I've been itching to go to Japanese stores but waiting until my contest ended so I could pick up prizes and surprise goodies to send out (although voting is still going on! so please vote if you haven't already). I reallllllllllllllllly want to post what I bought BUT I want everything to be a surprise for everyone...so instead, I'll just post teaser pics of my Mitsuwas and Kinokuniya (I didn't photograph everything so they really are teasers). For all of you Japanese products & magazine junkies, enjoy!!
First stop, the Fits Sexy Girl display...
The body whipped cream! Strawberry smells delicious...but peach is to die for!!
the ever-so-popular MANDOM...
and Naris UP face peels...
the Lucido-L yummy hair products (actually this is only some, I didn't take a pic of the pots)
my fav Japanese hair dye...
the full hair dye selection...
Tsubaki hair products that I'm so curious to try, thanks to Yume-chan!
KOSE sheet masks that I might get next time...though the last ones didn't fit as neatly on my face as the Kracie ones...hmmm
and the Bihada Ichizoku section!
Why do I love Mitsuwa? Well it's obvious, isn't it? It satisfies my craving for Japanese goodies! It's nearby, it's well stocked, and reasonably priced. I think the Torrance one is the best because there's a large Japanese community in the area, so it has a more authentic and less touristy feel than the Costa Mesa store (plus I've noticed a lot of Japanese products are imported to and distributed by companies in the South Bay area which includes Torrance, Gardena, etc., i.e. it's fresher and cheaper). Workers speak to me in Japanese...I just smile shyly and nod in reply, haha so demure! ;)
I went to Kinokuniya for the first time. Actually I went to the one in Little Tokyo, which was small and prices and selection were average/okay, and then I went to the one in Costa Mesa (on Harbor, pictured above) which is much nicer! By far. It has lots of cute stationary products and the likes, and countless Japanese books.
Kinokuniya seems like a huge bookstore but its women's magazines selection is limited compared to Sanseido (the bookstore that's inside Mitsuwa). The Torrance Mitsuwa Sanseido is Japanese magazine heaven to me!
the sign doesn't say no cameras/pictures! :P
the top row is stocked with back issues of the previous month(s)!
I look like such a poser since I'm Japanese illiterate! Yay for pictures in Japanese mags :P
The February VOCE cover is so darn cute!
I'm really spoiled by the Sanseido at the Torrance Mitsuwa, so I was a little let down when I didn't see any recent Honey Girl issues except for December. =( But then again, all of the stores vary just a tiny bit, and I'm lucky enough to have options of different stores to go to (for example, I've noticed Marukai carries some Lavshuca items while Mitsuwa doesn't).
My purchases...
Are they for me? Or for others? or both? Hmm... ;)
these semi-recent mags are mine...
and here's my Japanese magazine collection to date!!
I have 31 total, ever since I first started buying them in 2007, I think. Since I've paid anywhere from $10-$20 per mag, that's over $300 worth, haha...well averaging $15 each = more than $400...wowie, talk about love/addiction. (Did anyone notice the Shonen Jump? That's actually the nephew's, hehe.)
Lastly...what's a blog post without some camera whoring? Another simple/natural look with the Visee Jewel Crush Eyes in E-5.
What I used:
MAC MSF Natural in Medium Plus
MAC eye shadow in Mulch (eyebrows)
Visee Jewel Crush Eyes in E-5
K-Palette Winter Limited Edition eyeliner
Dramatic Volume & Curl mascara
NARS The Multiple Duo in Orgasm/South Beach
NARS Blush/Bronzer in Orgasm/Laguna
NARS lip gloss in Orgasm
These Skin Food goodies came in the mail via Tia! I've been wanting to go to the Skin Food side, lol, so thanks for the samples!!
Good night and happy Lunar New Year!!
