Ginza Calla IPL Review

Body hair has always been an issue with me - I used to get teased about from primary all the way to secondary school about the long hair that I had on my arms and legs. That's about 7 years of humiliation in my childhood memory! It was only in my junior college years (when I was 18) that my mum decided to bring me for an unlimited IPL treatment on my arms and legs. It was a huge investment at that time, but I really thankful that we did it because I really felt more comfortable in my own skin after smooth, hairless skin was revealed.

Needless to say, I haven't tried IPL again since then, but the problem areas such as the bikini line and armpit area was still a constant source of worry, so much so that I stopped going swimming. I got my first IPL treatment again in my bikini area and armpit at the newly opened Ginza Calla hair removal specialist. Ginza Calla is an established Japanese hair removal specialist with 35 stores spanning across Japan, Shanghai and Hong Kong, so you can be rest assured that you're in good hands.

Upon entering the salon, I was treated to hot tea by the cutest Japanese lady whom spoke mostly only Japanese but was so sweet with her smiles and constant bowing! My consultant and therapist, Lynn Lita, then walked me through the technicalities of the hair growth cycle, and the specific process of the IPL treatment which I'll be undergoing.



The Process and Differences
The usual procedures followed - changing into a robe and then the shaving began, using an electric razor. Lynn was really kind - she kept going "Tell me if it hurts, dear." and "Is this OK for you?" to ensure that the shaving was kept gentle on the sensitive bikini area. In my prior IPL experiences, after shaving was done, a cooling gel would be applied and I would be given shades to wear before the IPL begins.

However, at Ginza Calla, they paid special attention to the care of my skin -

1. A high-pressured jet spray was used before application of the cooling gel. The spray ensures that Bihada-junbi, Ginza Calla's specially developed inhouse moisturizing lotion is delivering to the deeper layers of the skin to ensure penetration into the pores.
2. After the IPL shots were administered, the cooling gel was removed and Bihada-junbi lotion was applied generously again to soothe and moisturize the slightly irritated bikini area. 

I was also told that their IPL machines are developed inhouse and shipped from Japan. The machines ensure that 5 pules of light was given with each shot of IPL, compared to only 3 for other salons, hence making the treatment more effective.

What I really liked about them was their attentive service and a genuine care for their customers! During the treatment, Lynn did mention to me about their promotion packages, but she did not try to hardsell me at all after the treatment. This is because Ginza Calla practices a policy of no hardselling, instead relying on the efficacy of their treatments and ease of booking appointments to bring in customers. I felt really comfortable and well taken care of throughout my entire time at the salon.

However, please note that 1 session of IPL is not enough to ensure the removal of hair! You would need about 9-12 sessions in total spread over a longer period of time adjusted to your hair growth cycle in order have finer hair each time, before the hair gets so fine that they can't be seen unless under close observation.

Here's the Bihada-junbi moisturizing lotion! Its primary ingredient is actually water, with added hyaluronic acid which retains moisture. The gel-based lotion absorbs quickly into my skin and is non-sticky, making it suitable for my oily t-zone. I have just started using it and can't comment on the efficacy yet though.

Opening Promotions
Get 3 sessions of lower arm and lower leg removal at just $40 (RRP $800) till 30 June 2014, or
Get unlimited sessions of underarm or bikini line at just $40!

Other hair removal courses are also offering up to 35% discount - which is a HUGE steal if you ask me, because when I did my full arm and full leg treatment years ago, it was about $7.5k! 

Ginza Calla is located at Plaza Singapura New Wing #04-55. Tel 6238 8850

Disclosure: Vera was invited to Ginza Calla for a media trial; all opinions were kept objective. Apologies on the lack of photos during the IPL process due to sensitivity issues.

AFF 2014 Day One - Flirty in Kenzo

Wearing this flirty number from Kenzo, Gold entangled bracelet from Elyona, Jewelled necklace from Floral Punk, and Leopard print clutch from Taobao

Photos by Desiree Liew

This dress has history. Ok, not really but I almost didn't purchase it. I found it hanging dismally among racks of clothing at an Opening Ceremony sample sale in London with a spoilt zipper that was stuck and a few sizes too big (originally tagged size 38). After much deliberation and persuasion from my dear friend Michelle,
"It's Kenzo!" 
"But the zip is stuck. And it's still rather pricey." 
"It fits you beautifully, you can just get the zipper fixed and the sides tightened in at a tailor."

I had decide to get it after all. So there you go - my first purchase from a luxury brand. Yes, prior to this I do not own anything from one of the major luxury houses; I am simply an ordinary girl who lusts after Celines and Givenchy from the other side of the window.

But that aside, I am very very glad that I did bring it home across the Pacific after all back to Singapore, because this dress really suits my body shape very well. Tucked in at the waist and with a slight flare to cover up my bottom, the cut sits very nicely onto my body after I get it slightly adjusted at the local tailor. I love the textured fabric of the dress as well, it is one of those dresses that does not scream across at you but rather speak to you gently after you have glanced upon it a second time.

I wore this to the first day of Audi Fashion Festival (ie the Prabal Gurung show) and received several compliments. Now let me save up for my second Kenzo purchase.

On a side note, Club 21 is encouraging all fashion-lovers to address violence against women through Style it Forward, a bi-annual donation service for gently-used designer apparel and accessories. Happening between May 29^th and June 1^st, the public can donate their pre-loved fashion as well as pre-loved children’s wear at the Hilton Hotel Singapore.

Style it Forward, a Club 21 Cares initiative, will support Singapore Committee for UN Women’s campaign ‘Help Anna’, which raises public awareness about violence against women. These pieces will be styled and upcycled by students from the Textile and Fashion Industry Training Centre and will form the core of Buy to Save, Singapore Committee for UN Women's annual  fundraiser and leading recycled fashion sale in Singapore. Donors can redeem a free hot beverage from Supernature, Singapore’s leading retailer of organic and natural products, and sister company to Club 21, so do go down to Hilton Hotel this weekend in support of a good cause!

AFF 2014 - Prabal Gurung FW14 Singapore Debut

Fashion week here in Singapore was just over and out from all the shows which I've seen during the week, my favourite was still Prabal Gurung. Prabal was supposed to come to AFF last season, but due to some changes in schedule, he couldn't make it in the end, so his appearance this time was highly anticipated and lauded by the Singapore media as he was born in Singapore.

You know how people always want to claim the stars only after they shoot up in the sky, but I have been following his work rather closely since 2 years ago. That aside, his Fall Winter 14 collection was pure poetry and really resonated with me. The show opened with chunky cable knit sweater paired with a wispy chiffon skirt and mohair vest draped casually over the look - setting the tone for the subsequent looks to come. Heavy pashmina scarves and more knit sweaters were balanced off with light chiffon and satin skirts with sandals embellished with anklets with tiny bells handmade from Nepalese artisans.

The color palette progressed from grey to Mustang red, and from knits to draped blouses and deconstructed pantsuits, which drew inspiration from the villagers clad in soot red long robes in Nepal. I especially love the mix of fabrics and deconstruction for the last few looks, which featured cotton, satin blend and tweed, draped across the body effortlessly and with asymmetric high cuts that showed bits of skin as the models strutted down the runway. The show closed with two (out of the four) evening gowns from his FW14 - chiffon turtlenecks embroidered with Swarovski crystals and flowing chiffon with thigh high cuts. Set to the slow piano soundtrack, they ended off the last words of his poetic expression beautifully.

Really so beautiful I can cry.

Attending Star Awards 2014 with L'Oreal Paris

Wearing Seafoam green knotback dress from Raoul, hyacinth print clutch and shoes from Dorothy Perkins

First of all, I apologize for the low quality photos. These were shot on my trusty but rusty old camera, my Olympus EPL1, that has been with me for more than two years and it's high time that it retire. It will be replaced with a Canon 100D instead, which I've just bought!

I was fortunate to be invited to the Mediacorp 20th Star Awards, which is an annual event where our local screen stars dress up, walk the red carpet and mimic the Academy Awards receive category awards for their works. I thought that the occasion would be nice for me to bring my Raoul evening dress out for a spin - poor thing has not seen the light of day since I acquired it two years ago.

I especially love how this light shade of seafoam green complements my skin tone and that it is very subtly glamorous. Fashioned entirely from silk, with no embroidery or embellishments, the magic of this dress lies in its details. The front has a low-cut keyhole to reveal just a tiny silver of skin, which the back is cleverly knotted into a low-back cut. To me, that is a winning red carpet look - not ostentatious, but very sophisticated.

Hair and makeup was DIY with L'Oreal Paris makeup and L'Oreal Professionel hair products. I especially love the L'Oreal Telescopic Precision Liquid Eyeliner as the tip is so fine that it allows me to rich the inner corner of my eyes easily. The L'Oreal Professionel root lifting mousse was then applied to the crown and bottom roots of my hair with a blowout for some volume at the roots.

Get the Look - Rui En Star Awards 2014 by nakedgloryvera

I didn't manage to catch Rui En up close but I loved her look for the night! Rui En won the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes award that night and it's no wonder why! She had always been very sophisticated and elegant, but also warm to her friends and fans. When Chen Liping won the Best Actress Award, she stood up, hugged her, and looked so genuinely happy that you'd thought she had won the award instead.

For the night, she was wearing a long gown by Romona Keveza, cinched at the waist with a metallic gold belt. She kept her makeup done by L'Oreal Paris rather simple as compared to what some of the other celebrities were wearing, and you can easily copy her look above! Hair was done up in loose waves and swept to the side and she looks absolutely glowing! I hardly watch TV, much less local programmes, but I guess I'm kind of converted now.