AS WE SPEND MORE TIME AT HOME, HOW BEAUTIFUL ONE’S MAKEUP AND SKINCARE PRODUCTS LOOK ON THE VANITY TABLE MATTERS AS MUCH AS HOW BEAUTIFUL THEY MAKE ONE LOOK. AILEEN LALOR GETS INTO THE AESTHETICS BUSINESS OF A DIFFERENT SORT.

THE BUZZY POP CULTURE-INFLUENCED, CANDY COLOUR-LOVING MULTIMEDIA ARTIST ALEX ISRAEL HAS MADE HIS HOMETOWN OF LOS ANGELES BOTH HIS MUSE AND SUBJECT.

It takes discipline, research and planning to translate zero waste and being eco-friendly into your daily beauty practices. Three women tell us how they do it.

WITH SUSTAINABILITY NOW PART OF THE MAINSTREAM CONVERSATION, MAKEUP AND SKINCARE BRANDS HAVE INCREASINGLY BEEN SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON THEIR OPERATIONAL PROCESSES THAT WERE ONCE HIDDEN AT “THE BACK END”.

A total of 155 new products. More than 180 award categories. A panel of 14 dedicated judges. Weeks of non-stop testing.

When famously eco-minded fashion designer Stella McCartney takes on a new role as sustainability adviser to the head of the world’s largest luxury conglomerate (that’s LVMH), and some of the biggest labels – from Chanel to Coach – renounce the use of contentious animal-derived materials, it will be impossible to ignore the signs: High fashion entering a new era.

She went green before businesses embraced eco-consciousness, and grew a two-person start-up into Singapore’s leading sustainable-packaging firm. Susan Chong’s story is one of single-minded vision armed with an ironclad resilience.

From the wacky to the wonderful, here are the latest wellness trends everyone is obsessing over.

Confectionery heir Takeshi Fujinawa shares the history and art behind a box of Japanese cookies.

We’re used to recycling kitchen waste – great job on properly disposing of that milk carton – but when it comes to beauty product packaging, things aren’t as straightforward.

Restaurants are doing their part with farm-to-table offerings, biodegradable packaging and certified produce.

The journey to a zero-waste Eden starts – even for these dedicated eco-warriors – with a single simple step.

Some beauty brands are eco-friendly right from the get-go, but many are getting onto the bandwagon.

Makeup for men – and genderless makeup – is becoming mainstream.

Green Entrepreneurs & Champions.

Fun is one thing, safety is another. Find out how you can protect your kid from dangerous play.

Is it possible to be a beauty junkie who is also ecoconscious?

Luxury brands are playing to our olfactory senses – and more – with a new breed of haute fragrances featuring intriguing ingredients and lavish packaging.

Be the hostess with the mostest this festive season with satisfying, delicious tidbits that’ll please all your guests.

THE PAST 12 MONTHS HAVE SEEN IMMENSE DEVELOPMENTS IN CURING THE PLASTIC PLAGUE. COULD THIS MEAN THE FUTURE OF OUR OCEANS MAY NOT BE AS DEPRESSING AS MANY HAVE THOUGHT?

Guaranteed: lots of double taps with these limited-edition products, which boast snow globe-like packaging and gilded cases. By Charmaine Lee.