Elevate your eyebrow game with these innovative products

Many people overlook the humble brow in favour of more dramatic makeup updates like a bold lipstick or daring new eye shadow. A carefully sculpted brow, though, can instantly update your look and help define the eye area.

In 2016 the brow took on a bold look, with the likes of Prada showcasing heavily accentuated power brows. Not to be outdone, 2017 is set to keep the trend alive, with several companies offering exclusive and updated products for the perfect look.

We’ve rounded up some of the best.

Make Up For Ever Brow Trio

Launched in March 2017, Make Up For Ever’s new trio of beautiful brow products are designed to help you achieve the perfect brow look. Comprising of a brow liner (for a bold look), a brow gel (for a sculpted look) and a brow pencil (for a structured look) each is available in five different shades.

www.makeupforever.com/hk

A.C. Brows Are It

For a clearly defined brow that doesn’t need topping up, M.A.C.’s Brows Are It range includes a collection of pencils in a range of shades. Easy to apply and great for novices, the pencil also feature a soft comb brush to even out blow-away hairs.

www.maccosmetics.com.hk

Laura Mercier Powder Brow Duo

For a subtler look Laura Mercier’s Powder Brow Duo is perfect if you want to plump up your brows without going overboard with definition or sculpting. The two palette compact allows you to blend and create the perfect shade and it can also be applied both wet and dry.

www.lauramercier-hk.com

Benefit Brow Zings Kit

For the ultimate in long-lasting wear Benefit’s Brow Zings Kit is the perfect palette for longevity. Described by the brand as a ‘total taming and shaping kit for brows’ the set comes in six different shades and features both powder and wax plus a mini set of tweezers for those pesky strays.

www.benefitcosmetics.com/

Shu Uemura Hard Pencil

For a bold look She Uemura’s tried and tested Hard Pencil (which has been sold in various iterations for 25 years) is hard to beat. Coming in five shades, the pencil is virtually smudge proof, extremely long-lasting and creates a smart, defined look.

www.shuuemura.com

Text: Siobhan Brewood-Wyatt

Main photo credit: Make Up For Ever

Marine Cosmetology: The next big thing?

There are plenty of beauty and skincare products on the market that promise to make your skin look radiant and keep it healthy and youthful. But, has Thalgo made a major skincare breakthrough?

For the last 50 years, Thalgo believes that marine nutrients can have a positive effect on skin metabolism.

With that in mind, Thalgo has launched a number of products under their Prodige Des Oceans brand to try and stand out from the crowd.

Prodige Des Oceans Cream

Using the best available youth-enhancing molecules, the Prodige Des Oceans cream blends into the face like a second skin and reactivates 64 proteins in the skin to give it a smooth feel and finish.

How to use: Apply the cream over your face, but be careful to avoid getting it into the eyes. It can be used day and night.

Price: HK$1,580

Prodige des Oceans Body Cream

Looking after your body can be a tough task, especially in dry and humid conditions like Hong Kong. But, this body cream not only keeps your skin looking healthy, but also alleviates wrinkles, firmness, dryness and blemishes. Furthermore, it has a lovely floral fragrance.

How to use: Apply it on the entire body using a sweeping upward motion. However, don’t use it if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Price: HK$1000

Prodige des Oceans L’Essence

This is by far the most prized product of Prodige des Oceans as just one drop of this elixir allegedly gives you “flawless skin”. It contains a high amount of Regenerative Marine Intelligence, Adenosine and Hyaluronic Acid to give the skin on your face a good texture and make it shine.

How to use it: Apply to the face and neck before spreading it out.

Price: HK$1,800

Skin Laundry celebrates opening of new store with Olympic swimmers

Hong Kongers looking for a high-tech laser blitz on their face are in luck with the opening of Skin Laundry’s third store.

The American skincare and laser facial treatment brand has opened a store in Causeway Bay that offers the company’s signature 15-minute express laser treatment.

To promote the company’s ethos of healthy living, Skin Laundry has picked Hong Kong Olympic swimmers Camille Cheng and Geoffrey Cheah to be brand ambassadors.

Camille and Geoffrey, obviously, credit their glowing skin to Skin Laundry’s treatment and products.

“Soaking in Chlorine water in the swimming pool daily made my skin dry and flaky until I found Skin Laundry. The simple yet effective formula of their products keeps my skin moisturised and soothes the sensitiveness of my skin,” said Cheah.

The 15-minute two-step facial uses a YAG Laser and IPL Light system to deep clean, brighten, release wrinkles, treat acne and stimulate collagen for clearer, younger-looking skin.

Feet first: Bespoke insoles for people on-the-go

Swollen and sore feet are a common problem, especially in Hong Kong, where walking long distances is unavoidable. To get a better idea about the problems people have with their feet and to learn more about BGA InSoles, we visited Albin Brion, studio manager of the Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez, The Oriental Spa at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.

Brion started working as a podiatrist in private clinics in Paris after his burgeoning football career was cut short by injury. Before moving to Hong Kong, he also worked in Dubai and Mauritius.

BGA InSoles, a new concept derived from extensive podiatric research, is designed to provide comfort, reduce stress on feet and encourage a healthy posture. The insoles are designed in a unique B-shape and tailor-made for each guest exclusively at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental.

Brion took us through the various stages required to make the three layers of the insoles.

BGA InSoles are customised depending on a person’s gender, size, preferred shoe style and daily activities.

Brion assesses each person before using a Podobarascope and Pressure Platform to measure a person’s plantar forces and pressures — how your weight is distributed when you stand and where you place the pressure on your feet.

A sand-filled mat is then used to take a print of your foot to determine the proper weight distribution. And the final step is to heat the insoles before they are custom moulded.

The BGA InSoles can be custom-made to fit into a range of shoe styles, from elegant women’s shoes to athletic shoes.

Watch Brion discuss the problems people have with their feet in Hong Kong and explain the process behind making BGA InSoles in the video.

For more information, visit: www.mandarinoriental.com/landmark

6 Valentine’s Day gifts for a loved one

In a fast-paced city like Hong Kong not everyone has the time to wander round the shops looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift. And with the most romantic day of the year just around the corner, time is running out for those who have left buying a gift to the last minute.

Luckily for you, we have compiled a list of Valentine’s gifts for that special someone.

Everyone loves cake! Ms B’s Cakery offers a selection of delicious and romantic cakes such as the Amoure, a chequered chocolate and strawberry butter cake laced with strawberry puree and light butter cream, and topped with a giant red rose and 20 small sugar flowers. If that is a bit too sweet for you, try the Lovebird Lilac, with lavender taro chiffon layers and a hint of coconut cream with glazed young coconut.

www.msbscakery.hk

Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a piece of jewellery, and Larry Jewelry has plenty of exquisite gems to choose from. The company’s Precious Heart collection features diamond heart-shaped rings, and some come with a sapphire, emerald and ruby. The heart-shaped gemstones are set with round, pear-shaped or marquise diamonds. The Luminous Stars collection has two-way pendants featuring shimmering diamonds with 18-carat rose gold or white gold. The pendants can be worn as a mini flower bud or a sparkling star.

www.larryjewelry.com

Burberry has released a combined blush and highlighter palette. First Love is inspired by playful prints and fabrics from their womenswear collections. The box has a heart-print design and the palette is infused with illuminating pearls to add subtle highlights to cheeks.

hk.burberry.com

Bally, the luxury fashion brand, was reportedly founded because of a husband’s simple gesture of love towards his wife. And with this in mind, the brand has unveiled its Valentine’s Day gift collection, including a simple and elegant grained calf leather Boom bag, a black grained leather Larsh cardholder and Avro and Avelle sneakers made from lightweight neoprene wrapped in leather perforated with the “B” symbol.

www.bally.com

Watchmaker Omega is aiming to be a matchmaker this Valentine’s Day with its Globemaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer Annual Calendar 41 mm. The watch is ideal for the man in your life. It has a stainless steel case and hard metal (tungsten carbide) bezel, and each of its facets includes a month of the year.

www.omegawatches.com

Luggage maker Rimowa has the perfect gift for a loved one who travels a lot — the Rimowa Salsa Air in Guards Red. The multiwheel suitcase comes in intense red, and its light weight makes it perfect for those who are always rushing to catch a flight.

www.rimowa.com

Written by Andrew Scott

8 resplendent gift ideas for the Year of the Rooster

Falling on the first day of a new moon, the Year of the Rooster starts on 28 January, with festivities for the Chinese New Year running until 11 February.

And one of the best ways to spread happiness during the Chinese New Year is to shower your loved ones with rooster-themed gifts.

Luckily for you, we have compiled a list of gifts for the upcoming Year of the Rooster.
Giorgio Armani has created a special edition version of its Le Sac 11 handbags, available in white with contrasting black handles, sides and closure and black with white details. The bags come in medium and small sizes. Armani has also released accessories for the Year of the Rooster, including a red handbag, a gift box containing a reversible black and cherry belt and a red calfskin Le Sac 11 handbag.

For those who enjoy a smoky New Year, Davidoff has released luxury cigars made from flawless premium Ecuadorian Habano wrapper on top of the rarest and finest strains of aged Dominican binder and filler tobaccos. They are the same size as the cigars released in 2006 as part of the 100th birthday celebration of the company’s late founder, Zino Davidoff. A matching set of accessories has also been released, including a double guillotine cutter and a red leather cigar case. Davidoff has only released 8,000 boxes worldwide.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label has continued its tradition of releasing special edition bottles based on the Chinese zodiac — it started with the horse in 2014 and continued with the ram and monkey in 2015 and 2016 — with an illustrated and packaged bottle featuring a rooster. The 750ml bottle is just the ticket to help get your friends and family in the New Year spirit.

Not everyone ushers in the New Year with alcohol. For those who prefer to celebrate the Year of the Rooster in a non-alcoholic way, Tea WG has launched the Morning Rooster Tea, a blend of black tea and green tea. The Morning Rooster Tea has silver tips and notes of jasmine, morning rose and orchard fruit. The tea comes in an emerald-hued box.

YSL’s Chinese New Year Collector Palette symbolises wealth and joy on its outer case with vivid red lacquer and a gold YSL logo. Once you open the box, the palette has two variations of wearable peach to give your complexion a warm, fresh glow, and are synonymous with fresh starts and optimistic outcomes. The palette can be used with one big brush to blend and sweep the blush across the face, or each of the two tones can be used separately.

Inspired by lucky symbols usually associated with the Chinese New Year, Links of London has created three new charms. The Sycee charm is a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The Coin keepsake is used in feng shui and will ward off misfortune and the Happiness charm, adorned with an orchid, will hopefully bring you good luck. The 18-carat gold vermeil charms are detailed with red enamel. Links of London has also released a Dancing Lion Charm crafted in sterling silver, 18-carat gold vermeil and red enamel.

Baccarat has launched three limited edition Chevalier Rooster figurines in an art deco style. The Chevalier Rooster embodies a sense of art deco charm, while the Zodiaque collection offers red and clear versions. The figurines were designed by Georges Chevalier.

Moncler’s special edition jackets for men and women are ideal for Chinese New Year, with their fire red colour and gold highlights. The jackets also come with a tasteful tribute to the Year of the Rooster in the form of a Rooster brocade print on the women’s jacket and an embroidered Rooster motif on the back panel of the men’s design. Both jackets are reversible.

Written by Andrew Scott

Stylists to the stars combine for hair care brand

David Gouygou and Roland Boutin, stylists to the stars and best known for their work with the renowned Dessange hair salon group, have joined forces to create Brune Blonde, said to be the ultimate hair care brand. The newest addition to their range – the Initials BB series – features a luxurious selection of all-natural products, all proclaimed to be paraben, sulphate and petroleum free. With ingredients sourced from around the world, the natural formula Bitter Orange and Petitgrain shampoo is said to leave locks feeling silky soft, while the protein-infused Argan and Ylang Ylang leave-in hydrating mist conditioner ensures hair remains tangle-free and lustrous.

www.bruneblonde.com

Liberating fragrances and uncommon scents

A selection of fragrances from Valentino, Van Cleef & Arpels, Prada, Dunhill and many more for the discerning gentleman.

Winter is here: Skincare products for women and men

The cold, dry months are a real nightmare after Christmas. Winter is here and with it comes cracked and dry skin. And unfortunately it is not just winter that wreaks havoc on your skin — late nights, jet lag, smoking and pollution are just a number of things that can also affect your skin.

Luckily, Clarins, Dior, Selvedge and a few others are here to save the day with their skincare products.

Dior Prestige La Creme Texture Riche is as fancy as the name suggests. The rich texture comes from its 100 percent natural ingredients of mango butter, waxes and oils. Its ultra-rich balm texture instantly blends into the skin. An active anti-freeze ingredient has been infused into the formula to protect cells from the cold.

Clarins has reportedly spent 10 years researching how to help your skin fight the excesses of daily life. The result: three super-concentrated formulas for women to use daily, weekly or monthly.

Booster Energy has a ginseng extract to tone and re-energise your face and make you look as radiant as possible. Booster Repair is enriched with mimosa tenuiflora, a Mayan medicinal plant. This face booster helps to reduce discomfort, improve skin strength and minimise redness. The final member of the skincare trio, Booster Detox, comes with a green coffee extract to boost dull complexions and detoxify the skin.

La Prairie, the world renowned luxurious Swiss skincare expert, has the Platinum Collection, which, as the brand claims, is their best collection yet.

Cellular Cream Platinum helps to recharge your skin, increasing its absorption of nourishing ingredients. Climate-activated hydration releases moisture and the cream preserves skin texture and tone.

Serum Platinum Rare serum helps to maintain the skin’s balance by restoring moisture. A skin-brightening complex and potent antioxidants make the skin firmer, brighter and rejuvenated.

Jurlique is celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year with its Iconic Rose Collection. Featuring Rosewater Balancing Mist and Rose Hand Cream, the gift set is only available for a limited time. The scented facial mist is infused with rose extracts to leave your skin refreshed, hydrated and renewed. The hand cream also features rose extracts.

And for the men, Selvedge Grooming Italy has a couple of products to help different skin types. Cleanse and Shave is a 2-in-1 antioxidant face wash and shaving cream. It comes with the masculine scent of bamboo extract, barbary fig extract, bisabolol and a number of others.

Sticking with the 2-in-1 approach, Hydrate & Protect is a lightweight moisturiser and aftershave. The gel restores essential nutrients and locks in moisture, while also minimising irritation and redness caused by shaving.

4 spas to help you relax over the Christmas period in Hong Kong

Escapism is defined as “the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.”

We are not saying that Christmas is an unpleasant reality, but getting a moment to relax is nothing but a fantasy for most people over the festive period.

The harsh reality is that the holiday season will involve a packed schedule of family engagements and festive parties, with hardly any time to yourself.

However, if you can find the time, Hong Kong is awash with places that allow for a bit of self-indulgence and escapism, such as spas.

Here are four of the best to help you re-energise over the festive period.

Ritz-Carlton Spa

With views overlooking Victoria Harbour from the 116th floor — making it the world’s highest spa — the Ritz-Carlton Spa is a getaway in the clouds.

Gaze out from the floor-to-ceiling windows as you unwind in one of the nine treatment rooms, including two couples spa suites, or from the indoor infinity swimming pool.

The signature treatments include the Lava Shell Body Treatment which uses heated lava shells to soothe your feet before a full-body massage with aromatic oils and therapeutic strokes. The Radiance Jade Facial refreshes tired skin using jade stone rollers to ease and rejuvenate the eyes.

Once you’re done being pampered, choose from eight relaxation lounges with separate areas for males and females to destress even more.

Perfect!

Festive promotion: The Velvet Red Carpet Facial uses the Nubo skin care range to redefine facial contours and rehydrate and soften the skin. The festive treatment also includes an arm wrap and a limited-edition Nubo gift set.

To book a treatment, email spareception.hk@ritzcarlton.com or call 2263 2040.

Venue: 116/F, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre (ICC), 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui

Mandarin Oriental Spa

Inspired by 1930s Shanghai, and located in a hotel that has been a cornerstone of Hong Kong since the 1960s, the spa at the Mandarin Oriental covers 2,100 square metres over three floors.

Treatments and packages are inspired by traditional Chinese medicine and modern techniques.

For example, the Mandarin Oriental Signature Spa Therapy treatment, which is tailor-made for each guest, was developed by specialists in Chinese medicine and master aromatherapists.

The Mandarin Oriental has three floors with nine treatment rooms, an indoor pool and a fitness centre. It also has a herb steam room, a hydrotherapy Kneipp pool, showers and a dedicated relaxation area.

Christmas promotion: Guests who book treatments on 24, 25 and 26 December will receive a voucher for a 30-minute treatment upgrade upon their next reservation (blackout dates and terms & conditions apply).

To book a treatment, email mohkg-spa@mohg.com or call 2825 4888.

Venue: 5 Connaught Road Central

Four Seasons Spa

Just like the Ritz-Carlton, the Four Seasons Spa has sweeping views of Victoria Harbour from its treatment rooms. It is also a giant space, covering just under 2,100 metres with 17 treatment rooms. So reserving a space should be easy!

The spa epitomises elegant escapism, which is embodied in a number of treatments, including the Be Present Day of Beauty package. The package is a full body scrub utilising aromatic ginger, cinnamon, clove and salt. A lymphatic massage and the application of a warm herbal poultice work to release tension, purify and tone the body. This is followed by a traditional Ayurvedic treatment.

The pampering continues in the Nail Bar with an Expresso Manicure and Pedicure. Finally, you will enjoy an al fresco lunch at the pool terrace overlooking Victoria Harbour.

Outside of the treatment rooms, the spa features an amethyst crystal steam room, sauna, ice fountain, chi-water jacuzzi, relaxation lounge and experience shower.

Click here to view Christmas promotions.

To book a treatment, visit their website here or call 3196-8888.

Venue: 8 Finance St, Central

W Bliss Spa

The W brands itself as a trendy hotel aimed at the more modern traveller. The spa complements this with treatments called Peeling Groovy, Fatgirlslim, Head Over Peels and Triple Oxygen Treatment, which are clearly aimed at a younger spa-goer.

The Fatgirlslim package uses dry brushing to apply essential oil, a rubberising mask on cellulite-prone rear and thigh areas, a heated wrap and a rubdown with formulas.

Visitors can put the stress of Christmas behind them with a facial, body scrub or massage in one of nine treatment rooms, including two VIP doubles.

Bliss also offers a jacuzzi, sauna, steam rooms and the highest pool in Hong Kong.

If you’re feeling a bit peckish after your spa, then treat yourself to a chocolate from the brownie bar.

Bliss spa is smaller than the other options on the list, but sometimes the best things come in smaller packages!

To book a treatment, call 3717 2222.

Click here to view Christmas promotions.

Venue: 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon

With these spa choices, you’ll be in good hands — literally.