Store Visit: Jill Stuart at Harujuku and Narita Airport

You may have heard Jill Stuart the clothing brand but did you know she also designs a beauty line made of all my childhood dreams of lace and floral? The cosmetics line is my inner girly on steroids and what makes it even more covetable is that the line is not widely available in the United States – you can only order it online however there are many counters in Japan where you can test and swatch colors. Thoughtful touches like pavé crystals, gem-shaped lipstick bullets, built-in flip-top mirrors, and even a chain attaching your brush to your compact makes me drool over these products. It comes at a pretty penny though because a lip gloss will set you back about $42 USD if you get it shipped within America but it’s 2,500 Yen in Japan (about $22 USD). To own one of these pretties, you can buy these tax-free in the many Japanese locations and in the Narita Airport. 

Tokyo-Japan-Shopping-Guide_Jill-Stuart-Beauty-and-Party-(COVER)

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Store Visit: Isetan Department Store – Shinjuku, Tokyo Location

I know you email subscribers are probably sick of seeing my random Japan posts but I swear that I’m almost done with the ultimate guide. I want to move on too because it’s been like an entire year since I visited Japan. Anyway, here’s another one featuring the best department store to visit in Tokyo!

When I was researching the best places to shop in Tokyo, I was surprised to see a lot of mega-sized department stores listed but I’m just not a department store type of shopper so I needed a lot of convincing. It’s intimidating because they’re so large as well as being more on the expensive side. Japanese department stores average 7 to 9 stories which make American stores dwarf in size. A constant recommendation however, was to go to Isetan in its original location in Shinjuku. Not only does Isetan house some of the most coveted beauty brands but there’s also an entire floor devoted to natural beauty and a must-go impressive food hall for locals and tourists alike. While I didn’t really shop for clothing at Isetan, I looked at the beauty sections! Click on to see more and recommendations for Japan-only beauty brands.
Tokyo_Japan_Shopping_Guide_ISETAN-(COVER)

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Event: Peach & Lily Announces Their 3rd Annual K-Beauty Sample Sale!

Oh my damn. I thought maybe the Peach & Lily K-Beauty Sample Sale wasn’t happening this year once August had ended as P&L typically hosts their mega sample sale event sometime in August. Thanks for a reader creeping on their Facebook Page for me, P&L answered a few inquiring commenters about the sale and had said that it was definitely happening in September, they were just waiting to tie up the last details. They finally disclosed the date, time and place last week on their Instagram and the biggest change is that it’s ONE DAY ONLY this year. Unfortunately, I will be in Greece and won’t be able to cover my favorite K-Beauty event (wahhh!). Click for full details and some tips I picked up from hardcore shopping during the first two years. 

Peach and Lily 3rd Annual 2017 Sample Sale

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Store Visit: Japanese Beauty in Yodobashi Camera – Tokyo, Japan

I still have more posts from my Japan trip! I want to post a mega Japan Shopping Guide soon and I have a few more one-on-one look at store before I can compile everything in one Google Map post. Today I’m featuring Yodobashi Camera! Yodobashi Camera is a popular electronics store in probably the “geekiest” district in Tokyo, Japan. Yodobashi is located in Akihabara where you can visit Maid Cafes, anime and manga shops, video game arcades, and various electronic stores. There are even Manga Cafes (Manga Kissa) where you can read/watch manga and use the Internet. Akihabara is the center of otaku culture (diehard fan) so it may be a dream come true if you grew up with Japanese anime/manga. I’m not into anime/manga nor am I really an electronics geek but it was fun watching people dress up in cosplay and maid costumes to get tourists into their restaurants/shops. There are also anime porn shops so be aware if you have little ones on your trip. I was able to find a nice, surprising beauty section full of products and tools in the Yodobashi Camera (also written out as Yodobashi – Akiba with Akiba referring to a local shrine in the neighborhood). This stop isn’t a necessity if you’re already planning to go to LOFT, Ainz & Tulpe or any of the Matsu-Kyo/DonQi stores as it pretty much carries the same assortment of drugstore beauty but it’s a nice option if you’re pressed for time and cannot travel outside of Akihabara.

[caption id="attachment_1868" align="aligncenter" width="640"]Tokyo_Japan_Shopping_Guide_Yodobashi Most popular shopping destination for tech[/caption]…

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Store Visit: The Deciem – Bay Street, Toronto Location

The Deciem is not an Asian Beauty brand but this blog isn’t an Asian Beauty-only blog. I have a heavy preference to review Asian beauty products because of advanced innovation, affordability and unique ingredients that promise effectiveness and The Deciem — hailing from Toronto, Canada — aims to do just that. Not only does The Deciem focus its marketing angle that it’s a “skintellect”, but it strives to educate its consumers with tons of skincare science tidbits so they can make informed decisions. And because there’s minimal marketing BS, the 10 or so brands under The Deciem are remarkably affordably AF, particularly The Ordinary which runs from $6 – $15 per bottle. I’ve been seeing these bottles everywhere on Instagram but never knew they were so affordable until someone wrote out the price. I happen to visit Toronto this summer so of course I’m doing a photo tour of the Bay Street location! There currently aren’t any New York City locations opened yet but from my maniacal Googling, NYC’s first store will open soon in 2017 across Bryant Park at 475 5th Ave!  Learn more about The Ordinary and the other brands coming out of The Deciem by clicking through. Also remember that they ship internationally and Standard Shipping is only $4.99 to the states or it’s free for orders over $25! 

[caption id="attachment_2400" align="aligncenter" width="640"]The_Deciem_BayStreet_Yorkville_Store_Toronto “NOT a subway entrance people!” I think it should say “We have acid” instead. Skincare jokes anyone?[/caption]

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