maybeline, Author at With Love,

Butter Bean – modern version of Toast Box, opens 2nd outlet in VivoCity

September 13, 2020maybeline

Author: Alexius Chua

A creative concept by BreadTalk Group that serves contemporary Nanyang coffee-based drinks and opened-face toasts, Butter Beam unveils a 2nd outlet at VivoCity. It boasts a larger space than its Funan store with seating capacity of 70 (50 with current social distancing measure). This includes an alfresco patio that is perfect for a laid-back breezy afternoon.

The coffees are made from Arabica and Robusta beans, coated with a layer of caramelised sugar before roasting (Torrefacto method). They are ground in small batches when required, and brewed to the effect of Kopi-O Kosong Gao for that intense and full-bodied concentrate.
This forms the foundation of all coffee-based beverages at Butter Bean. Theyalso served specialty local and international beverages like hand-shaken teas and fruit drinks – all affordably priced at $3.50 and below.

Some examples are
GM Kopi BBliss (my favourite)
Lychee Orange Tea
BB Rose

The classic toasts are re-imagined at Butter Bean. From $2 onward per toast, each of the 8 options presents a different topping on an inch-thick Butter Bean signature butter loaf, which are baked fresh on the premises daily. The loaf is made with a proprietary recipe with pure New Zealand butter and Japanese flour. The toasts are further toasted on a flat iron grill to give a delightful crisp edge and soft and fluffy interior.

The bread by itself tastes light and milky like those Hokkaido bread. At an additional $3, you can choose your choice of toast as a set that includes two eggs – traditional half-boiled or Hanjuku-style with molten center, and a regular cup of hot Nanyang-brewed Kopi or Tea.
For a satisfying and fuller meal, you can opt for sandwiches, which uses the same milky bread.

Some examples are
PB & J
Say Cheese (my favourite)
Sandwiches
BBF Battered Fried Fish
C.F.C Crispy Fried Chicken (my favourite)

Besides kopi and toasts, Butter Bean also curates four mains to whet your appetite. Top up $2.20 to enjoy the mains as a set, served with choice of iced Kopi or Teh.
Some examples are
Curry On Sunshine (my favourite)
Hey You Hae Mee

Promotions
From 14 – 17 September, receive free metal straw and brush set with purchase of any two specialty drinks. Set will be included with order upon collection of drinks. Limited to the first 50 redemption per day. Specialty drinks include BBrulee Kopi/ Teh Latte, G.M. Kopi/ Teh BBliss, BB Rose, Lychee Orange Tea and Lim Aiyu.

Butter Bean @ VivoCity
1 HarbourFront Walk
#01-207, Singapore 098585
8am to 9pm (Sun – Thu)
8am to 10pm (Fri, Sat and PH)
Facebook/ Instagram: @butterbeansg

Your Mooncakes Guide for Singapore 2020

August 29, 2020maybeline

If you need to know what my favourite Chinese festival is, it has got to be the Mid-Autumn because I have very fond memories of me playing with lanterns and candles with my siblings and kids at the playground. When we were young, we would wait for the clock to strike 6.30pm so that we start preparing our candles and whatsnot!

Did I also mention that as compared to the Chinese New Year (CNY), I love love love eating mooncakes more?! You can say that I am always looking forward to the next Mid-Autumn Festival after one ends!

Since I was gifted with quite a few boxes of mooncakes this year, I have decided to come out with a listicle on the best mooncakes received for 2020 in Singapore!

1. Mandarin Orchard

Delight in an exquisite ensemble of handcrafted mooncakes inspired by the flavours of autumn. From signature favourites such as the Mixed Nuts and Jamón Ibérico Baked Mooncake, to contemporary delicacies such as the Red Wine Cranberry with Japanese Yuzu and Lemongrass Snow Skin Mooncake—Mandarin Orchard Singapore’s mooncake collection makes a wonderful addition to your mid-autumn celebrations.

Available from 25 August to 1 October 2020.

Promotions:

Early Bird Discount – Enjoy 30% off selected mooncakes for DBS/POSB cards members. Simply key in the first 6 digits of your DBS/POSB credit /debit card number followed by DBS30 upon checkout to enjoy the discounts! Eg. XXXXXXDBS30

Valid for Pickup and Delivery!

To purchase Mandarin Orchard Mooncakes, click here.

2. Paradise Group

Celebrate this mid autumn festival by indulging in delectable mooncakes with an array of baked and snow skin favourites with your loved ones. Paradise Group mooncakes come in a beautiful box which you can reuse it for CNY!

The new collection set to include its newly created Fruity Liqueur Snow Skin Mooncakes (S$62 per box of 8 pieces)! All mooncakes are lovingly made by hand, baked fresh upon order, and they contain no preservatives. Each of these soft Fruity Liqueur Snow Skin Mooncakes is filled with silky smooth white lotus seed paste and a chocolate truffle core infused with different liqueurs. Encasing the soft centre is a thin layer of crunchy chocolate shell made using premium, natural chocolate from Valrhona’s Inspiration, the world – leading chocolate company’s first ever range of fruit and nut couvertures.

Exclusively for Citi, Maybank and PGR Cardmembers:

Now till 31 Aug 2020 – 20% OFF Mooncakes (Public enjoys 10% off)
1 to 30 Sep 2020 – 15% OFF Mooncakes

To purchase Paradise Group Mooncakes, click here.

3. Mercure Singapore

Song Garden introduces four new snowskin flavours, alongside the well-loved bird’s nest snowskin mooncake.

The newest collection, Tea-rrific Snowskin, which consists of 4 new flavours – Green Apple with Osmanthus-Honey Tea, Lychee with Green Tea, Pu’er Tea with Orange-Yuzu and Osmanthus-Oolong Tea with Pink Grapefruit & Apricot. Each handcrafted gem consist of praline centre, enveloped in rich and silky lotus paste and a thin layer of soft snowskin. This novel creation is set to please your palate with heavenly aroma.

Promotions:

27 August to 24 September 2020: 20% off
Credit Card Promotion- Enjoy 20% off Song Garden mooncakes from now till 1 October 2020 for UOB and POSB/DBS cardmembers!

To purchase Mercure Singapore mooncakes, please click here.

4. Mdm Ling Bakery

Mdm Ling Bakery steps up the game this mid-autumn with a Snakes-and-Ladders-themed board game mooncake tin cover. Not resting on its laurels with a bonding-friendly “Snacks and Ladders” board game mooncake tin design, Mdm Ling Bakery raises the game further with a harmonious pairing of its signature cookie-inspired mooncakes and Teabrary’s immunity-boosting tea selections in two bundles.
Reputed for its bevy of well-loved cookies, Mdm Ling Bakery changes the game this mid-autumn by drawing upon the ‘DNA’ of a handful of its signature cookies. The result is a rendition of legit mooncakes that bears semblance in taste to their cookie counterparts.

MID-AUTUMN PROMOTIONAL DETAILS:

Mooncake Sale till 1 Oct 2020.
Delivery from 10 Sep to 1 Oct 2020. Free delivery with $45 purchase.
25% off all mooncakes except mooncake bundles.
Prices listed include GST.

Order Online www.mdmlingbakery.com

5. Polar Puffs & Cakes Mooncake

Polar Puffs & Cakes Mooncake 6 Pc Snow Skin Moon Cake Set ($21.67) is probably the most affordable mooncakes around.

Pure Lotus: For the purist who simply wants to indulge in the uncompromised taste of lotus and subtle flavours of the snowskin.
Durian: The distinctive fruit that is acquired taste, enjoyed by the region. A delightful balance of durian and lotus paste.
Double Chocolate: Dark chocolate snowskin with chocolate and lotus filling – what is there not to like here?
Cranberry Rose (NEW!): Flowers and fruits make for a pretty and good combination. Lovely rose infused snowskin, with a filling of lotus paste and cranberries.
Brown Sugar Milk Tea (NEW!): Just can’t get enough of brown sugar milk tea? Enjoy that same delicious flavour in this milk tea snow skin packed with brown sugar lotus.
Lychee (NEW!): Enjoy the refreshing taste of lychee encased in a sakura flower infused snowskin.

To purchase, please click here.

6. Golden Moments

Known for their durian goodies, Golden Moments is having a 1-for-1 promo from now till 6 September. Grab a box with 4 different flavors – Signature MSW, Docello Hazelnut MSW, Premium D24 and Premium Lychee Martini. While stocks last!

For every 2 boxes purchased, get a guaranteed FREE 5-star luxury spa pass to Spa Nes with ala-carte buffet!

To purchase, please click here.

Review: Borsch Med100% Lingzhi

August 15, 2020maybeline

I take quite a few supplements such as Vitamin C, multivitamins, Evening Primrose Oil and some others on a daily basis. One of the latest addition to my supplement intake is Borsch Med 100% Lingzhi. Actually, I have been taking this for more than 6 months already so I wouldn’t count it as latest! Haha.

Lingzhi has been traditionally consumed for thousands of years in Asia for the health benefits that it brings. If you don’t know, Lingzhi is also known as “reishi in Japan.

Let us go into some of the benefits of Lingzhi:

Boost Immunity
Cancer Management
Prevents Respiratory Distress
Reduce Allergies & Lower Blood Pressure
Improve Heart, Lungs, Liver & Kidney functions

If you are someone who falls sick frequently, you can consider consuming lingzhi to strengthen your body’s immune system. Lingzhi strengthens and reinforces our white blood cells so that they can react faster when the body detects that bacteria and viruses have entered it. The bacteria can then be eliminated before it causes further harm to our body. Several types of research have proven the efficacy of Lingzhi in boosting our immunity. Regular consumption will also improve digestion, relieves fatigue and calms the mind. In the past, people also consume them for longevity.

Fun fact: Lingzhi spores are more potent than the whole Lingzhi Mushroom and Borsch Med 100% Lingzhi is made of 100% Lingzhi (Ganoderma Lucidum) cracked spores powder with no starch added.

People around me knows that I used to fall sick EASILY. Even using the word easily is underrated as I fall sick at least once every 3 weeks. I also suffer from mild anemia. Other than that, I do not have major health concerns, so I was recommended to consume 2 capsules daily with a glass of water.

For people who consume it to aid in recuperation or surgery, during a cold, for better concentration or for fast-paced lifestyle, you may consume 2-4 capsules per day. However, do note that no matter what supplements you are taking, it is safer to consult a physician if you are pregnant of breastfeeding.

Some differences that I have observed after consuming Borsch Med 100% Lingzhi includes:

I do not fall sick so easily anymore. I fell sick once within the last 6 months due to weather change.
I feel more energetic every morning
I can concentrate better

If you are keen to consume Borsch Med Lingzhi, you may purchase it at leading pharmacies and online at https://www.borschmed.com/product/Immunity/100-Lingzhi-Cracked-Spores-Powder-Capsule-Twin-Pack/Page0.

Review: Double Eyelid Surgery Done in Singapore

August 6, 2020maybeline

Author: Sharon Tung

I’ve been wanting to undergo double eyelid surgery for the longest time but I couldn’t find the time and right doctor to do it for me until I met Dr. Timothy Shim, Senior Consultant Plastic Surgeon from The Clifford Surgery.

I am a typical Asian who was born with single eyelids. Not complaining, but I do yearn for bigger and brighter eyes.

Here are some photos of me before my double eyelid surgery:

After a 30-minute consultation with Dr Shim, I was told that the stitching method will be more suitable for me. If you don’t know, there are 2 methods to achieve double eyelids – Double Suture & Twist (DST) Stitching and Incisional Upper Blepharoplasty (cutting) method.

I actually did some quick research internet on double eyelid surgery before seeing Dr Shim, read that the sutures used in the stitching method can snap. When Dr Shim suggested the stitching method for me, I raised my concern on this. He reassured me that the sutures are very durable and will not break as long as I take care of them.

As DST Double Eyelid Surgery requires no cutting, it is less invasive and hence, has minimal downtime and almost no visible scars after the procedure as compared to incisional upper blepharoplasty, where some skin and above the eyelids are cut and removed to create the double eyelids. The stitching methods achieves the same effect using surgical sutures.

The cutting method can also be done to remove excess skin, fat or other tissue from the upper eyelid. It is also sometimes used to correct some eye conditions such as like ptosis (droopy upper eyelids). I or for aesthetics purposes.

One tip for you guys who are considering getting your eyelids cut or stitched:
It is important to take a look at the past cases of your doctor as I have heard horrific stories before. A friend of mine went to Malaysia to for her DST but she came back to Singapore with the threads popping out of her left eye…. Imagine the hassle to travel back just to cut the stitch away…

After discussing with Dr Shim during the consultation and going through some examples of eyelids that I hope to achieve after the surgery, I have decided to go for the natural parallel eyelids look.

After deciding on the height and type of crease, I was brought into the surgery room and local anesthesia was be administered. I could feel the needles going into the eyelids at the start, but my eyelids were fully numbed after that. I could feel some pushing and pulling as Dr Shim works on the eyes but there was no major discomfort.

The entire eyelid surgery took no more than 2 hours – from the consultation, to photo-taking and to the end of the procedure. Dr Shim told me that there will be a downtime of (swelling and bruising) 3-5 days. But I was lucky to be spared as there was not much bruising for me. Thank god!!

My double eyelid surgery healing process: Taken on Day 2 post-op, Day 4 post-op, Day 6 post-op and Day 7 post-op. As we can see here, most of the bruising and swelling is gone by day 4!

Take a look at my close-up before and after photos. I am wearing the same pair of contact lens but my eyes look much bigger after the surgery! You can see more of my eyes – the whiter portion. There was no scar too! It is so naturally done!

One more with half of my face.

And finally, a full face selfie before and after double eyelid surgery!

I was told that I look younger with bigger eyes after the surgery. I can finally layer my eyeshadow instead of applying a single colour only. It might be just me, but I think my husband started paying more attention to me recently. LOL.

If you are thinking about getting double eyelid surgery, I strongly recommend paying Dr Shim a visit. He is very patient when explaining the details and I feel really reassured in his hand.

The Clifford Surgery
24 Raffles Place, #01-05
Clifford Centre
Singapore 048621

You may call them at 6532 2400 or WhatsApp them at 8318 6332 for more information.

Fresh Halal Ala Carte Buffet @ Window on the Park

August 6, 2020maybeline

Author: Alexius Chua

Here’s an a la carte buffet with the prettiest presentation we’ve seen. Window on the Park @ Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre has recently introduced the Halal Weekend Dinner Ala-carte Buffet, perfect for date nights or double dates.
And of course, safe distancing and measures must be practised during dining (not more than 5 guests per table).
I like the fact that the dishes served are made to order, so the food is always fresh and in its optimal condition. You can also keep ordering till your stomach desires without needing to queue for the buffet spread.

Starting with the appetizer, with an assortment of sushi, 3 types of antipasti of the day and mixed greens to freshen and open up your palate. The Local Fare Appetizer Set holds a myriad of dim sum and kueh pie tee, and fruit rojak to munch through.

Then there’s the Seafood On Ice, which is a platter of succulent fresh seafood comprises Poached Tiger Prawn, Canadian Black Mussel and Lala Clam to warm the cockles of your heart. They are accompanied with Thai Mango Chili Sauce Cocktail Sauce and Hot Sauce Tabasco to further ampt up the flavour.

By this point we were already like half full but wait there’s more. The local fare highlights continue with the Assorted Satay (chicken, beef and mutton) which is delicious, the Tandoor Chicken Tikka and the signature Claypot Nyonya Laksa with Prawn.

Just look at that ginormous prawn which takes up like half the portion of the claypot. Noodles are al dente and smooth laksa broth not too spicy, it’s an ultra worthy dish at this value.

Next comes the all-time favourites – the Seafood in A Wok. It’s a one time table service with precious seafood gems such as flower crab, slipper lobster, prawn, mussel and clams with your choice of signature sauce (Black Pepper or Mushroom Cream Cheese). Full of wok-hei umami, for the seafood lovers it’s the perfect seafood bonanza.

If you love more seafood like we do, then at the Hawker Highlights section where you can order Singapore Chili Mud Crab with Golden Mantou, Wok Fried Prawn Char Kway Teow and Wrapped baked Fish with Banana Leaf. It’s unlimited servings of over 40 dishes all so you can your heart’s fill.

There’s still room for desserts right? Their tiered dessert which comprises of assorted nonya kueh, kueh lapis, red velvet cake, tiramisu cake, bread and butter pudding and more, with a selection of coffee or tea. One commendable item in the tier is the durian cake, so light yet so punchy and flavourful. If you don’t mention its dinner I would have thought it’s a high tea set.
There’s also a fruit platter and Chef’s Choice of Local Hot Dessert for those who want to digest their satisfied stomach.

1 for 1 Halal Weekend Dinner Ala-Carte Buffet @ Window on the Park
Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre
Website and Booking: https://singaporeorchard.holidayinn.com/offer/alacarte-buffet
Instagram: @holidayinnsporeorchardcityctr
Every Friday to Sunday
1-for-1 Offer: S$96++ (for 2 persons, inclusive of table served Seafood in a Wok available in two flavours of mushroom cream & cheese or black pepper)

My Hiko Nose Thread Lift Review – Before / After Photos Included!

August 3, 2020maybeline

I have never done a nose thread lift procedure in my life because I was pretty traumatized after seeing my friend’s nose thread lift gone wrong. She kept crying and flooding me with pictures of her nose after the procedure. The nose threads were “almost” poking out of her nose bridge but the first thing that I saw was her extremely slanted nose. Ouch.

She went to celebrity doctor, Dr. Gerard Ee, to get her nose fixed right after that.
Please read her experience in the link above and do your research before you visit any doctor for any procedure and avoid going through the same emotional and physical pain.

I thought I will never do nose thread lift in my entire life until………

I was tempted to try non-surgical nose lift after seeing Dr. Timothy Shim‘s HIKO nose thread lift procedure results. The nose thread lift that he did had ZERO downtime and it was exactly what I wanted! If you don’t know, Dr Shim is the senior consultant Plastic Surgeon of celebrity clinic in Singapore – The Clifford Clinic.

First things first, what is HIKO Nose Thread Lift?

HI means High while KO (코) is the Korean word for “Nose”. When you put them together, you get a higher nose! The threads used are the revolutionary Polydioxanone (PDO) HIKO nose threads

PDO is inserted into the target areas, under the skin – for this case, nose. The threads physically increase the height of your nose while stimulating collagen production at the same time. This achieves a tightening effect from inside and out because the skin tissues will produce new fibroblast cells, which in turn produce more collagen. Because of these, HIKO results are both immediate and long-lasting!

Now… something more exciting!

Before/After Photos of Nose Thread Lift

No filter, no edits!

As you can see this lady has a quite a high nose bridge to begin with.

Take a look at the before photos, on the left! And the after photos, on the right are taken 1-2 days after the nose lift procedure. You can see that the nose looks significantly higher, slimmer and definitely more defined!

Here is another frontal view for comparison!

I was very convinced by this non-surgical procedure so I went to Dr. Timothy Shim as well. I like my nose to be honest, I love the curve and the height but it doesn’t hurt to have a more definition on my nose. Instead of saying I like my nose, I LOVE MY NOSE NOW!!!

No threads were added to the nose tip as I love my original nose tip. What I didn’t expect was that Dr. Timothy Shim can actually make my nose tip a little more defined with the long threads too! The results look as though I had just undergone rhinoplasty. Lol.

The entire procedure took less than 30 minutes as I skipped the application of numbing cream since local anesthesia will be injected before the procedure. Dr. Shim used a total of 8 long threads to define my nose. He made small talk with me throughout the procedure to ease my anxiety.

As for the pain score? I will rate it a 2 out of 10.

2 for the local anesthesia injection because I couldn’t feel anything after that.

Why did I choose to do nose thread lift instead of nose fillers?

Nose Fillers

Nose Thread Lift

– Dangerous

There is a small risk of blindness and skin necrosis. If not done properly, the fillers may clog the retinal artery and blood vessel which may lead to blindness.

– Safer

There is no risk of blindness for nose thread lift. Unlike nose fillers, nose threads do not migrate or expand the width of the nose.

– Results last for 6-8 months

– Results can last for more than a year.

If you are keen, you can ring up The Clifford Clinic at 6532 2400 to find out more!

The Clifford Clinic
24 Raffles Place
#01-03 Clifford Centre
Singapore 048621
(Exit A from Raffles MRT)

Mon to Fri: 10am to 8pm
Sat: 10 am to 5pm
Sun: Closed
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

Home Parties Made Easy with PartyDiva.Co

July 30, 2020maybeline

Admit it. You miss hanging out with a group of friends outside. You miss the gatherings, the laughter, and the catch-ups. It is almost impossible to gather now unless you cap the number of people to 5 and below.

But parties are still possible when you are at home. Wait, home parties? Does it mean… catering vendors, drink vendors, snacks preparations and….. so on and so forth?

Well, home parties are made easy when you have PartyDiva.Co. PartyDiva.Co is an e-commerce marketplace that brings merchants, consumers and partners together in a seamless event planning experience. It is a one-stop solution to gifting, events and party planning – and not just for home parties! They have a comprehensive list of vendors for all your celebratory needs. From getting a host to photobooths, event props, PartyDiva.Co is truly your partner in celebrations, and they were there every step of the way for me as well!

Just last weekend, James and I hosted a house party with my in-laws and his cousin. It was a belated birthday celebratory dinner for his mom and an early National Day celebration for us.

I was very impressed as I could get all my food catering, cake, cocktails and party decoratives from PartyDiva.Co. I did not even have to source for them separately!

My in-laws were filled with praises for AMICI Catering. It was our first order from this East-meets-West fusion boutique caterer we chanced upon on PartyDiva.Co with 15 elegantly crafted dishes that we could select from.. We ordered the mini gourmet 5-course National Day buffet ($108+) and it was delivered (for free!) right to our door – hot, fresh, and nicely decorated with vegetables and cherry tomatoes.

To top off the feast, the mini buffet came with a complimentary six-inch Raspberry Lychee Rose cake that was both light and rich in flavour, with a fruity floral fragrance lingering after every bite – what a great way to end the meal on a sweet note.

I love my kuehs and so do the elderlies at home. They commented that the specially handmade Merlion Ang Ku Kuehs and Heart Kueh Lapis ($37.50) from Kueh Ho Jiak were very flavourful. We wiped out this celebratory platter of kuehs in 10 minutes even though there was only 5 of us. Lol.

The highlight for me was the limited-edition Nasi Lemak Cake ($132) from Nasi Lemak Indulgence. I love Nasi Lemak a lot so I was really looking forward to this.

I thought that it was only chicken + ikan billis + peanuts on top but wow, I was mind blown when I cut the cake open.

There were THICK layers of egg and muar otah!!! I swear this was SO DAMN GOOD. You would think that with such a modern twist, the traditional taste of the Nasi Lemak would be compromised but it was not nearly the case. Made with a sincerity and nostalgia for authenticities, the Nasi Lemak Cake was truly a sensory experience. I even saved half of it for my own parents and they couldn’t stop going “wow”, “this is good!”, “very nice!!”

James, on the other hand, was more interested in the drinks.

We had Pétale Tea’s limited-edition National Day gift set ($65) and summer exclusive cocktails, the Nana Sling ($90, set of 5x120ml bottles) from Three Wisemen. He finished a bottle of it even before our guests arrive. Lol. Nana Sling is specially concocted for Singapore’s 55th birthday by the way! It comprises of Brugal Rum infused with banana leaves. The tropical mix was also especially refreshing with its combinative blend of zesty Cointreau, freshly squeezed lemon juice and homemade orange blossom water. As for Petale Tea’s exclusive “My Fair Lady” tea ball, you can see the flowers bloom after you add hot water to the flower! Pretty Instagram-worthy!

If you are observant enough, you will realize that I have a few decorations topped on my food! These thematic cake and food toppers are from PartyDiva.Co! This National Day will feature their very own limited-edition party bundle ($100) comprising of food and cake toppers, a bunting and cupcake holder that features notable Singapore icons such as the Merlion and Gardens by the Bay, as well as local slangs such as “Relax Lah” and “Shiok Ah” to make this celebration a true Singaporean affair. The addition of these decoratives add to the visual experience of the celebration, making the party even more memorable!

They even offer customised stickers which you can use to decorate your photo frame before you snap and save that precious celebratory moment with your phone! Simply scan the QR code to https://partydiva.co/sg55 on your phone, click on the stickers set of your choice and allow the website to access your camera. This is a very good idea for wedding lunch/dinner actually! Plus it is so easy to use, even the elderlies at home had fun with it!

All in all, I’ll strongly recommend PartyDiva.Co to anyone who needs a fuss-free and seamless party planning experience. Whether it is an upcoming party, wedding or gathering, PartyDiva.Co is truly a partner in celebration.

My Review on Mooi Beauty Teeth Whitening Kit

May 9, 2020maybeline

A nice smile begins from a set of straight and white teeth. That is why people are willing to spend on braces and teeth whitening procedures. Some LED light teeth whitening at beauty palour can be quite expensive. The price ranges from $200 – $400 for a single session.

I am like the majority. I used to spend a lot on take home teeth whitening kit from dentist. A single set which can last for a month usually cost me $400ish. I have never regretted spending on those kits because they work.

However, to save my bank from bleeding, I have tried searching for cheaper options. I think I may have already tried 4-5 different brands. All of them showed results but the most affordable and comfortable option for me was the Mooi Beauty Teeth Whitening kit, which I got from mooi, an online beauty shop (eCommerce) in Singapore.

Unlike the other teeth whitening kits that I have tried, mooi teeth whitening kit do not give me teeth sensitivity. I can still drink cold drinks and eat ice cream without feeling any tingling sensation. I hate those take home kits that cause teeth sensitivity because I love my bubble tea and ice blended coffee.

Each Mooi Beauty set comes with a whitening device and 3 teeth whitening pens. You have to option to buy the pens (without the device) once you are done with them. They are priced very affordably. Each pen cost $22 and the more you buy, the cheaper it gets.

The whitening pen does not contain peroxide so you can use it with ease. The main ingredients are glycerin, water, sodium bicarbonate, propylene glycol, xanthan gum, sodium citrate, menthol, xylitol and more.

Mooi Beauty Teeth Whitening Kit is very easy to use.

16 minutes is all you need each night for a set of beautiful white teeth. I use it before I sleep, while I stalk people in Instagram and Tiktok.

How to use Mooi Teeth Whitening Kit

Step 1: Brush your teeth

Step 2: Apply the whitening gel onto the mouth tray or directly on to your teeth.

Step 3: Place the whitening device into your mouth

Step 4: Plug the USB into your mobile device. The device comes with different USB cable to suit your Android or Apple phone.

Step 5: Press the button on the device to activate the light. It will auto go off in 16 minutes!

It is recommended to use the whitening kit for 7 days straight to see good results but you can see results in a single session! I saw results after a single session because my teeth were too yellow. Lol.

This is my results after a single session. The pictures were taken with the same lighting, in the same room. I drink at least 3-4 times of coffee and tea every day so my results are slightly slower. But better than never!

Here are some results from their customers and they have even better results than me!

If you are worried about the safety of the whitening kit, you will be happy to know that Mooi Beauty Teeth Whitening Kit is SGS certified, Halal certified, GMP certified, and HSA notified in Singapore.

If you are interested to give Mooi Beauty a try, you can purchase it from mooi beauty‘s official website. Each cost $76 only!

AGNES Treatment to Get Rid of Stubborn Acne and Pimples

March 25, 2020maybeline

Author: Alexius Chua

Being a guy used to be easy. Men were known to keep everything to the basics, just one hard soap is enough to scrub from head to toe, without a care in the world, much less on appearance.

But not now.

I’ve got many skin problems, and one that irks me the most is pesky acne and pimples. It is a skin condition triggered by overactive oil glands. When pores are clogged with too much sebum produced by the oil glands, the pimple pops up.

Have tried a million different things – changing different pimple creams and facial wash, and visited polyclinic for that birth control pill prescription twice, with little or temporary success. What results is dry, sensitive skin and scarring on certain areas. I thought that every option to eradicate this problem has been tried and failed, there is nothing I can do except to watch my diet and hope for the best.

But I was wrong. The solution couldn’t be simpler.

Thankfully, Dr Ryan Tan at Aesthetics Central Clinic at Clarke Quay Central is here to the rescue. Dr Ryan suggested AGNES Treatment for my first acne treatment. It is a permanent, non-surgical solution to treat my stubborn acne.

Separated to 2 days, on the first day Dr Ryan will use a special device called AGNES to administer radiofrequency energy precisely on specific problem areas. This tiny burst of electrical energy will cause the affected oil gland to shrink and produce less oil.

On the second day, acne extraction by the beautician.

First, Dr Ryan demarcates the acne areas – an important step as there are 100,000 good, normal functioning pores, and only about 300-500 diseased damaged pores that are always getting inflamed and infected repeatedly. Dr Ryan inspects at every single pores and selectively selects the problem causing ones for treatment.

Next is the numbing shots, which to me felt like ant bites. Okai to be honest there are jabs on certain areas that woke me up from slumber (Yes I am that tired lol), but his assistant used a vibrator-like thingy to numb area while Dr Ryan administer the injection, making it much less painful.

The same 1% of the pores on the face are responsible for causing 90% of the acne

Then comes the AGNES treatment, which felt like a breathe of sunshine as compared to the previous numbing shots. Its amazing considering its a special needles but there’s no feeling at all, perhaps partly thanks to the numbing shot taken earlier. Dr Ryan zaps only 1-2% of the thousands of pores, so good thing is I won’t be experiencing any dry skin or flakiness after the treatment as compared to other solutions!

It is completely pain-free during the AGNES Treatment. Although the machine sound might be somewhat distracting with its constant beeping, it is all in all a pleasant virgin experience for me.

The treatment takes about one and a half hour from arrival to exit, so it is quite fast and, more importantly, painless for me. Although I experience some redness and swelling immediately after the treatment, it doesn’t stop me from going out for dinner. Of course, I must remember to hydrate, moisturize and sunscreen.

One month after the treatment, the redness has subsided and I am quite pleased with the results. The zapped problematic pimple areas have no recurrence so far and there is no drying or sensitivity. My face also felt much less oilier than before. Understand that, depending on person to person, it may require 1 to 3 treatments or more to prevent new acne from forming from existing healthy pores.

And the best thing of all, it is permanent, so no need to compare between harsh pimple creams or taking medication that is not ideal for kidney again!

Aesthetics Central Clinic Address:
8 Eu Tong Sen Street #11-89 The Central Office One, Singapore 059818
For appointment, please call (+65) 6221 8221 or whatsapp (+65) 9726 8856
Email: aestheticscentralclinic@gmail.com
Website: https://www.cosmeticsurgery.sg/

Exquisite Traditional Indian Cuisine @ Tandoor, Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre

March 15, 2020maybeline

Author: Alexius Chua

If you are in the mood for something fancy and Northern Indian, head to Tandoor, a restaurant synonymous with authentic traditional Indian cuisine at Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre. The premise is beautifully decorated with a contemporary vibe, right at the very end a floor-to-ceiling see-through kitchen window so you can see the chef prepare your food.

We had the non-vegetarian set menu, which is all beautifully presented and taste as appealing as it looks, worthy of the Singapore’s most awarded Indian restaurant namesake. This only gives me wonder how the vegetarian set menu looks like, only if I have two stomachs!

The first dish is the Masala Crab Cake. Every bit of the spiced crab meat is a delight especially when you hit that duck foie grass and mango confit. This dish balanced the savoury and sweetness well with the pairing of pear, rhubarb chutney and warm toasted brioche.

Next up the soup dish. Makai Ka Shorba, which is sweet corn velouté served with masala potato gnocchi. As a sweet corn lover, I like that the inventive Chef Bobby Krishnan turned up the richness of the soup which at the same time cleanse the palate for the next course.

Our main course is the visually arresting Sea Perch Pakora. The deep-fried cumin flavoured Sea Perch fish, while looked deceptively dry, is so soft and full of flavour attributed much to its Ibeko caviar batter. Tagged along with prized ingredients such as Jerusalem artichokes, avocado and a dash of scallion dressing, this could very well be the most satisfying fish dish I had and a HPB approved one.

The fall-of-the-bone Australian Lamb Shank is so artfully tender and almost melt in the mouth. Coupled with a Cherry Vine Tomato resting on a bed of cassoulet on the other side of the braised sauce to balance the meatiness. Wish I had more of the lamb though but at this stage I am quite full already so I am not complaining.

For desserts, we had the Cardamom Ice Cream. The profiteroles is marshmallow soft and sweet with citrus centre, giving you a sweet ending of the entire satisfying course.
What Tandoor offers is a whole experience – a mesmerizing atmosphere with great food and impeccable service. You will probably not need more than that to have a good time.

Tandoor, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre
Opening Hours
Lunch from 12 noon to 2.30pm
Dinner from 7pm to 10:30pm
Telephone: +65 6733 8333
Website: http://www.tandoor.com.sg/