Celebrity Life

Tata Harper loves a good face mask. Some might even say she introduced the world to -- or at least gladly spread the gospel of -- the concept of multi-masking, or treating different areas of the face with different masks. But once her stepfather was diagnosed with cancer, the skincare enthusiast, who credits her love of beauty to her grandmother and other cosmetics-obsessed relatives she grew up with in Colombia, wanted a mask -- and, of course, a cleanser and an essence and a moisturiser -- that not only provided amazing results but also eliminated the need for harsh, toxic chemicals. So, what did she do?

“I was like, how am I going to replace my super-high-tech Swiss skincare line that I’ve been using forever?“ Harper tells me when we meet at Joyce Beauty in early May. “I started Googling what these products are actually made of, beyond those two or three ingredients the salesperson talked to me about. Because they’re made from so much more than just the active ingredients. You need preservatives, you need emulsifiers, you need stabilisers, you need pH balancers, you need thickeners. That’s where all the shortcuts are made. Companies typically spend their resources on the one hero ingredient but then after that, it’s just a lot of cheap industrial chemicals.”

[caption id="attachment_149807" align="alignnone" width="4344"] Tata Harper on her farm in Vermont[/caption]

Harper started looking at options in the “natural” skincare market. “They show you all these things that have algaes, roses, honey and then you turn the box around and you’re like, wait, this is the same thing again. The parabens, the PEGs, the SLS’s, the glycols, all those antifreeze derivatives, all the petroleum...”

Eventually, Harper took matters into her own hands. “I had no idea if I could do better, honestly,” she says. “But I was like, I’m going to try. It took five years working with a lot of scientists, a lot of chemists, in different fields helping me and teaching me.”

In 2010, Tata Harper the brand launched from its namesake’s farm in the northeastern US state of Vermont and immediately captured the attention of consumers looking for non-toxic skincare that provided the same results they had come to expect from mainstream luxury brands.

“That’s what we stand for, really: it’s cutting-edge technology but without a single drop of synthetic chemicals or any shortcuts along the way, including the level of active ingredients,” Harper says. “Natural skincare was not a place where people were making high-tech formulations. But the most high-tech stuff right now is in naturals; they’re not mutually exclusive. It’s more about: do you want that technology to come from artificial chemicals, or do you want it to come from natural chemicals that grow in the earth?”

Tata Harper products, which include a full range of cleansers, masks, serums and more targeted treatments, are made from around 800 raw materials sourced from 68 countries -- including five herbs grown on Harper’s Vermont farm. And given the nature -- pun intended -- of the ingredients, everything is crafted with utmost care at the company’s dedicated facility.

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“Brands almost never make their own products. That was the biggest surprise, honestly. Especially with luxury skincare, where it’s almost an expectation because part of what makes a product luxury is the craftsmanship and the know-how that you bring to the equation,” Harper says. “So we were like, OK, we’re not really participating in that. We want to make our products. And that has also ended up guaranteeing to our customers freshness because then you don’t end up with eight months’ worth of inventory that in some cases doesn’t get to the client for up to a year.”

Harper and her team still manage the entire manufacturing process, ensuring that the time between when a product is made and when it’s sold is about two months. And while the signature green-and-gold Tata Harper packaging remains the same, the company is constantly tweaking formulas and incorporating new technologies.

The beauty entrepreneur’s eyes practically light up as she describes the breakthroughs happening in the natural skincare space. “They’re extremely powerful and they represent today the latest in science and skin, whether it’s algae technology or stem-cell technology or the neuropeptide technology we bring in from Israel, all the redensifying technology that’s coming out of Germany. Plus all the functionals, all the natural preservatives, emulsifiers, everything,” Harper says. “It’s a really exciting time to be doing what we’re doing.”

The post Tata Harper on Her All-Natural, Organic Skincare Range appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

It’s all about the glow, but this season, it’s bigger than ever. Time and time again, the number one beauty trend is flawless, radiant skin. And why wouldn’t it be? A youthful, healthy complexion is always in style. While the glass skin trend is a long-term skin goal, a little highlighter can instantly fake brightness, height and dimension. Here’s our rundown of the best highlighters and where to apply them.

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[caption id="attachment_148271" align="alignnone" width="641"] M.A.C. Cosmetics[/caption]

Tip and bridge of nose:

[dual-images right-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-444.jpg" left-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-443.jpg" right-caption="Guerlain Terracotta Skin Highlighting Stick" left-caption="Too Faced Unicorn Highlighting Stick"]

To give the illusion of a higher and thinner nose, glide a highlight stick (Guerlain Terracotta Skin Highlighting Stick for a more natural look, or Too Faced Unicorn Highlighting Stick for a more pearlescent dramatic look) from the bridge to the tip of your nose to accentuate the length. The highlighter will catch the light to open up the face.

Cupid’s bow:

[dual-images right-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-445.jpg" left-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-442.jpg" right-caption="YSL Beauté Touche Éclat All Over Brightening Pen" left-caption="By Terry Touche Veloutée"]

Dab a tiny amount right above the upper lip in the “V” hollow with a small brush or even your fingertip (YSL Beauté Touche Éclat All Over Brightening Pen or By Terry Touche Veloutée). Doing so will enhance the volume and shape of the lips, and really make your lipstick pop.

Below and above the eyebrow:

[dual-images right-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-441.jpg" left-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-440.jpg" right-caption="Huda Beauty 3D Highlighter Palette" left-caption="Chantecaille Lumière Rose"]

To open up your eyes and add more definition to your brows, blend a small amount of powder highlighter right underneath the arch (Huda Beauty 3D Highlighter Palette). A touch of shimmer can brighten up your eyes naturally. To enhance the eyes, a touch of highlighter (Chantecaille Lumière Rose) above is equally important as below the brows. As a result, the shape and colour of your brows will appear more prominent and defined.

Cheekbones:

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If there’s one place on the face that can benefit most from a highlight, it’s the cheekbones. Not only can it give you an instant lift, but when using the right product (Diorskin Nude Air Powder, Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand or Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Highlighter & Balm Duo), it can also give you a naturally sun-kissed sheen. Swipe from your ear to the apple of your cheek using an angled brush and blend out. To contrast the highlight, adding a shadow in the hollows of the cheeks (Tom Ford Beauty Shade & Illuminate) which will create an even more intentional contour.

Forehead:

[dual-images right-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-436.jpg" left-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-435.jpg" right-caption="Fenty Diamond Bomb Veil" left-caption="Illamasqua Beyond Powder in Frost"]

An often overlooked spot on your face when it comes to highlighting, the forehead is in fact just as important as any other part. A light touch on the highest point of your face exudes a delicate sheen. An ultra-fine shimmer can give off a nice dewy effect (Rihanna’s Fenty Diamond Bomb Veil or Illamasqua Beyond Powder in Frost).

Chin:

[dual-images right-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-434.jpg" left-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-446.jpg" right-caption="Kevyn Aucoin The Neo-Trio Palette" left-caption="M.A.C. Hyper Real Glow Palette/Get Lit"]

Another seemingly unnecessary spot, a highlight to the chin can make it look more narrow. It can also help bring out the curves of the face to a delicate point that is in line with the popular V-shape face, while also slimming the jawline (M.A.C. Hyper Real Glow Palette/Get Lit or Kevyn Aucoin The Neo-Trio Palette).

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Those that are looking to smooth out those hard to define areas, wrinkles, pores, fine lines, and more can benefit from the use of a dermaroller that rolls over these areas of the skin to reduce the sight of pores, but also to ensure that you get the best possible way to remove those old, […]

The post 192 Micro Needle Dermaroller: The Path to Beautiful Skin appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

It was not so many years ago that the idea of using caviar in skincare was but a distant dream, yet through its innovative approach to research, La Prairie made this possible, infusing the rich nutrients inherent in this ingredient into the skin for unparalleled benefits.

[caption id="attachment_144588" align="alignnone" width="1247"] La Prairie is the first cosmetics brand to infuse its products with nutrient-rich caviar extract.[/caption]

The next step in this natural evolution was to harness this technology for the brand’s make-up  products – imagine a foundation or powder that had the ability to hide all your skin’s flaws, while actively working to improve its overall quality.  Combining the science of skincare with the artistry behind make-up, La Prairie introduces two new additions to its Skin Caviar Complexion Collection: the Skin Caviar Powder Foundation SPF 15 UVA/PA++, as well as the Skin Caviar Loose Powder, which will launch in early June 2019.

[caption id="attachment_144587" align="alignnone" width="1247"] The buildable powder foundation perfects and protects with caviar extract and an exclusive cellular complex.[/caption]

This technologically advanced duo offers customisable and buildable tints that help you put your best face forward, with flawless textures that offer natural colour correction and stunning luminosity.

The Powder Foundation is the world’s first to be infused with caviar extract, which begins as a creamy base, relaxing into a soft, cashmere-like finish which protects against UVA and UVB rays, while an exclusive Cellular Complex lets the skin drink up nutrients. Buildable and blendable, the product’s coverage is matt but with an underlying glow so that you look fresh all day long.

The Loose Powder, once again the first of its kind to contain caviar extract, provides the perfect finishing touch. Finely milled and light, it sweeps on to leave but a trace of powder for an invisibly immaculate veil, illuminating the complexion and keeping your make-up in place.

[caption id="attachment_144586" align="alignnone" width="1474"] The Skin Caviar Complexion line combines the science of skincare and the artistry of make-up.[/caption]

In addition, La Prairie has created a trio of brushes – for the liquid foundation, powder foundation and loose powder, respectively – designed to be used with Skin Caviar Complexion products, so that the perfect products have their perfect partners, which utilise high-quality synthetic bristles.

Add to that the Skin Caviar Essence-in Foundation SPF 25/PA+++ and the Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation SPF 15, and La Prairie now offers a full range of Skin Caviar Complexion products in a variety of finishes to satisfy the make-up and skincare lover’s each and every need.

laprairie.com.hk

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You’ve likely heard the alarming statistics -- one in every three cancers diagnosed is of the skin, with the global incidence of melanoma only increasing as ozone levels are continually depleted -- and chances are you’ve suffered the consequences of too much sun.

The good news, though, is there are several easy -- and even downright pleasant -- ways to protect yourself from the harmful effects of UV and associated light pollution. This season sees the launch of a host of innovative skincare products incorporating SPF protection along with powerful antioxidants that can defend against the oxidative damage caused by blue light and infrared rays.

Unlike sunscreens of old, these new releases come in a variety of textures and easy-to-absorb formulas. In addition to traditional creams and SPF-infused moisturisers, look out for oils such as Natura Bissé’s C+C Dry Oil Antioxidant Sun Protection SPF 30 or featherweight liquids such as Shiseido’s White Lucent Day Emulsion with SPF 50+ protection.

Perhaps the most exciting innovations for skincare fans are the deceptively effective Sun Drops from Dr. Barbara Sturm and Sun Silk Drops from Coola. Both are delivered by dropper, and can be applied just before sun exposure. They can mixed with moisturiser or applied as needed throughout the day.

Here are our picks of the best skincare products to protect you from the sun all summer long.

Payot

Coola

This newly launched organic sunscreen boasts an innovative serum-like formula that combats blue light, infrared rays and pollution in addition to providing SPF 30.

Guerlain

The healing properties of honey combine with powerful protection against UV, infrared and blue light in the new Abeille Royale Skin Defense Youth Protection SPF 50.

Sisley

With an even higher level of protection than previous versions, the new Sunleya G.E. Age Minimizing Global Sun Care SPF 50 aims to slow the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots while stalling the loss of skin firmness.

Natura Bissé

Formulated with carrot and grapeseed oils as well as Provitamin D, the innovative C+C Dry Oil Antioxidant Sun Protection SPF 30 hydrates while it protects.

Shiseido

Estée Lauder

Bare Minerals

The post 9 Essential Skincare Products to Protect You From the Sun All Summer Long appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Indie brand Skin Inc has made a significant impact in a highly competitive industry.

The post How Skin Inc founder Sabrina Tan harnessed digital marketing and social media to grow successful skincare brand appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Indie brand Skin Inc has made a significant impact in a highly competitive industry.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Let everyday be a miracle with La Mer’s cult classic, The Concentrate.

There’s a million and one things that can affect your skin; from changes in season to extreme weather conditions, to stress, to pollution, so it’s hard to know what’s causing instability at any given moment or day. That’s why it’s essential to arm yourself with a skincare regimen that tackles any and all issues in one fell swoop.

La Mer’s The Concentrate has long been touted as a skin saviour, a must-have cult-favourite solution that utilises a super concentrated form of Miracle Broth™, known for its extraordinary ability to soothe, strengthen and stabilise skin, no matter what it’s going through.

If La Mer’s Miracle Broth™ isn’t a part of your skincare lexicon, it’s time to add it to the dictionary: the brainchild of aerospace physicist Dr Max Huber was created after he suffered severe burns in the lab through the course of his work, and, inspired by the regenerative properties of giant sea kelp, used it to create an active complex that could soothe and smooth away any imperfections. He didn’t know it then but we certainly know it now, that this Miracle Broth™ would become one of the world’s most revered formulas.

Lab burns may not top most women’s list of skincare concerns, but The Concentrate is an intensive treatment that can get the skin through any type of trauma, whether it’s redness and irritation or simple inflammation, which is a key cause of premature ageing, and is brought on by some of modern society’s most unavoidable elements, whether it’s the sun’s punishing UV rays or free radicals that are everywhere in the air.

If your skin is fragile and lacks stability, The Concentrate also contains a special Stabilising Ferment, specially engineered to balance skin condition and restore its health and vibrance, as well as special barrier ingredients that act as a lipid “cellular cement”, protecting the skin with an extra layer of defence and increasing its invulnerability. The Concentrated Miracle Broth™ lies suspended within this breathable barrier, sinking into the pores slowly to repair and rebuild.

Its uses are basically never-ending, limited only by the imagination, whether it’s to soothe the skin as an everyday serum or to halt the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy – or to even heal a burn as Dr Huber did so many years ago.

Learn more at La Mer.

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Believe it or not, it's already April, and before you know it, it’ll be time to set out on junk boats, lounge poolside, and brunch alfresco. So, there’s no time like the present to get summer-ready and put your beauty game into high gear for the longer, warmer days ahead. This season, it’s all about introducing colour in a playful way, glowing with dewy skin, experimenting with refreshing new scents, and safeguarding your face with protective precautions to combat the fiery weather. Whether you’re only committed to small adjustments or you’re looking to make big transformations, here’s our definitive list of what’s new on the shelves for your spring and summer routine.

The Artistry

Anti-Aging Facial Massage Set

Looking for a game changer? Look no further! This set (HK$289) includes a two-ended face roller in different sizes (use the smaller one for areas around your eyes and nose, and the larger one for forehead, cheeks and chin) as well as a gua sha scraper for that “V” jawline and chin. The natural cooling properties of the rose quartz promotes blood circulation, minimises pores, improves skin elasticity and promotes lymphatic drainage. It’s easy to use and frankly rather zen, but most importantly, the results speak for themselves.

Tip: Use with your favourite serum and/or moisturiser starting from the centre of your face and roll outwards. For best results, store roller in the refrigerator to shrink pores, or soak in warm water for a soothing facial massage.

Atelier Cologne

Clémentine California

Atelier Cologne’s zesty new fragrance (HK$1,120/100ml) is summer captured in a bottle. Bursting with fruity and sweet scents without being overpowering, the ingredients originate from exotic countries and awaken your senses with inspiration for travel. You’ll find notes of clementine from Italy, juniper berries from Turkey and Vetiver from Haiti -- all perfectly blended and balanced into a sensual and delicate summer fragrance.

Byredo

Rose of No Man’s Land Body Collection

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The 2015 fragrance inspired by and paying tribute to nurses (often referred to by soldiers as “Rose of No-Man’s Land”) of World War I has finally dropped its body care line (HK$320–$600). With notes of pink pepper, Turkish rose petals, raspberry blossom and white amber, its deliciously ethereal -- a soothing, fruity yet slightly woody fragrance -- and the scent is just as enticing in the body care format. The new collection includes body wash, body lotion, body cream, hair perfume, hand cream and roll-on oil.

Christian Louboutin

LoubiGraffiti Collection

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With its bold colours and long-lasting wear, Christian Louboutin’s newest cosmetics collection (HK$450–$800) continues the brand's strong aesthetics with vibrant pops of pigment in lip and nail formulas. Inspired by extravagant graffiti, it looks as the name suggests. The four velvet matte lip shades and six nail varnishes are designed to invite its users to explore, create and express themselves through playful vibrancy. Shades like turquoise Batignolles varnish and Diva lipstick will be making splashes all throughout summer.

Darphin

The Master Oils

Master botanist, formulator and kinesiotherapist Peirre Darphin brings his French beauty secrets to Hong Kong -- launching his collection known for highly concentrated botanical skincare this April. Harvesting the most active parts of different plants and using pure extraction methods, the ingredients that go into each of his formulas are all exceptional -- most notably the Master of Oils, a collection of eight oils (from HK$490–$1,120/15ml) infused with Omega 3 and 6 penetrate deep into the layers of the skin without leaving a greasy film. Darphin’s claim to be “A Force of Life for Skin” is a big statement to make, but in our opinion, he definitely lives up to the hype.

Note: The collection comprises of Nectar, Tangerine, Chamomile, Jasmine, Rose, Orange Blossom, Vetiver Stress Detox and Niaouli Aromatic Care.

Gucci

The Alchemist’s Garden

Florals for spring may not be groundbreaking, but we don't mind at all. Following the launch of fragrance Bloom in 2017, this year, creative director Alessandro Michele presents us with The Alchemist’s Garden -- a fragrance inspired by the art of alchemy (HK$1,890 to HK$3,600). The fragrance enthusiast’s apothecary-style collection includes perfumes, scented waters and perfumed oils which can be blended and layered to the wearer’s personal specifications. 

Helena Rubinstein

Radiant Eye Treatment

Prodigy Cellglow has just introduced the newest member to its line -- Radiant Eye Treatment (HK$1,320) -- bringing the collection to a total of four star products. Like the existing items in the range, its uniqueness and efficacy lie in the high concentration of Cellular Supreme of Edelweiss, the floral ingredient that fuses exquisitely with the skin, leaving it glowing and plumped full of moisture all day. This rosy-glow balm promises to lift, rejuvenate, depuff and contour. For a limited time only, every purchase comes with an eye massager that can be filled with warm or cold water to accelerate the process of absorption.

Ipsa

Powder Foundation N SPF25

Makeup doesn’t handle heat well. We’ve all experienced the suffocation of our skin under foundation, the melt of the product as we’re exposed to the sun, or the decolouration as the day progresses. Ipsa’s answer to summer coverage is in the form of its new foundation: Powder Foundation N SPF25 (HK$460). It’s unique dual-shade design is perfect for contouring and light touch-ups throughout the day. It’s lightweight and airy, leaving your face feeling natural, too. It does the job to even out skin tone, but if you’re looking for a bit more coverage, you’ll need to dab on a little concealer underneath your eyes to hide blemishes and fine flaws.

Kiehl’s

Dermatologist Solutions Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF50

Our prayers have been answered for a light yet powerful sunscreen. Of all the claims of non-greasy SPF protection out there, few succeed in living up to our expectations. As UV and pollution combined does the deadliest damage to ageing skin, nothing is more paramount in your routine than your sunscreen. So when this water-light fluid formula (HK$525/60ml) came out, we had to give it a go. It turns out that, besides its protective qualities, we also saw a reduction in the appearance of pores, felt hydrated (thanks, Vitamin E!) and we were shine-free for hours. This definitely tops our chart as the holy grail of sun-care products.

Tip: This product is designed for normal to oily skin types and humid conditions. Dry skin types may need to top up with extra hydration.

NARS

Afterglow Lip Balm

Just because the dry weather is behind us doesn’t mean you skimp on hydration. To spruce things up in the chapstick department, NARS has come up with a moisture-packed formula (HK$250) using a blend of antioxidants and Monoi Hydrating Complex to help smooth, soften and protect your luscious lips. The series comes in six shades designed to be flattering on any skin tone. Think of this is as a water pack for your lips, but in a sheer wash of colour that leaves a slight shine. Bang Bang (an orangey coral) and Hidden Pleasure (a rose mauve) are our favourite lippies of the moment.

Omorovicza

Acid Fix

When we first heard the name, we were slightly skeptical (and fearful, too). But then we remembered the great benefits of hyaluronic, lactic and salicylic acids, and how those are imperative components that our skin requires for a healthy glow. In Omorovicza’s special blend, its Acid Fix (HK$950) acts as a detox to reset your system by brightening, exfoliating, tightening and toning. We tested it in our normal routine by massaging a couple drops onto our skin (post-toner, pre-serum) before bed time and woke up with reborn skin.

Note: A slight tingly feeling is normal. It’s nothing to panic over.

Valmont

Purity Collection

Humidity and pollutants are the main culprits of bad skin all year round (more so during the summer), so thorough cleansing is a top priority. But have you ever wondered what works best for you? Is it a foam, water, gel, oil or lotion? Valmont has taken its cleansing system seriously and its Purity collection (HK$500–$1,310) targets the skin’s ecosystem while balancing out your microbiota with Swiss glacial spring water and probiotics. Each formula is gentle yet powerful, and can remove even the most stubborn makeup. It's now available in nine different textures, so you can still reap the benefits of its potency in whichever format and texture you love and capacity you need.

Note: The collection comprises of makeup removal face jelly, cleansing cream, cleansing face foam, dual-phase makeup removal oil, makeup removal water, fluid makeup removal cream, face tonic, exfoliating cream and purifying mask.

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