Just recently, we went for our honeymoon. We chose Japan because we’ve been wanting to go there again ever since our first time. There was no need to make a decision of where to go because we already knew!
Following the post on my skincare routine during the trip 2 years ago, I’m going to do the same for this one as well. It is still winter time. But this time, I was trying to be a little more straightforward and less fussy with the routine. Because we were going to be there for 2 weeks, I carried all full-sized products with me.
Keyword: focus on hydration and moisturization.
Shall we begin?
Longtime readers would know that Bioré Makeup Remover for Eye and Lip is my holy-grail product to remove eye (and lip) makeup. Even though it’s getting even harder to hunt this down (I have a feeling they might’ve discontinued it, didn’t see this at all in Japan), I will still try to stock up wherever I can find it. Naturally, I carried this on my trip too.
Psst, I may have found an alternative – will share soon!
For the first cleanser, the choice fell to TATCHA Camellia Cleansing Oil. Again, this is another long-time favorite of mine. It dissolves and removes makeup so, so effortlessly. I actually used this to take off my wedding makeup! I don’t wear that much makeup when I travel, true. So technically, there are other products that I can choose, but TATCHA‘s the only one I trust for this trip due to the safety pump mechanism plus the cap. No leaking guaranteed.
The second and morning cleanser I brought was Skin Dewi Hazelnut Cleansing Milk*. This has also been a favorite of mine for the past year. Locally made in Indonesia, with clean beautiful ingredients, this stuff is the bomb! All I can say is that this milky cleanser is perfect for sensitive skin and will not strip the skin. This is important since winter can truly wreck the skin. I don’t want the cleansers to further aggravate the dryness of the skin.
I carried my Shiseido White Lucent Luminizing Infuser to be used after cleansing. In the previous review, I did mention I prefer to apply this using cotton pads. But after a few days in Sapporo, I felt the skin was getting more fragile (the winter there was harsh) so I stopped using the cotton pads. Instead, I just poured some on my hands and gently patted the liquid on the skin. Not only it’s hydrating, it also boosts radiance. Really important to keep dullness at bay.
The weather at Sapporo during our visit actually got worse. We were there for 5 days. The temperature dropped and I didn’t realize it until I started to see mild dry patches forming here and there. I was going to search for a sheet mask (Lululun or something) or possibly a thicker cream but lucky me, the hotel at Kyoto provided this sheet mask from DHC as part of their amenities. I used it that night right away and loved how it plumps my skin almost immediately. I still used Shiseido Luminizing Infuser afterward for good measure.
There was still quite a few leftover amounts of liquid in the package. I didn’t want it to go to waste obviously. I applied the liquid in the morning several layers after cleansing. Oh, the joy. Unfortunately, I didn’t really check if this particular sheet mask is available off-the-counters in the stores.
I brought two serums with me, each for AM and PM. I did carry them in the box to prevent the glass bottles from breaking. *knocks on wood*
The first one is Fleur de Fatima Moist Keep Aqua Gel. It’s a niche, green Japanese brand that I found through Cosme Kitchen. I got it through a friend about a year ago. I actually love this serum despite it being a little on the higher price, I think it was about ¥7000. It’s got lovely watery gel texture, absorbs effortlessly into the skin, easily layered and plays so well with all of my other skincare products. Its main job is to provide hydration (it sounds simple but finding a great hydrating serum isn’t as easy) plus it’s also calming on the skin. I was going to repurchase this but didn’t get the chance to stop by the store due to the continuous showers in Tokyo.
Lancome Advanced Genifique Sensitive Serum* (not to be confused with the original Genifique) was the nighttime serum of choice. It has Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid (both as antioxidants) with probiotics and Madecassoside (Gotu Kola/Centella asiatica extract) in the mix. Here’s a video about how to activate the serum. I truly have fallen in love with this serum despite not expecting it to work as great as it does. On me, it does everything it claims to be. Soothes the skin during bad skin days due to weather change or travels. It calmed my redness within few nights of use and I knew I had to carry this with me.
I could’ve taken Kanebo Bloom On Serum only (which would be fantastic for this trip I imagine) but I wanted to finish Lancome’s as soon as possible before the antioxidant potency reduces as the product has a shorter shelf life.
I knew there’s not much left in Guerlain Abeille Royale Eye Serum*, but I clearly misjudged it because it ran out within a few days. I can still use it, but I have to place it upright so the liquid can pool on the applicator. It wasn’t feasible since we’d be traveling to different cities.
I was browsing around a store and came across Country & Stream Honey Eye Roll-on. There was a tester. I played with the consistency and I like it right away. The part that interests me the most is that it has honey and royal jelly extract. Guerlain’s has those too although I’m sure the quality of the ingredients is different. Anyway, I kept it in my mind. Then the tragic nightmare happened. I had a valid reason to buy this! HA!
The liquid is lightweight and absorbs easily into the skin. The rollerball is well-made. It dispenses the liquid nicely and doesn’t drag or pinch the delicate eye area. The packaging has weight and doesn’t feel like a toy, despite the cutesy appearance. Priced at ¥1000 (before tax), this is an absolute bargain!
This became the eye treatment that I’ve used for almost the entire trip. As far as results, I’m never one to expect anything miraculous from any eye treatment. My main aim is to moisturize and depuff the eye area, which C&S Honey Eye Roll-on delivers. Dark circles? I just use concealer.
Matter of the lips was being handed to Sisley Nutritive Lip Balm. Read the review. I cannot not carry this with me to brace the cold, drying winter. My lips barely suffered from any dry patches. Well there were a few, mainly on the inner-outer corner of the lip (hopefully that makes sense), that’s the usual dry spots for me. Other than that, zero parched or even bloody lip. I used this day and night. A little thicker application on both times than I usually do back home.
Even though the price hurts, I just can’t detach my lips away from this.
Can you believe it? You bet you can. I carried a full-sized jar of moisturizer with me. It was Sisley Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream*. This is the first ever moisturizer that I’ve used most often in the shortest period of time. It’s the first one that got me GREEDY, I don’t even want to share it with my husband! LOL! You may not see it in the photo but I only have about 5 ml left, give or take. And I’m freaking out because it’s so bloody expensive!
Sensorially luxurious on all levels. The lightweight texture melts, just melts into creamy watery goodness on the skin. I just want to layer it over and over again and I wouldn’t even have felt guilty about it (except I would because of the price). It’s hydrating, moisturizing and plumps up the skin. It feels insanely comfortable on the skin.
Honestly, if my budget allows it one day, I’d absolutely make the splurge and buy this on my own.
I would’ve slipped in Trilogy No.15 Beauty Oil as it makes a stunning combination with Sisley, but unfortunately there was no more space in my pouch.
The sun protection went to the bright-blue bottle of Shiseido Perfect UV Protector SPF 50+ PA++++. Countless of features in my Instagram, needless to say, it is my holy grail. I have used this on all kinds of occasion. The formula and consistency are unparalleled. Works beautifully as a makeup base too.
On this trip, I promised myself that I won’t buy a lot of skincare products. But I will on sunscreen. We could find so many different kinds from different brands and there’s not a scarcity. We’re bound to find something that we like. I’ve been wanting to try ANESSA (still belongs to the Shiseido group) so I tried the most famous one Perfect UV Sunscreen Aqua Booster SPF 50+ PA++++. Luckily, I only bought a small bottle (25 ml) because I don’t like it as much. The finish is a bit too dry for my liking. Apparently, this one has been discontinued recently – no wonder it was a little hard to be found.
Instead, I kept seeing this ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+ PA++++, which to my understanding is a newly launched product and the improved formula of the above. I tried the tester and fell for the consistency right away. I’ve been using it ever since I got it and it may sound premature, but this very well might be a strong contender for the Shiseido one. Did I stock up? Heck yeah, I bought the large 60 ml bottles 😀
Not forgetting, other parts of the body. TATCHA Soothing Silk Body Butter to cure dry patches and flared-up eczema. I didn’t carry the full-sized tub because it’s huge. So I depot a few into a smaller jar. Problem is, I didn’t take out enough for both of us to use for the entire trip. Didn’t fill the jar full. My top arms and ankles were really dry and some areas were parched quite badly; the ankles were particularly quite painful. I was able to ration the use by layering it on the most needed areas and thank goodness it really helped. Note to self, carry the whole thing next time.
Hand creams are essentials during this kind of weather, seriously. I haven’t bought another of TATCHA Soothing Silk Hand Cream (the last one was voluntarily given to my sister) so I wasn’t able to take this with me. I brought Yojiya Mayugomori Hand Cream instead. I like the small size, fits into my small bag easily. I’d say TATCHA’s the best because it really heals the skin on top of being moisturizing, but alas.
Please note, it can be any hand cream. What matters is if you actually use it, often.
I decided to carry a travel-sized bottle of Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo (SLS-free) just in case I need it. The hotels we stayed at provided shampoo and conditioner so I ended up only using this a few times only. It’s quite a lovely shampoo and doesn’t mess with my sensitive scalp. The main problem I had with this, however, is it leaked in my pouch. I ended up wrapping it with few layers of tissue paper.
The difference this time, I didn’t bring any travel sizes for the flight. I thought about it but I just wanted to carry fewer items with me, though the full-sized items definitely bring more weight. But at least I don’t have to keep checking if everything’s in place. I trusted my skin can survive the flights and it did.
I had, however, prepped my skin before the trip for quite some time. Packing in hydration and moisturization. To ensure my skin is in tip-top condition. How did I do it? Easy. I’ve been layering more hydrating elements for the past month. Here’s what the routine looks like (after cleansing):
AM: Kanebo The First Serum – Lancome Energie de Vie Pearly Lotion – Blithe Vital Treatment Essence 9 Essential Seeds – serum – moisturizer – SPF.
PM: Kanebo The First Serum – Shiseido White Lucent Luminizing Infuser – Blithe Vital Treatment Essence 9 Essential Seeds – NIOD MMHC – serum – J.One Black Jelly Pack (used it almost 2 weeks in a row)
Sheet masking with Hatomugi once every other night.
And basically stay away from anything that might disrupt the balance of my skin. Try to have enough sleep. Maintain a good diet by still minimizing carbs, sugar, and dairy. Last but not least, leaving any negativity out the back door 😝
So there you go!
Disclosure: * denotes PR sample. As always, all opinions are mine, good and bad. Besides, I wouldn’t take them with me if they don’t do good for my skin.
