NYLON’s Holiday Beauty Gift Guide 2022: Starry, Starry Night

Dec 12, 2022

Call us starstruck! This year, more than a wealth of beauty brands have turned to the heavens for inspiration, with stars, constellations, and the ever-alluring moon featuring across limited-edition festive collections. Coincidence? We think not.

Wish upon a star for these dream-worthy collector’s items, of eyeshadow palettes and powders of celestial shimmer, and even iconic creams and candles dressed up to reflect the beautiful night sky — oh, and you can expect the packaging to match the wonder of the vast galaxies above us too. Here are the starry collections to keep you (and your friends) looking starry-eyed all through the festive period, and beyond.

L – R — CHANEL Beauty Éclat Lunaire Oversize Illuminating Face Powder, $118 | Dior Beauty 5 Couleurs Couture palettes, $113 each | NARS Rising Star Cheek Palette, $90 | Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Sky La Crème, $875.

CHANEL Beauty makes a glorious statement with the Éclat Lunaire Oversize Illuminating Face Powder, in a satiny hue that enhances one’s complexion, while also sculpting the contours of the face to give a nice lift; the surface of the powder is just as sculpted, with an imprint of CHANEL’s iconic N°5 on its moon-like surface. For Dior Beauty, they’ve transported us to the Château de La Colle Noire, Christian Dior’s holiday home, on a starlit winter’s night, with a pair of the 5 Couleurs Couture palettes, stamped with constellation patterns and in harmonious shades of either warm-toned hues with touches of gold, or silvery lavender and more mysterious cool tones.

NARS’ famous items have also arrived in star-studded packaging, and no doubt, we’re left mesmerised by this Rising Star Cheek Palette, of six flattering, limited-edition blush shades that blend effortlessly onto the skin, complete with a star-embossed design and similar black and gold inspiration on the outer packaging too. Then, there’s Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Sky collection and its pièce de résistance, the La Crème, dressed in bright blue and gold thanks to the vision of famed Parisian jeweller, Mr. Elie Top, and with the promise of a radiant complexion as well.

Above — shu uemura x Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Collection Moon Crisis Eye Palette, $135.

Moon Crisis, Make Up! Japanese brand shu uemura has joined forces with Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon to present a magical, limited-edition holiday beauty collection that honours the legendary princess. Across the collection, the silhouette of Sailor Moon, and that of her beloved cat Luna, feature in gold or mesmerising prismatic hue motifs against a backdrop inspired by a starry night in Tokyo, on galactic eyeshadows, a holographic highlighter, and more.
.
The most impressive item here would probably be the ‘moon crisis eye palette’, a full kit of 9 celestial eyeshadows housed within crescent-shaped packaging, with shades of gold, pink, and orange. It also includes a trio of exclusive seamless duo chrome shades, of shifting hues that literally transform in front of your eyes.

L – R — Guerlain Rouge G Festive Lipstick Case, $53 | Pat McGrath Celestial Nirvana MatteTrance Lipstick Duo, $89 | Dior Beauty Rouge Dior – Limited Edition, $63 | Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Sky Lipstick, $92.

Guerlain is on a journey to the stars with a holiday collection to match, and clearly, the Rouge G lipstick is the star of the show. Exquisitely engraved with delicate stars for the occasion across the gold case, you’re free to switch up the look of your current lipstick with the Festive Lipstick Case, which even has a little mirror that’s handy for touch-ups. Pat McGrath’s MatteTrance lipsticks, on the other hand, are a more feisty duo, as the British makeup artist gives us a provocative pair of couture-classic lip shades in a sleek neutral and powerful red, as part of their Celestial Nirvana collection.

We’re then back to more exquisite details with this limited edition Rouge Dior in front of us, where its bullet is delicately engraved with a map of the night sky. The refillable holiday exclusive is available in four shades created by Peter Philips himself, from a spellbinding rosewood to the iconic Rouge 999 red with a velvet finish. Another pick from Clé de Peau Beauté’s Radiant Sky collection would have to be their silky-matte lipstick, where we get to see Mr. Elie Top’s hand-drawn constellation art and night-sky motifs in full glory across the lipstick case.

L – R — Pat McGrath Celestial Nirvana Blush & Glow Duo, $118 | CHANEL Beauty LES 4 OMBRES Limited-Edition Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow, $103 | diptyque Set of 3 Holiday Scented Candles (70g), $205.

The reason why we’re blushin’ this holiday — Pat McGrath’s Blush & Glow Duo, where the reliable formulas of the Skin Fetish: Divine Blush and its gel-powder companion, the Skin Fetish: Sublime Skin Highlighter are given a divine makeover with Venusian-inspired aesthetics that’ll have you feel like a goddess. CHANEL’s LES 4 OMBRES eyeshadow palette is just as spellbinding in Ombres de Lune, a limited edition quad that combines copper, amber gold, satiny bronze and matte brown to add a twinkling shimmer to the eyes, each embossed with a symbol of the house.

Accompanying diptyque’s newly-launched boutique at Raffles City is their holiday collection inspired by starry skies in the winter night — and here are three limited-edition scented candles that capture the romance. Sapin has a woody accord that expresses notes of mountain pines; Neige is a soft scent that represents powdery, shimmery snow; while Étincelles is the spark of a warm wood fire blended with delicious notes of coffee and chocolate. The maison’s emblematic oval is surrounded by a map of the stars, as well as starry gold adornments that glow in the night when lit.

L – R — KVD Beauty Moongarden Eyeshadow Palette, $60 | 1028 Galaxy Eyeshadow 4-Pan Palette Infinity, $18.90 | This Works Sleep Club Set, $21.

A walk in the garden often feels romantic, though KVD Beauty’s interpretation, dreamt up by Global Director of Tattoo Artistry Miryam Lumpini, feels bold and loud. Expect 12 highly-pigmented smooth matte, glimmering satin, and creamy metallics shades in this unexpected palette that’s made for statement looks. If you’re shopping for a friend more inclined towards the opposite vibe though, this Galaxy Eyeshadow palette from Taiwanese brand 1028 captures the ethereal beauty of stars in a neutral-tone quartet of nude, milk tea and chestnut-brown shades that’ll take one from day-time to night-time makeup looks.

Since we’re talking about the midnight sky, we might as well recommend this budget-friendly set that anyone can appreciate. This Work’s pillow sprays will be a godsend to whoever you’re shopping for, and each of these 5 mini ones contain calming lavender, soothing vetivert and camomile for a good night’s sleep under the stars.

ALL ITEMS AVAILABLE AT THEIR RESPECTIVE BOUTIQUES, COUNTERS, AND ONLINE AT THE LINKS PROVIDED.

Carousell Is Encouraging Singaporeans To Make Buying Secondhand Our First Choice

Dec 12, 2022Dec 9, 2022

By now, Carousell needs no introduction. As one of the most popular homegrown marketplace platforms in Asia, one that facilitates the buying and selling of new and secondhand goods, it’s our go-to when selling pre-loved and pre-owned ware, and personally, a treasure trove for rare vintage pieces or items you’d love to splurge on without paying full price. Case in point: Rolex watches.

There’s a reason why we brought that up. The covetable Rolex watch, the AG06 (Yahama Channel Mixer), and Road Bikes are Singaporeans’ top three most searched keywords for secondhand items on the platform — an interesting insight revealed as part of the 10th Anniversary Edition of the Carousell Recommerce Index, their study of recommerce trends across Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

According to Carousell, fashion and hobby items, as well as home and furniture goods such as IKEA bookshelves and storage items, don’t fall far behind either when it comes to our nation’s collective interest too.

Singaporeans Are More Open To Buying Secondhand — And Here’s Why

All this makes for encouraging news: Singaporeans may be more open to buying secondhand than we might think. While we love a good deal — here’s looking at you 11/11 and 12/12 sales — there seems to be a general acceptance, and proliferation, of buying secondhand. As it stands, 1 in 3 Singaporeans are using Carousell every month.

Carousell certainly makes this process much easier with its user-friendly interface, while facilitating safe communication between buyers and sellers, an added comfort for first-time users. The stigma of buying and selling “used” items is a lot less these days, as we’ve noticed how quickly our listed office items get snapped up in a matter of days. Most sellers are often eager to declutter their home, while a skilled service provider may also be into repairing and refurbishing old items.

Then again, we can’t discount our price sensitive-nature too. A study conducted by iAB and Carousell Media Group revealed that Singaporeans topped the chart with 44% choosing “saving money” as their key motivation for buying secondhand. We’re sure you can relate — especially when it comes to, you know, Rolex watches. Other reasons for shopping secondhand include concerns about climate change and environmental impact as well.

Here are other key trends specific to Singapore and our favourite secondhand items:

Top 3 most popular categories (to sell): Fashion, Hobbies & Toys, Home & Furniture
Top 3 most popular categories (to browse): Fashion, Hobbies & Toys, Home & Furniture
Top 3 most searched keywords for secondhand items: Rolex, AG06 (Yahama Channel Mixer) and Road Bike

What Is Recommerce, And Why Is It Important For Sustainability

Recommerce, or reverse commerce, refers to the selling and buying of previously-owned products, including both new and used in condition. It’s also casually-termed as thrifting, or buying secondhand.

If you’re wondering what buying pre-loved has to do with sustainability, think of it this way. Take a ski jacket for instance, a perhaps lesser-worn item in your wardrobe but still a ‘want’ on your next winter holiday. By buying the pre-loved product secondhand, from a previous owner who might have just tossed it away, you’re single-handedly reducing potential waste and extending the life cycle of the garment. Bonus: it’ll be cheaper than a brand-new item too!

On a larger scale, the cost of production of water and energy that goes into making the item, or its environmental footprint, will also be reduced.

“We dream of a world where people instinctively sell their under-utilised items instead of letting them go to waste, and where others buy them as a first choice,” says Lucas, Marcus and Siu Rui, the co-founders of Carousell.

Carousell’s Impact On Sustainable, Secondhand Shopping

While the idea of thrifting isn’t new, the platform does make the movement easier and more accessible, by connecting willing buyers and sellers in an engaged community of like-minded individuals. Each transaction, big or small, helps extend the lifespan of items, be they clothes, furniture, or electronics.

The statistics in the Recommerce Index further reveal Carousell’s decade-worth impact on sustainable shopping. Over the past decade, Carousell users across Asia have extended the life cycle of millions of items, including: 76.8 million fashion items; 33.9 million electronics; 26.6 million hobby items and toys; 11.1 million home items and furniture; and 10.6 million babies & kids items.

To make it easier for us to understand, the report presents these in pretty fun illustrations. For one, if we take the total number of used fashion listings on Carousell, then every single person in Singapore can have at least 13 outfits in their (new or pre-loved) wardrobes. Additionally, assuming all used electronics listed are iPhone Xs, the total height of them all stacked together is the equivalent of over 23,500 times the height of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

The report covers data from 9 of the Carousell Group’s family of brands across the Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan markets — including Carousell, Cho Tot, Laku6, Mudah.my, OneKyat, One Shift, Ox Luxe, Ox Street, and Refash.

To drive the next decade of recommerce in the region, Carousell is currently working on additional user features and services that make buying secondhand items as trusted and convenient as buying brand new ones — we’re definitely staying tuned for these.

More from the Carousell Recommerce Index (10th anniversary edition), here.

Dyson Officially Introduces The Dyson Zone — An Active Noise-Cancelling and Air-Purifying Pair of Headphones

Dec 8, 2022Dec 8, 2022

Technology constantly evolves to better our way of life each day and as we now return to business as usual, despite the constant reminder of the still-present coronavirus, it’s not common to see big tech inventing new solutions for us to adapt to our new normal.

Since announcing the possible release of a pair of headphones that not only acts as an audio tool but also an air-purifying mask, Dyson has now officially unveiled the full details of their all-new active noise-cancelling and air-purifying headphones (after six years of research and development!) that are slated to go on sale in Singapore in March 2023.

THE DYSON ZONE

Borne out of Dyson’s 30 years of expertise in airflow, filtration, and motors technologies and a deep understanding of indoor and outdoor air quality, The Dyson Zone features compressors in each ear cup that draws air through the dual-layer filters to project two streams of purified air to your nose and mouth that is channeled through the non-contact detachable visor.

Electrostatic filters can capture 99% of particle pollution as small as 0.1 microns while K-Carbon, the potassium-enriched carbon filters, target prevalent acidic gases such as Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂).

In addition to the air-purifying uses, the headphones have also been engineered to deliver high fidelity, immersive audio with ultra-low distortion with a broad frequency range for clarity across bass, mids, and highs. It incorporates an additional microphone for phone calls, voice recording, and voice control and combines with the feed-forward ANC microphone to provide dual microphone beam forming, which creates greater clarity of voice transmission that allows the system to reject noise from behind and the sides.

The Dyson Zone ensures that you listen to your music in complete comfort too, ensuring that comfort elements such as the clamp force of the headband, the geometry, and materials of the detachable visor, and the adjustability of the product are thoroughly considered as every person has a different preference. This also includes the ear cushions which are purposefully flatter than conventional ear cushions and are angled to align with the ear for passive attenuation and optimal comfort.

The headphones provide several smart modes as well which include head detection which enters the product into standby mode when it’s not being worn, and conversation mode which stops purification and pauses music when the detachable visor has dipped. Powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries and USB-C charging, The Dyson Zone is able to offer up to 50 hours of audio-only run-time, or 4 hours of combined purification and audio run-time with a full charge in just 3 hours.

MYDYSON APP

Like Dyson in-home purifiers, The Dyson Zone provides actionable, understandable information about your environment at your fingertips to inform healthier habits. Using the MyDyson app, you will be able to monitor the air for NO2 levels with the onboard sensor and measure real-time environmental noise levels. An on-board accelerometer also lets you monitor your activity to adjust the purified airflow appropriately when in auto mode with the visor attached.

The MyDyson App can also be used to control The Dyson Zone to adjust airflow speed, noise cancellation modes as well as adapt the audio equalisation to your preference from three modes — Dyson EQ (enhanced), Bass Boost (bass heavy), and Neutral (flatter response curve). You can opt-in to loudness limit in line with aural health guidance to help you ensure the volume of your music stays at a healthy level.

The Dyson Zone is slated to be launched in the first quarter of 2023. Pricing and availability will be announced closer to the launch date. For more information on The Dyson Zone, click HERE.

All images courtesy of Dyson/Tom William Chapman.

Review: The Samsung Bespoke Jet with All-in-one Clean Station

Dec 7, 2022Jan 6, 2023

Singapore is dusty. And people drop hair — a lot of it. And this is exactly why Singaporean households need a vacuum — and not those small, handheld ones for the car, but proper sticks with strong suction power to really clean the floor comfortably and well. We’ve tried lots of models of vacuum cleaners and it’s safe to say that they’re not all equal. More often than not, you get what you pay for — and that’s certainly the case with Samsung’s Bespoke Jet.

The Bespoke Jet is a high quality vacuum with what Samsung calls, an “All-in-One Clean Station”, and this feature is really the highlight of the system. The station acts as a stand for the vacuum, so there’s a place to dock it neatly every time after it’s used, plus it charges the vacuum so you’ll never be out of juice. It looks sleek and fancy, and I love the Woody Green finish that the whole system comes in. There’s also a Misty White version for those who prefer their gadgets to blend in with the wall, and a new Midnight Blue shade that’s really chic and will perfectly match the Bespoke Refrigerator in the Glam Navy finish.

Above: The SAMSUNG BESPOKE JET in woody green

As you can see, it fits right in with the rest of my home decor, but more importantly, at the press of a button, the dust in the vacuum gets automatically sucked into the station’s dust bag. This is a more sanitary way to dispose of dust compared to the traditional manual method of emptying it out yourself. The All-in-One Clean Station uses “Air Pulse” technology to empty the vacuum’s dustbin, and this system captures 99.999% of fine dust (based on testing by SLG Prüf- und Zertifizierungs GmbH). The dust bag in the station is also anti-bacterial and inhibits 99.9% of bacteria growth, and really only needs to be replaced every 2 to 3 months when it becomes full (the Bespoke Jet comes with 1 dust bag installed, and 2 extra in the box). But of course how quickly it becomes full depends on individual household use, and I’ve actually tested this for a good 3 months and haven’t had to change it yet.

Above: The all-in-one clean station will empty the dustbin automatically at the touch of a button.

Every time I press that magic button and watch the vacuum’s dustbin get emptied, I’m both entertained and amazed. It’s pretty satisfying to watch the system at work, and I truly love that I don’t have to manually handle the dust. This is a godsend for those who are sensitive to dust or have allergies.

Above: the vacuum charges on the station.

The vacuum has four settings: MIN, MID, MAX and JET. On the lowest setting, the vacuum can run up to 60 minutes, and with the extra battery that this set comes with, you essentially have a clean time of up to 120 minutes! It’s uninterrupted cleaning bliss!

Above: the modes and the time left are conveniently displayed clearly on the vacuum.

On the JET setting, the vacuum gets really powerful; it’s Samsung’s most powerful vacuum cleaner with an advanced Digital Inverter Motor that delivers up to 210W of suction power. It can suck up pretty much anything I roll it over, especially dust at hard to reach areas.

Like any good vacuum set, this gadget comes with a variety of cleaning accessories. The main ones being the Slim Action Brush and the Jet Dual Brush; the latter having soft rollers that pick up large dust on all floor types. I use this on the carpet and it works wonders. It reaches deep into the carpet fibres to remove dust, dirt, hair and food dropped by the kids.

Above: The crevice and combination tools.

I also find myself reaching for the combination and crevice tool often; these are great for vacuuming the car and the sliding door sills.

All the tools fit nicely on the accessory cradle, which is included in the box set; this cradle can also connect to a power outlet to keep the extra battery charged.

Above: the accessory cradle houses all the tools neatly, and can charge the extra battery too when connected to a power source. I love the handle at the top of the cradle, which makes it really easy to carry this around.

My experience with the Bespoke Jet has been so good, that I plan to add on the Spray Spinning Sweeper, which is sold separately. It’s a Micro-Fibre mop with pads that automatically spin, and with a spray nozzle to release water from the attached water tank. It sounds and looks extremely useful and I imagine will easily replace my regular mop.

Above: the spray spinning sweeper that can be purchased separately. Photo taken from the samsung website.

The Samsung Bespoke Jet complete extra in Woody Green is priced at $1,519 and comes with 2 battery packs. The main brushes in this set include the slim action brush and the jet dual brush.

The Samsung Bespoke Jet complete in misty white is priced at $1,319 and comes with 1 battery pack. The main brushes in this set include the slim action brush and the jet dual brush.

The Samsung Bespoke Jet complete in midnight blue is priced at $1,369 and comes with 1 battery pack. The main brushes in this set include the slim action brush and the spray spinning sweeper.

Imaginary Ones’ Co-Founder Clement Chia On Their Meaningful NFT Collaboration With HUGO

Dec 7, 2022Dec 19, 2022

With the metaverse, NFTs and blockchain being all the rage these days, it’s easy for non-believers to dismiss them as the stuff of ‘crypto bros’ chasing after the next Rolex or Lamborghini. Well then, this collaboration is about to change your mind.

Fashion brand HUGO has teamed up with renowned Singapore-based Web 3.0 company, Imaginary Ones, for the launch of its first-ever NFT collection. All special edition, of course. The collection of 1,001 3D animations, entitled ‘Embrace Your Emotions (EYE)‘, will also be accompanied by a series of t-shirts that feature the artwork front and centre. What’s most impressive here, at least to us, is the message.

“Imaginary Ones has always been a strong advocate of bringing about positive vibes and encouraging people to be whoever they are,” says Clement Chia, co-founder of Imaginary Ones. “In this current society, we are always taught to hide our emotions. For example, we are often judged for feeling sad. And if HUGO and Imaginary Ones were to launch a collection, we wanted it to be meaningful. We wanted to inspire people to express their emotions freely and be their true authentic selves.”

This also marks the first Asia-born NFT project to land a long-term collaboration with an international fashion brand. For context, Imaginary Ones (IO) are quite a formidable force themselves; earlier this year, the company made headlines when its exclusive NFT drop 8,888 was sold out within minutes, making it the top SG NFT project in the world on the OpenSea digital marketplace.

Above — The HUGO x Imaginary Ones Legendary NFT: Love

Above — The HUGO x Imaginary Ones Legendary NFT: Sadness

Of the launch, there are six unique characters introduced in the ‘Legendary Ones’ series, each representing one of our everyday emotions: joy, sadness, fear, anger and love. Best seen in their animated forms, the feeling of sadness, for instance, is depicted via a crying raincloud, while Joy is almost the complete opposite, in radiant tones with bubbles and a literal sunny disposition as its face.

These are drawn in Imaginary Ones’ signature style, a spherical animation that Chia says he had been experimenting with since 8 years ago, which he describes as “something fun and colourful to look at”. The eye-catching aesthetics are both cute and effortlessly dynamic, while Chia likens them to building blocks that offer a world of colour and endless possibilities.

Above — The HUGO x Imaginary Ones ‘Imaginary HUGOs’ NFT: Love

Above — The HUGO x Imaginary Ones ‘Imaginary HUGOs’ NFT: Anger

For the rest of the collection, there are ‘Imaginary HUGOs’, of characters dressed in HUGO hoodies, jackets, bucket hats, sneakers and more, as a way of combining the aesthetics of the two brands. “As fashion is a strong way of expressing ourselves, this combination of our art with HUGO’s apparel pushed our shared purpose of raising awareness for mental wellness to greater heights.”

Ahead, we hear more from Chia about the groundbreaking NFT collaboration, and why he feels the metaverse has democratised the art scene.

How did the collaboration with HUGO come about?

Clement Chia (CC): “The collaboration came about in February. Both HUGO and Imaginary Ones had a strong synergy from the start. They love Imaginary Ones’ art and what it stands for — positivity through creativity. We continued the conversation over the next few months and felt that both brands shared the same values of bringing Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 worlds together to do good.

Imaginary Ones has always been a strong advocate of bringing about positive vibes and encouraging people to be whoever they are — to embrace themselves. So the ‘Embrace Your Emotions’ collection with HUGO was a natural first collaboration that embodied the shared values of both brands and carries an important message that is highly relevant, especially in this post-COVID world.”

[click on the images below to expand.]

What inspired the artwork and look of the 3D characters?

CC: “The message of Imaginary Ones (IO) has always been about positivity, which explains the beautiful colours that are portrayed in the collection. Also, the various characters that are in the collection are meant to represent different personalities and even different facets of each person.

The sphere animation is what I’ve been experimenting with for 8 years in my Instagram back then. This is where I created a lot of satisfying videos that revolved around spheres. When I created these different art pieces back then, it was to help me de-stress from day-to-day clients’ work. I also wanted to share that sense of serenity that I was portraying in my works.

So naturally, when I was looking to launch the Imaginary Ones collection, I wanted to bring this same aesthetic and make that a fundamental part of the Imaginary Ones’ design DNA. Therefore, the body was all made of spheres which I thought could represent the people of imaginary Ones.”

There seems to be a meaningful message here, with the desire to “create acceptance for one’s own emotions”. Why is having a message important to you?

CC: “In this current society, we are always taught to hide our emotions. For example, we are often judged for feeling sad. And if HUGO and Imaginary Ones were to launch a collection, we wanted it to be meaningful. We wanted to inspire people to express their emotions freely and be their true authentic selves — that’s why the HUGO x IO collection had a mix of characters’ emotions, which depicts how we should express our different emotions freely.”

[click on the images below to expand.]

What made you interested in the NFT space in the first place?

CC: “I have been investing in crypto since 2018 and have been amazed by how the technology has evolved. I strongly believe in blockchain / NFT technology as it has a vast potential to change the world. Since my co-founder David and I have been in the creative space running OFFSET (Motion Design Agency) and OFFEO (Online Video Maker) for close to a decade, we wanted to extend our expertise into the Web3 space.

You will see that IO has a style that is distinctly different from many other Web3 projects that are often very male-dominated. IO’s aesthetic aims to be much more inclusive and to reach different genders and demographics — males / females, parents / kids, and people of all ages.

Also back then, when I was buying NFTs, the culture was always about grinding in Discord / Twitter to get on the allowlist, which didn’t feel correct. I feel that everybody has life/work commitments, and I wanted to change the space. Therefore, most of our activities do not revolve around grinding on discord. We have healthy activities like going out for a walk, taking a selfie etc, to get an allowlist. I think IO has a very important role to play in Web3. We are more than just beautiful art or art with a message.

IO is about spreading positivity through our art and how we build our communities and engage with the world. Now is the right time for IO to start this movement because the Web3 space is still being shaped. We want to ensure that we create a positive space for everyone.”

Do you feel there’s a difference in creating art for the metaverse compared to other mediums — how so?

CC: “I feel the metaverse / Web3 has democratised the entire art scene. I’ve seen many artists make a better living in this space as people start noticing the art scene more. And people purchasing art through a more decentralised format that validates the art pieces are a huge plus.

The artists that made it during this massive shift in the space were those who had stuck to building a community even before NFT became a big thing. Artists must continue building the community around their art — with or without NFTs. NFTs are just a tool. The art and the community come first. “

More on the HUGO x Imaginary Ones collaboration here.

Brighten Up Your Winter Wardrobes With This UNIQLO x MARNI Collection

Dec 6, 2022Dec 6, 2022

Gearing up for a winter climate? UNIQLO is always a must-shop stop for anyone travelling overseas during the cooler months, and while we love the retailer for their functional, all-purpose wear, HEATTECH included, here’s an option for those who’d like to venture beyond the blacks, greys and blues.

UNIQLO has teamed up with MARNI for a series of comfy knit sweaters, dresses, vests and more brimming with colour and patterns, and yes, that includes a revamp of our classic HEATTECH tops and tights too.

MARNI’s signature playfulness and artistry comes through in this second-time collaboration, which aims to present “the joy of being wrapped up”, so it’s hard to miss the 60s-inspired psychedelic patterns and colour block graphics throughout the LifeWear apparel and accessories.

“Patterns continue to inform everyone’s idea of MARNI — as they sit at the core of our vocabulary and identify our graphic language. This time, though, we transposed those psychedelic patterns onto garments that unapologetically define the body, creating an enigmatic interplay of prints and anatomy that defines the silhouette,” said Francesco Risso, Creative Director at MARNI.

The collection eschews our typical perception of winter wear — going for the safe colours that will probably go with everything in our wardrobes — and invites us to have a little fun playing mix-and-match. After all, oversized silhouettes such as cocooning puffer jackets are already a winter staple, so why not play it less safe?

Then again, though certainly eclectic, the colours are well-matched, whether it’s a knit vest in green, pink and white, or down coats in either warm-toned chocolate and orange or shades of cool blue. These rich colours pop off the page, and are even nicer when viewed in person.

[click on the images below to expand.]

Stripes are also an easy way to incorporate prints into your wardrobe, and the collection gives us merino-blend knitted skirts, flared pants, sleeveless dresses, turtleneck sweaters, cardigans and scarves to pair with. As a play on proportion, the knitted dress and skirt see three types of horizontal striped patterns across their soft surfaces, as if they’re daring us to dress outside the box.

Another thing we can’t miss would be texture; the vests, sweaters and balaclavas feature a thick and cosy popcorn knit that’ll keep you warm from head to toe. Then, there are mittens and beanies in matching popcorn knit, while gloves, socks, and scarves — even a hooded version — arrive in cashmere and a subtle yet eye-catching mélange knit.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a UNIQLO winter collection without us mentioning HEATTECH. Fans of MARNI would love how they have livened up otherwise-standard innerwear, such that long-sleeved turtleneck t-shirts and leggings see either a colourblock, striped, square-like, or psychedelic print. Sure, these are meant to be layered underneath our other clothes, but you can have some of them peeking out of down or knit vests if you’re feeling adventurous.

The collection also includes 100% silk furoshiki scarves with hand-painted style patterns, great options that double, or should we say triple, up as an accessory, a cute bag, or gift wrap. When worn, you’re free to drape the scarf around the neck in multiple ways or use it as an accent piece in your hair. Another way to flaunt this versatile piece would be furoshiki-style gift wrapping, where one encloses the gift and creates a knot using the ends of the scarf.

See more of the collection here —

[click on the images below to expand, and for more info.]

The UNIQLO and MARNI Second Collection, available from 9 December 2022, Friday. Full collection available at Orchard Central Global Flagship Store, ION Orchard, Raffles City and online at UNIQLO.com.

CASETiFY teams up with Barbie for a collection of very pink tech accessories

Dec 5, 2022Dec 6, 2022

CASETiFY‘s first-ever collaboration with Barbie includes an incredible line-up of cases and accompanying accessories. The designs are seen on CASETiFY’s signature range of phone cases: Impact, Ultra Impact, Mirror, Bounce, Clear and Pillow Cases (this one can be personalised with a name or monogram in a Barbie typeface), and there’s a special Pin’It Case that allows users to attach their favourite Barbie charms to customise it and truly make it their own.

What’s also exciting is the collectible Silicone Purse Case with a built-in strap that resembles an actual Barbie doll bag.

Barbie fans can also look forward to accessories made for the iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel, AirPods and AirPods Pro, MagSafe wallets, Apple Watch bands, wireless chargers, Macbook, and iPad. Check out more designs below in the video and official pictures.

The Barbie x CASETiFY collection launches worldwide on CASETIFY.COM/CO-LAB, available for purchase online, in the CASETiFY Co-Lab app (available now in the App Store), and at CASETiFY Studio locations.

You can SIGN UP NOW for priority access to shop the collection at casetify.com, ahead of the launch on December 15, 2022.

New Hello Kitty kitchen and tableware to collect from NTUC FairPrice

Dec 4, 2022Dec 5, 2022

NTUC FairPrice has just launched an exclusive collection of Hello Kitty collectibles that can be redeemed through their Loyalty Programme. There’s ceramic dinnerware, a serving set, an adorable tea pot with accompanying glass cup, and even a Mahjong Set (this one is available from 1 Jan 2023).

Here’s how to buy these pieces: With every $30 spent in a single receipt in-store, shoppers get one Bonus Point. You can exchange 4 Bonus Points to purchase one of these products at a special price.

Here’s everything and their recommended retail price:

[Click on the images to enlarge.]

Here are the Bonus Points required and prices for redemption:

There’s also a 3D Cushion Blanket and 2-piece towel set that will be available at Cheers and FairPrice Xpress convenience stores.

For more information on this collaboration, visit WWW.FAIRPRICE.COM.SG/LOYALTY-PROGRAMME and CHEERS.COM.SG/HELLOKITTY.

Casio Baby-G and HARIBO Team Up to Release an Exclusive Watch Featuring the Iconic HARIBO Goldbears

Dec 1, 2022

Are you a fan of sweets especially those colourful gummy bears? Following their PUMA x HARIBO collection released last year, the German gummy candy producer returns in a new team-up with timepiece makers Casio Baby-G to release an exclusive watch design accented by the colours of their iconic Goldbear mascot.

The watch uses the petite Baby-G BG-169 model ($179) and features a colour change for the buttons and face of the timepiece to reflect the colours inspired by the HARIBO Goldbears. Look closely and you’ll find that the watch face has been decorated with silhouettes of the HARIBO Goldbears in red, orange, green and yellow to represent the raspberry, orange, apple and lemon flavours of the gummy bears.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE.]
.

A nice little surprise awaits you when you turn on the watch’s EL backlight as it displays a pattern of HARIBO Goldbears shapes in red against a bright blue backdrop that aligns with the fixed pattern on the surface. The watch is also made of matte semi-transparent resin to complement the design’s bright colours and recreate the same feeling you get when you hold or squish a gummy bear.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE.]
.

To make the watch even more special, a golden Goldbear icon has been printed on the band ring on the front and the Goldbear and HARIBO logos engraved on the back cover.

The HARIBO design of BG-169HRB is priced at $179 and will be available at all G-SHOCK stores as well as ONLINE from 2 December 2022. For more information, click HERE.

FENDI launches its first Home Décor & Lifestyle Accessories Collection

Dec 1, 2022Dec 1, 2022

FENDI has gone into the home and lifestyle category with a collection of accessories featuring the house’s codes and logos. There’s porcelain tableware, candle holders, boxes and trays, all made from carefully selected materials of high quality. The collection launches today in stores and online.

Above: Cashmere home textiles feature the FF logo in neutral colours.

Above: The O’Lock and FENDI Roma logo are reshaped into decorative patterns that adorn porcelain sets, boxes, trays, and candle holders.

Here’s a selection of our favourite items.

[Click on the images to enlarge.]

FENDI Home Décor & Lifestyle Accessories Collection is available in FENDI and FENDI Casa Boutiques worldwide and on Fendi.com from Dec 1st, 2022.

There’s a new Macallan Harmony whisky and this one’s inspired by coffee

Nov 30, 2022Dec 1, 2022

The Macallan’s Harmony Collection is a limited annual release series that’s driven by the brand’s curiosity, innovativeness and creative mindset; and with its first release, the “Rich Cacao”, the series has proven to be incredibly successful, with collectors buying up every bottle they can find. This year sees the second edition — Inspired by Intense Arabica.

Its aroma has notes of tiramisu, cappuccino, gingerbread, raisins, almonds, sweet oak and vanilla, while the palate includes similar flavours of espresso, dark chocolate, raisin, tiramisu, blackberry, vanilla, Brazil nut and sweet oak.

While the previous edition was based on chocolate, this second expression explores the world of coffee.

“To create the coffee-inspired second edition of The Harmony Collection, I sought out intense notes in The Macallan’s traditional sherry seasoned European oak casks that would offer the rich and satisfying elements of coffee, with the influence of sherry seasoned American oak casks adding sweeter and softer vanilla notes for a balanced and rounded experience.” says Steven Bremner, Whisky Maker, The Macallan.

And to pay homage to its coffee inspiration, the bottle is packaged in a presentation box that incorporates repurposed coffee bean husks, a by-product in the coffee-making process.

To celebrate this new release, The Macallan will be hosting an experience for both whisky and coffee fans to enjoy this new variant. The pop-up happens from 9-18 December 2022 at The Macallan Boutique at Raffles Hotel. You can register for it here.

The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica is priced at $288 and available at The Macallan Boutique at Raffles Hotel Singapore, The Macallan ONLINE BOUTIQUE and in selected premium retailers from December 2022.

teamLab’s New Interactive Digital Artwork at the Artscience Museum’s Future World Exhibition And MBS’ Digital Light Canvas

Nov 29, 2022Nov 29, 2022

Gone are the days of stuffy, static museum exhibits; thanks to the advent of advanced digital technology, we’ve been privy to immersive, interactive spaces that allow us to participate in the artwork itself, a concept made mainstream by Japan-founded art collective teamLab. And while tourists and Singaporeans alike may already be familiar with the existing exhibits at the ArtScience Museum, we’re here to tell you that there are refreshed new digital installations at Marina Bay Sands for you to check out.

With five large-scale digital installations across two spaces — the Future World: Where Art Meets Science, as well as Digital Light Canvas by teamLab at The Shoppes — this occasion marks the most extensive refresh since the series’ debut in 2016.

Unveiled just over the weekend, there are now three new interactive installations in a new gallery at Future World at the ArtScience Museum, called Exploring New Frontiers, which explores the skies as a source of inspiration. At the same time, these works bridge the gap between art, science and technology, bringing to life imaginary worlds that we can see, hear, and feel.

Autonomous Abstraction, Continuous Phenomena from the Universe to the Self. (photo credit: teamLab)

Graffiti Nature – Red List, Digital Light Canvas. (photo credit: teamLab)

Over at the Digital Light Canvas by teamLab, its first revamp sees a new artwork that explores nature and biodiversity, “whilst shining a light on endangered species,” said Honor Harger, Vice President of ArtScience Museum and Attractions. The work features flora and fauna from Southeast Asia, while visitors may also turn their creations into souvenirs such as t-shirts and tote bags.

At a press conference in Singapore during the unveiling of the new exhibits, Harger also elaborated on how these experiences offer a unique way to not just look at, but be part of the art, and the idea of connection between art and science, as well as technology with nature.

“We hope that by immersing themselves in the artworks with intention, understanding the complex and three-dimensional world with their bodies, and creating a new one with others, people visiting Future World and Digital Light Canvas by teamLab will be able to make new discoveries and develop new ways of perceiving the world,” said Toshiyuki Inoko, the founder of teamLab.

Read on for a look at each of the new installations.

Future World

Autonomous Abstraction, Continuous Phenomena from the Universe to the Self

Let your imagination take flight, starting with this curious exhibit that explores the observed behaviour of fireflies. The abstract colours are a reference to an unusual phenomenon found in nature, where fireflies are seen to be gathering in one place all by themselves, in a ‘spontaneous order’ or natural self-organisation that emerges from what seems like chaos. Within the artwork itself, points of light flicker and change in colour, almost randomly, while visitors may interact with the piece to cause points of light to disperse and gather at new points; you’ll then notice the lights seeming to synchronise in hue and rhythm when they’re closer together, which mimics the process seen in nature.

Aerial Climbing Through A Flock of Colored Birds

Here, you won’t be able to fly, but will still get the sensation of flying through a flock of birds as one physically navigates through a suspended structure of colourful horizontal bars. Each step influences the patterns of light, colour and sound within the space, where projections of flocks of birds are seen dancing and swooping in coordinated flight patterns. There’s a sense of adventure, exploration and freedom to this one.

Sketch Flight

As a companion piece to an earlier exhibit that dives under the sea, Sketch Flight is a similar concept where you get to draw and colour airplanes, hawks, and butterflies on paper, then scan these in and watch it appear across a colourful landscape of city buildings, sakura trees, and rainbows. An expansive digital screen takes up an entire wall of the space, while the idea of participating in an artwork, and getting your creative juices going, is always a fun experience. teamLab has also added a new interactive feature to the exhibit, allowing us to pilot our creations with a tablet, so you’ll really get to control your plane or animal as it’s soaring through the sky.

For more details on the artworks at Future World, please visit marinabaysands.com/museum/exhibitions/future-world.html.

Digital Light Canvas

graffiti nature

That wonderful dynamic LED floor at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is put to good use with this new artwork that runs wild with an entire digital ecosystem of plants and living creatures, which you may interactive with as they move freely around your feet. This time, these will also be drawings that you may scan and submit to join the collective art piece too, of endangered flowers, reptiles, insects and amphibians identified from the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These include the Siamese Crocodile, Cave Racer Snake, Southern Torrent Frog, Borneo Birdwing Butterfly and the Calypso Orchid.

sketch factory

As a fitting conclusion to a day of art and imagination, the Sketch Factory allows us to turn the same drawings of flora and fauna into functional souvenirs and personal memorabilia we can take home to remember the moments by. These include a tin badge, t-shirt, and tote bag, where you get to order on-the-spot at digital terminals, and watch your art come to life as they’re fabricated right at the designated space.

For more details on the artworks at Digital Light Canvas by teamLab, please visit marinabaysands.com/attractions/digital-light-canvas.html.

Tickets for Future World and Digital Light Canvas by teamLab are available for advance purchase at all Marina Bay Sands box offices and their website. Tickets are priced at $25 for adults (Singapore Resident), or $28 for a Standard Ticket; from $21 for a concession ticket, and from $76 for a family bundle.

From 26 November till 31 December 2022, visitors can also get tickets to both under a special promotional bundle at $28. Due to limited capacity, guests are strongly encouraged to pre- purchase tickets online prior to their visit.

Count Down to Christmas with these Edible Advent Calendars Featuring Lady M, T2 Tea and Thirsty Beer Shop

Nov 28, 2022

December is just a few days away and you know what that means — the Christmas season is here! While you go about your festive shopping, it would probably be a good idea to keep track of your days and count down till Christmas Day with an advent calendar so that you don’t get swept up in the last-minute rush.

Coveted beauty calendars aside, why not opt for an edible option that is just as surprising and fun? From coffee to chocolates and even beer, here are 10 F&B advent calendars already available that you can consider!

1. Lady M

Lady M Winter Wishes Advent Calendar, $99. (Image courtesy of Lady M)

Known for their whimsical packaging, Lady M is back with their Winter Wishes Advent Calendar, which is presented as a ring of surprises surrounding a keepsake snow globe that depicts a Lady M store within the New York City scape that shakes to reveal shimmering snow and stars. The calendar features 24 perforated pockets featuring exclusive Lady M Bon Bons, new fruity candies, as well as bite-sized treats which include Chocolate Marshmallows, Red Velvet Crunch, and Lady Madeleines.

Lady M Winter Wishes Advent Calendar ($99), available at Lady M boutiques and the Lady M online store.

2. Hook Coffee

Hook Coffee Advent Calendar 2022, $51.40. (Image courtesy of Hook Coffee)

Count down to Christmas with 24 coffees from Hook Coffee, with packaging that sees commissioned illustrations by ART:DIS. The advent calendar comes with unique coffees in drip coffee bags, a postcard, and a sticker set, and features crowd-favourite classic flavours as well as special edition Christmas coffees with its own unique tasting notes.

Hook Coffee Advent Calendar ($51.40), available at Hook Coffee’s hookcoffee.com.sg.

3. Janice Wong

Janice Wong Box of 25 Advent Calendar, $107. (Image courtesy of Janice Wong)

Get in the festive spirit with Janice Wong’s Box of 25 Advent Calendar! The calendar features 24 chocolate bon bon surprises for you to discover each day and ranges from classic flavours such as Caramel Popcorn, Bakkwa Chicken Praline Poprocks, and Kopi Coffee to the Christmas flavours Gingerbread Caramel and Peppermint.

Janice Wong Box of 25 Advent Calendar ($107), available at Janice Wong’s online storE. orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance.

4. Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer Advent Calendars, from $13.90. (Image courtesy of M&S)

Start the countdown to Christmas with treat-filled advent calendars from Marks & Spencer. Aimed at ensuring everyone in the family is able to get their own calendar, these M&S designs range from Dachshund Through the Snow ($39.90) with dog-shaped chocolates, to 24 Biscuits ’til Christmas ($39.90) with milk chocolate biscuit creams, and the Percy Pig Advent Calendar ($24.90) featuring Percy-shaped milk chocolate and gummies.

Marks & spencer Advent Calendars (from $13.90), available at M&S stores and on the M&S APP.

5. Nespresso

Nespresso Original and Vertuo Advent Calendars, from $50. (Image courtesy of Nespresso)

Whether as a gift to others or as something for yourself, the Nespresso Original ($50) and Vertuo ($60) Advent Calendars are perfect perk-me-ups and contain 24 coffees and a surprise gift for the last day. The featured flavours include favourites from the Nespresso permanent range as well as three that were co-created with Pierre Hermé, and presented in an exquisite box that has been designed to be reused afterwards.

Nespresso Original and Vertuo Advent Calendars (from $50), available at Nespresso boutiques and their online store.

6. Proof & Company

From left to right: That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar 2022, $199 and That Boutique-y Whisky Company Advent Calendar 2022, $315. (Image courtesy of Proof & Company)

Who says booze can’t be perfect for advent calendars too? Proof & Company are here to prove the naysayers wrong with their That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar 2022 ($199) and That Boutique-y Whisky Company Advent Calendar 2022 ($315). Each calendar comes with its unique selection of fruity and dry gins as well as whiskies such as Highland Single Malt, Blair Athol, and St. Thomas Blended Whisky for you to sample each day for the entire season.

That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar 2022 ($199), and That Boutique-y Whisky Company Advent Calendar 2022 ($315). Both advent calendars are available at ecproof.com.

7. T2 Tea

Tea Sip the future Hello Teabag Advent Calendar, $50. (Image courtesy of T2 Tea)

Besides coffee, here’s one for the tea lovers! T2 Tea’s Sip the future Hello Teabag/Loose Leaf Advent Calendar has the perfect selection for you to sip your way to Christmas. Choosing from either the teabag or loose leaf versions, each calendar comes with 24 flavours which include Earl Grey, New York Breakfast, Pumping Pomegranate, Strawberries & Cream, and Turmeric Ginger Ninja.

T2 Tea Sip the Future Hello Teabag and Loose Leaf Advent Calendars ($50), available at T2 Tea outlets and their official store.

8. Thirsty Beer Shop

Thirsty Jingle Beers Advent Calendar, $195. (Image courtesy of Thirsty Beer Shop)

The Thirsty Jingle Beers Advent Calendar is back for its eighth edition with 23 delicious beers and 1 juicy cider for 2022. The selection includes old favourites, new releases and limited seasonal which are all unique, small-batch brews from across the world. Each calendar also comes with a specially-designed Christmas drinking glass of a seemingly drunk polar bear wearing a cardboard box on its head. Fun!

Thirsty Jingle Beers Advent Calendar ($195), available at thirsty.com.sg.

9. Venchi

From left to right: Venchi Wooden Advent Calendar, $198 and Prestige Advent Calendar, $100. (Image courtesy of Venchi)

Being able to find a mini surprise and indulge in a piece of Venchi chocolate would make a special way to countdown the days until Christmas. You can choose either the Wooden Advent Calendar ($198), which pays tribute to a fairytale world in a book-shaped design with an assortment of 50 iconic Venchi chocolates hidden in small drawers, or the Prestige Advent Calendar ($100), which holds an assortment of 31 iconic Venchi chocolates.

Venchi Wooden Advent Calendar ($198) and Venchi Prestige Advent Calendar($100). Both calendars are available at Venchi outlets and online here.

10. Cadbury

Cadbury Chocolate Advent Calendar, $4.90. (Image courtesy of Cadbury Singapore)

Sweeten the countdown with Cadbury’s classic advent calendar, a budget-friendly option filled with 24 mini pieces of classic milk chocolates that are perfect for popping into your mouth any time of the day.

Cadbury Chocolate Advent Calendar ($4.90), available at all major supermarkets.

Header image courtesy of T2 Tea, Lady M, and Thirsty Beer Shop.

Cabriole, Hermès’ first fragrance for Children is alcohol-free and an ode to tenderness

Nov 25, 2022Nov 25, 2022

Hermès launches its very-first fragrance for children aged 3 and above. It’s housed in the brand’s iconic lantern bottle and includes delicate notes of fresh honeysuckle, tender Osmanthus, and noble sandalwood, and is meant to evoke the apricot-like scent of a child’s cheek. It is also alcohol-free and suitable for sensitive skin.

Christine Nagel, director of creation and olfactory heritage for Hermès Parfums created this fragrance and has this to say, “I sought to create a comforting and highly distinctive scented water that signifies the bond between parent and child. I wanted to make a digression, a joyful leap towards a new proposal. Deliberately moving away from orange blossom, I used Osmanthus and honeysuckle to express in a different way the great fondness I feel for childhood, a time of fearless experimentation and insatiable curiosity. This eau de senteur is an invitation to prolong this state of mind, made of play and freedom, for as long as possible.”

It’s an ode to tenderness, and perfect for the many parents who are already fans of the brand.

Hermès Cabriole is priced at $166 for 50ml and available at Hermès Liat Towers, Hermès Marina Bay Sands, Hermès Takashimaya, Takashimaya Department Store, Tangs Department Store and HERMES.COM.

Lazy Oaf and Lush collaborate for an exclusive range of laundrette-inspired cosmetics, clothing and homeware

Nov 24, 2022Nov 25, 2022

Our favourite British lifestyle brand has teamed up with our favourite British cosmetics retailer for a collection that’s full of fun and good smells. The concept from Lazy Oaf is to turn fans’ homes into the ultimate self care spaces with a 17-piece collection that includes cosmetics (made by Lush, of course!), homeware and accessories.

For this collaboration, Lush has brought back a classic from their archives, and two new “Showders” — a bubbling bath powder that creates softening suds, with packaging inspired by a classic laundry detergent box. There’s the Sleepy Showder that is scented with lavender, and the Intergalactic Showder with musky cedar wood and fresh peppermint.

We’ll also see Lazy Oaf’s signature Happy Sad and checkerboard patterns on classic Lush products such as bath bombs, soaps and bubble bars; plus there’s even a new fragrance that captures the essence of Lazy Oaf’s East London origins — a Lush X Lazy Body Spray that smells like an east end laundrette with puffs of lingering tobacco on low thread count sheets still warm from the dryer. Sounds both comforting and delightful at the same time.

And it’s not just special edition Lush bath products we’ll see from this collaboration; Lazy Oaf is stepping in with eight clothing and lifestyle pieces that are designed together with Lush, making it Lush’s first foray into fashion.

There are pyjama top and bottoms, white and blue checkerboard face cloths, a hand towel, a bath sheet, and a wash bag. These designs are so precious you might even want to do your own laundry — just not with the Showders though; leave that for bath time.

Lush X Lazy Oaf will be available from Thursday 24th November in selected Lush shops and online at LUSH.COM, as well as LAZYOAF.COM and in Lazy Oaf’s two London stores.

For the love of all things small: Assemble the Ultimate Travel Beauty Kit with these miniatures

Nov 24, 2022Nov 24, 2022

I’m not going to bore you with an unnecessary intro about how we all love to travel (we do!), and that our favourite destination (Japan!) has finally opened its doors to us. You’re here because you have a trip lined up and want to downsize your skincare and makeup kit, or you just really love small, travel-sized things. So let’s get right to it — here are the products to create the ultimate travel beauty kit!

SKINCARE

shu uemura cleansing oil individual sachets

I can’t live without my shu uemura cleansing oil and there’s really no real replacement to it. But I really don’t want to lug a big bottle of it overseas. I discovered that the brand has individual sachets — each packet is good for two uses. These sachets are really convenient and make it easy to plan how many to bring along depending on the length of your trip. They aren’t for sale, but you can head down to any shu uemura counter or boutique and ask nicely for samples. Even better if you are an existing customer (which you probably are!) and you take the opportunity to buy a bottle of your favourite cleanser, and then request for samples for your trip. You’ll probably get more.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum

This booster serum is, to me, the best skincare you can have on you when you travel. It soothes and calms skin and any inflammation, and can heal damaged skin as well. This makes it great for using on an airplane and in colder, dry climates like Japan. It’s wonderful that it comes in smaller sized bottles including 15ml ($33) and 30ml ($65). Find these at Sephora.sg.

clé de peau beauté Key Radiance Care Introductory Set (Softening)

This dream starter set includes all the best skincare from Japanese luxury beauty brand, clé de peau beauté. Once you try their Softening Cleansing Foam, it’s hard to want to use anything else to wash your face with (not to be confused with the shu uemura Cleansing Oil, which I use for removing makeup at the end of the day). This set also includes the incredible Protective Fortifying Cream and Intensive Fortifying Cream in 12g sizes — excellent for carry-on luggage, and perfect for wintry climates.

You can buy this set at $205 at all clé de peau beauté boutiques and counters, and at Sephora.

Fresh Color & Care Lip Trio

Every Christmas, I look forward to the limited edition skincare sets from Fresh Beauty. There’s always a value set with a range of lip treatments in smaller sizes that are perfect for travelling with. This year’s includes the classic Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy, the Rosé version that adds a hint of pink, and the Mint Rush that feels fresh and tingly. A full-sized Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy retails at $39 on Sephora; this trio set is priced at $43 — see, good value! It’s available from 20th October at fresh.com/sg.

Chanel No1 De Chanel Red Camellia Revitalizing Serum-In-Mist

A face mist is such a great skincare to bring along on an airplane or while travelling in dry climates like Japan. This mist is a light serum that can be used under or over makeup to refresh the skin and hydrate it when needed. It’s part of Chanel’s No1 line that is formulated with red camellia-derived ingredients, which prevent and correct signs of ageing,

Get it for $125 (50ml) from Chanel’s E-Shop at sg-eshop.chanel.com.

Gucci Baume Nourrissant Universel, Nourishing Balm

Multi-purpose items are always great for travel, and even better when they come in the most gorgeous of packaging. This is an unfragranced balm that can be used on skin, lips, hands, nails, cuticles, elbows and knees (basically everywhere except the eye area). It soothes and hydrates dry areas and leaves behind a comfortable feeling with its 100% natural-origin formula, which includes a highly concentrated blend of botanical and natural oils like Jojoba, Castor and Black Rose oils, as well as Shea Butter. Pop it in your bag and whip it out even if just to use the mirror to check your teeth.

$95, available at the new Gucci Beauty boutique at ION Orchard #B2-44/46.

Ultra Violette Glow & Go Trio Set (Holiday Limited Edition)

We especially love the holiday season because all the limited edition miniatures get released, like this set from Ultra Violette. It has our favourite Queen Screen and the lip balm in a new plummy shade. Once you try the texture of Ultra Violette’s Queen Screen sunscreen, you won’t want to use anything else.

It’s $58 on Sephora.sg and I suggest getting it now before it sells out.

MAKEUP

Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Soft Glam Eye Shadow Palette

The full-sized version of this palette is gorgeous; the colours are great for creating both natural and glamorous looks. The mini version ($51) has all the key shades adapted from the main palette, but in a good fun size. It’s just missing a brush, which is a small compromise I’d make for such a slim profile.

Sigma Beauty Essential Travel Brush Set

This incredible brush set has everything you need for a full face of makeup. The brushes have shorter handles and all fit beautifully into the sturdy brush cup included. Best of all, these brushes work as well as their standard-sized counterparts. It’s priced at US$86 and available on sigmabeauty.com.

Muji Portable Eyelash Curler

This lash curler is flat and easy to fit into any pouch and bring about. Also, it works really, really well; in fact better than traditional makeup artist brand eyelash curlers. Just check out our review of it here. Get this on Shopee for $7.30. Really good value for something that works so well.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Dip Clip-On Universal Lip Luminizer

How cute is this lip gloss? It’s in a little clip packaging that you can clip on to your clothes or bag and really take it anywhere with you with ease. We also love lip products from Fenty Beauty; they are hydrating and very flattering when worn. This one is in the popular shade, Fu$$Y, which works on all skin tones, the way Fenty made it to be.

Get it from Sephora.sg at $33.

BATH

Lush Bath Bombs

When I go on holiday with the kids, one little way I make it special is to bring along a few fantastic bath bombs from Lush. The kids absolutely love them! They smell great, are fun to watch when they bubble up in the bathtub, and most importantly, I can actually use them in a tub (we don’t have one at home in Singapore). Considering most households in Singapore don’t fit bathtubs into their bathrooms, the only time we really get to enjoy the Lush bath bombs are in a hotel.

For this upcoming trip, I’ve chosen Unicorn Poop ($17), Groovy Kind of Love ($18) and Peachy ($16)! These are all available at Lush stores and online at lushsg.com.

Aesop Arrival Travel Kit

This Aesop Travel Kit of classics is always on my list of travel beauty must-haves. It includes the brand’s best selling Shampoo, Conditioner, Rind Concentrate Body Balm and Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser — all of which smell fabulous. I like to bring the body balm along with me when I head out of the hotel; it’s excellent for hydrating and soothing dry skin, which tends to happen whenever I’m in Japan because the air is so much drier than in Singapore.

It’s available for US$36.92 (approx. SG$53) from net-a-porter.com.

Grown Alchemist Travel Kit

Here’s another incredible kit from NET-A-PORTER. The Grown Alchemist Travel Kit has all the bath essentials you need (shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body cream), plus some awesome extras: face wash, exfoliator, day cream and hand cream. The day cream in particular smells heavenly; it has Camellia and Rosehip Oils to hydrate and soothe, and absorbs readily into skin leaving behind a silky veil of moisture. The tubes are easy to bring around (pop them in your handbag or even pocket) and squeeze out on-the-go whenever and wherever you feel dry. Your skin will thank you for this.

We love that the Grown Alchemist kit also comes with a black travel pouch that fits everything (and more!) neatly inside. It’s really the icing on the cake in this package.

Priced at US$67.95 (approx. $96) on net-a-porter.com.

FRAGRANCE

DIOR Fragrances

Dior has some of the most beautiful fragrance bottles and scents, and fans of these products know that they come in various sizes. The larger 125ml bottles are for the home vanity table, but if you stock them in the 40ml sizes, you can easily bring them along for your trips. Our favourites are the scents “Lucky” (with Lily-of-the-Valley and white flower notes) and “Ambre Nuit” (an Oriental-Floral fragrance); both are best-sellers and will keep you smelling divine everywhere you go. The 40ml bottles are priced at $180 each and available from shop.dior.com.sg.

Something else to look forward to is Dior’s limited edition Fragrance Discovery Set ($335). It includes 10 of the brand’s iconic fragrances in 7.5ml formats, and is presented in a gorgeous keepsake box. It also just launched and we predict will sell out soon, so if you want it, don’t hesitate and buy it now.

This Works Choose Sleep Duo Spray

This is one of the best investments you can make for your trip; it’s a set of two products — a roll-on and a pillow spray. The roll-on is really useful when you’re in a crowd or place where bad smells abound. Quickly whip this out, roll it onto pulse points and breathe into your hands. It’ll help you not want to throw up from unsavoury scents (like body odour or garbage). The pillow spray is self-explanatory. Spritz onto your hotel pillow and it’ll smell good — which means better sleep. The Choose Sleep Duo Spray is priced at $22 and available from Sephora. Also, there’s a Christmas edition of this set that’s essentially the exact same products, but priced less at $18. Get it here.

You can also check out the Stress Check Mood Manager from the same brand. You can spray this onto clothes (not silk or leather), your skin or your surroundings. The scent will help you relax and ultimately improve your mood. It smells like a comforting spa — the good kind. Get it from Sephora at $29.

L – R — CHANEL Beauty Éclat Lunaire Oversize Illuminating Face Powder, $118 | Dior Beauty 5 Couleurs Couture palettes, $113 each | NARS Rising Star Cheek Palette, $90 | Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Sky La Crème, $875.

Above — shu uemura x Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Collection Moon Crisis Eye Palette, $135.

L – R — Guerlain Rouge G Festive Lipstick Case, $53 | Pat McGrath Celestial Nirvana MatteTrance Lipstick Duo, $89 | Dior Beauty Rouge Dior – Limited Edition, $63 | Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Sky Lipstick, $92.

L – R — Pat McGrath Celestial Nirvana Blush & Glow Duo, $118 | CHANEL Beauty LES 4 OMBRES Limited-Edition Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow, $103 | diptyque Set of 3 Holiday Scented Candles (70g), $205.

L – R — KVD Beauty Moongarden Eyeshadow Palette, $60 | 1028 Galaxy Eyeshadow 4-Pan Palette Infinity, $18.90 | This Works Sleep Club Set, $21.

ALL ITEMS AVAILABLE AT THEIR RESPECTIVE BOUTIQUES, COUNTERS, AND ONLINE AT THE LINKS PROVIDED.

Singaporeans Are More Open To Buying Secondhand — And Here’s Why

What Is Recommerce, And Why Is It Important For Sustainability

Carousell’s Impact On Sustainable, Secondhand Shopping

THE DYSON ZONE

MYDYSON APP

The Dyson Zone is slated to be launched in the first quarter of 2023. Pricing and availability will be announced closer to the launch date. For more information on The Dyson Zone, click HERE.

Above: The SAMSUNG BESPOKE JET in woody green

Above: The all-in-one clean station will empty the dustbin automatically at the touch of a button.

Above: the vacuum charges on the station.

Above: the modes and the time left are conveniently displayed clearly on the vacuum.

Above: The crevice and combination tools.

Above: the accessory cradle houses all the tools neatly, and can charge the extra battery too when connected to a power source. I love the handle at the top of the cradle, which makes it really easy to carry this around.

Above: the spray spinning sweeper that can be purchased separately. Photo taken from the samsung website.

The Samsung Bespoke Jet complete extra in Woody Green is priced at $1,519 and comes with 2 battery packs. The main brushes in this set include the slim action brush and the jet dual brush.

The Samsung Bespoke Jet complete in misty white is priced at $1,319 and comes with 1 battery pack. The main brushes in this set include the slim action brush and the jet dual brush.

The Samsung Bespoke Jet complete in midnight blue is priced at $1,369 and comes with 1 battery pack. The main brushes in this set include the slim action brush and the spray spinning sweeper.

How did the collaboration with HUGO come about?

[click on the images below to expand.]

What inspired the artwork and look of the 3D characters?

There seems to be a meaningful message here, with the desire to “create acceptance for one’s own emotions”. Why is having a message important to you?

[click on the images below to expand.]

What made you interested in the NFT space in the first place?

Do you feel there’s a difference in creating art for the metaverse compared to other mediums — how so?

[click on the images below to expand.]

[click on the images below to expand, and for more info.]

The Barbie x CASETiFY collection launches worldwide on CASETIFY.COM/CO-LAB, available for purchase online, in the CASETiFY Co-Lab app (available now in the App Store), and at CASETiFY Studio locations.

You can SIGN UP NOW for priority access to shop the collection at casetify.com, ahead of the launch on December 15, 2022.

[Click on the images to enlarge.]

For more information on this collaboration, visit WWW.FAIRPRICE.COM.SG/LOYALTY-PROGRAMME and CHEERS.COM.SG/HELLOKITTY.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE.] .

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE.] .

The HARIBO design of BG-169HRB is priced at $179 and will be available at all G-SHOCK stores as well as ONLINE from 2 December 2022. For more information, click HERE.

Above: Cashmere home textiles feature the FF logo in neutral colours.

Above: The O’Lock and FENDI Roma logo are reshaped into decorative patterns that adorn porcelain sets, boxes, trays, and candle holders.

[Click on the images to enlarge.]

FENDI Home Décor & Lifestyle Accessories Collection is available in FENDI and FENDI Casa Boutiques worldwide and on Fendi.com from Dec 1st, 2022.

The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica is priced at $288 and available at The Macallan Boutique at Raffles Hotel Singapore, The Macallan ONLINE BOUTIQUE and in selected premium retailers from December 2022.

Future World

Autonomous Abstraction, Continuous Phenomena from the Universe to the Self

Aerial Climbing Through A Flock of Colored Birds

Sketch Flight

Digital Light Canvas

graffiti nature

sketch factory

1. Lady M

Lady M Winter Wishes Advent Calendar ($99), available at Lady M boutiques and the Lady M online store.

2. Hook Coffee

Hook Coffee Advent Calendar ($51.40), available at Hook Coffee’s hookcoffee.com.sg.

3. Janice Wong

Janice Wong Box of 25 Advent Calendar ($107), available at Janice Wong’s online storE. orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance.

4. Marks & Spencer

Marks & spencer Advent Calendars (from $13.90), available at M&S stores and on the M&S APP.

5. Nespresso

Nespresso Original and Vertuo Advent Calendars (from $50), available at Nespresso boutiques and their online store.

6. Proof & Company

That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar 2022 ($199), and That Boutique-y Whisky Company Advent Calendar 2022 ($315). Both advent calendars are available at ecproof.com.

7. T2 Tea

T2 Tea Sip the Future Hello Teabag and Loose Leaf Advent Calendars ($50), available at T2 Tea outlets and their official store.

8. Thirsty Beer Shop

Thirsty Jingle Beers Advent Calendar ($195), available at thirsty.com.sg.

9. Venchi

Venchi Wooden Advent Calendar ($198) and Venchi Prestige Advent Calendar($100). Both calendars are available at Venchi outlets and online here.

10. Cadbury

Cadbury Chocolate Advent Calendar ($4.90), available at all major supermarkets.

Hermès Cabriole is priced at $166 for 50ml and available at Hermès Liat Towers, Hermès Marina Bay Sands, Hermès Takashimaya, Takashimaya Department Store, Tangs Department Store and HERMES.COM.

SKINCARE

shu uemura cleansing oil individual sachets

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum

clé de peau beauté Key Radiance Care Introductory Set (Softening)

Fresh Color & Care Lip Trio

Chanel No1 De Chanel Red Camellia Revitalizing Serum-In-Mist

Gucci Baume Nourrissant Universel, Nourishing Balm

Ultra Violette Glow & Go Trio Set (Holiday Limited Edition)

MAKEUP

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE.]
.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE.]
.