Nory’s blog

At first, in all types, LaurEss powders make my skin so soft and smooth. Maybe the powders are well-fined ? I like this touch very much !!!

1) Radiant Gold

Ethreal & Elemental

 

2) Radiant Yellow

 Ethreal & Minimalist

Ethreal  - Full coverage, the powder is well-fined and adhere to skin so well. Good at flating the skin color... very formal finish but Not cakey that is great. But, it is necessary for my skin to be dried enough, otherwise, not uniformly covered and got dirty...

Elemental - Medium coverage in LaurEss, but more coverage than other companies' Medium coverage type. Other 2 formulas impressed me more altho this foundation is also good one.

Minimalist - Very light powders so that I forget to wear the foundation.  The lightness is the best in all Foundation I have tried. So confortable, I like this point !!! I everyday wear the EM sunlight Concealer that is what I love. Some foundations don't harmonize with this concealer (EM foundation doesn't unbeliabably in my case). But, the minimalist does harmonize so well. This foundation reminds me of ALIMA foundation of my HG. So, I like this too.

   Alima is a little better in the pore coverage. But, LaurEss minimalist can stay longer on my skin !

Maybe the combination of above two would be the perfect ?!?

As for color, Radient yellow with a little gold could be perfect. But, it looks ok with only yellow if I choose 1 color.

LaurEss still offer 15% sales for foundations. I am wondering if I should buy above foundations. I am targetting Trio Set of Foundations - Radiant Yellow Ethreal and Minimalist and something for Primer maybe. I tried the primer for dried skin - it was just fine. How about other types ?!? They will change the ingredient soon (or already ?).

One thing, to tell the truth, I already have a full size of Green Corrector - that size was smaller than expected. When I compare with 2 other companies,

All foundation is in this size ???

I have been tring many MMU foundations, Alima, Meow, LaurEss, UGG, Joppa, EDM. But, so far, ALIMA is my HG !!!! The good points for them is,

1) Ok with 1 shade - don't have to mix 2-3 colors

2) NOT Heavy but can cover my pore well

3) A little growing

Alima's foundation is better with their Flat Top brush, that is many people told. Yes, I have that brush and always use it together... Now I want to get one more !!! but it is not reasonable.... Their price is not so reasonable and shipping charge is also high. These are bad things for Alima. But, I still love this company. Because their Customer service is very good. Actually, Alima is very popular among Japanese MMU users.

To take an advantage of 15% discount, I finally bought full size of Warm 2 together with some Luminous Shimmer eyeshadows and liners. They gave us 3 small baggy samples with their selection on my taste !!!!!!!

Here are what I bought,

 

I bought the samples of Golden 2 (above yellow one) and Warm 3, and light bronzer sample. These are 1.5 dollors each.

 

Above picture is Lumious Shimmer eyeshadow colors (Dry application with no flush).

Upper colors from left - Leone, Brown Sugar, Martinique

I love these colors !!! These are sparkling brown gradation, from light to dark, looks very usuful in Fall. I like Leone the best. It is beautiful light brown colors with sparkling golden shimmers.

And then, two green colors. The deep one is MAYA that is Luminous shimmer liner. And light one is Eden of eyeshadow. I can't wait till Fall !!!!

These samples are all 1 dollor in a jar. Of course, it is higher than baggy type eyeshadow samples like TSS offers. But, I am quiet satisified with that because the Jar type is easy to be used. Don't you think ?

I started using this body creme. I love it ☆彡

 

I found this marked down by USD3.5 and jumped for it , and bought one together with pressed blushed and foundation samples.
I wanted the scent of Magnolia but out of stock, and picked out the White Gardenia.

Gardenia is common flower also in Japan.
We call, KUCHINASHI, meaning '' No mouth''. The origin of name is those fruits are not opened even after having the seed.

Well... the scent makes me feel good old...
How can I say.. it is lovely flower scent but not modern...

It is Whipped Shea Butter oil cream. The cream is so soft that is my favorite texture.

 

I expected it was more solid and oily but not actually. It is not sticky and smooth, also good in this season.
I quickly love this cream ! I want other scents but it looks a long time to use up this !!!!!

 

Have you ever tried this ??? Do you have any scents you recommend ?

July 21st Monday, it is National holiday in Japan. Yes, I could enjoy a longer weekend !

I went to a big shopping mall that has just opened up in my neighboring prefecture. I and my habbie drove to there. It was around 30 minutes drive on expressway. That shopping mall is really big. Of course, the American Shopping mall must be much bigger.. that is really favorite one of mine　ヽ(^ー^)ノ 　In recent years, Japanese shopping mall become like American one.

 

'' AEON'' shipping mall have many shops like Sports Authority, UNIQLO, HMV, and restarunts.

AEON is the biggest super mkt chain in Japan. AEON (Jusco) is in some other Asian countries. Their origin is in the city where I live !

There are many shipping malls ( smaller ones) also in my city. I love them (*^.^)ノ :*:・°'★.。・:*:・°'☆♪

Yeah.. it is good sunny day... but

It was soooooo hot summer day LoL

Japanese summer is humid hot. I can't live without air-conditioner....

On such a day, it was good idea that we spend in fully air-conditioned shipping center.

 

 

 

Each shop has large enough space, and the floor is carpeted and add more expensive-looking.

Typical Japanese shipping mall/center is not so large with smaller shops. This mall is quite different, I love it !!!

 

Sasebo Burger Cafe

This shop is main purpose to come to this mall.

Sasebo is location name, Japanese original.

In Japan, No.1 Burger shop is McDonald's. Unfortunately there is no '' Burger King''. Wendy's are the limited numbers.

This Burger shop is also rare....

 

 

 

 

 

This cafe is very small...

All burgers are cooked after orders.

So, it takes a little more time to be served.

And, much more expensive than McDonald's.

Big for JPY860

Small for JPY540

 

 

 

 

 

←　Big one　for my husband

 

But, it is soooooooooo Delicious (llllll´ー｀llllll）

And, after shopping around, I went for a Ice-cream shop !!!!!!!!!!

 

It is like Cold Stone Creamery.

The cold stone creamery had came in Japan 3 years ago, now has 23 stores. There is 1 shop in the neignboring city. But it has customers lined up around the block. So, I have never tried it.

I happened to meet the similar Ice-cream shop, Marvelous cream is a brand new ice-cream chain, more European type shop. The taste of Ice-Cream is more European according to them...

They use the same Stone board for creating the ice-cream but they don't sing...

It seems that they has a shop in Singapore too. Anyone tried ?!?

 

Yes, the products are similar to Cold Stone Creamery... 

It is likely they copy the way of Cold Stone Creamery... is this OK ?!?

Anyway, the ice-cream is very good for me who don't eat Ice-cream so often.

Altho I was shopping around many shops but I only bought some foodstuffs and daily necessities. Yes, I looked some clothes being marked down for Clearance, but unfortunately could not meet the good ones....

Hopefully next time !!!

My foundation sampling - updated.
 
Alima - I will definately buy the full-size of W2.
 
EDM - I want to try 2nd sampling but the new web-site doesn't work well. So, I suspect my pc problem... don't know what is problem...sigh..
 
Joppa - I like use with Water-Spray applications. So in this season, the soft formula come into use more often than other all foundation samples I have. It is good in hot summer here. Now I use Lightest2 and Light2 mixture. Their coloring is unstable. So, not sure if we will go for full-size....
 
Meow - Basically Manx 2, with a little Chartrux 2 looks better. I bought Manx 2 smaller full-size with 2 samples baggy of Chartrux, and some other shades just in case. Wait for them arriving.
 
MAD - The texture is velvet. I use the shade of Golden with additng a little Natural. Light is too light, Led-med is a little dark. Should mix them. The finish is similar to Alima foundation. But, Alima win in the point of pore-covering v(^u^)v
 
Monave - I found the good re-saler (Dolly loux) of Monave products finally. I was in trouble with high international shipping charge, and then got the good advice in vox to find the re-saler (thank you !!).That shop is Japanese site,  the Japanese living in US run that shop and offer several popular brands and their special mix or size etc. I can buy some different brand products with 1 shipping charge in Japanese Yen.
Anyway, for Monave, I can get only powder products - Concealer foundation and Setting powder ( I am wondering if they will be able to sell Lips/glosses in future). I tried the shade of Hyeyeon that was a little too yellow on me. I should have selected Caroline. But I got Setting powder of PETAL by free, that is very good. The color is light peach pink and good to use with too yellow foundation like Hyeyeon ヽ(^ー^)ノ  It says it be used for primer as well. I think I will buy this at full-size !
Monave looks so professional with several type of foundation - not only Powder but several Liquid or Cream type. I want to try them in winter. I should buy them in MONAVE site though...Pls advise if you have already tried this out.
 
Lauress - I ordered the foundation samples in their sales time. Hope the colors go well.
 
Uglogirl - I ordered the samples and got the mail they shipped them out. I don't have much info about shades for Asian people. So, I just picked some shades from W and G categories. I expect on their foundations cause I hear they are similar to Alima but a little more glossy finish.
 
Wishlist for more sampling
- Foundation of Dream World (looks difficult to choose the shades - PLS HELP ME (^-^*) )
- Foundation of Ocean Mist ( free samples is attractive)
- Primer ANY　BRANDS　(I only have the samples of Meow and Alima, but only a little left now. I realize it is so usuful in hot summer season, and need to try some others too. I appreciate if you recommend me something)

Anyway, MMU Sampling is much fun ★

The new restaurant serving Shabu-shabu is opened near my apartment. I went for a lunch on Sunday with my hubbie. Shabu-shabu means sliced beef(or pork) boiled with vegetables, dipping them in Japanese sources and eating.

This is the entrance of that restaurant. It is a chain store.

 

 

楽 mean '' Fun''

Each seats are separated and like a small room, that is good !

 

See, TV is set. We can order through the TV screen... it give more information of shops and menus, meals they serve etc. Each table has IH (induction heater). Yes, boil on the table and eat. It is a kind of fun !!!

 

 

 

 

And then, what we ordered came !

There are NOT beaf this time, pork..

Cause it is more reasonable....

We put the pork in boiled soup and move a little, and boil up very quickly cause the pork are sliced so thinly. We, Japanese, use thin-sliced meat so often in cooking. At super-markets, the meat are sliced and packed, and sold. So, I was shocked at many blocks sold on US shops LoL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, this is my choice. It is streamed pork and vegetables. Some mashrooms are there too ! It looks healthy, doesn't it ?

 

In both types, the pork are dipped in several sources like below,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1) Ponzu Source - that is so typical source for Shabu-shabu. Soysource, vinegar, some citrus, and bonito soup.

2) Sesame source - also popular. It is creamy and good on this kind of light taste dishes.

3) Original source - more soup made from fish like bonito, that is Very Japanese taste. And Citrus is added. It is delicate taste, but also match well with Shabu-shabu.

 

I really recommend you to try '' ShabuShabu'' when you come to Japan !!!

This restaurant is around 1,000-1,500 yen per person in a lunch time.

The volume may not be big enough.... but it is quite suitable to my stomach d(o'(ェ)'o)b

 

The personal color is formally diagnosed by the color analyst having the license. Of course, there is a charge for the test. But, I was lucky to take it by free altho it was rough one. The analyst was at the cosmetic counter and she recommend me to try taking that test once cause it is free of charge ! She put various color clothes on me, and checked which colors go well on me, in addition to checking my skin-tone.

About the skin-tone, the Japanese are Mongoloid, what is called, yellow-skined people.. But, it doesn't relate to Yellow-undertoned. Even in Japanese, some have cool toned - meaning blue undertoned.

Here is the simple test for personal color. It is very rough one but I choose the test for all people (not only for Japanese ones).  Have a fun !!!!

 

Q1) What is the color of clothes (or maybe OK with make-up colors) said suiting from surroundings?

      See the pics below,

 

      A) Blight colors

      B) light and pastel colors

      C) Deep and delicate colors

      D) Vivid color like Black or Red

 

Q2) Choose the lip color you like and usually use, see pics below (A-D)

        A)  Orange or coral Pink

        B)  Pale pink or Rose with a hint of Blue

        C) Brown

        D) Deep Wine colors

 

Q3) What is your eye's impression ?

       A) Twinkling impression

       B) Gentle, Soft impression

       C) Pupil is a little dark, settled impression

       D) Neatly and Sharp impression

 

Q4) What is the best fashion suiting you ?  Pls respect the opinions of your friends or families etc.

      A) Cute, young, casual, lightsome, lilting, NOT Formal design,

      B) Elegant, Feminine, Soft

      C) Natural, Sporty, settled style with plain design

      D) Cool, Modern, distinct, sometimes mannish style

 

Q5)   What is your personality ???

      A) Optimistic, Vigorous, Cheerful, active

      B) Conservative, modest, earnest

      C) Sincere, Calm

      D) Bashful, picky, may having atmosphere that doesn't approach easily

********************************************************************************************

RESULT

Which answer (from A to D) is dominated ?

Also, what is your skin-tone ??? Warm ? or Cool ?

Please add (A) or (C) for Warm/golden colors, add (B) or (D) for cool colors

 

A) - - - - your color may be SPRING !!! Same as mine.

       

 

B) - - - - your color may be SUMMER !!!

  

 

 C) your color may be AUTUMN

D) - - - - - Your color may be WINTER !!!

                                         

 

What is your season category ???

 I have taken that test what colors looks nice on me, that is a personal color. It was rough one, but I was told that I was in a type of '' Spring'' with a skin color of yellow undertone. Gold is better than Silver. The Warm and bright colors like Yellow, Orange, and green look nice on me. On the other hand, sad and somber or dark and deep colors doesn't match well. For example, the coral pink is better than pale pink. In blue, the dusty blue is not good.  Navy or Turquoise blue are my colors.

Here are my colors, SPRING.

Which season are you in ???

Before taking this test, the best color I like is GREEN. Plus, the yellow-green is better, I feel. Yes, my choice is right !

It is same in my choosing the eye-shadows.

I keep ordering the Green color in MMU eyeshadow pigments,

 

 

 

The pics without flush looks a little more yellow than actual.

I like the shade of Meow Modern eyes (forget the name) but a little too much shimmer for me. In Meow, Ideal colors are the best that is not so shimmery but not so matte... Maybe I should mix these two and try once !

Alima Medow looks good but Yellow Gold is too strong on my eye lid. Its coloration is good even without foiling (some doesn't work without foiling at all though), but can't keep longer enough. The green dissapear soon.

The Mint green color of TSS is also good color, I love TSS eyecolor.

The chance of MAD is too deep on me. For my case, it should be used a little on the lower lid as an accent.

I think I will try sampling more for my ideal Green Colors. Any suggestion are welcome !!!

I changed the blog design right now. It is so hard to choose here in vox cause there are too many... everything looks nice !!! I liked the last one - night scene in Japan. But, the white & black was a little tiring my eyes... I want lighter colors. Also, the graphic is composed by a Japanese and it is so lovey. I like it.

 

It is from HANAFUDA - Japanese playing card. It is a traditional card game dating back before EDO era. The roots is in Portugal. We have another type of card, what is called, KARTA that is from Portguese.

Firstly, it was used for a gambling. still used for gambling though... They used to play with the normal card with the numbers like a trump. But, it seemed to change to using Graphic instead of numbers or drawing. These are so colorful.

The card express each month related to seasonal flowers and animals. My blog design is JUNE with a peony and butterfly.

I like Hanafuda's design and colors. These are so vivid with Red, yellow, orange, green and so on. The contrast of these colors and black are so cool. It reminds me of a Japanese woodblock prints - UkiyoeThe design is very old ones, but I don't feel it is old... Rather than that, it looks modern now. It is universal graphic, I think.

I will introduce a lovery web-site explaning a lot of Hanafuda with the pics and musics

Hanafuda

Plus, do you know the NO.1 Game Company - NINTENDO - originally manifacture of Hanafuda ???

Of course, they are still No.1 maker of Hanafuda in Japan. Yes, they have old&new combination. It is interesting.