Hey my fellow beauty fanatics, it’s been a while since my last video and today I thought of doing something fun and filmed a tour of my shower. I live in Tokyo so my bathroom is a typical Japanese style one and it’s a pretty unique space so come on over and have a look!

Here I also talk about what products I use while I shower and it’s a mix of Japanese and Western brands.

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It’s the last day of 2011 and it’s time to reveal my favourites for this whole year. I shopped for beauty products a lot these past 12 months and learned about the ins and outs of Japanese cosmetics brands. I rely on Japanese cosmetics ranking site, Cosme, and magazines like Biteki and Voce for recommendations and I found a few gems that I’ll definitely use for a long time to come.

Here’s a quick summary of my favourite Asian cosmetics products (I coined the term “Asian” because almost all of these products are either Japanese or made for the Asian market, plus I have the lone Korean product):

#1 Paul & Joe Face Powder N 03
#2 Jill Stuart Smooth Silk Foundation N 105
#3 Hada Labo Moist BB Cream SPF32PA+++ Natural Ochre
#4 Addiction Emotional Blush
#5 Missha Signature Real Complete BB Cream No.23
#6 Jill Stuart Mixed Blush Compact Sweet Lock
#7 Lunasol Modelling Eyes Beige Beige 01
#8 Visee Smacky Glam Limited Edition Glossy Nude Rouge Bitter BE305
#9 Paul & Joe Eye Gloss Duo 05
#10 Kate Designing Eyebrow N

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I was inspired by Beauty Broadcast’s My Beauty Evolution tag video (via cosmeddicted) and it’s my first time doing something like this. I also thought it would be a fun year-end video to show you guys and to get to know my makeup story as well. Hope you are having a great holiday season!

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I’m on a roll with the videos, aren’t I? I’m taking advantage of the fact that Mr BB is on a business trip so I’ve got the apartment to myself. We live in a tiny space so I feel quite self-conscious speaking in front of a camera with him in the background. It’s not so much that I think he would mind or laugh at me, but more the fact that I usually do several takes, and I feel like I would be torturing him with the same lines again and again.

So here are my favourite November products and hope you enjoy this video! If you are interested, you can also catch my October Faves here.

Products mentioned:
MAC single eyeshadows: Brule, All That Glitters, Woodwinked
MAC blush Well-Dressed
NARS highlighter Albatross
NARS blush Madly
Naked Palette
Dollywink Volume Mascara
Kate Mascara Base
Canmake Candy Wrap Lip

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Hi my dearies, I know I’ve been missing from Youtube for a long time but I think this video kind of explains it. I didn’t have the heart to film because I had skin problems but I think I found my groove for now. I think my skin couldn’t handle all the strong products I layered on my skin before, especially sheet masks (I know, *sad trombone*) so I’ve switched to a very pared down routine now.

Morning routine:
Hada Labo es Foaming Facial Wash
Hada Labo es Lotion
Clinique Anti-Blemish Clearing Moisturizer
Physiogel Cream
Hada Labo es Milk (as eye cream)

Night routine:
Hada Labo es Cleansing Liquid
Mandom Beauty Cleansing Express Eyemakeup Remover
Hada Labo es Foaming Facial Wash or Mutenka Cow Brand Facial Wash (Normal/Oily Skin)
Hada Labo es Lotion
Clinique Anti-Blemish Clearing Moisturizer
Jason Vitamin E Oil

Spot treatment:
Naruko Naouli & Tea Tree Oil Serum
Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10

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Hisashiburiiiii! (It’s been a longtime, in Japanese) I know it’s been ages since I uploaded a proper video but I’ve been trying to find solutions to my uploading issues, so this is me with a “no-frills” video (no music or intro or text) which is about my October Favourites (video link here; or you can click on the photo above to take you there). My thumbnail is upside-down *groan*…Anyway, the video plays right-side up…This is so bizarre…Edit: I re-uploaded this and Youtube is not acting up anymore — everything is right-side up!!

Sorry if my voice sounds stuffy but I’ve been battling the flu since last week but I’m feeling heaps better today.

Products mentioned:
Ettusias Mineral BB Cream 30
Jill Stuart Lip Jewel 11
Addiction Emotional Blush
Maybelline Creamy Gel Liner 02 Brown
Essie Not Just A Pretty Face
Sally Hansen Instant Strength Base/Top Coat
Sally Hansen Dries Instantly Top Coat
Hada Labo es Lotion
Hada Labo es Milk
Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Serum
Morrocan Oil
Peanut Butter & Co. Smooth Operator (organic, transfat, cholesterol and dairy-free!)

If you can’t be bothered to click over to my Youtube Channel, you can watch it here:

*Edit: I was mistaken about the Ettusias BB Mineral Cream — it does have sun protection and SPF30 to boot! It says on the plastic box it comes in and not on the tube itself.

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Today, I’m kicking off a new series on the blog called “Travel Must-Haves”. Travelling is such a big part of my life and it definitely shapes some of my purchasing decisions beauty-wise. I used to have the mindset of travelling with items that I didn’t care about much in case I would lose or damage them, especially eye shadow and blush palettes. But I found that I was always feeling dissatisfied with said items because they performed poorly or I didn’t have enough variety. I remember I would bring one “green” and one “purple” palette — I laugh at the thought of only having two looks to play with.

In recent years, “quality” definitely wins in my book. I whittle down my selection to one warm palette and one cool palette for eyeshadows for even month-long trips. The warm eye shadow palette I love toting around with me out of Japan is the Chanel Les 4 Ombres 74 Nymphea.

For one, I love the fact that it is so hardy because I think it is the “baked” version as it is an international Chanel version which is made with a baking method as opposed to US-made ones that are silkier in texture — not sure if it is due to being “non-baked” but it seems the two are distinctly different (read more here by Suelynn).

Secondly, I could do multiple looks with this palette — I could do a warm nude with the brown, pink and beige; or highlight the green and forgo the pink; or just use the pink and brown for a smokier nude look; or blend the pink, green, and brown altogether, smoking out with the brown. I don’t get bored of this palette!

My only complaint is that the brushes are pure crap as they don’t transfer much colour at all to my eyelids — does anyone feel the same about Chanel brushes? I’ve had a travel palette before and the black brushes they provided were lovely, but for this palette, I think they are pretty awful. But I generally do not use palette brushes anymore unless my makeup brushes are terribly dirty and I don’t have time to clean them.

Thought of just popping in this really short video at the end of this post — I wanted to test my Youtube channel as I was having many problems uploading a full-length video but it seems a short video done in .mov on my iPhone in HD seemed to upload fine.

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Hello, my dearies, this week has just been manic for me so this post is up a little later than I planned. Thank you so much for your lovely feedback on Beauty Box over at our 3rd Anniversary Giveaway post (leave a comment on what you like about Beauty Box and what you would like to see more of and stand a chance to win amazing Japanese drugstore faves!)…Today is the last day!

Today’s Beauty Box TV episode shows what are the typical steps in a Japanese skincare regime. There are some similarities with Western skincare steps but there are of course a few distinct differences. When I first came to Japan, I was so confused over what to buy for myself but I was eager to try new stuff because Japanese skincare products have such a great reputation. I hope you enjoy watching my explanation!

Products mentioned in this video:

Part I:

Mutenka Cleansing Oil (click here to buy)
Mandom Cleansing Express Moist Wipes
Hada Labo es Foaming Facial Wash (click here to buy)
Mandom Beauty Barrier Repair Facial Mask HA (click here to buy)
SKII Treatment Essence Mask

Part II:

Shikon Lotion
Naruko Rose & Snow Fungus Cubic Aqua Complex
Hada Labo es Milk (Click here to buy)
Jurlique Viola Cream

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Between the time I filmed this video and uploaded it, I actually got more BB creams and liquid foundations :O So these videos do not reflect my entire collection but I think it would’ve been pointless to include the new ones because I haven’t test drove them long enough.

It dawned on me why some beauty fanatics are especially crazy about base makeup — it’s the never-ending quest to achieve flawless skin and coupled with the fact that no product would EVER be an exact match for your skin tone makes the chase even more fervent, plus your own skin changes with time (and even more so if you live in a place with changing seasons), so what suited you 12 months ago may not be the right one for you now.

Put your hand up if you are nuts about base makeup!

PS: Just TEN days more till my 3rd Anniversary/Birthday giveaway ends (lots of my ultimate fave Japanese beauty products to be won and THREE winners will be picked; go get your tush over there)!

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I had such an awesome time in Taipei so I’ve put together my fave bits. I start off with my Narita Airport duty-free haul and then I talk about the things I loved in Taipei. Hope you enjoy watching this video!

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