There’s just something romantic about printing out photos. Sadly, nobody reaaally does it anymore. Like it or not, apps like Instagram and Snapchat have become the de facto platform for sharing memories, and a printing shop would seem like a relic to kids born in the digital age. Thankfully, not all hope is lost.
HP is one of those companies trying to bridge the gap between the past and present, especially with its latest product – the HP Sprocket (which recently launched in Singapore). Basically, the Sprocket is a palm-sized photo printer that lets you print out photos from your smartphone in a jiffy.
It’s not a new technology by any means – there’s LG’s Pocket Photo Printer that came out four years ago – but it’s different in a sense thanks to features that let you edit photos with emojis, stickers, and filters; somewhat like a physical Snapchat, only that it’s able to print out your photos.
It can also be easily connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Other than that, there’s not much to look forward to over here. The print quality is quite poor; the colours could be more striking, and there are better portable printing options available in the market.
If all that doesn’t bother you however, the HP Sprocket is retailing for a pretty reasonable price of $199 at HP’s website and is available in black and white. One 20 sheet pack of HP Sprocket Zink paper will set you back $15.90 a pop.
For more information, visit www2.hp.com.
All images taken from HP.
5 Makeup Hacks From YouTube That Actually Work
If it’s anything that I truly thank beauty gurus for, after the many (and I do mean many) beauty tutorials that I watch on YouTube, it’s the little hacks that they often pepper throughout their videos. Not the (mostly) try-hard, listicle kinds, but the ones that just roll off their tongue when they’re getting through with the tutorial. Admittedly, those times don’t happen as often as I’d like them to, so I jump at every single tip that they dish out. While some of them don’t make a huge difference to my usual routine, most of them actually do work — and I dare say, really changed how I used stuff, and made makeup work.
1. Fan Your Setting Spray Immediately After Spritzing
Trust me on this — for the longest time I’ve wondered if setting sprays actually work. I’ve tried drugstore ones like the NYX Dewy Finish Make Up Setting Spray to cult-level ones like the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, and apart from how fine the mist felt on my face, I never really quite saw the effectiveness of spritzing setting sprays all over my face. My makeup did last, but was it because of the longevity that my foundation promised? Or how the loose powder managed to hold things up for hours?
Here we have Nikkie fanning her setting spray with an… unopened sheet mask.
And it always puzzled me, because beauty gurus love to drench, and if possible, drown their faces in setting spray (ahem, Jeffree Star). I was always skeptical, until one day NikkieTutorials casually said in her video — that in order to really let these sprays lock your makeup in, the best way is to mist your face, then grab something, anything, and quickly fan the liquid while it’s still wet on your face. Now, it may sound counterproductive, like how my colleagues immediately posed the question of “you mean you just fan the product away?” — and I have to admit, I too, am clueless of the science jazz behind this whole hack. But I tried it for myself, and I have to say, hand over heart, it works. I clearly saw my makeup melt into my skin, especially the powders, and it just made everything look more… complete. Plus, my entire #fotd now lasts the entire day without needing touch up.
2. Applying blush diagonally downwards
I credit MUA Michael Finch for this hack (of which he mentioned he picked up from Mario, Kim K’s makeup artist). In one of his many informative (and hilariously sassy) videos, Finch applied blush and said he likes to brush it downwards, from somewhere beneath the cheekbones, down to the actual apples of the cheek. He didn’t exactly say what this hack does for the blush, but it did apply beautifully on his face.
Michael says that applying blush downwards makes for a “better application”.
Is it fact, or is it studio lights? I say fact! I tried the technique out one day, and realised that while it doesn’t make much of a difference to my usual look, but because of the motion used, it prevents your blush from getting too close to your nose. It doesn’t make much of a difference if you’re already an expert at applying blush, but in case you need any guidelines… this is it.
3. Applying blush on the chin
This may sound weird, but trust me on this — applying blush on the chin makes for a more balanced look. NikkieTutorials, once again, did that once in her video and I have followed along ever since. There really is no better way to explain this, it just pulls the entire look together. Just remember to not overdo it.
4. Dust on loose powder for fatter and longer lashes / keep mascara from smudging
Unless you’re already bestowed with long, luxurious lashes, there’s no way that you wouldn’t want straight, Asian eyelashes to be as long as fluttery as they could get. No one ever said no to beautiful lashes, if you ask me.
Ellie applied baby powder to her lashes for visibly fatter lashes.
This one hack should already be quite well known, precisely because it works. While my lashes aren’t the shortest per se, I always still want a fuller and longer pair. Here’s what you should do — having a quick dusting of baby powder / loose powder / pale eyeshadow on them allows for mascara to better cling on to the lashes, allowing for a smooth application that visibly extends them (should you feel that your mascara isn’t doing its job.)
Plus, having a powdery base with mascara on top also prevents it from smudging, or smudge less than it should. Better yet, have a light coat of powder on top of lash primer — I’ve been using the Jane Iredale PURELASH Lash Extender and Conditioner for a month now, it’s amazing — for most effective results.
5. Have a bottle of mist handy by your vanity for various purposes
Like every other beauty vlogger, walking from your vanity to the basin to wet your BeautyBlender is a big chore, because once you’re all nestled in nice and snug, ready to start beating that face… So yes, having that bottle of mist (it doesn’t have to be setting spray, just normal tap water would do) handy can really help out a fellow lazy friend.
A bottle of mineral water actually made it into Nikkie’s December favourites last year.
It can help dampen a BeautyBlender, wet eyeshadow and highlighter brushes for shimmer to pop, and just basically help melt powders together should your face start looking cake-y. For a quicker (but a tad pricey) option, the Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray is a really convenient item to have on your vanity.
Header Image: @nikkietutorials IG
Review: This Liquid Eyeliner Is Very Impressive Indeed
By Adele Chan
Every week, the NYLON office receives quite a number of beauty press releases. By the end of the week, I usually do a round up of four to five stand-out items that really worked for me; but sometimes an item impresses me so much, it deserves a stand-alone entry. This is one such item.
Last Friday, I received Chanel’s Fall-Winter makeup collection, titled, Chanel Travel Diary (great name). As usual, if there’s a liquid pen eyeliner, I reach for it first — I’m obsessed with liquid pen eyeliners, I can never have too many. On Saturday morning, I whipped it out of the press kit, and whooooaaaa….this is Chanel’s BEST eyeliner to date. But first, some background.
In 2014, Chanel launched an eyeliner pen called Écriture De Chanel. Here’s a screengrab of it from Chanel’s website:
It had a felt tip, and honestly, wasn’t very good (NOTE: This is just my opinion.). It dried up on me after a few weeks of usage, and the formula smudged when my eyes got watery. Today, redemption comes in the form of the new Signature De Chanel — a brush pen eyeliner that is launching as part of Chanel’s Fall-Winter makeup collection. Last year, Chanel appointed Lucia Pica as the brand’s new Global Creative Make up and Colour Designer, and she really did something right here, because this simple liquid eyeliner is excellent.
Here’s what the new eyeliner looks like:
Classy. Like anything from Chanel.
Now watch it in action:
Soooooo satisfying, right?
This eyeliner came in two parts: the pen holder, and an ink cartridge. Just like a fountain pen, you insert the ink cartridge into the holder, push the holder down until it “clicks”, and let the brush tip soak up in ink.
I’m always skeptical about eyeliner cartridges, because every one I’ve tried in the past has been disappointing — until now. This brush glides across eyelids very smoothly, it draws on an even, intense black line, it does not lose momentum when I reach the end of my eye, and the smooth brush allows me to do a beautiful flick at the end (and all this with a base of heavy black eyeshadow!). What’s interesting as well, is that the brush is tapered (see photo below) — I can draw on its flat end for a thicker line, or turn it on its side to draw a thin, precise line. There are many pen eyeliners with tapered brushes that try to achieve this same effect, but none have worked well enough for me to gush about — this one from Chanel beats them all at its game.
The downside to this excellent product: its price. It will cost $51 when it launches 27 July at selected Chanel boutiques, and that might be hard to swallow considering you can head to Watsons today and pick up any pen eyeliner from Clio, Maybelline or K-Palette at less than half the price and that works very well. But remember, this is Chanel. You are paying for Chanel. And I would totally pay for Chanel.
By the way, it’s made in Japan. Of course it is.
CHANEL SIGNATURE DE CHANEL 10 Noir, $51.
Available from 27 July at Chanel Fragrance and Beauty Boutiques in ION Orchard, The Shoppes at MBS, VivoCity and Raffles City; and from 4 August at all Chanel Fragrance and Beauty counters. chanel.com/en_sg
Mamonde's First Counter Has Opened, & These Are The Makeup Launches To Expect Soon
Yup, we’re going to talk about the Park Shin Hye effect again. How can we not, now that Mamonde has its first physical counter in Singapore? Take a walk through the new space:
There were so many pretty things to look at: the various dried florals displayed in glass jars, to reflect Mamonde’s floral character; the vintage floor tiles we hear were brought in from Spain; and the polished dark wood shelves that are filled with flower-powered skincare and makeup.
We’re already familiar with the bestsellers like the First Energy Essence, Rose Water Toner, Cover Powder Cushion and Highlight Lip Tint, but at the counter opening event, there were quite a few unfamiliar-looking products, especially on the makeup shelves. We were informed by the Mamonde team that they will all be brought in over the next couple of months, so there’s a lot to look forward to.
Highlight Lip Tint Glow
This is basically the very much shinier version of the popular Highlight Lip Tint – gloss seems to be on its way to making a comeback after all. We’ve already decided the shades we want: 15, a brownish red, and 16, a dark purple.
Shade 15 Coco Red and Shade 16 Mangosteen of the Highlight Lip Tint Glow.
True Color Lip Stick
A semi-matte formula, the 20 shades have all the most popular colour trends covered: rose, neons, purples, and the all-essential nudes. Look out for shades No. 6 and No. 11, which bear Park Shin Hye’s signature on the case.
Park Shin Hye wearing the True Color Lip Stick in No. 19 For You and No. 11 Happiness.
Dual Tint Lip Balm
We all got kinda crazy over LANEIGE’s version of this, so if you need more to feed your tint addiction, sister brand Mamonde is bringing more! The 5 shades in this range go on decidedly more pastel, each with a darker shade mixing with a translucent white base to create that classic Korean gradient lip.
Flower Pop Eye Brick
In typical K-Beauty style, each of the 4-shade combinations is anchored by a selection of champagne/gold/bronze shimmers, with a pop of pink, purple or brown. The Koreans definitely like dressing up their eyes in warm hues, and this colour selection makes it easy to get on the trend without ending up looking like you have sore eyes.
Flower Pop Blusher
We know these shades might look a bit too pastel and intimidating in the pan, but those rose imprints are just way too charming to resist. Just be a bit more light-handed with your brush, and you’ll be fine.
High Cover Liquid Cushion
The bestselling Cover Powder Cushion is already good at providing substantial coverage in a matte finish, but the upcoming High Cover Liquid Cushion takes it a step further. This is definitely a liquid foundation, and seems to be made to completely cover blemishes while leaving behind a subtly luminous finish.
Mamonde new makeup launches, launching at the Mamonde counter at TANGS VivoCity over July and August 2017. facebook.com/mamonde.sg
Images: mamonde.com/kr
BIKI is a Bionic Fish That Helps You Snap Insta-Worthy Underwater Photos
Anyone who has dived or snorkelled before knows how gorgeous the sea can be. Thing is, it’s not always easy to capture its beauty. Well, from below the surface at least. Not to worry though, because Chinese company ROBOSEA has the perfect solution in mind for you.
Enter BIKI – a bionic fish drone that specializes in snapping underwater photos (yep, drones aren’t only for flying in the sky you know).
This cute little gadget is not just the world’s first underwater robot; it’s also the world’s first underwater robot with features like automated balance, obstacle avoidance, and a base returning system. All this excludes its super-sharp camera that records in crisp, 4K Ultra HD video.
Of course, that’s not all to look forward to over here. You’ll also be able to achieve smooth videos and sharp photos thanks to the BIKI’s anti-shake camera stabiliser, while its internal memory storage of 32GB is more than sufficient for a few rounds worth of shooting.
In other words, BIKI is THE ultimate tool for achieving those gorgeous, ocean shots you always see on Instagram. Its camera is certainly good enough, but more importantly, it’s easy to use as well. You can plan BIKI’s route; connect to it via Wi-Fi, while you can even track it with a built-in GPS system.
You’ve got to be a little more patient to land your hands on one of these robo-fishes though. It’s still a Kickstarter project, but ROBOSEA has way surpassed its goal of $20,000 and early bird orders should be delivered by September later this year.
Like all Kickstarter projects, it’s important to check out potential “risks and challenges” at the bottom of the Kickstarter page. However, with more than 30 prototypes tested from more than 100 volunteers, it seems as if BIKI will make a splash in the market sooner rather than later.
For more information, visit www.mybiki.com.
All images taken from BIKI.
Your Moisturiser Won't Work Without This Essential Skincare Step
For the skincare sloths minimalists, toners are often dismissed as an unnecessary step in a beauty regimen. After all, how much good can an extra layer of liquid do for our skin anyway? Well, here’s a bit of a newsflash: it’ll radically transform your complexion. Yeah, we’re not kidding. Today, toners are a far cry from their alcohol-laden predecessors, upping their benefits by functioning more like skin tonics and treatments. Here are the toner benefits we simply needed to belt out from the rooftops – because sharing is caring, right?
The skin acts like a sponge
You probably already know that a toner is essential to prepping the skin for hydration, but here’s why it is. When your skin is dry, it behaves like a dry sponge. If you place a dollop of lotion or cream onto the surface of a dry sponge, it’s going to take aeons before a small amount gets absorbed. A damp sponge, however, will absorb liquids and creams that much faster. That’s what a toner does. It allows your moisturiser to penetrate way deeper into the layers of your skin. Without the use of a toner, your moisturiser will be rendered useless.
It balances pH levels
Now, this isn’t new to us. In fact, it’s what the basic toner was formulated to do in the first place. On a pH scale, our natural state lies somewhere between 4 and 5. Even with the advanced water-soluble cleansers on the market that promise not to compromise our skin’s barrier, a lot of them are still highly alkaline, raising our skin’s pH to an 8 or a 9 after cleansing. In case you didn’t know, an alkaline skin barrier is one that can’t defend itself against external aggressors, making it an easier target for bacteria and pollutants. That’s where a toner comes in to bring your skin back down to a more suitable pH level and balance it out. Absolutely crucial for clearer skin.
It feeds the skin so much more
After cleansing, your skin will most likely be left in a pretty fragile state. A liquid toner will help quench that thirst by delivering a shot of nourishing actives, antioxidants, and floral waters in a swipe, so your skin will stay hydrated for longer without the need for a heavier moisturiser. And surely, we’d all prefer a lighter dose of moisture in this blazing heat, right?
Look for toners that are soothing and pH-balancing. For those with sensitive skin, calming ingredients like rosewater or chamomile are good keywords to look into, as well as natural plant-based ones. If, like me, you’re especially cautious of ingredient labels, then give the Paula’s Choice Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner a go. It’s one I’ve stuck to for the past year and it’s made my skin a whole lot calmer and happier.
Fresh’s Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner (I mean, just look at those gorgeous rose petals) and Mario Badescu’s Aloe Vera Toner are good ones to start with too. Trust us, your skin will be much more hydrated, look more even in tone, and you’ll break out far less often if you start using a toner.
Main image: @freshbeauty
The adidas Originals by PORTER Capsule Collection is the Epitome of Functional Elegance
Even before the opening of the much anticipated multi-label concept store this coming July, Dover Street Market Singapore (DSMS) already has their online store up and running, featuring collaboration items with designers such as Gosha Rubchinskiy and Raf Simons. Adding to the lineup of coveted brands, DSMS will be launching the adidas Originals by Porter SS17 capsule collection on their E-Shop on 10 June 2017.
Known for their impeccable craftsmanship and high quality bags, PORTER, the main brand under the Yoshida Company, has teamed up with adidas Originals to come up with a small collection of just three items. The collection will feature the TANKER fabric, the original material used in their iconic TANKER line, inspired by the flight jacket MA-1 of the U.S. Air Force. The NMD C_1, one of the recent additions to the adidas Originals line, will receive the TANKER fabric treatment while the lining of two of PORTER’s key styles – the Helmet bag and their popular waist bag – will appear in the Originals blue with the top zipper closure sporting the 3-Stripes detailing on the zip tape.
With a collaboration between two of the best in their respective fields, you can expect the collection to be elegant yet functional while still upholding superior quality standards. Seeing how the products at DSMS E-Shop sells out quickly, it’ll be wise to camp on your laptops on the day of launch.
The adidas Originals by Porter SS17 capsule collection will be available at Dover Street Market Singapore E-Shop on 10 June 2017. doverstreetmarket.com
Header image: Dover Street Market Singapore E-Shop
Lace Shorts for Men Are Here, and We're All for It
Remember RompHim? Those polarising rompers on Kickstarter that were designed for men, by men? The very same rompers I’ve thought about at least thrice a day since its introduction to the universe exactly 21 days ago (I’m not counting, who’s counting)? Yeah, you guys know which ones I’m talking about.
While its birth naturally generated an avalanche of reactions on social media, with some being a little more… um… sexually charged than others (guilty, very guilty), quite a number of jibes at the RompHim sparked off debates regarding traditional masculine attire. Well, here in time to amp up that volume to new levels are these pastel lace shorts created by Hoza Rodriguez, designer and owner of streetwear brand, Hologram City. Specially crafted for rapper Cazwell’s next music video, Loose Wrists, these gauzy, provocative bottoms come with matching tops too. After all, the more that’s on display, the better right?
Just like the RompHim, these particular lace shorts have gone viral, but the comment sections have been equally laced with comedic roasts and disparaging remarks centred on the feminisation of the male attire. We get it, lace is seen as something that’s reserved for women, and the same goes for rompers, but come on guys, we’ve literally hit the middle of 2017. How is this still an issue? If Prince could wear jumpsuits bedazzled in sequins and Kurt Cobain could wear floral dresses on stage, then anything goes.
Lace shorts for men aren’t new. In fact, they’ve been featured on male models from the runways of Versace and Gucci in 2013 and 2015 respectively. The romper, too, hasn’t strictly been worn by women either. Even the sexist, misogynist character of James Bond (Daniel Craig’s words, not mine) wore one back in the ’60s – too bad he didn’t think to capitalise on that blue terry romper back then. Hence, the slew of homophobic reactions that ensued aren’t just invalid, they also exacerbate a form of toxic masculinity that’s rife in many cultures, when all that was intended of the RompHim and the lace shorts was to inject a tad bit of fun into an incredibly limited assortment of menswear.
I for one, think we all can do with a little men’s fashion resurgence every once in a while (especially when that revival calls for more thigh and derrière). But since these revealing bottoms aren’t for every boy, perhaps the RompHim would serve as a better, less audacious choice. We still have a pretty long way to go when it comes to embracing the ever-changing landscape of men’s fashion, but right now, these two subversive articles of clothing appear to be steering our society in the right direction.
RompHim, US$119 TO US$139. Available from romphim.com.
Hologram City Lace Me Up Shorts, US$49. Available from hologramcity.bigcartel.com.
Main image: @hoza729
We Are Obsessed With These Negative Space Stars As An Inner Corner Eye Design
This one Instagram trend got us so excited; it had us seeing stars. Quite literally, in fact. And it looks so good on its creator Rocio Cervantes, we kinda want to re-create it for ourselves too. (Tutorial, yea or nay?)
Check out how negative space is once again brilliantly utilised in this mesmerising inner corner design:
It’s cute, and not too over-the-top and surprisingly easy to create as well. All you have to do is get yourself some tiny star stickers (like the colourful ones you get in primary school for a good grade), and stick it on the back of your hand a couple of times to take away some of the tackiness. When dealing with delicate areas such as the inner corners, it’s best to always be gentle.
Grab a pair of tweezers and position the star(s) where you want it to be. They don’t necessarily have to be in the inner corners of your eyes; they really can be anywhere — perhaps like the signature heart design on the cheek of Marina and the Diamonds. But since we already always dab in a shimmer shade in the inner corners of our eyes to brighten things up, a mini star that’s made using negative space could be part of the party too.
Pat on your desired powders after properly positioning your star sticker. Cervantes did go in first with a white eyeshadow so that colours placed after that will better pop, but you could very well just go in with a subtle highlight for a subtle inner corner star. Your looks don’t have to be as dramatic as hers, it could really just be a pretty everyday brown eye look, and the negative-space star will look just as beautiful.
And… that’s all there is to it! Told it was easy, didn’t we?
Difficulty level: 1/5
Header Image: @rocioceja_ IG
Lomography’s New Automat Cabo Verde is a Photo-Taking Gem That’s Pretty in Lime Green
The instant camera craze doesn’t seem to be dying out anytime soon. From Lomography’s new disposable “Simple Use Film Camera” to Fujifilm’s digital/instant hybrid SQ SQUARE 10, there are just so many choices for shutterbugs to choose from these days.
Lomography however is taking things a step further by revamping an old favourite – the one and only Lomo’Instant Automat. This classic photo-taking device, which made its debut a year ago, will be returning in a brand new lime green colourway that’s inspired by the volcanic coasts of Africa. It’ll be called the Automat Cabo Verde.
Sadly, that’s where the good stuff stops. Besides a funky new tropical design, there’s nothing really new to look forward to over here.
In terms of features, the Automat Cabo Verde is pretty much the same as the other Automat cameras – namely, the Magellan and the South Beach. It has a fully automatic shutter mode, a three-step zone-focusing system, and a range of quirky Colour Gel flash filters to play with.
Check out some sample photos below:
Not that Lomography fans would care anyway. This camera is as pretty as it gets, and the Automat is after all a great automatic camera that makes instant photography incredibly easy, especially for users who are new to film.
Right now, a single package of the Automat Cabo Verde is retailing for $235, but you can score the lens combo package for $275. Both packages are available at Lomography’s website.
For more information, visit microsites.lomography.com.
All images taken from Lomography.
NYLON Team Picks: Our Love For Liquid Lipsticks Knows No Bounds
We’re deep into this trend, and we’re not ashamed about it. Yes yes, Kylie Jenner might have a large part to do with it, but since liquid lipsticks entered the beauty realm and just about exploded in popularity, we’ve been hooked, reviewing all the different brands and their formulas out there. Sure, we have 5 of the same kinds of reds and maybe 10 of the same kinds of nudes, but as we said: we’re not ashamed. Here are our favourites.
Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Liquid Lip Potion in 330 Lethal Red
$46, available at the Estée Lauder store and counters
Shortly after I joined NYLON last year, I had the pleasure of being introduced to this lipstick when it unceremoniously landed in my hands – in the shade Lethal Red, no less – and long story short, I now own three shades of it. Being honest, I never think about my lipstick when I’m eating, so it was a nice surprise to find my lips still coloured when I checked my face after lunch. In addition to its resilience, it has a nice moisturising factor that aids my dry lips so I don’t have to keep reaching for my lip balm throughout the day. I’ve been told by some that the sweet vanilla scent puts them off as it makes them feel like they’re slathering liquid candy onto their lips, but it doesn’t bother me. In fact, I’ll probably add another shade to my collection soon.
– Patrene Mathieu, Designer
Kat Von D Beauty Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II
$31, available at Sephora and on sephora.sg
What I love about liquid lipsticks is that there’s an applicator, so you’ll never accidentally overdraw anything, while the formula spreads evenly. Also, most dry matte, which is all the rage these days. That does mean that they sometimes cause chapped or pruned up lips, but Kat Von D hasn’t failed me yet, and this shade happens to be a “terracotta nude” that feels edgy and natural all at once.
– Amelia Tan, Associate Editor
NYX Lip Lingerie in Bedtime Flirt
$20, available at NYX stores and Sephora
Meet my perfect nude – I love it so much, I wrote an entire piece on this shade. Last year, I couldn’t wait for this much-anticipated nude liquid lipstick range to hit local shelves, so I grabbed it from a CVS drugstore during a work trip to Los Angeles. Even there, stocks were running very low and there were only a few shades available, so I grabbed what looked to be the most flattering, without swatching it. Thankfully, Bedtime Flirt, a slightly red-toned pink, ended up being just the right kind of nude for me, and I’m quickly making my way through my first tube. Three standalone NYX stores – as of today, there’s a new one at Westgate! – have since opened here in Singapore, so I can easily stock up now – just that everyone else seems to think the same, as several shades seem to always be sold out.
– Tami Lai, Associate Editor
Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Mannequin
US$18, available at jeffreestarcosmetics.com
Those who know me will know that I absolutely adore and champion lipsticks by Jeffree Star Cosmetics. Sure, his packaging isn’t the most minimalist, but what better way to grab attention than a star-studded hot-pink component? Anyway, glossing past that — what you should be looking out for is really the formula of his liquid lipsticks. They are incredibly lightweight, so much that you hardly feel a thing on your lips. Swatch them, and you’ll realise that the formula is actually relatively runnier than most of brands. But the lipstick still go on so opaque, so matte, transfer-proof, non-streaky and non-drying at all. It’s mind-blowing. In fact, friends often mention that I’m so pampered by Jeffree’s lipsticks that some days my lips just can’t take mattes by other brands. I even have his campaign card stock tacked to the wall in the office, just because I truly do respect his products that much. It doesn’t hurt that he has a wonderful selection of bolds, nudes and mauves too. My all-time favourite is Mannequin, a cool-toned pinky-beige nude that goes really well with my skin tone.
– Chelsea Tang, Editorial Assistant
innisfree Real Fluid Rouge in No. 6
$20, available at innisfree stores.
I’ve only tried a few different brands of liquid lipsticks so far, so I wouldn’t say I have found the one I’m looking for. Based on my experience, the Colourpop Ultra Mattes are really drying that it almost feels like there is a thin layer of foil over my lips, which is not very comfortable to say the least. While the Kat Von D ones aren’t drying, I’ve noticed that the colour wears off into the day, leaving only the outline of my lips which is funny because people think I only used a lip liner.
So when Western formulas don’t really work for you, you know you can always turn to an Asian brand. I love Korean brands in particular because they thoroughly understand what women are looking out for – it has to be moisturising, long-lasting and does not transfer. The one I’m using is the Innisfree creamy tint lip mousse, which has unfortunately been discontinued – but the Real Fluid Rouge is a good enough replacement. What I like about it is that it stains the lips, fading into a natural red lip colour and I don’t have to constantly reapply the product. The formula also makes it easy to glide on. My only pet peeve with the product is that it smells really sweet, but that goes away after awhile.
– Phyllis Guo, Editorial Assistant
There's A Major Sale Happening at Percentile 2017 And You Won't Want to Miss It
The one word that has the power to get us to drop whatever we’re doing: SALE. Now, before you scramble to look for the dates and the details of the event, it is happening tomorrow so you can go ahead and heave a sigh of relief.
Percentile is a two-day event which will run from 3 to 4 June 2017, and they are back with its seventh edition of their annual shopping extravaganza with an outstanding lineup of vendors. This year, the theme of the mega sales event is “the Local”, featuring a diverse mix of 14 local labels including KAE HANA, Dona Plant Base, Yesah and AMOS ANANDA, just to name a few. Brands like Lazy Oaf, Dr. Denim and everyone’s favourite sneaker brand, Superga will be joining in the fun too! And we’re not just talking about small-scale sales that doesn’t really make a difference to the original price, we’re talking about 80% off everything from shoes, clothing to accessories! Do note that it is a cash-only event so be prepared to have some money on hand. Here’s a roundup of some of the brands participating in this year’s Percentile event:
Superga
Retail price: $120
Sale price: $70
Retail price: $129.90
Sale price: $60
Retail price: $199.90
Sale price: $30
Retail price: $199.90
Sale price: $30
Little Man
Retailer favourite, Little Man carries brands such as Publish, Obey, Grand Scheme and Sifr, and will be selling tees starting from $5, and Pointer shoes going for only $25 for the gents. Ladies can also look forward for brands like AL&ALICIA, Obey, Sessun and Publish Hers with everything priced under $50.
Actually
Snag some New Balance past season shoes for only $20 and get massive discounts on renowned street brands such as Dr. Denim and Lazy Oaf.
The Wyld Shop
Prices start at $5 and will be kept below $80. Present to them the following image to get an extra $10 off (min purchase $60). Offer is exclusive to theWYLDshop booth.
Yesah
Percentile 2017 is happening on 3-4 June 2017, from 11am-9pm at Actually Pop-up Store, Suntec North Wing, #01-477/478/479/480. Visit their Facebook page for more information: Percentilesg
Header image: Superga
GoDaddy's Website Builder Makes Web Development Easier Than Ever
It’s safe to say that we spend a good chunk of our days on the internet (heck, you must be on the internet right now if you’re reading this), and thanks to that level of ubiquity we tend to take it for granted — we kind of assume that everything on the web is simply…there, and often forget how difficult it is to actually create a functioning website. Unless you’re one of the dedicated few who’ve made the painstaking effort of educating themselves in the intricacies of web development, chances are that you just pick a cool-looking WordPress theme and call it a day…but what if we told you that you don’t have to watch hundreds of YouTube tutorials to make a decent website?
Enter: GoDaddy. You might not have heard of them before, but you’ve definitely seen their “product”: with 20% of the entire internet’s domain names registered under them, there’s a good chance that some of your favourite sites are hosted by them, or maybe you’ve watched one of their infamous ads before. And as some of those ads might have mentioned, hosting websites isn’t the only thing they do — they have a pretty sweet website designer as well, and while it’s not going to turn you into a full-fledged web developer overnight, it’s certainly a good place to start.
A Foolproof Interface
Creating an entire website from scratch can be an understandably daunting task, but thankfully the website builder does a good job of easing you into the process — you simply need to select the purpose of your site (personal profile, clothing store, etc) and it does all of the heavy lifting by creating a home page that includes all the components that usually come with such a page. If you aren’t satisfied with what you see, there are a few templates that you can choose from, so right from the get go you already have a fully functioning home page.
Perhaps the biggest thing going for the website builder is just how intuitive it is — want to change the text of a header? Just click on it, type out what you want, and it’ll change without you having to see a single CSS code, and the same goes for photos as well. There’s something very Apple-esque about the simplicity of it all, and really all you have to do is fill in the blanks until it looks like what you want it to be.
If you ever feel like your home page is missing something, adding a new section to it is just as easy: choose where in the page you want it to be, lick on the green arrow on the side to pick from a pretty extensive list that includes text boxes, video players and even food menus, and it’ll seamlessly integrate itself into the page’s architecture.
Make your website uniquely yours
Of course, all the good text in the world wouldn’t mean a thing if it wasn’t paired with images, and if you don’t have some of your own just yet, GoDaddy’s got you covered on that front as well. The builder comes with a respectable collection of royalty-free photos to get you started, and we should probably mention that there are also several font themes to help make your website a little more personalised.
Once you’re satisfied with your home page, it’s all a matter of creating a new page and going through the entire customisation process again for another section of the website, and continuing that until you end up with a complete website. One cool thing that warrants a mention is that whatever you create on the GoDaddy website builder automatically optimises for the mobile version of the site as well, which ensure that your pages look as good as on the phone as it does on a computer.
We could go on and on waxing lyrical about the GoDaddy website builder, but perhaps the best thing you could do is try it out for yourself — GoDaddy offers a free one month trial, and it costs $8.00 / month for a personal plan thereafter (and if you decide that you want to put your site up on the internet, we think we know somewhere that you can get a domain.) It’s almost a necessity to have to have an online presence in 2017, and if you don’t know where to start, this is certainly a good stepping stone to greater things.
sg.godaddy.com
WIN! We’re giving away 3 GoDaddy redemption codes for 1-year use of the Website Builder. Head to our Facebook for details!
The Alcohol-Free Toners That Your Skin Will Get Drunk On
Now, we hope you do at least have a facial cleanser to… y’know, rid of all the gunk (makeup or not) that has been marinating in your skin for the number of hours that you’ve been up and about. Something other than water, because water doesn’t have skin-cleansing ingredients to effectively strip away the unwelcome guests on your complexion. So yes, if you have part one, great! Time to kick things up just a teeny notch, because you know you want beautiful radiant skin that isn’t greasy and splotchy and an active minefield of acne.
Part two of skincare features the toner, a very wronged and overlooked product, simply because people aren’t sure of why exactly is there a need for additional hydrating liquids, when you can jump straight to moisturiser. What a toner does, is to replenish whatever moisture and nutrients that was removed during the cleansing process. Even the gentlest, most hydrating of cleansers require a toner step afterwards, preferably within three minutes after washing your face. (That’s actually when your skin is most primed to absorb hydrating liquids, fyi.) Plus, a toner also preps your skin for more effective absorption of serums and moisturisers, too.
And unless you have unbearably oily skin that needs some sort of drying agent in your skincare (ahem, alcohol), there really is no need for such harsh ingredients in your toner. A rule of thumb when it comes to skincare — it shouldn’t feel painful, nor have you frowning at your skin afterwards. These alcohol-free toners that we’ve picked out will leave your skin looking fresh, smooth and hydrated.
Hada Labo Hydrating Lotion
$18.32, available at major department stores, Watsons and Guardian stores.
Easily a gem from the drugstore that many can attest to. The OG formula is the one with the orange tab on the external sticker, and it works wonders for your complexion. There’s no colour and no fragrance to the product, and it goes on incredibly gentle on the skin. Lightly pat the toner in, and it’s going to get absorbed quickly, leaving a non-offensive tacky texture that will disappear in a jiffy. Your skin is going to feel hydrated and refreshed, especially after a good cleanse.
Kiehl’s Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner
$43, available at Kiehl’s stores and counters
Toners from Kiehl’s are already known to be both effective and gentle on the skin, so when the name of the product literally carries the phrase “alcohol-free” like a badge of honour, you can be sure that it’s going to have a formula that’s really mild. This one is made with the finest gentle herbal extracts for a natural and soothing effect with a gentle astringent effect.
Fresh Rose Floral Toner
$63, available at Sephora and sephora.sg
Rosewater has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that makes for great treatment for sensitive and inflamed skin. This toner delivers a quenching shot of moisture to your skin, leaving it cooled and prepped for upcoming serums and lotions.
Curel Sebum Trouble Care Lotion
$24.90, available at Watsons stores
Evidently, this toner is meant for folks that need help with sebum control. It doesn’t mean that folks with normal skin types can’t have a go at it. Just bear in mind that the product is going to be extra gentle, and extra effective when it comes to keeping facial oil production at a good level. We recommend using this on days when the hormonal breakouts hit, or just during particularly hot days where you find your skin feeling oilier than usual.
Dr. Jart PORE MEDIC Poreminish Mist
$46, available at Sephora and sephora.sg
As mentioned before, toner-mists work best for those who are nursing raw, angry acne on your complexion, where rough rubbing, patting or touching isn’t ideal. The solution? Spritz on a quick layer of this mist, and leave it to be absorbed into the skin. There you have it, and you don’t even have to come in contact with those irksome pimples.
Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Toner
$32, available at Sephora and sephora.sg
There’s a reason for aloe vera being one of the best natural ingredients out there for you skin — it’s very hydrating, and has anti-inflammatory properties that can cool and calm even the most sensitive of skins. With Mario Badescu being at the forefront for their pink powder spot solution, it’s likely that they’ll nail their toner as well, to keep skin moisturised and soft.
Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
$7.70, available at Guardian stores
Yay to botanical skincare! This particular formula effectively locks in moisture, and does not clog pores as well. It’s oil-free, alcohol-free (duh) and hypoallergenic with mild purifiers in it, so folks with sensitive skin might want to give this one a whirl — Neutrogena did promise that this toner isn’t going to cause any reactions on your skin as well.
Bring Out Your Inner Child With The New Vans x Peanuts Collection
When you think of entertainment in 2017, Peanuts isn’t exactly one of the first things that come to mind — we honestly can’t remember when was the last time we actually read one of their comics, but if the massive hype surrounding Uniqlo’s recent Kaws x Peanuts collection was any indication, it looks like there’s still some gas left in that proverbial tank. Throwback-inspired fashion has always had its place in the world of streetwear, anyway, so it’s no surprise that Charlie Brown and gang are now teaming up with Vans for a collection of not just footwear, but apparel as well.
This actually isn’t the first time the two brands have collaborated — it’s their third, in fact, and the clothes in particular really double down on the whole skateboarding motif that Vans is so well known for. The catalogue includes T-shirts and jumpers that feature Snoopy and Charlie brown cruising on skateboards along with a Woodstock pocket tee that rocks Vans’ signature checkerboard pattern, but the piece that we’re really digging is the coach jacket, which gives off some serious streetwear vibes with a cartoonish twist.
Of course, the star of the show is still the footwear — from character-centric Vans Classics to the Classic Slip Ons that put the entire Peanuts gang on display, there’s truly something for everyone here, and there are even some trendy sliders for those days where you want to rock a more casual vibe. And if all that still isn’t enough, there’s even an assortment of socks, caps and backpacks, so you could deck yourself in head to toe in Snoopy if you wanted to.
If you can’t wait to get your hands on these adorable pieces, here’s some good news to usher in the weekend: the Vans x Peanuts collection will be available from today onwards at all Vans stores and retailers, with prices ranging from $49 for a cap to $129 for a pair off Sk8-Hi’s. As is usually the case with collaborations, this is a limited edition run, so you better head down if you want to add a few surefire pieces to your streetwear ensemble.
Vans x Peanuts collection, $49 – $129, available now at Vans outlets and retailers.
vans.com.sg.
Take A Look At LORAC Cosmetics’ Timeless Beauty And The Beast Collection
Just when you thought the whole Beauty And The Beast fad was long over, and brands finally stopped shoving our faces with merchandise of all nature inspired by the classic Disney film… well, LORAC Cosmetics doesn’t care what you think. For someone that’s more than just a tad bit late to the game, the Los Angeles-based brand sure stepped in, pretty darn fashionably, with a whole collection of white gold-clad products ranging from eyeshadows to lipsticks.
Here, still your beating heart by ogling at this glorious… stuff:
According to LORAC, these products are in extremely limited quantities due to the “nature of the collaboration”. We’re not particularly sure what that means, but it does spell out the underlying message, loud and clear: These products are to-die-for. In fact, the lipstick set of five cream lippies is already OOS, and the collection just launched yesterday.
Eyeshadow Palette ($48)
What we are really enthralled by though, is the beautiful 16-colour eyeshadow palette that comes in the form of a chunky storybook. Open the Tale As Old As Time palette up, and you’ll be treated to a magical curation of warm and cool tones. The top half features a couple of demure blues and taupes, and the bottom half has the classic browns and rosy pinks.
Cheek Palette ($28)
The cheek palette features a selection of four entirely new shades of blushes and highlighters, from LORAC’s famed Color Source Buildable Blushes and Light Source Illuminating Highlighters. These colours are specially concocted, with inspiration from none other than the film’s iconic rose. Dust on the golden shimmer highlighter on the high points of your cheek, and you’ve got a winning Belle look down pat.
Lipstick Collection ($36)
Here, the said lipstick set that’s currently sold out (curses!). It’s not hard to see why it got snapped up in an instant — these lipstick colours are absolutely stunning, and right up our alley. There’s a bright, warm-toned red, two pinky hues, a true beige, and a milk-chocolate brown. And for just US$36!
Lip Gloss Collection ($34)
If you don’t mind lip glosses, the set of five sports identical shades from the lipstick collection. The intricate rose design on the tubes of these lip glosses look even more majestic than on the components of the bullet lipsticks. Layer these over a similar lipstick shade, and you’ll earn yourself an enviable princess-worthy pout.
All images from loraccosmetics.com. A parcel forwarding service might have to be readied for your items to be brought into Singapore.
You must be logged in to post a comment.