Consumers’ preferences have drastically changed due to the pandemic – from the increase of fully functioning home offices to hybrid working models that have impacted how the public groom themselves.

The latest  McKinsey & Co report, highlighted notable trends including the exponential growth of male-oriented cosmetics and skincare while female cosmetics sharply declined in 2021. In addition, raised mental health awareness has also shaped development in sectors such as self-care and body care. 

As a new year unfolds, we look ahead to what may shape beauty in 2022.

  1. Pared down minimalist beauty 

The new normal is healthy, bare skin. People are letting their skin breathe and applying fewer chemicals and using less harmful ingredients (i.e. parabens, sulfates). Findings also highlighted that consumers are cutting back on the sheer amount of products bought and simplifying their beauty routine — which means fewer products clogging up their bathroom cabinets and fewer bottles clogging up our landfills.  

  1. Conglomerates eco-conscious shift 

More prominent beauty brands like L’Oreal and Estee Lauder are making an extra effort to create cruelty-free formulations and enforce their commitment to sustainability. In addition, a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, called Powered Brands aims to create a new kind of global conglomerate made up of sustainable and digitally focused beauty brands.

  1. Reduced-waste packaging 

Saving the planet starts with home practices. From encouraging the use of minimal plastic packaging with bar soaps to introducing refillable packaging, beauty brands are stepping up sustainability initiatives. For example, hair care brand Shiseido Professional reduced its overall use of plastic by 75% to support the concept of Circular Economy.

  1. Mission-driven beauty 

Planting a tree with purchase, recycling initiatives, or empowering women worldwide are just some of the causes leading the mission-driven beauty movement. Trends like Fair Trade beauty are taking up more real estate as well as companies like Tacha which donates towards a day of school through Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program.

  1. Inclusivity for all 

Inclusion, be it identity, age, race, gender, or lived experience, will define the future expression of modern beauty. With regard to the exponential growth of male-oriented cosmetics, V&V’s sister company, The Soothe has started more inclusive beauty conversations including aesthetic beauty for men and manscaping for your mental health. 

All-in-all, reports show consumers are seeking brands that align with climate positivity and inclusivity in every area of their lives, and also natural, clean beauty for their skin, so expect to see more brands shift towards these trends in 2022.  

As the world transitions from a pandemic to an endemic, travellers are gearing up for their new worldwide adventures. This means that communicators have to evolve their messaging based on the significant changes that shake up the travel industry. 

Market prediction and insights from industry experts are crucial for public relations practitioners to become proactive drivers of change. This article unpacks the top 3 trends that the travel industry can expect in 2022.

Travellers are at the First Stage of Travel 

Travel marketing experts will know that all travellers go through five stages of travel – dreaming, planning, booking, experiencing and sharing. As per Google’s Think Travel Research, most travellers are presently in the dreaming phase, where they yearn for their next holiday. 

It is now the best time to reach out to these future travellers through light-hearted, non-hard sell social content which is primarily organic and user-generated. Start a virtual conversation and engage them early; subsequently, re-engage and sell the dream. It is also helpful to monitor and be current with the latest social trends and adapt to a product suite that is best suited to the preferences of the new traveller. 

The New Travel Pattern 

After a two-year hiatus for many, travellers will make serious plans to go further, and international travel will triumph over domestic travel. In a Google’s Think Report research, 87% of future travellers will take an international trip of more than five days, compared to the 2019 average of 3.8 days per destination. Of which, 78% of travellers will prefer luxury stays and experiences. Luxury travel can be determined by 5 Cs – culture, cuisine, community, content and customisation. These travel plans are likely leisure holidays, celebrating major milestone events and longer planning and booking cycles. 

Covid Related Considerations 

Living in an endemic does not eliminate certain restrictions imposed by the destinations, and getting fully vaccinated is currently the number one motivator for international travel. The quarantine preference will be a huge differentiating factor. 

Travellers will be asking more specific quarantine questions such as the length of quarantine, types of accommodation, size of housing, the additional use of amenities, the option of a balcony for fresh air, in-room entertainment and upgraded meal packages. 

Cities take the top spots but the beach and rural destinations rank high in the top ten holiday destinations for 2022.

Travellers worldwide have begun to seek new experiences to mark 2022, the start of hopefully a brighter new year. The top holiday hotspots remain popular cities but in a recent study by Agoda, travellers are also “escaping” into nature with rural and beach destinations climbing up the charts. The one thing that remains unchanged – travellers are still choosing luxury to welcome the New Year.

Top Holiday Hotspots NYE 2021

Travellers Head to Beach Resorts, Coastal Destinations and Mountainous Terrains

Aside from the popular capital cities in Asia, travellers are venturing into world-class beach resorts in Goa (India), Bali (Indonesia), Cebu (Philippines), Pattaya (Thailand) and Jeju Island (South Korea). The adventurous partygoers are leveraging on the relaxed restrictions to visit Penang, the food capital of Malaysia. Surprising new coastal destinations that made it into the charts include Batam (Indonesia), Andaman and Nicobar Island (India), Kenting (Taiwan). For the scenic lovers, they are travelling to mountainous terrains in Khao Kho (Thailand), Bohol (Philippines) and Ninh Binh (Vietnam).

The Desire for an Extravagant Post-Covid Holiday

Travellers are investing in self-care in the post-pandemic era and opting for lavish options to celebrate New Year’s Eve. According to research from travel booking site Agoda, travellers are opting for 4- and 5-star luxury hotels in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam. In Taiwan and Thailand, it is observed that travellers are upgrading to luxury hotels instead of the traditional option for 1- to 3-star hotels.

After a two-year hiatus, travel is resuming during the New Year’s Eve celebration with domestic travel as the main source of business. Apart from big cities with traditional celebrations, travellers have an ongoing desire to explore the world or seek refuge in natural sanctuaries. The natural appeal of stunning beaches, scenery and the freedom of open space remains wildly alluring. When travellers are finally given the chance to spend on travel, they are splurging with posh and plush options.

Today, mental health awareness is at an all-time high worldwide. Even before the pandemic, there seemed to be an increasing number of people who were more open to address and start conversations on mental health issues. One of the most frequently talked-about mental health topic is mental well-being in workplaces. Work is an integral part of adult life, but also a common source of stress for many of us. In order to gain a further, more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between work (in particular, PR work) and our mental health, PRCA APAC had recently published the very first report on mental health.

Between 21 July and 16 August, PRCA Asia Pacific worked with YouGov to survey PR and communications professionals across the Asia Pacific region. A total of 1,187 responses were received from practitioners in Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Below are some of the more important findings we’ve gathered from the report.

Our workplace has a significant influence on our mental health

When asked how much influence the respondents think their workplaces have on their overall mental health, 46% indicated ‘Moderate influence’ whereas 34% indicated ‘Strong influence’. High workload and long hours were the top 2 factors identified as potential triggers of poor mental well-being at work. Practitioners who work extra hours experience a knock-on effect and as a result, they struggle to do things that can be conducive to positive physical and mental health.

Damaging effects of overworking in pandemic times

Overworking, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, prove to be damaging to the respondents’ mental health. Nearly half (48%) of survey respondents report that they are going through a particularly stressful period in their life, with 45% disagreeing, and 7% choosing not to answer that question. It is also worrying to see that in the last 12 months, many of the region’s PR professionals have experienced trouble with sleep, anxiety, feelings of social disconnection or similar.

Identifying mental health issues

On a more reassuring note, the report shows that majority of the region’s PR professionals are confident in being able to identify mental health issues, and are comfortable talking to colleagues about such problems. Overall, 62% agree that they are ‘very well-informed and educated about mental health’ – another 10% disagree, and the remainder are unsure.

Confiding in our colleagues about our mental health state

Out of the 71% of people who had discussed their mental health with one or more colleague in the past year, younger age groups were found to be more likely to have spoken about their mental state to someone at work. Majority of respondents (64%) indicated that it would be likely for them to talk to a colleague if they were faced with a mental health issue in the future. For those who are unwilling to do so, their main concerns were that it would be inappropriate to do so or it would bring negative impacts on their career.

Less optimistic reality with regards to seeking help

Despite a large portion of respondents indicating that they know what they ‘should’ do if experiencing mental health issues, not many actually practice it – 48% suggested seeing a mental health practitioner if they experience feelings of extreme highs and lows, but in reality, only 24% of people who had experienced that in the last 12 months sought a practitioner.

Employees’ performance in addressing mental health at workplaces

Thankfully, 68% of the respondents said that their employees have communicated with staff about mental health during the past year, although a small group have yet to do so. A narrow majority (52%) of respondents overall rated their employer as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ at providing mental health resources, but this figure varies in different markets.

Overall, the region’s PR and communications professionals are positive about their employers’ work both on general company culture, and specific mental health-related measures. The majority (83%) of companies offer at least one type of support – a number rising to 96% in Vietnam but dropping to 75% in Malaysia and Singapore, and larger companies are slightly more likely to provide mental health benefits to staff than smaller firms.

No room for complacency

Overall, respondents also agree that their organisations have been supportive during the pandemic. But a sizable number (40%) say they are not doing enough overall to support mental health – so there is no room for complacency.

Concluding statement

“Now more than ever, mental health has to be taken seriously both at home and at work. Awareness is key and communicating ways to approach mental health can be done so in a variety of ways. This can range from weekly team meetings, staff intranets, one-on-ones, monthly wellness workshops and or just basic communication that there is an open door policy between employees and employers that it’s okay to speak up if you are suffering. Participating in or encouraging activities that support mental health within the workplace are important, especially when we are in and out of work-from-home, not taking holidays as there’s nowhere to go and suffering from mental fatigue. This can be anything from getting out of the house for a walk in nature, online team activities to connect, having mental health experts available to speak to, right down to basic things such as understanding each individual’s unique situation and just asking how they are – one size does not fit all. From working mums who simultaneously have to homeschool and work, graduates whose first job out of college starts working from a packed household, to business executives who have pressure to bring in revenue in an unpredictable market – every person’s situation is different and needs a bespoke approach. Business owners and managers also need some form of training or awareness in terms of how to manage situations when staff have mental health problems and steps to take to allow employees to a) feel comfortable speaking up and b) how to best manage their needs. Singapore still has a long way to go compared to the West when it comes to normalising talking about mental health. This in itself needs to be talked about and made the norm, that essentially it’s okay, if you aren’t feeling okay – we are only human.”

Lynda Williams, Co-Founder of The Soothe

For more information on the PRCA APAC Mental Health Report 2021, click here.

With the recent establishment of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme, those of us in Singapore will be able to travel, quarantine-free, to a total of 11 countries – Brunei (closed for leisure travel), Canada, Denmark, France, Germany Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Britain, the United States, and South Korea (from November 15 onwards).

As much as we’re all thrilled to travel overseas again, travelling will not be as easy of a process as it was pre-pandemic. With all the extra regulations implemented to ensure the safety of all travellers, the whole process to travel overseas can get understandably confusing for some. If you intend to travel using the VTL scheme and are in the midst of researching how it works, here’s a comprehensive guide on quarantine-travel to save you all the hassle and stress.

How the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme works

The VTL scheme applies to all those who are considered fully vaccinated, meaning that two weeks must have elapsed since you’ve received the full regimen of any vaccines on the World Health Organisation’s Emergency Use Listing (which includes Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna).

Under the VTL scheme, fully vaccinated Singaporean/PR travellers will no longer need to quarantine at the destination country and upon return to Singapore. Instead, you will be required to take a number of Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) swab tests, depending on the regulations set by your destination country and Singapore.

While it is generally not required by most countries (with the exception of South Korea) to take a designated VTL flight to your intended destination, it will be mandatory for you to take a designated VTL flight back to Singapore in order to be exempted from quarantine upon arrival.

VTL flights available

These are airlines that are currently offering VTL flights: Singapore Airlines (SIA), Scoot and national carriers of the countries under the VTL scheme.

Pre-departure checklist

To keep things simple, here’s a checklist of the obligatory tasks that you need to complete before your departure from Singapore:

Digital PDT certificate

Upon receiving a digital PCR-test results certificate issued to you by the clinic, you will need to digitally authenticate and endorse this certificate via https://www.notarise.gov.sg/ before you travel. This indicates that your result and certificate was legitimately issued and authenticated by MOH.

After notarising this certificate, a QR code of your digitally authenticated and endorsed test certificate will be e-mailed to you within 15 minutes. For those who have presented your NRIC at the clinic, your SingPass app will also have this QR code stored in your account. Present this QR code to foreign immigration and customs authorities to verify the authenticity of the digital certificate.

Arriving at your travel destination

Besides the mandatory pre-departure tasks, it also strongly recommended for you to check the MFA website for the latest advisories applicable to the country that you’re visiting, as well as to visit the embassy website of your destination country to keep yourself informed on the relevant health requirements imposed on travellers from Singapore (e.g. PDT or vaccination certificates).

Embassy websites

Brunei, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Britain, and the United States

Heading back to Singapore

As mentioned above, to complete the VTL scheme, you will need to book a VTL flight back to Singapore. Additionally, you will also be required to take 2 PCR tests to re-enter Singapore – one to be done 48 hours before departure to Singapore and the other done upon arriving in Singapore.

The pre-departure test to Singapore must be taken at an internationally recognised or accredited clinic, laboratory or medical facility. You should also obtain a copy of the test result that meet the following conditions:

The on-arrival test in Singapore will cost $160 (including GST) each, and you are strongly advised to register and pay for the relevant tests via the Safe Travel Concierge (STC) website provided by Changi Airport. After this test, you must remain self-isolated until the result is confirmed to be negative. In this time, you should not take the public transport and avoid coming into contact with other household members who do not have the same travel history, arrival date and self-isolation requirement.

Children under 12

Children under 12 are ineligible for vaccination, and thus, have to be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult who is also travelling under the VTL scheme. This is generally the guideline for the other countries, with the exception of South Korea, who does not allow children or people who are unvaccinated to travel under the VTL.

This information is valid as of October 20 2021.

In an accelerated digital age, consumers are given the freedom and tools to share their opinions  widely and easily. Add on the global agendas to combat climate change, challenging social and political issues, plus a pandemic — we can agree that we’re riding a huge wave of change. As communicators, it’s never been more important to be deeply entrenched in our clients’ brands and extend our positions from being the connector between the media and our clients, to being fierce brand guardians with strong commercial acumen. 

Market prediction and being industry experts are crucial for public relations practitioners to become proactive drivers of change. In this article, we unpack big changes that have been shaking up the industry and present the top 5 trends that PR professionals need to adapt to to  remain relevant and competitive. 

Sharp, measurable results beyond ‘PR value’ 

A decades-old point of contention in the PR industry has been how PR success is measured. Through the years, agencies have worked out various mathematical formulas to place a commercial value on earned media, often defined as ‘PR value’. But as the world becomes more sophisticated, how do smaller businesses — who may not necessarily invest in proprietary technology — measure consumer sentiment and outcome? This is where, we believe, developing tailored deliverables that are tied to commercial success is key. Whether a  campaign drives an increase in room nights over the same period, or driving page visits from a specific piece of content, PR teams need to put on their mettle and demonstrate the power of great storytelling.

Well-researched, socially-aware campaigns

In this era, consumers are not simply demanding quality products but are actively sourcing purchases that align with their personal values and commitments. With more people putting conscious consumption into practice, highlighting your clients’ ethos and commitment to social responsibility will play a big role in reaching your target audience. As consumers are constantly being exposed to advertisements and products pitching for their attention, providing meaningful creative content will ensure better reception. Finding platforms and social media channels that will give brand leaders an opportunity to voice their views can allow consumers to connect with the brand on a greater level by understanding the heart and mind behind it.

Selecting relevant and socially responsible KOLs

How long has it been since a Kardashian-endorsed product generated sky high sales? Besides, a celebrity level budget being out of reach for many brands, finding KOLs that demonstrate authenticity is becoming a rarity. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as when brands do manage to find the right one(s) to collaborate with, it could go a long way in generating brand love. PR agencies should be aware of potential KOLs on multiple levels – micro, macro, and nano – as well as what this means in multiple markets and social media platforms, as well as the average engagement levels  of influencers. Be an avid user of social media, so that you can keep an eye out for upcoming talent which could allow you to foster important relationships early on. 

Rethinking events and consumer activations

In most countries, the road to opening up after the pandemic has been slow which means the possibility of holding large scale consumer activations or events in the near future are slim. While this has definitely thrown a cog into the usual running of public relations, it has also been an opportunity for agencies to get creative and even increase their reach and effectiveness in these unprecedented times. Because of this, online and hybrid activities have become more commonplace. And while we’re all eager to see life go back to normal, it is entirely possible that many of these new changes are here to stay even after the pandemic. Therefore, PR agencies should not view this time as a temporary waiting period before returning to traditional consumer activations and events is possible. Rather, effectively experimenting with new strategies and identifying which ones will remain relevant post-COVID will set PR agencies on track to adapt to the long term changes we will see in consumers and their behaviours.

Debunking the traditional definition of PR and deep diving into digital

In an age of algorithms and data-driven marketing, a key question to ask is where PR fits in the consumer journey given these new adaptations. Consistently serving to help clients build relationships and highlight noteworthy aspects of their brand, we believe the PR role remains of high value and acts as the strongest brand guardian in a time of constant change. As PR agencies and in-house teams work more cross-functionally than ever, it provides an opportunity to connect multiple marketing functions to drive better search, earned, and shared results and build a great reputation. In fact, a data-saturated world benefits PR teams tremendously if they are able to capitalise upon it by generating relevant and meaningful content which will translate to better content that drives conversion. 

As we are homebound for the next couple of weeks; takeout meals and food delivery apps are our BFF’S once again. Whilst all of us had braced ourselves for a new phase considering the spike in cases in the community in the past weeks, these new (yet all too familiar) social distancing measures announced last Friday still came as a huge bummer.

But life has to go on. Gym bunnies might take this time to push themselves to achieve their optimal fitness goals with some virtual workout ideas, but here’s something for the rest of us who prefer to seek consolation in the glorious world of food. Since dining-in has been banned until cases in the community are controlled, we’ve rounded up some delicious takeout and delivery options for you to dabao or order in from home.

Delicious doesn’t always mean unhealthy, though! We get that clean eating and plant-based alternatives are all the rage right now, whereas takeout food doesn’t exactly have the best rep for being ‘nutritious’. While we love a carb-loaded meal or two occasionally, these food heroes listed below are proof that takeout meals can be clean and nutritious just as they are satisfying. From fresh, carb-free pasta-like dishes and quality sushi to Israeli street food and authentic Sri Lankan vegetarian fare, there’s little chance that planning your stay-at-home meals will still be a bore.

PASTA BAR – BEST FOR GLUTEN-FREE AND CARB-FREE LASAGNE

Famous for their handmade, authentic pasta, we fell in love with their gluten-free and carb-free lasagne options in Circuit Breaker 2020 — and they are currently back on the menu! Our favourites include the Spinach packed vegetarian lasagne that is loaded with green goodness and cheese. If you are looking for a gluten-free, carb-free, and meat-free option, the vegetarian zucchini lasagne ticks all the boxes for a healthful, guilt-free meal. The beef-based zucchini lasagne is also a delicious option to get in a carb-free, protein-packed meal. We have got to have sides and go for their kale salad, and sautéed broccolini are our top picks!

Customers ordering in for the first time can avail of a 15% discount via the code: LOVEPASTA

Their full menu can be accessed here, along with island-wide delivery details or takeaway options.

LUKES CHOPHOUSE – BEST FOR WELL-SOURCED SEAFOOD

Luke’s isn’t known to be a ‘healthy’ joint, right? Nope. But their well-sourced meat and fish options cooked to perfection with the best flavours and seasoning hits just the right spot. Their sustainably-sourced, seafood dishes are our top favourites and include the Tuna Tartare, Smoked Trout Dip and Crab Cakes with a side of asparagus. Let’s not forget their delicious Tomato Salad with Seared Tuna and their deliciously nourishing Kale Salad with Seared Tuna.

Their full menu / online shop can be accessed here, along with takeaway details.

PRIVE – BEST FOR PLANT-BASED ALTERNATIVES

Prive delivers their entire menu island-wide and boasts an extensive menu of plant-based dishes. From plant-based meat alternatives like Tindle and Impossible, there’s something for the whole household with their wide variety. Check out our top favourites that include the plant-powered breakfast ideal for brunch, the Impossible Sliders and their Hainanese TiNDLE™ “Chicken” Chop.

Their full online menu can be accessed here, along with delivery details.

THE KIND BOWL– BEST FOR VEGAN VIETNAMESE

The Kind Bowl was born in line with the current global effort to live sustainably and the greater awareness of conscious consumption. As sustainable consumption and plant-based diets become increasingly popular among Singaporeans, the Kind Bowl offers its customers a one of a kind, nourishing meal that makes you feel good, inside and out. Its menu offers an eclectic array of Vietnamese cuisine that is safe to say it is absolutely ‘pho’nomenal. Our top choices include the Kind Pho bowl and Bahn Mi.

Their full menu can be viewed here, along with their delivery partners and island-wide delivery details.

KOTUWA – BEST FOR VEGETABLE-PACKED CURRY

Add some spice to your life with the scents and spices of Sri Lanka right to your doorstep with Chef Rishi Naleendra’s (of Cloud Street and Cheek Bistro fame) authentic menu that serves up a variety of vegetarian curries, string hoppers and kottu rottis. We love their enormous array of vegetarian dishes, which are our go-to on our visits. Check out their delicious sauteed beetroot curry, jackfruit curry, dahl and get a side of pol sambal for good measure.

Their full menu can be viewed here, and they offer delivery options along with takeaway services.

TATSUYA – BEST FOR CLEAN, PREMIUM SUSHI

Few do it better than Tatsuya for those looking for good clean sushi that doesn’t get too funky (but still uber premium). Renowned for its top-notch Japanese menu, fans of the restaurant can enjoy various menu items, from Seared Maki to Aburi Sushi. Our top favourites include the assorted sashimi box and the sea eel roll with crispy salmon skin – all packed with omega 3’s.

Orders can be placed via email or phone:

6737 1160 / 6887 4598

Whatsapp them, for the menu: 9325 0907

MIZNON – BEST FOR PLANT STUFFED PITAS

A fast favourite among the CBD crowd, Miznon home delivers authentic Israeli street food with the fluffiest house-made pita bread and what we feel are the best falafels in town right to your doorstep. With a wide variety of meat-free options, Miznon offer’s vegan-friendly substitutes as well. It is hard to pick our favourites, but the delicious falafel burger and the white pita take our top spots along with a hearty side of beans.

Their full menu can be viewed here, along with the details of island-wide delivery.

CURIOUS PALETTE – BEST FOR A NUTRITIOUS PACKED BRUNCH

A concept by the Stranger’s Reunion, this little eatery situated in the heart of the Bugis area is just as its name suggests and offers fusion concoctions of Eastern and Western dishes. With a menu that spans brunch, dinner, bar-bites and dessert, and dairy-free beverages, there’s something for the whole household round the clock. Our favourites include but are not limited to the roasted cauliflower salad, the curious breakfast and hotcakes (who doesn’t love pancakes?)

Their full menu can be viewed along with the details of island-wide delivery and self-collection.

BEE’S KNEES @ BOTANIC GARDENS – BEST TO KEEP THE FAMILY HAPPY

Situated in the heart of botanic gardens, stop by at this delicious little eatery and takeaway some tasty food after a casual jog or cycle around the beautiful gardens. Bee’s Knees has a wide selection of delicious comfort food for breakfast through to dinner. From sandwiches and nutritious grain bowls and pizzas and decadent desserts, a must-try for families with little children. Our personal favourites include their Breakfast bundles (perfect for families) and the Oriental Grain Bowl.

Their full menu can be accessed here, along with delivery details and takeaway options.

GOURMET TAKEOUT’S FROM GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE – BEST FOR CHOICE

Whether you’re planning to unleash your inner MasterChef with gourmet groceries this lockdown or daobao a hot feast from one of its award-winning restaurants, Grand Hyatt Singapore’s online shop has it all. You can order signature balanced meals from its famed restaurants like mezza9, Pete’s Place and StraitsKitchen, and even stock up your fridge with the same high-quality and sustainable gourmet produce used in these restaurants to practice your culinary skills at home.

Their food menu and an online grocery shop can be accessed here, along with details on delivery options and self-collection procedures.

The beauty industry is known to be a trillion dollar industry, with Clean Beauty trending in skincare across the world.  The rise of the sustainability movement has never been more prevalent to look after Mother Earth, along with the desire to lead a cleaner lifestyle — including diet— free from toxins, nasties and anything overly processed. But what about our skin? Although there is currently no regulated definition, clean beauty products are designed with a sustainable approach to the health of the environment, planet and our skin. This includes products with non-toxic formulas, plant-based ingredients, cruelty-free certification, biodegradable or recyclable packaging, and transparent labelling. Social impact company abillion published a report on the rise and demand for clean beauty products, with countries like Mexico and the UK showing potential as “emerging vegan beauty markets”.

Evidence of the widespread clean beauty trend can be seen in the rise in demand for vegan and cruelty-free beauty products by consumers alike. Body and skincare products currently dominate the clean beauty market, comprising more than half of all beauty reviews. The abillion report spotlights consumer attitudes towards sustainable beauty and promising markets for skincare, cosmetics, hair and fragrance products. An increase in demand for sustainable beauty options was observed across product types, with body and skincare dominating the market, comprising more than half of all beauty reviews and experiencing 8.5 times growth during 2020. Similar growth rates were also reported for hair and fragrance products.

Indie beauty retailers like Tatcha, Drunk Elephant and Indie Lee were the first few brands in the market that developed a loyal following but individually could not make a dent in the overall cosmetics market. Once consumers became aware of the importance of clean beauty, the demand for conscious beauty began to grow. Eager to snatch a share of this increasingly lucrative market, big-name players followed suit. Within the past two years, Sephora created icons to distinguish their “clean” products. Shiseido announced it would acquire Drunk Elephant for $845 million, and Unilever, which now owns Ren, said it would buy Tatcha for a reported $500 million.

Flexitarians have the highest level of engagement with beauty products, followed by vegetarians and omnivores. According to the report, plant-based members have the lowest concentration within the clean beauty segment but have the highest engagement with food-based products. This shows the higher likelihood of flexitarians pursuing a more holistic sustainable consumption module outside the food space than individuals who identify as plant-based or vegan.

The report outlined a sharp growth in consumer interest for sustainable beauty products. Driven by the awareness of cruelty-free, environmental and health concerns, demand for skincare, cosmetics, hair and fragrance products has grown significantly in the past year. With sustainable and conscious living becoming an increasingly important social issue across all industries, the clean beauty industry is here to stay and help consumers transition to a more eco-friendly and self-aware lifestyle.

This year V&V is partnering with Talking Philanthropy 2021 ahead of their upcoming philanthropic thought-leadership virtual forum, which is taking place on the 14th of May. Organised by the international fundraising and philanthropy advisory firm, Global Philanthropic, the forum will bring together some of the world’s leading organisations and academic institutions.

This year the conference will focus on the theme of Asia-Pacific: Supporting a Philanthropic Ecosystem. The forum aims to bring leaders from around the world and the region to spotlight the structural issues surrounding philanthropy in APAC and provide a macro perspective on the key issues that need addressing in order for philanthropy within the region to flourish.

The multi-regional event will be co-hosted by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, the National University of Singapore, and the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy, University of Cambridge Judge Business School. Noteworthy partners of the forum include The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, United Nations Foundation, and the conservation charity; BirdLife International. 

Throughout the day, there will be a series of panel discussions, research presentations, and case studies, discussing each of the following sub-themes in the context of Asia-Pacific philanthropy:

According to Ben Morton Wright, Group CEO and Founder of Global Philanthropic, “Philanthropy in Asia is at a critical tipping point. Governments of emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific are crucial to unlocking the philanthropic potential in the region, making them the target focus for world leaders in philanthropy. Talking Philanthropy 2021 will be a game-changer to help us all address the world’s greatest inequalities during these challenging times.”

Talking Philanthropy aims to inspire attendees and speakers to begin conversations with governments and philanthropic practitioners to revisit regulation and ensure a conducive environment for philanthropy and identify areas for further research. The complimentary event is free for all to attend and one can register for the forum through the following link – https://asiapac.globalphilanthropic.com/talking-philanthropy/

As #EarthDay2021 rolls around this week, sustainability is at the forefront of everybody’s minds. Yet, it’s not enough for companies to talk about sustainability just one day out of the entire year, which is why we’ve rounded up a list of top brands that walk the talk year-round. With sustainability at the core of their brand values and offerings, you can rest assured that every penny you spend with them will be guilt-free.

Singita

Every aspect of Singita’s day-to-day operations is centred around its 100-year purpose to preserve and protect large areas of African wilderness for future generations. They’ve highlighted clear sustainability targets for 2025, including using renewable technologies with the goal to become carbon neutral, water saving measures and waste management.

One of their most notable projects is the drive of clean solar energy in the Kruger National Park. 78% of the power required to run Singita Kruger National Park was provided by solar energy, resulting in a remarkable reduction in carbon emissions. In addition, Singita’s ongoing conservation efforts are undertaken alongside its non-profit partner funds and trusts where progress is evident through the transformation of the areas under Singita’s care. This includes the recent birth of the first black rhino calf in Tanzania in decades at Singita Grumeti.

Inge Kotze, Singita’s General Manager of Conservation, strives to form strategic partnerships in conservation and supports projects that promote the preservation of Africa’s biodiversity. She also oversees an all-woman Conservation team who are responsible for Singita’s Biodiversity and Sustainability initiatives, as well as its Community Partnership Programmes.

TiNDLE 

TiNDLE is founded on the belief that doing one’s part for the planet should be easy, enjoyable, and most importantly delicious. Comprising only 9 ingredients, TiNDLE Thy uses 74% less land, 82% less water and produces 88% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional chicken. Currently available across a range of cuisines at 11 different restaurants in Singapore, eating green has never been more delicious.

This April, TiNDLE has partnered with homegrown heroes, ecoSPIRITS and Brass Lion Distillery, to bring a sustainable edition of 28 HongKong Street’s Proper Dinner series. The limited time menu will feature Chef Melvyn Tan’s TiNDLE spin on the bar’s iconic Fried Chicken n’ Waffles topped with homemade herb butter. With every component of the dish made from scratch by Chef Mel himself, this version may just be the most sustainable and freshest take on the nostalgic American bar food in Singapore. Complete your meal with a Brass Ring Cocktail, a low-waste, gin-based cocktail by Chris Saw, Singapore’s reigning Sustainable Bartending Competition winner.

VIVANT

The world’s first live streaming wine experience platform, VIVANT is redefining how consumers learn about wine and supporting a more sustainable future for the industry, featuring the world’s best tasting wines from responsible winemakers practicing sustainable, organic, and biodynamic viticulture. VIVANT only works with responsible winemakers who take care of their little piece of the planet and pledge to keep it free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fungicides in order to produce better quality wine and improve the environment for future generations.

Patina

Opening in Q2 this year, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, will advance the establish trend of purposeful travel; from zero-waste kitchens and recycling marine plastic, to offering free dive lessons to local children to nurture next-generation respect for the environment, this resort is driven by its commitment to perpetuality. 

At the 100% solar-powered kids’ club – Footprints – kids will have the opportunity to turn recycled ocean plastic into models using 3D printing and sign up for free diving lessons to nurture next-generation awareness of the local ocean environment. The resort will also be offering free PADI dive certifications for local Maldivian children.

Ambitious in its plans to tackle marine plastic pollution, Patina Maldives will be implementing a comprehensive coral propagation project, as well as leading regular team and guest clean-ups – with 10kg of marine plastic collected for every stay.