Three ladies show that true beauty goes beyond treating your skin right. Together with Shiseido Future Solution LX, these leading jewellery designers prove that beauty is a gem that shines brightest when you feel great on the inside.
Simone Ng
Born into a family of jewellers, her natural eye for all things unique and beautiful has built Simone Jewels a cult following of fans from Singapore to the US. She shares the secret to her enviable glow.
“Ever since I was a child, I was already designing my own things,” says Simone Ng who credits her family as the people who influenced her to embrace her passion and talent for jewellery design. Simone’s pride in her history is evident. “My grandparents were already in the business, selling jewellery and watches.” However, it was from her mother that she inherited the love for design. “My mother made beautiful sketches of jewellery. She didn’t like to buy what other people already had, so she designed her own.”
Although she earned certification in gemstone studies and diamond grading, Simone’s experience in the business is largely self-taught. “When I started out, I was okay with design work. It was the technical aspects of the business that I had to learn; for that, I have the craftsmen that I work with to thank.”
It isn’t just Simone’s unique jewellery that caught our eye. Her radiant skin is something many of us would kill for. “I’ve been a Shiseido user since I was 12. I use products from the same range — softener after cleansing, the serum and day emulsion or cream at night, and eye cream—and stick to the recommended steps. I also use an eye mask every other day and a weekly face mask after exfoliation.”
She diligently applies her skincare products using tapping motions. “I finish by pressing on certain pressure points around the eyes, cheeks and jaw to improve skin metabolism and stimulate circulation.”
Despite the lengths she goes to to care for her skin, Simone believes true beauty is still something that comes from within. “With age, I’ve come to realise it’s a reflection of how happy you are on the inside. Happiness is very important to being beautiful.”
Her Must-Have: Shiseido Future Solution LX Ultimate Regenerating Serum
“Even though this range is for anti-ageing, it’s not so rich that it leaves my skin clogged with oil seeds. The serum has a very fine texture and is easily absorbed into the skin. It brings out a natural glow and my skin is definitely brighter and more rejuvenated.”
Jessie Foo
As the creative force behind Yuli Inc - Fine Jewellery, Jessie radiates energy and a taste for living life to the fullest everywhere she goes.
She knew from early on that she wanted to be a jewellery designer. After a job stint in Los Angeles, Jessie Foo went on to enrol in the Gemological Institute of America. Armed with a knowledge of precious gems and a passion for design, she returned to Singapore to launch her business.
Jessie has always loved working with coloured gems — even back when diamonds were more popularly used in jewellery. “Tanzanite is my favourite,” she says.
“Usually, once I see a gem, I already have an idea what to do with it. Sometimes, I get so carried away by an idea that I would draw till 3 or 4am,” says the mother of three.
As busy as she is, Jessie still believes in spending time on herself. “I get a facial done every week.”
“I don’t believe in mixing brands because if something works for me, it’s counter-intuitive to mess around with the routine,” she says. “My attitude towards beauty products is very much like my advice on how to wear jewellery. It should bring out your best side, not overshadow the real you.”
Her Must-Have: Shiseido Future Solution LX Concentrated Balancing Softener
“I like how rich it feels because my skin gets a little dry after cleansing. I love how it firms up my skin, and leaves a noticeable glow in my complexion.”
Nayantara Dhillon
She may deal with gems and jewellery at Temptations but to this avid art lover and collector, her skin is her most precious possession.
You may say that art has always been a part of Nayantara Dhillon’s life. As a child, she travelled extensively to Europe with her family. On her sojourns there, the family would often visit the museums. “Art and culture have always inspired me,” she says. “So when I came to Singapore after an internship at Sotheby’s and was looking for something to do, jewellery design seemed like the natural choice.”
Coming from a family of jewellers, Nayantara’s love for jewellery started in her childhood when she accompanied her mother to shop for them. “I told myself that when I grow up, I would wear these beautiful things but in my own designs and with my own twist.”
Besides art, Nayantara believes that if one cannot find inspiration in the everyday, one will not be able to live. “I get inspired by my children. And, when I go to India, I’m inspired by the hustle and bustle on the streets, by the women there...”
So how does one so passionate about art feels about beauty? “Beauty really lies deep within. As you grow older, you become more mature and more confident. You learn not to judge a book by its cover and that you actually need to open up the book and go through its pages. Every age you go through, you learn to appreciate the beauty within even more.”
Her Must-Have: Shiseido Future Solution LX Extra Rich Cleansing Foam
“I really like the cleansing foam — it doesn’t dry out my combination skin even though it gives a thorough cleansing. A little lathers up beautifully. The day and night creams are also my favourites. My skin looks beautiful after using them.”