1/30/2012

Revlon's Autumn Berry Monday Mani

As you can see by the fading of the Revlon lettering, I've had this polish for some time.

Today's mani is Revlon's Autumn Berry Nail Polish. First let me say, that I love, love, love, love this shade for Fall/Winter. Autumn Berry is a rich maroon/berry with a gold/bronze shimmer; such a pretty color for the colder seasons.

I was able to get a photo of my mani before the sunset. I'm not totally satisfied with this photo, so I may take another one either tomorrow or wednesday. This picture doesn't do the polish justice.

Autumn Berry applies nicely and is opaque in two coats. This polish was discontinued some time ago but after searching the web, I was able to find it on sale on ebay. So if you're interested, you can purchase Autumn Berry on ebay.

What are some of your favorite maroon/berry polishes?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

1/29/2012

Sleek Makeup: The Berry Collection: Swatches and Look

Hello Guys,

As promised, here are the swatches for Sleek's three piece berry collection. This limited edition collection features a True Colour Lipstick in Cranberry, a Kohl Pencil in Mossberry,a Blush in Fernberry and retails for $15.99. All three of these products range from various matte shades of berry, hence the collections title :P

As I've stated in previous posts, I a big fan of Sleek blushes. So once I saw that this set included a blush, I had to have it; regardless of what other products the blush was paired with.

From left to right: True Colour Lipstick in Cranberry, Kohl Liner in Mossberry, Blush in Fernberry.

I'll just jump right into my favorite piece in the set...the blush :) Fernberry is a beautiful warm reddish/ brown diluted berry blush. Moderately pigmented, Fernberry blends to lovely wintry festive spicy berry matte flush. Love it!

Next, is the True Colour Lipstick in Cranberry. I'm a bit torn on how I feel about this lipstick, I like it but I don't love it and I wouldn't recommend it. Cranberry is a wine berry with a redden pink undertone. Although this lipstick has a matte formula, it has a decent creamy texture. My main issues with cranberry is how it applies unevenly, making me work a little harder to get the desired opacity.

My least favorite item in the set was the kohl pencil. The consistency of this kohl is extremely dry, causing it to drag and pull on the skin. During application, the product went on patchy and even ball up and flaked in certain areas...not a fan!

All three products were used in this look

Look Breakdown
Face:
Smashbox Color Correcting Primer in blend.
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (Medium 2).

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.
Sleek blush in Fernberry.

Eyes:

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer in NW25

Mac Eye Shadow in Rite of Spring (All over the lid, brow bone and inner corner) .

Sleek Kohl Pencil in Mossberry (in the crease).

Mac Eye Shadow in Ground Brown ( line the lower lashline).

Mac Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Tendered ( lower waterline).

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

Benefit Badgal Lash Mascara ( upper lashes).

Mac Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara (upper and lower lashes).

Lips:
Sleek True Lip Colour in Cranberry.

Overall, I'd still get this palette just for the blush alone. The lipstick was good, and the kohl was anything but. This set is a good way (and affordable one too) to introduce yourself or someone else to sleek products :) At this moment, The Berry Collection is still available at sleekmakeup.com

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

1/27/2012

Friday Night, Dinner At Kyo-Shigure

Hey Everyone,

This evening I meet up with some friends in Shinjuku and had dinner at a restaurant called Kyo-Shigure. This was my first time at this restaurant, so I was looking to something new :)

Unfortunately, my iphone couldn't capture beautiful kyoto motif of Kyo-Shingure but here are the photo's anyway :)

We walked along this mini bridge to get to our private closed off dining room.

There are several rows of kimono's decorated along some of the walls.

Here is the website to this restaurant: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g465401/

If you're ever in the Tokyo area, check it out!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

1/25/2012

Comfortable with the Grey Areas...Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color

Hey all,

The sun is partly out today, so here are some photo's of what I've been wearing on my nails this week.

Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Grey Area.

Natural light

Grey Area is a smokey grey with purple undertones. The formula is nice, opaque in two coats with a lovely shiny finish. I've been wearing this polish since Monday, so three day with no chipping gives it two thumbs in my book (I'm a bit of a savage when it come to my hands) :) I'm really enjoy this color and I love how it looks and feels on my nails.

Last year during the whole nuclear fiasco, I came back to the states for a little visit to assure my parents and friends that I was okay. While I was in the states, I purchased this polish at a Walgreens but I don't remember how much it was...Sorry!! Also, I'm not sure if this polish is still available or not, can someone please let me know :)

With flash

I broke two nails while I was in Los Angeles, so I've just been keeping them short and hassle free for now.

What are you wearing on your nails at the moment?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

1/23/2012

Winter is Coming...

Hi guys,

Sorry for not posting anything beauty related in the last few days, but the weather here has been terrible;dark days and even darker nights. Any photo's I've taken haven't done any justice to the swatches. Let's hope for better weather tomorrow :)

By the way, It's snowing in Tokyo!!!! Here are some photo's taken from outside my apartment.

How's the weather where you're at?

Looking gorgeous (and freezing) one lipstick at a time.

1/21/2012

King for a day

Some of my friends came over for pizza and our January tradition of having La Galette Des Rois ( also known as King's Cake). This is the third year we get together and have this cake, a fun and yummy tradition.

La Galette Des Rois dates back to more than 350 years and is normally had during the epiphany festival. A porcelain figurine is hidden within the cake; and whomever finds this figurine in their slice is deemed king for a day. The Patissier we go to uses small porcelain bicorne's in their king's cake. The first year Chiaki got the bicorne, the year after that was Aki and this year it was ME!!! And all I can say it that "it's good to be the kings :D".

Everyone tore into the cake before I could take a picture. This is all I could salvage :( ...heads will roll for this!!!

I know this isn't beauty related but it's tasted related and that's just as good :)

Here is the link to the patissier we buy our desserts from: http://www.bon-riviere.com/

Have you ever had a La Galette Des Rois?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

1/20/2012

Another Package From The Royal Post

Hello all,

I Just got in and found another package from Sleek Makeup. I purchased the Sleek Makeup Limited Edition Berry Collection back on the 22nd of December and it just arrived; this is the longest I've ever had to wait for a parcel from Sleek. Unfortunately, It's a bit late (almost midnight) and too dark to take photos of swatches, so I'll post them later this week.

I apologize from the poor quality of these photo's. The flash from my camera makes the packaging look dark grey but it's black.

Well, I'm going to bed, wishing you a great tomorrow :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

1/19/2012

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Eye Palette 1 Green eyes Look and swatches

Hey guys,

I was working on this post last night but I passed out before I could up load it...sorry about that! I guess I worked a little harder yesterday than I thought.

Side note: as one of my deadly resolutions to use up the products I have, I've decided to catalog everything I own on So Lonely in Gorgeous. Everything makeup/beauty related, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera...you get the point :) That's everything new and old. If any of you would like to join me in this, please let me know; I'd love to read/see your posts!!! :D

On onto product description and swatches.

Yesterday's look was created by using the Giorgio Armani Jacquard Green Eye Palette (limited edition) from the Fall 2011 Jacquard collection. Being a lover of green and purple shadows, I quickly pounced on this palette as soon as it came out >:)

Shade color descriptions from left to right

A pale beige-y sage green.

A minty green.

A muted grey based moss green.

A greyed dark violet.

Products used:
Face:
Smashbox Color Correcting Primer in blend.

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

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.
Mac Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Flirt and Tease.

Eyes:

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer in NW25

Urban Decay Matte Eyeshadow in naked, blended in the crease.

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Eye Palette #1, the muted grey based moss green shade all over the lid and crease.

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Eye Palette #1, The minty green shade in inner corner's of the eyes.

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Eye Palette #1, the beige-y sage green shade to highlight my brow bone.

Giorgio Armani Jacquard Eye Palette #1, the greyed dark violet shade along both the upper and lower lash line.

Mac Liquid Eye Liner in Stiletto, used to line the upper lash line.

Smashbox Limitless Eye Liner in Black Violet, used to tightline the upper lash line.

Mac Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Rave, used to line the lower waterline.

Dior Diorshow Mascara.

Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Extravaganza.

Lips:
Mac Lip Pencil in Stripdown.
Mac Lipstick in Creme Cerise.

Hope you enjoyed this look and are having a great week, see you in the next post :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

1/17/2012

My Cuisine Reigns Supreme!

Hey everyone!

First, I'd like to welcome Sabs, Erika and Puchi to So Lonely in Gorgeous :) Hi Ladies!!!!

So, as I was getting ready to prepare tonight's dinner, I realized that I forget to buy the lemons for my salmon dish...that's what happens when I go shopping without a list. Instead of making salmon with lemon and parsley, I made sushi; and it was very good :D

I decided to make use of the parsley and use it as a garnishment of photo purposes. Two thumbs up for my elaborate presentation skills, Masaharu Morimoto has nothing on me!!

What's your favorite type of sushi?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

1/15/2012

I know I'm late but...My Seven Deadly( Not Really) Resolutions for 2012

Hi guys,

Okay, I know this is a bit late but no one ever wants to be the first to arrive at a party right??? I was away for the holidays vacationing in L.A. and I haven't stopped since I got off the plane. These are my excuses and I'm sticking to them! So now that I'm off, I finally have some time to reflect on what I want to "TRY" to achieve this year.

Here are my seven deadly resolutions: (in no particular order).

1. Continue to work on So Lonely in Gorgeous and try to post as much as possible. I'm really having a great time blogging and I hope that those who find this blog enjoy it as well :). Thank you for commenting and subscribing; and to those of you who haven't...what are you waiting for!!!! j/k ;P

2. Use up personal cosmetic products before purchasing new ones (i.e. Foundation, mascaras(failed), face moisturizers, eye creams, etc).

3.Try (and I mean TRY) to curb how much I spend on makeup.

4. Maybe start a youtube channel??? Some friends and family (especially my sister, who has me doing makeup tutorials via skype whenever she needs help putting a look together for some event) have suggested that I take the next step and get on youtube.

5. Start Jujitsu. I Train in kick boxing and I've been wanting to start Jujitsu for some time now.

6. Read more books. I love to read but I've been so busy lately that I haven't read as much as I would like to. I'm on the fifth book in the A song on fire and ice series, A dance with dragons. Love this series, as well as the HBO series :))

7. Travel! I love to travel and I've been lucky to be able to visit many countries and live in some of them too :) For some time now, I've been waiting to visit Russia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania. Basically, with the exception of Germany and Croatia, all of Eastern Europe and the Baltic states.

So there you have it, my seven "deadly" (well they could be the death of me) resolutions for 2012.

I'd love to know your resolutions for 2012.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

1/12/2012

Parcel from Illamasqua's recent website sale

Hello, hello, hello,

Don't you just love receiving packages on temporarily forgotten purchases...I do!

Last month Illamasqua was having an up to 70% off sale on their website, and of course, I partook in the savings and purchased a few items :)

Included in my order was a sample of the new Illamasqua Eau De Parfum in Freak.

To be honest, I really like this fragrance. It's a strong, provocative rich Perfume. The top notes are: Black Davana, Opium Flower and Belladonna. The Heart notes are: Poison Hemlock, Datura and Queen of the Night. The base notes are: Frankincense, Oud and Myrrh. I think I'm going to be purchasing a bottle of freak after I'm done with the sample.

And here are my purchases. I'm be posting swatches of them soon. By the way, Illamasqua is having another "up to 70% off sale" on their website.

What's the most recent Illamasqua purchase?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

1/11/2012

Guys and Dollskins: Tarina Tarantino 's Dollskin Cheek Palette & Singles

Hello Dollies,

I love Tarina Tarantino's eyeshadows and since blush is my vice of choice, I decided to pick up all of the Dollskin Cheek blushes :)

First up, Tarina Tarantino's Dollskin Cheek Palette. This palette includes four blushes: Feather, Parasol, Carved Rose and Candy Cameo. Candy Cameo is the only shade exclusive to the palette; the other three are available for individual purchase. This palette retails for $45.00 with .12 oz/3.5 g of product per blush.

From left to right: Feather, Parasol, Carved Rose and Candy Cameo.

Feather: A soft peach pink sheen.

Parasol: A medium toned pinkish coral sheen.

Carved Rose: A cool toned vivid pink matte .

Candy Cameo: A blue based pink shimmer.

Next are the Dollskin Cheek blushes in Charm and Neapolitan Lane. These individual blushes retail for $25.00 with .2oz/6g of product.

Dollskin Cheek in Neapolitan Lane

Dollskin cheek in Charm

From left to right: Neapolitan Lane and Charm.

Neapolitan Lane: A muted medium pinkish brown matte.

Charm: A medium toned rose pink matte.

The Dollskin blushes are richly pigmented and blend beautifully. Although there isn't much in regards to color range, these shades can be paired with one another to give a gorgeous glowing flush on the cheeks. Although I've only been using the Dollskin Cheek blushes for a week, I do see them becoming one of my favs :) Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek blushes are available at Sephora and Sephora.com

Have you tried any of the Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Blushes?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

1/10/2012

I Can't Believe it Not Butter! Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butters

Hello all : D

While I was in L.A. I was able to pick up some more lip butters and I must say that I'm still impressed!

From left to Right: Creme Brulee, Brown Sugar, and Fig Jam.

Creme Brulee: A warm nude beige-y tan.
Brown Sugar: A warm caramelized brown.
Fig Jam: A burnt orange-y brown.

From left to right: Pink Truffle, Sugar Plum, and Raspberry Pie.

Pink Truffle: A warm brownish rosy pink.
Sugar Plum: A brownish pink mauve.
Raspberry Pie: A bright pinkish red fuchsia.

I purchased these Lip Butters on the first day of my trip and I wish the CVS I stopped at had more!! My favorite shades out of the six were Brown Sugar and Fig Jam. I basically wore Brown sugar throughout my entire stay in L.A. There are about six more lip butters shades that I want to get, so I've added them to my wish list :)

from left to right: Creme brulee, Brown Sugar, Pink Truffle, Fig Jam, Sugar Plum, and Raspberry Pie.

So, what is your favorite revlon lip butter?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

1/09/2012

Velvet Tuberose Shower Gel

Hello everyone!

This months shower gel is Velvet Tuberose from Bath & Body Works.

Bath & Body Works Velvet Tuberose is a spicy feminine floral scent. When I first discovered this fragrance line, I was a little reluctant to try it, being that I'm not a fan of anything rose scented. I was pleasantly surprised that this shower gel smelled nothing like roses. Velvet Tuberose is both sultry and romantic, exotic and floral, warm and spicy; a lovely sophisticated scent for the winter season.

Unfortunately, Bath & Body Works Discontinued the line two years ago, but I have seen Velvet Tuberose on sale on ebay and other websites. I was thinking about hosting a give away and adding this to the pot, since I was lucky enough to stock up on this shower gel when I visited Miami back in January 2011, let me know what you think!!

What shower gel/ body wash are you using now?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time

1/06/2012

What a Haul, What a Haul!!

Hello Guys,

So I'm back from my four day stay in L.A. and I wanted to share my makeup purchases with you.

First up, the duty free shops at Narita Airport. I love Helena Rubinstein Cosmetics, shame that the brand is no longer available in the states. Helena Rubinstein mascara's retail in Tokyo for 4,410 yen ($57.30) and the palette's 7,350 yen ($ 95.49); but since it's duty free, the mascara's were 3,200 yen ($41.57) and the palette's 5,600 yen ($72.76). So with this substantial savings, I picked up two mascara's and an eye shadow palette.

Here are my purchases while I was in California. I visited the Sephora at Hollywood & Highland and I was not impressed with the customer service. All the sales associates were either too busy doing their own makeup or conversing with one another to greet or assist anyone ( not that I need it, but it would have been nice to have my presence acknowledged in the store). I only purchased one time from that store and I only bought the item there because it was on sale and I didn't know if it would be available at another Sephora. If you're ever in the Los Angeles area, avoid shopping at the Sephora on Hollywood & Highland.
Then I went to the Cosmetics Company Store at the Premium Outlets in Camarillo, and purchased a few items. After the Outlet store, I went to Target, CVS, and Rite Aid to get some of my drug store goodies :)
On the last leg of the trip, we went back to Santa Monica for some more shopping. I stopped in the mac for a few lipsticks.
Finally (and twice visited), the Sephora on third street at the third street promenade in Santa Monica. This is were I did most of my damage. The staff at this store were amazing!!!! Very friendly, talkative and helpful. I'd like to thank Mayra, Staci and John in aiding me as I drive myself to the poor house :P

But wait there's more! This is what happens when I get to the Airport a bit to early. I stopped at the duty free shop one last time and purchased a Chanel Rouge Allure before boarding the plane. Now, who said the shopping has to stop when you're in flight????? My last purchase of this trip was a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick from the in-flight service.

I will be doing posts on all these items.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time