LADY@LXG: Ultimate Collagen a dual review

Thanks to collagen, the elixir of youth...

Did you know that once we hit our mid-20s our collagen levels start to dip by about 1.5% every year? And that’s when our skin starts to lose its elasticity, and fine lines begin to rear their head. 

Fortunately for those of us past our mid 20's, it is now possible to drink our way to younger, supple and glowing skin with Ultimate Colla-gen. With its improved formulation that includes blueberry and acai extracts to provide enhanced antioxidant effects, Ultimate Colla-gen now also comes with… UV shield! 

Yes, you’ve read right, in addition to boosting the skin’s collagen production, increasing moisture levels, and fighting free radicals, you also get sun protection - all in one, single-use sachet. 
Ultimate Colla-gen Plus : A review by the LADY

I only started taking collagen recently when my facial therapist took one look at my skin (which I honestly thought was looking pretty awesome) and told me that I should seriously consider taking collagen supplements as my skin was looking quite saggy and old.

After such kind words of encouragement, I rushed to the nearest Nishino and purchased two-months supply of Collagen powder, and have been taking them ever since. Although there are many skeptics out there who say that our body can’t absorb the benefits of orally ingested collagen, I have noticed a marked improvement in my skin. Not only do my pores look less prominent, but my acne scars and skin texture have also improved, so booyah to all you nay-sayers out there!

Ultimate Colla-gen, unlike the other powder collagen brands that I have tried, doesn’t have to be mixed with fruit juice or other drinks to disguise their fishy flavour, instead, the drink is extremely light and refreshing, like a berry flavoured vitamin water.

Personally, I love the fact that the collagen comes in individual sachets. This makes it a breeze to take along when you are traveling and it also ensures that you don't go a little insane with quantities, like I tend to do. I also like the fact that it tastes really good as it is, simply dissolved in a glass of ice water.

Ultimate Colla-gen Gold : A review by Chen Chen

Raise a Glass to Younger, Glowing Skin with Ultimate Colla-gen

This is actually my first experience with collagen supplements as I am not the sort of person who can remember to religiously take a pill or drink every day. Right now, I am on Ultimate Colla-gen Gold, which helps protect both my skin and joints, which is perfect for me as I have been in Aikido for the past few years and it can be quite taxing on the body. 


The mixture has a light and refreshing blueberry taste. But if you don’t fancy the taste of blueberry, you can try it with a smoothie, fruit juice or yoghurt drink instead. Yums! :)

The experts at Ultimate Colla-gen recommend a period of at least three-months to see results, but after just a month of taking the supplement, I’ve noticed that my skin does not feel as dry, and my zits seem to heal faster too.

There hasn’t been any significant difference in my bones and joints yet, but I’m already looking forward to do those ballerina splits soon. Fingers crossed. Would I continue taking collagen? Most likely yes, especially this brand as I like the refreshing taste and the effect it has had on my skin.

The Ultimate Colla-gen launch on the 25/2/2014 at Oca Grassa in Singapore

Ultimate Colla-gen is available in two versions – Plus and Gold. Ultimate Colla-gen Plus is great for those who want to nurture their skin, hair and nails. While Ultimate Colla-gen Gold not only helps to nurture the skin, but also protects your joints and bones and is perfect for those with an active lifestyle.

The instructions for consuming Ultimate Colla-gen are very simple - just mix a sachet with about 200ml of cold water and drink once a day (for best results do so in the morning, before food). 

GIVE AWAY ALERT!

We have SIX boxes of Ultimate Colla-gen for grabs! To take part:

1. Like this post and our FB page

2. Tell us on this blog why you would like to win this prize and pls include your name and email address so we can contact you should you win.

3. Share this giveaway with your friends, The more you share, the greater your chance of winning! 

LADY@LXG: Talika harneses the healing power of light

Talika introduces the Light Duo+

The first signs of aging is the appearance of wrinkles that deepen over time. 

Skin aging is always accompanied with an inflammatory effect, which causes discomfort and redness. 

In order to fight against the multiple factors of aging, Talika has created and developed a 

multi-action skincare technology to combat the signs of time on all fronts: LIGHT DUO+®, the new Talika Light, to act on deep wrinkles and dark spots while soothing the skin. 

It restores the skin's natural defense by sending messages to the cells, helping them to reactivate and recharge.

LXG's Kristen Chen gives the new Talika Light DUO+ a test run

FILM@LXG: Man of Tai Chi

Oh my goodness me - where to start with this? To watch Man of Tai Chi is to get a ringside seat into the near comatose mind of debut director, Keanu Reeves...

Hello, hello, is there anybody there? Keanu seems to be stuck in a world where the action scenes from the Matrix keep running and re-running, until the film itself starts to wear thin.

To say you've seen this all before would be an understatement.A typical martial arts film, where an innocent martial arts practitioner is tempted by 'the dark side' (played by a one-dimensional Reeves, dressed in grey or black), and bucket-loads of money - to beat all his opponents and ultimately commit the ultimate Tai Chi sin - to kill.

There is hardly any character development. There is no explanation as to the motivation of Reeves' character, and main protagonist, Tiger Chen (a veteran stunt artist from the Matrix films) struggles to convince - unfortunately looking more like a bow-legged uncle than a powerful young martial artist exponent.

Adding to the cast is a cardboard Karen Mok, playing a detective trying to track down Reeves' illegal underground fighting tournaments. She's got to be possibly the worst detective in history, always turning up late at the scene of a crime, and apparently hiding in plain view, so that the bad guys always know where she is...

What a film, what a film... if you're watching purely for fight scenes, then you won't be disappointed, as our Tai Chi hero is pitted against all other forms of martial arts, to prove to everyone just how powerful Tai Chi can be.

But after half an hour of non-stop grunts and groaning sound effects as they kick the stuffing out of each other, the noise can start testing your patience... 

To give this movie 2 out of 10 would be generous... All that's left to be said is... "Keanu, what were you thinking? Maybe you took one too many blue pills?"

WARNING: The trailer is much better than the actual film!
LXG

LADY@LXG: Hackett opens its doors to Singapore's fashion-savvy

Picture the scene: You wake up one day, check your emails and find that your hard work in applying for your ideal job has finally paid off and you've been invited for a job interview. The first thing you do is check to see if there are any requirements... and then it hits you like a slap in the face: the smart-casual dress code. What does this mean? What do I wear? Panic ensues. Sounds familiar?

Smart-casual has become somewhat of a fashion buzzword, dictating everything from office dress to dinner date, and the balancing act between the smart-casual divide has been a constant uphill struggle for men. Too smart and you risk looking overdressed, too casual and you can appear untidy in comparison to others. So how do you get it right?

To inspire you in pursuit of the ideal smart-casual look, Hackett Menswear has arrived in Singapore – and LXG were there at their flagship store in Marina Bay Sands to cover the launch

Designing menswear since 1983, the brand provides British-inspired clothing any gentleman would desire in his wardrobe. Its new store brings no less the magnificence offered in its other 63 standalone stores and 59 concession stores worldwide.

This season, Hackett covers four thematic collections: The Hackett Mayfair, Art College, The Yorkshire Paintings and The Artist’s Atelier. Get dressed in a luxurious range of timeless designs from The Hackett Mayfair embracing new polo shirts with full-fashioned collars and lightweight suits fit for our climate. Deconstructed, shoulders are soft and tailored without shoulder pads. Expect half-lined and unlined, single or double-breasted jackets in classic colours of dark grey, navy blue or brown.

Hackett, B2-230 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore

LXG's Kristen Chen covers the opening of Hackett's flagship store here in Singapore.

 

LIFESTYLE@LXG: Finally, A 24hr Sunscreen!

We covered EHA Clinic's Japan-made 24hr Sunshield a while back when it was first launched in Singapore. Today, we are giving it another shout out because its got itself a brand spanking new look and plus we really love this product!

Many of the high SPF sunscreens available on the market today use chemical filters to block UVA rays, but these have been shown to only offer marginal protection. That’s because commonly used UVA filters like avobenzone and Mexoryl, break down quickly and lose effectiveness in the sun unless stabilized. This stabilization process is difficult and few companies have been able to prove that they can do it.

Therefore in the past, the best way make sure you were protected throughout the day was to reapply sunscreen often – at least once every two hours. Even if it offered the best UVA protection, it’s efficacy soon disappeared.

EHA’s Sun Shield 24hr has been proven to block both UV-A and UV-B rays by 99%, for a period of 24 hours, with just one application. Even when applied thickly to the skin, the base - which is equivalent to an SPH factor of 30 - still appears transparent – giving a natural look without the feeling of any make-up application.   

The protecting ingredient also prevents spot generation, keeping the skin cool and resistant against sunburn. Sun Shield 24hr can also be used as foundation base before make-up application. I personally use it in place of foundation or concealer. I love the fact that its subtle tint evens out my otherwise patchy complexion and leaves my skin looking matte and clean.

EHA Sunshield 24 hr is available at EHA Clinic. 1 Scotts Road. #15-01 Shaw Centre.

Singapore 228208. Tel: 6235 3325

EHA Sunshield 24HR is priced at:

30 Ml bottle $98.00

5 ML travel size tube $38.00

WELLNESS@LXG: A Review of Centrum Multivitamins - for Men and Women

Long working hours? Check.
No time to eat three full meals a day? Check.
Have trouble sleeping? Check.

- And I don’t think I’m the only one…

Work rules your life; everything-else comes in second.  And although you’ve had the best intentions to turn your life around – taking time to eat and cook healthily, exercising, and putting in the correct amount of sleep-time – these often end up failing miserably.  Am I right?

Welcome to the Club. And don’t worry, because there is something you can do to help reverse this unhealthy trend.

There are lots of good reasons to take a multivitamin. Even if you do manage to tidy up your act and improve your diet, even the best eating plans can fall short of meeting all of the 40-plus nutrients you need each day. So taking a once-daily multivitamin is an easy way to fill in those nutritional gaps.

But with so many different brands and varieties to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin. Which is a reason why I personally used to give up altogether and just pray that what I was eating was good enough.

But when I started to notice the increased frequencies in which I was getting ill, catching the flu, and having sleepless nights, I realized that perhaps there was something lacking health-wise.

Yes, I could just blame it on work, but when my better-half began to observe my drop in energy and enthusiasm for life in general, it was a situation which could no longer be ignored.

Many studies have also found that men are less likely to have a healthier eating pattern. We eat less fruits and vegetables, and ahem, also have a higher consumption of alcohol compared to females.

So when Centrum introduced a multivitamin designed just for men, I really couldn’t make any more excuses.

But why a multivitamin specifically for men?

Well, the greatest difference between the genders is that the average guy is bigger in size than the average woman, and so uses up more energy going about his daily activities. And in particular, his higher muscle mass makes it crucial that he receives higher magnesium to ensure proper muscle function.

Turns out that Centrum for Men is specially formulated for a man’s nutritional support - with the following key benefits: energy release, healthy muscles, and heart function. You could call it the life support system we need to improve total body wellness in a fast paced lifestyle.

Complemented with a variety of B-vitamins to promote cell metabolism, and along with a higher zinc content, Centrum helps boost a guy’s vitality ensuring he has enough energy to conquer his grueling day. A higher number of body cells, due to body size and muscle mass also mean that the demand for Vitamin E is higher to protect against oxidant attacks.

Like its female counterpart, it contains 24 essential vitamins and minerals, complete from A to Zinc – but these are offered in different proportions to cater to each gender’s needs.

After a couple of weeks of taking Centrum for Men daily – c’mon it’s just one pill a day; (how easier could it be to stick to a health plan!) – I can honestly feel an improvement in my total body wellness – and I’ve certainly got more energy to deal with the stresses of work. I also have it from a very reliable source,  that I’m no longer such a grouch in the mornings either!

_______________________________________________

  Centrum for Women: A review by LADY@LXG

While a balanced diet is important for every woman to look and feel her best, how realistic is it for us, in this day and age, to get all the nutrients that we require through our diet? Most of us get through the day by mainlining huge doses of caffeine. This is why I am a huge fan of supplements; multi vitamins in particular!

What makes Centrum for Women special, is that this new complete multivitamin, is formulated to address the unique nutritional demands of today’s woman. You know, the sort that works her butt off at the office, mainlining espressos as she dodges a mine-field of back-stabbing colleagues and demanding clients, then gets home, only to play master chef, seductress and super mummy to her two-legged or four-legged offspring, making it a tad bit impossible for her to fit in her daily dose of assorted fruits and veges.

In Centrum for Women you’ll find more calcium, magnesium and vitamin D – which help with bone health – as well as over 20 other important nutrients based on the latest findings in nutritional science. So what you essentially get is a supplement that is custom made for us women, how awesome is that!

In the past, I used to pop between 10 to 15 tablets a day. But now, thanks to Centrum for Women one tablet with food together with my oral sunscreen capsule is all I need to keep me going for the day. Most importantly, it leaves me with a sense of security, especially when I forget to include greenery in my diet.


Centrum for Men and Centrum for Women both retail at $42 for 60 tablets, so go grab yourself a bottle today! 

STYLE@LXG: A hairy matter

Okay girlfriends let’s be honest: Hair. If it’s not on your head, eyebrows or eyelashes – is not acceptable. Period.

Unwanted hair could ruin that perfect dress, which in turn ruins what could have been a perfect night! Nothing is more alluring than a confident woman, who knows her skin is smooth and silky.At the same time, nothing is more off putting than hair legs clad in a mini skirt --- eeek!

While there are many ways to go about removing unwanted hair, I personally prefer epilating. Shaving only removes the hairs above the skin, leaving the roots in the follicle. Waxing, while it does remove all the hairs from the roots, can get pretty expensive. 

This brings us to epilation. This tried and tested method removes the hairs from the roots and provides lasting smoothness at a fraction of the price of waxing. I can safely proclaim that this is the most value-for-money option I have yet to come across. 

Most of us keep away from epilation because it is perceived to be painful and not as effective as waxing. Girlfriends, let me tell you, this only happens to people who use cheapo epilators and lets face it, beauty comes with its own share of pain. 

I’ve put together some reasons on why epilating is the way to go for getting the best results. Thanks to the people at Braun for providing some of the information: 

·        Epilation provides lasting smoothness: With epilation, you get smooth skin that lasts up to 4 weeks. That’s because removing hair from the root means that hair takes longer to grow back than removal with surface methods like shaving and creams. ·  

·         Epilation is great for sensitive skin: Epilating in the bath is the new hair removal solution for modern women everywhere. It is ideally suited for sensitive skin and those new to epilating. As the tweezers on an epilation head do not pull the skin directly when removing hair, there is minimal effect on the skin.

·         Epilation helps hair grow back less noticeably: As hairs are removed at the root, hairs grow back with softer, narrower tips than hairs removed with a razor, so they feel softer and finer to the touch. Second, as hair grows back at different speeds depending on the phase of the hair growth cycle they are in, there is also less hair to be removed after the first few sessions.

·         Epilation can be more efficient than waxing: While both epilation and waxing remove hairs from the root, waxing can press hairs flat against the skin, making them harder to lift and remove.

We are giving away TWO Braun Epilators this month!

Want to take part? then simply:
1. Tell us why you want to win (on this blog and on our FB page)
2. Like this post and our FB page (we like LIKES)
3. Share this post. The more you share, the better your chances.

GOOD LUCK!