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Review: The Mask That Covers Your Face With A Blanket Of Bubbles

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So Clinique’s Pep-Start range, for the unacquainted, is their more youthful skincare range that’s targeted at the millennials. Or to be more specific, busy, multi-tasking twenty-somethings that don’t have the time and energy to spare the effort on complicated skincare regimes, because that time is much better spent on being a girlboss, taking over the world, or even something as mundane on bingeing on Netflix at the end of a tiring day.
It’s a fun range for sure, with packaging that pops. So when Clinique expanded the range recently, we were excited, most of all for this little green tube:

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Meet the Pep-Start Double Bubble Purifying Mask, which is a wash-off mask that promises to cover your face with a blanket of tiny foam bubbles. Of course we’re giving this a try!!!
By Tami Lai

WHAT IS IT?
A “cleansing gel mask”, that aims to cleanse, purify and prep the skin at the same time. It’s meant to be used before makeup, lifting away any residual oil and dirt to leave behind skin that’s smoother. All within 2 minutes.
The science lies in foaming agents, and an amino sugar that boosts hydration, reduces skin flaking, and regulates skin exfoliation on the outermost layers.
HOW TO APPLY IT?
It dispenses from the tube in a pink, almost lilac pink gel that was honestly quite pretty. Apply it over the entire face in a generous layer (avoiding the eye area, of course), and just let it work its magic – rinse off with water once the 2 minutes are up.

clinique pep start swipes

DID IT BUBBLE?
Why yes it did – very quickly indeed. Within seconds, the pink gel turned colourless, and numerous tiny bubbles formed, until my face was covered in a layer of light, bubbly foam. I could very much feel the bubbling on my skin, and it was almost ticklish, and very intriguing indeed.
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SO DID IT WORK, OR WAS IT ALL BUBBLY HYPE?
To be honest, most of the appeal of this product is its novelty. I wouldn’t say it’s a life-changing skincare product, or my new holy grail – but its whole purpose is for everyday use anyway, to prep your skin just a little better, so your makeup sits a bit nicer.
And my skin did feel soft to the touch after rinsing this mask off, and not at all dry and tight. Two minutes is also a good time – any longer and it wouldn’t make it into my morning routine, because there just isn’t room for so much patience in the mornings.
Plus, the bubbles give you a good excuse to snap a fun selfie for Instagram Stories. 😜
On an interesting related note, Clinique has actually worked with the BeautyPlus app to develop a filter inspired by the Pep-Start Double Bubble Purifying Mask, which also happens to make a very fun selfie for Instagram Stories:

 
Clinique Pep-Start Double Bubble Purifying Mask, $39. Available at Sephora and on sephora.sg. clinique.com.sg

COS Makes Utility Wear Super Fashionable In Bright And Pastel Shades

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The word “utility wear” isn’t the most exciting thing on its own — it brings to mind dull engineer-style jumpsuits that bulge at all the wrong places, heavy overalls you only bust out when you’re repainting your room, or just a sturdy pair of jeans, but nothing really sexy. You’ll get an entirely new impression after looking at COS‘ latest designs though. Now, it’s no question that we’ve long loved the brand for its crisp basics and minimalist lines, but here’s where they’re doing us a solid, with great functional everyday wear that we can’t wait to invite into our wardrobe.

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Jacket with Drawstring Waist ; Waisted Short Sleeve Dress

While most utility-inspired fashion come in dark shades or a cool khaki green, which we still love anyway, this time, the brand is incorporating exposed zippers and pockets in the clean styles we’ve known them for, along with neutral tones, pastel shades, and bold, vibrant pieces, which they’re calling ‘Reworked Utility’. The lightweight materials, combined with the thoughtful construction — boxy sometimes, and flowy at other times — means we can easily weave this in with the summer-weather wear we already own.
It helps that details like a drawstring or cinched waist helps keeps the overall boxy form more feminine too — seen for both the aqua blue jacket and bright green dress. And oh yes, everything has pockets, even on a dress. The large patch pockets on the jacket come with clean flaps that keep the look more utilitarian, but with a nice design touch.
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Short-Sleeve Pocket Shirt ; Pocket Dress with Drawstring Waist ; Patch Pocket Wrap Skirt

Similarly, that simple design element is used across their range of dresses, shirts and skirts. The COS website even has a small ode to the humble pocket, calling it “an essential detail in modern clothing” since its appearance almost 250 years ago.
While pockets previously referred to small pouches tied to their wearer, they slowly morphed into the sewn-in design that we all love. You can argue that they represent an era of empowerment too — womenswear only really started featuring pockets during mid-century America; previous garments had lacked pockets since they deemed women didn’t need to carry anything so practical. This Golden Age made pockets a necessity in everyday wear, “for carrying things, as a way for designers to define silhouette, and as something that impacts gesture and stance”. The last one describes the #ootd classic of placing your hands in your pockets for a casual yet confident pose.
COS’ emphasis on them this season then becomes more significant; we’re glad they come in so many shapes and sizes.
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Boxy Denim Jacket ; Relaxed Cotton Chinos ; Cropped Bomber Jacket

There are boxy versions of the denim and bomber jacket on display, the first in a vibrant orange made with soft denim and a single visible button closure that pulls the simple silhouette together elegantly. The latter comes in a relaxed fit, with crisp cotton and linen making its whole vibe less sporty and more versatile.
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Asymmetrical Off-The-Shoulder Top, Cotton Twill Culotte Trousers ; Silk Top With Drawstring Neckline, Technical Drawstring Skirt

Their draped silhouettes come just as refined too, with an asymmetrical top that we’re dying to wear over all our culottes, or voluminous designs that play on the drawstring detail of earlier pieces, making it something you’d wear all the time just because it’s so easy to match, and slip on and off.
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At most, you’ll be sorely tempted to snag one of these bags. The Shoulder Bag with Front Pockets is the minimalist version of the satchel, in long-lasting leather, simple topstitch details that blend into its creamy shade, as well as both a matte finish and push buttons that complete the not-trying-too-hard style. As for that waist pouch, it’s something you can easily sling around you for your essentials, without looking like a beer aunty, simply because of its obviously superior style. As with everything COS, it’s highly functional while serving a great dose of fresh style, something we can’t help but fall in love with every time.
COS ‘Pockets’ and ‘Reworked Utility’ collections, available at COS stores. cosstores.com
 
 
 

Potterheads Rejoice, Two New Harry Potter Books Will Debut this October!

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Believe it or not, it’s been almost 20 years since the first Harry Potter book was published. Since then, fans have relived J.K Rowling’s madcap wizarding world in a myriad of ways, mostly through musicals, jewellery, cosmetics, and even ice cream, just to name a few.
But of course, the best way to re-kindle the magic is to go back to the original medium, don’t you think?
Well, at least that’s what Bloomsbury wants fans to do when the publisher debuts two new HP books this October 20, in conjunction with an exhibition at the British Library to mark the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first title.



The two books, titled “Harry Potter: A History of Magic, The Book of the Exhibition” and “Harry Potter, A Journey Through a History of Magic”, aren’t actually new stories, but compilations of spells, magical creatures, wizards, and witches. Think of them as something like Hermione Granger’s dream textbooks.

As of now, Bloomsbury has yet to release an official statement, cover art, or dates for the new books. But what we do know is that J.K Rowling did not write them, which is a little disappointing considering that both have a historical context, and are meant to give a sort of backdrop to the whole series.
If you’re looking to read these books however, Bloomsbury plans to publish digital copies of them on the Pottermore website on October 20.
There’s no word as to whether there’ll be an international release for physical copies, although if there isn’t, you can always head down to the exhibition at the British Library that’ll run till February 28, 2018.
For more information, visit www.bloomsbury.com/uk.
Cover image taken from the Harry Potter official Facebook page. 

The UNIQLO x J.W. Anderson Collection Is The Perfect Winter Wardrobe

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It seems like partnerships between luxury fashion houses and fast fashion brands are becoming more commonplace in the industry, and it’s understandably a good call to make. Not only do mainstream consumers get to purchase luxury clothing at an affordable price, brands are also making themselves made known to a far wider audience. We’ve also witnessed the collaborations between H&M and the multitude of high-end fashion brands every year that have proven to be so successful, it almost makes perfect sense for other fast fashion brands to join the bandwagon. And while we are really excited upon hearing the announcement of the upcoming H&M x Erdem collection, there’s another collaboration that has kept us at the edge of our seats, and that’s none other than the collab between our favourite Japanese fashion brand, UNIQLO, and London-based brand, J.W. Anderson.
The upcoming collection presents a range of British classics that combine J.W. Anderson’s signature bold and graphic design aesthetic with UNIQLO’s functional yet comfortable fabrics. The 33-piece collection offers classics such as a double-breasted belted trench coat, a wool blended quilted jacket, a fair isle sweater and a striped scarf.

32_404918 trench coat $199.90

66_404863 flannel checked long sleeve shirt $49.90

One of the collection’s key aesthetics is the tartan design, which can be seen on the inner lining of the trench coat, a number of down jackets, shirts, and padded tote bags. The wide range of offerings also include multi-border cut and sewn pieces, knits, and stoles in vibrant hues, as well as ruffle blouses and skirts that are suitable for both casual and formal settings, and are also some of the more wearable pieces suited for our warm climate. You will also see hints of J.W. Anderson throughout the collection, such as the faux leather patch with the anchor logo that appears on the padded tote bag and the wool blended quilted jacket.
10_403081 ruffle blouse $49.90

65_405052 denim ruffle wrap skirt $79.90

66_405160 ruffle wrap skirt $79.90

08_404919 tweed coat $199.90

UNIQLO’s trademark fabrics are also fused together with traditional British materials, resulting in a unique combination of textures and designs. There are tweed coats in signature herringbone and shirts in extra fine cotton, as well as knits in Extra Fine Merino for a polished look.
The line also played around with the silhouette of the pieces, offering a variety of different lengths and cuts, and that could only mean one thing – layering! Slip into a turtleneck sweater that comes in a boxy cut when you’re cold, or throw over an oversized knit dress and get all comfy and snuggly in it. And you know UNIQLO are the best when it comes to creating quality warm clothes at an affordable price. The people at UNIQLO had it all thought out by creating HEATTECH scarves and down jackets that feature ribbed cuffs and zipper tapes so you can keep your gloves on for a long time in cold weather.
01_403276 cable crew neck sweater $59.90

403273 Stripe crew neck sweater $59.90

99_403264 striped school scarf $29.90

66_403258 padded backpack $59.90

Speaking of the collection, J.W. Anderson said: “For me, the point of doing this collaboration was that I believe in democracy in fashion, and what I hope will be achieved is that any age demographic can pick up and find something within the collection to relate to. Doing something with UNIQLO is very interesting. It means you come up with a wardrobe which is universal and quirky.”
The best part of collaborations like these? Yeap, you guessed it – the price point. Affordably priced at $19.90 for a graphic T-shirt to $249.90 for a trench coat, the collection is quite a steal. Now that we know for sure the collection will be available in Singapore, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the J.W. Anderson x Converse collection will be making its way here too.
UNIQLO x J.W. Anderson Collection, $19.90 – $249.90, available at UNIQLO Orchard Central and online at uniqlo.com from 22 September 2017.
Header image: UNIQLO

Why 2017 Is The Year Of Gabrielle Chanel

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By Adele Chan
 

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[I came across a Chanel pop-up in the middle of Marais, Paris. What are the odds? Pretty high, apparently.]

There’s a lot we can learn from Gabrielle Chanel. The world knows her as Coco Chanel — the woman behind the luxury Parisian fashion brand with the iconic interlocking C’s; but before Coco, there was a girl called Gabrielle, who was rebellious and determined; and she decided exactly who and what she wanted to be and made it happen. Aside from her extraordinary story, Gabrielle was a woman of class, taste, and style; and who knew… 2017 is her year.

The “Gabrielle bag” launched earlier this year in April, to much fanfare (the popular colours are sold out in store). I recently carried the classic two-toned version to a Kiehl’s event (it was on loan for a shoot), and two friends immediately squealed in delight over it… “OMG that’s the Gabrielle bag! So nice!” If that’s the kind of response a product gets on sight, you know the brand has done something right with their marketing campaign. 

 

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[Pharrell at the Gabrielle fragrance party in Paris. Shortly after I took this photo he went up on stage for a surprise performance.]


 

This August, Gabrielle becomes a fragrance! It’s not a big surprise considering the celebrity party that was recently thrown in Paris for its launch, and the media coverage surrounding it (have you seen our Instagram posts?). And this fragrance is a big deal; it has actually been 15 years since Chanel launched a new fragrance line. Everything about this perfume is new: the name, the scent, and the bottle; and Chanel’s perfumer, Olivier Polge created all this in celebration of Gabrielle. 

 

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[Photos taken at the launch party of the new Gabrielle fragrance in Paris.]


 

Their are four key ingredients to the formula, and the press release describes them as follows: 

“Olivier Polge began by selecting ylang-ylang, jasmine and orange blossom, as well as a touch of tuberose now grown in Grasse, but then took his conception of white flowers much further by varying their range, deciphering their score, he took interest in the molecules that compose them. He increased the intensity of jasmine. He used white musk to add more velvet to the ylang-ylang petals. He accentuated the creaminess of tuberose with milky sandalwood. He boosted the freshness of orange blossom with mandarin peel, a zest of grapefruit and a hint of blackcurrant.” 

 

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[Illustrations of (from left to right) Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Orange Blossom and Tuberose.]


 

From these four notes, you can imagine what the fragrance smells like; but of course there’s nothing like going to the counter and taking a whiff of the actual scent. Unfortunately, the Gabrielle fragrance only launches at Chanel Beauty boutiques from 19 August and all other counters from 1 September. 

So here’s my take on it: The resulting perfume — in my opinion — is a heady floral that is at once familiar. And I’m not saying that this fragrance smells like another one; in fact, all fragrances smell like something — it could be a mood, a place, a person or even a thing. I went round the office getting the whole NYLON team to give me their immediate thoughts on this scent, and all the girls described it as “fresh, floral, fancy” and a writer also said “formal”. The one guy in the editorial team said it smelled “sweet”. Ultimately, it had mass appeal — which I can’t say the same for many fragrances that come by our editorial desks every day.

 

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The bottle is also very beautiful, and Chanel says it is a bottle like no other. To begin with, most fragrance bottles aspire to be heavy, giving the impression of luxury and that the object is valuable; for the Gabrielle bottle, Chanel approached it from a different direction, and made the glass walls exceptionally thin, converging towards the centre. Even the straw is made as thin as possible so it looks almost invisible from an angle. Finally, the stopper is embossed with the logo, sparing no expense to detail; and adorned in a matte lamé shade that borders between gold and silver, inspired by the Haute Couture fabrics from the brand’s heritage.

 

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It’s going to be a month before you can indulge yourself in this new perfume, but that also means you have a month to save for it.

 

CHANEL Gabrielle fragrance, $180 for 50ml and $258 for 100ml, available at CHANEL Beauty boutiques from 19 August and all other counters from 1 September. chanel.com/en_sg

Watch These Kat Von D Beauty Artists Do Some Amazing Makeup

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Watch live makeup demos by members of the Kat Von D Beauty Artistry Collective this weekend!

Kat Von D Beauty Artistry Collective Makeup Live Demos
Saturday, 22 Jul 2017
1.30pm-3pm
Sephora ION, B2-09 ION Orchard

Meet the girl who schooled Kat Von D herself in eyeliner, and the girl who has mastered the makeup brush like no one else has.



Tara Buenrostro (top) and Kelsey Anna Fitzpatrick, make up half of Kat Von D Beauty’s Artistry Collective, a group of 4 makeup artists handpicked by Kat Von D herself, to represent the brand and embody its values.
 

We call them “makeup artists”, but when you watch them in action, you’ll see that their skills go far, far beyond that generic term. They have mastered the use of pigment, texture, as well as application techniques that allow them to transform faces into masterpieces.
And this weekend, you get to witness it for yourself. Tara and Kelsey are coming to Sephora ION this Saturday, 22 Jul at 1.30pm, to demonstrate their artistry skills and interact with guests (we’ve met them, and both are really nice). Besides getting to watch some makeup magic in action, here are a couple other reasons why you should head down this weekend:
 
Get a mini Kat Von D Beauty Tattoo Liner and a Studded Kiss Lipstick Bag with minimum purchases

kat von d mini tattoo liner

The Tattoo Liner is one of the most well-know liquid eyeliners in the makeup world – if you haven’t tried it, here’s your chance, and if you have and you know how good it is, a mini version would come in really handy for bringing around. Receive it free with a $50 purchase; top it up to an $80 purchase to get the Studded Kiss Lipstick Bag thrown in as well.
 
Stand a chance to win a Kat Von D Beauty Everlasting Obsession Vault – just by posting on Instagram Stories
kat von d everlasting obsession
This vault is a treasure trove indeed: 15 Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks in a set, which can be yours if you snap a photo or video of the event for your Instagram Stories. 10 of the most interesting posts will win a vault each, so better remember to tag @sephorasg and add the Sephora ION location tag on all your Stories, and keep your profile public!
 

Kat Von D Beauty Artistry Collective Makeup Live Demos
Saturday, 22 Jul 2017
1.30pm-3pm
Sephora ION, B2-09 ION Orchard

 

Sanrio Fans, Go Mooncake Crazy with Hello Kitty this August

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Like them or not, there’s no denying that mooncakes are beautifully designed; with their deft carvings of Chinese characters and intricately woven patterns. But that’s only if you’re talking about the traditional stuff, which if we’re being honest, can get a bit boring at times.
If you want something a little more kawaii however, boy, do we have fantastic news for you. Hello Kitty Orchid Garden, the Hello Kitty-themed café at Changi Airport, is launching its new range of Hello Kitty-inspired mooncakes to celebrate this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hello Kitty Orchid Garden - Mooncakes (1)

The 24-hour space, known for its medley of kitschy ornamentations and Hello Kitty-inspired food, will be releasing a traditional baked mooncake set ($33.80/box) from August 17 onwards, with each set consisting of two mooncakes.
Hello Kitty Orchid Garden - Mooncakes (2)

Of course, both of these delightful pastries will come sculpted with Hello Kitty’s adorable face, while the packaging will also feature her friend, Tiny Green. If you can bear to eat Hello Kitty, you’ll find that each piece is filled with creamy white lotus paste, melon seeds, and a single egg yolk.
Right now, the mooncakes are only available for sale at Hello Kitty Orchid Garden (walk-in only) from August 17 to October 4, although there’s an early bird price of $29.80 per set till September 14.
Hello Kitty Orchid Garden - Mooncakes (3)

If you’re planning to get your hands on a set, we suggest going pronto. Hello Kitty products are known to sell like hot cakes (excuse the pun), and we see these mooncakes as no different.
In other Hello Kitty news, everyone’s favourite feline has teamed up with Wonderwoman for an exclusive collaboration.
For more information visit, www.hellokittyorchidgarden.com.
All images taken from Hello Kitty.

Leak: Take a Sneak Peek at Nokia’s First Ever High-End Phone

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We all know Nokia as the brand that gave us the world’s most indestructible phone, the 3310. But we also know that the smartphone maker, now owned by Finnish company HMD Global, is struggling to keep up with the times. That may all change very soon however thanks to the company’s newest high-end handset: the Nokia 8.



As revealed by serial gadget leaker Evan Blass, the Nokia 8 could be launched on July 31 later this month, and will be packed to the brim with specs that’ll rival phones like the Galaxy S8, Galaxy Note 8, or Apple’s iPhone 8, from dual cameras featuring Zeiss optics to Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 835 chip.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg though. The phone, which will reportedly carry an eye-opening price tag of €589 (approximately S$929), comes with a large 5.3-inch screen that has crystal clear QHD resolution, 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. It’ll also most probably run on Android 7.1.1 Nougat.



In terms of design, the Nokia 8 will arrive in a sleek blue colourway, although The Verge suggests it could launch in silver and gold as well. The main difference between Nokia’s latest premium model and other high-end smartphones is that the Nokia 8 won’t have an edge-to-edge infinity display, with a physical keyboard slotted right at its bottom.
Whatever the case may be; it’s been way too long since Nokia has had a hit in the smartphone market, and the Nokia 8 could just be the solution to remedy the company’s financial woes. Who knows, it may even come with Snake.
Cover image taken from Evan Blass.

The Bohemian Nail Trend That's Going to Be Huge This Summer

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If picking out a colour never fails to induce a panic attack at the nail salon, then take a deep breath and step away from the polish wall. Instead, seek inspiration from summer’s bohemian colour palette. Yup, we’re referring to those billowy floral dresses, festival-ready rainbow hair, and rose-tinted lenses we seem to be perpetually obsessed with. Now, you can complete that dreamy aesthetic by sporting shades from Sally Hansen’s new limited edition Miracle Gel Festive Floral collection on your nails.
 
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(L-R): Lilac Insomniac, Make Me Mauve, Aqua Chakra, Birthday Suit, Pink Cadillaquer, Red Eye

 
Sure, it may be summer here all year round, but these fresh nail polishes have arrived just in time to jumpstart the season’s nail trends and refresh your manicure. There’s a wide range of shades from the Miracle Gel Festive Floral collection to play with if you can’t settle on one. We’ve already got our eyes on the taupe-tinged Lilac Insomniac, deep yet vivid Make Me Mauve, and turquoise Aqua Chakra, which happen to be the new limited edition shades featured in their duo-packsets. Don’t worry if you’re not too experimental with your nails, though. You can always fall back on the neutral, nude shade that’s aptly (and cheekily) named Birthday Suit. And of course, for those who prefer their nails to match their loud personality, a poppy pink hue by way of Pink Cadillaquer and a bright bloom of Red Eye will top off every bold outfit perfectly.
 
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Not to mention, you can achieve the same gel texture and quality right at the comfort of your own home, so your anxiety issues won’t stop you from getting a gel manicure anymore. Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel line is known for being a quick two-step gel system that’ll leave your nail polish way more chip-resistant than your regular varnishes. Apply two coats of your favourite colour, let it dry, and paint the Miracle Gel Top Coat on top of that.
Salon gel manicures require a UV lamp, but these nail polishes will set in natural light and you’ll get the same volume and intense sheen. That professional-looking finish will last up to 14 days and can be easily taken off with your regular nail polish remover. Intrigued, we’ve decided to try the collection out on our own nails. Have a look at the designs we came up with and try these easy DIY styles yourselves.
 
jadehand

Shades used: Aqua Chakra and Red Eye

Choose a bright base colour and paint 1 to 2 coats of it on your nails. Once that’s dry, use a dotting tool or the end of a brush handle to add a single dot of red polish on each nail. Finish off with a top coat.
 
 
phyllishand

Shades used: Birthday Suit and Aqua Chakra

Here’s what you’ll need to create this ombré effect: a light, neutral shade as your base coat, a darker shade of your choice, and a makeup sponge (preferably one that you intend to throw out). Apply your base coat and let it dry before mixing the two colours carefully until you’ve created a gentle gradient. Then, use your sponge to pick up the colour and blend away! Remember to seal it in with a top coat – it makes everything look better.
 
 
ameliahand

Shade used: Red Eye

Grab some tape for this one, because you’ll need to tape your nails vertically to create a space for the nail polish. Then, paint your colour of choice over the taped nails. Remove the tape once they’re all dry and finish up with a top coat.
 
 
joannehand

Shades used: Birthday Suit, Make Me Mauve, Red Eye, and Aqua Chakra

Using the same approach with tape, you can tape down random sections of your nail to create an abstract design. For an eye-catching manicure, go ahead and paint each nail a different colour. Wait for it to dry completely before peeling the tape off.
 
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Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Festival Floral Collection, $16.90 for each duo-packset. Available at selected Watsons stores. 

OPPO Launches Limited Edition Red R11 in Singapore

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OPPO’s R11 is picture perfect magic. We all know that. This sleek gadget is currently one of the best photo-taking options for smartphones in the market right now, with its powerful dual 20-megapixel and 16-megapixel rear cameras capable of producing a fake ‘bokeh’ effect, along with a 20-megapixel front cam that’s fantastic for selfies.

OPPO RED R11__03

All that razzmatazz still hasn’t stopped the OPPO from ramping things up a notch though. The Chinese company today (18 July 2017) announced via press release the launch of the R11 in a brand new, limited edition red colourway, similar to the red iPhone 7 that Apple dished out a few months ago.


It’s also not the first time OPPO has launched a red phone. Back in January, the tech giant coated its popular R9s model in red to celebrate Chinese New Year. But this time, they’ll be launching it alongside French cosmetic brand MAKE UP FOR EVER, with the help of Instagrammers like Daryl Yow, Sophia Chong, and Cassandra Tan.
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Daryl Yow

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Sophia Chong

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Cassandra Tan

The collaboration with a cult make-up brand like MAKE UP FOR EVER shows OPPO’s intention to appeal to consumers as a legit fashion accessory that’s ideal for capturing beauty, and is part of the company’s ‘Caught You RED Handed’ campaign, where Instagrammers take turns to show off their creativity via ‘red-handed’ mug shots.
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Studio Session-RED-164

That’s something consumers can do as well if they head down to OPPO’s Suntec City concept store, which will be transformed into an Instagram-worthy experience zone, with MAKE UP FOR EVER products at the side for customers to try out.


If you’d like to cop the OPPO R11 in red, it’s currently retailing at $699 and is available for pre-order from 21 to 28 July at all OPPO concept stores and www.oppostore.com.sg.
For more information, visit www.oppostore.com.sg.
All images taken from OPPO.

Embrace Your Inner Khaleesi With 'Game of Thrones' Dragon-Inspired Jewellery

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Settle down, settle down. If you count yourself among the legions of fans, then you’ve probably already watched the Game of Thrones Season 7 premiere along with millions of other viewers — or else, you’ve long been spoilt by all the reviews, reactions, and early theories that have started to flood your feeds. Either way, you’d have seen Daenerys Targaryen making her triumphant return to Dragonstone, her ancestral home in Westeros. It’s a stunning, silent, and sweeping take that allowed the Khaleesi (and us) to savour the emotional moment, one that was carefully considered by the showrunners as well.

dany-beach

“There was so much weight on that arrival that we felt a bunch of dialogue would be unnecessary and would only step on the moment,” says D.B. Weiss in HBO’s behind-the-scenes interview. David Benioff adds: “Everyone is giving her a little distance. Even Tyrion, who is usually the most loquacious of people, he’s not talking because he wants her to experience it. At one point, Grey Worm is going to walk up alongside Dany, and Missandei holds him back because she wants Dany to experience this on her own.”
Well then, that gave us more time to admire the awe-inspiring throne room and this not-so-little detail — a silver chain decorated with silver dragons, and slung across Dany’s shoulder like a military sash instead of a necklace. We’d normally argue that no one can do it better than the Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons (she’d totally win any game of ‘who wore it better’), but hey, who’s to say we can’t channel some statement bling too? In Dany’s words, shall we begin?
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So yes, that Game of Thrones jewellery line. The show’s costume designer, Michele Clapton, has teamed up with London-based duo Yunus & Eliza again to produce a second line inspired by the fan-favourite female character, all under MEY Designs. Khaleesi’s iconic Mother of Dragons Chain is a Sterling Silver reproduction designed for a queen who’s in “full warrior mode”, and features both a three-dragon sigil and links that represent a skeletal dragon spine. Of course, be prepared to fork out some serious bags of gold — £2,166.67, to be precise.
Still, it comes with heaps of significance. Clapton told InStyle that the showpiece is “a weighty, symbolic piece of jewelry that [shows] her strength and intent”, and added that the dragon sigil and circle at the shoulder, by which to loop her red Targaryen sash, heightens her sense of status. As for the way it’s worn, that’s deliberate too. “It becomes less like jewelry and more appropriately militaristic,” she says.
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If you can’t get a loan from the Iron Bank of Braavos though, there are plenty of other rebellious pieces that channel the same vibe, in the form of pendants, necklaces, rings and bracelets that mimic the fragmented links design, priced from £91.67 for a ring to £725 for a necklace.The three-dragon sigil on the pendant, for instance, borrows directly from the main chain design.
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You can be sure that they didn’t skimp on the effort too — each link in the rings is hand carved in wax, with the finer details still intact when sculpting the piece. These are meant to be subtler, and more wearable, ways to pledge your allegiance to the better queen.
Of course, you can hop over to the site and discover gems from the previous collections as well.
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You’ll certainly recall this from Season 5, when Dany donned a structured white gown in the fight pit, but all we could remember was this iconic sculptural choker that rested calmly on her neck — the silver Drogon Neck Sculpture was designed as a show of her strength and respect and relationship with her dragons, and to “visually remove her from the fight pit that she disapproves of, to set her apart”.
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As for the hand wrap, it was seen in Season 6 when Dany finally set sail for Westeros, with the intent to represent her warrior nature, yet gentle spirit thanks to the soft leather. What the campaign pictures show though, is that you can easily weave the showstopping medieval details into your everyday looks, provided you keep the rest of your outfit simple for the jewellery to shine.
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Another piece you can easily own are these: a Dragonstone pendant and ring, £166.67 and £183.33 respectively. They’re definitely more subtle, but an ardent fan will be able to notice the dragon scales on the eggs immediately. You can choose between Khaleesi’s three dragons — Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion — as each comes with a different shimmery stone that sits in the centre, either Blue Labradorite, Electric Green glass, or Fire Orange glass. Same goes for the delicately carved ring.
Take a look at the rest of the jewellery collection here.
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‘Game of Thrones’ Jewellery by MEY Designs, from £91.67 to £2,166.67, available at mey.london. 

The Upcoming Disney Makeup Collection Will Have You Looking Like Snow White From The 30s

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“Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” Well, perhaps you could be the fairest of them all if you use Bésame Cosmetics’ upcoming 15-piece Snow White-inspired makeup collection. Now, before all you Disney fans get all too excited, the collection is only set to release this coming Fall, so take a chill pill and read on to see what the collection has to offer.


The collection comes as part of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ 80th anniversary, and to celebrate, Bésame Cosmetics is partnering with Disney to create an exclusive collection that is inspired by the original artwork and colour palette of the iconic 1937 film.


Announcing the collaboration over at their Instagram page and unveiling the collection at the recent D23 Expo, you can expect the collection to be the result of very thorough and extensive research. The team even went as far as carefully selecting the colours to match the original colour palette provided by Disney’s Ink and Paint Department, just so they could provide fans the most authentic recreation of the colours used in the classic animated film.


The highlight of the collection has to be the vintage Vanity Mirror and the Storybook Palette, which features 20 matte eyeshadow shades that are inspired by the ’30s, so don’t be expecting all that holographic shimmery stuff because we’re going back to the classics. According to hellogiggles, the collection will also include two more eyeshadow palettes,a face powder, a cream rouge, lip balms, cosmetic bags, and mini lipsticks that will help you achieve Snow White’s signature red lip.
Information regarding the collection is still very sparse, but we do know it is pretty affordable with prices ranging from US$15 to US$68, so do watch this space for further updates. After all, you don’t just become the fairest of them all overnight.
Header image: Bésame Cosmetics

The Best Natural Beauty Brands to Discover at Sephora

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Previously on Discovering Green Beauty (just roll with it), we browsed the aisles of our nearby drugstores, Watsons and Guardian. They’re unlikely homes to a great number of natural beauty brands, but it goes to show that local webstores aren’t the only way to get your natural beauty fix. Today, we’re taking on Sephora both in-store and online to unearth the brands that are thriving in the realm of green beauty, so keep a lookout for them the next time you’re strolling or scrolling through the beauty Mecca.


Alima Pure


A brand that crafts its cosmetics from pure, mineral pigments, Alima Pure uses minimal ingredients for maximum impact. You won’t find any synthetic dyes, chemicals, preservatives, or potential irritants in their formulas, which is probably why our reigning queen of sustainable beauty, Emma Watson is taken with the brand. She favours their eyeshadows and brow pencil, but their hydrating longwear foundations are also star products from the lineup.


Burt’s Bees


Burt’s Bees sources their ingredients carefully to bring us nourishing formulas, most of which are made for those with sensitive skin (unless you’re allergic to beeswax, of course). By now, we’re sure you’ve gotten acquainted with this brand. Even if you don’t use their skincare or bodycare products, chances are, you’ve used at least one of their lip balms in your life. And did you know they have a BB cream in the line too? Something we’ll be looking into, for sure.


Edible Beauty


Now, we know the team over at Edible Beauty pledged that their products are safe enough to ingest, but we wouldn’t suggest doing so, not with the price tags they come with. It’s an ethos we respect, though. This Australian brand believes in therapeutic, luxurious, and safe skincare, so it’s brilliant that their formulas contain edible ingredients. An ethical and cruelty-free approach also aligns with Edible Beauty’s morals; skincare is packaged in recyclable glass made in Switzerland and products are never tested on animals.


Estelle & Thild


If you’ve never stopped to consider products from Estelle & Thild, now’s a good time to do so. This Swedish skincare brand uses only pure, bio-active ingredients in its products, combining potent ingredients to target specific skin concerns. Their product line doesn’t just cater to the your face, they’ve got some bodycare products in the mix to care for you from head to toe. Even better, all of their formulas are free from pesticides and toxic residues, so yes, they’ve been certified organic by Ecocert.

✨👌✨collection 📷@tammythiele #herbivorebotanicals #naturalskincare

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Herbivore Botanicals


The good folks behind Herbivore Botanicals are actually a husband and wife duo who pretty much created this natural beauty brand from their kitchen in Seattle. Every ingredient that’s used in their formulas is there for a therapeutic benefit, which is why their products always contain a concentrated amount of actives. Likewise, these formulas are never tested on animals, and they’re also an Emma Watson fave – she still wears their Coco Rose Lip Tint in the shade Coral. We hear their Lapis Oil Balancing Azulene-Infused Facial Oil does wonders to balance out acne-prone skin, too.


Ilia Beauty


Back in 2011, Ilia Beauty launched 6 Tinted Lip Conditioners that generated a frenzy in the green beauty community. The shade Arabian Knights, in particular, became the most buzzworthy makeup item in the sphere, thanks to its gorgeous deep berry hue and comfortable texture that strikes a unique balance between lip balm and lipstick. Now, the brand has branched out their makeup line and is gradually making their way into skincare, so we can’t wait for more nourishing products to come our way. (Also, I didn’t wanna mention Emma Watson again, but… she loves their Multi-Stick too.)

90% reported thicker hair with the complete 3-step regimen. SCIENCE! All PurePlenty now 20% off through 6/14 with code GOBIGGER

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Intelligent Nutrients


The next three brands we’re going to talk about are centred on haircare, so stay with us if you’re still awake (congrats!). Similar to a few of the aforementioned brands, Intelligent Nutrients makes products that feature clean ingredients, believing that “if it’s good enough to go on your body, it should be good enough to go into your mouth.” The brand combines nature and science, utilising a revolutionary process to extract compounds from plants and cultivate them in the purest lab conditions. And since they pride themselves on being thorough, they’ve even got an extensive glossary of ingredients on their site for all to browse.

#JohnMastersOrganics will give you the 🔥 sexy summer hair all 🗓 year long. Just a few spritzes of our #allnatural sea salt #lavender hair mist and you’re all set! We ❤️ #love taking #effortlessbeauty to the next level. ✨ Feel good knowing that you’re using an #allorganic #hair product that contains only 3️⃣ ingredients. 💧#Water, sea salt and #lavender oil. Sea salt naturally acts as a #volumizer and adds that 🏖 #beachy texture to your hair. Lavender oil gives off this 💆 calming feeling on your hair and scalp. . . . 🖥 Click the link in our bio to find the 👌perfect hair care system for you or a loved one 👇www.johnmasters.com👈@johnmastersorganicsusa . . . #beachhair #summerready #summer #haircare #hairtips #hairgoals #hairstyling #naturalhair #organic #natural #hairproduct #beachyhair #green #greenbeauty #vegan

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John Masters Organics


We wish Sephora would bring in this brand’s skincare line as well, but we’ve got some solid hair styling offerings here, and that’s good enough for now. If you’re looking to get texturised beach waves in a spritz, give the Sea Mist a go. It’s one that’s highly raved about and perfect to use in our climate. Personally, I’m a fan of their Sculpting Clay and sulfate-free shampoos. Aaand guess who’s a fan of this natural brand as well? Pretty easy guess – Emma Watson, of course.


Rahua


This brand refers to its products as an “insurance for your hair,” and it’s easy to see how they acquired such a high level of confidence. Sourcing its ingredients right from the Amazon, their products made with all natural, vegan, certified-organic ingredients, free from parabens and sulfates. It’s bestselling shampoo called Rahua Shampoo is formulated with none other than the Omega 9-packed rahua nut oil. It’ll leave your hair silky soft and your soul at absolute ease. The brand has branched out into bodycare items as well, and surely they’ll smell incredible too.

7 Cooling Getaways in Southeast Asia to Escape Singapore’s Eternal Heat

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Winter is coming to Southeast Asia.
Okay, fine. That’ll never happen. Most of the ASEAN region is hot enough to fry an egg on a car’s windshield, especially in our beloved city of Singapore, where the only option of escaping the heat is to duck inside a crowded shopping centre.
If that cooling measure has stopped appealing to you long ago, which we’re sure it has (who likes squeezing with crowds anyway), why not try something else, like travelling to places that actually have cool temperatures, for instance.
And lucky for us, there are quite a number of spots near Singapore with cool climates that are great for holidaying as well. Here are 7 of our favourites:
Chiang Rai, Thailand

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Photo credit: Book Thailand Now

If flower-streaked fields, candy-coloured sunsets, and loads of space to stroll around are your ideas of fun, then Chiang Rai is the place for you.
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Averaging a pretty chilly temperature (by Singapore’s standards) of 25°C from December to February, this off-the-beaten vacation spot is one of Thailand’s most underrated, and most beautiful too.
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Oh, and you can say hello to a raft of exciting activities down here, such as rock climbing up beautiful limestone rock, zip lining past trees blossoming with all sorts of flowers, or simply cycling through the magnificent Singha Park.
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Photo credit: Chiangrai Bulletin

Kundasang, Malaysia
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With temperatures dropping to as low as 13°C, Kundasang is definitely one of the coolest spots in Southeast Asia.
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This small, picturesque town in the heart of the Ranau district in Sabah is home to vegetable plantations, rustic farms, and gorgeous sweeping vistas of Mount Kinabalu, making you feel like you’re in New Zealand rather than Malaysia.
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Photo credit: asianitinerary.com

Over here, visit the Desa Dairy Cattle Farm, where you can score some fresh ice cream and milk, or head over to the Kinabalu National Pak for hot springs, treetop walks, and even tandem paragliding – an exhilarating activity that involves you leaping off a cliff over 3000 metres high!
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Photo credit: www.peholidays.com.my

Bukit Tinggi, Malaysia
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Kuala Lumpur may be a sprawling urban centre, but just a short bus ride away into the Bentong district of Pahang lays a quaint village by the name of Bukit Tinggi.
Bukit Tinggi Pahang French Village Style Resort

Situated 800-metres above sea level, Bukit Tinggi has temperatures that range from 25°C to 27°C, which is not really super cold per se, but is way better than the heat waves we experience daily in Singapore.
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Tourists can either to choose to visit the colonially themed French village; which you can trick your Instagram followers into thinking you’re holidaying in the Alps instead of Malaysia, or the tranquil Japanese village that’s a lot more Kyoto than KL.
Dalat, Vietnam
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Photo credit: Travel Sense Asia

For three months every year, Dalat is pretty much as hot as Singapore. The rest of the year is a different story.
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Photo credit: dalatjeeptours.com

From June to December, the temperature in this charming city that’s surrounded with rolling hills, pine-covered peaks, and glistening lakes, ranges from 23°C to 25°C, with lows of 18°C at night.
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Photo credit: Vietnam Visit Easy

Dalat’s high altitude also makes it a fantastic destination for pure adrenaline activities like mountain biking, hiking, and canyoning, with scores of beautiful agricultural plantations to explore and admire. 
Sa Pa, Vietnam
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Straddled along the border of China, Sa Pa is one of those rare places in the region where it is cold all year round.
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Photo credit: TVRL

This breathtaking hill town in the Hoàng Liên Son mountain range of Vietnam’s Northwestern region gets extremely chilly during winter (November to February), where temperatures can drop to a bone-chilling 8°C – there was even snow once in 2011!
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Avoid visiting during that period though. That’s when the paths become muddy and rice paddies are empty. For the best Sa Pa experience, go between March to May or September to November. Trust us, you won’t regret the beauty you’ll witness.
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Baguio, Philippines
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A picture-perfect hill station, with a bustling city centre and spectacular nature views, Baguio is one the most underrated destinations in the Philippines.
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Temperatures here range between 18°C to 20°C throughout the year, so you can expect comfortable “air-conditioning” weather, something that Singapore will never experience unless there’s a torrential downpour of course.
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For the best time to visit, head over in February, when the Panagbënga Festival takes place. The festival, which celebrates the ‘season of blooming’ is an annual flower event that features colourful bazaars, parades, and street dancing; definitely a spectacle not to be missed.
Sagada, Philippines
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A small town in the mountainous island of Luzon, Sagada is one of the last remaining places in the Philippines with a strong indigenous culture.
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That means you’ll be able to find truly unique sights like the hanging coffins – centuries-old coffins that are eerily lined up high along limestone cliffs, as well as untouched nature like vast mountains, rice terraces, and pool-filled caves.
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The temperature here is pretty swell too, averaging 20°C all year long, meaning it’s going to be difficult to break a sweat, even if you engage in strenuous activities like trekking or spelunking.
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Cover image taken from Continental Currency Exchange

The Lipstick That Dispenses Colour In High Definition

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We won’t fault you if you’re still deep into your matte lipstick obsession, because sometimes we feel the same way ourselves – but here’s an observation that might pull you away from all your mattes finally: colour will always look more vivid with a bit of shine. It’s all in how these glossier formulas, with their higher moisture content, reflect light in a way that the matte ones can’t.
And the colours from these Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolors stand out for sure, like you’re seeing them through a HD lens. The magic’s in how the colour pigments are suspended in a clear gel base, to deliver all the vibrancy with a high level of shine.

ultra hd gel

These also won’t require the copious amounts of lip balm application that tends to come hand-in-hand with drying matte formulas, since the formula comes loaded with hyaluronic acid, plus smelling like mangoes and vanilla to boot. A bullet with a flat tip aids with precise application, in a stylish reflective case colour-coded according to the shade of lipstick it holds.
We could go on waxing lyrical about this lipstick, but we know it’s the swatches that matter. See all 15 shades below, and start clearing out the mattes in your lip colour collection for some of these.
 
gel lip color hand swatch

Products in models’ hands, from top to bottom: HD Sunset, HD Blossom, and HD Garden
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On models, from left to right: HD Blossom, HD Garden, and HD Sunset
 
See the full range of shades below:
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From left to right: HD Desert, HD Sand, HD Pink Cloud, HD Coral, HD Sunset, HD Vineyard, HD Tropical

revlon lineup 2
From left to right: HD Rhubarb, HD Lava, HD Garden, HD Adobe, HD Dawn, HD Blossom, HD Twilight, HD Arabica

 
Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolor, $21.90. Selected shades available at selected Watsons, Guardian, Sasa and major departmental stores. facebook.com/revlonsingaporeofficial

Travel In Style With Samsonite Red x PLAYNOMORE's Latest Collaboration

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Airport fashion has now extended way beyond how well we dress. Besides appearing effortlessly chic without looking as if you tried too hard, luggage is the next fashion statement that one shouldn’t neglect. What used to be considered a heavy burden, quite literally, has now been used as a prop for the likes on the ‘gram. Celebrities and fashion influencers who are all about the jet setter lifestyle are not only taking their luggage business seriously, their trunks are seriously enviable pieces that even have their own customised initials on it. Talk about #luggagegoals.
While we probably won’t be able to afford a personalised luggage, opting for cute luggages will still be just as Insta-worthy. And when it comes down to the cute department, look no further than Samsonite RED’s second collaboration with PLAYNOMORE. Following the successful international launch with PLAYNOMORE, this time both brands are teaming up once again to come up with more luggage designs and travel accessories.

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Dipped in a cheery coral-pink colour, the luggage features the brand’s ICONIC SHYGIRL designs i.e. the doll-like eyes with just that two strands of eyelashes, which captured the hearts of fashionistas around the world. The luggage also comes with durable pull-handles made from light aluminium that are easily adjustable to reach different heights, a TSA lock, and cross-straps and organisational pockets inside. Plus, with every purchase, you get a complimentary semi-transparent luggage cover made of plastic vinyl to protect the luggage from scratches. The luggages also comes in three sizes – 56cm, 66cm, and 78cm, and are affordably priced between $295 and $395.
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DREAMING SHYGIRL_FRONT_GREY

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To round off the collection, the collaboration will also feature a travel accessories line. Forget about your $2 disposable neck pillow from Daiso and your plain black eye mask; get compliments with the collaboration’s colourful range of eye masks and neck pillows that sports the same playful ICONIC SHYGIRL designs that only costs between $15 to $25.
With this collection, you won’t have any excuse for looking shabby at the airport the next time you travel.
The limited edition Samsonite RED x PLAYNOMORE collection, $15 – $395, is now available while stocks last at Samsonite RED VivoCity, Bugis+, Marina Bay Sands, and Tangs Orchard. samsonitered.com
Header image: Samsonite Red