Regina Chow - Singapore Fashion, Beauty & Travel Blog
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Fashion: Checks & Stripes

June 23, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

As you can probably tell, I have developed a liking for mixing prints and patterns of late, and in today’s outfit of the day  (OOTD), checks and stripes take centerstage. Both patterns are rather bold and can look a tad overwhelming when paired together, but a general rule of thumb for me when it comes to the print-on-print trend is to make sure that the two prints are of different sizes for better visual harmony.
In this case, my striped skirt has thick, bold lines that are narrowly spaced, while the checks on my white top are spaced slightly wider apart and drawn with thin lines to balance out the overall look. It also helps that the top I chose is primarily white as that neutralizes the bold black lines on my skirt and really binds the whole look together. 
What I love about prints is that all you need is a dose of it to add interest to any outfit. They’re so fun to play around with and should definitely be in everyone’s style arsenal. The trick is to find two prints that go well together and yes, they don’t necessarily have to match!

Arm Accessory from Hermes
Bag from MyJotterBook
Top, Skirt and Shoes from random shops

To complete the outfit, I slipped on a pair of ankle-high strappy wedges for greater visual impact. I got these from Far East Plaza many years ago, and was afraid that the soles would fall off as I’ve neglected them for a while. Well, and just as I expected, they came off as soon as I took these pictures! 
I was quite crestfallen when that happened but I’m determined to get them fixed. Fortunately for me, I also had another pair of shoes in the car to prepare for wardrobe malfunctions.
Shoes aside, I would also like to bring your attention to this lovely cigar box bag from MyJotterBook, which stocks exclusive handcrafted bags. Lishan, the owner, usually brings in these bags in limited quantities, so the chances of you running into someone on the street carrying the same bag is almost zilch. I personally adore the rocker chic vibes that this bag exudes, complemented by a touch of glamour thanks to the diamonte studs adorning the edges of the bag.

What do you think of this look?
Here’s wishing everyone a great week ahead! Don’t let the Monday Blues get you down. 😉

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Fashion Fridays: Audi Star Creation 2014

June 20, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

  I will be sharing some of my favourite designs from Audi Star Creation 2014 in today’s edition of Fashion Fridays. If you are interested in my outfit of the day (OOTD) for the runway showdown, do refer to my previous post here.
 The theme for this year’s regional design competition was “The Asian Perspective”, and I had a fabulous time watching the runway showdown and taking a guess at each designer’s inspirations as towering models strutted down the stage in their beautiful designs.  
One of my favourite pieces is this cut-out shirt designed by Hye Ra Rhee of Korea. She wasn’t one of the winners, but her feminine designs inspired by the beauty and resilience of nature’s flora definitely won my heart.
Here’s another cut-out design that I absolutely adore. I especially liked how she sprinkled the cut-out floral motifs all over to add dimension and interest to an otherwise minimalist style.
These effortlessly stylish pieces designed by Rebecca Corrine Lam, who was one of the 3 winners that evening, were some of the other designs that caught my attention. Rebecca’s designs, while reminiscent of traditional paper cutting which is closely linked to Asian culture, have a modern contemporary vibe and a touch of edginess, making them extremely wearable. In fact, I can see myself wearing every design in this collection.
Vietnamese designer Tu Nguyen Hoang’s designs were very fascinating as well. Hoang pushed the boundaries by marrying 3D technology with meticulous craftsmanship, taking fashion design to a whole new level. He may not have been a winner at the competition, but his innovative and futuristic designs were certainly well-received by the audience.
  That about sums up my favourite designs at this year’s Audi Star Creation. Which of these designs do you like best?
Meanwhile, have a great weekend ahead!
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Naoki Yoshihara by Ash: The Hair Care Salon Solutions Treatment by Shiseido

June 20, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

Naoki Yoshihara by Ash very kindly invited me to be the model for their new Hair Care Salon Solutions hair treatment by Shiseido when it was first launched. I was very thankful for the opportunity as my tresses were in dire need of pampering given my frequent colouring sessions. 

I was also travelling pretty often for work during that period and was constantly exposed to hard water. Did you know that hard water is rich in minerals and causes your hair to be dry, rough and breakable? Well, I literally found out the hard way (pun unintended) when my hair became stringy and running my fingers through my locks became a near impossible task. Fortunately, things took a turn for the better after the hair treatment and the results were instantaneous, as you can see from the pictures above.
Before I begin my review, here are the products used for The Hair Care Salon Solutions Treatment:

What can you expect from The Hair Care Salon Solutions Treatment?
The first step of the treatment was to cleanse my scalp of impurities and dirt to prepare it for a proper detox later on. Whipping up a fluffy lather was essential for this purpose.

Next, it was time for deep cleansing and detox, but first, the stylists had to assess if my hair belonged to the high damage or low damage category and customize the treatment based on my hair condition. Travelling had taken a toll on my hair then and it naturally fell into the high damage category.
The purpose of detoxing is to thoroughly remove calcium ions and minerals that are present in the water we use to wash our hair. I was duly impressed as most hair treatments do not include this step, and this happened to be exactly what I needed after all that exposure to hard water!

 

Another interesting fact that I learned during the session was that steaming should only be done at the onset during the detox stage, before treatment solutions and repair agents (steps 2-4 below) are massaged into your hair. 
The reason for this? Steaming opens up the pores and allows nutrients to be readily absorbed and sealed in. It is similar to facials, where we usually steam our faces at the beginning to open up our pores before extraction and mask application.
The application of the triple-layer micro-coating in Step 4 here is the equivalent of a hair mask. Mask application closes up your pores and locks
in all the nutrients. If you were to reverse the steps and leave steaming to the end, your pores will open up and all the nutrients will be gone. 


What I liked about this treatment was that it tamed my hair instantly, leaving it soft, silky and almost beautiful enough for a shampoo ad. To prove my point, here’s my shiny, lustrous hair after the treatment, without any styling. The effects lasted about a week after, and the condition of my hair generally improved as well.

If you have badly damaged hair like me, perhaps you could consider trying this treatment to restore moisture and shine to your hair. 

From now till 30th June, Naoki Yoshihara by Ash is offering a 30% discount to customers who are trying this treatment for the first time!

Naoki Yoshihara by Ash
Address: 
177 River Valley Road
Liang Court  #02-15/16
Singapore 179030
Tel:
6333 5662

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Fashion: All White Outfit

June 17, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

White is one of my favourite colours. I love experimenting with bold vibrant colours and prints, but on days when I can’t decide on what to wear, I’ll turn to my white outfits.  Not only does white fabric provide the perfect canvas for accessorizing, it also exudes a clean, minimalist vibe and a touch of simple elegance. The epitome of purity and innocence, white outfits are always a breath of fresh air.

This light knit and lace 2 piece set from Japanese label Snidel is one of my most treasured finds during my recent trip to Hokkaido (I will be sharing more shopping tips soon!). I have always been a fan of Japanese apparel because design aside, there is always something special about the quality and workmanship. 
In fact, all you need to do is touch the fabric and you’ll know these lovely pieces are made to last. That probably explains why I always stock up on classic pieces like these whenever I have the chance to lay my hands on Japanese apparel.

 
 I am addicted to Japanese skincare too, in particular SKII. I have been using SKII for close to 2 months now and I have nothing but praises for their products, especially their star product, the facial treatment essence. I’m hoping it isn’t psychological, but I really do feel that my skin looks more rejuvenated and glowy, which is probably the reason why I don’t look as sick as I am in reality.

I was still
feeling pretty ill when this series of photos were taken, but I am now
happy to report that I am on my road to recovery. I can’t wait to be in
the pink of health again! The weather is so unbearably hot these days and everyone around me seems to be falling ill too, so please get enough sleep at night and stay hydrated throughout the day!


Outfit from Snidel (Japanese)
Socks from Tutuanna (Japanese)
Accessories, bags and shoes from random shops in Singapore

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Fashion: 5 Celebrity Styles with Ministry of Retail

June 16, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments
Aside from catchy ditties like I Got a Boy and Sorry Sorry, swoon-worthy
dramas like Secret Garden and Boys Over Flowers, and of course, mouth-watering
food like dukbokki and bulgogi, there is one more thing to love about South
Korea: fashion! 
The folks at Ministry of Retail, a homegrown women’s fashion label, have hopped on the K-fashion
bandwagon too, launching their label online in 2009. Husband and wife Vincent
Goh and Yvonne Tan’s labour of love has paid off, as the label’s success has
skyrocketed since its establishment.  
  
Fancy dressing like your favourite K-pop star? Take your pick from Ministry of
Retail after studying these celebrities’ style!

1. Electric blue blazers
Girls Generation’s Tiffany is totally working that blue blazer, pairing
it with lemon-yellow peep-toe heels, black shorts and a black handbag. I love
the asymmetrical hem of her t-shirt, as well as the black lining of her blazer.
Those little details really make her outfit come together. Plus, her eye-smile
completes the come-hither but polished look. 
Likewise, Tiffany’s group-mate Jessica also experimented with electric
blue, except that this time, she chose a longer coat instead. The long coat,
paired with brown heels and a printed dress, made for a more laidback look than
that of Tiffany’s. 
 As exemplified by Tiffany, electric blue is perfect with black. And this
blazer from MOF is both chic and sporty, thanks to the loose silhouette.
2. Overall shorts

Remember Girls Generation’s breakout song, Gee? They were already
sporting overall shorts then, except theirs came in candy colours like hot
pink, lime green and yellow. 
For a less kiddy version, opt for silver metallic overall shorts for an
effortlessly chic look. Pair it with a white t-shirt (not another shimmery
number, please!) and you are all set to hit the clubs. 
3. Houndstooth prints
The members of girl group Miss A look absolutely darling in their
ladylike houndstooth get-ups. 
I’m a little obsessed with the cropped top trend that’s making its way
back now. And what better way to add a ladylike touch to the California-girl
style than with houndstooth prints?
4. Pastels
The girls of Girls Generation look like a dream in their cotton candy
hues.
What’s even better than a pastel yellow dress? A pastel yellow dress
with a Peter Pan collar! The preppy chic style is right up my alley, and
especially more so when classic pieces like these come in candy colours that
are so appropriate for spring and summer. I’m in love!
5. White and sheer

Yes, it is possible to wear white and sheer pieces
without revealing your undergarments. See how Yoo In Na, the leading lady of
drama series Queen In-hyun’s Man, did it with a simple flared dress? Keep
accessories to a minimum and let the understated simplicity of the outfit do
the talking.
There’s nothing quite as elegant and classic as a white collared top.
But to shake things up a little, go sheer! This top from MOF goes well with
black capris a la Audrey Hepburn if you want to take on the monochromatic
trend. The sheer panels and embroidered details add a current update to the
regular button-up.
Now, which is your favourite trend? I’ll love to hear from you!
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Fashion Fridays: Casual Weekend Outfit

June 13, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments
I am currently nursing a flu after returning from my recent trip to Japan and China. Whenever I’m ill, all I want to do is dress down and throw on something comfortable. This simple shirt and shorts combination is a no-brainer and absolutely fits the bill. Loafers and a cute apple bag complete the look, and there, I’m all ready for the weekend!
I know I haven’t been updating this space of mine in a while, but please bear with me as I try my best to catch up on lost time. Meanwhile, you can also follow me on instagram (@reginachow_sg) for more frequent updates.
Bag from Kate Spade
Shoes from Chanel
Accessories from Hermes
Belt from Snidel (Japanese)

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Fashion Fridays: Crop Tops and Prints

May 23, 2014 by Regina Chow 2 Comments

Pants from Topshop
Jacket from BYSI
Leatherette Crop Top from MDS 
Cuff from Diva

I was initially a little reluctant to experiment with two of the most popular trends right now, namely the print-on-print trend and the crop top trend. Reason being, both trends can be rather tricky to pull off. You could risk looking totally uncoordinated with the print-on-print trend and you will look really skanky if you bare too much of your midriff with the crop top trend.

Having said that, I have to admit that both trends are fun to play with and absolutely fashion forward.  In this look, which I wore to the Audi Fashion Festival After-Party, I attempted to combine both trends based on a couple of tips that I read about:

1) Play with proportion and match your crop top with high waist bottoms to expose just a silver of skin.

2)  Throw on a blazer to cover your shoulders if you still think it’s too revealing.

3) When matching two prints with similar patterns, make sure that only 1 is graphic while the other is more tame. 

In this case for instance, the busy-ness of the prints on my white-based jacket is played down by the bolder prints on my black pants. I particularly love how the solid white crop top unified the clashing prints and pulled the whole look together. Instead of my usual curls, I kept my hair straight and neatly tied up in a side ponytail to balance out the prints and keep humidity at bay too.
 
When two worlds collide and synergies are harnessed, the results are pretty amazing, isn’t it? Hope you like this look as much as I do.

Have a great weekend! I was supposed to head to Bangkok this weekend, but the recent coup declaration has foiled my plans. Talk about bad timing!


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Fashion Fridays: Audi Star Creation OOTD

May 16, 2014 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

In today’s edition of Fashion Fridays, I will be sharing with you my outfit of the day (OOTD) for Audi Star Creation, which just took place on Monday. My pick for that evening was a laser cutout dress in electric blue, complete with matching cutout shoes. 
I am drawn to laser cutout designs, especially when the cutouts are juxtaposed against bold colours as they add interest and dimension to an ensemble.

I had a most enjoyable evening, which left me in awe of the inspirational designs created by the 12 finalists. Before the show even began, the air was already bustling with positive energy and it was amazing just to watch Singapore’s sharpest fashionistas walk by. This is perhaps real-life satorial splendour at its best. If you are interested, I will be sharing more on that and the runway show in a separate post soon.
I wish I had time to attend the rest of the fashion shows at Audi Fashion Festival this year. The excitement and exhilaration of seeing new collections is so addictive, I wish the show would never end.
Ching Dress
Zara Heels
Hermes Birkin Bag
Chanel Earrings
Have a great weekend!
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Fashion: Jun Ji Hyun’s Style in “Man From Another Star”/ “You Who Came From The Stars” (Part 2)

May 15, 2014 by Regina Chow 2 Comments

The Korean drama series “Man From Another Star” or “You Who Came From The Stars” may have ended a while back, but Jun Ji Hyun’s (the lead actress who played Cheon Song Yi) stylish outfits  have etched an incredibly lasting impression on me. I am sure I am not alone. 
In Part 2 of her style journal, I would like to draw your attention to 5 beautiful jackets showcased on the show (I have also included the links should you be keen to purchase them). I was inspired to blog about jackets this time because I will be heading to Japan soon, and the lovely spring weather means that my jackets can finally emerge from the depths of my closet. 
This attention-grabbing statement coat is a beauty to behold. It is the epitome of femininity and the divine pairing of intricate pastel blue lace with gemstones ensures that you will always be the centre of attention.

Here’s another statement jacket worn by Jun Ji Hyun/Cheon Song Yi at the start of the show. The feather and sequin accents lend dimension and a touch of edginess to the jacket, making it an instant conversation starter.
 

This classic Burberry trench coat is always a stylish addition to any wardrobe. The flattering design elongates your silhouette and the fact that it comes in a beautiful shade of camel ensures that it will never go out of style. This is certainly a worthwhile investment in my personal opinion.


This lovely trench coat also matches the  Burberry Medium Canvas Check Tote Bag perfectly. Looking effortlessly chic has never been eaiser.


If you’re feeling more adventurous, perhaps this zebra print Valentino coat would be your cup of tea.  A jacket like this instantly jazzes up any outfit, adding a little pizzazz to the otherwise boring shirt and pants ensemble shown here.
 

I personally have a soft spot for tweed jackets and blazers. Not only does tweed look and feel absolutely luxurious, it is also the perfect fabric for jackets and blazers because of its structure and durability. 
This double-breasted Balmain Tweed Blazer worn by Jun Ji Hyun is versatile for both work and play and I especially like how the gold buttons add contrast and a touch of glamour. This is yet another worthy investment for your wardrobe.

 Which is your favourite? 
Do you prefer simple yet classic jackets or would you prefer to push the envelope a little with fashion forward pieces?
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Tokyo Luxey & Japanese Beauty Products in Singapore

May 12, 2014 by Regina Chow No Comments

www.tokyoluxey.com
I was introduced to Tokyo Luxey earlier this year during a briefing session for bloggers conducted by CEO of Rouge Asia, Ms Chie Maeda and it really opened my eyes to the world of Japanese beauty products.
Established Japanese beauty brands such as Kose, Shiseido, SKII and the likes certainly need no introduction. However, beyond these globally renowned brand names lie a myriad of quality beauty and lifestyle brands that have made waves in the Japanese domestic market but are lesser known to the rest of the world.

With Tokyo Luxey, you will now be among the first outside of Japan to get your hands on these up and coming brands. All you have to do is sign up to be a Luxey!

Your role after being accepted as a Luxey

  • Try beauty and lifestyle goods supplied by TOKYO LUXEY and publish reviews of the products on your blog and via social media channels  

  • Publish beauty and lifestyle-related content and information supplied by TOKYO LUXEY on your blog and via social media

 

    • Share and introduce the content from your blog and social media accounts to the TOKYO LUXEY site’s timeline

    • Introduce TOKYO LUXEY to friends who you feel would be appropriate for our community

     

    What you get as a LUXEY

    • Receive exclusive & new Japanese beauty and lifestyle-related information and content from TOKYO LUXEY

    • Sample exclusive beauty and lifestyle products from Japan

    • Participate in the joint development of Japanese beauty and lifestyle-related goods via TOKYO LUXEY sponsored programs

    • Receive special pricing reserved only for TOKYO LUXEY members on products that you sampled

    • Become eligible to participate in TOKYO LUXEY’s affiliate program (details will be sent separately)

    • Become eligible to participate in exclusive experiences sponsored by TOKYO LUXEY (e.g. a makeup session with a famous Japanese makeup artist) 

    • Special invitations to Japan will be offered to individuals who are recognized for remarkable involvement or results as a LUXEY

    For a start, here are some products that I received and would recommend to everyone. I have tried every single one of them myself and am currently still using some of these products in my daily routine. If you would like to know how you can get hold of these products, do read on for more details at the end of this post.

    1) Make It & Co Skincare Set

    Make It & Co is an Japanese organic skincare brand that is manufactured in England. The set that I received included a washing oil, day moisturizer, night moisturizer and a hand cream. I have to admit that I was initially a little hesitant to try these products because organic skincare is known to cause breakouts in the initial phase, but thankfully, I eventually bit the bullet and used them for a period of about 3 weeks. Instead of a breakout, all I got was beautifully smooth, hydrated skin.
    The star product of this series, in my opinion, is the Aroma Washing Oil. Organic soy oil, which forms the base, is combined with lavender, tea tree and citrus essential oils to gently cleanse your face and body. I used this as my facial wash for both day and night for the entire duration, and it is amazing how clean and hydrated my skin felt after each wash. There was no oily after feel at all. My skin felt soft, moisturized and thoroughly cleansed.

    2) Evangelist BB Cream

    The Evangelist BB cream is an award winning “3D” BB cream that packs a punch. It is the No.1 BB cream for 2 consecutive years on leading Japanese beauty and cosmetics website, Cosme, with 2,000 – 3,000 bottles being sold every month. 
    Not only does it come with good coverage and sunscreen (SPF 31 PA++), it also includes skincare ingredients such as placenta and EGF to ensure that your skin is well taken care of.
    What I like about this product is how incredibly lightweight it feels on your skin. I was told during the briefing that it is so light that you will even forget that you are wearing it, and I can now attest that this claim is absolutely true. Since this is an all-in-one product, you can also skip sunblock and foundation by applying this after your daily skincare routine. This is one item that I would definitely repurchase.

    3) Evangelist Skin Care Powder

    The Skin Care Powder is another star product under the Evangelist umbrella. The first loose powder to incorporate placenta, EGF and sodium hyalauronate into its formula, it promises to impart a glow to your skin, accompanied by a velvety soft finish.
    I like the powder puff that comes along with this product as it picks up just the right amount of powder and feels so luxuriously soft on your skin. As the powder is slightly glittery, it is splendid for dinner dates and special occasions as well.

    4) Kiraan! Metal Magic Liner

    Kiraan! is a collaboration between twin celebrity models Amiaya, renowned Japanese cosmetics distributor Ohyama and Japanese retailer Plaza Japan. The Metal Magic Liner was the first product to be released under this brand and has been widely marketed in Japanese magazines such as Vivi, mina, Popteen and JJ, among others. There is a total of 5 different shades.
    I received this glitter eyeliner in Pink Bird, a sweet candy pink shade that brightens up the eyes instantly. I typically use this at the inner corner of my eyes with neutral eyeshadow colours on weekends when I can afford to experiment with more colour.

    *****

    If you are interested in these exclusive Japanese beauty products, Tokyo Luxey is now offering a Special Edition Gift Box that includes 7 full-sized products at just S$39. Only 300 boxes are available for sale, so click here to purchase yours now!
     
    http://member.tokyoluxey.com/clk.php?ssid=55&iid=5
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    About Me

    Hi! My name is Regina and I am a style, beauty and travel enthusiast who enjoys writing, photography and letting my creative juices flow.

    My blogging journey has been nothing short of exciting. I was recently named the winner of Her World Magazine’s Estee Lauder Style Superstar Awards 2016. My blog was also awarded Best Fashion Blog (Grand Winner) at the Singapore Blog Awards 2014. The year before that, it won Best Online Shopping Blog at the Singapore Blog Awards 2013.

    Additionally, it is listed as one of the 10 interesting blogs on Singapore by AsiaWeb Direct (http://www-singapore.com/blogs.htm). I was also featured on both local and international mainstream media for my views on style, fashion and online shopping:

    The Straits Times (14 Oct 2014)

    The Business Times (14 Oct 2014)

    My Paper (13 Oct 2014)

    CNBC ("Pricey Singapore: Savvy shoppers go online" - 28 Dec 2014)

    For advertorials/partnerships, feel free to contact me at regina.chow@gmail.com.

    Thank you!

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