South Pacific Sun-Scorched Hands & Cuticles: Hand and Finger Masks to the Rescue!

I just returned from the most amazing trip to Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu. Lagoons, beaches and a lot of sun. Since I live in South East Asia I’ve become pretty neurotic about UV-rays and sun protection, so I always carry several different types of sun block with me in my beach bag. Before installing myself on a beach bed I meticulously treat every millimeter of my body with a spray, cream or both, but coming home healthily bronzed I realized –shock- I apparently forget to pay attention to a very important part of my body: my hands, looking bronzed but all worn-out. Time to come to the rescue with Korean KOCOSTAR's 5 Finger Nail Pack and Sephora's Argan Hand Mask.

Lip Tone Get It Tints: Indeed Incredibly Long-Lasting!

Besides BB creams, CC creams and Cushion Compacts, Lip Tints (or Stains, Inks, Tattoos even) are still one of the most prominent K-Beauty trends - and the ones I definitely love most. Time to try what is marveled upon as the strongest, most long-lasting tint ever: Lip Tone Get it Tints!

The Battle of the Liquid Eyeliners

In the almost 2 years that I’ve been living in Singapore, I’ve been blown away again and again by Asian cosmetics brands, in particular makeup and more specifically lip products and mascara. Just about everything seems to be better about makeup at this side of the ocean: innovative products, eye-catching design & packaging, amazing textures, long lasting quality and friendly prices. One product type I haven’t tried yet is liquid eyeliner, as I’ve been pretty pleased with Lancome’s Artliner for over a decade now. I’m curious though whether within this category too, Asian brands will kick my favorite Western liquid eyeliner out of my Holy Makeup Essentials Pouch. I have pouches and pouches full of makeup, but only one special pouch for the winning can't do without essentials - and spots aren't easily given away...

Not just any After-Sun Gel, Balm, Cream, Spray or Lotion will do!

For a region with such an abundance in suncare products, remarkably little variety in after-sun products seems to be available. This could be explained by the fact that most products available are sun protection products, implying that the locals’ approach of hefty sun block coating works against the horror of anything that remotely resembles a tan. Add the near-religious sun-avoidance with UV-blocking umbrella’s and visors to that and a society lacking any need for after-sun products is born. But then there’s the expats, like me, that after almost 2 years of living in Singapore still tend to forget that the sun burns hard around the equator. And that one must always use a sun block, even when it’s just for a 5 minute walk to the supermarket somewhere mid-day. Find out how to cool down sunburns quickly, how a product that is labelled ‘after-sun’ is sometimes misleading and what products to use instead for effective sunburn relieve.

Removing the most Waterproof Mascara with Japanese ‘Heroine Make’ Mascara Remover

A good waterproof mascara is key to survive the tropics looking good. Not because of the heat or humidity (smudging mascara due to the climate is an entirely different topic), but because of the many tropical rain showers that typically break loose the exact moment you walk home from the MRT after a long day of work. Or from the nail bar, in case you don’t work (just kidding). But also more pleasurable moments like a lazy poolside Sunday or –so spoiled- the fifth time you spend a weekend at the beach in Bali this year. The downside of waterproof mascara is however the difficulty to remove it without irritating your eyes or damaging your lashes. Although there are many waterproof eye makeup removers available, these typically still involve some rubbing and tend to leave the eyes oily and sticky. Japanese superhero makeup brand “Heroine Make” has a special mascara remover that promises to remover stubborn mascara without rubbing…

Blending in with the locals: Don't wash your clothes or yourself & other Chinese New Year customs

Unless you're invited by local friends, you probably won't feast on a Reunion Dinner tonight to celebrate tomorrow's arrival of the Year of the Rooster. But, "When in Rome.." as they say, it never hurts to be educated on local customs. Or at least understand why your neighbour has been wearing red lipstick for days or hasn't bathed since the New Year started. For a prosperous New Year, read (and follow if you dare) these personal care & beauty customs for Chinese New Year - Gong Xi Fa Chai!

Reviving tormented feet with InnisFree Special Care Foot Mask

A typical weekend night in Singapore: stumbling on 4-inch heels from Employees Only in Amoy Street to Clubstreet and torturing my feet even further by walking to Kilo Club in Tanjong Pagar Road. Great night - painful feet. Luckily, in Asia there's a beauty mask for everything: this Sunday, it's time to pamper my poor hoofs with a special foot mask...

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!