Japanese Traditional Hair Care: Manage frizzy hair.

Dry winter victimizes your skin and hair as well.

My hair is thin and it turns frizzy easily every winter, not mentioning the hair static. How can you prevent your hair getting frizzy?

I guess most Japanese brand lovers have heard about Tsubaki Oil. It’s famous as hair care in Japan. Japanese women have long used Tsubaki to protect hair. Hence, beside the well-known Tsubaki series from Shiseido, many Japanese brands, like Yanagiya, have released Tsubaki products too.

I found some of Yanagiya goodies quite impressive. Here they are:

Relax Hair Knots: Tsubaki Hair Smoothing Essence

Sasa.com Price USD 8.30


Blow-drying makes hair frizzy and dull even after conditioner? Just spread some smoothing essence on hair ends. This makes a much tidier look.

Point-to-note: Apply the essence when your hair is semi-dry. Brush gently and loosen the knots.

Perfect Match of Hair Dryer: Tsubaki Smoothing Hair Lotion

Sasa.com Price USD 9.10


Well well…without doubt hair dryer does damage our hair. Yet it’s almost a necessity for those who wash hair at night before sleep.

Hair gets drier and slit ends develop with continuous use of hair dryer. How to keep your hair shiny? Spray this protecting lotion over hair before blow-drying. Just a simple step will go a long way : ]

Another Japanese Favorite: Hair Cream Jennos Bayu (Horse Oil)

Sasa.com USD 6.50


Jennos Bayu from Hokkaido is well-known for skin care. In fact it is also an excellent care for dry hair. This oil from Yanagiya is a smoothing hair conditioner with pleasant scent.

I myself do not wash hair every day. That’s why I don’t apply conditioner all over my head. Instead, focus on the hair ends. This leaves your hair refreshed and less oily for a longer time.

Many Japan visitors buy Jennos Bayu shopping the drug stores. However, it’s now available online only at a few US dollars. What a great save!

Christmas Party Highlight: False Lashes with Character

It’s time to get prepared for Christmas parties and gatherings!

Brands have released the 2009 Christmas sets; Stores will hold Christmas sales and the post office has announced the last posting date for Christmas airmail. You know the most look-forward-to season is coming!



I guess it’s time to buy for your makeup looks of Christmas parties. False lashes or fake eyelashes are one of the key points!

Let’s take a look at some gorgeous styles of false lashes from Eylure, a new brand on Sasa.com.

Eylure False Lashes

Honestly this brand is not widely discussed among Asian forums. Yet you can see its features on many foreign magazines, especially the UK media. Visiting its official website, I was surprised to see Eylure is actually a brand with a long history. The quality is thus guaranteed.

Among Eylure lashes, I found the following especially interesting. Look like good ideas for Christmas!

The Cat’s Eyes
TOKYO

Hiroko Lashes (Limited Edition)

This style is half-length yet amazing to decorate the end of your eyes. Your eyelids look upward and much more seductive, glowing with a hint of Oriental beauty.
Sasa.com Price US$6.50


Classy British Beauty
VIVID

Black Widow Lashes

The Eylure style that most intrigues me! The black lace to sharpen eyeline reminds me of the elegance of Audrey Hepburn.
Sasa.com Price US$9


Innocent Dolly Eyes
VIVID

Necromaneer Lashes (Top & Bottom)

Long bottom eyelashes can make a HUGE difference. Unluckily like many Asian girls I have bottom lashes “barely-there.” So, let’s resort to the fake lashes. :>
Sasa.com Price US$9

Relaxing Leg Massage: Treat for High Heels Fans

It’s getting cold and an extra coat is just one of the most noticeable changes on ladies’ looks. Many girls are equipped with a beautiful pair of boots as well.

I myself have got a new pair of boots too. Yet, the high heels have made my legs ache after a long day. Time for a leg massage, right?

To soothe tired legs, you may resort to a cooling leg paste. Or, more directly, massage your legs with body cream after bath.

Painfully desperate for high heels? Here are two massage techniques I love:


Tool you need:

In Essence Reviving Foot & Leg Cream

A rejuvenating formula for exhausted leg muscles. Includes lavender, cucumber and calendula to calm and soothe. It doesn’t feel as cool as I expected it to be. Yet, it has a strong scent of lavender, which is quite relaxing. Recently it became a must for me after bath every night : >


[ Made in Australia! ]


Technique 1:

Massage your tired muscles

Take massaging the right leg as example. Spread some In Essence cream, hold your right ankle with left hand.
Starting from the ankle, pressure the leg with the right thumb. Pressure for 5 seconds.
Pressure upwards to the inside knee. Done! Change to the left leg then.


[ Top: Only a mild amount is needed for the whole leg ]
[ Bottom: Pressure with your thumb. (Sorry for the dark lighting!) ]



Technique 2:

Re-energize the foot bottom

Sit down and put your right ankle over your left thigh.
With left hand, bend your right toes down towards heel. Hold for 5 seconds.
Pull the top of your right foot backwards towards your shins. Hold for 5 seconds.
Massage the bottom of right foot with thumbs…Now your foot is much relaxed!

After-flu Therapy for Peeling Skin: Nourishing Oil

Last week is a cold week for most parts of China. Sadly I have suffered from flu.
Having been sick for a few days, I have little mood for complicated skincare routine. On another hand my nose was getting dry and the skin around started peeling! I wondered, “How should we care for the peeling skin?”

SOS peeling skin: Get an oil!

What a familiar condition! When your nose is getting dry and skin peeling, a coat of usual lotion just irritates your damaged skin.
True you need some nourishment for your nose. I’d recommend using face oil to care then.
Get an oil at home. You may use it on cracked heels, dry foot or peeling skin. What’s more, just spread a rich coat of oil on your whole body after bath in winter…that’s PLEASANT!

Natural Fragrance-free Oil for Poor Nose

What face oil is especially good for after-flu nose?
I prefer natural oil to one with fragrance. Natural oils have soft smell that will not irritate your sensitive nose. At night, dab a bit on your nose after a warm washing. Wait to see the recovery of your nose!

Good Buy 1: NATIO AGELESS Organic Rosehip Oil

A budget-friendly Australian good. Rosehip oil can penetrate deep into skin, helping skin reborn.
Sasa.com Price: USD 20.60 (15ml)

Good Buy 2: Mini Organics BABYCARE Superfine Jojoba

A gentle massage oil for baby. With multi-functions: put a bit into bath, massage or remove eye makeup. Jojoba speeds up skin recovery.
Sasa.com Price: USD 34.60 (50ml)

Good Buy 3: Akiku Carrier Oil (Sweet Almond)

Sweet almond oil is friendly to all types of skin. What a convenient oil to soften skin!
Sasa.com Price: USD 20.00 (100ml)

EXTRA: 2 DON’T for Peeling Skin around Nose

Don’t 1: Pick the Skin
Never pick your peeling skin. This may harm the healthy skin and even cause bleeding. This makes your skin vulnerable to infection.

Don’t 2: Wash Frequently
Just wash twice a day. Over cleansing causes oil and dryness. Your peeling nose will be in great trouble…

Always True Skincare Routine: Cleanse and remove makeup well.

It’s often said removing makeup is a BIG BIG issue. Clearing skin for deep breath is crucial.

While there are more and more water-proof cosmetics on the market, you need an oil type of makeup remover to dissolve the harsh cosmetics. So, just get a cleansing oil for whatever looks, with whether heavy or light makeup. Will that simple trick do?


Cleansing oil, cold cream, cleansing gel….there are numerous types of makeup remover! What differs among them?

What I use to cleanse daily

I am too lazy for a daily complete makeup look. My bottom line is a coat of Shiseido MJ Mascara. So a cleansing oil is a must for my eyes after work. Yet for other areas, I just get them a slight wash with cleansing milk.

Recent Spot: Kawaii Tokyo Cleansing Products

Wanna have a brief highlight on this cute brand! Beside the amazing series of Brighten Up Gel, Kawaii Tokyo has released two makeup removing buys: Melting Dew Deep Cleansing Oil and Promising Aqua Quick Wipe-Off Water.

Personally I wanna try Promising Aqua Quick Wipe-Off Water. It is said to remove makeup or give your skin a quick wash in the afternoon. You don’t even need water to rinse afterwards. Sounds convenient, right?

Definitely a good alternative for light makeup fans!