How Willabelle Ong Blossoms with The Power Of Flowers In The Chanel Sublimage Range

One look through influencer and artist Willabelle Ong's Instagram (@willamazing) feed and you'll be immediately greeted with a burst of florals. The 27-year-old professes that flowers have been part of many milestones in her life, and having them at home brightens up the space and uplifts her mood.

It comes as no surprise then that Willabelle turns to Chanel SUBLIMAGE — a luxurious skincare range rich in floral extracts — for her skin care needs (she has been using it for the last two-and-a-half years). Imbued with floral extracts from vanilla planifolia, solidago and anthyllis, the Chanel SUBLIMAGE range is not only efficacious at protecting skin against premature ageing, it also offers a luxurious sensorial experience.

"I love that the range focuses on sensoriality; its texture, scent, and ritual is something I look forward to daily," shares Willabelle. "For me, I feel more confident, fulfilled, and empowered knowing that my skin is at its best."

Flower Power

At the heart of the SUBLIMAGE formulation is an extract derived from the vanilla planifolia, an orchid that spawns the vanilla pods. Chanel Research uncovered the flower's ability to promote cell regeneration through an intricate 12-step polyfractioning process to form the Enriched Planifolia PFA, the primary active ingredient found in the SUBLIMAGE range. This precious compound is rich in polyketones, and can stimulate growth factors in the skin responsible for skin density, firmness, hydration, elasticity and radiance.

The French Alps is home to many wild plant species native only to that area. Over 500 wild plant species were studied by Chanel Research and narrowed down to two—anthyllis and solidago.

Through the research at the Open-Sky Laboratory located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, studies have found that solidago extract is able to inhibit the negative effects of a senescent cell—a cell that no longer divides. Solidago extracts are also able to improve skin density, which in turn makes the skin appear firmer. This amazing extract can be found in the SUBLIMAGE L'Essence Fondamentale, a serum that works to reactivate skin metabolism and redensify skin.

The SUBLIMAGE Lumière range features the anthyllis flower, resillient to harsh conditions and known for its ability to adapt to extreme weathers. Anthyllis extract helps combat oxidative stress, and the expression of tyrosinase in melanocytes; an enzyme responsible for activating melanin production. Combining the powers of Vanilla planifolia water and anthyllis extract, the SUBLIMAGE L'Essence Lumière lights up the skin from within by targeting pigmentation, evening out the complexion while strengthening cellular defense against environmental aggressors.

However, as any skincare aficionado will tell you, having good active ingredients is only half the battle won—the products have to feel and smell amazing on skin for anyone to want to apply them on a daily basis and allow the products to work its magic on the skin. Willabelle is a fan of the texture of the SUBLIMAGE Creams and has created a skin ritual with her favourite products.

"As the SUBLIMAGE creams melt onto skin and spread easily on contact, I find they can be worked into a richer and more enveloping texture," she shares. "The Geste Lumière ritual is also great for gently activating skin microcirculation in the morning. My skin feels soft and perfectly nourished, and I take my time with this sensorial experience. This is a moment for myself, where I can tap into my senses and simply relax."

"In the evenings, the SUBLIMAGE skin ritual is a deeply soothing comfort in preparation for a good night’s sleep. After use, my skin feels plump and moisturised with a luminous, rested appearance," she added. "My complexion is smooth and even, and reflects light like never before."

On picking her favourite SUBLIMAGE products, Willabelle shares that her day ritual includes the SUBLIMAGE L'Essence Lumière, La Crème Lumière moisturiser, and the La Protection UV. "At night, I will reach for SUBLIMAGE L'Extrait de Nuit, a regenerating and repairing night concentrate. It keeps my complexion strong and healthy; and I wake up every morning with radiant skin, no matter how busy my schedule gets."

"Once or twice a week, I will exfoliate with SUBLIMAGE Les Grains de Vanille to purify and further cleanse my skin, before treating myself to the luxurious SUBLIMAGE MASQUE that comforts me through the night."

Discover the healing, calming, strengthening and illuminating powers of the Chanel SUBLIMAGE range, available at Chanel counters and boutiques islandwide. Visit their website for more information.

Photography: Natsuko Teruya
Art Direction: Daphne Tso
Makeup: Jyue Huey/The Make Up Room
Hair: Calvin Gan/Hairloom
Styling assistant: Nadia Lim