Month: August 2025

Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent/guardian(s) educate you about finances?
I grew up always feeling comfortable, but I knew we weren’t rich. I thought we were pretty well off until I moved to London and realised how the other half actually live! My parents split when I was in my early teens and money became a lot tighter. We stopped going on holidays, downsized into a rental and myself and my brother took on more responsibilities. My mum has always drilled into me the importance of having my own money and encouraged me to save something every month that I didn’t touch, whether it was £20 or £200. Looking back, I really didn’t appreciate how tough it must have been financially (and mentally) for her to start all over again in her 40s with two teenage children, especially as a woman from a traditional culture who lived in a dual-income household from the age of 21. She has always been my biggest money motivation. read more

Per the instructions, I applied a few pumps onto clean skin in the morning. (You can either apply it to slightly damp skin post-cleanser or after your toner or essence step.) It really melts in the skin, with a refreshing, thirst-quenching feel. I followed it up with my daytime moisturiser and sunscreen and immediately noticed a healthy gleam. (The brand even suggests using a liberal amount as a flash hydrating mask to prep your skin for makeup.) After a few weeks of use, I’m already seeing bouncier, softer skin. I tend to treat my skin with kid gloves (keeping actives to a minimum and not overdoing it with retinol), so my barrier was already in a good place before introducing this serum. However, if you’re looking to get your skin back on track, something like this — or my other go-to barrier serum, The Ordinary’s Soothing & Barrier Support Serum — would be an excellent addition to any routine. read more

The vibe: utilitarian and low-key. These totes, crafted from nylon and canvas, are the ultimate anything-and-everything schleppers. Whether you’re looking for a minimalist option, a playful print, or a custom style with cheeky embroidery or a timeless monogram, these are the sturdy go-tos for work, grocery hauls, the beach, travel — wherever! read more

I already have some layers in my long hair, so the look was somewhat achievable with a bit of professional blowdry magic. However, I can never quite hit the same level of volume and luxuriousness with my curling iron at home. For a while, I blamed my hair type: I have straight, dark brown Asian hair with medium texture, while the many Scandinavian it girls who also helped popularise the hairstyle have finer, wavy blonde hair. read more