BellaSugar

Genki Desu Ka? It's More Guess the Japanese Beauty Invention!

BellaSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:23 -0800

It's been a while, but since our last Japanese beauty invention quiz, Nippon definitely hasn't ceased to produce beauty inventions of a scope and creativity that boggles the mind. Can you guess what each of these inventions does, or do you need a visit to Tokyo to get up to speed? Take my quiz and find out!

Question 1 of 5

What does this invention do that makes this lady so surprised and happy?

See the Best (and Worst) Looks of Tokyo Fashion Week

BellaSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:00:10 -0700

If New York is about wearable style, Paris highlights couture, and London focuses on outré fashion, then Tokyo is all about the unexpected. The biggest week in Japanese fashion may not get the hype that other cities' shows do, but you'll still find plenty to inspire, stun, or confound you. Read on.

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LED Eyelashes Light Up Halloween

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:09 -0700

Straight from Japan comes the newest innovation in false eyelashes - light-up LEDs that come on and off at your will. Totally necessary and probably prohibitively expensive? Yes. Just so awesome, and I want some right now? Yup, that too.

Should Japanese Swimmers Be Allowed to Paint Their Nails?

BellaSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:02:33 -0700

If you're in a Tokyo pool, think twice before pulling out your nail polish. From now on, Japanese competitive swimmers could face a lifetime ban from the sport if they dye their hair or have brightly decorated nails. Why? Officials say, "We have had many recent controversies with marijuana in sport and at universities, and this is about swimming taking a stand on its own initiative." The officials also cited similar rules for the US and Australian teams.

In my seventh grade speech and debate class, though, we learned that an appeal to authority isn't the same thing as a good justification, and I'm having a hard time viewing these rules-in any country, the US included-as fair. What do you think? Is this a standard that's necessary to maintain the dignity of the sport, or is it unfairly biased against young women who want to express themselves?

Get Even More Kawaii With...Guess the Japanese Beauty Invention!

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:00:43 -0700

There's plenty of adorable beauty here stateside, but the Japanese market continues to roll out charming, quirky products that are as useful as they are funny. Can you guess what these Japanese beauty innovations do? Take my quiz and see how Honshu-happy you are.

Question 1 of 5

What does this pacifier-like mouth insert actually do?

The Return of Guess the Japanese Beauty Invention!

BellaSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0700

I had so much fun putting together the last Japenese beauty invention quiz that I decided to do it again. I've even made it a little harder for those of you familiar with Japanese this time around, so it should be fun for everyone. Do you think you can determine the function of these unfamiliar-looking contraptions? Take my quiz and find out your kawaii quotient.

Question 1 of 5

What is this Japanese beauty item?

Definition: Onsen

BellaSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:00:02 -0700

Know what an onsen is? This Japanese word refers to the resorts and bathing facilities attached to the country's multitude of hot springs. Therapeutic hot spring baths are a long-standing Japanese tradition, and they're famous abroad partly because they've historically been nude and communal. Now, of course, many onsens allow patrons to wear bathing suits, although bathers are still expected to wash themselves thoroughly before entering the water. Mountain-dwelling snow monkeys are also known to enjoy a good dip, so if you do make it to a Japanese hot spring, don't be surprised if you make a furry new friend.

Photo by Flickr user mavesen

François Nars Shoots and Scores For Vogue Japan

BellaSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:00:06 -0700

Life is good for François Nars. As one of the most famous makeup artists in the world, he's created a luxe beauty brand (and earned enough to buy a small island in the process). Aside from heading up the Fall 2009 Marc Jacobs show, he's kept a relatively low makeup-artist profile lately, opting to pursue another of his passions, photography. His latest published work is in the new issue of Vogue Japan, in which he's captured models Iekeliene Stange, Julia Dunstall, and Daul Kim. I find it a bit disappointing that none of the models are Japanese - though this isn't the first time Vogue has been called less than culturally sensitive - but the photography itself proves that Mr. Nars's talents go beyond the (blush) brush and into other art forms as well.

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Guess the Japanese Beauty Invention!

BellaSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:00:42 -0700

In the United States, we have plenty of off-the-wall beauty gadgets - hello, Lipstamp! - and the same goes for Japan. Some are a little kookier than others, so I've rounded up eight of the most unusual for this quiz. Can you guess what these items are? (Obviously, if you know Japanese, you'll have an advantage.) Good luck!

Question 1 of 8

What is this Japanese beauty item?

See the Latest Beauty Gadgets from Japan!

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:00:05 -0700

The seventh Diet and Beauty Fair wrapped up in Tokyo yesterday, and its offerings go far beyond lip gloss and face masks. The trade show featured unusual, up-and-coming, and just plain bizarre beauty treatments. Have a look at some of the strangest. Source

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