Plus women's issue nov dec 2015

E SU IS `S EN M W O

10 Nov–Dec 2015

amazing body lotions YOU SHOULD TRY

Get your Zumba Guide inside!

Deskercise!

Best exercises you can do

Right in your office workspace

Relentless Trio Amy, Shannon and Ainul

Fresh and easy.

HEALTHY RECIPES YOU SHOULD TRY

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH:

Relentless

PAVING THE WAY FOR DANCE

USD $3.99 GBP £3.49 BND $5.00

EDITION

Try indoor cycling!

OF THE

BRUNEI

WANT TO BURN MORE

BY SITTING?

INSIDE SCOOP

Coming Soon

www.signyture.com

Nov–Dec 2015

+Content

A

RELENTLESS

PURSUIT

28 +Health 6 How to train your brain to sleep on command

+Fitness 10 Indoor Cycling Taking the EXTRA mile to burn off unwanted calories!

16 Deskercise!

Workout anytime, anywhere at work!

24 Zumba with Susan (Part 2)

+Life Inspired 28 A Relentless Pursuit

+Recipe

53

38 Fresh And Healthy Recipes

+Beauty 42 10 Amazing Body Lotions You Should Know About 46 MAC Irresistibly Charming 48 MAC Enchanted Eve 50 MAC Magic of the Night

+Event 53 Fitness Zone × The Beach Bunch

50 2 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

+Publisher Info

Dear readers,

W

ith the festive season fast approaching, we are excited to bring you an issue dedicated to help you look and feel good, both inside and out.

This month, reading about simple but effective exercises you can do at work and tips on how to maintain a happy and stress-free workday will keep you fit and positive to tide you over until the holidays and keep you looking amazing too! We also feature tips on how to get a good night’s sleep and highlight the benefits of indoor cycling as well as advice on how to get the most of this great form of exercise.

In addition to that, we have some fantastic healthy recipes for you to enjoy and a couple of Zumba moves by the lovely Susan for you to try out.

In our beauty section, we’ve got you covered as we introduce a list of 10 best body lotions you can choose from depending on your skin concerns and also a very informative breakdown and reviews of three of MAC Cosmetics’ festive collections.

Our cover features the dreamers, the achievers, the go-getters and

the extremely inspiring Relentless Entertainment Brunei — a collection of insanely talented, committed and motivated individuals who are paving the way for the establishment and growth of the dance industry in Brunei.

Read about their journey to compete in the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA), their experience there and what they stand for.

You can also read about a very special and charitable event organized

by Fitness Zone — the Berakas Beach Clean Up Drive that aimed to educate the public about World Diabetes Day and social responsibility for the environment. Wu Chun and Rizan Latif were there to give inspiring speeches and together with the volunteers, they managed to collect a whopping 372kg of waste. With more efforts like these, our beaches will be pristine in no time!

Don’t forget you can follow us for the latest updates @PlusBrunei on Facebook and Instagram, where we post behind the scenes pics and sneak peeks of upcoming features.

Many thanks and happy reading, Simon Keller & the Plus Team

+Publisher Nexploit Services

+Photographer Jerome Wong

+Editor-At-Large Simon Keller

+Featuring Amy Cheong Shannon Osman Ainul Marzuki Susan Leung Lau Moi Chee Del Alfaro

+Talent Editor Elizabeth Sim +Senior Copy Editor Mohd Aslan Abdullah +Marketing and Digital Content Nursadiqin Misir +Graphic Designer Anna Thien Oleh Melnyk John M. Rey

Ministry of Health (Brunei Darussalam) Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (Brunei Darussalam) Health Promotion Centre (Brunei Darussalam) Fitness Zone Royal Brunei Airlines Progresif Cellular Sdn Bhd

+Publisher information Nexploit Services Lot 4169, Kg Serambangun, Tutong TA 2541 Brunei Darussalam

+Have a story to share?

Email it to  plusbrunei@gmail.com

+For business inquiries and distribution Email it to  plusbrunei@gmail.com

+Get interactive with Plus Magazine

+Contributors King Seh Horng Joanna Kwan Shelley Ann Busque Julie Andrea Anna Aziz

All rights reserved.

Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form of by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of Nexploit Services. Where option is expressed it is that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the editorial views of the publisher or Plus.

All information in Plus is checked and verified to the best of the publisher’s ability, however the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistake or omission enclosed in the publication.

4 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

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+Health

How to

train your brain to

sleep

on command EASY TRICKS TO ACHIEVE MORE AND BETTER SLEEP

6 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

Health+

PLUS 7

Nov–Dec 2015

Health+

G

iven the fast pace of our modern lives, it’s no wonder that more and more people complain about having problems falling asleep. Caffeinated drinks, unhealthy diets, e-mail alerts and phone notifications all have a negative impact on our sleep pattern.

A stressful lifestyle can be very demanding on the brain, but fortunately there are ways you can train yourself to fall asleep even when your body refuses to do so. The tips mentioned in this article will not only help you get more rest at night but will improve your quality of life altogether.

EXERCISE DEEP BREATHING Controlling your breathing is the first step towards training your brain to sleep on demand. Turn off all light sources, set your phone on “silent mode” and put it aside. Lay in bed on your back and with the eyes closed, concentrate on your breathing.

Persistent insomnia becomes more common as we age.

Sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain and blood sugar problems, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Relax your body and let go of any thought that might disturb your peace. Take long breaths and exhale slowly through your mouth. Within minutes, you should fall asleep.

Breathing exercises are widely known for their relaxing and de-stressing benefits. People who practice yoga use different breathing

techniques in order to clear their minds and achieve a meditative state.

MAKE A LIST OF WORRIES BEFORE BEDTIME Anxiety and stress are the number one reason why most people can’t go to sleep at night. Problems at the office, overdue bills, family issues or medical problems can all pile up into a list of troubles that keep you up at night.

A very effective way to clear off the mind before bedtime is to write down all your worries on paper at least 30 minutes before sleep. This way you are telling your brain that you are not trying to ignore the problems, you are simply writing them down, to visualize them better in the morning when you’ll wake up energized and ready to solve them.

Similarly, you can write down a list of happy thoughts or things that make you daydream and distract you from everyday inconveniences. It is a great way to end a day on a positive note.

EXERCISE DAILY If getting out of bed and going to work is the only physical activity in your daily routine, then the quality of your sleep will suffer. The more active you are on a daily basis, the better your sleep and relaxation time will get.

If you’re not ready to commit to a gym membership, exercise at home in the morning before going to work.

If you’d rather workout or go for a run in the evening, make sure you do so at least 2 hours before bedtime.

Otherwise your body will remain in “action mode” and you will have problems getting some shut-eye.

COFFEE, ALCOHOL AND SLEEP DON’T MIX Another important aspect of our daily lives that affects the quality of our sleep is diet. Most people who work 9 to 5 jobs medicate themselves with caffeine drinks and sugary foods in order to cope with the routine. Some take things a step further and drink alcohol after leaving the office in the evening.

It takes caffeine up to 7 hours to leave our body entirely. This is why you might find yourself unable to sleep if you drink your coffee after 4:00 P.M. Similarly, when you drink alcohol before bedtime, you risk missing out on the first stage of sleep (R.E.M sleep) and dive directly into deep sleep. This causes sleep irregularities and can actually lead to sleep disorders and more severe health conditions.

Last but not least, if your goal is to achieve uninterrupted sleep, reduce your daily sugar intake, especially in the evening. Sugary drinks and snacks increase blood pressure, keeping your body in an alert mode.

This is why eating desserts gives you a sudden rush of energy, and having them before bedtime prevents you from falling asleep.

To sum things up, these are some basic aspects that you should correct in order to achieve a better sleeping pattern. It will take up to three weeks to get noticeable improvements, but in the end you’ll wonder why you didn’t try these methods sooner.

DID YOU KNOW? Setting up a regular bedtime is essential for having a healthy sleep pattern. Choose a time when you normally feel tired and strive to hit the bed at the same hour for a couple of weeks. Avoid eating and watching TV in bed. Training your body to associate lying in bed with resting is an important part in achieving sleep on command.

PLUS 9

Nov–Dec 2015

+Fitness

INDOOR

CYCLING TAKING THE EXTRA MILE TO BURN OFF UNWANTED CALORIES!

10 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

Fitness+

T

here are numerous countries in the world that promote usage of bicycles as a means of transportation and have strong bicycle cultures. For instance, in Asia are China, Japan, and Bangladesh and in Europe countries such as Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Here in Brunei, it would be a perfect place because the country is tagged as the Land of Greens and/or Land of Unexpected Treasures. It is a perfect place to practice using bicycles as a means of transportation from time to time, especially if you need or just intend to go to nearby places alone. Not only do bicycles not leave any real carbon footprint as cars do, they also do not give out CO2 emissions, and they’re generally better for the environment. Also, they don’t wear down the road! (Just ensure safety first!

Make sure you wear something to protect your head!)

We mentioned above the practicality of Outdoor Cycling and now will take a closer look at Indoor Cycling. Though there may be ample amount of availability of stationary bikes at the gym (or you may have one at home), we always advise that exercising around people or in a group is far better than doing so by yourself. It is more fun and it can provide you the right amount energy, especially when there is an instructor’s motivation in front of you! These days, as technology and innovative ideas partake in advancement of almost everything, there are numerous group exercise classes in which you can enroll, such as Freestyle Cycling Classes and Les Mills RPM (Revolutions Per Minute).

There are vast major health benefits and advantages it can bring to the table. Cycling (in whichever form it will come, may it be indoor or outdoor) is a healthy, low-impact exercise that could be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. The following are some of the numerous essential benefits, once you start pedaling away!

1

HEART FRIENDLY

A well-directed indoor cycling class will surely and steadily keep your heart rate well within a likely vigorous range for approximately 45–60 beats per minute. Over time, credible studies have proven that continuous cardiovascular activity (including interval training often practiced in indoor cycling) aside from cycling can help lower blood pressure and lower one’s risk of coronary artery disease and LDL cholesterol. It can also lower your overall resting heart rate.

2

STRESS BUSTER

3

BURN, BABY BURN

You must have heard of the elusive “runner’s high.” And, it’s not uncommon for you to see quite a number of running fans in indoor cycling classes. Did you know that you would get the same rush when running in an indoor cycling class? When you sweat it out, you release those happy-mood-inducing neurotransmitters, popularly known as endorphins. (Endorphins are known to generate feelings of euphoria, a state of intense happiness and excitement). When you feel happy, your stress levels decrease and your body’s immune response is enhanced!

One of the reasons why a lot of people, especially women, head to gyms or engage in physical activities is to lose and/or maintain their weight. If this is your fitness goal, then indoor cycling could be right for you. According to the website www.spinning. org, individuals who attend an average of 45 minute classes can burn anywhere between 400–650 calories. It requires burning 3,500 calories to lose a pound of fat, so if you do the math, it will only take 5–8 indoor cycling classes combined with a healthy diet to whittle down unwanted fats!

PLUS 11

Nov–Dec 2015

+Fitness

4

LOW IMPACT WORKOUT

For such a high-intensity workout like RPM, indoor cycling is surprisingly low impact. Many who have just recovered from orthopedic injuries (especially those who are middle-aged) turn to indoor cycling to help them get back onto a fitness track. When executed properly, there is minimal impact on the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Of course, it is highly advisable that your bike is properly adjusted and you are wearing comfortable gear, such as appropriate footwear. The continuous circular motion allows muscles and joints to reach proper extension and flexion while avoiding the impact and pounding often brought by other activities, such as traditional aerobics classes or running.

5

INCREASED MUSCULAR ENDURANCE

In an indoor cycling class, the ability of a muscle to continually and repeatedly exert force over an extended period of time occurs when there’s increased muscular endurance. This happens when you pedal against resistance, which can greatly increase the endurance of the muscles in the legs, glutei, hamstrings, quadriceps, and even the calf muscles. Working these muscles assists in building a strong foundation with the tendons, surrounding bones, and ligaments. Outside in the real world, you’ll be able to perform your daily activities with increased muscle strength and with greater ease. Walking a quarter mile with shopping bags in both hands, towards your car and talking to your boss on your mobile phone will be a breeze for you!

Now you have understood how beneficial it is to try indoor cycling. You take the plunge and go into your very first class. You walk into a room

12 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

with bright-colored spandex, amid a sea of water bottles and a buzzing crowd of excited participants from different walks of life. You place your towel down, adjust your bike, hop on, and take a deep breath. You give the person on the bike next to you a knowing nod (and maybe take a snap of your bike and upload it in Instagram, with the caption “It’s my first time!”). For the next 45 minutes, you have nothing else going on. No text messages, no SnapChat, no meetings, no one needing to be picked up. It’s just you and a bike!

These are some tips to survive your first Indoor Cycling/RPM Class from Certified AIM 1 Les Mills RPM Instructor from Fitness Zone, Del Mesina Alfaro

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. This is essential, especially if it’s your first time! Approach the instructor if you think your bike isn’t set up properly; not only will you be uncomfortable, you won’t get the benefits. “It’s crucial to let your instructor know if you’re new at indoor cycling/RPM, since bike setup is so important and the most common mistake I see with participants involves the height of the seat — before starting the class, ensure that you do not have an extreme bend in the knee at the bottom of the pedal stroke, it should be a very slight bend. And handlebars are for comfort. If you have any kind of back issue or are a beginner, I’d suggest keeping the handle bars a little higher.” says Del Alfaro.

DON’T WEAR WHAT MAKES YOU LOOK GOOD, BUT WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD Indoor cycling/RPM, like any other exercise regime, is all about feeling great about yourself. Wear something that makes you feel like your best self and avoid extremely loose-fitted

clothing as it can interfere with the bike. Remember, you will sweat! If you have longer hair, especially for women, it is highly suggested to tie your hair back and wear a bandana/headpiece as it could help to tame your hair and keep sweat out of your eyes.

ADD FUEL TO YOUR FIRE While most egular gym junkies prefer working out on an empty stomach, it is highly unadvisable for beginners to do so — your best bet is to munch on something about an hour before you ride. A great option is something simple that includes carbohydrates and some protein, such as whole grain bread or a banana.

And, of course, don’t forget to hydrate all day leading up to your workout!

DON’T CHEAT! In every indoor cycling/RPM class, your instructor will talk about resistance, and how heavy the pedals should feel.

Sometimes, it’s easy to go lighter than the instructor suggests, but you will just be cheating yourself out of the benefits of the class!

“You should be on that phase to the point of breathlessness when you do intervals. Generally, the right resistance will be challenging, but something you can hold,” says Del Alfaro. If you do feel any discomfort in your joints, pay attention: “That might be a red flag that either your bike set up is off, or that your form might need a little tweak.” she added.

It doesn’t really matter whether you ride your bike outside while enjoying scenic views and inhaling the fresh zesty air or cycle indoors, enjoying the comfort of staying inside — keep in mind that it’s really a good calorie-busting workout, no matter how you spin it!

LIVE FIT, LOVE LIFE!

Fitness+

FEATURING: Del Alfaro ARTICLE BY: Shelley Busque PHOTOGRAPHER: Jerome Wong

PLUS 13

Nov–Dec 2015

+Fitness

Deskercise!

(WORKOUT ANYTIME, ANYWHERE AT WORK!)

A

t present, more often than not, spending no less than eight hours in our jobs, we are more likely to log hour after idle hour glued to our office/work seats scrolling social media pages and Tweeting or Instagramming about that fantastic lunch you just had. Have you ever thought about “way, way back” when “work” meant actual physical labour with a side of sweat and tears? Neither have we. While you may be a Mi-

crosoft Office Title Holder during the day and a gym rat by night, most recent research suggests that the recommended 30 minutes of cardio five times per week may not overrule the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle.

So what’s a “worker” tied to his or her workplace to do? Short bouts of strength and aerobic exercises, and stretching in between conference calls and Snapchats can help improve one’s

fitness level and heart health!

While these “deskercises”, or desk exercises for the cubicle-bound do not assure marathon runner-like endurance, nor can they promise six-pack abs; but they might just improve strength and burn a few extra calories to boot. So whether it’s PowerPoint, AutoCAD, or that to-do list and emails, we’re more than happy to share these desk exercises for a healthier (and happier!) workday.

LETS START OFF WITH CARDIO Happy Feet Tap into your inner Lou Bega (sorry kids, please use Google — he’s the one who popularized that groovy Mambo No. 5 song) by speedily tapping those toes on the floor under your desk. Or choose a challenging (and less inconspicuous) move: Stand in front of a small waste can and lift up your legs to tap your toes on its edge, alternating your feet in a soccer-drill fashion.

A

16 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

B

Also, if you intend to exchange awkward elevator small talk in favour of elevating the heart rate, take the stairs! Accelerate on the landings and take two at a time, every other flight for a real leg burn.

+Fitness The “Let’s Celebrate” Split Squat Jumps Did you just close a sale or win over a client? Figure out how to fix the photocopier machine just in time? IS IT FINALLY FRIDAY?!

Celebrate with the split squat jump. Start with your feet positioned hip-width apart. Step your left leg back two feet and balance on the ball of the foot. Next, lower into a lunge, and then accelerate upwards in an explosion of celebration (throwing your hands in the air is optional). While in the air, switch feet so that when you land, the left foot is planted firmly in front and the right leg is now behind. Repeat 10–12 times on each side.

The Wandering Hermit Walking during work is totally underrated. Take a stroll down the hallway to catch up with coworkers or say, build rapport and welcome a new employee.

Or, instead of dialing extensions and sending emails to the manager two doors down, put in some face to face time.

Just beware of tempting cookies when making your way around. Celebration, or any form of happiness definitely starts within your own mind!

18 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

+Fitness SHOULDERS AND ARMS The Grip Dip With a stable chair or sturdy desk, align your body in a straight upright form and place your buttocks near the edge.

With hands on either sides your body, grip the edge and plant your feet on the ground a step or two away from the desk or chair.

Straighten up your arms to lift your body. Next, bend the arms to reach a 90-degree angle so that your body dips down, hold, and re-straighten while keeping the body raised above the chair.

Complete 10 repetitions.

A A

B

B The Stapler Arm Snuggle Trusty staplers are always guarded closely, especially the heavy duty ones. Every working area has at least one of these for heavy filing of paperwork. On a standing or seated position, face your palm upward and take the stapler in one hand.

Starting at the point of your thighs, bend your elbow and curl your arm up towards your chest, as if you’re performing a bicep curl with a dumbbell. Pause momentarily and then lower the stapler back down. Do 15 to 20 repetitions, then perform on the other side.

Don’t have a weighty stapler on hand? Try using a filled water bottle or something equivalent.

20 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

Fitness+

A The Fist Pump Did you manage to score that promotion? Or have you just received approval from your boss for that

A

B

C

long vacation in Brazil? Time to rock out to My Sharona by The Ramones (originally by The Knack) while simultaneously toning your arms.

B

BACK, CHEST AND NECK Shape Your Nape For the first isometric neck strengthening trick, put your head in your hands as if exasperated by the workday (you may already be in this position), and press your palms into your forehead as if trying to push your head

D

Punch your fist into the air like a winner (alternating arms, of course), and continue for 60 seconds or more —Feel free to feel like a champ!

C

D

backward. Resist by engaging the neck muscles. Then, clasp your hands behind the back of your head and try to push your head backwards, resisting the motion with your hands. Hold each deskercise for 10 seconds, or until The Evolution of Channing Tatum/Emma Watson has finally loaded. Slowly release, rest, and repeat 5 times for each direction.

PLUS 21

Nov–Dec 2015

Fitness+ The Pushy Push-Up Standing one to two feet away from a sturdy wall (a cubicle divider is a NO, NO!), lean forward until palms are flush against the wall, with arms straight and parallel to the ground.

Next, bend the elbows to bring the body towards the wall, hold for two seconds, then push back to the starting position. Complete 15 repetitions. Additional tip: This modified wall push-up is very suitable to perform in a suit! So, suit up!

A

B

CORE The Posture Nazi (Not related to the Grammar Nazi) Perfect posture is a must for long days at the desk. Practice safe desk ergonomics by adjusting the chair height to make sure your feet, hips, and arms are at 90-degree angles to the floor. Engage the core to keep the back straight throughout the day. No slouching allowed!

The Fab Abs Squeeze Another silent deskercise, this one can be covertly executed when walking down the hall or when seated during a call. Simply take a deep breath and tighten the abdominal muscles, bringing them in towards the spine as you exhale. Hold for 5–10 seconds and release. Repeat 12–15 times.

LIVE FIT, LOVE LIFE!

FEATURING: Lau Moi Chee ARTICLE BY: Shelley PHOTOGRAPHER: Jerome Wong

PLUS 23

Nov–Dec 2015

+Fitness

ZUMBA WITH SUSAN (PART 2)

1) 2 STEP: Travel two steps to the right and two steps to the left.

CUMBIA A

2) MOVE YOUR RIGHT LEG TO THE FRONT THEN BACK 24 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

A

B Repeat with left leg.

BEND YOUR KNEES. Achieve a lean upper body by engaging your abdominals.

B

C

D

Right Leg front & back, Left Leg front & back. Repeat with left leg.

(Make sure you scoop your hips, rock forward and back).

Fitness+

3) SLEEPY LEG: Bend your knees a bit lower. Roll your hips back. Move across the floor, dragging your right leg behind you.

Repeat with left leg.

A

A

B

4) SUGAR CANE/MACHETE:

C

B

D

E

Stand with your feet placed shoulder hip width apart.

Now, make sure your knees and feet are facing the same direction. Make sure your knees do not travel over your feet when you squat.

Move your right arm out to the side, with the left arm tucked in to the side.

Bring the same foot back to the starting position and bring your arm out to the side.

As you bring your right arm down, step forward with your right foot, bending your knees to face sideways.

Then, bring your right foot back to the side. Come back to the starting position and repeat.

PLUS 25

Nov–Dec 2015

+Fitness

REGGAETON

A

A

1) STOMP:

2) KNEE LIFT:

Place your legs just bit wider than hip width apart.

Place your feet together.

Put your right foot out and stomp.

(As you stomp, use your hip and squeeze the hip!)

Repeat with left leg.

26 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

B

Lift up your knee and bring it back down.

(As you lift your knee, lean your upper body forward and crunch your abdominals).

Repeat with left leg.

Fitness+

A

3) DESTROZA:

B

C

With your arms behind you, pretend you are drying your back with a towel. As you stomp, pull the imaginary towel side to side behind you.

Follow the “Stomp” step.

Put your right foot out and stomp.

A

B

C

4) BOUNCE: Take 2 steps to the right and 2 Steps to the left.

As you step, turn your body to the side twist. Bring your arm up and pull downwards as you twist.

FEATURING: Susan Leung PHOTOGRAPHER: Jerome Wong

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Nov–Dec 2015

+Life Inspired

28 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

Life Inspired+

A

RELENTLESS

PURSUIT E

arlier in the year, I spoke to some of Brunei’s talented and hardworking dancers who were going to represent Brunei on the world stage in Los Angeles in July. Now, fresh off their exhilarating experience, Amy Cheong Sui Ying, Ainul Marzuki and Shannon Osman from Relentless Entertainment Brunei let me in on how it all went for them at the prestigious World Championships of Performing Arts as they battled it out with some of the world’s best. 

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Nov–Dec 2015

+Life Inspired

Amy

30 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

Life Inspired+ Joanna: What is Relentless all about?

Amy: Three simple words describe us — performing arts, community and family.

Mardi Hedus and I started Relentless Entertainment Brunei as a dance group back in 2007 and it quickly grew into an entertainment, events and talent management company.

Since then, Relentless has been actively involved in introducing, training and nurturing dance and the arts in the youth of Brunei Darussalam.

Our motto is “To Touch. To Move. To Inspire” and we aspire to provide performing artists a venue where they can practise and perfect their art.

Ainul: As a dance group, we have taken part in numerous dance competitions in and outside of Brunei, and even travelled to places like the United Kingdom, Singapore and Malaysia for dance training.

Like Amy said, it’s not only about dance — it’s also about developing the arts. To date, we have put on two charity musical productions. The first was an original production called “Enchanted Forest” back in 2013 and the second one was ‘POPPINS The Musical’ earlier this year. We have also organized our own events for the arts such as ‘Urban Lifestyle’ in September 2014 and ‘Eat, Play and Art’ in October this year.

Amy: From managing Brunei’s first ever large scale dance competition in 2009, managing three seasons of ‘Who’s Got Talent’, winning dance competitions in the region, putting on the two charity musicals that Ainul mentioned and competing at the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Los Angeles, Relentless is always looking to grow bigger and better and do more.

Shannon: Relentless is a place I can call home, filled with people I love and where I get to do what I love.

Joanna: Yes, WCOPA. For those unfamiliar with the competition, can you tell us about it?

Shannon: WCOPA stands for the “World Championship of Performing Arts” where selected dancers, vocalists, actors, models, musicians and variety acts from all over the world gather to compete in the various performing arts categories.

These categories are sub-divided into different genres and within each genre, there are different age groups (also divided into senior and junior categories) and groupings (solos, duos or groups).

Essentially, by the time you get through the prelims and semis to the finals, you’ll be competing for the title of “Grand Champion”; that is, the best talent of them all.

Amy: This year, 63 countries took part. It gets bigger and bigger each year and we’re told it was the biggest competition yet.

We went in not really knowing what to expect. We were excited but scared; confident in our pieces but intimidated by all the other talented dancers from all over the world. As soon as we got there we were already looking for a space in the hotel where we could rehearse.

The only time we could practise was between 10pm and midnight when no one was around (so no one could see our top secret dance routines).

We did our best during the preliminary round and were happy to have had the chance to share the stage with some amazing talents.

When the semi-finalists were announced the next day, we were shocked that only the dancers (Mardi Hedus and Relentless girls) from Team Brunei made it through. We had about 2 hours to prepare and we were back on stage for the semis.

The finalists were announced that evening. At that point, we were happy that we even made it as far as the semi-finals. Then the announcer said, “In Senior Dance category… from Brunei Darussalam…

Relentless!” The whole team rejoiced!

We were over the moon! Bruneian dancers? In the Finals at the World Championships? Woah.

But we also knew that we were against some tough competition.

We rehearsed, changed our routine to add some variation and improved our set. Our WCOPA teammates were beyond amazing. As soon as we knew we were in the finals, it was all hands on deck. They helped us get food, kept us hydrated, even helped us with make up and hair.

Friends, family and supporters live streamed the finals on the first day of Hari Raya, sending us love and

encouragement before we went on stage. Although we didn’t win, it truly was an honour to be top three in the Senior Dance category.

All in all, Relentless brought home a Dance Industry Award, 2 Gold, 2 Silver, and 1 Bronze medals and we were also the Overall Division Winner for the Hip-Hop Category. Our teammate Mardi bagged 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals. In addition to that, all four of us dancers were awarded a one-month scholarship to Millennium Dance Complex in L.A. Joanna: That is a fantastic achievement — all truly well-deserved! I know it wasn’t an easy road getting there and the whole experience was quite the journey for all of you. Let’s start from the beginning. You had to audition to be on the team for WCOPA. What was that like?

Amy: We were actually debating whether or not to audition. When we finally decided, there was only about 5 days to the audition.

Ainul: Picking which dance routine to show the judges was not easy and trying to impress them in the audition was nerve wracking. We had to pick the two best out of everything that we had. Eventually, we decided on our Hip-Hop and Contemporary routines for the audition.

Amy: We spent a couple of hours learning the choreography from Relentless’ Artistic Director, Mardi, and spent the next few days perfecting our audition routines. We were actually quite nervous about the contemporary piece as we weren’t trained in that genre of dance.

Shannon: Yeah, like whether our pieces would be deemed strong or entertaining enough for a competition like WCOPA. Ainul: We were hoping so much that we would be accepted into the team.

Amy: The good thing was that the judges loved the pieces that we prepared and the rest is history.

Joanna: How did you then prepare for the competition?

Amy: Oh wow! We struggled a lot.

But you can’t call yourself relentless unless you’re willing to do what it takes to get to where you want to go. For starters, we were training 3–5 hours 3–4 times a week.

PLUS 31

Nov–Dec 2015

+Life Inspired Ainul: For about a month!

Shannon

Shannon: That’s the three (originally four) of us having to sort through our busy work and school schedules to squeeze in as much practice time as possible.

Amy: We worked on our fitness and stamina at the gym and put our heads together for choreography. That, however, was the easy part! Our most challenging obstacle was finance. When we said we were representing Brunei, a lot of people automatically assumed everything was fully paid for but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Shannon: We spent months trying looking for sponsorship and trying to raise money to pay for our flights, accommodation and competition registration fees.

Amy: Yeah, we had to raise every dollar. We took part in car boot sales, organised events to help raise funds, made chocolate apples, mini pizzas and even learnt to make bracelets and dream-catchers to sell!

For months, Mardi and I went from company to company and even approached friends to seek sponsorship but we were getting nowhere.

Two weeks before our departure date we still didn’t have enough to go. We prepared ourselves for the worst when our prayers were answered, Royal Brunei and Suci Brunei jumped on board as sponsors and local performing arts/ dance supporters came together to support us as well.

Shannon: We were fundraising pretty much from the beginning of 2015 up until the week we flew off.

Ainul: It was tiring to bump into so many obstacles along the way but it was all worth it in the end. Always believe that hard work will eventually lead to success.

Amy: We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors Royal Brunei as well

32 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

Life Inspired+ as Suci Brunei for believing in us. We also want to thank everyone who came out and supported our events, bought our food, bracelets and dream-catchers. We truly could not have done it without each and every one of you.

Joanna: I’m glad that all the hard work paid off for you. You also had to make some changes to your routine a few days before you flew off?

What was the story behind that?

Amy: When we auditioned, there were four of us in the group. But about a week before departure, one of our teammates was offered the chance of a lifetime to intern at MediaCorp Singapore for 6 months.

Knowing that opportunities like these don’t come very often, we encouraged her to pursue it.

It was very emotional and it felt like we had lost a limb. The four of us had prepared everything together, spent every single day together and all of a sudden, there was only three.

Shannon: She was very much with us since the beginning of the journey, from the audition to the choreographing, training and fundraising. It was really emotional to have a teammate we had seen pretty much almost every day for 8 months not join us for such a special event, but we’re very proud of her personal achievement.

Amy: The hardest part was that all the sets were done and choreographed for four people so we had to put our heads together once again and adjust everything to suit three people.

Shannon: That meant modifications to our positioning and any interactions we originally planned between the four of us in each of the routines.

It wasn’t just changing it to make sure it still worked well with only three dancers, but also having to recalibrate what was pretty much already wired into our systems from rehearsing months ahead of time.

Amy: Our other teammate, Mardi, was monumental in our final preparations. He pretty much told us to stick together and move as one unit, and helped us with transitions. We had to scrap one of our competition pieces and add another one two days before departure. If this has taught me anything, it’s that nothing comes easy and no matter what

obstacles come your way you have to keep going. We often joke about it but you really could make a movie about our WCOPA journey!

Joanna: I wouldn’t be surprised if you do end up making a movie about it. Or a musical. Or both.

After all, you are the first ever dance team from Brunei to compete at WCOPA. That’s huge!

Ainul: I felt so honoured to represent dancers from Brunei in L.A. As soon as I heard the news that we were the first and the only dancers from Brunei, I promised myself to do my ultimate best and be fully committed to the team.

Shannon: It was truly an honour! It was Relentless’ first time competing outside of Asia as well, so it really was quite a big deal.

Amy: Yes indeed!! I’ve represented Brunei in swimming and debate as well as dance before but this was different. We were the first ever dance team to represent Brunei at an international competition. It was truly an honour and somewhat dream-like because it was all finally happening after months and months of preparation, rehearsals and fundraising!

I couldn’t really sleep on the flights to L.A. and almost couldn’t believe it when we touched down in L.A.!!

Shannon: Me too. I didn’t expect to make it all the way to the States.

I refused to believe it until I was actually dropped off at the airport.

I also didn’t expect us to make it all the way to the grand finals along with two other senior dance groups what with the great amount of talent that was available at the competition. I hope this creates a platform for fellow dancers and performers in Brunei to train and reach their highest potential.

Joanna: What were the other dancers at the competition like?

Ainul: The dancers were so amazing and down-to-earth. They were very friendly to us and very talented in so many ways! We even wished each other good luck before going on stage.

Shannon: Incredibly talented! It was a little intimidating, but also exciting and very inspiring. An amazing number of them came from South Africa. You could see that all the dancers were just as hungry as we were.

Amy: Amazing’s the word! They were very experienced, technically trained and they had awesome costumes. Yes, they were intimidating but they were all very friendly and supportive too.

Joanna: So are all of you — all four dancers from Relentless were awarded scholarships!

Amy: We won a one-month scholarship at the prestigious Millennium Dance Complex, the same place where Justin Bieber, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce rehearse.

That was truly a surprise but it felt great that the entire team was given the opportunity for further training.

Shannon: We were especially proud that Ainul was awarded a scholarship during the dance workshops pre-competition.

Ainul: I didn’t expect to get a scholarship so early but most importantly, I had fun even though I messed up a little here and there! I’m glad that our team got recognised by the judges when we were competing on the stage.

Joanna: They definitely know talent when they see it. Apart from winning the scholarship, what would you say was the best thing about the competition?

Ainul: For me, it had to be that the competition was broadcasted live and my family and friends back home in Brunei could watch my team and I compete in the finals in L.A. Shannon: The opportunity to watch, live, some of the most talented people there are up close, in every category.

Amy: I’d say definitely bonding with our WCOPA teammates. Getting to know them, watching them and supporting them as they did Brunei proud in singing and acting.

Watching the talents and contestants from other countries was inspiring and educational as well. I also enjoyed speaking to and getting to know the other contestants from different parts of the world. It’s a competition that celebrates the arts.

It doesn’t get any better than that.

Joanna: … And the hardest/toughest thing?

Amy: All the waiting! The waiting before we stepped on stage for our first routine and the waiting in between our pieces. It was

PLUS 33

Nov–Dec 2015

+Life Inspired nerve-wracking! I would go over the routine over and over again and because I was nervous, a move or two would slip my mind and I would get even more nervous! But I knew to trust the music, muscle memory and of course, to breathe!

Shannon: For me, it would be all the talented people who were our competition! Also, one of the real challenges is only having a full minute to really showcase what you have.

So, everyone in the pool of enormous talent in the competition is really giving it their all as soon as that first second on the clock strikes.

Joanna: Outside of the competition, did you get to see much of L.A.?

Shannon: Yes! We tried to see and do as much as possible with the rest of the team, even if it was just walking around our area and trying new food. The best place? Walmart! Just kidding.

Walmart was cool though.

Amy: It wasn’t as much as I’d like but we were there to compete and didn’t have much time to sightsee. Before the competition started, we took the train down to Hollywood, We also walked around and discovered Long Beach with the rest of Team Brunei.

Ainul: On our last day in L.A, we also went to Disneyland with the rest of Team Brunei!

Shannon: Disneyland was definitely one of the best experiences!

Joanna: How did the experience change you, both personally and in your dance?

Amy: I’d always been the type of person who does things on her own. The entire journey has taught me to trust in other people, to work extra hard and just because there’s a speed bump on the way, it doesn’t mean you quit. You must keep going. I am now stronger and at the same time I want more. I want to learn more,

34 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

Ainul

Life Inspired+ choreograph better and take part in more competitions.

Ainul: The competition has taught us so many things — teamwork, humility, and to connect with new people around us. We gained self-discipline and confidence. It has definitely brought us out of our comfort zone.

Shannon: It definitely made me hungrier — hungry to learn, create, and experience more.

Joanna: True to your name, I understand you barely had time to bask in your achievements after the competition. It has been a string of competitions and events one after another, hasn’t it?

Amy: We haven’t stopped!! A day after we arrived home, we were back in the studio preparing a brand new routine for a television dance competition.

Shannon: It’s called Astro Battleground. We only had about half a day to prepare, rehearse and polish a new piece for it.

Amy: We were jetlagged and exhausted but we wanted to give it a shot. After that, we went straight into choreographing and rehearsing for a performance for His Majesty’s 69th Birthday Brunei-Muara Get Together Ceremony. We were tasked with co-ordinating segment 3 and had 69 dancers under us at the time.

This was also the first time Relentless was invited to perform at a national level event. After that, we had backto-back performances and organized ‘Eat, Play, Art’, an event celebrating good food, family fun and the arts.

Joanna: What are your plans in dance in the year ahead?

Amy: Relentless has a number of big events coming up so we’re pretty excited about that. We are also about to hold open auditions for our next musical production! Follow us on Instagram @relentlessbrunei for the latest updates.

Shannon: Auditions, choreography and scripts are already in the works! Also, check out #relentlessdancecompetition.

Ainul: Personally, I plan to join in more dance competitions in the future and to fly off to L.A. again for our one-month scholarship next year.

Amy: Yes, we are definitely taking up the dance scholarship but we’re going to have to raise funds for that as well as the scholarship only covers one month of dance lessons. It does not include flights, accommodation and expenses.

Joanna: What do you feel is the general view towards modern dance as an art form and also a profession in Brunei?

Amy: The local modern dance scene is growing, at least since 2007. There are more and more dance groups forming in the nation, and with videos easily available on YouTube, dancers are able to copy international dancers with ease. However, more training needs to be done, dancers need to take dance classes to get better and that’s something I realize a lot of people are not willing to do.

It’s hard to be a professional dancer in Brunei. Relentless has been working towards creating a dance industry in the country. We make sure that our own dancers are compensated fairly for their hard work. Dance routines don’t appear out of thin air, it takes hours upon hours of rehearsal to perfect a single dance number.

Yes, exposure is great but studio rental needs to be paid, costumes need to be bought or made and dancers need to eat too. It makes it even harder when there are dancers and dance groups out there who are willing to perform for cheap or free. Yes they gain momentarily but they need to realize that they are spoiling the market for everyone, especially those who do it for a living and they are ruining the chances of an industry. I’m sure this applies to all art forms.

Shannon: I feel that modern dance isn’t taken very seriously and is quite underappreciated here. It seems like there’s still a long way to go before we are able to call dance a full-time profession in Brunei.

Joanna: Your hopes and dreams for dance in Brunei?

Amy: Dance in Brunei is on the right path. We are a very small country and if we want the industry to grow and improve, we need to work together. The hope and dream is that

in the near future people will be able to say, “I’m a professional dancer. I do this for a living”.

Ainul: I hope we can bring in more professional dance instructors from outside of Brunei to teach the youth the proper way of dancing and to appreciate dancing as an art form and sport.

Shannon: I hope that the dance industry will grow to be more diverse and to increase equally in both quality and quantity.

Joanna: You’re all already an inspiration to so many budding dancers and performers. Any advice for those who aspire to pursue dance?

Ainul: You’ve got to find your inspiration. Find someone who can inspire you to keep dancing. You can always follow their steps and even ask for advice to dance better. Dancing is also healthy — it used to be hard for me to sweat, even after a heavy workout but even since I joined Relentless, the dance classes and stamina training helped strengthen my body core and changed my lifestyle to a healthy one!

Amy: Everyone is a dancer. Some are born with the talent, others have to work extra hard. Whatever level you are at in dance, keep going. If there’s one thing I can tell you, it’s that you must pursue your passions.

Also, I often hear people say it’s something they did as a teenager and not something adults should do but look at me, I’m now 28 years old. I’m a radio DJ at Pilihan FM, I’m also an event emcee, a voice-over talent, co-founder of Relentless, a choreographer, a dancer and a wife.

If you want something badly enough you will make it happen.

Shannon: Be relentless in your path to pursue dance. In the face of challenges and discouragement, remain undeterred and unfazed.

Amy: If you have an interest in dance or the performing arts, drop us a message via Instagram or Facebook (facebook.com/ relentless.entertainment) and if you’re interested in being part of Relentless, we’d love to have you too! If you’d like Relentless to manage or perform at your event, feel free to contact us +6737186225 or +6738243222.

PLUS 35

Nov–Dec 2015

+Life Inspired

FEATURING: Amy Cheong, Shannon Osman and Ainul Marzuki ARTICLE BY: Joanna Kwan PHOTOGRAPHER: Jerome Wong

36 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

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+Recipe

We like to eat healthy here at Plus, but that doesn’t mean we just eat plain green salads or bland, uninteresting pulses — quite the opposite in fact! With a careful selection of ingredients, you can create your own wholesome sweet treats — far healthier than the normal fried or “goreng” varieties — which are just as delicious, whilst being low in calories and most importantly, do not contain additives and the wrong types of sugar and fats.

FRESH AND HEALTHY RECIPES FRESH BLUEBERRY LEMON SCONES Serves about 12 Most store-bought scones are highly fattening and filled with cheap long-life ingredients that are unfortunately full of preservatives, refined sugars and fats. If you love the taste of these baked treats, then you can make a far tastier and healthier version yourself by substituting many of the ingredients with more nutritious alternatives.

Ingredients:

ū ū ū ū

1 cup whole wheat flour ¾ cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 3 tablespoons sweetener — stevia, agave syrup or unrefined brown sugar

38 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

ū Pinch of natural salt ū ¼ cup unsalted butter ū ¼ cup unsweetened apple juice& pulp (freshly mashed is best) ū Zest from one lemon ū 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice ū ½ cup low fat buttermilk ū ¼ cup skimmed milk ū 1 egg, room temperature ū 1 cup fresh blueberries

Directions: Preheat oven to 200 °C. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flours, baking powder, sweetener and salt together. Set aside.

In another bowl, beat the egg, buttermilk, lemon juice, and skimmed milk together. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and then add the liquid mixture, stir to combine.

Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter until mixture resembles a soft sand. Stir in the apple juice with a fork until just combined (you want them to still be slightly flakey). Fold in the fresh blueberries and lemon zest.

Using a large spoon, scoop the batter onto a non-stick or greased baking sheet. Bake for about 13–15 minutes or until golden.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories:

95

Fat:

1g

Carbohydrates:

19.5g

Protein:

3.5g

Fiber:

1g

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+Recipe For the pancakes: ū ū ū ū ū ū ū ū ū

¾ cup whole wheat flour ¼ cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon cinnamon 3 tablespoons natural vanilla yogurt ¾ cup non-fat milk 3 tablespoons sweetener — stevia, agave syrup or unrefined brown sugar 1 tablespoon natural pineapple juice (freshly squeezed is best) 1 egg, beaten

Directions: In a shallow bowl, mix the raisins, pineapple juice and sweetener together.

Let sit for at least 15–20 minutes. Strain the raisins once they’ve soaked and discard the liquid.

To make the pancakes: using a wire mesh strainer, sift the flours, baking powder, cinnamon, and sweetener together in a large mixing bowl. Add the egg, milk, pineapple juice, yogurt, and soaked raisins. Mix to combine.

Stir gently. Do not over mix; it’s okay if you have a few chunks or lumps.

Let batter sit for 5–10 minutes.

Grease a frying pan with coconut oil (or use a nonstick one) and heat up over a medium high heat. Using an ice cream scoop, add about 2 scoops of batter into the center of the pan.

Once the batter starts to bubble in the middle, flip over (about 2 minutes).

Let cook an additional 2–3 minutes until golden brown on both sides.

OATMEAL VANILLA RAISIN PANCAKES

ingredients, whilst still being super tasty. Enjoy!

Serves about 6 (1 pancake each)

Ingredients:

Calories:

200

For soaking the raisins:

Fat:

1.5g

Who doesn’t love pancakes, but they don’t have to be unhealthy and fattening — our simple recipe below cuts down on the unhealthy

ū ¾ cup dried natural raisins ū 2 tablespoons natural pineapple juice (freshly squeezed is best) ū 1 teaspoon sweetener — stevia, agave syrup or unrefined brown sugar

Carbohydrates:

35g

Protein:

6g

Fiber:

2.5g

40 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

Nutritional information per serving:

Recipe+

WHOLE WHEAT BANANA BREAD BARS If you love the taste of “pisang goreng”, but are looking for a far healthier version with that great banana taste, then our recipe for banana bars is just the ticket — and easier than making a banana loaf, with snack size portions that contain only 129 calories per bar.

Yields 12 bars Ingredients:

ū 1 large egg, room temperature ū 1/3 cup sweetener — stevia, agave syrup or unrefined brown sugar

ū 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ū 1 teaspoon almond extract ū 3 medium bananas, ripe and mashed ū 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour ū 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder ū ¾ teaspoon all spice ū ¼ cup unsweetened apple juice & pulp (freshly mashed is best) ū 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Directions: Preheat oven to 175 °C. Grease a baking dish (healthy coconut oil is best).

In a large bowl, beat the egg, sweetener, vanilla, almond, apple and bananas together until smooth. Stir in the flour, baking

powder, and spice together. Make a well in the centre and stir in the wet mixture.

Mix loosely to combine (don’t overmix). Stir in the walnuts and pour the mixture into the prepared pan.

Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Nutritional information per bar: Calories:

129

Fat:

3g

Carbohydrates:

25g

Protein:

3.5g

Fiber:

1g

PLUS 41

Nov–Dec 2015

+Beauty

10 Amazing

Body Lotions E

You Should Know About

very woman who wants to look and feel good in her own skin harbours the desire to have soft, silky smooth and well-nourished skin. When it comes to our faces, splurging on the latest cosmetics and creams that promise

to work miracles is quite common.

However, we tend to neglect the rest of our body and often swing by the local shops to pick up whatever’s on sale. This is not ideal because your body lotion should be catered to your skin type just like the prod-

ucts you use on your face. Ideally, you need to use a lotion that is designed to deal with your specific skin concerns. Here, we are giving you the Top 10 Body Lotions that you should know about to make an informed decision.

2

BURT’S BEES RADIANCE BODY LOTION:

This elegant body lotion will shine and shimmer up your moisturizing routine. The tube is filled with skin softening sunflower oil and amazing royal jelly that will work on your skin just perfect. Plus, it’s also light reflecting which is truly amazing!

3 1

OLAY ULTRA MOISTURE:

The Ultra Moisture Body Lotion by Olay is really nourishing and penetrates deeply into the skin, cleansing and moisturizing it. It is ideal for people who have dry skin, rough elbows and knees. This lotion is highly moisturizing, helps to prevent dryness and in addition, reverses the signs of aging. No wonder it’s a used by millions of women around the world!

42 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

VICTORIA’S SECRET HYDRATING BODY LOTION:

There’s nothing new to say about this gorgeous scented bottled lotion.

It provides you with your favorite alluring scent in a luxe, moisturizing formula for baby soft and smooth touchable skin. The formula is fast absorbing and contains nourishing aloe, oat and grape seed extracts along with antioxidant Vitamins C and E. As a result, you get intensely hydrated skin with your beloved scent as a bonus!

Beauty+

6 ST. IVES REPLENISHING

4

MINERAL THERAPY:

DOVE CREAM OIL SENSITIVE SKIN LOTION:

This nourishing lotion wins major points for its “nongreasy and soothing” formula.

Ladies have been using this for years and cannot get enough of it. Works great on all skin types and the nonsticky formula is a blessing!

Dove specializes in super sensitive and allergy-prone skins. The Cream Oil Sensitive Skin Lotion from Dove has a completely dyefree and fragrance-free formula that hydrates the body in the best possible way.

7 5

NIVEA EXTRA ENRICHED LOTION: This lotion is intended for those who have severely dry skin. Its nourishing formula containing antioxidant Vitamin E will gently rejuvenate it. We recommend applying it on your skin immediately after getting out of the shower for maximum absorption of moisture.

In addition, it also helps skin conditions such as eczema.

JERGENS ORIGINAL CHERRYALMOND MOISTURIZER:

This Lotion will never disappoint. It softens skin, lasts a long time and smells summery fresh! “Beauty Legacy” is an understatement for this amazing product.

PLUS 43

Nov–Dec 2015

+Beauty

9

DESERT ESSENCE ORGANICS COCONUT HAND AND BODY LOTION:

Ladies adore this tropical-essence body tube because of its coconut scent and thick, consistent and moisture-rich formula. Not only does it smell delicious, it also hydrates amazingly. Other perks include a mixture of amazing ingredients such as jojoba oil which works great on all skin types.

8

ALBA BOTANICA BODY LOTION:

The Alba Botanica Body Lotion is unscented and is intensely hydrating and nourishing. It serves well not only on dry and normal skin, but also on highly sensitive skin types. It is enriched with high-quality botanical emollients and contains only vegetarian ingredients that have never been tested on animals. Neither does it contain parabens or phthalates.

Talk about natural body lotion!

10

THE SUAVE GOLD PROFESSIONALS LOTION:

The body lotion by Suave Gold Professionals is a luxury with its remarkable feature of great mineral extract designed with care to soothe and moisturize the skin for 24 hours.

The result is properly hydrated, non-sticky and luminous skin with a pleasant fragrance that will last the entire day. Pretty impressive!

Well, that’s our round up of the Top 10 Body Lotions. We hope you manage to find one perfect for you!

44 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

+Beauty

MAC

Irresistibly Charming

T

his Christmas, MAC has come up with an abundance of stunning collections and with the MAC Irresistible Charming Collection, the entire Holiday 2015 makeup line seems to be complete! This third collection is sparked by an irresistibly charming allure, as the name suggests, and could easily be the perfect Christmas present for any makeup junkie. It features pigments and lip sets with outstanding hues of icy nudes, glitter-flecked purples, and fearless pinks and rouge. The U.S launching date for this collection is the 27th of October 2015 online and the 29th of October in MAC stores, and it will be available internationally after November 2015.

This highly anticipated boxed pigments and glitter kits are sure to blow minds away with its dazzling colors and sparkly finish for the holidays. They blend very smoothly within one swipe!

A bold eye look can easily be created with the pigments accompanied by nude, pink or even glossy lips. Speaking of which, the lip gloss sets are great value for money because while the tubes may look short, they actually contain 0.08 oz. each. Each kit contains one shade of Dazzleglass and three shades of Chreemsheen Glass. While the Creemsheen Glass is sheerer, lightweight and non-sticky with a short wear time (one to three hours), the Dazzeglass is thicker, glossier, and sparkly with a slightly longer wear time.

(Two to four hours). These tubes add a noticeable shimmer and glossiness to the lips, and are wearable on their own, but could also work to layer with your favorite lipstick. The Patentpolish lip pencils work like magic! They combine the sheen of a gloss with the precision of a lip pencil. Even though they feel a bit drier than the Creemsheens for obvious reasons, the colour payoff is definitely worth it. Another downside to me is that they require reapplication quite often.

Moreover, the packaging of this collection deserves applause because whether it’s for a gift or personal use, the kits are user-friendly and look absolutely adorable!

46 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

+Beauty

MAC Enchanted Eve

T

he iconic cosmetic brand MAC has decided to exhilarate all the beauty addicts thrice this year by spicing up Christmas with three new makeup collections. The MAC Enchanted Eve Holiday 2015 is the second collection presenting a broad range of makeup kits, beauty sets, palettes and brush kits that come nestled in lovely limited edition pouches. All these items are travel-friendly and ideal to take along if you plan to travel this season.

The MAC Enchanted Eve Face Kits in both cool and warm tones embellish the eyes, lips, cheeks and whole face. Opening the black pouches to cool and warm hues of eye shadows, lipsticks, base and beauty powder offers a full makeup experiment. While the cream coloured bases are surprisingly versatile and can also be used as an eye-shadow base, I’m slightly disappointed by the brushes included. I found them to be scratchy, so they definitely do not live up to my expectations.

The Lip and Eye Bags in Pink and Copper are exceptional! The coordinated kits in stylish little clutch help to complete a festive look. They are my new go-to favourites!

48 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

I’m thrilled by the never-ending options in the lip wear section.

Coming in palettes, sets and look bags, MAC Enchanted even features ever-so-chic shades of lipstick, lip gloss and lip pencil in three classic colour palettes: pink, nude and red. They come in satin, matte and frost finishes and the quality is as good as any other MAC lip wear. However, one downside I noted about the lip palette was that they don’t come with lip brushes so you have to use your own.

The eye look bags and palettes provide an abundance of options to create the classic smoky eye in rich, eloquent hues of plum, brown, navy and black. Each bag features mascara for dramatic eyelashes, a longwearing gel liner and a double-ended brush. But as far as the quality is concerned, in my opinion, they don’t seem to have risen to the same level as the singles in their permanent line.

It takes an unusually long time to build up the colours and thus, there’s difficulty in blending.

The MAC Enchanted Eve features brushes in three kits — Basic, Essentials and Mineralize; providing endless options to go for the look that fits the mood.

They are composed of natural

bristles and synthetic fibers and thus, allow precise application. No complaints.

One of the best aspects of this collection would be the bags that complement the bold, electric hues of the holidays — perfect to give as a gift this season!

Featuring our ergonomic, triple-density, all-day comfy layer of cush, our new NOVYTM sandals will give you an instant lift. Because at FitFlop, we believe

YOUR FEET SHOULDN’T HAVE TO SUFFER TO BE BEAUTIFULTM.

+Beauty

MAC

T

MAGIC OF THE NIGHT

his season, MAC Cosmetics is launching three Holiday 2015 Collections and lovers of the brand are gathering around with much anticipation and excitement to get their hands on them! The first is the MAC Magic of the Night Holiday 2015 Collection featuring makeup for eyes, lips, and cheek along with mini brush sets, colour drenched pigments, and more!

First of all, this collection is adorned with exquisite packaging comprising touches of royal blue, teal and purple and each piece has a different shade of jewel tones that gives off a festive feel. The collection is perfect to wear on a magical evening out with eyes done in deep smoky hues and lips in tones that boldly lead the way for a night of unexpected thrills.

The MAC Magic of the Night collection is something I’d describe as love at first swipe. Among the beautiful makeup pieces, what really catches the eye are the Colourdrenched Pigments; a new line of eyeshadow. They’re soft and saturated pressed powder eyeshadows that feel almost like creams, and are quite pigmented. These highly pearlized creamy hues glisten right against the skin and take you to the next level of elegance. However, try to apply the eyeshadow before the base because there is a high chance that glitter specks will appear all over the face.

My absolute favourites are the “Tonight’s The Night“in a beautiful deep blackened teal with loads of shimmery goodness and “No Taboos” in a blackened blue with a multidimensional sparkle. And then there are Extra Dimension Skinfinishes; Oh, Darling in bright metallic gold shimmer and Shaft of Gold in a shimmery metallic copper. Both have great pigmentation and can be easily built up or toned down. These are quite possibly the best highlighters MAC has ever made! And the lipstick shades are oh-so-gorgeous! The retro matte and matte lipsticks have the extreme right of being dubbed amplified crème. They are moisturizing and feel like butter. Furthermore, the Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner provides a rich, luxurious colour with a touch of shimmer and sparkle.

Overall, this collection is all set to redefine luxury! I’d say they are definitely worth the splurge.

50 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

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PLUS 51

Nov–Dec 2015

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Organiser

Official Beverage

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ARMTRIX Your ONE STOP merchandise provider

52 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

Official Magazine

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Event Sponsors Pantone colour Red - M=100, Y=100 Yellow - M=30, Y=100

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A successful event, with over 272 volunteers and collected over 370 kg piles of waste.

Clean Now, Live Better Tomorrow! Fitness Zone’s Berakas Beach Clean Up Drive In Conjunction With World Diabetes Day “The Ocean sustains us with the basic elements of life — it produces half of the oxygen in the air we breathe, and it is an essential part of the water cycle, and assists to provide the water we drink. Brunei, the Land of Unexpected Treasures as known to the world, has the fontier of this essential resource. Provides habitat and nesting grounds for ocean wildlife and assisting to sustain complex coastal economies.”

O

n a sunny, breezy Saturday morning, on their bright blue attire, over 30 exuberant participants had a joyous Yoga session by the beach and around over 280 volunteers from different walks of life, especially the younger generation of Brunei, mostly from schools such as Sultan Saiful Rijal Technical College (MTSSR), Yayasan Volunteer Group, Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Secondary School and Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) gathered in Berakas Beach Forest Reserve to create awareness of World Diabetes Day, not only to take part of their social responsibility but to also show their utmost intent to further take care of our environment serves big impact and can be beneficial in one’s good health.

Present at the event are, Managing Director of Fitness Zone, Wu Chun, who gave a brief educational talk to the young generation

of Brunei about having one goal by uniting as one can make a big difference creating awareness and him also participated and took part with the clean up drive together with General Manager, Del Mesina Alfaro and Executive Assistant and Organizer of the event, Shelley Busque. Also there to show support was President of Beach Bunch, Rizan Latif who has founded the organization since 2010, has lead more than 30 clean ups and with his leadership managed to collect more than 16,000 kilograms of waste and educated the volunteers about the essentials of taking care of Brunei’s coastals. *Beach Bunch, a registered voluntary NGO in Brunei with a vision of keeping its beaches clean and enjoyable not only for its visitors but also to its coastal wildlife.

During the event there were 372 kg. of wastes collected in the

beach premise mostly include plastic bottles and plastics. Woke up early to show their undivided support were from sponsors Plus Magazine, The Energy Kitchen, Bake Culture and Purity Water (KINGSTON).

There are two event collaboration Fitness Zone, Plus Magazine and Beach Bunch are looking forward into working with for coming next year, first one would be in 28th February 2016, The Beach Bunch Trail Challenge and in March 2016, in line with celebration of Earth Day. “We must develop a better sense of responsibility not only with taking care of our heslth but also responsibility towards our environment. These two are the most essential things that we should be investing our time, effort and energy.”

— Wu Chun, Managing Director Fitness Zone

PLUS 53

Nov–Dec 2015

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Wu Chun holding an abandon suitcase

Waste collected at the beach

Volunteers cleaning up the beach

Yoga By The Beach with Daphne Organized by

54 PLUS Nov–Dec 2015

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