My Belated O' Christmas Eve Dinner Party Look

 Hey guys,

I hope you all had a great Christmas! I've been extremely busy these last few days. Aki's sister got married on the 23rd (need to post the look I wore that day, along with photo's of the wedding). On the 24th, we spent the day sightseeing with his family members that came down from Akita for the wedding. In the evening, we attended a friends Christmas Eve party (thence this post), and on Christmas day we had another party to attend (that look with me posted next). I had to work on the 26th, so I hope you can understand why these posts are coming to you late.

I decided to use Chantecaille's Safari Collection to create my Christmas Eve look.

   From left to right: The Elephant Palette Ivory, Grassland, Iron Ore, Red Earth.

 From left to right: Elephant Cheek Shade Fun, Bronze Gel Liner Pencil, Isis Lip Chic, Fig Luminous Gloss.

Products used:

Face:

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

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

Chantecaille Elephant Cheek Shade in Fun.

Chantecaille The Elephant Palette shade in Ivory (used to highlight the cheekbone).

Eyes:

Chantecaille The Elephant Palette:

Ivory (placed on the brow bone and inner corner).

Grassland (on the lid and lower lashline).

Red Earth (blended into the crease and lightly blended inner half of the lower lashline under Grassland).

Iron Ore (blended in the outer V)

Chantecaille Gel Liner Pencil in Bronze (used on the upper and lower waterline, the upper lashline, and the outer half of the lower lashline).

Mac Opulash Mascara.

Lips:

Chantecaille Lip Chic in Isis.

Chantecaille Luminous Gloss in Fig.

  

I love Elephants (something I get from my mom), so it was a no-brainer that I'd purchase every piece in this collection. I've fallen in love with this entire collection, especially the palette and both lip products.

What did you wear on Christmas Eve?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Boxing week with Beaute Cosmetics...An Unwrapping of a Savings!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Celebrating The Season On The Fast Track! China Glaze Nail Lacquer

Fast Track is a beautiful mauve-tinged nude with gold shimmers.

The formula is thin, so, three coats are needed for opacity. Thin formula aside, Fast Track wore for 5 days without a chip!

Fast Track is a lovely neutral alternative for the Holiday season. 

What is your favorite neutral holiday polish?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Reining in the Last Minute Savings of 2012!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

May Your Ev'ry Wish Come True...

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday! 

 I got this adorable festive holiday plate at FrancFranc over five years ago.

 One of my favorite holiday treats Almond snow cookies ( Russian tea cakes).

 No Christmas holiday is complete without a cup of hot cocoa/

 I love Sentimental Circus! This mug was given to me by my good friend Chiaki.

 Don't you just love the imagery :)

Once again, I want to wish everyone a happy and festive holiday. Love you all!

How did you spend your holiday season?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Curling up with a beauty Mag

Here are two of my favorite Japanese beauty reads. Both magazines keep me updated (and anticipating) on all my favorite brands upcoming releases.

By the way, ADDICTION, Laduree, THREE, Suqqu, Luna sol, Paul & Joe, and Cosme Decorte's Spring collections are all on my wish list!! And overseas, Chanel, Dior, Guerlain, and Nars.

This month's issue of Voce came with this cute Guerlain folder. 

Also included in Voce, was this male eye candy calendar.

I'm attending a wedding tomorrow, so I'll try to post my look either before or after (depending on how much time I have). Hope you're all enjoying your last minute Holiday shopping (if any). 

What are your favorite beauty magazines? 

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Addiction By Ayako Midnight Sun Look

Hey guys,

I Just back from a great night out with Aki and his co-workers. So, before I begin my nightly rituals (i.e. brush teeth, remove make-up, wash face, moisturize), I wanted to share tonight's look with you :)

For swatches of the products used for this look, please click here.

Products used:

Face:

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

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

Addiction Blush Mix in Brown Toast.

Eyes:

Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base.

Addiction Kohl Eyeliner in Midnight Sun (the pale icy blue shade on the lid and inner corner).

Addiction Eyeshadow in Sand Dune (blended into the crease).

Addiction Kohl Eyeliner in Midnight Sun (the brown shade was used to line the upper and lower lashline).

Mac Plush Lash Mascara.

Lips:

Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Toffee 65.

What were you wearing today?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

By Any Other Name...Addiction's Desert Rose Collection

I am so behind on all the Fall collections I've purchased (I literally have boxes/bags full of products). Yet, although it may feel like winter, we still have two more days of fall...really, we do, check your fiscal calender :P

 From left to right: Sand Dune, White Pepper.

 From left to right: La Mamounia, Mustard Tree.

 From left to right: Sheltering Sky, Moroccan Rose. 

  Midnight Sun. 

 Arabian Nights

 Night Dive

 Secret Nights.

  From left to right: Brown Toast, Spice On.

During the Desert Rose launch, Addiction offered this lovely custom compact when you purchased a minimum of three items from the collection.

  From left to right: Eyeshadow in White Pepper, Sand Dune, Mustard Tree.

  From left to right: Eyeshadow in Moroccan Rose, La Mamounia, Sheltering Sky.

  From left to right: Kohl Eyeliner in Midnight Sun, Arabian Nights. 

  From left to right: Kohl Eyeliner in Night Dive, Secret Nights.

 Blush Mix Brown Toast.

 Blush Mix Spice On.

Overall, I love every single piece in this collection! All the eye shadows are lovely and have a velvety finish. The Kohl Eyeliners (which can also be used as shadows) are creamy, densely pigmented, and have a similar consistency to the ME eyeshadows. Also, I agree with Kate's assessment on the fallout factor of these liners; so, please pack the product onto our brushes with care. The Blush mixes are great! It's a three-in-one product, with endless amounts of playtime options...fun time guaranteed for all :D

I re-created the look worn by the model in the Desert Rose Collection Ad, but tweaked it a bit to better suit my eye shape.

Anticipating the fallout of the Kohl Eyeliner, I forgot to put on foundation, only to remember AFTER I applied my blush. :P 

Products Used: 

Face:

No Foundation, No Concealer, No Brow Pencil.

Addiction Cheek Stick in African Sunset (applied in the hollows of the cheeks and blended upwards).

Addiction Blush Mix in Spice on (mixed together, applied on the apples of the cheeks and over African Sunset).

Eyes:

Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base.

Addiction Eyeshadow in Sheltering Sky (On the lid and lower lashline, blended out into a raccoon shape).

Addiction Eyeshadow in Moroccan Rose (patted on the lid over Sheltering Sky and slightly extended out).

Addiction Kohl Eyeliner in Arabian Nights (on the waterline and lower lashline).

Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara.

D.U.P. Eyelashes in Model's Type 910 

Lips:
Mac Lip Pencil in Stripdown.
Addiction Cheek Stick in Sensually.
Addiction Lipgloss in Sentimental.

Hope you enjoyed this post!

What Fall/Winter collections have you been loving?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Gifts of Time, Love and Cutex Ultra Long Wear Nail Lacquer 'Antique'

I've had Antique for over 9 years (I've lost the lid somewhere in this god forsaken mess that is my apartment); a lovely surprise gift from my friend, Stephanie. At the time, I had know idea Cutex had a nail polish line- a pleasant introduction to the line, I must say :)

Antique is a BEAUTIFUL, antiqued yellow-gold, with a hint of bronze; a lovely festive alternative to a holiday red manicure.

I don't believe the polishes are still available in stores, but I did find someone selling this polish on ebay. I don't know this seller, but I thought I'd include the link, just in case one of you dolls wanted to get your hands on a bottle :)

 Indoors.

Sunlight.

What are some of your favorite Holiday golds?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Do You See What I See...A Christmas Tag!

I found this festive Holiday tag on Kelly's blog Turquoise Dreams, and thought it would be a fun tag to do :D


What is your favorite thing about Christmas?

The beautiful, sparkly Holiday decorations! I love the festive, wintry transformation of the city streets, department stores, and residential areas.

What is your favorite make-up look for the festive season?

It all depends on my mood really. But whether it be naught or nice, I love to pair it with a red lip. 

Real tree or fake tree?

Real please! Christmas really isn't celebrated over here. Christmas is for couples to celebrate by going out some nice restaurant.

Giving or receiving presents?

Both! I love giving gift, (I don't have to wait till Christmas to do so) and love receiving them...guess that's why I shop online to much (love getting things in the mail).

Do you open your Christmas presents morning or evening?

As a child we opened our gifts on Christmas morning, but as an adult Christmas eve ( I just too impatient, and can't take all the waiting). 

Handmade Christmas cards or bought?

If I have time I, make them. If not, hallmark will do :)

What is your favorite Christmas film?

  A Christmas Story (it's a family tradition to watch A Christmas Story everyday from Thanksgiving to Christmas day), Black Christmas (the original, not the horrible remake), and Mickey's Christmas Carol. 

What is your favorite Christmas food? 

EVERYTHING! I love anything eggnog (eggnog french toast is AMAZING!), honey glazed ham, roasted potatoes, and most of all...Christmas cookies!

I think I was holding my visa renewal forms...Bah, humbug!

If you'd like to do this tag, go on ahead, just link me back! If you don't have a blog, then answer the questions in the comments :) I'd love to read your answers :D

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time. 

The Brush Gods Have Answered Your Prayers! Hakuhodo's Holiday Brush Set Is Available on hakuhodousa.com!!

I woke up just now (it's 9:29 AM here) and found this lovely email from hakuhodousa.com, and couldn't wait to share it with you :)

Although the brush set has a slight name change (i.e. 2012 to 2013), it's the exact set I own. The Hakuhodo Winter Set 2013 retails for $179.00 (Model: H3756A). Also, hakuhodousa.com does ship internationally...so this can be yours!!!

If you'd like to see pictures of the actual brushes click here.

Pictures from hakuhodousa.com

Okay off to start my day :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.