Throw Something...O.P.I I Manicure For Beads

Today (or tonight, depending on whenever you are reading this), I want to share one of my favorite purple polishes, O.P.I's I Manicure For Beads.

Gorgeous in every way, I Manicure For Beads is a red-based, mid-toned, vibrant (yet muted) purple creme. I think this shade would flatter all skin-tone. Unless you're not into purples. But, why wouldn't you be?!

O.P.I did a great job with I Manicure For Beads. The lacquer's formula is smooth as butter; it applies like a dream, 99% opaque with one coat, and has a creamy, shiny finish. I get about 5 (sometimes 6) days of  chip-free wear with this lacquer.

Give It Away, Give It Away, Give It Away Now

A very merry unbirthday! Yesterday marked six years for the blog, and you know what that means?!...GIVEAWAY!

I want to introduce you to Celvoke, a new brand that has really impressed me. So, this year's giveaway are products from Celvoke's A/W Untamed Elegance Collection. I purchased several items for myself and some for you ;)

 Here are the prizes:

Celvoke Voluntary Eyepalette in 04 and 05.

Celvoke Infinitely Color (can be used on the eyes, cheeks, and lips) in 01 and 02.

Celvokes Dignified Lips in 08 and 09.

I didn't ask, but the SA was kind enough to give me another gift with purchase set. So, because of that, the winner will also get this black Celvokes bag, and two travel samples of the Intensive Serum and Concentrate Oil.

All you have to do is tell me what your favorite Autumn beauty products are in the comments, or share images of them on Instagram. Easy and simple!

Open internationally, you have to be a member of the blog under "The Enablers," as well as my Instagram. Because I started the giveaway a day late, I will be announcing the winner on the blog and instagram on October 10th.

Good luck, and I look forward to reading your favorites.   

Something To Conceal...NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer

It feels like forever since I tried a new concealer (base product no-buy)! Last Spring, I allowed myself to buy the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer.

As I read the concealer's mailer, the SA slipped into my bag, I was glad to discover the product contains Vitamins A, C, and E, Peptides and Hyaluronic acid, all of which offer great skincare benefits.

The shade that best suited my under eye was Custard. Although now I'm sporting my Summer shade, I think I can upgrade to Macadamia.

Custard: a beige with golden beige undertones and a pinch of peach.

Oil-free, the formula has a smooth, creamy consistency that blends easily. The formula's coverage is medium, feels lightweight, and has a matte finish without looking/feeling dry. I've used my fingers, sponges, and various brushes, and my favorite tool to apply the concealer is an oval brush.

Alas, the Soft Matte Complete Concealer has some minor hiccups. Even when set with a powder, the concealer is not free from creasing. As for the long-lasting claim, I find I need to touch-up under my eyes after 8 hours. Also, if I'm not wearing the right moisturizer under the concealer, on extremely hot and humid days, everything goes to hell, and looks crepey.

Apart from those minor flaws, NARS' Soft Matte Complete Concealer brightens, blurs and gives a "soft-focus" effect to the under eyes that photographs beautifully.

In Japan, the Soft Matte Complete Concealer retails for 3,672 yen and is available in 8 shades (16 in the states).

Bloom As It May...Sabon Citrus Blossom

It happened. It actually, really happened; Sabon released a collection I didn't like. You all know my love for Sabon. But, the Citrus Blossom Collection was a HUGE disappointment.

Ever since I saw the collection, and it's pretty French country patterned packing on the Sabon US Site, I've been hoping and waiting for it to reach my shores. So, when it launched on June 15th, I rushed to one of the stores to claim my goods.

I purchased this cute box (I believe it was 1,400 yen) to assist in carrying my items back home.

 Pattern inside the box. 

  

The SA included a cute sample of the body gel polisher in musk.

Citrus Blossom Shower Oil: I love everything about the pattern, and the shape, of the tin bottle. For July's shower oil, the scent was bearable. However, I will admit to making extra pumps, so I can be done with it sooner.

Citrus Blossom Small Body Scrub: at first, I was a little sad the scrub came in the cute mini jar, but it was a blessing in disguise. Like the shower oil, I used more of the scrub than needed.

Citrus Blossom Fabric Softener: again, I adore the pattern and the tin bottle. Honestly, this was the most tolerant version of the fragrance among the lot. I used it to wash my towels, and Aki's clothes, he doesn't suffer from migraines.

 Measuring cup that came with the fabric softener. 

When I tried the body scrub, shower oil, and butter hand cream in the store, I was confused by the scent. Sabon describes Citrus Blossom as a "mixture of fresh citrus scents - Clementine, Bergamot, Orange Flower with warm undertones of signature Patchouli, Vanilla, and Musk." The Clementine, Bergamot, Orange Flower notes faded very quickly, and all that was left was the undertone of, Patchouli; and, a WARM Patchouli, at that. For Spring/Summer seasons, I want fresh, airy, invigorating scents. The climate is hot enough that I don't need added "warmth" in my body wash and moisturizers.

In my opinion, nothing in the Citrus Blossom line felt Summery. Still, reluctant in my love for Sabon, I told myself, "I can make this work." Hence, I purchased the small body scrub, the fabric mist, the sorbet body gel, the butter hand cream, the shower oil, and the fabric softener.

After my purchase, I had a late lunch in the same building, and thankfully I did. While I was having lunch, the butter hand cream's warm patchouli scent was getting stronger, and stronger. The fragrance was unbearable, causing me to feel nauseous, as well as bringing on a migraine. In NO WAY would I be able to wear this during Tokyo's extremely hot, and humid, Summers.

I walked back down stairs and ended up returning the fabric mist, the sorbet body gel, and the butter hand cream. Citrus Blossom is a scent I didn't want lingering on my person, or vicinity.

I was drawn in by Citrus Blossom's French country patterned packaging, but the packaging (which I will recycle) wasn't enough to salvage this anticlimactic scent.  

Develop A Passion For...Sara Happ

In dire need of a lip scrub (I haven't had the time to pick one up, and I've been wearing lots of liquid lipsticks, and now my lower lip is paying for it), I popped into Cosme Kitchen to purchase Sara Happs' Peppermint lip scrub.

Sadly, they were out and, although I'm not a fan of the fruit, I got Passion Fruit because it was the most Summery scent/flavor among the lot.

After using Passion Fruit, I actually like its fruity tropical scent/flavor, It helps make the season a little more bearable (for an entire 10 seconds anyway).  

Make Yourself Comfy...Celvoke Comfy Brush

Making it's national debut on March 16th, Celvoke is the new kid on the high-end beauty block. The brand's philosophy seeks to embody a confident sophisticated style, while incorporating formulated beauty components with naturally derived ingredients.

I bought several Celvoke items and have worn them sporadically for almost five months, and today, I'm going to start with the blushes...of course. But, before we sink our teeth into the meat, let's start with the wrapping.

It's only paper, but I really like the 4-tone (white, black, dark and medium gray) color blocking of the exterior packaging.

A semi-translucence, frosted black plastic compact that has a push open button that snaps shut.

Lightweight and sturdy, the plastic doesn't feel flimsy or cheap. Also, a good-sized mirror is included, as well as a brush.

01 Pink

The Comfy Brush (not a typo, but for the sake of my OCD, for the remainder of this post, we'll substitute "brush" for "blush") is available in three shades: 01 Pink, 02 Orange, and 03 Brown. Divided into two sections, the larger pan is the blush and the other, the highlight.

01 Pink: a yellow-based medium pink with a kiss of coral, and a pale baby pink.

02 Orange

Here's a beauty edition of "things you may not know about Japan." In Japan, they don't call blush, blush, they call it cheek. If you say blush, they just look at you in bewilderment, as if you're speaking...Japanese?

02 Orange: a medium cantaloupe and a light, nudy-apricot.

03 Brown

I wish Celvoke would ditch the brush and all the wasted space it takes up, and make the pans larger, making them friendlier for brushes of the larger spectrum. Still, I am pleased the blush pan is larger than the highlighter (ahem. Suqqu).

03 Brown: a orange-toned, nude brown and a nude with a hint of peach.

First thing to note, there is some kick-up when you swirl your brush in the product. Both, the blushers and highlights, have a slightly dry, velvety texture with micro-shimmers, and the same satin finish.

I was a little worried when I first swatched the Comfy Blushes because they looked powdery. However, on the cheeks the blushes show no sign of chalkiness and have this pretty flushed, skin-like sheen. The highlighters, on the other hand, didn't perform as well. Of the three, 02 had a passable sheen. Whereas, the other two blended out into nothing, leaving only micro-shimmers in their wake. Not letting a product go to waste, I solely use the highlighter along the bridge of my nose. Notably, this contains the appearance/migration of the micro-shimmer and, impart a nice, understated sheen.
Are the Comfy Blushes earth shattering? No. Are the shades original? No. And, although the highlighters were underwhelming, the blushes are nicely pigmented. And, what I love most of all about the blushes is the fresh, lively hue they give my complexion.

The comfy blush retails for 3,780 yen, and can be purchased at celvoke.com, Isetan Online, and Cosme Kitchen. 

The Noblest Thing...Dear Rus Noblesse 336 Nobless

Isn't this bottle wavy bottle cute?

Deep from the recesses of my nail polish collection, comes Dear Rus Noblesse 336 Nobless.

This polish was a given to me by my friend, Hazuki, some five years ago and, shamefully, this is my first time wearing it...ingrate, I know.

I know nothing about this brand, but I remember Hazuki having returned from her millionth trip to Korea when she gifted it to me. So, I'll assume that's were this polish came from.

336 Nobless is a gorgeous, deep aqua green, with a shiny, creme finish. The formula's consistency is just right, and "problem-free;" one coat gives the nails a gel-like finish, and full opacity is achieved with two.

The brush has the right about of resistance and flexibility, and fans out perfect on the nail.

One downside to the product: the packaging. When I twist the cap to open or close it, it makes this "chalk board" squeaking sound that makes me cringe. I have to press the cap down, and slowly open it to avoid making the sound (always a fail).

I've been wearing 336 Nobless for five days, and it's still shiny, and wear-damage free...paint me impressed! If I could, I would drop kick myself for not wearing 336 Nobless sooner; it's a pretty color, and nice formula. I wish I could get my hands on more of them.

If you know about this brand, please leave a comment <3