(HER ●) @ Don Quijote (aka DONKI, a discount chain store where you can find anything) in Yokohama, I found half of the 2nd floor full of FAKE EYELASHES. Lovely!

SUGOI!

I have been wearing fake eyelashes since 6th grade. I used to have trouble finding the best ones since there weren't many companies making them, but now I see very high competition! Through my 9-10 years of experience with fake lashes I have learnt that the key to beautiful looking fake eyelashes is the GLUE.

Japanese fake lashes have a thick base (where the fake hair starts) so it tends to take time for the lashes to get flexible so that it fits the shape of your eye (I think Japanese lashes have a thick base just for better quality. I used to be able to use a pair of Japanese lashes for 6 months). Thick bases are good for quality, but sometimes the lashes get too heavy, or the base starts hurting your eyelid. The lashes I've bought in the US tend to have a thinner base making it flexible and easier for use, but of course they don't last long as long.

Fake eyelashes are extremely popular now in Japan from various age groups (even 50+ year olds!) due to the great variety and types they sell. They are also easily accessible since even pharmacies and convenience stores sell them!

The cheapest fake eye lashes you can find is probably at Donki, where 1 pair is only 99 YEN (1USD). They also have packs of several lashes for a great price too!

Watching "NEWS ZERO" - a news show on NTV( http://www.ntv.co.jp/zero/ ).  

News channels still show the effects of the tsunami which hit back in March. 

Parents in the severely affected areas of Japan worry about their children as they seem to have been traumatized by the tsunami. Children play "Tsunami" with their small cars as they vividly remember the time when the tsunami devastated their entire town. Most children also have lost the opportunity to go to school as their school was destroyed. Many of those who stayed in the severely affected areas have lost their closest friends as most families chose to move to different prefectures in Japan. Preschools seem to be working hard to get those children back together as going to school seems help give children hope. 

According to NEWS ZERO, even parents in Tokyo are still worried about the radioactivity in the air, in the soil, and in the water. One of the parents being interviewed said that when she calls the radiation information center all they say is that there is no need to worry. 

Who knows if that is 100% true?

They set up a group for parents in Tokyo who have the same concerns and decided to act upon the radioactivity that still remain in the city. They have been trying to get rid of the radiation by washing it away with water (for radiation that remains on the concrete). They have also tried to replace the surface soil (which contains high radiation) with the soil that lies underneath to prevent children from getting affected. Overall, they have seen great improvement with the levels of radioactivity - in Fukushima prefecture they saw the radioactivity levels decreased by 75%. They really are trying hard to get back the comfortable lifestyle they had.  

On a happier note, Japan has very reasonably priced and great quality makeup everywhere! I usually go to a pharmacy or Don Quijote which is a discount chain store. 










From the left, lip gloss/stick, eye shadow, eye liner, mirror, and top coat for nails - All of this for only 6,500 yen!  ($80 with today's rate)











First off - the liquid eyeliner. The line comes out black as charcoal. 

I usually use Clinique's cream eye liner since it never comes off (even when I was snorkeling and swimming in Okinawa), but this eye liner made me change my mind. To be honest, I get lazy sometimes with the brush that comes with the cream eye liner. I forget to wipe it as I am in a hurry, it hardens up and it gets harder to use. This eyeliner comes out black-BLACK the moment it touches my skin, and it just does not come off! You may think then it must be hard to remove? No! hot water that is hotter than 40 celsius will remove this eye liner easily. You don't even need eye make up remover...and it only costs 1,500 yen ($19 at rate now).

Lastly, the top coat for nails.

Gel nails are very popular here in Japan right now (I think they call it Shellac in the US?). The shiny plumpness is just adorable to have on your nails (The photo shows an example of gel nail here in Japan). It makes your nail art look brand new for weeks on, and most of all, it doesn't wear off like normal manicure!

Getting your nails done could become pricy here in Japan. I remember paying more than $150 once just for gel nails + design once. 





So what if I feel like getting simple gel nails myself at home? 

For only 900 yen ($11 at today's rate), you can get a gel nail top coat which really turns your nails beautiful! All you have to do is colour your nails yourself, and use this as a top coat. It dries very fast! In a few seconds after applying the top coat, you will be able to touch your nail and feel the plump gel. I always fail doing my nails at home since I start touching things while my nails are not completely dry. This top coat has changed my life! I took a shower few minutes after application and my nails came out completely fine :) (check out the pic for the result)










By the way, did you know Groupon doesn't have a good reputation here in Japan anymore?