Kate Tokyo CC (Color Control) Lip Cream review

packaging

This is a popular item in Japan... well... in Tokyo at least, you can find it at almost any drug store and possibly some convenient stores (since I haven't seen them in ALL convenient stores, it would be safe to buy this from a drug store).

Be warned this will be a slightly picture heavy post.

Kate Tokyo sign

There are usually Kate sales around... so be sure to look for them if you are looking for Kate products.

how the product looks

The name is quite misleading, and at first, I was also misled. I thought it was similar to a CC Cream (for your face... you know... similar to BB creams?) BUT it isn't!... the CC stands for Color Control. 

I hate when my camera just won't focus!!!!! >:(

What this is: a colour control lip cream that helps prepare your lips for whatever colour you choose, in this case, it is pink. 

When I put on this Mode Pink CC lip cream before I apply a pink tone lipstick, it is supposed to help enhance the pinkness of the lipstick. 

There are a whole bunch of instructions... but this is what it is really used for.

This part talks about its features: it is long lasting, used as a base, moisturizes your lips, UV protection.

impressions:

• it is obviously there, felt like a lip balm
• a little sticky (but not as much as lip gloss)
• no sunscreen taste
• not particularly longlasting

you can see the pinkness on my hand

you can see it clearly on the kleenex

you can see it on my lips

some of my friends use this product as a lip balm because it moisturizes, has some sunblock/sunscreen.

score: 8/10

website: https://www.kate-global.net/sg/all_products/lip/

also... please check out my personal blog and follow me around Tokyo :)

Bandai グミ review

I found these grape gummies at my local grocery store. They were very cheap (I don't remember the exact price but they were around ¥50). These gummies were made in collaboration with Bandai (a Japanese gaming company) for this character. I do not know who she is.

Here's a close up of the gummies. 

impressions:

• hard gummies
• chewy
• sweet but not overwhelming
• the grape taste wasn't very strong...  but they claimed the gummies is made up of 30% juice!

I have always been fan of hard/chewy gummies and not so much the soft ones. Of all the gummies I have had in Japan, these were definitely on the harder side but can still be considered gummies!

For chocolate/DIY candy lovers, you will be happy to know that the tray can be reused. It is made from hard plastic and feels like those trays you get at DIY stores. 

Score: 8/10

Website: no website

Haagen Daz Macadamia Nut short review

Haagen Daz Macadamia Nut

Of almost all of the Haagen-Dazs ice creams I have tried (and I have had quite a few, to date I have had 20 of their flavours already), This is one of my favourites. In fact is my all time favourites. (I like Green Tea, Vanilla, Strawberry, Double Chocolate... etc, yes, but I would always opt for Macadamia nut).

here is the list of ingredients:

Cream, Condensed Skimmed Milk, Sugar, Water, Roasted Macadamia Nuts (8%) (Macadamia Nuts (99%), Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil), Egg Yolk, Brown Sugar Base (3%) (Brown Sugar, Water, Sugar, Butter, Salt)

Haagen Daz Macadamia Nut ice cream

These are the reasons why I like it so much and I why I think you will too:

• creamy. It has the creaminess of Vanilla but it is richer
• loaded with Macadamia nuts/pieces
• it tastes like Macadamia nuts
• it feels like a Macadamia nut melted in your mouth
• it tastes very natural (and no additives or chemicals)
• it is always available 

score: 10/10
website: https://haagendazs.co.th/flavours/macadamia-nut-ice-cream

also... please check out my personal blog and follow me around Tokyo :)

Canmake's Gel Line Artist eyeliner review

after having a positive experience with Canmake's eyeliners, I decided to buy more of their products. This time I came across their Gel Line Artist Eyeliner and decided to buy both the black and brown one. These were cheaper (if I remember correctly they were ¥550 each).

pros

• product can be retracted (I prefer this twist up and twist down design)
• waterproof
• only good if you are into subtle (very subtle) eyeliners

cons

• lack of pigment
• too hard. It literally hurt my skin when I apply it
• while the twist up and down design is good, the tip easily snaps off

it is pigmented on my hand

I am disappointed in this product. I can't understand how two eyeliners from the same company can be so different?

On my hand, there is lots of pigment... that's because the skin on my hand is tougher and less sensitive... but when I apply it to my eye... there is no colour... and it felt like the tip was scraping the skin. I don't understand how something that feels so hard on my skin can snap off so easily...

score: 3/10 (7/10 if you are into subtle eyeliners)

website: https://www.canmake.com/en/eeye/item_eye064.html

also... please check out my personal blog and follow me around Tokyo :)

Japan McDonald's Hot Apple Custard Pie review

Japan McDonald's has recently been aggressively promoting their new Hot Apple Custard Pie, as a McDonald's fan, I had to try it. The packaging is simple: I love the red apple against the yellow background.  I am, however, a bit disappointed with how they got rid of their usual packaging of allowing us to tear a piece of the packaging so the packaging becomes a wrapper.

impressions:

• dry (both the custard AND apple pieces)
• crust was good
• custard and apple pieces are separated
• it costs ¥120 (¥20 more than the regular Apple Pie)
• I prefer the regular Apple Pie

While it is certainly attractive, I was quite disappointed. Unlike their regular apple pies, this one was really dry. I couldn't understand why they would call this an Apple Custard Pie when the apple pieces and custard were separated and weren't influencing each other or working together to make the apple pie taste any better.

score: 6.5/10

website: http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/quality/basic_information/menu_info.php?mid=2560

Annie's White Cheddar Bunnies review

sometimes you will come across brands you have once loved and have forgotten... and this was what happened to me. I have written about Annie's Mac and Cheese 5 years ago... Wow... can you believe that was 5 years ago...?

back

nutrition facts

the white cheddar bunnies!

impressions:

• similar to Gold Fish
• has more of a wheat taste than Gold Fish
• very addictive
• tastes healthy (not oily so you won't have a guilty feeling)

While these are good, I did grow up with Goldfish, therefore I still prefer Goldfish over these. AND WAIT... I just discovered GoldFishes are healthier??? ok... Annie... you need to work on this... SeRiOUSLY...

Goldfish Nutrition Facts

score: 7/10 (without the knowledge of goldfish being healthier -->8.5/10)
website: https://www.annies.com/products/snacks/white-cheddar-bunnies
affiliated link --> https://amzn.to/2U7XzPZ