Aikikai Aikido Jo Katas: 12, 13 and 14

On the summer training camp we have been doing weapon training each day. Here are some Jo Katas performed by our Sensei. It is a really good reference material for those who want to perfect their skills. It is a good guideline for those who want to practice alone. So get out there, as long as the weather permits it, take your smart phone, iPhone, iPad along and follow the instructions of these tutorials.

Party Eye Makeup

Products used:

MaxFactor- Second Skin Foundation 070 Natural
Catrice- Allround Concealer: Beige/Pink/Green
NYX- HD High Definition Eye Shadow Base
NYX- Eyebrow Cake Powder 05 BRUNETTE
Essence- Gel Eyeliner 04 I Love NYC (which I am using as an eyeshadow for the whole lid)
Sonya- Cactus Green Eyeshadow
NYX- Blush PB25 Pinched
MaxFactor- Masterpiece Waterproof Mascara
IsaDora- Brush on Gloss 03 Candy
E.L.F Studo Brushes

My yellow nails are powered by the Catrice nail polish in Bye, Bye Birdy!

Beauty and Aikido ©

E.L.F has got some really cheap and qualitatively good products. You are so lucky to be reading this blog, because I will now share a coupon code that you can use to get a discount.

Just click on it, and enjoy the shopping. It would be great if you let me know what you got in a comment!

Gel Nails Tutorial- Purple Grape

A quick tutorial of how to make these great 

grape colored

gel nails. 

You need to apply first an UV gel Base coat. Then the two coats of colored nail polish by Crystal Nails. You can do it yourself also. However it is always easier if someone does it for you because you need to take care and be precise. In my case it is always my mother who does the gel nails and we can can chitchat in the mean while.

The positive thing about Gel Nails is that they last much longer than normal nail polishes. They are also shock resistant and do not chop that easily. In my case I type a lot the whole day at work and then do the break-falls on the tatami at aikido, but the gel nails still resist at least one week. Usually I get tired of the color sooner then it starts to chop and I remove them. For the removal technique check out my How to Remove Gel Nails post and video. This removal technique is my most popular video on YouTube.

Cute Pearl Nails

I have recorded how I made some creative cute pearl nails. You can also try it out with pearls that complement the color of the nail polish. I went for a more discreet look here that can be worn in the office also. What I used in the video is a matte pink nail polish from Miss Sporty and pink pearls from the China Market. To make the pearls stick better I used a clear coat from Astor.

Soon I will go crazy with my Konad stamping nail art set, so stay tuned! I am posing new tutorials soon.

My First Make-up Tutorial and a Short Excursion into Japanese Cuisine

I have successfully filmed my first make up tutorial, and above you can see the result. This is a look I was wearing on a dinner out with my boyfriend. There were a lot of delicious stuff. In the video you can also see some scenes of how ura maki is prepared by a female Japanese chef.

Make up

Products used:

Max Factor Second Skin Foundation- Natural 070
Max Factor Concealer- Ivory
Sephora- Cororful pro
Manhattan- True Blue Eyeshadow
Dior- Travel Palette
Manhattan- Coral Heat Eyeshadow
Random Eyelash curler
Maxfactor- Masterpiece Waterproof Mascara
Essence- Mineral Powder Blush
For the lips I used the aloe lip balm.

I used sponge applicators and some E.L.F Studio Brushes.

Food

Shiitake umani, Edamame, Dashimaki tamago
Beauty and Aikido ©

Rainbow sushi & Kawari maki
Beauty and Aikido ©

Miso soup (the best I have ever eaten)
Beauty and Aikido ©

Agedashi tofu
Beauty and Aikido ©

Sake shioyaki
Beauty and Aikido ©

Tempura
Beauty and Aikido ©

Dorayaki
Beauty and Aikido ©

I hope you enjoyed this short excursion in gastronomy. Please let me know if you would like to see some more similar posts. I am a big fan of Japanese cuisine ^.^y