Ever since I did my hair at Apgujeong Hair Studio, I have been receiving tons of compliments on the chic ombre blonde that my stylist did for me. Apgujeong Hair Studio, as the name suggests, is a Korean themed hair salon whereby you can request for authentic Korean stylists to take care of your tresses. I was so stoked to receive an invitation to try out their services! As usual, I have opted for colour+cut because we all know your home girl is obsessed with hair colouring! 

Fast expanding, the successful Apgujeong Hair Studio has 5 outlets situated all around Singapore with 2 more new locations opening soon. I am literally over the moon as they have an outlet at Vivo City which is just 5 minutes away from my place.

The outlet that I went to was the one at Tiong Bahru Plaza as I had a super last minute urgent request to get my hair done the day after I touched down in Singapore. The Apgujeong Team kindly accommodated as best as they could to my needs and I was extremely pleased with their great service. Ended up being a blessing in disguise because I managed to explore the newly renovated Tiong Bahru Plaza that is filled with lots of eateries! (^__^)

Arrived and was promptly guided to my seat at a cosy corner. The lovely team offered a hot cuppa coffee (love!) and some biscuits to go along. Notice something that we all love? FREE WIFI! HAHA! Now you can happily watch all your dramas while getting your tresses pampered! 

My hair was taken care by a senior Korean stylist, Harry, for the day. Harry specialises in the latest women hair trends as well as creative colouring. In fact, he was the one who suggested ombre which I happily went along. Being an authentic Korean, English is not his forte. However, even with a language barrier, Harry was able to communicate and execute his ideas well. 

If you are afraid of the language barrier between you and the Korean stylists, Apgujeong Hair Studios also have their own in-house stylists that are fluent in both English and Mandarin. Fret not, based on my personal experience, you are definitely in good hands. 

Hair procedures done:
1. Ombre Bleaching at the ends of hair (20 mins) 
2. Wash & tone into a perfect milky blonde
3. Colouring + basic Mucota Treatment
4. Trim

After 3 hours of hardwork.... *drum rolls*
-
-
-
-
TADAAAA! The perfect silky smooth ombre blonde! Isn't it gorgeous?

Having had an intense history of hair colouring, this was honestly the first time that I am completely satisfied with the end result. It definitely takes a lot of skill to tone my reddish tone blonde into something that is much ashier with cooler undertones. Still remembered that there were two ladies that saw the end result of my hair & immediately requested for Harry to do theirs too! Haha not bad right?!

Also, I have never seen anyone snip off my hair with such precision. Usually, stylists that cut my hair will always go for the layering scissors, be it whether I want layers cut in or not. Harry on the other hand literally took his scissors and snip off my hair with no hesitation. This is what I would like to call confidence and professionalism. To be honest, I gave him the full green light to cut whatever he wants & honestly, I have no regrets. My hair now is much healthier with lesser "fried" ends! No idea how he did it either but there was no difference in my hair length?! *magic*

I am officially in LOVE with Apgujeong Hair Studios and I cannot be happier with my new locks! So obsessed with the trendy ombre blonde right now, what do you guys think? Anyway, pictured above is the senior Korean stylist Harry, who had full control of the outcome of my hair. Cute right? Haha but too bad guys he is happily married! On the bright side, you can still get your hair done by him and look fabulous afterwards! ;) 

If you are contemplating of getting your hair pampered at Apgujeong Hair Studios, you can refer to the price list below just for easy reference. 

Lastly, thank you Apgujeong Hair Studios for inviting me to try out your hair services. I had a wonderful time and I am extremely pleased with my hair. Sending max love to you guys and can't wait to get my hair done again! Stay tuned for another post on how I maintain my blonde hair. Thank you for reading & have a lovely day!

xx
​Winter

Klarity never fails to amaze me. Anyone that has ever spoken to me about Klarity can vouch for my insane obsession over their famed Oxymud Cacao Mask. Literally went through my first tub and I am now happily into my second. I wish I have a never-ending supply of this magical bubble mask to clear out all the impurities in my skin LOL.

Click here to read my in-depth review of the Oxymud Cacao Mask & Diamond Glow Overnight Masque

Like the title suggests, instant fairer skin? You must think I am joking.... Even I had my doubts tbh. Being a makeup/skincare investigator myself, I had to put Klarity's Lasertox CC Cream to the test. Klarity's Lasertox CC Cream is one of their bestselling product that boasts 11-in-1 benefits, paraben free and even includes SPF30/PA++. This CC cream comes in 2 sizes, 30ml (SGD39) & 100ml (SGD59) and is available at all SASA/BHG stores. 

Out of the 11 benefits that were stated, I could feel a couple of them which are whitening, firming, smoothening out of texture, toning & sun protection. For me, pictures speak a thousand words so here are some visuals that I have taken when I was using this product. 

​Haha I know my face and my body is literally 2 different colours, that is what you get when you only spam sunblock on your face. Learn from me guys, apply sunblock evenly on your WHOLE body... clearly this look is not cute. (T__T)

Pictured above, on the left, is my bare face with no foundation/concealer. On the right, I have applied a layer of Klarity's Lasertox CC Cream. You can judge for yourself which side is fairer. For me, I noticed the maximum effect of the CC Cream on my cheekbone area as it appears a whole lot brighter & even has a glow to it! 

​If you are wondering why is there an instant whitening effect, it is all because of... *drum rolls*  DIAMOND POWDER! Yes!! Literally diamond powder and I am so in love with it! All I wanna do is rub diamond powder all over my face for that instant brightening & flawless effect. 

Since Klarity's Lasertox CC Cream is enriched with superfine diamond powder, you can expect immediate results as light is being reflected from all the diamond particles, creating a healthy glow & an illusion of flawless skin. As the diamond powder is only on the surface of the skin, once removed, the effect will be gone. However, with prolonged usage, your skin will appear much more refined and brighter.

This Lasertox CC Cream is lightweight and contains a pleasant scent to it. When applied, it blends  easily into my skin and does not leave any sticky residue. I use this product everyday as my base before sunscreen & make up. It has been a staple in my regime because of the instant brightening effect, I think I am about half my way through the entire tube and I am low-key panicking already... #cantlivewithoutmydiamonddust 

Still remembered the first time when I squeezed out product and realised that the cream was white?! I was so confused because many CC/BB Creams in the market are tinted. I even thought it might be one of those colour changing product. So to clear things up, this is a white cream that becomes transparent when applied. There is no colour/tinting which I actually enjoy because I no longer have to worry if the product matches my skin tone. 

Overall, it does help in brightening my overall complexion and my skin photographs a lot better with it as well. Highly recommend Klarity's Lasertox CC Cream to people that have little time for skincare in the morning as this is an all-in-one product with sun protection. Super love! ​

Did a review on the Diamond Glow Overnight Masque and here's the sister, the Diamond Glow Eye Nano Treatment! If you are a night owl like me with serious insomnia or basically do not have enough sleep, this product will save you!

Have always toyed with the idea of getting a nose job (rhinoplasty) because of my huge-ass flat nose. However, there are too many times where I have hesitated making an appointment due to the fear of going under the knife for an irreversible change. What if I do not like my new nose? What if a smaller & taller nose does not fit my face? There are so many "what-ifs" and no definite answer... until I found out about fillers!

Fillers can be used to plump up your lips, smoothen out wrinkles and even enhance your nose. They generally lasts for about 6-12 months depending on the brand and composition. Best thing, there is little to no downtime involved! The procedure typically takes about 15 minutes and you can expect to look fabulous right after. Slight bruising might occur for some but it can easily be concealed with makeup. This is what I call a "lunch time enhancement" that nobody will find out about. ;) 

Since I have decided to try out fillers, the next thing is to find a suitable clinic. Actually, I had plans to get fillers done during my trip to Taiwan this December. Thankfully, I was recommended to try out a local clinic that houses one of the most skilled doctors when it comes to fillers, botox and other aesthetic procedures. At least I do not have to worry about the language barrier now. LOL. 

Little overview of the newly renovated clinic with its luxurious interiors. The warm, plush decor instantly sets me at ease for the ultimate pampering experience. Did a quick registration with one of the sweetest nurse, Christine, before being ushered into the room to remove my make up. Her skin is flawless btw, so jealous of her glowing complexion. Also, the amazing doctor behind all the procedures that were administered below is none other than Dr Israr Wong, the medical director of Knightsbridge Clinic himself! With a keen eye for beauty, he believes in enhancing your features with the most natural results. Definitely an A+ cuz' who wants to walk around with a shiny botox-filled forehead? ;)

After removing my make up, we had a quick consultation before taking some photos for reference. As my skin was going through some major breakouts (zzz, what's new...acne pls go away forever), I was recommended to do a Salicylic Acid Peel to calm my skin. A Salicylic Acid Peel reduces the inflammation and essentially creates an environment whereby acne causing bacteria will not be able to live on.

I love love love the peel because my skin immediately looks less inflamed and smoother in texture due to the exfoliation properties. The chemical peel is not painful at all, it is just slightly uncomfortable as it feels like pins and needles on your face. Would rate the pain level a 1/10 because you are basically putting acid on your face... the results are so worth it though! 

Immediately after the peel, the nurse put on a hydrogel mask to lock in moisture and calm the skin. She then applied some numbing cream on the nose to prepare for the fillers process!

There are tons of fillers in the market and choosing the right one for your needs is extremely important. The most common type of fillers are Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane & the current hot favourite, Sculptra.

Fillers that has Hyaluronic Acid as part of their composition can actually be dissolved using Hyaluronidase. That means, if you do not like the results, you can actually dissolve the fillers and you will be back to normal! 

The fillers that were recommended for me were Radiesse as it creates a sharper look due to its chemical composition. Radiesse (calcium hydroxylpatite) cannot be dissolved and it is imo, an extremely delicate filler as it is much thicker and prone to lumps. Under skilled hands, you can achieve amazing results when it is injected and the right depth. Radiesse lasts longer as well and may actually stimulate collagen production too. I knew I had nothing to fear as Dr Israr Wong, is literally the regional trainer for this product. How cool is that?! I fully trusted his recommendation due to his expertise and experience with Radiesse. 

Check out the vast difference! For the first time in my life, I can actually see my nose bridge!!! Was over the moon about it because I can finally CONTOUR something that exists. HAHA, been shading my non-existent "nose bridge" for so many years...

A little word of advice though, for those seeking to have smaller nose, fillers might not be the best option for you. Fillers can only enhance what you do not have (injecting volume) but it cannot take away what you already have. For example, I have a giant nose tip+alars which is still prominent even having done fillers but I am happy that I have a nose bridge now to balance everything out. Feng shui says big nose = money right.. Now I have both, got money and look x10 times prettier. ;) 

Had some last minute Botox injected to slim my jaw line. It had never crossed my mind because I always have quite a sharp V shape face. I never knew I had excess muscles on my jaw due to chewing! You can actually feel it for yourself. Simply place two fingers on the area where the doctor injected botox in as pictured above and clench your jaw. If you feel any bulging, you have excess muscles to deal with.  

​I know, these are the things we often joke about among ourselves...
"Wah, got wrinkles, put botox!" 
"I want slimmer face, PUT BOTOX!" 

It was surreal when it was actually happening. As you can see above, I did not have any numbing cream on  but it did not hurt one bit. Imo, I am pretty sure that the numbing cream is just a psychological comfort thing because it only numbs the surface. You can definitely still feel the needle in you but honestly though, the pain is nothing, even lesser than drawing blood for a blood test. 

If you are new to the Botox world, WELCOME!!! HAHA! Anyway, Botox is actually the name of a brand, just like how we relate to Pampers with diapers and Donuts instead of Doughnuts. The actual product that is being injected is actually called Botulinium Toxin. The idea of Botox is to "paralyze" or relax (lol nicer way) your muscles so that you will stop using it. Over time, the over developed muscles will gradually "disappear" and tada, SMALLER FACE in just 3 weeks and plus, it lasts for about 6 months depending on how fast your body metabolises the product. 

Of course, everything comes with a side effects and risks. The main risk regarding Botox for jawline reduction is actually a distorted smile. For about 4-6 hours, I was not allowed to tilt my head downwards to prevent the Botulinium Toxin from flowing anywhere else. However, you can set your worries at ease as long as you have a highly skilled doctor that has ample experience with this procedure. 

The side effect that I felt was actually numbness on my jaw (where Botox was injected) and "heaviness" around the area. Since Botox paralyses the muscle, my jaw feels heavier when I am chewing and the sides of my face were actually pretty numb for the first week. You know it is your face but then it feels like it doesn't belong to you kinda thing, how strange right! The side effects will gradually wear off, it is now close to the third week and I am pretty much back to normal except now I have slimmer & sharper face! 

Aren't the results astonishing? I was shocked! I could literally see the difference especially after the 2.5 week mark where my heart shape face is much more visible. My jawline became more angular as well and you can actually see the model-like sunken in cheekbones look. Even when it comes to taking photos, it is actually easier to find the right angles and look prettier even when I am not even trying. I had many people asking me if I have lost weight but it is actually just Botox... sian, why am I still so fat. T__T 

If you have always been plagued by a larger jawline but do not want to go under the knife, Botox might be your solution. Would highly recommend a consultation to see what is best for you though, I am not a professional hence I am not fit to give any medical advices. 

Salicylic Acid Peel: YES YES YES!!! So obsessed with it, definitely helps in calming active breakouts!

Nose Fillers: Definitely. Although it does not solve my huge nose tip problem, it at least balances out my facial features by giving a slight lift on the nose bridge. My face appears more 3-dimensional in photos and contouring is now a piece of cake! :D 

Botox for Jawline Reduction: I am on the fence about this. The only reason why I went ahead to try out Botox is just so that I can tell you guys my personal experience about it because it is such a hot favourite procedure. Don't get me wrong, the results are wonderful and I love my slimmer jawline. However, I am only 22, I am still young and am already blessed with a heart-shape face. I know that there are many girls out there obsessing over having a small face but balance is key. Sometimes, too much of a good thing might not end up well too.

​For me, I might actually consider botox for wrinkles instead because I literally laugh 24/7 so I do have a couple of tiny wrinkles on my forehead. It is no biggie and it doesn't really affect me so for the meantime, maybe I might give Botox a pass until further pressing issue crops up. (Lol pls don't hold me on this thx)

Inglot has been one of my all time favourite make up brand offering quality makeup at affordable prices. I love how they have the "freedom" system which allows you to customise and create the perfect palette for yourself.

​This Fall, Inglot presents us with a stunning collection, "What A Spice". It was a bummer that I could not make it to the launch event as I was overseas. However, the lovely team behind Inglot Singapore welcomed me warmly & presented their new collection when I visited their booth last weekend. All I could say was, this collection is a match-make in heaven for me. Warm orange & burgundy tones? YAS!!!! 

The new What A Spice Collection consists of 10 matte eyeshadows, 10 matte lipsticks & 5 lip liners. Needless to say, Inglot has you well covered for fall! I love how in trend they are as the main focus of the collection are the matte finishes, be it for your eyes or your lips. 

Inglot shadows have always been my soft spot. My first palette that I got from Sydney was phenomenal. The shadows were so buttery smooth and easy to blend, don't even get me started on the pigmentation. Absolute perfection, I would use Inglot shadows anytime. 

Pictured above are finger swatches of 6 of the shades in the collection. It was all done using only one swipe so it totally reflects on how pigmented the shadows are. My favourite shade out of the 6 above is 303, a warm medium-tone mauve that is perfect for the crease.

What A Spice Collection of eyeshadows has the perfect blend of warm tone nudes ranging from red tones to more yellow/orange tones. This is where the freedom system comes in handy as you can pick out the perfect blend for your skin tone! 

Moving on to the 10 matte lipsticks, I have categorized them into two groups, the light (left) & the dark (right). You definitely know your girl right here has her eyes on the darker range. It was love at first sight for me when I saw shades 448, 449 & 450. Was so lucky to have both of my favourite shades & you can see actual lip swatches of them below.

To be completely honest with you ladies, these matte lipsticks are not exactly the comfiest. As they are super matte in nature, it is normal for the consistency to be on the drier side. In fact, if you have lips that are prone to chapping, I would not recommend this lipstick as it will definitely emphasise the dry spots and fine lines on the lips.

However, I am not a quitter, hence I made this lippie work for me. If you are obsessed with the shades like I am, here's a quick tip! Exfoliate your lips with your damp toothbrush while you are brushing your teeth. Then, apply a generous coat of lip balm before doing your entire face of makeup. By the time you have reached the lips, your lips should be have ample moisture and protection. Use a clean tissue and dab off any excess balm. Line your lips and fill in with the matte lipstick. Tada, perfect application without the dryness! Cheers to beautiful matte pouts! ​

Lastly, I would like to introduce a super cool product from Inglot called Duraline. I first saw Duraline being used to liquify (not in photoshop terms lol) dried up products like brow pomades & mascara, making them as good as new.

What is even more magical is how it ups the performance of my loose pigment above. On the left is just a basic application using only my fingers. On the right, I have applied a coat of Duraline before topping the loose pigment over. Instantly, you can see an increase in pigmentation & sheen. It is kinda like redbull for your makeup, it helps them to work 10x better than in their original state. I am still pretty new to Duraline and will continue to experiment more with this product but first impression? Score! 

Here is the final look that I have created using the products from Inglot's What A Spice Collection. 

Eyes: 
300 as entire lid wash
303 for halo effect (crease, inner & outer V)
301 on the outer V to add dimension
304 on lower lash line & outer V

​Lips: 448

What do you think? I am pretty obsessed with this look! It is so sophisticated yet wearable, totally perfect for fall! 

If you are interested in Inglot, head over to their counter at Jem, Robinsons Level 1 to find out more! A single eyeshadow retails for S$13 & the lipstick is at S$28. Definitely worth a visit, you will fall in love with their buttery smooth eyeshadows just like everyone else. Remember to share your haul, I would love to see them! Thank you for reading! ;) 
​
​xx
Winter