Mugler, 2012

I just want to take her for a meal... with bread... and potatoes... and cheese...

Relocating back to Singapore almost two years ago now was anti-climatic as I had lived here once already; but Singapore isn't as small as you think. There are many pockets to the city state that are interesting to check out, a plethora of restaurants and waves of shopping.

Many cities are starting to offer Gold Class cinema experiences. My first luxury film experience was in Austin, Texas; Gold Class at The Domain. I was spoiled with their homemade chips with blue cheese sauce...omg. I've tried making them...

My HB and I like to do a date-night every weekend. We love movies. (Although the selection here at times is dismal) Last night we decided to venture to 112 Katong to the new Gold Class.

We saw Haywire directed by Steven Soderbergh. I like his directing.

(photo credit: Adrian Koh)

Katong Gold Class pictured above. Can I just say that the Gold Class food in Singapore gets a bronze at best.The selection seems like a lot but as you turn the pages you discover it's not much different than pub food - it's the same in all of them.

We ordered our food and wine.

My food comes rather quickly, one appetizer followed by another 5 minutes later. I remind the waitstaff that my hb's meal hasn't arrived. Later they return with the bill and I remind them that my hb's meal is still not here. I order another class of wine. When my wine comes, again, I remind them that we are still waiting on my hb's meal... they bring the final bill... still no meal for my hb. Finally, the last ten minutes of the film his meal arrives.

Guess what....

The movie ends,  the lights come on, credit roll ends, hb is trying to finish his meal that arrived at the end of the movie... the waitstaff then asks if we can leave the cinema as they need to clean it. WHAT?! Two tickets for the movie alone is $77.

We said: "Absolutely not. You brought his meal at the end of the show after we reminded you over and over and you want us to leave?? He'll be done in a few minutes."

They offered me a feedback form. Um, here's your feedback form.

We try not to eat meals in Gold Class, Singapore since we find the food choice and quality lacking. They really need to rework the menu. I have filled out a feedback form on this in the past.

(photo from Adrian Koh, click to see more photos)

I must say that the Katong location is beautifully decorated with the Peranakan influence.

Would we go back? I do like the location so yes, but just like the other GV Gold Class cinemas we will eat first.

May I recommend:

Cedele in Great World City if you are going to GV Grand.The food here is amazing! I stumbled upon it Christmas shopping. They need to change the marketing a little, I always thought they were a bakery. Try the beetroot burger, amazing!

Brotzeit in VivoCity for those going to GV Vivocity. So many great choices here from German sausage to pizza with rye crust.

If you have a recommendation for a restaurant near GV Katong let me know!

NOTE: Gold Class Katong has 56 plush and super-luxurious Gold Class cinema recliners. GV’s signature Gold Class will offer a sampling of the much-acclaimed Peranakan cuisine, including Otak Samosas, Assam Fish with fragrant Basmati rice, Nyonya Kueh delicacies, in addition to Chef Chris Foo’s signature Western dishes.

GV Katong is located at 112 East Coast Road, Level 4,112 Katong

Getting there was a challenge too. Comfort Taxi. Seven out of ten times they know what they are doing. We get into the cab:

Me: "112 Katong please"

Cabbie: "Where?"

Me: "112 Katong. The new cinema that just opened? In the mall?"

Cabbie: "Huh? Spell it."

Me: "K-A-T-O-N-G"

[he has already been driving]

Cabbie: "Where is it?"

Me: "I don't know. Jurong East?"

[BTW: I was totally wrong not Jurong East. I was Google Mapping the situation]

Cabbie vears off the highway: "What!? Jurong East!? This is the wrong way"

Me: "No!! I've got the GPS it's the right way. It's not Jurong East. My mistake, it's East Coast Park"

[Cabbie is now doing a huge circle to get back to the highway]

Cabbie: "Where is it?"

Me, frustrated: "Urgh. 112 Katong" [pronounced Ka'Tong]

Cabbie: "Ooooh! Katong! I know where that is! [he pronounced it Kat'Ong]

Seriously?! I then tried to call out my gps directions that he said "no need' since he knew EXACTLY where he was going...

A $27 cab ride later. Which is why I try to map out where I am going before the taxi starts to drive... lesson reinforced.

Hairstylists and makeup artists can be each others' worst clients; admittedly I have gone home after a cut and 'tweaked' it to my liking. I have even added on some liner here and there after a makeup session with fellow artists.

RMK invited me to check out their SS collections with Japanese makeup artist Toru Kobayashi.

Armed with a translator and an eyelash curler...

Mr Kobayashi showed me the collection while I was in his hot seat.

I was at ease with his manner and did not rush off to add more liner. I was pleasantly surprised. (or age is getting me to chill a little)

The S/S collection is all about 'Sprinkling Colors' inspired by the prisms created when water and sun align be it through the rain or the lawn sprinklers. The Sprinkling Eyes come in three shades: Brown, Green and Gray where you start with your creamy base colour and layer with one other colour from a choice of 3, depending on what combo you fancy. Soft and romantic, a perfect summer combo.

RMK is available at various counters - except in Canada and the US! [Why the heck not? It's a lovely line... Holt's? Saks? You should check it out]

During the December holidays Luxola & Francisca were holding a holiday beauty and fashion event and asked if I wanted to be on-hand to give some makeup tips to the attendees; mais oui! Expat Living then asked if they could pop by and gather some info for their readers. You know me - happy to share and who doesn't love a makeover!

Just out in time to celebrate Chinese New Year:

As seen in Expat Living's Stye & Beauty Guide, 2012! Why thank you EL for that lovely compliment!

PS: One teeny tiny correction: I did not do Natalie Imbruglia's makeup in the past. I did her manicure on a L'Oreal commercial and assisted  Max, the hair guy... who was putting her hair in a ponytail. LOL. He did not need me. I had worked on two of the L'Oreal spots that Natalie was in that year. She was such a joy! The above pic from left to right: Nat's assistant, Natalie, Max and moi. [So sorry to not use her assistant's name but this was YEARS ago... 2002?? I forget - aging curse] Her makeup artist was Collier Strong, a very sweet guy who has been a L'Oreal official mua for years.

Yes - I have done hair & makeup for tons of A-listers but I cannot take credit for coiffing up Natalie. My celeb portfolio here.

Side note: I was the L'Oreal Paris hair consultant in Canada and creative directed the hair team for 3 seasons of fashion week and 2 seasons of Canadian Idol, both L'Oreal Paris sponsored events.

The '1/2 up 1/2 down 'do' 9 out of 10 times is a don't.

It's not that you CAN'T have a 1/2 up 'do but the issue here is that the hairstylists didn't take into consideration their face shapes. The winning styles are way more complementary.

A successful hairstyle will have you looking at the whole package - not that a style can't take your breath away and be the focus but these styles are like the train-wreck that you cannot stop looking at.

Why? Pictures speak 1000 words:

FAIL!

Actress Freida Pinto arrives on the red carpet for the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

WIN!

The World Premiere Of "Immortals" - Red Carpet

Actress Freida Pinto arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

FAIL!

Melissa McCarthy, Golden Globe Awards 2012

WIN!

17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Arrivals

63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Audi And David Yurman Kick Off Emmy Week 2011 And Support Tuesday's Children

I love a great grey nail polish. I've tried a few - some I like but they still pull mauve or just too sheer, until now!

Sally Hansen Grey Area pictured above on my nails with cuticles in need of oil....

I love surprise deliveries! And, I loved this colour so much that I am blogging it within 10 minutes of the courier leaving.

In order to have gorgeous healthy nails it helps to treat them with TLC, just as you do your tresses.

A massage cream for ragged and rough cuticles is great especially if you are in the colder climates [Hi Mom!] or have your hands in water a lot. Massage into problem areas throughout the day paying extra attention at night with the Cuticle Massage Cream, $10.50 SGD. It also helps improve circulation stimulating healthy new nail growth. Sleeping with cotton gloves on freshly creamed hands and cuticles helps too!

Nail Nutrition Green Tea + Soy Cuticle Oil, $18.50 SGD, powered-up with antioxidants and Vitamin E, nourishes rough, ragged cuticles and helps soothe and soften hangnails resulting in smooth, healthy-looking cuticles. Radiant, more resilient nails. [Great for us hairstylists as we need extra help with our hands too]

Nail and hand care is not just for women.

Men: make sure your hands don't feel like sandpaper; we are delicate flowers and occasionally you may want to touch us... hopefully we won't have a headache. And, as the Biebs shows, men can wear polish too - but then we would probably just shop with you and not date you.

Dear Sally Hansen: You sent doubles of the polish and the Nail Nutrition. Was that an oopsy or generosity?

The extra one I think I will share with you, my readers. [Singapore only, sorry!]

I love my Twitter contests so look for the question there on Monday January 16th to win your own bottle of GREY AREA and Nail Nutrition Green Tea + Soy Cuticle Oil

As seen in Wedding & Travel, Asia.

Photography: Brendan Zhang

Styling: Furqan Saini

Hair, makeup & nails: Andrea Claire using Bobbi Brown, Deborah Lippmann and Oscar Blandi

See more of my bridal work here on my Canadian agent's site or here on my blog.

Domiva by Avedon as interpreted by Woodward; an Instagram photo by Scott Woodward, photographer.

These are B.T.S photos which means, you will have to watch this space or Scott's for the big reveal. It's going to be jaw-dropping; pinkie swear.

This is my snap on set with my Fujifilm EXR.

Here are my makeup notes (ps: *cough* no photoshop as these are just my snaps. *toots horn*)

FACEatelier Ultra Foundation #4

NARS Casino & Orgasm on the cheeks

On the eyes: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit, Ben Nye Cork and Graphite, Urban Decay Smog and Ardell Wispies lashes

*LOVE these Ardell lashes and... Dear Urban Decay: You had an event here in Singapore at Sephora with your U.S pro-artist last week??? Did my invite get lost in the mail??

A moment on the lips: Givenchy Rouge liner with Bobbi Brown Candied Red lipstick

Hair: I'm a little more secretive with my methods here. Yes. There are hair pieces involved. Yes. I used her hair, too. The inspiration for this hair came from my own portfolio. You may know the shot, it's here.

Products used: Sebastian WET, Redken Forceful 23, Label.m gel

*I've been getting requests to teach masterclasses in hair & makeup. I would LOVE too. I just need a venue. I promise to work on that for 2012! Please email me your interest with 'masterclass' in the subject line to: acwritesbeauty @ hotmail.com

The A-Team:

Producer: Annette / Ugly D

Photographer: Scott Woodward [the b/w instagram photo was Scott's, the other images are just my behind the scenes. Stay tuned for the final images that Scott took]

Fashion styling: Furqan Saini assisted by Mme Tan

Hair & makeup: Andrea Claire assisted by Mag Yang

Client: to be revealed later...

Sorry, this post was lagging behind my best hair, makeup and skincare posts. I've been a busy girl.

As we know from the abundance of press out there on nail appliques, polishes, nail extensions - nails are the new must-have to be done detail; but the game stakes are higher. French tips are passe, 1/2 moons and DIY nail art are here to stay.

This brings me to my Top 10 faves for you to nail it!

MINX nails. These nail coverings essentially shrink wrap with heat to your nails lasting 4+ days. [the image I did not do, if you know who the credit should be let me know, my nail portfolio work here] They have to be done by a trained nail tech which you can find one near you on the Minx website.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips Tattoo Much $9.99 at Walgreens. I used these in denim for Seventeen (Singapore). These are amaze-balls! So easy to d.i.y and they remove with nail polish remover.

Both Sally Hansen Nail Strips and MINX have zero drying time which means no risk of smudging. Great for events! MINX will NOT chip. I don't know if the same can be said for the Sally Hansen strips; comment below if you know!

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish, Gray By Gray $6.99 at drugstore.com

The brush for this polish is tapered and flat. I love it. It's easy to use and the taper allows you to get close to the nail edges without painting your entire fingertip like a spaz.

Deborah Lippmann Ruby Red Slippers Nail Lacquer $16.00 at CUSP. Deborah Lippmann's glitter polish is hands-down the best. It layers very well. I used this on some lovely talons for Alexis magazine.

OPI Classic Shades Nail Lacquer, Manicurist of Seville $8.50$8.00 at drugstore.com. A fave with everyone, but I really think that it is the colour choice that makes it a fave - and yes the polish is fab and wears well. I just know MANY people - nail techs and not, who complain about the thick brush they have. It's a pain in the ass.

CHANEL Le Vernis Nail Colour $26.00 at CUSP I LOVE CHANEL nail polish. It applies with ease and lasts longer on the nail then OPI, I wish they had more colours.

(Sorry OPI - I don't mean to give you a hard time. You obviously are doing something right. ;) )

Essie Quick-EDrying Drops $14.95 at Ulta Quick dry penetrates the polish to speed up the drying time for polish. This quick dry also has silicone in it to help protect the polish as it dries which will also add smoothness to the cuticle.

Wild Rose Targeted Hand Oil $12.00 at The Body Shop. Our poor hands are often forgotten in our skincare regimen. You can Botox and cream the crap outta your face but if you neglect your hands you will still show your age, Grandma. Little tip from me to you,

Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand And Nail Treatment $24.00 at drugstore.com. Everyone by now I'm sure knows my love for Dermalogica; maybe even they are tired of me raving about them? This hand & nail treatment does it all from re-hydrating to protection, SPF 15!!

Konad nail stamping kits. I discovered these nail stamping kits in Singapore. I used them on the shoot for the Orphan project on our Geisha. Alas, the framing was such that you didn't see the detail but they are very cool.

I'm all for the nail detailing but... this is a little much.

**Note: All prices in this blog are in U.S dollars. I am not American and I live in Singapore - oh...and I'm Canadian.