Lim Seng Lee Duck Rice Eating House

The famous Lim Seng Lee Duck Rice Eating House in Buona Vista is closing down for good, sometime in June. Truth be told, I have never heard of this place prior to the food tasting session hosted by OpenRice. 

Lim Seng Lee Duck Rice Eating House

38 South Buona Vista Road, S(118164)

It was full house inside, with a long queue forming outside despite the light drizzle.


A table full of signature dishes (for 7 pax).


This plate of boneless (and almost skinless) braised duck meat was actually a whole duck, doused in a runny sweet and savory gravy. The thinly sliced duck meat was surprisingly tender, with no tough part at all.

Hmm... however, the price was not cheap. $40 for a whole braised duck... this was the most expensive hawker-fare duck I've eaten so far!


The braised eggs tasted very ordinary, not flavorful enough. And, we ordered too many of these... #idontliketowastefood


This was the least favorite dish... I am not a fan of duck gizzards... so are the rest :s

I was game enough to eat a tiny piece. Well, it did not taste that awful... somewhat chewy with a uniquely weird texture. But still, I am no fan of them.


The braised duck gravy did complement the white rice pretty well. Yummy!


When the sambal kang kong was served, I was taken aback by the measly portion. It tasted good nevertheless... very fragrant and not too spicy.


Looks are deceiving. The tofu dish looked rather bland and unappetizing but they tasted so good that I had several helpings. It was a winning combination of silky smooth and soft tofu drenched in savoury gravy, with the runny egg bits. And, this dish somehow gives me a nice homely feel.

If you have not visited Lim Seng Lee Duck Rice Eating House, you might wanna try it for the last time before it officially closes down in June. Think this would be my first and last time at this famous place for Teochew boneless duck. A one-time experience is good enough for me. If I were a westie, I won't mind visiting there again for a comfort food fix (:

Classic Facial @ Spa Symphony

Recently, I had the opportunity to try out Spa Symphony's facial service after attending V10 event. Herine and I booked our facial appointment on the same day since we were both free that day.

Spa Symphony

313@somerset
313 Orchard Road,
#B2-50/51, S(238895)
Tel: 6636 8878

Upon reaching, we were promptly greeted by the staff. We were given the choice of either cold/warm blended tea. And, we opted for the latter - Roselle & Hawthorn Blend that is rich in Vitamin C to help reduce cholesterol, aid digestion and promote weight loss.


Before the facial treatment, we were asked to fill up a form with our particulars and answer some questions pertaining to our skin concerns, medications, etc.

Then, we were brought to our respective rooms by the facial therapists.

I like the dim lighting and greenery around Spa Symphony, which put me in a relaxed mode.

Here's where I put my belongings. By the way, they provide lens solution and casing for customers to remove their contact lenses before treatment.


Hmm... I didn't take photos during the treatment coz I wanted to enjoy the treatment fully. Oh well... lazy me :X

Anyway, I had the Classic Facial ($130 for 60mins) - a basic European facial of professional cleansing and balancing that includes a base mask, pressure point face massage and extraction. The products they used  are purely organic, by Centella (made in France).


Before the facial treatment, my facial therapist inspected my face and pointed out that my skin is congested *sob-sob* Plus, my skin is pretty sensitive, which is dry on the outside and oily on the inside... :,(

My skin needs balancing! She started off by cleansing my face with a milk cleanser that has a relatively strong herbalish scent. Then she used a scrub to gently remove the impurities. During the treatment, she advised me to avoid scrubbing on my spots as it will only result in more breakouts.

For further deep cleansing, a facial steamer with aromatherapy was used. It was kind of difficult to breathe properly during the facial treatment. She understands that and made sure I was okay with the steam.

When it comes to facial treatment, the extraction process is no doubt a love-hate affair. I faired well in keeping my cool since it got really painful at certain points. She said I have high pain tolerance... umm... thank you >.<~~

After the extraction, she proceeded to use a high frequency treatment to calm and disinfect. Then, she applied a generous layer of cream mask, to purify and soothe the skin. 

The face, shoulder and neck massage was really rejuvenating... SUPER SHIOK! Though she is rather petite, the pressure applied was just right... strong enough for my liking. Thumbs up!

The unique point of Spa Symphony is the use of Tibetan Singing Bells* at the end of the facial treatment. The distinct, pure sound of the bells somehow brings a sense of tranquility. Hmm... interesting much...

*For centuries, Tibetan Singing Bells have been used for healing, meditation, clearing negative energy and restoring harmony and balance.

The session ended with a happy note. My skin was evidently clearer and more radiant than before though it was not a full extraction.

Hope my review helps. Thank you for reading!

MooJaa, Mookata Thai BBQ Steamboat

Mookata, was something I wanted to try for the longest time. I've been seeing drool-worthy Instagram pics of them but didn't get the chance to try until... Elaine asked me and Herine along for a "piggy night out" :P

In a nutshell, Mookata (traditional Thai BBQ Steamboat) simply means "pork skillet" in direct translation. 

MooJaa

25 Keong Saik Road S(089132)

Tel: 6536 4780

MooJaa means 'my little lovely pig', which explains the cute piggy logo.


We were brought to this private room, where we enjoy absolute privacy :D


I dressed super casually since I was all ready to smell like Thai BBQ after dining... which I did =.=


At MooJaa, you can order ala carte or set. If you are feeling peckish, feel free to go for the Ala Carte Buffet @ $32+/pax.


We had the Set Moo (pork) and Set Gai (chicken) @ $45+ each.

The sets consist of either pork collar slice/boneless chicken and the usual steamboat ingredients like prawn, pork ball, squid, scallop, crab meat, abalone slice, golden mushroom, tang hoon (vermicelli), xiao bai cai, kang kong.


Ooo... pork lard?! It's definitely not one of the steamboat ingredients. Then, what is it for?


For Mookata, pork lard is used for the BBQ instead of oil/butter.

The pork lard is being placed right at the center of the dome, surrounded with meat. It will start to melt and grease the dome area, which prevents the meat from sticking onto the dome.


They provide sweet sour seafood and spicy bbq sauce for us to dip the meat/seafood. And, I was so in love with the former that I refilled like twice... uber yummilicious!


The meat juices (and melted pork lard) that flow down into the soup, make it more flavorful and so much tastier!



Nom-nom-nommmmmm~! :d~


A really fun Mookata experience with the ladies! Thanks MooJaa :D



We ordered two more dishes to share - Omelette ($6+) and Basil Leaf Chicken ($12+). Both were yummy though the former was a bit oily for my liking. 


Last but not least, I highly recommend their Thai Ice Tea (Cha Yen). At only $2.50, you get a glass of thick aromatic milk tea. Not too sweet, not too milky... just the way I like it! I won't mind going for a 2nd glass (;

If you prefer a more refreshing drink, then go for Lemongrass ($2.50).

That's all for now. Hope you enjoyed reading my MooJaa experience (:

***Credits to Elaine for all unmarked images.***

Watsons Spring Color Report 2013

Back in Feb, I attended Watsons Spring Color Report 2013, a beauty event that translates the latest runway beauty trends into everyday chic looks. This was my 1st time attending Watsons' event, by the way. And, I was feeling all excited since Watsons is my fave personal care store where I get my beauty fix... be it makeup, skincare, hair care, health/beauty supplements.

It was an enjoyable night of fun and discovery as Watsons unveiled a plethora of new and exciting beauty and health brands. Its dynamic brand revamp will definitely bring consumers a more refreshing, vibrant and personalized shopping experience.

Supported by the punchy and vibrant WOW regional marketing campaign, lively and colorful visuals will be placed in-store, interactive retail concepts will be placed in key locations... and creative advertising platforms will be unveiled to boost the excitement and discovery of the ultimate Watsons' shopping experience.

The revamp will also see new storefronts, increased healthy and beauty services, as well as convenient access to an extensive quality product range from world-renowned brands and "Watsons House Brand".


The event was held at 7 Adam.

Heroine Make

***image credits to Watsons Singapore***

I am sure most are familiar with Heroine Make, my holy grail mascara/liquid eyeliner brand.

CLICK HERE to read my review on their best-selling Long & Curl Mascara.

***image credits to Heroine Make Singapore***

Their latest product was the BB Mineral Loose Powder, which controls shine all day for a smooth appearance. Available in shades #1 and #2, it provides a natural yet translucent coverage.

Elite Models

Something new was Elite Models, a brand that was developed to bring the latest makeup trends to the everyday woman, with the expertise of makeup artists over the past 30 years.

Elite aims to provide fashionable, innovative, professional yet affordable makeup (from $7.90 to $26.90) to help one achieve "supermodel-inspired" look.

***image credits: CLICK HERE***

Their star product, Fantastic Primer ($24.90/15ml) is a translucent gel makeup base that is suitable for all skin types.

The essential stage for perfect, even and long-lasting makeup, this water-based gel moisturizes skin while its non-greasy finish keeps skin matt. Its energizing formula is also complemented with a pleasant cucumber scent to keep you feeling fresh and clean, in Sg's super hot and humid climate. Formulated with anti-aging, anti-pollutant agents and plankton extracts to fight skin oxidation, this primer helps to achieve a radiant, healthy and beautiful complexion.

Rock Beauty

Rock Beauty offers easy-to-use stick-on products (Nail Rock, Eye Rock, Body Rock and Lip Rock), which allow consumers to recreate their favorite runway looks instantly.

Eye Rock ($11.90) comes in 2 types:

Designer Liner
Ready-to-wear liners that are long-lasting, waterproof and easy to apply

Crystal Tattoo
Crystal embellishments for the eyes to help create runway couture looks


The latest products from Nail Rock is the 3D Collection ($14.90), which features 4 amazing wraps such as Doodad in black and metallic mix with raised bumps for added texture, and Glister in gold and multi glitter to create a sparkly crackle nail effect.

These nail wraps require only max. 15mins to apply, without any drying time. They last up to 7 days on nails and 8 weeks on toes. Each pack contains 16 nail wraps in various sizes for fingers and toes.

Fyi, the standard ones retail for $9.90 each.

Candy Doll, Jewelove, Eyemazing

Hmm... no new products from CandyDoll at the moment.

CLICK HERE & HERE for my review on CandyDoll makeup.


Jewelove (known as Jewerich in Japan) is one of the most popular fake eyelash brands in Japan.

Exclusively available at selected Watsons stores for $22.90 (2 pairs), the latest collections include:

#P3
Developed by Hoshino Kana (popular Kawaii model in Japan), these matte brown and black lashes emphasize the width of the pupils to create cute, doll-like eyes.

#P4
Designed by Mai Hirose (from Popteen), these lashes extend to the corners of the eyes to enhance the fullness of pupils, helping them look big and round.


Produced by Japanese star Jun Komori and endorsed by many Japanese models including Tsukema Yousai, this brand of fake lashes enhances the lash volume with a natural look.

Featuring a collaboration with Zipper model AMO-chan, the Eyemazing x Zipper z AMO x Pastel ($21.90 for 3 pairs) is a unique range of brown lashes that is the 1st to be launched in Sg. 

#801 Eyemazing AMO Pastel Type A 
These lashes are full and long, ideal for creating the Hime-eye (princess eye). The pink-brown shade allows the fake lashes to blend easily with your natural eyelashes.

#801 Eyemazing AMO Pastel Type B
These are half-length lashes, which are perfect enhancers for naturally gorgeous eyes.


Here's a close-up of the ones that caught my fancy...


I tried on the brown lashes with a hint of purple. So lightweight and comfy!

Avance

Avance is the pioneer for eye makeup and eye care in Japan. It was the 1st to launch the Avance “Mascara” with Lash Treatment and Waterproof technology in Japan in 1937. 

***image credits to Avance Singapore***

Avance Lash Serum in Mascara - Deep Black ($30.90)

• This serum-infused mascara provides extra care to lashes throughout the day.
• A high glossy super black mascara that enhances and defines lashes.

Avance Lash Serum I ($35.90)

• Works as a serum base to protect lashes from UV rays.
• A special formula that contains a liquid type beauty essence (rosemary extract UV), which has high absorbing power towards the damaging UV rays.

Avance Lash Serum-UP ($39.90)

• Helps in curling up your eyelashes instantly.
• It also acts as a serum to protect and moisturize the eyelashes, preventing them from further damage after prolong usage of lash curler and mascara.
• It repairs damaged lashes, leaving them healthy and beautiful-looking.
• It also helps in volumizing your lashes after a consistent period of usage.
• The quick-dry formula makes it perfect as a mascara base.
• This lash serum helps to maintain and improve the lashes to be glossier and healthier.

Avance Lash Serum EX ($39.90)

• An oil-free lash moisturizer that accelerates lashes to grow, restore, strengthen, preventing them from falling.
• It comes in a mascara brush type that makes it easy to apply on lashes.
• The active ingredients include silk essence, hyaluronic acid, pantothenic acid, etc.

Olay

***image credits to Olay Singapore***

The New Generation Olay Regenerist features a new formulation of its award-winning anti-aging series. It is now powered by skin energizing technology to boost natural skin renewal by up to 2x, fighting skin fatigue.

The New Generation Regenerist Olay Micro-Sculpting Serum ($49.90/50ml) and New Generation Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream ($49.90/50g) contains lys'lastine, glycerin and hyaluronic acid to improve skin's elasticity and moisturize the skin, providing coverage for fine lines, pores and uneven tone for a velvety smooth touch.

The star product, New Generation Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, has been proven to hydrate better and longer than a US$500 luxury cream.

The new addition to the New Generation Olay Regenerist series is the Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Cream & Lash Serum Duo that combines a hydrating eye cream with a nourishing lash serum to provide smoother-looking lids, firmer skin and thicker-looking lashes. Younger-looking eyes that are brighter and firmer in just 1 week!

CLICK HERE to read more about the New Generation Olay Regenerist series.

Senka

Developed by Shiseido, Senka is a skincare brand that aims to be the consultant to customers' skincare needs. Its slogan "The skincare made with you", embodies the brand's philosophy, where identifying and meeting customers' needs are fundamental to the creation of its products.

Senka's key product ranges include:

Hoshitsu Lotion
A water-soluble moisturizing liquid that contains 2 types of hyaluronic acid and royal jelly GL to retain moisture and deeply hydrate the skin.

Available in Moist ($17.90/200ml) for normal to dry skin and Fresh ($17.90/200ml) for normal to oily skin.

Whitening Lotion
Moist ($18.90/200ml) for normal to dry skin, is formulated with Vitamin C to slow down melanin production and prevent pigmentation. Fresh ($18.90/200ml) for normal to oily skin, moisturizes and promotes visibly luminous skin.

UV Protection
With a mineral-water-based gel that is highly absorbent into the skin, the Perfect UV Gel SPF50 PA++ ($16.90/40ml) and Perfect UV Gel SPF27 PA++ ($16.90/80ml) effectively block UV rays whilst retaining moisture. Resistant to sweat and sebum, it contains baby powder for a silky smooth finish. 

Aqualabel

Formulated with Aqualabel's patented Aqua Ex Base technology that seeks to hydrate every corner of your skin, the all-new Anti-Aging range also contains M-Tranexamic Acid (alleviates chronic inflammations to prevent dark spots and freckles) and the star ingredient Fermented Royal Jelly (activates skin cells for youthful vitality).

***image credits to Aqualabel Sg***

Wash Ex ($17.90/130g) is a creamy cleansing foam that contains hyaluronic acid and asian ginseng extract to gently cleanse the skin, leaving an ultra-moisturizing finish. 

Lotion Ex ($26.90/130ml) is a rich textured lotion enriched with double hyaluronic acid to nourish the skin and boost its elasticity and lustre. The active ingredient, M-Tranexamic Acid, is able to effectively lighten spots.

Royal Rich Essence ($35.50/90ml), the star product of this series, is a moisturizing essence that contains double hyaluronic acid and asian ginseng extract to bring instant rejuvenation, for youthful, glowy skin.

Toni & Guy

Known for its innovative and avant-garde approach to hairdressing, Toni & Guy believes in delivering creativity, quality and consistency to every client.

At the event, the Casual, Classic, Glamour and Creative Collections were introduced.

I was particularly intrigued by the star product from the Casual Collection - Sea Salt Texturising Spray (suitable for all hair types). It can create texture and body with light to medium hold. Perfect for achieving a lived-in, beach look. 

Brand's Innershine

Brand's Innershine is a relatively new category under the Brand's umbrella, which promotes beauty from within through their new range of oral beauty supplements. The range contains 100% fruit essences including Innershine Berry Essence, Innershine Prune Essence and Innershine Berry Essence with Grape Seed Extract.

***image credits to Brand's Innershine Singapore***

Their latest product was Innershine Marine Collagen Essence Strip, which provides collagen supply in a berry-yummy gel strip. It is compact and light... so convenient. Perfect for consuming on-the-go!

Pure Beauty

This was the last photo taken at the Pure Beauty booth, as my hp battery was dead by then... and I forgot to bring out my camera -.-zzz The brands I did not mention were Glow (fruity slimming brand made in USA) and Dr. Wu (clinical skincare from HK).

Anyway, I digress. Pure Beauty introduced its new and improved Pomegranate Antioxidant (anti-aging) series, as well as its 1st Multi-Function BB Cream ($20.90/120ml).

The Pomegranate Antioxidant (anti-aging) series contain deep-action antioxidant swiss radicare, as well as organic eco-cert ingredients such as organic sunflower oil, organic lemon balm water, organic hamamelis water and organic apricot kernel oil. This improved formula helps guard against harmful free radicals and protects collagen reserves, reinvigorating skin for a luminous complexion.

What's more, the addition of korean pomegranate and bulgarian rosewater provide anti-aging and moisturizing benefits, rejuvenating the skin for a more radiant and youthful glow.

The price range is affordable, from $13.90 to $23.90.


PS: Shall review some of the products on a separate post(s). Stay tuned!

I ♥ Watsons!

***All info are extracted from press release.***