I’m currently using the Herb Day Cleansing Foam and in fact, it’s my second time using it as I feel that it is a product that is very suitable for my dry skin. It is mild and does not irritate my skin at all. It is slightly foamy, thus making me feel refreshed and clean after cleansing. It contains aloe and herb complexes, which has soothing properties, which are great for the skin.

It also comes in these cleansing wipes, which are perfect to remove makeup, even that stubborn waterproof mascara. Plus, what I love about it is also that it does not irritate the eye area when used, a trait inherent in most makeup removers.

I just love the way the mademoiselles in France dress, don’t you? They’re just so sophisticated and chic, and the best part is they do it so effortlessly. What can we learn from them? I picked this one up on Focus on Style as well. Read on!

“While the chic women of Paris do wear casual clothing, the real sophistication comes from how they put it together. They don’t suffer from the same dimwitted arrogance as badly dressed Americans who wear sloppy sweats, dumpy shorts, beachy flip flops or athletic sneakers as their implicit rights to be dressed comfortably at all times. Parisians, for the most part, wear well-fitting clothes that suit their frame. You’ll barely see a mademoiselle who is stuffed à la saucisson into a size too small jeans or drowned in a droopy camp shirt. The French understand the magic of a good tailor and proper fit, and so should you. It’s amazing how you can fake extravagance when something fits just so.

They also understand the power of quality. Europeans don’t usually suffer the same fashion victim overindulgence as Americans do and feel compelled to buy every trend just because it is in style. They buy what suits them in the best quality that they can afford. French chic is not a matter of having it all but a matter of having the best of all that you need. Fashion is like food for the Parisian. You don’t go to a massive supermarket and load-up on super-sized containers of all the groceries that you can cram into your SUV. You buy fresh ingredients from small, specialty shops and carry them home – less is more discerning.

C’est la classique… ahhhh it even sounds better in French! Parisian chic comprises of classically cut fashion worn in an unexpected, yet perfectly elegant way. There is that certain design twist or precise flourish that makes each piece special but never trite or tired. And what gives these classics their special dose of French chic style power? It’s the off-handed way in which they are put together. A beautiful dress coat is worn with jeans and a simple T-shirt, along with a luxurious handbag and rich scarf to create an understated elegance that can take you to almost any kind of situation in style. If a French woman does wear sneakers, they are leather tennis shoes, designed to be more of a sports inspired shoe rather than a gym necessity.

Hairstyles are never overdone or complex. Makeup is always natural, even when lips are a bold scarlet. There’s an expert sense of undoneness that makes every detail more clever but never tricky and without ostentation. Almost as if you are too busy to glance in a mirror, yet have your sense of style so ingrained that you don’t have to. Or, at least give that impression. Never looking as if you neurotically belaboured over each and every facet of your total ensemble. French style appears to be very second nature, yet extremely deliberate in its nonchalance.

There always seems to be a ubiquitous trend in the air, but it is never trendy, simply modern. On my recent trip to Paris, it was all about flats – boots, that is. Wherever you looked, French women glommed on to this red hot, but classic style of slightly Equestrian-influenced flat knee-high boots and each made her special mark with her interpretation of this trend gone wild. Barely a high heel in sight and certainly not a pair of flair leg jeans. Occasionally, ballerina flats replaced the boots. It is all about the long lean look topped by a proper coat, a clever piece of jewellery and a fabulous knit scarf. For a dressier look, a little black dress adds punch and never looks predictable or showy.

You don’t need to be in Paris to master the élan of French chic. First, you need to understand the art of nuance and then you can get the look anywhere. While I was visiting my best friend and disco trivia cohort who moved to Paris to report on French trends for EyePreferParis, and we did what we do best together – shop. After decades of friendship, we were both shocked that my only purchase in Paris was a pack of Missoni-esque dyed socks at Muji and not my usual haul of too many shopping bags to get on a plane. I already had my French shopping fix at home with goodies from Hermes, Martin Margiela, Barbara Bui and Paul and Joe.

But French chic is really not about designer labels and more about how you put it all together. It is about starting out with the right pieces that you can mix and match to wear anywhere. And, not obsessing about it. Have the poise to feel elegant yet slightly off-beat, polished but not glitzy, and self-confident enough to understand the true meaning of chic is very individual.

I read this from Focus On Style and thought that it’s worth sharing with all of you since we all probably need a little style every once in a while and for some, its an everyday effort.

12 Steps to Style:

“1. Admit it- There you’ve done it! You took a long, hard look in the mirror and put yourself asleep. Stop snoozing behind the style wheel and do something about it. There is absolutely no reason to look boring, unless you intentionally want to be perceived that way.

2. Believe that you can be beautiful- Looking great is not only the best revenge; it’s the best self-confidence booster! Way back when, I began writing my Focus on Style column because so many women who I came across sadly thought that they could never be as beautiful as the models I worked with as a fashion stylist. Beauty is subjective. Looking gorgeous is a state of mind, plus some effort to make the most of what you’ve got! Every woman deserves to be her own favourite supermodel of loveliness.

3. Find a fashion idol- Yes, most of us would like to find the fashion medium between Audrey Hepburn’s eternal chic and Kate Moss’s edgy simplicity. I included. But I also admit, that I have never nor ever will share their lean, perfect hanger figures. But I can adapt their style to my own curves, and add my own personal funk to embrace the look as my own. Famous or friend, find a fashion icon who inspires you and take note of how her personal style stands out and what you can do to make it yours!

4. Educate yourself- Curb cluelessness! Flip the pages of fashion magazines, check out designer runway photos, window shop in the most stylish stores, take a walk around the trendier part of your town, and just plain soak it all in. Immerse yourself in style until you actually “get” the difference between what is blah and what is stunning. Soon, you will be able to hone in on what would look fantastic on you.

5. Take action- You took a positive step by reading this. Settling for mediocre is inexcusable these days, anyone anywhere can find stylish clothing; all they need to do is look online if modern fashion isn’t readily available in their town. Don’t whine. Don’t wish. Make today your day to start looking fabulous.

6. Assess what you have and what suits your lifestyle- Surely, your entire wardrobe isn’t a complete fashion disaster. It may be as simple as understanding different ways to mix pieces that you already own with a few great, new fashion fixes to truly upgrade your style. Think out of the box and pair the unexpected for stylish results.

7. Set your limits- They say, don’t go to the supermarket on an empty stomach, well, don’t go shopping for a new wardrobe totally clueless. Have a mental list of what you actually need and stick to it. This way, you won’t be lured into buying frivolous sale items that will break your budget and do nothing to enhance your total look.

8. Find your fit- One of the secrets French woman have to looking chic, is a tailor. Take the time and effort to have your clothes altered to fit you perfectly. A little nip and tuck here and there can be the difference between looking dumpy and looking dynamite. But don’t expect total tailoring magic if something is simply not the right cut for you. Understand your shape and dress for it.

9. Don’t be a fashion victim- Just because something is in style and trendy, doesn’t mean it’s right for you, your figure, and your lifestyle. Be honest and realistic about the shape you are in and your body’s general proportions to avoid looking like a fashion victim. Dress smartly to camouflage figure flaws and spotlight figure assets. Adapt your clothing choices to flatter your figure.

10. Understand the fine line between modern and trendy- Adapt to trends to keep your wardrobe and image fresh. If you are on a very strict budget, shy away from super-trendy items that will be out of style in a quick fashion minute. When you do want to splurge on a cute, trendy piece, find a cheapie fast fashion version that you know you will only wear a few times.

11. Hair and beauty- Style doesn’t stop above the shoulders. You admit that your skin tone is uneven without make-up, most woman have the same problem. There’s no excuse not to adapt a fast, five-minute, natural make-up routine that can get you out of the house looking refreshed everyday. It’s usually easiest and the most cost effective to have a cosmetic counter makeover. Before you jump to it, be sure that the department store makeup artist has a technique that you like and that you are only expected to buy the products that you want—tinted moisturizer would be a good start to even your complexion.

There’s no better quick fix makeover than a great haircut to look modern and renewed. Don’t forget to shape your eyebrows too! Too often, women forget to invest the effort in their overall beauty regime and wind up looking terribly dated and dull.

12. Love your fashion awakening- Take a good look at yourself and be proud that you know you look the best that you can each day. Explore your personal style and constantly tweak your look to stay modern. Never settle for mediocre when you can look marvellous. Let your confidence soar—you did it!”

This Autumn, its the 1920, 40s and 50s again with cinched waists and belts and man suits coming back in trend. Ruffled tops, high waisted pants and puffy jackets are also back.

Let me tell you that I’ve got the worst kind of eyebags and under-eye puffs along with dark circles. All in, I’ve got a whole nightmare going for my eyes. I have to use quite a bit of concealer to conceal the damage and so, this is an amazing product which I love.

I started on this post-exams stress whilst I was studying as, oh boy, was the dark circles and under-eye puffs terrible then. It comes in this tube and the texture is cool and gel-like. Its almost like putting refrigerated cucumbers on your eyes. It gives off a tingly effect when applied and really feels great and non-sticky at all.

This product does not treat the dark circles but is great for reducing puffiness, as it really poofs those bags away!! It can also be used as a fabulous eye mask and is great to be used at night plus you’ll see amazing results the next morning.

The tube lasts a while as well. I used mine for about a year and a half and I’m probably getting another one soon. If you want it to be really really cooling, chuck it in the refrigerator and voila you’ll have your extremely cooling gel eye mask.

Its key ingredients include Yeast Extract which de-poufs puffs and although it claims to brighten and lighten dark circles, in my opinion, that is one part of its function which it does not do. Hoelen Mushroom Extract helps calm surrounding skin to help keep redness from settling in.

Though you’re better off using this product as a complementary product to other eye care products, it is undoubtedly one of the best gel eye-masks to de-pouf puffs that is in the market right now.

I bought this product with such high hopes as I really loved the idea of having a “clever” cleanser which supposedly knows how to cleanse and differentiate between the dry and oily bits of your face and washes it well. Tourmaline is supposed to seek out oil, soak it up then keep it in check whilst Wheat Protein will act to balance and protect dry prone zones. Other key ingredients such as Broadleaf Kelp will break down dirt, disperses sebum and counter dullness. Skin should feel comfortably refreshed and not tight, pulled or parched.

Unfortunately, whilst I loved its attributes and its texture, it did not do the wonders that it promised on my skin as after using it, my skin did feel tight, pulled and parched. I also started breaking out and my face was became somewhat greasy as well.

I ended up going back to Origins with my complaints and exchanging it for their Pure Cream Cleanser which suited my dry skin much better. Reviews on that will come in due course.

First off, I must admit that I’m not a very regular user of this product and I still have this in my bathroom cupboard. However, when I do use it say for a period of about two weeks consistently, I believe that this product really does wonders compared to other more expensive cellulite creams out there.

There is a difference especially in the thighs area and the skin around those areas I’ve applied to visibly firms up, which is great! It clearly reduces the appearance of these unsightly and ghastly skin concerns and it looks great!

The product has a gel like texture which feels rather cold when applied onto the skin. It contains L’Carnitine which apparently is a substance naturally present in the skin. This substance is known to be involved in the metabolism of fat and it supports the conversion of fat components into energy. That rather cooling feeling you’d feel when you initially apply this product is an inherent trait of this product and is meant to activate and promote greater blood circulation.

Nivea promises that:

• After 4 weeks the appearance of cellulite is visibly reduced

• After 4 weeks – 62% of women agree

• After 8 weeks – 70% of women agree

I’m sure I’ll agree to those stats if I use it more regularly and consistently as well, as even with the on-off usage pattern, I have noticed some obvious results.

I’m a 26 year old and have had cellulite since I was in my teens, possibly due to genetics. No matter how much I’ve worked out or control my diet, I can never get these stubborn things to go away. Now, thanks to Nivea, I have a solution and since my wedding is coming up soon, I shall endeavour to be more consistent and use this more often and achieve better and more dramatic results.

These videos on YouTube shows how to do a Facial Shiatsu and the associated benefits. You’ll feel relaxed just by watching!

This is the best body scrub I’ve ever used. I even recommended it to my friend for her to use as a home-spa treatment before her wedding day and I’m certainly gonna get myself one of this in the next few months leading up to my own wedding.

It contains both Shea Butter and Organic Beeswax which is fantastic for the skin as I feel really good using it. It leaves the skin smooth and silky-soft and the texture of the scrub itself though slightly grainy is definitely not abrasive at all for the skin. Its gentle yet it does its job well.

According to Body Shop’s website, Shea Butter helps to moisturize and soften the skin whilst Organic Beeswax seals in the moisture.

It’s a bit pricey at $50 but it’s well worth the investment if you ask me.