LED light facial treatment: Emily Stone One

I really wanted a red light facial, or a red and blue light facial since I've been dealing with acne lately (STRESS!), but I have no time and they are so expensive. So I bought the Emily Stone One LED light treatment on amazon (flash deal for 7000 yen!). It has red, blue, and green LED options, plus a massage button.

I did some research on the LED light facials. For blue light, which kills the bacteria that cause acne, the frequency has to be 405 nm to 420 nm. In some clinical trials with the Tanda, participants saw a marked improvement in skin tone and acne by day 7, and an amazing improvement by day 28.

For anti-aging benefits, the red light should be between 620 nm and 700 nm. All the stars are doing it, so why not me too? Red light led therapy is supposed to reduce inflammation, even out skin tone, and boost collagen production.

So, on day 1 I did 10 minutes on the blue light setting. I noticed that my acne seemed to get WORSE. Maybe from the massage of the treatment? I then did 10 minutes of red light, which definitely brightened my face, but didn't take down the inflammation of my acne. No miracles on day one. Let's see how the rest of the week goes?

Day 3: I've worked my way up to the second setting on both the blue and the red leds. I really think the first day of the blue light made my acne worse, as the newly emerged zits have stuck around. I did some research on this, and, while it's not common to break out, it is reported in some cases. The red light is definitely brightening my skin and reducing redness. So far, I can tell that the general redness I get after washing my face, etc. is drastically reduced. I'm pretty sure this means that those "under the skin" zits are gone. I'm also noticing the very beginning of some diminishing acne scars (it doesn't matter if I pick or not, I ALWAYS get a red spot after any acne). The improvement is on the smaller and lighter scarring, no improvement yet on the big ones.

Return to Japan! Santa Marche Deep Cleansing

My regular bioderma regimen just wasn't getting all the grime off my face, and when I used my Cure exfoliator this morning I was shocked at how much I was able to exfoliate. So I picked up cosme's #1 rated cleanser for sensitive skin (no oil!). I bought mine for about 1600 yen at yamada denki.

Per Cosme's amazing new English-language cleansing webpage, this product is supposed to be "One product for that exfoliates and removes makeup all at once, while the green tea extract hydrates and moisturizes the skin."

When I used it I was happy that it took off my eye makeup and didn't leave my skin feeling dry. It's a good buy!

Cleansing Towelettes: Neutrogena and Burts Bees

The Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes are super nice. They are thick and get the job done. Also, a nice big towelette. And they trump my Japanese brand! You can buy them on Amazon Japan. Search for ニュートロジーナ 詰め替え用メイク落としシート

I also picked up these Burts Bees cucumber sage towlettes for about $6. They work, but not as well. And the smell is really cucumber-y. That just makes me think chemical.　Burts Bees products are widely available on Amazon Japan. Search for バーツビーズ

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

I purchased this on Amazon to take care of some stubborn hormonal acne that nothing else would treat. I have to admit that the first two times I used this, I didn't really get any result. However, the third time, when I really lathered the stuff on and let it sit for 40 minutes, really did the trick. This is a hard-core get-the-gunk-out mask. It will leave you red and dry for at least 30 minutes afterwards. But, my acne is now gone.

My plan is to use this 3-4 times a week in the morning, and the Vicco cream at night. Wish me luck!

Vicco tumeric cream and DIY tumeric/lemon mask

I recently read a glowing review of this cream over at refinery29 and decided to give it a go since it's only around $7USD a tube (I got mine on amazon).

I've been using this every night for about 3 weeks and can easily say it will be my new go-to night cream. It lessens the red marks from acne, prevents breakouts (but not completely), and even nipped a cystic pimple in the bud before it could become a huge problem. It is not as much of a miracle cream as R29 makes it sound. I still have red marks from previous acne flare-ups, but, even if it's temporary, they are lessened. And, the anti-acne properties make it a keeper. (and it doesn't seem to be staining my sheets.)

Problem is, this is hard to find in Japan. So I tried a DIY turmeric and lemon facial mask. It seems to be giving me the same benefits, but with more drawbacks: it will stain your skin and any fabric it comes in contact with. It takes a good scrub and a few cleanses with my bioderma make up remover to get the yellow off my face.

Final verdict is: buy the cream when you can. In a pinch, do the DIY mask a few times a week, when time allows.

Kanebo Suisai face wash powder

I picked up this face wash powder for about 2000 yen at Yamada Denki.

You empty the capsule into your hand, add a bit of water, rub your hands together, and it turns into a lather.

It's ranked very high on cosme and won a best face wash award in 2014. But it was really drying for me. I'll use it when I travel (no liquids!), even though I prefer my Bifesta cleansing sheets for traveling.

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).

Facials and Massages: Beauty Face

My favorite super sento closed, so I am looking for a new place to get decent spa care. I thought I would give the Beauty Face chain a try!

I made an appointment online through Hot Pepper (Japanese only) for a 3400 yen pore reduction facial. Most people come to Beauty Face for facial shaving, but, since that creeps me out a little bit, I went for a facial only.

The experience is Japanese only, but my facialist said that many foreigners come to the shop (I went to the one in the Aeon Kyoto mall). The site is more hospital than spa - definitely no frills.

The facial itself, while bare bones, was good. There was a cleansing, a lot of steam, some sort of lotion that helps pull the gunk out of your pores, a vacuum suction, clay mask, and final cleansing. There was a (too) brief head massage at the end. I left with very red and blotchy skin, which the facialist felt bad about, but I'm pretty sure it was because of the suction and the clay mask. The redness went away in a few hours.

My facialist did not try to sell me anything (which I like), but offered up all of the usual things to encourage a repeat appointment. She gave me an overall assessment of my skin (too dry - use more lotions and essences!) and saw me on my way!

For 3400 yen, this is something I think I will treat myself to more often!

2014 Year end awards: Buy these now!

These are the things I can whole-heartedly recommend:

Heroine make mascara

Heroine make mascara remover

Evangelist BB cream

Muji lipstick

SK-II stempower

Bifesta facial cleansing wipes

Tiare body oil

Beauty Pride's APPS+E(TPNa) shampoo and conditioner

Drybar dry shampoo

Heroine make mascara remover

I finally splurged and bought the mascara remover for the all day super waterproof mascara I ADORE. I was getting raccoon eye overnight, even after I cleansed my face and used my normal makeup remover. I have to say, this doesn't get ALL the mascara off, but it does a much better job than normal cleansers. Go ahead and buy it!

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!

DHC Deep Facial Cleansing Oil, Grands Rich Soap Rosemary Facial Cleanser, Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner

This is supposedly a standard item in most Japanese women's medicine cabinets, and has a ton of positive reviews on the DHC site. Cosme currently has it ranked rather low, although it won top prize in 2000. I got a small bottle for 900 yen at the local drugstore.

It has a similar consistency to the Shisheido cleansing oil, meaning that it is not as "thick" as the Fancl oil. It seems to have done a fine job cleansing, however, I thought the smell of olive oil was too strong. Since I'm using this with the Grands Rich Soap Rosemary facial cleanser, I smell a bit too "savory" in the morning for my taste!

 I'm not so sure that the soap cleaner got all the oil cleaner off, even after an application of my trusty Thayers Witch Hazel Rose Petal Toner.

After this combination, my skin still feels like it has an oil moisturizer on it, which is not a bad thing - I feel all soft and smooth -, it's just different from my former "squeaky clean" feel after the Fancl oil and Shisheido face wash. Perhaps this will be better as the cold weather approaches and starts drying out my skin!

UPDATE: I've thrown out the DHC oil. Being greeted every morning with that bitter olive oil smell was just not worth it. In addition, my skin has been acting up. It could be from any matter of things, but, no matter the cause, I'm not adding oil that doesn't smell good and that I'm not sure actually washes off.

Fancl mild cleansing oil

This is a really rich cleansing oil that takes off makeup residue and doesn't aggravate my skin. It is much thicker than the Shiseido cleansing oil.

This is currently ranked as the best cleansing oil on cosme.net. A bottle will set you back about 1700 yen, but you can get a 500 yen sample mailed to you from their website (Japanese only). At first I didn't know where I could buy this product, as it isn't in any of the drugstores I frequent, but I found a Fancl shop in the Porta mall in Kyoto station that is super pretty and convenient.

UPDATE: I also found the complete Fancl skincare line sold at Lawsons!

Shiseido perfect whip facial cleansing foam and perfect oil

This was my first foray into Japanese cleansing routine: a wet face, an oil wash, followed by a foam cleanser and a water rinse.

This is supposed to be the "Cetaphil" of Japan - not too harsh and not too expensive. These products lived up to their billing, cleaning my skin without any irritation or dryness. The oil cleansing step was useful for removing any stubborn makeup. I really enjoyed the foaming of the face wash!

Both are easily found in any drugstore and are under 500 yen if I recall correctly (the oil might be more).