zalora – An Exercise In Trivial Pursuits

Make-up Tips for the Holiday Season

Posted on December 15, 2014December 15, 2014 by Chloe Happ

You might have bought the perfect party dress and dancing shoes, but you can’t really complete your look without perfection in your make-up too. There’s still time to hone those skills and get a new holiday palette to test drive at home!

So before you go all out with the Christmas makeup (gold eyeshadow, green eyeliner and wine-red lipstick, anyone?) this season, here are some fail-proof makeup tips for you:

Shimmer & Shine

Tinsel looks good on Christmas trees, but it can look good on you too. To get that festive shimmer, highlight your best features with a glittering powder. Sweep it over your cheekbones, under your brow bone, and the inner corners of your eyes. Pink-based highlighters work well on fair-skinned ladies, while medium- to darker-skinned ladies should go for golden tones (think bronzer).

Brows

Brows help to frame your face, and defined brows not only make you look more wide awake, they also add a certain allure to your look. Lily Collins certainly nailed that baby doll look with her strong brows, cat eye flick, and nude lipstick.

So make extra effort to groom your brows! Comb the hairs and fill in the bare spots with an eyebrow pencil. Invest in a comprehensive and handy brow-grooming kit that comes equipped with tweezers, a mirror, brow pencil, powder, brush, and wax for a complete brow touch-up.

Eyeliner

The best way to define your eyes for a bold, elegant look is by sweeping black eyeliner across the top eyelid. There’s a reason why this is a go-to must-have makeup tool for many celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Angelina Jolie. Swap your pencil for a gel or liquid eyeliner for a sleeker, more dramatic look. While it is a little more difficult to control in the beginning, you’d be glad you ditched the pencil!

For winged-tip eyeliner, close your eye and begin from the inner corner. Move the line outward and extend it slightly at the outer corner. If you find it difficult to hold your hand steady, make little dashes along the lash line and then connect them later. Stick to a neutral tone for the rest of the eyelid so the black really pops.

Blusher

To get that festive glow, blusher is your best friend. Dial up your natural rosiness by mixing complementary blush colours, one lighter and one darker, or start off with a paler shade and layer a darker shade over it. Just remember not to go in with a heavy hand and no solid lines! Layering and round strokes is key! A fluffy brush for your blusher is definitely going to make a bigger difference.

Eye Shadow

Eye shadow can be risky, as there’s a tendency to get carried away and smear it all over your eye. But for the holiday season, eye shadow is perfect for upping the drama. Take your look to another level by adding flecks of gold, purple, or green to your basic grey eyeshadow.

Be sure to contain the colour in the crease between the eye and brow bone, though. Bringing it all the way up to the brow bone can make you look dated and over-the-top. And if you do go overboard with the shadow, soften it by dabbing with a makeup sponge.

What are some of YOUR holiday makeup tips? How do you get party-ready? Share your tips in the Comments section below!

Rants & Raves

The Best Scents for Your Mood

Posted on November 10, 2014November 13, 2014 by Chloe Happ

Scents, as we all know, can do wonders for your mood. They can calm you down, invigorate you, improve your alertness, relief stress. Indeed, scents are so mysteriously magical that there is a whole science devoted to it.

Aromatherapy as a science began in the early 20th century, when a French chemist by the name of René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the healing properties of lavender oil when applied it to a burn on his hand resulting from an explosion in his laboratory.

Since then, aromatherapy has been an area of research and development in many cosmetics companies.

Our sense of smell plays a role in receiving information from the scent receptors in our nose, and then communicating that input with parts of our brain that are responsible for our emotions and memories. So when we breathe in essential oils, these parts of our brains are stimulated, and in turn affect our physical, mental, and emotional health.

There are a few common scents in women’s fragrance that come with their benefits such as

Invigoration: Rosemary, citrus scents like orange and lemon.
Stress Relief: Lavender, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang.
Sleep Aid: Lavender, Chamomile, Sandalwood.
Mood Elevation: Peppermint, Bergamot.

And here are the benefits of the most popular scents:

LAVENDER

It has calming properties that help relieve emotional stress. It has a soothing effect on nerves and can relieve depression and nervous tension, as well as treat headaches and migraines.

LEMON

It improves concentration and has calming properties. It also has antibacterial properties and can help to fight colds and sore throats by boosting the body’s immune system and improving blood circulation.

JASMINE

Like lavender, Jasmine is also used to calm nerves. It is also widely used as an anti-depressant thanks to its mood-lifting properties.

ROSEMARY

Monday blues? Spritz on a whiff of rosemary. Apart from memory boosting effects, rosemary has stimulating properties that help fight physical exhaustion, mental fatigue, and headaches. The wonder herb can also be used to relieve muscle aches and pains.

CINNAMON

It has stimulating properties that can help fight the fatigue monster and improve concentration.

PEPPERMINT

Try a spray of peppermint when brainstorming. An energy booster, this scent invigorates the mind, promotes concentration and stimulates clear thinking.

Aromatherapy is pretty amazing. Whether it’s for setting the mood at a candlelight dinner, a relaxing bath, or even at work, scents can be a simple yet powerful tool for managing stress or creating the perfect environment of your choice. Your favourite scent can be your trademark, and lift your mood, so you’re walking on cloud nine all day. Have your found your signature scent yet?

What are some scents that improve your mood, boost productivity or make you feel most confident in? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!

Rants & Raves

Beauty Secrets from Around the World

Posted on October 20, 2014October 19, 2014 by Chloe Happ

There are beautiful women, and then there are iconic beauties like Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn, who cause widespread envy among women all around the world. We may have our own beauty routine, but we can’t help but look outward for more beauty inspiration. What is it about Greek women and their glowing skins? Italian women with their lustrous hair?

With these beauty tools and tips that women around the world credit for their youthful and radiant looking skin, you won’t ever have beauty envy again.

CHILE

Chilean women owe their luminous skin to the antioxidant powers of red grapes. To revive fatigued skin, they create a paste by mashing up a handful of the fruit and adding two tablespoons of white flour. Then, they apply the mask to their faces and leave it on for about 10 minutes before washing it off.

CHINA

Chinese women lighten dark spots caused by sun damage or acne scars with a gentle and natural method: mint.

To get bright, luminous skin, grind fresh mint leaves into a paste before applying it to your face as a mask. Then leave on for about 15 minutes before washing off. Do this daily and voila! Porcelain smooth skin. Be careful, though, as mint can be a tad too harsh for super-sensitive skin.

EGYPT

Queen Cleopatra’s widely-known beauty secret was taking milk baths to remove dead cells and soften her skin. To get your own milky-smooth skin, add two cups of powdered milk to your bath.

GREECE

Blessed with Mediterranean skin, which is light in colour but contains enough melanin to shield harmful UV rays, Greek women sure lucked out in the DNA game.

But even for those who aren’t genetically blessed, you can still get Greek-tastically beautiful, primarily with a Mediterranean diet that is loaded with skin-rejuvenating fish packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as fruits and vegetables that provide vitamins and antioxidants.

They also believe their regular consumption of olive oil contributes to their glowing skin. So drizzle your smoked salmon salads in olive oil and nix the butter!

ITALY

I mean, just look at Sophia Loren and Monica Bellucci. Those lustrous locks! With healthy hair, half the work is done. So how do we get glossy tresses like those Italian beauties? Turns out, the answer can be found in the kitchen.

Italian women keep their hair shiny by mixing olive oil with yoghurt and using the mixture as conditioner. The protein in the yoghurt gently nourishes and conditions hair, while olive oil retains moisture and keeps the scalp healthy. To whip up your own Italian conditioner, mix one cup of plain whole-milk yogurt with one teaspoon of olive oil. Apply the mixture to washed hair, and let it sit for five minutes before rinsing with cool water.

JAPAN

Japanese women have seaweed to thank for their silky dark locks. Nori is a rich source of the mineral iodine, which is vital for healthy hair growth. (The iodine added to table salt isn’t ideal for nourishing your hair as the body doesn’t absorb it easily.) Seaweed also contains other hair-strengthening minerals, such as zinc, iron, selenium, and copper. Japanese women either eat nori or boil it and apply it to dry hair as a paste.

Also, as sake is rich in kojic acid and enzymes that help soften skin and reduce hyper-pigmentation, Japanese women get their soft, dewy skin from sake baths.

MOROCCO

Moroccan women swear by argan oil, which is packed with antioxidants beneficial to hair and skin. Plus, it is absorbed much more easily than regular skin oils like apricot and avocado.

SWEDEN

Swedish women attribute their healthy, glowing skin to their antioxidant-rich diet of fresh berries and grilled fish, which also contains omega-3 fatty acids, a major skin and hair booster.

Saunas are also a large part of Swedish culture. The dry, clean heat flushes toxins from the body. Heading for the sauna can boost circulation to the skin surface, leaving you with fresh, radiant skin.

Rants & Raves

5 Must-Have Accessories for the Working Woman

Posted on September 22, 2014September 22, 2014 by Chloe Happ

The minimalist chic look is all the rage especially with the very trendy “less is more” attitude, but sometimes there’s nothing like a statement necklace or a pair of diamond studs to kick a look up a notch. Women have been accessorising for centuries, with precious stones, beads and the like, all to impress the people they meet.

And where better to make an impression than at the workplace? A classic accessory or two makes an outfit look professional and pulled together. Accessorising for the office can be a tricky task – it’s a fine line between exuding a personality and looking professional, after all.

What are some must-have fashion accessories for the office? Read on!

1. Headband

If there’s any hair trend you are going to embrace this season, make it the headband. Functional and fashionable, the black headband is a classic hair accessory that is work-appropriate.

The easy solution to a bad-hair day, the headband adds a cool Brigitte Bardot-esque twist to both casual and sophisticated styles alike. Just look to Lily Collins and Olivia Wilde’s voluminous up-dos for proof.

2. Rock ‘n’ roll bracelet

Whether you’re working in a conservative or creative environment, a spiked bracelet adds just enough edge to your outfit without being too theatrical. It works for Katy Perry’s Grecian style top and Sofia Vergara’s black body-con dress, so you know it works for both smart casual and formal occasions. Opt for designs in silver or gold, and black diamond pave beads. Spikes optional.

3. Sleek Necklace

Julianne Hough keeps it sleek and classy with a gold plated pendant necklace. Paired with a crisp white shirt, jeans, and a cross-body bag, a sleek necklace takes you from the office to the streets. Just finish with a clean and bright lip – red is always a great choice.

If you are going with busier prints like Anna Kendrick, a simple necklace adds glimmer without stealing the show.

4. A tiny handbag

Who needs huge totes anymore, right? Small handbags do the job just as well – at least, where style is concerned.

Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldridge does workplace chic with a Salvatore Ferragamo navy cropped jacket and matching navy trousers, a blue python-print crop top and python print pumps, topping it off with sleek hair and a small handbag. Swop the top for something more conservative, like a printed blouse, if a crop top draws too many eyeballs at the office.

Emma Roberts’ look is easy enough to pull off. Her all-Fendi outfit, from dress to sandals and the Fendi mini peekaboo bag, is comfy yet sophisticated. A French knot, earrings and strappy heels is all you need to complete this look.

5. Sunglasses

This is for the executive on the go. Whether you’re making coffee runs or rushing to meetings, accessorise with protective eyewear.

Jamie Chung’s does seventies meets urban chic in this flower power silk bomber jacket from Rebecca Minkoff and leather pants from Anine Bing. Amp up your look by working John Lennon-esque round sunglasses like Jamie.

Miranda Kerr’s street style has always been laidback but classy. On Casual Fridays, throw a long cardigan over a classic t-shirt and jeans combo and slip into ballet flats. Sunglasses, a cross-body bag and red lipstick are enough to dress up your outfit.

What are YOUR must-have accessories for work?

Rants & Raves

5 Celebrity Styles with Sneakers – Supermodel Edition

Posted on August 25, 2014August 22, 2014 by Chloe Happ

How do you wind down on after a long day’s work? Surely not click a spreadsheet in the comfort of your pyjamas at home to crunch more numbers, right? Like supermodels who spend all day strutting up and down the runways in heels, more often than not, it’s sneakers that they spend their downtime roaming around in.

And that makes the case for sneakers all the more powerful. Kicks – pumped up or not, are so incredibly comfortable and versatile it’s hard not to love them. They work for any look, from girly to edgy and everything in between! If the glamourous jetset aren’t afraid to slip into them, neither should we.

See how these 5 supermodels work their thang in their sneakers. Try not to rush out and build your sneaker collection after reading this, I dare you!

1. Girly (floral sneakers)

The Victoria’s Secret Brazilian bombshell, Alessandra Ambrosio, looks fresh and feminine in light wash skinny jeans, a cream colored knit sweater, and floral sneakers, which matches her floral cat’s eye sunglasses. With minimal accessories and her sun-streaked brown hair in a loose knot, this look is effortless and breezy.

2. Glam (wedge sneakers)

With that black leather jacket, dark wash jeans, shades and wedge sneakers, British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s urban chic outfit is THE outfit for the glamorous jet-setter. Those black Isabel Marant Betty high-top sneakers (made of leather and suede) are practical enough for getting around, while her blue Hermes bag adds an unexpected pop of colour to her edgy outfit.

3. Edgy (leather sneakers)

Czech super model and former Victoria’s Secret angel Karolina Kurkova is killing it with this cool urbanista outfit. A loose printed top with a trenchcoat-that’s-not-a-trenchcoat gives off a laidback vibe that is toughened up with her black Monika Chiang high-tops, leather leggings, and a structured handbag. A pair of sunglasses completes the look for this city girl.

4. Preppy

Karlie Kloss nails the All-American look here with her black Converse sneakers, white shorts and black long sleeved tank. She would look right at home at the country club with this preppy tennis-inspired outfit, methinks.

5. Sporty

Australian Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr wore her olive-green Isabel Marant sneakers with a striped tee and dark skinny jeans. The loose striped top gives off a sporty vibe that totally agrees with her shoes. Minimalist accessories like a roomy tote bag and sunnies are all you need for this pared down, girl-about-town look.

Don’t you love your kicks more now? Go on now, shop for sneakers and unleash your inner sneakerhead!

Rants & Raves

5 Pairs of Shoes Every Woman Should Own

Posted on July 6, 2014July 7, 2014 by Chloe Happ

Okay confession time. I went shoe shopping again. I couldn’t help it. I came across a gorgeous pair of heels online and I caved. Some women go weak in the knees for fragrances, some for handbags, and some for shoes. Guess which camp I’m in?

At least I don’t have a bag obsession. That would definitely not sit well wit my wallet. Shoes, I can manage…

I think.

Speaking of managing got me thinking: if I had to narrow down my shoe collection to just 5 pairs of shoes, which would I keep? So I made a list.

5 pairs of shoes every woman should own:

Killer Heels
Sneakers
Flats
Sandals
Boots

Killer Heels

Every woman needs to own at least one pair of heels in their arsenal to completing a wardrobe. Also they’re pretty much a rite of passage even if you’re not going to be seen in them every single day of the year. I mean, look at Victoria’s Secret model Doutzen Kroes above! I’m not saying I look like that when I’m in heels, but the confidence comes through, you know?

All my life, my mother has preached the importance of wearing heels and vehemently stand by (and in) them till today at age 60. I’m the tallest among the women in my family – by that I mean, my mother and sisters are all shorter than my 5′ 0″. The addition of the extra height that heels provides has been much welcomed for us. And I know my husband who’s almost 6′ tall appreciates it when I’m standing next to him.

I remember my first pair, thrust into my hands like the wand of transformation to adulthood. The change was palpable. I felt all grown up in my big girl shoes. Heels make you stand taller – literally and figuratively. You walk different, you look different.

Up till now, heels remain my go-to footwear when I want to look my very best.

Sneakers

Tell me how effortlessly cool Nicole Ritchie looks in her all-black ensemble. Comfort and chic all at once – even on Mummy duty!

Sneakers make you the go-to girl for everything! There’s just something about them that makes you look instantly approachable and capable. And we all need our days off from heels.

Flats

My everyday shoes? Flats. See how Anne Hathaway looks polished in a jeans and tweed jacket combo, and did a classic Audrey in an LBD with her black flats? Flats as we know today, after all originated from ballet flats and are one of the most feminine footwear a woman can wear. Just throw on a pair of capris, a simple boat-necked striped shirt and flats… voila! Parisian chic – nailed!

Sandals

I can see some of you curling your lips already. Sandals have a reputation of giving you a lazy and unpolished appearance BUT they are one of the most comfortable things you can possibly wear.

Besides, if Supermodel Gisele Bundchen can look this hot in sandals, so can you.

Boots

Boots are great for talking the edge off a too-sweet ensemble and injecting some character into an outfit. I love how Rachel Bilson throws a spin on a flirty red floral dress and instantly exudes the air of a rocker chick with those combat boots!

So? What do you think? Am I right or am I right? Look at your shoe closet now and see if you have everything! If not, go complete your collection!!!

Rants & Raves

Buy SEPHORA online through ZALORA Singapore now!

Posted on May 19, 2014June 4, 2014 by Chloe Happ

Hey Singapore pals! Gone are the days where you have to stock up at your overseas Sephora store! I know that their signature black & white stores have hit the shores of Singapore a while now but guess what? You can now shop Sephora online through your favourite multi-label Singapore-based website, Zalora!

I used to love going into stores and touching the merchandise, testing it out and all. But once that’s done, I save the hassle by buying online. It gives me the freedom to buy something I already know I want, without contending with queues and travelling to an actual, physical store. Have you ever gone to a store only to find out that they do not have physical stocks of the items you want? ARGH! How annoying! Also, online shopping these days come with the perks of user reviews. Instead of going to a store, looking at the advertising copy on the product and second-guessing its actual benefits, I would much rather click on the product listing in the comfort of my seat/bed at home, search for user reviews and hit ADD TO CART!

And if you need more reasons to check out Sephora at Zalora, how about easy returns and free local shipping for orders over SGD40? Forget expensive and complex international shipping!

Rants & Raves

RIVER ISLAND at Zalora

Posted on October 14, 2013September 26, 2013 by Chloe Happ

I’m so happy to hear that River Island will be back in Singapore through web-based multi-brand retailer Zalora!

I’ve purchased many various things through that website – including my 2 favourite Steve Madden shoes (the square stud loafers and my sparkling purple ballet flats) and a cream-coloured trash can among other things. I love that it’s online shopping, free local delivery and RETURNS! No questions asked. I once bought a pair of shoes that were too small and they got someone to pick it up within 2 days and my money was refunded immediately!

So anyway, I was buying River Island even before they had stores in Singapore and was obviously gutted when the stores disappeared (I used to go to the one at Raffles City near where I worked).

Check out some of the River Island things I’ve worn in the past:

As you can see, River Island is good for different styles – clothes and accessories. Zalora will be carrying everything from clothes, shoes to accessories for both men and women. Prices range from as low as S$20 odd for a camisole top to S$199 for a gown. What I think is great is that they will have a mix of past and current season stock at any given point in time.

And here are some of my RIVER ISLAND recommendations available on Zalora:

Happy shopping!!!

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