Blog - Page 51 of 506 - NYLON SINGAPORE

Why You Need To Try L’Oréal Professionnel’s iNOA Non-Ammonia Hair Colouring Service

May 11, 2022May 13, 2022

Colouring hair often involves the pungent smell of harsh chemicals, or that tingly sensation on a sensitive scalp. We’ve come to think that these not-so-pleasant experiences are just part of process of achieving desirable hair, but what if we told you that these don’t have to be the norm?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ5ies_v2HQ&ts

L’Oreal Professionnel Paris is out to change that, with an advanced iNOA hair colour system that uses zero ammonia during the salon dyeing process — this means, no odour and the most optimal scalp comfort sans the stinging sensation.

It was revolutionary during its debut just over a decade ago, and is still relevant now, especially when we’re able to achieve colour that’s shiny and vibrant. In fact, the iNOA was just awarded the most professional hair colour in Japan in 2021.

THE BENEFITS

The salon experience using iNOA is one-of-a-kind, with the promise of no unpleasant smells or a stinging scalp, the hours spent at the salon is also made more luxurious.

Here are the key benefits at a glance:

High shine
High impact colour
Optimal scalp comfort
No odour
100% grey coverage
Visibly improved hair quality

Instead of the usual discomfort on the scalp caused by ammonia-based dyes, which tend to irritate the scalp, iNOA uses a breakthrough 60% oil-based formula, of a significantly high concentration, to achieve proper results. A patented Oil Delivery System (ODS) technology propels pigments into the hair for lasting colour, giving true-to-tone, natural-range colour with high shine, perfect whether you’re achieving your warm copper browns or cool ashes.

While the professionals are able to mix shades to achieve your own tailor-made colour, some of the most popular shades include the 7.35 Warm Brown (seen on the model above), a sophisticated, office-friendly shade, and easy-to-wear while still flattering on most complexions. Read on for our review of this particular iNOA shade, to see how the range and its accompanying after-salon routine can help maintain healthy, shiny hair.

WE GAVE IT A TRY

Review of the L’Oreal Professionnel Paris iNOA hair service at Apgujeong Hair Studio by Adele Chan, Editor-In-Chief of NYLON Singapore.

I visited Apgujeong Hair Studio, a full hair and makeup-service Korean salon. There are several locations and I went to the one at Novena Square 2, which is one of the locations helmed by Kyle Shin, the salon’s award-winning International Director Stylist. He’s known for being well-versed in the latest Korean hair trends, and is the stylist to look for when it comes to colouring hair. He’s particularly adept at working with all hair types, and what’s great is that he can create natural to extreme hair colour styles.

My hair colour is very dark, but it’s also very dry and I have hundreds (or thousands?!) of white hair. I told Kyle to suggest something; all I really wanted was to cover all my white hair, and to make my hair shinier if possible. He suggested lightening it with the popular iNOA shade, 7.35 Warm Brown. He used it as an overall highlight to create some dimension to my chin-length style, and he successfully turned my base colour from black to brown. Here’s the process and results:

Above: Before the hair colour service, you can see that the shade of my hair is a very dark brown, almost black.

During the process, Kyle applied the iNOA colour to my hair. It was an extremely comfortable process; with no ammonia or bleaching, and so no burning of the scalp or damaging of the hair. Also, there’s no unpleasant smell that’s common with other hair colour products.

Above: Here’s the final look after a blow dry. My hair feels softer and looks warmer. Also, it covered 100% of my white hair (thanks kyle!).

Above: the Before (left) and after (right). My hair doesn’t look flat or dull anymore.

Since I went with a fairly “safe” and natural colour, I got NYLON’s Associate Publisher, Kenath, to try something more drastic. Under Kyle’s instructions, Kenath’s hair has gone from a natural black to an ash grey with a subtle gradient. Kenath had to lighten his hair twice before achieving this colour, but he says it was worth it, because he feels like he now looks more “interesting”.

Above: the Before (left) and after (right). inoa’s oil-based formula made a big difference to the texture and shine of kenath’s hair. It now actually looks and feels healthier than before.

Above: the side view of his ash grey colour.

To complete the iNOA regime, there’s the Metal DX and hair mask to maintain salon-perfect hair and colour at home. I love the Metal DX range because it claims to strengthen hair, and I do feel like my hair has improved in quality since I started using it; the strands are less dry and frizzy, and easier to style.

True to the iNOA philosophy, colouring hair doesn’t have to come at the expense of weakened hair fibres. Metal DX is also available as an in-salon treatment for 100% reliable colour* and 87% less breakage**. It is recommended to pair any colour service with the Metal DX treatment for stronger hair and more shiny, vibrant hair colour long after you leave the salon.

Above: L’Oreal Professionnel Metal DX and Vitamino Color shampoo and hair mask.

As Kyle Shin informed me, iNOA is a premium product and colour service, so it will cost a bit more than choosing a regular hair dye; but considering there’s no ammonia in the product (so no pain, smell or damage to hair), and that it’s oil-based (it improves hair while colouring it!) — it’s worth it!

WHERE IT’S AVAILABLE

While you can enjoy the iNOA hair colour experience at various L’Oreal Professionnel Paris salons islandwide, here are some of our recommended ones:

Apgujeong Hair Studio — book by e-appointment
Kimage Salon — book by e-appointment
NK Hairworks — find an outlet here to call for appointment
Lena L Aoyama @ Loyang Point – call salon at 6581 5985
TRUST Salon Hair Professional @ Ang Mo Kio – call salon at 9336 9663

the L’Oreal ProfessioNnel Paris iNOA hair colour system, available at L’Oreal ProfessionNel Paris SALONS islandwide.

*No impact on lift, and optimized color uptake. ** Instrumental test: Metal DX pre treatment + + shampoo + mask.

Review: The Colgate Electric Toothbrush Is A Highly-Personalised Smart Device With 33 Custom Combinations

May 11, 2022May 17, 2022

The case for electric toothbrushes gets stronger and stronger each time a new model enters the market — and frankly, we’re here for it. After all, they are able to clean teeth and gums far more effectively than manual ones, and are superior in removing plaque, thus leading to healthy teeth and a better-looking smile. As you can already tell, upgrading to an electric toothbrush is an absolute necessity for us, and that’s even before we got to try the latest tech from trusted oral care brand Colgate.

The new Colgate Electric Toothbrush Gum Care aims to make a name for itself as one of the smarter devices in the market. For one, we all know that electric toothbrushes come with various speeds, vibrations and modes, where the toothbrush bristles make small micro-movements to help remove and prevent plaque build-up.

Colgate’s new launch stands out simply because the device is so highly-customisable that it comes with 33 custom combinations. Many people are often worried that electric toothbrushes may be too harsh for them. This brush addresses those concerns, where you’re free to pick the right combination of factors to suit your brushing needs.

For a simplified and intuitive process, the toothbrush comes with four modes that you can easily toggle through and programme accordingly. These are: Squeaky Clean, Sparkle and Gum Care, which offer 10 vibration intensities, as well as a Night Spa mode with 3 vibration intensities.

As you can see in the above video, you can scroll across the various modes by hitting the circular power button in the middle; the icons for each mode will then light up accordingly. For further customisation, you may use the up & down arrows on the front of the brush to control the intensity of the vibrations, with the gentlest being Level 1 and strongest Level 10 for the first three modes, and Levels 1 – 3 for the Night Spa mode. All these lead to a total of 33 custom combinations.

Squeaky Clean: combination of high-intensity and speed to provide a daily clean
Sparkle: high-intensity vibrations in combination with a pulsing action
Gum Care: low-intensity vibrations to gently clean teeth and gums
Night Spa: combines the other modes for a unique cleaning sensation

On top of that, there are other key functions that help make the switch to electric toothbrushes a whole lot easier. One, the device comes equipped with a Smart Pressure Sensor, which responds with a red indicator should it sense that you’re brushing too hard; this helps to alleviate some of the over-brushing worries we may have when brushing with a manual toothbrush.

Secondly, it can help cultivate good habits too. A built-in timer notifies you at each 30-second mark, so you know when to move on to the next quadrant of your mouth, for a good 2 – 3 minutes routine that you know you’ll be getting every day.

Here’s a summary of what you need to know about the Colgate Electric Toothbrush, along with some extra features:

33 combinations, 4 modes, and 10 intensities, all in one electric toothbrush
Smart Pressure Sensor — detects if you’re brushing too hard
Ergonomic design and portable — has a lean, stylish body, and comes with a chic travel pouch that lets you stow it away hygienically
IPX7 Waterproof — which means you can use it in the shower
Rechargeable — each charge lasts up to 15 days

PROMO!

On 24th – 25th May, head over to Shopee Singapore to enjoy special discounts and free gifts on Colgate Electric Toothbrush. Purchase it at promo price as low as $149.90 with FREE 2x replacement brush heads + 2x Colgate Optic White O2 Toothpaste 20g or at $229.90 with Colgate Water Flosser bundle and get FREE JBL WAVE 200TWS Features True Wireless Earbuds worth $99. Get a FREE Colgate Plax Mouthwash 1L with a min. spend $45 along with $18 OFF min. spend $120.

OUR REVIEW

“I’ve reviewed many electric toothbrushes in my line of work as an Editor, and this one by Colgate has to be my favourite. It’s a superior toothbrush in so many ways — it does a thorough job of cleaning my teeth, but yet, it’s surprisingly gentle on both teeth and gums. The bristles are just the right level of firmness and don’t feel pokey at all, which to me is very important in choosing a toothbrush. There’s also a convenient vibration control, which has 10 levels, so the intensity can be adjusted based on my preference.

It’s been a week since I’ve replaced my usual toothbrush with this electric one, and my teeth feel much cleaner. Colgate has done something right with this product; they’ve kept the controls and modes for this toothbrush simple and intuitive, and they’ve created a very effective product that performs well and up to its claims. It also looks and feels like a premium device — and it is, even though it’s priced markedly lower than other premium electric toothbrushes. I highly recommend switching to this; like me, you won’t have any regrets.”

— Adele Chan, Editor-in-Chief

“It’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve made the switch to electric toothbrushes, and I’ve never looked back since. They’re so much more effective to clean teeth, with minimal effort and fuss, and have actually cultivated a good habit of at least 2 minutes of brushing each time — and that’s one thing I like about Colgate’s new Electric Toothbrush, that it signals me accordingly when it’s time to move on to another section of my teeth, while the device automatically switches off after two minutes, which seems more brisk than usual.

Another thing that got me from the get-go was how intuitive everything was — I just needed to attach one of two brush head refills onto the top of the device, and switch it on with the power button. It worked straight out of the box! There was barely any need to read the instruction manual too since the modes were easily identifiable by the indicator lights and helpful symbols, while I managed to figure out that each mode’s intensities could be customised by the up & down button too; it’s basically as intuitive as an Apple TV remote, which, as a person who doesn’t read the instructions, was a joy to behold.

And while we can talk all day about smart technology that’ll only get better over time, it’s the feel of the electric toothbrush that I was pleasantly surprised by. When they said it’s ‘ergonomic’, I really felt the difference. The small brush head made it easy to reach remote and, perhaps, under-brushed areas of the mouth, especially the back of the teeth, while this was paired with a long, sleek and sturdy handle that fit well in my hand, giving the toothbrush a nice weight and counterbalance so that it never felt cumbersome or awkwardly-positioned.

The brush bristles felt really soft when touching them with my fingers, but firm against my teeth so that they’re able to effectively clean stains and plaque. And yet, for someone with sensitive gums, they weren’t too intense either, even when I was not using the Gum Care (lowest intensity) mode. That this electric toothbrush combines power cleaning with a gentle, intuitive approach is why it comes highly recommended.”

— Amelia Tan, Deputy Editor

COLGATE electric toothbrush gum care, $299.90. AVAILABLE AT SHOPEE and LAZADA.

All About ‘Fendace’, The Fendi x Versace Collection That Will Be Launched On 12 May

May 11, 2022May 12, 2022

Crossover collaboration, or dare we say… hack? Nah. Kim Jones, Artistic Director of Fendi calls this one a “swap”, while icon Donatella Versace fondly recalls the “sense of friendship and energy we had when we were designing the collection”. After all, both designers did temporarily switch houses for their respective VERSACE BY FENDI and FENDI BY VERSACE collections.

Fendace, thus, is the culmination of the two luxury Italian fashion houses combining their creative forces for a series of ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, and other accessories, in “an exchange of roles and brand codes” that give way to some statement wardrobe pieces bearing both the Fendi FF logo and Versace’s Medusa.

The collection launches 12 May, with Fendi stores presenting the VERSACE BY FENDI collection, and FENDI BY VERSACE styles available at Versace boutiques and the brand’s online store. A capsule of co-branded looks will also be available across both brand’s stores.

If you can’t already tell, Fendace is all about fun, sexiness, and gilded glamour, and combines the most recognisable elements of the brands into a shared vision. A fabulous cast of supermodels — namely, Adut Akech, Amar Akway, Anja Rubik, Anok Yai, Imaan Hammam, and Lina Zhang — are seen entering the Fendace nightclub, dressed in head-to-toe Fendace like the fantasy it should be. Cue loud prints and in-your-face logos that are made to be flaunted, no thanks to Versace’s more-is-more aesthetic.

Jones had created 24 looks for VERSACE BY FENDI, with the idea of duality and opposition, where Fendi’s sophisticated, modern style almost clashes with Versace’s love of classic Grecian motifs. Of these, the bags are some of the most talked-about pieces within the collection. The Fendi Peekaboo and Baguette are iconic silhouettes that now come embellished with Versace codes, including the Medusa and Greek key in chunky gold hardware.

On the other hand, FENDI BY VERSACE has a keen punk-rock aesthetic that’s all about “disruption”, played out across their version of the series, with safety pins, denim, and chain mail being prominent accents, while the classic Fendi F monogram is studded with crystals. The Versace La Medusa handbag is also stamped with the Fendi FF logo, while all items across both collections see the co-branded ‘Fendace’ logo, just so we know how special they are.

See some of the major pieces here:

[click on the images below to expand.]

The Fendace collection launches May 12 through a series of global pop-ups at New York, London, Paris, Osaka, and more, and are the only stores to offer the full collection.

Fendi retail boutiques will carry the VERSACE BY FENDI collection, while FENDI BY VERSACE styles will be available at Versace boutiques and their online store. A capsule of joint Fendace branded looks is available from both fashion houses.

Here’s How To Style The adidas x Gucci Collection, According To Alessandro Michele

May 10, 2022May 10, 2022

Athleisure-inspired runway collections are one thing, and after all a trend that’s here to stay as designers borrow from the world of sportswear for their luxury looks — but none take it quite as far as adidas x Gucci. The surprise collaboration between the iconic sportswear brand and high-end fashion house debuted at the latter’s Fall 2022 runway show, and now, we’re getting the full series of lookbook images, shot by Carlijin Jacobs, which show us exactly how the looks should be worn.

Creative Director Alessandro Michele flexes high-key retro styles in a collection that merges emblems from the sportswear brand, adidas’ Three Stripes and Trefoil, for instance, with all-too-familiar Gucci motifs and silhouettes, including the GG Monogram.

The series of looks are as vibrant as their runway debut, and are inspired by 80s-style archival catalogues, seen with the models’ dynamic poses, set against coloured backdrops and props that represent all types of sports, from tennis and golf to basketball and even skateboarding.

The fun take continues onto the ready-to-wear designs as well, where the various brands’ logos are scaled up or down as plays on proportions, or mashed up together for an adidas Trefoil and Interlocking G print that features both brands’ respective motifs in one.

Of course, we’d expect plenty of the attire to focus on the famous Three Stripes too; you’ll find that on athletic staples of knit dresses, tracksuits, jackets, tennis-inspired polos, and sweatpants, as well as more dressy, sophisticated options including blouses, skirts, and pants. In fact, the collection also has fun with the tracksuit, reimagining it with shorts and jogger pants for women, or flared pants and a bowling shirt for men.

A look at the accessories also shows us how Michele takes on Gucci’s formal wear pieces, now given a casual sporty twist, seen more prominently across leather heels, suede loafers, and silk scarves. adidas’ famous Gazelle sneakers are given the Gucci treatment as well, while we even get leather and GG canvas clogs, terry-fabric slide, heels, and 70s-inspired flatforms.

For the bags, Gucci’s beloved Horsebit 1955 crossbody is almost unrecognisable emblazoned with the adidas Trefoil, while small and large duffle bags, and camera bags arrive in red, yellow, and black leather, in retro styles with bold text and contrast piping. And, as if the collection could not be even more irreverent, these feature the name “Gucci” placed beside the adidas Originals’ logo, but spelled backwards. We’re definitely having fun with this one.

See the rest of the adidas x Gucci lookbook here.

[click on the images below to expand.]

adidas x Gucci, available from 7 June 2022, at select Gucci stores, dedicated pop-ups, and online. For further information, visit gucci.com.

Samsung Expands Their BESPOKE Refrigerators Line With A ‘Creators Collection’ Of Original Artwork

May 10, 2022May 10, 2022

Since the successful launch of the Samsung BESPOKE refrigerator in Singapore, the Korean tech giant is giving you even more reasons to liven the style of your fridge in the kitchen with some pizzazz!

While the earlier BESPOKE line-up allows one to customise their household appliance in a variety of ways, to complement various home settings and aesthetics, the new BESPOKE Creators Collection offers unique panel design options specifically designed by invited artists.

There are now 6 new fridge panel designs to choose from, inspired by everyday joy and passion, from local interior design firm ROOOT Studio, artist Candice Phang, as well as the winners of the #BESPOKEDesignedByYou contest. The contemporary flat-panel design of the refrigerator is the perfect canvas for these original artworks, and even features recessed handles for a clutter-free look.

Here’s a closer look at each design from the BESPOKE Creators Collection.

by local creators

1. “Goood Afternoon” by ROOOT Studio

Designed as a conversational piece in the heart of the kitchen, “Goood Afternoon” features elements of everyday Singaporeans’ lives including some of our iconic sights like Marina Bay Sands, and our adorable resident pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia with their cub Le Le!

Available in BESPOKE 4-Door Flex, $5,789.

2. Fleur Purrfect by Candice Phang

Inspired by Candice’s love for cats and plants, Fleur Purrfect is an interpretation of an enchanting and whimsical cat-filled world that would hopefully add a positive and cheerful vibe to any kitchen.

Available in BESPOKE 1-Door Flex and Bottom Mount Freezer combination, $4,778.

by #BESPOKEDesignedByYou contest winners

3. Kitchen View with Birds, ST Leng

Created from a friend’s cherished memory of a visiting kingfisher seen from the kitchen of her little flat, Kitchen View with Birds aims to spread the same type of joy experienced by the vibrance of life within nature.

Available in 2 x BESPOKE 1-Door Flex, $4,878.

4. Journey by Raymond Kong

Just like how refrigerator magnets tell a cherished story or memory, Journey pays homage to the feelings of nostalgia with its magical dose of vibrance and life.

Available in 2 x BESPOKE 1-Door Flex, $4,878.

5. Cat’s Apartment by Liang Yi Jie

Designed with clear precise lines and meticulous attention to detail, Cat’s Apartment will have you taking a closer look each time you take something from the fridge, in an effort to see if you can spot the cat residents living in the apartment.

Available in 2 x BESPOKE 1-Door Flex and 1x Bottom Mount Freezer, $7,217.

6. Yin & Yang — the Balance of Life by Goh Chen Lin

Yin & Yang is a portrayal of the harmony of life with a pair of koi fish made to look like the yin-yang symbol which brings the perfect balance to any home.

Available in BESPOKE 1-Door flex and Bottom Mount Freezer, $4,778.

If you’re someone who prefers something more personalised, Samsung is also offering a customisation option, for you to print your own original artwork as refrigerator decals for the panels. You won’t just get to design the fridge of your dreams but also have it reflect your distinctive style and personality.

The Samsung BESPOKE Creators Collection is now available from $4,778 (without GST) on the SAMSUNG ONLINE STORE and selected consumer electronics retailer stores. For more information, click HERE.

All images courtesy of Samsung Singapore.

Fossil Teams Up with Smiley For a New Cheerful Capsule Collection Featuring the Trademark Smiley Face

May 9, 2022May 10, 2022

Now that we’re returning to the hustle and bustle of our work life, it helps to have a bit of cheer as part of our everyday outfit to the office. Following their first exclusive collection launched earlier this year for Smiley’s 50th anniversary, Fossil and Smiley are back with a brand new limited-edition capsule collection, which will be launched on 9 May.

Initially trademarked in 1972 by French journalist Franklin Loufrani, Smiley is one of the most recognisable icons in graphic design. Its spirit of optimism is now reflected across bags and small accessories with upbeat graphics in retro colours, as well as gold-tine jewellery that highlights the Smiley face, paired with daisy motifs and colourful beads.
.

[click on the images below to expand.]

Two pieces to look out for are the handbags from Fossil’s best-selling Kier range — the Fossil x Smiley Kier Tote ($689) and Fossil x Smiley Kier Crossbody ($399). Both are made with vegan cactus material and high-quality REPREVE recycled polyester lining, and feature Smiley’s iconic face, cheerful daisy prints, and key fob. The tote even comes with a removable denim pouch, for extra storage, that has a print of Smiley’s upbeat mantra ‘Positive State of Mind’ on the bottom.

Here’s a closer look at the new Fossil x Smiley Limited Edition Capsule Collection.

[click on the images below to expand.]

The Fossil x Smiley Limited Edition Capsule Collection launches on 9 May and is available for purchase online HERE, and in-store at Fossil ION and Fossil JEM. For more information, click HERE.

All images courtesy of Fossil.

We Planned The Most Pampering Mother’s Day Experience On One App

May 6, 2022May 6, 2022

Just a heads up, Mother’s Day is happening this Sunday, and if there’s ever a universal fact we can all agree on, it’s this: they deserve to be pampered like the queens that they are. Now, the definition of “like a queen” is all up to you of course, but if you’re thinking of something extra special this year, sans the crowds, queues, and inconvenience, here’s our experience. If you’ve yet to plan anything for the special weekend, don’t lose hope because it’s not too late yet!

Our pre-Mother’s Day experience included a lovely brunch set up right at home, with GrabFood delivery to our doorstep, a luxurious facial spa (that I racked up a good amount of GrabRewards points on), a whole variety of gifts on GrabMart, and GrabCar Premium rides, to and from the spa location.

First up, we’ve got to talk about the convenience. Even if you happen to be planning a last-minute surprise, quick and easy services such as GrabMart and GrabExpress allow you to send a gift to mommy dearest, so she knows that you didn’t forget. And you most certainly didn’t! After all, the Grab app is already famous for its myriad of on-demand services.

To be able to do all this on a single app, all with cashless payments too, made the experience especially convenient. Truth be told, I hardly carry my wallet out of my house these days, so I’d be heavily reliant on my phone when out; being able to use the Grab app every step of the way then becomes even more vital, since most of the services allowed me to pay in-app with GrabPay.

Ahead, our experience with the Grab app, and an idea of how you can go about planning for Mother’s Day as well.

BRUNCH

GrabFood — from Columbus Coffee Co.

We started off the morning with an absolutely dreamy experience — a full-out brunch treat set up at home. While dining out is definitely an option these days, there’s something magical about transforming the most everyday of places, your home, into an out-of-the-ordinary experience moms can enjoy, especially when one volunteers to wash the dishes after. No excuses here! An at-home meal is also quite the life-saver if you haven’t yet made a reservation for Mother’s Day, since there are plenty of great cafes and restaurants, even islandwide deliveries, you can find on the Grab app.

Since my mom’s place was located near Bishan, we were in the vicinity of Columbus Coffee Co. located along Upper Thomson Road, known for their hearty brunch fare and my go-to for cold brew coffee. There were lots of options on the menu, from sweets such as waffles and pancakes, to savoury choices including breakfast meals, pasta and burgers for a fulfilling feast, so we were quite spoilt for choice.

Here’s what we ordered: Smoked Salmon Benny, $20.30 ; Earl Grey Buttermilk Waffles, $13.40 ; Almond Croissant, $5.40 ; Raspberry Curd Pie, $8 ; Lemon Olive Cake, $8 ; Flat White, $6 ; The Milky Way (White Cold Brew), $7.50 ; Iced Tea Milkstache (Earl Grey), $8. Total: $76.60.

Of course, you’ll know that any GrabFood order arrives at your doorstep in takeaway containers, which, though functional and convenient, may not be the most presentable if you’re looking to impress. For a true Mother’s Day set-up, we prepared a little corner by the window, and re-plated the food onto white plates (can’t go wrong here!) against a backdrop of linen shawls that made great makeshift table cloths — a little pro tip if you’re in need of fancy fabric that you can easily find around the house. A small dried flower arrangement later, the mood was set.

For the food, we all had unanimous praise for the Smokey Salmon Benny, so that comes highly recommended if you were to order from Columbus. Smoked salmon, sous vide eggs, and hollandaise sauce already make for classic brunch flavours, but what made it extra special were the bonito flakes and little balls of tobiko served on top for some umami flavour, and the soft brioche that made it easy to enjoy the dish. Also delectable was the Earl Grey Caramel that accompanied the waffles, an addition that gave the caramel a more elegant flavour, as well as the Earl Grey Iced Tea that’s topped with foam.

A PREMIUM RIDE TO OUR NEXT DESTINATION

GrabCar Premium

Now, the next part of our day involved heading over to Porcelain Signatures for an indulgent facial. We could take public transport, of course, but it’s much more convenient to book a GrabCar to pick us up.

Using the Grab app, I proceeded to book a ride to our destination at Guoco Tower, only this time I decided to upgrade the experience a bit, with GrabCar Premium. Touted as a more ‘high-end’ ride, for a few dollars more, you’re guaranteed a more spacious and comfortable ride. Our 35-min ride to the spa was easy, hassle-free, and thoroughly comfortable. Even if you’re not headed to a facial, like we were, it’d be nice to level up the commute experience with GrabCar Premium as well!

A SURPRISE DELIVERY!

GrabMart

Just as we reached the spa, we were treated to a special surprise from Grab — mom’s very own gift-bearing butler, who arrived riding a bicycle! It was a cute and whimsical experience, and the basket was filled with plenty of goodies from GrabMart, from skincare and food to a hand-tied bouquet and jewellery. Both my mom and I were impressed by the selection, as I had always used the service to shop for last-minute groceries and home essentials. It was certainly nice to find out that they also offered on-demand skincare and jewellery, which make great gifts for any occasion.

WHAT’S IN OUR BASKET: innisfree skincare ; a dried flower bouquet from bloom by m. ; all butter cinnamon sugar palmiers from marks & spencer ; mini bottle of sauvignon blanc from paneco.com ; a pair of earrings from arthesdam jewellery.

If you happen to be looking for a Mother’s Day gift, last-minute or not, this is a great option that happens to be really convenient too. You may easily access the variety of GrabMart merchants directly on the app, and browse away to see what’s most suitable for your mom, whether it’s chocolates for a foodie, to flowers and jewellery as classic, classy gifts. Delivery fees are affordable too, at just 99 cents for selected merchants.

There’s also a special promo you can use this season to enjoy $15 off your next GrabMart order (min. spend $88). Use the promo code [MOTHERSDAY] to enjoy the discount, valid from now till 8 May for selected merchants, and with limited redemptions available.

A FACIAL AT PORCELAIN SIGNATURES

For our second major treat of this Mother’s Day experience, we arrived at Porcelain Spa’s Guoco Tower outlet, which offers everything from classic and signature facials to full-body treatments. Founded by an established aesthetician and her daughter, Porcelain also happens to be a local premium skincare brand we love, thanks to their luxurious, reliable formulas that do what they promise to do. Stepping into the venue also felt like my mom and I were whisked away to an oasis in the heart of the CBD; the spa was decked out in wood and natural textures that made the place feel even more like a welcome respite from our busy lives.

After we were settled in, my mom was ushered to a private room to start her facial, while I did a personalised skincare consultation to discover more about suitable products for my skin. Mom was recommended the Sun Rescue facial, especially effective for those with sensitive skin or those experiencing heightened skin sensitivity, since this particular signature treatment helps calm and soothe sun-damaged or dehydrated skin.

The 60-minute procedure involved a combination of advanced facial technologies, namely Cryo- and Oxygen-therapies; the first treats skin to a -10°C cooling process that encourages skin regeneration, while the latter uses an oxygen hyperbaric spray and a customised serum to further repair the skin. This is then followed by an anti-inflammatory and soothing custom-blended mask so our skin could soak up all the good nutrients, and sunscreen application since we were headed out after.

We all love a good facial, of course, but what made the Porcelain experience a tad more elevated was the sincere service of the beauticians. My mom was particularly impressed by the attention to detail and care taken to explain each step of the facial process, which was both comforting and interesting to know at the same time. I also asked which part of the facial she had enjoyed — the cryotherapy was definitely a highlight, she said, as well as the oxygen spray that had a relaxing effect when lightly misted onto her face. “It felt just like I was in a spa,” she added. Post-facial, our skin felt smoother, hydrated, and visibly brighter as well.

I appreciated that Porcelain Skin had a whole range of payment methods to choose from, one of which was GrabPay. It’s convenient, and savvy consumers will get to rack up GrabRewards points, or use those said points to offset payments as well, making it a win-win all around.

You can book in advance and make your payment directly at the counter before you leave. There are also two GrabPay options to choose from — either scan the QR code to immediately access your Grab Wallet, or opt for the GrabPay Card.

Even if it’s too late to book mom a facial treatment today, you can still purchase any of Porcelain Skin’s products or gift sets online. Plus, there are some exciting deals you can look forward to if you checkout with GrabPay, including $50 off a min. spend of $250 on skincare items.

And that concludes our day out with mom ahead of Mother’s Day! The overall experience was certainly an enjoyable one for my mom, as it was a special mid-week treat just before things get into full swing during the weekend. On my end, it was an unexpectedly chill one, seeing how everything was made much more convenient and accessible on the Grab app — I mean, how hard was waiting a short while for my ride, or about half an hour for delicious food to arrive at our doorstep? Consider me spoilt as well. You now know what to do for the weekend ahead, or any occasion really, last-minute or not.

DOWNLOAD THE GRAB APP ON THE APPLE APP STORE, GOOGLE PLAY STORE, OR HUAWEI APPGALLERY.

Lululemon Gears Us Up With Tennis And Golf Sportswear Collections For Spring

May 6, 2022May 6, 2022

Has anyone else noticed an upswing in the popularity of tennis these days? Just us? Tennis whites and court shoes are certainly back in vogue, on and off the court, so you might as well get some court action while at it. It could be the #aesthetic feel of country club tennis courts, or the fact that you don’t need to gather a whole bunch of people for a solid workout; either way, tennis is a great bet — and one that sportswear brand Lululemon is in on too.

This Spring 2022, they’re gearing us up for two collections — one each for Tennis and Golf, no thanks to these sports’ rising popularity among the younger crowd (and the older one too). Each of these features versatile styles created just for their respective sports, smart pockets included, and are made with lightweight, breathable gear that stretch as you move, and wick away sweat while you work out. There are also some earth-friendly styles to look out for as part of the Spring drop too.

TENNIS

Singles or doubles, either way, these’s something for you to love. Lululemon’s tennis gear, — whether it’s a tank top, high-rise skirt, and dress — are effortlessly worn by pro tennis champion and brand ambassador Leylah Fernandez, in mostly white and a touch of vibrant neon inspired by the Palm Springs setting of the Indian Wells Masters tournament.

[click on the images below to expand.]

Then again, it’s the performance of these ‘fits that we respect. With pieces for both men and women, Lululemon has gone the extra mile to incorporate feedback from elite athletes and guests, hence pieces that deliver on four-way stretch and dynamic movement, advanced wicking, and quick-drying fabrics to keep you comfortable and at tip-top form. Also important, pockets. These are positioned at the liner of the Court Rival High-Rise Skirt and inner lining of the men’s shorts as well, so they don’t get in the way of volleys or serves.

golf

The golf series taps on 2x NBA champion J.R. Smith and lululemon Ambassador Adam Becker, who are both avid golfers and carry off the casual collection with ease. The lightweight, breathable pieces here are meant for comfort on the course, and can take you through all 18 holes or a whole day out, no problem.

While they may look like classic polo t-shirts and chino pants, special attention is paid to the materials and fit to, once again, deliver on technical performance. The proprietary No-Stink Zinc technology, for instance, is one we already love, since it prevents the growth of odour-causing bacteria. Strategically-placed ventilation also allows for more comfort, while the bottoms feature secure back pockets, elastic panels on the waistband, and water-resistant fabrics.

earth-friendly wear

Lululemon will also be adding more eco-conscious styles to their catalogue. These are hoodies, tees, shorts, joggers, jackets and more, all signature and classic pieces made with recycled materials, for a collection that reduces their carbon footprint by up to 20%.

Lululemon Spring ’22 Capsule collections, available on LULULEMON.COM and in stores starting April through May. Additional pieces for the Tennis collection will also be released this summer.

Editor’s Picks: 8 Practical Gifts to make Mum more tech-savvy this Mother’s Day

May 5, 2022May 5, 2022

Mother’s Day is upon us again. You’re probably still in time to book a table at a decent restaurant, but if you want to get Mum a gift as well — if we’ve learned anything from the pandemic and lockdowns, it’s to invest in practical things. Here are some of the best gadgets to make Mum’s life better.

1. Sterra S Tankless Water Purifier

A water purifier makes an extremely useful and welcome addition to any household, and Mum would definitely love this gift even though she might nag at you for spending money. Give her a day with this machine and she’ll be gushing about it to all her friends.

This water dispenser connects to a water point so there’s no tank that she needs to constantly fill up. It then purifies water through four stages of filtration (the cartridges come with the purchase of the machine), and there are four temperatures to choose from: 4°C (cold and refreshing), 25°C (room temperature), 40°C (warm and good for making tea and milk formula), and 87°C (great for coffee and instant noodles) — and these are all instant, so there’s no waiting for the water to chill or boil. There’s an easy volume control button as well so Mum can dispense water at 120ml, 250ml, 550ml, or as much as she likes.

Why Sterra? Now that water purifiers are becoming more popular and commonplace in Singapore, Sterra is one of the most accessible and affordable brands to get. It’s easy to purchase on the brand’s website or on Shopee, and if you want to see it in person and get it immediately, you can visit the showroom at UB One, 81 Ubi Ave 4, #01-22.

Sterra S Tankless Water Purifier, $1,699, available in Chromium Grey and Platinum white from STERRA.SG.

2. RIKI PRETTY Mirror

Every Mum needs a lovely vanity mirror and you can’t get a more perfect one than the RIKI Pretty. This is a mid-sized flat mirror that has a built-in kickstand and a wall-mount feature. What’s really special is the border of LED lights that has five levels of brightness, and a detachable magnifying mirror, smartphone holder and remote control. Also, this mirror is very pretty.

RIKI Pretty Mirror, US$350, available in white and black from RIKILOVESRIKI.COM.

3. NATIVE UNION SNAP 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger

If Mum is a fan of Apple products, this multi-charger is exactly what she needs. She can charge her iPhone (a MagSafe compatible one), AirPods and Apple Watch all at the same time, and we love that the Apple Watch charging puck can be detached and used with other devices that have a USB-C port.

This entire charging device is also weighted, so Mum can reach for her phone with one hand and the charger will remain grounded on the table top. This device also comes in an understated smooth, black finish that is extremely sleek and will look beautiful on any counter.

Native Union SNAP 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger, $269 from NATIVEUNION.COM.

4. Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti X Professional Condenser

Does Mum run a podcast or YouTube channel? Or perhaps she’s always on a Zoom call. She’s going to love this professional microphone that captures and produces broadcast-quality sound, and is one of the best-looking mics we’ve seen in a while. It’s super easy to use; there’s a smart knob that controls everything your content creator Mum would need — mic gain, mute, headphone volume and blend, and she can easily switch between cardioid, omni, bidirectional and stereo pickup patterns. There’s also customisable LED lighting so Mum can match this to her aesthetic.

Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti X Professional Condenser, $259 from LAZADA.

5. HUAWEI FreeBuds Lipstick Wireless Bluetooth Earphone

Earphones that are packaged in a case that looks like a tube of lipstick? Mum will love this. Not only are these super sleek, they actually sound pretty good too. Read our full review here:

Review: HUAWEI FreeBuds Lipstick, bluetooth earbuds in a charging case that looks like a… lipstick

HUAWEI FreeBuds Lipstick Wireless Bluetooth Earphone, $268 from SHOPEE.

6. NATIVE UNION Desk Cable (USB-C to USB-C)

Mum probably has some device that needs to be charged by USB-C; and this is probably the best USB-C to USB-C charging cable you can get her. It’s super long at 2.4 metres, has a built-in LED light that indicates charging status, is made from a durable reinforced nylon braiding, supports up to 100W (so it’s ideal for tablets and laptops), and it’s biggest selling point — has an adjustable non-slip anchor weight, which will help keep the end of this cable from ever getting lost; Mum can just pick it up where she left it.

Native Union Desk Cable, $59 from NATIVEUNION.COM.

7. VAGO FRESH Bag and Box Combo Set

Whether she cooks or not, your Mum is going to appreciate this vacuum seal box set. This is the world’s smallest food vacuum sealing system that is super easy to use, and will extend the life of any food you put in the fridge (or even leave outside). The bags and boxes seal air tight and without any leakage, and the bags can be heated in water, which facilitates cooking (they can withstand temperatures up to 100ºC).

VAGO FRESH Bag and Box Combo Set, $198 from SHOPEE.

8. Enabot Ebo Air Smart Familybot

If your Mum stays alone and she’s part of the Pioneer Generation, this little robot might be a good companion for her. It’s a home security camera that you can control remotely and use to interact with Mum. It can monitor in real-time as well, and has a playback function so you can check if anything happened. And just like a good robot, it returns to its dock automatically when it needs to charge.

Enabot Ebo Air Smart Familybot, $299 from SHOPEE.

🌹

This Latest CHANEL Eyewear Collection Sports 3 Of Spring/Summer’s Hottest Trends

May 5, 2022May 5, 2022

CHANEL eyewear just got sexier, with a series of high-contrast monochromatic portraits that show off every line, curve, and design feature of this year’s collection. The house’s 2022 eyewear campaign, lensed by Karim Sadli, features models Rianne Van Rompaey, Blesnya Minher and Pan Haowen, who effortlessly pull off the looks in gleaming leather tops and minimal jewellery — after all, the frames certainly take up much of the focus here, whether they happen to be sunglasses or optical lenses. Ahead, a look at the three styles you’ll want to take note of.

the chains

Square Sunglasses, $1,970.

Butterfly Eyeglasses.

By now, you’d know that “metal chains intertwined with leather” is basically symbolic of CHANEL as a fashion house, whether on their coveted leather bags or seen here accessorising their eyewear frames. These removable jewelled chains advance the “granny chain” trend way towards the undeniably cool end of the spectrum, as they’re subtly designed with a double C charm, for instance, or CHANEL letters. Pair them with large square acetate sunglasses, seen on Pan Haowen, or a slender optical butterfly metal frame à la Dutch model Rianne Van Rompaey.

the aviators

Pilot Sunglasses, $760.

Aviator-style eyeglasses, coming soon.

Aviators are already a classic style, though CHANEL imbues them with even more vintage vibes. Blesnya Minher’s pair of sunglasses give off masculine-meets-feminine cool, while the thin metal design of Rianne Van Rompaey’s optical glasses pay tribute to the 1960s. It’s then finished off with leather-clad temples for added detail.

the bold acetate

Square Sunglasses, coming soon.

Rectangle Sunglasses, coming soon.

Acetate has been having a moment, and here, it’s clear to see that CHANEL has amped up the proportions as well for extra glamour. Square and rectangle designs go oversized, with thick acetate and just-as-wide temples with a keen detail of gathered leather. The sides also feature the emblematic double C of the house — all the better to flaunt your latest luxury purchase.

Here are some exclusive behind-the-scenes images of the campaign shoot to help you decide!

Chanel 2022 Eyewear, available at CHANEL boutiques. You may also do a virtual try-on of the designs at chanel.com.

ALDO Launches New Disney-Inspired Limited Edition Princess Collection For The Royals of Today

May 5, 2022

We’re all fans of Disney in our own little way and there is no better way to show off our love (or obsession) than by incorporating them into our daily attire. Following the last Disney Cinderella collection, ALDO is back with a new limited-edition collection celebrating some of Disney’s most iconic and beloved princesses. Here’s a closer look at the collection.

BELLE

Inspired by Belle’s signature golden yellow gown, the shoe designs representing the bookish princess feature golden hues and two forms of the enchanted rose. The typical colour block heels are replaced with an enchanted rose encased in a translucent high heel, while the laced-up classic white sneakers have traded in their generic look for one with quilted stitching, embossed roses, and sleek gold hardware.

CINDERELLA

Embellished with pearlised rhinestones on the body, the sneakers come in two colours along with a translucent sole to pay homage to the iconic footwear of our midnight-wary princess. Those who prefer something similar to a pair of glass slippers can opt for the transparent pump heels with rhinestone embellishments.

SNOW WHITE

Here’s your chance to rep the fairest princess of them all with a crossbody handbag that features an adjustable strap, signature charms on a gold chain and detachable pouch, a lightweight pair of sneakers that features the illustration of Snow White complete with golden embellishments, and a pair of white pumps with golden heels that represents a dagger and a heart.

ARIEL

This Ariel-inspired handbag comes with a structured pearl handle, removable strap, chain detail with signature charms, and an iridescent finish — just the one to add to your collection if you are a fan of the princess under the sea!

JASMINE

Add a touch of shine to your wardrobe with these pieces inspired by Princess Jasmine. The first is a top-handle handbag fully embellished with turquoise rhinestones and finished with golden metal details including a chain that holds a few signature charms. The second is a pair of sneakers that features a jewelled chain detail and a golden illustration of the princess.

TIANA

No voodoo for this handy piece inspired by the one and only princess from New Orleans! The top-handle handbag glitters in gold with a full-body embellished in rhinestones, a gold top handle, and a chain detail holding signature charms that represent the princess.

The Disney x ALDO Princess Collection is available at ALDO ION Orchard, Bugis Junction, and Vivo City. For more information, click here.

All images courtesy of ALDO Singapore.

These Superga x The Editor’s Market Sneakers Are Made For Those Who Love Clean, Neutral Palettes

Apr 28, 2022Apr 28, 2022

You know what’s ironically trendy these days? No-trend, non-seasonal wear, that is, timeless classics that we can wear on high rotation without fearing they’d go out of style. Whether you want to call it a capsule wardrobe or smart, always-stylish dressing, local brand The Editor’s Market is quite the popular shopping haven thanks to their range of versatile wear — and now, Superga sneakers.

The collaboration is the first one between The Editor’s Market and Italian footwear label Superga, and bears the theme “Mind Open, Heart Open”, which calls us to embrace and discover the diversity of perspectives around us. Naturally, the sneakers bear both brands’ ethos very well, with the iconic 2750 tennis shoe and 2402 mule done in soft, neutral, and versatile shades of white and creamy beige.

One of the designs is a fun black print of hand-drawn illustrations, done on either white or beige canvas, with expressive strokes and abstract faces; you’ll see this on both shoe models, including a slip-on mule style, making up 4 out of 5 shoe styles offered in the series.

The last pair of sneakers is deliberately kept clear of embellishment, meant to signify a clean slate, though they’ve paired it with retro-inspired striped rope laces that you can easily switch out to change up your look.

All the styles are designed with premium canvas uppers and a matching toe cap, as well as vulcanised gum soles and embroidered eyelets. Additionally, the sneakers also feature “Mind Open” and “Heart Open” tabs on the back, as a nod to their inspiration.

Superga x The Editor’s Market Sneaker in White Print, $99.90 ; Superga x The Editor’s Market Sneaker in Beige Print, $99.90.

Superga x The Editor’s Market Mule in White Print, $99.90 ; Superga x The Editor’s Market Mule in Beige Print, $99.90.

Superga x The Editor’s Market Sneaker in Beige Clean, $89.90.

Naturally, the campaign images build on the shoes’ clean vibes as well, where we see them paired with neutral separates, a meadow-hued green dress, and crisp blue and beige shirts worn as layered outers, which have just enough subtle detailing to stand out and blend in at the same time — kind of like the shoes, really. Take a look at some of them here, and be inspired:

[click on the images below to expand.]

The Superga x The Editor’s Market footwear collection, $89.90 – $99.90. Available online on theeditorsmarket.com and at all The Editor’s Market stores, from 30 April, 10am.

Need a new mattress? The Zinus Green Tea Mattress has more than 50,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.5-star rating

Apr 28, 2022Apr 28, 2022

Google “Zinus Green Tea Foam Mattress” and you’ll see pages and pages of reviews by lifestyle websites and bloggers. And what’s most mind boggling is that this mattress is constantly sold out on the Amazon US site, and its product page has just over 58,000 reviews (at the time of writing this), with an average rating of 4.5/5 stars — which is incredible. That’s A LOT of reviews and an impressively high rating from that many people.

Above: Zinus 15cm Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress (6″), from $149.

It was this foam mattress that introduced me to Zinus, a mattress brand that also carries a range of bed frames and sofas, which makes sense considering they are in the business of things you can lie and sit down on. Zinus was founded in 1979 in South Korea, and has a company philosophy of comfort and affordability in its products — and the prices will surprise you (for example, the best-selling Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress starts from just $149.)

In Singapore, Zinus is sold online through its own website and at Robinsons. There are different offerings on both sites; for example Robinsons stocks the Green Tea Mattress in the 4″ thickness, but the Zinus website sells the 6″ and thicker. Also, prices on the Zinus website are lower, and there’s a much wider range of products to choose from.

What’s also interesting about the brand is their 100-Day Free Trial policy. If you’re not happy with your purchase, you can return it within 100 days, but there are certain terms to adhere to, such as trying the mattress for at least 30 days, showing proof of purchase and paying for the return trip. On top of this, the mattresses have a 10-year warranty that covers manufacturing defects. This is really the peace of mind any buyer needs when purchasing anything that needs to last years.

To find out more about the products and best-sellers, I spoke to Marcus Goh, Zinus’ Country Manager for Singapore and Malaysia.

What’s the best-selling Zinus mattress in Singapore?

Our best selling mattress is none other than our iCoil® 10” Spring Mattress. Apart from its irresistible price of $279 for a Queen size mattress, we understand from our customers who purchased the mattress that it is really comfortable – Medium Firm (6/10). It is very unusual for a pocketed spring mattress at 10” thick to sell at such a price. Well, other than Zinus’s strategy to always offer great products at affordable prices to the consumers around the world, it is also a way for us to say thank you to our loyal supporters.

Above: Zinus 25cm Tight Top iCoil® Mattress (10″), from $179.

Which is the most value-for-money mattress?

It is again our iCoil® 10” Spring Mattress. It is one of the best value-for-money pocket spring mattresses in Singapore for the past 2 years. It has garnered 4.9 stars rating across marketplaces such as Lazada and Shopee in Singapore. Coming with 10 years warranty and 100-Days Free Trial. It is certainly worth every penny.

Which is the most luxurious mattress?

Our most luxurious mattress model is our iCoil® Hybrid Latex & Cool Gel Memory Foam 2.0 “Cool” Series Box Top Mattress (14”). This model is equivalent to those luxurious mattresses that are sold in the market; in fact to us, it is our Hotel Collection feel. With a Medium Soft feel of 5/10 firmness, coupled with Extreme Cool Fabric on the top, and 100% Natural Latex and Cool Gel Infused Memory Foam within, this iCoil pocketed spring mattress is a gem. Suitable for any type of sleeper, especially those who like a softer luxurious hotel type of feel.

Above: Zinus 35.5cm iCoil® Hybrid Latex & Cool Gel Memory Foam 2.0 “Cool” Series Box Top Mattress (14”), From $849.

How does one choose between a foam and spring mattress?

Well, the most significant difference between a memory foam mattress to a spring mattress is the comfort feel. A gradual sinking feeling gives your body a real chance to relax into the mattress while still providing the right support for your body. Memory foam mattresses are great to provide pressure relief for your body. They are also generally lighter and can greatly reduce motion transfer during sleep.

Above: Zinus 5 Inch High Density Foam Mattress, From $99.

On the other hand, a spring mattress will provide you with greater support. Pocketed spring mattresses can reduce any partner disturbances due to toss and turn. As the pocketed spring will react to your body shape and weight, you will feel that your body will be well supported when you sleep.

Above: Zinus 20cm Bonnell Mattress (8″) MKII, from $169.

In this part of the world, most of us are accustomed to a spring mattress feel. Although we have to say that memory foam mattresses are beginning to get their well-deserved fan base for the past decade. The good news is that Zinus has a wide range of Hybrid Mattresses which have the best of both worlds — Pocketed Spring and Memory Foam.

Above: Zinus 25cm Euro Top Latex Hybrid Spring Mattress (10″), from $309.

How are ingredients like green tea, olive oil and charcoal infused into the mattresses? What are their benefits?

Our signature Green Tea Memory Foam Mattresses are produced with green tea oil extract; it is natural and non-toxic. There is a special process of extracting the oil from its leaves, and with special foam making machines, we are able to produce our best selling Green Tea Memory Foam Mattresses. The same process applies to our Olive Oil Memory Foam. As for our Charcoal Memory Foam, charcoal is treated, finely ground and infused into natural seed oil, before it is baked in our special foam machine. All our memory foams use natural seed oils or plant extract oil, so what it does mean is that it will be non-toxic and non harmful to human beings. While green tea is naturally antimicrobial, charcoal is great to eliminate any odour and can keep moisture at bay.

What is considered a proper foundation for a mattress? Is it ok for a mattress to be on the floor?

A proper foundation will be the one that can withstand the weight of the mattress and the persons sleeping on it. The base of the foundation should be solid and not flexible. A flexible base will not deliver the optimum support for your body and it will change the feel of your mattress — with a flexible base, your mattress will feel softer than it would normally feel. For our Zinus bedframes or foundations, they can take up to 250kg for Queen or King sizes, and it comes with 5 years warranty to give you a piece of mind.

Above: Zinus Lottie Upholstered Platform Bed Frame, from $279 (left), and Ironline Platform Bed Base Grey (10″), from $245 (right).

Is a mattress topper necessary?

It is important for customers to get a mattress that suits them. That for us, is essential. Getting the right mattress will not only allow them to have a better quality of sleep, but it will also help them save some money in buying an additional topper for their mattress. For us, a Topper is used to refresh the feel of the mattress. For example, if their mattresses are too firm, they can purchase a softer topper to ‘soften’ their mattresses, so that they can sleep better with lesser pressure points.

The Zinus Memory Foam Toppers are available in 3” Cool Gel (soft firmness) and 4” Green Tea (medium firmness).

Above: The Zinus Memory Foam Toppers in 3” Cool Gel (left) and 4” Green Tea (right), both from $159.

How does Zinus keep prices so low?

Zinus’ business strategy has always been delivering best value for money products to our customers. All our products are flat-packed in a box, including our bedframe and sofa! Yes, you heard that right. Even our sofa is packed in a box! Our flat-packed technology not only reduces our shipping costs, it also greatly reduces domestic delivery cost.

Above: Zinus box packaging.

Of course, this is not all. Our vertical integration business model allows us to greatly reduce middleman costs. We produce our own Foam and Spring from our own factories around the world.

Shop Zinus at WWW.ZINUS.COM.SG.

All photos courtesy Zinus.

The Uniqlo x Marni Collection Brings Playfulness To Your Everyday Wardrobe

Apr 27, 2022Jun 8, 2022

As a brand brimming with off-kilter creativity, MARNI is well-loved by artists and creative types who vibe with their experimental approach to materials and colours, as well as prints that seem to jump off the page — or garment. And that’s exactly what they bring to the table when it comes to UNIQLO’s latest designer collaboration.

Launching 24 June is the UNIQLO and MARNI collection, the global apparel retailer’s first collaboration with the Italian luxury fashion brand, and one that playfully carries the spirit of MARNI’s distinctive style throughout summery dresses, balloon skirts, along with loose shirts and pants that feature an offbeat checkered print.

“Throughout the whole process we have always championed UNIQLO’s ethos and the integrity that lies behind the brand’s vision, giving our interpretation of UNIQLO’s LifeWear through a slightly out-of-the- box proposition that combines impeccably crafted clothes with MARNI’s offbeat and life-embracing spirit. I really hope that wearers feel good; that they feel themselves; that they feel free,” said Francesco Risso, Creative Director at MARNI of the collection.

And while the campaign images give off peak cottagecore vibes, we feel that the prints are versatile enough for a whole bunch of contexts, especially if you’re into fun prints and relaxed silhouettes. UNIQLO’s everyday staple items almost function as a blank canvas for MARNI’s eye-catching expressions, with warm graphic prints that play on proportions, plenty of colour blocking and stripes, and patterns of gingham, plaid and florals that have a hand-painted quality, appearing on long dresses, relaxed pants, and loose-fitted shirts. Weekend attire, definitely sorted.

[click on the images below to expand.]

Some of these pleated designs deserve mention too, particularly a Balloon Skirt with diagonal pleating, which gives the piece a voluminous feel; or a sleeveless high-neck blouse, where the pleats give the garment more visual interest and create ease of movement too. The series of outerwear pieces includes a tailored jacket and pants, sure, but look out for unexpected wear such as a cocoon-like BLOCKTECH coat and a parka so lightweight you can fold it up to stow away in your bag after a hike or bike ride — truly, clothes for the city, countryside, and everything in between.

Full collection available from 25 June at the Orchard Central Global Flagship Store, ION Orchard, VivoCity, and online at uniqlo.com. Selected items available at all stores.

Charlotte Tilbury’s New Pillow Talk Collection Items, Including A Gorgeous Multi-Glow Highlighter

Apr 26, 2022Apr 26, 2022

We need to talk about Pillow Talk. If you’re not yet up to speed, the universally flattering shade is makeup artist brand Charlotte Tilbury’s most stunning creations, a cult-status staple for many due to the versatility of what Charlotte describes as a “delicate rose-blush-skin hue”. It’s beautiful on the eyes, across the cheeks, and swiped onto the lips.

And while the dreamy shade first started out as a humble lips liner, it has since expanded into a full-fledged Pillow Talk collection, of eyeshadow palettes, liquid highlighters, and plush matte lipsticks. This year, we’re getting three new items too — the Multi-Glow highlighter, an eyeshadow quad, and a mascara in a unique berry-brown.

The campaign stars include industry icons such as Kate Moss, Jourdan Dunn and Twiggy, as well as rising beauty stars from Fernando Casablancas to Ceval Omar. As for the makeup items, the limited edition Pillow Talk Multi-Glow is set to be the item we want on our vanity tables. The highlighter is housed in a lovely mother-of-pearl compact, for one, and is stamped with a plush pattern that mimics a pillow. Cute!

PILLOW TALK MULTI-GLOW IN DREAMLIGHT AND ROMANCE LIGHT, $78

What’s especially great though is that the powder formula, a familiar medium for many, goes on incredibly soft and, yet, gives us a light-reflecting shine one would expect from a liquid product. The glow is real, but also out-of-this-world! As with all Charlotte Tilbury products, the glitter and pearl elements are always so finely-milled, they give a soft effect on skin. The Multi-Glow also arrives in two shades; Romance Light is a cool shade for a nudey-pink glow, while Dream Light complements warmer complexions.

The other two products added to the family are the Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara, in a berry-brown Dream Pop! shade, an alternative to black, which then creates softer-looking lashes, or a tone-on-tone look if you’re reaching for the other items in the collection.

The Pillow Talk Dreams Luxury Palette rounds off the new launches, and introduces a Super Pop shade, a shimmering rosebud hue, that’s all about that disco-light sparkle. This is then paired with a pearly rose-gold, dusky rose, and matte berry-brown, which all go on like a dream.

THE BENEFITS

WE GAVE IT A TRY

Review of the L’Oreal Professionnel Paris iNOA hair service at Apgujeong Hair Studio by Adele Chan, Editor-In-Chief of NYLON Singapore.

Above: Before the hair colour service, you can see that the shade of my hair is a very dark brown, almost black.

Above: Here’s the final look after a blow dry. My hair feels softer and looks warmer. Also, it covered 100% of my white hair (thanks kyle!).

Above: the Before (left) and after (right). My hair doesn’t look flat or dull anymore.

Above: the Before (left) and after (right). inoa’s oil-based formula made a big difference to the texture and shine of kenath’s hair. It now actually looks and feels healthier than before.

Above: the side view of his ash grey colour.

Above: L’Oreal Professionnel Metal DX and Vitamino Color shampoo and hair mask.

WHERE IT’S AVAILABLE

the L’Oreal ProfessioNnel Paris iNOA hair colour system, available at L’Oreal ProfessionNel Paris SALONS islandwide.

PROMO!

OUR REVIEW

COLGATE electric toothbrush gum care, $299.90. AVAILABLE AT SHOPEE and LAZADA.

[click on the images below to expand.]

[click on the images below to expand.]

adidas x Gucci, available from 7 June 2022, at select Gucci stores, dedicated pop-ups, and online. For further information, visit gucci.com.

by local creators

1. “Goood Afternoon” by ROOOT Studio

2. Fleur Purrfect by Candice Phang

by #BESPOKEDesignedByYou contest winners

3. Kitchen View with Birds, ST Leng

4. Journey by Raymond Kong

5. Cat’s Apartment by Liang Yi Jie

6. Yin & Yang — the Balance of Life by Goh Chen Lin

The Samsung BESPOKE Creators Collection is now available from $4,778 (without GST) on the SAMSUNG ONLINE STORE and selected consumer electronics retailer stores. For more information, click HERE.

[click on the images below to expand.]

[click on the images below to expand.]

The Fossil x Smiley Limited Edition Capsule Collection launches on 9 May and is available for purchase online HERE, and in-store at Fossil ION and Fossil JEM. For more information, click HERE.

BRUNCH

GrabFood — from Columbus Coffee Co.

Here’s what we ordered: Smoked Salmon Benny, $20.30 ; Earl Grey Buttermilk Waffles, $13.40 ; Almond Croissant, $5.40 ; Raspberry Curd Pie, $8 ; Lemon Olive Cake, $8 ; Flat White, $6 ; The Milky Way (White Cold Brew), $7.50 ; Iced Tea Milkstache (Earl Grey), $8. Total: $76.60.

A PREMIUM RIDE TO OUR NEXT DESTINATION

GrabCar Premium

A SURPRISE DELIVERY!

WHAT’S IN OUR BASKET: innisfree skincare ; a dried flower bouquet from bloom by m. ; all butter cinnamon sugar palmiers from marks & spencer ; mini bottle of sauvignon blanc from paneco.com ; a pair of earrings from arthesdam jewellery.

A FACIAL AT PORCELAIN SIGNATURES

DOWNLOAD THE GRAB APP ON THE APPLE APP STORE, GOOGLE PLAY STORE, OR HUAWEI APPGALLERY.

TENNIS

[click on the images below to expand.]

golf

earth-friendly wear

Lululemon Spring ’22 Capsule collections, available on LULULEMON.COM and in stores starting April through May. Additional pieces for the Tennis collection will also be released this summer.

1. Sterra S Tankless Water Purifier

Sterra S Tankless Water Purifier, $1,699, available in Chromium Grey and Platinum white from STERRA.SG.

2. RIKI PRETTY Mirror

RIKI Pretty Mirror, US$350, available in white and black from RIKILOVESRIKI.COM.

3. NATIVE UNION SNAP 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger

Native Union SNAP 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger, $269 from NATIVEUNION.COM.

4. Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti X Professional Condenser

Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti X Professional Condenser, $259 from LAZADA.

5. HUAWEI FreeBuds Lipstick Wireless Bluetooth Earphone

HUAWEI FreeBuds Lipstick Wireless Bluetooth Earphone, $268 from SHOPEE.

6. NATIVE UNION Desk Cable (USB-C to USB-C)

Native Union Desk Cable, $59 from NATIVEUNION.COM.

7. VAGO FRESH Bag and Box Combo Set

VAGO FRESH Bag and Box Combo Set, $198 from SHOPEE.

8. Enabot Ebo Air Smart Familybot

Enabot Ebo Air Smart Familybot, $299 from SHOPEE.

the chains

the aviators

the bold acetate

Chanel 2022 Eyewear, available at CHANEL boutiques. You may also do a virtual try-on of the designs at chanel.com.

BELLE

CINDERELLA

SNOW WHITE

ARIEL

JASMINE

TIANA

[click on the images below to expand.]

Above: Zinus 15cm Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress (6″), from $149.

What’s the best-selling Zinus mattress in Singapore?

Above: Zinus 25cm Tight Top iCoil® Mattress (10″), from $179.

Which is the most value-for-money mattress?

Which is the most luxurious mattress?

Above: Zinus 35.5cm iCoil® Hybrid Latex & Cool Gel Memory Foam 2.0 “Cool” Series Box Top Mattress (14”), From $849.

How does one choose between a foam and spring mattress?

Above: Zinus 5 Inch High Density Foam Mattress, From $99.

Above: Zinus 20cm Bonnell Mattress (8″) MKII, from $169.

Above: Zinus 25cm Euro Top Latex Hybrid Spring Mattress (10″), from $309.