Nory’s blog

My first post in 2009 was late...
Sorry to delay to say this '' Happy New Year ''

You know why. I have been very busy from around Christmas to New year.
Unfortunately Japan have no special holidays related to Christmas and I work as normal even in Christmas Days. Normally my work is even busier in that period.
Worse ,I am sorry to hear this but the staff in my section lost her mother suddenly and had to be away. So, I had been very busy at office...
My last working day in 2008 was Dec. 30th. Sigh...

But but, never mind ! That hard time was over.
 I need to think about new year's thing.

My target here on Vox is to post more often.
2008 was my first year to start blogging.
It was my big challenge to write the blog in English.
But, I manage to remain the Vox member.
It was very fan to talk with many countries' people and get the info of Mineral make up I fell love with.

Pls let me say to my neighbors,
Thank you very much for your all support in my vox blog, even with my poor english post.
I read your posts and learn the english expression etc., in addition to a lot of valuable info about make-up.

Today, I went to the city postal office to pick up 2 parcels. Mail day is happy day for me !

Just quickly let me post the pics of parcel to express my happy moment :-)

 

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The two yellow packages of WELEDA are for my sister. In my last shopping together to the local shopping center, she tried to buy them. So... I said '' STOP'' ... I know the way to buy at lower price !!!

This is the answer. But I think I will give away as gifts for her... yes, she is a younger sister.

The pink package with Rose pic is from Italy. It has just been released into Japanese mkt. I got the sample and love it, but it was too too expensive that is around US$60 here. Now I got it at around half price :-)

I will start using them tonight ! Hehe...

And, my 2nd parcel is from Maine, USA. Goat milk soaps !!!

Good scents were coming from the envelop :-D

I am sure I will try in bath tonight !

Now we got all parcels for recent shopping ;-)

 

I got two arrival notices from a postal office yesterday. So, I lost little time picking them up today after work !!!

One is from MMBB. I knew it from the arrival notice, but what is the other ? Cause the notice doesn't indicate who is the sender. Did it come from Soap company ???

But, finally I found it coming from i-herb !

Happy and exciting day with 2 parcels :-D

Can't wait opening them up !  Firstly, I opened up the box that was from i-herb.

 The shipping charge was us$3.99 only and could contain 6 items inside !!!

And then, from Lisa :-)

 

 

 New Lip glaze - I selected '' paradise''. You know why ? It seems the most popular one ;-)

Setting spray (neloli) - I like this smell. It smells like something..... I can't remember it.

3 samples of skincare products - AHA clenser, and normal clenser, and moisturising cream.

Liquid foundation (light tan) - It was surprising. Is this Liquid ?!? It looks like powder. I expected Really Liquid type. May I apply it with normal blush ?!?

 And then, these are the most exciting ones.

 

 

In addition to the sample of Warmth,  I asked Lisa to pick up 10 colors for me. Yes, it is a kind of surprise. I didn't know what colors would come !

All colors looks sooooooooooooooo pretty !!!

But, wait wait... there are 12 colors of eyeshadows. ummmm.... 2 colors more..

Did I order 10 colors around just roughly ???

Anyway, I am very happy with your selection, Lisa. Thank you very much. I can't wait testing them.

I will post the full report later ^^

 

There are so many companies/producers of Make up and skincare products in Japan. But, still for natural cosmetics, European or US major companies take share. More Japanese girls are getting more concerning about the safety in cosmetic items or being interested in the natural ingredient. MMU is one of them. But also, it is seen in skin-care items. Logona or Waleda in German or Aubrey Organics are now on sales even in the shops of my local town.

But, these are still expensive. Much more expensive than the price in the local countries.....  You know, Japanese yen is much stronger against US$ and EU, even AUST $ It gives me better chance. Yes, I should import them !!! 

 So, I tried to buy from the US drugstore that can ship internationally.

The store is i-herb. Is this store famous also in US ??? The good points of this shop is low-price shipping charge. It costs just 10$(maybe special sales period) for around $100 buys including the heavy items like Shampoo or Body scrab etc.

Here is what I bought

 

3 bottols of hand soap : Too many ?!?

Aubry organics - GPB shampoo and conditioner and Honey&vanila Lip stics, travel skincare set

Anne Marie Bolind (Germany origin) - Sunlotion and Day cream   

Soap, and body scrab, acne gel

I could get them at around 1/2 price of Japan.

GPB conditioner has high score on the cosmetic site (like makeupalley) and I wanted to try.. but too expensive in Japan. So, I am very happy to buy at lower price.

I would like to try Suppliment items or Oil etc next !!!

 

Everyday minerals 2nd order

 

Actually it was around 1month ago. I was very late to update this on vox...
Silk dust is very popular among Japanese mmu users. But, EM doesn't sell any longer. Before they stopped selling, I tried to get it. I haven't tried it with the sample size.. but went for the full size ! Cause the EDM kit looks very reasonable with 6 full sizes.
luckily it was over 40$, got a set of EYESHADOWs related to Olympic.

I didn't expect on these eyeshadows because the concept is too easy.... right ?
But, I like this Gold Medal color because it is not too sparkle than other gold shimmer powders I have.
and basically I like '' Gold'' because it is better on my skin color.
Silver medal : I have not opened it yet. Cause I know I am not good on Cool color like silver.
Blonze medal : Ummm... I can use this... but...

What I bought in this kit were,
  2 x Silk dust full size
  Waffle cone blush
  2 x Long handled Kabuki 
  1 x concealer blush

Silk dust Review -

White powder, transpalent. It cover up my skin softly. Even in using too much, not cakey or dried. But the power of absorbing oil is not so strong as expected. I have a sample of Finishing silk of Joppa. I feel it is better in oil-absorbing power. But for me (combination or dry depending on season), Silk dust would be better in this season, fall/winter.

Waffle cone Blush -

Many comments admiring this pushed me to buy. Because I was looking for nice brown blush. I want to complete the 6pc Kit and went for the full size... before checking with sample. But, my decision is correct. It is really nice color. Some brown blushes are too dark and set my face color down... but, it doen't. The powder color is dull light pinky brown as you can see in the right pic. but it is a flush naturally with a hint of orange on my cheek. Can't imagine it.. right ? I love this. It is also good color in Auturm.

Long Handled Kabuki - I bought two because 1 is for my friend. Density is lower than other Kabuki I have (MAD and Coastal scent). But, it is easy to be used with soft hairs and long-handle. MAD Kabuki is popular, but I don't like it so much. I like softer one and I like this EDM's better personally. It is also good as a blush brush. It is good to bring with in travel. But, my HG foundation '' Alima'' is the best with Flat-top. I wanted to buy EDM flat-top, but sold out. I definately buy it if I would get the 3rd order chance.  basically I found better foundation than EDM. Maybe the next chance is for Blush - I like EDM blush the best in MMU.

Siesta Lip Gloss -

It is 2nd gloss/color from EDM. But, I feel this time's gloss is harder than before. Sticky and hard to apply. The color is matte light orange ( lighter than the pic right)I expected more glossy and shimmer, but it was not. And the color doesn't appear well on my lip color....
Ummm.... the lip gloss is much better in Silk Naturals.

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the Kit, I got a free Foundation sample kit

that is 2nd sampling from EDM. Main purpose is Blush and concealer samples though.

 

 

Foundation ; Olive light and Golden light (semi-matte in both) and Fawn (Intensive)
 These two is a little bit dark on my skin. But, I got a little sun-tan in Bangkok. And it looks OK with mixing some FAWN. I like Olive light better because a hint of green can settle down my redness on cheek. And my face turned '' Auturm'' cool face with this.

Malti-tasking concealer : The color is a little too Pink on me. So, can't cover well my red pimples. Sunlight is much better also for dark circles under my eyes.

 

I love BLUSH the best in EDM. EDM shipping is fun ! Because they offer the reasonable kit and good freebie. But, unfortunately the foundation doesn't match on me....

 

 

 

 

I found out my last writing was 1 month ago... Wow ! How lazy I am... The main reason why I had been away was in my skin problem. Suddenly my skin got so rough. It started with red itchy rash and turned to many small pimples.... it depressed me so much and I didn't feel like writing about the cosmetic articles. Cause my face was sooooooo terrible and can't accept the make up.

At first I thought it was allergic rash by something cosmetic.. MMU or something.... But, it was not. It was good news for me because I love Mineral make up. My skin was very rough and looked losing the moisture anyway. And I put a lot of moistures and simple medical cream, and the skin was getting better... and now completely got recovered !!!! I am soooooooooooooooo happy with the healthy skin.

I tried to do very simple skin care with natural skincare products together when I started using MMU. But, that skincare was too light on my skin in the colder season. Finally my skin didn't bear the condition losing the moisture, I think.

I have been using MMU foundations while my skin's been rough. But, I found MMU was good for pimple skins !!!

Okay ! I came back finally. I am going to up the blogs about,

1) my 2nd EDM order

2) shopping from USA - through i-herb

3) My trip to KYOTO

 

 

 

 

 

I had been away from VOX for a while. You know why ??? I took a trip to Bangkok, Thailand. 

It was my short trip with using the late summer holidays. Overseas travel is one of my hobbies. I like spending my time in foreign countries, completely parted from the daily life !   In recent years, I love to visit other Asian cities - not far away (short flight), ethnic  spicy foods, low price shopping in the local mkts, relaxing in SPA etc. Everything is excellent !!! Bangkok is the big city, more modern than my expectation. 12 million people live. Also, I got surprised at visitors coming from many different countries too.

I visited Bangkok with 3 female friends. Travel is the best with Ladies.. same interest in shopping etc and better adaptability to local ethnic food. A long chatting everywhere is fun !

Seeing is believing.. here are the pics taken during travel.

It was mid-night flight from Japan to Bangkok airport.

6 hours flight, not bad. The good thing was that not many passengers allowed me to get 3 seats for sleeping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 Above pic is Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). So beautiful !!!

 The left pic shows Bangkok city so well. It is very Central of bangkok. The food stalls and tall buildings....

 

The left pic is just in front of the big shopping center below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So many massage shops - economy to very expensive ones located in the hotels etc - avaiable from around 6 dollors per hour !!!

I did it every day for a rest. And I went to the fancy Spa once that is around US$100 dollors for 3 hours Spa - body scrab, oil massage, and massage with hot herb (Harb compress). It is Spa for massage lover. This spa is very popular and offer completed service, fully satisfying.

 

 

can choose the scrab and oil I like - I chose Green Tea scrab that is effective for a detoxification. The oil I selected was sweet and lovery fregrance (sorry, forgot the name...anyway coming from local herb). Everything is natural. That is the reason why I chose this shop.

 

 

It is a pravate room for me and my friend... 2 others have each separate room.

 

This spa is in an isolated house. It is near central of Bangkok, but quiet inside. Lovely interir anywhere !!!

 

 

 Our bangkok stay was quite fulfilling. Yes, have many things to write about.

 I will post more in Part-2 !!!

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 ?