The Beauty Protocole

Osaka has a gritty, down-to-earth vibe vs Tokyo’s more corporate, polished feel. A big city that is a bit rough around the edges yet so much fun, safe and friendly.
And if you’re looking for some retail therapy I highly recommend it.🇯🇵❤️
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We found Osaka easy to navigate when it came to shopping areas. Not as overwhelming as Tokyo, so we made the most of our last few days. 🛍️🛍️
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We stayed Four Seasons Hotels | Resorts Osaka Hotel which is within walking distance, or a quick taxi ride, of great shopping areas.
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The Four Seasons is a beautiful hotel, with excellent staff and a downright sexy Cocktail Bar (Bar Bota). Perfect for a quiet cocktail and stunning view of the city. 🍸🌇
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For a WOW dinner we went to Sushi L’Abyss where 18 Hat Michelin Star Chef Yannick Alléno ⭐️ worked with Sushi Chef Yasuda Itaru to create an amazing French-Japanese fusion food experience.
It’s set on the 37th floor with just 18 seats so booking in advance is a must.
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Every trip away has some adventure which for us was flying into the typhoon 🌀 from Osaka to Tokyo, a cancelled flight home and a 2.5hr white knuckle taxi ride on flooded roads to get to our hotel for the night. 😬🚕
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The next morning was ‘the sunshine after the rain’ and off we flew to back to reality. ✈️
See you back in Auckland ❤️
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Day 2: Kyoto just gets better with its feeling of old-Japan serenity, bamboo groves, beautiful gardens, friendly people AND fluffy pancakes Panel Cafe 京都店. Oh yes! These are a viral TT must try pancakes! 🥞🇯🇵❤️
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This is a fascinating city with elegance and vibrance yet you can find a place just to sit quietly. The friendly people made us feel so welcome. We are already planning a return visit.
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Here’s our DAY 2 Kyoto tailored itinerary.👇🏻 Thank you David (our fantastic guide) David John.
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1. Kodaiji Temple - including its beautiful bamboo grove 🎋
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2. Walked the full Nene-no-Michi (The Path of Nene) 👘
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3. Maruyama Park, then up to the Daishoro (Great Bell Tower) to see the enormous Buddhist bell 🪷
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4. Chion-in Temple 🏯
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5. Gion’s geisha district - including the canal and traditional wooden machiya and ochaya teahouses where geiko and maiko live, train, and work
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6. Panel Cafe Kyoto for the fluffy pancakes. We were lucky there were no queues but I suggest reserving a table. 🥞
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7. Fushimi Inari Shrine - the famous thousands of orange torii gates, plus the hidden bamboo grove 🧡🎋
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If you have any questions let me know in comments.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
See you in Osaka. 🇯🇵 ❤️
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DAY 1: Kyoto’s chill ‘old world’ vibe gives it a very special charm. 🏯 Despite tourist crowds in some places, Kyoto with its low-rise skyline, is a big contrast to bustling, high-rise Tokyo. 🇯🇵❤️
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Be prepared to feel like you are stepping back in time as Kyoto preserves the heart of historical Japan. Its temples, shrines, cobbled lanes, gardens and small restaurants where food is presented like art, is captivating.
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Our guide David, was fantastic and took us to some quiet hidden gems. He’s a GREAT photographer too so you are guaranteed to have some wonderful photos! 📷 Itinerary below 👇🏻
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We stayed at the boutique hotel nestled in the quaint streets of Ninenzaka and it overlooks the iconic Yasaka Pagoda. This hotel certainly deserves its place in the Top 50 Hotels in the world.
The design is traditional modern elegance, so don’t expect glitz and glamour which would feel wholly out of place in Kyoto.
This was our FAVOURITE hotel of the trip with the incredible staff helping to make the stay so memorable. 🌸
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We had a fantastic dining experience at Yasaka, the Park Hyatt Kyoto’s Signature Restaurant. Delicious teppanyaki style where food blends with art and stunning views of iconic Kyoto and Yasaka Pagoda.
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KYOTO DAY 1 sightseeing:
1. Ryozen Kannon Temple - the temple with the giant statue of the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion.
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2. Walked along part of Nene-no-Michi (The Path of Nene)
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3. Walked through part of Gion, before taking the train to the Nanzenji area.
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4. Coffee break at Blue Bottle Coffee (great coffee) - A must try!
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5. Nanzenji Temple and its grounds - including the historic aqueduct, the large two-story Sanmon Gate with its very steep stairs (there is a rope to help you get up and down), and the Hojo Garden.
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If you have any questions about what to do in Kyoto let me know in comments. ❤️🇯🇵
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travellife

Tokyo is full of surprises, fashion that is off the charts, friendly people and amazing food. Oh and the SHOPPING! Wow! It’s hard not to love this city. 🇯🇵❤️
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We stayed at the beautiful Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo / マンダリン オリエンタル 東京 Mandarin Oriental hotel where the wonderful staff made our experience truly special.
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For an incredible food experience we went to FARO FARO (Michelin star ⭐️) where Japanese/Italian cuisine combine in an art form to create a delicious and unforgettable dining experience.
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The Tapas Molecular Bar at the Mandarine Oriental is also well worth a visit. Here you are taken on an exclusive food journey for 8 people which is a visual, creative feast.
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Wandering around the Shinjuku is so much fun. The pop culture fashion and people watching is fantastic.
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The pet stores are super cute and yes there is a Micro Pig cafe where you can have coffee with these cuties.
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Shopping 🛍️ is on scale! Floors and floors of shops. Be prepared to take your shoes before you go into a changing room.
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The streets are vibrant with activity but you can find beautiful quiet areas with great shopping that offer a more leisurely pace.
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Our guide Gerald was fantastic and tailored our experience. Then before we knew it, we were off to Kyoto on the bullet train. Luggage 🧳 was sent ahead so I it was easy with no suitcases to manage.
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See you in Kyoto. 🇯🇵 ❤️
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Luxe Leopard in silk styled with my blond bob. My last outfit here in NZ as we headed to dinner before flying to Japan. See you there. ❤️

Life is generally casual. That’s the reality. Although internally, I’m screaming WEAR THE SEQUINS. 💫😂
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Yes, I absolutely dress up for dinner and love my heels and a little glamour…but behind the scenes, it’s definitely more jeans and sweater, or gym wear.
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So here’s a little snap of my Saturday. Casual, comfortable, but still dressed with intention.
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✴️ The suede leather LOAFER MULES are from Amazon — comment LINK and I’ll send it to you.
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SIZING: I’m normally a 6.5 and bought the 6.5. If you’re a half size, I’d size down. They also come in multiple colours.
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Happy weekend all. 🤎
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There’s something about black + beige that feels effortlessly chic to me. No loud colour. No obvious logos. No need to add more just for the sake of it. 🖤🤎
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I love this outfit because the details do the talking — the texture of the fur jacket, the cropped shape against the wide-leg trousers, the contrast of soft beige and strong black, finished with simple gold jewellery.
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It’s understated, but it still has presence. 🖤
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That’s my version of quiet luxury — great proportions, beautiful texture and the confidence to know when an outfit needs nothing more.
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And just like that, I’m ready for date night with hubby. 🥂
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Happy Friday all. 😘
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Date night makeup giving seamless blending, gentle contouring, natural glow, soft neutral eyes and defined lashes all with a less-is-more touch 💫
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I used to think evening makeup meant heavier foundation, stronger colours and more of everything.
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🌟 Now in my 60s, I keep my foundation light and luminous. I add depth with soft/medium tones, use gentle contouring and avoid anything too dark or harsh. Still glam but less makeup.
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Well hydrated skin makes everything look better. Prep is key.
Dry skin or heavy matte foundation adds years.
💫 Product choice is everything.
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And then there’s the glow. For me, that’s the magic. It makes the whole face look fresh and alive rather than overly “done”.
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My three hero products I reached for tonight:
✨ Foundation — CHANEL BEAUTY Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
✨ Highlighter — CHANEL BEAUTY Les Beiges Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid
✨ Eyeshadow sticks —
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I’ve learned that more isn’t the problem. It’s how I wear it.
If you have any questions, LMK in comments❤️
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Celebrating my 62nd Birthday today 🎉… Funny how different a number feels when you’re actually get there. 🥂✨
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When I was younger, 62 sounded old. Now I’m here, I realise how little the number really means. And that age itself doesn’t make you old.
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My age doesn’t tell me to stop wearing something, trying something new, travelling, lifting weights, changing direction or wanting more from life.
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But it does remind me that the priority is living well.
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Positive mindset, daily exercise, good nutrition with large doses of travel, fun, love and laughter…And small doses of excellent ch*****ne (not giving it up).🥂💃
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Of course I’m aging. But I’m not letting a number decide how old I should feel or how I should live.
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So here’s to 62. 🪩❤️ Healthy, curious, grateful and excited about what’s still ahead.
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Casual day. Real life. Light makeup. And a pretty simple skincare routine ✨…Because at 61, I only use a few products that consistency make my skin look healthy, hydrated and naturally glowing.
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✴️ Comment GLOW and I’ll send you the links to the skincare products I use.
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⭐️ TWO of my regular products are more affordable alternatives to the cult SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and iconic Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair. 👀
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Good skin doesn’t mean complicated skincare or the most expensive.
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Keeping things simple. 💜
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🌟 Pssst - NEVER forget your sunscreen or Tretinoin (Gold Standard topical retinoid) to stimulate collagen, reduce hyperpigmentation, reduce sun damage and soften fine lines.
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