Beauty
5 YouTube makeup vloggers we’re crushing on
DIY is easy as pie

22.11.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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For many of us, makeup tutorials on YouTube are the simplest, go-to references whenever we’re stumped with attempting to try out a new makeup product, or during the occasional adventurous moments when we feel like going for a brand new makeup routine (such as terrifying Halloween makeup looks). But a major reason why we follow these tutorials has to do with the makeup artists themselves, whose fun personalities and makeup tips and tricks make it easy to follow along and subscribe to.

Here are a few YouTube personalities we’re crushing on for many reasons—from their effortless beauty looks to their bubbly dispositions:

PonyMakeup

K-beauty fans probably already know PonyMakeup, or Park Hye Min (who also is the makeup artist for CL of South Korea girl group 2NE1) thanks to her many versatile beauty looks she’s pulled off. PonyMakeup’s range of tutorials are easy to follow—thanks to English subtitles—and are great for day-to-night transitions. We’re not sure who can pull off pink locks with matching pink eye makeup as well as she does, which makes her one of our favourites on the list.

Jungsaemmool

Not your typical Korean ulzzang beauty vlogger, Jungsaemmool is South Korea’s most popular professional makeup artist and beauty consultant, having established her makeup academy and studio which now does makeup for popular K-pop singers and celebrities such as Lee Hyori and BoA. If you like straight-to-the-point videos with educational tips and celeb-inspired tutorials, Jungsaemmool is probably your best pick.

PearyPie

It’s not hard to want to be like Thai model and theatrical makeup artist PearyPie (Amata Chittasenee), what with her good looks and effortless way of rolling her hair up into a bun in less than a minute (it makes you believe that there’s nothing that bobby pins can’t do). PearyPie’s well-edited makeup tutorials are easy on the eyes and pretty straightforward for any makeup beginner as well.

From Head to Toe

Makeup lover and beauty blogger Jen Chae’s YouTube channel offers a wealth of resources that cover her beauty favourites, style picks, and essential guides such as makeup for monolids and basic eyebrow tutorials. Extra brownie points go to her easygoing personality and talking to her viewers directly instead of the usual voice-over narratives that vloggers tend to go for.

ClothesEncounters

If you’re wondering why style vlogger Jenn Im of Clothes Encounters is on this list, take a look at any of her videos (be it style or beauty) and you’d understand. From DIY curls for short hair to a simple smoky eye look, Jenn’s tutorials are informative as they are infectious—it makes you want to have pearly uppers and lowers as bright as hers!

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Music
You can listen to more than 50,000 songs from the early 20th century here
For the record(s)

22.08.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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Now that slight crackle and hiss that come with putting on a record on the turntable is probably a distant memory, seeing that it’s not the most accessible way of listening to music in this day and age, and fading away with the old technology is the music that came on records. But there was a time when 78rpm records were the way to tune in to music, and that’s where The Great 78 Project steps in—to save as much music as they can from obscurity.

The Great 78 Project, the latest endeavour by Internet Archive, is a community project for the preservation, research and discovery of 78rpm records. To date, they have digitised more than 25,000 78rpm records, featuring around half a million songs on their non-profit digital library. In digitising the records, they don’t remaster them, so the recordings have that real nostalgic imperfection and surface noise of the original media.

Curious to see what music you can find on the library? Stream them for free here.

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Lifestyle
Taylor Swift and Shawn Mendes release “Lover” remix, Blackpink breaks another YouTube record

15.11.2019
By Ronn Tan

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Hello pop culture junkies! Welcome back to another edition of Pop Culture Catch-Up as we discuss the biggest news of the week in the entertainment circle. This week’s headlines include: Taylor Swift’s remix of Lover featuring Shawn Mendes, Blackpink’s new YouTube record and the upcoming Netflix series on Selena Quintanilla. Now on to the top trending news!
The remix of Lover is here and it’s… lovely

Did you see this coming? Shawn Mendes, who recently performed in Kuala Lumpur, collaborated with Taylor Swift on a new version of Lover—a single off her latest album of the same name. The remix features new lyrics from the In My Blood singer. For example, he sings in the song, “Pictures of when we were young hang on the wall. We’ll sit on the stoop, I’ll sing love songs to you”. Lover is touted as one of Taylor Swift‘s most endearing record and the revamped version has only made the song sweeter. Shawn added backing vocals while Taylor left her parts in the tune untouched.
Both have worked together when they sang Shawn’s There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back on Taylor’s Reputation Tour in 2018. Fans have been anticipating a new project from two of the biggest pop stars and now—they are blessed with one. What do you think of the song?
Blackpink breaks another YouTube record—again!

They are really in your area, aren’t they? In fact, the South Korean girl group is everywhere. The girls have led K-Pop to another milestone—Ddu-Du Ddu-Du hit one billion views on YouTube. The song, which was released on 15 June 2018, took 17 months to achieve this. Blackpink is the first K-Pop group to attain the record. Psy is the only other Korean act to reach one billion views, with both Gangnam Style and Gentleman.
As of writing, the video now has 1,005,002,508 views on the video platform. YG Entertainment has announced that Blackpink will not be releasing any new material until 2020. However, Blinks still have numerous hits to vibe to while waiting, such as As If It’s Your Last, Playing With Fire, Boombayah, and Kill This Love. Congratulations to the girls for this achievement!
The trailer for Selena: The Series is here

Netflix’s upcoming programme on Selena Quintanilla is definitely something to look forward to, especially if you’re a fan of the Como La Flor singer. Who is playing Selena? The Walking Dead‘s Christian Serratos. Selena: The Series is a coming-of-age show about one of the biggest Latino crossover stars in the world. Executive Producers include Moisés Zamora, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. (Selena’s father), her Suzette Quintanilla (Selena’s sister), and Simran A. Singh (family attorney). Watch the trailer above to see a glimpse of Christian Serratos as the legendary Queen of Tejano music. The exact release date is still unknown.
Jennifer Lopez played Selena in a 1997 musical drama film—and paid tribute to the I Could Fall In Love singer. If you didn’t know yet, Selena was murdered in 1995 by Yolanda Saldívar, her former manager. She was only 23 and was at the height of her career.
Talitha. drops music video for new song Maple

The Malaysian singer and songwriter released the official video for her latest tune, starring fellow Malaysian musician, NYK (Nick Yungkit). Maple, from the Boys EP, is written by Talitha. herself and composed alongside Darren Ashley. The mid-tempo pop track touches on the intricacies of love and attraction. Both the music video and song are brilliant and prime examples of why we should always support the local music industry.
Also—listen to NYK’s new track My Baby (Loves Me) here.
Festival de Cannes Film Week arrives in Asia

Festival de Cannes Asia Elana Khyra
After a long wait, the Festival de Cannes Film Week made its debut in the continent—with its opening night at Hong Kong’s K11 Musea. Present at the ceremony were Hong Kong’s film industry elite, such as director Wong Kar Wai, filmmaker Ann Hui, director Johnnie To, director Yonfan, director Teddy Robin, director Flora Lau, producer Yvette Tang, and cinematographer Christopher Doyle.
YM Tunku Elana Khyra was also there, making her the first Malaysian to attend the event the prestigious event—alongside big names in the film industry, including the likes of Fala Chen, Janice Man, Hanna Chan, Adam Pak, Rachel Leung, and Himmy Wong.
Asia’s inugural Cannes Film Week features film screenings, presentations, and masterclasses with legendary filmmakers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne as well as Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Festival de Cannes. The week-long occasion runs from 12 November to 17 November 2019. Read more about that here.

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Fashion
10 Malaysian fashion brands that are founded by celebrity and influencer entrepreneurs

24.01.2021
By Buro247

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Regardless of how you feel about social media influencers and celebrities, there’s no denying that they are today’s hottest entrepreneurs. Long gone are the days where they use their popularity to only endorse products of others—from beauty brands to fashion labels, more and more influencers (or KOLs, as some call them) have leveraged their powerful URL presence to turn their passion into IRL profit. They’ve launched brands that are now some of the most successful businesses in the industry. A great example? The Kardashians and their long list of ventures.
When it comes to fashion influencer entrepreneur, some of the social media stars who have successfully built a fashion brand themselves include Chiara Ferragni with her eponymous label, Aimee Song with Song of Style, Rumi Neely with Are You Am I, Danielle Bernstein with WeWoreWhat, and more.
Below, we shine the spotlight on our very own Malaysian It-list, who have all launched some of the most well-loved fashion and accessories labels locally (and internationally):
Yaya Zahir: Asly

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Aside from being a TV host and influencer, Yaya Zahir is also the founder of Asly, Asly Beauty, and cookie brand, Oh My Dough. Her fashion label is known for its oversized T-shirts, although it recently collaborated with phone accessories label Case Ninetyfive on a range of cases and pop sockets.

Janechuck: Motherchuckers

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Janechuck is undoubtedly one of the leading influencers locally, and in recent years, she has also established herself as an entrepreneur thanks to her brands—Chuck’s for facial masks, and Motherchuckers for cosy loungewear—that have been some of the most raved-about labels as of late.
Juwei and Junees Teoh: Materialipstick

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A post shared by Materialipstick (@materialipstickofficial) on Feb 20, 2020 at 9:55pm PST

Founded by sisters Juwei and Junees Teoh in 2015 alongside their friends, Wei Wei Jong and Charlyne Goh, Materialipstick is a bag label that has one simple aim: to elevate one’s style. The brand currently has stockists in KL, JB, Singapore, and China, and its signature Alyson bag is now available in six different variations.
Nana Law: Lola

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Collections
Marc Jacobs AW21: A multi-coloured comeback celebrating joy and creativity

04.07.2021
By Kelly Lim

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Marc Jacobs has been visibly absent from the runway since the presentation of his nostalgically glamorous collection for AW20 (who remembers the viral-turned-iconic moment when a barefoot Gigi Hadid tip-toed across the candle-lit set after her heels broke backstage?). Turns out in between posts on the ‘gram, he’s been taking the time off to look inwards and reflect on his relationship with fashion before he makes his next move.
“On the journey back to doing what we love most, in the wake of immeasurable loss, loneliness, fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, I am reminded of why creativity is so vital to our existence. To life,” the designer says in a statement about the show. “And while the world continues to change with unimaginable speed, my love for fashion, the desire to create and share collections through this delivery system–the runway–endures. Through the physicality of this shared experience, I hope to offer a moment of inspiration, curiosity, wonder and possibility.”

Backstage at the New York Public Library

Final checks before the show begins
And it is with triumph that Marc Jacobs moves forward. His AW21 collection is an exuberant mix of sportswear vernacular, monogram patterns and out-sized silhouettes full of dramatic volume and draped shapes to express a message of happiness. Parading through the New York Public Library, cocooned models don outsized outerwear—some with added function thanks to giant puffer collars—in contrasting black and white or vivid jewel tones.

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Layered underneath were iterations of cut-out bodysuits paired with leather evening gloves and patterned midis as well as chunky knit sweaters and shimmering paillette dresses over loose, baggy ski trousers. Stomping in chunky Mary Jane platforms, some of the cast wore fun faux-fur scarves that trailed behind them like wedding veils while others went incognito in enveloping headscarves, snoods and baseball caps.
See every look from the collection here.

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Beauty
Discovering the buzz behind Kiehl’s Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream
The search for healthier skin

17.01.2017
By Cai Mei Khoo

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Picture this: verdant greens and rolling hills to one side, picturesque lakes and views of Palliser Bay to the other. Set within 5,500 acres of private land, with just sheep for company, the very exclusive Wharekauhau Lodge in New Zealand (where Prince William and Kate Middleton once stayed) really made you feel like you were in the middle of nowhere. We were at the Lodge for a delicious lunch, and to meet with the Kiehl’s team of experts to find out more about their key launches for the year, one of which is the Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream, a 99.6% naturally-derived cream that features two potent ingredients used in traditional medicine: New Zealand Manuka honey and Korean red ginseng root.

“At Kiehl’s, we use the phrase ‘No Boundaries’ every day in our work,” says Cammie Cannella, Kiehl’s Vice President of Global Education and Customer Experience. “‘No Boundaries’ to us signifies our commitment to searching the world over for the finest, naturally-derived ingredients for our formulations. From our earliest days, we’ve harnessed the power of nature to heal and improve the body, and more specifically, the skin.”
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With skin health in mind, Kiehl’s combined the efficacy of two world-renowned ingredients, Manuka honey and Korean red ginseng root, the first combination of its kind in skincare cosmetics, to produce results that include increased hydration, recovery from existing skin damage, more refined skin texture, improved radiance and skin softness.

“The whole concept is skin health, which we define as the general ability to either resist damage or illness, and the ability to recover quickly,” says Roberta Weiss, Head of Product Innovation at Kiehl’s. “After a lot of exploration of countless ingredients, we found that Manuka honey and Korean red ginseng root really are the king and the queen for recovery and resistance. One of the ways to resist disease is to add vitality and one of the properties of Korean red ginseng is exactly that. We had to do a lot of scientific research and it took us about 2 years, and 68 trials, the most in Kiehl’s history, before we finally settled on the perfect formula.”

Prized for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, Manuka honey is used in a range of medical treatments, from sore throat relief to treating skin wounds and post-surgery care. Unlike other honeys, Manuka honey has the highest antioxidant activity, which helps to protect skin from oxidative damage, and is also known to stimulate collagen, repair damage and maintain skin barrier hydration. For its Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream, Kiehl’s chose to work with Watson & Son, known as the best producers of Manuka honey in world. “We pride ourselves as being the leaders in honey science,” says Denis Waston, founder of Watson & Son. “We have 14 PhD holders working in our research team, because honey science is very complex. Even though we’re in advanced woundcare, curing infections and diseases, there is a natural synergy between how honey is used in medical care, and how it can function within skincare, and we’re very pleased that Kiehl’s has taken advantage of Manuka honey properties for that use.”
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Kiehls PV Cream” rid=”4734″ order=”a_tstamp”}
“As we age, beginning in our 20’s, our skin starts to function less optimally,” says Dr. Geoff Genesky, Head Chemist at Kiehl’s. “The way we approached this formula was with the fundamental aspects of healthy skin in mind – skin that is radiant, vibrant, smooth, soft and supple, that resists and recovers from damage,” echoing the words of Ms. Weiss. “We didn’t look at it with an anti-aging perspective, and we will continue to approach more of our products that way. One thing I’m really proud of is that at Kiehl’s, we put our money where our mouth is when it comes to studying a natural ingredient. We’re using them at highly active concentrations and using them at the demonstrated concentrations when we study them. It’s all about what works for us at Kiehl’s, and with Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream, we’ve managed to create a highly natural product that makes zero compromises on efficacy.”

Dr. Genesky shared the results of a study done with two panels of women: the ‘healthy skin’ panel of women between the ages of 20-30, who were the control group and didn’t use the Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream, and the ‘less healthy skin’ panel of women between the ages of 35-49, who did. After 8 weeks of using the cream, the older women had clinical grading scores that were either on par with or surpassed the healthy skin panel. “The Softness grading score for the older ‘less healthy’ skin panel, surpassed that of the younger ‘healthy skin’ panel – it goes without saying that it was a very exciting day for us,” says Dr. Genesky.

Intrigued by the outstanding results of the cream, I tried it for myself. Just three days into using it, my skin felt softer, had improved texture and looked more radiant. I didn’t think I could see results so quickly but just a week after that, three colleagues commented separately that I had a healthy glow and that my skin looked great – Kiehl’s has struck gold with a product that creates healthier skin; as for me, I’m certainly making this my beauty bag must-have.

Kiehl’s Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream is now available at all Kiehl’s outlets and is priced at RM254 for 50ml. Click here to buy now.

Update June 2017: Sale of Kiehl’s Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream has been suspended temporarily due to quality issues.

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Fashion
Gucci bans the use of fur for all future collections
Fur-free policy

12.10.2017
By Buro247

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The announcement was made at the 2017 Kering Talk at the London College of Fashion—where Gucci’s president and CEO, Marco Bizzari disclosed that the fashion house had signed up to the Fur Free Alliance and will cease the use of animal fur beginning with its Spring/Summer 2018 collection. This move places the Italian label amidst the likes of Stella McCartney, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren and Armani who all have a stand against using fur.

The Fur Free Alliance is a coalition of more than 40 animal protection organisations working to end the exploitation and killing of animals for fur. For better context, the policy covers species specially bred or caught for fur—such as mink, coyote, raccoon dog, fox, rabbit, and karakul—but permits the use of lamb, goat and alpaca.

“Being socially responsible is one of Gucci’s core values, and we will continue to strive to do better for the environment and animals. With the help of The Humane Society of the United States and LAV [an Italian animal rights organisation], Gucci is excited to take this next step and hopes it will help inspire innovation and raise awareness, changing the luxury fashion industry for the better,” said Bizarri. In a chat with Business of Fashion, he also claimed that the use of fur is “a little bit out-dated.” With a more ethically-conscious demographic to cater for, the radical move may prove rewarding. “Fashion has always been about trends and emotions and anticipating the wishes and desires of consumers. Fashion and modernity go together.”

“Gucci’s decision is a game-changing moment in the fashion industry,” said PJ Smith, senior manager of fashion policy for The Humane Society. “We’ll look back at this moment, I predict, and see that this was the turning point when the business world turned away from fur and substituted cruelty-free garments in its place.”

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Body + Wellness
11 Homegrown beauty brands that offer all-natural products your skin will love

17.08.2020
By Wei Yeen Loh

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On the lookout for beauty brands that incorporate earth-friendly ingredients that will also benefit your skin? Scout no further than these homegrown labels—from charcoal shampoo bars to heal-everything balms that are organic and cruelty-free, these are what you should add to your e-cart, stat.
Claire Organics

As one of the pioneer organic local beauty brands, Claire Organics has made it organic, all-natural skincare products easily accessible for consumers here in Malaysia. Its 100% handcrafted products are gentle enough even on babies, plus it’s also Earth-friendly with zero nasties in its ingredient list.
Available here

Lave Republic

Apart from soap bars that look like (and are named after) delectable foods, Lave Republic also has bars in the form of dandruff shampoo, conditioners and foot pumice to slough away dead skin cells. The brand also caters body scrubs that smell good enough to eat—keep the jars after you’re done with the product and have it refilled!
Available here

ScentCo

ScentCo’s visually stunning products are so Instagrammable, they all look like works of art (and dessert, for some). The brand’s exclusive designs are pretty enough to be gifted, and the best part? All soaps are 100% handmade, natural, organic, and made with a blend of premium essential oils that’s safe enough for sensitive skin. Check out their unique Solid Lotion Bar that has a blend of butters (shea, kokum, mango, and cocoa) to leave your skin non-sticky and moisturised.
Available here

Il Puro Natural

If you’re a fan of essential oils, try out Il Puro Natural’s organic essential oils that are sustainably sourced. Shop a variety of products from travel-sized roll-ons in the cutest handmade pouches to bath bombs for the most therapeutic tub-time session on your weekends.
Available here

A Soap Affair

A Soap Affair’s range of super chic soaps make the most minimalistally-pretty flatlays, plus it’s moisturising and gentle enough to be used on the face and body. With a formula comprising 72 per cent olive oil, each soap is handmade with zero chemicals, preservatives, and SLS. Time to put those sudsy bars away for these glycerin-packed soaps.
Available here

Earth Care Soaps

Earth Care Soaps is a handcrafted, eco-friendly and cruelty-free brand that only uses ingredients such as plant-based oils, butters, botanical extracts, herbs and essential oils in its products. Those with eczema can rest assure that you won’t find “nasties” in the ingredient list—all free from harmful chemicals, synthetic chemicals and fragrances.
Available here

Kinder Soaps

Got sensitive skin that’s high-maintenance and easily irritated? Try Kinder Soap’s all-natural, cold-processed handmade soaps that come without artificial fragrances, preservatives, parabens and SLS to ensure your skin is well taken care of. We love how the brand is advocating for packaging-free beauty—you can shop their products sans packaging at select stores in Klang Valley.
Available here
Tanamera

You can’t talk about natural wellness and body care without mentioning Tanamera. With roots dating back to 1995, Tanamera prides itself in offering natural beauty products using tropical ingredients inspired by Malay beauty treatments. With more than 80 products under a few ranges, most of it come in powder form to reduce the usage of chemicals and preservatives—while those in liquid/paste form are preserved with a natural blend of herbal and essential oil actives.
Available here
Joa Lab

If Joa Lab’s incredibly stunning soaps don’t floor you, the quality natural ingredients in each bar will. All its beauty products are hand-crafted in small batches with plant-based oils (sans artificial preservatives and synthetic chemicals), and are cruelty-free and safe for kids. Their artisanal soaps make wonderful gifts for any occasion, and they also offer lip care in the form of natural tints and balms.
Available here
Jeanie Botanicals

If you’re looking for a clean beauty line that’s made locally and conscientiously, check out what Jeanie Botanicals has to offer. All its products are hand-crafted with 100% natural and organic raw materials, from raw butters to plant-based oils. Also, each batch of goods are made with controlled heating methods to ensure that the benefits of each ingredient will be retained in the process.
Available here
Mousse Handmade

Fun fact: not all soaps are drying and harsh the skin. Mousse Handmade will prove you right with its line of all-natural soaps that are sans chemicals/detergents. All soaps are cold-processed to ensure that the active ingredients are better preserved; and they also have skincare products such as clay masks, lip balms and more.
Available here
Check out more homegrown beauty brands here.

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Beauty
Beauty buzz: La Prairie’s latest eye cream is a work of art, Ashley Benson’s one true love isn’t Cara Delevingne and more

09.03.2020
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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This week in celebrity ink…
Miley Cyrus’ new tattoo is pure art

Adding to her ever-growing collection of ink, the singer took to Instagram to show off her new ink, which depicts the outline of a nude woman à la the infamous Matisse. As evidenced by her caption, the tattoo is inspired by the art and poetry book ‘Dance Me to the End of Love’ which pairs the works of Matisse with lyrics by Leonard Cohen’s namesake song.
Ashley Benson’s new tattoo is dedicated to her one true love

The actress has been with her girlfriend, model Cara Delevingne, for two years now so it’s no surprise that she’s decided to get ink dedicated to her biggest love. Reading ‘POMMES FRITES’, the new tattoo is an homage to her favourite snacc: French Fries. Eek—sorry Cara! The tattoo was done by New-York based artist JonBoy who has also worked with the likes of Justin and Hailey Bieber.
This week in beauty launches…
La Prairie launches its most extraordinary eye cream yet

Everything about the new White Caviar Eye Extraordinaire by La Prairie is worth a closer look—from the exquisite formula to the architecture of the bottle. This eye cream goes an extra mile with giving us younger-looking peepers, thanks to a breakthrough molecule Lumidose, Golden Caviar Extract, and the brand’s exclusive Cellular Complex.
Apart from reducing the appearance of brown spots and restoring firmness and elasticity, the eye cream actually targets chromatic disturbances that can dull your skin’s natural light, allowing your skin to illuminate and reflect light better. From shielding against greyness (due to pollution) and red and violet tints (that cause undereye darkness), this winner transcends beyond mere anti-ageing properties.
Also—can we take a moment to appreciate the work of art that is the polished silver bottle? Each silver cap opens up to reveal an airless pump that’s made to dispense a specific amount of eye cream. Roll the ceramic pearl tool around your eye area as you’re applying the White Caviar Eye Extraordinaire to increase lymphatic drainage.
La Prairie White Caviar Eye Extraordinaire is now available at counters in Isetan Gardens, Suria KLCC and Pavilion KL.
Drunk Elephant’s haircare range is in the works

The collection is being created in collaboration with celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan, aka the creator of The Rachel™, which is the haircut that defined the 1990s for women (and Jennifer Anistons) everywhere. The product range consists of a shampoo, conditioner, detangling spray and scalp scrub and has been in the works for two years. The official launch date is set for April 3—we can’t wait!
Bobbi Brown celebrates International Women’s Day with The Pretty Powerful Fund

The beauty brand hopes to empower women beyond cosmetics and has partnered with She’s The First, a global non-profit that aims to help empower women and girls through education. They have already pledged USD$25000 to the cause and are set to continue on that trajectory.
Clarins unveils a revolutionary skincare duo

Clarins’ new Bright Plus Serum and Brightening Cushion foundation combines science and natural plant-based ingredients for a solution to your skincare issues. The skincare-makeup duo boasts SPF50 and ingredients like Rose-Myrtle and Acerola seed extracts that gives it its double-oxygenation complex, leaving skin protected, spotless, brightened and glowy to boot.
Gucci Beauty launches their first-ever mascara

Mascara L’Obscur is a welcome step away from Gucci’s highly coveted lipstick collection and comes in just one shade of intense black. Its long-lasting formula has an ultra-rich creamy texture and is smudge-, flake- and feather-proof. The flexible wand also allows for comfortable application, with a fine brush tip to catch even the tiniest of hairs.

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Buro Loves
9 Muslim beauty influencers you need to follow for the best Raya makeup inspo

24.05.2019
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Time to up your makeup game this Raya with the help of these Insta-famous beauty influencers
Hari Raya is just around the corner (less than two weeks, to be precise) and if you haven’t gotten down to prepping for the celebrations, fret not! We’ve got a festive essentials checklist for your occasion-ready look—from the best threads to deck yourself in to the latest lip launches to wear for a picture-perfect beauty shot.
In case you need more inspiration on festive makeup looks to match your ensemble, scroll down for a variety of makeup looks by these talented crop of Muslim beauty influencers (also walking proof that there are more ways than one to jazz up your hijab, headscarf and turban.)
SABINA HANNAN

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The 23-year old London-based beauty influencer is one to follow for her versatile makeup looks that run the gamut from wedding-ready (she did her own wedding makeup!) to statement-making (and perfect for Eid).

HABIBA DA SILVA

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Birmingham-based influencer Habiba Da Silva isn’t just your average makeup lover and YouTuber—she’s also an entrepreneur who has a sellout hijab label (launched when she was only 20 years old) catered for all kinds of skin tones. Follow her YouTube for ways to wear your hijab and a charming, Eid-ready makeup look.

HANI HANSS

We love beauty blogger and journalist Hani Hanss’ all-encompassing beauty-related feed that covers everything from skincare favourites to snazzy makeup looks. More on her blog for fashion and lifestyle content as well as makeup swatches and reviews.

AYSHA HARUN

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Subscribe to Toronto-based beauty vlogger Aysha Harun’s YouTube channel if you’re looking for makeup tutorials for any and every occasion, food recipes and meal preps and more. Our recent favourite is a natural brow tutorial where she demonstrates how to create a feathery brow look with a few handy tips.

MANAL CHINUTAY

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Another Muslim beauty influencer and entrepreneur to keep an eye out for is Manal Chinutay, who also has her own hijab label Chinutay & Co. at only 27 years old. We love her faux freckle makeup look here, along with her new-mum glow that she’s rocking beautifully.

EDNA ABDIAZIZ

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Beauty guru Edna Abdiaziz’s highlight game is so strong that it’s almost brighter than our future. We’re crushing on her head-turning looks, including a smoky teal eye that’s made of dreams, a monochromatic pink look and an on-trend, floating crease.

SALLY ASHOUR

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Even if you aren’t that into makeup, Sally Ashour’s covetable feed is worth a follow for her sepia-toned aesthetic and Parisian-chic #OOTD shots. Here’s how you can achieve a natural smoky eye and subtle glimmer for a daytime look.

JASMINE EGAL

For a micro-influencer, Jasmine Egal’s makeup skills are as impressive as other heavyweights on this list. Looks you should save to your beauty inspo board include this breathtaking metallic lip look, how to rock matte blue eyeshadow, and pulling off a cut crease with so much win.

HODAN YUSUF

Want to match your makeup look to your outfit without looking too corny? Hodan Yusuf’s IG-worthy looks are what you gotta refer to before heading out of the house, such as this purple-on-purple look and all-blue tutorial.

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Travel
Singapore’s new Jewel Changi is probably aiming for the “Best Airport” award

19.07.2018
By Rachel Au

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What constitutes as an awesome airport? Definitely one that has all the necessary facilities. One that’s efficient. One that has a properly planned layout. The rest gets brownie points, right? Well, Singapore’s upcoming Jewel Changi is going to get a lot of those.

The new addition to Changi Airport is slated to open in 2019 but the artist renderings so far will blow your mind. The Jewel’s exterior is a gleaming intricate latticework of glass panels framed in steel and in the shape of a doughnut. By the sounds (and looks) of it, that’s already an architectural beauty but the interior is like a world of its own.

Jewel Changi’s aim is to be a central hub and thus will connect three of Changi Airport’s current four terminals. Since it’ll see a flood of travellers all day long, a lot of thought has been put into the facilities. It will have seven stories of retail and food offerings (including A&W and Shake Shack).

Shopping and dining aside, a “magical garden” conceived by the award-winning architect, Moshe Safdie, will be spread out over the five higher floors. These gardens will include walking trails, playgrounds and eateries.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] Jewel Changi Sneak Peek” rid=”6396″ order=”a_tstamp”}
Also, there’ll be a 40-meter high indoor waterfall where by day, it’s a man-made natural wonder and by night, it puts on a light and sound show featuring special effects. Either way, it’ll be the tallest indoor waterfall in the world upon completion.

It all sounds so gorgeous that there’s a chance we’ll lose track of time and miss our flight. For more info, visit Jewel Changi’s website.

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Fashion
A look back at the best Instagram moments from NYFW SS18
A dramatic week

18.09.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

Tom Ford made a glorious comeback to New York City with a handful of elements in his recipe for success as he kickstarted the week: A celeb-strong FROW, a stunning cast for the runway (Mica Argañaraz, Binx Walton, Marjan Jonkman etc), and not forgetting—’90s-inspired power women clothing that were equal parts glamorous and head-turning, with a dash of sex appeal, of course.

A post shared by TOM FORD (@tomford) on Sep 8, 2017 at 10:29am PDT

Alexander Wang threw a #WangFest in a dead-end street in the middle of Brooklyn on a Saturday night, with a bus full of models (and Wang himself) rounding two major spots in Manhattan for surprise pop-up fashion shows before arriving. Cindy Crawford’s 16-year old mini-me Kaia Gerber then opened the third and final show, which lasted five entire minutes before the streets transformed to the location for the afterparty.

A post shared by ALEXANDER WANG (@alexanderwangny) on Sep 11, 2017 at 5:20am PDT

Extreme sports was what Rihanna had in mind when she planned the set for her Fenty x Puma SS18 show. She enlisted a few stuntsmen to perform jaw-dropping aerial stunts (over pink sand on the runway) on dirt bikes as an opener for the show—alluding to the collection which had major athletic references.

A post shared by PUMA (@puma) on Sep 10, 2017 at 8:07pm PDT

No other brand boasted a diverse cast on the runway quite like Eckhaus Latta. Designers Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta tapped into real life models and non-models for their show in Brooklyn, including a very pregnant Maia Ruth Lee. How’s that for body diversity?

A post shared by @eckhaus_latta on Sep 11, 2017 at 5:49am PDT

Carolina Herrera was the first to orchestrate a fashion show in the Sculpture Garden of the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan, delivering a vibrant collection inspired by (and perhaps a tribute to) the location.

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Ralph Lauren wins the award for Best Show Space for NYFW, combining his love for automobiles and fashion as he hosted his Fall 2017 show inside his garage at Bedford Mills, New York. Models sauntered past a few of the most expensive cars in the world, from a 1938 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic Coupe to a 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Spyder.

A post shared by Ralph Lauren (@ralphlauren) on Sep 14, 2017 at 1:33pm PDT

Right when we thought that New York Fashion Week might just end with a bang, Marc Jacobs surprised us all with a silent 11-minute show. Models traipsed across the Park Avenue Armory with no soundtrack, letting the clothes steal the show (and it did with oversized silhouettes and razzle-dazzle colours). It wasn’t until the end when an aria provided the adequate and dramatic closing to the show—and to an eventful past week.

A post shared by Marc Jacobs (@marcjacobs) on Sep 14, 2017 at 9:51am PDT

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News
7 Things to do this weekend: 13 & 14 November 2021

12.11.2021
By Natalie Khoo

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

1. Catch a movie at Dadi Cinema in Pavilion KL or Da Men USJ

Dadi Cinema Pavilion KL

Dadi Pavilion KL Star+ Lounge

Dadi Pavilion KL Star+ Hall

Dadi Pavilion KL Star-Max Hall

Dadi Pavilion KL Lil Star Hall

Where: Dadi Cinema Pavilion Kuala Lumpur | Dadi Cinema Da Men USJ
Calling all movie buffs, Dadi Cinema has officially made its debut in Malaysia at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Da Men USJ—the brand’s first two cinemas outside of China. The Pavilion KL outlet is the first in the country to boast a starry movie experience with its unique Star-Max Hall, complete with advanced laser projector technology to deliver crystal-clear cinema graphics and Dolby Atmos sound system for an immersive surround sound experience. There’s also the premium Star+ Hall, which comes with access to Dadi Cinema’s exclusive private lounge where customers can enjoy free flow concessions (on selected concessions) before their movie.

Dadi Cinema Da Men USJ

Dadi Da Men USJ Lil Star Hall

Dadi Da Men USJ Lil Star Playland

Meanwhile, the Da Men USJ outlet features a bustling street theme with street signages, vibrant building graffiti, and vehicles for photo-taking opportunities before and after a movie. Both cinemas also boast kid-friendly Lil Star halls that feature adorable customised kids seating and a mini play area. Not to worry, there are also adult-sized seatings for parents in the kid-friendly cinema halls!
For more information or to purchase movie tickets, visit dadi.my or download the Dadi Cinema App via the App Store, Google PlayStore, or Huawei App Gallery.
2. Visit the Tiger Street Food Virtual Festival

When: 12 November to 19 December, Thursdays to Sundays, 11am to 9pm
Where: Tiger Street Food Virtual Festival
The Tiger Street Food Virtual Festival returns this year with an epic collision between streetwear and street food, boasting even more street food varieties and exciting features. Bringing two cultures together to break the boundaries of street food, Tiger has partnered with renowned local streetwear brands to curate two limited-edition streetwear apparels each from EK Collective, TNT Co, The Swagger Salon, Eversince, Pestle &Mortar, and Dissyco. These exclusive merchandises will be available for sale in limited quantities on a first come first served basis via the Hype Store within the virtual festival.
As for the food, festivalgoers can order from over 100 street food vendors serving both classic and innovative dishes. Plus, fans can accompany their favourite street food dishes with ice-cold Tiger Beer and Tiger Crystal delivered to their doorsteps. While festivalgoers from across the country are welcome to join the festival, deliveries (including streetwear, food and drinks) are only available for fans residing in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Johor Bahru and Ipoh. Other interactive games and experiences await!
For more information or to sign up for the Tiger Street Food Virtual Festival, visit www.tigerstreetfood.my and earn one free can of Tiger Crystal while stocks last.
[Note: Tiger Beer, the Tiger Street Food Virtual Festival, and all related promotions are open to non-Muslims aged 21 and above only.]
3. Celebrate 20 years of Harry Potter movies with Cartoon Network and HBO GO

When: From November 13 to December 25
Where: Cartoon Network (Astro Ch 615), HBO GO
Potterheads, listen up! To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Cartoon Network (Astro Ch 615) will be airing the first four of the 8-movie series every other weekend, beginning November 13 until December 25. The last four titles in the franchise will debut on the channel in early 2022. All movies are also available to stream on HBO GO.
What’s more, the brand-new Wizarding World competition event, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses, will be streaming on Monday, November 29, exclusively on HBO GO. Fans can also visit HarryPotterMovie20.com to discover exclusive content from the most iconic moments of the movie that started a global theatrical phenomenon.
4. Join the Chocolate & Cognac workshop at W Kuala Lumpur

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When: 13 November, 3pm to 5pm
Where: Flock, W Kuala Lumpur
If you’re looking for an activity that’s both enlightening and palatable, head over to W Kuala Lumpur to experience a cognac and chocolate workshop with Martell and Chocolate Concierge. Expect to ‘get your hands dirty’ and learn about three different types of cognac and how to make cognac-infused truffles.
To register your interest, DM @wkualalumpur on Instagram.
5. Discover The Red Collection at The Macallan at Astor Bar’s M Room

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When: 5pm to midnight daily
Where: The Macallan at Astor Bar’s M Room, The St Regis Kuala Lumpur
Since April 2021, The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur has claimed ownership of The Red Collection—an exquisite range of rare single malt Scotch whiskies which captures The Macallan’s deep respect for tradition and craftsmanship. The prestigious hotel boasts the only complete and unrivalled set owned and on public display in Asia, introduced in conjunction with the debut of Malaysia’s first and only experiential whisky bar—The Macallan at Astor Bar’s M Room.
Housed in a luxurious rose gold case with a bronze mirrored background and LED illumination, the showcase also features a selection of illustrations from celebrated Spanish painter and illustrator, Javi Aznarez. Whiskey connoisseurs won’t want to miss the opportunity to explore the collection upclose at Astor Bar, The St Regis Kuala Lumpur!
For more information, visit The Macallan Malaysia on Instagram. For reservations and enquiries, call +603 2727 6696 or email [email protected].
6. Plan a staycation at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts in Malaysia

The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa

Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown

Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah

Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa

When: Register now until 28 November 2021 for stays from now through 12 December 2021
The year-end holiday planning has begun and Marriott Bonvoy wants to fuel your zeal for passion and discovery with its Unlock Your Doors, Book Your Next Trip With Us campaign, featuring attractive packages and bonus points for bookings at participating hotels and resorts in Malaysia. The hospitality group has identified three standout categories across its portfolio to cater to different preferences: Road Trip Destinations for those who live for the journey; Island Retreats for beach and nature lovers; and City Discoveries for those seeking urban experiences.
With the Earn, Eat, Enjoy package, travellers can enjoy complimentary daily breakfast for two as well as hotel credits with every booking, which can be utilised throughout the duration of their stay. Non-exis

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Fashion
Up Next Designer is the IG account spotlighting emerging talent in fashion

11.08.2021
By Kelly Lim

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If you’re looking for under-the-radar brands to know about, @UpNextDesigner is your new best friend. Known to discover labels right before they take off, the Instagram account shares new, emerging and talented designers from around the world to its vast community of followers that include industry insiders, influencers and A-listers like Bella Hadid.

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Founded by Albert Ayal, UND helps young creative talents gain serious exposure in an oversaturated space often dominated by larger brands. The fashion publicist scouts emerging designers to highlight and share via posts, which he curates based on his research of trends and talents. According to an interview with WWD, this also includes looking to global fashion schools for promising students, whom he then connects with to follow their progress and share their work. Over time, the platform grew a following of people captivated by the designs of emerging talent while Ayal formed relationships with those he spotlighted.
Ayal also uses UND to bridge up-and-coming designers with stylists through connections. Pieces seen on celebrity clients gain widespread exposure that catapults small labels into the mainstream, often resulting in high purchase volumes and flooded DMs. His first link put LA-based textiles designer Erika Maish on the map after her glittering custom beaded two-piece was worn by Kylie Jenner on vacation last year.

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More recent moments include Brooklyn-based designer Kim Mesches’ sculptural dresses (above) appearing in the cover art of Cardi B and Normani’s Wild Side and a striped top from knitwear designer Georgios Trochopoulos spotted on an out-and-about Kendall Jenner. Beyond that, designers have also gone on to land features in commercials, magazine editorials and more after being UND-approved.
With over 97,500 followers at the time of publishing, UND exists today as a space for people to come together and celebrate young emerging talent. In addition to posts, Ayal has expanded to do deep dives with brands as well as Instagram takeovers that allow designers to introduce themselves and interact with new followers. From fresh interpretations on suiting to eco-conscious designs and innovative textiles, the diverse range of expertise from the designers on the platform provides an endless source of inspiration and options to help you expand your repertoire of favourite brands. It’s also a good place to sniff out emerging trends and gain insight into the future direction of the industry. But let’s be frank, who doesn’t want to find out about the next big thing before it blows up?
To help you get started, we’ve listed a few of our favourite designers scouted by Up Next Designer:
Constanca Entrudo

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We can’t keep our eyes off the bold prints and wearable shapes of Lisbon-based designer Constanca Etrundo’s garments. The Central Saint Martins textiles graduate uses sustainable fibres as the base of her deconstructed woven fabrics to create playful, colourful looks that are bound to brighten anyone’s day. Drawing inspiration from a 1950s series by Life Magazine, her AW21 collection takes a more earth-toned palette to present natural prints and geometric cut-outs across pieces designed to comfort and shelter during current times.
Scarlet Sage

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Beauty
Say hello to radiant skin with two new additions from Shiseido White Lucent
Goodbye dark spots

03.03.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Pesky dark spots happen to be the bane of your skin? While you can try your best to stay out of the sun with the help of floppy hats, there’s no fighting the unfortunate manifestation of dark spots especially if you aren’t armed with an effective whitening skincare range.

But fret not—Shiseido’s White Lucent range that aims to brighten skin and prevent the formation of new spots introduces two new must-haves for a radiant complexion, thanks to a technology that is derived from Japanese cherry blossoms.

One of the new additions to this lineup is the White Lucent All Day Brightener N that comes with SPF 50+ PA++++ and is perfect for those who love two-in-one products. Now you won’t forget applying that layer of sunscreen with this daytime brightening moisturiser. Its ion veil formula is inspired by “second skin treatment”, which has a time-release effect to continue brightening and protecting your skin from UV rays and pollution throughout the day. But if you are looking for a more specific treatment to target dark spots specifically (think lasers but non-invasive), the OnMakeup Spot Correcting Serum SPF 25 PA+++ should do the trick. All you have to do is click once to impart the formula on concerning areas of your skin, then blend it with your fingertips for a seamless finish.

Shiseido White Lucent All Day Brightener N SPF 50+ PA++++ (RM230) and OnMakeup Spot Correcting Serum SPF 25 PA+++ (RM180) are now available at all Shiseido counters nationwide.

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Technology
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 review: The pros, cons, and that crease
Flip or flop

30.09.2022
By Rachel Au

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is undoubtedly a pretty phone, but aesthetics aside, does it do the job and is it worth the RM4,099* price tag? Read on for this first-timer’s review.
There’s an easy appeal with foldable phones. For some, it might equate to better productivity with increased efficiency. For others, it’s cute and unique. For me, the nostalgic factor plays the strongest tune. Growing up, Japanese flip phones looked cool (compared to a sturdy Nokia 8250). Later on, American TV shows and movies played it up further, with protagonists going about their day, flipping their Motorola Razr phones. So, when Samsung first unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip, my eyes (possibly) sparkled at the shiny new foldable, born anew with features more advanced than its Y2K predecessors. And then, the opportunity came to test out and review the latest edition: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4.
Lifestyle Editor Natalie had previously reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3, and the upgrades in the 2022 version seem minimal in comparison. Ahead, I break down some of my favourite bits about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 while making some minor comparisons based on tech specifications.

BODY, BUILD AND DESIGN

At a glance, it looks exactly like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3, but in actuality, it’s slightly narrower, has a slimmer hinge, and with thinner bezels around the screen, the display looks a teensy more expansive. Overall, it sports a contrasting hazed back glass, complemented by glossy Armor Aluminum frames and hinge.
Weighing in at 187g, the phone, as Samsung calls it, has significant pocketability, which is a tick in my list of ‘pros’ as it fits in my smaller handbags. Generally, I love how it fits in the palm of my hand, and while I’m unable to flip it open one-handed (yet), I’m assured the hinge has gone through strenuous durability tests to withstand over 200,000 times of folding and unfolding. The unfolding part, by the way, opens silently too.
Other things to note: It’s water-resistant (at the same IPX8 rating) but still not dust-resistant.

DISPLAY(S)

The Main and Cover Screen both boast Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®, which Samsung claims makes the Galaxy Z Flip4 extra durable and shock-resistant to drops. Fortunately, I will take their word for it and not put that to the test. But the 6.7-inch FHD+
Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Display, with its high 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, is a thing of beauty to look at—to the point where it’s oftentimes easy to miss the appearance of the hinge’s crease.
When looking at the phone straight-on, I honestly don’t see the crease, but I do spot it at certain angles though it doesn’t bother me much. What did peeve me a little during my first two weeks with it was the feeling of the crease on the screen when I happened to swipe over it. It’s slight, but it’s there. To be fair, the chances of that happening is low, since even most mobile games place the controls at the opposite ends of the screen and not in the centre.
Moving on to the Cover Screen—the dimension remains at 1.9 inches with a Super AMOLED display.

CAMERA(S)
Testing out the digital zoom.
On the surface, it sounds like the same cameras: a 10MP selfie camera, 12MP Ultra Wide camera, and another 12MP Wide-angle camera. But Samsung has actually upgraded it with a 65 per cent brighter sensor powered by the Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform. As a result, in human language: photos and videos look sharper and more stable, even under low-light conditions. Unfortunately, there’s still no telephoto in sight, though the digital zoom does suffice for most needs (except at a concert with a non-VIP view).

Depending on the subject of your photos, the high levels of saturation could work well, post-snap.

The contrast between light and shadows captured are well-balanced.

Food photography gets 100 points.

The selfie camera delivers snaps I can’t complain about.

Under dim lighting, the camera managed to capture even the most minute details.

True enough, photos and videos look crisp, high contrast and robust in colour. While it works on most occasions—who need photo-editing apps with what the Galaxy Z Flip4 can do—I did personally find some photos overly saturated for my liking. And that result is hard to downplay, even with apps. Of course, there’s always Pro mode for those who prefer more control over the camera.
As for the 10MP selfie camera, it’s pretty decent even under dim lighting—just “stay still” for a second or two and let the image processing do the rest. But there’s no real need to use the selfie camera when this foldable phone lets you take photos with its main camera from various angles—and you can check how it looks via the Cover Screen!

BATTERY LIFE

One of the most significant upgrades from the Galaxy Z Flip3 is that the Galaxy Z Flip4 has a larger battery at 3,700mAh (versus the previous 3,300mAh). That being said, it essentially lasts a day for me with medium to heavy usage, meaning: gaming, watching YouTube, plenty of scrolling through Instagram and TikTok, as well as the typical web- and text-based uses. I can survive till the end of the day, so it’s a high passing mark for me. In addition, the Galaxy Z Flip4 supports Super Fast Charging, a.k.a 50 per cent charge in around 30 minutes with the 25W adapter (sold separately).

FEATURES

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is, after all, a foldable phone at its heart and most of the appeal comes from the things you can do with that versatility. As a budding photographer on the personal front and having a job that includes creating Reels regularly, my favourite thing about the Galaxy Z Flip4 is that Cover Screen. It’s small but does so much in Flex Mode (when it’s half-folded).
In Flex Mode, the Cover Screen acts as a preview screen slash viewfinder for the main camera. If I’m taking a hair tutorial video, for example, I don’t need to use the 10MP selfie camera but the better 12MP Wide camera. For group photos, I can quickly prop it at a distance and still see the Cover Screen, ensuring everyone’s in the frame.
(However, the following hair tutorial was shot with the selfie camera and the quality turned out way better than I expected.)

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Both of those instances can be activated with the Palm gesture to snap a photo or start recording, without me needing even to touch the phone. Tip: To quickly launch the camera when it’s folded, QuickShot brings it out by just double-clicking the side key. QuickShot on the Galaxy Z Flip4 also allows you to view the photo in the actual ratio—simply double tap on the Cover Screen.
On the Main Screen, Flex Mode lets you do a variety of things, such as allowing a split screen so you can do two things at once. Bear in mind that not every app has this optimised with a special layout or made available, though enabling Labs under Settings will ‘force’ Flex Mode to happen, regardless. I might not have figured it out yet but looking at the Gallery in Flex Mode brings out a touchpad, which I thought would be great for editing. But all I’ve managed to do with it is use it like a laptop’s trackpad—swiping from one photo to another and zooming in and out of it. A software update in the near future could change that up.

VERDICT

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is a fun phone with high novelty points. It’s pretty, cute and does the average of what you would expect from a smartphone today. But if I’m going to be honest, it’s especially great for social use—content creation (but maybe not the next blockbuster), snapping photos and videos for memory’s sake or social media, and keeping in touch with loved ones. Even gaming on the Galaxy Z Flip4—tested with the heavy-graphics, open-world RPG game, Tower of Fantasy—was a breeze in terms of the graphics and performance, though it did knock off 15 per cent battery life with just 30 minutes of gameplay. So, should you upgrade from the Galaxy Z Flip3? Not necessary since it’s minimal refinements. Is it worth popping your foldable phone cherry? If you’re not looking to do more than everything above, it’s a fun phone to have, with the range of customisation tools at your disposal.

PROS: Cute size, large main screen that can be folded in half, decent main camera, useful Cover Screen, water-resistant, zippy performance.
CONS: No telephoto lens, battery life could be better, the feeling of the crease in the middle of the screen.
*The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 starts at RM4,099 (128GB); differing prices are according to the chosen storage option. It’s available in four colourways: Graphite, Pink Gold, Blue and the signature Bora Purple. Alternatively, there’s the Bespoke Edition which provides 75 unique combinations.
For more information or to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, head to their website.

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Lifestyle
Mattel unveils its new 3D printer for toys
Creativity lets loose

18.02.2016
By Buro247

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

Man, 21st century kids have got things going so good. Oh, how we’re mulling enviously over Mattel’s latest announcement: the new ThingMaker, a 3D printer from which kids and their parents can print action figures, jewellery, dolls and pretty much anything they want, right in their homes.

While 3D printing technology isn’t a new revelation, Mattel has come up with one that you can not only take home and easily create toys via an accompanying mobile application, but it prints things in an array of fun colours too. That said, we foresee many a kid and parent going crazy with creativity.

Set to retail at about $299 in the fall, the ThingMaker comes with a mobile application that allows you to browse through templates and build your own creations, made up of numerous parts. The ThingMaker will then print the parts in batches that you can assemble. The app will also be able to be used with other printers.

This latest announcement is a massive upgrade on the ThingMaker, which actually made its debut back in the 1960s. Except then, it had been a sort-of mould thing that allowed kids to create their own bug collections.

Find out more about the ThingMaker here.

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Style
Fashion buzz: The story behind Princess Beatrice’s wedding dress, Sophie Turner’s cute maternity style, and more

22.07.2020
By Joan Kong

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Princess Beatrice’s wedding dress was her “something old”

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Princess Beatrice tied the knot with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at The Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor last Friday, and while it was an intimate and private affair, her bridal gown, in particular, has been making waves for a sweet reason—it was borrowed from the Queen!
The vintage dress was designed by Norman Hartnell, who had the Royal Warrant as Dressmaker to both Queen Elizabeth II and The Queen Mother. Originally a stroppy number, the ivory number was remodelled with an addition of puffy chiffon sleeves. To complete her look, Princess Beatrice continued her homage to her beloved grandmother by donning The Queen Mary diamond fringe tiara that was also worn by her grandmother on her wedding day in 1947.
Also read: What did all the royal brides wore on their big day?
Sophie Turner’s maternity style is as cute as they can be
Does Sophie Turner have the cutest mama-to-be style? We certainly think so. While the actress—and her husband Joe Jonas—has never publicly spoke out about her pregnancy, her baby-bumping looks in recent months confirmed it all. From babydoll dresses—layered over white T-shirt or over tank-top-and-bike-shorts—to a cropped top and leggings with blazer look, we’re loving every one of it.
Check out some of our favourites below:

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Dior Pavilion is now open

Attention shoppers: Dior Pavilion is now open! Located at the main entrance of the mall, the boutique will be the French Maison’s new concept flagship store in Malaysia, and it’ll house both wom

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Film, TV + Theatre
9 Must-see films premiering at Cannes Film Festival 2023
Cinema is back!

18.05.2023
By Marissa Chin

Images courtesy of Festival De Cannes

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As the biggest stars and names in the filmmaking industry grace the red carpet at the steps of Palais des Festivals, the rest of the world eagerly awaits the slew of new films that will show on their own big screens soon enough. Famously known as the ‘mother of all film festivals’, Cannes Film Festival 2023 is back in sunny France from 16 to 27 May to celebrate the best of cinema and its figures.
With 19 films competing for the prestigious Palme d’Or soon, along with the presence of legendary filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, and Todd Haynes, the calibre at Cannes could not be higher. Since its start yesterday, there has already been plenty of buzz around the slate of movies. Ahead, we gleaned nine of the most exciting and talked-about premieres you don’t want to miss.

Asteroid City

You’ve most likely seen the viral Wes Anderson TikTok trend (or even dabbled in it yourself) and the hilarious AI-generated images of fictional characters in a typical Anderson setting by now. Just when the Internet can’t get enough of the American filmmaker, he marks his return on the Croisette with another eccentric and whimsical feature—this time involving the extraterrestrial. Contending for the Palme d’Or, Asteroid City takes place in a fictional American desert town circa 1955 where a Junior Stargazers’ convention goes awry. The film also features Anderson regulars such as Tilda Swinton, Scarlett Johansson and Jeff Goldblum, as well as new additions such as Margot Robbie, Steve Carrell and Tom Hanks. Asteroid City will release worldwide on 22 June 2023.

Strange Way of Life

It’s Brokeback Mountain meets Wild Wild West. Director Pedro Almodóvar calls it his answer to the 2005 Ang Lee classic (which he was initially in discussions to direct). Unsurprisingly, there has been lots of talk surrounding the queer Western for several reasons. The first being that it stars current Hollywood Daddy of the Year, Pedro Pascal. The 30-minute sophomore English-language effort by the Spanish director follows Pascal and Ethan Hawke as sheriff and rancher, respectively, reconnecting after 25 years. Premiering today, Strange Way of Life also marks fashion house Saint Laurent’s endeavour into cinema, so expect gunslinging, shoot-outs and, of course, good fashion when it hits theatres on 26 May.

Jeanne du Barry

After a hugely publicised trial that captured the world, Johnny Depp is back to captivate us again as King Louis XV of France in Jeanne du Barry. The French-language biographical film tells the story of how the monarch fell in love with the eponymous working-class courtesan (who is played by the movie’s director, Maïwenn). The film comes with even more controversy as the director admitted to physically assaulting a French journalist recently. Either way, the movie earned a seven-minute standing ovation after its world premiere at Cannes.

Killers of the Flower Moon

Undoubtedly one of the buzziest names on the Croisette, Martin Scorsese will make his triumphant return to Cannes Film Festival after winning Best Director in 1985 for After Hours. Based on David Grann’s book of the same name, Killers of the Flower Moon is Scorsese’s first venture into the Western genre and follows the real-life string of murders of Osage Indians that took place in Oklahoma during the 1920s, known as the Reign of Terror. The film also stars a stacked ensemble with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, and recent Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser and Lily Gladstone. Killers of the Flower Moon will release globally on 6 October.

Monster

Prolific Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda is a Cannes constant, and this year is no different. Since winning the Palme d’Or for Shoplifters in 2018, he’s back to contend for the grand prize with the unsettling coming-of-age drama Monster. Not much of the plot is known, but the trailer suggests that a mother begins to learn something is very wrong with her teenage son after a series of disturbing behaviour. Notably, the score is composed by the legendary Ryuichi Sakamoto, who sent Kore-eda two compositions before passing away in March. It premiered today and received a six-minute standing ovation. Monster releases globally on 2 June.

May December

With films such as Velvet Goldmine and Carol under his belt, Todd Haynes returns to the Croisette with another probing film on human relationships. May December centres on an aspiring actress (played by Natalie Portman) who is about to star in a biopic about an older veteran Hollywood actress (Julianne Moore) whose romance with her husband 23 years her junior (Riverdale’s Charles Melton) gripped the nation. Researching the once highly-publicised relationship, the two actresses’ lives become soon become entangled and threaten to rip the family apart.

Anatomy of a Fall

Those who love a good crime drama should be on the lookout for Justine Triet’s fourth feature, which is in contention for the Palme d’Or. Titled Anatomy of a Fall, the upcoming French crime thriller centres on a widow who must fight against the French legal system to prove her innocence after her husband dies from a strange fall. Her star witness? Her blind son. Dissecting both the fall and the couple’s relationship, the feature film will have you glued to the screen when it releases worldwide on 23 August.

The Zone of Interest

What happens when a Nazi officer falls in love with the wife of a commander at the Auschwitz concentration camp? Inspired by the novel of the same name by Martin Amis, English filmmaker Jonathan Glazer is back with a film after nearly a decade away from the cameras. Any Holocaust movie is bound to get attention (good and bad), but if there’s anything we can count Glazer on, it’s confronting and examining the lives of those complicit or participatory in one of the world’s greatest atrocities in a profound yet subversive way that will stick with us for a long time.

Club Zero

Director Jessica Hausner is a Cannes mainstay—her previous film Little Joe won Emily Beecham the Best Actress Award, and almost all of her features have premiered on the Croisette. Now, she is back to contend for the grand prize with Club Zero. The Austrian filmmaker’s second English-language endeavour centres on a young teacher (played by Mia Wasikowska) who takes a job at an elite school and forms an incredibly close bond with five students. She teaches a conscious eating class where she instructs that eating less is healthy, as per the official Cannes synopsis. By the time the adults find out, it might be too late for the impressionable teens.

Bonus: Tiger Stripes

We know we’re technically cheating by putting a short film on this list, but when one of our very own Malaysian filmmakers gets into Cannes, we’re going to shout about it! Amanda Nell Eu is making waves with her directorial debut Tiger Stripes, becoming the first Malaysian film in Cannes since 2010. The movie will play in the Cannes Critics’ Week section and is in the running to win the coveted Caméra d’Or prize. The feisty Malay-language horror follows a 12-year-old girl and the horrors of puberty as she finds her body changing in terrifying ways.
For more reads on film and TV, head here.

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Talking shop with Lim Ai Chiin

Features
Talking shop with Lim Ai Chiin
Digital place to physical space

14.02.2016
By Buro247

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Lim Ai Chiin’s digital brainchild, Cuevolution, was a giant leap of faith after a dedicated career in cancer research. After pursuing a degree in Biomedical Science from King’s College and then Molecular Medicine at Imperial College London, Ai Chiin found herself working alongside world-renowned scientists and clinicians at the Institute of Cancer Reseach in London, but a keen interest in fashion and the need to fulfill her creative urges led her to return to her native Malaysia in 2014 to begin Cuevolution—a digital retail space that features a unique selection of up -and-coming designers all hand-picked by Ai. In order to better showcase her wares, Ai has recently celebrated the opening of a showroom space at Publika Solaris Dutamas. Here, the scientist-turned-entrepreneur explains the results of her most important experiment to date.

How did the name Cuevolution come about?
It was actually suppose to be Creation Upon Evolution. I pretty much wrote down every name that I could think of cause I wanted it to be distinct and eventually I kind of settled on Creation Upon Evolution. I then wanted to shorten it to Cue but in Australia, a brand called Cue already exists. I didn’t want people to get it mixed up so a friend suggested I integrate the two names and we came up with Cuevolution. So that’s pretty much how it turned out. But yeah, the whole name is actually suppose to be Creation Upon Evolution.

How did it all begin?
It kind of spiralled from a very simple idea. After years of studying and working in science I decided to take a few months off which is when I heard of a designer named Cristina Sabaiduc. I actually went to see her as a personal client, but then everything just sort of came out and I asked her about her business, where her products were stocked, potential clients, wholesale assignment—the whole shebang. I took it home with me and sat on it and then later, we got in touch via email and things progressed rather quickly. So after, Cristina managed to get Rory Hutton in, again introduced by another friend of mine while I was doing research, from there our stable just grew. Then after that, AZOOI came onboard, then Cassey Gan and then Maricel. We had the official launch in 2014.

Why the need for a physical space?
My idea for the showroom was to have it stripped down to its basics to fully showcase each of the designers’ stories and artwork. I wanted a workable space in which to host clients, house current and future designers as well as morph into a studio for work. Having a showroom will enable clients as well as future designers to experience Cuevolution personally and to see the direction we are heading towards.

How do you curate your product?
I started to really consider what I wanted in a designer and what would fit into the Cuevolution aesthetic. It’s about being able to maintain your individual style and to never be afraid of experimenting. Cuevolution is for the confident dresser. We’re about finely detailed clothing—items you won’t just chuck away in ten years or so. We don’t follow the trends. We just sort of allow them to mingle with our style, we like to mix things up. That’s where the vintage pieces we have also come into play at Cuevolution. Long lasting fashion is what we stand for.

Were there any repercussions when you told your parents you wanted to leave your career in science and work in fashion?
The fashion part was perhaps a little unexpected but they were happy I was coming home. They’re very supportive. I think they view it as a little hobby or side project. They’re a little bit older and they think, “Oh, it’s online. How much work can it take?” But I don’t think they understand the logistics of uploading photos, arranging photoshoots, making sure the website is streamlined or trying to get exposure on social media for my website. My mum complains that I’m constantly on my phone. It’s just a totally different world to them and now that I’m doing this, I get to witness firsthand how difficult it is to build a brand online.

What are your plans for Cuevolution?
I would like to see myself overseas with the brand. I would like to do popups, just to push the brand and also to gain awareness overseas. So I think that having a really cool popup collection would be fitting for Cue in the next five years.
We started off as an online store, so that base will always be there. Having a store overseas would also be awesome but at this point in time, blindly opening a store overseas is not an option. Taking risks are a necessary part of business but I also need to be realistic.

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Culture
8 Must-read novels by Chinese authors around the world

27.01.2021
By Buro Malaysia

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With the latest wave of lockdowns currently underway, it looks as if this Chinese New Year will be celebrated very differently than in years past, and mostly indoors. If you’re like us, then that probably means you’ll be finding a quiet spot at home and unwinding with a few choice reads. In the spirit of the festive season, we’ve passionately pieced together a list of eight must-read novels—including the classic and the contemporary—written by Chinese authors from around the world.
The Noodle Maker by Ma Jian

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From the acclaimed Chinese dissident, Mi Jian, The Noodle Maker offers a satirical approach to life in a post-Tiananmen China. In a collection of short stories told over the course of an evening, the reader follows along the narrations of several extraordinary characters—like a young man who opens a private crematorium, or a heartbroken actress as she faces an all-too-public fate—as they face life through politics and destiny.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu

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The ultimate classic of Chinese literature, this ancient military treatise dates back to 5th century B.C. Comprised of 13 chapters, with each devoted to an aspect of warfare, this masterpiece applies to military strategy and tactics as much as it does to business and life. This one may be a slow read for you, but it’s certainly the most influential book on this list.
The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston

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A memoir set during the Chinese revolution of the 1940s, The Woman Warrior blends folklore with the unique insight into the life of an immigrant in America. This complex and beautiful journey travel lyrically through the author’s childhood, a changing America, and a life surrounded by myth and memory.
Love in a Fallen City by Eileen Chang

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Technology
5 Biggest role-playing video games (RPG) in 2023 to play now
Expansive worlds

30.05.2023
By Marissa Chin

FEATURED IMAGES: @coalabr14 Twitter | Nintendo | Portkey Games

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2023 has been nothing short of an excellent year for gaming so far. Seeing as 2022 also has some amazing video game releases, we’re glad that this year is rolling full steam ahead with these thrilling launches that have us hooked to the screen. Whether you’re playing on the classic PC, own a new-generation gaming rig such as the Xbox Series X or PS5, or love gameplay on the Nintendo Switch or PS4, there’s a game for every device and platform.
From refreshing new IPs to highly anticipated remakes and sequels, we gleaned five of the biggest and best video game launches in 2023 you should get your hands on.

Dead Space

Remakes and remasters are the latest trend in the gaming world right now. Riding on nostalgia and the glory of its famed predecessor, 2023’s Dead Space is a remake of the 2008 space horror cult classic from EA. The 2000s-era game had a massive facelift, offering old and new players “all new assets, new character models, [and] new environments” whilst still keeping to the Dead Space design language. In this role-playing game (RPG), you play as Isaac Clarke, a mechanic who is tasked to repair a ship, which unbeknownst to him, is infested with mutated humans-turned-extraterrestrials called Necromorphs. No biggie.
Release date: 27 January 2023
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Hogwarts Legacy

As one of the most beloved franchises in the world, Hogwarts Legacy is undoubtedly at the top of 2023’s biggest video game releases which had everyone buzzing in their seats. We’re sure many of us dream of being part of Harry Potter’s magical realm. With Hogwarts Legacy, fans are finally able to live out their Wizarding World fantasies. It’s an open-world RPG—and we mean really open. Players are able to create their custom character, choose their house and explore Hogwarts and beyond with full reign. There are quests and missions to complete, but you can fly around on your Nimbus 2000 and discover new areas just for the fun of it. Either way, we guarantee you’ll be spending hours just taking it all in.
Release date: 10 February 2023 (14 November 2023 on Switch)
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

Dredge

Ever wondered what it’s like for Animal Crossing to turn into an eldritch horror? Meet Dredge. Brought to you by indie game developers Black Salt Games, this Lovecraftian-inspired game is our favourite sleeper hit of 2023 and will trigger your fear of the ocean and of the unknown. It’s one of the most unsettling games we’ve come across in recent memory and this sinister undercurrent is juxtaposed with stunning graphics that would otherwise feel like a calming fishing game. Set sail across the open waters, sell your catch, dredge the depths for secrets, and avoid the creatures lurking beneath your boat ready to pull you under.
Release date: 30 March 2023
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

One of the world’s most instantly recognisable IPs, Survivor is the latest game addition to the ever-expanding world of Star Wars. Set after the events of Fallen Order which was released five years ago, the game follows Cal Kestis (played by Shameless and Gotham star Cameron Monaghan) after he makes himself enemy numero uno on the Empire’s hit list. Traverse across the galaxy in this third-person action-adventure game as Kestis and his crew continue to fight for the Jedi cause.
Release date: 28 April 2023
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Finishing out this list is none other than the biggest game release this year. Yes, we’re only halfway through the year but there is no denying that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the definitive game of 2023. After all, it won The Game Award’s Most Anticipated Game of the Year last year, what with its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, being widely regarded as the best game of all time. Five years later, the follow-up has dropped and the reviews are just as good. Return to the vast world of Hyrule as Link and explore the lands and skies of this magical and boundless world.
Release date: 12 May 2023
Available on: Switch

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News
#HappyHeadlines: 9 Inspiring news stories to provide a mid-week motivation

27.05.2020
By Kelly Lim

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As more countries progress past the virus peak, the world moves forward. When will life get back to the way things used to be? Will they, or more importantly should they?
The pandemic has exposed many of pre-existing faults, allowing us to pause and take stock, and recognise that change is long due if we are to build a better future for generations to come. While we’re nowhere near to being out of the woods just yet, there are things happening around the world that show opportunities can emerge from every crisis. We’re experiencing a watershed moment in history and never have the steps we make to continue ahead been more crucial.
Here is this week’s round-up of positive news stories from around the world to motivate you—it’s time to make moves, y’all.
A reckoning for the planet

World leaders are seen attending a virtual G20 summit. (Getty Images)
World leaders have been called on their responsibility to ensure a green recovery from the crisis in the account of air pollution and climate breakdown. Approximately half of the global medical workforce have signed an open letter to the G20 leaders to emphasise the seven million premature deaths to which pollution contributes annually around the globe.
Alongside the strengthening of public health systems, they urge for better renewable energy reforms, new safeguards against industrial activity and investment into more sustainable infrastructure as leaders begin to design the stimulus packages to move forward. “We must learn from these mistakes and come back stronger, healthier and more resilient,” they write. “Only by investing in both healthcare and the environment can we create a sustainable future.”

In a similar vein, Gucci’s Alessandro Michele is the most recent industry player to announce major changes to the way the brand will operate in light of COVID-19. The creative director posted to Instagram a series of diary entries entitled “Notes from the Silence” to say that he intended to “abandon the worn-out ritual of seasonalities and shows” in order to “regain a new cadence.” Moving forward, the brand will be taking a season-less approach for its collections and reduce the number of yearly shows it stages from five to two.
As of late, a number of other luxury labels have signalled similar moves to their future calendars amidst growing calls from leaders, initiatives and consumers to rewire the existing system. This will significantly impact the way the industry has traditionally functioned, which has primarily caused damaging environmental impact and unsustainable cycles of consumption alongside other concerns.
Crayons for everyone

Art Supplier Crayola just unveiled a new initiative to promote an “inclusive world for children of all ages, races, cultures and ethnicities.” In conjunction with the United Nation’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on May 21, the company launched a new pack of specially formulated “Colours of the World” crayons designed to mirror and represent over 40 global skin tones across the world in hopes that the project would allow children to “creatively and accurately colour themselves into the world they see around them.” In collaboration with MOB Beauty CEO Casale, the project had been underway for more than eight months, undergoing research and testing to ensure the palette authentically reflects the full spectrum of human complexions.
A new dawn for space exploration

Together with numerous partnering space agencies, NASA has announced new international agreements that will help to govern a “safe, peaceful, and prosperous future” of space exploration. Titled the Artemis Accords, it arrives as part of the program that was developed to allow the agency to send the first woman and next man to the moon by 2024. Core values underscore peace, safety, transparency and unity among nations for their future endeavours and exploration in the galaxy. The Accords mark a significant accomplishment thus far of the Artemis program and points to a future of responsible and cooperative space travel.
Hairstylist receives generous tip from walk-in customer

The pandemic has put the livelihoods of many businesses and individuals on the tipping edge—especially service sectors that have a close-contact nature such as professional beauty services. This week, a hairstylist in Denver, Colorado was brought to tears of joy when a walk-in customer surprised the salon with a hefty tip for their services.
Grooming services and professionals have been struggling to make ends meet since the outbreak of the virus and ones that have recently been allowed to reopen continue to face difficulties due to strict sanitary and social distancing guidelines. Stylist Illsia Novotny and her coworkers were astounded to find $5,800 in tips from a man who walked in over the weekend for a simple haircut— the heartwarming story since made national news and gained social media buzz for its act of kindness during troubling times.
MCO cooking group rally in Raya spirit of support

Facebook / Khan Putra Khan Putra
An aspiring beverage vendor experienced immense generosity and support from a group of strangers after an unfortunate incident dashed his plans to celebrate Raya.
Khan Putra had decided to sell iced beverages and make some cash to tailor a new outfit ahead of Aidilfitri festivities. However, disaster struck when his drinks were ruined in spills on the ground. Putra had shared the story with fellow members of a popular Facebook group Suami Masak Apa Hari Ini—created for husbands and future husbands to share cooking tips and homemade meals during MCO—and was surprised to receive immediate commiseration and support in solutions from the community. One member offered to send him a free outfit, while others placed extra orders for the vendor’s beverage offerings. Subsequently, Khan decided to repay the kindness by handing out free meals to others in return.
Malaysia boleh Harvard!

Two Malaysians recently secured admissions to the Ivy League institution in Massachusetts, US, as announced by alumni group Harvard Club of Malaysia in a press release. In it, the committee writes that Mohamed Aqil Azmi from Shah Alam and Zad Chin Qi Qi from Ipoh are the first Malaysians to be accepted into the prestigious school since 2017—the two were part of the 1,980 incoming students that made the cut out of 40,428 applicants for the university’s class of 2024. Following the news, Chin told Malay Mail that she hopes her achievement will be able to inspire other Malaysians to be fearless in chasing their dreams. As of 2020, there are currently less than 10 Malaysian Harvard alumni.
Hope for the Hainan gibbons

Thanks to decades of steady conservation work, the critically-endangered Hainan gibbons of Hainan Islands have the chance of a brighter future. Found only off the coast of the Chinese island, the world’s most engendered primate population saw their number dwindle to only ten individuals in 1970. But a conservation project started in 2003 has helped the primate make progress, resulting in an increase in their population to 30 today.
A senior conservation officer told SCMP that there has been increased support and awareness from local communities as of late and the current goal is to expand the gibbon’s territory and increase their numbers to above 50 to ensure their continued survival and changed their status of critically endangered.’ In other news, wildlife and nature continue to thrive amidst decreased human activity—the most recent news pointing to Turkey which has seen improved air quality and roaming animals since lockdown.
Costa Rica celebrates first same-sex marriages

Reuters
Despite social distancing difficulties, Marco Castillo and his boyfriend, Rodrigo Campos was married on Tuesday morning at the registry office in the capital San Jose, reports Reuters. Their marriage follows a slew of ceremonies including a nationally televised marriage of a couple who tied the knot minutes after a new law in support of LGBTQ+ rights came into effect. The latter was part of a three-hour broadcast across the country to celebrate marriage equality.
Costa Rica is the first in Central America to allow same-sex marriages. Kissing through face masks for the cameras, the newlyweds were joined by a judge, relatives and hundreds of online witnesses during their happy event in a show of support and solidarity towards the fight for  rights.
Twitter CEO makes massive donation

I’m moving $1B of my Square equity (~28% of my wealth) to #startsmall LLC to fund global COVID-19 relief. After we disarm this pandemic, the focus will shift to girl’s health and education, and UBI. It will operate transparently, all flows tracked here: https://t.co/hVkUczDQmz
— jack (@jack) April 7, 2020

Jack Dorsey, CEO and co-founder of Twitter, contributed an estimated RM371 million of his personal fortune for COVID-19 relief efforts to help underprivileged communities, last Friday. This comes as part of the RM4.36 billion fund he pledged to donate a month ago to help start an initiative called Start Small, which is focused on helping those especially at risk during the global health crisis. According to CNBC, he will also be donating RM21.83 million to former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang’s Humanity Forward campaign, which aims to achieve a Universal Basic Income of RM4,365 monthly for all Americans.

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Fashion
Lottie Moss unveiled as the new face of Bulgari
Whole lot of Lottie

16.12.2016
By Buro247

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Having a supermodel as an older sister (you guessed it right; it’s Kate) does not seem to be a challenge for Lottie Moss. She may only be 18 but the blonde-haired beauty has already been modeling professionally for the past two years, becoming the latest It-girl in the fashion scene. Most recently, the teenager has landed a gig with Bulgari, becoming the face of the luxury jewellery brand’s signature accessories lines; Bulgari Bulgari and Serpenti.
“I remember seeing Bulgari’s beautiful ads when I was growing up, sometimes in magazines and sometimes just walking down the street. It’s an incredible feeling to actually become part of the Bulgari family and be able to appreciate what they create firsthand, the craftsmanship is especially amazing” enthused Lottie. “I’ve loved everything I shot with in the campaign so far, especially the Serpenti collection, and I look forward to growing alongside the brand!”
Donning a metallic dress with her hair slicked back, Lottie is seen in the stunning image with the limited edition Serpentissima bag from the brand’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection. The ultra-exclusive carrier is one of the highlights of the new collection, showcasing impeccable leatherwork and gemstone artisanship. Shot in the park of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei Villa Farnesina in Rome by New York-based photographer, Michael Avedon, Lottie is also captured sitting in a lemon garden with a ‘Serpenti Forever’ featuring the ‘Serpentage’ print placed beautifully in her hand.

Her role of ambassador does not segue into an ad campaign but with Lottie’s strings of modelling gigs (she has fronted ads for Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Adidas Originals, among others), so expect to see more of this budding model in 2017.

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Bulgari unveils two news stores in Malaysia
Buro 24/7 Exclusive: An interview with Lily Aldridge for Bulgari

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