LADY@LXG: Introducing Sothys Sun Protection with Brightening Care

I actually received this fabulous product a few months ago, but because I very cleverly got eczema all over my face, I was unable to use anything, including sunscreen, which made me very paranoid, because if you have been following my inconsistent ranting, you would know that I absolutely adore sunscreen and feel naked, not to mention unprotected, without it.

While most of my girlfriends spend hundreds of dollars on anti-aging skin care, my weapon against  the signs of premature aging is a good tube of sunscreen. 

When I say “good” I mean that it should be from a brand that I trust to take care of my skin, and I am willing to pay for that protection, rather than to use some generic drug store brand that may not give me the protection that I require.

I have been a huge fan of Sothys since I started working in magazines almost 14 years ago. I trust the brand and have great confidence in their products. 

In fact, one of my absolute favourite night creams is their Energizing Night Cream Just one dab on a zit and its gone the next morning and I wake up looking refreshed even though I would have only clocked in around five-to-six hours of zzzz. 

SOTHYS [W.]™+ Ultra-protective Sun Shield SPF 50 not only shields your skin from the three main causes of premature aging– UVA, UVB and Infrared Radiation (IR), it also prevents pigmentation by reducing melanin synthesis. 

This is definitely a MUST-HAVE for all who aim for translucent and radiant complexions!

With Calcified Algae (Sea Origin), which is rich in minerals to fight against Infrared Radiation and Chemical Filters to ensure a broad spectrum of protection against UVA & UVB radiation. Sunflower Extract acts as an anti-oxidant to reduce the spread of free radicals generated by UVA, UVB and IR. It helps reduce the number of sunburn cells up to 54%.  Celligent™ a plant-based ingredient with synergistic combination of active molecules from rice, rosemary, sugar beet and sugar cane, protects epidermal stem cells from free radicals. 

The [W.]™+ Complex which consist of Azeloglycine + vitamin PP + vectorized and stabilized vitamin C helps to optimize cell renewal, reduce melanin synthesis, limit melanin transfer and create an equilibrium between light scattering and reflection.

And for all you sticky sunscreen haters, the Galenic Formulation in this product helps for quick penetration without the sticky and dehydrated touch we have come to associate with regular sunscreens. This means it goes on smoothly without any icky after-feel! 

How do I apply it?

Simply apply to your face and neck before sun exposure. Reapply frequently during sun exposure. Avoid eye contour and contact with clothes. Personally I like to tap my sunscreen in, to ensure thorough coverage.

This wonder in a tube retails at only $119 (30 ml) and is available at appointed SOTHYS Salons.

LADY@LXG: Firm, tone and Lift features with ATACHE Lift Therapy

I have spent most of my life as a editor / writer having facials and trying out a variety of skin care products and services. And I can tell you that it is not often that I come across a treatment that makes me sit up, glance at my reflection and think; ‘OMG! this actually works!’.

This was my first experience with ATACHE and I decided to - like any ex-beauty editor worth her salt - to find out more about the brand. The skin care brand, based in Alicante, Spain was developed by the pharmaceutical group ASAC PHARMA. The group has more than 30 years experience in the pharmaceutical field, with a strategic focus on Dermatology and allergies. 

Unlike many major scientific skin care lines, their main target is the research and investigation of active ingredients originating from European and American medicinal plants. In fact, because ASAC owns the cultivation fields in Central America, it allows for a tight control on quality plants, from seeding, harvesting, processing of extracts, and manufacturing the finished product. However, as a true blue, petition signing and PETA supporting animal lover, the most important point to me is that they do not experiment on animals, and actually strive to preserve the environment throughout their manufacturing and packaging process. Way to go ATACHE!

The treatment I was lucky enough to try, Lift Therapy is a completely manual treatment that works to stimulate, reactivate and induce our body's own natural firming properties in achieving skin lifting to improve skin firmness and helping to densify skin texture.  

The treatment uses a revolutionary formulation of hyaluronic acid soya isoflavones coupled with a unique and extremely therapeutic firming, lifting massage technique that actually works, to lift up your facial contours and smooth out fine lines around the neck.   

Lift Therapy acts by reactivating and balancing the cellular metabolism and the synthesis of proteins. It moisturizes and reinforces the skin’s capacity to retain water. It also prevents and delays the aging of the cutis and protects and firms the outline of the face helping to reduce wrinkles. 

Would I do this treatment or any ATACHE treatment again? Definitely! My first experience was a huge success and I believe any future treatments offered by ATACHE would be just as effective! 

LADY@LXG: Mum's Radiesse and Botox makeover at EHA Clinic

“I once laughed at the vanity of women of thirty or forty who whitened their ruddy old skin with lead, but now I know such salves are not disguises for old crones who wish to catch a young husband. Instead they are only a mask we wear so that we can, for a little while, still recognize ourselves.”                            - Rebecca Johns, The Countess

Last year, as a surprise birthday gift to my mother, I treated her to some much needed facial fillers. You can read more about it here: Mum's Birthday treat with Radiesse. Although she is in her mid 60's, my mother (unlike me) has really lovely fair and relatively flawless skin. After much nagging, she is now even taking collagen supplements, which has greatly improved the texture of her skin, but age, neglect, gravity and genetics has left her with sagging jowls, pigmentation and wrinkles, which I felt compelled to eradicate with the help of modern aesthetic medicine.

Because she was really comfortable after her first filler experience last year with Dr. Tam from EHA Clinic, I decided to schedule her next session there as well. Personally, I think its important to find a doctor you like and trust and then stick to them. That way, they know your medical history and concerns and can help recommend treatments that suit you.

Immediately after the injections of filler and botox, my mum's skin looked noticeably smoother. Her crows feet and deep forehead wrinkles were instantly a thing of the past, while her marionette lines, which are normally quite prominent, were also greatly reduced. Based on her experience from her last filler (a little over a year ago) she said that her skin and face looked its best, around three-months after the injections. Thats because, thats around the time when Radiesse stimulates the body to create its own collagen.

After the procedure, she experienced slight bruising and swelling around the injection sites and mild discomfort once the effects of the numbing cream wore off. But the discomfort only lasted the first day. The treatment she said was mostly painless and all she had was topical numbing cream, so I am quite impressed. I think it has a lot to do with the doctor's skill, as I have heard horror stories of painful fillers from my friends, which is why I was careful about finding the right doctor and clinic for my mum.

The photos below are of my mum directly after the treatment. 

If you would like to treat yourself or someone you love, do give Dr. Elias Tam at EHA Clinic a call. The doctor and his staff are very down to earth and helpful. Because it was our first experience with Botox, we had many questions and the doctor was very helpful and patient. We paid $400 for the botox and $1,500 for the Radiesse filler. The effects vary on each individual, but on average Radiesse can last up to a year, while botox will need to be touched up after around four to six months. For more information, call EHA Clinic on 6235 3325 or visit them at #15-01 Shaw Centre (Orchard). 

EHA Clinic is on Facebook! You can click on the link and join the page for daily beauty and skin care tips.

LADY@LXG: Taking hydration to a new level is NUXE Crème Fraîche® de Beauté

I now have a new favourite skin care range that I just can't live without. Its Nuxe's Crème Fraîche® de Beauté range. Yes the entire range. I kid you not. With its 24-hour boost of hydration and delightful botanical concoction of eight plant milks, this range is the perfect solution for those with dehydrated, combination or sensitive skin.

  (and for all your grammar Nazis out there, yes I used the word "range" three-times in the same sentence, get over it already).

But before we look at the line of products under this range, lets first understand what causes our skin to become sensitive. Sensitive skin is often caused when water stored in the dermis becomes scarce and its circulation from one layer to another is impeded and can no longer be held inside the epidermis. This causes the skin to become dehydrated from below. When this happens, skin becomes dry and uncomfortable and ages prematurely. To prevent this, I believe its important to select your skin care based on your skin condition as opposed to what works for your friend or what is currently on offer. Be selective, choose your skin care based on what YOU need! 

Sérum Crème Fraîche® de Beauté priced at $8,5  is my go to serum every morning and evening. Especially after laser treatment. The texture of this serum is unlike most  which tend to be more silky and oily. This serum is so light its almost like a watery lotion and absorbs upon contact with the skin.  A definite must-have for those of you with dry, dehydrated and thirsty sensitive skin.

Masque Crème Fraîche® de Beauté priced at an affordable $48, this cream masque will change the way you look at masques. Extremely light weight and delicately scented, I just apply a thin layer over clean skin - I personally use it over the serum - and in 10-minutes your parched skin is deeply hydrated and fine lines, dullness and overall flakiness is a thing of the past. The best part, you do not have to clean it off. Its not greasy and it absorbs instantly, leaving skin plumped and younger looking. I usually use this under make up before an evening out or over night twice a week.

Crème Fraîche® de Beauté Light priced at $65, this is what I am currently using twice a day. This super light, almost water like lotion hydrates but leaves skin matte and manageable and is perfect for sensitive and combination skin.

Crème Fraîche® de Beauté Enrichie priced at $45 (30 ML tube) this is perfect for those of you with very dry, sensitive skin. This rich buttery cream absorbs instantly and leaves skin plumped but not greasy. A definite must, in out humid climate.

NUXE products are available at all Robinsons, John Little, BHG (Bugis Junction, Lot 1, Clementi Mall, Tampines Mall & Bishan Junction 8), Metro (City Square Mall & Causeway Point), Unity (Great World City, Katong Mall, Holland Village, Ang Mo Kio Hub, Thomson Plaza & Clementi Mall), selected Watsons, and all Beauty by Nature stores. 

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

LADY@LXG: Say what! sunscreen in a capsule??

I am a big sunscreen user. Unfortunately for me, I started this obsession a little late in life, so I have already damaged my skin irreparably, but heck, better late than never, so for the past decade or so, I have been slathering, spraying and daubing on almost every brand of sunscreen in the market, so believe me when I say that I know my sunscreen brands.   

Since the beginning of this year however, I have focussed this sunscreen obsession of mine towards one specific brand; Heliocare. I like the simplicity of the product and the fact that it is not tested on animals, as I am a huge animal advocate.

Their sunscreens also smell nice. Not overly perfumed or reeking of chemicals, but subtle and nice. My favourite is the gel/cream formula which melts into the skin. 

But today, I am not going to wax lyrical about their topical sunscreens. Instead, let me tell about their top-seller; Heliocare Oral, which is quite simply, sunscreen in a capsule. Its perfect for those of us who are not as conscientious about applying SPF on every visible surface of our skin, including the webbing between our fingers and toes. Its also great for when you just don’t have the time or ability to reapply every 2-4 hours, which is why Heliocare Oral is a must-have for me every morning to ensure that my already damaged skin, does not get damaged any further.

Thankfully because I have been literally dousing myself in sunscreen and now ingesting Heliocare oral for about a year, I do not have any freckling issues (phew!) but looking good and staying healthy takes effort, so if you want to ward off those pesky freckles and unsightly pigmentation, but keep forgetting to apply your sunscreen religiously, then my advice would be to get yourself a bottle of Heliocare Oral which claims to be able to protect skin from premature aging and sun damage, while inhibiting the depletion of collagen caused by UVA by 55% and reducing free radicals by up to 50%.

Its simple, mess free and keeps you protected when outdoors. Their patented fern extract of Polypodium leucotomous is currently the only agent known to provide oral sun protection. It also improves your skin’s inner defenses by preventing and reducing cellular damage caused by UV rays and free radicals. 

The best bit? I no longer have to run from one shady patch to the next like a demented vampire when walking my poor embarrassed dog, all thanks to Heliocare oral!

For more information and to take part in their year in giveaways, LIKE Heliocare on Facebook : www.facebook.com/Heliocare.Singapore

My formally embarrassed dog, can now walk with her head held up high as I no longer run from one spot of shade to the next.

STYLE@LXG: Katie has her first Medi-facial

It’s been around nine months since my last facial, which to be quite honest is quite good for me. With time taking its toll on my otherwise, pretty decent skin, I have been concerned about the few fine lines that have popped up recently.

It will come to no surprise that I have never been for a medi-facial. I mean, to be quite frank, to find the time for an ordinary facial is hard enough with my work schedule, and until today, I had never even heard of such a thing as a medi-facial.

I was a bit nervous, never having been to an aesthetic clinic before, but the staff were lovely. Very friendly and welcoming and my therapist Winnie was very attentive and guided me through all the steps of the procedure, so that any residue of nervousness was soon a thing of the past.

The facial felt so amazing! It was pampering but most importantly, it used medical grade machinery and products so I knew that the effects would be more long term in comparison to a regular run of the mill facial. I especially loved their own Japan-made skin care range that felt light as water and wasn’t greasy or overly perfumed like most skin care products in the market today. 

After the treatment, my skin was a little flushed but a few hours later, it felt very smooth and much more hydrated. A week after the treatment I kept receiving compliments on my glowing complexion and I noticed that my skin did look smoother and free of blemishes. Although my fine lines are still present, I believe with more treatments they will soon be a thing of the past!

A big thank you to EHA Clinic and Winnie for this wonderful experience and I do recommend you try it, especially if you have an important date, meeting or interview coming up so you look your very best!

For more details and to schedule an appointment for your medi-facial, contact EHA on 6235-3325. The clinic is very conveniently located at Shaw in orchard. Join their facebook page for special promotions and giveaways - www.facebook.com/EHAclinic.sg

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!