makeup while travelling

Thai for lunch. I love the smell of Thai rice; so fragrant! Some of my Japanese friends don't like the smell of Thai rice; I find that fascinating. People have preferences about the scent of their rice! I can understand, but I don't feel the same.食べ物について、そういうこだわりがない。やわらかい米が好きだけど。。。

Inspired by Fuzkittie's post (http://www.facebook.com/pages/FUZKITTIE#!/notes/fuzkittie/pack-rat-not/500922287603), I'm writing about the makeup I pack when travelling.
Because I'm paranoid, and I have plenty of makeup that I don't need but keep around (aka pack rat c'est moi), I tend to take makeup I don't mind losing with me on trips. I try to take stuff that lasts well without retouching.

I like taking Canmake's cream blush with me, as it's compact and lightweight and inexpensive. I've never properly evaluated its lasting power. I also take along a neutral shadow palette - usually some assortment of browns. And I have some shadow trios from the 100 yen shop that have some colorful shades for fun. Sadly the lasting power is not very good, but I bring them just in case I need something fun. I should experiment with an eyeshadow primer; the 100 yen would probably last much better with something like that.

Kate's super sharp liner is a must for me, as I have 2 in use now, and they're so cheap and last so long that I'm actually happy to lose one of them, so that i can test out a new liquid liner! I would also love to lose my MAC penultimate liner, but I find it very difficult to prevent smudging so it's useless for trips.

I bring a semi-permanent lip color; right now it's Revlon Colorstay Sheer Overtime Lipcolor. It's a bit drying, but the sheer color is very easy to use and it works decently. It comes off if I eat anything oily though. Anyway, the packaging is falling apart so this is another product that I'd be happy to lose. The two ends close properly, but the glue that holds the 2 pieces together has loosened so it's more often in 2 pieces than one.

Finally, I take a foundation sample along with me, and a small pot containng a dab of a high-coverage foundation to use as concealer (currently Besame souffle foundation in Bisque, although it's a bit yellow).

So far, I've never lost any makeup. Murphy's law, right?

I also try to bring a trial-sized oil cleanser, as makeup removal towelettes just don't get all the makeup off for me.
Finally, I bring a face wash, facial water, facial lotion, sunscreen, body lotion. If I have samples lying around I'll bring them as they're so handy, although I don't like to try new skin products while travelling.

variety

Familiarity is comfortable, but variety is a great spice.

By the way, if you're looking for a place to visit in Japan, Takayama/Shirakawa-go is a fantastic place to go.
I've been all over Japan, but I loved the scenery and the sights. It's a rustic, picturesque place.

For a sight closer to Tokyo, Nikko is a great place to visit; in some ways the main temple is rather gaudier/more elaborate than Kyoto.

In contrast, Kamakura is a nice day/weekend trip from Tokyo, but if you're going to Kyoto it's not necessary to include on the same itinerary.

Tokyo travel: Ryokan Shigetsu

There aren't that many hotels in Tokyo that offer Japanese-style tatami rooms, but this place in Asakusa does.

However, they have a curfew of 11pm, and they are pretty strict about non-guests being in the ryokan after that time.
I took my relatives there, and we arrived just before 11, thanks to poor traffic. The elderly gentlemen checked them in, but before showing them to their room, he said to me "Sorry, we close at 11. Only guests. Sorry." So I couldn't even see my relatives to their room and had to take off.

When I made reservations, the lady answering the phone was very nice and friendly, but their strict non-guest policy is a bit uncomfortable.
I understand why they have their policy, but Annex KATSUTARO Ryokan is a bit more amenable to the needs of travelers. Annex Katsutaro staff are not always so personable though, but the rooms are pretty nice.
Next time I'll recommend the Hotel Grand Palace to visitors, even though they don't have Japanese-style rooms. It's the most friendly to the needs of travelers.

Nikko: Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa

When visiting Nikko, I stayed at the Hotel Sunshine Kinugawa in Kinugawa Onsen.

It was a lovely place to stay. Large tamami rooms with spacious bathroom attached. Our room could have easily accommodated 4-6 people. The building and interior are a bit old, but clean and functional. And the staff were really warm and friendly; very helpful.
They have a fun mini arcade that includes a train conductor game! Much harder than it looks.

The onsen was lovely - they had a lukewarm pool (~40 degrees celsius) and a warmer indoor pool. The outside rotenburo has a nice view of the mountains and is very peaceful.

The dinner was a buffet meal with chefs making fresh Tempura and sauteeing beef on the spot. Honestly, I would describe the food as adequate to good, but there was a good deal of variety and we all enjoyed it.

The online prices seem pretty reasonable, with the cheapest plan starting at 8000 yen per person.

did you know there's a yakisoba express?

I thought my friend was joking when he mentioned it, but there really is one! I wonder if they serve yakisoba...

http://www.fujikyu.co.jp/shizuokabus/highway/highway_yakisoba.html (Japanese language link)

Beijing

Still here. Just really busy. The weather has cooled down nicely in Tokyo, although it has been rather rainy lately. I've noticed a sweet, nostalgic smell in the air the past few days. It reminds me of Taiwan for some reason. I wonder if it's a local plant.

Anyway, a picture from August: the parking lot of a shopping area/condo complex in a suburb of Beijing.