Handy beauty platforms

Handy beauty platforms

Too time-strapped to sift through the many beauty apps and sites? Here's the lowdown on the top platforms to help up your beauty game.

Pagepink.com

For beauty procrastinators who like to squeeze in a mani between meetings and don't mind trying out a new salon, this website's Last Minute Loots offers discounts of up to 60 per cent for last-minute bookings. When we visited the page, however, no deals were offered, presumably because the participating salons were fully booked. Apart from beauty services, it also provides reviews of fitness studios and classes, and articles on health and beauty by in-house writers and various experts such as doctors, a model and a hairstylist.

Getklarity

With a blog supporting a mobile booking app, users can read fuller reviews of beauty centres written by bloggers. More than just another review site, the blog resembles a lifestyle magazine with food and travel articles. Meanwhile, user reviews of spas and salons could be read on the app but most outlets have yet to receive much feedback. App users can also enjoy exclusive offers when booking through the app.

Mefitted.com

An interactive Yellow Pages for the stylish urbanite, this e-directory includes reviews and listings of not just beauty businesses but also dry cleaners, barbers and tailors. We found the site, while spiffily designed, a tad confusing to navigate but it does provide searches for outlets located near your location of choice so you don't have to traipse around the island for a beauty fix.

Vanitee

This comprehensive app covers a wide range of services: From freelance makeup or nail artists and masseuses, to independent salons and - even a K-pop-styled boyfriend for hire. For those too busy (or lazy) to step out to a salon, book a house call for a mani or even makeover for a night out. A rigorous vetting process means that even the freelance therapists are screened for safety and quality, while a gallery of actual customers helps users zone in on a particular look and beauty service provider.

Vaniday

The biggest plus for this new app are the attractive photos: even an under-the-radar foot massage salon in Bedok looks almost upscale. Its services are listed under very specific categories such as "bayalage" hair highlights, beard trims or oxygen facials, and sorted by location for easy searching. We love the broad spectrum of businesses ranging from salons favoured by tai-tais to heartland holes-in-the-wall, plus a range of exclusive offers. But for now, house calls by freelance therapists are not available.


This article was first published on Feb 20, 2016.
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