TriSwim Body Wash - Designed for Spoiled Expats Like Me, Spending Too Much Time in Infinity Pools & Turquoise Seas

One of the luxuries of living in the tropics is the fact that most of us have (direct access to) a swimming pool. The downside of increased exposure to pool water are the negative effects that water and chlorine have on the condition of our skin and hair. I’m therefore testing whether a shower gel that is especially designed to wash-off chlorine and sea water works or is just a marketing trick...

Christmas 2016 Limited Editions – The Musthaves

When you are hitting the malls these days for Christmas gift-shopping, don’t forget to treat yourself as well with one of these lovely Limited Editions for the Holidays to look at your best this Christmas!

Oi mates, I'm off to Australia!

Lashes in the Lush will be back end of November!

"Silky Hair So Long” with Pro Salon Steam Hair Pack Bling Bling

More than ever, my hair seems in need of some intensive hair pampering. I wanted to try something different than a standard crème mask from a tube or jar and chose for a “Pro Salon Steam Hair Pack Bling Bling” instead, a hair covering product-infused cap that reminds me of a shower cap. 

A Shiny Face in The Tropics: How, Why and Goodbye

Apart from frizzy hair, one of the main beauty complaints I often hear is that tropical heat and humidity makes our faces feel oilier and appear shinier than usual. This is an unfortunate fact, but what causes the excess shine, and –more importantly- what can we do to prevent ourselves from shining from the outside instead of from within?

Absolutely Hooked: 3CE Liquid Lip Color

Whereas the focus within Korean cosmetics is largely on its famous skincare, we must surely not forget about Korean makeup, in particular Korean lip products. These are equally as innovative as the beauty nation’s skincare and got me, not particularly fond of lip products in general, hooked. I picked up 3CE’s Liquid Lip Color when I was in Seoul, but fortunately the product is available throughout Asia and even in Europe and the US through 3CE’s webshop. Which is good, because I don’t think I will be ever able to live without this product again…

A Korean/Japanese Lip Mask not just for Lips...

This is one of the many products that I picked up during my trip to Japan and South Korea last month. It seems that in Asia, there's a mask for everything, so a mask for lips isn't that big of a shock. I did however have to look twice when the back of the product indicated this mask can also be used for body parts that rarely see the day light...

Japan, Korea, Bali...here I come!!!

More Quirky Cuteness:Tony Moly Product Reviews Part II

With my trip to Seoul coming closer, I'm testing the Tony Moly products that I have stocked up the past months, a result of going nuts in the Tony Moly store in Singapore's Bugis too many times and serious beauty hoarding during shopping sprees in Kuala Lumpur. Seoul being Asia's beauty heaven, I expect to at least double my luggage weight with awesome new stuff from this Korean brand when I'll be visiting Seoul mid September. But first things first - this time: "Magic Food" Banana Hand Milk, "Kiss Lover" Lip Click Styling Color and "Pocket Bunny" Moist Mist...

Too Cute, So Asian & Such Good Quality: Tony Moly Product Reviews Part I

Tony Moly – I’m addicted to all quirky products of this super cool Korean Brand. Wherever in Asia I find a Tony Moly store -there’s only one in Singapore at Bugis Junction- I stock up seriously on all kinds of their products. With an ever growing collection of Tony Moly makeup and skincare at home that I haven’t tried yet and a trip to Seoul (Korean Cosmetics Heaven – Tony Moly here I come!!!) ahead of me in September it’s time to finally put some products to the test, so that I have a good excuse to double my luggage weight with new stuff when I’ll be visiting Seoul. 

Boost the "welcome (back) home in Singapore" feeling with these amazing scented candles

Welcome home in Singapore! Whether you have returned to Singapore from a long summer with friends and family at home in Europe/The US/Australia or whether you just arrived to start a new adventure in Singapore (judging from the amount of containers that I recently spotted in the suburban streets, there’s a lot of new expats arriving!), these amazing scented candles will definitely help you feel home (again) in lovely South East Asia. 

Tropical and Oriental Scented Shower Gels Emphasizing the Asian Paradise around me

I love embracing my surroundings with these tropical and oriental scented shower gels that emphasize the extraordinary Asian paradise that forms the decor of my daily life here in Singapore! 

Feeling Absolutely Reborn with Traditional Chinese Magic Mushrooms: Soo Beaute's Oriental Herbal Essence "Ganoderma-Ginseng Mask"

What’s that strange, knobly brown fungus that is displayed on all kinds of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pills, powders and beauty products, that was traditionally considered to be among the most valuable possessions a new bride could bring into a marriage in ancient China? Personally I think it looks like some sort of alien brains, but nevertheless I put this TCM allstar to the test with Soo Beaute’s Oriental Herbal Essence “Ganoderma-Ginseng Mask”.

Forget the Merlion Key Chains & Nonya Kaya: Cool Asian Beauty Gifts to Bring Back Home during Summer Holidays

Almost summer holidays, meaning a massive migration amongst expats in Singapore that are going home to Europe, the US, Australia or elsewhere outside of Asia. Anticipating on this migration, I find myself picking up increasing amounts of local gifts to bring back home for friends and family. During past visits I already brought back silk kimono’s, chopsticks, all kinds of merchandise with “Can Lah” and local delicacies such as Nonya Kaya. This time I decided to delight the people at home with something more inspiring than another Merlion keychain or Orchid fridge magnet, and -more importantly- stuff that I love myself: Asian Beauty Products. Anything from kawaii cute to Chinese Traditional Medicine weird (from a Western point of view, that is) – find out below what I will bring back home this year!

Attempts to Weekend Pampering with Skinlite Cooling Cucumber Pads

Slices of cucumber to soothe the skin around your eyes are a true beauty classic - the only disadvantage is that you need to lie down dead still to keep the slippery slices from sliding off your face. In line with Asia’s sheet masks obsession, I came across some Cooling Cucumber Pads with the same benefits for your skin as the real ones but without the mess I suspect... 

Lip Markers:the Fresher Alternative to Lipstick

Do these flashy markers belong in my makeup bag or in my pencil case with the other colour pencils and crayons?! Lip markers are a type of lip stain and proof to be a fresh alternative to lipstick or lip gloss, which can feel heavy and sticky or like it is literally melting off your face in the Singapore sun. Long-wearing, smudge-proof and fun to use…

The Asian Pore Obsession & Activated Charcoal, The Beauty Ingredient Of The Moment

In Asian skincare, an entire segment of ‘pore care’ exists that cleans and unclogs pores from dirt and/or visibly reduces the size of pores. I must say that neither I have been especially aware of my own pores or their size, nor did I devote any time to my pores specifically in my beauty routine. Asians however seem to have a pore-fixation and as invisible pores are the beauty norm, I recently became pore-conscious out of curiosity to this specific skincare segment.

Moisturizing & Anti-Aging Day Creams with SPF

Whereas skincare with an SPF is largely used and loved in Europe and the US, this type of product seems to be harder to find in Asia. In South East Asia, a combination of stronger sun and a deep-rooted fear of sun tan drives local ladies to use a dedicated sun block with a minimum of SPF50 as a part of their daily face care routine, that generally comprises a time-consuming amount of steps anyway. For those who prefer time-saving solutions and/or dislike sun blocks, luckily some non-whitening face care with SPF is available to protect our skin from Singapore's blistering hot sun.

The Ultimate Expat Beauty Issue in the Tropics: Frizzy Hair

Frizzy hair - I know we’re talking first world problems here and there are definitely worse things than an unruly bush of hay on your head. Nevertheless, it’s the most cited beauty problem I hear from fellow expats around me: unmanageable, damaged and frizzy hair due to the humid climate and overexposure to sun and aircon. Luckily there are things we can do to revive our tortured tresses...

Coming to Asia: Happy Skincare from MOOD Natural Barcelona

Last month I visited the 20th edition of Beauty Asia 2016, a trade exhibition showcasing the latest beauty and wellness products from across the globe. Lots of Japanese and Korean brands were present, presenting the latest technologies and ingredients amongst which ofcourse -yup- many horse fat and sheep placenta was to be found. Although these brands were by far the largest category present, the biggest surprise to me was a brand from Barcelona introducing its products to the Asian market for the first time: Mood Natural Barcelona.

New or Not, it's a Must-Have: Bioré UV Perfect Spray SPF50 / PA++++

I love NEW cosmetics & skincare. To me, a product that screams "New" on its packaging or in its advertising implies groundbreaking product features that promise the ultimate thrill to a beauty junkie: an earth-shaking experience with jaw-dropping results, the only thoughts that come to an extatic mind being "why didn't they invent this earlier??!" and "OMG my life will be so much better now".

Skinia "Some Lip Tattoo" Lip Stain Colour: "Did you do fillers..?!"

I love coloured lips but hate it when I 'feel' and/or 'taste' a lipstick or gloss on my lips. As a self-declared fashion and cosmetics victim I'm prepared to endure a lot, but this is something I cannot get used to. Even lip products that are supposedly light weight or 'invisible' (or at least marketed as such) are already too much for me. Fortunately there is a category of lip products flourishing in Asia with products that colour the lips without leaving any product behind: Lip Inks, Stains and Tints. My favourite: a Lip Tattoo...

About How Water Dries Out Your Skin & My Favourite Body Lotion

Water has amazing skin benefits – that is, internally. Externally the opposite applies, as water strips our skin from its natural oils causing dryness. In an environment like the tropics in which your skin’s exposure to water typically increases (more frequent showers, the luxury of a swimming pool at hand), necessary measures need to be taken and a good moisturizing body lotion is key to keep your skin in good condition. My favourite of the moment: Sukin Hydrating Body Lotion. Apart from doing what it should do (restoring the skin’s moisture balance) in a very substantial way and with a pleasant scent, it “doesn’t cost the earth” as the product is carbon neutral. Win-win!

Asian Ingredients Discovered: Horse Oil

Of all Asian Ingredients that I am putting to the test, this is the ingredient I dread most to try: Horse Oil. The name itself already makes me shiver - suddenly Bird’s Nest and Pig Placenta don’t seem so bad anymore... 

Sunscreen in your Makeup Routine – Favourite sunblocks that don’t feel thick and sticky

We all know the sun is strong in the tropics - did you know the UV Index scale goes from 1 to 11+, and that the sun in Singapore reaches a UV level of 13 (!!!) on a daily basis?! Meaning that we basically fall off the UV scale. We also know we SHOULD wear a sunblock. But the prejudice about sunblock is still that these types of products are sticky, chalky and make your skin feel oily. And unfortunately a lot of them are - but thankfully not all. There are great products around to include in your daily beauty routine, whether this is to layer the sunblock under a heavy layer of makeup or au naturel. This article starts with some 'Sun 101' knowledge to continue with 'Suncare 101', to arrive at the Grande Finale of the best sunblocks available. 

Added to Lashes in the Lush: Salon Tips!

As I am in serious need of a haircut (and highlights and a keratin treatment and... and... and...etc) myself, I decided to speed up the process of listing Hair Salons in Singapore that I've heard others recommend. More addresses will follow asap - I will also start adding Nail Salons so stay tuned!

You can find the list including contact details and price indication in the menu of my blog under 'Salon Tips'.

For now, have a good weekend with a fab coiffe!

Popular in Asia - Bzzzzzz…Beetox! Beauty Benefits of Bee Venom

“Let’s get stung by a bee” – no one ever said. Purified bee venom in skincare however has proven to be a very popular anti-aging treatment in Korea and surrounding Asian countries for years now. In Western cosmetics, the buzz around this bizarre-sounding substance started with the wedding day of Kate Middleton...

New Skincare Brand in Town: Onsen Japonica's Fusion of Science, Tradition and Nature

An onsen, a Japanese natural hotspring, is as illustrative for Japanese culture as sumo, sushi and geisha are. The Japanese have been bathing in onsen for centuries because of the healing powers derived from its mineral conent. Besides several health benefits, the bathing ritual is also believed to be beneficial for our skin by soothing and rejuvenating the skin, promoting a youthful complexion. The good news is that you don't have to book a costly trip to Japan, as the amazing new skincare brand Onsen Japonica brings the beauty benefits of onsen water straight to your bathroom.

My Favourite Beauty Stores

It's already halfway January, but...new year, new you! Now, where to buy what beauty products? People often ask me where I buy my products. This seems like an easy question, but there's more to it, mainly depending on what you look for - both product and retail experience wise.