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Osaka, Japan Halloween shops! Japanese weird beauty products, costumes, makeup. Auxiliary Magazine modeling.

hong kong fashion model modeling

It’s getting close to Halloween! To get you in the mood, I’m doling out two Treats from Asia. (And no Tricks, promise.)

1) Scroll on to see dozens of cute photos of Halloween shops in Osaka! As you’d expect, Japan celebrates the October holiday in kawaii-scary style. Read on to see the spooky beauty products and costumes found only in Japanese stores.

2) And… I’m thrilled to finally release my Hong Kong photoshoot, which was published in the spring issue of Auxiliary Magazine!

lush halloween 2017 bath bombs pumpkns

Bonus treat: isn’t the new Lush Halloween collection to die for? I’m excited to try them all (I’ll share snaps on my Instagram stories @lacarmina).

I look forward to taking a black cat bubble bath, and fizzling the glitter pumpkin, monster and “Lord of Misrule” bath bombs in my tub.

Also perfect for Goths: the Black Rose lip scrub and gloss (which appears black but turns pink), and Goth Fairy shimmer bar. The Hedgewitch and Magic Wand soaps promise to leave you with “boo-tiful, spellbinding skin!” There’s a video on my Instagram with close-ups of Lush’s spooky collection — which one is your favorite?

chinese model hong kong magazine

Now, let me share one of my favorite photo editorials to date. The images are by the brilliant Hong Kong based photographer, Rose Conway.

As always, my hair cut and color are by Stephanie Hoy (you can tell that we took these photos a while back, as my hair is pink and longer now).

Outfit details: I’m wearing this exact Michi Onyx bra, and a crescent moon silver necklace.

disturbia lovecraft shirt top

We shot these photos in – where else? – the streets of Hong Kong. I’m standing in front of a Buddhist temple in Kowloon. 

I’m wearing these exact Michael Kors black suede pumps. More items from my outfit below:

old hong kong streets

Hong Kong truly has a Blade Runner vibe: alleyways lit by neon lights, juxtaposed with old Chinese signs. My Lovecraft “Necronomicon gate” top is by Disturbia Clothing.

hong kong fashion blog, street style

It was an honor to have these photos appear in the Spring 2017 issue of Auxiliary Magazine.

hong kong chinese herbal medicine store

An absolute pleasure to work with HK based photographer Rose Conway.

lgbt gay hong kong china

We looked for interesting storefronts and colors to shoot. This Chinese shop sold statues of folk gods, incense, and other ritual items. The flamboyant owner insisted on coming out to pose for a photo!

hong kong heavy metal hard rock

Red and gold are the signature lucky colors of Hong Kong. (The brick wall matches my devil horns as well).

china goth subcultures gothic

I’ve been going to Hong Kong since I was a child, and certain scents and images are quintessential to the city. The Chinese butcher, with BBQ duck hanging under bright lights, for example.

hong kong top style blogger

I like how you can see “real world” Hong Kong in these images. Citizens live in close quarters, and carry themselves with an upfront attitude. It can seem brash at first, but you grow to love it for what it is.

best hong kong fashion bloggers

Kawaii culture and street style are as popular in Hong Kong as they are in Japan. I paid tribute with a cat-ears headband and a white tulle skirt.

chinese fashion influencer

A curtsy for a hunk of meat? (Find my Michi top here.)

auxiliary magazine alternative model

Perhaps Lady Gaga got her “meat dress” from this Chinese street market vendor!

hong kong alternative goth clothing

Major thanks you to Rose Conway for photographing me in Hong Kong! Hair is by the fabulous Stephanie Hoy, and makeup / styling is by yours truly. You can get copies in print in the current issue of Auxiliary Magazine (and stay tuned for the next one… I’ll be doing something more with them!).

If you like what I’m wearing, click below to shop my look:

pompompurin sanrio halloween

Now, let’s get you excited for All Hallow’s Eve — the best time of the year! When I was in Osaka last September, I took lots of snaps of the ghoulish-sweet items found in Japanese stores. 

The Sanrio store puts a whimsical Halloween twist on Hello Kitty and Friends. Above, you can see Dear Daniel as Frankenstein, and Hello Kitty and Pompompurin (the yellow dog) as witches!

sanrio halloween collection hello kitty

Sanrio’s favorite “kawaii” characters get a spooky makeover, while retaining their adorable look. On the right, Kuromi yells “Noooo!” while surrounded by smiling pumpkins, and Chococat with a cobweb.

"osaka

The usually sweet bunny Cinnamonroll transforms into a red-eyed vampire. Pom Pom Purin gets a sewn-up skeleton look, and a deathly green pallor to his fur.

vampire hello kitty cinnamonroll

Sanrio releases a special Halloween collection each year in Japan. However, the store continues to sell its regular pastel cute merchandise as well. Witness Gudetama (the lazy egg) in many forms, and what appear to be… My Melody Crocs meets Uggs slippers? 

my melody kawaii japanese souvenirs

Many of these designs can be only found in Japan (they aren’t sold online, as they are produced here). If you’re a rabid Hello Kitty fan, it’s reason enough to make a pilgrimage to Japan.

halloween ghost pumpkin nail art

I went around to various Osaka beauty / 100 yen stores, especially in the Amerikamura and Umeda districts (two of my favorite shopping hubs). Since it was mid-late September, there were lots of Halloween designs available — such as these “come on!!” Halloween stick-on nails.

disney evil queens makeup japan

Fancy eyelashes and colored contact lenses remain very popular among Japanese youths. When I saw the Disney “Evil Queens” collection on the right, I thought of Yukiro.

halloween makeup beauty

I love how creative Japanese makeup can be. In spooky season, there are tutorials on how to use “hypersharp eyeliner” to create Day of the Dead, spiderweb and undead effects around the eyes and lips.

etude house halloween makeup korea

The Korean makeup brand, Etude House, is big in Japan as well. How sweet are the heart-eyed pumpkins and pink skulls, which contain product inside? The panda and kitten keychains also stole my heart.

kawaii japanese halloween makeup nails

More examples of Halloween cosplay makeup. This time: how to be a cute cat, or a Snow White witch.

japanese gyaru halloween costumes

Disturbed, yet cute as a button. That’s the spirit of Japanese Halloween! (These female models are showing off glitter and rainbow face / body tattoos.)

japan halloween makeup costume

From bloody wounds to fake blood, Japanese dollar stores have you covered.

stick on fake moustaches japan

Jelly moustache, anyone? For 450 yen ($4), why not.

crazy japanese cell phone cases

My friends and I tend to stock up around Halloween, such many items (like the dark eyeshadows) can be used year round. Not sure about the impractical stuffed animals clinging to the smartphone cases though…

halloween food tokyo japan

Japan also gets into the Halloween mood with themed food. At Chococro, the addictive chocolate croissants come in a haunted house box.

japanese halloween desserts

Namba-Land (the Osaka arcade and amusement park) has Halloween celebrations each year. Above, the same flyer advertises a pumpkin pudding and tart that made my mouth water.

osaka vintage gothic lolita secondhand

Now, let’s look at some street fashion in Osaka. The neighborhood America Mura is your best bet for Gothic Lolita and underground styles. There are several secondhand stores dedicated to these style tribes here…

gothic lolita halloween print pumpkin dress

… as well as department stores that cater to youth fashion. Snoopy on the left; pumpkin-printed Sweet and Goth Lolita outfits on the right.

menhara kei japan pastel fashion

Follow the white rabbit to cute stores. Oversize pastel and monochrome garments are everywhere recently.

bizarre crazy japanese clothing

No matter how many times you visit Japan, you’ll undoubtedly encounter something that leaves you scratching your head. At Funky Fruit, I was perplexed to see sweatshirts… with giant, heavy nooses around the necks! 

japanese noose, funky fruit fashion

You saw it here first. Hangman-chic. 

silver ring chokers japan

Funky Fruit carries all sorts of fetish-Gothic fashion, like these chokers with silver rings. 

bondage harness skirts japanese

Punk and fetish influences, combined with sportswear. Weird.

japan skull print sweaters

Around Halloween, many of the Goth / Lolita / Kawaii labels put out spooky-themed garments. The Jack-o-Lantern print top on the left caught my eye.

rydia world wide love

Rydia / World Wide Love remain one of my favorite designers. I tried on the “Night Wander” devil-ghost on the left, and left a note in the black cat post office box on the right!

osaka street style department stores

Vampire fangs, floating ghosts, crescent moons, plaid and leopard print. You can tell why I’m into Rydia / World Wide Love.

antique vintage kitty purses

I also made a stop at EST, the Umeda department store by Hep Five and the Osaka Ferris wheel. Inside EST, you’ll find indie boutiques with out-of-the-ordinary items — like these vintage-style cat carpet bags.

est mall osaka, hep stores

Near the entrance, I found this eccentric pop-up.

osaka hipster shops, boutiques

These colorful critters have chains through their nostrils… more creepy than cute, in this case.

halloween hair ties earrings accessories

Trick or Treat — Halloween in Japan is sweet! Did you enjoy these snapshots from my trip last year in Osaka? Have you stocked up on any bat, ghost, zombie, Dracula or pumpkin goodies yet?

halloween cosplay costumes japanese sale

PS: If you’re looking for a Halloween costumes — I have some of mine for sale on my Depop! Above are some of the many available (size small), which you may recognize from past Halloweens. If you’d like any, shoot me an email at gothiccarmina (att) gmail (dott-comm) and I’ll send it to you. More details and prices here on my shop; lots of clothes available.

Here’s to the spookiest time of the year!

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20 Comments

  1. Amer
    Posted October 7, 2017 at 9:25 pm | Permalink

    Hot outfit :O

  2. Barker
    Posted October 7, 2017 at 9:46 pm | Permalink

    i got mine from Lush!

  3. Kaylan
    Posted October 7, 2017 at 9:46 pm | Permalink

    THESE PHOTOS ARE AMAZING

  4. Wednesday
    Posted October 7, 2017 at 9:47 pm | Permalink

    I want all the Hello Kitty Halloween goodies!

    • lacarmina
      Posted October 10, 2017 at 4:09 am | Permalink

      :) I think they’re only sold in Japan, and maybe some places in Asia like Taipei and Hong Kong…

  5. Shue
    Posted October 7, 2017 at 9:48 pm | Permalink

    Hi love your hair.

  6. Kaya
    Posted October 8, 2017 at 8:13 pm | Permalink

    cool

  7. Tamashi
    Posted October 8, 2017 at 8:13 pm | Permalink

    I can’t wait for HELLoween!

  8. Ashley
    Posted October 9, 2017 at 3:44 am | Permalink

    i love this post! your outfit and these photos are gorgeous :) miss HK <3 i want that pom pom purin plush hehe

  9. noori ♡
    Posted October 10, 2017 at 3:35 am | Permalink

    ♡ hello kitty and cinnamon roll

  10. Mariana
    Posted October 10, 2017 at 3:35 am | Permalink

    ily a lot

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