Her World Brides Editorial (issue Mar- May 2011)

I'm so glad to have worked on this new, gorgeous issue of Her World Brides with stylist Janice Seah & photographer Toon Liang.

Here are some of the tear sheets from the bridal fashion spread we shot in The Club Hotel @ Ann Siang Hill

Photography: Toon Liang/ Lightspade
Styling: Janice Seah
Hair & Makeup: Joanna Koh using Redken & RMK

Scroll to the end for my tips on recreating this look :)






























The Hair & Makeup

We were going for a more glamourous / hollywood kind of feel, but without too elaborate makeup or stiff hair.

Here are some crops.. the resolution isn't too good from the scanning but hopefully you'll be able to make it out!


The makeup:
I used muted, brown and nude tones for the eyeshadow, but still played the eyes up with a soft kohl and lots of mascara and lashes.
For her cheeks I contoured them with a matte bronzer, and lips in a complimenting satin nude shade.




The hair:
The model actually had long hair, but I was requested to give her a more glamourous bob. So I had curled her hair into tight ringlets, then gently brushed them out with my fingers to create volume. After that I pinned them into shape close to the nape of her neck. For her fringe I had lightly twisted it back to give it definition and then pinned with the rest of her hair.

Now I know why so many people take wedding pictures in Taiwan!

Last week I had one of the best times in my life in Taiwan, with 2 amazing girlfriends of mine.
We visited Pu Li, Sun Moon Lake, Yang Ming Shan, Wu Lai, and Taipei city :D

First time ever that I saw Cherry blossoms, and ate a Sakura Mochi!
The scenery is gorgeous and the weather was great (a little cold spell midweek), but when we were more south in Sun Moon Lake, weather was JUST PERFECT! for pictures.

Here are some pictures and recommendations where to go

Starting in Taipei:

Go to the many night markets to have your fill of delicious street food. We went to Shilin night market. I love these meat on sticks



Getting to Shilin night market: Take the MRT to Jiantan


From Taipei you can drive/ take a bus to Yang Ming Shan, which is a live volcano. Here are the pretty sights.. they have a spring flower festival, with lots of pretty Sakuras and other flowers. Now you don't have to go to Japan to view them!




Drive higher up the mountain and on a bad day (like when we were there), it's heavily shrouded in fog. On a good day you'll get a view.
And everyday, it'll smell like sulphur. Yuck.



On the plus side, you can hunt for a sulphuric hotspring. there are many hotsprings there and for about TWD150 ( SGD6.70), you get access to one. They usually have a few large shared pools, and some tiny cubicles with a small plunge pool for those who don't want to get naked in front of others.


North of Taiwan is a spot called Wu Lai. It has many hotsprings too (none with sulphur, thank goodness)
There are also lots of taiwanese aborigines living in this area and the streets are painted with their images.

Gorgeous scenery..waterfalls and rivers run through this area




You can either check into hotel with hotspring water, or go au natural like us, and many senior taiwanese folk, to the hotspring pools next to the river. Bring your own towel and a big smile to make friends with the oldies who come here everyday. Seriously, the old men here are SO FIT! I see some 70 year olds with abs!

Here are my friends enjoying the spring.. it's scalding hot, and after that you have to jump into the freezing river behind. And repeat for at least half an hour.



Getting to Wu Lai via public transport:
Take the MRT train to Dan Shui & change to bus


If you have time, you must go to Sun Moon Lake. Granted, it is a very tourist-y destination, but locals and tourist alike come here.

Lots of people do their wedding pictures here too..

Hijacking their shot :P



When you arrive at Shui She (the town on the north of the lake), drop by the Mochi shop. You can't miss it, there's only one there like this! She also serves delicious fresh Milk Tea in the front, you must try all!



My favourite flavours:
Sakura, Green Tea, Chocolate, Ume, Orange



If you have a couple of hours, take a walk or go cycling around the lake. The scenery is gorgeous, and on a spring day, great weather.
If you are too tired you can take the bus or boat instead.




Drop by the temple on the western side of the lake (about 20mins walk from shui she), the deity here is Yue Lao 月老 (thanks Joey!), he's the one who suppossedly "ties red strings" to join couples meant to be together.







Getting to Sun Moon Lake:
Take a bus from Taipei Bus Station Terminal B. There is a straight bus to Sun Moon Lake but they leave only a few times a day so buy your tickets in advance.
If not, you can take a bus from the same terminal to Tai Chung or Pu Li and transfer to another bus from those cities/ towns.
There is no direct train to Sun Moon Lake, your best option will be to take the train to Tai Chung and get a bus from there.



My best tip? Avoid weekends and public holidays and you can get shots of the lake without people in it :)

Behind the scenes: MAXX Brides (Indonesia) Photoshoot

Hello!! I know I've been terribly naughty, being missing for over 2 months ! :(

It's been a CRAAAAZY time, going from 2010 to 2011.
I had a fantastic ultra-extended festive season, partying more than I thought I'm currently capable of :P
I've met some really cool new friends from all over the world, and tomorrow I'm going to Taiwan for a week with two of my girlfriends from Boston! <3
I'm heading to Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, it seems to be really beautiful for wedding photoshoots ! I promise to take lots of location pics and upload them here.. :D


Anyway, yesterday I worked with a really great team from MAXX Brides from Jakarta. Their inaugural issue will be out this May, and the gowns from the Indonesian designers are simply exquisite!! I've worked with Indo designers before and I love the complexity of the detailing on their garments and their extreme dedication to their craft.

Here are some behind the scenes shots of the photoshoot that was done at InterContinental Singapore . The interior of the hotel was simply gorgeous.. It seems to be set in an era far forgotten, with alot of Chinese and Peranakan influences in its decor


Makeup & Hair: Joanna Koh
Model: Erica Denise Lee













Completely insane shoes complete the look!!!

See you guys in a week :D

My Eyeshadow Lasted Through The Rain! ... psst, here's the secret

Ok, let's all admit it. Singapore is SCORCHING hot, and brides here SWEAT like nobody's business. Also, it tends to POUR almost every other day (and at the present moment, it's the monsoon season, so, every day).

Add that to touching speeches and teary moms, most brides tend to shed a tear on their wedding day - Recipe for eye makeup disaster!

So, a few days ago, I put on some pretty makeup (eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara) as I had a meeting. I confess I do not usually put on makeup otherwise - shock shock horror horror! But that's for a simple reason, read on.
I workout at the track 3 times a week. This time, when I got to the track, the coach said "You gotta hustle, it's gonna rain". So I zipped into the bathroom to get changed and forgot to wash my makeup off! And then the rain came. And we kept going. I trained in the rain for more than an hour, and then in the shelter for another half an hour.
And I was thinking, I look like CRAP! My mascara must be streaking down my face.
Understand me here, my entire class is made of boys.. and I didn't want to look like a wreck.

I only took a good look at myself when I got home and just before I showered. And I thought " OMG! That is like the most perfect end-of-day makeup EVER!!"
My eyes were still slightly smoky, my eyeliner was in place, and my mascara didn't run, it just flaked a little. And this was about 11 hours after I had applied it, gone into the rain and worked up a sweat!

OK, so I must must must share my secret. And then I am sure your makeup on your big day is going to be tear/sweat/rain resistant.. if not waterproof!


The Big Secret is....... Eyeshadow PRIMER !

It's not that big of a secret actually, because I use a primer on almost all my clients before applying eyeshadow. hahaha.

The main great benefits about using a primer are that it holds your eyeshadow to your lids for a longer duration without creasing, or dissolving into oily lids (so common in our climate right?). Also, the big effect you can see immediately is that eyeshadow looks really VIBRANT when applied on top of a primer. The colours pop and you wouldn't need to use as much colour to get the effect. Eyeshadow also blends much better when applied over a primer.

Easy test if you don't believe me? Go to a store, swab a little primer on your skin (back of the palm's good, really flat surface), smoothen it in. Afterwards, get any eyeshadow colour, or use one that you feel you have a hard time getting the colour to show up. Now apply the eyeshadow over the primer, and another time, over your bare skin.
Trust me, you'll see a world of difference.


The primer I used on myself was one from Red Earth. Esprit in Singapore used to carry it years ago, and then Sasa had it. Right now, I have no idea where they are. But I'm sure you can find Red Earth all around Australia.


Here are a few more options that I really do like:

Make Up Store Eyeprimer Tinted



This tinted formula (also comes in clear) goes on liquid smooth and is great for hydration and filling fine lines too. The eyeshadow, especially glittery ones, adhere firmly to your lids when applied on top of this primer.
Love it. It's a staple in my makeup bag.


Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion



This one, I've just tried using recently and really am liking it. No creases, all holding power. Goes on nude and then dries to invisible.
They also have it in a matte finish and champagne shimmer, very cool, but you should use complimenting eyeshadows with it. No point using a matte finish primer with a shimmery eyeshadow or vice versa.
The personal sized one is great 'cos it has the applicator wand, but I'm gonna get myself the SUPERSIZED Professional Sized one without the applicator, although I have no idea how I'm going to finish using all 25mls of it :P


While we are on the topic of eyeshadow primers, don't forget the rest of your face! A little smoothing primer before your foundation goes a loooong way in keeping your makeup fresh all day.


I love Shu Uemura's UV Under Base SPF 30



It's a mousse and goes on great under foundation to even out skin tone and texture. I use this on brides on their big day and on models before a photoshoot..


Also really worth trying is RMK's Makeup Base Mat




I find it really funny that they don't spell it correctly as MATTE, but shorten it to MAT. Maybe it's a Japanese thing?
Anyway, on days when I want to go really light on my makeup, I use this and finish off with powder, skipping the foundation step. As it's slightly tinted, that works well for me, almost like a tinted moisturiser, but mattifying.



So there you go.. one BIG tip which will help your makeup go a long way especially on your wedding day!

Enjoy!

The Pros Get Personal in Sephora's X'mas Booklet! + My top picks for Christmas

Looking beyond the fact that my name was spelt wrongly, (it's Joanna, not Joanne!!!! everyone, please don't get it wrong. ) here are 12 makeup artists sharing their personal favourites from Sephora for Christmas.

So many times when I'm in Sephora, I make it a point to go to the Bliss section just to get some of their Lemon + Sage Body Butter to slather over my arms.. Opps, I know I can just buy it, but I just love having that fresh burst of yummy scent all over myself.

If you're looking for cool Christmas pressies for your girlies (and also boy friends- they have great perfumes, skincare and bath goodies for dudes too!) , make a stop at Sephora to check out all the new stuff they have for Christmas..

here are my top picks:

Sephora Massaging Duck



it looks cute, it floats in your tub, and.... *gasp* it vibrates!!!
definitely something fun to give to someone going to be travelling (alone) on an x'mas holiday


Sephora Holiday Blockbuster



I'm not surprised if this set is already sold out by the time you read this.
With 187 different colours, it boosts eyeshadows, lipglosses, eye pencils, gel eyeliners, blushers and travel brushes all in a cool folding set!
A fantastic pressie that won't break the bank, at only $79!


Toki Doki Eyeshadow Palattes



Italian artist Simone Legno, creator of Toki Doki, has teamed up with Sephora to create these cute palattes with amazingly rich colours , and a cool charm hanging off them. This guy on the palatte (above), is named Adios, looking suspiciously like the grim reaper.. but the devil suppossedly discovered his good natured ways and kicked him out of hell.
Surely will put a smile on any of your japanese/tokidoki-crazy girlies!
(and me too, I love the shades!)

Ole Henrikson Truth Serum



Your mouth might be saying your real age, but with Ole Henrikson's Truth Serum, your skin surely will be lying about it!
This collegen-boosting serum prevents and corrects the signs of aging, while feeling absolutely delectable on your skin. Best of all, it's not heavy or greasy, even if you don't have mature/dry skin, you can still enjoy the benefits (I'm talking amazing GLOW) of this product.
Also available: Truth Is In The Eyes (eye cream), Truth To Go Wipes, and Truth Revealed SPF 15 Super Creme to complete your daily regime



So till Christmas comes, Happy Shopping!!!!

Destination: Bali (Part 2)

I hope you enjoyed my last post on wedding & honeymoon destinations in Bali, and as promised, here's part 2.

Ubud is a town close to the center of Bali, set nowhere near the beach, but is just as beautiful. You'll find rice paddy fields, art galleries, artists and craftsmen, temples and the Ubud Palace. Wander into the Ubud market and get caught up for hours wandering through 3 levels of clothes, art, home accessories, trinklets and spices.
And if you've heard of the famous Bali Babi Guling (Roast Pork), the best stall is right here in Ubud, on the left of the Ubud Palace.

You'll be spoilt for choice if you're looking for a perfect place for your wedding or honeymoon in Ubud. Here are my top picks:


Alila Ubud
Location: Ubud
Great for: Weddings, Honeymoon

Alila Hotels, a luxury chain of resorts, are found in Indonesia, Maldives, India, Thailand and Laos.
Their resort in Ubud is simply breathtaking.
The award winning pool (Travel+Living's 50 most spectacular pools in the world) is set above a lush green valley and the Ayung River.




Take a shower in your outdoor bathroom, enjoy your breakfast and afternoon tea by the pool side, and visit the spa for one of the most luxurious treatments you'll ever have.
If you're looking to set the mood for the evening, the ipod docks available in every room will do the trick for some romantic melodies.

They'll plan your wedding for you, and with a total of 56 rooms, there's enough space for your close friends and family to stay.

If you're coming here for your honeymoon, they have special couple's packages for you to choose from, whether you want a villa or a deluxe room.

It's gonna be one sweet stay.

Contact: ubud@alilahotels.com


Moziac Bali
Location: Ubud
Great for: Dinner, Drinks

Coming from Singapore where the International food scene can really spoil us for choice, I tend to think of the restaurants in Bali as scruffier but cheaper.
Moziac however, was a complete surprise.
What's not a surprise now, is to know that they have been honoured as the Top 6 Restaurants in Asia by the 2010 Miele Guide

Once you enter Moziac, you're ushered to a comfortable lounge where you can have pre-dinner drinks or tapas while they get your table ready. A great selection of fine wines and champagnes will keep you occupied, if you're not already enchanted by the singer and pianist there.

The setting for dinner is in an alfresco area facing the huge garden (hard to tell when you drive past! then again, lots of things in Bali are hidden behind small road-facing buildings.) If you lose track of what you've been eating, just like I did, they have thoughtfully placed a beautifully printed and rolled up menu on the table.

For dinner, you choose from four different tasting menus. That must have been the one and only time I had foie gras in Bali. And damn, it was good. Very good.
Vegetarians, if you've been put off by what I just said, the chef also offers a vegetarian menu.

Reservations are necessary. If you are staying in Sanur, or Kuta, it's about an hour's drive away.

Opening hours: 1745 till closed.
Contact: reservations@mozaic-bali.com , +62 361 975768



Bali Botanica Day Spa
Location: Ubud
Great for: Affordable Ayurvedic Treatments & Spa Packages

Before I start, I need to tell you 2 things
1. Their website doesn't look very good
2. I have a knack for knowing what places are fantastic despite horrible websites and photographs.

Now, Bali Botanica is located a little far out from Ubud town, and that's why they offer a free pickup from your hotel. Being further out from town is a good thing, once we alighted, we had to walk about 50-100 m down a small winding path before we got to the reception.
No noise from the road, no people walking past and peeping in, just a quiet retreat in a forest.

At the reception, they have you fill in a detailed form about any allergies, injuries, preferred pressure and areas to concentrate on, as well as your choice of oils (which were described in great detail!).
Your therapist leads you to your treatment room, mine was facing the west, I had gorgeous soft sun rays streaming into my room when I entered!
Each room is fitted with your own tub and shower, so you don't have to run across the hallways to rinse off before and after your treatments.


snapshot of the treatment room when I got there



I had booked in for a 75min signature herbal massage (RP 150,000/ USD 17/ SGD 22) and a 45 min Ayurvedic Shirodara (RP 360,000 / USD 40 / SGD 53) , which is the Indian ayurvedic treatment where they drip warm oil onto your third eye area.

If you are thinking of having a body massage and Ayurvedic massage, just go straight for the Ayurvedic Chakra Dhara treatment ( RP 495,000 / USD 55 / SGD 72) which you will be put into bliss for 150mins.
In this treatment, warm oil is dripped onto your Chakra(energy) points and then massaged in, helping to detox your body and improve circulation.

I completely loved my Signature herbal massage, it eased out so much tension that was being constantly carried about.
My only regrets - not having enough time in Ubud to make another appointment back at the spa.

Appointments recommended. Opened till 8pm
Contact: info@balibotanica.com , +62 361 976739


Next up : I'll bring you back to the south! Probably to Canggu & Seminyak.. And Kuta if I have enough energy for it! It's always stressful and such a rush there!

Destination: Bali ( Part 1)

Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Bali. And I mean, seriously, LURVE BALI!

So if you're ever planning for a destination wedding, or honeymoon in South East Asia, heck, Asia, I'm the first one to scream "GO TO BALI!!!"

Why? I can give you more than a hundred good reasons.. but these you should hear:
- BEAUTIFUL beaches set the backdrop for a tropical beach wedding
- Fantastic 5* villas at reasonable prices
- You can book the entire property and all the villas in it to hosts all your guests
- World-class food at a snap of your fingers
- Spa, Massage, you ask for it, you get it. And you can get it cheap, or uber luxurious.
- Wedding planners, hairstylists, photographers, makeup artists, florists, catering, all accessable
- Direct flights to Bali from most Austra-Asian cities , and if you're coming from anywhere else, you can always transit comfortably in Singapore

Villas

Mu Bali
Location: Bingin (The Bukit, South)
Great for: Honeymoon, Wedding, Romantic Getaway

With only 11 individually designed Bungalows spread over a huge property on top of the cliff above Bingin beach, Mu Bali is a back-to-nature-while-keeping-it-luxurious destination. I personally love the Cliff Bungalow (well, it's not really a bungalow because it has no walls or doors!) , the most private and quiet room cut into the cliff, all you hear are the rolling waves, all you see is the infinite sea and the glorious sunset.

The view when you wake up (these are my snap shots!)






Imagine your wedding right here! (A shot from Mu's site)




The property is run by Jerome from France and his excellent team of Balinese women who cook some darn amazing french and indonesian food!

Contact: Endang / Jerome jbataillardbali@gmail.com



Shanti Residences
Location: Nusa Dua (South End of Bali, where all the fancy international hotels are)
Great for: Weddings, large family getaways

Shanti Residences is a gorgeous 5 bedroom Villa property, with your own private swimming pool, kitchen, gym, spa room, sitting room, garden, driveway and parking lot!
The five bedrooms are all different, from the largest Master Suite to the smallest twin room.
Three of the rooms have their own plunge pools and sitting rooms, while the twin rooms are located on the 2nd level and have spacious bathrooms (that's what I love most about Bali, HUGE bathroom spaces!)

Your own butler will take care of your every need, from planning your meals to grocery shopping, to arranging a picnic at the beach, or activities for kids, or picking up your guests. You also get a personal chef who can arrange a quiet romantic teppan dinner next to the pool, or whip up a storm for a large party.

They're extremely meticulous and experienced with weddings, so leave all your worries behind and place your trust in their good hands!

My snapshot of their garden!




Photography: Phil Date/ EastWest Imaging , with model Antonio chilling by the pool!




And if that's not enough for you, they have two more properties in Bali, Four@ Drupadi in Seminyak (if you wanna party with friends for your Stag/Hen's night), or Lotus Residences in Canggu for a quiet retreat near the paddy fields

Contact: info@shantiresidencesandresorts.com



Next post, (i promise I will post in the next 3 days or so)..... Part 2 of Destination: Bali