Audience: Beauty

Don’t Panic, Here Are 9 Last Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Still haven’t got your mum a gift for Mother’s Day this Sunday? Well, don’t panic. We’ve all been there.

If you’re still cracking your brain on what to get for your mum, don’t fret, we’ve compiled a list of gifts that you can get at the very last minute – no shipping involved.

We’ve got you covered so your mum won’t be disappointed this Mother’s Day.

1. For The Foodie Mum

With the lazy, sunny days truly upon us, what better way to feel a little bit more fancy by hitting up one of Singapore’s many amazing high tea spots with your mama!

If your mum loves food, then book an afternoon at her favourite high tea spot. Anti:Dote is known for their jewellery drawer chest tea set.

Situated in Fairmont Hotel, their high-tea selection consists of various creations including gourmet sandwiches such as Smoked Salmon with Lemon Cream Cheese and Ikura Roe, Mini Strawberry Cake, and Warm Chia Seeds Scones.

You can also find more high tea spots here.

ANTI:DOTE
Address: Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road Level 1, S189560
Price: $48++
Contact No.: 6431 5315
Opening Hours: Mon – Thur: 3pm – 5pm; Fri – Sun: 12pm – 2pm, 3pm – 5pm
Website

2. For The Domestic Goddess

If your mum enjoys spending all her time baking in the kitchen or whipping up a hearty meal for the family, then TOTT is the answer.

From cookware to kitchen tools and accessories, TOTT is THE culinary dream.

If you’d like to get your mum a new set of baking tools so she has an excuse to spend all day in the kitchen baking, then she’ll love Jamie Oliver’s Measuring Stack ($48.90).

This measuring set makes getting the right amount of ingredients super quick and easy. She’ll definitely thank you for this one! You can also get it online here.

Jamie Oliver Measuring Stack
Where to buy: Find your nearest TOTT here
Price: $48.90

3. For The Organised Mum

I know I got my super neat freak genes from my mum. She loves organising the house and making sure everything is spick and span.

In fact if she could colour coordinate the clothes in my wardrobe, she would be happy to do so.

If your mum sounds a bit like mine, then she’ll definitely love Kikki.K. You can get everything from notebooks and journals to organising folders and storage folders.

This Mother’s Day, choose from a selection of Kikki.k’s products and personalise them with their monogramming service.

Add a sweet personal touch you know your mum will love and appreciate.

Kikki.K
Where to buy: Find your nearest outlet here
Price: Planners (From $59.90)

4. For The Mum Who Loves Cake

This is the easiest and safest option by far. You can never go wrong with cake, especially if your mum has a sweet tooth.

This Mother’s Day, BreadTalk has got you and Mummy covered.

Yams of Love ($34.80) is a beautiful soft chiffon cake layered with pudding and luscious yam paste made with yam imported from Taiwan.

[caption id="attachment_34376" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Yams Of Love ($34.80)[/caption]

From 1 May to 13 May, this cake will be available at all BreadTalk stores island wide (except Singapore Cruise Centre and United Square).

If Mummy loves anything yam, then this is the perfect cake for her on this special day.

Yams Of Love Cake
Where to buy: Find your nearest BreadTalk here
Price: $34.80

5. For The Beauty Guru Mum

If your mum religiously sticks to a routine to maintain her youthful look, then she’ll most definitely love any skincare products.

Give mum the gift of pure, natural beauty with Innisfree this Mother’s Day from 1 to 13 May 2018. From everyday essentials for radiant-looking skin to powerful nourishing treatments, there’s definitely something for her.

Give her the extra treat she deserves with a complimentary Jeju Pomegranate Revitalizing Special Care Kit when you pamper her with either the Jeju Pomegranate Revitalizing Essence ($46) or Jeju Pomegranate Revitalizing Cream. 

Jeju Pomegranate Revitalizing Essence
Where to buy: Find your nearest Innisfree outlet Image Credit: Sephora Singapore[/caption]

All you have to do is go to Sephora’s online store, choose a design and enter your gift amount. Write a special message for her and wait for a confirmation email for your gift card purchase.

Here’s a quick and easy way to make your mum feel truly special this Mother’s Day.

Sephora Online Gift Cards
Where to buy: Head on to Sephora’s online store here
Price: $20 – $100

7. For The Yogi Mums

You look at her and wonder how in the world does she manage to go to work, care for the entire family and even squeeze in time to stay healthy.

She’s not just a regular mom, she’s a cool mom.

She downs a bottle of protein shake for breakfast, eats kale and quinoa for lunch and squeezes in a yoga session after work.

If that’s your mum, then she’ll love these fashionable tights from Lululemon for her next yoga class.

Taking her from street to yoga, cruise through the day with this light weight and buttery-soft, All You Do Tights in Nulu fabric.

She’ll definitely rock these tights at her next yoga class.

All You Do Tights
Where to buy: Lululemon Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, B1-11, Singapore 238801
Price: $150

8. For The 9 – 5 Office Mum

All mighty mothers deserve a spa session at any time of the year. Hence for Mother’s Day, Auriga Spa is offering two treats throughout May to thank the caring figures in your life.

Mum’s month ($250 per person) includes a Body Massage and a Rose Facial, both 45 minutes long. The self-explanatory Spa Date with Mum ($550 for two) includes a 30-minute Body Scrub, a sixty minute Body Massage or Rose Facial, and afternoon tea for two. Both packages come with an Aesop Travel Set to take home.

Auriga Spa
Address: Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297
Price: From $250
Website

9. For The Ice Queen

Thank mum for her love and devotion with beautifully crafted sterling silver charms. Give your mum something special this year to celebrate what she means to you.

Pandora is known for their collection of charm bracelets and what better way to show your love for her than getting her charms that represents the both of you.

Breathtaking in design, expertly crafted and intricately hand-finished, this limited edition Flourishing Hearts Silver Bangle ($149) is the perfect gift for her.

Hand-finished in sterling silver, this limited edition bangle features a detachable clasp with a tree of love motif she can mix and match with other clasps.

Flourishing Hearts Silver Bangle
Where to buy: Find your nearest Pandora outlet here
Price: From $149

Mothers wear so many hats at any given point of the day. Spend time with your mum this Mother’s Day, after all, it’s the thought that truly counts right?

Also Read 10 High Tea Spots To Make Your Mum Feel Like The Queen She Is This Mother’s Day

(Header Image Source: @kikki.k ,Pandora Singapore Facebook )

Take First, Try Later – Stuff Your Bags To Your Heart’s Content At Carousell’s Clothes Buffet

All-you-can-eat buffets are great but you know what’s better?

A buffet that indulges your need for variety, and at the same time, gives you a new look while giving back to the community.

Carousell is organising a clothes buffet next weekend, so instead of stuffing your tummy, stuff a bag for charity!

Revamp Your Wardrobe

From 28 April onwards, Carousell will be rolling out trusted meet-up spots, all centrally located within Frasers Property malls, to make it even easier and safer to buy, sell and connect.

To celebrate the launch of the new trusted meet-up spots, Carousell will be hosting a “All-You-Can-Stuff” Carousell Clothes Buffet from 28 – 29 April.

Shopaholics, gear up for the weekend of your life.

Here’s what you have to do:

1. Have lightly-worn clothes hanging around that you don’t have a need for anymore? Donate them to the Carousell Clothes Buffet!

2. Take part in the ‘All-You-Can-Stuff’ fundraising drive by purchasing bags to stuff all that you can from the clothes buffet spread. You get to keep all the clothes, while all sales proceeds will go to charity.

3. You’ll have the option to buy ziplock bags of different sizes. Prices will range from $5 – $15 a piece. The more clothes you donate, the cheaper the bags.

Simple right? You get to revamp your entire wardrobe and give back to charity at the same time!

Time to declutter your wardrobe and donate that one-size-too-small number to someone who’ll find it a treasure.

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” as the saying goes.

‘All-You-Can-Stuff’ Carousell Clothes Buffet
Address: The Centrepoint, Central Atrium 176 Orchard Road, S(238843)
Date: 28 – 29 April
Time: 11am to 5pm

Also Read Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day Is Over, But You Can Still Get Free Ice Cream This Weekend

(Header Image Source: Carousell Singapore)

12 Last Minute Gifts Under $30 That Are Not Body Shop Gift Sets

We can’t believe it. Where has 2017 gone? Time really flies when you’re busy.

Did you manage to buy all the Christmas gifts? Did you miss out anyone? Your parents? What about your 3rd sister’s son? Don’t forget the office’s Secret Santa gift exchange too.

Don’t fret. We’ve got you covered. We have a list of great Christmas gifts that are below $30. You know, so your wallet won’t burn.

Time’s running out, let’s get to it!

Gifts For One And All

1. Compact Blush Terrazzo 2018 Planner

The perfect gift to get for that organised friend, is a planner. It might sound dull to you but a planner is extremely important to any decent person that keeps track of their day.

But don’t just get any planner. Get this Olive Leaves Weekly Desk Planner ($13.90) from The Paper Bunny.

The Paper Bunny
Price: $13.90
Image Credit: Lush Singapore[/caption]

This is the key item to having the ultimate Christmas pampering.

Get yours from the Lush website or any Lush outlet!

Lush
Price: $15
Website

3. Biskviti Tea Infuser

We’ve seen all kinds of quirky tea infusers. From a mini titanic to manatees that hang off the edge of the cup, now we have a tea infuser that you might accidentally bite into.

The Biskviti Tea Infuser ($18.90) from Naiise is a gift suitable for the serious tea people.

The best part about this tea infuser, is that you can leave it in for as long as you like and it won’t become soggy.

Though, the serious tea people will tell you that 6 to 8 minutes is the best steeping duration for optimal tea flavour.

Get this quirky tea infuser from here or any Naiise outlet!

Naiise
Price: $18.90
Website

4. “Mighty Dog” Dog Waste Bag Dispenser

This is the gift for that friend with a pet dog.

A “Mighty Dog” (because Superdog is copyrighted) Dog Waste Bag Dispenser ($13.52) from Naiise that clips handily on the leash so they don’t have to awkwardly hold onto a plastic bag while walking their dog.

What’s more, it looks really cute. A waste bag cape for a good pupper.

Whoever thought of this is a genius.

Get it from here or any Naiise outlet.

Naiise
Price: $13.52
Website

5. GLAMGLOW Little Sexy Trio Set

Usually, ready-packaged gift packs are considered a lazy gift and are generally avoided by thoughtful gift-givers. However, we couldn’t ignore this one from Sephora.

The GLAMGLOW Little Sexy Trio Set ($29) is a selection of best-selling treatments for brighter, smoother, and softer skin.

The set includes SUPERMUD® which cleans, clears and minimises your pores, YOUTHMUD® which absorbs impurities and tightens your pores, and the GRAVITYMUD™ that leaves your skin feeling tighter and more toned.

It’s the perfect pre-makeup treatment for you or any of your friends.

Hurry and get it from here or any Sephora outlet!

Sephora
Price: $29
Website

6. Shark Plush Slippers For Grown Ups

As huge fans of marine life, we couldn’t pass up on these Shark Plush Slippers For Grown Ups ($21.99) from ThinkGeek.

It’s a one-size-fits-all bedroom slipper with no-slip dots on the sole.

The best part, no more stubbed toes. Sharks will protect our feet from now on.

Get it on ThinkGeek.

ThinkGeek
Price: $21.99
Website

7. Lace V-Neck Bralette

Anyone who’s tried a bralette will know that these things are absolutely LIFE-CHANGING. It’s cuter and leagues more comfortable than an actual bra (true story).

Sold in a huge array of styles, this is a gift any girl will love; the only tricky part is getting the cup size right.

We like these black lacy ones from Forever21, but you can also go for simpler ones like this and this.

Forever 21
Price: $8.90 – $12.90
Website

8. Corgi Dogs Regular Socks

Step aside, Happy Socks. Corgi Socks is our new favourite.

This pair of Corgi Dogs Regular Socks ($24.70) is absolutely adorable. Originally launched in 2012 in commemoration of the Queen’s Jubilee, these Corgi dog motif socks were so popular that they became a favourite addition to the collection.

You can get your Corgi-studded comfy socks from Robinson’s online store or any of their outlets!

Robinsons
Price: $24.70
Website

9. Kult Sin City Totebags

The creative folks at Kult have a ‘Sin City‘ merchandise collection and double takes are necessary because you probably won’t see the little change in the iconic designs at first glance.

If you’re planning to gift something that’s practical, get their tote bags ($28).

A tote bag is always handy and useful.

There are multiple designs that are available that you can view and purchase from here.

Kult
Price: $28
Website

10. Actually “Ain’t Gucci” Tee

This “Ain’t Gucci” tee ($29) is a perfect gift for that friend who won’t shut up about Gucci. And listens to Gucci Mane. And loves the colours green and red.

We’re kidding. This stylish yet simple tee from Actually is a perfect gift for that Hypebeast friend.

The adorable character with the huge, emotive eyes made its first appearance in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, melting hearts all over the world.

Anyone who receives this will surely have the same reaction.

Get it from any Simply Toys outlet today!

Simply Toys
Price: $19.90
Website

12. Piano Key Hook

We all have that absent-minded friend who is always losing their keys. This is the perfect gift for that friend.

A Piano Key Hook ($25.52) from Naiise.

This quirky key holder comes with 5 black key holders that also double as whistles.

Fun and useful! Potentially annoying. But still a great gift for that forgetful friend.

Get it from here or any Naiise outlet!

Naiise
Price: $25.52
Website

We always tell ourselves to buy presents earlier next Christmas, though we know that we’ll always end up doing last minute Christmas shopping.

Oh well, we’ll start earlier next year.

Also read The Ultimate Collector’s Guide To Toy Shopping In Singapore

Your Room Will Smell Absolutely Scent-sational Once You Light Up These Candles

Candles come in so many shapes, sizes and smells, you can never have one too many!

Let’s face it, candles are pretty versatile and should become a necessity in every house.Not only to they do beautify your room, the scents they give off when lit will soothe your frazzled nerves and can freshen up any room almost immediately.

Plus, candles come in super handy if you are planning a romantic night in (if you know what I mean).

We waded through the tons of options out there and chose some of the more interesting scents that will make your house smell absolutely scent-sational.

1. Bath & Body Works – But First, Coffee! 

Revel in the smells of thatched bungalows and the salty sea breeze with Glasshouse‘s tropical scent.

The flowery yet tangy smells courtesy of cilantro, tangerine and orange blossoms will leave you with the thoughts of clear sandy beaches when you are actually in a hot and stuffy HDB flat.

Where to get it: Naiise outlets or online
Website

3. fresh – Sake

[caption id="attachment_30048" align="alignnone" width="720"] De-stress and de-mozzie (Image Credit: Artisan’s Garden)[/caption]

The Citronella Candle caught my nose with its grassy, floral smell that reminds me of the clean smell of wet grass.

Not only is citronella said to help reduce stress when used in aromatherapy, it also works as a mosquito repellent! Perfect for our tropical weather.

Artisan’s Garden sells the this candle in a small travel tin so that you can easily carry it around if you are thinking of going camping or traveling to tropical countries.

Where to get it: online
Use the holder to store trinkets once it’s finished (Image Credit: 6. NARS – Acapulco

[caption id="attachment_30051" align="alignnone" width="1196"] All candles come with the logo on it! (Image Credit: Beautyfreshfave)[/caption]

Yes, this is the same beauty brand that you find in Sephora. Not many people are aware that NARS carry candles (mainly because they don’t bring it to Singapore), which you have to buy through the NARS US website or Amazon.

And yes, the shipping fee is definitely worth it, because the candles can seriously compete with their make up range. My pick would be Acapulco, a chocolate-based candle that comes layered with traces of whipped cream and coffee beans. It’s delicious, but not overly sweet – kind of like dark chocolate.

Where to get it: NARS US website or Amazon
Such brew-tiful smells (Image Credit: TWG Tea)[/caption]

Another underrated candle from a brand that specialises in selling something else!

If you love the smell of your TWG tea, you can now get their candle version so that you can enjoy the delicious smells without having to brew a pot.

Their White Earl Grey Tea Scented Candle is a fresh, raw fragrance of bergamot and imperial silver needles that smells as good as it tastes.

Where to get it: online
Choose your poison of choice! (Image Credit: Spicy Orange And Hot Peppers Scent and Marijuanna-Weed Scent that you will be hard pressed to find anywhere else.

Where to get it: online or through Etsy
Also read Gifs Are A Legit Art Form, And This Festival Dedicated To Them Proves It

(Header Image Source: Pinterest)

The Average Singaporean Lifestyle Automatically Ages Your Hair – Here’s How

Many of us are familiar with the term ‘skin age’, but did you know there is also such a thing as ‘hair age’?

Like our skin and the various parts of our body, our hair ages too. With age, it grows thin, turns grey, gets dry and brittle, and can lose its shine – these are all signs of ageing when it comes to the hair on our heads.

Maybe you’re touching your hair, wondering if you’re a 20-something with 30-year-old hair. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In fact, many Singaporeans actually have hair older than they are! That’s simply because there are many factors about the average Singaporean’s lifestyle that can age your hair.

If you’re curious about what some of these factors are, here are 3 things you had no idea are ageing your crowning glory:

1. Sun Damage

Most of us Singaporeans are well familiar with how much sunshine this littler red dot sees (Read: LOTS of sun).

By being out in the sun for a long time, we subject our hair to UVA and UVB rays, which damages the outer covering of our hair strands (the ‘cuticle’), resulting in a dry, dull and brittle mane.

The next time you foresee yourself spending hours under the hot sun, try sporting a cap, or moisturise your tresses with oils, conditioners and treatments to keep them looking youthful and healthy!

2. Over-shampooing

The brand has won multiple beauty awards, including the Singapore Women’s Weekly Hair Awards 2017 (Best Volumising Treatment For Thinning Hair), Elle Beauty Treat List 2017 (Best Treatment For Hair Loss), Daily Vanity (Top 10 Trusted Hair Treatment Centre 2017), Her World Spa Awards 2016 and Harper’s Bazaar Hair Awards 2016. It also counts celebrities like Xiaxue, Jaynesh and Anand among its clients!

Whether you find out your hair is 5, 10, or 20 years older than you, TrichoKare’s got your hair needs covered with its new anti-ageing hair treatment.

Their Advanced Age Defying Hair Treatment helps to fight signs of ageing hair. It is specially developed to help both men and women counteract age-related changes in the density and diameter of their hair.

The treatment features the new Oxyjet Technology – a needleless jet infusion of oxygen and nutrients used to penetrate deeply into the scalp. It helps to detox the scalp, reactivate up to 80% of dormant hair follicles, accelerate cell regeneration to stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss.

The key ingredients the hair care specialist uses to counteract ageing hair is:

Emu Oil

• Boost the diameter and thickness of each hair
• Reactivate 80% of dormant hair follicles

Gingko Biloba extract

• Counteract signs of scalp ageing
• Boost collagen to increase new hair growth

Beauty Blogger, Rae was sent down to TrichoKare to find out more about the treatment. She took the Advanced Tricho Hair Test conducted by the certified Trichologist. How old was her hair? It was revealed that her hair was 41 years old – a good 7 years older than she is!

(Before)

(After)

“After my session with Trichokare, my scalp feels healthier and visibly cleaner than I have ever felt before. With a customised hair treatment, the solution really identifies the root of my problem. In the before scan, you can see the sebum buildup and dry flakes. These were completely removed, I was impressed by the results! I’ve since observed less flakes and reduced hair fall even after 2 weeks. The session with Trichokare definitely taught me on better haircare techniques, what should and should not be done.” – Rae

After just 1 month of treatment, TrichoKare’s customers saw visible changes including a reduction of premature grey hair as well as an increase in hair growth.

If you’re keen to try TrichoKare’s anti-ageing hair treatment, there’s a special promotion going on right now. You can get the Advanced Age Defying Hair Treatment at just $40, and you’ll have a Hair Care Kit and HairGRO Serum (U.P. $758) thrown in for good measure!

To top off an already sweet deal, you also stand a chance to win a 2D1N staycation at Marina Bay Sands (worth $680) after the trial treatment!

TrichoKare has 5 outlets across Singapore, so whether you’re curious about the age of your hair, or have hair that is in dire need of saving, make a date with Trichokare Instagram

This article is written in collaboration with TK TrichoKare. 

Hate That One Tattoo? Laser Off Your Regrets At These 5 Clinics

We all get tattoos done for different reasons. For some of us, it’s a form of artistic expression. For others, it’s a symbol of something important – a person, an event, an idea. Regardless of the reason for the tattoo(s), there may come a point in time when you want to get rid of them.

Currently, the most popular method for tattoo removal is by laser.

How easy or difficult your tattoo is to remove depends on factors such as the size of your tattoo, the type of ink used and the colour of the ink; that then translates into how many sessions it will take to remove your tattoo, and of course, how much it will cost.

Got something etched into your skin that you sorely regret? Here are 5 places you can get your tattoos removed for good.

1. dr. Tan + partners medical centre

At this clinic, the doctors use the Q-switch ND: YAG Laser. This laser penetrates the outer layer of the skin and destroys the tattoo ink permanently. The broken ink pigments are naturally removed from your body over the next few weeks as the tattoo lightens gradually.

If you’re concerned about the pain, put your mind at ease as a numbing cream is applied 20-30 minutes before the session. Aside from that, ice packs are also used.

The doctors caution that the results of this medical procedure varies from person to person, depending on factors such as the age, colour, density, depth, and type of the tattoo inks.

Generally, it takes around 2-10 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart to see optimal results. The clinic charges $45 for first time consultation, and the cost and number of sessions vary, depending on the tattoo.

dr. Tan + partners medical centre
Website: [email protected]
Address & Contact no.:
Scotts Medical Center (Pacific Plaza), 9 Scotts Road #06-06, Singapore 228210
Contact no.: 6694 2348

Robertson Walk, 11 Unity Street #02-07, Singapore 237995
Contact no.: 6238 7810

The Bencoolen, 180 Bencoolen St #02-20, Singapore 189646
Contact no.: 6884 4119

Novena Medical Center, 10 Sinaran Drive #08-31, Singapore 307506
Contact no.: 6397 2095

Orchard Building (H&M), 1 Grange Road #10-08, Singapore 239693
Contact no.: 6262 0762

2. Dr Eileen Tan Skin, Laser & Hair Transplant Clinic

Dr Tan is a dermatologist accredited by the Specialist Accreditation Board. According to her website, she was the first Singaporean to win the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery Preceptorship Award in 2001.

To remove tattoos, Dr Tan uses the Medlite laser which penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the tattoo ink. After which, the body’s natural filtering system removes the ink as the light absorption causes the ink to break down. Dr Tan estimates that on average, 3 – 7 sessions, spaced 6 – 8 weeks apart will be necessary.

The good news is that more than 95% fading of the tattoo can be expected. However, as more than 100 types of tattoo inks are used these days, all of which are unregulated by the US Food & Drug Administration, doctors lack sufficient information to determine the degree of removal for all inks.

Dr Eileen Tan Skin, Laser & Hair Transplant Clinic
Website: Image Credit: National Skin Centre[/caption]

Yes, the National Skin Centre (NSC) does tattoo and eyebrow tattoo removals too.

Like dr Tan + partners, NSC uses the Q-Switched Nd: YAG Laser. According to the NSC website, the pain experienced is mild and akin to snapping the skin with a rubber band. That said, some areas on the body are more sensitive than others.

As a result of the laser surgery, there may be a superficial burn on the skin surface which will take several days to heal. In the process, you may experience swelling, weeping, and crusting of the treated area.

The cost ranges from $250 – $800 per session, depending on the tattoo size, area, depth and colour. Also, this cost excludes consultation, medication and any other miscellaneous charges incurred.

National Skin Centre
Address: 1 Mandalay Road Singapore 308205
Contact no.: 6350 6666
Website: https://www.nsc.com.sg/Pages/index.aspx

4. Freia Medical

Ensure that your doctor is certified competent and knowledgeable to use medical grade lasers. In Singapore, doctors also need the National Environment Agency’s approval in order to buy and operate the lasers. Do We Tried Glamping For The First Time And It Was As Awesome As It Looks

Have A Scent-Sational Time At This Pop-Up That Lets You Create Your Own Fragrance For Under $50

Can’t seem to find the perfect fragrance to complement your style and personality? Or simply looking to switch things up?

Whichever it is, we’ve got the solution!

As part of its pop-up store promo this month, up-and-coming fragrance and mixology specialist Oo La Lab has launched Chemistry of Oo, a sensorial workshop where you can not only learn all about fragrance design, but also create your own personalised fragrance.

Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? The DiscoverSG team attended one of these sessions with our ambassadors just last week, so here’s a whiff of what to expect at Chemistry of Oo:

A Scent-sational Experience

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s imperative that you identify 5 to 7 notes (from over 25) you like best to ensure you love your final product. For those unacquainted, ‘notes’ is fragrance terminology for the basic building blocks of scent. Because your fragrance is going to be uniquely you, you’ll need to take note (pun intended) of what you like and have an idea of what fragrance you want to end up with.

Notes vary in intensity and type. They can be fresh, floral, oriental or woody. From the subtle and fresh Citrus and Tea scents to the more intense and complex Musk, Chypre and even Leather, there’s something for everyone!

Getting It Just Right

After you’ve identified your favourite notes, it’s time to try out the various combinations to see what works best!

Since you’ll be combining about 5 notes, you’ll need to experiment with various proportions to see how they turn out. This is where the fun really starts!

Participants will each receive a mini chemistry set of sorts, complete with a test tube, beaker, vials and more. Instructions are clear and easy to follow, and should you have any questions (e.g the ideal ratio), simply ask the staff at Oo La Lab and they’ll be more than happy to give you some tips.

Don’t be afraid to make as many attempts as you need to get your fragrance exactly right!

Mixing Your Fragrance

Once you’re happy with your concoction, it’s time to actually build your fragrance and bottle it up!

All you have to do is mix the notes in the ratio that you want, but at a much greater volume. This is made easy with the measuring cylinder provided. A checklist will also be provided so you can keep track of all the notes that will go into your bottle.

You will be provided with a pretty bottle to keep your fragrance. The default size is 20ml.

Crimp, Label and Seal The Deal

When you’re done mixing your fragrance, you’ll need to bring your bottle to one of the staff, who will then add a dash of ethanol and finally seal – or crimp – your bottle. You’ll also get to name your own custom-made fragrance, which will appear on the label! Name it whatever you want and once your bottle is sealed, voilà, you’re done!

SPECIAL PROMO: 50% off

Alright dear readers, we bring you good news – Oo La Lab is currently having a smashing 2-for-1 promotion for its Chemistry of Oo workshop!

For just $98 (i.e $49 per person), you and a friend can create something unique together–that’s half the usual price. It’s an informative, engaging, not to mention fun experience! Whether you are new to fragrance or a fragrance connoisseur, you’ll have a scent-sational time here. Simply quote “Oolalab@mandaringallery” when you visit the store and you’re good to go!

Promotion ends after 30 June 2017, so hurry and make a date with Oo La Lab!

Chemistry of Oo
Address: Oo La Lab pop-up store, Mandarin Gallery, #03-24, 333A Orchard Road, Singapore 238897
Duration of workshop: 1.5 – 2h

Click

We Found Out How We’ll Look Like In 30 Years’ Time – We Didn’t Like It

Apps that distort and enhance (some both, oddly) your face are aplenty, and it’s safe to say that we would have had fun with them at some point in the past.

AgingBooth, an app that been around for a few years now, is one that I’ve heard of, and seen photos of plastered on my Facebook feed.

Aimed to give an insight on how one will look when they’re older, the results usually see deep-set wrinkles and sagging jawlines added to a current photo of the user.

The good thing is that the results aren’t absolutely ridiculous, and while it’s impossible to confirm that the results are what we’ll look like 30, 40 years down the road, it still makes for good fun.

At our office, we’re always raring to try out interesting apps and services. So, we decided take a peek into the future, and tested it out ourselves!

The Results Were…

[caption id="attachment_26073" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Us in 2050?[/caption]

…but they definitely generated a lot of laughter in the office.

Ranging from too exaggerated to actually plausible, comments on the photos ranged from amused to pensive, and many were left wondering if this is the face they’d be seeing in the mirror down the road.

“I just look sad. Makes me wonder if anyone would want me when I’m older…”

“I look like an amiable grandma! But I wish I could do something about those wrinkles.”

“Actually, if I cross the road it looks like people will help me.”

With most of us in our mid to late 20s, the concept of ageing can sometimes seem far away, but there’s no need for the simulation from this app to know that our skin, hair and bodies would not be as young and healthy as before.

With most of us also spending most of our waking hours in the office, and the stress that comes with it, a stringent skincare routine and regular exercise can be challenging (albeit not impossible).

To add on, factors like a sedentary lifestyle, bad posture, the glare from the screen and ceiling lights, as well as the drying effect of the air conditioning aren’t your friends when it comes to looking youthful.

How Working In An Office Ages You

It’s common knowledge that people in manual labour, and those constantly out in the sun are more prone to ageing prematurely. Dirty air and relentless sunshine plague their days, giving rise to sunspots, dry skin, and clogged pores. But did you know that working in a cushy office isn’t that great a deal either?

Here are 2 of the main ways that office life ages you.

Stress At Work, Lack Of Sleep

[caption id="attachment_26074" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Image Credit: Confessions Of A Someday Somebody[/caption]

First of all, one of the most obvious factors – stress and exhaustion.

As we all know, the frowning and poring over our screens can induce the formation of wrinkles, but did you know that our workload can also affect our DNA negatively?

During a anticipation of stress can bring about negative effects. Researchers found that those who felt most affected by the anticipation of stress “exhibited greater signs of aging on the cellular level”.

And not to mention, having a heavy workload also usually leads to less downtime to pamper ourselves. This leads to sloppy (or no) skincare, no time for proper sleep or exercise (which Image Credit: The Prospect[/caption]

Yes – while being under the blazing hot sun exposes you to UV Rays, you’re no safer under the fluorescent lights of your office.

Most lights are relatively harmless but there are some which, according to a study by the European Commission, emit blue light and ultraviolet radiation. In the long run, study by Stony Brook University also found that compact fluorescent lights, aka energy-saving lights, also have the potential to damage skin cells and make you look older than you are.

Ageing Is Unavoidable, But Looking Haggard Isn’t

While stumbling across a fountain of youth is clearly an impossible feat, there are definitely steps you can take to make your age actually look good on you.

For those with the luxury of time, investing in good skincare and maybe even a gym membership can help alleviate some effects, but what about problems like a sagging neckline, ageing skin, or deep set wrinkles?

This is where award-winning aesthetic clinic Amaris B. Clinic’s Dr. Ivan Puah[/caption]

Providing a wide range of treatments ranging from facelifts, to even a weight management programme for those struggling with weight issues, customers are assured the best in aesthetic treatments.

In the fight against the ravages of time, customers can get to choose from a , both of which utilise the latest FDA-approved ultrasound technology to reintegrate new collagen, which eventually tightens and lifts the skin in those areas.

Beijing 101 Has Been Around For 43 Years, But What’s Their Secret To Survival? We Found Out

Male or female, young or old, we all want to look and feel good.

While some of us struggle with difficult skin, some of us struggle with something else: our hair. Whether it’s flaky scalp, oily scalp or hair loss, hair issues can be a huge source of confidence loss for both men and women.

While there are many shampoos, tonics, and serums out there that claim to help with these issues, few of them truly deliver on their promises, leaving us right back at square one: without a solution.

Enter Our ambassador, Vanessa, at Beijing 101 at Tiong Bahru Plaza, #01-129[/caption]

Beijing 101 has been in the business of hair loss solutions for a good 43 years and has won many international awards from different countries! They also have a stellar track record, with 9 in 10* of customers seeing visible hair growth and long-lasting results.

An authority in hair care, Beijing 101 employs Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles in its service. Not only do they use premium-grade natural herbs like ginseng, lingzhi and dang gui to treat scalp issues, all their consultants are TCM trained!

We sent our ambassador, Vanessa, down for a scalp treatment. After all, who would say no to better, healthier hair?

Consulting With The Specialist 

The session began with a 20 minute consultation with the hair consultant, which took place in a welcoming private consultation room.

The consultant asked her a series of questions pertaining to her lifestyle, hair- and health-related habits, before proceeding to scan and analyse her scalp. She found that Vanessa’s hair was thinning at the crown, and that some empty pores were prominent.

She suggested that this could be due to stress and a lack of sleep (#studentlife), and she recommended that Vanessa go for the Herbal Scalp Treatment, which helps to cleanse and keep the scalp clean, preventing hair follicles from getting clogged.

Treatment Begins!

Vanessa was led to a private VIP room, where she got all the privacy she wanted, to browse through the magazines provided and to enjoy her tea.

The procedure began with the application of the Deep Cleansing Scalp Mask to her scalp, a concoction of TCM herbs. The mask was spread evenly throughout her head, and a steamer was used to help open the pores of her scalp so it could absorb all the good stuff packed within it!

The mask was left to sit for about 40 minutes, before being thoroughly washed off.

For the next part of her treatment, 2 coats of serum were applied to her scalp to balance its pH level. The serum was massaged into her scalp to, once again, aid absorption.

There were 3 different types of massages she could choose from: one for better sleep, one for soothing tense muscles, and another for overall well-being. She picked the one for overall well-being–the signature Meridian Herbal Treatment Massage–which was very calming and relaxing!

Seeing A Visible Difference

To conclude the session, she was given a second scalp analysis, where you could actually see much fewer pores clogged with sebum. While there was–of course–no visible hair growth within that 1 session, she left with a cleaner, much healthier scalp than she came in with!
To check out her experience, watch the video below!

If you’ve been struggling with your scalp for the longest time and have tried almost everything out there in a bid to remedy it, make a trip down to Beijing 101—you won’t regret it!

Beijing 101 will be running a Also read Goodbye Artbox, Hello Thai Festival – Authentic Thai Eats Without The Heat Or The Crowd

20 Guys Share Their Insecurities (Cause Society Has Ridiculous Expectations Of Men Too)

Today is not an easy society to survive in.

From fierce job competition and the volatile nature of job stability, to the fear of being judged on both the superficial and personal levels, society today is a brutally tough crowd.

While women may find it easy to talk about their insecurities, the same unfortunately, cannot be said for the opposite gender. Males are stereotypically perceived as more ‘dominant’, and emotional insecurity can be unfairly judged as weakness. But that is not the case. We reached out to 20 local males to find out about their worries.

*All names have been changed.

1. The Future

This was one of the most common fears shared by the men we spoke to.

Amin shared that he worried because the future looked unclear, and that the idea of not knowing what was coming or what he would be doing in 5 years frightened him.

This thought was shared by Darren, who while sharing about the having secured a job not long after graduation, the volatility of the job landscape and the constant need to up-skill himself worried him.

“There is no guarantee anymore nowadays. The market is so bad that anything can happen to anyone.”

2. Self-Worth

Alastair, who was married, talked about his fears of not being good enough for his partner. He wanted to ensure that she would always get the best so there would be no regrets later on.

“We only live once and she decided to choose me as her partner so if I cannot give her the best then I feel that I failed,” he reflects.

Speaking to Isaac, he also touched on the value of his self-worth, and that he often felt like he needed to “go above and beyond to prove his worth, and even then he rarely feel that he was ever good enough.”

“There are moments when I don’t think I am worth much. Maybe it’s the standards I set for myself or maybe it’s just feeling inferior to all those high flyers or scholars. So these things fuel my desire to achieve.. more.” 

3. Body Type

“I guess I feel insecure when I am in a situation where I’m not good enough, or I feel that I’m not good enough. Like when I go to a beach, I feel insecure cause I don’t have the figure of a hot guy,” shares Ang.

Kevin also shares these thoughts, as he talks about hitting the gym extensively during his university days as he always felt insecure about his figure.

“Some of my friends were really athletic with 6 packs, and that affected the way I saw myself, especially around our female friends. There was once I even exercised so much that I tore my ligament.”

Going to the gym can be highly damaging to the body if not enough care is given to your safety, so for those for whom sweating it out is not particularly attractive, aesthetic treatments can also do the trick.

The Amaris B. Clinic’s VO2 Weight Loss Therapy combines non-invasive fat reduction technology to target and address problem areas on the body. When these treatments are coupled with meal management, it can also guarantee long lasting weight loss results.

4. Facial Appearance

“I used to have very bad acne when I was younger, and that led to me having really bad pockmarks on my face. I’m quite a social person too, and I like going out, but sometimes I get overly worried about what people think when they look at me.”

“Medicines didn’t seem to help either,” shared Justin.

“For me, my friends pointed out to me that I was starting to show wrinkles when I entered university,” Raj revealed. “I figure it was just the stress and that it’d go away after my exam periods were over, but they didn’t.”

He teases that while he still has wrinkles, he sometimes tries to hide them with a bit of make-up. “This makes me worried sometimes that my friends would catch on!”

Since makeup might not be everyone’s cup of tea, why not take a visit at what the Amaris B. Clinic has to offer?

Aesthetic treatment are no longer just for the fairer sex, and the clinic also has Image Credit: stauntonrescue[/caption]

Amaris B. Clinic is an award-winning clinic where Dr. Ivan Puah specialises in aesthetic treatments, and among them is surgery for male boobs. Although surgery might sound like a drastic solution, it is actually a highly accepted solution in countries such as the US. Other surgery benefits also include his story of the surgery, and how it has really helped his situation.

Insecurities Aren’t Trivial Fears

And when someone shares about their insecurities, the worst thing that you could do is write it off as something insignificant. However, these fears do not need to be forever either, and there are definitely ways to work around and at least, alleviate them.

Featured Image Credit: @shazbyshaz / Vulcan Post