I remember when I had just started working, I loved to gift my Mom with all sorts of presents. She used to do the same for me when I was growing up and it was only natural I show her love in the same way.

Since then, I’ve graduated from surprising her with a handmade chocolate bouquet to wanting to show her the world. Or a little bit of my world, at least. By that, I mean to share experiences with my nearest and dearest mother. Shared experiences are gifts that last forever and it is exactly that which makes them so precious and unique. So, if you’re looking for special ways to spend quality time with your Mom, gift her the gift of time, sharing fun adventures and experiences. I promise you will have loads to talk about and laugh at afterwards for years.

The list I’ve put together is great because they are items that are not limited to just the Mother’s Day weekend. You have plenty of time to pamper Mom till the end of May. But if you prefer to keep it simple, fret not, I’ve included some very pretty products in this 2013 Mother’s Day Gift Idea list.

For the fabulous Mom -
Get her hair pampered and treated at Salon Vim!

For all the times Mom has washed our hair and cared for our tresses, it is now her turn to receive some tender loving care. I would suggest you treat her tresses to Salon Vim’s brand new Arimino Caretrico Privy treatment. This treatment is ideal for all hair types. I particularly benefitted from it because my hair was extremely dry from 3 days under direct UV exposure.

Look Ma, what a difference! From tangled split ends and uneven color, to lovely flowing picture perfect hair!

The Arimino Caretrico Privy treatment  is a simple salon-care system that encompasses 3 steps. The first step is a shampoo using the Arimino Caretrico Privy Gentle Wash PRO. The moisture-rich shampoo is the necessary step before the other 2 treatments because it helps your hair retain more of the upcoming nutrients. And of course, a therapeutic head massage by the very skilled Salon Vim staff is certainly an added bonus!

Following that, the Enrich Serum nourishes from inside the hair follicle to repair damage. Coconut oil is the key ingredient in this step. Because it easily seeps into the hair and has a high affinity for protein, it is this serum that feeds damaged hair its much needed nutrients.

Finally, the Caretrico Privy Hold Cream hair treatment is applied to lock in the nourishment from step 2. It seals the moisture inside the hair and also smoothens hair surface. Then, we go for gold by having this egg shaped machine lock it all in.

Look Ma! I’m an astronaut!

A full before and after treatment shot! The Arimino Caretrico Privy treatment really does wonders. Plus the effects of the treatment last up to 1 week! Your mom will love her hair as much as she loves you for taking her to Salon Vim!

It gets better! For the month of May, the first 100 blog readers to quote “Valerie Lim/dweam” at Salon Vim will get a 30% off this luxurious treatment. No matter the length of your hair, treatment price after discount starts from S$120. Slots are filling up fast, so make Mom an appointment now to avoid disappointment.

Salon Vim is located at 313 Somerset #04-07 and Bugis, 235 Victoria Street.

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For the Mom who’s always got a spring in her step  -
Send her walking through the meadows of Crabtree and Evelyn’s Somerset Meadow collection

Crabtree and Evelyn is well loved by Moms everywhere because of their lovely beauty products, delicate fragrances. The newest Crabtree and Evelyn collection – Somerset Meadow – is bound to put a smile Mom’s face. I know I grinned like a Cheshire Cat when I took a deep breath of the fresh spring fragrance.

Inspired by spring flowers and invoking the imagery of a dew-kissed meadow, the Somerset Meadow collection owes its fresh fragrance to the delicate water lily and ivy extracts.

There are 5 products in the entire Crabtree and Evelyn product line – hand cream, gel perfume, eau de toilette, shower gel and body lotion. Every product will leave you highly refreshed and smelling very pretty, and Mom will be happy she taught you to clean up well!

The Crabtree and Evelyn Somerset Meadow collection is now available at all Crabtree and Evelyn Singapore stores.

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For the daredevil Mom -
Take her diving under the water! Diving is one activity for all adult ages and fitness levels, so give the gift of experience the thrill of floating under water together!

At The Underwater World Singapore Dive at Sentosa, you’ll both be able to explore the depths and make some new friends with the little creatures underwater, even without a diving certification.

Swim side by side with the sharks and stingrays and watch how they effortlessly glide by you. Accompanied by a professional dive master, he’ll take you guys through the procedures of how to breathe underwater and then lead you on a tour of the unknown. You’ll be able to spend some quality time with Mom in unfamiliar waters (pun intended)!

The Underwater World Singapore Dive with the Sharks package is S$120/person and also gets you access to Underwater World Singapore and Dophin Lagoon (to Swim with the Dophins is S$170/person).

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For the scent-sational Mom -
Get her scent profiled at Penhaligon’s ION Orchard

I love fragrances, and I love gifting fragrances to people around me. It makes me happy when people smell nice. Haha. This Mother’s Day if you’re unsure what type of fragrances Mom likes, get her scent profiled at Penhaligon’s Singapore.

It’s been over 140 years since the doors of the first Penhaligon’s emporium opened in London. This quintessentially British perfumery has now opened its first boutique in Singapore at ION Orchard. Its second boutique will soon at Marina Bay Sands Singapore.

The perfumes of Penhaligon’s are certainly fit for royalty. The perfumery holds two long-standing Royal Warrants; from His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh (granted 1956) and from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (granted 1988). As the queen of our hearts, Mom deserves only the best.

Scent profiling is easy: walk into Penhaligon’s Singapore and let the very nice-looking and friendly perfume expert, Mike, help you.

I got my scent profiled a couple of weeks ago at the ION Orchard store. Mike started off by asking a couple of questions about the types of smells I normally like. And then he went on to try and understand the smells I DIDN’T like. Once I was done rattling, he quickly picked up a few bottles of perfumes from Penhaligon’s extensive range and introduced them to my nose.

There were smells I instantly took to, while some others required a second sniff. Each time I gave the nod of approval, Mike would introduce another perfume of the same family to gain a better understanding of my actual scent profile.

We went through about 2 or 3 rounds of this exercise, and I went through over 10 fragrances that each had different characters and stories to tell.

Eventually, Mike hit the nail on the head – I had a penchant for fresh, clean, floral smells, so we made a list of my favourites. The Elizabethan Rose, Lily of the Valley, Artemisia and Peoneve were top 4 on the list, but I could only pick one. Because I already owned 2 out of the 4 fragrances, I ended up going home this time with the sophisticated and charming Peoneve eau de parfum.

But you don’t always have to go home with just one fragrance. If Mom can’t decide, just pick up one of these Ladies’ Fragrance Gift Sets. It has 4 different eau de parfums and she’ll be spoilt for choice. I know I would be because it has 3 of my favourite perfumes in it! Whooop!

Penhaligon’s ION Orchard is located at #03-16 at ION Orchard Singapore.

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I hope these suggestions have been helpful. Here’s wishing all wonderful moms a Happy Mother’s Day. Especially to my dearest mom. Thank you for being a constant source of support and the best teacher anyone could ever have. For all the lessons in life you’ve imparted to me, I thank you for making me the person I am today. Happy Mother’s Day, mommy! I love you.

I have never been a real fan of BB cream. I know people who swear by it, but I’m a traditional foundation sort of girl. This Kiehl’s Actively Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream, however, gets the nod of approval from me. This is one BB Cream I want to have in my makeup bag.

The Kiehl’s BB Cream was put to the test under the blazing sun of Boracay.

Touted to have SPF 50, I used it as both my sunscreen and foundation. Some might say I should have doubled up with my sunscreen protection, but hey, BB creams are supposed to give you coverage AND sun protection.

So, despite the long hours outdoors frolicking on the beach, the Kiehl’s Actively Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream maintained an even skin tone throughout the day. My skin was flawless as I pranced about on the beach, dipping my toes in the clear blue Boracay water.

Under the hot sun, I also loved how it did not feel greasy. The formula was so lightweight I didn’t have to worry about perspiration lines streaking down my face.

I could not help but be highly impressed by the coverage of the Kiehl’s Actively Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream. Below are the before and after pictures.

Before: Broken, red capillaries, light freckles, yellow skin undertone.

After: Skin tone corrected to a pink healthy flush, capillaries less obvious, freckles concealed. Skin looks smoother.

Aside from covering my flaws, freckles and blemishes, this particular BB Cream scored full marks in terms of colour. I have never really had any luck with other BB creams – they were always either too fair or made my skin look ashy grey. This Actively Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream lives up to its name and provided a rosy, natural finish.

The buildable coverage of the Kiehl’s Actively Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream is certainly note-worthy. Most people would use a BB cream on its own, but I went ahead and dusted some light powder over the Kiehl’s BB cream to matte the finish. Despite that, my skin looked natural and there was no “cakey” feeling.

Here’s a side by side comparison:

The Kiehl’s Actively Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream comes in three shades – fair, light and natural. I’m a light shade.

If you have sensitive skin, this BB Cream is definitely for you. It’s been dermatologist tested and proven safe for sensitive skin. The BB Cream is also formulated without fragrance or parabens. On top of that, it is also mineral oil free. Yey to no more clogged pores! I’m a happy camper.

The Kiehl’s Actively Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream SPF50 is sold at all Kiehl’s stores. A 30ml bottle retails for S$52.

We recetly went to tour their showroom and boy, did I feel inadequate.

The showroom housed all the designer bags that fashionistas would certainly give the nod of approval. Celine, Chanel, Saint Lauren, Dior, Prada, Balenciaga… All the big names. It was quite a sight to see all of them together in one room. The experience was probably like being close to a bevvy of supermodels. Just being in the same room as these labels kinda took my breath away – they were so beautiful.

But I was lucky to have attended the launch with a bunch of beautiful girls too! Peggy, Juli, Michelle and Lynn were there with me and I was quite happy to bask in their beauty.

We had a quick chat with the owners who introduced us to some cult brands, like CoStume National, ICEBERG and True Religion on the Ritzbo shelves. Not only does Ritzbo carry well-known labels, they takes the time and effort to mix it up with underground favourites. New arrivals hit the shelves every week.

Spot any of your favourites?

If you do, then May is the best time to shop at Ritzbo. They’re having a Mother’s Day sale and offering a 60% off retail price and 20% off Ritzbo’s price EVERY DAY for 10 DAYS! Bags like Bottega, Saint Lauren and Prada are going at ridiculously low prices starting May 2!

Instead of waiting for the announcement of the Daily Deal like everyone else, you can find out what item is going on sale 24 hours BEFORE everyone else by signing up for their newsletter. Sign up here and happy shopping!

Several weeks before my virgin pilgrimage to Songkran in Bangkok, Thailand, I asked a local I met in Singapore what to expect. With a smile on his face, he said, “I don’t want to tell you. You’ll just have to go there and see for yourself. It really is quite something.”

But what people don’t tell you, Google and Wikipedia will.

Songkran has traditionally been celebrated as the New Year for many centuries, and is believed to have been adapted from an Indian festival.

The date of the festival was originally set by astrological calculation, but it is now fixed on the 13th to the 15th of April. However, the most famous Songkran celebrations are still in the northern city of Chiang Mai, where it continues for six days and even longer. It has also become a party for foreigners and an additional reason for many to visit Thailand for immersion in another culture.

I obviously did not get the note from Wikipedia that said “It is very common to have groups of Thais post themselves at the side of roads or corners of intersections with garden hoses or large new plastic trash cans filled with water (typically ice cold) that is used to drench sidewalkers and random vehicles (taxis, cars, motorcycles, tuk tuks) that come within watering range.

And they weren’t kidding when they said people would plant themselves by the sides of the roads spraying water at anyone and everyone who walked by, drove by, tuktuked by or motorcycled by.

Now you see them.

Now you don’t.

Safe to say, I went into the whole experience blind even before I got shot in the eyes. Lol. The first day we were there, the minute we stepped out of hotel grounds, we had to run for our lives and seek shelter in a taxi. Our group members were all Songkran virgins and we were totally unprepared for battle. Before Saturday’s celebration all we had were our swimsuits, legs to run and nerves of steel.

But because we didn’t know what to expect, we were game for anything. And that was the single reason most important reason we had so much fun.

Even when you thought you were safe in a bus on the move, here comes along a vehicle loaded with buckets of water and a super soaker!

The place to go to really experience Songkran in Bangkok is Silom Road. They close off the entire street solely for the purpose of watering festivities. Upon approaching the area, we weren’t really quite sure what to expect. Judging from the initial crowd present, all we expected was madness.

Our taxi dropped us off in the vicinity and we had to walk to what I like to call, battle ground. The only vehicles that are allowed within the area are fire trucks and ice trucks which obviously have a key role in this water festival.

Thankfully, we were prepared this time around.

We brought the big guns out.

And had appropriate eyewear. And no, the sunglasses were not just for looking cool. Haha. Although that did help our street cred, having sunglasses or goggles was important for keeping a good portion of the beige colored talc and water concoction out of our eyes. Many Thais smear this on the faces and bodies of random passersby as a blessing for the new year.

Initially, we were hell bent on not “getting dirty”. But that was obviously wishful thinking. We were in Thailand’s biggest water festival! 10 minutes into the biggest water fight in Bangkok, Thailand, we were welcoming passersby who wanted to wish us well.

In case you haven’t got a clue what to pack or what to prepare for Songkran, here are some tips from my experience on surviving Songkran in Thailand.

Get armed… with a water gun.
The first thing you should have, when you land in Thailand for Songkran, is a water gun. If you didn’t bring in one, get one. Water guns are available for sale EVERYWHERE. And I literally mean everywhere. Popup road side stalls will have water guns of all sorts.

Everyone will be armed with a water gun and you will want to be prepared. Nothing is sweeter than revenge, so be sure to pick up a HUGE one. The tiny little ones will not cause a splash.

Go with a team.
Much like those first player shooter games, you can achieve more when you work in a team. When one random person fires at your team, you can be sure that your other team members will be there to back him or her up.

Waterproof everything.
Whether it’s waterproof mascara or ziplock-ing all your valuables, be sure no water gets into your electronics. The most foolproof method is to get those waterproof backpacks/sling bags meant for sea sports, but we went with ziplocks. In fact, I shot some of my pictures through ziplocks. Haha.

The iPhone actually deals quite nicely with a touch of moisture. On the rare occasion that I was gungho and sure no one would fire at me, I would take it out of the ziplock and boldly take pictures. Hello people!

Aside from that, we waterproofed ourselves by wearing swimming gear under our regular clothes. Honestly, I would be curious to see someone wearing a wet suit.

Dress down.
Don’t be afraid to step out in your crummiest, oldest, most comfortable tops and bottom during Songkran. You’re going to get thoroughly soaked. Avoid white garments at all costs. They tend to become see through when wet.

Once you’ve got all your items on the checklist for surviving Songkran, the last thing to do is…

HAVE FUN!!! FIREEEEEEEE!!!

I’m certainly game for going again in 2014. Who wants to join our ranks next year?

There are the days where I fall out of bed, look myself in the mirror, get scared because I see a lion looking back at me. I didn’t fall asleep in the zoo last night, why am I face to face with a lion? Oh wait, that’s me with my crazy hair and grumpy morning face.

Frantically, I try to comb my hair and douse the fiery mane hurriedly with some serum before zooming out of the house. I hope for nothing but the best as I enter a room full of beauty experts. Please don’t let me look like the crazy scientist. I want to be the beauty expert, not Einstein. But as the hair gods would have it, I would have to live with the unruly mess. To insult to the injury, frizz on a head of thick hair looks EVEN frizzier.

Case in point here.

My hair is a frizz mop compared to Sarah’s sleek locks.

According the experts, frizziness isn’t always a sign of damaged hair. Our hair gets frizzy due to a number of factors. Singapore humid weather is a key element in causing frizzy hair. Aside from that, constant hair drying also creates more frizz.

If there are so many elements around us that cause frizzy hair, is there an effective solution to keep the frizz at bay?

The answer is YES! John Frieda, a brand originating from the UK is now in Singapore to win the fight against frizz. A leading hair care brand in many parts of the world – UK, US, Canada, Europe, we, here in Singapore, will be the FIRST country in Asia to will receive it’s premium line of anti-frizz products! Whooooop! We will all have nice smooth non-frizzy hair.

Since the brand is new here in Asia, let me do a quick introduction. The John Frieda brand philosophy is about transformation. They believe that even as a consumer at home, we can ourselves transform our hair into the look we’ve always wanted. You know how you always walk out of a salon with perfect hair? Now you can walk out of the house looking like you came from the salon.

You probably have heard this claim many times from other hair care products, but having tried the products myself, the distinguishing factor of John Frieda is that IT WORKS. I’ve undergone the transformation myself and can safely say John Frieda’s products set high standards for transformation because they understand women’s needs.

To understand why John Frieda’s products work, we have to delve a little into the history of how the brand came about. Owner and creator, John Frieda began his styling career in his father’s West London barber shop. He came from a family of hair stylists and barbers. You could almost say hair was in their blood.

Working for Leonard’s salon from 1969 to 1976 was the key turning point in John Frieda’s stardom. He catapulted into the fashion world during this time at Leonard’s salon. But after gaining enough traction, Frieda then went on to open his first salon the same year he left Leonard’s. That, however, wasn’t the end. Freida went on to create the Frizz Ease range in 1990, Sheer Blonde range in 1998, Brilliant Brunette and Radiant Red in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

Here in Singapore, we will be receiving the four main ranges: Frizz Ease, Full Repair, Luxurious Volume and Brilliant Brunette to address Asian women’s hair needs. John Frieda’s team of hair whisperer experts have carefully put together innovative product ranges that suit the trendy, independent woman.

In particular, the John Frieda Frizz Ease product line up is perfect for our humid climate. Like I mentioned, I was a victim of unruly, frizzy hair but having experienced the John Frieda transformation myself, I’ll share with you the simple steps to achieving flawless, frizz-free hair.

On a daily basis, care for your hair with John Freida shampoo and conditioner. Following that, once or twice a week, pamper your hair and leave the John Frieda Intensive Masque on for 5 short minutes to achieve soft, smooth hair. Normally you would have to use a hair masque for about 10 minutes or so, but the John Frieda Frizz Ease Intensive Masque is efficient yet time-saving. 5 short minutes is all it takes to see superb results.

But that’s not all. After showering, the Frizz Ease range continues to care for your hair. Now pay attention here because I’m going to tell you about the star product in the line up: the John Frieda Hair Serum. This is a unique serum that must be applied on wet hair.

Once dispensed from the bottle, you’ll find the serum of a thick consistency. To be honest, I wasn’t too sure about what to expect on my initial encounter with the hair serum. I was confused. If I applied this serum on my wet hair and then went on to do a blow dry, wouldn’t that take the serum away from my hair?

But, the hair serum surprised me by being surprisingly light and non-sticky. Continuing that, my doubts about this apply-to-wet-hair-serum went out the window once I was done blow drying my hair. The results were in. I was amazed. My hair was incredibly smooth to the touch, soft and light. The best part was I HAD DONE IT MYSELF! I had to keep touching and playing with my hair to feel the results myself. In fact, I was so blown away by the results, I ran straight to my boyfriend and got a second opinion. He too exclaimed how soft and supple my hair was and promptly wanted to experience the John Frieda transformation himself.

The best thing is, this transformation is easily achievable by anyone. At a recent John Frieda event, people in the audience got to experience the anti-frizz transformation.

Viola, of online retail shop Love, Bonito and I were on hand to share our experience with the Frizz Ease range. Unlike myself, Viola prefers voluminous curly hair. We both spoke our individual transformations to show how the John Frieda Frizz Ease range can work for both straight and curly hair.

Love the photos of us laughing and sharing stories about our previous hair woes.

At the event we also had a live demonstration where Stephanie (extreme left in the picture) had her hair washed and blow dried on the spot to show how easy and achievable the Frizz Ease transformation is. Seeing is believing. Everyone in the audience witnessed the transformation themselves and even got the to try out the hair wash themselves. A group photo of everyone who has won the battle against frizzy hair with the Frizz Ease range. Doesn’t everyone in the photo look super polished?

I’m almost done with telling you my favourite products from Frizz Ease product range. Last but certainly not least, my other favourite product besides the John Frieda Hair Serum, is the John Frieda Firm Hold Hair Spray. Unlike other hair sprays I’ve used before, the John Frieda Hair Spray is lasting, light and lives up to its name Firm Hold. All it takes it a little bit of hair spray to set your hair in place for the entire day. I personally love how it’s so light and non-sticky. In fact, all the products in the John Frieda range have equally light textures. They don’t weigh your hair down and make you feel like you applied too much product.

Thank you John Frieda Frizz Ease for solving my frizzy hair woes. Be the first in Asia to experience the John Frieda transformation. You too can achieve salon-like results at home. John Frieda Frizz Ease range is retailing at selective Watsons and Guardian. The John Frieda products retail between S$15.90 and S$16.90 each.

Wait, that’s not it. On top of appearing without makeup in front of media personnel, half my face had undergone a premium skincare treatment while the other did not. Normally you would apply skincare to your whole face, but I wanted to really test the efficacy of this skin care range. And what better way to view the results of the product than to test it on half your face?

That, my friends, was my first experience with the SK-II Cellumination EX range and it required me to use the Cellumination EX range for 3 full weeks… on HALF my face.

The 3-week challenge was aptly named the “Foundation Got or Not Challenge”. The message was simple: SK-II Cellumination EX was meant to give you clear, aura bright skin as if wearing light foundation.

I have always been a firm believer of having great skin. With flawless skin, you really never need to pile on the makeup. Thus, the idea of appearing almost bare-faced in front of a large of people wasn’t new to me. But presenting myself to a crowd with half my skin prepped and primed with SK-II, that had to be the true test of the Cellumination EX products. I was a first time SK-II user and I was eager to see results for myself.

On media presentation day, key personnel from both digital and print media showed up to witness the unveiling of the “Foundation Got or Not Challenge”.

They also got the opportunity to try out the SK-II Cellumination EX products and conduct DIY experiments demonstrating the power of the SK-II Cellumination EX range.

The lovely Junita Simon was our host for the event.

3 weeks before I started the “Foundation Got or Not Challenge”, I was sent a set of the SK-II Cellumination EX range. I had the SK-II Cellumination Mask-in Lotion, SK-II Cellumination Essence EX, SK-II Cellumination Day Surge, SK-II Facial Cleanser and the highly raved about SK-II Facial Treatment Essence.

According to tests done by SK-II experts, I scored relatively well on 4 out of 5 SK-II dimensions to crystal clear skin: Firmness Power, Wrinkle Resilience, Spot Control and Radiance Enhancement. I needed help with Texture Refinement.

So, fast forward 3 weeks later, I appeared on stage with Venetia Stravens, makeup artist with 20 years of experience, to present the results of my “Foundation Got or Not” skin transformation with the SK-II Cellumination EX range.

The big question was: Did the SK-II Cellumination EX range help me achieve translucent aura bright skin… on one side of my face? And would people be able to notice the difference between the two sides?

We got Junita and a member of the audience to come up and pick which side had undergone the SK-II transformation.

And they both got it right!

It didn’t take them long to decide that it was the left side of my face that a visible aura as if wearing light foundation. The SK-II Cellumination EX range works!

To demonstrate how the SK-II Cellumination EX range gives you a translucent aura glow from within, my co-host, makeup artist Venetia Stravens, goes on to apply the SK-II foundation onto the other half of the face.

Here’s a close up of my face without makeup.

Being confident bare-faced, is having translucent, crystal clear skin.

She explains how foundation is great for giving the skin a matt finish and correcting skin tone, but cannot replicate the aura brightness that comes from truly radiant and glowing skin. That comes from having a great skin care routine.

Venetia herself had also undergone the “Foundation Got or Not Challenge” and as she continues to finish my make up, she explains how the SK-II Cellumination EX range brightened up her skin after 3 weeks. By the end of the event, it was quite clear that we were both very happy with the results of our “Foundation Got or Not Challenge” results.

Beauty bloggers, Kas and Joey, were both at the event and marveled at how brave I was for going bare-faced in front of everybody! There was nothing to hide. When you have crystal clear skin, you’re completely comfortable in your own skin.

It was so much fun embarking on my very first SK-II experience. The “Foundation Got or Not” challenge really put the SK-II Cellumination EX range to the test… On my face! Hahaha. A big thank you to the team who put the event together and having me on board to experience the amazing transformation.

With effective formulas that haven’t changed since the day they started, I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to visit the original Kiehl’s New York City store back in 2010.

It was such an amazing experience because it was as though I had stepped back into time. I could feel the old world charm of the building and the history of the Kiehl’s story just being in the store.

While talking to the personnel in store, I learnt that each Kiehl’s product represents a blend of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal, and medicinal knowledge developed and passed on through the generations. And it is the effective formulas of Kiehl’s products that have kept them going strong since 1851. Kiehl’s strongly attributes its success to a long-standing, customer-centered business approach which permeates product development and innovation and has long been the primary focus of the company’s business expansion strategy.

Kiehl’s has always believed in giving back to society. Driven by strong double-digit growth across 43 countries around the world since 1851, they are pleased to announce a PERMANENT price decrease in SINGAPORE on 21 of its most popular formulations! It is their way of rewarding customers for being loyal. Thank you Kiehl’s!

Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Toner
A Kiehl’s classic, first introduced to customers more than 40 years ago, this effective toner formulated with select herbal extracts gently cleanses and soothes normal to oily skin types. Because it contains no alcohol or harsh synthetic drying agents, it may be used to soothe and improve problem areas.

Available in 3 sizes.

Kiehl’s Centella Recovery Skin Salve
Clinically demonstrated to soothe and condition sensitive and temporarily irritated skin, it works great on irritated skin arising from at-home microdermabrasion treatments. An effective moisturizer for dehydrated, sensitive skin

Was S$100. Now S$90.

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective™ Clarity-Activating Toner
An advanced skin retexturizing toner that gently re-texturizes skin, infuses skin with hydrating actives for noticeably cleaner and softer skin. Activated C helps visibly diminish dark spots and skin discoloration. Safe for use daily – morning and night after cleansing. Paraben-free, fragrance-free, colorant-free, dermatologist-tested.

Was S$55. Now S$50.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps
A rich, hydrating body moisturizer for all-day hydration and ideal for luxuriously pampering skin. A Kiehl’s favorite for over four decades!

Was S$100. Now S$90.

Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
A Kiehl’s classic for a burst of hydration to the eye area, this Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado Oil gently moisturizes the delicate eye area. With a unique, concentrated texture, the cream does not migrate into the eyes.

Was S$57. Now $50.

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash
Re-energize and invigorate complexion with this “Refueling Facial Cleanser”! Its unique blend helps to refresh and waken skin, preparing it for a less irritating, more comfortable shave. Helps skin resist the effects of environmental stress and gives even dull, tired-looking skin a fresher, healthier appearance.

Was S$45. Now S$35.

Kiehl’s High Potency Skin Firming Concentrate
This powerful skin-firming concentrate is formulated with a potent blend of ingredients to significantly improve the appearance and firmness of skin on the face, neck and décolleté. With continued use over time, this treatment has a significant and progressive effect on skin firmness, while smoothing surface roughness and further ameliorating the look of crepiness (thinning of skin).

Was S$112. Now S$105.

Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion
A highly efficacious polishing cream with a powerful micro-dermabrasion ingredient used by dermatologists. An advanced treatment that has a highly effective abrading quality on skin’s surface. It affords an immediate skin-smoothing effect and with regular, tri-weekly use, helps to visibly minimize discolorations and small marks on face, hands, and décolleté.

Read my Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion review.

Was S$92. Now S$78.

Kiehl’s Deep Pore Daily Cleanser
Exfoliates and detoxifies. Formulated specifically for normal to oily skin types to purify and thoroughly cleanse, this non-stripping foaming formula contains Amazonian white clay particles to gently remove surface debris, toxins and oils.

Was S$45. Now S$40.

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate
A lightweight treatment that effectively retores skin’s healthy appearance overnight. Skin is smoother, more radiant complexion by morning. It works with the skin’s natural nocturnal activity when skin is most receptive to repairing itself from daily aggressors to dramatically restore skin. This purely potent over-night repair is 99.8% naturally-derived and paraben-free.

Was S$90. Now S$80.

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye
The ideal companion to the highly successful Midnight Recovery Concentrate, this restorative concentrate of essential oils and botanicals improves the youthful appearance around the eye. Infused with the same natural ingredients as Midnight Recovery Concentrate, as well as Butcher’s Broom, this night treatment leaves under-eye skin feeling strengthened and replenished.

Was S$72. Now S$60.

Kiehl’s Over-Night Biological Peel
This potent, effective peel for overnight use stimulates the desquamation process – the biological means by which skin restores itself. The treatment is formulated with naturally-derived ingredients to enhance formula efficacy while performing a safe and gentle peeling action.

Was S$102. Now S$80.

Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
Formulated with a 10.5% Pure Vitamin C, the Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate is clinically-demonstrated to improve overall skin texture, tone and radiance while reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It also gives your skin a boost by providing anti-oxidant protection and exfoliating skin to reveal healthier-looking skin.

Was S$132. Now S$98.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Thickening Shampoo
This antioxidant enriched shampoo is infused with a blend of thickening polymers, naturally-derived proteins and an Omega-6 essential fatty acid derivative to fortify and texturize thinning hair. It is also combined with these is a blend of nurturing Vitamin E and Rosemary, Peppermint, and Cedarwood essential oils for a stimulating sensation on the scalp.

Was S$41. Now S$38.

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Pore Minimizing Lotion
The Rare Earth Lotion helps minimize and refine the look of enlarged pores while leaving skin soft and smooth. This lightweight oil-free formula contains Amazonian White Clay to help absorb excess oil to create a matte appearance throughout the day.

Was S$69. Now S$52.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
A mild formula cleanser to thoroughly cleanse skin and remove makeup without over-drying or stripping skin of its natural oils. It dissolves excess oil, dirt, and debris and is PH-balanced to maintain skin’s natural balance.

Was S$43. Now S$35.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
This 24-hour, light-textured daily hydrator leaves skin comfortable and visibly well-balanced, particularly in harsh weather conditions. The unique combination of ingredients helps reduce moisture loss while drawing and absorbing moisture from the air.

Was S$51. Now S$48.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Cleanser
The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil–Free Cleanser is a quick–lathering cleansing foam that thoroughly removes impurities and visibly reduces excess oil on skin’s surface, while leaving skin looking more balanced. With Imperata Cylindrica Root and Lemon Fruit Extracts, the non–stripping, sulfate–free formula leaves skin clean and refreshed without over–drying.

Was S$43. Now S$35.

Kiehl’s Ultra-Light Daily UV Defense
Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF50 PA+++ has the dual function of being both a moisturiser and sun protection for your face. It also has two innovative active ingredients, Mexoryl SX™ and Mexoryl XL™ which act as powerful photostable sun filters to block out dangerous UVA and UVB rays from the sun. These two ingredients are combined with the antioxidant Vitamin E for effective sun protection against the harmful effect of sun exposure.

Was $68. Now S$52.

]]> http://dweam.com/2013/04/12/kiehls-new-lower-price-list/feed/ 0 http://dweam.com/2013/04/08/the-tiramisu-hero/ http://dweam.com/2013/04/08/the-tiramisu-hero/#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 01:21:06 +0000 dweam http://dweam.com/?p=14675 A mysterious looking character by the name of Sir Antonio paid me a visit over the weekend! This masked crusader seems to guarding something in this brown bag!

I carefully peel open the brown bag and find Sir Antonio guarding 2 jars of yummy dessert called the MommaHero.

Sir Antonio introduces himself as the superhero from The Tiramisu Hero and hands me 2 jars filled with delicious tiramisu. I quickly pull off the brown string and paper from the top to unveil treasure. Armed with my spoon, I contemplate the process. But it doesn’t take me too long to dip my spoon past the point of no return.

It was love at first bite. The layer of sponge in the MommaHero was so moist and the marscarpone cheese was perfectly peppered with little chunks of chocolate chips. I devoured the desserts in silence in delight because I could not afford time to make any sound.

Each MommaHero retails at S$7.50.

With a happy tummy, I pondered what more treasures could be hiding in this cute white box. Once I peeled off the adorable red tape guarding the lid, inside lay six beautiful Tiramisu Hero MiniHero cupcakes each neatly stenciled!

These cute MiniHero cupcakes called out for some fun scrabble action, and with a bit of work, I saw the real message from Sir Antonio and my heart melted. <3 It occurred to me the best way to show my love back was to promptly devour the heart cupcake first! Each Tiramisu Hero cupcake is just the right portion to explore all the wonderful flavors of tiramisu.

The full spread was just too fantastic. One last group photo please!

Make a date with Sir Antonio and his delightful recipes at The Tiramisu Hero website www.thetiramisuhero.com or drop by any of their store locations to let Sir Antonio serenade you with delicious loving too!

The Tiramisu Hero Locations
66 Haji Lane
Singapore 189259
+65 62990384

Opening Hours:
Mon – Thu: 12:00 – 20:00
Fri – Sat: 12:00 – 21:00
Sun: 12:00 – 20:00

—

100 Tras Street
#01-06
Singapore 079027
(next to Amara Hotel)
+65 65436860

Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 10:30 – 21:30
Sat – Sun: 11:00 – 21:00

—

31 Biopolis Way
Nanos Building, #01-07
Singapore 138669
t: +65 64789739

Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 11:15 – 21:00
Sun: 10:00 – 16:00
Closed on Saturdays

—

14 Scotts Road Far East Plaza
#01-16
Singapore 228213
t: +65 67373315

Opening Hours:
Mon – Sun: 11:30 – 22:00

]]> http://dweam.com/2013/04/08/the-tiramisu-hero/feed/ 0 http://dweam.com/2013/04/04/nars-satin-lip-pencils/ http://dweam.com/2013/04/04/nars-satin-lip-pencils/#comments Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:15:14 +0000 dweam http://dweam.com/?p=14695

I’ve always been a big fan of NARS cosmetics and have always been loved their eyeshadows. So when I was sent the new NARS Satin Lip Pencils to swatch, I was so glad they didn’t disappoint. In fact, they exceeded expectations.

Left to right: Marjella, Rikugien and Lodhi.

I’ve used lip pencils before and the only one I remember using required some effort to get maximum color payoff. It was like using a child’s crayon to apply lipstick. But these NARS Satin Lip Pencils are insanely smooth and glide almost over any surface. Whether it was my lips or the paper I was trying to scribble on, a ONE time, light-handed application was sufficient for creamy, intense color pay off.

I made the mistake of using too much strength the first time with these pencils and literally smushed their tips. That explains the odd shaped tips in the above picture. After repeated tries with adjusting my strength, I eventually managed to find the right level of effort while applying these Satin Lip Pencils. Level of effort required: NONE.

They’re literally lip sticks merely in pencil form and will need to be sharped in a jumbo pencil sharpener.

Aside from providing decadent rich, bold colors, the 12 shades of NARS’ Satin Lip Pencils also give drench your lips in moisture. No more dry, cracked lips!

I love pencil shaped items. They’re easy to carry around, simple to use and these Satin Lip Pencils provide intense color with a satin finish to dress up your lips. Pale lips are out, color is in! Love how the Lip Pencil Lodhi adds a pop of orange/coral color to my make up face of the day.

You can use the NARS Satin Lip Pencils for lip lining, all-over lip color, or under another lip product. Just like a lip stain, they leave a teeny weeny bit of a stain after being wiped off.

NARS Satin Lip Pencils are now available at TANGS Orchard Beauty Hall. Each Satin Lip Pencil retails for SGD$37.

]]> http://dweam.com/2013/04/04/nars-satin-lip-pencils/feed/ 0 http://dweam.com/2013/03/23/clarisonic-plus-singapore-review/ http://dweam.com/2013/03/23/clarisonic-plus-singapore-review/#comments Sat, 23 Mar 2013 04:45:57 +0000 dweam http://dweam.com/?p=14613 I’ve heard so much about this very unique device called the Clarisonic and it wasn’t till recently that I received a Clarisonic Plus face brush of my very own. The reviews for this face brush have nothing been short of stellar. Raved about by Hollywood A-listers including Jessica Alba, Kate Moss, Natalie Portman and even male stars like Tom Ford and Jake Gyllenhaal, I wanted to see what the hype was about.

But in all honesty, I didn’t know who was behind Clarisonic or what the fuss was about until I understood the science behind it. The quick history lesson is this: Clarisonic was put together by the guys behind Sonicare – the brains behind sonic cleansing technology. As opposed to rotary technology, sonic technology makes the Clarisonic brush oscillate at a sonic frequency of 300 micro-movements per second. This means a back-and-forth oscillation that guarantees thorough cleansing and skin softening while respecting the skin’s elasticity.

I received the Clarisonic Plus in baby Pink, a limited edition Clarisonic brush in support of Breast Cancer awareness and immediately broke the package seal when I got home and turned the brush on. I was eager to revolutionize my skin cleansing routine.

Unlike the earlier Clarisonic models (Mia, Mia 2, Aria, Pro), the Clarisonic Plus has 3 speeds and is useable on the body. The closest to the Plus would be the Pro brush, but that model is exclusively used and sold by skin-care professionals.

The Clarisonic Plus set comes with 3 brush heads in total. The Deep Pore Cleansing brush head (white base + blue bristles) is your replacement brush in the set. The set also includes a larger gray base brush head is also ideal for use on the body.

All brushes compatible with the Clarisonic face brushes are made from a non-porous soft elastomeric material, resistant to bacterial attachment. Although it’s best to replace the brush heads every three months, you don’t have to worry about bacteria build-up in your Clarisonic brushes. Furthermore, with significantly lower rate of moisture absorption, the brushes dry in a shorter time.

On my first date with the pretty Clarisonic Plus, I used the sensitive brush head (white base + black bristles) because it was the one brush that was attached to the Clarisonic Plus. It wasn’t till a couple of days later that I figured out how to remove the brush head. Seriously, that’s what I get for not reading the manual. Until then, I was also ignorant of the fact that I had to charge the Clarisonic Plus in its charging cradle for 24 hours prior to first use (see second picture).

In any case, I was impressed with the Clarisonic Plus on the first try. The proof that the brush effectively removes dirt is visible once you’re done with your 1 minute routine. My skin was smoother to the touch, glowy – shinier even. My forehead was so shiny it looked like I just waxed it, but that could just be due to the fact that my forehead is unnaturally large.

Jokes aside, I did particularly enjoy the face massage the sonic technology provides and was sure the claims of Clarisonic providing 6x more effective cleaning than manual hand cleaning is true. I’m also quite certain the micro-massage action helps improve skin circulation, keeping your complexion radiant after every wash.

I initially thought Clarisonic was an exfoliant, but it’s not. In fact, the instruction manual recommends NOT using Clarisonic with jagged exfoliating particles. Clarisonic simply removes what has to be removed. The feeling of exfoliated skin comes from perfect cleansing. And with flawless cleansing, my skin is now perfectly prepped to absorb the skin care products I feed it.

Some skin types will react differently to Clarisonic – I have had friends who told me about breaking out post Clarisonic. But I am happy to report that after a week with my Clarisonic Plus, I now understand why there is so much positive feedback and am happy to join the fresh faced bandwagon of supporters.

The Clarisonic range of face brushes and replacement brush heads can be found at Sephora Singapore.

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