2018 Mid-year Top Japanese Cosmetics [ Fall / Autumn ]

There are many articles about Japanese history and the evolution of cosmetics with the passage of over 2 millenniums. It has become a cultural ritual that the look and feel have been the forefront of the Japanese women's skin, even when foreign makeup made it to the isolated stratovolcanic archipelago island. Japan's sensibilities were embraced have been written by scribes with illustrative descriptions. After WWII, Japan became very influenced by American mass media and fads (trends). Toady makeup has become all about the individual and multi-usefulness of products to fit their needs.

That being said let's move on to the Top brands for Fall 2018. I found out that websites that I always wanted to use to find Japanese cosmetic trends are now available in English. This site is used to find out what are the Top Cosme クチコミランキング. Please check out both links:
https://www.cosme.com/
https://us.cosme.net/
https://www.cosme.net/

Skin Care
Cleanser

• Shu Uemura | Porefinist2 Sakura Fresh Cleansing Oil 4.9
• SENKA | Perfect Whip U 4.6

Lotion / Essence / UV(SPF)

• Recipist | Moist Lotion 4.2
• ALBION | INFINESSE WHITE WHITENING PUMP MILK 5.4
• SKIN AQUA | TONE UP UV ESSENCE 4.3
• ELIXIR | BALANCING OSHIROI MILK 4.3
• Ipsa | THE TIME RESET AQUA 5.2
  

Serum

• D Program | ALLERBARRIER MIST 5.4
• HAKU | Melano Focus V 5.5

Cream

• Lululun | Moist Gel Cream 5.4
• NAMERAKAHONPO | CREAM BN 5.2
• IHADA | Medicated Balm 5.5

Makeup
Base / Foundation / Concealer

• PORE PUTTY | MINERAL BB CREAM NATURAL MATTE 5.2
• SOFINA | Primavista LONG KEEP BASE UV 3.9
• Ipsa | CREATIVE CONCEALER  4.7
• P.N.Y. DIVISION | SE SOFT MAT BB CREAM 5.1
• EXCEL | Silent Cover Concealer 4.0

Powder

• Maquillage | Dramatic Powdery UV 5.1
• ALBION | SMART SKIN WHITE RARE 4.7
• KATE| Powdery Skin Maker | ONLY MINERALS, MINERAL FACE POWDER SHIMMER 4.4

Eyes

• Deja Vu  | LASTING-FINE A CREAM PENCIL EYELINER 5.0

Lips

• CANMAKE | YOU LIP ONLY GLOSS 5.2
• Clé De Peau | BEAUTÉ BRILLANT À LÈVRES ÉCLAT RADIANT LIP GLOSS 5.7

Body Care

• HOUSE OF ROSE | OH! BABY BODY SMOOTHER N 5.2
• Naturie | SKIN CONDITIONING GEL 4.9

Hair Care

• Ahalo Butter | AHALO BUTTER PREMIUM SCALP HAIR PACK 5.1

Goods & Accessories

• @Cosme Store | @Cosme Store Cotton Pads 4.8

Tools & Devices

• MTG | REFA CARAT 5.2

Kits & Sets

• Mogans | Silicone-Free Amino Acid Shampoo/Conditioner 5.5

Check out my older post about Japanese Cosmetics.

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Top Kawaii Things to do in Tokyo

Hey Subbies,

Here are list of Top Kawaii Cute and sprinkle of Family Friendly things to do in Tokyo.

Chiba Prefecture

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are the two theme parks that make up Tokyo Disney Resort, and both are considered a "rite of passage" for young Japanese people. japanvisitor.com

• Tokyo DisneySea | 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu-shi, Chiba-ken 279-0031, Japan www.tokyodisneyresort.jp
• Tokyo Disneyland | Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture 279-0031, Japan

Chiyoda

It started with cats and exploded into wide a ray of animal cafes. Timeout has updated their article with a list of cruelty-free animal cafes in Tokyo if you are worried about the treatment of the animals. Even though the one I had chosen was not on the list, it was the first one I found during my research and it had great reviews from spectators. This I guess is foreign's right of passage when they visit Tokyo.

• OWL cafe Akiba Fukurou | 101-0022 67, Neribeicho, Kanda, 神田練塀町 千代田区 東京都 101-0022, Japan akiba2960.com
• Precure Pretty Store | 1 Chome-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tōkyō-to 100-0005, Japan www.toei-anim.co.jp
• Tokyo Character Street | Japan, 〒100-0005 Tōkyō-to, Chiyoda-ku, Marunouchi, 1 Chome−9−１ 東京駅一番街 B1 www.tokyoeki-1bangai.co.jp

Saitama Prefecture

Every wished to meet Totoro. Well, you can once you get to Tokyo and head North West to Saitama Prefecture. 

The Totoro no Furusato Foundation
We are a legally incorporated foundation with the purpose of preserving the beautiful natural habitat and cultural assets of Sayama Hills and its surrounding areas.

• Casa da Fundação Kurosuke da Cidade Natal do Totoro | Japan, 〒359-1164 Saitama-ken, Tokorozawa-shi, Mikajima, ３丁目１１６９−１  www.totoro.or.jp
• Totoro's Forest | 雑魚入-351 Kamiyamaguchi, Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture 359-1153, Japan www.totoro.or.jp
• Crayon Shin Chan Theme Park | 1 Chome-1-1 Minami, Kasukabe-shi, Saitama-ken 344-0064, Japan

Shibuya

Shibuya, literally "Astringent Valley", is a special ward in Tokyo, Japan. A major commercial and business center, it houses the two busiest railway stations in the world, Shinjuku Station and Shibuya Station

• Innisfree イニスフリー SHIBUYA109店 | 2階, SHIBUYA 109 2 Chome-29-番1号 Dōgenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to 150-0043, Japan www.innisfree.com
• 6 Percent Doki-doki | Japan, 〒150-0001 Tōkyō-to, Shibuya-ku, Jingūmae, 4 Chome−28, 神宮前4丁目28−16 dokidoki6.com
• Candy Syrup | Japan, 〒150-0001 Tōkyō-to, Shibuya-ku, Jingūmae, 3 Chome−22−７ 藤原ビル3F www.candyesyrup.com

Shinjuku

Sanrio Co., Ltd. is a Japanese company that designs, licenses and produces products focusing on the kawaii segment of Japanese popular culture. Their products include stationery, school supplies, gifts and accessories that are sold worldwide and at specialty brand retail stores in Japan. Wikipedia

• Sanrio | 1 Chome-1-4 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tōkyō-to 160-8321, Japan www.sanrio.co.jp
• STYLENANDA ISETAN SHINJUKU | Japan, 〒160-0022 Tokyo 新宿区 Shinjuku, 3 Chome−14, 新宿3-14-1 伊勢丹新宿店本館2階 イセタンガール jp.stylenanda.com
• Sanrio Gift Gate（サンリオギフトゲート） アドホック新宿店 ) | Japan, 〒160-0022 Tōkyō-to, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku, 3 Chome−15−１１ アドホック新宿 B1F www.sanrio.co.jp

Taitō

Taitō, literally "Plateau East", is a special ward located in Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. In English, it is known as Taitō City. As of May 1, 2015, the ward has an estimated population of 186,276, and a population density of 18,420 persons per km². The total area is 10.11 square kilometres. Wikipedia

• Birds House | 3 Chome-3-13-7 Yanaka, Taitō-ku, Tōkyō-to 110-0001, Japan www.birds-house.net
• MARION CRÊPES Asakusa | 1 Chome-25-15 Asakusa, Taitō-ku, Tōkyō-to 111-0032, Japan www.marion.co.jp
• Ueno Zoo | 9-83 Uenokōen, Taitō-ku, Tōkyō-to 110-0007, Japan www.tokyo-zoo.net 

Toshima

Toshima is a special ward in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the eight central wards of the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Located in the northern area of Tokyo, Toshima is bordered by the wards of Nerima, Itabashi, and Kita wards, in the north, and Nakano, Shinjuku and Bunkyo in the south. Wikipedia

• Francfranc DESIGN FOR LIFE | 東京都豊島区南池袋1－28－2 池袋パルコ, 1 Chome-28 Minamiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tōkyō-to 171-0022, Japan www.francfranc.jp 
• WEGO | 1 Chome-1-28-2 Minamiikebukuro, 豊島区 Toshima-ku, Tōkyō-to 171-0022, Japan www.wego.jp 
• Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo | Japan, 〒170-0013 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Higashiikebukuro, 3 Chome−1−２ サンシャインシティ 専門店街アルパ 2F www.pokemon.co.jp 

Yokohama

Anpanman, the hero of illustrated books by Takashi Yanase, has a face made of anpan, and is a strong and kind friend of just causes. Made into a television animated series in 1988, he immediately became a popular hero with children. The long-running series continues to this day. The theme of the Anpanman series is love and courage. Standing up to Baikinman, the representative of evil, Anpanman comes to the aid of those in trouble. Another side of the appeal of the series is the appearance of many delightful characters. The number of characters was recognized as being the largest in the world by Guinness World Records in 2009.
And again today Anpanman flies on to make children’s dreams come true.

• Yokohama Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall | 4 Chome-3-１ Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken 220-0012, Japan www.yokohama-anpanman.jp 
• Pompompurin Cafe Yokohama | Japan, 〒220-0005 Kanagawa-ken, Yokohama-shi, Nishi-ku, Minamisaiwai, 2 Chome−1, 南幸２−１−５pompom.createrestaurants.com 
• Yokohama Cosmoworld |  Japan, 〒231-0001 Kanagawa-ken, Yokohama-shi, Naka-ku, Shinkō, 2 Chome−8, 横浜市中区新港２丁目８−１ cosmoworld.jp

Check out my other post if you're planning a trip to Japan: https://ashleybcm.blogspot.com/2012/12/japan-planning.html

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Produce 48 Finale: MyTwocents

Wow, I never thought I would be writing a post about Produced 48 and the latter PD101. I just wanted to congratulate the girls chosen to be in IZ*ONE, don't' like the name but is what is. Like the drama, with last season with Wannaone. I notice that these season formats and voting formats were very different causing a lot of fans to hate Mnet. I have one thing to say to Mnet if they going to be global at least have the global audience be apart of the voting or don't call them global at all. I think the final girls will do well in Korea and Japan because cute concepts do great there but internationally I don't know. If they find a nice medium they'll do great. Since watching the girl's strengths weakness I know it's going to be hard for some of them to change up concepts. I know when IOI debuted there was a lot of hate for Somi but to me Somi had a lot potential to be center. Now, people out here missing IOI as much we miss Obama in the states lol...I'm one of them. However, wasn't as invested in PD series as I am now. For those of you who do not know about PD101 here is a wiki summary:

Produce 101 is a reality television talent competition franchise created by South Korean entertainment conglomerate CJ E&M, based around the formation of a K-pop girl group or boy band. The format is noted for having no panel of judges, employing audience participation to make decisions, and for starting with a very large number of competitors, 101, narrowing that number down to a final 11. The franchise began in 2016 in South Korea and resulted in the formation of the girl group I.O.I. The franchise has since expanded to China, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. A second season of the South Korean series titled Produce 101 Season 2 was aired in 2017 and resulted in the formation of the boy band Wanna One.

 This season:

Produce 48 (Hangul: 프로듀스 48) was a 2018 competition television show on Mnet. It was a large-scale project in which the public "produces" a girl group by voting for members out of a pool of 96 contestants from South Korea and Japan, as well as voting for the group's concept, name and debut single. The show was a collaboration between the Mnet series Produce 101 and the J-pop idol group AKB48. 

I read that Koreans fan picked the most cutest girls to be picked for the top 12, so that's we got is what we got [link]. So instead of saying my final list, I wanted to see what Ranking from overall show voting to see what should of happened. I was expecting a totally different out come of course. If you’re wonder why a girl is not here it's because the ranking they had overall and mainly due to the format of the show. This list was based on the top 6 and those who were able to reach the top 10. Those dropped from show were do not count. This is not the final line up!

1. Ga Eun [Pledis]- Leader, Vocalist (Sakura and she actually tied for this whole season.)

2. Sakura [HKT48] - Visual, Vocalist

3. Nako [AKB48] - Vocalist

4. Jan Wonyoung [Starship] - Vocalist

5. Chowon [Cube] - Lead Rapper, Sub-Vocalist

6. Miho [AKB48] - Vocalist

7. Hyewon [8D] - Visual, Rapper

8. Ahn Yujin [Starship] - Vocalist

9. Chaeyeon [WM] - Main Dancer, Vocalist

10. Yuri [Stone Music]- Main Vocalist

11. Eunbi [Woolim]  / Miru [NMB48]  - Vocalist, Sub Dancer

12. Miru [NMB48] / Miyu [AKB48] -Vocalist

I hope the girls who weren't picked for IZONE get a chance to be in there own group. There is a lot of support for "4tune8" online and a petition. The eight girls include Gaeun/Kaeun, Chowon, Miru, Miho, Juri, Haeyoon, Nayoung, Miu, Do ah, and Miyu. This whole experience reminds me of Winner vs. IKON and WannaOne vs. JBJ.

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Best Apps for Traveling to Asia

Here in the US, we love to use Google, Facebook, Instagram and other applications to stay connected. However, what about traveling abroad. Well, today I wanted to tell you all about apps that are a must when going abroad specifically to Asia. When going overseas it's important to at least read up or watch vlogs and/or State Department Tourism videos to better prepare you for your trips. Some people do a general google search and for me I like making YT playlist. Also, I would highly recommend getting a VPN if you are going to countries like China for a holiday or for longer stays. Its still boggles me that it's 2018 and people have yet to do a little research on the countries they visit. It's like just passing through and by the way, your country sucks, while your country is at war or is dealing with sketchy internal issues. The pure ignorance is I guess is bliss for them. Anyways, more positive vibes because we all know how stressful it can be to travel.

Okay, let's focus on Japan, S.Korea and little on China.

Japan and Korea have there own Tourist App backed by there governments. 

The big three apps used for each country for communicating are...

Line | Kakao Talk | WeChat

WhatsApp is another alternative to Google Hangout and Facebook Messenger.

Search Engine Ecosystems
Over the years Asia's search engines are following the same standardization as the West.  China has its own ecosystem that has followed Google to the T. Just don't search for anything in English. S.Korea has also followed suit but with its own flair.  Japan on the other hand just uses what works, I mean why break the wheel.

Translators
Other than Google Translate, it is sometimes better to use application that is native to the country. Waygo has all three languages and is available for offline use but it's really an alternative translate for Chinese. I also use Microsofts Translator which is an honestly good alternative if you can't get any internet, just make sure you download the language packages you need before your trip.

Yomiwa 

Dictionary
You could get your own dictionary but let's be real language dictionaries are really expensive. It's better to buy them when you at the destination than from back home.

NAVER Korean Dictionary

Pleco Chinese Dictionary

Mobile Jisho

Map
Where ever you go on this planet almost every place has a car rental, taxis, and a metro system. Google Maps is highly recommended in Japan but others have recommended Hyperdia to check Train and Bus schedules. China is another ball game. S.Korea is using Kakao/Naver Maps to its fullest.

Baidu Maps

KakaoMaps

Map.me

Metro / Transportation
No matter where you go on this planet almost every place has a taxi and metro system. Google Maps is highly recommended in Japan. China has Didi, S.Korea you can ride in luxury in an UberBlack, UberEats yet, Uber is still working its way into the Japanese market so you'll be stuck with the luxury and food delivery for now too. In addition, you could download Taxi apps like Takkun or Japan Taxi. Even Taxi Companies are even working to innovate themselves and make themselves just as attractive as these ride-sharing companies like KakaoTaxi/ Bus.

Subway Korea (iTunes is Blue)

Metro China Subway

Japan Travel – route, map, JR

Food Delivery
One thing that is amazing is that food delivery is way advanced and inexpensive in Asia. Food delivery is a way of life there and it can be cheap and inexpensive.

Yogiyo

Maishoku

Dianping

Trip Planners

I was recently trying to find great Itineraries I was recommended a website/app but when tried to create an account it was frustrating because my account became suck in limbo. Well, I just found out that Google has now introduced a Trip Planner called Google Trips, so no more making custom maps in Google Maps. I'm really happy about that because some of us live on Google and I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

If you need help planning a trip to Japan that here is a link to my extensive post it mostly focuses on Tokyo but I do include a planner pdf.

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