Nameraka Honpo Soy Milk Isoflavone Moisture Lotion

Just started using this Nameraka Honpo Soy Milk Isoflavone Moisture Lotion (しっとり) a couple of weeks ago, so here's a brief review. I just bought the refill pouch and reused my emptied Aqualabel Aging Care Lotion EX bottle.

Within this Nameraka Honpo line, there are 3 lotions choices, Lotion,  Moisture Lotion (しっとり) which is what I'm using, and the Rich Moisture Lotion (とってもしっとり). I picked this one on purpose because it's right in the middle. I want it to be moisturizing but with a watery texture. So I was afraid the regular Lotion won't be moisturizing enough, and the Rich Lotion would be too moisturizing that it's sticky or viscous or both.

Thankfully, I made the right choice ^.^ This lotion is just right. It looks funny, almost like skim milk only way more watery. It goes on super light but is adequately moisturizing and leaves my skin comfortable right after the shower. I'm glad I gave it a chance, although I'll move on once I'm done. There are so many choices out there so I'm going to keep experimenting.

Excel Sleek Cheek

These Excel Sleek Cheeks were cart-fillers when I bought the BB Powder UV (by the way, I recommended this powder to my friend J. and she loves it!). There are 4 colors available, SC01 Cherry, SC02 Peach, SC03 Strawberry, and SC04 Apricot. I picked SC01 Cherry and SC04 Apricot, because the Peach doesn't look distinctive enough and the Strawberry looks too pink.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Excel BB Powder UV SPF50+ PA++++

Had my eyes on this 10g jar of Excel BB Powder UV SPF50+ PA++++ since the late spring when I placed my Ettusais order. But I refrained then, because the international shipping was just too prohibitive. Good things come to those who wait, right? ^.^ I had to fill up my cart for free domestic shipping so I picked up two Sleek Cheeks also. Will review those after a good trial.  

There are 2 colors available, BP01 Light Beige and BP02 Natural Beige. I bought BP01 Light Beige. It's 1,800yen a piece, sounds pricey but mind you, it's a pretty generous 10g, so I think it's rather well-priced. The vast majority of sun powders out there are 3-6g at 1,000-1,200yen, so it's actually cheaper than most. Don't even get me started with ColoreScience Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen Powder, which goes for a cool $64 for a meager 6g. Forgettable, truly!

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Pore Putty Mineral Loose Powder SPF39 PA+++

Pore Putty (funny name, huh?) is a well known brand from Sana focusing on just base makeup, and they happen to have a Mineral Loose Powder SPF39 PA+++. I'm going through this crazy loose powder phase, especially those that are mineral based and with decent sun protection. So I thought I'd pick this up to try.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Hadanomy Collagen Cleansing

Ah jeez, is May gone already?!? Sorry for lagging behind again :(

Anyway, been using this Hadanomy Collagen Cleansing since April and it's about time for a review. This makeup cleansing gel is not your average foaming gel cleanser. In fact, it will not foam at all. This is actually a gel alternative to the cleansing oil, only it remains a gel through and through, not a gel-to-oil either.

Why? Because some folks are uncomfortable with and/or dislike the oily or silicone-y feel of cleansing oil, or find that cleansing oils are messy, spill-prone, and generally inconvenient to travel with (this I somewhat agree with). Hence the makeup cleansing gel that takes off both makeup and sunscreen, just like the cleansing oils do. 

And yes, you start with dry hands and dry face, just as you would with a cleansing oil. Massage thoroughly to remove makeup and sunscreen, then rinse. Some people like to add a little bit of water first to emulsify, just as others do with cleansing oil, massage some more before rinsing. After the dry hands and face it's pretty much personal preference.

Maikohan Loose Powder N

Been using these Maikohan Loose Powder N off and on for the past year since moving to SF. I love the UV Compact version which I've been using since 2009, so these were a must-try for me. There are 2 sizes for this loose powder, Small and Large. The Small jar has 10g of product that comes in 2 colors Sakura and Natural. The Large jar has 30g of product, and like the compact it's only available in Sakura.

Bottom 2 photos taken indoor with flash. All other pictures taken in natural light without flash unless otherwise noted. 

Hadanomy AquaPlacenta Wash Facial Cleanser

After Shiseido Perfect Milk deep fried my skin over the course of 2 nights, I went back to Shiseido The Skincare Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam but got bored again rather quickly. ...And moved on to this Hadanomy AquaPlacenta Wash Facial Cleanser ^.^

This is a cleansing foam and I wasn't going to buy it at first. Not only is it freaking huge (150g!), it's a foaming cleanser which means chances are good it will deep fry my skin again. Aside from that, I still have a few other items from this Hadanomy AquaPlacenta line (lotion and cream) but so far have only used the Concentrated Mist. In the end though, I bought it anyway -.-' 

Hadanomy Collagen Concentrated Lotion

This Hadanomy Collagen Concentrated Lotion is the last of the 4 products I started using from this line. This lotion (toner) is a much thicker and much more moisturizing version of the Collagen Lotion. It is supposedly the second to last step before the cream, which raises my eyebrows, because it's very moisturizing already just by itself!

Suggested routine for nights (purple section): 

1. Collagen Cleansing (for makeup removal, pink tube, haven't tried this yet; if you wear a water resistant Japanese sunscreen, you will need an oil cleanser to remove that first), OR

2. Collagen Wash (follow up cleanser, pink pump bottle, I skipped this and didn't bother with it)

3. Collagen Concentrated Mist, OR

4. Collagen Lotion

5. Collagen Milk

6. Twice a week treatment: Collagen Mask (skipped this too) 

7. This Concentrated Lotion

8. Collagen Cream (haven't tried this yet)

Suggested routine for days (yellow section):

1. Collagen Wash

2. Collagen Concentrated Mist, OR

3. Collagen Lotion

4. Collagen Milk, OR

5. Collagen Cream

***Hadanomy product guide from Hadanomy JP.

Hadanomy Collagen Milk

I apply this Hadanomy Collagen Milk after the Concentrated Mist (and sometimes Lotion), just as recommended in the product guide below. This is a moisturizer milk that, despite looking thick, opaque, and scary in the bottle, is in fact quite a pleasure to use, much so hubby has started mooching it from me ^.^

Suggested routine for nights (purple section): 

1. Collagen Cleansing (for makeup removal, pink tube, haven't tried this yet; if you wear a water resistant Japanese sunscreen, you will need an oil cleanser to remove that first), OR

2. Collagen Wash (follow up cleanser, pink pump bottle, I skipped this and didn't bother with it)

3. Collagen Concentrated Mist, OR

4. Collagen Lotion

5. This Collagen Milk

6. Twice a week treatment: Collagen Mask (skipped this too) 

7. Concentrated Lotion (left this at home, but will review next)

8. Collagen Cream (haven't tried this yet)

Suggested routine for days (yellow section):

1. Collagen Wash

2. Collagen Concentrated Mist, OR

3. Collagen Lotion

4. This Collagen Milk, OR

5. Collagen Cream

***Hadanomy product guide from Hadanomy JP.

Hadanomy Collagen Lotion

Next up is the Hadanomy Collagen Lotion, which I was using daily while visiting with my parents but have since reduced usage to only occasionally when I feel my skin needs extra help. This is a lotion (toner) that is viscous, making it more of a water-like gel. It is thicker than the Collagen Concentrated Mist. While it does melt upon contact and becomes more watery in my palm, it's still not quite as runny as the mist. 

Suggested routine for nights (purple section): 

1. Collagen Cleansing (for makeup removal, pink tube, haven't tried this yet; if you wear a water resistant Japanese sunscreen, you will need an oil cleanser to remove that first), OR

2. Collagen Wash (follow up cleanser, pink pump bottle, I skipped this and didn't bother with it)

3. Collagen Concentrated Mist, OR

4. This Collagen Lotion

5. Collagen Milk (using right now, will review next)

6. Twice a week treatment: Collagen Mask (skipped this too) 

7. Concentrated Lotion (left this at home, but will review too)

8. Collagen Cream (haven't tried this yet)

Suggested routine for days (yellow section):

1. Collagen Wash

2. Collagen Concentrated Mist, OR

3. This Collagen Lotion

4. Collagen Milk, OR

5. Collagen Cream

***Hadanomy product guide from Hadanomy JP.

Hadanomy Collagen Concentrated Mist

This Hadanomy Collagen line was my "goodbye Japan" gift to myself ^.^ Of course I was being silly, because both the Hadanomy Collagen as well as AquaPlacenta lines are easily available via the internet as well as here in SF, and I have already spotted them all over Japan Town. Then again, I got these in Japan for a discounted price and no markups or international shipping :P

Anyway, I am reviewing this Collagen Concentrated Mist first. It is not the first layer of my daily skincare routine (that would be SK-II Facial Clear Lotion then Facial Treatment Essence at night, and currently The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner then Facial Treatment Essence again in the morning), but it is the first step after cleansing (makeup removal) and washing (follow up cleansing) according to the product guide. I started using it almost two months ago after hubby and I left Taipei.

Nameraka Honpo Soy Milk Isoflavone Makeup Remover Oil Type

Visiting my folks for a month after Taipei, I started using this Nameraka Honpo Soy Milk Isoflavone Makeup Remover Oil Type I got from Sasa.com for $11.70. It is also available from Adam Beauty for $13.50, just a couple of dollars more.

Despite the longwinded name, it is a simple oil cleanser that's supposedly gentle, perfect for the dry climate my parents live in. It is unscented but doesn't smell funky, and it rinses completely clean but not squeaky, which means my skin isn't tight or dry afterwards. I would say its only fault is its price, just a touch expensive at over $10 for only a tiny bottle of 120mL. It's still better than FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil though, which rings in $26 for the same size bottle!

Excel Shiny Shadow

Even though I don't go to class everyday anymore, I'm still looking forward to any excuse to use these Excel Shiny Shadows ^.^ They are sparkly top washes with mega bling!

***Picture from Tokiwa Style Online.

There used to be 7 colors available, but SH02 (a pretty blue green) has been discontinued so I definitely missed out on that one. As a whole, these are pigmented, intensely metallic, and are extremely sparkly.
Due to all the shimmers they're not as soft and smooth like their sister Glossy Shadows, however in comparison to the vast majority of the sparkly top washes out there, they are far more superior in both texture and pigmentation.

Top row: SH01 Bronze Gold, SH03 Silver White, and SH04 Yellow Gold.
Bottom row: SH05 Blue White, SH06 Mocha Brown, and SH07 Shiny Beige. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Hadanomy AquaPlacenta Concentrated Mist

I finally finished my 1 fl oz. bottle of Caudalie Beauty Elixir and happily moved on to this Hadanomy AquaPlacenta Concentrated Mist. Yes, you read that right, placenta as in placental protein.

There have been many debates on the benefits of placental protein and many companies have put them into cosmetics and skincare, especially in Asia. In Japan, there is no shortage of products touting placental protein as an ingredient. But this trend, so to speak, is actually not that recent. Even back in 2004 before I left home for Japan the first time, I had heard of placental protein in skin care. 

Y. was a Japanese language partner I met during my last year of college (we still keep in touch and I had visited her a few times in Kyoto already). It was winter of 2004 and she was in between her home-stay program, so I invited her to spend a few nights at my house. As she was prepping her skin prior to bed, she pulled out a mysterious small bottle from her toiletry case. I asked, and she said it was a serum made out of placenta. I raised an eyebrow, and from my reaction she smirked a, "You don't know anything, do you?" smile. Then she proceeded to tell me that every 6 months, she and her aunt would spend an equivalent of $160 (almost 20,000yen at the time, which translates to roughly $255 with the current exchange, not counting 8 years' worth of inflation) for 2 small bottles, which with sparing nightly use would last them each 6 months. I nodded, astounded, and wondered why on Earth would anyone spend so much money on a tiny bottle of placenta "stuff." Eww was my exact thought, and after the ick factor wore off I started to question whether such an ingredient is properly tested for, well, anything really.

Hadanomy AquaPlacenta Concentrated Mist

Maikohan UV Compact Powder SPF 19+ PA++

Update June 8, 2012.

While browsing on Sana's official online store for Excel Glossy and Shiny Shadows, I saw that they still carry the line Maikohan! This whole time, I thought (perhaps erroneously) that the line had been long discontinued and no longer available! So I went ahead and got myself a backup for the UV Compact Powder SPF 19+ PA++ below ^.^ The compact is too adorable to resist and it's petite size makes it really convenient for travel. I've been packing this compact on short day trips because it's an excellent mattefier with some (albeit dubious) sun protection to boot! 

Maikohan UV Compact Powder SPF 19+ PA++ Sakura

Excel Glossy Shadow

I was at Plaza playing with the Excel Shiny Shadows I've been eyeing since picking up Revlon Luxurious Color Diamond Lust Eye Shadows. Next to the Shiny Shadows were these Glossy Shadows, which confused me greatly because I just couldn't figure them out. I swatched both the Shiny and the Glossy side by side and saw that the Glossy were nowhere as sparkly as the Shiny. So after spending a good long while staring at the swatches underneath the soft white light of the display, I walked away scoffing at both. I planned to buy the Shiny Shadows from Sana's official online shop instead since Plaza didn't have all the 6 colors available, but the Glossy Shadows I just didn't get at all! They're pressed powder, and so we're not talking about swiping clear gloss on the lids or anything like some designers do on their runway. So why are they called Glossy, and how are they different from the Shiny? One of life's biggest mysteries, I know -.-'

Excel Glossy Shadows in GL01 Gold, GL02 White, and GL03 Pink.

Maikohan Cheek Color

Too bad Sana discontinued their Maikohan line, because these Maikohan Cheek Colors rock! They only come in 2 varieties: Akane (Madder, reddish orange) and Benisakura (Red Cherry Blossom, pink). I bought the Benisakura first, loved it, then went back and bought Akane later but didn't get a chance to take photos before having to pack everything up for the big move. So here they are, finally.

Outer packaging for Maikohan Cheek Colors. All pictures taken in natural light without flash unless otherwise noted.