STYLE@LXG: LIKE A BOSS...

Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat walks down the catwalk during the Hugo Boss Black Fashion Show.

Held in Beijing, China, Friday, May 18, 2012.

Celebrating his 57th Birthday at the same time, the iconic action star still rocks the joint.

Style and Substance...
A Gentleman no doubt...

LADY@LXG: LONG LIVE LONG LASHES!

Finally, a solution for stubby lashes? Listen up ladies, I may have just found the ultimate eyelash booster: 

Talika Lipocils & Black:

It's ironic that not only do men not get cellulite, they also usually have thicker, lush and often naturally curled lashes that could rival Bambi. Sadly, being Oriental, my eye lashes are short and unimpressive. Curling and applying mascara doesn’t do much to make my eyes stand out and wearing falsies which I have tried many a time to master, is yet another skill set that I am not about to ace. It irks me that unlike any of my beauty writer friends who can effortlessly pop their falsies on while traveling in a taxi without the aid of a mirror, I am all thumbs when it comes to trying to paste them on.

So when Talika relaunched and repackaged their revolutionary product Lipocils in 1994 (in the tube and wand type package we are all familiar with), which would soon cause quite a stir amongst the eyelash-challenged, I was skeptical that my stubby little lashes could indeed grow longer and lush simply by applying the product religiously twice a day.

But being the beauty junkie that I was, I naturally had to give it a go. The results had me eating humble pie, when my lashes did indeed lengthen as promised. They were still far from being Bambi-esque, but they had most definitely improved and with a coating of mascara, they even looked half decent!

Sadly, after my lashes flourished, I became cocky and slacked with the routine - and of course, after a short time, my stubby lashes came back with a vengeance.

In May this year, Talika launched Lipocils & Black, a dual-wand tube that has lipocils on one end and mascara on the other. Its slim enough to slip into your bag and handy as its a treatment and makeup all in one tube. I was very excited to try this product out as I know from experience that it will most certainly make my lashes lush and long, and the newly added mascara is a fantastic idea!

It will take 28 days to see improved growth and thickness. Its only been a couple of days since I started using the product, but I do have confidence that it will work - hurray for not having to battle with falsies anymore! And for not getting my lashes coated in icky eye lash glue and having them fall out in clumps!

The Lady

Lipocils & Black by Talika retails at SGD 69.00

FILM@LXG: DROK THAT! DREDD IS BACK!

Forget Superman, Spidey and the whole cast of Avengers - being a kid in the Eighties, there was only one real hero, and he didn't come with any superpowers - he was just a hard-ass tough guy, who never smiled and NEVER took off his helmet... Judge, Jury and Executioner - known to us all as JUDGE DREDD.

Of course he had his Lawmaster (high octane superbike), his Lawgiver (multi-calibre supergun), but what drove Judge Dredd and his storylines was that of a man bent on carrying out his mission; single-minded, stubborn and uncompromising, Dredd always got his man, and never let his personal life interfere with his duty (come to think of it, Dredd never really actually had a personal life in the first place).

Gracing the pages of that hallowed comic strip, 2000AD, The Judge was the first of many memorable characters brought to life on that distinct, newspaper-like publication - Rogue Trooper, Strontium Dog, Nemesis, the ABC Warriors, and Halo Jones among them - all of whom I hope will one day get the big screen treatment.

Dredd has already been there with the Stallone-led 1995 effort - which had its highs and frequent lows. Although I thought that as a standalone actioner the movie was actually alright - but with so much mythos behind the character and a legion of fanboys expecting the treatment to remain true to the comic strip - every mistake and every element straying too far from the original was gunned down without reproach.

Of course the Numero Uno mistake being that Dredd was portrayed with his helmet off for most of the duration of the 1995 film. And as we all know - Dredd Does Not Take Off His Helmet!

Its taken 17 long years, but Dredd is finally back on the big screen - and this time, those in the know are saying that at least the style and atmosphere of the story are in keeping with the original treatment of Dredd. It's even been given a thumbs-up by the character's creator, John Wagner.

The ever-reliable Karl Urban takes on the eponymous lead role. And by the looks of the trailer, they might just have the fanboys raving!

Judge for yourself:
     

LADY@LXG: Ultimate Hydration In A Jar...

Ladies, I'm sure many of you out there can empathize as soon as I mention my extremely dehydrated skin...

A result of using harsh acne creams throughout my teens, and an overall lack of sleep and not following the healthiest of diets - and that's what you end up with...

The problem with dehydrated skin is that it makes one more susceptible to wrinkles and aging, and lets be honest, there is not a single woman out there, over the age of 25, who is willing to embrace physical aging with a whoop of joy.

MARIA GALLAND INTENSIVE HYDRATING CREAM 96 

I am so glad that my facialist Liz (who is also the head therapist), from Jean Elegance Marsiling here in Singapore, recommended this gorgeously scented cream to me.

The cream is a delight to the senses, massaging it into my face twice a day is a joy, as the scent lingers, leaving my face hydrated, less greasy (its a rich cream that melts into the skin, leaving it matte with a slight radiant sheen), helps my foundation glide on - and the best part, I smell amazing!

The cream’s main active ingredient Glycengene Thalaspheres® supplies the skin with moisture in a targeted, continuous manner, while Hyaluronic acid and Vitamin A supports cell regeneration, and Vitamin E and a UV filter protect the skin against external factors and premature aging.

If you have dehydrated or dry skin, I would recommend you try this out. This product is suitable for normal to dry skin and makes your daily skin care regime a delight!

The Lady

Maria Galland’s Intensive Hydrating Cream 96 retails at SGD 114.50 for 50 ml at any of Jean Elegance Beauty Centres:

71, Woodlands Ave 3,
#01-02 Marsiling MRT Station
Singapore 739044
Tel: 6363 4183.

Blk 18, Jalan Membina,
#02-11(Opp Tiong Bahru Plaza)
Singapore 164018
Tel: 6271 0619.

Maria Galland is also on Facebook:
Maria Galland (SG) on facebook 

MUSIC@LXG: Magnetic Man_Getting Nowhere

The beauty of Electronica is simply that its an ever-evolving genre of music - so there's always something new; always some musical boundary being crossed...

From the early pioneering days of Kraftwerk, the synthesizer drove dance music into a place where no-one else had ever gone. Everything you could possibly create on a live physical instrument was now available at the touch of a synthesizer key or pad. The new kids went mad and experimented with beats and samples and loops, and in the Eighties and Nineties, Depeche Mode brought Electronica into the mainstream - and many of us would never be the same again.

This continuing evolution produced House, Ambient, and Trip Hop. The sounds of Massive Attack invaded our brains and found permanent residence in the darker recesses of our minds.

And now in the early days of the new millennium, it's been the dawn of Dubstep. And today, Magnetic Man epitomizes the genre...

Here the collective of 3 DJs are at the top of their game, in collaboration with John Legend.

Epic. Haunting. Anthemic - Magnetic Man:

Breaker Red

STYLE@LXG: Marc Jacobs Skater Style

If there's a menswear trend this year that's worth taking seriously, its got to be the straight-line, skater-dude, laid-back attitude that dominates the MARC BY MARC JACOBS Fall Collection.

Youth-driven, accessible and plenty to love about, Marc Jacobs' menswear line is every bit the designer collection - produced in Italy, full of specially developed fabrics and hand-finished details, and price tags to match - but its attitude is exactly the opposite.

The label calls this approach "weird luxury." Jacobs and his team drew their inspiration this season from the unlikely marriage of nineties skaters and Istanbul.

The former provided the technical details, like reflective sheens on track pants and bags, and the vintage-seeming, often slightly militaristic shtick (many pieces on first viewing, look like they came straight from the army surplus store); the latter, the scorched-earth palette of mustard brown, khaki, and terra-cotta red.

And for once, we could actually see most of these styles and combinations translating relatively easily from the catwalk to the sidewalk.

JSM

Marc By Marc Jacobs, 
01-11 Mandarin Gallery, tel: +65 6304 1376; 
02-09 Takashimaya Shopping Centre, tel: +65 6304 1375; 
Level 2 Isetan Scotts, tel: +65 6304 1393.
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LADY@LXG: A Favourite Facial

As a former full time beauty editor and current freelance beauty writer, The Lady has spent almost a decade trying, testing and immersing herself in a variety of beauty products, procedures and treatments, which is why we have created a guest spot here at LXG for her to share her take on the wonderful but confusing world of beauty!

Any advice we can find about how to treat that special lady in our lives, is advice well received, so who better to turn to than someone who really understands what they want?

So for the time being, its out with the guys... Now its Lady to Lady...

A Much Needed Thirst Quencher for Parched and Dull Skin:

Ladies, what makes one facial stand out from the rest? The products used certainly make a difference and so does the ambiance of the spa, the deal breaker for me though, is the passion and skill of the facialist.

As a beauty editor and writer, and now of course, contributing beauty and fashion blogger, I have spent a good part of a decade lying prone on a multitude of narrow spa beds, having my face kneaded, squeezed, poked and stroked, so I think I am a fair judge of what makes a facial worth trying.

I have a few facials that I will review, which I could recommend to all of you out there. And today in particular, I’d like to share with you my experiences at Angelface Aesthetics, one of Sothys’ Contract Salons: 

 SOTHYS HYDRADVANCE™ COSMECEUTIC PROGRAMME:

Due to a terrible diet and some unhealthy lifestyle habits (I don’t sleep much, I eat far too much chocolate and drink way more coffee than is healthy), my skin is dehydrated internally but oily on the outside and prone to congestion and breakouts. I have tried multiple products and treatments (yes, I know it would help if I just changed my lifestyle habits, but...) however most left my skin only temporarily hydrated and comforted.

When Jasmine from Sothys’ invited me over to try their new Hydradvance™ Cosmeceutic Programme, I jumped at the opportunity for a bit of a treat and mid-afternoon nap - mainly because I am a fan of Sothys’ products and have had a really good experience at Angel Face Salon in the past.

To understand my excitement, its important to comprehend what exactly sets this treatment apart from others. Inspired by genetic studies, Sothys’ advance research in cosmetogenomics (the science of genes - applied to cosmetic science) created their patented 1055 Boletus Extract, derived from a particular mushroom species called the Boletus edulis, which triggers genes to restore the skin’s ability to rehydrate itself. This seemed like a treatment made specifically for me, with my less than ideal lifestyle and dietary habits!  

Angelface Aesthetics is tucked away in one of Singapore’s busy heartland shopping districts, the Tanjong Pagar Plaza, which conveniently is just a short walk away from the local MRT train station. What I personally like about the salon, is that the staff are genuinely lovely, welcoming and friendly. The tea they serve is different every day and is brewed in-house. While I waited for my appointment, I managed to skim through some current glossies while sipping away at their refreshing brew.

My facialist was very professional and a veritable fountain of knowledge; she even remembered me from my last visit and tutted that I had yet to take her advice of sleeping more than a few hours a night... 

TREATMENT PROCEDURE:

Phase 1: Exfoliate
After removing make-up, Hydra-exfoliating Scrub is applied to the entire face and neck to remove impurities and restore suppleness.

Phase 2: Rehydrate
To rehydrate the skin after the exfoliation, Hydra-revealer Coin Mask is soaked in Ultra Hydration Nectar before being applied onto the face. It envelopes the skin in a veil of softness while my facialist conducted a deep smoothing massage movement on all the meridian points of my face.

Phase 3: Regenerate
With the Hydra-generating Modelling Cream, my facialist used her amazingly skilled hands to massage the product which would strengthen my skin’s barrier function while restoring comfort and revitalizing my skin.

Phase 4: Plump
After the soothing massage, the Ultra Hydration Mask mixed with the Ultra Hydration Nectar was applied to my face and neck to provide a “patch” effect which left my skin supple, radiant and regenerated.

Phase 5: Rebalance
Hydradvance™ Intensive Hydrating Serum & Cream was then applied to my face and neck, providing a healthy radiance and glow to my skin.

To be quite honest, with the hours most of us keep trying to make a living and also squeezing in some personal “me” time, dehydrated skin is one of the most common skin problem faced by many people today, regardless of age and skin type. Because dehydration results in premature aging, wrinkles, dull skin, pigmentation, sensitize skin, skin congestions, etc, it is crucial to make time to treat your skin in order to hold back, as far as humanly possible, the hands of time.


If you would like to try Sothys’ Hydradvance™ Cosmeceutic Treatment, do contact any of Sothys’ Contract Salons and Sothys’ Dealer Salons.

I would however, personally recommend Angelface Aesthetics at 1, Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #01-48, Tel: 6221 3723.

They have two branches, one in Raffles Place and one in Tanjong Pagar. I have been to both and the service is fantastic, whichever one you choose.

That's it from me this week. Ladies, I hope this gives you some food for thought - and gentlemen, how about treating the Lady in your life, to one of these treatments. I guarantee that neither her - or you, will regret it!

'Til next time...

The Lady

PS: Readers in Singapore, remember our great Kneipp Giveaway is still on until tomorrow (19th). So you still have one day to enter!


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FILM@LXG: Prometheus_ Android Love

I watched Prometheus. Epic. It took about five minutes after the end credits for me to remember to close my mouth. Mostly for the right reasons... although there were some scenes that just left me stunned and I'm still not sure why - perhaps just waiting for my brain to still catch up.

Ridley Scott goes to places few other directors dare to venture - and on this wild celluloid ride into humanity's future/destiny/fate/origins, his pivotal character is ironically not human at all...

"David" is a state-of-the-art android; caretaker and steward of the human crew who set out for the stars aboard the starship, Prometheus.

He is just the latest incarnation of a line of memorable, more-human-than-human robot characters brought to life by Ridley Scott and those that followed in his wake. In the Alien franchise alone, we now have A, B, C, and D: Ash, Bishop, Call and of course David.

But to me the greatest on-screen rendition of a robot at odds with his prime directive is Roy Batty, the Nexus-6 Replicant, who stole every scene in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner.

Scott's love affair with the robot has taken him full circle, and in the disturbingly perfect semblance of humanity that is David, we see what in many ways may have been the beginnings of Roy, before the experiences of his volatile 4-year existence had taken their toll.

As Tyrell refers to Roy Batty as his 'prodigal son', so too does Peter Weyland describe David as the 'closet thing he ever had to a son'; that similar, tragic relationship between machine and maker...

Given time to develop, 8th Gen. David  may one day question his role of carrying out tasks that his "human counterparts find... distressing." But of course that's a potential storyline for Scott to decide on. Hopefully he will.

There are many things that can be said about Prometheus, and its obviously going to be spoken about for many years to come. But David as portrayed by Michael Fassbender (the performance of his career, thus far) is set to become a truly iconic character.

(I always believed there could be no-one else to reprise the role of Roy Batty in any sequel/reload of Blade Runner, which was why I have been against such an idea. But now in Fassbender, I see a fitting successor to Rutger Hauer's haunting portrayal).

Mr. C