Tokyo japan Tour (Final)

Hi girls... I am finally settled again from my touring life. Every year due to whatever reasons I toured around UK, this year it was for a conference in Liverpool and I went to Snowdonia in Wales. So perhaps rather than beauty reviews, there're more travel blogs coming. (I have a Frane trip in 2 weeks time so not quite settle yet) I wanted to round up my japan tour before move on to UK tours. My tokyo tour is splited into 2, one the day I arrived in Tokyo and the other during yet another conference in TUFS. I stayed in a Business Ryokan,

ooo just being bored: I decided to go to Odaiba and Tokyo Tower and went to the place where Yumeko mentioned, the fake/traditional place. I thought it was interesting (the shops) which they are, unfortunately, to stay away from Chinese food, I had a crap dinner (all you can eat bbq except they run out of nearly everything)

the view at Odaiba (unfortunately i can't find the Fuji TV tower..)
Anyone for Love Vacation? that's where it took place

the station for Odaiba



one of the shop in Odaiba shopping mall

the night view of Odaiba before i left for Tokyo tower

after 3 days in Fukuoka I went back to Tokyo. I met Nicnic before I need to checked in to the hotel, it took us ages as there's several West Entrance in Shinjuku :) but yet we found eachother in the name of Godiva (thank god Godiva didn't become an international superchain and owns more than 2 branch in Shinjuku.. if not we're stuck) so we went to have a japanese lunch and did more shopping!

Her blog post about our meeting:
http://dailybeautybuzz.blogspot.com/2009/07/blogger-dates-hauling-one-long-post.html

Nicnic treated me ice-cream in this funky ice-cream shop. Until today, I still really wanted the music they played. I think it is in the genre of cute girly hosue music , and something like what the girlband Perfume will play. Hmm...

I thought this rubbish bin is quite funky as well

I stayed in Kichijoji which is a surburb in Tokyo. It is halfway point between Tokyo and TUFS (Tokyo university of Foreign Studies) and I did the rest of my shopping there. I didn't go out much as I got a presentation to prepare and as usual I was changing my presentation slide the last minute. I managed to sneak out for half day tour in the famous Park (where the j-drama Last Friend took place) and had a Okinawa lunch as well.

This okinawa set lunch is sooo cool. My favourite is the bitter melon stir fry egg.a band that we met at the Inokashira Park

So that's all really from tokyo. My souvenir from Toyko has also arrived (there's too much of them) i'll make sure I take time to make a post dedicated to my japan haul.

What's this? a teaser for next post (a day-trip in CHester)

First blog post – Tokyo travel and haul

i'm back.. do i look the same after 1.5 month outside UK?

finally, back to the lovely London and the very tolerable weather. I have been out of bloggin coz I have been really busy. Secondly, my Compact flash card failed on me so all my data for my china trip are all gone, and i've been on beauty diet since then (all for japan)

first to say, I met up with nic in Japan. Although we're both very lost (we re-enact lost in translation?) but we found each other by the name of Godiva. Who guess Godiva is a landmark in the shinjuku station?

My japan trip is rather hectic, sponsored by university, I first stayed a night in tokyo before heading off to Fukuoka for Gion Festival. I decided to go because I thought of going somewhere which I won't go once I got married. And coincidently, Fukuoka had a festival running from 1st July to 15th July every year. A friend decided to come with me from HK 2 weeks before my trip, so it is all perfect.

Fukuoka compare to Tokyo is cheap. To name an example, my favourite milk tea (the afternoon tea,午後の紅茶) is only 93 yen in Fukuoka compare to 140 in Tokyo. Ouch I say. Cosmetics of course is cheaper, I managed to buy my dhc acerola lotion for 389 instead of 598 in Tokyo. I regret not to shop more … but hey, I have a big stack.

Where's the beauty stuff? Well.. this is very little collection, as the rest is going with a friend to Amsterdam then to London (she offered to carry my things for me because I originally wanted to mail them)

here some teaser:

MM Blush (which you buy the blush, case, and the brush individually)

and these are my haul overall in japan

Bihada mascara remover DHC Lash tonic Mizu no Tenshi (Water Angel) 5 in 1 moisturiser gel Visee eyeshadow No.1 Marie Claire eyeshadow clip your fringe styler

Kiki's Delivery fan

i'm joking, that's not it, most of them are on the way by air as they're very heavy

To those who are planning to visit japan on your own or with a friend, speak japanese or none, I totally recommend the Goodwill Guide service. They are a group of volunteers who speak English and give up their time to take visitors around their city. I arrange a guide to take me around Fukuoka, and I must say this is the best decision ever make.

me and mr ushida in Fukuoka

Ushida used to work in Walt Disney and was the head of the regional branch in Kyushuu, after retirement he became a Goodwill Guide. He told me there's less tourist now because Hong kong ceased to have direct flight to Fukuoka. But he's very happy to meet me and treat me as his granddaughter. He kept paying for his share, when according to Goodwill Guide guidance, you bear the cost of his lunch and travel. I kept fighting to pay for him.

He took us around Fukuoka and answered many questions. When we were on the tourist bus called the Green Bus, there was a Mainichi Newspaper Reporter on board and I was interviewed. Ushida helped with the translation but I managed to answer some questions with my poor Japanese. Here's some photos that should come up in the newspaper.

Fukuoka is small but has everything. There's this underground shopping street and is forever long, and since we're there in the discount season, we managed to bag some bargain.. I bought some clothes as after 50% discount, they're giving 20 % extra in line with the shopping street campaign, pay before 6.45 and you get 20% discount on top.

I might stop here as if not there's too many things to write, next will blog about the Festival :)

Hong Kong/Japan Shopping Guide (Part 2)

How to buy:

This is my little tips and research that kind of give people a guide on how and what to buy if you happen to be in two places at a time.

Logic1 : Only buy at counters.
Why?
Some says the reason why Sasa or Bourjour (the two mega makeup-store) can sell makeup products cheaply is because the manufacturer tend to re-sell the products near expiry date to Sasa/Bonjour. If you will open and use your products within 1 year of purchase, then please buy from there as it saves you money. If you are going to do shopping like me, and tend to buy try then maybe leave the products somewhere for another 3 months before taking it out again. I’ll tend to buy from counter as I know they will last with a 3 years shelf life. Most of the products have a 12 months use by date (unless it is specific), think before you open.

Logic 2:
Buy High End Japanese cosmetics in Hong Kong
High End Japanese products tend to sell cheaper in Hong Kong compare to Japan
Take IPSA EX Metabolizer
for example: HK sale price: $530/usd $68/ GBP 45
Japan sale price: 7875 /USD82 /GBP 54
Price difference: 10GBP/14 USD
Same applies to coffret, Lunasol etc.

Logic 3: Buy drug store brand in Japan
In Japan, brand like Ettusais and Shiseido Maquillage are sold in drugstore (at least from my last visit in Kobe), and there are discount drugstore that is selling the product less than the official price. (just correct me, Nic Nic and Yumeko).
In Hong Kong, they are sold in department store, so therefore these ‘drugstore/counter’ brand is more expensive in Hong Kong compare to Japan, for around 2-5 GBP at least. But because it is sold in counter in HK, they tend to come with very generous free gifts if you buy at the right time.

Logic 4:
Do not buy Western imports brand
When you compare price, Western brands are a lot more expensive to buy in say HK/Japan to UK. For example: Chanel Tinted moisturiser (which I reviewed):
cost £29 compare to £44
in HK Only buy western imports in Sasa/Bonjour

Logic 5: Try only to buy Asia version of skincare if it suits you
Many of the brands produce Asia only line. They tend to be focus on whitening and oil control, so if you have oily or combination skin, or with acne scar, you might want to have a look. We all talked about DiorSnow, Lancome Whitening series, and if you want to buy them, buy them in HK. Again prices are cheaper in HK

Logic 6: 'Upstairs store' for Korean makeup
Korean makeup franchise in HK/Japan mark up their price so much to suit the markets. However with the depreciation of Korean Won, they are actually really cheap locally. The so-called ‘up-stairs’ shop allow you to buy and order these Korean makeup and can save up to 50% of marked price. These store will have poster on streets to lure you taking the flight of stairs or lift to go to the shop inside a building.
For example: Skin food Raspberry Eye cream
HK Franchise Price: $315
Upstair shop price: $185 You save: $130 ($17USD/£11GBP)

That’s all from me. I will take photos of some of the shops I go to and upload to update you all

Hnog Kong/Japan Shopping List (Part 1)

As requested by Mad Murderer Mud and Jamilla Camel, and my partner-in-crime Jennifer (oh darling.. I am sooo meeting you next week, super excited) I’m doing a special Hong Kong post.

Due to S nature, he basically moan about price price price, I developed a habit of comparing price (it is a good habit seriously), so this is must say I have tried to research over the past 2 months and this is kind of a conclusion.

Let me first introduce my partner-in-crime No.1: aka My luggage

Samsonite Black Label Pink made of Leather (32 inch, the biggest one in pic)

Isn’t it Gorgeous? I got it for 80% off the original price in Bicester Village, which is a outlet shopping village for all brand names like Chanel, and Prada and Dior and L’occitance and (it goes on and on)

If anyone is seriously coming to UK to shop, you MUST MUST MUST stop there! My suitcase is buy one get one free so I aquire this Alexander McQueen as well. (22inch)

(Brown)

(I’m probably selling this on ebay once I’m back from UK.. but I don’t really need this)

About Samsonite, I hesitate about it. Because my brother's suitcase was damaged first time it was used and Samsonite refused to repair it (even it is within warranty) This Black Label is top of the range, so rather than having 3years on the cheaper range or 10 years on the more expensive range, it is a Lifetime warranty, even if my wheels need replacement they will do it for free repair (I’ve asked for than 3 times about warranty and the SA said they will repair it because it is Black Label series)

Here’s the list I am planning to buy in Hong Kong: (Jennifer, make note! Lol)

IPSA Metabolizer – 125ml for $530

IPSA Time Reset extract – 15ml for $450

Neutrogena Fine Fairness New products range – (maybe $200)

Biore Cleansing Oil - $68

Neutrogena Deep Hydrating Mask – 5 pieces for around $70

My Beuaty Diary (Platinum version, not normal)- 6 pieces for $90

Borghese Blue Mud – 450ml for $500

Eye shadow palette from either Lunasol or Coffret

Borghese Eye Treatment or Shiseido White Lucent Eye Treatment

A super good eye concealer that don’t ‘highlight’ my fine lines

Translucent Powder (oil control use)

Paul & Joe Whitening Set ($350)

In Japan

Eye shadow palette from MM and Granesbon

Blush from Granesbon

Shiseido Maquillage –eyeliner and mascara (new summer collection)