This has been a very inspiring journey for me. As I meet people from the different cultures in Singapore, I am awed by the ingenious treatments that can be easily made at home, using the simplest of ingredients. Well, as life gets more complicated in this globalised world, it’s good to rediscover the bare beauty of living simply in the way our ancestors did.
Eurasian Community August 28, 2007
The Eurasian community is a rich mix of descendents of Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish and German parentage. Yet, in spite of their differences, the community shares a common desire to preserve their own traditions of beauty and health.
Organic Garden August 28, 2007
It never fails to amaze me every time I hear people talk about using natural, organic products from their own gardens! There’s really a great deal of goodness in nature that even cosmetic products today are returning to natural ingredients. And I know just the person who can tell me more about this.
The Japanese Way August 21, 2007
It’s been a wonderful week and I’ve learnt that the best things in life are often the simplest. My time with Shunji has opened my eyes to both the ways of the modern and the traditional that exists side by side in Japanese culture today and Mari showed me how delicate the art of kimono is. I learnt that beauty the Japanese way is a lifestyle adopted in every day activities that translates in both how we eat and what we do. It’s a lifestyle that I could easily get used to. Until the next time, Arigato Gozaimasu.
Japanese Culture August 21, 2007
Being of decidedly non-Japanese origin. I feel that there is only so much I can learn about Japanese beauty culture on my own. Luckily I have a friend to help me out. Nothing beats learning from someone who breathes fashion and beauty every waking moment. Being Japanese helps too!
The Search for Beauty August 21, 2007
In terms of beauty I think we’re spoilt for choice these days. We can look into the past for inspiration, or perhaps beyond our shores, to our beauty-obsessed Japanese counterparts and take a page from their legendary beauty black book. I got my first ingredient bought from an organic online shop called natures-glory.com. It is clay – a magic ingredient ordered right to my doorstep!
Japanese Beauty Rituals August 21, 2007
I love the fact that something as seemingly insignificant as a leaf or a seed can have an almost miraculous effect in a beauty recipe.
There’s this urban legend that “Japanese women don’t get fat or old”, and guess what apparently it all begins with beans! From azuki beans to black sweet beans and green soybeans, it’s all about well bean. I mean, well-being! Certainly it’s worth trying out!
Grace and Efficiency August 14, 2007
Life was definitely busy for the Peranakan nyonya in the early days; having to manage the entire household by herself. Yet she never neglected the way she looked. The nyonya was the pinnacle of grace and efficiency, and perhaps if we learn to slow down our harried lives we too can achieve the same.
Peranakan Culture August 14, 2007
As I learn more about the Peranakan culture, I realize that their beauty is truly multi-faceted. The attention to detail is in every part of their life. It’s a true effort to remain elegant always!
True Blue Peranakan Baba August 14, 2007
Met my first true blue Peranakan baba this week. It’s reassuring to know that there are dedicated individuals who are committed to keep some part of the tradition alive. And of course I did succeed in getting what I’d set out to find – a recipe for my own beauty treatment.
