Now that Chinese New Year is just around the corner, it is time to extend the festivities to the way your home looks and feels. Let your home echo the festive spirit of this season by adding a splash of colour to your furnishings!

Jazz up your sofa with festive cushions in a riot of colours or add a bold table runner to perk up your mood and create a joyous ambience. These beautiful hand-embroidered cushion covers are just some of my choice picks for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations. 

Red is one of my favourite colours for Chinese New Year as it symbolizes good luck, so be sure to add a dash of this auspicious colour to your home to bring you luck in the year of the Horse! 

I succumbed to temptation and picked this gorgeous red cushion cover with baroque prints (S$49.90) to complement my baroque style sofa. Don’t you think it stands out beautifully against the lush black velvet? I absolutely adore how it adds a touch of opulence and glamour to my home. 

If you love this cushion cover as much as I do, read on till the end of this post to find out how to win one for yourself!
 

What I love most
about the cushion covers from Linen & More is that they are timeless
classics and will never go out of style. The intricate designs also lend a
touch of sophistication and grace to your interior decor, regardless of
what the occasion may be.

I selected this design in yes, you guessed it, a cheery shade of red! The highlight of this dress lies in the fine hand-stitched embroidery, which instantly transforms the ensemble into a magnificent masterpiece. Flaunt this piece of art by wearing it to your Chinese New Year gatherings. The gorgeous oriental blooms are bound to be an instant conversation starter.

I decided to add purple highlights to my hair on my second visit to Naoki Yoshihara by Ash. I tried purple highlights earlier
this year when I was holidaying in Taipei and I was yearning to recreate the look once again.

One of the easiest
ways to change your look is to add highlights to your hair. Not only is
it less damaging than changing your base colour, it also adds interest
and dimension to your hairstyle. What I like most about highlights is
that you can experiment with bolder hues without compromising on
professionalism and style. 

 
 The problem with having ammonia in hairdyes is that it is actually really harmful to your hair. Ammonia has adverse effects on a protein called Tyrosine which is found in hair shafts and Tyrosine produces the melanin pigments in your hair. Ammonia damages Tyrosine, which greatly affects your hair’s ability to absorb colour. 

If you realize that your hair colour seems to fade quickly, perhaps it is time to switch to ammonia-free hair dyes for longer lasting hair colour and stronger, healthier hair! 

I love the trendier and fashion
forward vibes that the contrasting purple highlights lend to my overall
appearance. It also gives my hair more movement and makes my hair look
more voluminous than before.

If you are thinking of heading down to Naoki Yoshihara by Ash during the upcoming festive season, do take note of these changes:

I personally prefer subtle enhancements that preserve the individuality and unique characteristics of my original features. Thankfully, after consulting Dr Chau, I realized that nose fillers would actually fit the bill.

  
The pictures of me that you see above were taken before I had nose fillers. I looked exceptionally tired in the first picture taken at the clinic as I headed there after a long day at work. Nonetheless, from all the pictures, you can tell that my nose bridge was relatively low and the tip of my nose was somewhat wide.

If given a choice, I would prefer a higher nose bridge and a sharper tip. So, why did I choose fillers and what were some of my considerations?

Why did I choose fillers?

Filler treatments are probably one of the fastest and most natural ways to enhance your nose because the final look depends largely on the characteristics of your existing nose. Unlike, rhinoplasty, otherwise known as a surgical nose job, you can’t show your doctor a picture of your favourite celebrity’s nose and get him/her to recreate the exact same nose with fillers. I have no intentions of looking like anyone else, not even my favourite celebrity and since preserving my individuality is a key concern, I chose fillers.

What can you expect during the treatment?

The make-up on my nose area was thoroughly removed and a thick layer of numbing cream was applied to my nose. After about 30 minutes, my nose was completely numb.

Then, it was time for Dr Chau to work his magic. Juvéderm® VOLUMA® Lidocaine was used in the procedure. He started with the top of my nose bridge and slowly worked his way down to middle, followed by the tip. Dr Chau also ensured that the injection was administered gradually and carefully to reduce the likelihood of bruising.

After the injection, my nose was moulded to shape. Dr Chau shared that ideally, ladies should have button-like noses for a softer look, which helps to retain their femininity while men should have higher and straighter noses as it would enhance their masculinity.

Finally, here’s the side view of my new nose. As you can see, my nose bridge is significantly higher but the curvature is remarkably natural.

Here are some pictures of me about two hours after the procedure, taken at home without any make-up except for some eyeliner. My nose looked very prominent during the first 2 days, which was normal and expected due to swelling, but it settled in nicely thereafter.

3 days later 

If you follow me on my instagram account (@reginachow_sg), you may have spotted this picture which was taken 3 days after the procedure. I had some bruising then, but it was completely concealed by make-up. The swelling had gone down as well and my nose looked more natural.

For a better comparison, I also included my ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures below. All the pictures in the post have not been digitally enhanced.

Side View 

Front View

If you observe the pictures carefully, you would probably realize that my eyes looked bigger in my ‘after’ picture. Well, that is actually one of the effects of nose fillers as well. Besides a sharper nose, your features, especially your eyes, will also look more defined.

For those of you who want bigger eyes and a sharper nose, fillers can help you to achieve your objectives! 

Is there downtime?

There is no downtime at all. I headed out to do Christmas shopping immediately after the procedure! This is an important factor for most of us who have to head back to office the next day or immediately after the procedure. 

I experienced some slight bruising for about a week, but with the help of foundation and concealer, nothing was visible to the naked eye.

Is it painful?

It  is a relatively painless procedure as numbing cream is applied and Juvéderm® VOLUMA® Lidocaine, the filler that was used in my procedure, contains Lidocaine, an anesthetic drug to minimize pain.

In fact, the procedure was absolutely painless for me, which left me pleasantly surprised. On a scale of 1-10, the pain factor was 0. 

Is the treatment reversible? 

Filler treatments are not permanent and yes, they are reversible. Fillers such as Juvéderm® VOLUMA® Lidocaine are made of hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in our body. If complications arise, which are generally uncommon with an experienced doctor, or you are dissatisfied with the results, the fillers can be easily dissolved and removed from your body. 

Of course, to reduce unnecessary risks, you should always do your research and engage a qualified, experienced doctor to ensure that more than half the battle is won! Dr Dylan Chau, for instance, has 9 years of experience in medical aesthetics and has a wealth of experience in administering filler treatments. 

How long will fillers last?

Fillers typically last between 12-18 months but it varies from individual to individual because everyone breaks down or metabolizes fillers at different rates.

Are there any other non-permanent aesthetic treatments for nose enhancements?

During my consultation, Dr Chau told me that I could try another procedure for nose enhancement, which involves injecting sutures (or threads, similar to stitches for patching up open wounds) into the nose. The results from this procedure is likely to last at least 2 years, which is slightly longer than fillers which are estimated to last between 12-18 months.

I was tempted to try this but I wanted to have the flexibility to assess if I preferred a higher nose bridge before deciding on a more permanent option. I would probably try this treatment after the fillers wear off.

For now, I am very satisfied with the results of my nose fillers. As always, I am awed by Dr Dylan Chau’s sense of beauty, aesthetic judgment and wonderful skills, and I would highly recommend him for all aesthetic treatments.  

I will be heading back to Celevenus in early January for a review, but meanwhile, here are some pictures of me 1 week after the procedure:

Email: 
beauty@celevenus.com.sg

Website:
http://www.celevenus.com.sg/

Intelligent Nutrients is the brainchild of Aveda pioneer Horst M. Rechelbacher, who wanted to make products so smart that they can be eaten. Intelligent Nutrients products contain a proprietary ingredient called Intellimune and are food grade, non-toxic, pesticide-free, gluten-free and vegan. In fact, the ingredients used are so natural that Intelligent Nutrients is now the highest rated natural and organic brand according to UK’s organic monitor. 

For more updates on myLIFE INC, remember to like their facebook page here!

I wanted to touch up my roots and trim my ends, while Karen wanted to tone down her bright red rock-style hair for a more work appropriate look. Selecting the right hair colour to suit your skin tone and personal style is an art, and you can certainly trust Naoki Yoshihara by Ash to do it right.

Storyderm’s Coenzyme Q10 Silk Mask is a great hydration mask. My face felt instantly moisturized but it would be best to follow up with a facial moisturizer thereafter if you sleep in an air-conditioned room like I do, as the effects do not last through the night.

I really liked Fancl’s Aging Care Mask as the entire mask is soaked in essence. I usually don’t fancy masks that leave a stick after feel, but this mask is an exception because I could see that my skin looked more hydrated, plumped up and radiant after just one usage. I used it at night before bed without using any skincare after that and my skin still felt very moisturized when I woke up the next morning. It is a challenge for my skin to remain hydrated throughout the night, especially when I sleep in an air-conditioned room, hence I would give this two thumbs up for its amazing moisturizing properties!


6) Kerastase Elixir Ultime (Sample Size)