While effortless beauty in America means creating a fresh, dewy look by covering dark circles and opting for minimal aesthetic dramatization, Japan oftentimes embraces a more exaggerated effect when it comes to presenting a less polished look. Some of these instances can be seen in the dark Lolita looks that may come to mind when we think of fashion hubs like Harajuku. Even the existence of the ubiquitous purikura, or decorative photo booths, enhance the natural features for a comical and cutesy effect.

This week, we will be exploring a more recent beauty phenomenon called igari makeup, or hangover makeup. This look embraces puffy eye circles, droopy eyes and extremely flushed cheeks. Think lots of red accents! Of course, the look is much more appealing than the reality of a hangover that may look more like the remnants of the previous night’s make up.

 Below is our take on the dewy hangover look:

Fun fact: We used a nightgown as a dress to stay on theme!

The Saborino Morning Mask is one of the most popular J-beauty items in 2018. Recommended by Allure and Cosme, the Saborino is the solution for a time-saving morning routine--one sheet can cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize the skin in 60 seconds. Here is Ashley's honest review on the best-seller --

Click to Shop

"It really freshened up my morning! The mask smelled pleasantly fruity and minty. As I put it on, I felt like my skin was drinking a cup of smoothie and had revived from the tiredness. Then, the minty ingredients started to kick in, which cooled down and refreshed my skin. I actually had it on for 5 minutes instead of 1 minute because I wanted to take my time with it. My skin become much moisturized and calmed and pores tightened after masking with the Saborino. I washed it off with water and simply applied sunscreen to conclude my simple yet effective morning routine!" 

Click to Shop

This mask is perfect for those who apply makeup on a daily basis and are looking for an efficacious morning skincare/makeup-prep routine. In fact, the Saborino is very famous among Asian artists because it allows the artists to complete their skincare in a very limited amount of time, works equally as the combination of face wash, lotion, serum and face cream and locks the hydration to the skin for a whole day! One thing worth mentioning is that there are so many face masks that moisturize, but the Saborino is one of the very few that refreshes and cleanses. 

Wagashi is a Japanese confection with centuries of history that dates back to 300 B.C. Since then, it has evolved into a delicacy that takes 12 years to master. The wagashi that we know today developed in the Edo Period, distinguishing it from the western snacks that were introduced in the following Meiji Period, which are more prone to have fat and oil in them. The traditional wagashi as a snack made with natural Japanese ingredients and sugar is still prevalent today and has permeated the West. Wagashi is meant to be savored and appreciated for its aesthetically pleasing exterior so it is not recommended to eat many of them in one sitting. Although the snack is light, they are imbued with rich traditional flavors.

Sakura goromo, bean cake with sakura leaves wrapped in a delicate sakura flavored crepe

The confection comes in various different forms but the undeniably artistic creations are easily recognizable. Because they are seasonal creations you can go to different stores and admire the intricacies of the various designs. The wagashi below is a jelly type called nagashi mono with azuki beans in it. The red from the beans as well as the goldfish is a symbol for warding off bad spirits. The inclusion of the goldfish makes it a summer wagashi, as kingyo sukui (goldfish catching with paper nets), is a popular activity during summer festivals in Japan.

Example of nagashi mono

Along with nagashi mono, there are four other types of wagashi characterized by the different forms that they take. They can be steamed (mushi mono), baked (yaki mono), molded (uchi mono) or pressed (oshi mono). These categories simply refer to the way that they are made.

Chestnut Dorayaki, a baked wagashi

Another classification among wagashi is in moisture content so as to indicate their shelf life. They are divided into wet (namagashi) , half-wet (han namagashi)  and dry (higashi), in order or shortest to longest shelf life.

Tosenka packaging

Tosenka, a whole white peach in jelly.

The beauty of wagashi is in the intricacies of its designs. The confections are made to take into account the human senses. In Japan, the term used to denote this purpose translates to “An Art of the Five Senses.” Apart from the obvious sense of taste, sight, and smell associated with wagashi, interestingly, the names of each wagashi is chosen based on its euphonious appeal, thereby incorporating our sense of hearing into the experience. Furthermore, the many aforementioned textures are meant to evoke our sense of touch. Wagashi is typically eaten during tea ceremonies, where the tranquil atmosphere of the tea room allows consumers to pay close attention to the subtle distinctions between each confection.

Here in New York there are several places where you can try out these traditional sweets. While most traditional Japanese dessert and tea places will include wagashi as part of the menu, you can even go to Minamoto Kitchoan, a store that specializes in wagashi. All of the sweets pictured here have been purchased at Minamoto Kitchoan. In the upcoming winter months, explore the varieties of seasonal wagashi and warm up with a hot cup of tea!

'Tis the season...for good moisturizers! As the weather is getting chilly and windy, our skin typically dries out fast and could easily become itchy and flaky. We have hand-picked 5 moisturizers for all skin types to stay hydrated! Enjoy 10% off with our best-sellers with code "fallinlove18"!

1. RHOTO HADA LABO GOKUJYUN PERFECT GEL

Click to Shop

This gel is essential for dry skin! It is our staff's all-time-fav because it helps our skin achieve long-lasting moisture. If functions as a lotion, a cream and a serum. Leave it overnight and you will be surprised!

In Japan, there is a bottle of the Sana lotion sold every minute. The soy-based lotion is not only affordable and effective but also works great with all skin types! We have picked the extra moist version for the cold weather and think you are going to love it!

Oily skin, we heard you! This water-based skin conditioning gel is oil-free and leaves skin moisturized without feeling sticky. It works both as a serum and a moisturizer in one. Since you have read this far, we might as well surprise you! The gel is currently on sale, and you can get it for just $10.99. 

As the weather gets colder, we wanted to relish the fleeting moments of fall by creating a complete look inspired by the changing seasons. We used this opportunity to find warm-toned products, pictured above. Read on to learn how we put together the look!

Top left: Browlash Water-Strong Eyeliner

Bottom left: Kate Forming Eyeshadow (Brown 3)

Top right: C-tive Cheek Colors No. 5

Bottom right: Baby Pink Lip Tint (Orange)

Eyes

Rather than using eyeshadow for Ashley, we used the orange tone in C-tive Cheek Colors No. 5 to achieve a dewy look. Although the product is meant for cheeks, we found that it doubled as a very pigmented shadow--great for when you just don't have the time to go through the process of applying primer to set the shadow!

For Wendy, we did a combination of shadow and cheek tint. For the inner corner, we blended out the middle shimmery orange color of Kate Forming Shadow (Brown 3) with the red in C-tive Cheek Colors No. 5, which we dabbed on the outer corners of the eye. To complete the look, we added some winged liner using the Browlash Water-Strong Liner. 

Face

Ashley set her base using concealer and dabbed on some C-tive Cheek Tint in the same orange to match her lids. We liked that we could simply use our fingers to spread the pigment to our liking.

For lips, she topped off the look with the Baby Pink Lip Tint in orange.

For Wendy's cheeks, we used the C-tive Cheek Tint in Red to match her outer lids and finished the look with a true red lipstick.

Below are the completed looks that we offset with outfits with muted colors. Just because the weather is getting colder doesn't mean that you have to stick to only dark tones. A pop of color on the lids or lips is a fun way to integrate some color into your looks!

One of our current best-sellers is a compact, cherry blossom shaped balm--the Ichikami Hair Stick. When packing for a weekend getaway out of the city, I bought the $13 hair stick to keep my hair controllable with low maintenance. The stick fit perfectly in my makeup purse and I love that it's portable so that I can apply it on the go.

The balm is the perfect balance of the sweet yet subtle smell of camellia, similar to the scent of shampoo in your hair that you may catch whiffs of throughout the day. I applied it in the morning and I had no problems with the setting process. It was non-sticky and smooth just as the packaging promises, yet its hold was durable enough that I did not have to constantly reapply it. For an average day (going to school/work), I can see myself only needing to use it in the morning before going out.

After straightening my hair in the morning, I often have trouble maintaining its shape due to humidity and my naturally wavy hair. With the addition of bangs, it can get messy really quickly!

Here's a picture of my hair an hour or so after I straightened it:

You can see all of my flyaways despite my not having stepped out of the house. 

Below is a picture of the application process:

I just start at my roots and slide the waso stick down toward the tips of my hair, stopping before I get to the bottom. Because the product is meant to treat flyaways and frizz, I found that it's not too necessary to apply the product on hair lower than my temple.

Below is my result:

I smoothed out the top of my hair, giving it a more polished look. The product was also helpful for keeping my bangs even. You can see how in the previous pictures, my bangs had a slight partition which I closed by applying the product down toward my forehead at the root on my bangs. 

Because I was outdoors for most of the day, my hair had some inevitable flyaways. By the time it was time to go to dinner, I reapplied it once more and my hair looked smooth again. Usually, I would have applied heat to get the same result, which not only takes more time but also damages hair. In contrast, the hair styling stick is made for nourishment and repair with the addition of premium waso oil to the rice bran wax and camellia. Whether you're late to a meeting or going out to dinner, the Ichikami Hair Styling Waso Stick is an efficient way to control frizz and maintain your hair's shape. 

Some say face masking is just too much effort - but it's no longer true! With the recent trend of quick masking, we can have it done in 5 minutes! A lot of Japanese face masks have adopted a more watery type of essence in order to moisturize our skin more effectively.

Click to shop

The Lululun masks have been the pioneer and top sellers among all Japanese masks. Instead of putting on toner or moisturizer, simply use the Lululun to do all the moisturizing job! Lululun is quicker and better. It's good for everyday use, and very affordable too! 

Click to shop

The Saborino masks are designed for the morning - it cleanses and moisturizes at the same time. In other words, save the trouble of washing your face, letting dry and applying skincare products in the morning. Put the Saborino on and everything is done in 5 minutes! Available in fruity herbs and minty grapefruit. 

The ReFa Carat Massage Roller is admittedly steep in price, but I've learned after a 45 minute massage session that it generates buzz in the beauty world for a reason! The intense pressure it puts on my face is akin to that of a face massage that goes for 60 dollars an hour here in New York City.

The rationale behind the pinching and rolling of the skin is that it enables lymphatic drainage. The lymphatic system consists of vessels that help rid the body of toxins. Although “sculpting” may seem very procedural, targeting the lymphatic system it increases lymph flow and drains the lymph from the body tissue—a naturally occurring process. While absentmindedly rolling the device so that it pinched my cheeks upwards, I was decreasing bloating while toning the face.

The top two balls do most of the pinching while the bottom two do the rolling. I targeted my cheek, chin and neck areas, which tend to show the repercussions of aging.The effect was evident the next day, as my face hurt in a way that one’s body hurts after exercising. Although the effect is not instant, I found that my faint laugh lines were not as prominent, which makes sense considering the upwards tug of the skin. Oftentimes when I go to bed and sleep for too long on one side, my face is asymmetrical, with the side that was pressed against my bed drooping slightly. The ReFa works in the same manner but with a positive effect—it simply molds the face such that after multiple uses, the face begins to fight against the downward pull of gravity.

In an age where “tech neck sagging” (It’s true--look it up! It’s the appearance of saggy skin due to looking down at one’s device) has become prevalent, the ReFa counteracts the idle times when you don’t realize that gravity is pushing your skin downwards.

            With the end of Fashion Week (at least here in New York), we thought it would be an opportune time to highlight a notable Japanese designer whose works have become ubiquitous among young people in practically every major city. Rei Kawakubo is the pioneer of the pop-up shop and the creator of Dover Street Market, a museum-like consumer experience, which operates in five locations including Ginza, a district in Tokyo known for its lofty department stores. Unlike those high-end recognizable retailers, however, Dover Street Market appeals to a more creative audience whose tastes tend to embrace the weirder, more fun side of fashion. Although many Westerners consider Japan as homogenous, Kawakubo breaks from the Eurocentric stereotype of the submissive Japanese woman through her creations which oftentimes pushes the boundaries of the human body altogether.

            In 1973, Kawakubo founded Comme des Garcons. Her avant-garde line translates to “like a boy,” and originated during the global De-Constructionist movement in the 1970’s. During her first Parisian show, she garnered mixed reviews in the West for her lack of adherence to traditional silhouettes. Because these shows which occurred at the beginning of her career trajectory failed to gain much press, there is not much multimedia evidence of her collections. Here is a 1983 runway video that Vogue has deemed “rare footage,” which gives us a sense of how she uses the illusion of shapes to challenge what many saw at the time as the feminine figure. Of course, it is not difficult to imagine such looks on the streets of contemporary fashion-forward cities, but its lack of traditional femininity came under scrutiny during a time period when a stark divide between the masculine and feminine was unquestioningly and globally recognized.

            Now, Comme des Garcons has become a name associated with the likes of high fashion, with mainstream department stores selling its coveted pieces. The progression from femininity to the acceptance of androgyny is not a linear one that can be attributed to only one designer, but we have chosen to highlight Kawakubo as a pioneer in the deconstruction of traditional gender roles to illuminate a movement that is oftentimes strictly associated with the West. In fact, Kawakubo, along with her Japanese counterparts such as Yohji Yamamoto, challenged the identity of the wearer by artistically manipulating sartorial pieces to give the illusion of a darker, more commanding presence of the woman. The contradiction between her public persona—or lack thereof—and her creations supports the notion of a more complex feminine representation. Although she tends to be demure and private about her personal life affairs, her personal sartorial choices (rumor has it that she has never worn color) as well as creations evoke a strength that is not often associated with the woman, and the Japanese woman in particular. Kawakubo’s global presence proves the versatility of the feminine regardless of cultural background. The importance of recognizing Japanese global influences--besides the obvious images of the Oriental such as the kimono or the schoolgirl uniform—lies in providing a more holistic and progressive account of what constitutes as Japanese beauty.

Back to school? That means back to relentlessly staring at more books and screens! Although there is much focus on skincare nowadays, eye care is very important as well and should be part of the beauty regime! Eyes are the first signs of showing aging and tiredness. So here we are, introducing all-time best selling beauty items in Japan: eye drops. There are a variety of eye drops with various functions at different price ranges. We can find a variety of eye drops at different price ranges and various functions: relieve soreness, redness, dryness and for refreshment. Here are four eye drops we recommend, all available on our website!

1. Sante Beautéye

These eyedrops have the nickname of “Hermes of the eye drops” and for legitimate reasons too! It has a rosy smell and tint of pink color, gently relieving our eyes from fatigue and overuse.

2. Sante PC

This eye drop is designed for millennials! Specifically formulated to recover our eyes from damaging blue rays of PC screens and other electronics, the Sante PC is your best friend when working, studying, or when you’re using your social media outlets [aka scrolling through your Instagram feeds ;)] The affordable price also makes it significantly popular among students. We love Sante PC! 

3. The Fx V+ Eye Drop

If anyone likes a refreshing, cool sensation on the eyes, then look no further! The Fx V+ Eye Drop is the perfect choice! Your eyes will always feel so soothed and relaxed after using the Fx V+ -- believe me, you'll thank me later! The vitamins contained in the Fx series effectively rejuvenate and nourish dry eyes. Some even say they see everything more clearly right after using it!

4. Viewclear Vita Contact Eye Drop

Contact users friendly! We totally understand the pros and cons of wearing contacts. In order to live without glasses, we have to bear with the dryness and frequent irritation that comes with wearing contacts for a whole day. This is when the Viewclear Vita Contact eye drop kicks in! It significantly moisturizes our eyes with either soft lenses or hard lenses on.