A Matte-r Of Life Or Lipstick...Revlon Matte Lipsticks

Last Saturday, I wore Revlon's Strawberry Suede on an outing that motivated me to rediscover my love for my Revlon lipsticks. Back when I was a little "beauty tadpole," swimming up and down the beauty isles of Rite Aid and Walgreen's, a Revlon lipstick was my first beauty purchase (and, the first cosmetic brand I got into)...and, after many, many moons, it's still my favorite drugstore brand.

From left to right: 001 Nude Attitude, 003 Mauve It Over, 004 Pink About It, 005 Strawberry Suede, 006 Really Red.

From left to right: 007 In The Red, 008 Cocoa Craving, 009 Fabulous Fig, 010 Wine Not, 011 Stormy Pink.

I forgot how pretty these matte lipsticks are...and, by the way, they also work beautifully as blushers (especially, Pink About It, Strawberry Suede, and Stormy Pink).

Which matte Revlon lipstick is your favorite?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Palette: Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow 15 Mitsucha

It's time for another installment of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Palette. This is a series that I have been toying with for some time, and I knew in partnering with the marvelous Bellyhead, from Wondegondigo (my crazed beauty sister from another mister), we would bring this project to life. If you missed the first edition, please visit here (belly's) and here (mine). For Belly's day and night looks from Suqqu's Blend Color Eyeshadow in 15 Mitsucha, please click here.

As always, photos of all the products and swatches used in this post.

Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow 15 Mitsucha.

Suqqu's Spring 2014 collection was another knockout from the brand. I really love all three of the quads. In Japanese, mitsu means honey and cha is Tea. So, combined you get honey tea; a fitting name for the color scheme of this darling palette.  

Suqqu Balancing Cheeks N 01 Momoshuiro.

Suqqu Bright Up Lipstick 07 Akaanzu. 

Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow 15 Mitsucha.

From left to right: Balancing Cheeks N 01 Momoshuiro, Bright Up Lipstick 07 Akaanzu.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. 

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (medium 2).
Suqqu Balancing Cheeks N 01 Momoshuiro.
Eyes:

Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener.

Mac Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (used to prime the lids).
Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow in 15 Mitsucha:
The yellow gold shade (all over the lid and one-third of the bottom lashline). 
The brown shade (lightly blended into the crease). 
The muted russet orange shade (on the upper lashline, outer corner and outer portion of the lower lashline). 
The ivory shade (in the inner corner and lightly dusted on the brow bone).
Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Pencil in Gypsy (used to tightline and on the waterline).
Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Fatal Black WP Mascara in 03 Captivating Bronze.
Lips:

Mac Lip Pencil in stripdown.
Suqqu Bright Up Lipstick in 07 Akaanzu.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. 

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (medium 2).
Suqqu Balancing Cheeks N 01 Momoshuiro.
Eyes:

Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener.

Mac Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (used to prime the lids).
Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow in 15 Mitsucha:
The brown shade (all over the lid, in the crease and the lower lashline). 
The muted russet orange shade (used to blend out the brown shadow in the crease). 
The yellow gold shade (in the inner corner).
The ivory shade (lightly dusted on the brow bone).
Mac Fluidline in Past Twilight (line the upper lashline).
Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Pencil in Gypsy (used to tightline and on the waterline).
Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black.
Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout.
Lips:

Mac Lip Pencil in stripdown.
Suqqu Bright Up Lipstick in 07 Akaanzu.

I hope you enjoyed our second installment. If you would like to join the sisterhood on this post (or a future palette post) send belly and I a link, as well as email me.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

If I Ever Wanted To Throw In The Towel...China Glaze Towel Boy Toy Nail Lacquer

Originally released in 2010, as part of China Glaze's Summer Poolside Collection, Towel Boy Toy is a vivid, deep caribbean-blue with a subtle blue shimmer.

As much as I like this color for Summer, I loathe the formula and its finish. Towel Boy Toy has a watery, chalky consistency that feels as if you've painted your nails with Mylanta. The first coat is sheer, and if you don't wait long enough between coats, it can apply patchy. Towel Boy Toy requires three coats to correct any bald spots and achieve opacity. As with the other polishes in this collection, Towel Boy Toy has a matte finish. I really HATE (yes, I said hate and I mean it!) matte polishes! This abhorrent finish can be remedied with a top coat, which seems to revive the shimmers in the polish that were lost with the matte finish.

What are some of your favorite blues for Summer?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

There's No Frivol About This Drivel...Special Delivery From Drivel About Frivol

Yesterday, I received an AMAZING package, from Kate of Drivel about Frivol fame. I love that she reused a Rouge Bunny Rouge box for this parcel :) 

Kate, I nearly squeed to death when I opened the box and the first thing I saw were these English Violet creams. Now, I've written about my love for all things violet, but was this a generous, happy coincidence or did you know about my affinity? Btw, I love that Charbonnel et Walker dates back to 1875.

This may just be me, but don't some of these violet petals look like...

These chocolates are luxurious in all aspects; from the handmade box, rich dark chocolate, the ambrosial violet-flavored cream that is decadently exquisite, to the crystallized violet petal accents. I need to force myself to savor these violet creams, because I can easily eat the entire box in one sitting. Thank goodness Charbonnel et Walker has a website and offers international shipping; this is one carving that must be satisfied!

My second squee fest was for this violet tea (actually drinking a cup of it now)...absolutely delicious!

Oh yeah, and the makeup :P Kate was kind enough to let me have these items sent to her place.

Kate, my admiration for you is boundless. Thank you for your constant kindness, generosity, and overwhelming magnificence <3

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time. 

Ready To Rumble!

Last Thursday, I attended a WWE Live event held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. This whole outing came-about because my friend, Mattiaz, has really taken an interest in professional wrestling and asked if I would like to go. Growing up in the 80's, My sister and I were into the WWF (so much so that we would've argued to death that it was not fake); so, I thought it would be a fun experience and something to scratch off my bucket list. Honestly, it wasn't that bad; it was fun to get caught-up in the fervor of the fans and, although I'm not into muscular/bodybuilding physiques, there were a few wrestlers who grabbed my attention (specifically, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns).

Would you ever go to a professional wrestling event?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

A Box Of Ash...L'Oreal's Feria 3D Color 81 Pearl Ash

Since my last hair-dye post, I colored my hair with Feria's 3D Color in 83 Champagne. Although I received compliments on the color, I wasn't thrilled by it, and my hair kept getting lighter and lighter. So, to neutralize some of the warmth I chose L'Oreal's Feria 3D Color in 81 Pearl Ash as my next hair color. 

Even though I've cut a substantial length of my hair, it's still thick and plentiful; I needed three boxes to get the job done.

Despite the yellowness in the photo above, the color of my hair is represented perfectly. . 

81 Pearl Ash is a beautiful, slight golden-ash brown with a tinge of green. I love the color, but previous to dying, my hair was a light golden brown; therefore, I'll probably need to dye it one or two more times to achieve a deeper color.

Have you colored your hair recently?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Keep Your Face In Mint Condition...Shu Uemura Depsea Water Mint Mist

With the humidity levels rising, I need something to help cool me down...enter Shu Uemura's Depsea Water Mist in Mint. When sprayed, Mint has a refreshing, slightly tingly, cooling sensation. For an extra burst of freshness, I like to keep this facial mist in the refrigerator.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.