Archives

Why The Jetsetter Life Isn’t As Glamourous As It Seems

To put it bluntly, unless your last name is Kardashian or Trump, flying is not fun at all.

There’s nothing glamourous about being squished in between strangers in your seat, mediocre airplane food, or watching a movie an inch away from your face because the front passenger decided to recline their chair back into your lap.

But worse than all of that is what air travel does to your skin.

Travel is inherently stressful to your skin because of all the dry air. Whenever the environment is moisture-free (as with recirculated air in a plane cabin), the air actually draws moisture from wherever it can, including the skin. Dry skin will tend to get drier, and oily skin will get even oilier to compensate for dehydration.

Either way, you’re in for a breakout.

But that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. Here’s a peek into the less glamourous side of the overrated jetset life.

Woe #1: Dry Cabin Air

Your skin’s first beef with flying is the dry cabin air.

The cabin pressure and humidity levels on airplanes are pretty different than what we are used to. Typically, skin is comfortable when the humidity is between 40 to 70 percent. However, most airplane cabins are at about 20 percent – and that’s less than half of what we are used to.

So along with that lack of humidity, comes a dip in the hydration level of your skin on a plane. In other words, the pressurised environment of a plane is totally unnatural and completely sucks the moisture out of your skin, leaving you dehydrated with cracked lips and dry, flaky skin.

Woe #2: UV Damage

Beyond that, flying at high altitudes also puts you closer to the sun so the ultraviolet (UV) damage is at its greatest. Since airplane windows do not have the protective ability to filter out these harmful rays, it makes you all the more susceptible to cosmic radiation every time you fly.

Believe it or not, an hour of flight time is akin to spending about Image Credit: The Odyssey Online[/caption]

Sun exposure is actually one of the key reasons for the skin to lose its elasticity. The sun’s powerful rays damage skin cells, which over time, can accelerate the effects of ageing. Ultimately, it breaks down your collagen and elastin fibres; and without these supporting connective tissue, your skin loses strength and flexibility. Skin then begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely.

So if UV rays = ageing skin and wrinkles, then that makes UV light an absolute enemy in the quest for younger-looking skin. This also debunks the common misconception that Woe #3: Cabin Altitude

The barometric pressure during a typical plane ride is equivalent to what we would feel while standing atop an 8,000-foot mountain. Apparently, the higher the altitude, the less blood flows to the skin, which causes the Also, as our blood absorbs less oxygen at such high altitudes, it contributes to feelings of fatigue such as dizziness, sleepiness, and a general lack of mental sharpness.

To help prevent your face from bloating, you can get up from your seat to walk down the aisle once an hour.

Or if you are trapped in a window seat, with sleeping passengers on either side, you can simply stretch and lift your legs up and down, rotating them in circles periodically. These can help to mobilise the excess fluid.

Woe #5: Jet Lag And Lack Of Sleep

Medically referred to as ‘desynchronosis’, jet lag is part and parcel of long haul flights. When you are constantly flying to and fro, you are often straddling between time zones and this can cause your circadian rhythm to get interrupted, triggering a severe lack of sleep. 

Whether you’re actually travelling through time zones or just skimping on sleep during your trip, it can have a huge impact on your skin.

Not only does it add to the dehydration, but lack of sleep can also cause Image Credit: Giphy[/caption]

SOS — Save Our Skin!

Although it’s clear that traveling takes a toll on our skin, we can’t possibly forego flying altogether. Dry and dull skin, facial puffiness, dark circles and eye bags — all these can easily be prevented as long as you spare the effort to prep your skin before and during flight.

But what about wrinkles? Fighting wrinkles is not as easy as zapping zits and there’s no over-the-counter medication for it, so what would be the best solution?

You can do no wrong seeking a trusted professional’s help. The treatment is quick, non-invasive and effective. This procedure can also double up as a preventative step — getting Botox done early enough can help prevent wrinkles from forming deep lines.

You will be in the good hands of Dr. Ivan Puah, who is the medical director of Amaris B. Clinic and the appointed doctor-trainer by Allergan Singapore. With more than 15 years of dermatological and beauty aesthetics experience, he is the go-to doctor if you need to plump up your skin, smoothen out telltale signs of ageing, or zap those annoying zits away.

So give yourself one less thing to frown about, and try to inject some youth back into your face (pun fully intended).

Featured Image Credit: Exyuaviation.com

Step Aside Pastamania, This Resto Chain Serves Legit Italian Fare For Under $30

Running overtime tonight? That’s not a problem.

At Singapore After Nine, we bring you the scoop on tried-and-tested, late night gems for you to rest your work-weary self.

This time, we’re featuring Image Credit: Chong Yi Sze[/caption]

Alternatively, enjoy the breeze at the alfresco dining area:

[caption id="attachment_23921" align="alignnone" width="2880"] Image Credit: Chong Yi Sze[/caption]

Here is where you’ll find genuinely good Italian food that doesn’t call for a pound of flesh. They’re generous with their portions, do not scrimp on their cheese (cheese lovers take note) and use fresh, quality ingredients. Read on to see what’s good.

Starters

1. Caesar Salad from the Cheese Wheel Menu ($19++)

[caption id="attachment_23902" align="alignnone" width="2880"] Image Credit: Chong Yi Sze[/caption]

Prepared in a uniquely traditional Italian method right by our table, the salad was tossed in the middle of a 20kg Grana Padano cheese wheel.

[caption id="attachment_23919" align="alignnone" width="871"] Image Credit: Chong Yi Sze[/caption]

While the salad was being mixed, the server scraped off fluffy cheese from the wheel to add a creamy, sweet-salty zing to the salad. Smoked chicken and light, crispy croutons were the cherry on top. It was such a refreshing accompaniment to our meal, and also doubled as an effective palate cleanser.

2. Wagyu beef carpaccio ($18++)

[caption id="attachment_23904" align="alignnone" width="2880"] Image Credit: Chong Yi Sze[/caption]

This dish consisted of finely sliced wagyu, topped with fresh rocket leaves and mushrooms, and drizzled with truffle oil. Amidst the bed of rocket leaves lay delicately-shaved pieces of 24-months old Parmesan cheese. All in all, it was a tasty, clean and refreshing dish. There were no hints of fishiness from the beef, which was sweet and tender. The rocket leaves were fresh, and tasted great with the dressing.

3. Oven Baked Eggplant Alla Parmigiana Style ($16++)

[caption id="attachment_23910" align="alignnone" width="2880"] Image Credit: Chong Yi Sze[/caption]

This dish of eggplant gratin proved to be a delicious, well-executed twist on the popular potato gratin. Baked to a pleasing softness without being overly mushy, the eggplant pieces were doused in a tomato-herb based sauce that had more flavour and depth than regular pasta sauce.

While potatoes might have weighed the dish down, the eggplant added a lighter touch that was delightfully refreshing. We bet you’ll love the chewy golden Parmesan crust atop the eggplant base. It was generously thick and stringy, and crispy at the edges.

Pizza

4. District 10 Pizza ($19++)

[caption id="attachment_23905" align="alignnone" width="2880"] Image Credit: Chong Yi Sze[/caption]

This dish was the highlight of the night. The pizza arrived warm and toasty, brimming with the aroma of a good ol’ stone oven. The crust was fluffy and so chock full of ingredients that it bent under their weight when we tried to pick up the pizza slices. The Pancetta ham was smoky and savoury, its fatty juices adding a flavour burst in every bite. Refreshing zucchini pieces were thoughtfully added to counter the richness of the ingredients, which included a sunny side up egg and mushrooms.

Pasta

5. Spaghetti Carbonara with Black Truffle ($24++)

[caption id="attachment_23908" align="alignnone" width="871"] Image Credit: Chong Yi Sze[/caption]

This dish was another one of our favourites. Al dente pasta coated with creamy carbonara sauce and infused with truffle – what’s not to like? The dish arrived with a sprinkling of finely-shaved black truffle, and a perfectly poached egg that oozed golden yolk.

6. Homemade Angel Hair with Live Lobster, Chilli, Basil and Fresh Tomatoes ($34++)

[caption id="attachment_23909" align="alignnone" width="2880"] Image Credit: Chong Yi Sze[/caption]

Looking ever so tempting, this dish no doubt lived up to its appearance. The tomato-based sauce was tangy and appetizing, which made us lose track of how much pasta we were eating. The zesty hit of tomato also went very well with the half-shell lobster, which could have been a tad bit more springy.

7. Warm Lava Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Ice Cream ($14++)

[caption id="attachment_23912" align="alignnone" width="2880"] Image Credit: Chong Yi Sze[/caption]

All it took was a gentle cut and the chocolate lava flowed like an endless river. Safe to say, this tops our list of chocolate lava cakes. The chocolate flavour was intense and the consistency of the lava was great. It wasn’t too runny, nor was it too thick. The cake itself was moist and fluffy, which was a major plus point.

8. Traditional Italian Tiramisu ($14++)

[caption id="attachment_23996" align="alignnone" width="6000"] Image Credit:

Likewise, the tiramisu was another crowd pleaser.  Topped with cocoa powder and garnished with a berry and holly leaves, it looked like Christmas came early. The light cream sat atop a fluffy cake base flavoured richly with coffee, and was not as bitter as some other tiramisus out there.

While District 10 is known for serving up great-tasting Italian fare, its latest outlet at Suntec City specialises in something rather more unique, but equally delicious. There, choose from an ample variety of flavoursome, dry-aged meats that are beautifully marbled and paired off with premium red wine.

Last but not least, what better way to round off the night than with these sweet deals?

Calling All Aspiring Nathan Hartonos, The Voice Is Coming To A Stage Near YOU!

Calling all aspiring crooners and reality TV junkies, the popular singing competition The Voice is coming to a stage near you!

The Voice 

Produced by mm2 entertainment, Starhub and Malaysia’s Astro, the show which originated in Holland gained fast popularity when it was adapted in the U.S.

The U.S adaptation features a coaching (and judging) panel, featuring big names in the music industry such as Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera. Already on its 12th season, the show has shown itself to be a massive hit with the public.

The Voice (Singapore & Malaysia) 

mm2 entertainment is set on finding big names in the Asian entertainment industry to fill the spots on the coaching panel.

While the team has yet to decide if the competition is limited to Singaporean and Malaysians only, The Voice (Singapore & Malaysia) is scheduled for release later this year.

The Singapore and Malaysia adaptation of The Voice will be broadcasted here on Hub E City (StarHub TV Channel 111/825), which is complimentary to all StarHub TV customers.

Also read, There’s A Super Exclusive RSVP Only Party Coming Up And The Dress Code Is White

Oo La Lab Lets You Create Your Own Signature Scent So No One Else Will Smell Like You

Christian Dior once said “A woman’s perfume tells more about her than her handwriting.”

Indeed, a fragrance can tell you a lot about a person–and even their mood!

There is a plethora of brands out there offering fragrances but the downside is there’s always the chance you may end up wearing the same scent as someone else–especially if you wear a classic fragrance like Chanel No. 5.

This is where Oo La Lab comes in. Established in 2016, this fragrance lab allows you to customise your fragrance with the finest raw ingredients. Choose from popular formulas or work with a mixologist on-site to create your own signature scent.

You can even try customising one for your friends and loved ones! With its chic black and white packaging, we think it will make the perfect gift!

Oo La La: Creating your scent at Oo La Lab

The word “oo la” stands for emotion in Oo La Lab’s Fragrance Table.

Each fragrance from the lab corresponds to an element on the table. Organised by top notes (first two rows), middle notes (third row) and base notes (bottom row), clients get to visualise how different scent families and ingredients can complement each other.

Aside from using the best ingredients, Oo La Lab also prides itself in hand-pouring their fragrances and working in small batches. Staff at the Lab also prepare the fragrances on-site and in front of customers so you can watch the making of your own fragrance.

Prices for a custom-made fragrance starts from SGD$48.

For those of you who would prefer to pick Oo La Lab’s existing fragrances, you will be pleased to know that Oo La Lab has a wide range of Eau De Parfums, crafted perfumes as well as limited edition fragrances such as the (Top Image Credit: