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Enter the unfiltered and candid world of K-pop Idols in Apple TV+’s new documentary

Aug 26, 2024Aug 26, 2024

If you’re a Korean pop music fan, you are probably no stranger to the world of K-pop idols and the intense journey they embark on as they try to make a name for themselves in a competitive Korean music industry.

Set to premiere on 30 August, K-pop Idols is a six-part documentary series that takes you backstage to give you an intimate look into the reality of K-pop stardom with K-pop.

The documentary features hip hop star Jessi as she embarks on her first solo tour without a music label; K-pop boy group CRAVITY as they navigate the pressures of living up to their label’s expectations; and K-pop global girl group BLACKSWAN, as they grapple with internal tensions and changes within the group.

The series not only shows you the personal and professional challenges the artistes have to face but also gives you a glimpse into the highs and lows of the K-pop world, from international performances and family connections to unexpected news and pivotal career decisions.

I was given an opportunity to watch the series ahead of its premiere and was surprised to find how eager I was to binge-watch all six episodes, especially when I am not a fan of music documentaries.

As the series was about K-pop idols, I had expected rehearsed interviews that were orchestrated in some way to sugarcoat the life of these individuals but what I saw was an unfiltered, raw and honest look at what comes with the price of fame in this industry.

Fatou, from BLACKSWAN, in particular, was someone who surprised me during her sit-down interviews because she wasn’t afraid to call out situations that did not sit right with her, and wasn’t afraid to be candid and honest about how she felt, even when it was about another member of her group.

Throughout the series, I found myself somewhat guilty of having put K-pop idols on a pedestal, often forgetting that underneath all the glitz, glamour and perfection is a human being who experiences the same struggles, anxiety and emotional turmoil as I do.

This series not only drove the point home but also reminded me that K-pop idols are more than just their tight choreography, gorgeous looks and catchy tunes — they are really just like you and me, working hard to achieve the goal they’ve set for themselves.

In addition to being one of the first to watch the series, I also spoke to CRAVITY and BLACKSWAN to find out more about their experiences and what they hope for the documentary to achieve.

Hi guys, thank you for taking the time to speak with me! Seeing that all of you are from different backgrounds, especially BLACKSWAN who comes from different cultures — what, in your opinion, makes a K-pop idol?

CRAVITY: A K-pop idol is music you can see with your eyes.

BLACKSWAN: A K-pop idol is someone who trains under a Korean system, is signed to a Korean company and debuts through a Korean company who speaks Korean and knows Korean culture, and who respects the Korean culture.

CRAVITY, each of you has had different experiences on your idol journey — was there any part of your journey that you wished to change if you could?

C: No, there’s nothing that we would change. We believe that everything happens for a reason so if something is changed, it will never be like this.

Now, each of you has had some really difficult moments on your journey as a group, where were some other stages or venues that were tough to perform at and why?

B: One of the toughest stages was when we had to perform in Belgium for the first time with the new members, who were not ready to perform on stage as they were still trainees.

C: We think music shows are very tiring because they are almost six times in a week and some other idols do seven days a week. It’s always the call time that is really fast, early, and it really ends late too. In addition to that, we also do some fan signing events in between so music shows are kind of tough.

The K-pop scene has definitely evolved over the years so what would you say are some of the newer challenges that this generation of idols have to face compared with those from 10 or 20 years ago?

B: Since it’s so global, everyone is expecting K-pop idols to be educated on every single thing, what they shouldn’t be doing or saying in different cultures.

C: We think that nowadays, every K-pop idol is doing the same thing with social media and utilising it to bring themselves closer to the fans and because of that, there is more competition and it’s way more intense these days for this generation of K-pop.

BLACKSWAN, I couldn’t help but notice that there were quite a few things about the idol life that turned out to be true like the dieting, packed training schedules, the no dating rule — do you know of other rumoured idol rules or regulations that you might have heard which you can debunk?

B: There was a rumour that we heard way before becoming an idol and that was the guys and girls idols can’t look or talk to each other. That’s not true! We’re friends — we can talk like every other human being.

Having done this for a while now, what has been your fondest memory of being a K-pop idol?

C: Because we made our debut during Covid, there were no events during the pandemic. So, when we were able to get our first win on a music show and our fans were in front of us, we were able to express how we felt and it was a very happy feeling that we really appreciate.

B: We will say meeting and getting to talk to our fans. It’s very touching and it’s very mind-blowing because they take time out of their days where they could have done something different, like spend time with their families, but they chose to take that time to watch our interviews and channel, and interact with us by leaving lovely messages on Instagram. It is also especially heartwarming when you realise that there are people inspired by you.

Finally, with the premiere of the series getting close, what do you hope for your fans and the audiences to takeaway when they watch the show?

B: They always portray idols as being perfect but that is not true. We are human beings, we have emotions, we have our ups and downs so take us as we are.

C: We hope that the series will show that idols are also people too and we share the same emotions. Generally, we also hope people can discover how charming, handsome and talented CRAVITY, and that we can reach more people throughout the world to share our music, our performance, and just bring them lots of positive vibes and positive energy.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

K-pop Idols premieres on 30 August on Apple TV+. For more information, click HERE.

Beyond The Vines Launches its all-new Denim Dumpling Bags

Aug 26, 2024

Known for its best-selling dumpling bags, Beyond The Vines has once again up the ante with a brand new dumpling bag concept — the Denim Dumpling Bag.

Available in XS (S$129) and XL (S$159), the special edition of the beloved dumpling bag offers a fresh take on the classic design featuring a stone wash finish, ensuring that each piece comes out unique and one of a kind.

Designed with back panels, an inner pocket and triple top stitch details, the denim dumpling bag comes with an adjustable strap with a metal cap detail at the end as well as a metal brand logo on the front pocket. Each piece also comes with its own matching black dust bag.

The denim dumpling bag comes in six colours namely the Pink Wash, Turquoise Wash, Purple Wash, Lime Wash, Silver Foil, and Red Foil.

Here’s a closer look at the selection.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

The denim dumpling bags are now available at all Beyond The Vines outlets as well as online here.

Dyson introduces the Chitosan formulations range and the new Dyson Airwrap i.d.

Aug 23, 2024Aug 28, 2024

In an effort to elevate how you care for your hair, Dyson is taking the next step into the world of beauty with its first-ever wet line styling products with the Dyson Chitosan formulations range.

Building on the research and innovation Dyson has put into hair science for its hair care devices, the new styling range follows the same engineering mindset, focused on delivering high performance products and experiences.

Powered by chitosan, a complex macromolecule extracted from oyster mushrooms and engineered with Dyson Triodetic technology, the products are designed to deliver flexible all-day hold that locks in styles and allows hair to move and flex, even in high humidity.

The Dyson engineering smarts don’t just deal with the styling range’s formula but also applied to how the bottle delivers the product after a pump.

After rigorous testing, the styling products dispenses an exact 0.22ml worth of product each time to help prevent product wastage or overuse. The full-size formulation packaging is also refillable and the refill cartridges can be recycled at home.

PRE-STYLE CREAM

Engineered for all hair types, the pre-style cream (S$79) consists of four variants that have been each precisely blended with ingredients that are tailored to different natural hair shapes and conditioning preferences to produce the best possible results.

This includes conditioning agents to reduce frizz and protect natural shine, as well as high-performing silicones and oils that were blended together to add smoothness and maintain shine.

It also transforms from a crew to a sheer serum, when you work the formula in your hand, to create a touchable, long-lasting hold with a natural feel.

POST-STYLE SERUM

Ideal for holding and defining your end style, the post-style serum (S$79) is engineered for all hair types to help create soft, flexible all-day hold with movement and shine.

Using the serum, your hair will feel instantly hydrated with a shiny finish and that styles are locked in after heat or air drying.

The formula, which contains Hyaluronic acid, acts as a weightless protective shield in up to 80% relative humidity and helps to reduce frizz by up to 50%. It also contains a blend of amino acids which are known to repair signs of surface damage.

DYSON AIRWRAP I.D.

In addition to the Dyson Chitosan range, the brand introduces the all-new Dyson Airwrap i.d. (S$859) which is a multi-styler and dryer that is programmed to perfect curls every time with the simple push of a button.

Enabled by an i.d. Curl personalised curling sequence, an app that guides you through each step to perfect your curls, the Dyson Airwrap i.d. adds three new attachments to the range to create new hair styles.

These are the Conical Barrel that gets closer to hair roots to create more defined curls; the Wave + Curl Diffuser for volume and texture or to define and enhance your hair shape; and Blade Concentrator to create bends and flicks when used with a brush.

The Dyson Chitosan range and Dyson Airwrap i.d. will be available in Singapore by September 2024. For more information, click HERE.

The Omakase @ Stevens Summer Menu by Chef Kazuki is a beautiful presentation of food

Aug 21, 2024Aug 21, 2024

Omakase @ Stevens is a Japanese restaurant tucked away at a corner of Novotel Singapore along Stevens Road. It’s one of those places you have to hear or read about to discover it. I can’t imagine they get much foot traffic, but even on a quiet Wednesday night, the seats were filled with both regulars and new faces.

Above: Chef Kazuki from Omakase @ Stevens.

Chef Kazuki runs the show and for the last month, has introduced a Summer Menu that takes inspiration from his hometown in Osaka. We tried the 6-course Omakase ($280++) that was the right amount for smaller eaters like me, but apart from the flavourful dishes, it’s Chef’s presentation of them that really stands out.

Shima-Aji Namerou – Ehime
Striped Jack l Bean Paste l Japanese Ginger I Oscietra Caviar l Winter Melon l Salted Egg Yolk l Monaka Pastry

There are a lot of things going on here, but needless to say, they all come together beautifully. The presentation is lovely and this is an impressive starter. The Striped Jack is paired with subtle hints of all the ingredients while not being overpowering.

Hassun – Kagoshima l Saga l Saitama
Tuna l Shoyu Jelly l Perilla Leaf l Seaweed Chips

There’s a strong shiso flavour to this dish; it’s a bit salty, but overall a nice soft, chewy, yet crunchy bite.

Hassun – Kagoshima l Saga l Saitama
Wagyu Rillettes l Burdock l Egg Yolk Puree l Whipping Cream

Mix this one well. It’s like a Kinder surprise inside with chunks of beef and you won’t be disappointed. Yummy and just the right amount.

Hassun – Kagoshima l Saga l Saitama
Corn Puree l Curry Mayonnaise l Spring Roll Tart l Corn Flower

The notes of Japanese curry hits immediately when you bring this close, and it’s surprisingly light. It sits on a crispy tart that was delightful too — very much like a Kueh Pie Ti shell.

Kinmedai – Chiba
Golden Eye Snapper l Bouillabaisse l Rouille l Basil Oil

This is a very crispy dish. The fish is perfectly cooked and goes well with the three sauces. It’s hard not to love this.

Wagyu Katsu – Miyazaki
Wagyu Cutlet l Truffle l Garlic Paste l Perigueux Sauce l Potato Confit l Stuffed Cabbage

This A5 sirloin is breaded and deep-fried to a tasty bite. It’s crunchy on the outside, and meaty on the inside. While it’s A5 quality, this isn’t a melt-in-the-mouth steak, so don’t expect that. The pairing of sauces are straightforward and not too heavy.

Seasonal Donabe – Niigata

This unagi bowl is small but potent. The unagi has a lovely crisp to its skin, while the rice and kabayaki sauce (made from shoyu, sake and mirin) was flavourful. A nice final dish of the meal, especially if you’re still hungry. You can ask for more.

Mango – Miyazaki
Mango l Sudachi l Caviar Lime l Coconut Mousse

Like all the other dishes from Chef, this dessert is presented beautifully. There’s lots of mango here, with a light coconut mousse on top that doesn’t overpower the dish. Refreshing and not too sweet.

Omakase @ Stevens Summer Menu by Chef Kazuki runs till mid-late September, priced at $280++ for a 6-course meal. Located at Novotel Singapore on Stevens, 30 Stevens Rd, #01-03, Singapore 257840.

For reservations, visit them online at WWW.OMAKASE.COM.SG.

Ray-Ban Change is Light-Responsive Eyewear powered by Transitions

Aug 21, 2024

Ray-Ban’s latest innovation is a frame that changes colour according to the light. It’s created together with Transitions, using Transitions technology to achieve this marvel.

Aptly named Ray-Ban Change, the silhouettes available include the Original Wayfarer and its contemporary cousin, the Wayfarer Oval, all coming in both sun and optical styles.

Each frame holds colours and patterns, which are created using Transitions photochromic dyes. These dyes activate quickly when exposed to UV light, and these pigments make each pair unique, with no two pairs being exactly the same. As the light gets stronger, so does the pigment. And with Transitions technology, the frame activates within seconds in sunlight, and fades back within minutes indoors.

Ray-Ban Change combines the traditional handcrafting of cellulose acetate with this new innovation, which is designed to sync with the light. The frames are fitted with Transitions GEN 8, which is Ray-Ban’s clearest and fastest lenses, great for everyday wear. They also block 100% UVA & UVB rays and filter blue-violet light both indoors and outdoors.

Ray-Ban Change will be available in Ray-Ban stores and all major optical partner stores on 1 September 2024. Discover more about the collection at rayban.com.

Miss Saigon review: Came for the helicopter, stayed for The Engineer

Aug 21, 2024

The first time I watched Miss Saigon was 23 years ago when it was staged at the Kallang Theatre in 2001. I was younger then and couldn’t actually remember much of the musical safe for the helicopter scene which blew my mind as an innocent kid.

Since its inception, Miss Saigon had gone on to win 70 major theatre awards including three Tony Awards, two Olivier awards and four Drama Desk Awards, and has been performed in 15 different languages in over 32 countries and 350 cities to over 38 million people.

Miss Saigon tells the story of Kim, a young Vietnamese woman who had been orphaned by the Vietnam war and forced to work in a bar run by a notorious man known as the Engineer.

There, she meets and falls in love with Chris, an American G.I., but they were soon torn apart by the fall of Saigon. For three years, Kim goes on a journey of survival as she tries to find her way back to Chris, alongside her young son whom Chris did not know he fathered.

Like most musicals I’ve watched, I always enjoyed being sucked into the world that the musical is set in but Miss Saigon was a tough one for me to get into.

The show opened with “The Heat is on in Saigon” and while I could appreciate the similarities of a somewhat noisy and vice-fuelled night club in war torn Vietnam of 1975, there were moments when the number sounded a little bit rushed and messy.

I found myself not only trying to guess what was being sung but also wincing at moments where it felt like the actors seemed like they were yelling their lines or going slightly out of tune.

This, of course, is in no way critical of the actors or their voices as it could be attributed to the sound system of the theatre.

However, because of this, I felt disengaged with the musical and started to pay less attention. This building disinterest went on for a good 20 minutes until “The Morning of the Dragon” or what I would like to call — the scary but uniformed part of the musical where a golden likeness of Hồ Chí Minh is staring at you.

This was an interesting scene which blended in-sync choreography with acrobatic moves and clear vocals that could easily be translated as pride reminiscent of North Vietnam and the Viet Congs when they successfully captured the South.

Excluding Hamilton, I don’t really enjoy musicals that have no dialogue because it meant I had to be able to catch what the characters were singing in order to understand how they were feeling or what was going on in that moment.

Needless to say, the whole of the first act had me struggling to understand what was sung because I couldn’t hear the actors clearly, especially when it came time for “You Will Not Touch Him”, a song between Kim and her former betrothed Thuy.

After intermission, I was worried about how I would get through the second half of the show especially when I could feel my attention waning. But, surprisingly, the second half came back so much stronger with bigger sets and bigger numbers that was further bolstered by Seann Miley Moore’s performance as the Engineer.

His one-liners, expressions, delivery of his parts in a song, and his solo performance in “American Dream” was what really stole the show for me, in addition, of course, to the appearance of that famous chopper which had everyone holding their breath.

Although Miss Saigon would not make the list of my favourite musicals, it was definitely one of the most riveting, touching on various aspects of war and the consequences it brings, the resilience of war survivors, and the simple love between a mother and her child.

I would not spoil the ending for you but let’s just say that the final scene in the musical truly amplifies how a mother’s love knows no bounds, not even in death.

Miss Saigon runs from now to 29 September. Tickets are priced from S$60. For more information, click HERE.

CHANEL adds 12 new matte and luminous lipstick shades to its 31 LE ROUGE collection

Aug 21, 2024Aug 23, 2024

Since unveiling a palette of 12 lipstick shades with a satin finish in 2023, CHANEL has now added 12 new matte and luminous shades to its 31 LE ROUGE collection.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

The new shades were directly inspired by a unique and exceptional colour heritage ranging from Mademoiselle Gabrielle Chanel’s apartment to her couture ateliers.

For this new additions, the signature 31 LE ROUGE bullet has been crafted with an elegant woven fabric motif on which the letters of CHANEL have been embossed.

Here’s a look at the 12 new shades.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

Complete with a hydrating and comfortable formula, each lipstick in the 31 LE ROUGE collection has been enriched with oil from the gardenia, a white flower cultivated by CHANEL, that helps to keep lips plumper, smoother and firmer.

The new 31 LE ROUGE matte lipstick is priced at S$230 each.

The 31 LE ROUGE matte lipsticks are available now on the CHANEL official fragrance & beauty ONLINE store, and at CHANEL Fragrance and Beauty boutiques.

It will be available at the Takashimaya counter from 6 September.

Guerlain collaborates with Italian fashion house Pucci for exclusive Fall makeup collection

Aug 21, 2024Aug 21, 2024

Designed in 1968, Italian fashion house Pucci has been known for its Marmo motif which draws its inspiration from the ripples of the sun on the Mediterranean Sea. Under the direction of Camille Miceli, Pucci’s Artistic Director who was appointed in 2021, the Marmo has since evolved, adopting magnetic shades with psychedelic accents.

Just for this limited-edition Guerlain x Pucci collection, the motifs have been used to cloak the packs of the shades that were created for this collaboration, turning each piece into collector’s items with their own colour palettes specially chosen by Guerlain’s Creative Makeup Director, Violette.

ROUGE G MARMO KISS

Relaunched this year, Guerlain’s star lipstick, the Rouge G, is crafted using a formula composed of 89% skincare base and is enriched with oleo-extract of lily — a complex created with lily flower paired with sweet almond oil that has smoothing and plumping properties to deliver ultra-sensory satin or velvet finishes.

This collection features two shades namely the 45 Marmo Twist (plum shade with a satiny finish) and the 510 Le Rouge Vibrant (matte red with an ultra-velvety finish) that comes in a Rouge G case that combines its original golden finish with the intense colours of the Marmo motif in an enamel finish effect.

The Rouge G Marmo Kiss Case is priced at S$101 while the Satin 45 Marmo Twist and Velvet 510 Le Rouge Vibrant Refill are priced at S$60 each.

OMBRES G MARMO VIBE

The Ombres G is Guerlain’s highly pigmented, long-lasting eyeshadow quad with a palette of four matte shades. For this collection, Violette has created the 045 Marmo Vibe which features the intensity of orange-red and violet as well as the contrast of black and white for artistic, avant-garde looks.

The Ombres G 045 Marmo Vibe Eyeshadow Quad is priced at S$168.

PARURE GOLD CUSHION MARMO GLOW

Offered in its best-selling 00N shade, the Parure Gold Cushion Marmo Glow foundation is a useful addition to any makeup routine for beautiful, glowing skin. Just for this collection, the golden cap of the case has also been decorated with the Marmo motif.

The Parure Gold Cushion Marmo Glow Rejuvenating Radiance Foundation is priced at S$150.

MÉTÉORITES MARMO SWIRL AND BRUSH

The best-selling 02 Cool pastel shades of the Météorites pearls of powder are revealed in a new case which features the vibrant colours of the legendary Marmo print. The Marmo Swirl brush also features the motif on its golden handle that is engraved with the Guerlain logo, and comes in a delicate tied fabric pouch — a nod to the House of Pucci’s bucket bag designs.

The Météorites Marmo Swirl Pearls of Powder is priced at S$134 and the Météorites Brush Marmo Swirl is priced at S$142.

The Guerlain x Pucci Fall Collection 2024 will be available from 1 September at all Guerlain boutiques.

Armani beauty unveils the all-new PRISMA GLASS lip gloss with seven shades

Aug 20, 2024Aug 21, 2024

Following Armani beauty’s iconic lip innovations with icons such as LIP MAESTRO and LIP POWER, the brand has started a new chapter in their era of lip shine and care with the lip gloss, PRISMA GLASS.

Featuring an innovative oil-in-gloss technology that delivers multi-dimensional volume, a mirror-like shine, and lasting hydration, the PRISMA GLASS (S$58 each) is designed for those who are looking for their lip gloss to deliver both brilliance and comfort.

The PRISMA GLASS uses a blend of two highly refractive shine oils and a transparent gel, to deliver a mirror shine with a pillowy smooth volumizing effect featuring ingredients that care for the lips.

You’ll also find that this new lip gloss delivers maximum benefits as 25% of the formula is dedicated to the use of caring ingredients, with 15% of squalene content to strengthen the skin’s barrier and to lock in moisture.

This is combined with a beneficial oil that offers a jelly-like, non-sticky feel and an addictive application sensation that will give you up to 24-hour hydration that will make your lips look more youthful with a maximum impact, stained-glass finish.

PRISMA GLASS is available in seven sheer shades: 01 Clear Shine, 02 Candy Halo, 03 Honey Gleam, 04 Cherry Glaze, 05 Berry Beam, 06 Amber Shine, and 07 Nude Glow.

The PRISMA GLASS will be launched early from 23 August at Armani beauty ION Orchard & the PRISMA GLASS Pop-Up @ PPP Coffee New Bahru. It will be available for purchase at all Armani beauty boutiques and counters from 26 August.

PRISMA GLASS POP-UP @ PPP COFFEE NEW BAHRU

To give you an opportunity to experience Armani beauty’s PRISMA GLASS, you’re invited to an exclusive pop-up event at PPP Coffee New Bahru where you can immerse yourself in an interactive experience that highlights the lip gloss’s groundbreaking technology and luxurious texture.

You’ll also get to learn more about the PRISMA GLASS formula, known for its radiant shine and nourishing properties, and explore its seven exquisite shades through a sleek vanity area and the mirror-shine booth. You can also bring home an Armani Glow kit when you complete the experience!

The PRISMA GLASS pop-up will run from 23 to 25 August daily from 11am to 8pm at PPP Coffee, 46 Kim Yam Road, #01-06, New Bahru, Singapore 239351. You can reserve your spot through here. The first 100 visitors daily will get to redeem a complimentary drink.

The PRISMA GLASS lip gloss is priced at S$58 each and will be available at Armani Beauty ION Orchard and the PRISMA GLASS Pop-Up at PPP Coffee New Bahru from 23 August.

It will be available for purchase at all Armani beauty boutiques and counters from 26 August.

Hermès launches Barénia, its very first chypre fragrance

Aug 20, 2024

Named after the Hermès signature natural, heritage leather, the Barénia is the fashion house’s first-ever chypre fragrance designed by Christine Nagel, the Creative Director of Hermès Perfumes.

The scent combines the delicate butterfly lily with miracle berry that leaves a warm trail of oakwood alongside an intense patchouli which reveals the characterful signature of the perfume.

For the first time, the essence of the Collier de chien — inspired by the real dog collars once produced by Hermès Sellier — has inspired the fragrance bottle’s design which includes crystal-clear curves and precious metal.

Its elliptical shape is overlaid with a metal plate which bears four contoured studs with domed facets, reminiscent of Hermès’ Collier de chien bracelet.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

In addition to the fragrance, the Barénia line will also include a perfumed body cream that comes in a glass jar and a scented soap engraved with the initial ‘H’.

The Barénia Eau de Perfume is priced from S$229 and the Barénia Perfumed Soap is priced at S$65.

The Barénia range will be available from 2 September at Hermès Singapore boutiques at Liat Towers, Marina Bay Sands and Takashimaya, and at the Hermés Parfum & Beauté counter in Takashimaya and Tangs.

Step Back in Time to Explore and Play at Bugis Night Lights

Aug 20, 2024Aug 26, 2024

It’s time to plan your weekends and fill them with a variety of activities to experience in Bugis Town (Bugis Junction, Bugis+ and Bugis Street)!

From 9 August to 22 September 2024, Bugis Town is bringing you Bugis Night Lights where you can feel like you have been blast into the past while playing ‘80s arcade games and get rewarded when you spend.

Claw For STAR$® and Exclusive Prizes

Score up to 3 tries at the Claw Machine, located at Bugis Junction Hylam Street, where you can win exciting prizes when you make a minimum spend of S$50 in a single receipt at selected Fashion & Beauty stores at Bugis Junction or Bugis+.

The Claw Machine will be active from 2pm to 6pm on 24 & 25 August, 31 August & 1 September, and 7 & 8 September.

Photos courtesy of GameMartz, shu uemura, GUESS and TANYU.

Grand prizes include a Nintendo Switch OLED (worth S$499) from GameMartz, watches from GUESS worth up to S$268 alongside other prizes such as blind boxes from POP MART, complimentary signature eyebrow service (with any purchase) from shu uemura, 15% off regular-priced footwear and apparel from Skechers, and S$30 off with a minimum spend of S$100 at TANYU.

By scanning your receipt on the CapitaStar app, you also stand to earn 5X STAR$® on your first-approved qualifying transaction daily.

STAR$® can be used to offset payment at over 3,000 retailers in CapitaLand malls and unlock exclusive rewards via the CapitaStar app.

This promotion is limited to the first 500 redemptions per mall per day, with a maximum of 1 redemption per mall per day and 3 redemptions per mall throughout the period from 24 August to 8 September 2024.

SUPER ARCADE

Indulge in some nostalgic games such as Street Fighter and Pac-man at the SUPER ARCADE. From 24 August to 8 September, gather your friends and step into this neon-lit realm where you can compete for the highest score in free-to-play classic arcade games of the ‘80s.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

Plus, don’t forget to take some photos at the photo zone where you can recreate some nostalgic poses of the past.

Singapore Night Festival: Delulu High by Pop Glitterfreak Collective

Image courtesy of Bugis Street/Singapore Night Festival.

Located at Bugis Street Art Lane is where you’ll find the art installation by Pop Glitterfreak Collective, Delulu High, which transforms challenging school memories into a safe, colourful and reflective space inspired by the Bras Basah District schools and our inner child.

The installation features the Funnazium, Affirmation Steps, and a Disco Bus, which is a life-size bus that celebrates individuality and aims to transform the dreaded school bus experience.

Here’s a closer look at what you can expect (photos courtesy of Singapore Night Festival 2024).

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

The installation runs from 23 August to 7 September.

Other Activities To Look Out For

The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Afterlife Pop-Up (26 August to 8 September)

You’re invited to celebrate the ghost with the most in his upcoming return to cinemas on 5 September at the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Afterlife Pop-Up!

The pop-up will be held from 26 August to 8 September at Bugis+ L2 Atrium and Bugis Junction Fountain Square.

Light Photography Workshop with NYLON (6 September)

Discover how to shoot the best pictures at night and in low light situations. You can use your smartphone or any camera for this night photography workshop led by NYLON’s Editor-In-Chief and Leica Ambassador, Adele Chan.

In this session, you will learn how to set your camera (or smartphone camera) controls to capture light trails, and to create shapes using light.

There are incredible door gifts for all participants worth up to $150 (details will be shared on our Instagram soon), and exclusive prizes to be won for the best photos from the workshop.

More details on how to sign up can be found on NYLON’s Instagram and Facebook pages.

Attractive Deals and Rewards

Aside from the ongoing rewards and experiences, you can also enjoy some attractive deals happening at Bugis Town.

Photos courtesy of Kiehl’s, FILA Fusion, bossini X and INNISFREE.

These include:

- 10% off with no minimum purchase at shu uemura
- 50% off footwear at FILA Fusion when you purchase 1 top and 1 bottom
- An exclusive 1-for-1 offer on INNISFREE’s travel size Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule
- Free pin personalisation at Havaianas when you spend S$40 in a single receipt
- 10% off with a minimum spend of $150 nett at bossini X
- A complimentary Retinol Skin Renewing 10ml Serum at Kiehl’s when you purchase the Retinol Serum

From now till 22 September, earn a S$10 eCapitaVoucher when you make a minimum spend of S$120 or S$100 in a single receipt on Mondays to Fridays at selected Beauty & Fashion stores at Bugis Junction or Bugis+ respectively.

The promotion is limited to 1 redemption per mall per day, and 3 redemptions per mall from 9 August to 22 September.

Explore all deals and the full line-up of events here.

Bugis Night Lights runs from 9 August to 22 September. For more information, click HERE.

CHANEL introduces 7 new creations to their COCO CRUSH fine jewellery collection

Aug 19, 2024

Chanel introduces seven new creations for their now-iconic COCO CRUSH fine jewellery collection. These include three rings in yellow gold, beige gold and white gold, each enhanced with prong-set diamonds on every curved square of the quilted motif; three mini single hoops in yellow gold, beige gold and white gold; and one single earring with a bicolour design in beige gold, white gold and diamonds.

With an expanded line-up of designs, there are more ways than ever to experiment with the art of stacking with COCO CRUSH. See all the new pieces below, and discover them online at chanel.com.

Above: coco crush ring with quilted motif and diamonds from $14,940; coco crush single earring from $2,450; coco crush single bicolour earring, $TBA.

CHANEL coco crush is available at chanel watches & fine jewellery and fashion boutiques. see more at CHANEL.COM.

TECNO is now the Official Global Sponsor of new AFC football competitions

Aug 15, 2024

Following the announcement on 13 August, Chinese tech brand TECNO has become the official global sponsor of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) new club competitions namely the AFC Champions League Elite, the AFC Champions League Two, and the AFC Women’s Champions League for the 2024-2025 season.

The partnership was unveiled at a signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

By tapping into the vast fan base of AFC club competitions, TECNO aims to connect with huge sports communities by bringing unique, immersive digital experiences to football fans with their cutting-edge technology and variety of smart products such as their smartphones, smart watches and laptops.

TECNO currently operates in more than 70 markets worldwide with a focus on evolving digital platforms in emerging global markets with their wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, HiOS operating systems and smart home products.

This partnership also focuses on TECNO’s commitment to using sports as a bridge to resonate with its consumers to create shared experiences and help inspire individuals to make progress, chase dreams, and pursue their passions.

This isn’t TECNO’s first foray into the world of football as the brand has previously sponsored the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a series of campaigns that made football matches available to the entire football community in Africa by creating unique viewing experiences.

TECNO also made football more accessible to remote African communities by pledging to renovate 100 football fields across Africa over the next five years.

To find out more about TECNO and its products, click HERE.

Google unveils new additions to the Pixel Family including the much-anticipated Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Aug 15, 2024

Since announcing the latest generation of Pixel devices at the Made by Google event on 13 August, you can expect to get your hands on them real soon as Singapore will be expecting the largest range of Pixel products to be be made available on our little island!

The new lineup of Google Pixel devices include the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel Watch 3, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Here’s a closer look at the lineup.

PIXEL 9 PRO FOLD

Soon to be making its debut in Singapore, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Google’s next foldable phone which brings its biggest ever display for a phone in an even thinner foldable device that is both scratch-resistant and has an IPX8 rating for water resistance of up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes of submersion.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold uses a fluid-friction hinge that makes it easy to open the device fully to enjoy the big, bright Super Actua Flex display that is now 80% brighter than its predecessor so that you can still get to see your screen clearly even when it’s bright outside.

Dubbed the best camera on any foldable phone, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes with an ultra-thin advanced triple rear camera system, which now supports Macro Focus.

In addition to existing features like the Dual Screen Preview, Tabletop Mode and Rear Camera Selfie, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will come with a new camera feature called Made You Look, which uses the outer screen to display an animation that helps to capture the attention of children during photo-taking — a perfect solution for parents.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is priced from S$2,399 and is available for pre-order on the GOOGLE STORE and Singtel.

PIXEL 9, PIXEL 9 PRO AND PIXEL 9 PRO XL

The Pixel 9 phones have been given an elevated new look which focuses on the camera with an upgrade to the iconic camera bar, and has a sleek design that fits comfortably in your hand. They also feature updated finishes complete with a silky matte glass back and polished metal sides for a distinctly premium feel that is twice as durable as the Pixel 8.

All Pixel 9 phones are also powered by Tensor G4, Google’s new custom silicon and its most efficient chip yet.

Designed with Google DeepMind, the Tensor G4 is optimised to run Google’s most advanced AI models and will be the first processor to run Gemini Nano with Multimodality to help your phone understand text, images and audio.

This new launch also marks the first time the Pro model comes in two different sizes Pixel 9 Pro (6.3-inch) and Pixel 9 Pro XL (6.8-inch). Both are equipped with Google’s best and brightest Super Actua display and a new 42MP front camera for sharper and brighter selfies in low light.

On the other hand, the Pixel 9 is built with a 6.3-inch Actua display, which has been rated the best display in its class, and is built with 48MP ultra-wide cameras that are found on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The front camera also now offers autofocus for even sharper selfies.

The Pixel 9 is priced from S$1,199 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL is priced from S$1,739. Both are available for pre-orders HERE.

The Pixel 9 Pro is priced from S$1,459 and will be available from September onwards.

PIXEL WATCH 3

The Pixel Watch 3 marks Google’s biggest leap forward for its flagship smartwatch with two sizes that includes an all-new 45mm option complete with comprehensive tools for fitness and recovery, on-the-go assistance, and its all-new Loss of Pulse Detection feature that could potentially save lives.

Built with its most advanced Actua displays, both the 41mm and larger 45mm watches are now twice as bright as before with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits and has the ability to adjust to as low as 1 nit in dark environments for a more discreet glance.

The displays are also bigger now, with smaller bezels to showcase more screen while being more power efficient.

Combined with the Wear OS 5 and a power-efficient hybrid structure, the Pixel Watch 3 delivers dependable all-day battery life and uses machine learning to automatically detect sleep and enables Bedtime Mode to help you get disruption-free sleep while conserving battery.

On top of the usual fitness assistance you’ll get with smartwatches, the Google Pixel Watch 3 introduces three new tools — Daily Readiness to track and analyse your body’s key recovery biometrics, Cardio Load to help track your heart’s exertion and intensity during activities, and Target Load, a personalised target for your training.

As a first-of-its-kind capability, the Pixel Watch 3 will also feature the Loss of Pulse Detection which detects loss-of-pulse events that happen when the heart suddenly stops beating. When that occurs, the watch automatically places a call to emergency services and shares an automated message with critical context, along with your location.

Although this capability will only be available on the Pixel Watch 3 to various countries in Europe in September, there will be plans to make this feature available in more countries.

The Pixel Watch 3 (41mm) is priced from S$529 and the Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) is priced from S$599. Pre-orders can be made through the GOOGLE STORE.

PIXEL BUDS PRO 2

For the first time ever, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are built with an all-new custom-designed Tensor A1 chip to power industry-leading audio performance with Google AI and improved noise cancellation.

Designed to be the most comfortable and secure fitting earbuds, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 uses a new twist-to-adjust stabiliser to help your earbuds stay put while still offering maximum personalised comfort.

Thanks to the Tensor A1, you will be able to enjoy Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that is twice as strong as its predecessor through an ultra low-latency audio processing which adapts to your environment up to 3 million times per second.

The Tensor A1 also provides an accurate, highly detailed and immersive sound that is completely independent of the continuous processing that is happening for Active Noise Cancellation.

Despite its smaller and lighter design, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 also provides an increase in battery life, allowing you to enjoy up to 8 hours of battery life when ANC is enabled and 30 hours with the case. For a quick charge, simply pop them back into the case for 15 minutes and you’ll get up to three hours of extra battery life.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 is priced at S$345 and is available for pre-order on the GOOGLE STORE.

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will be available starting 22 August at the Google Store, Amazon SG, Challenger, Courts, Singtel, Shopee, and Lazada. All devices will be available from September.

Kipling launches magical Harry Potter Capsule Collection with backpacks and crossbody bags

Aug 13, 2024

Potterheads, you’re in for a magical treat as Kipling’s newest collaboration brings you a collection of 12 Harry Potter handbags and accessories, designed to make the Wizarding World a part of your daily wardrobe.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

Styles in the capsule collection (available from 21 August) are brought to life with Kipling’s signature crinkled nylon fabric which sees the symbols of the four houses — Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin — embroidered on each bag in a tone-on-tone look featuring bright colours of each house.

From Kipling’s iconic carry-all, Seoul Backpack and the Gabbie S Crossbody to the versatile set of creativity pouches, the capsule collection is filled with practical pieces for all Harry Potter fans.

Plus, each piece also comes with Kipling’s beloved monkey keychain collectible and a multi-coloured, enamel charm.

Here’s a closer look at each of the pieces in the collection.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

The Kipling x Harry Potter Collection is available from 21 August in-stores and online at the Kipling Official Store on LAZADA.

Universal Studios Singapore’s Halloween Horror Nights 12 to feature four haunted houses including Netflix’s Sweet Home

Aug 13, 2024Aug 13, 2024

Are you ready to scream your heart out and feel the chills tingling down your spine? Dubbed Southeast Asia’s biggest Halloween event, Universal Studios Singapore invites you to experience nightmare-inducing thrills at its 12th edition of Halloween Horror Nights.

Image courtesy of Resorts World Sentosa.

Running across 18 select event nights from 27 September to 2 November, this year’s Halloween Horror Nights will feature four all-new immersive haunted houses, three terrifying scare zones, and three hair-raising shows themed after dark dreams which will transport you to a realm where dreams and nightmares co-exist, blurring the lines between what’s real and what is imagined.

This edition will also debut two brand new experiences — a spine-chilling projection mapping show that features phantoms of Asian folklore, and a blood-curdling speakeasy experience aimed at tantalising your senses.

HAUNTED HOUSES

Since the announcement of Netflix’s Sweet Home as the first haunted house, another three is set to be added with a focus on Asian horror.

These include Singapore’s Most Haunted: The Killings which recreates the horrors of one of Singapore’s most haunted houses, and Cursed Scrolls: Dynasty of Darkness which is an immersive 3D experience filled with evil entities of the ancient scrolls that have been conjured by The Schoolmaster, a possessed Qing Dynasty scholar.

More details for the fourth and final haunted house will be revealed at a later date.

SCARE ZONES

While heading to your next haunted house, don’t forget to walk through Halloween Horror Nights’ three scare zones namely Vampire Alley with its vampires hiding in the dark; The Lost Kampung, with its vengeful spirits and cursed items; and Nether-Land, where you get to rave with the undead who have been hypnotised by voodoo vibes and beats to die for.

LIVE SHOWS

Another thing to experience at Halloween Horror Nights are its live shows that include Ocu.lar’s Rave, a dance performance, and the all-new Night Terrors, a projection mapping show which transforms a fortress into a haunted haven for the phantoms of Asian folklore.

For those looking to relax while enjoying a show, Dark Dreams at the Pantages Theatre features elaborate sets and special effects that will tell the twisted story of the Dream Reaper who feeds off the nightmares of innocent people to steal their souls.

IMMERSIVE SPEAKEASY

The new addition to the lineup is a speakeasy experience at the Viper Lounge — a lavish speakeasy bar owned by a vampiric clan known as The Elders.

To get to the bar, you’ll need to find its hidden location before you can indulge in a range of canapés and drinks while you watch trouble unfold around you.

The immersive experience includes an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink and two choices of canapé, and is priced as a S$25 add-on for guests on the R.I.P. Tour and S$35 for regular guests with the normal Halloween Horror Nights tickets.

ADMISSION PRICES

Regular tickets are priced at S$90 for peak nights and S$80 for non-peak nights. Each ticket also comes with a Halloween Horror Nights S$5 F&B voucher and a S$5 retail voucher. Mastercard payments will receive an additional S$5 retail voucher.

For quicker access to various experiences, you can add a Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass (from S$100) to skip regular lines one time at all haunted houses, or add the Halloween Horror Nights Express PLUS Pass (from S$120) which allows you to skip the queues one time at all haunted houses, as well as participating rides and attractions.

Going in a group of 4? The Frights for Four bundle deal (from S$480) comes with four tickets and includes early entry into Universal Studios Singapore where you will have access to select haunted houses, rides, restaurants, and retail stores from 6pm. Mastercard payments will receive an additional S$10 retail voucher.

For a guided V.I.P. experience, join the Halloween Horror Nights 12 R.I.P. Tour (from S$260) which lets you skip the queues at the haunted houses and rides, in addition to enjoying special experiences such as access to the Viper Lounge as well as a private meet-and-greet with select Halloween Horror Nights 12 characters.

Tickets are available online here and through Klook here.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

K-pop Idols premieres on 30 August on Apple TV+. For more information, click HERE.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

The denim dumpling bags are now available at all Beyond The Vines outlets as well as online here.

PRE-STYLE CREAM

POST-STYLE SERUM

DYSON AIRWRAP I.D.

The Dyson Chitosan range and Dyson Airwrap i.d. will be available in Singapore by September 2024. For more information, click HERE.

Above: Chef Kazuki from Omakase @ Stevens.

Omakase @ Stevens Summer Menu by Chef Kazuki runs till mid-late September, priced at $280++ for a 6-course meal. Located at Novotel Singapore on Stevens, 30 Stevens Rd, #01-03, Singapore 257840.

For reservations, visit them online at WWW.OMAKASE.COM.SG.

Ray-Ban Change will be available in Ray-Ban stores and all major optical partner stores on 1 September 2024. Discover more about the collection at rayban.com.

Miss Saigon runs from now to 29 September. Tickets are priced from S$60. For more information, click HERE.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

The 31 LE ROUGE matte lipsticks are available now on the CHANEL official fragrance & beauty ONLINE store, and at CHANEL Fragrance and Beauty boutiques.

It will be available at the Takashimaya counter from 6 September.

ROUGE G MARMO KISS

The Rouge G Marmo Kiss Case is priced at S$101 while the Satin 45 Marmo Twist and Velvet 510 Le Rouge Vibrant Refill are priced at S$60 each.

OMBRES G MARMO VIBE

The Ombres G 045 Marmo Vibe Eyeshadow Quad is priced at S$168.

PARURE GOLD CUSHION MARMO GLOW

The Parure Gold Cushion Marmo Glow Rejuvenating Radiance Foundation is priced at S$150.

MÉTÉORITES MARMO SWIRL AND BRUSH

The Météorites Marmo Swirl Pearls of Powder is priced at S$134 and the Météorites Brush Marmo Swirl is priced at S$142.

The Guerlain x Pucci Fall Collection 2024 will be available from 1 September at all Guerlain boutiques.

PRISMA GLASS POP-UP @ PPP COFFEE NEW BAHRU

The PRISMA GLASS lip gloss is priced at S$58 each and will be available at Armani Beauty ION Orchard and the PRISMA GLASS Pop-Up at PPP Coffee New Bahru from 23 August.

It will be available for purchase at all Armani beauty boutiques and counters from 26 August.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

The Barénia range will be available from 2 September at Hermès Singapore boutiques at Liat Towers, Marina Bay Sands and Takashimaya, and at the Hermés Parfum & Beauté counter in Takashimaya and Tangs.

Claw For STAR$® and Exclusive Prizes

SUPER ARCADE

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

Singapore Night Festival: Delulu High by Pop Glitterfreak Collective

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

Other Activities To Look Out For

Attractive Deals and Rewards

Bugis Night Lights runs from 9 August to 22 September. For more information, click HERE.

Above: coco crush ring with quilted motif and diamonds from $14,940; coco crush single earring from $2,450; coco crush single bicolour earring, $TBA.

CHANEL coco crush is available at chanel watches & fine jewellery and fashion boutiques. see more at CHANEL.COM.

To find out more about TECNO and its products, click HERE.

PIXEL 9 PRO FOLD

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is priced from S$2,399 and is available for pre-order on the GOOGLE STORE and Singtel.

PIXEL 9, PIXEL 9 PRO AND PIXEL 9 PRO XL

The Pixel 9 is priced from S$1,199 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL is priced from S$1,739. Both are available for pre-orders HERE.

The Pixel 9 Pro is priced from S$1,459 and will be available from September onwards.

PIXEL WATCH 3

The Pixel Watch 3 (41mm) is priced from S$529 and the Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) is priced from S$599. Pre-orders can be made through the GOOGLE STORE.

PIXEL BUDS PRO 2

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 is priced at S$345 and is available for pre-order on the GOOGLE STORE.

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will be available starting 22 August at the Google Store, Amazon SG, Challenger, Courts, Singtel, Shopee, and Lazada. All devices will be available from September.

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

[CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR MORE.]

The Kipling x Harry Potter Collection is available from 21 August in-stores and online at the Kipling Official Store on LAZADA.

HAUNTED HOUSES

SCARE ZONES

LIVE SHOWS

IMMERSIVE SPEAKEASY

ADMISSION PRICES

Universal Studios Singapore Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from 27 September to 2 November. For more information, click HERE.