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It’s finally here – the much awaited pre-nuptial photoshoot in Paris! Since the impromptu overseas shoot trimmed off a huge portion of our wedding budget, I decided to be my own makeup artist and create my own bridal looks. Besides being a great cost-saving measure, this decision also allows me to choose makeup that highlights my best features and offsets the less-flattering ones. Well, no one knows your face better than you do, right? 😛 But! What cosmetics should I bring? I feel like I need everything on my vanity desk. Since I’ll also be lugging a ton of gowns and styling tools, I guess I’ll have to have to be prudent when it comes to choosing the right cosmetics for the shoot. Before I delve into my cosmetics list, I thought I could first look for an affordable and possibly scalable makeup organiser or beauty box to create an efficient packing system for my makeup. And after some intensive researching, I found three miracle solutions that are total space-savers and that make amazing additions to any dressing table. Meet the “REAL” beauty boxes! 😛 This Hello Kitty makeup bag is my must-have when I’m on the go. But since I’m going to create several looks with a thousand makeup products for this trip, its quart-sized interior won’t cut it. Also forget the brush rolls and makeup pouches that can only contain a couple of brushes, eyeshadows and lippies. We’re on a mission here. We need something light, durable and hopefully affordable. 🙂 And this might be the ultimate makeup organising solution. From Japanese lifestyle store, MUJI Meet the Muji Makeup Box. Yup. This is what it says on the tag. This handy nylon beauty box measures 16.5cm high, 23.5cm wide and 16.5 long and is selling at a pocket-friendly price of SGD36. It comes with compartments of different sizes to hold all kinds of makeup, even dinky containers. Its design is practical and thoughtful. Check out the protective flap that covers brush heads. It keeps the brushes in pristine condition by preventing them from fraying during transportation. It also provides a pair of detachable lid props. Yay! Now I can keep the box open while rummaging around for tools and powders. It’s a great fluster buster for morning makeup routines. And finally, here’s why it’s a total keeper. MUJI offers an assortment of vanity cases and containers of different shapes, sizes and heights that you can use to compartmentalise and customise your makeup box. They work like a puzzle where you can stack and slide the containers, so they fit and sit neatly on top of one another forming a rectangular shape which you can slot into the bag. Here are the containers that I got to suit my specific travelling beauty needs. The mirror shown below on the left also doubles up as a nice lid covering all the containers. The containers cost less than SGD3.60. The only expensive item on my receipt was the mirror that retails at SGD13.90. Not a bad purchase, eh? Black bores me so I pimped the box up with a scarf that I got from Coach and my fave Hello Kitty key ring. 😛 If you’re a stylish jet setter looking for something nifty and convenient at the same time, Victoria’s Secret’s Hanging Travel Bag may be up your alley. I got this a few months ago and it has been my trusty beauty companion ever since. The bag comprises of five clear jelly lace pockets that allows me to sort my beauty essentials and carry them around easily. It also comes with a hook that hangs on the back of any door for easy access. It even comes with a removable pouch for times when you just want to keep it light or when you need a portable case to bring on flights. It is water-proof, travel-friendly and utterly chic. Aww.. what more can I ask for? Well, this next product I guess! Please allow me to introduce to you – The GlamPact . In case, you’re wondering what’s so special about this case… See photo below. Noooo, it’s not just a foundation case. There’s more to this than meets the eye. Look! Crazy, isn’t it??? The GlamPact is the first all-in-one luxe makeup compact. It contains refillable, customisable makeup trays that allow consumers to create striking palettes personalized to match their skin tone. It’s list of goodies does not end here. Check this out! Yup! Its mirror is lined with LED lights that can be switched on or off! Now I can enjoy a quick touch up on the plane, in the clubs and even during a night shoot! If you think all the effort only went into the design, you’re absolutely underestimating the GlamPact’s commitment to create the ultimate cosmetic organiser. This patent-pending makeup pact contains Superfection™ CC pressed powder with SPF 30 PA+++, blush, bronzer, highlighter, eye shadows and lipsticks that is made using clinical ingredients and botanical extracts to improve your skin’s overall appearance. The concept is ingenious. You can find out more about this revolutionary product here – www.glamit.com And that concludes my ‘Real Beauty Boxes’ post. I cannot sing the praises of these makeup organizers enough. Each of them are brilliant ideas that are too good not to share. Do you know of any smart beauty boxes that could eliminate chaotic cosmetics bags forever too? Share with me by commenting below! Your friend, Juliana #beautyreview #GlamPact #VictoriasSecret #beauty #Glamit #travel #BridalBeautyLog #Muji

Sponsored Review I’ve received many wonderful products from generous brands over the past few months but unfortunately, I haven’t had the luxury of time to open all the parcels. No thanks to my unforgiving schedule that has been circling around HoneyzCube.com ‘s new mobile app (woo hoo!) as well as preparations for the most important event of my life – my wedding! 😀 I finally had time to go through my trove of beauty treasures one afternoon and guess what I found – a BellaBox! It’s not just any BellaBox but a special collector’s edition to celebrate Singapore’s 48th birthday! Sheepish grin. Yeah, I know I’m very late. But better late than never! Anyhoo, the box wears a gorgeous batik design that pays tribute to one of Singapore’s most notable and unique living heritages – the Peranakan culture. Ingenious! The products offered in the box were also amazing. I’m so glad they haven’t expired. Phew! BellaBox is seriously pushing the envelope for subscription boxes this time. Read on to find out what novelty items I found in my BellaBox! Before I go on, let’s open the BellaBox (BB) together! Oh hey, it’s the Vanda Miss Joaquim! The contents were nicely sealed with this beautiful sticker of our national flower. Here’s a rundown of the items: Brilliant 2-Step Gel Patch Lip Care System (Box of 5/ SGD19.90) Jazzing up your overall look with a lipstick, but finding it hard to wear the bold colours because of dry, chapped lips? Brilliant’s 2-Step Gel Patch contains 100% hydrogel which will guarantee the moisture and energy those stressed lips needs! A blend of vitamins, fruit acid, grape seed oil, honey extract and Ceramide help to hydrate, prevent wrinkles and fine lines and condition the lips. – 100% hydrogel to moisturise & re-energise – Contains blend of vitamins, fruit acid & honey extract – Helps to ease lips for a smooth lipstick finish – Perfect remedy for dry, chapped lips! How to use: Place gel patch over the lips and peel off after 15-20 minutes. Tap excess essence over the lips. My verdict: When it comes to beauty masks, I thought I’ve seen it all. Well, it seems like that’s not exactly true. Kudos to Korean beauty brand, Brilliant, we can also give our chapped lips an enriching treatment of vitamins and emollients. Since I came back from Phuket last weekend, the skin around my lips has been pretty dry and red from sunburns. Most facial masks do not cover the mouth area so this product is truly a godsend. The gel patch felt cool and snug against my lips. After 20 minutes of intense nourishment, the lip lines lightened and my lips felt moist and soothed. My lips remained smooth for a few hours even after drinking and eating. The gel patch is part of a 3-step lip treatment program. Here’s the full set known as the Love Heart Lip Care 3 Step System . I heard they are all sold out at BB already. Aww.. I wanna purchase them all! Wut??! All sold out??? This next item is also a lip product! The gaping difference is – it also functions as a cheek product! Read on! ModelCo Cheek & Lip Tint (10ml/SGD28) ModelCo’s CHEEK & LIPS is a lightweight, dual purpose cheek and lip tint that delivers a natural, rosy glow. The long-lasting gel formulation glides on smoothly, leaving the perfect amount of sheer colour for just-flushed cheeks and a lightly stained lip. CHEEK & LIPS is ideal for that “no makeup” look with a subtle hint of colour. Combine with SHINE Lip Gloss for a soft, glossy lip. – 2-in-1 cheek and lip tint. – Natural, dewy colour. – Long lasting, fast-drying formula. – Lightweight, non-greasy finish. How to use: STEP 1: Using a brush or your index finger, apply a small about of CHEEK & LIPS onto the apple of your cheeks and lightly blend. STEP 2: Apply to your lips by lightly dabbing with your fingers. When finished, be sure to remove excess tint from your fingers, as it can temporarily stain. My verdict: I smeared some on my hand to show you its texture and intensity. The product has a watery consistency so remember to not squeeze the tube too hard like I did. The lip stain gushed out so quickly that I did not have time to blend it evenly. But I’m still a huge fan of its faint rosy scent and dual-functionality. 🙂 FloraComfort Micellar Cleansing Water (120ml/SGD45) The delicate multi-tasking cleansing water with Micellar technology captures and removes debris, makeup and residue in one simple step while hydrating and softening skin to prevent any feeling of tightness or discomfort. Cornflower extract and hyaluronic acid work to add radiance and hydration to skin for enhanced nourishment. Perfect for on-the-go cleansing, to freshen your skin with longer-lasting water reserves and elevated suppleness. Benefits: – Deeply cleanse while respecting your skins physiological balance – Can be used on the eyes, lips and face Active Ingredients: Cornflower, Hyaluronic Acid. How to use: In the morning and evening, wet cotton pad and gently smooth over entire face and neck for makeup removal or cleansing. Rinsing is not necessary. My verdict: I conducted a quick experiment to test its efficiency. Here’s the lip stain from the previous review. Massaged the stain gently with some cleansing water. Viola! The stain vanished without a trace. What can I say but…. THUMBS UP! WOTNOT Facial Wipes (25ml/SGD9.25) Cleansing wipes are the perfect on-flight cleanser! You could remove your makeup and the day’s grime in a jiffy on your seat – without any mess. I’m heading to Paris next month so this will certainly come in handy. Now I can look flawless and refreshed even after a 12-hour flight! WOTNOT has produced a facial wipe so natural your skin will love it as much as you do. Facial skin is so delicate that only the most natural ingredients should be used in facial care products. WOTNOT’s formula is enriched with all natural ingredients including Australian certified organic aloe vera to lubricate and repair, certified organic sweet almond oil to restore lost moisture and calm itch and inflammation, and certified organic rosehip oil for skin regeneration and moisture re-balancing. The certified organic rosehip oil base is easily absorbed to condition skin and eyelids making lashes more lush, while the naturally sourced nutrients like Vitamin E help to heal, nourish and protect leaving the skin smooth, supple and glowing. A make-up bag essential that removes daily impurities and grime as well as gently wipe away make-up including waterproof mascara. WOTNOT natural ingredients mean less irritation for your skin and being 100% biodegradable and decomposable, these wipes are even gentle on the environment. Ingredients: purified water, caprylic/capric triglyceride (vegetable derived), glycerine (vegetable derived), cetearyl alcohol (plant derived), certified organic aloe vera*, certified organic sweet almond oil*, certified organic rosehip oil*, tocopherol acetate (vitamin e), cetearyl glucoside (plant derived), polyaminopropyl biguanide(extra mild preservative). *certified organic ingredients Jasmine and Pomegranate Hand Cream (50g/SGD45) This fast absorbing, rich and nourishing hand cream contains Pure Jasmine essential oil to provide a sweet aroma while Pomegranate extract contains Vitamin-C and Tannin to help provide wrinkle protection. A Rice Germ Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, and Corn Oil combination provides nutrients to nourish and soften skin, while also creating an emollient protecting the skin with anti-oxidants from natural Vitamin-E, moisturising the skin, leaving it soft and healthy. Jasmine Oil is soothing and emotionally balancing while pomegranate extract firms the skin. How to use: Apply to hands and massage gently until absorbed. Use twice a day or as required. Key ingredients: Rice Germ Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Corn Oil, Jasmine Oil, Moringa Seed Extract, Pomegranate extract, Tumeric Extract. My verdict: I got a good whiff of its gorgeous Jasmine scent and thought it dissolved all the stress barriers instantly. I’m not kidding. The scent of Jasmine has long been known for its abilities to relax the body and calm the mind. So you bet, this innocent tube of hand cream smells just like seventh heaven. To top it off, it also left my hands soft and supple without a greasy or tacky after-feel. 🙂 L’egere Aqua Smoothing Essence-in CC Cream (30ml/SGD38.90) & L’egere Magic Skin Beautifier C.C. Cream (50g/SGD39.90) Prime, hydrate, correct, even and brighten your skin with L’egere CC Creams that are formulated with an innovative capsule technology that will make your skin stay protected and fresh around the clock. Rejoice to all-in-one CC creams! my LIFE INC. Teaism Brew (SGD1.50 per wand) You already have the tools you need for a healthier skin, how about something for the inner wellbeing? my LIFE INC. TEAISM brew boasts healthy teas for the busy you. All you need is a hot cup of water, throw in the FDA-approved aluminum wand, and voila! The road to achieving a wholesome balance on the inside and out! Available in Ginger Black Tea (for comfort), Green Tea (for balance), Fancy Black Tea (for energy), Blueberry Tea (for protection) and Osmanthus Tea (for restoration). My verdict: The concept is a marvel of ingenuity. Whoever thought of this must be an extremely lazy person but it’s ok. So am I. 😛 Just add hot water, stir the packet around and enjoy your brew! I’ve tried the Black Tea and loved it’s mild and refreshing aftertaste. Never a fan of teas with a strong bitter flavour so this is a gem. All in all, this was a fantastic edition of the BellaBox. I could see myself potentially purchasing all the high quality products in it. And the collector’s box that is reminiscent of our unique hybrid Peranakan culture is the icing on the cake. I just wish I had opened it sooner. 🙁 4.5 Honeyz crowns for this August 2013 Hello Singapore edition of the Bella Box! BellaBox is available at SGD19.95 per month. Visit their website at http://bellabox.sg and Facebook Page at facebook.com/BellaBoxSG for further information. Your friend, Juliana Disclaimer: Please rest assured that even though the products were sponsored, they do not have any bearing on the content of this post. Opinions stated are objective and genuine. Also note that all sources, information, content, links are valid to change at any time. #beauty #beautyreview #BellaBox

Haze, haze, go away! But like it or not, it’s here to stay. At least for the time being. Haze is a condition where airborne pollutants are suspended in the air obscuring visibility and contaminating the air we breathe in. The high PSI not only contributes to a whole nexus of health problems, it also gives rise to beauty problems such as clogged pores, dry skin and Vitamin E depletion in the epidermis which leads to… gulp, premature ageing. So let’s fight The Haze Villain before the it wreaks havoc on our precious skin. Click for some useful pointers! These are some of the effects the recent haze has caused to my poor body – stuffy nose, throat irritation and the annoying unstoppable cough. So these days, I won’t leave the house without my trusty N95 mask. But guess what? The mask can protect my lungs from the nasty smog but it cannot keep the ‘air gunk’ away from my skin. As mentioned earlier, the particles, smoke and dust in the air are physical irritants that dry out skin and clog pores and we all know the ramifications include itchiness, flakiness and acne. To add fuel to the fire, the effects of the pollutants last beyond the haze. It also causes Vitamin E levels in the upper layer of the skin to fall, resulting in the formation of harmful, cell damaging free radicals. I guess this is useless as a skin protectant then. 🙁 But don’t worry! It’s not the end of the world yet. Here are some quick tips on how you can minimise the harmful impact of the haze. 1) Effective Cleansing It is a no-brainer, isn’t it? Doctors suggest cleansing the skin after going outside to get rid of accumulated grime from the smog. I would recommend a water-based makeup remover for this step to prevent you from stripping away the skin’s natural essential oils unknowingly. 2) Moisturize and Protect The lousy airborne pollutants can leave your skin devoid of moisture so remember to also apply hydrating moisturisers and masks that are high in Vitamin E. They help to maintain the skin barrier that keeps water-rich internal organs from drying out by preventing water loss in hazy environments. Protect your skin by layering it with sunscreens containing antioxidants, which combat free radicals and sun damage. 3) Purge and Detox I recommend engaging a beauty specialist for this step. As mentioned in my previous posts, I’ve been going to Phoenix la Beaute for their Classic Facial treatments that use Maria Galland products to target the specific needs of my skin. Their products are high in anti-oxidants and vitamins so instead of a skin deterioration, my skin has been looking more glowy than ever. Here’s a closeup of my face after three months of treatment. Since the arrival of the haze, I’ve been going there more often to not only purge dirt and oil from the pores but also to expel the toxins in my body with their infra-red sauna . Psst! Here are some offers you can enjoy as Honeyz readers. 😛 • 75 mins Phoenix Classic Facial treatment @ $38 (U.P. $280) – 1st 20 to redeem the promotion will receive a free Microdermabrasion worth $100. The Phoenix Classic Facial treatment – Phoenix’s classic facials hydrate and calm all skin types to produce a luminous complexion. Through the treatment’s synergistic combination of revitalising and purifying procedures, you’re promised a smoother and clearer appearance. • Phoenix Lipolysis Program (PLP)@ $38 (U.P. $600) – 1st 20 to redeem the promotion will receive M-Pulse Therapy The Phoenix Lipolysis Program (PLP) – Using the help of electrotherapy, stimulates muscles to break down fats in problem areas whilst using infrared and penetrating active ingredients to burn fat without overloading your body with the stress that lengthy and vigorous exercise can sometimes cause. Your whole body is maintained at a specific temperature in the FIR thermal blanket which increases metabolism, blood circulation and eventually weight loss whilst reducing water retention and FFA through pores. Call 67334556 to make your appointment and quote “JULIANA” to redeem the promotional price OR SMS: JULIANA, Name, I/C to 8160 3888 Promotion only valid till 31st March 2014. Terms and Conditions: – First time customer age 21 and above. – Resident in Singapore with valid NRIC or passes – Prices quoted without GST. – Not valid with other discounts or promotion 4) Purify! Use an air purifier to keep the particulate levels low. Choose an air purifier that is suitable for the size and type of your home. Avoid air cleaners that generate ozone as they will increase air pollution. Keep air conditioners in tip-top working condition with regular cleaning and servicing. Fine particles can enter an air-conditioned building through the fresh air intake channels and by infiltration through openings and gaps. 5) Drink Up! Finally, the most effective and cheapest way to combat the repercussions of damaging pollutants – drink lots of water. It’s a great way to flush out all the toxins we inhale during the haze season. Reminder! Teas and coffees are traditionally thought of as diuretics that can dehydrate the body, however, the latest scientific evidence recommended by dieticians is that this diuretic effect is minimal – so drinking tea and coffee still counts towards your 8 glasses of water per day! Avoid alcohol as that really can dehydrate the body further and worse still, slow down your body’s ability to get rid of toxins 🙂 I hope my tips can help you get through this difficult hazy episode. If you’ve more tips, please feel free to share with me below. Your friend, Juliana #beauty #beautyreview #beautytips #PhoenixLaBeaute

Sponsored Review I’ve always wondered what’s the fuss about SK-II products. My aunties rave about it, my grandma swears by it and my friends spend hundreds of dollars each month stocking up on their products. So when I was invited to the SK-II STEMPOWER Essence debut and SK-II Pitera House launch, I vehemently accepted their invitation. Haha! After two fruitful afternoons with the beauty powerhouse, I began to understand why SK-II is the quintessential skincare brand with a cult following (including A-list celebs). Since I was also blessed with some new SK-II products for myself and my fiancé, we decided to try the products for at least 3 months before publishing this review. Read further to find out if the SK-II hype is justified. 🙂 This leading skincare brand certainly values and respects their current and potential customers. Besides a warm invitation to their first runway show with Singapore’s top IT supermodels at Changi Airport, they also arranged a pretty cool ride for all their attendees. Too bad I didn’t accept their offer. Yup. I did not take their ride. It only says transportation is provided on the invitation. No one clarified that the ‘transportation’ was in the form of a swanky BMW! 🙁 Anyway, I still had a great time checking out Samsonite and Love Bonito’s latest offers as well as mingling with fellow bloggers. Here are some photos from the event. From left to right: Patricia , me and Grace . The Social Tree The Social Tree is an interactive installation that allows travellers to share their photo and video memories instantly and retrieve them on subsequent visits to the airport. That day, it was used to display SK-II’s revolutionary STEMPOWER technology and their new SK-II STEMPOWER Essence. The event was hosted by TV Host, Linda Black SK-II Global Marketing Director Seth Sandeep addresses the crowd. Supermodel Sheila Sim struts her stuff in a Love Bonito number. Top model Ivy Chng graced the runway with a trendy Samsonite luggage and a winning smile. LB founder, Viola also made an appearance, clad in none other than Love Bonito. Ooh.. Also spotted fellow blogger and friend, Valerie  owning the runway with her pretty poses and gorgeous smile. Just can’t get enough of her! 😛 And her. She looks like Rose Wah Jin Swee from the Subway Commercial . Not sure if it’s her. The models and fashion moguls also shared why they think “age does not matter” From left to right: Linda Black, Sheila Sim, Vivien Ong, Ivy Chng, Serena Adsit and Viola Tan. Next, Linda introduced SK-II Beauty Trainer Cindy Cheong who showed us the best ways to apply the SK-II Stempower products. We had the honour of being the first few in Singapore to try the Stempower products. And we also got to bring them home! Each welcome packet contained the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask, Stempower Essence and SK-II Stempower moisturiser. I’ve tried the SK-II Stempower products for a few months and here’s what I thought about them. SK-II STEMPOWER ESSENCE  (SGD156, 30ml) SK-II’s revolutionary STEMPOWER Essence, concocted with a new and powerful Stem- Acanax ES Complex, targets and transforms the regenerative functions of the skin’s youth activity. Carefully researched and handpicked ingredients in the new Stem-Acanax ES Complex consist of Stem-Acanax, Pitera™, Artichoke Extract and new Kinren Extract. As a key ingredient of SK-II STEMPOWER Essence, Artichoke Extract has been proven to activate our skin’s “Master Switch” to enhance the overall cell functions of anti-oxidation, regeneration and longevity, hence promoting inner cell density and increasing skin’s inner resilience. How to use: After applying clear lotion, take an appropriate amount (1-2 droppers) of Essence onto palm. Smooth onto entire face and apply extra drops with gently knuckling motion onto your concerned area. My verdict: Since it’s part of the ‘essence’ family, I expected the texture to feel as runny as their signature Facial Treatment Essence. However, the consistency is surprisingly thick. If you think the high viscosity affects its absorbability, well, you’re not quite right about this one. The cool serum was fully absorbed in the skin within seconds of application. My skin felt velvety smooth almost immediately, concealing fine lines and eradicating the dryness on the surface. Most SK-II products cause an initial break out for me but not this product. My skin has been reacting well to it but I just wish the packaging can be improved. Okay, I know the glossy crimson glass looks stunning but it is not the most user-friendly. In fact, it also causes wastage. Please allow me to elaborate. You’ll have to use the dropper provided to extract the serum. Since the serum is rather thick, it does not suck up a lot of the liquid at one go. So you’ll have to do it a few times to get the quantity that you want. Sometimes, you don’t even get any at all. Pretty frustrating, eh? Here’s the worst part. We all know that the best way to apply the serum is by patting it on our faces with our bare hands. But to use the product, you’ll have to squeeze the dirty rubber top a few times.  So I guess that’s not the most hygienic way of applying the product. The best container would be one with a pump dispenser where you can control the amount of serum being used. Well, besides this minor packaging fault, I’m still huge fan of its prize ingredients – the Stem-Acanax, Pitera, Artichoke Extract and Kinren Extract. They are tasked to promote the skin’s hydration and the formation of lift proteins in the skin’s basal layer. I wanna look young forever! Muuuaaah! 4 Honeyz crowns! SK-II STEMPOWER Moisturizer SK-II Stempower is formulated with the revolutionary Stem-Acanax Complex that penetrates deep to improve skin from within. Pores become less visible in just 1 day! The cream improves radical firmness in just 10 days, so you can feel the youthful beauty of 10 years ago. Benefits: Texture Refinement, Firmness Power, Wrinkle Resilience How to use: After applying clear lotion and essence, take an appropriate amount of cream (diameter 1cm) with spatula onto palm. Dot on forehead, cheeks and chin and gently spread all over the face. My verdict: The moisturiser comes with a spatula. The lightly scented cream feels smooth and light for a power-packed moisturiser. But sadly, this product was the culprit of a recent break out for me. So I stopped using it on my face and continued on my neck only. The great news is – after the redness and zits subsided, my skin looked clearer and brighter. I don’t know if it has enhanced my skin’s resilience to winkles since I don’t have obvious lines on my face yet. But I’m definitely going to use it for a longer period of time to prevent unwanted creases. I’ve very prominent lines on my neck from a dramatic weight loss when I was little. So I’m always looking out for moisturisers that can lift the skin and reduce the appearance of the lines. I was hoping that the STEMPOWER cream could do that. Unfortunately, it did not deliver on that aspect but it certainly made the skin on my neck smoother than ever. I guess it’s the pitera content that allows the skin’s natural surface rejuvenation process to function at its prime, enhancing the renewal of the skin’s outer layer. In case you’re wondering, pitera is a blend of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids. Even though it did not lighten the wrinkles, as mentioned earlier, I would still continue using it to prevent deeper lines in future. Meanwhile, 3 Honeyz crowns for its ultra-hydrating properties! SK-II also kindly gifted my fiance, Bobby, these awesome products at their SK-II Pitera House launch. He tried the products for many months and even replenished his skincare collection with more SK-II products. So has SK-II been doing him any good? Here’s what he has to say: One brand that seems to be synonymous with great skin is SKII but is it really as good as people say??? With the near astronomical prices they often charge, it’s obvious that they definitely think so. Needless to say, years of being an action hero haven taken their toll on my skin. When people think you look 10 years older then you actually are, you literally need to be thick skinned. I thought to myself, if I’m really gonna give this skin care lark a go, then I might as well go for one of the best. I dived head into the skin care game with SKII a year ago.  I went all out, got the Facial Treatment Essence for men, Men Age Revitalize Moisturizer and Skin Signature Eye Cream. So a year on, what do I think? SK-II MEN Facial Treatment Essence Formulated with Pitera and enhanced with a cooling agent, this essence nourishes and hydrates your skin. How to Use: After facial cleansing, sprinkle about 2ml of SK-II MEN Facial Treatment Essence into cupped palms, smooth onto face and neck. Conclude by patting His verdict: I like the essence. It contains their famous Pitera ingredient which we’ve all heard of. You’ve heard of it right? The story goes that a scientist noticed the youthful hands of women working in sake breweries, researched the fermentation liquids their hands were coming into contact with which eventually allowed for the isolation and purification of the elixir known as Pitera. I like the essence because of how it feels on the skin. Without wanting to sound like a broken record, men generally hate putting stuff on their faces. However, the essence feels like water in the hand and dries up after being patted on the skin in a matter of seconds. Skin feels firm, toned, yet supple. The only drawback is the smell. Apologies to all SKII fans but you have to admit it, the essence smells like urine. Yes, I said urine, it’s not a typo, SKII Facial Treatment Essence smells like pee! It’s a sour peaty smell and this is the only analogy I could think of which can give you an idea of what to expect. Despite this I’ve been using it for a year now. It is damn expensive but thankfully it lasts for ages, think about 6-9 months of daily use or more. Now the big question, does it work??? Errr… I really have no idea. Personally, I think my skin looks and feels mostly the same. Before and after photos are of little benefit as it’s so hard to get the exact same lighting conditions to take the pictures anyway. I feel good for having taken steps to do something about my complexion but I really have no idea if it’s made any real difference. SK-II MEN Age Revitalize Moisturizer Boosts skin moisture and firmness, Revives dull skin. Eases out fine lines, Improves skin texture and smoothness. How to Use: Dispense an appropriate amount (3-4 pumps) and dot on forehead, cheeks and chin, and then blend into skin with spiral massage from chin to cheeks. His verdict: A slightly oily, rich liquid cream that they advise you not to apply around the eyes. I only use it before sleeping. My face just ends up feeling way too oily and shiny if I use it during the day. It smells nice and I haven’t suffered from any breakouts but again, I’m not sure if it’s actually done any good. It’s an effective moisturizer but I don’t think I look any younger from using it. Worth noting is that the thin and tall container is something of a nuisance as it’s very unstable and easy to knock down all over the place. SK-II Skin Signature Eye Cream SK-II Skin Signature Eye Cream is a lightweight eye cream that helps to provide a firmer and smoother eye area. This remarkably light, intensive treatment specifically targets the changes which occur in the delicate skin surrounding the eyes. The secret is a Peptide, Oli-Vityl, and Pitera complex that infuses skin with moisture that greatly firms the appearance of the lid and smooths away fine lines and wrinkles for a brighter, more youthful appearance. How to use: Place small dots along the eye socket bone under the eye and just below the browbone. Using the ring finger, very gently massage the cream into the skin using slow and gentle circular movements. His verdict: Dark eye circles are something I’ve suffered with for years, the consequence of a life of sleep debt that I can never repay to my body. So a good eye cream was high up on my list of needs. I’ve been applying this product religiously every night for about a year. Again, I feel this is too rich to apply during the day, you can definitely feel it on the skin. Has it helped? Again, there is no significant improvement I’m afraid. The cream comes with a spatula which I’m sure most people end up losing, which of course means you have to resort to the less hygienic method of actually dabbing your finger into the cream each time. Less than ideal at this price point. In conclusion… It may all sound very negative that I feel my skin has mostly remained the same after applying one of the most expensive skin care brands for a year, but don’t forget that my skin does not look any worse either. Perhaps my skin would have continued to deteriorate if not for SKII. So although I don’t look any younger, it may have helped to maintain the condition of my skin and prevent further deterioration. Would I recommend these products? I do like the essence, despite the smell, but I’m sure many would feel short changed applying what essentially feels like water to their face. I do like how my skin feels after applying it; it has a kind of fresh quality you can feel as you touch your face. I don’t mean the skin feels sticky but it feels more supple to the touch. As for the other two products I’ve been using, let’s just say I shan’t be replenishing my stocks when they finish. I really don’t think this high cost is justified. If you want the best skin care regime for your man, I suggest you mix and match products from different brands. If your man has normal to oily skin, a good regime I’m personally using now is SKII Facial Treatment Essence, Rehab London’s No Shine Moisturizer and Origins No Puffery Cooling Roll-On eye treatment. So far this appears to be a much more favorable and feel good combination for me. So there you have it! The low down on the core SKII skin care products for men. I hope you’ve found this review useful =) Don’t forget to head over to maximumextreme.net or https://www.facebook.com/maximumextremepodcast where you can catch me writing regularly about the latest movie news and reviews. Take it easy folks, Bobby For the latest news and in-depth information about SK-II, please visit www.sk2.com . Have you tried SK-II products too? Let me know by sharing your review at  Honeyz Cube ! Also, stay abreast of the latest beauty news and product launches with  Honeyz’ Facebook Page ! Your friend, Juliana Disclaimer: Please be rest assured that even though the products were sponsored, they do not have any bearing on the content of this post. Opinions stated are objective and genuine. Also note that all sources, information, content, links are valid to change at any time. Read More: The best anti-aging products from SK-II . #beauty #beautyreview #BloggerEvent #SKII

To all my favorite martians, is the unwanted stubble, embarrassing shine or dehydrated skin from the last few boys’ nights out beginning to get to you? Then it’s probably time to check into beauty rehab. Nah, I’m not suggesting that you fill your grooming routine with a hundred complicated products and steps that could make even a beauty-loving girl go topsy-turvy. But rather to make minor modifications to your regimen with an easy-to-use range of masculine skincare products from new kid on the block, Rehab London. It’s the brainchild of hair and makeup artist, Lisa Hilton who is also a perfectionist when it comes to natural and ethical grooming products. I read about Rehab London’s laser-like focus on producing natural products which are power packed with effective ingredients that are free of SLS, paraben and petrochemicals. So I introduced the new line to my fiancé Bobby who has no inkling about skincare. Haha! Read on to find out how he fine-tuned his beauty regimen with Rehab London’s products. 🙂 Bobby: This week I’ve put the movie reviews on hold to bring you the lowdown on the new men’s grooming range from Rehab London. Men and skincare products are two things that do not go well together. Trust me, no matter how much of a social norm it is now for men to use grooming products, and we definitely know we need it, it’s a necessary evil that we really hate. Most guys, myself included, hate applying thick, sticky, icky creams on their faces and we usually can’t wait to wash them off. So making a range of products that we can truly accept is a tough one. So have Rehab London cracked the Da Vinci code? Let’s find out! Rehab London Men’s Scrub Up Daily Detox A woman has specifically formulated the entire range for men! Well, we don’t really know what’s good for us anyway so that’s fine by me. The entire range is 95% naturally derived and is proudly free from parabens and other harmful chemicals. The scrub specifically contains volcanic sands from Tahiti, bamboo spiny medulla granules and a special pumpkin enzyme to exfoliate the skin and get deep into the larger pores that us fellas have. The scrub has a very earthy smell and quite a watery consistency, perhaps to allow the scrub to more easily penetrate into our pores. After using the scrub, my skin felt clean and fresh, as if I’d perhaps just had a volcanic mud facial. Admittedly, I wasn’t a fan of the consistency and more importantly the smell, well, at least until my fiancé caught a whiff of the fragrance. Much to my surprise she loved how masculine it smelled, who knows, perhaps there are pheromones in the scrub too?! Haha! Men’s Cold Turkey Shaving Gel Cold is indeed the correct word to use here. Apply this gel and in a few short moments your face will feel as if it’s covered in toothpaste. It serves its purpose well, lubricating the razor blade as it glides over the face while argan oil, witch hazel and aloe vera cool the skin after the assault is done. Now I haven’t had a wet shave in years and that definitely showed. My face was riddled with small cuts afterwards and what was worse was that I still hadn’t managed to shave off all my stubbles. So I went ahead and applied another round of the ultra cold shaving gel, this is where things started to bite. The shaving gel really stung on all my cuts and scratches. Needless to say, I won’t be giving up my electric shaver anytime soon. I think anyone who wet shaves regularly would not have faced the problems I did and would quite enjoy the cooling effect the gel has on the skin. Those like me who are less adept with the blade, may want to give this a miss. Men’s Calm Balm A balm intended for use on aggravated irritated post-shaving skin. The balm is nicely cooling and lacks the bite which is often present when using traditional alcohol containing after shaves. The balm exudes the same natural earthy smell which most of the Rehab London range has. It feels very soothing on the skin after a raw razor shave (especially if you’re as bad at shaving as I am) and its semi-runny consistency lends itself well to being applied quickly to where it’s needed after shaving. Worth checking out. Men’s Morning Glory There are two big factors which age the skin and promote the development of fine lines and wrinkles, UV light damage and inadequate moisturization. Men’s Morning Glory is a daily moisturizer for normal to dry skin, with antioxidant skin renewing Hawaiian water algae, cocoa seed butter, antibacterial African pepper extracts as well as UVA and UVB protection! This bad boy has it all. The product feels good on the skin but again there’s quite an earthy smell which may not be to everyone’s liking, but given all the benefits for your skin and the aforementioned affect on the ladies, this is well worth looking into. Men’s Revive Survive Touted as the ultimate anti-fatigue cream, designed to fight the appearance of tiredness after a long night, to make you look fresh and ready for anything, this sounds like what every guy wants from a facial product! Featuring similar properties and ingredients to the Men’s Morning Glory cream, this blend also contains Ginseng extract to invigorate and detoxify the skin. The moisturizer feels and smells very similar to Morning Gory. Did it make my skin look fresh and alive?? Perhaps a tad more than usual but it still can’t beat a good nights sleep. If sleep isn’t an option, then check this out! You can even use it as a skin pick-me-up after a long haul flight as you jet set around the globe. Men’s No Shine This is my favourite product in the entire range. I often joke that my oily skin could probably solve the world’s oil shortage problems. Needless to say, with oily skin comes shiny skin, and in Singapore the weather works against me to turn my face into a shiny light bulb visible from space. This product really does what it says on the tin!!! So much so that I have now incorporated it into my morning skin care regime. Normally I don’t apply anything in the mornings as traditional moisturizers usually result in my face becoming way too oily as the day progresses. Men’s No Shine is genius! It smells nice and very different to the rest of the range with a pleasant light fragrance. It applies nicely and just when you’re about to think that it’s just the same as any other moisturizer something magic happens and your entire face mattifies in front of your eyes. There is no oily feeling and surprisingly, I felt that my skin was more refreshed and energized using this than even the Men’s Revive Survive cream. Once again, this cream contains Hawaiian water algae packed with their antioxidants and skin renewal properties, rooibus extract and UVA/UVB protection. Final thoughts… So there you have it, Rehab London’s latest skin care range for men. Overall, a good range of natural products for the modern man, although the natural earthy smell may not be to everyone’s liking. For me, the product that really stood out was the Men’s No Shine cream. I would recommend it to anyone hoping to protect and moisturize their skin while also mattifying and removing unwanted oily shine. This is one product that I’ll be coming back to! =) So there you have it ladies. As always, it has been a pleasure writing for ilovebunny.net. If you like my review, then don’t forget to head over to maximumextreme.net or https://www.facebook.com/maximumextremepodcast where you can catch me writing regularly about the latest movie news and reviews. Until next time, Bobby Rehab London is now available on the Cube Store . * Free normal delivery included. 🙂 #MensBeautyCare #beautyreview #beauty #RehabLondon #GuestPost

Advertorial If you want to have thick luscious hair like Rapunzel, then you’ll have to be cognisant of the way hair works. Do you know that each strand of hair is composed of mostly protein? We’re talking about 91% here. This means your hair NEEDS protein to grow. But guess what happens when your hair suffers from protein deficiency? The repercussions are not a pretty sight – think thinning hair, brittle hair roots, dandruff and coarse dry hair. Supplementing your diet with more protein will certainly help but if you want to fix the problem fast, you may need professional help. For all my friends who suffer from hair loss, premature greying, dandruff or any other scalp/hair related problems, it’s not too late to save those precious strands. Click for your long-term and trustworthy mane solution. 🙂 Hailing all the way from America, Jonsson Protein is the only hair care expert in Singapore that uses protein to treat hair loss problems and promote healthy hair growth. I’ve been plagued with hair loss woes for a long time so I decided to visit their White Sands branch to find more about their products and hopefully, also to treat this long-standing problem. Their freshly-opened salon is nicely decked out in mahogany walls that made their premises feel homey and welcoming. The reception Their walls are also adorned with photos of different hair problems as well as photos of male and female models to show the variety of conditions and clientele they serve. Hidden beneath the reception is this long walkway towards their common treatment area and consultation rooms. Consultation room. Common treatment area Washing area If you value your privacy and appreciate individual attention in a comfortable environment. you may also opt for the VIP room where you’ll be served by a dedicated Jonsson Protein therapist, away from the hustle and bustle of the common treatment area. Before any treatment was administered, I was led to the consultation room for a detailed scalp analysis. Jonsson Protein treats a myriad of hair problems including: – Male and Female Pattern Baldness – Spot Baldness – Chemical-related Hair Loss – Post-natal Hair Loss – Menopausal Hair Loss – Dandruff-related Hair Loss – Premature Greying So Fion, my consultant of the day, scanned my scalp to find out what was causing my hair loss issues. And we made an alarming discovery – my diffuse hair loss condition is not that serious but my oily scalp problem is. Here’s a closeup of my scalp that looks shiny and heavily clogged. According to Fion, most of our hair is in a growing phase and that phase can last up to 5 years. At the end of it, our hair approaches a resting phase before they fall off and grow again. If the scalp is oily and hair follicles are clogged, hair can’t grow properly and many of them may go into the resting phase resulting in noticeable hair loss. Fion suggested that we solve the problem at the root cause by doing a thorough cleansing routine followed by a nourishing hair mask to restore the health of the scalp and follicles. The treatment is known as the VE Protein® Hair Care Treatment. Jonsson’s VE Protein is a kind of natural protein that is extracted from plants and is easily absorbed by the scalp for effective hair growth because of its hydrolysed protein that can be quickly broken down. Jonsson’s customized protein-based treatment helps resolve hair loss problems through promoting hair growth and protecting hair quality, giving hair a smoother and healthier shine. In-house VE Protein products Now that I have identified the problem. It’s time to head to the treatment area to fix it! I walked towards the common area but Fion gestured in the direction of the VIP room and led me to the private room instead. Woo hoo! In the VIP room Instead of regular water or tea, I was served a specially formulated protein juice while I indulged in my soothing head massages and chit chats with Fion. Fion throughly cleansed my hair with their signature Pro-HairGro products that are infused with botanically extracted protein components and herbal ingredients. Then she gently applied a protein ampoule to my scalp, followed by a soothing cleansing hair mask to rid the scalp off any excess oil. Then she wrapped my hair with this steamer and heated it for 30 minutes. And I’m done! After some blow-drying, my hair looked like this! Amazing isn’t it? Trust me. I couldn’t stop staring at it. My hair was shiny, silky and really smooth to the touch. My scalp also felt less greasy and looked denser than before. If you’re expecting a pungent herbal smell from all that treatment, you’re absolutely wrong. In fact, there was no particular fragrance. My hair just smelled fresh and clean. Haha! According to Fion, my scalp problems stem from overly active sebaceous glands that are a result of my frequent chemical treatments, stressful lifestyle and imbalanced diet. In case you’re wondering what the sebaceous glands are – they secrete oil (also known as sebum) to protect the skin and moisturise the hair. However the sebum can combine with other oils, pollutants, cosmetic products and dead skin cells. If a combination of sebum and other materials is left to build up, it can embed into the scalp. When this occurs, the sebum based oil forms a hard layer of plaque. This plaque clogs the scalps pores and embeds itself into the scalps top layer of dead skin (the epidermis). This is a major problem because if the pores are clogged, hair follicles will not be able to grow. The VE Protein® Hair Care Treatment removes the excess sebum to clear the scalp pores. Here’s a close-up of my renewed scalp. Juxtaposed the before and after photos. The white flakes at the root of the hair are the excess sebum. So from the photo, you can tell that my scalp is significantly cleared of the nasty sebum. Even though it was not completely free of clogged pores, I was happy with the astonishing results after just one treatment. Fion advised that I go for at least 6 treatments for long-lasting results. Eventually, the hair loss problem will go away with an improved scalp condition. Regrowth will also occur if the oily scalp problem is treated regularly. I look forward to continue nurturing my crown with the goodness of Jonsson’s advanced equipments and innovative protein treatments. Meanwhile, 3.5 Honeyz crowns for Jonsson’s impeccable service and effective products! Warning! Typically, our scalp has about 120,000-150,000 strands of hair, and sheds about 50 to 100 strands of them each day. If you’re shedding an unusually large number of hairs, I highly recommend that you consult a hair expert to rectify the problem. Personally, I rather be safe than sorry so I’ll probably be routinely going for my hair treatments at Jonsson Protein Hair Growth to prevent any strand saboteurs from ruining my locks. Thank you Jonsson Protein and Fion for your comprehensive scalp scan analysis and generous hospitality! Fion and I. Would you like to try the VE Protein Hair Care Treatment too? You can now try it absolutely free when you quote “Juliana” at the Jonsson Protein outlets. Consultation is by appointment only so please call them at +65 6899 1788 to book your appointments. Jonsson Protein is now available at: Westgate (Jurong) 3 Gateway Drive,#03-24 Westgate, Singapore 608532 White Sands 1 Pasir Ris Central St 3, #04-17/18 Singapore 518457 Plaza Singapura 68 Orchard Road, #04-73A Singapore 238839 Lot One Shoppers’ Mall 21 Choa Chu Kang Ave 4, #02-21A/B/C Singapore 689812 For more information about their products, services and latest promotions, visit their website at www.jonssonprotein.com.sg Well, now we all know the best-kept secret of thick lustrous hair. 🙂 Your friend, Juliana Disclaimer: Please be rest assured that even though the products and services were sponsored, they do not have any bearing on the content of this post. Opinions stated are objective and genuine. Also note that all sources, information, content, links are valid to change at any time. #beauty #hairproducts #JonssonProtein #SalonReview

Sponsored Review I was slated to do a photoshoot in a week but… I was facing the greatest hair-tastrophe. My locks were dull, brittle and frizzy with unsightly flyaways and split ends. The roots have also grown out making the overall style ratty and simply maladious. I knew what my hair needed but I have a problem – I never liked cutting my hair before a big event as I was afraid of possible hair cut hiccups that may be unfixable within the short time frame. I was kicking myself for not planning my beauty regimen carefully when my good friend Tiffany delivered some pretty precious pearls of wisdom. Tiffany has just tried a new hair treatment at Hairtitude known as Nanomist and her mane was clearly tamed with this new state-of the-art technology. She suggested that I go try the treatment too and even guaranteed and vouched for its effectiveness. Haha! So I did and boy was I amazed! The strands were noticeably glossier and smoother. Wanna know the secret? Click to read on! In case you were wondering… This was the photo that convinced me to engage Hairtitude’s services two days before my photoshoot. Tiffany’s before and after hair transformation Here I am at Hairtitude’s newly opened outlet at Suntec City. The salon boasts a modern contemporary interior that reflects their cutting-edge approach to designing trendy and wearable hairstyles. There was also a sampling station in the salon where you can try their signature products from Matrix’s Biolage range. And here comes the star of the day! The Nanomist! The Nanomist works like a hair steamer except the mineral water molecules it dispenses are more than 30,000 times smaller than a regular steamer making it easier to penetrate into the cuticles of the hair shaft. The process will help the shaft maintain moisture, prevent breakage and produce smoother hair as excess moisture is allowed to permeate and stay in the deeper layers of the hair strands. Alright, no more talk. Please save my hair now, Nanomist! Front view of my hair: Back view: Split ends spotted! Gary of Hairtitude suggested that I snip about one inch of the dry and brittle ends to give the style a fresher look. My hair looked healthier after the hair cut. The talented Gary also employed a special undercutting technique that produced a natural inward wave which makes my hair very easy to manage. Before Gary began the Nanomist treatment, he thought he could first hide my roots with Matrix’s SoColor in Chocolate Medium Blonde. SOCOLOR is the first color line that offers Cera-Oil conditioning complex that remains in the hair for up to 30 washes – constantly strengthening hair even in between touch-ups. Since my hair was already as dry as a desert, he suggested touch-ups instead of a full hair color transformation. And the leftover highlights from my previous dye job would also add dimension to my new hair style. I was rather apprehensive about that because I’ve done touch ups before and most of the time, the colors do not match. 🙁 Well, let’s see what happens with this one. *prays for nice hair* Yay! Always a fan of salons that provide ear caps! Ear caps protect the delicate skin around the ears from the chemicals so always remember to request for one, especially if you’ve sensitive skin! After 30 minutes, Kenny of Hairtitude proceeded to wash and condition my hair. This was one of the highlights for me. Kenny gave me a very relaxing scalp massage during the hair wash. He used firm massage strokes while he shampooed my hair with nourishing Matrix Biolage products. And it went on for about 10 minutes. I always appreciate adding a good scalp massage to a hair care regimen as it stimulates the scalp, improves circulation and reduces stress. 😀 And now my hair is finally ready to receive the legendary Nanomist treatment! To restore my hair’s natural shine, Kenny had to use the Matrix Biolage Fiberstrong Intra-Cylane Fortifying Cream. Matrix Biolage Fiberstrong Intra-Cylane Fortifying Cream The Matrix Biolage Fiberstrong Intra-Cylane Fortifying Cream is specially formulated to treat specific levels of damage seen in overprocessed and fragile hair. Its botanical remedies restores hair’s natural shine. However, a regular application technique might not allow the treatment cream to be fully absorbed by the hair. So to ensure that the cream is completely absorbed, Kenny had to first open the cuticle on the hair shaft by steaming the hair with the Nanomist as seen below. The grey device emits hot steam which is surprisingly quite bearable on the scalp. Kenny ran the nanomist from the top to the tip of my hair repeatedly for about 15 minutes. Then he went on to divide my hair into sections to allow easy and even application of the Matrix Biolage Fiberstrong Intra-Cylane Fortifying Cream. Kenny then brushed my hair downwards again to close the cuticles before he washed and blow-dried my hair. Here’s Gary styling it to perfection! 😛 He added a final touch by applying the Matrix Biolage ExquisiteOil Strengthening Treatment to prevent breakage as well as to give it a glistening shine. The Strengthening Treatment is an ultra-lightweight, scented oil that strengthens thin, fragile hair for ultimate vitality. Its formula with Polynesian Tamanu Oil boosts resistance to breakage while leaving hair replenished and beaming with exquisite shine. Matrix Biolage ExquisiteOil Strengthening Treatment And if you’re wondering about the mismatch hair color problem, well it’s pretty much non-existent now. The touch-ups blended very well with my old hair color. I was so in love with its glossy texture and voluminous style. The consistency of the colors is more prominent at the back as you can see from the photo below. Thank you Hairtitude, Gary and Kenny for your wonderful service and expert hair styling skills! And if you think the Nanomist treatment may break your bank. Well, check out their price chart below which showcases their reasonable price point. Good news! Hairtitude is offering 20% off all chemical treatments! Contact them at +65 6884 5206 to book your appointments. They are located at 3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Mall #02-345, Singapore 038983. They open daily from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm. Visit their Facebook page for more on their services and latest offers – facebook.com/hairtitudesalonsg Win free treatments! For further info about their photo contest, click here . And if you were wondering how the hair turned out at the photoshoot, here’s a peek from the lenses of the three photographers at the shoot, including my fiance! Ada of A Square Visual Studio Eagle of Yikeshu Wedding Services Behind-the-scenes by Bobby , my fiance. 😛 Your friend, Juliana Disclaimer: Please be rest assured that even though the products were sponsored, they do not have any bearing on the content of this post. Opinions stated are objective and genuine. Also note that all sources, information, content, links are valid to change at any time. #SalonReview #HairSalon #beautyreview #beauty #Hairtitude

Whether it’s for your engagement party or that special dinner date, everyone wants to impress with a killer complexion. And the good news is – it doesn’t have to involve a bucket full of cash to achieve that luminous glow. All you need is patience, some commitment and a solid six-step beauty regimen and you could be well on your way to getting out-of-this-world amazing skin! Click to unveil the six easy steps to skin success! 6 steps to FIRMER and more RADIANT skin 1) Deep Cleansing Good skin begins with clean skin and of course, makeup needs a clean slate to stay on all day. So make sure you keep your face clean and free of impurities by cleansing your face thoroughly with warm water to lift the grime and dead skin cells away. Warm water loosens dirt and clogged pores so you can wash them away easily. 2) Exfoliation Without proper exfoliation, our faces would be covered in layers of dead skin cells as cells move from the base of the skin to the surface every 30 days. If you don’t slough them off, it’ll be difficult for beauty products to work well on you. This is because the products will have to work their way through the layers of dead skin cells to get to the top layer of your skin. In the long term, your skin will become dull and clogged by sebum. Use a gentle facial scrub or exfoliating gel and massage your skin in a circular motion. Do this twice a week or once a week if you’ve sensitive skin and you’ll notice the difference in no time. 3) Extraction This is a bonus to the exfoliation step. Sometimes, blackheads can be pretty stubborn and difficult to unplug, like a cork that is stuck in a bottle. When exfoliation does not work, I would resort to using extraction techniques to dislodge the trapped debris. The best time to do it is after a warm shower when pores have dilated and this would make extraction a breeze. Begin extraction by placing your sterilised extractor over the blackhead and press gently. The blackhead should ooze out through the loop. If it doesn’t pop out, sprinkle the area with more warm water and try again. Then apply a toner to shrink the pores. 4) Eyebrow Trimming This step will not exactly lead to firmer and more radiant skin but trust me, beautiful brows will certainly increase your beauty cred and give you a very polished look. Here’s a pictorial guide to show how you can create the perfect arch. 5) Soothing Face Mask All that cleaning and exfoliating clears the dirt collected and paves the way for a soothing and hydrating face mask. As you age, your skin becomes drier as it can no longer retain the moisture needed to make it smooth and silky. Collagen production slows down, the process of cell regeneration also slows down and elastin becomes less springy (the substance that enables skin to snap back into place). In ancient times, Egyptian and Greek women kept their skin fresh and young by using face masks. And you’ve heard how beautiful they were, so this probably works to a certain extent. So use a facial mask at least once a week. It moisturizes your skin and eases skin disorders. It also acts as an effective stress reliever. 6) Face, neck, shoulder and décolleté massage When stress strikes, all hell can ‘breakout’ on your skin. So complement your beauty regimen with a soothing massage every month to reduce the fatigue and muscle tension. Happy mind, happy skin! BUT… I understand that keeping up with the six-step beauty regimen can be a pretty challenging task for busy city-dwellers like us. Here’s my suggestion – engage a beauty professional to help you follow through with all six steps! Like how you would hire a gym instructor to help you with your body goals, hiring a beauty consultant would do the same for your beauty goals. Due to my hectic schedule, I haven’t been able to give my skin its well-deserved TLC so I’ve been consulting the beauty experts at Phoenix La Beaute for professional beauty advice. And I’ve also been visiting them religiously for beauty treatments the past few months. I must say I’ve noticed a tremendous improvement in my skin condition. My gaping pores are now much smaller, skin is smoother and less prone to breakouts. Even my mum who’s usually critical of my skin has been singing praises of its renewed condition. So what makes Phoenix La Beaute so trustworthy? They cleanse my face thoroughly and carefully making sure they are gentle, especially around the delicate eye areas unlike manny others who usually tend to pull and tug the skin too hard. They also sterilise all their comedone extractors before they carry out the extraction process. Facial masks are customised to your skin types and needs so you can be sure that you won’t get a bad reaction from unsuitable beauty products. Their beauticians also act as my ‘browticians’ too, removing stray hairs and ensuring that my brows stay in shape. 🙂 Finally, my most favorite feature – an upper body massage from the head to the décolleté after the extraction stage. This is complimentary for every facial session so you don’t have to pay extra for a relaxing massage. Here’s a photo of me with Evin – one of my favorite beauticians at Phoenix La Beaute. Phoenix La Beaute’s Evin and me. If you’re worried that the extravagant-looking treatments above may cost an arm and a leg, you’ll be surprised! As mentioned earlier, the six-step regimen won’t cost you a bucket full of cash. Exclusive promotional offers at Phoenix La Beaute! Simply call 67334556 or SMS: JULIANA, Name, I/C to 8160 3888 to make your appointment. Quote “Juliana” to redeem these exclusive promotional offers! First trial Phoenix Classic Facial Treatment – SGD38 (Usual price of $280) (1st 20 to redeem the promotion will receive a free Microdermabrasion worth $100.) OR First trial Phoenix Lipolysis Program – SGD38 (Usual Price $600) (1st 20 to redeem the promotion will receive M-Pulse Therapy) *Promotion valid till 31th March 2014 Terms & Conditions: • First time customer age 21 and above • Resident in Singapore with valid NRIC or passes • Price quoted without GST • Not valid with other discounts or promotions For more up-to-date news about the spa, visit their website at www.phoenixlabeaute.com.sg and Facebook page . Of course, besides everything that I’ve mentioned above, also remember to adopt a good diet, exercise regularly and stay hydrated by drinking loads of water. On top of great skin and quintessential style, having a healthy body will also help you radiate beauty and confidence from head to toe. Good luck my dear Honeyz Belles! Your friend, Juliana #beauty #beautyreview #beautytips #PhoenixLaBeaute

Sponsored Review What do ‘blankets’ remind you of? They remind me of warm comfy beds, cozy cuddles and indulging after-lunch siestas. What if I tell you there’s a blanket that you can not only snuggle in but also improve your blood circulation, boost your metabolism and help you workout while resting! I’m not kidding! Okay, maybe it’ll make you sweat a little. But hey, it’s still a workout and like they always say, you’ll have to sweat like a pig to look like a fox! Haha! I can never look at blankets the same way again. All thanks to this multi-functional blanket by Phoenix La Beaute. You should totally click now to unroll this mysterious blanket too! 😛 I’m back at Phoenix La Beaute (PLB) for more spoil-me-rotten treatments. Yay! My skin has improved drastically since my last treatment at the salon. The bumps and spots were mostly gone and my skin feels smoother and softer. Now I just need to revive my dull skin and bring the glow back. But before I do that, I thought I could fix another skin problem that I’ve been facing lately – rashes. I’m not sure what is causing them but they’ve been spreading rather rapidly across my abdomen area. The weather has been pretty capricious lately so I wasn’t sure if it was caused by the heat or dampness in the air or by a recent virus I was infected with. Nonetheless, the flower-like rashes do not make me feel good at all – mentally or physically. Cheryl and Michelle of PLB recommended that I try their infra-red sauna to expel the toxins in my body and get rid of the rashes. According to them, the sauna could also improve blood circulation and burn calories. I was asked to stay in the 60-degree cubicle for about 20 mins. Actually, I was slightly anxious when I heard that because I usually can’t stay longer than 15 minutes in a regular sauna. And a 20-minute sauna session might be too hot for me to handle (yup, literally). Just as I was about to raise this concern, Cheryl handed me a couple of magazines and told me the sauna is different from a regular sauna. The heat will be more bearable so I can even read my magazines while absorbing the goodness of the sauna. However, she also assured me that she’ll check on me every few minutes to make sure that I was okay. Surprisingly, she was right! I read my magazine and rested for a while. In case you’re wondering what happened to my rashes – well, they have all cleared now. The rashes became really red the night after the treatment which scared the hell outta me. But it began to subside following the day after and, over the course of the week, they disappeared without a trace. Yay! I was amazed by the effectiveness. According to Michelle, the redness might be caused by the toxins in the sweat. After the toxins were completely gone, the rashes began to heal. It is amazing and I began to look this up. And guess what? I found out that the famous cardiac surgeon, Dr. Oz also highly recommended the infra-red sauna for good healthcare reasons. According to the article, Dr. Oz’s in-laws introduced him to the infrared sauna, which is slightly different than a normal sauna. “It makes the same rays that come from the sun and filters out the UV radiation, so it only gives you the infrared radiation,” he says. “That radiation that’s infrared goes a little bit into your skin so, without heating you up and the external environment too much, it heats the body up.” Dr. Oz claimed that the high temperature helps lower blood pressure and increase blood circulation. “It gets your heart to beat faster, and it burns calories,” says Dr. Oz. “It raises your metabolism a little bit, and also when you sweat, you sweat out toxins through the skin.” So I guess it may be legitimate then. Anyway, 4 Honeyz crowns for its astounding abilities to get rid of the nasty toxins (and rashes). Next, I was introduced to the torture machine. I’m totally kidding. In fact, this is the ‘wonder machine’! I lost significant weight after using it. It is the Electrical Muscle Stimulator. Cheryl spread some slimming ampoule over my body and on some metal studded pads like the one below. Then placed them on my abdomen and thighs – basically the areas which have the most fat. She secured their positions with some pretty cool looking cobalt blue velcro straps. Then she wrapped my body with a towel and turned on the machine. The pads delivered gentle electric pulses to my skin. This action stimulates the muscles and trigger contractions which will in turn, tone the muscles. I looked up wiki to justify its slimming claims. This was what Wiki said about its theory: “The impulses mimic the action potential coming from the central nervous system, causing the muscles to contract.” So there is some logic to the claim. Your might also be happy to know that the legendary Bruce Lee endorses it too! According to him – “Three minutes is like doing 200 push-ups.” Yay! You can now do tedious workouts without breaking a sweat. I also got to adjust the power of the pulses according to my preference. The machine was pretty easy to operate. 🙂 I felt refreshed and revitalized after the treatment. There was no discomfort or pain. 4.5 Honeyz crowns for such an easy workout session! Next, I was invited to try their popular thermal blanket treatment. No photos for this one as I was mostly wrapped up in a blanket. Basically, Cheryl exfoliated my body with an aromatic lavender sea salt scrub, then wrapped me with their thermal blanket for another 30 minutes. The key benefits of the thermal blanket comes from the infra-red radiation which it emits. This reduces water retention which in turn reduces bloating. It also improves metabolism to help me lose weight without cutting back on the calories. Even though the process wasn’t extremely comfortable as I was perspiring profusely (like having a sauna in a blanket), I felt healthy and rejuvenated after the treatment. The bloated feeling I had before the treatment also disappeared. I observed my body days after the treatment and noticed that my thigh gap seemed wider and my abdomen also seemed flatter. It seemed like I had managed to sweat away the inches. Haha! And the results lasted for a whopping two weeks! 3.5 Honeyz for its fast and lasting results! To slim down within a short period of time may be a pretty daunting task but I believe with perseverance, patience and good treatments, anyone will be able to achieve his/her slimming goals sooner than you can say ‘weight loss’! 😀 Meanwhile, I’ll continue to use these Universal Contour Wrap products from the lovely Michelle to sustain my weight loss results. Yay! A bride-to-be needs to look good from the head to toe! So Cheryl continued to nourish my face with PLB’s signature Cocoon Mask treatment. After a comprehensive cleaning routine, Cheryl proceeded to remove the gunk and excess sebum on my face through a thorough extraction process of pore strips and extractor tools. My face was red and burning so she applied cotton pads soaked with cold water on my face to calm down the inflammation. Cheryl gently massaged my face before she laid a gauze over and spread a cooling mask on my face. The pampering process lasted for a good 20 minutes before she rinsed off the mask to reveal my calmer and smoother face. Thank you Michelle, Cheryl and Phoenix La Beaute once again for your wonderful treatment and generous hospitality! My skin and body are looking so much better and healthier than before that I can’t wait to continue walking this skincare and weight loss journey with you to discover my ‘full’ beauty potential. Haha! If you would like to try their amazing treatments too, the lovely Phoenix La Beaute is tucked away in a cozy corner of Palais Renaissance. Here’s their address and contact details, 390 Orchard Road #03-01 Palais Renaissance Singapore 238871 Tel: 6733 4556 Once you’re at the top of the escalator on the third floor, turn to your right and you’ll see this corridor. Walk down further and you should see Phoenix La Beaute’s glossy glass door and opulent brown walls. If you’re worried that the extravagant-looking treatments above may cost an arm and a leg, you’ll be surprised! For my readers, you can enjoy these special exclusive prices! Simply call 67334556 to make your appointment. Quote “ Juliana ” to redeem the exclusive promotional price! First trial Universal Contour Wrap – SGD68 – You have to try this! (Usual price of $438) OR First trial Phoenix Classic Facial Treatment – SGD38 (Usual price of $280) OR First trial Phoenix Lipolysis Program – SGD38 (Usual Price $600) Usual price, optional add-ons: Booster – SGD58 Blackhead remover – SGD20 *Promotion valid till 28th February 2014 Terms & Conditions: • First time customer age 21 and above • Resident in Singapore with valid NRIC or passes • Price quoted without GST • Not valid with other discounts or promotions More exciting product promotions! For more up-to-date news about the spa, visit their website at www.phoenixlabeaute.com.sg and Facebook page . Sculpt your way to beauty at Phoenix La Beaute! 😀 Your friend, Juliana Disclaimer: Please be rest assured that even though the products and services were sponsored, they do not have any bearing on the content of this post. Opinions stated are objective and genuine. Also note that all sources, information, content, links are valid to change at any time. #beauty #beautyreview #BridalBeautyLog #PhoenixLaBeaute

Sponsored Review Last summer, I embraced the delicate floral notes of the Especially Escada Eau de Toilette. Fast forward to 2014, I’m once again enveloped in the sophisticated scent of the Especially Escada roses with the release of their sister scent, Especially Escada Elixir. The Especially Escada Elixir is an intense Eau de Parfum that builds on the classic Especially Escada Eau de Parfum and the playful light-heartedness of the Eau de Toilette. The well-balanced blend of the Damask Rose, Ylang Ylang flower, Vanilla plant and precious Ecuadorian Ambrette seeds make the fragrance extremely pleasing to the nose and of course, perfect for that important evening date! When it comes to perfumes, the looks are as important as the contents. The packaging is similar to the Delicate notes Eau de Toilette in that it is nicely contained in an elegant flacon which is sealed with a polished double E logo gold lid. The striking difference is the lush fuchsia pink hue of the glass bottle which fitted right into my recent haute couture-themed photoshoot. Click to experience the lusciousness of the fragrance too! ESPECIALLY ESCADA Elixir, a powerful interpretation of the original rose-based fragrance, is inspired by the ESCADA woman who is boldly elegant, radiating confident femininity and joie de vivre, lighting up the room with her smile and energy. The gorgeous scent is fronted by Victoria’s Secret angel, Bar Refaeli who indicated her love for the Elixir edition, stating that the perfume is perfect for adding an extra touch of rosy feeling for a splendid evening night out. Well, a Victoria’s Secret angel can’t be wrong! Haha! Bar Refaeli, The Especially Escada heroine 😛 The new ESPECIALLY ESCADA Elixir is built around a rose heart, but is differentiated from other fragrances in the range through its wondrous intensity. Building on the floral freshness of ESPECIALLY ESCADA, this intensity is borne out of the scent’s unique blend of precious ingredients sourced from around the globe. For this new addition to the ESPECIALLY ESCADA family, Eastern roses from Turkey add an element of mystery to Elixir. Rich natural rose extract is caressed with Oriental facets to add depth, colour and density, subtly transforming the light freshness of the pink rose of ESPECIALLY ESCADA and Delicate notes eau de toilette, into a scent with intensity and sensuality like a deep pink, purplish rose. Precious Ecuadorian Ambrette seeds provide a natural chic note to give freshness and depth, pushing the rose accord, while a note of musk provides a sense of added luxury, making it an ideal evening fragrance. Oriental notes such as a luxurious natural vanilla extract from Madagascar lie at the bottom of the fragrance to add depth. Subtle fruity facets of plum and prune add a touch of gourmand richness, amberry notes and a special, concentrated extract of Patchouli Heart remove the earthiness that is sometimes present in Patchouli. The unique fusion of ingredients creates a fragrance that is elegantly joyful, while sensual and magical – with an intensity that lasts longer. What I thought of the new fragrance… I was pretty excited about this version as I’m a huge fan of its EDT edition. Always wished the rose aroma could linger longer. Not surprisingly, the opening was a loud burst of sweet roses and vanilla but the fragrance dissipates pretty quickly leaving behind a discreet rosy scent. Even though that was a letdown, I’m still a fan of its comforting smell that is dominated by the fresh, bracing essence of the rose. Also, I was happy that the intense pink fragrance juice did not stain my pastel clothing unlike other dark coloured perfumes that have wreaked havoc on my light-colored fabrics. The glamorous design of the fragrance also made it a perfect prop for my recent Haute Couture-themed photo shoot. 😀 Photo by A Square Visual Studio . Don’t the Especially Escada perfumes look elegant against the dreamy couture settings? 😛 The photos will be used for my new blog layout so you bet that you’ll be spotting those robust, square glass flacons more often. Haha! For its romantic scent and exquisite lust-worthy design, 3.5 Honeyz crowns! Good news! This exciting and unique new addition to the range will be a permanent addition to ESCADA’s sophisticated range of classic fragrances. Have you tried the Especially Escada Elixir too? I wanna know what you think! Share your reviews with me and Honeyz Belles at Honeyz Cube ! Your friend, Juliana Disclaimer: Please be rest assured that even though the products were sponsored, they do not have any bearing on the content of this post. Opinions stated are objective and genuine. Also note that all sources, information, content, links are valid to change at any time. #beauty #beautyreview #Escada #EspeciallyEscadaElixir