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Here’s How You Bring New Life To Childhood Temporary Tattoos

Jun 11, 2017Aug 15, 2018

There were those candies that we indulged in during our childhood days to feel more… adult — such as Tic Tacs that we used to pretend were pills, Mitsuya Tasty Biscuits were the most delicious cigarettes we “smoked”, and many more. (If only we knew how hard true adult-ing was……) But apart from food, there were also temporary tattoos, which we unceremoniously plastered all over our skin and faces for added character and attitude, and also to experience the feeling of having a tattoo, because back then tattoo = badass.
As we got older, these stick on tattoos gradually lost their places in our lives because we just didn’t have the time, nor mindset for juvenile playthings anymore. Well, makeup artists of Instagram might beg to differ, because they’ve up-cycled these temporary ink and incorporated them into gorgeous works of art. On their lids and eyes, to be exact.

A post shared by Ɠιѕєℓℓє✨✨✨ (@giselle_makeup) on Mar 31, 2017 at 12:54am PDT

A post shared by ＴＡＴＩＡＮＡ 🥀 (@tatianaroseart) on May 19, 2017 at 4:17pm PDT

What these temporary tattoos do is basically add that graphic element into your otherwise basic lip and eye look, because who doesn’t want those double taps on IG, amirite? Plus, a godsend for those who, y’know, can’t draw a perfectly winged eyeliner to save their lives but would still like to dabble with makeup art. Not everyone manoeuvres eyeliners well, and these tats are the perfect cheat code to getting say, an intricate rose all over your lips.
Ready to get started? Here’s how you get to it. First off, ready all the necessary tools; you’ll need your temporary tats, preferably tiny dainty ones for that extra sophistication, but as usual, you do you. You’ll also need a flat synthetic brush, matte liquid lipsticks and clear gloss.

A post shared by 🌞✨🎃 (@noirojos) on May 28, 2017 at 9:41pm PDT

A post shared by 🌞✨🎃 (@noirojos) on May 28, 2017 at 11:21pm PDT

Temporary tattoos will only transfer well on surfaces without oil, so before proceeding be sure to dab away any traces of oil on your lids and lips. You can put on the tattoos on bare lips, but where’s the fun in that, when you can layer them on a base of matte liquid lipstick? If you’re going for the latter, be sure to get a formula that dries down completely matte; i.e. completely transfer proof. Creamy mattes won’t work. Also, the tattoos aren’t going to turn up well on lids with pigments too, so it’s best to stay away from the eyeshadows when putting on your tats. You can always add them in later.
Go ahead and position your tattoo sheet wherever you like it, patterned side down. Ready a dish of water by the side and wet your brush. Once you’re satisfied with where you’d want the tattoo to be, fully dampen the back of the sheet while applying some pressure with the brush. You have to make sure that the entire surface area of your graphic is wet so that it transfers. Hold the sheet down to about half a minute, and then gently pull away the paper backing. Your tattoo will look nice and crisp this way.
Most artists like to add on a layer of gloss over the tats to bring the tats back to “life”, as well as add dimension to the otherwise flat-looking graphic. The shine of from glosses makes the pattern look reflective and artsy, like you actually put thought into your artwork. The key here is to dab the gloss on instead of swiping it, so that you don’t move the tattoo, and so that your puckers and peepers will have the shiniest effect this way.
Difficulty Level: 3.5/5
Header Image: @beasweetbeauty IG

Give Your Skin A Sweet Treat With These Honey-Infused Products

Jun 10, 2017Aug 15, 2018

It’s so nice when the thing you add into your cup of tea, is able to give you good skin as well. The benefits of honey in skincare isn’t new – it’s long been known as an ingredient that has quite fantastic anti-bacterial properties – due to its low pH levels and presence of natural bacteria-killing components – making it suitable for acne-prone skin; it’s also a powerful anti-oxidant so you get those anti-ageing benefits thrown in as well.
Show us a honey-baed skincare product, and it’s quite likely we’ll want it – the idea of slathering a honey-scented product all over our faces will always be an enticing one. It doesn’t even have to be the super atas Manuka honey from New Zealand; give our skin any of these sweet treats, anytime.

Lancôme Miel-En-Mousse
$75, available from Lancôme counters
This has a syrupy texture that transforms into a mousse upon contact with water, which supposedly makes this a double cleanser. It’s enriched with acacia honey, which comes from the black acacia tree.

Blithe Energy Yellow Citrus & Honey Patting Water Pack (Low Res)

Blithe Energy Yellow Citrus & Honey Patting Water Pack
$54, available at Sephora and sephora.sg

You might have heard about these famous “patting masks” from Korea. Basically they’re a kind of concentrated cleanser that contain rice water, and remove dirt and dead skin cells from the skin surface in the mere 15 seconds you take to splash them on. This yellow version has lemon and honey extracts, together with vitamin C, for a brightening effect.

Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream 50ml_Packshot

Kiehl’s Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream
$95, available at Kiehl’s stores and counters

This cream has the luxurious stuff: New Zealand manuka honey, and red ginseng root, as a powerful antioxidant and to boost skin cell renewal respectively. Manuka honey’s seen as one of the most atas, one of the reasons being it’s a honey with one of the highest antioxidant activities, plus has collagen-boosting and skin-hydrating properties – which is thanks to its high sugar and mineral content.

ETUDE HOUSE Honey Cera Eye Pack Cream
$36.90, available at ETUDE HOUSE stores
The products from this range might smell like cherry blossom, but it’s really all about the honey, combined with royal jelly (the bees really contributed a lot to these formulations). Both work to maintain skin elasticity and hydration, especially necessary around the vulnerable eye area.

Sephora Honey Lip Scrub
$9, available at Sephora
Since honey is known for its healing and soothing powers, of course it would make a great lip care product. The small scrub particles help with the exfoliation of dead cells, while a dose of shea butter also keeps the skin nourished.

These Supreme Chocolate Bars Are The Most Unnecessary Things We've Seen All Day

Jun 10, 2017Aug 15, 2018

No, seriously, let’s be 100% real here: What exactly is the point of these Supreme chocolate bars? Apart from eating them, that is. If so, I could very well save my precious pennies for Hershey’s Cookies ’n’ Cream bar, which can be bought, very conveniently, from my nearest Fairprice.

A post shared by CocoAndré Chocolatier (@cocoandre_chocolatier) on Feb 12, 2017 at 6:50am PST

In case you’re unsure about this strange trend, the ever popular skater streetwear brand now has their own sweet treats, courtesy of chocolatier CocoAndré in collaboration with retailer Black Market USA. And as usual, with the Supreme logo emblazoned across the entire bar. Needless to say, these bars sold out in a finger snap when they were released earlier this year, and you can probably guess who were the store’s biggest customers (my bets are on streetwear junkies).
Now, don’t get me wrong here. I do appreciate the artistry behind chocolate making; and I know how much technical knowledge and creativity is needed to perfect a single piece of chocolate artwork. And truth be told, for me, part of the regular folk, it’s not every day that I actually have the wallet capacity to shell out on artisanal chocolate. I’m not ashamed to admit that the Merci bars that can be bought from the grocers satisfy me just as much as the $1 ice cream cone from McDonald’s. And perhaps if I’m feeling slightly more luxurious, I might just treat myself to a prettily packaged box of Godiva or Royce. But even so, chocolate is chocolate — I mean I do marvel at the difference in packaging; the ones from specialist stores compared to the mass produced kinds; I do savour the disparity in taste and indulge in the supposed luxurious experience that comes with enjoying a bar from artisan chocolate brands. At the end of the day, I guess my biggest takeaway is perhaps a wider knowledge on the types of chocolate available, which do hold some bragging rights, but ultimately means little (to nothing) to me.

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In their defence, I do see the effort in perfecting a chocolate heel. Screenshot taken from cocoandre.com
Here’s where I take offence with these Supreme chocolate bars. For one, they aren’t going to come cheap — that’s for sure — a Louboutin-inspired heel costs upwards of US$60, so that should already set the bar of how much Supreme-inspired chocolate would go for. And then comes the real talk: Do people who actually buy these chocolate, know about chocolate? Or are they just buying it “in the name of streetwear” — just like how Supreme has, for some reason, managed to charm its fans into buying bricks. Bricks that were sold at US$30 a piece. Bricks with a Supreme label stamped on. Bricks that actually sold out. BRICKS.

P.S. There were people who sold these bricks for US$1,000 on eBay. Just so you know.
A quick Google search and you’d be directed to a couple of articles that try to unravel the “deeper meaning” behind Supreme’s brick. Whatever reasoning it may be, even if the biggest streetwear brand at the moment was pulling a mockery at how people were willing to purchase anything that the brand pushes out, the fact that the consumers are the ones being played stays. A Supreme skateboard works, a Supreme hoodie works, a Supreme tee works — because their apparel embodies what the brand actually stands for. But a Supreme brick? Just… no.

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And now, back to the chocolate. Granted that these might rank higher on the level of practicality (do they really though…) than the awful bricks since you could… um, eat them, they are still incredibly unnecessary. If it gives you such great pleasure biting into a Supreme-labelled bar of chocolate that you totally forget to consult the price for before cashing your moolah right in, well, by all means, bon appétit. Supreme may not have anything to do with the making of these sweet treats — and honestly, they don’t have to. It doesn’t have to take a bespoke chocolatier to make a brand-inspired chocolate and up-sell it to ignorant consumers. Hershey’s could totally have a collaboration with the streetwear brand, and have a $1.50 bar sold at $150, and people will still buy it. I wouldn’t be a single bit surprised.
By Chelsea Tang
Header Image: @cocoandre_chocolatier IG

NYLON Team Picks: The Beauty Products That Disappointed Us

Jun 9, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Sometimes, the things you love let you down. Trying out beauty products doesn’t get more disappointing than when something you had high hopes for and were really excited to try… ends up being a complete letdown.
Here, the things that disappointed us – we’ve come to find that it hurts even more when it’s from a brand you love. Unfortunately, these did not work out well for us – disclaimer: trying beauty products is a personal experience, and hardly anything is universally bad – and into permanent storage, or the bin, they had to go. Sorry it didn’t work out between us.

Allies Of Skin Bright Future Overnight Facial
$159, available on alliesofskin.com

I really like Allies Of Skin, and am so proud that this is a homegrown brand. When they first emerged in the market, I tried both the 1A All-Day Mask and 1A Overnight Mask, and both were great! Both formulas sunk into my skin easily and left it feeling supple, and I had no issues with bad skin reactions.
So when the brand launched the brightening version of the overnight mask recently, the Bright Future Overnight Facial, I grabbed it from the press kit for myself. This one comes in the form of a yellow gel that felt light on the skin; upon application, all seemed well. I massaged it onto my entire face, and continued going about my pre-bedtime internet surfing. About 15 minutes later, I caught myself picking eraser dust-like bits from my face – what on earth, why is my face so dirty??? – and these bits wouldn’t stop emerging.
Upon closer inspection, I realised these were dead skin cells kudos to the exfoliating effect of the product, which means it’s doing what it’s supposed to do. But, it didn’t feel pleasant at all. My skin felt grimy, and the exfoliated bits were simply too large and too numerous to not bother me. And… it wasn’t like my face felt particularly smooth after a couple of uses either.
Disappointing, but I haven’t lost faith in this brand yet. I’m still looking forward to whatever they next add to their lineup, and may it not cause so much eraser dust the next time round.
– Tami Lai, Associate Editor

Agent Nateur Holi(stick) N°3 Deodorant
$35, available on naturallybetterco.com.sg

A handful of you may remember my Emma Watson phase… Yes, I splurged on a couple of items, and one of them happens to be this deodorant that came highly recommended by the actress. Effective deodorants of a natural variety are difficult to come by, but man was this the worst I’ve ever tried. The sodium bicarbonate in the formula didn’t irritate my underarms, but it didn’t do much to prevent odour either. In fact, it made me smell worse than I would if I went out sans deodorant. Entirely counterproductive. The formula’s heavy on coconut oil and avocado butter too, making it a pain to wash off and a nightmare to deal with in such high levels of humidity. I’m a huge advocate for green beauty, which makes this product that much harder to slam because it practically goes against my conscience 😭, and it’s also from one of my favourite natural beauty webstores. It just didn’t work out for me.
– Jade Yeo, Writer

Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation
$80, Laura Mercier counters and Sephora ION

I’ve been a fan of this brand ever since I fell in love with their Blemish-less Foundation Primer and their Tinted Moisturiser, which is why this foundation completely disappointed me. At the first pump, a light layer of oil oozes out along with the product, and I was already afraid to put this on my face. However, it seemed to blend in nicely on the back of my hand, so I soldiered on and applied it on my face. The coverage wasn’t as great as I’d hoped, but the oil seemed to dissipate well enough and it had a nice matte feeling to it. Halfway through the day, however, not only was my face an oil slick, but half my foundation had melted off. Perhaps it’s partially my fault for going ahead with this foundation despite the obvious presence of oil. I would probably recommend this to people with dry skin looking for a lightweight coverage.
– Patrene Mathieu, Designer

Sigma Beauty Loose Shimmer in Ravishing
US$8.40, available at sigmabeauty.com

By now it should already be established that I absolutely adore peachy hues, so you have no idea how much I wanted this particular shade to work out. Loose shimmers are a lot of fun to play with; you can literally use them anywhere on your face, and I intended to have this pale peach-pink hue all over my lids, cheekbones and collarbones. In the tub, the powder looked promising. It was so finely milled and buttery to the touch — but ironically, that’s exactly what failed it. This one colour sheered out to nothing. Like, literally nothing. There was no pigment, except for a few specks of pathetically negligible glitter flakes that you’d honestly be considered to be forgoing shimmer for the day. And the best part was that I even tried my hardest to make the product work. When I had it mixed in with glitter glue it applied so crazily streaky on my lids I almost gagged; when I placed a cream highlight beneath the powder it not a single trace of pigment decided to show up. It was also too sheer (an understatement, in fact) for an inner corner highlight.
I have another colour from the exact same series called Zeal, and that one worked out beautifully into a mermaid blue-purple duo-chrome hue. The texture is different from Ravishing; Zeal is a tad chunkier but applies on perfectly even. It’s saddening that I have absolutely zero use for this one loose shimmer, so it’s now sitting in… cold storage on the bottom shelf of my vanity.
– Chelsea Tang, Editorial Assistant

Banila & Co. Prime Primer in Matte
$25.10, available at The Shilla Duty Free

Not long after I wiped out the entire tube of Benefit’s POREfessional primer (I literally cut open the tube to get every last bit of it), I had to travel to Seoul for an exchange program, so I figured why not get my primer there? It was a first for me to try out a Korean brand, as far as base makeup was concerned, and I was really excited to try Banila & Co.’s primer after hearing rave reviews about how their primers are apparently the best in Korea.
So I got myself a bottle of their Prime Primer in Matte which came in a pretty mint colour. I was expecting the formula to be similar to the POREfessional, which had a pasty, sandy feeling but instead, the consistency was a translucent gel-like formula (hmm ok…). When I slathered the product all over my face, it did not give me that satisfying matte feeling at all, and the primer also did not fill up my pores to make it look smaller. I also noticed that into the day, my foundation started to clump up into small patches! This did not happen when I used Benefit’s POREfessional. Perhaps the consistency was more velvety because the Koreans are into the dewy look, or I might just be biased towards Benefit, but if I were to buy a matte product, I would expect it to have at least some mattifying effect. And clearly, this just didn’t do the job for me.
– Phyllis Guo, Editorial Assistant

Fanny Packs Are Back, Once Again

Jun 9, 2017Aug 15, 2018

The question of whether fanny packs can be counted as a fashionable item has long been debatable, which is why you see them getting so hyped up one moment and the next, it’s not in anymore. It’s like being friends with an on-and-off couple and you’re not surprised when they get back together. Like, tell us something we don’t already know.

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Honestly, we think the main reason why people hate it is because it’s associated with that know-it-all tourist, your dorky dad and yes, the drinks stall uncle. But hey, if anything else, they are the ones who inspired the fashion world to reinterpret this understated bag. So yes, the fanny pack/waist bag/bum bag/belt bag/whatever you call it, is back again, as seen in the Gucci Cruise 2018 show and spotted on Kendall Jenner, who has been obsessed over it recently. We hate to admit it, but we too, are secretly into fanny packs as well. Whether you like yours hanging at the waist or have it slung across the shoulder, these functional bags are definitely a statement piece that will switch up the look of any outfit, including formal wear too!

A post shared by YOYO CAO (@yoyokulala) on May 30, 2017 at 5:25am PDT

Yoyo Cao working the Gucci Leather Belt Bag wrapped over a floral jacket with a pair of wide-legged trousers
Scroll below to see some of our picks and if you’re not one to invest in trends, we’re pretty sure the provision shop under your block sells them too (at a fuss-free price at that).

Rebecca Minkoff Belt Bag, $145.61

Rag & Bone Small Patent Leather Fanny Pack, $587

The Earth Comfort 5L. Waist Bag, $59

Gucci Marmont matelassé leather belt bag, US$1050

ASOS Suede Bow Bum Bag, $47.41

ASOS Eyelet Bum Bag, $38.79

Zara Belt Bag with Badges, $39.90

Urban Outfitters Apron Belt Bag, US$16
Header image: Yoyo Cao’s Instagram

The Pink Force is Strong with Vans’ Latest Old Skool Kicks

Jun 9, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Even if you only have the slightest inkling of the latest sneaker news, you’d know that pink is hot at the moment (so hot, we’ve dedicated an entire write-up to all the best millennial pink sneakers to cop).
And in keeping with the trend, Vans has unveiled its latest model – an Old Skool decked in a dreamy “Very Berry” colourway, which if you ask us, feels like something more along the lines of teeny bopper, bubblegum pink.

In terms of looks, it’s pretty similar to the footwear company’s recently launched candy-coloured “oh sooo suede” pack (yes, there’s more pink inside), which goes down the tried-and-tested pastel route. But damn, we never imagined a pink Old Skool would look this good.
Design-wise, the shoe is of course emblazoned in dark pink on its suede and nylon-constructed uppers. That shade of colour is gorgeously juxtaposed by a white midsole and the Vans logo at the back.

There’s just one slight problem though. These kicks are only available in Japan (boooooo). But if you really want to score them, you can always go through a third party. They’re the kind of product that’s worth going the extra mile for anyway.
If you can’t be bothered with all that fuss and want something closer to home, there’s always Vans’ quirky Peanuts collection to check out.
For more information, visit store.united-arrows.co.jp.
All images taken from United Arrows Ltd. Online Store.

4 Clothing Styles To Rock The Street Block With

Jun 9, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Dressing up is easy. We all know that. But dressing up in style? Oh, now that’s a different story, especially when it comes to street gear. Yes, there are plenty of hype brands out there perfect for getting your city slickin’ game on. Still, it can be a little hard to get inspiration at times.
Not to worry. We’ve got you guys covered with a list of 4 clothing styles for you to up your street cred. And for convenience sake, we’ve picked all of them from fashion retailer i.t, which has a medley of sick brands under its belt. Well, here goes:

Conventional:

Want to make an impression without standing out too much? Then Izzue should be right up your alley. Pronounced as “Issue”, the Hong Kong-based brand has a number of sleek designs in its arsenal, plenty of which are flowing silhouettes with bold, plain colours.
We recommend going for the black dungarees over here. It’s comfy, easy to pull off, and cooling, which is great considering how hot and humid Singapore can be. The black colourway is also refreshing compared to the dungarees’ usual denim style, and can be easily paired with basic sleeveless vests. If you prefer keeping your arms covered, slip on a cotton lawn shirt and pair it with wrapped denim shorts for a chic outfit. Don’t forget to partly leave the shirt untucked for added panache.
For more information, visit www.izzue.com or i.t’s orchardgateway store.

Minimalist:

If there’s one style that’ll never go out of fashion, it’s minimalism. There’s just something beautiful about toning things down, and as the saying goes, less is more. For that, i.t has 5cm, a brand with a variety of monochrome pieces that range from overalls to blouses. Best of all, they complement each other well, so you’ll never run out of options.
To keep things elegant and simple, go for a black overall with a white tee inside. Or if you want to shake things up a little, pair an oversized, translucent white shirt with a black skirt and striped t-shirt for the ultimate contrast.
For more information, visit www.5cm.com.hk or i.t’s orchardgateway store

Grungy:

Contrary to popular belief, dressing down isn’t just about leggings or New Balance sneakers. There are grittier, less “basic” ways to look chill, and they don’t involve gym clothing. Case in point: Fingercroxx, a brand that takes after the street style of L.A. Try out their grungy Ninety’s Street collection, which draws influences from Heavy Metal and 90’s Hip Hop with graphic tees and oversized tops.
For a skateboarder-style outfit, choose any one of the graphic tees and pair it with a ragged square-patterned top and denim shorts. Slap on a good pair of sneakers with long socks, and you’re good to go. If an oversized top doesn’t work for you, give that a skip and just stick to a sleeveless printed tee instead. A bucket hat can be added for some old school cool.
For more information, visit fingercroxx.com.hk or i.t’s orchardgateway store.

Quirky:

Sometimes, you got to take the normal and throw it out of the window. Life’s fun like that, and so is :CHOCOOLATE, a label we already love for its peculiar but cutesy designs – think Polaroid and Gudetama.
To adapt the brand’s quirkiness to a street style however, we suggest going for the ‘Brooklyn Seaside’ collection, which features items like printed dresses and striped tank tops. For instance, you can easily pair pink overalls with a white tee for a cute but spunky look. Or wear blue waist-high shorts with a polar bear-emblazoned red tee for some added kawaii.
For more information, visit www.chocoolate.hk or i.t’s orchardgateway and bugis store.
All images taken from i.t.

Happy Plugs Re-Launches Limited Edition Rainbow Earphones to Celebrate LGBT Pride

Jun 9, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Let’s be honest here. Earphones aren’t exactly the most exciting accessories in terms of style. There’s not much to look forward to in terms of design and colours can be quite boring. Not unless you count Happy Plugs of course.
The Swedish company is known for its repertoire of gorgeous, candy-coloured earphones, and its latest model is no different.
Along with MTV, Happy Plugs has re-launched its limited edition rainbow-themed earphones in commemoration of “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month”, and to celebrate qualities like hope and diversity.

This special collaboration is more than just slapping rainbow colours on earphones though. For every purchase, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the IGLHRC (International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission), so there are plenty of opportunities to spread the love over here.
As for the earphones, well, let’s just say they aren’t the best in the world. But they’re also pretty decent if you aren’t too iffy about sound quality. Specs-wise, music is funneled through 14.9mm handmade drivers, while you can also control calls and music with a mic and remote.

We think what’s more appealing though is the earphone’s relatively cheap price. Right now, you can bag yourself one of these candy-coloured gems at the cost of US$29.99 from Happy Plugs’ website. Just remember to grab one while stocks last. It is a limited edition product after all.
For more information, visit happyplugs.com.
All images taken from Happy Plugs.

Is the Collaboration Between Virgil Abloh and IKEA the Best Partnership Ever or What?

Jun 9, 2017Aug 15, 2018

IKEA is definitely getting a foothold in the fashion industry this year, from Balenciaga’s take on their iconic 99 cent FRAKTA tote bag, spawning a whole range of IKEA-inspired products (which includes sneakers and a thong), to launching a collection created by designers with a fashion background. Now, they are collaborating with one of the fashion world’s favourite designers – Virgil Abloh, creative director of Off-White.
Announcing the partnership at Democratic Design Days in Sweden, an annual event where IKEA shares their upcoming projects for the future, the multi-talented Virgil Abloh has already started working on the project, even bringing along his version of the FRAKTA bag to the conference. Speaking with IKEA’s head of design Marcus Engman, the project aims to provide solutions to two main problems: accessibility to design that encompasses both functionality and design as well as breaking the barrier between good design and affordability. Marcus Engman also added that they would like to raise the knowledge amongst young people about how to make their very first home a good home.

Some of you guessed it! @virgilabloh @off____white prototyping a fresh take on the FRAKTA bag in IKEA’s very own prototype shop in Älmhult. "We’re in a moment where IKEA is transcending, and people are bringing this “do it yourself” culture” to the blue bag. What I’m most interested in is doing that process in partnership with the brand. It’s allowing me to put my opinion on a classic. It’s unique, and distinctly as much of off-white as it's IKEA". Photo @piotrniepsuj . #IKEAtoday #Collaborationpartner #virgilabloh #offwhite #IKEADDD

A post shared by IKEA Today (@ikeatoday) on Jun 7, 2017 at 7:11am PDT

“We’re looking at that first phase of adult life, when you start making purchases for your space. Largely people grow up in their parents’ environment. They’ve never had to consider furniture. Then when they’re off on their own and have their own aesthetic, what are their first purchases? I’m interested in thinking about how those purchases are informed”, Virgil says.
The project will look into how the first homes of millennials can be created at a low cost and you can expect more than just a chair with experimental pieces coming from Virgil, who is also an architecture graduate.
“IKEA provides a landscape – fertile soil for new ideas and concepts. My duty then, is to provide something provocative. Given how tremendous this opportunity is, I’m not content to make another chair.”
Details on the collection have not yet been revealed, but it’s slated to launch in 2019 and we’re just praying the collection reaches Singapore shores too. Meanwhile, watch the live-streamed show below and check out other exciting collaborations including one which explores compact living in spacecrafts!

Header image: ikea.today

Get Your Party Hats Ready For Glossier’s New Birthday Cake-Flavoured Balm Dotcom

Jun 9, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Someone must have finally heard our inner desire of wanting to stuff our faces silly with birthday cake batter, loaded up with funfetti sprinkles because… why the hell not? It’s only for good reason that Glossier’s newest product called for celebration, because the ultra-minimalist beauty brand has found itself in a collaboration that we absolutely cannot wait to dig into.

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Say hi to the latest Birthday Balm Dotcom, Glossier’s swankiest addition to the Balm Dotcom party. Yup, swoon a little (or maybe a lot) at the very glittery packaging… and when you’re back on Earth, check out the most amazing flavour of the brand’s nourishing lip balm: Birthday cake. The balm will be cake-scented, but not just any ol’ baked batter essence — and instead one that’s specially consulted and made, with love, with New York City’s Momofuku Milk Bar.

got a birthday coming up? let our special orders team help you live it up! milkbarstore.com

A post shared by milk bar (@milkbarstore) on May 24, 2017 at 11:33am PDT

If the name doesn’t ring a bell, let us enlighten. It’s the one dessert stop that you have to try when in NYC that serves up some of the most delectable (birthday) cakes, soft serves and all sorts of sweet, innovative treats. Oh, they’ve also been featured on The New York Times, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Food & Wine and Buzzfeed. Basically, they’re everywhere — so you can be sure their cake-flavoured Balm Dotcom will have an equally enticing scent to it. The balm has superfine silver and pink micro glitter in it (to replace rainbow sprinkles), and goes on a very sheer pink that adds some colour to your lips. Folks have used the balm as an all-over product, so you can very well use the balm as a glitter base as well.

Watch this video to see how the Birthday Balm Dotcom applies
Glossier won’t be changing the formula of this one very special balm, so you can still expect the the salve to contain the same hydrating and soothing ingredients like the Original skin salve. There’s beeswax, cupuacu fruit extract, rice bran and rosemary leaf extracts.
The Birthday Balm Dotcom has yet to be released, but it already has its own landing page on glossier.com, so the wait should be over before you know it. A travel service like Airfrov may be used to have Glossier products brought into Singapore.
Header Image: Glossier

Our Love Affair With Oversized Black Tote Bags

Jun 8, 2017Aug 15, 2018

The best kinds of bags: the ones you can throw everything into. It’s what explains our love affair with roomy tote bags – doesn’t even matter that knick knacks like lipsticks, keys, and your phone never fail to get lost in the depths of these oversized bags, because these things almost never run out of space, which means lazy girls can rejoice. You’ll almost never have to repack your stuff!!!
Which is why a black oversized tote is such a key part of our bag wardrobes. It’s the easiest thing to grab on those lazy days, and when it’s black – you know it’ll go with anything.
We instantly fell in love with this piece from the COS men’s Autumn/Winter collection, a classic leather piece with clean lines, with the exposed straps adding some unexpected interest.

COS Structured Black Leather City Tote Bag, price and availability TBC.
Here, we seek out some other options, because this love affair is an eternal one.

Topshop Side Zip Shopping Bag

A zip detail runs alongside an entire side of the bag. It isn’t actually functional, but it adds interest to the whole aesthetic anyway.
$59.90, available at Topshop stores and sg.topshop.com

Saint Laurent Large Shopping Tote Bag in Black Patent Leather

If you want to invest in a luxury black tote, this one’s a credible option for the Fall/Winter season. A removable zip pouch and magnetic snap closure help keep your items in place as well.
Price and launch date TBC.

Marc Jacobs Large Logo Tote

This tote from the Marc Jacobs Pre-Fall drop goes big with the logo and text, which might not be entirely in line with our usual minimalist vibe – but hey, Marc Jacobs is after all the master of this industrialist look.
$430, available at Marc Jacobs stores.

Balenciaga Textured Leather Tote

Another luxury option, we’re drawn to the strap details on this unstructured calf leather piece. It’s open-top, but has a small leather pouch inside to keep the small items safe.
US$1,145, available at net-a-porter.com.

Charles & Keith Structured Tote in Black

This bag’s winning point is the extra shoulder strap, so you can carry it two ways.
$68.70, available at Charles & Keith stores and charleskeith.com.

Zara Reversible Tote Bag

What’s better than a roomy black tote bag? A roomy black tote bag that can be flipped around to become a roomy red tote bag.
$49.90, available at Zara stores and zara.com/sg.

Sony’s Xperia XZ Premium is The King of All Smartphone Displays – Review

Jun 8, 2017Aug 15, 2018

When it comes to buying a smartphone (especially one that potentially breaks the bank), there are two very important things to consider: one, a sharp display, and two, a good camera.
Sony’s recently launched Xperia XZ Premium scores in both departments, and pretty well we’ve got to say.

The company’s latest flagship model packs a gorgeous 4K HDR display on a 5.5-inch screen, a 19-megapixel camera that has super slow-motion video recording capabilities, and only the latest and greatest Snapdragon 835 Qualcomm chip.
So in terms of specs, this phone is a monster, there’s no doubt about that. Is it worth getting though, especially over other great Android phones like Samsung’s Galaxy S8 or LG’s G6? Here’s our verdict after putting it to the test:
Pros:
Fantastic Camera
Here’s where the Xperia XZ Premium excels. Its camera comes with HDR, face detection, EIS (electronic image stabilisation), and predictive phase detection (a function that lets you “predict” shots, which is pretty useful for snapping fast-paced action).
What we like about it however is the Super Slow Motion function that lets you record footage and freeze it at 960 frames per second (fps). The end-result would look something like this:

The normal camera functions are also pretty competent, although there could be a few improvements in terms of low-light shooting. Overall, for a smartphone point-and-shoot camera, it’s more than sufficient for your day-to-day pictures, selfies, landscape shots, portraits, or otherwise. Here are some unedited sample photos:

Gorgeous Visuals
Have you walked through a Sony store before, admiring the sharp, 4K television displays? Well, picture this: that same technology is slapped onto the Xperia XZ Premium’s 5.5-inch screen, making it the world’s first smartphone with a 4K HDR display.

Watching a 4K video on the Xperia XZ Premium
And we’ve got to say, it looks absolutely gorgeous. In terms of clarity, there’s really nothing better out there in the market, even if the Xperia XZ Premium uses an LCD display instead of AMOLED one (making it more energy consuming, but that doesn’t really matter since this smartphone has a solid battery life too).
What’s important over here however is that the colours are crisp, whether you’re watching a video or playing a game.
Speedy Performance
Now this is largely down to the Xperia XZ Premium incorporating Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 chip, making everything from loading apps to multi-tasking seamless and very easy.
Add to the mix 4GB of RAM and Sony’s latest flagship easily matches the best Android phones.
Cons:
Clunky Design
With so many great things going for the Xperia XZ Premium, you’d think that Sony would have given it a great design as well, but nope. The phone is a little awkward with its old fashioned squarish design (curved phones are just better looking), the reflective glass body is a fingerprint and smudge magnet, while the bezels at the bottom are a little too thick for our liking.

At least it has a headphone jack!
It’s all a shame really, because Sony could’ve done so much better in this department. We know they were probably going for something like industrial chic, but it ended up looking like industrial shtick instead.
Lack of 4K Video Content
This isn’t really Sony’s fault at all, but they could’ve planned things a little better so they wouldn’t be so far ahead of the game. Right now, there’s barely any 4K-enabled video content out there to watch, perhaps except for on YouTube and the Amazon Prime Video app, and it kind of makes you question the viability of having a 4K HDR screen.
Still, that’s not a bad problem to have at all, and when the industry shifts towards producing more 4K videos (which it surely will), then Sony is primed to have the last laugh.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Sony’s Xperia XZ Premium is a spec-filled beast that doesn’t disappoint. It may be very costly, with a pre-order price of $1,098, but it’s definitely a smartphone that’s worth splashing out the cash out for, especially if you’ve been itching for an upgrade over the past two years. Not to mention, this is by far the best Sony phone to hit the market in years, so it’s pretty hard to go wrong over here.
Overall rating: 4/5

Muslim Girl X ORLY's Halal Nail Polish Might Just Pave The Way For More Halal Beauty Products

Jun 8, 2017Aug 15, 2018

When it comes to fashion and beauty, what is presented in the media often times don’t fit with what majority of women look like or can relate to. Recently, though, more brands are making an effort to ensure proper representation and inclusivity, and the latest collaboration between American beauty brand, ORLY, and lifestyle blog, MuslimGirl.com, is one of them. Usually, Muslim women would have to remove their nail polishes before prayers because it creates a barrier on their nails, preventing water from passing through during ablutions. But not anymore, with the launch of the collaboration’s water-permeable and halal-certified nail polishes called #HalalPaint.
“This line is important because there are so many girls and young women who aren’t represented by mainstream industries. They either don’t fit that definition or see things about them that are designed without them instead of for them and by them,” explains MuslimGirl.com chief of staff Azmia Magane. “This is our way of bridging that gap.”
The polishes are also enriched with argan oil and vitamins C and B5 which promote nail health as well. And can we just talk about how witty the names given to the nail polishes are? Inspired by common names for Muslim girls, some of the names include “The Perfect Amani-Cure”, “What the Fatima?” and “Ig-Noor The Haters”.

Unfortunately, the collection is only available in the United States but don’t fret as this collaboration is not the first to introduce halal nail polish to the Muslim community. Back home in Singapore, local beauty brand, Zahara, has long been in the halal beauty game. Frustrated that there weren’t many quality halal beauty brands that met the needs of Muslim women, founder Amira Geneid decided to change the status quo. Not only does the brand offer breathable nail polishes, they also stock up on lip and eye makeup as well, all of which are halal and cruelty-free.

The MuslimGirl x ORLY #HalalPaint can be pre-ordered now at halalpaint.com for US$49. A parcel forwarding service might have to be readied for it to be brought into Singapore. Meanwhile, you can shop for Zahara’s products here.
Header image: halalpaint.com

Three Triple Black Shoes to Look Out For

Jun 8, 2017Aug 15, 2018

If your wardrobe has only one colour i.e. black (duh), then this post is for you. Fashion trends come and go all the time. Millennial pink might be what’s fashionable right now but black will never go out of style. Simply because it goes with any other colour while having you still looking sleek and minimal. For all you monochrome peeps out there who have not been wavered by the slew of colourful sneaker releases out there, you will be duly rewarded. Patience is virtue, my friends. The sneaker world is dropping not one, not two but three “triple black” shoes because who really needs white outsoles that just kill the badass vibes right?
First up, the adidas “Triple Black” UltraBOOST 3.0 will be dropping later this month. This fan-favourite colourway underwent a slight modification from the previous one released in March, with the three stripes painted in matte black. Everything else remained the way it was – upper Primeknit, usual molded cage and BOOST sole. According to Sole Collector, these coveted “Triple Black” UltraBOOSTS 3.0 are likely to drop on 28 June 2017 on adidas.com for US$180.

Launching this month as well is Nike’s re-release of the Air VaporMax in Triple Black, which quickly sold out when it was released during Nike’s Air Max Day Celebration. Thankfully, the Swoosh brand has heard your demands and you can say adios to resellers asking for insane prices on the resale market. The sneaker comes in a black and anthracite finish, featuring a sock-like collar, full flyknit upper, a tonal bumper and sports a translucent bubble-like Max Air technology outsole, giving it a futuristic look. This one is slated to drop on 22 June 2017 at nike.com at US$190.

Last but not least, Balenciaga is also giving their popular Speed Trainer the all-black treatment. The shoe features a black knit sock resting on a black textured sole with memory sole technology and is equipped with shock absorber. Despite how heavy it might look, the shoe is actually very lightweight and would most probably weigh the same as previous iterations at 240g. The Balenciaga logo, however, is embossed on the lateral in white. These will be available worldwide only on October 9th, but can be pre-ordered now at Bergdorf Goodman for US$545.

Header image: Nike
nike.com

LUSH Extends a Hand of Friendship to Refugees All Around the Globe

Jun 8, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Recognised for their all-natural, vegetarian beauty products, Lush Cosmetics has served up some of the most Insta-worthy items we’ve ever laid eyes on, but they’re much more than just a company that’s revamped our grooming habits. The brand has always been one to practice what it preaches, which is why they’re a perennial favourite amongst woke individuals. If there’s one thing Lush has been vocal about from the get-go, is that they’re a campaigning company. They believe in protecting the environment, standing up for animal rights, and supporting humanitarian causes.
So, if you enjoy your activism with a slice of beauty like we do, then we’ve got some good news to share.

In the spirit of World Refugee Day on 20 June, Lush Singapore has joined forces with the Advocates for Refugees Singapore (AFR-SG) to shed a light on the plight of refugees and send them a message of hope with their incredible #TogetherForHope campaign. In 2015, there were 21.3 million refugees worldwide, including 3.8 million refugees in the Asia Pacific region, with children comprising more than half of that total, which is what prompted a response to the existing crisis.

From 10 to 25 June, the #TogetherForHope campaign will run in every Lush store nationwide and on their website. Pop by a Lush outlet to get educated on the ongoing refugee crisis and fill out a postcard with your thoughtful message of hope, which will then be sent to Syrian refugees in Jordan. After you’ve penned down a heartfelt note, you can support the campaign even further by purchasing the Hand of Friendship soap, a limited edition campaign product that carries the delicate scent of cherry blossoms in bloom – a soothing aroma to envelop yourself in after a long day. All proceeds will be donated to Lush’s campaign partner AFR-SG, supporting their efforts in refugee assistance and protection.
We’re proud of Lush for constantly putting their ethics into practice through activism and charitable giving, and their new initiative is one we’re definitely on board with. To find out more about the #TogetherForHope campaign, click here; and for more information on AFR-SG’s annual event, Refugee Awareness Week (RAW), visit their Facebook page.
Lush Cosmetics Hand of Friendship Soap, $15. Available from 10 June at Lush stores nationwide.
Main image: lushsg.com

The Best Overnight Masks For Your Literal Beauty Sleep

Jun 8, 2017Aug 15, 2018

There are quite a number to activities that we’d very much like to do right now. Being whisked away to a foreign country that doesn’t have Singapore’s trademark sweltering heat, enjoying a luxurious mani and pedi, indulging in rare city tranquility at a spa… but above them all, getting our tired souls back home and slathering on a generous layer of our favourite overnight mask before heading to bed for a good night’s worth of beauty sleep.
For those who’re unsure of what overnight masks are — they are basically creams or gels that you apply, like a moisturiser, all over your face — but without washing them off. Instead, you put them on and go to bed. These moisturisers are a made of heartier ingredients as compared to lightweight day creams to provide your skin a more intensive shot of hydration while you sleep. It all makes perfect sense if you think about it: there’s no better time to pamper your skin than when you lull away in dreamland, while your overnight masks work their magic with minimal disruption, internally and externally.
And we totally understand if you’ve already found your own HG overnight mask. It must be great waking up to supple and hydrated skin every morning yes? We aren’t going to convince you to switch up your current squeeze, but should you ever be looking for an alternative option, we’ve got your back. If not, it’s only polite share the love with someone who’s not (yet) drunk on these wondrous options. Don’t sleep on it anym — oh wait, y’know what, do sleep on it. Literally. *

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
$42, available at Laneige stores, Sephora and sephora.sg.
This tried-and-true concoction by everyone’s favourite Korean beauty brand Laneige has won itself a whole ton of glowing reviews, and rightfully so, considering how it does let you wake up to glowing skin. Pop open the cap and you’d be treated to a soothing scent that calms even the most bunched up of nerves, then scoop out an appropriate amount of product and gently massage it into your skin. The cooling gel goes on lightweight, and gets absorbed quickly. Pat the remnants of the product in and head straight to bed. Wake up to a radiant complexion that instantly perks up any work morning. We’d go as far to say that this is almost magic in a tub.

Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask
$185, available at Sisley counters.
Now, Sisley isn’t the most wallet-friendly option for beauty products, but if you’re looking for something really luxurious to treat your skin to, this is it. The cream mask contains a star anti-aging ingredient, the black rose (duh) that promises to give “instant youth”. Put it on, and it immediately gets to work to rid your skin of fatigue, dullness, dehydration… everything that you don’t see in radiant and healthy skin. The usage directions do mention to wipe off after 10-15 minutes, but why do that when you can let your skin really soak up the mask’s goodness overnight? Leave tissuing away the product out; you’re not going to regret it.

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Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask
$144, available at Fresh stores, Sephora and sephora.sg.
Y’know of that funny thing called gravity? The force that is bent on sagging our skin? Yeah, we all hate it when that happens. But here’s a product that helps defy gravity — Fresh’s luxurious overnight mask is loaded with the benefits of black tea, the one ingredient that helps firm skin and keeps it looking taut and young. The masks works in sync with your skin’s natural nighttime recovery process, so you can wake up in the morning feeling like a billion bucks.

The Estée Edit Pink Peony Overnight Water Pack
US$35, available at esteelauder.com. A parcel forwarding service might need to be employed.
Here, check out the number of berry extracts that went into the making of this one beautiful pale pink mask: there’s goji berry, blueberry and cranberry, plus the essence of pink peony as that cherry-on-top. The water-based overnight treatment provides a quenching shot of hydration to your complexion, leaving skin silky smooth and baby-butt-soft. It does not clog pores and is gentle enough for daily use, which is always a great nighttime treat.

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Pixi Nourishing Sleep Mask
$23, available at sephora.sg.
If it’s anything we love about this one skin treat by Pixi, it’s the niftiness of the product that makes it a godsend when travelling. But don’t get us wrong, we are head over heels for the gel-cream formula as well. Follow your usual skincare routine — and have this sleep mask applied over all the necessary serums of treatment products to seal them into the skin. What it does is provide a nutrient-rich veil of moisture to heal and protect your skin while you snooze. There’s arginine to strengthen your skin cells, and hyaluronic acid to plump. The perfect PM skin snack.

Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask
$23, available on iherb.com.
Before you go all yucks at the word ‘snail’, we’d like to inform you that all self-respecting Korean girls with great skin worship snail mucus. The additional glycolic acid helps to heal damaged skin texture — just like how the slime from snails are used to heal cuts that they get from rocks. It also helps improve skin elasticity, which contributes to certain anti-aging benefits too. And on top of that, Missha’s snail sleeping mask isn’t water-based, like the conventional ones that we’re used to. In place of H2O, there’s baobab tree extract that helps to both moisturise and soothe your skin while you sleep.

Belif First Aid Overnight Brightening Mask
$38, available at Belif stores and counters.
This lightweight mask is made with a fine spread of the world’s most luxurious ingredients, like black truffle, pearl and gold powder capsules, just to name a few. And just like the Korean brand’s other hydrating heavy hitters, this lightweight mask brings out the transparency and radiance to your skin as you sleep, leaving you with a good skin day the next morning.

Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Sleeping Facial
US$46, available on korresusa.com. A parcel forwarding service might need to be employed.
Banking on the centuries-old Greek remedy for skin smoothing, Korres makes use of yoghurt, a natural source of protein, minerals and vitamins in a delicious concoction that helps nourish stressed and dry skin. This little tub of product contains two and a half times more protein that natural yoghurt, due to the addition of Korres’ special Greek yoghurt concentrate. The mask moisturises your skin while you sleep, so you wake up to noticeably softer skin. Indeed a sleeping facial, if you asked us.

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Allies Of Skin 1AM Overnight Mask
$139, available at alliesofskin.com.
Speed up skin cell recovery overnight with Allies Of Skin’s luxurious sleep mask, that contains active ingredients like Indian ginseng to help accelerate skin cell renewal while boosting its immunity to free radicals. Plus, the mask also has Ally-R, a stabilised form of retinol that combats blemishes, smoothens wrinkles and reverses sun damage.

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Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask To Quench Skin’s Thirst
$59, available at the Origins store and counters, Sephora, and sephora.sg.
If a brand actually has the guts to have a product name that’s… that long and wear it as a badge of honour, you can be sure that they certainly do take pride in it. Origins hasn’t been one to shy away from different types of natural skincare ingredients, and in this one overnight mask they incorporated avocado (!!!), apricot kernel oil, and Japanese seaweed. All these combine to replenish the necessary nutrients that your skin loses throughout the day, while restoring it youth to keep it looking youthful and glowing.
*Do check the ingredient list of products before committing your overnight masks to an everyday usage.