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Say Hello To These Salted Egg Yolk Hot Cross Buns

Mar 22, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Can’t get enough of salted egg yolk anything? Well, here’s another one of those sweet little things we uncovered on our never-ending quest: Joe & Dough’s Salted Egg Yolk Hot Cross Buns. It’s the closest example we have for a Westernised version of the classic liu sha bao, and if you trust our tastebuds, they’re good.
These are part of homegrown cafe Joe & Dough’s easter creations, and their modern take on time-honoured European-style recipes, which is why they came up with the novelty Salted Egg Yolk Hot Cross Bun ($4.50) in the first place, of piped rich salted egg yolk in the centre of a charcoal bun. The warm centre sits nicely in the midst of the fluffy, pillow-like bun, making it that much more satisfactory.

Other than that, there’s also more traditional fare, in the form of the Traditional Hot Cross Bun ($3), baked with spices of cinnamon, sweet raisins and fragrant orange peel from France. You can get this at $2 if you purchase a beverage as well. If you ain’t got time to sit down at one of their cafes, grab a whole box home and pop one in the microwave for about 20 seconds on high, whenever you feel like it. It should taste just as fresh, with that oozing centre that everyone craves for in a liu sha dessert.
We should also mention that the cafe now has a 10th outlet at Punggol Waterway Point (#B1-31A), and together with The Soup Spoon, have come up with a concept outlet that houses the two well-loved local brands, called The Soup Spoon x Joe & Dough Project. The menu at the joint outlet features soups, salads and wraps for a meal, followed by Joe & Dough’s crafted coffee and sweet treats, including the new aromatic Black Cold Brew ($6) and creamy White Cold Brew ($7).
Joe & Dough’s Easter edition buns, only available for a limited period of time till 27 March 2016. Available at all Joe & Dough outlets. joeanddough.com

The Ultimate Guide To Planning That Pinterest-Worthy Party

Mar 22, 2016Aug 15, 2018

self-aware perfectionist or not, planning for a party somehow puts people in precarious situations: they start frantically pinning stuff on mood boards, virtual or otherwise, worrying whether choosing turquoise over aquamarine will throw up their colour scheme, or fussing over the exact art of folding a napkin. before things spiral out of control, you really should breathe a little. and look at what we have here: a lowdown on where you can find the most tasteful dessert tables, flowers, stationery and decorative supplies. hit these up so you can rest easy, yet plan that perfect pinterest party anyway. By Amelia Tan

PARTY DECOR & SUPPLIES

The first thing you should get out there, right after your theme: your colour scheme. You don’t need to get it right down to the exact Pantone shade, but matching your shades, and putting them side by side, helps for a big-picture perspective. Pick your key colour, go for those in the same colour family, slot in a few neutral shades, then consider your contrasting shades or textures as accents. After that, go right out and get the supplies you need. Having the perfect set of matching cutlery, even if it is disposable, does wonders for the overall tone of your party.
1. Dreams and Confetti

WHO: If you like things whimsical and fancy, this is a treasure trove that holds so many pretty finds, you’ll want to keep it a secret. It’s also where your unrealised dreams of being the “hostest with the mostest” can come true. You’ll find a heavenly selection of designer plates, trays and cake stands from the UK and the US, and get this: they actually have a Confetti Bar for the perfectionists who just need everything to go with the colour scheme.

PARTY-APPROVED: Why place a cake on a humble cardboard box when it can sit, elevated, on a gorgeous Rosanna cake stand? After all, these stands are worthy enough for the Buckingham Palace as well. We’ll have you know that this exclusive brand, carried by the store, has seasonal collections too – the plates, trays and coasters of Patio Party (from $35.90) make for a breezy tropical flatlay, while the Let’s Party set (from $24.90) has versatile hexagonal trays or scalloped bowls dipped in gold.

Another worthy mention is Sugarfina, a gourmet candy brand with gummies, chocolates and caramels that come in neat boxes. The Cocktail Hour Bento Box ($99.90), sounds like a steep price to pay until you know its contents: champagne gummy bears, peach bellini gummies and maple bourbon caramels. Yummy, soiree-worthy and very, very hard to resist.
Dreams and Confetti, at Great World City, #02-20C/D. dreamsandconfetti.com
2. Monoyono

WHO: Walking into one of their stores is like stumbling into a flea market – you never know what you’ll be able to find. Other than quirky stationery, random knick-knacks, or old-school vintage tins, they also boast a selection of home items that you’d want at your next stylish birthday bash, including Kate Spade New York and Ginger Ray. Other than that, you can also pick up not-so-generic essentials like reed-thin candles, striped paper straws, jewellery tattoos and over-the-top party hats.

PARTY-APPROVED: Kate Spade never disappoints, even when it comes to their collection of stationery and homeware – here, we can find glossy serving bowls and plates (from $29.90) in their classic patterns, stripes or dots. Stack a few of them together, in contrasting patterns, to lend some nice textures to your dinner table. As for Ginger Ray, they’re the ultimate party brand, specialising in decorative items that add a fancy touch to any display you’ve got. Monoyono carries mainly their wedding collection – great for a bachelorette or engagement party too – but even if that’s not what you have in mind, gold lettering can still work for a chic brunch affair.
Monoyono, at Plaza Singapura, #B1-06, VivoCity, #01-92 and Raffles City, #B1-24. monoyono.com
3. Spotlight

WHO: You probably already know them, but it’s still worth a mention as this one-stop shop caters to every type of planner, on any type of budget. Sure, they do have certain run-of-the-mill supplies like paper pirate hats and princess-themed signs, but Spotlight’s strength lies in their massive collection – a choice of over 160 candle designs, 18 types of crepe streamers and up to 100 confetti options. The only catch is that it requires some expert digging – set an end time before you enter the store so you won’t get distracted by every damn thing.
PARTY-APPROVED: D-I-Y aficionados will love the wide selection of streamers, paper lanterns, bunting and cake toppers, and even if you’re planning a simple affair, you’ll be surprised at what colour-coordinated disposable cups, plates and napkins can do to create an illusion of perfect planning. We especially like the fabric section where you can get a convenient metre or two of cloth, which you can then use as a picnic mat for a picnic, or to tie the look of your table setting together.
Spotlight, at Plaza Singapura, L5. spotlight.com.sg
4. IKEA

WHO: Perhaps an unlikely choice as they cater to those who want to spruce up their homes, but we think the Swedish furniture company touts affordable partyware just as well as their affordable bookshelves and tables – if you know where to look. Try the Market Hall section for serving trays, cute cups and paper napkins that look so well-designed, your guests will never guess that they only cost less than $2.

Colour Check: Fysiskt Prov (Nils Pedersen)

PARTY-APPROVED: One glimpse at IKEA’s summer catalogue, and you’ll wanna head down to the store immediately. The collection (from $1.50) is all about dressing up outdoor spaces with benches, pillows and rugs, making it great for an al fresco patio party or fancy picnic. There are also tie-dye pendant lamps, cooler bags, place mats and disposable cups that make fun accent pieces while showing off your abundant food spread.
IKEA, at IKEA Tampines, 60 Tampines North Drive 2, or IKEA Alexandra, 317 Alexandra Road. ikea.com.sg

FLOWERS
Feeling a little more fancy? Fresh blooms can make or break a table setting, and by that, we mean they always, always make parties look better. Florists will ask you about your colour scheme, so have that at the ready, as well as a few reference pictures of the arrangements you like. Now, we won’t claim to be the experts here, so we’ll leave all the talk on flower selection and arrangement to these experts, a bunch of indie florists who offer exotic blooms and interesting arrangements. You don’t have to know what eustomas, rananculus, and peonies are, or how a David Austin rose is prized above the rest, just head to their store and chat them up.
1. Floral Magic

WHO: It’s a family business, and is one fronted by daughters – be it a grandma, mom, aunt, wife or sis. Floral designer Lucy Siah is certainly an expert, having been officially inducted as a member of the American Institute of Floral Design in 2009. Together with three other girls under her guidance, Joanne, Josephine and Linnette, they’ve gained a wide following online for their organic bouquets made up of unique, imported flowers that include everything from David Austin roses and hydrangeas to dahlias and phalaenopsis.
PARTY-APPROVED: You’ll want to lounge at their airy boutique, where they occasionally string up an entire archway of flowers. And that’s just an introduction to the sheer creativity these girls have – it feels like you’ve got a personal fairy godmother/genie, your wish is their command and all that, including, yes, creating said archway of flowers or a hippie coronet. Other than rare flower species, we like that their arrangements are styled in a flowing, free-form manner (versus tight, circle formations), hints of greenery come in different textures, including faded or succulent varieties, while they can also include dried flowers, wheat or even lego pieces in your table pieces.
Floral Magic, from $100 for a regular bouquet, at 334 King George’s Avenue. floralmagic.com.sg
2. The Floral Atelier

WHO: We got a more luxurious vibe when we went down to The Floral Atelier’s store, newly opened last July, and also the feeling that we’ll be in the safe hands of one of the owners, Lelian Chew, when she was patiently explaining how to put together an arrangement of lilies. They consider themselves artisans of flowers, and ensure that every bloom is handpicked and put together by highly-skilled florists so each piece ends up far from simplistic, but also timeless, romantic and elegant.
PARTY-APPROVED: They’re used to event and wedding planning, but no harm in hiring them for a smaller-scale party as well. Or, head to the store and assemble your own bouquets – the florists will be on hand to guide you since they all have a good eye for not just which colours go well together, but also the form, balance and structure of an arrangement. If you’re in a rush, you can also pick up or have a New York-style flower box delivered to you – the Optimist Bloom Box ($195) makes for a lovely and outstanding centrepiece.
The Floral Atelier, from $85 for a simple bouquet, at 40 Eng Hoon Street. thefloralatelier.co
3. Heaven in a Wild Flower

WHO: We first met these florists at a Cartier event, where they had crates and crates of flowers for us to assemble our own take-home bouquets, and since then, we’re always very glad to come across one of their designs. The team started out with bakery Carpenter and Cook (more on that later), then thought about creating a standalone styling brand instead. Inspired by a William Blake poem, Heaven in a Wild Flower goes for a more rustic and vintage aesthetic, just as well since they also sell and rent out vintage items for special occasions.
PARTY-APPROVED: With a philosophy of beauty in the pure and simple, it’s no surprise that they take styling seriously. Not everyone can wield the word “bespoke” and pull it off well, but these guys do. Chat them up, tell them your preference for a colour palette or your favourite flowers, and they’ll create a customised, and heavenly, bouquet that you’d wanna keep for eternity.
Heaven in a Wild Flower, from $200 for a bespoke bouquet. heavenwildfleur.com
4. The Green Room

WHO: These florists have know what they’re talking about — especially with a well-organised website that feels like everything we’d ever want, including floral boxes, fresh bouquets and dried flowers, or, you can opt for a bouquet that includes favourites like tulips, roses, lilies, sunflowers and even orchids. Some of the blooms can be paired with other gifts as well, like a sweet-smelling candle or balloons. The power’s in their versatility, and any kind of dream occasion, whether it’s a rustic or elegant affair, can come true.
PARTY-APPROVED: It’s really easy to go online and pick a bouquet or two if you’re just having a house party, and you can order a customised velvet box ($120), with the flowers ready and assembled upon arrival. And since we do love their options, we must mention that they also sell terrariums, the in-thing of indoor mini gardens housed in glass houses. These green plants and succulents can serve as alternatives to flowers for more unique table decor.
The Green Room, from $95 for a flower box, at Coronation Shopping Plaza, #02-43. thegreenroom.com.sg

STATIONERY
Who really wants to pay so much for, you know, paper, but hey, we’ll admit that a little goes a long way. Plus, it’s time to bring back some old-school snail mail and handwritten cards. It’s the best way to proclaim a theme too. Throwing a beach party? How about summery invites and placards. Or, an extravagant but whimsical tea party? Send out your invites on note paper and envelopes with your own monogrammed initials. Fancy. These two brands will help you get started.
1. The Paper Bunny

WHO: The fact that co-founder, Jaime Lee, is so skilled at flatlays (seriously, check out @jaim on Instagram) says a lot about her aesthetic eye: it’s brilliant. After graduating and being in a law firm for a few years, she had her first brush with graphic design via a wedding invite for a friend, and well, we’ve since then seen stationery and lifestyle items that feature her clean designs and hand-drawn illustrations, and even a leather-bound planner, that feel both professionally-done as well as homely and personal.
PARTY-APPROVED: We’d say that one of Jaime’s strong suits is her lovely handwriting, usually eye-catching as she comes up with quotes and presents them in the form of cute calligraphy postcards ($8 for 4 designs) that you can use for invites – these include quirky, sometimes pun-worthy quotes, in a myriad of designs. And whether you like swans or flowers, there’s a notecard set ($24.90 for a set of 8) that has those designs on paper and matching linen-textured envelopes, which shows that you truly care for every guest at your event. By the way, you can customise your own designs too.
The Paper Bunny, online at thepaperbunny.com.
2. kikki.K

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A5 Tiered To Do List Cute 2016_Dated Accessories 2016

WHO: Admit it, you have probably took a walk about the store and wished that you owned everything – that’s how covetable every single item at the kikki.K store is, and it’s not a big space, but we can spend a mighty long time in their usually crowded aisles. While known for frequent collections that put together desk accessories including pens, planners and notebooks, we’d still hit the store time to time when we’re in need of whimsical party stationery, or, just casual inspiration.
PARTY-APPROVED: You can get a pack of handy party invites ($19.90), together with matching envelopes, and rest assured that these are cute, quality prints, while a cloth bag ($5.90) is ideal for storing party favours. But party stationery extends to the things you need even before the big event – a pretty to-do list (from $12.90) gives you motivation and helps keep you organised since you will have every detail jotted down, ready for action.
kikki.K, at ION Orchard, #B2-53. kikki-k.com

DESSERTS
Here, we give you the perishables that you’d enjoy the most; everything else gets thrown away or withers at the end of the event, but food, or the memory of good food, lasts way longer. What’s more, these aren’t regular cupcakes and chocolates. We’ve pooled together the best bakeries that give equal thought to how good their desserts taste, and how well they look on a plate (arranged with leaves and flowers and cloth so you don’t have to). Now, get that Instagram-worthy dessert table.
1. Bloomsbury Bakers

WHO: The bakery was founded by two friends who met at a French culinary school in Bloomsbury Square, London, hence the apt name. Both are classically trained in French Patisserie, so we get classics like cream cakes and tarts (try the tart lemon meringue ones), but we especially love those with a local twist, including the Orh Nee cake, Pulut Hitam tart and Chendol Cheesecake.
PARTY-APPROVED: The Orh Nee cake ($55 for 1kg), well, takes the cake for incorporating such a rich flavour in an easy, fluffy and lightweight recipe, such that you only get pleasing notes of yam and yam bits, while the Chendol Cheesecake ($60 for 1kg) is an unusual combination that works due to their creamy textures. Then again, why settle for one thing when you can have a whole array of them – they also offer dessert tables with mini tarts, mini cakes and brownie squares, for instance, with packages that include simple floral arrangements.
Bloomsbury Bakers, from $650 for a 30-pax dessert table package, at 30 Bendemeer Road, #01-889. bloomsburybakers.com
2. Sarah’s Loft

WHO: While more of an indie baker, Sarah is still highly-skilled and qualified, having gone to Japan to further her interest and work under the wings of a pastry chef. And it shows. Her cakes, usually made from layers of light sponge are fluffy and moist at the same time, while what further impresses us is how lovely they look – Sarah often styles them with dried flowers and frosting so that they all have a distinct rustic feel, though we’ve never seen two of them looking the same.
PARTY-APPROVED: There are a bunch of standard cakes to choose from, but we feel the flavour combinations aren’t standard at all – I mean, gula melaka cake with kaya cream cheese (from $35 for 6”), or a coconut cake with white chocolate cream cheese frosting and passionfruit curd? You can also opt for a custom combination, where she has a list of frostings and cakes, including lavender, rum vanilla and salted caramel for the former, and earl grey lemon, rose and Guinness chocolate for the later. With that much creativity in her repetoire, we’re not surprised that she also has a knack for styling dessert tables.
Sarah’s Loft, order individually from $1.50 a tartlet for a dessert table (min. 30 pieces), and add $150 for basic styling. sarahsloft.net
3. Creme Maison Bakery

WHO: We first noticed their extravagant floral cupcakes, that came bite-sized and too-pretty-to-eat. Seriously, just look at that elaborate frosting and imagine ruining it by taking a bite. Oh, but you’ll want to anyway. They may look sweet and intense, but are really lighter than you think. If you can’t afford fresh flowers, a good option would be these daffodils, roses and hydrangeas that are guaranteed to freshen up a display.
PARTY-APPROVED: As mentioned, the Flora Cupcakes (from $5.80) are delicious, while whole cakes like a Peanut Butter Jelly ($68) and Salted Caramel ($68) with a decadent frosting design work too. Write in to them for customised cakes, knowing that their frosting job will surely be on point – they offer ombre designs made up of delicate swirled roses that’s great for a girly get-together.
Creme Maison Bakery, from $650 for an Antoinette dessert table package, at 50A Prinsep Street, #02-01. crememaison.com
4. Carpenter and Cook

WHO: Even though the bakery’s tucked away at some remote part of Bukit Timah, we made the trek down just to try their pastries, and weren’t disappointed at all. Served in vintage plates that won’t look out of place at an Alice in Wonderland tea party, we can’t get enough of their passionfruit meringue tart, fresh and just the right hit of tart, and the chocolate sea salt caramel tart, a perfectly balanced masterpiece that oozes out sweet and sticky caramel from its soft centre. Strictly no sharing. At all.
PARTY-APPROVED: Those tarts go at $6.50 a pop, and are just one of the items you can order for a dessert table of impeccable standards. Their “Eat Me” Loaf Cakes ($5) sell well too, with flavours like pear almond and apple cobbler, though any dessert they have like cupcakes, maracons and tarts look even better assembled together on a fine display that you should really be at the front and centre of your party.
Carpenter and Cook, from $1,200 for a 50-pax dessert table, at 19 Lorong Kilat, #01-06. carpenterandcook.com
5. Janice Wong

WHO: Oh, just about the most well-known pastry chef in Singapore. Janice Wong creates art, and we mean edible art that looks like painting which you can proceed to peel off and eat, and having that bit of imaginative flair at one your functions is as easy as a box of chocolates. She plays with chocolate bonbons that sometimes come with sweeping strokes of “paint”, or as round or square or hexagonal as you like.
PARTY-APPROVED: More than artsy packaging, we love her flavour profiles too. A Singapore Signature series features five local-sounding chocolate flavours: chilli padi, gula melaka pandan, kaffir lime caramel, laksa leaf and bak kwa praline rocks (from $2.50). Now, these may sound strange, but since we’ve been to her restaurant, 2am:Dessert Bar and tried some of the spectacular desserts, we can vouch for how good these taste. Naturally, you can customise your own magical box too, and that means tapping into Janice’s brilliant mind. Sounds like a plan.
Janice Wong, at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, #B2-K6, or the National Gallery. janicewong.com.sg

Disney Channel Shows Then and Now

Mar 22, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Face it people – old is gold. And unless you were born in the 2000s, or simply possess a taste for excessive canned laughter and shiny, one-dimensional lead characters, you’ll understand why we’re so nostalgic about Disney Channel in “the good ol’ days” all the time. Either that or you’re a badass, alternative Centennial who’d rather watch Star World or Netflix over Disney – to which we say: good choice. (You may proceed to exit this article.)
So what’s the deal with Disney Channel shows these days that frustrates so many ex-fans? Is it the plotlines? The try-hard humour that can only be received with weak “heh”s (hence all the canned laughter so it feels like people actually do find it funny)? Many point towards the lack of relatable characters and realistic scenarios in today’s shows, and rue that Disney has become a sell-out – foregoing authentic, down-to-earth characters and real character development for quick, cheap laughs and shallow but good-looking leads.
While that might sound a little harsh for an international channel targeting tweens, there’s no denying a drop, or turn, in standards of the programmes shown today. And truthfully, a quick watch of some of these newer shows kinda made our stomachs turn. But enough yammering on our side; you be the judge.

K.C. Undercover vs. Kim Possible

We’re a little torn here because #Zendaya, duh. It’s a definite step-up from the incoherent and scream-y Shake It Up that Zendaya starred in with Bella Thorne back in 2010, but the whole “regular-teenager-is-actually-a-cool-spy” storyline seems a little like 2002’s Kim Possible. Oh well, the fact that her entire family are secret agents too adds freshness for sure, though we’d take Ron Stoppable over Zendaya’s dorky little sidekick brother any day.

Stuck In The Middle vs. Even Stevens

Ah, the classic dysfunctional family sitcom. Definitely brings back memories of other family-centric shows like Even Stevens and That’s So Raven, but this time the usual 4-member family gets an upgrade with seven kids – with little Harley Diaz getting what’s probably the worst of Middle Child Syndrome. There’s potential here, even if it does seem closer to Cheaper By The Dozen than a feel-good DC series; still, we’re holding our breath to see how long overacting and big-family gimmicks can stay entertaining.

Liv and Maddie vs. Hannah Montana

Maddie Rooney is a sporty high-schooler in Wisconsin who has to adapt with her twin sister Liz’s return from Hollywood, where she spent four years as a television star. Plot twist? They’re both played by the same actress. Well fine, it’s not exactly unheard of, seeing how Lindsey Lohan singlehandedly fooled us all back in The Parent Trap, but while Dove Cameron may be a pretty face to look at, her exaggerated antics are a little hard to stomach even as just one person – much less two. And we’re not entirely sure about the cutaways to break the fourth wall, though it is different. Also: dual personalities trying to work together, and the struggle of having to live with a famous persona both at home and in school? Sounds all very Hannah Montana-y to us, minus Miley’s natural comedic timing, of course.

BUNK’D vs. Suite Life

A spin-off from Debby Ryan’s nanny gig on Jessie, BUNK’D features three of the four Rosses Jessie babysat, but this time removed from their home in the Upper East Side and thrust into summer camp at Camp Kikiwaka to rough it out. It’s an ensemble cast-type show where the adults take a step back and the events revolve mainly around the teens – which is fine by us, if the actors can hold their own at that age. Possibly one of the most harmless of the lot, the series follows Peyton List’s character (who gives us serious London Tipton vibes, by the way) and her new gang of camp buddies on their summer camp adventure, quickly forming camaraderie in the same way the Suite Life squad did on their escapades. Choose for yourself, but whether it’s On Deck or in the Tipton Hotel, we’ll always be Team Zack and Cody. (And how can you disregard sitcom gold like the PRNDL?!)

Ah well, maybe it’s just us feeling the early ‘00s nostalgia. Not all is lost though – we’ve already started the countdown for when the new animated prequel series Tangled: Before Ever After premieres in 2017. Eek!

The Beauty Products That'll Make You Glow In The Dark

Mar 22, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Ready-set-glo. Be the life of any party with these glow-in-the-dark colours.

MANIC PANIC COTTON CANDY PINK AMPLIFIED SQUEEZE BOTTLE

Pink hair, don’t care. Manic Panic’s range of rainbow-bright hair dyes include a select few that actually glow under black light, including this Cotton Candy Pink. You’ll have to do a thorough bleaching first for this colour to have its desired effect; after that, whether you keep the colour to just select sections of hair or do a full pink hairdo, you’ll always be party-ready.
$27.90, Piercing Gallery at #01-222 Marina Square

NCLA GLOW

NCLA calls this particular shade of nail polish “an eerie glow that lights up the darkest and spookiest of nights”. But we think this is a manicure that can be taken well beyond the confines of Halloween; having glow-in-the-dark nails is pretty cool. And it’s a nice light green that doesn’t look too bad in the day, too.
$23, sephora.sg

NYX INTENSE BUTTER GLOSS IN BERRY STRUDEL

They really mean it when they call this gloss “intense”. Berry Strudel is a colour that’s less a berry pastry, and more an almost radioactive purple with a super-glossy finish to boot. It takes a bit more to step out with a lip colour like this, but you’ll definitely be remembered for it. Or you can always layer it on top of a tamer shade first, as a lighter tint.
$13, Sephora

MAKE UP FOR EVER FLUO NIGHT BLACK LIGHT PIGMENT

This is the magic product that turns your regular makeup glow-in-the-dark. Mix in the translucent white powder with your eyeshadow, lipstick or body paint to make the colour instantly reactive to UV light. Use it sparingly, though – you don’t want to become a walking glow stick.
$60, MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Loft at 36 Armenian Street #01-06

URBAN DECAY ELECTRIC PRESSED PIGMENT PALETTE

This is the antipode to the iconic Naked palettes: You ain’t going to end up with a neutral eye with these colours, for sure. Use the shades like Gonzo, a bright turquoise matte, Savage, a hot pink matte, and Thrash, a lime green with gold pearl, to really start a party on the eyes.
$72, Urban Decay stores and Sephora

GOSH XTREME LIQUID GEL EYELINER IN 008 ROYAL BLUE

The pastel blue might look quite unassuming in the tube, but it sure goes on very bright and very matte, and will continue to stand out even under the dance floor lights. Draw it on as a dramatic cat eye, then line right above the upper lash line with black liner for definition.
$21.90, Sasa

So This Is What It's Like To Be Madonna's Makeup Artist

Mar 22, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Madonna finally performed in Singapore for the first time late last month, and all the controversial restrictions aside, we’d say it was still worth the 30-year wait. For two hours, she delighted the audience with evergreen hits like “Like A Virgin”, “Material Girl” and “Bitch I’m Madonna”, tirelessly singing and dancing for a good two hours, and literally dazzling the crowd with 2,500,000 Swarovski crystals.
It’s insane that this woman is pushing 60 – to us, she’s never looked better. So when the chance to interview her makeup artist Aaron Smith Henrikson came along, of course we jumped at the chance. Henrikson has been in charge of all of Madonna’s concert makeup looks since 2014, and was also recently named International Makeup Artist for Gucci’s makeup line. We bombarded him with questions about Madonna’s seriously fierce stage makeup for the Rebel Heart tour, as well as her secrets to eternal youth.

How did you end up doing makeup for Madonna?

I’d like to say it was destiny – I’ve been a fan since I was little – but I’ve learned from many other successful people, that hard work and perfecting your skills are really at the base. Many people don’t realise that it can often take more than a decade to become an “overnight success!” Fortunately, I’ve been doing make up since the 1990s, and have had the amazing experience assisting the fashion world’s premiere make up artist for over a decade working on the top fashion shows in New York, London, Milan, and Paris. A top make up artist in New York who had previously committed to another important job asked if I could be available to work with Madonna for an event the next day. I moved heaven and earth to make it happen and literally didn’t sleep at all that night as I prepared for the next day! My work was very appreciated and it led to more work with her for events, television appearances, and more recently music videos like “Ghosttown” and “Bitch I’m Madonna”. It was just the start of a long list of amazing experiences that brought me to be living this amazing experience with Madonna on tour today.

(Right: Madonna at an appearance in New York in 2014, when Henrikson first did her makeup)

Take us through how you prepared Madonna for her Singapore concert. Were there any special considerations you had to take into account, considering the weather here?
Getting ready for Singapore was challenging for a couple of reasons, probably the first was that we were in such a beautiful place, that it was difficult to get myself to work! Secondly, Singapore had a completely different space than we have ever performed at during the Rebel Heart Tour. This included the stadium being partially open to the elements, which meant extreme heat and humidity, without access to temperature control!
One of my favourite interpretations during the show is the rock guitar version of “Burning Up”… which was pretty literal that night! This was by far the hottest performance so far this tour. What that entails in terms of make up is to keep the moisturising a bit lighter and avoiding too much powder during the significant time after make up is finished and when the show actually starts. It’s better to tissue off excess shine until the show is about to start, at which point I can use powder to prepare the skin for hot lights and HD filming. In cooler environments I like the more natural application of face powder by brush, but in this situation it’s important to use a powder puff to obtain a matte finish.

Backstage Pass #Madonna #MakeUpByMe #RebelHeart #Backstage #RebelHeartTour #MakeUpArtist #DreamComeTrue

A photo posted by visionaaron (@visionaaron) on Sep 21, 2015 at 9:16am PDT

Was there any particular inspiration or reason behind how you designed Madonna’s makeup for her Rebel Hearts tour?
As the show is divided up into four thematic sections, it was important to create a look that flowed from one theme to the next. The intro has a strong warrior vibe and we wanted to underline Madonna’s expression with a fierce defined brow. This flows well into the next section which is more 1950s and rockabilly inspired, so expressive eyebrows were perfect. The third section opens up into a Spanish-inspired world of colours with costumes created by designers like Gucci, full of colour and embroidery, which you see are becoming huge current trends. The lip starts flows from more of a berry stain at the beginning and flows into a deeper red in the third section. The fourth section is inspired by the 1920s and Paris, so we wanted to vibrance and drama of a bright red lip combined with a silver screen reflective eyelid and a rosier pink blush.

Pre show Game face!!! Getting ready for Bangkok!! ❤️#rebelheartour A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Feb 9, 2016 at 9:26am PST

Madonna Make Up for Rebel Heart Tour by Aaron Henrikson M wanted a fierce warrior look to open the show. I love how it flows from the decadent glamour and violence of the opening Iconic video we shot with @stevenkleinstudio I felt that bringing back a strong, defined brow would give her the impact she was looking for. It also worked perfectly with the dark roots and center-parted textured waves by the amazing @andylecompte We wanted to make sure to maintain some intensity in the eyes, but with more natural lashes than M has used in the past. Sculpted cheekbones with a wine-tone stained lip really complete the look! Gucci Cosmetics products available in Hong Kong at SOGO and in Macau at New Yaohan #Madonna #RebelHeart #MakeUp #MakeUpByMe #MakeUpArtist #RebelHeartTour #HongKong #Macau #Facechart #illustration #drawing #BeautyBreakdown #theQueen #QueenOfPop #Iconic #Beauty

A photo posted by visionaaron (@visionaaron) on Feb 18, 2016 at 8:28am PST

So what’s Madonna’s secret to still looking like she does, even at her age?

Madonna, who we usually call “M”, could just as easily have that M stand for Motivation! It’s inspiring to see her work ethic up close. She takes amazing care of her body. I’ve seen teenage runway models who would envy M’s tone, definition, strength and flexibility. She’s definitely in better shape than I am! Her focus on overall health carries over into her maintaining a precise and personalised regimen for the best skin care possible. For special events it’s important to make time for some extra special skin treatment to look your best on the red carpet, for example.

It can actually be more of a challenge for me to work on younger models and performers who don’t take such good care of their skin. You’ll also see that even when Madonna’s working hard on her philanthropic efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa, like in Malawi, she keeps covered and protects herself from the most significant contributor to premature aging, sun exposure. I appreciate that many women in Asia are also very good about skin care and tend to regularly use SPF and avoid excessive UV radiation.

What are Madonna’s favourite makeup products? What kind of look does she usually go for?

Madonna has had so many looks and incarnations over the decades, but definitely some defined black eyeliner and mascara on both top and bottom lashes is a flattering go-to look. Recently we’ve been bringing back a bolder brow than what she had been doing for the past decade. She often alternates lip intensity based on the mood or outfit choice. During this Rebel Heart era wine-toned stains or iconic red lips have been at the forefront, but she’ll often opt for flattering soft nudes during time off the stage. A little more defined contour is also popular now and looks great on her.

Clown Squad #tearsofaclown

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Mar 10, 2016 at 12:02pm PST

Henrikson (left) with Madonna.

All You Need To Know About Last Night’s Apple Keynote

Mar 22, 2016Aug 15, 2018

So last night’s Apple Keynote went as everyone had expected. There weren’t any “One more thing…” moments throughout the night, just the usual stuff like new products, their goal of changing the world and how they’re conserving and preserving the planet. Apple turns 40 this year, so it was only apt for Apple to start off the presentation with a video entitled “40 Years In 40 Seconds”, which highlighted key moments and products through the history of Apple’s existence, from the Apple I to the colourful iMacs to the “I am a PC. I am a Mac.” ads.

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook went on to talk about how there are more than a billion Apple devices in use around the world, which is both incredible and scary at the same time. He also touched on the whole FBI debacle, making a strong stand about helping their consumers protect their data and not straying from that responsibility.
Apart from the new products that Apple has to offer, they also announced advancements made to their open source ResearchKit™ framework that has helped medical researchers around the world in bringing genetic data and medical tests that are usually conducted in exam rooms to the iPhone apps. They also launched the CareKit™, a new software framework to help developers create apps to empower people in managing their own medical conditions.
If you don’t have the time to check out Apple’s hour-long keynote, here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know about the latest Apple products.
––––––––––
iPhone SE
While most of us enjoy the larger screen that the iPhone 6S and 6S+ has to offer, there is still a market for a smaller iPhone. For Apple, their 4-inch iPhones are still important to them, especially since they’ve sold over 30 million of them last year. It took them two and a half years to sell that many iPhones when they first started, from their entire lineup. So if you’ve always loved smaller phones, Apple now has you covered. It even has a new name for it – the iPhone SE. Pre-order begins 24 March, and will be available in Singapore on 31 March.

• Design
– 4-inch Retina® display
– Bead-blasted aluminium design with matt-chamfered edges and colour-matched stainless steel inset Apple logo
• Camera
– 12-megapixel iSight Camera with f/2.2 aperture
– 4K Video recording (30fps)
– 1080p HD video recording at 30fps or 60fps
– 720 HD video recording at 30fps
– Slow-mo videos for 1080p at 120fps and 720p at 240fps
– Time-lapse videos with stabilisation
– Live Photos
– Panorama (up to 63 megapixels)
– 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD Camera with f/2.4 aperture
– Front-facing Camera has Retina Flash: display momentarily becomes three times brighter with True Tone® lighting technology
• Hardware/Software
– 64-bit A9 chip & M9 motion co-processor, giving it the same processing and GPU performance as the iPhone 6S
– iOS 9
– TouchID
• Pricing
– Avail in Space Grey, Silver, Gold and Rose Gold
– 16GB: SG$658
– 64GB: SG$828
–––––––––
9.7-inch iPad Pro
Introduced as the “second member of the iPad Pro family”, it’s pretty much a smaller, 9.7-inch version of its predecessor. Just like the iPhone SE, there has been a significant amount of sales of the original 9.7-inch iPads – 200 million in total to be exact. They’ve also identified that majority of these iPad owners are coming from users who use a Windows PC, and that more than 600 million PCs in use that are more than five years old, later adding that it’s really “sad”. A jab at Microsoft? Probably, but definitely uncalled for. Pre-order begins 24 March, and will be available in Singapore on 31 March.

• Specs & Hardware
– 9.7-inch Retina Display with greater brightness, wider colour gamut and lower reflectivity
– True Tone display, which uses new four-channel sensors to detect the surrounding and adjust the white balance of the display to match the light around you so that it’s better on your eyes
– 6.11mm thick
– 437g (Wi-Fi model), 444 g (Wi-Fi + LTE model)
– Powerful 64-bit A9X chip
– Four-speaker audio system
• Camera
– 12-megapixel iSight camera with f/2.2 aperture
– 5-megapixel FaceTime HD camera with f/2.2 aperture
– similar capabilities as iPhone SE
• Pricing for iPad Pro (Wi-Fi)
– 32GB: SG$898
– 128GB: SG$1,158
– 256GB: SG$1,418
• Pricing for iPad Pro (Wi-Fi + LTE)
– 32GB: SG$1,098
– 128GB: SG$1,358
– 256GB: SG$1,618

The Sunscreen To Pack Along For Your Next Outdoor Bash

Mar 21, 2016Aug 15, 2018

BEST FACE FORWARD: That’s probably what you’re trying to put out at the next bash on your schedule, be it at the beach, club, swanky ballroom, or even your own bedroom. But of course – you want to look only your best in all the photos that you’re going to be tagged in after. We’re here to help with what you should be adding to your routine in the lead up to party day, and also remind you that what happens post-party matters as well, unless you want to subject your skin to the equivalent of a bad hangover.

Fun In The Sun
To anyone who doesn’t wear sunblock, do a Google Image search on “UV camera” – we sure hope the results will shock you into applying and reapplying on a daily basis. We don’t mean to be scaremongers, but you can never underestimate the kind of damage UVA and UVB rays can do to the skin: quicker aging and melanin spots are just the tip of the deep iceberg. Whether you’re frolicking on the sand during your beach party or being fancy at a garden dinner party, there’s no such thing as too much sun protection, even after said sun has set.

BEFORE:
Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Mineral SPF50/PA+++ and Dermatologist Solutions Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF50/PA++++

How it works:

The mineral version of Kiehl’s cult Ultra Light Daily UV Defense is named so because it uses a mineral-based filter to protect the skin from sunrays instead of a chemical one – it’s less prone to irritating sensitive skin. Chemical filters absorb UV rays before they can hit the skin, explaining the potential to irritate; mineral filters, on the other hand, form a barrier to deflect UV rays.
The mineral filter in question here is titanium dioxide. If you know anything about this compound, you might be worrying about a resulting white tinge on your skin. But Kiehl’s has this all sorted: “We purposely chose a titanium dioxide that’s very micro-fine, because it’s less visible on skin,” says Roberta Weiss, Kiehl’s Senior Vice President of Innovation & Product Development. “Then we added mineral pigments, which help with UVA protection but also make the formula look very natural on every skin tone.”
If irritable skin is not a concern, the regular Ultra Light Daily UV Defense gives an extra layer of protection you never knew you needed. It’s able to absorb long UVA rays, which are UVA rays of a longer wavelength that are able to extend further into the atmosphere to cause photodamage to the skin.

What we love:

The Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Mineral is lightly tinted, so it gives just a bit of sheer coverage as well. Weiss promises it has been tested on a whole spectrum of skin tones, and it’s a one-shade-fit-all.
The bottle has to be shaken before each use, for the pigments to be distributed evenly within the formula. Don’t see this extra step as being troublesome, as it’s for good reason. “We could have really thickened it to suspend everything and eliminate the fact that people have to shake, because everything would be not settling within the formula,” says Dr. Geoff Genesky, Head of Kiehl’s Skincare Laboratory. “But what we chose to do instead was combine the powders we had in our formula with a very specific kind of oily emollient ingredients that could still allow the formula to be lightweight.”

Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Mineral SPF50/PA+++, $72; Dermatologist Solutions Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF50/PA++++, $52. Available at Kiehl’s stores. kiehlstimes.com

See the rest of the pre and post-party skincare in our #41 Lucky Number Four issue, out on newsstands!

Genius In A Bottle: Luisaviaroma's Latest Charity Project Sees Bottles As Works Of Art

Mar 21, 2016Aug 15, 2018

We don’t usually pay much interest to bottles, only regarding them as vessels that hold whatever prized liquid we’re interested in drinking, anything from aged red wines to mineral water. Even the nicest, sleekest ones end up in the trash. None of these ones will go anywhere near a dump though; these empty vessels seem to be making the loudest noise, but only in the best way possible.
The bottles are part of a charity project dreamed up by Luisaviaroma, for a cause greater than themselves. You don’t see this everyday, but earlier in March, they successfully proved that the large fashion e-retailer isn’t just about selling things – they’re about giving back too. Hot on the heels of Firenze4Ever, one of the biggest fashion community events in Italy, came this philanthropic initiative, “Fill Your Bottle With…”, aimed to raise money for Fundación Origen, a non-profit organisation that supports women, particularly those living in situations of poverty, violence or vulnerability in Mexico.

For that, they pulled together fifteen fashion designers and internationally-acclaimed artists, and got them to set their creativity free on an iconic Mexican product, the Maestro Dobel Diamante tequila bottle. These were auctioned by Sotheby’s at the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City, and all proceeds went to the foundation.
The fact that they’re able to name-drop designer greats in this humble project of theirs says a lot about the retailer’s influence in the fashion and art world, and also about how eager these people are to be involved in a project that means something.

Etro and Aquazurra were pleased to put up colourful designs that boldly reflected their brand philosophies, the former Milan-based brand with paisley fabric flowers that reflected their bohemian spirit, and the latter with pompoms inspired by Mexican folk costumes, though woven by hand in Tuscany. The more subtle pieces include Blumarine’s macramé lace design that looks like a delicate dress, or jewellery designer Daniela Villegas’ sparkling piece topped with spiders and beetles cast in silver.

As for the artists, they presented more philosophical designs – Héctor Esrawe gave us “Ascend”, and in his bottle sits laser-cut stairs weaving in and out of a building, meant to reflect society’s need to walk together and evolve to reach an enlightened perspective. Loris Cecchini put together an immediately sculptural design, as stainless steel agave-like elements twist around the glass bottle, while Héctor Zamora painstakingly put broken bottle pieces together, appealing to us to reflect on the complicated issue of alcohol intoxication. And while they all thought outside of the box, artist Maurizo Donzelli chose to put his bottle in a box, behind prism lens, so it appears like a strange illusion. We certainly won’t see bottles the same way anymore.
Luisaviaroma’s “Fill Your Bottle With…” original artworks, made with Maestro Dobel Diamante Bottles, were auctioned by Sotheby’s on 8 March at the Museo Soumaya, Mexico. All proceeds go to Fundación Origen. fillyourbottlewith.lvr.com

#41 Lucky Number Four

Mar 21, 2016Aug 15, 2018

We’re celebrating our 4th birthday with our Lucky Number Four issue, featuring skincare for your post-party skin, beauty products that were hot in the 90s, trending Korean snacks, and the biggest, boldest and bling-est watches to celebrate the good times with. Our cover star is Tabitha Nauser, rising star of the local music scene, and we catch up on her post-Singapore Idol days, and find out about how she’s turning it up for her big musical re-debut.

Why Muji Embodies Clever Thinking

Mar 21, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Good design isn’t just about looking nice; the design should be functional and practical, it should be a clever way to achieve the item’s purpose. And with so many smart lifestyle products on its register, there’s always something new and interesting to discover at Muji. And this month, we join Muji Singapore in celebrating their online store’s (muji.com.sg) one-year anniversary! By Adele Chan

AROMA DIFFUSER, $89 (S) / $139 (L)
I’m a strong believer in smells being a big part of the quality of life — especially at home and in the office. Imagine if you live above the rubbish collection dump or the communal incense bin, or if your colleague has a particular odour… an aroma diffuser will allow you to breathe again in peace. Muji has two sizes of electric diffusers that are safe and easy to use, and very discreet. Ultrasonic waves vaporise water and the essential oil in the tank to produce a cool, dry, fragrant mist, and there’s a useful timer that you can set to 30/60/120/180 minutes, as well as built-in LED lights with two stages of brightness.

POCKET IN BAG, $7.90
If your bag’s a mess of random smaller pouches, or worse, a jumble of things with no order, it’s high time to get organised. Muji has perfected the art of a “bag- in-bag”; personally, I love this particular pocket bag which has two useful loops that can hang neatly around the arms of any tote bag. And I can think of a million uses for this pouch: makeup, medicine, electronic peripherals, stationery, money, cards, tissue paper…

2WAYS FOLDABLE UMBRELLA, $33
You’ll never go wrong with a classic black umbrella; and even better if it’s this intelligent design from Muji. Keep it extended in the hand when you sense rain so it opens quickly, or fold it in half for more compact storage in your handbag. It has a convenient wrist strap and comes with a cover that also snaps in place at both lengths.

CRAYON CLOTH USE, $9
This pack of 16 crayons colour easily and beautifully on fabrics — like Muji’s plain cloth bags — and they seal into the material when ironed on. It’s a fun way for both kids and adults to personalise simple fabrics.

LINEN CARDIGANS, $59 EACH
Linen is one of the best materials to wear in Singapore; the material wicks moisture away from the skin to keep it cool in the summer, it is smooth to the touch, and gets softer the more it is washed. Muji’s linen cardigan comes in a classic crew and V-neck, and in neutral hues like this light grey that transcends all seasons. Treat it well and it will become a wardrobe staple that you’ll turn to time and time again.

PULP BOARD BOX WITH CASTER, $79
Muji’s series of Craft Pulp Board Storage Boxes are a wonderfully cost effective way to organise any space. This shelving combination can be used vertically or horizontally, and includes movable shelves and a handlebar on its side. It’s neat, compact, highly useful, and best of all, affordable.

Take Five: This Skincare Range Gives Our Skin 5 Times The Love

Mar 21, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Less isn’t always more. Sometimes, it’s plain and simple that more is more, especially when we’re talking about the stuff your skin needs to keep looking young. Labo Labo, the sister brand of Japanese medical cosmeceutical brand Dr.Ci:Labo, has a new range that definitely gives you more, with five types of hyaluronic acid and five types of collagen packed into the formula, to give five times the love to your skin.

As long as you’re still in your 20s or 30s, ageing skin might be anything from just a distant problem in the horizon, to an issue that seems to become increasingly urgent with each passing year – or if you’re one of those fortunate ones, it’s hardly a blip on your radar. Wherever you lie on the spectrum, as we’ve said before: You need to start on anti- ageing skincare early. We’re not advocating throwing your money into luxury creams that are probably way too rich for your skin anyway; but rather, the smart move would be to invest in a sensible, reliable line that is made to fight the first signs of ageing that manifest as fine lines, faint wrinkles, and even something as innocuous as dry and dull skin.
And sensible and reliable are definitely qualities the Labo Labo Super-Moist 5H5C line embodies, being products developed by certified Japanese dermatologists and are 100 percent manufactured in Japan. The curious acronym at the end represents the five types of hyaluronic acid and five types of collagen found in the products – so they mean it when they say it’s “Super-Moist”. The hyaluronic acids are in charge of delivering moisture deep down into the skin’s corneal layer in the epidermis, and ensuring that it stays there thanks to an adhesive strength that keeps the hyaluronic acids from being washed off. The five forms of collagen, on the other hand, fill up the corneal layer with moisture as well and keep the skin plumped up, so it’s better equipped to fight the dreaded forces of gravity.
Since hydration and firming are the main tenets of anti-ageing skincare, the Super-Moist 5H5C has more than covered the bases – who can refuse extra-moist and firm skin? The products from this line are also the first in the Japanese market to contain so many skincare ingredients at the same time, including epidermal growth factors which are known to help with collagen production, so you can definitely call them power-packed. If you’re wondering, yes, they are free from irritants like fragrances, artificial colouring, mineral oil and parabens, because those are definitely things we don’t need more of.
With a cleanser that also doubles up as a makeup remover, lotion, multitasking moisturising gel and sunscreen, this is one compact range that can easily replace your entire skincare regime. Super-moist is definitely a feeling we can get used to.

Available at the Dr. Ci: Labo store, #B3-41 ION Orchard (telephone no. 6238-8395) and soon in selected Watsons stores from April 2016 (Anchorpoint/Bugis Junction/Bukit Panjang Plaza/ Causeway Point/ION Orchard/JEM/NEX/Parkway Parade/Toa Payoh Hub/ West Mall).
Follow Dr. Ci:Labo on Instagram @drcilabosg and on Facebook at Drcilabo-Singapore. Visit ci-labo.com.sg for more information on the brand’s products.

Reasons Why We're Obsessed With Lily-Rose Depp

Mar 21, 2016Aug 15, 2018

What’s not to love about Lily-Rose Depp? We’re going to risk being completely superficial here and say that her genetic makeup is already a cause for adoration – who else can lay claim to calling Johnny Depp and model Vanessa Paradis Dad and Mom? But the 16-year old beauty has more than just good looks going for her – here’s a starter list on why we’re wholeheartedly obsessed. Oh and did we mention Paradis is French?

1. She’s 16, and already a fashion icon

#mademoiselleprive by #leilasmara

A photo posted by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Oct 12, 2015 at 7:07am PDT

A photo posted by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Apr 8, 2015 at 12:18pm PDT

Growing up in the spotlight must have taught her a thing or two about fashion choices – especially when you’ve got a supermodel mummy’s closet to play dress-up in. Now that Lily-Rose is old enough to be stepping out at society events and fashion shows on her own, she’s taking her bold style even further, and we’re in love.

2. She’s the face of Chanel

Eyewear - The Pearl collection - Ad campaign by Karl Lagerfeld

Just last year, Chanel announced that Lily-Rose Depp would be fronting the label’s Pearl Eyewear collection, weeks after she made her debut catwalk appearance in Chanel’s Fall-Winter 2015/16 Haute Couture show. Sounds like the perfect fairytale obviously, but especially so for the daughter of Vanessa Paradis, who has been a long-time muse for Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld herself. “When I was a baby I wore my mom’s Chanel pumps,” Lily-Rose said. “To be able to say that I work with Karl Lagerfeld is a dream come true.”

3. She’s the spitting image of her mother

A photo posted by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Feb 24, 2016 at 2:07pm PST

As if having French blood wasn’t enough, many fans (like us!) have noted that Lily-Rose looks exactly like her stunning mother in her youth – which probably explains why Lagerfeld was so quickly taken with her too. The blossoming star has clearly also realised the likeness for herself, judging from the recent snapshot she shared of Mummy Dearest on Instagram.

4. Speaking of Instagram… Lily-Rose’s is hipster af

Full of weirdly angled snaps, the occasional haute selfie, and just all kinds of random s***, @lilyrose_depp is an amusing breath of fresh air in today’s era of Instagram celebrities and manicured feeds. In fact, it’s so cool someone obviously got jealous and therefore hacked into her account, before wiping it clean – just a minor setback for the precocious young blonde who has since moved on from the incident. For now, the weirdest thing on there is probably a pic of a friend potentially slicing the heads off of two dolls, but that’s just our opinion. We speak for most in saying that what might start as a cautious first step into the visual world of Lily-Rose Depp, will quickly become an impressed realisation that this teenager, despite her star-studded background, is down-to-earth, genuinely cool, and just the realest.

5. She’s a proper actress now!

Lily-Rose made her acting debut in Kevin Smith’s horror comedy Yoga Hosers, which also starred Smith’s daughter and Lily-Rose’s childhood friend Harley Quinn Smith, and Daddy Depp, of course. The film had its world premiere in January at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, and both blondes are set to reprise their characters in the sequel Moose Jaws. Modelling and acting? All we can say is she sure is talented enough to be following in both her parents’ footsteps.

6. At the end of the day, she’s still Daddy’s Little Girl

blonde

A photo posted by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Oct 28, 2014 at 6:44pm PDT

Her star is fast rising, but Lily-Rose will always be the darling firstborn of Hollywood hunk Johnny Depp – who’s proven to be quite the protective parent. In an interview with NYLON New York, Lily-Rose shared that “I guess the silliest piece of advice he’s ever given me is – ‘Don’t talk to boys’, because it’s unrealistic, I guess.” Johnny Depp himself explicitly voiced his concern at how quickly Lily-Rose was gaining fame in the fashion world, saying, “She’s been snatched up by Karl Lagerfeld—which is a coincidence, as he spotted her mother when she was the same age, too—and when I see her with make-up and all that stuff, it’s really disturbing, because she’s a very beautiful girl, and it’s all happening so fast.”
AWW.

Fashion Spread: Confetti Fiesta

Mar 21, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Bask in the jolly colours of the rainbow with showers of glitter and streamers. Celebrate your youth in style – after all, fashion is meant to be fun!
Photographed by
Chuck Reyes
Styling
Josiah Chua
Hair
Kelly Lim at kllylmrck.com
Makeup
Joseph Ng at Joseph Ng Makeup
Model
Woan Ni @ Mannequin

See the rest of the spread in our #41 Lucky Number 4 issue, out on newsstands!

Space Invader: Office Matters

Mar 21, 2016Aug 15, 2018

We don’t want to admit it, but we spend almost 70% of our waking hours in the office, surrounded by work and our colleagues. And if that’s where we’re going to be, that’s exactly the place where we should improve our lives. And technology is here to help! Here’s a roundup of gadgets that will make our living conditions in the office far more pleasant. By Adele Chan

The New Dyson Cool™ Fan

Of course a fan would be on our list. There are some unfortunate corners of the office that the central air-conditioning just does not reach – and hot, stuffy air, especially after coming back from lunch, will make everyone’s life miserable. A mini fan powered by USB (Muji has great ones) is probably not powerful enough on hot days (which is every day), so our choice of desk fan has to be Dyson’s new Cool™ Fan.
Dyson first introduced their game-changing bladeless fan technology in 2009, and five years later, they launched their next generation of these fans that are 75% quieter that their predecessors – and without compromising on the power of the airflow. The table fans are also made from ABS, a tough thermoplastic that ha good shock absorbing properties; but of course we don’t recommend knocking such a pretty fan over. We will say, though, that you can expect your colleagues hanging out at your desk shooting the breeze. Yep, we went there.
The Dyson Cool™ fans are priced from $399, available at Courts, TANGS, Best Denki, Gain City, Takashimaya, Robinsons, Harvey Norman, Home Fix and Big Box. dyson.com.sg
See the rest of the article in our #41 Lucky Number Four issue, out on newsstands now!

Tutorial: Au Naturel With Nudestix

Mar 21, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Sometimes creating a “natural” makeup look involves more contouring, outlining, and blending than our time-strapped morning routines can handle. NUDESTIX keeps it real with their range of straightforward makeup crayons that cover everything from concealer, eyeshadow, to lip and cheek colour, all in shades for a simple (and we’re being truthful here) natural looks – with the occasional dark lip and smokey eye to take you into the night. Here, brand co-founder, Taylor Frankel, models two looks that won’t take you more than 15 minutes tops, promise.

See the rest of the tutorial in our #41 Lucky Number Four issue, out on newsstands now!

Good Times: Big, Bold & Bling

Mar 21, 2016Aug 15, 2018

If you had to pick one accessory to go along with your dazzling outfit, we say, get a watch! No, not those big luxury branded ones that will break your bank with their five-digit price tags, but affordable ones that can be just as decadent. These are ostentatious, lavish and brilliant without being too attention seeking or blinding, and that’s exactly what you want without looking like a cast member from Moulin Rouge. By Adam Kerr.
Read more in our latest issue #41 Lucky Number Four, out on newsstands now!