Kiehl’s builds ‘Nature’s Playground’ to promote green living

Since 2014, Kiehl’s, the American cosmetics brand, has been organising public charity events to promote green living. Following on from its “Nature and the City” campaign in 2015, Kiehl’s recently set up a wooden playground and invited members of the public to make wooden house number plates in Hong Kong.

Kiehl’s “Nature’s Playground” was set up at the Ocean Terminal Forecourt at Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui and was made out of scrap wood. Visitors to the playground enjoyed Nature’s Jigsaw, Mr. Bones’ Slide, City’s Silhouette, Calendula Swing, Apple Seesaw, Natural Percussion Tunnel and Nature’s Path.

Some of the attractions in the playground will be converted into wooden objects and donated to charitable organisations. Also, for every completed wooden plate, Kiehl’s will donate HK$20 to the End Child Sexual Abuse Foundation (ECSAF), with a view to raising HK$1 million. ECSAF, a non-government charitable organisation, was founded in November 1998 by Siao Fong Fong, an award-winning actress and qualified child psychologist/therapist.

A number of celebrities visited the playground to support Kiehl’s campaign, including Joyce Cheng, Helena Pong, Josephine Chiu and Vinci Wong.

Regeneration X: These rejuvenating products are skin saviours

It’s common knowledge that stress, fatigue, pollution and other environmental factors all take a toll on skin, causing unsightly wrinkles and blemishes. What’s less clear is how to repair skin and prevent further damage. Members of Generation X – people between the ages of 35 and 55 – are at a unique stage where it’s most crucial to protect and care for one’s skin. After the age of 30, the skin loses moisture and produces less and less collagen with each passing year.

Fortunately, skincare products are becoming more and more scientifically advanced. Take Helena Rubinstein’s new Powercell range for example. This skincare solution is said to mitigate the effects of stress and fatigue by using Oceanic Crista, a perennial plant that is known for its ability to thrive in harsh environments. The plant produces a number of amino acids, soluble sugars, polyols and compound lipids – all of which are great for skin.

Fittingly, skincare brand La Mer (French for “the sea”) has also drawn inspiration from the ocean’s restorative powers. La Mer’s newest product, named simply The Concentrate, isn’t giving away its secret – it’s loaded with the brand’s proprietary “Miracle Broth” – but known ingredients include lime tea and marine plant extracts that help to revitalise and repair skin.

In a similar vein, Guerlain has tapped into the skin-rejuvenating properties of algae. Using a combination of black algae and golden algae extracts, the brand’s Le Soin Noir Léger cream (first released in 2008) has been revamped and improved for 2017. Ideal for Hong Kong’s humid climate, the cream is remarkable in that it fades from a pearlescent black hue to a completely transparent colour when blended into the skin.

Also topping the list of Gafencu’s skincare recommendations is Elizabeth Arden’s new Daily Youth Restoring Serum. These single-use, easy-to-squeeze capsules contain one of the brand’s signature ingredients: ceramides, which work to replenish the skin’s naturally-produced lipids. Boasting an improved formula, the advanced ceramide capsules are now even more effective at leaving skin feeling moisturised every morning.

Save your skin with a sun protection regime

No one likes to get sunburnt. It’s painful and – let’s face it – looking like a lobster is embarrassing. But of even more concern is that each instance of sunburn damages skin cells and accelerates the process of premature ageing. As the weather starts to heat up and the beach beckons, get ready to suit up – and we’re not just talking bikinis here. Be sure to don a protective layer of a sun-blocking product with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30 to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.

One new product that will do the trick is Giorgio Armani’s Maestro UV Skin Defense Primer. The primer can be worn on naked skin or underneath your daily makeup, and it contains none of the opacifying minerals that are the culprits of white splotches. Nearly 94 percent of women polled by the brand said they could not detect any trace of the primer once they had applied it to their skin. It has an SPF of 50 and PA++ (the highest level of protection is ++++), so those UV rays don’t stand a chance.

“Don a protective layer of a sun-block product with an SPF of at least 30 to shield your skin from harmful UV rays”

Another SPF 50 range comes courtesy of Dior. The brand’s Diorsnow UV Shield contains edelweiss extract and has an airy texture that guarantees streak-free protection. Another product in the line-up is the liquid Colour-Control Crème, which hydrates and brightens the skin while blocking out UV rays.

The skincare professionals at Lancôme have released the aptly-named UV Expert line. Targeting urban dwellers, the products are designed to protect against UV rays as well as harmful pollutants that damage the skin and cause wrinkles. One standout product, the SPF 50 Youth Shield Aqua Gel, is said to be suitable for all skin types – even sensitive skin – and contains ultra-hydrating ingredients. With no shortage of sophisticated UV-blockers on the market, there really is no excuse not to slap on some sunscreen before suiting up for a sunny siesta by the seashore.

Watch Elizabeth Arden debut new anti-ageing product

Since 1990, cosmetics brand Elizabeth Arden has been using ceramide capsules in its skin renewal products, which at the time was considered a groundbreaking approach to anti-ageing. Now, the skincare giant has introduced the next generation of ceramide capsules through its newest product: the Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum.

Unveiled recently at The Mira Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, the serum is contained within individual, single-dose capsules. So what exactly is a ceramide? It’s essentially a waxy, oily lipid that’s found naturally in the skin, but the production of these skin-repairing agents decreases with age. Those who attended the product launch had the chance to sample the serum, as well as some of Elizabeth Arden’s makeup products.

To see the serum in action, check out our video of the launch event.

8 ways to treat a special lady this Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a time to show the most important woman in your life that you appreciate all the sweat and toil she went through to get you where you are today. Let’s be honest, mothers are as close to a superhero as you can get. All that’s missing is the cape.

So this Sunday, show your mother that you really care by taking her out for a delicious meal, buying her a nice piece of jewellery or pampering her at a spa.

We have compiled a list of things to help you treat such a special lady this Mother’s Day.

Brunch at Gaucho

Gaucho’s new head chef has created a menu that is sure to delight even the pickiest of mothers. Located in the heart of Central and well-known for its steaks, the Argentinian restaurant is offering an all-you-can-eat and drink Veuve Clicquot brunch during the day (HK$600), and an exclusive 3-course dinner in the evening (HK$425).

The daytime brunch includes 2-hour free-flow champagne and delicious dishes such as empanadas, ceviches and different cuts of prime beef. Mothers who prefer nighttime drinking and eating can enjoy a 3-course meal including salmon tiradito, shrimp causita, lomo (fillet) and other Argentinian specials. The meal is finished off with dulce de leche cheesecake.

Food with a view at CÉ LA VI

If you want to treat your mum by taking her to a venue for brunch with stunning views over Hong Kong, then CÉ LA VI’s Moments with Mum brunch (HK$488) is the perfect choice. The brunch is on every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 3pm during May and the food has been prepared by Executive Chef Kun Young Pak.

The menu has a Korean flavour with chilled seafood and salad followed by hot platters like tempura and Korean-style creamy prawns. Main dishes include the crunchy and succulent short rib lettuce wrap and Korean-style fried chicken and waffles. Ladies will also be presented with a complimentary de-stressing gift pack.

Gifts from Bally

Bally, the Swiss luxury fashion company, has a number of presents for the mum who is young at heart. The Edelweiss Capsule collection is crafted from calf leather and mums can choose from a tote bag, backpack, mini-cross body bag, clutch and wallet. The collection is available in petal and marine colours.

Beautify with Jurlique

Beauty conscious mothers will love the gifts from Jurlique. The Australian cosmetics brand offers a hand care set to treat, nurture and restore moisture, leaving hands beautifully soft, smooth and healthy with lasting hydration. Mothers can also indulge themselves from head-to-toe with the rose hydration cream that is included in the hand and body kit.

Satisfy a sweet tooth at Ms B’s Cakery

For mothers with a sweet tooth, Ms B’s Cakery has five delicious cakes, as well as a range of unique gifts. The five cakes – Garden Rose, the Baby, the True Love, the Heart of Hearts and the Lilac Dream – are sure to bring a smile to any mother’s face. The Garden Rose (1,000g, HK$1,800) is a French vanilla chiffon sponge cake along with peaches and cream and a chocolate corn crunch, topped with sugar-art roses and sweet peas. Ms B’s Cakery is also offering gift boxes, which include handcrafted chocolates, silk flowers and an oversized edible “rock”.

Celebrate with Roger Dubuis

Roger Dubuis is helping you celebrate Mother’s Day with two of its collections: Excalibur and Velvet. The Excalibur 36mm Automatic features a white alligator strap fitted on a fully paved dial. It has been designed with an assortment of diamonds and comes with a white gold case and folding buckle. The Excalibur Essential 36 Automatic has sparkling gems and a blue PVD-coated dial with a sun-brushed finish. The watch features a 22-carat pink gold rotor, visible through the transparent sapphire crystal case-back and black DLC-treated titanium case topped by a bezel set with 48 blue sapphires.

Indulge at the Mandarin Spa

Show your mum you really care with a rejuvenating facial at The Mandarin Spa that helps to thicken the skin and improve collagen and elastin. The non-invasive facial uses Environ skincare products to expose the skin to high levels of vitamin A, antioxidants and peptides. The vitamin-based treatment counteracts the harmful effects of the environment, pollution and stress for radiant, visibly improved skin. Until 14 May, mothers and daughters who book the 90-minute facial (HK$2,200 on weekdays and HK$2,300 on weekends) will receive a complimentary Environ eye gel.

Larry Jewelry dazzles

Larry Jewelry has released a dazzling new ring just in time for Mother’s Day. The Precious Heart ring boasts a heart-shaped emerald in the centre weighing 2.89 carats, and also features an additional 2.3 carats of marquise-shaped, pear-shaped and round brilliant diamonds. It is just one of the items designed for Larry Jewelry’s Precious Heart collection, which features unique heart-shaped gemstones paired with a variety of diamonds in elegant and enchanting designs.

Text: Andrew Scott

Look your peachiest with these skin brighteners

For those struggling with pesky dark spots (also known as “sun” or “age” spots) a range of lightening and whitening products are available to help you combat uneven or patchy skin tones. Designed to give you smoother, clearer skin – as well as reduce hyperpigmentation – there are some stand-out products on the market.

Dior’s Prestige White collection is one such offering, taking inspiration from a rare rose that grows on the cliffs of Normandy in France. Two noteworthy products are the Light-In-Lotion – a gentle rose micro-peel that maximises the light-scattering powers of the skin’s surface – and the Light-InNectar, a deep light-activating serum that lifts the skin’s natural barriers to light circulation and helps renew skin transparency. Another brand to address your needs is Clarins. The White Plus range has been specially designed for Asian skin tones. Containing acerola fruit extract from Brazil, the range comprises of six powerful products that help lighten skin pigmentation and reduce dark spots.

“Designed to give you clearer skin and reduce hyperpigmentation, there are some stand-out products on the market”

Iconic beauty house Clé de Peau Beauté has recently launched its Brightening Collection, which aims to even skintone and reduce dullness. A standout product is the serum, which contains Illuminating Complex EX and increases skin’s clarity and radiance.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive skincare regime, then MTM’s Re-White range has got you covered. Its custom-blended trio of products are designed to work together and create a bright and flawless complexion. Using their years of expertise (the company was founded in 1851) Kiehl’s’ chemists have formulated the Clearly Corrective Brightening and Smoothing Moisture Treatment. Designed to brighten, refine and smooth skin, the treatment targets loss of clarity through two ingredients, glycolic acid and “Activated C.”

AmorePacific’s Luminous Effect Brightening Cream harnesses the goodness of Asian flora and herbs. Derived from fermented green tea, which boosts luminosity, the cream is anti-ageing and helps diminish hyperpigmentation and uneven skintone.

Celebrity’s choice? We Kid you not

Get The Look:

For the perfect red-carpet look, begin with Dior’s Snow Brightening Makeup Base and Compact for flawlessly even skin followed by a dash of Yves Saint Laurent Beauté’s I Have A Blush On You for defined, rosy cheeks. Statement brows are a must, so opt for Laura Mercier’s Sketch & Intensify powder duo which can be easily blended to create the requisite hue. For the eyes, NARS’ NARSissist Loaded eyeshadow palette offers a range of sultry shades. Follow with a generous covering of MAC Work It Out mascara on the lashes. Finish with the show-stopper – Giorgio Armani’s Beauty Rouge Ecstasy lipstick topped with RMK’s Face Pop W stick gloss.

La Prairie skincare brand throws party to launch latest product

Swiss skincare brand La Prairie celebrated the launch of its latest product, White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion, with a glittering party at The Annex.

Click here to watch the video

Anti-ageing secrets from the planet’s healthiest places

What’s the secret to leading a long, healthy life? If you live on the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica, on the Greek island of Ikaria or on the Italian island of Sardinia, your odds of living to see 100 are higher than people living elsewhere. So what makes these so-called blue zones such hot-beds for longevity?

Luxury brand Chanel set out for answers, cross-referencing the latest studies on centenarians with what it already knows about ageing. The result: Blue Serum, a product that is said to improve the longevity of skin cells, resulting in a more youthful appearance.

Ingredients sourced from these time-defying areas include Sardinian olive oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids and powerful antioxidants; Greek lentisk, collected from a shrub and known for its regenerating power; and Costa Rican green coffee, which is also rich in antioxidants. Combined in one serum, these ingredients are said to possess the power to make skin appear smoother, firmer and, of course, younger.

“What makes these so-called blue zones such hot-beds for longevity?”

Chanel isn’t alone in its pursuit of the fountain of youth. The Eternalixir Skin-Volumizing oil serum by Bare Minerals uses a natural blend of evening primrose oil, plantain leaf extract, lady’s slipper orchid extract and lavender to deliver a soothing facelift for more radiant and hydrated skin.

A unique product by Fresh – Black Tea Firming Corset Cream – also uses a straight-from-nature formula containing black tea and kombucha with blackberry leaf and lychee seed extracts. When applied to the face and neck, this “immortal elixir” is said to prevent the production of wrinkle-causing factors by more than 50 percent.

Edelweiss – a mountain flower and the main ingredient of the Prodigy Reversis Eye surconcentrate by Helena Rubinstein – was selected for its antioxidants and ability to reinforce cell membranes. Another natural ingredient that is becoming more popular in the beauty world is red ginseng. The plant’s skin-rejuvenating powers are contained in the Timetreasure Renovating Eye serum by South Korean skincare brand Sulwhasoo – and it comes with a uniquely shaped golden eye care massager to brighten the skin around the eyes.

Text: Emily Petsko

Six of the best new beauty buys for 2017

The beauty world will be welcoming some long-awaited new additions in 2017, with several tip-top products arriving on the market. From creams to lipsticks and exfoliators to liners, we round up the best of the bunch.

Dermanlogica Daily Superfoliant

Perfect for city-dwellers, the latest offering from Californian-based beauty brand Dermanlogica promises pollutant-free, dewy skin. The main ingredients are white charcoal, designed to remove deep toxins, plus red algae and tara fruit, which prevent the skin from absorbing impurities. The result is smooth, soft and refined skin that glows.

Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer

This easy to apply, creamy concealer ensures a blemish-free and even skin-tone, thanks to its non-crease, oil-less formula. Minimising imperfections (including fine lines and wrinkles), the smoothing peptides offer long-lasting coverage without feeling heavy or cloying. The range is available in 16 different shades.

Benefit They’re Real Double the Lip

A spin-off from the brand’s cult-worthy They’re Real mascaras and liners, Benefit’s latest must-have is a gorgeous range of lip shades designed to colour and plump. Coming in a range of pout-worthy hues, the niftiest addition is the built-in liner which comes in a different shade than the lipstick. The result is expertly lined and coloured lips.

Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Moisturizing and Embellishing Foam Mask

Givenchy’s beauty team constantly delivers outstanding products and their latest foam mask is no exception. Incredibly soothing, the gently scented mask is designed to restore, renew, moisturise and brighten. After applying, leave on the skin for 10 minutes before washing off to reveal a glowing, rejuvenated visage.

Fresh Black Tea Firming Corset Cream

Designed especially for dull, finely-lined skin that has lost its elasticity, this luxurious cream is for use on both the face and the neck. Using specially selected ingredients – including goji fruit extract, peptides and black tea – the complexion immediately feels firmer and tightened.

Tom Ford Soleil Eye & Cheek Palette

A sleek well-thought out palette, this Tom Ford kit is the perfect carry-round for a girl about town. With two blusher and highlighter options plus four eye shadows – two in matte and two in shimmer – the set is ideal for mixing and matching to create the perfect look. Available in two options, warm or soft, its gorgeous presentation (in a faux gold clasp box) also makes this an ideal gift idea.

Text: Siobhan Brewood-Wyatt