Lifestyle
Valentine’s Day 2020: 9 Oh-so-lovely ways to celebrate the day (and season) of romance in KL

04.02.2020
By Ronn Tan

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

Hey there! Kuala Lumpur is filled with activities to experience and you should take this Valentine’s Day to try some of them. From parties to workshops, this is an opportunity to spend some extra time with your special ones while making sweet memories. The list also includes dinner menus and staycations in KL.
1. 4-in-1 Hiking Trip

Hiking in KL
If you’re a couple who loves the outdoors or would like to do something different for Valentines’ Day, why not go for a hike? Rediscover nature with your loved ones and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The itinerary includes swimming at two hidden waterfalls, rock jumping into one deep natural pool, natural fish pedicure, fish feeding, a 20-minute jungle trekking, watching curtain waterfalls, natural jacuzzi water massage, discover unique flora and fauna, as well as rock balancing. Lunch will also be provided. The entire session will take about five hours and can accommodate up to four people—a double date is possible! This experience is priced at RM169 per person.
For more information, visit this website.
2. Batik/Shibori Workshop

Batik Shibori workshop in KL
Learn a new skill this Valentine’s Day with the special one. Experience and learn the process of designing and making batik. You can also opt for a workshop on folding and dyeing textiles using the shibori methods. If you prefer the batik, you will be creating patterns or designs by blocking or drawing using melted wax on fabric. You will then be able to take home a batik scarf or coffee tumbler that you made yourself. As for the shibori method, rubber bands and pieces of wood will be utilised to create organic designs. The session includes food and drinks and will run for four hours. It is priced at RM199 per person.
For more information, visit this website.
READ MORE: 6 Places that you can pick up a skill or two in arts and craft
3. Hands-on Latte Art Workshop

Latte Art Workshop in KL
No prior painting experience is required for this. During the three-hour session, you will gain knowledge on the basics of latte art—from the importance and function of crema to choosing the right milk for your cafe latte to making creative designs on your coffee. It is priced at RM291 per person. All you have to do is head over to the Emery School of Coffee but make sure to book a class online first!
For more information, visit this website.
WATCH: Buro Tries making latte art at Common Man Coffee Roasters
4. Valentine’s Day Party at Marini’s on 57

Marini’s on 57
Head over to the bar in the following dress codes: purple for singles, red for the taken, and yellow for the confused. A special surprise will be given to the best dressed male and female guests. Marini’s on 57’s Valentine’s Day event will begin at 9pm on 14 February. This is bound to be a night full of dancing and romance (or the possibility of one).
For more information, visit this website.
5. Love and Laughter Comedy Night at Ramada Suites By Wyndham KLCC

Ramada KLCC
Romantic dinners on Valentine’s Day are fun but why not try something out of the ordinary this year? The comedy event will be headlined by Andrew Netto and supported by Riezman Radzlan whereas Sulaiman Azmil will host. The package—priced at RM520—consists of a one-night stay inclusive of breakfast for two people in a Studio Executive King or Twin Room on 14 February, two tickets to the Love and Laughter live comedy event, a three-course set dinner for two, and a rose for each lady.
For more information, visit this website.
WATCH: The comedians from MACC insult and praise each other using Malaysian slangs
6. Ditch the clichés with Snapchat

Snapchat valentine’s day
There are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Snapchat—alone or with someone special. Use the Cameo feature to put your face in videos along with funny expressions and personalised text. How about trying out the new Bitmoji TV feature to see you and your significant other in an animated TV show? Finally, create your own augmented reality Lens.
7. Check out Valentine’s Day dinner menus at some of the most romantic spots in Kuala Lumpur.
We have compiled a list of places to eat with your loved ones right here.
8. Can’t go too far away for the day of love? Opt for a staycation in the city instead.
Check into some of the most Instagram-mable boutique hotels in KL here.
9. Go Valentine’s Day gift shopping (alone or with your date).
Take a look at this roundup of gift suggestions here.
For more Valentine’s Day ideas, click here.

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Watch the Moschino SS18 livestream here

Fashion
Watch the Moschino SS18 livestream here
#moschinolittlepony

18.09.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

My Little Pony fans, you might want to tune into Moschino’s SS18 show happening Friday morning at 2am. Based on this Instagram post by the brand, you can probably glean the general gist of the collection, showing in Milan tomorrow:

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Culture
Malaysia Day 2020 special: How Malaysian are You?

13.09.2020
By Stephanie Boey

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All the exciting live concerts in KL to look forward to in 2023

There is so much to love about Malaysia. Our rich history, delicious cuisine and unique local dialects make up our interestingly diverse and colourful country. Another thing to add onto our list of Malaysian treasures—our traditional childhood games.
The popular ones fresh in our memory include congkak, batu seremban, ceper and the ever-famous eraser battle which was responsible for making and breaking friendships in our early years. Times were simpler back then, games were played without the presence of a digital screen!
Here to relive some of the best games we played growing up, we invited local celebrities Cik Manggis, Sophia Liana, Azira Shafinaz from DeFam as well as their musical contemporaries, SonaOne and Arabyrd, funnyman Kuah Jenhan and fashion designer Tengku Syahmi, to go head to head. But what’s a game without a twist? To add more pressure to the cooker, we threw in trivia questions about our ‘tanah air’ for good ol’ fashion fun of multi-tasking. Do you know the answers to all these questions?

Credits
Concept, text and coordination: Stephanie Boey
Videography: Octopost Studio
Art direction: Sarah Tai

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Lifestyle
These are the top 10 most expensive cities to live in
The results are in

14.03.2016
By Rachel Au

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

With the implementation of GST and the weakening ringgit, Malaysia has seen an increase in costs of living in recent times but even so, it still somewhat at a bearable level when compared to the rest of the world. Ironically, the world’s most expensive city to live in sits just across the Causeway from us—yes, for the third year in a row, Singapore has topped the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2016 Worldwide Cost of Living survey.

While it is common for most middle-income working Malaysian adults to get to places with a car (or even Uber, which is still a car), the same cannot be said for our Singaporean neighbours. Ranking 133 cities based on a twice-yearly survey, the annual report notes Singapore’s high transport and utility costs. “It is the most expensive place in the world to buy and run a car, thanks to Singapore’s complex Certificate of Entitlement system,” it adds.

Taking public transportation isn’t as cheap either. The costs are 2.7 times higher than in New York. There is, however, an up side to living in Singapore; basic groceries there are cheaper than its other Asian counterparts such as Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Here’s the list of the world’s 10 most expensive cities to live in 2016:
1. Singapore
2. Zurich, Switzerland
2. Hong Kong
4. Geneva, Switzerland
5. Paris
6. London
7. New York
8. Copenhagen, Denmark
8. Seoul, South Korea
8. Los Angeles

And for the world’s 10 least expensive cities to live in 2016:
124. Damascus, Syria
124. Caracas, Venezuela
126. New Delhi
127. Almaty, Kazakhstan
127. Algiers, Algeria
127. Chennai, India
127. Karachi, Pakistan
131. Mumbai, India
132. Bangalore, India
133. Lusaka, Zambia

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5 Safest places to visit for solo female travellers
#InstaLove: Travel to Paris

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Features
Milan Men’s Fashion Week A/W’16: Layering lessons
Comfortably cushy

18.01.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Fashion Insider: Content creator Eros Erfe on the inspiration behind the ‘Bags of KL’ series

One does not merely waltz out along the streets during fashion week without considering the temperatures before dressing up, not especially when you intend to be captured in street style snapshots. And for the many stylish men and women during Milan Men’s Fashion Week A/W’16, the key to looking chic and having their fingers and toes intact (despite the cold) is by layering creatively. Checklist of these trendsetting kindred include: Experiment with knits and coats of all textures and prints; accessorise and keep the ears warm with a beret or bowling hat; and always include a statement-making piece in the ensemble, be it a bright pink coat or orange scarf.
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Fashion
#WFHFits: The 4 dainty jewellery trends I’m wearing at home

03.04.2020
By Joan Kong

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As we enter week 3 of the Movement Control Order, I’m sure some of you are either totally enjoying the time spent at home or getting a little restless being cooped up. As much as I love being outside, I’m the former. I spent the first two weeks in total sloth mode—no makeup, barely any workout (will totally regret this after MCO ends), and lounged in pyjamas all-day every day. But going into the third week, I admit I started feeling a little on edge, and I realised it’s time to shake up my work-from-home routine. How? By giving myself some fun style challenges to complete. The first, is to incorporate jewellery into my everyday look, which indirectly forces me to put more effort into my #WFHFits. Instead of statement jewellery that may not be the most appropriate or comfortable worn at home, I opted for four dainty trends that are fuss-free and fail-proof.
Below, the different jewellery I’ve been wearing for the past few days, and shoppable picks if you’d like to give them a try:
Hoop earrings
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Hoop earrings are classic, period. They’ve been a trend since forever (around 2,500 B.C.E, to be exact), and they continue to reign supreme ’til this day. I love how different sizes exude different appeal, for example small ones radiate a polished allure, while huge hoops seal the simplest of outfits with an edge. I, for one, love wearing two pairs in different sizes at once to amp up the trendy factor. They look good with my new conch and rook piercings too!
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Pearl necklaces

Typically associated with prim and proper dressing, pearl jewellery has been around since the 1900s, but the modern interpretation and styling (cue Gigi Hadid and Harry Styles) definitely give it its much needed update. My mum found this super chic thin gold choker that’s adorned with pearls while helping to spring-clean my grandma’s home, and needless to say, itt’s now mine (yay). I wore it to dress up my oversized button-down shirt (stay tuned for another style challenge!), and finished the look with a pair of gold huggies from Wanderlust + Co.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] wfh pearl necklaces” rid=”8005″ order=”a_tstamp”}
Signet rings

Traditionally worn by aristocratic men to use as stamps, the signet rings—that used to bear the family crest—is no longer restricted to just that, and while I know they’re not exactly dainty, I like how they now come in a wide range of designs you can choose from, from plain metal to boho gems to engraved initials. While you’re at it, feel free to stack them up with other rings in different thickness for added interest.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] Signet ring WFH” rid=”8002″ order=”a_tstamp”}
Birthstone jewellery

I’m sure most people are familiar with birthstones, but do you really know yours? There’s something special about accessorising with details that are uniquely yours. As a November baby, I have two birthstones—topaz and citrine—but I prefer the latter as it complements my warm skin tone. And let’s be honest, you can do no wrong with stud earrings—it’s a lazy-day option anyone can get behind.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] wfh birthstone jewellery” rid=”8003″ order=”a_tstamp”}
If you, like me, need something to keep you going during this #MCO period, try giving yourself some style challenges to try! Next up on our list? Waist-up dressing. Stay tuned!
For more work-from-home related stories, click here.

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Lifestyle
David Beckham reveals his favourite travel destinations
Personal recommendations

07.03.2016
By Rachel Au

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

Where hasn’t David Beckham been? Whether it was for a football match, attending events as a style icon or modelling work, the iconic British celebrity has travelled to various places. Of course, nothing beats home: London. He speaks to British Airways on everything travel-related and surprisingly, he still has places that are unchecked on his bucket list.

You fly all over the world for work—where is your favourite place to visit?
That’s a tough one. New York and LA are pretty special but I also like Singapore (I love staying at Marina Bay Sands) Then again, can you ever beat Paris? I’d say it can be matched but not beaten. Of course, I love coming back to my home, London. It has everything you could ask for in a city.

What’s your favourite London restaurant?
Restaurants in London are some of the best in the world, so it’s difficult to pick only one. I’m really into pub lunches at the moment—The Cow in Notting Hill is great.

What do you enjoy doing in London with your family?
There is nothing better than walking my dog with the kids in Hyde Park. You feel you’re in the heart of the greatest city in the world.

What’s been your best holiday to date?
We had an incredible time in the Maldives for our last few Christmas holidays, it has it all for the whole family. I’m also a huge fan of Bali.

Where’s your favourite US destination?
I’ve had so many great holidays in the US, especially with Victoria and the kids, but our most memorable holiday has been to Utah. The landscapes are breath-taking.

What’s the most exhilarating live sport to watch?
Football of course! Though I also love basketball and tennis. There’s always a greatatmosphere at Wimbledon. I would love to watch the Palio di Siena horse race in Italy one year. It’s something I’ve always wanted to see.

Do you have a favourite sports stadium?
The Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Wembley Stadium in London and Old Trafford in Manchester are of course my personal favourites. They have all you could ask for as a player and a fan including scale and atmosphere. I have never been to La Bombonera in Buenos Aires but I’d love to see it. It’s supposed to be amazing.

You travel a lot. Is there anywhere left on your bucket list?
I’m incredibly fortunate to have visited many places around the world. Antarctica for example, was pretty special and somewhere I will never forget. There are so many places still to see but it’s difficult to pick out one in particular. I like to visit destinations where food is the central part of the journey so my next holiday will be somewhere I can try different cuisines.

Related stories:
Orlando Bloom reveals his best travel tips
First look at David Beckham for H&M Modern Essentials Spring 2016
4 New gorgeous hotels in Asia you should check in to

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Lifestyle
The new Mini Clubman Sterling Edition is now available in Malaysia
Exclusively online

15.01.2018
By Rachel Au

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

Sophisticated, premium and limited edition—the three best words to describe the new Mini Clubman Sterling Edition. From the exclusive Melting Silver body colour with subtle Matte Black Jack mirror caps and roof decor; to the Black Union Jack symbols located at the side scuttles; to the bespoke 18″ Mini Yours Masterpiece wheels in burnish black, it’s the embodiment of a modern, chivalrous gentleman.

Not is the Mini Clubman Sterling Edition a looker but it boasts a wealth of high-tech features too. The Mini Navigation System with a high resolution 6.5″ screen in the MINI Centre Instrument houses state-of-the-art technology and information; while the Parking Assist function automatically steers the car into parallel parking spaces. To complement, the Rear View Camera helps the driver when reversing in and out of tight spots.

While you’re looking at the screen, know that the Mini Touch Screen Display is the new highlight of the model which supports multi-touch with pinch-to-zoom-in functionality for maps and typing. In addition, the clean and modern user interface now features brand new animations too. Carpool karaoke fans, on the other hand, will appreciate Mini Connected, a state-of-the-art infotainment system featuring over 30 million songs streamed live to the car.

The New Mini Clubman Sterling Edition arrives with the Mini 4 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service. The estimated retail price (on the road for personal registration, without insurance) is RM268,888. For more info, visit mini.my/clubman-sterling.

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Lifestyle
‘Mary Poppins Returns’ soundtrack is giving us all the feels

27.11.2018
By Gwen Ong

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

If there’s a classic movie that we will never get bored of, Mary Poppins would rank high on top of the list. The original movie first released in 1964 is considered to be one of the best live-action films that Disney has ever done. It won several Oscars awards including Best Actress for Julie Andrews, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Original Music Score and Best Original Song for ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’.
What makes this movie such a memorable one is of course the choreography and music. Naturally, the new live-action Mary Poppins Returns has big shoes to fill. Disney has released two new songs from the soundtrack. Emily Blunt, who plays the titular character, puts her heart into ‘The Place Where Lost Things Go’ while Lin-Manuel Miranda, who portrays Jack the lamplighter, gives us the lively ‘Trip a Little Light Fantastic’. There are a total of 27 tracks in the album, where the first 14 songs are vocal tracks and the rest is the original score. Have a listen to the two tracks below for a feel of what’s coming to the big screen.
Emily Blunt — ‘The Place Where Lost Things Go’

Lin-Manuel Miranda — ‘Trip a Little Light Fantastic’

Mary Poppins Returns follows the magical nanny as she pays a visit to the Banks siblings and helps Michael’s children through a difficult time. See the trailer below and get ready to tap your feet to all the songs when the movie premieres this Christmas in Malaysia.

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Skincare
How to keep your skin’s good bacteria thriving

07.06.2019
By Wei Yeen Loh

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The best acne and spot treatments to help curb your breakouts

Fun fact: did you know that there are trillions of microbes—microorganisms—living in and on our bodies? Squeamish as it might sound, having a complete population of microflora (bacteria) on your skin is crucial in ensuring its delicate balance. If this precious harmony is triggered to imbalance in any way, the “bad” microflora aka transient bacteria then flourishes, leading to a host of skin dilemmas such as acne, inflammation and more.
Another fun fact: using “anti-bacterial” skincare might lead to more harm than good. Just when you thought that thoroughly cleaning your face out might seem to be the best bet to solving your skin issues, it might disrupt the skin’s microbiome.
“The obsession with anti-bacterial products and harsh cleansers is destroying bad bacteria—but stripping away good bacteria, too,” says Dr Howard Murad, the renowned physician, CEO and founder of Murad Skincare Inc. “When combined with continued allergen and toxin assaults, essential bacteria are thrown out of whack and skin issues occur.”
But here’s where probiotics come in. According to research done by the American Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), “probiotics may have a role in treating chronic inflammatory conditions”, including acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and photoaging. Probiotics keep the skin’s microflora in harmony, whether it’s restoring the pH balance of the skin surface or strengthening the skin barrier to better keep out external aggressors.
Key ingredients to look out for when you’re investing in probiotics-infused skincare: Lactobacillus, Bifida ferment lysate, Galactomyces ferment filtrate etc. Also, keep an eye out for prebiotics in the ingredient list—these are what probiotics snack on. Below, five skincare picks to ensure the good bacteria on your skin is alive and kicking:
Murad Prebiotic 4-in-1 Multicleanser

Multitasking cleansers are easy to fall in love with, especially Murad’s 4-in-1 prebiotic-packed skin saviour. Made for those who occasionally get lazy with their makeup removal routine (no judgment here), this gel-to-oil, makeup-removing cleanser helps balance the skin’s microbiome while removing makeup, dirt and excess oil. Made for all skin types, it’s safe enough to be used around the eye area, and it also has moisturising emollients to deeply hydrate the most sensitive of skin types.
READ: 5 Sunscreens that do more than just protect your skin from the sun
Gallineé Face Vinegar

If vinegar’s worthy enough to eat, it’ll likely do some good for your body’s largest organ. The dynamic duo in this French beauty brand’s toner is 1) Actibiome, a novel prebiotic that soothes fatigued skin and allow good bacteria to thrive, and 2) hisbiscus vinegar, native to Central America and helps to regulate sebum, prevent free radicals from damaging skin cells, and minimise the appearance of blemishes and scars.
Edible Beauty Probiotic Radiance Tonic Serum

Edible Beauty’s new formula has a live probiotic strain that’s typically found in yogurt—Lactobacillus Bulgaricus Ferment. This star ingredient comes with skin-loving benefits that will give your complexion a new lease of life, from restoring the skin’s microbe balance to improving skin health and resistance to external aggressors. Got dry skin that feels like it could use a thirst quencher? Jojoba milk and birch leaf in the formula helps to intensely nourish skin while forming a strong protective barrier.
ALSO READ: The right way to apply your serum and make the most out of it
Lancôme Advanced Genifique Hydrogel Melting Mask

A hydrogel mesh sheet mask that’s soaked in approximately half a bottle of Lancôme’s bestselling Advanced Génifique serum? Say no more. If you need a quick skin pick-me-up, slap this on, wait for 20 minutes (or half an hour) and prepare to unveil your brand new baby-smooth skin. Packed with Bifidus (a bacteria that’s also found in our gut, mouth and more), it helps strengthen the skin’s barrier function while hydrating the skin. Extra points go to the heat-sensitive hydrogel mesh material that only releases the active ingredients upon contact with the skin without leaving a greasy residue.
Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Mist

Give your skin a day-long dewy finish without layering on highlighter. All you need is a spritz of Allies of Skin’s probiotic-packed mist—its impressive ingredient list is worth a skim, including Lactobacillus Ferment, silk amino acids, acai berry, aloe, rose water, and fruit extracts and oils. What we love about this mist is its anti-evaporation molecule that allows the formula to hang on to skin cells rather than evaporating to thin air. Pack this in your handbag for on-the-go skin refresh and ultimate healing hydration.

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Men's
Watch: Shawn Mendes speaks the truth in the latest Calvin Klein campaign

10.05.2019
By Joan Kong

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5 Leading tailors in Klang Valley to design your sleek wedding suits

Can’t get enough of Shawn Mendes’ chiseled abs in his first round of Calvin Klein campaign (that sent the internet into a frenzy)? Good news: The 21-year-old is back again with a new ad for the brand, and this time, the singer lets us in on his thoughts on life. Posing in the brand’s underwear line, the crooner once again showed off his washboard abs for the #MyCalvins campaign, where—as the brand calls it—”a cast of cultural catalysts” including Billie Ellish, rapper Chika, and Noah Centineo and more tell their stories in their own words through the #MyCalvins platform. Shot by renowned acclaimed director Jonas Lindstroem (and pictures by renowned photographer Mario Sorrenti), the different videos evoke different feel, ranging from playful to emotional, with Mendes digging deep in his film, saying, “I think the real strength is putting yourself out there, whether that’s in music or life in general; I’m vulnerable and that’s a good thing.”

Watch his videos for Calvin Klein below:

Other stars in the I Speak My Truth in #MyCalvins campaign include It-girls Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, rapper A$AP Rocky, singer Troye Sivan, and South-Korean actor Yoo Ah-In and more.

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Fashion
Take your look from day to night with Aigner

12.10.2017
By Joan Kong

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RECOMMENDED

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

Credits
Photography: Chuan Looi/Yipieyaya StudioStyling: Joan KongArt direction: Chong Yi SuenHair: Cody ChuaMakeup: Shiyo JooStylist assisted by: Su Fen Tan

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Watches
The new Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire is truly a work of art

29.01.2021
By Wei Yeen Loh

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The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

Hublot’s repertoire of combining cutting-edge materials (manufactured sapphire) with haute horlogerie knows no boundaries. The watchmaking brand has debuted renowned watches for years now, from timepieces in primary colours (Spirit of Big Bang Yellow Sapphire) to the completely transparent Big Bang MP-11 Power Reserve 14 Days Sapphire.
Most recently, Hublot launched its latest horological innovation at LVMH Watch Week—a stunner that has marked a few firsts for the brand. The Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire is a reinterpretation of the Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon, but in a new orange shade (a world first for a through-tinted sapphire) that was brought to life by adroitly incorporating titanium and chromium in the manufacturing process.

Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic ORange Sapphire

The Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire also has a brand new tourbillon movement at the heart: a self-winding system equipped with ceramic ball bearings and a minimum power reserve of 72 hours. What’s unique about this movement is the visible micro-rotor from the dial side—a complex feat for designers that required meticulous reconstruction of the movement. With the micro-rotor set at 12 o’clock, the perpetual movements reflect the rotation of the tourbillon (positioned in perfect symmetry at six o’clock).
But that’s not all the sapphire that has been incorporated in this watch. Yet another first for Hublot, the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire has three sapphire bridges—a barrel bridge, an automatic bridge, and a tourbillon barrette. The skeleton work’s exquisite effect is highlighted by the open-worked and sandblasted platinum, while the tourbillon cage at six o’clock lends a glimpse into the watch’s mechanical heart.

Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire

Limited to only 50 pieces, the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire comes with a transparent orange rubber strap with a lined relief— a patented express One Click interchangeability system with a titanium deployant buckle.
Click here for more news on watches & jewellery.

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Buro Loves
40 Girls get their shine on with YSL Beauty Volupté lipsticks

07.01.2019
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

Title: 40 Girls get their shine on with the new YSL Beauty Volupté lipsticks
Standfirst: Playful yet powerful, the new YSL Beauty Volupté lipsticks are the new icons for a perfectly kissable pout.
Text:
What makes a lipstick iconic in its own right? Apart from a standout finish and range of snazzy colours, the bullet has got to bring on a statement bold enough to turn heads. In the spotlight this month are two additions to YSL Beauty’s Volupté family that check all the statements above—lip colours that are so chic, you don’t want to be caught without it.
At our exclusive #BuroBeautyParty, 40 personalities scored a first-hand experience with these lippies. Here’s how they rocked the YSL Beauty Rouge Volupté Shine and Volupté Plump-In-Colour.
[images]
Behold, the first of the dynamic duo: the iconic YSL Beauty Rouge Volupté Shine that now comes in 12 new standout colours. Think vibrant hues that are both natural yet expressive, tailored for the ultimate #livetoshine experience. Can you tell that this is the girls’ makeup bag favourite?
What makes it stand out?
Made of a 65% oil-based formula, the Rouge Volupté Shine is made of six key oils and pomegranate extract. The result is six specific benefits to your lips, including high shine, hydration, smoothness, sheerness, an ultra-melting sensation with absolute comfort. Take your pick from a total of 35 shades.
[images]
The second addition to the Volupté family is the new Volupté Plump-In-Colour, a go-to for shine, colour and conditioning, but with a special formula that makes it a winner in our books. Explore eight eye-catching shades for utterly kissable lips.
What makes it stand out?
This lip plumper will give a voluptuous pout that packs a punch, thanks to natural peppermint oil, caprilyl glycol and black pearl powder to enhance the lips for a fuller look.
The X-factor of the Volupté Plump-In-Colour lies within the core of the lipstick. Quite literally! Spot the cool asymmetric black heart that is a renowned YSL symbol of love.
The YSL Beauty Rouge Volupté Shine and Volupté Plump-In-Colour retails at xxx each, available now at all YSL Beauty boutiques.
Credits:
Image: Gerald Goh/Imagerom
Art Direction: Chong Yi Suen and Cai Mei Khoo
Styling: Joan Kong
Hair: Cody Chua, Bibian Leong, Garrie Bobs, Juno Ko
Makeup: Shiyo Joo, Cat Yong, Ling Chong, Chu Fan
Coordination: Angel Yau, Loh Wei Yeen & Gwen Ong
Assisted by: Tan Su Fen & Stephanie Boey
Location: The International Gallery at ALYA Kuala Lumpur
Wardrobe: Topshop, Warehouse, BCBG Max Azria

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Beauty
Beauty Advent Calendar: Shiseido Festive Camellia
Haute couture glamour

22.12.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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RECOMMENDED

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

What do you get when you combine the artistic expertise of a fashion designer with a professional cosmetics brand? A lush, floral-inspired festive palette that is the limited edition Shiseido Festive Camellia—a special collaboration between Shiseido Makeup and Yohji Yamamoto’s iconic brand Y’s.

The camellia being the muse and motif, Y’s has designed a holiday package with haute couture elegance: Silk from Kyoto is used on the palette, with camellia motifs in vivid colour blooming against a deep plum background. Its asymmetrical shape alludes to nature’s whimsy and stems from non-Western traditions-a theme that resonates with Y’s style. With art director Dick Page lending his eye for colour, the palette includes six fresh, camellia-inspired hues that is ultra pigmented and luxuriously smooth-ideal for both face colour and eyeshadow.

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Music
Here are the best Twitter reactions to Blackpink’s ‘The Album’

02.10.2020
By Ronn Tan

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All the exciting live concerts in KL to look forward to in 2023

Alright, Blinks, the day you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived! Blackpink released their first Korean-language studio album—titled The Album—on 2 October 2020 to massive fanfare. Released through YG Entertainment and Interscope, The Album consists of eight tracks, including ‘How You Like That’, ‘Ice Cream’ with Selena Gomez, ‘Bet You Wanna’ with Cardi B, and latest single ‘Lovesick Girls’.

In addition to Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo, and Rosé, the new album also features a plethora of credits, such as Ryan Tedder, David Guetta, Løren, Ariana Grande, Victoria Monet, Teddy, and R.Tee. They worked on tracks like ‘Pretty Savage‘, ‘Crazy Over You’, and ‘Love To Hate Me’. The Blackpink members themselves participated in the writing and production of the album, especially on latest single ‘Lovesick Girls’.

You don’t even have to be a fan of Blackpink to love their songs. Prior to the album release, tracks such as ‘How You Like That’ and ‘Ice Cream’ have collectively garnered more than 300 million streams on Spotify. Catchy and infectious, it is their universal appeal that makes them one of the biggest groups in the world after all. The release of The Album has brought upon an avalanche of reactions on the Internet—and here are some of the best.
1.

Lisa has the best body in kpop I said what I said I will never change my word#THEALBUM #LovesickGirls #LISA @BLACKPINK #BLACKPINK pic.twitter.com/36CIjTpcuo
— LisaInMyArea(@LisaInMyArea20) October 2, 2020

2.

3.

Sometimes it’s better to keep expectations low. But not when it comes to #Blackpink – the band’s newest album is guaranteed to best anyone’s expectations, however high they may be. @BLACKPINK @ygofficialblink @ygent_official #LovesickGirls #THEALBUM https://t.co/4va1rsSMGR pic.twitter.com/cHvBwflZnW
— Korea JoongAng Daily (@JoongAngDaily) October 2, 2020

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

There you go! What are your thoughts on the The Album and what is your favourite track from the album?
For more stories on Blackpink, click here.

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Features
Boldest street style looks from New York Fashion Week SS18 so far
Total standout

11.09.2017
By Joan Kong

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Fashion Week is when all the fashion glitterati come out to play; aside from the looks each designer send down the runway, the sidewalks are where showgoers flaunt the most stylish of get-ups. Out of the ‘big four’, you can count on the Americans to showcase their ultra-flamboyant street style, and surprisingly look good while they’re at it. Although NYFW is yet to be over, many street style stars are taking advantage of the warm season (before it transitions to autumn) with standout pieces that holds it own. Whether you’d like to rock one print head-to-toe (florals, polka-dots, you name it), incorporate five colours into one look, or don larger-than-life ruffles, these New Yorkers embody ‘more is more’ like no other, and their head-turning looks definitely liven up the streets.

Below, check out some of the most outrageous ensembles spotted so far; can you see yourself in any of these looks?
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”NYFW boldest street style looks” rid=”5452″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Lifestyle
What Trump promised to do on his first day in the White House
Will he "make America great again"?

20.01.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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All eyes will be on America tonight (noon in Washington D.C.) as Donald Trump takes the oath of office outside the U.S. Capitol – and no amount of protest will stop it from happening. It has been quite the journey for Trump, and gathering from the many bold promises he made in the rallies and speeches en route to his presidency, he will have a very busy first day at work. Although he officially becomes president today, his first full workday in the White House will take place on Monday, 23 January—that’s when the work really starts.

According to Trump’s advisers, his initial plans are to undo many of President Obama’s executive actions, before focussing on launching his new Trump vision. However, expectations for Day One will be high as America (and the world) weighs in on his tall order of campaign promises about what he would do on his first day in the White House.

Immigration
Deporting illegal immigrants was Trump’s first priority and arguably the driving force behind his victory. In August, he said: “They’re going to be out of this country so fast, your head will spin.” And in October: “Day one, my first hour in office, those people are gone.” Since the election, however, he has quietly dropped the ambitious (and near impossible) call to remove all undocumented immigrants from the U.S.

Instead, in his first televised interview after his win, he vowed to deport up to three million illegal immigrants with criminal records in one of his first acts in office. His other Day One immigration-related vows include suspending immigration from terror-prone regions, to strip federal funding from “sanctuary cities”, and “eliminate every unconstitutional executive order” related to immigration.

Obamacare
Only Congress can repeal Obamacare, but Trump could reverse some of the executive enforcement actions by the Obama administration, such as ending mandated insurance coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, contraception, and therapy or surgery for gender transition. He has promised to begin dismantling the health-care plan by asking Congress to “immediately deliver a full repeal” on his first day.

This could happen as Congress is already taking the required procedural steps to open up the process for a full repeal-and-replace measure. As for the potential replacement policy, it remains unclear, but Trump claimed that he will provide “insurance for everybody”.

Defeat ISIS
Trump promised to hold a meeting with his military generals on his first day, where he will ask them to devise a plan to defeat ISIS within 30 days. In September last year, he said: “I am also going to convene my top generals and give them a simple instruction: They will have 30 days to submit to the Oval Office a plan for defeating ISIS.”

Trade
In his “100-day action plan to Make America Great Again”, Trump vowed to kick off his first day as president with seven measures to “protect American workers”. The plan includes: to renegotiate the North American Free Trade agreement with Canada and Mexico or withdraw from the deal, withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and to name China a currency manipulator—acts that will no doubt draw significant consequences, for both U.S. and the countries involved.

Reform Washington
In the same “100-day action plan”, Trump also made a Day One promise to clean up the corruption in Washington by proposing a Constitutional Amendment to impose term limits on all members of Congress, a five-year ban on White House and Congressional officials becoming lobbyists after they leave government service, and a hiring freeze on all federal employees to reduce federal workforce through attrition (exempting military, public safety, and public health), amongst other potential reforms.

Gun control
Trump also made the radical vow to eliminate gun-free zones at schools on his first day. “I will get rid of gun-free zones on schools, you have to, and on military bases,” Trump said at a Vermont rally in January 2016. “My first day, it gets signed, okay? My first day. There’s no more gun-free zones.” To do so, he will have to repeal a 27-year-old federal law.

These are but some of the promises that the soon-to-be-president vowed to keep. Will Donald Trump follow through on all his Day One promises?  We’ll soon see.

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Watches
Nautical sophistication gets a vibrant makeover in the new Corum Admiral collection
Colours of summer

27.07.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

Corum launched the Admiral collection back in 1960 in honour of the legendary international yachting regatta of the same name. While the event saw its final outing (with a revival yet to happen) in 2003, the Corum Admiral continues to be associated with major sailing events and notable sailors in the sport.

This year, Corum gives the nautical collection a vibrant makeover. The new Admiral timepieces are characterised by nautical flags as indices on the dial in a colour palette of dark blue, light blue, white and black. To amp up the fun factor, the dials and straps are interchangeable – with a total of 22 possible combinations for one to mix and match to their heart’s desire.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Corum Admiral” rid=”5306″ order=”a_tstamp”}
The new Corum Admiral collection is available in three different case widths: 32mm, 38mm and 42mm. All three models are driven by the brand’s in-house automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve.

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Source:

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Fashion
Team Buro Answers: All I want for Christmas is…

13.12.2019
By Joan Kong

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

You’ve read our Christmas gift guides for everyone on your list, but when it comes to yourself, have you thought about what you want yet? Below, Team Buro lists down the one item that reigns on their list, and dear Santa, if you’re reading this, we’ve been good all year.
RACHEL AU, Editor

Blossom stool metal by Tokujin Yoshioka, Louis Vuitton
“Once upon a time, gorgeous dresses and shiny new handbags make my heart flutter. These days—call it #adulting—I find my gaze lingering over anything that I can put in the house, be it a practical kitchen appliance or a statement piece to really deck up the home à la Pinterest. If I had to really pick what I want for Christmas, it’d be something from Louis Vuitton’s Objets Nomades collection—specifically, the Blossom Stool Metal by Tokujin Yoshioka in this exclusive champagne colour. Shaped after Louis Vuitton’s historic Monogram Flower, and now plated with pale gold aluminium, the “stool” perfectly embodies endless reflection and movement. If anything, it’s an art piece I wouldn’t be recommending any guests to sit on—but if they did, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Apparently, it can hold a maximum capacity of 100kg. But really, no, don’t think of sitting on it!”
GWEN ONG, Associate Editor

Bvlgari Divas’ Dream earrings
“I love my earrings. Growing up, this is the one accessory that I’d always save up my allowance for. It’s a buy that I know will last me through the ages—I still own a few pairs that I bought back in my teens! Now that ‘adulting’ means dressing up for work events and social gatherings, I’ve got my eyes on this pair of Divas’ Dream earrings by Bvlgari. Call me a cliché but I like a dash of red to make a (fine) statement and to celebrate the festive season of course. Also, how can you not be attracted to the unique fan-shaped design? It’s apparently inspired by the mosaics of the Roman Baths of Caracalla. A goddess I am not but at least I can play pretend with the 18 kt rose gold earrings with carnelian inserts and round brilliant-cut diamonds.”
JOAN KONG, Fashion Editor

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Manchette 22mm 18-karat rose gold and diamond watch
“Call it a habit, but I’ve always worn bracelets or a watch on my left wrist—even though, yes, who looks at the time on their watch nowadays? Unlike previous years where bags and clothes fill my wishlist, this year, the one item I have my eyes on is a watch that also doubles up as a stunning bracelet—Cartier’s Panthère de Cartier Manchette 22mm 18-karat rose gold and diamond watch. The stunning piece combines the brand’s classic Panthère case—the brand’s most iconic timepiece, if you hadn’t known already—with a wide chain-link cuff, sprinkled with a halo of brilliant-cut diamonds that makes it even more lust-worthy. I dare you to take your eyes off it.”
STEPHANIE BOEY, Fashion Writer

Stella McCartney Stan Smith
“I’ve been a fan of Stella McCartney for years, of her designs and her company’s goal to being sustainable and cruelty-free. She’s known for popularising “vegan” leather as an alternative to traditional methods and materials as she firmly believes that animals shouldn’t die for fashion. I’m against animal cruelty, animal testing and refrain from exotic skins and furs, but neither do I agree with replacing natural materials with synthetic ones. They take hundreds of years to biodegrade, creating long-term pollution.”
“Instead of virgin polyester fibres, her latest Stan Smith kicks are made from 100% recycled polyester (meaning less waste in landfills, yay!). Much like the first drop last year, the sneakers return with the same laser cut stars in place of Adidas’ iconic three stripes, but with a new rainbow gradient inset, plus two sets of laces-all white and neon rainbow. I’m curious to see how recycled polyester fares as shoes (how long will they last being the most pressing issue). Also, I’ve yet to own a pair of Stan Smiths so the fact that these are “sustainably made” seems pretty cosmic.”
LOH WEI YEEN, Beauty Editor

Bottega Veneta The Pouch large leather clutch
“My ultimate celeb crush/beauty muse Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was seen repping this super stylish clutch (in all shades, no less) all over her Insta-feed, so naturally, anything she pulls off with effortless ease goes straight to my wishlist. Roomy to fit all my essentials in (proof here) and in the most buttery of leathers, the clutch is versatile enough to look good in various settings—under the arm, hand-held, on the bed, and even super close-up. Dreamier is the intrecciato nappa leather version in the same silhouette, but that’s for another wishlist in the near/distant future. Can you tell that I’m a fan of Daniel Lee’s idea of the “new” Bottega?”
JOANNA PINTO, Special Projects Editor

Saint Laurent Gathered neon twill mini dress
“All I want for Christmas is… Saint Laurent’s gathered neon twill mini dress. I usually stick to monochrome hues but I’m making an exception for the holidays with this bright twill number that glows in the dark (yes, it really did at the Autumn/Winter’19 show). Plus, I love the statement broad-shouldered silhouette that pays homage to the ’80s. Now, all I need to complete this look is a pair of sensible heels and a petite party bag!”
RONN TAN, Editorial Assistant

Hermès Wallago Cabine bag
“In addition to world peace and good health, of course, all I want for Christmas this year is the Hèrmes Wallago Cabine bag. My fascination with Hermès did not begin with the whole Rosmah fiasco, but my mum. I can’t pinpoint the exact year when I started noticing luxury brands but as a child, I saw mum with her Hermès bags. At that age, all I knew was “Wow, I really like the colours”. Years later, my love for the brand is still going strong and this Christmas, some may want Birkins, but my eyes are on this sleek weekender in Togo calfskin. Dad? Mum? Anyone?”
CALLEIGH YAP, Senior Web Designer

Loewe Collapsible-heel crocodile-effect leather loafers
“I’m all for practicality, so this pair of Loewe collapsible-heel crocodile-effect leather loafers is totally made for me. Timeless and chic, this design is perfect for everyday wear regardless whether I’m dressing up or down. The pointy-toe is an added bonus because it gives an illusion of longer legs—perfect for petite girls like me—and the collapsible heel is ideal for days when you’re on the go!”
Head to the Buro Christmas Village for more Christmas-related stories.

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Beauty
Chanel Coco Game Center : Where fun and games reign and beauty dreams come true
Game‚ set‚ match

26.04.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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RECOMMENDED

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

The highly-anticipated Chanel Coco Game Center (finally!) opens its doors, and if you’ve seen all the pictures and videos on Instagram, you’d know that this beauty pop-up is one you absolutely cannot miss. From 28 April to 13 May, indulge in fun and games (quite literally) while exploring the latest beauty collections from Chanel at the Chanel Coco Game Center along Jalan Sultan Ismail in town.

Channel your competitive streak in this space where game stations and console booths are aplenty. Start your adventure at the Coco Game Center by checking out the Bubble Game, a claw-machine station where you can catch Hydra Beauty “micro-droplets” in bubble-like capsules to get your hands on the latest skincare samples, badges, and even a drink at the bar. When you’re done with that, move on to the Coco Game Station to check out your go-to lip shade while bagging a few more wins at Guitar Hero and Pong. After that, give your best shot (with minimal effort) at the Chance booth to discover the latest from the Chance fragrance lineup — everyone is a winner here! Complete your Chanel Coco Game Center tour by going for a ride of your life at The Beauty Ride in the photo-worthy Coco Car. While you’re scoring major wins along the way, why not score a few new releases from the beauty counters as well? Swatch all the colours from the Rouge Coco range to find your best match, and stop by the fragrance counter for a quick spritz of Chanel Chance right after.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная без списка] Chanel Coco Game Center KL” rid=”6185″ order=”a_tstamp”}
Naturally, the OMG-inducing space is replete with a slew of Instagrammable spots and fun-filled corners. Snap a photo by the seriously cute Space Invader inspired props (made of Chanel beauty products, no less) speckled on the walls, and don’t forget the utterly chic makeup counter with an impressive backdrop made of paperbags (no, we’re not kidding).
Watch our Facebook Live for a virtual tour of the Chanel Coco Game Center!

Fifteen of our readers will score fast-track passes to enter the Chanel Coco Game Center, along with exclusive goodies as well — this is your chance to check out the Chanel Coco Game Center before anyone else does. Watch our Facebook Live for all the details of our giveaway!

The Chanel Coco Game Center runs from 28 April – 13 May, at 23, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

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Collections
In pictures: Paris Fashion Week SS20 Day 4 & 5 feat. Loewe, Balmain, Celine, Commes Des Garçons, and Hermès

30.09.2019
By Joan Kong

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Haute Couture Week AW23: The best moments from Valentino, Balenciaga and more

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Music
Buro 24/7 Malaysia Playlist #60: The essential Coldplay compilation
Call 'em magic

17.11.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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RECOMMENDED

All the exciting live concerts in KL to look forward to in 2023

You’ve probably heard the news: Coldplay will be performing at the National Stadium in Singapore (our lucky, lucky neighbours) on 1 April next year. Initial pre-sale tickets—some 12,000 of them—reportedly sold out within an hour on Thursday, so you know you’ve got to be quick if you’re planning to snap up a ticket when general public sales start tomorrow (21 November).

Before one of the best bands of our time comes down to rock this region, gear up by listening to some of the best tracks they have released over the years:

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Lifestyle
Pop culture catch-up: Disney+ announces exciting Percy Jackson series, Kylie Jenner tests baby Stormi’s patience in the viral TikTok Candy Challenge and more

17.05.2020
By Marissa Chin

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Hello pop culture vultures! Here’s another round-up of the latest news in the entertainment circle you might have missed:
Author Rick Riordan announces exciting Percy Jackson live action TV series coming to Disney+
Arguably the best news this whole week came on Friday when Rick Riordan revealed on Twitter that a Percy Jackson TV series was underway.

Pssst. Hey, demigods . . . pic.twitter.com/7ep4aeyS3I
— Rick Riordan (@rickriordan) May 14, 2020

Fans all around the world came out of their forlorn caves after the disaster that was the 20th Century Fox adaptation that left many livid at the inaccuracies. ‘Persassies’ came out in the masses to rejoice at the wondrous news leading to ‘Percy Jackson’ becoming a worldwide trend in just a few hours—clearly, fans are relieved that their beloved series is getting the live action treatment it deserves after seven long years.

Percy Jackson fans preparing to swarm twitter pic.twitter.com/5zyvNwjReg
— ✨FILM DAZE✨ (@filmdaze) May 14, 2020

“We can’t say much more at this stage but we are very excited about the idea of a live-action series of the highest quality, following the storyline of the original Percy Jackson five-book series, starting with The Lightning Thief in season one”, Riordan explains in his announcement.
In case you’re worried Disney is going to change up cherished elements of the series such as the POC and LGBT representation—not to worry. Riordan states clearly that he will be “involved in-person at every step of the show”. Here are some of the reactions from Persassies who cannot wait to see their favourite demigods on the small screen:

*percy jackson getting a 5 season, live-action, series on disney plus and rick riordan personally overseeing the production*my overgrown, camp halfblood demigod ass: pic.twitter.com/UZ14F21ipq
— PERCY JACKSON ON DISNEY PLUS (@MartelleCaleb) May 15, 2020

rick riordan: we are making a 5-season percy jackson tv series for disney+twitter: pic.twitter.com/6BwE5yJerK
— trish (@ULTRAGLOSS) May 15, 2020

okay but the fact that rick riordan will be involved in the percy jackson adaptation series he will be involved in the cast selection, the accurate ages the story line for the characters WE WILL FINALLY SEE NICO DI ANGELO LIVE ACTION pic.twitter.com/lpzUkZfxLw
— ⁷ (@jeonlvr) May 14, 2020

what he says: i will be involved in person in every aspect of the [percy jackson] showwhat he means: pic.twitter.com/8lJHiOwUjf
— chai ♡ (@givemeabrekk) May 14, 2020

Katy Perry looks fresh and bump-beautiful in Daisies music video
On May 14, Katy Perry dropped an emotional single reminding us to stop and smell the daisies. In it, we see Perry clad in a white lace maxi dress as she is surrounded in a field of, you guessed it, daisies. The big surprise though is her beautiful bump which she reveals in all its bare glory near a waterfall.

In an interview with Apple Music, the singer states that the song is an “anthem for myself.” She added, “I wrote some of it while I was clinically depressed and trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel… And it becomes a song and ‘Daisies’ was just a nugget of inspiration for me to go, look, I don’t need to change. I will stay true to my past.”
Perry has been showing off her gorgeous bump and natural glow on her Instagram since the music video dropped. We’re excited she is delivering more than just uplifting songs!

Kylie Jenner tests daughter Stormi’s patience in TikTok Candy Challenge to some adorable results
It’s safe to say that we’ve got a soft spot for Stormi Webster and Kylie Jenner’s latest post on Instagram just solidified that. If you’re not aware of the latest challenge that’s been sweeping through family homes lately, it’s basically where a parent puts a bowl of their child’s favourite candy in front of them and instructs them not to eat it until they return. Some succumb to the temptation unapologetically while some succeed with flying colours.

In the video, Kylie Jenner tells Stormi that she can have three M&Ms when she comes back but she has to wait. Stormi happily agrees and it seems like she’ll make it through—until she stares at the colourful candy and starts questioning her moral compass. In a cute attempt to practise self-control, Stormi starts singing, “Patience, patience!” She wins the battle and is now three M&Ms richer, reminding us that she is, indeed, the goodest girl.
Jonas Brothers treat fans to two new singles, X and 5 More Minutes
On Thursday, everyone’s favorite childhood boy band released two catchy and contrasting singles much to the delight of Jonatics everywhere. These singles are not entirely new to them though, since X appeared in the ending credits of their documentary Happiness Continues and 5 More Minutes was teased in their 2020 Grammy performance. Since then, Jonatics have been harping the boys to release the full versions of the songs which they happily obliged (wishes do come true).

The Sucker singers teamed up with Columbian singer Karol G for X, a sultry Anglo pop single with flirty lyrics. On the other hand, 5 More Minutes highlights the band’s softer and romantic side with their signature acoustic riffs, with lyrics soulfully wishing for more time with their loved ones.

New Hunger Games prequel book and movie confirmed
Mockingjays, we are returning to Panem real soon.
Back in April, Lionsgate confirmed that a prequel to the worldwide phenomena ‘The Hunger Games’ has been greenlighted. The prequel, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snake’ is set to be released on May 19 and broke Scholastic’s world record first printing of a whopping 2.5 million copies.

Photo by Scholastic
While Collins was writing the prequel, Lionsgate were in contact with her to negotiate a movie adaptation and why wouldn’t they? After all, The Hunger Games was a smash hit in theatres with the trilogy garnering almost $3 billion worldwide.
According to Collins, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snake’ will centre around Coriolanus Snow who is none other than the cold and cunning dictator, President Snow that we all know and hate. It will focus on events 74 years prior to events from the main trilogy—so no Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, we’re afraid. Instead, Collins will delve into the life of 18-year old Snow as he is chosen as a mentor much to his horror, to an impoverished girl from District 12 (which will become the home to our beloved heroine, Katniss). With this prequel, Collins wishes to “explore the state of nature, who we are, and what we perceive is required for our survival.”

Courtesy of Lionsgate
Are you excited for this prequel or do you wish she would’ve focused on another character?
Problematic clips from America’s Next Top Model resurfaces and fans are not happy
America’s Next Top Model has to be one of those universal reality competition shows that were in every childhood girl’s watchlist. We all practised ‘smizing’ and perfecting the “easy, breezy, beautiful Covergirl” tagline in front of the mirror (no? Just us?).
Well, now that the hit show is available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime, many people are able to rewatch the 17-year old program and let’s just say, some of the photoshoots did not age well. Throughout the 24 seasons that it ran, Tyra introduced a bunch of wacky photoshoot concepts but the one that really hit the final nail on the Tyra coffin was in Cycle 4.
Models were asked to switch races—yes, you read that right. Caucasian models were made to look African-American appearing in blackface with one even saying “I’m a black woman with a nose job”, yikes. People were horrified that such blatant acts of racism were even allowed to air on national television with no one batting an eyelash.

Other controversial moments that were brought up by Twitter include a contestant on Cycle 5 who, secured in her sexuality, wanted to be out and proud…only to be shot down by Tyra seconds later.

Another included Tyra (again) asking why Cycle 6 winner Danielle Evans refused to close her gap teeth during her visit to the dentist. “Do you really think you can have a CoverGirl contract with a gap in your mouth?” Banks questioned her. When Evans replied “why not?”, Banks said that the gap just wasn’t a “marketable” feature.

As a show meant to uplift women and provide them with more opportunities in the modelling world, fans were disappointed to find out that it was doing the exact opposite and putting them down on things they were confident in.
The heat proved too much and Banks eventually posted an apology on Twitter. However, people were still not satisfied as Banks did not mention in her tweet what she was exactly sorry for.

What are your thoughts on this?

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Beauty
Why we need to talk more about menstrual health

13.11.2019
By Gwen Ong

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Ladies (and gents), let’s talk about menstruation. On the brink of 2020, it should now be normal for us to discuss our monthly issues – period care, relief, bloat, pain, woes and more – without fear or judgment. After all, Mother Nature has intended for us to band together in solidarity when it comes to our womanly health. If our experiences have taught us anything, it’s that the topic of menstrual health is an important one that should be made accessible to every girl.
We roped in Elaine Hong, co-founder of Enya to talk about period care and feminine hygiene. Enya is a tech-enabled period care company that was set up to tackle the issue of itchiness and discomfort when wearing pads during menses – thus, the birth of its cotton pads. Enya’s main goal is to provide a holistic approach towards feminine care, as accessible, affordable and convenient as possible.
Hi Elaine. As we move on as a more opened and aware society, how is Enya sparking conversations about menstruation?
For Enya, we start by sharing why we founded the company and why we chose organic cotton as our prime material. Our periods tell a lot about our health, so does the product that we use during our cycle. Some women experience minor itchiness and burning sensations depending on the type of product we place onto our vaginal area, and many chose to ignore it because we might think it’s normal to feel so. We started by sharing about the breathability of organic cotton—that was our first spark. Naturally, we were very grateful that our customers begin to share about their experiences, not just with Enya, but their own stories with other women on our socials.
In your opinion, why should we talk more about menstrual health or feminine hygiene?
It’s because it has a lot to do with our reproductive health. It starts from our periods. I believe that society progresses through conversations that turn into actions. The conversation a mother has with her daughter, and then the daughter’s daughter will ultimately shape what we call society today. It’s very powerful to understand our own bodies and to know what is right for ourselves.

From your research, what are some things that women are not aware of or still embarrassed to talk about when it comes to feminine health?
This is very interesting. When we first started asking on our Instagram stories, we figured “ok, perhaps no one would reply”, but it turns out that many young women want to share their experiences dealing with period cramps or embarrassing moments. There were so many interesting and funny ones! During our ‘first period’ stories, one of our audiences thought that she had cancer when she got her first period.
We’re living in a time where customers want to be involved in any way that they can. Through conversations, we realised that, for example, period stigmas are still present because of how our generation before viewed periods.

Tell us, what makes Enya’s pads different then?
Our use of premium organic materials/products – our customers love using Enya pads because for the first time ever, it’s finally comfortable and it doesn’t cause an itch or burning sensations. I’ve been using both commercial pads and organic pads—the difference is one gives me itches at times and the other is too expensive. We took the best of both worlds and combined them together in a beautiful box.
And what’s your vision?
Our direct-to-consumer business model allows us to keep an open conversation with our customers. And we keep that on-going interaction whether it’s by asking what sort of product they want in our next line, what was their first period experience like or just how we can improve our product.
Our Enya Premium range is a result of our survey from what women would prefer in a pad. So instead of having brands telling you what you should use for your period, we try to engage with our customers as much as possible to understand what you want because you know your body best.
Could you explain a little about the reason to use organic cotton as part of menstrual care?
Yes, sure. Organic cotton is cared and harvested intensively and it does not contain harsh chemicals or pesticides. Our vaginal skin is highly permeable, meaning to say anything that comes into contact with our vaginal skin gets rushed into our bloodstream almost immediately. We introduced organic cotton because of its breathable, skin-friendly properties.

What are some tips you can share about menstrual hygiene? Perhaps, things that most women ignore but really shouldn’t.
Change your pads no matter how busy you are! Most women leave their pads on for more than 6 hours, which is not advisable by the gynaecologist, as it is prone to bacterial growth and infections.
Consumers are getting more eco-conscious these days. Will Enya be looking into more sustainable form of feminine care e.g. cloth/reusable pads?
Yes, in the near future. Furthermore, I believe it’s two very different markets. Our target audience are customers who live a fast-paced lifestyle, but still want something that is hypoallergenic. We are striving to co-create an eco-friendly alternative for disposable pads with our customers, without sacrificing on pad performance or adding too much weight on the price point. Everything we do at Enya, it goes back to designing with the mass consumer in mind first, whether it’s being able to afford organic cotton biodegradable pads or replacing the middle absorbent core with a plant-based polymer. I apologise for getting a bit too technical (laughs).
In your website, it’s stated that Enya wants to “empower and inform women about safer, healthier alternatives for their bodies and beyond”. What efforts are you doing to pursue this?
One of the reasons why we named it Enya (fire in Irish) is because we want to spark conversations about periods, so the easiest and fastest way to inform everyone is through social media. Whether it’s just by asking people to share their first period experiences to managing basic menstrual hygiene. Our team also organises corporate events to interact with everyone and to keep our conversation as inclusive as possible.
What’s coming up for Enya?
We are partnering with Redtalks and Spot for the Merdeka Menstrual event this Saturday, 16 November, where we’ll hold conversations involving—our menses. Redtalks is a youth-led organisation that strives to normalise period conversations and Spot is an organisation that provides comprehensive sexuality education for girls. It’s going to be really exciting!
For more information about Enya, click here. To find out more about the Merdeka Menstrual Event, visit this site.

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Fashion
Exclusive: A look inside the first ever Chanel Ephemeral Boutique in Malaysia
#ChanelAtKLCC

14.05.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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As Chanel’s flagship store in Suria KLCC undergoes a transformation before reopening later this year in November, the French luxury house is keeping things exciting with a new ephemeral boutique located on the ground floor of the same mall. This marks the first time Chanel is hosting a pop-up in Malaysia, and like every Chanel ephemeral store around the world, you can expect a unique, breathtaking space with plenty of Insta-worthy spots.
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The 400-square metre boutique currently carries the SS18 collection, with the feminine yet vibrant palette offering a touch of contrast to the minimalistic decor. A walk inside the store sees polished concrete canvasing the walls, floors and diagonal partitions within. The concrete starkness is juxtaposed with brushed champagne gold touches that lend a modern look throughout the boutique. A noteworthy mention is the expansive glass windows of the storefront that offer a direct view into the open-plan space — altogether drawing attention to its spacious atmosphere, the perfect setting for the SS18 collection, and the collections to come, which will change every six weeks.
Watch our video below as the team takes you through a walk-through the beautiful store:

The Chanel ephemeral boutique is located at Ground Floor, G18 & G19, Suria KLCC, and will close in November, when the Chanel flagship store reopens.

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Lifestyle
12 Awesome gift cards you can buy to shop while giving back to charity

17.12.2020
By Rachel Au

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Lifestyle
Shining the spotlight onto Fendi’s Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana
Reviving a monument

26.10.2015
By Buro247

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Built in the late 30s, the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana (PDCI) became one of Rome’s monumental buildings, representing the arts and crafts of Italy. Known as the “Square Colosseum,” the building is also recognised by the 28 statues that decorate its four facades. It was in July 2013 that Fendi announced a 15-year agreement with EUR S.p.a. for this prestigious building, and today it not only stands as a dedicated space for art installations and exhibitions, it has also become home to Fendi’s new headquarters.

While last week marked its inauguration, the event also unveiled the addition of a permanent light installation by artist Mario Nanni. A simple yet mesmerising installation, a white light scales up the columns of the Palazzo’s arcades with increasing shades and intensities, highlighting the beauty of the Palazzo’s architecture. Additionally, Nanni created a special “poesia di luce” (poem of light) for the occasion of the Palazzo’s rebirth, laid out to illuminate its facade.
“We are proud to give back today to our city, Rome, and to the whole world, the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, symbol of our Roman roots and of a continuous dialogue between traditions and modernity, values dear to Fendi since ever,” chairman and ceo of Fendi Pietro Beccari said. “In addition from 23 October, after more than 70 years from its creation, Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana’s first floor will be finally open to public through an exhibition that tells its story since its architectural project to nowadays.”

Available for public viewing until 7 March 2016, the exhibition, titled ‘Uva Nuova Roma. L’Eur e il Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana’ features a rich array of paintings, images, drawings, photographs and videos that follow the great artists and architects of the 90s.
For more information on the inaugural exhibition, head to Fendi’s official website.

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Motoring
Car review: The Volvo S60 T8 CKD is built as a driver’s car—and it really shows

21.07.2020
By Ronn Tan

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I’m about to let you in on a secret. Are you ready? Here goes nothing: growing up, I’ve never really had a relationship or connection with Volvo. While I knew of the brand‘s existence, I haven’t had the opportunity to really get close to or be inside one. Alright, I know this isn’t breaking news; and you’re probably disappointed with the “secret”. Well, buckle up because I’m about to tell you why I have a newfound bond with Volvo.

The first Volvo vehicle I had the opportunity to test was the XC40 (which was brilliant, by the way). Recently, I gave the S60 T8 CKD a go and describing it as one of my best experiences with a car would be, ultimately, be an understatement. I truly enjoyed driving the variant and here’s why.
Similar to the CBU (Completely Built-Up) units, the S60 CKD (Completely Knocked-Down) units are only available in the T8 R-Design trim. Let’s begin with the driving experience and vehicle performance.

While it’s apparent that the car looks amazing, especially the sleek and muscular body (with a classic Scandinavian design philosophy), the fun begins as soon as you turn the engine on. With just an easy flick on the engine toggle and you’re good to go. Don’t be fooled by the silence, however; the vehicle is awake and ready to groove move.

Another really interesting aspect is the Sensus Connect infotainment system. The tablet-style touch screen interface features car functions, navigation, and in-car entertainment apps. It’s smooth and simple to use; with icons and labels that are easy to identify.

For a car that’s meant to up the ante on city drives, it has to be efficient when it comes to steering maneuverability. The S60 isn’t just uncomplicated to manoeuver; you also get a really clean drive. The variant comes equipped with a T8 Twin Engine e-AWD plug-in hybrid and can achieve the century sprint in 4.4 seconds as well as has a top speed of 250 kilometres per hour.

To really test the S60, I brought the vehicle as far away from Kuala Lumpur as possible—and that includes getting lost (but that’s for another day). I drove to Putrajaya. What I really enjoyed about the S60, apart from the effortless and polished driving, is how safe I truly felt as a passenger in the car.

Safety is part of Volvo’s very DNA and I was really interested to find out how the brand integrates its identity within the S60. From the infotainment system, there are a myriad of features to choose from to keep you safe on the road.
The S60 comes with City Safety—an autobrake technology that assists drivers in avoiding potential collisions; recognising pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals. There is also the Cross Traffic Alert that detects traffic crossing behind the car. Furthermore, the 360° Surround View Camera really helped me with parking, especially in tight spots.

Although I really enjoy listening to music while I drive, I’m not difficult to please when it comes to sound systems. However, the addition of the 14-speaker Harmon Kardon Premium Sound Audio System in the S60 definitely added points to the entire experience. Imagine going on a road trip with your loved ones, singing along to your favourite tracks, and taking in the breeze with the sunroof down. Sure sounds fun!

All in all, the Volvo S60 T8 CKD is created as a driver’s car and it shows. It’s not too perplexing and arduous; as a driver, I found the car really straightforward to use—furnished with the latest technologies that are reminiscent of the zeitgeist.
Volvo’s vehicle designs have also evolved tremendously and it’s apparent with the S60. It’s sculpted, elegant, and most importantly, purposeful. It just feels good driving the S60. It is designed for driving after all. Wow-vo, indeed.
Have you had the opportunity to drive the Volvo S60 T8 CKD yet? Priced at RM282,540, the variant is available in four colours: Crystal White Pearl, Fusion Red Metallic, Onyx Black Metallic, and Pebble Grey Metallic.
For more information, visit this website.

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St. Vincent designs a guitar for women

Lifestyle
St. Vincent designs a guitar for women
Female-friendly

19.02.2016
By Buro247

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Annie Clark is a true badass. Not only did she kick start her career in music by playing and recording 13 different instruments on her 2007 debut album Marry Me; she has steadily risen up the pop culture ranks over the past few years, where today she hangs out with the likes of supermodel Cara Delevingne, and performs onstage with a slew of powerhouses in music, including Taylor Swift, if not on her own.

That’s St. Vincent for you, a moniker that Clark is now fondly known as.

Now, Clarke has designed a guitar – from scratch, we might add – to accommodate the female form. As she often appears on stage wielding guitars while singing, Clark has teamed up with Ernie Ball Music Man to create her very own signature guitar that not only accommodates a woman’s breasts, but also apparently shows off the waist.

The singer tells Guitar World that she had often struggled with more classic guitar designs due to its weight that conflicted with her small frame. “They’re prohibitive, so this is a very light guitar and the weight is redistributed so that it has a thin waist. I was always finding when I was playing onstage and wearing various stage outfits, the guitar would cut across one of the best features of the female body, which is your waist,” she said.

The guitar’s stylish, retro design was largely inspired by Clark’s love for vintage guitar designs. As she had free reign over her signature guitar’s design, she chose to create the guitar from scratch, rather than improvise on existing Ernie Ball guitar models. Clark paid extra attention to make a guitar that was lightweight – weighing just seven pounds – by giving it a slim and tapered waist.

Clark has thus become one of the first women to design her very own guitar from scratch. “Well I’m certainly glad to be a beacon for women and for anybody who likes music and my music,” Clark says. “I’m glad that another guitar exists that is sympathetic to the female form. I’m glad that exists and I hope that people will enjoy… that men and women will enjoy the ergonomics. But smaller people and women, especially.

For more about the Ernie Ball Music Man St. Vincent model, visit music-man.com

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Man of the Month: Benedict Cumberbatch

Culture
Man of the Month: Benedict Cumberbatch
Not-so-strange charms

10.11.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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You could say the Cumberfrenzy really started back in 2010: On the evening of 25 July, BBC broadcasted the first episode of Sherlock—a clever modern-day reimagining of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes tales starring the British actor in the titular role. The next thing Benedict Cumberbatch knew, his name was trending on Twitter, and the hit series catapulted his acting career to a whole new level.

Sherlock Holmes was a character that has been played time and time before—it is listed as the ‘most portrayed movie character’, with more than 70 actors playing the part in over 200 films—yet Cumberbatch’s gripping performance as the fast-talking, impatient and slightly Asperger-ish detective genius who describes himself as a high-functioning sociopath in modern-day London was something of a perfect fit. Even Steven Spielberg declared it to be the greatest on-screen Holmes ever.

But long before that, Cumberbatch has been steadily making his rounds in the industry with a string of lauded screen and stage work. His first main part in television came in 2004 when he played Stephen Hawking in Hawking—he was nominated for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor and won the Golden Nymph for Television Films – Best Performance by an Actor. Other notable performances pre-Sherlock include a role in the Hedda Gabler play where he was nominated for an Oliver Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role, starring alongside Tom Hardy in BBC’s Stuart: A Life Backwards, as well as supporting roles in Atonement and The Other Boleyn Girl—or as he joked, “big parts in small films, and small parts in big films”.

It didn’t come to him early in life, but Cumberbatch has rode the waves of his new-found fame to immense success. He has since went on to tackle key roles in 12 Years a Slave, The Fifth Estate, The Imitation Game, The Hobbit, William Shakesepare’s Hamlet at the Barbican Theatre, and most recently, Marvel’s Doctor Strange. He didn’t exactly mean for it to happen, but he was playing a lot of odd, brilliant men in the productions he was involved in, as he commented in an interview: “I realised quite early on that, although I wasn’t trying to make a career speciality of it, I was playing slightly asexual sociopathic intellectuals.”

His characters may have come across as asexual, and looking at Cumberbatch, he is hardly the conventional heartthrob that Hollywood is used to, but off-screen the actor became an unlikely pin-up, being voted the sexiest man alive and garnered an ever-growing legion of fans—some call themselves ‘Cumberbitches’. Cumberbatch himself, however, rejects the term: “It’s not even politeness. I won’t allow you to be my bitches. I think it sets feminism back so many notches. You are… Cumberpeople”. It is most certainly a commendable move on his part.

He has been known to be vocal on current issues too—he held out a 4-page statement on the set of Sherlock criticising the UK government’s detention of journalist Glenn Greenwald’s partner back in 2013, and voiced out against the reprimanding of people for their beliefs or sexual orientation. Perhaps it is this brand of thoughtfulness coupled with a sense of humour and a very likeable, down-to-earth charm about him (on top of his acting chops, of course) that is setting hearts ablaze—and we suppose that deep, velvety voice and piercing blue-green eyes don’t hurt either.

His rise to fame has been swift, yet it doesn’t look like the world’s love affair with Benedict Cumberbatch is going to stop anytime soon. He may have hit the big 40 earlier this year, but we believe like fine wine he just gets better—and we can’t wait to see what else is to unfold in the ‘Batch’s career.

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Buro Loves
Heartbreak, but make it fashion: How to deal with a breakup according to Blackpink’s music video ‘Lovesick Girls’

02.10.2020
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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Going through a big breakup? So is everyone from Blackpink, apparently. The K-pop sensations just released their newest music video ‘Lovesick Girls’, a boogie-friendly bop about the more painful parts of love (not to be confused with ‘Lovesick Blues‘, which is a vastly more country take on the topic).
In this video, the girls explore the highs and lows of relationships in a visual treat (and we’re not just talking about the videography). However, between the classic bubble-gum beauty and the catchy tunes, we couldn’t help but notice that the girls have inadvertently given us beauty tips for days.
From mascara that just won’t budge to smudged eye makeup that looks fashionably cried out, here are a few tips on how to deal with a breakup through beauty:
TIP #1: Invest in some waterproof mascara

You see, Rosé is clearly a mess, weeping in this grubby bathtub. There’s dirt and paint on her face, and you can clearly see the tracks of her tears—however, somehow her mascara remains unsoiled. That, friends, is a great mascara right there.
When you’re mourning a breakup, there’s bound to be tears involved. Just don’t let those tears ruin a perfectly good lash look, yeah? All you need is a great waterproof mascara to stop the raccoon eyes from setting in.
Try: Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
TIP #2: Get a waterproof setting spray to match

Look, if standing under the rain is what you need to do to move on: Go for it. You know what they say; water is cleansing and purifying or something. However, do not let a waterfall get in the way of your flawless face.
If Jisoo’s look here tells us anything, it’s that no amount of water is any match for her base—it’s all about that primer-foundation-powder-setting spray layering game. It’s clear she’s also taken a leaf out of Rosé’s book, opting for a waterproof mascara. Excellent move.
Try: Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
TIP #3: Get a drastic hair makeover

Any lass will tell you that the best cure for heartbreak is a drastic cut and colour—preferably of the DIY variety. The key is that you’ll be so upset about your botched hair makeover that you’ll simply forget about the part where you’ve just been dumped.
Okay, so maybe not the best strategy—however, Lisa has just shown us a way to get the same cathartic feel without the risk of adding insult to injury. Just dye the underside of your hair! Lisa has gone for a very light silver-white in the video, but really you could go wild with the colour on this look. The best part? If you mess up, no one will be able to tell unless they’re looking for it!
Try: Bleach London Total Bleach Kit
TIP #4: Lean into the grunge look

Rosé has pre-empted her tears, and has instead chosen to integrate them into a statement eye look instead.
An easy way to cover up red, irritated eyes that have just been crying? Rim your eyes with pinks and red! Want your streaky, melting eyeliner to look intentional? Add a darker accent of eyeshadow to your lower outer corners. Easy!
While we’re at it, let’s talk about hair:

Who really has the energy to  create perfectly polished curls when they’re mid-mental breakdown? Follow in Jennie’s footsteps and just skip the comb altogether. Trust us—it’s very ’90s heroin-chic.

In fact, why stop there? Washing your hair can’t be an everyday thing right now, can it? You’ve barely left bed. You have no energy to scrub your scalp. Not to fret, there’s an easy fix—cover your undoubtedly greasy roots with a hoodie.
Added bonus? The sebum from your roots are conditioning your lengths. Hello, princess!
TIP #5: Coordinate your post-breakup looks with your other heartbroken friends

Hey, 2020 hasn’t been easy for anyone—this should be a breeze to do. It’s the cheerleader effect; if both you and your pals look like straight-up hot messes together, it cancels out and you all end up looking alternative instead.
Right?
Looking for more Blackpink content? Find it here.

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Lifestyle
How Chinese New Year “orphans” celebrate CNY out of their home country
Making do

29.01.2017
By Buro247

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True, I was invited to dinner on the eve with friends, but eating salads, porchetta, and roast lamb—although delicious—just doesn’t quite have the same appeal as diving into a smorgasbord of such familiar classics as kiam chai boey, joo hu char and lo han chai. My dinner host, Adeline, a CNY ‘orphan’ herself who has had the much greater misfortune of missing CNY in Malaysia for 15 years, agrees that “white food” on the eve doesn’t quite cut the mustard. Which leads me to wonder, what does the mammoth community of Malaysians living in Australia do on CNY, and can the sensation of unbridled festivity be replicated when one is so far from hearth and home?
Ergo, while CNY food festivals abound in Australia, it’s nothing quite like gathering in the homes of relatives, eating, gambling, and drinking all day long amidst noise levels that can only be described as ear shattering.
“I ran out of steam this year, but usually I spend days researching typical CNY dishes like braised mushrooms, Hainanese chicken, roast pork, and charsiu. Because most of our friends in Sydney are non-Malaysians, it’s nice to introduce and celebrate CNY with them,” said Adeline, a consummate hostess who is celebrated amongst her friends for her dinners at home. No surprises then that she quickly rectified matters and organised dinner the following night at an Asian restaurant that included the requisite yee sang and a plethora of other CNY favourites.

The fact is, much of CNY revolves around food, and eating it with people to whom the food also bears great significance. Ergo, while CNY food festivals abound in Australia, it’s nothing quite like gathering in the homes of relatives, eating, gambling, and drinking all day long amidst noise levels that can only be described as ear shattering. “CNY in Sydney is usually very disappointing for me and makes me very homesick. We try to celebrate, but without many Malaysian/Chinese friends here, it falls on me to organise and invite, and the atmosphere is never quite as festive as it would be in KL. This year, I will probably have three celebrations, whereas in KL, I would be double- or triple-booked every single day,” Adeline says, reinforcing my suspicions and making me even more envious of Andrea, a fairly recent CNY ‘orphan’ whose mother not only flew in to celebrate with her this year, but also carried all the ingredients to make chye choy, a vegetarian dish that I’ve been craving since she told me she had it, and which was cooked to her grandfather’s special recipe instructions.

Hers was a substantially more festive reunion dinner, cooked and consumed at her uncle’s house with plenty of relatives in attendance. She even got her Australian husband to perform the tea ceremony on the first day, which Adeline says is also a yearly ritual for her family: “Our children will kneel and serve us tea before we say a few words of wisdom and give them ang pows. It was quite funny seeing my son Alex kneel this year as he is six feet tall and so met my eyes even when he was kneeling!”

But no matter how disappointed I am that I am stranded in Sydney, I am concurrently touched by my friends’ efforts to make CNY better for me. Adeline gave me pineapple tarts that she procured—drug-like, from a dealer she had never before met—and mandarins, even though they were prohibitively expensive at AUD19 for 15 mandarins. And Andrea has thoughtfully saved some chye choy for me which we will supplement with my Hainanese chicken rice, Musang King durians that she procured, and plenty of red wine tomorrow whilst cheering on Miss Malaysia in the Miss Universe pageant. And since Andrea has also promised playing cards and chor tai tee as part of tomorrow’s proceedings, I think I can safely say that it won’t be long before, like the mountain to Mohammad, the cheer of CNY is brought to me. Gong Xi Fa Cai, y’all. I hope you’re eating (and drinking) plenty!

Follow Fay on Twitter and Instagram at @misskhoo.

More stories by Fay:
The great, great foods of home
My little KTT Black Book (you’re welcome!)
A feast I will sadly miss

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Chinese New Year 2017


Music
5 Up-and-coming Malaysian music acts that should be on your radar

23.01.2019
By Su Fen Tan

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All the exciting live concerts in KL to look forward to in 2023

Leaism

One name that has really been making rounds in the live gig circuit as of late is Leaism. This singer-songwriter with soulful, raspy vocals performs a riveting blend of RnB and electro pop that will leave you wanting more. Already a fan? Here’s a piece of good news: Leaism is set to release her debut album this year!
Check out her music on Spotify, and find out where you can catch the songbird live on her Instagram page.

Insomniacks

For a dose of easy listening pop-rock, turn to Insomniacks. Hailing from Petaling Jaya, the band is made up of Danial Doodye on guitar, Syed Mir Iqbal on guitar and vocals, Wan Arif Iskandar on bass and vocals, and Gavin Wong on drums. They started out in 2015 making acoustic covers, and are now signed under Sony Music Malaysia with a couple of singles to their name, including ‘Pulang’, which has 1 million hits on both YouTube and Spotify.
Listen to Insomniack’s music on Spotify, and keep up with the band on their Instagram page.

Hade$

The local hip-hop scene is definitely not just the boys’ game right now, as seen by the serious dose of girl power in Joe Flizzow’s freestyle cypher show 16 Baris. One such talent that caught our eye is poet/rapper Melissa Heidi a.k.a. Hade$, who coolly held her own against the likes of Kayda and B-Heart, earning the respect of the industry and landing herself a spot in the Ruffneck Clique collective.
Listen to her rapid rhymes on Soundcloud, and follow her on Instagram for more updates.

Milo Dinosaur

Founded in 2017, Milo Dinosaur has quickly climbed the ranks with their brand of post-emo-meets-punk rock. They didn’t make fans wait too long before dropping their debut album Dengan Ikhlas in September last year.  No stranger to the more underground live music venues such as Live Fact and Rumah Api, the four-piece band consists of Zul and Azim on guitars, Falique on bass, and Alang on drums.
Head to Spotify to listen to ‘Dengan Ikhlas’, and get updates on their upcoming gigs on Instagram.

The Frankie Sixes

The Frankie Sixes started out playing music for lindy hop dance sessions, but it wasn’t long before their feel-good swing jazz covers graced the stages of music festivals (both locally and abroad) as well as KL’s go-to jazz club No Black Tie—not that surprising, perhaps, considering the familiar faces in the band. A side project of singer-songwriter Reza Salleh, the band is composed of Reza himself on main vocals, and well-known local jazz musicians Ee Jeng, Che Wan and KJ on the keys, double bass and drums respectively.
Find out where to catch them next through their Instagram page.

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Local artists


Beauty
Chanel Coco Game Center is coming to town and here’s what you can expect
Game face on

15.04.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

If you loved Chanel’s snazzy beauty pop-up in Publika Shopping Gallery last year (how cute was that mini garden upstairs?), brace yourselves for a bigger, better and bolder launch this month. Chanel is bringing its Coco Game Center to Kuala Lumpur this 28 April — those of you who know what we’re talking about might have already gotten a heads up off Instagram. And if the hashtag is anything to go by, it might be an understatement to say that this event will bring out the competitive streak out of every beauty enthusiast.
The #CocoGameCenter will be held in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, and you can expect an arcade space that shows off Chanel’s latest beauty products such as the Rouge Coco Lip Blush — and even some exclusives too, if we’re lucky. From high-flying racing games (Daytona superfans, this one’s for you) to claw machines and Pacman-inspired stations, soak up this retro experience by registering now for a slot — scroll down for all the details.

The Coco Game Center runs from 28 April – 13 May, at 23, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Pre-register your slot in this link and follow the steps below!
1. Select your preferred date and time slot.
2. Register by filling in your name, email and contact number. A confirmation of reservation will be sent to your email.
3. On that day, present your confirmation email at the registration counter and unleash your inner ’90s kid at the Coco Game Center!
Tune in to our Facebook Live on 27 April as we will be exploring what the Coco Game Center has to offer! Buro readers will get some exclusive treats as well — stay tuned for all the details.

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Coco Chanel
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Coco Game Center Malaysia
Beauty