Top 5 products to help you get that glow

From the leaves of literature to glossy magazine pages, writers the world over have used one word to describe a natural and universal concept of beauty: glow. Whether it’s the ‘glow of youth’ or that of a new-found love, this natural radiance is a look that many a beauty brand has tried to recreate with a myriad of products. If you’re looking to incorporate the right shine into your daily make up routine, we’ve got a list of the best tools to ensure your skin is glowing, come rain or shine.

Charlotte Tillbury – world famous make-up artist and beauty brand – uses porcelain flower extract in the newly launched Hollywood Flawless Filter foundation. This essence, derived from a Thai flower, is made of natural anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories that create a brightening effect.

Guerlain’s Météorites CC Glow collection, meanwhile, is comprised of three colour correcting pens that work together to target and banish skin tone imperfections. Each concealer has specific correcting properties, which in turn offer a radiant and rejuvenating effect.

The Hourglass Vanish Flash highlighting stick is formulated with hollow microspheres for the most weightless texture. The skin-saving highlighters adjust to your body temperature, effortlessly blending into the skin and offering an instant flash of light.

Natural Radiant longwear foundation by NARS pairs perfectly with star product Radiant Creamy Concealer. Offering a 16-hour fade-resistance with full-powered brightness, the amino acid coated pigments strongly adhere to skin, binding with a long-lasting effect.

From foundation to highlighter, using the right product can help you to achieve your desired look even when you are not on the cusp of youth… or finding new love.

L’Oréal’s UV Sense nail accessory doubles as sensor for harmful UV rays

A continuous slew of ever-more outlandish nail trends have been dominating the beauty industry over the past year. From reflective mirror-finishing to fur-covered stickers and even actual nail piercings, each fad seems more bizarre than the last. Thankfully, L’Oréal is bringing a bit of sanity back into the world of nail art with its newly unveiled UV Sense.

At first glance, UV Sense seems like a rather innocuous, almost unwieldy, nail accessory. But don’t let its looks fool you. This tiny 9mm-wide sticker is actually an innovative sensor that will help wearers monitor their exposure to harmful UV rays.

Built using the latest in miniature technology, UV Sense is touted as the world’s first battery-free wearable electronic sensor. The gadget can retain up to three months of data, which it transfers to the wearer’s mobile phone via Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. In common parlance, that means it can communicate with the dedicated app without requiring any Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity.

Users can then monitor how much of the harmful rays they’ve been exposed to, along with helpful tips like when to put on sun block, or which times to avoid being outdoors. All-in-all it looks to be an ideal personal UV monitor.

While it may seem strange for a beauty company to be dabbling in electronics, for L’Oréal, it’s the logical next step in its 80-year quest to promote sun safety, while remaining competitive in the market.

“Beauty trends show that adoption of wearable nail art accessories is on the rise, with an increase of over 65 percent in nail art trends over the last five years,” shares Guive Balooch, Global Vice President of L’Oréal’s Technology Incubator, “[UV Sense] taps into this growing trend, while illustrating our deep commitment to sun-save behaviour and protection.”

With UV Sense’s global release still one full year away, only time will tell if L’Oréal’s innovative melding of technology and beauty will be a viable commercial success. But something tells us it will quickly catch on…

How to make your eyes pop without makeup: Eye Studio by Spa BPZ

The last decade has seen Asia’s beauty sector grow exponentially. The region’s biggest beauty obsession? Bigger, wide-awake eyes.

But what if you don’t want to spend half an hour everyday applying all that eye shadow, false eyelashes, eyeliner and contact lenses? Nigar Qureshi of Spa BPZ, one of Hong Kong’s longest running beauty establishments, thinks she has the answer. And no, it doesn’t involve surgery.

“Getting bigger eyes isn’t solved by getting just one treatment,” she says. “It’s a culmination of several effects: properly arched and defined eyebrows, curled or extended lashes, and even what we call ‘permanent makeup’ for those who want to go all the way.”

After working with Hong Kong clients for four decades, Nigar realised that what the market really needed was a comprehensive product that enhanced eyes semi-permanently without the need for makeup. She then decided to launch Eye Studio, an up to 7-in-1 full service, covering a combination of the following:

Eyebrow shaping, threading
Eyebrow 3D microblading tattoo
Eyelash perm
Eyelash extension
Eyelash / eyebrow tinting
Moxa Bustion for dark circles & fine lines (Traditional Chinese medicine therapy using moxa made from dried mugwort)
Caci Ultra eye treatment which works to lift and firm the muscles around the eye area and smoothens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

“The results are remarkable,” she says. “People always underestimate the little details, but they add up.”

“There’s no one solution fits all,” Nigar qualifies. “That’s why we have an initial consultation to see what look would suit your face.” Being primarily a makeup artist, Nigar uses the “face card” to determine and customise each service.

When your faithful writer came in to try the eyelash perm, Nigar immediately spotted a downward angle on the outer edges of her eyes and recommended to add an exaggerated curl in the ends. She had been meaning to ask for it, but Nigar identified the problem before she could even broach the request. Clearly, the woman knows what she is doing.

There was only time to do one treatment that day, but your writer wished she had more to do the whole Eye Studio package at Spa BPZ. Her previously existing eyebrow tattoos definitely needed a touch up, while her eyelashes are sadly still short as ever. Thankfully, the perming alone already made a dramatic difference.

Eyelash perm at Spa BPZ: Before and After

What makes the eyelash perm at Spa BPZ different from those at other salons? According to Nigar, others normally use hair perm for clients’ eyelashes, which is too strong for such a delicate area. “That’s why you get swelling, and if you do it often, your eyelashes get burned by the chemicals,” she says. “We use a very mild but effective plant-based solution from Germany.”

Additionally, while other salons also use standard cotton pads to cushion your skin, Nigar’s team uses collagen under-eye patches, dabbing in even more cream for added measure. “I make a lot of these organic products myself,” says Nigar. “I typically use aromatherapy oils and natural ingredients.”

When asked whether she intended to commercially produce them, Nigar said no. “It makes more sense for me to keep them exclusively for Spa BPZ customers.”

Try it for yourself at Spa BPZ. 12/F Sea Bird House, 22-28 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong. (852) 2524 1272 / 2522 5945 / 9364 5271. www.spabpz.com

Written by: Julienne C. Raboca

Aveda launches thickening “Eclipting” colour for fuller-looking hair

Aveda’s newest service thickens and colours with only plant-based products

If you thought contouring strictly belonged to the territory of make-up artists, you were wrong. Aveda’s global artistic director for hair color, Ian Michael Black, came up with a way to translate the makeup technique into hair art using strategic colour placement. “Eclipting” is the new buzz word in the beauty world, after years of “balayage” domination.

We know – there are so many concepts to grasp when it comes to this new trend. Let’s start by slowing down and taking it apart piece by piece.

Step 1: Thickening with Invati Advanced

Aveda’s thickening + colour/highlights service is a new body-boosting hair treatment designed to contour and alter the shape of your hair. The first part lifts and volumizes thinning, lanky tresses for maximum fullness using the award-winning Invati Advanced™ line, which powers the process via three products that promise to reduce hair loss by 53%.

Price: The Invati Treatment for Thinning Hair starts at HK$500

Step 2: Eclipting – Colouring your way to fuller-looking hair

The second part achieves optical illusions by way of ‘eclipting.’ The technique makes thinning hair appear fuller through ‘hair contouring’: incorporating balayage techniques to effect gradients (although eclipting uses starker contrasts for a more distinct change).

Black’s method keeps the root area a little darker to “make hair look more solid at the scalp,” he says. “It works well with the darker-root trend right now.”

Strategic highlights are then placed: finer through the top and chunkier underneath. “This gives hair a bulkier look overall,” according to Black. Finally, the ends shouldn’t be lighter than the rest of the hair as bleached ends look especially thin.

“But nothing makes hair look better than being shiny and conditioned,” warns Black, so keep those locks healthy! Remember: chemicals at the minimum, hence Aveda’s success as a company that sticks to naturally-derived ingredients.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be1cSKtBYmB/?tagged=ecliptingcolor

The Hong Kong experience

Among Aveda’s several Hong Kong locations, we decided to check out their Lifestyle Salon & Spa at The Loop in Central. You can enter via a separate door from the building lobby; skip the spa and salon on the first two floors to get to the colouring station on the third.

Since you’re going to be in here for a good three hours, best make yourself comfy with complimentary tea and settle in with some reading material. If your eyes need a break, there’s a streetview to Wellington Street below, or the mirror to check on your colorist’s progress.

Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa at The Loop in Central

A colour assesment begins the session, followed by a soothing head and scalp massage which releases any tension or pre-colour worries you may have. If you need lightening, the bleaching for highlights goes first to add depth, followed by a thorough shampooing and conditioning. The toning stage brings in the colour application, and finally a treatment to offset anydrying or damage.

What do you think?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbRM9Q2BsvG/

Aveda has multiple locations in Hong Kong. Check out www.aveda.com.hk for more details.

Written by Julienne C. Raboca

Grooming Glory: A guide to gentlemen’s grooming and skincare in Hong Kong

With the demand for gentlemen’s grooming increasing over the years, Hong Kong has seen the phenomenon of male-focused services on the rise. With tailor-made massages and beauty treatments, not to mention the return of the classic gentleman’s barber shop, it is evident that it is not only women who are striving to look perfectly polished.

Whether you’re after that “hipster beard” or baby-smooth skin, we have got you covered with a roundup of the city’s top spots.

The Mandarin Barber – For luxury grooming

This 1930s Shanghai-inspired barber shop offers a luxurious take on traditional shaving and grooming, in a warm environment resembling that of a private gentleman’s club. Relax in a traditional barber chair while watching sports from the in-mirror televisions, or retire to the privacy of the VIP room for massages, waxing treatments and facials. Looking for the complete works? Opt for the Gentlemen’s Grooming package (from HK $1,870) including a shampoo and cut, Mandarin shave and Shanghainese pedicure. This highly experienced team will have you looking sharp in no time.

Visit for more info: www.mandarinoriental.com
For bookings: mohkg-barber@mohg.com, (852) 2825 4088

Gentlemen’s Tonic – For the old-school experience

Founded in London’s upscale Mayfair district, Gentlemen’s Tonic opened its Hong Kong store in 2011 and its popularity among the city’s men has rapidly grown. This comes as no surprise, as the salon and spa offers everything from a traditional wet shave or beard trim to indulgent packages such as The Hemingway (HK $1,700) – including a massage, aromatherapy facial and, of course, a Bloody Mary to cure those hangovers. If you are looking to relax and rejuvenate, Gentlemen’s Tonic is the perfect remedy.

Book online at www.gentlemenstonic.com/hk or call (852) 2525 2455

HERR at Attire House – For the discerning modern gentleman

Luxury menswear boutique Attire House joined forces with famed Korean barber, HERR, to open an in-house barbershop. Inspired by a gentleman’s home and combining a men’s clothier, barbershop and cocktail bar all under the same roof, this is the ultimate haven for the discerning modern gentleman. Enjoy the floor-to-ceiling views of the city while choosing from the wide range of services, including everything from a trim or scalp treatment to a Father and Son haircut (HK $1000). To finish, head over to Attire Houses’ BAR DE LUXE for a well-deserved cheeky tipple.

Visit for more info: www.attire-house.com/barbershop
For bookings: (852) 2619 9007

The Oriental Spa at The Mandarin Oriental – For ultimate decadence

Leave the urban jungle behind with an escape to the award-winning Oriental Spa at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental. Begin your retreat with the gentleman’s only Hammam Experience (from HK $1,350), including steam to relax and detoxify your body, a full body scrub and a hair washing ritual followed by a scalp massage, leaving your skin feeling hydrated. Continue with the Digital Wellness Escape signature therapy (from HK $1,700), including a restorative massage that focuses on specific areas such as the head, eyes and neck to ease stress and strains from the daily use of digital devices.

For more info: www.mandarinoriental.com
For bookings: lmhkg-spa@mohg.com, (852) 2132 0011

Chuan Spa – For Chinese stress relief

Designed to restore peace and harmony, the Chuan Spa is ideal for those seeking a wellness sanctuary. Based on principles of Feng Shui, Chuan Spa provides the perfect getaway from the hectic outside world with the help of natural interiors and soft and calming hues. After enjoying one of the Chinese five-element teas – essential for one’s physical and emotional wellbeing – retire to one of the exquisite relaxation rooms for the Stress Killer package (HK $1,500). Created for today’s generation of busy men, this treatment consists of a 45-minute signature massage, followed by a 15-minute stress-releasing treatment using a warm herbal ball made with rice, peppermint and cloves. To finish, you will be pampered with a 30-minute purifying facial.

Book online at www.chuanspa.com or call (852) 3552 3510

If R&R is not the perfect excuse for indulgence, don’t forget Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. After all, men need to be pampered too!

Text: Hira Desai
Photo credits:
Facebook, The Mandarin Barber at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
Facebook, Gentleman’s Tonic HK
Facebook, HERR Barbershop at Attire House, Hong Kong
Facebook, The Oriental Spa, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Facebook, Chuan Spa Hong Kong

Microbead menace: Is your face wash damaging marine life?

Microbeads – the microscopic globules in your face scrub – may be too tiny to notice, but they are causing great damage to our environment.

What are these microbeads anyway? According to the U.S. Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, “Microbead means any solid plastic particle that is less than five millimeters in size and is intended to be used to exfoliate or cleanse the human body or any part thereof.” Simply put, these are tiny plastic balls that are found in most face scrubs, face soaps, shower gels, toothpastes and even age-defying skincare products.

Though they seem innocuous, these little plastic beads are tiny ticking bombs just waiting to explode! They are too small to be filtered by wastewater treatment plants, and pour out into the waterways, finally landing in our oceans. There they remain, as they don’t get dissolved, increasing the toxin level of our waters drastically. In fact, a single microbead can be million times more harmful than the water around it.* Now imagine the scale of damage given the fact that each 130gm tube contains more than 14,000 million plastic beads. A study by Plymouth University revealed some shocking facts: a single wash can discharge around 94,500 microbeads into our surroundings.

And the worst part? Phytoplankton and zooplankton, which form the lowest rung of the marine food chain, can actually ingest these beads. When fish in turn consume these planktons, the toxins enter their body and cause severe damage. Other sea creatures like oysters, clams and mussels also eat these plastic balls. As seafood is integral to our diets, we ourselves then become susceptible to unknowingly consuming the very plastic beads that we had washed away!

In the wake of growing protests by several environment protection groups, governments of various countries have finally sat up and taken notice. In the US, it became illegal to sell personal care products containing microbeads from 2017. The UK too has just passed a law to ban the manufacture of products containing microbeads. Canada and Australia are also considering stringent laws on this issue. Closer home, Taiwan is all set to ban microbeads from July 2018.

Though Hong Kong government is yet to pass any such official law, some big beauty retailers already have anti-microbead policy in place. For instance, Sa Sa pledges that by 31 December 2018, it will not sell any private-label product that has microbeads in its formulation. Sa Sa has also started a dialogue with its vendors to find harmless alternatives to microbeads.

Alternatives are easy to find. Plenty of natural products like apricot shells, jojoba beans, pumice, crushed nuts, salt, charcoal, sand, sugar, pumice and oatmeal are available. Then why don’t personal-care brands switch to natural substitutes? Well, for starters, plastic is cheaper. It is also ‘smoother’, which means it exfoliates less effectively, urging you to use it everyday. That way, you finish the tube faster and buy more and sooner!

So it’s up to us to take a closer look at the ingredients list every time we pick up a cleanser from the racks. Steer clear of products that have polyethylene or polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate or polymethlyl methacrylate or nylon. They’re all basically plastic.

You know you don’t want to end up eating microbeads each time you order your favourite seafood!

* Chelsea M. Rochman, Eunha Hoh, Tomofumi Kurobe and Swee J. Teh, Ingested plastic transfers hazardous chemicals to fish and induces hepatic stress, Scientific Reports 3, Article number: 3263

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Dior Makeup is addicted to pink this season

Pink is the colour of choice for Dior Makeup’s spring collection. According to Creative Director Peter Philips, “This season, push the boundaries of pink without falling into the overly girly or vulgar, cultivate its daring, tender and sensorial facets like tiny flowers in each of the 5 Couleurs harmonies.”

From soft nude to bold fuchsia, Dior explores all facets of the proverbial ‘ladies favourite colour’ this season.

Mademoiselle Privé: New interactive exhibition pays homage to Chanel

W3ZpZGVvIHdpZHRoPSZxdW90OzYwMCZxdW90OyBoZWlnaHQ9JnF1b3Q7NDA1JnF1b3Q7IG1wND0mcXVvdDtodHRwczovL3d3dy5pZ2FmZW5jdS5jb20vdmlkZW8vMTgwMS9DaGFuZWxfcHJpdmVfdGVhc2VyLm1wNCZxdW90OyBhdXRvcGxheT0mcXVvdDt0cnVlJnF1b3Q7IHRleHQtYWxpZ249JnF1b3Q7Y2VudGVyJnF1b3Q7IGRpc3BsYXk9JnF1b3Q7YmxvY2smcXVvdDsgbWFyZ2luPSZxdW90OzAgYXV0byZxdW90O11bL3ZpZGVvXQ==

The third edition of Chanel’s Mademoiselle Privé is about to hit our city after successfully premiering in London in October 2015 and again in Seoul last summer. The interactive exhibition, to be held at Hong Kong’s PMQ heritage venue, pays homage to the creative legacy of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, the brand’s eponymous founder, and current creative director Karl Lagerfeld.

Fans of the brand will be treated to first-hand experience in crafting some of Chanel’s iconic products. The festivities begin with a high jewellery workshop (13-18 January) followed by a Lemarie feather and flower creation session (19-25 January) and ending with a masterclass in the iconic No.5 perfume (26 January – 1 February).

Chanel’s Mademoiselle Privé exhibition is free for the public, but visitors must make reservations via the dedicated app if they want to nab a seat at one of the workshops. Get the Apple version here and the Android version here.

Mademoiselle Privé runs from 13 January to 10 February at PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central.

Capture Youth: Dior launches new mix-and-match anti-aging products

Cara Delevigne is the face of Dior's Capture Youth line — Cara Delevigne is the face of Dior’s new Capture Youth line

On New Year’s Day, Dior will be launching its Capture Youth skincare collection in Hong Kong. The beauty brand’s new line – endorsed by the face of actress Cara Delevigne – aims to help skin-savvy young ladies combat and delay signs of aging before they even appear.

Sounds too good to be true? Perhaps not. Dior seems to have the science all worked out, utilising PAOT Technology® created by the European Institute of Antioxidants to target optimal antioxidant levels for perfect skin health.

The central feature of Capture Youth is its Age-Delay Advanced Crème. Featuring high levels of Iris Florentina antioxidants, this cream doesn’t just nourish and smoothen; it actively rejuvenates epidermal resistance to prevent signs of aging. To complement this, Dior has created five unique serums that target various dermatological issues including redness, dullness, sagging and more.

A key selling point of Dior’s new line is its flexible mix-and-match usability. Apply your chosen serum then the cream for a layering effect. Streamline your regimen by mixing two or three drops of serum directly into a dab of cream. Or give yourself an intensive treatment by applying both consistently for 30 days.

Dior Capture Youth Collection
Age-delay Advanced Crème – HK$750 for 50ml
Age-delay Plumping Serum – HK$750 for 30ml
Age-delay Illuminating Serum – HK$750 for 30ml
Age-delay Lifting Serum – HK$750 for 30ml
Age-delay Mattifying Serum – HK$750 for 30ml
Age-delay Anti-redness Soothing Serum – HK$750 for 30ml

MDNA SKIN and InterCon partner up for beauty-boosting tea set

InterCon HK and MDNA SKIN launch eye-catching tea set-min — InterCon HK and MDNA SKIN to launch eye-catching Fragrant Afternoon Tea Set

Madonna’s own skincare label MDNA SKIN has partnered with luxury hotel InterContinental Hong Kong to bring HK beauty queens a special Fragrant Afternoon Tea Set. Available from 2 January to 28 February, the Lobby Lounge-exclusive tea set will feature ten different delectable savoury treats and pastries from Executive Pastry Chef Cyril Dupuis – with a bright and funky MDNA twist.

Priced at HK$668 for two persons, each lady will also receive an Ultimate Luxury Beauty Service gift card, valued at HK$1,000, and a small bottle of Madonna’s favourite ‘The Rose Mist’ for redemption at the Harvey Nichols beauty counter in the Landmark.

Enjoy beautiful views, delightful bites and MDNA SKIN freebies-min — Enjoy beautiful views, delightful bites and MDNA SKIN freebies

A special Instagram contest will be running concurrently with the special tea set. To enter, just follow the two brands’ Instagram accounts and post a creative picture of yourself with the Fragrant Afternoon Tea Set. Remember to use the hashtags #ichkmdnaskinteatime #MDNASKIN and #InterContinental HK. Each fortnight, one lucky winner will receive a MDNA SKIN Rejuvenator Set valued at HK$4,680.

For the uninitiated, beauty brand MDNA SKIN was born in 2014 from a partnership between pop sensation Madonna, renowned Tuscan spa destination Montecatini Terme and Japanese beauty brand MTG. The label credits its fast-growing popularity to the effectiveness of its key ingredient: Montecatini Terme’s mineral-filled thermal waters and clay.