This is why I like Tenso

From time to time Tenso has an international shipping discount campaign, where if you spend over x amount on a website (usually Rakuten JP), you'd receive a shipping discount. I almost always use this opportunity to stock up on a few Japanese skincare and makeup items, plus Rilakkuma products.

And of course, the packages I receive are always well packed. I've even ordered fragile goods before, such as tableware, and nothing has ever arrived broken.

Koyudo Christmas 2014 Platinum Brush Set and Kumamon brush from Tenso

Admittedly, I'm someone who often finds it quicker to use fingers for foundation application (i.e. I'm lazy!). That said, I can appreciate good quality brushes when I see them. For example, I've had my SUQQU Face Brush for almost 6 years, but it looks as good, and applies powders as well as the day I bought it.

This just goes to show that it is certainly worth paying more for a good brush, because given the right care it will be your trusted sidekick for many years to come.

I've since expanded my collection to include Hakuhodo Chomotto and now, Koyudo. What initially attracted me to this limited edition Koyudo 204 Christmas Platinum brush set, was their pearly pink handles - makes a nice change from most brands' black handles. I also prefer short handled travel size brushes, since they take up less storage space and look much cuter.

Koyudo 2014 Christmas Platinum Brush Set

Koyudo Powder Brush
Hair: Grey squirrel
Length: 14.3cm
Hair length: 5cm

Koyudo Cheek Brush
Hair: Grey squirrel
Length: 13.5cm
Hair length: 4cm

Koyudo Eyeshadow Brush
Hair: Grey squirrel
Length: 11.8cm
Hair length: 1.4cm

Koyudo Eyebrow Brush
Hair: Water badger
Length: 10.6cm
Hair length: 0.6cm

Koyudo Lip Brush
Hair: Kolinsky
Length: 11.5cm
Hair length: 1cm

These grey squirrel brushes are so fluffy, densely packed, and exceptionally soft that I don't think I'll ever use anything other than squirrel hair for face powders. Like my SUQQU brush, they are very well made and I can foresee them lasting a very long time.

Sadly, I can't rave about the included brush roll. Other than looking a bit cheap, the narrow slots plus friction from the PVC back make inserting & removing the brushes difficult. But this is relatively minor and, overall, I'm extremely happy with this brush set.

I also picked up the Koyudo Kumamon brush because it was simply too adorable - how could anyone possibly resist a bear face? Made with goat hair, it's a great kabuki brush for powder foundation. Goodbye MAC #182!

The Kumamon brush comes a in a round pink tube, perfect for storage.

Presenting.... the Kumamon brush!!

Since my shipment consisted of products from two different stores, I decided to try Tenso's consolidation service. I also had a ¥3,000 international shipping discount coupon for spending more than ¥10,000 at a single Rakuten store - love Tenso x Rakuten campaigns!

By using the consolidation service, I saved ¥1,390 on shipping even with the extra handling fees. So if you have multiple packages, it's definitely worth considering having them consolidated. The only downsides are that you need to wait an extra business day for Tenso to do this, and once requested, it isn't possible to cancel the consolidation.

There's currently another Tenso x Rakuten shipping campaign for a ¥3,000 international shipping coupon, if you spend ¥10,000 or more at a single Rakuten store.

More information here!

Space Series Rilakkuma & other bear related things

I love it when Tenso has international shipping campaigns, especially when they coincide with a new Rilakkuma release, which gives me a totally justifiable excuse to shop.

Group photo:

Rilakkuma curry dishes, Korilakkuma tonsui bowl, Rilakkuma & Korilakkuma bowls and plates. My kitchen needs Rilakkuma too!

I'm a huge fan of these Rilakkuma deco pens and like to use them to decorate my organiser. Not sure if you can get refills for them, but it isn't a big deal as they're very well priced.

Small Rilakkuma spoons, forks, pink Korilakkuma chopsticks, and two Space Rilakkuma letter sets.

Last but not least, the standard release Rilakkuma Space Series plushies! Their space helmets are removable, with the exception of Kiitotori, whose space suit is more like a hoodie.

I think these are probably my second favourite series so far, after the Stripes Stripes Everyday store limited edition kumas - bears in polar bear suits, you really can't get much cuter than that!

Tenso package - 24hコスメ (24h Cosme) & オンリーミネラル (Only Minerals)

This morning I welcomed the arrival of my 3rd Tenso package in as many months, containing the following delightful goodies. I'll do a more detailed review of each once I've had the time to play with them over the next few days. 

オンリーミネラル Only Minerals UV Mineral Sun Protect SPF50+ PA+++
My second purchase of this staple product. A little on the expensive side, but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

This definitely deserves its own post!

オンリーミネラル Only Minerals SPF 50+ PA+++ Powder Foundation set, Light Ochre
Packed in a cute organza pouch, this set includes a pink (!!) refillable brush and 2 refills. Made it look like a face, teehee! *Ahem*...

24hコスメ 24h Cosme Premium Stick Cover Foundation SPF 50 PA+++, LN01 Natural Light Ochre

Purchased partly for its SPF 50 and PA+++ sun protection, partly for the novelty factor as I don't think I've owned any foundations in stick form, I'm really looking forward to trying this.

24hコスメ 24h Cosme Taste Me Lip Gloss, 02 Cherry Candy
Plus the obligatory lip gloss, of course!

Tenso shipped my package last Friday, and over the weekend, it managed to fly from Japan to the UK, cleared customs before ending up in my eager hands. Now that is what I call fast!

Buying Japanese Goodies - FromJapan vs Tenso

Updated version here

Rilakkuma Stripes Stripes Everyday Series

San-X has done it again! They've released yet another seriously cute Rilakkuma series I just had to have - Stripes Stripes Everyday (しましまエブリディ). Thanks to Tenso, I was able to purchase the full set before some were sold out, yay!

I've had these plushies for about 2 weeks, but haven't got round to posting about them because I've been too busy playing the HD remastered version of Final Fantasy X on both Vita and PS3 (love that game save sync feature). I remember spending a lot of time playing the original when it was released 12 years ago; maxing characters, playing Blitzball, beating down Dark Aeons... Ah, the nostalgia... Unfortunately, these days it often feels like there aren't enough hours in the day, so my progress has been slower, but I digress.


The Rilakkuma Stripes Stripes Everyday series has everyone dressed up in penguin costumes, with the exception of Kiiroitori, who appears to be dressed up as a polar bear. Of the three characters, Kiiroitori has always been my least favourite, but I thought he was simply too cute to pass up! Maybe it's those bear ears...

For the M size plushies (larger plush), Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma and Kiiroitori are holding a miniature blue striped fish, pink striped fish & striped penguin, and a striped polar bear respectively.

Rilakkuma

Korilakkuma

Kiiroitori



For the S size plushies, only Kiiroitori has a polar bear, while his friends come empty handed.

While I was at it, I picked up the Rilakkuma & Korilakkuma mini chest of drawers. They're the perfect size for storing little things, and can even be used as desktop bookends.

I also ordered the store Limited Edition plushie set below, which will be on their way once a few other items are with my Taobao forwarding agent.

For those wondering why I didn't get my goodies via FromJapan - because of Tenso's 50% off international shipping (up to a maximum discount of 5000 Yen) campaign, they worked out to be cheaper by approximately 4500 Yen. But after further calculations, it appears that Tenso might actually be better for my needs long term - I'm in the middle of a FromJapan vs Tenso comparison post, so will try to finish that ASAP!