PERFUME JOURNEYS

Harness the emotive power of smell with fragrances that soothe the senses and lift your mood.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Bask in a sea of poppies with Kenzo’s Flower By Kenzo Poppy Bouquet EDP 

If you’re having cabin fever... 

My Reading Room

Spritz on Chloé’s Nomade Absolu de Parfum ($170 for 50ml), whose medley of woody (oak moss and sandalwood), sweet (Mirabelle plum) and fruity (davana) notes evokes exotic getaways. The most intense version of the brand’s Nomade line sparks a wanderlust of the mind, racking up the feel-good vibes that will help see you through the travel bans. 

If you're feeling flustered...

My Reading Room

Reach for Bvlgari’s Le Gemme Erea EDP ($534 for 50ml), which is designed to calm. Spicy top notes of green cardamom segue into a heart of calming, grounding frankincense before drying down to a base of sensual Madagascan vanilla, known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. 

If you’re feeling lethargic...

My Reading Room

Try Kenzo’s Flower By Kenzo Poppy Bouquet EDP ($134 for 50ml). The latest addition to the Flower By Kenzo fragrance family is an ultra-fl oral take on the original Flower, which celebrates its 20th birthday this year. This iteration opens on a fresh note with nashi pear before revealing a mood-lifting heart of Bulgarian rose and gardenia, and rounding out with a trail of powdery, sweet almond wood. 

If you’re having trouble sleeping... 

My Reading Room

Give your pillows a generous spray of Jo Malone’s Lavender & Musk Pillow Mist ($55 for 45ml) come bedtime. The relaxing and calming notes of English lavender, harmonised perfectly with the powdery and sensual musk, create a warm, comforting cocoon that paves the way to a good night’s rest. 

FIT TO A T 

Gyms and fitness studios may have suspended operations temporarily, but that doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to turn into a couch potato. With the plethora of virtual classes available, you can now work out in the comfort of your home, with an instructor you’re familiar with. Lab Studios, which includes Barre Lab and Yoga Lab, offers up to four classes a day via Zoom, with a good mix of yoga and barre sessions so you can switch things up. If you’re already a MindBody app user, you can sign up for an online drop-in on its classes. There’s also ClassPass, where there are more than 2,000 online classes to choose from. Who knows, you may even find that virtual fitness classes are a better option for you in the long run, since they offer convenience and greater flexibility. 

My Reading Room

Work out at home with Barre Lab’s virtual classes 

FACE TIME

If you’ve decided to hit pause on your monthly facial appointments but need something more than just your regular skincare, beauty gadgets can bridge the gap. The FOREO BEAR is a facial firming device that utilises low-voltage microcurrents and the brand’s proprietary T-Sonic pulsations to knead and massage the way to more de ned contours and plumper, firmer skin. It comes with five intensity options, so you can adjust it to your preferred comfort level. An Anti-Shock System with smart sensors also minimises the risk of damage to your skin, automatically adjusting the intensity based on your skin’s resistance to electricity. The accompanying FOREO For You app guides you on your facial workouts, so you can achieve the best results. 

My Reading Room

BEAR Smart Microcurrent Facial Toning Device, $436, FOREO 

My Reading Room

BY ARISSA HA

GILDED GODDESS

Dip into sparkly metallics such as shimmering eyeshadows and glowy highlighters that cast you in the best possible light.

My Reading Room

Annakiki

My Reading Room

Baume à Lèvres Lip Balm in 1 Joslyn Clair, $53, Gucci Beauty

My Reading Room

Single Eyeshadow in Goldfinger, $33, NARS

My Reading Room

Dior Backstage Contour Palette in 001 Universal, $77, Dior

My Reading Room

Corrale straightener, $699, Dyson

My Reading Room

Orchidée Impériale Night Serum, $756, Guerlain

My Reading Room

Dazzleshadow Extreme in Kiss of Klimt, $39, M.A.C

My Reading Room

Vanish Airbrush Concealer, $58, Hourglass

My Reading Room

Touche Éclat Blur Primer, $75, YSL Beauté

My Reading Room

Les Beiges Exclusive Creation Healthy Glow Sheer Powder, $82, Chanel

BY ARISSA HA. PHOTOGRAPHY: SHOWBIT