Recover with an Epsom salt bath
I'd been wanting to do this for a while now, and finally got around to it only after a heavy workout which DESTROYED my legs. I tried applying heat and then icing the sore muscles but even after the 2nd day, I could barely straighten my legs. I guess I didn't stretch my hamstrings enough, and I was definitely feeling the after-burn from the calves raises. Here's the leg workout routine that killed me...
Quads Hamstrings & Calves
Leg press 4x 10
Hack squat 3 x 10
Smith squat 3 x 10
Smith wide squat 3 x 10
Barbell walking lunge 3 x 12 reps each leg
Standing calf raise 3 x 20
D.E.S.T.R.O.Y.E.D!
To speed up muscle recovery (or bruises), I like to alternate between using the heat pack and ice bag.
The Lavacare Physiotherm pack is filled with special lava sand which has the ability to store heat or cold for long periods of time. The pack gives off deep, dry radiant heat that may reach deep tissues areas thus helping in alleviating pain, relaxing muscles, cramps and may help improving circulation. It's a bit heavy but feels nice and comforting when you put it over those sore muscles (or tummy for period cramps). Charlie bought it online from Firebox.com a couple of years ago, it's not listed on the site anymore but you could probably buy it from Amazon.com
The ice/hot bag is another useful thing to have. I bought it at the pharmacy for about $12. Fill the bag with warm water or use it as an ice bag. It's light-weight, which makes it handy to take while traveling.
Another quick way to muscle recovery caused by DOMS (delayed onset muscle cramps) is to take an Epsom salt bath.
Darren, a friend of mine, who has taken interest in MMA as a hobby, told me about the benefits of Epsom salt baths a few month ago. He said it really helps with muscle recovery, and besides being really relaxing, it has a ton of other benefits for your body.
Just one Epsom salt bath a week can have an incredible impact on your health and emotional wellness.
Benefits of an Epsom salt bath
- Magnesium (found in Epsom salt) helps draw inflammation out of the muscles
- Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins and help ease migraine headaches.
- Helps muscles and nerves function properly
- Combat muscle fatigue
- Relieve pain and muscle cramps
- Improved concentration and sleep
- Increased energy, elimination of toxins and reduction of inflammation
- Magnesium and serotonin deficiencies have been found to exacerbate PMS symptoms
- Starting Epsom salt baths as early as two weeks before your period will lead to less pain and significantly fewer negative mood changes frequently associated with menses
*Note: Consult with your medical provider before using Epsom salts if you are pregnant or have any medical condition.
How to make an Epsom salt bath
Making an Epsom salt bath is simple:
First things first; 1) break out your favorite rubber ducky. 2) Set a relaxing, spa mood with some scented candles.
3) Fill bathtub with hot or warm water. 4) Add between two and four cups of Epsom salt to the water.
I poured the whole box containing 375g of Epsom salts into the tub.
5) Mix the water with your hands and allow the Epsom salt to dissolve.
6) Add five to ten drops of your favorite essential oil just before you step in the tub to maximize stress reduction.
My favorites are either lavender, rose or chamomile essential oils.
7) Soak in the bath for about 15 minute but no longer to avoid reabsorbing the toxins eliminated by the Epsom salt.
8) Shower immediately after the bath to rinse the Epsom salts from your skin, which can dry your skin.
(Caution: Epsom salt, due to its high magnesium content, is a laxative. Avoid ingestion!)
9) Dry off with a towel and keep your skin hydrated with your favorite body moisturizer.
10) Water aids in muscle recovery so make sure you drink enough water throughout the day!
My first online video tutorials!
Last month, I was in Singapore for a few days to shoot some make-up tutorial videos for a fashion social network website called Clozette.co
It was my first time shooting a make-up tutorial video and to be honest, I was a little nervous about having the camera so up-close to my bare face. That was probably the first time I’m shooting in the front of the camera with no make-up on!
It’s important to feel comfortable in your own skin, with or without make-up, that’s what I told myself anyway and it helped me feel less nervous in when the cameras were rolling.
Behind-the-scenes of ‘How to make your make-up last longer’
How to put on beach-proof make-up that lasts? I’m sure you’d like to know!
Check out the videos and keep reading to find out how you can win a little something from SK-II.
Video #1 - What to pack for a beach holiday
Beach-proof make-up that’s also an ideal everyday look.
I'd like to share some tips on what to pack for a beach holiday. In this video, I'll also share what you can do to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays and how to wear beach-proof make-up:
Video #2 – How to cleanse effectively
Always remove any make-up before bed. Your skin will thank you in the morning.
How do you know if you’re using your cleanser the right way? Check out this video to find out:
Video #3 – How to make your make-up last longer
Isn’t it frustrating when your makeup just doesn’t last throughout the day? To find out what may cause this, check out the video below.
Are you a currently SK-II user? Whether you are or not, I’m sure many of you would be interested to win this SK-II Pitera™ Essence Set(valued at S$142/ RM$340).
Want one? All you have to do is answer this easy question:
How many videos did I host for this SK-II video project?
Email the correct answer to fh@withlovefay.com and write “SK-II Giveaway – The correct answer is x ” on the subject line (replace ‘x’ with the right answer). Remember to include your full name, mobile number and mailing address.
Contest period is between 24 May 2013 to 13 June 2013. ONE lucky winner will be contacted via email at the end of the contest period.
-Contest closed-
*Update: The lucky winner for the SK-II giveaway contest is CARA ONG! You'll be contacted via email shortly.
Stay Active & Beautiful With Kiehl’s Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate
When it comes to skin and hair, there’s one brand that I’ve stuck to for years, and it’s funny that it was in fact Charles, who introduced me to Kiehl’s when we started dating. Who knew men and women could share the same favorite skin care brand? I choose recommendation over experimentation, especially when it comes to skincare. Kiehl’s generosity with free samples of pretty much all their products made it easy to find what was best for me.
I believe that vitamins, particularly vitamin C, is an important nutrient in your diet. That's why it's important to eat your fruits and vegetables! Vitamin C is the first thing that comes to mind if you catch a cold as it is helps support the immune function and protection from viral disease and cancer.
As mentioned in my previous post, while consuming vitamin C is great for overall health, the best way to absorb vitamin C for a healthier skin is to apply it directly. So... Lo and behold! Kiehl’s intelligent chemists have finally worked a formula to come up with a serum that contains the highest level of concentrated vitamin C to offer benefits to the skin’s appearance. It is powerful yet gentle enough that it does not irritate the skin.
Feed your skin pure vitamin C! Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate has been a popular product since it was launched in 2005. THIS is why - It contains 10.5% pure, stabilized vitamin C which helps improve not only the look of fine lines and wrinkles but to address skin texture and radiance as well.
I’ve been using this product every morning and night diligently for more than a month now and I'm pleased to see some improvement on some “expression lines”! You know those facial lines that just don’t go away even when you’ve stopped laughing or frowning? There's a solution to that, and it's not fillers!
My daily morning skincare regime: Vitamin C concentrate!
To use this product more effectively, you’re meant to firstly squeeze about 1 to 2 pumps on your palm, gently rub your palms together then dab it all over your face and allowing it to fully absorb before putting on your moisturizer. This product is highly concentrated so you may feel a temporary warm, tingling sensation when the vitamin C reacts to your skin. I like to tell myself that’s when the vitamin C is working its magic 
Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, the warm sensation goes away very quickly.
I like that it comes in a small 50ml pump bottle as it fits perfectly in my travel toiletry bag. The twist lock on the bottle pump also gives you assurance that not a drip would spill.
The vitamin C concentrate does not replace my daily moisturizer though! To compliment the Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, I also use Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective White Hydrating Moisture Emulsion. This gentle moisturizer was tested and developed for Asian skin to intensively correct uneven skin tone and improve skin clarity.
Wear a daily moisturizer to keep skin hydrated and happy!
After a refreshing shower and my morning skin care regime, I start the day with a hearty breakfast and a warm cup of green tea to kickstart my metabolism.
Don’t make excuses such as you’re always in a rush in the morning! A whey protein shake takes 2 minutes to make and helps to boost your metabolism by 25%. You’re making the wrong assumptions thinking you’re saving calories by skipping breakfast. Skinny people eat breakfast! (That may not be true, but I like to use that as a motivator.) My favorite breakfast meal is oats topped with fresh blueberries and crunchy muesli. I look forward to it every morning!
I’ve taken up a personal training course under FIT Malaysia to prepare myself for the ACE exam. Yes, I am training to be an ACE-certified Personal Trainer! About time, you say? ☺
I like to pack my own meals before class in the morning or at night before I go bed. If you’re seriously trying to shed some fat, preparing your own meal is a great way to keep your calorie intake and food proportions in check. Instead of settling for hawker/fast good, you stick to what you know is good for your body.
All these dishes take less than 20 minutes to prepare!
My favorite time to workout is after breakfast/before lunch (anytime between 9am-2pm). I like an outdoor run in the park at least once a week, otherwise I hit the Interval Training Program on the treadmill or elliptical machine.
To switch things up, I also do other forms of cardio workout such as spinning class, Muay Thai or High-Intensity interval training (HIIT). Check out an example of a HIIT workout here.
Training at X-studio in Brickfields.
Question of the day: What’s the best ab exercise? Hanging leg raises!
Staying in shape naturally makes you feel more confident of your body. I love modeling not only as part of a job, but I also appreciate and admire a photographer’s work. Always had an interest in photography!
I like to be behind the camera too sometimes!
Check out some of my work.
Men’s Health Singapore: August 2012 issue
2 years in KL flew by so quickly and I didn’t realize how rapidly Singapore is changing! However, It's always nice to be back and I’m just waiting for the right opportunity to return permanently again. So many countries to explore, I'm not settling anywhere just yet. Meanwhile, I'm so blessed because KL's been awesome! I've made quality friends and am pursuing what I've always wanted to do. Couldn't be more grateful.
Now back to my daily skincare regime, I make it a point to remove any make-up and cleanse my face before bed. I don’t know how Lady Gaga does it but sleeping with make-up on clogs the pores of your skin, which may lead to breakouts! For healthy skin, best make sure your skin is clean and moisturized before hitting the hay.
After cleansing and applying the PSLR, my nighttime skincare regime consists of the Midnight Recovery Concentrate and the Midnight Recovery Eye Cream.
Applying the Midnight Recovery Concentrate is pretty much like the PSLR. Squeeze 2 drops on your palm, gently rub both palms together then lightly dab your palms, covering all areas of your face. This miracle worker contains natural oils such as evening primrose oil and essential oils including lavender, which gives your skin an instant moisture boost! The scent of lavender helps you to relax so you can be ready for bed. Make sure you aim for 6 to 8 hours of restful sleep to let the Midnight Recovery work its magic. Say goodnight to tired-looking skin and wake up to hydration and freshness!
Feel The Powerful Strength Of C!
The more I think about it, the more it seems true: A lot of good things start with the letter C - carrot, cheese, cakes, cherries, candy, caramel, chips, corn, chili, calamari, chamomile, coffee, change, cats, Christmas, career... I could go on but I'll save the silly jokes for next time 
. Above all, the most important C that you need in your life is VITAMIN C!
I've been a genuine fan of Kiehl's since Charles introduced it to me 3 years ago. Most (if not all) of his bath and skincare products are from Kiehl's. Curious to find out if his favorite brand would work on me too, I did a quick skin analysis at the store and got a few samples to try at home. My first love was the Ultra Facial Oil-Free cleanser. It was perfect for my skin type and didn't leave my skin feeling tight after cleansing (if your skin feels taut after cleansing, it is likely that the product you're using is too dry for your skin).
Have you taken your vitamins today?
My birthday last month reminded me that maybe it was time to look for a skincare product for mature skin. Every woman wants to maintain firm, youthful skin. I'll admit to getting fillers for my laugh lines last year, but I was never a fan of needles so I'm hesitant to go back. Excessive sun exposure, free radicals and aging naturally slows down collagen synthesis which causes skin to sag and wrinkle.
Taking Vitamin C tablets is great for overall health and beneficial for your hair and skin. It helps create scar tissue and ligaments, and it helps your skin repair itself. Lack of vitamins will eventually slow down hair growth, cause thinning hair and make your hair look dull and easily broken.
Taming this medium-length hair is far more manageable than the Rapunzel hair I once had
For skin concerns specifically , the most effective way to absorb Vitamin C is to apply it directly on the skin. I've just discovered that Kiehl's formulated a gentle serum that contains the highest level of Vitamin C to offer benefits to the skin’s appearance without irritation. Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate contains a powerful and potent level of pure, stabilized 10.5% Vitamin C! That's great news for your skin!
Bear in mind that you are still recommended to wear sunscreen on your face (yes, even if you love to tan), especially if you spend a lot of time under the sun. Even with the help of Vitamin C, the sun's harmful UV rays can cause undesirable damage to the skin.
Feel the power of C on your skin! This potent treatment serum formulated with a high concentration of pure vitamin C (10.5%), known for its powerful ability to improve the appearance of aging, significantly reduces marionette lines around the mouth, crow's-feet and sub-orbital wrinkles with continued use.
This product is said to be Kiehl’s #1 best-selling product in the U.S., China, Italy, and Singapore - which makes it very promising, I can't wait to see if the same miracle works on me!
Will try with this C-rum and give you all an update in a few days.
Motivation To Keep Fit With Pure Beauty
Advertorial
So you’ve made the commitment to be healthy and have actively started working out – how do you stay motivated?
Well it’s time to BANISH all excuses and FOCUS on the things that will get you to the gym and make you wanna sweat! The secret to staying on track with your goal is not just about being motivated, but to be INTRINSICALLY MOTIVATED.
When you’re intrinsically motivated, you are self-motivated to being physically active because you truly enjoy it. An extrinsically motivated person would work out even when they have no desire to just because they want the reward; i.e. to lose weight, look good or to please a significant other (a combination of all the above is probably the most rewarding for some). Sound familiar?
Now, working out for rewards is totally effective for short-term goals but that’s not enough to keep you motivated in the long run!
It’s just like difference interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you only do it when circumstances permit. When you're committed to something, you give no excuses, only results.
My inner motivation is that fresh feeling of rejuvenation after a workout. More sweat now means less jiggle later. See, good habits are as addictive as bad habits, only a lot more rewarding! Gaining confidence is definitely one of it.
You don’t need to be confident to begin exercise; you just need to want confidence
And what do I know about confidence? Confidence comes from overcoming challenges. So start with the first step – whether it's jogging, running, cycling or lifting weights. Challenge yourself to find what makes you sweat the most. You don’t need to be confident to begin exercise; you just need to want confidence 
Speaking of confidence, I just got to know about a skincare line from Korea called Pure Beauty. The Pomegranate Antioxidant Skincare range definitely appealed to me when I first heard about it because it is specifically tailored for Asian skin. Using mostly pomegranate extract, a fruit that contains high levels of Vitamin C, the quality of the Pomegranate Antioxidant Skincare range is ideal for brightening, firming, anti-aging, energizing and soften the skin.
From left to right: Pomegranate Antioxidant Facial Mask, Treatment Essence, 2-in-1 Foam Cleanser, Toner, Eye Cream and Eye Mask.
I got a few items from the skincare range to try out. Thanks Pure Beauty!
So now, time for a beauty review!
Wake up to brighter eyes!
I tried the Pomegranate Antioxidant Eye Mask for the first time in the morning and I was pleased with the outcome! The cooling eye mask helped to reduce puffiness and turned out to be instant pick-me-up. So refreshing!
To fully benefit from using the Eye Mask, try the Pomegranate Antioxidant Eye Cream. Its soothing properties consist of nourishing natural ingredients that works to hydrate and invigorate the eye area while helping to reduce dark circles and puffiness.
Use this daily at night!
There’s also the Pomegranate Antioxidate Facial Mask. I love it because you can wear in the morning to feel refreshed, or in the evening to wind down.
This facial mask fully covers your eyes too! Make sure to remove your eye make-up before
What makes this 2-in-1 Foam Cleanser a winning product is that it cleans and also doubles up as a mask. It contains a natural complex of fruit and herbal extracts that gently de-stresses skin, unclogs pores and detoxifies to leave skin energized and refreshed.
Use it as a cleanser, or wear it as a mask (for approx. 5 minutes) to unclog pores and reveal a cleaner skin!
To close the pores and keep skin healthy and conditioned, use a toner.
The Pomegranate Antioxidant Toner is made with natural herbal complex that blends with pomegranate oil with oriental herb extracts. Your skin will benefit from its superb anti-oxidizing capabilities that purify skin and reverse signs of aging and fatigue.
Makes your skin feel baby soft!
Reveal a more radiant and supple youthful skin with the Pomegranate Antioxidant Essence. This one comes in a small 30ml bottle but you’ll only need a small amount to feel the difference on your skin. Skin feels soft and velvety. It is made from mulberry root, rice, green tea and pomegranate oil to help your skin cells regenerate faster while detoxifying and reversing the signs of aging.
STAND A CHANCE TO WIN A PURE BEAUTY TRIAL PACK!
I have 3 Pomegranate Antioxidant Skincare Gift Sets to giveaway by 31 July 2012! All you have to do is list 5 Motivating Factors on why you like to keep fit! The 3 most creative list wins. Send your answers directly to my mailbox fh@withlovefay.com
Good luck!
The Pomegranate Antioxidant Skincare Gift Set includes 1 Facial Toner, 2-in-1 Foam Cleanser and Night Cream.
For more information on the products, visit www.facebook.com/purebeautymalaysia
Starting Clean With Biore Cleansing Oil Cotton Sheets
You would all know how I make fitness an integral part of my daily lifestyle. Cultivating a regular exercise regime allows me to maintain a radiant and clear complexion which all girls seek for. For myself, I always go the extra mile to take care of my skin.
Whenever I’ve plans to hit the gym, I make it a point to remove all my makeup. This is a especially crucial step when you know you’re going to be working up a sweat. All that pore clogging foundation simply can't be good for your skin while you're sweating it out. When your ring of eyeliner smudges, all I can say is that panda eyes are not normally a look you’d want to sport at the gym!
I keep it simple with lightly drawn brows and lip stain. Keep the rest of your face make-up free. However, if you must use eyeliner, skip the pencil and line your lower lash line with dark eye shadow instead to avoid smudging.
You’ll be getting that natural flush while working up a sweat, so you can pass on the blusher.
I used to travel around with not one, but TWO bottles of make-up remover -- one for the face and another specifically just for removing waterproof make-up. They are definitely a hassle to lug around but we often don’t wash our face thoroughly enough to remove all the make-up. I simply can’t take any chances with my skin.
Today I’ve found a handy product that saves me from that dreaded makeup removal routine.
Kick out the troublesome steps now!
Introducing Biore’s Cleansing Oil Cotton Sheets!
As a daily skincare regime, I use Biore’s Cleansing Oil Cotton Sheets for my skin to look at its best. Whether is it prior to hitting the gym, post workout or after a long day of being out and about, it never fails to thoroughly rid my face free of make-up or dirt. These sheets are gentle on my skin and did you know it’s totally alcohol-free? This makes it suitable for almost all skin types.
I usually pack light for the gym, as I prefer to change and shower back at home. My gym essentials are: A fitness magazine, daily workout plan, gym gloves, towel, music, eyedrops, hand sanitizer, body mist, hair tie and of course, Biore’s 10-sheet handy pack to help me freshen up before and after my workout.
For those who actively work out like me, you’d be glad to know these sheets definitely come in handy. Here’s how I removed my make-up in just 3 easy steps with Biore Cleansing Oil Cotton Sheets.
Step 1: Place the cotton sheet firmly over your eye
Step 2: Hold for 5 seconds (let it do its magic!)
Step 3: Wipe swiftly!
Each cotton sheet is plentifully soaked with smooth cleansing oil, which dissolves even the toughest of makeup. Upon removal, I realized the skin around my delicate eye area felt soft and supple. It’s probably because these sheets also contain moisturizing agents, which basically fulfilled double beauty duties for me. Finally I can spare my precious peepers from all that tugging and rubbing.
You can see how effectively it removes the make-up without leaving a single smudge. Kudos to Biore!
After removing my eye make-up, I used another sheet to clean the rest of my face. You’ll need at least 2 sheets to thoroughly remove all your make-up; depending on how heavy it is.
All set for the gym now!
This is what I personally like about it:
1) The 10-sheet pack is convenient to carry around. It’s light and fits right in your pocket. Perfect for traveling or when you’re on the go.
2) The refillable, 48-sheet pack comes in a cute, pink container which helps to keep the cotton sheets moist, down till the very last piece!
3) The sheets double as a face freshener especially after working out. Helps to remove existing dirt and sebum to prevent clogged pores.
4) The smooth cleansing oil thoroughly removes waterproof mascara and facial makeup without leaving a greasy film on your skin
Biore cotton facial sheets have sold over 3.6 million packets in Japan in 1 year alone, which explains why Biore is the No.1 make-up remover in Japan and Singapore!
It comes in 3 sizes, including the 10-sheet handy pack that is light and convenient to bring to the gym or anywhere you go.
A must-have in every girl’s gym bag!
Very Effective Anti-Cellulite Massage at Face Factors Clinic
To be honest, I've never really been a huge spa or massage fanatic. I much prefer doing DIY facials at home and chiropracty if I needed a full-body rejuvenation. Some people freak out at the thought of getting someone to crack your back and neck but there's more to chiropracty than just that.
But hey, if it isn't your thing, there's always a less expensive and a more conventional way to revitalize your body.
There are several benefits to getting a massage. Besides being one of the nicest ways to pamper yourself, it helps to improve blood circulation, promotes total relaxation and stress reduction.
The body has the tendency to get so worked up from all the exercising and dieting that it can forget to relax, just as you forget to relax. Massage is beneficial for this reason because it allows the body to just chill out for a while and try to recover.
Face Factors is a premier aesthetic and wellness clinic located at Solaris Dutamas. The clinic offers a complete range of services ranging from advanced aesthetic and anti-aging solutions, unique body treatments and hand and nail therapies.
I was a little sore from a recent leg workout so I signed up for a massage to aid with muscle recovery.
The massage room doubles up as a waxing room which explains why it doesn't look like your regular Balinese-style massage spa. The bed is covered by a while plastic sheet with a sauna blanket bag underneath. This will be used as part of the massage later on. The sauna blanket wrap emits heat throughout your whole body which helps you to sweat and reduce water retention. It also helps to promote blood circulation, resulting in a more effective muscle recovery when combined with massage.
The Lymphatic Drainage Body Contouring Massage is a powerful deep cleansing treatment that will counteract the strains and stresses caused by the environment in the urban life. The treatment helps to detoxify the body by opening the routes of elimination which cleanses toxic accumulations, stimulates vital immune defenses and noticeably reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Does massaging get rid of cellulite?
On its own, massage will not remove cellulite, but is a great way to improve circulation, and with improved circulation excess fluid can move more easily out of the tissue, and proper cell functioning is improved. Massage also assists in temporarily reducing the skin dimpling appearance caused by cellulite.
It is responsible for flushing out toxins, waste, dead blood cells and excessive fluid among other functions involving the body’s drainage system – thus leaving you with beautifully defined silhouettes.
The sauna blanket wrap was a little uncomfortable (it lasted 30 minutes) but it's far more bearable than the massage that comes after it. The Lymphatic Drainage Contouring Massage reminded me of how achy my muscles were and it wasn't quite as relaxing as I thought it would be. But my 2 massage therapists assured that the massage will visibly the reduce cellulite on the back of my upper thighs - a common area for most women, so I endured the pain and just went with it.
The 90-minute sauna blanket wrap + massage session left me leaving a little dehydrated at the end hence it is important that you drink plenty of fluids to avoid water retention. The next day, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the appearance of cellulite on the back of my upper thighs is almost diminished. A daily massage with your favorite body moisturizer should help to reduce the appearance of cellulite even further. I would definitely consider going back once every twice a week!
Face Factors Clinic
D3-G4-2, No.1, Solaris Dutamas
Jalan Dutamas, Sri Hartamas
50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +603 6205 3508
For All Your Hair Questions…
I decided to go for a hair relaxing treatment because I was getting a little bored of my long, wavy tresses. I spend way too much time styling my hair (blow-drying + tong) when I have to go out so I wanted a fuss-free hairstyle that's manageable and easy to style when I'm on the go.
Rebonding wasn't an option because my hair is naturally wavy so I was afraid it might end up looking 'puffy' and unnatural when it grows out it. Hair relaxing treatment could last between 3-6 months, you're advised not to wash your hair for 2 days and have it up as a ponytail for a week. Conditioning your hair with a hair mask at least 3 times a week is also recommended so it doesn't dry out or become frizzy.
The treatment took about 2½ hours...
Gotta love the free wi-fi at Essensuals Bugis! It can get pretty boring at the salon sometimes while you're getting your hair done...
Before & after a little hair trim and blow-dry.
My stylist, Yan, and I. I love her Rihanna inspired hair color but the only downer is that she doesn't get to swim in the pool, otherwise her hair might turn green!
Special promo packages available for 1st time customers:
$50 (usual price $95) - Haircut, blow-dry & treatment
$139 (usual price $225) - Haircut, color & treatment
$199 (usual price $320) - Haircut & perm (plus free product or treatment)
$219 (usual price $355) - Haircut, rebonding & treatment
For a quick fix, try the $40 Macadamia Oil Treatment + blow-dry including free consultation with the Essensuals Bugis professional stylists.
If it is your first time, mention how and where you heard about the promo (...my name and my blog of course!)
Essensuals Bugis is located at 241A Victoria Street on Bugis Village. It's walking distance from the MRT station and just above Burger King. To make an appointment, call +65 6333 0039
* * * * *
Hair products I use...
THE SLOANE CLINIC REVIEW: Finally Getting Rid Of My Dark Under-Eye Circles
The Sloane Clinic™ opened its first branch in KL recently and Dr. Low Chai Ling (founder and Medical Director of The Sloane Clinic) made a special visit from Singapore to give a special treat to 4 lucky bloggers including myself!
The Sloane Clinic focuses on all aspects of aesthetics, from cosmetic dermatology (including botox and laser treatments) to plastic surgery. It opened it's first clinic in Singapore in 2006, with 4 other branches (including the newly opened branch in Malaysia) following its success.
From left to right: Dr. Teh Siew Yen, Katherine Ng, Brigette Liberty, myself, Helenness Chong and Dr. Low Chai Ling
Dr. Teh Siew Yen is based in KL and she's your go-to person who will most likely have all the answers to your beauty concerns.
Consultation with Dr Teh Siew Yen
Personally, I don't have any problems with my skin. However, due to work, stress and the inevitable effects of aging, the dark circle under my eyes and laugh lines have become more prominent and it seems no amount of concealer or anti-aging cream has helped. I would never have considered getting fillers to improve the problem until it was recommended by Dr. Teh.
Truth be told, I AM afraid of needles and I've only done a facial spa once in my whole life. So yes, getting this treatment done was quite a big deal to me! I also considered getting botox in the beginning but I didn't do it because 1) I was afraid of the pain 2) maintenance isn't cheap.
The major difference between botox and fillers is that botox focuses on immobilizing or relaxing the facial muscles to relieve wrinkles, whereas injectable fillers focus on tissue filling to teat the age lines.
If wrinkles appear upon frowning, smiling, laughing, blinking or squinting, botox treatment is recommended. If wrinkles are present even when the face is at rest, fillers are the best treatments to smoothen out the age lines.
Think about it: If you're going to spend money on the best anti-aging products that will probably take weeks or even months to show any results, why not spend your dollars wisely on a more effective treatment that will deliver immediate results?
There is no doubt that many would debate with on this matter but not a lot of them realize that cosmetic dermatology is more common these days, not just with Hollywood celebs, but among us. The reason for not knowing is simply because they don't openly talk about it.
Before & After results of laser toning and filler injections
I was very impressed by the results and there was barely any discomfort during the procedure. Besides fillers for my under-eye and laugh lines, I also did the laser toning treatment which helped to even out the skin tone and minimize pores. The results? Like I've taken at least 4 years off of my face... Amazing!
Preparing the skin before the treatment. Firstly by removing make-up and cleansing the skin.
Laser toning (RM1000)
Laser toning: Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, this no downtime laser does not leave your skin red or flushed after the treatment and is great as a lunch time beauty fix to tone your skin, and minimize pores. The treatment was done by Dr. Low. As I have a tanned complexion, my skin absorbed the heat more than it is likely to happen to those with a fair complexion. Hence, my face was left a little red but not for long.
The whole procedure took about 10-15 minutes. It was a little painful (almost like getting slapped in the face...) but Dr. Low was very comforting and handled it well. Next, fillers.
Revitalift undereye (RM1800)
Revitalift undereye: This skin brightening treatment is delivered via a series of painless microinjections. It boosts your skin’s collagen, illuminating skin and undereye circles. It can be done on the full face or on the undereye area as you have done. This treatment was handled by Dr.Teh with assistance from her nurse.
First they used frozen peas in a bag to numb the area under my eyes. A small needle is used to inject the fillers under the eyes while a small handheld vibrating device is placed on my chin to minimize pain during the injection. After the laser toning, this one didn't hurt at all. Surprisingly, I personally felt that getting the injections was far more bearable than the laser treatment!
The best part is, I made a comparison after getting fillers on one side of my under-eye and could clearly see the major difference! The same procedure was done for my laugh lines too.
These filler injections left pin pricks that are so tiny that they will close rapidly and healed very quickly. It was also concealable with make-up.
Should you feel like you need to do a bit of touch-up before you go, there's a powder room where they provide make-up from Model & Co., Sloane Inc. Mineral Make-Up (yes, they have their own cosmetics line too) and Rachel K Cosmetics.
You can continue to do your daily facial regimen with no reactions to the laser toning and filler injections. However, good skin care is advised to maintain the results.
Sloane Inc’s Miracle lift (RM400): A non-oily facial lifting serum that helps improve skin tone and boost firmness so that your skin looks gorgeous even sans makeup.
Sloane Inc’s 24K gold (RM316): A glow inducing skin primer. You can literally see the gold flakes when you pump this liquid gel on the palm of your hands! It helps enhance skin’s elasticity, firmness & smoothness. By improving circulation & decreasing skin inflammation pure gold helps to rejuvenate the skin from inside out, boosting skin’s natural radiance & luminescence.
Personally I only use the Miracle Lift at night before I go to bed (after putting on toner, followed by a moisturizer) and the 24K Gold Skin Primer to prep my skin before I put on my foundation and make-up during the day.
Truly satisfied customers after receiving our treatments of course, we have Dr. Teh and Dr. Low to thank for a wonderful job!
The Sloane Clinic
79 Jalan Maarof, Bangsar
Tel: (603) 2288 1788
Open on Monday to Saturday from 10am - 8pm. Closed on Sundays & Public holidays.
To see a list of other treatments provided at The Sloane Clinic, check out http://www.sloaneclinic.com/
(hat tip: Andy Kho for the photos)
BOMBSHELL Hair… Thanks To Essensuals Bugis
Review
Finally managed to get my hair done when I was back in Singapore last weekend! Bryan (standing on my right) is an old friend of mine, we met sometime back in 2006 when he used to work for Toni & Guy. He's tried a lot of funky hairstyles on me - back when I was really 'adventurous' with my hair. He's bleached it, dyed it blond, then red, and even given me a mo-hawk before. Yup, those were my crazy days.
I wished I had those photos to share with u (actually, no, not really...) but it's buried somewhere in an external hard drive I left at my parents' house in Singapore. Anyway, Bryan didn't do my hair this time (phew! Just kiddin', Bryan.) but he left me in the good hands of Ginna, my stylist for the day...
Ginna did a fantastic job with my hair, so it looks like I'll be coming back to her on my next appointment!
Essensuals Bugis opened last year in May 2010. Bryan specifically hand-picked his team of stylists, mostly from Toni & Guy, who are confident, creative and passionate about hairstyling to ensure that Essensuals Bugis will provide a unique hairdressing and urban lifestyle experience for all their clients.
The concept of the salon is raw, edgy and much like a modern penthouse or apartment. If you're accompanied by a friend or your boyfriend, don't need to worry about keeping them entertained because the salon itself has a 'living room' that comes with a flat screen TV, decked with a Playstation 3!
Or, they could simply lounge around on the comfortable sofa and read the countless magazines provided on the coffee table. I was just glad they had a wireless connection...
I picked a natural, dark color for my hair so it's easier to maintain... It's the usual routine - 1. Pick hair color > 2. Apply hair color and wait > 3. Rinse > 4. The final step, blow-dry.
Check out the before and after!
Meanwhile, as you can see, the rest of the stylists are busy with other clients, including Bryan.
I'm not the first blogger to have been there. Look at this wall of fame of all the other Singaporean bloggers who have had their hair done at Essensuals Bugis!
My stylist, Ginna, and I after her wonderful job with my hair. Thanks Ginna!
Current Promos:
$50 (U.P. $95) - includes a haircut + blow-dry + treatment
$109 (U.P. $225) - includes a haircut + colour + treatment
$199 (U.P. $320) - includes a haircut + perm + free product OR treatment
$209 (U.P. $355) - includes a haircut + rebonding + treatment
If you're poppin' by and need a quickfix, get the Macadamia Oil Treatment + blow-dry (including free consultation with the professional stylists) for only $30.
Spend $80 and above and stand a chance to win a Grand Makeover Prize each worth $1000!
The Grand Makeover Prize (x5) includes:
Cut + color + treatment by Essensuals Bugis
Clothes by Velvet Vase
Manicure by shirleynails.com
Hair products by Sebastian Professional
Photoshoot by professional photographer, Ivan Foo
Also stand a chance to win a Mini-Makeover Prize worth $550 (10 lucky winners only) or a Pamper Yourself Prize worth $150 (20 lucky winners only) - just spend $80 and above and your luck increases!
This promotion has been extended and will end on May 31st 2011.
* * * * *
Essensuals Bugis is located at 241A Victoria Street, Bugis Village (right above Burger King) (Singapore).
Call 6333 0039 to make your appointment now, if you want to wake up to sexy, healthy hair!
Chasing the sun across the globe, starting from Singapore to California, Florida, and now Kuala Lumpur.
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