FILM@LXG: Pompeii

In a moment of weakness, and subconsciously knowing exactly what I was getting myself into, I decided to watch Pompeii... And I have come to the conclusion that a Paul W. S. Anderson movie is where all actors go to die. Let me explain...

You know Asylum Films - that production company that makes low budget versions of Hollywood blockbusters (eg: Atlantic Rim, and Age of Tomorrow)? This initially felt like a cheap rip-off of Gladiator, with an exploding volcano thrown in for good measure. 

The first thing you notice is, "Hey, hang on a minute, isn't that Jon Snow from Game of Thrones? What's he doing away from The Black Watch? And isn't that like, Heavy Duty from G.I.Joe? What's he doing with a strange accent and cheesy one-liners? And isn't that the Police Captain bloke from Grimm? What's he doing with a pansy haircut and less lines to say than some of the animals appearing on-screen?

But wait, that's not all - isn't that Prof. Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes? What's he doing being mis-cast as a spineless and ineffectual Roman leader? (By the way, the actor in question is Jared Harris - son of the legendary Richard Harris, who might actually be rolling in his grave). But the greatest travesty comes from Kiefer Sutherland, who obviously needed some spare change to take this role - playing a cliched cruel and unscrupulous senator.

In fact 'Cliche' is the operative word for this movie - you've seen it all before - so don't be surprised if you watch many of the scenes with a sense of deja-vu. W. S. loves his action sequences, so the gladiatorial battles are fast and furious - and the volcanic eruptions are actually quite beautiful. And quite clever.

Unfortunately there's nothing clever about the plot - our main protagonist's upbringing and means of gaining proficient fighting skills are all glossed over. After losing his father and his tribe, obviously he's got an inherent hatred of the Romans, but hell, so did most of subjugated humanity at the time... He also conveniently falls in love with the main female lead within seconds of seeing her, prompting that old 'unrequited/forbidden love' movie chestnut. (Her mother, incidentally, is played by Trinity from The Matrix, who obviously had some time on her hands now that Neo's escapades are over).

Having said all of this, again I must say I knew what to expect, and therefore wasn't as disappointed as I might have been. In the climactic scene, as fire and brimstone rains down upon the doomed city, I dare say a few budding movie careers will also go up in flames.

Pompeii. Better than a punch in the face. Only just.

LIFESTYLE@LXG: Grab a car today with GrabCar!

Launched on the 8^th of July this year, GrabCar is the latest service by GrabTaxi. This premium service essentially enables users like myself, to book a limo by simply using my smartphone. For those of you who already have the GrabTaxi app, you can book your car using the same app. For those of you who have yet to download it, hurry up and do so, its free and it takes the hassle out of finding a taxi when you really need one.

GRABCAR currently works with several trusted and safe fleet partners, giving us the option of choosing from a range of 4-seaters (Mercedes Benz, Toyota Camry and Volkswagon Passat). 6-seaters (Toyota Vellfire, Toyota Viano, Toyota Alphard and Mecedes Vito) and a Toyota Hiace 13-seater.

The best part about all of this is the brand’s strong belief in safety. In keeping with this, your family and friends are able to track your travel progress in real-time, ensuring that you are always in safe hands. 

“The inclusion of GrabCar as part of the GrabTaxi service shows our desire and ability to meet our customers’ needs especially during peak hours. It offers them access to a wider network of taxis as well as premium cars. The inclusion of GrabCar as part of the GrabTaxi network will give our passengers that personalised experience, while at the same time, ensuring quick, safe and reliable rides.” said GrabTaxi founder and Group CEO Anthony Tan (featured in the photo above).

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: The Hair Care Salon Solutions by Shiseido

Have you ever wondered why your salon treatment or hair care products seem to be giving you less than impressive results? Or why your hair just seems to look less glossy than usual? Well, thanks to the team at Shiseido Professional, I learned that the culprit to my blah locks, was the water that I shower in.

The water from our taps comes from different reservoirs and Singapore’s tap water has a hardness range of between 60-250. Because dry porous hair absorbs water like a sponge during shampooing and water vaporizes into the air as the hair dries, minerals crystallize and accumulate inside the hair shaft, resulting in hard and stiff hair that no conditioner or treatment mask can soften.

Personally, I didn’t really think that my hair was dry or dull looking until after my treatment. The before and after shots will show you just how lifeless, stiff and dull my hair looked prior to having the calcium and minerals stripped off. In fact, to be quite frank, I was rather mortified to have been traipsing around the country with such stupid looking hair!

The treatment was pampering and blissful and I learned that lathering shampoo on my head is not the right way to wash my hair, as it causes hair to get tangled. Instead, the right way to apply shampoo would be to lather it in your palms before applying it onto your hair, which is how it was done at Shiseido!

The Hair Care Salon Solutions treatment consists of several steps, but it all begins with the application of Salon Solutions Off-Clear - a hair cleanser that strips Calcium ions and other factors that make the hair stiff away from the hairs' surface. Salon Solutions Out-Ca is then applied. As the name suggests, this treatment targets the deepest layers of the hair and thoroughly removes the Calcium ions accumulated within. Next comes a air texture transformation treatment, Salon Solutions Up-Tex, which instantly makes stiff hair, soft and supple. Salon Solutions In-Cortex is then applied in order to repair damage done to the deep hair layers.  Salon Solutions In-Cuticle is used to repair damage done to the surface layer of the hair. After all this, a final treatment is applied - specifically to maintain the treatment effect for a long period of time, using three-layer "microcoating". Because my hair tends to be dry, Salon Solutions On-Moist was used, so that my hair would retain moisture. Depending on your own hair quality, there are also On-Volume and On-Smooth treatments available.

To maintain my new bouncy demineralized hair, Tien and Amy selected the Adenovital range of shampoo and conditioner. Its has been about a month since my treatment and my hair still looks and feels much softer that it did before. This is my first time using Shiseido Professional hair care products and I must say that I love it!

My scalp, which is normal, tends to get a bit irritated and flaky with most shampoos. But since using Adenovital, I have had no issue at all. Moreover, since I cut my hair short, it has been quite troublesome to condition it daily as I always end up getting conditioner on my scalp - which then leads to irritation and flakiness. Thankfully, this conditioner can be used on the scalp and it keeps my hair and scalp protected and smelling absolutely amazing!

Adenovital contains a magical ingredient called Adenosine. The Shiseido Research Center has been studying Adenosine over the course of 15 years - and they've discovered that this naturally occurring substance that exists in the human body, has a remarkable effect on dermal hair papilla; activating and promoting growth. And so the Adenovital range was created.

The Adenovital Shampoo gently cleanses the scalp while maintaining moisture, thereby improving the condition of the scalp, and better preparing it for the application and penetration of Shiseido's propriety Adenovital Scalp Essence.

The Adenovital Scalp Treatment can then be applied. This replenishes a dry scalp with moisture to improve the scalp condition and also promote the penetration of the Adenovital Scalp Essence. The Scalp Essence is a hair growth essence formulated with ingredients that actively affect the hair growth mechanism. It permeates deep into the hair root, and promotes the growth of beautiful hair. 

Lastly, Adenovital Scalp Tonic conditions the scalp to leave it moist and clean while effectively preventing hair loss, dandruff and itchiness - and consequently making the hair more beautiful!

THE HAIR CARE ADENOVITAL Shampoo 250 ml
Suggested retail price: SGD 42

THE HAIR CARE　ADENOVITAL Scalp Treatment 130 g x 2
Suggested retail price: SGD 58

THE HAIR CARE　ADENOVITAL Scalp Essence 180 ml
Suggested retail price: SGD 108

THE HAIR CARE　ADENOVITAL Scalp Tonic 200 g
Suggested retail price SGD 48

I was very lucky to have been able to speak to Tien Goh, the Senior Educator for Shiseido Professional. With over 16 years in the industry, Tien is a walking encyclopedia on hair, and was kind enough to patiently answer our many questions!

1. Do mineral deposits hinder the absorption of conditioner and other products that we apply to our hair?
The basic function of a conditioner is to coat the outer surface of the hair, forming a protective layer and giving it shine and smoothness - whereas a mask (prepared in a professional salon) with repairing properties and protein treatment in a capsule form, is able to penetrate deeper for a strengthening effect.

However when the hair is so loaded with minerals, whatever treatment applied will be redundant as the hair is unable to absorb the proteins and moisture found in treatments and hair masks.

2. Are there any other treatments available that you know of that can strip these deposits from our hair? 
There are several products currently in the market that are able to detox the scalp by deep cleansing it. There are also products that are able to detox the hair by removing buildups and strip minerals deposited on the surface of the hair.

Shiseido Professional’s Salon Solutions in-salon hair treatment has come up with a patent-pending technology that is able to totally eliminate mineral accumulated Inside the hair. This breakthrough in hair treatment results in soft fluffy hair that is smooth and shiny, with zero oiliness feeling after the treatment.

3. On a separate note, why are some people allergic to hair colour, and would using a purely herbal alternative be a safer / better option?
Allergies are mostly caused by each individual’s reaction to any particular food or product - just like certain individuals having bad allergies to peanuts, or others having fatal allergies to Aspirin.

The most likely ingredient that causes an allergy reaction during hair colouring is Paraphenylenediamine (PPD). Simply put, PPD is the colourant/dye/pigment itself. Therefore, people allergic to hair colour will most likely have the same allergy reaction to herbal hair or non-ammonia hair colour, as these hair colour products all contain PPD.

4. Are "ammonia free" colourants really healthier for our hair? Any tips on what we should look out for when buying a box of hair colour?
During hair colouring, an alkaline agent is needed to swell the hair to enable colour penetration. The most commonly used alkaline agent is Ammonia. It is still a preferred alkaline as it swells the hair more efficiently, hence the colour deposit is richer and longer lasting. However the downside of ammonia is that it smells stronger - the reason being, that the ammonia in the dye vaporises efficiently, resulting in a stinging odour. Most importantly, after the hair colouring is complete, no alkaline residue is left inside the hair.

On the other hand, ammonia-free products typically use another form of alkaline agent - Monoethnalomine (MEA). Unlike ammonia which is a gas that evaporates quickly, ethanolamine is too ‘heavy’ to evaporate into any form of gas. Therefore, it does not evaporate, and so does not  have a strong odour during colouring. But this also means that after the colouring process, the hair will contain more alkaline residue, which will take a longer period to ‘leave the hair’ - resulting in dryness of the hair about one month after colouring. And unlike ammonia that is able to swell the hair more efficiently, MEA is not as efficient, resulting in a less intense colour deposit. The plus point of using MEA is a more pleasant experience during the colouring process, as it is less smelly.

5. How often should a person wash their hair,  and is conditioner really necessary?
It is advisable to shampoo our hair daily, due to our hot and humid climate. This is especially so for those who sweat a lot or have a normal to oily scalp. This is because after shampooing, the sebum secretion returns in just 24 hours, so hair can be washed daily without any fear of it drying out.

Lastly, it is important that we condition our hair after every shampoo as conditioner replenishes the moisture lost during shampooing, and at the same time repairs the surface of our hair.

6. What DIY hair care advice would you give someone who wants to keep their hair healthy?
A full hair care itinerary is needed to maintain healthy hair and scalp:

- Daily shampooing, conditioner & scalp tonic. Do a weekly deep cleansing followed by a hair mask.
- Invest in a good shampoo as it touches our skin. It would be best to go for a non-silicon shampoo, as silicon coats and clogs our follicles.
- For beautiful hair, try a leave-in treatment; it works miracles, like makeup for the face. The result is instant and immediate.

7. Any tips on how to choose the right shampoo / conditioner?
Always insist on a non-silicon shampoo. Choose your shampoo according to your scalp.

For those with a dry sensitive scalp with symptoms of fine and powdery flakes that fall off easily, they can try Fuente Forte Scalp Care Shampoo and Scalp Conditioner from Shiseido Professional. Most importantly, please note that a dandruff shampoo will not help a dry flaky scalp, as it will only further dry the scalp, resulting in more flakes.

Causes of dandruff on the other hand, are normally due to: insufficient shampooing, not shampooing daily for oily or sweaty scalp - resulting in excess micro-organisms which trigger an irritating reaction in the scalp epidermis. Symptoms are oily sticky, yellowish clusters of flakes that stick to the scalp. For this condition, anti-dandruff shampoo will be able to help by killing the  bacteria.

Having 2 different shampoos is another MUST!. Use one shampoo that cleanses the scalp efficiently, and alternate it with a shampoo for coloured or dry hair. This way we maintain a good balance for the hair and scalp. It is just like everyone should have 2 facial foams - one that cleanses the face well after a day out, and another that has a light cleansing effect in the morning for a refreshing feeling. Likewise, we should use a light day cream and a richer night cream.

In Singapore, we wash our hair almost daily, therefore go for a rich and moisturizing conditioner.

8. Are "sulphate free" shampoos really better and is it true that Sulphate is the main cause for most of our hair fall problems?
Sulphate is the main ingredient used in almost every one of our personal care products - specifically for its foaming and cleansing properties. However in an individual with skin that is too dry, it might be cleaning ‘too much’, resulting in a dry scalp. This might be too dehydrating for the follicles, resulting in unhealthy hair growth. Therefore it is important for those with less 'oily' and sensitive scalps to go for a shampoo with better scalp care properties. 

Shiseido Professional has kindly sponsored THREE sets of their ADENOVITAL Shampoo and conditioner worth $100 each! To take part all you need to do is:

1. LIKE this post
2. LIKE our FB page TheLXGERS
3. Tell us on our blog why you want to win this fabulous prize
4. Share the blog link on your FB page and tag 5 friends you think would also love to win this set
5. Share this link with everyone. The more you share, the greater your chance of winning! 

Introducing SOTHYS Sensitive Zones Protective Fluid SPF50

Did you know that each year, more new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. than new cases of breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer combined. In fact, according to studies, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. More scary stats; one American dies from skin cancer every hour. 

According to the Singapore Cancer Registry, there are 1065 cases of skin cancer in Singapore men and 941 in Singapore women every year. Here in Singapore, skin cancer ranks 8th in both men and women!

If skin cancer isn't reason enough to slather on some sunscreen every morning, do you know that unprotected exposure to the sun can also cause premature aging, which over time can make skin become thick, wrinkled, and leathery. Since it occurs gradually, often manifesting itself many years after the majority of a person’s sun exposure, premature aging is often regarded as an unavoidable, normal part of growing older. However, up to 90 percent of the visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun. With proper protection from UV radiation, most premature aging of the skin can be avoided.

Sothys sunscreen is rich in minerals to fight against infrared radiation, with chemical filters to ensure broad spectrum of protection against UVA and UVB radiation. Sunflower extract acts as an anti-oxidant to reduce the spread of free radicals generated by UVA, UVB and IR and strengthens the skin’s natural protection, minimizing the appearance of sunburn cells. In fact, sunflower extract is able to reduce the number of sunburn cells up to 54%.

Besides ensuring the best ingredients used, Sothys went a step further providing a sensorial texture for a more pleasant experience. Unlike most of the sunscreens available in the market, Sothys sunscreen penetrates quickly into the skin, leaving the skin with a non-sticky and non-dehydrated feel. With this product, you don’t have to worry about having a “white” face after application because this light-weight sunscreen is quickly absorbed and leaves no visible white film or residue.

This fragrance-free sunscreen is perfect to protect your face and sensitive areas. I personally have started using this every morning for the past week. It leaves my face, neck and decollete moisturized and protected and does not trigger any rash or breakout!

Priced at $109 for a 50ml tube, the SOTHYS Sun Care Line is available at appointed SOTHYS Salons.

LADY@LXG: Achieving flawless luminosity with NUXE WHITE

“ Like a diamond, the skin’s beauty comes from its transparency. To maintain the skin’s full transparency, it is not enough to simply focus on whiteness. We also need to provide the skin with hydration and rosy luminosity. NUXE has achieved this in its own inimitable style, incorporating high-performance flowers and Vitamin C at the heart of a range that delivers exceptional results, demonstrated by objective clinical tests, proven and approved by women”. Aliza Jabès, NUXE’s CEO. 

I have been a loyal fan of Nuxe products for years. A definite must-have for me is their huile prodigieuse which I use twice a day on my entire body. This silky dry oil keeps my skin velvety smooth and beautifully scented, but more about this wonder product another time. This post is all about their very latest range of whitening skin care; NUXE WHITE.

Nuxe believes that in order to make the skin as transparent as possible, light needs to pass through a crystalline structure, similar to passing through a diamond. When saturated with water, the cells of the horny layer are 

more cohesive. The skin is smoother, reflecting light more effectively thus appearing more transparent.

By exploring the heart of Prodigious flowers; White Crocus, Stargazer Lily, Porcelain Rose and Cherry Blossom, Nuxe has identified these high-performance molecules which work in synergy with Vitamin C on the three key factors of skin transparency: whiteness, luminosity and hydration. 

The new Nuxe White range has been proven to reduce the appearance of dark spots, improve the transparency and clarify of the complexion and the rosy appearance if the skin.

The NUXE WHITENING range comes in:

Clean and Purify your skin with the BRIGHTENING PURIFYING FOAM $38  

This very gentle sulfate-free yet foaming cleanser smells absolutely divine. In fact, the entire range of products smell like lilies, fresh, pure and delicate. The added derivatives of Coconut, Corn and Sunflower to compensate for the drying effect of cleansing, so skin does not feel tight or itchy, but soft and moist.

Moisturize and Smooth your skin with the BRIGHTENING MOISTURIZING LOTION $55

This alcohol free toner is a definite must-have. My skin was immediately infused with moisture as soon as I slapped this lotion on thanks to the fact that hyaluronic acid is one of its main ingredients. My open pores and fine-lines were instantly plumped and the effect stays with you most of the day. In fact, if I have a long day out, I saturate my skin with this lotion twice. The lotion has a gentle micro-exfoliating effect  thanks to Extract of Hibiscus Flower which has a high concentrated in pyruvic acid, which is as effective as AHA but less irritating. I absolutely love and recommend this product, as it leaves skin looking more refreshed! 

Correct skin imperfections with the INTENSIVE WHITENING DARK SPOT CORRECTING SERUM $88

This super lightweight, watery milk type serum is a highly concentrated formula of brightening active ingredients. Its extract of cherry blossom leaves with its strong moisturizing powers keeps skin hydrated and protected without looking greasy.

Diminish dark spots and moisturize with the BRIGHTENING MOISTURIZING EMULSION $65

This lotion is so light its more like a skin-milk than your run-of-the-mill moisturizer. It absorbs instantly and leaves your face looking hydrated (thanks to being chock full of hyaluronic acid) while rice powder absorbs excess sebum, leaving skin instantly matified without blocking the pores. 

Protect your skin from UV damage with the DAILY UV PROTECTOR SPF 30 PA +++ $45

Since receiving this product, I have been religiously using it every single day. Not just because it smells awesome and has a high SPF 30 protection against both UVA and UVB rays but mostly because it leaves my skin matte and velvety smooth, which in our humid climate is a huge plus!

With cocoa extract to reduce melanin and tyrosinase activity. Jasmine extract  to boost our skin's defense against free radicals. Vitamin E to protect the cells’ integrity and shea polyphenols to neutralize any aggression from heavy metals while detoxifying the cells, this sunscreen, offers great protection in a handy little bottle that can be slipped into even the smallest makeup pouch.

  

Nuxe White is available at all Beauty By Nature stores (VivoCity #01-06/07, Parkway Parade #B1-75/76, ION Orchard #B3-49/50)

We are giving away 10 products from the NUXE WHITE range. All you need to do is to decide which one you would love to try and let us know as well as follow these simple instructions:

1. Post your comment with your name and email address on this blog. Tell us which product you would like to win and why.
2. Like this post 
3. Like our FB page TheLXGers so you can stay tuned to all our giveaways and promotions
4. Share this post with your 7 friends, family, colleagues, you name it, keep sharing it on your personal FB page. The more you share the greater your chance of winning.