASCARA IN TEAL INTENSE, $65, available at the Tom Ford counter in March.

ESTEE LAUDER PURE COLOR ENVY SCULPTING LIPSTICK IN IMPULSIVE, $45, available at Estee Lauder counters

VECUA HONEY LUSTER LIPGLOSS, $58, available at VecuaHoney.com.sg and Tokyu Hands

AU NATUREL

Show off a flawless complexion with this make-up look. While it might seem simple, it takes skill and the right neutral shades for it to look good

Complexion: Smooth on a sheer and dewy liquid foundation all over the face.

Then buff on an illuminating powder all over, avoiding the T-zone if it gets shiny easily.

Eyes: Fill brows with a grey shadow or brow powder to make them look bold but soft. The brows and the skin will be the focus of this look.

Press on a luminous neutral shadow all over the sockets and just below the brows. Dust on a metallic taupe shadow onto the sockets.

Using a brush, line the upper lashline with a gunmetal shadow.

Cheeks: Accent the complexion with a blusher.

Lips: Finish with a layer of pink gloss.

URBAN'S PICKS

SHU UEMURA SHU:PALETTE PRESSED EYE SHADOW, $160, available at Shu Uemura stores from March

CLE DE PEAU BEAUTE EYE COLOUR QUAD, $110 each, available at Cle de Peau Beaute counters

Chanel Jardin De Chanel Blush Camelia Rose, $75, available at Chanel counters

YVES SAINT LAURENT BEAUTE LE TEINT ENCRE DE PEAU FOUNDATION, $89, available at YSL Beaute counters from next month

DIORSHOW FUSION MONO LONG-WEAR EYESHADOW IN 351 MYRIADE, $52, available at Dior counters

GUERLAIN METEORITES COMPACT, $84, available at Guerlain counters

DIOR DIORSHOW KHOL IN 079, $34, available at Dior counters

YVES SAINT LAURENT BEAUTE VOLUPTE TINT-IN-OIL NO. 4, $45, available at YSL Beaute counters

SHU UEMURA LAQUE SUPREME IN BG02, $40, available at Shu Uemura counters from next month

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on January 23, 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.

JABRA REVO WIRELESS
$248, from Challenger, DigitalStyle, EpiCentre, Nubox and Harvey Norman

SOUND A great balance of sound. The music was clear and rich, with crisp vocals - I could even hear the backup vocals distinctly. The bass was strong and deep but not overpowering. The headphones kept ambient noise out fairly well – at mid volume, I could barely hear the television in front of me.

INCOMING CALLS This was disappointing. The caller’s voice was soft and unclear – a jarring difference from the music quality.

COMFORT I could adjust the headband easily, but after an hour, the headphones started to feel heavy and tight. My ears also started to get warm.

EASE OF USE I just had to move my finger in a circular motion or tap on the control to adjust the volume or change tracks. This and the Noontec Zoro were easiest to use.

VERDICT Gives the best listening experience and is easy to use, but could be more comfortable. 

SCORE 8/10

JBL SYNCHROS E40BT
$149, from Musica, Stereo Electronics, Courts Megastore and Epicentre

SOUND The vocals were clear but thin and slightly scratchy; lowering the volume helped reduce the scratchiness. The bass wasn’t as powerful as on the Jabra Revo but was still satisfying. I could hear just slight murmurs from the TV set, which weren’t distracting.

INCOMING CALLS The sound wasn't clear and static was substantial.

COMFORT These were the lightest headphones of the lot, with the best fit. I liked that I could hardly feel the headband while wearing it. 

EASE OF USE It was easy to adjust the volume, but skipping songs was a tad confusing because I had to press the multifunction button a few times to do so. 

VERDICT The most comfortable; pity about the mediocre sound quality. 

SCORE 7/10

AKG Y45
$199.90, from Musica, Stereo Electronics, Courts Megastore, Epicentre and iStudio

SOUND The strong bass overpowered the clear, crisp vocals. I could hear soft sounds through the headphones, but it wasn't distracting. 

INCOMING CALLS The caller's voice was muffled and I could hear some static.

COMFORT I could adjust the headband easily and remember my preferred fit too, thanks to numbers indicating band length on the side. The super-light headphones were the smallest in the line-up, but too tight for me. My ears felt hot after a while. 

EASE OF USE I could access the volume buttons easily, but they were too flat - I had trouble feeling for the right ones to press. Skipping tracks was tricky too, as I had to press the multi-purpose button twice to skip forward but thrice to go backwards. 

VERDICT Small and light, with decent sound quality, but too tight a fit. 

SCORE 7.5/10

CREATIVE AURVANA GOLD 
$219, from http://sg.creative.com

SOUND Vocals were clear but had a slight echo, especially when I listened to a cappella music. The bass was not the strongest, but it sufficed. The ear cups were the only ones that covered my ears completely, keeping ambient noise out best. 

INCOMING CALLS Had the clearest voice quality, but the connection started to break up about a minute into the conversation. 

COMFORT I was expecting the headphones to be quite heavy as they were the biggest of the lot, but they were surprisingly light. What I didn't like were the ear cups, which pressed too tightly against the sides of my head.

EASE OF USE Buttons to adjust the volume and skip tracks were easily accessible, but the volume buttons felt too far apart from each other.

VERDICT Most noiseproof. If only the music didn't have an echo-like quality. 

SCORE 7/10

NOONTEC ZORO WIRELESS FASHION HI-FI
$189, from Lucky Store, Electronics Hub and I-sound

SOUND Vocals were too soft and fuzzy, and were drowned by a powerful bass. The music also occasionally skipped, most likely due to a sketchy Bluetooth connection. The headphones were loose over my ears, which let ambient noise in. 

INCOMING CALLS Voices were slightly muffled and scratchy. 

COMFORT The headband was easy to adjust and had number indicators like the AKG set. However, the ear cups flared out a bit - it felt like they would slip off my head if I moved too much.

EASE OF USE This was the only pair with dials on separate ear cups to adjust volume and skip tracks - much easier than buttons. 

VERDICT Easy to use, but the sound and comfort level could be better.

SCORE 6.5/10

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

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.

BRIGHTEN UP

Martin Grant Paris Spring 15

SHISEIDO WHITE LUCENT ALL DAY BRIGHTENER
$85, from Shiseido counters

A watery skin-brightening moisturising cream with a light floral scent. Made with vitamin C, it has SPF 36 PA+++ and the brand's signature whitening ingredient 4MSK.

A Light Transform Powder gives skin an instant glow.

Perfect as a make-up base.

SISLEY PHYTO- BLANC INTENSIVE DARK SPOT CORRECTOR
$170, available at Sisley counters from next month

A spot-erasing serum with a roller-ball applicator.

A new extension of Sisley's brightening Phyto-Blanc range that is made for Asian skin, it promises to reduce the size and intensity of dark spots with a vitamin C derivative, rhubarb extract, vitamin E acetate, barbary fig blossom, salicylic acid, plant glycerin and sunflower oil.

Scented with essential oils of sage, lavender and marjoram.

KOSE INFINITY REALIZING WHITE STICK
$108, available at Kose counters from next month

A stick balm product that supposedly delivers a more potent blend of skin-brightening ingredients to lighten dark spots, compared with the usual watery formulas.

The stick melts on warm skin and is made with skin-whitening Kojic acid, as well as the emollients soya phospholipids, oleic acid, olive oil and grape seed oil.

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on January 23, 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.

Ferrari Vetiver Essence, $142 for 100ml
For a splurge-worthy Valentine’s Day gift, get this masculine scent by Ferrari (no less). It’s an intoxicating blend of grapefruit, red pepper berries and cardamom; underscored by rich, woody undertones of hazelwood, coffee beans, patchouli and cedarwood. The bottle design is inspired by Grigio Silverstone of the Ferrari GT car colour library. It can’t get any manlier than that.
Available at Robinsons Orchard, Takashimaya, OG Albert, OG Orchard, BHG Bugis, Changi Airport, the Ferrari boutique at Marina Bay Sands and all Sephora stores

OneAdaptr Twist World Charging Station travel adaptor, $49
This is one practical gift your frequent traveller beau will love you for. We’ve all heard of compatible power adaptors that can be twisted for different charging sockets but this one not only does that, it charges up to four devices with powerful 4.0-amp USB ports from one power socket at once! #win
Available at ante@TANGS Orchard, EpiCentre, EpiLife, istudio and Takashimaya.

Nixon watch, $199-339
Another splurge-worthy item to consider is this grunge-y Nixon watch from the Born Worn collection suitable for dates and maybe even the jungle (read: reservist).
Available at Tangs Orchard Level 3, Clout 9 at Wheelock Place, Isetan, Robinsons and Dot at Bugis+

Celio t-shirts, $36.90 each
Chances are, your man was an avid arcade gamer in his teens. Give him the ultimate #throwback gift with t-shirts from Celio’s latest retrogaming range, inspired by the classic arcade game Space Invaders. (They’ve got boxers too!)
Availalbe at Celio stores at Bugis+, Citylink Mall, JEM, Plaza Singapura and Suntec City

Edible bouquets from Rainbowly, from $49
Flowers are so passe, but he might appreciate these edible bouquets instead! A fresh fruit bouquet dipped in chocolate solves the pain of having to throw away beautiful wilting flowers. Besides the fact that you get to eat them too, of course. 
Check out rainbowly.com. Bouquets are made to order and available for pickup or delivery on Mondays to Saturdays.

Calvin Klein Alliance stainless steel watch, $440
You can’t go amiss with a sleek new watch, like with this minimalist find from Calvin Klein.
Get it at CK Watch & Jewelry stores at Bugis Junction, ION Orchard, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and VivoCity.

Bucketlist Map Scratch Edition, $49.90
The travel junkie that he is will get to scratch off the countries on his bucket list, after each visit.
Get it online here from Naiise.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Andy Warhol sneakers, $89.90
Your pop art-loving man will love the reference to Andy Warhol’s iconic print on these cool kicks.
Available in stores from February 7, 2015.

9Fountains Vader Dots cotton tee, $38.23
The Star Wars geek that he is wouldn’t mind yet another Darth Vader tee.
Get it online here from SheShops.

Immaculate Spelling cotton tee, $29.90
Give him a twee reminder of all the little things you love about him; immaculate spelling and grammar included, for your well-read fellow bookworm.
Get it online here from Naiise.

Nixon leather messenger bag, $498
A trusty messenger bag will always come in useful, whether for the gym or for his travels. This particular find is handmade with waxed leather, to give it that really rugged look.
Get it in stores at Nixon counters in Tangs, Robinsons and other authorised retailers.

Daniel Wellington watch with interchangeable strap, from $317.30
Your equally style-conscious partner will get to match his watch to the occasion or new outfit; he’ll just need to swap the leather strap for the striped nylon for a totally different look on the same timepiece.
Get it online at here and here from SheShops.

Ray-ban aviator mirrored sunglasses, $460
Gift him a pair of dapper new sunnies for those bright days on the road; functional and stylish to boot too.
Get it online here from Zalora.

You & Me Memory book, $39.90
What better than a handmade gift to cherish for your beloved. Chart your favourite moments together in this Kikki K. scrapbook, complete with all the stickers and prompts that you'll need to get started for this sweet D-I-Y project.
Get it from kikki.K at ION Orchard, #B2-53.

Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor mud purifying black mask, $107
The fellow beauty addict that he is will appreciate this tub of mud mask, made with ingredients including Irish moor mud, hijiki seaweed, volcanic ash and charcoal. And okay, he probably won’t mind if you’re sharing this tub of black mask too, right?
Get it from all Sephora stores.

Well, at least we now know what football club Jay Chou's into ... Image: Hannah Quinlivan

Well, that was fast. Barely a week into Jay and Hannah’s megawatt marriage and drama’s already struck the starry couple – this time involving tawdry third party innuendo, no less.

Here’s what went down. Last Saturday, fellow Mandopop musician Show Lo made a well, show of himself by recounting a mortifying #throwback incident in 2008, when a love letter addressed to Show was discovered “live” in Hannah’s home during a variety show segment.

Dismissing Hannah’s passionate postcard as “unrequited love”, Show Lo was reported as saying that “admire is admire, but it is Jay Chou she loves.” Ooh, shady – even more so when you factor in Show and Jay’s fraught friendship; call them the Kanye and Jay Z of Mandopop, if you like.

Show’s cheeky comment was immediately pounced upon by Jay’s posse, with dance instructor Ice Cream (don’t ask, it’s a Taiwanese thing) lambasting Show for milking a fabricated incident for shameless self-publicity.

Ice Cream says Show was well aware that the love letter scene was a staged stunt (Hannah, it must be noted, was just 14 at the time), and that there was no real reason for Show to dredge it up a full seven years later. Show Lo’s manager immediately shot back on Instagram, telling Ice Cream: “If you don't like him, don't misunderstand him.”

Me, a publicity-seeking pop star?! No way. Image: Show Lo

This very public (not to mention incredibly unbecoming) spat must have peeved Jay into speaking out, because the newly minted married man took to Weibo yesterday to basically tell his buddies to back off: “In speaking or standing up for me, you can only mislead people. Don't sweat about certain things, it’s enough that we ourselves know.”

Diplomatic as always, Jay signed off with a gentle admonishment: “But you issued comments without asking me first ... I guess this is being brothers!” Translation? Run things through my management before shooting your mouths off, please.  

Meanwhile, the maiden caught in the middle has also issued a statement of sorts on Instagram, telling her followers to view the vintage love letter clip as throwaway entertainment.

And as if to cement her status as Mrs Chou, Hannah also posted a wefie with her man clad in a Chelsea FC scarf. (Sidebar: What is it with stars and social media these days?)

In any case, there’s an intriguing postscript to this story: Show Lo’s “it is Jay Chou she loves” comments were made at a press junket promoting his band Cug’s latest. Sheer coincidence or shrewdly timed PR move? You decide.

You can follow Jay Chou and Hannah Quinlivan on Weibo.

Fans of Fresh, rejoice! The American beauty brand will be opening its first standalone boutique in Singapore this February 2015.

IMAGE: FRESH

The store will follow the retail concept of the brand’s flagship store in New York City, featuring design elements of a bakery, a kitchen, a library and an alchemist’s lab. Look out for mosaic tile floors, bubble chandeliers and modern apothecary-type decor in the 710-square-foot boutique.

Shoppers will be able to test the brand’s products in three different sections – head to the “Kitchen Table” for skincare, the “Sensorial Bar” for the brand’s fragrances, and finally, the “Lip Bar” to see all your favourite shades of the cult-favourite Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF15 on display.

Finally, grab your purchases and bring them to the “Gift Bar”, where you can customise a gift set and enjoy a complimentary gift wrapping service. (Guys, read: One more place to pick up your Valentine’s Day or anniversary gifts from!)

And if you’re a fan of the brand’s fragrances, here’s something to be excited about – Fresh’s full range of candles will be exclusively available at the boutique.

The store is slated to open February 12, 2015 at ION Orchard, B3-45/46/47.

When Emily, 27, a manager, started chatting with John* on Tinder, she thought she’d struck gold. The bachelor was cute, smart and funny, and even did volunteer work – he sounded perfect on paper.

Their first date was a hit – over a two-hour dinner, they chatted about everything from their travels to their political views. The chemistry was electric and they were inseparable… over text. For months, they texted each other every other day and on occasion, had marathon text sessions that lasted 14 hours. John even confessed that he liked her – through Whatsapp. In spite of their online connection, he agreed to only two dates in eight months.

“We made plans to meet up and he always rescheduled at least once, each time saying that he was busy with work,” says Emily. Yet, John’s constant stream of messages gave her the impression that he was still interested in her. “It was enough to keep me hooked – but I never got all of him.”

She gave him an ultimatum after he postponed yet another date: Meet up, or she’d end contact. “He explained that he just wanted some alone time – but we had spent almost five weeks just trying to fix a date to meet. That’s a lot of alone time,” she says. The relationship fizzled out, but it left Emily with questions. “Why would a guy spend so much time messaging

me if he wasn’t interested?” she wonders. “We were constantly connected virtually, but we never met. It was like being in a long-distance relationship... only, we were in the same country.”

MEET THE TEXT BUDDY

More than a friend but not yet a boyfriend, a text buddy is that special guy whom you message practically every day. The texting is reciprocal, and both of you have unspoken routines – you’ll feel weirded out if he doesn’t text you after work, and you know he’ll definitely like any photo you post on Instagram.

The problem? You’ve hardly met. You’re more familiar with his favourite emojis than his face. Forget long-distance relationships; the new LDR is the long digital relationship. The boom in online dating has fuelled this phenomenon.

A biennial survey of singletons in Asia by dating agency Lunch Actually revealed a 25 per cent increase in the number of people who partook in online dating between 2009 and 2013. The numerous chat and dating apps on the market also means that it has never been easier for singles to meet other singles virtually – a fact that may have contributed to the rise of digital relationships.

“Millennials have lived most of their lives on social networks and mobile phones – it’s only natural that they connect with others in these ways,” says Charlene Koh, co-founder and chief marketing officer of home-grown dating app Paktor. “Besides, people are too busy to meet up for dates nowadays.”

Paktor has made 40 million matches since its launch in 2013, says Charlene. Like on Tinder, Paktor users swipe right to indicate interest when flipping through the profiles of other users, and on average, one gets three matches or more in as little as three days.

Not getting any? “It means you’re not swiping right often enough,” says Charlene. “New users should be swiping right at least 50 times a day.”

IT'S COMPLICATED

Confusion starts when digital relationships aren’t moved offline. Priscilla*, an IT professional,

was stuck in one with Andy*, an unmarried businessman. For months, they had intense all-night Whatsapp conversations about their families and values. Though Andy talked

enthusiastically about meeting up, they managed only three dates in four months because he rescheduled frequently. Disappointed, she stopped talking to him.

“I guess there was little impetus for him to meet me because we had already had such deep conversations over text,” she admits. “There was obvious flirtation and we were in touch all the time, but there was never any clarity as to what our relationship was.”

Ironically, such “It’s Complicated” statuses are on the rise, as more people discover online and mobile dating, says Violet Lim, co-founder and chief executive officer of the Lunch Actually Group. These avenues often promise a buffet of eligible singles.

“The sheer number of choices gives people the sense that they don’t have to choose right away,” she says. “There is no urgency to commit – you can just hang out, chat and see how it goes.”

NO MEETUP, NO MESS

What stops a person from taking a fabulous digital relationship offline?

“Laziness,” says David Tian, executive director of Aura Dating Academy (www.auradating.com). “It’s like wanting a six-pack but never going to the gym. It takes effort to arrange a date, get out of the house, and get over the nervousness of meeting someone new.”

Which is why a digital relationship is attractive. “It’s immediate gratification with minimal effort,” he says. And with minimal consequences too, it seems. There’s none of the emotional mess of a real relationship, says Adrian*, 29, a property agent who has had five text buddies over two years.

“You can flirt via text, but not go all in. There’s no risk of crashing and burning if she rejects you,” he explains. And there are no awkward break-ups either; “text neglect” is cleaner. “And people get the message,” he adds.

A tech-savvy millennial, Adrian reckons that social media has conditioned his generation to expect quick connections and even quicker responses. “Having a text buddy is like on demand dating,” he says.

“I can text her while I’m queuing up for bak chor mee at the hawker centre or send her a funny link and know that she’ll instantly reply with a ‘LAWL’.” He sums it up: “It’s just like how a f**k buddy satiates the need for sex; a text buddy satiates the urgent need to connect.”

CHAT FIRST, LOVE LATER

Until he found a girlfriend, Sean*, 28, chatted for months with women who avoided dates. The entrepreneur has no hard feelings and thinks it’s acceptable nowadays for people to start digital relationships with no intention of taking it further.

He himself wasn’t looking for a serious relationship when he signed up for various dating apps – “I just wanted to spice up my social life. If something more had happened, then great,” he says.“This is how it goes in Singapore – make friends first, talk about romance later.”

If a serious relationship is your end goal, avoid websites or apps that have a reputation for attracting players, suggests Violet. Also, know that it’s not uncommon for men to up their chances of a match on dating apps by indiscriminately swiping right on every profile they see (a point raised by all our experts).

“They get an ego boost when women reciprocate,” says David. “A man like this may constantly text you simply because having you around makes him feel good.”

At the end of the day, have fun with your text buddy but go into the relationship with your eyes wide open. As Adrian says: “If a guy is interested in you, he wouldn’t just be texting you. He’d be dating you.” HW

*Names have been changed.

This story was first published in Her World magazine, January 2015 issue.

BEIJING — The first thing you’d think on seeing this red-carpet look is: Did Chinese actress Gao Yuanyuan just do a Taylor Swift?

No, she didn’t write a love song about an ex-boyfriend, but the cropped top and matching set look is so synonymous with the American songstress that it’s hard not to link the two together.

 
Ooh, did Gao Yuanyuan just pull a Taylor Swift? | Images: Michael Kors, Showbit

T-Swift aside, we gotta give Gao major style cred for scoring this fashion hat trick at the 2014 Sina Weibo Night Award Ceremony. The City of Life and Death actress cunningly pulled off – not one – but TWO fashion trends.

First, the matching crop top and skirt set is totally on-point and the look has been going strong for the past year. If you want to don a matchy-matchy look for Chinese New Year, you're not too late to the party.

Second, huge floral patterns are, well, huge for Spring Summer 2015. This indigo embroidered set is from Michael Kors’ Spring 2015 collection.

More oversized floral patterns from Michael Kors SS15 – the next hottest trend of the year

For this busy print, she went accessory-free and completed the look with simple nude pointy pumps. We love that she kept the look simple and fuss-free with a messy-chic ponytail and a bright red lip.

This up-and-coming actress has been making bold strides on the fashion front. In 2014, she walked down the aisle in the dreamiest mesh and embroidery wedding dress designed by Chloe’s creative director Clare Waight Keller herself. See it to believe it.

In 2013, she modelled for H&M’s campaign in its Isabel Marant pour H&M collaboration, stepping out onto the Parisian streets in structured blazers and sequinned skinnies.

Only two words for this rising style star: J’adore!

Image: Corbis

No money? No problem. There are always other ways to please your other half on your special day that are close to cheap. Take a cue from our date ideas that cost under $100, but don't forget you're not exempted from giving a gift, even though some of these activities leave you with cute knick knacks you can keep. If you're in a pickle about what to choose, check out our Valentine's Day gift guide for guys and girls for some gift #inspiration. Happy Valentine's! 

FOR THE ARTY COUPLE

#1 Internet Calligraphy lesson, <$70

You can plan a trip to Art Friend or any other major craft store with your bae and browse around before having your lesson; where you can bond over the latest state-of-the-art watercolour pigments and get your equipment. All you need is a quiet spot, calligraphy pens, paper and some wifi, so you can watch YouTube tutorials and master the art. At the end of the lesson and practice session, write each other a cute Valentine’s card that you’ll keep for a long time.

2 calligraphy pens: $12 - $24

Grid paper: $2

Pretty cards: $4

Grub at a pretty cafe: ~$30

Pro tip: Bring old knick knacks like buttons, ribbons and even crusty old yellowed notepads for an extra ‘this is a fancy activity’ touch. Burn the edges of the paper (before you write on it!) with a lighter for a super Insta-worthy calligraphy note.

#2 Mona Lisa museum exhibition, ~$70

Get dressed up and get fancy as you peruse through Da Vinci’s finest masterpiece, alongside his sketches from school – just don’t forget to do your homework the day before to impress your date!

Tickets: $20 per pax

Coffee and brunch nearby: about $35, depending on where you eat

Pro tip: Encourage your date to wear eyeglasses and speak like a posh character for some sarcastic fun.

FOR FOODIE COUPLES

#3 Dinner at home, ~$60

This three course meal tutorial from sortedfood is sure to have you sorted … the dishes are easy to make even for beginners and you can have fun cooking with or for your date. Be sure to cook and eat to a mixtape of you and your bae's songs for that extra ambient. The mixtape doubles as your Valentine's gift too! If you want to get a little funky, here’s a romantic prank tutorial for making a three course dish, all made out of hearts.

Ingredients: ~$50

Room decor: $10

Handmade mixtape: Free

Pro tip: Visit your nearest wet market to get fresh ingredients at two thirds the price in supermarkets. When in doubt, get the bloodier slab of meat.

#4 Chomp chomp marathon, $50 - $100

Dedicate the whole day to your favourite hawker fare and do some ‘hawker hopping’ ‒ like cafe hopping but in a noisier and greasier way. Walking to the next stop will help you digest in between too! If it’s a little too gung-ho for you, you could just do a solid dinner date instead – check out affordable restaurants online and book ahead to skip the crazy V Day queues.

Sugarcane juice for two: $3

Zee Char dishes: $8 - $18 per dish

BBQ chicken wings: $1.50 per piece

OR

Dinner for two in a good restaurant: ~$100

Pro tip: Bring some digestive pills and laxatives, just in case.

FOR THE SPORTY COUPLE

#5 Photowalk date Sister’s Islands Marine Park, <$60

Get outdoorsy and creative with this outing. Simply head out to the jetty after picking up a lomo camera rental (includes a roll of film, processing and scanning) It could be a hot day so remember to pack a drink and a snack.

Ferry fare: $18 per pax

Guided tour: Booking required, free of charge

Lomo-camera rental: $20 (requires $50 deposit)

Packed sandwiches and lemonade: $10

Pro-tip: If you’re really cheapo, pack your sandwiches and lemonade from home and use a lomo camera app on your phone instead of renting a camera. But at least make some effort to wear nice-nice lah. (Girls, check out our outfit ideas for all kinds of dates here!)

FOR THE FILM FANATIC COUPLE

#6 Private movie screening at Esplanade Library, $38

A cheaper alternative to Gold Class tickets. Movie buffs will be more than happy with this arrangement ‒ the Esplanade Library is dedicated to filmography and it is filled with an impeccable selection of film scripts, books and DVDs. Take your pick from classic black and white thrillers like Psycho to more indie prescripts like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and simply watch them in the private comfort of the screening rooms. Don’t get too handsy, though ‒ every room comes with a security cam, though you might be able to sneak in the occasional popcorn/smooch.

Booking fee: $5.50 per hour

Popcorn: $2

Dinner in the library cafe: about $25

Pro-tip: You can do the same thing at home for less if you have white walls and a phone ‒ google how to turn your phone into a projector and craft away!

"Eye" love Clara's cute peepers! Image: Instagram

THE CLAIMS: Formulated with sleep-deprived urban dwellers in mind – which means everyone in Singapore, basically – this eye elixir bills itself as an instant brightening balm that filters out fatigue for perky, wide-awake peepers.

Because this is La Mer we’re talking about, expect an aquarium’s worth of algae thrown into the mix. There’s the posh beauty brand’s patented Miracle Broth (but of course), which for the uninitiated consists of a skin-plumping slurry of soothing sea kelp, plus two new botanical blends specially synthesised for this particular product: The first being a fortifying ferment for fending off fine lines and the second a marine derivative said to drench the delicate orbital area with lit-from-within luminescence.

Taken together, this age-reversing trio promises to buffer your baby blues from the scourge of stress and pollution, as well as – and this is the crucial bit – diminish dark circles and discolouration instantly and over time.

WHY I LOVE IT: Bottomline: This really works, at least for me. Let’s start by critiquing the curious consistency of the Illuminating Eye Gel, which is sort of like … oh, I don’t know, a mealy mousse?

I know that sounds off-putting but by some stroke of alchemy, the little lumps smoothen out between your fingers into a gorgeous gloss that glides like a dream under the eye – an incredibly important detail; you don’t want any tugging and tearing along the delicate orbital region.

How to use? You’re meant to slap this baby on twice a day like any old eye cream, but Loretta Miraglia, La Mer’s corporate senior vice president of global brand product development and innovation, says she stashes the handy tube into her bejewelled bag as a “perfect pick-me-up” for post-gym and pre-dinner touch-ups – a most “illuminating” #BeautyTip indeed!

Top tip: Use this gel under your eyes for post-gym touch-ups! Image: Instagram

You know what? I’ll go one up and say this eye gel is excellent as an all-purpose primer, thanks to the formula’s “light-bending sea pearls”, which any beauty junkie worth her bath salts will recognise as marketing-speak for light-reflecting pearlescent particles. (Props to the La Mer copywriters for being consistently evocative in their press copy!) Another huge plus? I’m a sucker for aesthetically pleasing packaging, which in this instance is over and above the hygienic and very functional pump dispenser.

As for the Illuminating Eye Gel’s claims of lending your eyes a luxe twinkle? Let’s just say that after a month or so of using this product, I’ve found myself wiggling out of undereye concealer on most workdays. (You’ll probably still need a little something-something for date nights out with the boyfriend, but that’s par for the course, really.)

Oh yeah, one final note: At $220 per pop, this is going to make quite the dent in your wallet, but what price instant beauty, really?

GET IT AT: La Mer Illuminating Eye Gel, $220 for 15ml, is available at all La Mer counters. For more information, visit illuminatingeyegel.cremedelamer.com/sg, www.lamer.com.sg and follow La Mer on Facebook.

We’re as obsessed about K-Beauty as you are, and unfortunately, just as clueless as you (with the exception of some of you Korean language experts – teach us something, please!) when faced with rows and rows of confusing hangul text in Korean beauty magazines.

So we love watching Korean beauty vloggers to get updates on what’s trending in K-Beauty. Oh, and easy tutorials that make smoky eyes, coloured eyeliner and neon pink lips actually work on us.

Here are two we can’t stop watching:

SSIN

Image: Ssinnim's Instagram account

You can have solid beauty advice, but if you’re going to read off a script in a five minute video, no one’s going to keep watching, which is why we love comical beauty vlogger Ssin.

This vlogger has kept us hooked on her channel for months for being extremely relatable in the way she freaks out over amazing concealers and cackles (yes, cackle, not giggle or laugh) at the most random things (helium balloons are one of them, go figure.)

Follow this crazy K-Beauty guru as she teaches you how to look like Elsa, Maleficient and G-Dragon– we had to do a double take on the picture thumbnail of her G-Dragon makeup tutorial, the resemblance is uncanny! It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to look like these characters, you HAVE to watch these videos just because they’re that interesting.

WATCH: IS THIS ACTUALLY GD IN THE FLESH?

For those looking for more constructive videos, such as tutorials on how to apply burgundy eyeshadow – tricky makeup move, we know – the best nude lipsticks and other beauty tips, Ssin has plenty, and she’s now putting English subtitles on them too.

WATCH: WHAT ARE SSIN’S FAVOURITE NUDE LIPSTICKS?

LAMUQE

Image: Lamuqe's Instagram account

Lamuqe’s channel has less videos than Ssin – the beauty vlogger only started to update her channel regularly a year ago – but it has since gained quite a huge following. (169,682 followers, to be exact.)

This super sweet vlogger creates both hair and makeup tutorials that are worth trying out, especially if you have short hair like Lamuqe. In particular, check out the one below in which she takes viewers to a salon to demonstrate how you can create a top knot that looks voluminous, which is usually quite a difficult task for those with short hair.

WATCH: HERE’S HOW TO CREATE A VOLUMINOUS TOP KNOT WITH SHORT HAIR

She doesn’t have as many English subtitled videos as Ssin does, but they’re very easy to follow. 

We think this “Delicate and Lovely Girl” makeup tutorial is one that you should try for Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day. By pairing an almost neon pink lip with a velvet complexion and a subtle pink blush, the look is a perfect an example of how to use the same colour on more than one part of your face without turning into a hot, flushing mess. (She says she uses a coral lip and cheek colour in the video, but we think it leans a little more towards pink.)

If you’ve been snooping around the internet for outfit #inspo this Valentine’s Day, you’ve come to the right place.

Whether you’re going out for a candlelit dinner or staying at home for a romantic home-cooked meal, we’ve got 5 different looks for you to play around with to suit your style.

Make it a Valentine’s Day to remember, style-wise.

SEE ALL THE LOOKS HERE

Consider your Valentine’s Day #OOTD sorted!

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

200g green tea soba*
2 onions, sliced 
400g sliced beef
1 tsp black pepper
1 litre water
500ml Kewpie roasted sesame Japanese dressing
150ml bottled teriyaki sauce

For the garnish:
1 Japanese cucumber, julienned
1 carrot, peeled and julienned
2 stalks spring onions, julienned
100g red cabbage, julienned
100g radish, julienned
100g beansprouts, blanched
1 tbsp sesame seeds
15g dried wakame (Japanese seaweed), soaked for 1min
100g daikon cress (optional)

All ingredients are available at Fairprice Finest, Isetan Scotts and Meidi-ya Supermarket.

DIRECTIONS

1 Cook the soba in boiling water for 5min. Strain and soak in ice water for 1min to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.
2 In a pot, sweat the onions over medium heat for 20min. Add the beef and black pepper and stir-fry for 2min on high heat.
3 Add the water, sesame dressing and teriyaki sauce. Turn the heat down to low and braise the beef for about 25min.
4 Portion the soba into 4 bowls. Pour the braised beef and sauce over. Top with all the garnish ingredients and serve.

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2015.

It’s no secret: Singaporeans are nuts about Brazilian flip-flop brand Havaianas.

This month, Havaianas offers two styles that are great for your feet (sandals are better than flip flops, that much is true) in a multitude of colours, no less.

These sensible sandals have our nod of approval because they’ll go with everything you decide to wear for your next beachside vacay. Summer dress? Yes. T-shirt and shorts? Definitely. Bikini or swimsuit? Duh.

What’s more, they’re pretty Instagram-worthy to feature in your seaside snapshots, no?

Havaianas Freedom T-bar sandals, $52.90 each

Havaianas Luna braided slingback sandals, $59.90 each

Available at Havaianas stores at Raffles City #01-03 and Takashimaya Shopping Centre #B1-38, and Common Thread stores at ION Orchard #B2-18, Plaza Singapura #B1-36, Bugis Junction #02-20 and Parkway Parade #01-K4

Sooyoung may be winking, but her skin sure ain't "blind"! Image: Instagram

There are pimples, and then there are blind pimples. The difference is sort of like that between soldiers and snipers – blind pimples are absolutely killer.

So what are they, exactly? Well, the “blindness” of said spots refers to how they don’t come to a “head”; rather, these lumps lodge themselves deep within the skin, ballooning in pressure and becoming tender and hot as hell. In short, they’re without question the very worst kind of zit.  

If you’re “lucky” enough to encounter one of these pea-sized monsters, here’s the one non-negotiable rule to follow: Never, ever squeeze. “Blind spots, or cystic acne, can linger for weeks, but under no circumstances should you attempt to extract them,” warns Nicolas Travis, Singapore founder of grooming label Allies of Skin. “You’ll only end up driving the abscess deeper into the skin, delaying the healing process and opening up new avenues of infection.” Scary stuff.

Think you might be developing a Big One but not sure what to do? In keeping with the critical nature of this crisis of the complexion, let’s get straight to it.

Pfft, these K-Pop stars and their humble-bragging. Image: Instagram

TIP #1. Flush out the enemy. First order of business: You need to lure the bugger out of its hidey-hole. Once you’ve detected a burgeoning blemish lurking just out of reach, head straight for a clay mask to draw the detritus to the skin’s surface for easy “popping”.

What to use? I’m all about Kate Somerville’s excellent new Eradikate Mask, an intriguing self-activating treatment that works itself into a fine froth on dry skin – no elbow grease required on your part.

The self-foaming suds ain’t spectacle for spectacle’s sake, either: The frothing action is said to sop up gunk and grease while driving the good stuff, which include micro-particles of antibacterial sulfur and a brew of botanical and honey extracts, deep into your pores.

TIP #2. Use charcoal for clear improvement. When it comes to blind acne, you’ll probably need to layer your masks strategically for maximum blemish-busting benefits. Do as I do and top up your antibacterial clay mask with a cool charcoal concoction, which is one of nature’s humble little miracles, really: Nothing quite beats charcoal at getting under the skin and clearing out the riff-raff clogging up your pores.

If you have a pimple that refuses to resolve itself into a pus-filled head for popping, try dabbing Peter Thomas Roth’s Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask directly onto the offending spot. The intercontinental buffet of Irish moor mud, Japanese hijiki black seaweed, volcanic ash and activated charcoal combine to pack a powerful pimple-purging punch. Bonus: The inky infusion is blacker than the blackest coal, making application an amusing opportunity for a #crazy mask selfie.

TIP #3. Proceed to pop – but only when the pimple’s ready. If all goes well, your masks should have siphoned the underlying pus and such to the surface to form a largish whitehead. When you’re able to see liquid pooling at the head of the zit, it’s good to go!

Here’s how. Using the pads of your index fingers or the wide end of an ace at-home tool like Sephora’s Blemish Extractor, press gently around the pimple’s periphery. Some popping pointers: Resist digging your nails into the flesh; and cease and desist if the head doesn’t pop after a few seconds (that just means it’s not as “ripe” as we want it to be.)

TIP #4. Mop up the gooey aftermath. Succeeded in bursting the blemish? Congrats, you’re well on your way to clear skin; just some final odds and ends to take care of. Using a cotton swab, whisk away the contents of the zit, then dab an antibacterial agent onto the oozing crater to inhibit infection.

Finish by patting a soothing salve all over your face; new K-Beauty kid on the block Heynature has a healing herbal hydrator that’s ace for alleviating the angry redness of post-acne skin.

And you’re done! Follow these steps and you should hit the spot, so to speak. If this works for you, do me a favour and bookmark this page for easy reference.

Even better, share this story with your beauty buddies; I’ll enjoy an extra pat on the head from my boss. Sending all of you good skin vibes, and sayonara, suckers!

Heynature Ersungcho Essence, $36.90, is available for online purchase via www.heynature.com.sg. For more information, follow the brand on Facebook.

Kate Somerville EradiKate Mask, $85, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.katesomerville.com and www.sephora.com, and follow Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.

Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Purifying Black Mask, $107, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.peterthomasroth.com.sg and follow Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.

Sephora Blemish Extractor, $17, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.sephora.sg and follow Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.