Celebrity Life

Between personalized exercise programs or exclusive, eco-friendly wellness retreats, there are so many ways to improve your wellbeing mentally and physically. We take a look at the top five luxury health and wellness trends that you might want to try out: Wellness retreats The popularity of wellness retreats continues to rise, with people looking to […]

The post 5 Top Luxury Health And Wellness Trends To Look Out For appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

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 Luxury Gym Equipment for Your Home Workouts 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 Honey Could Be the Solution to Your Skincare Woes appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Fifty metres underground — this is the depth that local winemakers chose when they decided to store 10,000 wine bottles in the Aven d'Orgnac caves, an underground tourist attraction located at the southern end of the limestone plateau of the Gorges de l'Ardèche.

The experiment began in March 2018, when a new storage facility was specially created in a disused access tunnel to allow wine to mature in what amounts to a highly stable and peaceful environment.

A living product that ages best in undisturbed darkness, the wine will have benefited from ideal conditions: A constant temperature of around 12°C and an all-year-long rate of humidity of over 95%.

On December 12, 1,000 bottles of Côtes du Vivarais "Grand Aven 2017" from this treasure trove will be passed from hand to hand by a chain of human volunteers who will bring them back to the surface after two years underground. Thereafter, they will go under the hammer with a range of other local vintages in an auction with modest reserve prices.

Lots on offer will include 150 magnums of Terra Helvorum 2017 starting at 30 euros, 350 bottles of 2015 Terra Helvorum for as little as 15 euros and 350 bottles of Grand Aven 2016 from just 10 euros.

On land and sea

These days, experiments to store wine deep underground are very much in vogue in France. On June 3 of this year, 500 bottles were placed in racks at a depth of 103 metres in caves in Padirac under the watchful eye of Serge Dubs, the Best Sommelier of the World in 1989.

The first of these to return to the surface will be brought up for an initial tasting in the spring of 2021. And let's not forget that this experiment is focused on a very particular wine: A Clos Triguedina Cahors, christened Cuvée Probus, which has been produced to honour the 130-year anniversary of the Padirac Chasm.

Surprisingly enough, this new approach to maturing wine was initially inspired by a find at sea. In 2010, divers in the Baltic discovered a wreck containing what turned out to be a cargo of champagne, which was probably on its way to 1840s Russia.

The wave of experimentation that is now ongoing began when the bubbly, which was made by such houses as Veuve Clicquot, Heidsieck and the now defunct Juglar, was discovered to still be delicious after some 170 years under water.

In Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the French Basque country, winemaker Emmanuel Poirmeur has registered a patent for a process that involves vinifying wine in special vats at a depth of 15 metres under water. For its part, Leclerc-Briant set a record when it vinified one of its champagnes at a depth of 60 meters under the Atlantic in 2012, not surprisingly the vintage was christened "Abyss."

The post Top Tips from Coach Beth Wright on How to Get Fit and Healthy with Eatology appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The latest buzz term – ironically, without the buzz – making waves in the world of beauty and wellness is CBD.

To get to the root of this plant-powered substance, I explored different CBD products to find out what it is and how it could potentially help your health and general wellbeing.

CBD is the beauty and wellness industry’s newest super ingredient, at least in Hong Kong. In North America, where CBD is already hugely popular and fast becoming mainstream, it can be found infused in myriad oils, lotions and potions, as well as pain-relieving gummy bears and supplements for humans and sometimes pets. It’s touted as a natural remedy for many modern ailments — indeed, there’s a growing consensus that CBD is the botanical saviour to many of our health, wellness and beauty issues. But what exactly is it, and what does it do?

[caption id="attachment_209606" align="alignnone" width="1000"] CBD is one of the many compounds found in both hemp and cannabis plants.[/caption]

Cannabidiol, or CBD in short, is a non-intoxicating compound derived from hemp or cannabis, though they should not be confused as the same plant -- however similar-looking. Hemp has low levels (occasionally there are traces, but with little to no effect) of the high-inducing chemical THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), whose psychoactive properties can induce mind-altering effects.

According to a report by the World Health Organisation in 2018, there are no indications of any abuse or dependence potential, and nor is there evidence of health-related problems or harmful side effects associated with the use of pure CBD. Moreover, it’s been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for epilepsy, while anecdotal evidence also indicates the potential to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve skin, offset anxiety … the list goes on.

How and why CBD works is due to a complex process that scientists are still trying to make sense of: the Endocannabinoid system (or ECS). This cell-signalling system, identified in the early 1990s, is something that actively exists in our bodies and is thought to play a role in regulating sleep, appetite, mood, memory, reproduction and fertility.

[caption id="attachment_209607" align="alignnone" width="900"] Broad-spectrum cannabinoid activated oil created by the people behind pellucid industries[/caption]

Hong Kong-based Pellucid Industries is creating ripples in the industry with the imminent launch of their plant-based, THC-free cannabinoid-activated products that span beauty, wellness and sports recovery. The company founder, James Yau, explains that “we’re discovering that our bodies have receptors that interact with cannabinoids, which stimulate, counter-balance and naturally benefit us in numerous ways”. Put simply, research is saying that our body is always ready to absorb the benefits of CBD.

He adds, “Pre Covid-19, we’d been travelling around the world looking into clinical studies, hospital trials and non-recreational users, and [discovering] how it’s benefited patients from the age of two to 90 years old … And through our findings, we’re convinced of its anti-inflammatory effects, both internal and external. You don’t have to get high to benefit from cannabinoids.”

Yet even with its multitudinous benefits, CBD is still held in some suspicion in Asia, which is possibly due to its uncertain legality in some countries. In Hong Kong, however, cannabinoids without any trace of THC — known as CBD isolates, which are also free of other cannabinoids, oils, and plant materials — are legal.

Yau, who says that Pellucid Industries will grow, harvest, process and produce its products, adds, “Until the preregistered and relevant licences have been secured, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum compounds are classed as illegal.”

[caption id="attachment_209548" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Treaty’s ingestible CBD tinctures.[/caption]

Some users argue that full-spectrum cannabinoids provide greater relief than the isolate variety due to the combined benefits of the cannabinoids, terpenes and other beneficial plant materials. Where THC has been removed or a CBD isolate that has other cannabinoids is added, broad-spectrum cannabinoids can deliver an entourage effect by using multiple parts of the plant, while still being free of THC.

“A CBD isolate has little to no effect on the majority of the population, effectively making the product a gimmick. The benefits of using broad and full-spectrum products are far more effective,” continues Yau. “We’re glad to see more cannabinoid based products surfacing, which helps to educate the market. We feel this is just the beginning for the industry and that variety will help further expand everyone’s knowledge on more plant-based products.”

[caption id="attachment_209554" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Lip shines by Saint Jane[/caption]

This is exactly what we’re seeing in Hong Kong, with a number of brands and companies pushing past the taboo to bring in or develop CBD products of their own, which are set to change the future of beauty and wellness on this side of the Pacific. Luxury retail destination Joyce Beauty recently introduced three CBD brands from the US for a limited period, including a line of luxury skincare and make-up by Saint Jane, bath and body-care items by Nature of Things and ingestible CBD tinctures by Treaty.

“It’s the holy grail when it comes to must-have beauty products,” says Jason Wong, director of Joyce Beauty, “so we wanted to de-stigmatise this misunderstood hero ingredient. We love CBD due to the fantastic major benefits it has on our skin health, such as its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and skin-soothing properties. It also reduces dryness, and is amazing for acne-prone, sensitive skin, as well as treating chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. On top of these skincare benefits, your body also receives wellbeing benefits.”

[caption id="attachment_209552" align="alignnone" width="923"] Restorative bath and body products by Nature of Things[/caption]

“The response to CBD products has been overwhelmingly positive,” he adds. “We’re now even talking to our existing brands about the opportunity for new products to add to our collection. With the CBD space constantly evolving, we’ll continue to hunt down the most innovative brands for our Hong Kong customers.”

Hong Kong’s food and beverage industry has also felt the effects of CBD. Local cafe Elephant Grounds was one of the first coffee shops in the city to offer water-soluble CBD drops (from Life CBD) as an addition to all its drinks. Found, a newly opened boutique and café in Sheung Wan, is offering a whole range of CBD products and CBD-infused food and drinks.

To satisfy my curiosity, I sampled some CBD-infused creams, oils and, on several occasions, coffee to see what all the fuss is about. Keeping in mind that everyone responds to CBD differently, I felt varying degrees of its effects. With some products, none whatsoever, while others brought exceptional results in relieving migraine pain, reduced muscle soreness and less anxiety overall.

To the sceptics I’d say: give it a go. The known benefits of CBD are just the tip of the iceberg, and its potential in mental wellbeing, beauty and sports performance are definitely worth considering, especially at a time when health, both physical and mental, should surely take precedence.

The post The Truth About CBD and Its Potential Health Benefits appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

When it comes to postpartum recovery, Chinese mothers follow a strict confinement practice that translates literally as “sitting the month” to help the body restore its balance.

This traditional form of postpartum confinement is where new mothers are not allowed to bathe, wash their hair, or leave the house for at least one month after giving birth. Postnatal confinement might seem archaic, but many new mother, like myself, go through extreme measures to get back in shape, too. So when I found out how postpartum binding can speed up the recovery process, I had to enquire and give it a go myself.

The Treatments

Restoring Mums offer three different Slimum packages -- Tummy, Body and X -- which can be carried out at the clients' own homes. All three treatments include an all-natural tummy mask to lighten and diminish stretch marks, a traditional Jamu massage to reduce bloating, a hot stone massage to improve blood circulation and a Slimum®️ binder. The main difference is the targeted body part and the duration of the massage, in which I opted for 10 sessions of Slimum®️ X.

The treatment: Slimum®️ X

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: HK$23,200 for 10 sessions

The Massage

Many new mothers have described their binding as somewhat crucifying to me, so I was a little concerned when my own session was coming up, and I even tried to come up with an excuse to cancel, but I am so glad that I didn’t.

I had my first session at five weeks postpartum. When the masseuse arrived, she changed into a new set of clothing, sterilised her hands, and measured both my temperature, as well as her own. She then proceeded to heat up the herbal tummy mask. The treatment started off with a hot stone massage, followed by an abdominal and back massage with essential oils.

[gallery ids="209149,209152"]

The Slimum®️ X package focuses only on the back and tummy area, but the masseuse also offered an extra 10 minutes for a leg massage on her last day, which actually made me regret not choosing the Slimum®️ Body treatment because the results were significant. My legs were swollen from pregnancy and the massage helped release water retention greatly. So if you’re considering between X or Body, I would recommend the latter. She also offered a tummy scrub to lighten the linea nigra — the dark line that had developed across my belly during pregnancy.

The Binding

After the massage, the masseuse wrapped me tightly with the abdominal binder, squeezing my belly and hips back into a pre-baby position, which I then kept on for 7-8 hours.

The Result

In total, I lost 1 cm in waist circumference, 10 cm around the tummy, and 4 cm around my hips.

The Verdict

The treatment was personalised to my specific needs, and the results were significant. Meanwhile, the masseuse was attentive and professional, making the experience enjoyable. I would absolutely recommend this treatment to all new mothers who wish to bring back their pre-baby bodies and regain confidence in their tummies. 

The post How New Moms Can Trim 10cm Off Their Waist in 5 Weeks appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

After months of reviewing close to 300 beauty products and wellness facilities, and tallying, here are the best skincare products of this year, and lest we forget, your top pick! And so without further ado, here are the Beauty & Wellness Awards winners.

We leave it to the experts to take care of what we can’t. With no shortage of beauticians, stylists and wellness professionals in town, it wasn’t easy to shortlist the top of the class. But for every want and need to relax and look our best, we’ve named these incredible institutions that we trust with our eyes closed — as suggested.

The post Beauty & Wellness Awards 2020: Spas & Salons appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Intermittent fasting and the benefits that may go beyond weight loss.

So, you may have already heard about intermittent fasting from friends who have tried it, or through fitness fanatics shouting its benefits from the rooftops recently. But what does this new lifestyle trend really entail and does it really work?

We spoke to Dr Priya Khorana, Founder and CEO of Lifestyle Nutrition Consulting Co in Bangkok, to get the ultimate low-down on intermittent fasting from the perspective of someone who really knows a thing or two about it. So, read on, take note, and decide for yourself if you’re ready to (stomach the) rumble.

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting (IF) is not a diet. It is a timed approach to eating, and unlike a restricted fad diet, it does not specify what foods a person should eat or avoid. To put simply; IF does not change what you eat, it changes when you eat.

It may have some health benefits, including weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity, but it is not suitable for everyone and should be done with careful consideration. People with advanced diabetes or who are on medications for diabetes, people with a history of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, and pregnant or breastfeeding women should not attempt intermittent fasting unless under the close supervision of a physician who can monitor them.

Having said that, there are some evidence-based benefits of IF. In men, it has shown to reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels (and thereby reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes). It has also been shown to reduce oxidative damage and inflammation, thereby slowing down effects of ageing. Lastly, the insulin levels drop human growth hormone (HGH) increases, which helps facilitate fat burning and muscle gain.

How does it work?

Depending on your IF approach, you’re either shortening the eating window each day, or engaging in 24-hour fasts one or more times a week. One of the most popular approaches is the 16:8 method, which is when you fast for an eight-hour window — this is often the approach I go for. It is vital to stress that folks use an eating approach that works and is sustainable to them.

The Most Popular Methods

The 16:8 Method
This is also called the Leangains Protocol, and involves skipping breakfast and restricting your daily eating period to 8 hours, such as 1-9pm. Then you fast for 16 hours in between.

The Eat-Stop-Eat
This involves fasting for 24 hours, once or twice a week. For example, you may not eat from dinner one day until dinner the next day.

The 5:2 Diet
With this method, you consume only 500-600 calories on two non-consecutive days of the week, but eat normally the other 5 days.

Before Fasting

As a doctor of nutrition, I will always recommend foods for improved health, including high-fibre, unprocessed, whole foods in all colours and varieties. A mostly plant-based Mediterranean-style diet has been linked to improved health benefits, and in this case, I will suggest this way of life even whilst fasting. Making sure you are nourishing your body as effectively prior to starting your fast will help prevent any feelings of being ‘hangry’ during the fast.

It is also vital for me to suggest that if you are embarking on an IF journey, staying hydrated is key. Fasting can come with some initial side effects, such as increased hunger, low blood sugar, headache, irritability, dizziness, and fatigue — so please embark with caution.

During and After Fasting

Limiting your dining window does not give you an excuse to binge eat — especially on unhealthy foods — because you will not see the benefits. Eating unwholesome (read: junk) food in a shortened feeding window on the IF diet may also put you at risk of deficiencies in key nutrients such as calcium, iron, protein, and fiber, all of which are essential for normal biological function.

What you need to do is consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole-grains, and sufficient lean protein and healthy fat — boosting important antioxidants and nutrients which all result in an increased lifespan and reduces the risks of developing lifestyle related chronic diseases.

What is important to emphasise is that the goal of IF is to maintain a healthy amount of calories for your body during the fast so you do not “rebound eat.”

Takeaway points

For those starting out, I suggest implementing a 12-hour fasting/12-hour eating window and building up from there, eventually finding a schedule that works best for you. The most important thing is breaking your fast with fresh, unprocessed, nutrient-dense whole foods, prioritising healthy sources of protein and good fats, all while limiting junk foods that negate any benefits of IF.

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok

The post Intermittent Fasting: The Benefits and How to Get Started appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.