Japan Haul: Beauty, Skincare, Muji

Here is a an outline of the beauty products I picked up recently on my trip to Japan. I've tried a few things already so I'll give my opinion where possible. 

One of my first stops was Matsumoto Kiyoshi, the main drugstore chain in Tokyo. I picked up a few things from the Koji Dolly Wink brand, which is very popular and has the cutest packaging. As you can see from the picture, I picked out a Koji Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner in Deep Black. This eyeliner has a very thin pointed felt tip which makes it easy to draw a neat wing. I've repurchased this a few times and love it. I had never tried the false lashes by Dolly Wink before and decided on the False Lashes #5 Real Nude and False Lashes #14 Natural Cute. Looking on the Sasa website now, I realise that both these lashes are in fact made for your bottom lashes, when I presumed they were top lashes (silly me). I'll be using these as top lashes and hopefully they work as these were slightly more expensive (around the $20 mark). 

These next three packs of lashes were more affordable than the Dolly Wink brand and were purchased at Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Don Quitoje (a variety store, the Shinjuku branch has a decent selection of cosmetics). From left to right Sho-Bi Decorative Eyelash #09, Gorgeous Days False Lashes #2 (again made for bottom lashes - whoops!), BN Luminous Change Eyelash Ex (#03 Baby Face). These lashes were all more affordable in comparison to Dolly Wink (around $8-$10). 

I love skincare and couldn't help but pick up a few things, including my favourite asian skincare item - sheet masks!

I thought these Kao Lavender Steam Eye Masks looked so interesting and I couldn't help but pick up the smaller sized packet. They are disposable cotton eye masks which heat up to 40°C and calm and relax your eyes. I have tried one and it was quite nice, the smell of lavender is not too overpowering and the steam is a comfortable temperature. It did make my eye area a little wet from the steam but it did feel relaxing and calming. These are nice to use before bed and would be perfect for travelling when you need help winding down.

I'd read about the Shiseido Perfect Whip Foam Cleanser online, and it has quite good reviews on MakeupAlley. This is a very affordable cleanser, priced around $7 and seems quite popular as it was often displayed at the front of drugstores. I have only used this a few times but it seems a nice basic foaming cleanser. It really lathers up well and the foam remains very thick as you massage it into your skin.

I picked these LuLuLun Pink Sheet Masks up because they were so affordable, but I haven't tried one yet. The packaging is different as it is one zip lock bag with seven masks inside, as opposed to individually wrapped masks. After looking them up online, it appears they are a moisturising masks and are free of oil, alcohol and fragrance, making them ideal for sensitive skin types.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is a very popular cleansing oil in Japan, and has a lot of great reviews on MakeupAlley. It is free of mineral oil which is fantastic, as mineral oil is a cheap ingredient and not the best for your skin. Instead, the DHC has olive oil as the main ingredient and there is no added perfume apart from the fragrance of the rosemary essential oil. I've been using this for the past 2 weeks and have been very happy with its ability to remove makeup. I apply 1-2 pumps to my dry face, massaging it in to dissolve makeup and then rinse with a warm flannel. I then follow up with my normal balm cleanser (I'm currently using Emma Hardie). Like other cleansing oils, when applied to your eyes it can leave your vision blurry for a few seconds which sounds scarier than it is, so don't panic! 

These are Dariya Velcro Bows, the purpose of this product is to hold your hair or fringe back out of your face while you apply skincare or makeup. I was browsing Tokyu Hands in Shibuya when I spotted these in the cosmetic section. I remember a video by Miss Glamorazzi when she hauled some velcro hair bows and thought they could be useful. The velcro material doesn't crease your hair like a hair tie or headband. They do work to pull you hair back, although they are not very strong so they don't hold it in place with much force. I think these would be particularly useful for those with a fringe. 

Muji is such a fantastic store, they have recently opened a store in Melbourne so fingers crossed a Sydney store is coming soon, They have a fantastic selection of cosmetic containers and acrylic storage, which is perfect for storing makeup and jewellery. 

A nice little Clear Cosmetic Bag perfect for airport carry on luggage and a Folding Mirror, also great for travelling. 

A large Muji Body Sponge and a small Muji Body Sponge. The small size is perfect for travelling. Two Muji 20g Pots which are a great size for decanting moisturiser or face masks. 

From the acrylic storage range, I purchased a Muji Acrylic Stand and a Muji Acrylic Pot. The stand is currently on my bedside table with a few beauty items stored in it that I like to use before bed (lip balm, cuticle cream, hand cream, foot cream). The Acrylic Pot is now holding my larger makeup brushes. 

And that's all the beauty stuff I purchased from Japan, I hope this was interesting :) Have you tried any Japanese beauty products before?