A new make-up star has been crowned.
Adeline Yeo, 21, an art director and freelance make-up artist, has done Singapore proud by winning the regional finals of the Shu Uemura Beauty Art Make-Up Competition 2009.
Held in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, the event saw eight professionals from four countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines - duke it out for the grand prize of a diamond-encrusted Botan brush.
Worth RM20,000 (S$8,250), it is the Japanese beauty brand's most valuable make-up brush. Yeo also went home with RM10,000 worth of Shu Uemura products.
The win was all the sweeter as she was runner-up in the Singapore leg of the competition held last Thursday, which was won by freelance make-up artist Ginger Lynette Leong, 38.
The four countries were each represented by the top two winners of the local leg.
Kakuyasu Uchiide, Shu Uemura's international artistic director, said Yeo's winning look left the deepest impression on the five judges.
'It is a dramatic combination that showcased the full range of her skills as a make-up artist,' he added.
A happy Yeo told Urban: 'My aim was not to beat anybody or win the contest but to do my best. Winning this is a validation of my ability to do make-up.'
LUCKY INTERN
It is not often that runners-up land the coveted prize but Tan Qiuwen has had a stroke of luck.
After Teo Ying Hui, 32, who won the inaugural Audi Young Designer Awards, turned down the prize of a three-week internship with Vivienne Westwood for health reasons, Tan, 24, took her place instead.
Tan, a fashion design graduate from Lasalle College of the Arts, was in London from Sept 7 to 28. She got to work on the flamboyant designer's Gold Label 2010 collection, one of her four signature lines.
On meeting Westwood in London, Tan says: 'What struck me was her passion for her work. She remains very hands-on and her enthusiasm is infectious.'
Teo, who designs for local label Demisemiquaver, got to keep her $20,000 cash prize that came with the award, which was held in conjunction with the inaugural Audi Fashion Festival in May.
SYNTHETIC STUNNERS
Luxury jeweller Carat*'s statement pieces are now available exclusively at Robinsons Centrepoint and Raffles City.
The pieces are handmade using simulated and synthetic gemstones that match the hardness of sapphires. They are then set by a trained craftsman.
The new range, StaX, is set with a variety of coloured stones and crafted with sterling silver, stainless steel or 9K white, yellow, rose or black gold. Prices start from $299 for a ring.
LEVI'S GOES GREEN
For some fab denim deals, check out Levi's eco fashion event, which is on at Takashimaya Square Basement 2 till Sunday.
Trade in old jeans from any brand to enjoy an instant $50 off Levi's bottoms that cost at least $100.
These pre-loved jeans will be sold for $5 at the event and proceeds go to the Plant-A-Tree Programme started by the Singapore Environment Council and Garden City Fund.
The six-day event kicked off on Tuesday with a showcase by London-based home-grown designer Ashley Isham and Italian shoemaker Giuseppe Zanotti.
Isham designed five denim outfits while Zanotti sponsored a pair of wedges, all of which incorporated recyclable materials.
P.S. I SILK YOU
French luxury house Hermes is using its signature silk scarves and ties for a good cause.
Working with local charity Beautiful People, which mentors teen girls from various welfare organisations, it has launched a charity postcard project called P.S. I Silk You.
With the help of 21 local magazine titles including Nuyou and Female, Hermes styled and photographed 130 local personalities including Eunice Olsen (Picture 5), JJ Lin and Nadya Hutagalung with its silk accessories.
These were then printed on postcards and include handwritten notes of friendship and encouragement from these personalities.
The postcards will be on display from today to Nov 15 in front of Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City, and sold via a silent auction later with proceeds going to Beautiful People.
To raise more funds, a team of photographers and stylists will also be on hand to help visitors to the exhibition create their own set of 10 postcards at a price of $53.50. Admission is free.
SWISH SALE
To mark its relocation from a shophouse at 5 Ann Siang Road, local multi-label store Front Row is holding a sale till Nov 7.
Enjoy 30 to 90 per cent off labels including French brand A.P.C, local designers' collective +9 and Belgian designer Raf Simons' footwear collaboration with Dr Martens.
The store's lease ends on Nov 9 and it will reopen in the City Hall area on Dec 1. The venue is still being firmed up.
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.
