If you're wondering how can a facial cost $800, you're not alone. Another thought that probably popped into your head was, "What's inside? Gold? Caviar? Diamond?" Well...you're not too far off. Perhaps you're also imagining some fancy schmancy science stuff or tools that are involved.

HAACH has recently launched its latest luxe professional facial - the Diamond Age-Defying Marine Miracle (90 min). When I was given the chance to try it out, I naturally jumped at it. Who wouldn't? Especially when the tagline is to make your skin "Shine Bright Like a Diamond".

The facial was held at HAACH's new concept store as well as Singapore's first seamless curation of both beauty and wellness. Called HAACH Curation, it is conveniently situated in Wheelock Place and houses both their chiropractic, physiotherapy as well as spa services under one roof. The overall feel of the place is comfortable and pleasant.

Front view of my face before the treatment

Left view

Right view

How timely this facial was! I suddenly had a pimple that popped on my nose so it was a plea for some professional intervention.

The beautician explained to me that for this Diamond Age-Defying Marine Miracle facial, there are no machines involved because all the natural ingredients used will help to exfoliate gently, lock in moisture, rehydrate skin and encourage the strengthening of the skin's elastin and collagen. In other words, it's a lot of massaging of my face with their advanced skincare products.

After cleansing came the exfoliating. Instead of a normal scrub, a serum-like gel was used. The gel contains nano-fine diamond powder that helps to remove the dead skin cells while the rest of the ingredients will help to pull the dead skin cells together until it clumps together.

Doesn't it look like I suddenly have dust over my face or dandruff? Anyway, the beautician said that my skin is quite well taken care of (thank you Clarisonic) and although I have quite a bit of dead skin, it's not dark coloured. Ladies, please remember to scrub your face at least once a week. Otherwise, please invest in a face cleansing tool like Clarisonic or HAACH's equivalent, which costs only S$60 and the brush head is made up of super fine hairs (even finer than Clarisonic's). Do remember to ask the HAACH ladies about it.

Once that gunk was removed, my blackheads were removed and after which, came the mask part! That's where the Marine Organisms, concentrates and seaweed extracts that are rich in vitamins and minerals come in! In addition, there are 20 herbal extracts (each with its own skin healing properties and one of them is called the Melissa plant *wink*) in this power packed mask.

For every person, one such tube is cracked open just before the mask is applied. This means that the product is fresh and all the vitamins are still active.

The marine and herbal mask

I could smell the algae!!! Add that to the intense wet herb smell and my nose was completely offended. Brain had to tell the nose to bear with it. Beauty comes with a small dose of sacrifice. After letting my skin soak in the concoction for a few of minutes while I received an awesome shoulder and décolletage massage, a gel mask with the diamond powder was soon placed over it.

Herbs used in HAACH's Diamond Age-defying Marine Miracle Facial

Beauty Tip: when you open your gel/paper mask, keep the excess liquids first. Apply some more onto the mask as this help you push out any bubbles as well as to massage the liquid in a little. Then, massage that excess liquid over your neck and décolletage. It is a moisturiser after all, so good to rub it into areas that are usually neglected but are sure signs of your age. After a few minutes, there will be areas that dry up faster for sure and the top up from your excess liquid would also be rather beneficial for your face.

After 20 or 30 minutes, the masks were removed and TADAH:

My face definitely was cleaner and brighter than before the facial! It felt quite moisturised too but that would be quite natural after a facial, no? I'll tell you later why you can push aside the cynicism.

So how does a $800 facial feel? Perfectly normal - relaxing (awesome massage) and moisturising. What you're paying for is for the sheer quality of ingredients used in the products. The proof in the pudding came only a day AFTER the facial. Remember that red spot that you saw on the left side of my nose? Normally, it would take a few days for it to heal and disappear but because of the facial, I was pleasantly surprised that it was completely healed the next day!

The beautician warned me that due to the strengthening of the elastin and collagen as well as the  natural healing properties of the mask, it is normal to see white and black heads popping up the next day as they get pushed out of the pores from within.

I can only imagine that with prolonged usage of such quality products, one's skin will definitely get smoother and nobody will be able to say that you look old!

If you'd like to go for the Diamond Age-defying Marine Miracle treatment, HAACH is offering a special trial price of $99 for my readers! You can either book through www.passhen.com if you are a member or quote the promo code "PASS_MM" when you call HAACH's outlet directly for an appointment. For those who would like something a little more affordable, Pásshers get special prices off selected treatments that have also won recent awards in Harper's Bazaar! To find out more, click here.

Was invited by Harper's Bazaar to attend Longchamp's 20th anniversary of their signature Le Pliage, which was held at Longchamp's ION store on Thu, 30th October.

Of course there was champers and I was really delighted to find out that Longchamp has shoes and clothes too! Interestingly, they only had ballet flats and sneakers. No heels. Hmm.

There was a talk on the latest collection of Le Pliage but there was no mic and no speakers, so mum and I couldn't hear a single word. We decided to simply stand at a corner and admire the mini Le Pliage and grab more canapes as they went by. Quite a shame really because I really like the full lambskin Le Pliage and I love love love the colours that they come in, and would've liked to know more about them. The models decked out in Longchamp attire and accessories walked around slightly aimlessly too. All of us attendees had 20% discount that evening but even after discount, the Le Pliage that I wanted costs S$680. I reckon it'll be cheaper in UK or Paris.

Catering was by Prive Group and I love the branded chocolate mousse. When serving canapes or bite-sized desserts, I like it when it comes in a cup or spoon. It's a lot easier and cleaner when we grab them to eat.

Something else that was "personalised" and branded were the handpainted watercolour bookmark of the Le Pliage in the limited edition colours of purple, red and yellow. Looking at the list of 'orders', purple and red are the favourite colours. The artist told us that the 3 samples in front of her would be sent to the Paris Longchamp HQ!

 

As you can see, I chose the red Le Pliage while mum chose the purple. Another door gift was a scented candle Au Sultan, also by Longchamp. It's fragrance is not your typical powdery or flower scent but a little musky and I don't even need to burn it for the smell to permeate my room. I just leave it open (just like in the photo).

Thanks Harper's Bazaar and Longchamp for the invite! I'll definitely get the Le Pliage as it's great for travelling (the lambskin version comes with detachable straps)!

Narciso Rodriguez Fragrance launched their latest "Essence" perfume yesterday, in collaboration with Harper's Bazaar Magazine. As I mentioned 2 weeks back, I was invited down for their launch party, which was held at 7atenine restaurant (near Harry's @ Esplanade).

First impressions - like all Harper's Bazaar events, the overall feel was classy and chic. Having the party at the semi-alfresco part of the bar/restaurant was a very smart idea. Not only the invited guests could listen to the whole little speech about the perfume and about the designer Narciso Rodriguez, those walking around were also treated to info about it. Two thumbs up for marketing!

The scent itself is rather floral with musk as its core tone followed by rose and another type of flower, which added a powdery scent to it. It is quite nice but reminded me of soap. In a good way of course. The bottle is classic glass with a mirror lining. Supposedly, Narciso Rodriguez himself insisted on this so that every woman who carries the bottle will carry "her own image".

There was a TV showing Rodriguez's past runway shows and I must say that I do like his dresses which are feminine, sexy but yet timeless. He doesn't try to shock nor work with weird sihoulettes (although I do find Galliano and JPG or Gareth Pugh's designs interesting). Classy. The whole image of Narciso Rodriguez be it his clothes or packaging of the perfume is just that - classy.

I brought Sing in as a guest for this event. I had champagne (more Veuve Clicquot!) while Sing chose the Lychee martini below.

I forgot to bring my digicam so you've got to put up with my pixelated pics from my phone (if you've got the Samsung 8 mega-pixel, cam...kindly shush). What I was unable to capture on my phone camera is the silver dust that they added into the martini. Very cool!!

They served canapes and there was this yummy mushroom on toast as well as asparagus with rolled wagyu. Unfortunately, both Sing and myself couldn't taste the wagyu. Must try the food on their menu one day!

Didn't take many pictures because I figured Sing wasn't quite in the mood and we left the party early (Sing was there for barely half an hour) as we were going to meet Moon and her parents.

What are parties without goodie bags?? We had a sample set of 'Essence' shower gel and two small vials of perfume. There was a copy of the latest Harper's Bazaar as well but I gave that to Moon since I already have a copy (courtesy of last Wed's Absolut party). I love freebies and am always appreciative of them since it means that I need to spend less money on shower gels or perfumes. So Sing: appreciative or not? :P She actually said that I "pulled" her along to the party -__-

When I told my bro that I was rushing off for this party and therefore couldn't chat with him on msn, he commented "Wah...why so many parties? Are you turning into some socialite and going to be shown in Singapore's Tatler or something?" I knew that was said in jest. Well, it really isn't that difficult to get yourself invited to these parties my dear ladies. Just sign up for mailing lists, offers etc. This recession period also means that companies are getting more creative with their marketing strategies so you'll see more instances of tryvertising (where you get free samples of their products) or launch parties like yesterday's where the more 'common' folks get invited rather than the so-called high society.

Went to Harper's Bazaar Absolut Party tonight together with Mel Li (my fellow self-employed fashionista..teehee) and yes, I did wonder what this party was about. Was Absolut launching some new type of vodka?

Learnt half way through the night that it was just an excuse to have a party and to kickstart the Audi Fashion Week with a slight bang.

The party was held at Mimolette (next to the Saddle Club) and I love this place. The decor's so chic and love the room upstairs. Its cosy, full of an eclectic mix of things and the chairs there are sooo comfy. Only thing that I don't like is the horse 'fragrance' that hits you when you step out of the taxi/car. Oh...and that it is quite out of the way. But then again, that is its appeal as well.

Mel Li says that their Macaroni Cheese is divine but this is the first time that I've eaten anything out from their kitchen but the canapes are yummy. The creme brulee was good too! They were presented on individual plastic spoons that look like your chinese spoons. I would've loved to take pics of those but its kinda hard to juggle my drink, clutch and the spoon. Besides, I think I would look rather swa-ku doing so. We're at Mimolette with all these chi-chi tai tais and fashion people. Thou shalt not make thyself look a fool.

Absolut is one of my fave brands in the world. The bottle itself is so iconic. Would love to elaborate about its origins and how its soo iconic but I shall do that another time.

The first pic is that of vodka with passionfruit. Yummy! Like the champagne flute too (Veuve Cliquot, if you wanted to know). Quite impressed that Harper's Bazaar was bothered to have napkins with their logo printed on them too!

Since its meant to be an Absolut party, check out the deco! Its a huge bird cage with bottles of Absolut vodka and a red high heel ala Devil wears Prada. Makes absolut sense ;)

Drink count: 1 vodka cranberry, 2 vodka passionfruit and 1 vodka goodness knows what (thanks Natalie). The vodka cranberry was weak. Tasted like pure cranberry juice. Haha. No, I'm not an alcoholic.



There were models in the crowd and it was quite irritating to see these tall lanky women dressed to the nines. They didn't even try hard to be made up with inch-thick make up. They dressed simply and classily. Quite enviable.

Celebrity spotting: Benedict Goh and Shabnam Melwani-Reis. Benedict Goh looks good with his new hairstyle. He was with a bunch of friends and they sat near the bar sipping and chatting.

Ms Melwani-Reis had a very cute mini Birkin in orange. I think its the 25cm one. I just called it the baby Birkin but I'm not sure whether that's the proper name.

Wanted to take more pictures but it was a very chi-chi fashion industry party where it was an excuse to just drink and chit chat with friends. You could see that most people knew each other and there was only one photog who went curiously missing after 10.30pm. Maybe he was drinking too...haha, don't know. I was just enjoying the drinks. There wasn't much to snap anyways.

Spotted tons of Chanel 2.55s in all shades and colours, including the limited edition Union Jack one. Saw someone carry a limited edition Veneta Bottega bag too (ooh, the leather must be real soft...I wanna stroke it...hahaha). Tons of clutches (myself included) and this lady carried the Fendi oversized clutch.


I like the look of the oversized clutch but somehow, I think that you would tend to grab the whole corner of the clutch, which bunches the sides etc and it doesn't look that glam anymore. Can I say that they are extremely expensive things that look like folders? But yep, oversized clutches are the 'in' thing spilling over from last fall/winter collection.

The party was good to people-watch. There surprisingly weren't a lot of air-smooching. You'd expect tons of it when it comes to high society and the fashion industry.

There was this woman who typified the kind of person who wasn't cool but has cool friends, invited to cool party/club by cool friends and therefore, she tries so hard to be cool. Know what I am talking about?

Let me now describe our situation. We went to the loo and she and her friend came in shortly after us. I was washing my hands at the sink and she started admiring her reflection. Fine. We're all vain people. Mel Li & I were having a conversation at the sink since Mel was washing her hands while I was finishing up. She walked in between us and started doing this posy pouty thing to the mirror. Ughs. That woman had a serious case of backne too but it was kinda semi covered with her sheer shawl.

Anyway, we walked to the couches after that and we couldn't really be bothered with that 'extra' person despite the fact that she walked in between us while we were having a conversation. Her trying-so-hard-to-be-cool act kicked in again when she walked towards the end of the room (where there was a side chest of drawers and a mirror) while fanning herself with a chinese fan and trying to 'boogie' to the beat of the music.

Her shawl was now oddly draped only on her right shoulder, looped somehow through her bag and some was left hanging and I wondered whether it was going to fall onto the floor. As she suddenly walked across the floor to that chest of drawers, the group of people who were already huddled there in conversation looked at her with quizzical faces. Don't blame them as that 'extra' looked as if she was walking towards that group of people and wanted SOMETHING. She then quickly picked up a copy of Harper's Bazaar Daily and then proceeded to study the damn thing very intently. Its only 3 pages for goodness sake. More pictures than anything.

She reminded me of this girl in secondary school whom nobody liked and she was relegated to being an outcast. Quite mean of us all and the whole thing is sad actually. I feel guilty whenever I think about her. I don't even remember her name. She transferred to another school in Sec 3 because she couldn't stand not fitting into ANY group. Her problem, like this 'extra', is just trying too hard to be cool. Just relax, don't try to be busy doing something all the time and most importantly - be yourself.

Since the party was on a Wed night, most people started leaving by 10.30pm. We kinda got bored with the dwindling numbers, lack of male eye candy (approx 80% attendees were female) and well, we hardly knew anyone there (was pleasantly surprised that Natalie remembered my name though. Must be my surname). Left for supper of fries and tissue prata after 11pm. Am feeling a wee bit tired but very fulfilled in general.

Can't wait for my free facial treatment tomorrow (or rather, later today) at Touche as well as Fri outing where I plan to walk into Hermes as if I own the place (ahahaha). C'mon...haven't you ladies wondered how the inside of the flagship Hermes in Singapore looks like? Yes, I'm referring to the one at that corner next to Zara and opposite the Thai embassy. I highly doubt that they'll allow me to snap pics (yes, how disappointing) but hey...cheap thrill that you can try one day!

Okie pokes, off to bed to catch some beauty sleep. Toodles!

Got this in the mail today - an invite from Harper's Bazaar to the launch of the new fragrance "Essence" by Narciso Rodriguez. I am really looking forward to this event as it sounds really quite 'sexy' and I never turn down free champagne, especially if there's canapes to go along with it! ;)

7atenine (what a pun) is one of the latest chic restaurants to open in Singapore and is located at Esplanade. Can't wait to sample the food and find out whether its more hype or the quality is solid.

Love Harper's! They're having an Absolut party this coming Wed, 6 May @ Mimolette. I am trying to find someone to go with me because going alone is never fun and Mimolette's rather out of the way (Bt. Timah and near the stables). Hmm...best is if I can get a friend who drives (running through list of friends with cars). I am probably able to grab the car from dad but then, that means that I can't drink and you're talking about vodka here..one of my fave poison of choice. "Take a cab then" some of you might say. Have you ever been to Mimolette? If you have...then you wouldn't be saying that. =P

I will go to both events armed with my camera and will try to snap as many pics as I can, as long as my hands are free to snap. Look out for that!