| Dec 01, 2005
Scent: Delicate rose, not too feminine or old-fashioned
Texture: Light. Good for all skins, especially sensitive and irritable.
Scent: Mildly fruity, comforting.
Texture: This mineral-packed spray is really meant for mornings, but it’s a treat for tired and undernourished (read hungover and dehydrated) skin.
Scent: Practical, like baby products or clean laundry.
Texture: Felt light and moisturizing.
Scent: Good if you like passion fruit.
Texture: Thin and underwhelming – just like butter.
Scent: No-nonsense, mild ginger.
Texture: Like many lip products that don't contain quick-fix petroleum (which reportedly discourages lips from producing their own moisture), this would be better at preventing than curing chapped lips.
Scent: Subtle, pleasant.
Texture: Thick, long-lasting. Great for cracked lips.
Unanimously loved by all, the scent was simultaneously refreshing and calming, containing ginger, lavender and geranium.
Yuck. Nobody liked this one - smelled like mint chewing gum.
Effectiveness: Contains 1,000mg of vitamin C, and a host of other minerals - and a touch of nicotine, of all things. Apparently, this is to “help people cope with work or chronic stress in a natural way.”
O.P. products are all-natural - one tester liked it so much he drank it.
Scent: Strong citronella and lemon.
With no mosquitoes to ask for feedback, we asked a few pesky colleagues: “Hmm. Not unpleasant. Smells a bit lemony.” It might work for mozzies, but it won’t keep the boss off.
Scent: Unique. Our testers' esponses ranged from pipe tobacco to spicy pudding to Play-doh.
Texture: Unusual. Beware: a little goes a long way (which makes it a good investment).
Scent: Elegant, Calming And Classic.
Texture: Easily absorbed.
Scent: Billed as an Aesop Classic, the smell went down a treat.
Texture: Felt a little greasy. Slippery keyboards ahoy – better for overnight use.
Scent: Mild, unobtrusive, and organic.
Texture: Thin, absorbed in around a minute.
Scent: aims for exotic, but we found it Sickly and childish
Texture: Felt moisturizing and was absorbed quickly.
Top tips from Alexander Technique Therapist Peter Schneider
1. First and foremost, a good-quality, tilting chair with adjustable height and back. Make sure you know how to adjust it for your body type. Feet flat on the floor, and knees lower than your hips. Seat back shouldn’t slope backwards.
2. Wrists should be lower than the elbows – angle through the wrist should be as neutral, or flat, as possible – (i.e. don’t drop them, or hold them too high) That’s why keyboard trays are useful. But, like driving, always set up your sitting position first.
3. Distance to the screen. Laptops are a no go – the screen should be at least an arms length away from where you are sitting – so you’re not drooping over the keyboard looking at the screen.
4. Don’t work in a fixed position for too long. Stand up and move around at least once an hour. Get some water, or talk to colleagues face to face rather than via email.
For private appointments and consultations, contact Schneider at Balance Asia 2530-3315.
Clarins, Shop 1087, IFC Mall, Central, 2295-0827. 100 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2314-282.
The Organic Pharmacy, Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, Queen’s Rd. Central, 3521-0028.
The Body Shop, Shop 138 Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2537-7072. Shop 7, G/F, Hyatt Regency, 67 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2367-5985.
Aesop, 56-60 G/F Lyndhurst Terrace, 2544-4489. G/F Lane Crawford, Pacific Place, Admiralty, 2118-3952.
Aveda, G/F Lane Crawford, Pacific Place, Admiralty, 2118-3952. Shop 370 A&B, Ocean Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2265-8577.
Berocca, Around $40, most pharmacies.
Xanax, Prescription only
