From The Straits Times    |

Credit: Instagram/iamjamieyeo

While actress and host Jamie Yeo (@iamjamieyeo) might be fondly remembered for her role as Tammy Tay in Growing Up (you can catch the series on Netflix), the mother of two has recently added a new descriptor to her title – entrepreneur. She founded Lula J Jewelry during the circuit breaker last year, offering affordable fine jewellery that can be used for everyday wear.  

And if you didn’t already know, Lula J Jewelry is a combination of the names of Jamie’s children (Luke and Alysia) and was born out of her own desire for fun and casual jewellery that wouldn’t break the bank, yet still made with good quality materials such as solid gold with genuine gemstones and natural diamonds as opposed to gold-plated costume jewellery or high-end fine jewellery. At the same time, she also wanted these pieces to be able to withstand the test of time, and be passed down generations.

Little did she know that she would stumble upon a winning idea. In half a year, the brand has brought in an almost six-figure revenue, and all this done without much marketing efforts other than Jamie modelling the pieces on her Instagram account. Talk about star power.

A quick look at the Lula J website shows a wide range of stylish, affordable (nothing above US$600), and timeless jewelry pieces that are suitable for special occasions and everyday wear. In addition, every Lula J piece is designed in Singapore and sustainably made by dedicated craftsmen around the region.

Juggling motherhood, hosting gigs and a new business, Jamie takes it all in her stride. She’s also a strong advocate of self-care who believes in carving out time for herself no matter how busy she gets, which makes us wonder: How does she do it all and still look so good?

Jamie says her secret is simply that she doesn’t do it alone. She has help – from the team at aesthetics clinic, The Artisan Wellness.

“I noticed very distinct changes in my skin after I hit 40,” she says. “The upside, my skin became a lot less acne-prone and greasy – it’s easier to maintain. But the downside was that I noticed visible skin-thinning from general fat and collagen loss.”

This, she says, led her to search for a solution for her skin woes. She had heard about Ellanse, a dermal filler that helps restore facial volume, and through her research, found out about Artisan Wellness and its medical director, Dr Isaac Wong. 

“Dr Wong seemed very experienced in the treatment, so I went in for a consultation with him and ended up trying Ellanse.” The rest, as they say, is history. Jamie, who started out as a patient, is now the clinic’s celebrity ambassador.

Jamie’s top 4 favourite aesthetics treatments

Jamie says these Artisan Wellness treatments help her look like herself, just better. “I don’t want to look vastly different. Rather, I’m more for treatments that refresh me, improve the quality of my skin, and give me a slight lift.” 

She adds that she appreciates the advancements in technology that have allowed the treatments to be available, so that women – and men – do not have to rely on good genes alone. “There are treatments for everyone and most conditions. Plus, there are many machines out there proven to give you better skin, so it’s really a matter of finding a few right ones and a good doctor.”

For skin tightening: Potenza by Artisan

Why Jamie loves it: “I really liked the skin “thickening” and lifting results of Potenza, Artisan’s newest aesthetics treatment. I just did my first session and can’t wait to go for the second one.” 

Best for: Post-acne scars, skin roughness, skin sagging and stretch marks

What it is: Dubbed the world’s first and only US FDA-approved four-mode radio frequency (RF) micro-needling system, the treatment combines the use of monopolar and bipolar RF energies in a single machine.

Monopolar RF delivers energy across a larger and deeper area, tightening the skin for a face-lifting effect; it also targets blemishes at the source. In contrast, bipolar RF delivers energy in a concentrated and shallower radius, focusing on the skin’s superficial tissue, making it ideal for treating post-acne scars, stretch marks, loose skin and textural issues like enlarged pores. 

Both RF energies are released into the skin though ultra-fine needles. This, in turn, triggers the body’s natural healing process, producing new collagen and elastin over time. 

The secret lies in the patented tip that allows the RF energies to be fired at two different depths at each pass, so that more tissue can be treated in a single session. In addition, serums can also be delivered at the same time, if needed. 

And because the RF energies are delivered so deeply into the skin, you’ll see quicker and more effective results, and with less downtime than other anti-ageing aesthetics treatments. For best results, a series of three treatments is recommended.

For facial definition: Ellanse Fillers by Artisan

Why Jamie loves it: Ellanse is great! If I have to be honest, it wasn’t pain-free, but the results have lasted more than three years.”

Best for: The treatment helps with a range of ageing concerns, such as restoring volume to the face, reducing the appearance of dark circles, enhancing chin and jawline definition, improving skin hydration, and stimulating collagen growth.

What it is: Unlike traditional dermal fillers that use hyaluronic acid, Ellanse fillers use a type of polymer called polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres. When injected into skin, the microspheres are naturally absorbed by the body, where it triggers collagen growth, in turn making the skin look healthier, with increased elasticity.

Ellanse fillers are also long-lasting. Depending on the type used – there are four available, S, M, L and E, with varying re-absorption rates – results can last anywhere from one to four years. 

More importantly, the treatment comes with little downtime, with side effects limited to temporary injection-related swelling, bruising and soreness, all of which go away after a few days. 

For hyperpigmentation: PicoSure Singapore by Artisan

Why Jamie loves it:PicoSure has been very effective in refining my pores. I don’t do Pico as often as I should because of my busy schedule. I really should be going for it every couple of months.”

Best for: Common skin problems like pigmentation, acne scars, enlarged pores, acne and skin damage from sun exposure. 

What it is: A non-invasive and non-ablative laser treatment, it’s considered more effective and safer than traditional lasers. The term “pico” refers to the pulse duration of the laser, at one-trillionth of a second (in comparison, traditional Q-switch lasers fire at one-billionth of a second). The super-fast pulses allow the laser to penetrate deeper into the skin without harming surrounding tissues. 

It is perfect for targeting pigmentation – the laser breaks down dark spots and freckles into much smaller fragments for a more even skin tone. It also stimulates collagen production to plump the skin, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

PicoSure is suitable for all skin types and comes with little downtime, leaving only a temporary red flush that dissipates in a day or two. The shorter and faster pulse duration makes each treatment more effective, which in turn, results in fewer treatment sessions and faster recovery time. Plus, there is less discomfort and a lower risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. 

It’s recommended to do PicoSure once a month, until you achieve the desired results, then continue with maintenance treatments every two to three months.

For sagging skin: TempSure by Artisan

Why Jamie loves it:TempSure is great for immediate face-lifting, and I would recommend it to anyone who has a massive life event, like a wedding, coming up. The lifting results are amazing.”

Best for: Skin tightening and toning for a youthful-looking complexion. It can be used on both the face and body.

What it is: It utilises monopolar radio frequency (RF), which penetrates deeper into the skin, heating it up to 42 deg C to encourage collagen contraction and production. The result is a reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles, as well as a tightening effect. 

In addition, the TempSure machine has a real-time temperature display, allowing the therapist to ensure that the RF energy is delivered precisely. And with a response time of up to 100 times faster than other similar skin-tightening machines, TempSure is deemed safer and more efficient – in fact, results can be seen in as little as two weeks. 

The treatment comes with little downtime, and with the recommended three monthly sessions, results can last up to a year. 

For more information about Potenza, Ellanse, PicoSure, and TempSure, visit The Artisan Wellness at #14-09 Paragon Medical Centre, tel: 9818-7887, or make an appointment here.

Brought to you by Lula J Jewelry