Category Archives: Online

Madeira: the island of sun, sea and eternal youth?

by Qin Xie

Published on The Independent on 8th July 2021

When the first drops of warm massage oil made contact with my back, it should have been a cue for my body to instantly relax. But after months hunched over my laptop in the confines of a studio flat, the dark circles under my eyes echoing its soulless blue light, those muscles had apparently forgotten how.

Exasperated, I sank my cheeks further into the cushioned face-cradle, hoping it would accelerate the process. Any minute now, I thought, relaxation will wash over me. But it never did.

That’s not to say the massage at Laurea Spa, the wellness centre inside the newish Savoy Palace Hotel in Madeira, wasn’t any good. Quite the opposite, in fact; I’m convinced that I would have melted into a puddle had I experienced another hour of it. But I was only in for a 30-minute taster as part of a wellness weekend on the Portuguese island and, well, there were only so many knots my poor masseuse could untangle in that time.

Read more at The Independent

8 best santoku knives: The Japanese tool you need in your kitchen

by Qin Xie

Published on The Independent on 7th July 2021

Most of us are familiar with the traditional chef’s knife, with its piercingly sharp tip, straight spine and a distinctly curved cutting edge. Its shape makes it incredibly versatile in the kitchen and you can use it for everything from carving meat to finely slicing herbs in that classic rocking motion chefs love to demonstrate.

But hot on its heels in recent years has been the santoku knife – a style of chef’s knife that has its roots in Japan, although many models you get now are made in other parts of the world.

Santoku translates to “three virtues” in Japanese, which signify the three uses this style of blade is best known for: slicing, dicing and mincing. Visually, it looks just like a reflection of the traditional chef’s knife – the spine curves downwards into a point resembling a sheep’s foot while the cutting edge of the blade is almost completely straight.

Read more at The Independent

Dyson pure cool me review: A pricey but perfect fan for small spaces and allergies

by Qin Xie

Published on The Independent on 6th July 2021

When Dyson launched its first bladeless fan a little over a decade ago, it was something of a revelation. For the first time, you didn’t need to worry about your kids accidentally sticking their hands into the blades, or even your hair or clothes getting caught in the revolving parts if you happen to stand too close or in just the wrong spot.

Since then, the brand has come out with newer and smaller models, and each more capable – and more expensive – than the last. The Dyson pure cool me (£299.99, Dyson.co.uk) made its debut in 2019, a decade after that first bladeless fan, and it turned out to be quite divisive. While it’s much smaller and cheaper – one of the most affordable Dyson fans actually – the fact that it’s only designed to cool the person sitting in front of it rather than the whole room has sparked some ire.

But its size and price certainly aren’t the only attractive features. It comes equipped with a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (Hepa) filter, meaning all manner of pesky pollen and bad bacteria are taken out of the circulation while a second activated charcoal filter removes odours like cooking smells and smoke. We’ve put this high end gadget to the test to see whether you can justify the still hefty price tag or whether you should leave it on the shelf.

Read more at The Independent

Unmissable things to do and see in Tenerife

by Qin Xie

Published on Staysure on 1st July 2021

Averaging a mild 20C in winter, and a balmy 28C in summer, Tenerife’s temperate climate draws visitors year round. And thanks to its status as the biggest of the Canaries, this island of eternal spring has plenty of activities to offer new and returning holidaymakers.

One of Tenerife’s biggest draws is its sandy beaches, with some 43 miles of it dotted around the island for those who just want to fly and flop. Its location just off the west coast of Africa means sun is in abundance too, for those who want to top up their tans.

For the more active, there are hiking routes that snake all around the island, including up to the peak of Mount Teide, the third highest volcano in the world. Or you can take part in a leisurely game of golf with views of the stunning coastline.

Read more at Staysure

7 best scalp massagers that promote hair growth

by Qin Xie

Published on The Independent on 17th June 2021

If you’re after a low-cost self-care product that can be used every day, the answer may well be a scalp massager that’s designed to mimic human fingers.

Typically, they are round brushes with silicone bristles that you can use in the shower with your shampoo or conditioner. The idea is that you move these massagers in a gentle forward and backward motion all over your head to distribute the product – they can do it more quickly and evenly than fingers, and there’s no danger of scratching yourself with your nails.

You can also get designs that will work on dry hair, like the antenna-style massagers that gently run down your scalp to trigger a tingly sensation that many people find relaxing. But scalp massagers are more than just practical tools – some believe they’re the answer to a great head of hair.

Read more at The Independent