All posts by Siree

FML - Fashion Monthly Look

FML: The Witching Hour

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It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus

A silence lures me as night’s magic brews

Captive spirits walk amongst things not pure

The days grow cold and darkness falls

My shivers warn through the nothingness

 

They say the darkness tricks you with its secrets

The creeping fog will leave no trail if left behind

When the witching hour strikes on All Hallow’s Eve

Romper: BNKR | Ring: House of Harlow | Necklace: H&M | Hat: Overseas (Korea)

Channeling some inner witchery, the month of October is probably the best time to bust out some hocus pocus and upgrade your everyday look with a slight magic touch. A bit of glitter shimmer cast over the eyelids, some costume jewellery that charms like a spell. The festive air brings the occasion to celebrate the inner cheeky devil in us all.

Speaking of styling, the cut of this BNKR playsuit is pure witchcraft garb magic. I love how the sleeves flow from the collar and ends in high elongated cuffs for dramatic flow. It’s become one of my favourite online stores to browse and feel inspired!

What was your halloween outfit this year?

Until Next Time!

Xx

Siree

Beauty Guides, Skincare

Miracle Youth: A TL;DR Guide to Japanese Collagen Products

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Stop the hands of time and drink this wine!

You might be familiar with my gushing of the magic that is Japanese collagen products, promising longer lasting beauty by regenerating the appearance of youthful-looking skin. In Japan, many shops have dedicated shelves like shrines to this beauty supplement and are even available at

convenience stores.

With the popularity of collagen beauty supplements making its way to the West, here’s a rundown of what this stuff is and my rumble opinion of the best Japanese collagen products to get.

So where does collagen come from?

nfortunately, collagen products are not vegan/vegetarian friendly.

The four main sources of hydrolyzed collagen found in supplements are bovine (cow), porcine (pig), chicken, and marine (fish) collagen.

Most collagen products are either pig or fish collagen-based. I personally like the collagen derived from fish for its taste and also since it is derived from the parts of the animal (fish skin, scales, and bones) which would be disposed of rather than consumed normally.

Types of Collagen Products

he current line up of collagen beauty supplements comes in the form of tablet capsules, powder, jelly, and drinks.

As I’m not a big fan of swallowing unnecessary pills, I chose to focus on the latter:

Powder Form

his form is a powdery white grain collagen that has no smell and is tasteless for maximum enjoyment.

Since my first encounter drinking this type of collagen, I have been seriously impressed at the advancements in production as I feel companies are really trying to improve their formulas to help customers enjoy consuming their products more. These powder forms can be either fish or pork collagen-based.

Personally, this is my favourite type because you can joy it mixed in a variety of drinks and the size of the bag is enough to last a month. As it is in dry form, it also lasts longer should you only choose to drink it every so often making this type very cost-effective.

Currently, I am enjoying the Orihiro brand’s Collagen with Hyaluronic Acid. Meiji’s Premium Amino Collagen range is also great too.

 

Jelly

ollagen jellies come in a week supply packaging and eating one a day is sufficient enough to get your daily dose for beauty.

This one is particularly interesting because it uses man-made pork placenta extract hence the tasty name “Placenta C Jelly.” Though the name isn’t very pleasant, never fear! It is fruit flavoured to mask any potential unpleasant smell

or taste.

It’s nice to know my sweet tooth treat now has an extra benefit other than a sugar rush but I feel it’s not the greatest option if you want the long term benefits of collagen as part of your beauty routine.

Drinks

upplement drinks are concentrated mixtures for on-the-go people and comes in calorie-free sweetened flavours.

As you will need to drink one per day these bottles are so popular they come in larger quantity packs for daily use. Although I do like drinking these, they are a little bit expensive to drink regularly than the powder form. However, as a

fun drink suggestion, I have seen mocktail drinks using these as a mixer if you want to try something a bit fancy and creative.

My favourite is the Shiseido’s The Collagen and Chocola BB range (another skincare supplement drink but uses vitamins rather than collagen ingredients.)

DO YOU USE ANY COLLAGEN PRODUCTS?
LET US KNOW WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BELOW!
FML - Fashion Monthly Look

FML: Taste of Summer

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What is better than a summer’s day?

Patient and colourless, though Heaven’s gold

Waits to float through them along with the sun.

The uneasy wind rises; the roses are dun;

Through the long twilight they pray for the dawn,

Round the lone house in the midst of the corn,

Speak but one word to me over the corn,

Over the tender, bow’d locks of the corn.

– Abstracts from ‘Summer Dawn’  by William Morris 

 

Shirt: Zara | Shorts: Factorie | Sunglasses: Soeurs.Co | Headband: (Overseas) Korea | Sandals: River Island

If there is one thing that screams “summer” it’s the taste of a refreshing cold ice cream that chases away the day’s simmering heat. Though I’ve tasted some unique flavours from cherry blossom to whitebait fish, the best thing is to head up north to Hokkaido where the cows roam free producing the best dairy products in Japan.

It’s one of my goals to travel to both ends of Japan and Sapporo’s natural beauty and refreshing cool summer breeze is the perfect get away from the sticky heat of Tokyo. If I could recommend a place, Shiroi Koibito Park (yes, that famous white chocolate biscuit’s factory is also a fun park) has beautiful rose gardens set in a European style mini village that’s great for photos and a relaxing day out. It’s like I’ve died and gone to dessert heaven!

What’s your favourite ice cream flavour?

Until Next Time!

Xx

Siree

Beauty Guides, Haircare

5 Must Buy Japanese Hair Care Products

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5 Favourite Japanese Hair Care Products

5 Favourite Japanese Hair Care Products

air is big business in Japan.

In fact, hair salons are so common here, that finding a good and stylish one is just as easy as finding a convenience store – there’s pretty much one located on every corner.

While balayage sun-kissed tips and unicorn rainbow hair is the hottest trend in the West, it isn’t at all popular in Japan. Seriously, you’ll be surprised at how many hair salons in Tokyo are still asking “balayage-what?”

In Japan, it’s all about your hairstyle, better known as  “ヘアアレンジ or “hair arranging.”

With such importance placed on your hairstyle, it’s only natural that hair styling products are also a huge market here. But how do you know which ones to pick?  Lucky for you, I’ve searched high and low for the most must have daily items that are also all under $15.

Here are my top 5 Japanese hair care products for you!

1. Hair Cologne

t’s day 2 of not washing your hair and you notice something…your hair really stinks!

Tying it all up in a high bun will look cute and hold everything together, but unfortunately, no hairstyle can absorb the stench of sweaty oily hair. Hair is made of protein and because it is porous it will absorb any smells from cigarettes to the Korean BBQ you went to last night.

That’s where hair cologne comes to the rescue. It’s just like perfume but for your hair, keeping it smelling fresh until your next wash.

Hair colognes are so popular in Japan that they have become a daily hair necessity, with most brands making bottles small enough to fit perfectly in your bag while you’re on the go.

I’m currently using the Kanebo Sala Hair Cologne which has a soap fragrance and is very affordable as well.

Kanebo Sala Hair Cologne

Kanebo Sala Hair Cologne | ¥518

2. Hair Treatment oil

e all know the hair wonders of Argan oil thanks to brands like MoroccanOil, but have you heard of the benefits of Tsubaki or Anzu oil?

Tsubaki (Camellia oil) and Anzu (Apricot Kernel oil) are incredibly popular in Japan for their beauty benefits. The use of Tsubaki for beauty can be traced back to the 8th century and was (and still is) the beauty product of choice by Geishas.  Tsubaki oil is known for its anti-aging and non-greasy moisturising qualities, and the minerals and oleic acid present in Anzu oil promotes anti-drying and healthy hair growth.

I found Aroma Kifi Damage Care Treatment Oil by chance and it’s jam-packed with both these highly beneficial oils.

Aroma Kifi Damage Care Treatment Oil

Aroma Kifi Damage Care Treatment Oil | ¥1,500

3. Hair Mask

quality moisturising hair mask is a must for any hair type, but especially for course hair girls like me. In Japan, it is common for hair products to come in two versions: the orginial and the premium version. The “premium” version is more concentrated than the original and is developed with higher quality ingredients to give your hair a little more TLC.

The Shiseido brand is known for its hair products and the FINO Premium Touch Hair Essence Mask has a royal jelly formula that is specially designed for dry and damaged hair caused by weather changes, UV-rays and colour/perm treatments. This mask definitely impacted the daily condition of my hair.  It feels much softer, moisturised and has helped to smooth out my coarser kinks.

However, I found another hair mask which has much better results and is seriously underrated.

The Your Flora Clay Hair Mask is a salon quality product that moisturises using pomegranate, avocado, and yoghurt extracts.  Although the product is pint-sized and good for only 5 uses, it is great as a luxury head spa treatment. It also has two kinds of clay: Moroccan clay and sea silt, great for absorbing dirt and product build-up to improve the condition of your scalp. If you suffer from an oily itchy scalp, this clay mask will make you believe in miracles again.

 

Get the SHISEIDO FINO Premium Touch Hair Essence Mask here:

SHISEIDO FINO Premium Touch Hair Essence Mask

SHISEIDO FINO Premium Touch Hair Essence Mask | ¥880

Your Flora Clay Hair Mask

Your Flora Clay Hair Mask | ¥880

4. HAIR STYLING WAX

here is something about the quality of Japan’s hair waxes that can’t be beaten.

For those that aren’t familiar, styling wax is very different from gel as it does not harden to a brick or produce that super wet shiny finish. Waxes are more natural as they don’t produce any shine or tackiness. They can come in medium to strong hold and they can also be styled to give your hair added volume or define the tips of your hair as sharp as an anime character.

If you love putting your hair in a high ponytail or bun, but your short curly baby hairs keep ruining your slick look, Matomage Hair Styling Stick is my recommendation.

Rated 1st place on the ‘@cosme’s Beauty Product Word of Mouth Ranking’ for 3 months in a row, this wax stick tames all your annoying flyaway hairs without feeling stiff and hard – and you won’t even get your hands dirty during application!

While Japan creates many nice hair wax products, this one contains Camellia oil, Argan oil and Baobab oil for boosting moisture and hair shine. As a plus, the stick design also gives you nice control which is perfect for when you are trying to groom the back of your head.

 

Get the Matomage Hair Styling Stick here:

Matomage Hair Styling Stick

Matomage Hair Styling Stick | ¥598

5. Hair Dry Spray

his is a new product which was released by the popular brand Saborino and, wow! The Saborino Quick Hair Dry Spray is one of those products that you would have never known you needed until you tried it.

Styling and drying your hair in the morning or evening straight after a shower, can be a grueling routine particularly if it’s thick and has a mind of its own.

If you rely on your hair dryer daily and spend way too much time standing in front of it,  this spray helps to cut down styling and blow drying time while maintaining your hair with fruit and nut oils. As an added touch, the fruit herb scent version is very pleasant and the spray has a cooling sensation like peppermint. This would also be great for traveling when you need to dry your hair with a crappy hotel dryer or situations when you can only towel dry your hair.

Saborino - Quick Hair Dry Spray

Saborino Quick Hair Dry Spray | ¥1,300

What’s your secret weapon for beautiful hair? 

–

Updated May 2019

FML - Fashion Monthly Look

FML: Forest Dream

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Between the past and the present

Wandering down ancient holy steps, the path is long and silent

I sway gently as if dancing to my own song, and feel the quiet tenderness of the forest

The meeting place – a carved stone

Under its hefty weight, a mystery lies safely hidden here

Unchanged by time’s flow

Maybe we can find the secret together

And stay ageless like this sacred bamboo forest

Dress: Vintage (Japan) | Sandals: Lulus | Rings: Whistles and Overseas (Australia and Korea)

If you have ever traveled to Japan and ventured to the culture capital of Kyoto, you will have no doubt fallen in love with its old world charm!

From temple hopping to the hustle of downtown shotengai life, the history of each place breathes an air of something bygone of what it might feel like to step back in time to where the geishas ruled the social scene and the heyday of merchants and commerce that is still well-preserved within the formal capital.

Kyoto’s cultural preservation is what gives the city a sense of mystery to every craftsmanship, spiritual power spot and natural creation. Though this dress is very European folk in embroidery, I couldn’t help feeling like the red and white was reminiscent of a shrine maiden’s robes as she wonders around finding the mystical in unexpected places.

Is there a special place you find magical or uplifting?

Until Next Time!

Xx

Siree

FML - Fashion Monthly Look

FML: On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink!

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Shh DON’T TELL

I keep my secrets hidden from you

These words that hurt to hear

Words I etched half-heartly in the heated moment take form – a hurt that stains these pages

Set aside the burn to start again

 Turning these pages tangled with delicate string

Tie my happiness in neat little bows and tell me how to be better without you

 

Top: Bershka | Skirt: ASOS | Sunglasses: Soeurs.Co 

Yes I am fully aware that it is indeed a Tuesday today but how strict is the “On Wednesdays, we wear pink” rule exactly?

It’s one of my favourite quotes from Mean Girls that I can relate so well thinking about my high school years. From calling dibs on who wore what first to where you sat during lunch, you could form some sort of secret club through little acts of exclusivity – school politics were always quirky like that.

Self-titled “Drifter” in high school culture speak, I am thankful I have never experience anything like a “Burn Book” situation during the I guess “bratty drama” stage of awkward teenage life but I was no less immune to the dirty cruel game of cat-and-mouse we used to play to prove one another wrong. Once we battled our way to be on top, what did we gain from squashing the other down? Was the prize worth it?

No matter how much history we may have had together, the words we used cut through deeper than a sting. When nothing can be taken back, in times like these, we simply can do one thing: let one another go.

 

Do you remember your first big friend fight?

How do you solve conflict within your social circles?

 

Until Next Time!

Xx

Siree