Hardcore Minimalist

In the past I am tagging myself as hoarder because I bought unnecessary items for myself. Aside from that I kept many things which are useless for no particular reasons. Or reasons I do not know or understand. Created an instagram account to document my journey from being hoarder to minimalist. It was not easy as I cannot let go easily. I always worry about the future that's why letting go was quite hard. But you know what? After letting go of various stuff out of the flat, out of my life, I feel that I am turning into one of those hardcore minimalists. Unintentionally.

Just like it was never my intention to be a hoarder. Or maybe it is not right to use the words hardcore minimalist. Maybe I just matured and realized what are the important things for me. And to free myself from all the stress and hassle for keeping up with whatever? Whatever the reasons might be it is helping me a lot. Big time I suppose. Initially I was just decluttering and doing pan project with stuff I have from my hoarding days and earlier. After I am done with that, the itch won't go away. I always see something inside the flat that I believe do not belong. Maybe it is natural? You desire less. Or you want less. You need less. I only have 6 jogging pants that I am using as sleepwear. Eliminated one since I wash clothes every 3 days. Sometimes even every 2 days. Planning on discarding one more.

There are many little things I no longer care about. I am finishing off my eye cream with no intentions of buying again ever. I believe my cream is enough for the whole face. I am trying to finish the serum I had that meant to reduce the sunspots. But guess what? Sunspots are here to stay so why try? My skin care routine has changed by not having too many skin care items all at once. Softener. Cream. Sunscreen. 3 important morning products. Do not know why people keeps on including cleanser but is it not a must for everyone to wash their face morning and evening? Isn't a must for people to shower daily hence washing face will always be included. 

The only remaining flaw is my love for lipsticks. And I am currently into matte lipsticks. Do no t even know how it happened. Used to have more than 200 lip products. I think now it is down in less than 100. Maybe even less than 50. But still I find it hard to deduct some more. Still have some Inglot, Mac, Kiko Milano and Catrice. I even have similar shades. But it is not making me sad though. 

Shiseido Bronzer #2

Sorry again. Posted this photo without explaining why. I was not into bronzer. Only last March when I bought my first. It is kind of confusing me. I always thought that Shiseido bronzer 2 or medium will suit perfectly light skinned gals. Bought it anyway surprisingly it looks good on me. Even though I have brown skin. So morena Filipinas out there like me do not be afraid to choose this shade haha.

I love using it along side with my blush and highlighter. It has taken me more than a decade before finally experiencing a full makeup look. Well minus plucking my eyebrow. 

Shiseido Golden 4

My bad. Did not know I posted the photo without saying anything why I have done so. Just wanted to say that I do not normally use foundation. First and last was back in 2008. Did not repurchase. It is Shiseido that made me use foundation again after a decade. Shiseido synchro skin glow luminizing foundation in golden 4 surprisingly suits my morena skin perfectly. It looks like I am not wearing any foundation at all. I thought I'd share for those browned skin gals like me. 

Last week I left a comment to one of the bloggers in the Philippines to help me out by saying if she knows what is the counterpart of Shiseido golden 4 in Armani foundation. But I did not get any reply. I am happy with Shiseido but decided to give it to my younger sister who is about to work soon. And I thought I will just buy something else soon. But yeah the concern is I will buy online so I do not know yet if I can get other brand of just repurchase Shiseido. 

Minimalism..

I've said that I created an Instagram account to document my minimalism journey. Sometimes I get jealous with other accounts and want to move on into something else like posting my movie recommendations. But each time I do, I just cannot. Not until I am 100% done with my minimalism thing. One time I thought since it is a lifestyle, there is no end to this. But as I keep on minimizing my stuff ~ well it is a lifestyle, but then there will come a time that I will no longer need to document anything at all. When I am fully practicing living in a limited stuff. And doing that one in, one out with whatever I have. When I am fully disciplined not to fall into hoarding again. I guess I should not also be hard on myself if I am making purchase mistakes. Money is important to be wasted but isn't mistakes part of our lives? As long as one is not doing it intentionally. 

Like since this year started I only bought two items and not because I wanted them, but because I needed them. One white brassiere and two pairs of socks. I've always wanted a socks that I can wear together with my black formal shoes. That was the reason why I never wear formal shoes at work. I want to wear socks all the time. I am wearing one now and getting the feel of this brand. If at the end of the day it does not feel good at all then I will discard it immediately. No need to hold on to stuff that will not work.

Back to Daiso

I am back to Daiso. In the past I was so keen to find Essence and Catrice cosmetics in UAE but not anymore. Those brands ~ like falling inlove with someone and chasing that someone who does not love you back. Damn. I will not waste my time and effort anymore to go to shops that carries them. Only to find out that what I want is not available.

So if you want really affordable makeup just go to Daiso. Most City Centre have Daiso. And nowadays they offer products manufactured in Japan. Like the ones in the photo. So far so good.

Experiencing Shiseido Cosmetics..

I read somewhere that in America Shiseido cosmetics are for older women. Ouch. I now belong to that category. First let me tell you my story. I have love and hate relationship with makeup for the last 10 years. I simply do not know how. I refused to touch my brows. Foundations are yucky. Dry skin. No time at all. Name it I have all the reasons. But in spite of that I have many cosmetics maybe not as much like the collectors or makeup gurus/makeup addicts but a lot than average. Reason was whenever I see something cute and affordable I buy it. Whenever there was a sale I buy. And whenever a sales lady suggest something I buy without thinking. So upon decluttering I have given up at least 90% of them unused. The girl who wears makeup once in a blue moon has 3 eyeshadow palettes. More than 50 single eyeshadows. More than 20 blushes and other things I do not understand or did not even know that I have. Given away everything except for lipsticks that I started (unintentionally) collecting last year. As lipstick is the only thing I can wear that do not require so much time. Anyway what minimalists were preaching was right all along. The less items you have the less time required for cleaning. When I have given up clothing I no longer use or need then there has been a space in my closet. That space I was able to use for putting all my bags. That way the organizer holding my bag, I was able to remove it. Making the place where it has been clear. That I can walk freely without bumping and hurting my feet. Then the floor where it has been I can clean in a few seconds everyday without a sweat. Same thing happened with my dresser. After all the decluttering now it is clear and I can see whatever I am going to use. Cleaning time has lessen so finally after a decade I now have opportunity every morning to put on my makeup! Only I no longer have makeup that I need to start from the scratch.

Thankfully I have a budget to buy some unlike in the past. I have a budget because I no longer buy other things. Since January 2018 the only item I purchased was one white brassiere. I no longer buy shoes, bags, skin care (because of my previous stock) or food items. I still eat but no longer committing gluttony. I eat whatever my body needs and not just what my eyes think I need. Was able to buy two foundations. Last time I wore foundation was a decade ago. And this eyeshadow. And bronzer. Price wise this is not cheap. But what is expensive? I see other girls with at least dozen palettes or so. The famous Urban Decay naked will cost you 285.00AED or so. I can buy something in a price lower than this but do I really need a dozen colors? That was my mistake in the past buying all the colors I will never use or need. If indeed it is true that this brand is for old women then I do not mind. I am old anyway. But it is perfect for me in so many reasons. I do not do smokey eyes. I do not even know how to blend eyeshadows. This one I can get away with just using my fingers then dab all the colors to my eyelid. Pigmentation is okay as they are buildable. Do you know when you want to put on some color but you are not very confident or knowledgeable? I think this is it. Therefore I'd say that all my experiences with Shiseido has nothing but excellent so far. It is high end but the price is not as high as others I am seeing at Sephora. Other compare the price versus the grams they will get but do women really use something up to the last drop? Or even make a dent on it? 

Decluttering since mid-2016

Hi there! Because I have time that I am writing a post now. Just want to give an update with my decluttering. As I mentioned before some poor people are afraid with the words 'minimalism' and 'decluttering' for the fear that someday they might need the items they have discarded but won't have money to buy. In my case I do not think about that because since day 1 of my decluttering I do not have any plans of replacing the items I have given away or thrown away. Most of those items anyway are garbage found inside the flat. Then my earthly possessions that consist only of shoes, bags, clothes, cosmetics and some kitchen items. No more. No less. As per my experience a piece of clothing can last for more than a decade. In the past I discarded a lot not because the clothing has gone bad but because I gained weight. Same can be say about the leather shoes and bags. I have given away some shoes and bags not because they are no longer useful but because I grew tired of them or I am not really using them anymore.

I am also poor and I am a living example that this current minimalism thing is not only for the rich. But if you do not want to believe me it is completely okay. Just the same that I am not pushing anyone else to do the same. In the photo are the latest beauty products that I have given away. I have given everything a lot of thought. I was also afraid that what if I lose my job then cannot buy anymore the cosmetics that I am buying? Guess what? I do not really care anymore. I believe somehow I will still be able to buy but I will truly be a minimalist as I will buy only face cream and sunscreen. Then I will buy only what I will use. Use it up to the last drop before buying another bottle again. If I have to choose only one item to buy then that will be sunscreen only. Most Japanese sunscreens are moisturizing anyway. Also nowadays they now have a lot of drugstore brands that said to be all in one cream. So I will do just fine in that department. Then when my makeup runs out? I will just really stop wearing makeup. Problem solved! But that is just me. I also do not know the flight of others. 

This time my decluttering session has really been serious than ever as opposed to the last one and half year. Though I no longer hoard I make sure that I have stash for at least 3 months to 6 months. But with the thought that I might move anytime soon whether I like or not helped into choosing what are the items that will stay. And I never came to this point before. The only body gels and facial washes I have are whatever are on the bathroom all my extras I put in the box to be given away to my younger siblings. I noticed that in a year I can only consume one tube of hand creams that I had taken away all my lotions from the drawer to be given away too. At least 20 pieces maybe? But I know number is higher than that but I do not count. No plans of leaving even one bottle of lotion in the house. Just bought a small containers from Daiso then put on some lotion in them that I will be using as hand cream at work. Portable. I still have some oils because my skin is really dry but even the oils I might give away some of them. In the future if I can no longer buy lotions or body oils? Just keep on wearing pants to hide my dry legs then. Haha. Problem solved. So that's all for now. 

Desertcart

I wonder how many of you knows the online company called Desertcart? Admittedly in the past I have seen so many bad reviews regarding the website but I tried anyway. Right now I am no longer sure until when will I be ordering online with the situation. I was in Japan last February but then was not able to buy everything I want for fear that I might not use them. Now that I am back in UAE and miraculously I am really using whatever cosmetics I have! So I still need some Japanese cosmetics but unfortunately no physical shops in UAE carries them. If you are in UAE I might say that just forget about Japanese cosmetics at all cost. I do not understand why so hard for Japanese cosmetics yet very easy for Chinese cosmetics. Are people seriously trusting unknown Chinese makeup over Japanese brands that has been around since forever? You can get Japanese products but with so many hassles.

First there is Yesstyle. It is based in Hongkong unfortunately they do not offer tracking number unless you order with specific amount like 200USD? Not sure though if I got the amount needed correctly haven't visited their site in a while. But if I am correct that's roughly 756.00AED ~ you'll spend that amount when you are just starting up with makeup and skin care but for back ups, that is simply too much. Then there is Amazon Japan partnered with DHL with sooo many restrictions like the sunscreen falls under the category of dangerous goods because it has alcohol! But I was able to arrange from Philippines a dozen more than a year ago. And I had 3 when I went to Japan.  Ever heard any accidents involving sunscreen with alcohol? Then there is Ebay. Not all sellers will can arrange tracking number and I do not  know why. Without a tracking number forget about your item. As per my experience local empost will never ever help you locate your item if you do not have the tracking number! No one will go inside the room to check any item with your name on it or even allow you to go and look for yourself. I lost a package in the past that I stopped ordering from Ebay. Item came to UAE but no tracking number they cannot be bothered to help out.

Then there's Desertcart. While in Japan I saw Shiseido concealer for ¥1,200! Ignored it because not expecting that I will finally have time to use a foundation or any makeup! I just love Japanese cosmetics so much that I have to get and I am happy that I saw it in Desertcart. Until now I do not have the item. And of course they will not disclose what really happened. Or how on earth are they operating? I was told that the item got lost. Does Shiseido concealer contains alcohol and it has a problem going through customs? I hope they will change that system as who on earth going to eat/drink cosmetics? I placed two orders on Desertcart on different days and haven't got any of it until now. Maybe if you will order non cosmetic items you will get it without any fuss. We have Shiseido in UAE but we all know it is the most expensive Japanese brand when there are so many choices of affordable brands in Japan! So if I am still here until next year I do not know where will I get my cosmetics when I ran out of them.

Then there's Souq. As per Souq they partnered with Amazon Global. But then I am seeing a lot of Japanese products available in Amazon Global that I cannot find in Souq website. Try to see for yourself Shiseido spotcover foundation. Amazon Global has it while not in Souq. Found one today in Souq with price of 339.00AED! Are you kidding me? I don't know about you but after this I will no longer order from Desertcart. There are some websites that offer Japanese cosmetics but with extremely expensive shipping and/or limited choices. Duh. 

Minimalism..

Even though I say that I am a minimalist and frugal in progress from time to time, I look for photos. Watch videos. Read blogs. Because I always need an inspiration to go on. So from watching videos last week I came across this woman ranting about minimalism. But then I was not mad at her. There is nothing to be mad at her. She's making sense anyway. If you will google now about a dirt poor's version of minimalism and frugal: you'll find none. All you will find are people who in case get tired of minimalism and decide the next day to live in a material world they can do so. All my life I had always been a poor. Until now. Poor people do not really have choices. The only difference between now and then was at least I have a work. 

But even with work I am still living a hand to mouth kind of life. If ever you see me spending money in the past like when I went through the hoarding phase, it was not because my salary was overflowing. Like the money I spent I should have kept it in the bank for future use. Or I should have instead go on yearly vacation to unwind. Anyway it is over and down. Also the woman ranting about minimalism was also looking for money saving tips and she was taken aback about other people's way of saving money like not drinking Starbucks everyday. Haha. I had been here in UAE for 12 years and I bought from Starbucks only once. I enjoy their ice cream which they do not sell on their shops. The service crew does not even know Starbucks ice cream exist. My favorite is Cinnabon Mochalatta which I drink only once a month but it has been years that I don't. Trying to keep my glucose down. So yeah I can fully understand the rant.

This also reminds me.. Months and months ago.. I was looking for Filipinos like me who are also poor ~ wanting to hear their POV on how they do minimalism and frugality. Even if it means eating once once or twice a day. I want to hear their stories. On how on earth they can do it in spite of limited resources they have. But I cannot find anything. Or maybe extremely poor people do not have gadgets, internet connection nor time to spare to share their lives online. Or maybe they rather not share as it is very personal. And do not want to let the whole world knows what is going on with them. Or it is painful to talk about. I remember reading somewhere about Japanese people who are also dirt poor (but in better situation if compared to a Filipino) that they will try to hide their predicament. Like not socializing so other will not find out that they can no longer afford eating out, drinking or shopping. Those are the reasons I can think of why we do not hear from them. And it is mostly rich people all the time we see preaching about minimalism. 

In the end I still believe in minimalism. It is just not something like one size fits all. It is just annoying when you want to meet/see someone who's on the same boat like you but cannot find anyone.

Hada Labo Experience

Been using it for how many days now. So far so good. But bear in mind that now (even though some call it spring) summer has started. I am not sure if my skin condition will change when full summer kicks in. For now my skin still loves Hada Labot Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Oil.

Made in Japan (Nihonsei)

Good to know that Shiseido Luminizing Satin trio is made in Japan. It may be all in my mind or just me but I prefer all my Shiseido to be just from Japan. Even if they say that they are manufacturing their products at 11 countries. And rest assure that all have the same qualities. My other two Shiseido, blush and bronzer are made in USA. At first, I was very upset. I trust Shiseido. Cannot say the same with Uncle Sam. Most of their products are manufactured in China. They said to be bringing back jobs in their homeland but at the end turned out to be a lie. Anything made in USA may not really be 100% true. I am double checking if the Japanese products I buy are really made in Japan. Otherwise I'd say no to it.

Experiencing Shiseido

There are a lot of products that I wished I purchase while I was in Japan. But back then I do not know yet what I really want and I what I really need. I was the one who always wanted to wear makeup but I do not have time. Then there was so much clutter that I could easily lose an item and find them after months had passed. Also I do not know how. Or how to address my concerns. Only when I came back from vacation that I truly had the time in the morning to spend on my face. To truly understand what I want. And understanding it will help me easily identify what to use and why. Also helped me to point out what are the things I need to declutter. Yes I am still in the process of decluttering.

I was a hoarder. Being a hoarder, I purchased so many things without thinking twice. Not because I truly need or want them. But just because they were on sale. The almost 30 pieces of eyeshadows from H&M just because they were only 5.00AED each? The more than 30 nail polishes from the same brand with the same price as well? Among other things. Now in 2018 because there were less clutter that I can easily see what I have and where they are. Plus less time for cleaning my space since there are less stuff in there.

During decluttering I have given away 95% of my cosmetics as I do not know if there will ever come a time that I can finally use them. So after decluttering them I was starting over again. From the scratch. I bought this Shiseido Luminizing Satin Trio RD711 in Basharacare because it was on sale. I gave in into buying Shiseido because the Japanese drug store brands makeup I purchased turned out to be great. That I was convinced to just buy another Japanese brand after all the trial and error I made in the past with western brands.

I have no regrets in buying Shiseido and if ever that I will have a budget again I might get myself another palette of trio. Sometimes I regret ignoring them in Japan but as I have said I never thought that I will come to this point of having a time for it. This is expensive for 200+AED for just 3 shades. But since it was on sale I got it for only 175.00AED, I believe I will get it in Don Quijote in a much lower price. Some might say that for the same amount they can get a palette of 12 shades. From my point of view, been there and done that. I had a few palettes and lot of mono eyeshadows that I did not use. What is the point of having 12 shades that you never use anyway? Just a waste of money in the end then.

I do not understand before what they say for calling it finely milled powder eyeshadow. Nor do not understand why does it matter. Only when I used Shiseido that I understood why it is important. Maybe it is not a big deal for those who truly knows how to use eyeshadow and tools like brushes. But for someone like me who do not then it is a big deal. You know the look that you have a makeup but not too much? Is that what they meant by natural look? I do not know but that's how I feel and see when I look in the mirror. In this life I will never learn the smokey eyes anyway. About the shades I saw somewhere that someone commented how boring the shades are. Well... I used to have lot of blue, green, orange, red etc but I used them all only once because I do not have the confident to wear them. So for me this kind of shades are just right for me and my lifestyle.

Japanese Cleansing Oils

My biggest problem in the past or so I thought was the oil in my noise. Because of that oil that I am the one with whiteheads all the time. All year long. So I believed that I should avoid oil products. The rest of my face is dry then avoiding products with oil just makes my face drier than ever but whiteheads stay. Finally 2016 when I took a leap and purchased Japanese cleansing oils via Amazon Japan. Haven't look back ever since. But first things first. Sadly we do not have Japanese cleansing oils in any physical store in UAE. They are available online but in a higher price. And since they are liquid there is no assurance that you will get your item safely. With all the restrictions. Some Korean brands maybe available but then with premium prices. I do not know who taught people that oils are bad for people with oily skin!

Then the brands on my photo belongs to affordable brands in Japan. When I say affordable I am comparing them with what you will usually spend on this part of the planet. Cannot remember anymore how much I paid for them but it was between 20AED to 30AED while the shipping fee is reasonable since it is coming from Japan via airplane. Delivery time between 3 to 4 days upon order. In grocery stores I often see toners and micellar solution. Or some milk makeup remover but no cleansing oil. I still have whiteheads on my nose. It will never go. But I somehow cleansing oils helped in keeping my skin moisturized. Which is very important to me. While the whiteheads I can handle by using nose strips at least thrice a week. Also I am now on my last toner which I can finally ditch since I am doing double cleansing at night.

Purchased from Basharacare

The first and last time I ever used foundation was back in 2008. It was Maybelline mousse foundation. But after finishing the bottle I never tried again. I always have bad impressions with foundations. Yucky. Sticky. Heavy. Expensive. Useless. Only this year that I told myself why not try for the last time? Fortunately I found the right foundation for me. And the right method as well. Had I known Japanese brands will be good for me I would have purchase from Don Quijote when I had a chance. They have so many to choose from for less than 50.00AED but anyway since I am in UAE I will not find Japanese brands on the same price range.

I have chosen Shiseido for the simple reason that this is the oldest cosmetic company in Japan. Been hearing a lot of good reviews. And I am really loving the Shiseido makeup I have. Lucky me one shop called Basharacare is on sale for Shiseido. I think they will stop selling Shiseido. Maybe not much buyer for this brand that they had to put it up on sale. Normally it will cost 200.00+ AED (look at Sephora) but because it is on sale I got it for only 159.00AED and because of Mother's Day there was an additional 15% discount. Took advantage of the discount that I bought this Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Foundation together with Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation. Me who cries for paying 100AED for just about anything; with eyes closed purchased two foundations for total of 393.00AED. If not for the sale the total would be around 700.00AED!

On their website it says that I will be getting the matte version but upon getting the item I got the glow version instead. But no complaints since I do not have oily skin. Except for the nose which is tolerable. How did I know my shade? I bought Golden 4. I spent hours looking for Filipina bloggers who tried this foundation if it suites them then it will probably suit me. I was right. It does not wash me out. While with the Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation I just took the chance. As they only have two shades to choose from. Then after getting the foundation that my skin loves, went to good old Daiso to buy their cheapest foundation sponge! Didn't know how the sponge would help me big time! I am the one who always find herself with flakes all over my face! My sister said it is extremely expensive. But then it will last for a few months of even a year if I am careful with my application. Also is it not about time to stick with the best I can get since my skin is not getting any younger to keep on trial and error with everything on the market?

So yeah it has been two or three weeks now. And I am loving it! Yes I now love foundation. No more flakes. No more creasing. Goes along well with the rest of my skin care and makeup. I am happy. So happy that I am itching to buy something else. Japanese brand again. It just happened that I do not have budget for it. Maybe if next salary will come and Bashara still have the Shiseido BB Creams then it is a sign that I must buy that as well. Sorry for anyone looking for a swatch I am no longer taking so many photos. I am writing a post because I am idle here.