Pretty amazing, isn’t it? Perhaps it is about time for my bulky DSLR camera to take a backseat now. 

The Samsung GALAXY ALPHA 4G+ is currently retailing at S$848 at all Samsung Experience Stores. Other than Frosted Gold, it also comes in Dazzling White and Charcoal Black.

For more information on the Samsung GALAXY ALPHA 4G+, click here.

There are times when all I want to do is stay at home and take a break from everything as it helps me to recharge. What do I do when it’s time for lunch or dinner then? I’d either whip up a simple meal or turn to foodpanda for more food options.

What’s foodpanda?

Foodpanda is an online food delivery platform that is available in over 45 countries worldwide. 

All
you have to do is key in your postal code to find out which restaurants
are near you, browse through their menus, place your orders and your
meal will be delivered right to your doorstep. You can even opt for cash
on delivery if you prefer not to use credit card payment. 

No access to a laptop or computer? You can also download the foodpanda mobile app and use it place your orders. 

I’ve been using foodpanda for restaurant food delivery over the past two years, before this review opportunity even came up and it has never failed to deliver (haha!) when it comes to food quality and timeliness.

What did I order this time?

I usually order from Pasta Mania, but this time, I decided to try Indian Curry House. JW and I have been craving for Indian Butter Chicken and the numerous positive reviews online gave us the confidence to place our order with complete peace of mind.

We ordered a few other dishes to complete our meal and everything came within an hour. I was half expecting the food to be lukewarm, but was pleasantly surprised that every dish arrived piping hot.
 

As the portions were very generous, we invited a friend over to join us for dinner.

Butter Chicken & Kashmiri Rogan Josh

All of us were full of praise for the food as every dish was rich in taste and very flavourful. We initially thought that there would be more curry gravy than meat to fill our tummies, but every spoonful of curry came with slices of chicken or mutton to satiate the inner carnivores in us. We found both the Butter Chicken and Kashmiri Rogan Josh to be authentic and absolutely satisfying. 

Aloo Gobi

The Aloo Gobi is a delightful vegetarian dish to accompany your favourite curries. The mix of potatoes and cauliflowers cooked in a blend of Indian spices is so delicious, we wasted no time in wiping the plate clean.

Chill Honey Potatoes are another addictive snack that would serve well as a side dish too. These are essentially Indian-style french fries. I did wish the fries were crispier but the touch of Indian spices is sure to perk up your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

Would I order from Indian Curry House again? 

The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, throughout the meal, all three of us couldn’t stop nodding our heads in approval. 

Being able to enjoy restaurant food in the comfort of our home is one of the pleasures in life that we truly appreciate and relish. With foodpanda, this wish is easily fulfilled.  

Tired of takeaways, too lazy to eat out or cook? 

Perhaps it is about time you checked out foodpanda too!

Do you believe that your future is shaped by your DNA? 

SK-II believes that a woman’s destiny is created by herself and not determined by her DNA. 

Misa Kuranaga, currently the Principal Ballerina of the world-renowned Boston Ballet, is the perfect example and how she changed her own destiny is featured in the video above.  

 Her rise to the top was fraught with challenges along the way. She was told she did not have the physical attributes of a ballerina. Standing at just 156cm, her critics opined that she was too short to stand out on stage and her hips were too narrow for the art of ballet.

Instead of giving up, she re-learned how to use her body and trained it to move extremely fast so as to stand out. She had to work doubly hard as her peers were much younger, but not once did she give up. Her hard work and perseverance eventually paid off. 

It’s all in the mind, they say.  Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right. A positive mind leads to positive results and having a can-do spirit can help us to overcome any obstacles that come our way.  

Indeed, Misa Kuranaga’s story serves as an inspiration to all of us. Watch the video to find out how she changed her destiny and how you can change yours too.

**This post is sponsored by SK-II, but as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

In this digital age, it is only natural that our laptops, tablets and smartphones have since become extensions of ourselves. These tech gadgets are now such an integral part of our lives that it is absolutely necessary to purchase protective cases or bags since we carry our gadgets with us all the time.

Protective sleeves for tech gadgets are a dime a dozen these days but the market is sorely lacking in options that allow consumers to express our individuality and sense of style.  

Snupped is a local Singaporean brand that aims to change all that and more with their fully customizable sleeves, covers and cases for all your gadgets. Not only is the size customizable, you can also pick a design from their selection of designer artworks or better yet, create and upload your very own design to make it completely one-of-a-kind! You can even add handles to your cases to make it easier to tote around. 

Ever since I received my Samsung Galaxy Tab S, I’ve been on the lookout for a stylish tablet cover that would go with all my outfits and yet stand out from the crowd. This edgy Vintage Skull design by Ali Gulec ticked all my checkboxes. And as you know, the rest was history.

Aside from its sleek and stunning design, the cover is practical and fits my Galaxy Tab S to a T.  

  
It also doubles up as a fashion accessory, adding an artistic flair to my monochrome themed outfit effortlessly. 

I had every intention to put together an elegant ensemble with a hint of edginess and if I may say so myself, I think my Snupped tablet cover played a critical role in achieving what I set out to do.

Pants from Love Bonito

Shoes from Valentino

Tablet Cover from Snupped

When the cover is closed, all you see is an intricate montage of floral and baroque motifs, but when you open it up, the beautiful skull design is revealed in its full glory. I love the air of mystery.

More importantly, the probability of me bumping into someone else with the same cover is nearly zilch. I know for sure that I wouldn’t want to be caught dead in the same outfit as a random passerby. By that same token, why would you
want to have the same generic protective case for your gadget when
everyone else on the street is using it too? 

Photography Credits: Ashley Cheang

Once your order is placed, Snupped ships in 5-8 business days. Pretty fast for all that customization, don’t you think? Free shipping is provided in Singapore and there’s also a 30 days return policy.

 I had a wonderful time doing this shoot in collaboration with Carrie, who is one of the Top 10 finalists in the Fashion category at the Omy.sg Singapore Blog Awards 2014, and her photographer friend Ashley. 

For more ideas and styling inspirations with Snupped, do pop by Carrie’s blog. Carrie got herself a laptop case with handles and it’s amazingly roomy and practical, especially if you’re a big bag kind of girl. It’s the perfect size for traveling too if you ask me.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend ahead (plus Valentine’s Day celebration tomorrow)!

SOTHYS is one of the skincare brands on my beauty bucket list and I’ve been anxiously awaiting the day when I can finally tick it off. That day finally came on Boxing Day last year when I was invited to a tea session hosted by Sothys at TWG Tea Salon & Boutique, where the SOTHYS Sensitive Line was unveiled.

 Did you know that 90% of Asian women have sensitive skin? There are two types of sensitive skin, namely 1) naturally sensitive skin or 2) temporarily sensitised skin. People  with naturally sensitive skin, like me, generally have thin and fair skin which turns red easily. Temporarily sensitised skin, on the other hand, is affected by external factors such as environmental aggressions, lifestyle or the use of unsuitable skincare/cosmetic products.

SOTHYS Sensitive Line would work well for you regardless of which group you fall into as it aims to build your skin’s inner strength to balance your skin’s tolerance threshold and limit inflammatory reactions. What I also like about this range is that it is completely fragrance-free.

 The star ingredient in SOTHYS Sensitive Line Skincare is Spa Thermal Water extracted from between 350-400m altitude at the heart of Belgian Ardennes. It is pure, has a low mineral and sodium content as well as a ph 5 value, which is the same as that of our skin. It helps to rebalance the hypersensitivity of our skin and strengthen its tolerance threshold by blocking TRPV1 epidermal receptors that induces pain or itch on the surface of our skin.

Let’s take a look at some of the products in this skincare line. 

 Nutri-Soothing Mask (S$99, 50ml)

Nutri-Soothing mask is an emergency care mask that instantly relieves any discomfort and rebalance your skin. As we were given handy travel sized versions of the skincare range to test out at home and I’ve been using this as a hydrating mask once a week. 

All you have to do is to apply a thin layer over your face and neck, leave it on for about 10 minutes and rinse it off. My skin is generally dehydrated, which makes it susceptible to itch. It doesn’t help that my skin condition worsens when I travel to colder and dryer climates. I like how this mask does a good job of soothing my skin while providing much-needed hydration at the same time. 

Soothing Melting Fluid (S$119/50ml)

 

SOTHYS Soothing Melting Fluid is essentially a daily moisturizer that acts like a barrier to protect your skin from external aggressions and reduce any skin discomfort. 

This light-weight formula is
great for those of you with sensitive and combination skin as it absorbs
readily into your skin just like water, without any sticky after-feel. 

 If your skin is sensitive and
dry, or if you intend to venture to dryer climates, you might want to
consider the Soothing Melting Cream which has a slightly heavier
texture to deliver optimal hydration.

SOS Soothing Serum (S$109/20ml)

As the name suggests, the Soothing SOS serum instantly soothes permanent or temporary sensations of discomfort and limits the appearance of redness. 

This is particularly useful if your skin is prone to itch or redness as it is proven that your skin becomes less sensitive to external aggressions after 15 days of usage. You can apply this before moisturizer on your entire face or on targeted spots.

Micellar Cleansing Water (S$79/200ml)

 Micellar Cleansing Water is a 2-in-1 cleanser for face and eyes and is by far my favourite product in the entire range because it also doubles up as a skin refreshener. Formulated with Micelles which consists of gentle cleansing agents, it is able to trap and lift surface impurities to effectively cleanse your skin in just one step. 

As no rinsing is required, I like to apply this to my face with cotton pads to freshen up my skin before and after my hot yoga classes when I do not have a facial cleanser on hand. This is also perfect for removing light make-up or tinted sunblock. 

If you’ve sensitive skin just like me, do consider giving SOTHYS Sensitive Skincare Line a go. Not only is it proven to improve your skin’s condition, the light and silky smooth texture of the products is certainly a huge draw, especially in our humid climate.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you would probably have read about my positive experience with Dr Dylan Chau from CeleVenus Wellness & Aesthetic Clinic for non-invasive aesthetic procedures. 

This time, I was introduced to Sculptra, the first anti-aging facial injectable that gives you subtle results over time. Unlike fillers, it is not a quick fix and results are not immediate, but it is long-lasting and promises a more natural appearance without giving you away, which is what we all want at the end of the day isn’t it? 
 
I have had dark eye circles for as long as I can remember, but they look far worse when accompanied by sunken under eye hollows (otherwise known as tear troughs) which only deepen with age. While there is little that can be done to eradicate dark eye circles for good, you can however get rid of your sunken tear troughs with non-invasive aesthetic procedures like Sculptra. 

What is Sculptra?

The loss of collagen is the main cause of facial ageing, which leads to deeper lines and more sunken eyes. Made from Poly-L-lactic acid, Sculptra targets the root of the problem by replacing lost collagen over time. Poly-L-lactic acid is gradually and naturally absorbed into the body, and has been used in dissolvable stitches and as a facial injectable since 1999 in over 30 countries.

It starts to work within the deep dermis and as Sculptra replaces your skin’s lost collagen, the reinforced collagen structure forms the foundation that gradually plumps up wrinkles, folds and sunken areas to restore the look of fullness.    

How does Sculptra work?

In general, Sculptra is not meant to be injected into the eye and lip areas.How does it correct under eye hollows or tear troughs then? It is injected into the upper cheekbone area to plump up the skin, which in turn corrects the hollowness in the tear trough area. 

 This is the key reason why you should engage an experienced aesthetic doctor who knows the dos and don’ts of the Sculptra procedure at the back of his hands.  

Dr Dylan Chau is a Sculptra Trainer for doctors in Singapore and is one of the pioneers in Sculptra procedures since its launch in Singapore. Dr Chau’s qualifications, coupled with the fact that he has an eye for aesthetics, assured me that I would be in good hands.

Sculptra requires a series of 3-4 treatments spaced a month apart as time is needed for your skin to generate collagen. It is also important to administer injections in small dosages to achieve the best results.

Does it hurt?

Numbing cream is typically applied for about 20-30 minutes prior to the procedure. There was some discomfort during the injection but it wasn’t particularly painful for me.   

Numbing cream application prior to Sculptra Injection

How long does it last? Is there any downtime?
It can last for more than 2 years, but as with all aesthetic procedures, individual results may vary.  

What can you expect immediately after Sculptra? Is there any downtime? 
 There is no downtime. However, I experienced slight redness and a little bruising after my first session, but I hardly had any bruising after my second session. In any case, all you need is a dab of concealer to cover up any imperfections.

Here are some pictures of me before Sculptra to give you a better idea of how sunken my tear troughs look. 

Sunken tear troughs (without makeup) before Sculptra Injection

Sunken tear troughs (with make-up) before Sculptra

Plumped up under eye area immediately after Sculptra Injection

  
At the end of 1 week, you will probably notice that the initial fullness around the tear trough area would have disappeared. This is normal, as the Poly-L-lactic acid is gradually absorbed into the body and your body starts to generate collagen to plump up the sunken area.

Here’s a photo of me taken 1 month after my second session of Sculptra. Don’t you agree that I look more awake and less tired (even without my eyelash extensions)? What I love most about the treatment is that I no longer have to apply thick layers of make-up to conceal my dark eye circles. Now, all I need is 1 light layer of concealer, which translates to extra time savings for me!

CeleVenus Wellness & Aesthetic Clinic

Address: 
391B Orchard Road
#16-03/04 Ngee Ann City Tower B
Singapore 238874

Tel: 
+65 6410 9621 / +65 6410 9622
 

Email: 
beauty@celevenus.com.sg

Website:
http://www.celevenus.com.sg/ 

If you were to ask me to name one make-up item that I can’t live without, my answer would be eyeliner. I have been wearing classic winged eyeliner for years, and I can’t wait to get hold of the newly launched Maybelline Hypersharp Wing Liner.

I typically use pencil eyeliners as most liquid eyeliners are either too thin or too thick for my eyes and they smudge really easily too. Maybelline Hypersharp Wing Liner promises cleaner, more precise lines and comes with a duo thickness brush that allows you to vary the thickness of your eyeliner depending on the occasion. 

The duo thickness flat tip brush measures 0.01mm on one side for thin strokes and can go up to 2mm for thicker lines. All you have to do is twist the pen to adjust the thickness. Plus, it is 100% water-proof and highly pigmented, which means your eyeliner stays put for 24 hours.

Watch the video below to see how you can easily switch between thick and thin lines with the flick of your wrist:

A new year calls for a new hair sponsor, except that Jeric Salon is no stranger to me, given that I have had my hair done at the salon on several occasions previously. I’ve had some of the most flattering haircuts and hair colours by Director Michelle Soh, hence I knew for sure that I would be in good hands.

If you follow me on instagram (@reginachow_sg), you would have seen my latest perm done by Michelle just a couple of days ago. I will share more details about that separately. 

Before my recent perm, Michelle gave me a trim and a fresh coat of colour to welcome the new year. I love how the colour looks ash brown indoors or under minimal light and golden brown under sunlight or stronger light. It adds movement and dimension to my hair without going over the top. Most importantly, the final look is fuss-free, stylish yet work appropriate, exactly what I need.

 

As I colour my hair frequently, I prefer hair dyes that are derived from natural sources instead of petrochemicals that dry out my hair and pose risks to my health. 

If you are like me, you will be happy to know that Jeric Salon uses Aveda products which are formulated from plants, non-petroleum minerals and water. It is also free from parabens, nitro dyes and animal-derived ingredients. 

Thanks to Michelle and Jeric Salon for giving me beautiful, lustrous and healthy hair! 

Remember to book your appointments early for Chinese New Year (there’s no surcharge!) as slots are filling up fast.

I have been incorporating more basic pieces into my wardrobe recently because they’re so wearable and will never go out of style. Everyone needs these wardrobe essentials and I couldn’t be happier when I discovered that Luca Ruca‘s collection offers just that – classic pieces with a twist that you can wear again and again without looking dated. 

Luca Ruca is headed up by two fashion savvy European designers, Anastasia Buchinskaya and Belinda Alice Jacobs, both of whom have worked for big names in the fashion industry, including Versace, Red Valentino, Vogue Italia, Matthew Williamson, John Rocha and Ted Baker.  

What struck me most about Luca Ruca is that their designs exude an air of sophistication and quiet confidence. Today, I am going to share with you two of my favourite pieces from their collection.

Basic dresses such as this Dazed Side-Knot Dress are a breeze to style. Slip into a pair of loafers for a casual weekend look or dress it up with red accents in the form of a pair of heels and leather cuff like what I did here. I couldn’t resist adding a whimsical unicorn clutch to keep the overall look casual chic, but you can always choose to amp up the glam factor with a luxe purse.

 Dress from Luca Ruca

Shoes from Zara

Cuff from Hermes

Bag from Taobao

I don’t know if you noticed, but I actually wore this dress differently from the model below. Instead of tying the knot on the left, I decided to tie it on the right instead. And there you have it, with this cute little striped number, you can achieve two different looks with just one dress! Rules are meant to be broken sometimes and it’s perfectly fine to set your own rules and let your creative juices flow.

The Granite Twist Top is yet another versatile piece from Luca Ruca’s latest collection. Again, you can choose to dress it up or down depending on the occasion. I’ve worn this with ripped jeans for a casual, edgy look, but did you know that you could style it with a pencil skirt for work as well?

What I love most about this timeless top is the unique twist details at the shoulders and its cotton/lycra mix material, which gives it a more structured silhouette. 

Simple accessories would do the trick here. I completed the look with a classic diamonte Chanel brooch and Valentino Noir Rockstud pumps.

Top from Luca Ruca

Bag from Givenchy

Pumps from Valentino

Brooch from Chanel

 If you need more styling inspirations, here are some pictures from Luca Ruca’s lookbook, photographed in New York City. This gorgeous top comes in a vibrant Mango shade as well, so if you’re looking at injecting some colour into your wardrobe, that would be an excellent choice.

 

All my lovely readers will also be entitled to a 20% discount from now till 31st Jan. All you have to do is to key in the code “LucaRucaXmas” upon checkout.

 Happy Shopping ladies!

 I couldn’t be happier when Fresver Beauty proposed that I undergo their PTF Plus face treatment because my skin has always been plagued by pigmentation and clogged pores. Recently, the pigmentation around my upper cheeks seemed to have darkened significantly  after my Maldives trip and I noticed clusters of whiteheads have emerged along the sides of my face. 

  Background of Fresver Beauty

Established in 1988, Fresver Beauty is a beauty and wellness brand that offers a wide variety of facial and body treatments with the aim of improving your immunity, increasing your vitality and rejuvenating your cells.

It has 3 branches in Singapore, located at Hougang, Tampines and Orchard. I visited the Tampines branch, which is within walking distance from Tampines MRT. 

The friendly staff and cozy atmosphere put me at ease instantly. I was a little early for my appointment, but there was barely any waiting time. 

 Personalized Consultation

In fact, I was immediately ushered to the consultation room where I filled up my personal particulars and skin concerns. A personalized consultation and skin scan was also conducted by a manager as Fresver Beauty believes in customizing every customer’s facial treatments based on your skin’s needs. 

My pigmentation and clogged pores are usually not noticeable in photographs, but these issues were easily picked up during the scan. 

I typically use make-up removal wipes to remove any traces of make-up and sunblock when I travel before I use a facial cleanser, but I was told that my cleansing routine was not thorough enough and could well be the cause of my clogged pores since I was on the road for a prolonged period of time in October. In place of cleansing wipes, my therapist recommended that I should use a cleansing milk for makeup removal instead.

I ended up purchasing a cleansing milk from Dr Grandel, a German skincare brand exclusively carried by Fresver Beauty. After using it for about a week, I noticed that no new bumps have surfaced and my pores feel much cleaner too. It looks like my therapist was right!

PTF Plus Face Treatment for Skin Rejuvenation

I was recommended the PTF Plus Face Treatment for Skin Rejuvenation. To prepare for the treatment, I was led into one of the therapy rooms where I changed into a comfy robe.

What are the benefits of PTF Plus Face Treatment for Skin Rejuvenation?

The face treatment began like a typical facial. Double-cleansing, steaming, extraction, followed by a gentle neck-shoulder massage as well as hand and leg point massage. I was particularly impressed by the extraction process as my therapist did an excellent job of clearing most of my white heads. Before extraction, my therapist administered a Pore Refining Treatment through the application of a comedone softening essence to dislodge stubborn blackheads and whiteheads for a clean and thorough extraction. Practically all the bumps along the sides of my face were gone immediately after the facial.

After extraction, the PTF Plus machine was used to soothe the redness and brighten up my skin. The treatment was quick and comfortable, with pulses of light delivering mild heat to the surface of my skin.  

A cold hydrating mask was then applied at the end of the treatment to further soothe any redness and boost my skin’s hydration level. I have dehydrated skin that is oily at the surface, hence the therapist also recommended that I stick to water-based moisturizers.

Finally, here’s how my bare skin without any make-up after the treatment. I was initially afraid that my skin would end up looking red and inflamed  after the treatment, but as you can see, all my worries were in vain. There was a natural glow and radiance to my skin and the pigmentation on my cheek bones appeared to have lightened as well.

Most of the whiteheads were gone, leaving me with smooth, supple and healthy skin. It has been more than a week since my treatment, but my skin is still glowing and free from bumps.

Here’s a close-up before and after comparison for your reference.

Promotion for readers of “Shopping Queen’s Haven”

If you are interested in trying this treatment, Fresver Beauty has very kindly offered a promotional price and additional exclusive perks for all my lovely readers! 

Here’s what the offer entails:

• Quote “Regina-PTFPlus” and receive 3 complimentary Youthful Eye Treatments when you book a PTF Plus Face Treatment

• Purchase the PTF Plus Face Treatment before 31 January 2015 and receive an additional M5 localized Body Drainage treatment (read more here) free of charge!

• Extra freebies and samples will also be given to all my blog readers

Remember to quote “Regina-PTFPlus” when you book your appointment! 

Fresver Beauty Outlet Locations