Getting ready for summer!

Today's post is going to be all about "How I'm preparing my skin and hair for summer". I feel like we skipped spring this year because it was kind of chilly in April and then suddenly it got pretty hot and humid. I started wearing sunglasses lately after having my eyes sunburned. I started wearing my favourite shoes I only wear in summer. I definitely feel like summer is just around the corner!

Not Your Mother's Texturizing Sea Salt Spray
This is my essential to create the beachy loose waves. I spray it on my hair when it's still wet and dry it with hairdryer like I always do. It definitely gives texture on my hair without making it crunchy. It does dry my hair a little bit so I usually try to put some leave-in conditioner or hair oil at the end. I'm thinking that I might try not to use hairdryer in the summer and instead I put my hair in a bun after spraying it and leave it dry for stronger waves. I love the scent of coconut which isn't overpowering at all. Love love love this product!

Parasola Sunscreen Spray
I picked it up in a drugstore just because it looked pretty. I was looking for a sunscreen spray because it's easy and none-greasy, but they all looked so boring except this one. It can be used on your face, body and hair -literally from head to toe- and also it smells nice. It doesn't have the sunscreen smell and instead smells floral like a perfume without being overpowering. Once you start using a sunscreen spray, you cannot go back using a sunscreen lotion. It's super easy to use, you can reach your back easily and it doesn't feel sticky on your skin even in hot weather!

Nourish Golden Glow Toning Soufflé
I received this product in winter. Although I was very impressed with the product I couldn't use it because obviously my skin wasn't showing much at all. It's got light golden particles which evens skin tone while giving it a sun-kissed glow. It smells so good of frankincense and myrrh which I love.

Just as the name "Soufflé" indicates, it has got this light moussey texture which is very unique. It's not sticky or greasy on my skin at all but it does feel hydrating.

I hope you can see the golden shimmer in this photo. It's absolutely gorgeous, isn't it? It never makes you look like you're wearing obvious glitters all over your body. I am so looking forward to wearing it on my arms and decollete in the summer!

Weleda Deodorant Spray Small Citrus
You don't necessarily have to use it on your armpits just because it's called "deodorant spray". This refreshing citrus-scented spray can be used all over your body! It smells citrussy and herbal which is perfect for summer! It contains alcohol which feels chilly and refreshing on your skin. 

Vera Wang  Princess foamy body polish
Because it's super humid in summer in Tokyo, walking outside for 3 minutes would make me sweat a lot although I don't sweat too much generally. But I don't have to worry when the all parts of my body smell good, and to make it happen, using the good-smelling body wash is the easiest way! It smells AMAZING and leaves my skin smooth. It smells a bit lighter and fresher than the actual perfume which is ideal in hot weather!

Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer 
This  SPF30 moisturiser is perfect underneath makeup. It doesn't leave my skin greasy or sticky at all as it sinks in quickly. Another good thing is that it doesn't contain paraben and is 100% vegan, no wonder why it's so popular on Vitacost!

Etvos Mineral UV Powder SPF40

Etvos is a Japanese beauty brand specialised in making "mineral" makeup products. This mineral UV powder is very handy as it has a mirror on top and you don't have to carry your brush or puff around as it's got this puff on top of the lid inside. It's so easy to reapply sunblock on top of makeup with this product. It's kind of impossible to reapply normal sunscreen lotion on top of makeup during the day but with this product, you don't have to worry about melting your makeup with sunscreen. It's such a smart idea isn't it!

So these are my summer essential products! What are yours?

Fashion Haul -Zara, H&M and Skechers

Because it's time to change my wardrobe for the new season, I needed to buy some new clothes. I usually don't spend too much money on my clothes (obviously just because I love beauty related stuff more than fashion stuff) and shop at highstreet shops, the items don't last long. Well that's my excuse anyway. So here are what I got the other day!

<FROM H&M>

Sleeveless Peplum Shirt
I really like how it fits my body because it's rare to find a sleeveless shirt which isn't too big for me! I got it in size 32 which I guess is the smallest one.

I'm not crazy about the pattern but still I like it :) And it was only about 1000yen.

A Simple Stripey Top
This one was also about 1000yen and the quality isn't actually too bad. I like how drapey it is around the waist. Actually it's from H&M MAMA line which is their maternity line, but I found it nice to wear as a loose drapey top. It's a very basic top which I can wear by itself or pair it with a blazer for work.

It's in size XS which is the smallest one. It's made with organic cotton and it's super comfortable. And I might be able to wear it when I get pregnant in the future...only if it doesn't get worn off by then.

<FROM ZARA> 

A Simple T-Shirt
I got it in grey and black because it fitted me perfectly. It's stretchy and comfortable to wear, and also I love the cut around the neck and sleeves.

I like this grey one better than black actually because the black one looks a bit like worn off although it's new. They had patterned ones in this exact same design and they looked pretty too. This basic T-shirt was only 980yen, and I'm sure I'll wear it a lot this summer.

GEORGETTE CONTRAST SHIRT
I picked it up because I thought it's perfect to wear to work! It's sheer, light and pretty! 

I think I will pair this top with a jacket and a simple gold necklace for work. I don't want to look like a girlie girl so I won't pair it with skirt.

Loose Trousers
Please ignore the weird background. My house is tiny and there was no space I could take a photo of these trousers. I wish I had a garden or something where I can take a nice photo like other bloggers! Anyway, these trousers were in the sale section and it was originally 6900yen or something and now was 3400yen. It's very loose and the material is pretty thin but not see-through (dah). I like how different it looks from normal boring trousers I own, although my mum calls it "Hammer Pants". 

<SKECHERS>

Because I couldn't afford the wedge trainers by Isabel Marant, I was looking for cheaper ones. I don't usually wear trainers because I prefer heels as I'm not tall (I'm 158cm) but I really wanted a pair of high cut trainers. I bought this pair mainly because I liked the colour. It's taupe which isn't the most common colour for trainers.

I am not keen about this part with spiky studs, it looks a bit tacky and too much. But oh well I cannot see it when I'm wearing it. And it may come in handy when I want to protect myself. haha

Although it has about 7cm insole in it, it's super comfortable to wear. And of course they look very nice paired with basic skinny jeans!

I hope you enjoyed my very first haul post! :)

Maybelline Volum'Express The Falsies Washable Mascara

Maybelline Volum'Express The Falsies Washable Mascara Blackest Black　 $8.19

I always wanted to try out this mascara not only because it's a highly raved product but also Tanya Burr says she loves it. I personally hadn't had a good experience with mascaras from Maybelline but I thought I should give it a go after hearing her saying that she absolutely loved this mascara and she repurchased it many times. I got it from Vitacost which I put th link above, just because $ is cheaper than £ but you can find it HERE  on feelunique if you wish.

 

 I got the washable one because I don't like waterproof mascara which makes my eyelashes chunky, and it's much easier to remove. Nobody wants to spend more than 2 minutes removing makeup after a long day right?

Anyway, it's got this bristle brush which I like. I don't have any particular preference when it comes to a mascara brush, I'm OK with both bristle brush and plastic brush. This particular brush has pretty long bristles which hold a generous amount of the formula.

It makes my lashes thicker and definitely longer. The formula is a bit too wet in my opinion so I usually wipe the excess on tissue. 

I love how this mascara makes my lashes look fuller and thicker without clumping. It doesn't smudge at all and stays until I wash it off.

I think I like this mascara more than Loreal Volume Million Lashes and I've been using it every day since I got it. I've heard good things about their Rocket Mascara as well, have you tried it? If you have, what did you think about it? :)