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By Adele Chan

Did you know that Kiehl’s started off as an apothecary in New York? That was 166 years ago (explains the white lab coats and skeleton hanging in store, doesn’t it?), Also, did you know that Kiehl’s is really generous with their samples? They have a “try before you buy” culture, which really puts the customer first. You can take home samples of products you’re interested in without having to buy anything (but of course, don’t abuse the system, because that’s not a nice thing to do).

A BEAUTY PLAYGROUND!!!

As part of the brand’s celebrations to honour their most popular and iconic products, Kiehl’s will be launching a BEAUTY PLAYGROUND at ION Orchard B4! “Beauty Playground” — two words that make my heart beat a little faster, and even more so when put together. It’s happening 1st to 9th July 2017, and will be Singapore’s first oversized, interactive beauty playground. You know you want to go there and play. And you’ll probably want to bring the kids too just because it sounds so awesome. 

WHAT TO EXPECT?

We’ve been told that there will be fun activities that are themed around the brand’s bestselling products; such as:

— a Calendula SWING!
— a Vitamin C Boosting SLIDE!!
— an Ultra Hydration Cactus GARDEN!!!
— and a Buttersticks Lemon REFRESH ZONE!!!!

Also, this is the perfect chance to collect FREE SKINCARE SAMPLES that will be available at every station. Following which you can get your skin diagnosed by a Kiehl’s expert, and then take home an additional TRAVEL-SIZE skincare product that’s most suitable for your skin!

Here’s the map:

VALUE FOR MONEY SETS!

If you’re already a Kiehl’s fan, you’ll want to know that there will be special value sets exclusively available at the playground, and they include many of the brand’s iconic products (see below!).

 There’s also a limited edition Mr. Bones recyclable tote bag that commemorates this special event. It’s cute:

EDITOR’S PICKS:

Still unsure what to buy from Kiehl’s? Here are my recommendations on the ones that I personally use and love. And yes, I know the Lavender bath wash is expensive; but it smells like heaven…

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KIEHL’S NATURE’S PLAYGROUND:
1st July (Sat) — 9th July (Sun) 2017
ION Orchard B4

kiehlstimes.com

Ever since Kim K championed and popularised the whole ‘contouring’ trend, the beauty world was never the same again. Contouring and highlighting changed the way we saw makeup; beauty looks were no longer flat and one-dimensional. Instead, we saw chiseled cheekbones, glowing under-eye areas, pointy noses, plumper lips — basically, features that we desire that were once only attainable if we went under the knife, became readily available. Best part, you can wipe it all off at the end of the day.
Since contouring opened up a whole new gameplay, makeup artists and beauty gurus weren’t just going to stick to masterfully applying shadows and highlights on their faces. Where’s the fun in that? The birth of collarbone contouring, boob contouring, and even abs contouring came shortly after. We can now have bodily assets without the genes and without working out. It’s truly amazing.
And now, Instagram has decided to kick things up a notch, and we’re introduced to and we’re introduced to leg contouring, which, as its name suggests, has to do with contouring your legs. So yes, that means you can “physically Photoshop” flabby thighs away with a contour palette, leaving you with lean and toned legs… and no one will ever be the wiser.
Check out the one IG video that started it all:

A post shared by Make-up by Meri 💋 (@makeupmeri) on Apr 3, 2016 at 12:26pm PDT

Like how most body contouring works, cream contours work best, since you are able to chart and map out where you intend your products to go. Just like how you’d want to remove double chins when you contour your face, the same theory applies to when you apply product on your leg. The trick is to rid off the excess flab and highlight only the leanest portions of your leg.
We know, it sounds complicated, and we aren’t going to deny that it is. This trend does require some skill and an advanced knowledge of how contouring and highlighting works, and you’ll also need to have the right tools (i.e. brushes, setting sprays, finishing powders, etc etc) to perfectly nail a leg contour. It is not a beginner’s trend to try. Plus, as a colleague very accurately pointed out, “what happens if your makeup stains your clothes and seat?”

A post shared by Beauty Makeup and more (@beauty.makeup.more) on Apr 9, 2016 at 1:38am PDT

A post shared by Say Hello To Sexy Legs (@sayhello2sexylegs) on Jun 21, 2016 at 4:16pm PDT

So we reckon that this leg contouring shebang only works when you need to flaunt a thigh at the beach, or on set during a photoshoot. The side-by-side comparisons do look pretty darn tempting, but this really isn’t for the everyday folk. We mean, just thinking of all that effort and elbow grease needed to paint your entire leg is just… tiring. Way too much legwork, if you ask us.
Difficulty Level: 5/5
And if you’re new to contouring, we have some basic tips to share here.
Header Image: @beauty.makeup.more IG

During my trip to Hokkaido two years back I was introduced to this one strange ingredient that you can most definitely find hanging around just about every Japanese drugstore. And I truly do mean every — on top of the fact that the locals there seem to even worship this one miracle product. If you’ve been there you’d know it, but for those who are unsure — we’re probably going to shock you with this one: horse fat.

In my colleague’s exact words, “this sounds so disgusting”. I know, yucks. I saw troves of tourists purchasing them in bulk in Hokkaido, and for the longest time I really didn’t understand why. Fast forward two years, I was generously gifted a box of Skinfood sheet masks that are infused with — you guessed it — horse fat. Life has come a full circle indeed. I was skeptical, nonetheless, so I did my due research; and turns out, that one bizarre ingredient does have some major skincare benefits.

 

via GIPHY

Years before its popularity as a beauty ingredient, horse oil — a by-product of horse fat — was used in traditional medicine as a heal-it-all product in East Asia. It was touted as a remedy for insect bites, burns, cuts, hair loss and even asthma. And people believed in it, since the oil was absorbed quickly by our skins, giving way to positive results. Why? The oil has properties that are similar to the ones produced naturally by our bodies. In Hokkaido, horse oil gained traction because it effectively protected the locals’ skin against the harsh cold with intense hydration.

Since then, positive results saw an increase in demand for beauty products infused with horse oil; companies rapidly produced horse oil in various forms — creams, gels, masks, shampoo, conditioners, moisturisers, lip balms… you name it, there’s something for it.

So, yay or neigh, you’ll have to decide for yourself; but we do have some product recommendations so you can start riding on the trend:

Skinfood Beauty In A Food Mask — Horse Fat
$1.20/pc, available on Lazada.
For me at least, sheet masks are possibly the easiest way to get on board with any strange beauty ingredient, since they’re fuss free and you don’t have to invest large amounts of moolah to try things out. Skinfood’s Beauty In A Food Mask series comes in a whole bunch of weird “flavours”, with Horse Fat being one of their star sellers. Put the mask on for a good 20 minutes, let it work its magic, and you’ll end up with moisturised and smooth skin. This is especially useful for folks with dry skin with dry patches; the intense hydration will help soften any flakey spots.

Kumano Yushi Horse Oil Non-Silicon Shampoo
$12.50, available at Venus Beauty stores.
Remember we said how horse oil products are effective when it comes to intense hydration? That doesn’t just apply to skin — dry, damaged hair can also earn themselves a moisture boost, with horse oil shampoos. This one by Kumano Yushi does not have silicon in it, so it will not only repair and nourish your mane, but also not clog pores to allow healthy hair growth.

 

Hokkaido Loshi Moisture Skin Cream Horse Oil
$7.90, available on lazada.sg.
Known best as Hokkaido’s top-selling horse oil cream, this magic formula counters sagging and dull skin by introducing moisture and nutrients back into your complexion, allowing to restore its natural radiance for a youthful, brighter look. The cream can also be used to soothe sun burns, lighten acne scars, prevent skin cracks as well as fill in wrinkles. We told you that horse oil was a do-it-all product, didn’t we?

 

Claires Guerisson 9 Complex Horse Oil Cream
$20.83, available at sg.iherb.com.
If you were to Google “horse oil beauty products”, this one facial cream is sure to appear. According to tons of reviewers who’ve taken the plunge and invested in this one tub of moisturiser, the cream is a beautiful blend of ingredients — with or without the addition of horse oil. The ingredient list is made up of a medley of antioxidant-rich plant oils and extracts, brighteners, scar lighteners and skin barrier strengtheners. The inclusion of horse oil into the mix only serves to amp up the cream’s hydrating properties. You really can use it just about anywhere, as a face moisturiser, a body cream, and even as a treatment for scars and minor skin diseases, like eczema.

Thanks to the perpetual appeal of a multitasking product, moisturisers that currently occupy our shelves do much more than just, well, moisturise. That said, our quest for the perfect day moisturiser isn’t over, because what we’re looking for are lightweight, non-greasy options to keep our skin in tip-top condition through long days and even nights. But until then, here are our top picks for the formulas that hydrate, shrink pores, boost radiance, fend off UV rays, and then some.

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Jurlique Balancing Day Care Cream
$70 for 40ml and $133 for 125ml, available at Jurlique stores and counters
If there’s one skincare product I cannot live without, it’s a moisturiser. I can’t remember exactly when I started using Jurlique’s day cream, but I remember the first time I did, I knew it was The One. It has a cream texture that isn’t too rich but makes the skin feel completely hydrated; it absorbs into skin well and creates a beautifully plumped base for makeup application; and it smells beautiful – instantly calming like a spa.
— Adele Chan, Editor-in-Chief

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Glossier Priming Moisturizer
US$25, available from glossier.com
Okay, part of my love for this is just because of its cult status, but it does the job of both plumping and priming skin well too! The brand does great beauty basics, and this is no exception – the cream contains hyaluronic acid and mushroom extract to provide deep hydration, antioxidants, skin-soothing ingredients and more. All this isn’t seen but felt with the feeling of instantaneous hydration. Seriously, the plumping effect is almost immediate! It might feel quite oily when you have a go at it – which is why I sometimes use this on its own – but that quickly tones down to a nice, dewy finish. Sadly, I’m already down to the last remaining remnants of the tube, which just means I need to quickly get a new one, very soon!
— Amelia Tan, Associate Editor

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Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30
$42, available from paulaschoice.sg
There’s a reason why I never shut up about Paula’s Choice products – their formulas are always on point. The sixth product from the brand that’s in my skincare routine (I’m not sponsored by them, I swear) is this day moisturiser with a built-in mineral sunscreen. Now I know this product is meant for drier skin types, but my oily, acne-prone, sensitive skin really likes this lightweight lotion. It goes on nice and smooth without leaving a white cast or feeling too greasy, and it makes a good base for makeup too. Apricot seed oil may be high up on the ingredients list, but it doesn’t break me out at all. Instead, it imparts a light layer of hydration that lasts.
— Jade Yeo, Writer

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Philosophy Take A Deep Breath Oil-Free Oxygenating Gel Cream
$52, available from Philosophy counters and Sephora

I have commitment issues when it comes to moisturisers. I’ll try out whatever lands on my table, which means that most of the time, I can’t keep track of what I’m using. This one by Philosophy sticks in my mind as one that I liked a lot (though I’m already moving on to the next one). The gel/cream hybrid has a nice light texture which absorbs quickly into the skin. It really does feel like a breath of fresh air.
— Joanne Cheah, Designer

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Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream
$52, available at Laneige stores and counters and Sephora
I typically don’t like applying oil-based moisturisers on my face, simply because I am not a fan of the greasy texture that follows after the product after letting the product absorb into my skin. And after having a really great run with Laneige’s Water Sleeping Mask about a good three years ago, I caved in and switched out my past day moisturiser for their cult Water Bank Gel Cream, and I never quite looked back. The gel is lightweight enough for day wear, and gets absorbed quickly into my skin, leaving this non-offensive tacky texture that I quite like, for some reason. The cooling sensation that comes with the gel refreshes my skin (especially on work days) and makeup sits on top of it beautifully. Plus, my skin is kept hydrated throughout the day. I mean, it must say something when I truly look forward to slapping on the gel every morning after cleansing, yes?
— Chelsea Tang, Editorial Assistant

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ETUDE HOUSE Moistfull Collagen Water Jelly Cream
$33.90, available at ETUDE HOUSE stores
I’ve been using Etude House’s Moistfull Collagen Water Jelly Cream and this product really helps provide moisture and remove any tautness after cleansing. One of the main reasons why I buy skincare products and stop using them halfway is because, one, I get lazy; and two, I don’t like formulas that leave my skin feeling sticky or greasy. This one though, has a gel-like consistency and it’s quite literally like water but in jelly form. I love keeping the tub in the fridge so it feels cool and refreshing when I slather it all over my face. The product sinks in fast and although it leaves my face dewy, it’s nothing uncomfortable. My skin feels supple with increased elasticity.
— Phyllis Guo, Editorial Assistant