Erabelle Cosmetic Artistry : Beautiful. Bold. Brows.

Who said bikers have to always be without make-up, dirty and rugged looking?

I've met real biker chicks who ain't afraid to doll up, and not only do they look good having their beauty check in place, but overall, their looks compliment their hot rides too.

There are days where we let our hair down and get rugged while engaging in sporting activities. But I always believe, at the end of the day, as a woman, looking polished is vital. Therefore as a biker, I'm also into beauty, and I love checking out new beauty products, make-up, and cosmetic artistry.

I actually receive lots of girls asking me, how do I keep my make-up on point while wearing a helmet and perspiring in Singapore's humidity? Like, wouldn't my make-up melt or get rubbed away especially at the eyebrows where the skin always comes in contact with the cushion of my helmet each time I put on and remove it?

YES.

That's why I have eyebrow embroidery done!

Compared to the traditional eyebrow tattoo where ink is harshly embedded underneath the skin permanently, looking like two fat slugs stuck above your eyes, Erabrowlogy eyebrow embroidery is much more delicate where coloured pigment is added onto the skin with careful skilled technique, and is semi-permanent lasting up to 2 years.

After that, the colour would fade, so you can change the shape to your new-desired style, or touch up the existing embroidery.

This time, I've decided to try the multiple award-winning Erabelle :)

And here I am, at their newest branch - The Seletar Mall.
Erabelle has five branches in Singapore and 1 branch in Malaysia, so you can visit the one nearest to you.

Apart from being well known for their eyebrow embroidery, Erabelle is highly praised for their Face Spa services too, which I can't wait to try on my next visit.

My first impression upon stepping into Erabelle is that this place is so tastefully done up!
From the colours, to the matching plush furniture, down to the finest detail like the pretty knobs of the drawers.

It's also sparkling clean. There's even a drawer where your shoes are being sanitized and kept while you enjoy their services.

I was ushered by the friendly Erabelle staff to this cosy corner where tea is served, as I cool down from the heat outdoors.

The ambience is so calming that my senses relaxed almost immediately, as I sunk into the comfortable-cushioned chairs, not being to hear one bit of the noise out in the shopping mall.

Shortly, I met my pretty Brow Artist, Yuki, who was dressed in a lovely pink Kimono, Japan's traditional garment, which represents politeness and formality.

This is where my Erabrowlogy session begins!

Brow Preparation

To prep the brows for the embroidery, a gentle mask is applied on for about 15 minutes to remove excess sebum and dead skin cells.

EraBrow Design

After the mask is removed, Erabrow's Design Kit is prepared and it's time to shape em' brows!

First, Yuki neaten my brows by trimming strands that had grown out of place. I honestly can't remember when was the last time I touched my brows because to me, I was like, "Aiya, got eyebrows can already".

Next, Yuki assessed my face shape before drawing on the brow design that would frame my face best. I loved how patient she was in rectifying my brows to fit my face shape.

This step is VERY important as it determines the shape you'd like your eyebrows to have for the next 12 - 24 months.

Numbing Cream

Now that we've got my brows shaped, it's time to apply the numbing cream and let it sit for about 15 minutes so once it takes effect, I won't feel a thing when the embroidery begins.

I was then ushered to the very cosy Oscar-themed room where the 45 minute embroidery would take place.

As Yuki prepared the items for the embroidery, I went on to make myself comfortable on this fully-adjustable chair, snuggling under the soft blanket and almost started dozing off haha. This place is just so filled with tranquility, and it doesn't help that I'm someone who falls asleep easily especially in such a soothing environment.

Erabrowlogy eyebrow embroidery is not an invasive procedure. Instead, it's a gentle cosmetic artistry. However, certain safety measures are still necessary.

Yuki conducted a patch test to ensure no allergy to the pigment used was observed before starting on the embroidery. She also assured me by presenting all tools used are brand new and sterilized.

Applying Erabelle's in-house Soft Shading technique, together with certified-safe colours with layers of mineral and organic micro-pigments, Yuki started working her magic on my brows.

The whole process was fuss-free and totally painless that I actually really dozed off halfway.

Here's waking up to beautiful bold brows! Even though the colour is a little dark as this picture is taken just right after the embroidery, I'm loving how natural it looks and the delicate design of it really framed my face well.

After-care

Yuki explained how important it was to take good care of my brows after the embroidery, and advised no swimming or activities that would cause excessive sweating for a week so as to let the colour sit in properly, ensuring a more lasting colour retention.

A nicely-packaged After-care Kit was also prepared for me to take home; consisting of a Skin Calming Mask to soothe the skin, Hydra Cleansing Water for gentle make-up removal, and an After-care Cream for daily use to ensure the skin's proper healing.

Here's 1 week post-embroidery done, colour and shape softening to become more natural and best part is, the scabs were almost non-existent that I didn't even notice!

Thinking back, I've thoroughly enjoyed Erabelle's 90 minutes of Erabrowlogy eyebrow embroidery experience, and would highly recommend them to anyone who'd like to have their Eyebrow Embroidery done.


Cost

What's even better is they're one of the most reasonable priced places for eyebrow embroidery. Cost is only $1,314.00 for 4 sessions, which is probably enough to last way more than two years!

For those who require to rectify their existing embroidery or tattooed like me, the package is Erabrowlogy Redesign & Intensive Change which consists of 5 colour services, at $1,690.60.
It comes with pre-treatments and Browlogy Care kits.

With so much riding, especially under different hot/wet weather conditions, I'm booking my appointment with Erabelle for a luxurious facial spa next! ;)




Erabelle - The Seletar Mall
Address: 33 Sengkang West Avenue #04-19/20
The Seletar Mall
Singapore 797653
Tel: 6702 3933
Website: http://www.erabelle.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErabelleSG
Opening Hours: 11:00am - 9:30am

To view ALL of Erabelle locations, please click here.

P.S. Appointments to be booked in advanced

Merlin Motor Works : Chancing Upon An Honest Car Workshop That Has Been Around For Three Decades

We all know it's not easy to come across a good workshop, be it for cars or motorcycles.

GOOD meaning the workshop has skilled mechanics who can diagnose problems and fix them in the most efficient way possible, equipped with the necessary tools or machinery, and most importantly, ETHICAL people who practice with honesty.

I've learnt to appreciate good workshops after I had a personal encounter of being scammed/cheated by a particular motorcycle workshop located in Jalan Bukit Merah when I sent my first motorcycle in to for some repair work. 

I was 19 years old then, riding a KTM200EGS.

Parts that I was told needed replacement, didn't have to be changed (I found out later). What started stirring my doubt was each time I sent my bike into that workshop, it seemed like a new set of problem would arise. 

Week after week. 

When I raised questions, the mechanic would give some lame explanation which never quite made any sense. 

The worse part was, the original problem was NEVER fixed. Instead, all I felt was my pocket becoming lighter and lighter, whereas my poor helpless bike never got better. 

Eventually, I was like "Ok that's it, fark it, I'm switching to another workshop". 

That's when a kind friend told me I have been cheated as that workshop is known to be a "black" shop (in Mandarin), and he quickly introduced me to another workshop which rectified the problem my bike had within the first visit. 

WHY DIDN'T THAT KIND FRIEND APPEAR SOONER? Argh. 

Since then, when I come across a really good motorcycle workshop with reasonable-priced services and honest mechanics, I would normally stick with them all the way. 

But now, we're talking about CARS. 

As you know, I ride every other day. I drive only when I reallyyy need to, and it's my parents' cars.

I don't visit car workshops at all, not unless when occasionally my parents need me to send their car down for just some basic servicing. And it's normally done at their regular car workshop at Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2. 

I know nothing about which car workshop is good and which to avoid. 

But today's my lucky day. 

I was driving, on my way home from some marketing in the late morning, when my parents car, a Mitsubishi Lancer, started to choke and weird whizzy noise started coming out from god-knows-where. 

I was like "what the... Please, please, let me at least get home before breaking down"

Thankfully I managed to get home without the car dying on me halfway. I told my parents about the condition of the car and they hurriedly asked me to send it down to their regular workshop to check before delaying any longer in case the problem gets worse. 

"Why me?"

"Because you're the last one who used the car"

Okay...

So with the car feeling like it was in a really unstable condition, I drove down to Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2 where the workshop my parents always visit was. 

When I got there, it was CLOSED. 

I was lost, and didn't know what to do. I only know Ang Mo Kio Autopoint is the next nearest place filled with car workshops. So I decided to try my luck there and see if I can find an OK workshop to at least help me check the problem. 

When I arrived at AMK Autopoint, I went straight up the ramp to the second floor because I don't know lah, I always have this impression that the most expensive workshops are always on the ground floor where it's most easily accessible. 

Hmm.. It's like you go shopping at Platinum Mall in Bangkok. Clothes selling on the 1st level is always more expensive and have lesser bargaining chances. Prices started to dip a little as you go up to 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th floor. 

That's just my Vaune-logic lah. 

Ok so I went around the second floor and saw that not all the workshops were open, whereas some were just way too packed. Onto the third floor I went, and didn't see any workshop that caught my eye. I was at the last workshop and the car was like going to die on me anytime, so I decided to just try the workshop on my left.

They're called Merlin Motor Works. 

When I stepped out of the car, a guy wearing the company's T-shirt came forward as I guess he could instantly tell I was in distress, or more like my car was. 

He patiently listened as I went on and on about the symptoms the car was having, and sought his assistance to rectify the problem. 

Turns out, his name is Jacky, and he is one of the co-owners of Merlin Motor Works.

Merlin Motor Works mechanic working on a customer's Lexus

He got his mechanics to start evaluating the problem of my car, while I un-suspiciously probed more about the history of his workshop. You know.. undercover detective Vaune doing some history background check. LOL. 

From left: Merlin Motor Works Co-owners Jacky, Henry

It was then revealed to me that Merlin Motor Works has been around since 1970! That's more than THREE DECADES!! Jacky's dad started the business back then they were located at Lorong 8 Toa Payoh Industrial Park. They have since moved over to AMK Autopoint and Merlin Motor Works is now being passed down to Jacky and his brother-in-law, named Henry.  

Like every other business, Merlin Motor Works paved its way from a humble beginning, to a full fledged automotive aftercare business providing a wide range of services for cars of any make and model. 

Merlin Motor Works mechanic working on Lambos

Jacky shared that whether you drive a flaming Lamborghini, or a BMW X6, Subaru WRX, Nissan Camry, Toyota Vios or Mitsubishi Lancer (like my parents car), they have skilled professional mechanics who can evaluate your car accurately, and execute the necessary repair. 

Merlin Motor Works mechanic working on Aston Martin

After a quick check, Merlin's mechanics advised that my car's wheel bearing is slightly out of alignment, hence the weird noise. The air filter was also dirty, which affected the mixture of air and fuel getting into the car's engine, causing it to choke. 

"Don't worry, it's a small problem lah" he said, and proceeded to fix up my car.

As I was sitting at the corner waiting for my car repairs to be done, I saw 3 - 4 other cars coming in to Merlin to have their cars serviced. What I noticed was Merlin's mechanics were consistent in their customer service, where the minute a car arrives at their workshop, at least one staff would almost immediately step forward to assist their client. 

Merlin Motor Works mechanic working on BMW

I decided to approach a lady who just sent in her BMW three series to Merlin Motor Works. I explained that as it was my first time sending my car in here, I was curious about how reliable this workshop was. 

She shared that she's been visiting Merlin Motor Works for many years, all her family cars are serviced by them (her family has three cars). Main reason is not only because their prices are reasonable, but their quality workmanship gets the job done efficiently, without her having to ever re-visit the workshop again for the same problem. 

Merlin Motor Works mechanic working on Porche

The only problem is the waiting time, which can be a little long as Merlin Motor Works is usually packed with lots of customers. 

This totally reminds me of Bike Workz, the motorcycle workshop I send my bikes to. Their waiting time can be reaalllyy long, because it's always flooded with customers. But because they're really good, so everyone knows it's worth the wait. 

Merlin Motor Works mechanic working on VW

Well maybe because I came during Merlin's non-peak hour, so luckily my car didn't take too long. My parents car repairs were done within the next hour or so.  There was no more weird noise nor choking as I tested it around the compound. 

Merlin Motor Works mechanic working on Merserati

It's always better to test your vehicle around the workshop's compound after a servicing or repair just to ensure everything is OK so in case there's still something not quite right, you can immediately point it out to the mechanic, rather than find out only when you're halfway on the expressway on the way home. 

Satisfied with their service, I went on to pay the bill which, surprisingly didn't hurt my wallet :) Maybe because before that, I was telling Jacky how broke I was because I just bought myself a second Ducati after saving for some time hahaha so he gave a mini mini discount. 

Thank you so much Merlin Motor Works for helping me with my parents car! 

They're definitely worth a shout out :)

Please Note: 

There weren't much pictures taken as I didn't expect to be writing a review on my blog to shout out for Merlin Motor Works, until the whole experience was over and I realize they're actually not bad at all. Hence most of the photos of other cars serviced here were grabbed from Merlin Motor Works website which you can visit here.

Merlin Motor Works

10 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2A

#03-13

AMK Autopoint

Singapore 568047

Tel: 6484 5225

Email: merlinm@merlinmotorworks.com

Pirelli : Blown Away By The BMW S1000RR Fitted On With Diablo Rosso III At My First Track Ride at Sepang International Circuit

Freshly baked out of Pirelli's oven, we're here to try out the all new Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres at Sepang International Circuit!

Omggg I'm SHUPER excited cuz it's gonna be my first Sepang track ride!! I've watched Rossi and Marquez on this track during Moto GP and just too stoked to be able to ride here too! What's better is that the track has just been re-surfaced! So it's gonna be ultra smooth and nice to ride on!

Caught up with Kawasaki Team Rider Tom Sykes #66 over FIM World Superbike Championship where he swept First place during Race 1, followed by a stunning wet weather display by Honda Team Rider Nicky Hayden #69 who took the win in Race 2.

Thankfully, the rain went away the following day where the Diablo Rosso III press test was carried out though the track was still semi-damp from yesterday's heavy downpour.

Well, HELLO THERE sweet BMW S1000RR, all waiting to taste the freshly resurfaced track fitted on with new Rosso III rubbers.

About Diablo Rosso III

Now, the new supersport Diablo Rosso III tyre is the direct successor of the Diablo Rosso II, taking sport riding to the next level with improved grip, handling and mileage.

It is created for the modern day riders with versatile features suitable for dry or wet weather conditions, from road to track, without compromising on its durability.

"We sell what we race, we race what we sell" 

With a motto like that, the Official Tyre Supplier for FIM WSBK has managed to bring fruition all the experience acquired in the race, applying normal production products for road use while patenting materials developed for track racing activity to create the all new Diablo Rosso III.

Spotting a "flash" symbol tread pattern as also presented on the Diablo Supercorsa, the Diablo Rosso III's twin-compound rear tyre is made up of high percentages of silica providing maximum grip in all condition, while giving it good mileage.

With all that technical knowledge of the Diablo Rosso III, let's put it down to the practical test.
But first, let me put on my rainbow socks, my charm for a better ride at the tracks LOL.

Getting into my RS Taichi suit... man, the struggle is real. Definitely never as poised as this.

With media from all over Asia participating in this press test, here's Yuki from Japan! The only other female biker here with me, and I'm so excited to be riding alongside her.

LEGGOO.

First lap, taking it easy on the Ducati Hyperstrada as I started off trying to memorize the turns on the track.

Then onto leaning in on the corners.

Can I share this secret with you? I don't know why but somehow.. I always have this fear of low siding at a corner during track and when I wash out, some super fast rider behind me will roll over me and I instantly become an uneven pancake.

Maybe that's what holding me back from leaning down all the way so far.

But. Everything changed the minute I hopped onto the BMW S1000RR.

This 193hp inline four machine rides by itself! I SWEAR. And the best part is, it RIDES SO WELL.

So well that by Turn 2, my blood was pumping, my heart was racing, and I was smiling till my cheeks turned numb in my helmet because THE FEELING IS JUST SO AWESOMEEEEE AHHHH!!!

This is where I really felt the Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres performed too.

The tyres warmed up pretty quickly and gave instant grip both on the front and rear, significantly felt when taking the turns. Some corners had wet patches leftover from last night's rain, but the rear's grip performed equally well on wet.

This boosted my confidence by heaps and I pushed harder as I continued clocking my laps. Whether I was steering at high or low speed, superb stability on the tyres were observed, and it was so easy to lean into the corners.

What's interesting is after the whole press test track session, there was no wear on the tyres at all.

Special thanks to Joe from SBR Trackdays for such a well-organized track session!

Boy, I'm SO impressed by both the S1000RR and the Diablo Rosso III!
I don't think this feeling is gonna go away anytime soon...

The Diablo Rosso III have remarkably enhanced the whole sport riding experience to a new level.

Think I'm just patronizing? Go try it for yourself and we'll see who comes out grinning ;)

Available sizes

*The all new Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres are now available at Hodaka Motoworld.