Sassy Recommends: Makeup Artist Sarah Baker

We first met Sarah when she did our makeup for the Sassy Launch Party back in September - we needed a little boost of confidence, and her upbeat personality and skillful work made us feel great on our special night.

Sarah has been passionate about makeup since she was very youg. After leaving university she worked in central London as a freelance makeup artist, mainly in fashion. Since leaving London she has worked as a makeup artist in theatres, fashion shows and for many different international magazines, as well as teaching the art of makeup. Sarah's mission is to show people that anyone can feel like a billion dollars with the minimum effort.

We reached out to Sarah to ask her about her favourite products and tips!

Sassy: What are your real must-have products?

Sarah: My "can't live with outs" are Mac Plush Lash Mascara - for thick, long and very sexy winter lashes, Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation with SPF 15 (oil free) and La Roche-Posay Hydraphrase Face cream - an inexpensive but high quality skin products from Paris.

Sassy: What is your tip for autumn/winter beauty?

Sarah: Keep skin moisturised and hydrated, and during the party season do not be afraid to try something different with your makeup, even if it is a new lipstick or some pretty false eyelashes. The smallest changes can sometimes make the biggest difference!

Thanks Sarah! You can contact Sarah at sarahlmb@googlemail.com if you have a special event coming up!

Introducing Sassy Deals with Valupedia

We're very excited to bring you the results of a new project we've been working on here at Sassy! We're teaming up with Valupedia to present you with the latest and greatest health and beauty deals in Hong Kong. Every fortnight we'll be telling you about the biggest and best promotions and discounts to help you pamper yourself in style and keep in shape without breaking the bank.

Without further ado, here are Sassy's deals of the fortnight:

1. 40% discount on Facial and Body Treatments at Let's Spa. For example, try out their 60 minute Smelling Me Softly aromatherapy massage for $980 reduced from $1680. Indulge yourself in one of their beautifully simple 8 private rooms. Mention Sassy Valupedia deals when you book to get your discount.

2. Enjoy a 2 week free trial at Yogalimbs studio in Sheung Wan. Learn about the Hatha Yoga principles of alignment, use of props and an in-depth understanding of body, breath and mind. The small class sizes will help you receive the personal attention you need to kick-start your yoga practice. Click through to the Valupedia site to download your free voucher.

3. Sense of Touch have a whole host of November promotions across their various locations. Enjoy their signature Love Is a Many Splendoured Thing treatment for couples for $2680 (reduced from $2980) at their Repulse Bay location, while you can receive 20% off any facial when booking a Wax Treatment at their Arbuthnot Road spa. Take a look at the Valupedia deal page to learn about the full range of special offers.

We hope you enjoy these offers - please let us know what you think when you try them out, and look out for the next set of discounts coming your way soon!

New Sense of Touch at Repulse Bay

Sense of Touch is one of our favourite spa chains in Hong Kong - consistency, fantastic service and reasonable prices are their hallmark, and the reason we go back again and again for their treatments (I'm a huge advocate of their waxing in particular!). When we heard they were opening a new location in Repulse Bay we were excited - we love heading out of Central for our pampering as it's a great way to relax.

The Sense of Touch in Repulse Bay has more of a day spa feel than their other locations due to the garden area. You feel that you could relax before or after your treatment with a cup of tea under the pagoda and let your troubles drift away... The treatment rooms are all beautifully decorated with fabulous wallpapers and each one is named after a spice. Our favourite is the couples room which comes fitted with an extra-large shower so that you can get in and wash the body scrub off your partner - oo-er! The treatment you want to book if you want to make use of this room is the "Love Is a Many Splendoured Thing" package, which includes the aforementioned scrub, a massage and a body treatment for two. This package costs $2980 for 120 minutes.

We had wondered in advance of checking out the new location how it would measure up against another Southside fave, "The Retreat". We think there's definitely room for two such heavy-hitters in the same area, especially as their positioning and vibes are so different. The Retreat is a more new-age-leaning with white futuristic decor, eco-cafe and innovative offerings, while the Sense of Touch is a sumptuous, cosy and glamorous cocoon against the outside world. The other great thing about the new Sense of Touch also is that as it is located in the Repulse Bay Arcade, you can pop in before or after doing your shopping, or grab a book from the Dymock's just across the street to read while you're having your pedicure done!

We'll definitely be making time for a lovely trip down South to enjoy more from the Sense of Touch team - the "Love Is a Many Splendoured Thing" package just begs to be tried out for a special Valentines treat!

Sense of Touch Repulse Bay - 2592 9668

G211, 1/F The Repulse Bay Arcade

109 Repulse Bay Road, Repulse Bay

Lash Out

The perfect lazy girl's halloween costume... just stick on a pair, dress all in tight black vampy attire and look as though you actually made an effort. All the above images are of Shu Uemura lashes, which are just gorgeous, and look uber-high fashion... You can find cheaper but still pretty cool alternatives at Sasa. We've also started noticing more and more women in Hong Kong wearing falsies during the day, and not just the makeup counter girls. I just need to get over my fear of the glue sticking my eyelids together, and maybe I'll join them!

Fierce Nails

ooh... I want!

via I Know What You Wore...

Welcome Fall!

I stepped out of my apartment yesterday and fell instantly in love with the cool breeze and Fall like weather. I quickly started dreaming about sweaters, scarves, boots and jeans. Then I reminded myself that although it does cool down here in Hong Kong, we definitely don't get the full taste of the seasons! So I may not be rocking a comfy cozy oversized sweater anytime soon, but I can still take part in all the latest Fall trends and colours with my hair, makeup and nails!

Makeup:

Whether for your eyes or lips, rich, dark and deep colours like purples and berries are the hottest colours. The key to this season is to accentuate one feature and leave everything else simple, clean and natural. The Spring 2009 runways (which of course showcased the looks of Fall) were heavily focusing on the smokey eye. In fact, the smokey look is back again stronger than ever. Invest in a great black eyeliner girls! If these purple colours don't suit you, go for the more earthy tones like dark greens, deep browns, luxurious golds and bronzes. The key is to be dramatic yet understated all at the same time.

Hair:

I say run out now and stock up on bobby pins, hair ties, clips and anything else possible that you can use to put your hair up. This season is all about being sleek and simple. Doesn't matter how you get your hair up and out of your face....go for an off center chignon, part your hair down the middle and pull it up into a ponytail, or even braid your locks. The other look seen strutting down the catwalk is the Cropped Bob. I love my hair long, so will probably opt for the pulled back look this season. I always wished I had the face that could carry short hair though!

Nails:

Time to retire the pretty pastels of summer. This Fall go beyond the safe classics and break out the brightest, boldest and most dramatic colours you can find. Like makeup, this season is about purples and violets and it doesn't matter if you go matte, shiney or glittery. The other great look for this season is white-- remember sleek and simple!

Okay, I have a confession....I grew up in Miami, Florida where the only season was hot! So as soon as the weather drops below 23 degrees don't laugh when you see me wearing my sweaters, scarves and boots!

The All Nighter Styling Powder

So, I know about the rule that you should not wash your hair every day but for me this is something I just can't follow. My blowouts never last long because as soon as I leave the hot and sweaty yoga room my hair is screaming for a nice shampoo. I wish I could be like the girls who can get away with washing their hair every other day (or longer!) but for me my hair is pretty gross if I go any longer than 1 day without a wash.

In theory, I am all about dry shampoos but I am still trying to find one that makes my hair feel pretty and clean. I just came across The All Nighter Styling Powder and the hype around it (embarrassingly, I am a sucker for a positive review from Rachel Zoe!) has me wanting to give it a try.

Basically, it is an all-natural, talc-free, aluminum free, silica-free and paraben-free hair powder. It also comes in 6 different shades (platinum/neutral, golden blonde, honey blonde, brunette, dark brown/black and reheads) which is great news if the baby powder trick just does not work for your hair colour.

The cost is $18 (US). They will ship to HK but you will have to add $20 (US) onto the bill though. My family is coming over in a few weeks so I just may order a bottle for myself and have them stick it in their suitcase. I will let you know if it is worth putting in an order!

Let me know if you have a dry shampoo that works for you. I am getting desperate and my blow dryer is working way too hard these days!

The Real Beauty "Hero" Products

David Walker Smith, Director of Beauty for London's Selfridges Department Store, revealed the true beauty "hero" products to journalist and writer India Knight. These are the products that really deliver on their promises, and the number of familiar tried-and-tested names below reassure me that the ones I've never tried are definitely worth a go. Kiehl's Creme de Corps was certainly the only thing that could get me through the harshness of winters in Switzerland without ending up rough and scaly!

In particular I've been looking for a new mascara for AGES, so am interested to try out the Lancome Oscillation Mascara - it seemed like such a gimicky idea (a vibrating mascara wand), but perhaps it really works.

Clarin's Beauty Flash Balm

Guerlain's Midnight Secret

Guerlain's Terracotta Bronzing Powder

Kiehl's Creme de Corps

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil

Jurlique Hand Cream

Yves Saint Laurent Falsh Lash Effect Mascara

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat

Dermalogica Multivitamin Recovery Face Mask

Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair

Lancome Oscillation Mascara

Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream

Bare Minerals SPF15 Foundation

DiorShow Mascara

Chanel Poudre Universelle

Which of the above have you tried, and have you had any success with any of them?

Image via {this is glamorous}

Faces - A Beauty Lovers Dream

Last Friday we had a Sassy meeting in TST and I had some time to spare before meeting up with Hester and Natalie so I decided to browse through the Harbour City Mall. I have been in the mall before but normally it has been on quick shopping trips so I was lucky to have a good amount of time on Friday to leisurely walk around. I was so happy when I stumbled upon the huge cosmetic store called Faces (aka Facesss) which resides on the 1st floor of Harbour City right opposite of Lane Crawford.

Faces is a 13,000 square foot cosmetics store and the aisles are filled with fun brands such as Benefit and Anna Sui. The store is owned by Lane Crawford and it is aimed at younger more adventurous customers. There are about 100 different brands in Faces which means that this is a haven for any beauty addict!

Faces

Shop OT 202

Ocean Terminal, Harbour City

Canton Road, TST

TST MTR Exit E

The Secret Is Out: Makeup by Lizzie

Lizzie knows how to glam up any look with her makeup skills in the matter of minutes! Sassy first read about Lizzie in Kelly England's Guide To Life (August Issue). We knew we just had to meet her, so immediately booked her for Sassy's Chic Boutique. Lizzie is part of the fab team at the Paul Gerrard Salon. You can book Lizzie for an express makeover at the salon for only $350 or throw a makeup party with your friends and get a private lesson with Lizzie. Call Lizzie ASAP for all your makeup needs, 2869-4408!

Chanel Jade Nail Varnish

We're definitely in a green mood today! At our first meeting this morning Natalie and I both showed up wearing bright green - me a dress, and her a top. For the whole of the rest of the day as we walked around, we could see some strange looks getting cast in our direction!

I'm really liking unusual nail colours at the moment - I think with so much black around in the stores it's such an easy and cheap way to change your look. I can't wait for the launch of Chanel's new Jade polish, which was created especially for their Autumn/Winter show, and which they have decided to release to the public after seeing the demand.

You can see on the pics above how it looks actually on. There's always the risk that if you're very pale it could make you look a little bit ill I suppose, but still, LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Hong Kong Summers and Bad Hair Days

Hong Kong summers are so much fun....junk boat trips around the harbour, roof top terrace parties, and laying out by the pool. We get the chance to wear flowing maxi dresses and sandals nearly everyday. Life doesn't get much better, but wait--the HUMIDITY! The humidity manages to make my hair take on a life of its own. No matter how much time I spend blow drying, flat ironing, and styling, the second I walk out of my air conditioned apartment into the hot and humid streets of Hong Kong, my hair looks like a natural disaster.

I went to see my amazing hair stylist Shayne the owner of Salon Chandler a couple days ago. I begged for him to teach me ways to wear my hair up, asked if perhaps I should just chop it off for the summer, whined about all the unmanageable fly-aways and frizz.... Shayne had a simple answer for me BAREX de-frizzante line. Immediately I thought great, more hair products that are just going to break my bank and take up space in my cabinet (I have every possible product for the hair, and I swear I never ever use them!). I was super skeptical, so Shayne convinced me to start with at least the BAREX de-frizzante spray. I have to say, I have been using this leave-in spray for the past few days and my hair is definitely a bit more manageable! This frizz eliminating, static defying, humidity blocking spray is really making it possible for me to wear my hair down in this Hong Kong heat. I might even go back to Salon Chandler this week to get the shampoo and conditioner as well!!

Salon Chandler: 2537-3737

My Stylist: Shayne Chandler--in my opinion the most fab stylist in HK!

Fighting Frizz

With all the rain and humidity we've been having lately, after a day of schlepping around to meetings we're all a little frizzy and frazzled - sleek locks are just not achievable in a Hong Kong summer unfortunately for us... We have also heard from very respected hairdresser authorities that de-frizzing products don't work at all and actually leave your hair flat and sad-looking by weighing it down.

Last week we blogged about the beauty looks ahead, and how on the runways textured hair ruled. Now we're spotting more and more examples of braids (or plaits as we British call them!) in style magazines and around town. In particular, the fishbone style (shown above on Mary Kate and Diane Kruger) is a great option as it works with hair's natural frizz and wave to create a messy and imperfect, but still cool look. Even better, if you have problems with styling with combs and hands around the back of your head (I am very challenged in this area!), you can pull the braid around to the side and it will look even better. Voila - summer frizz embraced!

Image via Who What Wear

The Makeup Look Ahead

Today we're taking a peek at fall beauty inspirations... In Hong Kong where summer can seem as though it lasts forever (as anyone who has gone into the month of October still unable to justify pulling on a pair of jeans), an easy way to update our look is to switch up our makeup look.

At Versace, the look was edgy and glamorous with heavy dark lids smouldering with black and blue shadow, offset with picture perfect matte skin and nude lips. Pressed powder is an essential for this look, though it might not have been a staple for the past few seasons. Hair was tough-girl-chic, and definitely not pretty... I seem to manage to achieve this look fairly easily after a yoga class without any styling aids at all! While this look is definitely one to leave on the catwalk, it does give inspiration for mixing textures - slick crowns contrasting with backcombed ponytails.

At Bottega Veneta, a softer look was shown, to complement a sexy, romantic collection. Again, we see perfect matte skin achieved with liquid foundation and pressed powder, and a sultry eye with a swoop of black pencil liner and brown and taupe shadows. The lips are wine-colored and imperfect - what Pat McGrath called, "broken glamor".

Hair was slicked back with gel after being backcombed to give some volume at the front, and then the back was teased into a messy roll at the base of the skull. A little like you have rolled around on your hair do for a while!

If sultry edgy chic, or romantic glamor looks aren't really your bag, perhaps you will draw inspiration from the eighties inspired looks seen at the Marc Jacobs show. Francois Nars was lured back to the catwalk do his first show in more than 10 years, and didn't disappoint with his creativity. We once again see porcelain skin, this time paired with black-rimmed eyes paired with powder shadows taken right up and onto the brow.

Unlike the pale faces at Versace and Bottega Veneta, at Marc Jacobs cheek contours were striking. Lips were either nude or shimmering, and hair was truly gravity defying.

So... seems that items to really stock up on for the coming season are a liquid foundation and pressed powder, hair spray and a comb to backcomb. It seems serious makeup is back!

All images via style.com

Inspiration: Neon & Matte nails

It has been a little dull here in HK for a few days, so we thought we'd inspire you to brighten up, by pointing you towards this cute tutorial on Cupcakes and Cashmere - one of my favourite fashion blogs. Seems that Essie does the best selection of neon polishes... Not such an easy brand to find in Hong Kong as everywhere is very Opi-dominated - let us know if you know anywhere selling this Essie neon range as we're excited to try out the fluorescent green! 

We're also curious to try out the new matte range from Opi in colours like Russian Navy, Alpine Snow and Gargantuan Green Grape - the names make it even more fun, right?

How To Make A Simple Ponytail Modern

Hong Kong summers are known for heat, humidity, and rain. Which for me equals unmanageable hair-days full of frizzy fly-aways and messy hairstyles. I spend most of the summer with my hair up in a ponytail. If you are like me, and want to dress up the ponytail, check out this video for a quick tip!

Xi Shi Well Being - Bringing Relaxing Massages to your Doorstep

So I will admit it, my favorite thing about living in Asia is the massages. I am a huge fan of any sort of massage whether it is body or foot and I recently discovered a new service that makes body massages SO much better! Xi Shi Well Being is a women's only mobile massage service that allows you to have all the benefits of a professional massage in the comfort of your own home (or hotel).

Spa lover Rebecca Ting created Xi Shi because while she loved all the pampering she received when getting a massage at a spa she didn't like the ordeal that came after her treatments such as redoing her hair, reapplying her makeup and the all over groggy feeling she had as she stepped out of the darkness of the massage room and into the busy HK streets. We all can understand Rebecca's feelings and I can't even count the number of times I woke up after a massage wishing I could be transported straight into my bed.

After hearing about Xi Shi I had to try it out for myself and I am so happy I did. The whole process from start to finish was a very pleasant and relaxing experience. After I booked my appointment I answered a few questions that ranged from the type of pressure I liked to the choice of music I wanted to listen to during my treatment. My therapist (Xi Shi only has women therapists) arrived 15 minutes before my scheduled appointment and made sure that everything was prepared for my treatment. She set up the towels on my bed, turned on the music and created a very calming environment for my massage. Being that I was in my own bed I found myself slipping in and out of a deep and comforting sleep and the best part was being able to put on my comfy clothes after the service was finished. I had my massage in the evening and I could have easily gone straight to bed. I would suggest not having any plans after your massage...because all you will want to do is relax at home!

The service was so good that my husband came home to a very de-stressed and happy me that evening. Being a massage lover as well, he was pretty jealous of me too. I guess he will still have to go to the spa for his massages but I am now hooked on having the spa come to me!

Check out Xi Shi's website for more information on the variety of services that they offer. You can book online or call (852) 2892-7399.

Applying Makeup On A Flight

We all travel long distances these days. Whether you are heading home to see friends and family, going on a business trip, or just going somewhere fun for a holiday, you still want to look refreshed and great as you get off the plane. This video provides some fabulous tips on how to look your best after a long flight.

The Retreat Spa, Repulse Bay

Last week Maura and I escaped....

...On a beautiful sunny day (even in Central), we climbed into a taxi and ran off to Repulse Bay. Such a wonderful place to run off to after you have been surrounded by tall buildings and densely packed people for so long. One often forgets that in Hong Kong the most important thing, even if one loves Hong Kong, is to get out of it. You have to let your eyes see the horizon and rest upon green spaces. It is good for the soul.

We headed to The Retreat, a wonderful new day spa on Beach Road, where they know that pedicures, delicious smoothies and organic sandwiches are also good for the soul. Enter its cool, white reception, and instantly feel more at peace. The staff are welcoming, the decor is calming, and the Eden Cafe (a mini version of Eden Restaurant on Arbuthnot Road), will make you feel as though treating yourself is positively virtuous. We were warmly welcomed by Antonia, the Spa Manager, who showed us around and told us about the great treatments The Retreat offers, from hair styling (they have a Toni & Guy salon inside), to facials, Yummy Mummy massages, and fung shui therapy for your home from $3 per square foot - net or gross we're not sure!

Fully stacked with berry smoothies and armloads of glossy magazines we headed into the nail salon. Very different from anywhere else in Hong Kong, the chairs are separate from each other, and in a white leather, super-modern style. There is a great choice of colours, and the therapists were very thorough, giving lovely foot massages and a great final result. The chairs even allow for the nail drying machine (do those have a proper name?) to balance on the end, so there's no need to maneuver oneself into one's flip flops and then stagger across the room. Let's face it, this "maneuvering" and "staggering" is not exactly a hardship normally, but still nice to do without.

We emerged blinking into the bright sun light, full of plans to return and bring our husbands to enjoy the signature "Life's a Beach" treatment. It would really make the perfect end, or beginning to a day at the beach. Very highly recommended!

The Retreat

1/F, 33 Beach Road, Repulse Bay

www.the-retreat.com.hk

2803 1862

Hong Kong's Premier Beauty and Body Therapist

If you are looking for Hong Kong's best body and beauty therapist, look no further. Meet Dolma from Salon Chandler!

In her role as beauty and body therapist at the Chandler Salon, Dolma brings a wealth of experience and a passionate dedication to her art. Above all, Dolma values strong client relationship and treats both new faces and long standing clients with the same level of attention, courtesy, and humour.

Dolma specialises in waxing, especially the Brazilian, and is also an outstanding masseuse. She strives to ensure her clients are comfortable at all times and that their therapy experience is at the highest of standards.

Born in Tibet, Dolma spent a good deal of her early career in Dubai where she trained with the best salons and worked with the leaders in her field. An undisputed career highlight was taking on the role as personal beautician to the royal family. Since 1997 Dolma has been based permanently in Hong Kong and has worked at many premier spas including Renewal, Park View and The Firm. She eagerly brings her skill and experience to Chandler.

To book an appointment with Dolma:

Salon Chandler

T: 2537-3737

E: info@salonchandler.com

14th Floor. Tak Woo House

17-19 D'Aguilar Street, Central