Friday, January 28, 2011

Back home to Taiping pre-CNY 2011

Brian is such a homely boy. He wanted to go home as soon as the plane started flying. He waved good-bye to home - bye bye 家 


Taiping Lake Garden







A new park near my house







this is their favorite hang out...







Monday, January 17, 2011

Beauty treats you could eat

A homemade facial is simple, says Coreenna Ong founder of Vitasence, a successful home-grown brand of natural and herbal skin care. It’s also important.

“When a person is relaxed, the skin will benefit and look better too,” says Ong who is an advocate of the use of natural ingredients.

“If you use organic ingredients, you can be absolutely sure that a homemade masque is free of synthetic fillers or chemicals,” she says.

Probably the best part of a DIY facial is that is as simple as 1-2-3.
One

The first step is to cleanse, and Ong recommends a mild and gentle cleanser using simple ingredients such as cucumber and yoghurt.

Mix 1 tablespoon of plain unsweetened yogurt together with a quarter of mashed or finely minced cucumber. Apply on wet face and massage gently in circular motions. Rinse off thoroughly with water and pat dry” recommends Ong.

19-year-old student Andrew Gan who gave the cleanser a try, found it great on his oily, blemished skin.

Cucumber is a very versatile skin care ingredient, as it has excellent cooling, softening, soothing and healing properties” Ong explains.

A different cleanser also using yoghurt is the recipe recommended for those with mature skin-types.

The steps to making the cleanser are pretty simple - just combine mashed apple and pear with plain unsweetened yogurt in a small bowl and mix well.

Apples contain malic acid which is a natural AHA that helps to remove dead skin cells.

Being rich in antioxidants, the cleanser is excellent for matured skin, observes Ong who also points out that pears are highly moisturising and help to firm the skin


“On days when I don’t wear make-up, this cleanser is gentle enough to cleanse my skin without stripping away excess moisture" said 40-year-old Admin executive Doris Pang.

A facial steam often follows a general cleanse, to clear the skin surface from dirt and excess oil that might not be removed by cleansing alone. The high temperature also stimulates blood circulation and open up pores.

Grab a towel and a large bowl of hot water, with a few drops of essential oils if you prefer, then hold your face a comfortable distance from the rising steam that’s captured by the towel covering your head.

If you’re bothered by zits, this is the time to zap them – but gently and not with your nails, to avoid scars.

After a quick rinse, it is now time for the best part. Get the pet or kid off the sofa as the mask is prepared.
Two

The mask may require some shopping ahead but it’s worth it.

If you have oily and acne-prone skin, Ong suggests Green Bean with Coix Seed, also known as Yi Ren or Chinese Barley.

Begin by washing coix seeds and green beans, drain and air dry thoroughly before grinding both into a fine powder.

If you find this is too much of a hassle, look for the ready-ground powders off the shelves in some supermarkets and Chinese medicinal halls.

Mix together 1 tablespoon of each powder with a sufficient amount of distilled water to make a light paste.

Apply evenly onto freshly cleansed skin for 20 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly.

Testing the recipe, polytechnic student Andrew noted: “it is rather difficult to rinse off the harden mask. Using a wet sponge or towel to rinse off helps a little.”

“My skin looks brighter now, less oily and feels so smooth to touch” he added.

For 51-year-old housewife Fatimah Kassim, the recommendation from Ong is a richer mask, and it’s not because of the luxurious ingredients.

The 
Nourishing Avocado Masque calls for a combination of honey, buttermilk and avocado which is rich in vitamins A, D, E, potassium, sulfur and natural oils.

“This facial masque is rich in natural oils and essential fatty acids, and is wonderful for dry, matured skin
. Do not use if your skin is prone to acne.” Ong warned.

Use a ripe avocado, which should be soft at the top when lightly pressed.

Scoop out the green flesh and run it in a blender or processor until a smooth puree is obtained.

Mix into the puree, the mixture of 1 teaspoon of honey dissolved in 4 teaspoons of warm buttermilk.

As much as you’d want to lick the spoon, avoid doing so, at least until after you apply the paste onto your face and neck area.

After 20 to 30 minutes, rinse off the mixture with warm water.

“The process of making your own facials can be fun and therapeutic… but the application can get rather messy” noted Fatimah who tested the 
Nourishing Avocado Masque .

“Nevertheless, I love the results…I can feel that my skin is so smooth! Even my husband commented that I looked so radiant!” she chuckled.

New moms who often find themselves struggling with work and their precious little tots are probably in most need of some TLC.

“The stresses during pregnancy, post-pregnancy and taking care of a newborn baby combined with hormonal changes may cause some women to develop acne, hyper-pigmentation, eye bags, or even unusually sensitive skin that is prone to blotchiness,” says Ong.

“Homemade facial masks at this point should focus on skin whitening, skin calming and rejuvenation” said the beauty expert who recommends the 
Almond Milk Masque.

All it takes is, 1 tablespoon of ground almond meal, ½ tablespoon of oatmeal, 2- 4 teaspoons of warm skim milk and 1 teaspoon of raw honey.

“The steps are very simple to follow,” as Ong showed us, dissolving the honey in the skim milk, before adding the ground almond meal and oatmeal, to mix into a thick, even paste to be applied for 20 to 30 minutes.

Giving it a test was new-mom, Suzanne Jung, Channel NewsAsia’s co-anchor on Primetime Morning.

“To be honest, I hardly do facials and am quite lazy with such beauty routines” said the mother of one.

“But since the mask is an easy to make recipe, I'll give it a try,” says the 33-year-old who eventually made two attempts in creating the masque.

“I couldn't get the exact ingredients” explained Jung who opted for alternatives such as almond powder, instant oatmeal, fresh milk and pure honey.

“For the first attempt, I followed the exact steps as stated in the recipe, adding max 4 teaspoons of milk. Perhaps my almond powder was too fine... it was a very watery solution. So I decided to improvise and added another tablespoon of almond powder. It still feels watery, but not as bad, so I proceeded with the facial,” recounts Jung.

Although the formula was slightly thick and sticky because of the honey, it turned out to be a rather messy affair.

“The mixture would trickle down my neck or drip from my face during application. Thank goodness I was by my sink as I was smearing it on. Make sure you have a towel laid out if you're doing it elsewhere” advised Jung who also suggested using tissue paper around the jaw and chin area to absorb the excess mixture.

As the ingredients are as good to eat as they are good for the skin, the fun-loving mother couldn’t help but lick her fingers after dipping them into the yummy smelling mixture.

“Very sweet!” she exclaimed of her experiment.

With an active 9-month-old baby boy in the house, the working mother left on the masque for only half the suggested 20 minutes.

“10 minutes was all I could afford” said Jung who also observed that it wasn’t difficult to wash off the mixture which became a gentle exfoliating scrub thanks to "the oats that had already been softened by the milk and honey".

“My skin looked cleaner and brighter” said the TV presenter.

“I like how my skin has plumped up” she said, while adding: “it did a wonderful job as a moisturizer, I didn't feel I needed to put on any cream after that” Jung said.

It must’ve been good as Jung made a second batch a few days later.

“This time I used double the amount of almond powder and 3 teaspoons of milk and a little bit more honey. It was much easier to apply this time without making a mess”.

With her husband on hand to look after baby, Jung had the luxury of 20 minutes with the masque.

“But oops, I fell asleep while resting in bed, and woke up 40 minutes later!” the presenter gasped.

Although the mixture had dried up somewhat and was quite difficult to wash off, she still found her skin feeling very smooth thanks to the masque which she thinks is also a moisture booster.

“I didn't look any more ‘brighter’ or radiant compared to the first time. It does a wonderful job plumping up your skin but it has its limits when it comes to whitening,” concludes Jung.

While almond is often eaten on its own, raw or toasted, it is also used in skin care being a rich source of nutrients such as proteins, vitamins and minerals which are essential for optimal skin health explains Ong, founder of home-grown brand of natural skin care Vitasence.

She adds, “This easy-to-make masque is one of my personal favourites because upon removal, my skin feels immediately softer and looks visibly fairer and firmer.”

So guys, if you want to give your partner a break from the kids, try the 
Almond Milk Masque.
Three

To close the pores of the skin, which is important to prevent any infection or breakouts, a soothing toner needs to be used.

“So people have this misconception that ‘if I have oily skin, or acne skin, I must have alcohol to combat this’. It’s wrong“ says Ong on the importance of choosing the right toner.

“This is because alcohol dries out the skin. It gives a cooling sensation, but it is actually water in your skin that is evaporating… moisture evaporating from the skin,” says Ong who points out that an alcohol-based toner will dry up your skin and is harmful in the long run.

As many toners on the market contain alcohol, Ong suggests making your own toner.

Those with normal to oily or acne-prone skin, will benefit from the 
Antibacterial Rosemary and Thyme Facial Toner which also helps to calm breakouts and prevent new ones.

You will need a teaspoon of dried thyme, a teaspoon of dried rosemary, a cup of distilled water, and a teaspoon fresh lemon juice.

After rinsing the herbs once to remove any dust or debris, soak the herbs in the distilled water for 15 minutes and then heat lightly, but do not allow it to boil.

Remove from the heat and allow it to cool completely before taking out the herbs from the mixture and adding the lemon juice.

Give the solution a good mix before storing in a clean glass bottle that you can pop into the fridge for a cool toner.

Distilled water is preferred in making the toner as it is best for skincare purposes, says Ong of the bottled water that can be easily found in supermarkets.

“Tap water, even after boiling, may still contain traces of minerals and other chemicals. This is especially true in some countries where the tap water has high amounts of calcium… (distilled water) is very pure and will not interfere with the active properties of the natural ingredients.”

Another slightly more potent mixture that can be created is the 
Rose and Apple Cider Vinegar Toner.

This calls for 2 tablespoons of dried rosebuds (or chamomile flowers or combine both), 1 cup of distilled water and 1 teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar.

Give the dried flowers a 15 minute soak in the distilled water before heating the mixture.

After it’s been allowed to cool, add in the organic apple cider vinegar and mix well.

Remove the flowers before storing the mixture in a clean glass bottle (preferably dark glass).

You will need to create a fresh batch of toner after about 4-5 days advises Ong as the mixtures do not contain any preservatives.

Top it all up with a serum or lotion which Ong suggests is best bought off the shelf.

“Lotions, creams and serums, as opposed to masks, toners, or even yogurt cleansers, require processes like heating, emulsification and homogenization. Also, to keep these leave-on products stable and contamination-free, it is important to have a proper preservative system in place.”

“All these procedures are too troublesome for consumers” says Ong who advises quality moisturisers that are 100% free of alcohol, synthetic color and fragrance, which are the key causes for sensitive and allergic reactions to the skin.
Side Orders

If you still have no time for a facial or want a perk in between a facial, the best option is to exfoliate. 
The process which promotes skin cell renewal, is often overlooked in skincare routines but at the same time, care needs to be observed when giving it a scrub.

“But scrubbing the skin regularly may cause micro-scratches (when viewing the skin under a microscope). Hence, using a scrub may be too harsh for the delicate facial skin,” says Ong.

A better option she suggests, is to remove surface dead skin cells by using enzymes or acids in fruit such as papayas or lemons.

“You can make an exfoliating mask with mashed ripen papaya” Ong recommends.

It is full of papain, a natural enzyme that helps to digest protein. By virtue of its protein-dissolving properties, a papaya mask helps to remove dead skin cells.

“Always use ripened papaya as the enzymes in green, un-ripened papaya may be too strong on the skin. Also, you should leave on the papaya mask for no more than 5 minutes.”

For daily, light exfoliation, Ong also suggests a simple skin freshener/toner with 50ml distilled water and 2-3 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice which you can store in a spray bottle placed in the fridge.

“Use it at night after cleansing. Please note that this toner should only be used at night as lemon juice may react adversely with the skin when the skin is exposed to sunlight,” advises Ong.

Another word of caution from the expert - before you start chopping up fruits, mixing powders and slathering on pastes - carry out a patch test.

You might think that your skin isn't troubled, but skin on the surface often keeps irritations a secret.

To carry out a patch, just apply the product in the size of 20-cent coin size or teaspoon, around the jaw area.

If it is a mask, leave on for the suggested duration before removing, then wait 12 hours to see if any allergic reaction develops.

“Signs of adverse reaction include: redness, rashes, swelling, burning sensation, sneezing, headaches and itchiness. That's why it is good to perform a patch test before using a product or formula for the very first time,” says Ong.

“In addition, it is not advisable to have a facial when your skin is experiencing unusual allergic outbreak” says Ong who also advises against the DIY facials immediately after going through lasers, chemical peeling or other invasive cosmetic procedures.

Ong reminds that it’s best not to do a facial when you are in a rush, as a facial should be enjoyed.

And that means even after the routine, since you can eat the ingredients left in your fridge!

-CNA/sh

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/beautynfashion/view/1103286/1/.html

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Inspiration from others...

i must put down somewhere (maybe i'll store in my blog at the moment) of what i think is inspiration for me to achieve...
hope u'd enjoy seeing them as much as i do....

i love the clarity of this studio portrait... not sure my kit lens can do this or not... maybe not... kiv on the technique.


something mystical, magical...
maybe her dress, maybe her hair, maybe the waves....
a scene from harry porter...?
will try out the waves effects using slow shutter


this is sweet.....


if i can do this, my next step is to open shop, ahahahahaha.... dream on.


walao, what is this? twisted values? but i guess creativity sells...


hmm.... decently nice.
a far cry from the twisted one above....
if i were to hope for this kinda shot, action-packed, energetic, young, vibrant, healthy, active, on-the-go..... may have to wait until my boys grow up, and they are sporty and we hv lotsa money (to travel).... 20 years, my skills cud hv improved kua...

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Happy New Year 2011, my wish for u and me!

May you always make the right moves.


Interesting Image

May your cup runneth over with love.


Interesting Image


May you always find shelter from any storm.


Interesting Image

May you remain good looking and looking good!


Interesting Image

May you find the perfect diet for your soul.
(If this face doesn't make you want to stop eating sausage, nothing will.)


Interesting Image

May you find perfect balance in the company you keep.


Interesting Image

May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop.


Interesting Image

May the worst thing that happens to you come in slobbery pink and furry tan.


Interesting Image

May you manage to make time for siesta.


Interesting Image

May all the new folks you meet be interesting and kind.


Interesting Image

May your accessories always harmonize with your natural beauty!


Interesting Image

Should your mouth be bigger than your stomach, may you have a chewing good time!


Interesting Image

May you always know when to walk away and know when to run.


Interesting Image

And may your friends always bring you joy!


Interesting Image


MAY YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR FILLED WITH LOVE, HAPPINESS, AND HOPE.