Why is vitamin D good for you?

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Why Vitamin D3?

One of my favorite supplements is Vitamin D. Not just any vitamin D – it has to be D3. Why does this matter you might ask? The short answer is: Bioavailability. Let’s deep dive into the longer answer now: Vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D that is more readily available for your body to absorb. It requires the least amount of conversion to be readily available inside your body. This gives you the most benefits of taking vitamin D. 

Benefits of vitamin D3

Supplementation with vitamin D3 is important especially during winter, but for me it is a year-round thing. The purported benefits of supplementation are increased energy levels (I have experienced this myself, again, especially in winter but also all year round), immune system boosting and bone health support. 

Where to get vitamin D3 and how should I dose it

As with anything medical related, you should consult with your doctor if supplementation is right for you, but in the case of vitamin D3 for most people supplementation is needed at least in winter and a dose of 4000 IU should be enough to get you covered. It is even better if you have a balanced diet that includes foods such as fatty fish, red meats, liver, egg yolks, and fortified foods such as some breakfast cereals.

I highly recommend having a balanced diet but when that is not possible, I would go for as high as 10000 IU, but again, this should be discussed with your doctor to get more personalized diagnostics.

I take 5000 IU daily of Viva Naturals Vitamin D3 and I feel really great. It’s also gluten free, so this is a safe supplement for any celiacs (it’s celiac awareness month) out there.

Click here to get your Viva Naturals Vitamin D3 supplementation underway now. 

I hope you have enjoyed this article. Please let me know if you like this kind of content in the comments.

2022 is a big year for this blog – I can just feel it as we plan to cover more than just hair!

Cheers,

Dr. L.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

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Mother’s Day is always a special day in our lives, mothers are our joy and our guidance in life and if mine were here today I would love to pamper her this year. I normally don’t write around this date as it is difficult but this year, I decided to make some changes and one of those is to cherish the good memories and Mother’s Day was always one of them. The going to brunch, opening of presents that she always appreciated and the spending time together were the hallmarks of this day. I will forever treasure mom and if you have your mom around treasure her and care for her because Mothers are our greatest gift.

This year I will try to make a series of posts to feature my favourite brands, but no promises because I do have to admit I am a little teary eyed.

The first brand I want to feature is Missha: This is a Korean Skincare brand that simply speaks to my soul, I love the BB cream, easily my favourite one ever along with their sunscreens and many more items in particular The Time Revolution 5X, easily the best essence out there and super cost effective and high performing.

For Mother’s Day Missha has created a wonderful set at a discounted price for this special occasion: The Time Revolution Best Seller Set 5X which includes; The Time Revolution The First Essence 5X in full size (150 ml) and travel size (30 ml), The Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule 5X in full size (50 ml) and mini size (10 ml) and The Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule Cream 5X (10 ml). I particularly love this set because it contains my favourite essence which you have probably read about before in my blog!

Another special set with a discounted price ideal for Mother’s Day is the MISA Geum Sul set II with savings of 60% which includes: MISA GeumSul Skin Toner full size (145ml) and Sample size (30ml), MISA GeumSul Milky Emulsion (100ml and 30ml), MISA GeumSul Rejuvenating Cream (50ml and 10ml) and MISA GeumSil Rejuvenating Essence sample size 7ml.

I hope this gift guide has inspired you to surprise your beloved mother with something wonderful for this upcoming Mother’s Day. Both sets are great and suitable for every skin type but the MISA GeumSul line is specifically designed for mature skin to revitalize and enhance using oriental herbal skincare.

Mother’s Day Gift Sets by Missha

Beauty Holiday Gift Guide 2022 (skincare, makeup)

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With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to start looking for the perfect gifts for your loved ones. If you’re looking for beauty gifts, then you’re in luck! I’ve got the perfect gift guide for you. Here are my top 10 recommendations from 3 of my favorite brands – Sol de Janeiro, Missha, and Sulwhasoo.

1. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream:

This cult-favorite body cream is a must-have for anyone who loves pampering themselves with luxurious body care. The creamy texture and sweet scent of this cream make it an indulgent treat. Not to mention, it’s packed with nourishing ingredients like cupuaçu butter and acaí oil, which help to nourish and hydrate skin. For the holidays they have a deal in the Jumbo size that’s worth your while.

2. Missha Super Aqua Refreshing Cleansing Foam:

This gentle cleansing foam is perfect for anyone looking for a deep cleanse without drying out their skin. It’s formulated with natural ingredients like coconut and olive oil to help remove dirt and impurities from the skin.

3. Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule 5X:

This serum is a must-have for anyone looking for a more youthful complexion. It’s packed with powerful anti-aging ingredients like niacinamide and adenosine, which help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, it’s formulated with a blend of fermented ingredients to help boost skin’s natural glow.

4. Sulwhasoo Timetreasure Invigorating Eye Serum:

If you’re looking for an eye serum that can help improve the appearance of aging skin, this is the one for you. It’s formulated with a blend of traditional Korean herbal ingredients and peptides to help reduce the signs of aging. It’s very lightweight, perfect for mature skin, so maybe a gift for mom?

5. Sulwhasoo Essential Firming Cream:

This ultra-nourishing cream is perfect for anyone looking to improve the appearance of their skin. It’s formulated with ginseng to help boost collagen production and improve skin’s elasticity. Plus, it’s packed with nourishing ingredients like honey, jojoba oil, and shea butter to help keep skin hydrated and soft.

6. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Me Balm:

This balm is a must-have for anyone looking for a lip treatment that can help keep lips soft and hydrated. It’s formulated with cupuaçu butter and acaí oil to help nourish and protect lips. Plus, it has a sweet, coconut scent that will make your lips irresistible! I particularly enjoy this in winter!

7. Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterproof Mascara:

This waterproof mascara is perfect for anyone looking for a long-lasting, smudge-proof formula. It’s formulated with natural ingredients like olive oil and beeswax to help keep lashes soft and healthy. Plus, it has a unique curved brush that helps to coat every lash for a volumized and lifted look.

8. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Scrub:

This exfoliating scrub is perfect for anyone looking for a gentle yet effective way to reveal their softest skin. It’s formulated with coffee and sea salt to help slough away dead skin cells and reveal brighter, smoother skin. Plus, it has a sweet, tropical scent that will make your shower feel like a mini vacation.

9. Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion:

This cushion is perfect for anyone looking for a lightweight, buildable coverage. It’s formulated with traditional Korean herbal ingredients to help protect and nourish skin. Plus, it’s infused with a subtle shimmer to give you a soft, radiant finish.

10. Missha Super Aqua Hydrating Essence:

This hydrating essence is a must-have for anyone looking for a boost of hydration. It’s formulated with great ingredients like aloe vera and green tea extract to help keep skin soft and hydrated. Ideal for all skin types.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone else, these products from Sol de Janeiro, Missha, and Sulwhasoo are sure to please. They’re all formulated with great ingredients and they’re sure to make anyone’s holiday season merry and bright. Happy holidays!

Cheers!

Dr. L.

Curious about your ancestry? Get your DNA sequenced

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links, should you choose to use them the blog receives a small commission at no cost to you.

Which DNA testing kit is right for you? Wondering about your ancestry? So am I!

Growing up in Latin America in a cultural melting pot, does make me wonder where do I really come from. At least I have been wondering recently, honestly ever since I wrote about my mother for the blog. I know for a fact that part of my mother’s family comes from Spain on my grandfather’s side but that’s all I know about my ancestry on mum’s side and I want to know more. My dad’s side is more straightforward (sort of, not exactly) but I would still like to know more.

While researching for DNA test kits I needed one that was available worldwide and that’s how I stumbled upon Nebula genomics and their different options for at home DNA sequencing. They offer free worldwide shipping and that is just perfect as you all know I live in Asia.

They also offer a wide variety of options in terms of services which intrigued me and are the only ones doing a full DNA sequencing, how cool is that?

I think sometime soon I will be getting my DNA sequenced with Nebula Genomics and probably will share the results of my ancestry on here.

Care to join me? Get sequenced clicking here!

Promos with Nebula Genomics available for you:

• $15 off any Nebula Genomics Test Kit with the code AFFILIATE15 through 12/31.
• $20 off Nebula Genomics Deep Whole Genome Test Kit with the code AFFILIATE20 through 12/31.
• $25 off Nebula Genomics ULTRA Deep Whole Genome Test Kit with the code AFFILIATE25 through 12/31.

Cheers,

Dr. L.

Xmas of Blog 2021 Sachiko Advent Calendar days 5 & 6

Hello again, I’m quite behind in my blogging but you know how is life!

Today I’m back again with 2 days of the Sachiko Advent Calendar my husband has handmade for me.

Day 5 was a Banila Co Clean it Zero Duo trial kit with a purifying cleansing balm and an original cleansing balm. I only opened the original one and it removed my makeup fabulously. I’m very pleased with this product

I love Coca Cola so le husband picked that cloth.

Banila Co Clean it Zero cleansing balm purifying and original

Day 6 was Dear klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream which is a moisturizing cream with a gel type texture. It contains Jeju Green tea water and panthenol. I enjoyed using this cream as the last step of my night routine and it played well with my other skincare products so I call that a success.

Day 6 Sachiko Advent Calendar

Dear, Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream

If you would like to try these products too, you can find them at Yes style and if you want a discount you can use my code SAKURA08.

PS. Most products from the calendar were purchased at Yes style unless they were a surprise gift that I didn’t purchase myself but instead someone else did.

Cheers

Dr. L.

Xmas of Blog Advent Calendar days 3 & 4

Hello again, to my Xmas of Blog 2021. Yesterday was a long day and I couldn’t show you my advent calendar gifts so today we have a double treat!

Day 3 was a shower gel and serum.

I had purchased the serum myself and it’s the Aurelia London revitalise & glow serum which is a lightweight serum with a mild citrusy and floral scent. It contains omega rich baobab to revitalise the skin’s appearance, Kingella africana to firm and antioxidantes rich natural Vitamin E oil to help reduce signs of oxidative stress. It also contains jasmine flower & frangipani extracts.

The shower gel was courtesy of my sister in law from Germany and it has a wonderful winter wonderland spicy fragrance that I can’t wait to try!

Handmade Day 3 Sachiko Bag

Shower gel & facial serum

Day 4 is a Nail Polish

I was very pleasantly surprised by day 4 because it was a gift from my husband, he selected the perfect shade of nail polish from O.P.I. in the shade Ready, Fête, Go.

O.P.I. nail polish: Ready, Fête, Go

I’m so happy with the goodies of the past few days and can’t wait to try them all.

Do you have an advent calendar as well? Let me know in the comments what have you gotten so far.

Cheers

Dr. L.

Xmas of Blog Advent Calendar day 2

Today I want to tell you a little more about my advent calendar as I think it’s quite special.

My husband has surprised me with a sachiko (Japanese stitching or embroidery) advent calendar pouches.

I purchased some items back in September so I barely remember what I bought and today I got the Cosrx cica clear cleansing oil which looks lush.

Sachiko pouch and product

Cosrx Cica clear cleansing oil

I hope you enjoyed today’s product and if you want a review of it in the future let me know in the comments ☺️

Cheers

Dr. L.

Xmas of Blog 2021

I did this project 5 years ago, when I started my blog but in these 5 years I have been quite inactive and I want to change that.

I spend a lot of time on social media but I enjoy more blogging and reading blogs than on Instagram for example, although I admit TikTok is very funny!

This Xmas of Blog I will be sharing what I get in my homemade advent calendar, that I created with the help of my hubby.

Why a homemade advent calendar? You ask? Well, I couldn’t get the calendar I wanted and the others available didn’t have things of my interest so instead in between my husband and me we bought items I actually wanted to try that were small and could be of interest to me.

Do I know what’s in the calendar? Only 50-60% yes, but I don’t know when I’m going to get it so that’s exiting!

Today December 1st I received German cookies and KitKat, that was quite unexpected. I was excited about the cookies & baffled by the KitKat but at this time I have to say I already ate some cookies and really enjoyed the KitKat.

Day 1 Advent Calendar

Anita Grant Cyber Monday Deals Picks

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links and the blog makes a small commission at no cost to you should you choose to support it buying via the links.

As I predicted in my black friday shopping recommendations post Anita Grant would be having a cyber monday sale instead of a black friday deal. The sale event is 25% off and will be valid until December 1st midnight UK time.

Anita Grant is an ethically sourced, ecofriendly and organic haircare and skincare brand that has been a staple in my routine since 2017; so when I tell you the products are good it’s because they are GOOD and have been tried and true.

I have a long list of favorites so I will do a separate post with more details (if time permits), but for now I will simply list my favorites over the years so you can have an idea of what to look for at the site.

My favorites list: Bentonite clay for skin and hair, Creamy cafe Latte Leave-in detangle conditioner (read the review on my blog just use the search function), Organic Unrefined Mongongo oil, Rhassoul clay (I have a recipe for a clay wash that is to die for just search for it in the blog), Japanese Camellia Kissi Oil, Rhassoul Deep Condish, Babassu Shampoo Bars (You can choose from a variety of bars, I’m currently using the coconut milk and honey one and I love it!) Co-wash conditioner (I’m very picky when it comes to cowashing and this is one of my favorite cowashes ever. I like the citrus mint version better, but you can choose whichever you like between unscented, rosemary mint and citrus mint), Organic Virgin Argan Oil, Vanilla Dry Oil (I love this for my skin specially in winter, but it smells so great I use it all year round), Aloe Vera Conditioning Shampoo, Ylang Ylang Floral Water (perfect for my rhassoul clay recipe, I like Ylang Ylang floral water better than rose water and we all know rose water is bomb).

Whew Chile this was a long list of products I hope I didn’t bore you, if you made it this far congratulations and thank you for reading.

Some Anita Grant products I enjoy

If you have specific questions about the products, let me know in the comments and I will answer them to the best of my abilities cheers!

Dr. L

Curly Hair Shopping in Japan

Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links that give the blog a small comission should you choose to use said links at no cost to you.

I have been living in Japan for a while now and because I don’t live in Tokyo I can’t say I have found physical stores that cater to curly hair although I do know about one hairdresser that does devacuts in that area, with that being said I have an extensive collection of products that work for me and that bring me joy while caring for my curly hair in Japan and I will share with you where I have purchased these items from.

Osocurly: Everything you need for curly hair accesories such as satin bonnets, satin pillowcases, shampoo brushes, satin scrunchies, and mist spray bottles. They also have accesories for children and other tools such as edge control combs that I haven’t tried but I have the feeling are as good as the other products I have purchased. As a bonus I have a 15% Osocurly discount code: CURLYSAKURA.

Beautylish: They offer free shipping to Japan with a minimum spend and cash on delivery payment which is quite rare in general. Here I purchase my Briogeo products which I absolutely love and need to write a review about soon.

Iherb: They are now offering a wide variety of brands such as: Curlsmith, Curls, Mielle Organics, Devacurl, Carol’s Daugther, Aussie curls, Camille Rose and Shea Moisture. I have tried Curlsmith, Curls, Mielle Organics, Devacurl and Shea Moisture and I have to say my favorite brands are Curlsmith and Shea Moisture. If you want a detailed post about a product, let me know in the comments and if I have tried it I will write about it just for you. You can get free shipping with a minimum spend.

Safe & Chic: This store specializes in ethical beauty and has everything from makeup to skincare to haircare and even clothing. I mention it because here you can buy Innersense Organic Beauty and Rahua both great performing brands. I have a detailed review on Innersense Organic Beauty in the blog and my favorite products are the shampoo and the volumizing foam. From Rahua I like their shampoos and conditioners.

Anita Grant: Is a British brand with handmade, cruelty free, organic, small batch products that I simply adore shopping from you can find my favorite products such as the Creamy Cafe latte , aloe vera shampoo, the curl conditioning cowash and rhassoul deep conditioning cubes here. I have also posted a blog post with a Rhassoul Clay recipe which is just fabulous for cleansing your hair strands while retaining moisture, make sure to give it a read.

I hope you have found this list of places I shop from useful and that it can help you in your new life in Japan and if you’ve been here for a while and didn’t have the scoop well now you know.