Natural rejuvenation

Cynthia Chua, 44, managing director of the Spa Esprit Group

Ms Cynthia Chua is the owner of waxing salon Strip; brow-grooming chain Browhaus; spa chain Spa Esprit; cult beauty brand stockist Beauty Emporium; Qi Mantra, which offers traditional massages with a twist; and men's grooming salon We Need A Hero.

By year end, she will launch a line of beauty products made with ingredients grown on the Raffles City rooftop garden.

1. Neroli Bigaradier by Phyto Sun Aroms

I bought this in London recently. I find the scent relaxing and calming. I always have essential oils of neroli, lavender, centifolia rose or linden blossom in my bag.

I love to surround myself with natural scents that are not offensive on the nose.

This is how I calm myself while living in cities, with about 100 stores globally to run.

2. Juniper Ridge Yuba River Backpacker Cologne (Juniperridge.com)

This cologne smells very raw and earthy. I bought it in Brooklyn last year. People who do not like perfumes may not mind this, the smell of rivers and mountains.

This brand is a huge inspiration. Its owner forages for flowers and plants in the American countryside. He concocts the extracts and turns them into colognes and soaps with a converted whisky still.

He aims to capture the smells of the wild landscape with this technique. The brand has built a relationship with nature and made it relevant to consumers.

3. Buly Eau Triple (www.buly1803.com/en)

I bought this milky eau de toilette a few months ago in an old-school apothecary boutique in Paris. The brand is two centuries old. I love how this perfumed emulsion has a subtle citrus-floral scent.

4. Skinceuticals AOX+ Eye Gel (from Skinceuticals counters and salons)

Asian eyes tend to be droopy and this gives eyes a lifting effect. But this serum does not moisturise, so layer some eye cream on top. I like to make my eyes look bright - it is important as the eye area is where the first signs of ageing will show.

5. Le Labo Iris 39 (from Escentials boutiques)

This is my signature scent. The perfume is floral, but not too sweet or overpowering. I found this in the brand's first shop in Nolita, New York, six years ago.

6. Brow Haus Heavy Duty Bi-Liner (from Browhaus salons)

You can use this as an eyeliner or smudge the strokes with the rubbery tip on the other end and turn it into an eyeshadow.

7. SCO Ace Cream (from Beauty Emporium and Strip outlets)

I use this on my face and Brazilian areas as it is gentle and brightens the skin.

I also use it on pimples when I want to speed up the recovery process.

gladysc@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on July 02, 2015.
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