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NYLON Team Picks: The One Beauty Brand We'd Live With Forever

Aug 18, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Since I became part of the beauty industry, this question has been posed to me a few times already: if you could only live with one beauty brand for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
For any beauty junkie, it’s a nightmare scenario – how can you pick just ONE brand??!? Still, it’s an interesting question to ponder, so we put ourselves to the challenge: which brand would we pick?

Tami Lai, Associate Editor
Brand pick: NARS
If I ever had to be in the very unfortunate circumstance of having one beauty brand in my life, I’d like François Nars to be my main man. I’ve already given this quite a bit of thought, and my choice has always been clear: NARS is a brand with an identity that resonates the most with me, with the minimalist packaging that holds a full spectrum of colours that range from subtle nudes to statement darks, so I know I’ll always be able to find a shade I want.
Another thing that’s very important to me is base makeup. NARS’ Radiant Creamy Concealer needs no introduction, and I can see myself relying on it for the rest of my days; for coverage, I could rotate between the Velvet Matte Skin Tint and the All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. Previously, maybe the one thing I wished the brand would carry was a solid matte liquid lipstick… but from September, there’ll be the Powermatte Lip Pigment! And with all the nude hues I like too!!
Obviously, I’m much more into makeup than skincare, having chosen a makeup brand without giving much thought to my skincare regime. Fortunately for me, there’s NARSskin, which encompasses a pretty decent skincare lineup, down to eye cream and a night treatment.
Top product picks:

1. Powermatte Lip Pigment in American Woman, $40 (launching in September)
2. Blush in Liberté, $50
3. Semi-Matte Lipstick in Morocco, $40
4. Radiant Creamy Concealer, $46
5. Dual-Intensity Blush in Jubilation, $68
6. Orgasm Liquid Blush, $50

Adele Chan, Editor-in-Chief
Brand Pick: shu uemura
When Tami asked me which ONE beauty brand I would choose if I had to live with just that for the rest of my life… I felt very stressed. I love and use so many brands right now that it’s difficult to choose just one; and in my profession as an editor, I shouldn’t be playing favourites and should proclaim my love for ALL brands for the sake of advertising sales. But alas, this is editorial and I have to speak from the heart. It would be shu uemura (no surprises here!). I can’t live without my shu uemura cleansing oil — it’s my fountain of youth and ensures my skin stays blemish free (yup, that campaign I worked on was not a sham). I’ve not found another product that can replace this one item (no other cleansing oil, even from Japanese beauty brands, comes close), and this is the most essential product in my beauty regime. Everything else is secondary… moisturisers, foundations, eyeliners, etc. Not that these products are not important; they are, but I can be flexible and live with the ones from shu uemura. In fact, shu uemura has some pretty good skincare and makeup products in every category! If I needed to build my beauty box from just ONE brand, this will do. And it would look like this.
Top product picks:

1. Makeup box, $1,055
2. High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula, $50 (150ml) / $115 (450ml)
3. Depsea Hydrability Moisturising Lotion Enriched, $68 (150ml)
4. Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Oil In Essence, $145 (30ml)
5. Tsuya Skin Youthful Bouncy-Fine Cream, $115 (50ml)
6. Stage Performer block:booster Colorless, $65 (30ml)
7. Petal Skin Fluid Foundation, $68 (30ml)
8. Stage Performer Fresh Tint All-In-One Hydrating UV Cushion SPF 38 PA+++, $68
9. Point Cealer (concealer), $55
10. Glow On (blush), $33
11. Natural Bush 20 (blush brush), $92
12. Stage Performer Eye Primer (eyeshadow primer), $45 (12ml)
13. Pressed Eye Shadow Refill, $25 each
14. Natural Brush 12 (eyeshadow brush), $192
15. Natural Brush 10 (eyeshadow brush), $106
16. Calligraph:Ink Liquid Eyeliner, $29 (applicator) / $29 (refill)
17. Lasting Soft Gel Pencil, $37
18. Hard Formula (eyebrow pencil), $33
19. Eyelash Curler, $30
20. Petal Lash Mascara, $50
21. Eyelash Adhesive, $18
22. Partial Soft Cross (false eyelashes), $29
23. Deepsea Hydrability Moisturising Lip Balm, $48 (15ml)
24. Brush Cleaner, $25

Amelia Tan, Associate Editor
Brand pick: Glossier
I know, it’s kinda pretentious to be picking a millennial beauty brand that’s not even available in Singapore, especially when my favourite beauty products come from a wide range of brands that are actually available here — but hey, that’s the problem, I simply couldn’t decide. Here’s my thought process: to be smart, should I go for brands with a wide array of items to choose from (eyeliner! base makeup! lipsticks! also skincare!) or should I start by picking my must-haves, or my favourites… and eventually, if there was a zombie apocalypse, what’s the one box of beauty items I’d slash through a horde for on my next raid? Because #priorities, duh. So I went with my gut (still intact thanks), and picked Glossier.
The brand speaks to me because, 1) hello packaging, and 2) it’s minimal and fuss-free and prides itself on real, natural beauty. Something about their philosophy feels very authentic to me. Since working at NYLON, I honestly don’t think I can live a day without makeup, and yet I like to take shortcuts in my routine — annoying, yes — so I’m always on the lookout for products that do a lot with very little. Take for instance the Priming Moisturizer, one of the first products I tried. It’s a real multi-tasker that both plumps my skin, leaving it smooth and hydrated and silky, contains an anti-redness complex that soothes and evens my skin tone in the mornings, and leaves a dewy finish that doesn’t feel too oily.
Base makeup’s important to me, as you can tell from my selection of products, and I always want to live my day with (the illusion of) good skin — this is achieved by the Perfecting Skin Tint, that seriously looks like My Skin But Better on my face with its lightweight formula. Then, I swipe on the Haloscope for a dewy sheen on the top of my cheeks for a natural-looking glow; helps that the product’s a skincare hybrid too.
As for the Cloud Paint, it’s set to be my next purchase! I’ve been yearning for it since I saw their models’ flushed cheeks on Instagram, and gotta say, anything that I can apply without precision in the mornings/in the car is always a winner. Of course, the brand has a range of skincare items, including serums and masks too, in case my skin needs that boost in this imaginary brand-starved beauty landscape. One thing I’d sorely miss though — eyeliners, and all those high-intensity lipsticks that I love playing around with!
Top product picks:

1. Priming Moisturizer, US$25
2. Haloscope, US$22
3. Perfecting Skin Tint, US$26
4. Cloud Paint, US$18

Phyllis Guo, Editorial Assistant
Brand pick: ETUDE HOUSE
This week’s team beauty picks was a tough one for me, not because I had many beauty brands in mind, but rather, I haven’t found one that I really would swear by. But going by my previous team picks edition, my colleagues immediately pointed out that I’ve been using a couple of products from Korean brands, which is why I have decided to settle for Etude House (at least for now).
When I went to Korea last year, I bought a bunch of products from this brand, and they all didn’t had anything negative I could point out. If there is one product you have to try from the brand, I would highly recommend their AC Clean Up Pink Powder Spot, which works so effectively. I do break out quite a bit, and this product dries out the pimple and reduces redness the very next day. I’ve mentioned it before in a previous team pick edition, so you can check out my review of it there.
Their Play 101 Blending Pencils are also one of my favourites because the range is just so versatile and multi-functional. They can be used as an eyeshadow shade, for contouring and highlighting, or even as a lipstick or a blusher. Not only does it save you money, it also makes for a lighter makeup pouch. Their All-Day Fix line of eye makeup are also part of my everyday make-up routine. The eyeliners and mascaras stay all day without smudging, and are waterproof as well, so I rarely have to touch up on my eyes throughout the day. I especially like how the eyeliner is super smooth to glide on and is very precise as well, so I can usually perfect my eyeliner in just a few strokes of the pen.
Top product picks:

1. AC Clean Up Pink Powder Spot, $23.90
2. Play 101 Blending Pencil, $16.90
3. All Day Fix Pen Liner, $19.90

Jade Yeo, Writer
Brand pick: Paula’s Choice
My sensitive, blemish-prone skin reacts negatively to about 89% of beauty products on the market (statistics you can trust), but there are 6 products from Paula’s Choice that have shoved every other product out of the way and nestled themselves into my permanent skincare routine. They keep my raging acne under control, they don’t ever annoy my delicate skin, and they’ve taught me to focus on formula instead of hype, which is a feat when you’re working in this industry.
I’m pretty much the designated guinea pig in this office when products arrive claiming to be formulated for sensitive skin, so you’ll often find me squinting at ingredient lists and cautiously monitoring patch tests on my limbs. So far, none of the items I’ve tried (oh, there’s been plenty) have replaced my cleanser, toner, exfoliant, spot treatment, and sunscreen from Paula’s Choice. I think that speaks for itself.
If you’re new to the brand, I’d recommend starting with their bestseller, the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid, which is an essential I’ve raved about in the past. At the moment, I’m still in love with their body exfoliant – I’ve waxed poetic about it here. The brand also carries a nice range of sunscreens that cater to every skin type and address all sorts of skin concerns, so do give them a browse if you have trouble finding good SPF.
Top product picks:

1. Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30, $42
2. Resist Advanced Replenishing Toner, $38
3. Clear Acne Regular Strength Exfoliating Treatment 2% BHA (Salicylic Acid), $41
4. Resist Weightless Body Lotion 2% BHA (Salicylic Acid), $45
5. Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser, $30
6. Skin Perfecting 2% BHA (Salicylic Acid) Liquid, $43

Nokia Launches First Ever High-End Smartphone

Aug 18, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Just last month, we gave a sneak peek of Nokia’s brand new high-end smartphone, the Nokia 8. And now, the highly anticipated gadget has finally come to fruition after Finnish tech brand HMD Global announced its launch via a press release on Thursday (August 17).

In case you’re wondering; it’s every bit as premium as Nokia claims it to be. Well, at least in terms of specs.
There’s a sizeable 5.3-inch QHD display, a top-tier Snapdragon 835 processor, as well as the latest Android 7.1 Nougat operating system. In other words, it’s definitely a powerful flagship phone, and a good alternative to the competition.

But what separates it from the rest of the pack? To answer that question, one only needs to look at what is called Dual-Sight video, a new feature in the Nokia 8 that allows users to live-stream clips in real-time to social media channels like Facebook and YouTube. The phone does this by utilising both its front and rear cameras.

Nokia 8’s Dual-Sight video

Another new function of the Nokia 8 is OZO Audio, which Nokia claims is “exclusive Hollywood technology”. Basically, this function gives you total 360° audio control, so you can hear your music clearly from any angle, cinema-style.
As for its design, the Nokia 8 is crafted from a slick, high-gloss copper block of aluminum, lending it a very classy look and feel; a far cry from the hideous “Copper Gold” iPhone that was revealed in a recent Apple leak.

The Nokia 8 uses premium ZEISS optics
There’s no word yet on a Singapore release, but HMD’s head of product marketing for Asia-Pacific Henri Mattila told the Straits Times that the Nokia 8 will “definitely come to Southeast Asia”, so fingers crossed.
That said; is all this enough to propel Nokia back to the spotlight of the mobile phone scene? Well, only time will tell. There’s only one thing for certain though: all we need is for them to bring Snake back, and we’re good, Nokia 8 or not.

The Nokia 8 will be available in four colours: Polished Blue, Polished Copper, Tempered Blue and Steel and will be available at a global average retail price of €599.
For more information, visit www.nokia.com.
All images taken from Nokia.

Gotta Grow Em’ All with These Pokéball Terrariums

Aug 18, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Nope, the perennial question of humanity’s existence isn’t “are there aliens?” or “where do we come from?” It’s “what’s inside a pokéball?”
Thankfully, all you poké fans will now be able to find out courtesy of these super adorable terrariums from Rement Inc. – a Japanese toy and goods maker.
Each miniature globe features Gen 1 favourites from the Pokémon series, such as Pikachu standing happily on a tree log, and Snorlax sleeping peacefully on a bridge; definitely a subtle reference to all the times he’s blocked a passageway in Nintendo’s Gameboy version.

There’s also Bulbasaur; the ideal pocket monster to live inside a terrarium, as well as Lapras, Dragonair, and Eevee; characters we would love to keep as pets for their unique abilities.

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However, like all good Pokémon merchandise, such as the exclusive Pokémon x Uniqlo collection that was launched last week, these terrariums are only available in Japan.

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If you do happen to be dropping by the Land of the Rising Sun however, you’ll be able to find them at select convenience stores, supermarkets, toy stores, and grocery outlets, retailing for the price of US$7 each. They’ll be available from this month onwards.
Still not convinced that these terrariums are how Pokémon live inside their pokéballs? Well, Junichi Masuda, producer of Pokémon Sun and Moon, told Kotaku:
“I think it’s safe to say that it’s very comfortable inside a Pokéball, it’s a very comfortable environment. Maybe the equivalent of a high-end suite room in a fancy hotel.”
For more information, visit www.re-ment.co.jp.
All images taken from Rement Inc.

Discover a World of Retail Happiness with Discover MUJI

Aug 18, 2017Aug 15, 2018

MUJI sure knows how to make its customers happy.
A new store at Plaza Singapura was followed up by the launch of value-for-money deals and exclusive merchandise.
Now, the Japanese retail brand is taking things up a notch with Discover MUJI; a concept that reinforces the company’s vision of crafting practical products that enhance people’s quality of life – a rarity in today’s market.
But that’s not all. Discover MUJI has also achieved another feat: creating true retail happiness.

For instance, the Discover MUJI line-up has three main categories that would please any shopper under the sun; there are top selling items, but also environmentally friendly products, as well as goods that are all about function.
Top sellers include MUJI’s highly popular Organic Cotton Short Sleeve T-Shirts, which come with a special taped thread around the neck ring for protection against fraying caused by washing machines and dryers. They’re also pretty affordably priced too, with current prices at 10% off.

Organic Cotton Short Sleeve T-Shirt (U.P. $13.90 to $39).

The next one might surprise you, but one of MUJI’s top sellers is socks. We know, you’re thinking, “what’s so special about this?” But MUJI’s socks are knitted at a 90° angle for the ultimate fit, making it a must-grab item for any sneaker-head. Right now, you can get a total of three designs for just $11.90.

Socks (U.P. $4.90 to $5.90 per pair)

In the environmentally friendly department, there’s the Organic Cotton Blend Towel, a towel that’s made from long-fibre cotton, allowing it to stay soft and fluffy for long periods of time. You can get one at 10% off, but the fact that it can be re-purposed as a bath mat when cut up makes it even more value-for-money.

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Organic Cotton Blend Towel (U.P. $4.90 to $43)

Another product that’s great for the earth is the Ochiwata Duster – a dusting cloth made from short cotton fibre gathered from discarded manufactured yarn. It’s going at 10% off, so it’s quite a steal.

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Ochiwata Duster (U.P. $10.90)
That said; the products that best represent MUJI’s philosophy of providing what’s “enough” are those under its “Good Function” category
A highlight of this category is the Multi Cape, which as its name suggests, is a multi-functional piece of clothing that acts as either a scarf or shawl. Made out of linen or organic cotton in hard twist yarn, the Multi Cape is a great protector against UV rays and is currently retailing at 10% off.

Multi Cape (U.P. $39 & $59).
Other “Good Function” items include the Basic Backpack; a simple yet stylish backpack that is now 20% off, and the Acrylic Water Pot; an airtight water pot that prevents spillage even when placed on its side. You can score the latter at 10% off.

Basic Backpack (U.P. $49 & $79)

Acrylic Water Pot (U.P. $9.90 & $10.90)
Lastly, there’s the PP File Box, a specially constructed file box that lets you store more than just files – it can fit newspapers, magazines, and even books thanks to two solid 50mm spine binders. Even better? It’s 10% off.

PP File Box (U.P. $6.90 to $13.90)
Whatever the case may be; Discover MUJI is about more than just providing good quality products on the cheap. It’s also about appreciating the process behind it all, from the selection of materials all the way to packaging.
One thing is for certain though: a shopping trip at MUJI is bound to leave you with a smile on your face, and frankly, we can’t say the same thing for every brand.
Bonus:
Want to score yourself a $100 gift card?
MUJI is holding an exclusive giveaway from 17 August to 13 September 2017, and participating is really simple. All you’ve got to do is upload a photo to Instagram of your favourite way of using a MUJI product. Next, explain why you love this product and what you’ve discovered about its functions in your caption. Throw in the hashtags #discovermujisg and #mujisg, and tag @mujisg in your post, and voila, you stand a chance to win the gift card. Participants need to follow @mujisg in order to take part.
More details below:

Example:

For more information, visit www.muji.com/sg.
All images taken from MUJI.

KFC Re-Launches Double Down After Trolling Singapore with Steamed Chicken Burger

Aug 18, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Don’t believe everything you see on the Internet. Well, at least take KFC’s social media posts with a pinch of salt.
The fast food giant in the last few days trolled its fans big time; first by uploading an image of a burger silhouette that resembled a Double Down, then by revealing it to be a Double Steamed Chicken burger stuffed with sauerkraut, coleslaw, and pickled cucumbers.

Needless to say, people were triggered.

After all, it’s supposed to be Kentucky FRIED Chicken, right? Not Kentucky Steamed Chicken.
Thankfully, we’ve been spared the atrocity of eating that horror show, as the KFC Double Down was released instead to the collective sigh of relief from all fast food junkies.

As part of KFC’s #SorryNotSorry campaign, the Double Down will come in two varieties: the original burger with two slices of fried chicken, turkey bacon, and a slice of cheddar cheese, and the Hawaiian Double Down; which comes loaded with same ingredients with the addition of a pineapple slice and BBQ sauce.

After trying it, we couldn’t help but feel that the Double Down was just another golden ticket to the promised land of heart attacks and high cholesterol.
If anything, the Double Down was nowhere near as outrageous as the insane Chizza creation launched earlier this year, simply because it has been done before. But after this episode, we’re not putting anything past KFC.
Who knows? That Double Steamed Chicken Burger might become a reality one day too.
The KFC Zinger Double Down and Hawaiian Double Down is available at all outlets island-wide.
For more information, www.kfc.com.sg.
All images taken from KFC.

Cast A Magical Spell On Your Face With This Sailor Moon Makeup Brush Set

Aug 18, 2017Aug 15, 2018

We aren’t sure if the beauty industry is getting a lil lazy coming up with novelty ideas because we’ve just been seeing makeup brushes being transformed into collectibles of every popular tv or movies series there is . We’ve a Game of Thrones makeup brush set, the Mean Girls Burn Book, and more recently, a My Little Pony-inspired one. But hey, we ain’t complaining. If there is one thing that can light up our day after a long day of work, it is definitely knowing that our favourite shows are getting their very own customised makeup collectibles, that are of course not limited to just brushes.

So, who is up next in the lineup of this conspiracy that we willingly give our money to? That is none other than our favourite magical schoolgirl, Sailor Moon! With a bath bomb set under her belt and a ton of other merchandise already out in the market, this probably isn’t exciting news for hardcore Sailor Moon fans. But trust us, these brushes look like they seriously do have some magical powers stored in them.

The eight-piece collection features classic symbols as seen on the manga animation, such as hearts, stars, red and pink gemstones, as well as the crescent moon. There is even one that looks similar to the Moon Stick used by Usagi. The only bummer is that the wands are drenched in gold instead of pink, but we guess we can make do with it.

According to Hypebae, the brushes are available to purchase on an Etsy shop by the name of SimbaeShop, where you can purchase the entire set for approximately US$41, or buy them individually for approximately US$5. Psst, the shop sells Pokémon makeup brushes too.
Header image: HYPEBAE

Hello Kitty Goes Pretty in Pink with New Sparkling Wine

Aug 18, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Is there anything that doesn’t suit Hello Kitty?
Everybody’s favourite cartoon cat has already lent her iconic face to stationery, make-up, and even mooncakes earlier this year. But this time around, she’s the star of the show for a selection of limited edition rosé bottles – so yes, you can now have tipple time with a major dose of kawaii.

Hello Kitty Sparkling Wine Combo Pack (US$94.85)
The exclusive wine collection, which features three delightful sets of pink drinks – the Sweet Pink Sparkling Wine, Sparkling Rosé, and Sparkling Rosé Edition, is produced by Italy’s Torti Winery, and is made from a variety of Pinot Nero and Chardonnay grapes.
Each bottle has its own special packaging, with different flavours to boot. For instance, the Sweet Pink Sparkling Wine comes in a dainty, clear miniature bottle, showing off the musky-like alcohol inside. What about its taste? Well, the product page describes it as “floral”, with “hints of almond.” Sounds pretty good to us.

Sweet Pink Sparkling Wine (US$24.95 per bottle)
As for the Sparkling Rosé, it’s stocked inside a suave, black bottle garnished with a shiny pink aluminium foil on its top; while the Sparkling Rosé Edition – which only had 6,000 bottles made, arrives in a garish magenta colourway, complete with a confetti-style foil wrapper at its apex.

Sparkling Rosé (US$29.95 per bottle)

Sparkling Rosé Edition (US$39.95 per bottle)
It goes without saying that each bottle comes with Hello Kitty’s adorable face on the front, coupled with bows, and for the Sweet Pink Sparkling Wine; a gold-coloured heart shape that’ll make you go “aw” in record time.
There’s just one slight problem.
All these bottles are only available for shipping within select states in the US, but if you still want to get your Hello Kitty wine sessions on, Lazada does have in its inventory a collection of special Hello Kitty sparkling wines. Just take note that they aren’t these limited edition bottles.
For that, you probably have to go through a third-party or ask a friend for help. Will the effort be worth it though? For an exclusive Hello Kitty bottle that can’t be found anywhere else…yeah, we think so.
For more information, visit hellokitty.missionwinecompany.com.
All images taken from Mission Wine Company.

This Major Natural Brand Is Launching a Full Line of Cosmetics

Aug 18, 2017Aug 15, 2018

In the makeup industry, beauty brands have to act fast to stay relevant and push their way to the forefront, but there are also brands that enjoy taking their time to create products and are totally chill about new launches. Case in point? Burt’s Bees. Sure, they’ve got coloured lip products and BB creams in their collection, but for a brand that’s been around for over 30 years, they’re a little late to the cosmetics game. Better late than never, though. At long last, the natural beauty brand is launching a full range of makeup.

It’s not easy to formulate quality products with natural ingredients, which is why Burt’s Bees brought in celebrity makeup artist Toby Fleischman to help create the collection. Joining their neat portfolio of lip products is a glossy lipstick, which makes a nice switch for the balmy textures we’re so used to seeing from the brand.

Along with new liquid and powder foundations, the lineup will also include blush, mascara, liner, three-shade eyeshadow palettes, and brow pencil. It’s also good to know that their mascara uses jojoba oil and glycerin instead of harsh chemicals, so it’s been ophthalmologist-tested and approved, giving contact lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes something to rejoice about.

As expected, all of these products are free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and petrolatum, so you might wanna consider trading in some of your non-natural beauty products for these instead. The seven-piece collection is slated to hit US stores in September, so we’ll probably have to wait a little longer till they arrive at local Sephora. If you can’t wait to get your hands on them, they’re available now at burtsbees.com.

Main image: Burt’s Bees Facebook
Product images: @burtsbees

The Local Webstore to Get All Your Baby and Kids Clothes From

Aug 18, 2017Aug 15, 2018

By Adele Chan

This past week I developed a new obsession with kids clothes and accessories from Denmark. It all started when I came across an Instagram account of a Danish “influencer” mom who had the prettiest kids’ rooms… so I ended up checking out everything she tagged in the room. One of the brands was a clothing brand called MarMar Copenhagen; which led me to search for a Singapore boutique that stocked the label… and that’s how I discovered Rabbit in the Hole. This local online store was recently set up by a team of young Singapore-based moms who have great taste in baby and kids clothes.

In particular, a brand on their website that caught my eye was LOVE by Nellystella — a collection of pretty princess dresses in the loveliest of pastel shades.

The designer, Nelly Chen gets inspiration for her pieces from her formative years in Europe, and you can really see what she calls “upscale European tradition” in these garments. These are dresses that she always wanted to wear herself as a child; and yes, they are very pretty, and will make any little girl very happy wearing it. The materials used are also very soft (we have them in office now), and not scratchy (Nelly says she sources for the fine quality materials herself).

Courtesy of Nellystella and Rabbit in the Hole, we have 3 dresses to give away!!!
Look how pretty they are! Visit our Facebook page for details on how to take part!

Ps. I ended up buying two Tilia MarMar Copenhagen cardigans from Rabbit in the Hole and they are my best kids’ purchase of the year by far — super soft cotton that keeps its shape even after its thrown in the machine.

Build Your Own Innisfree Makeup Palette This Weekend

Aug 18, 2017Aug 15, 2018

A huge innisfree makeup launch is coming your way, and here’s your chance to get first dibs:

We hardly ever dislike being spoilt for choice, and that’s why, way before its launch, we’re already so in love with the idea of innisfree My Palette series.

137 colours across 7 makeup categories and 4 different textures – yes, these babies are customisable. It’s very likely the most exciting launch from innisfree this entire year, and ahead of its official launch in September, you can create your own innisfree My Palette at the My Palette Station pre-launch pop-up at Capitol Piazza this weekend, 19 and 20 August 2017!
There will be a series of tasks to complete – like you’re going on a palette mission. You start off by finding your personal colour, via a series of questions to suss out your skin undertones, colour preferences and makeup habits. Armed with that, you can then swatch testers and pick out stickers representing the colours you want, to assemble your perfect My Palette in the booklet you’ll receive at the station.
Or, if having too many options stresses you out, there are also 4 ready-made My Palette options, each with shades especially picked out to reflect the colour themes of Warm Light, Warm Bright, Cool Light and Cool Dark.

Clockwise from top left: My Palette in Cool Dark, Cool Light, Warm Bright and Warm Light.

A purchase of any 4 of these ready-made My Palettes at the Capitol Piazza pre-launch pop-up will get you perks like a 20% discount, a complimentary makeup service at the My Palette Colour Lounge, innisfree x emoji™ Limited Edition Tin Case & Hand Mirror, Bija Cica & Trouble Trial Kit and Apple Seed Cleansing Trial Kit. Or, be one of the first 100 to complete all the various “missions” at the station, to get a Jeju Perfumed Hand Cream Kit.
You’ll also want to keep your completed station booklet for when the My Palette range launches in innisfree stores in September, to score discounts and gifts-with-purchase. Perfect time to assemble a second, or third, palette, basically. Go crazy!

WIN! In the month of September, we’re giving away innisfree My Palettes to 3 winners. Each winner will receive 2 palettes, featuring colours specially picked by the NYLON Singapore team. Stay tuned to our social media channels next month!

Terms and conditions apply to all promotions, while stocks last.
innisfree My Palette Station, 19 to 20 August 2017, 12pm to 8pm at #01-26 Capitol Piazza. innisfree My Palette range, from $8. Available at innisfree stores from 1 September 2017. innisfree.com/sg/en

The New Balance x Stance 247 Pack Brings You From Day To Night

Aug 17, 2017Aug 15, 2018

We really like it that New Balance is keeping the collabs going strong – this year, notable ones we’ve seen include the Beauty and the Beast ones back when the movie adaptation was all the rage, as well as a very interesting coffee-inspired one done with American fashion label J.Crew.
For 2017, the Boston-based footwear brand actually also has an ongoing partnership with Stance, a cult apparel brand that’s famous for its… socks (no, really). Since June, there have already been two drops featuring the 1978 and 997 silhouettes, and for Drop 3, they’re going a whole lot louder.

Meet the “ALL DAY ALL NIGHT” 247 Pack, featuring two sneaker and sock designs that cover the, well, day and night. The one in white is for the day, with a pop of an orange-yellow gradient on the bootie collar to reference the sunrise; and like the previous New Balance x Stance models, a sock liner that rises above an engineered knit body.

The black edition is for the night of course, and on the bootie collar is a design inspired by the starry night sky. The body’s made of leather and suede, giving this a more luxe feel. There are reflective details on the laces, collar strap, heel webbing and midsole – all the more to give you extra visibility after sunset.

Needless to say, both designs come with a matching pair of Stance low-rise athletic tab socks. This pack drops this weekend at the New Balance Paragon store and other retailers, in case you want to add either (or both) to your collection of kicks.

New Balance x STANCE “ALL DAY ALL NIGHT” 247 pack, $199. Available from 19 August 2017 at New Balance Paragon, Limited Edt, Seek and The Social Foot, in Men’s US 4 to 12 sizes. newbalance.com.sg

Star Wars Fans, Enter Your Dream World at This Year’s STGCC

Aug 17, 2017Aug 15, 2018

With Marvel movies churned out year after year and Game of Thrones dominating our TV screens, it’s no wonder that the fictional world is hot. After all, we’d do anything to join the Avengers as a superhero or march to King’s Landing with Khaleesi if it was even remotely possible.
That said; there has been one force that has united pop culture geeks through the years, and that’s the world of Star Wars (sorry trekkers, beaming through space and exploring new planets is awesome and everything, but lightsabers are just so darn cool).

And good news Star Wars fans, you’ll be able to experience the force like never before at this year’s Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC).
The festival, which is back for its 10^th edition, will be held at Marina Bay Sands from 9 to 10 September, and will feature for the first time ever a dedicated Star Wars zone packed with all sorts of fan-built vehicle replicas, games, releases, and exclusive collectibles.

If you can’t wait to unleash your inner Jedi, a 10-day Star Wars festival will be held at ION Orchard from 1 September onwards, before the main event commences at STGCC, where the best is saved for last. For instance, you’ll get to see cool props like Rey’s Speeder signed by J.J. Abrams and a film replica of the Millennium Falcon’s interior.

Millennium Falcon

Interior of Millennium Falcon
Excited already? Yeah, we thought so. It all sounds like a dream come true.
But wait; hold up. There’s more. For the first time ever, STGCC will also hold what is called the Good Game Experience (GGXP) – a mega gaming fest highlighting the best of Singapore’s gaming scene, with tournaments, awards, and the chance to try out titles from local and regional game publishers.

Once you’re done with that, snap back to reality and show off your best cosplay looks (and dance moves) at the Akiba Zone, where some of the hottest cosplayers, DJ’s, and idols from Japan’s legendary Electric Town will hit the stage for a series of energetic performances.

At the end of the day though, STGCC is a convention, so there’ll also be guest appearances from some of the industry’s heavy hitters, like DC Comics artist Mirka Andolfo, comic book writer David Mack and Adi Granov, as well as illustrators like Frank Cho and Joyce Chin.

Frank Cho’s illustrations
Overall, there’s plenty to see and do at this year’s STGCC. What’s even better is that the tickets are a real steal; with a two-day pass going for just $28, and VIP passes going for $85. Get your tickets here.
The only real crime would be to not go if you call yourself a true comic book fan…so do yourself a favour and get those lightsabers out. It’s going to be one heck of a blast!
For more information, visit www.singaporetgcc.com.
All images taken from STGCC.

Jeremy Scott Takes On The Classic UGG Boots And Gives It A Major Makeover

Aug 17, 2017Aug 15, 2018

The highly debated UGG shoes have been through many phases in the past two decades, from being a fashion statement amongst Hollywood’s It-girls like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears back in their heyday in the early 2000s, to being placed on the Fashion Police’s no-go list. And while we are still sitting on the fence about these furry boots, Jeremy Scott is seriously tempting us to get em’ thanks to his limited-edition capsule collection.

The fashion designer and creative mind behind Moschino’s heavily pop culture-influenced designs has linked up with UGG to come up with eight limited edition styles for men, women and even for the little ones. Paying homage to the Californian spirit and Los Angeles pop culture throughout the ages, the classic plain brown boots receive a major makeover and when it comes to Jeremy Scott, you know you’re not gonna get anything low-key from this bold and boisterous designer.

Womens_Classic_Short_Jewel_in_Black S$930

Womens_Classic_Short_Flames_in_Chestnut S$490

In this collection, the snuggly boots take on Scott’s signature fire flames, while a black pair gets fully encrusted with bedazzling floral jewels and crystals. In another, the words “Ugg” and “Life” are embroidered in a gothic Old English font which will bound to make you feel like a total badass. Who needs the thug life when you can be living out the UGG life?

Womens_UGG_Life_Mini_in_Chestnut_Metallic_1 S$230

Womens_UGG_Life_Mini_in_Chestnut_Metallic_2 S$230

Womens_UGG_Life_Mini_in_Chestnut_Chocolate_1 S$230

Womens_UGG_Life_Mini_in_Chestnut_Chocolate_2 S$230

Speaking of the collaboration, Scott says: “I bought a pair of UGG Classic boots and fell in absolute love with them. I could not pass up the opportunity to do my own take on the Classic boot.”
Though we won’t be able to find a good reason to sport dem UGGs in Singapore for obvious reasons, they certainly do add a wow factor to any winter outfit when travelling to colder regions during the Fall time. Ranging from $130 to $4,590, the collection is available now in Singapore at UGG Marina Bay Sands, Galleria Leve, B1-141, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
Header image: UGG

The Female Taobao Store Owners You Should Be Buying From

Aug 17, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Sometime last month, we headed to Hangzhou, birthplace of Taobao and the Alibaba Group, to be blown away by everything on offer at the Taobao Maker Festival, and see the future of retail brought to the present in the Taobao Cafe pop-up. But there was another especially empowering element to the event: Alibaba’s 2017 Global Conference on Women and Entrepreneurship, She-Era.
If you’ve watched videos of Alibaba founder Jack Ma speaking at events, you might know that the Chinese e-commerce magnate is a big believer of the power of women (see: this viral video of Ma on hiring as many women as possible, calling it the “secret sauce” of his company). We had the incredible honour of listening to Ma in person at this year’s conference, as he rounded up a series of talks that featured speakers like Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group, Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General of UN Women, and renowned fashion designer Vera Wang.

Jack-Ma-at-Alibaba-2017-Women-Conference

Ma reiterated that women are the key to Alibaba’s success, even going as far to say that his female co-workers have been the ones helping him through the difficult times. “Eighteen years since we founded Alibaba, it has consistently been female coworkers that pushed me forward,” he says.
He even jokingly said that if he had a choice, he’d want to come back as a woman in his next life. “I feel that men are capable only of making their businesses bigger, while women will make theirs better,” states Ma.
It’s not all talk for sure – his company has the stats to back up these female-centric views. Currently, about half of Alibaba’s over-50,000 employees are women; a third of the 18 founders, as well as senior management, are female.
And obviously, there’s strong female representation among the Taobao entrepreneurs, too. In a virtual marketplace of over 400 million active users, there are plenty of inspiring stories of female entrepreneurship. Here, we highlight 3 you should definitely show your support to.

Chin Studio
One thing we learnt at the Taobao Maker Festival is that this platform can make celebrities out of some of its most popular sellers – the booths by these Taobao celebrity sellers were the ones that attracted the largest crowds at the festival. Cherie Zhu Chenhui is one of them, after setting up a womenswear Taobao store in 2011 together with a university schoolmate Qian Yufan. They invested 3,000 yuan (about S$600) into the store, with Zhu modelling the store’s offerings herself. The duo’s efforts towards good management, social media promotion and interaction with their customers caused Chin Studio to really take off, and to date, they have more than 8 millions fans on Taobao.

With her success, Zhu even went on to set up a company to groom new internet celebrities and e-commerce owners, and she has signed almost 30 of Taobao’s most popular sellers; by the end of last year, her company was valued at 1 billion yuan.
Shop Chin Studio here.

Demi’s Products
Zhang Ruili started off as a Taobao model (it’s a legit profession over in China) in 2010, and soon enough found herself starting a Taobao business of her own. She’s the owner of Demi’s Products, also a womenswear store that has earned a triple-crown rating and Taobao, and brings in more than 1.5 million yuan in monthly income for Zhang.

She’s also become quite a well-known name in the live-streaming world (also something that’s really big in China right now), and was behind the most-watched live stream video by a non-celebrity on Taobao, with 1.5 million viewers.

Shop Demi’s Products here.

How Bottle
Twelve recycled plastic bottles to make a T-shirt – that’s the premise of How Bottle, run by Huang Ning Ning. She actually started off as an Alibaba employee, before leaving her role about a year ago to travel. That’s when she came across the idea of turning recycled plastic into apparel and accessories. It immediately resonated with her, hence she brought How Bottle to the Taobao platform, offering basic tees and drawstring bags to Chinese consumers.

At the Taobao Maker Festival, Huang spoke about the challenges of running a environment-conscious clothing business, and convincing people that they should pay a premium for these tees. It’s worth it though – we experienced first-hand at the How Bottle booth how soft and high-quality the products felt, so we sure hope Huang goes far with this initiative.
Shop How Bottle here.

Main image: Chin Studio

How the New Gabrielle Chanel Fragrance Was Brought to Life

Aug 17, 2017Aug 15, 2018

Chanel is recognised for its perpetual embrace of the new, but in crafting the new Gabrielle Chanel fragrance, it was an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable legacy left behind by the brand’s founder. Gabrielle sends a valiant message at an apt hour, inviting young women everywhere to live freely, by and for themselves; so it’s no wonder why actress Kristen Stewart was favoured to embody this bold new fragrance, captured by photographer Karim Sadli.

As we patiently await the arrival of the ad campaign film directed by Ringan Ledwidge, let’s take a look at how the iconic new fragrance came to be.

Don’t be fooled by the seemingly simple bottle design, for it is one that took years of evolution – a work of true craftsmanship. It takes on a square shape and features intricate glasswork with beveled lines that converge towards its centre, allowing the colour of the fragrance to gleam through beautifully.

To craft Glass 15, sand, soda ash and lime are fused with broken glass, forming a raw material. It is then heated at 1,600°c before the molten glass is poured into draft bottle molds, assuming its final iconic shape in a finishing mold. Inside, the slight curved bottom of the bottle, known as the ‘Marloquette’, is pushed outward, cut, and polished until it is near invisible to the naked eye. The bottle is left to cool and its transparency is gradually revealed.

Adopting the same beveled shape, Cap 15 is stamped into a square using a custom mold. It is then polished and immersed in an anodising bath to get that golden lamé colour, an incredibly subtle mix of gold and silver, you’ll notice. Finally, each cap is embossed with the classic interlocking Cs.

Similar to how Coco Chanel would perfect a jacket lining, the patented interior of the case houses the bottle like a precious gem. When you remove the bottle from the outer packaging, the fragrance will appear nestled in a snug imprint of its own silhouette.

Here’s an exclusive look at the craftsmanship of Gabrielle Chanel:

CHANEL Gabrielle fragrance, $180 for 50ml and $258 for 100ml, available at CHANEL Beauty boutiques from 19 August and all other counters from 1 September. Ad campaign video to be released by the end of this year. chanel.com/en_sg.

Meet the Irreverent Fragrance That Lets Your Freak Flag Fly

Aug 17, 2017Feb 19, 2020

By Jade Yeo

New York fashion retailers-turned-designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon are recognised for their cheeky take on fashion, so a similar approach to the conception of their first-ever fragrance for Kenzo was inherently expected. What I didn’t expect was a perfume advertisement as engaging as this one – an obvious standout in a sedate world of conventional commercials, raking up over 6 million views on YouTube alone.

THE KENZO WOMAN

Since its world premiere nearly a year ago, the viral ad has lodged itself in my memory permanently, and it remains a favourite to this day. Director Spike Jonze introduces a young lady sat amongst others at a black-tie event, seemingly disconnected from the entire spectacle. She excuses herself and roams the empty hall, tears trickling down her cheeks, but from the moment she locks gaze with the camera, actress Margaret Qualley takes centre stage and plunges into the deep end of irreverence.

Through the riotous dance choreographed by Ryan Heffington (the man responsible for Sia’s Chandelier video), she twitches, punches, twirls, leaps, and even shoots lasers from her fingertips. Yup, it’s wild, cool, silly, and strangely relatable all at once – just what Kenzo wants to encapsulate within the new Kenzo World Eau de Parfum, because “the Kenzo woman is unafraid to be herself. Unexpected and uninhibited, she dares to see the world her way and stands out from the crowd.”

While I can’t express myself in dance (let alone balance in heels) as effectively as Margaret Qualley can, I’d like to think I reflect certain bold qualities of the Kenzo woman. For starters, this is what my hair looks like. It’s a daring look that garners way too much attention for an introvert like myself, but it’s also a decision I stand behind wholeheartedly. It may be easy to label me “different” from that physical trait alone, but we’re all different in our own little ways, and those quirks are exactly what Kenzo World celebrates. So when our Editor-in-Chief Adele asked me to take on the new fragrance, I was thrilled.

THE SCENT OF KENZO WORLD

I got a whiff of it recently and I must say, it’s nice to finally put a scent to the visuals I’d been so familiar with. So here’s my take on perfumer Francis Kurkdjian’s creation: the fragrance opens with a burst of fruity florals and settles down to a warm feminine scent, but there was a lingering, musky-ambery note I couldn’t quite put my finger on until it was revealed to me. There’s notes of Peony and Egyptian Jasmine in it, topped off with a dash of Ambroxan® crystals which gives the sweet fragrance an unexpected edge that I, well, unexpectedly enjoyed.

From that description, you can sort of imagine what Kenzo World smells like, but as with all fragrances, you’ll need to get a whiff of it in person to complete the picture. As soon as one of these adorable bottles arrived at our office, I went round to get the NYLON team’s first impressions. A couple of spritzes later, our Associate Editor Amelia remarked that it’s a sweet floral fragrance most girls will favour, and that sentiment definitely resonated with the rest of our team. Our writer Joel said the opening notes smell fruity, while our designer Patrene said it smells fresh, as though she just took a nice shower. Ultimately, it strikes a positive chord among us, and the same can be said for its packaging.

THE BOTTLE DESIGN

From the Braille-printed name on the top of the box to the eye-catching bottle, it’s definitely an intriguing invitation to experience Kenzo World. The design is remarkably different from the rest of Kenzo’s offerings, yet it’s universally appealing. What I like in particular is that it doesn’t bear the typical sleek, sensual pink design elements to match the scent’s femininity. Instead, Patrick Li took the iconic eye motif introduced back in 2013 for the label’s Fall/Winter collection and gave an opaline bottle contrasting touches of black rubber and gold.

Dare to be different with the #KENZOWORLD floral invasion.

A post shared by KENZO Parfums Official (@kenzoparfums) on Apr 6, 2017 at 11:14am PDT

//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js

Of course, women are predictably drawn to the cute bottle design like a moth to a flame. At our meeting with Kenzo Parfums, the waitress noticed a bottle of Kenzo World perched on our table. Glint in her eye, she loomed over with a smile to ask, “Is that the new Kenzo perfume?” Why, yes. Yes it is. But the stylised eye doesn’t just capture the attention of women – it pulls men in, too.

In fact, my boyfriend and a couple of male friends said they’d love to own one, even if they probably wouldn’t indulge in the fragrance themselves. Kenzo World has mass appeal, no doubt, which is great news for a fragrance that seeks to trigger off the world.

DISCOVER THE FRAGRANCE AT ION ORCHARD NEXT WEEK
From 24 – 27 August, there will be a balloon installation situated at ION Orchard, Level 1 ION2 (outdoor area).
WIN! Follow these steps and stand a chance to score a bottle of Kenzo World (75ml):

Head to the Kenzo World balloon installation
Snap a creative photo with the installation
Post the image on your Instagram with the hashtags #ISpyWithMyKenzoEye and #KenzoSG

Daily winners will be selected and announced on NYLON Singapore’s Instagram!
You can also grab a fragrance sample from the Kenzo World ambassadors around the installation at these times:

24 – 25 August from 5.30pm – 7.30pm
26 August from 3pm – 7pm

Kenzo World Eau de Parfum; $96 for 30ml, $133 for 50ml, and $164 for 75ml. Available at all Sephora stores and Sephora.sg from 31 August. kenzoworld.com.

Courtesy of Nellystella and Rabbit in the Hole, we have 3 dresses to give away!!! Look how pretty they are! Visit our Facebook page for details on how to take part!

Courtesy of Nellystella and Rabbit in the Hole, we have 3 dresses to give away!!!
Look how pretty they are! Visit our Facebook page for details on how to take part!