- Singapore Women’s Weekly October 2009:

Daily stresses may have dulled your shine, but that’s no excuse to let things slide. Here are 10 things to put the glow back in your skin, hair and life.
 
1.Uplift senses in a spritz
Fragrances are great mood elevators, especially those which are concocted to calm and energize.
 
2.Max out your lashes
Long, curled-just-so lashes add instant glamour and “open up” your eyes. Asians tend to have lashes that grow downwards. Luckily, flutter-friendly technology is just a flick away. Try Shiseido’s Perfect Mascara, which features a smudge-proof formula that curls, lengthens and volumises lashes, while nourishing with pro-vitamin B5. It’s also easy to remove – just wash off with warm water.
 
3.Cleanse thoroughly
A good cleanser is important because it not only removes make-up, but sunscreen as well – both of which, if accumulated on skin, causes clogging and acne. If you have oily skin or are prone to blemishes, try Shiseido Pureness Deep Cleansing Foam, to get rid of impurities on skin, including make-up.
 
4.Sweat for healthy skin
Did you know that regular exercise can help to prevent acne breakouts? Besides reducing stress levels, improving blood circulation and increasing our metabolic rate, it also regulates the hormones that over stimulate the sebaceous glands causing acne flare-ups. When your skin gets enough oxygen, it remains healthy, supple and smooth. Cardiovascular workouts such as running, jogging and skipping are great for our skin’s health as they prompt the heart and lungs to pump oxygen-rich blood, which travels throughout our body, giving you that natural flush.
 
5.Cut down on sugar
  - as it can do just as much damage to your skin as the sun. It turns into glucose in the body and binds to our collagen, making skin look flat and cardboard-stiff. Too much sugar increases the amount of free radicals in our body and deactivates skin’s natural protective antioxidants.
 
6.Wear a kick-ass red
Slick scarlet lips cement the status of femme fatales everywhere. One of the runway favorites of international make up maestro Dick Page is Shseido’s Perfect Rouge lipstick in Dragon which is a perfect siren red. It not only delivers intense pigment, but also hydrates lips and prevents fine lines.
 
7.Avoid a turkey neck
Skin at the neck is very prone to loss of elasticity, as it contains little fatty tissues and fewer sebaceous glands than facial skin, says Dr Vanessa Phua, a family physician with an interest in aesthetic medicine, from Asia HealthPartners. This makes it even more susceptible to wrinkles and dryness than the face. Try a neck care product like the Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Serum for Neck and Decolletage.
 
8.Use sun protection
Premature skin ageing is mainly due to exposure to sun’s UV rays. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a person’s risk for melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer – doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns. So always wear a sunscreen to protect yourself against UVA and UVB rays.
 
9.Sport healthy hair
Like skin, hair also suffers from overexposure to the elements; UV rays can weaken hair causing it to break easily, and also fate our hair colour.  In fact, environmental damage causes more harm than chemical damage, like perming and colouring, or mechanical damage like over-brushing. The solution? You can opt for shampoo, conditioners and styling products with UV filters.
 
10.Get healthy skin
Anti-ageing creams can’t fully penetrate and function effectively if your skin’s barrier function is weak. Shiseido has discovered that sun exposure leads to the production of a byproduct, Serpin B3, which weakens the skin’s protective barrier. The Shiseido Future Solution LX skincare line, fortified with vitamin C and green tea extracts – contains an amino acid derivative called Skingencell 1P to reinforce the skin’s barrier function and suppress Serpin B3 so that your skin can function at its best.