This is my first-ever FOTD and my skin has cleared up quite a bit since my last breakout fiasco. I figured that it’s not that often I have okay-looking skin and I’ve “re-discovered” an old foundation that was unloved by me for the last year, so I thought, “Let’s do an FOTD!”

I bought Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Light Foundation Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10/PA++ (Intensity 2.0) in January as a “gentle” base during my horrible breakout phase last winter. I looked up Makeup Alley and found that those with acne-prone skin liked this particular foundie because it was light-weight, non-clogging, non-oily, and had decent coverage.

To be honest, I liked it at first and then I didn’t like it because it didn’t give me enough coverage and looked patchy on me. Furthermore, the brand Estee Lauder is not something I usually reach for as I prefer girlier brands, e.g. Jill Stuart and Paul & Joe, but I realized I’m actually smack in the demographic that Estee Lauder markets at – LOL!

But on hindsight, my skin really was a mess and I think I didn’t put enough of it on as I used to have a very light hand with liquid foundation. I just felt it didn’t give me that ultra-smooth complexion that some BB creams can (like the Nanoce one but it’s too rich for non-winter weather). And because it is very light-weight, I think it wasn’t moisturizing enough for the freezing temperatures in Feb and Mar in Tokyo. My skin was flaky at that point in time but I wouldn’t blame it on this foundation because I think I wasn’t moisturizing my skin enough and was using an arsenal of drying acne products.

BUT, in this warm-ish fall weather when it is over 20 degrees C in the day and 16-18 degrees C at night, somehow my skin has been LOVING this foundation. I do use it generously but it doesn’t cake. The only complaint I have is that it is a wee bit too light for me shade-wise but Intensity 3.0 is way too dark for me.

It gives a dewy look if you don’t powder your face after and it gives surprisingly good coverage to redness and freckles.

Other items used in this FOTD:
Lunasol Modeling Eyes 01 Beige Beige
Dollywink Eye Pencil in Brown
Lancome L’Extreme Mascara
Meow Cosmetics Brow Beater in Dark Brown to line brows
Esprique Precious Gradation Layer Cheek 01 Coral Red as blusher and face highlighter
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Medium Dark as bronzer
Revlon ColorStay Pressed Powder 104 Medium
Jurlique Love Lip Balm
Chanel Rouge Coco Cambon 31
Lancome Juicy Tubes mini (sparkly nude)

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Today’s Beauty Debate topic is a bit of a fun topic and I would love to hear what you have to say:

What’s your beauty quirk?

It’s something that doesn’t quite connect the dots or it contradicts some of your “beliefs” or you are particular about something that isn’t usually a concern for others etc., you know what I mean?

Let me list my beauty quirks here…

Quirk #1

I don’t use scented lip balms if it is in stick form, but if they are in pot form, I don’t mind if it has fragrance. This is my personal logic: the stick types go directly onto your lips so saliva mingles with the balm which makes the scent go bad within a matter of weeks (this really bothers me). For lip balm sticks, I’m using Mentholatum Waterlip and Yuskin Lip Cream.

But for pot balms, I always use a clean lip brush so the balm doesn’t get that “gone bad” smell and right now I’m using Jurlique’s Love Balm and Paula’s Choice Lip & Body Treatment Balm. Scented lip gloss is fine too because I either use my finger or a lip brush. The ultimate contradiction: I don’t mind scented lipsticks although I apply them directly onto my lips.

Quirk #2

I adore good quality body lotion that smells divine — nothing less. Right now, I’m using Korres Body Milk in Jasmine. I love smelling good all over, but for some strange reason, I don’t like scented hand cream because I like to cuddle a pillow while I sleep and if my hands have fragrance, I would feel bothered.

I’ve tried different types, brands, and scents, but at the end of the day I always reach for an unscented moisturizer (I like QV Cream, but it’s not available in Japan and I buy it in Singapore or Australia if I get the chance) and currently I am using the Yuskin S-series Body Cream. That’s also another quirk: I use body moisturizers for my hands.

…Which explains why I’m having trouble finishing two tubes of the paw paw balm I bought in Melbourne in March this year — the slightly “rotten” papaya scent is quite off-putting although it is an amazing product. I use this on my feet and toes so I can’t smell it at all.

Now it’s your turn!

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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

Hi my dears, I’m a little peeved that the Fukushima nuclear reactor situation is at level 7, revised from level 5 — the international media had quite a field day bashing Japan and this level 7 thing is just a definition based on the total amount of radiation released into the atmosphere since the explosion on Mar 12. This does not mean the Fukushima nuclear reactors have become worse — in fact the daily amount of radiation released is lowering.

That’s not to say the situation isn’t serious — it is — but I do find comfort that the total amount of radiation released thus far is only 10 per cent of what Chernobyl did (also rated 7). Please note that Tokyo is far from the disaster (250km!) so we are all safe here and life is going on as per normal. For radiation concerns, please read this post I wrote.

Again, I implore those who are following the crisis from overseas: do not believe fear-mongering reports by international media sources. I’m not naive nor am I being “pro-Japan” but I’m seeing this from the inside and only the neighboring areas to Fukushima in northeast Japan are terribly affected. In fact, I get the sense that your average Japanese is more concerned about the victims who lost their homes, families, and have to cope with harsh conditions (click here to learn how to donate).

But onto beauty-related (and happier things)…

I know it’s has been so long since I went to Australia….I was in Melbourne in late Feb for 10 days, but hey, that gave me time to test out the products I bought. It’s a really small haul but these can’t be found or are ridiculously expensive in Japan so they are quite “special” in my book…

First up, I finally got my hands on an Aussie classic — paw paw balm. I understand there are different brands but I saw this one that looked interesting so I got two tubes for AUD6 each. What is paw paw? It’s basically papaya – how cute! Apparently it’s got amazing healing properties so perfect for nursing cracked lips and skin.

Macadamia, shea, jojoba and papaya extract all sounded very delicious indeed…

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