Biotherm, the skin biology brand. 

Since 1952, the brand’s biologists have been dedicated to studying the skin’s natural cellular mechanisms and have done so with the utmost respect. Pure Thermal Plankton, an exceptional active ingredient, has long been at the heart of their research efforts. This micro-organism first appeared on Earth 3 billion years ago in the very heart of thermal springs. As science has progressed over the years, Pure Thermal Plankton has increasingly demonstrated new anti-age properties for the skin.

In 2009, the brand has taken a step further and entered a new era in skin care: Biotherm created Skin Vivo, the 1st reversive anti-aging skincare with record doses of Pure Thermal Plankton and Reverserol SV, which have the capacity to rejuvenate the skin through the vital impulse of the genes and the defence of DNA.

There was a time when you were stuck with the eye color you were born with. Not anymore though. Color contacts used to be a novelty, but more and more people are opting to change their look by changing their eye color.

If you do decide to change eye color with contacts, and you wear glasses, get prescription contacts, and solve two problems in one. Only buy your lenses from a registered optometrist though – lenses bought from other stores might be harmful to your eyes, and you only have  two of them!

Because modern lenses are cheap, and disposable, there’s also no reason to try out someone else’s – in fact, this can be very risky, so don’t be tempted to borrow a friend’s colored lenses (yes, it has happened!)

I’m not someone who’s been blessed with eyelashes that would make a cow jealous. Up till now, I’ve made do with lengthening and thickening mascara, but I’ve just stumbled onto something brand new, that will solve all my lash envy issues: eyelash extensions.

Yup. These little beauties may have been invented in the east, but they’re making big waves everywhere now.

Bonded directly to your own lashes, individually, they’re completely indistinguishable from your own eyelashes, and since they’ve got Y and W shapes versions, they’ve got lengthening, and thickening of sparse lashes covered.

The best part is that they stay bonded until your lash falls out, usually after about six weeks, so once you’ve had them applied, all you need to do is visit the salon every six weeks or so for a touch up job. No more wrestling with falsies, or having them end up in your soup!

OK, so we’ve all noticed the riot of color on eyes in magazines and on catwalks. It looks great there, but I’m always a little afraid that I’ll end up looking like one of those old ladies with the eighties blue eyeshadow. You know the ones – bright blue lids, shocking pink lips, shaved brows with penciled in arches. Not a good look. Or worse – you might end up looking like a drag queen!

What I’ve discovered though is that if you do the new bright eyes, and balance them with toned down, neutral and natural lips, it is possible to pull it off. And blue’s not the only color. Purple works well with green eyes, orange and copper on blue, and turquoise is amazing with brown eyes.

I may not venture off to work with painted lids, but I’m definitely going to try it the next time I go out. Teamed with a simple black liner and some mascara, I’m sure it’s a look even I can pull off.

Most women want to lose a few pounds, or tone up their bodies, but let’s face it, making time for the gym in a hectic life filled with work, home, kids and socializing, who actually has the time?

That’s why I was so excited to discover that it’s really simple to get started with yoga at home! You need virtually nothing in terms of equipment, you can fit it in with your life – whether you do it early in the morning, before work, or at night, after the kids are asleep.

While yoga isn’t likely to make you lose weight, it does firm, tone and strengthen your muscles, so whatever body type you have, you’ll have less jiggle!

If you log onto the internet, and look up yoga tutorials, there are hundreds of sites that have them for free, that you can download and print, or you can order a DVD, video or book, that will give you step by step instructions! So no trips to the gym, no major investment, and you get the toning, and relaxation that yoga offers!

CozyCot met up with Sabrina Tan, Managing Director and Founder of Skin Inc last week and she took the time to explain abut Skin Inc’s latest expansion into Singapore’s shopping paradise - The Orchard Road. “Orchard Central provides an innovative platform for individuals looking for a shopping experience with a difference. Similarly, Skin Inc always aims to give shoppers an exciting alternative to the usual skincare brands.”

Skin Inc unveils two smart, simple and sensational new offerings on the menu: The Oxy Miracle Peel Treatment (S$128) and Oxy Miracle Infusion (S$178).

If you’re anything like me, chances are you have tens (or even hundreds) of lipsticks, in various shades, formulations and finishes, lying in a drawer somewhere. My grandmother was a classic example, with at least thirty of the exact same shade of pink, albeit by different manufacturers, in her dresser drawers!

I like to keep them, and use them according to mood, and occasion, but I find that for some reason, I gravitate to certain shades. So I’ve come up with a few ideas of what to do with the forgotten ones.

The first idea is to swap them with my friends – especially the unused ones that were impulse buys, and are particularly unloved, unopened and unused. If I swap them for other makeup, or even other items, everyone wins!

We’ve all been there – our nails are looking less than perfect, so either we haul out our DIY manicure sets, or we beg our favorite salon for an emergency appointment. Many times though, our nails are either telling us something we should listen to, or the problem is easily remediable at home.

For instance, if your nails have white spots on them, they may be bruises! Be easier on your cuticles when you do your nails, and if that doesn’t help, you may want to look at your diet – these spots also show up when our eating leaves a little to be desired.

Ridges on nails, on the other hand, are either the result of being too rough on nails during your manicure, or a sign of anemia. Make sure you’re eating right!

Peeling nails are often the result of using harsh or anti bacterial soaps, and indicate that you should use a milder soap, and moisturize your hands and nails.

Thought you left spotty skin back in high school? Think again! More and more older women, in their twenties, and even thirties, are experiencing acne. The really terrible part is that what was embarrassing to ourselves, and many of our peers in high school, is much more noticeable when you’re the only one in the office with this problem!

The good news is that with new advances, there are medications you can take, lotions with less astringent ingredients like tea tree oil and green tea, light or laser therapy and many other options out there to help you beat the spots, and get back to be smooth skinned and fabulous!

Your best bet is to speak to a dermatologist, who can offer you advice, although sometimes, just switching from other forms of contraception to the pill can help clear up break outs of adult acne. Several beauty products, like anti bacterial clay masks, can also help treat your break outs.

If you look at photos of yourself from ten years ago, is there a marked difference in your hair, clothes and makeup? If not, you may be needing a little bit of reinvention.

I know from personal experience as a woman that there are also times in our lives when we just feel the need to break the mold. Usually when we’ve experienced a major life change, like a new job, moving house, or a relationship breakdown.

The trick is to plan your reinvention. Are you unhappy with everything, or are there just elements of your look, like your hair and makeup that you want to change? Then again, if you’re stuck in a clothes, hair and makeup rut, asking a friend or family member what they think you should change is a good idea – you might be so used to the problem areas that you don’t even notice them.

The great part about reinventing your look is that you’ll get more confidence, look, and feel great – so go ahead - out with the old, and in with the new!