With a wide array of makeup products available on the market, it is hard to know what you actually need. Whether you are new to the cosmetics scene or ready to start a new kit, here are some of the essential products that you need to invest on.
THE ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS
1. Foundation
Foundation covers the imperfections of your skin. When choosing the right foundation, you must match the color with your neck and chest. Then, understand your skin type to decide between a powder or a liquid formula. People with dry skin can greatly benefit from liquid foundation or hydrating powder. People with oily skin can will look best with matte foundation or powder products.
2. Blush
The blush’s primary function is to give you a subtle glow or a healthy-looking skin. A hue that generally flatters every complexion is a rose blush containing hints of brown. Apply the blush correctly by smiling and locating the apples of your cheeks. If you are using a powder foundation, it is recommended to use a powder blush. If you are using a liquid foundation, stick with a cream blush.
3. Eye-shadow
Using an eye-shadow palette in a strategic manner can transform your entire look to suit your outfit. Experiment with the range of colors and types (i.e., matte or shimmer). Nude tones such as taupe and brown are universally flattering. While, muted purple and gray tones such as mauve and plum are classically beautiful.
4. Lips
Image Credits: pixabay.com
One of the most sought-after cosmetic products is the lipstick! Red and nude hues enhances your natural shade of pucker. Personally, I prefer Mac’s Russian Red and Twig shades. Selecting a sheer tone of lip product will minimize the chances of a mismatch as your natural pout will shin through.
THE THRIFTY MIX & MATCH
COMBO #1 (TOTAL: S$84.90)
A. Eyes/Cheeks/Lips/Face – Hydrate, Illuminate, and Glow Kit by Tarte (S$65)
This kit includes a highlighter palette that can double as your eye-shadow, a lip balm for a subtle color, and a setting mist for a 12-hour coverage.
A. Eyes/Cheeks/Lips – Nudies All Over Face by Nudestix (S$45)
A great tip to help you save money is to splurge on a product that can be used for more than one purpose. This versatile product even includes a brush and a mirror. My favorite shades include “In The Nude” and “Naughty N’ Spice”.
With the first phase of the Open Electricity Market (OEM) rolled-out on 1st November, households with postal codes that begin from 58 – 78 now have the opportunity to switch electricity providers. This means that you can now choose plans from electricity retailers like iSwitch instead of getting your power supply from SP Group alone, very much like choosing a mobile phone plan.
However, with the many retailers that debuted with the launch of OEM, it may be very confusing to select the right plan for your household. To make things simpler for consumers, iSwitch will be promoting the two most popular price plans – Fixed Price Plan and Discount Off Regulated Tariff (DOT).
Fixed Price Plan – Paying a fixed rate for electricity throughout your contract term with your selected retailer.
DOT – Enjoying a fixed discount off the existing tariff during your contract term.
Why Choose iSwitch?
iSwitch offers a seamless switching process, and for those who wishes to switch to iSwitch, the application process can be easily done online. Simply select the plan of your choice, fill up all information needed in the application process and the iSwitch team will do the rest. This online sign up takes less than 2 minutes to complete!
iSwitch prides themselves in excellent customer service where they have a dedicated team for consumers to contact them through email, hotline and Facebook for those that happen to face any issues during application. Customer service is an important core in their business so you can set your mind at ease knowing you have a trusted retailer to rely on.
For those of you who wish to be play a part in environmental sustainability, this is for you! iSwitch is committed in carbon footprint reduction. Consumers who sign up through its website can proudly claim to use Green Certified Electricity at no additional cost. If you are wondering how they do that, iSwitch programme, ‘iSwitch2Green’, monitors your energy usage and calculates the amount of carbon emissions your household is responsible for. After doing so, they would then buy Carbon credits issued by United Nations certified projects on your behalf. In addition, iSwitch also goes green by offering only paperless billing where consumers are notified every month via email. For those who are keen to sign up with an environmentally friendly retailer that promotes green certified energy, iSwitch is one of the few to consider.
iSwitch Fixed/DOT Price Plans
iSwitch offers a comprehensive range of price plans with flexible contract periods, and if you are intending to make the switch, here are some price plans which may interest you:
Super Saver Discount (24 Months)
Enjoy 21% discount on your regulated tariff with the Super Saver Discount plan. This discount is limited to a 24 Months contract. Here is an example of how much you would save if you selected this option over a 24 Months period:
iPromo – iPad (36 Months)
iPromo – iPad is a time limited plan by iSwitch. The 1st 500 sign ups in Zone 1,2,3 and 4 get a complimentary iPad and 5% (exc. GST) Discount Off Regulated Tariff! If you have been eyeing for an iPad, you should consider this unique and time limited plan! As of now, the plan is still available for sign ups, so fastest fingers first!
‘Chope’ The Rate (24 Months)
A Fixed Rate plan offers a lower rate of $0.1720/kWh (exc. GST) / $0.18404/kWh (inc. GST) for 24 Months.
All plans that iSwitch offers require a 1-month bill equivalent security deposit. iSwitch absorbs transmission loss and also absorbs carbon tax!
For those who sign up with iSwitch online, your plan also comes with a free green certified electricity at no cost, a free air-condition servicing and a free AIA Personal Accident Protection plan. Those who make payment through POSB Everyday Card would also get a 1% rebate.
Multiple Payment Options
Payment for your iSwitch plans can be easily made with the multiple payment options they offer such as AXS kiosks, credit or debit cards, or even GIRO, whichever suit your needs.
To easily track your usage and bills, iSwitch allows its consumers to log in personally into their iSwitch accounts or the iSwitch Mobile App to check them on the go.
iSwitch Rewards
Besides enjoying cost savings from your plan, iSwitch also have a point rewards system where you can earn points to receive rebates on your bill. Some examples where you can earn points would be selecting GIRO as a payment method which would let you earn 25 points (equivalent to $2.50) or renewing your plan (100 points or $10). Referring a friend will instantly earn you SGD 50 rebate off your electricity bill (limited to the first 500 referrals).
iSwitch ‘Switch & Win’ Campaign
In conjunction with the nationwide roll-out of OEM, iSwitch has launched a campaign for those who sign up with iSwitch would stand a chance to walk away with 1 year of free electricity. For those who think this is only for those in Zone 1, do not be disheartened as ‘Switch & Win’ would be selecting a winner from all 4 zones, that means there would be 4 winners! All sign-ups made between 1st November 2018 to 30th June 2019 will automatically be in the running to qualify for this promotion, so switch and win today!
For more information about ‘Switch & Win’ campaign, click here.
iSwitch, Your Electricity Retailer
iSwitch aims to place their consumers in the forefront, by providing as many lifestyle perks as they can like those in their price plans. For those who are intending to change to an electricity retailer but do not have an opportunity to due to the different zones, do keep iSwitch in mind as they would not disappoint with its deals and savings. And for those who falls under Zone 1 and wish to join iSwitch now, you may head over to their website to check out the savings, promotions and plans that they are currently offering!
It came as a surprise to many when a barely known tech company introduced the world’s first foldable phone. The future of smartphone is upon us as Royole Corporation launched FlexPai in Beijing. Royale Corporation is a relatively new company, which was founded by Stanford engineering graduates in 2012. It will go down in history as the company who conquered the “foldable phone” race ahead from Samsung and Huawei.
For the digital savvy Singaporeans who are interested in acquiring their own FlexPai, here are its specifications. FlexPai boasts its “virtually unbreakable and extremely durable screen”, which can be bent for over 200,000 times. This smartphone can be folded like a paper or a wallet to display various small screens: in the front, back, and spine. While it is folded, you can receive incoming calls or take photos from front and back screens. The spine is where the notifications will show. Its 7.8-inch display resembles a tablet when fully unfolded.
You may be wondering if it can take some Instagrammable shots. To tell you frankly, it has two cameras with 20 and 16 megapixels. You can bend it to capture objects and subjects at unique angles. Other features include having a microSD slot, a fingerprint reader, a Snapdragon 8-series chip, and a USB-C port. Furthermore, it is running on an Android 9.0 based Water OS.
See this latest handset in action as you watch the following demo.
As with many first models, this pioneer handset is far from being perfect. Royole needs to address some glitches. For instance, it should offer a sleek design which does not have visible fold marks when straightened out. There should be seamless switch between front and back displays. Furthermore, it is a bulky device that is about 50% heavier than Note 9 and the iPhone XS Max.
Nonetheless, Royole’s foldable product encourages other tech companies to provide different experiences to the Millennial consumers. While consumers in China can purchase a consumer edition FlexPai today, global consumers can pre-order the developer version online. The 6 GB model with 128 GB storage is available to consumers for $1,588 (about S$2182), while the 8 GB model with 256 GB costs $1,759 (about S$2417). These devices are expected to be shipped by December.
With all these information in mind, I am excited to see the foldable products that well-known tech companies will launch soon (e.g., Samsung Galaxy F).
Many of us are ignorant about how much side benefits our daily spending can reward us because of the many complicated terms and conditions that come with signing on a credit card. But trust me, once you’ve figured out the one (or multiple) card that fits your lifestyle, you’ll wish you had started using them earlier.
Unless you are impossibly rich or are covered by your company, hardly any one of us would be willing to pay over $10,000 for a First Class seat for what may be a few hundred dollars’ worth of flight ticket.
But what if you had the opportunity of enjoying First Class without having to fork out actual money?
That is why accruing air miles on your credit cards is the way to go.
Your next question would then be: what are some of the most travel-friendly credit cards to use to convert as many dollars into air miles?
If you’re a serial traveller, or have a dream to be one, this is going to be one post that will help you re-evaluate your credit card spending with these points below.
I give you a breakdown below on the best credit cards to get the best (miles) bang for your buck with the least limitations.
Citibank PremierMiles Visa Card
With a Citibank PremierMiles Visa Card, earn 10 mpd for booking hotels online on Kaligo. What this card trumps over the other credit cards is that you don’t have to pay in foreign currency, there is no limit on spending per month, and you certainly don’t have to fully prepay your reservation online – that means you can cancel your hotel reservations anytime without incurring any charges!
Apart from hotel bookings, earn 2.4 Citi miles per S$1 overseas spend in foreign currency and 1.2 Citi miles per S$1 local spend.
1 Citi Mile = 1 Mile with KrisFlyer, Asia Miles, Royal Orchid Plus and etc.
For new customers – Get 30,000 bonus miles with an annual fee payment of $192.60 and when you spend a minimum of $7,500 within the first 3 months.
Earn 4 miles per dollar when you purchase air tickets online. Unlike other credit cards, this card doesn’t limit you to certain carriers you book with and there is no minimum monthly spending. The only drawback is that you can only spend $2K a month.
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card
An easy go-to card for everyday spending. Earn 4 miles per dollar each time you pay with Paywave/ Samsung Pay/ Apple Pay/ Google Pay on the go. The only limit is that you can only spend up to $1000 per calendar month, except where SMART$ are issued.
BOC Elite Miles World MasterCard
Earn 5 miles per dollar on your overseas currency transactions. There is no minimum or maximum spending, so this is one convenient card you can carry around while travelling and not have to worry about using to shop overseas!
Poor vision is a trait that has been passed from the one generation of our family to another. Thus, it comes as no surprise that my sister inherited the trait too. For her birthday, I decided to help her purchase a pair of spectacles. It is a practical and fashionable gift that she can use on a daily basis.
I purchased a new pair in less than ten minutes. I knew the frame that I wanted and came with a budget in mind. While, she took about two hours to select hers. She put a lot of thought in the selection process because she believes in finding the best pair possible. As a savvy consumer, she was on a hunt to find a pair that will last her for several years.
Her actions made me dwell upon the essential steps needed to acquire the “perfect pair”.
WHAT ARE YOUR REQUIREMENTS?
Eye-wear criterion vary from wearer to wearer. Similar to acquiring a new gadget, you must examine the requirements needed to be filled when choosing a pair of spectacles. Where will you use your prescription eye-wear predominantly? Are you going to use it for indoor or outdoor activities?
The more information the optometrist or store personnel is provided with, the easier the selection process will be. Let the professionals know which features will be most beneficial for you.
WHICH FRAME SUITS YOUR FACE?
Choose a frame that compliments your face shape. To identify your face shape, you look directly into a mirror and pull your hair back. The overall contours of your face is your face shape. People with an angular face should opt for round frames. While people with round faces shall opt for angular frames. How about the ones with heart-shaped faces? Well, they should opt for oval-shaped frames. Lastly, people with oval-shaped faces can choose any type of frame they want.
Image Credits: selectspecs.com
Nonetheless, it is best to take someone with you while you shop. Having a second opinion from a trusted companion can be really helpful.
WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS FOR LENSES?
Would you believe that there are more than two options for lenses? The market offers plastic lenses, multi-coated lenses, blue cut lenses, and so on. Choose the spectacle lenses that will best suit your lifestyle.
Plastic lenses are becoming increasingly popular nowadays. High-quality plastic lenses offer protection against scratches and pressure marks. Multi-coated lenses combine anti-reflection, scratch-resistant, UV-protected, and water repellent properties. Lastly, blue cut lenses are used to block the harmful blue light that smartphones, monitors, and laptops emit.
WHAT CAN YOUR INSURANCE COVER?
People who browse intently through the fine print are often rewarded. Unbeknownst to you, your health insurance or employee benefits may cover your eye care expenses. Increase your awareness meter by approaching your HR representative. Ask him or her about the insurance plans or healthcare procedures that the company honors.
Say that your company is covered with the AXA Smart Vision plan. This visionary plan includes comprehensive eye examination, discount on eye-wear, and up to S$300 allowance for frame or contact lens (T&Cs apply).
HOW CAN YOU GET A LONG-LASTING PAIR?
Why will you buy an expensive pair of spectacles when you can get several pairs delivered at your doorstep? This is the mindset of many Singaporeans who subscribe to cheap prescription eye-wear. You see, multiple cheap pairs do not necessarily equate to a single quality pair.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Purchasing an expensive high-quality pair that will last you for several years is better than purchasing an inexpensive low-quality pair that will last you for several months. Consider your prescription eye-wear as a health investment.
