12/30/2011

Ringing in the New Year

Hey sweeties,

I'm heading out to L.A. today for a mini vacation but before I head out to the airport, here is another possible manicure for New Year's Eve.

China glaze's Little Drummer Boy and Revlon's Super Top Speed Polish in Comet.

Little Drummer Boy is a darkened sapphire blue with micro blue shimmers, giving this lacquer a beautiful jeweled glow.

Comet is pewter glitter polish

Comet over Little Drummer Boy

Both of these polish are no longer available but you can still find China Glaze's Little Drummer Boy online and as for Comet, there are several grey glitters dupes.

Sorry if this post seems a bit curt, but I'm a bit pressed for time and I just wanted to get this posted :D

Leaving for Narita now...hopefully I won't spend all my money at the duty free shops : P

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

12/28/2011

Your Addiction Starts Here..Caution, This May Be Habit Forming :D Addiction by Ayako Eyeshadows

Hello sweetie darlings,

Back in 2009, while stalking the makeup counters at one of my favorite cosmetic hunting grounds (the Isetan in Shinjuku of course) hidden in one of the corners, I came upon the brand 'Addiction by Ayako'. In fear of what damage I may inflict onto my pocket book, I decided to flee and avoid another brand obsession. Now fast forward to 2011, I decided to take the plug and delve into this brand. I purchased 12 eye shadows back in November (Yes, I'm writing a review 6 weeks after the fact, but I wanted to test the product out first) as a little birthday gift to myself :)

Addiction is a high end Japanese cosmetic brand by the New York based makeup artist Ayako. The brands creative director's portfolio ranges from international fashion magazines, Advertising Campaigns, to music videos. Ayako has work with several prominent photographers, including Steven Meisel, Karl Lagerfeild, and Terry Richardson. Her celebrity clientele includes, Naomi Campbell, Penelope Cruz, and Jennifer Lopez. Also, Ayako formally worked as the International Makeup Director for Nars Cosmetics.

Now onto the 12 eye shadows, their names, color description and swatches :)

From left to right: Sandbar, Nostalgia, Flash Back, Singita (natural lighting)

From left to right: Sandbar, Nostalgia, Flash Back, Singita (with flash)

Sandbar: an icy pale pinkish peach flesh-tone shade with a pearl finish.

Nostalgia: A warm brown taupe with tiny silver glitter.

Flash Back: A shimmery taupe with a slight grayish plummy mauve undertone and tiny green, pink and silver glitter.

Singita: Similar to Flash Back minus the shimmeer and glitter. A taupe with a grayish plummy mauve tinge with a pearl finish.

From left to right: Safari Mode, Arabian Ruby, Bagdad Cafe, Twig (natural light)

From left to right: Safari Mode, Arabian Ruby, Bagdad Cafe, Twig (with flash)

Safari Mode: A midtone olive green (reminds me of Spanish olives) with an tarnished gold sheen.

Arabian Ruby: A brown based deep plum with a pink sheen and micro pink glitter.

Bagdad Cafe: A dark chocolate brown with gold and copper glitter.

Twig: A satin finish charcoal grey with pink and green sparkles.

From left to right: Thriller, Yesterday, Crow, Pink Python (natural light)

From left to right: Thriller, Yesterday, Crow, Pink Python (with flash)

Thriller: A pink tinged pewter with multi-colored shimmer.

Yesterday: A slate grey with multi-colored shimmer.

Crow: A metallic sooty black based midnight blue with multidimensional blue/green overtones. The exact beautiful bluish/ black sheen of a crow.

Pink Python: An ash black with multi-colored shimmer.

Addiction eye shadows are housed in sleek,glossy, lightweight black plastic cases. These shadows retail at 2,100 yen ( that's $ 26.97) for 1.2 grams of product. This is a bit steep, if you compare it to Nars Single Eye Shadows at 2.5 grams for $23.00, but I love these shadows and I'm a cosmetic masochist : O

These eye shadows are luxuriously outstanding!! Finely milled, satiny smooth in texture, and the wear time is PHENOMENAL! The quality and pigmentation of Addiction shadows can easily be compared to that of Nars and Inglot eye shadows. So, within the last 7 weeks of using these eye shadows, Addiction is tied with Shu Uemura as being my Favorite Japanese cosmetic brand. Sadly, Addiction by Ayako is currently only sold in Japan, but if you're interested in this brand, just let me know and maybe we can work something out :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

12/27/2011

Glitter and Gold on New Year's Eve

Hello Guys!

New Year's is quickly approaching and I have no idea what polish I'll be wearing on my nails. Here's one possibility, Revlon's Gold Coin paired with Sephora by Opi's Looks Like Rain, Dear.

Gold coin is a cool toned silvered pale gold polish with a metallic finish.

This polish gives a pretty foiled look.

Look Like Rain, Dear is a stunning gold glitter lacquer with multi-colored twinkle.

Sephora by Opi's Looks Like Rain, Dear over Revlon's Gold Coin.

I really like this pairing, the Gold Coin tones down and gives Looks Like Rain, Dear a cooler tone; while also enhancing the the paler gold glitters in the polish.

What are some of your favorite glitter/polish combinations?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

12/26/2011

My Work, Engagement Photo shoot

Hey Guys,

Hope everyone had a great Christmas (whether you celebrate it or not) :)

Here's some more of my work.

I had the chance to work with this lovely couple from San Francisco. They decided to have their engagement photos taken in Tokyo while they were traveling around Asia.

I love this photo :)

He proposed at the famous Shibuya crossing; so, it's only fitting that we end the shoot there :)

Hope you all enjoyed,

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

12/25/2011

Wishing you a happy holiday and a wonderful manicure!

Happy Holidays every one! Here's what I'll be wearing on my nails for tonight's Holiday party. China Glaze's Jingle Bells and Party Hearty.

Jingle Bells is a golden champagne with micro flecks of gold shimmer.

Party Hearty is a gold, red and green chunky glitter polish.

Both of these shades were part of last years ' Tis the Season' Collection.

Party Hearty over Jingle Bells

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to capture how lovely these two polishes look together; reminds me of Holiday gift wrapping paper.

Hope everyone is having a festive holiday :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

12/23/2011

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Face Palette Look and My Thoughts on the Palette

Christmas is almost here! As I'm getting ready to go out, I found all three of the Armani Jacquard Palettes that I had purchased a while back. I had put these in a bag and some how they got lost in the black hole that I call my makeup closet.

Color description is from left to right:

A shimmery Ivory.

A shimmery pale golden tan.

A shimmery pale sandy taupe/beige.

A shimmery and wonderfully pigmented Deep redden raspberry.

I'm meeting up with some friends for a casual dinner at my favorite Indian restaurant ( I used to go there three times a week), so I decided to used the Face Palette to create tonight's look. I used the Giorgio Armani Jacquard Face Palette for my eye shadow, blush and highlight.

In the photo above, I swirled all four shades together, concentrating a bit more on the blush shade and lightly applied it on my cheeks.

Since I love that " I just got slapped in the face look" I intensified the blush :)

I used the sandy taupe/beige shade all over my lids and the pale golden tan in the crease.

I'm wearing Dueba Sassy contacts in brown...but for some reason they look grey.

Look Breakdown
Face:
Smashbox Color Correcting Primer in Adjust and blend (mixed together).

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (Medium 2).

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Face Palette, the sandy taupe/beige shade to highlight my cheek bones, the bridge of my nose and cupids bow.

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Face Palette, the Deep redden raspberry as my blush.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder.

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

Eyes:

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer in NW25

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Face Palette, the sandy taupe/beige shade all over the lid.

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Face Palette, The pale golden tan shade in the crease.

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Face Palette, the Ivory shade to highlight my brow bone and inner corner's of my eyes.

Black liquid liner (Japanese brand and I forgot the name).

Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout.

Lips:

Mac Lipstick in Party Line.

The Texture and pigmentation of this palette is amazing and I love the fact that it is so multitasking! All four shades could be used as eyeshadows, the first three as highlights and the final shade as a blush. I can't see the second and third shade being used to contour since they are way too shimmery, but if that's what you're into, then apply away :) My only gripe with this palette is the size of the ivory and blush shade. I would have preferred an equal amount of all four colors, but hey, that may just be me being a little greedy :P

Giorgio Armani's Jacquard Face Palette in limited edition but it is still available at giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com and nordstrom.com. This Palette retails for $55.00.

I'll be posting the other two palettes in this collection next week.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

12/21/2011

Tasty Related Not Beauty Related Series

Hey Guys!

In the past, I've posted a few edible pieces and now, I've decided to turn them into a series.

This is a condensed milk flavored yogurt drink from the brand Morinaga. I'm always curious to try things, so I gave this drink a shot.

It didn't taste bad, but it tasted more like a mango lassi than condensed milk. Would I buy this again...no, but now I can check it off my "things to try from the conveni list" :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

12/21/2011

Firecracker for Christmas nails

Hello,

This weeks manicure is Revlon's Super Top Speed Polish in Firecracker over Deborah Lippmann's Just Walk Away Renee.

Just Walk Away Renee is a lovely berry chocolate cherry Polish. I own about a million of these shades but I absolutely love these "looks like blood" on the nails lacquers.

Natural lighting

Just Walk Away Renee goes on like a dream with it's creme/jelly formula and glossy finish.

With flash

Please pardon the finger prints on the bottle

Revlon's Firecracker is that perfect ruby red slippers glitter polish. The Formula is jelly-like and applies on the nails like so.

I applied only two coats.

Firecracker dries to a smooth and sparkly finish.

Firecracker over Just Walk Away Renee

Deborah Lippmann's Just Walk Away Renee retails for $16.00 and is available at nordstrom and at various other retaliers where Deborah Lippmann is sold. Unfortunately, Firecracker has gone the way of the dodo but there are several similar red glitters available like Deborah Lippmann's Ruby Red Slippers or China Glaze's Ruby Pumps.

What is your favorite red glitter polish?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

12/18/2011

Dior 5 Couleurs colour Mitzah Palette look and My Hat :)

Sharing means caring, so I wanted to share with you my look for today :) Please ignore the chipped polish on the pinky, I was testing a polish out.

Look Breakdown
Face:

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (Medium 2)

Mac Prism Blush

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in By Candlelight (highlight)

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown

Eyes:

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer in NW25

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/ Liner in Skinny Jeans (all over lid)

All of the Dior 5 Couleurs Colour Mitzah Palette eyeshadow were used in this look.

the dark khaki taupe grey (lower right corner) was used all over the lid and lower lash line.

The center camel color was used in the crease

The dark golden tan (upper right corner) was used in the inner corner of the eye.

The cream beige (lower left corner) was used as the highlight.

The chocolate brown (upper left corner) was used on the outer V.

Black liquid liner (Japanese brand and I forgot the name)

Mac Eyeliner in Ebony used to tight line the upper and lower lash line.

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara in Black

L'Oreal Voluminous Bold Volume Building Waterproof Mascara in Carbon Black

Lips:

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Red Velvet

This is after 10 hours of wear. I did retouch the blush and lip stick once.

Don't know what happened to the lighting in this photo :P

And my hat, Love this 1930's style hat, actually, I love anything from the 1930's :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

12/17/2011

Have A Holly Jolly, Jolly Holly...Manicure?

Hey guys!

Today, I had a lunch date with my friend tomokio (her real name is tomoko but I call her Tomokio). Before heading out, I changed my nail color to China Glaze's 'Jolly Holly'.

Jolly Holly is the ideal christmas green color; a luminous dark emerald green with tiny green, blue and yellow shimmers. This polish is Opaque in ONE coat, but no matter how opaque a polish is, I always have to apply two coats.

Indoors with natural lighting.

Please ignore the swelling and bruising on my ring finger and pinky. A slight mishap while tidying up :(

During lunch, Tomokio kept commenting on how much she liked Jolly Holly. Guess who'll be getting Jolly Holly for christmas this year ;)

With Flash

Jolly Holly was a limited edition shade from the 'Tis The Season To Be Naughty or Nice 2010 Collection' but you can still find this shade online through various sellers.

During lunch Tomokio surprised me with this gift. She made this for me at her Spanish tile class (a class I've been meaning to take). I love decorative Spanish tile designs and the fact that tomokio made this for me makes me treasure this gift even more.

So what have you been up to this weekend?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time