Summer is almost here and it’s time to change up your skincare routine to better care for our skin during the hot sweltering days.
While you might grab your favourite soda to quench your thirst, how about a refreshing soda but just for your face? I try the newest bubble mask trend to see what beauty magic will happen…
APPLICATION
nlike most facial masks, the OOPS! Soda Bubble Mask is a two-step application process to get the full benefits of the mask’s formula.
First, after normal cleansing like with all masks, you will need to apply the sheet to the lower half of your face and wait. After 10 – 20 minutes, the second stage is to massage the bubble foam formula into your face before rinsing off. This acts as a “double cleansing” effect for your skin so it can really “eat” all the nutrients since it requires you to wash off the product unlike leaving it on overnight.
As this “Brighten Fruit” mask version is for a brighter complexion, the double action works great to increase its effects and to get rid of any remaining residue from the day’s activities that can block pores and cause breakouts.
Something I noticed while waiting was the mask is kind of slippery so you will need to apply it a little higher or occasionally adjust the sheet to not let it slide off too much.
PRODUCT DESIGN
f course, being its major selling point, the OOPS! Soda Bubble Mask has a unique formula design that magically transforms watery serum into a bubbly foam without touching.
The bubbles immediately form when taken out of the pouch and over time becomes foamier and builds height. It reminded me of a Santa Claus beard! The foaming action is really incredible, too! It felt like it was continuously making bubbles and didn’t deflate even after 10 minutes. While on your face, the bubble action creates a
soft fizzing type sound making it sound like you’re in some kind of Coke Cola ad. The half-size mask also works to problem shoot the gimmicky flaws of these bubble mask products. By restricting the bubble foam area, it prevents the suds going into your eyes or hairline while the foam created was enough to massage the product into your upper face in the second application stage so it doesn’t get left out.
The sheet has a freckle design on the cheek area which is purely for aesthetic but is a nice design touch.
Brightening
he main extract ingredients in this product are acidic based plants that naturally brighten skin tone including blueberry, tomato, lemon, lime, grapefruit, acerola cherry, and centella asiatica which is said to produce healthy cells for brighter skin.
For the last few weeks, I haven’t been diligently doing my skincare routine so my skin
texture is quite rough and darken at points around my chin due to acne. Although I think using this product more will show better concrete results to its brightening power, after using the mask once I did feel my skin complexion looked a little better than before.
SKIN BENEFITS
esides from natural brightening plant extracts, the OOPS! Soda Bubble Mask also contains carbonated sparkling water. This carbonation has detoxifying effects which are said to rejuvenate the skin and improve circulation. The sensation is a light tingly
sensation and you can feel your skin tighten slightly after the 8-minute point. After washing my skin it felt slippery and smooth, very clean and refreshed which is perfect for the summertime.
Value for Money
he Berrisom: OOPS! Soda Bubble Mask retail roughly at $3 per sheet which is a little more expensive than your usual daily face masks but would be perfect to include for a spa day or in your once-every-so-often skincare routine. It is truly a one-time use only kind of product
as you cannot reuse the product’s serum like other masks as it needs the sheet to activate the bubble effect. However, you can reuse the extra serum at the bottom for another day without the suds effect. All-in-all, it’s an affordable trend product that won’t break the bank and does work as advertised.
WHERE TO BUY
HAVE YOU TRIED THE BERRISOM OOPS! SODA BUBBLE MASK?
A feather-light feeling with a formula that melts on your lips.
Let’s see why you should be changing your summer pink gloss to a matte earthy rose instead using Peripera’s Airy Ink Velvet series.
Swatch: No. 5 Elf Light Rose (Right)
Pigmentation
With an airbrushed look and feel these Peripera Airy Ink Velvet lip tints are mousy nude-toned mattes that create a soft “cloudy” looking pout just like something you would see from an old Hollywood glam film. It’s a great makeup choice if you are seeking a more subtle and muted look for spring/summer.
Though the colours of this range don’t have a deep or a bright shade range to choose from, the shade No. 5 Elf Light Rose is definitely the fail-proof wearable child in the bunch. Described as an MLBB pink it’s a nice neutral everyday shade that will
compliment all skin types.
If you apply one layer, you can achieve a soft gradient look by concentrating the pigment on the centre of the mouth, blend it out and finish by using concealer applied from the outside in. This single layer will provide enough colour for a light look but I personally prefer applying two layers so you can really appreciate the colour’s true shade. It will take a second layer to build enough pigment to achieve a full lip look.
Application
Applying the product was made nice and easy by just using the doe-foot shaped wand provided. The shape of the applicator made it a lot easier to be able to get into the corner of the lips for a more defined look.
When applying the product, the formula didn’t dry out too fast so I had some wiggle room to be able to spread the product evenly compared to other liquid matte lip
glosses.
The feeling after the lip tint had set was soft and still very moist which looked good even on my dry cracked lips. One thing I noticed after applying was there is an oil base sheen (from the jojoba oil) which was left-over from the formula after applying but it can be removed by patting lightly with a tissue.
Long-Lasting
The staying power of these Peripera Airy Ink Velvet lip tints is amazing!
After removing the oil sheen, some of the pigment did come off however, the pigment still remained like I never touched it at all! No patch spots or budging.
The staining effect also helps keep retouching to a minimum and no
immediate need to reapply after eating a meal or drinking.
Though the colour will fade, eventually the tint can last up to 4 hours and the jojoba oil, olive oil, and arnica extract will still leave your lips soft and not flakey after.
Packaging and Design
The bottle packaging of the Peripera Airy Ink Velvet lip tint is simply adorable!
The inkpot bottle concept is very cute and the frosted hard plastic makes it look like glass and complements the “velvet” theme.
No doubt these were designed to be displayed on a vanity desk and if you are a makeup collector, buying other shades in the range would look great when they are displayed next to each other.
Value for Money
Each pot will set your wallet back 9000 won ($9) which is very affordable for a current trend make-up item. Also being so affordable also means it doesn’t break the bank if you want to have the whole collection.
For a trendy makeup item, the Peripera Airy Ink Velvet lip tint is very affordable only
setting your wallet back 9000 won (roughly $9) per item.
This is perfect for those who love experimenting with lip colour as you can buy multiple tint pots and it won’t break the bank if you decide to buy all the collection!
WHERE TO BUY
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE LIP STICK SHADE?
IF YOU TRIED THE PERIPERA AIRY INK VELVET LIP TINTS LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW!
My recipe for this summer I guess? A bit different and odd but I thought it was a funny little writing exercise to start off this post.
I am for some reason listening to a lot of summer tunes both current and old recently and noticed a distinct melody hook that made you always think: “Ah, this sounds like a summer bop!”
Kind of much like this botanical leaf print! Whenever I see this print I always think “summer” and started to think how I should style this top. It wasn’t easy actually. It’s very athletic in style and would go very nicely with some yoga pants to the gym but to change this into an every day outing look, I paired it with my favourite oversized white button down shirt and added some 90’s flare details with my usual denim fringe shorts and brightly printed headband which seemed to make everything come together. It just goes to show, never be afraid to mix and match styles! You never know what you might end up with.
When the hour is gold and light is low, it’s time to seek a quiet pour of smooth afternoon delight.
Japan is home to many coffee shops. Some are great cafes making tasty brews and some, well, not so much. On top of that, getting your usual coffee fix can be quite an expensive treat here. A small cappuccino can be over 450 yen, ouch!
Despite the high price tag, finding local coffeehouses are worth it as independent coffee shop owners are serious at their craft to perfect the perfect brew.
Here are three of my picks of the must-visit coffee joints in Tokyo that perfectly represents the uniqueness of Japanese coffee culture that everyone should visit at least once during their time to the big city.
1. Chatei Hatou
he coffee shop that inspired the infamous Blue Bottle. Chatei Hatou is a hidden gem amongst coffee enthusiasts who wish to travel back to the good old days of “kissaten” coffee house culture.
Off the main road away from Shibuya station, Chatei Hatou has been operating since the 1970s and everything from the choice of furniture to the exterior retains its nostalgic charm.
If you get the opportunity, the best seat in the house is sitting along the 11-meter long bar counter made out of a single piece of pine. From there, you get an up-close look at how each coffee is made to order.
Their specialty is hand drip black coffee and they offer a wide selection of coffee
beans to choose from. They also serve other coffee like Vienna coffee and tea cakes.
If you are unsure about coffee types, I recommend the Guatemalan charcoal roasted coffee (ギャテマラー炭火焙前珈琲). It’s full-bodied with a chocolate nutty sweet undertone.
Before the coffee is poured into dainty vintage cups, the coffee beans are measured and grounded on the spot. As an added touch, each cup is selected to reflect the personality of the customer drinking it.
Chatei Hatou is a great place to visit on a rainy day or to relax after a long day of shopping in Shibuya.
Vienna Coffee
Hand Drip Coffee (¥850 yen w/o tax)
2. Reissue Coffee
wned by the man who pioneered the 3D latte art trend, Reissue Coffee is located off the main road in Harajuku and offers you a chance to experience professionally made 3D latte for yourself.
Since lots of milk foam is needed to make 3D latte art, the menu only offers the service for cappuccinos, lattes, and hot chocolate. Ordering from the basic coffee menu will include an adorable 2D latte art design but for an extra 400 yen, you can
request for the special 3D latte design from the barista.
For their latte designs, Reissue Coffee creates everything from cute kitties to the melting clock from Salvador Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory.” The designs are randomly picked so every coffee is different to make every order a special drinking experience.
any people might have heard of Bar Zingaro as it was born from the creative mind of artist Takashi Murakami and the popular coffee house Fuglen.
This collaboration space combines the best of both worlds; Fuglen’s laid-back coffee shop and bar aesthetic and the strong presence of Murakami’s iconic prints.
If you have the taste buds for discerning coffee traits, their selection of coffee offers
an interesting selection of flavours like dark chocolate, red apple, citrus, and almond. One particular blend described it was a mixture of tangerine, orange, and melons flavours. It was the first time I have ever heard of melon and citrus-infused coffee before!
If you enjoy a quirky touch to your coffee experience, visiting Bar Zingaro perfectly reflects the eccentricity and sophistication of Takashi Murakami and Fuglen’s vision paired with the comfort of Scandinavian style seating.
It’s beginning to be cherry blossom here in Tokyo and with the start of the warm season there is much anticipation for the once bare trees to be coated pink confetti once again. As quickly as the first flower blooms on their branches, these flower buds will last only for a brief time (around a week) and even quicker with the on-off rain and strong winds leaving more on the ground than on the trees.
So before that happens I’ve prepared to dress in theme before going sakura hunting around Tokyo or doing hanami picnics this year! Oversized dusty pink coats were a small trend piece last winter but I still enjoy wearing this antique rose colour which matches perfectly with the pink season – an aesthetic perfect for my kitsch taste habits.
“Fashion is ephemeral. Art is eternal. Indeed what is a fashion really? A fashion is merely a form of ugliness so absolutely unbearable that we have to alter it every six months!”
– Oscar Wilde
ilde’s advice to fashion. Our appetite for fashion is a cycle. One moment being tasteful until we decide to throw it away in disdain only for it to reappear years later relabelled as being “vintage.” However, there is something to the game of “thrifting” any seasoned thrifter will tell you and that is thrift store shopping is a sport.
A great second-hand find is like a diamond in the rough.
Oh yes, we all love unique fashion and vintage designer clothes for a steal but the woes of finding “something” in “everything” is the real challenge.
Once you head dive through the unruly piles of discarded clothes, you’ll convince yourself over and over again it’s definitely “granny-chic” not “granny-made” 20 times more before you even make your way to the register.
So how can we simplify the plethora of choices to avoid the deal-breakers and head towards the deal-makers?
Well, let’s start small.
We have done some awesome vintage-inspired fashion monthly looks (FML) over the years so if you like our style here at The Hidden Thimble, or want a simple style hunters guide to the thrift store maze of Shimokitazawa, here are my top 5 places to start you on your shopping journey.
North Exit Shop Guide
Toyo Hyakatten Shimokita Garage Department Store
A well organised bazaar space with many small stores. The style of each shop ranges from steam punk watches, ethnic accessories, nail and henna tattoo services to a collab rental space for various independent makers to sell their handmade accessories, jewellery as well as small artworks. There are also shops that open only for fashion workshops and courses. Even if you walk out empty handed, you’ll have a
lot of fun walking around looking at everything this place has to offer.
A second hand vintage shop catering for both men and women, this store sources its clothing and antiques from mainly America all which are dated somewhere during the early 20th century. It’s a lovely curated collection with a more chic modern adult vibe. You can also find some designer brands that have been carefully selected as well as antique decorations.
Next to LANP BY VALON and part of the bigger MARCO POLO thrift chain store, NICORO POLO stocks a very nice (but smaller) collection of female second hand clothes that are preppy, romantic and sweet in style. You might also get lucky and find a designer brand here and there in the same style to complete your cute coordination. Their Instagram is a great way to see how they pair their clothes to
show the style and type of vintage clothing they stock.
Strictly not “vintage” but worth a visit, one of the most iconic stores in the area Tabatha is a handmade hat and bag store and interestingly, also sells Supreme-like “Shimokita” merchandise which is great for a souvenir gag or just because you love the area so much! They make all styles of modern to traditional hats from everyday caps to more specific styles like tam hats.
Though not second hand vintage, Mocha is a fashion shop selling new clothes that combine modern trends with vintage elements. From dainty Peter Pan collar blouses to 90’s inspired plaid pleated skirts, Mocha caters to fashion seekers who are familiar with Harajuku’s youth style mixed with Shimokita’s uniqueness in prints and embellishments. They also have many cute jewellery and I love their unique printed dress shirts.
Run by two travel and lifestyle bloggers, The Hidden Thimble focus’ on creating truthful and in-depth travel guides, food & beauty reviews. Enjoy drool-worthy photography from around the world!
