I am terrible at styling my hair and applying eyeshadows. I'm pretty sure you already know that from the pictures I post on my Instagram haha. Before every special event, I always prefer to head down to my hairstylist to get my hair done but that would mean looking absolutely ridiculous in the public transport in my 4 inch heels and floor-length outfits. Either that, or the hair salon is not located in the same district as my event venue and that will mean making a detour and incurring extra taxi fares.

Learning about the house call services provided through Vanitee is truly a life saviour!

Vanitee is an online booking destination for quality beauty services from sought-after independent and emerging artists. The platform bridges the gap between beauty artists and customers, you can book a massage, facial, brow and lash services, etc.

I was headed for a formal event last week and decided to try out the Vanitee app for the first time to engage a hair+makeup artist, as well as a manicurist, straight to my house! The app is very transparent and there are LOTS of beauty artists in each category to choose from. You can read reviews, check prices and browse through past works before choosing your favourite! Moreover, chat with the artists through the app and get immediate responses!

After much surfing around, I engaged @kel to do my hair+makeup and @nailedyougood to dress my nails before the event! My appointments were confirmed right away through the app and text messages.

Kel and Rachel arrived right on time at my doorstep and we immediately got down to business! Both of them needed a table, chairs and electrical plugs to work so my dining table was the perfect choice since the area was spacious, and everyone can move around easily without getting in each other's way.

They came well-prepared and I love their professionalism. My gelish nails were completed in an hour and hair+makeup was done in 1.5 hour, all in the comforts of my own home!

Once I've changed, I was ready to go. No rushing around in heels and reaching my destination looking flustered or feeling sticky from perspiration. The convenience is unbeatable and I'm already looking forward to my next house call experience with Vanitee! 

With CNY around the corner, I'm sure everyone's looking to doll up and get ready for the festive season. You'll be delighted to know I have a 20% off discount code for all beauty services on Vanitee. Download the app and check out with JESSICA20 (for 1st time users only, code expires 29 February 2016) to book your nail, hair, makeup, and even eyelash extension appointments! Oh, and for all bookings made from now till 14 February, you'll be entitled to a sure-win ang pow! There are $30 Vanitee credits, cute Vanitee Unicat (their mascot) totes, etc all up for grabs!

SOIGNÉ's Second Collection

I know it's been a long wait but SOIGNÉ is finally ready with our second collection! Just in time for Lunar New Year too :) We mainly stuck to the mono/neutral colour palette but included a special lipstick red design just for this festive period. I'm gonna be wearing this dress on the first day of CNY - super excited!

But of course, we made it in our favourite black/white too hehehe gonna be keeping this piece as well!

From this collection onwards, we will be including size XS so measurements for sizes S to L have been adjusted, do take note! As a reference, I wear XS for all designs and it should fit UK 6 perfectly.

In other news, SOIGNÉ The Label is also stocked at Revolte x SheShops #02-02/03 at Wheelock Place. We will be there till June 2016 so if you prefer shopping at a brick and mortar store, you can head down to check out and try the selection.

Our new collection will be available for sale online today, 25 January in the evening so I'll see you over at SOIGNÉ! :)

If you're wondering, I'm still working from home because of the convenience of storing SOIGNÉ inventories over at EBC Storage! I love the fact that it's only a 10-minute drive from our place and that it's opened 24/7. H and I always head down at weird hours, sometimes even at past midnight to get stocks lol.

The unit I'm at has racks installed so at one glance, I know where each design and sizes are at. There's no clutter at home or at the storage space. Not only that, you have the option to choose whether you want an air-conditioned unit or one without air-conditioning depending on your needs. I store my inventories at an air-conditioned unit, of course. Wouldn't want the clothes to grow mould!

I'm so used to the system and convenience at EBC Storage I've extended my stay at the storage unit by another 6 months ;) SOIGNÉ is still a relatively new start-up so I understand that every cent counts. So trust me, the prices are very reasonable and it wouldn't burn a hole in your pocket.

You can contact EBC Storage here for more information!

Why I Choose Caring Skin As My Go-To Facial Spa

You would know I've been going for my monthly facials at Caring Skin for a while now. I've previously shared about how they saved my dehydrated skin here. And today, I want to share with you why I have chosen to go back to Caring Skin again and again. There's also a special promotion at the end of the post so, read on!

Caring Skin provides a pressure-free and friendly environment

I go for facials to escape the fast pace of life. During that 2 hours, all I want when I'm having my skincare treatment is very simple - a comfy bed/duvet, clean and cosy environment, soft, soothing music and friendly, polite estheticians. Thank goodness Caring provides all that and more - Subrina (the founder) always chit-chat with me after my session for feedback on ways to improve their service. How down-to-earth!

Their estheticians are customer-focused

Not only are the estheticians full of smiles, I'm always made to feel welcomed the moment I step in with an offer of drink and change of shoes. Providing good customer service is part of the job scope so be prepared to be treated like a queen whenever you're at Caring Skin. Did I also mention all the estheticians have at least 5 years of experience in the beauty industry?

Caring Skin uses all-natural products and provides quality treatments

Caring Skin uses Nobel Prize winning Dr Renaud's products which are all-natural plant-based ingredients that do not contain reactive chemicals that might be sensitive to our skin. You can, therefore, be assured all the treatments are of definite premium quality.

Personalised skincare programme

Caring Skin doesn't sell standard treatment packages. What is unique about the facial spa is, they customise a skincare program based on your skincare needs. On your first appointment, an analysis is done to determine your skincare condition. Thereafter, suitable treatments are recommended to address your skin issues to achieve more effective end results and your desired skin goals.

Caring Skin provides excellent customer care service

We all know facial spas are sales-driven and it is really hard to gauge if the estheticians are genuine friendly or you know, trying to get you to sign that facial package. Thank god Caring Skin doesn't practise hard-selling! Instead, the customer service staff is committed to providing excellent customer service by 

1. Monitoring your skin's progress and providing updates every now and then 

2. Sending a text message the day after your appointment to follow-up on the service and your skin condition

3. Always being there for you (and your skin). Contact them anytime (during operating hours) and ask them anything related to skincare or problems you face.

And that, ladies (and gentlemen), is why I'd choose Caring Skin for the best skincare experience.

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Just in time for the Lunar New Year - pamper and prepare your skin at Caring Skin with their special promotion for CNY. Enjoy the O2 Mist Facial Treatment at $98 (U.P. $350) and receive a complimentary beautifying eye treatment by Dr Renaud worth $98! Find out more about the treatments here.

Promotion is valid till 15 March 2016 and applicable to 1st time customers aged 18 years old and above only. Customers below 18 years old has to be accompanied by parent/guardian. 

Call Caring Skin at 6737 7797 to book an appointment!

Celevenus Wellness & Aesthetic Clinic

Not sure if you noticed but I have recently undergone a couple of non-invasive procedures to "alter" my face shape. I have always had a pretty strong jawline resulting in a squarish face shape with no chin to speak of. The size of my face is consider relatively small when I'm taking photos in a group but when I take a selfie or if I'm taking a face shot (for advertorials sometimes), you'd be horrified by my wide-looking face.

Yup, here's my wide face in all of its full glory. I didn't realise I look like I perpetually had food in my mouth till I saw the before and after photos.

What really bothered me was the "extra" flesh at the sides which made my face look extraordinarily wide.

H has a natural V-shape face no matter how much weight he put on and I'm so envious. While I have a square/flat/round/no chin. This was taken in February!

Taken in mid-July, approximately 1.5 month after my AestheLift procedure at Celevenus Wellness & Aesthetic Clinic. The difference is very subtle since I did not go under the knife. However, I am mega pleased with my face shape now. There's an overall softer look and I finally have a chin!

What is AestheLift? 

AestheLift (the latest version of PDO Thread) or Ultra V-Lift (PDO Thread Lift) is an effective anti-wrinkle facelift and skin tightening procedure that has been very popular in Korea due to its safe, fast and effective results. Achieve the most sought after ‘V-shaped’ face or a natural looking nose lift with this treatment.

PDO Thread Lift is an advanced skin tightening technology where fine threads called polydioxanone (PDO) that were commonly used in surgery are inserted into targeted areas under the skin to stimulate skin tissue. As a result, the skin tissues create new tissue fibroblasts and collagen, which produces a tightening effect from inside out. When sagging skin is tightened, it creates a more sculpted ‘V-shape’ face as well as smooth, silky skin.

In simpler terms, it is a facelift that also helps to achieve a V-shaped face. And at the same time, the procedure stimulates collagen growth at the areas where the threads travel through. The end result? Smaller face with the desired V-shape as well as gaining firmer, good-looking, younger skin. So it is like killing three birds with one stone. Don't worry about the threads - they are dissolvable, just like the threads doctors use for stitches.

I told Dr Chau I don't want to know what's happening or what he's doing to my face... But I DO know when he inserted needles and I could feel the tugging but there was no pain. Really. The most painful part of the entire procedure was the anaesthesia injections.

Dr Chau is a pioneer in PDO threads in Singapore and he has performed many cases of PDO thread Lifting over the years. As a Key Opinion Leader for doctors, he has to constantly improvise the techniques of thread lifting, which is why he uses only the best and latest threads.

So anyway, the first couple of days after the procedure, I had restricted mouth/jaw movements due to the threads + tightening so I had to eat soft food. I experienced soreness at my cheeks but it wasn't painful, just uncomfortable but bearable. My face was slightly swollen and lightly bruised immediately after the treatment but the recovery was quick, I looked totally normal the next day. Also, try to eat soft food such as porridge, bananas and papayas for the first 3 days.

This photo was taken about one month after the AestheLift procedure. While there wasn't a significant change in my face shape (it normally takes 2-3 months to take effect), I have to admit the skin around my cheeks are much, much firmer! There are no more "fish balls" when I pinch my cheeks and the "extra" flesh you saw in the first photo? Yes, all gone! This effect supposedly lasts for about 2 years, by the way!

I went back to Celevenus a month after my AestheLift procedure for review, as well as start on the second part to achieving my ideal face shape...which was Square Jaw Reduction with Dysport (Botox), Chin Filler (Jurvederm Voluma) and Sculptra for the under eye and zygomatic areas. I chose not to do them on the same day as I'm still quite conservative in this area so I wanted to wait it out and see the effects of the AestheLift treatment. However, it is possible to do everything in a day if you want to.

Yup, my face says it all. Botox injections were a walk in the park hahaha. By the way my complexion looked damn good in the picture??! No makeup at all!! I think the Ultra V-Lift treatment helped! Dr Chau seemed to have mentioned something about having silky skin after this treatment. My skin stimulates its own collagen production beneath the layers after all!

Took this photo right after I got home. My chin was bruising a little after the fillers, which lasted a week. But nothing a concealer can't solve!

As you can see, I experienced a little redness at the under eye area which was due to the Sculptra treatment I did. As I have slightly sunken tear trough, Dr Chau injected Sculptra at the areas to plump them up so it can help to reduce the appearance of dark eye circles. 5 months after the procedure now, I also noticed that the wrinkles at my under eye seem to have diminished!! I no longer look as tired or old as compared to a couple of months ago. And the most amazing news is - this treatment can potentially last for 2 years!

Photo on the left was taken in March and the one on the right was in August. I think my jawline looks so much more feminine and softer after the procedures, no longer as squarish too!

Please ignore my phone...this was a selfie taken end of July for Reebonz and I reallyyyyy love my face shape here!!

It is not very obvious but at my zygomatic area (sides of my face at the cheek), I have slight grooves so Dr Chau injected a little bit of Sculptra there to plump it up as well so that my face contour will look smoother without a sudden dent.

Sculptra is seriously amazing stuff and it is a quick and effective way to treat anything from dark eye circles to the signs of ageing. Not only does it take only 30 minutes for the treatment, it is incredibly safe, almost painless and it promotes collagen production to plump up sunken areas and smoothen out skin as well!

I can stretch my smiles now without worrying about bulges on my cheeks thanks to having no excess skin/flesh/muscles!

After the treatments at Celevenus, a lot of people who don't see me on a daily basis tend to ask if I've lost weight. The numbers on my weighing scale are still the same, but the first thing they notice is my face and it is the only part on my body that has shrank. So I guess, YAY, my face has indeed gone smaller and shapelier!

Here's a summary of the procedures I did at Celevenus:
- AestheLift: to tighten up loose skin/for a sharper face contour/to achieve a V-shape face

- Square Jaw Reduction with Dysport (botox): to shrink the size of my facial muscles

- Chin Filler (Jurvederm Voluma): for a sharper chin to achieve the V-shape face
- Sculptra: to plump up sunken tear trough/zygomatic area and reduce the appearance of dark eye circles/wrinkles

Celevenus Wellness & Aesthetic Clinic specialises in NON-SURGICAL aesthetic treatments for anti-aging & facial augmentation. They provide an extensive range of services for your face and body and if you are keen, drop them an enquiry or give them a call here to find out more!