Beauty flash

PRETTY GOOD

One of the latest nail salons in town, The Nail Social, at 42A Haji Lane, lets you do good while you get your monthly manicures.

Started by entrepreneurs Cheryl Ou, 32, and Germaine Monteiro, 28, the salon offers single mothers and women from low-income households full-time employment as nail technicians.

The Nail Social works with women shelters and social services to single out those in need.

Those selected for the job are trained at locally based nail school The Pink Room International Nail Academy.

"We wanted to provide vocational skills to these women so they have a sustainable income," says Ms Ou.

"The salon environment offers flexible hours, so the single mothers can go off and pick up their children from school."

The salon also supports other social enterprises by stocking their items. The brands include jewellery label Anchora, a fair-trade collective that sells jewellery made by underprivileged women in countries from Cambodia to Kenya; and Hello Flowers, a local florist that offers underprivileged women floral arrangement training and employment.

It is easy to unwind after a hard day's work at this cosy loft salon; it offers each customer a personal iPad loaded with an array of chick flicks and South Korean dramas.

The salon uses AngelPro Gelly Polish from South Korea - the gentle-on-nails gel polish which claims to be free of the carcinogens formaldehyde and toluene usually found in other brands of lacquer.

Prices start from $28 for a manicure service. Go to www.thenailsocial.co for details.

SKINCARE LESSON

Have no clue what a skincare regimen is like beyond cleansing and moisturising? Want tips and tricks for the right application methods?

Clarins is now offering a 30-minute, step-by-step Skin Perfect Touch beauty tutorial at all its Clarins counters, for free.

What to expect from this one-on-one service: After a skin analysis - done with the therapist's hands, not with a machine - you will be recommended suitable products for a customised routine.

She will also guide you through the various application methods that Clarins has designed to boost the efficacy of its products, so you can do them on your own at home.

Call any Clarins counter - including the new Clarins boutique at B2-35 Ion Orchard, tel: 6509-0312 - to make an appointment.

MAKE-UP FUN

Hong Kong-based brand Cyber Colors has launched a fun four-piece line of its bestsellers, all emblazoned with Fifi Lapin cartoons. The bunny character - highlighted in international fashion glossies for its fashionable outfits - is the brainchild of a renowned but anonymous British illustrator and blogger.

Fashion houses Anna Sui, Dior and Juicy Couture have also done cute Fifi Lapin collaborations.

We love the Super Stay Eye Cosmetic Set (below, $33.90) that comes with a gel eyeliner and waterproof mascara inside a Fifi Lapin-decorated make-up case.

Available at selected Sa Sa stores, prices start from $24.90 for a 250ml bottle of Gentle Eye Makeup Remover.

3,000 HAIR-CARE GIFTS

To celebrate its first anniversary in Singapore, as well as International Women's Day this Sunday, French cosmetics brand Yves Rocher will be giving away 3,000 full-sized bottles of its best-selling raspberry-scented hair Rinsing Vinegar (photo, worth $18 each) to Urban readers.

The rinsing vinegar is a traditional remedy that French women use on washed hair (after shampoo and conditioner) to keep their locks soft and shiny.

The naturally fermented vinegar gets rid of chalky residue found in water and smoothens hair cuticles.

The brand is known for its affordable botanical formulas and many of the ingredients used are certified organic.

To redeem a free 150ml bottle of Rinsing Vinegar, SMS 8533-3660 with your full name and e-mail address, by Monday.

Instructions on how to collect it will be sent via SMS.

A $15 voucher with a minimum spend of $35 will also be given to those who participate.

Your contact details will be used by Yves Rocher for future marketing purposes.

Yves Rocher opened its first store in Singapore at Westgate in late 2013. The brand is also available at Takashimaya Shopping Centre and BHG Bugis.

This article was first published on March 6, 2015.
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