Reviews

TEST-DRIVE

Liv checks out the newest workouts and wellness trends

HEALTH

Urban Air Mask 2.0 from Airinum

The Buzz: Masks are a dime a dozen these dozen, but that doesn’t mean that they’re all created equal. We heard about this new mask, which has a few key upgrades that had us intrigued. We picked one up to give it a test drive on Hong Kong’s mean streets. The Mask: Designed by a Swedish health tech startup, the mask is reusable and uses a filter similar to a N95 respirator. This makes it a more heavy duty option that’s meant to protect against different particles and hazardous airborne substances. Our mask kit arrives with a few different parts that require some assembly - mask “skin” (exterior), replaceable air filter, air valves, air stoppers, a head strap and a travel pouch - but after a few tries, we finally put it together. Features like adjustable ear loops make it an easy mask to tailor to our face, and it sits nicely over our mouth area without rubbing. The Verdict: A year ago it would have been hard to imagine getting excited about a face mask, but here we are! We loved the adjustable ear loops, which keep the mask snug against our mugs without any uncomfortable ear chafe. Also, because of the filter used, this mask has a bit more structure to it (not unlike a duck bill) and sits quite far off the face. This is a blessing for lipstick lovers, and to our delight, we were able to rock a bold lip under this bad boy for an entire day without a single smudge on our face or inside the mask - what luxury! Takes a bit of getting used to, but definitely a more protective and practical option for a mask you need to wear day in and day out. Two thumbs up! Cost: $498, available in Hong Kong at Lane Crawford, Homeless, or Eslite stores.

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The Dyson Digital Slim Vacuum Cleaner

The Buzz: You know you’re getting to a certain age when the most exciting thing to review isn’t a hot new restaurant or a hardcore fitness programme, but a new vacuum cleaner. The Dyson Digital Slim has been designed specifically for smaller Hong Kong flats and is 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than their regular models. Engineers reportedly studied cleaning habits in Hong Kong and created a machine that works well on hard floors, can reach hard-to-clean areas, and is durable enough for daily use. The Product: We unpacked the machine and were impressed by how light it was at just 1.9 kilograms. We set to work on our hardwood floors and were amazed by the quantity of dust, crumbs and stray hair this little guy was able to suck up. Now on a cleaning frenzy, we tackled mattresses and sofas, and were simultaneously grossed out and thrilled by the amount of dust that was lifted off these surfaces too. Our flat felt cleaner and fresher, and we were pleased that once our cleaning blitz was over, the Dyson Digital Slim went back in its charger. No fussing with bulky extension cords or nozzles required. The Verdict: We’ve long been fans of Dyson, and this nifty gadget is no exception. It has the same suction power as conventional models, minus the bulk. If you’ve always wanted to invest in a Dyson, take the plunge with this small but mighty model. Your flat will thank you. Cost: The Dyson Digital Slim costs $4,180-$4,880, depending on the model.

GIVEAWAYS

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Free stuff!

WIN: a weighted blanket from DORMU

Get on the weighted blanket craze! DORMU is a local startup bringing weighted blankets to Hong Kong. These hefty quilts are touted for their ability to improve sleep quality and release stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, and thanks to DORMU, we have three to give away! Blankets are valued between $1,800 and $2,400, depending on the size, and unlike the models you’ll find on Amazon, are made with glass rather than plastic beads, and the outer layer is made with sustainable, breathable bamboo fibre.

WIN: a MEGA JENG! BOX WORTH MORE THAN $2,000!

Haven’t checked out our JENG! selfcare box yet? Just for the month of March, we have a very special prize up for grabs: a JENG! Box featuring all hero products from our past three boxes! The mega-box is worth more than $2,000, and we have one up for grabs for one lucky reader!