https://www.scmp.com/rss/7052/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com On October 15, 2018, 46-year-old tech expert Jason, from New York, flew to Hong Kong on a week-long business trip.  He checked into a room at the Four Seasons, in Central, and when a lunch appointment was canceled, he happily nursed an afternoon drink at the hotel’s Pool Bar. “Then I looked up,” he recalls, “and this incredible, striking woman walked in.” Jason remembers her warmly embracing the waitstaff, who responded with a fawning adoration reserved for regular clients. “She was shown to the... https://www.scmp.com/style/rise-and-fall-hong-kong-socialite-azura/article/3043364?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/style/rise-and-fall-hong-kong-socialite-azura/article/3043364?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Dec 2019 10:45:45 +0000 On October 15, 2018, 46-year-old tech expert Jason, from New York, flew to Hong Kong on a week-long business trip. He checked into a room at the Four Seasons, in Central, and when a lunch appointment was cancelled, he happily nursed an afternoon drink at the hotel’s Pool Bar. “Then I looked up,” he recalls, “and this incredible, striking woman walked in.” Jason remembers her warmly embracing the waiting staff, who responded with a fawning adoration reserved for regular clients. “She was shown to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3039909/rise-and-fall-hong-kong-socialite-azura?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3039909/rise-and-fall-hong-kong-socialite-azura?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Nov 2019 22:00:12 +0000 Fancy some hemp in your mascara? Maybe a dusting of Amazonian clay in your blush, or tinted sunscreen that won’t harm coral reefs? All housed in ecologically sound packaging and smelling like coconut or grapefruit so your brain gets a fragrance boost too? ‘Clean beauty’ make-up has been around for a while. bareMinerals was a trailblazer, starting in 1995. The Organic Pharmacy opened its first store in London in 2002. But with “clean beauty” skincare booming, from luxe to lowbrow and everything... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3036512/clean-beauty-make-five-brands-selling-natural-vegan-eco?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3036512/clean-beauty-make-five-brands-selling-natural-vegan-eco?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Nov 2019 21:00:05 +0000 When Dr Mak Kin-cheung was still a student, he suffered a slipped disc while playing tennis. A slipped or prolapsed disc involves the soft cushion of tissue between two bony segments of the spine bursting out of its proper position. In Dr Mak’s case, the incident limited his activity and impaired his lifestyle for a significant period of time. It also gave the keen sportsman a personal insight into the importance of having a healthy spine and of having a good caregiver. Yet becoming a spinal... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health-wellness/topics/health-matters/article/2174140/doctors-orders-dos-and-donts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health-wellness/topics/health-matters/article/2174140/doctors-orders-dos-and-donts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Nov 2018 08:15:15 +0000 Are you sitting slouched at your seat as you read this? While you are definitely not alone in this increasingly common habit, understanding how your spine works might help you straighten up a little. The spine is a set of bones stretching from the pelvis to the head, which support the upper body, help us stand and give us mobility. What’s the vitamin that, with the right exercise, will help your bones stay healthy? It also houses and protects the spinal cord, which is part of the organ that... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health/topics/health-matters/article/2170756/your-spine-has-26-bones-and-here-are?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health/topics/health-matters/article/2170756/your-spine-has-26-bones-and-here-are?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:17:29 +0000 Health supplements can be expensive and confusing – and news reports about their effectiveness often change frequently. However, when it comes to healthier bones and joints, there is one vitamin supplement that actually works – and who would know better than an expert in bones and joints? How minimally invasive heart surgery helped keen marathon runner with life-threatening condition to get his ‘rhythm’ back Dr Daniel W.H. Mok is a specialist in orthopaedics and traumatology at the Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health-wellness/topics/health-matters/article/2169201/whats-one-vitamin-right?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health-wellness/topics/health-matters/article/2169201/whats-one-vitamin-right?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Oct 2018 12:30:00 +0000 Hong Kong’s population is growing sportier than ever. Yet how do residents in the city who keep fit to stay trim and healthy – and also love sport – deal with the inevitable injury problems when they crop up? Someone may feel that they are fit and healthy, but then one day they do something seemingly innocuous, such as reach up for a vase in a top cupboard, and suffer a shoulder spasm. Minimally invasive heart surgery helps runner get his ‘rhythm’ back The number of Hongkongers playing sport... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health-wellness/topics/health-matters/article/2167477/how-sports-injuries-are-rise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health-wellness/topics/health-matters/article/2167477/how-sports-injuries-are-rise?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Oct 2018 08:49:29 +0000 On a recent Sunday, an otherwise healthy Hong Kong man in his 60s saw an alert on his smartwatch signalling his heart rate had skyrocketed to 160 beats per minute. He was so concerned that he went to the hospital. That decision saved his life. “It turned out to be a very severe blood vessel problem,” says Dr Jeffrey Fung Wing-hong, clinical director of the cardiac electrophysiology laboratory at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road. One patient [who saw a smartphone warning] thought he was... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health-wellness/topics/health-matters/article/2164579/wearable-monitors-can-help?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health-wellness/topics/health-matters/article/2164579/wearable-monitors-can-help?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Sep 2018 10:44:16 +0000 Some time ago, Dr Jason Ko treated a heart patient in his 20s whose dying wish was to eat a hamburger and French fries. Ko, a consultant in cardiology at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road, said the patient had been suffering from a fatal genetic disease called Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, which causes the muscles to deteriorate at a rapid rate, leading to severe heart and lung failure. “As a doctor, I naturally advised against unhealthy fast food and tried to give him a positive outlook... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health/topics/health-matters/article/2162871/love-and-care-prove-vital-healthy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/health/topics/health-matters/article/2162871/love-and-care-prove-vital-healthy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Complaining, much like binge drinking, feels good at the time, especially after one of those stressful days. But we might want to rethink this knee-jerk reaction to vent. Recent reports from the mind-health field show that complaining can actually alter our brain. Incessant complaining may also leave you with a diminished social life. Many mental health experts say this tendency turns people into “energy vampires”. Being in hospital sucks. But these five tips will improve your stay Robert, who... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/2159410/complaining-could-be-rewiring-your-brain-negativity-heres?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/2159410/complaining-could-be-rewiring-your-brain-negativity-heres?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Aug 2018 12:00:47 +0000 Forget hacking computers. Now, it’s all about hacking the brain. So says Geoff Woo, a so-called biohacker and co-founder of HVMN – pronounced Human – a “cognitive enhancement group” based in Silicon Valley, California. Biohackers like Woo say that if computers were the dominant platform of the last century, the human body is the platform of the 21st century. They take their health and longevity into their own hands, using well researched and safe ingredients in supplements. Intermittent fasting... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/2137350/brain-health-how-biohacking-supplements-improves-it-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/2137350/brain-health-how-biohacking-supplements-improves-it-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Mar 2018 02:15:30 +0000 Theft By Finding – Diaries (1977-2002) by David Sedaris Little, Brown and Company Would David Sedaris have published Theft by Finding if he had not sold more than 10 million books worldwide and had a devoted fan base who regularly pack his readings and live performances? The American writer, humourist, memoirist and “cultural anthropologist” is a phenomenon in the book and comedy worlds, known for his irreverent prose and self-deprecating public persona. He is the bestselling author of books... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/books/article/2100006/david-sedaris-early-diaries-reveal-bumps-his-colourful?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/books/article/2100006/david-sedaris-early-diaries-reveal-bumps-his-colourful?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jun 2017 05:45:15 +0000 Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami Harvill Secker Haruki Murakami is one of Japan’s most lauded writers, popular around the world. But while his surreal, spartan prose is unquestionably engaging and at times strangely suspenseful, his story­telling has divided critics. After reading this book of short stories – published in Japanese in 2014 but newly translated into English – it’s easy to see why. Men Without Women features seven unrelated tales, mostly set in modern Japan. Most had been... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/books/article/2093534/haruki-murakamis-surreal-short-stories-linger-memory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/books/article/2093534/haruki-murakamis-surreal-short-stories-linger-memory?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 May 2017 05:00:15 +0000 Many of us use products that say they are 'natural' or 'organic' without realising that they too can make our skin react badly - or do nothing for it at all. So how can we maintain a commitment to natural products and still enjoy clear, radiant and younger-looking skin? It all comes down to understanding the ingredients - how they work and whether those listed as natural and organic are proven effective, according to beauty insiders. 'While it's important to have a good understanding of proven... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/faces/article/994750/natural-wonders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/faces/article/994750/natural-wonders?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 'What does it look like afterwards?' a twenty-something asked me the other day, referring to a mother's stomach after birth. The answer: if you're a Victoria's Secret Angel and under 30, it looks pretty normal fairly quickly. But if you're like me - the average Jane, 42, and just had a third child - it resembles a fleshy, droopy pouch, spilling over the waist band. The 'mummy middle', as people call it, is fat, loose and distorted compared with the rest of your body. Those photos in ads for... https://www.scmp.com/article/988599/riddle-mums-middle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/988599/riddle-mums-middle?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Make-up can only do so much. If your skin is as tired as you are, it shows. But there are a host of new and targeted skincare tools to help you achieve a fresh and glowing look, day after day, even if the holiday season has you in a frazzle. According to skincare specialists, finding the right combination of ingredients and adding a couple of potent products that reflect, nourish or protect means you can wake up to hydrated, smooth skin instead of a blotchy or blemished reflection in the... https://www.scmp.com/article/987086/rise-and-shine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/987086/rise-and-shine?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000 A fashionable festive look wouldn't be complete without a touch of fragrance. The selection of beautiful scents is endless. From celebrity concoctions to niche organics and updated classics, there is a style that appeals to everyone and every moment. However, for many, this makes knowing which one suits them - or the event in question - that little bit harder to deduce. The trick is to find an event-appropriate scent that also suits your mood, personality and outfit. What you would spritz on... https://www.scmp.com/article/987078/sixth-scents?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/987078/sixth-scents?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Taking good care of your complexion requires a different approach as you age. Much like life itself, what you need at 50 is not the same as you did at 20. Specialists say the key is finding products with the most appropriate ingredients for your age - and sticking to a regimen that works for your lifestyle. The reason? If you do too little in your 20s, your skin can become dry and damaged from exposure to sun, pollution and stress, with early signs of ageing greeting your reflection. But if... https://www.scmp.com/article/982971/turning-back-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/982971/turning-back-time?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0000 A torn infraspinatus muscle - widely reported as the second most often injured muscle in the shoulder's rotator cuff - spurred my visit to myotherapist Liam Fitzpatrick. This was after three years of pain, many physiotherapy and osteopathy treatments, and many cortisone injections. After assessing posture and asking questions about an exercise regimen or the possibility of other injuries, Fitzpatrick went to work on the shoulder, asking where I could feel the pain and pin-pointing it by... https://www.scmp.com/article/975097/fingers-trigger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/975097/fingers-trigger?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Recreational golfer James Lim had tried many different forms of therapy over a six-month period to fix his frozen shoulder. Then he gave myotherapy a go, and was soon back in the swing of things. 'We set a treatment plan and it took a little time to gain full function, but I was playing golf within a month,' says Lim, a property consultant in his mid-50s. The term 'myotherapy' references myo - Latin for 'muscle' - and 'fascia', which are thin, fibrous sheets of connective tissue that cover... https://www.scmp.com/article/975098/get-point?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/975098/get-point?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Keeping children active is not just a healthy and fun approach to family life that can stave off obesity and future problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It can also help children perform better at school. Research on the cognitive benefits of keeping children active is increasingly being reported around the world. At the universities of Leeds and Aberdeen in Britain, researchers found that children who did moderately intensive exercise scored significantly better in... https://www.scmp.com/article/973220/plunge-exercise-and-stay-focused?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/973220/plunge-exercise-and-stay-focused?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Decrepit low-rise buildings bordering Central are a boon for savvy investors who spot an opportunity where others see the wrecking ball. Kennedy Town, Sai Ying Pun and Sheung Wan are home to a blend of former shop houses, crumbling low-rise residential buildings, a smattering of high rises and small Western and local businesses. With an MTR station extension on the way, developers have bought property to build more modern structures for offices and residents. But, at the same time, those with... https://www.scmp.com/article/966796/buyers-ball?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/966796/buyers-ball?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 May 2011 16:00:00 +0000 From unique antique-style furnishings and curios to pieces destined to become family heirlooms, Horizon Plaza offers a myriad of styles and designs as part of its one-stop shopping experience. If you are moving house, decorating an existing home, are new to Hong Kong, or even guiding tourists seeking something unique when visiting the city, Horizon Plaza can stake claim to being the place to be. As a centre for stores that cater to those with a tasteful approach to home design, this ensures... https://www.scmp.com/article/966699/step-back-time-age-style?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/966699/step-back-time-age-style?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 May 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Hongkongers are serious about shopping and, when it comes to fashion, there is nothing they love more than the latest designs at a great price. This is where Horizon Plaza has an edge -it has designer fashion for everyone at fabulous discounts all year round. The choice of styles and brands is varied, while the multi-storey former warehouse also offers plenty of space for shoppers to browse and try on items in an uncrowded environment, ensuring the experience is a relaxing one. 'It offers... https://www.scmp.com/article/966702/smart-people-know-where-look-best-style-bargains-town?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/966702/smart-people-know-where-look-best-style-bargains-town?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 May 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Summer is here and that means enjoying the great outdoors in comfort without scorching yourself in the sun. What better way to do that than with stylish and practical furniture or garden accessories, all available in one place and under one roof. Outdoor furniture shoppers have always known that Horizon Plaza is the place to go for durable items that can withstand Hong Kong's hot, humid summers. Furthermore, the former warehouse originally only housed furniture stores before becoming a total... https://www.scmp.com/article/966701/stay-cool-and-have-some-fun-under-sun?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/966701/stay-cool-and-have-some-fun-under-sun?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 May 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Horizon Plaza caters to children of all ages with fun, fashionable and educational items available under one roof, tempting parents and little ones alike. The plaza is the ideal place to go for well-priced or high-end gifts and furniture, and has a reputation as a centre for must-haves for a new baby or growing family. To make life easier, you can buy in bulk and have goods delivered to your door, or take advantage of Horizon Plaza's free parking of up to three hours for shoppers. First... https://www.scmp.com/article/966700/colourful-temptations-family?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/966700/colourful-temptations-family?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 May 2011 16:00:00 +0000 A living, breathing organ exposed to the elements, skin often needs special care as seasons change. Now that summer is on the way, it's time to perfect a tailored daily regimen. Skin is far more delicate than many of us probably realise. Susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity, and being exposed to pollution, air conditioning and ultraviolet rays, skin needs help so that it can defend itself against damage. 'Skincare is like fashion. We wear different clothes for different seasons.... https://www.scmp.com/article/742332/skin-deep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/742332/skin-deep?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Ask any skincare expert how best to slow the ravages of time on our complexion and most will answer that daily application of sunscreen is the first and most important line of defence against ultraviolet rays - UVA and UVB. This is not only true when there is exposure to direct UVB rays during sunny days, but also from exposure to UVA rays, that cause damage on an overcast day. 'UVA penetrates deeply into the dermis, causing degeneration in collagen and elastin, which leads to wrinkles and... https://www.scmp.com/article/742331/dangerous-days?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/742331/dangerous-days?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 New York Valentine by Carmen Reid Corgi Books HK$91 The writer of the Secrets at St Jude's books for teens, Scottish-based Carmen Reid is now hailed a best-selling author with more books on the way. This book - the latest in her Personal Shopper series starring Annie Valentine - is aimed at the adult chick-lit market. It would be far more appropriate for teenage girls with a fashion fetish. Annie Valentine is a 30-something mother of one-year-old twins, cruelly called Minnie and... https://www.scmp.com/article/742177/new-york-valentine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/742177/new-york-valentine?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Give hair a makeover with the latest easy-to-use styling and conditioning products. Aveda's Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother (HK$290/100ml) is a hybrid between a leave-in treatment and a styling product. It defends against humidity for up to 12 hours and has a fresh citrus-floral scent infused with Australian sandalwood. Available at Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Spas (9 Kingston Street, Causeway Bay and Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui). The Body Shop's Rainforest Moisture... https://www.scmp.com/article/741408/beauty-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/741408/beauty-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Ageing warehouses, petrol stations and delivery trucks lined up outside garage doors typify the facade of downtown Wong Chuk Hang. The main drag -a stone's throw from Aberdeen and Ocean Park and skirting the island's prestigious Southside- is not widely known as a lifestyle destination. Yet there is a slow but sure change under way, thanks to the impending arrival of an MTR station (due for completion in 2016), Central's rising rents and lack of space. Already, a steady arrival of... https://www.scmp.com/article/740798/warehouse-district-develops-style?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/740798/warehouse-district-develops-style?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Lasting Damage by Sophie Hannah Hodder & Stoughton HK$169 Fans of Sophie Hannah, the writer of five best-selling female-centric crime novels, will not be disappointed with her sixth new psycho thriller set in semi-rural, modern-day England. However, those who like a thriller that doesn't require the reader to completely suspend belief as it reaches its denouement may find it a little difficult to digest. Connie Bowskill and husband Kit live in a homely cottage where they run... https://www.scmp.com/article/740754/lasting-damage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/740754/lasting-damage?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000 The Tenth Parallel. Dispatches from the Fault Line between Christianity and Islam by Eliza Griswold Penguin HK$325 Journalist Eliza Griswold traversed some of the world's most troubled and often violent regions to uncover the human face of the bitter and seemingly infinite struggle between Islam and Christianity - or, more specifically, the conflicts between Islam and the West. Griswold, a writer who focuses on conflict, human rights and religion, and was a 2007 Nieman Fellow at Harvard... https://www.scmp.com/article/738052/tenth-parallel-dispatches-fault-line-between-christianity-and-islam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/738052/tenth-parallel-dispatches-fault-line-between-christianity-and-islam?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Mary Ann in Autumn: a Tales of the City Novel by Armistead Maupin Doubelday HK$208 What started as a newspaper column in the San Francisco Chronicle about the everyday travails of Mary Ann Singleton in 1976 led to the popular Tales of the City book series, of which this novel is the eighth instalment. Centred from the first book on the then naive Mary Ann - a fresh-faced arrival in the Bay city - the stories delved into the edgy and heart-warming lives of a disparate group of friends... https://www.scmp.com/article/736509/mary-ann-autumn-tales-city-novel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/736509/mary-ann-autumn-tales-city-novel?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Jan 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Do No Harm by Carol Topolski Penguin Group HK$169 The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being, as Alexander Solzhenitsyn is quoted as saying in the preface to this story. This concept of how good people can turn bad is the underlying theme of Carol Topolski's second novel, the follow-up to her debut, Monster Love, and a similar psycho-thriller told through various voices. In real life, Topolski is also a 'practising psychoanalytic psychotherapist' and... https://www.scmp.com/article/735827/do-no-harm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/735827/do-no-harm?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Jan 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Keep your skin smooth and soft from head to toe this winter with a refreshing scrub. Origins' Incredible Spreadable Smoothing Ginger Body Scrub (HK$240/50ml) softens the skin, leaving it subtly scented with the spice's warming aroma. Available at all Origins counters. Lavera's Body SPA Orange Feeling Body Scrub (HK$129/50ml) contains mild coconut, vegetable glycerides and essential oils while mineral beads and olive stones stimulate circulation. Available at Three Sixty, The Landmark,... https://www.scmp.com/article/735158/beauty-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/735158/beauty-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:00:00 +0000 The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud by Ben Sherwood Pan Macmillan HK$104 In the same vein as Mitch Albom's soul-searching stories of life lessons learned, this second offering, first published in 2004, from Ben Sherwood is a heartstring-tugging fable lacking in originality but pleasant enough in its simplicity. Re-released to tie in with a movie of the same title, the story focuses on protagonist Charlie - in his late 20s in the present day - and his younger brother Sam.... https://www.scmp.com/article/733732/death-and-life-charlie-st-cloud?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/733732/death-and-life-charlie-st-cloud?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0000 Gift sets make the perfect present for the beauty addict in your life. Fresh's Brown Sugar Escape set (HK$720) combines the original and all-natural Brown Sugar body polish with the Brown Sugar body cream and the new Brown Sugar oval soap. The set is available at Lane Crawford. Balance Me's Super Natural Skincare collection (HK$250) is a luxurious relaxation set that includes its Super Wash body cleanser, Rose Otto wash, Wind Down cream and Rose Otto shea butter lip salve, all of which are... https://www.scmp.com/article/733139/beauty-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/733139/beauty-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0000 1 La Mer's The Eye Balm Intense (HK$1,350/15ml) helps accelerate skin's natural renewal process to revitalise the fragile eye area. It consists of three key ingredients including the high-potency The Miracle Broth and new marine ingredients, Marine De-puff Ferment and the Lifting Ferment. It's available at Lane Crawford stores in ifc mall, Central, Times Square, Causeway Bay, Pacific Place, Admiralty and Canton Road, TST. 2 MTM's Custom-blended Moisture Building Complex (HK$2,180/30ml)... https://www.scmp.com/article/732337/cold-comfort?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/732337/cold-comfort?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0000 I-Spa, InterContinental Hotel 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, 2721 1211 I-Spa Holiday Season Revitalising Treatments (HK$480 each, 45 minutes) The Lift (Facial) Massage, using Endermologie, is a 100 per cent natural treatment that stimulates facial tissue, neck and decollete. This deep tissue action reactivates collagen and elastic production for anti-ageing effects. It's an excellent skin booster before or after holiday parties to combat the effects of over-indulgence, soothing tired and puffy... https://www.scmp.com/article/732330/youll-scrub-nicely?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/732330/youll-scrub-nicely?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0000 1 L'Occitane's new Radiance Face Powder Pearls (HK$240) - part of its Fleur Cherie collection - promises to give your complexion a healthy, fresh glow this winter. The loose balls of peachy pink give just the right amount of colour or can be used as a highlighter on cheeks and brow bones. From all L'Occitane stores. 2 Cle de Peau's new Cream Compact Foundation (HK$940/20ml) boasts a soft cream texture blended to create a flawless finish - even on the driest skin - to leave it deeply hydrated.... https://www.scmp.com/article/732338/face-parties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/732338/face-parties?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0000 1 Peter Thomas Roth's Viz-1000 (HK$650/30ml) is a concentrated 75 per cent hyaluronic acid complex that keeps skin hydrated all day with an invisible veil of moisture. Skin's ability to retain water declines with age, leaving it dry and unable to restore itself. Hyaluronic acid helps bind water, restoring moisture levels for healthy skin. It also contains a five-element blend of essential minerals to increase moisture levels and provide antioxidant protection to fight free radical... https://www.scmp.com/article/732336/its-mans-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/732336/its-mans-world?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0000 Brighten up dull days with winter's luscious eye colours. Nars Melusine Duo eye shadow (HK$300) comes in deep purple and pale silver lilac. To get the required look, sweep the purple across the lid and use the lilac as a highlight under the brow. Available at all Nars counters. L'Occitane's Cherie creamy eye-liner pencils (HK$110 each) are enriched with shea butter and beeswax for smooth application and come in four colours - earthy green, natural brown, black and silvery grey. Available at... https://www.scmp.com/article/731176/beauty-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/731176/beauty-buzz?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000 What makes Van Cleef & Arpels timepieces different from those of other luxury brands? Contrary to a purely watchmaking approach, the distinctive feature of a Van Cleef & Arpels timepiece is the fact that its technology complements beauty and design. Van Cleef & Arpels also has distinguished itself from other brands by its selection of gems and its flair for perfect pairings. These requirements are rendered even more precious by skilled stone-setting work, such as the famous Mystery Setting. What... https://www.scmp.com/article/730502/technology-complements-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/730502/technology-complements-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000 European luxury lifestyle brands are enthusiastically embracing the passion for fine watchmaking, while adding their own creative touches as they seek to satisfy rising demand for luxury goods in Hong Kong and the mainland. A big part of that growth is coming from a desire to own a high-quality timepiece from an iconic brand such as Dior or Louis Vuitton. For example, the world's largest luxury goods maker, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton announced recently that third-quarter sales rose 24... https://www.scmp.com/article/730456/lifestyle-brands-enjoy-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/730456/lifestyle-brands-enjoy-success?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000 Bejewelled watches are highly covetable accessories, particularly in Asia, where stylish bling is in. The boom in luxury spending on the mainland has taken hold in the high-end watch industry - and, for many men and women eager to show off their wealth, the more gems, the better. The way to sell timepieces is to create unusual pieces with a new design - and serious collectors are taking note. Hong Kong and the mainland accounted for 26 per cent of the global total of Switzerland's watch exports... https://www.scmp.com/article/730460/jewels-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/730460/jewels-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000 The use of enamel in watchmaking has a long history. The earliest known watch with an enamel dial was made during the first half of the 16th century. Although enamelling is more labour intensive than using a metal dial, it eventually gained a foothold because it was durable and allowed the dial to feature intricate works of art. The world's most exclusive and desirable watchmaking brands use this technique to create unique timepieces, often in limited editions. 'The art of enamelling requires... https://www.scmp.com/article/730455/labour-love-produces-quality-pieces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/730455/labour-love-produces-quality-pieces?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000 What is it about Graff timepieces that are special to you? The shape of their cases, the cut, the crowns and the diamonds. These are details that make up the Graff DNA. The materials we use are rare and [creating them] requires expertise. Graff is probably the only brand today which does not compromise on the size of the diamonds used for its jewellery watches. Our MasterGraff Tourbillion, with pave diamonds, comes with diamond certificates for all the stones around its bezel, something that... https://www.scmp.com/article/730500/brilliant-and-complex-pieces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/730500/brilliant-and-complex-pieces?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000 Ultra-slim watches are enjoying a renaissance, as luxury brands capitalise on their appeal to women. Baume & Mercier grasped the appeal of ultra-thin watches to women long ago. In the 1920s, Baume & Mercier offered special watches it called Hautes Fantaisies pour Dames (fanciful ladies' models). They were jewellery watches housing slender movements designed with a creative flair. Now, the classic appeal of ultra-thin watches is being revived and women are leading the trend. Delicate,... https://www.scmp.com/article/730459/good-things-come-small-packages?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/730459/good-things-come-small-packages?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000 What makes Piaget timepieces luxurious and unique? I like the fact that each watch is made in one of our manufacturing plants, the watch itself and the movement. I also like the large choice of designs. They range from very elegant and classical men's watches to highly innovative and creative watches for women. Which watches do you prefer to wear? During the day, I wear a Piaget Emperador Tourbillon Skeleton. At night, I wear the new Piaget Altiplano automatic 43mm and at the weekend, the... https://www.scmp.com/article/730492/offering-creativity-and-elegance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/730492/offering-creativity-and-elegance?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000