Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel

I took the plunge and bought a 30 day supply of the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta peel. All I can say is that I wish I had done it earlier. My skin looks amazing, after only 2 days.

This product is worth the money. I would buy this over all of the facial masks I've tried over the past year (SK-II mask included). Also, it works as a cleanser (although I use my bioderma first). So, in reality it is cheap: you don't have to buy any expensive cleansers or masks, this does it all in one product.

This will become a staple!!!

UPDATE: I stopped seeing results after the second day. I'm still using the product, but I don't think I will buy it again (especially because of the cost).

Adventures in hair: Nabige (GO HERE!)

I finally found it. A Kyoto hair salon that did what I wanted. No mistakes. No thinning shears. No too-short bangs. Nabige. And my new favorite man on earth, Akihiko IMAMURA

 

I made my appointment on hot pepper, since I prefer online booking. Straight perm and a cut. First thing in the morning. I noted that I prefer a quiet experience and that I speak Japanese.

Be forewarned, the experience was in Japanese only. But, Imamura-san spoke to me like a child, so it was easy enough to understand. He was quiet and understated with me, but laughing and joking up a storm with another client - so he can give you either experience.

He sat me down for a consultation. He confirmed the date of my last straight perm, and that I had no negative reactions. He then asked about the cut - I told him I wanted to keep the length and my bangs were still too short. He said he would just take off the damaged ends and shape up the bangs, allowing me to grow out my cut. Perfect.

Then, he gave me the best shampoo I've ever had. Really. I wanted some privacy. : )

He confirmed that I understood this would be a 3 hour extravaganza. Then, he directed my attention to the wall of fashion magazines (Japanese). When I told him I had no clue, he described them in terms of age-appropriateness and suggested I take at least two. Then, he and his assistants got down to work.

Everyone was gracious and lovely.

When he gave me my final touch-ups he also gave me some tips on how to lessen the heat damage to my hair when I blow dry and flat iron.

All around win.

My new salon! I'm so happy!

UPDATE: The straight perm didn't take. I thought it had fewer steps than the one I got at Watanabe, and obviously, it did. I won't get the perm at Nabige again.

I went back for a bang trim, but asked for tons of extra stuff if he had the time, and he did, so I also got the dead ends cut off and my neck shaved into a lovely line. All went smoothly and without disaster!

Eyelash extensions: ProCare Eyelash in Osaka

I love my Japanese mascara, but getting it all off is tough. And, I wanted to try extensions.

After a bit of research I decided to try out ProCare. I'm in LOVE. I will be doing this from now on. I got 80 lashes in American Doll design. The result looks like I have long lashes with a bit of mascara. It really makes my eyes pop.

The process wasn't bad at all, about an hour. No bad reactions to the glue.

I'll be going back!

UPDATE: The follow-up was really great. I decided I wanted 60 lashes per eye instead of 40, and went I went back they counted the remaining lashes all up, removed any damaged lashes, and made sure I left with 60 per eye.

Nail polish: Jin Soon's Nostalgia

All of the nail salons here do gel nails, and while I like how beautiful and long lasting they are, I always feel a little cheated. I don't get wild colors because the grow out "gap" is too noticeable. And, paying to have the nails taken off makes a $50 manicure a $70 manicure. (I don't like to do gel nails back to back, too harsh on my nails.)

In the meantime, I'm always on the prowl for the perfect beigey pink that can be a "clean look" go-to. I've failed many times and have countless bottles of "almost" perfect nail polish cluttering the fridge.

But then, there was Jin Soon's Nostalgia. It's perfect. It's expensive, but it's perfect. You can buy a bottle online.

Clinique eyeliner in Egyptian (103)

I recently read about Clinique's Egyptian eyeliner, which was apparently all the buzz in Japan and Korea a few years ago since it was not quite black or brown, and the shimmer gave an eye opening effect.

My eyeliner arrived today, and I have to say, the effect is very subtle. I'm not sure it really makes all that much difference whether you use a black liner or this one. I can say, it was pleasing to apply (nice and creamy) and stayed put. It resisted cleansing with my bioderma make-up remover, but two wipes did the trick.

I'm going to continue using this product, but research methods of application that will make my eyes appear bigger.