Here's The Skincare Regime That's Almost Like A Trip To The Aesthetician

Jan 31, 2016Aug 15, 2018

We have a love-hate relationship with aestheticians and dermatologists. While the services they offer, such as brightening facials, laser therapy and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, are undeniably effective in treating a whole spectrum of skin issues from dullness to hyperpigmentation – they’re professional-grade, after all – the downside is they’re time-consuming, usually expensive, and might sometimes include downtime (like nasty scabbing).
Don’t get us wrong – we think regular appointments with the skincare professionals are entirely necessary for the skin’s long-term wellbeing. But we sometimes wish for a more convenient solution that doesn’t cost a bomb, and doesn’t leave us having to deal with sensitive, scabby skin for a good few days.
So when Shiseido unveiled its revamped White Lucent line this year, we were intrigued by its premise: A whitening line that promises to combine the powers of whitening skincare and whitening cosmetic procedures. The brand calls it “Double Strike Whitening”, referring to how the formulas both lighten existing dark spots and prevent them from making reappearances in the future.
Another interesting thing about the four White Lucent products is that each is inspired by a particular professional whitening procedure, so it’s clear what each one is formulated to achieve for your skin. We’re glad Shiseido is leading the way in creating products that give results previously only achievable in facial salons and doctor’s clinics, so it won’t take repeated appointments just to keep our complexions bright and clear.
Get to know the all-new White Lucent line:

White Lucent MicroTargeting Spot Corrector

What: Whitening serum
Inspired by: Laser therapy
The dermatologist’s laser might get rid of those stubborn melanin spots, but the truth is, it might actually miss out the smaller ones. That’s why you need a serum with laser accuracy when it comes to aiming at smaller patches of melanin, like the MicroTargeting Spot Corrector that boosts cells’ turnover rate so old layers with excess melanin are simply peeled away. The serum is also of a low molecular weight, so the formula can go even deeper into the skin to really target all that unwanted melanin. It’s like your own at-home laser therapy, but without any potentially scarring lasers.

White Lucent Luminizing Infuser
What: Whitening lotion
Inspired by: Whitening IV drip
One way to really make sure a whitening treatment goes deep is to administer it in the form of an IV drip. Yes, people really do this – it sounds a little scary, but injecting whitening ingredients straight into the bloodstream, so they are circulated all around the body, really does help brighten the skin significantly. For a needle-free option, use a lotion like the Luminizing Infuser that gets the whitening ingredients deeper in by softening the surface layer of skin, mimicking the effects of a whitening drip.

White Lucent Luminizing Surge
What: Overnight moisturising emulsion
Inspired by: Second skin and iontophoresis treatment
The skin undoubtedly gets more sensitive after a round of laser treatment, which is the reason why some dermatologists add a protective treatment after. It’s a good idea to incorporate a moisturiser that forms a veil over your skin into your daily regime as well, since there are so many skin-damaging aggressors in the air. The Luminizing Surge is a nighttime moisturiser in emulsion form (a lighter texture than the MultiBright Night Cream) that drapes the skin in an ion veil to make any whitening treatments applied before more effective, preventing spots from reappearing in the longer run – just like iontophoresis. At the same time, the ion veil keeps the afore-mentioned aggressors out.

White Lucent MultiBright Night Cream

What: Overnight moisturising cream
Inspired by: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

We love night creams, we really do. They’re such a comforting way to help the skin recuperate from the day’s stresses and build up defences for the next day while you sleep. The MultiBright Night Cream is like IPL in a jar, since the MultiBright Technology uses the skin’s natural overnight recovery factors to take care of dullness, loss of elasticity, uneven skin tone, scars and enlarged pores.

Now that you’ve gotten acquainted with this exciting new range, yes, you get to try it for free. Click here to redeem your complimentary White Lucent sample kit now, and while you’re at it, go like Shiseido Singapore’s Facebook page for more handy tips.

Shiseido White Lucent range, available at Shiseido counters. shiseido.com.sg

Remember These Two Drinks? Of Course You Do

Jan 29, 2016Aug 15, 2018

The Lunar New Year is just a little over a week away, so if you haven’t been busy with shopping for outfits, snacks and drinks, well, what are you waiting for?! This year, take a trip back in time and relive fonder memories of yesteryears with two very nostalgic beverages. Pokka, Asia Pacific’s leading food and beverage group, has gone all out to put a retro spin on two of our favourite classic ready-to-drink beverages. Besides, it’ll be an interesting topic to talk about with your younger relatives while sipping on a distinctive and memorable flavour.
Kickapoo Joy Juice was a popular drink in Singapore, and was actually based on the same drink that the characters of American comic strip “Lil Abner” would consume. The cave dwelling characters Lonesome Polecat and Hairless Joe lived in a fictional village of Dogpatch and created the drink. It was supposedly a liquor with such stupefying potency that the citizens of DOgpatch would rise into the air after the first burning sip, stiff as a frozen codfish. Of course this isn’t the Joy Juice we’ve all come to know as a newer version was produced by Monarch Beverage of Atlanta (with Singapore and Malaysia being the lead countries of course) and launched in 1966. Sinalco special on the other hand, was this unique composition made with four different fruit flavours to create a unique taste and packaged in a unmistakeable pink can; definitely one that has been truly missed by Singaporeans.
Sinalco, a combination of the Latin words sine alcohole (meaning “without alcohol” in English), was established in 1905 and is the oldest non-alcoholic beverage brand of continental European origin that was exported to more than 150 countries. The introduction of this brand in Singapore marks a special moment in its 111 years in history after having found a new partner in Pokka.
Both drinks will be highlighted by limited edition anniversary designs of cans and bottles with a unique retrostyling, and will be available at most major supermarkets, hypermarkets and coffee shops across Singapore. Who knows, we may even see the return of Anything and Whatever (remember those?).

This New Timberland Shoe is Quacking Us Up

Jan 29, 2016Aug 15, 2018

It’s huntin’ season, folks. Over at Timberland, the Big Daddy of Boots has collaborated yet again with street wear brand 10.Deep to release a limited edition 7-Eye Chukka Boot – named “The Duck Hunt”. It’s a happy tribute to the 2010 collab “The Mighty Ducks”, but without the strikingly recognisable dual toned base. Instead, the classic 7-Eye Chukka gets a makeover with brown hairy suede, alongside duck camo quarter panels made of 100% recycled fabric. Personally, with the combination of 1990s New York City sub culture and contemporary street style, we think the 10.Deep influence is a perfect way to reinvent Timberland’s oldie-but-goodie image. Get them fast – a little birdie (not a duck) told us that only a very limited quantity is available, so don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Timberland x 10.Deep “The Duck Hunt” 7-Eye Chukka Boots, $339, available at Timberland Raffles City. timberland.com.sg

Why You Need To Know About Cleansing Conditioners

Jan 28, 2016Aug 15, 2018

You might have heard the term “co-washing” floating around some beauty websites. It has to do with the hair, and no, it doesn’t mean having two people wash your hair at the same time (though that might be a nice idea). Co-washing is an abbreviation for “conditioner washing”, and yes, that means washing your hair with conditioner and skipping out completely on the shampoo.
Don’t freak out just yet – your hair is not going to become a weighed-down, greasy mess should you decide to try out co-washing. In the past year, a whole bunch of cleansing conditioners have hit the market, and these are mostly formulated with cleansing properties, on top of all the moisturising and nourishing abilities that conditioners are supposed to have.
So what’s the case for co-washing? It’s actually a trend that started in the West, as a practice popular among those with curly or textured hair. Cleansing conditioners strip the scalp of less oil than shampoo, so this helps the hair stay more moisturised since there’s more of the skin’s natural oils remaining after each wash.
But that’s not to say you should throw out all your shampoo bottles. Even if you adopt co-washing into your regular routine, you’ll still need to shampoo at least once in a while, as the cleansing powers of a shampoo is still required now and then to properly cleanse the scalp. Especially if you live in Singapore, where the humidity leads to oilier scalps in general.
If you’re game to try out co-washing, you can start with these:

Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Cleanse & Nourish

The key ingredient in Percy & Reed’s first-ever hair cleanser is aloe vera, which is what helps soothe the scalp (makes sense – you use aloe vera to soothe skin irritation, right?). There are no sulphates or detergents in this, and the formula is 97% natural – we were told the remaining 3% is from preservatives that help keep the natural ingredients – and rose geranium, lavender, peppermint essential oils and avocado and jojoba oils are what help nourish and strengthen the hair.
$44, available at Sephora from 31 March. percyandreed.com

Kevin Murphy RE.STORE Repairing Cleansing Treatment

Australian brand Kevin Murphy makes hair products that mimic skincare, with smaller molecules that penetrate the skin on the scalp better. Enzymes from papaya and pineapple and protein from the green pea are what help repair damaged hair; this also contains arginine and lysine, which are amino acids that can rebuild hair strands.
Available from February at The Parlour at 33 Lowland Road, The Big Blow at #02-21 Cluny Court, and Duo Hair Salon at #03-19 Mandarin Gallery. kevinmurphy.com.au

Living Proof Curl Conditioning Wash

For the curly-haired, this has Living Proof’s Extended Curl Memory technology that helps keep humidity from getting to your hair (very much needed here), smoothen out your cuticles without leaving a residue, and hold your curls in place.
$36, available at Sephora. livingproof.com

Main image: Latinista Spring/Summer 2016, courtesy Aveda.

Laneway Festival: Chvrches On 'Every Open Eye' And How They're (Kinda) Like A Rock Band

Jan 28, 2016Aug 15, 2018

You must have heard of the band Chvrches. Back in 2014, the trio astounded us with their live performance at the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, where Iain Cook, Martin Doherty, and their outspoken female lead vocalist, Lauren Mayberry, gave us a taste of their energetic blend of Scottish synth-pop, playing mostly material from their critically-loved debut album, The Bones of What You Believe.
At the time, we had songs like “The Mother We Share” and “Gun” on endless repeat, and okay, we admit that these are still inclined to frequent plays on our Spotify loops. Since then, the band has been doing lots and lots of touring, before finally dropping new material, their second album, Every Open Eye, in September last year. They’ll be back for this year’s St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival too. Before they make their way here though, we spoke to Iain Cook to get some updates on the band, especially on their latest album.

You’ve been here a couple of times – 2014’s Laneway Festival was a particularly memorable one. How has it been like performing in Singapore?
The first time we came, we didn’t know what it would be like, but really, it was a fantastic show with loads of people. It was an exciting experience. Hopefully this time, it’d be another memorable night – Singapore’s such a great place, it’s beautiful, and the people are fun.
Let’s dive right in and talk about your music. The band has finally released a second album, Every Open Eye, much to the delight of your fans. How is this different from the first one though?
I wouldn’t say it’s radically different, it’s kind of what we’ve done before, but at the same time, more developed, more focused and more refined. It feels more “Chvrches”, more us. We believe more in ourselves, and what we have achieved, and this comes after more than two years of touring, which made us have a much better sense of who we are. We went back to the same studio in Glasglow to record it.
How would you say it’s more refined?
It’s still what we do, but not really top 40s pop, you know? I think of us like a rock band, not really the sound, but just the energy of that.
How did it feel like to be back in the studio after all that touring?
We did like 355 shows in the course of 3 years. So, obviously, things are gonna be different! We wrote really well, and it feels like we’re a tighter group now and I think the touring really helped us creatively. It feels like an entirely different dynamic.
But, we were nervous too – like, we didn’t know if we could still work together. We didn’t talk too much before entering the studio though, we just went in, got to be ourselves after like a 6 weeks break, and it turned out to be a good feeling, reassuring. It felt familiar.
Was there a theme for the current album? How was the songwriting process like?
It comes from a dark place, but you’re still looking forward, still optimistic and hoping for change. Lauren’s the one who writes the lyrics, stuff in her personal life, like in “Leave A Trace”. Most of our songs start the same way, we record pieces in the studio, and it usually starts with a beat. We get most of the ideas for the chorus from that beat. Lauren maybe writes the lyrics after we have the basis of a song.
I thought the most memorable one we wrote was “Clearest Blue”, it was great, effortless, and I like how that comes across in the song as well, that energy and momentum. It was very much collaborative.
For tickets, line-up and more info, head over to singapore.lanewayfestival.com.

It Isn't Arm Swag Til It's Black and Gold

Jan 28, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Heads up – doesn’t matter what’s the new black when something is timeless. And when it comes to colour, Black and Gold never go out of style. Which is why it totally makes sense that Casio has introduced the lethal combination to their popular G-SHOCK timepieces. We hope you’re getting the pun here.
The trusty, hardy G-SHOCK receives an elevated elegance in the new MTG Black x Gold Series. It’s pretty much win-win – since you still get the GPS satellite Wave Ceptor Technology of the base model; but now in a sleek black carbon finish, topped with a gold-plated face to keep things classy.

And for those looking for even more durability in their arm candy, the black-gold combination also comes in the Master of G Black x Gold Series – where old favourites G-SHOCK Gravitymaster, Mud Master, and Gulf Master all get the same gorgeous facelift. Perfect if you’re looking for something to withstand wear and tear, water, and Mother Nature, or if you simply want your everyday watch to last a little longer (ie. forever). Plus, with Chinese New Year just around the corner, the touch of gold resin will blend right in to the whole auspicious aesthetic. I mean, once you get over the flak for wearing black.
GWG-1000GB-1A_JF

Casio G-SHOCK MTG-G1000GB, $2199; Black x Gold Gravitymaster, $1299; Mud Master, $949; Gulf Master, $649, available at all Casio G-Factory stores. casio-intl.com.

Who Can Resist A Cute Steiff Bear, Especially If It’ll Accompany You On Your Travels?

Jan 28, 2016Aug 15, 2018

It’s probably one of the world’s cutest collaborations around. I mean come on, just look at that face… it’d melt even the coldest of hearts. Leading German brands for premium-class luggage and manufacturing toys and collectibles, RIMOWA and Steiff have partnered up to create a limited collection of Steiff Bear RIMOWA luggages. This exclusive collection has an elaborate imprint of the iconic Steiff bear, along with the unmistakable “Button in Ear” trademark. Both brands are internationally renowned for its dedication to exceptional quality, craftsmanship and precision in their toys and luggages, so it’s no surprise that the RIMOWA Steiff Bear collection has been enhanced with a luscious Steiff grey alpaca inner-lining that’s made from the finest premium mohair. And yes, it comes with a detachable grey alpaca Steiff bear to keep you company.

This limited edition luggage is available in RIMOWA’s celebrated Classic Flight Cabin Multiwheel® 52, which features an extendable telescopic handle with high quality leather. It’s recognisable by its characteristic groove structure – a modern interpretation based on the pioneering era of aircraft engineering and construction – that the brand has become known for. These cabin-sized cases are super exclusive, with only 30 pieces retailing in Singapore.
RIMOWA Steiff Bear Collection, $1,800. Available from 5 Feb at RIMOWA Stores (Mandarin Gallery #01-02, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands #B2M-236 and Suntec City North Wing #01-476).

Slime Shoes or Fancy Footwear? Your Pick

Jan 27, 2016Aug 15, 2018

When people said Dr. Martens shoes are a work of art, they weren’t kidding. And now that the beloved British brand has released a collection inspired entirely by a real Renaissance painting – well, you can’t say they don’t deliver.
The painting in question is the Triumph of Camillus – a 15^th Century masterpiece by Italian Renaissance painter D’Antonio, of how the Roman Senate honours the return of an exiled hero with a parade through Rome. Returning to rescue Rome from surrendering and paying off the enemy, hero Camillus is basically a patriotic badass. You go, Camillus Coco. If you’re itching to get your hands on the print, the capsule collection consists of the Pascal 8 eye boot, a 1461 shoe, and a very fetching 11” satchel – all patterned in the same canvas.

And you’d be amazed at how fast Doc Marts go from regal to horrific – literally. For anyone who’s ever been mildly enticed by the slimy covers of the Goosebumps teen horror series, you’ll seriously dig Dr. Martens’ newest collection. Simply titled ‘Splash Mono’, the shoe pays homage to Psychobilly – the 1970s fusion genre of rock music that blends punk rock, rock and roll, and rockabilly. Very audacious – but not complete without distressing imagery from good ol’ horror and sci-fi films. And thus, the iconic 1460 8 eye boot gets a makeover with oozing “slime” and B-movie horror movie type graphics, in a classic monotone palette.

11_Inch_Leather_Satchel_Black Smooth_$209

With such explicit celebration of one of the most distinct youth cultures of all time, we don’t doubt that these Psychobilly shoes are going to gain quite the following – especially considering Doc Marts’ “rebellious” brand image. (We can already see the longhaired hippie-goths trudging around Laneway in these next year). It’s an acquired taste, we’ll admit… but then again, the paint/slime splatters kind of grow on you. Like a fungus.

Dr. Martens x The Triumph of Camillus By D’Antonio, $239 to $259; Splash Mono, $209 to $239, available in all Dr. Martens stores. drmartens.com

The Most Convenient Way To Buy Items From Overseas Stores

Jan 27, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Instead of pestering your friends to get your personalised Nike sneakers, or that coveted necklace from an overseas site that just doesn’t ship to Singapore, try this shopping service. We’re introducing you to something called ShopandBox, a local start-up that brands itself as a “peer-to-peer personal shopping service”, by pairing you up with a personal shopper who’s a local in your preferred country.
In the meantime, they’ve also put together a highly useful Valentine’s Day guide that shows off the rare items that you can, literally, buy with their service, in order to please your significant other. All trending stuff only, of course.

L – R: Colourpop x Kathleen Lights “Where The Light Is” Collaboration, US$20, from USA; Louboutin Silky Satin Lip Colour, US$90, from USA; Dear Maison White Marble Notebook, 12,000 krw, from Korea; Paul and Joe Limited Edition Lipstick, 1000 jpy, from Japan

Rather than ordering from individual sites, where you have to pay pricey shipping fees for just one item, or a limited edition gift set that doesn’t even ship to Singapore, this feels like a better solution. Personally, I’ve added Kraft’s Star Wars mac & cheese sets, Kat Von D eyeliner, Glossier’s Face Moisturizer, and a pair of earrings from & Other Stories in my cart.
How the service works is that you add these to your cart, and the site will pair you up with their Personal Shoppers, known as Boxers, who are locals in the countries that you’re looking to shop from. You then pay the price of your item, the Shoppers collate your orders (either by shopping from a physical store, or by having it shipped to their place), and then have them checked, repackaged, boxed and shipped to your doorstep in three days.

L – R: Nike ID shoes, from US$115, from USA; Maje Shadow Mini Bucket Bag, ‎‎97.50‎‎ euros from France; Keurig K250 Brewing System in Serenity, US$130, from USA; Soohyang Candle, 22,ooo krw, from Korea

Another advantage of this is that you’ll be able to buy items that are available here, but less expensive overseas. You might be inclined to think like our editor (“basically… we help you buy a chanel bag from paris and then charge a commission, but total price including shipping is still less than what you would pay for in singapore”), and that’s because Shopandbox charges a service fee of between 10 to 14 per cent of the total order, on top of the cost of items and shipping fee. Which, well, makes sense. But, you know, be smart about it too. We encourage you to do a bit of math if it’s a luxury item you’re getting – sometimes, that 5% makes all the difference. Of course, they’ve got other item categories as well, including, basically anything, from cosmetics and clothes, to toys, food, homeware and electronics.

L – R: Ladurée Spring 2016 Eye Color Palette, from Japan; Sunny Life Pool Float, from Australia; Winifred Grace Custom 25mm Rectangle Dates Necklace, US$113, from USA; Garrett Leight Milwood Frame, US$285, from USA

Sure, you might also be used to vPost and comGateway, but what’s unique is that, here, you’re linked to real people, whom you can chat to in order to change your order, or to let them know how specific your item must be. This is especially useful if the item you want is sold out, so you get to re-negotiate for something similar. The service’s network includes shoppers from USA, UK, France, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia, and more, 20 countries in total. These Boxers go through a recruitment process where they have to be interviewed, and then complete an online training course, so maintain the integrity of the service, which then makes this service totally worth a shot!
Head to shopandbox.com for more.

L – R: Oculus Rift, US$599, from USA; Vetelli Hanging Toiletries Bag, US$45, from USA; Here Wireless Ear Buds, US$199, from USA

adidas Originals NMD_R1 PrimeKnit

Jan 27, 2016Aug 15, 2018

The German sportswear brand released the NMD model last year and received nods from pretty much everyone with its combination of the innovative Boost sole and Primeknit upper. The brand took inspiration from archival models like the Micro Pacer and Rising Star, resulting in a somewhat familiar but fresh silhouette. But before we can continue to bask in the awesomeness of it, adidas Originals has already come up with something newer – the NMD_R1 Primeknit. This new pair of kicks combines the dynamic design of the NMD Runner with some of the brand’s most progressive technical elements. The NMD_R1 wears a striking, all-over noise graphic on the lightweight Primeknit upper with welded tape structural overlays, and features the signature three-stripes on the shoe’s unique midsole with EVA inserts.
adidas Originals NMD_R1 Primeknit, $299. Available from 30 January at adidas Originals Stores, Limited EDT stores, Pedder on Scotts and Tangs at Orchard.

All The Uniqlo x Lemaire SS16 Looks, Right Here

Jan 27, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Sit tight. You’re about to browse through the entire lookbook of the hotly-anticipated Uniqlo x Lemaire collection. Now, this collaboration isn’t exactly new to us, but we’ve seen the frenzy over the previous Fall/Winter collection between fast fashion retailer Uniqlo and Paris fashion brand Lemaire. And it’s crazy. What’s more, this marks the final collection that the two brands will be working on together.

Hitting stores on 4 March, the collection’s updated for the season, in an inspiring “base of expressive colours that give the impression of having absorbed the light of the summer sun over the years”, or, in other words, cheery, light but muted shades of ginger, mahogany, blue/green and ash grey. These are accented with deep blacks and crisp whites, all on casual, effortless daily wear outfits that include cotton belted dresses, ribbed tops and cotton twill flare skirts.

All the 71 pieces feature clean silhouettes, with large pockets and a voluminous feel that makes for easy movement, a deliberate attempt by Lemaire’s creative director duo Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran to evoke 60s summer vacations in France. To go along with this, Uniqlo will also be launching unisex shoes for the first time, unveiling casual slip-ons that go with any of the looks.

The Uniqlo x Lemaire collection, available from 4 March at UNIQLO 313@Somerset, Bugis+, ION Orchard, Jem^®, and Suntec City Mall with selected pieces available online (www.uniqlo.com/sg). Priced from $29.90 for a t-shirt to $249.90 for a Men’s Cotton Parka.
A special website for the UNIQLO AND LEMAIRE 2016 Spring/Summer Collection will be launched from 5 February. The site will feature all the items in the collection, including campaign photos taken with models. The site can be viewed here: www.uniqlo.com/uniqloandlemaire/sg.

360˚ Videos Are Becoming A Thing, And You Can Soon Create Your Own

Jan 27, 2016Aug 15, 2018

…unless of course you already have the equipment to do that already (i.e. cameras and rigs). While virtual reality may not be something new to us, 360˚ videos are a whole other thing altogether. While they’ve also been around for some time, they only really started to take off last year. 360˚ videos are a big freakin’ deal cause they open up new opportunities for the entertainment media production industry. The camera records footage from a full 360˚x180˚ field of view, and and all that will be processed into a spherical video that you can interact with. YouTube began supporting these videos from March last year, letting you watch videos from basically any direction you want. Some examples below:

YouTube has a whole channel dedicated to 360˚ videos.
If you haven’t already heard, Nikon is hopping on board with a new wearable action camera that’s capable of recording 360˚ videos in 4K UHD. The KeyMission 360 is the first of Nikon’s actions cameras that will be released some time in Spring this year, along with a slew of dedicated accessories. The reference models of the KeyMission 360 were on full display at this year’s CES, and it boasts an image sensor and lens combination on two opposite sides of the camera, which combines captured images to create a single realistic and high definition 360˚ image output. It’s even waterproof up to 30 meters without any additional housings and is resistant to dust, shock and low temperatures. Forget fisheye action cams that seemingly let you go “pro” and opt for this little baby to bring on your soul-searching journeys into the wilderness.
It’s a technological breakthrough for Nikon as they take their expertise in imaging technology into an innovative direction to give their users the best experience possible with the new KeyMission 360. Hiroaki Ono, General Manager for the International Marketing Division Imaging Group of Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd added “We begin this immersive journey of storytelling through a reliable companion that views the world in true 360 degrees.”

Under Armour Has Perfected Cooling Technology For Your Sweaty Workouts

Jan 27, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Forget HeatTech – while everyone else is dealing with #Blizzard2016, here on the island we unfortunately need something to combat #Heatwave2016. Enter Under Armour and their all-new SS16 CoolSwitch line, here to save our sweaty asses from a lifetime of tropical temperatures and horrid humidity.
And just in time for Spring/Summer too, when temperatures will really be heating up. As part of their Rule Yourself campaign, the pioneering CoolSwitch technology makes use of three cooling agents intended to keep you cool even during a workout, to empower you to perform longer, harder, and better. If we’re going to go into detail, your sweat basically triggers these agents into helping lower your body and skin temperature, so you stay cool and less physically taxed throughout. Fascinating, yes, but nowhere near as funky as the functional purpose of the crystal print on all the apparel – made of the same stuff NASA uses in their spacesuits, the agents within the print actually absorb and store heat energy, so that your skin won’t have to.

Also new to the Spring/Summer collection are the second generation UA SpeedForm Apollos and UA SpeedForm Gemini. We’d love them even if all they did was look pretty, but this new range of running shoes takes ‘fancy kicks’ to the next level – with improved arch support, flex grooves, and even more cushioning than ever. In English, that means extra breathability (yay to non-sweaty feet!) and running on marshmallows – definitely not just for the casual power walker. But since we can’t all be pro runners or marathoners, these babies will more than do for the treadmill – well, if we actually kept our resolutions of going to the gym this year, that is.

Under Armour Spring/Summer 2016 Collection, $9 to $399, available at all Under Armour brand houses from February 2016. underarmour.com.sg/en-sg

Laneway Festival: 5 Minutes With Purity Ring

Jan 27, 2016Aug 15, 2018

The world first embraced Purity Ring’s ethereal sound in 2012, and boy was that something. They released their debut album, “Shrines” on the legendary indie label 4AD and quickly earned itself the Best New Music status from Pitchfork. We got lost in their universe that was filled with enchanting, often moving melodies born out of a meandering production process. But unlike “Shrines”, the electronic music duo from Canada got back together after an 18-month break and started writing their second album, “another eternity”, only this time they decided to do it while being physically in the same place instead of doing it exclusively over emails. They’ll be closing the Cloud Stage at this year’s St Jerome’s Laneway Festival in Singapore, and we wanted to get to know them a little bit more before we see them this Saturday. In the meantime, why not take a listen to “another eternity” while you’re at it?

Image credit: Renata Rashka / Laneway Festival Singapore
***
I understand that both of you will wear clothes that you’ve designed and sewn when you guys perform live. Also, you’ve done a fashion course in high school and have made a lot of costumes and casual clothes for yourself. Have you thought about running your own fashion label on the side?
Megan James: Yeah. I’ve been doing it for a long time but it’s really kind of slow. I guess it’s because I’ve been putting the band first. I really enjoy taking the opportunity of deciding what to wear on stage of for like a music video. But yeah, a clothing line is definitely a prospect of the future. It’s in the making and not so established yet because I’m still very focused on my music.

Can you briefly run us through your creative process when you guys were writing songs for “another eternity”?
MJ: That’s a difficult question. It varies a lot from song to song. But something that’s kind of interesting was that we wrote the songs with a jointed effort instead of doing it separately so, yeah it was usually when we were in the studio or in space where we felt comfortable. We’d start with a melody or sometimes with a vocal of sorts. Other times it would start with a chord progression or a more finished track that Corin already had. It changes a lot so that way it keeps things fresh.

What’s the biggest difference between “Shrines” and “another eternity”, besides actually physically recording it together this time?
MJ: There was a lot of time in between the two so I feel like the difference is really massive. We went in with a mindset of not making the same thing twice. The vocals are a little bit clearer though there are different song writing styles. I think “another eternity” is about good song writing, focused verses and choruses. It’s more refined in its sound. It kinda makes “Shrines” sound bad [laughs], but really, “Shrines is like this cohesive, concentrated album with a focused sound as a whole. In a way, “another eternity” is like a “songs” album while “Shrines” is more of an “atmosphere” songs, you know?

What was the most difficult part about making a second album?
MJ: Trying to make the sound for “another eternity” was difficult, until we actually started writing. I remember like a year and a half ago we were like, “Oh, we have to make another one of these”, and we didn’t know what was going to happen. That was another hurdle we had to get over but as soon as we started writing, the discomfort kinda went away. And then of course as the release date drew near, that came with more pressures. That’s the gist of it.

Was it tougher to write songs together as opposed to going back and forth on emails?
MJ: Sort of. It was like a new writing process for both of us so we had a lot to deal with. But we did have way more conversations than we ever did so that was interesting. I think it made the album more cohesive.

One thing that stuck out from listening to “another eternity” was that it’s lighter and brighter, in terms of production and lyrics, as compared to “Shrines”, which was definitely darker and more synth-heavy. Was that accidental, a natural phenomenon/progression or a reflection of what you guys were going through at that point? Were you guys coming out of a dark period of your lives?
MJ: I think it’s one hundred percent all of those things. [laughs]

You used the term “future pop” to describe the music in your first album. Does it still make sense for your music now, or has it changed?
MJ: The reason we used that term at the beginning was because we thought, “Does it actually mean anything?” It’s like something that will define us in terms of assigning a genre and if there are any interviews, we’d do that before anyone else gets to it, and hopefully it sticks. Also, “future pop” is just a word we can define as we evolve over time. It changes yearly, and the future is really quite hard to define anyway.

For tickets, line-up and more info, head over to singapore.lanewayfestival.com. Follow Purity Ring on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Heads up! The Head of Kim Jong-un As Your Personal Desktop Speaker

Jan 27, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Just when you thought politics today couldn’t get weirder, the folks at Sound of Power (SOP) have released a new, limited edition, desktop speaker – in the shape of Kim Jong-un’s head. Oh yes, you can now choose to blast your Top 40s or indie tracks through the receding porcelain hairline of North Korea’s shining dictator.

It’s a mind-blowing creation, but we take our hats off to artist Petro Wodkins, who’s created an entire mini series. Inspired by classical porcelain busts, Wodkins combines practicality with art, and has made it his mission to turn Powerful People of the world into desktop speakers – to “play the people who play the world”. Hear hear. Personally, the detail on Kim is stunning; from the expression of bored discontent down to the exquisitely crafted double chin, the supreme leader was born to be a bust. And if Kim isn’t quite your commander of choice, there are also the esteemed heads of Margaret Thatcher and Vladimir Putin (first model in the series!) to broadcast your music.

The concept may be delightfully tongue-in-cheek, but these speakers are proper quality sound systems too. Kim Sunshine, Maggie, and St. Vladimir come with full-range 4” drivers, built in base reflex, and even a bluetooth 20W amplifier for handy access to music on all your devices. Naturally, getting your hands on these bad boys doesn’t come easy – there are only 100 of each bust in the world, retailing for €1,111 a pop. But if you really do manage to land one, we strongly recommend some Nicki Minaj.

Sound of Power Kim Jong-un bust, available at sound-of-power.com.

How 'Bout Them Apples?

Jan 26, 2016Aug 15, 2018

Are you that alternative girl who supports the underdog in every way possible, be it in the clothes you wear, the food you eat and the cafes you go to? If this pretty much sums up your lifestyle, then say no more! Another year has passed, which means another iteration of the iPhone has been released. But amidst all the attention that Apple seems to get everywhere (it’s literally, everywhere), the other smartphone brands are trying their best to share the limelight with the all-encompassing iPhone. We’ve gone through the pile and cut through the noise to bring you a list of some smartphones that are worthy of a once-over. By Adam Kerr. Illustrations by Joanne Cheah.
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ASUS ZENPHONE SELFIE

The ZenFone Selfie is actually the flagship version between the three additions to the series (there are only a handful of differences here and there to cater to different needs). This one is pretty self-explanatory, especially if you’re the sort that floods your photo gallery with countless photos of yourself (or with friends). Boasting dual 13-megapixel PixelMaster cameras, dual-colour, dual-LED real tone flash for both front and rear cameras, laser auto-focus (captures photos with perfect clarity under 0.3 seconds) and an intuitive rear key, taking selfies has become way easier. And don’t forget that real-time beautification mode, which instantly edits your photo every time. You can make full use of the 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080-pixel Full HD Corning® Gorilla display to fine-tune your photos (we’re talking about things like softening your facial features, slimming down bloated cheek or even brightening your skintone to add vibrancy). And if you’re on holiday, the ZenFone Selfie’s f/2.2-aperture front lens and 88-degree field of view lets you take panoramic selfies (up to 140 degrees) so you’ll never have to go through that awkward task of asking a stranger to help you take a photo of you against that picturesque backdrop again.
$399, available at ASUS brand stores, authorised retailers and Qoo10. asus.com/sg
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HTC ONE A9

Details, details, details – that’s what this phone is all about. Also, HTC is a smartphone pioneer in its own right. Did you know that they created the first Android smartphone, the first Windows smartphone, the first 4G smartphone and also, the first all-metal smartphone? Innovation is clearly at the heart of all HTC operations; it’s no wonder they’re still being supported by millions despite being in a ery tough market. Unlike some smartphones that limit the controls of certain aspects of your phone, the HTC One A9 puts you in the driver’s seat to give you the freedom to take full control of your smartphone experience, thanks to the combination of HTC Sense and the new features of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. On the design front, HTC draws visual cues from the natural beauty around us. An approach that HTC calls “metalmorphics”, HTC combines the super-thin metal frame with new curves, redefined edges and precision-cut ridges on the power button. The dual-toned finish is brushed with hairline detail and bead-blasted before the sides are polished. Aesthetics aside, the HTC One A9 can be a great alternative if you don’t want to lug around an extra camera. Its main 13-megapixel rear camera comes with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) and an optional Pro mode that lets you take photos in RAW format. And yes, it comes with a built-in Photo Editor if you need to make quick edits before sharing it with the rest of the (cyber)world.
$798, available later this year. htc.com/sea
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HUAWEI MATE S

We can’t deny it; this phone is actually pretty to look at (and screams, “Hold me!”). The elegance and sophistication of Huawei’s now flagship really puts them in a better light. They’ve also redefined the way you’d normally experience a smartphone, with the inclusion of new touch features. The Fingerprint Sense 2.0 is faster, more sensitive and has more accurate self-learning functions. Besides just unlocking the phone or securing online payments, you can now control notifications, scroll through photos, take selfies, answer phone calls and even dismiss an alarm (though this could turn out to be really bad for you in the morning). The Knuckle Sense 2.0, a technology that first made its debut with the P8, also comes with new features and functionalities with a simple tap of the knuckle. Instead of scrolling through your phone to multi-task, you can draw shortcut letters to the 5.5-inch AMOLED FHD screen to stretch to switch between apps. For example, drawing a “c” will activate the camera, an “m” to listen to music and an “e” to surf the net; all fully customisable of course. You can even crop and copy an image of double tap a video to screenshot stills. Who knew you could so much with just your knuckles?
$999 (64GB ROM in Luxurious Gold), available at Huawei’s Flagship STore (Plaza Singapura #03-78 and Experience Store (Sim Lim Square #04-66). huawei.com/sg
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LENOVO VIBE S1

We all know Lenovo as that Chinese multinational computer technology company that sells computers and tablets (remember ThinkPad?), but smartphones? Well, they’ve been having a good run with their PC business so it only made sense for them to expand, which they did four years ago. The latest addition to their VIBE family banks on selfies. According to Lenovo, over a million selfies are taken a day and 48% of that gets shared on Facebook. They’ve taken the Lenovo VIBE and tweaked it to satisfy selfie enthusiasts like you by incorporating dual selfie cameras that work in a way where the 8-megapixel primary front camera captures the sharpest photos while the 2-megapixel secondary front camera analyses depth of field information to emulate human vision. The “Blur” feature in the built-in photo editing tools lets you add a bokeh effect to your selfie. You can even make use of the “Cut Out” functionality to place yourself onto another image, or to get rid of pesky photo bombers. You’ll also be able to take selfies with your friends while you’re out and about at Zouk, thanks to the front camera BSI sensor that improves the clarity and quality of after-dark selfies. Just remember not to flood your followers on Instagram with 10 selfies at one go, no matter how nice you think they are…
$429, available at Lenovo authorised retailers. lenovo.com/sg
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LG V10

You’ve seen the new Star Wars film, and being a big fan yourself, you’re happy that J.J. Abrams didn’t totally wreck it for you and the rest of the world. Now your aspirations to be an amazing director has resurfaced but you don’t have the means to pick up a sophisticated camera to work with, nor do you want to. Well, the LG V10 might just be what you’re looking for. It offers the ultimate in video capturing, editing and sharing, just as the LG G4 did with photography. Yes, you can actually manually adjust shutter speed, frame rate, ISO, white balance and focus while you’re recording in either HD, FHD or UHD (either in 16:9 standard or 21:9 cinematic aspect ratios) on the 16-megapixel rear camera with f/1.8 lens or 5-megapixel dual lens (80-degree standard angle/120-degree wide angle) front camera. LG has also thrown in a bunch of other features to further enhance your videos and overall recording experience, like “steady record”, which makes use of the electronic image stabilisation to reduce shake and capture sharper video footage as you move around, “snap video” to create a video montage of sorts, multi-view recording, and more. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, LG carries over their tradition of alternative storage options with a microSD card slot that is compatible with cards of up to 2TB so you can shoot as much 4K video as you like. You might need to purchase a second or third replacement battery even though the V10 comes equipped with a 3,000mAh removable battery if you’re planning on going all-out on creating short films.
$1,088, available from 16 January at M1, StarHub, SingTel and other authorised LG mobile retailers. lg.com/sg
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ONEPLUS 2

It’s the hipster phone to end all hipster phones. OnePlus is still considered to be a very young company, having been founded in December 2013 by Oppo’s former vice president Pete Lau, and Carl Pei. The first iteration of the phone became a cult favourite amongst global tech enthusiasts because of its exclusivity. The brand is out to impress with their specs, as the OnePlus 2 features an aluminium-magnesium alloy frame with jewellery-grade stainless steel accents that encase a full HD 5-5-inch IPS LCD In-Cell display and 3300mAh lithium-polymer battery. This smartphone is powered by the fastest processor in the market, the 64-bit Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM 810 SoC and 4GB of RAM, and gives you 64GB worth of storage, on top of an eMMC 5.0 flash expandable memory. But one of the biggest takeaways from this phone is the fact that it’s equipped with a USB Type-C charging port to help pave the way for the adoption of this technology (and to stay current, of course). OnePlus has also taken it further by using patented technology to make the Type-A side of its charging cable reversible as well. Talk about being ahead of the pack. Oh, and if you’re thinking of getting one, you might want to check out their social media channels for announcements on when they’ll be giving out the next batch of invites to purchase.
$598, available online for purchase (only with invite). oneplus.net
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OPPO R7S

You wanna be on top? Well, Oppo certainly does. They’ve received international success, especially after partnering with one of the most exciting fashion-themed reality television series of all time, America’s Next Top Model. Although we all had to bid adieu to the show last year, Cycle 22 ended with a bang. This third co-ed season saw a bunch of challenges that required the hopeful models to use an OPPO phone. The R7s looks to be a great companion if you’re in need of a stylish-looking phone while you’re out and about for meetings. It sports an exquisite aircraft-grade metallic body that has undergone 48 polishing processes, encasing an equally chic 5.5-inch AMOLED screen that comes with a 2.5D arc-edge. And just like Tyra Banks, the R7s is beautiful on the outside and equally powerful on the inside. The faster performance and smooth multi-tasking you’ll be experiencing is all credited to the 4GB RAM and 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor. This smartphone boasts 13-megapixel rear-facing and 8-megapixel front-facing cameras so you can do like Tyra and work that smize for a “#FierceAGram” shot.
$599, available in Golden and Rose Gold from OPPO Concept Stores (Suntec City Tower 3, #01-627 and 333 Geylang Road) and M1, SingTel and StarHub stores. oppo.com/sg
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SAMSUNG GALAXY S6 EDGE+ 4G+

If you want a phone that has a competitive edge over Apple, then this is probably it. We can’t deny that these companies are akin to squabbling siblings (they’ve had more than 40 patent lawsuits against each other), earning them the “Most Dramatic Smartphone Feud” Award, if there were ever such a thing. But there’s one thing that Samsung has done that’s aesthetically different from others. Last year, we were struggling to figure out how relevant the curved edge screen would be to the market, and what benefits it can potentially bring to the table. But Samsung has gone on to the next level by providing a dual-edge display this time round. Just like its predecessor, the S6 Edge+ 4G+ is definitely sleek and elegant, though a little awkward to hold at first. But as with everything else, you’ll eventually get used to it. You’ll be able to use the features like the “Apps Edge” for easy access to your favourite apps and the “Enhanced People Edge”, which lets you communicate with your favourite contacts with ease. Apart from the obvious unique selling point of this phone, the S6 Edge+ 4G+ also provides you with a 5.7-inch Quad HD SUPER AMOLED display for a deeper screen contrast, true-to-life colours and in-depth details. You’ll even be able to shoot in RAW with the f/1.9 16-megapixel rear and 5-megapixel front cameras (you can even adjust the shutter speed).
$1,188 (32GB), available at Samsung Experience Stores, M1, SingTel, StarHub and other selected retailers. samsung.com/sg
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SONY XPERIA Z5 PREMIUM (corrected from print version)

At the rate we’re going with technology, point-and-shoot cameras will probably become obsolete within our lifetime, just as personal digital assistants (it came and left too soon), walkmans and discmans did. I mean, look, we can now do all the things that those devices can do, on one smartphone. Taking photos on a gadget like this must’ve taken a visionary to come up with, but we’re here, and we’re moving faster than we can imagine. Sony’s Xperia Z5 Premium is the world’s first smartphone with 4K UHD display and upscaling technology, and has the brand’s latest innovations in camera, design and display to make sure that it becomes the best possible lifestyle and entertainment platform. This smartphone features their brand new large 1/2.3 Exmor RSTM for mobile 23-megapixel sensor and f/2.0 G Lens, which makes it the first phone with a completely different camera module since the Xperia Z1. The combination of this large sensor and advanced processing software means you can zoom up to 5x without compromising on quality. It’s also capable of an ultra-fast autofocus (a whooping 0.037 seconds, which is even faster than the blink of an eye) so you can capture split-second moments easily. What’s next, holographic video calls? Who knows, but we’re sure as hell that we’ll be alive to see it come to fruition.
$1,098, available at Sony Centres and stores, M1, SingTel and StarHub retailers. sony.com.sg
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XIAOMI REDMI NOTE 2

Look at these phones… they’re so colourful and cute and slim and begging for your attention. Just because they’re pegged with a lower price doesn’t mean they’re any less good. Also, we need to put the whole “Made in China” stigma behind us because like everything else, Xiaomi deserves to be considered. The company was founded back in 2010 by Lei Jun, a serial entrepreneur who doesn’t believe that high-quality technology should come at a hefty price. Take a look at the Redmi Note 2. It’s powered by a 2.0GHz MediaTek Helio X10 octo-core chipset, which was originally designed for high-end flagship phones, and works together with a 2GB dual-channel LPDDR3 RAM to deliver exceptional performance when running demanding apps and complex games on the 5.5-inch full HD display. In the photography aspect of things, the Redmi Note 2 is equipped with 13-megapixel rear and 5-megapixel front- facing cameras (with f/2.0 aperture no less). The brand’s industry-leading HDR mode, paired with the Phase Detection Autofocus, lets you focus and capture amazing photos in under 0.1 seconds. Go ahead. Give it a try at least. You did say you support the underdogs, right?
$229, available online and at M1, SingTel and StarHub retailers. mi.com/sg