Trending now: Feather glamour

Watches
Trending now: Feather glamour
Flying high

06.10.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

Corum Artisans Feather Watches
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A tribute to a model of the 1970s, Corum’s Heritage collection include the Feather watches that come in a 39mm case with new dials made from individually-positioned peacock and blue jay feathers. The feathers are sorted and chosen for their stability and finesse, before being cleaned, steam-stabilized and re-cut by hand. Apart from 126 diamonds totalling to 0.71 carats framing the feathers, the timepieces beat with an automatic Corum CO 110 movement that oscillates at the frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a 42-hour power reserve.

Chanel Mademoiselle Privé Coromandel

Set in 18k gold with snow set diamonds, the motifs from the Mademoiselle Privé watch’s screens are reproduced in an onyx miniature on dials that feature a bird made in coral, turquoise, coraline and lapis lazuli, ready to take flight. The ancient jewellery technique known as the glyptic is the art of sculpting semi-precious stones in intaglio and relief—which gives the watch dials a stunning depth and realism.

Breguet Rêve de Plume

Inspired by Marie Antoinette’s penchant of letter writing, Breguet’s Rêve de Plume includes a sculpted diamond feather reminiscent of a quill pen, made from baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds. With a white mother-of-pearl dial and diamond-set bezel and flange, this timepiece is powered by a self-winding calibre 586 with a silicon balance-spring, and is available with a folding-clasp satin strap.

Harry Winston Midnight Feathers Automatic 42mm

Harry Winston’s Midnight Feathers Automatic 42mm is a visually arresting piece that has a dial resembling a perfect piece of natural wood, but is actually made from a marquetry of brown and black goose feathers, carefully scrutinised and then placed with precision for an alternating play on colours. A highlight is the clear sapphire caseback, drawing attention to the automatic HW2008 movement and the skeleton Harry Winston rotor.

Bulgari Il Giardino Tropicale

Bulgari’s nature inspired piece includes a dial in two options: pink mother-of-pearl set with 61 diamonds, or paved with 226 snow-set diamonds. The tropical jungle foreground is traced on gold using champlevé engraving, with strokes of miniature painting that trim the parrot motif. This high jewellery timepiece has a self-winding BVL Calibre 236 movement with tourbillon mounted on a sapphire crystal bridge, a circular graining and Côtes de Genève motif.

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Beauty
Fresh’s Lev Glazman on the brand’s first ever Beauty Kitchen in KL and what he can’t travel without

22.06.2019
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

You can’t talk about sensorial beauty products without mentioning Fresh. The 28-year old beauty brand is most recognised for incorporating natural ingredients (that you can find in your kitchen) in its products, from soy and sugar to vitamin C and kombucha. Combining age-old rituals with modern science, all its offerings are tailored for a one-of-a-kind, invigorating experience.
This week, Fresh collaborates with Sephora Malaysia to bring its Insta-worthy Beauty Kitchen to our shores. Expect an interactive, bistro-like setting to take you on a journey to explore the best of its skincare products, from the ingredients that formulate each bestseller to workshops for you to discover the secrets behind healthy—and happy—skin.
In conjunction with Fresh Beauty Kitchen’s official launch in Suria KLCC yesterday, co-founder Lev Glazman shared his two cents on what we can expect from this pop-up along with his beauty philosophy, current skincare staples and more:
What are you most excited for when it comes to Fresh’s Beauty Kitchen in Malaysia?
“I’m excited for the fact that there are so many more people embracing the brand now. To us, customers always come first. There’s a lot of excitement about the brand, and I can’t wait to share what the brand is all about.”
“It’s not about talking about one product and having this long speech about the technology of the ingredients (because we have so many different products). It’s really what we’re about and why we started doing what we’re doing. It gives me a better opportunity to share this with a bigger audience. People are curious about who we are so I’m excited about that.”
Fresh is opening its first ever flagship store in Malaysia—congratulations! What can locals expect from this space?
“When we opened Fresh back in 1991, Alina [co-founder of Fresh] and I were both retailers—we started with a store. We love the store concept because you have the opportunity to express the spirit of the brand. You’re not limited by being in another store and only having a couple of shelves. You can truly tell the story in a better way and to create a theatre to bring your products to life.”
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to bring every product we’ve made to Malaysia. We have a lot of customers here who travel around the world and when they see our stores in New York City and Los Angeles, they want the products that are not necessarily available in Sephora Malaysia.”
“Fresh is a lifestyle brand so it enhances the story further. [With the store] we can talk about all of it, from Crème Ancienne to Black Tea Serum, which we don’t have available in Sephora here because there’s no room.”

What are some of the top Fresh products you’d recommend to a new beauty user?
“My greatest belief is that great skin starts with clean skin. The mantra is that you cleanse, mask, moisturise. Masking is a huge part of my beauty ritual. Great skin starts with clean skin so when I formulated the Soy Face Cleanser back in 1998, I wanted to launch a cleanser that’s universal and multifunctional to remove makeup effectively. The formula does not have soap, as that strips the skin’s natural nutrients. Hence, it’s our number one product right now.”
“Masking is very important because it infuses the skin with different ingredients. It doesn’t have to absorb in the same way as a cream does, but masking helps cocoon your skin with the most incredible ingredients. Our Rose Face Mask is a big deal and our Kombucha Black Tea Facial Treatment Essence is very popular as well—it gives you a dual-defence approach from pollution. It’s my favourite.”
READ: 5 Skincare goodies for that ‘new year, new me’ look
What is your favourite mask now from Fresh?
“I’m a maskaholic. I multimask all the time. Whenever I come home, I’d mix the Rose Face Mask with the Umbrian Clay Pore Purifying Face Mask to detoxify the skin while hydrating it. After cleansing, I use the Rose Toner and then apply the Overnight Mask (either the Rose Sleeping Mask or the Overnight Black Tea Mask).”
“I approach masks in a very democratic way. I love them all for many different reasons because they all do different things. For me, it’s hard to find a favourite. I use literally them all the time. How you mask and treat your skin in different climates also helps—you got to diversify your beauty ritual.”

What’s in your travel bag right now?
“I would never leave home without the Soy Face Cleanser. It’s always in my beauty bag. Right now, I have my Black Tea Firming Eye Serum—I always travel with that as well. When travelling, our eyes tend to get puffy and tired so I can’t not travel without it.”
What is your beauty philosophy?
“Great skin starts with clean skin. If you use a cleanser that has soap and harsh ingredients that strip your skin from essential nutrients, you might really irritate your skin. Cleanse the skin twice a day at least—in the morning and at night.”
“Masking on the daily helps, and obviously moisturising and following the steps after that—serums and essences—are extremely important. I do like layering it to a certain degree because every product absorbs differently. You start with things that have absorb rapidly, then finish with something richer to let it seep into the skin.”
“If I don’t have creams in my possession, I’d definitely will need to have a cleanser and an essence.”

What’s the best beauty advice you’ve received that’s never really gone away?
“You have to better understand your own skin and body. Skin is the biggest organ on your body, and we sometimes only protect a small part of it. You need to look at the skin as an organ, not just a cloth that covers your body.”
“The biggest advice I got was to “listen to your own body“. You have to have the right nutrition as beauty starts from the inside. That’s a very important part that I don’t think creams alone will do the job. Eating appropriately is where it starts—my mum always used to say to me: “Your stomach is not a trash can!” and that has always resonated with me.”
READ: Fresh introduces its new Peony Brightening power players
What still keeps you excited about beauty every day?
“New discoveries. I’m very curious in nature and I always like to discover new ingredients and concepts. I always think about how can I make and bring ingredients to life and how to create an effective product. In my head I always go through a combination of ingredients and pair them together to find out what the effect is going to be. I make fragrances so I think a lot about fragrance notes and experiment with those too.”
“What gets me going is constantly dreaming. We always go with this philosophy in our company: dream, believe, achieve. That’s what keeps me going all the time. It starts with a dream and sometimes it doesn’t necessarily come to life because the reality of things can be different, but we always find a way to make dreams a reality.”
What can we look forward to next from Fresh?
“Right now I am very much infatuated with fermented ingredients. They are extremely effective and I want to incorporate more of that into some of our beauty rituals. So we’ll see more of that—more exploration of kombucha. The Kombucha Black Tea range was the biggest launch we’ve had in the history of our company.”
“I’m also dreaming about Fresh face products that will offer additional coverage—almost like a no-makeup makeup kind of look. It will be very democratic, made for every skin type. That’s long-term but I’d love to explore it for sure. It’s going to be products that come in specific textures with major benefits.”
Check out Fresh Beauty Kitchen at Centre Court, Suria KLCC from 10am – 10pm daily, from now till 30 June 2019.

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Valentino is redefining the colour pink—here’s all you need to know


Beauty
Your new solution to flawless: the new Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer
I woke up like this

30.09.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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For the majority of us, our makeup routines almost always consist of concealer then foundation—two separate products that could work to your favour with adequate blending and a less-is-more approach with application. But what if you can save on bringing along two separate items in your to-go makeup kit, with just one bottle that will provide sufficient coverage?
Introducing Clinique’s new Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer SPF 19/PA++—a 2-in-1 magical combination of liquid foundation with the properties of a concealer for a flawless and weightless finish. Specially developed with Asian skin in mind, the liquid foundation is composed of titanium dioxide for UVA/UVB protection and a variety of polymers that create a lightweight cream-like texture. This also means you don’t have to worry about overly dry skin after a long day out with a full face of foundation—Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer boasts up to 12 hours of long wear.
One great feature about this liquid foundation is its angled wand tip, allowing for ideal concealer-spotting and smoothing over small to large areas on the face. “A common mistake with foundation is applying too much,” say Scott Miselnicky, Vice President of Product Development at Clinique. “This is where the unique applicator comes in handy-it controls the amount of product being applied so you don’t overdo it.”

The new Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer SPF 19/PA++, RM140, comes in six shades and is available online and at Clinique counters nationwide.

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Beauty
4 New skin saviours from Sulwhasoo Snowise for a glowing complexion
On the bright side

15.03.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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For those who are fans of Sulwhasoo’s bestselling whitening Snowise range, get excited for its new “Volume Brightening” additions that specifically target skin concerns such as dullness, discolouration and unevenness.

If you had always thought that excessive melanin production is the cause of your complexion’s dullness, here’s a fun (and useful) fact: The loss of skin elasticity also contributes to your brightening issues. As your skin loosens, it takes on a hollow effect—which explains why certain areas of your face look like it has “shadows”, thus causing complexion to lose its glow. In a nutshell, the best way to get radiant skin is to keep a balance between healthy melanin and collagen production. Here is what Sulwhasoo Snowise’s new editions claim to do in terms of skin brightening:

A light and smooth emulsion that you can use after serum, the Snowise Brightening Emulsion has active ingredients such as White Cloud Grass to prevent skin pigmentation and green tea extracts to revitalise and strengthen the skin.

Sulwhasoo’s star ingredient—ginseng—is incorporated in the formula of this Snowise Brightening Water. The Snowise Tri-White Complex has White Ginseng Saponin to prevent melanin generation, White Cloud Grass and White Ginseng Polysaccharides to minimise skin sallowness. To polish away dead skin cells, Mulberry Root extract is imbued in the watery gel-type formula.

Say goodbye to puffy eyes with Snowise Brightening Eye Serum, a gel formula that relieves the eye area with a special metal alloy applicator made of zinc, aluminum and magnesium compounds. If your eye area tends to get dryer than the rest of your face, this serum has honeysuckle flower extract for its moisturising properties, and White Cloud Grass to improve the dullness of the skin tone.

No Korean skincare range is complete without suncare. The Snowise Brightening UV Protector has SPF50+/PA++++ to protect the skin from harmful aggressors such as UV rays and fine dust. Its lightweight, creamy texture blends into the skin easily and smoothly, and is formulated with technology that prevents aggressors from sticking to your skin. Available in two shades: Soft Glow for a natural effect, and Soft Peach for a dash of pink to even your skintone.

Sulwhasoo Snowise line is available at Sulwhasoo stores and counters nationwide.

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What you need to know about the power ingredient that’s revolutionising Sulwhasoo’s Snowise line
K-beauty secrets: Tips to use your cushion compact for that dewy look

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Lifestyle
What’s up with the red balloons tied to drains in Sydney?
Just a little creepy

07.09.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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The creepy message above accompanied the red balloons that were tied to the drains in various locations across Sydney, spray-painted on the road—probably not the sight you’d want to come across when you’re walking home alone late at night. If the scene sounds like something out of a Stephen King novel, well, that’s because it kind of is…

A post shared by Syfy Australia (@syfyau) on Sep 3, 2017 at 4:16pm PDT

The red balloons are actually part of a promotional campaign for the new horror film It, an adaptation of the Stephen King book of the same name. In the novel, It/Pennywise the Dancing Clown uses balloons to lure his victims to his sewer lair. Bill Skarsgård stars as the shape-shifting killer clown in the movie, which just hit cinemas today.

After watching It, King stated his stamp of approval: “I had hopes, but I was not prepared for how good it really was. It’s something that’s different, and at the same time, it’s something that audiences are gonna relate to. They’re gonna like the characters. If you like the characters, if you care, the scares generally work. I’m sure my fans will enjoy the movie.”

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All the films you can catch at the Japanese Film Festival 2017
7 Classic horror movies to binge watch this Halloween
‘Stranger Things’ to happen in Season 2

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Art + Design
Design alert: Exciting Spanish brands on the rise
No Spain, no gain

23.09.2015
By Buro247

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Having less of a grand history is not always a bad thing, there’s more room for experimentation and less expectations—a fortunate position the Spanish are currently enjoying with a rise in international recognition for their work in contemporary furniture design. Spanish design stars like Patricia Urquiola and Jaime Hayon are blazing a trail for their compatriots with architectural projects across the globe, and furniture companies hailing from the Iberian peninsula are usurping the monopoly of familiar Italian names. Meet the brands exemplifying the country’s passionate design culture:

Plastic Fantastic: Vondom
Known for striking and surreal collections, Vondom made their mark on the outdoor furniture market by not being afraid to push the envelope. This Valencia based company had humble beginnings with a range of plant-holders in 2006, and their rapid growth since then can be attributed to collaborations with designers who share Vondom’s love for the fantastical such as Fabio Novembre, Ross Lovegrove, Javier Mariscal, and Karim Rashid among others. Vondom is also equipped with the technical know-how to bring complex designs to life, like rotation-moulding—a technique that allows for greater freedom when it comes to designing products like Karim Rashid’s Jut range, the first furniture collection made using rotation-moulding that creates straight lines.
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Vondom is available at QI International, www.quelfurniture.com.

Bright and Beautiful: Parachilna
Named quite randomly after a remote Australian town on the fringe of the outback, Parachilna is a new Barcelona based company dedicated to luxurious decorative lighting. Their first collection launched at this year’s Milan Fair, which featured the work of two Spaniards, Jordi Veciana and Jaime Hayon, and one American, Stephen Burks; three designers with vastly divergent styles. While each designer brings their own personal expression to the forms they have designed for the brand—Hayon with his sensual rounded shapes, Veciana’s minimalistic aesthetic and Burks explorations into woven wire—the common thread between them is a shared devotion for bringing contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship together in unorthodox forms.
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Parachilna is available at Linds Furniture, www.lindsfurniture.com.

Sofa so good: Sancal
Founded in the early 1970s, Sancal sofas have been something of a mainstay in Spanish design, known for their simple lines and meticulous attention to detail. Having recently celebrated their 40th anniversary by transforming their factory in Yecla with joyful large scale murals by artists like Ricardo Cavolo, Agostino Iacurci and Zosen, the furniture company also rejuvenated their catalogue, now featuring pieces celebrating their heritage with design verve and technical challenges. Sancal embraces quirkiness as readily as colour, resulting in a range of diverse shapes, volumes, and concepts that have the ability to transform the environment they are placed in. Collaborating with a mainly Spanish panel of designers, Sancal’s inhouse design and department team is equally as celebrated in this company.
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Sancal is available at Xtra Furniture, www.xtrafurniture.com.

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Beauty
Exclusive: Deepika Padukone on how Adidas’ new Yoga collection supports her practice
“Yoga is for all”

28.06.2022
By Natalie Khoo

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What do Argentinian football legend Paulo Dybala, American yoga teacher Adriene Mishler, and Indian actress Deepika Padukone have in common? For one, they are all yogis; and two, they all star in Adidas’ Yoga is For All campaign.

Launched in May in conjunction with the brand’s new Yoga Make Space collection, the campaign celebrates how athletes and partners from different sporting, cultural, and artistic backgrounds make space for yoga. While paying respect to the rich spiritual heritage and health benefits of yoga, the campaign also highlights what brings different people to the mat—regardless of their background, ability, or reason to practice.
Meanwhile, the Yoga Make Space collection is designed to support every move and pose in the yoga practice, offering a range of apparel for women, men, and kids. Inspired by the four elements of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water, the collection combines high performance with a timeless design for different yoga spaces and conditions, whether you’re practising in the studio, an outdoor space, or near a body of water. What’s more, each piece in the collection is partially made with recycled materials to support Adidas’ mission to help end plastic waste.

In an exclusive interview with BURO, Deepika Padukone—one of India’s highest-paid actresses and an avid yogi who played the role of a yoga instructor in her most recent film, Gehraiyaan—shares how she makes space for yoga and what’s her favourite piece from the new collection.

Hi Deepika! Tell us about your yoga journey—when and how did you first pick up yoga?
“I started practicing yoga with consistency about two years ago after what felt like a deep inner calling. At around the same time, I was also offered a movie where I was given the role of a yoga instructor. In short, it was an inner calling mixed with my professional requirement that eventually pushed me to look for the right instructor and get going on my yoga journey.”
What does your current yoga routine look like?
“At the moment, I try and throw in at least three yoga sessions per week.”
What do you enjoy most about yoga?
“What I enjoy most about yoga is that you can practise it in absolutely any space, in any part of the world, and for the most part you don’t even require any equipment. All you need is your body, your mind and a mat.”

Do you have a favourite yoga pose or flow?
“If I really *had* to choose one, Malasana (garland pose) would have to be my most favorite posture. It’s a hip opener that also allows me to feel centred and aligned.”
Which yoga pose did you find most challenging to get into?
“It took me a year of practice and consistency to be able to get into the Shirshasana (headstand) posture without any help or support. Now, apart from Malasana it is my most favourite yoga posture.”
[READ: 8 Easy yoga poses you can do for great health benefits]
What has yoga taught you about yourself and about life?
“Yoga has taught me that with patience and consistency, anything is possible.”

How do you feel about partnering with adidas for its SS22 yoga campaign?
“Partnering with adidas on the SS22 yoga campaign feels absolutely authentic because it’s come about at a time when yoga is and will continue to be a significant part of my life.”
How does the Yoga Make Space Collection support your yoga practice?
“As I often practice yoga in a variety of spaces, it’s great to have a collection that suits various environmental conditions while also complimenting the breadth of various yoga practices. For example, when I am in the studio, I find the Yoga 4 Elements Onesie the most ideal. The small intricate details across the entire range truly help me flow and stay focused on my practice.”

Shop the adidas Yoga Make Space Collection now on the adidas website, in stores, and via the adidas app.
Find more stories and interviews on yoga here.

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Why and how you should join Earth 2020

Lifestyle
Why and how you should join Earth 2020

25.03.2020
By Kelly Lim

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As the largest global movement in defence of our planet, Earth Hour has been bringing people together since 2007 to show their commitment to saving the environment we live in. It paved the way for the groundbreaking Paris climate agreement and has become a worldwide symbol of environmental awareness, consciousness and participation.
Last year, a total of 188 countries took part while major city landmarks from the Eiffel Tower to our very own Petronas Twin Towers went dark for an hour. Online, more than 2 billion impressions lit up through hashtags like #EarthHour and #Connect2Earth as people around the world voiced their concerns and shared their support.
With the increasing loss of biodiversity and nature, the need for global action is more important than ever. While turning off your lights may not seem like much, it’s the first step in showing that we’re serious about our natural world and our future. Nature is, after all, the foundation of a healthy planet, our life support system and our most powerful ally against the ever-increasing challenge of climate change.
Earth Hour 2020 is mobilising millions to join in on the ground and online through Voice For The Planet to call for action to “safeguard nature and set it on a path towards recovery by 2030”. These signatures will later be presented at global forums like the UN General Assembly to help pledge a new deal to address the environmental decline.
There’s strength in numbers, and together we can come together to move decision-makers to implement that change. Among its past achievements, the movement has helped push a law that will ban the use of plastic bags and single-use plastics in Ecuador, initiated the planting of 20,000 mangrove seedlings in 13 Indonesian cities and created a 2,700-hectare Earth Hour forest in Uganda. So turn off your lights, light up your candles and show your support. While there’ll be events around Malaysia to participate in, here are some other things you can do during Earth Hour to make a difference – big or small.
1. Host a potluck dinner party to reduce food waste
Invite round your friends and family and enjoy each other’s company over good food and drinks in a candle-lit setting. The only rule: bring a homecooked dish made from whatever’s available in your kitchen. And make sure no leftovers are left behind.
2. Enjoy nature
What better way to join Earth Hour than celebrate Planet Earth itself? It’s also a good way to get off the nonstop buzz of social media and just enjoy being in the present. Step out for a nature walk and relish in the natural environment. For those with canine companions, think of it as an added bonding session.
3. Pamper yourself with a sustainable home spa
Take care of the planet and yourself by setting up your very own home spa experience. Light up a consciously-crafted candle, play some relaxing tunes and put on an eco-friendly face mask. Don’t know where to start? Here are some green beauty brands to kickstart your treatment. Finish off with a spritz of rosewater for that extra glow when the lights come back on.
4. Meditate
Turn off all devices that require electricity (yes, even your iPhone) and find inner peace in the quiet. Put on some aromatherapy, get into a comfortable seated position and empty your mind. You’ll find yourself refreshed and ready to take on the world on the other side of the hour.
5. Indulge in homemade skinfood
Nourish your skin with DIY remedies provided by Mother Nature. Good enough to eat, the ingredients are easy to find and easier to make! Zero chemicals involved here. These are active ingredients for your skin in their purest form so you can thank your body for working hard.
6. Host a conversation-inducing game night
Gather a few friends for some good old fashioned games and conversation over candles. You know, what we used to do back in the day before the textspeak, GIFs and emojis? Connect with one another by breaking out the scrabble and cards or try this word-matching game that celebrates our Malaysian-ness!
7. Sweat it out in the dark
With the AC off, make use of the warm weather and break out a sweat with a “hot yoga” routine. After all, it’s been scientifically proven that yoga helps to lower stress levels, increase flexibility and improve your overall mood. So get those poses going in the comfort of your home and prepare yourself for some quality slumber afterwards.
For more information on Earth Hour, visit the website.

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Why Apple chose these new Apple Watch Faces for the upcoming watchOS 9


Technology
Tick Tock Tech Talk: A review of the Apple Watch Series 5 in 60 seconds

12.03.2020
By Rachel Au

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There was a time when I didn’t think I needed a smartwatch. For someone who has been working in digital her whole life, I’m ironically a traditionalist when it comes to certain aspects. Example #1: I still love jotting down things in my notebooks. Example #2: I still use post-its for my to-do lists. Example #3: I still prefer reading physical copies of books versus e-books. That being said, the idea of the latter is slowly starting to warm up to me, especially since I don’t have to buy a Kindle when the iPhone has Apple Books. Also, I love my iPad Air for planning trips, drawing (or at least attempting to), and more. So, in a way, I’m conforming and the right gadgets make it way too easy. Case in point: The Apple Watch.
My first Apple Watch was the Series 2 version, which worked well enough. I get notifications on my wrist without needing to look at my phone. I could check the time, my heart rate and weather, among other things. And ideally, it was meant to encourage users to live a healthier lifestyle. At the beginning, I was resistant with its “gentle reminders” to stand up, take a walk or breathe (who are you to tell me what to do?!). But I soon warmed up to it and closing my Activity Rings now feel like a real achievement, while on days I don’t, it makes me feel shame. Just recently, I actually went out, after coming home from dinner, for a 20-minute walk just so I could be “awarded” the special IWD badge.

apple watch series 5 always on
I have the Apple Watch Series 5 to thank for that. Series 2 was a great entry-level but Apple has definitely upgraded its smartwatch to the highest capacity (so far). Together with watchOS6 and the Cellular variant, it now satisfies a lot of my everyday needs. The new Always-On feature is handy as I don’t have to obviously turn my wrist for a quick time check. Despite that and the OLED screen, the battery life isn’t compromised and works till the end of the day.
Also new: The Noise app. A feature you’d think you have no need for until you have it. It’s a good indicator (and reminder) to take care of your hearing health. Over Chinese New Year, I was at a restaurant that was blasting music so loud that my ears hurt. My Apple Watch thought so too.  Performance-wise, it’s sensitive to touch and the animations move ever so fluidly. To be honest, after a while my Apple Watch Series 2 was a little laggy although this was improved Series 3 onwards.

apple watch series 5 malaysia
Overall, the Apple Watch Series 5 is a joy but if you’re currently using Series 3 or 4, it might not be a neccessity to upgrade, even if the new features are a delight. Considering this is the first model in the country with the Cellular variant, it’s true that it’s overall a much more convenient option. I went for my IWD walk without my iPhone and it was great to feel “freed” (and not worry about someone coming at me on a motorbike to snatch my smartphone). I still received messages and calls during that walk. Lifechanger? For me, it is.
 TIPS & TRICKS

Customising your watch face with the complications that matter most. My personal choice: the Infograph that lets you fit basically 9 complications. Just give the screen a hard press and scroll through every section until you find what you need.

Since the App Store is now on your wrist, you can also download more apps to fit your lifestyle. If you’re a frequent traveller, the XE currency is great for quick conversions. There’s also Water Minder to keep track of your liquid intake.

Control your iPhone’s camera from your Apple Watch. Just open the Camera app on the watch and prop your phone to whatever composition you desire. Hard press for more camera options, such as switching it to Selfie mode

Misplaced your iPhone? Simply ping it by swiping up on the menu. Hard press this icon to enable flash for better visibility.

The Apple Watch Series 5 retails from RM1,749 and is available online and at authorised Apple resellers in Malaysia.

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Lifestyle
#RoadToRio: 5 Olympics 2016 news Malaysians should know
The flame is on

05.05.2016
By Rachel Au

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We are officially three months (or 93 days, to be specific, and according to the clock on the official website) away from the Olympic Games and the Internet is overloaded with its news. But here’s what you should really know that’s relevant about the team you’re rooting for: #TeamMalaysia.

1. Which Malaysian athletes have secured a spot (so far)

The tally so far is 14 local athletes in eight sports but until July comes, there’s still time for this number to increase. Here’s the list of who is going to Rio: Khairul Anuar Mohamad (archery), Pandelela Rinong, Wendy Ng Yan Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Ooi Tze Liang (diving), Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa (track cycling), Welson Sim (swimming), Johnathan Wong Guangjie (shooting), Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy and Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif (sailing), Nauraj Singh Randhawa (athletics), and a yet-to-be-selected member from the national weightlifting team.
Update: The tally now is 22 Malaysian athletes in nine sports after it was just revealed that we’ll be represented in all five badminton events with eight shuttlers: Lee Chong Wei (men’s singles), Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (men’s doubles), Tee Jing Yi (women’s singles), Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei (women’s doubles) and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles).

2. The first time…

While Malaysia may be at risk of sending the smallest contingent to Olympics in 18 years—there were 29 athletes competing in nine sports at the London Olympics in 2012—we are seeing a couple of firsts this year. Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif, who is also the reigning SEA Games champion, will be the first Malaysian female sailor to compete in the Olympics and incidentally, making it Malaysia’s first time sending two sailors to the Games. On the other hand, Welson Sim is the first Malaysian swimmer to qualify for the Olympics under category A while Johnathan Wong is the first Malaysian shooter to qualify in his category.
Update: It’s the also the first time that Malaysia will be playing in all five events for badminton at the Olympic Games.

3. A Malaysian referee was selected to officiate at Rio Olympics

Sometimes referees don’t get as much recognition as they should but Malaysia’s Rita Ghani deserves a shoutout after being selected as one of two women referees from Asia—the other being North Korea’s Ri Hyang-ok—to officiate at the Olympic football tournament come August. It should also be mentioned that she was the first woman official to represent Malaysia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada last year.

4. Yuna is one of the five artists to sing the Olympics song

US-based Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna is on a roll as she recently revealed that she, along with Grammy winner Lenny Kravitz from the US, Diogo Nogueira from Brazil, Nneka from Nigeria and Corrine Bailey Rae from the UK, was chosen to record the 2016 Olympics promotional song, ‘The Fire’ which was originally performed by The Roots and John Legend. The question is: Does that mean she’ll be performing at the opening ceremony come 4 August?

5. The Olympic torch/flame has landed in Brazil

Besides being one of the most notable symbols of the Olympic Games, the arrival of the Olympic torch and the event of lighting it also marks the official countdown to the Games; and a 95-day relay through more than 300 towns and cities in Brazil with some 12,000 torch bearers—each covering around 200 metres in distance—passing the approximately 1.5kg Rio 2016 torch from one to the other. The first torch bearer was Fabiana Claudino, who led Brazil’s female volleyball team to a gold medal twice. The torch’s journey will end with the opening ceremony of the Games on 5 August in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracaná stadium.

The Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be held from 5 to 21 August 2016.

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Watches
Merry times: Baume & Mercier Holiday collection
Gifts for him and her

29.10.2015
By Su Fen Tan

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RECOMMENDED

The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

For him, the Clifton 10058

A definite wardrobe staple, Clifton is the perfect balance between classicism and modernity. This model in 18K polished red gold with a satin finish features an exquisite 39mm double bezel case, a form reminiscent of a Baume & Mercier timepiece from the 1950’s. Powered by a Swiss-made automatic, mechanical calibre, this timepiece comes with a sun satin-finished dial in silver hues mounted upon a handsome alligator strap.

For her, the Promesse 10262

A lovely blend of gentle elegance and timeless chic, the Promesse is inspired by the best of 1970’s design. Driven by a Swiss quartz movement, the 34mm rounded case is made of polished stainless steel, complemented by an oval bezel enhanced with iridescent hues of natural white mother-of-pearl. A versatile day to night companion, the beautiful silver-coloured dial bears a “drapé guilloche” decor with Roman numerals and eight diamond indexes.

For him, the Classima 10219

Stylish and timeless, the Classima is a true testament to the Baume & Mercier motto: “Accept only perfection. Only manufacture watches of the highest quality”. This elegant moon phase watch houses a Swiss quartz movement in the 40mm round case crafted with polished stainless steel. The sober white dial showcases a discreet date window at 6 o’clock and a central display of the moon phases appearing through a unique stylised opening in the shape of a crescent moon.

For her, the Promesse 10183

Let the Promesse 10183 seal your precious moments with its beautifully balanced two-toned aesthetic. A watch with a timeless allure, an oval bezel is embedded in the 30mm round case, and coupled with a polished/satin-finished bracelet, intertwining steel and red gold-capped steel seamlessly. She is sure to marvel at the traditional mechanical self-winding movement visible through the transparent case-back, too.

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Buro Loves
Beauty crush: All of Billie Eilish’s best manicures to date

18.12.2020
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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Food + Drink
The World’s Best Restaurant for 2017 has been revealed
Make your reservations

06.04.2017
By Rachel Au

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There’s no need to argue and there’s no need to contemplate on where is the No. 1 restaurant in the world—although everyone is entitled to their own opinion—as The World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards has just unveiled its 2017 ranking list and claiming the top spot is Eleven Madison Park in New York.

A post shared by Food Photographer (@danielkrieger) on Apr 5, 2017 at 4:10pm PDT

Their charm? An enhanced fine dining experience with a sense of fun, blurring the line between the kitchen and dining room. Their inspiration for the multi-course seasonal tasting? The city’s rich history and culinary traditions. Housed in an art deco building that overlooks New York’s Madison Park, it is the brainchild of Will Guidara and Swiss-born chef Daniel Humm.

A post shared by t_wolfgang (@t_wolfgang) on Apr 5, 2017 at 10:24pm PDT

Eleven Madison Park’s win doesn’t come as much of a surprise as it has slowly been making its way up the list since it debuted at No. 50 in 2010 and rose to No. 3 just last year. It additionally earned the title of The Best Restaurant in North America.

Seven of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants are in Asia. Gaggan in Bangkok is at No. 7 but in the whole continent of Asia, it is at No. 1 for the third year running. The rest are: Singapore’s Restaurant André (No. 14), Tokyo’s Narisawa (No.18), Hong Kong’s Amber (No.24), Bangkok’s Nahm (No.28) and Shanghai’s Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (No.41). And Den in Tokyo which snagged 2016’s Miele One To Watch Award.

A post shared by Robert Hah (@robert_yfh) on Sep 27, 2016 at 9:16am PDT

The winner of The World’s Best Restaurant 2016 was Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy which dropped to No. 2 this year but retained its title as The Best Restaurant in Europe. Here’s the rest of the winners list:
Best Female Chef: Ana Roš (Hiša Franko, Slovenia)
Best Pastry Chef: Dominique Ansel (Dominique Ansel Bakery, NYC)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Heston Blumenthal (The Fat Duck, UK)
One to Watch: Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain)
Sustainable Restaurant Award: Septime (Paris)
Chef’s Choice Award: Virgilio Martinez (Central, Lima)
Art of Hospitality Award: El Celler de Can Roca (Girona, Spain)

World’s 50 Best Restaurants:
1. Eleven Madison Park (New York City), Chef Daniel Humm
2. Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy), Chef Massimo Bottura
3. El Celler de Can Roca (Girona, Spain), Chef Joan Roca
4. Mirazur (Menton, France), Chef Mauro Colagreco
5. Central (Lima), Chef Virgilio Martinez, Pia Leon
6. Asador Etxebarri (Axpe, Spain)
7. Gaggan (Bangkok)
8. Maido (Lima)
9. Mugaritz (Errenteria, Spain)
10. Steirereck (Vienna, Austria)
11. Blue Hill at Stone Barns (Pocantico Hills, New York)
12. L’Arpège (Paris)
13. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée (Paris)
14. Restaurant Andre (Singapore)
15. Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy)
16. D.O.M. (São Paulo)
17. Le Bernardin (New York City)
18. Narisawa (Tokyo)
19. Geranium (Copenhagen)
20. Pujol (Mexico City)
21. Alinea (Chicago)
22. Quintonil (Mexico City)
23. White Rabbit (Moscow)
24. Amber (Hong Kong)
25. Tickets (Barcelona)
26. The Clove Club (London)
27. The Ledbury (London)
28. Nahm (Bangkok)
29. Le Calandre (Rubano, Italy)
30. Arzak (San Sebastian, Spain)
31. Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen (Paris)
32. Attica (Melbourne)
33. Astrid y Gastón (Lima)
34. De Librije (Zwolle, Netherlands)
35. Septime (Paris)
36. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (London)
37. Saison (San Francisco)
38. Azurmendi (Larrabetzu, Spain)
39. Relae (Copenhagen)
40. Cosme (New York City)
41. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (Shanghai)
42. Boragó (Santiago, Chile)
43. Reale (Castel Di Sangro, Italy)
44. Brae (Birregurra, Australia)
45. Den (Tokyo)
46. L’Astrance (Paris)
47. Vendôme (Cologne, Germany)
48. Restaurant Tim Raue (Berlin)
49. Tegui (Buenos Aires)
50. Hof Van Cleve (Kruishoutem, Belgium)

Wait, so how are the votes decided and who are the voters for this list? Now in its 15th year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is created from the votes of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy which features an influential group of over 1,000 international leaders in the culinary community – food writers, critics, chefs, restauranteurs and highly regarded ‘gastronomes’. You can  find out more about them on their website.

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This restaurant won the ‘Miele One to Watch’ award 2017 by World’s 50 Best Restaurants

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Fashion
#BuroTurnsTwo Giveaway: Do you think you’re too cool for school?
Cheers to you, Class of '17!

14.07.2017
By Alyssa Lee

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They say, time flies when you’re having fun; if so, our second year at Buro 24/7 Malaysia has zoomed past on a bullet train. #BuroTurnsTwo in four days and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate how far we’ve come and all the amazing people whom we’ve met along the way—the “Class of ’17.”

School may be a distant memory for most but the learning never stops. We’re turning back the clock to reminisce on the good ol’ days. For a trip down memory lane, we have got your back and your backpack along with a few other stylish “Back-To-School” must-haves in this special #BuroTurnsTwo edition of our giveaway!

Here’s what you could win:

ONE.
A Bao Bao Issey Miyake Daypack

Monday to Friday, tote this around as snazzy storage for all your scholarly needs but as soon as you hear the weekend calling, toss those books out and fill this roomy nylon backpack with everything you need to let your hair down.

TWO.
A pair of Dior Origins sunglasses
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”buroturnstwogiveaway-dior” rid=”5256″ order=”a_tstamp”}
So you had a “rough weekend” with your Bao Bao in tow? Hide the evidence and redirect attention with a pair of swanky Dior Origins shades. Puffy eyes shall find rest behind the round metal-rimmed pair while the ironically labelled Clubmaster variant could be your go-to as you atone for a multitude of sins.

THREE.
A duo of Swarovski Crystalline Stardust rollerball pens
Fine penmanship deserves a stylish instrument to flaunt it with. Clutch a sparkling gold- or chrome-plated Swarovski pen between your digits and dazzle those around you with smooth, smudge-free writing or distract with the 1,000 over clear crystals that sit in the barrel of that pen.

FOUR.
Exclusive Buro 24/7 Malaysia “Back-to-School” merchandise
This includes a set of pencils, a Buro bottle, and a specially designed notebook that will evoke a wave of nostalgia.

#BuroGiveaway

Hands up, all of you who think that school is cool! We are selecting two winners this time. Each will receive a Bao Bao Issey Miyake Daypack, one pair of Dior Origins sunglasses, two Swarovski pens and a set of  Buro 24/7 Malaysia merch.

All you have to do is:
1. Like our Buro 24/7 Malaysia Facebook Page (if you haven’t already)
2. Like the giveaway post on Facebook
3. Share the giveaway post on Facebook with the hashtag #BuroTurnsTwo and tag two friends (be sure your share settings are on “Public”)
4. Provide us with your contact details in the form below and tell us your craziest school story in no more than 40 words:

The contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winners Gary Hor and Amirah Azmi.

*Terms & conditions:
– This giveaway ends at 11:59pm, GMT+8, 30 July  2017. The winners will be announced on 2 August 2017.
– The winners of this giveaway will be notified via email.
– All steps and information must be completed to qualify for this giveaway.
– Inability to contact the winners by 4 August 2017 will result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner.
– This giveaway is only open to residents in the Klang Valley.
– Prize is final; no cash equivalent or alternative prize will be given. Prize is non-transferable, non-exchangeable and strictly not for resale. If the winner is found to be selling the prize(s), Buro 24/7 Malaysia reserves the right to demand for the return of the prize.
– Buro 24/7 Malaysia will not entertain any complaints on the quality and quantity of the prizes after the prize is in the possession of the winners.
– Buro 24/7 Malaysia shall not be liable for any loss, including but not limited to direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage, personal injury or death which is suffered or sustained (whether or not arising from any person’s negligence) in connection with participation in this competition or accepting or utilizing a prize.

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Motoring
BURO Driving School: Is Malaysia ready for electric vehicles?

21.06.2021
By Natalie Khoo

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Electric vehicles (EVs) have been the buzz in the automotive industry for several years now, both locally and worldwide. While the alarming rate of global warming and climate change has no doubt escalated the adoption of EVs, the billion-dollar question remains: is Malaysia ready to cater to electric vehicles?
By now, Malaysians may be well aware of the environmental benefits that come with driving an EV, but it still wouldn’t make a practical purchase if charging stations are few and far between, especially for long-distance trips (notwithstanding current travel restrictions). Plus, even if EVs are more economical in the long run, they often come at a higher initial cost than internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrains.
BURO speaks to Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia—a key industry player in the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicle (BEVs) segments—for more insights on where Malaysia stands in the race to EV today.
Charging towards better infrastructure

The new BMW iX
The subject of EV infrastructure is often seen as a chicken or egg dilemma: Which comes first, the cars or the charging stations? But the success of BMW Group Malaysia’s portfolio of EVs thus far—which includes the plug-in BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series. BMW X5 and Mini Cooper SE, as well as the Mini Electric—goes to show that both brand and consumer are already geared up to make the switch.
According to De Visser, the Group delivered 2,200 units of electrified BMW and Mini vehicles nationwide, accounting for 22 per cent of its total sales in Malaysia last year. As for Year to Date 2021, over 680 new BMW and Mini Electrified Vehicles have been delivered, representing more than 21 per cent of its total sales.
PHEVs are the more popular pick over fully electric vehicles or BEVs, likely due to flexibility and range anxiety. Nonetheless, their popularity is a promising indicator of electromobility adoption. It follows that infrastructure is the next (simultaneously speaking) critical step to rev the adoption rate.
“BMW Group Malaysia is committed to expediting this process and has partnered with numerous key industry players such as GreenTech Malaysia to introduce the ChargeNow service under the ChargEV network, which consists of over 300 charging stations and counting,” says De Visser.
“To date, we have also introduced over 70 BMW iCharging facilities nationwide. We have also collaborated with retail industries and hospitality sectors nationwide to expand charging facilities nationwide.”
Other companies such as EV Connection Sdn Bhd (EVC), Porsche and Shell have also announced plans to ramp up EV charging networks in the country. At present, there are more than 500 AC (alternating current) charging stations and five DC (rapid charging) stations in Malaysia, with an additional 10 of the latter expected to be installed this year to address range anxiety.

ChargEV charging station. (Photo: ChargEV)
Challenges to adoption
Aside from the need for more charging points and overall industry support, De Visser says that EV policy is a strong factor in the adoption of EVs in Malaysia. However, he thinks current policies are more skewed towards PHEVs and not BEVs.
“With less inclination or need for users to charge their BEVs, the high presence of PHEVs would make the push towards the development of an essential public charging network that bit slower,” he said.
The government’s National Automotive Policy (NAP 2020) was expected to address this—detailing roadmaps, blueprints, and incentives to support the EV revolution. Instead, the ten-year plan has been widely criticised for its lack of definition, causing the nation to lag behind other ASEAN countries including Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore, especially with regards to EV incentives for automakers and investors.
There has since been news of a revised EV policy to be announced in July, according to Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) CEO Datuk Madani Sahari. If approved, EV adopters stand to enjoy a “handsome level” of tax exemption.
“Currently, we are implementing customised incentives, depending on your economic benefits. But under the new EV accelerated policy, there are fixed incentives. One part of these fixed incentives is related to the excise duty, import duty and sales tax, in terms of what users and the industry is going to enjoy,” Datuk Madani revealed in a webinar session titled A New Start for EV In Malaysia last month.
“On top of that, if you are bringing into Malaysia something extraordinary, we are willing to consider (an) even higher level of incentives, one that will be customised exactly to the level that you are bringing into the country,” he said.

JomCharge is a mobile app connecting drivers to nearby charging stations to combat range anxiety.
Riding the current
There’s no sugarcoating it: Malaysia is still a long way from the mass adoption of fully electric vehicles. Nevertheless, the qualifications are met and we’re still in the race—how far we go and how fast we get there will largely depend on this upcoming EV policy and the collective initiatives of key stakeholders.
As De Visser puts it: “We believe that Malaysia has a great potential for electric cars and to turn this potential into actual progress, there needs to be a shared sense of responsibility between various stakeholders.”
“We are optimistic that the Malaysian automotive industry is once again at the forefront of this change with the Malaysian government on the brink of announcing an enhanced blueprint, an accelerated policy for Electric Vehicles which addresses policy, infrastructure, innovation and the value chain as a whole which would further grow the industry,” he adds.
Do you have more burning questions about cars or driving tips and tricks? DM us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected].
For more automotive insights, head over here.

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Beauty
Bulgari’s new fragrance is made for the daring, feminine girl who loves her pink
Dare to be you

02.04.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Bulgari launches a new fragrance that speaks out to the daring, bold women who love nothing more than a scent to express themselves. The new Omnia Pink Sapphire was inspired by its namesake — the pink, precious gemstone that is multi-faceted and bright. Master perfumer Alberto Morillas intended for this sparkling fragrance to represent all things festive and exuberance, as a reminder to embrace the unknown fearlessly. “It is the fragrance of dream and escape,” he says.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] Bulgari Omnia Pink Sapphire” rid=”6098″ order=”a_tstamp”}
A whimsical scent that’s a far cry from its predecessors, the Omnia Pink Sapphire is made of bouquet of vibrant notes that are joyful as they are exotic. The fragrance opens with sparkling pink pomelo and pink pepper notes, a fresh yet zesty combination that packs a punch with spicy, floral and citrus aromas, while a floral heart made of velvety frangipani and wild tiara flower whisks us away to an island vacation in Tahiti and Polynesia. The essence of these exotic blooms has been captured via a technique known as “Headspace“, the art of absorbing the flower’s fragrance using a neutral gas while leaving the flower intact — a unique process that allows the perfumer to reconstruct the scent from other raw materials. Lastly, a musky, heady finish is the perfect dry down to the Omnia Pink Sapphire, with elegant white musks and vibrant wood that lend a slightly powdery base.
Below, watch Bulgari Omnia Pink Sapphire’s three daring ambassadors embody the fragrance’s spirit in the new film campaign:

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Fashion
#BuroRoadTrip: Best spots in Penang to take your #OOTD at
Eat, sleep, pose

23.09.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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While embarking on our first #BuroRoadTrip in Penang earlier this month, we explored all that the quaint island could offer the best way possible—scouting for drool-worthy local eats and intriguing murals along the streets by foot (at times in an entourage of cars too, obviously). At the same time, we realised that a handful of these spots could very well serve as excellent #OOTD locations, especially since we were decked in our best summer-lovin’ ensembles. Penang Island offers far more than quaint alleyways and stained walls, and if you ever find yourself trawling the Pearl of the Orient for a getaway soon, be sure to drop by these potential “photowalls” after you soak up the culture and rich history of the heritage sites scattered across town. Amongst our favourites include the stunning backdrop featuring the straits at the open parking area of Penang Bowl, and the intricate 19th century inspired details within the walls of Seven Terraces.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Buro Road Trip – Penang OOTD” rid=”4439″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Fashion
9 Visionary East Asian fashion photographers to follow right now
Asia rising

03.06.2023
By Buro Malaysia

Featured images: @lesliezhang1992/Instagram

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Who are the East Asian talent behind some of fashion’s most exciting editorials, campaigns and projects? Ahead, we shine a spotlight on the new generation of photographers reclaiming and changing the narrative around East Asian identities through the fashion image and beyond:

Hong Jang Hyun

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A post shared by HONGJANGHYUN STUDIO (@hongjanghyun)

With more than 20 years of experience under his belt, Hong Jang Hyun is one of the Korean photographers who contributes to the ever-present Hallyu wave. In addition to the aesthetically appealing shots of Hoyeon Jung, V of BTS and Song Hye Kyo, his recent works feature Jennie of Blackpink for her Calvin Klein capsule collection. Despite his immense success, Hong is always eager to pass on his expertise through an apprenticeship with aspiring photographers. He also runs a studio—Yong Jang Kwan Studio, which he started with his colleagues, and many of those who work there have made a name for themselves in the fashion scene.

Zhang Ahuei

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A post shared by Zhang Ahuei 張嘉輝 (@zhang_ahuei)

Leave it to Zhang Ahuei to flawlessly blend the magnificent splendour of Mother Nature with humankind in photographs. A quick glimpse at her Instagram account reveals her love for the ocean and blooming flowers, drawing attention to the emotions carried by the two separate realms. Whether the characters are in the heat of the desert or out by the sea, they will stand out to express the narrative. Beyond the flora and fauna, the Taiwanese photographer is not hesitant to execute close-up photoshoots—highlighting Oriental beauty to the rest of the world.

Zhong Lin

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A post shared by Zhong Lin (@zhonglin_)

Next on the list is Malaysia’s own Zhong Lin, a self-taught photographer whose vibrant, sensuous images hold a cinematic quality that almost feels synaesthetic. Fusing elements of nature, surrealism and different cultures, her images reflect the diverse environment she grew up in, and have been featured prominently in top fashion publications around the world as well as for campaigns. Project 365, for instance, came about when she found herself stuck in Taiwan at the beginning of the pandemic and decided to challenge herself to photograph and publish an original image on her Instagram every day for one year.

Alex Leese

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A post shared by Alexandra Leese (@alexleese)

British-Chinese photographer Alexandra Leese first broke into the industry with her Boys of Hong Kong series in 2018, which celebrated the diverse forms and beauty of Asian masculinity. Drawn to the human condition, the Hong Kong-raised talent creates images that have an anthropological sense to them, with a visual grounding that’s often stamped across identity and intimacy. Her project Me + Mine, in particular, was created over lockdown, featuring 44 nude portraits of women around the world––including Leese herself––shot via Zoom, to explore the relationship women have with their bodies.

Hanna Moon

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A post shared by Hanna Moon & A Nice Magazine✨ (@hannamoon69)

Previously assistant photographer to British photographer and filmmaker Tyrone Lebon, Hanna Moon now regularly contributes to publications from British Vogue (her first cover was with Gemma Chan) to Dazed, as well as brands such as Acne Studio, Adidas, Gucci, Supreme and Valentino. The London-based, South Korean talent’s inauguration into fashion culture was through the launch of A Nice Magazine, created by Moon for her graduation from Central Saint Martins in 2014. In 2019, she also hosted an exhibition at Somerset House with fellow photographer Joyce Ng, titled English As a Second Language to challenge ideas of beauty and style through an exploration of their respective cultures and otherness.

Luo Yang

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A post shared by Luo Yang (@luoyangggg)

Luo Yang has an eye for the imperfect beauty of her generation. Girls, her decade-long photographic exploration of women born in the ’80s, cemented her as a prominent figure in the new wave of Chinese photography through its candid showcase of the different sides, shapes and faces of modern Chinese femininity and womanhood. Her intimate portraits stand out in the way that they hold a mirror to their subjects, portraying them in their most unfiltered, authentic state. Since then, Yang has turned her lens onto male, gender-fluid and transgender adolescents in China, Hong Kong and Thailand through New Generation, a project that aims to dispel societal stereotypes and celebrate the courage and freedom to be yourself.

Cho Gi Seok

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Anyone in the know about Korea’s rising creative talents will definitely know who Cho Gi Seok is. The South Korean photographer has a keen eye for the surreal and creates otherworldly portraits that are distinct for their vibrant colours and recurring motifs of bodies, nature and technology––his work often juxtaposes the natural and artificial to explore the concept of coexistence. Whether it’s naked bodies sprouting USB cables or faces covered in orchids, there’s something quite dystopian and utopian about the creative’s images, an approach that also bleeds into his conceptual contemporary streetwear label Kusikohc.

Zeng Wu

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Since debuting in 2013, Hunan-born, Shanghai-based image-maker Zeng Wu has quickly made a name for himself as one of the most well-known experimental Chinese contemporary fashion photographers. A regular collaborator with top Chinese fashion publications, Wu’s images are a combination of sharp portraiture and raw shots, presented through a futuristic, slightly surrealist aesthetic and saturated hues that make us reflect on fashion’s artistic paradigm.

Leslie Zhang

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Considered by many a leading figure of his generation, Leslie Zhang is best recognised for his bold yet romantic portrayal of contemporary Chinese culture. The Chinese talent found his niche in the fashion photography landscape, in which he approaches the medium as a way to celebrate the beauty of the mundane every day. Working both digitally and in analogue, his images often reference Chinese iconography of the late 20th and early 21st century, as well as the visuals of Mando- and Canto-pop music videos.

Discover more stories about photography here.

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Lifestyle
Because it’s better to give than to receive
Christmas gift suggestions part 2

05.12.2015
By Buro247

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

Ergo, this week I bring to you the second part of my recommendations for Christmas presents that will ingratiate you with the people who matter, and ensure you a standing invitation for any and all events your recipients will be hosting in the new year. And just as last week’s recommendations were geared towards rather more economically considerate suggestions, this week let’s see just how far that plastic can stretch without protest, shall we?

For the clumsy friend who always manages to burn her hands, this handmade Borough 9″ frying skillet (USD$280, boroughfurnace.com) isn’t just magically versatile, it also dissipates heat and is cool to the touch on the stovetop. Best of all, it’s brimming with eco cred, because it’s made from 100% recycled iron which was melted with waste vegetable oil, and each hand-cast (and numbered) skillet has also been pre-seasoned with organic kosher flaxseed oil. What’s not to love about this mean, green, cooking machine?

As for the relative who purportedly has everything—and doesn’t hesitate to tell you that at every opportune moment—you will not only impress him with this spherical ice ball maker (USD$399, whiskey-ice.com), you’ll also enjoy a little one-upmanship when you present him with this gift. The knowledge that you are responsible for the perfectly round ice spheres that his guests are enjoying with their Christmas cocktails will go some way towards allaying the burn of the spend-off you had to incur to achieve this little triumph.

The next best thing to a table at Noma could well be A Work in Progress – Journal, Recipes and Snapshots by René Redzepi (phaidon.com). This gift of a journal, recipe book and photo album is the collective chronicle of a year in the life of the multiple award-winning restaurant, and gives readers an inspiring and candid insight into the workings of Redzepi’s mind. And if your friend has a penchant for unusual recipes, the crispy reindeer moss recipe that’s in the book will more than satisfy this culinary predilection.

First it was the KitchenAid standing mixer that was all the rage, then ice-cream makers were de rigueur in gastronomically-driven homes, why not start a new trend with the Chadwick pizza oven (£385, chadwickoven.com)? Not only does it produce deliriously crispy, Italian style pizzas in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it time of under four minutes, it’ll also mean your recipient’s kitchen will always be infused with the inimitably seductive aroma of baking.

As unique as it is distinctive, the gift of a row of St Emillion Grand Cru vines (www.vintagewinegifts.co.uk) means the recipient will receive bottles of wines from vintage years, a wine thermometer, and a personalised tour of the vineyard. It also ensures you, the altruistic giver of this generous present, a standing invitation to partake in said wines whenever a new shipment arrives. Yes, you could call it the gift that keeps on giving.

And, finally, if you happen to have a friend who thinks that popping the cork the traditional way is just too, well, pedestrian, then this Selfridge’s champagne sabre (£349, selfridges.com) is perfect for him. Just remember to stay out of the way when he’s using it for the first time!

And before you complain that I’ve divested you of your hard-earned cash, remember, it’s always better to give than to receive. With that in mind, have yourselves a very merry Christmas, ho ho ho.

Follow Fay on Twitter and Instagram at @misskhoo.

Related stories:
‘Tis the season to be savvy
A Paean to Pasta… and all things wheaty and delicious
Menu Writing: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff

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Fashion
Watch the Louis Vuitton Men’s AW18 livestream here
#LVMenFW18

18.01.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

This will be the curtain call for Kim Jones at the French fashion powerhouse. The Autumn/Winter 2018 showcase—which will air at 9.30pm tonight—wraps up a successful 11-year tenure as artistic director of menswear. Tune in to find out what the final show from the man who brought streetwear to Louis Vuitton would comprise.

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Art + Design
4 Shops in KL for beautiful gifts and interesting finds this holiday season
Treasure troves

11.12.2017
By Alyssa Lee

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8 Best art galleries to visit in the Klang Valley

Ilaika Select Store

If there is one place that epitomises #aesthetics, it’d be Ilaika. One half a café, the other a wonderfully curated shop floor of artisanal and desirable goods—seems like they’re selling a lifestyle we wouldn’t mind buying.

Address: No 17, Jalan 20/13, Petaling Jaya

Opening hours: Opens daily (11am-9pm)

Snackfood

The most brilliant random finds and the most adorable shop cats; a stroll into Telawi and a hike up glittery steps will bring you to this colourful sanctuary of collectables. They call themselves the “Collector of Happy Things”—need we say more?

Address: 17A, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: Opens daily (11am-8pm)

Koncent

Fans of Japanese design, this one’s for you. Koncent, a Tokyo-based retail store in PJ brings an assortment of Japanese products to our shores with a focus on beautifully designed and culturally-steeped items.

Address: 30-1, Jalan PJU 1/3D, SunwayMas, Commercial Centre, Petaling Jaya

Opening hours: Tues to Fri (11am-9pm), Sat and Sun (11am-7pm)

Ninth Gallery

Here’s a place that should appeal to your inner sophisticate. Specialising in tea and bespoke stationery, the aesthetic they brew is for folks who enjoy the finer things in life. Between the lush and plush, we dare you to leave without wanting to buy yourself a gift.

Address: A2-G2-3A, Solaris Dutamas, Jalan Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tues to Fri (1pm-10pm), Sat and Sun (12pm-10.30pm)

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Food + Drink
#BUROEats: 7 New cafes and restaurants to visit in the Klang Valley in February 2022

03.02.2022
By Natalie Khoo

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1. Nimbus Restaurant

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From the same chef-founder behind Cloud Hawker, a hawker and street food delivery service, comes Nimbus Restaurant—a modern restaurant combining influences and inspiration from various cuisines. An unassumingly elegant setting beckons, enlivened with neatly potted plants and a foliage wall adding colour to the neutral interiors. Expect a selection of starters, mains and desserts that offer a mix of familiar and elevated flavours, with dishes including Chicken Liver Pate, Prawn Bisque Noodle, Coffee Braised Pork, and PB&J.

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Address: 72 Jalan SS 21/62, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +6014 9688 748
Opening hours: 6pm to 10pm daily
Instagram
2. The Crane KL

Photos: @victoriafulgens / Instagram

Making its ‘nest’ along Jalan Sultan, The Crane KL debuts as a vibrant new addition to the ever bustling Chinatown this year. Housed in a building that dates back to the 1930s, the restaurant and bar reflects the oriental theme of its locality with striking red and teal interiors. Paper cranes and lanterns hang over tables, while crane illustrations adorn the art canvases and walls in the alleyway corridor—a sight that’s well worth the gram. You’ll find original creations such as Nasi Lemak Wanton, Japanese Udon in Curry Laksa Gravy, and its own take of an Aussie Beef Burger on the food menu, in addition to a range of classic cocktails at the bar upstairs.

Photos: @thecrane_kl / Instagram

Address: 78, Jalan Sultan, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6012 313 6997
Opening hours: 12pm to 12am (restaurant) | 4pm to 12am (bar/upstairs)
Website | Instagram
3. Lou Lou James – The Italian Kitchen

Lou Lou Kitchen welcomes fans of Italian fare to satisfy their cravings at its newly opened space in Plaza Arkadia, which offers both indoor and al fresco dining areas. Chef Aniello Frediani helms the kitchen here, serving up authentic Italian flavours in a well-rounded menu comprising appetisers, mains, pizzas, pastas, grilled meats, and desserts. Among the house specialties include Mussels Frediani, Braised Lamb Shank, and Diavola Pizza, to name a few.

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Address: F-G-5, Plaza Arkadia, 3, Jalan Intisari Perdana, Desa Parkcity, 52200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6012 566 6135
Opening hours: 11am to 12am, Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays)
Website | Facebook | Instagram
4. Bandit

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Spot the cartoon raccoon in SS2 and you’ll catch the face of Bandit, the neighbourhood’s new hideout for specialty coffee, bread, and hot meals. It’s hard to miss the adorable mascot when it’s mischievously grinning at you from the front window and all throughout the store, down to the takeaway packaging and merchandise. We hear these bandits make a mean sandwich and cold brew, among other Asian-inflected dishes and specialty drinks.

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Address: 6, Jalan SS2/10, SS2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +6012 310 2749
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm (closed on Thursdays)
Facebook | Instagram
5. Maristar

Launched in December 2021, Maristar is the latest dining and entertainment concept by The Marini’s Group. Located inside The Starhill, it features a caviar seafood bar and fashion lounge for trendsetters who want to see and be seen. The menu features a selection of premium oysters as well as Beluga Siberian and fine Oscietra caviar, along with a variety of seafood, pastas, pizzas, and Tomahawk steak.

Address: LG 08, Lower Ground, The Starhill, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100, Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6012 935 2533 | reservations@marinisgroup.com
Opening hours: 4pm to 12am (Mondays to Thursdays) | 12.30pm to 12am (Fridays to Saturdays)
Website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Popsicola KL

Popsicola makes a splash as Petaling Jaya’s latest poolside café, located at MAHSA Avenue. Established by the Brick House Group—the masterminds behind Pokok KL and Daun KL—this sunny spot offers a pescatarian menu featuring fish tacos with wasabi and guacamole, prawn sliders, calamari baskets, and other rice bowls and sharing platters. There’s also an assortment of fresh juices and rainbow-coloured house sodas to quench your thirst on a hot day or after a dip in the pool.

Address: Block B, Level 2, MAHSA Avenue, Jalan Ilmu, off, Jln Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +016 406 5218
Opening hours: 12pm to 9pm | Tuesday to Sundays (closed on Mondays)
Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Bui Bui Bakehouse

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Old Klang Road recently welcomed a charming Japanese-influenced café, occupying a cosy corner of a white bungalow. That’s Bui Bui Bakehouse for you. Complete with a white car parked on the front porch and minimalist interiors within, this café meets the ideal aesthetic for Instagram or TikTok posts. Carb lovers will be no less pleased with the variety of fluffy toasts, sandos, and melon buns, specially made using imported Hokkaido milk. Pair your carb of choice with a dirty latte or hand drip coffee for the complete comfort meal.

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Address: 213, Jalan Sepadu, Taman United, 58200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily
Facebook | Instagram
For more #BUROEats stories, head over here.

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Hair
#BuroBeauty: 3 Fuss-free hairdos you can achieve under 10 minutes

13.03.2019
By Wei Yeen Loh

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How does volumising shampoo actually work? Plus, expert tips for keeping your hair looking lush

Confession: I rarely spend more than five minutes on a weekday morning on my hair, and if (albeit rarely) I do, it’s only to quickly blow it dry before my everyday hairdo—which is really to make my hair look as presentable as possible i.e. a low bun with minimal flyaways.
I admit that I would rather expend my time on my makeup routine, because that smokey eye isn’t going to put itself together under five minutes; but as far as beauty resolutions go this year, I’ve vowed to find a better, more seamless way to style my hair without spending more than 10 minutes on it.
Which brings us to our latest hair tutorial video above! With the help of Deputy Editor Gwen Ong and Lifestyle Editor Rachel Au (both of whom have the loveliest locks I needed to demonstrate this tutorial with), this video’s proof that your hair can look absolutely chic without requiring a major chunk of your precious time in the AM—especially when you’re running late, which is all of us.
If you have one minute, whip your bedhead into shape

For those with shoulder-length hair that doesn’t ever listen, all you need is one styling tool that works wonders to get your sorted out under a minute. Our pick of the month is GHD Glide, a hot brush that allows you to eliminate frizz (thanks to ions within the brush) so that your hair can be styled with ease. Brush through hair and be prepared to see some seriously tamed locks.
Tip: The GHD Glide works great with digitally-permed hair as well, as proven by Gwen’s sleek ‘do above.
If you have five minutes, jazz up your everyday bun

Those who can’t bear leaving their second-day hair down because of that “greasy” feeling—we got you. When everything else fails (even your trusty dry shampoo), a low bun is your saviour and foolproof way of looking chic without taking too much time. Give it a luxe look by braiding your ends before pinning it into a bun—the perfect runway-to-real-life hairdo that us mere mortals can actually ace.
Tip: Use Schwarzkopf Bonacure Peptide Repair Rescue Nutri-Shield Serum for a sleek, shiny finish on your hair.
If you have 10 minutes, mermaid waves can be aced

Whoever said beach waves can’t be done at home has got it wrong. The trick to pulling it off lies within your technique. Using a curling iron isn’t as daunting as it seems—for this look, just remember to always turn the iron away from your face each time you twist a lock of hair. And if your curls refuse to cooperate in the right direction, clip on your prettiest hair slide and let it take some of the attention instead.
Tip: Spruce up your locks by giving it lots of volume—Rachel used Schwarzkopf Bonacure Root Activating Densifying Foam to lift strands from the root and for denser-looking tresses.
Credits:
Videography: Chong Yi Suen
Hair: Juno Ko
Art direction and styling: Loh Wei Yeen

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Technology
10 Video chat tricks you can use for your virtual Raya reunions—with Zoom, FaceTime, and Skype

24.05.2020
By Ronn Tan

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With Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in place, travelling to other states are prohibited. Malaysians understand that very well, especially while we’re still encouraged to practise social distancing. Yes, regulations are more relaxed now and we are allowed to leave home. However, we know that we should only head out when necessary—with work being a prime example. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t been eradicated yet.
Raya is bound to be very different this year. It’s the “New Normal” after all. Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah urged Malaysians to stay home and avoid visiting each other. The good news is that doing our part to contain the spread of COVID-19 doesn’t mean we can’t still spend time with family and friends during the festive period.

Photo by Getty Images

With the brilliant assistance of technology, we can set up virtual reunions with loved ones wherever they are. There are many tricks and tips you can use to stay connected!
FaceTime

Photo by Getty Images

1. Start a FaceTime conversation directly in iMessage
Tap the contact’s profile picture or the name at the top of an individual or group conversation—in the Messages conversation. Here, you will able to select FaceTime. After that, FaceTime or Group FaceTime with the participants in that conversation will be launched instantly.
2. Screen record your FaceTime video call
Firstly, add the Screen Recording feature to Control Centre by selecting the following (in order): Settings, Control Centre, Customise Controls, and Select Screen Recording. Before you open your FaceTime call, proceed to tap Control Centre and then, the Screen Recording icon.
3. Use Memoji or Animoji in FaceTime
You can use Memoji or Animoji during a FaceTime call with iPhone X or later, or an iPad with Face ID. Tap the Effects button when the call starts. After that, select the Memoji you want to use. To continue without a Memoji, tap the X button.
4. Add stickers and effects to your FaceTime
You can change your appearance or add stickers, labels and shapes with built-in filters. Tap on the screen to open controls. Here, continue by selecting filters, stickers, text, or shapes.
Zoom

Photo by Getty Images
1. Use the beauty filter on Zoom
If you’re not feeling your best during Raya, this is an option. To turn on Touch Up My Appearance, select the up arrow icon beside Start Video. After that, click Video Settings and tick the box for Touch Up My Appearance under My Video.
2. Change your Zoom background
Thinking of adding the festive spirit to your Zoom session? You can customise your background to anything you desire. These are some suggestions: white couch for something simple or a plain green background with greeting for something appropriate to theme. Need more options? You might find one you like here. Why not search for kampung backgrounds on Google? Head to Virtual Background under Settings and upload your preferred image.
3. Record the Zoom session with your desktop
Using your computer, you can save your calls for future references. Unfortunately, you can’t do this with your phone yet. To start recording, turn on the Recording option under Settings. You can click the Record icon on the bottom toolbar if you are hosting the session.
4. Use emoji to react on screen during the Zoom call
All you have to do is select the Reactions tab at the bottom of the meeting screen. You will then be able to choose the emoji you prefer. Your reaction will appear on the screen for five seconds. With an emoji, you can let family and friends know what you think without speaking.
Skype

Photo by Getty Images
1. Blur your background on Skype
If you don’t feel like showing your background during a call, you can actually have it blurred. However, this feature is only possible on the desktop version and not with the mobile app. To get blurry, start a video call on your computer and select Blur My Background. You can spot it on the bottom of the screen where the camera icon is.
2. Turn on live captions and subtitle during a Skype call
Yes, this is actually possible. The real-time captioning feature allows you to read the words that are spoken during a call. Languages that are currently available include Japanese, Spanish, French, Russian, German, Portuguese, English, and Chinese. To turn live captions and subtitles on in Skype, choose the More button (a plus sign) during a call. From there, you will be able to turn subtitles on.

Photo by Getty Images

These tips and tricks will help you stay connected with loved ones during the festive period. Although we won’t be celebrating Raya the way we used to, we can still enjoy each other’s company with the assistance of technology. While we feast on our favourite Raya dishes, let’s remember to stay safe and healthy. Selamat Hari Raya, everyone!
For more Raya-related stories, click here.

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Beauty
7 Beauty trends from Paris Fashion Week that stole the show

02.10.2019
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Spring/Summer 2020 fashion month has come to an end, and the last city on our roster held up to its standards with makeup looks and hairdos that were both exhilirating and head-turning.
Our favourite runway beauty moments from Paris Fashion Week SS20 were unsurprisingly the boldest and most unpredictable—from floral face accessories at Giambattista Valli to embellished brows at Valentino. A springtime exuberance was detected by way of glossy lips (at Chanel and Louis Vuitton), delicate cat eyes that spoke volumes, and an assortment of braids to keep your tresses in place.
New-age quiffs

A new wave of femininity hit the runways of Haider Ackermann and Chloé—this time with copious masculine references. Upcombed quiffs were a welcoming option for a spring-worthy look, slicked back to keep attention on the visage that featured bold brows (brushed upwards at Ackermann) and equally bold, smokey eyes (seen on Kaia Gerber).
Teeny tiny flicks

Give your everyday cat-eye a new lease by toning it down on the lash line and keeping it delicate with minute flicks on the outer corners of the eyes. Try a black graphic triangular flick, as seen on Jarel Zhang, or go with a hint of gold above your go-to black liner, spotted at Altuzarra. Layer up your lashes with mascara and you’re all set.
Gloss is back

The last day of Paris Fashion Week Spring 2020 sealed the deal on this comeback trend’s status—gloss is back with a bang and you may want to put away your mattes next spring for this look. At Chanel, Lucia Pica added a hint of Rouge Coco Gloss over the lips for a “juicy texture”, while models at Louis Vuitton sported crimped hair and glossy lips—overlined for a dramatic effect.
Braids, braids, braids

The braid game was elevated on the runways of Dior and Alexander McQueen—the former stole the show with loose Dutch braids along the hairline for a youthful look; and the latter in complex fishtail twists that were “punk meets Victorian era”, clinched with gold ties for a romantic vibe.
Embellished ballerina buns

A ballerina bun doesn’t always spell boring, not when it’s got fun accessories added to it. Take inspiration from the rhinestone-embellished braided buns at Christian Siriano’s Paris showcase—one part romantic, two parts dreamy. At Mugler, tight updos were given an edgy twist by way of extensively long chains that rippled with every gait.
Eye framers

If you’re already scouring for Halloween-ready looks for your Pinterest moodboard, keep your eyes out for one-of-a-kind ideas that will guarantee you the best-dressed status at any party you’re about to hit. Give feathery bangs from Dries Van Noten a try—and add a metallic lippie for full effect. Alternatively, go for a floral fest with a sprinkle of petals along the temples, as seen at Giambattista Valli.
Brow decor

This one deserves to be a standalone for sheer creativity—Pat McGrath delved deep into her makeup stash to create a variety of bedazzled brows at Valentino. All gilded, the brow embellishments came in different shapes (from rounded to extended cat-eyes), coupled with gold lashes and colours from her latest holiday collection.

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Lifestyle
ProAnswers: The how-tos of investing with Rakuten Trade CEO Kazumasa Mise

03.11.2021
By Amanda Fung

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

Finance and investing can be complex and overwhelming… to say the least. When ‘stocks’ don’t mean the base of your hot pot soups, ‘the market’ doesn’t mean the farmer’s, and ‘share’ doesn’t mean dividing something between you and a friend, we can see where the confusion for many, including myself, comes from. Nowadays, having money in your savings account isn’t enough to stuff your retirement cushion. Investing and looking into buying shares of a public-listed company is pretty much essential to your future’s safety net. However, when thinking about investing, the stock market, industries, shares, and dissecting the financial jargon—the question of “Where do I even begin?!” is probably lingering somewhere in between the ticker symbols, financial newspapers, and open tabs of research on your browser.

That’s where we come in. With the help of Rakuten Trade’s CEO Kazumasa Mise, we’ve got the answers to some of the questions you might have about investing.

Mise moved to Malaysia in 2016 after working for Rakuten Securities, Inc in Japan for a number of years. Educated at Syracuse University, Mise was drawn to the financial industry from his years as a teen, particularly to the big guns in New York City, which some call the financial capital of the world. He started his career with Rakuten as a customer service associate, staying in that position for a year and a half before working his way up the ranks to where he is today: CEO.
So it’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about investing and here’s what he had to say.

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On where to start:
A common and important question: “where do I even begin?” Fame and familiarity. While some of us avoid the mainstream with our music choices, fashion, and other aspects of pop culture, investing is where you would want to look at the big players. According to Mise, “just look around you”. In other words, start with your surroundings. “Most of our clients are beginners and they start by checking very famous shares in Malaysia,” says Mise. He uses Mr. DIY as an example. For local Malaysians, Mr. DIY is a household name in the home improvement and household essentials business—they’re everywhere. And lucky for you, they’re a publicly listed company. “If I look around the streets, I see banks, and they’re definitely listed so you can trade,” he continues.

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From there, you can start researching within the sector, file through similar businesses, and so it goes. Mise also adds that if you’re a travel lover, it’s even easier to find big companies to buy shares from, using AirAsia as an example, citing that it is the top company that their customers hold shares in. “Then, support the company. Cheer them on!” adds Mise with a big smile and a double thumbs up.
On the best resources to rely on:
“How do I find out about the stock market? What should I read to make sure I’m making the right moves? What if I want to learn more?” Mise insists that increasing your financial literacy is the key to smart investing. But, you don’t have to start with something too difficult. Reading little articles from newspapers or online can be your starting point to get news on listed stocks. From there, you can get a feel of what industries to look at and figure out where to put your money. “Information is important,” asserts Mise. “But the basic thing, I think, is as long as the investor knows the trends, they’ll be okay.” On top of newspapers and other outlets online, Mise suggests taking a look at webinars. Rakuten Trade releases a ton of educational resources like information sheets with investment ideas, and hosts webinars for their customers to attend and learn from to keep up with current trends, economic statuses, and forecasts. These are specifically designed for their customer’s demographic base, which just so happens to be beginners in investing!

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On riding the trends and waves of the stock market:
Forecasting the stock market and predicting financial trends are difficult as is, let alone doing it as a beginner. “It’s pretty difficult,” states Mise. “That’s why checking the news is very important. Get as much information as possible. Sometimes, the stock market crashes but don’t panic. Pay attention to the company itself. Based on the newspapers, if the company itself is still [on an upwards trend], it’s good to invest. Even though the market itself suddenly drops or [is volatile], as long as the company is getting a profit, of course, the stock price is going to increase in the future.”
On your method of investing:
Should you invest via your bank? Should you try your hand at an investment app like Robinhood or Rakuten Trade? Should you go to a professional advisor? How do you even do this thing? Mise helps to set the record straight by simply stating, “for the digital savvy, you can [opt for] the self-oriented route.” On the other hand, for those who might be better with the guidance and navigation of a salesperson or broker, definitely opt for investing via your bank or a firm. The difference between the two sides of the coin, Mise notes, is the fee. “For example, Rakuten Trade is self-oriented so the fee is very low, but with a salesperson or broker, the fee can be very high,” says Mise.

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Beauty
An essential guide to pre-date grooming for every man
For a smashing first impression

06.11.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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A healthy grooming habit can take you to great lengths, especially on the evening of a date night when you’re trying your best to make an excellent first impression to your partner. From clean and trimmed nails to a good shave (or well-groomed beard), here are a few essential tips that can take you from zero to hero real quick:
Face:

If you have got oily skin and worry about developing a greasy sheen over your face mid-way through dinner, use a deep cleanser such as Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque to refresh your skin and get rid of deep-seated impurities, thanks to potent anti-oxidants from a blend of clays and botanicals. After cleansing, an energizing moisturiser like Kiehl’s Facial Fuel will work to your advantage with its vitamin-infused, non-oily texture.

We always advocate for a fresh shave or carefully-groomed beard no matter the occasion. For a nick-free, comfortable shave, go with the oil-free Clinique For Men Aloe Shave Gel so that your shaver glides on easily and doesn’t drag. Follow up with Truefitt & Hill 1805 Aftershave Balm which contains lanolin and aloe vera extract for smooth and soft skin post-shave.

Body:
The basic rule of thumb when it comes to scent-based products is that less is always more. Going easy on the variety of scented shower gels/creams/soaps and deodorant/cologne is crucial, because you don’t want to overwhelm your partner with an intense, heady scent that might borderline nauseating.

A simple, effective soap goes a long way, such as Aesop Body Cleansing Slab—a low-foaming, vegetable-based soap with Tahitian Lime and Ylang Ylang notes. Remember to swipe on deodorant after your shower for a refreshing, all-night long scent; try L’Occitane’s alcohol- and paraben-free Eau des Baux Stick Deodorant that has a subtle woody scent and go with your favourite cologne that also has the same woody notes if you’d like to.

Nails:
Now that you’re almost well-prepped to experiencing a successful date night, the last (and probably most important) step in this guide is to keep your nails trimmed and cleaned along with proper scrubbing of your hands. No one likes long, dirt-filled nails that make you look more Neanderthal than a modern lumberjack, and on the plus side, sticklers for hygiene always score extra brownie points in anybody’s books.
Soak your fingers in a bowl of soapy water for five to seven minutes, then use a filer and remove the grime from underneath your nails. After washing your hands, trim your nails according to the curve of your finger, then file it in one direction so that no jagged edges will ensue. Finally, apply some hand salve/cream (Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve) to lock in the moisture in your hands.

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