The Body Shop Vitamin E serum review

product

The Body Shop packaging is always changing so I'm not sure what it would look like by the time this post comes out. Just remember the name: Vitamin E Moisture Serum

Since I got this in a Canadian store, the packaging might be different than if you buy it somewhere else.

product and product

Details and info about product:

A concentrated pre-moisturiser treatment for the skin, for continuous, enhanced moisturisation and protection. Vitamin E protects, while tara bush seed extract works within the skin to boost moisture levels. Skin is instantly smoothed, while the future of your skin is protected over time, with regular regime use.

It claims it is:

• Suitable for all skin types
• With vitamin E
• With Community Trade honey from Ethiopia
• Facial serum
• Concentrated formula
• Enhances moisturisation
• All-day protection

impressions:

• pump type (easy to use and hygienic)
• very thick (consistency is between a serum and lotion)
• works!
• has a lightly baby powder scent
• your skin just grabs it and absorbs it

I was impressed. What seemed to be an innocent purchase became a great find! This serum must be paired with a moisturizer or it won't work. (I've tried). You do not have to use a body shop moisturizer, but you NEED a moisturizer.

This is definitely a product I was glad I picked up and I highly recommend it.

Score: 9.8/10
Website: https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-sg/face/moisturizers/vitamin-e-moisture-serum/p/p000878

Daikanyama's Doree cafe review

Doree Cafe

This "cafe" is situated in a food court next to Daikanyama station. The food court is a perfect place to finish work as it is spacious, quiet, and well lite. 

Mango Milk and Avocado Milk

I didn't order the mango milk, so I will just type out what my friend said about it: not enough mango... she could hardly tell it was mango... (oops).

around ¥500

On the other hand, the Avocado Milk was definitely much worth its money than the Mango Milk. 

While I would expect more avocado, the avocado was fresh. I could actually tell it was an Avocado shake... but I still thought it was pricey. It is one thing to be in Daikanyama and charge more, but it is another when the quality isn't so good.

score: 6.5/10

address: 〒150-0034 東京都渋谷区 代官山町20-20 モンシェリー代官山

Botanical Force Lip Essence Produced by Fancl review

product with the product

This product is called Botanical Force Lip Essence Produced By Fancl

"Hope this product will bring you a wonderful time"

For those who live in the North Hemisphere, this would have been one of the worst Winters we have had in a loooooonnnng time! It is cold... and dry. The first signs of dryness are shown in my hands and lips. And behold! My lips are so dry they are peeling every day... I have had suspicions that the dry patches are getting eczema. (That is how bad they are).

My Lip Problem:

They itch so much!! Sometimes during conversations I have to use my teeth to scratch them... and then they start flaking... it is terrible!

I tried using different types of lip balms (from Burt's Bees to Mentholatum lip balm to Vaseline and everything in between... NOTHING worked). Burt's Bees gave temporary relief but my lips will go back to being dry in a few hours.

Out of frustration, I was willing to pay ANYTHING just so I could relieve my lips. I came across Fancl and found this product.

Claims and Description:

Dense gel confines cosmetic ingredients and leads to plump lips that keep moisture for a long time. Preservatives-free, perfume-free, and colouring-free.

Impressions:

• tasteless and odourless (no scent)
• very thick
• relieves my skin of itchiness right after application
• works, but requires 2 applications (once before applying lip products in the morning and once at night after your skincare routine)
• not a fan of the applicator
• hard to control how much product you use
• expensive

I really like this, it works, it is more of a medicated treatment more than a skin routine. I have to use it twice every day, if I skip a session, my lips go back to the same dryness. I am a bit disappointed that it doesn't permanently fix my problem, rather, I have to rely on it.

the applicator

I must comment on how much I hate the applicator. You just squeeze the product out and the applicator does not help you smooth the product around, you have to use your finger, or sometimes I try to use my lips and puck them together till they spread evenly. 

I also found that when I squeeze out the product, I sometimes end up with too much... which is a waste... since I can't use it anywhere else...

This is an expensive product (I can't remember the exact cost, but it does range over ¥1200 JPY) but the good part is that it does work, and that's important.

score: 9/10
website: (to 7-eleven, where I bought the product) https://sej.qrtranslator.com/0014000002/000018/

Daikanyama Henry's Burger review

Every once in a while you will find something and it turns out to be good... and that was what happened to me this week. I was walking around Daikanyama (代官山) and came across this burger shop. The smell of their burgers just filled the streets so I was intrigued. I was also aware this was Daikanyama, so it might be slightly pricey.

To my surprise, it was not! in fact... it was quite reasonable... it was comparable to most burger shops in Tokyo. I suggest getting a set. I decided on Combo A for ¥1188 (tax included). The set includes a drink, a hamburger and fries.

While waiting for my burger, I couldn't help but do a quick google search, I saw a Japan Times article feature them a few years ago. It turns out they serve 100% Japanese Wagyu (Japanese beef) burgers with no fillers, extenders or binding agents! I was excited!

seating area

It took them around 10 minutes to get my order. The seating area is extremely small. I was lucky I got to sit down as the people were leaving.

only 4 seats!!

They only have 4 seats. I suggest getting take out and eat outside on the bench. I do not suggest waiting... because there is no guarantee how long it will take.

so my food arrived!

impressions:

• fries were fresh
• ingredients were fresh
• fries were super thin
• burger was really juicy and tasty
• burger melted in my mouth
• burger was small

served on a cute diner type tray

My order came on a cute looking tray. It had a very diner type of feel to it.

close up of burger

look at how fresh the lettuce is and how juicy the burger looks.

the burger!

the burger felt slightly thin. The combination of ingredients was good.

another look at the burger

the burger is tiny...

I finished!

it wasn't hard to finish this burger. It was small... (you can tell from my closeups).

Overall

I was quite satisfied. The ingredients were fresh and the taste was good.

score: 8/10
website: http://www.henrysburger.com/

Haagen-Dazs Specialite 抹茶のオペラ review

Haagen-Dazs Specialite Matcha Opera

As Christmas approaches, there is bound to be some seasonal limited food items available. And of all products available, Haagen-Daz's was the one that caught my eye!

After dinner, I found this Haagen-Dazs Specialite 抹茶のオペラ (Matcha Opera) at my local convenient store. My friend told me that this is heavily advertised around Tokyo: trains, subways or even random posters. After indulging in this, I started seeing this everywhere, too.

layers

This ice cream consists of 4 layers:

• gold and chocolate
• matcha ice cream
• almond sauce and cookies
• blond chocolate ice cream

impressions:

• slightly pricy (¥450)
• the chocolate layer was very richly chocolate
• there was gold dust to justify the price (?)
• the vanilla ice cream cookie crumble layer was really delicious!
• each layer was very well defined bringing out their characteristic
• the layers tasted good together and apart

Haagen-Dazs Matcha Opera

was it worth it?

despite the pricey price tag, I would say yes, it was worth it. This was probably one of the best desserts I have had this year! It was extremely well made, like a very expensive ice cream cake in a small container (the kind of cake you would find in patisseries which cost ¥500+). The combination of flavours was impeccable. While the chocolate and matcha layer were on the bitter side, the almond sauce and blond chocolate layer were sweet, creating a perfect balance between the layers and producing a delicious result.

score: 9.5/10

website: http://www.haagen-dazs.co.jp/matcha_opera/

(press release) http://www.haagen-dazs.co.jp/company/newsrelease/2017/_specialite_1121.html

Pokka Sapporo Soyafarm - Soy Milk Yogurt review

SoyaFarm's SoyMilk Yogurt

豆乳ヨーグルト (Soy milk Yogurt) 豆乳で作ったヨーグルト
I was just at my local grocery store (here in Tokyo) and the words caught my eye "Soy Milk" (豆乳). It was very appealing so I bought one to try.

benefits of Soy yogurt:

• lower cholesterol
• non dairy - for those who are allergic
• vegan

product

ソヤファーム 豆乳で作ったヨーグルト プレーン（110g）

豆乳を乳酸菌で発酵させて作った植物性のヨーグルトなので、4種の生きた乳酸菌と豆乳由来の大豆イソフラボン、大豆たんぱく質を一度に摂取できます。さらに血清コレステロールを低下させるはたらきがある大豆たんぱく質を含んだ特定保健用食品です。やさしい甘さのまろやかで食べやすいヨーグルトです。

乳製品を使用しておりませんので乳アレルギーの方にも安心してお求めいただけます。

A vegan yoghurt made by fermenting soy milk with lactic acid bacteria, so you can ingest 4 live lactic acid bacteria, soy milk derived soy isoflavone and soy protein at the same time. 

In addition, it is a food for specified health use containing soybean protein which has serum cholesterol lowering function. It is mellow and easy to eat yogurt with sweet sweetness.

We do not use dairy products so you can purchase it with confidence for those who are allergic to milk.

nutrition facts

for one container (110 g)

エネルギー 76kcal

たんぱく質 4.4g

脂質 2.7g

炭水化物 8.5g

ナトリウム 44mg

カリウム 101mg

リン 48mg

コレステロール 0mg

Energy 76 kcal

Protein 4.4 g

Lipid 2.7 g

Carbohydrate 8.5 g

Sodium 44 mg

Potassium 101 mg

Phosphorus 48 mg

Cholesterol 0 mg

list of ingredients

豆乳、糖類（砂糖、ぶどう糖）、食物繊維、ゼラチン、レモン果汁、香料、増粘剤（寒天、増粘多糖類）、塩化マグネシウム含有物、酸味料、甘味料（スクラロース）

in English:
Soybean milk, sugar (sugar, glucose), dietary fiber, gelatin, lemon juice, fragrance, thickener (agar, polysaccharide thickener), magnesium chloride containing, acidulant, sweetener (sucralose)

the goodness

impressions:

• very soft and melts in your mouth
• watery
• very strong soy taste
• there is no vanilla but has a subtle vanilla taste
• similar to cream brûlée consistency

close up

It doesn't look very attractive in this picture... but it is good... I would compare it to the consistency of creme brûlée .

I have a slight allergy to soy, whenever I eat a lot of soy, my throat gets itchy... and after eating this, I can confirm there is a lot of soy... my throat is so itchy >____<.

score: 8.8/10

website: https://www.pokkasapporo-fb.jp/soy/yogurt/?_ga=2.89897629.729749129.1512658061-823735011.1512658061

website of actual product: https://www.pokkasapporo-fb.jp/products/soymilk/soyafarm_yogurt/HM93.html

てけてけ 居酒屋 (teke teke izakaya) review

photo credits: http://www.teke-teke.com/

TekeTeke is an izakaya chain which can be found at most, if not, all train/subway stations around Tokyo. It is notorious for its cheap ¥79 (tax not included) Yakitori (焼き鳥) chicken part skewers.

Unlike the picture above, TekeTeke bars are usually located in the basements of buildings. They do this to keep their expenses low.

Keep in mind that it can get quite loud in these izakayas and do not expect there to be good service.

(all prices do not include taxes. Consumption taxes are 8% in Japan)

Deep Fried Cheese sticks with Semolina Flakes (クリームチーズのセモリナ粉揚げ) ¥390 + tax

fried cheese sticks ¥390

I loved these fried cheese sticks! They were served hot and fresh! The insides were filled with cream cheese. 

inside of the cheese sticks :9 ¥360

 it was filled with goodness inside! the cheese was really hot... so be careful if you plan to order this.
I highly recommend this for any cheese lovers who come across this Izakaya.

Famous! Tepanyaki Chicken Gyoza (な物!鉄板鶏餃子) ¥490+ tax

Chicken dumplings ¥490

The chicken dumplings were actually a chicken stuffed with dumpling / Gyoza (餃子) filling. This was one of the best dishes we ordered. The taste was made right and paired with a delicious vinegar. I highly recommend this item.

Yakitori (焼き鶏) ¥474+tax/5 pieces (quail, chicken bum, chicken skin, chicken liver, chicken glizzard) ¥79/skewer

yakitori! ¥79/each or ¥450/set of 5 pieces

 The quail eggs were the best (I guess you can't exactly go wrong with them XD).  The others were slightly burnt... and dry... overcooked. The flavour wasn't bad... I didn't find the need to put in an extra amount of salt. Was it worth it? at another location, yes... at this... only the quail eggs.

Chicken Broth Congee/Porridge ¥490

Chicken broth Congee/Porridge ¥490

 This was a so-so item. It was slightly small for the price (you can see how big the spoon looks -____-) but it was quite well made. I liked the amount of black pepper they added into the congee/porridge. The main ingredients were: 5 pieces of chicken, an egg, broth, black pepper, green onion and some onions. The combination was quite good.

Otooshi (お通し) ¥300/person

otooshi ¥300/person

This otoushi (お通し) was by far the biggest ripoff. For those who are not familiar with what is Otoushi, it is a sort of service fee (or seating fee/cover charge) paid to the bar if you order drinks (especially alcohol drinks).

Most Otoushi are small but very well made... they are usually unique to that bar/restaurant, it usually very delicious... this was just cabbage -______-|| The cabbage was paired with a sesame tasting dipping sauce. The sauce was quite flavourful... still... this is NOT otoushi quality.... 

Another problem was this came almost at the end of the meal... and we only got one per table... ONE! :(

Location: Ebisu (I was a bit disappointed at this one... I have been to others which were much better)

score: 6.5/10 (for Ebisu location)

website: http://www.teke-teke.com/