Givenchy presents an experimental Capsule Collection with (b).STROY

Nov 9, 2022Nov 10, 2022

For the upcoming Spring season, Givenchy Creative Director Matthew M. Williams builds on his friendship with New York-based underground brand (b).STROY to present a capsule collection that explores a shared love of fashion and contemporary art. The pieces feature experimental shapes and has a focus on expressing individual style. There are layered colours, distressed effects, funky graphics, all-over prints and a double-headed hoodie. Even Givenchy’s iconic boots and bags get an interesting makeover. Check out the campaign pics below.

The Givenchy x (b).STROY collaboration, from €150 to €5,550, available in selected Givenchy stores and on GIVENCHY.COM.

A Look At CHANEL Beauty’s Lunar-Inspired Holiday Makeup Collection

Nov 9, 2022Nov 10, 2022

The moon, and its mysterious, multi-facted aura, is the inspiration for CHANEL Beauty’s holiday makeup collection, which interplay shadow and light for a rich series of amber, red and gold shades. There’s definitely a stunning allure in play here, where the eyes, cheeks, lips and nails take on a celestial shimmer, while limited edition scented oils leave the skin glowing with golden and pearlescent particles, a subtle radiance that reminds us of a romantic night sky.

The full collection includes an exclusive oversized highlighting powder, their iconic Les 4 Ombres eyeshadow quad, a dreamy multi-use eye gloss, new shades of the Rouge Allure L’Extrait and Rouge Allure Lacque, as well as deep-toned nail polishes and two scented body oils.

THE COLLECTION

Of these, we’re definitely getting our hands on 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.

Then, there’s the LES 4 OMBRES in Ombres de Lune, a limited edition palette that combines copper, amber gold, satiny bronze and matte brown to add a twinkling shimmer to the eyes. Each of the four eyeshadows is embossed with a symbol of the House, including the shape of the No5 bottle, the double C monogram and the texture of the moon’s surface.

To further that subtly iridescent holiday moment, look to the DUO LUMIÈRE eye gloss, a transparent gel with gold and copper sparkles, which can be placed on the brow bone and across the lids to bring both depth and radiance to your look.

Three nail polishes and some classic lipsticks complete the collection. The high-intensity ROUGE ALLURE L’EXTRAIT, for instance, arrives in holiday hues of a luminous, orangey red, a warm brown, a brownish rosewood, and a cherry red; while the more luminous ROUGE ALLURE LAQUE liquid lipstick offers up shades of burnished rosewood and striking, shimmery burgundy red.

COCO MADEMOISELLE GEL D’OR BODY OIL ; N5 L’HUILE D’OR. $172 (250ml) each.

And while the moon may be the main inspiration for the rest of the collection, CHANEL looks to the stars for this duo of limited edition products, each scented with the house’s signature scents, of the Coco Mademoiselle and N°5, respectively. The former is an iridescent water-based gel that melts right into the skin upon application, while the latter is a richer body oil of pearlescent gold sparkles; either way, expect nuanced shimmer as well as fresh-looking, hydrated skin.

See the full holiday collection here:

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

Available at CHANEL Fragrance and Beauty boutiques and counters, and online at the CHANEL Fragrance and Beauty E-Shop.

Experience Glamping, Carnival Games and Rides, and More at Changi Airport’s Changi Festive Village

Nov 9, 2022Nov 9, 2022

As the festive season begins, it is a good time to start filling your calendar with exciting things to do and experience together with friends and family. And, even though you might not have plans to leave the country, there’s still fun to be had at Changi Airport.

The annual Changi Festive Village at Changi Airport and Jewel Changi Airport is back with over 30 indoor rides, game booths, glamping experiences, and photo opportunities that take you on an adventure across three time periods. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect.

T3 UNDERGROUND CARNIVAL AT CHANGI AIRPORT

Travel through the past, present, and future at the T3 Underground Carnival starting with a blast into the past at The Great World (Basement 2 Carpark 3A) where you will find a recreation of the beloved Tua Seh Kai Great World Amusement Park with nostalgic carnival games and rides, heritage photo zones, and a ‘mama shop’ selling old school snacks.

Plus, don’t miss the opportunity to take photos at the World of Jellyfish, a first-in-Singapore installation featuring luminescent floating jellyfish!

After, head on over to The Modern World at Basement 2 to test your aim, strength, and luck to win big plushies at various game booths such as the King Hammer strongman challenge, Ball the Clown ball toss, and the 3D shooting gallery.

Wrap up your experience at The Future World in Basement 3 where you can bump and dodge your friends at the Wonder Wheels bumper car attraction and compete against one another at the Dino Kart 3.0 circuit, which has been upgraded to feature neon lights, electrifying beats, and views of iconic Singapore sights.

Date: 4 November 2022 to 2 April 2023
Time: 5.30pm to 9.30pm (weekdays), 12pm to 10pm (weekends, school holidays, and public holidays)
Admission Fee: From $10

Credits for the carnival can be purchased through the ICHANGI APP or with a physical carnival card available from the ticketing booths at the T3 Underground Carnival.

GLAMPCATION AND GLAMPICNIC AT JEWEL CHANGI AIRPORT

If you’ve ever wanted to stay the night with a breathtaking view of the HSBC Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport, this might be the Glampcation you’re looking for. Each marine-themed tent accommodates up to four guests and comes with limited edition festive merchandise, T3 Underground Carnival credits, and four tickets to River Wonders at the Singapore Zoo.

Those who prefer a simple get-together in the day can opt for a Glampicnic which comes with limited edition festive merchandise, a pair of tickets to River Wonders at Singapore Zoo, and a glamp tent that accommodates up to six guests adorned with holiday decorations and tables laid with intricate centrepieces and dining ware.

To supplement the complimentary tea party set provided, you can bring your own picnic basket or use the discount code to pre-order from Changi Eats, Changi Airport’s food delivery service, where you can mix and match your favourite food and drinks from a wide selection of dining options at Jewel and Changi.

Glampcation

Period: 5 November 2022 to 1 January 2023
Duration: 6pm to 10am (next day)
Price: $400 (Monday to Thursday), $450 (Friday to Sunday, Public Holiday, Public Holiday Eve)

Glampicnic

Period: 5 November 2022 to 1 January 2023
Duration: 12pm to 4pm
Price: $200 (Monday to Thursday), $225 (Friday to Sunday, Public Holiday, Public Holiday Eve)

Bookings for both the Glampcation and the Glampicnic can be made through the ICHANGI APP.

CHANGI EXPERIENCE STUDIO’S ‘A NIGHT AT THE AIRPORT’ CAMP

Packed with new activities, the popular overnight camp promises lots of fun and excitement to celebrate the festive holidays with family. Inspired by the theme of sustainability, the camp will include exciting, amazing race-style quests around the airport to learn about its sustainability efforts and other fun facts.

Families can also expect to create eco-friendly ornaments using recycled items, play airport-themed games and end the day with a one-of-a-kind sleepover within Changi Experience Studio.

Camp period: 19 November to 23 December 2023
Duration: 9am to 8am (next day)
Price: $78 (adult), $88 (child)

Bookings for the Changi Experience Studio’s A Night at the Airport camp can be made through the ICHANGI APP.

Changi Festive Village at Changi Airport and Jewel Changi Airport runs from 4 November 2022. For more information, click HERE.

Gucci Beauty Opens Its First-Ever Boutique In Singapore — Here’s What’s On Our Shopping List

Nov 5, 2022Nov 5, 2022

We’ve been enamoured with anything and everything Gucci Beauty since the relaunch of their cosmetics line in 2019, with good reason too. House creative director Alessandro Michele has imbued the collection with his signature eclectic point of view, while the lipsticks, eyeshadow palettes and more give off plenty of Old Hollywood vintage flair.

Having a Gucci Beauty item on your vanity table feels like you’re owning a work of art — and it’s about time they take this aesthetic to a whole new level, starting with the brand’s first-ever boutique in Singapore. The store, now at ION Orchard, offers Gucci Beauty makeup, alongside the House’s women’s and men’s fragrance collections.

A very “Gucci” point of view

As we’d expect, every corner of the Gucci Beauty store is distinctly Gucci, where the design codes we see throughout the makeup series are translated across the furniture and fixtures.

Floral prints and glamorous finishings reign free here across makeup counters and displays, as does that particular pale pink colourway we’ve come to associate Gucci Beauty with. Italian-made Gucci chairs give a luxe feel to the boutique, as these are upholstered with floral motif fabrics and a pretty pink fringe trim. Combined with cherry-red wood floors and luminous mirrored tiles, think of this as a space that fully embodies the aesthetics of the brand.

Speaking of the latest innovations, there are certain digital elements that make this a store of the modern world. Video walls highlight the latest products and innovations, and throughout the store, you’ll notice QR codes and interactive screens that allow us to enjoy one-of-a-kind Gucci games and applications.

This includes Virtual Try-Ons right at the beauty counter, which allows you to test out lipstick shades or eyeshadow looks without the hassle of going through every one of their colours. Those new to makeup would also appreciate an interactive screen that determines an ideal beauty routine based on answering a series of questions on your skin type and preferences.

Exclusive experiences — a fragrance bar, and personalisation services

With a store to call their own, Gucci Beauty is keen on making the space as cosy as can be, starting with an interactive Fragrance Bar. Here, you get to discover the various perfumes, including the popular Gucci Bloom and Gucci Flora series, via smart technology and digital screens. Simply pick up the fragrance you’re interested in, and set it down at a designated space to learn more about its olfactory notes, ingredients, and the intriguing creation of each scent.

For those possessive about their beauty products — which we totally get — or want something special to call your own, the Gucci Beauty boutique will offer personalisation services as well. Available very soon, an engraving service allows for customers to have their monograms engraved on their favourite beauty products, fragrances bottles included, while an embroidery service gives us more customisation options for, say, your makeup pouch.

The Alchemist’s Garden Collection

With the opening of the Gucci Beauty boutique, we finally get a chance to look at the full range of fragrances within the exquisite The Alchemist’s Garden collection. A high-end and luxurious series of scents, each of these have been created by Alessandro Michele and master perfumer Alberto Morillas, who were inspired by the science of alchemy that had influenced the time-honoured art of fragrance-making.

The range includes eaux de parfum, fragrance oils, and acque profumate. Each of the EDPs champion a hero ingredient — either rose, oud, amber, violet, woods, iris or mimosa — and tell the story of a place, moment or memory; they’re housed in lacquered glass bottles and a porcelain jar that feature whimsical illustrations.

Most excitingly, a new design concept is also introduced in the Singapore boutique. We are the first in the world to feature a newly-conceptualised display design of a round counter topped with a fragrance layering wheel, which holds the pretty fragrances and their matching blotters. A Gucci Beauty fragrance expert will also be on hand to guide us on how best to layer the perfumes in order to create our own signature scent.

OUR SHOPPING LIST

If you’re new to the brand, or have always wondered about the absolute must-have Gucci Beauty items, we’ve got a couple of tried-and-tested recommendations. The Fluide De Beauté Fini Naturel liquid foundation is one of our top picks for the way it creates a beautiful, smooth semi-matte base, while you can’t go wrong with one of their vintage-inspired lipsticks, whether it’s the Rouge à Lèvres Voile Sheer Lipstick or the intensely-pigmented Rouge à Lèvres Liquide Mat Lip Colour. Be sure to check them out the next time you’re headed to the boutique!

[click on the images below to expand.]

The Gucci Beauty boutique, located at ION Orchard, #B2-44/46.

Be Your Own BOSS with the new BOSS Bottled Parfum, feat. Dharni, Lennard, James, Ayden and Edward

Nov 3, 2022Nov 3, 2022

Every once in a while, a new scent arrives to astound us, both in its alluring scent profile and in the strength of what it stands for. Conveying boldness, charisma, and confidence, the new BOSS Bottled Parfum is every bit as commanding as it sounds, thanks to its intense woody-ambery notes housed in a sexy smoky-black flacon. Swag, drip, however your generation would describe it, this one’s got it.

Those familiar with the BOSS Parfums series will definitely recognise its iconic bottle, though this latest fragrance, co-created by noses Annick Ménardo and Suzy Le Helley, embodies an exceptional richness that’s sees the scent at its highest concentration yet.

Compared to the EDPs and EDTs, the Parfum version leans towards sophistication and warmth — the top notes are invitingly zesty and spicy, before leading into a heart of orris concrete and a fig tree root accord. What lingers most on the skin though are the woody base notes, comprising of cedarwood and leather for a calming warmness.

Beyond its scent profile though, the BOSS Bottled Parfum also makes for a bold statement, that of being one’s own boss. In a global campaign that stars Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth, we hear about how the scent is inspired by ideas of writing one’s own rules and finding one’s true purpose in life, surely, ideals we’d love to live by.

Here in Singapore, we’ve narrowed down five men who embody the values of this masculine scent, from Mediacorp actors to a chef, radio DJ, and globally-renowned beatboxer. Ahead, they share their definition of being a boss, and how that resonates with the BOSS Bottled Parfum.

Photographed by @ADELE__CHAN using @LEICASTORESG.
Makeup by @GINGERLYNETTE using @FENTYBEAUTY.
Hair by @_XTIANO_ using @GOLDWELLSG.
Styled by @ANGELA_WK.
outfits by @BOSS.

AYDEN SNG (@aydenzs)
Actor, Mediacorp Artiste

Daring and relentless. These are the words picked out by actor Ayden Sng to describe a boss, and definitely qualities he lives by as well. Known for his leading role in Mediacorp Channel 8 drama Loving You (2020), you might be surprised to know that this gig came just seven months after he had decided to leave his job at a consulting firm to pursue a showbiz career. A bold move, and one that seems to be working out just fine for the leading man. He talks about being “unapologetic of walking your own course”, where the BOSS fragrance’s masculine scent conveys the charisma and strength fit for this purpose. Fun fact: he’s also passionate about playing the erhu (watch him play a cover of BTS’ ‘Butter’ here).

DHARNI (@dharni)
Musician / Beatboxer

“A boss is the beat that always drives me forward.” These are the inspiring words uttered by talented musician Dharni, in a campaign video posted on his TikTok page. And we do mean talented — instead of tinkering on keys or playing a guitar, Dharni’s instrument is his mouth, which he flexes with great confidence, layering on slick beats and percussion sounds with unfathomable precision. On set, Dharni is just as comfortable in front of the camera, moving with as much dynamism as he does with his music. Mind you, we’re in the presence of a two-time world champion of the prestigious Grand Beatbox Battle Championship here, while the accomplished man is also keen on paying it forward, having established World Beatbox Camp (now known as SBX Camp), the first international educational event of its kind. He likens the BOSS Bottled Parfum’s richness and texture to his mesmerising rhythm, flow, tempo, and determination.

EDWARD RUSSELL (@edrussell)
TV and Radio Presenter

There’s a reason why this face looks familiar — you’ve probably seen him on television, as he had spent seven years being a full-time presenter on Fox Sports, before stepping into the studio as a radio DJ and being the voice that accompanies you on your afternoon drives, as he currently helms his own show on Class 95, Afternoons with Edward Russell. The English-Singaporean talent shared that being a host had always been a dream of his, one that he’s harboured since he was a kid, as he recalls putting on shows behind a makeshift news desk and in front of his family. Later in life, Edward took the leap from being a model to acting, and finally, his dream job, hosting, despite self-doubt and setbacks along the way. It’s this hard-earned resolve that he attributes to being a boss; the idea of not letting anything stand in the way of achieving one’s dreams, one that he wholeheartedly believes in as he dons this unapologetic scent.

JAMES SEAH (@jamesseah)
Actor, Mediacorp Artiste

A man of confidence, James Seah walks into the room like he owns it, so pretty much like a boss then. His definition of one is someone who “breaks boundaries and shatters limits”, alluding to the power an individual has to forge their own path. The prolific actor has snagged many, many roles since he made his break into the industry after joining talent competition Star Search in 2010. He comfortably takes on both English- and Mandarin-speaking roles as well — notable ones include Kwong Weng in Mata Mata, Lu Jiahao in multi-season police procedural series C.L.I.F, and Chris Tong in the long-running Channel 5 drama Tanglin. To him, BOSS’ latest scent embodies the same kind of power and confidence he takes on throughout his career and everyday life.

LENNARD YEONG (@lennardy)
Chef

What’s it like to turn a hobby into a full-time job? Self-taught chef Lennard Yeong would certainly be familiar with that, after making a risky career switch from the “safe choice” of engineering, to his current role as an in-house chef at Miele Singapore. Though blessed with good looks and an ever-growing following on social media, the man is humble when talking about his culinary skills, though a peek at his multiple cooking videos, often of Japanese- and Asian-inspired cuisine, shows that he isn’t shy about his unyielding passion for food and the art of its creation. A finalist of the 2015 edition of prestigious cooking competition Masterchef Asia, Lennard relates to the boldness of being a boss, as he talks about his out-of-one’s-comfort zone decision to pursue food and cooking, calling it a path less travelled, but a necessary one.

BOSS Bottled Parfum, $165 (100ml) and $130 (50ml). Available at leading department stores, Sephora, and LazMall Prestige.

Nespresso Teams Up with Pierre Hermé For Festive Coffees and Accessories

Nov 3, 2022

Nothing brightens our mornings more than a cup of coffee, and to kick off the festive season, we’ve got Nespresso teaming up with world-renowned pastry chef and chocolatier Pierre Hermé for a special capsule collection. Inspired by Paris, this is an indulgent series of rich notes from the selection of coffee roasts.

The collection will feature the following coffee blends in the Original and Vertuo ranges:

- Infiniment Double Espresso (from $1 per capsule): Arabica beans with vibrant red fruit and smooth cereal notes for an impressive depth of flavour and elegant mouthfeel
- Infiniment Gourmand Saveur Noisette (from $1 per capsule): Crafted from sweet South American Arabica beans featuring the aroma of roasted hazelnuts and sweet top notes of almond biscotti and vanilla
- Infiniment Fruité Saveur Framboise (from $1 per capsule): Features the tartness of the raspberry flavour juxtaposed with the smooth cereal notes from its Latin American and African Arabicas

To complement the coffees, there are festive gift ideas too, such as The Café Noble Scented Candle ($65), imagined in collaboration with Pierre Hermé and master French perfumer Olivia Giacobetti, and housed in a reusable porcelain vessel while emitting notes of cinnamon, vanilla, spice and a robust Arabica bean when lighted.

This season also sees Original ($50) and Vertuo ($60) Advent Calendars, containing 24 coffees and a surprise gift for the last day. These feature the three co-created Nespresso and Pierre Hermé coffees, as well as favourites from the Nespresso permanent range, offering you a different coffee surprise behind each door in an exquisite box designed to be reused afterwards.

Besides the co-created collection, Nespresso offers up other gift options that include limited-edition coffee machines such as the Vertuo Next (from $338) machine in shiny Silver which will launch on 11 November, the Nomad Travel Mug ($30) in a Raspberry colour and the exclusive RecyClay espresso cup made from recycled materials (only available at Nespresso’s ION boutique).

The limited edition Nespresso and Pierre Hermé collection will arrive in Nespresso boutiques in Singapore and ONLINE on 3 November.

Dior Beauty Enchants With A Holiday 2022 Collection Inspired By A Starlit Winter Night

Nov 2, 2022Nov 2, 2022

A starry, starry night, according to Dior Beauty. This enchanting theme is seen across the house’s much-anticipated holiday collection, with Rouge Dior lipsticks, eyeshadow palettes, and boxes of midnight blue and gold that transport us to the Château de La Colle Noire on a starlit winter’s night.

“La Colle Noire was Christian Dior’s home away from Paris, and it feels like a magical place laden with memories,” says Peter Philips, Creative and Image Director for Dior Makeup, of the exquisite collection and its starry inspiration, where constellation motifs peek through the rich hues and highly-desirable packaging, reinterpreted by Italian artist Pietro Ruffo.

Avid collectors will also be pleased to note that the Rouge Dior Minaudiere, a clutch case with a long chain and detachable lipstick holder, is making its return, this time in classic black and gold.

The Limited Editions

As with every significant collection, Dior Beauty’s holiday series features a pair of their 5 Couleurs Couture palettes, stamped with constellation patterns that remind us of a starlit sky, while their harmonious shades bring to mind the allure of stardust and cosmic sparkle. ‘Cosmic Eyes’ sees warm-toned hues of a satiny champagne beige in the centre, surrounded by soft bronze with a green undertone, a golden couture shade, silvery taupe, and velvety black spiced up with a touch of gold. For the moon-like ‘Galactic’, a pearly-white informs the cool-toned hues of rosewood, a silvery lavender, mysterious burgundy, and velvety black, this time speckled with iridescent platinum.

For our lips, there’s a limited edition Rouge Dior, where its bullet is delicately engraved with a map of the night sky. These arrive in four shades created by Philips — Enchanted Pink, a satiny coral pink; Midnight Rose, a spellbinding rosewood; Mystic Plum, a mysterious matte plum; and the iconic Rouge 999 red with a velvet finish.

The Dior Addict, a big deal this year thanks to its reformulation, also gets its own holiday fashion case, in a gold mirror-like design that reflects the lipstick’s vinyl-like shine formula. Philips elaborates that the four new shades are an extension of the series’ intense pigmentation and high shine, with even the most intense hues being suitable for all skin types. These arrive in Cosmic Pink, a rosewood; Rose Fortune, an intense rosy taupe; Zodiac Red, a brick red; and Plum Eclipse, an intense plum.

The Collector-Worthy Items

Rouge Dior Minaudiere, $350

24 Dior Surprises Advent Calendar, $845

If you’re looking to expand your Dior collection, the Rouge Dior Minaudiere is a fine place to start. You can’t deny how this precious lipstick case looks like a mini Dior clutch, while the interior holds three Rouge Dior refills; an accompanying lipstick holder allows you to house the remaining Rouge Dior lipstick, and can be detached to be worn on its own. The design of the case is a little more classic this year, in an intense black lacquer and gold-toned logo that pay tribute to the house’s key colours.

Then, there’s an epic Advent Calendar that houses 24 windows of little Dior goodies, so you can count down the days that lead up to Christmas Day. Its beautiful design is based off Dior’s iconic 30 Avenue Montaigne boutique.

See all items from the limited edition The Holiday Look collection here:

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

The Dior Beauty Holiday Look Collection is now available at all Dior Beauty Boutiques and Counters, and on the Dior Beauty Online Boutique.

Rouge Dior Minaudiere is also available at Sephora ION Orchard and Sephora.sg.

Chivas drops a limited edition Chivas 18 in collaboration with Blackpink’s Lisa

Nov 2, 2022Nov 2, 2022

Chivas 18 is a rich, intense and complex blended Scotch whisky that can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or even in cocktails (like an Old Fashioned or Highball). It has notes of dried fruits, buttery toffee and dark chocolate, with a warm and long finish. It also holds the coveted title of “Best Blended Scotch Whisky” from the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2014.

And as part of its ongoing collaboration with K-Pop icon, Lisa, Chivas releases a limited edition bottle designed by the star, and showcasing her character through the bold splashes of blue and hot pink that adorn the packaging. There’s also a detachable 18-karat gold plated logo charm that fans can remove to use, and that will make a great addition to any K-Pop memorabilia collection.

A virtual event, “REGAL PLANET”, will take place on 27 November at 9.30pm, which will be broadcasted live on Chivas’ official channels, and those with VIP tickets will have the chance to create their own avatar and interact with Lisa’s avatar! Lisa will also be concocting her signature “Pink Spice” cocktail during the event.

You can sign up to join the community here: www.chivas.com/en-SG/regalfc and stand a chance to win VIP tickets to this virtual event.

Chivas 18 x LISA Limited Edition Drop launches all across Asia on 1st November 2022. Preorders will be available from 14th November 2022 at https://bit.ly/Chivas18xLISA.

This Upgraded Version Of The CLIO Kill Cover The New Founwear Cushion Is Even More Lightweight Than The Original

Nov 1, 2022Nov 1, 2022

The original CLIO Kill Cover Founwear Cushion has quite the reputation — and we do mean a good one. As one of the leading cushion foundations in the highly-competitive k-beauty market, it has earned the distinction of being the No.1 base makeup product of the Olive Young Awards, an annual beauty competition held by the popular Korean health and beauty store, where they’ve managed to secure the prime spot for three years in a row. Another impressive feat: the product has sold 30,000 units a day since its official launch at Olive Young, surpassing 10 million accumulated sales in total.

It’s about to get even better though. The new version, the CLIO Kill Cover The New Founwear Cushion, boasts the same buildable and long-lasting coverage, within a lighter and thinner formula. The goal here is look of smooth and flawless skin, while still having your skin feel and move like skin. If you’re curious about how they’ve managed to achieve this and how we feel about it after a test-run of the product, read on!

THE KEY DIFFERENCE — NOW WITH A MORE LIGHTWEIGHT FORMULA

As mentioned, the new CLIO Kill Cover The New Founwear Cushion manages quite the feat — it has the same well-loved, smooth coverage, with a thinner and more delicate formula. The brand tells us that they’ve upgraded the formula to keep up with ever-changing cushion trends, and officially dispel the idea that cushion foundations often feel thick or heavy compared to liquid foundations; here, the formula lightly adheres to the skin, and provides a thin and lightweight cover.

To achieve this, CLIO is now using smaller powder pigments that create a delicately thin but dense layer over the skin. Not only does this even out pores, blemishes, redness and other irregularities, the coverage extends to gaps between the curves of the skin as well, which then gives the look of smoother skin.

OTHER FEATURES — SMOOTH AND LONG-LASTING COVERAGE, AND A UNIQUE SQUARE DESIGN

COVERAGE: SMOOTH AND LONG-LASTING

CLIO’s cushion foundation delivers on giving us smooth and corrected skin, one that subtly covers up spots, pores, redness, bumps and more so that our skin then looks good from all angles, even up close. The buildable formula is versatile enough for medium-to-full coverage, and suitable for daily use, with a semi-matte finish.

Another excellent feature would be its extreme longwear. Given the lightweight nature of the foundation, it’s surprising to note that this is coverage that lasts for up to 72 hours, making this a highly-durable formula that requires minimal touching up. Note that the formula is also hypoallergenic dermatology-tested, and hence suitable for sensitive skin.

DESIGN: A UNIQUE SQUARE CASE AND CURVED-SHAPED PUFF

Another difference between the new cushion and the original, and one we first noticed, would be the sleek square design of the cushion case. This makes it look like a fashion accessory, while the square-shaped design allows for a better fit in your hand. At the same time, the cushion foundation is accompanied by a customised curved-shaped puff, designed specifically to reach more narrow parts of the face, such as areas around the nose and eyes.

OUR REVIEW

Since this is a foundation product, we do have certain expectations, most of which is the ability to create the illusion of smooth and blemish-free skin. I find that the new CLIO cushion foundation does this beautifully, and in a lightweight manner that doesn’t compromise on the coverage. I personally prefer light to medium coverage for my foundation products, so anything from a skin tint to liquid foundation works best for me. That said, I love cushion foundations too as I’m often guilty of doing my makeup on-the-go (read: Grab / car rides).

While testing out the product, I needed only an extra light dab of the foundation, barely a touch of the puff, which went a long way in creating a smooth, even base. The formula was really easy to use as it spread out naturally across my skin, going over small blemishes and light pigmentation to create an evenly-textured base. I was impressed by the coverage of the lightweight texture; it starts off more towards a medium coverage than a tint-like one, but the finish was natural, non-cakey, and didn’t feel heavy.

The customised curved-shaped puff that makes it easier to fit around curves and narrow portions of the face.

Another point I loved was the design of the product — which often feels like an afterthought, except this wasn’t. The square design allowed me to hold the product comfortably in one hand, especially useful if you’re often doing your makeup or touch-ups on-the-go.

That cute curved-shaped puff, with a little notch that breaks up the typical round-shaped puff, is a game-changer too. With the small cut-out corner, I was easily able to fit the puff around the curves of my nose and undereye area, to apply foundation over those areas without too much bending and flexing of the applicator. This made the overall base makeup look a more even-textured, less patchy one, and totally natural-looking!

Swatches of the 6 shades available — 1.5 Fair ; 2 Lingerie ; 2.5 Ivory ; 3 Linen ; 3.5 Vanilla ; and 4 Ginger.

The CLIO Kill Cover The New Founwear Cushion is available in 6 shades: 1.5 Fair (bright beige), 2 Lingerie (pink beige), 2.5 Ivory (light beige), 3 Linen (yellow beige), 3.5 Vanilla (natural beige), and 4 Ginger (medium beige), for a range of pink-toned, yellow-toned and neutral-toned skin.

To celebrate its launch, CLIO is currently running a promotion for the new product, where the cushion foundation is going for up to 30% off. It’s available on Shopee; and at Watsons and the official store on Lazada, with a free Kill Cover Liquid Concealer.

The product will be launched on 7 November at Watsons Ngee Ann City and on 8 December at Watsons Bugis Junction.

Available online at Shopee, Watsons and the official store on Lazada, and at selected Watsons stores including Ngee Ann City and Bugis Junction.

Onitsuka Tiger Introduces Mexico 66s Made From CACTFUL, A Sustainable Plant-Based Material

Oct 28, 2022Oct 28, 2022

Sustainability and innovation go hand in hand, especially when we’re talking about fashion; with more research into alternative materials, how to manage wastage, and ways to improve the processes involved in refining them, we’re able to come up with more environmentally-conscious means to product the same products. This is exactly the case with Onitsuka Tiger, as they present their most iconic sneakers, the Mexico 66s, in its most sustainable form yet.

The MEXICO 66™ CACTFUL™ sneaker is a new version of the original signature silhouette, made using a cactus-derived material that represents more than 20% of the shoe’s upper.

This new plant-based vegan leather was developed in conjunction with DESSERTO® engineers, and is one that uses Mexican cactus fibres as the raw material for the shoe’s upper, while utilising a production process that further reduces its environmental impact.

The CACTFUL bio-material does not use harmful chemicals such as phthalates or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), consumes less water during its production, and also reduces CO2 emissions in the manufacturing process by approximately 80% compared to conventional genuine leather. To meet the quality product standards of Onitsuka Tiger wear, it’s also highly durable and resistant to UV rays.

In particular, the Nopal cactus is used, and is a variety found in large numbers in its home country of Mexico, which coincidentally inspired the birth of the Mexico 66 shoes too — introduced in 1966, the shoe model was most notably worn by Japanese athletes at the 1968 Mexico Games.

IN CACTFUL PURPLE/CACTFUL PURPLE

IN CACTFUL YELLOW/CACTFUL YELLOW

IN CACTFUL GREEN/CACTFUL GREEN

As you can tell, there’s quite a jubilant series of colours on display for the MEXICO 66™ CACTFUL™ collection. It debuts with five custom colours that enhance the supple but durable texture characteristic of the new material, with tone-on-tone designs that feature bold and pastel shades often difficult to express with genuine leather. The colours are: white, yellow, green, purple and blue.

At the same time, expect a comfortable fit thanks to a well-designed midsole and the lightweight cactus-derived material. In addition to the main upper portion of the shoe, other parts such as the sockliner and shoelaces are also made of recycled materials to further the sustainable cause.

IN CACTFUL WHITE/CACTFUL WHITE

IN CACTFUL BLUE/CACTFUL BLUE

The Onitsuka Tiger MEXICO 66™ CACTFUL™ launch event was held at the Mexico Embassy on 27 October 2022.

It will be available at Onitsuka Tiger flagship stores in 15 countries worldwide, from January 2023.

SNKRDUNK Has Opened Its First Global Flagship Store In Singapore

Oct 27, 2022Oct 27, 2022

Sneakerheads, listen up because we’ve got great news. Japan’s leading sneaker platform, SNKRDUNK clearly has big plans for the region, starting with a new global app and its first-ever international flagship store, located at Mandarin Gallery in Singapore. The new space will feature 100 hyped pairs of sneakers, including limited edition Travis Scott and Sacai collaborations, with a major draw — all these coveted kicks will be sold at their original retail prices.

Before we take you through a tour of the store though, here’s a little more about SNKRDUNK and its mobile application. Established for the international community of sneaker enthusiasts and collectors, the Global App, separate from its native Japanese version, has amassed a rapidly-growing user base of 4.5 million users worldwide, with significant growth across the Asia Pacific region.

The company is known for having a comprehensive authentication process that ensures all its sneakers are 100% authentic, thanks to a team of expert sneaker authenticators that verify the products against a database of authentication records. Such quality checks are especially important due to the issue of replicas and fakes in the resale market — essentially, you can be assured that you’re buying the real deal here.

THE STORE

The latest SNKRDUNK flagship store in Singapore comes after successful openings in Harajuku and Osaka, where the retail space houses a diverse collection of sneakers you can look and feel before dropping some significant dollars. These include limited edition and exclusive drops such as Nike’s highly-coveted Jordans with Travis Scott, Yeezys, and sold-out New Balance collaborations. Moving forward, the physical space will also showcase exclusive collaborative pieces between SNKRDUNK and other hype brands.

“With a burgeoning sneaker community, Singapore is a prime location for sneakerheads from all walks of life to connect through their shared passion,” says Kohei Hamada, SNKRDUNK’s Global Director. “As a consumer-centric platform, the local community is at the forefront of our minds as we believe there is no commerce without community.”

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THE SHOES

Here are some of the shoes you may find at SNKRDUNK — both in stores, and on their Global App!

Above — Nike Dunk High Black-White ; Supreme x Nike Air Force 1

Above — Yeezy Boost 350

Above — Air Jordan 1 University Blue ; Off-White™ x Air Jordan 2 Low ; Yeezy Slides ; Off-White × Nike Air Jordan 1 High UNC

Fun fact: the most expensive pair of sneakers sold on SNKRDUNK cost $93,240! It was a pair of Louis Vuitton × Nike Air Force 1 Low by Virgil Abloh, with an accompanying limited edition Pilot Case.

SNKRDUNK SINGAPORE is located at #01-09/#02-10, Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road Singapore 238897.

Fossil Launches Magical Harry Potter Collection Featuring Inspired Timepieces and Jewellery For Potterheads

Oct 27, 2022

2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the release of the very first book in the Harry Potter series and it seems fitting to make this year a little more special for Potterheads (like us!) to rep our love for the books and films with an exclusive Harry Potter x Fossil capsule collection.
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From left to right: Harry Potter x Fossil House Necklaces ($169 each) and House Watches ($369 each).

The magical collection is created in partnership with Warner Bros Consumer Products and features timepieces and jewellery inspired by the Harry Potter film series, encapsulating the homecoming atmosphere, spirit of adventure, and iconic symbols of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that we hold dear.
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Harry Potter x Fossil Heritage Watch, $869.

A key piece to look out for is the limited edition Harry Potter x Fossil Heritage Watch ($869) which acts as an ode to Hogwarts with the four house colours and Hogwarts crest on the watch face. The watch includes an ultra-precise Japanese automatic movement, a 43mm gold-tone case, a three-link bracelet, with a lightning bolt second hand and glow-in-the-dark minute and hour hands. This exclusive Heritage Watch is made in a limited quantity so don’t be surprised if it’s been Evanesco-ed from stores.
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Harry Potter x Fossil House Watches, $369 each.

For witches and wizards who are hoping to represent their house in daily muggle activities, the collection also includes four House Watches ($369 each) that embody the spirit of each house with a representation of a lion for Gryffindor, badger for Hufflepuff, raven for Ravenclaw and serpent for Slytherin on the watch face.

Each piece comes with a striped nylon strap in the iconic corresponding house colours with a 40mm watch case and details in gold-tone (Gryffindor), silver-tone (Ravenclaw and Slytherin), and smoke (Hufflepuff).
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Harry Potter x Fossil House Necklaces, $169 each.

Those seeking a more subtle approach can opt for the House Necklaces ($169 each) which feature the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin crests and a small ‘H’ charm in gold-tone stainless steel; the Hogwarts Crest chain necklace ($189); or the gold-tone chain bracelet ($159) with an ‘H’ crest link.
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Harry Potter x Fossil Necklaces (from $179) and Earrings Set ($179).

Aside from the classically inspired pieces from the series, you can also find special pieces that pay tribute to a few of Harry Potter’s notable adventures. This includes necklaces (from $179) with charms that represent the Time Turner, Mirror of Erised, the Hogwarts Castle skyline, the Golden Snitch and Platform 9¾, and earrings set ($179) with studs depicting a lightning bolt, Harry’s glasses, a flying key, the Golden Snitch, and the Deathly Hallows motif.

Here’s a closer look at the Harry Potter x Fossil capsule collection.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO EXPAND.]
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The Harry Potter x Fossil capsule collection, now available at Fossil ION and Jem, as well as online through Fossil Singapore’s ONLINE STORE.

Samsonite RED Launches A Collection Of Luggage And Travel Accessories Inspired By The BTS Song “Butter”

Oct 25, 2022Oct 25, 2022

Fill in the blanks: smooth like ______. You don’t have to be a BTS fan to know the words to one of the k-pop group’s most popular English-language songs, ‘Butter’, which had the honour 10 weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. And if the catchy beat and cool visuals of the music video haven’t yet endeared you to the single, here’s a little collaboration with Samsonite RED that ought to do it.

By little, we actually mean an extensive collection of 11 products from the lifestyle arm of luggage brand Samsonite, including backpacks, crossbody bags, tote bags, travel accessories, and yes, a slew of luggages as well. The Butter Recipe collection takes its inspiration from the hit song and music video, with a distinct yellow and black colour scheme, as well as the iconic melting butter image that now adorns their accessories.

The Samsonite RED x BTS Butter Recipe Collection will be available from 26 October in Singapore. This marks the second collaboration between Samsonite RED and BTS.

Samsonite RED’s campaign images further play that up with baking imagery that sees their products in an oven, freshly pressed from a waffle tray, or cut out from a sheet of cookie dough.

One of the key pieces in the collection has to be the luggage in yellow or black, available in 55cm or 65cm versions. Inspired by the melting butter motif, there’s a cute little imagery of that happening over the front of the polycarbonate carrier, just on top of its grooves. Each luggage is also equipped with printed graphics on the wheel caps, as well as a DIY customisation kit where you can change up the logo plate, luggage handle and wheel caps. Of course, expect the smoothest sensation when rolling this across the airport too.

Luggage — SP 55/20 EXP

As for the other items, there’s a daily backpack where you can stow away your laptop, complete with the ‘Butter’ logo and bright yellow carabiner; a laptop pouch that can be styled two ways, since it’s yellow on one side and black on the other; a zipped colour block tote bag and more.

Backpack, Expandable Bag, Laptop Case, Pouch Bag.

Here are all the items in the collection:

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The Samsonite RED x BTS Butter Recipe Collection will be available from 26 October, 10 AM at Samsonite stores at ION, Suntec, Funan, Bugis+, and online at samsonite.com.sg, the Samsonite Lazada Flagship store, and KrisShop Online.

First look at the supercharged Apple iPad Pro with M2 chip and the all-new 2022 iPad in Pink

Oct 24, 2022Oct 25, 2022

First Look: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation)

These days, Apple is all about the chip. Chips that provide faster and smoother performance, and are more efficient in getting processes done so they use less power and hence less battery. For the new 2022 iPad Pros, all the upgrades are internal, with the exterior design looking the same as the previous generation iPad Pro. Apple unsurprisingly focuses on the chip — because that’s what pro uses look out for.

Above: The new iPad Pro is available in silver (featured here) and space gray finishes with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations.

Both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros are fitted with Apple’s M2 chip; their latest and most powerful chip that was first introduced with the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro in June this year. And when it comes to performance, the iPad Pro is obviously Apple’s most powerful iPad and suited for creative professionals dealing with large RAW image files, 3D rendering, and any task like this that requires lots of power. It’s a far more portable option for creatives than a laptop. And it’s also more fun to use.

Above: The magic keyboard turns the ipad pro into its own “laptop”. the full keyboard and trackpad are convenient for work processes, plus the case protects both the screen and back of the ipad pro.

For a photographer, editing photos with the Apple Pencil makes a lot more sense than using a computer mouse to do the same task; plus there’s now a new feature called Apple Pencil hover. As the pencil tip comes between 12mm of the display, you can see options that you previously had to actually touch and select the display to view. For example, you can get a live preview of photo filters without actually selecting it. And for some apps like Procreate, when you hover over the thumbnail, the animation will start playing. Imagine the function like the arrow on a mouse, where you mouse over an option. Apple Pencil hover is extremely intuitive and it feels very natural, as though this function has always been around.

Above: the pro cameras on the ipad pro include a 12mp wide camera and 10mp ultra wide camera. there’s also a lidar scanner. with the m2 chip that supports smart hdR 4, photos shot on the ipad are said to look more true to life than ever.

Avid gamers would also benefit from the M2 chip in the new iPad Pros; everything is just faster, smoother and graphics look better.

Above: the ipad pro 12.9-inch (6th generation) with the MAGIC KEYBOARD in white ($529, also available in black).

The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,249 for the Wi-Fi model and $1,479 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model; the 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,699 for the Wi-Fi model, and $1,929 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. Get them online at APPLE.COM.

First Look: iPad (10th Generation)

The redesigned 2022 iPad looks incredible, and it comes in four bold new colours (Blue, Silver, Yellow and Pink — which is featured here).

Above: the ipad (10th generation) in pink.

The iPad is Apple’s basic model, and has a starting price that’s less than the iPad mini, iPad Air, and of course the iPad Pros. It’s the most popular iPad to get for school, and if you don’t need the ridiculous power of the new Pros. Also considering that most buyers are price conscious, the iPad makes a lot of sense.

This new model has been upgraded with a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, and is fitted with the A14 Bionic chip; delivering better performance than all its predecessors for everyday tasks (eg. working on a school project or playing games).

Above: there’s now a USB-C port.

It also now sports a USB-C port and faster Wi-Fi capabilities, and there’s an entirely new Magic Keyboard Folio ($379) that comes in two pieces — a detachable keyboard and a protective back cover that attaches magnetically. You can fold the keyboard behind the iPad or detach it entirely; it’s interesting, looks good and is very sleek.

Above: the MAGIC KEYBOARD FOLIO ($379) that comes in two pieces.

Above: it looks like a strawberry sandwich.

Above: the keyboard has a large trackpad with support for a click-anywhere experience and Multi-Touch gestures.

Above: There’s also a new SMART FOLIO ($119) for the iPad, which is available in white, sky, watermelon (featured here), and lemonade.

Above: The watermelon shade goes perfectly with the pink ipad.

Above: the smart folio is thin, light, offers front and back protection for the ipad, and can be folded into different positions to create a convenient stand.

Wi-Fi models of the new iPad are available with a starting price of S679, and Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at $909. The new iPad, in 64GB and 256GB configurations, comes in blue, pink, yellow, and silver. Get them online at APPLE.COM.

Meet IMMA, vivo’s Virtual Ambassador Who Tells Us More About Their Latest V25 Series 5G Smartphone

Oct 22, 2022Oct 23, 2022

Navigating the modern world can be tricky. These days, there are digital influencers, and there are virtual influencers — the first refers to people who’ve built a following on social media, while the latter extends beyond that, referring instead to a digitally-created virtual persona who lives entirely on social media. As computer-generated technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, not only do these virtual influencers appear even more lifelike, they are becoming more emotive and relatable as well.

Ever open to innovative approaches, technology company vivo has recently announced their partnership with imma, the first virtual human in Asia, who’s now the brand ambassador for their vivo V25 Series 5G smartphone.

imma, together with local artiste Apple Chan in Singapore.

An upcoming video spot will feature her travelling to six Southeast Asia cities, including Singapore, and capturing cool night-portrait shots that show off the smartphone’s advanced night photography capabilities. With the help of vivo V25 Series 5G, imma’s tour around Southeast Asia will also showcase her meeting with interesting friends, such as local artiste Apple Chan.

imma, together with Sapol Assawamunkong in Thailand.

“We are excited to team up with imma for the launch of vivo V25 Series 5G. Her curiosity, vitality and young personality personify the latest addition in the V series, which is built to amplify the fun in our everyday moments,” said Mr Liu Hong Bin, CEO of vivo Singapore.

“Through the lens of imma and vivo V25 Series 5G, which saw some major upgrades in its imaging capabilities, we hope users can appreciate and embrace the magical power of the night and immerse themselves in their picture-perfect nights,” he continued.

IMMA, on her tour across Southeast Asia — and capturing picture-perfect nights

imma, together with Ton ChanSeyma, an artiste from Cambodia.

Famous for her pink bob, imma shared with us her excitement at being appointed brand ambassador, while talking about the upcoming video. The full video, to be launched soon, will see this cool girl explore the vibrant, bustling streets and major landmarks of Southeast Asia. And yes, that includes our very own Changi Airport!

“Jewel Changi Airport accentuates Singapore’s reputation as a city in a garden with stunning views of lush greenery, a vibrant interior waterfall, and a myriad of other attractions,” she said, recalling her experience of Singapore’s iconic landmark. “There are plenty of opportunities to take pictures and I felt like I was entering a futuristic world.”

imma was also upfront about how she was impressed with the vivo V25 Series 5G smartphone’s advanced capabilities, particularly for night portraits. “I have seen a lot of beautiful night moments, yet have always been a little disappointed because [the pictures] aren’t as beautiful as what my eyes could see,” she started. “But with the vivo V25 Series 5G, I am finally able to take photos at night as I want, and to be honest, I look forward to going out at night now!”

imma with Danny and Madeleine (Okokokmou), the vivo V25 Pro 5G ambassadors from Malaysia.

Elaborating on her multi-city trip, she said she most enjoyed taking great photos with the smartphone’s night portrait feature, where “memories with friends can be captured beautifully”, while admiring the scenic views. “I had a fun time taking photos with my new friends, especially Apple Chan! It doesn’t matter if it was outdoors, on the street, or inside in the club — I’m amazed that I could capture outstanding shots of people especially in portrait mode.”

Here’s a teaser video of what you can expect:

The vivo V25 Series 5G Smartphone

As for the smartphone itself, the vivo V25 Series 5G is an extension of the brand’s premium and fashionable V series, complete with a unique colour-changing design that gives you various hues as it catches the light; the Sunrise Gold edition, for instance, changes from a sunny yellow to sunset orange in the palm of your hand.

What enables it to capture beautiful portraits though, even in low light environments, would be the significant upgrades in its imaging capabilities. The smartphone comes equipped with a 64MP OIS OIS Ultra-Sensing Rear Camera, which captures sharp detail at night. A Bokeh Flare Portrait mode also blurs out the background for expert-looking portrait shots, which means, yes, we’re able to capture photos as stunning as those on imma’s social media feed.

The vivo V25 Series 5G will be available in Singapore from 29 October, with pre-orders starting from 15 to 28 October. There will be special pre-order promotions for both the vivo V25 Pro 5G and vivo V25 5G where customers who purchase the phones will receive a S$50 discount and complimentary gifts from vivo. *Promotion is available while stocks last and terms and conditions apply.

The vivo V25 Pro 5G comes in two finishes, Starlight Black and Surfing Blue, with a recommended selling price of S$849 (without contract). It will be available for pre-order at vivo’s official store on Shopee, consumer electronics and IT stores including Best Denki, Challenger, Courts, Gain City, Harvey Norman, and vivo’s concept store at Bugis Junction and Causeway Point. Customers who purchase the vivo V25 Pro 5G will receive a complimentary pair of vivo TWS Air (worth S$69) and phone case (worth $19.90).

The vivo V25 5G comes in two finishes as well, Diamond Black and Sunrise Gold, with a recommended selling price of S$649 (without contract). It will be available for pre-orders at vivo’s official store on Lazada, and vivo’s concept store at Bugis Junction and Causeway Point. Customers who purchase the vivo V25 5G will receive a complimentary notebook gift box (worth S$19.90) and phone case (worth $19.90).

Banner and article images, courtesy of vivo.

What You Need To Know About Alcohol-Free Fragrances, And A Roundup Of The Best Ones

Oct 21, 2022Oct 21, 2022

“Flowers, water, that’s it.” The tagline for Dior’s latest J’adore Parfum d’eau is certainly alluring, though it’s also got us curious — does its introduction signal a rising demand for alcohol-free fragrances, and have there been other similar precedents in the beauty world?

First up, a clarification: alcohol is not necessarily a bad thing, at least not when we’re sipping on a cocktail by the bar, but there’s a reason why it’s viewed more controversially when it comes to beauty products; too much of it in a product can dehydrate skin and harm our skin barrier, especially for those with sensitive skin. Perhaps spurred on by the clean beauty movement, we’ve learnt to look out for alcohol content in our skincare products, but should we do the same when it comes to our favourite scents as well? Read on to find out.

Why is alcohol used in fragrances in the first place?

Alcohol is often the main ingredient in the composition of perfumes, for three key purposes. One, it works well with oils, and is widely used as a solvent for the aromatic compounds of the other materials in the formula; alcohol helps extract the essential oils from natural ingredients such as our precious flower petals. Secondly, it’s the optimal option to dilute the perfume to an appropriate strength, and lastly, it acts as a carrier to help evenly disperse the scent molecules across our skin or into the air around us.

Additionally, we know that alcohol tends to evaporate faster than the other more aromatic substances, so it often gives a touch of freshness just after application, bringing the top notes of the composition into the spotlight.

What about alcohol-free perfumes — how are they created?

Fun fact: the very first perfumes were non-alcoholic ones called ‘attars’. Originating from India and the Middle East, these are basically highly concentrated perfumes made by distilling botanicals (herbs, ground spices, flowers) and then adding these essences to essential oils such as sandalwood. These still exist today, and as such, oil-based fragrances are an example of a type of alcohol-free perfume. Modern brands may present these perfume oils in dropper or rollerball forms.

Another form would be fragrance concentrates, where scents are supported by wax or butters of vegetable or mineral origin — more commonly known as solid perfume. You might also be familiar with water-based perfume, which has actually existed for centuries, though it’s been gaining more popularity in our current era, favoured for its purity and all-natural nature. In water-based perfumes, the perfume oil is mixed with distilled water to create the fragrance.

Why might alcohol-free perfume be preferred?

There’s no absolute right or wrong, of course, but those who opt for alcohol-free fragrances might be particular about the composition of their scent. Water-based perfumes, for instance, are 100% alcohol free, and have been touted as the new gold standard by advocates of clean beauty, as these represent a more natural scent that smells cleaner, purer, more subtle, and truer to the botanicals that go into them. Unlike what you might think, these natural perfumes can be rather long-lasting as well, since they’re essentially an emulsion of organic oil and water, with a lower evaporation rate.

Water-based perfumes are also seen as a delicate, alcohol-free alternative for those with sensitive skin. Alcohol may dry out the skin over time that then causes irritation or breakouts; the benefit of a water-based formula, then, does away with this, and is often kinder and has a more hydrating effect on skin, hair, or body. Oil-based perfumes are also widely used in the Middle East, especially by Muslims, as they do not contain alcohol, a substance prohibited by Islam.

THE ALCOHOL-FREE FRAGRANCES

Alcohol-free fragrances, and especially water-based ones, are being presented as cleaner, more delicate alternatives to classic formulas. For those who might now be more interested in them, we’ve listed 7 perfume variants you can try:

1. DIOR J’ADORE PARFUM D’EAU

Just flowers and water — the make-up for Dior’s J’adore Parfum d’eau is certainly unique, as the water-based scent is crafted without alcohol, yet with all the captivating floral notes we know and love. Key to the fragrance is its bouquet of white florals, where fresh Neroli now entwines with sunny Jasmine Sambac and velvety Chinese Magnolia.

The innovation here is a Dior-exclusive patented alcohol-free formula, rare in the perfume world, where they’ve promised the same long-lasting intensity you’d get from an eau de parfum. As for the bottle, its silhouette is in line with the rest of the J’adore scents, with this one in an opalescent white and an alabaster texture and evokes the soft feel of flower petals.

$192 (50ml), $275 (100ml), available at all Dior Beauty boutiques and counters, Sephora, and via the Dior Beauty Online Boutique.

2. HERMETICA SPICEAIR EAU DE PARFUM

Parisian label Hermetica was founded as recently as 2018, and represents the dedication and desire of founders Clara and John Molloy in wanting to create clean, alcohol-free perfumes “as close as possible to the skin”, a sensation they’ve likened to an olfactive dance. Housed in elegant emerald green bottles with debossed gold caps, their fragrances manage to do so by using a hybrid formula of natural ingredients and a groundbreaking green molecule, produced according to a patented process from bagasse, or sugarcane stalk residue, which acts as a solvent while creating a velvety scented effect.

The Spiceair Eau de Parfum is a popular scent inspired by the nostalgia of rainy London. Created by Senior Perfumer Aliénor Massenet, the green scent recreates the feel of mist rising up from slick pavements by including complementary notes of Fresh Molecule and Green Moss accord. Sustainably-harvested Cinnamon Oil from Madagascar and Bergamot Oil then add a warm spiciness to the composition, which captures the mysterious charm of London.

$265, available at escentials boutiques and escentials.com.

3. GOUTAL PARIS L’LLE AU THÉ

Long known for evocative scents that inspire intimate and personal memories, Goutal Paris introduces a new Alcohol-Free Fragrances collection of water-based perfumes that leave a soft scent on the skin. The house has taken some of their most well-loved scents, which are then presented as delicate alternatives to their classic fragrance formulas, further represented by the porcelain-like white bottles used across throughout the series; you’re free to use them all over your body, hair, and clothes as well. This collection is available in the following scents: Eau d’Hadrien, Petite Chérie, Rose Pompon, Songes, and l’Ile au Thé, a fresh citrus scent with heart notes of tea, mandarin blossom and osmanthus.

84€, available at goutalparis.com. Other Goutal Paris fragrances, available at Escentials.

4. BYREDO GYPSY WATER ROLL-ON PERFUME OIL

With Gypsy Water being one of the most popular scents from Stockholm-based perfumery Byredo, its perfume oil version is quite a steal if you’re on the lookout for alcohol-free perfumes in a convenient rollerball format. Not only is this a concentrated, genderless scent that you’re free to glide over your skin at any point of the day, it also evokes feelings of nomadism, as woody notes of pine needle and sandalwood give way to intense amber, while top notes of lemon and pepper keep things fresh, light and interesting.

$91, available at escentials boutiques and escentials.com.

5. LE LABO NEROLI 36 PERFUME OIL

Trust Le Labo to come up with perfume oils that smell as good as the originals. The esteemed brand’s full range of creations are also available in botanical safflower oil form that’s presented in a 1 ounce perfume eyedropper. Being made with a base that’s enriched with essential fatty acids, we expect the fragrance to come with moisturising, soothing and softening properties as well, which is why it can be used everywhere from your pulse points to one’s hair, neck, and beard. If you love a citrus-floral number, go for the NEROLI 36, centred around the sunny, zesty Orange Blossom, paired with an irresistibly warm and sensual base.

Available at Le Labo stores.

6. JO MALONE LONDON SOLID SCENT DUO PALETTE + SOLID SCENT REFILL

Solid perfumes are another good option if you decide to go the alcohol-free route — we’d especially recommend them if you’re constantly on-the-go and aren’t about to risk having vials of perfumes in your bags or onboard a flight. For Jo Malone London, their range of solid scents come encased in a sleek, travel-ready palette that holds two fragrances of your choice, and are easily applied with the dab of a fingertip. It comes with a protective pouch and is perfectly sized for you to slip it into your pockets or your purse with lots of room to spare. Solid scents are refillable, and include: English Pear & Freesia, Oud & Bergamot, Blackberry & Bay, Peony & Blush Suede, Wood Sage & Sea Salt, and more for a total of 11 scents.

$56 for the Solid Scent Duo Palette, and $36 – $41 for a Solid Scent Refill. Available at Jo Malone London boutiques and jomalone.com.sg.

7. LUSH SHADE SOLID PERFUME

Ever the purveyors of clean beauty and natural formulas before they were even trendy, LUSH Cosmetics has a whole line of Solid Perfumes that cater to any alcohol-free fragrance lifestyle, which are simply presented in glass jars for ease of use. Shade is a wonderful gender-neutral scent comprising of warm and comforting Sandalwood and Olibanum, with these ingredients being ethically- and sustainably-sourced as well to tie in with the beauty brand’s conscious mission. To use, warm a little of the solid scent on a fingertip and dab onto wrists, throat, behind the ears, or anywhere you fancy.

$23, available at LUSH store and lushsg.com.

The Givenchy x (b).STROY collaboration, from €150 to €5,550, available in selected Givenchy stores and on GIVENCHY.COM.

THE COLLECTION

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T3 UNDERGROUND CARNIVAL AT CHANGI AIRPORT

Credits for the carnival can be purchased through the ICHANGI APP or with a physical carnival card available from the ticketing booths at the T3 Underground Carnival.

GLAMPCATION AND GLAMPICNIC AT JEWEL CHANGI AIRPORT

Bookings for both the Glampcation and the Glampicnic can be made through the ICHANGI APP.

CHANGI EXPERIENCE STUDIO’S ‘A NIGHT AT THE AIRPORT’ CAMP

Bookings for the Changi Experience Studio’s A Night at the Airport camp can be made through the ICHANGI APP.

A very “Gucci” point of view

Exclusive experiences — a fragrance bar, and personalisation services

The Alchemist’s Garden Collection

OUR SHOPPING LIST

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Photographed by @ADELE__CHAN using @LEICASTORESG. Makeup by @GINGERLYNETTE using @FENTYBEAUTY. Hair by @_XTIANO_ using @GOLDWELLSG. Styled by @ANGELA_WK. outfits by @BOSS.

AYDEN SNG (@aydenzs) Actor, Mediacorp Artiste

DHARNI (@dharni) Musician / Beatboxer

EDWARD RUSSELL (@edrussell) TV and Radio Presenter

JAMES SEAH (@jamesseah) Actor, Mediacorp Artiste

LENNARD YEONG (@lennardy) Chef

The limited edition Nespresso and Pierre Hermé collection will arrive in Nespresso boutiques in Singapore and ONLINE on 3 November.

The Limited Editions

The Collector-Worthy Items

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Chivas 18 x LISA Limited Edition Drop launches all across Asia on 1st November 2022. Preorders will be available from 14th November 2022 at https://bit.ly/Chivas18xLISA.

THE KEY DIFFERENCE — NOW WITH A MORE LIGHTWEIGHT FORMULA

OTHER FEATURES — SMOOTH AND LONG-LASTING COVERAGE, AND A UNIQUE SQUARE DESIGN

COVERAGE: SMOOTH AND LONG-LASTING

DESIGN: A UNIQUE SQUARE CASE AND CURVED-SHAPED PUFF

OUR REVIEW

THE STORE

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THE SHOES

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The Harry Potter x Fossil capsule collection, now available at Fossil ION and Jem, as well as online through Fossil Singapore’s ONLINE STORE.

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First Look: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation)

Above: The new iPad Pro is available in silver (featured here) and space gray finishes with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations.

Above: The magic keyboard turns the ipad pro into its own “laptop”. the full keyboard and trackpad are convenient for work processes, plus the case protects both the screen and back of the ipad pro.

Above: the pro cameras on the ipad pro include a 12mp wide camera and 10mp ultra wide camera. there’s also a lidar scanner. with the m2 chip that supports smart hdR 4, photos shot on the ipad are said to look more true to life than ever.

Above: the ipad pro 12.9-inch (6th generation) with the MAGIC KEYBOARD in white ($529, also available in black).

The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,249 for the Wi-Fi model and $1,479 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model; the 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,699 for the Wi-Fi model, and $1,929 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. Get them online at APPLE.COM.

First Look: iPad (10th Generation)

Above: the ipad (10th generation) in pink.

Above: there’s now a USB-C port.

Above: the MAGIC KEYBOARD FOLIO ($379) that comes in two pieces.

Above: it looks like a strawberry sandwich.

Above: the keyboard has a large trackpad with support for a click-anywhere experience and Multi-Touch gestures.

Above: There’s also a new SMART FOLIO ($119) for the iPad, which is available in white, sky, watermelon (featured here), and lemonade.

Above: The watermelon shade goes perfectly with the pink ipad.

Above: the smart folio is thin, light, offers front and back protection for the ipad, and can be folded into different positions to create a convenient stand.

Wi-Fi models of the new iPad are available with a starting price of S679, and Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at $909. The new iPad, in 64GB and 256GB configurations, comes in blue, pink, yellow, and silver. Get them online at APPLE.COM.

IMMA, on her tour across Southeast Asia — and capturing picture-perfect nights

The vivo V25 Series 5G Smartphone

Why is alcohol used in fragrances in the first place?

What about alcohol-free perfumes — how are they created?

Why might alcohol-free perfume be preferred?

THE ALCOHOL-FREE FRAGRANCES

1. DIOR J’ADORE PARFUM D’EAU

2. HERMETICA SPICEAIR EAU DE PARFUM

3. GOUTAL PARIS L’LLE AU THÉ

4. BYREDO GYPSY WATER ROLL-ON PERFUME OIL

5. LE LABO NEROLI 36 PERFUME OIL

6. JO MALONE LONDON SOLID SCENT DUO PALETTE + SOLID SCENT REFILL

7. LUSH SHADE SOLID PERFUME

Photographed by @ADELE__CHAN using @LEICASTORESG.
Makeup by @GINGERLYNETTE using @FENTYBEAUTY.
Hair by @_XTIANO_ using @GOLDWELLSG.
Styled by @ANGELA_WK.
outfits by @BOSS.

AYDEN SNG (@aydenzs)
Actor, Mediacorp Artiste

DHARNI (@dharni)
Musician / Beatboxer

EDWARD RUSSELL (@edrussell)
TV and Radio Presenter

JAMES SEAH (@jamesseah)
Actor, Mediacorp Artiste

LENNARD YEONG (@lennardy)
Chef

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