LADY@LXG: Cycle Vital by Eugene Perma

Inspired by nature, to cleanse, heal, protect and nourish hair from its very core.

Cycle Vital by Eugene Perma from Paris is a range of hair care essentials inspired by the wondrous healing properties of nature. In Paris, this brand is only available at salons, but luckily for us here in Singapore, we can find our favourite Cycle Vital product from John Little and Beauty By Nature stores.

Cycle Vital hair care comes in an extensive range of hair care products, each in their own unique colour coded packaging to make it easy for consumers. From their Primary Range for normal hair, to their Sun Protection Range and everything in-between, expect to find a range that is suitable for your hair / scalp condition. 

I was lucky enough to try the Nutri-Plus Range of shampoo and conditioner which is for dry and damaged hair. This protecting and healing range of hair care uses quinoa as one of its main ingredients. Quinoa, which is jam-packed with essential fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, is further reinforced with Aquaxyl, a combination of two plant sugars with moisturising, regenerative properties and Cosmedia Guar, a conditioning agent that helps keep hair clean, freshly scented, deeply hydrated and tangle-free.

Although I actually have normal to dry hair, this shampoo has now become one of my favourite go-to’s. Its extremely gentle and hair is instantly softer and smoother, without being weighed down, after use.

Because I was my hair daily, it tends to get a bit dry, but no matter how often I wash it, this range keeps it soft and healthy.

The Nutri-Plus range comes in:

Nutri-Plus Shampoo $24.90 (250 ml)

Keeps hair soft and supple.

The Nutri-Plus Cream $39.90 (150 ml)

Has a light, non greasy texture that protects the hair fibre from external aggressors. 

The Nutri-Plus Mask $44.90 (200 ml)

A rich, creamy texture that fortifies damaged hair to repair the hair fiber to keep hair soft, supple and shiny.

Cycle Vital is available in the following ranges: Anti-hair fall, Anti-dandruff, Purifying - for oily scalp and hair, Anti-ageing, Intense Volume for thinning hair, Smoothing for unruly hair, Soft Curls, Radiance enhancing range and their Coloured hair range.

LADY@LXG: HAIR BE GONE - SOPRANO PART 4

I had my fourth session of Soprano this August and although I only had to shave once during that month, I noticed that I had a few fine hairs growing in the area. 

I figured this was because since I have been epilating (for those of your who are not aware what epilating is, its similar to waxing, in that it rips the hair off at the root - the difference is that instead of using a wax or sugar paste, I use a handy little gadget that does the deed for me. Fuss-free but as painful as waxing and with the definite risk of ingrown hairs) which is why I am so thrilled to be able to have hair-free armpits thanks to Dr. Pang! 

When I spoke to Dr Pang about it, he confirmed that the new, albeit fine and sparse growth was due to the fact that because I used to epilate, not all the hairs re-grew at the same time which is why the laser was unable to kill them, so fingers crossed that after my fifth and final session this coming week, I will truly be permanently hair-free in my under-arm area.

The procedure was very fast, around 10-minutes or less and completely painless. Because Dr. Pang increased the intensity (he usually does this as the patient progresses in the treatment) I felt more heat, but it was not painful - uncomfortable, but bearable. If it gets too hot, all you need to do is let Dr. Pang know and he will stop, apply more cooling gel and reduce the intensity, easy as pie. 

After each session the nurses will clean the gel and apply a gentle moisturizer to the area and you are ready to go. There is no down-time, no pain, no mess, its simple and you can have it done during your coffee break or lunch hour and no one would be the wiser :) 

I seriously love this machine - as you can see the results after just one session - and it is pain-free, fuss-free, and best of all - permanent! I really do hope that the fifth session next week can kill off the remaining hair follicles so my under arms can look flawless and hair-free!

For more information about the procedure, check out my first post where I get a bit technical, explaining how laser hair removal and IPL differ. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Aaron Pang at The Sainte Chapelle Clinic, #B1-10, Marina Square. 6 Raffles Boulevard, S039594. Tel: 63363128. http://stchapelleclinic.com/

STYLE@LXG: A Man on his Quest for a Fairer Complexion

My one month trial of Heliocare Purewhite Radiance! 

The missus woke up one day and decided that I was far too tanned to be attractive (seriously). To be fair, I keep forgetting to apply sunscreen and I do like just hanging out in the sun, But  I was forced into accepting certain aspects of metrosexuality, and that was only under the threat of never ending nagging and an end to any form of physical relations, so like any decent man, I caved.

But fairer skin? Is that even possible?

For almost a month, I have been consuming two capsules (one in the morning and one at night) of Heliocare’s latest whitening product; Purewhite Radiance. You would seriously not catch me dead taking any whitening supplement, but because its under Heliocare and I use their sunscreen (again when nagged and when I remember) I relented.

The jar holds a month’s supply of capsules that, like all Heliocare products, contains Fernblock®, the patented fern extract of Polypodium leucotomous, which is currently the only agent known to provide oral sun protection caused by UVA by 55%, increase skin tissue by up to 66% and increases skin’s resistance against sunburn by 300%.

Heliocare Purewhite Radiance is said to promote skin whitening through the exclusive formulation of White Tech Complex.  Enriched with Fernblock to provide protection against harmful UV rays and promote anti-ageing effects by quenching free radicals and inhibiting MMP, slowing down the degradation of collagen. 

While this all sounds great, I was skeptical and decided to give the product a go. Well, its been almost a month and to be honest I have experienced some lightening of my freckles (yes I have a few freckles, blame my English ancestry for them) and pigmentation and my skin has actually lightened a fraction. I believe to see more dramatic results I will have to continue to take the product, but for now, I have to admit that yes, Purewhite Radiance does work! 

If you would like to try this product, well the kind people at Heliocare are sponsoring a month’s supply of capsules for one lucky reader worth $106. Want to win it? Then take part below (Please note that you need to follow all 4 steps to be eligible):

1. Like Heliocare’s FB page
2. Like this post and like us on FB
3. Share this post on your FB page and tag 5 friends who you think would also like to try their luck at winning a jar of Purewhite Radiance.
4. Let us why you would like to win this product. 

Note: The winner will have to collect the prize from the NEOASIA office, during allocated office hours. Please note that a photograph will be taken during the collection of the prize and can/will be used for promotional purposes.

For more information visit their website:  http://www.heliocare.com.sg/purewhiteradiance

To be updated on the latest launches, sun protection tips and sample giveaways, join Heliocare on Facebook

LADY@LXG: Hair Be Gone - Soprano Part 3!

A big hello! For those of you following my quest for hairless underarms, you will be happy to know that I had my third session of Soprano in July! 

And just like I raved to Dr. Pang, I was thrilled as I only had to shave once that entire month, and this is only because since I used to epilate (even though I stopped a few weeks prior to my first session) I had a few very fine, almost invisible, baby hairs growing, so Dr. Pang, increased the intensity of the machine and zapped them all away! 

I seriously love this machine! Its fast, painless and fuss-free and at the end of just five sessions, I will walk away not ever having to worry about having to shave again. Its such a relief to be able to just don on a sleeveless top without ever having to worry if I need to shave or epilate. 

The procedure is very fast, only around 10-minutes or less and completely painless. Just expect to feel some mild heat in the treated area. Remember to stop waxing or epilating about a month prior to your treatment as the laser needs to kill the hair at the root (hence the sprouting of baby hairs for me) and shave before you go, but if your shave isn’t close enough, the nurses will give you a brief dry shave so don’t worry, they will then apply some cooling gel and the doctor will begin the treatment.

Dr. Pang is really helpful, so if you have any concerns or would like more information, feel free to talk to him.

 

For more information about the procedure, check out my first post where I get a bit scientific, explaining how laser hair removal and IPL differ.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Aaron Pang at The Sainte Chapelle Clinic, #B1-10, Marina Square. 6 Raffles Boulevard, S039594. Tel: 63363128. http://stchapelleclinic.com/

My next session is coming up during the first week of August so stay tuned for more updates!

LADY@LXG: EHA RESTORE

I am a huge fan of EHA Clinic’s Japan-made line of skin care products. The range is not extensive, but they have all the basics that you require, from a day cream, eye cream, enzymatic exfoliator, a 24-hour sunscreen and now their very latest introduction; their night cream. 

Because I have congested but dehydrated skin, I need to ensure that I get adequate hydration, but not too much as to block my pores, which is why I love their latest night cream Restore. This is a gel-cream hybrid that is light as water and melts into your skin. The best part; because its made in Japan, it is perfectly suited for Asian skin.

This anti ageing, whitening and hydrating moisturiser retails at $88 for a 50ml tub and EHA Clinic has been kind enough to sponsor a tub to one lucky winner!

EHA Restore is available exclusively at EHA Clinic 1 Scotts Road, #15-01 Shaw Centre, 228208 Singapore. Tel. (+65) 6235 3325.

EHA Restore Give away!

Want to win a jar of EHA Restore worth $88?

Then follow these simple steps:

1. “like” EHA on Facebook
2. “like” this post and the LXG FB page so you will be kept notified of all our give aways. 
3. Tell us why you would like to try out EHA Restore 
4. Share! Share! Share! 

LADY@LXG: Mum's Birthday Treat!

Sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do: Time to send Mum in for some much deserved aesthetic enhancements - simply 'cos she deserves it! 

I, like probably many of you out there, am totally guilty of taking my poor mother for granted. That's why I decided that I would surprise her (for a change) this year for her 63^rd birthday by taking her to one of Singapore’s top aesthetic doctors to have a little bit of “work done”. After all, its about time she got a bit of TLC.

If you are a regular reader of this blog (which I hope you are), you will know that I have acne-prone, congested skin, which I can thank my father for, since all the women in his family have some issue or the other with their skin. My mother on the other hand, has lovely fair porcelain-type skin, which ironically, she has completely neglected, to the point where she doesn’t use sunscreen and often forgets to use the pricey serums and night creams I have presented to her over the past few years...

The reason I chose to go to Dr. Tam at EHA Clinic, is because after much research, I felt that he would be the best to do any injectables should he deem them necessary. I honestly feel that we should make the effort to do our research before embarking on having any procedures done, as the last thing we need is to have too much of something done, to the point where we look like caricatures of ourselves. 

EHA Clinic is located on the 15^th floor of Shaw Centre in Orchard and we were welcomed by his friendly staff who offered us freshly brewed Chrysanthemum tea before taking us in to meet Dr. Tam.

Dr. Tam was very sweet and gentle with my mother - which I totally appreciated as this was her first time at having anything aesthetic done (yes, she is one of those bizarre women who have never even had a facial). After examining my mother’s skin carefully he suggested that she consider some laser (q switch) and IPL for her pigmentation - due to unprotected sun exposure (and to sheer laziness I might add) and fillers to add some volume to her features. 

Dr. Tam explained that this would be a work in progress, and he would not be pumping my mother’s face with fillers. Instead he would inject enough to smoothen her skin and lines and leave her looking like a more refreshed version of herself - not some over injected plasticine model.

Dr. Tam recommended Radiesse Volumizing Filler, as not only would it add volume and lift to the areas that had sunken, it would also more importantly act as a sort of scaffold under the skin, providing structure while stimulating her own natural collagen to grow. The production of natural collagen would then continue for several months, which extends beyond the initial effect of Radiesse. Best of all, the natural results are clinically proven to last a year or more. To me, this made so much sense as it would be cost effective since the effects would last so much longer than a regular filler, but what I loved most was the fact that it triggered the growth of collagen.

I must admit that I honestly thought that my mother had a naturally boxy shaped face. Its only when I was going through the Radiesse brochure and looked at their ‘ageing process’ image that I realized that the boxy shape was due to ageing and gravity and had nothing to do with her actual face shape. I realize that this makes me sound quite awful, but honestly, how closely do we actually look at our parents? 

After being examined by Dr. Tam, his nurses cleansed and photographed my mother from a number of angles and applied some numbing cream on her face. Thirty minutes later, the procedure began. 

 Dr. Tam carefully injected Radiesse around my mother’s cheek, mid face area and marionette lines to add volume. 

 The procedure did not take too long, but the doctor was diligent in ensuring that he injected just the right amount to make her look natural. He answered all her questions and advised her to avoid sleeping on her face or side for the first few nights. 

 The end result? My mother, an injection-phobe was ecstatic with the results. The procedure she said was painless (thank you numbing cream and the expert hands of Dr. Tam) and she was really happy with the results, which although subtle, Dr. Tam ensured us would look even better after a few months when her collagen started to grow.

A few days after the treatment her skin looked much smoother (even my totally unobservant brothers commented that she looked rested and younger). It was as if someone took an iron to the wrinkles and lines. Her naso-labial folds were barely noticeable and her marionette lines greatly reduced. She looked literally like she had spent a week at a spa; rested, relaxed and fresher. 

A month after her treatment, she has noticed that her jawline seems more defined and her marionette lines are even less visible. She says that the results are not overly obvious, but subtle enough to be noticed without anyone knowing that she had work done. Her pigmentation after just one treatment of IPL and q switch has lightened tremendously and she now takes oral sunscreen pills and applies (when I nag) her sunscreen almost daily. Getting her to reapply her sunscreen every two hours is still a work in progress, but hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

LADY@LXG: Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion!

Clinique launches the newly improved Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion!

Like Ms Dior was my first perfume which my mother presented me, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing lotion was my very first big-girl moisturizer. I remember walking around the beauty hall in the mall, completely in awe of all those shiny, pretty jars and tubes of magical lotions and potions and being too intimidated to approach the glamourous staff for help.

I think something in the Clinique counter caught my eye, because the next thing I knew, shyness all gone, I poured my skin care woes out to the very nice sales person who advised me to try their 3-step skin care regimen, which I did until my mid twenties when I was lured away by all the new shiny products available.

But I have to say that Clinique’s 3-step system helped fix my skin issues, and now maybe with the new improved version out, I might just go back to using this cult product once again.

The new improved version comes with added ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Urea to better help skin hold onto precious moisture. 

The end result? A balanced ratio of oil and water in the skin, so that it’s neither dry and irritated, nor greasy due to over-active oil glands, leaving you with clear, hydrated, calm and healthy skin. 

Not only has Clinique improved their cult favourite moisturiser, they have also slashed its price, so now a 50 ml tube of the new and improved moisturizing lotion retails at a mere $28 at any of their counters.