Beauty From The Inside Out

Whether you're seeking a total overhaul or just need a few tips to sort out your smokin' new look, nothing works better than getting your skin and body looking - and feeling - right, first. Here are top eight consumables that will help you save yourself from that unnecessary guilt trip.

YAKULT

Don'u underestimate the power of this tiny bottle - each bottle of Yakult comes fortified with probiotic fermented milk containing 30 billion Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain bacteria.

 JUVANEX

Designed to detox and remove free radicals from your system, the Juvanex 7-Day Program has a secret weapon - the Total Cleanze. This formulation is a blend of proprietary fibers, probiotics and herbs that work to help support your liver and digestive health.  

MIREICA

This nutricosmetic is the world's first, fortified with a unique patented extract of nutrients from natural plant stem cells. Rich in collagen and elastin, consuming one sachet of nutri-peau will re-energise your skin, replenishing it with healthy and fresh, new skin cells. Skin's structure is strengthened and better protected against environmental factors like stress and sun exposure. That baby smooth skin is now yours!

 

 TRIPO-X 

Forget dieting - if you're looking to effectively block the carbs (fat and starch) from being absorbed into your body, look to tripo-X. Thanks to its phyto-chitosan proprietary complex called 'LipoX', it works by reducing fat up to 60%, by trapping them in 'fat sponges' which are then passed out in normal stool. tripo-X also neutralises the enzymes that converts starch to glucose, reducing starch absorption up to 75%!

TruDtox

Feeling bloated, even after you've just eaten a little? This is usually attributed to irregular digestion or long-intestinal-transit time, which causes decomposing food in the intestine and colon that ferments and produces intestinal gas, making your abdomen feel full and tight. What you need is a body detoxification programme, like TruDtox Original (relieves bloatedness) and TruDtox ThermoG (reduces tummy fat). Both products work gently and do not contain any harsh laxatives like senna that can create bowel dependency.

KELLOGG'S

The world's leading producer of ready-to-eat cereal and convenience foods first introduced its 'Special K' breakfast cereal, made from rice and wheat with a crisp, malty taste, to the Unites States in 1956. It was initially marketed as a low-fat breakfast alternative that can be eaten to help one lose weight. Now, Kellogg's Malaysia has re-introduced the breakfast cereal into our market to help homemakers and business professionals - basically, women-on-the-go - to kickstart a healthier lifestyle. Packed with 5.8g of protein and 165 calories per serving, this cereal contains 2% fat and eight essential vitamins and minerals such as folate and vitamin B to give you that much-needed energy boost in the morning, while helping you to keep unhealthy weight gain at bay.

NUVAFEMME


We all know the signs of ageing - tired, sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles, sagging busts, a bent spine and bone fractures. An activated isoflavone derived from soybean, which helps to regulate hormonal imbalances in a woman's body. Nuvafemme creates firmer, plumper skin that erases fine lines and wrinkles, tone breast and calcium is "locked- into" the bones to maintain bone strength. This process results in visibly younger-looking skin, firmer breasts and stronger bones.

GLOW AND PYNOCARE

Fight dark spots, brown patches and skin pigmentation with the Glow and Pynocare combo pack for it is loaded with SKHN Complex and MSCC Complex. 

What it contains:

SKHN Complex

• 11 essential nutrients
• Natural plant extract
• Marine proteins

 MSCC Complex

• Antioxidants
• Seaweed extracts

A dewy fresh, radiant skin with a natural glow is now achievable! 

Tantalising Taiwan Treats

Tasting local treats in a new country is always an experience to savour. Not only are the smells, colourful sights, the feel of the air and the movement of people a feast for the senses, it also sheds new light on living life the local way.

Majestic peaks, basins, coastlines, rolling hills and plains are some of the natural wonders that line the landscape of Taiwan. Affectionately known as the "Heart of Asia", this country's rich multifaceted culture is the perfect destination for foodies from all around the world. Placing emphasis on the perfect combination of aroma, flavour, colour and shape, Taiwanese culinary experts have managed to fuse traditional local Chinese specialities from all areas of China into new culinary treats. Its street food, which is by no means, inferior to Chinese delicacies, provides its hungry and curious visitors with further insight into the origins of its people. Here are some must-tries when travelling in Taiwan:

Beef Noodles

Also known as "niu rou mian", this is tender stewed beef, vegetables and noodles served in a thick yet light beef broth that is spicy and dark reddish-brown in colour. One cannot leave Taipei without visiting Niu Ba Ba or (Father Cow) on Chungsiao Road. Though humble in decor, with a clean and friendly atmosphere (it once had the privilege of welcoming the famous Jet Li), it serves 16 amazing types of beef noodles. 

Bubble Tea

Bubble tea, pearl tea or "babo", is a dessert drink served chilled or cold. Usually in milk tea form, it contains chewy balls known as 'bubbles' or 'pearls'. These pearls are made from tapioca starch in almost perfectly round shapes, not too hard, yet not too mushy. There are many variants for the types of tea used, but green tea and red tea are most popular in Taiwan. Travellers in Taichung City could choose a stall to try "babo" from the 300 to 400 vendors at Zhonghua Night Market, which also happens to be the favourite night market for the people of Taichung. 

Tau Foo Fah Ais

Taiwanese "tou foo fah" or "douhua" is very soft tofu in pudding form, served with sweetened topping such as beans, cooked oatmeal, tapioca and peanuts. Ginger or almond-flavoured syrup is usually paired with the unsweetened pudding. During summer in Taiwan, it is served with crushed ice, a perfect companion when visiting Dianji Temple in Keelung City.

Xiao Long Bao

Consists of a small bun, steamed in little bamboo baskets. Although it originated from China, the world's best "xiao long bao" is said to be found in Din Tai Fung, Taiwan. Din Tai Fung, Taiwan's pride, is an award-winning restaurant that has now found its way worldwide. The ideal "bao" should have a thin skin that does not tear up easily and is able to just hold the meat sauce. Its savoury filling should consist of succulent non-pasty meat.

Shaved Ice Dessert

Shaved ice dessert or "baobing" is actually finely shaved ice with texture as soft as snow. Varieties of this dessert include milk ice or finely shaved ice topped with fruit syrup, condensed milk and small chunks of fresh fruit. Sweetened beans and brown sugar syrup is added to compliment the refreshingly cold dessert! Cold dessert shops in Shilin Night Market's "Lover's Lane" usually attracts students from Taipei City.

Word - Up (Beauty)

We have all heard the famous saying "Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder". The following 10 words sums it up!

1. Beauteous [byoo-tee-uhs, -tyuhs]

    - adjective
    * beautiful
    The beauteous maiden captured the King's heart.

2. Winsome [win-suhm]

    - adjective
    * sweetly or innocently charming
    She threw him a winsome smile as she walked on by.

3. Statuesque [stach-oo-esk]

    - adjective
    * like or suggesting a statue, as in massive or majestic dignity, grace, or beauty
    Being tall and statuesque - like a Roman God - was what landed him the role as Caesar.

4. Resplendent [ri-splen-duhnt]

    - adjective
    * shining brilliantly; gleaming; splendid
    The school marching band looked resplendent in their crisp white uniforms.

5. Pulchritude [puhl-kri-tood, -tyood]

    - noun
    * physical beauty
    Her pulchritude physique garnered many admiring glances.

6. Sultry [suhl-tree]

    - adjective
    * characterised by or arousing passion
    Marilyn Monroe's sultry pout could bring a man to his knees.

7. Alluring [uh-loo-ing]

    - adjective
    * very attractive or tempting; enticing; seductive
    She was the most alluring of all the girls present at the audition.

8. Curvaceous [kur-vey-shuhs]

    - adjective
    * (of a woman) having a well-shaped figure with voluptuos curves.
    Skinny models are more in demand than the curvaceous ones.

9. Lustrous [luhs-truhs]

    - adjective
    * having luster; shining; luminous
    The heroine's lustrous black hair fell all the way down her back as she climbed the rope.

10. Exquisiteness [ik-skwiz-it-nis, ek-skwi-zit-nis]

    - noun
    * of special beauty or charm, or rare and appealing excellence
    Her exquisiteness as an actress earned Elizabeth Taylor many ardent fans and admirers.

    

An App A Day Makes The Bulge Go Away

Here's a snapshot of our top five favourite iPhone apps that will help you win the Battle of the Bulge. The best part? They're all absolutely free! So, go to your App Store and start whittling down that waist!

Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker

Easy-to-use and quick, this tracker has an impressive database of over 750,000 foods so you'll instantly know your exact calorie intake - anytime, anywhere.

Daily Ab Workout

This app provides 5-minute daily abdominal workouts designed for both men and women, demonstrated by a certified personal trainer - so you can watch those six-packs get more and more defined everyday!

StepTracker Lite

Conventional wisdom proclaims that you need to walk 10,000 steps or more each day to keep fit and lose weight. This app works like a pedometer and allows you to keep track of every step you take so you'll know how many more you need in order to reach your daily goal.

iMapMyRUN

Millions of long time runners and those who are just getting started love this app. It transforms your iPhone into a tracker that takes notes and reports your pace, distance and route via GPS in real time.

Pret-a-Yoga Lite

If you'd like a calm way to lose weight, Pret-a-Yoga is your companion of choice. The app provides a number of yoga poses with trained guru Kathleen Kastner as a guide so you can 'downward dog' with ease.

10 Sexy Asian Cars For Women

They say it's a man's world, and that cool cars are sure-fire "chick magnets", but these kinds of sexist conventions really ought to be turned on their heads. Women these days aren't content with admiring good-looking cars from a distance, instead, they're buying them for themselves, and making a bold statement about their independence at that. If the car looks good and performs on other ways, i.e. comes with a reasonable price tag, low running costs and manoeuvrability - all the better!

Sure, women are very practical shoppers, but the truth of the matter is, they also want cars that they can feel sexy in. In the age-old question "What do women want?" we can safely say that women want sexy cars. Of course, some cars are better than others at arousing the passions of a female buyer, and hey, it doesn't have to come in pink! After all, sexy is as sexy does! Check out our list of Asian cars with definite powers of seduction:

1 Nissan 370Z Roadster It's not just men who can appreciate smooth curves, and this has got to be one of the sexiest convertibles around. Like a beautiful women in a red dress, it's smooth curves turns heads; it's 3.7-liter V6 engine packs a serious punch. Reviewers have noted that the steering is accurate and responsive, and the grip is hard even in tight bends. Though this is a powerful car, it delivers nothing but poise and precision, as well as stability, which inspires confidence in the driver. It also revels in being pushed, which should suit women who like to take it to the limit. The car's rev matching system also makes you look like a pro behind the wheel. If you want a sports car without the hefty price tag, this could be the one for you.

2 Honda Jazz Described as "the car for those driven by themselves," this gorgeous subcompact has two things going for it - sleek good looks and immense practicality. Its small size makes it handy about town, but the new Jazz also boasts a bodacious re-crafted interior and spacious cabin. Equipped with five doors, including a hatchback, and ample trunk room, it lends itself well to busy lifestyles. Its 1.5-liter engine is fuel efficient, even with automatic transmission. Honda's hallmark quality means that it'll last. It also comes with a gunmetal mesh grille, newly-added fog lights and double aerodynamic bumpers for a sharper, sexier look.

3 Perodua Myvi Responsive and dependable, the Myvi has become one of the most popular car models in Malaysia. Although it looks compact, it actually has generous head and leg room, as well as convenient storage compartments. Women also appreciate its sporty character and refined elegance, particularly its limited edition range, which has been known to target the fairer sex. If you're a woman who loves music, check out its entertainment system, which includes an MP3/WMA player, Bluetooth and USB reader. Also to note are its new dash-mounted gear shift, chrome door handles, spoiler, round fog and rear LED lamps, and round alloy rims.

4 Toyota Prius This hybrid electric mid-size hatchback has become the car of choice for environmentally-conscious ladies, partly due to the fact that sexy celebs like Leonardo Dicaprio and Cameron Diaz have also opted for this ride. The Prius gets you going in style, but is kind to Mother Nature. Rated by the EPA and CARB as one of the cleanest vehicles around, it's so quiet that the Wall Street Journal has called it a 'possible safety risk'! The low-noise factor isn't likely to perturb female buyers though, because quiet equals calm, and what women wouldn't want to welcome more zen in her life? If rising fuel prices are anything to go buy, shoppers will continue to scramble for the Prius.

5 Mazda MX-5 Mazda's website proudly proclaims that this is "The Ultimate in Convertible Cars," and they're not kidding. The MX-5, also known as the Miata, is officially the world's most popular open-top sports car. The multi-award winning, lightweight, two-seater roadster boasts an offront-engine and rear-wheel drive layout, which makes driving a blast. It's so well engineered that you'll feel in synergy with the car. Fusing together modern design with traditional sports car values, the MX-5 comes with minimal mechanical complexity.

6 Proton Satria Neo With the tagline "desire has a new name," the Satria Neo's engaging curves make a bold statement for the woman who drives it, with its superlative levels of ride and handling. The Satria Neo has a real X-factor and is winning hearts with its looks and value. While you're driving off into the sunset with your leading man, why not play your favourite CD or MP3 on its Blaupunkt stereo system? Surely a great way to set the mood.

7 Hyundai Tuscon Blessed with flowing curves, graceful lines and style to spare, this well-equipped compact SUV has a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel and a driver seat that can be configured eight ways. Its 2.0-liter engine has plenty of horsepower to keep up with your daily adventures. Impressive advanced safety features include hill start assist control and downhill brake control. The tech-savvy woman will appreciate its cool tech options, like the integrated Bluetooth hands-free phone system that lets you take calls on the road. There's also the Tucson Navigation System, with a rearview camera for backing up, and XM NavTraffic, with realtime road conditions to help you avoid traffic jams and give a clear picture of alternative routes.

8 Mitsubishi Lancer To some, it's a family car, but to us, it's stylish. The sportiest option among affordable small cars, it gets stellar marks for handling and comfortable seating. Fun and safe to drive, with its 5-star ANCAP rating, the Lancer has become increasingly popular because it greatly improves from generation to generation. Available in DE, ES, GTS and Ralliart trims and features safety features like standard antilock brakes and stability control. Its Rockford Fosgate hard-drive-equipped audio system and high-tech features like keyless ignition, automatic climate control, a touchscreen navigation system and Bluetooth connectivity also draws high praise.

9 Suzuki SX4 The abbreviation SX4 stands for "Sports X-over For All Seasons," which suggests this compact all-wheel drive can help you weather the storm. What woman will say no to that? Good to drive, well-equipped and attractively priced, it gives you 4x4 looks without the high running costs. Its sporty styling also means that it doesn't look as strange as other crossovers. Its inside consists of a simple yet functional interior dressed in tasteful metallic accents. It may have been designed to function like a mini-CUV, but you can be the judge of that. The doors open at almost 90 degrees, the ceiling is high, the fabric seats are comfortable and the front view is panoramic. You need to be comfortable to be sexy, right?

10 Kia Forte Koup This compact car comes in a sporty two-door variant with an aggressive bodywork, a front bumper that adds a dose of attitude, a new billet grille and headlights. Its look comes off as clean and expressive. It also boasts of solid ergonomics and a multi-function steering wheel that comes with a switchgear for standard cruise control, hands-free calling and a six-speaker stereo. Infotainment gadgetry abound aplenty - standard Bluetooth, two 12V outlets and ports for an auxiliary audio cable and USB. You can even plug in your iPod and iPhone. The Forte Koup's 2.4-liter four-cylinder produces 173 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque, which makes for a decent ride.

SHOW OFF YOUR DÉCOLLETAGE IN …

DEEP-V MAXIS 

The simplest way to put this area on display is in a deep-V dress. The contrasting piping around the neckline ensures the focus will be front and center, but the length and sweet styling keep this dress pretty, not trashy.

PLUNGING DRESSES

Got the goods and want to make sure they catch everyone's eyes? There's no better way to do it than with a red-hot frock that dips nearly to the navel. Prettify your collarbone and cleavage with bronzer, highlighter and great posture.

PEEKABOO PANELS

For a daytime look that's totally jaw-dropping, a batwing shirt with cutouts in front highlights cleavage while still looking casual. Because there's not much room to hide a bra, this is best left to girls with smaller chests.

SHOW OFF YOUR BUTT IN …

SHORT-SHORTS

If you've got a booty that deserves to be on display, embrace it with thigh-grazing shorts in a bright hue like yellow. The color pulls attention to your derriere, while the high-placed pockets and paper-bag waist highlight your shapely behind.

TIGHT STRIPES

Only a lucky few can pull off horizontal stripes on a miniskirt. But if you've got the right curves, go for it! Nautical blue-and-white is ultra-summery and looks just right with a tee or an untucked loose-fitting sweater.

WHITE

Want to leave tongues wagging as you walk away? A pale micromini will skim curves and highlight a great tush, plus you can further accentuate the positives with a thin belt and butt-lifting high heels.