7 Things to know about Tom Holland

Culture
7 Things to know about Tom Holland
Spidey-worthy

06.07.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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1. He’s the youngest actor to play Spider-Man
The first time we saw Tom Holland’s Spider-Man on film—that is in Captain America: Civil War last year—he was only 20 years old, making him the youngest person to play Peter Parker. Tobey Maguire was 27 when he first played Spidey, while Andrew Garfield was 29.

2. He already has a few awards to show for his acting chops
Spider-Man might be his first titular role in a film, but Tom Holland notably gained recognition for his acting prowess in the 2012 movie The Impossible, where he starred with Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor as their older son. He scooped up multiple awards for his performance, including the London Film Critics Circle Awards’ Young British Performer of the Year. More great things to come, we predict.

3. He has been acting for 10 years
So Tom is only 21 now, but the young actor already has a decade’s worth of experience under his belt. His first break was on West End’s Billy Elliot the Musical, where he has played both the roles of Billy Elliott and Billy’s best friend Michael.

4. He’s got the moves
Tom’s role as Billy Elliott was no fluff—the actor trained in ballet and gymnastics for two years for the role. Prior to that, he began taking hip-hop classes at Nifty Feet Dance School in Wimbledon before he turned 10. All that dance training and his natural flair for it certainly shows. In case you missed his incredible lip sync performance to Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’, here it is:

5. Naturally, he does most of his own stunts
He kept up with gymnastics on his own after Billy Elliot, and got into parkour in the form of free running. With his lithe acrobatic skills, it’s more than fitting that he gets to play the Marvel wall-crawler. Tom can pretty much do most of the things Spider-Man can—super impressive.

A post shared by ✌ (@tomholland2013) on Nov 5, 2015 at 8:56am PST

6. He went to Croydon’s BRIT school for Performing Arts and Technology
A.k.a the school with an ultra star-studded list of alumni. Other famous names that went to BRIT School include Adele, Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis, Imogen Heap, Jessie J and Kate Nash.

7. He has a big heart
Tom definitely embraces the phrase “With great power comes great responsibility”. He recently launched The Brother’s Trust together with his three brothers, where all proceeds from the charity’s events will be distributed to worthy causes. He has also been making rounds and spreading smiles at children’s homes and hospitals dressed as Spidey. A worthy Spider-Man indeed.

A post shared by ✌ (@tomholland2013) on Aug 18, 2016 at 3:20pm PDT

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Food + Drink
Food review: Borneo Restaurant & Bar @ Bangsar

08.08.2019
By Ronn Tan

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Hello, there! It’s me again, your accidental resident food person. A mere three months ago, my daily diet consisted of mainly greens, granola, and the occasional chicken (#meat). Fast forward to the present, I have finally arrived at a realisation. Food is love and love is food. Good news for me: the abundance of restaurants and cafes in Kuala Lumpur complements my newfound adoration for all things delicious. Here’s a little story about a spot I visited a few weeks ago—Borneo Restaurant and Bar in Jalan Telawi, Bangsar.

Before I begin though, let me disseminate some Borneo trivia. The third largest island in the world is home to three countries: Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), Brunei, and Indonesia (Kalimantan). It has some of the world’s most wildlife-rich equatorial rainforests, incredible landscapes, and lush indigenous culture. One thing you should also know is that Borneo is a culinary melting pot. Cuisines there are wide-ranging due to varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Whether it’s Chinese, Malay, Indonesian, Kelabit, or Iban, culinary traditions there thrive with the availability of fresh, natural offerings everywhere.
As I think about all the ingredients from the island—most of which I’ve probably never heard of—I am reminded of Sheela Velappan’s (founder of Borneo Restaurant and Bar) anecdotes on her experiences foraging for resources in Borneo. Some good, some not as good; you’ll just have to ask her and she’d be happy to spill the tea let you know. In collaboration with Sabahan chef, Emily Chak, the restaurant aims to help people gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of Bornean food through modern, contemporary dishes. I tried quite a number of dishes and these are my favourites!
Borneo Satay (RM25)

I remember clearly how I felt when this dish was first placed on the table. The meat glistened and sparkled—almost as if it’s calling out for attention (which clearly succeeded!). So, what’s a Borneo Satay? The restaurant’s version is olive-fed pork marinated in gula apong (Sarawak palm sugar) and served with nutty keranji (velvet tamarind) gravy. Did I like it? Let me break it down for you. On first bite (dipped in sauce), flavours I’ve never experienced came bursting through. The subtle sweetness of the gula apong combined with hints of sourness from the gravy enhanced the essence of the meat. Mind you, the pork on its own already packs a punch, both from the lushness of the meat and the palm sugar coating. Unlike conventional satays one can get at the mamak or hawker stall—which can be quite burnt and thin—the Borneo Satay was adequately grilled and inviting. I didn’t even have to remove any black parts (you know what I mean). However, it’s truth bomb time. Personal opinion: Take the satay without the gravy. Why? The meat already has its own natural aroma and piquancy, and the plum-like sourness would have taken away its opulence. I’ve always preferred my meat raw (as in just slightly salted without additional sauces) so dunking it in dressing is a no-no. Try it for yourself and let me know if you fancy the Borneo Satay with or without the nutty keranji relish.
Cangkuk Manis (RM12)

I get it. It looks pretty normal. Oh, it’s also really, really green. But fret not if you’re not into fibre (you should be, by the way), this is one dish that everyone can enjoy. Really. Anyone. This sweet, leafy vegetable is more commonly known as ‘Mani Chai’. Served fried and crispy, the plate came with cured egg yolk. I began my journey through the cangkuk manis forest with a teaspoon-full of crunch. The bad news is that it was bland. The good news, however, is that it was that exact mildness that made the dish so addictive. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect as a bar snack (especially when paired with tuak). Yes, it was somewhat oily, which took some points off. Dilemma alert; so unhealthy yet I couldn’t stop eating it. No, I did not forget about the beautiful topping. I mentioned earlier that the cangkuk manis did not have any a lot of taste to it, but that was also why it came with the cured egg yolk. According to Sheela, it is better to add bits of the yolk to your spoon when needed rather than stir everything together. I did the latter but still enjoyed the upgraded flavours nevertheless. While thorough saltiness isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, the cangkuk manis went from meh to savoury (even with a pinch). At the end of the day, it depends massively on how you intend to eat it—as a snack, go without the egg yolk, and vice versa.
Kong Pia (RM20)

Kong pia, or roti kompyang in Malay (and kompia in Indonesian) can be found wherever there are Foochows. Hence, kong pia is available in places such as Sitiawan in Perak and Sibu in Sarawak. The bread is usually made with lard, onions, salt, and flour in addition to meat fillings. As you can see from the photo above, there is some kind of deconstruction going on with Borneo Restaurant’s interpretation of the dish. The fried sesame pastry buns are accompanied by minced pork, salted fish, and raw egg yolk—outside the doughnut. That’s new. Presented sizzling hot, the first reaction will be from the prodigious smell exuded from the plate. Breathe it all in, squeeze the lime and mix everything together (including the egg but sans the bread).
Is it time to eat yet? Let’s dig in! First, I took a bite of the pastry alone; just naked and ambitious. What I liked: as they were fried, there was extra crunch and the somehow-burnt-but-not-really aroma gave an extra push. There’s just something about charred (or mildly seared) food that tastes so good to me. They play with my senses and are fairly pleasing. As for the part about health, we’ll go there some other time (#EatFirst). Alright. What I didn’t like: even though this is a contemporary take on the traditional kong pia, I still wanted an ounce of nostalgia—which I found to be absent. A lot of my childhood was spent growing up in Sitiawan, Perak and kong pia is something I ate a lot (maybe too much). Therefore, saying I love it is a major understatement. Of course, this is just a personal opinion and I know many who actually enjoyed the pastry in the restaurant.
Enough about the bun! What about the fillings? Unlike the bread, I did not have any expectation for the minced pork, salted fish, and egg mixture. My mistake was not stirring them up right away as they do get lumpy after awhile. However, in all truthfulness, the fillings were divine and that slight mishap did not affect the outcome of the dish. Remember childhood games such as Street Fighter and Marvel vs Capcom? It’s pretty similar because you literally get one good hit after another—say yes to combo points! While a tad brackish, it was still palatable. You get the lavishness of the pork, and the stimulating flavours of the salted fish. Truth be told, I would not mind eating these without the pastry and if I have to recommend one dish from the menu, this would definitely be it.
Engkabang Pasta (RM24)

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? I know there probably isn’t any correlation between pasta and Borneo but hey—leave all your assumptions at the door. Apart from that, it is also understandable if you thought mee goreng. This isn’t fried noodles. Well, the pasta was coated with Engkabang butter (vegan butter from Sarawak rainforest) and egg white sauce that came with eryngii mushroom and cangkuk manis. Fun fact: the rare Engkabang flower only blooms every three to five years. Textbook example of uniqueness. Cooked firm to the bite, the pasta was al dente—albeit lacking in taste—and that’s extremely important. No room for undercooking! We’ve established that the resident carbohydrates are perfectly prepared but something was missing. A superhero was required to save the world pasta and then, in came the butter. Just a few sprinkles of that and there was a huge transformation. The ghee has a mellow taste and oily texture, but added a subtle richness to the dish as a whole. If I have to describe the end result in two words, I’d use “simply edible”. Definitely made everything more enjoyable. Ironically, for a dish that seemed heavy, it was actually light and refreshing. Vegans Anyone would love this.
Borneo Rajah (RM60)

This is one massive dish. You can either share this or go all out on your own. I chose the former, of course. The Borneo Rajah consists of terubok roe (highly sought after Chinese herring) and seafood pancake, grilled kacangma (Chinese motherwort herb) chicken and hinava (Kadazan-Dusun version of ceviche) as well as Bario rice salad and tuhau (wild ginger stem) sambal. There is also a choice between fried pork—which I had—and squid. As with most, if not all, restaurants in the world, there will always be hits and misses. Even for the best of places. Let’s begin with my favourite of them all—the hinava (or umai). Made with fresh fish, lime juice, chilli, and shallots, it is the perfect way to begin your way through this gigantic offering. It’s vivid without being overpoweringly zesty and tart but not harsh. You can also return to the hinava (treat it like a checkpoint) after trying out other components because it cleanses your palate. Oh, it sure was appetising.
If you’re unfamiliar with Bario rice, it is indigenous rice produced in the highlands of Sarawak. What sets Bario apart from other grain varieties is its sweetness. Hence, it is complements the meats on the plate perfectly. The grilled kacangma chicken, while cooked to perfection, had an unfortunate yet understandable bitter taste. Yes, it’s credited to the kacangma. As I have never tried or seen the motherwort herb ever, expectation was as good as none. Post-first bite, I can say that it’s an acquired taste, especially if you are not into anything acrid. On a positive note, the grub was succulent and delectable. Can’t fault that at all.
The Borneo Rajah also comes with tuhau sambal (wild ginger stem with high fibre content) and fried pork. There really isn’t much to say about the pork—crispy on the sides and not too dry. It went really well with the Bario rice. Try this out and let me know what you think!

If there’s one thing you have to try when you’re at Borneo Restaurant and Bar, it’s their collection of tuak (Sarawakian term for rice wine). Sheela introduced me to Kuching Girl (tuak made in KL), and the Tuak Flight, which includes six different types, such as Bad Cat Asap, Rollercoaster, Big Apple, Wedding, Cider Tuak, and The Red. My personal favourite—Bad Cat Asap, for its sweetness unlike the general bitterness one gets from tuak. Pair them with the dishes mentioned above and you’re good to go!
What makes Borneo in Bangsar unique is its ingredients and the dishes formed around them. They aren’t usually found in establishments in West Malaysia and hence, worth trying out.
Borneo Restaurant and Bar
Address: 11, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru
Opening Hours
Wednesday – Monday: 11am – 1am
Contact: 010 250 2255
Website | Instagram

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Summer outfit inspo: Preppy tennis star

Fashion
Summer outfit inspo: Preppy tennis star

28.05.2019
By Stephanie Boey

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Think Lacoste and the image of a clean white polo with an embroidered crocodile on the left chest immediately pops into mind. ‘The Crocodile’ was the nickname given to the founder of the brand, René Lacoste —a French tennis player—for his tenacity on and off the court. The well-skilled player went on to win multiple championships, including taking the French Open title in 1925, 1927 and 1929 before immortalising his moniker into a clothing line in 1933. The legend and the brand are proudly French, and it’s apt that the latest collection is in collaboration with The French Open (more popularly known as Roland-Gaross) to celebrate this year’s tournament.
The Lacoste x Roland-Garros collection is a beautiful mix of performance and lifewear that the French fashion brand is famously known for. The green Lacoste croc gets a clean slate in white, court lines are deconstructed into timeless stripes and tennis ball outlines create a modern print in colour blocks to produce an overall look that is casual but refined. The Striped Tech Pique polo has sharp geometric lines that stretch across the chest and line up beautifully with the sleeves while the Petit Pique Polo Shirt plays with simple but ultra chic colour blocking. The caps, bucket hats and windbreakers combine design with functionality, and are specially branded with the Roland-Garros logo.
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If you’re looking for more relaxed silhouettes, you’ll be pleased with the Tennis Remix edit. It bears the same athleisurewear identity with a more contemporary twist. The same timeless stripes line the pieces, with a more casual approach. The v-neck cotton sweater bears three striking stripes on the neckline in royal blue, pristine white and deep red for a sporty touch. Perfect for a casual day out, the striped crew neck sweater sharpens up any look. Wear it loose and untucked for a relaxed fit. The standout piece? The water-resistant windbreaker with stripes that extend across the entire breadth of the outerwear, made even more functional with a kangaroo pullover. You don’t have to be a tennis star to look good in this!
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The Lacoste x Roland-Garros collection is now available in Lacoste stores.

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Collections
PHOTOS: MSGM Men’s Spring/Summer 2022 Collection

23.06.2021
By Buro Malaysia

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Film, TV + Theatre
Dive into nostalgia with Stranger Thing’s 8-bit mobile game
Retro fun

06.10.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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14 Thrilling new TV shows and films to stream in July 2023

Not long to go now until the second season of Stranger Things arrives on Netflix. In anticipation of the series’ return on 27 October, the show’s creators have released ‘Strangers Things: The Game’ for Android and iOS devices. Like the show, the game evokes ’80s nostalgia in all its 8-bit glory.

Players will start out as Chief Hopper, going on to unlock different chapters and characters in the adventure-puzzle game. You can even traverse to the Upside Down—not without donning a hazmat suit, of course. Besides playing to beat the game, there’s a side mission for you to collect tapes and complete the full VHS library, after which a never-before-seen-footage of Season 2 will be unlocked.

Go on and enter the Upside Down.

‘Stranger Things’ Season Two will debut on Netflix worldwide this 27 October, just in time for Halloween.

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Technology
4 Apple Watch tips and tricks that could change your life

25.05.2021
By Rachel Au

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The Apple Watch does many things: telling the time (obviously), logging reminders, Shazam-ing for the title of a song, playing music and podcasts, to name a few. But apart from assisting users with most everyday tasks, it champions helping people lead a healthy lifestyle. At first, it was about closing your ‘rings’ (did you move/stand/exercise enough in a day?), tracking your steps and workouts, and checking your heart rate. But it has since evolved to offer more. Breathe—for your mind and anxiety’s sake. Blood oxygen—to monitor (but not conclusively) your heart and respiratory health. Noise—to ensure your hearing’s health.
Two of the key highlights of its health-related features include the ECG (electrocardiogram) app and irregular rhythm notification, which help detect heart abnormalities. Two of which was not available in Malaysia for the longest time—until now. Both have received approval from the Medical Device Authority (MDA) in Malaysia as Class B software medical devices.

That being said, Apple does add the following disclaimer: “The app does not detect heart attack, blood clots, stroke, or other heart-related conditions including high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, high cholesterol, or other forms of arrhythmia.”
So what is the point of the ECG app and irregular rhythm notification? One, you can take an electrocardiogram from your wrist, have that data sent to the Health app on your iPhone and get the results exported into a PDF for your doctor’s review. Two, it primarily helps people to potentially detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF), the most common form of irregular heart rhythm. If left untreated, AFib could lead to stroke, the second most common cause of death worldwide.

Dr. Mohamed Ezani Taib, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the National Heart Institute Kuala Lumpur, says, “The ECG app on Apple Watch will certainly bring a new dimension to patient care as a very accessible initial indicator of heart health.”
“AFib cases account for approximately one-third of our 200,000 cases annually here at the National Heart Institute, of which 40 per cent are undiagnosed. Therefore, having an early warning system will be of immense benefit that will enable healthcare providers to better diagnose and treat heart rhythm issues earlier and potentially reduce the risk of complications, such as stroke, in the longer term.”
Read on to find out all the health-related tips you might not have known before.
1. Take an ECG recording

First, you’ll need to have already updated your iPhone and Apple Watch to iOS 14.6 and watchOS 7.5, respectively. Set it up in the Health app on your iPhone, where you’ll also be able to learn more about the different heart patterns it can detect as well as the use of ECG. Once you’re all set up, you can take an ECG recording at any time simply by launching the app on the Apple Watch and then hold a finger on the Digital Crown (best done when your arm is resting on your lap or table) for 30 seconds.
Your heart rhythm will then be classified as: AFib, AFib with high heart rate, sinus rhythm, low or high heart rate, inconclusive, or poor recording. However, do take note that this isn’t an official diagnosis, and if unsure or unwell, it’s best to speak to a doctor. In addition, it’s not recommended to take multiple ECG readings in a row.
Available on: Apple Watch Series 4, 5 and 6
2. Enable the irregular rhythm notification

Turn it on via the Health app on your iPhone. Just go to the Summary tab on the menu at the bottom of your screen, scroll down (past your Favourites) until you reach the ‘Get More From Health’ section. This feature will check your heart rhythm in the background for signs of AFib from time to time. If an irregular rhythm is detected on five rhythm checks over a minimum of 65 minutes, you’ll receive a notification.
Also only available with iOS 14.6 and watchOS 7.5.
Available on: Apple Watch Series 3 and later
3. How to unlock your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask

Due to the pandemic, wearing masks are a must, but that takes away the convenience of using Face ID to unlock your phones while you’re out. ICYMI: iOS 14.5 fixed this. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Unlock with Apple Watch.
Next time, as long as your Apple Watch is on your wrist and the iPhone is nearby, a simple glance will easily unlock it.
Available on: iPhone X and later; Apple Watch Series 3 and later
*Or you can try this hack from TikTok

@roxanna.roxi

OMG! Did you know?? #lifestyle #iphonehack #iphonetricks #mask
♬ original sound – ROMINA

4. Turn on the Automatic Handwashing Detection

No need to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ for 20 seconds to ensure you’re correctly washing your hands. The Apple Watch will set the timer for you. Using its motion sensors and microphone, it’ll be able to automatically detect when you’re washing your hands and start the 20-second timer. If you finish earlier than 20 seconds, it will prompt you to keep washing. This data will be saved in the Health app.
To activate it, go to the Watch app on your iPhone and look for Handwashing, and turn on ‘Allow Notifications’ and Handwashing Timer.
Available on: watch OS7 onwards
For more tech updates and reviews, head over here.

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Watch the Givenchy AW18 livestream here

Fashion
Watch the Givenchy AW18 livestream here
Live from Paris

04.03.2018
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News
7 Fun things you can do in KL this weekend: 7 & 8 December 2019

04.12.2019
By Ronn Tan

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

1. Friends of Entier Farmers Market at Entier French Dining, 11am – 5pm, 8 December 2019
This Sunday, browse through a collection of small batch produces and artisans in this first-of-its-kind event in Kuala Lumpur. You will find crafts, artisanal hardware, gourmet goods, specialty coffee, boutique wines, farm and fresh produce, as well as organic vegetables. Brands include PPP Coffee, Delia Wines, Wild Kombucha, Mossybola Kokedama, Chocolate Concierge, Delvic, Secai Marche, T’Lur Tropical Caviar, Favory Home, and Cemara Ayu. All you’ve got to do is head over to the 40th and 41st floors of Alila Bangsar.
For more information, visit this website.
2. Hennessy Night 2019 at Mega Star Arena, 8pm – 1am, 7 December 2019
Head over to Viva Shopping Mall this Saturday to dwell in the wonders of Hennessy V.S.O.P. In addition to installations, and light displays, you will be entertained by notable internationally-known DJs—Cesqeaux from The Netherlands and Kim Lee (known for her performances at Ultra Music Festival in Japan and Korea). That’s not all as our very own homegrown DJ and influencer, Ashley Lau, will also be spinning on the night.
For more information and to register, visit this website.
3. From M to M: Works by Liew Kwai Fei at The Zhongshan Building, 7 & 8 December 2019
This weekend, take the opportunity to explore an exhibition of 20 acrylics on Indian handmade paper at The Back Room—all by Liew Kwai Fei. This is a result of his two-month residency in Mumbai back in 2010. Elements to expect include ambiguous and sensual forms, negative and positive spaces, exotic shapes, folklore and culture motifs, and vivid colored compositions. The exhibition runs until 22 December 2019 and admission is free.
For more information, visit this website.
4. Try the Siti Li x BLVD House pop-up menu at BLVD House, 9am – 11pm, 7 & 8 December 2019
Head over to the city centre this weekend to feast on a special collaboration between two homegrown brands—Siti Li and BLVD House. The month-long menu (22 November – 22 December) consists of the former’s classic Malay recipes and the latter’s bestsellers. Did you know that BLVD House was featured in Crazy Rich Asians? Well, now it’s your time to experience the luxe life in this kitchen take-over by Shareen Ramli and Siti Kader. What should you try? Honestly, there are too many goodies to choose from but here are some suggestions: Lekor Tumpat (deep fried fish cake), Wagyu Beef Begedil (mini patties of meat and potatoes), Nasi Kahwin with Daging Masak Hitam (tenderloin cooked in three types of soy sauce), Quinoa, Ulam dan Gulai (with Gulai Ikan Tongkol), and Cekodok Pisang Jumbo (banana nuggets). Time to get eating!
For more information, visit this website.

5. NYK at Living Room Live at W Kuala Lumpur, 9pm – 11pm, 6 December 2019

This Friday, the hotel’s Woobar is hosting a performance by one of Malaysia’s up-and-coming RnB artiste. The musician, who opened for James Arthur and The Sam Willows, is one to look out for. Songs to check out include My Baby (Loves Me) and Make It On Me. Entry for this extraodinary night of pure talent is free!

For more information, visit this website.
6. A Very Merry Riuh at Sentul Depot, 12pm – 10pm, 7 & 8 December 2019
Yup, the popular Riuh is back and this time, it’s bringing along the Christmas cheer! Enjoy a variety of artisanal brands, festive food, and spectacular performances. There will also be an ice-skating rink!
For more information, watch this website.

7. Astor Bar: Past, Present & Possibilities at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, 7 & 8 December 2019
From 2 December 2019 to 8 December 2019, Astor Bar is celebrating its inclusion in Marriott International’s “Top 52 Restaurants and Bars by Marriott Bonvoy” list with Astor Bar: Past, Present & Possibilities. Cocktails to look out for include Rat Pack Rusty Nail, Harvard Jazz, Asam Boi Mary, and The Astrid. Astor Bar will also be hosting a Guest Bar Shift with Chivas Regal’s Whisky Ambassador, Jasper Epsom, on 4 December 2019.
For more information, watch this website.

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Beauty
#HolidayHair: Peony Lim Shares Her Secrets
Caution: major hair-envy ahead

15.06.2015
By Terry Saw

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English model, online travel-lifestyle diary keeper and brand consultant Peony Lim, joins the ranks as one of the most talented new-gen hyphenates around – with over 63,000 (and counting) Instagram followers @peonylim to prove it. While her on-point style, seriously IG-worthy home-style cooking shots and her ridiculously gorgeous Dachshund Thumbelina (swoon) blow us away, what we’re really obsessed with, is how she keeps her luscious hair looking amazing 24/7 and humidity-proof on the go.

You’re giving us major hair envy! Tell us some of your day-to-day secrets…
1.    I always brush twice a day with a Mason Pearson hairbrush.
2.   Make sure you wash all your shampoo and conditioner out, no bubbles in the water at all!
3.   Never style your hair with heat more than once a week.
4.   I can make a blow-dry last half a week and then I use heat free techniques to get some movement in the rest of the week.
What’s your signature go-to hairstyle?
“I love a good blow-dry – I actually use a large barrel tong to achieve the look, it only takes me about 10 minutes now because I do it so often.”

One recent favourite destination is…
“I just got back from Bali and I loved the black sand beach by the Alila Villas Soori.”
What goes into your beauty bag when you travel?
“Institut Esthederm suncream, Palmer’s body butter, bumble and bumble surf spray, nautral mosquito spray and a Tom Ford lipstick!”
How different is your hair ritual when you travel?
“I let it dry naturally as much as possible in the heat. I try and wear straight more too. A good braid is my go-to – I’d wear a side fishtail braid for an impromptu dinner to dress the look up a little.”

Your idea of ‘disconnecting’ is…
“Visiting my parents house.”
 If you could live anywhere in the world it will most likely be…
“Everywhere for a little while!”

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MFW SS16: Bottega Veneta

Fashion
MFW SS16: Bottega Veneta
Marvelous Mr Maier

27.09.2015
By Buro247

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

We’re going to call it the Maier touch. Trust Tomas Maier—Bottega Veneta’s Creative Director of 14 years—to turn leopard print (trending right now) and a digitalised version of woodland camouflage into covetable, city-ready clothes. Inspired by the “big country”, Maier wanted to take his woman far out of town on a grand adventure but able to make it back to the city for cocktails on a rooftop bar. Rope used as either shoulder straps or halters added a nice touch of the great outdoors to tech-cotton dresses that despite their utilitarian details, looked infinitely luxurious, comfortable and expensive. And as his women moved seamlessly between town, country and the great beyond, shoes were kept grounded, with no dangerously vertiginous heels to even risk ruining the holiday.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”BV SS16″ rid=”3473″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Buro Loves
Self-care all day everyday: How to take better care of yourself

08.10.2020
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

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Trends
Trending now: “Grandma” sunglasses chains

07.08.2019
By Stephanie Boey

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The fascination with “anti-fashion” trends continues yet again with the oncoming wave of the sunglasses chain craze that’s been flooding Instagram feeds. If it seems vaguely familiar, it’s probably because you’ve caught sight of it, but not in the same light. Prior to this sudden resurgence, the accessory was most commonly associated with pure function. The early adopters being senior citizens and travelling tourists, lest they misplace their eyewear.
We first took notice of the trend in January when Fendi made a strong case for “grandma glasses” for Men’s Autumn/Winter 2019 with oversized frames attached to gold chains with embellishments. In May, Gigi Hadid donned the trend with golden beads attached to ‘90s-inspired oval frames.

The new generation of sunglasses chains sees more fashionable options than the chains you were accustomed to seeing, elevating your eyewear game to the next level. Think metal chains, acrylic beads, and fringe! The best part about the trend? The chains are detachable so you can easily interchange them with your existing pairs for a fun round of mix-and-match!
Swipe below for our picks:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] Sunglasses chains” rid=”7498″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Beauty
BAFTAs 2023: 7 Beauty looks we’ll be recreating ASAP
Show stoppers

20.02.2023
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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

From crystal freckles to lavender locks, these are the beauty looks that caught our eye at this year’s BAFTA Awards.
The hottest night in British television is officially nigh, and you know what that means—it’s time for another red carpet roundup! For the awards’ 76th red carpet, the VIPs of the evening brought out their A-game in terms of beauty.
From Florence Pugh’s impressively blunt-edged updo to the cutest take on the faux freckle trend by Jodie Turner-Smith, find all the looks that stood out to us on the red carpet ahead.
NOTE: Sorry, HRH The Princess of Wales did not make the list, but she did look beautiful!

Jodie Turner-Smith’s crystal freckles

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Florence Pugh’s blunt spiky bun and baby bangs

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Viola Davis’ Old Hollywood-inspired lavender look

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Hoyeon Jung’s true red lip

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Sheila Atim’s lilac locks

Anya Taylor-Joy’s pure gold manicure

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Lashana Lynch’s berry ombre lip and bedazzled smokey eye

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Find more beauty inspo like this here.

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Technology
BURO Gadget Guide: 5 New tech gadgets to check out in October 2021

22.10.2021
By Natalie Khoo

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This month, gadget geeks have been treated to a series of back to back smartphone launches from Apple, Xiaomi, and most recently, Google so far. Since we’ve already covered the former two separately, you’ll find details on the new Google Pixel lineup ahead—plus, new arrivals in the earphone, smartwatch, and even face mask (the high-tech kind) department.
Jabra Elite 7 Pro

It took Jabra six generations and about 62,000 ears to develop the Jabra Elite 7 Pro, its latest pair of ear buds. Calling it a “design revolution”, the new buds boast a complete redesign based on the resulting map of the average human ear to offer exceptional sound quality and optimised comfort.
A key highlight is the Jabra MultiSensor Voice technology, which combines a bone conduction sensor, four microphones and a cutting-edge voice pick-up (VPU) sensor to ensure crystal clear calls. What’s more, the adjustable Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and HearThrough features allow users to personalise audio profiles to tailor how much noise to let in. As for battery life, a full charge offers nine hours of playback and up to 35 hours with the charging case. Plus, a five-minute charge can last 1.2 hours of playback.
Price: RM999
Availability: From October onwards at the official Jabra store on Lazada and Shopee
For more information, visit the website.
Google Pixel 6 series

After many months of teasers, Google has officially unveiled its latest flagship smartphones—the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. The former debuts with a 6.4-inch Full HD+ 90Hz OLED display with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, while the latter features a 6.7-inch QHD+ 120Hz OLED display with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. Both come with the new Google Tensor chip and Titan M2 security co-processor as well as the highly-anticipated Android 12 out of the box.
In terms of camera setup, both are equipped with a 50MP main camera and 12MP ultrawide camera, with the Pro version boasting an additional 48MP telephoto camera. The Pixel 6 only gets an 8MP front camera, while its bigger brother features a 11.1MP lens. Battery life is slightly longer on the bigger model with a 5,003mAh battery, compared to 4,614mAh, although both are said to last over 24 hours.
Price: From US$599 (RM2,490)
Availability: From October 28 (not officially sold in Malaysia, but may be available through importers)
For more information, visit this website.
LG PuriCare Air Purifer Face Mask

With face masks being the norm for at least another year, LG has released a high-tech face mask that purifies the air as you breathe. This second generation Wearable Air Purifier is more lightweight than before, designed to fit comfortably and ergonomically while minimising air leakage. It’s made with medical-grade materials and PuriCare filters which can be replaced for repeated use and safety.
That’s not all—forget having to awkwardly raise your voice to be heard as the mask features a VoiceOn technology that projects sound out of the mask. The dual fans even help to blow air at the speed of your breathing as the respiratory sensor monitors your inhale and exhale. Complete with Bluetooth connection, users can track their breathing and product maintenance to optimise use. It can last up to eight hours on full battery and takes about two hours to charge.
Price: RM749
Availability: From October onwards
For more information, visit the website.
[READ: How the LG Styler™ helps to keep your clothing and belongings germ-free]
Apple Watch Series 7

While the iPhone 13 series and iPad mini arguably stole the spotlight at the Apple September event, the Apple Watch Series 7 is no less worthy of attention. Its predecessor already was a tough smartwatch to beat, but there are a few updates to the Series 7 that may appeal to new buyers.
For one, it comes with a 20 per cent larger Always-On Retina display with curved, refractive edges that are designed to be easier on the eyes. The thicker front crystal is said to be its most crack-resistant yet, with IP6X dust-resistance and WR50 water resistance to boot. Health features remain unchanged from before, but the new watchOS 8 does offer an upgraded Fall Detection. Meanwhile, the battery lasts up to 18 hours with 33 per cent faster charging.
Price: From RM1,749 (GPS only) | From RM2,199 (GPS + Cellular)
Availability: 15 October 2021 from the Apple store
For more information, visit the website.
[READ: Apple Unleashed October event: MacBook Pro, Apple AirPods 3 and new M1 chips]
Nothing Ear (1)

If you’ve heard Nothing about this brand until recently (or now), that’s because it was just founded in January this year. For the unacquainted, Nothing is a London-based startup founded by Chinese-born Swedish entrepreneur Carl Pei, who also co-founded OnePlus. Since debuting, the company has unveiled its first product in the form of the Ear (1) true wireless ear buds. First launched globally in July, Malaysians can now get a pair for themselves locally starting this month.
Unique branding aside, the Ear (1) instantly stood out when it was announced due to its transparent stem, which lets you take a closer look at the active noise cancellation (ANC) technology and sensors housed within. Weighing just 4.7g, each ear bud is designed to fit ergonomically in the ear with three liquid silicone tips included in the box to find your fit.
Sound engineered by Teenage Engineering, the buds feature a 11.6mm dynamic driver and spacious air chamber to provide advanced bass, mid and treble performance. Expect up to 5 hours of listening time on a full charge and up to 34 hours with the matching semi-transparent charging case, which supports both USB-C wired and Qi wireless charging.
Price: RM499
Availability: From 24 October 2021 via the official Nothing store on Shopee
For more information, visit the website.
Keep up to date on the latest tech gadget launches in our monthly BURO Gadget Guide here.

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Features
#BuroBossGirl: Interview with Shoes Shoes Shoes founder and designer Ung Yiu Lin
Hot on her heels

15.03.2017
By Rachel Au

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Shoes are every woman’s weakness and yet, how many of us can say we love them enough to start a brand? Ung Yiu Lin can. A graduate in Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance and a Masters holder in Applied Finance, this #BossGirl started Shoes Shoes Shoes at the tender age of 26 after two years of working at a consulting firm. It was no rash decision either. She travelled around for six months and used only her savings to do some research before opening the business. Fast forward to 2017 and it’s Shoes Shoes Shoes’ 10th anniversary.

A post shared by Yiu lin (@yiulin) on Mar 6, 2017 at 10:12pm PST

After that, she eventually started KLutched, a label dedicated to bags which grew immensely popular even outside of Malaysia. Both businesses had her hands full as Yiu Lin ensured she’s involved in every step of the process—from designing to sourcing to producing—even till today. Shoes Shoes Shoes has since expanded to offer a curated selection of clothing and items from other brands as well, giving all women a one-stop place for a head-to-toe outfit (or outfits). Often spotted with an impeccable sense of style and amazing #ootd photos on Instagram, Yiu Lin is more than just an entrepreneur and designer. Like most women, she’s a daughter, wife, mother (of two), friend and more. She inspires everyone as a strong-willed woman who knows what she wants and how to juggle all those roles.

The question that might strike some is: “But how?” We picked up this #BuroBossGirl in the BMW 4 Series Coupe for lunch at  BLVD House to get some answers. Watch the video below as she shares how she juggles work and personal life, being business partners with her husband and more.

You can find Yiu Lin on Instagram or for more info on Shoes Shoes Shoes, visit their website, Instagram and Facebook.

Watch previous episodes of #BuroBossGirl Season 2:

#BuroBossGirl: Interview with PurelyB co-founder Jesrina Arshad
#BuroBossGirl: Interview with The Luxe Nomad founder Stephanie Chai
#BuroBossGirl: Interview with Agak Agak founders Ili Sulaiman and Basira Yeusuff

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Fashion
Giorgio Armani’s new AW15 wardrobe for FC Bayern Munich
Well-suited

20.10.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

Giorgio Armani and German football club FC Bayern Munich continues their collaboration for the new AW 2015-16 season, with the new tailored pieces for the club’s players and management staff.

The new range of clothing from the Giorgio Armani’s Made to Measure collection features a navy blue wool and cashmere suit with a two-button jacket, waistcoat and flat-fronted trousers, along with a white cotton shirt—all in line with the team’s official kit colours. Alongside that, a V-neck cashmere pullover and a red tie, classic black laceup shoes and a chocolate brown duster coat will complement the entire look.

A latest addition of a sporty backpack in midnight blue leather will be included in the selection of accessories from the previous season—a trolley bag and toiletry bag, a small messenger shoulder bag in midnight blue leather and sunglasses. FC Bayern Munich and the management staff will also be donning Giorgio Armani’s tailored uniforms on all official occasions during the 2015-2016 football season.

Giorgio Armani Made to Measure is designed for the sophisticated male customer whose clothing style includes unique details that reflect their personal taste combined with the label’s signature spirit of ease and naturalness. The collection is available in all Giorgio Armani boutiques worldwide.

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Fashion
AW21 Fashion Month: The best celebrity “appearances”, from K-pop idols to Hollywood A-listers

15.03.2021
By Joan Kong

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

There may be a lack of street style snaps during fashion month, but in the pandemic era, as runways continue to be presented digitally, one thing a show can’t miss, is the celebrity presence. Since a year ago, an array of brands have introduced virtual front rows in place of IRL ones, and this season, it’s no different.
Givenchy, for one, decked out its front row with celebrities and fashion royalties ranging from Kate Moss to Kim Kardashian; Chanel released postcards—and a countdown video—featuring its South Korean faces (and rumoured couple) G-Dragon and Blackpink’s Jennie; and Louis Vuitton photographed its ambassadors, including Sophie Turner, Léa Seydoux, and Urassaya Sperbund, tuning in from the comfort of their own home, dressed in ensembles from the brand, no less.
Check out all the celebrity “appearances” during Autumn/Winter 2021 Fashion Month:
G-Dragon for Chanel

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Blackpink’s Jennie for Chanel

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Song Hye Kyo for Fendi

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Anne Hathaway for Givenchy

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Doja Cat for Givenchy

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Food + Drink
Where to find alcoholic bubble tea drinks in Kuala Lumpur

05.04.2019
By Rachel Au

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Just when you thought the boba craze can’t go any crazier (read: the one to two-hour wait for Xing Fu Tang in SS15), here comes alcoholic versions of bubble tea. Granted that everyone is having fun and jumping on the bandwagon of trends—like that White Rabbit bubble tea in PJ—but spiked bubble tea isn’t exactly new either. It is, however, catching on. We round up three places in KL that serves a mean mix of boba and alcohol (tea not included for some).

READ MORE: 9 Things you probably never knew about boba and bubble tea

1. MyPizzaLab, Seapark
Not only were they probably the first to serve a dessert-style boba pizza but they also introduced boba beers! The base: Tiger Beer. Choose between Jasmine Tea Tiger Beer Boba and Aged Pu-er Tiger Beer Boba. The combos have been described as refreshing. Have you tried them yet?

12, Jalan 21/22, Sea Park, 46300 Petaling Jaya

2. Young Masters, TTDI
This pub has only recently unveiled their boba concoctions and though we’re a tad confused with the Pokemon theme, we must say that the punny names are spot on. Teagglypuff consists of milk tea, Malibu, Jameson and brown sugar boba; while Milo Bobasaur is a mixture of Milo Dinosaur, Baileys Irish Cream and topped with brown sugar boba. Our money’s on Milo Bobasaur!

100A, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur

READ MORE: 8 Places in KL that sells bubble tea-inspired desserts

3. Coley Cocktail Bar, Bangsar
As one of the best bars in KL, Coley never fails to impress and always pulls off a pleasant surprise with their creative cocktails. In late 2018, they created a Whisky and Bubble Tea cocktail. If you’ve never been a fan of whisky, this drink might just change your mind.

whiskey bubble tea cocktail coley bangsar
6- G, Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar Park, 59000 Kuala Lumpur

Looks like your TGIF and weekend plans are sorted…unless, are you for or against alcoholic versions of bubble tea? Vote below to let us know!
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Watches
Pre-SIHH 2019: What’s coming up for Cartier, Montblanc, Audemars Piguet

10.12.2018
By Gwen Ong

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The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

CARTIER

Cartier Prive Tonneau XL Skeleton Dual Time

From the luxe French brand comes the latest addition to the Privé collection including the Tonneau Large and Tonneau XL Skeleton Dual Time. The tonneau shape is synonymous with Cartier’s push against conventional round watches when it debuted in 1906. For SIHH 2019, the new tonneau timepieces measure 52.4mm long and 29.8mm wide at the centre, with a curved profile and sub-12mm thickness. Our eyes are on the pink gold and platinum skeleton pieces that feature two time zones with separate dials and crowns for each.

MONTBLANC

Montblanc Star Legacy

In a follow-up to this year’s SIHH, Montblanc will be releasing two new versions of the Star Legacy and TimeWalker in steel and rose gold for 2019. In the Star Legacy Date Automatic and the Star Legacy Full Calendar, you will now find 12 black Roman numerals in place of the Arabic numerals. The former now comes only in steel with a white dial, featuring exploding star guilloche and similar motifs. In the latter, it stays true to the aesthetic codes of the Automatic with a white-silvered dial and a red crescent tip hand.

Montblanc Time Walker

The two new TimeWalker chronographs feature a black “reverse panda” dial with white-silvered chapter ring and subdials. The 41mm has a small seconds dial at ‘9’ and chronograph counters at ‘6’ and ’12’, while the 43mm has more traditional counters positioned at ‘3’, ‘6’ and ’12’. The TimeWalker collection pays tribute to golden era of motor racing – so in the 43mm you will see cutout lugs that are like the vents of classic cars with column wheel, horizontal clutch and stop-seconds mechanism. Other notable features in the chronographs include a tachymetric scale, precision minutes track, numerals and markers coated with Super-LumiNova and a red chrono seconds hand tipped with the Minerva arrow.

AUDEMARS PIGUET

Audemars Pigeut Royal Oak Offshore

The 2019 Royal Oak Offshore collection sports a rugged colourway in three shades of camouflage. The new 44mm Audemars Piguet chronographs feature ceramic bezel, pushpieces and screw-locked crown, Méga-Tapisserie dial and robust rubber straps. The blue and green ceramic models come with a stainless steel case, while the brown ceramic model – an AP first – is encased with a pink gold case to set a nice contrast to the bezel.

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Fashion
CNY 2023: 7 Stunning designer bags and accessories to add to your festive wardrobe
Hop into the new year with style

11.01.2023
By Phyll Wu

Images courtesy of respective brands

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RECOMMENDED

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

If you’ve got your Chinese New Year outfits sorted, it’s time to complete them with stylish designer bags and accessories! You’ll be delighted to know that our beloved luxury brands came in clutch this year, offering fashionistas an extensive variety of festive options to shop for the Year of the Rabbit. From Dior to Burberry, Moschino to Gucci and more, scroll down below and take your pick!
READ: The most stylish RTW Lunar New Year ‘fits by local designers

Loewe Bunny Bucket

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This Lunar New Year, Loewe welcomes the Year of the Rabbit with a festive capsule collection featuring the Maison’s iconic floppy bunny ears across a selection of bags, ready-to-wear, and charms that are crafted with the finest of materials. One of the highlights of the collection is none other than the adorable Bunny Bucket in raffia and calfskin, a bunny-shaped bag complete with bunny ears, a pom pom tail, and Loewe’s raffia anagram. While you’re adding this irresistible carry-all to your cart, don’t forget to throw in a Bunny Charm (or two) to keep your raffia bunny company during your day-out adventures!
Shop here.

Gucci Wide Belt

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In a visually captivating campaign shot by photographer Max Siedentopf, Gucci unveiled its 2023 Lunar New Year offerings, presenting a vibrant collection of ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, accessories, and more. For womenswear, options include a variety of gorgeous printed silk blouses and skirts, as well as these stylish Wide Belts that will complete your festive outfit with a chic flair.
Shop here.

Dior LuckyDior R1L Sunglasses

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Of course, you’ll need a pair of sunnies, and Dior’s newest LuckyDior R1L sunglasses are perfect for the occasion! Available in a rich red frame with black lenses, charming gold frame with lilac lenses, and silver-tone frame with pink lenses that give off white bunny vibes, these round-frame sunglasses comes as part of the exclusive collaboration with Dior by ERL.
Shop here.

Burberry Rabbit Quilted Lola Bag

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To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, Burberry released a limited-edition Lola bag adorned with quilted rabbits on supple black Italian-tanned leather. Accentuated with a polished chain strap in gold, the timeless bag complements any look whilst capturing the festive spirit in its details—which is especially convenient if you’re packing for a visit to your hometown this Chinese New Year!
Shop here.

Moschino Bugs Bunny Earrings

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Making its debut in the world of Italian luxury, the iconic Bugs Bunny graces Moschino’s latest Chinese New Year collection to commemorate the Year of the Rabbit. Spanning 23 pieces, the collection sees a variety of ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, and accessories, including these gold-plated heart-shaped Bugs Bunny drop earrings featuring the iconic Looney Tunes character front and centre.
Shop here.

Ferragamo Silk Foulards

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Foulards are arguably one of the most underrated fashion accessories. It can be worn as a top, a choker, a scarf, or even adorn the handles of your favourite designer bag for a chic touch—this versatile accessory does it all! If you haven’t owned one yourself or you’re simply looking for another to add to your collection, Ferragamo’s newest rabbit-themed silk foulards are a must-have. One features a rabbit’s eye and another is decorated with a stunning print depicting a rabbit amidst an exotic landscape surrounded by flowers and blossoms. These foulards evoke sophistication and serenity whilst celebrating the little details of the Year of the Rabbit!
Shop here.

DeGem Auspicious Union Zodiac Collection

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Last but not least, DeGem ushers in the Lunar New Year with its latest Auspicious Union Zodiac collection of fine jewellery featuring jadeites, a precious gem that has long been significant in Chinese culture for its symbolism of prosperity, longevity, and good luck. In true DeGem fashion, it’s not just any jadeite, but Type A fine jadeite—a pure, natural Burmese jade without any colour dyeing or chemical treatment. The collection sees three new rabbit-themed pendants, including the Leaping Golden Rabbit 916 yellow gold pendant detailed with a round brilliant-cut diamond on its back and a ruby on its eye; the Joyful Jade Rabbit 18k gold pendant with diamond-embellished ears and a luscious green jadeite disc, the Chubby Jade Bunny 18k yellow gold pendant in the shape of a rabbit with gleaming ruby eyes and a jadeite disc belly adorned with a sparkling diamond in its centre, and the star of the collection, the one-of-a-kind Multi-Colour Yuan Bao jadeite pendant, a chandelier-like pendant beautifully designed in the Art Deco Chinoiserie style (enquiry only).
Shop here.

READ: CNY 2023: The most glamorous collections by Malaysian designers

For more fashion reads, click here.

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Beauty
Beauty Advent Calendar: Cosme Decorté Liposome Treatment Liquid
Science in beauty

21.12.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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RECOMMENDED

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

If you haven’t heard of liposome, here is one good reason why you should know more about this super structure in the beauty industry: It is made of phospholipids and can deliver active agents to targeted sites and be released at a designated timing. In layman’s terms, if this technology is incorporated in your skincare routine, you’d see an immediate change to your skin with tangible effects.

This brings us to Cosme Decorté‘s all-new Liposome Treatment Liquid—a “super lotion” that addresses roughness, dryness and dullness. Once penetrated deep into your skin, it keeps it moisturized for hours with the help of its two main ingredients: Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf extract for anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory properties, and Ruscus Aculeatus Root extract to stimulate natural moisturising factors and promote keratin layer formation. A paraben- and oil-free formula with a herbal-floral scent, Cosme Decorté Liposome Treatment Liquid is also enriched with cell-activation and hydration extracts for a visibly youthful and healthy skin.

This festive season, Buro 24/7 Malaysia will be giving away three bottles of Cosme Decorté Liposome Treatment Liquid to three lucky readers of ours!
All you need to do is enter your email address in the area below, and leave a comment on why you would like to win this product:

Enter details here to join the competition
Email Address
Name
Comment

– This competition ends 11:59 pm, GMT+8, December 23, 2015 and the winner will be notified via email by 24 December, 2015– All information must be entered to qualify for this competition.– You will need to confirm your email address via a confirmation email to be eligible for this competition– You will automatically be subscribed to Buro 24/7 Malaysia’s mailing list – Only residents of Malaysia are eligible for this competition

Related stories:
Beauty Advent Calendar: Kosé Sekkisei LotionBeauty Advent Calendar: Bliss Citrus Stars

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Travel
11 Virtual walking tours of stunning cities—to see the world without *actually* leaving home

02.04.2020
By Ronn Tan

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Guide to ETIAS: The new travel pass for Malaysians visiting Europe

We’re living under really different circumstances right now; in fact, the entire world is. As we continue to work together and unite against the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are now practising social distancing and staying in. After all, flattening the curve is the goal at the moment! As for Malaysians, we have the Movement Control Order that is slated to end on 14 April 2020 and it’s clear that is a situation that’s new to many of us—especially when it comes to travelling.
Now that we’re encouraged to stay at home and our travel plans are halted/suspended, one way to bring back some normalcy into our lives is *drum roll* virtual walking tours. It’s a great way to see the world without having to physically be there. They are probably the most authentic or enjoyable way to experience a city or landmark during this *bizarre* situation we’re in. Watch on your bed, on your couch, on the floor—as long as you’re at home.
*By the way, these virtual tours were taken before the novel coronavirus outbreak*
1. Ibiza, Spain

If you have never been to Ibiza and the infamous island in Spain has been on your bucket list for awhile now, here’s a virtual walking tour for you to check out. You can spot its old town, the beaches, and the farmlands. Don’t forget about the iconic white and blue buildings as well as beautiful cobblestone streets. You will also be able to see the Mediterranean Sea. This virtual walking tour runs for about 90 minutes.
2. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

What comes to mind when you think of Amsterdam? The poffertjes? The canals? Or the stunning architecture? In this virtual walking tour, you will be able to see them all—and more! You will take a virtual stroll on Brouwersgracht; one of the most popular streets in the city. You will walk by waterfront warehouses and houseboats as well as visit the Jordaan neighbourhood (where Anne Frank’s House is located).
3. Hanoi, Vietnam

Let’s take a detour from Europe for a bit and head to Hanoi. This virtual walking tour brings you to the Old Quarter—a popular hotspot in the capital city of Vietnam. Experience the busy scenes as you take a stroll along the ancient town. You can even play a game where you drink a glass of water every time you spot elements of its colonial heritage.
4. Tokyo, Japan

Yes, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been postponed to 2021. Yes #2—Tokyo is one of the best cities to visit in the world! Fortunately, we have virtual walking tours to bring us there. This tour places you in Tokyo’s Shinjuku area. Here, you can easily immerse yourself in the Tokyo way of life as you take a stroll along the streets and alleys. There are also virtual walking tours of other Tokyo districts such as Ebisu, Shibuya, Akihabara, and Ginza.
5. Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver is one of the best places to visit in Canada—and it’s perfect all year round. That’s why we recommended the Canadian city as one of the travel destinations to check out in 2020. Unfortunately for us, travelling is not possible at the moment. In this virtual walking tour, you will be able see the beautiful landscapes and scenery of Vancouver. This tour covers sights such as the Vancouver Waterfront, Village Dock, Telus World of Science, Canada Place, Voyage Plaza, Coal Harbour, the Canadian Trail, and Water Street. It’s definitely a great way to find serenity right now!
6. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

It’s apparent that Dubai is on many of our wishlists. This virtual tour takes you to the iconic Burj Khalifa. You will be walking along the Burj Khalifa Lake and Dubai Fountains—the largest choreographed fountain system in the world. You will also be taken on a stroll on the Souk Al Bahar Bridge.
7. Paris, France

Ah, Paris! Many of us would love to be in Paris right now—not under #corona circumstances, of course. This three-hour virtual walking tour is probably the best way to visit the city now. Spanning a total of 19 kilometres, you will see sights such as the Louvre, Notre Dame, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Pont Alexandre III Bridge, the Grand Palace, and more. Bliss across the board!
8. Petra, Jordan

Ever thought of visiting one of the oldest cities in the world to see its infamous rose-coloured buildings? You can now visit the site online! In this virtual walking tour, you will be taken on a journey from al-Siq (the ancient main entrance leading to the city) to the Treasury. The Petra Main Trail spans about eight kilometres.
9. Seoul, South Korea

If you’re one of many who decided to get tickets to South Korea after watching Crash Landing On You, this is a virtual tour for you. This tour takes you to the Myeong-dong area in Seoul—one of the busiest and most popular destinations in the city. In addition to the Myeongdong Cathedral and Myeongdong Nanta Theatre, you will also see street food carts, cosmetic and skincare shops, cafes, restaurants, and more. You can search for other districts in Seoul as well—such as Hongdae, Itaewon, and Gangnam.
10. Venice, Italy

It will be a crime to have a roundup of virtual tours and not include Venice. After all, it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Stroll along the streets and canals in this virtual walking tour—starting from St. Lucia Train Station to Campo San Geremia. Along the way, you will spot landmarks such as The Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Basilica, Bridge of Sighs, Doge’s Palace, and more. This tour spans about 9.5 kilometres long.
11. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Wait, why is the capital of Malaysia on the list? With most of us stuck at home and being responsible citizens, we won’t be able to see a lot of the city in awhile. This virtual walking tour takes us down memory lane from Chinatown to the Twin Towers. Eventually, we will be able to go out again—when the dust settles. For now, let’s enjoy this walking tour.
Virtual walking tours are the best ways to see the world without having to physically be there. You get to experience all the sounds and sights. Travelling will be a norm again one day but social distancing and self-isolation should be practised right now. These suggestions are just starters—you can easily search for any city or landmark online. Now, that’s one thing to do at home! #StayHome.
For more fun things to do at home, visit this website.

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Beauty
Jo Malone’s Mimosa & Cardamom mesmerises with a bohemian warmth
A captivating new fragrance

14.09.2015
By Su Fen Tan

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

Delve into the bohemian world with Mimosa & Cardamom by Jo Malone—mists of honeyed, golden mimosa float above the spiciness of freshly crushed cardamom, while creamy tonka and smooth sandalwood woven under powdery heliotrope and Damask rose picked at dawn make up the base of the mesmerising new scent. Master perfumer, Marie Salamagne, talks about the inspiration in creating Mimosa & Cardamom.

Where did you look for inspiration?
“Jo Malone London took me on a journey to the home of the orientalist painter, Frederick Leighton. Leighton House is a hidden gem in Holland Park, London. It was built as an incredibly decadent showcase for his collection of more than 1,000 tiles collected in the Middle East and is filled with vibrant pattern. One of his paintings, Flaming June, was particularly inspiring. I liked the idea of travelling through the picture to discover the vivid colour, texture and atmosphere of the interiors and wanted to recreate these layers in the scent.”
Mimosa & Cardamom is a florential fragrance. How did you give it a Jo Malone signature?
“The classic florential is made with florals like orange blossom, jasmine or rose. All are infused with an oriental richness and sophistication. They stand out because of their unique blend of warmth and sensuality. Jo Malone wanted to update this idea with mimosa as the main ingredient which is innovative in itself. We chose the cool spice, cardamom, as it would add a new energy. We knew we had found the unusual yet perfect pairing; the vibration of the cardamom, an unexpected twist, with the sensual softness of mimosa. They are both radiant.Mimosa is the warm sun, cardamom is the bright light.”
The Mimosa & Cardamom Collection is now available at Jo Malone counters. For more information, visit jomalone.com.my.

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Fashion
Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2017: Inspired by Rio de Janeiro
Freedom, vitality and urban futurism

05.11.2016
By Cai Mei Khoo

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Two months before the start of the Rio Olympic Games, the fashion set descended on the city of Rio de Janeiro, specifically the futuristic, UFO-shaped building that is the Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum. Sat atop a cliff, overlooking Guanabara Bay, with views of the Sugarloaf Mountain, the three-storey, Oscar Niemeyer-designed landmark building was Nicolas Ghesquière’s choice of location of Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2017 show.

In the shadow of the conical-shaped building, Catherine Deneuve sat alongside Louis Vuitton campaign faces Alicia Vikander and Jaden Smith, on colourful mismatched seats made of plywood, glass and perforated steel, which set designer, Es Devlin, created as a response to the Carioca spirit of gambiarra, ‘the art of transforming the available into the essential’.

The show opened with Mica Arganaraz in a streamlined, sportswear-inspired dress, with cutouts along the upper arm and midriff, and an asymmetric hemline. Flat, rubberised thongs with straps that wrapped around the ankle allowed for ease of movement—a sporty nod to the Summer Olympics that would take place 68 days later.

For Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2017 collection, Nicolas Ghesquière was primarily inspired by two major Brazilian artists: Helio Oiticica, pioneer of the Neo-Concrete movement and an explorer of space through painting, and Aldemir Martins, known for his work that depicts local flora and fauna, and whose famous painting ‘A Fera‘ (1969) celebrates Brazilian football player Pelé. It was from the latter’s work that Ghesquière incorporated football player prints onto ruffled minidresses and the Twist bag.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”LV Cruise 2017 – Details” rid=”4545″ order=”a_tstamp”}
Literal sporting references aside, the collection also saw the maison’s Damier check taking on a racing vibe, kite-shaped paper-thin leather dresses, inspired by Oiticica that allowed for freedom of movement, and colour-blocked windbreakers worn over basketball shorts with the house’s monogram running down either side. Personal favourites include the ruched minidresses made of parachute material, worn over A-line dresses, or worn with long, lean trousers and more of the aforementioned basketball shorts, and the ruffled minidresses with cutouts that exposed the midriff.

“In Rio de Janeiro, what I saw most of all was movement and an explosive energy that lives somewhere between modernism and tropicality,” says Ghesquière. “I was fascinated by the constant duality between nature and urbanism and the pictorial explosion it creates. The main question was how to incorporate into my collection all these elements that are part of Brazilian culture, without forgetting that I am just a visitor who brings his own Parisian and French cultural references to the moment.”

Post-show, frow-ers raved about the collection – Alessandra Ambrosio had her eye on the ’80s boombox bag (complete with Bluetooth), while Jaden Smith had his on the tech-thongs. But it was perhaps Isabeli Fontana who captured the mood of the show best: “For me its art in clothes, because it’s colourful, it’s beautiful, it’s happy and it’s super strong. What caught my attention were the asymmetric dresses; short and long at the same time. (And the location) like you are in the middle of the ocean with the beautiful monuments. It can’t get better than that.”

Watch: Louis Vuitton Cruise 2017 Frow-ers on the collection

Celebrities at Louis Vuitton Cruise 2017
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”LV Cruise 2017 – Celebs” rid=”4546″ order=”a_tstamp”}
See all the looks from the collection here

Related stories:

5 Things to know about Louis Vuitton Cruise 2017

Our favourite Cruise 2017 looks for a perfect getaway

What to wear while basking in the heat of Rio

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Watches
A guide to the jewellery brands featured in Blackpink’s ‘How You Like That’ MV

27.06.2020
By Joan Kong

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’d know that Blackpink has been blowing up the internet with its latest pre-release single How You Like That. Its music video view count? Over 65.5 million in 18 hours, #nbd. We’ve covered the best beauty and fashion moments from the music video, but if you, like us, just can’t get enough, we’re delving into the array of jewellery worn by the girls in the three-minute clip.
Here’s what you need to know about the brands that were ID-ed in Blackpink’s How You Like That MV:
On Jennie:

Chained necklace, Shay
The Los Angeles-based jewellery label was founded by mother-daughter duo Ladan and Tania Shayan, and it’s known for its diamonds and chain-link jewellery. Some of its A-list celeb clientele includes Emily Ratajkowski, Beyoncé, Kylie Jenner, and more.

Hairpiece and face jewellery, both Area
NYC label Area has garnered a cult following in recent years thanks to its head-turning designs that always warrant a double-take. Its face jewellery was one of the most talked-about trends during Spring/Summer 2020 Fashion Month.

Choker, Chanel
As one of Chanel’s House ambassadors, Jennie was spotted in a number of looks from the brand throughout the MV, including this choker with a heart-shape pendant that was introduced on the Spring/Summer 2020 runway.

On Lisa:

Chained necklace, Portrait Report
If you’re looking for a cool South Korean jewellery brand to add to your bling collection, Portrait Report is the brand to check out. Here, Lisa sports the Summer Time Sadness chained necklace that can be worn by both men and women.

Rings, Atelier Swarovski
Atelier Swarovski is Swarovski’s luxury sister brand, and the Tigris rings worn by Lisa, in particular, were inspired by the tree of life. The curve designs symbolise the root system that “binds the earth to the natural world”.

Necklace and belt, both Bell & Nouveau
Bell & Nouveau is a vintage store that sell an array of secondhand luxury goods, but aside from that, its owner is also a “K-pop fashion couture artist” who remakes pieces for some of the biggest stars in the industry. The cape which was worn by Jennie at the start of the music video was also Bell & Nouveau’s work.

Custom grills, David Avalon
Established since 1997, David Avalon specialises in grills and custom jewellery, and he counts singer-rapper Jay Park, Blackpink’s stylist Yang Seung Ho (Xin), and rapper Kid Milli as his clients.
On Jisoo:

Earrings, Alexander McQueen
The entire red-on-red-on-red look is by Alexander McQueen, including the asymmetrical earrings that feature a red garnet stone.
Credit: @blackpinkcloset
The list will be updated accordingly.

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Lifestyle
ICYMI: Top stories from the Buro 24/7 network (16 – 22 January)
Weekly highlights

22.01.2017
By Gwen Ong

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A look at the stories that caught our Buro 24/7 family’s attention this week…

Buro 24/7 Malaysia: The most-talked about collaboration to date – Louis Vuitton x Supreme has just been unveiled. From laptop sleeves to structured backpacks, see our top 10 picks from the hyped collection. Take our money!

Buro 24/7 Singapore: With the Paris Men’s Fashion Week in full swing, editor-in-chief Norman Tan reports live from the style hub. He shares his observations from Juun.J, Christian Dada, Cerruti 1881, Givenchy and Berluti among others.

Buro 24/7 Australia: Worried about your expanding waistline? More so now with the CNY feasting coming up? Fret not; model trainer Ricardo Riskalla has some of the most effective tips you can follow to get the perfect waist for your shape.

Buro 24/7 Malaysia: In this month’s instalment of #BuroTries, the team signed themselves up for a latte art workshop. After cups and cups of pouring milk into coffee, can they make it as a barista? Watch the video to find out.

Buro 24/7 Middle East: From the recent concluded SIHH 2017 watch fair, here are the top 10 timepieces to get to know. The horological wonders on showcased present a range of styles to suit every collector.

To check out last week’s top stories from the Buro 24/7 network, click here.

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Makeup
BURO Beauty Bans: 5 TikTok makeup hacks we’ll never try
Beauty no-nos

16.05.2023
By Redzhanna Jazmin

Image: Unsplash/Peter Kalonji

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These five TikTok makeup hacks are bad at best and straight-up dangerous at worst—find out what our five BURO Beauty Bans are this month!
If, like us, you’re chronically online and you’ve been immersed in the world of TikTok’s chaotically mesmerising beauty content, chances are you’ve come across a plethora of makeup hacks that promise to revolutionise your routine.
READ: #AsSeenOnTikTok: Hot glue Guns are the coolest way to update your graphic liner
From DIY lip gloss shades to reinventing the proverbial wheel of nose contouring, these viral trends have taken the beauty community by storm in the last few years. However, before you jump on the bandwagon, we recommend you… don’t.
Ahead, we’re diving into five popular TikTok makeup hacks Team BURO will never ever try. From wasting product to eye infections and even premature ageing, find out why these hacks made our list.

Hack #1: Mixing and decanting products

 @asap.samantha
The colour turned out so cute @Rare Beauty @laneigeca #rarebeautyblush #laneigelipmask #diymakeup #diylipgloss
 ♬ Rodeo (Remix) – Lah Pat & Flo Milli

If you’ve been on TikTok or scrolled through your Reels lately, there’s a chance you’ve come across the DIY beauty fanatics. Whether they’re trying to play cosmetic chemist by mixing in their Rare Beauty Blush into their Laneige Lip Treatment or they’re trying to save space on vacation by decanting their products into travel-sized packaging, this movement has been absolutely everywhere.
In theory, it’s a fabulous idea—not only are you getting the most out of your products, but you’re also having fun! That is, of course, until you consider the potential repercussions. Firstly, we’d like to make it clear that you should never, under any circumstances, mix together two products that are not made to be mixed. Firstly, it’s a waste of product. Secondly, it can be dangerous. Once you add a foreign formulation into another product, it can throw the preservative system of both formulations off, meaning that your new DIY creation is likely to grow mould or bacteria quicker, which can lead to a myriad of health issues should you continue to use it.
A similar concept applies to decanting your products into other containers. When your favourite brands manufacture your go-to moisturisers and sunscreens, they have to make sure that everything from the formulation to the packaging is just right to ensure the stable shelf life of that product. Thus, decanting your products can again throw off this balance and ultimately make your products go off faster. Further, in the case of sunscreens, some travel containers react with your sunscreen formulation, which can render your SPF useless (or even melt the packaging)!
Don’t worry—if you’re still hoping to customise your own beauty routine, you can still do so! Just make sure that you’re using a clean mixing board and spatula (not your hands!) to mix your products, avoid cross-contamination, and do not store any excess. And, if you’d like to take your products on holiday with you without the bulky full-sized packaging, either purchase travel-sized versions of your favourites or, if you must decant, keep it for short overnight trips and use glass containers.

Hack #2: The reverse nose contour hack

 @suzi_sina
😳 not the biggest fan of this hack🤷♀ #reversenosecontouring #nosecontourhack #makeuphacks #beautytricks #shapeshift #contourhacks
 ♬ Infinity – Jaymes Young

If you’re looking for a way to add a messy, unsightly splotch of grey to the middle of your face, this hack is for you. You’ll have seen it all over TikTok—it first cropped up in 2021 but has continued to show up time and time again. Why? Is it because it’s just that revolutionary? Not quite. Rather, it just makes for quite good clickbait thumbnails.
The so-called “hack” basically involves painting a triangle of heavy contour over the entire nose, then drawing three lines using a light concealer on the centre and sides of the nose before blending. On camera, it looks passable, but in real life, it looks… heinous. The way the contour blends together leaves your nose looking muddy and dull as opposed to chiselled and snatched.
You’d save a lot more time and effort simply contouring your nose the normal way!

Hack #3: The press-on nail cat eye hack

 @darlingpressons
Comment below👇 if you didn’t know this 😉 #nailhack #pressonhack #pressonnails #pressons #recycledpressons #darlingpressons #diynails #nailtutorial #fypシ #viralnails #fallnails2022
 ♬ original sound – Darling Press-on Nails 💅🏻

Okay, cat-eyes are hard to master, so when a good hack comes along, it’s hard not to hop on the bandwagon. This one involves using your nail (preferably extensions or press-ons with a little length to them) to drag out your eyeliner for the perfect cat wing.
Admittedly, the results are amazing—there’s just one catch. Firstly, putting pressure on the delicate skin around your eyes is a one-way road to premature wrinkling and sagging skin. Secondly, nails are gross, and putting them near your eyes—especially in this capacity—puts you at a higher risk of contracting an eye infection.

 @minazibayi
Who needs liquid eyeliner when we have nails😂 if you know you know !!! . eeyese#eyemakeupEEyelinerforyoupageffypbbeautyeeyemakeupgirle#eyelinerhackc#contouringeyelinerhackseeyelinerchallengeeeyeliner101e#eyelinertrick
 ♬ original sound – Mina

At the end of the day, does it work in a pinch? Sure! But, would we recommend it? Probably not.

Hack #4: The OTT foundation routine

 @meredithduxbury
The OG 💁🏼♀
 ♬ IF YOU SEE THIS FOLLOW ME – Female Rap Verses

There’s one TikTok creator who has singlehandedly monopolised the foundation market, and her name is Meredith Duxbury. Her fast-paced videos always follow the same format—heaps and heaps of foundation being aggressively rubbed into her skin as catchy music plays in the background. She does always end up looking flawless, which has urged some other creators (like Malaysia’s own Khai Nina Khalil) to try out her technique for themselves.

 @khaininakhalil
Tried it. Loved it. Not gonna do it again. Skin is screaming for help. Products listed in caption 👇🏼@Meredith Duxbury #makeup #meredithduxbury #meredithduxburychallenge
 ♬ original sound – Khainina Khalil – Khainina Khalil

Needless to say, this hack is nothing but a waste of your hard-earned money and product. It doesn’t take 10 (or even two!) pumps of foundation to get good coverage. Plus, while this hack looks great on TikTok, it doesn’t fare so well in real life. Ultimately, it’s a fun, attention-grabbing technique that’ll garner lots of TikTok views, but that’s ultimately where it should stay—online.

Hack #5: The whipped water foundation hack
READ: How to fix a cakey makeup base, according to the pros at Tom Ford Beauty

 @stxph.h
WILL YOU TRY? 😳 MUAs have been doing this trick to add moisture to the skin without excess oil, making the skin look dewy, radiant & long lasting (ib: @Rachel Rigler) #foundationhack #makeuphacks #foundationinwater #testingviralhack
 ♬ original sound – stephhui

This trend absolutely dominated TikTok last year, but has since been altered and transformed so many times that it has become fully unrecognisable. The original video posting this hack was actually an ad promoting a waterproof foundation, and the point was to show that it was, in fact, waterproof. Somewhere along the line, however, content creators—either with no context or looking to capitalise on the trend by adding more clickbaity layers to it—started using normal, non-waterproof foundations for the hack or whipping the mixture up Dalgona coffee style.

 @rose.friederike
Frothing Foundation HACK 💫 #foundationhack #frothing #makeuphack #beautytips
 ♬ Storybook – Lukrembo

The idea that has been perpetuated is that adding the foundation to water separates out the oil from the formulation, giving your skin more hydration without the excess greasiness—which, in theory, gives you more long-lasting and transfer-proof wear. Unfortunately, while that all sounds amazing, the hack doesn’t work. We actually tried and tested the hack to see how it wore, and the verdict was not good.
For both the whipped and un-whipped concoctions, the watery foundation may have applied well initially, but ended up separating within the hour. Plus, it altered the consistency of the foundation, sheering out the coverage. If sheerer coverage is what you want, you’re better off either applying less product or mixing your foundation in with a moisturiser or primer (on a mixing palette!).

For more makeup stories like this, click here.

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Beauty
Tried and tested: 3 Facial treatments that yield visible results
Towards better skin

19.11.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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Cai Mei Khoo, Editor-in-Chief: Clé de Peau Beauté Synactif Facial
Being constantly on the go means my skin is exposed to external stressors such as UV rays, air pollution, and changes in weather or temperature. Over the years, I’ve accumulated a healthy number of freckles, and while I embrace their existence, I feel they sometimes cause my skin to look slightly duller than it actually is.

Enter Clé de Peau Beauté’s Synactif Intensive Brightening facial treatment, a 55-minute experience that promises clearer, softer and brighter skin. A feature in this treatment I thought was particularly interesting was the use of a cool plate, and a thermal plate to maximise the benefits of the products used. To further enhance the facial treatment, Clé de Peau Beauté worked with Japanese composer, Yota Morimoto, on a unique musical melody that creates a synergy with each step of the treatment, while also lending a soothing auditory touch.

The treatment begins with makeup cleansing using the Synactif cleasing cream. A deeper cleansing is achieved using a special sprayer (much like an airbrush) with Synactif purifying water. This is then followed by the application of Synactif lotion, and a lotion sheet mask infused with 24ml of lotion. The thermal plate is used here, the warmth of the plate encouraging deeper penetration of the lotion into the skin.

Next, a soothing facial massage using a massage cream to improve blood circulation and suppleness of the skin, followed by the use of the thermal plate again. Yet another mask is applied after this, in the form of the Synactif cream, where a generous amount is spread all over the face, and then covered with a sheet mask. This time, the cool plates are applied to the skin to help close pores and seal in moisture and benefits of the creams applied. The cool plates emit a weak micro current to further stimulate deeper layers of the skin, while the massage movements help to promote lymphatic flow. The treatment ends with the Synactif Nighttime moisturiser, which aids suppleness of skin.

Immediately after the facial, my skin felt much more supple and hydrated, and definitely looked a lot brighter. At-home care is made easier with the Synactif coffret, a set of facial products including soap, lotion, daytime and nighttime moisturisers, cream and a Rose Synactif eau de parfum, beautifuly packaged within a lacquer Tamatebako box hand-finished with an Urushi painting. All that’s missing are the hot and cool plates for a spa-at-home feel, making this one treatment I’ll definitely be going back for.
The Clé de Peau Beauté Synactif Intensive Brightening facial treatment is priced at RM600 and is available at the Clé de Peau Beauté counters at Isetan KLCC, Parkson Pavilion KL, and Parkson Gurney Plaza, Penang.

Gwen Ong, Deputy Editor: Sothys Youth Intensive Treatment
As time goes by, you can’t help but notice the various skin imperfections that start creeping up on you. Fine lines, wrinkles and slackened skin seem to be more obvious with each birthday. Although thanks to my Asian gene, I may actually still look young, I know my youthful feature will not last forever and it’s best to take preventive steps.

Introducing Sothys Youth Intensive Treatment that is designed to reduce the visible effects of time. Combining the essence of nature as well as cosmetic science and technology, this innovative youth solution features two botanical active ingredients—saffron and sophora—with new generation peptides to double up its action, i.e. fight oxidative stress and chronological ageing.

The Sothys Youth Intensive Treatment adopts the use of ultra-targeted products with expert application method. Before the start of the treatment, my therapist of the day analyses my skin using a machine, which read my level of hydration, oil and suppleness. Unsurprisingly, my skin is actually dry despite its mid-day shiny sheen. I’ve heard this repeatedly from a few therapists now.

Following this, I was led to the treatment room where its dimly lit atmosphere evoked a sense of calmness. The therapist began cleaning my face with a mix of cleansing milk and lotion using gentle strokes. Sometimes I feel I do not clean my face deeply enough, so I appreciate this step of any facial. To further purify the skin and slough off the dead cells, the therapist applied the Pre-Exfoliating Lotion and Renewal Exfoliating Paste to my skin.

This was followed by a massage of Sothys serum with a targeted focus. The Wrinkle Zone Youth Serum boosts skin’s anti-oxidant defence and provides anti-ageing action while the Lift Zone Youth Serum helps to restructure the skin and refine its texture. The therapist then massaged the Toning Modelling Balm, a skin-loving cocktail of hyaluronic acid, Vitamin/Omega 3, 6, and 9 Complex to stimulate my circulation and pamper my skin. It truly felt heavenly with her firm yet gentle motion.

She then applied a generous dose of multi-masking – Sothys Dermo-filing Mask helps tighten the skin and fill the wrinkles; and Sothys Dermo-lifting Mask instantly lifts the skin for a visible taut effect. Then the Lifting Peel-Off Mask with alginate and clay is applied before she finished off with a Sothys Youth Cream smoothed onto the skin. I noticed my face looking luminous and feeling soft after this treatment, something that was pleasant to the touch and good to experience.
The Sothys Youth Intensive Treatment is priced at RM490 and is available at all Sothys salons nationwide.

Tan Su Fen, Writer: AsterSpring Intense Hydra-Light Therapy
With sensitive skin and having battled adult acne for the past year or so now, my skin hasn’t exactly been the best candidate for facials. Therapists typically find it hard to do much with my inflamed skin. So when Aster Spring’s new Intense Hydra-Light Therapy came along with the promise of addressing aging, dehydrated, acne and even sensitive skin, I was intrigued—could this be my answer to healthier skin?

A hi-performance synergy facial, the Intense Hydra-Light Therapy uses the bt-accent LED Light technology with different colour light wavelengths (depending on your skin type) that help accelerate skin renewal, bringing out a smoother and radiant complexion. My visit to AsterSpring began with a thorough skin analysis, which determined the type of products and LED Light pairing that would best suit my skin type in the following treatment.

My therapist of the day starts off the treatment like a regular facial with a double cleanse and exfoliation.  A clay cleanser and a gentle rice powder scrub were used, which helped cleanse without aggravating my oily yet sensitive skin. After a heavy extraction session (no thanks to clogged pores), the therapist tailored the LDM machine—an ultrasound machine that helps stimulate collagen—to my acne-prone skin, so that it quickens the healing process while providing anti-bacterial properties.

A calming pressure point massage followed, targeted to improve blood circulation and skin complexion. Then came the star step: she used the bt-accent LED Light machine along with a Dermalogica Ionactive Cooling Gelloid masque for the treatment. The machine was set to the Blue LED Light, which helps reduce acne breakouts while minimising redness and irritation.

After 15 minutes, a bio-cellulose mask was applied to my skin, accompanied by a therapeutic shoulder massage. While my troubled skin made it difficult to see the immediate results post-facial, in the week that followed, my skin certainly looked healthier with reduced redness and acne breakouts. I’ve even gotten a couple of comments on my skin’s improvement over the week—that surely is a sign of a skin-changing facial treatment.
The AsterSpring Intense Hydra-Light Therapy is available at all AsterSpring Centres (RM538) and AsterSpring Signature Centres (RM580).

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