Beauty
Beauty buzz: KKW and Kylie Cosmetics temporarily shut over COVID-19 concerns, Kat Von D donates tattoo shop inventory to local hospital

30.03.2020
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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

This week in COVID-19-related news…
KKW and Kylie Cosmetics pull the plug on shipping services

In addition to KKW beauty postponing the release of its Classic II eyeshadow palette and nude gloss, the makeup mogul sisters have decided to halt shipping for the time being amid concerns over COVID-19, announcing the news on their respective websites this week. They stated that although they will be taking orders, the orders won’t be shipped out until further notice and any customers who placed orders after March 16 have the option to cancel their unshipped orders and receive a full refund.
More brands using their resources to help produce hand sanitiser (pro bono!)

Coty Inc. (parent company to brands like Calvin Klein fragrances, Marc Jacobs Beauty, and Tiffany & Co fragrances) and bestselling hair brand Bumble and Bumble are the latest to join the fight against COVID-19 by repurposing their factories to produce hand sanitiser which will be distributed for free to hospitals and medical staff.
Kat Von D’s tattoo shop donates their inventory of medical supplies to LA County Hospital

The beauty mogul’s tattoo shop High Voltage Tattoo has made a donation of ‘8,000 gloves and 500 medical grade aprons’ to help make up for the equipment shortages in hospitals around Los Angeles, USA. She also encourages tattoo shops with ‘existing inventory of medical supplies’ to ‘please consider donating as well.’
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley shows off her natural beauty in latest snap

The supermodel shared how she’s adapted to the stay-at-home life in her new series on her Rose Inc blog, Distancing Diaries, posting this makeup-free snap to illustrate life in isolation. By all accounts, she’s definitely doing this whole ‘social distancing’ thing better than the rest of us—even in her pyjamas!
Pink gets drunk and gives herself a haircut

The (very tipsy) singer has always been known for her short sides and long top cut, but this time she’s gone even shorter—sporting an all-over cropped pixie with a fade on both sides, the singer took to IG Live to share her buzzed handiwork. PSA: Do not try this at home, kids.
This week in nails…
The fruit nail trend takes Instagram by storm

These nails are the epitome of summery sweetness—a great way to brighten up your day in these bleak times. Recreate the look with little more than some fruity stickers and a top coat! More tips on how to create the prettiest of nail art from home here.
Jameela Jamil’s minimalist rhinestone nail art is #goals

The Good Place actress sported some silvery, sparkly talons, courtesy of NYC-based nail artist Julie Kandalec and may we just say—our DIY senses are tingling. Swipe for the nails!

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Skincare
5 Skincare travel tips to keep your skin glowing and happy
The do's and don'ts

25.11.2022
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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The best acne and spot treatments to help curb your breakouts

Headed off for the holidays? We’re jealous! Whether you’re soaking up the sun on a beach resort getaway or you’re exploring cityscapes across the world, we know it’s going to be absolutely amazing.
Do you know what’s not amazing, though? Breaking out on holiday. You know what else isn’t great? Developing an allergic reaction to the water in your hotel. And with that terrible segue, we’re onto today’s topic: How do you keep your skin happy, healthy, and glowing no matter the location?
Ahead, we’ve compiled six of the biggest do’s and don’ts to heed while you head off on vacation:

Do: Pare back your routine

Let’s be real—nobody has the patience nor the check-in space to bring their entire beauty routine on holiday with them (if you do, we concede—stuff your bag to your heart’s content!). So, when packing your skincare, it’s best to bring the very basics.
What are the basics, you ask? Well, it depends on where you’re going. Headed somewhere hot? The essentials would probably include a toner, a lightweight gel moisturiser, and sunscreen. For cold weather, your basic skincare would include a richer moisturiser, a multitasking hydrating essence, face oils, and sunscreen.
If that hasn’t narrowed things down, think about it this way instead—if you wouldn’t use it after a late night out, it stays home. Alternatively, if you want the best of both worlds, consider getting your go-tos in travel sizes so that you don’t have to compromise on your routine while you’re away.

Don’t: Use travel containers

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While travel containers can be great (and space-saving) for some products, it’s not an ideal solution. For starters, the container has to be sterile before you transfer your products—you just don’t know whether the preservatives in your products are formulated to tolerate whatever is left in your container.
Secondly, not every container is compatible with your skincare. Glass generally tends to be a good bet, but it may be a little too fragile for travel. Plastics, on the other hand, can react with the ingredients in your skincare. For example, sunscreen ingredients can soak into the plastic (thus lowering your SPF protection) and can even dissolve your containers.
In short, your best bet is, again, to shop your go-tos in travel sizes. If you’d like bang for your buck, you’re in luck—the holiday season is rife with incredible travel sets to score. Here are some of our picks:
Glow Recipe Hey You, You’re A Bright Light Set, RM229
SHOP HERE

Fenty Skin The Glow Around Four-Piece Travel Skincare Essentials Set, RM295
SHOP HERE

IT Cosmetics Beautiful Together Confidence Boosting Routine Set, RM240
SHOP HERE

Do: Focus on barrier-fortifying ingredients

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As we mentioned, travelling can be tough on your skin. Specifically, the sheer exhaustion from travelling can leave your skin looking dry and dull and vulnerable to irritation. Worse yet, if you’re unfortunate enough to be sensitive to water changes, hard water can leave your skin barrier thoroughly depleted.
It is, therefore, important to ditch harsh or potent actives in lieu of hydrating and barrier-repairing staples like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Here are some of our barrier-friendly favourites:
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream 50ml, RM283
SHOP HERE

Elizabeth Arden Exclusive Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum 30pcs, RM179.50
SHOP HERE

Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Facial Barrier Mask, RM32.50
SHOP HERE

NOTE: You can still use your usual actives, just reign it in a little bit—at least until your skin acclimatises to its new environment!

Don’t: Try new products

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Newsflash: If you thought breaking out from a new product was bad back home, it’s even worse now that your skin is worn out from your travels.
When travelling, try to stick to your old familiars as much as possible, or at least look for climate-suited products with similar formulations to your go-tos.

Do: Drink plenty of water

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Water is essential in your everyday routine anyway, but it’s especially important to top up on hydration when you’re travelling. As usual, you’ll want to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your skin (and body) happy on your travels.

For more skincare stories like this, click here.

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ICYMI: #BestofBuro (7 – 13 Aug 2017)

Lifestyle
ICYMI: #BestofBuro (7 – 13 Aug 2017)
Weekly highlights

12.08.2017
By Gwen Ong

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

Buro 24/7 Singapore: Hung Vanngo is a celebrity makeup artist who counts Selena Gomez, Katy Perry and Gisele Bündchen as his clients. He is also the global artistry ambassador for Marc Jacobs. Get to know him in this Q&A as he dishes about the new MJ Eye-conic shadows, beauty techniques and makeup trends.

Buro 24/7 Malaysia: Join Editor-in-chief, Cai Mei as she takes you on her holiday to Napa Valley, the home of some 500 wineries. Get a taste of wanderlust and follow her many adventures from lazing around the summer home to wine tasting and fine dining armed with Hermés wrist candies.

Buro 24/7 Australia: Are all food cravings bad? Our team consults Leanne Hall, a psychologist, personal trainer and nutrition coach. She breaks down the science behind your guiltiest cravings, why you have such strong convictions over food and what you can do about it.

Buro 24/7 Malaysia: The current Yayoi Kusama exhibition in Singapore is drawing in the crowds as it’s nearing the end. If you can’t make it, you might want to book a trip to Tokyo this October when the Yayoi Kusama Museum opens its doors to visitors. Located at Shinjuku, this will be must-visit for fans of the artist.

Buro 24/7 Middle East: One of the most anticipated fashion campaigns is here and you can take a sneak peek at Jonathan Saunders for the House of DvF. It is the designer’s first campaign since being named as the new Chief Creative Officer. Take a look at the video here.

Read last week’s #BestofBuro here.

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Lifestyle
The KL Food Truck Festival to debut at the Sime Darby LGPA Malaysia
Come for the golf, stay for the fun

05.10.2015
By Buro247

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

This year, Sime Darby LGPA Malaysia will be bringing a new dimension to the tournament by introducing an array of entertainment both on and off the fairways of the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC). Throughout the four days, KLGCC will be open to the public to take part in the festivities, which include live DJs and food stalls, as well as the KL Food Truck Festival. This is the very first time there will be a food festival that solely consists of food trucks. Visitors can expect an interesting array of delicacies from authentic local fare to international cuisines such as Mexican, French, Italian, and well-loved American BBQ.

Speaking about the collaboration, KL Food Truck Festival Organiser, Jeff Little said, “We are delighted to have been invited to showcase our unique creations at the Sime Darby LGPA Malaysia this year. Part of Sime Darby LGPA Malaysia’s aim is to make this event an accessible and enjoyable experience for all, and we’re very excited and proud to be part of it this year. As culinary professionals, it is our job to ensure that customers leave with an experience they’ll always remember, and I think Sime Darby LGPA Malaysia arms to do just that as well, so it’s a very good fit all round.”

For more updates on the tournament and festival, visit www.simedarbylgpamalaysia.com.

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Dressed up Fridays: Mother’s Day outing

Fashion
Dressed up Fridays: Mother’s Day outing
Matchy matchy

06.05.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

Today’s Dressed up Fridays is all about mummy-and-me time. Whether you’re a yummy mummy who’s got an adorable kid or two in tow, or if you’re planning to bring your mum out for a lovely high-tea session, here’s what you both can wear while looking chic.

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If you’re planning to bring your mini-me out shopping over the weekend, put on a pair of comfy flared jeans from Stella McCartney with a floral top from Elizabeth and James for a dressed-down boho look. The additional pink accessories are a fun element to complement your tot who will be equally as well-dressed as mum in all-pink (that pink Burberry lace dress is to-die-for).

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Nothing is as fun as dressing up with mum for a brunch/high-tea session in your go-to weekend spot. Diane Von Furstenberg’s pink wrap dress will make mum look extra classy along with Christian Louboutin nude pumps and a Bottega Veneta clutch. And for you – a Roksanda contrast-colour frock is the perfect weekend dress to wear while staying comfy. Bring on Givenchy’s Pandora box clutch and Alexandre Birman sandals to complement your getup.

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Out with your kid for ice cream and a walk in the park? Dolce&Gabbana’s jumpsuit is practically made for summer, and Chloé flat sandals ensure that leisurely strolls won’t result in achy feet. Chuck in everything you need in Loewe’s Bounce bucket bag for convenience. For your little guy, dress him up in a shirt and Bermuda shorts from Armani Junior and pair his ensemble with Tod’s driving shoes so he can strut in style too.

You may also like…
Burberry in Bloom: Sweet scents and flowers for mum this Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Luxe accessories mum would approve of

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News
Malaysia is under water: Where flood victims can get help (and how you can help)

19.12.2021
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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

NOTE: We will be updating this directory as more relief efforts emerge.
The devastating floods that have swept eight of Malaysia’s 16 states and federal territories this weekend have left thousands stranded, more than 11,000 people driven out of their homes, and many roads closed. While East Malaysia is regularly flooded during the monsoon season, West Malaysia—particularly the state of Selangor—has been adversely affected, with this flood being one of the worst seen in years. The torrential rain started on Friday morning and, according to the Meteorological Department, it will continue until Sunday. The department also tweeted areas that have been placed on red alert as a warning.

#hujanlebatmetmalaysia#metmalaysia #MenangBersama#LindungDiriLindungSemua pic.twitter.com/ss1f4IhI0d
— Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (@metmalaysia) December 18, 2021

The Malay Mail reported that last night saw a sharp increase in the number of flood victims relocating to temporary relief centres (PPS) in affected states such as Pahang, Selangor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan and Kelantan. Selangor alone has 3,508 flood victims sheltered at 45 PPS located in areas such as Kuala Langat, Klang, Kuala Selangor, Sepang and Hulu Langat. In addition, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that he has mobilised more than 66,000 personnel from the police, army and fire department to help rescue stranded flood victims and take them to shelters. Meanwhile, for those who are in need of help—and those who want to help—find resources in this directory ahead:
If you are stranded and in need of assistance, here is a list of helplines to contact:

Keep these numbers handy incase you need help or you know someone who does. Stay safe, be alert and we’ll weather this storm together.#WeAreStrong #KitaJagaKita #Banjir pic.twitter.com/Y3CGP1fiWg
— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) December 18, 2021

Majlis Perbandaran Klang03-3374 8845

Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam03-5522 2787

Majils Perbandaran Kuala Langat03-3182 2566

Hospital Tengku Amuan Rahimah03-3323 9478

Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah Klang03-3323 9554

PDRM Klang Selatan03-3372 2222

PDRM Klang Utara03-3291 3344

Jabatan Bebajikan Masyarakat03-3341 3703

Jabatan Kerja Raya03-3371 4040

Jabatan Pengairan & Sailran Selangor03-3371 2464

Angkatan Pertahanan Awam03-3371 0820

Pusat Kawalan Bencana Negara (NDCC)03-8064 2400

Alright. Whatever I can find for flood relief/bantuan banjir goes in this thread. If you see any others, tag me in. First of all: Nombor telefon bilik gerakan bencana Klang (kalau ada utk negeri/daerah lain let me know) https://t.co/XFIs64Og03
— Hanna Alkaf / #DaruratBanjir Lockdown (@hannaalkaf) December 18, 2021

Talian Hotline bantuan dan Khidmat banjir. pic.twitter.com/aj9tlCw5Gv
— Pas Kawasan Lipis (@PasKawasanLipis) December 18, 2021

Other places offering help and assistance:
Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara

For those who are stranded near Kota Damansara & unable to go home, @thomsonhosp_kd is opening our new unused wards for people & families needing temporary shelter. Pls call +60 3 6287 1111. The operator will transfer to the duty nurse manager for further assistance. Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/SNtxF24ic3
— Nadiah Wan (@lapetitemaligne) December 18, 2021

Dewan Pangsapuri Anggerik and Dewan PPR Hicom

Shelters open for flood victims at Dewan Pangsapuri Anggerik and Dewan PPR Hicom. Contact info in tweet below https://t.co/cbQJUZrXjy
— Hanna Alkaf / #DaruratBanjir Lockdown (@hannaalkaf) December 18, 2021

GSC is offering ticket refunds for those affected by the flash floods:

Please stay safe guys! Take care pic.twitter.com/vCOjH5RgEH
— GSC (@GSCinemas) December 18, 2021

Selangor Library is open as a shelter —call +603 5519 7667

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Nia Atasha is fostering stray cats and pets:

Sebelah Mata Studio is offering their space as a shelter

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My Naturi is offering temporary storage solutions for small businesses affected by the floods:

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Beauty
Beauty book: Sandra Woo, Ninie Ahmad and Kylie Denis on self-care, skincare secrets and more

26.06.2020
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

Ever wondered what makes a post-workout glow? Aside from, well, an actual workout, a proper beauty routine can take your skin health to a whole new level. While these devout yoga practitioners may channel flawlessness in their Instagram posts (as they’re attempting the most challenging poses, no less), we want to know the real best-kept beauty secrets behind their effortless glow.
Ahead, deep dive into all-encompassing beauty routines of Sandra Woo, Ninie Ahmad and Kylie Denis:
What is your morning beauty ritual like? What gets you ready in the morning?
Sandra: “I pick a good tune and get my body moving. I dance, drink a big round of water and jump in a cold shower to give my system a boost. I traded in hot morning showers on work days a couple of years ago and I’ve not turned up the heater since! Skin prep comes next and I pick different products depending on how my skin feels that day, layer them on while I get dressed, fill in my brows and I’m good to go. I try to minimise stress in my processes and a solid morning routine is a priority.”
Ninie: “I feel like my skin always looks the best when I first wake up! I try to sit still and do five minutes of pranayama practice for influx of oxygen first in the morning followed by 15 minutes of sun salutations to wake me up. I’ve made oil pulling with coconut oil a habit—I swish it in my mouth for 15 minutes as I water the plants on my patio. Before I step in the shower, I brush my teeth and down a bottle of collagen drink to help restore my skin’s elasticity as I am approaching 40 soon.”
Kylie: “I’ve been getting up early to head to the yoga studio so my routine is really fast and simple (cleanse, moisturise and mini face massage). The face massage is something new that I added a few months back. It helps with morning puffiness and makes me feel refreshed before I go to meet my students on the mat.”

What is your beauty philosophy?
Sandra: “Use less, but use better and an inside-out wellness approach. I stay informed on products with ingredients that work best for my skin type and stick to them, instead of buying into hype. I also go for therapy to compartmentalise my work-life balance and try my best to remove myself from stresses that I can’t control. Nothing has worked better for health and performance in general than prioritising my mental performance and emotional endurance. During hard times, I try my best to stay on top of my self-awareness and care routines so nothing becomes too big of a surprise that could cause an inconvenient skin break out.”

Ninie: “Everybody has different skin types. We must know what works for us and stick to it. I know my skin is very oily but not prone to acne—yet it breaks out if I over-moisturise so my skincare range must not be too moisturising. For makeup, I’ll usually apply an obscene amount of mattifying primer (my favourite is Benefit Cosmetics’ POREfessional primer) as it helps my makeup stay all day, even throughout my daily yoga and rock-climbing regime.”
Kylie: “Listen to your body. It knows what it needs. I spent years fighting my skin putting all the harsh things on little spots. It was only when I started viewing these issues as indications that my skin was needing something (hydration) that I was able to find long-lasting balance and clarity.”

Please walk us through your skincare routine.
Sandra: “I’m pretty lucky as I have great skin in general! Maintenance is key here. For pore control, I use Stridex’s pads that come with salicylic acid. I tone with Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Essence before layering a cocktail of The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid and Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion and/or La Mer The Treatment Lotion; followed by Caudalie VineActiv eye cream after. I’m in love with skin oils and they’re my last layers, if I’m not wearing makeup, I’ll use La Mer’s Renewal Oil or organic argan oil from The Hive. If I am wearing makeup, I use La Mer The Concentrate instead. For SPF, Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Radiance and/or Huxley Secret of Sahara Sun Cream—never forget SPF.
“I also exclusively wash my face with an Aleppo soap bar—it’s simple and effective. I love a good mask before bed time and my current top picks are Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Sleeping Mask and Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask. My skincare routine is basically built around hydration and occulents. I like La Mer The Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask for flights. If you’re not using a face mask on flights, now is a good time to start (once we’re able to start flying, that is).”

Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Essence

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid

La Mer The Treatment Lotion

Caudalie VineActiv Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream

La Mer The Renewal Oil

La Mer The Concentrate

Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Radiance SPF35

Huxley Secret of Sahara Sun Cream

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask

La Mer The Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask

Ninie: “After my morning shower, I use Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Oily Skin paired with NuSkin’s AgeLoc LumiSpa device followed by Mario Badescu’s Glycolic Acid toner. I use Lancôme’s Genifique as my daytime serum before applying Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel. On days that I’m rock-climbing outdoors, I’ll put on a layer of MAC’s Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF50.
“Since I love wearing full makeup on daily basis, I make sure I clean my face really well at night. I’ll lather Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing balm on my face to melt my makeup off—it works wonders to remove foundation. Then, I’ll wash my face with The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser using Foreo Luna Go for Oily Skin, followed by Clinique’s Acne Solution Clarifying Lotion as my toner. Before bed, I’ll apply Lancôme’s Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector. Twice a week, I put on Akimia’s Microcurrent Sheet Mask—I swear by it, it has erased my acne scars and gives my skin a laser facial-like effect in just 15 minutes.”

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Oily Skin

Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel

MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF50

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Foreo Luna Go For Oily Skin

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion

Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector

Kylie: “I like a gentle cleanse so I typically use a micellar water in the morning. If I’m wearing makeup, I’ll double cleanse at the end of the day with Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel. I’m a big fan of Drunk Elephant’s B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum. I’ve been searching for a daily moisturiser that I could also wear during workouts—most would break me out or they would leave my face slimy. But this one absorbs fast and stays put. If I’m going out, I top my moisturiser off with Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops for a little glow.
“In the evening I like to focus on hydration because my skin gets dry. I use Indie Lee’s Squalane Facial Oil; some nights I will use my gua sha tool to massage this onto my skin. Other nights, I’ll top it off with Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalising Mask EX. If I’m having breakouts or clogged pores I’ll apply Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque—it’s not over-drying and leaves my skin feeling really soothed.”

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops

Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil

Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalising Mask EX

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque

What wellness essentials are on your bedside table right now?
Sandra: “Malin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Body Moisturiser, Linden Leaves Aromatherapy Synergy Body Oil, Jo Malone Vitamin E Lip Conditioner, and various aromatherapy oils. I’m in love with a ylang ylang-and-lavender blend for sleep; Yuzu, juniper and peppermint if my vibe needs a lift. I also have a one-litre bottle of drinking water and a few candles on my bedside (I love Lilin & Co and 5Luxe Scents—they’re great local brands that consistently put out quality products). On top of that I use magnesium oil to help with muscle recovery and stay super hydrated throughout the day so my energy levels throughout the day is buffered and consistent.“
Ninie: “I spray a spritz of Aura Cacia’s Pillow Potion on my pillows before I sleep and as I read my books before bedtime, I use my free hand to glide my jade roller from Herbivore Botanicals on my face.”
Kylie: ”Penny Frances Apothecary Ibiza balm (gifted to me by a friend and it’s perfect for soothing sore muscles), Saje Aromatherapy oils, and my trusty gua sha tool.“
Name three things that are always in your yoga bag.
Sandra: “Caudalie Grape Water, Tom Ford Neroli Portofino body mist and Thayers Lip Balm.”
Ninie: “My Moleskine notebook for my classes + wisdom notes + poetries, Saje Wellness’s Pocket Pharmacy essential oil kit, and multichakra coloured Pentel Touch Brush Sign pens (I take pride of my penmanship and I am very particularly with pens I write with).”
Kylie: “Saje essential oils (peppermint and lemongrass always), Kiehl’s Cactus Flower & Tibetan Ginseng Hydrating Mist (refreshing especially post-workout) and Grandpawpaw Paw Paw lip balm.”

Malin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Body Moisturiser

Linden Leaves Aromatherapy Synergy Body Oil

Jo Malone Vitamin E Lip Conditioner

Caudalie Grape Water

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino All Over Body Spray

Aura Cacia Pillow Potion

Herbivore Botanicals Jade Roller

Penny Frances Apothecary Ibiza Balm

Saje 100% Pure Essential Oil

Kiehl’s Cactus Flower & Tibetan Ginseng Hydrating Mist

What scents and notes do you gravitate to and what’s your all-time favourite perfume?
Sandra: I love spicy gourmands that are a little masculine and they are almost all I wear. My all-time favourite is Giorgio Armani Mania, it was discontinued a few years ago and I’ve never really recovered from that. Le Labo The Noir is my current go to, Tom Ford Noir for nights out and Byredo Bal d’Afrique for sunny days. I also have a huge

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Food + Drink
5 Must-try recipes from ‘Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat’—and the stories behind each dish

16.08.2021
By Adelina Tan

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Review: Sky35 KL presents an omakase experience plated on Hermès finery

“More than just a mantra, cook, eat, repeat is the story of my life,” expresses celebrity cook Nigella Lawson. It’s also the name of her TV series, which takes viewers into the heart and soul of her cooking. Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat delves into the rhythms and rituals of her kitchen by showcasing a delicious array of new recipes, each featuring her favourite ingredients. Through telling witty and insightful stories of each dish, she gets to the heart of how food provides our everyday lives with connection and joy.
Below are a few recipes from the show—so you, too, can create new memories through the transformative experience of cooking and eating!
Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat premieres in Malaysia on Monday, 16th August at 7pm, on UnifiTV channel 512 and BBC Player. There are six episodes in total.

Fish Finger Bhorta

Serves: 2, with essential leftovers
Ingredients
For the pink-pickled onions:
1/2 red onion
Red wine vinegar or lime juice, to cover
For the bhorta:
2 regular onions (approx. 300g)
2 red chillies
2 fat cloves of garlic
1 x 15ml tbsp finely grated fresh ginger (approx. 50g chunk of ginger)
12 fish fingers
3 x 15ml tbsp cold-pressed rapeseed or vegetable oil
2 x 15ml tbsp English mustard (from a jar)
2 tsp sea salt flakes (or 1 tsp fine sea salt)
125g young spinach
1 lime
3 x 15ml tbsp roughly chopped coriander, plus more to serve

Method
1. Make your pink-pickled onions as far in advance as you can: at least 2 hours, and up to 24. Cut your red onion in half—or use a whole onion if you prefer, as you will easily find yourself adding them to much else—into fine half-moons. Put these into a jar with a lid, or simply into a bowl that you can cover. Pour over red wine vinegar (or lime juice), pressing down on the onions until they are all just immersed. Put the lid on the jar or cover your bowl, and leave the onions to steep.
2. When you’re ready to make and eat the bhorta, heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan. While you’re waiting, peel and slice your 2 regular onions into fine half-moons, de-seed the chillies (or not if you prefer) and slice them finely, and peel the garlic. If the skin is tough, peel the ginger (using the tip of a teaspoon) then grate it finely to give 1 tablespoonful.
3. When the oven’s hot, and your ingredients are assembled and ready, put the fish fingers on a baking sheet and cook for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, which may be slightly longer than the packet directs, but will ensure the breadcrumb coating is really crisp.
4. Meanwhile, warm the oil in a large frying pan (I use a wok-shaped stir-fry pan), and cook the onions over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring regularly, by which time they will be pale gold and soft.
5. Add the sliced chillies, stirring all the while, for 3 minutes. Then stir in the grated ginger, mince or grate in the garlic, and cook, still stirring, for another 2 minutes. Spoon in the mustard and salt, stirring to combine, then add the spinach leaves and let them wilt in the pan, stirring regularly, for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, squeeze in the juice of the lime.
6. Take the pan off the heat while you get the fish fingers. Break them up a bit with a spatula and then add them to the wok or frying pan. Toss everything together, breaking them up further, and sprinkle over the coriander.
7. Serve topped with the pink-pickled onions, adding extra chopped coriander if wished.

“I am so grateful to the political journalist Ash Sarkar for this new love in my life. I have to say I had never heard of it before I saw a tweet of hers in April 2019, which read:
‘Nostalgia in a dish: cooked fish fingers, mashed with onion, fresh ginger, and green chilli that’s all fried in mustard oil, stirred through with a bit of English mustard and finished with lemon and coriander. Bird’s Eye bhorta is to me what a tea-dipped madeleine was to Proust.’

Nigella’s tips:

This dish says something so fundamental about what cooking is, about how we adapt to ingredients that are new to us, and make them part of ou lives. Authenticity is a much overused, indeed much misused, word in cooking in life generally, come to think of it. Honest borrowing is the natural province of the cook, and recipes are living, evolving entities.
The pink-pickled onions which I bring to the party, are not mandatory but an addition I would be unwilling to do without. However, for all that they’re quick, they’re not instant. You can simply steep the onions in red win vinegar (not the expensive kind) a couple of hours ahead, but longer is better. I plan to do this six hours ahead, or the day before, although I try anyway to keep a rolling stock of them in the house.

Wide Noodles with Lamb Shank in Aromatic Broth

Serves: 2 lucky people
Ingredients
1L cold water
1 x 15ml tablespoon gochujang paste
2 tsp sea salt flakes (or
1 tsp fine sea salt (plus more for pasta and cabbage)
1 tsp allspice berries
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 star anise
1 lamb shank
25g fresh ginger
1 carrot (approx. 125g)
2 fat cloves of garlic
70g banana shallots (2 smallish or 1large) or 1/2 an onion
200g Savoy cabbage
175g pappardelle (not egg pappardelle) or other wide noodles
To serve:
Chilli crisp oil

Method
1. Heat the oven to 150°C/130°C fan. Pour the litre of water into a small casserole with a tightly fitting lid (I use one of 20cm diameter) and stir in the gochujang paste until dissolved, then add the salt, allspice, cumin seeds and star anise. Now add the lamb shank to the pot, and put over medium heat.
2. Cut the ginger into coins and add to the pot as well, along with the carrot, peeled (if you want) and cut into four; the garlic cloves, bruised with the flat of a wide-bladed knife; and the shallots, cut in half, though there is no need to peel them. In fact, I don’t bother to peel anything. Once everything’s in the pan, the lamb shank should be just covered. If it isn’t, add some more water.
3. Once it’s come to the boil, clamp on the lid and cook in the oven for 2 to 2½ hours, by which time the meat should be very tender indeed, and ready to fall off the bone.
4. Using tongs, transfer the lamb shank to a large-ish bowl, then strain the liquid. Leave to cool, then refrigerate overnight.
5. The next day, remove the solidified fat, and shred the meat—not too finely, you don’t want stringiness—into a small saucepan, pouring over the liquid, and in another pan, large enough to take the pasta and cabbage, bring water to the boil.
6. Shred the cabbage. When the water’s come to the boil, add salt, and turn the heat on very low under the pan of lamb and its broth, so that it warms gently, though you do want it to be piping hot by the time the pasta and cabbage are cooked.
7. Add the pappardelle to the boiling salted water and when it’s 3 minutes away from its full cooking time (check the packet for instructions) add the cabbage and stir well. When both cabbage and pasta are cooked, drain, then divide between two noodle bowls.
8. Using a slotted spoon, lift out the hot lamb and share between the two bowls, then ladle the broth on top. If you have any of the crispy chilli oil add 1 teaspoon or so to each bowl, and take both bowls to the table, making sure you come back for the chilli crisp oil, so you can add more as you eat.

“While I could never have a recipe in any book I wrote that I didn’t love inordinately, this is just one of those special ones that fill me with a sense of glad-hearted awe. It’s not too much to claim for it: it’s almost ridiculously easy to make—I relish the quiet ceremony of its slow-cooking preparation—and is both comforting and enlivening to eat.
“I don’t know how it came to me, but I think that a visit to Master Wei in London, with its glorious bowls of punchily spiced aromatic broth and handmade biang biang noodles, might have had something to do with it, even if not entirely consciously. I didn’t set out to replicate what I’d eaten there, but I was hungering for something to deliver up exactly that combination of chilli-hot intensity and shoulder-lowering serenity.
“And while I haven’t been cooking it for long, my children already ask me for it regularly when we’re planning an evening together. It’s bowl food at its best.”

Nigella’s tips:

The gorgeous broth has to be made a day in advance (longer if you want), but it’s a very straightforward procedure once you’ve got the key ingredients in stock.

Gochujang, that fermented Korean red chilli paste that provides rich, rounded depth as well as heat, is the magic ingredient here. I recommend you get it for adding both oomph and umami to chilli, shepherd’s pie, mayonnaise, soups and stews. Here, however, it simply makes for a broth of such complexity, you’d think a thousand and one exactingly calibrated spices went into it.

If you can’t get hold of gochujang, I dare say a teaspoon of dried chilli flakes would serve as a stand-in; it certainly would bring the heat (stir miso into the broth before eating).

Basque Burnt Cheesecake

Makes: 8 to 12 slices
Ingredients
For the cheesecake:
600g full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
175g caster sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
300ml sour cream, at room temperature
¼ tsp fine sea salt
25g cornflour
For the sauce:
15g hard pure liquorice pellets
90g caster sugar
300ml water
A pinch of fine sea salt (optional)
To serve:
Blackberries or other berries of your choice

Method
1. Heat the oven to 200ºC/180ºC Fan. Get out a 20cm spring form tin and a roll of baking parchment. Unfurl a long piece from the roll, and when it looks like you’ve got enough to line the tin with an overhang of 5cm to 7cm, tear it off and press it into the tin, and down into the edges at the bottom. Now do the same again with a second piece, placing it perpendicular to the first so that the tin is entirely lined. Push this piece down, too, and don’t worry about any pleats, creases and wrinkles; this is “the look”. Sit something heavy in the tin to keep the paper in place while you get on with the cheesecake mixture.
2. I use a freestanding mixer fitted with the flat paddle for this, but you could easily use a large mixing bowl, wooden spoon and elbow grease. First, beat the cream cheese with the sugar until light and smooth; I beat for quite a long time, certainly not under 2 minutes, and it would be at least 5 minutes by hand. It is absolutely essential—and I’m sorry to repeat myself—that the cream cheese is at room temperature before you start.
3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, waiting for each one to be incorporated before adding the next, and when they’re all mixed in, you can—beating all the while—pour in the sour cream.
4. Once that is also incorporated, you can slow down the mixer a little (or risk getting cornflour all over yourself) and then beat in the salt, followed by the cornflour, one teaspoon at a time. Remove the bowl from the mixer, scrape down the sides with a silicone spatula, and give everything a good stir.
5. Pour into the lined tin (removing whatever’s been sitting in it, obviously), making sure no cheesecake mix is left in the bowl, and then lightly knock the filled tin on the work surface about five times to get rid of any air bubbles.
6. Place in the oven and bake for 50 minutes, by which time the cheesecake will be a burnished bronze on top, even chestnut brown in places, and it’ll have risen, like a dense soufflé. It will, however, still be very jiggly. It’s meant to be. You’ll think it’s undercooked, but it will carry on cooking as it cools, and it should have a soft set, anyway.
7. Remove the tin to a wire rack and leave to cool. It will sink in the middle a little, but that too is part of its traditional appearance. I reckon it’s cool enough to eat after 3 hours, although you may need to leave it for a little longer. If you want to chill it in the fridge, do, but not for more than 30 minutes.
8. Make the liquorice sauce once the cheesecake is out of the oven. If you have a bullet blender, you can pulverise the liquorice pastilles first, but whether whole or powder, put in a small saucepan with the 300ml of water. Stir in the sugar, then put on a lowish flame until the liquorice has all but dissolved, stirring to give it a bit of a nudge every now and again to help it melt. Then turn up the heat and let bubble away until reduced to 150ml—turning the heat down a bit if it looks like it’s boiling over. In a 14cm diameter pan, I find this can take up to 20 minutes. Keep checking—you’ll need a small heatproof measuring jug by your side. take Stir in a pinch of salt if finished leave to cool, when it will have the texture of a syrup, which in effect, it is.
9. Before serving, unclip and lift the sides of the tin up and away, and then lift the cheesecake up with the edges of the parchment. Place this on a board, and peel the paper back, and take it like that, rustically beautiful, to the table, along with your blackberries and even blacker liquorice syrup. Just drizzle a little over the slices of cheesecake as you hand them out, allowing hardcore liquorice lovers to spoon more over as they eat.

“I just can’t stop making this. A lover of all cheesecakes, in every one of their manifestations, I had—I must admit—neither eaten nor heard of this until a few years ago. It was created, in fact, about three decades ago, by Santiago Rivera of La Viña in San Sebastian.
“This is my version, and while I don’t have the wood-fired stove it was cooked in when I had my first taste of it, a hot oven at home creates it beautifully enough. It is, I should say, very easy to make. There’s no crust, it’s just a wodge of tangy cheesecake that, although burnt on top, is only barely set in the middle.”

Nigella’s tips:

The hard thing is learning to take it out of the oven when it feels undercooked. At 45 minutes, in my oven at least, it is a disappointing pale gold; another five minutes, it appears suddenly, miraculously, burnished. But shake the tin and the centre of the cheesecake jiggles all over the place. It’s supposed to: despite your doubts and fears, take it out of the oven now; don’t give it a cautious further few minutes or it’ll set too firm and compact when it’s cold.

Unlike most cheesecakes, this doesn’t need to stand in the fridge overnight before you eat it. In fact, it very much mustn’t, although you can sit it in there briefly, no more than 30 minutes, before you eat it.

Creme Caramel for One

Serves: 1, blissfully
Ingredients
For the caramel
2 x 15ml tablespoons (25g) caster sugar
2 tsp cold water
For the creme
2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
2 tsp caster sugar
¼ tsp vanilla extract
150ml full-fat milk

Method
1. Heat the oven to 140ºC/120ºC fan, put the kettle on, tear off a piece of foil and cut out a square that’s 1½ to 2cm bigger than the diameter of the top of the dish or mould you’re using. When I first rushed to make this, I used a sweet little 200ml ceramic pudding basin that I must have bought once in a fit of cute, and found in the back of a messy cupboard. Fortune smiled: it was just right for the job. Otherwise, I favour preserving jars, drinking glasses or ceramic or glass ramekins; they all need to have a 200ml capacity and be heatproof.
2. Put your chosen mould very near the hob, and spoon the sugar into a very small saucepan with a light-coloured interior—I use my pixie-pan, more properly known as a butter melter, with a 9cm diameter, but a milk pan of about 14cm is just as good—and add the 2 teaspoons of water. Swirl the pan a little, then put over medium-low heat to melt the sugar and bring it to the boil, lifting the pan up and giving it a swirl every now and again. Don’t even think of stirring it.
Once the now-clear melted sugar starts bubbling away, you can turn the heat up a little, and then wait for it to turn first gold, then amber, then watch until it’s somewhere between maple syrup and chestnut; I like the caramel to be as dark and smoky as it can be without actually burning. Be patient, lift up and swirl the pan often and monitor it closely. Immediately once it’s turned the requisite deep amber, pour the caramel into the bottom of your mould, and now give this a swirl, just so the caramel goes a little up the sides. Place the mould in a small tin or ovenproof dish.
3. In a Pyrex jug or similar, briskly stir the egg yolks with the sugar and vanilla extract, just until combined. I use a small silicone spatula for this, as a whisk would get too much air into the mixture.
4. Warm the milk—I give it 40 seconds in the microwave—and then pour it over the eggs and sugar, stirring and scraping with your little spatula, making sure there are no visible yellow bits of egg left at the bottom. Strain this—you must not think of dispensing with this step—over your caramel-lined mould and then, with a teaspoon, carefully remove any bubbles or froth. Cover the mould with your square of foil, making sure it doesn’t touch the custard mixture, and seal it well all around the edges.
5. Pour hot water from the just-boiled kettle into the tin or dish to come about a third of the way up the mould, and slowly and steadily put it in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes, then lean in and very carefully remove the foil, and leave in the oven to cook for a further 20 minutes by which time it will be just set, with a little bit of a quiver.
6. Remove the tin from the oven and very carefully lift the crème caramel mould out of the water, and leave it on the kitchen counter until completely cold. Cover with food wrap and place in the fridge overnight, or for at least 6 hours.
7. Take the crème caramel out of the fridge 30 minutes before you want to eat it. Uncover, and with a very small palette knife, try very gently to pull the top of the soft-set cooked custard away from the sides of the mould. Fill a dish about 3cm deep with water from a just-boiled kettle, or very hot water from the tap, and stand or dip the crème caramel mould in the water for the count of 5.
Sit a saucer or small lipped plate on top of the mould, turn it swiftly and firmly the right way up and give the smallest of shakes to help dislodge it. You will hear a muffled squelch as the crème caramel begins to slide out of the mould and onto its saucer. Gently remove the mould.

“Crème caramel is just such a ridiculous thing to be making for oneself; therein lies the gift of it. And then there’s the dreamy softness of the mild custard, the scorched syrup that counters it: eating it is a transporting experience. I know it’s customary to use both cream and milk in a crème caramel but to me it’s the delicacy, the lack of richness, of the custard that gives it its teasing elegance.
“And, it’s true, I used just yolks for it, rather than the more usual combination of whole egg and extra yolk, because that’s what I needed to use up, but I would never toughen the texture of a crème caramel with an egg white again: this version is so exquisitely tender, its set so soft, it’s like a whisper on the lips.”

Nigella’s tip:

The water bath is routine enough, but covering it for the first 30 minutes it’s in the oven helps it cook more gently still, as it protects the top from even the low heat it bakes at. It does need to be uncovered for the last 20 minutes, though, or else it won’t hold its form when unmoulded later.

Lemon Blossom Cocktail

Ingredients
2tbsp/30ml limoncello
2tbsp/30ml vodka
2 tbsp/30ml undiluted elderflower cordial
2 tbsp/30ml lemon juice
Ice

Method

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Fashion
Alexander McQueen AW22 collection in photos
The last two times Alexander Mcqueen showed in New York was in 1996 and 1999, under founder Lee Alexander, for the showcase of his era-defining Dante collection and the water-soaked Eye runway. Fast forward to today, and Sarah Burton just returned to New York City to present her Autumn/Winter 2022 collection for the label. The Big Apple has always been close to their hearts, the creative director said in show notes. “It is a part of our community, a place that has always welcomed us, and this season I want to honour that.” Drawing from this sense of togetherness, she was inspired specifically by the humble mycelium, “by the reality of nature as a community that is far, far older than we are”. As such, the show was rooted in the elements of the land, with piles of mulch covering the Brooklyn warehouse venue and unraveling dresses and sweaters embroidered with vivid representations of the fungi. There were also spray-painted suits that harked back to an archival McQueen collection, Number 13, where a pair of robots decorated Sharlom Harlow’s strapless white dress during the show. See every look now.

16.03.2022
By Kelly Lim

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

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Features
24 Minutes with Christophe Lemaire, Uniqlo U’s artistic director

23.09.2020
By Joan Kong

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It’s safe to say that Uniqlo U has been one of the Japanese Lifewear brand’s best-selling lines since Christophe Lemaire took the helm as its artistic director in 2017 (ICYMI, the designer previously helmed the womenswear line at Hermès from 2010 to 2014). Essentially an elevated Uniqlo collection, the pieces are made from high-quality materials with a higher standard of craftsmanship, resulting in sophisticated basics that have more to them than meets the eye.
In conjunction with the launch of Uniqlo U’s Autumn/Winter 2020 collection, the French designer gave us a thorough explanation on his creative process, from the start to the end:
What was your starting point for this collection?
When we start to work on a new Uniqlo U season, I always ask what are the essential pieces that we need in the collection. The idea is to create clothing solutions, pieces that you will need, and hopefully, desire. We are always working towards finding a balance between something down to earth in terms of functionality, practicality, and comfort, but with the right fabrics and the right colours.
As a design team, we collectively always have a lot of references in mind when we start. We love clothing, fashion history, costume history, military-wear, and workwear, and we can get very enthusiastic about certain directions. But there comes a point when we have to forget about the mood boards as well as references and be focussed on the design, in order to have a distinctive point of view and to bring solutions to people’s wardrobes.
Uniqlo U caters to a global audience. How is your creative process like each season?
The beauty of Uniqlo is that we are present all around the world and speak to diverse audiences. The exciting challenge for us is to ensure that as many people as possible will understand what our work is about. This is why we don’t want the collection to be over referenced, too edgy or ironic.
During the design process, we have our customers constantly in mind. We are very much looking for this quality of universality and it has to be understandable to different kinds of people. We are often asking ourselves, will someone in the suburbs of Japan, or in a town in China, or somewhere in Europe and the US get what we are trying to achieve? Yet, at the same time, it’s also interesting to be quite directional with what we, as a design team, believe in. Sometimes we are idealistic and propose brave fabrications or volumes, whether oversized garments, longer sweaters, or even larger sized pants, and we debate whether they are commercial or not. But if it’s cool and important for the collection, we usually go with our intuition.
At the end of the day, you have to trust your instinct. It is an interesting exercise every season to balance the fine line between what you can anticipate in terms of customer expectations, and what you feel in terms of the design direction.

How does this new collection differ from the previous ones?
Every collection is meant to be an evolution from the previous one. I always want there to be a sense of dialogue between them and we work each collection as complimentary to the previous one, because it is about helping our customers to build a wardrobe. It’s always a balance between a few carryovers, or improved carryovers, and new pieces.
Tell us more about the colour palette this season.
Sometimes we have stronger colours, but most of the time we are looking for smart neutrals. So, if we want to include beige in the collection, we will explore every shade of beige from cafe latte to sand. Instead of a navy, we might explore darker shades of blue, or greyish blues, or greenish blues, instead of just sticking with the familiar tone of this particular colour. A lot of attention is given to this aspect of building a collection.
This season, for the womenswear collections, we were interested in skin tones and neutral colours. This was particularly the case for the ‘second skin pieces’ and we like the idea that you can wear skin tones next to your skin. We also played with powdery makeup shades. The menswear palette is a little bit more colourful with lots of corduroys, for instance, in deep shades of burnt orange and blue-greens.

What’s the inspiration behind the AW20 womenswear collection?
For this womenswear collection, we wanted something cleaner: a little bit leaner in terms of silhouettes with straight leg trousers and straight dresses. Initially, we were inspired by the 1990s minimalist wave in fashion. The focus was on functionality with very special fabrics and finishes. From there, we worked piece by piece, building the best possible collection by designing garments that you would want to keep in your wardrobe. It was also important for us that these garments would work easily with other pieces that you already have.
There was a need for easy, slightly looser dresses in very feminine styles. The silhouette is reminiscent of classic 1940s dresses but updated with a new cut to create a more contemporary version of a classic and using this great textured crepe viscose that we have developed. There is something archetypical about these dresses. In fact, one of our constant references as a design team are the Macmillan Visual Dictionaries that were published in the 1990s. In one of them, there is a fashion section where you will find illustrations of dresses or shirts that have a supernormal, archetypical quality to them which we love. So when we are thinking about a womenswear wardrobe that is relevant, we think there should be room for classic dresses like these.

What about the menswear collection?
Paninari was a youth movement in northern Italy at the end of the 1980s. They were very much into sportswear, wearing down jackets, chunky knitwear, and of course denim. The movement had a very European sensibility to it with refined colours and they liked to mix classic pieces with sportswear. We began the menswear collection by looking at these Paninari images for inspiration.
Of course, references are always just a starting point, and at the end of the day, the idea is to create smart pieces for men such as straight-leg chinos with a permanent crease. This season, we were interested in adding more volume to the collection with boxy silhouettes and oversized proportions. There are some sportswear references in the collection too. A lot of work went into fabrication and the weight of fabrics. The beauty of our Uniqlo U design team is that they are really dedicated to what they do. They work towards finding the perfect details, from fabrics to finishes, and as a result, we have the capacity to come up with extremely good quality garments in relation to the price. I think this is quite unique.

Tell us more about the denim pieces in this collection.
Denim is a fantastic fabric. We like to use it in diverse ways, and we have an amazing research and development team in LA for this. Of course, we love to explore the great classics like the five pocket jeans or trucker jackets. This season, for instance, we wanted to propose a denim coat with workwear detailing for women. The coat is quite unusual because of its long silhouette and we styled it in the campaign on top of a light
denim shirt dress which is also quite long. This coat is a great example of how we literally tried to stretch the classic denim piece towards creating a new proposal. The result is a functional garment with a lean, elegant silhouette. And the beauty of denim is that it ages well. Hopefully the denim piece will become like a good friend that will evolve beautifully and you can make your own.

What are your personal favourites in this collection?
You know, I love the whole collection. But if I had to choose something, I would say that the women’s soft wadded cotton coat is a great addition. I think we managed to create an elegant shape and the coat is warm as well as cosy. And I love the colour which is kind of a light cafe latte. For me, this coat is very Uniqlo U. I also love all the second skin pieces made of fine-gauge knits and super soft merino. And the French terry of course, which is very clean and beautiful. With this, we wanted to propose it in unusual colours, like dusty pink for men. You know I could go on and on, but these would probably be my favourite pieces.

How do you think people’s relationships with their clothing has changed due to the current global pandemic?
I guess people are evaluating their relationship with consumerism. I think they want to buy less but better, whether it is food or objects. There is a growing sense of people looking for essentials that you don’t want to throw away immediately. This also applies to clothing. Perhaps they are looking for something simple and straightforward, and just the right products: the right jeans, the right trousers, the right jackets, the right T-shirts and the right shirts. And I think Uniqlo and Uniqlo U are very much in line with this evolution between people and their relationship with clothing.
The pandemic has reinforced our conviction. We feel more strongly than ever that we are coming up with the right products to match people’s needs. And we are trying to create the perfect high-quality garments, which are very important for us.
You’ve helmed Uniqlo U for three years now. What are you most proud of?
I would like people to know that we really work here with passion and we give a lot of consideration to clothing. The philosophy at Uniqlois to propose good LifeWear essentials. This means a lot of trial and error when it comes to fabrication, detailing, finishing and functionality.
We spend time considering the pocket sizes and the ways in which they are positioned because we truly respect our customers. And as a design team, we spend a lot of time trying on the clothes ourselves to ensure a perfect fit and function. We share this love for a democratic approach toward clothing, which means proposing a good design and quality styles that are suitable for as many people as possible around the world. And it’s interesting to see how many people are responsive to this proposal. This is something we are very proud of.
The Uniqlo U AW20 collection is now available in stores.

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News
7 Things to do in KL this weekend during CMCO: 26 & 27 December 2020

23.12.2020
By Melissa Foong

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

1. Indulge in a luxury dining experience at Vogue Lounge KL

Finally reopening after a brief hiatus, the luxurious restaurant and bar has announced its newly conceptualised menu—a fusion between Eurasian and Asian-Med cuisine with a pinch of Japanese and French influence. After indulging in a hearty meal, head to the rooftop bar to kick off your evening with the perfect drink in hand.
For reservations, WhatsApp 0168466552 or visit this website
2. Feast your eyes on the many Malaysian stories directed by the late Yasmin Ahmad

Image: scene from Mukhsin
Petronas advertisements have been something every Malaysian looks forward to each holiday. Remember the heartwarming commercial for Hari Merdeka where primary school students Tan Hong Ming and Ummi Khazriena confessed their love for each other? The creator behind the successful advert is none other than the late Yasmin Ahmad. Netflix has decided to honour the award-winning filmmaker by bringing a slew of powerful Malaysian stories directed by her to a global audience. Expect films like Rabun, Mukhsin and Talentime on the streaming site this December.
For more information, visit this website
3. Check out the collection of distilled gin by Four Pillars

Savour the sweet taste of top craft spirits made by international gin maker, Four Pillars. Having received recognition for their four core gins (Rare Dry Gin, Bloody Shiraz Gin, Navy Strength Gin and Spiced Negroni Gin), the brand is finally made available in Malaysia as distribution partner Luen Heng F&B has recently announced the new addition to its long list of alcohol partners.
For more information, visit this website
4. Embark on an enchanting virtual world of Singapore’s Christmas Wonderland

With the travel restrictions still in effect, many Malaysians are longing to see the year-end celebrations observed throughout the world. Fret not, for now you can experience the wonders of our neighbouring country’s Christmas virtually in the comfort of your own homes. All it takes is just a click and you’ll be able to celebrate the festive season at Gardens by the Bay—well at least through your screens.
For more information, visit this website
5. Wind down after a long week at CampEveryday

After a week long of meetings and work, we understand the feeling of wanting to drop everything and go on a year-long vacation but with the travel restrictions in place, flying is the last thing you can do right now. Now you can let loose by going on a staycation at CampEveryday this weekend. The vibrant aesthetics of this home is as good as a vacation in Bali.
For more information, visit this website
6. Tune in live to MBC’s Drama Awards 2020

Image: Unsplash | Diego González
K-dramas have provided us great comfort during quarantine this year, bringing one’s fantasy to the screen. The emotions, screenplays, script and actors are a few of the many factors behind people are hopping onto the K-entertainment scene. With dramas comes the annual award shows, and Oh!K is bringing fans the highly-anticipated MBC Drama Award, live on 30 December with chart-topping female group, Refund Sisters making an appearance.
Airing: Oh!K (Astro Ch 394)
When: 30 December, 8:05pm
7. Rock out virtually with Malaysia’s Metalcamp

Image: Unsplash | Luuk Wouters
If you think pop music isn’t your cup of tea, this might just be the perfect genre to get into. Intense, virtuosic, and powerful, metal is arguably one of polarising yet successful genres in the music scene. Unlike your typical camps, the KL Metalcamp is driven by the aggressive sounds of guitar riffs, powerful drumming, extra low-range bass notes, and throaty vocals. This extreme metal event will showcase some of the best local metal bands such as Blackfire, Infectious Maggots, Vociferation Eternity and more.
For more information, visit this website
For last week’s list of things to do, click here

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Beauty
3 Woody men’s fragrances to own this season
A walk in the forest

20.09.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Fans of Calvin Klein‘s Obsession will be delighted for the latest fragrance range under creative director Raf Simons. The new Obsessed fragrance takes inspiration from its predecessor, but is reinvented with a play on traditional feminine/masculine ingredients. Obsessed For Men is an oriental woody scent that has hints of black vanilla for a nuanced experience. Top notes include Sichuan pepper, black cardamom, and grapefruit; while at its heart is a heady combination of cedar leaves, labdanum, and leather. The fragrance dries down to patchouli, black vanilla, and ambrox for an edgy yet contemporary touch. Want something that isn’t your everyday cologne? This is your new signature.

If you’re partial to the smell of nature, Aesop Hwyl Eau de Parfum is made just for you. Inspired by the verdancy of a Japanese forest, the fragrance was formulated in collaboration with French perfumer Barnabé Fillion. Hwyl EDP opens with enticing smoky notes of aromatic spices and fresh thyme extract, building up to a warm base of cypress and leaving a sensual finish of vetiver extract, frankincense and moss. “My inspiration for Hwyl Eau de Parfum was sparked by walking amongst the remarkable 300-year- old Hiba trees in an ancient Japanese forest and experiencing the country’s lush temple moss gardens,” says Mr. Fillion. “Hwyl recaptures the feeling of solitude and refuge in nature, and stimulates the olfactory senses with an eclectic array of potent botanical extracts.”

Salvatore Ferragamo Uomo Casual Life is a pliant scent that is perfect for an everyday fragrance. Fresh green notes offer a crisp subtlety that’s invigorated with woody notes. Aromatic top notes of violet leaves, lemon and cardamom has an intriguing twist by way of coffee in the heart notes alongside geranium and amber. With time, cedarwood and cashmere woods leave a distinct woody finish that’s exhilarating, thanks to a dry down of white musks.

Related stories:
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Behind the Aesop scent experience, ‘Nostos: Records of the Self’

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How to get rid of hickeys fast

Beauty
How to get rid of hickeys fast
"Did you get attacked?!"

16.02.2023
By Phyll Wu

Images are writer's own and Pexels

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Got a love bite that you need to get rid of ASAP? Don’t fret—here’s everything you need to do.
We’ve all been there. Waking up after a steamy night with your partner, dragging yourself into the bathroom (probably with your makeup still on), looking in the mirror, only to be confronted with the extremely visible aftermath of your bedroom rodeo—and now you’re here, desperate for solutions to make it disappear. First off, congrats! There’s nothing to be ashamed about having a love bite, but it does make things quite awkward in certain situations, especially ones involving your parents or bosses. But don’t worry, let’s sort out your little predicament.
Assuming this is most likely an emergency, I’ll be straight with you: No, you cannot get rid of hickeys in minutes, or even in a day. Like any types of bruises, hickeys can last anywhere from two days to two weeks—though, it really depends on how harsh it was done (so I’m hoping you didn’t stumble into bed with a blood sucking demon). Good news is, there are ways to speed up the process—and I’ll take you through every step. In fact, I’ve tested these methods myself over the course of three days to see if they actually work with results provided ahead. So let’s get into it!

Cold compress

Once you’re done doing the deed, grab an ice pack or a cold spoon as soon as you can and firmly press it over the affected area for 10 minutes—do this a few times a day throughout the first two days. A cold compress will help slow down your blood flow from spreading under your skin, although it should be done while it’s still fairly fresh to get the best results. It definitely won’t magically disappear, but a cold compress does help a lot with keeping the swelling down.

Warm compress

After two days of a cold compress, a warm compress comes next. Soak a clean towel in warm water and apply it over your hickey, then gently massage the area in a circular motion from the center outwards to stimulate blood flow and speed up the fading process. The key is to be gentle and ensure that your warm compress is nowhere near boiling hot as applying too much pressure or heat can very much make it worse. Do this for 10 minutes several times a day.

Apply aloe vera, vitamin C and K

For the next few days, these three items will be your best friends until the bruising subsides. Here’s why:
Aloe vera: A natural remedy packed with countless health benefits, aloe vera can help with anything from sunburns to healing wounds. The anti-inflammatory and cooling properties of aloe vera gel can keep your hickey from swelling up any further and accelerate the healing process. Apply a thin layer of aloe vera cream or gel on your hickey at least twice per day until completely healed.
Vitamin C: One of the holy grails for all things skin-related, vitamin C works wonders for treating wounds, reducing redness, and repairing damaged capillaries—all while improving your skin’s health and creating a smoother complexion. If you have a bottle of vitamin C serum in your skincare stash, apply it on the bruised area daily. Consuming foods that are rich with vitamin C will also help, such as oranges, kiwis, and strawberries.
Vitamin K: If there’s anything we need to treat bruises, it’s vitamin K. Not only does it soothe inflammation, but it also plays a significant role in reducing the severity of bruises and accelerating the healing process. Vitamin K is found in vegetables such as kale, spinach, collard greens and brown rice, so you might want to order a salad for your next meal to speed up the recovery of your love bite. Alternatively, you may also find vitamin K creams and serums at your nearest pharmacy.

Apply arnica cream
Arnica cream is a plant-based remedy that has been used for centuries to decrease inflammation, as well as relieve sores and bruises. You can find arnica creams or gels over the counter at your nearest pharmacy. To treat your hickey, apply it once a day until the bruising fades.

Results
After three days of doing everything above, here’s what I’m left with:

Before

After

Starting with a cold compress, I firmly pressed an ice cube on the hickey for 10 minutes three times a day (morning, noon and night) for two days while going about my daily routine as usual. After 48 hours, I did the same with a warm towel for a day. Throughout all three days, I applied a generous layer of aloe vera gel and vitamin C serum over the area twice a day—once in the morning and at night. For vitamin K, I had salad bowls for breakfast and supper for two days. And because I was only able to get my hands on arnica cream on the third and final day, I applied it once at night before bed.
As you can see, the hickey is very much still there—though, I’d say there’s a slight improvement. The redness has definitely gone down, and I’m left with a brownish mark, which is still visible. So…

When desperate times call for desperate measures:
Conceal it with makeup
Of course, there’s always makeup to save the day—but don’t just slather on a glob of foundation and hope it disappears, treat your love bite like it’s acne. Grab your best concealer and apply a thin layer on the bruise, then use colour correcting concealers to even out your skin tone. Use a green-tinted concealer to hide red and purple bruises, orange if it’s black and blue, then use purple once your hickey is almost completely healed with green and yellow tones. Once you’re satisfied with the results, finish off with setting powder and setting spray then you’re good to go!
READ: How to cover acne and scarring with makeup on all skin tones, according to Keke Palmer and pro makeup artist

Cover it with a bandage or relief patches
We’d recommend wearing a turtleneck or a scarf, but considering the Malaysian weather, it might just make you look even more suspicious—and very sweaty. Plus, applying makeup does take up a lot of time, which can be a hassle when you’re on a rush. So, just slap on a bandage or a neck relief patch for a quicker and much more reliable alternative. And if someone asks what happened? Well, get creative!

For more beauty reads, click here.

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Beauty
Must-have: YSL Beauty’s lip stains that leave an intense, matte finish
And it stays on like a tattoo

03.01.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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What glides on easily, stays on like a tattoo, and gives you a pigmented finish that could rival a lipstick? The name of YSL Beauty’s new liquid lip stains are a dead giveaway, and here’s why: The YSL Lip Tatouage Couture range is all about marking your stamp of individuality, kind of like a beauty tattoo that you can don to make a statement.
If cracked lips and obvious lip lines are the reasons why matte lipsticks put you off, YSL Lip Tatouage Couture will change your mind in no time. Taking the term ‘matte’ to a whole new extremity, these liquid lip stains are all about pigment intensity coupled with a weightless feel. The innovative formula offers an impressive colour pay-off that doesn’t feel like anything. Whether you’re wearing it from day to night or throughout a messy meal, the Tatouage Couture is your new purse must-have.
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We love when a liquid lipstick comes in a plethora of colours for every occasion, and the YSL Lip Tatouage Couture doesn’t disappoint. Available in 18 glamorous shades, each shade has a snazzy name of its own, from Corail Anti Mainstream to Violet Conviction. But what makes the YSL Lip Tatouage Couture stand out from the rest is its applicator. Its flat shape differs from a regular liquid lipstick brush, allowing precision and control to shape the lip contours for the most flattering effect.

Don’t forget to dress up your lips for a killer look with these additions: the limited edition Rouge Pur Couture Set and Matte Lip Coat, and the Dessin Des Lèvres Lip Styler. Swipe on the former as a ‘top coat’ to seal your lip colour all-day long, or draw your shape of your lips with the latter to give your lip colour a life-proof finish, basically.
Available at YSL Beauty stores in 1 Utama and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

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Beauty
Celebeauty: Drake’s new haircut has ruined 2021, Halsey launches scene queen-inspired beauty line

10.01.2021
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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Happy new year! The stars have gone wild in 2021: It’s only been just over a week and the celebs are already rife with beauty inspo, launches, and blunders galore.
Ahead, catch up on the latest headlines from this week.
This week in brand launches

Halsey launches About Face Beauty

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A post shared by @aboutfacebeauty

Apparently, the barrage of celebrity beauty brand launches is showing no signs of stopping in 2021. Halsey is the latest of the stars to launch her own makeup line, About Face Beauty.
The brand released a statement on their Instagram page to accompany this vibrant launch post, which reads: “Hi, we’re about-face, a new, multidimensional makeup brand for everyone, everywhere created by @iamHalsey. We’ve spent the last 2 years working hard to bring you the highest-quality, 100% vegan, cruelty-free makeup products that are fun, and easy to use – think of us as your ultimate tool for self-expression. We’re so excited to be on this journey with you – and it’s only the beginning!”
So far, we’ve counted ten exciting products in the making, including various shades of highlight fluid, matte liquid lipstick, eye paint, and more. The line is available for pre-order now from their website.

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A post shared by halsey (@iamhalsey)

This week in hair

Drake’s new haircut has ruined 2021

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A post shared by daily twitter memes and more (@absolutebollocksluv)

In a now-deleted post, the rapper sported a ‘do that has fondly been described as the worst possible compromise between a bowl cut and a buzzcut. Tinted a mousey brown, the Bieber-esque look features prominent side-swept bangs and a delicate heart pattern etched into the front.
If you ask us, he’s feeling himself and we respect it. However, that hasn’t stopped fans and haters alike from sharing their brutal roasts:

drake’s haircut already ruined 2021 pic.twitter.com/mB2zT0DmdM
— Abdi @JrWave19) January 3, 2021

Me looking at Drake’s new haircut pic.twitter.com/HrtWhDvF2K
— Pauliii (@PaulianaMonga) January 5, 2021

Bella Hadid channels Chuckie from Rugrats with her latest look

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Beauty
Two French girls let us in on French beauty secrets
Chic duo

03.10.2017
By Gwen Ong

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When we think of French girl, we picture a sophisticated lady with beautiful skin, windswept hair and seductive smile. Case in point – Caroline Parnot of @the_caroo and Aude Sarkamari of @audesarkamari – the French fashion bloggers who are giving us a glimpse into the Parisian way of life. Gorgeous and confident, the girls have a wardrobe we want to replicate, a lifestyle we wish to emulate, and a gorgeous complexion we desire to achieve. We stalk the duo to find out more about the French girl beauty everyone has been talking about for years.

Who are they?
Caroline Parnot is a 28-year-old dentistry graduate. She lives in Paris and blogs on Pardon My Obsession, which gives an insight about her fashion encounters, beauty rituals and travel adventures. When not blogging, you can find her walking the streets of Paris to find inspiration in its beauty.

A post shared by Caroline ✨ (@the_caroo) on Oct 1, 2017 at 3:36am PDT

Aude Sarkamari is a 30-year-old digital strategy and PR consultant of French-Iranian descent. She shares her love for fashion, beauty and travel through her blog, My Name Is Odd. She is also the founder of Caption Magazine, which focuses on art, design, culture, music and movies.

A post shared by Aude Sarkamari سرکمری (@audesarkamari) on Sep 28, 2017 at 1:51am PDT

Bonjour ladies! Can you share with us what your beauty routine is like?
CP: My beauty routine is so easy, I tend to do the minimum. Laughs. I’m not a beauty addict and I do stay loyal to my favourite beauty products. I don’t wash my face with soap but instead I use Bioderma Créaline every morning and night before I go to bed. Then I apply a moisturiser, and that’s it! Also, I never use makeup on Sundays, just so that my skin can breathe.

AS: I really like Galénic, Sisley, La Mer and Carita. I do try out a lot of beauty products but these are the brands which I feel are the best. To protect my skin, I try to cleanse it thoroughly every night, and I also make sure to keep myself hydrated by drinking a lot of water daily. I start with cleansing my skin every morning, then I apply lotion, serum, eye cream, day cream and a lip balm. Then I’ll decide if I want to do my makeup. Or not. Laughs.

Tell us, the general perception is that French girl beauty means being au naturel – is this true?
CP: I agree. French girls tend to prefer the natural look. But make no mistake, we can look super glamorous by night. We’ll amp up our look by adding a fierce red lipstick to the game. However, we will choose either to play up the lips or eyes, never both at the same time.

AS: It’s true that we are known for having a “discreet”, natural makeup. French women love being chic and classy while remaining subtle. I think makeup shouldn’t be too obvious.

A post shared by Aude Sarkamari سرکمری (@audesarkamari) on Jul 18, 2017 at 11:47am PDT

What sort of looks do French girls for in terms of makeup?
CP: French girls want people to believe that they have no makeup on, even when they actually have a lot. So, it’s all about the nude look…with a little mascara and a red lip now and then. You’ll never find us with a face full of makeup.

AS: It’s really just about a rather natural style. The complexion, i.e. fresh skin, must be the focus but just ever so lightly. We will also insist on highlighting just one feature of the face – so it’s either the lips or the eyes.

What beauty products we’ll find in a French girl’s bag?
CP: A lot of pharmacy products! I think French girls just love pharmacy products because they’re mostly natural and friendly to the skin. I love everything you can find at the pharmacy such as Avène, Bioderma, Nuxe and more.

AS: A lipstick, almost always. Personally, I like to carry a translucent powder around with me. But a must-have is Sisley’s Phytolip, which serves as both a lip balm and also a tint.

A post shared by Caroline ✨ (@the_caroo) on Mar 11, 2017 at 3:08am PST

What are your three must-have beauty products?
CP: I can’t live without my Chanel perfume—Chance Eau Tendre—which I have used for years and I’m completely addicted to. I also always carry my MAC blush – perfect to get rosy cheeks and a EUR€5 Bourgeois eyeliner – it is the best I’ve ever used.

AS: The three products you’ll always find with me are: La Mer’s The Renewal Oil that I can use any time of the day; I also like the dry oil body lotion Confort Suprême by Galénic, it makes my skin feel soft and moisturised; I also need a makeup remover for my eyes so I use Take the Day Off by Clinique, which is good for sensitive skin.

Who do you think is a beauty icon and why?
CP: I find beauty in women who are known for their natural good looks and not their makeup. Don’t get me wrong, I think makeup is great for enhancing your features but not to completely change the way you look. This is why I hate contouring and all the other trendy tricks. A true beauty icon would be Catherine Deneuve, who has managed to stay chic and “French” throughout the years.

AS: I love Christy Turlington, both then and now. I still find her beautiful and even more captivating in her natural beauty today.

Related stories:
Survival French: 10 phrases to learn before making your way to Paris
Mindful beauty: 24 Minutes with Kelsey Schiavon

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Art + Design
Suneet Varma’s bespectacled Indian princess is the latest addition to Faces by The Sartorialist
Leading an enchanted life

27.10.2015
By Buro247

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The latest contributor for Faces by The Sartorialist – a digital initiative launched by Luxottica and The Sartorialist founder Scott Schuman – Suneet Varma injects Eastern elegance into the lineup of artists who inspire and influence Schuman’s work, centred around optical eyewear.
Renowned for his work that encompasses glamour and timeless style in haute couture, Varma’s designs often find a balance between fantasy, sexy sophistication and unadulterated feminity. It’s thus unsurprising that the designer has worked closely with the Bollywood film industry and its top stars. Thus he brings his dramatic flair alive in a beautiful Indian princess, marking his foray into Faces by The Sartorialist.

Representing his imagination in the form of his famous fashion illustrations, Varma has created two variations of sketches. The first one is a sort-of fairy-tale depiction of the princess who, gazing at two lovebirds in a birdcage, perceives her enchanted life through her pair of glasses. The princess’ attire of fine fabrics and detailed motifs are highlighted as Varma used pastels, colour pencils and water colours to bring out different intensities and depth on the canvas.

The second illustration adds further depth and detail to the a closer-up of the princess and her beauty. Here, Varma has embellished the sketch with fine details, akin to the fine embroidery that often comes hand-in-hand with his couture collections. Here, flowers made out of ribbons and embellishment made with Swarovski crystals, sequins and glass beads surround her beautiful face and the glasses that frame it.

Check out more Faces by The Sartorialist contributors here.

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Travel
8 Amazing things you need to do in Perth, Western Australia

27.12.2019
By Rachel Au

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“Perth is so boring.” “There’s nothing to do in Perth.” Such sentiments might have been true a decade or so ago but much has changed to its landscape. Today, Australia‘s sunniest capital (Perth, that is) is flourishing with life, culture and colours. Last year, I spent a week in Western Australia and the itinerary blew me away—enough to leave me wanting more. So when an invite came for the annual Western Australia Gourmet Escape festival (you can read that experience here), I jumped at it because it meant a) lots of amazing food experiences and b) a chance to explore the other parts of Perth and beyond the CBD.
Once again, it did not disappoint. If you haven’t visited Perth in a long while, I highly recommend it. The flight there is only a little over five hours and the following experiences are definitely worth travelling for.
WHAT TO DO
1. ‘Eat, Drink, Walk’ Perth Tour by Two Feet & a Heartbeat Walking Tours
Dinner and drinks on the go—literally. Call me a glutton (or don’t) but this was one of my favourite tours from this trip. It starts in the evening and while the guide does offer you a background on Perth, we basically went bar-hopping. Three of the best no-nonsense eateries/bars across the city, each with its own USP, and each with a different landscape outside of its premises.

A dim sum joint slash brewery, Shy John in the heart of the new Yagan Square serves authentic Cantonese cuisine (dumplings!) and award-winning beers that have been made to pair with the food on their menu. Some even made with Chinese tea. Walk along quiet Murray Street, get lost in the wonder of the street art and find yourself at The Cheeky Sparrow where excellent cocktails and pizzas are made. Our final stop—when our stomachs were full but our tastebuds wanted more—was Varnish on King. Descend down the stairs to a bar that offers you a bacon and whisky pairing. Alternatively, they also pair it with apple juice. The best.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
2. A 1.5-hour Kings Park (Karrgatup) Tour by Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences

If doing an Aboriginal tour has never crossed your mind before, the lovely couple behind award-winning Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences will easily change your perception of one. Follow Walter McGuire, a Nyungar man and descendant of several Aboriginal tribal clans of Western Australia, and his wife, Meg as they take you on a walking tour rich with imagery and knowledge on Perth that once was. Google can’t give you what they can on this. You’ll even do a bit of bush tucker tasting as they show you which plants can be eaten straight off. Saltbush was my favourite.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
3. Visit Rottnest Island (and take that #quokkaselfie!)

You’ve seen a handful of celebrities like Chris Hemsworth do it so it well should be on your travel bucket list too… unless you don’t like animals. (Gasp!) I, for one, love them and was determined to get that #quokkaselfie. Be prepared to get your hands and legs dirty though as you would need to lay on the floor next to it to get the right angle so they look like they’re smiling in the picture. Tip: Offering it a leaf from the ground helps but don’t worry if they hop away. There are tons of them on Rottnest—or Rotto, as the locals call it.

Quokkas aside, the island is surrounded by a gorgeous blue sea and white sandy beaches. Kick back, take a dip in the cool waters, relax. Paradise.
4. Visit Caversham Wildlife Park

You arrive in Perth and want to see koalas and kangaroos. Where do you go? Caversham Wildlife Park, of course! Perfect for all ages, you’ll get to take photos with a koala (it is now illegal in most Australian states to hold a koala as koalas do get stressed from being hugged by people they’re not used to), feed free-roaming kangaroos, watch how sheep are sheared, bottle feed baby goats and more.
Whiteman Park, WA | Website | Facebook | Instagram
 WHERE TO EAT
5. Island Market, Trigg Beach

There are plenty of beautiful beaches in Australia, even within Perth itself but Island Market gives you a second good reason to visit Trigg Beach. Instagram-worthy on the inside with high beach house-like ceilings, shades of pink and hints of marble; stunning views of the ocean outside; and unforgettable dishes and cocktails. The black rice and cuttlefish is worth going back for seconds and thirds.
Island Market Trigg Beach, 364 West Coast Drive, Trigg
Website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Santini Bar, QT Perth

Located right in the centre of Perth’s main shopping street, Santini Bar is housed within swanky QT Perth. On the surface, it’s full of its quirks, charm and art—all on a fancy scale. The dishes, however, speak of soulful, no-frills Italian food. From the delicate zucchini blossom to the simple insalata caprese salad with the freshest heirloom tomatoes to the flavourful rough cut crab tagliatelle. My only complain was the slow service, granted the restaurant was packed!
Santini Bar @ QT Perth, Level 1, 133 Murray Street, Perth
Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Wildflower Restaurant, State Buildings

If there’s one word to describe the dishes (and drinks!) at Wildflower Perth, it would be “beautiful”. In both the sense of its looks and its taste. What’s even more beautiful is the inspiration of the indigenous ethos of six seasons. The restaurant aims to go back to its Australian roots and by that, I mean native ingredients—some of which are common in bush tucker—and fresh local produce. I learnt the existence of Geraldton wax (what I would have previously thought was a mere pretty Lego-like flower in the wild), wattleseed and yes, saltbush. Our five-course menu offered the options of either pairing with Western Australian wines or native Australian mocktails. Both were good choices but if you truly love wine, their sommelier is A+.
Wildflower Perth @ Como The Treasury, 1 Cathedral Ave, Level 4, Perth
Website | Facebook
8. Core Cider House, Perth Hills

Just a 35-minute drive out of the city is Perth Hills, yet another area that warrants a day of exploring. Unfortunately, I was only there for lunch, a farm tour and cider tasting. It’s the kind of quick escape anyone would appreciate, especially if you like cider—the traditional kind, the experimental kind, and the premium kind. They would also make great souvenirs. I highly recommend the ginger cider.
Core Cider House, 35 Merrivale Rd, Pickering Brook, Perth
Website | Facebook
WHERE TO STAY
The Adnate

Recently opened, The Adnate is one of the Art Series hotels and the chain is one of the most fascinating concepts I’ve heard. Every Art Series hotel works with an artist and is dedicated to him/her and his/her work—including the name of the hotel. The Adnate, in particular, is inspired by renowned Australian street artist Matt Adnate. From Murray Street itself, you’ll be able to spot one of the largest “mega murals” that Matt has spray-painted on one side of the hotel’s walls. It’s the biggest he’s ever done, spanning 25 storeys. Every floor, every room also houses some of the work he’s done and it’s extraordinary in the details and how life-like the portraitures are.
The Adnate Perth (Art Series – Accor), 900 Hay Street, Perth | Website
Quay Perth

One of Perth’s newest boutique hotels, Quay Perth offers a front-row view of Elizabeth Quay and its Swan River as it sits on the waterfront Esplanade. Rooms are adequately comfortable, interior rustic yet modern, and its breakfast menu a delight! Word of caution: As its restaurant caters to walk-ins and takeaway coffee orders, it can take a while for them to serve your hot breakfast dishes.
Quay Perth, 18 The Esplanade, Perth | Website
The Westin Perth

We can all agree that one can always trust The Westin for a luxurious stay that exceeds the needs of modern comforts. There are two things I loved most about the hotel—besides that very comfortable bed—the extensive breakfast buffet spread and its easy walking distance to the shopping arcades.
The Westin Perth, 480 Hay Street, Perth
Website | Facebook | Instagram
MARGARET RIVER?
No trip to Perth is complete without leaving it and entering the Margaret River region, where some of the best Western Australian wines are made; where the lush forest meets the river; and where many locals head to for an escape. We hear there’s a world-famous surf spot there, a thriving food and drinks scene, and for the nature lovers, walking and cycling tracks as well as nature trails that lead to true hidden gems. If you do head over to Margaret River, these are some of the things I did during my trip that you’d enjoy too.
Do the: Cape to Cape track with Walk into Luxury

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Up for treks and hikes but can’t bear the rough life? Walk into Luxury offers a wide range of luxury tours where the extended ones include gourmet food and premium accommodation. The Cape to Cape track I did, however, was a fulfilling two-hour trek up and down rocky paths; rewarded by sweeping views of the coastline and wonderful dip in The Aquarium, a secret spot that was akin to a private pool for the locals once upon a time ago.
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Explore the: Ngilgi Cave

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This particular Cave of Wonders is no secret, nor does it store jewels and a magic lamp. It is, however, a nature gem. Discovered in 1899, the Ngilgi Cave has a jaw-dropping showcase of stalactite, stalagmite, helictite, and shawl formations. There is an Aboriginal legend that a good spirit (Ngilgi) fought an evil spirit (Wolgine) and restored peace. Hence, the name.
If you prefer a private tour, Tourism Western Australia recommends Koomal Dreaming.
Stay at: Pullman Bunker Bay Resort & Spa

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As a popular travel destination, Margaret River has a long list of accommodations for you to pick but there’s none quite like Pullman Bunker Bay Resort & Spa. A 5-star beachfront resort, you’ll wake up to the forest outside your window, have breakfast with panoramic views of the ocean, and be in awe of the starry, starry night sky.

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Pullman Bunker Bay Resort & Spa, Bunker Bay Road (off Cape Naturaliste Road)
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Visit a wine estate: Vasse Felix

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Vasse Felix is more than a popular Western Australian wine—its history denotes it to be Margaret River’s founding wine estate. Its focus: Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, as well as Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blends. Drop by the Estate for its tasting room, wine lounge, art gallery, wine museum and of course, its highly-acclaimed restaurant.
Vasse Felix, Corner Caves Road and Tom Cullity Drive, Wilyabrup
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Visit a wine estate: Cullen Wines

It’s easy to appreciate wine. It’s not easy to make wine, especially when you involve science and sustainability. Cullen Wines do it. Made from bio-dynamically grown grapes, the wines are complex, well-rounded and each with its own character. Come here for tastings or even lunch or coffee. You’ll be glad to know that all the food prepared at their restaurant uses fresh, bio-dynamic and organic produce too!
Cullen Wines, 4323 Caves Road, Cowaramup
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The list of things to do in Perth and outside of it is endless. I’ve been four times and still, there’s more to see, do, and eat. I’ll be back, Western Australia.
*All photos were taken with the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Malindo flies direct from Kuala Lumpur to Perth twice daily.
For more info on Tourism Western Australia, visit their website or Instagram.

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