RENTING A CELL PHONE IN TOKYO, JAPAN: RENTAFONE. SHOPPING FOR CUTE JAPANESE GIRLS FASHION, HELLO KITTY SANRIO STORE.
Take my hand and let’s continue our tour of Laforet Harajuku. I previously posted photos of the Gothic Lolita Punk clothes.
Now, we’ll discover the sweeter, more casual (and wearable) side — and I’ll reveal the best cellphone rental service in Japan! Keep scrolling…
“mmts” is girly and simple — a contrast to the bells-and-whistles decora of a brand like Angelic Pretty.
Hats off to the basement level of Laforet, which houses street style.
Kawaii-decora accessories heaven.
Candy colored bags, fuzzy pastel hair clips.
The Nile Perch fairy kei store was packed.
Angelic Pretty shop. I prefer the more subdued Lolita prints, like the navy JSK on display, to bells-and-whistles frills.
Super Lovers is as bright and bold as ever.
A bonus snap from the Hello Kitty store in Shibuya 109.
Let’s talk travel. Many of you have asked — what’s the best way to rent a cell phone while in Japan? My favorite cellular rental service is Rentafone, which I’ve been using for years.
You order a keitai via their website, and it’s mailed to your Japan address. The cost is eminently reasonable (less than $40 a week), with discount calling charges and text messaging. (The Japanese number is even written on the back, lest you forget.) When you’re finished, simply put the rental in the pre-paid envelope and mail it back.
Japanese mobiles are always ahead of the curve — especially the cute emoticons! I always recommend that you have a cell in Tokyo (it makes contacting friends much easier), and Rentafone is the solution.
What’s your experience with cell phones and travel in Japan? Did anything catch your eye in the Harajuku store photos? You can drool over more street fashion in my Tokyo shopping guide.
Song of the Day: Savage – Twothousandandnine (Italo 80s dance party)
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PIRATE PIN-UP GIRL PHOTOSHOOT. PROFESSIONAL GOTHIC MAKEUP TUTORIAL, HEART-SHAPED GLITTER EYESHADOW.
As you likely know, I’m Captain of a TV hosting/fixing and coolhunting business called La Carmina & The Pirates. So I was doubly excited to shoot a Pirate Pin-Up Girl look for the pages of Alt Noir, a Gothic fashion and culture magazine that put me on their latest cover.
It was a marathon photoshoot, lasting from morning to night. None of this would be possible without the tireless work of my creative partners:
Makeup and Bodypaint by Jennifer Little of Glitter Machine
Photography by Lee Kembel of Glitter Machine
Wardrobe and styling by Tracy Rodger and Jenni Wong of Deadly Couture
Hair by Isolde Semple of Avant Garde Salon
I’m glad you liked the step-by-step Goth makeup tutorial in the latex space-queen post. Here’s how Jenn turned me into a lady-pirate.
She swept a black “banana line” over my crease for the retro look, and painted on a thick cat-eye with liquid eyeliner. Then she added false eyelashes, and highlighted with white eyeshadow.
Next: a black heart over one eye, outlined with strips of sparkle gems from a craft store. And red, pouty lips.
I loved my sailor dress with a pencil skirt and red corset, accessorized with a silver bird necklace and bracelet.
Topping off the look… a mini pirate hat, in my big pin-up curls!
A salute to everyone who made the photoshoot possible. You can buy Issue 12 of Alt Noir here; it includes a La Carmina interview and spread, as well as cover.
Are you fond of pinup or retro-vintage makeup and fashion? What do you think of these makeup tutorials — would you like to see more?
PS: the NHK Kawaii TV shoot went amazingly! We toured Goth/subculture shops, then hit Midnight Mess party. Photos and video clips soon.
Song of the Day: Chemical Brothers – Escape Wavefold (from the uber-stylish thriller film, Hanna)
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LA CARMINA
