Merry Christmas!

girl's generation - GEE acoustic cover

5 more days!

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review: Missha Perfect Cover B.B. Cream

Missha 

Perfect Cover B.B. Cream

SPF40 PA+++

NO.23

（¥2150）

"MISSHA M Perfect Cover B.B. Cream offers a novel skincare concept with B.B. cream which lightens skin tone by healing visible wrinkles and blemishes with excellent skin-cover ability and prevents skin-aging through effective whitening and anti-wrinkle properties" (as it states on the product package)

--- WOW! Really? What more could you ask for?

Why I bought it:

During the summer my skin started acting up ESPECIALLY on my face. It was the worst time EVER, to the point where I cried myself to sleep every night. I'm all healed now and I'll save my skin-disaster story for another post. 

My skin was red, itchy and very flaky. I know I probably shouldn't have been using makeup on my face that time anyway but I was desperate to cover up the redness. I've read reviews on how this miracle BB cream covers redness and also moisturizes and stays moisturized throughout the day. Some people even claimed it healed their skin. Desperately seeking some kind of makeup cure, I bought it.

The product:


This product comes in 4 shades. No. 13 (milky beige),  21 (light beige), 23 (natural beige), and 31 (golden beige).  I got mine in No. 23. At the store though,  I only saw No. 21 & 23.

It comes in a pump tube which I like.

⓵ When product comes out, it's just little bit. But that bit actually goes a long way.
⓶ When you first spread the product out,
it turns into a grayish tone but soon afterwards blends into the skin tone.
⓷ It does blend well though!

The verdict:

When i tried it at the store I was sold but when I tried it on the next morning I realized it was a bit too heavy for me and the florally fragrance that I thought was nice and light smelling was a bit too strong for me.

This is just me however. I did like how it blended well with my skin tone but as for coverage, it was like other BB creams I have tried in the past.  Did it cover up my redness? Yeah, it did a little but all in all I honestly would rather stick to Maybelline's BB Mineral Mousse (my review on it here).

I bought this product during the summer time and I've only used it a couple of times. I am planning on trying this product out longer after my Maybelline BB Mineral Mousse runs out. ~

Price:✦✦✦✧✧ 
                   (Price isn't TOO bad, but I think the price could be brought down a bit. I'm guessing it's the brand.)

Coverage:✦✦✦✦✧
                    (Nothing special, but it still covers well)

Application:✦✦✦✦✧
                    (Goes on smoothly it's just pretty thick)
Fragrance:✦✦✦✧✧　
                    (I think it would be better if it was non-fragrant. It's not a bad smell but it's a bit too strong for my taste.)

If anyone has tried this product I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! 

Did this BB cream work well for you? 

Did you have the same problems as me?

If there are any other questions or you'd like to hear my thoughts on anything else about this product, feel free to ask!


UPDATE (02/08/2012)
So I gave this BB cream another chance! And I have to say I've grown to like it. The floral scent doesn't bother as much and actually, a little bit of this product goes a long way. I do start off with a primer before putting this product on. I also found that this goes on smoother (for me) when applied using my fingers rather than a brush or a sponge. 

Autumn in Kyoto

I  made it just in time before the kouyou season ends here in Japan! I'm so lucky to be living in Kyoto where people travel from all over the world just to see the beautiful momiji.

We don't have these trees back in Hawaii so seeing the vivid red and yellow colors left me in awe. I decided to pick some up and "book press" them then send them to my friends in Hawaii.

This is my 2nd time at Kiyomizudera. My first time was during summer (post of it here) and that was like in 90degree weather! This time around, it was more than 'just right' weather.

The first time I went I wasn't able to drink the pure water because the line was SOOOOO long but this time I was able to do it. The pics made me laugh because my friend and I were synchronized. Lol.

I can't wait to return when it starts snowing. :)

My second home

I grew so fond of this place.

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Instagram week #2

This week's instagram'd photos

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instagram

Anyone have Instagram? I don't know if Instagram is available for other smartphones, but if you have an iphone you should definitely download the Instagram app! Not only does it offer awesome polaroid effects but you can instantly upload and share with the world! If Twitter and Tumblr had a child together, it would be Instagram.

My Instagram username: oalimay (what else would it be? lol)

Preparing for winter (part 1)

New coat for the winter season!

Bought at Kyoto Avanti mall.

4900yen

oh and yes, the wig is back!

p.s. 

Do you have instagram on your phone? 

Look for me! 

username: oalimay 

OOTD (Nov 08, 2011)

Not as a Geisha but an Oiran

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! Sadly, I didn't get a chance to think up a costume for this year (especially here in Japan) but IF I COULD, I would have dressed up in an Oiran fashioned kimono. What's an Oiran you ask? First let me tell you about my Oiran photoshoot.

Back in August, one of my friends randomly emailed me asking if I wanted to join her in a photoshoot at a new photo studio that opened here in the heart of Gion, Kyoto. When she gave me the website to check out what kind of photos we were going to be taking, I was surprised! I was expecting the typical Maiko-san type of photos (since we ARE in Kyoto after all) but instead I saw vibrant colored, Obi-bow-switched-to-the-front-wearing Oirans!

Before you go googling the word Oiran, expect the word "prostitute" to pop up. But here is what I found:

"Oiran (花魁) were courtesans in Japan. The oiran were considered a type of yūjo (遊女) "woman of pleasure" or prostitute. However, they are distinguished from the yūjo in that they were entertainers"


"To entertain their clients, oiran practiced the arts of dance, music, poetry, and calligraphy, and an educated wit was considered essential for sophisticated conversation."


Geishas and Oirans:
"(Geishas) Gradually, they all became specialized and the new profession, purely of entertainment, arose. It was near the turn of the eighteenth century that the first entertainers of the pleasure quarters, called geisha, appeared. The very first geishas were men, entertaining customers waiting to see the most popular and gifted Oiran."


This was only a photoshoot anyway, so don't take me being dressed like this seriously. I personally think that Oirans are wildly beautiful and artistic.


Of course there are those people who will ask "Why on Earth would you want to dress up as an Oiran? Don't you know what they are?" What's the difference with seeing a girl dress up in suggestive cosplay? Anyhow, I really enjoyed this photoshoot. It was something out of the ordinary and something that was definitely on my list of things to do before I leave Japan. Actually, the special grand opening price is what convinced me. Normally shoots like these range from 8000 yen ~ 20,000 yen! The photoshoot included 40 poses for only about 5000 yen!


So we ventured down to Gion and found the place. The entrance was very elegant looking. I felt like I went back in time because it truly felt like a Geisha House. Truly, truly a wonderful experience. There were only two women running the place and as they were doing our makeup and dressing us up in the kimono, I suddenly felt like Sayuri from Memoirs of a Geisha. 

The downstairs portion of the place. Very cozy! The bottom left pic is off one of the rooms where you can re-apply your makeup after the photoshoot.

my make up for the shoot. not the usual white-as-snow face, but of course enough to be noticeably lighter! dramatic eyelashes and to top it all off, a wig! 

Some of the backdrops that were provided! We took photos in the colorful red room.

You get to choose your own kimono!

Here's some of the pics that were taken of me. Of course not all 40 poses, but here you go:

I chose this vibrant turquoise kimono! I love how all the colors worked together. I especially loved the huge bright yellow obi and of course the huge flower on my head haha.

yes, oirans show a little leg and shoulder lol.

LOL funny thing about this part of the photoshoot, my wig actually fell off! hahaha but it's okay we just plopped it back on and then it was back to serious faces ^____^

Sorry about the quality but I actually took photos of the thumbnails paper we were able to keep with my camera.

Taken with my phone, me dressed up as an oiran ready for the photoshoot!

Hope you enjoyed!

Anyone interested in taking photos like these (Oiran type or even Maiko type) here's the link to the studio we went to:

http://www.kyoto-oiran.com/

Rainy and cold today!
New fur neck scarf
and new make up that I'm obsessed with at the moment.
Canmake - lip care essence, melty nude lip lipstick in #03
Maybelline - water shiny pure lipstick in #210

review later!

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Taken yesterday after studying!��

I was at the mall anyway and didn't really wanna go home yet �
Man, I wish my legs were really that long!
Have a great day everyone~
���
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6 months left in Japan.

Back to black!

I'll be writing a review on the dye I bought. And yes my room is a mess, I was doing laundry.
Hope to post my coordinates with better pics from my other camera instead of always using my phone. I'm planning on buying a tripod!

I'll also be going to Tokyo once again next week to visit my bestie, Monica before I start fall semester! So excited :)

Biwako Hanabi Taikai ✺ 琵琶湖花火大会

I've seen many different fireworks displays. From 4th of July fireworks to Disneyland fireworks and I can honestly say that nothing compares to the fireworks display during the Biwako Hanabi Taikai that was held on August 8.

I have to admit, I was a little let down with a previous fireworks display I attended the month before so I was trying not to expect too much from this one.

When it started, it was a bit slow and I thought to myself "I knew it." It even stopped for a bit and I actually thought it was over!  Then, a single stream of shimmer shot up straight into the dark black sky.  It was going so high the guy in back of me was saying out loud "Yabai! Yabai! Takai! Takai!" ("oh man! it's high! it's high!). I realized myself that it was indeed going pretty high so I whipped out my camera and was able to capture on video one of the LARGEST firework I've ever seen in my life. I had to back up, pretty much lying on my back to try and get it on camera.

There were even different shapes and characters that could be seen like, Doraemon, Hello Kitty, fish, flowers, stars, hearts, happy faces, planets, fruits and more.

It was such a great experience. If you're ever in the area during the beginning of August, this is a MUST!  It's also a good excuse to wear a cute summer yukata <3

Some tips:

GO EARLY!  We left Kyoto around 4:00pm and got there around 4:30pm. The fireworks didn't start till around 7:00pm. You need the extra time to make sure you find a seat!  

When it's over, wait a bit.  Hang out, chill.  Everyone is rushing to get home so if you started heading towards the station anyway, you'd end up standing for maybe an hour within the masses.

me once again in my yukata!
i know i'm not wearing the traditional sandals :P

Biwako!

waiting... (please don't mind how tired i look =__=)

do you recognize the shape? flowers!

during the finale!!!!

the family that sat next to us! they thought we were natives but then we told them we were students and they said it made sense because we were so thoughtful and kind unlike a lot of the young people nowadays (that's what the grandma said!! haha) They were so kind enough to also take pics of us during the finale saying it would be a nice memory for us)

Bumped into some of our other friends on the way home!
see Kyoto Tower in the background?

The video I made! A quick one minute video of the best clips I happened to take!

The first clip was the particular firework that blew me away!

Review: Nail Stickers

When I was still in Hawaii last year, I've seen these available to buy at my local Sephora. I've been wanting to try them ever since. I liked the idea that it was sticker. It seems very convenient because the design is already there and you don't have to struggle with the time-consuming act of designing your nails. If I had the talent and the time to design my own nails I'd probably have a blast doing it but…yeah. (lol)

I never bought them when I first saw because I wasn't about to spend $15 on something I never tried and was a bit skeptical about.

Since coming to Japan 100yen shops became one of my best friends. They have EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING at 100yen shops. Nail stickers to try for the first time for 100yen? YES PLEASE! The designs they had were all cute too. I opted for the vertical stripes :)

It came with 2 sheets, each sheet with 10 nail stickers. One sheet was enough for both my hands. 

The steps are as follows:

1. Before peeling the sticker off, place the sheet over nail with the desired nail sticker size. 

2. Once decided, carefully peel sticker and place it on your nail.

3. Press down firmly all around, especially the edges. It's okay if there is excess, you'll be filing it off later. It's very important that there are no air bubbles!

4. Once firmly on, take your nail file and in an up & down motion, file off the excess. It should easily fall off.

5. Finished!

how it looks when you file it!

all done!

Tips: 

Before applying stickers, add a coat of nail polish or base coat onto your nails. It will help the sticker stick better and also create a protective barrier against the sticky adhesive.

After applying stickers, apply a top coat to seal the sticker in place.

If the stickers that you bought are EXTREMELY long, you may be able to cut it in half creating even more stickers to use in the future! :)

My thoughts:

Would I buy it again? I definitely would! Despite it being 100yen, these were pretty good! I've gotten many compliments and people never suspected the to be 100yen. 

The verdict:

Price: ✦✦✦✦✦ (Because it was 100yen, definitely a perfect score!)

Longevity: ✦✦✦✧✧ (It was nice and pretty for about a week or so but like any other nail polish, it eventually started chipping. Maybe the more high end nail stickers will last longer.)
Convenience: ✦✦✦✦✦ (Timesaving! Easy and no liquid mess or yucky smells! You also don't have to deal with drying time)

also got this cute headwrap from a 300yen shop!!! i just wanted to try it out and I love it so far~
Good for my lazy days ;)

Tower of the Sun ☀ 太陽の塔

"The Tower of the Sun is both a concrete tower and 

a work of art located in Expo Commemoration Park in Osaka, Japan. 

It was created by artist Tarō Okamoto for Expo '70. The tower has three sun faces: 

the face on the front represents the present; the face on top 

represents the future (looking forward); 

and the face on the back represents the past (looking back). 

The jagged red lines on the side of the tower represent thunder.

 The tower was originally housed in a larger building, 

with the top of the tower emerging through the top of the building. 

The building was removed in 1979, exposing the Tower of the Sun."

 (http://placeoftheweek.blogspot.com/2009/10/tower-of-sun-osaka-japan.html)

At work one of my students recommended I check out the Tower of the Sun located in Osaka. I was a bit hesitant at first thinking that I was gonna travel to Osaka just to see a tower. I enjoy and appreciate looking at great architectural structures and art so when I learned the meaning behind the Sun Tower I was intrigued. I also later learned that this place is full of romantic sceneries, monthly events and there's even a waterpark right next to it!

So once again, me and my friend, Bunkei, decided to add the tower to our sightseeing adventures! There was a small entrance fee of 250 yen to pay but it's well worth it.

August's event was the Sunflower Festival! Sunflowers are great symbols for summer and also one of my favorite types of flowers. I was happy we got to catch it right before this event ended. Most of the sunflowers were wilting but luckily we still found some that were full of life.

enjoying the sunflowers!!!

map & ticket, bunkei & her new-found love: spam musubi, duck boats, oh and me

this park had so many flower gardens!

Rose Gardens

tralalalala

vanilla & rose flavored ice cream! so good :) oh and salt & lychee drink?!

of course, jumping picture!

Coordinate for that day:
flowy tunic: RawEdge
wedges: Ropé picnic
denim shorts: Charlotte Russe
parasol: Daiso
wig: Linea-storia

I think this is a GREAT place to go on a date. The many flowery sceneries this place has to offer and the atmosphere are all very romantic. I do plan on returning to this place for the other events, with a  boyfriend or without a boyfriend!

If you'll be in the Kansai Area, some upcoming events for the rest of 2011 are:

October: Cosmos Festival

November: Koyo Festival

December: Illumination Fair

MORE INFO:

http://www.expo70.or.jp/e/