wpadmintrator – Graceous

Sensible Skincare

wpadmintrator — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 02:33:24 +0000

Goodness Graceous

Sensible Skincare

Eyelash extensions stand out against flawless skin. Will spending a fortune on skincare products help you acquire the dewy, luminous complexion of models and actresses you so admire?

Not likely unless you share their genes and aestheticians. On the bright side, you can keep your skin healthy and looking good without emptying your pockets.

Go back to basics. Drink more water instead of coffee and bubble tea (another way to save money), get enough sleep and adopt the regimen of clear-skinned Japanese women.

Feed your skin
The Japanese believe that radiant, healthy skin comes from a diet rich in amino acids. These include glycine, proline and alanine found in bonito flakes, kelp, seaweed, tofu, and almonds all used in abundance in Japanese cooking. Consciously add these to your daily meals.

Less is more
Konmari your skincare products. Many of us are swayed by friends’ recommendations or advertisements into buying jars and tubes of stuff that end up in the wasteland of our beauty shelf. Do like Marie Kondo and keep only the absolute essentials. The fewer products, the better. Less chance of irritation from allergies or build-up of chemicals. Not layering various creams and lotions also encourages your skin to produce its own oils and barrier.

Stay clear of the sun
Use sunblock, hat, umbrella, visor – sun protection will save your skin from hyperpigmentation and premature ageing. UV rays destroy the DNA of skin cells resulting in wrinkling and a leathery appearance. So, don’t be blasé about sun exposure. It is very difficult to reverse sun damage.

Avoid squeaky clean
You’d think that it’s good to wash away sweat and grease as often and thoroughly as possible. On the contrary, over-cleansing strips away natural oils, moisture and also friendly bacteria, leaving skin unprotected. Hence, breakouts might happen and the friction of washing your face too energetically might cause thickening and darkening. Look for a light, natural cleanser and don’t wash more than thrice a day.

Go bare skinned
Give skin a rest once a week by not applying any skincare product at bedtime. Skin needs to breathe and renew itself.

Continue the natural look by going without makeup the next day. With customized lash extensions you can zip out of the house looking like you were born fluttering your gorgeous lashes.

Our Graceous lash extensions are super light, natural looking and completely customizable. Choose from multiple styles. Our lash artist will help you choose the perfect length and curl to enhance your eyes and face.

Rice naturally
All over Asia, rice is more than a food staple. As bedak sejuk (cooling powder) in Malaysia and Indonesia, rice powder pellets are dissolved in water and applied on babies and adults to cool, whiten and smoothen skin. In Japan and Korea too, rice water is used as a cleanser and toner.

To make a batch, first soak about 4 tablespoons of raw washed rice in a cup of water. Leave for 15-30 minutes. Sieve the milky water into a container and refrigerate when not in use.

Soak a cotton pad in the rice water and clean the face. It will not remove makeup, so first use an oil- based makeup remover if necessary. Rice water cools and mattifies the skin, tightening pores and soothing irritated skin. Use at home as it tends to leave the wearer white-faced.

Wellness Tips in the time of Coronavirus outbreak

wpadmintrator — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 02:30:01 +0000

Goodness Graceous

A Graceous Celebration

Wellness Tips in the time of Coronavirus outbreak

Be a zen beauty

You can’t be beautiful if you are anxious or depressed. Make an effort to be relaxed, kind and considerate. It will create an oasis of calm around you, inspiring others and making you happy.

In all Asian countries where tea is a part of life, rituals have developed around tea-making and drinking. It all boils down to total awareness and can easily be adopted as an everyday habit.

Gather tea ingredients and implements, so you won’t be dashing about looking for this and that. Put your phone on airplane mode. In Japan, we enjoy having tea ceremony or 茶道, chadō or “the way of tea“. Performed with grace, it is a spiritual experience that will enhance mindfulness and enhance your focus on the nowness.

Choose a time of day when you won’t be disturbed or rushed. As part of meditation practice, some have their tea in the early hours of the morning to welcome the dawn of a new day. Others prefer to unwind at night after the kids have gone to bed, or have a tea break in the middle of the afternoon.

Choose a suitable tea for the time of day – black or green tea with caffeine to wake you up, or chamomile to relax you for sleep.

Practise mindfulness
Have a seat. Roll your shoulders. Raise your arms and stretch. Take a deep breath through your nose, hold, and exhale through your mouth.

Turn your concentration completely to preparation of your tea. Be present to the sound of water boiling, steam rising, aroma as the tea leaves release their essence, and the rhythm of your own breathing.

Tea is ready
Before you take your first sip, bear in mind the Zen phrase, ichi-go ichi-e. It means one time, one meeting and signifies the uniqueness of this very moment as time is fleeting and each day should be fully savoured.

Give thanks for everything you should be grateful for. We often focus on our wants, and forget how much we already have. Say a silent thank-you to the people in your life, not forgetting your helper and the hawker who makes your favourite noodle dish. Everyday, there might be new people you should appreciate. Be thankful for the circumstances that enable you to enjoy your cup of tea, and think of ways you can be a better person.

Bask in your blessings for a minute or two before tasting your tea. Enjoy every drop with mindfulness!

Put your Lashes in the Right Hands

wpadmintrator — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 02:27:02 +0000

Goodness Graceous

Put your Lashes in the Right Hands

Just as you would only go to a qualified optometrist for your contact lenses, you should only get eyelash extensions done by someone properly certified.

You don’t want to risk tear duct infection, improperly attached lashes (which easily fall out) or an unnatural look. After all, the whole point of paying for lash extensions is to own the long-lashed look.

Extending your lashes is not like sticking on false lashes. It requires such delicate dexterity that it has been likened to microsurgery and described as extremely difficult to learn. Little wonder then that it attracts those with an artistic flair, and that Japan’s lash stylists are among the best in the world.

All our lash stylist are Japanese trained to be not only technically proficient but also an artist at heart.

With complete focus, your Graceous stylist dabs glue on a single lash. Working deftly and quickly, she separates your natural lashes to place the synthetic lash on the natural lash. As soon as the lash sticks, she moves on to another lash. By the time she is done, it can be 40 to 100 lashes on each upper eyelid, depending on how natural or dramatic your look of choice.

As your natural lashes form the foundation on which the synthetic extensions sit, it is important to keep your own lashes healthy. To strengthen lashes and promote growth, your Graceous consultant will share advice on maintenance, nutrition and lash care products.

Are Eyelash Extensions for You?

wpadmintrator — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 02:20:15 +0000

Goodness Graceous

Are Eyelash Extensions for You?

You really want long, curled lashes but false eyelashes are out – too fake looking and time consuming to glue on. The best option is eyelash extensions where the lash stylist does all the work and you just need to keep up appearances by returning for fillers every 3 to 4 weeks.

Eyelash extensions involve gluing on individual lashes to each of your own lashes. How long and how lush will depend on what you decide. Your Graceous lash consultant will advise, taking into account your eye and face shape, and lash condition.

The process will take up to 1 and half hours the first time, and maybe about an hour when you return for fillers. Once the lash extensions are in place, you need to maintain your lashes to keep them from falling off. So, no wetting your face for the first 24 hours. And no oil-based cleansers.

After the first day though, you are free to go eye makeup-free if you so wish. Hop out of bed, shower and zip out of the house, knowing your pretty new lashes are dressing your eyes.

Oil and Heat
Obviously, anything that will weaken the lash glue is a no-no. This includes oil-based eye skincare products and makeup removers as well as steam from facial steamers and saunas.

Fit and fabulous
Running, gym training, Zumba, yoga – all are possible with lash extensions. Flushed and sweating while batting your long lashes… what could be sexier?

Swim on
Swimming in chlorinated pool or sea water is fine but you should dry your lashes as soon as you get out of the water. Your lash consultant will recommend lash care products.

Don’t touch
It’s a good thing that with Covid19, we’ve trained ourselves not to touch our faces. You definitely shouldn’t be rubbing your eyes especially with lash extensions.

So, now that you know what you can and cannot do, make that appointment to choose the lash style you’ve always wanted.