fbpx

Gold & Glittery Holiday Makeup Collections That Put Us In The Festive Mood

Ahead of our epic gift guide, we round up some of the best holiday-ready makeup collections. Think: gilded, glitter and gold. Everything that you’ll want to feel like the belle of the ball, even if our festive celebrations may be a little more muted this year. We’ve talked about some of the them before — the N°5 collection from CHANEL is an iconic homage to a celebrated fragrance, Dior dazzles with ‘The Atelier of Dreams‘, while shu uemura is out to charm with a cute collab with Hello Kitty. Ahead though, we’ve gone through our many, many emails — trust us — to pick out the most extra holiday stuff for you to (jingle bell) rock.

1. GUCCI BEAUTY

Palette Beauté Des Yeux Floral, $230
Limited-Edition Rouge à Lèvres Mat, $59

Could this be Gucci Beauty’s first eyeshadow palette we’re spotting? The Palette Beauté Des Yeux Floral ($230) is every bit the stunner we expect, in a gold-trimmed case that features vintage-inspired florals on a black backdrop. Gor-geous. Inside, it holds 12 luxurious highly-pigmented shades of satin, matte and metallic textures, which reflect vibrant blooms at various times of the year; there are floral-inspired soft pinks and neutrals, as well as a few pops of blue for a more creative eye. For the lips, Gucci Beauty has introduced a limited-edition trio of the Rouge à Lèvres Mat lipsticks, where their tubes are adorned with a retro black print of gold hearts and stars. The three shades are: 217 Valeria Rose, 519 Pauline Red and 25* Goldie Red.

Available at Gucci Beauty counters, and online at store.takashimaya.com.sgtangs.combhgsingapore.com.sg and SEPHORA,SG.

2. YSL BEAUTY

Couture Colour Clutch Holiday 2021 ($159), Le Cushion Encre de Peau Gold Rush Trio Holiday 2021 ($102), Rouge Volupté Shine ($55).
Le Cushion Encre de Peau Gold Rush Trio Holiday 2021 ($102).

Give us more gold, we say. YSL Beauty delivers with an absolutely ideal gift wrapped in dazzling gold. Everything from the Couture Colour Clutch to the exclusive Le Cushion Encre De Peau, and even the LIBRE Eau de Parfum and Rouge Volupté Shine, is dressed in a gold leaf design that’s unique to each item, making each piece even more exquisite. For the collector-worthy palette, you’ll find pale pink as well as light gold, and Fall-inspired hues of brown, rose and rouge. This season’s festive Rouge Volupté Shine lipstick is now infused with a subtle golden shimmer, while two star shades of the classic Rouge Pur Couture, in #1966 and #21 come flecked with gold amidst their luxe satin finish.

Available at all YSL Beauty stores and the YSL Beauty eBoutique at yslbeauty.com.sg.

3. CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ

EYE COLOR DUO 109 (Limited-Edition): Sunrise in the Garden and Sunset in the Garden. $100 each.
LA CRÈME, $875.

Inspired by an imaginary, whimsical Garden of Splendour, Clé de Peau Beauté’s take on a holiday collection feels just as enchanting as the season itself, while the brand has collaborated with French artist Michaël Cailloux for nature-inspired illustrations of flora and fauna, set to vivid colours of pink, purple and green. His work features an etching technique that requires meticulous detail, hence intricate motifs that wrap themselves across limited-edition shades of the Eye Color Duo, Lipstick Shine, Cream Blush, and more — even a bottle of the precious La Crème sees exquisite tones of radiant teal and lavender. For the eyeshadow duos, ‘Sunrise in the Garden’ is an unexpected combination of soft coral and blue green reminiscent of the morning sun, while its more romantic counterpart, ‘Sunset in the Garden’ features magic-hour shades of pink and lilac.

Available at all Clé de Peau Beauté stores and their Whatsapp Concierge Service.

4. CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Instant Eye Palette in ‘Smokey Eyes are Forever’, $130.
Luxury Palette of Pearls in ‘Celestial Pearl’, $92.

For a darling collection that reminds us of trinkets and treasures, Charlotte Tilbury’s treasure trove of holiday goodies is unparalleled. For one, the always-stunning (and usually sold-out) Instant Eye Palette is back — the new ‘Smokey Eyes are Forever’ edition is grouped into four eye looks, which take us from the soft romantic champagne glow of Love Eyes, to the taupes and gold-greens of Power Eyes and warm-toned Happy Eyes, before ending our journey at the bold smokey tones of Confident Eyes, consisting of a plum purple, deep brown, and true black. Another holiday quad is designed with a star pattern across its gilded case, and includes Tilbury’s highly-blendable eyeshadow formulas in blush pink, a duochome pink-gold, bronze brown, and pearlescent gold.

Available at SEPHORA.

5. CHANTECAILLE

Perle Lumière, $188 ; Lumière Eye Sheen, $128 ; Rouge Perle, $128.

Speaking of a pearlescent glow, we can’t peel our eyes off Chantecaille’s beautiful packaging this season, where its single-shade eyeshadow, blush and highlighter compacts are encrusted with hand-adorned pearl baubles. “Rose pearls represent love, kindness, and good fortune; a wonderful promise for a good future,” says Olivia Chantecaille of her choice of design. The shades within are just as beautiful to behold too — a luminous, creamy rose gold eye shade is ideal for a statement eye, since the colour-shifting pigments give added dimension under the light; a powder-balm blush creates a natural rosy flush; and  the Perle Lumière is a highlighter dedicated to a delicate, lit-from-within glow.

Available at chantecaille counters, at TANGS at Tang Plaza and Takashimaya Department Store.

6. NARS

Bijoux Eyeshadow Palette, $85 ; Full Access Cheek Palette, $85

Dark and edgy is the vibe of the day at NARS, which sums up why we love their makeup anyway, and the brand doesn’t disappoint with what they’re calling an “infatuating collection designed for the ultimate NARSissist”. Of the range, NARS’ limited edition holiday palettes stand out for their interpretation of cult-favourite shades, wrapped yes, but haphazardly so with ribbons strewn across their outer casings. The Bijoux Eyeshadow Palette features 16 high-impact eyeshadows in jewel tones and velvety neutrals, as well as glitter toppers, while a cheek palette zones in on the celebrated Orgasm blush alongside Tempted, Behave and Laguna. Elsewhere, there are mini eyeshadow palettes, our go-tos for on-the-go makeup, an oversized Orgasm cheek palette, and many coveted brush and lipstick sets to get excited about. 

Available at NARS stores and counters, and SEPHORA.

7. INNISFREE

Airy Twinkle Eyeshadow Palette, $24 ; Airy Matte Tint, $19.

Cute and quirky at the same time, k-beauty brand innisfree taps on the talent of L.A.-based artist Steven Harrington, whose illustrations are splashed across the limited edition skincare and makeup from the eco-conscious brand. With a playful spirit in mind, Harrington was inspired by California’s mystical, diverse landscape and mix of cultures, resulting in an eye-catching design of laidback characters enjoying the holidays while celebrating Earth. On top of bestselling skincare such as the Green Tea Seed and Black Tea line, presented with less plastic packaging for a greener season, innisfree’s Airy Twinkle Eyeshadow Palette and highly-popular Airy Matte Tint are given a witty makeover too, a must-have if you’re a fan of the artist.

available at INNISFREE stores and counters.

8. ETUDE

Play Color Eyes Mini Winter Checkered Edition, $30.90 ; Syrup Glossy Balm, $16.90.

Plaid shirts and red scarves — uncanny reference to Taylor Swift’s RED album re-release aside, ETUDE’s Winter Checkered Collection checks all our boxes for the cosiest Christmas vibes. A wintry Play Color Eyes Mini palette gives you a neutral pink base that works across warm and cool skin tones, topped with pearly shimmers that are incredibly easy to work with, and wrapped like a gift for full measure. Elsewhere, blushes and highlighters are milky-soft while imbuing a natural glow, just as this season’s star tinted lip balm, the Syrup Glossy Balm, completes your holiday look with fool-proof, hydrated, and ultra-shiny lips.

Available online on SHOPETUDE.SG, Shopee and Lazada, as well as in stores islandwide.

9. LAURA MERCIER

First Ball Cheek Palette, $80 ; Perfection Translucent Loose Setting Powder & Puff Set (Limited Edition), $70.

Of course, we had to end our list with a full-fledged holiday collection of limited edition bestsellers, which is where Laura Mercier’s The Grand Ball Holiday Collection comes in. Notable items include the cult-favourite Translucent Loose Setting Powder, accompanied by their signature Velour Puff so you get the most out of its finely-milled pigments that disappear when on skin, as well as the First Ball Cheek Palette, a day to night palette with tiny embossed stars that recall the elegance of a Parisian grand ball. Designed to complement all skin tones, the blush and highlighter shades offer everything from a diffused glow to more dramatic date night-worthy looks.

Available at Sephora.

 

 

KrisShop Just Unveiled A Collector-Worthy Singapore Airlines Limited Edition Poker Set

You might not get the hype of Singapore Airlines-branded game sets, but someone you know is probably a fan. Just look at the last time our celebrated carrier unveiled a set of Mahjong Tiles — they were sold out in less than two weeks. So, behold the next coveted item in the pipeline: the Singapore Airlines Limited Edition Poker Set.

Launching today at KrisShop and available for pre-order exclusively for KrisFlyer members, and then a month later for everyone else, this luxurious set features the unique Singapore Airlines batik motif, and falls under the Batik Label by KrisShop line of lifestyle products.

Your experience starts with an exquisite box shaped like an aircraft window, with an ornate batik print embossed across its surface. Open it up, and you’ll find even more of the batik print, inspired by Singapore’s native flowers, now across playing cards, poker chips and a dice shaker, in iconic shades of navy blue and gold. Alongside the floral motif, you might be able to spot several travel and aircraft-related design elements as well, including distinctive aircraft emblems in each suit.

Singapore Airlines Limited Edition Poker Set, $318
Singapore Airlines Limited Edition Poker Set, $318

Here are all the items in this exclusive poker set:

    • 2 Bespoke Poker Decks
    • 1 Dice Shaker
    • 6 Gold Aluminium Dice
    • 1 Dealer / Player Button
    • Blind Buttons (One Big and One Small)
    • 350 Poker Chips (100 Gold, 100 Blue, 50 Purple, 50 Red, 50 Green)
Non-Slip Poker Mat, $59

For those who’d like a full suite, so to speak, there’s also a non-slip Neoprene poker mat you can add on to the set, one with matching batik motifs and a rubber-lined bottom. If you’re already shelling out over the $300 for the poker set, you’ll probably want to go all-in, especially if you are — or know — an avid poker player.

 


The Singapore Airlines Limited Edition Poker Set will only be available for pre-order, with deliveries from 15 december 2021.
pre-orders open exclusively to KrisFlyer members from now to 15 December 2021, at KRISSHOp.com. thereafter, pre-orders will be available to all shoppers.

 

 

 

The Bags, Shoes, And Accessories From Gucci x Balenciaga’s The Hacker Project

The glorious mash-up between two esteemed fashion houses, Gucci and Balenciaga, has been making headlines since it was first unveiled at the Gucci Aria show. ‘The Hacker Project’, as it’s called, sees familiar silhouettes and design codes from the brands merging to create new signature pieces. This co-branded collaboration between Balenciaga’s creative director Demna Gvasalia and Gucci’s Alessandro Michele will be available here at both Gucci and Balenciaga stores, from 15 November.

Confused? Don’t be. It sure feels that way when we’re looking at the ready-to-wear pieces and accessories from the collection though — for instance, Balenciaga’s famous City and Hourglass bags are given a Gucci-fied revamp, with the Flora and GG pattern featured extensively across their recognisable silhouettes. Likewise, Gucci’s bag styles of the Jackie 1961, GG Marmont, and Dionysus see Balenciaga’s diagonal logo in sleek black or white styles, both on GG supreme and leather.

Again, Balenciaga returns the favour with more looks that play on the GG monogram, now with double-B logos and their iconic stripes instead. A bold “This is not a Gucci bag” graffiti tag can be found on Balenciaga’s “BB” tote bags as well. As you can tell, the creativity is never-ending in this meeting of greats, and the “strong reciprocal affinity between the creative directors” is clear throughout.

[click on the images below to expand.]

Other than the bags, we’re most taken by the buzz-worthy shoes as well. Balenciaga’s “dad shoe” Triple S sneakers combine moulds from running, basketball, and track shoes, for a stacked silhouette that’s now printed with Gucci’s monogram. Feminine stiletto heels and booties feature logos from the two brands, on either printed canvas or leather with gold-toned hardware.

[click on the images below to expand.]

 


The Hacker Project, available at Balenciaga Paragon outlet and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, and Gucci The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

 

 

Beyond The Vines’ Cult-Favourite Dumpling Bag Is Getting A Revamp — And Refreshed Colours

You’ve seen it, you love it, you probably own it. Local label Beyond The Vines‘ Dumpling Bag is a ubiquitous sight among our fashionable peers — though the brand isn’t content on resting on their laurels with this bestseller. The design studio is back with a reissued version of the everyday bag, with some design updates and five fresh, seasonal colours that now includes a Lime, Mustard, Ice Blue, and Fern Green.

XS Dumpling Bags in Terracotta, Mustard, Lime.
XS Dumpling Bags in Steel Blue, Blush, Fern Green.

Launching this Friday, 19 November, the Dumpling Bag’s revamped design details include an elasticated opening with a hidden magnetic closure, for added security, and an improved finishing where all its seams are hidden within. Perhaps the biggest improvement has to do with a common gripe of the bag — new matte-finish hardware now ensures that the D-ring doesn’t slip down the adjustable strap, while it also features a subtle brand type logo etched on its surface.

New design details of the Dumpling Bag.

Why is the Dumpling Bag so popular you ask? When we posed this question to brand founder Rebecca Ting last November at the launch of their Takashimaya Shopping Centre store, she had this to say: “The whole process of the bag was very user-centric, which, I think, is one of the reasons why people loved it.”

“We want people to take the bag on multiple journeys, rather than have one bag for certain occasions. We also needed it to be light, packable, water-resistant,” she added. Made from lightweight water-resistant nylon, the functional Dumpling Bag has indeed lived up to those qualities, while being extremely versatile no matter the leading style of your current wardrobe; then again, its strong utilitarian vibes are unmistakable.

M Dumpling Bags in Olive, Blue.

Always attuned to users’ demands, Beyond The Vines has also launched the bag in a Micro size, alongside the XS, M, and XL ranges. For this relaunch, they’re introducing five new tone-on-tone colours, to add on to the existing classic shades for the XS design. You may take a look at the refreshed colours here.

[click on the images below to expand, and for more info.]

 


The new beyond the vines Dumpling Bags, available from 19 November 2021, online and in stores. Prices are: XS Dumpling Bag ($79), M Dumpling Bag ($89), and XL Dumpling Bag ($109).

 

 

All About ‘Red Notice’, Netflix’s Blockbuster Heist Movie Starring The Rock, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot

What do you get when you put together Deadpool, Wonder Woman, and The Rock? A fun heck of a ride. The thing that stands out most about art heist movie Red Notice, is the very palpable, easy chemistry between the three co-stars — that’s before we even delve into a genre that’s already very well-loved by Netflix fans, judging from series such as Money Heist and Lupin. Why is this relevant, you ask? That’s because this blockbuster-style movie is original Netflix content, and airs on the streaming platform from 12 November.

The title of the movie refers to Interpol’s highest-level “most wanted” warrant, and Red Notice wastes no time in getting its characters into place — Dwayne Johnson stars as FBI’s top profiler John Hartley, who’s then forced to team up with semi-nemesis art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds), in order to nab the world’s most wanted art thief, “The Bishop”, played by Gal Gadot.

Directed and written by Rawson Marshall Thurber (Central Intelligence, Skyscraper), many action-packed sequences ensue in the trio’s globe-trotting adventure, which take them from a Russian prison to a South American jungle, while the show packs just as much comedy and wit into its almost two hour run-time. It’s also said to have cost US$200 million (S$269 mil), which makes it one of Netflix’s most expensive films to date.

RED NOTICE – (L-R) RYAN REYNOLDS, GAL GADOT and DWAYNE ‘THE ROCK’ JOHNSON. Cr: Frank Masi/NETFLIX © 2021
Cr. Frank Masi/Netflix © 2021

Our take? Avoid disappointment by thinking of this as big-budget, popcorn action fare. Some early critics have panned its lack of substance, but to be fair, its tone is sufficiently slick and fun that we wouldn’t rule it out for a “brainless” Friday night in — sometimes, there are only so much true crime dramas you can take.

Of the movie’s light-hearted tone, Johnson has this to say: “We try to thread the needle of great action with a little bit of levity in every piece of the action. That’s why you’ll see in our movie, that as heightened and intense as our action sequences are, there’s a lot of great comedy.”

Reynolds is, no surprise, his usual Deadpool wisecracking persona, who plays off Johnson’s more serious but charismatic role, for a natural buddy cop dynamic that feels believable. Gadot gets to display more of her athletic prowess and disarming smile, and further proves that she can kick ass when up against her male co-stars. Still, it’s here that she sheds her do-gooder Wonder Woman image for a character “who’s a bit different than what I usually used to do”, she says at a recent Asia-Pacific press conference.

Cr: Frank Masi / Netflix © 2021
Cr. Frank Masi/Netflix © 2021

Red Notice banks on the stars’ off-screen chemistry too, now easily accessible onscreen, which is something Reynolds was excited about. “If you come to dinner with Dwayne and I, you will see we quite literally talk to each other the way we talk to each other in Red Notice. And it’s pretty funny to be around, and it’s just kind of the way it’s always been for us. So putting that up on the screen was a real pleasure,” he shares.

“The movie is big. It’s fun, it’s ambitious with some twists and turns and surprises, and we had a great time,” continues Johnson. Gadot chimes in: “I think that the wit and the funny moments are very fun — and the boys are in the movie. So what else can one ask for?” It’s pretty hard to disagree with that.

Ahead, we hear more from stars Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, and Dwayne Johnson on what sets the heist movie apart from others of its kind, as well as their most memorable scenes (no spoilers!) and some behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

RYAN REYNOLDS

Ryan Reynolds as Nolan Booth in Red Notice. Cr. Frank Masi/Netflix © 2021

What made you interested in Red Notice?

Ryan Reynolds: “You know, honestly, this is the cheapest answer, that I was most interested in working with my friends, with my pals. I love the fact that I got to just, show. A lot of the movies I do, I produce and I’m writing on, and there’s a lot more responsibility. This one, I got to just kind of jump in the sandbox with some friends I’ve known for a long time and have fun, and it’s not every day that you get to do that. Sometimes you forget this job is fun, and I never forgot it for a second on the set of Red Notice, it was really special.”

There’s a lot of chemistry between you and your co-stars in the movie — would you say that it’s the same way off-screen as well? 

RR: “What Netflix really wanted was Dwayne, Gal and I to have a kind of off-screen friendship and camaraderie that is, you know, the exact same thing you’re seeing on screen. They wanted that on the big screen and for that to transfer over to Red Notice and be a part of the DNA and fabric of the storytelling; and that’s what we were excited to give them. If you come to dinner with Dwayne and I, you will see we quite literally talk to each other the way we talk to each other in Red Notice. And it’s pretty funny to be around, and it’s just kind of the way it’s always been for us. So putting that up on the screen was a real pleasure.”

Cr: Frank Masi / Netflix © 2021

What sets Red Notice apart from other heist shows and films?

RR: “I think it’s the trio. It’s very hard to get three main stars of the movie, myself, Dwayne and Gal in a room together, let alone in a whole movie together. And you leave it to Netflix to figure out some way to do it. I mean, they’re so innovative over there, and they figured out how to master some pretty wildly complex scheduling, and Red Notice had some tricky scheduling issues to meet. So, you know, they did it, though.”

What about your character’s personality do you love the most?

RR: “I love his mischief, I love that he’s a rascal. You never can, can’t ever trust him, so I always love a character that you can’t really relax on, have to kind of stay on edge with. And Nolan is certainly a guy that fits that bill.”

Without giving away too much, what would you say was the most interesting scene to film for you?

RR: “There’s a sequence in the chapel in the prison where we meet Gal’s character, The Bishop, for the first time — and it was the first time all three of us had shot together in one room. That was exciting and a lot of fun for us, and the whole kind of scene was like a chess game. Everybody was sort of sizing each other up. Gal was so gifted at being so charming and funny and easy in the scene where, you know, when we watched her as Wonder Woman or some of her other roles, she’s usually playing sort of authoritative kind of characters. So to see her be like a Cary Grant in this moment was really fun for me.”

Which one of the three of you is the best fighter, and who do you think is the weakest?

RR: “Tough question. I would say that it’s a toss up between Dwayne and I as the weakest only because Gal is very elegant, very flexible and clearly has some significant training in this. Now, Dwayne will kill you if he gets his hands on you, but the thing that I know is that I’m faster than Dwayne. So if I say something that goes a little bit too far, I always know that I can run away. I’m not a fighter. I’m mostly, you know, a bit of a chicken. So you’ll see in the movie, I usually try to avoid the fights as much as possible and stick to the stealing.”

Cr: Frank Masi / Netflix © 2021

The Ryan Reynolds brand of comedy is unmistakable. How similar or different is this from your off-screen persona?

RR: “You know, my off screen persona is actually vastly different. As a kid, and as an adult, I’ve always struggled with anxiety and the sort of fast-talking, hyper-verbal, ironic kind of personality that I’ve manufactured for film really started as a defense mechanism. When I was younger, to kind of get through situations where I felt like I was ill-equipped to deal with something, I would have that part of my personality take over and kind of run the show for me. And that’s something I’m grateful for, but it’s also something, I think, at a young age, I wish I didn’t need. But so, yeah, the real me is much, much different than that, a lot more sensitive. I probably listen a lot better than the characters I play as well.”

What does humour and wit mean to you, and why do you prefer those kinds of roles?

RR: “I think humour and wit in movies are by-products of personal pathos. You can’t really have any understanding of the dynamics of comedy unless you sort of understand its opposite. I do see comedy as an under-appreciated medium in the film business, not to be quoting Shakespeare or anything, but the idea that death is easy comedy is hard. Comedy is a very challenging art form, and I have a great deal of reverence and respect for it. I think I always will. I’m always trying to grow and learn more. I really do owe a lot, a huge debt of gratitude to those who’ve come before me and I grew up watching the Steve Martins, Eddie Murphys, John Candys of the world, the Gene Wilders. Those are people that I’m hugely influenced by and have shaped me in a lot of different ways.”

GAL GADOT

Gal Gadot as The Bishop in Red Notice. Cr. Frank Masi/Netflix © 2021

What made you interested in Red Notice?

Gal Gadot: “Dwayne. [laughs] No, but to be honest, Rawson Marshall Thurber, our wonderful director and writer. When he first pitched me the idea for the movie, I was blown away by the ambitiousness and how surprising the story is. And I was also very intrigued to be able to play a character who’s a bit different than what I usually used to do.

I think that Rawson again did an amazing job writing the script and directing this movie, I think that he really managed to re-engineer this type of heist movies. There is so much, so much to it. He managed to make it his own while taking inspiration from different movies from the past. The twists and turns are super smart and strong, and I think that the wit and the funny moments are very fun — and the boys are in the movie. So what else can one ask for?”

What was the most interesting scene to film? 

GG: “I mean, there are so many delightful moments and scenes that we got to work on together in the film, but one of the most memorable ones was the first time that I got to shoot with the boys, with D.J. [Dwayne Johnson] and Ryan. It was in the Russian prison and it was such a funny day, we were breaking so many takes. I got to say that I feel super grateful and lucky that I got to work with such an amazing talent like D.J. and Ryan and enjoy the process throughout. And I just think that it always shows on screen.”

Cr: Frank Masi / Netflix © 2021
Cr: Frank Masi / Netflix © 2021

There’s a dancing scene in the movie, with Dwayne Johnson. How did it feel to dance with The Rock? 

GG: “I’ll tell you the truth. I was a bit nervous at the beginning just because, you know DJ is a giant man and I have feet down there, so I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. And I kept telling DJ, we’re going to practice, we’re going to rehearse. He was super cool, kept on calming me down and saying, don’t worry, this is going to be great. And of course, that just made me more nervous. But then he showed up, and this guy is a freaking ballerina! I don’t know how it works with physics rules and all that, but he’s so talented and such a good dancer.”

You’re known for playing Wonder Woman, and she’s a paragon for all that is good. What is it like to be on the other side and taking up a villainous role? 

GG: “It’s actually a lot of fun. As an actor, you want to be able to explore different colours and different qualities in the characters that you play. And this one certainly gave me this opportunity and I super enjoy portraying The Bishop.”

DWAYNE JOHNSON

Dwayne Johnson as John Hartley in Red Notice. Cr. Frank Masi/Netflix © 2021

How was it like working together with Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot?

Dwayne Johnson: “I thought it was great. You know, we wanted to make a great movie, and a lot of times with something like this, the content of the script really will dictate what the set is going to feel like. The movie is big. It’s fun, it’s ambitious with some twists and turns and surprises, and we had a great time. We also had to buckle down because we shot it during COVID, so that was very challenging, but we all rallied together, including our crew of about a thousand crew members, and we made the best movie we could.”

How about working with Rawson Marshall Thurber for the third time, was there anything new or different this time? 

DJ: It’s great working with Ross, and I think the only thing that is new and different is just he’s grown really tremendously, and you can see that in his writing, in his execution of these movies. And I’ve worked with Rawson for three times in a row, and I knew, for example, that Gal was going to meet with him, and I know Gal for many, many years too, so I really felt they would get along nicely.”

Cr. Frank Masi/Netflix © 2021
Cr: Frank Masi / Netflix © 2021

Many fans are excited to see your intense action scenes. What makes the action sequences in Red Notice special?

DJ: “I think what makes them special is their intention, and we really intend to try our best to raise the bar with our action sequences. We are all no stranger to action from Gal with everything she’s done in her career. Myself, Ryan as well. So to try and raise the bar in action sequences is not easy to do. It’s challenging. It’s difficult because there’s a lot of great action out there and a lot of great action storytelling. So it was our intention. I think that really separates us, but we also try to thread the needle of great action with a little bit of levity in every piece of the action. That’s why you’ll see in our movie, that as heightened and intense as our action sequences are, there’s a lot of great comedy.”

How was filming with Netflix different compared to working with other media?

DJ: “When you work with a streaming platform, the process is still the same because you still want to make the movie and we’re all in the business together, so everybody is used to working with each other, regardless of whether it’s for a studio with a theatrical release or Netflix with a streaming platform release. But the, I think one of the unique differences is there is when, when it’s time for the movie, the marketing rush is a bit different because you’re not feeling the pressure of opening box office weekend. There’s a little bit of room and space that you have that you wouldn’t otherwise have.”

 


RED NOTICE, OUT ON NETFLIX FROM friday, 12 november 2021.

 

 

The Latest Star Wars™ x Pandora Collection Features ‘The Mandalorian’ Charms, With A More Edgy Ruthenium Plating

This is the way, indeed. Star Wars™ x Pandora is back, with iconic characters from hit series The Mandalorian, and this time, we’re seeing two new limited edition charms. One of them is modelled after our beloved cutest-in-the-galaxy Grogu, and other, Mandalorian’s helmet, done in a sleek black ruthenium finish that makes for a more edgy, moody touch. More “dark side”, we’d say. This is complemented by the third item in the series, a black leather bracelet that’s finished with a Star Wars logo™ clasp.

This isn’t your ordinary Pandora Moments bracelet either — it features a double wrap braided leather design, with a barrel clasp that spells out “Star Wars” in that familiar font, in black ruthenium plating. A total of 14 – 18 charms and pendants can be worn on it, though a minimal look with just two charms more than suffices as well, especially if these are from the same universe.

Of the charms, we’re talking a neat design where Mando’s helmet is engraved with the famous line, “This is the way”, where Din Djarin’s headgear also comes decorated with enamel details on the front. The Grogu charm looks identical to the one unveiled in an earlier collection, though the dark ruthenium plating and hand-applied black enamel does give the cute character a more mysterious aura.

Star Wars™ The Mandalorian™ Helmet Charm and Star Wars™ Grogu™ Charm, $99 each. Pandora Moments Star Wars™ Clasp Double Black Leather Bracelet, $149.

The jewellery brand is also offering a Star Wars™ Limited Edition Box set, which comes complimentary with the purchase of all three items in the new collection.

 

Star Wars™ Limited Edition Bundle Set, $347.

Available for a limited-time only, from 12 to 21 November 2021 at all Pandora stores and their E-STORE.

 

 

Pomelo Launches A Casual Line Of Harry Potter T-Shirts And Loungewear

More good news for Potterheads in Singapore! On top of the coveted Le Creuset cookware series, we’re now getting a mini capsule collection of essential wear by Pomelo, part of their latest collaboration with the wildly popular book and movie franchise. Whether it’s the Hogwarts crest or a familiar lightning bolt, you’ll want to flaunt casual wizard vibes with the t-shirts, loungewear and jewellery in this exclusive Pomelo x Harry Potter collection.

The five-piece collection sees pendant necklaces bearing mystical motifs, alongside a comfy loungewear top and shorts, done in a slightly nostalgic style with a white trim around the black shorts. Elsewhere, there’s a black sleeveless top with the motif of Harry’s lightning-shaped scar, as well as a white t-shirt that celebrates all four Hogwarts houses, no matter which you truly belong to. The pieces within the collection are also made from 100% sustainable cotton, so you may go about your wizarding duties both feeling and looking good.

See the full collection here —

[click on the images below to expand, and for more info.]

 


Available on the Pomelo app, online at pomelofashion.com, and in stores, from 12 November 2021. $14.90 for accessories, and from $24.90 for apparel.

 

 

Check out the most popular food ordered by Singaporeans, according to GrabFood

When we talk about the benefits of living in Singapore, everyone always brings up food — the incredible variety of cuisines we have here, and the wide price range available from hawker centres to Michelin-starred restaurants. We’re truly spoiled for choice; and with the raging pandemic and us trying to stay home as much as possible, ordering food online has become a way of life.

GrabFood handles an unimaginable amount of orders every day; and what’s really cool is that they’ve taken all that data and turned it into some really interesting finds that they’ve shared with us. This is what Singaporeans have been ordering:

These are the most popular dishes — with our restaurant recommendations and suggestions, of course — that Singaporeans order for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Read on.

BREAKFAST

My mom always says that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it’s no surprise that Singaporeans (like the rest of the world) like to start their day with coffee or tea. And these are ordered alongside common breakfast dishes like pancakes, hash browns, prata, porridge, mee siam and toast. Here’s what to order in the morning:

Tiong Bahru Bakery

Baked goods are delicious any time of the day, but are most satisfying in the morning. There’s that jolt of energy from a buttery croissant, and especially paired with a robust cup of coffee.

 

Malaysia Boleh!

It’s undeniable that the ultimate breakfast food is Mee Siam or Nasi Lemak. Malaysia Boleh! offers these and more with an incredible spread of the best street hawker fare that you can get in Malaysia; and for fans of traditional coffee, Malaysia Boleh! hand brews them with the “sock”.

 

LUNCH

Now that almost everyone is working from home, lunch orders on GrabFood have soared, and it’s usually orders for one or two people, with the most popular order time being between 12-1pm. Easy one bowl dishes like ramen, donburis, and fast food are most popular.

Takagi Ramen

Besides the standard Shoyu, Tonkotsu and Miso ramens, Takagi Ramen has good value buddy meals (2 Ramens + 2 Banana Milk drinks + 1 Fried Gyoza for $19.90), and offers limited time only ramens such as Salted Egg Crab Ramen and Chilli Crab Ramen.

 

Luke’s Lobster

I personally love Luke’s Lobster Rolls, and never fail to drop by their outlet when I’m in the vicinity, so I was delighted when they got on to the GrabFood platform. The classic Lobster Roll has meaty chunks of lobster that’s piled into a buttered bun (that’s on its own very pang), and smothered with mayo, lemon butter and seasoning. Delicious.

 

DINNER

Dinner seems to be the time that Singaporeans explore a wider variety of cuisines, with Japanese and Indian food being our preference.

Collins

I have a friend whose parents order Collins almost every day. It’s really great value for the quality — and quantity — of food you get, and who doesn’t like a nice Mixed Grill?

 

Dian Xiao Er

If you’re craving comfort Chinese food on a cold, wet November evening, check out these Double Boiled Soups and the famous Herbal Roast Duck from Dian Xiao Er.

 

HEALTHY

Singaporeans have constantly been seeking out healthier food options and now there are dedicated restaurants that offer more balanced meals.

Poke Theory

Any of the signature Poke bowls are good; there are options for tuna, salmon, avocado and there’s even a spicy version.

 

PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are some personal favourites that have been given the thumbs up by my kids!

Shake Shack

Remember when there were long queues for Shake Shack at Jewel? Now you can relax in the comfort of your own home and get it delivered through GrabFood. If you haven’t tried their burgers before, go for the original ShackBurger that has their special sauce.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSyDMTSIXnB/

CHICHA San Chen

Everyone loves bubble tea, and I’ve managed to find my two favourites (Tiger Sugar and CHICHA San Chen) on GrabFood. The kids particularly love the Fresh Milk with Brown Sugar Bubble, while my friends recommend the Oolong Tea with Mousse.

 

Kovan Market & Food Centre

This was a surprise find for me. I used to drive over to the Kovan hawker centre to take away food all the time, and have stopped doing that since they joined GrabFood delivery (I order in now). The Teochew Fishball Noodles stall has very fresh yellowtail fishballs; Yu Kee Duck Rice specialises in — you guessed it — duck rice, and it’s excellent; the Hokkien Mee and Char Kway Teow have that delicious “wok hei”; and the Western stall does really crispy Spring Chicken with shoestring fries. The best part is being able to mix and match dishes from different stalls and getting it all picked up and delivered together.

 

For more food recommendations, check out GrabFood online or download the Grab app on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei AppGallery.

 

 

Everything From M.A.C x L — BLACKPINK’s LISA’s First-Ever Makeup Collection With The Brand

Be prepared to drop some money alright — we can’t get over how it feels like LISA, of BLACKPINK fame, is singing directly to us in her latest solo single, in reference to this latest beauty collaboration of course. After just over a year of being named the Global Ambassador of M.A.C Cosmetics, she now lends her mega star power to M.A.C x L, her first makeup collection where she had creative freedom over each product and shade, right down to the glorious sparkly purple packaging, embossed with her signature in yellow.

“I’m so excited to reveal to you one of my biggest projects so far as Global Ambassador of M.A.C Cosmetics: my very own full-face makeup collection!” exclaims LISA. “I curated the collection myself and designed every piece after things I absolutely love. Every shade, product, name and even the packaging design represents something very special to me.” The collection will be available here from 12 November, debuting at M.A.C boutiques and Sephora.

Along with LISA’s mesmerising stage presence and penchant for scene-stealing dance moves and rap lines, the k-pop artist looks to channel a similar bold expression to this makeup series. She shares that the Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour is her go-to formula on stage and in music videos, and here, we get the liquid lip formula in three new shades — Rhythm ‘N’ Roses, a warm pumpkin; a dusty rose Swoon For Blooms; and Pink Roses, a sweet soft pink. Some of her other favourite items make the edit too, including a Powder Blush in Melba and two Brushstroke 24-Hour Liners in Brushblack and Brushbrown, ideal for creating her signature winged liner.

The M.A.C x L collection has also gone above and beyond, in making sure there are plenty of personal touches to delight fans. LISA says that she “channelled the same passion, joy and creativity I give to making music into creating this exclusive collection for my fans”, which you’ll note on the M·A·C x L Eye Shadow Palette, a highlight of the collection. The versatile shades here are meant to empower the wearer, with the idea that the balance of mattes, shimmers and glitters allow one to confidently flaunt soft, sultry, and glam looks alike.

Several eyeshadow shades here are “inspired by my beloved cats and favourite ice cream flavour, with names such as Leo, Louis, Lily, Milk Tea Ice Cream and Candy Rapper,” she explains, while we also heard that the Extra Dimension Skinfinish comes in LISA’s favourite gold shade, now exclusively embossed with her favourite flower, the edelweiss blossom.

[click on the images below to expand.]

Much thought has been given to the product packaging as well, which reflects LISA’s bold, streetwear vibes. “I chose purple and glitter as the main look to give off a modern and glamorous feel,” she says. “Of course, my signature on the packaging had to be in one of my favourite colours – yellow! But instead of regular yellow, I went with a special fluoro-yellow to represent neon lights that give a cool, hip-hop and urban vibe to the collection.”

See the full collection here —

[click on the images below to expand, and for more info.]

 


Available from 12 November 2021 at M.A.C boutiques and SEPHORA, and from 3 December 2021 at the Metro Paragon Pop-up, M.A.C counters, iShopChangi and the Lazada Official Store.

 

Häagen-Dazs™ Is Here With New Twist & Crunch Flavours For The Festive Season

With the advent of festive season, it looks like Häagen-Dazs™  is out to make our holiday celebrations that much sweeter, with the introduction of the new multi-sensorial ‘Twist & Crunch’ flavours. Already on shelves at a supermarket near you, this one’s a gift for all sweet tooths and chocolate lovers.

Flavours include — Belgian Chocolate & Vanilla Crunch, Belgian Chocolate & Strawberry Crunch, Dark Chocolate & Green Tea.

Each flavour features a neat swirl of the brand’s signature chocolate ice cream, combined with either Strawberry, Vanilla and Green Tea, for an Insta-worthy treat you’ll definitely want to tuck into. On top of that, velvety cocoa sauce and crunchy chocolate stracciatella bits are swirled into the dessert, for a fun and unexpected crunch you won’t want to hold back on. The three flavours include: Belgian Chocolate & Vanilla Crunch, Belgian Chocolate & Strawberry Crunch, Dark Chocolate & Green Tea.

Read on for a quick look at all three irresistible flavours, and for some brand-exclusive promotions you can look forward to as well.

THE FLAVOURS

Belgian Chocolate & Strawberry crunch

Sweet, fruity, and utterly indulgent, the Häagen-Dazs™ Belgian Chocolate & Strawberry Crunch is set to be the popular choice during the holidays, and we totally understand why. The ice cream starts off with an intensely rich and creamy Belgian Chocolate ice cream made with 50% cocoa, which is then swirled with their iconic Strawberry ice cream that already comes with flecks of fresh strawberry. Combined with cocoa sauce and crunchy chocolate bits, this makes for a classic combination that’s both well-balanced and super luscious on the tongue.

Take note, the Belgian Chocolate & Strawberry Crunch is also available as a stickbar, this time with an exterior Belgian chocolate coating dotted with strawberry ‘crunchies’ that you snap through for a soft, swirled surprise underneath.

Belgian Chocolate & Vanilla crunch

If we’re talking dessert classics though, we ought to look at the Belgian Chocolate & Vanilla Crunch, which artfully combines the best of both worlds in an enviable swirl. Häagen-Dazs™ puts together premium Belgian Chocolate ice cream with their Vanilla flavour, which many can vouch for as the best in class, since it’s made from top-of-the-line ingredients including 100% real cream, milk from France and Belgium, and cage-free eggs and sugar. Classic, elegant and luxe, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Dark Chocolate & Green Tea

For yet another twist to their ‘Twist & Crunch’ series, Häagen-Dazs™ is also introducing a limited edition Dark Chocolate & Green Tea variant, created just for this festive season. Those who lean towards Asian cuisines or just prefer less sweet options for their desserts, would be able to appreciate the unique blend of dark chocolate ice cream, made with 72% cocoa, and the lightly aromatic notes from Matcha green tea. Sweet, a little bitter, and quite fragrant really, the bits of chocolate and comforting chocolate sauce tie it all together so you get a smooth and dreamy blend.

The new Häagen-Dazs™ Twist & Crunch flavours.

EXCLUSIVE PROMOTIONS

weekly Giveaways

To celebrate the launch of the new Häagen-Dazs™ festive flavours, the brand is running weekly giveaways of prizes worth more than $8000! These treats include the Apple products, tickets to the Museum of Ice Cream Singapore, Häagen-Dazs Café vouchers, and more.

You’ll be given a chance to participate with every purchase of SGD15 worth of Häagen-Dazs products in a single receipt. To take part, send a photo of your receipt over WhatsApp, with NAME<space>Phone Number<space>Receipt Number at +6011– 7257-8290. Terms and conditions apply.

Left: new Häagen-Dazs™ flavours. Right: Häagen-Dazs™ x Nodspark.
Love The Twist — Nodspark Collaboration

Part of Häagen-Dazs™’s Love the Twist campaign also features a collaboration with local nail wrap brand Nodspark, of three fun and easy limited edition nail wrap designs inspired by the new ‘Twist & Crunch’ flavours. Meant for us to express ourselves creatively, the nail wraps are designed to go on as fuss-free as possible, so we can get started right away. You may look forward to the ‘Love the Twist’ limited edition nail wraps, available together with the festive flavours as part of an upcoming Redmart and Nodspark promotion, happening at the end of November.

Follow Häagen-Dazs™ Singapore on Facebook and Instagram for more details.

 


Häagen-Dazs™ ‘Twist & Crunch’ flavours, available now till December at Häagen-Dazs™ Cafés, as well as all leading supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores. The pints are priced at $14.50, minicups at $5.50 and stickbar at $5.90 each.
Häagen-Dazs™ ice creams are also available on e-retail platforms such as Redmart and pandamart.
For more information, visit HAAGENDAZS.COM.SG.

 

 

Unboxing the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.6, and the best apps to get for its HarmonyOS system

Above: unboxing The HUAWEI MATEPAD PRO 12.6.

HUAWEI has been teasing new tablets with bigger and better screens since the middle of this year, and earlier this month, they launched the high-end MatePad Pro 12.6. Here’s a quick run down of the specs: a 12.6-inch OLED display (2,560 x 1,600 pixels), Kirin 9000E chipset, 256GB internal storage with NM memory card expansion up to 256GB, a rear triple-camera system (13 f/1.8 main camera + 8MP f/2.4 wide-angle camera + 3D depth-sensing), an 8MP f/2.0 front-facing camera, a 10,050mAh battery, 8-speaker sound system tuned by Harman Kardon, and a USB-C port.

Above: The HUAWEI MATEPAD PRO 12.6 ($1,398) + SMART MAGNETIC KEYBOARD.

Above: Inside the box — charger, USB-C to USb-C cable, audio adapter and pin ejector tool.

First Impressions

The form factor is sleek and fairly compact for a tablet of this screen size; I really like that it is slim, even with the Smart Magnetic Keyboard attached to it. When folded closed, the device is easy to carry around and feels sufficiently protected by the keyboard cover.

Above: The HUAWEI SMART MAGNETIC KEYBOARD.

Above: it’s a full-sized keyboard with tactile keys that can support the matepad pro at two angles.

As it stands, this tablet has everything going for it — especially its price at $1,398, which is hundreds lower than other brands with similar screen sizes. But I’m not here to compare; I’ve always believed that between Apple, Samsung and Huawei, each brand has its loyal fan following, and consumers tend to stay within a brand’s ecosystem to get the most out of their devices. (Disclaimer: As a journalist, I work across all these brands and more, including Xiaomi.)

Above: The sleek form factor of the HUAWEI MatePad Pro.

The Essential Apps for HarmonyOS

So while I say that the MatePad Pro is an excellent device, the average consumer does have to consider that it’s powered by HUAWEI’s HarmonyOS  operating system. And this system certainly doesn’t have the biggest app store, but the HUAWEI AppGallery has been growing, and what a lot of users don’t know before getting a HUAWEI mobile device, is that HarmonyOS has an incredible function called “Petal Search”. This is a search tool integrated within the HUAWEI AppGallery that finds app available on the Google Play Store that you can download and install on your HUAWEI device.

Here’s an example of searching for Instagram on Petal Search (note: the Instagram app is not officially available on the HUAWEI AppGallery yet):

Above: Petal Search results for “Instagram”.

WIth Petal Search, I managed to find all the essential apps that fit into most of our lifestyle needs. So if you’ve just gotten your hands on a HUAWEI tablet, or are thinking of investing in one, you don’t have to worry about not having the apps that you need. Here are the ones that I recommend you install to really get the most out of the device.

ESSENTIAL APPS AVAILABLE FOR THE HUAWEI MATEPAD PRO 12.6

For important apps from the government, there’s the all-essential Singpass app, Parents Gateway for every parent with a kid in school, and of course TraceTogether. You probably won’t use this tablet to “check-in” at venues, but it’s still good to have it installed.

I tested out these social media apps and they all work without issue. I love that I managed to find WordPress so I can blog on the MatePad Pro — which is where the Smart Magnetic Keyboard becomes extremely useful.

Apart from the usual entertainment platforms like Netflix and Disney+, I managed to find my favourite Sumikko Gurashi games on Petal Search.

HUAWEI M-PENCIL — THE PERFECT ACCESSORY TO THE MATEPAD PRO 12.6

Above: The HUAWEI M-PENCIL is a silver “pen” with a groove on the underside. This groove provides better grip on the pen, and it’s also the side that snaps onto the tablet for pairing and charging.

Also, whether you’re a creative such as a photographer or illustrator, or a student or business person that takes notes, the HUAWEI M-Pencil is a great accessory for the MatePad Pro (or any HUAWEI tablet for that matter). It pairs and charges magnetically by snapping on to the top of the tablet, and it has pressure-sensitive tips that feel natural to use and that give realistic results on screen. What’s really sweet is that 30 seconds of charging allows you to use it for 10 minutes longer; and a full charge which takes just an hour, gives up to 10 hours of use.

Above: There are two additional pencil tips in the box. These are non-slippery tips that sense both tilt and pressure.

These are some of the photography apps that I like to install on every mobile device that I review and use, and have installed on the MatePad Pro 12.6:

Here’s the pen in action in Abobe Lightroom. The pressure-sensitive pen tip works well in “brushing off” errors using the Healing tool, and in brightening or darkening areas precisely.

Above: The HUAWEI M-PENCIL used for editing a photo in adobe lightroom.

The above apps are my personal list of essential apps that I’ve found and installed on the MatePad Pro 12.6, but it’s not an exhaustive list; if you’re considering getting this device and need a certain app, you can always check petalsearch.com to see if it’s available.

Now’s also a good time to purchase a HUAWEI tablet as the brand is running a promotional campaign that includes attractive gift bundles from 26 October 2021 till the end of November 2021. Here are the details:

The HUAWEI MATEPAD PRO 12.6 is priced at $1,398, with a special launch promotion bundle worth $396 (includes the SMART MAGNETIC KEYBOARD and M-PENCIL).
Check out the full matepad range here:
MATEPAD PRO 12.6
MatePad Pro 10.8
MATEPAD 10.4
MATEPAD 11
Available at all Huawei Authorised Stores, selected consumer electronic stores including Best Denki, Challenger & HACHI.TECH, COURTS, Gain City, Harvey Norman, Sprint-Cass, and Huawei official online stores in Lazada and Shopee.

 

Review: JAG at Duxton Road, by French Michelin Star Chef, Jérémy Gillon, and FLOW Bar, by award-winning mixologist Ricky Paiva

There are a few clichés about French food that I’ve heard one too many times: French people eat frogs, they love cheese, and they are very proud of their wine. When it comes to Restaurant JAG, these clichés hit the nail on the head; and thank God because I love these things about French cuisine (who doesn’t love a good wine?).

JAG is a 1-Michelin star contemporary French fine dining restaurant founded by Chef, Jérémy Gillon and Restaurateur Anant Tyagi. It’s located along that stretch of Duxton Road that you have to go round and round just to squeeze your way into a tight parallel parking (save yourself the trouble and park at Craig Place — level 2 comes out straight to Hill). It’s a cosy space with just six tables that accommodates up to 16 people at a go.

Above: Chef, Jérémy Gillon of Restaurant JAG

Their new autumn menu recently launched and it centres on freshly harvested ingredients from boutique farms in France and Japan, and sustainable farms in Malaysia. Expect a full degustation menu that lets you try a bit of everything; and even though the portions are small, you’ll be immensely full at the end of the meal. Here’s the full experience:

We started the night off at FLOW bar, which sits just above JAG, and is helmed by Ricky Paiva, a Californian native who found his way to Singapore and quickly became a celebrated mixologist in the local bar scene (he was the head bartender at Regent hotel, which has the award-winning Manhattan Bar). 

Above: Ricky Paiva of FLOW Bar

FLOW encapsulates the idea of flowing from the restaurant to the bar or vice versa. You can customise your drinks according to the flavours and spirits you prefer; it’s all about just going with the flow. 

Ricky tells us that the cocktail that sells the most is the Espresso Martini. The top is torched for that fresh coffee aroma and flavour, and boy, is it delicious. The top is creamy and sweet, and a surprising beginning to the drink — I wasn’t expecting that. I would highly recommend this drink for coffee lovers.

Above: Flow bar’s espresso martini and strawberry cocktail ($24 each)

The “Strawberry” cocktail is a mix of strawberry gin, lemon verbena and seltzer. This is a refreshing and tart drink that opens the palate, though I would have cut back on the seltzer (I prefer my drinks less fizzy), and infuse more strawberries for a fruitier flavour.

When asked what his favourite drink is, Ricky says that it’s the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale ($15). If you order it with a shot (the way Ricky likes), just add $10. As for food, Ricky loves his cheese; from the menu at FLOW, he recommends the mixed platter ($65) and the Croque Monsieur ($42).

We moved on to JAG (bringing our cocktails along with us), and the meal is described to us as a French Omakase experience with a focus on vegetables and herbs freshly imported from Savoie, France. Customers start by informing the chef of any dietary restrictions and he will cater the menu accordingly. 

Above: presentation of roots used in the degustation menu

A crate of roots and vegetables is presented to us, and in this crate, the chef will include 95% of the vegetables in the dishes for our meal, while the remaining 5% will feature as adornments.

Above: Canapé #1 — the jelly, crunchy base and the root vegetable are a good juxtaposition of textures. It’s tasty and I like it. The green juice tasted very “green” and raw. Reminds us of our juice cleanse days. 

Above: Canapé #2 and #3 are All about parsley. The biscuit (on the right) Is surprisingly filling and sweet, while I wasn’t a fan of the potato (on the left) and its gummy texture — but fortunately it was small.

Above: the sourdough bread is lovely. It tastes like its wood fired but I asked and it’s made in a standard oven. It has a gorgeous crust, and a soft, doughy inside.

Above: The Crème Fraîche consommé is a mini soup in a cup that breaks up the meal before the  heavier dishes arrive. I was confused at first whether to stir the dish and so I asked (yes stir it up). My companion says that it’s a comforting taste, and it’s a good idea to add a dollop of sour cream into soups at home. If like me you’re not a fan of sour cream, you can ask for the consommé on its own. It reminds me of Brand’s Essence of Chicken, but lighter and fresher without the soya sauce taste.

Above: The first appetiser reminds me of sweet Japanese prawns, but paired with slivers of different types of vegetable roots.

Above: The second appetiser includes the restaurant’s highly sought-after and luxurious caviar; it smells heavenly and has bold flavours with an explosion of textures in the mouth. every bite offers a different taste, and while The size of the dish may appear small, it’s really a nice serving; any more and it would be too filling. 

Above: The last cold appetiser comprises multiple interpretations of pumpkin. I suggest eating a little bit of everything on the plate together. It’s all an unusual pairing but it actually works well; the foie gras in the biscuit, pumpkin ice cream, and pumpkin seeds complement each other and blend into one delicious mouthful. This chef deserves his award with this innovative dish.

Above: The hot appetisers begin with a vegetable tea. This has two types of turnips made into a consommé and finished with drops of oil. Prepare yourself for a salty kick with this shot; it wasn’t expected. So expect a concentrate.

Above: This next hot appetiser is bathed in langoustine, which essentially results in this whole dish tasting like lobster bisque (not a bad thing). I wasn’t a fan of the “jelly” thing that turned out to be braised yacon (a tuberous root) with pesto.

Above: here’s the perennial mushroom dish that all fine dining restaurants must have. there are slivers of shaved truffle atop pieces of tempura frog. While i’m not particularly a truffle fan, My companion enjoyed it and says that the frog meat is tender and tasty, and complements the mushroom consommé well. 

Above: Next we have French hamachi with cabbage. The fish has an interesting meaty texture and is tasty on its own without the sauce;  though the sauce does complete the dish adding a lovely hint of seafood bisque to the overall flavour.

Above: For mains, we were served Venison from Australia. The venison juice smells divine, and while the meat is gamey, it’s not overly so. 

Above: Desert came in the form of an apple “foam” and sorbet that’s refreshing and surprisingly addictive. The more you eat, the tastier it gets. plus it’s not filling.

Above: There’s also a stone fruit sorbet and tart that isn’t overly sweet or sour, and is a delightful end to the meal.

Above: after the meal, There’s a full spread of seasonal cheeses to choose from; if you’re not sure what to try, just ask for recommendations.

Above: If it’s still before 10pm, you can also select from the wide range of French spirits that JAG offers.

The whole meal was really filling, and a new experience for me with many of the dishes. There were hits and misses, but I thoroughly enjoyed — and recommend — the wine pairing; the French wines are truly excellent.  

Final thoughts: JAG is a restaurant that’s for lovers of food who are keen to experience new flavours and textures in their dishes; it’s also perfect for impressing a date or for celebrating anniversaries and birthdays. It’s also one of those restaurants that don’t allow children below 10 to dine in, so if you’re looking for some peace and quiet, this is the place to be. 

An Introductory Omakase Experience:
Promenade du Végétal 6 Expressions $175++ per guest 
Wine Pairing – $148++ per guest
JAG La Balade du Végétal “Journey” Degustation Dinner Experience:
$298++ per guest
JAG is located at Level 1, 76 Duxton Road, Singapore 089535. Call 31388477 for reservations, takeaways and delivery. For more information, visit them online at WWW.RESTAURANTJAG.COM.

 

 

The Latest Superga x Tiong Bahru Bakery Collab Features Croissant-Inspired High-Top Sneakers

You know cafe culture is strong in Singapore when even an Italian sneaker brand is jumping in on the action — Superga just announced that they’re teaming up with homegrown bakery, Tiong Bahru Bakery, for a capsule collection of three limited edition sneakers. This marks Superga’s first collaboration with an F&B institution.

As expected, motifs of Tiong Bahru Bakery’s beloved handmade croissants make their way across the shoes, all high-top designs. The first sees these croissants scattered across a cream canvas upper, and paired with tonal laces and eyelets for a minimalist vibe; a second pair features embroidered patches near the back of the shoe, while Tiong Bahru Bakery’s signature green is seen on the rubber soles, as well as on an aztec print located at the textured back bumper.

For the third and final design, we get the most subtle shoe in the collection, of a glossy aztec print on pure white canvas — this is, however, complemented by an engraved metal bread tag attached to the laces, for a neat reference to old-school bakeries.

Superga 2795 Croissant Print | $119.90

Superga 2796 Embroidery Patches | $119.90

Superga 2795 Tonal Print | $119.90

To mark the collection launch, an immersive Superga X Tiong Bahru Bakery cafe experience will be unveiled at Superga Takashimaya S.C., where the first 60 customers may receive a complimentary croissant and juice on 13 November.

 


$119.90 each, available from 13 November 2021 at all Superga stores and online at SUPERGA.COM.SG.

 

 

The Baccarat x Pokémon Collection Presents Pikachu In Dazzling Crystal Form

As the leading crystal glass manufacturer, Baccarat creates some of the most prized fine crystals in the world, especially since the storied French company is known for exquisite glasswork that dates all the way back to the 1700s. That legacy continues even today though, as the luxury brand presents their latest collection — one with pop culture icon Pikachu, now with a dazzling gleam.

This collaboration with Pokémon features three multi-faceted creations that honour everyone’s favourite electric mouse — a very limited edition $35,280 Pikachu Fragment, of which there are only 25 pieces in the world; as well as relatively more affordable pieces of a Pikachu figurine and Poké Ball for fans and collectors around the world. Here’s a look at all of them:

PIKACHU FRAGMENT

Height 30cm / Weight 8.3 kg. SGD 35,280.

With Pikachu at the heart of the collection, Baccarat reached out to Japanese artist Hiroshi Fujiwara for his vision of the pocket monster, which is now faithfully recreated in crystal form, complete with sculpted facets that glimmer brilliantly in the light. The Pikachu Fragment represents the unique know-how of Baccarat artisans, with its multi-dimensional cuts and an engraving of the “electric” logo of Pikachu’s iconic tail. There is a rather hefty price tag attached to this though — the piece retails at $35,280, while there are only 25 pieces available worldwide. Only 1 piece is available here in Singapore!

PIKACHU MEDIUM & POKE BALL

LEFT: Height  14.5 cm / Weight: 1 kg, SGD 610. RIGHT: Diameter  7cm / Weight 0.5kg, SGD 560.

For more casual fans, if you’re like to splurge on a crystal piece that is, there’s a medium-sized Pikachu and Poké Ball that’s still quite the catch. The collector’s item features the endearing Pikachu with its arms wide open and its tail peeking out from behind, while the Poké Ball is dressed in a little bit of gold mesh, ideal as a paperweight or luxe display piece. The Pikachu crystal retails at $610 and the Poké Ball, at $560.

 


pikachu fragment, $35,280 — only 1 pc in singapore. pikachu medium, $610. Poké Ball, $560. Available at the Baccarat Singapore Takashimaya Store.

 

 

A Roundup Of This Year’s Most Impressive Beauty Advent Calendars

What’s the point of a festive countdown if we don’t have an advent calendar by our side? These over-the-top blockbuster boxes, stuffed to the brim with little surprises and beauty treats we get to uncover every day, really put us in the holiday mood; they make great gifts for your loved ones as well. Here are the most stunning limited edition ones, all decked out for the season — don’t worry, they fit all kinds of budgets too.

1. CHANEL N°5 THE CALENDAR

Try and resist opening up all the boxes at once. CHANEL’s holiday calendar is a stunning piece you’ll want to show off, with 27 boxes within a case shaped like a giant bottle of the N°5 fragrance, which celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year. For a neat reference, the boxes are numbered from 5 to 31 too — 5 for the fragrance, and 31 for the legendary residence of Coco Chanel, at 31 Rue Cambon. Inside, you’ll find some of CHANEL’s most iconic products, makeup or otherwise — this year’s limited edition Rouge Allure lipstick and red Le Vernis, for instance, a bottle of N°5 Eau de Parfum, as well as accessories such as a bracelet bearing the number 5 and a mesmerising snow globe ornament.

$1,150, AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT CHANEL FRAGRANCE AND BEAUTY BOUTIQUES.

2. DIOR BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR

An enchanting design of flora and fauna in midnight blue and gold adorns the 2021 Dior Advent Calendar, which also features a wintry facade of the house’s iconic Paris boutique, on 30 Avenue Montaigne. Done in collaboration with London-based artist illustrator Alice Shirley, Dior carries on their Atelier of Dreams theme this holiday season with 24 windows, each bearing deluxe miniatures from across the house’s beauty lines. Whether it’s mini bottles of the J’adore and Miss Dior scents, luxurious skincare favourites from the Dior Prestige or Capture Totale lines, or the iconic Rouge Dior lipstick in 999, it’s quite literally everything we’ve ever wanted from the brand, all wrapped in a beautiful package.

$720, available exclusively at Dior Beauty boutiques.

3. NET-A-PORTER 25 DAYS OF BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR

If we’re talking value-for-money, then NET-A-PORTER’s advent calendar is hard to beat. The 2021 25 Days of Beauty Advent calendar contains 17 full-size and 8 travel-size products from esteemed brands such as Dr. Barbara Sturm, 111Skin, Augustinus Bader, Tata Harper,  and Oribe, which have been expertly curated by their team of beauty buyers. It’s priced at about SGD440 (USD325), though all the items within are valued at over $1,700 in total. Expect everything from party-ready makeup, cult-favourite skincare items including a vitamin-rich deep cleansing mask from Omorovicza and the Rose Gold Radiance Booster from 111SKIN, as well as products for your hair and the ultimate home pampering session.

USD325 (SGD440), AVAILABLE AT NET-A-PORTER.COM.

4. DIPTYQUE ADVENT CALENDAR, $678

For an almost architectural take on a holiday “cabinet of curiosities”, fragrance and candle brand diptyque delights with a graphic design that takes inspiration from the lines of the historic Basile pattern, now evoking the veins that adorn the walls of their first boutique at 34 boulevard Saint-Germain. The clean design of diptyque’s Advent Calendar houses 24 full-sized and miniature treats, including limited edition surprises you won’t be able to find elsewhere. Highlights include a festive Sapin/Pine Tree candle in an exclusive 70g format, scented candles of fan-favourite Baies, Roses, Ambre, a selection of fragrances and skincare, as well as gilded metal holiday decorations — and that’s on top of a box you’ll want to keep long after Christmas.

$678, available at diptyque’s Ngee Ann City boutique.

5. KIEHL’S LIMITED EDITION ADVENT CALENDAR

Kiehl’s gives us a fun and dreamy take on Christmas, with a Limited Edition Advent Calendar that features holiday-inspired designs by artist Marylou Faure; her art transforms NYC into a magical dreamland filled with diverse, unique characters, which you’ll want to look out for every time you open one of these 24 doors to surprises hidden behind them. If you’re a Kiehl’s fan, as many of you probably are, then there’s really no hesitation here — their famous cleansers, face masks, facial serums, moisturisers and more are part of the list, including the Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner, and Ultra Facial Cream.

$188, available at kiehl’s stores and online.

6. THE BODY SHOP SHARE LOVE & JOY ULTIMATE ADVENT CALENDAR

The Body Shop goes big on advent calendars this year, with three beautiful designs you’re encouraged to reuse, while inspired by selfless love and acts of kindness shown by people all over the world. The pop-up beauty calendar features a unique drawer construction so you can store your little bits and bobs long after the season. Here, you’ll find 25 head-to-toe treats that pamper you with the brand’s bath and body goodies, as well as face masks or other skincare treats that you’ll want to bless a friend with. There are plenty of fruity treats too, including a Mango Body Yoghurt, Avocado Body Butter, and Pink Grapefruit Lip Butter. Locally, The Body Shop Singapore will also donate S$0.10 from every transaction made in stores and online from 1 November to 31 December, to support Daughters Of Tomorrow (DOT) in helping underprivileged women and their families.

$249, available at The Body Shop stores and online.

7. CLARINS 24-DAY CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR

There’s something stylish about Clarins’ advent calendars this season, particularly the 24-Day Advent Calendar that features 24 of their bestselling products in a traditional red felt set that you can use as part of your Christmas decor. Meant to make the countdown to Christmas much more exciting, there are, obviously, lots of full-sized and travel-sized beauty treats to look forward to, including a full-sized Lip Comfort Oil and Beauty Flash Balm, or mini versions of the Hydra-Essentiel Day Cream, Moisture Rich Body Lotion, and Extra-Firming Mask we get to pack along for staycations or any upcoming overseas trips.

$169, available at Clarins stores and counters, and online.

8. DR. BARBARA STURM ADVENT CALENDAR

Sleek and pristine-looking, Dr. Barbara Sturm‘s advent calendar is inspired by the ones her mother used to make each year during the holiday season, complete with a ribbon tied around a luxurious white box. Within, there are 24 doors, each holding a skincare surprise for the days leading up to Christmas, of Dr. Sturm’s most loved products, as well as her latest innovations, in both deluxe and miniature sizes. Top items include the Super Anti-Aging Serum and Face Cream, as well as a chamomile and kaolin clay-infused Face Mask, The Good Vitamin C Serum, and skincare from her Clarifying series.

$790, available the Dr. Barbara Sturm store at Ngee Ann City, and online.

9. JO MALONE LONDON ADVENT CALENDAR

A starry countdown awaits with Jo Malone London’s limited edition Advent Calendar, that no doubt holds the fragrance house’s most exclusive products and festive fragrances, including this season’s inviting Mandarin & Honey. In a two-tiered box we can see ourselves holding on to already, little is known about the mysterious treats that await within 24 of these little boxes, except that it looks like we’ll be getting a full-sized 30ml Cologne among other miniature products.

$710, available at Jo Malone London boutiques and counters.

10. L’OCCITANE ADVENT CALENDAR 2021

We look forward to L’OCCITANE’s  range of holiday treats every time the festive season rolls around — and it seems like everyone does the same too. This year’s coveted Advent Calendar was sold out in just 10 hours when it debuted online, so you might want to try your luck at one of their beauty boutiques. The calendar is filled with plenty of beauty products inspired by the abundance of nature’s beauty, and even includes a generous 75ml jumbo-sized version of their bestselling Shea Butter Hand Cream. The whimsical designs of French illustrator and graphic designer Tristan Bonnemain also adorn the set, and plenty of their holiday gift boxes as well.

$89 with $40 nett spend (purchase-with-purchase), may be available at l’occitane boutiques.

11. SEPHORA COLLECTION HOLIDAY VIBES ADVENT CALENDAR


You don’t have to splurge for a good advent calendar — Sephora Collection‘s best holiday treats come in the form of one of the most budget-friendly advent calendars we came across, and is no less exciting when we survey what it has to offer. Get ’em holiday vibes with a series of 24 makeup, skincare, bath products, and accessories that will pamper you throughout the holiday season, including many fruit-infused skincare items of Coconut Cleansing Wipes, Watermelon Mask Easy Stick, Cucumber Eye Masks, along with Fizzling Star bath bombs, nail polish, an eye pencil and their lauded Cream Lip Stain.

$89, available at Sephora stores and online.

12. HUDA BEAUTY HOUSE OF HUDA ADVENT CALENDAR

Your 12 days of Huda Beauty starts with this impressive number, which does seem less “blockbuster” than the other ones out there, until we consider its contents. Filled with go-to skincare, makeup and fragrances, Huda’s curated series of products help you look and feel your best during the festive season. Cult-favourite formulas include the Yo Glow Gingerbread Latte Enzyme Scrub; an Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette of sultry neutrals in either Light Nude, Rich Nude or Sand Haze; a pair of Samantha Lashes and accompanying eyeliner and mascara; as well as the Thirst Trap Juice HA3& Peptide Serum, so your skin stays bouncy and glow throughout, all housed in a gem-like box.

price tbc, available soon at Sephora stores and online.

 

The MCM Faux Fur Collection Gives Us Cute Bear And Rabbit Pouches And A Customisable Crossbody Bag

Fun and sustainable, MCM‘s latest Faux Fur collection takes the cute meter up several notches as they present cuddly rabbits and bears in the form of zip pouches, crossbody bags, and comfortable slides. With a warm colour palette throughout, standouts include the Bear Charm and Rabbit Charm, of course, made from polyester, a cruelty-free alternative to traditional fur.

These still feel unbelievably soft when you sink your fingers into them, as the plushie-like designs get turned into functional Visetos zip pouches, complete with a leather belt loop and removable leather strap. Subtle details include MCM’s iconic monogram and Visetos coated canvas peeking out from the bunny’s ears or the bear snout, while you’re free to sling the charm across your wrist, or dangle it from your neck in true hands-free fashion.

Just as well, a Multifunction Crossbody also offers a similar combination of faux fur, this time more of an embellishment, on a roomy design that holds more space for your essentials.

Made from Visetos monogram coated canvas and nappa leather, the three-piece design sees two mini zip pouch stacked on top of each other, and a tambourine coin pouch further up the strap as well. which allows for maximum customisation. Pair that with the Faux Fur Logo Slides, and you’re ready to rock up to town, or anywhere you fancy, in stylish comfort.

See the full collection here —

[click on the images below to expand, and for more info.]

 


mcm faux fur collection, available at mcm stores and online.