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Beauty and Fashion

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When it comes to the cycling shorts trend, everyone thinks that Kim Kardashian is the one who started it all. However, the fact is, Princess Diana was the one who first sported this trend. We can say that Kim took a style note from Diana. Way before the Kardashians and It Girls like Gigi Hadid and Hailey Baldwin, members of the British royal family had already started trends. Princess Diana was considered a trendsetter and when it comes to the cycling shorts trend, she was seen wearing this piece of clothing in various combinations many times. Most of the times, she completed her looks with sneakers and oversized sweatshirts.

A photo of Princess Diana wearing white cycling shorts, an oversized crewneck sweater and chunky sneakers has come to light recently, showing the public that Kim Kardashian is not actually the one who started the trend, but the one who resurfaced it.

This is the type of trend you have to love or hate because there is no in between. More and more stars have started to sport it and well-known fashion brands like Fenty have included the article in their collections. When Kim Kardashian started to wear it, no one thought that it would become a piece that everyone would talk about. However, in the last couple of months, more and more celebrities have started to sport looks that feature this piece. And no, there was no bike in sight in their pictures, therefore we have to believe that they are only wearing the shorts for fashion purposes.

But as you can imagine, this is a tricky piece to wear and style, even if celebrities make it look effortless. First, we will check the outfits celebrities have put together, and then we will offer some recommendations.

Princess Diana

The white cycling shorts outfit is not the only one she showed off when heading to yoga classes. She had a collection of bike shorts in different colours that she combined with various sweatshirts and dad sneakers. Her signature style consisted of combining the same pieces but in multiple variations. With this clothing article, she was breaking royal protocol but she did it in style and we can claim that she wore it better than many of the Instagram influencers who are experimenting with bike shorts in trying to put together a unique outfit. They totally fail it, but this is another discussion for another day. Diana kept her looks casual when she worn cycling shorts and her best accessory was her smile; so use her looks as an inspiration and apply less makeup on you.

Kim Kardashian

Although Kim Kardashian and Princess Diana are at opposite poles when it comes to style; they have one thing in common, they both were seen wearing bike shorts. Kim is Yeezy’s brand ambassador and she is often seen wearing monochromatic outfits. One of her outfits included all-grey clothing items like her bike shorts, a hoodie, a long leather jacket and clear sandals.

There was also another time when she decided to wear the shorts with a sports bra and high suede boots. Even if the bike shorts draw attention to her booty, she does not seem to mind it and she completes the look with short jackets. It is important to note that ever since she became a Yeezy day-to-day model, she seems to prefer nude shades, dark greens, black and greys. Therefore, most of her outfits are in these colours.

Kaia Gerber

Everyone considers Kaia Gerber the model of the moment and she couldn’t miss the occasion to wear the hottest item of the moment. However, she is known for her simple and stylish outfits and she pairs the cycling shorts in a way similar to that of Princess Diana- chunky sneakers, a black hoodie and a pair of sunglasses.

Bella Hadid

Bella Hadid is another model who seems to also love this trend. She was seen on multiple occasions pairing bike shorts with different outfits and clothing pieces. One time, she opted for a metallic silver pair of shorts that she paired with strappy heels and a crop top. Another time, she infused the shorts with rock vibes by pairing them with a black shirt and a black and white leather jacket.

Hailey Baldwin

Hailey Baldwin is famous for her stylish choices and no one is surprised to find out that she paired the bike shorts in a fashionable and unique way. She decided to keep things simple and was seen wearing leather bike shorts, a sports bra and an oversized open hoodie. If you are new to this trend, Boutique 1 recommends outfits that are inspired by Hailey. Choose simple but stylish clothing items and wear the outfit on a casual stroll with your friends.

Our Suggestions for Wearing Cycling Shorts Fashionably

Tip #1 Black Shorts and Fitted Blazer

This is a look you can sport on a night out. Pair black bike shorts with a fitted coloured blazer and accentuate your waist with a large belt. Do not forget to complete the look with a black bag and a pair of coloured high heels.

Tip #2 Coloured Shorts and Blazer

If you want to wear the outfit during daytime, you can replace the coloured blazer with a checked one, the high heels with a pair of sneakers and the black shorts with a turquoise one.

Tip #3 Black Outfit

If you want a dramatic look and you are the lucky owner of funny coloured hair, choose a head to toe black outfit.

Tip #4 Shorts with Trainers

The combination of bike shorts and chunky trainers is always a winning one. Wear a pair of black bike leggings, with an oversized silky shirt in a pastel colour, and a silver pair of chunky sneakers.  

Tip #5 Snake Printed Leggings and Shirt

If you want to glam up your outfit, you can combine a pair of black and white snakeskin-print cycling shorts with a white oversized shirt and strappy heels. The snakeskin shorts are perfect for the persons who prefer minimal looks with a twist.

Laser hair removal process has many benefits and one of them is the fact that you can permanently get rid of that unwanted hair that has been bothering you.

This method has been used by a lot of people and it has proven to be quite effective especially when it comes to long-term hair reduction. The process is safe and therefore you have nothing to worry about.

Anyway, for those of you who have been wondering and would often ask why someone should go for this process, here are some reasons and if you happen to stay in Canada, you can visit the clinics like the laser hair removal Vancouver clinic to find out more.

It’s Permanent

If you don’t want to be bothered by the unwanted hair ever again, you should definitely go for the laser hair removal process. All you have to do is find a great technician with a good laser machine that has proper energy levels. It’s as simple as that and you can bid goodbye to the unwanted hair permanently.

Cost Effective

Have you ever imagined or tried to find out how much one can spend on hair removal in a life time? Or how much time you will have spent? That would definitely be a lot of time and money buying razor and waxing each time.

If you really don’t like that hair, you can get rid of it once and for all by going for the laser hair removal treatment. Well, it seems like the process doesn’t only save you some money but some time too.

Clear and Smooth Skin

For some people, you will find that when they are shaving, they start to experience different reactions including the skin getting red, irritation, ingrown hair and other sorts of discomfort around the area being shaved or waxed.

Well, first you need to realise that it is the act of shaving or waxing that causes the discomforts on your skin.

This is why most people would rather go for the laser hair removal treatment. It has no later discomforts on the skin, thus leaving you with a clear and smooth skin.

Confidence

A lot of people would usually loose self-confidence when they have unwanted hair on their face or any other part of their body. In most cases this usually lowers their self-esteem too.

Imagine not being able to kiss someone just because you fear they will notice the hair on your face. That’s embarrassing, right? This often makes a lot of people become self-conscious. Well, this is why you should consider this treatment so that you won’t have to deal with that again.

Getting rid of the unwanted hair will boost your self-confidence as you will now be able to rock those shorts or bikini and hit the beach like nobody’s business and not worry about the hair on your legs because they won’t be there anymore.

No Ingrown hair

Unlike other methods like waxing and threading, you won’t have to worry about having ingrown hairs with laser hair removal treatments. You also won’t have to deal with any razor burns. The process is smooth and quite precise. Click here to see more on how the process work.

Fast and Effective

Even though the time taken will depend on how large the area to be treated is, the time for treatment is usually short. Additionally, you can start seeing the results as early as the first week after a treatment.

According to those who’ve undergone the treatment, you are able to achieve permanent hair reduction within a few sessions of treatment. This is why this method is considered to be more successful as compared to others.

It also requires low maintenance or no maintenance at all if you have already achieved your desired result.

Medical Reasons

Well, due to different medical conditions, people usually use different medications just to get their health back on track. Some medications will also react differently when used and one of these effects includes the growth of excess hair on the body. For such people, the best thing to do is to go for laser hair removal treatment to get rid of the excess hair.

Conclusion

When you are faced with a problem, you don’t always go looking for a temporary solution, right? Well, in this case if you want a permanent solution to your unwanted hair problems, talk to a doctor and get to know more about the laser hair removal treatment.

How to boost your beauty and be confidentNowadays, you can find loads of articles around the web which talk about the idea of loving yourself for who you are. This is an important message and something which everyone should be able to follow, especially when it comes to their appearance. Of course, though, something like this can often go a little too far, leaving people feeling bad about the idea of using so-called extreme treatments. In reality, giving yourself a beauty boost can have big results and they don’t have to be negative.

Instead, when you decide to improve part of your appearance like this, you will be doing it with good things in mind. You don’t have to dislike the way you currently look to be compelled to do this, just like you don’t have to hate your home to want to redecorate it; it’s all about change. Needless to say, making these sorts of changes can do some real good for most people. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the benefits of a beauty boost, along with smashing some of the myths which come with this territory.

Confidence is a key aspect of modern life and those who struggle with this find it hard to maintain a professional career. Improving this part of you can be very hard and a lot of people struggle to get anywhere on their own, often paying for therapeutic support. This isn’t always necessary, though, with a small change like teeth whitening often being enough to make most people feel on top of the world. One of the biggest myths in the health world is that these sorts of treatments are bad for you. Of course, while they may not provide a health benefit, they are usually completely safe for human use and you can do a little bit of research if you want to make sure this is true for the options you’re considering.

When you improve something like confidence, a lot of other aspects of your life will tend to change with it, and this is where most people will see the biggest change. With your improved look and can-do attitude, it will be much easier to be noticed within your place of work. People will show you more respect, and getting people’s attention in meetings, discussions, and other opinion-based settings will seem like a piece of cake. Of course, this won’t only impact your work, though. Along with this, it will become much easier to make new friends and build relationships when you feel as best as you possibly can about yourself.

Feeling good is a very important part of life. There are loads of ways to achieve a goal like this and treating yourself to something you care about is one of the best. Of course, you do have to be careful and moderating something like this is just as important as being able to enjoy it. Finding a balance can be tricky but it will be worth it in the end.

While it isn’t exactly a “medical” diagnosis, sensitive skin is quite common. This is more of a known condition, and it can occur for a lot of different reasons. Some people are born with genetics that predispose them to sensitive skin. Others simply have reactions to their environment, diet, or other changes in or around them. Regardless of the cause, there are a lot of easy clues that could help you identify if you have sensitive skin. Once you know, you’ll know better what you can do about it.

Look for Signs

Most of the symptoms of sensitive skin and other common dermatitis cases are visible. If you pay attention to your skin, as well as any changes that might occur, you’ll easily identify what is going on. You might even be able to identify the culprit on your own if you’re really keeping a close eye on your skin.

Clue #1– Red patches, including rashes, irritation, or scaly, rough areas. When the outer layer of your skin is compromised, it leaves your skin vulnerable to irritants, moisture loss, and other risks.

Clue #2– Dry, flaking patches of skin. Although not every person with sensitive skin also has dry skin, it can be a good indicator that there is something amiss, or at least something to keep an eye on.

Clue #3– Flushing and/or blushing of the skin after exposure to weather, irritants, or certain foods or beverages. People with sensitive skin often notice sensitivity to spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, and caffeine that results in flushing, sweating, and red blotches on the skin.

Other Ways to Identify Skin Sensitivity

Most people notice when their skin doesn’t look or feel right. The majority of people will notice visual symptoms along with other signs of sensitivity, but every case is different. It can help to ask some basic questions of yourself to identify if there is an issue, and whether you can eliminate the cause or need to seek medical attention.

Clue #4– Reactions to Cosmetics, Soaps, and Beauty Products

Think about your use of skincare and beauty products. Have you had reactions to multiple shampoos, soaps, perfumes, makeup products, or fragrances? Perhaps you have had reactions to prescriptions of topical lotions, creams, or gels. These reactions are definite indicators of a sensitivity issue if they have happened more than once and with multiple brands or products. While one reaction might not be alarming, multiple reactions could mean your sensitive skin is a bigger issue than you thought.

Clue #5– Allergies or Other Sensitivities

Do you have other allergies or sensitivities? This alone doesn’t guarantee that you will develop sensitive skin, but it is often found that people with this condition also have other allergies, eczema, asthma, hay fever, or related conditions. Even if you “grew out” of your allergies or don’t experience bad symptoms or attacks, you may still have the sensitivity in your system. This can carry over to the skin in many cases, so be sure to talk to your doctor about these issues as well.

What You Can Do To Alleviate Sensitive Skin

There are a lot of simple things that you can do to alleviate, or even avoid, sensitive skin. By educating yourself, you will be able to make better decisions about the skincare products you buy, the foods you eat, and other things you do in your daily life that could affect the condition of your skin. Consider choosing products that are designed specifically for sensitive skin. This should alleviate any risk of reactions in the first place, and it won’t cost much more than your old products.

You should also call a doctor immediately if you notice that a product causes a rash, itching and burning, or other symptoms. It might be a simple allergy but it also might be a sign of something more serious. Don’t treat your own rashes with topical creams until you’ve consulted a dermatologist. These products contain chemicals that could make things worse. Seeing a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon is a great way to get educated about your skin issues and find the best solutions.

General tips for taking care of sensitive skin include:

-Avoid super hot water, as it can strip the skin of oils and promote dryness

-Avoid soaps and scrubs with fragrances or artificial ingredients, as well as harsh chemicals

-Don’t soak if you can help it. That means limit baths and shower time, as again the water exposure strips the natural oils from the skin and can lead to dryness.

-Protect and be proactive with your skin. Utilise hats, sunglasses, and safe sunscreen and lotion products.

-Reduce what you use. Look at the number of products you are using on your skin. The fewer, the better. Consider going without makeup some days, changing your makeup cleanser, or even skipping foundation for the sake of your skin.

The Bottom Line

Sensitive skin is an issue for many men and women, but there are ways that you can help alleviate it on your own. If that is not enough, you can also seek medical attention from a St George dermatologist or cosmetic professional.

Dr. Philip S. Schoenfeld is founder and Medical Director of Renu by Dr. Schoenfeld. He has been named a Top Doctor in multiple local and national publications and his opinion is frequently sought out with regards to the most recent and effective trends in facial rejuvenation. Learn more by visiting his website here: https://www.renudc.com.

If you want to have healthy, glowing skin, a good night-time skincare routine is essential. When you apply the right products to your skin before you sleep, your skin absorbs the ingredients, allowing them to penetrate for maximum efficacy. Also, the rate of new skin cell growth speeds up during sleep. This means that sleeping has a restorative effect on the skin. By selecting the right skincare products, you can help to repair damage sustained during the day, caused by everything from stress to environmental pollutants. However, everyone’s skin is different and everyone needs to create a night-time skincare routine that targets their skin concerns.

Learn how to achieve the ideal regimen for your skin type.

Cleanse

Regardless of skin type, the first step in any skincare routine is the cleanser. It’s the best way to rid the skin of dirt, oil, and any traces of makeup. If you have dry, sensitive skin, try a gentle, non-foaming cleanser with hydrating ingredients. People with acne-prone skin can use a foaming cleanser that penetrates deep into the pores and strips away unwanted oil. Many skincare aficionados swear by the two-step cleansing method: first they use an oil cleanser to remove makeup and grime, and then they follow this with a water-based cleanser. This method is even beneficial for people with oily, acne-prone skin, as it helps to regulate the skin’s oil production.

Tone

Toner isn’t an essential step in the skincare process, but toning products do help to prime the skin for the skincare products to follow. Most of them work by balancing the skin’s pH levels, which makes the skin more absorbent. Toners usually have a thin consistency, and they’re easiest to apply using a cotton ball. There are toners for all skin types, ranging from hydrating toners to pore tightening toners.

Exfoliate

For maximum skin health, you need to clear the pores and get rid of dead skin cells. This process is known as exfoliation and there are two main types of exfoliating products: chemical exfoliants and physical exfoliants. Physical exfoliants, like scrubs and facial brushes, manually slough off the outermost layer of skin. Chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, use acidic ingredients to get rid of dead skin. People with acne-prone skin should look for products with salicylic acid, which helps to dissolve the debris that clogs pores. People who want to ward off the signs of aging should opt for products with glycolic acid, which helps to diminish signs of fine lines and improve skin texture.

Treat

Treatments target specific skin care concerns. You can find treatments that minimise pore size, banish blemishes, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, or get rid of unwanted pigmentation. Popular treatment options include vitamin C serums, antioxidant serums, and ultra-hydrating serums for dry skin. Choose a treatment that suits your skin type, and then layer it over the preceding products to truly transform your skin.

Moisturise 

No matter your skin type, you need an effective moisturiser. They seal in moisture, keeping the skin healthy, hydrated, and free of fine lines. While people with oily or acne prone skin may be tempted to skip this step, it would be a mistake. Many anti-acne treatments are very drying, and they can strip the skin of natural oils, forcing it to over-produce to compensate. This becomes a vicious circle, where parched skin leads to more acne. Thankfully, there are moisturisers specifically designed for acne-prone skin. Try a moisturising gel specifically formulated for acne-prone skin. These gels often contain hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. People with dry or sensitive skin, on the other hand, should opt for a creamy lotion filled with hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and shea butter. For extra hydration, some people add a few drops of oil to their moisturiser—argan oil, rosehip seed oil, and jojoba oil are all popular choices.

Eye Cream

The skin around the eye is thin and sensitive. To keep it plump and healthy, you need to give it extra attention. After you’ve applied your moisturiser, gently coat the skin around the eyes with a nutrient-rich eye cream. Don’t rub the cream into the skin, as it could irritate the delicate eye skin. Instead, tap eye cream into the area around the orbital bone, taking care not to get any cream into the eye. Whether you have oily or dehydrated skin, you should select an eye cream chock full of rich, skin-brightening ingredients. People with aging skin should select an eye cream formulated to reduce the appearance of lines and minimise puffiness. Common ingredients include shea butter, antioxidants, and vitamin C.

Applying Your Night-Time Skincare Routine

Once you’ve chosen products that suit your skin, it’s time for application. While this may sound self explanatory, applying products correctly can help to maximise results. As a rule of thumb, start with products with a thin consistency, and then gradually work up to products with a thick consistency. Depending on your skincare routine, you may choose to wait several minutes between each product application. This gives the skin the chance to fully absorb each product. This is especially true for potent treatments that contain ingredients like salicylic acid and retinol.

To help transform your skin and address visible signs of aging, go visit Dr. Anurag Agarwal’s website: https://www.aestheticsurgerycenter.com who is a facial plastic surgeon in Naples, FL. Dr. Agarwal recognises a patient’s desire for facial rejuvenation with minimal downtime and a non-invasive approach. Dr. Agarwal carefully listens to his patients to understand their goals before explaining their options. He will design a treatment plan that considers a patient’s anatomy, goals, and expectations.

Lagardère Travel Retail Singapore is delighted to partner Belgian chocolatier Godiva to stage the extraordinary Chocolate Fashion Show in Changi Airport Terminal 2 transit, in conjunction with the launch of Godiva Gold Discovery, the chocolatier’s latest luxury collection. The Chocolate Fashion Show presents three astonishing dresses created by contemporary designer Anne-Sophie Cochevelou, which combine state-of-the-art fashion and representations of Godiva’s iconic chocolate boxes, including the new Gold Discovery Collection.

The first-ever staging in an Airport, the presentation promises to elevate the travel retail experience and introduce stunning fashion masterpieces to travellers from all over the world. Visitors to Changi Airport can look forward to shopping for decadent chocolates and at the same time, be delighted by Godiva’s artistry and creativity.   

 Image credit: Anthony Lycett
Image credit: Anthony Lycett

The Tradition to Modernity Showpiece Dress is displayed artistically on a static mannequin that can be admired from all angles by passing shoppers and travellers. Classic Gold Collection boxes edge the hem; the skirt is formed by triangular brown godets, and the bodice of Godiva Coeur-like lace; an array of new Gold Discovery boxes form the collar, and imitation chocolates decorate the headpiece.

 Image credit: Anthony Lycett
Image credit: Anthony Lycett

The Empress Dress, with bustles of Gold Discovery boxes and garlands of chocolates, adorns a model in a photo booth to encourage shoppers to pose for a free instant photo ‘wearing’ the dress, upon purchase of a box of Gold Discovery or two boxes of Gold Ballotin.

 Image credit: Anthony Lycett
Image credit: Anthony Lycett

The Heart of the Collection Dress is decorated ingeniously with Coeur Grand and Iconique gift boxes. Around the stage are beautiful displays of Godiva Gold Discovery, where a trained hostess engages with shoppers and offers samples during peak times.

This collaboration is a tripartite partnership between Changi Airport Group, Lagardère Travel Retail Singapore and Godiva. The Chocolate Fashion Show is located at Terminal 2 transit and will be exhibited from 20 January 2018 to 28 February 2018.

Godiva Gold Discovery is a 28-piece collection of ganaches, pralines, mousses and caramels, including two delicious new pieces, presented in a contemporary gold gift box embossed with the signature ‘G’ and the Lady Godiva emblem. Tied with a gold satin ribbon and decorated with a refined hangtag, the collection is the epitome of premium gifting.

The ganaches are in sumptuous flavours of passion fruit & pink pepper, white chocolate & bourbon vanilla, intense coffee, raspberry rose, and 85% dark chocolate. The luxurious caramels are chocolate caramel and salted caramel.

The elderberry mousse and the lychee strawberry mousse in the collection are joined by a delicious new Mexican origin chocolate mousse.

Among the pralines is an exotic new pistachio praline which sits alongside the signature hazelnut pralines in white and milk chocolate, an almond praline with whole roasted almond, the hazelnut praline with caramelised macadamia nuts, and a caramelised pecan praline.

Retailing at SGD$102.20 (Duty-Free Price), the Godiva Gold Discovery will be available in selected SO Chocolate and The Chocolatier shops in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 transit.

No matter what kind of shoes we put on daily, it is the most essential and important item that we must have because it serves to protect our feet from harm and danger. For the fashionista, a pair of shoes can be turned into a fashion statement but for someone working in the kitchen, a pair of non-slip covered safety shoes can protect him from potential dangers and hazards. From the very basic to the most complex shoes in the market, they definitely wear and tear over prolonged usage but do you know that with proper shoe care and shoe storage, you can increase their durability and lifespan?

I recently stumbled upon isSHOE Singapore, a local homegrown business that offers a wide range of shoe care products and accessories such as shoe eraser, hydrophobic spray, shoe fragrances, shoe storage boxes, and even shoe racks! If you are looking for solutions to solving all the issues you have with your shoe, you should definitely check them out.

I have personally tried the shoe tree and the hydrophobic spray by isSHOE Singapore and I absolutely love them!

Ecoblack Plastic Shoe Tree

A shoe tree is a device approximating the shape of a foot that is placed inside a shoe to preserve its shape and stop it from developing creases and thereby extend the life of the shoe. It is a reusable alternative to wadded rags or newspapers.

Perhaps more important than maintaining the shape, shoe trees also play a crucial part of wicking away leather-damaging moisture from the inside. This is especially important when shoes are worn without socks, as the sweat absorbed by the leather can lead to lining rot.

isSHOE Singapore 2017

The Ecoblack Plastic Shoe Tree is made of plastic and it comes in two sizes; small and large. What I like about it is that it is adjustable and it allows multiple occupants to this single shoe tree; thus eliminating the trouble of buying a brand-new shoe tree for my siblings who have different shoe sizes.

isSHOE Singapore 2017

For business travellers, the Ecoblack Plastic Shoe Tree is definitely the perfect shoe tree to get because it is highly compactable due to its small size and removable structure. The best part? It cost only SGD$4.40 for one pair!

isSHOE’s Hot Tip:

Wear your different leather shoes on alternate days. Your shoes need sufficient rest as well. Wearing your leather shoes daily will speed up wear and tear at a much-accelerated rate. REMEMBER to always slip in your shoe tree daily into your leather shoe after use, this way you can enjoy your leather shoe for longer periods of time

isSHOE: Repulse Hydrophobic Spray

The isSHOE: Repulse Hydrophobic Spray is extremely useful and it works very well! To be honest, I was quite sceptical as to whether the water will really repel but after trying it on my pair of fabric shoes, I am thoroughly convinced that it does a very good job of keeping my shoes dry. Well, I have to admit that previously, I have not used this pair of shoes for quite a while because I didn’t want to get it wet and dirty but ever since I gotten it temporarily waterproofed; I am now using it as my daily footwear!

A post shared by Melvin Lee & Jacqueline Teo (@awinsomelife) on Jun 12, 2017 at 5:17am PDT

Given Singapore’s tropical weather, the isSHOE: Repulse Hydrophobic Spray is a lifesaver and it is pretty affordable too. A single can of isSHOE: Repulse Hydrophobic Spray cost just SGD$14 and if you buy two, it cost only SGD$12.50 each! With the isSHOE: Repulse Hydrophobic Spray, you’re truly well prepared for any rainy days ahead!

Keen to find out more about the young entrepreneurs behind isSHOE Singapore?

Well, here’s a short insight about isSHOE Singapore as shared by Wan Ching, one of the company’s founders.

What ignited the spark in you to start a new business venture or to make significant changes in an existing business? How did the idea for your business come about?

Being students ourselves before, we understand the pain of many students especially during the monsoon season when the rain starts to pour and it relentlessly drench us from head to toe and makes our socks thoroughly soaked. This uncomfortable problem would have been avoided if we had something similar like the isSHOE: Repulse Hydrophobic Spray back then!

Furthermore, our experience with existing shoe retailers tells us that it makes more financial sense for them to sell us a pair of new shoes than telling us that our shoes can be repaired and restored. Hence, many people often tend to buy numerous pairs of shoes that they hardly use and simply leave them in the shoe cabinets to deteriorate.

Since we are really passionate about shoes, we feel that shoes shouldn’t be left to deteriorate and we hope that through our company, we can offer our customers some helpful ideas and products to extend the durability of their daily footwear.

What have been some of your failures and what have you learned from them?

One of the failures that we encountered lies in our planning for healthy product stock levels on certain items. Due to our lack of foresight to forecast and plan for healthy product stock levels, many customers were disappointed with us as they had to wait for an additional period of 2 weeks for the stocks to arrive! Hence, one key lesson that we have learnt from this experience is that it is always better to overstock than understock products and to always plan ahead!

Describe/outline your typical day?

There are just so much to do on a typical day and some of the tasks could fall in the following areas like logistics, stock count, administrative work, handling customer enquiries, gather product updates, website technicality checks, and the list can go on and on.

What sacrifices have you had to make to become an entrepreneur?

We spend a lot of time away from home and our loved ones just so we can do our job better. Whether it is to do some research, to stay online and answer customer’s enquiries or to improve our website; all these do require a significant amount of time and we often feel guilty for not spending enough time with our loved ones.

In one word, characterise your life as an entrepreneur?

Balance. As an entrepreneur, we believe that it is important to strike a fine balance of managing time because time is of the essence and we only have 24 hours a day. Although there are many different tasks to manage, we strongly believe that the tasks should be managed one at a time and not attempt to do all at the same time because that will compromise on operations efficiency and service quality.

If you are keen to find out more about isSHOE Singapore and the shoe care products they offer, do like their Facebook Page and check out their website for more information!

Hello, everyone!

We have an exciting piece of news to announce and yes we are indeed conducting yet another blog giveaway and this time round, we will be giving away a set of Sudio Wireless Vasa Blå Rose Gold White Earphones worth $165, courtesy of Sudio!

Wireless Sudio Vasa Bla Earphones 2017

When we first received an email from the team at Sudio (yes, all the way from Sweden), we were honestly humbled because it means so much to us that our blog has a global outreach and audience.

Therefore, we really want to extend a big word of THANKS to the awesome folks at Sudio for making this blog post and blog giveaway possible!

First Impression of the Wireless Vasa Blå earphones

Sudio Earphones, a mix between elegant and preppy, caters to the fashion industry lead by companies such as Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, and Gant. The golden details, genuine leather carrying pouch and choice of materials have been carefully chosen to complement a wardrobe of elegant and preppy belts, watches and alike.

Wireless Sudio Vasa Bla Earphones 2017

What left the most impression on me about the wireless Vasa Blå earphones was its distinct style and outstanding design that will appeal greatly to most, if not all fashionistas. If you’re all dressed up for a ballroom event or corporate function, the wireless Vasa Blå earphones will definitely complement and match your outfit pretty well as opposed to an earphone that’s specifically meant for sports.

Wireless Sudio Vasa Bla Earphones 2017

Functionality

With an incredible 8-Hour Battery Life, 10-minutes Quick Charging Function & Ultra-lightweight Swedish Design weighing only 14 grams, the wireless Vasa Blå earphones is definitely a worthy contender to most wireless earphones that are currently available in the market. With its studio quality sound, it is the perfect companion for your iPhone or Android device.

Personally, I enjoy the crisp and high-quality sound that the wireless Vasa Blå earphones offer and it cancels out a lot of outside noise which makes it a perfect companion for a long road trip or a long haul flight. When I compared it alongside with the Plantronics BackBeat Go 2 wireless earphones that I previously have gotten back in 2013 (4 years ago); I noticed a stark difference in terms of the sound quality and this proves that technology advances way faster than we can ever imagine.

Wireless Sudio Vasa Bla Earphones 2017

The wireless Vasa Blå earphones’ sound signature is delivered by a carefully tuned driver and amplifier; and the combination of driver and amplifier is able to separate the sound of every instrument in every song, thereby giving the listener a true studio experience.

What is truly amazing about Sudio’s earphones is that they are handcrafted in small batches and each wireless Vasa Blå earphones comes with a matching leather case and 4 different-sized earbuds to ensure the perfect fit for you. In case you’re wondering, the wireless Vasa Blå earphones is compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices, including the new Samsung Galaxy S8.

What’s Inside The Package

Wireless Sudio Vasa Bla Earphones 2017

  • Vasa Blå earphones with 4 pairs of extra sleeves
  • Owner’s Manual & Quality Assurance Card
  • Genuine Leather Carrying Case
  • Metal Clip
  • Charging Cable
  • Battery

Now, I know you can’t wait to find out how you can stand a chance to win a set of Sudio wireless Vasa Blå earphones but I will like to let everyone know that at A Winsome Life, we believe that everyone’s a winner and in a rare collaborative opportunity with Sudio, we are very privileged to have the folks at Sudio offer a 15% discount for all our readers who decide to make any Sudio Earphones purchase. On top of that, you will also get an additional 20% instant tax rebate which means you get 35% discount off the retail price!

Wireless Sudio Vasa Bla Earphones 2017

Oh, and not forgetting the fact that your purchase comes with free express shipping to Singapore (it takes about 3-5 days for your purchase to arrive) and also a free limited edition white marble phone case!

Now, how awesome is that right?!

All you need to do to get the discount is just key in the discount code, “awinsomelife” prior to checking out your shopping cart!

Ok, so if you’re keen to also participate in the blog giveaway, all you have to do is simply sign up in the form as follows!

[RF_CONTEST contest=’5195′]

Do note that this giveaway is only intended for participants who are residing in Singapore and photos will be required or taken for marketing purposes. By participating in the blog giveaway, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Eligibility: This Blog Giveaway is open only to those who sign up at www.awinsomelife.org and who are 13 years of age or older as of the date of entry.The Campaign is only open to legal residents of Singapore and is void where prohibited by law. Employees of A Winsome Life, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and suppliers, (collectively the “Employees”), and immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of Employees are not eligible to participate in the Blog Giveaway. The Blog Giveaway is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.

2. Agreement to Rules: By participating, the Contestant (“You”) agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these Rules, and You represent and warrant that You meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, You agree to accept the decisions of A Winsome Life as final and binding as it relates to the content of this Blog Giveaway.

3. Blog Giveaway Period: Entries will be accepted online starting on 26 April 2017, 2330 hours, GMT +8:00 and ending 25 May 2017, 2330 hours, GMT +8:00. All online entries must be received by 25 May 2017, 2330 hours, GMT +8:00.

4. How to Enter: The Blog Giveaway must be entered by submitting an entry using the online form provided at www.awinsomelife.org. The entry must fulfill all Blog Giveaway requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win a prize. Entries that are incomplete or do not ad
here to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of A Winsome Life. You may enter only once. You must provide the information requested. You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities, or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If You use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules, your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of A Winsome Life.

5. Prizes: The Winner(s) of the Campaign (the “Winner”) will receive a set of Sudio Wireless Vasa Bla Earphones worth SGD$165. Actual/appraised value may differ at time of prize award. The specifics of the prize shall be solely determined by A Winsome Life. No cash or other prize substitution shall be permitted except at A Winsome Life discretion. The prize is nontransferable. Any and all prize related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, state, and/or local taxes, shall be the sole responsibility of Winner. No substitution of the prize or transfer/assignment of a prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by Winner is permitted. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for A Winsome Life to use Winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation unless prohibited by law.

6. Odds: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

7. Winner Selection and Notification: Winner will be selected by a random drawing under the supervision of A Winsome Life. Winner will be notified by email within five (5) days following selection of Winner. A Winsome Life shall have no liability for Winner’s failure to receive notices due to spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for Winner’s provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If Winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within 3 days from the time award notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and release as required, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected. Receipt by Winner of the prize offered in this Campaign is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY WINNER AT A WINSOME LIFE’S SOLE DISCRETION WILL RESULT IN WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE CAMPAIGN, AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.

8. Rights Granted by You: By entering this content (e.g., photo, video, text, etc.), You understand and agree that A Winsome Life, anyone acting on behalf of A Winsome Life, and A Winsome Life’s licensees, successors, and assigns, shall have the right, where permitted by law, to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use in any media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity and throughout the World, without limitation, your entry, name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image, statements about the Blog Giveaway, and biographical information for news, publicity, information, trade, advertising, public relations, and promotional purposes. without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent. By entering this content, You represent and warrant that your entry is an original work of authorship, and does not violate any third party’s proprietary or intellectual property rights. If your entry infringes upon the intellectual property right of another, You will be disqualified at the sole discretion of A Winsome Life. If the content of your entry is claimed to constitute an infringement of any proprietary or intellectual proprietary rights of any third party, You shall, at your sole expense, defend or settle such claims. You shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless A Winsome Life from and against any suit, proceeding, claims, liability, loss, damage, costs or expense, which A Winsome Life may incur, suffer, or be required to pay to arise out of such infringement or suspected infringement of any third party’s right.

9. Terms & Conditions: A Winsome Life reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Blog Giveaway should virus, bug, non-authorized human intervention, fraud, or other cause beyond A Winsome Life’s control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, or proper conduct of the Blog Giveaway. In such case, A Winsome Life may select the Winner from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after the action was taken by A Winsome Life. A Winsome Life reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Blog Giveaway or website or violates these Terms & Conditions. A Winsome Life has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Blog Giveaway, to void votes for any reason, including, but not limited to: multiple entries from the same user from different IP addresses; multiple entries from the same computer in excess of that allowed by Campaign rules; or the use of bots, macros, scripts, or other technical means for entering. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Campaign may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such attempt be made, A Winsome Life reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.

10. Limitation of Liability: By entering, You agree to release and hold harmless A Winsome Life and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers, and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim, or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from: (i) such entrant’s participation in the Blog Giveaway and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize or any portion thereof; (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunction of any computer, cable, network, hardware, or software, or other mechanical equipment; (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions, telephone, or Internet service; (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Promotion; (v) electronic or human error in the administration of the Promotion or the processing of entries.

11. Disputes: THIS Campaign IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF Singapore, WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW DOCTRINES. As a condition of participating in this Blog Giveaway, participant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Blog Giveaway, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court located in Singapore having jurisdiction. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances shall the participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, including reasonable attorney’s fees, other than participant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. costs associated with entering this Blog Giveaway). Participant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.

12. By checking here, You, the Contestant, have affirmatively reviewed, accepted, and agreed to all of the Official Rules.

All the best and have a great week ahead!

It has been a busy start to the new year and in less than 15 days’ time, it will be the Lunar New Year and I’m pretty excited because according to multiple Fengshui Masters’ prediction, the 2017 outlook for those born in the year of the Dragon seems quite promising.
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I must admit that getting ready for the Lunar New Year is a tedious yearly affair as there are so many things to do and prepare; but it is also a good opportunity to do some spring cleaning, get some new clothes, shoes, accessories, and even a new hairdo.

Prices for Bak Kwa (barbecued sweet meat), New Year goodies, reunion dinners and even hairstyling services tend to inflate during this season and it is no surprise why most Singaporeans will choose to go to Malaysia to do their shopping since the exchange rate is rather favourable at 1 Singapore Dollars to 3 Malaysian Ringgit.

Image Credit: Whattaworld

If going across the causeway is too much of a hassle (yes, do expect long queues and traffic jams), some shopping malls like Marina Square do have special promotions and offers too.

From now till 22 January, that are handpicked for you and your loved ones. Just sign up with your Facebook account and you will be given 4 sure-win scratch cards to chose from participating merchants such as Kimage, Salon Orient, Posh Wellness, Zoom Salon, Phiten, and Kenko Wellness.

Do note that you can login only once a day to try your luck and it is free to participate!

Also, you can redeem a set of Red Packets at the Customer Service Counters with a minimum spend of $80 and a $10 Marine Square Gift Voucher with a minimum spend of $150!

For more information and details, check out Marina Square’s Official Website and do like Marina Square Facebook Page for some exciting promotions and updates coming your way!

Are you ready to usher in the Year of the Rooster?

Here’s wishing all our readers a Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Have you heard of Gobdigoun, a Korean skincare brand?
Well, I haven’t heard of Gobdigoun until Jacqueline was sharing with me about it and I’m always amazed at how she is always updated with the latest trends in the world of beauty and skincare; which is apparently not my forte (I’m a guy, duh!).

When Jacqueline shared with me about Gobdigoun, she had so many good things to say about the brand and what really caught my attention were the skincare products that they have to offer.

Gobdigoun’s bestselling products are the 24K Golden Cream Placenta Power, Placenta Cellulose Gel Bio Mask and Placenta Power Aging Corrector Eye Cream; and apparently, they are very popular in China, Taiwan, and Japan.

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I honestly had no idea what Placenta is and so I did a Google Search and found out that the placenta is an organ that connects the developing foetus to the uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, provide thermo-regulation to the foetus, waste elimination, gas exchange via the mother’s blood supply, fight against internal infection and produce hormones to support pregnancy.

In short, the placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to growing babies and removes waste products from the baby’s blood. So… after finding out what a placenta is; you can probably figure what went through my mind at that point of time. I really can’t imagine applying a Placenta Cellulose Gel Bio Mask on my face!

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The placenta from Gobdigoun’s facial and skincare products comes from the sheep and celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Eva Longoria and Madonna swear by their sheep placenta facials. Although placenta has been a pretty big trend, there’s been little analysis on the scientific side of things; so it’s impossible to say that placenta is a skincare miracle.

My experience of applying a Placenta Cellulose Gel Bio Mask on my face?

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When Jacqueline applied the Placenta Cellulose Gel Bio Mask on my face, I must admit that although I cringed slightly at first, it really wasn’t that bad. I was expecting the facial mask to smell weird but to my surprise, it was pleasantly scented. The sensation was cooling on my face and after what seems like 30 minutes, my face was soft to the touch and it had that bouncy effect. Overall, the experience was very refreshing and my face appeared much radiant.

Cost?

For the Placenta Cellulose Gel Bio Mask, it cost 120,000 South Korean Won (about SGD$150) for a box of 10 facial masks and this price does not include the cost of shipping.

Apart from the Placenta Cellulose Gel Bio Mask, Gobdigoun has many other skincare products available so do check out their Official Website for the entire range!

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Keen to give Gobdigoun’s products a try?

Gobdigoun started business in Korea since 2010 and they don’t have any physical shop in Singapore. If you would like to place an order for their products; you can contact them via their Official Facebook Page and they will have your order shipped from Korea to Singapore.

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Do also like Gobdigoun’s Facebook Page so that you can tune in to their exclusive promotions!