Thank you! Meet up with Jennifer

In Hong Kong, I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer from Life and Lens of Beauty. She told me I'm her 3rd meet up in a month!

We chatted and shopped, and had some local Hong Kong food!

Hong Kong style French Toast

Hong Kong Milk Tea

Jennifer gave me a sweet love pack, including these LE MBD masks.

My Beauty Diary Sunflower Masks

Thank you so much, Jennifer!

xoxo, K

Thank you! Love from Mona and Catherine

Before I left Japan, Catherine of Strawberry Mochi sent me this love pack.

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel

This is a very pretty pink shower gel that I'm excited to use!

Lush Buche De Noel facial cleanser

This seems to be a softer version of Angels on Bare Skin. A full review is coming up.

Lush Bon Bon Lip Scrub

A sweet Christmas card!

Thank you so much, Catherine!!

I also got this love package from Mona.

One of the Wet n Wild Holiday palettes!

I always love My Beauty Diary masks

Thank you so much!!

xoxo, K

Review: Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Facial Peel

Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope you are having a great day with friends and family.

This is a review of Soap & Glory's The Fab Pore Facial Peel.  I bought this during my trip to London, thanks to Yinnie's recommendation.

This is a creamy paste with tiny green beads. 

What it does:
An-intensive action pore refining 15 minute Facial Peel powered by our exclusive Poreshrink™ Complex. Ideal for greasy, spot prone or problem skin, or for a strategic attack on a misbehaving T-Zone.  Contains Fomes Officinalis Extract (a mushroom extract), salicylic acid, and kaolin.
(from soapandglory.com)

How to use:
Rub a grape-sized dollop into your face and massage until all the green beads have dissolved. (Those with a high tendency for clogging should concentrate on their t-zone, chin or areas with large, open, or problem pores). Leave on for 5 minutes for a quick refresher, or 15 minutes for a real deep-cleaning do-it-yourself kind of facial. Rinse well, repeat 2-3 times weekly.(from soapandglory.com)

Price: $12.99 for 17 oz, according to Soap & Glory's website

Pros:
- leaves my skin feeling very smooth, thanks to the salicylic acid
- makes me feel like my pores have been cleaned

Cons:
- probably not a good idea for dry skin, as the kaolin and menthol is drying


Would I repurchase?  Yes

I liked this facial mask a lot!  I felt it sucked out the impurities from my pores.  The salicylic acid gently exfoliated my skin and made it feel very smooth.  I used to not use exfoliating products in the winter, because my combination skin becomes drier, especially around my cheeks.  However, I realized exfoliating my nose and chin prevented the pimples which come out whenever I get stressed.

Hope you enjoyed my review!

xoxo, K

Haul from Hawaii!

In case you are wondering, I did not do a whole lot of sightseeing in Hawaii.  I've been to Oahu 4-5 times, so I usually spend my time diving and surfing.

Yes, I hauled quite a lot in Hawaii. I did a lot more damage in New York and in London, but I still got some holiday stuff!

Stila One Step Corrector

I heard about this primer from a few other blogs.  It combines a normal facial primer with different color correctors.

Philosophy the Gingerbread House set $20

This is a limited edition set for the holidays.  Isn't the outside packaging cute?

There were two different products inside.

The Gingerbread Man Foaming Bubble Bath & Shower Gel

The Gingerbread Girl Foaming Bubble Bath & Shower Gel

Staying with the gingerbread theme, I also picked up this product from Lush.

Lush Gingerbread House Bubble Bar

($6.25 US, 2.45 GBP UK, Ginger Cookie House in Japan, 700 JPY)

As well as some other Lush holiday products...

Glogg bodywash

($8.95, 3.90 GBP, 900 JPY)

Angels Delight soap

($5.95/3.5 oz US, 2.35 GBP/100g UK,  650JPY/100g JP, called Tenjo no Orchestra)

The entire block of soap looks like the picture below.  Smaller chunks are cut from this huge block.

(from Lush.com)

Snow Globe Soap

($5.95/3.5 oz US, 1.95 GBP/100g UK, 650 JPY/100g JP called Snow Dome)

Again, the block looks like this.

I also got some other random stuff...

Maybelline the Colossal Volumin' Express Mascara

Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow 8 pan in Sunbaked Neutrals

Clarisonic Delicate Brush

This is much softer than the Sensitive Brush.  I think I like this one better!

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes

 St. Ives Green Tea Scrub

I'm looking forward to trying out these products!

xoxo, K

PS: I mentioned the price of some of the holiday items to keep track when I do a review, since I'm expecting that these will disappear from each brand's websites soon!

Thank you! Meet up with Mai-Kat Oshaberi

While in Hawaii, I also met up with Kat & Mai of Mai-Kat Oshbaberi.

Hime-chan, Kat's cat.  Picture from Mai-Kat Oshaberi

Kat picked me up at my hotel and I had such a fabulous time with her!  I got to see her work place and I was AMAZED at her knowledge of flowers.

We met up with Mai for lunch and that was so much fun as well.  Mai and Kat have known each other since they were 4 years old!!!!

I even got to spend the night at Kat's house!  I met her family as well, and they were all very kind people.  We had a good laugh about how vague and confusing Japanese is (for example, Japanese people will often drop the subject of a sentence.  You are supposed to "know" who/what they are talking about from the content!)

Kat even gave me a love pack!  I know for SURE that I'm missing some pictures... I'll post some more when I find them...

A ton of Neutrogena Makeup Remover wipes.

These are not available in Asia!

I love these for nights when I'm too tired to take off my makeup properly!

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in White

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer

Mauna Loa Butter Candy Glazed Macadamia Nuts

 OH DEAR.  These nuts were SOOOO yummy.

I should NOT have opened them!!! 

EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone 5 pc Bag & Brush Set 
I'm excited to try this brush set.

I tried a different travel brush set from another brand on this trip.  The review for that set is coming up!

My Beauty Diary masks

Kat's husband asked me if I like Natto.  Natto is a slimy, smelly Japanese food product made from soy beans.  I've often seen it on "gross food lists" next to balut.  And yes, I do like it, since I grew up eating it.  I have officially become the 9th member of the Hawaii Natto Club!

I had never tried the Natto MBD mask.  Knowing what Natto is like, I was afraid that it would be slimy and sticky!  Now I'm excited to try it!

Paul & Joe makeup pouch with state quarters!!!

Jello instant pudding

As you know, I collect state quarters. Thanks to Kat, my collection is almost finished!  Wuzzy gave me some as well.  Thank you SO MUCH to both of you!!

Thank you again to Kat for being so INCREDIBLY kind to me.  I had a fantastic time!  I hope we can meet again soon!!!

xoxo, K

Thank you! Meet up with Wuzzy

I'm still sorting through my diving pictures and haul pictures from Hawaii.  I didn't really take many pictures since the scenery is familiar for me, but here is a picture of a Christmas tree in Waikiki.

I haven't been in the US during the holiday season in a long time, so I was really overwhelmed at everyone buying so much. I think it was a lot less crazy (=people bought less) when I was a child in the 80s-90s! 

I got to meet Wuzzy during my recent visit to Hawaii!  I had such a great time hanging out and chatting with her.  It really was like meeting an old friend! 

Wuzzy kindly gave me some gifts!

Bath & Body Works Body Lotion - Twilight Woods

This is one of my favorite scents!

La Belle Femme Cosmetics Desert Rose Blush, Goddess Bronzer

Fashonista eyeshadow


I had a great time! Thanks so much!!

xoxo, K

Beauty Blogs Backstage: Lipstick and Luxury

It's time for Beauty Blogs Backstage again!  This month, I interviewed Nicole of Lipstick and Luxury.

1. What is on your holiday wish list this year, in terms of beauty products?
There are two makeup lines that I've had my eye on: Dolce & Gabbana and Guerlain. From Dolce and Gabanna I'd love to try the Sicilian Lace Powder Bronzer and the Smooth Eye Colour Quad. From Guerlain, I'll just take one of everything! SInce that's not in the budget, I'll just settle for the L'Or Makeup Base.

2. What is your favorite part of the holidays?  What is your least favorite part?
I absolutely love the holidays because they bring family together, there is lots of good food and people are generally in good spirits. My favorite part would be seeing my two boys so happy on Christmas morning. Christmas was something that I looked forward to as a child and I enjoy making my children happy. As for my least favorite part, I would have to say the lines! It's almost unbearable to shop in overcrowded stores and the long lines make it ever worse.

3. What was your favorite product(s) of 2010?
The Clairsonic Mia. Although the Mia is not a new product, it's still my favorite product of 2010. I have very oily skin and large pores so a proper cleansing routine is a must for clear skin. The Mia removes makeup even after I've washed my face and it leaves my skin super smooth. It's worth every penny.

4. What is your favorite part of makeup application?
Putting on makeup is such an "experience", I simply love the transformation. My favorite part is putting on my lipstick or lip gloss. It's like the finishing touch or the icing on the cake. I usually go for a bold color on my lips because they are my favorite feature. If I use a light shade, I prefer a gloss with a lot of shine, I like my lips to "pop".

5. What was your signature makeup look in 2010?
In 2010 I kept it pretty simple because I work in a corporate environment. If I use foundation at all I just apply to the areas of my face where I need it, I'll finish with a light dusting of powder, mascara, bronzer and lip gloss. If I'm going out at night then I'll add a red lip and a little eyeshadow.

6. What is your signature drink at Starbucks?
Since I'm watching my weight I try to avoid Starbucks, but if I simply can't fight the craving then, I'll opt for a Skinny Vanilla Latte.

7. What "miracle" product do you hope is invented in 2011?
Something that prevents and reverses wrinkles. Growing old in inevitable but do we have to look old? I say NO! So somebody please event a serum that keeps us looking young forever. Amen.

I hope you enjoyed that interview.  Please visit Lipstick and Luxury to see more about Nicole!

xoxo, K

Quick update: Nagoya, Japan

Recently, I spent half a day in Nagoya, Japan.  I needed to catch a flight from Nagoya, so I didn't have much time to look around.  Here's a few quick pictures I took.

Nana-chan, from Nagoya Station

Nana-chan is a huge mannequin located outside of a department store in Nagoya.  It is a popular meeting spot.  Nana-chan is 6 meters (nearly 20 feet) tall.

Here, Nana-chan is wearing a sparkly dress commemorating both Christmas and the Tokyo Girls fashion show in Nagoya.  Nana-chan's clothes change often, for holidays, for different causes, or even to root for the local baseball team.  Nana-chan's past clothes can be viewed here.
Nagoya has a lot of famous foods as well.  This is Miso Nikomi Udon (Udon stewed in miso).  The udon is very thick and chewy compared to normal udon.

Tebasaki (chicken wings) are also very famous.  They are typically cooked with a spicy-sweet sauce.

I flew Japan Airlines on the way to China, and I was surprised that the food was pretty good.  It was a typical bento.  I wasn't so lucky on the way back, though!

The cup holds some miso soup, and the bamboo pouch has some yukari-ume rice.

Hopefully, I'll get to do some more things other than eat next time I'm in Nagoya!

xoxo, K

My Clarisonic

A little while ago, someone helped me buy a Clarisonic!  This is the Clarisonic Classic.

I must be a strange girl... I don't like light colored electronic appliances...

My Clarisonic came with some Gift With Purchases - two cleansers and a serum!

Since moving to China, I've been very sensitive about the amount of pollution in the air.  At the same time, it is much drier, colder, and windier here.  I've been using my Clarisonic only in the evening, and only once every 2-3 days.  It has still been working for me.

However, I haven't seen any brown dirt coming onto the brush like I've seen in some blog posts.  Hopefully, this means that my makeup remover has been removing my makeup properly!

I haven't used the cleansers yet.  I'll let you know how they work out!


The Clarisonic Classic is $195, and is available on Sephora.com and Clarisonic.com.  The full size cleansers (6 oz) are $25, and the full size serum (1 oz) is $75.  The GWPs shown above contained 1 oz cleansers and 0.5 oz cleansers. 

Thank you again to the dear friend who helped me purchase this!


Do you have a Clarisonic?  How often do you use it?

xoxo, K

PS: I'm still in Hawaii!  I hope I can make a post soon!!