There’s beauty in simplicity. Time and time again, skincare brand Simple (how aptly named) has proven that there is truth in this statement. Simple has been an expert in sensitive skincare since they launched the first perfume and colour-free soap in 1960. What’s even more amazing is that their brand philosophy of using only the purest skin-loving ingredients without colouring and perfume has remained consistent throughout the years.

It goes without saying that their latest micellar cleansing water and micellar cleansing wipes are a true reflection of that too. Simple has just found a new fan in me and you’ll know why as you read on.

1. Simple Micellar Water (200ml, $16.90)

Micellar water (which essentially functions as a make-up remover) may not be new to the market, but Simple’s Micellar Water certainly upped the game with its formula and affordability.

How is it different?

No artificial perfumes, colours or harsh chemicals are used.

Triple purified water, the purest possible water, is used to minimize potential irritations and ensure that it is safe for sensitive skin. It is also chock full of nourishing ingredients such as Vitamin B3 to soften your skin, perfect for those of you who have dry skin like me, and  Vitamin C which serves as an anti-oxidant. Hexylene Glycol is the active ingredient used here to dissolve make-up, unclog pores and gently condition your skin.

This formula ensures that your skin stays hydrated even after all the impurities are lifted. In fact, it instantly boosts skin hydration by 90%.

Even though no rinse is required, my skin feels effortlessly clean, refreshed and hydrated without any tight or sticky after-feel. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

How do you use it?

It’s so easy to use. Just remember these 3 simple steps.

Step 1: Pour a generous amount on a cotton pad

Step 2:  Swipe the soaked cotton pad across your entire face to remove make-up

Step 3: Gently wipe your eye area with your eyes closed.

And you’re done!

Does it really remove all traces of make-up?

This is one of the most common questions about micellar cleansing water. That’s understandable because most are way too gentle to remove heavy duty make-up or even eye-makeup.

I put this to the test with my smudge-proof eyeliner and I’m happy to report that it works really well! Soak a cotton pad with Simple Micellar Water, place it on your eye area for about 2-3 seconds and gently wipe off your eye make-up. They come off easily without tugging on the delicate skin around your eyes.

2. Micellar Cleansing Wipes (25 pcs, S$15.90)

Prefer something handy that you can pop into your gym bag or hand luggage when you travel? Simple Micellar Cleansing Wipes gives you convenience in a pack.

Currently the only micellar wipes in the market, it is formulated with the same ingredients as Simple Micellar Water, so you can keep your skin clean and nourish it with all the goodness of these amazing nutrients while you’re on the go!

I like that these wipes are thoroughly soaked but not dripping wet and one piece is all you need to remove every trace of make-up. I’ll be sure to carry a pack with me when I next head out of the country!

If you are on the lookout for no frills, fuss-free yet absolutely effective micellar cleansers, I would highly recommend these products from Simple.

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water (SGD16.90 for 200ml) is available at all Watsons stores island-wide while Simple Micellar Wipes (SGD15.90 for 25 sheets) are available at all major pharmacies including Guardian, Unity, Fairprice and Redmart.

You can also redeem a FREE sample of Simple Micellar Cleansing Wipes on Samplestore.com!

Have I had work done on my face? I have no idea why, but I seem to get this question pretty often.

Well, to answer that question, I did try fillers and sculptra about 2-3 years ago but the effects have already worn off by now. While I’m happy with the way I look with or without any of these injectibles, it has always been my wish to get rid of stubborn pigmentation on my upper cheeks. No one is born perfect, and for me, pigmentation is my biggest gripe as I am genetically predisposed to it.

It only worsens with age if left untreated, and it doesn’t help even if I apply sunblock religiously. You can’t tell that I have pigmentation because I cover up pretty well, but I definitely look forward to the day when I can go completely bare-faced without these hideous spots!

Traditional treatments require a lot of downtime and it just doesn’t make sense to undergo so much pain and inconvenience when I have work, events and advertorials on my plate. I couldn’t be more excited when Dr Ram from The Wellness Clinic (TWC) Aesthetics introduced me to a new laser treatment called the Cutera Enlighten pico second laser. I was told that TWC Aesthetics is the first aesthetics clinic in Singapore and Southeast Asia to bring in this revolutionary technology.

What’s special about Cutera Enlighten pico second laser?

Are you genetically prone to pigmentation like me? Or perhaps you have birthmarks, tattoos or just surface pigmentation that you wish to get rid of?

If you face any of the issues above and yet do not wish to be affected by the downtime resulting from conventional laser treatments or be subjected to possible side effects (sometimes, aggressive treatments may further aggravate your pigmentation problem and cause it to worsen instead), this is your best bet.

What’s special about this laser is that it is able to penetrate deeply to target the root of the issue without damaging the surrounding skin. That equates to zero downtime, which is perfect for our busy lifestyle.

Is it effective?

I had my first session done a week ago and Dr Ram told me in all honesty that I wouldn’t see significant results after just one session. Reason being, the process of breaking down the pigments is very gentle and gradual to prevent collateral damage to the surrounding skin and possible aggravation of the issue (uh huh, those spots can potentially fight back with a vengeance if they are not treated carefully). Follow-up sessions once every fortnight are required for the next 2-3 months to completely eradicate the pigmentation.

Does it hurt and is there really no downtime?

Numbing cream was used prior to the treatment, hence all I felt was a slight tingling sensation. I experienced some redness immediately after the treatment, but that was easily covered up with concealer. Give it an hour or two and your skin is back to normal. I even went for a friend’s birthday celebration right after.

 I’ll be heading down for my second session next week, so stay tuned to this space if you’re interested to find out more about my skin’s progress!

*****

TWC Aesthetics Clinic

Address:

Camden Medical Centre

#04-09

S (248649)

Contact No.:

6887 3073

Opening Hours:

Mon-Fri: 10am – 6pm

Sat: 10am – 2pm

Enhance, not mask, that’s what Shu Uemura’s minimalist approach towards maximizing beauty is all about. Those of you who have been dreaming about achieving perfect, radiant skin without layers of foundation, bronzers and highlighters, it’s time for you to rejoice!

You can finally achieve the skin of your dreams with just two simple steps – 1) Shu Uemura’s Stage Performer Block: Booster Primer and 2) Lightbulb Aerial Sheer Compact Foundation.

1. Shu Uemura Stage Performer Block: Booster Primer (SPF 50+++, S$65))

Most of us probably do not wear primer, but believe me, this multi-tasking product will change your opinion.

Here’s what it does:

• Blocks harmful UV rays (both UVA and UVB) and environmental elements such as pollution
• Boosts moisture and skin tone; and
• Corrects imperfections

I love how it simplifies my skincare routine as it doubles up as a sunblock (SPF 50+++ with protection against both UVA and UVB rays) and acts as a powerful shield against pollution. The texture is amazingly lightweight and it glides onto my skin effortlessly while keeping it sufficiently hydrated. It also lends a natural glow to your face without oxidizing at all thanks to its light-reflecting properties, a result of the Colour Boosting Gel and True Colour Powder technology.

Selected botanicals, namely peony, corn and water lily, are included for their anti-oxidant, anti-flammatory and hydrating properties.

It comes in three shades – colourless (translucent finish), natural beige and fresh pink. I picked natural beige to even out my skin tone.

2. Lightbulb Aerial Sheer Compact Foundation (S$60 for refill, S$12 for case,  S$8 for sponge)

You can wear the primer on its own, but if you prefer additional coverage, pair it with the Lightbulb Aerial Sheer Compact Foundation to boost your skin’s radiance. Formulated with crystalline pearls to reflect spectrums of colour, it brightens up your skin tone instantly.

I am a huge fan of powder foundations and I can assure you that this compact foundation is one of the very few in the market with powder that is so fine, it feels as light as air when applied. The aerial sponge deserves much credit for this as well. It feels luxuriously soft on your skin and delivers a sheer finish.

My verdict

I am officially a convert. The reason? My hubby hardly ever notices any difference when I change up my make-up routine (as with most men), but he actually complimented me on my glowing skin the very first time I applied these two products on my face. Here’s an unedited selfie and you can tell that there is a slight glow on the high points of my face.

 And you know what’s even more miraculous? He said my face looked naturally radiant, as if I had no make-up on.  That was definitely reason enough for me to fall head over heels in love with these new products. I mean, who doesn’t want flawless skin?

Shu Uemura will be launching these products on 1 September 2016, so if you’re looking to achieve healthy-looking, beautiful skin without the hassle, be sure to add these products to your beauty routine!

Are you a coffee drinker? Do you love your spicy or dark food? Or do you melt at your favourite celebrity’s dazzling smile?

Most of us have dietary habits that cause our teeth to darken or turn yellow, but isn’t it so difficult to resist that caffeine boost for the day or that delicious dish in front of us? And we have all seen the benefits and charm of a beautiful smile – imagine if you were watching a drama and  getting shocked when the leads flashed not-so-pearly-white teeth!

While we all wish to have a set of attractive white teeth, the cost usually puts us back and make us reconsider if we really need it. While there are more affordable options like home-based teeth whitening, they seem too much of a hassle and don’t really seem to work. But, that is not the case anymore!

Introducing iWhite, a Belgium-based purveyor of teeth whitening solutions under its parent company Sylphar NV. Buoyed by the scientific breakthrough that is the triple action whitening complex, iWhite’s solutions promise amazing results all in the comfort of your own home. Sounds amazing? It is!

iWhite’s triumvirate of teeth whitening solutions — iWhite Instant Whitening Kit; iWhite Instant Whitening Toothpaste; and iWhite Instant Whitening Mouthwash — can effectively reverse effects of teeth stain caused by coffee, drinking or even smoking. Its instant, triple action whitening technology is buoyed by three active ingredients: phthalimidoperoxycaproicacid (PAP); bioactive crystals; and bioavailable calcium deposits.

With iWhite’s teeth whitening solutions, you can achieve an enviable set of white teeth and strengthen your enamel at the same time.

It is also Hydrogen Peroxide free! A common ingredient in many teeth whitening solutions then, hydrogen peroxide is known to cause gum irritation, teeth sensitivity and in more serious cases, throat soreness. But iWhite’s range of products were among the first teeth whitening solutions in the market that do not contain hydrogen peroxide.

Importantly, not only do you see visible results, it is also 100% safe, convenient, and affordable. Available now at all Guardian and Watsons stores, start your journey to pearly whites today!

iWhite Instant Whitening Kit $49.90

iWhite Instant Whitening Mouthwash $10

iWhite Instant Whitening Toothpaste $9.90

The new Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer has taken social media by storm. Touted to be a game-changer with its revolutionary technology and a jaw-dropping price tag of S$599, all the stylists at Toni & Guy couldn’t stop raving about it when I popped by to style my hair recently for a photo shoot with Kerastase and Dyson. Is it truly worth the hype and the price?

I decided to put it to the test, not just for a day, but for an entire week, just to monitor if there are any significant changes to my hair texture.

Before I give you my verdict, let’s check out some of its features.

Intelligent Heat Control

I was told that thanks to its intelligent heat control (which measures air temperature 20 times every second!), the hair dryer doesn’t go beyond 100°C even at the highest heat setting, unlike conventional hairdryers which end up overheating and damaging your hair follicles. It keeps your hair healthy and shiny, even if you dry and style it every single day.

Faster drying time

And you know what’s even more amazing? Despite the relatively lower heat setting, your hair takes less time to dry as compared to a regular hairdryer. Ladies with long and thick hair like me, this is your holy grail! I usually take at least 15 minutes to dry my hair completely, but with this baby, my hair dries under 10 minutes.

Credit goes to the Air Multiplier technology which creates a high-velocity, high-pressure jet of air that exits the amplifier, tripling airflow. Negative ions are also included to reduce static.

Engineered for balance

I have to admit that it was the beautiful design that first caught my eye.  Do you know the secret behind its sleek, minimalist design? To achieve this, Dyson went against the grain and put the motor in the handle instead of the head which rebalanced the weight and shape of the dryer.

Styling simplied with magnetic attachments that stay cool throughout

It also comes with 3 magnetic attachments  – a smoothing nozzle, styling concentrator and diffuser (yes, all magnetic!), making styling an absolute breeze. These attachments stay cool throughout, so you’ll never ever have to worry about hurting yourself while you blow your hair!

Lower noise level

Unlike its counterparts which can be as loud as vacuum cleaners, Dyson sounds more like a high speed hand dryer. It is possible to carry on a conversation when it is being used, but you might want to avoid using it when light sleepers are around.

My thoughts

 After using this continuously for a week, I realized that it brought my curls back to life. I had a perm done many months back and my curls were fast fading into oblivion (thanks to traveling) until I started using Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer.

I usually have to set my hair with sponge curlers before I sleep to achieve bouncy curls, but with this hairdryer, my hair looks effortlessly styled without any styling required. My frequently coloured hair also looks shinier and feels smoother. How miraculous.

Honestly, it’s going to be tough for me to go back to my conventional hairdryer.  If you need to blow dry your hair on a daily basis to ensure that it dries completely (like me because my hair is relatively thick) or if you style your hair regularly, I would say it is a worthy long-term investment to protect your tresses from heat damage. After all, a hairdryer usually lasts for years.

Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer is definitely in a league of its own. You have to try it to believe it.