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Beauty is a self-esteem booster, a woman's lifelong pursuit. Which one of us wouldn't want to look and feel good?

There are many ways for us to slim down, some of us choose to:

• Take prescribed medication
• Sign up with fitness centres
• Programme stressful workouts
• Engage in very strict dieting
• Make regular visits to slimming centres
• And even go for injections

These methods may help you with slimming but not necessarily give an attractive body contour and the effects can be very temporary. There are also possible side-effects. We do know of ladies who observe strict diet to the extent of becoming anorexic.. =( Furthermore, there is also a big inconvenience factor to these methods. You have to set aside time to make the trips down to the slimming centres, gyms etc. If you are busy with your work schedule, it is really quite tough to make these regular visits or even just to do some workouts at home.

But wearing body-shaping lingerie will not give you such problems, it is practical and effective in maintaining your physique!

There is no side-effects from medication. There's no way you can forget to wear it like the way you forget to take medication or go for an appointment, since wearing lingerie is already part of our living habit! There is no inconvenience of time so you don't have to worry about busy schedule and seriously there is no need for strict dieting as proper food intake is very important for our health. Lastly, it will definitely be effective as long as you are willing to wear it and be consistent.

So why not give it a try?

P.S. We can be the way we want to be, don't give up!

Think about this, the whole issue of desiring to lose weight is usually because we don't feel good at all with our current physique e.g. fat arms, fat thighs, love-handle, simply unattractive tummy and saggy butt. But bear in mind losing weight alone does not necessarily equate to an improvement on our physique! Simply because it is difficult to target weight loss at a specific area.

Since all you want is to look and feel good, so instead of setting
a goal on weight loss, why not change the goal to that of
improving your physique?
Doesn't it make more sense this way? And by doing so, you may even find it easier to shake off that few kgs while shaping up an attractive body contour!

Newton's law of gravity!

Our diet!

Childbirth and breast feeding can cause disfiguring of the bust-line.

As age advances, fats lose their elasticity. Hence our body changes as we age.

Women possess a higher rate of fat accumulation than men.

Wearing the wrong lingerie!
One important fact that you must know is that fats are mobile and can be controlled. This can be illustrated using the analogies of the compression of a balloon and the cause of ring mark.


Applying this simple principle to our body, it is not difficult for us to understand the adverse effects of wearing unsuitable lingerie and why wearing reshaping lingerie is crucial to our figure!

Wrong use of brassieres and girdles is the primary cause of common three-tier tummy.

Proper use of brassieres and girdles on the other hand can help firm up physique.

Use of an unsuitable girdle will result in a flat and sagging buttock. It will also disfigure your waistline.

Wearing suitable girdle elevates the buttock, giving it a good shape and corrects the curvature of the thighs.

The main culprit that causes disfigurement of buttock and wasitline is the prolong wearing of the bikini or hipster pantie that usually has a rubberband around the hip.

On the other hand, a pantie with open front and complete backup round the back, will effectively protect the shape of the buttock.

If you are always wearing hipster pantie, it's time to change this habit especially when you know you have excess fats around ur waist and hip areas! Avoid wearing them unless you are wearing low-cut pants or skirts. Even so you can give g-strings a try, at least they wouldn't disfigure your buttock to the extent that hipster pantie does!

The above 6 factors contribute to the reason why as ladies we need to wear body-shaping lingerie. There is a common misconception that wearing body-shaping will help you with weight lost. This is definitely not its primary function although it does enhance fat-burning.
Its main function is to help you with your body-contour, restoring the ideal physique by pushing the fats to the right positions(for bust, waist, buttocks & thighs) and keep them in place. Thus, this gives a slimming effect although there may not be any weight lost involved. That is why the effects of wearing body-shaping lingerie can be seen immediately on ladies who are more obese.

Roica + Leofeel
Highly flexible: It is 5-7 times more elastic than ordinary elastic fibre.
Highly durable: It has been proven to last up to 5 years without any change in elasticity when continuously worn and washed twice weekly.
Light weight: Weighs half of ordinary fibres; extra fitting.

560 Den - high elasticity coefficient fibre
Den is a unit of measurement to determine the thickness of fibre. The higher the coefficient, the better its elasticity. The materials used in the manufacturing of Lumimi are 420 Den and 560 Den (extra slim) high elastic coefficient fibres. They create the shaping effects when worn without feeling tight.

64 Checks Hexagonal Web Weaving
Lumimi utilises super high density hexagonal web weaving (other lingeries may not employ the hexagonal web weaving). When stretched, the fabric's design under microscopic observations is a hexagonal-shaped net which allows pressure to be distributed. The higher the density, the greater is the expansion ratio. The manufacturer in Japan has based its observation and calculations on a 5 centimetre square area: ordinary weaving will have 48 checks, high density weaving will have 56 checks while super high density weaving will have 64 checks, which is the weaving for Lumimi's material.

Lumimi currently has 2 series, namely the 420 series and the 560 series (going by Den). The following information are compiled from marketing materials from lumimi.

The Brassiere in Asia with the Most Joints

• Made up of 48 separate pieces joined together, the first in Asia.
  
• The cup is made of 4-piece Circle Lift design, centralizing, raising and rounding breasts.
  
• Non-stretchable fabric cutting on lower portion ensures perfect hold.
  
• Triple layered seam with side slim design, to position and mobilize fats.

The Girdle in Asia with the Most Joints

• Made up of 25 separate pieces, providing upright posture of the hips.
  
• The front is designed with a reinforcement of 4 layered rhombus cutting which effectively controls growth of the tummy.
  
• Reinforced double-layered materials are used in areas where fats are easily deposited, making the shifting of fats more effective.
  
• Anti-bacterial, airy, hygienically netted materials makes it extra airy.

World Patent Body Suit

• No seams on edges with triple stich high-cutting design on the rear to perfectly shape the back and the hips.
  
• The design is based on suspension bridge principle, enclosing fats at the armpits and rear.
  
• Made of extra and elastic 420 Den Roica Leofeel material, with rhombus shaped cutting design at the abdomen which effectively controls excessive tummy growth.
  
• The most complete range of sizes in the body suit industry. Suitable for all body physique.
  
• Cup less and fits well with brassiere worn.
  
• No seams on edges with triple stitch high-cutting design on the rear to perfectly shape the back and the hips.
  
• Suitable for milking mothers after childbirth.
  

This is Lumimi's latest series with the following general features:
- 3 rows of buckle design
- Front removable straps
- Body fit design
- Sensual T-back design
- Japan's patented bio-energy material
- First internationally known 3D body shaping bra design
- Excellent back design that enhances waist line

What is Bio-Energy?
Bio-energy is a new frontier scientific discovery that concerns the activation of molecules in human cells. Molecular vibration is foundto casue water molecules to release energy. The stronger the vibration, the greater the energy release. It helps to boost blood circulation and metabolism. The residue of toxic waste and excess fats in the body will be excreted through sweat. Its continued use provides effective "massage" to the human body.

Functions of Bio-Energy
1. Eliminates excess fats
2. Expels toxins
3. Relieves tiredness and body pain
4. Boosts blood circulation and cleanses the body
5. Boosts metabolism and enhances vitality
6. Stregthens the immune system
7. Enhances the body's nervous system & calms nerves

3-Dimensional Spherical Designer Brassiere

• ¾ cup, 4 layer of precision tailoring
• 3 dimension spherical horizontal sewing provides better grip and stronger hold
• 4-3-2-1 and mobilizing of body fat enhanced sewing and tailoring aids positioning of lingerie
• Extended and wide base(non-stretchable) design provides better comfort and positioning of lingerie
• Deep U-shape low back design

3D bra cup design provides full cover to shape up breasts and to prevent breast sagging and distortion. Centrally elevates breasts making them firmer,fuller and more attractive. Use of wide-side design concept supports and tones arms under area and prevent showing of bulging fats from sides of body. The cross-strap design beautifully moulds shape of breasts with a touch of sexy silhouette.

3D Girdle Exclusively by Japanese Master Lingerie Designer

• Creates firmer and more proportionate hips
• H Shape high waistline design enhances profile of waistline
• Quad-abdominal fabric panel enhanced with rhombus patchwork to control body fat
• 3-dimensional photo-electrons fusion in high-pressure weaving to create optimal body fat burning effects
• 8 cm wide-base elastic lace, soft and comfortable.
• 3-dimensional seam provides complete coverage for the inward shift of body fat to project a sexier buttline
• Double layer elastic anti-bacterial web material makes good breathable fabric

Rhombus design is effective in tummy control and it wraps the entire abdomen and hip for optimal toning and firming. Rhombus cuttling also effectively tones excess fats from thighs. H-shape design adopted at the waist line for greater comfort making it breathable.

World Patent 3D Bra Suit

• ¾ cup, Quad-layer of precision tailoring
• 3-dimensional horizontal tailoring creates natural curvature of bust line
• Flat soft circular wire for greater comfort and stability
• 180˚ circular and curved patchwork designed for the front gives maximum push up effects
• Frontal quadruple layer is uniquely designed to control abdominal fat
• Deep U-shape low back design provides maximum comfort to bust line
• Adjustable back snap-hook with waist strap attachment.
• Complete with detachable upper and lower panel fabric pieces to optimize shaping of bust line and waistline.
• Design with 2 pieces G-string that displays the sensual of feminine.

Breasts and abdomen support in one piece creates slimmer and firmer body. Pioneer in exclusive waist line fit design. It perfectly tones up breasts and waist line. High cut leg openings helps to prevent binding and pressure on lymph gland to facilitate body detoxification functions.

Exclusive Body Contact & Contour Designer Corset

• Integrating 8 variable length of soft supporting strips for perfect body curvatures and contours
• One piece 3-dimensional dual tone tailored elastic lace. Elegantly attractive
• Bra cup side-panel sewing creates push-up and bust cleavage
• Supporting strip aid proper posture and prevent hunchback
• Frontal Quad-layer tailoring exerts pressure to control abdominal fat
• Latest 3-dimensional wavy design for comfort and beauty
• Made with 8 pieces of different sizes patchework and integrating the latest Japanese photo-electrons elastic net fabric. A fat burning enhancer.
• Double layer tailored pieces for molding of perfect curvature and body contour.
• Adjustable and foldable shoulder straps with Lumimi label, the hallmark of quality assurance.

Marilyn (瑪莉蓮)
- Manufactured in Taiwan
- Only available in Taiwan*
- 大S is currently Marilyn's brand ambassador
- Lingerie is tailored-to-order (量身定做)
- Provides free altering services after purchase (for down-size altering)

Venus (維納斯) --- Website not up-to-date ---
- Manufactured in Taiwan
- Only available in Taiwan*
- Has various brand ambassadors including 小S
- Lingerie is tailored-to-order (量身定做)
- Provides free altering services after purchase (for down-size altering)

Lolinya (蘿琳亞)
- Manufactured in Taiwan
- Only available in Taiwan*
- Lingerie is tailored-to-order (量身定做)
- Provides free altering services after purchase (for down-size altering)
- Selling point is its unique S-style string system (S型拉绳专利)

Lcalri(萊卡兒)
- Manufactured in Japan
- Available in Taiwan but not in Singapore*
- Not tailored-to-order
- Designed in accordance with the golden ratio (黃金比例)

Reyoung (新揚) in chinese. --- Website not up-to-date ---
Reyoung (新揚) in english. --- Website not up-to-date ---
- Should be available in Singapore
- Direct Selling
- Not tailored-to-order

Summit International (善美得) --- Website not up-to-date ---
- Manufactured in USA/Japan
- Available in Singapore
- Direct Selling
- Not tailored-to-order
- Has a mens' series too!
- Selling focus is on the massage effect

Lumimi
- Manufactured in Japan
- Available in Singapore
- Direct Selling
- Not tailored-to-order
- Has 108 different templates/sizes
- Designed in accordance with the golden ratio (黃金比例)
- Provides altering service on purchase
- Offers trade-in service! Trade for a new set at half the price~

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To understand what I mean by golden ratio check out these websites:
http://hk.geocities.com/mathsworld2001/themes/goldenratio.htm (in chinese)
http://www.intmath.com/Numbers/mathOfBeauty.php (in english)

Wearing a body-shaping lingerie that is based on the golden ratio will help you attain a figure that conforms to the golden ratio as much as possible but a tailored-to-order one may not be able to achieve this effect!

The following Lolinya's advertisement provides a good illustration of what I'm trying to explain:



As the saying goes beauty is in the eyes of the beholder but interesting many studies have concluded that aesthetic beauty could be determined by mathematical relationships. That is humans are naturally attracted to features that are symmetrical and in proportion.

Saw the waistline of the female commentator? I was frowning when watching this video clip... her figure has definitely deviated from the golden ratio, totally out of proportion! There really must be a limit to body-shaping and what is better than setting it at the beauty of the golden ratio?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1)
Lumimi does provide seminars on their body-shaping lingerie and they are open to anyone who are interested in buying. You can attend these seminars to know more about bodyshaping lingerie. They do offer discount packages from time to time.

2)
Be it tailored-to-order or ready stock, there must be a professional figure consultant attending to you! Getting your measurements, recording it down, providing you with various options in choice of lingerie, teaching you how to wear, providing advice etc are her responsibility. The whole process should take a minimum of 40 mins. If you have doubts on a figure consultant or don't like her attitude, you always have the right to request for another figure consultant to assist you because they do earn commission from the sales.

3)
A good body-shaping lingerie should employ the 3D modelling technique. The best evidence is from the girdle. If you were to place it on a flat surface, back-side facing upwards, the part that holds your buttock should be popping out i.e. the girdle shouldn't be a flat piece(2D cutting) as it does not conform with human anatomy.

4)
There are a few areas you can look at in comparing the various brands. Firstly is the hard facts: the type of materials, sewing technnique employed.. (hexagonal? how many checks?) etc. Secondly, how comfortable you feel in wearing the lingerie, one that suits you shouldn't cause any abrasion and it shouldn't be tight till you can't breath comfortably. Thirdly, see for yourself the instant body-shaping effect. For those who have bought body-shaping lingerie before and would like to try other brands, I will advise you to wear the body-shaping lingerie you bought to the fitting session so that you can judge for yourself which one has a better effect on your contour etc.

5)
For better results, body-shaping lingerie must be worn consistently. Usually the figure consultant will encourage you to buy 2 sets so that you can still wear one set while washing the other. However, if you have a tight budget you don't really have to buy 2 sets depending on your condition.

6)
Look out for deals and after-service options available. For example, Marilyn, Venus and Lolinya provide free down-size altering for their customers.
Lumimi on the other hand offers customers an attractive deal which is its trade-in service, first of its kind! No matter how long you've been wearing your current set of lumimi lingerie, you can always trade it in for a new set whereby you only need to pay half the price of the new set! So from a customer's point of view, this is really a very good deal~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Maybe I've not manage to convince you on the need for body-shaping lingerie but still I'll like to share some links to aid you in taking care of your busts by not wearing the wrong size bra~

Are You Wearing the Correct Size Bra?
The answer is probably no! According to "experts," "industry studies" and "surveys," anywhere between 70% to 85% of women are wearing ill-fitting bra.

Visit this link for examples of celebrities wearing wrong bras:
http://www.wrongbrasize.com/(quite interesting)

Knickers' Top Five Bra-Sizing Myths:
http://www.knickersblog.com/?p=699

Bear in mind that there is no standardisation of bra! Read more on this:
http://bra-makers.blogspot.com/2006/04/bandstand.html

Tell-tale signs that your bra isn't the right size:
http://www.thingamathing.co.za/page.html?chapter=3&id=15

The Perfect Bra-Fit:
http://www.thingamathing.co.za/page.html?chapter=3&id=18
http://bra-makers.blogspot.com/2006/04/bra-that-fits.html

The Do-It-Yourself Bra Fitting Guide:
http://www.knickersblog.com/?p=1083
I personally feel that the changing room checklist is quite useful!

This website provides bra size calculator and converter in all international sizes. Not sure how accurate it is but no harm giving it a try:
http://www.85b.org/

If you have to take your measurements, it is better to get someone else to measure for you as your posture will be more natural.

Getting a new bra doesn't have to be a hassle. If you find a bra that really suits you, it's a good idea to buy several at once in case it's discontinued. Bras that you usually bought from departmental stores can last about 4-6 months. They can last longer if you have many bras to rotate with and that you do not wash with washing machine. Hand-washing with cold water and delicate detergent followed by drip dry is the best way to maintain your bras. For body-shaping lingerie, you don't have to dry it under the sun as they dry really fast.

It's really time to consider throwing your bras if you have been wearing them for years. The materials used are not meant to last this long. If you still feel that your old bras are wearable, it may really be due to the fact that your busts have already accustomed to the deformed bras that lost the support effect.

If you are not wearing or not intending to get any body-shaping lingerie, my advice is that you should at least make the effort to buy correct size bras 2-3 times a year. Then again if you look at the long run, it will be more worthwhile to invest on body-shaping lingerie that are meant to last for years and will not destroy your figure in any ways. =)

Quoting from the O'S Bra Intervention website
http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/200507/omag_200507_bra.jhtml
"It pays to upgrade. Buy three top-quality bras rather than a lot of cheapies. You need only one to wear, one to wash, and one in the drawer."