Tag: launch

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FROM THE LAND DOWN UNDER…

… comes JURLIQUE. And their story began in 1985.

This beauty brand actually is a phonetic combination of Jurgen & Ulrike Klein, a German couple who migrated to Australia. Jurgen is a biochemist and Ulrike is a botanist with the same vision to create the purest skin care on earth. Combining their knowledge, they knew that in order to do such, they need earth, water, air and sun at their most pure. And they found the perfect place for Jurlique’s first farm, the pristine hills surrounding Adelaide. There, they foster richer soil, grow healthier plants which are free from synthetic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and insecticides to create more efficacious skincare and body care products. Once picked and sorted by hands, their ingredients will go through a unique extraction method called the “Bio-Intrinsic” process, a three-stage process to create a highly potent extract without any plant material wasted. They do follow strict organic and biodynamic (certified by the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia) farming principles. And last but not least, they do not test their products on animals. 

Now sold in more than 20 countries around the world, they still grow their potent herbs and botanicals in the Adelaide Hills. Their Rosewater Balancing Mist is the first Jurlique product I’ve tried, especially needed when I travel by air. I love the relaxing scent of rose and it hydrates practically (just spritz!). Gladly, now I don’t have to buy Jurlique in Singapore anymore. Yes, Jurlique has officially opened in Jakarta, Indonesia this December 2014. Located in Plaza Indonesia, me & fellow press were invited to their first concept store cutting ribbon ceremony. 

The store itself stays true to Jurlique’s natural concept with wood materials used for its exterior and interior. I love the warm and calming atmosphere they created and how easily we can browse through their products according to the scents/ingredients and specific needs. It’s as simple as their packaging. In the store, I also spotted their latest skin care range, Rose Moisture Plus, made specifically for dehydrated skin. And, since it’s almost Christmas, they have several gift boxes to choose too! I can’t wait to try Jurlique’s other products, stay tune for my reviews.

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FOR GREAT MAKE UP, WE ALL NEED A SMOOTH CANVAS OR CAMERA FILTER, NO?

Camera 360 watch out…we might not need you anymore. Thanks to THE BODY SHOP All-In-One INSTABLUR.

Shine Controlling, check! Reduce appearance of pores, check! Blemish hiding, check! Complexion Unifying, check! Make up extending, check! Sound like missions for beauty apps, no? Apparently not, as now, getting a flawless looking skin in an instant is just a swipe away on your own skin! At the launch event of InstaBlur last week, me and other fellow bloggers and press were told how to apply the latest All-In-One 5 Action Perfector. One swipe was actually all that it needed, to avoid the crystalized form of this face perfector (made from Community Fair Trade Marula Oil). The balmy texture felt super silky and not sticky at all when I tried it on my face. Instantly, I felt the softness when I applied my concealer and foundation afterwards. I do recommend this for those who love to use primer to keep your makeup less shiny and last throughout the day. As for blemishes, especially the raging ones, you still need to apply concealer on top. Tips: a small squeeze of InstaBlur was all that you needed and apply where you needed the most (for me it’s definitely the T-Zone). 

And don’t just blurred the face imperfections, apply the other InstaBlur for your eyes too! At the event, I’ve also got the chance to try the other InstaBlur, All-In-One Tinted Concealer + Primer Colour Intensifier. Now this will complete your whole makeup. Not an ordinary eye primer, as you can use this for eye lids and under eyes to blur that ugly dark circles (as it contained yellow toned concealer). As I believe lots of us are dealing with oily eyelids which made eyeshadows hard to last, this specific InstaBlur is a winner! It also neutralises the appearance of redness on eyelids, and it did intensify the colors of eyeshadows I was wearing. Apply this before your usual under eyes concealer, and notice how it won’t create any single crease. It just blurred as stated, literally. Tips: same like the face perfector, a tiny squeeze was all that you needed. 

WHEN EVERY FRAGRANCE HAS THEIR OWN STORIES

After their home Paris, New York and Dubai, now Jakarta, Indonesia has our own CARON PARIS flagship store.

Located in Plaza Indonesia level 2, it actually had opened since the first of September. But they made the grand launching just last night. I was invited to the event and I believe this is the first time I ever took so much pictures in one place. Not just a place, the CARON Paris boutique is so….Paris. What can I say? Just look at the pics above and see if you agree with me. 

When I stepped into the store, the Parisian charm and the scent of luxury perfumes greeted me. Let’s just say every corner of the boutique had me at hello. Pretty artsy displays, yet very informative with every fragrance description and for me, the best part is their Fountain Perfumes. Something new for me, but CARON’s Fountain Perfumes is actually legendary. They offered their customers to fill a bottle (and you can pick the bottle there) and the fragrance will be dispensed from a little bronze tap. FYI, these Fountain Perfumes ‘dispenser’ will be clean by a special sort of ceremonial cleaning process every month in the store. Wow, I’d love to see how they clean that. 

As Indonesian, I’m proud that CARON Paris considered Jakarta as a potential market. I mean, CARON is one of the major perfume houses and Jakarta’s store is number 6 in the world. How awesome is that? Its’ unique history amazed me too. In 1904, Ernest Daltroff opened CARON’s first door in 10 rue de la Paix, Paris. His love for his colleague, Felicie influenced his constant fragrances creations. He and Felicie created “N’Aimez que Moi” in 1916, “Tabac Blond” in 1919, “Fleurs de Rocaille” in 1933 and the men fragrance “Pour Un Homme” in 1934. Each fragrance has their own stories, and the one that intrigued me is “Royal Bain” which was created in 1941. Back then, it was created exclusively for a Californian billionaire who wanted to replace his extravagant champagne baths. This one of the very first unisex Eau de Toilette is believed to bring happiness. Ever since they were created, those fragrances remains the same for their formulas and scents (they only changed the packaging nowadays to suit a more modern era). Until today, they work with their own perfume creator. 

In the 30’s Ernest also developed a manufacturing process for “Poudre Libre”, the loose powder. His method remains a trade secret until today, making their loose powder ‘the finest in the world’. I got the chance to try their loose powder and I love it. The expensive scent of Bulgarian Rose and its’ delicate feather puff added the pleasure of powdering your nose. If you love more indulgence, try their special “Powder Puff”. It was made of genuine soft goose down, but don’t worry, no goose was harmed. They plucked the bottom part of the feathers which will eventually fell off by time, anyway. 

Yup, you can find more than just perfumes in CARON’s boutique. They have porcelains and glass collections too. Every single one of them are just too fine to describe. Go visit their boutique, because seeing is believing! 

FUNCTIONAL, HIGH QUALITY & MOST OF ALL…

Comfortable. Introducing the second Fall/Winter Collection 2014 from UNIQLO’s LifeWear.

Last week I was invited to Uniqlo Indonesia’s event to celebrate their upcoming Fall/Winter Collection, with two top stylists Ayla and DeUt and 4 style people from different professions. 

Uniqlo has a special space in my fashion heart. I used a lot of Uniqlo’s for the upcoming Indonesia’s big screen movie, Supernova, as their wardrobe director. Because I believe Uniqlo is comfortable to wear with good materials and design. Plus, the never ending choices of their layering factor is a bonus for any fashion stylists.

Check out some of their Fall/Winter 2014 line up from the pics above. Which one’s your favorite? Mine will be the parka from Ultra Light Down. Very light (perfect for traveling to a colder climate), and thanks to a sleek lining woven with aluminium fibers, they’re now come with more great heat retention. HeatTech is also one of my fave. Very soft, great for layering as an innerwear and especially for the Women’s HeatTech, they’re infused with camellia oil for silkier and smoother feel. Another soft feel come from their Fleece, Flannel, Extra Fine Merino, Sweats and even their Denim (so stretchy and comfortable, you can split like a ballet dancer with it). 

Since the end of year is approaching real fast, I do believe this collection will come in handy as most of us travel to colder climates for end of year holiday. I can see myself packing with this collection already. 

Thanks to Fame74 for most of the pics above. 

WHAT’S COMING…

At Sephora Indonesia? Soon, mostly in October 2014 right down through Christmas, there’ll be several new brands coming to their (currently) two stores in Plaza Indonesia & Kota Kasablanka, Jakarta, Indonesia. 

This week, I was invited to Sephora Press Day at Morissey Hotel, Jakarta to see what brands are coming soon to Sephora. See all the famous logos above and I bet you can’t wait to see their pretty displays at Sephora. At the event, one of the Sephora’s Singapore team said that me and fellow press were lucky to catch a glimpse of their “GIFT OCEAN”, Sephora’s most awaited holiday collection this year. She said, “Even Singapore’s press haven’t seen these, you know?” Expect lots of glitters and cute gifts galore! 

Being such a vintage packaging lover, I was attracted to one brand that somehow didn’t ring my beauty bell. Creme Simon. I know, where have I been, right? Apparently, it’s very popular throughout Europe, New York, Japan and Shanghai. The late founder, Joseph Simon created the first stable beauty cream from a natural plant-based formula, known for its’ incredible healing properties to give French women their natural glow and fair complexion. Voila! Now they’re expanding here, to Indonesia. 

And I’m excited that Skin Inc is coming too. I remembered my first encounter with Skin Inc when I was still working in the magazine. I even met their gorgeous founder, Sabrina Tan. The brand launched in Singapore about 6 years ago but all the products are made in Japan. I had ‘my daily dose’ once, and it did work really well on my skin. You see, Skin Inc is a personalized skincare brand. They will mix the serums according to your own skin types and problems in a cute drop bottle and called it ‘my daily dose’. 

It’s going to be such an interesting end of year for us, beauty lovers!

HOME COOKING ALLA ITALIANO

Newly opened TREDICI RISTORANTE fulfilled my latest craving for delicious Italian cuisine.

People go through culinary phases. Lately, mine is Italian. I’m not a big fan of any food retail chain where you can eat Pizza and Pasta inside a mall. I prefer a homey restaurant with Italian feel, like you’re eating in Tuscany. Yes, atmosphere and ambience count. It’s a great bonus if the head chef was Italian too.  Perfetto!

I was invited to Tredici Ristorante’s opening this week and all of those factors I mentioned above were there. Tredici means thirteen in Italian and Sylvia Gunawan (owner & founder of Tredici Ristorante) mentioned that she was also preparing to open a lounge/bar on the second floor which will be named “13 Monkeys”. Of course, Tredici is on the first floor, located at a (very) busy street, Jl. Suryo 42, Senopati, Jakarta. 

The head chef, Mario, is Italian who have worked in Indonesia for more than 20 years. And that day (boy, was I glad I came with an empty stomach) he and his team was preparing lots (and I mean it) of Italian home made cooking for me and fellow press. Overall, I did try 3 appetizers, 3 different pastas, 2 main courses, 4 slices of pizzas and 2 desserts. And they served everything fresh. The red of cherry tomatoes, the green from spinach for their Ravioloni and the pink of salamis. I could go on and on. 

When I chat with Sylvia, she said that everything was local, except the cold cuts. And right down through the beverages, they infused by themselves. So fresh, they also used fresh pastas, not the dry ones. I can tell from how chewy and soft the pastas are. “They’re not just delicious, they’re healthy too because we’re not using MSG at all,” said Sylvia. Great, I’m thinking to bring my boys here soon.

Anyway, if I have to break it down to my own favorite meals, it would be: Pizza: I love the crispy dough, the scent of freshly baked from the oven and the saltiness of their pepperoni & salami. Piccante is my favorite, but if you love seafood, try their Mare Pizza (it’s so unique, they served the mussels with their shells as a pizza topping). 
Pasta: My favorite will be the Linguine. Served with Baby Squids and Toasted bread crumb topping, it’s delicious and a bit spicy. And the pasta is not al dente, perfetto!
Dessert: Being a sweet tooth that I am, I had my choice at their Panna Cotta. Soft but not watery Cream Pudding, the right amount of sweetness mixed really well with the sourness from their fresh strawberry sauce. And it looks beautiful on their white plate, don’t you think?

 

WHO HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HAIR?

Adam Reed, Celebrity Hair Stylist and one of the owner of PERCY & REED, answered: Cara Delevingne.

Of course, I couldn’t agree more with him. And I was too lucky to meet Adam personally (thanks Sephora Indonesia) this week. Surprised, surprised, they offered me if I want to have my hair cut and styled by Adam. Of course, I accepted the (too) generous offer. You see, Percy & Reed hair range products are coming soon to Jakarta, Indonesia. Precisely by late October 2014 in Sephora Jakarta’s stores. What’ll be available here? Their core products (for hair care & styling too), including (the most awaited product I supposed) their dry shampoo! For you who have been living inside the cage, Percy & Reed started from duo celebrity hair stylists, Adam Reed and Paul Percival (that’s when the brand’s name came from) with a leading hair salon in London and unique hair product range to follow. And I remember quite clearly, my first encounter with the brand was actually when I visited London about two years ago and bought Glamour UK magazine. By that time, Glamour UK was giving away free samples, and it was Percy & Reed (I believe it was their conditioner). First, I was attracted by the pretty illustration of a woman with gorgeous hair on the packaging and it blew me away when I tried it and it worked really well. 

Let’s move on to my glorious hair day experiment with Adam, shall we? Adam is just lovely, we chat a lot while he cut and styled my hair. He love Asia, he said. Especially the food, while he can’t stand the heat and the worst traffic that he’d ever seen in Jakarta. LOL. Being me, I asked lots of questions and tips. And being me, I was kindly enough to share them with you here.
Me: “What do you think differ Asian’s hair and Caucasian’s hair?
Adam: "Actually they don’t differ at all. The difference is within the weather. Your weather here is just bad for hair cuticles. The humidity and heat will make your hair cuticles open all the time. That’s what made your hair limp and lifeless. What you can do is keeping your hair cuticles closed by blow drying with cold, not hot hair. And use oil before blow drying, that should help to keep your cuticles closed.”
Me: “Should I permed my hair? I love the volumizing look it gave me.”
Adam: “Never ever permed your hair. It will make your hair look dull and lost their shine. Keep them straight. If you want to make your hair look more volumized, spray your hair brush with hair spray and brush them through. That will make your hair look volumized but still has movement, not stiff.”
Me: “You know, I colored my own hair.”
Adam: “What? Really? I mean, it was a nice color and look good on you, but you should never colored them yourself. Go to hair salon.”
Me: “What was your recipe for great hair everyday?”
Adam: “Great hair products and great tools.”

Indeed! Since my hair was colored, they used Really Rather Radiant Colour and Shine Shampoo and Conditioner on me. Frankly speaking, I was surprised that they did cleansing too (I was expecting cut and style), but hey, every great hair styling need a clean hair, no? The wonderful soft smell last long throughout my day that day. Since I decided to keep my hair long (and I thought Adam agreed too), he trimmed and layered a bit of my hair. 

And talking about tools, Adam used GHD’s products to blow dry my hair, right down to the brushes (it seriously remind me of Mason Pearson’s brush). I want! Check out the tools spread on my pic above. FYI, he only used the hair dryer and a big hair roller brush, not even straightening iron or curling iron on me to create my look above. 

It will be a perfect world if I can have all of Percy & Reed products to care and style my hair every day, but I do recommend these as a starter (and feel free to extend the list any day now):

  • Shampoo and Conditioner (for the types that suit your hair, click here)
  • Hair Oil. Their no oil, oil is super great! No stickiness, I never washed my hands after I applied it on my hair. 
  • Hair Spray. Must have. Remember the tips from Adam? 
  • Shine & Fragrance Spray. OMG, in this heat, it seems that hair got smellier easier. I have the travel size in my bag now.

 

NEW FRAGRANCE DUO

To complete Francis Kurkdjian’s fragrance wardrobe, he launched PLURIEL.

Bursts of floral scents for the féminin Pluriel, and classic manly scent for the masculin Pluriel. Simple yet elegant 70ml packaging with Rose Gold cap for the féminin (EDP) and titanium cap for the masculin (EDT). 

Here are their notes:

  • Féminin Pluriel: Florentine Iris to Violet, Grasse Rose, Egyptian Jasmine, Lily of the valley, Orange Blossom & Indonesian (yes, Indonesian) patchouli.
  • Masculin Pluriel: Lavender from Provence, Eastern red cedar, vetiver from Haiti and (yes again) Indonesian Patchouli.

Available in September 2014 in Papilion Duo, Jakarta. 

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE SWAROVSKI

Congrats to Swarovski for opening another boutique in Grand Indonesia, Jakarta.

My first Swarovski was the charm bracelet my hubby gave me for Christmas. I guess for some (read: lots of) men, it’s super easy to pick up a gift for the loved ones at Swarovski. Women + Bling = Done!

Yup that bling Swarovski sent out will definitely cater our need to look our best at any given moment. From the simple long necklace with pendant to statement colorful collar necklace, they have it all. Attending Swarovski’s boutique opening at Grand Indonesia, Jakarta, this week, I was also surprised to see Men’s Collection (though not many), and cute Hello Kitty’s crystal statuette’s. 

Just in time for the new boutique, they also launched Fall Winter 2014 Collection, starring Miranda Kerr. Nope, there was no Miranda at the event. But I love what she wears for the campaign, very easy to wear yet look stunningly bold. Check out the pics above, my personal favorite from the collection, ranging from those long layered necklace worn on models on the runway and those stacked bangles on Miranda’s. I truly believe that now it’s a whole lot more easier for your loved ones (ok, and yourself too) to pick a thing or two, or more from Swarovski. 

WHAT A WAY TO CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to Terry Wijaya Supit. On her 50th birthday just last week, she celebrated with her friends, colleagues and medias by launching a book.

Not just a book, it’s a book about the journey of Indonesia’s very own jewellery. Terry as one of the founders of Manjusha Nusantara which made replicas of antique Indonesia jewellery, also collected most of her real antiques jewellery, shown at her birthday party. 

I was blown away by her antiques collection, mostly 100 years old of age. Originally came from Kalimantan, Flores, Sulawesi and Sumatera, check out my pics above. Made from Bronze, Silver and Gold, her antiques collection were only shown at that day for exclusive preview. I can’t imagine how pricey those jewelries are. 

For more about Indonesia’s very own jewelries journey, the book ‘Kisah Perhiasan Nusantara’ is now available here.