A handpicked selection of the finest things to buy, fab places to try and fun things to do in Singapore

Confession: when it comes to make-up, we're pretty fuss-free girls. We've got our lipstain for day and our party lipstick for a fun night out... And then we got acquainted with the newly madeover DFS Galleria, where we OD-ed on cosmetics, skincare, and sniffed our way to a new perfume high. (No, really, we did.) This shiny new playground carries more than 50 renowned brands, including Jurlique, Kiehl's, La Mer, Helena Rubenstein, and the new-to-market Giorgio Armani (which we cooed adoringly over). Now let's be honest: DFS has never had a great reputation with its somewhat dinky interior. But that's all changed with its latest ...read more

Let's face it; this week is the perfect week to treat yourself, being Mothers Day this Sunday and all. Our pick? A gift that keeps on giving - like Bellabox. What is it? A monthly box of deluxe beauty products delivered to your doorstep. What'll cost? Just $15 a month (crazy, we know... and postage IS included!) Hard to believe, but it's true, five travel-sized beauty products, beautifully wrapped and boxed are handpicked by the gurus behind Bellabox. Theysource only renowned international brands, some of cult status. These products are often yet to hit the stores and best of all, they're individually tailored to your ...read more

Beauty addicts, put your manicured hands up. If you're a mani-pedi regular, you know how brittle and yellow those nails can get under all that glossy varnish. Which is why we're so stoked about this beauty spa we found at Upper Thomson - they only use non-toxic polishes that will get you looking good both inside and out. But what we love love love about this place is the impeccable service. You walk in expecting a regular mani-pedi; instead you get the most luxurious nail treatment. Be warned that the service will take longer than your regular mani treatment - the beauticians here will pamper ...read more

So you are always looking for an excuse to try an award-winning spa, especially one positioned in a high-end hotel... we know the feeling well. The good news - we have the perfect excuse for your ticket on highway Pamper Me Please. Here it is: The Afternoon Spa Retreat at St. Gregory. Let us explain. You book in for your choice of a facial (choose from St. Gregory Soothing Facial or St. Gregory Purifying Facial - both 75 mins) or the Aromatic Body Bliss Massage (50 mins) or both - more on that later. And after you are pampered, plumed and preened, you float your ...read more

Imagine burning 750 calories in just 90 minutes. No, you won't be running 10km in the brutal Singapore heat, you'll just be stretching it out, yogic-style, in a 40 degrees celcius room. Sounds easy? Bikram Yoga Harbourfront offers 90 minutes classes consisting of 26 postures and two breathing exercises. And yes you will lose those calories - time to get moving! We know - exercising in a heated room isn't all too attractive, but this heat not only protects your muscles by allowing for a deeper stretch, it also detoxifies the body by allowing you to sweat out toxins. And for those who don't believe ...read more

If you are busy, busy, busy, one of the beauty challenges is trying to fit all in. If you think about it (often we try not to), each month our beauty regime include a Facial, Wax, Mani & Pedi, Eyebrow Tint, Eyelash curl, and a stress relief massage (hot stones please!). That's why you need to add Cecilia Westberry to your beauty book. Cecilia's Beauty Spa near Holland Village is the place to go when you need efficient service and results. Flash Facials You can book in for a facial, get a mani & pedi, or hot stone massage all at the same time. Choose ...read more

Last month we let you guys in on a huge beauty secret - Bellabox, the box of new and high-end beauty products delivered straight to your doorstep. Well guess what? You're just in time to get in on the April box - Flawless Beauty awaits. The concept cannot be any simpler: for just $15 a month (postage included), you get a box of 5 travel-sized beauty products delivered to your door. The best bit? Bellabox only sources renowned international brands, some of cult status. These products are often yet to hit the stores and best of all, they're individually tailored to your beauty profile. We ...read more

You want: To unleash your inner goddess. You do not want: A standard gym pumped full of testosterone (and egos to match), or unglamorously sweating up a storm in the outdoor heat. You need: Body Temple's women-only wellness centres. Karine and her team of super fun and fit personal trainers will provide you with a fitness & wellness plan perfectly tailored to lure that goddess out of you. We tried Body Temple's customized 10 x 1 hour sessions with the lovely long-legged Lauren, and lost 4kgs, 21cms (including 9cm from the waist!) and we also wiped 6 years off our metabolic age (yes they have ...read more

The irresistible Moroccan oil (aka Argan oil): it reduces frizz, nourishes hair, increases its shine, and even offers UV protection! This holy grail of hair oil has an A-lister cult following - J. Lo, Beyonce, Salma Hayek, Rachel Zoe, Taylor Swift... the question is who doesn't use it? But before you run out now and cop yourself a bottle, hold your horses, ladies. We test-drove two products to see if Argan oil lives up to the hype. Here's what we found: Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil Features: A sulfate-free formula that fights frizz and moisturizes brittle hair. No funky smell (big bonus) with ...read more

So who doesn't want a box of cult beauty products delivered to your home each month? Yep, that's what the guys from Bellabox were thinking when they launched their beauty boxes in Singapore late 2011. A concept from the UK & US, Bellabox delivers the latest prestige, boutique, and cult beauty products from across the globe right to your doorstep. Created for the beauty-savvy and woman on the move, Bellabox does the hard work for you by trawling the globe for the newest and most exciting products for you to try. Hate to name drop ... but these little boxes are filled with 4-5 deluxe ...read more

Remember when you were twelve and painting your nails a riot of colours? It seems you had style but didn't know it ( you thought so too - right?). This season has a rainbow of amazing colours, some even techno coloured - so channel your inner Cyndi Lauper and be brave with those digits. Fastest fingers first! ...read more

The beauty industry is a minefield. The ingredients packed in a tube of mascara could kill - parabens, sulfates; red lipstick contains carmine and cochineal (read: crushed red beetles); there's that nasty thing called mineral oil... okay, so we're exaggerating about the killing part, but makeup is pretty dangerous stuff. Fortunately, there are natural makeup alternatives that are as good, if not better, than their chemical-wielding counterparts. Here are five products we love: BareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen Dermatologists everywhere cannot recommend sunscreen enough, but let's be honest. Greasy skin? No thanks. Which is why we love this mineral sunscreen: it's extremely lightweight, can be ...read more

So we all went crazy for the Brazilian Blowout, until we heard about the health risks. Now we have a different weapon of choice in the battle against frizzy hair... Kerastraight a formaldehyde free (read: safe as houses) version of the Brazilian Blowout. A great name, but are the results the same as the original Brazilian? Would we get the same relaxed frizz-free locks? And what is it? To answer your questions (and ours) we did a couple of road tests, because we were desperate to try it. We were told the results would not be as good as the original Brazilian, but we could ...read more

No downward dog (a 10/8/08 stamp means it's expired). No pumping iron (darn that lapsed membership). No one-on-one intense spin boot camp (that just sounds crazy). And no excuses. It's time to experience the breakthrough at Croyez Studio. We know firsthand, it works! You might recall we took on the PowerCardio and PowerSculpt Challenge at Croyez Studio. And we lost 2.5kgs and 19cms from all over our body in 5 weeks. Amazing huh! Using the Power Plate machines, these simple exercises are low impact and focus on the abdominal, thigh, lower back, bottom and pelvic floor muscles. We were skeptical when we started, but post-workout ...read more

Our New Year Resolutions: 1. Eat better, 2. Exercise more, 3. Sleep more, 4. Party less ... well hmm, let's not be totally unrealistic... If you are looking for some fun ways to get fit this year, here's some inspiration... you might even enjoy it! Play Tennis Want to be as hot as Rafa? Book into the newly renovated Claycourt Tennis Academy, the only clay courts in Singapore. You can hire court by the hour, organise coaching or just attend a social session. Grunting optional. Where: Claycourt Tennis Academy, 359 Winchester Rd, call Simon Mason on 9144 5223 for bookings Hop On A Bike Cycling ...read more