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}

Jimmy Choo channels LA Gear

The heels light up when you walk... um, we DIE.

This post is dedicated to our friend HKShoeGeek, who we are pretty sure will love these!

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

Loving Ladylike

One of the biggest trends coming out for Autumn/Winter this year was the ladylike look, which is a welcome change of pace from the laid-back summer dresses we've become so tired of, and a nice contrast from all the stern, black rocky-stuff which I can only take in smallish doses before everything starts to look the same.

This look also allows you to really pile on the fun accessories, like gloves, tights and structured handbags. Plus, the ladylike style is great for girls with some curves as cinched in waists and super-high heels seem to be a great look for most figures. Black opaque tights also make everyone's legs look good!

We've created two ladylike looks for daytime, inspired by the above images from Elle Canada. The first set is our affordable daytime look...

Clockwise from the left: Ring & Blouse by Marc by Marc Jacobs, Skirt, Coat & Tights by Topshop, Shoes from H&M, Clutch from Vivienne Westwood (HK$1200 via Hervia.com).

Aren't the shoes just great? Quite a high heel for the office, but you can always wear your flats there and change!

Our Luxurious daytime look features a neutral palette and even more fab shoes, which we don't even need to see the front of to know they're to die for!

Clockwise from the left: Bracelet by Alexander McQueen (swoon), Shirt by Diane von Furstenberg, Alligator-Print Bag by Chloe, Shoes by Brian Atwood and skirt by Milly.

Rainy Day Book: The Gospel According to Coco Chanel

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Today's rainy weather has me wanting to curl up in bed and read a book. I have so many good books on my shelf that I still need to read but I have a feeling that the next one on my list will be "The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons from the World's Most Elegant Women". The book is a guide based on Coco's philosophies on life and each chapter starts off with a quotation from the style icon herself. The light hearted humor and wit will be sure to make this a fun and easy read. I suggest picking up a copy for yourself as well as for any fashionista friends of yours!

I have my bed, the rainy weather and my cat Coco Chanel right here with me...the only thing I am missing is this book. I wonder if Dymocks delivers...

Moonlight Movies

We are so excited over at Sassy that the Openair Moonlight Movies are back. There is something so magical about sitting under the stars on a beautiful night watching a movie with friends or a loved one.

This Saturday night kicks off the movie season in true Sassy style! Sex and The City (2008) will be playing. We say make this Saturday night all about the girls. Grab your friends and head over to Pok Fu Lam and spend the evening watching Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte. The best part is you don't need to worry about bringing anything to sit on. Big comfy beanbags are provided for everyone. There is also a yummy menu of food and drinks by The Dublin Jack.

Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. We have a feeling this one will sell out fast!

Cost: $200 per person (food and drinks additional)

Purchase your tickets here.

For more details visit the Openair site.

By the way, another Sassy favourite Moulin Rouge (2001) will be screening on Saturday 14th November.

Feels like Autumn is finally here...

It's been a long time coming, but today it finally feels like Autumn has arrived and summer is over. We're brewing up a mug of hot chocolate and turning the air on really high to give that "it's cold outside" feeling!

"Hands in Fire" Image by Tracy Harris.

Tim Burton and Tim Walker for Harpers Bazaar

We're so excited that Halloween is coming! We're not even out of September yet, but this is the perfect time to begin planning your costume... Halloween in Hong Kong is a surprisingly big deal, and you need to either go all out or go home. No half measures allowed...

I love these Tim Walker images from the October Issue of Harpers Bazaar which were created in collaboration with the dark imagination of Tim Burton... so eery and creepy! They make me want to curl up on the sofa and watch horror movies all day.

Settle In with Sassy

We're very excited at Sassy as we've just launched our new "Settle In with Sassy" programme, which is a newcomers course for girls who have just arrived in Hong Kong. Natalie, Maura and I actually met and became friends by doing a newcomers course, so when we started Sassy all the way back in March, we always knew that one of our goals was to make our own version and give it a fun and girly twist.

Arriving in Hong Kong from overseas can be a little daunting - there is so much that is different to take in, and apart from all the life admin/unpacking/finding an apartment, you also need to figure out where you will get your hair done, where to shop, and how you are going to make friends. Settle In with Sassy aims to give you a head start on all that by running our course for a small group of 6-12 like-minded girls who are all in the same boat as you, accompanied by the Sassy Guide to Hong Kong which will let you in on all the secrets we've discovered.

Over the four weeks the programme runs for, we'll be meeting every Wednesday morning for a session in a different location around the city. We'll explore a different subject each week, and answer any and all possible questions you could have about life here. We'll also be sharing lunches and outings to help you get to know your group and bond with them.

Spaces are limited due to the fact that we really want to keep the groups small. The cost of the programme is HK$650 for all 4 weeks, and additional costs like lunch, coffee and transport will be at your own expense in order that we could keep the overall cost low. You can find more details on the Sassy Site, or by emailing us at sassy@sassyhongkong.com.

Sassy Launch Party Photos

Photos from our launch party on Wednesday are now up on our main site! Great party... we're still recovering, and we're sure there were some sore heads yesterday morning.

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to celebrate with us. It was great having the boys out with us for one night only, so we might be inviting you back!

Thank you also to our wonderful sponsors: Grey Goose, FRANCESCA Chocolates, Mrs Jones, The PURE Group, Salon Chandler, Entertainment Asia & SilverBlack Card and The Candle Company. We couldn't have done it without you.

Style Rookie

So this amazing style blogger (Tavi) is just 13 years old, but already a million times cooler and more interestingly dressed than 99% of so-called fashionistas! Her blog, Style Rookie has recently been featured in Teen Vogue and Grazia magazine, and her acerbic wit and unique style point of view make her a must-read. We have a style crush... on a 13 year old!

I mean, you have to read this post. Too funny. LOVE her.

Sassy Sundays: NYC Hip Hop

For our latest Sassy Sunday, we tried NYC Hip Hop at Pure ifc, and wow, it was a workout! Our teacher, Alfred, who used to be a Broadway dancer, really put us through our paces and made us laugh out loud at the same time. He taught us how a lot of the moves that looked oh-no-can't-do-that-hard at first, are really just smoke and mirrors fancy footwork, and broke up a long routine into manageable chunks. The music was booming and we all left the class exhausted but with huge smiles on our faces. We'll be ready to hit the dancefloor this weekend!

Our next (and final) Sassy Sunday will be Social Yoga at Pure Yoga from 12.30 to 1.30pm. Sign up for the class online here. We'll be heading to Red SoHo afterwards to enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne. The perfect Sunday!

Bright Colours in Small Spaces

All our decorating posts at Sassy have so far focused on how to make a small space look and feel bigger (or featured excessive use of our signature colour, Pink). Received wisdom holds that pale, neutral colours are the best choice for little apartments. But today we're breaking away from that to think about using bright colour and bold patterns instead.

The room above, while I think it looks beautifully cosy, would not really be my choice for a long-term colour scheme. Eventually I think I would go crazy.

I love how the above image has used pattern and wallpaper mixed with white and sleek lines to create a modern look that is still homey. The apartment blocks outside of the window really make me think this could be Hong Kong...?

I like the idea of having a bed kind of floating in the middle of a room so that it can function as a day bed or a sofa too. Perfect if you have a studio apartment that you need to make the most of.

If you're looking for brightly coloured home wares, try heading for Tequila Kola or Indigo who both do colour very well.

Sesame Media

Mondays are never very inspiring are they? For me Mondays are always the dedicated admin day, where I catch up on all my emails and do all the boring stuff I neglect for the rest of the week! That's why I was so glad to discover Sesame Media, an Australian online fashion magazine which is just jam-packed with creativity and inspiration. The emphasis is firmly on amazing photography and stunning styling, and I love the mixed-media approach they take by including sketching and cartoons.

The little doll in the last image is actually customizable, so take some time to play around to create your own. Monday fun!

So hungry...

Craving raspberry cupcakes... Our favourites are Sift, Sprinkles and Babycakes in Hong Kong. Might just have to plan an outing this afternoon to satisfy my need!

Image via Peonies and Polaroids.

The Hong Kong Ballet: Romeo & Juliet

With a limited run of only 8 shows at the Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Hong Kong Ballet's performance of epic love story Romeo & Juliet is not to be missed. This Friday 25th, a special free lecture on The Making of Romeo and Juliet will give an insider look at the rehearsal process. You can reserve your seat for this talk by calling 2105 9724 or by emailing marketing@hkballet.com.

We love the ballet here at Sassy - there is just nothing more romantic, especially when it's Romeo and Juliet which just cannot fail to tug on the heartstrings, The performance will be accompanied by Prokofiev's sublime orchestra score, performed by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

We often hear and read so much about how there is a lack of theatre and artistic culture in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong ballet is working so hard to change this, that they need our support!

Tickets for Romeo & Juliet, priced for every budget from HK$120 to HK$600 are available now at all URBTIX outlets (2734 9009 or www.urbtix.hk).

Sassy Hour at Red SoHo, September 3rd

Sassy and AWA did it again; we partnered for a relaxing evening of girl time! It has been a long hot summer so we all cooled down with a glass of wine at Red SoHo, the swank venue located directly next to the mid-levels escalator. Nearly 70 of Sassy girls took over the entire back bar (a cozy little spot!) as we met and made new friends. The $4,ooo.oo dinner at Red prize give away went to lucky girl Carla! Special thanks to photographers Michael Siward and Howard Sheard for taking such fantastic pictures. To view all the Sassy Hour pics visit our mainsite.

October Sassy Hour will be at a chic new bar, Otto Lounge in LKF on Thursday October 8th.

Now Serving Fashion!

Stella McCartney, Juicy Couture, and Ralph Lauren. This isn’t about the latest fashion shows! Throw Adidas and Nike into the mix and recognize this is in reference to the swank apparel being sported on tennis courts! That’s right….Stella McCartney doesn't just design party dresses for glamorous celebrities and heiresses, she also brings her delicate, frilly signature style to the world of tennis. McCartney partnered with Adidas to create an entire collection of tennis couture. Disregard boxy polos and pleated skirts…McCartney’s frocks celebrate femininity to the max with puffed sleeves, belted bottoms, and embellished ruffles.

I recently started playing tennis with Maura and Hester. The first thing my fabulous sister-in-law, Angela, asked me was… “Who are you wearing on the court?” I thought she was kidding! She wasn’t! Apparently, what you wear on the court is just as important as the power in your forehand stroke. Angela, by the way, prefers the styles of Nike.

The Williams sisters, Sharapova, and Kirilenko can be thanked for bringing couture to the courts. No longer is tennis simply about the game….it‘s just as much about the fashion! Wimbledon is even getting in on this trend. Ralph Lauren has a five-year contract with Wimbledon to outfit the umpires, judges, and ball boys/girls. The threads are so chic that Ralph Lauren sells the entire Wimbledon line in select stores during the games. In fact, even your tennis gear can be transported in style. Bottega Veneta carries the Marco Polo Tennis Bag. For a mere $1360USD, your tennis rackets and balls can arrive luxuriously to the courts in this sleek tote!
Check out this post by Maura where she describes her tennis style!

MED e TATE

I love HK but one of the things I am not so much in love with is the hot and humid weather. I love fall and nothing makes me happier then a cool, brisk day so having it hot most of the time was definitely an adjustment for me.

With hot weather comes sweating and here in Hong Kong there really is no way around it. While it is many times unavoidable I still hate when I show up to meet someone and I am all gross and sweaty. The comforting thing is that everyone else is in the same situation here so we can all sympathize with each other when we are having a very sweaty day!

While it is common here to perspire that still doesn't mean that I am at peace with it. I recently came across a product called MED e TATE which is an injection free medicated wipe that can be used to help keep you dry. The wipes can be applied to your underarm, upper lip, breast line, hands and anywhere else that you sweat to prevent embarrassing moments. It comes in 30 individual packets so they can easily fit into your purse or pocket so you can use it whenever needed.

I am not saying this is a miracle cure but I am going to have to at least give it a try. It is also known to be useful for maintaing the life of make-up on hot and humid days which is something we all need here in Hong Kong!

I hear MED e TATE is available at Sephora so a trip to Mong Kok for some makeup shopping may be in the cards for me...

Too Adorable!

The Secret Is Out: Lola and Syd

To finish up our series of posts about the amazing vendors we had at our Chic Boutique event, today we'll be featuring Sally Richmond's fabulous label, Lola & Syd. Lola and Syd stands for London LA Sydney, which really delights us with its cleverness.

Sally is a real Hong Kong style queen, and the Lola & Syd range covers covetable bejewelled clutches, satisfyingly chunky jewellery, belts, shoes and even baby clothes! We love Lola & Syd pieces for easy daytime glamour and gift ideas for that girl who has everything. Sally hosts regular private sales of her merchandise in art galleries, and they are quite the must-attend events. Email Sally at sally@lolaandsyd.com to find out when her next show will be. We can't wait!

Elle Decor: Nanette Lepore

Since moving to Hong Kong, quite frankly, any big room with high ceilings makes me swoon, but these shots from Elle Decor of Nanette Lepore's home take it to another level. I love the mix of colours and items, the vintage feel, and of course that dressing room complete with dog must be every girl's dream! It is the unexpected pieces that for me make it so fun, like the boat chandelier in the living room and the leopard print chair in the last image.

Fashion Week Favourites

Shades of coral and turquoise from Carlos Miele. Love!

Dark and sultry from Vera Wang (left) and Temperley London. Sensing that heavy jewellery and neckwear in particular is sticking around into next summer!