Panasonic Hair Removal Machine with Light Este with Light (for Body)

I'm in a constant battle with my body hair. I usually use NAD'S wax on my bikini line, and a strip wax on other places (upper lip, big toe, etc.). While strip wax is easy to find in any Japanese drug store, any type of wax for a bikini line is difficult, if not impossible, to locate. Therefore, I decided to take the plunge into the world of laser hair removal.

I was seriously considering the Tria (about $450 USD), but, because of the price, I decided to look elsewhere. Cosme rates the Panasonic incredibly highly, and, at 14500 yen, it was much more reasonable for my first foray into the arena of at-home laser hair removal.

I just completed my first session on my big toes, legs, and bikini line. The instructions say this is for body use only, no facial use. There was no pain whatsoever. There was a bit of a burning hair smell, but it was not overpowering.

I plan to continue the treatment twice a week for the next several months, so I will update this post as I progress.

Wish me luck! My goal is to have a bikini line free of shaving bumps and no need to grow out hair in order to wax!

MONTH ONE UPDATE: no real noticeable difference.  I've been using the machine about every 3-4 days.

Month two: still no noticeable difference. I've been using the machine about once a week, to week and a half.

Nars lipstick: Mayflower

So, I am in Japan and am being completely shut out of the Sephora website, so no sale buys for me! Not happy!

When I was in the States I hit up Sephora because I wanted a good everyday lipstick, and knew I wanted to select from the Nars collection. I like shopping at Sephora because it's so easy to try on different products without any harassment from sales people. In Japan, there is no Sephora, and going to the Nars counter at a department store feels like buying a used car.

Anyhoo, I bought the Mayflower shade and love it. It will replace some of the cheap versions I bought here in Japan late this summer. All thumbs up!

Bringing stuff back from the States: Yes to Grapefruit brightening wipes and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

I had a quick-turn-around trip planned back to the USA and made a down and dirty list of items I wanted to buy that I couldn't find in Japan. First up was a selection of "Yes to" facial cleansing wipes. I really liked my Bifesta wipes but wanted to try out the "Yes to" collection since they receive raving reviews on US Beauty websites. I have been using the  Yes To Grapefruit brightening wipes (around $7US), and have to say, I prefer the Bifesta. My skin feels dried out after using the "Yes to Grapefruit" wipe. And, I hate the smell. It's like a fruity, medicinal, candy citrus.

I also picked up the highly rated laura mercier tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 in "natural" for $43USD as an experiment against the Evangelist Lady Bright Up BB cream. I like the laura mercier, but it is much more "American" than the Evangelist: it is definitely more of a moisturizer, less coverage, and more precise color for Caucasian skin. I'm glad I have this in my arsenal, and think it will be great for dry winter skin, but it was not the "holy grail" product I was hoping for.

Traveling with Japanese luxuries: prepping to conclude an 18 hour flight looking fabulous

I always leave my flight looking oily and gross. So, I put together a little carry-on love to attempt to remedy that situation.

First up are the Bifesta facial cleansing sheets (550 yen). These oil and fragrance free sheets are supposed to give you a deep clean. I use these facial cleansing whenever I start feeling oily during a flight, and also in the bathroom of the airport when I arrive at my destination. Result: absolutely fabulous. Love these. They take off all my makeup and leave me feeling squeaky clean, and they give me a clean canvas for a fresh make-up application at my destination airport bathroom without having to get water all over the place and risk messing up my bangs.

I've been using the SK-II stempower as my morning and evening moisturizer, and am loving the mochi-like feeling it gives my skin. Japanese flight attendants use this instead of a facial mask on planes and swear that it helps them remain looking so positively fantastic throughout a long-haul flight. I can attest that it lives up to this claim!

Before settling in for a sleep, I slip on my Dr. Scholl compression leggings. My hope is to stave off bloating and uncomfortableness! I use these around my house, and love how they massage my legs. I've also found that they really do reduce leg and ankle bloating.

Then, before I pop on my noise-reduction headphones hooked up to my ambient noise app, I put on my Kao Megurythm heated eye mask, in lavender. These always put me right to sleep here at home, and really help when I'm wedged in an economy airplane seat! Note: I've been trying out the different aromas (rose, yuzu, and unscented), and so far I much prefer the lavender.

Other items in my beauty carry-on: travel toothpaste and brush, hand sanitizer, pepto bismol (um, airplane food?!?), a sleeping pill, deodorant, perfume, and make-up.

And, make my hair look great upon final exit of the airplane, I use this fantastic dry shampoo from drybar.

I have to say, I looked really marvelous for coming off an 18 hour flight. Paparazzi ready!