Though I know there are online number generators, I thought doing it the old-fashioned way was more fun:

….and the winner is…

Ren! I’ll be emailing you shortly so sit tight.

Thank you very much for taking part in our blog giveaway. It was fun and will be sure to do another one soon.

In terms of beauty schtuff, I stumbled upon a dessert counter right in front of the subway station near my apartment and it had a sign that said, “Beauty Cakes” in Japanese.

I went up closer and the secret ingredient is kefir! Just when I thought Japan was orbiting in its own universe, I’m surprised to find this health trend that is rocking the Western world in Asia.

Well, why am I so excited about kefir? Kefir is a fermented milk drink with origins in Russia, Central Asia, and Turkey. Traditional milk kefir is made when kefir grains (the stuff that makes fermentation happen) are added to goat’s or cow’s milk and left outside to ferment for a couple of days. It kind of sounds like an exotic yogurt drink and I guess it pretty much is and it’s good for your gut (you know I’m a fan of that, don’t ya?).

But in the health world today, you can pretty much add kefir grains to any liquid you please — nut milk, coconut milk, coconut juice, apple juice…the list is endless if you work your imagination.

Actually some DIY folks in the blogosphere skip the hassle of buying kefir grains and just pop open a probiotic capsule and empty it into milk or juice to ferment for 24-48 hours. The result is a fizzy health elixir that is full of goodness and nutrition.

The Japanese have certainly jumped on this health trend and used kefir milk in Swiss rolls, plus coined them as a beauty dessert. Sugoyi…!

I just found an online store that sells kefir starter kits for only 1,900JPY (USD20.80) with free shipping. Looks like I gotta try it. It was so cute that the website says kefir is a well-kept beauty secret.

Have you heard about kefir? Will you ever try it?

-

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But before I begin, I’ll say this again: fashion mags are an indication of trends and habits and not 100% truth, but the following magazine scans will give you an idea what Japanese women eat.

I do know for a fact that nutritional self-help books are huge among Japanese women and I think there’s a strong link between an abhorrence of cosmetic surgery and their passion for looking their best “the natural way”.

As mentioned before, too, natto is seen as a daily beauty essential. Check this page out — it’s an entire editorial on a natto recipe. I’ve given up on trying to like natto as there’s not a lot of love between us!

It also occurred to me that Western beauty magazines like Allure don’t talk about food very much and in fact focus more on makeovers and such, but there is quite a substantial section on nutrition in Biteki.

Look at this feature on what real female medical professionals have for breakfast. It’s so cute that I had to smile.

This is such an elaborate breakfast! I do wonder if she makes this everyday or often at all. But maybe she does because her real age is 53 but she looks not a year above 35, I swear. By the way, she is a dentist.

What are her beauty secrets?! Her breakfast is a traditional home-style Japanese spread of stir-fried lotus root, rice, tofu and wakame miso soup, pickled cucumber and radish, natto, avocado salad with tomato and lettuce, and a carrot apple soy milk smoothie. Wow. Where does she find the time to make this, on top of getting to work punctually?

I find this doctor’s brekkie more realistic in terms of preparation time: a protein shake with green powder, soy milk, and pomegranate syrup, along with a bowl of fruit and yogurt.

She’s 40 but looks like she’s in her early 30s! By the way, she has a 3 year old daughter. But again, air brushing does that to you. So, she’s not as impressive as the one above, but I think her regime is definitely more believable.

Next up is a detox breakfast recommended by a dermatologist who is 31.

Let’s see: raw veggies, wholemeal bread, fresh fruit juice (apple, carrot, lemon) and a bowl of diced anchovies fried in olive oil, cream, and soy milk (ew!). Not seen in the picture above, she recommends taking egoma oil capsules which are made from the shiso (Japanese basil) plant and supposedly lowers cholesterol.

Interestingly, her daily routine is also mapped out — she wakes at 6am, jogs from 615 to 645am, has breakfast by seven, finishes work by 730pm, has dinner at 830pm and sleeps by midnight.

There were three more doctors who were featured but I’m not going to go into the details as it was more or less the same in the sense that they all had soy milk, yogurt, rice, fruit juice, veggies as part of their their diet and they woke up early and slept at a decent time. I’ll leave you with the scans, though.

So how do Japanese women remain svelte and youthful? There isn’t quite a “one-size-fits-all” answer but I think they just take on the Japanese ethos of balance where they don’t consume too much of anything, and also like many women around the world, they love consuming dietary supplements and beauty products.

Hope you enjoyed taking a peek inside a leading Japanese beauty mag — the similarities and differences are all charming and I feel chuffed I can read 50 per cent of the Japanese text in the magazine. If you missed the first two installments, they are here: Part I and Part II.

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What makes Japanese beauty mags different from Western ones is there are always step-by-step features to show you how to put on cosmetics. Be it from eye shadow to foundation and powder, there are pictures to guide you to a flawless result.

This is where the freebie Lunasol DVD comes in. I enjoyed watching how to apply foundation and concealer with your fingers and then with a sponge before using loose powder.

The eye shadow segment was my favourite because it showed how to blend different colours into a natural finish. And the Lunasol eye shadow palette looked just divine…

A thought occurred to me, too: “Why do they go through all this trouble? Maybe these instructional videos are meant for women like me — I don’t know much about makeup!” I am a very basic type of girl who goes for the quickest solution to save time but that means I don’t know little tricks on how to look more fabulous.

Here is another tip I love: use the end of a cotton bud to “clean up” thick eyeliner lines. What a life saver! I used to wonder how some women could have such neat lines on their eye lids, so there you go.

There were also tips on how to apply false eye lashes (and the Japanese do this very well). Tip gleaned: flex your new falsies to make them more pliable and thus easier to stick onto your eye lid.

But what is similar to Western mags are the beauty spreads with a model showcasing a “look” and the list of cosmetics used to achieve it. And oh my, there are a bevy of the newest products to drool over…

Not a very surprising discovery was a whole supplement magazine tucked into the main one that was just about creams and potions to make you look fairer. Whitening products are a Japanese (or Asian) obsession.

The type of cosmetics that seemed popular and all over the mag is very girly, like Coffret D’or and Paul & Joe, but I suppose most beauty magazines tend to target a younger audience. Actually, I find that Japanese women in particular tend to be very self-conscious of the image of the brand they are buying.

If you are more mature, you only use “respectable” brands like SKII, Kose Grandaine, Shiseido Elixir, Guerlain, Chanel etc. I once mentioned I was a fan of Fancl to several middle-aged friends and they all said the same thing, “Oh, that’s for young people.” And you know, it’s a perfectly good brand and it works but the image is just off for them.

But it’s a generalization that only Japanese women are brand conscious. I would imagine that most women over 40 would hesitate to use Urban Decay as their cosmetic mainstay.

I have one more installment for “What’s in a Japanese beauty magazine” and it’s about what Japanese women eat — something we all want to find out. Stay tuned…

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As an expat in Japan, I’m always curious to learn more about Japanese culture and trends, so what better way to peep inside this box by way of magazines?

Well, we all know that we shouldn’t believe 100% of what we read but at least you can get an idea of what is touted as the ideal in a certain society. And boy, a Japanese fashion magazine definitely leaves many clues.

I’ve always wanted to read Biteki, 美的 (means beauty is possible), so I bought a copy of their April issue last week. It was February and the April issue is out. Now that’s another indication that this country is restless and competitive where trends are concerned.

The other reason why I chose Biteki was the “surprise” freebie that was stated on the cover. It’s also the Japanese answer to Allure in the US. The difference is there are no Hollywood celebs featured, but I couldn’t spot any celeb interview with a Japanese star either. Biteki focuses on beauty, beauty, and beauty.

I discovered quite some time ago that Japanese fashion and beauty magazines give great freebies and a copy only costs anywhere between 500 to 800JPY (USD5.60 to 8.90). From what I see, branded cloth bags and cosmetic pouches are most often packed neatly inside magazines, but once in a while you get something different. I thought that this freebie would be travel-sized cosmetics, but it was really a make up DVD.

I was disappointed because I wanted to try some Lunasol cosmetics but the DVD was very revealing in what kind of looks Japanese women love, so it turned out to be quite interesting, plus there were a few tips which I found illuminating. From my casual perusal, it seems natural, girlish looks are favoured but they are a lot of work. It just brings to mind this quote from the movie Steel Magnolias, “There is no such thing as natural beauty.”

That may be true but the Japanese try their best to enhance their looks through products, rather than cosmetic surgery. It’s hard not to bring up the Koreans who actually accept cosmetic surgery as a part of life, but a survey also found that the average Korean woman puts 17 products on her face before she leaves for work. Wow.

To be continued…

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Several of my Japanese gal pals mentioned that they love this product and wish they could fly to Seoul to pick some up at ridiculously cheap prices, because as most things go, the ones in Japan are quite pricey.

Being the ressionista that I am, I will wait till my current stash of foundation is used up (which is one and a half bottles — sadness).

But, this hasn’t stopped me from wanting to find out more and when the time comes, my fingers will be ready to spread this magic paste on my face. Today, I’d like to share with you what I have found out about BB Cream.

What is BB Cream?
The double B stands for “blemish balm” and its infamy started when a Korean actress underwent laser surgery on her face and she used BB Cream as part of her post-surgery regime.

It was touted to be a healing cream while acting as a way to cover up flaws. By the way, the technology originated from Germany but the Koreans made BB Cream huge in this part of the world.

To put it simply, BB Cream is a foundation that helps your skin rid itself of flaws and softens skin texture over time.

I don’t think it’s one of those products that make you wake up with a new face the next day but with prolonged use, it should improve the quality of your skin.

Who uses BB Cream?
Lots of women, even celebrities — particularly North Asians where the rage started. Southeast Asia is also embracing it but I do wonder if Western markets are interested at all. I do see some US online stores that carry it but I don’t really feel that the hype lasted long from what I see in various high-profile beauty blogs.

Does BB Cream work?
I don’t know. It’s one of those things where some people rave about it and some people diss it.

The raves: all-in-one beauty wonder that usually does all or several of the following products — moisturizer, SPF, acne treatment, wrinkle cream, concealer, and whitening action; flawless finish; improves skin; apparently duskier skin shades can take the single-tone BB Cream but you need to wait for it to oxidize, so it will “blend” into your skin tone.

The criticism: only one or two tones are available and they’re usually suited for fair, yellow tone Asian skin; causes breakouts; and it’s too moisturizing for oily skin; it’s too drying (contrasting reviews always plague products!).

Which are the good brands of BB Cream?
From what I gathered in blogs, shops, and word-of-mouth, there are a handful of very good ones.

Missha gets a lot of excellent reviews and a couple of my friends swear by it.

Skinfood is one of the better known brands but there seems to be many complaints about it in Makeup Alley despite the fact that it includes lots of plant-based ingredients to entice those who love natural products.

Etude House gets some mention but to conflicting opinions. One blogger said it is hard to blend; another said it blends beautifully; but both agreed that the cream only conceals to a certain degree and not all flaws.

Hanskin is definitely above average and got good reviews here, here, and here.

Sinn in Japan seems to be so popular that it gets sold out quickly. It’s the only Japanese BB Cream brand that I’ve heard of.

BRTC is apparently a top-notch BB Cream brand. It’s expensive but truly does the job. The packaging looks a little clinical but I guess it’s what is inside that matters.

Just out of interest, I thought some of you may be keen to read Viva Woman’s experience in making her own DIY BB Cream. It’s truly amazing when the stuff that comes from people in lab coats can be brewed by the average woman.

Alright this wraps up my BB Cream resource research. My conclusion is not to skimp and buy a good brand; start with a small tube; hope for the best; and worst case scenario you can always do a swap.

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I mentioned this to a Japanese friend and she told me that Saeki is very famous in Japan and is quite a personality on TV. She is 66 years old and has snow white, smooth skin — a walking advertisement for what she preaches. Recently, she released a book out in English, The Japanese Skincare Revolution, which shares easy, natural skincare techniques.

My friend said Saeki’s most famous advice is to use lotion masks to maintain great skin. The toner or lotion you use is not as important as how often you use it. In fact, she encourages women to put on lotion masks twice a day. I don’t know if most women can find so much time but it certainly would keep your skin moist and hydrated.

I was intrigued and so I googled her. The search threw up a slew of interviews and articles. It seems her methods are natural and not product-laden which is also evident in her much-revered Ginza beauty salon that doesn’t carry a cosmetic line.

I absolutely agree with Saeki that no amount of make up can make you look better if you have terrible skin. She says she can tell what a person’s life and character are like just by looking at their skin. She also thinks spending more effort and time on personal beauty should be part of your lifestyle and not seen as a burden.

YES to that! Some people sometimes ask me why I can be bothered to spend my time making healthy drinks and dishes from scratch. My reason is simply, you are what you eat.

If you nosh on burgers and greasy take-out, it will show on your face. If you sleep very little or don’t drink enough water, your skin will suffer and look sallow. I just don’t want to look like I munch on instant, pre-packaged crap. Eating well may take time but I see it as a good, long-term investment for the health of my body.

She also touches on how having a positive outlook on life helps you look more radiant. I love it that Saeki’s philosophies are not just straight science and chemicals. I think if you live a very stressed, unhappy existence, you truly won’t find what you are looking for in a jar.

Ladies, take the time to care for yourself and not rely on “instant” solutions. I think Saeki may at first seem a bit batty in her advice — some of it probably got lost in translation (it sounds more quaint in Japanese!) but I think she has good, down-to-earth tips to read about. Do check her out and it could keep you from splurging on yet another expensive branded potion.

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Basically, there is a skin-loving essence (toner-like or can double up as a toner) you soak your mask in and place on your face for 10 – 20 minutes as a face treatment. Some paper masks come packaged with their own lotion, or you can buy plain ones that you can play around with different lotions.

It’s a bit confusing as what can be used to soak a facial paper mask if you were to go solo. I understand that Japanese beauty brands tend to have toners which you apply directly to your face without a cotton pad. In which case, your skin absorbs the nourishment the lotion has, as opposed to a traditional toner where you use it to wipe off excess residue.

This is definitely one of those things invented by the Japanese that took the world by storm. Okay, maybe that’s exaggerating it a little, but I know that this is huge in Asia. I’m not sure how mainstream this is in other parts of the planet — it’s probably not because I don’t really see this being talked about in blogs from the Western world.

Some examples of lotions would be Sekkisei Lotion and SKII’s Facial Treatment Clear Lotion. Does anyone have any recommendations for similar “tonic” type lotions?

I wish I could call this my idea but I got this from The Daily Beauty Buzz. I’m not one to splurge on expensive skincare products, so her suggestion to use DHC’s humble but power-packed Acerola Lotion just seemed too appealing not to try.

Step 1: Place lotion mask tablet into the tiny plastic tub that came in the packet.

Step 2: Pour the lotion onto the lotion mask tablet and soak it thoroughly. You will be surprised how much this baby can absorb.

Step 3: Carefully unfold the mask and place it on your face for 10 to 20 minutes. The tablet will naturally expand so it’s actually super easy, even though it looks quite delicate.

Verdict:

Love it! My skin felt so hydrated and was the perfect finish to a facial scrub. The DHC Acerola Lotion certainly delivers — it contains no alcohol and is full of anti-oxidant power from acerola berries. The next day, my skin felt plump, like it was all juiced up, as opposed to dull and sallow (you know how it gets if you go on too long without any beauty-lovin’).

On the official US DHC site, it says, “Made from Caribbean acerola berries which can have up to four times more vitamin C than an orange, this enlivening formula can help your skin ward off the free radical damage that can cause uneven skin tone and wrinkles.”

You know, it’s such an affordable solution (500JPY for a 40ml bottle) that can do quite a bit of good for your skin. Beware that one lotion mask tablet can take out quite a bit from your bottle. I tried this twice and there’s 75 per cent left.

Note: I’m not selling this product in my shop! Just love sharing what’s tried, tested, and true.

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The Japanese believe that onsens can cure many everyday ills, like acne, boils, flatulence, eczema, rheumetism, sports injuries, exhaustion, constipation, and the list goes on. I’ve had Japanese gal pals telling me some onsens make your skin and hair super smooth. Awesome, isn’t it?

Onsens in different regions do vary in the minerals they contain, and according to Wikipedia, there are several types — sulphur, sodium chloride, hydrogen carbonate, and iron, are a few examples.

It feels like a glorious and decadent thing to do at home, so I only treat myself to a DIY onsen bath if I’m feeling sick or my back feels stiff. I also associate it with traveling in Japan and it’s a highlight of any trip to go to an onsen. A gleeful memory: I let myself have an onsen bath daily on my Hokkaido snowboarding trip and my muscles definitely needed some pampering. Kimochi ga ii (means it feels good in Japanese)…

After sniffing around my dictionary and the Internet, my onsen salts contain hydrogen carbonate and they smell lovely. There are several scents and colors — I can’t put my finger on the fragrances but they are subtle in a clean, slightly floral way.

A bubble bath leaves your skin squeaky clean, but you’re not supposed to soap yourself after an onsen bath, because you will wash away the goodness of the minerals.

Are these onsen salts expensive? Nope, not at all — I forked out about 400JPY (USD4) for a box of 10 packets. Sweet.

P.S.: For trivia’s sake, there’s actually an onsen called Obama Onsen in Nagasaki. It’s not named after America’s president but there’s a small fishing town called Obama in Japan, which by the way, went nuts when Obama was running for president. Check out the video here where you can see the Obama burger, manju (rice flour bun), Hawaiian dance, and a letter of appreciation from the man himself.

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In the clip, Japanese beauty expert Miki Okae says she eats collagen-rich beef tendons, and then there were small mentions of collagen drinks available in convenience stores and collagen-infused chicken and vegetable hot pot.

[As an aside, I’ll like to clarify that the, ah, nightingale poop is not common at all. In fact I think it would make your average Japanese girl squeal in disgust like the rest of us.]

Today, I’m going to show you Youtube videos (very short ones, I promise!) on collagen in Japanese life.

Video #1: Pork-based collagen broth with pork slices and cabbage. You can see it looks like a regular Asian dish.

Video #2: Collagen ramen. Yup, believe it when I say it, tonkatsu (pork-based) ramen has a creamy broth chock full of collagen. Some are richer than others and there are ramen shops that advertise their ramen specifically as collagen ramen to attract the ladies.

Video #3: This one features a jelly-like ball of collagen with edible gold flakes to be slipped into a hot pot. Totally amazing! This one has to be my favorite among all the videos.

Video #4: My eyes absolutely widened when I saw this one — marine collagen infused bilberry wine. There is also yuzu (Japanese mandarin) flavored collagen wine, and they have another one called “seaqweser”, which I have no clue what it is — Google couldn’t help either.

Anyway, the lady in the video says the taste is slightly sweeter than red wine and alcohol content is 7 per cent per bottle. But I wonder if there are any merits in drinking collagen and alcohol because it actually destroys collagen.

Which is your favorite video?

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On my way to the cash register, I spotted these precious items:

The mini Bourjois collection is just to-die-for. Their teensy lip glosses (682JPY) can be turned into mobile phone charms.

And I finished my Paul & Joe lavender eyeshadow, so I thought, “I need purple for bold days.” So I dropped this lil’ baby (630JPY) into my shopping basket:

It’s a rich plum that will definitely suit the wintry clime at the moment, but still add a bit of colour to my face. The thumb-sized pot makes me go all, “Kawaiiiii (cute)!” but my wallet feels very respectable.

And a free palette of lip colours from Maquillage topped the shopping experience. I just love it when kusuriyas pop freebies into my shopping bag. I thought it was a novel concept that the lip colour samples look like pills on an aluminum slab.

Just love it how Japanese beauty brands come up with these awesome ideas to grab your attention.

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