This post is actually inspired from the video below by clothesencounters . I personally thought it'd be nice to have this somewhere on my blog since I think it would be really helpful for the fashionistas and OOTD people out there, and also for myself lol . So if you'd rather watch then read, I definitely recommend you check out the video of How to Pose for Photos by clothesencounters ! At the end I also have personal tips on taking these sorts of photos but for the most part, this will be a written version of the video . But yes, let's get down to it !

#1: The Lean

Is there a wall there ? Great, lean on it . Leaning on it to the side gives a cool and laid back vibe whereas leaning on it to the front makes your pose look more forward . A tip for this is to hunch forward a little while actually leaning back with your butt . Though this may look weird from the side, it's good for slimming your figure in the photo !

#2: The Crossing

Another good pose is to have your legs crossed or have one behind another when taking a picture . Doing this makes your pose look more dynamic and a little less flat . Not only this, but it does flatter the figure by showing the curves of your body, and it can make it look more elongated too . Clothesencounters suggests that if you're not wearing heels you should tiptoe in this pose as well .

#3: The Strut

This is kind of like crossing your legs, but this time you're actually walking, or moving a little bit . It's best to avoid actually walking around because it'll be difficult for your photographer to capture you . But rocking back and forth in a walking-like motion between your left and right leg really gives a great pose for a photo . If this pose is a little difficult try to look away from the camera and look forwards instead, and remember not to blink ! Warning though, it can make you look absolutely silly in real life while you're doing it . But hey, a moment of silliness for the photo of a lifetime sounds like the best of both worlds !

#4: The Coy Arms

This one is basically putting one hand on your other arm, and making you look a little shy . You can place your hand on your shoulder, elbow or wrist of the opposite arm too which really helps to make this pose very versatile . Also popping one shoulder up helps to make arms look more elongated as well .

#5: The Candid Hands

Rather than a pose, this is a general tip in terms of posing, and that is to keep your hands busy in one form or shape . This can be anything from tucking your hair behind your ears, and look as though you're a little bit caught off guard . This pose is excellent for looking a little candid and raw . Flip the hair a bit, adjust yourself, fixing the jacket that your wearing, things like this really help in terms of taking a photo while keeping your hands busy . If you do things like this, it can actually look quite flattering in front of the camera .

#6: The Hot Pockets

If an outfit has pockets, it's most definitely an excellent opportunity and chance to pose with them ! Not only does it kind of look candid but it helps to keep your hands warm . Anything from coat pockets to butt pockets can really help in terms of defining your look . You can try things like looking as though you're taking something out from your pockets, using pants pockets, or even putting your thumbs through the belt loops of your pants .

#7: The Prop

If you still feel a little awkward with your hands, a way to ease your camera shyness is by adding something like a coffee cup or a drink in your pictures . It doesn't necessarily have to be a drink, but as long as your hands are interacting with something it could really help in making you feel a little less awkward when you're posing for a picture . 

#8: The Sit & Stare

Another excellent place to take photos is anywhere that has a staircase or well, any form of stairs . Photos taken on these really help to give a street sort of style as well as give that relaxed and laid-back look . Putting your feet on different steps of the stairs help to create a more flattering photo and elongate your body even though you're sitting down .

#9: The Look Back At It

This pose is all about your body facing away from the camera but your face is looking towards it . This pose is also about looking a little candid and looks as though you're looking back as though (as clothesencounters puts it) "you called me?". This pose needs a bit of synchronisation with the photographer that you're working with, so a good idea is to have the photographer countdown when you're about to turn to look at the camera . The overall goal with this look is to have a bit of movement in your pose and hair . 

#10: The Peace Sign

Fascinating how years ago this was known as the pose that makes you look 'super asian', to now becoming the universal pose when you really don't know what else to do . Regardless, it's a lovely and cute pose with a lovely and cute meaning . And best of all, it's really easy and super manageable as one of the most common poses we all know and love . <3 haha

#EXTRA TIP: Get Low

One thing that most people don't know when it comes to taking photos of other people, is that the best way to take the photo is by having the camera not at the height of the eyes . In other words, you should have the camera lower than the height of your eyes . Try to have the camera at the middle of your chest or body and reach out your arms a bit so you have the ability to see the display screen of your camera . It's best to not have the camera at eye height, and better to have it around the middle area of your body, because it gives more of a focus on the outfit that you're wearing .

What are your 10 easy poses for instagram ?

Those are the wonderful tips from the video and what I've learnt overall from taking these sorts of photos and posing . Not only this but it was really great to see these points all sorted out especially since I'm quite the repeat offender when it comes to posing for photos (I'm a peace sign and look to the side sort of person, unfortunately) . I hope this article and information was as useful to you as it was to me ! Do you have any other posing tips you'd like to share though ? I'd love to know~

Signing out,

-THE TEACOAST . 

Nihonbashi is part of the 23 wards of Tokyo and is easy to get to if you're staying in places like Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku (aka main city Tokyo). Maybe the place isn't as popular among tourists as a place to go, but I think that's why I gravitated towards the place as it's not too busy of a place to go to . The following places take place near the Mitsukoshimae station which is basically apart of Nihonbashi . You'll be surprised when you first encounter this place as it seems like a huge Central Business District area, but regardless there's actually plenty to do in this underrated place ! So first to start off:

Flowers by Naked

Flowers by Naked is an amazing art installation that takes place at the beginning of the year . This year it took place at the department store of Mitsukoshimae station, known as COREDO . Flowers by Naked was first started in 2016, and it seems like it will continue to do so from the start of February to the end of March, it's around 1400 yen (approx. $14 USD) for an adult ticket . For anyone who's into art and photography, I definitely recommend you go and check out this art installation . It really is beyond gorgeous and will leave you amazed and fulfilled by the end of the exhibit .

Though the overall theme is flowers, the light shows and displays of the exhibit make you feel as though you've stumbled upon a scientists lab who experiments with flowers and plants rather than animals and chemicals . The display is a mix of ethereal, magic and flowers; with a strange feeling that you're in the water . This installation gives all sorts of fascinating feelings and experiences, especially when some of the exhibits encourage touching and interactivity . One of the displays only appear if you open the lid of the 'tester', another lets flowers appear as you touch it and fade away when your hand leaves the display, and another encourages you to blow on a large daffodil to see the lights fly and flurry around . All in all, if you're a fan of amusement park displays and would like to see it come to life and fruition, I definitely recommend you check this exhibit out if you come to Tokyo during the months of February and March . (Also, here is the link to the official Flowers By Naked site)

Edo Waterways Tour

By the river close to Mitsukoshimae station, there's a waterways tour that guides you through the same places that the Edo period once used as a form of transport . So for anyone that's a history nerd (hand up) or likes that period in Japan where they had samurais and warring states, then you might be interested in taking this tour . It's around 1000 yen and even though the tour is in English only, the tour guides are more than happy to take you in and show you around the place, and I do feel as though they were very sweet and accommodating . It runs once an hour and starts at every o'clock though, so you may have to wait another 45 minutes if you miss the tour .

The tour itself is around 45 minutes and takes you around places like the Sumida river, and the sea ways of the Tokyo city in general . To be honest I thought it was going to be a bit of a Gondola ride as it was described as 'a way to travel the same as the Edo period', but instead of riding a small boat with someone to paddle, you'll actually be on a fair sized boat with other people . Regardless, I still really liked this tour as it was a nice mix of narrow water passageways, going under several bridges, and also going through a big wide river and seeing Tokyo Tower . If you're a fan of being on the water on a nice sunny day, you'll definitely enjoy this nice and relaxing trip .

Enjoy having a nice and relaxing time in the CBD of Nihonbashi

It's surprising to see that even though Nihonbashi is actually quite the CBD, the things to do there are actually really nice and relaxing . I think because a lot of people come to Nihonbashi and Mitsukoshimae to work, it's a fairly relaxing and quiet place to go and sightsee around the metropolitan area of Tokyo . If you are the sort of person that likes photography, quietness and just a generally more relaxing time, I definitely recommend you check out these spots in the busy but quiet city of Nihonbashi .

So how about you, what would you like to see ?

Signing out,

-THE TEACOAST .

While I was in Japan I was absolutely devastated to hear that one of my favourite Masterchef contestants opened his own restaurant in Sydney . Don't get me wrong, eating in Japan is always fantastic, but WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY FAVOURITE MASTERCHEF PERSON OPENED HIS OWN RESTAURANT AND I'M NOT THERE TO EAT IT ?!

And here is my account of the wild (not really, but yeah kinda) duck chase it was to get to this restaurant and of course, what it serves . If you want to see the Aussie foodie culture first hand, I definitely recommend you check out this restaurant !

I took this picture solely because Reynold is in it LOL .

Reynold is one of the contestants from Masterchef Australia, who was well liked for being a dessert maker and making some really innovative dessert pieces . To be honest, whenever I watched Masterchef I always had a weakness for the guys who made dessert . Always . It's terrible haha . Reynold in particular was popular for his absolute killer aesthetic when producing desserts, as well as making the most delicious desserts ever .

So when I finally went to back to Sydney my brother made it one of the top priorities for me to visit his restaurant, when we went and visited though it was closed (and my brother looked so upset that I felt more bad for him than I did for me) . Second time round though, me and my friend visited the place on a whim, and to our luck not only was it open, but the man himself was there as well (in which I felt more sorry for my brother, who didn't see Reynold when he ate at Koi) .

Extreme fangirling then ensued, as me and my friend nearly lost our minds at screaming internally as we literally sat in front of him and the restaurant . If Reynold saw us staring at him we're terribly sorry, but the odds were so against us that it was such a magical moment LOL .

In order to sit in and dine during dinner time, a reservation is necessary . Though it says you can dine downstairs, in reality the place is really small, and you can only really order the desserts or get a drink . If you reserve, it seems you get a set menu for your course .

The menu you can choose from consists of some of his legendary desserts that he featured during Masterchef . One of them is Moss (it's in the mason jar in the picture), which literally looks like a little vegetation patch in a mason jar, but is completely edible and delicious . The elements that look like dew, shrubbery and rock ? All edible . When I saw it in real life for the first time I was absolutely stoked because I was like "I can't believe this is actually real ." The wonderfully surreal dessert has a overriding matcha flavour, one of the best flavours to taste in the realm of sweets . Anything matcha flavoured is usually never sweet but never quite bland either .

The dessert bar also features gorgeous little cakes to try as well, which each have a sleek design almost akin to a pretty gem stone . Within the picture is a chocolate flavoured, and calmansi with coconut flavoured cake . The best things about these desserts is that they have a layer of textures and they never taste too sweet, a factor that tends to really make a lot of dessert flavours suffer in Sydney .

 The KOI Dessert bar really gives both an oriental and earthy vibe, and it does kind of feel like you're in the world of a pond filled with Koi fish . There's something about the moss dessert or the marble-like cakes that feel that way, along with the black interior filled lusciously with flowers and plants . I think going to this restaurant is a little peak of what Australian culture is, which I think is pretty nice considering that I honestly feel as though Australia has somewhat very little of it . If you want to check it out here's the website .

Again, if Reynold ever sees this post, I really hope I didn't freak you out with all the staring lol . :(



Signing out,


-THE TEACOAST .

Maybe because it's the post-season of gift giving, but I found there were a lot of products this month that I really enjoyed ! Honestly far more products than I anticipated . Because of this, I actually had a really difficult time picking which ones I absolutely enjoyed using, so the products I mention in this post is really the gold standard ! haha . Anyway let's get down to it, shall we ?

KEANA NADESHIKO Rice Mask (x)

I bought this late last December, so when I was making my December favourites I was still deciding whether I really liked this product or not . Figured I did when I decided to buy it again lol . At around 550 yen (approximately $5 USD) at the local Japanese drugstore, you get 10 masks . The product markets itself as a pore tightening mask but because it is made out of rice extract, so not only will it tighten the pores but it will also help in healing acne scars and brightening your complexion .

This product markets itself as a product to tighten pores, but I find it much more helpful in the whitening and brightening department . Plus the liquid of it is almost the same sort of texture as water, so the essence doesn't feel heavy on the skin but rather light and easily . If you can't tell yet, for its value and what it does, I absolutely enjoy using this product .

MIZON Great Pure Cleansing Balm (x)

Great name for a great product, haha . Basically a dupe of the Banila co. Clean It Zero balm cleanser, it's an oil cleanser with a 'balm' like texture . I've actually come to like this product more than the Clean It Zero due to the fact that it's softer, and this makes it more easier to extract the product when cleansing your face . I also feel as though it takes off more makeup than the Clean It Zero, and it 0% stings the eyes when you use it . 

Because I like this product so much I'm actually thinking of getting MIZON's lip and eye makeup remover as well . MIZON's products aren't always perfect, but they're always effective, which makes them a brand I always look out for .

MAYBELINE Fit Me Foundation Matte + Poreless (x)

It was almost like fate that I was going to buy this product and enjoy it, especially since I was first introduced to it by reading an article about the best drugstore foundations, followed by the recommendations of my mates . I'll be honest and say that it oxidises fairly easily and the coverage won't last long by itself, but that is easily manageable with a decent primer . It's also a major pain to take it out from it's glass packaging . Apart from that, the finish is so natural that you won't even need a brush or sponge to apply it . In addition, you can use it as a spot concealer very easily and it won't look cakey at all . I even use it as a concealer when I use my BB Cushion and it blends in very well with it and doesn't look like a different product from the BB Cushion . Honestly speaking, the pros of it much outweigh its cons (plus on ebay you can get it for $10) . This product is absolutely magical and is my current go to for foundations in my videos well !

RITUALS The Ritual of Light line (Limited Edition)

I got this as a gift from my friend and received The Ritual of Light candle, Private Collection incense, body wash, and tea . I love these products soooo much because first off, they look absolutely gorgeous, from the packaging right down to the products itself . On the individual products, the candle and body wash essentially smell the same; luxurious but soft . It's something I feel as though the Egyptian Goddesses' or Cleopatra would smell of . The body wash is an excellent exfoliant that also has something within it to moisturise your skin at the same time . The tea of this is also a relaxing, pleasant blend . I can tell it's high quality tea by the fact that the tea bag never overpowers the drink, and it can be used more than once over and still taste the way it did before. 

The RITUALS brand in general combines luxury with natural ingredients, and really serves to make the best products . If I lived in Europe it would probably be a really bad combination since this brand would probably buy me out dry LOL . OTL

LANCÔME Virtuôse Doll Eyes Gris Rivoli 06 (x)

Something that I had gotten from my recent Cosme haul, it's kind of funny that the things that I'm about to mention are also things I've gotten because they're known as the holy grails of the cosme rankings (they literally are so good they get separate recognition) . So when I was absolutely blown away from this product, I essentially felt like 

It's a fantastic product for the 'your eyelashes but ten times better' look . I love this product and I'll grieve the day I run out of it ...until I buy another one which would be straight after it runs out, of course .

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (x)

Another product, another cosme holy grail haha . Not only is this much loved by the Japanese, it's also very adored by the beauty world as well . After using this product though I can definitely see why . Among the many benefits it gives such as making your skin smoother, helping to clean the skin after cleanse, and preventing breakouts and acne, there was one thing that made me realise why it's so expensive but loved . This essence in particular does a ridiculously excellent job in general maintenance and really speeding up the rejuvenation process of your skin . Things like dry patches and acne marks fade much faster, I really do feel as though it keeps the balance of the skin at it's most optimal form .

What's your favourite post gift-giving season product ?

That's it for me, for the surprisingly eventful January in terms of receiving products and enjoying them haha . To be honest I could go on and on about each product, but that would probably turn this post more into a review (and that's what different review posts are for !)

Are there any of these products you'd like to see a separate review of ? Let me know your thoughts .

Opening this felt like opening a treasure box, it really did .

Signing out,

-THE TEACOAST .

Recently I came across this wonderful article by reviews.com about the best acne treatments . I really recommend you check out this article because I do quite agree with the end result (you can find the link of it here) . Anyways, while looking at the article it gave a really informative table on diagnosing your acne . Because of this I wanted to make a thorough post about what causes acne- whilst making it as not throw-up worthy as possible haha . This post will cover what kinds of acne there are, and the severity levels of acne . This way, you can understand treating different kinds of pimples, and whether it really is best to consult a professional about it or not .

So first, here is a handy infographic on what certain types of acne and/or pimples there are .

I'd like to add though that I have had one or two cystic acne spots and I've treated it without consulting anything professionally . However, the scarring of it does last quite a long time, and so does the bump of it as well .

Next up is the diagnosis of the amount of acne you have . I think this table is especially important for figuring out when it's best to start seeking professional help for your acne . It might make you feel better or open your eyes . But either way, I found it highly informative . This table was taken from this article which talks of the best products to use for mild to moderate acne .

Subclinical acne	- A small number of blackheads and whiteheads that are barely visible - The first signs of a blemish
Comedonal acne	- Blackheads and whiteheads that might be a little red - Visible blemishes
Mild acne	- Several inflamed (read: red) pimples - Less than 20 whiteheads or blackheads - Less than 15 inflamed pimples - Less than 30 pimples that aren’t all inflamed
Moderate acne	- Many inflamed pimples and pustules - 20-100 whiteheads or blackheads - 15-50 inflamed pimples - 20-125 pimples that aren’t all inflamed
Severe nodular acne	- Inflamed pimples and pustules plus a few deep nodules (those solid suckers you can feel under your skin) - More than 5 cysts (hard knots of skin) - More than 100 whiteheads or blackheads - More than 50 inflamed pimples - More than 125 pimples that aren’t all inflamed
Severe cystic acne	- Many nodular cystic pimples with signs of scarring

It's been observed that even from moderate acne, some over the counter treatment won't be able to solve it, and it may be best to see a specialist about your acne if normal treatment isn't working for you .

For me I've found that I've often suffered acne breakouts due to product reactions (like don't ever mix AHA products with Vitamin C products, ever), or using the wrong products for oily skin . It's also pretty interesting to note that as someone with sensitive skin, I would get dry patches as product reactions when I had dry skin but now that my skin is what I can call 'normal', I get breakouts when my skin is having a reaction to a product .

End conclusion is, having sensitive, normal or oily skin is a breeding ground for acne breakouts and problems . However learning about what kind of acne you may have will definitely help you in finding good products and reviews to treat it, so I hope this has helped you in your struggle for better skin care .

If you have any questions on acne or pimples I'd love to hear from you, or even your general experience from acne breakouts . Because at the end of the day, I think we all have very different experiences when it comes to acne and why or when it happens .

(also a special thanks to reviews.com for their highly informative and useful article :D)



Signing out,


-THE TEACOAST .

I know this isn't a blog where I usually talk about these things (if not at all), but I just thought it'd be a nice addition for me personally to remember the stuff that I've...'consumed' (for lack of a better word) and actually really enjoyed . Plus I felt as though I saw a lot of really amazing anime, manga, music and books this year as well so I wanted to give them the recognition that they deserve, y'know ? So first, I'll start off with...

And here's the video if you don't feel like reading . ;)

Favourite Books

Magician, by Raymond E. Feist

Now this book took me I think, one or two years to finish ? That's because I only really read when I'm travelling, but that's probably like 4 travel trips worth of trying to finish this book (that's 7 plane rides guys, seven 8-hours or so plane rides) . To be honest it doesn't take me such a long time to finish a book and I usually finish them within the first 6 months of picking it up, but for some reason I really enjoyed reading this book regardless of how long I've put it down for (I tend to drop a book if it takes me a long time to read it) . Maybe how big it was put me off because I normally don't enjoy epic fantasy novels, but this was definitely well worth the read .

This book is similar to Lord of The Rings but without the Old English (because let's be honest, that stuff is incredibly difficult to understand) . Also because it has a very similar vibe to LOTR, there are some parts of the story that feel pretty familiar and not surprising . Still, the fact that the author keeps descriptions concise whilst packing the story full of action, makes it a fantastic read from start to finish . 

The Little Prince, by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the human eye .

Though this has been around for many years now, I stumbled upon this book in quite a funny way . At first I actually bought the Weekly diary of this since I thought the design was lovely . Then on the way back to Japan at the start of the year, I saw the movie on the plane and decided to watch it . Again, I absolutely loved the way the movie looked but was quite taken in by the story, and that's how I ended up reading the book . To be honest it almost feels like fate reading the book because it instantly became one of my favourite novels of all time . 

Though it's supposedly a children's novel, I love how it touches on the typical adult personalities and the nature of travelling, it's no wonder why it's popular in Japan . This book also struck a chord with me and it actually made me cry (the only other books I remember crying to was The Hunger Games and The Life of Pi) . It's a little and simple book, but its description of love and the human heart is something that I'll forever remember .

The image that first peaked my interest in The Little Prince (it's also the part where I cried in the book !)

Favourite Anime & Manga

Tokyo Ghoul: RE

In actuality, I've been following the Tokyo Ghoul series for quite a while, but I'm mentioning it now because in 2016 it reached its 5th year in publication which is why I wanted to give it a little shout out once again . The story lulls hear and there, but this year was definitely jam packed for the manga, especially since one of my absolutely favourite manga characters died . (*ugly wailing in the distance)

Even though it's technically categorised as a 'horror', the art is one of the most gorgeous things I've ever laid my eyes upon . Seriously . The way Ishida Sui-sensei draws is absolutely beyond me and if his art was a guy I would be absolutely in love with him . Art aside, I also like the story for the fact that everyone isn't 100% good or isn't 100% bad, and ultimately whichever side you choose isn't based on whether its because they're the good guy or the bad guy, but rather your opinion and what you'd stand for or against . 

Natsume Yuujinchou Go (Season 5 of Natsume Yuujinchou)

I actually didn't watch any of the previous seasons, but it's still pretty to easy to understand this season regardless . I decided to chuck this one in since I am a real big sucker for any anime that has a fantasy, and almost Studio Ghibli-like, element to it . The story is the pretty typical boy can see youkai (Japanese mythical ghosts and creatures) plot, but since these kinds of stories are far and few, I enjoy it a lot . The best way I can describe it is that it's a very calm but fantastical sort of story and anime .

I think this picture describes Natsume Yuujinchou pretty well lol.

Fukigen na Mononokean

Another boy meets youkai style plot line that's also very fantastical, but not so calm . I find the visuals really stunning despite the fact that I feel as though the anime production didn't strive to make this anime stand out from the other shows that were airing in its season which was a bit of a shame . I still really admire the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed watching this show and the overall story plot though . It's a very beautiful anime to watch, and I definitely recommend it for the Spirited Away fans out there .

Mob Psycho 100

From the author of One Punch Man, it's fascinating how a completely different story plot can be served in the same manner, if that makes sense . Mob Psycho also follows a comedy vein but goes into a much more complex story plot of camaraderie, emotions and the human nature of rivalry . If you're not into the deep dark story plots though you can just see this story as a comedy jam packed with action haha . 

Either way I think this is what makes this anime so great, because it can serve a wide variety of audiences (props to the author) . I actually like this anime much more that One Punch Man, but that's because I'm a very character relationships-driven story plot person . 

Boku Dake Ga Inai Machi (The town without me/ERASED)

"This anime is great but I feel like I need a soul cleansing every time I finish watching an episode, you get what I'm saying ?" -my brother .

Aired until the beginning of this year, I felt as though this anime produced waves in the anime world, and will probably be remembered alongside anime seasons like Cowboy Bebop and Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, y'know what I'm saying ? The story plot is just so good and to make it even better, you can just tell that the animation production really worked hard in doing the manga justice . The animation is almost cinematic in the way that it looks and the story plot is kind of like an anime thriller . 

Yes, the story plot can be a bit heavy for the heart at times, but I think that's why I like it so much - because it makes me feel so many things rather than expecting something to happen . I've watched and seen a lot of anime's in my time, so not much really surprises me these days and a lot of the time it feels kind of like a rinse and repeat . But Boku Dake Ga Inai Machi has a plot where you know what's going to happen but you don't know how it'll happen . Yes, this anime is not going to give you a good time, but if you're bored of the same old rinse and repeat, I definitely recommend this series to you . 

I saved the best for last haha .

Favourite Music

24K Magic, Bruno Mars

Throw some perm on your attitude, girl you gotta relax !

What really impressed me about this album was the fact that each song in this album is actually dedicated to one decade of R&B . I love that ! Like the fact that a music artist decided to put some good thought into the theming of their album is really cool, because it shows the thought that a music artist puts into their work (contrary to what many of us might think) . I love the fact that I catch myself bopping my head to the super catchy razzle dazzle songs, and find my inner heart belting it out to some other songs within the album . It reminds me of the times I loved listening to the likes of Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson, and I miss those fun-filled catchy beats . My favourite songs from this album has got to be 24K Magic and Perm .

Starboy, The Weeknd

Switch up my cup, I kill off any pain .

Another album that reminds of a melody I once used to love is The Weeknd's Starboy . Undoubtedly I've always liked a song of his here and there, but I found myself really digging the whole album this time . His (again, for lack of a better description) dope beats mixed with this 80's vibe here and there has got me really loving the album . Again, I hear influences of Michael Jackson at times, but there are other parts of the album that reminds me of 80's music that I really can't pin-point from where . Either way, the overall album is something I find myself listening to often . I really like Party Monster, Sidewalks, A Lonely Night, Secrets, and of course, Starboy .

(Young Forever) The Most Beautiful Moment In Life, BTS (방탄소년단)

Lonely lonely lonely whale, 이렇게 혼자 노래불러 .

This album holds a special place in my heart, since it was what dropped me back into the hell that is being part of a Korean idol fandom . Jokes aside though, I found it at a time in my life full of freedom, realisations and sacrifices . I travelled to songs such as Butterfly and Converse High, worked my butt off to songs like Dope, Fire and Bapsae, and eased my nerves to songs like Save Me and Whalien 52 . I stood to what must of been one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever laid my eyes upon, and shouted out the resolutions in my head listening to Young Forever . 

There were just so many songs in this album that sort of accompanied me in this wild ride that was 2016 and felt sort of like my companion or the title to parts of my life in 2016 . In an objective point of view this album provided a multitude of different songs to enjoy whether you like K-Pop or not, because of the diversity of genres it covers, though it's more on the pop and hip-hop side . But for me personally, this album holds a great part in my heart as a travel companion and an observer of life .

I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It (ILIWYSFYASBYSUOI), The 1975

Well your face has got a hold on me, but your brain is proper weird . Aren't you feeling the same ? You just keep nodding at me looking vacant .

You must be thinking, how could the previous album be topped by another one after what you said about it haha . Well first off this album actually came out on my birthday, and I've got to say it is one of the best birthday presents that I've ever received . :P Second of all, I really like the album progression of this and I think the progression of the album itself tells a story that is also familiar to me as well . To me BTS' album was a companion, whereas this album feels like my actual personal thoughts and experiences .

Originally I liked the first album because I felt like I could relate to it, and again I felt it with this album too . However this time around I like this album because it feels like they talk about past experiences in their current state of mind, in a different sort of light . Personally for me looking back on past experiences I also have a similar sort of testament . Songs like Love Me, Somebody Else, Loving Someone, She's American, Nana, Ugh!, The Sound, A Change Of Heart...yes, as weird as it sounds, a lot of the album struck a chord of my thoughts in recollection . Overall, one of the things that I liked the most about The 1975 was the fact that their songs are very personal (as in, it's a clear commentary on what happened and they really don't filter their thoughts), and that they also sing about family as well (I really like Nana) . I think family is an important part of someone's life and pop culture should also address it as well . Call me old fashioned but family should not be forgotten (in all the faults, failure, and immense love that encompasses the definition of family) .

At an objective standpoint though, the progression of the album almost feels as though each song is linked to the next one . There's also a great variety in this album as well, from the relaxingly spacious Please Be Naked to the 80's loving Somebody Else and Love Me .

Pick your poison lol .

And With That, I wish you all good tidings .

This year has been really great in pop culture (especially in music, like wowowee !), and it was pretty difficult to keep the list small in terms of anime and music . Even with the books haha . 0_0 But if anything I'm glad that it's been a good year for books, anime and music !

Anyways, I hope you've all had an absolutely awesome Christmas and I also hope your New Years was a blast as well ! Anything you agree or even disagree on in this post ? What are your favourite books, anime and music ? Let me know . :D

Signing out,

-THE TEACOAST .

Great story, I just finished doing a skills assessment because me nor my family couldn't find my Higher School Certificate stuff (which is the certificate you get once you complete your final exam in high school at Sydney Australia) . I spent a couple of good hours studying for it, so if I don't pass I know well and truly, that at the age of 23, graduating from high school was just a fluke .

Whether I'm amused by the thought or not, I'm not quite sure . Anyways, let's move onto the favourites, shall we ?

Cosmetics

MISSHA x LINE Poptastic Jelly Tint (Maple Latte & Salsa Red)

I've really been liking these colours since they're excellent for the colder months . I've always liked this line (and I've done a review of it which you can find here) . They are the darker and more mute sort of shades you'd rather use for daily wear . Another thing that I really like about these tints in particular though is the fact that it never seems to dry out my lips, and they're very comfortable to wear .

BANILA CO. Two Kisses Dual Tint (01 Red Princess)

If I don't feel like wearing a 'mute' sort of lip colour then I like using the emulsion part of this tint . It has a clear sort of red colour and isn't bright, which makes it more appropriate for Autumn and Winter . I've also reviewed this tint line and quite enjoy it for the fact that it doesn't dry out the lips as well, and it doesn't feel like you're wearing this tint either .

MISSHA The Original Tension Pact #21

I bought a bunch of BB cushions due to their much raved about reviews, but I found that I liked this one the most . To be honest, I think the other two BB cushions I used were also of really good quality, but essentially just didn't suit to my needs . 

What I personally really like about this BB cushion (or BB cushion pact I suppose ?) is the fact that its colour isn't sort of snow white or pasty white, as that is simply not my skin tone . It also has a matte finish which is the sort of finish that I prefer, and a little goes a long way with this product . I can go on and on about why I like this product, but that can wait until the review haha . Because there's not much oxidisation with this cushion though, I'm considering of getting it in #23 once my current BB cushion (pact ?) is finished .

SULWHASOO First Care Activating Serum

It was kind of funny because when I first used this product I wasn't particularly wow-ed by it, but I wanted to keep using it in order to not waste the product (Sulwhasoo is an expensive brand after all) . I stopped using it during the Summer because I felt it would be too much for my for my skin, and started using it again once the drier moments of fall came about . 

What I immediately recognised with it is the fact that it absorbed products that I used after it so fast . Since I use this in the morning and I use a mask as my sort of moisturiser and primer, it helped save a lot of time in terms of getting ready in the morning . I think if you want a mask to do an effective job and absorb better, you might want to try out this product (I won't lie to you though, this product be expensiveeeee @_@)

WISHTREND C20 Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum

Since my skin has gotten particularly oily this year (it has finally met the definition of humidity, unfortunately), I got a lot of breakouts and acne happening here and there . Because of this the blemish clearing, acne preventing, and acne scar fading product has got me using it once again . I've done a review on the old version of this before, so I'll probably make a different review for this one since it is quite different from how it once was .

Products

VOLUSPA Crème de Peche

(available in the mini travel candle trio sets)

After buying this candle I'm not too sure whether I'll buy another type of candle ever again haha . I love the smell of this so much !! It is the embodiment of peaches and cream and I am so devastated that I can't buy a big candle version of this . I truly am . :( haha .

STARBUCKS Origami Drip Coffee 

So in an attempt to save money I've been going to Starbucks less, and I think this what led me to finally buy the Origami Drip Coffee available in the Japanese grocery stores- and boy was it one of the best choices I've ever made . For around 500 yen you can get a box of 5 of these drip sets, and best of all it is a self made drip ! This means you don't need any extra equipment apart from your cup, and you can simply throw it away after . And the best part is the coffee is exactly the same quality as the stuff you buy in-store, it's fantastic . 

Pop Culture

Glass Animals - How To Be A Human Being (Album)

It was kind of funny how I found this album, since I was just letting Spotify go through its random shuffle in the game songs section . When I heard a song I was like "oh, this sounds like Glass Animals ?" and turns out it was haha . One of the things I really liked about Glass Animals is the fact that their sound was really unique, so I always kept an eye and an ear out for them .

Admittedly their first album kind of suffers from the 'same sound' syndrome, but I was really impressed with how varying the sounds of this album was ! On the cover of this album, you see 12 people on the cover, and apparently each song from the album represents one person on the cover . I think that's an excellent concept and adds more depth to the album . Regardless of their more diverse beats, they've still kept the strong bass and primal sounds that makes their sound unique . I really like the songs 'Youth' and 'Life Itself' especially !

The Neighbourhood - When I Get Back (ft. G-Eazy)

The Neighbourhood always had this sort of chill, but sad as hell sort of sound to it . Hearing this song I feel like they've kept the chill but it was less sad, and I really liked that ! I feel as though The Neighbourhood are at least having better days haha . 

Apart from that, that laid back sound and testament to what you call truly home is something that resonates with me (especially since I'll be coming back for Christmas in December) . I grew up in the warm and sunny area that was Sydney, and that place may not exactly be California, but I had fun in my Sydney Summer's and its Summer sun .

And that's it for my favourites ! I had quite a bit of a haul this month so I think that was more than I expected haha . What are your favourites for the coming colder months ? I'd love to know ! :)

Signing out,

-THE TEACOAST .