A more elegant traveler would for sure answer- Seminyak.
Afterall, it is a much quieter place, where the slightly "richer" travelers would stay.
Afterall, it is a much quieter place, where the slightly "richer" travelers would stay.
The year was 2014. In Dubai particularly. A heated debate was going on in my mind while shopping.
"Come on, take that Clarisonic Mia with you in the counter." A compelling voice said.
"Oh no, the price tag would break your wallet. It's not reasonable, Jolly." Another voice resonated.
I walked slowly into the counter, with the most expensive "beauty tool" I was about to have. And then it hit me. My visa card wasn't in my purse. I left it where I was staying. I was brokenhearted to say the least.
"Come on, take that Clarisonic Mia with you in the counter." A compelling voice said.
"Oh no, the price tag would break your wallet. It's not reasonable, Jolly." Another voice resonated.
I walked slowly into the counter, with the most expensive "beauty tool" I was about to have. And then it hit me. My visa card wasn't in my purse. I left it where I was staying. I was brokenhearted to say the least.
For once, I want to be selfish! I don’t want people to discover Taiwan and its awesomeness! So if you are reading this, promise me one thing: you’ll just read away and NEVER book a ticket, alright? :P
Overwhelming. Yes- apparently it is the most descriptive word I can come up with when beauty shopping in Japan! Japan almost has everything from food, makeup, skin care and beauty tools. Amazing!
You might have noticed the lack of makeup/ beauty-related posts from me recently. I'd like to think I have successfully transitioned from an impulsive buyer to a slightly more intelligent shopper these days, ha! However, when in Japan, how can you resist not buying anything beauty-related?
Here, I'm going to list down the top five (5) beauty buys you shouldn't miss:
"Should I get it?". A small voice in my head miraculously kept talking to me.
"But I just picked up three lipsticks this week. I am sure I don't need another one." Another voice reasoned out.
And by some epiphany, my hand raised itself, casually picking one color I was so sure I never had.
I was in denial.
Sh*t.
- Because it's 2017 now and 2016 needs a review.-
I've been very bad in 2016. Like really bad. Slacking off a little (or perhaps too much). Been to some places, met new people along the way, struggled with internal conflicts in mid-April till May, but ended the year on the streets of Taipei. What a year it was!
I've been very bad in 2016. Like really bad. Slacking off a little (or perhaps too much). Been to some places, met new people along the way, struggled with internal conflicts in mid-April till May, but ended the year on the streets of Taipei. What a year it was!
Since last year, I had been more frugal due to a number of grown up decisions like taking more expensive vacations, buying a car, saving money for the rainy days and eventually buying a home. I would give in for some days, but I can feel the change in my spending habits tremendously compared when I was just too busy opening my wallet for no good reason.
Inspired by the random discussion with a friend recently, how do you assure yourself a second date? And what to do when you don't get one?
Dating is supposed to be fun and exciting, however it can be that complicated to some people like me and you. So yes- there were times I pressured myself answering this question why the guy never called me back after the first date.
If you like anything Japanese, then there is no reason why you should miss knowing that Miniso opened a store in Manila. Their first store was opened in Robinson's Place, Manila and oh my- it's always full of people! I checked out the store one weekend and the line to the counters is loooonngggggg! I saw all these people with their heavy baskets full of Miniso items.
I am sure you know about my facial oil obsession previously discussed here on my blog. To begin, I have combination to oily skin- and yes there are days that only my T-zone turns into a greaseball but there are lonely days that my pores are overacting and producing oil in every pore I have. I mean that is just unfair.
I was facebook-ing yesterday and came across a post by one of my friends which says:" Less friends, less b*llshit. Keep your circle small."
If only I could hit a million likes for her post because that's exactly what I've been doing now- keeping my circle small. I am friendly yes- but pleasing everyone, no- I am not that kind of person now. I realized there is joy in keeping only those who never left, who stood by me when I've got nothing on my wallet, who walked with me when I didn't have a car back then and so on and so forth. In short, when my circle got smaller, my perspective of genuine friendship also got clearer.
I have said this before so I am going to say it again: I color my hair a lot like every 6-8 weeks. It's a hard habit to kick when I started coloring my hair. If you haven't colored your hair before, don't start it if you cannot commit to giving it more care than it ever had.
I subject myself to a weekly hair treatment to combat damage brought by frequent coloring. My ends would have the occasional split ends too and overtime, I see some strands being brittle. I also don't like my hair sounding "crunchy".
One of my best buys in Japan is the Detclear Bright and Peel Fruits Cleansing Liquid with AHA and BHA.It is an exfoliating Japanese cleansing liquid which dissolves waterproof makeup.
I picked this up without any idea whether it has good or bad reviews. Also there wasn't an English translation in the packaging which could have helped that time. But anyhow, I picked it up and paid it right away.
I only have one regret this year, and that is NOT buying a white Adidas Superstar when I traveled to Japan last December and April this year!
Then work came and I was able to finally afford some pressed powders. I used to buy the one from Johnson's and Johnson's. I am unsure if they still carry it these days, but if they do, hey there my first powder:)
I always try to stick to my DIY weekly hair and skin treatments no matter how busy I am. I feel bad whenever can't because that means I failed miserably in time management.
I put on some hair mask/ treatment weekly because I color my hair a lot and I mean every 6 weeks! To get rid of white/ blackheads, excess sebum and impurities, I use the Mario Badescu Silver Powder.
I added toner as part of my skin care regimen quite late. For many
years, I would only do the wash-moisturize regimen. Nothing too fancy
but since I can't stick to the 10-step Korean skin care regimen, I figured the
wash-tone-moisturize would be a slightly better option.
My skin's not perfect to begin with and I would have dark spots from pimples every time after each menstrual period. It would take some time to lighten them unless I go through a serious exfoliation and so I would look for skin care with brightening properties not necessarily to whiten my skin.
The Andalou Naturals Clementine + C Illuminating Toner description says this: Fruit Stem Cell Complex, superfruit antioxidants, and Vitamin C, work as powerful cell energizers to target hyperpigmentation and UV damage, improving skin tone and texture. Aloe vera effectively hydrates and oxygenates, balancing pH, and stimulating circulation for healthy luminosity.
My skin's not perfect to begin with and I would have dark spots from pimples every time after each menstrual period. It would take some time to lighten them unless I go through a serious exfoliation and so I would look for skin care with brightening properties not necessarily to whiten my skin.
The Andalou Naturals Clementine + C Illuminating Toner description says this: Fruit Stem Cell Complex, superfruit antioxidants, and Vitamin C, work as powerful cell energizers to target hyperpigmentation and UV damage, improving skin tone and texture. Aloe vera effectively hydrates and oxygenates, balancing pH, and stimulating circulation for healthy luminosity.
You know what's another thing I love about Japan? It's the winter- I kid you not! I love the cold weather for selfish reasons. My makeup can stay for a really long time- yeah!
My time in Sapporo was just wonderful. I had finally seen and touched lots of snow! Strange but my very first snow encounter was in Beijing few years ago however, it wasn't that much of a writing piece.
