Koyudo Brushes Part IX

Along with the Chikuhodo wide eyebrow brushes, I also bought a few more smaller brows brushes from Koyudo.

In this batch: Black Angle Brow Brush, BP045, and C013.

Senka Body Oil Essence

Back in January, I bought two 200mL bottles of Senka Body Oil Essence, one in a Relax Floral scent (pink) and the other Unscented (blue). More than half way through the Relax Floral so here's a review.

Chikuhodo Brushes Part VII

Long time no brushes! Having more than filled a lifetime's need for brushes, I've more or less stopped buying. Actually, that's not true at all but let's just pretend it is for story's sake.

Last fall when I first stopped by the Addiction by Ayako counter at the Ginza Mitsukoshi, the lady there tried to sell me this wide eyebrow brush. I didn't take the bait because I wasn't ready to venture into a new brand of brushes, but it got me curious for sure. With my brows being thin and patchy, would a wide brush like that help at all? I just had to know! Soon enough, what started as a "what if" became full-blown obsession and worship, which happens a lot with me, I've noticed... =.=

In this batch: Artist 6-4 and T9.

Afternoon Tea at Origami Lounge, Capitol Hotel Tokyu Tokyo

For February, our group of friends gathered at the Origami Lounge on the 3rd floor of the Capitol Hotel Tokyu Tokyo for a strawberry-themed afternoon tea session.

Suqqu Eye Color Palette Part III

When I picked up Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow 22 輝杏蕾 (Kikyoutsubomi) and EX-28 金紗砂 (Kinshasuna), I also got Eye Color Palettes EX-06 花瑞樹 (Hanamizuki).

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow Part III

I finally, finally got around to using Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow holiday 2015 releases, namely 22 輝杏蕾 (Kikyoutsubomi) and EX-28 金紗砂 (Kinshasuna), so here's the long-overdue review.

All pictures taken in natural lighting without flash.

Konansou Hotel, Fuji Kawaguchiko

Over the holidays when my family visited, we decided to bring my parents to a ryokan, because it's quite the "Japanese" experience. There are so, so, so many choices, of course, but my sister had heard of one that was good, Konansou, in the town of Fujikawaguchiko of Yamanashi prefecture.

This is a ryokan-hotel, with mostly tatami rooms and a choice of Western beds for those who prefer that over the futons on the floor. The main draw is the kaiseki dinner and the rooftop foot-bath with view of Fuji-san. We went all out and upgraded our meals too, because how often will my parents and siblings get together in a country to visit me?

Nivea Skin Milk Part II

I tried the Nivea Skin Milk Refreshing back in December and decided it wasn't adequate for the winter, so I switched over to this Nivea Skin Milk Creamy instead, in the same 200g bottle.

Precious Garden Hand Cream

Bought both 70g tubes of Precious Garden Hand Cream (a sub-brand of Kose Cosmeport) back in the fall when I was on a hand cream rampage. These are supposedly the same only with different fragrances. The lavender tube is Relaxing Flower, which stays put in my living room on a side table.

This is a very thick and rich hand cream that leaves my hand velvety and softly scented (the orangy tube smells heavenly too!). It comes out of the tube a semi translucent cream, and I only I need a tiny amount the size of my pinky nail for both hands.

Being a compulsive hand-washer, I reach for this hand cream a few times a day, and yet after several months' use I still have half a tube left! With the oncoming summer, I might have to put it away in favor of a lighter cream, but I definitely recommend it for those with dry hands. Love it!

Hana Facial Cloth

I stumbled onto these Hana Facial Cloths at the local groceries and bought several for myself and my mum.

Rose Mure Facial Cloths were my first facial cloths, received from a Japanese friend. There's an entire market of cloth towels here in Japan. Facial towels, handkerchiefs, you name it. Many ladies use them in form or another, mostly as hand towels, which is much more environmentally friendly than paper towels at public restrooms, or as sweat towels, something they dab their forehead, neck, decolletage, etc. on a hot and humid day.

So how are these facial towels different? They're softer and more velvety. I use mine with toners, because I feel bad throwing away cotton pads everyday. I soak up a spot on the towel with toners and wipe my face. Then I wash the towel along with my laundry and hang dry, avoiding any dryer sheets or softeners ^.^

Only in Japan... Part IV

For me and hubby, food is a huge factor in making life in a foreign country fun. Some of the best amusement for us has been at the local grocery store. I mean, where else can you find a whole sack of salmon roe (ikura) and live wasabi roots?

I actually like ikura, but seeing it in its entirely is... well, I suppose I can't un-see it now. Ha.

Afternoon Tea at Le Jardin, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

Our January afternoon tea session was at Le Jardin on the 3rd floor of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo (as of 2013, formerly Four Seasons Hotel Chinzanso). This location is famous for the Chinzanso Japanese garden, which I was really looking forward to seeing.

We were actually in the area back in the fall for the Shunga art exhibition at the Eisei Bunko Museum. The whole area was gorgeous then with all the fall colors.