Phytomer Contour Radieux Smoothing and Reviving Eye Mask

This 3mL/0.1fl. oz. tube of Phytomer Contour Radieux Smoothing and Reviving Eye Mask was among the myriad of samples I received from an order via Le Spa USA (not affiliated), and it actually lasted me a good 2 months of nightly use!

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser

Just finished this 28.3g/1oz. tube of First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser so I'm posting a short review for it.

I haven't heard of First Aid Beauty before and this is my first time using their product, so I didn't have any expectation at all. Turns out I like this cleanser quite a bit. It's unscented and doesn't foam much if at all. It cleanses well but is rather mild, rinses clean but doesn't leaving my face and neck area squeaky and stripped of moisture. Yes, I will probably buy a full size with a good promotion in the future.

Koyudo Brushes Part IX - Guest-posting for Jaywalking Birdwalking Jabberwocky

This past July, Yelena Zheng of Jaywalking Birdwalking Jabberwocky did me a huge favor--she guest-posted for this blog, comparing the Chikuhodo Z-1 to the Koyudo Fuwafuwa.

So now I'm returning the favor, guest-posting for her blog on the last of my Koyudo brushes. Head on over there if you want to see them.

(Psst... it involves squirrels...) ^.^

See my previous posts:

- Koyudo Brushes

- Koyudo Brushes Part II

- Koyudo Brushes Part III

- Koyudo Brushes Part IV 

- Koyudo Brushes Part V 

- My Koyudo Favorites (as of February 2015)

- Koyudo Brushes Part VI

- Koyudo Brushes Part VII
- Koyudo Brushes Part VIII

Lunasol Ahkah Collection Eyes

When I bought the Lunasol Ahkah Collection Shiny Eyes, I meant to get just this Ahkah Collection Eyes in EX01 Sheer Pink Beige. In fact, I hadn't plan to get any of them, because their online photos looked so boring. And then I saw swatches of them and realized the bottom right shade is *not* brown... 

Don't get me wrong, I like browns. And because I like browns so much, I have 98,837 of them and certainly don't need anymore (and yet, and yet...). But deep plum? Yes, please!

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Only in Japan... Part III

Because Japan!

About a week after our arrival into Tokyo, a new Doraemon movie was about to premier. To promote the movie, they had about a gazillion of these Doraemon statues around the area right in front of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower entrance, each unique from another. Of course the place was swamped with kids and these were the only photos I could get without having to wait forever.

Lunasol Ahkah Collection Shiny Eyes

So what I really wanted was the Lunasol Ahkah Collection Eyes before the thought of "limited edition" got to me. I ended up buying the Shiny Eyes also, in both colors EX01 Beige Gold and EX02 Pink Silver.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Paseo UV Cut Powder SPF50+ PA++++ Part II

I've been using Paseo UV Cut Powder SPF50+ PA++++, the Cool version, everyday for all of July and August on my neck and decolletage, on top of whatever sunscreen I applied (was Nivea Sun Protect Water Gel Super SPF50 PA+++, recently switched to SunCut UV Protect Gel SPF50+ PA++++). 

Then a couple of weeks ago, I ran out of the Paseo powder. Yes, I rejoiced and went out to find a new powder to try. To my surprise though, most drugstores in my area don't carry these sunscreen powders. That or I just missed them completely. The drugstores in Japan are kind of jam-packed and bewildering, but I love them nonetheless ^.^

Anyway, after having spent three days straight combing through one drugstore after another without any success, I resorted to Rakuten JP. But if you've shopped on Rakuten before, you will know that it's just as bewildering, if not irritating because they also list items that have already been sold out. For example, if a search yields 10 pages of result, you can bet the later 5 pages are all sold-out items. Why those items even show up at all, I have no idea! 

So being desperate for something to hold me over until the next new discovery, I bought the "Normal" version of this same Paseo powder. Yes, previous online photos of it showed shimmers and sparkles, but it's for my neck and decolletage so I wasn't too picky. Did I mention I was desperate?

Biotherm Homme Aquapower Oligo-Thermal Care Ultra Moisturizing

Recently, Biotherm tempted me to try their products with a generous promotion, and of course it works, because I'm gullible like that. Ended up buying 3 full size products, a moisturizer and shaving cream for hubby, and a toner for myself. The moisturizer is this 75mL/2.52fl. oz. pump bottle of Biotherm Homme Aquapower Oligo-Thermal Care Ultra Moisturizing.

The 3 full sizes are at left, the rest are freebies ^.^

Uncle Joe's, A Hong Kong Bistro, Denver

The day before hubby was done with his conference, I spotted Uncle Joe's, A Hong Kong Bistro, across the street from our hotel and got totally excited about giving the place a try. 

It was definitely a trendy restaurant serving "new" Chinese cuisine. The food was meh and of course over-priced, because somebody's got to pay for all that poshy decor. I was totally silly with my expectations to begin with.

Here's the menu. Click to zoom.

 

Osteria Marco, Denver

Denver used to be SIL's stomping ground and naturally, we asked her for food recommendations when we were there. She suggested Osteria Marco. We went, and our conclusion was that the food was heavy and hearty but delicious, the portions were way too big and the place was way too loud. So go in a big group but expect to yell and scream to be heard.

The food was really good though, and the menu is huge! Hubby and I started out with meatball sliders and tomato basil soup, both of which were yummy.