Can Electrical Muscle Stimulation Actually Work? A Deep Dive into EMS Training

Electronic Muscle Stimulators, often referred to as EMS, are becoming more popular as a machine that helps athletes and fitness enthusiasts to improve their performance and physical fitness. Traditionally used in rehabilitation centres and physical therapy sessions, EMS machines have now found a place in the fitness industry with some gyms including the tool in their training. With EMS workouts often advertised to give great results in a short duration, it is quite intriguing to many, so here is everything you should know about EMS before you use one.

The EMS machines used in fitness centres generally come in the form of a vest or shorts that can be worn by the individual. It targets specific muscles, such as the abs, glutes, and quadriceps. It works by generating small electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contractions. These contractions are similar to those produced during exercise and can help individuals to gain greater muscle mass, strength, and endurance without engaging in physically demanding activities.

Given that EMS workouts are more effective than regular workouts, a person would typically only need about 15 minutes of training with the machine. But even that short duration can be very intensive and tiring because the electric stimulation acts as a resistance.

In addition to this, EMS has other benefits that contribute to improving fitness levels. It helps the inactive muscles in the body by preventing them from thinning (a condition called muscle atrophy) by stimulating affected muscles that aren’t being used regularly. It also enables the body to increase blood flow to the affected areas, increase endorphins, that help with relieving pain, and release inflammation and tension.

Research conducted by two South Korean universities proved that young women who received high-frequency current therapy lost a significant amount of abdominal fat after a six-week session. Despite such studies that have been conducted to prove the effectiveness of employing an EMS machine during workouts, there is not enough scientific proof that shows the efficacy of EMS in comparison to regular exercises.

Moreover, some individuals are advised not to use EMS depending on certain health statuses such as if they wear a pacemaker or are pregnant.

Besides, individuals have to be extra careful while using the machine because when the machine is placed incorrectly, it can cause muscle strain, sprains, spasms or even injuries. That is why it is crucial to consult a professional trainer before incorporating electronic muscle stimulation into your fitness routine. The trainer can guide on using the EMS machine correctly, and ensure that the electrodes are correctly placed.

If you do not have any medical conditions that limit you from using the machine and you would like to start using one, there are some fitness centres in Hong Kong that provide the service.

EMS Fitness Limited

Certified trainers help you tone your entire body by making you do low-intensity exercises while wearing the machine.

Price: Starting at HK$6200 for 10 sessions
Duration of one session: 20 minutes
Location: 10A, Carfield Building 77, Wyndham Street, Hong Kong
Click here to make your booking.

Sixpad Station

Here the EMS training is more technology-advanced with this fitness centre also using a digital mirror that ensures that you do each step of the workout more precisely.

Price: Starting at HK$2560 for 4 sessions
Duration of one session: 15 minutes
Location: 327 & 329, 3F, K11 Musea, 18 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Click here to make your booking

Feelness Hong Kong

Feelness offers a range of EMS programmes thus allowing people with different levels of fitness to find something more appropriate for them.

Price: HK$700 for 2 sessions
Duration of one session: 20 minutes
Location: 1/F, 87 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Click here to make your booking

How to Elevate Your Style With These Must-Have Colours for Every Wardrobe

When it comes to building a capsule wardrobe, having a range of colours to choose from is essential. While your personal style and preferences may play a significant role in selecting colours, there are a few must-have colours that look great on everyone, regardless of skin tone or style. In this article, Gafencu has put together the essential colours that every wardrobe should have and provided some styling tips to help you make the most of them.

Black

Black is a classic colour that everyone definitely has in their wardrobe because it is a versatile colour that can be effortlessly dressed up or down and it works well in any season. Best of all, black is flattering on almost every skin tone, as it creates a beautiful contrast. Like many other dark colours, black can also make you look slim. When styling black, consider pairing it with other neutral colours or adding a pop of colour with accessories.

White

White is another essential colour that works for everyone. It is a fresh and clean colour that can be worn in any season and it looks good on different skin tones. Similar to black, you can never go wrong while pairing white with other neutral shades or elevating your look with an accent colour of your choice. The only issue with white is having to be extra careful while maintaining it as even the slightest stain shows prominently on them.

Navy

If you are looking for another dark colour that can be considered as an alternative to black, then navy is certainly a great option. Besides, some people may avoid using black as they may associate the colour with bad luck. In that case, the navy colour is a great pick and it also looks less harsh. As a colour that can easily replace black, this dark blue shade can also be styled just the way you would style black.

Grey

Another common colour that is an ideal alternative to black is grey which you can flaunt in any season. It is a universal colour that can be perfectly incorporated into your daily office wear, athleisure, party wear and more. Though this shade can suit everyone, it looks the most suitable for people with cooler skin tones.

Red

Red is a bold and bright colour that can add a pop of colour to any outfit. It is extra appealing for those with warmer skin tones. It is the best colour to dress up in if you are looking to make a strong impression. When styling red, consider pairing it with other neutral colours.

Styling Tips

When it comes to styling these essential colours, there are some simple tips to remember. First, consider your skin tone when selecting colours. Those with warmer skin tones may want to opt for warmer colours like red and green, while those with cooler skin tones may prefer cooler colours like navy and grey.

Another factor to look into, when selecting colours, is the occasion you will be wearing the outfit. Neutral colours like black, white, and navy work well for more formal occasions, while bolder colours like red and green can add a pop of colour to casual outfits.

Finally, feel free to experiment with different colour combinations. Mixing and matching different colours can create unique and interesting outfits that reflect your personal style without making you look like you are repeating the same outfit on most days.

Images: Tagwalk

Age & Beauty: Home alone is a joy when one’s spacious, graceful abode offers personalised attractions

A restful retreat for relaxing after retirement is the dream of many but a realisation for only the fortunate few. Being able to live the later years on your own terms in your own home is a blessing, especially when ensconced in a light, spacious and contemporary apartment that exudes modest opulence while offering tailormade comfort.

Such is the Hong Kong Garden residence of a retiree who lives alone. Despite having to work occasionally, her mantra is to enjoy a life of (almost) leisure to the fullest. Most of her family lives abroad so this 2,000-square- foot apartment conveniently located at Sham Tseng is designed to suit her individual tastes and hobbies. The avid mahjong player loves to invite like-minded friends around for games and parties, which gives people a chance to admire her beautiful home.

Providing relatively quiet living, Hong Kong Garden offers two units per floor and was built almost 40 years ago. This may seem ancient to those city-dwellers obsessed with the newest blocks on the market, but the apartment has been renovated to instil a modern and harmonious flair.

Older properties usually have greater flexibility when it comes to refining infrastructure to boost ventilation and drainage, and designer Ken Leung from Hei Design has smartly taken advantage of this for a freer allocation of the interior space. The remodelled air flow works together with suspended ceilings hiding awkward beams for a smoother, more seamless ambience.

Originally, this was a three-bedroom unit, but with two bedrooms remaining idle after the family moved abroad, the owner sought a revised floorplan to utilise every corner of the home. Now a manifestation of her vision of an enjoyable, indulgent space, it looks elegant to the core.

The serene residence reflects the owner’s heartfelt love of detail, with gorgeous design features and a variety of amenities. Each area has been carefully crafted to cater to moments of enjoyment at home with additions such as a glamorous walk-in closet and a lavish jacuzzi.

Materials including marble, brushed metal, plain and fluted wooden wall panels and tinted glass were intentionally chosen to evoke a sense of detailed design and a deep impression of nature. The colour palette embraces grey, blue and cream with tan accents. Leung cleverly brought the stunning sea view outside into greater focus within, so the lady of the apartment and her guests can enjoy nature during rest, work, dining and entertainment.

The living room is finely styled with a unique floral wallcovering, which also serves as an artistic backdrop for a desk situated among the ample seating. A wall of windows and wide apertures provide a mesmerising ocean view, creating a soothing space for work and relaxation. Delicate figurines adorn the shelves and niches, hinting at the cultured sensibility of the owner. Adjoining the living room is a small dining area. Given its proximity to the entrance, this is a welcoming first sight for visitors. Pendant lights hanging above the round dining table ensure it is sufficiently lit at night, while plenty of sunlight streams in during the day. The tan leather upholstery and curves of the dining chairs nod to the striking accent armchair in the living room. Leading off from the dining nook is a well-equipped kitchen.

Aside from installing a long, mirrored walk-in closet in the master en suite, the design team oversaw the demolishing of the wall between this bathroom and the smaller of the two other bedrooms. This served to trim the unused bedroom and enlarge the master bathroom for placement of the jacuzzi tub as well as a walk-in shower. The principles of feng shui were also considered – the new floor plan removes the energy-blocking, ill- fortuned proposition of the en-suite door facing the bed.

The homeowner can now conveniently step into her spacious dressing room after bathing or applying makeup. The bigger bedroom previously used by the family has been transformed into a dual-purpose guest bedroom and entertainment room. Ahead of a mahjong party, the bed retracts into the wall to release space for up to two gaming tables – these are stored in a huge cabinet after use. A pair of sliding doors at the entrance makes the room larger and more easily accessible to guests during mahjong time.

The concealable bed and a large full-length fitted wardrobe embedded in the wall between the guest and master bedrooms allow for occasional stayovers by friends and relatives. The bedroom floors are wooden and the décor minimal; these rooms offer the essentials of comfort without any visible clutter for peaceful days and restful nights.

Fitting the picture of an abode designed for the simultaneous enjoyment of solitude and nature, this is an ideal home for one to spend quality time in their later years. When life is no longer so busy, indulging in favourite activities becomes the daily routine.

Text: Zaira Abbas

Photos: Hei Design

INN Style: Because fashion is a lifestyle, luxury brands are increasingly getting into the hotel game

Luxury shoppers and travellers today are craving experiences that go beyond simple products and services. Taking strategic steps outside their boutiques, fashion brands have found the perfect combination to satisfy both their growth and customer demand by projecting a whole lifestyle. The smartest among the fashion-forward companies have already entered the hotel industry, including Armani and Versace; the Italian duo recently expanded their portfolios by opening properties in Dubai and Macau respectively. French luxury goods behemoth, LVMH, which owns Louis Vuitton, has also announced its ambitions in the hospitality industry. In fact, company CEO Michael Burke revealed that Louis Vuitton’s Paris headquarters will be converted into a hotel and shopping centre.

The overlapping between fashion and hospitality is far from uncharted territory, but travelling comfortably forward, this year’s crop of entrants seems particularly well-positioned to not only succeed but potentially scale up. Although specifics of the Louis Vuitton hotel project have not yet been disclosed, LVMH is no newbie to the world of upscale hospitality. The conglomerate’s holdings include: the upscale travel company Belmond, which manages more than 30 hotels; the luxury jewellery, accessory and hotel brand Bulgari; and the Cheval Blanc luxury hotel chain as well as the famed winery.

Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, a division of Bulgari established in 2001 thanks to a partnership with Marriott International, has a strong presence in the market. Indeed, it may be the fashion world’s most successful hotel venture to date. The brand currently has outposts in Milan, London, Dubai, Bali, Beijing, Shanghai, Paris, Moscow and Tokyo, with Rome to open this month and Miami, the Maldives and Los Angeles in the pipeline.

Executive Vice-President of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts Silvio Ursini highlights that Bulgari’s long-established association with beauty, exclusivity and glitz contributes to the hotel concept’s longevity. “As a luxury brand, we know how to pamper and build a true relationship with our customers,” he says, adding that business across the portfolio has remained robust in recent years, thanks to increased demand for “ultraluxe experiences”.

The Bulgari properties also function as great showrooms for the company’s jewellery and accessories. Each has a few Bulgari items on show in the lobby, and some, like the ones in Shanghai, Dubai, and Paris, also include a retail store. “A hotel guest dedicates at least one or two days, if not more, to their stay and has more time to observe and choose a piece,” notes Ursini.

Indulgent Elegance

Attention to the smallest details and touches is what fashion is all about. Luxury products offer a certain level of excellence, from the tortoiseshell buttons that adorn our winter coats to the finely built bags we can’t live without. This kind of indulgent elegance, which includes chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royces, breathtaking views and culinary creativity, is what draws tourists every year to the top fashion designer hotels in the world, especially at a time when luxury becomes more accessible and diverse. Needless to say, stays at popular traditional hotel chains won’t feel the same once you experience the high-end designer holiday sensation.

These expansion approaches are key to the success of luxury brands. The upscale hotel experience allows them to be closer to their target segment, while the cache of owning five-star properties around the world elevates their brand even further.

Beyond Haute Couture

Two decades after the first luxury fashion brand ventured into luxury hospitality – with Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast of Australia claiming that landmark breakthrough in 2000 – the past few years have also demonstrated that haute couture isn’t the only door into hotels. High-profile companies in the likes of publishing and furniture design have made their own excursions into the hotel industry, frequently with the intention of bringing their brand equity and aesthetics with them.

Swiss watch company Audemars Piguet has been luring tourists to its hometown of Le Brassus in the country’s Vallée de Joux region. The company debuted Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in the summer of 2020, then opened the 50-room Hôtel des Horlogers next door two years later – the name translates literally as “the watchmakers’ hotel”.

In collaboration with luxury management company Marugal, footwear icon Christian Louboutin opened a boutique hotel and restaurant this spring. A long-time favourite vacation spot for the designer, the town of Melides on Portugal’s Alentejo coast is home to the 13-key Hotel Vermelho.

France’s fashion publishing giant, Elle, made waves in spring 2022 with the announcement of two hospitality brands. The 25-room Maison Elle collection premiered in Paris’s 17th Arrondissement recently. Its resort division, Elle Hotel, is scheduled to launch this summer with a beach property in Jalisco, Mexico.

La Maison Fragonard, created in Arles by Agnès and Françoise Costa, scions of the century-old perfume business, and Paris-based design company Ateliers Saint-Lazare, added a little extra fragrance to Provence last summer. Its six rooms are above a ground-floor boutique selling clothing, houseware and perfume including the newest Fragonard release, Belle d’Arles.

Lastly, leading US luxury home brand RH has expanded into hospitality via the opening of the RH Guesthouse in New York City. The 1887 structure, a cosy distance from RH’s Meatpacking District showroom, has nine rooms and suites decorated in Italian travertine and white oak, as well as a restaurant and a basement caviar bar. Its top attraction – literally – though is a huge draw in New York: a rooftop pool.

From Hotel to Retail

Back here at home, the luxury brand and hospitality collaboration trend continues as Rosewood owner and Chief Executive Sonia Cheng plans to transform the luxury hotel and resort Text: Joseff Musa group into a fully-fledged lifestyle brand within three to five years. “[This new direction is] about the attitude we’re seeing and what our guests are interested in, and being able to engage with them,” says Joanna Gunn, Chief Brand Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. Before joining the company in May 2020 after two decades in the luxury retail sector, her most recent post was at Hong Kong’s iconic department store, Lane Crawford.

Brand-hotel partnerships will only grow in importance as the latter place more emphasis on their role as “staycation” destinations. Beyond international travel, luxury hotels have become places of entertainment outside of the home. How sweet it is to be living the suite life!

Plant Parenthood Made Simple: Apps for Keeping Your Plants Healthy

Plants not only drastically elevate the aesthetics of your interior decoration, but they also come with many other advantages such as better air quality and reduced stress levels, anxiety and fatigue. If you decide to do some home gardening and grow some herbs or flowering plants, our selection of plant apps will help you to take care of your greeneries even if it is your first time doing it.

Blossom

Catered to both experienced gardeners and newbies, Blossom holds a Webby award for being one of the best apps for taking care of plants. It is programmed to help you through every step of growing your plant. It includes features such as setting reminders for watering your plants based on the size of the pot and the weather and identifying any disease your plant may have and providing tips to nurse them. However, if you will need more assistance, the app even has botanical experts who are online day and night to assist you.

For those curious minds who would like to learn more about their plants or the ones growing in their neighbourhood, Blossom knows about 12 thousand plant species so all you need to do is click some pictures and the app will use its artificial intelligence technology to tell you everything you will need to know about the plant.

Download on ios or Android.
Price: HK$29.90/month

Plantin

Herbs, shrubs, succulents, flowers or whichever type of plant you own or would like to learn about, you can undoubtedly rely on this app called Plantin which literally has a database consisting of information about more than 16 thousand plants. With such wide data, this app can effortlessly aid with taking care of both healthy plants and dying ones which will need extra care and attention.

Plantin’s main goal is to make gardening more fun and for this, the app is built in a manner that makes plant parenting easy for everyone. All you need to do is scan your plant and the app will let you know the ideal environmental conditions required for it to grow well. It focuses on factors like sunlight, humidity, temperature and more. Simultaneously, plant parents can also communicate with other botanical enthusiasts to share their gardening journey.

Download on ios or Android.
Price: HK$778

Gardenia

Gardenia is an app that is most suited for house plants like herbs and vegetables you would typically grow on your terrace or balcony. Once you let the app know which plant you own in your garden, it will give you tailored information on the right portion of water, the proper fertilisers and pesticides and even the perfect placement for your potted plants so that it is exposed to the correct amount of sunlight.

Whether you have one plant or more, the app has an inbuilt tracker which allows you to set alarms in order to care for them individually. In addition to all this, Gardenia also pays attention to the daily weather and other environmental conditions of your surroundings so that the guidance provided by the app is more tailored and accurate.

Download on ios or Android.
Price: Free

PlantSnap

With an aim to get the younger generations interested in gardening, PlantSnap is an app that has collaborated with Snapchat so that you can record and share your gardening journey with your friends using cool snaps. On top of that, PantSnap has one of the largest collections of plants in its database with the app being able to recognise more than 600 thousand plants while also translating the details into nearly 40 languages thus making the app user-friendly for more people.

However, PlantSnap is limited to only helping with the identification and cannot actually help you with taking care of the plants. But, given that the app can apparently identify 90 per cent of the species around the world, this could be a go-to source if the other apps don’t have information about your plant in them.

Download on ios or Android.
Price: Free

True colours: Fashionably and proudly shining through

One trick to making your wardrobe more exciting is by opting for more colours. That is why we have curated different looks featuring vibrant and bold colours that will make dressing up more fun and ensure you stand out from the crowd. Whether you’re going to a wedding, a brunch date, or just running errands, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to be inspired by these colourful outfits and start experimenting with bold hues and playful patterns.

Look 1

On Her:
Earrings and bracelet by Loewe
Necklace by Jimmy Choo
Dress by Hermès

On Him:
Polo top, jacket and pants by Gucci

Look 2

On Her:
Crop jacket, top, skirt and heels by Versace

On Him:
Jacket, top, tie and shorts by Gucci

Look 3

Earrings by Swarovski
Mini dress by Maje

Look 4

Top and shorts by Prada

Look 5

On Her:

Earrings by Swarovski
Mini dress by Maje

On Him:

Sweater, shorts and tote bag by Prada

Look 6

On Her:
Earrings, long dress, handbag and slippers by Dior

On Him:
Cardigan by Moncler
Tank top, pants and scandals by Hermès

Look 7

Jacket, top, tie and shorts by Gucci

Look 8

On Her:
Earrings by Swarovski
Purse by Roger Vivier
Top and long skirt by Ralph Lauren

On Him:
Jacket, pants and handbag by Ferragamo

Look 9

Earrings and bracelet by Loewe
Necklace by Jimmy Choo
Dress by Hermès

Photographer: Jack Law Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma Videographer: Jack Fontanilla Male Model: Marco P (Quest Artists & Models) Female Model: Victoria A (Quest Artists & Models) Hair and Make-up: Owen Ko & Joenny Lau

Meal Makers: Tasty, tailored, diet-conscious repasts delivered to the door save time in busy lives

In a city where the escalators move faster than most places on Earth, it is no surprise that Hong Kongers generally rush through life – caught up in a whirlwind of work, play and work once more. To cope with this hectic lifestyle in one of the world’s busiest cities, anything that saves time is welcomed and valued. If a regular, unavoidable part of our daily schedule can be shortened, then it is a godsend – and popping first to mind here is meal prepping.

For those unfamiliar with the term, these are handy services that prepare, package and send meals based on your dietary and fitness needs. You can choose how many and which meals you want to get each day and how many days you want them delivered to your doorstep.

Meal planners usually arrange for the day’s meal packages to arrive in the morning so that they can then be reheated according to the provided instructions to suit individual eating routines.

In addition to saving time, meal subscription plans come wrapped in perks. Meals are planned by dieticians or nutritionists and prepared by talented chefs based on a profile created for each subscriber, who completes a questionnaire regarding their eating habits. This not unduly lengthy Q&A – remember, time is of the essence – encompasses dietary preferences like plant-based or pescatarian, food allergies or items ruled out for reasons of health or faith, and fitness goals – if the customer wants to lose or gain weight.

Buying a bespoke meal plan is a feasible and convenient way to eat healthily every day, so here are Hong Kong’s best meal subscription services to trim precious time spent in the supermarket and kitchen.

Nosh

Nosh has earned its reputation as a leading meal provider to busy Hong Kongers. Letting you choose the type of diet you want to follow – keto, flexitarian, pescetarian or vegan – Nosh designs a custom meal plan based on your fitness needs. Whether the goal is to drop a few pounds for an event scheduled in three days or gradually lose weight in a month or more, Nosh offers short-term and long-term plans to help its customers achieve their ideal body mass index. For clients who are unsure of their nourishment needs, Nosh’s nutritionist steps in to discuss and determine customised plans. In addition, all ingredients are fresh and premium, and experienced chefs prepare these healthy foods.

A typical package consisting of three meals per day will cost anywhere between HK$200 to HK$500 and you can also opt for two meals per day. If you are looking to be economical, you may want to opt for a long-term plan because, for instance, a three-day balanced diet plan is priced at HK$315 per day while the same plan will cost HK$266 per day if you choose a 30-day subscription. Nosh.hk

Nutrition Kitchen

Ideal for those gymgoers, Nutrition Kitchen is the preferred subscription meal plan of personal trainers as it makes it easy for customers to sustain a healthy diet by providing meals with the ideal amounts of macronutrients, particularly a high quantity of proteins to help with muscle-building. The most popular for body weight transformation is the low-carb package with each meal being around 400 calories for women and 500 for men and they are priced at HK$4900 and HK$6000 respectively for a month-long three-meals-per-day plan. The nutrition data – the number of carbs, proteins and fats – is specified for each dish allowing you to make an informed decision while personalising your plan to include your favourite from the provided options. Furthermore, you can also satisfy your sweet tooth by adding one of the healthy snack options or nutrition-loaded smoothies.

The company sources ingredients of the highest quality and its team of nearly 400 chefs cooks daily, enabling each subscriber to receive freshly prepared meals every morning. The delivery service is only available on weekdays, so it is perfect for office workers who may have weekend brunch or afternoon tea plans. n utritionkitchenhk.com

Eatology

Adhering to a tagline that reads, “Eat healthy, Live easy”, Eatology offers multiple diet plans, including the likes of Asian, Mediterranean, paleo and ketogenic. The brand prepares your ideal plan by collecting basic information like your height, weight, age, daily activity level, dietary choices and fitness goals that could be simply just to eat healthily or want to lose weight and build muscles. But, if you wish to seek advice from an expert first, you can always send the aforementioned details to the company’s in-house dietician who will be happy to discuss and guide you in finding the perfect meal plan for you.

Moreover, the meals also tempt foodies as they are designed by top chef Vincent Leroux, who previously worked at Michelin Guide restaurants. Thereby, every single Eatology plan, which is estimated to be HK$1800 for a five-day three meals-per-day plan, can be likened to the taste of eating in a fine-dining restaurant. High safety standards during preparation and delivery, and biodegradable packaging tick the right boxes, too. eatologyasia.com

Bain Marie

Those who are personally diligent about sustainability will favour Bain Marie for its determination to follow a zero-waste operation – only the exact quantity of food ordered is prepared and the cutlery provided can be washed and reused. Equally laudable is the use of fine, organic ingredients and the banishment of preservatives so you can devour a delicious meal guilt-free. Each meal comes with a variety of dishes and all packages allow you to try different cuisines.

Daily menus are decided by skilled dieticians based on your calorie requirements, depending on whether you need a low-calorie plan for losing weight or more to build and strengthen muscles, then cooked by a team led by chefs who have been part of Michelin-starred kitchens. A plan will typically cost anywhere between HK$1600 and HK1800 for a five-day plan. bainmariehk.com

The Art of Perfumery: A Guide to the Different Types of Scents

The importance of wearing perfumes goes beyond just smelling good. Wearing perfumes can boost confidence, improve mood, and even have an impact on our overall well-being. Choosing the perfect perfume can be a daunting task. With so many different scents available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. However, understanding the different types of scents can help you make an informed decision and choose a perfume that suits your personality and style. In this article, we will explore the various types of scents and their unique properties, so you can make an informed decision and find the perfect perfume for you.

Floral Scents

The most common and easily recognisable of all the fragrance types is the floral scents. As the name suggests, these scents get their essence from flowers like roses, jasmine, lavender, peonies and more. They have a calming and soothing effect on them, thus often being the first choice for aromatherapy. For the same reason, floral scents are also found in perfumes, candles and air fresheners.

The Best Floral Perfumes

Dioriviera is an Eau de Parfum with a long-lasting note of roses in combination with the sweet smell of fig.

Creed Spring Floral has strong floral characteristics because of the key ingredients like jasmine and white flowers inside the fancy pink bottle.

Citrus Scents

Derived from the essence of citrus fruits such as oranges, bergamot, lemons, and grapefruits, citrus scents have a refreshing and energetic feel to them. They are also known for their uplifting and invigorating properties thus making them popular choices for morning routines. As this scent family evokes a sense of freshness, it is often associated with the summer season.

The Best Citrus Perfumes

Acqua di Parma’s Arancia La Spugnatura has Vanilla Orange, lemons and mandarins as its starring ingredients which give the perfume its zesty and citrusy smell.

Gucci’s The Alchemist Garden 1921 is another luxurious perfume which has its citrus ingredient, citron lemon, on the top note thereby allowing you to smell it in the first spray.

Woody Scents

Woody scents are extracted from the essence of trees such as sandalwood, cedarwood, and pine. They are known for their grounding and calming properties, making them desirable choices for meditation and relaxation. Due to their strong connection with nature, woody scents easily attract outdoorsy people who love hiking, camping and other outdoor activities.

The Best Woody Perfumes

Le Labo Santal 33 was created to replicate the smell of a campfire, for which the brand included extracts from Australian sandalwood and cedarwood to bring out a woody fragrance.

Bleu de Chanel is appreciated by connoisseurs for its pleasant and perfumy woody notes that come from the New Caledonian sandalwood extracts found in them.

Spicy Scents

Spicy scents are derived from the essence of spices such as cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. They are known for their warming and alleviating properties, making them popular choices for the fall and winter seasons.

The Best Spicy Perfumes

Aesop Gloam is concentrated with essences from spices such as pink pepper, cardamom, saffron and more that strongly appeal to your olfactory senses.

Imagine the sweet aromas that you smell in a coffee shop, that is mildly what Yves Saint Laurent’s Black Opium smells like with the sparkling black bottle holding essences of the coffee accord, pink pepper and more that give it its spicy fragrance.

Aquatic Scents

Aquatic scents mimic the aroma of the ocean and sea breeze. They essentially remind you of relaxing at a seashore or going on a cruise trip. They are known for their fresh and clean properties, making them popular choices for the summer seasons.

The Best Aquatic Perfumes

Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt is characterised as a standout aquatic perfume for invoking the refreshing smell of the sea.

Hermès Eau des Merveilles Bleue is rejuvenating as it smells like the ocean with this eau de toilette possessing the fragrances of the salty pebbles that you find on the seashore.

From Classic to Contemporary: The Best Jewellery Brands in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is known for its bustling shopping scene and is a popular destination for those in search of high-quality jewellery. With a plethora of options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right brand. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the top jewellery brands in Hong Kong that are renowned for their exquisite designs, superior craftsmanship, and exceptional quality. Whether you’re in search of a statement piece or something more subtle, these brands have got you covered.

Qeelin

The backbone of Qeelin’s designs is deeply rooted in giving a contemporary twist to traditional symbols thus holding on to the Chinese heritage and also being in the likes of the modern consumers. For instance, one of Qeelin’s iconic collections is the Wulu which is significantly inspired by Wu Lu (or Wu Lou) which represents prosperity and positive vibes in Chinese culture. The brand is also known for its playful pieces of bijouterie like the Bo Bo Gang collection which has a diamond-embellished panda as the focal point.

Niessing

Marrying the Bauhaus philosophy of design with the concept of minimalism is this jewellery brand Niessing with a rich history spanning up to 150 years. Through these 15 decades, it has continuously stayed true to its craftsmanship by creating jewellery pieces like tension rings, as Niessing calls them Spannrings, that maintain the mark’s design DNA while also appealing to the modern crowd. Beyond this, Niessing is known for its unique range of colours, including about 15 shades of gold and its newest addition a rose gold one named Supla Grenadine, that have all been created through alloying. Such a diverse range of colours in combination with the many design options allows people to create bespoke ornates.

Also Read: Rose Hip: The lasting allure of rose gold jewellery

Cindy Chao – The Art Jewel

Described as vividly artistic in nature, Taiwanese jeweller Cindy Chao’s The Art Jewel has heavy influences from both Eastern and Western techniques. It is appreciated for its unique jewellery designs that are a result of its creative process that begins with a two-dimensional layout of the jewel which is followed by the lost-wax casting technique to form a three-dimensional sculpture thus resulting in the brand’s standout 3D jewelleries. This particular style of craftsmanship is also reflected in the brand’s latest collections – Black Label Masterpieces and White Label Collection – especially in one standout piece, the Cabochon Colombian emerald-centred Spring Cardamom Brooch.

Austy Lee Art Jewellery

Rooted in creating vintage-inspired jewels that also look edgy, Austy Lee Art Jewellery is a brand that focuses on creating unique pieces of jewellery that cater to fashionable people. As Austy Lee Jewellery precisely puts it, the designs from the brand are “psychedelic.” Moreover, with its founder having a strong connection with jade, the brand has many earrings, necklaces, rings, and more that feature jade gemstones in them. In fact, there is even a collection named Jade Dynasty that has jade as its main attraction.

Also Read: All About Jadeite: A Symbol of Wealth and Status

Kajal Naina

As a recipient of the prestigious A’ Design Award and Competition, Kajal Naina is a jewellery brand that tries to narrate a story through every single ornament. The jewellery makers here pay attention to every single detail – every stone and every carving – so that the result is nothing but an enticing ornament that will easily catch people’s attention. As its founder explains, the purpose of these pieces of jewellery is not just to elevate a person’s beauty but also their spirit. Moreover, Kajal Naina is particularly known for its collection of pearl necklaces with zodiac symbols.

Stay Cool and Hydrated: Tips to Beat the Heat and Quench Your Thirst

Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do for your health. While the usual recommendation is 6 to 8 glasses per day, a Harvard study found that these quantities actually depend on various factors such as the weather, medical conditions, age and activity level. That said, the body will need more water during the summer especially because we tend to lose water from the body through sweat.

Not only does it help regulate body temperature, but it also aids in digestion, supports healthy skin, and helps flush out toxins. Despite its importance, many of us struggle to drink enough water throughout the day. Fortunately, there are many tasty and creative ways to stay hydrated beyond just drinking plain water. So here are some tips to stay hydrated.

Eat water-rich fruits

Fruits and vegetables are certainly one of the healthiest and tastiest sources of hydration. Given the many options available, there is undoubtedly some fruit or vegetable for every person to include in their diet. Consume them either as a snack or have them in your daily meals and these foods can do more than just hydrate your body. Different produce are rich in different nutrients that are essential for the body to function healthily. Particularly, those fruits and vegetables containing potassium like watermelon, grapefruit, and spinach are more advantageous as they act as catalysts to keep the body hydrated by helping the cells to absorb water faster.

Pay attention to dehydration signals

Drinking less than the required amount of water can lead to dehydration and the body usually has certain ways of showing this. Some signals include dry mouth, chapped lips, tiredness, bad breath and more. So next time, if you notice any of these signs, drink some water first before applying that lip balm.

Set reminders

Though everyone knows how crucial it is to drink a lot of water, it can be quite easy to forget to do so especially if you are busy doing something else. One simple and great way to ensure that you intake water regularly throughout the day is to set reminders on your phone. There are even apps specially built for this purpose that allow you to set a daily target and the app will ring alarms at regular intervals reminding you to drink water on a regular basis.

Another way to remind yourself to drink water frequently is to buy one of those motivational bottles that come with time marks and slogans that encourage you to reach your daily water intake goals.

Try infused waters

Water that is infused with flavours from herbs or fruits is also a nice way to ensure that you drink the optimal amount of water every day. They can also help with weight loss and digestion.

You can either buy pre-infused water or make your own infused water by adding certain herbs or fruits to a large jar of water and leaving it for 5 to 8 hours depending on how flavourful you want the water to be. Once the infused water is ready, you can filter and drink the water.

You can also purchase one of those infuser water bottles that have a special compartment with a filter in them for you to add some fruits or herbs to them, allowing the water to become concentrated with flavours throughout the day.