Cosmetics/ Make-Up in Japan (Why I Can't Hoard)

Before I headed to Japan, I planned on buying as many make-up it essentials as I can when we hit Kyushu. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out so. What I need and want from their drugstores are very different from what was offered to me. Below are reasons why:


1. Everything was too SPARKLY

Well not everything, but a lot of things I wanted in matte came with glitter. This includes eyeshadows, blushes, lip glosses, some lipsticks (not a lot though) and even bronzer. From Maquillace to Canmake, most of the drugstore cosmetics have some sort of shimmer in one form or another. 


2. Certain Items Were Barely Available

I've been on the hunt for bronzer since October 2013. I thought maybe Nagasaki's drugstores could offer me good quality and affordable bronzers, but I only found 2. Both were too shimmery and one of them cost @2500 yen which was a little too expensive for me. The 2500 yen one came from an organic-y brand type but it was mixed with a lot of glitter as well so a double no from me.

Also, Japan doesn't have a market for looking tan. They're more into the blush on the apples of the cheeks look rather than contouring. 


3. Made for Japan's Climate

There is a big difference with between the climate of a temperate country and a tropical country. For now, it's much drier and cooler (for most part) in Japan. I couldn't buy foundations, BB creams or CC creams because I was was afraid it'd be too greasy to use back home. They were all too moisturising for my oily combination skin.

N.B. For the colours of the three things mentioned above, they were mostly for cool-toned girls or at least people who want to look cool-toned. As I am more on the warm side, I hadn't found anything that would suit me.



4. Blushes Were All Orange Or Pink

Related to no. 2. The look a lot of girls go for is the girly, innocent look. Unfortunately again, their make-up culture is not into very natural looking make-up (that's my general observation from the people I've seen) so most of their blushes were a little too bright for me. Everything was always bright pink or bright orange or even an ombre of both.



5. Can't Speak the Language

This is more of a technical reason than a preferential thing. I can't speak Japanese and the girls at the counters can barely speak English so I'm on my own when it comes to finding alternatives and options. Maybe that's why I couldn't find a lot of the products that would suit me too, so too avoid this, do a lot of research on the products you want to buy before heading to the drugstore.


That is it for now. Hope no one got discourage to buy in their drugstores. I have an upcoming post though about the treasures I did get to find...

Retreat Photos

It's definitely been a long while since my last post, but don't worry, my time was well spent. I've sharpened my photography skills and editing over the time i was gone. Instagram definitely helped as it filled with more people my age and they've helped me curb my fear of photoshop. No longer will i just make a few adjustment over iPhoto editor, I've now graduated to CS6 and its endless possibilities. Admittedly, my skills still need work but I guess tat's something that can be improved over time.

I've recently come back from my class retreat, and in between rather dull sessions, I've managed to gather up a few classmates to model for me. What a relief it is to not model for once

Shoot

I played with my slr the other day and i will have plenty to post from now on. Been on instagram lately, so lots of my latest shots are what mostly sells. Finally learned how to adjust my shutter speed. Stupid isn't it? :)

Hairflip. So proud, took this shot in one go

Ignore the messy bed, this was one of the test shots

Galaxy Shirts and Leather Skirts

Sooo anyywayyy, we all have that one friend who needs a tough chic look cuz she's just too gentle. An outfit that will mean business kinda thing. Here is my dear friend of 9 years, who asked for outfit for her birthday and got something she normally wouldn't wear. I got all mischievous and got her away from her normal ladylike tops and blue jeans to this. Quite refreshing for someone turning legal wouldn't you say.

Btw, follow me on IG @notesfromajazzerina

This was more of a style shoot more than a photography shoot. The lighting just wasn't grooving
with the sit of the place. Oooh, first style shoot to be posted :)

I told her to face back and she pulled this emo shoot hahahah

Cotton on. Cats AND galaxy print <3

Kept the pleats to retain of of her girly style. The bag and shoe is mine. Bag is from a flea market

My fading sneakerless. The shoes she brought to my place for the shoot didn't match so yeah.

Christmas Loot Shoot

Ok, some leftovers from the last post's shoot. These were the accessory shoots that I squeezed in between breakfast and waiting to be picked up. Now that summer has arrived, i hope for more time to do shoots. Good day :)

Potential wallpaper. Its the whicker chair next to the bed.

My necklace for my denim top that day.

Stack rings, in bows.

Yeah, thats the stand of my souvenir

Prom

It crept up like BOOM. Seriously,that's how prom caught me. The hotel room had this nice wide window with excellent lighting and being the weirdo that I am, I decided to take advantage of it while risking my carefully done up make up and clothes.

As soon as this shot was taken, it was destined to be my facebook cover photo

The font of the souvenier was nice but somewhat unreadable. My "y" turned to an "h"

My corsage still looking very alive after a day in very drying air conditioning surroundings. I managed not to shuck off any of the smaller flowers too

Its true color is somewhat a paler gold

Focus on the lighting on the centre. Will replace that with a candle for Halloween

Full body shot! If you scroll down my library there are more photos of the sides than the actual body

Its not blue. Its not just green. It blue- green. 

Beach Trip

Really busy more than ever. Believe it or not, I'm making a roof. But let's talk about my latest trip to the beach. Enjoy!

Around 6 in the evening, don't you just want to sit around and emote in the sand?

Never got to stay in one of these gazebo things

Add captioOk, I'm pushing it, too little light, I know.

Footprints in the sand. Or animal print of sorts, take it anyway you want

my generally new slippers are so photogenic :">

8 30 am in the morning, don't be stupid enough to be barefoot around the rocky areas

Jewelled chandelier at Sonia's garden

Not mine, actually its my uncle's. Post card -potential!