The Best Life
Mother-daughter pair, Susan and Melissa Peh, share how they get more out of life—in the same way Japanese beauty brand Kanebo believes in creating the perfect out of imperfection
For lawyer Melissa Peh, perfection is being content with all that you have and everything that you do. “With contentment, you will always find happiness, inner peace and harmony within yourself and those around you,” she says. This is a value she shares with her mother Susan Peh, who also believes in finding balance in life. “Perfection is the ability to accomplish important daily tasks while carving out time for meaningfulmomentssuchasspending time with family and friends, or simply being alone with the raw beauty of nature around us,” says Susan, who runs her own law firm with herhusband.
The mother-daughter pair’s innate appreciation for every moment is a philosophy embraced by Japanese beauty giant Kanebo for its latest campaign, which highlights the ideal that perfection can be found in imperfection. Less is more when it comes to its newest additions to The Exceptional line: Theprimer and The Cream Foundation, which promise to bring out the natural radiance of skin. The Primer smoothens uneven surfaces to create a seamless, translucent canvas, while Thecream Foundation conceals problem areas with a sheer, buildable coverage.
But how does Kanebo’s beauty ideal of perfection in imperfection translate into daily life? We look to Susan and Melissafor a lesson in living life to the fullest. Besides their careers in law, the pair also shares a passion for the arts. An accomplished pianist, Susan is on the board of the Jazzassociation (Singapore) and also chairs its galaand fundraising committee, while Melissa’s interest lies in dance. The younger Peh is a board member of non-profit organisation, Theroyaldance-off.
Yet, between balancing their work and personal lives, they always make time for theirclose-knit family. The pair muses on why Kanebo’srange has a place in their hectic lifestyles, pursuing perfection in their own terms, and how they complement oneanother.
How do you live life to the fullest?
Susan Peh (SP): Never waste time looking back with regret or spending long hours dreaming about the future. Live your life positively for the present and do what you need to do with heart and hard work.
Melissa Peh (MP): We cannot sustain alone— cultivatestrong bonds with family, loved ones, colleaguesandfriends, and life’s journey will be both gratifyingand beautiful.
How do you bring out the best in each other?
SP: Melissa is extremely creative. She constantly gives me fresh ideas, be it at work or with hobbies that we love.
MP: My mum has given me a good foundation of learning in my childhood. I think I developed my creative streak and humour from her, and this has taught me to be bold andconfident.
What do you love about The Primer and The Cream foundation from Kanebo’s The exceptional range?
MP: The Primer has long-staying power without any greasiness on my skin, even with extended wear. The naturalextracts such as pear juice, watercress and geraniumrobertianum are very soothing on my sensitive skin,and didn’t cause any irritation or breakouts.
SP: The Foundation is a dream—it is comfortable to wear, blends easily with good coverage and leaves a naturally fragrant veil of translucent radiance on the skin. Furthermore, its composition of plant extracts gives comfort and peace to the senses, even on my most stressful days. It is truly a must-have on any dressing table.
How do these two products fit into your lifestyle?
SP: I am constantly on the go with back-to-back appointments, whether at work, at the charities I serve at, or at events with family and friends. I love how Theexceptional products stay on from morning till night without the need for touch-ups. It is truly a magical, all-in-one product line.
MP: I am often rushing between court and meetings. Not only does The Exceptional line make my skin look clean and radiant, it is also moisturisingandlong-lasting.
KANEBO
• Takashimaya D S, tel: 6738 1111
• OG Albert Complex, tel: 6339 4784 kanebo.com