Cosmetic Travel

I am totally fascinated by the word cosmetic and its not-so-common uses -  learnt from a Kiwi colleague.

cos•met•ic /kɑzˈmɛtɪk/

n. [countable]
cosmetics, [plural] measures taken to make something seem better but without being better:
Hiring a few minority employees was just cosmetics to stave off criticism.

adj.
done to improve the appearance of something without improving it:
made a few cosmetic attempts to hire more people from minorities.

Cosmetics are not as cosmetic as it seems. They have the power to make me travel back in time and space, to wonderful vacations. Something quite useful, during stressful times or summers without long getaways - like this one is meant to be.

Sunday advice, for those of you currently packing and getting ready is to get some products at your destination (instead of the DUTY FREE). They'll make up for the perfect memory, later on.

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Monoï oil (this is actually coconut oil infused with Tiare flower) and scrub, from Polynesia, perfect before, during and after a beach session.



Bond N.9 reminds of the wonderful week in NY, where Stina took me to all those places that only well connected locals know.

Anything from KORES is a memory of the lazy days in Kalymnos (a tiny island in Dodecanese, that doubles as climber's paradise and truly old-style Greece) and the walks around Athens.



More coconut oil, but from Thailand. Doubles as massage or hair hydrating potion.

Agua Fresca de Rosas is an old-favourite. Since the Uni days, where problems typically revolved around party outfits and exams.

Huile Finesse is a new one. I brought it to La Fila reunion in Vienna. You know, good times with my besties and everything girly.

I received Ayura body soap as a Birthday present from Keiko. Ayura is a pretty unknown but amazing Japanese Brand that makes aromatherapy products. This I used to take in our skiing trips to Hokkaido, beachy days at Ishigaki and hiking at Yakushima. Fresh and calming. The perfect shower, after a sweaty day.

Do Son is the perfume of party nights at Roppongi, jäger-bombs, commercial hits and tones of fun. Reunites me with all the wonderful friends we met in Tokyo, even though most of us, have already flown away.

MOR is a lovely brand from Australia. Provided in one of the hotels where we stayed, made me come back with an oil perfume and a litre shower gel. Little Snow Gardenia is left for the shower I'm afraid, yet I have the oil for small touches before going to bed.

SKINFOOD is the cutest Korean thing. All their products are inspired by fruits or food. I once got a Paprika Body Wash :) Cool Seoul, now that my friend will go there for several weeks I FEEL SO ANXIOUS to go back. As I told you, best shopping ever.

Byakko seems to be dreaming himself away too... Unfortunately, he's not really into perfumes.