Saturday, June 20, 2015

Dieting: Konyaku jelly and Black vinegar

I'm trying to shed a few kilograms and a friend suggested konyaku jelly. Konyaku is one of my favorite foods, I regularly put it in rice or serve it up with shiitake. Little did I know it is also a candy!

Konyaku is made from vegetable fibers and water, so it is known as a diet food that will flush out your system. It was pulled from production a few years back because a number of people died from choking on the candy. However, it's back, and my friend said it is perfectly safe (just don't freeze it). Sales of konyaku jelly are prohibited in the US. It sells for about 100 yen (in individual servings, like the one above, or in a gel pack) and can be found in most grocery stores and drug stores.


The other little secret is black vinegar, which can be drank straight, mixed with club soda (my favorite), or purchased with flavorings added. It's also about 100 yen a drink box and can be found in most supermarkets. It is touted to burn fat, which I like!


Thursday, June 18, 2015

Akasuri: scrubbing off the dirt and grime

In the summer I try extra hard to keep nice and squeaky clean. Japanese summers are so hot and humid I always feel the need for multiple showers a day. When you add in the sweat, lotions, and UV protection, I can get pretty grimy. So, I head to akasuri.

My usual spot for this treat is Gokouyu, a sento by Gojo Omiya. The basic scrub course (Course A) is 2500 yen for 20 minutes. You can make a reservation by phone (Japanese only) or at the front desk of the sento.

You'll be given a special numbered bracelet and told to be in the waiting area a few minutes before your appointment. Once you've soaked for 15-30 minutes, head to the second floor and wait in one of the plastic chairs outside of the akasuri room. A woman will invite you in, ask you to lay face down, and scrub you down like an elephant in the zoo. She will thoroughly scrub everywhere, including your I-line and O-line, so this is not for the faint of heart. At Gokouyu, the akasuri room is private.


However, since akasuri is not always available at Gokouyu, I sometimes go to Hana no yu. In addition to having rotemburo (outdoor bath), it also offers massage and akasuri until midnight. You can buy a ticket in the lobby (15 minutes for 2200 yen) and then make an appointment at the massage/akasuri counter on the first floor. The scrub here isn't quite as good, and the room can accommodate 5 people, but it's effective.

Daiso's hair drying glove


At the moment, Daiso's hair drying glove is all the rage here in Japan. For 100 yen you get this (ugly) glove that you use when drying your hair. Since it's basically just a towel, it works.

Pantene Extra Damage Care Shampoo and Conditioner

I've been focusing my beauty budget on big ticket items lately, so I decided to try out the Pantene Extra Damage Care Shampoo and Conditioner. It's been working just fine, so, bye Ahalo Butter!

Sun screen: Biore Aqua Rich

Since I'm starting the Datsumo Labo hair removal process, I have to be extra careful not to get any suntan or sunburn this summer. I picked up another can of the Parasol UV spray (570 yen) I used last year, and that has been working well. However, I love a spray UV at the beach (no sand!), but I prefer a lotion at home (I can apply after the shower). Cosme ranked the Biore UV Aqua Rich sunscreen as the best, so I bought a tube for 758 yen.

It has worked well and has the consistency of a lotion. The formula is really light and not sticky, perfect for everyday use under clothes.



I also tried the "watery gel" version, which has the consistency of a sun block lotion. Same results, different feel.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Hair Removal: Datsumo Labo (Step 2: The first appointment)

This process is not for the faint of heart. I had never even had a Brazilian wax before. Now, I have no shame.

So, I woke up the morning of my appointment, showered, and shaved. No lotions or oils. I had shaved my face and arms with the bi-hada razor two days before. I got my neck shaved in that beautiful maiko-san swallowtail at Beauty Face the day before (900 yen).

I thought I was hair free and wouldn't incur any shaving charges: wrong.

I arrived and was escorted into a very run down, hospital-feel, room. There was a massage table covered in plastic and the hair removal machine. I was given a terry robe and told to undress completely and put the snaps at the back. I had my hair pinned up.

The staff member came in and instructed me to lay face down. She placed a towel over my head. She then unsnapped my gown to do a shaving "check", including my O-line (for those of you not in the know, that means my butt). Although I removed the O-line hair well enough (thanks Veet!), I apparently was not aware that I have hair on my back. And, although I shaved my arms, I apparently did not do it well enough. So, I was shaved. (1000 yen)

Then they applied a freezing cold gel on my back, went over the area with the laser, scraped off the gel, wiped off the residue, and wrapped me in a cold towel. Repeat this for every area on my body. Including my butt, fingers, toes, bikini line, and face. At times, there were three women working on me. I felt like a dog at the groomer.

The entire process lasted two hours. I got dressed, paid my shaving fee, and made my next appointment.

For the rest of the day I was freezing cold - I could not get warm. I took a hot shower, but was cold afterwards.

Results: It's been three days since my appointment, and I still have to shave my legs everyday, but they are much more smooth than normal. I think perhaps some hair was destroyed. When you touch my arms you can feel there is some hair regrowth, but it is not visible. No hair regrowth is visible anywhere else.

Saturday, June 6, 2015

I shaved my face (and arms): KAI Bi-hada shaver

Since I'm starting the Datsumo Labo hair removal process, I have to shave EVERYWHERE before I arrive for my first appointment. No waxing.

Datsumo Labo basically made me swear on my life that I would use this type of Japanese shaver. So, I went out and bought one for about 800 yen.

First, I prepped with my Tend-Skin. Then, I shaved my arms. Then I shaved my face, especially my cheeks. It was weird. I had no idea I was so hairy. I finished with Tend-Skin and a bit of my Embryolisse.

I have to say, I liked it. My skin is super smooth. As long as I don't get ingrown hairs, and since I should soon be hairless anyway, I will continue to use it!

Hair removal: Datsumo Labo/ SSC hair removal (Step one: The consultation process)


I finally took the plunge and signed up for six sessions of hair removal at Datsumo Labo. All hair, everywhere, gone. Cost is about 160000 yen. (There are other plans available, including site specific removal.)

The sign up process was pretty complicated if you are not comfortable with your Japanese. First, you apply for a consultation online. Then, you get a phone call with some basic questions. Finally, you go in for an hour consultation and choose your plan.

The entire thing is in Japanese, and there are some pretty non-standard words being tossed around, so it's not for the faint of heart. (Although everyone is really nice.)

You can pay by credit card, cash, or bank transfer. You will need to sign a contract, and they insisted I use my hanko and not simply sign my name.

The take home message is: it takes about 18 visits to be hair-free. For the first 3-4 months, you can go twice a month. After that, it's once a month.

Before you go: shave completely, if you don't, they will shave you for a charge (either 1000 yen or 1500 yen); don't use any lotions or oils; don't get a tan.

After your appointment: don't take a bath (shower only); don't drink; don't exercise. You are also supposed to refrain from hair removal in between visits. I'm not sure how that will even be remotely possible for me...

I had to wait a week to book my first appointment, it's apparently VERY popular in Japan.

A basic English website exists for Datsumo Labo Singapore.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Facial moisturizer: Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre

I love my SKII stem power, but for the price I expect more results. Therefore, this month I switched over to Embryolisse, available on Amazon Japan for about 2000 yen.

It is definitely heavier on the face than the SKII, but it seems to be moisturizing just as well. I have acne prone skin and this made me break out a little, but it could be from something else or simply just because of the change. It is a nice base for make-up, so unless it causes me to continue to break out, I will stick with it!

UPDATE: This is clogging my pores, especially around my T-zone. The money I save on lotion would go to facials!! I'm changing over to my trusty Cetaphil with UV protection and relegating the Embryolisse to my decolletage!

Monday, June 1, 2015

Fillers: Tokiko Clinic

I decided to do something about my laugh lines, and that something was fillers.

I made an appointment (in English) through the Tokiko clinic website. The doctor emailed me in English (sometimes obviously through Google translate - it made no sense.) She was to have someone at my appointment to either speak or translate English.

I got to the clinic for my appointment and the intake form was in both Japanese and English. That was the last English I would hear or see.

The doctor gave me a nice consultation in Japanese and we agreed on our plan of attack.

Then, a staff member came in to explain the price structure and get me to sign some forms that I had things explained to me and I understood (again, all in Japanese).

Next, a staff member led me to a private room with a "massage table." My picture was taken (for before and after purposes). I laid down, the staff removed my makeup and applied a topical analgesic that stayed on for 30 minutes.

Finally, the doctor came in, removed the analgesic, gave me some medicine and ice to suck on, and did the injections. I was allowed to reapply my makeup, paid, and left.

Easy! I'll be back again to do some more fillers under my eyes and in my neck!