Technology
Why “Made In Japan” products are synonymous with good design and quality

18.12.2021
By Adelina Tan

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Think of Japan and what generally comes to mind is a picture of punctuality, efficiency and commitment to the highest standards. In the Land of the Rising Sun, attention to detail is deeply ingrained into everyday life. It’s where trains arrive and depart like clockwork; artisans dedicate their whole lives to perfecting a single craft; and where some of the most iconic breakthroughs in technology were discovered.
In turn, the world has looked to Japan when setting benchmarks for innovation, design and craftsmanship. We’ve also come to recognise the “Made in Japan” label as an assurance of quality. Be it food, electronics, tableware or timepieces—just to name a few—Japanese design effortlessly balances beauty and functionality. This is possible due to the Japanese’s enduring appreciation for their traditional culture and way of life.

It’s also why, according to the locals, the only way to produce the best of anything is to specialise in it. From the whisky in Hokkaido to the sushi in Tokyo to the knives in Osaka, takumi—the Japanese word for skilled artisans—train for years to hone their craft. Even after rising to the ranks of a master, they constantly strive to be better at what they do.
However, this dedication to perfection isn’t limited to just traditional crafts. There’s a reason why so many visitors to Tokyo set aside time to shop for electronics. Besides their advanced technological innovations, devices from Japan’s leading brands have a reputation for being reliable and well-designed.
Likewise, Fujitsu’s Takumi Craftsmanship standard is the reason we’ve set our sights on the brand’s premium laptops, especially the impressive Fujitsu UH-X and the highly portable Fujitsu CH. Both models strike the right balance of design and performance in meeting the needs of today’s career-oriented lifestyles.
For the modern professional who wants it all

The pace of life just keeps getting faster. As we become more hyper-connected, with increasingly fluid boundaries between work and play, we’re constantly switching between roles. Powered by an 11th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor, the Fujitsu UH-X delivers advanced performance at incredible speed, allowing users to confidently run work tasks wherever they are.
With a weight of just 749g*1 and a thickness of only 15.5mm, this sleek and stylish next-generation device is “lighter than light”—and one of the lightest models Fujitsu offers. That said, this powerhouse that’s made in Japan is far from flimsy. The Fujitsu UH-X has passed the pressure test at 200kgf and the drop test at up to 76cm, making it ideal for business trips, hotel conferences and flexible workplace arrangements.
To keep your sensitive documents and confidential work files safe, this laptop also offers unmatched security features. You have the option of activating a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button that works with Windows Hello Support, in addition to an automatic webcam shutter that safeguards your privacy.
When it’s time to kick back and relax, enjoy an immersive viewing or gaming experience with true-to-life visuals and 84.1 per cent active-area-ratio on the FHD 400 nits Display by IGZO. The device’s superior sound, courtesy of stereo speakers powered by Dirac Audio, is also great for video calls.
Smartly packed with plenty of ports—including HDMI in and out connectors for enhanced connectivity and more varied options for display—with a camera and a large-capacity battery, the Fujitsu UH-X offers exceptional performance be it for entertainment or work.
For the mobile modern professional

If you mostly use your device for work, we also recommend the Fujitsu CH as it’s built to support the modern-day working professional. Powered by the Intel® Evo™ platform and equipped with 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor, users can expect smooth, exceptional performance from the Fujitsu CH.
This stylish, next-generation device is optimised for mobility whether you’re working from home, the office or your favourite cafe. Weighing in at only 988g*2 and with a thickness of only 15.8mm, it won’t add pressure to your shoulders or back when you’ve got it in your work bag.
Designed with four microphones that can collect sound over a wide range, Dirac Audio apps that makes it easier to hear people’s voices and a full high-definition IGZO display with 400 nits of brightness, the Fujitsu CH enables crisp video calls as well as enjoyable video streaming. To protect your privacy, the device also comes with intelligent safety features such as logging in using facial recognition through Windows Hello. It boasts enhanced connectivity too with combo HDMI in/out connectors, easing your workflow anytime and anywhere.
From now until 31 December 2021, purchase either the Fujitsu UH-X or Fujitsu CH to redeem a free two-way, water-resistant Muji business bag worth RM229. Both models can be purchased online through the official Fujitsu Consumer Brand Store on Lazada and Shopee. For more information, visit the official Facebook page.
*1 Weight may vary due to manufacturing process (Windows 10 weight is 749g; Windows 11 weight is 878g)
*2 Weight may vary due to manufacturing process

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Lifestyle
Guide: Quarantine-free travel to Australia from Malaysia starts today
Journey to the Land Down Under

21.02.2022
By Natalie Khoo

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In case you missed the news, Australia officially opens its borders for fully vaccinated visa holders, tourists, business travellers, and other visitors around the world today (21 February, 2022).
The decision is part of the country’s international travel plans and builds on quarantine-free travel arrangements with Singapore, which came into effect on 21 November 2021. According to Tourism Australia, Malaysia is Australia’s eighth largest source market for international visitation and tenth most valuable for spend. About 72 per cent of Malaysian leisure travellers are repeat visitors to Australia, 61 per cent of which have visited the country more than twice.

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Under the rule, travellers will be able to travel to Australia quarantine-free as long as they have received double doses of a TGA-approved vaccine and hold a valid visa. On the other hand, visa holders who are not fully vaccinated may still enter Australia with a valid travel exemption, but will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.
Read on for the full SOPs for Malaysians travelling to Australia.

Travelling to Australia:

Visa holders who are fully vaccinated with two doses of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved Covid-19 vaccine can travel to Australia quarantine-free, without the need to apply for a travel exemption
Travellers must hold a valid Australian visa, which you can apply for online

Travellers must provide proof of vaccination status, which includes paper or digital certificates
Travellers must present a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) taken within 24 hours or Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure (unless a medical exemption applies)
Quarantine-free travel applies to all states and territories in Australia, except Western Australia

Travellers will need to comply with requirements in the state or territory of their arrival, and any other state or territories that they plan to travel to. Information on entry requirements is updated regularly so it is important to check the latest requirements before travelling via the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website

Travellers are also encouraged to check any requirements for stopover destinations that they are transitioning through

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To celebrate the announcement, Tourism Australia will be kicking off a new tourism campaign to welcome Malaysian visitors back to Australia in the coming weeks. The campaign will involve partnerships with a range of key distribution and airline partners to maximise opportunities and drive bookings and recovery for Australia’s hard-hit tourism economy.
Among the partners include Apple Vacations, Corporate Information Travel, Forever Travel, Holiday Tours & Travel, and Sedunia Travel, who will provide tactical offers aimed at stimulating travel to Australia from Malaysia.
Tourism Australia will also partner with Malaysia Airlines to support the recovery of the airline industry and resume services into Australia in the coming months.

“We are really excited that Malaysians can once again discover the incredible tourism experiences that await them in Australia,” said Karen Saw, Tourism Australia’s Business Development Manager in Malaysia.
“Come and enjoy incredible experiences featuring Australia’s world-class natural beauty and wildlife, food and drink, and welcoming people—as well as some of the lesser-known parts of Australia that make us such a popular holiday destination.”

For more information on travelling to Australia, visit the official website. For other information and tips on where to go and what to see, visit Australia.com.

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Watches
Undefeated boxing champ, Triple G strikes winning partnership with Hublot
Knock out

22.03.2017
By Buro247

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Two entities stood tall and victorious in the boxing ring at Madison Square Garden last Saturday. One of them was Gennady Gennadyevich Golovkin (or GGG in short), the undefeated champion; and the other was Hublot—whose name proudly accompanied the renowned initials on the winner’s waistband.

Following the intense match on March 18, 2017, the ‘Triple G’ or ‘Kazakh Thunder’ as Golovkin is strikingly known, has racked up 37 victories in 37 fights under his belt with zero defeats. And now, his winning streak continues as he is officially on Hublot time as the brand’s newest ambassador.

As the champion’s declaration resounded through the arena, GGG held the Hublot flag high—giving the brand a triple feature of its own as the banner accompanying the logo on his shorts and on the center of the ring.

“As far back as 2012, Hublot had entered the world of boxing by becoming a privileged partner of the World Boxing Council. Following on from this collaboration, our desire was to see Gennady Golovkin hold the colour and the values of our brand high in his incredible fights that have up until now always led him to victory! A remarkable champion!” offered Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot.

Three special new models enter the ring in tribute to the new partnership.

The first is a King Power UNICO Special Edition Gennady Golovkin. The substantial 48mm case and minimal bezel rendered in Hublot’s famous black ceramic sets the stage for a brilliant blue internal bezel and punctuations of yellow on indexes. The model runs on UNICO manufacture movement with a power reserve of 72 hours and is limited to only 25 pieces.

Also limited to 25 pieces, the second model features a specially developed alloy called King Gold on the case, bezel and crown—well befitting of a champion. Gold accents echo the sentiment.

The third is a unique piece. A dazzler with a King Gold case set with no less than 248 diamonds for a total of 1,97 carats. Adding to the sparkle is a crown adorned with 48 baguette-cut diamonds amounting to 2,40 carats.

In all three variants, the letters, GGG proudly hover at the 12th hour while clashing gloves mark 9 o’clock.

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Technology
Enjoy your favourite Google Apps on the P60 Pro through the HUAWEI AppGallery
Everything you need in a smartphone

26.05.2023
By Carmen Chong

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Our smart devices, like smartphones, have inevitably become an integral part of our lives for good reason. Whether you’re using them for productivity, entertainment, or social media, there’s literally nothing a smart device cannot do. That said, it’s the apps on these devices that ultimately make our lives just that much easier.
Recognising this, HUAWEI has consistently been ramping up its AppGallery, which is its official app distribution platform available on all of its devices. Since being introduced in 2019, the AppGallery has indeed come a long way and today it houses most of the world’s most used apps, including Google Apps.
No matter what your lifestyle needs are, the HUAWEI AppGallery has it all, whether that means banking, shopping, or food delivery. The best part about it all is that these apps, like the Google Apps, are super effortless to install through the AppGallery.

And what better way to test the AppGallery out than with HUAWEI’s brand new photography flagship smartphone, the HUAWEI P60 Pro? Fusing exceptional camera capabilities with sublime style, the HUAWEI P60 Pro brings mobile photography to a never-before-seen level and delivers an unprecedented user experience that satisfies all the senses.
Before we dive into all the outstanding features that make the HUAWEI P60 Pro a force to be reckoned with, here’s how you can download and install Google apps such as Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube and more through the AppGallery on the P60 Pro:

Purchase a HUAWEI P60 Pro from any HUAWEI Experience Store or HUAWEI’s official website.
Open the AppGallery and search for any Google App you wish to install.
Install the app and sign into your Google account.
Now, your favourite Google App is ready for use!

Now, here are some of the ground-breaking technologies on the HUAWEI P60 Pro that make it the flagship smartphone you shouldn’t miss.

Ultra-lighting XMAGE camera system

Boasting an F1.4-F.4.0 auto-adjustable physical aperture, the Ultra Lighting Main Camera on the HUAWEI P60 Pro produces crisp and high-quality images regardless whether it is day or night, thanks to its full-path light capturing capabilities. The breakthrough XMAGE mobile camera imaging tech by HUAWEI reproduces colours to look extra rich and sharp, so your photos will look more lifelike.

1/3

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3/3

Unequalled Rococo Pearl design

Inspired by nature and reinterpreted with modernity, the HUAWEI P60 Pro features the industry’s first Pearl Texture Design, which integrates natural mineral pearl powder to give off a unique shimmery finish akin to that of the Mother of Pearl. Not only does it glow like a timeless ornament, but it also lends a distinct pattern to the P60 Pro’s exterior that exudes sheer elegance.

Durable Kunlun Glass
Say goodbye to fragile smartphone screens with HUAWEI P60 Pro’s new Quad-Curve Display that is made with HUAWEI’s exclusive durable Kunlun Glass panel. With its five-star glass drop-resistance certification from Switzerland’s SGS—the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company—the HUAWEI P60 Pro’s overall drop-resistance is boosted by 10 times thanks to the Kunlun Glass.

Remarkable battery life

With the HUAWEI P60 Pro, you’ll never have to worry about making it through the day on a charge ever again. Equipped with a large capacity 4815 mAh battery, you can be rest assured that your P60 Pro will last you the entire day. With the 88W HUAWEI SuperCharge Charger, you’ll also be able to boost your smartphone’s juice by up to 50 per cent in under 10 minutes. Talk about being quick!

Pricing and availability

The HUAWEI P60 Pro is now available nationwide in two variants: RM4,699 (8GB RAM + 256GB ROM), and RM5,499 (12GB RAM + 512 GB ROM), offered in the Rococo Pearl and Black colour options.
Once you get your hands on your HUAWEI P60 Pro, go ahead and access the AppGallery and equip your brand new device with your favourite apps!

The HUAWEI P60 Pro can be purchased via the HUAWEI official website, HUAWEI Flagship Store on Lazada, HUAWEI Official Store on Shopee, or at any HUAWEI Experience store near you.
For more information, visit HUAWEI’s official website.

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Food + Drink
This one’s a keeper: Rémy Martin Carte Blanche Merpins Cellar Edition

25.06.2018
By Rachel Au

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Some might say that cognac has a traditional image. Or rather, it had. While drinking it neat was once the only way to go, making it as a cocktail is now a popular choice. Even Rémy Martin’s Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau is fond of having his VSOP served with ginger ale. It’s certain that the over-300-year-old house of Rémy Martin has a hand in widening the public’s interest in cognac. One such effort is releasing a Carte Blanche.

It meant the Cellar Master is given a complete freehand in the cognac he wants to make. No release date imposed. No specific number of editions required. No constraints. No conditions by the higher-ups. Just Loiseau, his palate and his vision. The result is the Carte Blanche Merpins Cellar Edition, which uses a blend of Eau de Vie with a minimum age of 27 years — chosen from a single vat out of the house’s extensive inventory and into only 9,650 bottles. It’s a second special edition under his name.

The taste? Exceptional and distinctive. Take a sip and you’re hit with the spicy notes of cinnamon and clove. Take another and your palate will recognise hints of Mirabelle and honey. Take another sip and now you’ll find it ends with flavours of gingerbread. Bottled at the percentage proof naturally occurring in the vat, it holds a bold yet pure character, one that’s best enjoyed neat. One that pairs beautifully with chocolate, as recommended by Rémy Martin international brand ambassador Thierry Arnold.

This blend of cognac is so rare, it deserves to be both enjoyed and kept. We hear that only 60 bottles have been brought in to Malaysia, available at Mercato Pavilion and Jason’s Food Hall at RM1,999 each. Alternatively, you can get it for RM180 per glass (or RM4,200 per bottle) at Astor Bar of The St. Regis KL.
For more info, visit Rémy Martin’s website.

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Lifestyle
Ed Sheeran is back on the Internet – with good news for fans
Hello 2017

03.01.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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In December 2015, Ed Sheeran announced a break from his virtual life on social media, stating he wanted to “travel the world and see everything I missed”, while reassuring fans that a third album is on the way and he’ll be back next autumn. Well, autumn passed, and if fans were anxious seeing no social updates from their favourite singer-songwriter—the wait is finally over. Exactly a year after that announcement, Sheeran flooded his social media accounts with the same shade of blue. No text, no hints, just blue.

But on New Year’s Day, he broke his silence on the Internet with great news for fans:

His new music will drop this Friday, 6 January at 5AM GMT. After his first two albums + and x, it seems the upcoming album will be called ÷, as Sheeran left yet another message on social media.

A video posted by @teddysphotos on Jan 2, 2017 at 11:12am PST

How is that for starting off the New Year on the right foot?

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Features
Style hacks to refresh your wardrobe for the new year, according to fashion influencer and TikTok star Jessica Wang

14.01.2021
By Joan Kong

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Think of TikTok and addictive dance challenges and fun comedy skits will come to mind, but ICYMI, the breakout social media platform of 2020 is also a gold mine when it comes to style tips and fashion hacks. One of the top influencers who are leading the pack is none other than NYC-based digital content creator Jessica Wang, who has amassed 4.8 million followers on TikTok in just six months. Her secrets to success? Ingenious photography hacks and fashion tips that actually work. If you think that they’re all just for #content, think again—trust us when we say that she practices what she preaches.
Check out the style hack video she’s compiled for BURO below:

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Below, we speak to the fashion influencer on her success on TikTok, her favourite style videos, and more:
Describe your style in three words.
Spontaneous, luxe, and bold.

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A post shared by JESSICA WANG (@jessicawang)

Tell us more about your content-creating process.
I take a lot of inspiration from pop-culture, movies, fashion and tech. I’ll write down ideas as they pop up and work through them as they make sense for the time, season, or current events. Although I consider myself a planner and strategist, I never work too far ahead in advance because anything can change at any moment in this industry. I’ll sometimes have to cater my content to brand sponsorships or collaborations coming through the pipeline.
Why do you think fashion content works so well on TikTok?
Fashion has taken the format of still photos for so long and I think people were ready to see something fresh, especially when it comes to how to wear something or styling inspiration. It seems natural to me that fashion would do well on TikTok since it’s so visual-oriented, and since it’s such an interactive platform, these content can be even more enticing.

@jessicawangofficial

Style hack for oversized shirts or pajamas. Comment to let me know what you wanna see next! #learnfromme #fashion #stylehacks #loungewear
♬ original sound – Jessica Wang

You have amassed over 1.6m followers on Instagram and 4.8m on TikTok. How different do you think the fashion community and your followers are on both platforms?
TikTok definitely has a younger audience, and it’s where I share more casual and relatable content. I love that with Instagram, I still get to create beautiful editorial and inspirational image, but can also share practical tips on Reels with my audience.
How long do you usually spend working on one video?
Fashion hacks are generally quick since these are the things that I already know and do myself. It’s the styling videos or transition videos that take hours. Anyone who’s created multi-look styling content will tell you that the aftermath and cleaning up is not fun.

@jessicawangofficial

Did I miss anything?
Which is your favourite fashion hack video?
Based on my followers’ reactions and comments, the ‘bunny-ear shirt’ video has helped millions haha!

@jessicawangofficial

how to tie a button front shirt, super easy! #styletips #fashionhacks #shirtchallenge #fyp #stylingideas
♬ original sound – Jessica Wang

Aside from fashion hacks, you also give tips and tricks on photography. What’s the one video that got the most reactions?
My panorama video hack where you can take better landmark and travel photos has accumulated almost 50 million views on TikTok—and the number continues to increase!

@jessicawangofficial

#iphonephotography #iphonetricks #fyp #photomagic
♬ original sound – Jessica Wang

What are your thoughts on the fashion scene right now, especially in the current pandemic?
It was really mind-boggling at first, but I think that there’s a sense of normalcy now. Mirror selfies and at-home photoshoots have become the New Normal and I think it has really opened the doors for creativity. Brands have also become more creative with their new collections, focusing on comfortable work attire.
How do you juggle being a wife and a mom of two, and handling a blog and two social media accounts with such high followings?
It’s definitely not easy, but being a mom helps you become smart with your time especially when it comes to what and who to invest your time in. It’s all about time management and routine is so important. I start my days pretty early and allocate blocks of time to content-planning and creation, and then also to being mom to my girls.

@jessicawangofficial

Day to night looks by @monnalisa_official . Which look is your favorite?#Monnalisa #MonnalisaNewYork #ad #outfitchange #outfittransition
♬ Afterhours (feat. Diplo & Nina Sky) – QUIX REMIX – TroyBoi

Do you have any advice for those who’d like to grow their TikTok followings?
My strategy for increasing and growing a following is to not obsess over it because it’s easy to lose your creative energy when you’re caught up in the numbers. I would advise placing a higher value on creating great content, developing new ideas, and building great relationships with your followers.

@jessicawangofficial

Styling tips every girl should know. #stylingideas #styletips #poweryourstyle #fyp
♬ original sound – Jessica Wang

What’s the ultimate goal in your career?
To create something that I can look back on and be proud of, and to inspire my girls to be the best versions of themselves while also making a positive impact in the world.

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Fashion
Bally welcomes Tang Yan as the first spokesperson for Asia Pacific
Oriental beauty

04.07.2017
By Joan Kong

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Known as one of the Four Dan (i.e most bankable) Actresses in China, did you know that Tang Yan-nicknamed ‘one billion queen’ for her high audience rating appearances-is actually a big fan of the Swiss brand? Speaking of the partnership, she says, “I am truly honoured to be the brand’s first Asia Pacific spokesperson. Bally is an iconic brand built on a long history and exquisite craftsmanship. Its origin was a romance itself, as it was a gift of love given by Carl Franz Bally, the brand’s founder, to his wife.”
The campaign, shot in London by New York-based fashion photographer Briana Capozzi, showcases Bally’s new bold direction, since the departure of its creative director, Pablo Coppola early this year. The snaps feature Tang Yan, alongside male model Antoine Duvernois, dressed in the brand’s neutral yet statement-making pieces from its Autumn/Winter 2017 collection-#bossgirl much? An exclusive handbag line is also in the works, so fans of the actress’ oh-so feminine style, keep your eyes peeled for more updates in September.

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Makeup
The business of beauty: Velvet Vanity’s founder on what it takes to succeed in the beauty industry
Beauty Insider

14.12.2022
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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For this month’s instalment of The Business of Beauty, we spoke to Velvet Vanity’s founder Adlina Nadirah to glean her best advice as one of Malaysia’s leading beauty entrepreneurs.
What does it take to launch a business? How does one find their niche in Malaysia’s market? What are some of the challenges that come with being a business owner? Find the answers to all this and more below in our exclusive:

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A post shared by Adlina VVC (@adlinanadirah)

You founded Velvet Vanity in 2016—what inspired you to launch your own beauty brand?
“Velvet Vanity strives to create fuss-free makeup products to make you feel good about being you. When I started Velvet Vanity in 2016, there was a gap for vegan and cruelty-free makeup products in the Malaysian market. So, why not bridge the gap? I am proud to say that we were one of the first local brands to emphasise vegan and cruelty-free products.”

Where does the name Velvet Vanity come from?
“We believe that you should feel good about being you. Vanity means being proud of your appearance and that you don’t have to change anything about it.”

It was a very different climate in the beauty industry back in 2016, especially with the rise of the “Instagram face”—how have you noticed the beauty industry changing over the course of your six years in the business?
“Since 2016, the beauty industry has seen some drastic changes, especially with COVID and the rise of new social media platforms, influencers and aesthetics. In 2016, everyone wanted to be ‘caked-up’ and show their makeup artistry which was highly influenced by beauty gurus on YouTube.
“However, in 2022, minimalism and a skincare-first approach sky-rocketed as people began to appreciate natural beauty and put importance on skincare. Some products that were trending in 2016 might not be relevant anymore now. Hence, we have to keep on evolving to cater to the current demand and trends.”

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A post shared by Adlina VVC (@adlinanadirah)

Are there any particular challenges you’ve faced with the Malaysian market?
“The Malaysian cosmetics market is now saturated with a lot of brands that offer products at a much lower price. However, we don’t see this as a threat but, rather, as healthy competition. We believe that price comes with quality. Our prices are affordable but customers can still enjoy high-quality products. At the end of the day, it all comes down to how you position your brand.”

Velvet Vanity’s Instagram account was unfortunately hacked and deleted recently (PSA: Follow @velvetvanity.co on Instagram!), but you’ve always had a remarkable social presence—how did you build your social platforms up and decide on your brand identity?
“We focus on engaging with our community and putting them first in anything that we do or any products that we develop. We realised that our audience loved to see raw, unedited content compared to highly-retouched editorial campaigns. This also ties back to making you feel good about being you. Our brand identity also centres around minimalism but is laced with a youthful appearance through our brand colours.”

@velvetvanity Its a glo up era Launch date reveal tomorrow! #fyp #velvetvanity #GlossyGloLipOil ♬ original sound – ﾒ’0

What are the logistics involved in launching a business?
“We focus on keeping our supply chain straightforward and practical. Hence, we strive to develop our products locally with international standard ingredients and research and development processes.
“Logistically, it cuts down a lot of costs and also a carbon footprint by manufacturing locally. It also reduces the risk of damage and losses. We are also a direct-to-consumer business and this means that we ship directly to our customers via our logistics partners such as NinjaVan, J&T, Shopee Xpress and many more. At the end of the day, we will always keep sustainability and practicality in our logistic practice.”

@velvetvanity #GlossyGloLipOil ♬ original sound – 𝐌𝐀𝐃

What does the process of creating a product look like from start to finish?
“At Velvet Vanity, we believe in creating products that our customers need. The first step is social listening, where we go through comments and DMs and ask our audience what they would to see next. From these findings, we will research and develop products, formulations, shades and packaging.
“The first sample will never be perfect. We usually go through five to eight samples before landing on the perfect one. We need to test our products and ensure the final product is up to Velvet Vanity’s standard. After that, we will begin brainstorming on marketing and product launch strategy.”

What are some things you wish you’d known before launching?
“Spend your budget wisely. Back in the earlier years, we used to spend a lot of our budget on professional photoshoots and video shoots. However, we noticed that our audience appreciates real-life content more so we try to shoot everything in-house. We don’t have to spend a lot on materials that we won’t be using. Hence, creating a plan before each shoot to avoid redundancy is important.”

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your six years as a business owner?
“Grit, resilience and perseverance are the keys to survive during tough times.”

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A post shared by Adlina VVC (@adlinanadirah)

What are three things you’re most proud of with Velvet Vanity?
“1. My small but mighty team. 2. Still being relevant in the beauty industry after six years. 3. Our loyal and growing community.”

You have recently become a mother—congratulations! What is one piece of advice you’d like to offer your daughter as she grows up in our ever-evolving beauty climate?
“Thank you! No matter how fast beauty trends evolve, always stick to your basics. And don’t forget sunscreen!”

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What advice do you have for other budding entrepreneurs looking to launch their own businesses, either in the beauty industry or otherwise?
“Never compare your journey with others. Just because you took longer than others doesn’t mean you failed.”

What’s next for you, professionally or personally?
“Professionally, I am focused on growing Velvet Vanity bigger so I can provide more for my team. Personally, I’m trying to live in the moment with my new bundle of joy, surrounded by my family.”

Find more beauty insiders like this here.

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Beauty
Unveiling the secret to youthful skin: Sothys La Crème 128
Eternal youth

21.02.2017
By Cai Mei Khoo

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As I approach my mid-30s, fine lines and wrinkles are now some of my top skin concerns. While anti-aging skincare products have been part of my skincare regime for a while now, I’m always on the lookout for the next skincare product that offers healthy, radiant and youthful skin—after all, who really wants to look their true age?

The newest addition to the premium Secrets de Sothys range is a decadent face cream, La Crème 128. The product of innovative biotechnological procedures and five years of intensive research, La Crème 128 contains three powerful ingredients that boosts its anti-aging abilities: stem cells from the Sothys rose, porcelain flower oil and peach leaf extract.

Unique to the brand, the Sothys rose was specially cultured in honour of Mr Bernard Mas, the founder of Sothys. Using cutting-edge technology, stem cells from the Sothys rose that are rich in active phyto-molecules such as polyphenols, sugars and proteins, are harvested and preserved at the highest level of integrity, which enables the cream to deliver its regenerative powers to the skin. The Sothys rose stem cells promotes renewal of dermal stem cells, which ensures longevity of youthful-looking skin.

Precious porcelain flower oil is the second ingredient that complements the action of the Sothys rose stem cell, while peach leaf extract stimulates stress-resistant proteins that improves cell function. Together, these three ingredients are key to the concept of Vitagene, which aims to preserve the skin’s natural youth by protecting and stimulating the skin’s gene. Clinical tests on a panel of 40 women have shown that 95% reported smoother, lifted and more luminous skin after using La Crème 128 for a month.
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Such a luxurious cream deserves only the best in packaging and for La Crème 128, Sothys partnered with fine porcelain makers, Bernardaud, to create porcelain jars that are unique to the brand. Each jar is handcrafted by Bernardaud’s artisans and individually numbered. A piece of art in itself, the jar won the Formes de Luxe prize at the Luxepack show in Monaco.

Perhaps the best way of trying out Sothys’ new face cream is by having a facial treatment at a Sothys salon. Opt for the Secrets de Sothys Face Excellence Treatment, an invigorating two-hour treatment that combines the use of La Crème 128, along with a host of other Sothys products including a modelling serum, modelling balm, tightening serum and biocellulose anti-aging mask, a full arsenal that will ensure you’ll look a reported 4.5 years younger by the time you walk out the door.

The Secrets de Sothys Face Excellence Treatment is available at all Sothys Premium Salons nationwide and costs RM790. Secrets de Sothys La Crème 128 is priced at RM2,500/ 50ml jar.

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Style
Taylor Swift threw an epic New Year’s Eve costume party, and here’s what all the celebs wore

03.01.2019
By Joan Kong

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Known for throwing the best parties with the most star-studded crowd (remember her past Fourth of July soirees?), it’s to no surprise that Taylor Swift opted to end 2018 with one last round of fun with an epic New Year’s Eve bash. To ring in the new year in the best way possible, all guests had to come dressed in costumes—not just any costume, but the ones of their childhood heroes, to be specific. The guests in attendance? Blake Lively as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz; Ryan Reynolds; Gigi Hadid as Mary Poppins; Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann’s daughter, Iris Apatow as Cinderella; stylist Asha Avignone as Gwen Stefani; Gigi Hadid’s longtime friends Leah McCarthy and McCall Koenig as Avril Lavingne and Nancy Drew respectively; and Taylor Swift’s best friend, Abigail Lauren as Posh Spice. The host herself looked very much like her The Little Mermaid counterpart in an Ariel costume, complete with a fiery red wig and a cute crab bag.

Scroll through below for all the fun snaps of the night:

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Fashion
See now, buy now: Is immediacy the future of fashion?
New-age model

16.03.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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Will waiting for that amazing look you saw on the runway deter you from splurging when the time comes? Or are you more likely to jump at the first opportunity to own that dress you saw on Gigi Hadid just minutes ago?

There was a time when fashion shows were only for the industry, where seats by the runway were exclusive and dominated by editors and buyers. But then the digital age happened—notions of a consumer-centric show model stepped in with bloggers and social media influencers being a common sight in front rows, Instagram-based shows opted over the traditional runways, and live-streaming making the shows readily available to the public. This season, an industry-gripping move came underway, as several brands have decided to leave the traditional show model behind, adopting a see-now, buy-now model instead.

At the forefront of this change is Burberry. The British luxury house’s Chief Creative and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Bailey broke the news in early February that it was going to merge its womenswear and menswear shows into two annual shows, from which the items will be available for purchase in-store and online immediately after. On top of that, rather than being labelled “Spring/Summer” or “Autumn/Winter”, the shows will be seasonless and suited for a variety of climates.

Bailey’s reason for this was simple and straightforward—they were putting the emphasis on consumers. “We’ve been gradually getting to this model anyway”, said Bailey. “We can’t expect a customer to understand our timings, which is why we did runway made-to-order collections. You can’t talk to a customer and say, ‘We’re really excited, we’re going to stimulate you and inspire you, but you can’t touch it or feel it for another six months.'” Tom Ford soon followed, cancelling his show at New York Fashion Week and moving the presentation of his Fall 2016 collection to September instead.  They weren’t the only ones, other names to embrace the new consumer-facing model include Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Thakoon and Rebecca Minkoff. You could see where they are coming from—catering to the excitement of the moment, the move is likely to retain the consumers’ attention (being in-season) and drive sales.

On the other hand, a handful of the world’s biggest luxury houses, including Chanel, Dior, Lanvin, Chloé, Hermes and Balenciaga, are rejecting this new proposition. The governing body of Paris Fashion Week—the Fédération Française de la Couture du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode—likewise stands by the traditional show system of showing collections in advance, citing several reasons: the issue of collections under embargo ad image leaks (“Instead of us controlling our image, our image would be in the hands of pirates”) and the negation of luxury (“Desires and dreams are part of the buying process”) amongst others. Besides, the French fashion industry is thriving as it is.

A key figure in the industry, Karl Lagerfeld too has spoken out against the new model. Backstage at Fendi AW16, Lagerfeld told the Financial Times: “It’s a mess. The reality is that you have to give people the time to make their choice, to order the clothes or handbags, and to produce them beautifully so that editors can photograph them. This way is chaos.”

It seems that the debate on the two contrasting show formats will most likely persist in the near future, as the world of fashion continues to make sense of the fast-paced digital age we live in. Which end of the spectrum will prevail with its sentiments? Only time will tell.

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Fashion
Paris Fashion Week SS17: Highlights of Day 5
Tinkering with shapes

02.10.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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Amplifying his love for sculptural constructions, Junya Watanabe presented his “enhanced vision of street style” for SS17. As the show note states: “For him, neither extreme construction nor streetwear stand alone stylistically—they are complementary, and when merged together, stronger”. His latest showing served as a convincing testament of that statement, with awe-inducing sheer geometric constructions layered on street-sensible band T-shirts, studded cargo pants, patchwork leggings and floral dresses.

While Haider Ackermann’s last Spring collection took on a punk pastel palette, this time he went for “paradise birds on acid”—with hues ranging from electric yellow, copper and gold to varying shades of pink and lavender. His signature long and lean silhouettes persevered, many a time flourishing in languid shapes of floor-grazing, fluted skirts and pleated pants. Meanwhile leather jackets sported midriff cutouts and a number of pantsuit ensembles came down the runway sans tops, displaying Ackermann’s tasteful take on sensuality with a side of punk.

Elsewhere at Acne Studios SS17, textiles and prints reigned; caftans, tunics, jumpsuits and knitwear came in loose, fluid silhouettes, and the paisley motif made a recurring appearance throughout the collection. The unfinished hems that accompanied a handful of looks added to the sense of ease that enveloped the comfortable, oversized shapes.

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Fashion
12 Pictures to prove that the Burberry Belt bag is the It-girls’ favourite bag of the moment

08.10.2018
By Joan Kong

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Each season, different fashion houses battle it out for their bags to reach It-status, and from what we’ve seen so far, the Burberry Belt bag has already secured a spot this season. A scroll through Instagram and you’ll notice the bag—in an assortment of colours—has been popping up on your feed. Want to find out the team’s favourites? Click here. Interested in exclusive pieces that are all housed in a pretty space for a limited time only? Click here. But if you still need some convincing, here’s a compilation of all the It-girls who have been carrying a Belt bag, whether it’s on a holiday or on their day about town.
Some of our favourites include: Neelofa who juxtaposed her all-black ensemble with a pretty-in-pink piece; Jane Chuck who brought the roomy bag along on her Jaipur adventure; Scha Alyahya who finished off her colourful get-up with even more colours (in the form of equestrian-knight embroideries); Juwei Teoh who added a pop of neon to the neutral-hued bag; and Fyza Kadir, who went matchy-matchy with a Burberry outfit (spot the oh-so-cute Thomas Bear charm!). Aside from these fashionistas, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has also been spotted toting her Belt bag on numerous occasions, although a popular colour combo seemed to be a black-and-yellow piece, as seen on Zendaya and Naomi Watts.

Check out how these celebrities style their Burberry Belt bags below:

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Beauty
3 Reasons to check out Laneige’s new store at Pavilion Elite
All the K-beauty goodies

22.12.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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K-beauty brand Laneige has recently opened the doors to its latest boutique situated on the fourth floor of Pavilion Elite. The new store offers the full range of Laneige’s skincare and makeup alongside a handful of boutique exclusives that will have you spoiled for choice as you step into the brightly-lit space. Below, we give you three reasons to swing by the store:

1) Prep your travel beauty essentials
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One of the exclusives include the all-new Laneige’s Travel Kit—best-selling skincare essentials available in travel-sized bottles made to fit into a transparent pack. If refilling 100ml jars isn’t your favourite thing to do while packing for the holidays, these kits are a hassle-free way to go while keeping your skin looking radiant to boot.

2) Get your hands on scent cards to freshen up your bag/space
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We love how handy this portable diffusers are, and you don’t have to worry about musty-smelling luggages and even shoe closets anymore as this pack of scented cards can be easily slotted anywhere for a whiff of aromatic freshness. Available in delicate lavender, crisp cotton, and citrusy eucalyptus.

3) Replenish your beauty shelf with these sheet masks

Combine key ingredients from seven of Laneige’s skincare lines and you’ll get the Water Pocket Sheet Mask. Its lattice structure allows it to transfer moisture effectively to the skin for longer moisture retention, and it also adheres to the face’s contours without sliding off. Use this before you apply Laneige’s best-selling Sleeping Mask so that you can actually say you woke up “like this”.

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Fashion
Queen Elizabeth II makes her fashion week debut at Richard Quinn AW18
#FROW goals

21.02.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Fashion history was made just this evening as it was reported that Queen Elizabeth II attended Richard Quinn’s Autumn/Winter 2018 show on the last day of London Fashion Week to present the designer the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. Making her entrance at the British Fashion Council’s (BFC) show space on 180 Strand, the queen took her seat on the front row (on a lucite chair and a special cushion, no less) before the show started, accosted by BFC’s chief executive officer Caroline Rush.
The monarch was spotted chatting amiably to Anna Wintour, who sat by her left along the front row during the show. Shortly after the models took their final walk, the queen presented the award to Quinn, but not before delivering a brief speech: “It’s a great pleasure to be here in London Fashion Week today. From the tweed of the Hebrides to Nottingham lace and, of course, Carnaby Street, our fashion industry has been renowned for outstanding craftsmanship for many years and continues to produce world-class textiles and cutting-edge practical designs. As a tribute to the industry and all those who have contributed to British fashion I would like to present this award for new young talent.”

The award not only recognises an emerging British fashion designer who has shown talent and originality, but also to one who has contributed to the community and/or demonstrated staunch sustainable policies. London-born Quinn holds a B.A. and M.A. from Central Saint Martins, and has honed his skills at major fashion houses including Christian Dior and Richard James. The designer is most known for his use of bold, vibrant prints, and has created a print studio which offers accessible services to students and his peer group of emerging designers.

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Culture
Behind the Aesop scent experience, ‘Nostos: Records of the Self’
Linking scent and memory

08.09.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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It was a Tuesday evening, on the 22nd of August to be exact, when we made our way to the National Museum of Singapore. While it was near closing hour for the museum, the area was still abuzz as a crowd gathered at the front of the building—they were waiting to catch Convolutions, a mesmerising light show that was to take place on the façade of the museum, part of the Singapore Night Festival that was in full swing at the time.

Also part of the night festival was ‘Nostos: Records of the Self’, held at Gallery 10 of the museum. The moment we stepped in, there was a quiet but pleasant sense of detachment from the festivities outside. The gallery was transformed into a makeshift dark room, with the main source of illumination being countless of lightbulbs hanging over 10 handcrafted steel wells. These wells hold water infused with three different essential oils, whose scents gently permeate the space. Coupled with an atmospheric soundtrack, it made for a tranquil, meditative environment.

Trust Aesop to stage an immersive, olfactory experience that transports you into an oasis of calm, even when you’re in the heart of the city. According to Aesop Head of Creative Marsha Meredith, ‘Nostos: Records of the Self’ was designed to “foster an environment for lasting impressions”, and that it surely did. Intrigued by the thought process behind this scent experience that was beautiful in both visual and senses, we speak to Meredith to find out more:

Take us through the ‘Nostos: Records of the Self’ experience.
“‘Nostos: Records of Self’ is a scent experience created by Aesop that harnesses scent generated by light to create an intimate journey of respite and reflection in conjunction with the Singapore Night Festival’s tenth anniversary. It marks Aesop as the first in Asia to exhibit an evocative sensory experience powered by light held at the festival.

Through the scent experience, we hope that attendees have an observation of their emotional connection to the scent and the impact it has on their sense of wellbeing. As scent is tied to memory, or rather, is the language of memory, offering a scent for association allows guests to return to the festival, long after the lights have died down.”

What inspired the theme of it?
“We are intrigued by the significance of scent and its connection to memory. To further expand on this, the word “nostos” is a theme used in Greek literature that refers to homecoming or a return. When paired with the Greek word “algos” meaning ache, the two words form the word we know today as ‘nostalgia’—a feeling for which scent plays an evocative trigger. The experience at the Singapore Night Festival may be a one-off for some, but the fragrance will linger in the minds of many, if not all attendees offering the possibility of a ‘homecoming’ or a ‘return’.”

How is the location of the sensory experience a factor in creating the experience?
“Aesop has always been a strong supporter of the arts, so we greatly welcomed the National Museum of Singapore’s invitation to take part in the festival’s tenth anniversary. As a company known for its plant-based and laboratory made formulation, the experimental space of Gallery 10—where the traditionally binary ideas of art and science are both celebrated and deconstructed—seemed an apt location.

To speak on the exhibit itself, the room will be dark, gently illuminated by a series of hanging light bulbs. The low lighting is twofold; the reduction of visual stimuli heightens the other senses—specifically scent—and the bulbs themselves emit heat, warming the essential oils that are located immediately below. The experience is also heightened with atmospheric sounds representing memory. A combination of the sight, smell and visual components create a moment of respite from the world.”

How did you decide on the three scents for this experience?
“The scent is inspired by one of Aesop’s first Body Balms called Relax. This scent formulation was selected to
establish a relaxing environment, helping visitors feel at ease. Aesop is well known for our use of essential oils whose evocative aromas form the essence of our products. During formulation, essential oils are selected primarily for the benefits they deliver to the skin and hair; their aromas are merely an incidental outcome.

Bergamot and Sandalwood are frequently used in Aesop products, and Olibanum appears in several of our skin care formulations, namely the Lucent Facial Concentrate and Perfect Facial Hydrating Cream. Together they create an invigorating blend with a warm lingering base and a bright top note of citrus.

In developing this scent experience for the Singapore Night Festival, we wanted to ensure there was an association between the scents used and the formulations for which we are renowned, while taking the liberty to be able to play with the aroma and create a fragrance purely for sensory means.”

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Fashion
6 Fashion hacks for those who sweat too much

13.08.2020
By Joan Kong

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Don’t get us wrong—we love our country, but we’ll always have a love-hate relationship with the weather, regardless whether it’s rainy season or when it’s hot and humid outside. When it comes to the latter, for those of you who just happen to sweat excessively, it can be bothersome and uncomfortable when you’re out and about. Thankfully, there are tips and tricks to keep the sweating (and unsightly stains) at bay.
Below, six fashion hacks for those who sweat too much:
Invest in an undershirt

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Granted, the last thing you’d want to do is to wear another layer and create unnecessary heat, but an undershirt that’s designed to save you from embarassing sweat patches and yellow stains? Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it.
Canadian intimate apparel brand Knix is known for its functional underwear, which includes Thigh Saver (that stops inner-thigh chaffing and rubbing) and leak-proof period panties, but its best-selling Don’t Sweat It T-shirt (that comes with a built-in underarm pad) is the one you should go for. Some of the other popular brands include Numi and Thompson Tees.
Give sweat pads a try
If you’re not keen on donning another layer (and if deodorant just doesn’t cut it anymore), underarm sweat patches (also known as armpit pads) might just be the hack you should try next. Essentially cotton pads for your pits (that look similar to a pantyliner), the absorbant material will soak up your underarm sweat and prevent unsightly pit stains! There are currently a few types in the market, but the two most common ones are those that stick directly to your skin and those that adhere to your clothing.
Don darker neutrals

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Do you know that yellow armpit stains are caused by a mixture of minerals in your sweat and the chemical ingredients in deodorant? While there are many other ways to prevent them, the easiest way to hide staining is to stick to darker, neutral hues such as navy or black when you know you’ll be out and about.
Utilise cutouts and armholes

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A post shared by Frankie (@thefrankieshop) on Aug 6, 2020 at 2:00pm PDT

This is a no-brainer. Tops with a wider armhole let your pits breathe better, and the airflow can help to cool you down too. A trend to try? Padded muscle T-shirts that are hot right now.
Alternatively, pieces with cropped lengths or cut-outs could also help with the problem. Since it’s hot and humid all year-round in Malaysia, summer dressing is the way to go.
Wear natural fibres

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Lifestyle
M83 to perform live in KL & Singapore this May
Synthpop galore

23.02.2016
By Buro247

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Hypnotising audiences with their ambient tunes since the early 2000s, M83 is no stranger to the general electro-synthpop lover. It was in 2011 that the band’s sixth studio album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming garnered the attention of the Grammy Awards (with a nomination for Best Alternative Album). This year – five years following the success of the album – the band is back with a new studio album, which, to the delight of many a fan, also marks M83’s return to the international touring circuit.

Following M83’s North American tour in April, frontman Anthony Gonzalez and his band will land on Southeast Asian shores this May, in Singapore, for a Laneway Presents show. We can only hope that the band will reveal some tunes from their upcoming album, which Gonzalez has described as “more fun and fresh” with “a lot of eclecticism.”

Here are the details of the shows:
Date: 7 May 2016
Time: 7pm
Venue: KL Live, Jalan Sultan Ismail
Tickets: RM199 (Phase 1); RM229 (Phase 2) and RM259 (Phase 3) available via ticketpro.com.my

Date : 19 May 2016
Time : 8pm
Venue : The Coliseum @ Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa
Tickets : SGD79 (early bird) and SGD99 (standard) available at www.sistic.com.sg

Fan Club pre-sale tickets are currently available. Early bird tickets go on sale tomorrow, 24 February. For more info head to ilovem83.com and lanewaypresents.com

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Fashion
The most eye-catching headpieces at Met Gala 2018
Crowning glory

08.05.2018
By Su Fen Tan

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With the theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”, this year’s Met Gala inspired a plethora of extravagant ensembles with dramatic beauty looks to match. You could say that was expected from the fashion’s biggest event of the year. What wasn’t quite as expected was the grand number of elaborate headpieces that took to the red carpet, further elevating the already stunning looks.

Ever the show-stopper, Rihanna stayed true to the theme with a beaded bishop hat to match her pope-inspired Maison Margiela corset mini dress. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked angelic with a simple halo, while Frances McDormand dialled up the drama in a statement Philip Tracey feather headpiece. Below, take a look at all the stars who got their head in the game:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] met gala headpiece” rid=”6212″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Culture
A conversation with Malaysian food stylist Sycookies on a career in styling food, tips for aspiring food photographers, and more

10.08.2020
By Ronn Tan

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We live in a society that’s dependent on visuals and images—now more than ever. With technology and the advent of social media (especially Instagram), aesthetics take the cake when it comes to attracting audiences to your profile or brand. This applies to the food and beverage industry as well. In Malaysia, we can see restaurants and cafes design their space and culinary creations to go with the zeitgeist. The zeitgeist of visual attraction.

To do this, brands look to photography—with Sycookies (or Soo Yin) being one of the most prominent food stylist and photographer in the country. Currently with close to 34,000 followers on Instagram, Sycookies also operates Foodeverywhere, a blog that focuses mainly on unique gastronomy experiences.
We had the opportunity to speak to the food stylist and photographer about a career in food styling, tips for those interested to do the same, and more. Also—find out what her favourite Malaysian dish is!

Can you first explain what a food stylist does, especially for readers who are unfamiliar with the term?
“A food stylist is a creative professional—mostly in charge with hands on skills in the art of food arrangement—creating the most ideal appearance of food that is as perfect and as appealing as possible.
Food styling incorporates not just the arrangement of food, but also a complete understanding of the limitations of food’s characteristics when needed to be visually appealing.”

Have you always been into making food look visually-pleasing? What inspired you to get into the field of food styling and photography?
“Aesthetic has always been my utmost importance when it comes to my artwork. For the most part, since I first got involved in food styling and photography, I decided to make blogging into a career. Food photography is an important element in food blogs.
In blogging, I personally feel that the dishes represent culture and history, and it is important that they be represented accurately. This inspired me to learn about the importance of food styling so every food will not only then be accurately styled, but also not lose the aesthetic. At the same time, the food looks mouth-watering and tasty!”

When did you start a career as a food stylist and photographer?
“It started during my blogging career about seven years ago when my passion for gastronomy was cultivated to be reflected in food presentation and styling.”

Are the skills of a food stylist learned? Is there a school or apprenticeship programme?
“The skills were self-taught and in most cases for many food stylists, skills are perfected with years of experience. I am not any different but I am grateful to have been born with a good sense in art—which has made composition way easier when shooting. I am also enrolled in a food photography and styling course; learning food photography and styling techniques. Having a good creative eye really helps in this line of work.
It is helpful to know the basics and fundamental techniques in food photography and food styling—but food is evolutionary and the list of trendy food is always growing. This means that there are more skills to learn and acquire.”

Are there any challenges that come with doing what you do?
“There are hurdles everywhere we go and with anything we do. The real complication in this field of work would be coping with creativity progression and addressing the challenges to materalise the final visual output. As a stylist, we want to constantly come up with unconventional and unique ideas in every piece of our work. At the same time, we have to fulfill realistic requirements in the form of deliverables as requested by clients.”

Part of being a food stylist is ensuring that the visual presentation is top notch. In your opinion, how would you describe the perfect food shot?
“Accuracy in delivering the message in the dish; what was supposed to be in the dish must be presented precisely so that anyone looking at the photo would want to eat exactly what’s being photographed. Even with conceptualised shoots, food must look as close to reality as possible—in addition to looking as fresh as possible.”

Why is visual presentation so important? Do you think social media, especially Instagram, has fuelled the need for brands, restaurants, and cafes to present the most aesthetically-appealing images?
“With millions of active users on social media, the platforms provide an unavoidable visibility in the development of consumers behaviour. Brands and businesses elaborate their e-reputation via images and postings so they are heard and seen with impactful reminders.
Instagram, in particular, has definitely played an important role in bringing aesthetics to paramount interest. Photos and videos are the most shared content on the Internet—and food content is a universal language. Visual presentation is an important factor for brands and businesses.”

Can you describe a typical day at work as a food stylist and photographer?
“The work flow generally revolves around plenty of brainstorming as well as making drafts and curating related mood boards. Then, it’s a plan of execution process: some shoots would need pre-planning and pre-prepping. Most of them require a lot of hands on and DIY (Do-It-Yourself) work.
Sourcing raw materials and ingredients are very challenging—especially if they are seasonal produce—so planning ahead would be helpful. A typical day usually ends with lots of cleaning and backing up of photos or videos.”

If someone is interested in being a food stylist in Malaysia, how can they start? What are the necessary steps to take?
“Start by thinking twice about it. If anyone is serious about being a food stylist, begin by understanding food ingredients in their physical nature because that fundamentally determines the styling techniques in different styling tasks. Most institutes in Malaysia do not offer food styling as a standalone course so it’s good to practise at home frequently.
Sign up for internships or apprenticeship with professional stylists. Commit a 100 per cent and be very hardworking. Knowing the basics of photography can be helpful and you can learn from YouTube or Google. To help the execution of food styling, you need to know how food photography works.”

What advice do you have for someone who aspires to get into the food styling and photography industry?
“Believe in yourself, never stop learning, and be humble because these are the only way you’ll allow yourself to gain knowledge. Practise to perfect your skills and be informed about food trends. Be curious and be experimental; as well as have lots of patience and perseverance. Most importantly, be creative and never let anyone tell you why you should get a real job—because food styling and photography is a real job.”

What is your proudest achievement so far?
“Being recognised through the art of food styling and photography; being influential in the food industry; as well as when I was nominated as the top food influencer in the country at the first Gushcloud Influence Asia. This, to me, is beyond what I’ve hoped for and I am grateful to be able to showcase as well as create awareness and greater understanding of the food styling and photography profession.”

In addition to being a food stylist, you are also an advocate of healthy living. What are your thoughts on healthy food trends in the New Normal?
“The New Normal has inevitably resulted in most of us being more attached to the Internet. With the Internet playing bigger roles each day, healthy food trends are now easier to be shared. There will always be misleading health stories all over the Internet but it is now absolutely easier to have people listen and receive healthy food trends willingly without bias.”

Last but not least, do you have a favourite Malaysian food and why?
“Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country with distinctive cultural identities and each with their own traditional dishes. The Strait’s cuisine is my all time favourite—and in my opinion, the most accurate to represent Malaysian food. These dishes are filled with heritage and culture that existed alongside the tales and history of the birth and development of this country.
These are the dishes that were born from this region and I would proudly call them ‘made in Malaysia’. My all time favourite from Strait’s cuisine is the humble Baba Nyonya Mee Siam berkuah and our very aromatic Nanyang Kopi.”

Are you ready to step into the realm of food styling and photography? As you embark on your aesthetically delicious journey, keep Sycookies’ tips and advice in mind. We live in a world that places a massive emphasis on top-notch visual presentations—and with food being such an integral part of the Malaysian identity, food stylists and photographers play major roles in shaping the F&B industry in the country.

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Beauty
Now you can have a scent to match your favourite M.A.C Cosmetics lipstick
What Shade(scents) are you?

25.01.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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BURO Beauty Empties Giveaway Week 2: Win up to RM4,500 worth of beauty prizes

It’s no surprise that M.A.C Cosmetics lipsticks are usually found on the bestselling wishlists of beauty enthusiasts. Their iconic shades including Ruby Woo and Lady Danger have attained cult status with celebs and even makeup artists who vouch for its classic fiery shades. And as our headline reads, you now can have a matching fragrance to your go-to M.A.C lipstick (only six choices available right now).
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”MAC Shadescents” rid=”4779″ order=”a_tstamp”}
This February, M.A.C Cosmetics new lineup Shadescents is a perfume range that take inspiration from six of its bestselling lipsticks, including Candy Yum-Yum, Crème d’Nude, Lady Danger, Heroine, Ruby Woo, and Velvet Teddy. The fragrances is said to reflect the “personality” of each lippie, comprising one distinct redolence each instead of multiple notes as per the usual Eau de Toilette/Parfum. Take your pick from Candy Yum-Yum’s fruity floral gourmand that complements its neon pink hue, or musky amber hints from Crème d’Nude that go well with the pale, muted peach beige lipstick shade. The two reds feature woody aromas, with Ruby Woo taking on a floral route and Lady Danger with a more oriental note.

M.A.C Cosmetics Shadescents (RM250 per fragrance) is now available online and at all M.A.C Cosmetics stores nationwide.

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The perfect, creamy matte-finish lippie to have this month
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News
7 Fun things you can do in KL this weekend: 28, 29 & 30 June 2019

25.06.2019
By Ronn Tan

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

1. Martell x Yen Pairing Dinner at Yen, W Kuala Lumpur, 7pm onwards, 28, 29 & 30 June 2019
Discover how cognac complements Cantonese cuisine on this culinary journey you don’t want to miss. On 28 June, Jean-Baptiste Gourvil, Martell Brand Ambassador, will be leading the pairing session. Expect unique combinations that you won’t be able to experience anywhere else.
For more information, visit the website or call 012 347 9088 to make a reservation.

2. Basque Country Dinner at The Brasserie, St. Regis KL, 7pm – 10pm, 28 June 2019
This weekend, why not head over to The Brasserie in St. Regis Kuala Lumpur to try out Executive Chef, Pedro Samper’s new menu, which will be his take on traditional Basque cuisine. What can you expect? Fresh, seasonal ingredients that are plated to highlight exquisite ingredients. You will get to try dishes such as Txitxarro (Horse Mackerel, eggplant tartar, and potato dough), Navarra Artichokes (Aged Beef Cecina and piperrade), Basque White Asparagus (Txangurro, Osietra caviar, white asparagus curd, Brittany lobster, grilled asparagus, and mustard sauce), and Loreak (Basque flowers, passion fruit, arroz con leche, white chocolate). The menu can only be sampled once a month so don’t miss out!
For more information, visit this website.

3. Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes Exhibition at Pavilion KL, 10am – 10pm, 28 June – 27 October 2019
It’s finally here, fans of the MCU! Be transported into a multi-sensory world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe at this exhibition. There will be 10 immersive galleries chronicling the valiant adventures of your favourite superheroes. While the exhibition is only ending on 27 October, you can get a 10 percent Early Bird discount if you purchase tickets before 7 July 2019.
For more information on prices and other FAQs, visit this website.

4. Savour En-Thai-Cing cuisines by Guest Chefs at Latest Recipe, Le Meridien KL, 28 & 29 June 2019
When top-notch guest chefs come all the way down from Phuket, you know you can expect something exquisite. You don’t have to leave the country to indulge in authentic Thai dishes. With three menus curated by Guest Chefs Weerapong Pleakha and Phattira Phuengthin, expect magnificent dishes such as the Haw Mok Thalay (Southern-style seafood curry soufflé in banana leaf), Massaman Nua (Braised beef cheek in Massaman curry), and Yam Woonsen Talay (Glass noodle salad with seafood). As it is only available for a limited time, you know where to satisfy your Thai food cravings this weekend.
For more information, visit this website.

5. DC Superheroes Day at Resorts World Genting, 10am onwards, 30 June 2019
First there’s Marvel and now there’s DC. Dress up as your favourite superheroes from DC and be rewarded! Get a free Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park Pay-Per-Ride Pass when you appear in your brilliant costume, be it Wonder Woman or Superman. If you love pizza, Motorino Pizzeria is offering one-for-one offer on all pizzas (as long as you are in costume). Heroes, it’s time to assemble.
For more information, visit this website or call 03 2718 1118.

6. San Pedro’s Night at The Majestic Malacca, 29 June 2019
Celebrate the unique Kristang celebration of San Pedro at The Majestic Hotel in Malacca where it’ll be filled with lively acts of folk dance, music, and delicious Kristang cuisine. You can expect classic dishes such as Soy Limang Terung and Kari Debal. Kristang cuisine is so uniquely Malaccan—expect Dutch, Portuguese, Malay, Indian, and Chinese influences in the stews, curries, and sambals. In addition to food, Dommarina, a local Kristang dance troupe, will perform on San Pedro’s Night to perfectly highlight the joy and festivity of Kristang folk dance and song. Priced at RM638 nett, you will get dinner for two, spa treatment for one, and Deluxe Room (accomodates two). You can also opt for just the dinner at only RM180 nett per person. If there’s one way to conserve traditions, this is it!
For bookings and enquiries, visit this website.

7. Experience a Nobu trilogy at Nobu Kuala Lumpur, 5 & 6 July 2019
Okay, it’s not exactly this weekend but it begins on 1 July until 7 July—so it’s the perfect time to make a reservation! Next month at Nobu, there will be a special week-long dining experience to celebrate the return of Chef Hervé Courtot (Corporate Chef for EU and Middle East locations) by collaborating with Nobu Hotel Barcelona. A special Nobu Trilogy Osusume menu will be curated specifically by Chef Philip Leong (Executive Chef of Nobu KL), Chef Micheole “Chico” Anung Dator (Head Sushi Chef of Nobu KL), and Chef Hervé himself.
Dishes will be created right at the table and you can expect tantalising flavours from items such as Grilled Oyster Shiso Salsa and Caviar, Seafood Ceviche with Dragon Fruit, and Mediterranean Seabass with Truffle Ponzu. In addition, the Chef’s Table dining experience is making a comeback and you should take this opportunity to meet the three chefs and curate your own seven–course dinner. The Nobu Trilogy Osusume specials start at RM110++ onwards whereas Chef’s Dinner is priced at RM645++ per person.
For more information, call 03 2164 5084.

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Lifestyle
BTS smashes YouTube record, Donald Glover and Rihanna releases top-secret movie and more

14.04.2019
By Su Fen Tan

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

Fly By Night finally hits local cinemas
After makings its rounds at films festivals across the world—Busan, Macao, Jogja and New York—local production Fly By Night finally celebrates its homecoming this week. Filmmaker Zahir Omar’s feature debut, it is a gritty action thriller that follows two petty criminals who gets entangled with the authorities—but things are not as black and white as you might think. It features a stellar cast, starring the likes of Sunny Pang, Bront Palarae, Iedil Putra and Jack Tan, and rave reviews have been rolling in, so catch it in the cinemas while you can!

You might also like… Of filming thrillers and domestic abuse

BTS releases MV for ‘Boy With Luv’ to wild success
There’s no denying the power of K-pop. Just one week after Blackpink’s ‘Kill This Love’ set the record for most views within 24 hours (56.7 million) on YouTube, BTS coolly smashes the standard, racking up a whopping 78 million views along with 2 million comments in a day. The main track from the megagroup’s new album Map of the Soul: Persona, ‘Boy With Luv’ features Halsey on guest vocals.

That wasn’t the group’s only achievement of the week. They also just became the first K-pop group to perform on SNL this weekend, lighting up the stage with ‘Boy With Love’ and ‘Mic Drop’ in the episode hosted by Emma Stone.
ICYMI… BTS’s moving speech on self-acceptance

Blackpink makes explosive debut at Coachella
It’s one historic moment after the other for K-pop. While BTS hits up the East Coast, Blackpink is on the other side of the county making fans proud with their debut at Coachella, performing 13 songs in just over 50 minutes Their set also marks the first time ever a female K-pop group performed at Coachella.

Also at Coachella, Donald Glover premieres Guava Island
Little was known about Donald Glover’s secret project, save for the facts that it was his first feature-length film, and Rihanna was in it—she first teased the project back in August with a video of herself dancing to Childish Gambino’s ‘Summertime Magic’ in Havana, where the film was shot. But Coachella attendees had first look of the music film on Thursday, as it premiered at the festival ahead of Glover’s headlining performance as his musical alter ego the next night.

Titled Guava Island, the 54-minute film was directed by Hiro Murai, who also collaborated with Glover for the momentous ‘This Is America’ MV and the Emmy-winning series Atlanta. The music-driven production stars Glover as happy-go-lucky singer Deni and Rihanna as his love interest Kofi. Nonso Anozie and Letitia Wright also make appearances. Guava Island is now available to stream on Amazon Prime.

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Culture
Pop Culture Catch-up: The Queen’s death, Blackpink’s new MV, and more
A moment in history

19.09.2022
By Marissa Chin

PHOTO: @royalfamily / Twitter | PHOTO: @historyofthemonarchies / Instagram

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From the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing and its developments to Blackpink’s title track and album release, a lot has gone down in the past two weeks that surely left a mark for many people. Here is the latest celebrity news you might have missed:

Queen Elizabeth II dies at age 96—what happened after?
Photo: @RoyalFamily / Twitter
On September 9, The British Royal Family announced that Queen Elizabeth II, who was the UK’s longest reigning monarch for 70 years, has passed away at the age of 96. Earlier that day, the late Queen had been under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors became concerned for her health, according to representatives from Buckingham Palace.
Photo: @historyofthemonarchies / Instagram
In a noteworthy stance of solidarity, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) made an appearance at Windsor with Prince William and Kate Middleton (the new Prince and Princess of Wales) to view the public tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II on September 11. This marks the first time in over two years that the brothers have publicly reunited.
Photo: @historyofthemonarchies / Instagram
Today, the late monarch’s coffin was carried out in a grand military procession to Westminster Abbey for the state funeral. After the service, Her Majesty’s coffin was once again carried out and put on the State Gun Carriage to be borne for Wellington Arch, where her final journey to Windsor will commence. She was accompanied by King Charles III, Prince William and the rest of the Royal Family as they made their way on foot in London. The funeral was attended by 200 foreign royals, politicians and world leaders with an estimated 1.5 billion streaming it live to bid their final farewell to the late Queen.

King Charles III ascends the throne

In the order of succession, Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son, Prince Charles, has ascended the throne to become King Charles III. His wife, Camilla, is presently the Queen Consort—a term for a spouse of a monarch. The new King’s official public declaration came on September 10 and was carried out with 200 members of the Privy Council in attendance in London. After the Accession Council proceedings, hundreds gathered outside St James’ Palace as the proclamation of King Charles was read out loud by the Garter King of Arms, in an age-old ceremony.

Cardi B donates $100,000 to her old middle school

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A post shared by Cardi B (@iamcardib)

To show her gratitude to the middle school that “made her” who she was, Cardi B surprised the staff and students of IS 232 with a donation of $100,000. In an Instagram post shared on September 15, the rapper stated that many of the kids that attended her middle school in the Bronx had to grow up quickly due to their circumstances. With her donation, she hopes to “help students stay out the streets or a troubled home” and fund after-school programmes that can teach them things “they can take with them through life.”

Blackpink returns with ‘Shut Down’ title track

After taking the Internet by storm with their pre-single release, Pink Venom, the K-pop megastars got Blinks fired up again with their title track, Shut Down and the release of their second studio album. Both releases dropped on September 16.
In typical Blackpink fashion, the music video was nothing short of a spectacle, featuring big budget sets, eye-popping visuals, a catchy hook and plenty of references to past music videos that fans were eager to catch. The song itself samples a classical piece familiar to many called La campanella, originally by Niccolò Paganini, but is given a contemporary hip hop remix.
Their sophomore effort, Born Pink, features eight tracks in total with a runtime just below 25 minutes. Members Jisoo and Rosé took part in the writing process for the fourth track Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.
Listen to the album here.

Sneak peek of upcoming content at Disney’s D23 Expo
On September 10, thousands of Disney fans were treated to exciting news at the 2022 D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Centre in California, USA as Walt Disney Studios revealed new details and exciting sneak peeks of their upcoming slate of movies from Disney Live Action, Pixar, and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Firstly, those in Hall D23 were the first to see the brand new logo introduction of the iconic Disney castle—now in platinum to honour Disney’s 100 Years of Wonder celebration. It also features a new arrangement of When You Wish Upon a Star, and will play in front of all Disney theatrical and streaming releases starting this fall.
There were also exclusive sneak peeks of classical remakes such as Pinocchio and The Little Mermaid; the sequel of fan-favourite films including Disenchanted and Hocus Pocus 2; and the introduction of new animated characters in Elemental.
Check out the teaser trailers below:
The Little Mermaid

Pinocchio

Disenchanted

Hocus Pocus 2

The big winners of the 79th Venice International Film Festival
Held from August 31 to September 10, the prestigious Venice International Film Festival saw the premiere of several highly anticipated films such as Don’t You Worry, Darling, Bones and All, Blonde, and more that received a thunderous reception.

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In addition, all eyes were on the film festival’s highly coveted awards for Best Actor, Best Actress and Golden Lion who will no doubt become big contenders for the upcoming Oscars race.
Below, here is the list of the biggest winners from this year’s edition of the Venice International Film Festival.
Best Young Actor – Taylor Russell for Bones and All
Best Actress – Cate Blanchett for Tár
Best Actor – Colin Farrell for The Banshees of Inisherin
Best Screenplay – Martin McDonagh for The Banshees of Inisherin
Silver Lion for Best Director – Luca Guadagnino for Bones and All
Grand Jury Prize – Saint Omer directed by Alice Diop
Golden Lion – All The Beauty and the Bloodshed

For more pop culture news, click here.

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Film, TV + Theatre
Taylor Swift’s ‘Miss Americana’ Netflix documentary reminds me of my body image struggles

02.02.2020
By Rachel Au

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Love her or hate her. Taylor Swift knows the world is divided when it comes to her and the new Taylor—reputation era onwards—doesn’t care. Just like how she no longer cares if people go after her or lose interest if she shares her political views, if she supports the LGBTQ community or if she’s put on weight.

taylor swift kanye west vma interrupt.gif
The documentary starts off with little Benjamin Button attempting to start a music career
Like a true Swiftie, I couldn’t wait to watch her new Netflix documentary Miss Americana. Like a true Swiftie, I teared up every 13 minutes of the film. While we will probably never have a taste of that celebrity life champagne, there were some parts that we could all relate or empathise with. Some of her stories, her struggles, her ‘rites of passage’.
The Miss Americana Netflix documentary reveals a more vulnerable side of Taylor Swift as it summarises the rise, the fall, and rise again of the Lover singer. She shares how she felt and what was racing through her mind when Kanye West stole the mic from her: “I thought they were booing me.”

She shares how she went under the radar after the Kim Kardashian and Kanye West fiasco over the song Famous: “Nobody physically saw me for a year, and that was what I thought they wanted.”
It details how she argued with her father and management when she wanted to take a political stand and use her voice, her platform to encourage young voters; because there was a female candidate from her home state that, despite being a woman, was actually doing the opposite of standing for women’s and gay rights. Said candidate (and Donald Trump) would be taking all those away. In the scene, an associate could be heard saying her decision of going political could cut the upcoming tour’s audience by half. Her father adds that he’s terrified [for her safety]. “But I can’t change that,” she replies, close to tears, referring to coming out against Trump two years prior. “I need to be on the right side of history. … Dad, I need you to forgive me for doing it, because I’m doing it.”

this scene #MissAmericana pic.twitter.com/aG5m0tmOe4
— taylor in video (@taylorinvideo) February 1, 2020

It also touches on her sexual assault case. Although Swift won the court case in the end, she adds that it wasn’t victory she felt: “The process is so dehumanising. This is with seven witnesses and a photo. What happens when you get raped and it’s your word against his?”
But perhaps the one that struck me the most was when she spoke of her body image struggles.
“I remember how, when I was 18, that was the first time I was on the cover of a magazine… and the headline was like ‘Pregnant at 18?’ And it was because I had worn something that made my lower stomach look not flat,” she says.
And thus, Swift has stopped looking at photos of herself. Or at least, she tries to. “I tend to get triggered by something, whether it’s a picture of me where I feel like my tummy looked too big, or someone said that I looked pregnant or something.”
“And that will trigger me to just starve a little bit, just stop eating.”

Here’s my story. First things first, I have never voluntarily stopped eating. There was, however, a time when I led a more stressful, hectic, unhealthy lifestyle. A time of cup noodles, loss of appetite which led to small or absent meals, irregular eating times. And little sleep. Without realising it, I grew scarily thin.

2010-2011; and yes, I had a ‘lala’ phase. (Who didn’t? Just me? Okay.)
I was never perfectly skinny or ‘fat’. I was never underweight or overweight. Just “normal weight”. And since I often wear baggy clothes, it wasn’t obvious to me until I tried out the 1001-ways-you-can-wear-this-bridesmaid dress where you can’t not wrap yourself like a dumpling. But alas, I was one sad ass dumpling.

2014 when I could easily wrap my hand around my arm, and some more.
Fast forward to 2016, I was less stressed out. I slept during the hours that were not godforsaken. I ate three square meals, and perhaps a snack or two in between. But since this job required regular food reviews and #FitnessFridays, I started fleshing out and eventually fell in love with spin classes. Again, without realising it, I became somewhat fitter and better. I was finally just right.

And then I got married.
Sure, I had a number of back-to-back Christmas and Chinese New Year menu reviews (and a crazy final count of 28 yee sangs in 2019) and starting a new life together with my husband meant less time to hit the gym. And soon enough, I had put on that blissful weight. The muscles and abs I had unknowingly worked hard for became mush.
I was fine with it… until the combination of being a little rounder than before and the knowledge that I’m a married woman led to questions like: Are you pregnant?
“Oh you’re not drinking wine? *in a hushed voice* Are you pregnant?”
No. I was never a big drinker.
“Oh, you’ve been wearing baggy clothes – are you pregnant?”
No, I’ve actually always liked wearing baggy clothes.
These questions came from friends, acquaintances, aunties, you name it. And it came to a point where these questions haunted me.

“Oh, *indicates stomach bump* are we expecting some good news or did you put on weight?”
NO. I’M JUST FAT RIGHT NOW.
“Eh, are you pregnant?”
No, just a food baby, I said, laughing it off.
“Are you sure???”
Yes, it haunted me till the point where I started looking at my stomach in every mirror I see. I spent a longer time getting ready because everything I wore, to me, made me looked pregnant. I fixated on other people’s bodies and wondered why I didn’t have it too. I started becoming conscious of what I eat and how I look.
One day, it broke me and I broke down to my husband in tears.
What broke me wasn’t that I was fat but that I wasn’t pregnant and those questions reminded me of that. What was originally a plan of “let’s enjoy one year of marital bliss before thinking of having a baby” became “why am I not pregnant?”.

I was never one who idolised having a model’s body. I was happy with who I was, at peace with my body, and if I wasn’t skinny—so what? But being hammered down by such questions, reminding me of my body that was off the ideal skinny-with-flat-stomach type was hurtful. And there’s only so many times one can brush it all off. To say the least, it wasn’t great for my mental health.
Well, if you’re unhappy, then work out more, eat less or healthier—some people might think that. Oh, I plan on that but that’s not the point, is it? What gives anyone the right to ask someone if they’re pregnant? If fat-shaming is known to be a negative act, why is “are you pregnant” any different?
Must a woman have abs, a flat st mach and skinny arms to be deemed ‘normal’?
Must a woman either be fat or pregnant, if they’re not ‘skinny’?
And have you ever considered the weight of the question “Are you pregnant?” to couples who could possibly be actively trying for a baby but are struggling?
But more importantly, it is none of your business.

The truth is: Your body changes as you age. For women, it happens after you turn 30. I turned 30 last year.
“The amount of lean muscle mass we have is the primary determinant of metabolic rate. In other words, the more muscle mass we have, the more calories we will burn. Our muscle mass naturally begins to decline around age 30, and that process, called sarcopenia, accelerates around age 40. Unless something is done to actively protect and build up that lean muscle mass, our bodies will require fewer calories, our metabolisms will slow, and the lost muscle will be replaced by fat,” as Dr. Apovian, the author of The Age-Defying Diet and The Overnight Diet: The Proven Plan for Fast, Permanent Weight Loss, told Women’s Day.

Facts are facts. If you want abs, go for it. Just make sure you do it for you, and not to silence the comments out there. You can never please people and if they’re toxic for you, consider cutting them out. Or they might go on their own. However, the longest relationship you’ll ever have—that does require you to make the person happy—is the one with yourself.
After an entire year of struggling with my body image, I’ve come to learn to be patient with my body. I’ve never stopped exercising. I just did it less. And that’s okay. Change takes time and rather than starve myself or drag my body to the gym when it’s not feeling its best, I give it time to rest first. One of my favourite accounts to follow, if you’re looking for some inspiration on body confidence, is @iweigh, started by actor and activist Jameela Jamil. And as Taylor Swift said in her Miss Americana documentary:
“There’s always some standard of beauty that you’re not meeting. Because if you’re thin enough, then you don’t have that ass that everybody wants, but if you have enough weight on you to have an ass, then your stomach isn’t flat enough. It’s all just f*cking impossible.” — Taylor Swift
It really is.
Women do not need to be classified by one body type or shape. There is no ideal body type and if there is, it’s the healthy one. Your body works hard each and every day. If you can KonMari your material items, thanking it for its service and giving it “proper space to rest”, treat your body the same way. Accept it, be kind to it, love it.

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