When I say that I hate to unpack, I mean it.  Although my trip to Japan was about 6 months ago I’ve only just gotten around to unpacking everything.  Here are my first impressions of some of the beauty products I picked up in department stores and drugstores around Tokyo.  Unlike the usual beauty spree, where I’m basing my purchases off of reviews and the labels, everything chosen during my trip was pure guess work.  While some of the products are hit or miss, and I’m sure I missed some cult favorites, this is what I came up with while blindly wandering.

Although I didn’t fully unpack until this point, I did make it a point to hand out my presents.  Some fun items that aren’t shown here include big strawberry body loofahs, packs and packs of fake eyelashes, duplicates of makeup, more face masks, and handfuls of cute phone charms.

Various Fiber Masks:  I love fiber face masks. They’re everywhere in Hawaii but impossible to find in Nevada, so I stocked up and purchased about 20 of them.  They’re single use, incredibly inexpensive, and light-weight so they also make for great gifts.  I know a few guys who like them, too.

Tsururi Pore Brushes:  To be honest, I purchased this for the Alice in Wonderland packaging.  Based on the images I figured it would have something to do with skincare, and after looking it up online I found out that the nose pore cleaning brush is made of “premium natural horse hair” and is supposed to “gently remove dirt and grease from pores.”  I’ll probably try to repurpose them into makeup brushes since they did nothing for my pores.

Majolica Majorca Mascara:  Shiseido created this line as its drugstore alternative.  The mascara is top quality for its price point, and the brush seems to work really well.  Again, purchased for the cute packaging.

DUP Eyelash Fixer EX: The best eyelash glue I’ve ever used.  It differs from Duo, for example, in that it is fast drying so you don’t have to wait for the glue to get tacky before applying.  Instead of coming in a squeezable tube, you screw off the cap to reveal an application wand which makes it ideal for quick fixes.  It’s also waterproof, long-wearing, dries clear, and all that other good stuff.

Etude House Tweezers: They’re kitty cat tweezers… no further explanation needed.

Etude House Eye-Makeup Remover: This was a free mini gift with purchase at Etude House, but I wish I bought a full-sized because its so gentle and works so well.

Etude House Compact: This ‘Dear My Blooming Eyes’ eyeshadow compact reminded me so much of the Too Faced ‘Chocolate Bar’ line.  The lighter colors are more of a shimmer, but the darker ones have a good amount of pigment.  Nothing some Mac FIX+ can’t intensify.

Majolica Majorca Nail Costume:  I haven’t used these yet, but I’ll post my manicure on Instagram when I do.  I don’t have much hope for the large, full-nail stickers but the half and decorative should turn out well.

K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Real Lasting Eyeliner WP Micro:  I love this eyeliner and keep kicking myself for grabbing only one.  I started using this while I was in Japan because the liquid eyeliner I brought with me had dried up.  The pen applicator makes it incredibly easy to draw delicate lines, and the micro-tip is fine enough to fill gaps between lashes and create the perfect wing.  Hands down the best precision eyeliner I’ve ever used, although you might have to trace over your lines to get intense blackness.

Etude House Tear Drop Liner:  Tear drop liner takes the idea of white bottom lash eyeliner to the next level.  I purchased the super long-lasting, liquid glitter in ‘Pearl Tear’ and it definitely brightens and whitens the eyes.  Walking around with pinkish-white glitter under my eyes made me feel very babyfaced and “cutesy,” so it’s a fun product but not one I would use everyday.

Ettusais Lip Essence Stick:  I’ve mentioned this chapstick before and I’m still not really over it.  It has everything you need: tint of color, SPF, and tons of hydration.

Deep Cleansing Nose Pore Strips:  I’m pretty sure these were Biore, but I lost the box.  I had such high hopes for these volcanic ash & aloe strips but, sadly, they didn’t do much for me.

I also had to stock up on some stationary supplies.  Japan has the cutest stickers, notebooks, and pens ever.  Rilakkuma bento stencils, bath bombs, first-aid supplies, and instant film were also essential.  The truth is that you can show me anything adorable and I can justify why its a necessity… it’s a good thing my time in Japan was limited.

I wish I stocked up more on skincare items and some Shu Uemura products, but being the third country of my trip I couldn’t weigh down my suitcase any more.  What do you like to grab while overseas?

xxLK

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