More Beautiful Kimono

Last March, I did a post featuring some lovely kimono.  Here are a few more artistic pics I have collected for you to enjoy! 
You can get a better idea of the traditional makeup style in these shots. Notice how the red in the kimono pics up the red of their lip and eye makeup.

Happy Birthday Hello Kitty!

Kitty-chan turns 37 years old today!  This beloved icon of all things kawaii was first introduced way back in 1974 in Japan, and is today just as stylish and popular as ever!

Pictured above is the first item Hello Kitty every graced: a small plastic coin purse.  It's now very rare and valuable.  Someday, I would LOVE to have this lil baby in my Hello Kitty collection!
Happy Birthday, Kitty-chan :D

Kawaii Hair Color Ideas from Japan

Here are a few Japanese magazine scans I wanted to share because of the awesome hairstyle/color ideas they've given me.  Enjoy :)

This one shows you how to apply uber-trendy
colored extensions to your hair. So pretty!

Here's a cool take on the two-toned hair look.
Check out the small pics at the bottom - I love
the big blonde chunk on the side of her hair!

More cute hairstyles. Again loving the blonde chunk of
hair you can see in the small pics at the bottom.
Pretty makeup too!

This kawaii girl has the most unique haircolor I've seen in awhile!
Pinkish-purplish-greyish? Really cool!

After looking at all these pics, I'm really wanting to dye my hair two-toned or just get a big blonde streak on the side of my hair.  Leave it up to Japan to come up with the coolest beauty ideas! :)

Swarovski's New Hello Kitty Collection

Sorry about the lack of posts lately.  I got a lot going on at home and with work and school, so I've just been honestly too exhausted and distracted to even get online lately.  I promise I'll try to be better though!
Now, look at these beautiful Hello Kitty sparklies I spied at the Swarovski store in Akron.  Sorry for the blurry camera-phone pics.  I hope to get a new camera soon.

This was my fave. 3D crystal HK head!

These earrings were completely covered in
crystals and sooo pretty!

As you may recall, back in July (man has it been that long??), I blogged about Swarovski's House of Hello Kitty Event in Japan.  Now Swarovski's bringing some of their gorgeous HK baubles stateside so you can check them out at your nearest Swarovski store, or click here to shop the full collection!

Super Kawaii Liz Lisa Dress

Found some awesome PopSister magazine scans today over at Ekiblog and totally fell in love with this Liz Lisa (site in Japanese) dress!  It is a little short but I just love the drop waist, the lacy hem, and the big bow on the side.  I need this in my life.

『コクリコ坂から』予告編 "From Up on Poppy Hill" by Studio Ghibli

Kokuriko-Zaka Kara, or From Up on Poppy Hill (in English), is a new Studio Ghibli film that just released this year!  This film follows two teenagers struggling to rebuild and find meaning in post-war Yokohama. The trailer suggests a mysterious connection between the two.

As always, the animation looks wistful and vibrant.  You MUST hear the beautifully dreamy themesong in this trailer!  It's so melancholy and lovely.

Click over to Tokyo Kawaii Etc for another trailer and an explanation of the plot.  There, you can also read a great discussion of the impact and meaning behind Studio Ghibli films and even see an interview with Hayao Miyazaki himself, where he explains what it is like working with his son (who directed this new movie)!

As a huge fan of Studio Ghibli, I can't wait to experience this new film!  Have you seen it yet?  Any thoughts?

Today's Random Kawaii - Sweet Treats Too Cute To Exist!

Seriously?  I've posted a lot of cute food on this site, but Floresta Nature Donuts in Japan takes it to a whole new level!  I can't tell you how bad I want one of these donuts right now...to sit on a shelf and never eat.
Visit Drop Dead Cute for more pics of these kawaii treats.

Swarovski's "House of Hello Kitty" Event

Earlier this month, Swarovski teamed up with Hello Kitty for a glittering Tokyo event to benefit the Japanese Red Cross earthquake relief fund.  Cute-spotting blog 8tokyo shared some great photos from "House of Hello Kitty," and now I share them with you! 

Hello Blingy! lol

The 10-day event was free to the public and featured celebrity appearances, custom art installations, and limited-edition Swarovski x Hello Kitty products, all to benefit such a great cause.  Man, I woulda given my left pinky toe to be there! lol
Click here to visit Swarovski Japan's site and see some of the beautiful Hello Kitty jewelry and art.  Check out 8tokyo's two "House of Hello Kitty" posts here.

Sweet Lolita Street Fashion in Tokyo

All pics courtesy Tokyo Fashion.com

I check in at TokyoFashion.com everyday to see all the new street snaps of fashionable Tokyo gals and guys.  Here we have a couple of pastel perfect, sweet lolitas in Harajuku.  Kawaii!
And if you have an iPod or iPhone like me, make sure you pick up the official Tokyo Fashion App, so you can carry the most up-to-date fashion pics and news with you everywhere you go! :)

Japanese Cosmetics Series - Majolica Majorca

Majolica Majorca (say that three times fast! lol) is an extremely popular sub-brand of Shiseido Cosmetics. 
In Japan, many large makeup brands have smaller sub-brands within them that cater to different styles and age groups.  Majolica Majorca caters more to young women and teenagers, and is well known for their high quality mascaras. 
They also have whimsical and eye-catching package designs.

All pics above courtesy of Ichibankao

To explore all Majolica's kawaii products, click either of the links above.  Outside of Asia, you'll have to buy them online.  Several different online retailers carry Majolica, such as Sasa and Ichibankao, but you can also try Ebay.  Happy hunting!

Japanese Cosmetics Series - Jill Stuart

The other day I started my Japanese Cosmetics Series with a bang by showcasing Anna Sui (click here in case you missed it). 
Today we venture forward into a makeup fairytale with Jill Stuart Beauty.  Behold:

Pic via Musings of a Muse

Pic via Ichibankao

Pic via Ichibankao

Pic via Ichibankao

Pic via Ichibankao

Pic via Ichibankao

These gorgeous products would look right at home on a princess' night stand, and they've got a royal price tag to match.  That lovely blush quad shown above is 4,725Yen or about $60 US, and a tube of that beautiful lipstick will set you back 2,940Yen or almost $40!  Ouch!  And since these cosmetics are next to impossible to find outside of Asia, you'll have to add a considerable shipping cost to that price.  Once you shell out that kind of money, they're still almost too pretty to use!
 
You can find many Jill Stuart products online at Ichibankao or you can check Ebay (beware of imitations however if you buy on Ebay).
But never fear, not all Japanese makeup is this expensive.  In the days to come, I'll show you some more affordable options that are still lovely to look at.

Japanese Cosmetics Series - Anna Sui

As a lover of all things cosmetic, I've been recently looking into the super-kawaii and unique world of Japanese cosmetics.  Japan has an incredible number of makeup brands that stand out for their cute and creative packaging and top quality.  I've decided to share some of my favorites in a series of new posts I'll be doing over the next couple weeks. I haven't been able to try any Japanese makeup yet, but as soon as I do, you'll be the first to know!  If you have a favorite Asian cosmetic brand you want to see featured, please let me know!

My first post features the lovely and edgy world of Anna Sui Cosmetics!

All pictures courtesy Anna Sui Cosmetics. 

Doesn't this stuff look beautiful?!  I love the packaging!  Click the link above to see the latest from Anna Sui (Japanese site), or head over to the awesome Japanese cosmetics online superstore Ichibankao to buy.

Hello Kitty Bouquets To Brighten Your Day!

Over at Hawaii Kawaii, I read that Sanrio Japan offers these gorgeous, colorful Hello Kitty bouquets for delivery to that someone special.  If only I lived in Japan, I would send myself one every day! :)

The Beauty of Okinawa

Takako and the lovely people over at 8tokyo have been posting gorgeous photos of their visit to Okinawa, a vibrant, tropical island in the south of Japan.  Click their link to see more amazing photos and read about their trip.

Thanks to writer Takako and 8tokyo for sharing your experiences in this lovely travel destination.