Beauty Review: The Body Shop Body Sorbet – Vanessa Tai

The Body Shop has just launched a range of summer moisturisers, and Vanessa Tai simply can’t get enough of them!

Living in Singapore brings about a slew of skincare conundrums. What do I mean? Well, the weather is hot and humid, but we are also perpetually moving in and out of air-conditioned environments. This is why when I look for a body moisturiser, there are two important factors I look out for – 1) how well it keeps my skin hydrated; and 2) a non-sticky texture so that my skin doesn’t feel gluey or clammy when I’m out and about.

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Sorbet

The Body Shop Body Sorbet gets it right on both counts, and then some. I recently tried the Strawberry variant, and was completely wowed by its texture. It feels like you’re applying a frozen Slushie all over your skin (pro tip: place your Body Sorbet in the fridge for an even more refreshing sensation). The product sank into my skin almost instantly, and didn’t leave behind any greasy residue. Whenever I use other moisturisers, I’ll usually have to use a piece of tissue paper to clean the sticky streaks from my fingers, but it was not the case with this body sorbet.

Another thing I liked was how it kept my skin feeling cool and refreshed, even when I was out and about under the hot sun. I guess it’s not surprising, considering how each body sorbet is made with 100 percent Organic Community Fair Trade Aloe Vera from Guatemala. If you recall, I’m a huge fan of The Body Shop’s aloe vera products. That’s because they are very selective about where they source their ingredients from, so as to ensure the sustainability of the local communities.

I’m also happy to report that after a day of being cooped up in an air-conditioned office, my skin still felt soft and smooth, so yay!

Apart from the Strawberry variant (which is made using cold-pressed strawberry seed oil), The Body Shop Body Sorbet range also includes the Satsuma (made with cold-pressed satsuma oil from Argentina), Mango (made with mango oil from India), and Moringa (made with cold-pressed seed oil from handpicked moringa pods).

Win a $130 hamper from The Body Shop!

Here’s what you need to do to qualify:

1. Find the Sorbet Cart, which will be making its appearance at the places and times stated below.

2. Take a picture and post it up on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Include the hashtags #SpotTheSorbetCart and #TBSxMaterial World in your post. Remember to set your post to Public.

3. The best picture will win a hamper containing a Vitamin E Aqua Boost Sorbet and Body Sorbets, so get creative!

Find the Sorbet Cart here!

21 June (Saturday)

12pm to 2pm – ION Orchard
1pm to 3pm – Plaza Singapore Level 1
1pm to 3pm – Causeway Point Level 1
2pm to 6pm – Orchard Road
4pm to 6pm – Tampines MRT

22 June (Sunday)

12pm to 2pm – ION Orchard B2
1pm to 3pm – Bugis Level 1
1pm to 3pm – JEM Level 1
2pm to 6pm – Orchard Road
4pm to 6pm – Tampines MRT

This post is in no way paid for or advised by The Body Shop. The author was given a set of The Body Shop Body Sorbets for review purposes. You may read our advertising policy here. The Body Shop Body Sorbet is available at $19.90 each at all The Body Shop outlets.

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 27-year-old dreams of attending every single major music festival before she turns 30. Follow her on Twitter @VannTaiTweets.

What Does Vitamin E Really Do? – Vanessa Tai

While trying out The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil, I was curious to find out how exactly does Vitamin E benefit my skin. Here’s what I found out:

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil is formulated with wheatgerm oil, which has a very high content of Vitamin E. This skincare treat is perfect for combating the free radicals in your skin.

As I’m constantly moving in and out of the sun into air-conditioned environments, my skin tends to look and feel dull and fatigued. I applied two pearl-sized drops of the serum-in-oil on my face each night before sleep, and awoke to a fresher, rejuvenated complexion. What I liked about this serum was that its lightweight texture, which allows my skin breathe, and is suitable for our tropical climate.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil, $42.90

This post is in no way paid for or advised by The Body Shop. The writer was given a bottle for review purposes. You may read our advertising policy here. The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil is available at $42.90 at all The Body Shop outlets.

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.

[If You Like This Post, You Might Also Like]

1. Beauty Review: The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Gel
2. Beauty Review: The Body Shop Honeymania Range
3. Beauty Review: The Body Shop BFF Makeover Service

Beauty Review: The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Gel – Vanessa Tai

Recently, there was a cut on my left eyelid, which was probably due to me scratching myself in my sleep (hey, it happens!) Anyway, the cut hurt, and soon became scabby. It made applying eye makeup difficult – my eyeshadow would appear uneven and flaky, and when I applied my eyeliner, I had to “dodge” the spot where the cut was.

Probably tired of my endless griping about how this cut was taking forever to heal, Deborah (who sits opposite me in our office) passed me a tube of The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Gel. “Here, use this,” she said, “It will help.”

The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Gel

While I’ve used aloe vera gel to soothe sunburns previously, I never thought to use it on cuts before. This new product from The Body Shop is made from 100% organic aloe vera, so what we’re getting is a pure, concentrated formula. I applied a bead-sized amount of gel on my cut, and the cooling sensation instantly eased the stinging sensation I’ve been enduring for days. Even better, after the gel had dried, I could apply my eye makeup with ease!

Because it’s created with no added fragrance, parabens or colourants, the Aloe Soothing Gel was gentle enough to apply around my eyes, where the skin is more delicate. It’s also suitable if you have sensitive skin. Whether you use it for cuts, skin irritations or sunburns, the cooling sensation and healing properties of aloe vera is sure to help.

Apart from its efficacy, I’ve always liked The Body Shop products because of the good they’re doing for communities around the world. For example, this gel is made with Community Fair Trade 100% organic aloe vera from Guatemala. By trading with the Guastoya farmers in the El Progreso region of Guatemala, The Body Shop helps generate a vital and regular income for the farmers. Some of the funds are also channelled to helping the rest of the community. The community fund has paid for the installation of a water pump to irrigate the farmland of 25 local families, as well as supplied educational materials to over 100 schools in the region.

The Body Shop touches the lives of communities all around the world.

[Relevant: The Stories Behind Your Favourite The Body Shop Christmas Products]

Back to the cut above my eye. It’s been three days since I started using the product, and I’m happy to report it’s no longer stinging or flaking. In fact, it’s almost completely healed. Now, to find a way to stop scratching my eyes at night …

This post is in no way paid for or advised by The Body Shop. The writer was given a tube for review purposes. You may read our advertising policy here. The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Gel is available at $24.90 at all The Body Shop outlets.

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.

[If You Like This Post, You Might Also Like]

1. Beauty Review: The Body Shop Honeymania Range
2. Beauty Review: The Body Shop BFF Makeover Service
3. [Material World x The Body Shop] Jonker Walk’s Last Night?

[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

[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 Beauty Junkie’s Christmas Wishlist – Deborah Tan

Call me a sucker for packaging but I really love it when brands make an effort to decorate their Christmas sets with delightful art. Looking into the shops and seeing all these colours and festive motifs really drives up the desire to blow some serious cash on shopping. Gift sets are also convenient options for those who are a bit clumsy with wrapping paper and ribbons (yep, that’s me you’re looking at). Having received loads of Christmas press releases over the last two months, I am going to do a Show & Tell here on the most attractive beauty gift sets to buy!

1. Kiehl’s

Every year, Kiehl’s would collaborate with a celebrated artist to design its holiday packaging and limited edition products. This year, the brand enlists the help of Eric Haze, whose works have been seen on the album covers of The Beastie Boys and L.L Cool J. The Kiehl’s X Haze designs can be seen on the Ultra Facial Cream and the Calendula Toner, and the gift boxes you can fill with other Kiehl’s products.

2. Biotherm

Another collaboration with an artist. This time, Biotherm with Stockholm-based illustrator Kari Moden. Three of the brand’s best loved classics receive the festive holiday look along with pouches and gift boxes. Part of the proceeds from this limited edition collection will go towards Mission Blue to fund research on ocean acidification.

3. The Body Shop

I cannot say enough how important it is to buy a present that also gives back to the community. The Body Shop makes it so simple to do something good while buying something beautiful. Part of the proceeds from the sale of its Christmas sets will go towards The Gingerbread School House Project. Personal favourite: The Ginger Sparkle range is so addictive.

4. Origins

As its way of encouraging customers to recycle their gift boxes, Origins is making the extra effort this year to design packaging so pretty, you can transform them into cards or Christmas tree decorations. The Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega Relief is an especially meaningful buy since Dr. Weil donates all his after-tax profits to integrative medicine research.

5. Bliss

Stocking stuffers are usually a bit meh. But with a little bit of shopping, you can find great small gifts that are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Bliss has three of these that anyone would love to receive: Mistletoe Must-Haves, Winter Wonder-Hands, Merry Kiss-Mas, and each is under $20.

So there you have it – my Top 5 beautiful Christmas beauty gift sets that will surely bring a joy to the heart of whoever receives them. My friends, you know what you’ll be getting this Christmas!!! :))

About The Author: Deborah Tan is a founder of Material World. After 10 years of working in magazines Cleo and Cosmopolitan Singapore, she is now a freelance writer/editor who works on this website full-time. She likes liquid eyeliners, bright red lipsticks, tattoos, rock & roll, Mad Men, and Suits. She is trying to convince her fiance to buy her this face-slimming gadget she saw at Sephora’s 5th anniversary party for Christmas. Follow her on Twitter @DebTanTweet.

[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.

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.

[If You Like This Post, You Might Also Like]

1. Beauty Review: The Body Shop Honeymania Range
2. Beauty Review: The Body Shop BFF Makeover Service
3. 6 Ways To Be In An Even Better Mood

Beauty Review: The Body Shop Honeymania Range – Deborah Tan

Say the word “Honey” and I’m there like a teddy bear. Not because I’m a sucker for terms of affection but because I love this sweet gooey treat and especially crave it when I’m sick. I love mixing honey and ginger together as a drink, I love pouring honey over freshly baked scones, and I love it drizzled over fried foods too. Unlike sugar, which is just sweet, honey has … nuances of sweetness that give it personality.

When The Body Shop revealed that they would be launching a new range with Honey as its hero, I was like, “You guys gotta let me have it!” Thankfully, they did.

When the entire range arrived for me, I took them out of the bag and placed them on my table as a reminder to start using them ASAP. The scent was distracting and I was so afraid ants would start crawling onto my work desk because they really smell like the real thing!

The Honey used in The Body Shop Honeymania range is really as good as Mother Nature would give it:

1. It is hand-harvested from only the ripest honeycombs

2. This Community Fair Trade honey comes from the Sheka rainforest in Ethiopia and is protected by UNESCO. By supporting those involved in this trade, The Body Shop is helping to protect precious rainforest land from being taken away for economic purposes like farming

3. The bees are allowed to roam freely and hive wherever they want. Unlike bee farms, the community has learnt to work harmoniously with the bees using traditional methods to keep them calm, thus reducing the need for chemicals

Having sampled the goods for close to three weeks, here are my 3 favourites:

#3: Body Scrub, $30.90

It’s creamy and, when you’re inside a hot, steamy shower, it’s seriously the most indulgent thing to use on your skin. I love that it’s thick and doesn’t foam up into a soapy confection. If you are unaccustomed to having your skin feeling soft and oiled up after a scrub, this may not be for you. But once you get used to how pampered your skin feels after using it, you may just never go back to soapy scrubs ever again.

#2: Eau de Toilette, $22.90

I really wanted to choose the shower gel but this EDT won out because it allows me to have this honey-licious scent about me hours after my bathtime! When I’m feeling particularly lethargic or moody, a quick sniff of my wrist and I’m back being sunny and happy again.

#1: Body Butter, $30.40

As if The Body Shop could ever go wrong with its Body Butters! And in this instance, to be encased in creamy moisturiser scented with honey … aaaaahhhhh … it’s really every bodycare addict’s dream. I love how natural the body butter smells and how it sinks into the skin so easily. There is none of the sticky film you’d associate with a rich moisturiser. I’m so tempted to bring this along to my next massage appointment so that my therapist can use it on me. But … this brings me to my final point …

I would love for a honey-scented body oil to complete this regime!!! The Body Shop, if you’re listening to this … please consider this request of mine and launch a Honeymania body oil ASAP.

The Body Shop Honeymania range is now available at all The Body Shop stores islandwide. This range was given to Material World for review purposes, all opinions are the author’s own.

About The Author: Deborah Tan is a founder of Material World. After 10 years of working in magazines Cleo and Cosmopolitan Singapore, she is now a freelance writer/editor who works on this website full-time. She likes liquid eyeliners, bright red lipsticks, tattoos, rock & roll, Mad Men, Suits and takes her honey by the tablespoon like cod liver oil when she’s too lazy to mix it into water. Follow her on Twitter @DebTanTweets.

WE ARE GIVING AWAY 3 SETS OF THE BODY SHOP HONEYMANIA RANGE TO YOU!

Each set of Honeymania costs $104.50 and consists of the following products:

1. Lip Balm, $10.90
2. Eau de Toilette, $22.90
3. Bubble Bath Melt, $26.90
4. Shower Gel, $12.90
5. Body Butter, $30.90

To win, simply follow these steps:

1. In the Comments section below, tell us, “Why do you love honey?”

2. Then click on the Facebook button below to SHARE this post with your friends. Remember to tag “Material World” in your post and set it on Public so we can verify you have completed this step.

3. Finally Private Message us your details (Name, Age, Gender, NRIC No, Mobile No. and Mailing Address) on our Facebook Page. Please state “The Body Shop Honeymania” in your message.

This contest ends Friday, 28 September 2013, and is open only to Material World’s Facebook followers so please Like our page here first. Good luck!

Beauty Review: The Body Shop BFF Makeover Service – Deborah Tan

All four Material World founders are big animal lovers. Once a month, we drag ourselves to Denise’s place, which is at a very faraway location in Kembangan, for an all-day work thing not because we want to make life easy for our beloved business partner, but because we adore her two dogs. And when The Body Shop organised a volunteer day to Madam Wong’s shelter for abandoned animals about a month ago, Vanessa, Lili and Denise leapt at the opportunity to help out.

The values of The Body Shop brand is one that resonates very strongly with me. Its community-trade programmes along with its insistence on producing cruelty-free products makes it a difficult brand to not support. My first set of makeup brushes were from The Body Shop and I have been using its hairbrushes for more than 10 years now.

Getting my face done by Goldie

When Material World was invited to give its new BFF Makeover Service a shot, Vanessa (though not really my BFF, YET) and I decided to treat ourselves to a beauty outing. We met Ching Yan of The Body Shop at its store at Chinatown Point and were introduced to our makeup artist of the day, Goldie.

It costs $45 for a full makeover and $20, for an express makeover. This is fully redeemable when you purchase makeup from The Body Shop. For those who are not quite sure how this works … say, you pay $20 for the express makeover. Later on, when you buy makeup and your bill is $25, you pay just $5. Geddit?

Goldie and I posed for a picture after my makeover

There is a number of looks you can choose from. For this makeover, I chose Fresh-faced Beauty – a look created using The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream, the new Colour Crush lipstick that I wrote about previously, and a trio of Colour Crush eyeshadows along with a liquid eyeliner and the Big & Curvy Mascara. I felt very at ease during the entire session – Goldie’s experienced hands made it felt like I was having a mini face massage at the same time so it was very relaxing.

Here are 3 tips to getting the most of your makeover session:

1. Voice out your preferences even if it’s not the “prescribed” look
Before the session, I mentioned that I wasn’t very comfortable wearing brown eyeshadows, as I have brown-pigmented shadows around my eye area. Goldie recommended other colours for my eyes and replaced the dark brown with a blue-grey shade.

2. Ask questions
You are not getting your makeup done. You are learning more about makeup. Feel free to ask stuff like, “How do I know which part of my eyelid to colour blue?”, “How can I make my face look slimmer?” etc. Even if you are curious about the tools she’s using, ask away. The point of a makeover is to help you better master the art of applying makeup or look at it in a different way.

3. Get a friend to take pictures of the process
That way, you can easily refer to the pictures later for a step-by-step guide. In this case, I was lucky to have Vanessa play camerawoman, and I took her pictures for her when it’s her turn to get her makeover done.

Tip! Ask your friend to take close-ups of the makeover process so you can have a visual guide for later

After my makeover was done, Vanessa got an express makeover where she chose the “Eyes On Me” service. She wanted to learn how to use eyeshadows on her small eyes and how to use a liquid eyeliner. Here’s what she has to say about her session:

“When it comes to eyeliners and eyeshadows, I hardly stray very far from the safe palette of blacks and browns. Reason being, I used to experiment with all kinds of colours and ended up looking rather strange. I think it was probably due to a lack of blending know-how. For this eye makeover, I decided to step out of my comfort zone with an electric blue eyeshadow. I was surprised how great it looked. It added a real zing to my overall appearance, and made me look fresher and more awake. Love it!”

Vanessa, loving her brighter eyes!

The Body Shop BFF Makeover Service is available at all The Body Shop’s stores. By appointment only so drop by the nearest The Body Shop store to lock down a session for yourself and a friend! Remember to bring the camera!!!!

Material World was invited to try this session for a review, all opinions are our own.

About The Author: Deborah Tan is a founder of Material World. After 10 years of working in magazines Cleo and Cosmopolitan Singapore, she is now a freelance writer/editor who works on this website full-time. She likes liquid eyeliners, bright red lipsticks, tattoos, rock & roll, Mad Men, Suits and is making it her personal mission to get Vanessa to make the switch to liquid liners permanent. Follow her on Twitter @DebTanTweets.

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6 Ways To Be In An Even Better Mood – Deborah Tan

If there was one product that seems to be able to stand the test of time and changing economic environments, it would be the … LIPSTICK. Amazingly, it is the one thing women buy more of when times are bad. Journalists and social scientists have come to term this phenomenon as the Lipstick Effect – as their salaries go down, the propensity for a person to invest in goods related to his/her appearance goes up.

You can read about the Lipstick Effect all over the Internet. What we would like to focus on here are the new lippies that are coming up in the market this Fall. We are going to focus on 3 brands today, 2 shades each, and how they can make your mood even better.

If you are needing a pick-me-up …

Red Hot Raspberry

Mention 100% cruelty-free, 100% vegetarian makeup and one might just go, “Pfft … does it even have any colour?” Ladies, be amazed by this wonderful range of lipsticks from The Body Shop. A Colour Crush Lipstick is made from the finest quality crushed pigments (no beetles!) and contains community fair trade marula oil to moisturise your lips. The colour return is PHWOAR! Don’t take my word for it … see the evidence below:

Looking bright and chirpy in hot pink!

If you want to be feel like a million bucks …

Enraptured Red

The Body Shop Colour Crush Lipstick in Enraptured Red will give your look the sexy oomph! Be it a glamorous cocktail or a girls’ night out, this chilli-red lipstick has just found its place into my personal collection of red lippies. The zing you feel in your mood is INSTANTANEOUS!

If you want to feel like a lady … 

Perfect Rouge in Titian RS306

You won’t ever go wrong with Shiseido’s Perfect Rouge in Titian (RS306). I’m always iffy about lipsticks from (1) Asian brands and (2) are almost nude in colour. Reason being, past experiences have always shown these lippies to be way too sheer. I’m the sort who wants to see the colour on the stick appear 100% SATURATED on my lips. This nude-rose shade doesn’t disappoint and it did not make my lips look too “nude” either. The plus point: I have cracked, lined lips … and this is one of the rare lippies I’ve tried to give my lips a smooth appearance (see below). Super win! 

Smooth, line-free lips

If you want to be subtly sexy … 

Lacquer Rouge in Caramel RD215

The second Fall offering from Shiseido is its Lacquer Rouge – a liquid lipstick you apply with an applicator. The shade here is a caramel and again, it shows up on the lips looking like … yes, you’ve got it … CARAMEL. It doesn’t feel heavy or sticky on the lips and I like how it looks almost like a natural lip colour with just a tinge of delicious brown. Makes me almost wanna lick my lips when I checked myself out in the mirror. I hope the boyfriend feels the same effect.

If you want to take a break from the limelight … 

YSL Rebel Nudes Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres in 102

Nothing wrong with that. Every lady needs her quiet-time! So what do you wear? A lippie that gives your lips just a tinge of healthy colour like YSL Rebel Nudes Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres in 102. A coral-nude colour that’s not too “over”, this liquid lip-colour feels good on the lips (it’s got a mild cooling sensation) and again, doesn’t feel like you are wearing a layer of super-glue over them.

First time trying coral … not bad!

If you want to feel sunny and happy …

YSL Rebel Nude Rouge Pur Couture Vernie A Levres in 110

Then you will adore this easy-to-wear shade from the same YSL range in 110. A strawberry-cream colour that wears well on Asian skin tones, it looks particularly good in natural light. The YSL applicator is also shaped like a sweetheart so it really lets you apply this lippie without the fear of it going over the lips. I love the scent too!

So there you have it, six lippies that will put you in an instant good mood or, an even better mood. Who needs expensive holidays when you can cheer yourself up by adding some beautiful colour to your lips? I swear by red lipsticks whenever I feel a bit “dowdy” or “off.

About The Author: Deborah Tan is a founder of Material World. After 10 years of working in magazines Cleo and Cosmopolitan Singapore, she is now a freelance writer/editor who works on this website full-time. She likes liquid eyeliners, bright red lipsticks, tattoos, rock & roll, Mad Men, and Suits Follow her on Twitter @DebTanTweets.

Now … I have FOUR The Body Shop Colour Crush Lipsticks to give away. To win ALL FOUR LIPSTICKS FOR YOURSELF, follow the instructions below:

(From L to R): Raspberry In Love, Damsel In Distress, Blushing Pink, Passionate Pink

1. Complete this sentence in the Comments section below – “I wear lipstick to feel _________.”

2. Then Share this story with your Friends on Facebook. Tag “Material World” on your post. You need to make sure it’s on Public setting so we can verify that you have completed this step.

3. Then PM us your details (name, age, occupation, email address) and state “Colour Crush” in your message.

You need to be a member of Material World’s Facebook Page to enter this contest. Closing date is Friday, 16 August 2013.

The lipsticks featured in this story were given to Material World for review. All opinions are the author’s own. Please read our advertising policy. The Body Shop lipsticks for the contest are from Material World’s press samples.

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[Material World X The Body Shop] Jonker Walk’s Last Night? – Deborah Tan

To celebrate the creation of Material World, the Material Girls decided to take a road trip together. Since it’s my first time driving beyond Singapore’s border, we were naturally quite excited. Then the haze came. It almost looked like we might have to cancel our trip when news from a friend who had driven up to Malacca for work came that the haze problem in Malacca wasn’t as bad as Singapore’s. So we decided to take our chance and head right up.

It was a good thing we did. We drove up to Malacca on the 22nd of June. When we got back, news of the night market’s closure broke. On the 23rd, the business owners along Jonker Walk staged a protest against this decision. We don’t know for sure if the local government will keep to its word and reopen the market after four weeks of “trial period” but we were glad we made the trip.

The Baba House
Marked as a World Heritage City since 2008, Malacca’s charm lies in its rich Peranakan heritage. We checked into The Baba House, a small hotel housed in a historic Peranakan building. While the rooms are nothing to shout about, they are comfortable and clean, sufficient for a night’s stay. The Baba House is a 5-minute walk away from Jonker and across the street from The Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum – which has a strict No Photos policy.

Having spent just slightly over two hours on the road, the girls refused to head out straight after checking in without freshening up. Out came the beauty products we got from The Body Shop who provided a “survival kit” for us.

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