Cosmo Singapore April issue on the stands now! [yes, you see the return of the other page because it's a scan. sigh]

photography: Micky Wong
styling: Janice Pidduck
hair & makeup: Andrea Claire

image source: my behind the scenes Instagramming.

model: Yana K / UpFront Models Singapore

Products I used:

On her skin: Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream, FACEatelier Ultra Foundation
On her gorgeous wolf eyes: Tom Ford
Cheeks: MAC
Lips: NARS Chelsea Girls - love this so much you have no idea.

Update: oh yeah... I did hair too. duh - I've been using Original & Mineral a lot lately. I LOVE them. Original Queenie to humidity proof hairspray and it doesn't smell like Grandma's comb-out!

Greek skincare brand APIVITA will be hosting a public event to show support for Earth Hour 2013 by turning off the lights at their (Singapore) flagship store in Ion Orchard.

Earth Hour is an annual event organized by global charity WWF (World Wildlife Fund), encouraging households and businesses worldwide to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour in order to raise awareness of the Earth’s changing climate.

RSVP here.

FYI: These 100% natural ingredient candles can be used as a body moisturizer and lip balm as the base is made from soya and rapeseed and are full of essential oils.

I am coveting the lavender one... I heart lavender.

Bask in the glow.

Yesterday I returned home or at least it felt like it - I was invited to an Aveda spring preview.

I worked for an Aveda concept salon 1990-93ish: Civello (Rosedale). I loved it. Literally I left blood, sweat and tears behind there: I helped strip carpet in the techincal department. I love the teamwork. I love the products. I love the Aveda philosophy and generally the people I worked with were supportive to one another in life and in career. 

Sharing is caring.

I was invited to a preview to the forthcoming Aveda Catwalk for Water themed Art of Nature.

The preview was a blogger night which I only found out when I got there - we all know my crankiness with that - Andrea 'I'm not a blogger' Claire - but I am glad that I didn't know that little detail otherwise I would have skipped it and missed meeting Ricardo Dinis (Aveda North America Global Director) and Ian Michael Black (Aveda North American Technical Director) - see their bios here. I reminisced the days of yore as I drank loads of Aveda tea.

The boys are in town working in collaboration with the Aveda salons in Singapore putting together this great fund-raising catwalk. I did manage to sneak some photos that I can't share with you until after the show. The clothes are pretty cool - think Derelicte-inspired and keep in mind the R's: Reduce * Reuse * Recycle. I invited myself backstage so as long as they don't change their minds - I'll be snapping some photos backstage which is where the real show happens - says the hairstylist in me.

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Listening to Ricardo talk about the Aveda's spring hair collection reminded me of what I miss: peer to peer chit chat. I haven't found that opportunity here yet - although the one day I worked with fellow artist Grego was just that - it was years ago. Ricardo spoke my language talking cutting techniques and hair textures - inspirations and collaborations.

image source - btw: his skin is this flawless.

Ian spoke a little about colour trends reminding us to think outside that box. Colour is meant to be played with. Don't be stuck on skin tone to dictate your hair colour. Ian pointed out that hair colour isn't always sitting against your face - the ends of the hair are played with with hair colour in a more sophisticated way.

The Catwalk for Water will include Aveda's spring looks inspired by Pre-Raphaelites - romantic sensibility. See my teaser on Vine.

If you love fashion shows and are in Singapore come on out this Wednesday! And what better way to see one but with the proceeds going to giving children around the world clean water - something a lot of us take for granted.

"all kids need water
in honor of earth day, aveda has set aside a whole month to love, celebrate and raise monies to protect the earth and its peoples. we've raised over $26 million since 1999. over the last 6 years $20 million of the funds supported clean water projects at home and around the world." Aveda.com

I stumbled upon Fancy while surfing yesterday and saw these. I would have rocked these - and still considering them. Love that if you fancy it you can buy it!

"Part store, blog, magazine and wish list. That’s Fancy."

I am pretty sure that all of us ladies started off as sweet and lovely little girls but at some point in time, in varying degrees we have been nasty to challenging for our mothers. (Not me - I remained a bundle of joy.)

I have had two teen daughters go through the 'I hate yous' and 'You're ruining my life.'

Zoie's turn will come around shortly I'm sure - I already get from her that 'When I have my own kids I will let them... '

• have candy for dinner
• swim in the lightning storm
• stay up until Santa comes... you name it - Zoie has covered those at the ripe age of 4.

The ugly door slamming 'I hate yous' I can deal with, it's unconditional love at it's most tested.

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This is the truly ugly side of motherhood.

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We can try shooting it in black and white - make it all sepia to make our bellies artsy like they do with aging faces.

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This, my Friends, is the belly apron. Charming. Is this where the phrase 'cutting the apron strings' really comes from?

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A before and after tummy tuck. Looks good right?

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I wish I could find an actual image for you that isn't a cartoon version of a tummy tuck. The real thing looks nasty.

In India this can apparently be done for $2,900+ USD or in Singapore for around $32,007+ USD

Recently I went to have a medical consultation because like the many women who have had children - I have this belly that just won't go. Contrary to my blog post on McDonald's Delivery in Singapore my diet is not all french fries and burgers. While in my consultation the doctor tells me that I have a hernia which is an impediment to my belly area decreasing to where I would like it to be. This type of hernia is apparently quite common post-pregnancy especially with big bambinos. I think I need to investigate this further with another opinion before I get all 'OMG! I have a hernia!'

BTW: I LOVED boxing and I could do a mean roundhouse once-upon-a-time but no more kicking and boxing for me because of post-chikungunya ailments - I am limited to what I can do for workouts. Now a potential hernia. Awesome. Seriously - don't be too jealous.

Children: Your college funds are fixing Mommy's belly. Thanks!

I kid. But it would make Momsie happy if one of you became a plastic surgeon.

I've decided to seek out a physio therapist/trainer because I just can't stomach having my belly cut open, pulled up to my tits and then pulled back down again, stitched up and fingers crossed I don't have a morbid reaction.

I don't mind the cost of some vanities but life risks just seems ridiculous to me.

Looking for a plastic surgeon?

• Ask for client testimonials. Did all previous clients have a lot of bruising and pain? We all bruise differently with various pain tolerances but patients complaining about excess bruising/pain can mean that the surgeon didn't think of you beyond a slab of flesh and a paycheck.*
• Make sure you know all the risks involved.
• Don't just fly to another country because it's cheap. You are going under the knife so it shouldn't be about - who is cheap but who is good - um very good! Better still opt for an artist who loves the female body as an art form so they are creating art.
• Choose a plastic surgeon who follows suit with what you want - not someone who starts offering up opinions on things that aren't bothering you. My recent consult I came in regarding my belly that bothers the hell outta me but the surgeon started talking to me about lipo post-tummy tuck on my back and thighs. Um... I was ok with my back and thighs... What is this? Dr McPlasty-Upsize?

*NOTE - this type of surgery has been hailed as one of the most violent and painful surgeries with a lot of risks.

I find it puzzling that in this day and age mother's aren't placed on higher pedestals. The only time mothers seem to be praised is when we can accomplish MILF or Trophy Wife status - too bad our bellies can't be trophies...

Aging women become cougars with muffin tops and tramp stamps.

Aging men gain character with fat wallets appealing to the younger women.

Pregnancy is a little more scary than you thought right?

Here are some things I found out in my tummy tuck inquiries:

• Big babies increase your risk of a hernia (there's a technical name for the one I have but I forget what it's called). To my knowledge you can't control the size of your baby - all three of my girls were over 9 Lbs. I ate for all four of us when I was pregnant with my first - that wasn't the best idea but at least I was 22 and could bounce back a little better. Each pregnancy after I didn't gorge on chocolate chip cookie dough while watching Oprah. Yes - I did do that.
• Lotion up ladies! I did that too and still do - it puts the lotion on its skin everyday. My stretchmarks are so minimal.

• Exercise to the best of your ability. Anything. Sitting and leg raises. Small arm weights. Pre-natal Yoga. Even if you never have been into exercise - DO IT.

• Vaj. Yea do your kegels - this I can say is not what it used to be too but I haven't researched this too much yet cuz I'm prudish. I did email an inquiry to a clinic in Singapore who does VRL but they never replied. I guess they're awfully busy beavers.

Are you a mom who wishes you could have told your pre-pregnacy self some sage advice? What would that be?

I love the people at Browhaus / Strip: Ministry of Waxing / House on Dempsey / Qi Mantra - they speak my language: BEAUTY.

Earlier this year I had tried (and got hooked on) the Qi Mantra RF Facial. Last week I was invited to try out the BR2.5 - my email reply to them "This may sound silly but - I LOVE my brows but I am intrigued" - yea, silly BUT we say ridiculous stuff in the beauty/fashion biz all the time.

image of Browhaus @ Wheelock

Browhaus recommended their natural look for me vs the dramatic brow option. Really - it's replaces the need to fill them in all the time which we need to do more often as we age because we lose brow hairs and definition -  this semi-permanent brow service is great for replacing a fading, shapeless brow.

The Brow Resurrection 2.5:

- Uses finer, lighter strokes for more natural-looking brows
- Takes only an hour for the entire treatment
- Short downtime (only 3-5 days) [and by downtime they mean you can't wear makeup near your eyes etc not going into hiding like a face-lifted recluse]
- Uses vegetable dyes, 100% safe for all skin types
- Uses a top-grade anaesthetic, making this treatment a pain-free experience

Before. Prepping. After. The after was the same day in the same spot even though I look desaturated and soft - the sun surely shifted. [That insane arch is natural - I have this eyebrow muscle that loves to upstage my face]

I have to say for the first three days I felt like Eugene Levy and all I wanted to do was cut a fringe to hide behind BUT I am a hairstylist so I know that the vegetable dyes they use would fade and settle just like the semi-permanent hair colours.

It didn't help that on day one my HB comes in from work and the guy who notices nothing about me EVER says 'Oh, you're on the computer. Are you just BROWsing?' and then he burst out laughing - safe to say he noticed. sigh. The honeymoon is over.

This is me day 2 after the BR2.5. The only makeup I am wearing is Dermalogica Sheer Tint in Medium, Benefit Birthday Suit on my lids, Korres Blush in Peach and mascara. A less than 10 minute fresh morning makeup routine.

Here I am - my brows have no makeup on them - just the Browhaus BR2.5. This is just three days after my brows were resurrected - so happy that I persevered and didn't cut myself a fringe. The date: March 9th - my birthday - Face of 42, Bitches! I have no fillers, Botox or face-lifting action - just my cocky brow muscle that always does that thing on my left brow.

Happy with my brows? Absolutely. Would I recommend this service? Yes! Just make sure your birthday dinner is at least 3 days after you have your brows done.

What I like about it is that it is essentially a semi-permanent natural looking eyebrow tattoo that lasts 4-6 months or up to 2 years with upkeep and touch ups.

Browhaus will offer BR 2.5 alongside BR 2.4. BR 2.4 is available for those who prefer a more defined look. BR 2.5 retails at $2,140.00 and BR 2.4 retails at $1,284.00 (prices are inclusive of GST). BR 2.5 is available at all Browhaus outlets in Singapore - they have this in New York too! 

*Excerpt from an article I wrote in Motherhood (March issue)

Just as Meredith / et tu and you never talks about her brushes,  I never get all that digitally influenced over buying them. Around Christmas time Meredith tweeted about the Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush it was the combo of the tweet and her blog post that intrigued me to at least check it out. One of my favourite foundation brushes by ADesign is a little similar but WOW this Urban Decay brush truly gives an optical blur aka an airbrushed finish. If you are a liquid foundation fan then you need this brush and for those who care - it's vegan.

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COVET London nail polish was just introduced to me and I am already a big fan. The first colour I used on set was Confidence, a killer red with amazing pigments. I can't wait to sink my nails (and my models nails) into more.

 FYI: luxury mineral-based nail polish for intense, brilliant colors without toxic synthetic chemicals or carcinogens.

Nylon (Singapore) behind the scenes in the makeup chair.

This is the lovely Dasha Vikhreva /AVE who I have worked with here in Singapore about three times in the past 2 weeks. She is going to be the next big thing in the modeling world - guaranteed - that girl is sweet and can move. Another next big thing - this Face Lace that I used for the upcoming April issue of Nylon (SG). (it's not a beauty story so this is not a spoiler alert) Think outside the box when you apply the Face Lace - just because it has a template for placement doesn't mean the Face Lace police will chase you down if you don't adhere to it - they stick on - that's a play on them - get it? Moving on. They recommend that you put them on clean skin but I did use them here over foundation without issue and recently for another beauty story over eyeshadow without issue which I can't show you because it is a beauty story but stay tuned!

Short and sweet. Check back for April's Beauty Lust Haves. I have a feeling that list will be a little longer.

Read my previous Lust Haves here