Let's talk J-Pop: Artists Transformations in the last Decade

Perhaps this should be entitled where are they now but as I share a lot of my music finds with friends a lot them get shocked to realize that said artist has returned to the industry. Here are my top picks for the best or most shocking J-Pop returns!

1. Sowelu



A lot of you know this lovely songstress for her ending theme that she contributed to Full  metal alchemist 'I Will' but I've known about her for a little bit before that. Glisten was such a fun poppy song and I loved listening to it back in middle school this and 'No Limit' were so very fun and catchy. So what exactly happened after she disappeared? Sowelu went on a long hiatus and other than her collab with Verbal from m-flo and Clazziquai I hadn't heard of her since.

This is Sowelu now. Unfortunately this is a bit old and right after Sowelu announced get again, another hiatus. She got really sexy and a lot  more 'adult' oriented. Perhaps it's the record label change and going onto Avex or maybe it's the fact she's grown now. While this isn't my favorite video, 'Let me Lead U' was her return video and shocked quite a couple who didn't know exactly what the hell to expect.I'd definitely suggest checking out her collaboration video with Wise under 'I want U To..' which it a lot more interesting of a video.


2. Nana Kitade 

Nana Kitade was also a contributing ED theme for the same series as well as other animes as well but she's also been known for her many face lifts. If it wasn't Kamkaze Girls (Shitsuma monogatari) that perked your interest in lolita fashion or the brand Baby the Stars Shine Bright-Nana Kitade for sure did sporting later on in her music career their cute fashions and carrying around what was the newly crafted image of the BABY Usakumya.

Nana Kitade soon went on hiatus for health reasons and nobody exactly heard of her since. However looking up info she actually was in a band called 'Loveless' for a short time and toured Europe. However recently she's taken a very gothy dark image change with her newest and 'The Teenage Kissers'. Her vocals remain unchanged but a lot more raw this time around and I've been a big fan since the release!

3. Nami Tamaki

By far one of the most shocking transformations of all time for me other than Nana Kitade would have to be Nami Tamaki who really went underwent a huge identity crisis for the last part of her career where she was famous for an era there. She's know yet again to have given a lot of songs for anime series but other than that back in the day she was very young and a great dancer. Her last couple of singles weren't that great before she disappeared. 

In 2011 she came back with a Japanese cover of T-ara's infamous 'Time to Love'. K-Pop had just then hit the Japanese pop culture market tremenously and I suppose Nami Tamaki was trying hard to ride on the wave but didn't quite make it.

However finally a year or so again she collabs with Shinichi Osawa for a track called 'Ladymind' which really hit off. She's always been known for doing really great electronic songs and I felt like her collabing with a well respected DJ really helped her make a proper comeback for focusing on what she was known for. Due to that song doing so well they also released another single called 'Paradise' which was also a very fun song. Each video was interesting to watch and really showed a very outrageous but very grown up Nami. Her current single 'Real' however definitely had an anime feel to it and if you like her 'Brightdown' era you'll really like her newer song!

4.  Crystal Kay 

Crystal Kay has this thing for disappearing and coming back again. Yet again like most (jeeze so many of this artist did things for Full metal alchemist and up and disappeared. was it a sign?! haha) she did a couple of anime and drama related music things. She had this Janet Jackson like feel to her with really fun and funky tracks. Honestly her collaborations with m-flo were by far the best. 

Crystal Kay has done a lot of collaborations in the past with artists like Chemistry and Akanishi Jin but I think seeing her trying to hit or get involved with the US market a year or so back and try to through the Far East Movement (though Koda Kumi tried this tactic too admitted but through the Japanese market-it was a Japanese song) was a little shocking. I didn't know exactly how to feel about it but the people I have showed have dug it. 


5. Akanishi Jin

Bringing up Crystal Kay brings up a good point. Akanashi Jin was a huge deal way back then. Long with Kamenashi Kazuya he was the most popular member of the boyband Kat-tun and known for having a pretty bad ass octave range in songs like GOLD. He was also featured in a lot of dramas one being the second season of the liveaction adaptation of Gokusen. 

A bit back he left Kat-tun to go solo and go on tour and one of the stops was in the US. I think due to that he thought he could also hit that market as well. I was pretty shocked to see an all English release from him. 

6. Kanon Wakeshima

 Last pick for the most shockingly changed artist would have to go to Kanon Wakeshima. She debuted gracefully and was big news considering that Mana himself was supporting her debut. She was a great celloist to boot. But a  lot of lolitas especially admired her style and eventually she did collaborate with Alice and the Pirates/Baby the Stars Shine Bright for a couple of pieces that her featured in her second album release. She was highly popular for contributing songs to the series Vampire Knight and did quite a lovely US concert for her fans as well. 

Other than that Kanon also collabed with An Cafe's Kanon for a song as well. 

Recently Kanon Wakeshima ditched her crazy fashions and went for more of an otome type of style. I suppose the purpose would be to have a more grown up style and also allow her audience focus on her music. 


With that said have you guy found any artists that went on a hiatus for a little bit and came back shockingly? Was it a good comeback or a bad one? Feel free to share!

Spring 2014 Japanese Fashion Trends

Happy March everyone. It's not soon before spring will officially hit us. What does this mean? Sandals, white bags and shoes...and clothes, floral print or anything for that matter, and lots of cute pastels. Japanese fashion is no except for the trends this season. Once this year's color of the year/season was announced a lot of brands up and ran with it. 

So what is the big trend? Orchid! For me? This happened to be a huge deal because I love pretty much any shade of purple so I was right on up this! For those of you who aren't so big on the shades of purple-cool colors this season will be your best friend. This means blues like baby blue, mint, and light white. If you want to go warmer do pinks, yellows, or corals with a cooler undertone! 

For cosmetics this season there are two brands that really impressed me this season and works well internationally for everyone. 

First up is NARS. There's their Final Cut Spring 2014 colors that have been exclusive solely to Nordstrom. For you ladies who love pink or really nice light coral colors- but especially if you like nude or baby pink these colors are for you. These products will really bring out a girly touch! The product I'm the most interested in is their newest illuminator!

Second of all would be both eye shadow duos from NARS in their general Spring 2014 collection. Both feature beautiful cool colors in both duos. I don't think there's anything I dislike about this set at all! 

Second up is  MAC Cosmetics which in my honest opinion; always tends to impress me with their bigger and more over the top collection. Their Fantasy of Flowers collection has been an instant hit this season. By far THE BEST collection so far with the best and most diverse color selection! I purchased two lovely products from this collection that I should be doing a review on soon! So far I am LOVING the gorgeous peach-like and semi-sheer Fleur D'Coral Lipstick and their fluid line (my VERY FIRST fluid line btw) in Sassy Mossy which is a very bold dark mint color! The yellow pigment swatched beautifully as well and the lipsticks were just beautiful colors! I've heard really good things about the Saint Germaine nail polish as well which takes after the lipstick color their also have as well (that I also own!). 

Now onto clothing! For these past couple of seasons even the cutest of clothing in the gyaru fashion scene has been super minimalistic lately! This season Liz Lisa changes up their colorplay by incorporating purple and blues into the mix. The light purple is gorgeous and refreshing but I really hope they release PURPLE FLORALS soon because Liz Lisa by far is the best brand for floral print. They have such lovely florals that I find it difficult to buy floral print anywhere else. 

Other than that, Liz Lisa has gotten a lot more plain persay. I see no lace on the bottom edges of their skirts like they used to and a lot of straight edges. Not sure how I feel about it but I suppose it will grow on me. Ank Rouge is also taking on the lavender to the extreme from their dresses to their cute accessories. However they are keeping on the more traditional note as well! So you have both to float your boat!  

If you're looking for a sexier style. ma*rs has went slightly more minimalist as well following the trend but they do keep the agejyo stuff coming. They have a GORGEOUS model repping their traditional and more flashier pieces. If you're an agejyo gal rock your lashes and FOR SURE purchase pink or purple lenses to stay on trend. Even the ma*rs clothing has a cooler pink feel this season for sure with their mirror print! They have necklaces that double as bag chains this season and I'm just waiting for a crazy bag release which I REALLY hope comes soon. I have high hopes for ma*rs since I adore agejyo fashion!

If you want to be trendy and sexy and even a little bit badass even you for sure want to check out DreamV also known as Yumetenbo on Rakuten. They have a couple color friendly pieces from Diable Biaser that are really sexy but still stay on trend! A couple OL gyaru styles and knits. Even if you're going for the cuter styles they have them there too but a lot of the old style gyaru clothes are there. I still personally think DreamV is by far the best place for shoes!

As for Lolitas on the spring trend they are definately no exception. Lots of brands recently sweeter pastels or chiffon fabrics around this time. If you're a cuter lolita-this season is for sure for you. Classic lolitas can sport light blue and yellows or white. Sweet lolitas you of coursse have your pastels. And then on the gothic front while it can be challenging-sport white this season, you can also try wearing lighter fabrics, or even try to incorporate lighter colors into your blacks for a lighter feel to your gothic clothing . Alice and the Pirates steps it up with cool whites, chiffon, and blues for their current release! I'm not as big on their print release as I am on their most recent beautifully craft accessories and blouses! I'm still a huge suck for detail. However I do like the lace detailing in dress. It almost gives it a corset like feel. The blue color way was by far the most accurate for the spring time.

However on the opposite end, I felt like Baby the Stars Shine Bright did some trend predicting for their recent spring which is Carnival theme. While it's a bit too bright for my tastes honestly it does have a very cool pink and red under tone and there is a light purple color way making this release very spring friendly. Why I say this is a trend prediction is because this will work PERFECTLY with the Mac Cosmetics launch of their collection 'Playland' which is due in April! I think both would pair very well together since both are pretty much carnival themed!

Last but not least is Angelic Pretty's most recently floral themed spring release 'Romantic Rose Letter' which of course like our dear AP brand is known for, comes in season friendly pastel colors. I don't see Angelic Pretty even thinking about backing down from cool pastels this season!

And with that said, that concludes my Gal and Lolita Spring Trend 2014 blog post! Which color trend and brand will you be sporting this season? 

About Shibuhara Glitter and Myself

ABOUT: 

Hello readers! My name is Darla. However, on various platforms I go by the username ToxicTsukino. This name first came about because I loved Sailor Moon and moons in general-I wanted to somehow incorporate moons into my username.  This is a name I came up with given that if I owned a clothing line; this would be the brand name I would choose. Combined the two one day when I had to come up with a gamer tag for the game Heroes of the Storm. I wanted something intimidating but cute, thus, this username came into existence and kind of just stuck onto everything else. 

I'm currently a thirty-something-year-old college graduate working her first big girl job out in the world. I love learning about new things and much as I love writing. Hence the the need for this blog to share my discoveries and adventures through my hobbies. I also love fashion, traveling to fun places, going to concerts and fashion events, shopping, trying out new products, dabbling into photography and videography..and overall just having a good time. 

I grew up watching a lot of J-Pop/Rock PVs and watching J-Dramas at a very young age. I grew to have a slight fixation on how celebrities dressed from both America and other countries. I loved detailed clothes that were unique and eccentric. J-Fashion was an obtainable way to gain access to the things I was attracted to without there being a huge hole in my wallet. 

I've always romanticized the "old" from my youth and have always loved to coordinate things as a nod to those crazy glory days of the late 90s/00s. 

I got into gyaru through a variety of ways. I can't pinpoint just one because I felt like gyaru was "following" me everywhere. It was in the Eurobeat I listened to when I watched Initial D and was curious to find the music. It popped up as a reference in my favorite videogame Jet Set Radio. Popular J-dramas would feature a toned-down take of the gyaru style. Celebrities such as Namie Amuro, Emi Hinouchi, Koda Kumi, and Ayumi Hamasaki are all also associated with these styles. The magazines finally lured me into figuring out more about the fashion when I would visit Japan Town in San Francisco often on weekends and go into Kinokuniya. It was really Koakuma Ageha that hit the nail on the coffin for me and converted me into being a huge fan and follower of the fashion. I haven't looked back ever since. 

ABOUT SHIBUHARA GLITTER:

Shibuhara Glitter originally wasn't titled as Shibuhara Glitter. I had a blog on tumblr for a good two years. It was pretty stiff and strictly informative up into the beginning of 2013. Once tumblr changed it's text and picture formatting, I realized that maybe I should take on a new blogging platform and new direction for the blog. Thus Shibuhara Glitter was created!

 The term "Shibuhara" comes from not only the gyaru trend but the fact that I wanted to show appreciation for both fashion districts and the fashions that derive from them. I was a gyaru. I was a lolita. I had been v-kei/oshare at one point. Fashion was something I could enjoy by myself alone without the need for community or friends. Fashion was my individuality as much as it became my motivation for wake up early in the mornings at times. Glitter" now a days, derives from the concept of  "a glittery glam lifestyle" so I kept the word in the title because it seemed like a fitting trademark for myself and not just a cosplay group I was a part of. I had came up with the name anyway, so eventually I felt like I had the right to take it apart and make it into my own thing. 'Toxic' is used for "ToxicTsukino" for my screen names on various accounts online. 'Glitter' became a part of my blog/vlog title for "ShibuHara Glitter". 

In all, Shibuhara is an appreciation of all things that are Japanese fashion and pop culture related. I want to reach out to everyone who appreciates the individualized uniqueness that has been based around Shibuya and Harajuku-or just even Japanese Fashion/Pop Culture as a whole. Living in NorCal has taught me to share my adventures because let's face it; we're spoiled with our tea shops, cafes, food places, and clothes boutiques. I wouldn't trade it for the world, and I want to share every bit of it with you guys and the rest of the world watching. 

In this blog I'll share tips and tricks, make-up and product reviews, and share my world with you guys! So I hope you guys will stay around for the ride~! <3 <3 

Shibuhara Glitter also has:

 YOUTUBE ACCOUNT: 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgK8ml9-mahKRpxs5E2kb8g

INSTAGRAM: 

https://www.instagram.com/toxictsukino/

Tea Time: The Real Life Confessions and Rants of a J-Fashionista

There are times where when I am faced with normal people and their judgement on my fashion choices (obviously Japanese Fashion inspired most of the time) I feel like Miranda Priestly from the 'Devil Wears Prada'. You know the one scene where they're debating on the colors of belts and Andy kind of chuckles around it thinking they are the same style,color, and silly?  Miranda being the Queen B puts her in her place and I feel exactly like that. Of course I have those moments when people ask why I dress the way I do or knock on it. Where I want to chuckle and say, "You think this has nothing to do with you?"

Not because they're wearing something Japanese fashion inspired but because when they go out clubbing they put their cheap false eyelashes on just as much as I do. They wear their platforms and rave about BB Cream and their colored contacts they got and yet I can't judge the state of their judgement or them questioning my intelligence. The difference is I don't dress the way I do for the occasion or to impress any man. Not saying that everyone does this but the people I've heard it from that are considered 'normal' do it to impress 'their boo' for to go out somewhere crazy. Hell we even know that Lolita Fashion is the furthest thing from any that. Being a gyaru I feel powerful-like a Spice Girl of some sort with my curled hair, glitter, and platforms. I don't need an occasion or a man to dress the way I do. I dress that way because I feel great in it and it's nothing more than that. 

So I suppose the question is; why the judgement? Why the bitchness and put downs from others on how we choose to dress and spend our time? Do you not treat yourself out ever now and then? Do you take yourself to seriously to fix your hair and put some eye shadow and foundation in the morning? You get your hair done at salons. You do your own or get your nails done at some shop. So why can't I on my off time dress the way I do or spend the money I have on brand or my artistry ? Even when I worked when I was forced to conform to a uniform; foundation and eye brows were a must. Eyeliner was on good days when I didn't favor sleep over looking pretty and if not eyeliner? Blush and eye shadow was a must. You pulled your hair back and got on with it because I was there to get the job done as best as I could. Not to look pretty. But here I would buy clothes from out on an hour long break or mac make up and people would question the occasion or say they wish they could do same. Different situations for different people of course; by why the hell not. You're young and thriving. Set your money aside like I did. Have goals. As for the first question;

"What's the occasion?" they'd ask. On my off days I'd dress how I'd like. I'd put on my circle lenses and ruffles and go out or stay at home. There's nothing wrong with that. Nor is it anyone's business what the hell I do quite frankly.

My family have for ages have been the first of accusing me of living a lie or being fake or having things to hide. When really? This was me and always had been me.They were merely out of touch with their daughter.  I enjoyed make-up. I enjoyed fashion. I just didn't enjoy that frumpy jeans and t-shirt with sneakers type of fashion that they liked. Natural had never been me. Plus what girl likes to been seen without her hair and face done? Excuse me but if I have guests I obviously don't want to look like I just rolled out of bed! 

Yes, I'm starting to sound like that girl on 'My Strange Addiction' who took on a persona and supposedly couldn't show who she really was and such-hell no I won't take off my wig. Last I checked I have a wig cap and flat ass wig hair under there. Unless my real hair is ironed and styled. You won't see it.  But going back to that nonsense show-I feel like because of that show too; a lot of people got the wrong impression on what lolita and J-Fashion really was. I've also been told that I want to look like a doll and while yes; doll-like elements are indeed a part of the fashion, by no means do I want to act or be a living doll. I talk in a normal voice. I do everything that normal person would do in a day. I might just wake up a bit earlier knowing that it takes me a bit longer to get ready. But I have nothing to do with that show. 'I'm a Living Doll' was a whole nother round of fuckery all on it's own. I've heard tons of things on what really happened with that show and a lot of us partially know the truth I suppose but all I can say is, "Way to go America for alienating people who are different from the social norm."Don't you have better things to do than pick on individuals for their harmless hobby? Obviously not. 

It IS true, I'm outlandish but I don't see it harming anyone. I feel like looking your best is as important as being unique. Why would I want to look like every girl out on the street? Same boring clothing and make-up trends at least to someone like me. People accuse gyaru of being this way but there are ways to stand out and be unique. Not all gyaru or lolita look the same or wear the exact same outfits. Just like normal people right? So why would people go there? Another excuse that's been thrown at me; guys like girls with natural make-up and hair. Your boyfriend must be embarrassed or possessive next to you because people have to look or check you out in your sexier stuff.

Trust me honey, if that was the case. I'm sure I wouldn't have who I have as a boyfriend. With or without my make-up he loves me. However, he's into the Japanese fashion scene too and understands how important this life style is to me. Plus any guy who would be like, "You can't wear that out!" Is a no go to me. You're my boyfriend not my father. Even so, why would you date a guy that is insecure about his social standing or whether he can keep me as a girlfriend or not? I'm pretty fucking sure Ying feels pretty damn happy to see other people look because he scored me as a girlfriend and hell yes, he's got a crazy ass gyaru chick who dresses sexy. And nobody else can have that because just because I'm confident doesn't make me a slut. As long as you hold yourself in a dignified and respectable manner dressing sexy shouldn't be looked down upon. I don't get why there's so much shaming. Especially towards fellow females. Whatever happened to girl power? 

On another note; being an adult and being wary of surrounding areas, I'm not naive and I do dress according to where we're going and of course, my mood. I don't walk around in lolita fashion unless I am having tea or a photoshoot or even an event going on-and usually that's all in San Francisco. Gyaru? I'm probably a little bit more shameless. Thighs and agejyo wear is solely left for events and San Francisco. Onee-style gyaru is for Sacramento and casual days out in the other parts of the Bay Area. If I feel like a badass? I'll sport shredded stuff, plaid, and leather? If I feel cute? It'll be something with lace and romantic colors. 

It's as simple as that. So what's so wrong about dressing up for yourself? No occasion. No person to impress. Just good old fun and effort. As I said, I have my Spice Girl days where the clothes and make-up I wear make me feel like a powerful woman and the life is my god damn runway. There's no fake or hiding something to that. I am genuine and contrary to popular belief on girls like me; I do my best at everything I try to participate in and take myself pretty seriously. So why the judgement? 

Are people just scared of what's unfamiliar to them? Are they insecure themselves or jealous they can't be brave enough to dress that way or look as pretty? And even then, why do people have to open their mouth. It goes back to for me when someone knocks on it, "You think this has nothing to do with you?" Shorten your business skirt, ad a garter and sexy heels with good gyaru make-up and hair. You'd be an OL Gyaru. Bitch, that floral print you're wearing this season with those flowerly sandals are Liz Lisa style all the way. That printed tight trend and vamp lips? That was a couple years ago in Asia. Same with your browns, nudes, and corals. Not that Japanese fashion hasn't taken inspiration from Western fashion. Hell yes they do. We mooch off of each other but that's the point-why hate when honestly it's the same shit with more effort taken in? 

As ranty as this sounds-I have yet to understand the workings of people outside of my realm. I made this blog to just to show those who have faced this that are v-kei, lolita, gyaru, decora, whatever the fuck you are; you're not alone. I face it. I think everyone does. And every time I do, I have my 'Devil Wears Prada' moment. May one day I be as bitchy as Miranda Priesty-I'll be throwing coats and having people panicking in the presence of me showing up extra early to the office. Because when your eyeliner is on point your life is too! 

Make-Up Review: Urban Decay's Naked3 Palette Review/Overview

First off I'd like to apologize for the lack of updates everyone! Lots of stuff had been going on in my personal life and a lot of things just let up and finally came to a close unfortunately and fortunately. I'm trying my very best to remain optimistic and be as productive as possible now that I have the time to do so! If you'd like to kind of get an idea of where I'm at right now with the blog and YouTube channel; I made an update video about it!

Now on for the review, a month or so ago I received a Christmas gift from boyfriend Ying-and it happened to be the very sought after Naked3 which is as lots of you all already know; the third installment to Urban Decay's Naked Palette line. I had been actually creeping on this palette for a little while because the colors looked really unique in a girly/romantic type of way. Rose Gold was the theme for this palette and for me the brown/pink undertone made me pretty interested in it but I was pretty iffy on whether or not I really wanted it or whether it was worth the investment on it.

SO Ying ended up solving the debate with myself and just got me the palette as a present. I was pretty surprised and quite happy as you can guess! Here is what the packaging and colors look like:

For the most part the colors are all very gorgeous and worth the money. I never really understood why girls fawned over these palettes because I just saw them as a bunch of brown/gold eye shadows. I still see the first two Naked palettes this way but this one had a good gradation of colors and while I was working as soon as I got this palette, it was the only palette I would use for work make up. It makes you look like you've placed effort into your eye make-up even if you really haven't. The colors work really well for all skin tones I feel and the shadows have really nice pay off. You'll have a great variety of shimmers, glitters, frosts, and mattes!

Japanese Fashion wise this is a great palette for gyaru especially. I think if you're really into the Himekaji or Onee Gyaru/Sweet gyaru style this is the perfect palette for you. I wore Liz Lisa on Valentine's Day yesterday and this by far was the perfect palette to pair with Liz Lisa's romantic floral print and unique shade of brown!

If you're a lolita-this palette I think would work really nicely for sweet and classic lolita fashion. You have beautiful brown shades with nice pink under tones that will give your eyes a sweet chocolately feel to them. If you want to have dramatic colors you have the deep browns on the end and if you want to be more subtle you have the other end of the spectrum!

For a more in depth review of this palette and my opinion of it, check out the video below!