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We scoured the internet, and found these sneaker gems that belong on the feet of all the cool kids. They’re not the cheapest, that’s for sure (especially when you throw in shipping fees), but these styles are very much worth it.

THEY New York

Images: theynewyork.com
These geometric beauties are what the internet’s currently buzzing over, because just look at these – how can they be resisted? This NYC brand has cleverly included blush pink and a light beige into the small assortment of colourways for women’s styles, and when clean lines and Bauhaus-inspired shapes are thrown into the mix, these instantly become pieces that manage to both stand out while remaining understated.
US$349 each, available from theynewyork.com.

Axel Arigato

Image: axelarigato.com
This Insta-famous Swedish sneaker brand probably doesn’t need much introduction by now, so what we can do is direct your attention towards their latest drop, the Crossed Laced Sneaker. They’ve gotten everything about this style right: the slanted shoelaces to the side (purely a design element though, you don’t actually have to unlace them to put them on); the way the laces thread through the body of the shoe, and the hardware running right down the centre. And of course, the colour options: leather in white, cream, nude or grey.
US$265, available on axelarigato.com.

Clear Weather

Images: Clear Weather Facebook page
For a completely different look, LA brand Clear Weather incorporates a healthy dose of hippie into its unusual sneaker designs. The One-O-One style is all about the fringe and suede; but if you’d rather keep things minimal, there are also regular lace-up and slip-on styles in textured patterns.
US$65 to US$180, available on clearweatherbrand.com.

EYTYS

Image: EYTYS Facebook page
Once again, the Swedes get it right. This Stockholm brand makes classic low-cut and high-top styles that hardly venture beyond white, black and neutrals – and we like them that way – made in canvas, suede or leather. The designs aren’t fancy, but one look is enough to tell you that a lot of carefully detailing has gone into these shoes, while keeping them looking subtle. The only exception was the special collaborative collection with 80-year-old South African artist Esther Mahlangu earlier this year, which saw traditional African motifs embroidered onto the sneakers.
$139 to $239, available on farfetch.com

FEIT

Image: FEIT Facebook Page
Not a sneaker brand per se, but this New York footwear brand has some sneaker styles among its offerings that seriously made our hearts skip a beat. The leather and suede silhouettes are made slim and tapered, and are handsewn with unlined raw edges. These are pricey, but you know you’re paying for the quality.
US$400 to US$600, available on feitdirect.com.

Here's What's Happening This Weekend

Singapore Science Festival

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For all budding scientists or inquisitive minds, this one’s definitely a haven for you. As we move into a Smart future, it’s high time we should be equipped with integral knowledge about the riveting world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Take part in the three-day sceince carnival, X-periment! for interesting science demonstrations and hands-on experiments and you’ll also get to learn more about scientific research work and development. What’s more, there will be other exciting segments such as the Science Buskers Festival and Sidewalk Astronomy. From potion making, learning about planets to observing the night sky from the rooftop, science has never been this fun.
Date: 15 July to 17 July 2016.
Time: 11am – 10pm
Venue: VivoCity
Admission: Free
More info at sciencefest.sg.

Singapore Food Festival

After wistfully looking at the exciting line-up just weeks ago, the long-awaited festival has arrived. Spread out across 2 weeks starting this weekend, this year’s edition celebrates our local cuisine with a new, modern twist. This weekend, you can attend the signature event STREAT, featuring a stellar line-up of chefs and food establisments such as The Disgruntled Chef, Restaurant Ember as well as Casuarina Curry. Also, look out for innovative spins of our local cuisine at the One Farrer’s Food Street, from chilli crab pie to Png Kueh Ball and Peanut Fritter. Not to worry, the diet can start next month.
Date: 15 – 16 July 2016
Time : 5pm – 10.30pm (STREAT), 11am – 9pm (One Farrer’s Food Street)
Venue: Clifford Square (STREAT), One Farrer Hotel & Spa (One Farrer’s Food Street)
Admission: Free
More info at singaporefoodfestival.com and onefarrer.com.

Floral x Art Jam Workshop by One Olive

Get in tune with your artistic side with this workshop that’s helmed by two in highly-talented instructors. You’ll get to learn how to put together an aesthetic bouquet, and how to paint its intricate flowers, leaves and petals – so that your bouquet will remain as a work of art, forever. What’s great about this workshop is that it’ll help you learn or hone your colour blending techniques, making it perfect for beginners or amateurs alike. What’s more, you’ll get to go home with your own bouquet and a canvas painting drawn by you. Then, proceed to nail that perfect instagram flatlay.
Date: 16 July 2016
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Venue: 61 Seng Poh Lane, One Olive
Admission: $280
More info at oneolive.net.

#ThrowbackThursday: The Old-School Web Games We Grew Up With

Ah, yet another week of living for the weekend. But never fear! Nostalgia is here once again to help you combat the pains of Thursday. This week, we look back at the old-school website games we grew up with. You know, when you still didn’t have your own computer, and you had to fight with your siblings over control of the keyboard, or maybe just sneak a quick gaming session while your parents were finally out of the house? Yeah, we all know that feeling.
*****
Neopets

Image taken from neopets.com
Who could forget that intense guilt we felt whenever we came to our pet and found them starving or worse – dying? Definitely not us. But we were always so desperate for food that we wound up making as many trips to the soup kitchen as possible, or spending all our money spinning the wheel of fortune just for something good. The actual site doesn’t seem to have changed much, so if you ever feel like taking a serious trip down memory lane, this is it.

Club Penguin

Image taken from play.clubpenguin.com
If you weren’t on Neopets, you were probably here, at Club Penguin. And who didn’t love being a penguin, honestly? From raising puffles to the various missions for those lucky enough to be PSA agents, there was so much to do on this site. Currently, everything’s a little different because the site got sold to Disney, but it’s definitely still active if anyone wants to visit and re-live those childhood moments.

Miniclip

Image taken from miniclip.com
It’s hard to determine how popular this site was, but Miniclip was one of the many websites that held hundreds and hundreds of games all in one place, and it was definitely easy to end up spending more than an hour or two desperately trying to level up. Some personal favourites include the surprisingly frustrating Sushi Go Round and the ever-amusing Extreme Pamplona, although we’re not too sure if they’re still active on the site. Either way, it still holds hundreds of un-played games…just saying.

Disney Games

Image taken from disney–games.com
Definitely a guilty pleasure of ours, it was easy to waste a whole day away playing the various games on Disney’s website. If you were a huge fan of any Disney show, particularly The Suite Life of Zack and Cody or even Hannah Montana, you’ll probably remember a handful of these games. After all, if there was anything just as good as watching the show, it was being able to “help” the characters in their own little worlds. To compare it in the “adult” world, it was kind of like being able to watch a spin-off show with all your favourite characters, only you had some control in the ending of the episode. The actual Disney website has a whole bunch of different games right now, of course, with the new wave of shows, but you can find them floating around if you look hard enough.

Featured Image: potential_ruler’s Neohome at Neopets.com

How To Get In On The Athleisure Trend

Strange, we’d say if we were asked to strut around in workout wear on the streets a few years back. But today, it seems to be socially acceptable for us to be wearing sporty attires out and about, even though we might not be heading to the gym. Following the sudden sneaker trend that caught everybody off-guard (in a good way), we now have the athleisure wear, which without a doubt, complements the whole sneakerhead look. The beauty about athleisure is that nobody’s going to scorn you for dressing like you’ve been to the gym (when in fact, you were at home munching on chips) nor will you receive flak for looking sloppy after a real intense workout. Either way, we’re loving this good mix of both sporty and casual that athleisure brings. Here are some ways you can fearlessly sport the trend (pun intended).
1. Outerwear

Topshop, $159.

from instagram.com/iamkareno.
At the heart of the athleisure trend lies in wearing an outerwear. We especially love bomber jackets that give us a heart-throbbing effect; whether it’s printed, plain or has a satin outlook, it’ll look great with almost anything.

2. Go for neutrals

H&M, $24.90. Asos, $48.67.
It’s definitely hard to match separates, especially when the pieces have to blend in seamlessly for the “sporty yet casual” look. One thing to bear in mind when you’re coordinating your outfits: always go for neutrals. Grey, black, white and nudes – not only do the colours complement each other, they give off a fresh, minimalistic vibe, which is always a plus.

3. Bold graphics or print

Ivy Park on Topshop, $33.90.
We’re not referring to a bright and fun mix of colours. Bold prints can also be monochromatic, and they usually come in the form of big fonts or a simple pattern. The graphic stands out against your clothing, which is great considering how dull monochrome can get.

4. Accessorise appropriately

Bershka, $19.90. Zara, $99.90.
Go for sneakers that are either white or black for an effortless outfit coordination in the future. Caps are also great for days when you have stubbornly bad hair, or when you’re returning home without make up after a gym session.

5 Musicals We Can't Help But Adore

With everyone’s favourite Broadway Beng beginning it’s run today, and Pangdemonium gearing up for a production of Rent set to debut this October, we’re counting down five musicals we can’t help but adore; whether they’re brand new, off-broadway, or even adaptations of novels and TV shows.
*****
Matilda: The Musical

You know when a cast is so talented it makes your jaw drop? Well, apply that logic to a huge cast of young kids, and you’ll be walking away from Matilda truly speechless. While the story takes a couple turns from the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, that’s probably what makes it such a brilliant adaptation; it’s able to capture the heart and origins of these characters, while still doing it in a way that’s logical for musical theatre. Funny, warm-hearted and truly triumphant, you definitely can’t miss out on this show.

Hamilton

While most of the original broadway cast have bowed out gracefully from the show, Hamilton is still going strong, and we sure hope it does. Based on the life of American founding father Alexander Hamilton, writer, lyricist and original cast member Lin-Manuel Miranda has created a truly revolutionary musical – just listen to the soundtrack and you’ll understand.

Something Rotten

Welcome to the Renaissance…as you’ve truly never seen it before. Inspired by Shakespeare – sort of – this musical will take you on a truly fourth-wall breaking journey. Laden with numerous pop culture jokes and even taking the time to jab at the genre of musicals themselves (see: their performance at the 2015 Tony Awards), Something Rotten follows the life of two brothers as they attempt to rise to the top of fame in Shakespeare’s footsteps, but will all go according to plan?

Wicked: The Musical

Okay…you know we couldn’t leave this one out. While you may think you’ve probably heard every song from Wicked a million times – and who’s to say you haven’t – seeing this show in person is truly an emotional experience. From the intelligent references to the original body of work the show is inspired by, to providing sincere, multidimensional stories for the cast of characters, Wicked will truly change your life “for good”.

Kinky Boots

While probably a little more unheard of on our shores, Kinky Boots is definitely making waves on Broadway, partly thanks to a rise in interest in Drag culture thanks to shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race! Based on a BBC documentary television series-turned-film, the musical explores ideas of legacy, family and embracing who you are. With music and lyrics by none other than Cyndi Lauper, you can bet you’ll be strutting your stuff to this show’s soundtrack long after you see it (or maybe even in your anticipation).

Featured Image: The Cast of Kinky Boots Performing Live at the 2013 Tony Awards (YouTube)

Keep Your Head Cool In The Heat With This Icy Shampoo & Conditioner

It’s almost like dunking our heads in a deliciously icy basin of water on the hottest of days: the limited edition Tsubaki Cool Head Spa set is a real treat in this weather indeed.

The Tsubaki Cool range is really something else – the cooling sensation is so powerful that it lasts all the way from the time the shampoo and conditioner go on, to hours after your hair has dried.
But what you really need to be concerned about are the things that can’t be immediately felt, i.e. a damaged scalp and hair courtesy of the heat and UV rays. Higher temperatures cause sebum glands in the scalp to generate more sebum, clogging pores and keeping hair from growing healthily; UV rays, on the other hand, oxidise melanin pigment in the hair, causing it to break down and be discharged. The resulting “melanin holes” cause hair to lose its lustre.
There’s really no winning in this heat, is there? And that’s why haircare like the ones from Tsubaki is so important – besides the key Camellia Koji S ingredient in both the shampoo and conditioner to condition and soften the scalp, rosemary oil in the shampoo clears the scalp of any sebum and dirt. In addition, another compound called the hydroxyethyl urea repairs the hair on the inside, while amino acid derivatives coat the hair cuticle to protect it from the outside. These products also function as sunscreen for your hair, with an ingredient that blocks out the damaging UV rays.

Clean and refreshed hair also should smell great, and the fragrance notes that include passionfruit, green apple, rose and musk will make you want to completely soak your hair in these products for as long as possible. One piece of advice we want to offer: stock up on this shampoo and conditioner set – it launches today! – because it’s a limited edition range. Summer never ends here in Singapore, however, so you’ll want to be washing your hair with these for as long as possible.

Tsubaki Cool Head Spa set, $29.90. Exclusively available at Guardian. facebook.com/tsubaki.sg

[Contest] Master the Art of ToyTravel with this Canon EOS M10 x Rilakkuma Box Set

It may have started from Japan, but the social phenomenon Nui-Dori, also known as ToyTravel, seems like it’s gonna be taking over the world, one cutesy stuffed toy at a time. Okay fine, it doesn’t have to be uber-twee — you could take your Marvel figurine with you, a Star Wars stormtrooper, or an entourage of miniature dinosaurs, basically, the idea is to have fun with photography by inserting your favourite toys in real-life scenarios. Got a colleague who displays his/her avid collection of Lego figurines on their desk? Now, imagine creating entire worlds with those things, and capturing them on camera. ToyTravel enthusiasts go a step further by them around while they’re travelling.
You could snap away on your mobile phones, but we’d say that the best photos come from good cameras that offer decent macro shots or wide angle ones that your phone may not quite be able to achieve. So here’s an option if you’re yearning for better-quality, brighter and sharper images: a dedicated mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera that’s just as compact. We’re talking about the Canon EOS M10, which offers precisely that. The Canon EOS10 is the latest addition to the EOS M range, and also the most compact and lightweight in the series, ideal for carrying around, while also with a large 18.0-megapixel APS-C sensor and the fast Hybrid CMOS AF II system for excellent quality images.

What’s more, Canon has paired this with the popular Rilakkuma character, to inspire us to incorporate the ToyTravel trend in our photography — all this, via a special edition EOS M10 box set that comes bundled with a limited edition 24cm Rilakkuma plush toy.
“In addition to fulfilling the demands of professional photographers, Canon remains dedicated to providing innovative imaging solutions that makes photography what it should be – fun and engaging. The special edition EOS M10 Rilakkuma box set combines great fun and superior imaging quality in one package. By encouraging users to explore ToyTravel, we hope to inspire creativity on their travel adventures and for them to share such memories easily on social media through the EOS M10.” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore.

When we took it out for a spin during the media event, exploring the area near Keong Saik Road, we were especially impressed by how simple and intuitive the camera was to use — plus, it was able to produce sharp and stunning images that rivalled those we usually took from our iPhones. It’s said to be perfect for selfies too, especially when the screen can be flipped up, while there’s a Self Portrait mode that features a one-touch beautification shortcut for a skin smoothing effect. Most importantly though, there’s already an in-built Wi-Fi function that allows you to immediately sync the images onto your phone, ripe for Instagram. Very, very tempting.

The Canon special edition #EOSM10Rilakkuma box sets are available at Canon authorised dealers, at the following prices:

EOS M10 kit (EF M15-45 IS STM), Black or White, $649
EOS M10 kit II (EF M15-45 IS STM & EF M22 STM), White, $799
EOS M10 kit III (EF M15-45 IS STM & EF M55-200 IS STM), White, $999

WIN! We’re giving away 1 set of the special edition #EOSM10Rilakkuma box set, worth $999, consisting of the following:

Canon EOS M10 Kit III (EF-M15-45mm & EF-M55-200mm), in White
24cm Rilakkuma plush toy

For a chance to win, simply fill in this form by 15 July, Friday, 12pm.

A Beginner's Guide To Nail Polish Top Coats

Sometimes, we just can’t bring ourselves to fork over that little extra cash for manicures or pedicures. Or maybe we just prefer getting our nails done in the comfort of our own home, or maybe just experimenting with styles that might make a manicurist’s eyebrows raise. But either way, we all get hit with some serious nail envy from time to time. That being said, changing up your nail polish look might be easier than you think. The secret? Some magical top coats.

INM Northern Lights Hologram Top Coat

Images taken from sallybeauty.com & instagram.com/selinasnailart
The galaxy-print craze may have faded for clothes, but everyone loves a bit of stardust when it comes to nails. The great thing about the INM Northern Lights Hologram Top Coat is that you can layer on as much as you want for an even more infinite universe on your nails, while leaving a simple single layer can also help maintain that high-gloss shine. Plus, it supposedly dries in seconds! Bye bye, awkward moments of standing around doing nothing for fear of chipping our manicures. Available at sallybeauty.com.

OPI Matte Top Coat

Images taken from youtube.com/opiproducts
Like matte lipsticks, it’s hard to imagine a time (or place) where having matte nails wouldn’t work to give your look that extra edge. While everyone loves the look of a black matte french mani, the OPI Matte Top Coat works perfectly with any colour. Experiment with different shapes to give your nails extra depth if you feel that a plain matte look is too boring for you. But for us, it’s definitely a statement all on its own. Available at ulta.com.

Starrily Eclipse Top Coat

Images taken from livelovepolish.com
Consider this top coat the superhero sister of the INM Northern Lights top coat, just look at that perfect holographic effect! Use it over any base colour – although in this case, we recommend black nail polish, just to help the colours pop a whole lot more. Who says rainbows can’t be subtle and chic? Available at livelovepolish.com, although it’s sadly out of stock at the moment.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Image taken from seche.com
If all else fails, we figure that the essential top coat is one that keeps everything in check, and these two contenders have proven worthy as the unbeatable champs. The Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat is a particular cult-favourite, sealing your mani off with a healthy sheen while simultaneously strengthening your nails against chipping and peeling. After all, no matter how pretty the top coat, the point is that it stays as perfect for as long as possible. Available at Sephora.

Funky Accessories To Own

Sometimes life can be pretty boring trying to nail that perfectly minimalistic or monochromatic outfit daily. Being creatures of habit makes it difficult to venture out of our little comfort zone where our fashion sense has become in sync with the conventional styles and trends we’re so used to, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, it can get pretty dull – staring at our monotonous stash of clothing, they all start to look the same after awhile. The huge dilemma hits us – we can’t just parade around in godawful outfits just to look a little different. Enter the bold, loud and funky accessories. They allow us to be wild and unique for once, while adamantly still maintaining our “acceptable” fashion sense, and our sanity of course.
1. Jewellery

Topshop, $19.90. Topshop, $33.90.
These loud and bold designs will definitely stand out, especially if you’re clad in black or white. The tassels and intricate embellishments are also a plus point.

2. Bags

Nasty Gal, $69. Asos, $11.06.
Ditch your boring black purses and clutches for something as cute and dazzling as these on your nights out, and you won’t look the same as everybody else on the streets.

3. Sunglasses

Bimba Y Lola, $234. Quay Australia, US$55.
Reflective glasses make the perfect accessory to take selfies with. For one, they reflect light, and they occasionally make great standby mirrors when you have no time to whip out your phone or a pocket mirror. Handy.

4. Tech

Urban Outfitters, US$26. Nasty Gal, $58.
Ok we know, these are impractical, especially so when the delicious-looking fries portable charger looks like it weighs a ton. But really, we can’t bear to say no to these, especially since they look much more attractive as compared to the dull gadgets we see in electronic stores. However, we’ll admit that it’ll be much harder to go on a diet with this charger casually sitting in our bag everyday.

5. Shoes

soeurs.co, $34.50.
Pom poms might have been the hype for past seasons, but this pair of sandals is just an adorable combination of crazy colours and everybody’s favourite tie-up laces.

6. Patches and stickers

Zara, $39.90. Zara, $14.90.
A great way to inject creativity and individuality into your outfit. These stickers look especially great on plain coloured bags and jackets.

5 Murder-Mystery Films To Watch

Never trust anyone who doesn’t enjoy some form of detective-themed entertainment, especially Cluedo. Real-life sleuthing is hard; as kids, we all probably had that one moment where we decided to “investigate” a situation, sometimes biting off a little more than we can chew. But hey, I personally blame it on all the Geronimo Stilton and Famous Five I used to read. Nevertheless, murder-mystery films – when done right – will amaze you again and again. From plot twists to hidden clues, we’ve rounded up five of the best so far, for your viewing pleasure:
*****
Clue (1985)

Did you know that Cluedo actually inspired a murder-mystery film of it’s own? The best news: it’s pretty damn good. Funny, chock-full of game board references and a good dose of suspense, there’s nothing not to love about this film and its star-studded cast. (PS. Make sure you check out the alternate endings. Your mind will be blown.)

The Usual Suspects (1995)
Before Bryan Singer was at the helm of blockbuster projects like X-Men, he hit the jackpot of murder-mystery films when he developed The Usual Suspects. If the lineup scene looks familiar, you’ve probably watched a number of Singer-directed films: he uses the silhouettes of those characters for the logo of his production company, Bad Hat Harry. Also, any movie with Kevin Spacey is definitely worthwhile. Trust us. There’s a reason this film is still talked about to this day.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
No one does murder-mystery like Agatha Christie, and you can be sure that any adaptation of her novels is equally brilliant. Featuring a star-studded cast including Vanessa Redgrave, Sean Connery and Ingrid Bergman, Murder on the Orient Express is probably one of the best ensemble murder-mystery films of all time. Fun fact: Christie’s detective protagonist, Hercule Poirot, is played by a different actor in each adaptation of her works.

Mother (2009)
You probably won’t be surprised to know that the genius director behind Snowpiercer, Bong Joon-Ho, has a fantastic murder-mystery film under his belt too. While it’s definitely one of the darker ones on this list, trust us when we say that you need to watch this one. We can’t talk too much about this film without spoiling it, so you know it’s pretty close to being the quintessential murder-mystery movie.

Memento (2000)
This film’s editing concept is simple: everything in colour is being shown in reverse, while everything in black-and-white is being shown chronologically, following the protagonist’s struggle with anterograde amnesia. The result is that Memento has frequently been cited as having one of the best screenplays of all time, even earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing. With so much well-earned hype around it, you probably won’t be surprised to know that Christopher Nolan directed this film, and we hope that makes you all the more excited to watch it.

This Lash Fibre Gel Is Pretty Magical

As someone who has resigned herself to eternally short and stick-straight lashes, I’m skeptical about most lash products, be it curlers or mascaras. Of course I use shu uemura’s cult eyelash curler and as promised, it does the job of curling my lashes temporarily; but to be honest, when my lashes are so short anyway, there’s only so much it can do. And when it comes to mascaras, I take any lengthening or volumising claim with a hearty dose of skepticism – it’s not them, it’s my eyes (damn you, hooded lids).
Of course, I’ve also tried mascaras that come with lash-enhancing fibres, but those haven’t been especially successful either. So when local makeup brand Faux Fayc’s Fauxlash Mascara Duo made its way into my hands, I thought this was going to be another one of those. But upon closer inspection, this one is different: it’s made to be applied after mascara, and is a duo set consisting of a “Transplanting Gel”, and a tube of “Natural Fibres”.

It promises to bestow upon my measly lashes a 300% increase in length and thickness, for a “drama like effect”. It’s also marketed as a more convenient and natural-looking alternatives to falsies, which is great for me, because tackling sticking on false lashes is just too much for the mornings.
This is how it works: after your regular mascara goes on, let it dry, then apply a generous coat of the Transplanting Gel. While that’s still wet, coat lashes with the Natural Fibres on the tips of lashes, then apply the Transplanting Gel again to set. Repeat as many times as you like, depending on how dramatic you want your lashes to go.
The fibres used here are jet black, and come in small, fluffy bits. They blended naturally into my lashes, and yes, the 300% claim is pretty legit.

With mascara only

With mascara, Faux Fayc Fauxlash Mascara Duo
This nifty duo has indeed proven to be a shining ray of light to my seemingly hopeless lashes, so kudos to Faux Fayc for getting it right.

Main image: fauxfayc.com. Faux Fayc Fauxlash Mascara Duo, $39. Available at the Faux Fayc store at #B1-32A Plaza Singapura, Naiise stores, and on fauxfayc.com.

Our Latest Obsession: Coloured Eyeliner

Blue

from instagram.com/pixibeauty.
The easiest coloured eyeliner to wear for a daily look. A bright cobalt blue cat eye or waterline would go well with taupes, browns and light purple eyeshadows. With a thick blue flick, you shouldn’t still be piling on eyeshadows, as you’ll risk having your blue liner disappear in the layers of eyeshadow. Also, pair this bright eye look with nude lips and minimal bronzer but still with strategic highlighting for a balanced look.
Try: NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Royal Blue, $36, available at Sephora and NARS counters.

Green

from instagram.com/beautyisboring_.
For a strong, green flick, we’d go with a liquid eyeliner for this bold look. Greens are just like blues, they are rich and obvious on the eye once applied. Whether you’re going with a dark forest green, olives, electric or the muted khakis, make sure that you’re wearing minimal or nude eyeshadow tones to complement the greens. Keep your blush and lip as simple as possible too, the green should be the focus.
Try: Revlon Colorstay Skinny Liquid Liner in Green Spark, $19.90, available at Watsons and Guardian stores.

Alternatively, you could line your waterline with a coloured eyeliner that will draw attention to your eyes and widen them too. Be sure not to completely draw your waterline, but fill it in from the outer corners of your eyes to the mid point.

from instagram.com/mannymua733.
Try: Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil in Iridescent Lagoon Green, $36, available at Sephora ION Orchard, Sephora Ngee Ann City, and the MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Loft. makeupforever.com/sg.

Pink

from instagram.com/ponyeffect_korea.

from instagram.com/angelabright.
Angela uses a liquid lipstick for her pink eyeliner, which is really bizarre, but yet it produces a really refreshing and interesting effect – it’s much softer and subtle on the eyes, as compared to using a real eyeliner. Using a lipstick as your eyeliner might just be the new way to save dough; but not everybody can master this art just yet, so we’ll stick to our normal eyeliners for now. Pinks, whether it’s light or dark, can be difficult to work around, especially since you might end up looking like you’ve tired and sore eyes. Be sure to pair your pink liner with dark eyeshadows as the dark tones on your eyelids will play as a great contrast, blending both light and dark hues seamlessly. If you’re not feeling so bold just yet, apply your normal black cat eye, and line a deep pink on top of the black liner for a novel look.

Gold

from YouTube.
Gold eyeliner can be tough to pull off on a daily basis, so save this look for special nights where you’ll feel more comfortable looking extra glamorous. Due to the shine that the gold brings, be sure to contrast the sheen with black mascara and a black waterline for a dark and smokey effect. Another great way to add gold to your eyes is to line the shimmer above your black eyeliner and it’ll definitely be a refreshing change.
Try: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Pure Gold, $10, available at Sephora.

Calvin Klein's ck2 is the Gender-Free Fragrance We All Love

The thrill of the chase. We can break it down, but we don’t need to. You know the feeling alright, it’s universal, that heady intoxication you get when you lay eyes on that significant someone, a free-falling sort of feeling because you just can’t seem to get that person out of your head, as if you want to breathe in every moment with him or her. It’s this reeling mix of idealism, fantasy and excitement that defines “the chase”, and funny enough, this thrill applies just as much when we’re talking about the ck2.
It’s a fresh gender-free scent that defies classification – now, where does it sit on the shelf if it’s neither a “his” or “her” scent? – but that’s precisely why we’re so smitten. Due to its anything-goes nature, it’s definitely a scent made for sharing too – could be your lover, best friend, buddy or sibling, as long as you both have it on, you’ll feel an immediate connection, invincible, and ready to take on the world.

Plus, no way will we be ditching this after we’re done; it just smells too good. Like any rock concert worth talking about, it opens with an unexpected act that makes you want to sit up and take notice, just that this time, it’s the thrilling beats of spicy wasabi, blended with mandarin and violet leaf. We then get to the powerful heart of the scent, a heart-thumping mix of fresh florals that bloom alongside urban elements of wet cobblestones and orris concrete, followed by lingering notes of vetiver, creamy sandalwood and sensual musks, basically, the kind of vibes you want to soak in all day long.
Along with the fragrance, Calvin Klein has also launched a #the2ofus campaign that sees regular people, influencers, and celebrities sharing stuff they’d do together as a pair, be it making music, travelling, lounging, or just doing things that appeal to that adventurous streak in all of us. All because of one particular bottle and its all-encompassing scent. Youthful thrill-seekers, you know where to get some.
ck2 EDT, $52 for 30ml, $67 for 50ml and $88 for 100ml. Available at BHG Bugis, Isetan Scotts, Metro (Causeway Point, Paragon and Centrepoint), Robinsons (The Heeren, Jem and Raffles City), Sephora, Takashimaya D.C. and TANGS (TANGS Plaza, VivoCity).

Contouring For Newbies

Jul 12, 2016Aug 15, 2018

1. Know your face shape
The most basic tip of the lot: you have to know your face shape before we get into it. The contouring regions are highly dependent on the shape of your face, as you’ll need to sculpt areas that are not as defined. Of course, we know everybody’s different, and while you may not have a specific face shape, here’s a rough guide:

Left: Oval face
If you have an oval face shape, you’re considered the lucky one – you’ll only need minimal contouring to highlight to define your high cheekbones.
Middle: Square face
Those with square faces have incredibly sculpted look; with a strong jawline and sharp features. Redefine your facial contours with just a light bronzing on the edges of your face and highlight your nose bridge and forehead accordingly. The end product will be a well-defined face with the focus on the center of your face which will soften your strong features.
Right: Round face
The trickiest face shape to contour would definitely be the round face. No, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re chubby, it just means that your face shape is naturally fuller and less defined. But a little contouring will do trick. Of course, such heavy bronzing is probably too much for a daily look, so save this full-fledged contouring for special nights when you have the time to spare. On normal days, you’ve to mainly focus on bronzing your jaw line and highlighting your nose for a lifted look. This will highlight your nose bridge and sculpt your jaw, giving you the illusion of a much slimmer face.

2. Use the correct tools
Other than identifying your face shape and key contouring areas, you’ll be needing the correct tools for the job. For highlighting your cheeks, it’s best to use a fluffy fan brush for an easy sweep of highlight across your cheekbones. Go for a small eyeshadow brush to highlight your brow bone, cupid’s bow and the edges of your nose.
Essentially, any normal powder brush would do the trick for bronzing. We especially love using an angled blush brush for the ultimate sculpted look.

3. Use a setting spray
We won’t go into the difficult terms such as “baking” or “cooking” yet, but here’s a great tip you could try out: after you’ve set your face with a setting spray, start applying your highlight while your face is still wet from the spray. Not only will this make your skin look more radiant and dewy, your highlight will stay on longer too.

4. Start with simple products
Baby steps are important. While we gush over Youtubers and their professional contouring tricks, remember this: you aren’t there just yet (but you will be, someday). Try using contouring sticks that do not require the tricky usage of brushes or sponges, or a liquid highlighter that comes with a wand applicator. Also, keep it simple with matte powdered bronzers, and you’ll slowly manoeuvre your way through the trove of contouring beauty products.

Why I Can't Watch Horror Films

Jul 12, 2016Aug 15, 2018

We all have that friend who’s a little more squeamish than the rest, although it definitely depends how good they are at hiding it. You know, the friend who, when faced with the prospect of entering a Haunted House, playing a horror video-game or even – god-forbid – watching a horror film, would turn to you with a slight shrug and a casual “I’d rather not” (if they’re a lot more vocal, they’d just run for the hills screaming).
Well, that friend is me.

See, Cory gets it.

Quick disclaimer: I don’t think I’m the most cowardly person in the world. Heights don’t really faze me – in fact, I love coasters – and the prospect of being in a small space doesn’t really make me tremble in my sneakers. Bugs do make me flinch, but that’s a whole other story, and a very different type of fear. Right now, we’re focusing on horror flicks.
I will admit, there’s a whole host of horror films – both from the East and the West – that have good writing and well-developed characters. Sci-fi tends to do this pretty well, if you ignore all the B-Grade stuff, of course, just look at Alien. John Carpenter’s The Thing is also pretty interesting because it unravels similar to a “whodunit” murder-mystery, except with a monster twist and a little more gore. Eesh. But my interest in horror will continue to be non-existent for these very reasons:

1. The gore.

Okay, this applies a little more to American/European films because of their love of slasher-flicks – one question: Why?? – but it’s a factor nevertheless. The advancements in modern makeup and things like CGI have meant that blood and wounds now look more realistic than ever, and directors know it. Horror films have staged increasingly complex and nausea-inducing scenes of both heroes and villains being injured or killed in a variety of ways. My general rule of thumb is that your vital organs should, you know, remain inside your body for the entire duration of the show. Otherwise I’ll probably make like Sheldon Cooper and drop to the ground at the first sight of blood. I’ll leave my appreciating movie makeup to watching episodes of Syfy’s Face Off.

2. The setting.

While I applaud shows like Cabin in The Woods for jabbing at the genre itself, any situation set in a day-to-day location will undeniably rank high on my freak-out-o-meter. That’s the reason why most of us get the weird feeling we’re being watched/followed whenever we find ourselves alone on certain walks home – that fear has been embedded into our consciousness because of whatever we’ve watched. It’s also part of the reason why long, dark corridors make me so nervous; they’re way too common for comfort. Thankfully, we don’t have a huge abundance of genuinely haunted houses in Singapore, but anything set in a hospital, or school, or simply by the side of a generic road, and it’s Nope-town for me.

3. The monsters/ghosts/demons/etc.

Following the strange incidences of what happened during screenings of The Conjuring 2, I am definitely not interested in messing with whatever spirit follows that film around. Is it any wonder why horror film sets have been known to be plagued with ~*mysterious*~ incidents ranging from serious injuries to even deaths? Even “Macbeth” is forbidden from being uttered in a theatre. Poltergeists are probably the worst, too: are you slowly going mad, or are you simply facing an invisible foe? I prefer keeping battles with my enemies strictly in the mortal, physical realm, thanks.

4. Fear.