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.

LADY@LXG: Hair Be Gone - Soprano Session Part 2!

I had my second session of Soprano on the 14^th of June and just like I raved to Dr. Pang, I was thrilled as I only had to shave once in three-weeks. My underarm area was not only hair free, it also looked lighter, than when I used to shave, and the skin was much smoother.

When I entered the clinic, the nurses greeted me like an old friend and made me feel right at home. Paper towel was placed around the arm-holes of my blouse and my underarm area was cleaned with an alcohol wipe. A cool gel was then applied and the soprano laser was used to burn whatever remaining hair roots that escaped the first treatment. 

 
The procedure was very fast, around 10-minutes or less and completely painless. A feeling of mild heat was felt in the area but that was negligible. 

Afterwards the nurses cleaned the gel and applied a gentle moisturizer to the area and I was ready to head off to do some GSS shopping!

I seriously love this machine as you can see results after just one session and it is pain free and fuss free and best of all permanent!

 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/ 

My next session is a week away so stay tuned for more updates!

LADY@LXG: "P is for Panda!"

In the forests of China upon a tree-lined hill 

there lives a critter that doesn't look real

With a two-toned coat and a face so cute

This bear-like creature dines on bamboo shoots

With its ambling gait and toy-like face

It looks like something you'd win in a games arcade

This creature is a panda

Monochromatic and rare

We all love pandas, how could you not dare!

To celebrate Vesak Day in Singapore & Malaysia, Luxury Haven is collaborating with foodpanda on a Giveaway! 4 lucky creative bloggers will get some yummilicious prizes from foodpanda!

This Giveaway is hosted by Luxury Haven.

LADY@LXG: Hair Be Gone!!!

Hair, hair everywhere, except where I would rather have it be...

There is nothing more off-putting than a hairy woman. As sexist as it may sound, I do believe that if a woman wants to wear short skirts and sleeveless tops, she should ensure that she is hair-free in those areas, simply for hygienic, if not aesthetic reasons. 

I usually resort to shaving and epilating my underarms, but I wanted to find a permanent solution for my unwanted hair. I really didn’t like how my underarms looked darker after shaving and how I couldn’t apply deodorant directly after, and that’s how I came across SopranoXL. 

  

 SopranoXL is completely painless and safe for even those with tanned or darker skin tones, unlike IPL which can cause burns. This is because IPL devices emit non‑coherent polychromatic light and although the wavelength can be adjusted with filters, the spectrum is too broad and they don’t offer sufficient precision. While laser hair removal on the other hand uses “selective photothermolysis” through a device that makes light converge into a narrow beam with a single wavelength - making it more stable, measured and focussed. 

Here’s some basic science to explain how they both work to kill unwanted hair: lasers and IPL use photoepilation to kill unwanted hair follicles by converting light rays to heat in order to “burn” the hair follicle without injuring the skin. The rays target the melanin that pigments the hair. Unlike those of us with fair skin, those with darker skin contain melanin in both their hair and skin -  this means, darker skinned folk require high‑precision devices that can distinguish between melanin in the hair and melanin in the skin, or they could get burned.

For this experiment, I will be having five sessions of Soprano at The Sainte Chapelle Clinic with Aesthetic Doctor Aaron Pang, to see if all the hype about this machine is well deserved. I had my first session on the 14^th of May and two weeks later, my underarm hair growth has reduced tremendously. I only have to shave once a week and it remains perfectly hair-free for the whole week or more. 

If you are interested in ridding your hair from problem areas, seven sessions of SopranoXL for the underarms at The Sainte Chapelle Clinic is priced at $2300 (before GST), although the doctor usually recommends an eighth complimentary touch-up session to ensure permanent hairless-ness.

I will be undergoing a session every month from May till September 2013 and will post an update after each session to give you an idea on what to expect, how it feels and if its worth the investment. Today’s post is a bit wordy and scientific, only because I want you to understand why I chose SopranoXL over the more common and much cheaper IPL and why you should perhaps consider doing so too. In my next post, I will take you through the procedure and give you tips on what you should and should not do before the procedure.

For more information, contact Dr. Pang or his very helpful staff at The Sainte Chapelle Clinic, #B1-10, Marina Square. 6 Raffles Boulevard, S039594. Tel: 63363128. http://stchapelleclinic.com/

LXG SALE: ‘Visa My Finds’ launches with ‘Bigger Better Sale’

The Visa My Finds platform is being launched with two exciting offers! 

The first “find” provides Visa cardholders with exclusive Online Delivery Protection, free of charge for purchases made on Visa cards issued in Singapore. The coverage is for all online purchases for a period of six months from 30 May 2013 and provides protection against non-delivery and damaged items.

The second “find” will help Visa cardholders to get even better deals as part of the upcoming Bigger Better Sale. Singapore Shoppers will be offered further deals on top of existing discounted prices for goods and services.

On 30 May BiggerBetterSale.com will kick off with a 24 hour sale with up to 80 per cent off. Online shoppers can expect some of the most exciting and unique “finds” available from merchants such as Adidas, Jetstar, Luxola Zalora, Golden Village and Courts.

In addition to discounted prices, there will be giveaways and other exciting offers available for those that register for the sale such as:

·         Up to 80% off at Zalora.com plus S$20,000 in gifts and vouchers 

·     S$5.00 regular movie tickets at Golden Village booked via iGV mobile app - for movies on 31 May 

·        50% off selected items at Reebonz.com plus designer handbag giveaways 

·        S$34 ticket to Kuala Lumpur at Jetstar.com/sg (one-way, all inclusive) 

·        Travel deals as low as S$299 at Misa Travel (airfares.com.sg) 

·        Complimentary shipping vouchers for 100 lucky customers on vPost 

·        Discounts up to 65% at Courts

Thereafter for the next 9 days, these merchants will continue to offer a series of supplementary deals

and promotions for online shoppers to enjoy!

Visa cardholders should visit www.biggerbettersale.com today to register for the Bigger Better Sale to ensure they are ready to take advantage of the great deals when the sale goes live on 30 May.

Right now to mark the final day before Bigger Better Sale we have 3 amazing offers:

1. 1000 Free Golden Village movie tickets

2. 200 Premium Clipper Tea set worth $30

3. Finally if you are a TOP 3 biggest referrer by 8pm 31 May you will win one of our 3 luxury bags from Prada, Loewe and Gucci worth $3000!

To win just refer a minimum of 5 friends to sign up using your unique link, which will be emailed to you once you sign up.

                                                                                                             

For more information on Visa My Finds and to register for Visa Online Delivery Protection visit www.facebook.com/visasingapore.