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Things I Love In Singapore

I went back home to Singapore for a week-long visit and I wanna share some of my favourite things in a vlog. I can’t always do all the things I like each visit so this is just a snapshot of one trip. There is never enough time to enjoy Singapore — even if I stay for two weeks, I would think, “I wish I could stay longer…”

There’s a bit on beauty and shopping, but most of it is on fooood. I know some people think it’s sad that Singaporeans think/talk/eat food 24/7 so only foodies will be fans.

You can check out what I hauled in Singapore in this video that goes into detail on the skincare and cosmetics items I got in mid-June.

Thanks for watching!

If you are interested in reading the other posts in my “Things I Love…” series, here are some of my faves:

Things I Love In Tokyo – Daikanyama, veggie ramen, yoga with a twist, eggs florentine with a gal pal etc., includes a video.

Things I Love In Moscow – my first-ever trip to Russia, my first-ever U2 concert (a birthday surprise), and rollercoaster rides at Gorky Park.

Things I Love In Australia – I consider Down Under my second home because the fiance is Aussie. I’ve been there almost 15 times in the eight years we’ve been together.

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How To Make Red Juice

Hello makeup maniacs, I’m going back to my roots and did a juice video for old times’ sake. I love using whatever is in my fridge and I came up with this one by accident.

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The ruby red shade and cubes of ice floating in this glass of thirst-quenching goodness just made me go aaaahhhh…It’s steamy hot in Tokyo so I’ve been right into my juices and smoothies to keep hydrated and healthy.

I also filmed a video on how to make this red juice. On hindsight, I would recommend pink grapefruit if you want to achieve that pure red colour but white grapefruit works just as well taste-wise but could come out a little muddy. I think at the end of the day, flavour trumps looks for me. How about you?

Recipe (in a high-speed blender):
1 grapefruit
1 carrot
1 celery stalk (including leaves)
1/2 head of chicory leaves
1 cup water

Add ice and slurp this baby up.

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Singapore Haul & Reviews

Hello my lovelies, a week has gone by since I returned from Singapore and it’s has zipped by so quickly I don’t know what hit me. I went to Singapore to settle some wedding stuff but I managed to find time to shop. Duty-free and a cheaper currency are all there is to tempt me. I ♥ shopping when I go back to Singapore!

Before I get into my post proper, just a reminder that my giveaway ends in 24 hours! So go on over and put your name down….

I don’t usually buy so much at once and the bulk of my beauty shopping is really my Naruko products which I have been lemming since forever. For those who don’t know, Naruko is a natural paraben-free skincare and cosmetics brand from Taiwan that is formuated by celebrity skincare and makeup guru Niu Er. I’ve heard so much about how great Naruko is on Youtube that I had to get some. Though it is not available in Japan, there is a Singapore website so I just ordered a bunch of products and got them sent to my parents’ residence. I’m also flying to Taiwan in July so I might pick some up there but I’m not sure if Naruko is an internet-only shop which is the case in Singapore (click here) — it was only sold online and none of the stores carried the brand.

I know I said in my early summer skincare routine video that I was avoiding herb ingredients but some Youtubers with sensitive skin tried Naruko and they didn’t have flare-ups….and my skin is improving so hopefully it’s not as sensitive as it was before. What can I say, I’m really an incurable beauty junkie!

Anyway, hope you enjoy this video and till the next episode!

Products mentioned:

Part I Skincare:

My Beauty Diary All In One Sample Pack
My Beauty Diary Apple Polyphenol Mask
My Beauty Diary Strawberry Yogurt Mask
Silk Whitia Whitening & Moisturizing Mask
Silk Whitia Anti-Oxidation Whitening Mask
Naruko Narcisuss Day Care Range:
Foaming Wash
Mousse Facial Wash
Moisturizing Dew
Moisturizing Day Protector
Total Defense Fundamental Serum
Night Jelly
Tea Tree & Naouli T-Zone Blackhead Pore Remover
Job’s Tears Whitening & Cooling Night Jelly
Rose & Snow Fungus Night Jelly
AMPM Wakeup Skin Smooth Washing Powder (free gift)

Part II Makeup:

Clarins Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour 03 Miami Pink
MAC Mineralize Skinfinsh Natural Medium Dark
Estee Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Loose Powder Makeup Intensity 1.0
Lunasol Ocean Eyes 05 Colourful Ocean
Lunasol Modelling Eyes 01 Beige Beige
Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30/PA+++
MAC Blush & Stipling Brushes
MAC Brow Set Beguile
MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick Gotta Dash!
Urban Decay Good Karma Liner (Brow Brush)

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Things I Love In Tokyo

I usually write my Things I Love In Tokyo column which is a simple celebration of all the things I love in this city. It’s also an exercise which I try to express gratitude for what I have around me. Gratitude begets happiness and not always easy even in the best of times.

But for today, I thought a video could be something refreshing and Tokyo is really a visual feast — and I had loads of fun making it!

What’s on my love list in today’s edition of Things I Love In Tokyo?

♥ Quirky things that caught my eye in Daikanyama, an über-chic neighbourhood in central Tokyo: graffiti in a posh residential area; strange shop names like Calcium and Human Woman; funky murals on the ground; old-fashioned boutiques that looked like they jumped out of a time machine from 19th century London; waxed food on the sidewalk.

♥ Secret corners galore: underground boutiques; quaint lanes to I-Don’t-Know-Where; signs to lead you to vintage finds; homes hiding behind lush foliage; tucked away cute cafes.

♥ Cosme Kitchen, an organic natural beauty store. I love the aroma of beautifying herbs and potions.

♥ Ultra-feminine togs that are such a signature of Japanese fashion: Cath Kidston, nonchalant, Tsumori Chisato, Tabio tights…and many more.

♥ Pure veggie ramen and gyoza at Kagetsu Ramen: leeks, shimegi mushrooms, lotus, okra, and other yummy green things. This special ramen was called 美麺, which means beauty noodles. I don’t know if I looked more beautiful afterwards but my stomach was a happy camper!

♥ Working out with friends at a Yoga Terminator class in FAB Academy. It’s my Saturday thing: I get up, make a smoothie, and get my ass down to yoga and bootcamp exercises. There’s a disco ball involved, too.

♥ Leisurely girl talk over eggs florentine at Suji’s.

♥ A taste of home at a Singaporean restaurant in Ebisu, Hainan Chifan, and chilled pinot grigio as a night cap.

♥ Late-night Skype chats with my man who is almost always overseas. Keeps things romantic, though.

PS: Six more days till our Summer Giveaway ends — come join quick!

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8 Ways To Reduce Body Acne

Hi, I’m back in Tokyo from my trip to Singapore and I’m still catching up with a bunch of things that need my attention. I made this video before I left and here I share EIGHT tips on how to reduce and prevent body acne.

It’s an embarrassing topic but I’m sure many people out there are facing the same struggles as me so I really want to share what works for me — it could work for you! For months, I searched high and low for solutions but there wasn’t anything on the Internet that focused solely on body acne so I decided to treat my chest and back with the same vigor as my face. For the past month and a half, my skin has stabilized (it’s not perfect but it has improved loads!) and I credit being clean and hydrated as key to keeping acne at bay.

Here are my tips at a glance but you’ll definitely get more in-depth info if you watch my video:

#1 Double exfoliate
#2 Use a gentle shower gel
#3 Reduce contact with hair care products
#4 Use a hydrating lotion
#5 Use an oil-free moisturizer
#6 Apply a clay mask once a week
#7 Use a spot treatment
#8 Change your tops and bras daily

In my #1 tip, I said I would include a link to my apple cider vinegar scrub post, so here it is (click here).

All I can say for those suffering from acne is not to give up. I know I’ve said this so many times but I wish I had someone to say that to me when I was truly down in the dumps about my skin. Just understand what your body needs and try different methods to solve the root of the problem — this also applies to anything in life, really!

Good luck.

PS: The Mandom Barrier Repair Giveaway is still going on so go on over and put your name down.


7 Tips On How To Keep To A Regular Workout Routine

I know how hard it is to keep to a regular exercise routine, so in this video, I share what works for me to keep my eye on the ball. The key thing is to see exercise as part of your lifestyle rather than just a quick-fix to losing weight. You already know exercise is great for you but the question that begs answering is, “How do I keep at it?”

PS: Just a friendly reminder that my giveaway is still going on and there are two more weeks till the deadline. Come join!


What Do I Eat Everyday?

I’m really on a roll with videos recently…. I thought that since I’m such a big believer in eating well for your health and skin, it’s time that I show you what I eat in any given week. I chose a Wednesday and a Sunday as examples because I eat quite differently on the weekend compared to my weekday habits.

I try to eat a lot of fresh, raw fruit and veggies from Monday to Friday but on the weekend, I tend to be more instinctive and just have whatever I feel like.

While it’s important to pay attention to what you put in your body, it’s a shame to be too anal and paranoid so you should let loose once in a while. I believe in eating healthy but it must be delicious because if it doesn’t taste good to you, you would not continue consuming it.

Thanks for watching!

What would you like to see on future Beauty Box TV episodes?

PS: Don’t forget to join my giveaway here.

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Summer 2011 Giveaway: Mandom Barrier Repair + New Products

Hi my lovelies, I’ve got a giveaway for you — it’s been a long time since my last giveaway and I just want to thank all of you for your support. Please watch the video because I talk about why I love Mandom Barrier Repair sheet masks.

As a side note, when I first spotted this brand, I was like, “Why is there a baby on the packaging?” Actually if you strip away the plastic cover, the products all kinda look like this…

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I think I care more about what’s inside a bottle than the outside — it’s gotta work!!

There are going to be TWO winners this time because I’ve got a set for dry skin and another for normal skin.

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Dry Skin Products
From left to right: Mandom Barrier Repair Facial Foam, Baby Moist Lotion Super Moist, Facial Mask HA Super Moist (5 sheets), Baby Moist Cream

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Normal Skin Products
From left to right: Mandom Barrier Repair Facial Foam, Baby Moist Lotion , Facial Mask HA (5 sheets), Baby Moist Essence

How to join:

+ Leave a comment below, stating which set you would like and be a subscriber to my Youtube channel, or be a follower on my Facebook page or Twitter (or all three).

http://www.youtube.com/user/beautyboxonline

http://www.facebook.com/beautyboxonline

http://www.twitter.com/beautyboxonline

+ Deadline: June 30 2011 midnight Tokyo time

Before I wrap things up, I’d like to introduce a couple of new products at our store from Mutenka Cow Brand. It’s a line of skincare that is affordable and free from parabens, mineral oil, fragrance, and coloring so it’s suitable for those with sensitive skin or who want to use products that are additive-free. I am loving them and I hope you’ll give them a go, too!

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Mutenka Cow Brand Cleansing Milk. Click here to buy.

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Mutenka Cow Brand Facial Wash. Click here to buy.


Updated Skincare Routine: Early Summer

I’m on a roll with the videos lately — I figured I’ll milk the creative streak I’m having and see where it takes me. And…THANK YOU so much for your lovely comments on my second e-book, 7-Day Salad Handbook – go grab a copy if you haven’t already (it’s free)! Quite a few of my readers said that the warm weather is perfect for salads and very rightly so…

Today’s video showcases my skincare routine this early summer. The weather is getting warmer but the temperatures do dip below 20 degrees C and it’s not that humid yet. The air gets horribly muggy in July and August which I’m sure would change the products I use yet again. My skincare routine is always a work in progress…

But right now, this line-up works for me. I find that I still need to moisturize with at least two or more hydrating products because the air does get drier in the night.

Products used in this video:

Night Routine:
Mandom Barrier Repair Facial Foam + Clarisonic
Mandom Barrier Repair Baby Moist Lotion Super Moist
Mandom Barrier Repair Facial Mask HA Super Moist
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clearing Moisturizer
Mandom Barrier Repair Concentrate Serum
Clean & Clear Persa Gel-10
Good Skin Labs Serum-365

Morning Routine:
The same, except I replace the Mandom Barrier Repair Concentrate Serum with Clinique’s Super City Block Ultra Protection SPF 40 and I pat the Mandom Barrier Repair Baby Moist Super Moist Lotion into my skin, instead of using a cotton pad.

You can buy Mandom Barrier Repair products from my store right over here.

Thanks for watching and have a great weekend!

I’m going to the beach tomorrow — what are you doing?

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7-Day Salad Handbook

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Get your 7-Day Salad Handbook right here: Click here to download

Tip: Click on File and then Download Original and you can save a copy onto your desktop immediately.

You guys know I’m all about “you are what you eat” from my Beauty Elixirs E-Book, so it’s no surprise I’ve got a salad recipe one for you. I’ll teach you how to whet your appetite for fresh, raw, nutrient dense salads that will be satisfying and tasty. There are no teeny tiny bland salads in this book — I make glorious abundant bowls of goodness.

What you can expect from this FREE e-book:
+ Why bother making salads?
+ How to make an amazing salad
+ 7 quick-and-easy recipes plus 3 bonus side salad recipes
+ Tips & tricks on how to take these salads to the next level
+ Easy-to-follow, easy-to-use recipe book that will help you willingly eat more fresh raw fruit and veggies

I made a video to show you how to make a gorgeous salad from this handbook so kick back and watch it right here:

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