LIFESTYLE@LXG: Joanne tries the Cocoon Mask facial at Immortelle Atelier!

I’ve always had dehydrated and sensitive skin, and the condition of my skin has gotten a lot worse ever since I came back from Paris (the weather was pretty cold when I was in the City of Light). If you take long flights or visit drier countries, you probably know what I mean. So I was pretty excited when I was given the opportunity to review the Relaxing Eye Treatment and Maria Galland's Cocoon Facial at Immortelle Atelier.

Conveniently located at United Square in Novena, Immortelle Atelier provides professional facial, make up and hair services using only high-quality and premium products. Indeed, some of the products that the salon uses are Maria Galland, a premium skin care line from France and Jyunka from Japan.

I was attended to by my friendly and knowledgeable therapist, who took me through the various facial services that are available at Immortelle Atelier in-depth, and they include:

-          Maria Galland Hot Modelling Facial Treatment (for rejuvenating & lifting effects)

-          Jyunka Vitamin C Facial Treatment (for instant radiance)

-          Jyunka Epidermal Peel Facial Treatment (for skin purification)

-          Jyunka Whitening Facial Treatment (Whitening treatment)

-          Filorga Cryolift Facial Treatment (for firm and intensive radiance)

-          Intensive Dark Circle Eyecare Treatment (for dark eye rings & puffiness)

The treatment that I was scheduled for was the Maria Galland Cocoon Facial Treatment for instant hydrating results. I’ve never tried something like this before, but the professionalism and friendliness of the staff put me at ease.

I was led into a small but cosy room to being the treatment.

We started off with the usual deep facial cleansing procedure, followed by the eye treatment thereafter. This is really interesting as she applied the Gua Sha therapy to my under eye area. If you’re not familiar with Gua Sha (just as I was earlier), this is a traditional Chinese medical treatment that uses a spoon-like tool to scrape your skin. According to my therapist, this helps to stimulate blood circulation and reduces dark eye rings. She even shared that some customers actually commented that they could feel a difference in their vision right after the eye treatment.  I can’t attest to this, but it did feel good.

For the facial treatment, she applied the Maria Galland Masque Froid Hydratant Hydrating Cooling Mask. As it name suggests, the mask was really cooling and I felt good knowing that my (dehydrated) skin could finally get the essential moisture that it needs. She shared that this is one of the star products by Maria Galland, and that she has seen her fair share of brides who diligently used the Cooling Mark for at least a week before their big day, and swear by it.

Both treatments lasted slightly under two hours. Eyebrow trimming, extraction and your usual neck and shoulder massages are provided as well. I could instantly feel a difference right after the facial – my skin was much firmer, supple, radiant and definitely well-moisturized.

Apart from facial services, Immortelle Atelier also provides professional makeup and hair services for both adults and kids. Not surprising, given that United Square is also known as the ultimate kids mall. My therapist shared that they have their fair share of experience styling kids for children’s birthday parties.

The team of lovely ladies and their affordable treatment that uses premium and quality products easily attests why Immortelle Atelier has won several accolades (such as CozyCot.com’s ‘Best Salon Vitamin Infused Skin care' for their Jyunka serum SME of the year 2014 and ‘Singapore’s Outstanding Enterprise’ Award 2013). This may be my first time at the salon, but I know I’ll definitely be back for more!

Immortelle Atelier is located at: United Square Shopping Mall Singapore, 101 Thomson Road #02-08B, Singapore 307591. Tel: 6259 9001/ enquiries@immortelleaterlier.com

LADY@LXG: SHEA - making daily cleansing sheer joy!

Living in Singapore, It's easy to forget that simple everyday pleasures don't have to cost an arm and a leg. Stepping into SHEA at Orchard Central, is like stepping into a beautifully scented Aladdin's Cave, filled to the brim with every beauty addict's wildest dreams. 

Shelves and tables stacked high with colourful tubs and bars, jars and bottles of essential oils, body butters, scrubs, clay masques, hand creams and hair products that will make any beauty junkie foam at the mouth.

I love to bathe. In fact, here’s a pointless bit of information, I shower/bathe at least three times a day with a final soak in the bath tub just before bed. I make my daily ablutions “me-time” where I can relax and soak in the scent and feel of my bath oils and soaps - so imagine my joy when I came across SHEA.

Not only does Shea's range of bath and body products make cleansing and bathing a pleasure, but they get another big thumb's-up from me because they practice responsible beauty - using pure and natural ingredients, recyclable containers - and absolutely NO animal testing.

Shea carries a variety of yummy highlights - like pure shea butter, which is wonderful for those who suffer from eczema and dry skin. They also stock an exquisite range of handmade soaps and essential oils.  

One of my particular favourites is their range of body butters. These come in a range of delectable scents, some of which I haven't found anywhere else. These colourful little tubs of happiness can sit just as comfortably on your office desk as your bathroom shelf - their moisturizing benefits helping to inject a little bit of pleasure and calm into your day.

These gorgeously scented Little Hotties are a must have in the office or home. They smell as good as they look and my personal favourite scent was Morning Coffee! The Little Hotties are priced at $21.50 for 100grams.

This Scrubology body scrub which retails at $32.80 smells GORGEOUS and leaves your skin moisturized, clean and scented. In fact, unlike most scrubs, don't be surprised if you smell shower fresh for hours as the pure essential oils ensure that the perfume stays for hours!  

Shea's staff are all extremely knowledgeable and will happily spend ages explaining and answering any questions. They lend a welcoming atmosphere to the store (located at Orchard Central and Liang Court), and like me, you'll probably spend a much longer time in Shea than you intended!

LADY@LXG: Beauty By Nature opens its FOURTH store at Causeway Point!

Fantastic news for all you beauty junkies out there! Beauty By Nature has opened its fourth store here in Singapore at Causeway Point, so those of you living in the North can rejoice!

To celebrate the opening, they are offering many fantastic - should seriously not be missed - discounts and promotions so go down today! Fans of Nuxe, Trilogy, Phyto hair care, Lierac and evolu to name but a few of the myriad of cult brands they have available in store, will be spoiled for choice with the fabulous selection of products on offer! 

The latest Beauty By Nature store at Causeway Point can be found at 01-23. 

So what are you waiting for? Go shop now!

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: 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