Category: Grooming

Advent Calendars: The best way to make the wait more exciting

 

December is a month full of anticipation for the joy and festiveness of Christmas, with eager would-be celebrants eagerly awaiting the Big Day every year. Fortunately, the creation of advent calendars has made even the waiting a celebration, warding off boredom in the interlude between. They are filled with surprising gifts that one can open each day leading up to X’mas. Additionally, they come in different sizes and packed with a variety of tiny surprises to suit everyone’s likes and preferences.

Be it skincare products from beloved brands like L’Occitane or The Body Shop, or make-up and cosmetics from luxury labels such as Giorgio Armani or Yves Saint Laurent, advent calendars are sure to impress and pamper anyone. To help speed up the countdown to Christmas Day, we have put together some of the best and most luxurious advent calendars for you to enjoy.

Budding Romance With Bulgari Rose Goldea Blossom Delight

Following the success of the iconic Rose Goldea perfume that was launched in 2016, Bulgari has again paid a knowing homage to that most regal of flowers – rose – with its newly-unveiled Bulgari Rose Goldea Blossom Delight.

Bulgari Rose Goldea Blossom Delight

Centred around the ever-romantic rose, the new aroma is as layered as the petals of the eponymous flower that it emulates. Inspired by the tender rosebud on the verge of bloom, the scent conjures the exact moment when the bud begins to flourish. With signature complexity, Bulgari’s Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas deftly recreates both the delicacy of the blossoming buds and the allure of the flowers in full bloom. So the top notes open with a fruity fragrance creating an eager anticipation for the heart notes which are dominantly rosy, while the finish is unabashedly musky and sensual.

This perfume, then, is for a woman who is spontaneous and bold in equal measure. While the original Rose Goldea fragrance was all about innocent femininity, the Bulgari Rose Goldea Blossom Delight is surely meant for the adventuress at heart, giving her confidence as she gets ready to rule the world, her head held high.

Bulgari Man Wood Neroli explores the bond between man and nature

Man has forever been pitted against nature, with the bounty of nature seen as ever-shrinking to give space to the onward march of civilisation. But it doesn’t need to be “man vs nature”, it should rather be “man with nature”, working together in harmony to nurture and protect…

It is exactly this  message that Italian luxury marque BVLGARI propagates through its new Bulgari Man Wood Neroli. Using the earth’s natural aromas, BVLGARI’s Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas creates a sensory experience that keeps the modern man grounded and creates a subtle balance between mankind and the elements. The fragrance uncovers man’s true nature, reconnecting him with his fundamental spirit.

Channelling the vitality of the sun, the sea and the Mediterranean shrubs, Bulgari Man Wood Neroli opens with notes of brilliant neroli. Fresh and floral, its citrusy essence is inflected with salt and bergamot to conjure up the ambience of the Mediterranean climes. The scent’s heart notes reflect cedar and cypriol bathed in orange blossom – warm and woody, just like the earth it pays homage to. The fragrance is anchored by white musk accords that are a BVLGARI signature. Gentle, sensual and crystalline, it trails luxurious imprints on the body, just like a second skin.

Luxury choice: Our top five Christmas gift ideas for men

Most women have that one man in their lives for whom it’s almost impossible to pick the right gift. But, dear ladies, if you’re racking your brains for that elusive perfect gift for your man, fret no more, as we have for you our top five Christmas gift ideas for men, all but guaranteed to please even the most fastidious of gentlemen.

Christmas gift

First up is TUMI, the American luxury travel accessories brand which has just introduced its Holiday collection, with the most eye-catching luggage surely being the stylish 19 Degree suitcase in two catchy colours – festive ember and gunmetal grey. Nuanced yet bold in equal measure, they pair perfectly with the modern globetrotter.

For entrepreneurs and businessmen for whom work extends beyond nine to six, furniture brand TREE has brought a new work station Hemingway to enhance your office space. Made from solid teak, this compact office companion features multiple drawers and handle-less design to give you enough storage without compromising on aesthetics. 

Christmas gift

Meanwhile, Italian men’s grooming brand Selvedge Grooming has expanded its line with a new range of eau de toilettes. Available in two distinctive fragrances – the spicy Toscano and the musky Selvetico – they offer a refreshing take on masculinity, a much-needed accessory in any gentleman’s wardrobe.     

Christmas gift

French champagne brand Perrier-Jouët is all geared up to add more sparkles to your Christmas party with its new Tokyo Grand Brut limited edition in a especially designed box that embraces the unique beauty of The Land of the Rising Sun and the maison’s own savoir-faire. The true highlight, however, is the bottle encased within – blended from around 50 different crus, the Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut is bestowed with a harmonious palate of fresh flowers, yellow fruit and subtle hints of vanilla.

Christmas gift

For the tipple-loving gentleman, there’s even more on offer. French home accessories brand Christofle has revealed a limited-edition wineware set called Graphik especially for the holiday season. Constituting what can be the ideal Christmas gift for colleagues or friends, the set includes a sparkly crystal whisky decanter, two whisky glasses and two coasters from the K + T Collection – a great gift for those who enjoy a happy hour at home. Cheers!

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Pearls for Boys: How Men are Reclaiming Pearl Jewellery

For decades, pearl jewellery was considered the height of femininity but the bivalve baubles used to be considered pretty butch and it seems that with the expansion of the male jewellery market more men are snapping up these precious Pacific beauties.

Pearls
Left: Qing dynasty, Yongzheng Emperor and right: Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. Both adorned with regal pearls

We have evidence of pearls being worn by Song dynasty Chinese rulers as early as 2300 BCE. They’ve also long been a favourite of the Indian Maharajas. Julius Caesar, meanwhile, actually passed a law declaring them for aristocrats only. In England, they were often given loose to Tudor knights who would carry them into battle as a good luck talisman, and Charles the First was even famously beheaded while wearing a pearl pendant earring in one ear. So when did the pearl lose its rough, tough reputation and become so much more associated with dainty necklaces to be clutched at by feminine fingers?

Pearls
A young Charles I sporting the pearl earring he would eventually wear at his own beheading

It was when the Japanese perfected the art of growing and harvesting perfectly round pearls in a way that was much more efficient and cost-effective than ever before, that pearl jewellery took off with the masses. Jewellers adapted the gems to suit the ever changing fashions of the twentieth century, from the long pearly strings of the twenties to Dali’s signature mouth brooch with pearl teeth. But it was with the rise of film starlets wearing pearls that turned them into a gemstone more associated with women. As men bulked up into beefcakes for the screen they began to turn their backs on delicate soft-hued pearls.

Pearls
Starlets like Grace Kelly (Left) did a lot to feminise pearls. Dali got rather more creative with the gems with his famous “mouth brooch” on the right

But the times, they are a’changin, and once again men seem to be returning to pearl jewellery. Ever since Pierce Brosnan appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair wearing a single Tahitian pearl on a leather thong, the pearl’s potential has opened up from the tribal to the tailor-made. Most recently, American musical acts A1 Bentley and Pharrell Williams have made public appearances – decidedly unshy about their predilection for pearls – wearing multiple statement strings at once and typically opting for iconic white pearls over darker, understated colours.

Pearls
Left A1 Bentley, Right Pharrell Williams both sporting strings of white pearls.

If the idea of A1 Bentley’s flapper strings is a bit much and you’d prefer to ease yourself in to pearl jewellery, then consider smaller, more subtle pieces like cufflinks or tie pins. Or make like Brosnan with a single statement pearl as part of a more masculine design. Give the men’s marine jewellery trend a whirl with these pearly designs, all available at 1stdibs.com .

Pearls
Left: Versatile Spinel South Sea and Tahitian Pearl Gold Extra Long Necklace. Top right: Art Deco Diamond, Platinum and Mother of Pearl Cufflinks, Carrington, circa 1920. Bottom right: Tahitian Black South Sea Pearl White Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring.

Did you know:

  • A natural pearl takes six months to form
  • Although white pearls are the most popular, they can be found naturally in seven different colours
  • The global yearly diamond yield is ten times greater than that South Sea pearls

Text: Alice Duncan

The Perfect Holiday Hair Guide by Tabitha James Kraan

Pamper your tresses with Tabitha James Kraan this summer…

Tabitha James Kraan

Holidays may be the perfect time for you to detox and relax, but it may not be the same for your hair. Sandy beaches, arid mountains and humid tropical destinations can all wreak havoc with your hair. Tabitha James Kraan has just the solution to put you out of your misery.

Moisture is Key

Cabin air can be hugely drying for your tresses, so it may be a good idea to indulge in a hydrating oil treatment the night before you board a flight. The Tabitha James Kraan Organics Scented Hair Oil is perfect for the occasion, with its special formula plumping up each individual shaft of hair.

Tabitha James Kraan

Scent, Refresh, Hydrate

The Tabitha James Kraan Organic Hair Perfume is another hero product that’s guaranteed to save your day anywhere on the planet. Available in a handy little 50ml bottle, this 100% natural, alcohol-free hair perfume is the easiest way to perk up your hair. Just slip in into your holiday tote, and spray it on when needed. A great bonus point is that it also works well on the skin. 

Tabitha James Kraan

Style on the Move

 You can’t blame your hair if it feels flat after a long-haul flight or a hectic day of sightseeing. To restore your luscious locks, however, you can always rely on the 100% natural Tabitha James Kraan Organic Dry Shampoo. The therapeutic goodness of the ingredients soothes the scalp while adding volume and texture to your hair.

So just bid adieu to hairy misfortunes and embrace a magnificent mane of hair always! 

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Hydrate, Protect & Style: A guide to Tabitha James Kraan’s Organic Hair Care

Founded in 2013, Tabitha James Kraan created organic hair care products that can protect the naturally recurring oils and rejuvenate hair and scalp health. Her intention is to deliver the cleanest possible options for hair care with professional performance and delicious scents. What’s more, the organic and natural products will nourish and feed your hair without harming the planet.

To keep your tresses happy and healthy, check out our guide to using Tabitha’s hair care range.  

Hydrate and Moisturise

Hydrate, Protect & Style: A guide to Tabitha James Kraan's Organic hair care

Scented with the brands signature Amber Rose scent, Scented Organic Hair Oil will restore, protect and polish your hair. The uplifting, nutrient-rich aromatic oil keeps the correct moisture balance in place enabling each strand of hair to move freely and fabulously. This little pot of opulence will make your hair look and feel younger.

The Amber Rose Organic 4-in-1 Conditioner will nourish, style and revive your locks. Think of this product as a moisturiser for hair. Anytime your hair feels dry or dehydrated, apply this product and leave it in. 

Protect your colour

Hydrate, Protect & Style: A guide to Tabitha James Kraan's Organic hair care

The Golden Citrus Organic Hair Cleanser is a revolutionary shampoo replacement. As an alternative to shampoo, this product promises to restore and protect your hair and scalp health whilst delivering incredible shine and body.

Pair with the Golden Citrus Organic 4-in-1 Conditioner to provide your hair with all the moisture it needs.

Style & Revive

Hydrate, Protect & Style: A guide to Tabitha James Kraan's Organic hair care

Scent, refresh and volumise your hair using Tabitha’s Dry Shampoo, perfect for cleaning your hair in between washes. Use this product as part of your morning routine and allow the therapeutic botanicals to balance oil production and soothe the scalp throughout the day.

Finish the look with the divinely scented Golden Citrus Organic Hair Perfume, featuring the essential oils of Neroli and Bergamot alongside a clever fusion of White Tea and Nettle to enhance colour and texture; Lavender to soothe the scalp, and Tabitha’s signature Amethyst Stone for its mind-calming properties. A hair product that cheers up the saddest hair day and restores life and energy should by no means be restricted to the tresses!

Follow these 3 steps to ensure your hair is looking shiny and healthy, all year round! 

If you want to pamper your hair further, check out our review of Shhh Salon where Gafencu readers can enjoy a 30% discount on the signature OMG Treatment. Popular among celebrities, socialites and even attracting travellers from overseas, this is one discount you don’t want to miss out on!

 

Get OMG hair at Hollywood Road’s Shhh Salon

Shhh Salon

Located on Hollywood Road, one of the oldest streets in Hong Kong, one might question how urban sanctuary, Shhh Salon has remained the best kept secret in town.

Nestled between a lifestyle fashion store and a housing complex, the by-appointment-only salon has a discreet presence and can easily be missed if one does not pay attention to its simple yet direct scissor logo, jutting out above its door.  

Upon entering, there is an instant feeling of peace and tranquility. With white-washed walls, minimalistic interior and a beautifully smelling candle aroma, it’s hard to avoid feeling giddy at the prospect of spending the next few hours in this calming oasis.

Creative Director Marvin Lin – one of the most sought-after hair stylists in Hong Kong – believes that the wellbeing of hair is just as critical as skin care and fitness plans. Salon pamphlets endorse this further explaining that “whoever told you there is no way to improve your hair health has not tried OMG or Shhh treatment services before.”

With over 20 years of professional experience in the hair and styling industry, Marvin has worked with leading salons and loyal customers that encompass royalties, celebrities and low-key tycoons. Her editorial hair styling has also been proudly displayed on the covers of magazines such as Elle, Harpers Bazaar and Esquire. Turning her frustration over the lack of promising hair products into action, Marvin created the OMG hair line – a series of professional hair care products that bring the results of luxury salon-grade hair treatment to your home.

Shhh Salon

Although on the outside, it may seem very low-key; Shhh Salon has established itself as the go-to destination for celebrities, socialites and even attracts those from overseas.

The most popular service is the OMG Treatment (prices vary) using the OMG haircare line among other professional salon-use products. The treatment may comprise argan fruit stem cells, hydrolysed keratin, collagen and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients are chosen specifically for their regenerative, restructuring and nourishing properties and the formulations used for each client will vary depending on your scalp and hair condition. This will be determined and explained by a stylist during your hair consultation.

For those manes that require some extra attention, the Signature OMG Treatment (HK $3,300) is the best fit. The augmented anti-ageing treatment includes further ingredients to strengthen hair and support hair growth. This treatment will leave your hair feeling 10 years younger.

But why end there? Feed your locks with love by taking home the OMG haircare line. Comprised of three ready-to-use products (Airy, Glossy and Scalp), the collection includes something for every season. For those hot summer days, use the refreshing Airy line, featuring a blend of sage, bitter orange and mineral water and creating a loose beach-wave look. To give your damaged hair a boost of protection, apply Glossy to the ends of your hair for the ultimate rejuvenation. These simple tools will leave your hair feeling bouncy, silky and super healthy.

Shhh Salon

It is evident through this salon experience that not only is Shhh Salon a place for people to retreat and unwind, but also to take away some very important lessons about caring for our hair.

Choosing to invest the business funds in the ingredients of her products, as opposed to marketing campaigns and pushy ads, Marvin believes that her products will ultimately speak for themselves. With repeat clients and a portfolio of continued success, it seems she is on the right track!

As you exit the salon, you will take away with you good vibes, positivity and well-being – not only for your mind, body and soul but for your tresses too!

If you like what you hear, you are in for a treat! Gafencu readers can enjoy a 30% discount on their first trial of an OMG treatment at Shhh Salon upon presenting this article. Go ahead, because you’re worth it!

Shhh Salon, 94 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, (852) 2915 1001, www.shhh94.com

Text: Hira Desai

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.

Makeup effects: Achieving bigger 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.”

Spa BPZ’s Eyelash perm kit

“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

Ummm… how?

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