[Material World x The Body Shop] Christmas Gifts For That Special Someone – Vanessa Tai

Christmas will be here in just a few days! By now, you’ve probably bought most of your Christmas presents already, but if you haven’t, not to worry. The Body Shop – already a hot favourite during the festive season for their gift sets – have upped the ante this year with even more variants, ensuring there’s something for everybody. Whether you’re on a tight budget or are looking for something unique, you can be sure you’ll find the perfect gift at The Body Shop.

To help speed up your gift-buying process, we’ve picked out four sets you can zoom in on when you visit the store:

For your boss … Vanilla Bliss Body & Lip Care Collection, $65.90

Comes with shower gel, body polish, body butter, and lip balm

She’s your mentor at work, and always has your back during inter-department meetings. Working so closely with her, you know exactly the kind of stress she faces. She probably doesn’t have a lot of time to indulge in spa treatments, so why not bring the indulgence to her home? The luxurious scent of vanilla combined with its rich, creamy texture will no doubt soothe any frazzled nerves.

For your best male buddy … White Musk® Sport Locker Room Essentials, $70.90

Comes with hair & body wash, antiperspirant deodorant, and Eau de Toilette

He’s the Harry Potter to your Hermione, or for fans of Mad Men, the Don Draper to your Peggy Olson. You can talk to him about anything, and he always knows what to say to make you laugh. And both of you agree your relationship is better off as it is – platonic. For your best male buddy (and for most men actually), a practical gift works best. This handy gift set has everything he’ll need when he hits the gym – hair & body wash, antiperspirant deodorant and even a 100-ml bottle of fragrance!

For your jet-setting BFF … Japanese Cherry Blossom Shower, Soften & Spritz Voyage Set, $65.90

Comes with shower gel, body lotion, Eau de Toilette, and Ultra Fine Mini Bath Lily Coral

She’s always taking off on a whim – one month she could be traipsing the streets of Paris, and another, exploring ancient ruins in Cambodia. For the frequent traveller, it can be comforting to have a familiar scent to return “home” to after a day of sightseeing. Cherry blossoms have a discreet, elegant scent, and leave your skin feeling refreshed.

For your younger sister … Shea Scrub & Soften Gift Set, $36.90

It’s never too early to introduce your younger sis to the joys of beauty and skincare. Get her started with this Shea Scrub & Soften set, which comes in an adorable snowman-shaped tin. With all her long hours spent mugging in the school library, she’ll need a good scrub-and-moisturise regime to keep her skin feeling silky smooth!

Purchase any of The Body Shop gift sets to contribute towards its Gingerbread School House Project. Check out The Body Shop’s website for a full listing of their stores in Singapore.

This post is brought to you by The Body Shop. The Body Shop worked with Material World to highlight some of its Christmas gift sets. All opinions are the author’s own. This post was not vetted by The Body Shop. Read our advertising policy here.

[Check out other posts in The Body Shop’s Christmas campaign with Material World below]
1. The Stories Behind Your Favourite The Body Shop Christmas Products
2. The Flavours Of Christmas!
3. Perfect Your Party Look
4. The Body Shop Gift Sets: The Material World Curation
5. Cheat Sheet For The Budget-Conscious

Gifting Tips From Celebs – Tan Lili

The clock is ticking, the malls are getting impossibly packed, your shopping list is nowhere near half-done, and you still have no flippin’ idea what to buy for your boyfriend’s aunt’s 18-year-old daughter. Don’t press the panic button just yet; TV personality Linda Black, actress Shine Koh, and Fly Entertainment artiste Oon Shu An share some gifting tips to help you power through the next two weeks of manic Christmas shopping.

Linda Black, TV personality:

“I’m more of a planner, and gift giving can be of particular anxiety for me. I usually start planning early and I try to take great joy in it. Depending on the friend and the kind of year we’ve had, I may go for something humorous or witty. Books make for great presents! Most of the time, I’ll get an array of gifts than kind of symbolise what this person means to me and how he/she makes me feel. I’m sentimental that way. But if I have to buy something for someone I barely know, I usually opt for alcohol or chocolates.

I think cards add a lovely touch when they are handwritten – even better if they are handmade! At the end of the day, gift giving should be fun, light, and always heartfelt. I never ever give a gift and expect one back. Just having friends over to have wine and share some laughs are the best gifts for someone like me who prefers to live in the moment.”

Shine Koh, actress:

“For good friends of mine, I buy presents based on what I know of their individual taste. If she’s into beauty, for example, I’ll probably get her one of the latest makeup sets. I always make it a point to personally wrap the gift and hand-make a card for those near and dear to me – handwritten messages beat a Facebook or Whatsapp message anytime! What if I don’t really know the gift recipient? Well, I’ll stick to something safe, like a mug!”

Oon Shu An, Fly Entertainment artiste:

“I’m rather attentive; I buy presents for my friends based on observations I’ve made about them over time. But sometimes, I’ll just ask them point-blank what they want! For friends I know well, I also tend to add a smaller novelty gift that reminds me of them. But whether the recipient is a close friend or someone I barely know, I like to get them a gift that gives back, such as the gift sets from The Body Shop. This way, you’re truly sharing the spirit of the festive season!

Photo from Fly Entertainment

The Body Shop GInger Sparkle Shower, Scrub And Moisture Collection, $39.90

White Musk Classic Shower, Soften and Spritz Set, $36.90

“Another fun idea would be to make presents from scratch, personalising each and every one – only if time permits, of course. For instance, if you’re into baking, you could create cake pops, cookies, cupcakes … I’m getting excited just thinking about the possibilities!”

Inspired by what Shu An shared about gifts that give back to the community? For every gift set purchased at The Body Shop, you’re helping towards The Gingerbread School House project. To find out more about the project, click here.

About The Author: A founder of Material World, Tan Lili has previously worked in magazines The Singapore Women’s Weekly and Cosmopolitan Singapore, as well as herworld.com (now herworldplus.com, the online counterpart of Her World). She is now a freelance writer who works on this website full-time. Lili hopes to travel the world, work with wild animals, and discover more awesome Twilight fan-fiction. Follow her on Twitter @TanLiliTweets.

[If you enjoyed this story, you may like]
1. The Flavours Of Christmas
2. Cheat Sheet For The Budget-Conscious
3. The Stories Behind Your Favourite The Body Shop Christmas Products
4. Perfect Your Party Look 

[Material World x The Body Shop] Cheat Sheet For The Budget-Conscious – Tan Lili

There are mainly two types of Christmas shoppers: the super-generous, and the budget-conscious. As someone who stepped into the frugal world of entrepreneurship this year, I definitely belong to the latter.

For the budget-conscious, the holiday season can be a stressful affair of scouring for unique presents that don’t burn a hole in their pockets. Which is why this year, with some help from The Body Shop, I’ve come up with a Christmas shopping cheat sheet.

Play Secret Santa
Have an annual gift-exchange tradition with your circle of close friends? Why not play Secret Santa instead? At least two weeks before, take turns drawing names so each of you only needs to buy one present. And, of course, agree on a budget and stick to it.

Pre-Loved Challenge
Propose this fun idea when you meet your good friends: Rather than spend money on presents, bring something you already have at home that you think would be better suited for your friend. It works like a swop, really. For instance, two months ago, something possessed you to buy a lipstick in a shade you’d never wear; now’s the perfect opportunity to gift it to your colour-crazy buddy in exchange for something you’ll love.

Shop Solo
If you’re planning to go Christmas shopping with your girlfriends this week, think again. A UK study showed that more than two-thirds of women who shopped with a female friend ended up spending more money than those who trawled the shops alone.

Wallet-Friendly Gifts
You can always count on The Body Shop for great gift sets that don’t bust your budget. What I love about them is the sheer variety of gift sets available; whoever you’re buying the present for – your mum, your sister, your boss, your BFF, or your acquaintance – you’ll certainly find a suitable one from The Body Shop. This also cuts Christmas shopping time into half because you can check off at least half the names on your to-buy-for list! Another awesome thing about The Body Shop gift sets? Every gift set purchased from The Body Shop this festive season will help towards The Gingerbread School House project. To learn more about this project, click here.

Here are some of the affordable gift sets available:

Cranberry Joy Mini Manicure Set, $14.90
Perfect for the one who sports a different nail colour every two weeks!

Consists of Hand Cream (30ml) and Mini Nail File

Mango Lip & Softening Gift Set, $19.90
LOVE the packaging, and the mango scent is heavenly.

Consists of Body Butter (50ml) and Lip Butter (10ml)

Chocomania Mini Cupcake Gift, $14.90
Have a friend whose highlight of the day is bathtime? This has her name on it.

Consists of Shower Cream (60ml), Mini Heart Soap (25g), 2 x Ultra Fine Bath Lily Orange

Gingerbread Man Wash Sponge, $9.90
This is so adorable, you’d be tempted to get one for yourself!

Gingerbread Man Wash Sponge

Purchase any of The Body Shop gift sets to contribute towards its Gingerbread School House Project. Check out The Body Shop’s website for a full listing of their stores in Singapore.

This post is brought to you by The Body Shop. The Body Shop worked with Material World on this post to highlight some of the wallet-friendly gift sets available at The Body Shop. All opinions are the author’s own. This post was not vetted by The Body Shop. Read our advertising policy here.

[Check out other posts in The Body Shop’s Christmas campaign with Material World below]
1. The Stories Behind Your Favourite The Body Shop Christmas Products
2. The Flavours Of Christmas!
3. Perfect Your Party Look
4. The Body Shop Gift Sets: The Material World Curation

[Material World X The Body Shop] Skincare Tips For The Party Season – Deborah Tan

Nothing beats 8 hours of sleep so be sure you get enough of it this festive season!

And what do you know? IT’S DECEMBER, ALREADY!

The month of feasting, partying, celebrating and vacationing is upon us and we should all be ready to face it – literally – with glowing complexions and radiant smiles. And if your skin is … ummm … a little on the unsatisfactory side, help is here in the form of The Body Shop’s awesome skincare offerings. Yes, the party season isn’t only about makeup and colours, it’s also about making sure your skin gets the best care it requires so you can put your best face forward.

Below are four common skin crises women in Singapore often suffer from during the festive season, and the recommended remedies from The Body Shop that can help you ride them out with ease.

1. A Surprise Attack By The Pimple Parade

What happened?!?
Your hormones are being thrown off balance with all that stress trying to plan the Party Of The Year. When that happens, it’s inevitable the zits will come a-visiting. If you are concerned with over-drying, then The Body Shop’s award-winning Tea Tree range of products are definitely made for you in mind. Promising clearer skin in 3 days without causing over-drying, The Body Shop’s community fair trade tea tree oil is harvested by a collective of Kenyan farmers, half of them women. Through this initiative, the community is able to work on projects to improve its living standards.

Try These:
1. The Body Shop Tea Tree Cool & Creamy Wash, $20.90
The creamy texture cleanses the skin without stripping it of moisture. You’ll love the cool, refreshing feel as you massage the cleanser on your skin. It doesn’t lather up into a foamy wash but it still effectively melts away any oil and dirt.

2. The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil, $18.90
Target your zits the natural way with this best-seller and award-winner. The anti-bacterial property of pure tea tree oil will soothe and clear blemished skin without causing any irritation or dryness.

 

2. Your Skin Is Destination Inhospitable

What happened?!?
With an event happening every day and every night, it’s no wonder your skin is screaming, “Gimme a break!” If you’re finding it hard to put on your makeup (the foundation just wouldn’t stay on, for example), try to prep your skin with a few drops of super-hydrating serum.

Try This:
The Body Shop Nutriganics Drops Of Youth, $58.90
A lightweight serum made from community traded babassu oil and plant stem cells of criste-marine, a plant found on the rocky Brittany coastline, Drops Of Youth improves surface skin condition by improving smoothness and firmness. It’s hydrating and softens skin so that it can be well prepped for your makeup again.

 

 

3. Can Someone Please Turn The Radiance Switch On?

What happened?!?
All this joy and happiness surrounding you, you’d think it’s easy to spot a glow, right? No. All the partying and late nights can exert a toll on your skin. Because you’re not resting enough, your immune system is trying to keep your major organs healthy and so has no time to repair your skin. Cue dull skin and tired-looking eyes.

Try These:
1. The Body Shop Vitamin C Facial Radiance Capsules, $45.90 for 28 capsules
After cleansing your face, twist open a capsule of this, massage the serum into your skin before applying your usual night cream. Its power combo on camu camu berry, orange oil and blackcurrant extract will feed your skin with a dose of restorative vitamin C as you sleep.

2. The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost, $39.90
Containing camu camu berry – which boasts 20 times more vitamin C than an orange, this light gel can be used before your daily moisturiser to give your skin the help it needs to survive the day, and help you look radiant while you’re going about your errands.

 

4. Wanted: Extra, Extra, Extra TLC

What happened?!?
Sorry to break this news to you: your skin would really rather prefer to stay home. Because out there, it is subjected to smoke, pollution, and a whole host of environmental aggressors, which could then lead to early signs of ageing on the skin. What you need is to set your makeup with fine mist of vitamin E to neutralise cell-damaging free radicals.

Try This:
The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist, $20.90
With its mild rosewater scent, this face mist is moisture and skin protection on-call. Mist it over your face after makeup to help set the colours, or use it after a day out in the sun or walking along the busy streets. With glycerine and liposomes to help restore skin’s moisture balance, your skin will be soothed and protected all day and all night long!

Need extra help? Then try The Body Shop’s online skincare diagnostic tool here!

This post is brought to you by The Body Shop. The Body Shop worked with Material World on this post to highlight some of its skincare products that can help you look your best for the festive season, all opinions are the author’s own.

[Check out other posts in The Body Shop’s Christmas campaign with Material World below]
1. The Stories Behind Your Favourite The Body Shop Christmas Products

2. The Flavours Of Christmas!

3. Perfect Your Party Look

4. The Body Shop Gift Sets: The Material World Curation

The Body Shop Gift Sets: The Material World Curation – Denise Li

I’m pretty sure you’ll agree when with me I say that there’s something about The Body Shop’s products that evoke a sense of joy; not just in the giver or receiver of these wonderful gift sets, but also the developing communities around the world who benefit by providing The Body Shop with the ingredients needed to produce these products.

It’s no secret that the girls at Material World are also big fans of the brand. But we know that it can be overwhelming deciding what to buy cos there are just so many sets and products to choose from. Here, we help you narrow it down with 8 choices.

Oh, and we’ll be at The Body Shop’s roadshow at JEM this coming Friday, December 6, from 11.30am – 2.30pm, and 5.30pm – 8pm to join in the festivities and help sell the products you see here. Remember, with every set you’ll buy, you’ll be contributing to The Gingerbread School House project, which aims to build five new schools in developing communities.

If you happen to be at Jurong East during that time, we hope you’ll drop by, say Hi, and pick up some pressies for your loved ones at the same time. See you there!

Deborah’s picks

1. Ginger Sparkle Shower, Scrub & Moisture Collection, $39.90
I love the warming scent of ginger. Ginger is also one of my favourite flavours for desserts! This entire set comes in a cute gingerbread man tin, so just looking at it makes me feel super cheerful already!

Ginger Sparkle Shower, Scrub and Moisture Collection, $39.90

2. Honeymania Shower, Scrub & Soften Collection, $39.90
If cranberry, vanilla, and ginger still don’t do it for you, then opt for the super luxurious, ultra pampering Honeymania range. Made with honey harvested in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly manner, the Honeymania body butter is bound to make you feel as delicious as a honeycomb dessert!

Honeymania Shower, Scrub and Soften Collection, $39.90

Vanessa’s picks

1. Cranberry Joy Mini Manicure Set, $14.90
“With all the parties you have to attend during the festive season, you may not have time to make a trip to your manicurist. But with this mini nail file and hand cream, you can ensure your hands and nails stay beautifully moisturised. Plus, who can resist the delicious cranberry scent?”

Cranberry Joy Mini Manicure Set, $14.90

2. Slanted Kabuki Brush, $32.90
“This is a versatile tool that can be used to dust blush or bronzer n your cheeks, or glitter powder on your body. And there’s something about its cute, chubby shape that really appeals to me too.”

Slanted Kabuki Brush, $32.90

Lili’s picks:

1. White Musk Classic Shower, Soften & Spritz Set, $36.90
“Did you know White Musk is the first-ever synthetic musk created to replace real musk, which is extracted from the civet deer using cruel methods? Feminine, sensual and timeless, White Musk is the first fragrance I bought and, to this day, still remains one of my favourites.”

White Musk Classic Shower, Soften and Spritz Set, $36.90

2. Born Lippy Fruit Lip Balms, $36.90
“You can always count on Born Lippy Lip Balms to give your lips a juicy pout. The fruit-flavoured balms also add a bit of colour to your lips, as well as provide moisturising and conditioning benefits. Shaped like a lollipop, this set makes for one lip-lickingly good Christmas gift!”

Born Lippy Fruity Lip Balms, $36.90

Denise’s picks

1. Shea Scrub & Soften Gift Set, $36.90
“As someone who showers three to four times a day due to an active lifestyle, my skin is frequently parched. That’s why I need a super moisturising product like The Body Shop Shea Body Butter to keep it skin from feeling dry and itchy. This product contains three Community Fair Trade ingredients: cocoa butter from Ghana, babassu oil from Brazil, and beeswax from Zambia.”

Shea Scrub and Soften Gift Set, $36.90

2. Festive Pendant Diffuser, $12.90
“As a scent junkie, I like it when the environment around me smells good too. This is a nifty little thing that you can  hang on your door knob or Christmas tree. Simply put a few drops of your favourite The Body Shop Fragrance Oil and let the scent diffuse. This year, I’m going to use it with the Vanilla Bliss Home Fragrance Oil.”

Festive Pendant Diffuser, $12.90

About the Author: Denise Li is a founder of Material World and a freelance writer-editor. Before that, she spent a few years in the Features section of CLEO and Cosmopolitan Singapore. She considers Chiang Mai her spiritual home and makes it a point to head there for a yearly pilgrimage. She’s also a fitness buff and enjoys boxing, running and the occasional yoga session. Follow her on Twitter @DeniseLiTweets.

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[Material World x The Body Shop] Perfect Your Party Look

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[Material World x The Body Shop] Perfect Your Party Look – Denise Li

The festive season is possibly the best time of the year to add to your makeup collection? Why? Three words: Special edition palettes. What better way to step out of your makeup comfort zone than by experimenting with sparkly eye palettes and bright lips?

This year, The Body Shop has introduced quite a number of new makeup products to get your primped and prepped for all those Christmas parties you’ll be attending. Plus, the products have been neatly categorised into “light to medium” and “medium to dark” skintones so you can immediately zoom into the ones that are right for you.

For Light To Medium Skintones

(Special Edition) 4-step Smoky Eye Palette in Smoky Brown, $39.90

4-step Smoky Eye Palette in Smoky Brown, $39.90

Colour Crush Lipstick in Red Siren and (New) Sweet Coral, $22.90 each, have been enriched with Community Fair Trade marula oil for a creamy finish.

Colour Crush in Red Siren, $22.90, is great for those prefer a matte finish.

Colour Crush Sweet Coral, $22.90, has a shimmery finish.

(Special Edition) The Sparkler in Enchanting Gold, $39.90, can be used on your face, hair, and decolletage to give you all over radiance.

The Sparkler in Enchanting Gold, $39.90

Check out this video for tips on how to get the look:

For Medium To Dark Skintones

(Special Edition) 4-step Smoky Eye Palette in Icy Plum, $39.90

4-step Smoky Eye Palette in Icy Plum

(New) Carbon Eye Definer in Plum, $19.90, is what you need to give your smoky eye even more oomph

Carbon Eye Definer in Plum, $39.90

Colour Crush Lipstick in The Right Mauves and (New) Peachy Pink, $22.90

Colour Crush in The Right Mauves, $22.90 (Also, I can’t resist a good pun!)

Colour Crush Lipstick In Peachy Pink, $22.90

(Special Edition) The Sparkler in Boudoir Pink, $39.90, will give skin a gorgeous warm shimmer.

The Sparkler in Boudoir Pink, $39.90

And to find out how to get the look, check out this handy video:

Suitable for All Skin Tones

(Special Edition) Shimmer Bauble, $34.90. Dust some along your jawline, forehead and cheeks to give your features a more 3D effect.

Shimmer Bauble, $39.90

The Material World Test-drive

As I’m pretty fair, I used the products for light to medium skintones to create the Golden Brown Look.

What I used:

All-In-One BB Cream in 01, $32.90, as the base.
4-step Smoky Eye Palette
The Sparkler in Enchanting Gold
Shimmer Bauble
Colour Crush Lipstick In Red Hot Raspberry

Colour Crush Lipstick in Red Hot Raspberry, $22.90

Barefaced

The finished look. The glow you see is all thanks to makeup by The Body Shop. No Photoshop or photo-editing software was used to touch up this picture.

Deborah had been raving about The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream to me for some time but I’d always been skeptical as I haven’t been able to find a BB cream that suited my yellowish skin tone. The Body Shop’s is probably the first one that has. It also provided adequate hydration on the drier parts of my face and helped makeup adhere better to my skin.

I’m very particular about the textures of products I use on my eyes and I’m happy to report that the 4-step Smoky Eye Palette glides on smooth. On first application, you’ll find that it’s not super pigmented, which is great for newbies who are new to the smoky eye. For experts, not to worry – it’s easy to build colour for a more dramatic look. Another huge plus point is that palette comes with two brushes – a flat one and a slanted one. The latter will help with application of the darker colour at the corners of your eyes to give them depth. The slanted brush is also very useful for lining eyes. I really liked how the palette helped bring out my brown eyes!

A closeup of my eye makeup

While I was wary of using Shimmer Bauble and The Sparkler because I didn’t want to end up looking like a Christmas tree, I actually ended up loving the effects. I dusted some of the Shimmer Bauble on my cheekbones, forehead and jawline, and this gave my skin a healthy glow, while The Sparkler added extra radiance. The Sparkler’s “puff” applicator helps evenly disperse the product so you won’t have to worry about having too much of it landing on one part of your face.

As I didn’t go full-on smoky eye, I felt that I could get away with a bright pink lip. I really like this look and best of all, I got it done in under 10 minutes. Party central, here I come!

While you’re at The Body Shop shopping for your makeup, don’t forget to pick up some of its Christmas gift sets for your loved ones too. Check out some of Material World’s recommendations, and read this post to find out how you’ll be contributing to the building of schools in developing communities. Check out The Body Shop’s website for a full listing of their stores in Singapore. 

This post is brought to you by The Body Shop. The Body Shop worked with Material World to introduce its Christmas makeup collections. All opinions are the author’s own. This post was not vetted by The Body Shop.  Read our advertising policy here.

[Material World x The Body Shop] The Flavours Of Christmas! – Deborah Tan

The festive season is always an exciting period for fans of The Body Shop. It’s when the brand reveals its holiday selection of body products bearing special-edition gourmand scents. This year, The Body Shop’s Christmas selection has 3 ranges – Cranberry Joy, Ginger Sparkle, and Vanilla Bliss – all aimed at evoking the heart-warming joy and sumptuous treats we have come to associate the holiday season with.

1. Cranberry
Used in recipes such as cranberry sauce to accompany roast turkey or as mincemeat for pies, the tart flavour of cranberry cuts through the richness of butter and gravy, so you can … eat some more! In Cranberry Joy, this mouth-watering fruity fragrance is an instant pick-me-up, best for when you are feeling all hung over from a night of partying.

My personal favourite: Cranberry Joy Body Polish

The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Body Polish, $20.90

A scrub in the shower first thing in the morning is one of the best ways to get the blood circulation going. The crushed walnut shell provides the gentle exfoliation and massage action to slough away all surface dead skin cells. You’ll feel absolutely renewed after a minute or two of massaging this on your skin! The berry scent is uplifting and you’ll feel instantly happier – it’s like breakfast for your skin! You’ll be glowing with radiance after this!

2. Ginger
Nothing makes you feel toastier than a gingerbread and, the cheeriest way to eat it would be in the form of a gingerbread man! Ginger is also a traditional home remedy for colds and cramps, added to tea to relieve cold feet and hands. In Ginger Sparkle, The Body Shop has infused this spicy fragrance into its range of body products to add a zing into your bodycare regime. The scent is somewhat reminiscent of gingerbeer – warm, addictive, and definitely fun!

My personal favourite: Ginger Sparkle Body Butter

The Body Shop Ginger Sparkle Body Butter, $32.90

I’ve been suffering from the flu for a week now and I am so glad for the Ginger Sparkle Body Butter. The scent is so comforting – it seems to be the only thing I can actually smell. The body butter is made from Community Fair Trade cocoa butter. The gingerbread man on the lid of the tub is such a cheerful addition, it never fails to bring a smile to my face every time I look at it!

3. Vanilla
Although a common flavouring in cookies, cakes, and custards, vanilla is actually the second-most expensive spice after saffron. Its creamy floral bouquet imparts an indulgent flavour to desserts, making them a treat to the tastebuds. In body products, the vanilla scent has a relaxing and calming effect on the mind, great as a pre-bedtime treat.

My personal favourite: Vanilla Bliss Heart Soap and Hand Cream

The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Hand Cream and Heart Soap, $12.90 and $6.90 respectively

I’ve always detested the harsh “chemical” smell of hand cleansers but this soap creates a creamy lather and leaves behind a delicate scent. Just the right size for hands too, this is a pretty soap to leave at the sink whenever you have guests over. If you are looking to give your hands more TLC, The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Hand Cream is a great follow-up. It comes in a handy (pardon the pun) 30ml tube that would fit into your handbag.

Besides the body polish, body butter, heart soap and hand cream, each of The Body Shop holiday edition also comes with shower gel, shimmer lotion, lip balm, reed diffuser and home fragrance oil. Gift sets, attractively wrapped, are available too for your shopping convenience. See below for some ideas!

Remember, every gift set purchased from The Body Shop this festive season will help towards The Gingerbread School House project. To learn more about this project, click here.

The Body Shop Festive Body Butter Trio, $29.90. For those who want ALL 3 holiday editions in one useful set!

The Body Shop GInger Sparkle Shower, Scrub And Moisture Collection, $39.90. Possibly the cutest thing you can get a friend for Christmas!

The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Hand Care Duo, $29.90. The easy-to-use pump bottles are a dream come true!

Purchase any of The Body Shop gift sets to contribute towards its Gingerbread School House Project. Check out The Body Shop’s website for a full listing of their stores in Singapore. 

This post is brought to you by The Body Shop. The Body Shop worked with Material World to introduce its 3 holiday editions – Cranberry Joy, Ginger Sparkle, and Vanilla Bliss. All opinions are the author’s own. This post was not vetted by The Body Shop.  Read our advertising policy here.

[Material World x The Body Shop] The Stories Behind Your Favourite The Body Shop Christmas Products – Denise Li

You know by now that The Body Shop (TBS) is active in promoting a few humanitarian causes. Ensuring long-term employment and sustainability in developing countries, fair trade practices, and promoting awareness about the trafficking of young children are just but a few that The Body Shop is involved in.

All these sounds like causes worth your support, but you might be a little hazy on the details. Exactly who benefits from TBS’ programmes, and what do they entail? As season of giving draws near, and you ponder your ever-growing list of people to buy gifts for, perhaps now’s the time to get up to speed. All the better for you to make informed purchasing choices that won’t just delight the recipient, but also the communities that supply The Body Shop with the products you love.

The Big Goal: To build five schools around the world in areas where The Body Shop has Community Fair Trade Partners.

How: TBS has to raise close to $400,000 from the sale of Christmas gifts.

Asia

Teddy High School, Tamil Nadu, Southern India

Teddy Exports, Southern India: Teddy Exports, based in Tamil Nadu, is TBS’ first Community Fair Trade Supplier. The partnership has seen the opening of the Teddy Trust School in 1994. Graduates from this school have gone on pursue careers in medicine and IT. But what’s truly special about Teddy Trust School is that it is the only school in Tamil Nadu to help children with learning disabilities integrate into mainstream education. This year, TBS hopes to build a special needs school so children with learning and physical disabilities can gain access to a more specialised and focused education. Teddy Exports employs 400 skilled workers from 61 villages and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, caste, disability or HIV status. They provide TBS with wooden massagers, accessories and cosmetic bags.

Tara Projects, Northern India: Tara Projects supports artisanal groups across Northern India and TBS was its first international customer. This valuable experience aided Tara Projects to go on and clinch projects with other major overseas customers. Through the money raised from the sale of Christmas gifts, Tara Projects will build a new school in Agra to support the education of some 150 children. This school will offer flexible learning for children who often have to work to help support their families. Tara Projects provides TBS with its Home Fragrance Soapstone Oil Burner.

Kamla Devi and her family

Kamla Devi, 36, is one of the beneficiaries of Tara Projects. This is her story:

I came from Sirkot, a village in District Almora in Uttrakhand. My father was a small and poor farmer and could not afford to send me to school. Instead, I had to learn how to farm alongside my family members. When I was 20, I was married off. After marriage I came to live in Agra with my husband and his extended family. Since there was no work available in my husband’s village, he migrated to Agra in search of a better livelihood, but he had no special skills. He learnt how to cut the soapstone in a local workshop and earned enough to survive with the family, but eventually had to stop working due to a neurological disorder. His condition did not improve much even with medical treatment, but at least he was spared the agony of being paralysed.  The cost of treatment took a toll on my family and we had to take a loan with high interest to pay for the medical bills. Now, he spends most of his time at home. To support the family, I learnt how to make statues of gods and goddesses, which are then sold at the market. We are lucky to have a roof over our heads, and that we own this property so we don’t have to pay rent every month.

The education of Kamla’s four children is supported through Tara Projects’ informal learning centre and private school. They also receive stationery, games, and nutritional supplements through Tara’s programme.

The beneficiaries of Get Paper Industries, Nepal

Get Paper Industries, Nepal: Get Paper Industries have been providing handmade paper gift bags and boxes to TBS since 1989, and has employed up to 700 women. More women than men are employed, and women are paid the same wage as men, a phenomenon not often seen in Nepal. Through TBS’ efforts, they hope to build a new high school to educate children between the ages of 16 to 18. This adds on to the existing Anita Milan Academy, one of the first schools to be built in the Kathmandu area.

Central America

The community that will benefit from the building of the new school in San Jose de la Llorona, Honduras.

Poligono Foundation, Honduras: Poligono has a small manufacturing unit located in Santa Rosa de Copan in western Honduras. This centre provides professional, technical and social training to young people from low-income families. TBS would like to help build a school for the children of 38 families in the village of San Jose de la Llorona. There is currently no school in the surrounding area, and children have to walk 5km each day to get to the nearest school. Poligono Foundation provides TBS with its high quality loofahs.

Gladis with her daughter Maria, and grandchildren

Dona Gladis Navarette lives in the community of San Jose de la Llorona and is the president of the Village Development Committee. She has 12 grandchildren who will stand to benefit from the new school that will be built in the village. Here’s what she has to say:

The village is in a very rural area and, to get to the nearest school, children have to walk over 5km, crossing a large hill along the way. When it rains, they are unable to get to school as one of the rivers they have to cross doesn’t have a bridge. The road leading to the school is also extremely dangerous as it is used by drug traffickers who want to avoid checkpoints on the main road. Recently, a man robbed some of the children at gunpoint. Furthermore, the children are so exhausted by the trek that they are unable to concentrate on their studies. Our children won’t have to make the tiring and dangerous trek once the new school has been built. Education is important because I have seen the hardship that comes with being illiterate. If you are able to read, many doors will open.”

Africa

A school in southern Ghana

Kuapa Kokoo, Ghana: TBS has been working with the Kuapa Kokoo Company since 1996, The company is based in southern Ghana and is a fair trade cooperative with over 78,000 small-scale farmers. They provide TBS with cocoa butter to make their super popular body butters. The money from the sale of TBS Christmas products will go to building a new junior high school in the village of Betenase in the Sefwi Wiawso District of western Ghana so children will not have to trek long distances to get to the closest school.

How You Can Help

The Gingerbread School House

Simply purchase any of The Body Shop’s Christmas gift sets and products. Part of the proceeds will go towards the TBS school-building fund.

Check out The Body Shop’s website for a full listing of their stores in Singapore. 

Material World worked with The Body Shop to present the information you see here. Read our advertising policy here.

About the Author: Denise Li is a founder of Material World and a freelance writer-editor. Before that, she spent a few years in the Features section of CLEO and Cosmopolitan Singapore. She considers Chiang Mai her spiritual home and makes it a point to head there for a yearly pilgrimage. She’s also a fitness buff and enjoys boxing, running and the occasional yoga session. She can’t wait to get her hands on The Body Shop Ginger Sparkle Body Butter. Follow her on Twitter @DeniseLiTweets.

Insider Tips From Celebrity Makeup Artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis – Vanessa Tai

Lan Nguyen-Grealis

If you said Lan Nguyen-Grealis fell into the makeup industry by accident, you wouldn’t be wrong. True story: 12 years ago, she was working part-time as a receptionist at a London photography studio that also provided makeover services. One particularly hectic day, her shorthanded employers asked her to help with the makeovers. From there, Lan discovered she had a natural flair for makeup, and she started helping out with makeovers on a regular basis. One thing led to another and she soon found herself designing key looks for the various fashion shows across Europe and doing the make up for celebrities like American actresses Jena Malone, Michelle Williams and Kimberly Wyatt. Apart from being a highly sought-after makeup artist, Lan is also a published author who’s working on a new book slated for publication in 2014.

Lan was also the Head Makeup Artist for The Body Shop at London Fashion Scout, an international showcase of up-and-coming designers. She has also helped create many makeup tutorials on The Body Shop’s Youtube page. Lan was recently in Singapore to helm a team of makeup artists for The Body Shop at Digital Fashion Week 2013. With The Body Shop being the official makeup sponsor, Lan created the makeup looks for each of the 11 shows, demonstrated live makeup tutorials and did the makeovers for celebrity models such as Jessica Amornkuldilok from Asia’s Next Top Model and Devyn Abdullah from The Face. In between her whirlwind trip to Singapore, we managed to sit her down for a quick chat on all things beauty.

Tell us a bit more about the looks you created for DFW 2013’s runway shows.
Before creating a makeup look, I would speak with the designer and look through their collections to find out the type of woman they’ll like to portray. A running theme for this year’s shows seemed be natural, beautiful skin with just a tinge of colours – pinks, oranges and pastels.

The Body Shop 4-Step Smoky Eye Palette in Smoky Brown

You’ve won so many awards during your career. Which one are you most proud of?
Definitely the “Golden Mask Award” for Makeup Art, which I won earlier this year. This award is usually given to lifetime achievers so to be given to someone my age was a real encouragement boost. What makes me even prouder is how critics in film, fashion and theatre from all over the world choose the winner. Knowing that so many people appreciate my work makes me feel I’m doing meaningful work.

Where do you usually go to get inspiration for your work?
I enjoy visiting museums like the Tate Modern or National Portrait Gallery to get inspiration on lighting, colours and concepts. A lot of my inspiration also comes from theatre, fantasy films and old films.

What are some of the upcoming makeup trends for winter?
This season, it’s going to be all about the eyes. Think smoky, grungy, bold and metallic eye shadows and eyeliners that are either lightly smudged or strong graphic eyeliners. For the skin, you’ll want to have it lightly flushed with a matte finish. For your lips, berry and plum colours are right on-trend. You can easily create this look with The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream for that flawless complexion; and The Body Shop Winter Trend Special Edition Makeup Collection. The collection comes with a 4-Step Smoky Eye Palette in Brown or Plum, and Colour Crush Lipsticks in berry pink and plum colours.

(From left) The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream, $32.90; The Body Shop 4-Step Smoky Eye Palette in Icy Plum, $39.90 and The Body Shop Colour Crush Lipstick, $22.90

The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain, $22.90

Any makeup tips for women living in tropical Singapore?
Don’t be afraid of colours – you can never go wrong with bold eye and lip colours. If you’re worried your blusher may melt off by mid-day, start with a cream blusher (Lan recommends The Body Shop’s Lip and Cheek Stain) then set it with a powder blush. For a brighter complexion, go ahead and mix foundations to get the right shade for your skin tone.

What is one makeup item every woman should own?
Definitely a highlighter, like The Body Shop Radiant Highlighter. Even when you’re tired or your complexion looks dull, it’ll brighten you up immediately.

The Body Shop Radiant Highlighter, $26.90

Finally, can you share with us one little-known professional makeup trick?
Before you apply your foundation, be sure to use a mattifying primer. It acts as a barrier between the makeup and your skin, locks in moisture in your skin and helps makeup last much longer too. Try The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Pore Minimiser. It’s made with organic tea tree oil to help smooth, prime and mattify your skin.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser, $32.90

About The Author: Vanessa Tai is a founder of Material World who has previously worked on magazines Simply Her and Cosmopolitan Singapore. Now a freelance writer and a full-time contributor to this website, the 26-year-old dreams of attending every single major music festival before she turns 30. Follow her on Twitter @VannTaiTweets.

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