The Posh Spice fans in us rejoiced over the weekend at the news that the eternally chic Victoria Beckham will be teaming up with Estée Lauder to come up with a limited edition makeup collection for Fall 2016. We’ve gotten bits of VB-stamped beauty before in a “Very Victoria” lipstick as well as a two-piece nail polish collection before, but this will be the first time that she’s done a full-fledged makeup collection – hence our giddy excitement.
No details on the actual products and the look and feel of the collection as of yet; all we know right now is that it will hit stores and the Estée Lauder and Victoria Beckham official websites in September this year. But if we had to make a guess and squint very closely at the behind-the-scenes image released by Estée Lauder above, we predict Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder will look like lots of muted colours: probably an eyeshadow palette, contouring palette, lipsticks in varying shades of neutrals, and possibly an eyeliner and mascara. Watch this space: We’ll be sure to reveal the collection specifics as soon as they’re announced.
Victoria Beckham Estée Lauder collection, available September 2016.esteelauder.com.sg
We’ve always thought that taking the leap to go blonde requires a certain kind of boldness. In Singapore at least, hair that light will instantly make you stand out among the sea of dark heads. And then there’s the need to take extra care of it – once you skip out on religiously applying colour-preserving and intensely moisturising home care hair products, your blonde ‘do is going to take on the appearance and consistency of hay.
That’s why the majority of us have shied away from turning blonde, leaving it to our braver and more adventurous friends, and having to be content with just admiring photogenic blonde ‘dos on the internet – for example, NYLON Singapore cover girl and Redken Muse Suki Waterhouse rocking her blonde tresses in the above picture. But after seeing these three girls’ take on their own kind of blonde, we’re very inclined to change our minds. Here, they share their thoughts on being blonde:
Chloe Choo (Instagram: @chloeandchoo)
“Being blonde means… rebelling against my Asian DNA and experimenting with what’s good on the other end of the spectrum!” Colour and Styling by Jimmy Yap, Kenaris Salon
Address: 501 Orchard Road, #04-03 Wheelock Place, Singapore 238880
Phone: 6333 8206
Mae Tan (Instagram: @marxmae)
“Being blonde acts like an accessory, allowing me to make a statement with any outfit I put on! Once you go blonde, you never go back!” Colour by Brian Chow; Styling by Miki Gao, kimrobinson Address: 391 Orchard Road, #02-12 Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872
Phone: 6738 8006
Ellie Tan (Instagram: @ell4d)
“Being blonde means you’re unafraid to venture out of the norm, and it also means you take care of yourself (because maintaining a nice head of blonde locks can be hard as hell!).” Colour by Ang Xiao Hui; Styling by Gina Lau, The Hair Shop Address: 290 Orchard Road, #05-06 The Paragon, Singapore 238859
Phone: 6732 3773
The three different kinds of blonde these girls sport are courtesy of Redken’s new Blonde Idol hair colour system, which consists of 12 cool-toned shades to lighten your hair colour without turning it brassy, thus setting Redken’s dyes apart from others currently out there in the market. When you’re at the salon, you might also want to ask your colourist about Babylights, basically the on-trend colouring technique of the moment that involves ultra-fine highlighted strands made to mimic naturally sun-kissed hair, as seen on Suki in her above campaign image for Redken – a look that’ll look great in the Blonde Idol shades.
And because following up with at-home care is of the utmost importance, Redken has also launched the Blonde Idol haircare range, consisting of a shampoo, colour-toning conditioner, treatment mask and leave-on spray, all to keep your blonde looking in tip-top shape even weeks after your salon session. The formulas contain violet leaf and lactic acid extracts to preserve the cool tones in the blonde colour and maintain hair strength, all the more important after you’ve subjected it to all that bleaching.
We’re guessing all of this is quite enough to convince you to go blonde during your next trip to the hair salon (because we sure are quite convinced). To make it easier for you, Redken has launched an online salon locator, so you can quickly locate your nearest salon with the Blonde Idol hair colour system and products. Maybe blondes do have more fun after all.
Photography by Natalie Lim (Instagram: @creativenatty), lighting by Nic Loh (Instagram: @unicloh). Redken Blonde Idol haircare range, $24 to $55, and hair colour system, available at Redken salons. For salon listings, visit redken.sg.
Treat yourself to a wild TGIF, with Dutch DJ and music producer Nicky Romero heating up the dance floor at good ol’ Jiak Kim Street tonight. It doesn’t take a club regular to appreciate straightforward, feel-good EDM, and Romero’s accessible electro house tracks will be sure to keep you dancing till closing. Don’t forget your ritual post-club Swee Choon afterwards. Date: 15 April 2016 Venue: Zouk Singapore, 17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169420 Admission: $45 (incl. 2 drinks) Tickets available at ticketing.zoukclub.com
Voilah! French Festival 2016
Before you haste to correct us on our spelling oversight – yes, the event is spelt “Voilah” with an ‘h’ (emphasis on lah, ladies and gents), to celebrate the best of French culture, creativity and innovation, specifically so right here in Singapore. The seven-week event boasts over 120 local and French partners to bring you the best of visual and performing arts shows, gastronomy experiences, cinema retrospective, and science programmes. There’s truly so much to see and do, so we’re bracing ourselves for a sensory overload – think movie screenings, premiere photo exhibitions, and even a French food festival featuring 50 bakeries, wineries, restaurants and retailers. We’re particularly excited about the Food Fest (duh), along with a Yves Saint-Laurent ‘Birth of a Legend’ photo exhibition, and the French Animation Film Festival (happening in the later part of May; more on that to come!).
The festival kicks off tonight with a spectacular ballet and light display at the Marina Bay area; if you enjoyed iLight, you’ll definitely want to check this out, what with the installations of brightly illuminated flowers and coloured kites transforming public spaces and setting the scene for a dreamy dance performance. Date: 15 April to 31 May 2016 More info at voilah.sg
Record Store Day 2016
Sounds like the stuff of broody hipster dreams, but the annual event celebrating the few existing independent record stores here in Singapore is definitely one worth commemorating. For vinyl enthusiasts, brace yourselves for the incoming torrent of classic titles released exclusively for Record Store Day 2016. There’s everything from Fleetwood Mac to Foals, to Regina Spektor and even goddamn Hello Kitty on Ice (don’t ask). And for curious first-timers, it’s sure to be an eye-and-ear-opening novelty event. Happening at The Analog Vault and Vinylicious Records. Date: 16 April 2016 Time: 12pm – 7pm Venue: The Analog Vault, #02-13, Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Avenue & Vinylicious Records, 3 Coleman Street, #03-01, Peninsula Shopping Centre Admission: Free More info at s3.amazonaws.com/recordstoreday/2016/2016_RSD_PUBLIC.pdf
Featured image from facebook.com/vinyliciousrecords.
Accessories make an outfit, or so we’re told. But we have to agree — just think how a choice between pair of ankle boots or a pair of laidback sneakers can change the whole vibe of a shirt-and-jeans ensemble, and similarly, the right bag, watch, jewellery and more pretty much informs the style you’re going for. Our go-to e-retailer, Luisaviaroma, understands that far too well, so we’ve scoured their site and an extensive women’s section, in order to give you these two must-have Spring/Summer essentials. Only for the fashion-conscious, of course.
First, something we all covet here at the NYLON office — an Alexander McQueen bandana, complete with the trademark skull motifs. The scarf is made of 100% silk, a trait we personally got to witness when it came in a neat box and had to open it up, after which we can’t help but swoon at the, well, silky-smooth texture of the piece. Made in Italy, with an all-over print that’s just busy enough for it to still be classy (and somehow, also, edgy), we’d tie this everywhere; on our bags, in our hair, and around our neck, a prime spot for a piece that’s sure to brighten up any dull outfit.
Secondly, a unisex item of a Casio G-Shock watch. It’s definitely versatile — the stainless steel band adds the necessary hardware to jazz up any fancy or casual combination, while we’d always opt for a digital watch face that proves the easiest way to tell the time. This casual piece isn’t that pricey, but it’s unique enough to turn heads, mostly because of the camouflage face. Pair this with an oversized jacket or military green pants.
To make them even more enticing, we’re running a contest where you stand a chance to win those items:
WIN! We’re giving away one Alexander McQueen Tattoo Printed Bandana and one G-Shock Vintage Camouflage Watch each to two separate winners, courtesy of Luisaviaroma. For a chance to win, fill in the form below by 22 April, 12pm.
Terms & Conditions Apply. To participate in this contest, you will be required to enter your e-mail address below — do note that this particular information will be shared with LUISAVIAROMA as part of the contest, with the possibility of receiving updates of discounts and contests from the e-retailing site. Other than the e-mail address, all other personal and private information will remain strictly confidential.
Chicken streeps. Sriracha Streep. A TGIF-worthy Bloody Meryl. It took a few months, but we finally stumbled upon this gem of an Instagram account, dedicated to fulfilling our oddly specific, previously unrealised dreams of seeing Meryl Streep combined with food. And we guarantee that after seeing these pictures, it will awaken in you too a newfound urge for more tasty Meryl combos.
The genius behind the account (@tasteofstreep) is Brooklyn-based graphic designer Samantha Raye, who first got the idea messing around on Photoshop. Exploring a nutritious variation of food groups, Raye seamlessly incorporates the Queen of the silver screen’s fashion choices into colour-matched food – anything from grilled cheeses to sugary twinkies. Clearly the combination is a winner in all our eyes – because everyone loves food, and everyone loves Meryl Streep. Who knew it’d be so oddly satisfying seeing the Devil wear bacon?
There’s something admirably resilient about plants that survive in the desert, and while spiky cacti aren’t the best-looking flora, they live, day in, day out, for generations, subject to terrible heat and terrifying poisonous beasts – but they adapt. As does fashion, though in a far-too-often basis. Flared jeans were everywhere in the 70s, then seen as old-fashioned in the era of the skinnies, and now it’s kinda hot again. How then, do you acclimatise? We suggest going for true style rather than sticking with the trends, and for that, the Spring/Summer picks at Bershka are just right.
1. Casual Neutrals
First, a lesson in neutrals. Sandy hues will always stand the test of time, though we like the denim combo best. The casual look is great for a weekend out, while you’re free to keep it interesting with rustic embellishments, frayed finishes, or a strong tiered necklace. Bell sleeves and lace-up details give a more “dessert wanderer” vibe, and are breezy enough to withstand the heat.
To give it a more modern feel, borrow a little from the Pantone colours of the year — and trust us, Rose Quartz and Serenity goes a long way. It’s not an exact match, but light denim shorts are a great rep for that calming blue. All you have to do is pair it with blush pink or peach, in the form of ribbed tops; these are great for giving the layered look of winter knits, while the material’s definitely light enough for our all-year summer.
2. Breezy Layers
Another way to rock the neutrals — dress it up with layered looks. Switch up the shorts for a long dress, one that already comes with its own embellishments so you won’t have to pile on other accessories. Basically, t’s a complete look that you don’t have to try too hard for. Gladiator sandals, or any kind of tie-up sandals really, fall in line with this breezy aesthetic, as do bucket bags and frilled tops in lightweight cotton.
L-R: Slouchy Dress with Mirror Detail, $49.90; Layered Necklace with Tassels, $35.90; BSK Veracruz Lace & Ruffle Top, $19.90; Strappy Lace-Up Flat Sandals, $59.90; Perforated Pouch with Pom Poms, $39.90
3. Rugged Vibes
For more rugged vibes, try oversized layers — a military green jacket together with a cap. Layers might sound crazy on a sweltering hot day, but that’s exactly why we’re opting for this airy outer layer. Cargo pants fit the bill too, but we wouldn’t recommend anything too bulky, hence a simple cropped top and skinny jeans work for a sleek contrast. Then, pull the whole look together with a classic backpack.
L-R: Short Sleeve Saharan Jacket with Pockets, $69.90; Macrame Top, $35.90; BSK Low Waist Comfort Skinny Jeans, $39.90; Imitation Leather Backpack, $49.90; Cap, $29.90; BSK Fabric Technical Sports Shoes, $79.90
4. Modern Tribal
If bohemian’s more your style, you can do so with an embellished tribal vest or top, though, try a more urban twist with a black hat and lace-up sandals. The good thing about hats is that they also protect your face from the glaring sun and UV rays, whether it happens to be a cloudy or particularly bright day out. If all this is proving a little too hippie for you, or you don’t want to go head-to-toe like you just walked out of a Coachella festival, opt for accessories that go with this theme — a necklace or fancy bag does the trick. In small doses, these work perfectly.
L-R: BSK Short Embroidered Vest, $69.90; Embroidered Blouse, $39.90; Black Hat, $39.90; Lace-Up Low Heel Sandals, $89.90; Dreamcatcher Pendant Necklace, $16.90; BSK Ethnic Bag with Mirror Detail, $69.90
5. Poolside Lounging
Finally, what’s summer without some time by the pool? While Bershka does have swimsuits and bikinis, we like their lightweight wear that’s great for lounging by the pool or beach. Staples include a classic wide rimmed beach hat (great for Instagram, and again, takes care of your skin) along with a pair of shades. Printed palazzo pants and trousers are great too, or, try a wide-legged jumpsuit — all these give off the relaxed weekend vibes.
L-R: Long Ribbed Jumpsuit with Belt, $69.90; Off-the-shoulder Print Blouse, $39.90; Wide-Brimmed Beach Hat, $29.90; Baggy Drawstring Trousers, $39.90; Sunglasses, $29.90
Once you’ve got these down, you’re all ready to be perennially stylish – that is, until you make the trek down to Bershka’s new location at ION Orchard, now at B3. Your wardrobe will thank you for it. Bershka Spring/Summer 2016 collection, priced from $19.90 to $89.90, available at all Bershka stores, including ION Orchard, #B3-06/07, VivoCity, #01-58/60/63, and Bugis+, #02-20/21. bershka.com BERSHKA ION ORCHARD HAS MOVED! Make your way down to their new concept store, now at B3. Address: #B3-06/07, ION Orchard
For their Spring/Summer 2016 collection, Pedder Red definitely isn’t holding back. The collection theme “Art Attack” means a bold and rebellious take on classic trends like denim, florals, sports chic and metallics on the footwear pieces of the season, and honestly, we’re spoilt for choice.
The collection has been divided into various key themes, each tying back to “Art Attack” with its own distinct personality. Click on each of the shoe images to find out more about each model!
You can explore the rest of the collection online on pedderred.com, and check out your favourite pieces immediately – the online store makes it extremely easy to stock up on all the key accessories you need for the season, since they do ship to Singapore (woohoo!). To celebrate the awesomeness of the Pedder Red Spring/Summer ’16 range, we’re giving away 3 of the Ally Denim Leather Drawstring Bag (below) from the collection! To stand a chance to win, fill in the form below by 22 April 2016, 6pm.
Pedder Red is located at #03-04 Takashimaya S.C. and Pedder On Scotts Level 2. pedderred.com
We had Batman v Superman last month, but the rivalry continues as we see Captain America’s team fighting Iron Man and his crew, a young boy and his father running away from the government, and an icy sibling conflict between two Queens. Mark your calendars.
*** HIGH STRUNG
Release Date: 14 April 2016
Director: Michael Damian
Cast: Keenan Kampa, Nicholas Galitzine, Jane Seymour
Rating: PG
Obviously this film is going to get compared to the Step Up films, but if you’re up for a feel-good movie, then this should be it. So a hip-hop violinist meets a classical dancer while busking in the New York Subway. They decide to collab, even though her world is classical and disciplined, and his is improvisational and street smart. They immediately clash, but try to find common ground as they enter a competition that could save her scholarship and prevent him from being deported.
— DEMOLITION
Release Date: 14 April 2016
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper
Rating: NC16
When something tragic happens in your life, how do you cope? Do you just wallow in self-pity for a few days and then move on with life, or do you go for a holiday just to get away from it all? Everyone has different coping mechanisms. Jake Gyllenhaal plays an investment banker who recently lost his wife in a car accident. It starts out with a personal letter to a vending machine company (the vending machine didn’t give him his peanut M&M’s), which slowly turns into a series of letters that reveal personal admissions, like his emotional detachment after losing his wife. The letters catch the attention of a customer service rep (Naomi Watts) and from there, they form a connection that helps him rebuild his life, by demolishing his past. How poetic.
— HARDCORE HENRY
Release Date: 14 April 2016
Director: Ilya Naishuller
Cast: Sharito Copley, Danila Kozlovsky, Haley Bennett
Rating: To be advised (probably gonna be R21)
So a man named Henry wakes up and finds himself in a lab after being revived by a woman who claims to be his wife. But before she can tell him anything (except his name), she gets kidnapped by armed thugs and mercenaries. Now he has to find a way to find this woman and figure out what the hell is happening, all while trying to avoid being killed by pretty much everyone in the city Moscow; except for a mysterious British man who seems to be on Henry’s side. Plot aside, TAKE A LOOK AT THAT CINEMATOGRAPHY. It’s shot entirely from a first-person perspective, just like how you would when you play first person shooters like Doom, Call of Duty and Counter-strike. Very refreshing and something to catch if you’re a fan of those games.
— THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR
Release Date: 14 April 2016
Director: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain
Rating: PG13
The cast and director were recently in town for the gala premiere of the film at Universal Studios Singapore (and of course to meet their fans and all). You already know the story of Snow White, but discover the story that came before that in this film. Charlize Theron reprises her role as the evil Queen Ravenna, who betrays her good sister Freya (played by Emily Blunt) with an unforgivable act which freezes her heart and unleashing a power she never knew she had. She retreats to a kingdom far to the north and raises an army of hunstmen as her protectors. Eric (played by Chris Hemsworth) and Sara (played by Jessica Chastain) have been chosen to fight for Freya as the two queens go to war for total domination.
— MR. RIGHT
Release Date: 21 April 2016
Director: Paco Cabezas
Cast: Sam Rockwell, Anna Kendrick, Tim Roth
Rating: M18
This film is basically a rom-com with a bang, pun intended. Anna Kendrick plays Martha McKay, a girl who just recently went through a breakup with a cheating boyfriend. She runs into a guy at a store (after bumping a bunch of condoms off the shelf, no less) and realises that she’s falling for what seems like the “perfect” guy. His one flaw? He’s a hitman who kills people that hire him. Yes, as strange as it sounds, we really can’t wait to see how this pans out, though it’s likely they’ll end up together forever and ride into the sunset at the end.
— MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN
Release Date: 21 April 2016
Director: Patricia Riggen
Cast: Jennifer Garner, Martin Henderson, Kylie Rogers
Rating: PG
We often read about medical mysteries that have been described as miracles. Now you can witness one that’s based on the incredible true story of the Beam family. 10-year-old Anna suffers from a pseudo-obstruction motility disorder; a rare, incurable disease that forces her to use feeding tubes for nutrition. One day, she was hanging out with her sister on the branch of a tree. Suddenly, the branch breaks and she falls three stories, hitting her head. A miracle unfolds in the wake of this, as she is left unscathed and healed from her disease.
— MIDNIGHT SPECIAL
Release Date: 21 April 2016
Director: Jeff Nichols
Cast: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst
Rating: PG
So Kylo Ren, Zod and Mary Jane decided to come together for a Midnight Special. Just kidding, but the actors who play those characters are in this new sci-fi film written by Jeff Nichols. An 8-year-old boy named Alton is gifted with special powers (we don’t really know what it is but we’re guessing it’s on the same level as X-Men’s Jean Grey/Phoenix), but of course the Federal Government (and somehow some extreme religious sect as well) are after him. His father, Roy, goes all out and risks everything to protect him from these people. We know that “he’s not like us”, but what exactly can he do? The trailer has piqued our interest, and we hope it doesn’t disappoint.
— THE BOSS
Release Date: 21 April 2016
Director: Ben Falcone
Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell, Peter Dinklage
Rating: M18
Melissa McCarthy teams up with director and husband Ben Falcone for this new hilarious comedy where she plays an industrial titan named Michelle Darnell, who gets sent to prison for insider trading. Once she’s out, she hopes to rebrand herself as America’s latest sweetheart, but not everyone is too keen on forgiving and forgetting what she’s done. So what does she do? Help with her operation manager’s daughter to build – wait for it – a brownie empire. Go figure.
— CRIMINAL
Release Date: 21 April 2016
Director: Ariel Vromen
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Costner, Gal Gadot, Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Oldman
Rating: NC16
It’s movies like these that spawn conspiracy theories about governments (and vice versa). Although this isn’t really about espionage or treason per se, the film sees an unpredictable and highly dangerous death-row inmate who has been implanted with memories and skills of a dead CIA agent. He’s tasked to finish a mission that requires him to use those skills in order to take down an international terrorist who has the power to fire missiles anywhere in the world at his whim and fancy.
— CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
Release Date: 28 April 2016
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson
Rating: To be advised
If you actually analyse the trailers really closely, you’ll be able to catch all the easter eggs that Marvel has been dropping in em’. But if you’re itching to know what they all are, there’s a pretty in-depth 16-minute video that talks about them here. Also, Marvel has been busy uploading small clips from the film that’ll excite you even more, without actually spoiling the film for fans. So the film takes place after The Avengers: Age of Ultron, which caused a lot of collateral damage. Political pressure rises, which forces a governing body to oversee and direct the team to install a system of accountability. This new arrangement causes a rift among the Avengers, resulting in two camps – one led by Captain America (and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference), and the other led by Iron Man (and his decision to support the government).
***
Image credit: United International Pictures Singapore
Ever since its announcement we’ve waited with bated breath for the arrival of Beyonce’s athleisure collection that can only be 120% pure awesomeness. And now that Ivy Park is actually here, available to us mere mortals to add to our plebeian online shopping carts, it really is what we’d dreamed it to be – and more. Peep our favourite looks from this fierce collection that’s sure to leave you hot and sweaty – in all the right ways – but excuse us as we proceed to buy the entire line because ladies; it’s time to get in formation.
Created to empower women everywhere to look and feel her best whatever she’s doing, the collection isn’t categorised by sport, so you’re free to determine for yourself how to use of any of the pieces. Seems just like the Queen to subtly embed such powerful messages even within a clothing line, and we’re definitely in favour.
And of course, nothing less from Queen Bey but the absolute best in high performance sportswear. Your regular tanks, tights, and leggings get a Beyonce-worthy upgrade, and are made like “second skin” for maximum performance. But high performance doesn’t mean compromising aesthetic; we can already imagine how va-va-voom our asses are going to look in the sweat-wicking, non-piling elastic leggings – guaranteed to elongate the leg and flatter all body types. Wew *adds to cart*.
The collection literally just dropped online, so we highly recommend you grab your credit card and get your dream workout gear before it sells out. Available at net-a-porter.com/sg and ZALORA (which, as the region’s online retailer, only means one thing – free shipping; yas).
Art. It’s such an all-encompassing word that holds multitudes and meaning, which is why it’s hard to place a value on them. Now, we get why a masterpiece costs so much — it’s not just the artist’s time and effort that you’re technically paying for but also their finely-honed expertise and experience, as well as the intangible value of their creativity and thought processes. Can’t put a price on that.
Let’s get one thing clear though, art isn’t just for the uber-rich who can afford it. It’s for everyone. Which is exactly the sentiment that drove IKEA to present Art Photography, a limited collection of 11 posters by 11 contemporary artists from around the world, aimed “to make art accessible to everyone”. “We want to make it possible to create a home with art as a natural part [of it] – and we want the art pieces to be unique as well as affordable”, says Henrik Most, Creative leader at IKEA of Sweden.
Here, they’re giving us great talking pieces that are truly unique, sometimes mind-boggling — stuff that resonates, depending on what you like. The 11 artists featured here present art that can be highly abstract to the figurative, and includes contemporary photography as well.
We like that the artists even spent that much effort to take a photo that showcases the unique quality of their art piece, whether it’s on a leather sofa that looks exactly like the sofa that inspired the photo, hanging upside down but turned the right side up just like the topsy-turvy art itself, or in surreal locations and backdrops.
It’s also interesting to hear what the artists have to say about their pieces. For example, in the abstract piece by Jill Greenberg (cover photo, right side), her painting reflects the sky and roof that she works under in her studio, and every time she takes a picture, after every brushstroke, a tiny portion of the art changes. “I’m painting with light, really”, she says. We won’t spoil you for the rest, but the other artists, including Nathalia Edenmont, Bobby Doherty and Mandy Barker have interesting things to say about their pieces too, should you make a trip down to IKEA to view the pieces in person.
All the pieces are in IKEA stores this April, while each poster costs just… $15.90. That’s right, art can finally be truly affordable.
Truth be told, we can never get enough of K-Beauty — whether it’s those square brows that are supposed to make us look more youthful, a light touch on the foundation but laser-beam highlights on our cheeks, or bright lippies. Case in point: these three Korean beauties, Diane (@oiseau88), Dami (@damsluv) and Jihee (@parantoux). Filters aside, it’s obvious that they share several things in common, but the most important one has to be… good skin. As adventurous as we are about trying new k-beauty trends, how many of us really pay as much attention to our skincare regime, especially before piling on the makeup?
We’re willing to bet that it’s not nearly as impressive as the one that celebrity makeup artist, Larry Yeo, recommends, and hey, not to worry as we tend to skip several steps while in a rush too. However, there’s really no shortcut to good skin either, and we’d trust the beauty expert — he tells us that you have to spend as much time, if not more, on the skincare portion of your morning routine, in order to have a good base for your makeup. His is a 9-step process that uses a whole range of SK-II products for that subtle, radiant glow that we’d all love to have (or, 6-step really if you count just skincare items). Definitely beats a 12-step one any way! Here goes:
1. Cleanse — SK-II Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser
“Always start off with a clean face. Wash your face, and pat dry.” 2. Tone — SK-II Cellumination Mask-In Lotion
“A good toner ensures you have an even surface to work with, and helps your skincare products you apply easier.” 3. Beauty Essence — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
“The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is nicknamed “miracle water” for a reason! Although SK-II recommends using a cotton pad to apply the essence, I don’t like to waste a single drop, so I would pour the essence directly on to my palms and spread it liberally across my face. Also, I recommend not waiting for the essence to be completely absorbed into your skin, as a moist surface allows your skincare and makeup to be applied easily.”
4. Beauty Serum — SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence or GenOptics Spot Essence
“SK-II’s newly-launched GenOptics Aura Essence is one of my favourite products for giving you an immediate dewy glow, and yet, it works on improving your long-term radiance at the same time. The new auto dropper also gives you the right amount for your face. Apply liberally!”
5. Moisturise — SK-II Cellumination Day Surge UV or Cellumination Deep Surge Ex
“Moisturising helps to lock in your skin’s moisture, helping to ensure your skin does not get too dry and cause your makeup to start flaking.” 6. UV Protection — SK-II Whitening Source Derm Definition UV Lotion (SPF50)
“Ensure you apply enough sunblock! A good gauge would be enough sunblock to cover the top segment of your fourth finger.”
7.Prime — SK-II AurActivator CC Cream
“I always use the AurActivator Cream as a primer — use one pump across the whole palm and work it, starting from the nose and undereye area, before smoothing it out evenly across the whole face. This smoothes out the skin texture (hence you use lesser foundation). 8.Foundation — SK-II Color Clear Beauty Crystal Skin Perfecting Foundation
“Pick a color that matches the skin tone and apply foundation only where it’s needed. I mostly focus under the eyes, around the nasal fold area, the upper and lower lips. Remember to use foundation to create an even tone, not to bring out a mask-like effect.” 9. Highlight — SK-II Color Clear Beauty Crystal Skin Perfecting Foundation
“Pick the lightest SK-II Color Clear Beauty Crystal Perfecting Foundation and use it to highlight the higher planes of the face, like the cheekbone, t-zone, and cupid’s bow. I love putting it just above the eyebrow too for a lift.”
All SK-II products, available now at SK-II counters. Tips & tricks by celebrity makeup artist Larry Yeo. Cover image courtesy of Dami, @damsluv.
A sure sign that summer is almost upon us: the heat is getting crazier (these days, we feel like we can barely take 10 minutes outdoors), and the makeup colours are getting brighter and bronzier. So despite the scorching heat, we take comfort in the fact that at least we have all these upcoming gorgeous summer launches to look forward to.
M.A.C Chris Chang Lustre Lipstick in Gold XXL and Cloud Gait
Don’t freak out – these don’t go on bright yellow and blue. The lustre finish of the lipstick means it appears as a semi-gloss, so anyone can try these seemingly-outlandish colours. But it’s really the packaging of this collection that’s got us – M.A.C has collaborated with Chris Chang, a Chinese fashion designer of label Poesia, who’s known for her unabashedly bold designs in a kaleidoscope of colours. This translates into the Chinese-inspired packaging and the range of rainbow shades, which will probably form one of M.A.C’s boldest collections for this year. $37 each, available at M.A.C TANGS at Tang Plaza from 28 May 2016.
RMK W Color Mascara in EX-02/Green Marine
Sometimes, we like to reach for coloured mascara, as it’s subtle enough to not draw too much attention from afar, but is like a little surprise for anyone who draws close enough to notice the colour of your lashes. We’re partial to colours like blue and green, so this dual-ended RMK mascara is really all the coloured mascara we need in one product. Mix it up by having one colour on each eye, or have your top lashes in one shade and your bottom ones in the other (the smaller brush is actually made for coating bottom lashes). $65, available at RMK counters from 28 April 2016.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua XL Eye Pencil in M-92 and M-30
MAKE UP FOR EVER is officially replacing its Aqua line of makeup with Aqua XL, and this eye pencil will be the first in the revamped range. It’s a gel crayon that comes in 20 shades and a range of finishes like matte, shimmer and iridescent, and the brand says it’s been tested in the most extreme conditions to prove that it can withstand all amounts of moisture and heat (sounds like typical conditions in Singapore in this season). The new face of the line is English electropop artist Charli XCX, who will be working with the brand to wear their colours in all her performances and music videos for the year – and seeing her rocking that bold pastel lid in the above main image is enough to make us lust over these Aqua XL colours. $36 each, available at Sephora from 12 May 2016.
NARS Lip Cover
YAS, NARS liquid lipsticks!! Finally, they’ve gotten in on the liquid lipstick trend for the Summer 2016 collection with the all-new Lip Cover in 4 shades, ranging from red to a dusty mauve that we suspect will be the most popular shade. This one isn’t matte, though; rather it dries semi-glossy, but the colour payoff is definitely there. While we admit it’s quite a limited selection for now, we hear the brand has more plans to bring us more liquid lip formulas in the near future, so we’re very much appeased. POA, available at NARS counters and selected Sephora stores from 1 May 2016.
Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Les Saharienne Bronzing Stones
This is like a gorgeous miniature desert you can keep in a compact, and might just be the prettiest bronzer we’ve seen yet – we’ll be hesitant to dip our brush into this one. It’s not the in-your-face kind of bronzing that will leave you looking ultra-shimmery, but rather, the idea is to impart a “magical bronzing glow”, that seems to come from within the skin (isn’t that always the whole point?). The texture is of a creamy powder, made with super-fine pigments to blend better into the skin. $79, available at Yves Saint Laurent Beauté stores and counters from May 2016.
Urban Decay Naked Skin One & Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector
They mean it when they say this is “one and done”: this multitasking product combines skincare and coverage for those ultra-lazy days. Being huge fans of the Urban Decay Naked complexion range, we know skipping out on makeup steps won’t have to mean sacrificing on quality coverage with this one. The formula is lightweight and leaves a diffused glow, and promises to last all day. With this, maybe we can finally put down our liquid foundations. $50, available at Urban Decay stores and Sephora from 26 May 2016.
Tom Ford Sheer Cheek Duo in Bicoastal
Blush palettes always, always get us, and when they’re in packaging as luxe as Tom Ford’s, resistance is completely futile. Bicoastal is a pairing of a light peachy pink we think would be great as an everyday highlighter, and a darker cool-toned pink that is universally flattering. It’s a creamy formula that goes on sheer, so the colour payoff will be nicely translucent, perfect for a summer complexion. $119, available at the Tom Ford Beauty counter at TANGS at Tang Plaza from May 2016.
Elizabeth Arden Sunset Bronze Prismatic Highlighter in Eclipse
Highlighter is most easily applied straight from a stick, and this one from Elizabeth Arden’s limited edition summer makeup collection perfectly embodies the “Sunset Bronze” theme: a light, pearlescent bronze you can apply in a “C” shape from the browbone to the cheekbones, and on the nose bridge. Here’s one more idea: we would even use this as an eyeshadow to create semi-glossy lids, since this is such a pretty colour. $59, available at Elizabeth Arden counters.
Okay we’ll admit it: the K-wave is pretty awesome. As much as we’ve tried fighting what’s mainstream, we do concede that along with the confusingly androgynous K-pop band craze, the K-wave has also brought with it stellar Korean beauty products, K-dramas, and our favourite – Korean food. And for anyone else who’s constantly on the lookout for great Korean restaurants for your next lunch date, we’ve got good news – there’s now a Korean restaurant guidebook app available for download, so you’ll never have to google “Good Korean restaurants Singapore” ever again.
You’ve probably been there and done that; scoured the Internet for food reviews and recommendations on the best (or cheapest) restaurants for specific Korean cuisine. It’s a tedious process and we all hate it, which is why the Korean Restaurant Guide Singapore | Hong Kong, launched by the Korean Food Foundation, is a godsend – for being a handy, one-stop destination for everything K-food. Exclusive to both Singapore and Hong Kong, the guidebook and app for locals here includes 20 Korean restaurants in Singapore, carefully handpicked by a team of local food experts from the 150 or so restaurants in operation. The restaurants were evaluated based on taste, service, hygiene, and interior décor – so you can rest assured that all bases have been covered.
If you’re one for detailed first-person reviews and photographs, you’ll be pleased to know that for all the featured restaurants, the guidebook also includes food reviews from famous local writers and food critics themselves – household names like food blogger Miss Tam Chiak and local chef Benny Se Teo. It’s like doing your usual restaurant research, but without the hassle of having ten tabs open at once. Also, the recommended restaurants provide a range of options suited for romantic dining, family gatherings, business meetings, and casual outings, for greater ease in deciding where to plan your next meal.
The guidebook is available for free at embassies and tourist information centers, but obviously you’ll want to get it on your smart device so you can access it on-the-go. Available for IOS and Android, simply search for “Korean Restaurant Guide – HK, SG” and you can download it free-of-charge. Have a blast; just don’t blame us for that impending weight gain.
It’s unhealthy to constantly linger in the past, but sometimes reminiscing can make the sore spots softer (at least, that’s what we tell ourselves). In an age where brands are coming and going at a turnover rate faster than ever, it’s pretty easy to not even think twice about someone packing up and leaving. Nevertheless, here are five stores that did make an impact on our sad little consumerist lives – so much we wistfully wish for their return. One day…
1. River Island
The blow of River Island exiting Singapore in 2012 might have been cushioned by H&M’s timely arrival, but we definitely still feel the absence of the British high street brand’s eclectic, on-trend vibe. It was like a Topshop but younger, cheekier, and occasionally cheaper. Most distressingly of all, the brand’s disappearance kind of came out of nowhere, with all their stores moving out at a rate that put the ‘fast’ in ‘fast fashion’. Oh well, at least they’re still semi-accessible via Zalora.
2. HMV
Stand in solidarity, music hipsters of the 80s-90s who reminisce the days of skulking around Singapore’s last remaining semblance of a record store. There’s nothing quite like whiling your life away thumbing through and testing CDs, before walking out nonchalantly having not bought a thing; and it’s carefree moments like these that we’ll always miss. Also, where are we going to get our cheesy boyband calendars and posters now?
3. Taco Bell
This is one F&B outlet loss we’ll never get over. Blame it on high rental fees in shopping malls these days, but we blame their exit on Singaporeans’ lackluster appreciation of Mexican food. Last sighting of this American treat was probably at Shaw Lido, when the top-floor cinema space was still a dark, dingy gathering of fast food stalls. Oh what we would give to have cheap tacos and burritos back in our lives, now that we’ve grown up and expanded our palates beyond KFC.
4. Frolick
Wait what? Frolick is gone too? Believe it or not, this once-upon-a-time leader in the froyo game has quietly bowed out of the desserts scene – totally understandable with big players like Llao Llao, MilkCow, and Honey Crème entering; but nonetheless heart-wrenching. If there’s one thing we won’t miss, though, it’s the controversial stringent hiring only of “pretty girls”. Sheesh.
5. Carrefour
Is it the free bread samples from the bakery section we miss the most? The extensive selection of toys we’d lose our younger siblings in every time we made a trip to go get groceries? Or the fact that it was simply the mecca of grocery, stationery, toys and lifestyle, and fresh food shopping that’s left an equally large hole in our hearts? One thing’s certain – four years on and we’ll still never come to terms with why a successful hypermarket (ranked 2nd in the world behind Walmart) that showed no obvious signs of slowing would choose to leave.
And no, we didn’t include Borders on this list because it’s a given that the entire island wants it back. *Wipes books-less tears away*.
Just a while ago, we were talking about getting your own custom fashion accessories on the website, whether that happens to be a rebellious patch on your denim jacket or a classy monogram on your scarf/diary/bag. So, in pursuit of individual style that stands out, and doesn’t blend in, we’re proposing something better — nothing says make-it-your-own more than a pair of Melissa shoes that has your own strokes of (genius) paint on it.
Earlier in March, artist Zixi Tan, from MessyMsxi.comcollaborated with our favourite purveyor of jelly shoes, all for a fun workshop that sees Melissa shoes as the artistic canvas for her expression of identity and style. The shoe brand has collaborated with countless designers, including Karl Lagerfeld, J. Maskrey, the Campana Brothers, Jason Wu, and most recently Jeremy Scott, but while those are carefully crafted in factories far away from here, there’s a thrill of creating art here, right in front of your eyes. Here’s what she created on the Melissa Beach Slide, Ultragirl and Mar, respectively.
If you don’t fancy yourself a very crafty person, you may take part in our giveaway contest here, where we’re giving away those three pairs of Zixi’s customised designs. Other than that, we’d suggest the whole D-I-Y route. Pick up a couple of paints and paintbrushes at ArtFriend, and devote a few hours to this project — judging by the stuff that the workshop participants have come up with, it’s worth it. Naturally, to match the bright candy shades of the shoes, Zixi opted for tropical shapes and colours. To give you a bit of a head start, here are some helpful instructions she kindly provided:
Materials needed: – Plastic paint palette – Acrylic paint, in an assortment of colours – Paintbrushes – Pencil – Melamine sponge eraser – ‘Wanna be Carioca’ paper template (at the end of this post) – A pair of Melissa shoes How To:
1. Choose or create the ideal graphics you would like to paint on the shoes.
2. Be creative and plan your colour palette. *Extra tip! Choose up to five colours so your design won’t look too complicated.
3. You may want to practise painting on the ‘Wanna be Carioca’ paper template before going straight to your shoes.
4. Once you’re confident of colour choices and graphics, you may start doodling and painting on one shoe. If you make a mistake, use the melamine sponge eraser to correct your mistakes.
5. For each painting coat, let it dry for 5 minutes before going over it again.
6. While waiting, you may want to move to the other shoe.
7. An average of three coats will make your painting bold and opaque.
And that’s it! Be proud of your work — even if the lines aren’t the straightest, or the tips aren’t as fine as you’d like, at least you’ll end up with something that no one in the world/universe has. That’s quite a feat! All Melissa shoes, available at MDREAMS Wheelock Place and MDREAMS One Raffles Place. mdreams.com.sg.
Download the ‘Wanna Be Carioca’ template below.
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