Lovely Time Spent @ Clarins Skin Time 30 :)

I was reading the "Beauty For Free" article on the March 2012 issue of Her World Magazine and Clarins was awarded the 'Favorite Beauty Advisor' after a Skin Time session done at Clarins Robinsons Raffles City counter by its writer undercover. Its the first time i heard of this free 1 on 1, 30 minutes consultation service with Clarins Beauty Specialist offered by the French beauty brand. 

I decided to give it a try as i have been wanting to get some samples of Clarins new sunscreen, the UV Plus HP Beige since i'm looking for a new sunscreen and have read wonderful reviews online. I prefer sunscreen that are light in texture, non-oily and offers light coverage for makeup free days. Clarins new beige color sunscreen seems to match my needs as it promises to give skin light coverage and even the complexion while minimizing any redness, dark spots and tiny imperfections. I wanted to try out its sample first before making a purchase as it is quite pricey at S$74 for a 30ml bottle of sunscreen.

I made the appointment online and had my Skin Time session at Clarins Tangs Orchard last Friday. The Clarins Staff Elaine who served me was really friendly and professional. I had the session inside a private cozy room behind the Clarins counter and i appreciate the privacy. There was soft music playing in the background which feels really calming and helps me to relaxed. I was also impressed with the touch-up counter in the room filled with Clarins makeup products for touching up after the Skin Time which would come in useful for those who did not bring their makeups as you have to remove your makeups during the session.

I really enjoyed the session and my skin looks more radiant and smoother after the express facial and the products did not irritate my skin which was experiencing some minor hormonal breakouts. Elaine did a skin check using her hands so that she can decide what products will be suitable for my skin. She remarked that my skin is well hydrated and firm and i told her that i'm more concerned about the occasional breakouts which i experienced during menses. She advised me to exfoliate and apply a mask twice a week and introduced me to the White Plus P Gentle Renewing Brightening Peel, Brightening Exfoliator and Pure & Radiant Mask which she used during the facial. The mask feels really comfortable and soothing on my skin. I was also introduced to Clarin's bestsellers like the Shaping Facial Life Serum which promises to slim, firm and contour the face. I applied the products myself after the toner step and Elaine taught me the Clarins way of applying skincare products which i find really useful. I have included the steps below:

1) Warm product in your hands to bring it to skin temperature and encourage absorption.

2) Apply product with the whole surface of the hands. Never pull or rub skin.

3) Apply firm but gentle pressing motions to stimulate microcirculation and more effectively eliminate toxins from skin.

I love the Clarins way of applying skincare as i find that it really helps my skin to absorb the products better and faster. I also applied the UV Plus HP Beige on my face and it feels really light and comfortable. I received lot of samples of products which Elaine feels would suit my skin at the end of the session and she did not pressure me to make any purchases.

I strongly encourage those who are new to Clarins and thinking of trying their products to register for its Skin Time 30 which i find really beneficial and you get to be pampered by the Clarins staff with their products and there is no obligation to make a purchase on the spot. Samples will be provided for you to try for a few days so that you can test if it is suitable for your skin. I ended up going back to the Clarins Tangs counter the next day to purchase the White Plus P Gentle Renewing Brightening Peel, Pure & Radiant Mask and UV Plus HP Beige and received some lovely free gifts and more samples with my purchases :) I had wanted to make the purchases from Elaine but she was out for lunch and her friendly colleague helped me instead. Will share more details of my purchases soon.

(Source: Her World Magazine Singapore, March 2012 issue)

(Source: http://www.clarins.com.sg)

(Source: https://www.facebook.com/ClarinsSingapore)

20 Ways to Speed Up Your Metabolism

1. Keep Hydrated I'm sure the general population thinks dieticians sound like a broken record when it comes to the whole water thing, but it really is important. Drinking the recommended eight cups of water a day will help your body function at peak performance levels.

2. Keep Calcium Levels Up Current obesity research shows that a dip in calcium levels can trigger the same hormone that causes the body to hold onto fat to be released. Choose low-fat dairy, cheese, yogurt, salmon, tofu, and oatmeal.

3. Ditch the Drinks Happy hours and late night cocktails can do a number on your metabolism the next day. Research shows that the day after a night of drinking, there is a significant dip in your metabolic rate. Combine this with hangover cravings, and you've got a double disaster.

4. Eat Constantly Snacking does not have to be a bad thing. If your stomach is growling, it means that you need more fuel. Not providing your body with food is a surefire way to slow down its basic functions. Choose high-fiber, high-protein snacks like low-fat cheese, fiber crackers, fruits, veggies, or Greek yogurt. Starving your body will sabotage all of your dieting efforts.

5. Destress Yourself Stress raises the amount of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is a hormone that tells the body to hold onto fat in case of a stressful situation (think more natural disaster-level stress, not a bad day at work-level). Experiment with yoga or meditation as ways to lower stress levels and clear your mind.

6. Decrease Diet Soda Although it's low in calories and seems like an easy swap for high calorie beverages, diet soda may actually have adverse effects on your metabolism. Water and seltzer are better options, but if you must drink diet soda, limit your consumption to two cans (not Big Gulps!) per week.

7. Don't Forget Your ZZZ's Getting a least seven to eight hours of sleep every night is crucial to a healthy metabolism. Anything less can adversely affect your body's ability to burn calories. Surprisingly, excess sleep may do the same thing. It's best to keep a consistent bedtime and wake up close to the same time every morning

8. Soak Up the Sun Research shows that when a person spends long periods of time in a darkened, dull environment, it stimulates the same physiological functions in the body as gaining weight and sleep. The best daylight hours are between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., so make it a point to get up from your desk and take a brisk walk outside. Aside from soaking up rays, you'll rev up your heart rate and benefit from the fresh air.

9. Work Out in the Cold Doing any type of cardio exercise in the cold can increase the ability of brown fat in the body to work at maximum capacity. Newly published research indicates that brown fat helps efficiently burn the white fat in your body, which is the considered that "bad fat."

10. Drink Kombucha Tea This tea, which is made from the Kombucha black mushroom, has racked up accolades in almost every health area-claims range from easing arthritis to detoxifying the liver. The detoxifying nature of this beverage may help your body function at an optimal level, which means a healthy metabolism.

11. Increase Weight-Bearing Exercises One pound of muscle burns 35 to 50 calories, while one pound of fat burns a measly 5 to 10 calories. Increasing your muscle mass can increase your body's basal metabolic rate (BMR) by up to 40%. There's no need to hit the weights hard, either, simply using light weights at high repetition has been proven to tone muscle and burn fat.

12. Up Your Vitamin C Vitamin C and calcium are partners in crime when it comes to your metabolic rate. Calcium speeds up metabolism, while vitamin C helps the body absorb this mineral, creating an overall win-win situation.

13. Vitamin B is Key Getting in all over your vitamin B, which you can do by incorporating small amounts of nuts, seeds, lean chicken, beef, and fish into your diet, helps maintain a healthy metabolism. Legumes are also a great source of B vitamins; plus they're chock-full of fiber.

14. Drink Green Tea The polyphenols, specifically EGCG, in green tea have properties that rev up your metabolic rate. However, green tea takes dedication. You have to drink about 4 to 5 cups a day to see results.

15. Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup It's one of the most controversial issues in nutrition: Studies show that HFCS can make the body insulin-resistant. Also, when given the choice, the body stores fructose as fat before it does glucose.

16. Try Interval Training Aside from curing workout boredom, interval training allows you to burn more calories in less time. This is a great way for busy people with less time to get in a maximum workout.

17. Drink Oolong Tea Swap your second latte of the day with a fresh cup of oolong tea. Chinese medicine and celebrities alike tout the calorie boosting properties of this electrifying elixir.

18. Spicy Peppers Take your pick: Jalapenos, chili, cayenne, habanero, etc.. These fiery little guys contain capsaicin, which is why you get a burning sensation in your mouth when you eat them. This same effect is created internally, causing a calorie burn for about 30 minutes afterward.

19. Go Ginger The latest craze is to add ginger shots to juice, but if you're not into juicing, it also pairs nicely with veggies in a stir-fry. In addition to aiding digestion, it can speed up the body's digestion process by as much as twenty percent.

20. Eat Oily Fish Fish such as tuna and salmon contain oil that increases leptin, which is a hormone responsible for controlling appetite.

(Source: http://shine.yahoo.com)

Delicious Lunch @ Saybons Junction 8 :)

I Love Revlon's Lip Butter In Peach Parfait :)

This was my recent impulse buy while i was shopping for toiletries at Watsons and i was attracted to the lovely Hollywood actress Emma Stone's Revlon advertisement. I love the lipstick color she was wearing in the ad and could not resist getting one for myself. This latest Lip Butter by Revlon turns out to be a great buy as it has become one of my favorite lipsticks and i have been wearing it frequently. I love that it is not drying on my lip but do note that it is not long lasting and i have to re-apply it after meals. I'm a lip gloss gal and rarely use lipsticks as i feel that it is not moisturizing enough except for my Lancome lipstick which i absolutely adores :) However this new Revlon Lip Butter glides on smoothly on my lip and stays moisturize with a lovely light gloss and there are 8 lovely colors to choose from. 

For those in the US/Canada, you can choose from 20 different shades and hopefully more shades would be available in Singapore. My favorite shade is of course the pretty Peach Parfait color which was used by Emma Stone in its advertisements. It is a flattering color which should suit most skin tones and seems to be the most popular color among users online when i googled the product. The Lip Butter retails at an affordable price of S$15.90/- :)

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2rnIiVHBP8)

Yummy Dinner @ Watami With My Best Friends :)

Official Apple (New) iPad Trailer

Anybody getting the new iPad today? Finally we are able to get an Apple gadget first and not have to wait several months after its launch in the US. I'm tempted to get  the new iPad too provided its still available when i pop by town later. Heard there are long queues at the stores and i might just decide to wait awhile since i still have about 3 months warranty left for my iPad 2. The only reason i'm thinking of changing is because of the new stunning retina display found in the new iPad but i still prefers my current iPad 2 which is lighter and thinner and more convenient to bring out.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQieoqCLWDo)

Lovely Lunch @ Delifrance :)

Sheila Sim As SK-II Ambassador

This should be exciting news for fellow Singaporean fans of the iconic skincare brand SK-II. Finally a SK-II brand ambassador we can call our own ;) Congratulations to Singaporean fresh-faced international model and style icon Sheila Sim for being named the latest brand ambassador of SK-II and we should be proud of this lovely young lady as she is not only one of the youngest ambassadors for the brand, she is also the first one from our lovely sunny island Singapore :) She now joins the rank of other gorgeous celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, Qi Qi, Lee Sinjie, Haruka Ayase and Tang Wei as SK-II's newest ambassador - redefining SK-II's image of crystal clarity with a youthful twist of sartorial sophistication.

As one of Singapore's top supermodels, 27 year old Sheila is known for her pixie good looks and authentic fresh-faced charm. Growing up, Sheila always looked up to her aunt, then model Ivy Chng, as her role model. She constantly watched videos of her aunt sashaying down the runway, in her element. However, Sheila never dreamed that she herself would be able to follow her aunt's footsteps and become a model herself. The turning point was when she was talent spotted at her aunt's wedding by a modelling scout when she was just 16. In 2002, she moved to Hong Kong to pursue a modelling career where she spent 4 years expanding her portfolio.

With over ten years of modeling experience, she has graced the covers of countless magazine and runways of established international labels in all the major fashion capitals. Sheila made her movie debut in the independent film "Autumn In March." Currently shuttling between Hong Kong and Singapore, Sheila is also currently pursuing her interest in marketing and is looking to venture into design in the near future.

A self-professed outdoor sports fan who "loves the sun and sea", she is a firm believer in natural beauty and "being comfortable with who you are". For Sheila, perfect skin is skin that is glowing, radiant and gorgeous, even without makeup. Sheila's skin philosophy is based on efficacy - her ideal skincare regime is one that gives her consistent, visible results.

You would probably have seen her appearance in the high profile campaign for Singapore's Poh Heng Jewellery in 2008 that made her an instantly recognizable face and added a youthful and fashionable feel to the brand.

I used to dislike wearing gold jewellery as i feel its more suitable for older ladies but have started to purchase simple gold jewellery from Poh Heng because of her campaign ad which convinced me that wearing gold is cool and fashionable. I feel that Sheila will definitely add a fun and youthful image to my favorite beauty brand SK-II like Japanese actress Haruka Ayase has been doing.

I love Ayase's commercial for SK-II which was playful and fun and i'm looking forward to watching Sheila's commercial for SK-II. She will definitely inspire more young women in Singapore to discover the wonders of SK-II products and to follow a beauty regime from a young age.

Sheila's favorite product from SK-II is the popular Facial Treatment Essence which is also essential in my daily beauty regime. Intrigued by the unique bio-origins of Pitera, Sheila embarked on her journey with SK-II five years ago starting with the brand's signature miracle water Facial Treatment Essence - and her experience was one of amazement. After just one use, she already noticed changes in her skin's countenance. "I did not expect to see any difference after using Facial Treatment Essence for the first time. I was amazed to find that my complexion was brighter and clearer, in just one use."

For the first few days, Sheila felt her skin was "not as obedient as it should be". However she was reassured by other SK-II users that Facial Treatment Essence was just working on her skin, "They were right," Sheila confirms. "In fact, even after three days, I started to notice that my skin texture became more refined, and was smoother."

But it was really after seven days that Sheila noticed that her skin became firmer and more sculpted. She saw an overall improvement in the condition of her skin, something that she had never experienced before with any other skincare brands. "At first, i thought it was just my imagination - but when i went out with friends, they asked me if i was wearing makeup, and for the secret to my skin's glowing radiance. That's when i understood the meaning of crystal clarity".

In just 14 days, Sheila experienced complete skin transformation. In fact Facial Treatment Essence has changed the way she feels about her skin, and more importantly, herself. "Two weeks later, i observed that the fine lines around my eyes and mouth had become smoother and less visible. Also, as someone who is a fan of the sun and the outdoors, i was really amazed to see that the spots and freckles on my face lightened and became less visible". Needless to say, the bona fide fashion icon is now a fervent fan of SK-II.

You can find out more about SK-II's new brand ambassador at:

http://www.herworldplus.com/beauty/updates/beauty-updates-sk-ii-gala-dinner-shanghai

http://www.todayonline.com/Style/EDC120107-0000001/5-questions-with-,,,-Sheila-Sim

http://www.herworldplus.com/beauty/updates/beauty-updates-celebrities-create-exclusive-sk-ii-facial-treatment-essence-bottles

Exclusive information about Sheila will be revealed on Facebook - Like SK-II's Facebook page to be updated with this info:
(For Singapore: http://www.facebook.com/skii.singapore or 

 For Malaysia: http://www.facebook.com/skii.malaysia)

(Source: http://www.facebook.com/skii.singapore)
(Source: http://www.facebook.com/skii.malaysia)
(Source: http://www.herworldplus.com/beauty/updates/beauty-updates-sk-ii-gala-dinner-shanghai)

(Source: http://blog.omy.sg/keithpng/2009/01/05/poh-heng-jewel-fest-08/)

(Source: http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/boards/submit-your-favourite-model/3958_)

New Kate Spade Boutique @ ION Orchard :)

For those who loves shopping at Orchard Ion and are fellow fans of Kate Spade, this should be a great piece of news for everyone :) Kate Spade's second free-standing boutique in Singapore has opened at ION Orchard, level 3! The 1,496 square foot store offers the complete Kate Spade New York collection, including handbags, apparel, shoes, jewelry, stationery, eyewear, small leather goods and accessories. I will make sure to pop by the boutique the next time i'm shopping there ;)

(Source: http://www.facebook.com/IONOrchard)

Bibap - Beatbox Action Comedy Coming Soon To Esplanade Singapore :)

Hubby and i are planning to watch this new Korean beatbox action comedy "Bibap" which will start showing end of the month at the Esplanade :) We watched its past show "Nanta" when we were in Korea several years ago and enjoyed it and am looking forward to this new show. More information about "Bibap" can be found below:

From the producers of the popular JUMP and BREAKOUT ...

Comes "Bibap", a brand new beatbox action comedy!

"Bibap" is the first performance to combine eating and entertainment on stage. 

This multi-sensory show displays the unconventional cooking skills of two talented chefs who will be beatboxing and b-boying out several mouth-watering dishes. The exhibit of pure energy from the dynamic dance moves and vibrant music, and not forgetting the tasty food prepared, promises to engage all your senses. 

B-boys also show off powerful moves and amidst other genres such as martial arts, dance, and beat-box music with much interactions with audiences. Such elements are well put together to create the tasty dish “bibimbap” and you might just be the one to taste the dish on the spot! 

With its name inspired from Korea's popular dish "bibimbap", "Bibap" premiered in Korea to great success. Its global popularity was further proven at the Edinburgh Festival, where it was favorably received by critics. And it continues to attract international visitors in Korea today.

So grab your tickets now and experience 90 minutes of brilliant comedy, dynamic music, acrobatics, beatbox, a capella, martial arts and cooking of course!

You can also read exclusive interview of the casts at ( http://allkpopnews.com/kpop-news/exclusive-interview-with-bibap-korea-crew.ks). 

30 Mar – 1 Apr 2012
Esplanade Theatre
Tickets from $38 (exclude booking fee)
Booking Hotline : 6348 5555
Online Booking : www.sistic.com.sg

(Source: http://www.facebook.com/vizproevents?sk=wall)
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR1_ikUP-24&feature=related)

Please Take Care Of Us Captain OST MV [J Walk - Opposites]

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9t9fudaEm0)

My Favorite White Bee Hoon For Lunch :)

Delicious Breakfast @ Chong Pang Market :)

Delicious Dinner @ Swensens :)