Bits Of Burnished Amber

Post wise, the month of December did not go as planned. I've been photographing all my daily looks, but I've been to busy (both professionally and personally) that I haven't had the time to upload anything. Thankfully, the first weeks in January are pretty slow, so I'll be able to catch up (hopefully).

Tom Ford Eye Color Quad 06 Burnished Amber.

The rich shades of Tom Ford's Burnished Amber make it a quintessential quad for Autumn/Winter. I'm still sore at the brand for discontinuing such a exquisite palette.

From left to right: Tom Ford Tainted Love Lip & Cheek Stain, Tom Ford Savage Cheek Color Blush, Tom Ford Warm Sable Lip Color, Giorgio Armani 201 Dark Velvet Lip Maestro.

Look Breakdown:

Face:

FACEatelier Ultra Foundation in #5 Sepia.
Tom Ford Cheek Color Blush in Savage.
Eyes:

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in 06 Burnished Amber:
The bronze shade all over the lid and lower lashline.
The pink shade in the crease and along the outer half of the lower lashline.
The Burgundy shade in the outer v and the outer portion of the lower lashline. 
The yellow-gold shade in the inner corner and brow bone. 
Make Up For Ever La Boheme Aqua Eyes Pencil in Gypsy (used to tightline and on the waterline).

Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara in 1 Black Satin. 

Lips:
Tom Ford Lip Color in Warm Sable.

Look Breakdown:

Face:

FACEatelier Ultra Foundation in #5 Sepia.
Tom Ford Lip & Cheek Stain in Tainted Love.
Eyes:

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Gold Shimmer(blended lightly on the lid).
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in 06 Burnished Amber:
The bronze shade all over the lid and lower lashline.
The yellow-gold shade in the inner corner and brow bone. 
Make Up For Ever La Boheme Aqua Eyes Pencil in Gypsy (used to tightline).

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On in Eldorado (on the waterline).

Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara in 1 Black Satin. 

Lips:

Tom Ford Lip & Cheek Stain in Tainted Love.

Look Breakdown:

Face:

FACEatelier Ultra Foundation in #5 Sepia.
Tom Ford Lip & Cheek Stain in Tainted Love.
Eyes:

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Bold Gold (blended lightly on the lid).
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in 06 Burnished Amber:
The yellow-gold shade all over the lid and inner corner.
The bronze shade in the crease.
The Burgundy shade in the outer v.
The pink shade on the upper and lower lashline.

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in 85 Grenat (used to tightline and on the waterline).

Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara in 1 Black Satin. 

Lips:

Tom Ford Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Guilt.

Look Breakdown:

Face:

FACEatelier Ultra Foundation in #5 Sepia.
Tom Ford Cheek Color Blush in Savage.
Eyes:

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Pomegranate Punk (blended lightly on the lid).
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in 06 Burnished Amber:
The burgundy shade all over the lid and outer lower lashline.
The pink shade in the crease and the lower lashline.
The bronze shade patted on the center of the lid. 
The yellow-gold shade in the inner corner and brow bone. 
Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in 85 Grenat (used to tightline and on the waterline).

Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara in 1 Black Satin.
Benefit Badgal Plum Mascara (lower lashes).

Lips:

Tom Ford Lip Color in Warm Sable.

Look Breakdown:

Face:

FACEatelier Ultra Foundation in #5 Sepia.
Tom Ford Cheek Color Blush in Savage.
Eyes:

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Rich Mahogany (blended lightly on the lid).
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in 06 Burnished Amber:
The bronze shade all over the lid and lower lashline.
The burgundy shade in the crease and the outer half of the lower lashline.
The yellow-gold shade in the inner corner and brow bone. 
Kate Super Sharp Liner S in RD-1 (upper lashline).
Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in 85 Grenat (used to tightline and on the waterline).

Benefit Badgal Plum Mascara.

Lips:

Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 201 Dark Velvet.

Hope you enjoyed these looks, see you tomorrow!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Staring Into an Open Box!

Forget about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it's Boxing Week! Every Holiday Season, I always look forward to Boxing day/week at selfridges.com, escentual.com and so on. This year, Beaute Cosmetics is offer 40% off! Go, shop with a clean conscience and get your glamour on :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Merry Christmas Darlings!

Happy Holidays everyone! Whether you celebrate the season or not, may your days be filled with peace, love and joy.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Haisai Okinawa!

I found this cute photo of some Shisas on the internet. 

Hello darlings,

Leaving on a much needed (but short and partially work related) holiday to Okinawa. I'll be back soon with a tons of posts :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Something To Raise An Eyebrow At...Addiction Pressed Duo Eyebrow

Sorry for the lack of posts, but someone near and very dear to me has been going through Chemotherapy, and I've been taking care of her.

My sacred Shu Uemura Hard formula Brow Pencil is almost at its end; therefore, I'm giving it a little rest, and switching to Addiction's Pressed Duo Eyebrow ( ¥2,625).

Because Addiction is exclusive to Japan, the Pressed Duo Eyebrow shade range is very exclusive (but, appropriate for the brand's demographic populous); it is offered in two shades: Marron and Cinnamon.

On myself, I prefer a more neutral/slightly cooler tone brow, so I chose Cinnamon. The two shades of Cinnamon are a medium taupe-brown and a medium ash-brown.

I have a confession to make...I'm a stress plucker! In the past (and often present) I've tweezed my brows into oblivion. The fact that I carry tweezers with me at all times doesn't help, but I'm working on it. Slowly, but surely my brows are regaining their shape.
.  

Here's a quick demo of the 01 Cinnamon duo in action. The flash makes the product look warmer than it actual is.

The fun thing about eyebrow powders are the various possibilities they offer. For example, you can use the lighter shade along the inner half of the brow, then use both shades mixed together throughout the middle half. And finally, still using both colors, but, add more of the lighter shade at the end of the brow.

Addiction's Pressed Duo Eyebrow (I keep wanting to call it Pressed Eyebrow Duo) can create a beautiful soft-focused, natural-looking brow as well as a more defined, dramatic brow; it's a real workhorse that lasts the entire day, and I love it!

What do you use on your brows?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Paint It Loud! Rescue Beauty Lounge Fortissimo

Fortissimo is a sophisticated, rich espresso with a dark green-khaki undertone. The formula is wonderful! Achieving full color after two coats, with a lustrous finish.

As beautiful and unique as these polishes are, the formula leaves a lot to be desired. Usually, I have to apply 3 to 4 coats to achieve opacity, which really doesn't bother me. But, What gets me is the dreadful tip wear I experience within the 1st and 2nd day; not good for a higher-end brand, and I expect more from an $18 nail polish. That being said, I'm always sucked in by the lovely color combinations, and I find myself getting back on that 'lacquer horse' called, Rescue Beauty Lounge. 

What's your experience with Rescue Beauty lounges formula? 

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time. 

Searching For Beauty Products Is Half The Fun: So Lonely In Gorgeous Scavenger Hunt Giveaway!

For this weeks giveaway entry, I wanted to share my photos (taken 3 years ago) of this breathtaking paper craft structure.

The time is drawing near...only 4 weeks left!

 The exhibition is called Umi no Ue no Oshiro (A castle on the ocean).

The Rules:

Must be a gorgeous member.

Create a board on pinterest and title it "So Lonely In Gorgeous Scavenger Hunt Giveaway"

Now, what you pin is totally up to you. It can be a collage of cosmetics (favorite looks, lipsticks, blushers, eye shadows, nail polishes, past, present and up coming cosmetic collection releases, products you can't live without, what you're loving right now, etc), hair care, skin care, home decor, art, music, food, vacation spots, your muses/inspirations, and so on...you get the gist.

Once you've completed your board, add the link to the comment section of this or one of the weekly giveaway reminder posts.

The final day to submit your board will be January 5th, 2014.

This giveaway is open Internationally!

You may be wondering, "how does this giveaway work?" Well, I'm glad you asked because it's all based on creativity, points, and a hat :D

You automatically get two entries for being a gorgeous member. So, Don't forget to click the 'join this site' button.

Blog or twitter (please include the link in the comment section) about the giveaway on a weekly basis and earn 2 points for every week.

If for some reason you can't do the pinterst thing, then write your answers to the same general topics in the comment section for two additional points.

By posting your Pinterest link, you earn an additional 10 entries.

An additional 5 entries for creativity and effort (i.e. posting your own photos/images).

 Created by Wataru Ito, this handmade paper castle took for years to complete. 

 The model is also furnished with electrical lights (which change color), and a moving train.

Within the same exhibition, you can watch a short film of the making-of this incredible work of art. 

 A castle on the ocean is located at Umihotaru, a service stop in the middle of the ocean.

Finally, and most important...the prizes:

2 Addiction Eye Shadows (your choice).

2 Addiction Cheek Sticks (your choice).

2 THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencils (your choice).

2 Laduree Pressed Cheek Color (your choice).

All the prizes will be purchased by me :D

Feel free to ask any questions!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Don't Want Nobody, Nobody...Cause Baby It's You! YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Baby Doll Mascara

Yves Saint Laurent's Baby Doll is one of my signature scents, and when I saw that the brand had released some products named after said fragrance, I had to give them a go. Back in June, I Purchased the color Wheedler Brown; but, I didn't start using it until August, after finishing my beloved Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Fatal Black WP in 03 Captivating Bronze.

As devoted as I am to my Lash Queen Fatal Black WP03 Captivating Bronze, Wheedler Brown places a close second in my favorite brown mascaras category.

The spikey rubber wand resembles some sort of medieval weapon; Perfect for slaying those unruly lashes. 

Wheedler Brown is a dark bark-brown, with a hint of khaki. 

The mascara's formula is very wet (I prefer a drier formula), but after about two weeks of exposure to air and settling, the consistency becomes just right. During the three and a half months of use, I found formula doesn't clump or flake. It's only now when the mascara is on its last bristles (and its fifth, and last month) that I'm experiencing any clumping or flaking. Also, this mascara smells like the fragrance, except more chemically. Tell me, why do brands feel the need to add scents to mascaras? I could do without this luxurious expense, and would prefer the product be sold for a little less. 

I love the way Baby Doll fans out my lashes, giving me that wide-eyed "doll" effect. The mascara separates, thickens, volumizes, and goes the distance with my 15-hour-plus work days. What more can you ask for?!

I was going to include some demonstration pictures, but Baby Doll has gone missing in the Bermuda triangle of makeup that I call my apartment :P 

Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Baby Doll Mascara retails for $30.

Have you tried YSl's Baby Doll Mascara?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps...THREE 4D Eye Palette in 09 Star Guitar

As one of my favorite Japanese cosmetic brands, THREE's Rock Ur Life A/W 2013 Collection is Definitely one of my favorites this Fall.

 THREE 4D Eye Palette 09 Star Guitar.

09 Star Guitar (along with the other two quads in the collection) is sensationally squee-worthy!

 09 Star Guitar swatches.

Three Color Veil For Cheeks 22 Sweet Thing. 

From left to right: 22 Sweet Thing Color Veil For Cheeks, 01 Little Wonder Vibrant Sumptuous Lip Crayon, 05 Surface Yourself Glam Touch Lipstick (not included in the collection, but I used it in both look, so I included it in the swatches.

Look Breakdown:

Face:

FACEatelier Ultra Foundation in #5 Sepia.
Three Color Veil For Cheeks in 22 Sweet Thing.
Eyes:

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
THREE 4D Eye Palette in 09 Star Guitar:
The red based plum cream shadow in the outer one-third of the lid, crease and lower lashline.
The grayish-brown taupe shadow patted on the inner two-thirds of the lid, crease and used to blend out the edges of the cream shadow on the lower lashline.
The dusty, mauvish-rose-pink shadow in the inner corner and brow bone. 
The glittery taupe shadow dusted in the inner corner and two-thirds of the lid.

THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil in 08 Eye On (on the upper and lower lashline, the waterline and used to tightline).

Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara in 1 Black Satin. 

Lips:
THREE Vibrant Sumptuous Lip Crayon in 01 Little Wonder.
THREE Glam Touch Lipstick in 05 Surface Yourself. 

Look Breakdown:

Face:

FACEatelier Ultra Foundation in #5 Sepia.
Three Color Veil For Cheeks in 22 Sweet Thing.
Eyes:

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
THREE 4D Eye Palette in 09 Star Guitar:
The grayish-brown taupe shadow on the lid and crease.
The red based plum cream shadow on the upper and lower lashline.
MAC Chromagraphic Pencil in NW25/NC30 (on the waterline).

Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara in 1 Black Satin. 

Lips:
THREE Vibrant Sumptuous Lip Crayon in 01 Little Wonder.
THREE Glam Touch Lipstick in 05 Surface Yourself.

THREE's Star Guitar pulls on my heartstrings with its superb eyeshadow texture and quality. 

Did you pick up any pieces from the Rock Ur Life Collection?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Butter London Cyber Weekend Sale!

Time to save one some polish stocking stuffers :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Thankful For All I have, And For All Of You

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I wasn't able to host a  thanksgiving dinner this year. So, enjoy an extra serving of Turkey, Stuffing, and yams for me. Thankful for all my family and friends (you're included in the friends bit :D).

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

The Secret Of Happiness Is To Find A Congenial Polish! O.P.I Congeniality Is My Middle Name Nail Lacquer

Congeniality Is My Middle Name is a GORGEOUS deep, Magenta-berry-red, loaded with hot pink and purple microshimmers. These shimmers give the semi-jelly polish a dazzling violet duochrome sparkle. I'm totally smitten with the brilliance of this shade, and I love the way it looks against my skin tone (NC30). Definitely a must-wear lacquer for the Holiday seasons.

What do you think of O.P.I's Congeniality Is My Middle Name?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Smashbox 25% Off Friends & Family Event!

Enjoy 25% off all Smashbox Products! Don't delay, offer ends at 11:59pm on December 2nd.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

The Postman Always Rings Twice...Overseas Purchases & A Belated Birthday Gift

Today, I got a package from my best friend Alex. Yay for Alex, he's the best! 

Had to peel my way through the first layer of beauty samples from all my online purchases.

For my birthday (November 4th by the way), Alex got me a Nintendo 3DS Xl and the Pokemon Y game. Now I really "Gotta Catch 'Em All"! Also, I'm a big fan of Black Lagoon, so he threw in his copy. Thank you Alex! Don't lie, I know you read this :P

And finally, the part you've been waiting for...the makeup! 

Who helps you with your international purchases? 

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.