Lifestyle
Breaking news: Dame Zaha Hadid has passed away
A great loss

31.03.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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

Yet another piece of tragic news hits us this year, as Dame Zaha Hadid passes away from a heart attack in a Miami hospital, where she was being treated for bronchitis.

Zaha Hadid Architects issued the statement: “It is with great sadness that Zaha Hadid Architects have confirmed that Dame Zaha Hadid, DBE died suddenly in Miami in the early hours of this morning. She had contracted bronchitis earlier this week and suffered a sudden heart attack while being treated in the hospital.”

Earlier this year, the famed Iraqi-born architect became the first woman to receive the Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal in recognition of her work. Dame Zaha’s legacy will live on in a substantial number of buildings around the world—her impressive resume of iconic creations includes the London Olympic Aquatic Centre, Italian National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome, the Riverside Museum at Glasgow’s Museum of Transport, and Guangzhou Opera House in China.

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Lifestyle
BURO Holiday Wheel Giveaway—Week 4: Luxurious hotel stays worth up to RM20,000 thanks to Marriott Bonvoy Malaysia

21.12.2020
By Sanjeeva Suresh

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

Attention to all local travellers! With the lift on Malaysia’s domestic travel ban, it’s time to treat yourselves to a mini getaway. As Gwen Stefani sang in her 2004 hit single ‘Luxurious’;
“Working so hard, every night and day,And now we get the payback.Trying so hard, saving up the paper”
It’s time to put the woes of 2020 behind us and relax while staying (and saving) at one of these seven glamorous destinations courtesy of Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels in Malaysia. Here are the prizes that are up for grabs—altogether worth up to RM20,000!
1. The Westin Desaru Coast Resort

Photo: The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
Rediscover the meaning of relaxation this holiday season at The Westin Desaru Coast Resort. This luxury experience features expansive views of the South China Sea, spacious guest rooms and thoughtful amenities such as the Westin Signature Heavenly Bed. There’s much to do here. Dine at the resort’s signature Italian restaurant, Prego, or indulge in other healthy options at Seasonal Tastes. Complete your day by heading to the beach or with a tantalising spa treatment at the Heavenly Spa by Westin.
Prize: 1x 2D1N stay at the Premier Seaview Room, inclusive of breakfast for two (valued at RM695)
For more information, visit this website.

2. The Andaman – A Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi

Photo: The Andaman – A Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi
Located in an idyllic tropical setting on Malaysia’s Langkawi Island, The Andaman is a Luxury Collection Resort that’s cosily tucked away between a 10-million-year-old rainforest and the tranquil Datai Bay. Each of its 178 exquisite rooms and suites reflects a contemporary Malaysian style with sweeping views over the Andaman Sea and the ancient rainforest. Nestled amid the serenity of this rainforest, you’ll also find the V Botanical Spa offering a perfect sanctuary for a pampered bliss.
As part of the resort’s Coral Conservation project, guests are presented with the opportunity to give back to nature through its unique Coral Nursery and Coral Reef Activities.
Prize: 1x 2D1N stay in a Deluxe Rainforest Room, inclusive of breakfast for two (worth RM2,076 nett)
For more information, visit this website.

3. Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown

Photo: Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown
If you’ve yet to fully explore Chinatown in KL, a staycation at a nearby hotel might just do it! For its interior, Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown has taken inspiration from the surrounding neighbourhood. Case in point: The exposed raw bricks, warm wood and traditional jade-hued tiles that welcome guests at the arrival lobby. Upon checking-in, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Stay in: enjoy the outdoor splash pool, clock in a workout at the gym, tuck into the local specialities and Western favourites at Quan’s Kitchen, or indulge in a handcrafted cocktail (or two!) at the Chinoiserie-styled Jann. Once you’re feeling adventurous, check out the historic buildings and cultural treasures that sit alongside hip jaunts and IG-friendly alleys.
Prize: 5x 3D2N stay for two in a Deluxe Room at Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown (valued at RM400 each)
For more information, visit this website.

4. Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel

Photo: Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel
Indulge in a wide range of delicious choices from various outlets at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel. Buffet lovers will enjoy the wide variety at Feast‘s dinner buffet or if you prefer a more Asian take, enjoy a delectable six-course Chinese menu at Yue. Ultimately, unwind after a long day at the rooftop infinity pool or join some close friends and family members at the stylish Chime Lounge for refreshing cocktails and craft beers.
Prize: 1x 3D2N Stay in the Executive Suite with a breakfast for two (valued at RM2,468)
For more information, visit this website.

5. The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa

Photo: The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa
There’s something for the whole family in this beautiful part of Langkawi. Award-winning personal trainers at the 24-hour WestinWorkout Fitness Studio will have you feeling energized and recharged. If gyms aren’t your thing, join the runWestin concierge team for a curated route or take a Westin Ride around the resort. Drop the kids off at the Westin Kids Club before heading to the infinity or ocean rock pool for a dip. One thing’s for certain, a stay at The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa is every bit as physically restorative as it is relaxing.
Prize: 1x 3D2N stay at the Premium Garden View Room with breakfast for two (valued at RM4,600)
For more information, visit this website.

6. The St. Regis Langkawi

Photo: The St. Regis Langkawi
For the perfect island escape, The St. Regis Langkawi welcomes all with its elegant suites and over-water villas; the signature St. Regis Butler service; a myriad of recreational activities. For foodies, there are six amazing restaurants and bars with creations that will leave you spoilt for choice. For those looking to truly disconnect, the award-winning Iridium Spa is your go-to for pure rejuvenation. Alternatively, there’s also an oasis infinity pool (perfect for photo opportunities), a boutique, hair salon and more.
Prize: 1x 3D2N stay at the Premier Rainforest Guest Room, inclusive of breakfast (valued at RM6,000)
For more information, visit this website.

7. Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur
Not looking to go too far? Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur welcomes guests back to the hotel for an ultimate urban escape that’s close to home. But if you’re not from around KL, its strategic location within the Kuala Lumpur Sentral precinct will easily connect you with (almost) all modes of public transport, including the KLIA Express. Shopping malls aren’t too far away or you could use this an opportunity to explore Little India in nearby Brickfields where a plethora of textile shops, jewellery stores, and some of the best curries and dosa in town awaits. By dinnertime (or stay in throughout your entire time there!), take your pick from in-house dining options such as Prime (one of the nation’s top steakhouse which takes pride in their finest halal-certified imported beef) and Favola (inspired by the region of Venice, it holds the bold yet simple flavours of Italy). Meanwhile, the hotel’s quintessential gelato and sorbet creamery Le Scoop by Le Méridien will be there to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings.
Prize: 5x 2D1N stay in a Deluxe City View Room including breakfast for two (valued at RM400 nett)
For more information, visit this website.

How to join the BURO Holiday Wheel Giveaway:
1. Hit the “Like” button and “Follow” BURO Malaysia’s Facebook Page
2. Follow BURO Malaysia’s Instagram
3. Fill up the giveaway form in BURO Gachapon!
TL;DR: For your convenience, here’s a complete list of all the goodies up for grabs.
Marriott Bonvoy Malaysia
The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
1 x 2D1N stay at the Premier Seaview Room, inclusive of breakfast for two
– Shalinee Rawi Chandar
The Andaman – A Luxury Collection Resort, Langkawi
1 x 2D1N stay in a Deluxe Rainforest Room, inclusive of breakfast for two
– Albee Hong
Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown
5 x 3D2N stay for two in a Deluxe Room
– Rainier Lim
– Ross Ariz
– Chuo Sheau Chyng
– Arissa Rashid
– Adeline Sia
Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel
1 x 3D2N Stay in the Executive Suite with a breakfast for two
– Tan Yin Chung
The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa
1 x 3D2N stay at the Premium Garden View Room with breakfast for two
– Yasmin Mudin
The St. Regis Langkawi
1 x 3D2N stay at the Premier Rainforest Guest Room, inclusive of breakfast
– Chelsea Wong
Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur
5 x 2D1N stay in a Deluxe City View Room including breakfast for two
– Mok Chun Wai
– Owen Shea
– Michiko Lee
– Poh Inn See
– Ong Yee Xien
Terms & Conditions:
The Holiday Wheel Week 2 Weekly Giveaway runs from Monday, 21 December 2020 till Sunday, 27 December 2020. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, 30 December 2020 via email, and on this page. By joining this giveaway, you will be automatically subscribed to our BURO Malaysia e-newsletter. Other terms and conditions apply*.
1. Employees of BURO Malaysia and its related corporations (“Indochine Media Ventures”) or BURO Malaysia partners and/or sponsors for the giveaway (if applicable), and their immediate family members (including spouses, children, parents, brothers and sisters) are not eligible to participate in the giveaway.
2. Winner of this giveaway is chosen at random.
3. This giveaway is organised by BURO Malaysia (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Organiser’).
4. The prizes for this giveaway are neither exchangeable for cash nor transferable.
5. All persons (‘Participants’) taking part in this giveaway agree that these rules shall be binding on them, and that the entries in this giveaway, including their name and likeness, may be used without restriction in any future publicity material by the Organiser.
6. The Organiser reserves the right to amend these rules or terminate the giveaway at any time at its sole and absolute discretion. All decisions made by the Organiser under these rules shall be final and no discussion or correspondence will be entertained. The Organiser may, but is not required to, justify any decisions relating to this giveaway.
7. The Participant acknowledges that the interest and good reputation of the Organiser are of paramount importance. The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify a Participant from the giveaway, or to withdraw the prize if it is believed the Participant is in breach of its obligations under the rules. The Participants shall not by act or omission, directly or indirectly bring the Organiser into disrepute.
8. All entries are sent at the risk of the Participants and in the event that there are technical difficulties experienced arising out of the internet or from any associated equipment or internet security is compromised, the Organiser may at its sole and absolute discretion disqualify the entire entry and shall not accept any liability doing so.
9. Giveaway entries may only be submitted via the stated medium of communication.
10. This giveaway is open to anyone above 18 years old.
11. Each entry must be completed in full. The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify any incomplete entries in its sole and absolute discretion.
12. Incomplete entries will be deemed void.
13. Winners will be notified by email.
14. Uses of ‘aliases’ shall be considered a form of deception and are prohibited.
15. The winner must produce their original IC / passport with legible IC / passport number in order to claim the prize. The winner may also be required to produce additional original proof of identity at the discretion of the Organiser.
16. All Prizes are accepted entirely at the risk of the winner, and the Organiser excludes all warranties in connection with the prize to the extent permitted by law.
17. All Participants release from, and indemnify the Organiser, its agencies, sponsors and representatives against, all liability, cost, loss or expense arising out of acceptance of any prize or participation in the giveaway including (but not limited to) personal injury and damage to property and whether direct or consequential, foreseeable, due to some negligent act or omission or otherwise.
18. All personal particulars furnished are meant for identification purposes and will not be sold or given to any third parties. In the case of giveaways, our partners may wish to offer you services which require your personal particulars. These specific requests will be expressly stated within relevant giveaways, with a choice to opt out.
19. Inability to contact the winners by Monday, 4 January 2021 will result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner.
20. Winners must collect their gifts from our office in Mont Kiara within 1 month of notification.
21. Prizes are final; no cash equivalent or alternative prize will be given. Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and strictly not for resale. If the winner is found to be selling the prize(s), the Organiser reserves the right to demand the return of the prize.

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Beauty
Revenge bedtime procrastination: What is it and how to improve your sleep hygiene
Get your beauty sleep back

22.08.2021
By Natalie Khoo

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

It’s midnight and I’ve just finished my to-do list for the day. I’m exhausted after only getting five to six hours of sleep the previous night. I know what my body needs is rest, but something tells me I should “reward myself” with me-time after a day’s hard work. And so, I instinctively reach for my Nintendo Switch to “destress” with my latest lockdown hobby/gaming escape: Pokemon Unite (sorry to my villagers on Animal Crossing: New Horizons, I’ll get back to you soon).
The next morning, when I finally (begrudgingly) get out of bed to get ready for another WFH day, my foggy brain reminds me why I really should have gone to sleep earlier last night. But do I heed my own good judgment? No. Instead, repeat more or less of the same thought process every night and you’ll have an idea of my weekly schedule.
Yes, I’m ashamed to admit that I am a victim of revenge bedtime procrastination. With the wealth of articles and studies on this subject (a quick Google Search will prove this), I know I’m far from the only one. If you’re all too familiar with a similar scenario, here’s the psychology behind it and how to stop—for your health’s sake.

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What is revenge bedtime procrastination?
According to a 2014 study, bedtime procrastination is described as “failing to go to bed at the intended time, while no external circumstances prevent a person from doing so”. The Sleep Foundation provides three factors for a late sleeping schedule to be considered bedtime procrastination:

A delay in going to sleep that reduces one’s total sleep time
The absence of a valid reason for staying up later than intended, such as an external event or an underlying illness
An awareness that delaying one’s bedtime could lead to negative consequences

The third factor accounts for the “revenge” aspect of it, as those who engage in bedtime procrastination are typically perceptive of their poor sleeping habits (yours truly included). The English term “revenge bedtime procrastination” is a translation of a Chinese expression “bàofùxìng áoyè” that reflects a deliberate decision to sacrifice sleep for leisure time to make up for a schedule that lacks free time during the day.

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Why do people procrastinate bedtime at their own expense?
You’re probably well-aware that you should be getting between seven to eight hours of sleep a day. Besides, chronic sleep deprivation has long been touted to lead to a range of physical, mental, and emotional issues. Among them include fatigue, high blood pressure, weakened immunity, irritability, depression, and anxiety. It is also linked to a degradation in thinking, memory, and decision-making.
In his book Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, neuroscientist Matthew Walker words it bluntly: “The shorter your sleep, the shorter your life span.” Why then do we still procrastinate bedtime as a form of “revenge” at the expense of our health? Psychology has provided several reasons so far.
For one, the pandemic has imposed not just the WFH concept, but a do-everything-from-home culture including eating, working out, and schooling (for parents with young kids). “The boundaries between work and home life are blurred right now, and work responsibilities have grown and taken the space that used to exist for commutes, lunch breaks, and moments for co-worker connections,” clinical psychologist Sabrina Romanoff told Health. “Without this buffer, life would consist of work and sleep.”
Because of this, we feel the need to take back a part of our day for self-indulgence—whether it’s mindlessly scrolling on Instagram or rewatching Friends for the hundredth time.

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Another study suggests that a long working day depletes our ability to exercise self-control when bedtime comes around. “People might not be able or willing to expend the self-regulatory resources needed to get oneself to bed, especially if they already expended substantial resources resisting desires throughout the day,” the paper stated, citing desires such as walking out of a boring meeting or watching YouTube clips instead of working on a finance report.
On the other hand, some have argued that revenge bedtime procrastination is a result of late chronotypes—or better known as “night owls”—trying to adapt to schedules designed for “early birds”. In this view, sacrificing sleep is explained as an attempt to find recovery in response to stress.

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How can you prevent revenge bedtime procrastination?
Whatever your reason (I personally relate to all three at varying degrees and on different occasions), there are ways to avoid it. I’ve gathered some recommendations from sleep experts to start practising good bedtime habits:

Set a proper sleep schedule

For starters, Sleep Foundation recommends setting a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, including on work days and off-days. Yes, that means setting *daily* alarms. You might be thinking: “Everything else is already premeditated, the last thing I want is to lock-in my sleeping hours, especially on the weekends.”
Trust me, I get it—setting a strict schedule feels like I’m depriving myself of that new Netflix series or game time. Not to mention, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is real. However, the trick is to focus on long-term benefits instead of instant gratification. I find it helpful to think of it as giving myself extra me-time—albeit delayed—if I can be more productive at work the next day from having a well-rested night.

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Develop a bedtime routine

Sleep physician Abhinav Singh suggests treating sleep as a process, akin to a flight (side note: haven’t had one of those in a while). “When your flight has a 10 pm departure, you don’t get to the airport at 10, you’re there at 9 pm or 9:30,” he offers.
This may look different for everyone, depending on what slows down your mind and body for bed. Maybe it’s your evening skincare routine, meditation, prayer (if you’re religious), or writing in your journal—as long as it helps you welcome sleep, rather than forcing it.

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Take breaks throughout the day

If you find yourself more tempted to reward yourself or “take revenge” for not having leisure time throughout the day, make it a point to schedule in breaks/buffers. Whether it’s that one-hour lunch, a 15-minute stretch every other hour, a coffee/tea break, or giving your cat some attention at *acceptable* intervals, do it. Don’t feel guilty about it—you probably do some version of it on a pre-Covid workday without realising anyway. If necessary, set alarms for this and stick to them. This will help mitigate the lack of self-control come bedtime and possibly even help with productivity.

Consistency is key

Overcoming revenge bedtime procrastination doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself time to foster the habits above and keep at them consistently. Remember: your health will thank you for it. Best of luck to us!
[MORE TIPS: How to sleep better while working from home]

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Style
Social distancing style: What the celebs, models and influencers are wearing

20.03.2020
By Stephanie Boey

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The ultimate wedding shoe guide for the bridal party

How was everybody been settling in with the restricted movement order? We figure everyone just about settling into their routines and gotten their concall outfits down pat. Comfortable yet work apropos attire is key when it comes to video conferencing. T-shirts, breezy blouses and athleisure were popular picks among #teamBURO.
Shay Mitchell decided she was “making the most of [the] quarantine” by wearing a plush fur coat and thigh-high leather boots with aviator sunglasses and rhinestone monogram earrings. Kaia Gerber, Cara Delevingne and Margaret Qualley were all snuggled up rainbow tie-dye sweaters and hoodies.
With the help of singer-songwriter and political activist Bob Geldof, Rita Ora has kickstarted a solidarity response fund with The United Nations. Full proceeds from the ‘Stop the Spread, Play Your Part’ merchandise will go to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organisation.
Scroll down for more social distancing styled looks by celebrities, models and even familiar faces closer to home. Some of these fashionable hermits are rocking more than one look, too!
Shay Mitchell

Cara Delevingne, Kaia Gerber and Margaret Qualley

Rita Ora

Lalisa Manoban

Kylie Jenner

Kendall Jenner

Timothée Chalamet

Rosalía

Hyuna

Sam Smith

Song Min-ho

Marc Jacobs

Alexa Chung

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Chiara Ferragni

Giovanna Engelbert

Emily DiDonato

Martha Hunt

Elsa Hosk

Vanessa Hudgens

Ashley Tisdale

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Trends
16 non-cliché sequinned dress options to rock at your year-end parties

23.12.2020
By Joan Kong

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Reviewing the metallic silver fashion trend in 2023

We know what you’re thinking—sequins for NYE? Groundbreaking. But after a tough year, there’s no better outfit to end the year (and kick-start 2021) with a bang. No matter how small your celebration will be, the only brief is to look like a human disco ball—in the most non-cliché and stylish way possible.
Instead of a sparkly, slinky slip dress or a mini tube dress, we’ve narrowed down 16 shimmery designs that will get you in the party spirit regardless of your budget (one word: sale!). Some of our favourites include Rixo’s degradé-effect midi number, Self-Portrait’s off-shoulder tulle piece, The Attico’s oriental-inspired gown, and more. Prepare to shine the night away.

Shimmer Jepska dress, US $168 (approx. RM682), Saks Potts
 Unlike the rest of the embellished dresses on our list, this Saks Potts number is made in a stretchy fabric that gives it a slight edge.

Open-back asymmetric sequinned mini dress, £160 (approx. RM860), Marques’Almeida
 PS: The sequins on this one-shoulder piece are reversible.

La Robe Lavandou sequinned dress, €380 (approx. RM1,571), Jacquemus
 Is ’90s your favourite era? This halter neck dress is the perfect piece to embrace the throwback trend.

Mariel open-back sequinned midi dress, £451 (approx. RM2,455), Emilia Wickstead
 Take a style cue from its runway by layering a bustier over to amp up the interest.

Oriental tiger sequin embellished gown, US $4,330 (approx. RM17,584), The Attico
 Your favourite slip dress is given a one-up with oriental-inspired tiger motif and feather hem.

Sequinned cotton crochet dress, US $604 (approx. RM2,452), In The Mood For Love
 This peekaboo piece lets you flaunt some skin too.

Draped sequinned chiffon mini dress, US $481.74 (approx. RM1,947), Redemption
 All you need is a pair of earrings and ankle-strap heels to complete the look.

Sequinned tulle dress, € 304 (approx. RM1,502), Self-Portrait
 The feminine piece features sleeves that can be styled on or off-shoulder.

Venus sequinned chiffon midi dress, US $242.89 (approx. RM982), Rixo
 The degradé-effect dress is radiating major Studio 54 vibes, and we’re all for it.

Motorcylette one-shoulder sequinned mini dress, £229 (RM1,230), Aje
 The cut-outs and dramatic puff sleeve give the LBD that added interest.

Embellished tulle dress, US $2,342 (approx. RM9,510), Marchesa
 Girly girls: this tulle number with a sweetheart-neckline couldn’t be any more perfect.

Bustier dress, US $700 (approx. RM2,842), Halpern
 You can always count on Halpern to make your sequin dreams come true.

Stephanie sequinned panelled midi dress, £295 (approx. RM1,585), Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
 The blue floral lace panel gives the fully embellished number a striking juxtaposition.

Sequinned mini dress, € 293 (approx. RM1,448), Ganni
 Chic yet comfortable, this dress is our pick to dance the night away in.

Sateen and sequinned lace midi dress, US $136 (approx. RM548), Michael Michael Kors
Can’t get enough of slip dresses? This minimal piece has just the right hint of shine.

Grid sequin embellished midi dress, US $1,676 (approx. RM6,806), Simone Rocha
 We love how versatile this dress is—style it with a pair of pointy-toe pumps for a glam finish, or a pair of chunky brogues or sneakers to give it a casual contrast.
For more Holiday stories, click here.

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Beauty
Recap: Alicia Tan’s can’t-live-without beauty essentials and secrets to her glowing skin

04.05.2020
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

It’d be hard-pressed to not be curious about beauty YouTuber Alicia Tan’s skincare secrets. The content creator’s poreless complexion isn’t just flawless to boot—if there was an image associated to the K-beauty glass skin trend, it would likely be her visage.
On our previous BURO. Hangouts: Live session, we had a chat with the “skin glow devotee” on her all-time favourite masks, breakout remedies and more:

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10 Takeaways from our BURO. Hangouts: Live session with Alicia Tan –
1) A fragrance you love wearing at home: “I’ve been loving Jo Malone London’s Honeysuckle & Davana with English Pear & Freesia. I’m wearing that right now, and I like to wear it both at home and out. It’s sweet but when it lingers, it smells even nicer. What I wear depends on what I feel—sometimes I like Gucci Bloom or Guerlain—but when I don’t know what to use, I’ll go for my Jo Malone London fragrances.”
2) A current favourite night serum: “My HG serum that I’ve been using for more than a year is the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum—it’s a great overall serum. I don’t know why but I’ve been breaking out even while staying indoors. I’ve been using Sunday Riley’s Good Genes (a lactic acid treatment) and Luna Sleeping Oil (which has retinol) both once or twice a week, and it really helps with breakouts—it dries the acne out and gives me a glow. If you have acne or dark spots it will work for you as well. For something that’s more gentle but still exfoliates, I like YSL Beauty’s Pure Shots Night Reboot Resurfacing Serum.”
3) A hand cream you’ve been using during MCO: “I’ve been using the L’Occitane Shea Butter hand cream, it’s really moisturising. I also like Kora Organics Noni Glow Body Oil. It’s not greasy and it really does moisturise, and the scent is very calming and therapeutic.”
4) A mask that you don’t mind using for life: “I use different masks everyday, but I realise that I use masks from Fresh Beauty the most. I love the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask—it’s a good one that gives me soft, smooth skin and has a cooling sensation. It’s a mask that makes me (and my skin) happy. Another runner-up is the Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask. This is a gentle exfoliating mask; I can probably use it everyday—and it feels like it’s gentle enough for me to use until I turn 50!”
5) A sheet mask you love right now: “I’m not picky with my sheet masks. I use anything from Dr. Jart+ to Chuck’s to When to Clef Skincare (which I’m really impressed by—it’s a local brand and its quality is great. The fit is just nice and it’s quite thin as well).”
6) Top three products from Fresh Beauty you’d recommend: “The Soy Face Cleanser because it’s gentle and hydrating; the Black Tea Kombucha Essence—I know the OG would be SK-II’s Facial Treatment Essence but Fresh Beauty’s essence is more affordable and it can give you great results as well; and the last would be the masks that I’ve mentioned above. I like the Rose Sleeping Mask too.”
7) One beauty product you’d bring if you were stranded on an island: “A huge bottle of sunscreen. I remember going to Hawaii and forgetting to put sunscreen and I got a really bad sunburn. I like Supergoop! as they have so many different kinds. The 100% Mineral Matte one is great because it has a slight coverage and has a mattifying effect. I personally really like the Zinc Sunscreen for its hydrating finish. The Unseen Sunscreen is completely transparent and is great for those who don’t like a white cast.”
8) Your go-to acne remedy: “I use Sunday Riley’s Good Genes and Luna Sleeping Oil together. I also like to spot treat my acne with Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay overnight and it really works. I’ve tried other clays masks and tea tree oils but this works the best for me. It has retinol in the ingredient list and I would recommend that.
9) A hair product you cannot live without: “I have very thin hair that tends to look flat. I’ve been obsessed with these two products: Ryo Scalp Deep Cleansing Scaler EX and Yves Rocher Hair Rinsing Vinegar. I use the former to exfoliate my scalp before shampooing, and the latter after that—I leave a few drops on my scalp for a few minutes before washing it off. It gives volume to my hair and both are my current favourites.”
10) A pro tip in organising a beauty space: “Store your products in an enclosed space (shelf or drawers) to prevent it from collecting dust. I organise them by category, and then by the brand. I’m not sure if this is the best way to organise my beauty products, but I like to have it all arranged in a way that allows me to see everything as I open my drawer (it prevents me from getting anxious when I’m looking for products!)”
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Click here for more BURO. Hangouts: Live sessions.

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Men's
Calling all football fans: The Paul Smith x Manchester United collaboration is a must-have

23.11.2018
By Joan Kong

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Did you know Paul Smith has been Manchester United’s official formalwear partner since 2008? To celebrate the decade-long partnership, the brand has released a capsule accessories collection that celebrates the football club’s rich history. And if you are a Manchester United fan, these are the items to get, whether it’s for yourself or as a Christmas gift. The line centers around photo prints—made using a unique collection of vintage Manchester United scarves and rosettes that symbolises some of the key moments of the team. Find an array of accessories such as a laptop sleeve, iPhone 8 cases, a practical wash bag, and notebooks in the collection, alongside leather wallets and cardholders printed with the photo motif—the smaller gifts are perfect as stocking fillers. On top of that, Paul Smith also introduced a wool scarf and socks in its signature colourful striped print, and they are the perfect addition to anyone’s festive wardrobe. Lastly, as a nod to its formalwear line, you can find two cufflink designs and a tie printed with the football club’s crest, which is available in red or black. The images released by the label feature three of the Man Utd players—forward Anthony Martial, goalkeeper David De Gea, and midfielder Paul Pogba—posing with some of the pieces from the collab.

Scroll through for the full collection below:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] Paul Smith x Manchester United” rid=”6744″ order=”a_tstamp”}

The Paul Smith x Manchester United collection is now available at the Paul Smith Pavilion store and on PaulSmith.com.

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Food + Drink
Royal Salute unlocks 30-Year-Old Key to the Kingdom at Nadodi
A royal affair

21.10.2022
By Natalie Khoo

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As its name implies, Royal Salute has been rooted in nobility since the brand’s inception. Created in 1958 by the Chivas brothers, the luxury Scotch whisky was first released to mark the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the 21-gun salute.
Building on that regal heritage, Royal Salute has unveiled the 30-Year-Old Key to the Kingdom, a masterful blend of high-aged Scotch whisky. To welcome its arrival in Malaysia, BURO was recently invited to join an intimate whisky pairing dinner at Nadodi, one of KL’s top Indian fine dining restaurants, to unlock the bold flavours of this new expression.

Royal Salute ambassador Nicole Cruickshank introducing the Royal Salute 30-Year-Old Key to the Kingdom blend

The royal craft and heritage
The Royal Salute 30-Year-Old Key to the Kingdom draws inspiration from the Ceremony of the Keys, an ancient ritual held annually at Scotland’s Holyrood Palace where the keys to the City of Edinburgh are presented to the reigning Monarch. It consists of a blend of the finest whiskies, each aged for a minimum of 30 years and hand-selected from across Scotland—the home of Royal Salute. Crafted by Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, the resulting sweet and fruity blend presents notes of ripe, juicy pears, blood orange, and thick-set honey, with a long, smoky finish.

Reflecting the brand’s artistry, the exquisite blend is housed in a handcrafted granite-effect flagon with a stopper design reminiscent of the hilt of ancient Scottish swords. The vessel is packaged in an intricately illustrated box that honours the emblems of the Ceremony of the Keys, such as the ceremonial horns, royal roses, noble swords, and regal crests.

The exquisite pairing dinner
Silence of our Lamb
It takes finesse to complement the complexity of any whisky, what more a well-aged scotch like the 30-Year-Old Key to the Kingdom. But Nadodi rose to the challenge with an exceptional menu made to pair with a range of Royal Salute whiskies including the Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Signature Blend, Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Malts Blend, and of course, the star of the evening.
Cut The Crab paired with the Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Malts Blend
Among the standout pairings include Cut The Crab—a delicious medley of crab meat, crab salad, fermented steamed rice cake, spiced sea crab curry which paired brilliantly with the Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Malts Blend.
Wag-You!!! paired with the Royal Salute 30-Year-Old Key To The Kingdom
Then there was Wag-You!!!, marrying the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth flavours of A5 Miyazaki Beef and spiced foie gras with the sweet, smoky aromas of the Royal Salute 30-Year-Old blend.
Deconstructed Black Forest Gateaux paired with the Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Signature Blend
For dessert, we had an artfully Deconstructed Black Forest Gateaux, featuring rich chocolate and cherry flavours that complemented the sweet, dry, and oaky notes of the Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Signature Blend.
The Royal Salute 30-Year-Old Key To The Kingdom is priced from RM2,398 and is available in limited quantities at selected premium retail and liquor stores, e-commerce platforms, as well as via direct purchase through Trisha Kuck, Prestige PR Manager ([email protected], +6016 4284403).

The surprise finale
Royal Salute 51-Year-Old 2021 Release
That’s not all—guests were treated to two surprises to round off the evening in royal fashion. First, the brand unveiled the limited-edition Royal Salute 51-Year-Old 2021 Release, the second expression from the Time Series collection. Matured for a remarkable 51 years, this distinguished blend is characterised by rich, opulent flavours.
Not only is it one of the oldest blends Royal Salute has ever crafted, but it is also one of the most exclusive with only 101 decanters of it available for purchase. Only two bottles of this rare release are available in Malaysia, priced at RM139,999 each. Buyers will receive an exclusive, tailor-made Royal Salute experience to complement their purchase.
Royal Salute 24-Year-Old Cognac Cask Finish
Finally, the cherry on top came in the form of the Royal Salute 24-Year-Old Cognac Cask Finish. This new expression is exclusive to select markets around Asia, encased in a striking red flagon that pays respect to the culture and prosperity of Asian markets. It is a sweet and fruity blend with notes of dark cherries and toasted oak, followed by marzipan, rich caramelised figs, lemon curd, and peaches in syrup.

Following the event, specially crafted Royal Salute vaults have been placed in select partner outlets for the public to either safekeep their bottles or unlock unique experiences. These vaults can be found at:

 Grand Imperial at The Club Bukit Utama
 Macalister Mansion, Georgetown Penang
 Mansion 9
 The Library at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur
 Whisky House Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru
 W Wine & Liquor Warehouse

For more information on the world of Royal Salute, follow @RoyalSalute on social media or visit www.royalsalute.com.

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#MondayMontage: Inspiring yogis

Lifestyle
#MondayMontage: Inspiring yogis
Core-licious

23.11.2015
By Su Fen Tan

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1. Nor Soraya
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A PR director by day, and yoga practitioner by early morning and night, Kuala Lumpur-based Nor Soraya considers herself a ‘byproduct of Instagram yoga’. Despite having only started pracitising yoga three years ago, this inspiring self-taught yogi has come a long way since then. As her impressive progress posts show—practice makes perfect.

2. Laura Kasperzak
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This mother of two has over a million followers on Instagram, and it’s easy to see why: her incredible control and strength in practice and fun-loving posts are an inspiration to aspiring yogis and non alike. Catch the occasional guest appearances of other Insta-famous yogis or her adorable kids on her feed, too.

3. Honda and Claudine Lafond
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The team behind YogaBeyond and the creators of AcroVinyasa, Honda and Claudine travels the world to share their practice, often sharing stunning shots of gravity-defying poses and breathtaking backdrops. A great joy to follow, this beautiful couple is the embodiment of the mantra practice together, stay together.

Related stories:
#MondayMontage: Framing symmetry
#MondayMontage: Captivating portraits

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Skincare
10 Best hydrating masks for parched skin

12.04.2021
By Buro247

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The best acne and spot treatments to help curb your breakouts

Nothing foils foundation application quite like dry, flaky patches can—take it from us. Whether you’ve been lax on drinking enough water (or you’re just fasting for Ramadan) or your skin is just naturally on the drier side, we have a solution for you. Introducing your skin’s new best friend: The hydrating mask.
We’ve taken the liberty of compiling the best hydrating masks on the market right now, and we’ve split them by mask type just for you.
Wash-off masks
Sand & Sky Australian Emu Apple Super Bounce Mask

You’ve probably heard of Sand and Sky through their Australian Pink Clay mask, a miracle-cure social-media fave of beauty influencers. However, we present to you the Australian Emu Apple Super Bounce mask, a hydrating, brightening and antioxidant-rich treat for your skin. The mask contains Vitamin C-rich Kakadu Plum and a blend of five types of hyaluronic acid, making it perfect for all types of skin.
SHOP HERE
Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask

This mask is a real experience, with the gentle sweet scent being complemented by a sensational application. The formula warms with application, thickening to a rich creamy texture that leaves you with glowy, hydrated skin in little more than 10-15 minutes. Note: The warming sensation may not be ideal for those with sensitive skin and this product is not vegan!
SHOP HERE
Clarins SOS Hydra Refreshing Hydration Mask

This cooling mask is formulated with the leaf of life (also known as Bryophyllum calycinum), which helps to jumpstart the mechanisms in the skin that promote total hydration.
SHOP HERE
Sheet masks
Decorté Moisture Liposome Mask

Don’t like spending more than 10 minutes on masks? This mask is your perfect remedy for dry, dull skin—the formula has amino acids, polyphenols and phospholipids (which help the skin to better retain moisture). Ten minutes of application time is all you need to give your skin an instant hydration boost and glow.
SHOP HERE
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mask

This sheet mask is infused with green tea, rice and algae for nourishing hydration and anti-ageing benefits. An added plus? Its cooling effects and gentle, hypoallergenic ingredients make it the perfect companion for sensitive skin.
SHOP HERE
Clay masks
Indie Lee Clearing Mask

This powerful, multi-tasking mask is the perfect match for any of you with dry and blemished skin. This bentonite clay and sulfur mask is blended with salicylic and glycolic acid for gentle exfoliation, chamomile and red seaweed extracts to soothe and condition, and hydrating hyaluronic acid to target dryness.
SHOP HERE
Overnight masks
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

READ: Women in beauty: Glow Recipe’s founder breaks down their best-selling products and deals some pro skincare and business tips
If you haven’t yet heard of Glow Recipe—where have you been? Also known as the K-beauty and Western beauty hybrid mask that took the internet by storm, this watermelon-powered sleeping mask is formulated with exfoliating AHAs and fortified with hydrating hyaluronic acid. Wake up with smooth, bouncy skin every time!
SHOP HERE
Drunk Elephant F-Balm™ Electrolyte Waterfacial Hydrating Mask

This overnight mask is perfect for combination and sensitive skin as it is lightweight and free of fragrance. Layer it up before bedtime to get your hydration fix, and wake up with plumper skin by the next morning.
SHOP HERE
Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask

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The brand’s new and improved Cica Sleeping Mask has once again solidified its status as a cult-favourite. Perfect for beauties with dry, sensitive skin, the Sleeping Microbiome and patented ‘Forest Yeast’ ingredients within this barrier-enforcing mask leaves the skin hydrated, nourished, and soothed.
SHOP HERE
Chanel Hydra Beauty Hydrating Oxygenating Overnight Mask

This one-of-a-kind mask transforms to dew-like droplets to help your skin oxygenate when you’re catching your beauty zzzs. Packed with Blue Ginger, Camellia Alba and a complex of zinc, copper and magnesium, it also strengthens your skin barrier while maintaining optimal moisture levels so you don’t have to worry about waking up with parched skin.
SHOP HERE
Shiseido White Lucent Overnight Cream and Mask

If you’re looking for decadence, you’ve found it. This luxurious all-in-one treatment has a brightening complex to support the skin’s natural resistance to the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone. The moisturiser also doubles as an intensive face mask for ultra-hydrated, supple skin by the next morning (and it won’t leave a residue on your sheets, either!).
SHOP HERE
For more beauty guides, click here.

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Beauty
I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) this year—here’s what I’ve learnt

11.09.2020
By Lea Rina

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I began my journey with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) when I was first diagnosed in early February 2020. I sat in a gynaecologist clinic, feeling my heart drop as the doctor began to explain everything this condition had in store for me. She talked about the ways PCOS affects women—growing facial hair, acne, fatigue, balding, infertility, inflammation, severe mood swings, irregular periods, and more. A long list of things I never thought I would have to deal with.
I left feeling defeated as if my life had shifted from improvement to a screeching halt. I spent the next few days watching countless videos and reading an endless array of articles that all led me in different directions. One in three women have PCOS, then why was it so hard to find proper information and guidance?
Why are we not talking about this?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Symptoms

Irregular periods or complete absence of periods
Male pattern hair growth; on the face, chest, back
Acne or oily skin
Hair thinning on the head
Weight gain
Infertility
Insulin resistance

The cause of PCOS is unknown, but what is known is that it is a hormonal disorder that most commonly occurs in women who have reached their reproductive age. The ovaries of women with PCOS develop a small collection of fluid or cysts that causes the eggs in the ovaries to be released irregularly. This means that women with PCOS may suffer from irregular or prolonged menstrual periods and develop an excess of the male hormone, androgen.
And so, having PCOS does not necessarily mean you can’t get pregnant, which is one of the common misconceptions about this condition. As the Office on Women’s Health website states: “PCOS is one of the most common, but treatable, causes of infertility in women. In women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation). If you don’t ovulate, you can’t get pregnant.”
What the doctors say is not always absolute
Birth control pills! Join a gym! Cut calories! Lose weight, girl! These were some of the pieces of advice I got from the doctor as a plan to move forward. She also went on to say that birth control pills for plus-sized women could possibly cause blood clots and if not caught early enough, may result in amputation or death. That was not the way I was going to go out.

I decided from then that I was going to try to do this the way I felt I needed to—without pills and potential blood clots. Through my research, I came across an Instagram account, @pcos.weightloss, which is run by a woman named Tallene. She is a registered dietitian who is also living with PCOS and she has helped countless women manage their PCOS symptoms by showing them the right diet and workout.
Going dairy- and gluten-free can help manage PCOS

Women with PCOS have higher inflammation markers than women without the syndrome, and it is believed that daily consumption of gluten-containing foods plays a big part in causing inflammation. Also, going dairy-free helps lessen mood swings, bloating, fatigue; and improves energy levels. More research needs to be done on these findings and that is why it is important for us to create a dialogue.
No more intense workouts!

30-40 per cent of women who are living with PCOS are insulin-resistant, which makes losing weight very difficult and slow. Most women are told to join a gym and work hard to lose weight, but this only stresses the body and causes it to overproduce insulin, which in turn causes the body to store more fat. Low-impact workouts for 3o minutes, three times a week—and ensuring there are rest days—are recommended because the body is then not overworked and can then begin to use stored fat.
There’s much to learn about PCOS and this is only the beginning of my journey. I’ve taken the first step with my sharing. Let’s start talking about the right way to manage PCOS!
Disclaimer: This article is not a substitute for a doctor–if you are concerned about your symptoms or your reproductive health, please contact a specialist.

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Art + Design
In pictures: Malaysian artist Wong Hoy Cheong’s works at Art Basel Hong Kong 2018
Art/commentary

29.03.2018
By Su Fen Tan

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Represented by Eslite Gallery, some of local artist-turned-social activist Wong Hoy Cheong’s impactful works were on show at Art Basel Hong Kong last weekend. While a majority of the art pieces on display are not quite new—his focus is more on politics and policy-making as of late—his old works still ring relevant today. The witty Maid in Malaysia (2008) photographic series in particular caught our eyes, depicting domestic workers performing their duties as different female cultural icons such as Supergirl, Virgin Mary and Joan of Arc—a laud to the super-tasks they take on (that often go underappreciated) in our homes on the daily, perhaps.

In Days of Our Lives (2009), Wong explored contemporary European identity in a series of reenacted photographs based on French paintings in the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon featuring familiar domestic scenes, but with migrant minorities as subjects.

See Wong’s works, including stills from films and videos, that were displayed at Art Basel 2018 here:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] wong hoy cheong art basel” rid=”6093″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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6 New bridal designers you need to know

Fashion
6 New bridal designers you need to know
Young blood

10.04.2018
By Joan Kong

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RECOMMENDED

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

Think of wedding gowns and designers such as Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta and Monique Lhuillier will come to mind. But while these established names continue to wow us with awe-inspiring creations every season, there are some new kids on the block who are slowly but surely making their mark in the bridal industry. From minimal silhouettes to modern cuts, trust us when we say that these labels are worth remembering, regardless whether you’re planning a wedding. Below, the six emerging designers with their latest bridal collections:

Danielle Frankel

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Even though it has only been a year since Danielle Frankel launched her eponymous label, her classic yet modern designs have allandedy land her on almost every “best new bridal designers” lists. Having cut her teeth at Marchesa and Vera Wang, she left the latter following a three-year stint after noticing an increasing demand in the custom bridal business. Her Autumn/Winter 2018 collection sees impeccable tailoring coupled with head-turning features such as dramatic puffed sleeves and flowy trains, giving off a powerful yet understated feel.

Sophie Et Voilà

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With a background in architecture, you can count on creative director Sofia Arribas to produce one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate clean lines and pure cuts. Based in Bilbao and Madrid, the designer unleashes her imagination and translates her passion for fashion into pieces that are full of smoothness and minimalism. Her Autumn/Winter 2018 collection which is inspired by a ’50s architectural trend called brutalism features sculptural gowns that exude elegance like no other.

Hermione de Paula

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A scroll through the brand’s Instagram and you’ll notice the abundance of florals—painted and embroidered—used in its gowns. A Central Saint Martins graduate, Hermione started her own label in 2008 after working at fashion houses such as Dior Couture, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano, but it wasn’t until 2013 before she steered the focus towards her couture bridal collection. Marrying traditional English florals with intricate embroideries, these romantic gowns are perfect for the boho brides.

Savannah Miller

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Known for her luxury bohemian gowns that are inspired by her upbringing, fashion designer Savannah Miller (and sister of British actress Sienna Miller) has been making a name for herself in the industry since she launched her first bridal capsule collection with Stone Fox Bride back in 2015. Her latest collection, Isolde’s Dream offers a myriad of contemporary gowns, from OTT tulle to chic cowl-neck pieces. Our favourite? The sheer capelets that give the simple slip that added allure.

Alex Perry

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Alex Perry may be one of the most well-known designers in Australia, but he only made his bridal debut last year with his Alex Perry Bride collection. Incorporating everything we love about a bridal piece such as ball gown silhouettes and intricate embellishment, the looks are made with the modern woman in mind and oozes opulent glamour like no other. In an interview with Vogue, the designer revealed the inspiration behind his creations. “I’ve designed this collection for a modern girl, a bride who loves fashion, and wants her bridal gown to reflect that. It’s a new streamlined way of thinking when purchasing your wedding gown. She doesn’t want the pressures of custom, but she wants the maximum impact.”

Lein

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Offering both bridal and ready-to-wear pieces, Lein’s wedding gowns address a new generation of brides with silhouettes that are all for bringing a “fresh perspective to the traditions of wedding style”. Her interest in couture pieces grew after her stint in public relations at the Chanel LA office (where she managed red carpet dresses for celebrities), and she subsequently interned with designers Zac Posen and Narciso Rodriguez who are red-carpet favourites. For Autumn 2018, expect fluid pieces that are accented with lace, and 3D details such as ruffles and plumetis.

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Culture
A not-so-General conversation with Colin Chen

26.06.2019
By Ronn Tan

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Living in the spirit of 2019 means preferring to differentiate oneself from others. You want to possess material no one else has. Be it artisanal, handcrafted, handmade, or bespoke, the demand for personalised items are on the rise. There seems to be an increase in the current generation’s willingness to spend on limited edition products. One company in Singapore has been rising to meet this demand since its inception in 2012. Emerging local and international craftsmen and designers require a platform to present their creations—that’s where The General Co comes into the picture. They provide a platform in the form of installations and pop-ups, as well as workshops to impart informal craft and design education to the public.

In the company’s words, they are “a collective of new generation craftsmen, artisans, and designers offering luxury craft services to discerning customers and brands”. Here, get to know more about The General Co and Colin Chen, co-founder of the brand.

What is The General Co?
The General Co is a collective of new generation craftsmen, artisans, and designers seeking to preserve heritage trades by melding traditional craft with modern approaches.

Who does The General Co cater to?
The General Co is an inclusive community aimed at engaging anyone with a keen interest in craft and their processes. We curate experiences for the general public to interact more with handmade crafts, getting to know the stories of our craftspeople and to understand the intricate processes behind each make. Also, our network of craftsmen have been commissioned by private individuals, corporates, brand, and trade partners, to create bespoke luxury goods, customised wares for cafes, restaurants, and bars as well as VIP gifting for private events.

Can you pinpoint one specific memory growing up that influenced your interest in crafting?
My mother was a traditional seamstress and I would watch her cut and sew when I was growing up. Frequently, she would bring me along to buy fabrics and materials for her work. In a way, I believe this was how I got exposed to the world of traditional crafts, sometimes meeting older master craftsmen with years of experience, yet who were so open to teaching my mother new tricks and techniques whenever she encounters them at the supply stores. I was intrigued by the wonders of mastering a skill as well as the process of passing down those skills through generations.

What is your proudest moment in The General Co?
I think every small win is a proud moment for me at The General Co. Each time a respectable international brand or private individual comes forward to engage our team and our craftsmen to work on projects with them, I can’t help but feel grateful for their support for our craft community.

What’s one brand you really want to work with, and why?
Interestingly, I would love to see if we can ever get to work with IKEA. I’m a firm believer that we can have great craftsmanship and good design to make products and goods that are well made and functional, and at the same time affordable for the public to enjoy. To me true luxury isn’t just about being expensive or exclusive.

What are your thoughts on the craftsmanship and design in Malaysia?
To be honest, my guess is that there are probably more traditionally skilled master craftsmen scattered across various parts of Malaysia than we have in Singapore due to the rich history of traditional crafts and the presence of more cottage industries back in the days. However, much of the goods that these talented craftspeople make nowadays are somewhat behind the times. This is the part where a new generation of designers and makers can come in and introduce new perspectives, to adhere to traditions while welcoming new approaches and apply traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

In what way does Singapore have an edge over Malaysia?
Due to our limited land size and lack of natural resources, in a way Singapore has always been forced to constantly innovate and to look outwards for growth. Many Singaporeans have since travelled abroad and acquired a wealth of skills and knowledge, and eventually returned to Singapore to perfect them. We have a stable economy and great infrastructure that encourages entrepreneurship and small businesses to start and grow which really helps. But at the same time, we have a really small domestic market, which is why Singaporean brands need to look overseas for growth and to scale which is a challenge. Malaysia on the other hand, has a fairly large local population to tap on readily and given the right approach, that can really help small businesses and brands grow to be more efficient.

You enjoy travelling. Where is the one place you have never been that you want to?
I would love to visit the Patagonia region in South America flanked by Chile and Argentina one day. I enjoy getting lost in the great outdoors, soaking in all of nature’s marvels, something that’s hard to come across in our small island.

What influences your destinations (why do you go to the places you go to)?Usually I seek destinations where I can experience more of the local cultures, be it for their food, language or to learn more about their history as well as traditional crafts and trades. I find it inspiring to meet other creators and makers while at the same time understand more about their untold stories.

What’s next for The General Co? What’s in store?
For the past couple of years, we have been mostly working on projects and commissions for private clients and while we have gotten so many requests to recreate some of the goods and products for consumers, we just never found the time to do so. So over the past year, we have been working with the talented craftsmen and designers that we have met, to create a small collection of goods and products designed for the consumers. These will be launched later this year so stay tuned with us!

For more information about The General Co, visit this website.

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Beauty
Top Tips to Instantly Get More Out of Your Facials
Glow on

13.07.2015
By Terry Saw

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Q: What are the top things people should be asking or telling their facialist?
“People these days are very smart – they actually ask many questions! But personally, I feel they should be telling more instead. Because you know your skin best, it’s important for you to be super honest when it comes to sharing your concerns with your facialist. The things we need to know in detail include:
1. Your daily skincare routine: This is to help us identify the gaps in your beauty regimen and help ‘plug’ them, where necessary.
2.  Your lifestyle: Lifestyle habits play a big role in the way your skin behaves, and it also contributes to whether or not a particular skincare product or regimen works for you.
Q: What’s your best skin health tip?
“Women generally want their skin to look matte and can’t tolerate the idea of ‘oily’ skin. As a result, they end up picking light moisturisers, some with oil-control properties even. Truth is, healthy skin is one that’s well hydrated and moisturised. What people don’t realize is that beautiful, radiant and glowing skin has a good balance of oil and water properties on the skin. That’s when skin is supple, plump and youthful.”
Q: What can we do to prolong our post-facial glow?
“I can’t stress how important it is to start with a good skincare regimen at home. Speak to your facialist, who will be your best bet in recommending the right products for your skin. Over time, your complexion will improve from within, and this will help prolong your post-facial glow and results.
“Never forget (or be too lazy) to clean your skin properly. Too many women rush through the process! I always recommend a double cleansing routine. The La Mer Cleansing Oil gently but thoroughly removes makeup, followed by either our Cleansing Lotion or Cleansing Gel after. Massage in slow circular motions onto the skin, making sure you really get rid of the day’s dirt and grime. Cleanser is the first step of any skincare regimen and it is an important one. If your skin is not clean, how are the other products going to penetrate into your skin properly?

Try: La Mer Cleasing Oil, RM328

Try: La Mer Cleansing Lotion, RM328
“Pay attention to your night routine because while you sleep, your skin is working hard to repair itself. A complete, and consistent night routine will help with your skin’s regeneration process. Once your skin health is in tip-top condition, your beauty products work better, you can see and feel the results, plus your post-facial glow will lasts for more than a day!”

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Beauty
10 Superfoods for your ultimate shopping list
Every ingredient counts

30.01.2016
By Buro247

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Our weekly shopping lists are going to vary one week to the next depending on whom we might be entertaining, where we’re going and of course, what takes our fancy at the moment. There are however a few things that should always make the list. These are foods that are not only super healthy, but are truly versatile; and in terms of cost to nutrient ratio, they are also excellent value for your hard-earned cash.

Here’s the bit of the list that you need to laminate and keep forever:

1. The Glorious Green: Kale
What’s in it for you:
Beauty Benefits: Kale is a secret weapon in the quest for maintaining healthy skin and hair. It’s packed with antioxidants needed for the building and maintenance of collagen and preventing the loss of skin elasticity. It’s high iron content also links it to the prevention of hair loss.
Anti-Cancer Effects:  Kale plays a part in eliminating potential carcinogens from the body, by conferring protection against DNA damage, and stimulating apoptosis of cancerous cells.
Urinary Health: The high amount of provitamin A in kale helps to promote the healthy surface linings of the urinary tracts, thus promoting general urinary health.
Heart Disease Defence: Kale is packed with fiber, potassium, vitamin C and B6 which is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.
And if you have diabetes: The antioxidants in kale have been shown to lower glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity and prevent oxidative stress-induced changes.

What you can do with it:
♦ Whizz it up in smoothies. If you combine them with banana, avocado or other sweeter fruit you really will be getting your greens with pleasure.
♦ Whip it into a pesto to mix with pasta or other veggies.
♦ Stir fry up a frenzy.
♦ Make it into kale chips for a superfood snack.
♦ Simply steam it as a nutrient packed side dish to whatever else is on your menu.

2. Cheeky Chia Seeds

What’s in it for you:
Tiny but bursting with goodness: Chia seeds are packed with high antioxidant capacity; three times that of blueberries and are chock-full of crucial nutrients, minerals and omega 3 fatty acids.
Packing a protein punch: They have double the protein content of most other grains.
A fabulous fibre filler:  For every tablespoon you get around 5g of fiber which is almost half the daily recommendation for a woman over 50. This can also play a role in weight loss, lowering risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

What you can do with them:
♦ Add to your water, smoothies and fruit juices.
♦ Soak in a liquid such as fresh coconut milk where the seeds expand, then add fruit for a lovely textured pudding.
♦ Use as topping for salads.
♦ Add them to baked goods such as cookies, cakes and breads.

3. Nut Butters & Milks (or Nuts to make them both yourself!)

What’s in it for you:
Great source of healthy fat: Nuts are packed with heart-healthy omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, particularly abundant in butters.
Dairy free:  Both are great substitutes for those with dairy or lactose intolerance and a good alternative for vegans and vegetarians.
Heart healthy: They are cholesterol free, high in monounsaturated fats and full of vital vitamins, minerals and protein.
*not recommended for babies or of course, tree nut allergy sufferers

What you can do with nut butters:
♦ Add a good spoonful to your favourite smoothie
♦ Stir into dressings or sauces
♦ Spread on cakes or cookies
♦ Bake nut butter cookies
♦ Nut butter ice cream
♦ Nut butter pancake

What you can do with nut milks:
♦ Use anywhere you would use a dairy milk – in French toast, bread pudding, mashed potatoes etc.
♦ Use as a base for smoothies, milk shakes or nut milk puddings.

4. The REALLY Essential Oils:  Coconut and Olive
What’s in it for you:
Friendly fats: Instead of being stored as fat, the medium chain fatty acids in the coconut oil are transferred straight to the liver and are converted to a quick source of energy. Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fats and low in unsaturated fats.
A metabolism booster: The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil provide a hit to our metabolism, hence assisting in weight loss.

What you can do with them:
♦ Coconut oil is a healthy heat stable cooking oil with a high smoke point making it great for high heat cooking like frying or roasting. Olive oil is more suitable for lower heat cooking or cold recipes.
♦ Both oils can be used topically for hair and skin.

5. Bountiful Bananas
What’s in it for you:
Lowers blood pressure: The potassium content of bananas has a vasodilation effect.
Terrific tryptophan:  This can improve mood and boost memory
Heart health: Bananas are full of fibre, vitamins C and B6, along with that potassium, all great for the heart.
A bowel buddy: The pectin in bananas acts as a prebiotic that stimulates the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel, thus aiding digestion.

What you can do with them:
♦ To put the “smooth” in a smoothie
♦ Freeze in slices, then blend for a delicious, healthy alternative to ice cream.
♦ Add it mashed to flapjacks and granola bars.
♦ Use banana skins to polish silverware and leather shoes or as a fertilizer for plants in your garden.

6. Fabulous Frozen Berries

What’s in it for you:
Disease busting antioxidants: Blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries are packed with these, helping your body fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals that can lead to cell damage and illness.

What you can do with them:
♦ Add them to your smoothies or morning oatmeal
♦ Add to pancakes

7. The Greatest Grains: Quinoa & Brown Rice
What’s in it for you:
Gluten-free glory: Both grains are perfect for anyone with gluten intolerance and help lower blood sugar levels. Quinoa is also high in protein, and is great for plant-based diets.
Versatile and simple: The perfect cupboard staples.

What you can do with them:
♦ Substitute for white rice or any other accompaniments for
♦ Add quinoa to salads and stir-fries
♦ Use quinoa as an alternative to oats in porridge

8. Eggs

What’s in it for you:
A protein rich power pack: With more than half the protein of the egg in the white, the whole thing is a great source of protein in itself.
Sunshine yellow: Egg yolks are packed with fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids.
Wondrous whites: The whites are rich sources of selenium, vitamin D, B6, B12 and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper.

What you can do with them:
♦ Hard boiled eggs for a snack on the go or packed lunch accompaniment
♦ Perfect breakfasts; scrambled, soft boiled, poached! Great with spinach or smoked salmon.

9. Dark Chocolate

What’s in it for you:
Pleasure and satisfaction: What more can you ask for? Dark chocolate has less sugar and is more satisfying, meaning you need less. It can also inhibit the desire for sweets and high fat foods.
Fabulous flavonoids: Great for brain function.

What you can do with it
♦ Grate over your morning oatmeal
♦ Eat it straight in small amounts as a snack
♦ Add into your morning baked goods

10. Himalayan Salt

What’s in it for you:
Pure taste:  Pink Himalayan salt is widely regarded as the cleanest, purest, and most “mineral-dense” type of salt available on the planet. It provides your body with 84 much needed minerals and others bio-compounds directly into your bloodstream.

What you can do with it:
♦ Substitute for white table salt.
♦ Mix with warm water and gargle if you have an irritated throat.

So the next time you wander through the aisles of your local grocery or throng through the markets, remember to stock up on these wholesome superfoods for fabulous, healthy food—all day, every day!

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How to put a happy filter on healthy
There’s more to being healthy than losing weight

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Art + Design
Video: when woodblock printing stays rooted in tradition
Attention to detail

09.11.2015
By Buro247

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8 Best art galleries to visit in the Klang Valley

Looking at the finished product of woodblock printing on textiles, it may be easy to miss or discount the intricate processes that it took to create something so beautiful and precise. In this technological age where most mass-produced textiles are aided with the help of modern machines and computer programmes, its artisan peers increasingly feel the pinch of the demands of mass production.
As the All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA) points out, the daunting craft is not only fading among younger generations; its highly traditional processes have long been taking a toll on its remaining artisans who have dedicated their lives to the craft. A country famous for its beautiful textiles, India, of course, still garners plenty of demand for its unique hand-crafted textiles. With processes that haven’t evolved much past its traditional beginnings of some 500 years ago, these textiles and its artisans are living reminders of this highly demanding and skilled art form.
This video below – posted by Victoria and Albert Museum on Vimeo – gives us an eyeful of the intricate process that marks the beginnings of the woodblock printing process, before these stencils would impart their flawless, exquisite motifs onto fabrics. The carving of the printing blocks is as equally demanding as the later production of the fine textiles, as each stage requires different skills for the process, all brought to life by specialised craftsmen. Take a look at how craftsmen at Yaseen Wooden Block Makers in Jaipur, Rajasthan, carve the meticulous, stunning motifs out of blocks of wood.

For a more in-depth look into the industry of woodblock printing textiles in India, take a look at this video by AIACA.

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Fashion
Accessory of the day: Valentino’s AW19 bucket hats

04.03.2019
By Joan Kong

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

First introduced in the early 1900s by Irish farmers and fishermen as a protection from the rain, bucket hats have always been a function-over-fashion accessory before it blew up in the ’90s. And while they have been making their resurgence as of late, we’re still not entirely convinced by the trend. That is, until yesterday. As Paris Fashion Week is coming to an end soon, at Valentino’s Autumn/Winter 2019 show yesterday, creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli sent down a series of couture bucket hats that elevated the trend to new heights—pun intended.
Inspired by four contemporary poets, namely Greta Bellamacina, Yrsa Daley-Ward, Mustafa the Poet, and Robert Montgomery, you can find lines of their masterpiece embroidered onto the looks, including one-liners such as “There’s a forever beyond the sky I think we should go there tonight,” and “You thought I was too dark until I stretched into a galaxy.” And to complete the awe-inspiring ensembles, were Valentino’s version of a bucket hat—narrower and taller in shape, complete with a bonnet-like wide brim that perfectly frames the face. The toppers—available in lace, floral-print, in ombré hues or adorned with fringes—add that mysterious yet romantic allure to the overall vibe.

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Fashion
Dressed up Fridays: City-tripping in NYC
For concrete jungle lovers

09.06.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

Planning to spend your summer exploring the beauty that is New York City? Take on the visually astounding creations at the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim along with all the greenery scenery that Central Park can offer. Here’s how you traverse the Big Apple in style while keeping your cool:

Our favourite summer hue apart from white is definitely a cool, pale blue, such as this sleeveless shirt from T by Alexander Wang. Its open-back detail allows for a breezier fit alongside a fresh urban look that fits the capital’s vibe.
Shop: T for Alexander Wang top

Don’t just throw on any pair of shorts to pair with your top. Denim cutoffs and linen shorts are perhaps a smidgen too predictable, so go for this ultra chic silk shorts from 3.1 Philip Lim that features a slightly higher waist to tuck your top in along with a side tie.
Shop: 3.1 Philip Lim tie waist shorts

Unconventionality comes in the form of these sand nubuck sandals from ATP Atelier. Handcrafted in Italy, its practical heel height gives an added inch to your frame without resulting in achey soles. Extra brownie points go to its flattering crossover design and elasticated slingback strap for comfort.
Shop: ATP Atelier ‘Sofia’ sandals

How adorable yet chic is this tan-brown, smooth-leather bag from Hillier Bartley? It features a curtain-like braided shoulder strap with tasselled ends for a touch of quirkiness, inspired by English upholstery (who’d have thunk it?)
Shop: Hillier Bartley ‘Collar Box’ tassel bag

We’re always advocates of having a dash of Parisian chic on us no matter where we’re heading to. This Friday, our accessory of choice is a pair of Chanel Chain sunglasses in acetate and metal that offers a luxe element to your overall getup. Its blue tweed motif and that iconic chain for its temples? Swoon.
Shop: Chanel ‘Chain’ sunglasses

If you worry about having too much makeup on and only to sweat it out under the heat, eschew everything else but keep a good highlighter/primer hybrid in mind. Estée Lauder’s new Genuine Glow is a water-based, oil-free line that’s perfect for the summer heat. This air-light creme for the eyes and face gives a highlighting wash of colour to the lids, cheeks and brows for a fast, lasting glow.
Shop: Estée Lauder Genuine Glow Eyelighting Creme for Eyes and Face

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Why Shiseido’s newest sun care treat is all you’ll need this summer
#WednesdayWishlist: Beach bag essentials for a summer vacation

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Beauty
24 Minutes with The Nail Parlour’s Lim May Shen
Nailing it

26.03.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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12 years after its first store opened in 1 Utama in 2006, The Nail Parlour has since clinched the title of the country’s largest nail salon chain. While Founder and CEO Lim May Shen is aware of the successes her brand has amassed along the way (what with a slew of awards and titles under the brand’s belt), she acknowledges the importance of constantly innovating her products and services to appeal to both new and existing clientele. We queried the #BuroBossGirl on what are the keys to entrepreneurial success, her go-to beauty tips and her proudest accomplishments thus far.
What made you decide to open The Nail Parlour back in 2006?
Upon my return to KL, after having worked at BHP in Sydney, I realised there were no dedicated nail salons in the city and I was apprehensive about visiting salons without proper sanitisation procedures and consistent levels of service where I would feel comfortable having my nails done.
I realised the importance of having a complete peace-of-mind when it comes to personal beauty services and that there was a real need in the market for professionally-managed nail salons. Identifying this gap in the market, I set out to offer professional manicure and pedicure experiences with sanitisation procedures of the highest standard.
The Nail Parlour pioneered the concept of standalone nail salons. 12 years ago, there were no specialist nail salons and there weren’t any salons that offered nail services and treatments in an environment that was not only design driven but also fun and relaxing to be in. Back in January 2006, The Nail Parlour first opened its doors in Petaling Jaya’s 1 Utama Shopping Centre. Now, the brand has expanded across the Klang Valley with 12 stores in major shopping centres, making us the largest nail salon chain in the country.

What do you think it takes to become a successful entrepreneur?
Firstly, ensure that your product and/or service offer delivers real value. It must deliver results and offer perceivably better benefits than the competition. One of the biggest mistakes is to offer customers easily imitable or generic products or services.
Secondly, don’t do everything yourself. Ensure that you have a great support system when you first start out. Find a group of people who believe in your vision and this team of people are those who will deliver your vision.
Thirdly, be willing to sacrifice more than what you’ve bargained for. You have to be prepared to give up time for yourself, time with your family and so much more. You have to ask yourself what you are willing to give up for your vision before starting your brand or label.

What are some of the important lessons you’ve learned when you first started The Nail Parlour?
One of the most challenging aspects in building the business was getting shopping malls to offer retail space to us. At the beginning, nobody had heard of us and it was very difficult to convince malls to recognise a home-grown brand.  Some did not even think it was necessary to have a nail salon in a mall!
We overcame this perception by inviting key managers of shopping centres to try our services and experience The Nail Parlour for themselves.  We had to prove to the management that The Nail Parlour could be a destination in itself. This taught me one of the most important lessons I hold onto till this day, which is to never give up if you believe in your vision.

With the increase in beauty salons now in Malaysia, how does The Nail Parlour remain competitive in the industry?
Our early success was based on the professionalism and technical skills of our staff, and by ensuring that every customer leaves The Nail Parlour with beautiful nails. We elevated the concept of your typical neighbourhood nail salon and turned it into a destination. Now The Nail Parlour’s success is grounded in being an industry leader and innovator — continuously offering new services, products and experiences. Our service menu at The Nail Parlour’s first store (in 1 Utama) has grown to be one of the most extensive in business. We pride ourselves in having introduced many firsts in the local nail industry, from male manicures and pedicures to incorporating fresh ingredients to provide a sensory experience. We’re also the first to offer automated callus removal and the only salon in Malaysia to use both ultrasonic and steam machines to disinfect our tools.
We offer our customers three key values: assurance, confidence and fun. In any service transaction, the customer bears the risk of purchasing a substandard service. We give our customer the assurance and confidence that they can walk into any of our 12 salons and be sure that our service quality is top-notch and consistent across the board. They can be confident that all of our products from our files and buffers to our nail polishes are the best in the industry. (Fun fact: Our nail files and buffers are created exclusively for us in the United States and made for professional use.)
Of course, we try to keep the whole experience fun and indulgent by always changing our menu of limited edition services, including using a range of uniquely-scented products such as lavender or pomegranate and fig. Customers can also indulge in spa manicures and pedicures at Luxe by The Nail Parlour in KLCC and Mid Valley where they can be pampered with the full works: extra-long massages, TWG tea, Nespresso coffee and herbal heat packs.

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As a #BossGirl, what are you most proud of when it comes to your brand?
I am proud that the brand has become synonymous with manicure and pedicure services in Malaysia. Achieving brand awareness was one of our biggest challenges and one of my proudest moments was when the hoarding went up for the new shop lot at Suria KLCC.  That really defined and brought home to me that The Nail Parlour was taking up space side by side with international brands in an iconic Malaysian landmark, which was such an achievement for a local, home-grown brand.
I am also humbled and proud that we are the most awarded nail salon in the country. With over 62 service awards and 52 product awards to date, the tremendous support we’ve had from the media and the awards and accolades we’ve received is something I’ve very proud of.
Other business milestones include moving beyond the service side of the business to producing The Nail Parlour’s own line of professional-standard nail and hand and foot care products (e.g. nail care kits, buffing kits, files, buffers, nail polishes and lotions). We are now able to offer our customers a full service, one-stop solution for all of their nail, hand and foot care needs.
I’m also very proud of The Nail Parlour’s involvement in sponsoring and building an EPIC home last year for indigenous families in Serendah. It was an amazing experience for both myself and my team and it made us aware of how we can make a difference. How you can gauge a company’s success is by how happy and engaged the staff are with the business — some of our employees have been with us from the start 12 years ago, and that I am very proud of and thankful for.

As a #BossGirl, how do you empower your employees?
Creating an environment of teamwork and shared purpose means that the team goes above and beyond when there is a common goal larger than themselves. I lead my team by making my employees accountable while also giving them the autonomy to carry out their own roles. Nurturing my team’s creativity and innovation while providing them with clarity of our company’s vision and mission also helps my team develop personally and professionally.
Also, having my sister on board means I have someone I can trust to bounce ideas off. Knowing that we always have each other’s backs and are always united in our shared goals for the company means that I’m working with someone I can really open up to and can build on ideas with.

Who is your biggest motivation?
My family, my team and my commitment and sense of responsibility to deliver superlative service experiences to our customers are both my inspiration and drive. My family is a great motivational and grounding source for me. They are always my greatest supporters and cheerleaders!
Customers who tell us how much they love having their nails done with us, also keep motivating me to ensure The Nail Parlour continues to deliver superlative service experiences. The tremendous support we’ve had from the media and the awards and accolades we’ve received is a humbling validation of the connection The Nail Parlour has with our fans.

What do you think is the one thing that a woman should always do for herself?
A woman always needs to make time for herself. Women fill a multitude of roles and are such excellent multitaskers that they tend to want to do everything. Whether is time at the gym, the spa or even just meditating, it’s important that women recharge themselves before being the pillars to loved ones in their lives.

What does an ideal day off look like to you?
An ideal day off is being at home with family and having time for a run. Home is my sanctuary and my idea of complete relaxation is when I zen out.

What is your personal mantra?
To always do my very best by my family and friends, my team and my customers, with integrity and with gratitude.

What are some of the more popular nail trends that you predict for 2018?
For Autumn/Winter 2018, modern French manicures are trending such as the reverse French nails spotted at the Moschino show — two varnishes, a bright and pale pink shade, applied as a half moon manicure. Muted nude manicures with a pop of embellishment in the form of Swarovski crystals seen at Mulberry are a great way of updating a classic nude look with a luxe touch. Burgundy and deep reds are always a classic go-to style for the season as well.

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Please share with our readers some of your beauty tips.
I’ve found that the best way to extend a manicure is to apply a good quality, high shine topcoat the day after you get your nails done. For best results, apply a layer of top coat every two days after that. That doubles the duration of your manicure and keep your nails looking shiny and new. Using a cuticle oil every night also keeps nails and cuticles supple and moisturised and keeps hands looking groomed.
A good primer really helps makeup last. I have combination skin and have used Shu Uemura’s Poreraser UV Under Base Mousse for years. It’s fantastic for keeping makeup on all day and reducing shine. I like keeping makeup natural and I love Guerlain’s Lingerie De Peau Natural Perfection Foundation for a super sheer, natural look.
I keep my skincare simple with just cleanser and moisturiser. I’ve found that the best skincare secrets are really plenty of sleep and water! When traveling, I use La Mer’s The Renewal Oil to keep dryness at bay.

What is the best beauty advice you’ve received that’s never really gone away?
My mother’s advice to always wear sunscreen. I’ve been wearing sunscreen since I was 12 and my favourite is California Baby’s Super Sensitive 50+ Sunscreen Lotion. I keep away from sunscreen that contains oxybenzone and this is one of the few that does not have this chemical filter.

What is your ultimate vision for The Nail Parlour Group?
My ultimate vision for The Nail Parlour is to become the leading nail salon and beauty services provider in Southeast Asia.

What are you most excited for The Nail Parlour next?
I’m most excited about bringing our concept to new markets and expanding The Nail Parlour within Malaysia and to other Asean countries, while also exploring other beauty service related businesses that leverage on our key strength of delivering service excellence.

Follow The Nail Parlour for more updates on Instagram, Facebook and its website.

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Food + Drink
All hail my indispensable kitchen companions
#Squadgoals

02.06.2016
By Buro247

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

In an age where the Thermomix reigns supreme, I could quite possibly be the solitary voice in the wilderness valiantly championing kitchen implements that don’t require electricity to function. But while your magic machine may slice, dice, cook, bake bread and make soup for you, I’d rather cling to my archaic ways. And it’s not just because I’m stubborn, but also because I cherish the sanctity of performing my tasks by hand, and imagine—perhaps unrealistically, but I’ll never know, will I—that the food tastes immeasurably better. Herewith my indispensable companions in the kitchen, which are as vital to my culinary adventures as Tonto is to the Lone Ranger.

Scissors
More than just an implement to open bags of chips, a good pair of scissors will go a long way towards championing your bid to becoming the next Masterchef. Your scissors will save you time chopping pesky herbs, while concurrently acting as an effective knife replacement for cutting spring onions and other vegetables as well as trimming fat off meat, and snipping off bacon edges to prevent them from curling.

Tongs
Ah, tongs. If you could have a third arm, you’d want it to be a pair of tongs. Not only can it do so much more, it also has the added merit—like Robocop—of withstanding extreme heat. To wit: use your tongs to turn meat in the oven, pick up ice cubes, toss the salad, retrieve objects from places your hands refuse to venture, and cook, toss, and serve freshly cooked pasta.

Flexible chopping board
Make the flexible plastic chopping board your new best friend. It’s lightweight and easy to wash, and also doubles as a funnel, thereby guaranteeing minimum spillage in the crucial transfer of chopped ingredients from board to frying pan.

Spatula
Useful for so much more than just spreading icing on the cake, the spatula—and make it silicon, thanks—will also ensure you never waste any more food that you’re cooking. Not only will it scrape out every last drop of sambal from the blender, it will also leave not a drop of soup in the pot in which it was just cooked.

Egg slicer
Before you raise your eyebrows, understand that the egg slicer, like the oft-mocked bidet, has many hidden uses. With its assistance, you’ll enjoy perfectly sliced hard-boiled eggs henceforth, and also suddenly acquire the skill to efficaciously cut mushrooms, soft fruits like kiwi and strawberries, olives, and soft cheese with not a modicum of fuss or injury incurred.

Ice trays
Like the Plain Jane who’s begging to be loved, your ice trays will work doubly hard for you once you deign to show them some attention. Fill them with leftover wine, homemade stock, or juice, and store them in freezer bags once frozen to be called upon for duty at any given time.

Crockpot
Sure, it conjures images of little old ladies in terry-towelling robes, but the crockpot—whilst not glamorous—is abundantly useful, especially when schedules are a consideration. You’ll save time (just pop everything in and leave it to work its magic), electricity, reduce wastage (transform less desirable cuts of meat and vegetables into soup/stew ingredients), and boost your health (less oil used = healthy tickers), all without even breaking a sweat.

With the exception of the singularly unprepossessing crockpot, most of the utensils you own should also look good. With that in mind, you should make a beeline pronto to Joseph and Joseph for their handsome and immensely useful kitchen tools.

Follow Fay on Twitter and Instagram at @misskhoo.

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Source:https://www.buro247.my/lifestyle/food-and-drink/when-mummy-s-little-helper-goes-five-star.html
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Beauty
Go behind the scene at the exclusive Buro 24/7 Malaysia x Urban Decay shoot party
Backstage access

11.04.2017
By Gwen Ong

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Lights, camera, action!
With the Buro Lamborghini parked out front and the stage all set, we were in an ecstatic mood counting down to the one-of-a-kind Buro 24/7 Malaysia x Urban Decay shoot party. Held at The Pawn Room, TTDI, the speakeasy was transformed into a private and intimate studio set where we ushered in a group of special guests to celebrate the new Urban Decay Vice liquid lipsticks. The new Urban Decay lipstick collection features 30 beautiful shades, so it was only apt that we got 30, and a few more, girls to come and discover their perfect ‘Vice’.
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The theme was edgy chic, so it was the chance for us to channel our inner Ruby Rose and be bad*** for a day. It was a lively affair as the girls arrived and made their way to the beauty stations to get up-close to their new ‘Vice’. The excitement was palpable! As the makeup artists worked their magic on the guests, hairstylists from Code 6 Hair Studio were on hand to help the girls get their style on point.
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Then, it was time to be a star! The Buro 24/7 Malaysia x Urban Decay shoot party featured three dedicated sections for video filming and a VIP room for a personal photography shoot. Under the bright lights and with a selection of props including the Buro lollipop and fan as well as cool eyewear from Lapiz Malaysia, the girls put their best game face on and pout their lips out for their very own ad campaign.
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And if you had to ask, of course the lippies withstood the test of the screen moments and even more. Big applause to all the girls rocking out their Urban Decay Vice liquid lipsticks at the exclusive Buro 24/7 Malaysia x Urban Decay shoot party. You are all stars!

For a glimpse of what went on “backstage”, click play below:

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