FLIRTY BOHEMIAN

Magdalene Xie, 24, brands assurance executive

There's a flirty girlishness about Xie - with an almost Drew-Barrymore kind of cuteness and Boho vibe.

Having worked in the creative industry for about four years, she is a frequent shopper and avid traveller who makes two or three trips across Asia every year.

She is also a fan of girly, gypsy- inspired clothes that mirror her free-spirited personality.

'Personal style definitely changes as a person grows and matures,' she says. 'Along the way, you can pick up styles, but you need to make it your own. For example, I'm not really tall at 1.68m, so I can't wear over-the-knee dresses because it'll make me look short.'

I'm all about: Mood dressing. It's simple when I'm at work - black with minimal accessories. But when I'm out, it's all Bohemian, funky or girly.

You'll usually find me in: Right now, I wear a lot of summer dresses. It's easy to throw on when you're feeling lazy. And versatile too - just match with pumps or wedges to dress them up.

My favourite shopping dives: Calvin Klein for its tops and dresses, Topshop and Forever21 for their variety and Queen's Couture at The Heeren for funky T-shirts.

I can't resist: Shopping. I do it at least twice or thrice a week, even when I have no intention of buying anything. I recently bought a Chanel bag for $2,800 after a few months of contemplation. It was my reward for working hard.

Biggest fashion faux pas: A really short haircut that made me look butch and it didn't help that I was in an all-girls' school. It made my face look fat too.

Fashion peeve: People who blindly follow trends. Once in Topshop, I saw this girl in a yellow bubble shirt dress with grey shimmery stockings and thick make-up. She looked ridiculously loud in that ensemble and there was no focus. Ditto for people who wear leopard and graphic prints and can't pull it off.

My five-minute face: Moisturiser, sunblock and a tinge of blusher in case I look pale. And mascara. The eyes are very important because they are the windows to your soul and people look at them when they talk to you.

Signature scent: Chanel Chance. I started wearing it two to three years ago. It's womanly without being too floral.

Must-have beauty products: Dermalogica moisturiser, Dermalogica sunscreen SPF30 and Kiehl's lip balm with SPF15 sunscreen.

Best beauty habit: Sleeping before 10pm and waking up at 6.30am. I feel really good when I sleep early.

ECLECTIC VINTAGE

Evelyn Tan, 32, group brand marketing manager of Shiseido

Her eclectic style is a marriage of vintage and modern, and she wears it with the flair of a person who thoroughly enjoys fashion.

'I know what I like and once you're comfortable, you exude a natural confidence.' she says.

Actresses like Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kirsten Dunst and Chloe Sevigny are her style icons.

'They're women who wear whatever they want, they're real and they look so good. They embody the idea of natural beauty. They don't obsess about being perfect, which is what I believe in.'

Mother to a three-year-old girl who already has a shoe-loving habit, Tan credits her sense of style to her own Mum.

'She never dictated what I wore and wasn't embarrassed by my fashion mistakes along the way. She wasn't afraid to go out with me,' she says with a chuckle.

I'm all about: Mixing and matching - old and new, expensive and cheap, formal and casual. For example, I'd wear a polka-dotted vintage skirt and a tailored vest. I love contrast.

Most useful fashion tip: There are no fixed rules. I take clothes and give it a different vibe. Fashion is emotive, you got to feel it.

You'll usually find me in: Dresses. They're easy to wear for a working Mum. I like vintage dresses with girlish details like puffed sleeves or quirky prints like fruit.

Greatest fashion influence: My Mum. She always believed that money has nothing to do with style. When I was a child, she'd take me to Little India and show me lots of bangles.

We would also go to Chinatown and Arab Street. She taught me to discover treasures everywhere. She even taught me to make my own beaded jewellery before I was in Primary 1.

She kept all her old clothes, from her kebayas to her shift dresses. I started wearing vintage at 16. At that age, you want to stand out, and that was my way of doing so.

She taught me not to follow what others were wearing.

Favourite labels: Italian label Marni for interesting designs, exquisite tailoring, quirky details and cute necklaces. New York label Tibi because it's girly and fun and Zero Maria from New York-based designer Maria Conejo, for her interesting silhouettes and draping.

I can't resist: Accessories of any kind - bags, shoes, bangles, anything. Vintage is a weakness. From cheap to expensive, plastic to cloissone, I have them all.

Biggest fashion faux pas: Too many to get to where I am now, including wearing too many accessories of the same kind, like a pearl bracelet, necklace and earrings all at one go.

My five-minute face: It's not so much my face. It's my hair that I'm more concerned with, because it's short and tends to misbehave. I either wet it down or rub in a little anti-frizz serum.

Must-have beauty product: Shiseido Bio-Performance Disc and Serum once a week. It's a two-minute ritual, but it smoothens out my skin and makes it look like I've had a peel and microdermabrasion.

I also can't live without Shiseido's Future Solution Eye and Lip Cream and La Creme Moisturiser.

My best beauty habit: I do a weekly mask. I use Cle de Peau Beaute's Soin Intensif Masque. Within 10 minutes, it gets your skin back on track, especially if you've travelled.

My worst beauty habit: My compulsion with mascara. I wear multiple coats of it. I start with Shiseido The Makeup's Mascara Base, then I use ZA's Cutie Curl Volume Mascara and then finish off with Ettusais's Hyper Curl Masacara for definition.

POETIC MINIMALISM

Tan Qiuwen, 22, fashion designer

There's a cool aloofness about Tan - perhaps best encapsulated in the name of her own fashion label IAMWHOIAM, which comes under Studio Prive, a collective showroom of emerging designers. She also designs for local label Baylene.

I'm still in the process of discovering myself. Freedom is everything. I wear what I like, whether it is fashionable or not,' she says.

But make no assumptions. This young designer, who graduated from Lasalle College of the Arts, is stylish without being trendy.

Sure, like most in the fashion business, she dresses in black and neutrals. But she breaks away from the monochrome conventions with a lot of layering and textured fabrics, which is, incidentally, a professed weakness.

'I spend most of my money buying fabrics for my label. And since I'm at the tailor a lot for work, I also use the opportunity to get my own stuff tailored,' she says.

I'm all about: Combining male and female elements and ideas. Lots of layering and subtle details and playing on fabric textures.

My style icon: Audrey Hepburn. She is timeless.

My favourite labels: Belgian designer Martin Margiela, New York label threeasfour, Parisian label Bless, and postpunk Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck, for their adventurous spirit and designs.

The best fashion tip I got: It is from the Sartorialist website: 'I hear a lot of people talk about being effortless but I think it's unfair to expect people to look effortless. We all put in some effort - nothing wrong with that. To look effortless I think you almost have to be born perfect. I think we should strive less to be effortless and more to look naturally and happily ourselves - the best that we can be'.

Biggest fashion faux pas: Wearing brocade.

I can't stand: That people are less adventurous here. Everyone dresses the same. There are so many diverse styles like tailored, sexy, punky, hipster and funky that a person can channel, but it's rare to see it on the streets.

My best beauty habit: It is also my worst - it's having enough sleep. Half of my lifetime is dedicated to that.

I can't leave home without: Blow-drying my hair and my hand cream.

UTILITARIAN CHIC

Jenny Ting, 29, Singapore Symphony Orchestra's audience development & outreach manager

Upbeat and cheerful, Ting describes her style as 'sporty chic' and names outrageous pop stars Gwen Stefani and sexy Fergie from hip-hop band Black Eyed Peas as her fashion icons.

'They're both cheerful, daring, experimental and wear clothes that are comfortable to move in. And with one look, you can tell it's their personality,' she says.

Always on a look-out for unique and limited-edition clothes and shoes, she says that everything in her wardrobe is about expressing her personality.

'I'll go for clothes with unusual prints or asymmetrical cuts. It's about looking for special details like ribbons or trims or anything that pops out at you. Don't be afraid to experiment.'

And experimentation hasn't cost her an arm or a leg.

'I can spend anything from $100 to $400 a month on beauty products and clothes. You should be able to not spend too much and still create a unique style,' she says.

Her biggest and best fashion tip is one that comes from the heart: 'Ultimately, be optimistic and cheerful. It makes one even more beautiful when the beauty is found on the inside.'

I'm all about: Clothes that fit me, not fashion trends. It's got to be unique, like a special cut, colour or print that's not commonly worn.

I'm usually in: Strong primary colours. I like them bright and bold, but I'll match them with dark colours so it's not over the top.

Favourite stores: G2000 and Raoul for work. Far East Plaza and Heeren for street funk and, of late, I've been frequenting Ang Mo Kio Hub because there's lots of stuff to buy there.

'When I'm in Kuala Lumpur, I'll shop at Parkson Department Store for labels like Voir and Soda because you can't find them here and the clothes suit my figure.

I can't resist: Shoes. They're my impulse buys, and I usually buy one or two pairs a week. The most expensive pair I have are red stilettos from Aldo, at $200. I may buy shoes on impulse but I'm still a prudent shopper.

Biggest fashion faux pas: I was 15, and I wore a shimmery top with a shimmery yellow knee-length skirt. It was an attempt to be different, but I discovered that you can look different in a very distasteful way too.

My five-minute face: Loose powder after moisturiser and sunblock. Mascara, blusher and lip gloss. You can definitely do that in five minutes.

Must-have beauty product: Sunblock. I use three types of sunblock, each for different occasions. There's Bio-essence Total Block Protective Lotion Even Tone when I'm wearing make-up, Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunblock when I don't wear make-up and Sunplay Baby Mild (Sensitive) when I'm doing sports.

STREET MOD

Nurul Aini, 24, actress and host

She may be the Ryan Seacrest of Malay channel Suria's singing competition Anugerah 2007, but fashion wasn't always TV host Nurul's strongest suit.

Growing up, she was always wearing drab sweaters over equally drab jeans.

But this self-professed ugly duckling, who will host this year's National Day Parade, had to make some major sartorial changes when she entered showbusiness five years ago.

'I had to buck up. People notice if you're a boring dresser or if you wear the same things all the time,' she says.

Magazines and websites have helped her attain a sharper style quotient now. She's even got her own online shopping site (studiofrost.livejournal.com) that sells trendy dresses, tops and accessories from the United States, from $3 to $48.

I'm all about: Trendy simplicity. Skinny jeans, simple tunic tops and flats. And colour. Nothing drab for me. I'm often at Zara, Topshop and Mango. But I also go to cheap outlets along Bedok Interchange. It's not about labels, but good design.

Style icons: Mischa Barton. She's simple and just carries everything off so well. We're the same build - tall and skinny - and she wears a lot of colours as well. I also love Paris Hilton, but her dressing is a little too daring for this Malay girl.

I can't resist: Earrings and shoes. I have over 100 pairs of them. It's so bad that I can't look at earrings or shoes in the shops because if I do, I just have to buy them.

My best fashion tip: If someone is not too tall, three-quarter skirts or dresses won't look good on them. They should opt for shorter or longer bottoms.

Biggest fashion faux pas: At 15, I used to wear horrible thick glasses that made my eyes look very small. My hair was straight, I had bangs with a centre parting. I wore my socks up to my knees. It was quite a disastrous period.

My five-minute face: I can do a full make-up in five minutes. I'll always put on powder, lipstick and blusher.

Signature scent: For shoots, it's Miracle by Lancome. It's really strong and lasts all day. For dinners, I use Gucci Rush 2, Kenzo Flower or Gucci Envy.

Must-have beauty product: Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion. My skin gets very dry without it.

My best beauty habit: No matter how late it is or how tired I am, I always cleanse and moisturise my face.

MODERN GLAMOUR

Jita Tulsi, 50, beautician

It's hard to believe that Tulsi is a day over 45. If being in your 50s means looking this good - bring it on. The mother of four has been in the beauty business for 30 years, running a beauty salon in Roxy Square.

Not one for designer labels, she does most of her shopping at Tangs or Robinsons, especially in the partywear section.

'I like the classy and sophisticated stuff, but I'm not about a chi-chi wardrobe,' she says.

Her voracious appetite for travel has led to many wardrobe gems from Australia and outlet stores in London. She says that it was only at the age of 35 that she decided to eschew fleeting fashion trends and discover her own style.

As she puts it: 'Style is about defining yourself, not what the fashion industry dictates.'

I'm all about: Good bargains. I veer towards classic and simple cuts, but I don't do T-shirts and other types of casual wear like shorts and denim skirts.

My style icon is: Madonna because she's a trendsetter, always pushing fashion boundaries. I also like Shakira. She's got some Indian influence in her dressing which I like.

Favourite labels: Karen Millen. Her evening wear is sensual and sexy, and the cut of her pants can make a fat person look slim. Also, Ted Baker for simple but very classy tops.

I go weak for: Lingerie. I love La Perla, which is where I make my biggest buys. Even if the bill comes up to $200 or $300, I'll gladly pay. It's a treat.

Best fashion tip I have: Pick what you think is comfortable for you and not what fashion trends expect of you. Be your own person and you'll be fashionable that way.

My five-minute face: Lip liner, lipstick and a tinted sunblock by Oxygen Botanical.

Signature smell: Thierry Mugler's Angel and L'Occitane's Citrus fragrance. The one I save for special occasions is Paul Smith's Women. It's a bit spicy and I'll put it on only if I'm in that particular mood.

Must-have beauty treatment: A monthly oxygen fusion facial, which uses pure oxygen that refreshes and tones the skin.

My best beauty habit: I can't sleep without cleansing my face, no matter how much I've had to drink. I use the Oxygen Botanical spa range. I use everything from the eye make-up remover right down to the cleanser.

I can't leave home without: Guerlain Divinora Lipstick in a nude pink shade. I like the softness of the colour and it accentuates my features.

The best beauty tip my Mum gave me: A yogurt facial on a weekly basis will give you good skin. It's worked for me.

ETHNO-CENTRIC

Piya Sadhwani, 42, real estate agent

Marrying ethnic garb and high-street labels is what Sadhwani does well. Rather than wear a traditional Indian costume from head to toe, she mixes it up with clothes from Warehouse, Bebe, Guess? and Zara.

The mother of two boys, aged nine and 15 has always enjoyed fashion, and says that her style has changed over the years.

'In my 20s, I was more casual in jeans and simple tops. In my 30s, I preferred a more mature look because I worked in a hotel,' she says.

Now, she is in an Indo-Western phase.

I'm all about: Indo-meets-Western. I'll team long kurtis with jeans. And diamonds. I'm into the real deal, no artificial accessories for me.

My beauty icon: Aishwarya Rai is the definition of beauty. She is just perfect.

Favourite labels: Louis Vuitton and Fendi for bags that last and don't ever go out of fashion. For clothes, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Mango and Zara. I like Indian designers like Kimayas, Ranna Gill and Mohinis. I usually get these on my trips to India.

Best fashion tip: It's a no-no to dress better than your boss. Once, I was up for an award and I was very dressed up. My boss, however, was casually dressed, and it put him on the spot and made him feel inferior all evening.

Fashion peeve: At the moment, I hate the calf-length leggings that we see everywhere. I think it looks silly.

I can't leave home without: 'My watch. It breaks my routine. If I break my routine, my whole day is off.'

The best beauty tip my Mum gave me: 'If you have a breakout, use toothpaste. Just a dab on the spot will downsize the zit overnight.'

INTELLECTUAL MOD

Low Gek Eng, 55, fashion boutique supervisor

One look at Gek, as she is better known to fashion stylists and her customers, and it's hard not to think of Edna Mode from the 2004 animated movie, The Incredibles.

There's the jet-black bob which she's had since she was in her 20s, the red lips, the white nail polish, the glasses and the intellectual, avant-garde style.

'The first question that people who don't know me usually ask is: Are you a fashion designer? Or are you in the fashion industry?' she says.

She takes such queries as affirmation that she's fashionable and stylish.

This mother of two has been in the fashion business for 30 years, starting out as an apprentice in a bridal shop and graduating to different roles as a buyer, boutique manager and, now, supervisor for various boutiques like The Link, Glamourette, Shanghai Tang and Pois.

'I'll be in the fashion industry for as long as I can, another 15 years or more, as long as my energy level is there. I don't believe in retirement,' she says.

'Age doesn't bother me at all. In order to feel good, you have to be happy from the inside.'

I'm all about: Avant-garde and funky-meets-functional. I'll wear, for example, a blouse and a pair of pants with a few accessories, like a belt, a pearl necklace and white stockings for a touch of colour.

I'm always in: Black. I just love it. It's fashionable and glamorous. My friends say if they ever forget my name, they'll just call me the Lady In Black.

Favourite labels: Marithe Francois Girbaud, a French clothing brand, for its details, and Lesley George, a London label, for its trendy and avant-garde clothes.

I can't resist: Bags. I'm not brand conscious at all. The most expensive bag I bought is a Sonia Rykiel travelling bag which I use as a handbag. It cost about $500 and I've used it for about nine years. Oh, my bags are almost always in black.

On fitness and exercise: The only exercise I get is when I go clubbing. Dancing in pubs is my main form of exercise and the hotter the music, the better, like Madonna.

Best fashion tip: Don't wear clothes that don't look good on you. Clothes are supposed to make you look better. It's so basic but people forget.

Signature smells: Issey Miyaki Classic and Bulgari Homme. They're both men's fragrances and they're not so sweet.

Worst beauty habit: I like to snip my fringe. I like to be very precise and I do it every day. The moment I stand in front of the mirror, I have to snip it to perfection. Once I snipped it up to my forehead when I usually only have it just above the eyebrow.

I can't leave home without: Lipstick. Bright red. Sometimes I can be crazy, I'll apply red in the centre and use a fuchsia lipstick from Christian Dior around the edges. I use lipsticks from MAC, Chanel and Christian Dior.

Photographer: DESMOND FOO; styling: ANGELINE NEO; make-up: LYNETTE LEONG (mobile: 9475-5719) using colours from Shu Uemura; Hair: KELVIN FONG from Hair Pride