Celebrity Life

Here's our pick of the best Chinese New Year skincare collections and limited-edition releases for 2022.

Start the new lunar year with your best face forward — we've rounded up all the lotions and potions, creams, balms (well, the serums and essences and moisturisers!) to get your hands on for spring. All packed up in regal red and gold, these limited-edition Chinese New Year skincare releases will ensure good luck, and good skin.

The Best Chinese New Year Skincare Releases 2022

Chantecaille

The bestselling Bio Lifting Mask from Chantecaille is getting a little facelift of its own, with a supercharged new formula and festive red and gold packaging. The Bio Lifting Mask+ (note that plus sign!) is packed full of botanicals and peptides that reduce the look of fine lines and visibly contour the face, while a new lifting agent smoothens and moisturises. With this product, the brand continues to support the SUJÁN Tiger and Leopard Conservation Project in Rajasthan, India. And, complementing the mask, is a limited edition ruby red lipstick — the nourishing and super-emollient Lip Veil.

Chantecaille's Lunar New Year-edition Bio Lifting Mask+ and Lip Veil (Ruby) are available to purchase online.

Charlotte Tilbury

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Charlotte Tilbury has released its award-winning Magic Cream moisturiser in a limited-edition casing, a glorious red tiger print lid. Pick it up on its own, or in a duo (with a LNY lipstick of your choice) or in a makeup kit with a LNY lipstick of your choice and a limited-edition version of the Airbrush Flawless Finish pressed setting powder.

Charlotte Tilbury's limited-edition Lunar New Year Magic Cream is available to purchase online.

Clarins

This exclusive limited-edition of Clarins' bestselling Double Serum features the same potent formula in the same innovative bottle — with a stunning tiger illustration for the new lunar year. Delivering made-to-measure dosage with a rotating push button, the serum combines 21 effective anti-ageing water and oil-soluble ingredients for regeneration, nutrition, hydration, oxygenation and protection. A set includes the Double Serum (Tiger Limited Edition), an Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Care treatment, and an Extra-Firming Treatment Essence.

Clarins' Double Serum (Tiger Limited Edition) is available to purchase online.

Clinique

To celebrate the Year of Tiger, Clinique's bestselling powerful serum for dark spots and discolouration and cult-favourite dermatologist-developed face moisturiser now come in limited-edition red and gold packaging. We especially like the look of the lotion (that lucky tiger head lid!), and its silky, easy-to-absorb formula is a winner.

Clinique's Limited Edition Even Better Clinical™ Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter and Limited Edition Jumbo Dramatically Different™ Moisturizing Lotion+ are available to purchase online.

Fresh

Fresh is collaborating with Canto-pop artist Alfred Hui for a special Chinese New Year collection of skincare favourites. Choose from bestsellers like the powerhouse antioxidant Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence, and the black tea complex-packed Firming Peptides Serum, Firming Corset Cream and Instant Perfecting Mask — all designed to keep your skin moisturised, and luminous-looking.

The "Fresh x Alfred Hui CNY Edition" is available to purchase online.

LA MER

Celeb-favourite skincare brand La Mer has released this limited-edition Hydration Adventure Collection, so you start the new year fresh and rejuvenated. The five-piece set comes with The Concentrate, The Eye Concentrate, The Hydrating Infused Emulsion, bestselling Crème de la Mer, and this vibrant red and green tiger print pouch!

The La Mer Hydration Adventure Collection is available to purchase online.

L’Occitane

For a little bit of indulgence, look to French brand L’Occitane's Chinese New Year offerings — limited-edition versions of rich and moisturising products from its almond line: the sweet almond oil-enriched body wash and the nourishing almond milk concentrate body lotion.

L’Occitane's CNY Almond Shower Oil and Almond Milk Concentrate are available to purchase online.

LUSH

Lush's Year of the Tiger collection includes everything from bath bombs to bubble bars, face masks, foot scrubs, shampoo bars and even (cotton) gift wrapping — we love the super cute jasmine Lucky Cat Bubble Bar and the Lunar New Year Knot Wrap. Browse the whole collection online or in-store.

Lush's Lunar New Year 2022 collection is available to purchase online.

Origins

Origins' super-soothing water-like treatment lotion is getting dressed in red for the new lunar year. The Mega-Mushroom Soothing Treatment Lotion harnesses the power of nutrient-rich super foods used in traditional Chinese medicine, like reishi mushroom, sea buckthorn and fermented chaga, for supple, soft and healthier-looking skin.

The Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Lunar New Year Mega-Mushroom Soothing Treatment Lotion is available to purchase online.

Shiseido

Perhaps the most stunning bottle on this list yet, Shiseido's Lunar New Year offering is not just limited-edition packaging but a reformulation. Its Ultimune Power Infusing Serum now has muGenerationRED Technology™, which is a very long way of saying you're getting a potent blend of everything you need for radiant-looking skin. Star ingredients include fermented roselle, heartleaf, reishi mushroom, and iris root.

The Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Serum is available to purchase online.

Sulwhasoo

We love Korean beauty brand Sulwhasoo at the office. For the new lunar year, three bestsellers are getting a little red-and-gold makeover — 'Lucky Knot' editions of the anti-aging serum-essence, and the ginseng-infused renewing cream and renewing serum.

The Sulwhasoo Lucky Knot Collection is available to purchase online.

Tatcha

Packed with Japanese superfood ingredients like Akita rice, Okinawa algae, and Uji green tea, The Essence from Tatcha is exactly what you'd need in that skincare transitioning stage between a harsh, cold winter to a (hopefully) gentler spring. The limited-edition bottle doesn’t hurt either. It's available to purchase at Lane Crawford.

(Hero image courtesy of Tatcha, featured image courtesy of Clinique)

The post New Year New Skincare Routine Using Cle de Peau’s Synactif Range appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Gabrielle Chanel’s vision of how a modern woman should live and express herself extended beyond her devotion to fashion, accessories and perfume. The complexion, as it turns out, was on her mind as early as 1927, when she created her very first skincare line to preserve and maintain the skin’s natural beauty, for how would one live freely, if not holistically, healthily and with self-confidence? 

To introduce a holistic beauty vision, Chanel debuted a body oil into its line in 1929, so women could include, in their beauty routines, something that could soothe the skin and soul, bringing the luxury skincare experience to the next level. There was never doubt that Mademoiselle Chanel was a visionary for her time, and her avant-garde approach to timeless style lives on to this day.

The Sublimage line debuted with skincare in 2006, enriched with powerful active ingredients derived from vanilla planifolia. This year, the launch of Sublimage La Crème Corps et Décolleté introduced the premium skincare formulation into its body cream, extending the sensory experience to the body, while the signature Le Crème is also available in a new form, Sublimage Le Baume, that can be used as an intensive anti-ageing skincare treatment or even a mask.

The Sublimage La Crème Corps et Décolleté body cream is formulated so its texture transforms when applied to the skin, going from rich and enveloping on the first touch to a surprising regenerative freshness on further contact. The velvety cream is perfect for massages. Containing a high concentration of natural butters and oils, with micro-pearls that instantly brighten the skin, the formula is rich, yet easily absorbed by the skin, leaving it feeling fresh and deeply nourished at the same time. 

More than just a fleeting buzzword, the need for self-care has revolutionised an entire generation to embrace setting aside invaluable time to recharge and rebalance one’s body and mind.  Looking after your body while giving yourself some time to let go was the goal of the application technique developed by Chanel for Sublimage La Crème Corps et Décolleté. 

The ritual calls for twice-daily application, once in the morning on clean, dry skin to nourish and protect, and once in the evening to fully experience its comforting, regenerating effect. Chanel’s experts recommend the below four tips for visible, lasting results:

One, use your thumb and index finger to perform a series of deep, invigorating pinching movements on any areas of the body lacking firmness, which will help maximise the penetration of the cream’s active ingredients.

Two, warm up the product in your hands and apply the cream to the neck, décolleté and chest.

Three, move to other parts of the body, including the stomach, hips and buttocks, rubbing in a circular motion. Massage the legs and feet using smooth upward strokes then perform the same movements on the arms, paying special attention to the elbows.

Four, prolong the moment of total relaxation by applying light pressure to the driest areas of your body with the palms of your hands, which will help soothe and comfort the skin. 

Those looking to be completely pampered can also book an appointment with Chanel Privé, Chanel’s dedicated space for beauty treatments that allows women a break in their active day.

As Chanel's most luxurious and premium line, Sublimage does wonders for the skin, with the same skincare formulation applied to its newly launched body cream. Sublimage is the quintessence of Chanel Research’s expertise and embodies this holistic view from its founder. The story began in 1995, when Chanel researchers discovered the potent anti-ageing properties of vanilla planifolia, and established the maison’s first open-sky laboratory on the island in Madagascar in 2002 to cultivate and develop this magical ingredient. Every part of the plant is utilised: the fresh flowers, obtained between October and November, protect the skin from oxidative stress. The immature fruit, which forms in May, boosts skin regeneration. The fruit, which matures between June and August, is harvested to make Intense Vanilla Water, which combats free radicals and prevents the degradation of collagen and elastin fibres. The planifolia PFA also stimulates regeneration. 

The post Chanel Sublimage La Crème Corps et Décolleté: A New Sensuous Skincare Experience for the Body appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

We hear from the experts about the proper application of sun protection, their tried-and-tested regimens for summer skincare, and alternative methods to get that summer glow.

We’ve all probably thought this at one point in our lifetime: “You can’t get sunburnt in the shade,” or, “There’s SPF in my make-up products, so I don’t need to put on extra sunscreen.”

These are two of the most common sun myths, according to Harriet Lee, chief strategic advisor at Joyce Beauty, and Newby Hands, global beauty director at Net-a-Porter. It all comes down to a lack of awareness of how sun damage works and how even when we think we do, more often than not we aren’t applying sufficient sunscreen for full-spectrum protection.

“It’s the UV radiation, not sunlight, that damages your skin,” says Lee. “UV rays can reflect off nearby surfaces and so you can still get sunburnt in the shade. Harmful UV rays are present year-round, no matter what season it is. Believe it or not, even when it’s cold or overcast, up to 80 percent of UV rays can pass through clouds. For these reasons, it’s important to ensure you wear sunscreen, even though we can’t see or feel the UV rays.”

Lee suggests that the correct amount of sunscreen to use would be about a quarter teaspoon for the face and neck. That comes down to five pumps of Clean Screen or Supreme Screen, and three pipettes of Queen Screen, all from Australian brand Ultra Violette, which she recommends.

On a typical day for Hands, an SPF 50 product is her pick; she applies a generous amount 20 to 30 minutes before she leaves the house and routinely reapplies it every two hours throughout the day. “A lot of make-up and skincare products, such as primers and moisturisers, offer SPF protection, which can add to your sun protection but can’t replace sunscreen entirely,” she warns. “Many products offer only low protection and may not be broad spectrum. If you care about your skin, then a broad-spectrum SPF 30 to 50 should always be the last step in your daily skincare regimen.”

A broad-spectrum SPF will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, and many beauty products today come with beauty textures that feel more like face creams than greasy pastes. Zelen’s hydrating sunscreen is Hands’ personal pick, a hypoallergenic formula that uses micro-encapsulation technology to provide full protection without any irritation, and is also enriched with botanical antioxidants to reduce the formation of damaging free radicals and delay premature ageing.

If we do unfortunately get sunburnt, which is inevitable during Hong Kong’s popular junk season, applying more SPF isn’t the answer. “If you get a sunburn, then cover up and stay out of the sun,” says Hands. “You need to take the heat out of your skin with a cooling shower or compress. Using anti-inflammatory skincare on areas of sunburn is great, while good after-sun can really help, as it’s well formulated to treat sun damage. And do avoid any peels or exfoliators and keep skin nourished and hydrated.”

A good after-sun gel can help to soothe and hydrate irritated skin; Susanne Kaufmann After Sun Moisturizing Gel is enriched with calming aloe vera and anti-inflammatory Indian balloon plant extract that helps soothe the skin. We shouldn’t neglect our hair, either, which can become dry and extremely brittle under the sun’s powerful rays. Net-a-Porter also carries specific after-sun hair-styling products, such as a cream from Sachajuan that can condition the hair from the root to the tip without feeling greasy.

According to Lee, sun damage isn’t just about a single sunburn, so we shouldn’t apply sunscreen only on junk trips or at the beach. It can occur from cumulative unprotected daily exposure to sunlight. “Repeated exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause changes to the skin, such as fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, pigmentation and redness,” says Lee. “Hence, routinely taking care of your skin day-in and day-out makes a huge difference.”

If your skin has been exposed to the sun more than usual, Lee recommends an everyday skincare regimen that incorporates a simple cleanser, antioxidants, nourishing moisturisers and SPF. “Ditch any product that contains possible irritants, such as exfoliants, essential oils, fragrances and acids. Hydration is key to sun-exposed skin and can help delay the ageing process.”

To cleanse, Lee recommends the nourishing Softening Cleanser from Tata Harper, which is dermatologically tested and designed to support the skin barrier without stripping it down. Follow up by hydrating the skin with Derm Institute’s Antioxidant Hydration Gel Masque, which is an intensive mask, then calm down redness in the skin with Dr Barbara Sturm’s Calming Serum, and finish with Omorovicza’s Queen of Hungary Mist to feel refreshed. Of course, the final step should always be SPF – RéVive’s Sensitif Renewal Cream comes with broad-spectrum SPF 30 and is also suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

At night, following a day out when a build-up of excess oils and make-up can cause skin congestion, both Lee and Hands recommend a double cleansing ritual.

There’s no need to deviate from your usual cleanser, according to Hands. If you don’t want to try double cleansing, you can use your preferred cleanser – but really massage it into your skin to wash off the dirt and grime.

But if you’d like to double cleanse, Lee recommends starting with an oil-based cleanser, such as Wildsmith Skin’s Active Repair Nourishing Cleansing Balm, which contains a blend of plant-based oils that breaks down natural and synthetic surface oils, pollutants and make- up. For the second cleanse, Augustinus Bader’s The Cream Cleansing Gel is a good choice. Coupled with TFC8 and a blend of soothing botanicals, the gel is light and refreshing, and leaves the skin feeling hydrated, nourished and primed to absorb the rest of your skincare products.

Although most of us want to have a healthy summer tan, instead of over-exposing yourself to the sun, self-tanning is a good alternative. “Today’s self-tans are brilliant and come in so many different textures, from water to oil, to excellent drops that you just add to your usual face and body care,” says Hands.

The key is finding a self-tanning product that suits your skin tone. Wonder Oil from Tan Luxe is formulated to adapt to your skin tone. For a more elaborate procedure that’s still beginner-friendly, Amanda Harrington’s Buff Bronze Face Set includes three simple steps that can be done at home and comes with a soft bristled face buffer brush to create a streak-free finish.

Before you begin, prepping your skin is also an essential step. Lee recommends an oil-free cleanser, such as Tata Harper’s Clarifying Cleanser. You can also exfoliate your skin with Wildsmith Skin’s latest Dual-Action Exfoliating Treatment, an amazing plant-based enzymatic exfoliant that will leave your skin smooth and refined for self- tanning.

The post Proper Sun Protection and Summer Skincare According to the Beauty Experts appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

As someone who has struggled with less than perfect skin throughout life, the news that a new aesthetics clinic had opened in the heart of west London was enough to have me rushing to book an appointment the minute lockdown was over. Having opened its doors on the prestigious Fulham Road in 2020, right before […]

Words by Sara Darling Even though beauty salons have started to reopen, finding an available time slot is still proving tricky for some. With lockdowns and mask-wearing having played havoc on our faces, a professional fix is just what’s needed, and you will be reassured to find out that you can keep your skin in […]

This month, Dr Lisa Chan advises on ways to keep the infamous "maskne" under control during the pandemic

Unless you’re one of the rare few who are genetically blessed with clear skin, chances are you’ve experienced acne at some point. It’s estimated to be present in up to 90 percent of the population, so most of us know all too well that sinking feeling as we wake up to an unsightly red bump on the face.

With increased mask-wearing, I’ve been seeing more cases of facial acne at the clinic. Also known as acne mechanica or “maskne”, these lesions are not only disfiguring and damaging to our self-esteem, but they can also be extremely painful and require a lengthy period of recovery.

Acne tends to form over areas of the body that have increased sebaceous gland activity, such as the face, chest and back. When hair follicles get clogged by excess sebum and dead skin cells, bacteria can proliferate and cause Infection and inflammation. Triggers include drugs such as corticosteroids, hormonal changes during midlife and puberty, carbohydrate-rich foods and stress. Friction against the skin and heavy make-up can also lead to a build-up of sebum and bacteria.

The Best practices to avoid maskne

• Using gentle cleansers and water-based, non-occlusive creams;
• Avoiding abrasive soaps and irritating peels;
• Wearing minimal and non-comedogenic make-up;
• Using a cotton pad with toner or micellar water as a facial wipe after strenuous activity;
• Keeping hands away from the face;
• Changing masks daily;
• Applying topical benzoyl peroxide to easily affected areas (forehead, nose, chin) as a preventive measure.

If you’re suffering from a breakout, don’t panic and definitely don’t try to pop that pimple on your own! Picking at the lesions can deepen the infection and worsen hyperpigmentation and scarring.

Acne treatment involves oil control and elimination of bacteria. If the breakout is mild (whiteheads, blackheads, papules or pustules), it can be treated with topical creams such as benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, azaelic acid, salicylic acid and dapsone.

In more severe cases involving nodular or cystic (deep, painful and pus-filled) acne, a combination of topical, oral and light-based treatments such as lasers and intense pulsed light will be needed. Oral medications such as isotretinoin, antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives and spironolactone may have a variety of side effects, so it’s best to be followed up regularly by a physician. Steroid injections or incision and drainage of a cyst can also be performed to quickly reduce inflammation and the chances of scarring.

All types of acne take time to treat, so patience is your best virtue. Given the current pandemic, mask-wearing doesn’t seem likely to end anytime soon. It may be challenging, but with self-love and a good skincare regimen, healthy and blemish-free skin can still be a reality.

Follow Dr Chan on Instagram for more beauty tips and musings.

The post Maskne: Dr Lisa Chan on How to Keep Your Skin Blemish-free During the Pandemic appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

We're starting the new year fresh with new skincare routines that help beat the harsh and dry winter, and beauty products to keep our glow on.

Featured beauty products

Drunk Elephant

The Drunk Elephant Trunk 3.0 isn't exactly a new product. It came out in 2019, but the fully functional mini-fridge, which can chill (even warm!) your essential skincare products is still a favourite in our office. The trunk set comes with 10 best-selling, full-sized Drunk Elephant products, including the Sweet Biome Fermented Sake Spray.

La Mer

La Mer's eye treatment combo is a lifesaver during the harsh winter days. The Eye Concentrate is a more advanced treatment that can help reduce dark circles and fine wrinkles even before visible damage begins. A pro tip: you could keep the eye treatment applicators in the fridge for a couple of minutes before you use them to massage the eye area for a quick microcirculation boost.

Dior

The Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Rich Creme targets skin dryness with its heavily-researched science in mother cells and floral expertise. The rich creme combines bio-cellular technology with French peony oil extract.

Benefit

Our eyes and eyebrows are what most people tend to see these days, so it's extremely pertinent that we keep our brows beautifully shaped and well-groomed. Benefit's Brow Microfilling Pen mimics natural brow hair, comes in four versatile shades and is all-around the most essential beauty product you need these days.

Nars

Nars is celebrating Chinese New Year with a new limited-edition collection that is beautifully packaged in a rich red floral design. To bring in good fortune for the Year of the Ox, the eyeshadow palette comes in soft neutral hues with a slight shimmer. There are two new shades of lipstick: Wen Wo (a brownish neutral shade) and China Rose (with a more rosy tint).

Tatcha

Tatcha's Dewy Sin Creme is formulated with Hadasei-3, the brand's proprietary complex of double-fermented Uji green tea, Akita rice and Mozuku algae. The result is super rich, smoothing cream that allows your make-up to glide on without a glitch.

Laura Mercier

Also perfect for Chinese New Year is Laura Mercier's limited-edition beauty set, wrapped up in glorious shades of red and gold. The set comes with the Flawless Lumière Radiance-Perfecting Cushion, the Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick, and the Translucent Loose Setting Powder that comes with a puff.

YSL Beauty

"Glass skin" was a term that came from K beauty to mean skin that appears poreless, luminous, clear as glass. YSL Beauty's Soft Polish Double Essence is extremely gentle but comes with an effective peeling effect. Used alongside the Night Reboot serum and the Perfect Plumper Cream, glass skin is at your fingertips.

Aesop

Cold winter weather is not always the culprit — sometimes, it's the unpredictability of it, colder days and milder days, that disrupt our skin. Aesop's latest winter skincare essentials are here to help. The selected products are gentle and nourishing on the skin, while keeping a balance, and comes in a range to suit different skin types.

Oribe

Our focus is so often on skincare and make-up, but we shouldn't forget to care for our hair too. Available at Joyce Beauty, Oribe's Signature Shampoo and Conditional set is a rich daily cleanser that is formulated to silken, detangle and protect.

Estée Lauder

The Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Transformative Eye Serum is part of Estée Lauder's premium line, and comes infused with Black Diamond Truffle Extract that lifts tired eyes instantly.

Augustinus Bader

Founded by Professor Augustinus Bader, globally recognized as one of the leaders in stem cell biology, there's no doubting the potency of the brand's products. Its creams and oils are backed by 30 years of proprietary research, which resulted in its TFC8 complex, said to kickstart the skin's natural abilities to rejuvenate itself. Available at Joyce Beauty.

The post Video Unboxing: January Beauty Picks appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

As the covid fourth wave surges and salons close indefinitely, we’re once again faced with the problem of keeping our skin in optimal condition — and all by ourselves with. We asked two beauty experts in Hong Kong about their favourite skincare products that can be used chez vous for the best home spa experiences.

Rare Skin Fuel founder Michelle Chen is no stranger to maintaining good skin within the confinement of her own home. Her obsession with anti-ageing culminated in her creation of a range of 100 percent Australian-made skincare products manufactured in strictly limited quantities with extensive certified organic and native Aussie ingredients. Made with a long and complex heat-free blending procedure, Rare Skin Fuel delivers a one-of-a-kind treatment for the skin.

With a heavy emphasis on only the finest botanical extracts and other natural nutrient-rich ingredients, Rare Skin Fuel’s products can just as easily be used at home as in a spa. With people having to stay indoors a lot more recently, constantly wearing face masks and going make-up-free, Rare Skin Fuel’s mission to “reveal, not conceal” true beauty rings strong. Its botanical ingredients are obtained via a new extraction technology that, unlike traditional methods which degrade the source material, works to preserve the plants as they exist in nature, so that they’re pure, stable and active for long periods. The two-step manufacturing process – the hot phase binds and blends the cream-based products’ ingredients, while the subsequent cold phase preserves the extracts’ minerals, vitamins and nutrients – ensures that the skin receives the benefits of the ingredients at their optimum quality and potency.

Eliminating the risk of contamination during transport, every product is manufactured, hand-blended and packed with Australian-grown ingredients at the same facility. Unlike many skincare companies that use hot and humid shipping containers, Rare Skin Fuel’s final-batch products are flown from Australia to an air-conditioned warehouse in Hong Kong, ensuring quality and effectiveness. Recently, it launched a home spa kit to help users create a spa-like experience. To achieve this, Chen suggests beginning with the Detoxifying Australian Clay Mask and Refreshing Activator, which deeply cleanses, refines and exfoliates pores and dead skin cells for clearer and smoother skin. Afterwards, to balance out the drying effect of the detoxifying clay, soothe and moisturise the skin with the Restoring Australian Clay Mask and Nourishing Activator.

Botanic Pretti5, another locally founded but Japanese- bred skincare brand, also has unique products and tools to achieve spa-grade results at home. Born out of a passion to create clean products inspired by nature, Botanic Pretti5 harnesses the power of Chinese medicine using cutting-edge Western technology. Its modern skincare solutions are designed to fortify the skin’s natural immunity to combat stress, pollution and premature ageing. The low-irritant, non-comedogenic [non-pore- blocking] formula works for everyone – especially those with sensitive skin and rosacea. In particular, the brand offers a De-Puff and Shine set that achieves the same results as a facial, providing three easy steps for deep hydration that can alleviate large pores, puffiness and dark eye circles.

The set includes an Antioxidant Hydrating Toning Essence, a Miracle Glow Facial Oil and a Rose Quartz Facial Roller. The brand’s award-winning Antioxidant Hydrating Toning Essence contains snow-mushroom extracts and Japanese Goldflower root extract to provide deep hydration and pore refinement. It’s pH-balanced and contains no alcohol, so as to avoid irritating sensitive skin, provide better oil control and reduce acne breakouts. Founder Dorothy Chau suggests moisturising the skin with this toning essence after showering, followed by applying one or two drops of the multi-purpose, 100 percent plant-based Miracle Glow Facial Oil, which has a non-greasy formula infused with squalene and jojoba oil. The ginger extract in the oil also helps improve blood circulation and reduces facial bloating and dark circles, is easy to absorb and can be applied to the eye area without causing milia. Follow up with a gentle face massage using the Rose Quartz Facial Roller, one of the best-known ancient Chinese beauty tools whose multiple benefits remain popular to this day. Using this roller helps to reduce puffiness, removes extra water retention and toxins in the skin, promotes collagen production and reduces the appearance of fine lines, while brightening the skin tone by improving blood circulation for healthy and nourished skin.

A properly drawn bath can work wonders as a home spa treatment

The dry winter weather makes hydration of utmost importance. Fortunately, NARS has also recently released a skincare collection, which contains algae extract from Brittany in France to help stimulate natural cellular renewal and help skin look smoother, brighter and more evenly toned. It also replenishes the skin with mineral seawater harvested from the lagoons of French Polynesia to deliver essential moisture and minerals – such as calcium, magnesium and sulphur – to the skin’s surface. For those worried about dull skin, this collection also contains uniquely shaped Light Active Micro-Prisms to diffuse external light, just as a prism would, to optimise light reflection and result in a more luminous and
radiant complexion.

If you’re looking for something more potent, Valmont has a Prime Renewing Pack that includes two exclusive anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle ingredients: Liposomed RNA and the Peptides+Cocktail, which can immediately smooth and repair skin so that the face glows with radiant youth. An anti-stress cellular mask, whose formula visibly smooths and relaxes the facial features, it also provides long-term anti-ageing benefits by stimulating the skin’s essential functions. Its moisturising line also provides effective, customised hydration and features a cream that also acts as a mask for optimal hydration, with just one application.

Aside from the face, body and hair-care spa treatments can also be undertaken at home with Augustinus Bader’s body collection and Laura Mercier’s bath products, as well as Aveda and Kérastase’s specialised hair masks. A game changer since it entered the market, Augustinus Bader recently launched a body lotion and oil. The body lotion contains a protective polysaccharide compound that boosts inter-cellular communication and the skin’s ability to retain water, while rejuvenating shea butter and soothing aloe vera also make it ideal for after-sun care. Informed and inspired by 30 years of research and innovation, the body oil is powered by Augustinus Bader’s proprietary TFC8 complex, which blends natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins and synthesised molecules to enhance the skin’s innate process of rejuvenation and repair. The lightweight compound meets a range of needs, due to a fast-absorbing formula that improves the skin at the deepest levels, promoting overall dermatological health and resilience. “Our new high- performance body oil works to nourish and protect the skin’s integrity while supporting its renewal process. The more you use it, the stronger and healthier your skin will look,” Professor Augustinus Bader says.

During these trying times, a properly drawn bath can work wonders as a spa treatment at home. Laura Mercier’s almond coconut milk scrub is a polishing scrub with sugar granules and exfoliating beads that gently sloughs skin as well as clarifies and tones it. The creamy texture removes dead cells from the surface, leaving the skin soft and silky. The macadamia nut and sweet almond oils containing vitamins A and E also help to moisturise, protect and soothe.

The highlight of Laura Mercier’s bath products, however, is the fragrance. The warm fragrance of this scrub captures the essences not only of almond and coconut milk, but also jasmine, rosewood, ylang-ylang, vanilla, tonka, heliotrope and musk. Or pamper yourself with its Ambre Vanillé honey bath whose thick and rich bubbles will leave your skin velvety smooth and senses calm and relaxed. The nourishing blend of shea butter, vanilla extracts, sweet almond proteins, hydrolysed rice, oat proteins and Vitamin B-5 moisturises, rebalances and protects the skin. The quiet sensuality of amber blended with the warmth of vanilla is enhanced with fresh notes of tangerine and tiger orchid, sweet notes of almond and brown sugar, as well as a final hint of musky sandalwood for a finish that’s soft, intimate and addictive.

Combat dull and lacklustre hair with Kérastase’s Masque Reconstituant, a rich, thick white cream which provides intense hydration and nourishment for hair fibres without weighing it down. It also helps fortify the hair to become smoother and softer. Likewise, Aveda has also recently launched its first nutrient-powered all-day moisturiser for dry hair. A blend of organic pomegranate oil, coconut oil and mango butter, this unique product intensely moisturises and replenishes dry and depleted hair.

“Coconut oil is known to penetrate the hair strands for nourishment, and the pomegranate oil and mango butter help smooth and nourish the surface of the hair,” said Christine Hall, Aveda’s vice president of research and development. “Pomegranate oil has powerful nutritional benefits for the hair; rich in omega-5 fatty acid, it helps revitalise dull and dry hair with hydration and protects it from depletion.”
With these products targeting face, hair and body, rest assured that they’ll keep you well taken care of from head to toe while access to spas and salons may not necessarily be guaranteed.

(Hero shot: Botanic Pretti5’s De-puff and Shine Collection)

The post Home Spa: Two Beauty Experts on The Best Products For Dry Winters appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

In this time of Covid, wearing a mask around has become part of our everyday life.

Unfortunately, keeping our faces covered has also triggered some uncomfortable side effects like rashes, dryness, and breakouts — also known as maskne — for some of us.

If you too, have been struggling with skin woes due to all the mask-wearing, consider adding these (other types of) masks to your skincare routine to keep your complexion clear and nourished. Here are five of the best purifying, hydrating and repairing masks that have won our hearts.

Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Repair Mask

Formulated with hydrating and nourishing active ingredients derived from camellia japonica and an antioxidant blue ginger extract, Chanel’s multi-tasking mask can be used three ways for different results. Leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water for a burst of radiance; Skip the rinse and massage the excess for an overall deep hydration; or use it as a ‘spot’ treatment to target specific areas.

[myaffiliate type="normal" button_name="Get it here" url="https://www.chanel.com/hk-en/skincare/p/141910/camellia-repair-mask-multi-use-hydrating-and-comforting-mask/" align="center" class="affiliate-one"]

Aesop Sublime Replenishing Night Masque

Aesop’s first overnight mask is enriched with vitamin B, C, E and F, so expect anti-oxidant, hydrating and smoothening properties. Suitable for use in all climates and on a range of skin types, it’s particularly beneficial to those with normal to very dry skin; dull, patchy or fatigued skin; or those given to dehydration, such as office workers and frequent travellers.

[myaffiliate type="normal" button_name="Get it here" url="https://www.aesop.com/hk/en/r/sublime-inspiration/" align="center" class="affiliate-two"]

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

Amino-rich watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid, antioxidant-rich pumpkin extract, and AHAs in this mask hydrates, soothes and fights free radical damage to ward off fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. Chemical exfoliators in the concoction also helps buff away dead skin, smooth fine lines, soften texture, diminish dark spots, and clarify pores. You can use it as a sleeping mask or as a wash-off mask.

[myaffiliate type="normal" button_name="Get it here" url="https://www.glowrecipe.com/products/glow-recipe-watermelon-glow-sleeping-mask" align="center" class="affiliate-three"]

Tarte Jelly Glaze Anytime Lip Mask

Chapped lips? This vegan lip mask hydrates and smooths while giving your puckers a sheer, flattering tint of colour. It provides 12 hours of hydration and can be used as an overnight lip mask. Infused with vegan squalane, marine plant extracts, hyaluronic acid and a blend of avocado and argan oils, Tarte’s anytime lip masks come in in three flavours: Strawberry jelly, grapefruit and toasted coconut.

[myaffiliate type="normal" button_name="Get it here" url="https://tartecosmetics.com/en_HK/jelly-glaze-anytime-lip-mask-1885.html" align="center" class="affiliate-three"]

Sulwhasoo Herbal Clay Purifying Mask

Made with fine clay particles from the Yellow Sea, the gel cream also includes herbs said to calm sensitive skin, gently exfoliate dead skin cells, tighten pores and hydrate the skin. It can also be used daily as a deep cleanser, too. To brighten dull skin, also check out the White Ginseng Radiance Refining Mask and Overnight Vitalising Mask.

[myaffiliate type="normal" button_name="Get it here" url="https://www.sulwhasoo.com/hk/en/products/herbal-clay-purifying-mask.html" align="center" class="affiliate-four"]

This story first appeared on Prestige Singapore

(Main and featured image: Chanel)

The post Your Skin Will Love These Purifying, Hydrating and Repairing Masks appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

By now, your bosses and colleagues have probably seen more of your abode than you would've ever expected to show them.

With many of us working from home these days, meetings held over video conferencing apps the likes of Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become the new normal. Inevitably, this means letting colleagues into our residences — albeit virtually — and having them catch glimpses of it via our backdrop. Depending on where your workspace is located, this view could range from a boring blank wall to windows or cluttered bookshelves.

Your makeshift office may not be the most glamorous, but there are several easy interior design tricks that you can employ to quickly jazz up the background of your Zoom calls.

Textiles and cushions

If your workstation of choice is the couch or bed, all it takes is a few snazzy throw pillows wrapped in eye-catching fabrics and prints to provide visual interest in the space behind you. Consider dressing your cushions in the Armani/Casa Exclusive Textiles by Rubelli collection, which is inspired by modern art — specifically works by Henri Matisse, Vasilij Kandinskij and Paul Klee.

It showcases striking colour blocks embellished with embroideries, ikat details and intertwined motifs. These are available in various patterns and shades ranging from pastel to neutral hues. More details here.

Houseplants and greenery

Adding houseplants to your home office will help the space look less spartan and bland. Smaller plants like cacti, succulents and spider plants can be displayed on shelves or tables, while larger ones such as philodendrons, snake plants and ZZ plant (Zanzibar Gem) can be placed on the floor to break the monotony of blank walls.

Online plant retailer Flora Houses offers a wide variety of houseplants that will thrive indoors and are generally low-maintenance. Its range includes Japanese fir, fiddle leaf fig and Bird of Paradise. The store provides free doorstep delivery with a minimum spend.

Artworks and paintings

Perhaps houseplants may seem like too much of a commitment, or you simply don't have green fingers. This is where paintings and art pieces make an easier alternative. You can simply hang a couple of them on the wall that constantly forms your video call backdrop.

An Andy Warhol or Basquiat will certainly impress your co-workers, but your art doesn't necessarily have to be expensive or by big name artists. Consider procuring artworks instead from indie galleries such as Odd One Out, which boasts an array of creations by local and international printmakers and illustrators. We can't take our eyes off the above acrylic painting by Micke Lindebergh, which is titled 'Small Yellow Flower Pot' and features colourful blooms accented by quirky squiggles and bright hues.

Statement ornaments and furniture

Inject a dose of quirk into your meeting setup by peppering your background with assorted decorative items and statement furniture pieces. These can be anything from figurines to colourful tiles and dramatic room dividers.

Our go-to is Lala Curio, which is a whimsical wonderland of objets d'art such as brass monkey sculptures, cloisonné birds, and, one of our favourites — an adorable trio of cranes adorned with rock crystal feathers and perched on crystal balls.

Wallpaper

Why settle for one specially curated work area, when you can turn your whole room into an Instagram-worthy space? Wallpaper is a bold and easy solution — if every wall in your room is clad in beautiful prints, you can essentially park yourself in any corner and still have an envy-inducing Zoom backdrop.

Designer wallpaper has seen a resurgence in recent years, and we're obsessed with Christian Lacroix's exquisite Oiseau Fleur vinyl wallpaper, which depicts vibrant botanical and bird motifs against a silk effect embossed base. It comes in two colourways of pink and grey.

(Main image: Brina Blum/ Unsplash; Featured image: Christian Lacroix)

The post Here’s What Happened When We Switched to Fragrance-Free Skincare appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.