Beauty & Fashion
A better wig — with chemistry
Hairs treated with the LB approach sustained less UV damage, were less prone to breakage and could hold more moisture than those that were simply immersed in the nanocomposite.
For some people, wigs are a fun and colorful fashion accessory, but for those with hair loss from alopecia or other conditions, they can provide a real sense of normalcy and boost self-confidence. Whether made from human or synthetic strands, however, most hairpieces lose their luster after being worn day after day. Now, researchers in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces report a new way to make wigs more durable and long lasting.
Wigs come in all colors of the rainbow and in every style imaginable. Some cover the whole head, while others are “extensions,” sections of hair that clip onto existing locks to make them look fuller or longer. Hairpieces can be made of real human strands or synthetic materials, but either way, washing, UV exposure from the sun and repeated styling can cause these products to become dry and brittle.
To extend the wearable life of wigs, some researchers have spray-coated a layer of graphene oxide on them, whereas other teams have immersed wig hairs in a keratin/halloysite nanocomposite. Because it’s difficult to cover an entire hairpiece with these methods, Guang Yang, Huali Nie and colleagues wanted to see if a nanocomposite applied with a tried-and-true approach for coating surfaces with ultrathin films — known as the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique — could improve coverage and increase durability.
The researchers first developed a keratin and graphene oxide nanocomposite as the coating material. To coat hairs with the LB method, they dipped a few human or synthetic hairs into water in a special apparatus with moveable side barriers. After the nanocomposite was spread on the water’s surface with an atomizer, the barriers were moved inward to compress the film— like the trash compactor that almost crushed the heroes in the movie Star Wars. After 30 minutes, the researchers lifted the hairs out of the water, and as they did so, the film coated the locks.
Compared to the immersion technique, the LB method provided more coverage. In addition, hairs treated with the LB approach sustained less UV damage, were less prone to breakage and could hold more moisture than those that were simply immersed in the nanocomposite. They also dissipated heat better and generated less static electricity when rubbed with a rubber sheet. The researchers say that the method can be scaled up for use by companies that manufacture wigs.
Beauty & Fashion
PUMA opens two new stores in PH
PUMA is bringing its collection of sportswear closer to more Filipinos with a back-to-back opening of two new stores in the Philippines. With new stores at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig and at Caltex Mega Station in Pampanga, the renowned sports brand continues to offer high-quality and innovative gear for all sportswear, and even streetwear, needs.
PUMA is bringing its collection of sportswear closer to more Filipinos with a back-to-back opening of two new stores in the Philippines. With new stores at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig and at Caltex Mega Station in Pampanga, the renowned sports brand continues to offer high-quality and innovative gear for all sportswear, and even streetwear, needs.
Get All Your Footwear Needs at New PUMA Store in Bonifacio High Street
(Photo from PUMA PH)
Last October 29, PUMA opened the doors to its new store located at Bonifacio High Street. The store will exclusively feature iconic shoes from PUMA, including limited pairs of the PUMA Speedcat OG in the black and white colorway, the PUMA All Pro Nitro, and the PUMA Deviate NITRO 3, the shoe worn by Filipino Pole Vault Olympian, EJ Obiena while training at the Paris Olympics. Marking the store’s opening, customers will receive free PUMA merchandise for purchases worth at least PHP 8,000. Promo runs from November 1 to 7, available exclusively at the PUMA Bonifacio High Street store.
From shoes perfect for upgrading your streetwear to high-performance running and basketball shoes, PUMA’s new Bonifacio High Street store is the top spot for sneakerheads and sports enthusiasts who want to add a unique piece to their collections.
Buy One Get One at PUMA PH Biggest Outlet Store in Caltex Mega Station
(Photo from PUMA PH)
The following day on October 30, PUMA also unveiled its new outlet store at the Caltex Mega Station. Located at South Bound NLEX in San Fernando, Pampanga, the store features an expansive selection of PUMA goods.
(Photo from PUMA PH)
To celebrate the opening, the PUMA outlet store is kicking off with a special “Buy One, Get One” promo, giving customers more value for their purchases at the store. With all the top-quality, high-performing PUMA gear available, the new PUMA outlet store at Caltex Mega Station is set to become the prime destination for all your street and sportswear needs.
Drop By the New PUMA Stores Today
(Photos from PUMA PH)
As PUMA Philippines continues to expand its presence in the country, the sports brand persists in making its line of sporting gear and footwear easily available to Filipinos. Both stores offer unique shopping experiences and exclusive collections for fitness enthusiasts, sneakerheads, and trendsetters alike.
Cop a new pair of shoes today at the PUMA Bonifacio High Street Store, located at BGC, Taguig. Enjoy the exclusive Buy One Get One promo at the PUMA Caltex Mega Station store, located at South Bound NLEX, San Fernando, Pampanga. See the latest updates and releases exclusively on PUMA PH’s Instagram page.
Beauty & Fashion
PUMA Speedcat becomes 2024’s must-have sneaker
This shoe effortlessly blends the nostalgic and the cool style of the 90s with a sleek and modern flair, making it the year’s ultimate choice of footwear.
In the dynamic world of fashion, where trends rise and fall in the blink of an eye, only a few pieces have achieved icon status, transcending the decades. But in 2024, PUMA did just that as it brought back a timeless original: the PUMA Speedcat.
This shoe effortlessly blends the nostalgic and the cool style of the 90s with a sleek and modern flair, making it the year’s ultimate choice of footwear.
A 90s Classic, Reborn
Launched in 1999, the PUMA Speedcat was originally crafted to support the F1 drivers on the race track, thus becoming a symbol of speed, precision, and unparalleled performance. Known for its low-profile silhouette and minimalist aesthetic, this sneaker oozed effortless style, quickly becoming a street-style favorite. Fast forward to 2024, and PUMA has masterfully reimagined this classic, injecting it with modern touches that appeal to today’s fashion-forward crowd.
The latest edition of the PUMA Speedcat retains its signature slim silhouette and suede upper, but with subtle enhancements that bring it into the modern era. This includes an improved rubber sole with IMEVA material for maximum comfort.
Design tweaks on the 2024 version of the PUMA Speedcat also include the embossed PUMA logo on the shoe’s toebox. Offered in the original red and black colorway, this edition of the PUMA Speedcat offers a nod to contemporary trends while staying true to the sneaker’s roots.
An Absolute Fashion Must-Have
The buzz around the PUMA Speedcat goes beyond its nostalgic appeal. This timeless footwear has been making an appearance in the streetwear circuit, with fashion-leaning celebrities and influential content creators being spotted rocking the sneaker. Among them, American actress and model Emily Ratajkowski, who has more than successfully integrated the PUMA Speedcat in her casual streetstyle, looking flawless as ever whether she’s off-duty or while she’s hopping from one place to another during New York Fashion Week.
A-List trendsetter, Heart Evangelista, was also seen walking the streets of Paris during Paris Fashion Week donning the PUMA Speedcat in the iconic red colorway. She also wore the sneaker when she attended a charity event for the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), emphasizing the style versatility of the PUMA Speedcat.
(Photo provided by PUMA PH)
Also seen sporting the PUMA Speedcat are model, actress, and beauty queen Kylie Versoza; husband-and-wife sneakerheads, Jeff Ong and Rhea Bue; and fashion content creator Ida Anduyan. The sneaker’s understated design has resonated with those who favor a more effortless, cool aesthetic. The PUMA Speedcat’s simplicity offers a fresh alternative, making it the perfect pairing for either casual or chic ensembles.
Limited Availability, Unlimited Appeal
(Photo provided by PUMA PH)
The PUMA Speedcat continues to make its rounds in the streets and in fashion spaces, further fueling the demand for the iconic shoe. The resurgence of the PUMA Speedcat has only further intensified as more people recognize its potential to be the ultimate sneaker drop of 2024, with its blend of retro cool and modern design that is truly hard to resist.
With the rising popularity of the PUMA Speedcat and limited stocks available, the trendsetting sneaker is flying off the shelves at speeds faster than one can say, “icon.”
Beauty & Fashion
PUMA’s Speedcat revived
The timeless sneaker is capturing attention again with trendsetters like global superstar Rosé of BLACKPINK breathing new life into this beloved sneaker, making it a total must-have item of the season.
Fashion trends from the late 90s to early 2000s are making a powerful resurgence, bringing iconic pieces back into the spotlight. Leading this revival is PUMA’s Speedcat, a staple shoe from the late 90s.
The timeless sneaker is capturing attention again with trendsetters like global superstar Rosé of BLACKPINK breathing new life into this beloved sneaker, making it a total must-have item of the season.
The PUMA Speedcat, originally designed to embody the spirit of motorsport, has long been celebrated as an icon of speed and agility. Its silhouette and distinctive low-profile captures the essence of racing, making it an instant favorite in the 90s. It became a symbol of the era’s vibrant, adventurous spirit, resonating with trendsetters and fashion enthusiasts who valued both functionality and flair.
This year, the PUMA Speedcat has undergone a stylish revamp, enhancing its comfort and design. The updated version seamlessly integrates modern touches with its classical appeal, meeting today’s standards of functionality and aesthetics.
Leading the relaunch campaign is Korean K-Pop idol Rosé, who brings the timeless shoe back to the forefront of fashion, giving a masterclass on making retro styles relevant and fresh for the new generation.
Rosé’s influence on the fashion scene is undeniable. As one-fourth of renowned K-Pop group BLACKPINK, she has mesmerized audiences worldwide with her distinctive style and presence. Beyond her music career, Rosé has been established as an icon in fashion, admired by many for her elegant yet edgy style. She has graced the covers of major fashion magazines and worked with a number of fashion brands.
Her unique ability to reinterpret classic pieces for today’s audience is what cemented her as the perfect ambassador for the PUMA Speedcat relaunch. In the campaign, shot in Seoul, South Korea, Rosé doesn’t just wear the legendary sneakers — she embodies its spirit, seamlessly blending the shoe’s retro charm with her dynamic style. The campaign features striking visuals of Rosé sporting the revamped PUMA Speedcat in its iconic red colorway, paired with a chic and casual ensemble. This look gives a nod to the PUMA Speedcat’s versatile appeal.
With Rosé at the helm, the PUMA Speedcat is poised to become one of the year’s most sought-after sneakers. The classic appeal and contemporary flair of the PUMA Speedcat have captured the attention of fashion aficionados and sneakerheads alike. Given the rising demand, it’s expected that these iconic sneakers won’t stay on shelves for long.
Eager to get your hands on this timeless icon? The PUMA Speedcat will be available in limited stock exclusively at PUMA Shangri-la, starting August 29. Secure your pair of these classics before they’re gone. To see more of Rosé’s campaign and to stay updated on future releases, make sure to follow PUMA Philippines on Instagram.
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