5/29/2013

Worth Its Salt...Sabon Lemon Mint Body Scrub

Phenomenal is the best way I can describe Sabon's entire product lineup, and the body scrubs are no exception. The mixture of deep sea salt, dead sea mud, soybean oil, sweet almond oil, and other natural ingredients, leaves my skin silky smooth, baby soft, and marvelously moisturized. After use, this body scrub does leave a dry oil feeling on the skin, but it's oily or sticky. The scent of this product is AMAZING and it lingers on the skin for several hours. This is my first time trying Lemon Mint, and I love the cooling sensation of Lemon Mint; thus, fulfilling all my lemony-mint needs. Other Sabon body scrub scents I've tried, LOVE, and recommend are: Patchouli Lavender Vanilla, Vanilla Coconut, and Lavender Apple.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit a Sabon store, I guarantee it will be an experience in pure luxury. In the past, I've tried many body scrubs, and Sabon's is my all-time favorite...and the only one I will use! In Japan, Sabon's Body Scrubs retail for ¥5,000 ($50.26).

Have you tired any products from Sabon?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/29/2013

I Like Toast & Jam! Tasty Related, Not Beauty Related

For more than four years, I've been on the hunt for grape jam/jelly, and finally, the foodie gods have answered my prayers! On Sunday, I went to Funabashi to attend an event my friend, Naoki, was hosting. I arrived at the Funabashi station early, and therefore, to kill some time, I walked around and found an international grocery store. I popped in to look at the tasty treats and that's when I spotted the Smuckers Concord Grape Jam. I've searched high and low, all over Tokyo. for any form of this spread; and now, my quest has finally come to a glorious end! I paid ¥590 for this jar of concord goodness :)

If you live overseas (or have been away for an extended period of time) what foods do you miss?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/26/2013

The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth, But Not Its Mineral Blush!

I've been trying to give all the products in my beauty arsenal an equal amount of attention by rotating them on a weekly/biweekly basis. This week's cheek product is Visee's Mineral Liquid Cheek Baby Finish blusher.

Originally released in the Fall of 2012, Mineral Liquid Cheek Baby Finish offers great pigmentation; it's a non-sticky, creamy texture that blends easily without going patchy, satin finish and last about 5 to 6 hours (at least on my dry skin that is).

From left to right: OR200, RD400, RD401, PK800, PK801.

Although I like this product, I'm not blown away by it, especially when compared to other cream blushes in my collection. So, I wouldn't say it's a "must have".

Visee's Mineral Liquid Cheek Baby Finish comes in five shades and retails for ¥1,155 ($11.01).

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/23/2013

The World Only Sumiredama Knows!

Today's look was created using Suqqu's Blend Color Eyeshadow palette in Ex-11 Sumiredama. The star shade of this palette is that gorgeous, purplish-blue, duo-chrome eye shadow. I want to sing its praises from the top of Mt. Fuji...maybe one day I will :P Ex-11 Sumiredama (as well as Ex-12 Hisuidama and Ex-13 Ginusudama) is a little piece of eye shadow heaven, and if you can get your hands on it, do so!

If you'd like to revisit the original post and view the swatches, please click here.

Products used:

Face:

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Punjab (Medium 1).

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

Suqqu Gradation Cheeks EX-01 Mizudaidai (the darker beige-peach on the apples of the cheeks and blended upward to the ears. The lighter shade blended onto the cheek bones).

Eyes:

Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30.

Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow Ex-11 Sumiredama:

The purplish-blue shadow on the lid, blended slightly into the crease, and outward.

The grayish-taupe shadow on the ball of the eye and the lower lashline.

The pink shadow blended into the crease to diffuse the purplish-blue shadow.

The cream shadow in the inner corner of the eyes, and the brow bone.

Suqqu Eyeliner Creamy Ex-02 Navy (on the upper and lower lashline).

Chanel Inimitable Intense Multi-Dimensionnel Sophistique Mascara in 10 Noir.

Lips:

Mac Lip Pencil in Stripdown.

Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist Ex-09 Kohakudama.

Which palettes are you loving?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/21/2013

Laser Lavender, Revlon Nail Enamel!

Revlon's Laser Lavender is a semi-sheer, lavender with sky blue shimmers, and a greenish-turquoise duochrome finish.

Natural (overcast) light.

The formula is thin, and requires three to four coats, but the enchanting color of Laser Lavender is well worth the effort.

With flash (the nail of my ring finger is a little shorter, due to a dicing accident six days ago...ouch!).

Sadly, Laser Lavender was a limited edition release from way back when, however, you may be able to find it online.

What are some of your favorite duochrome polishes?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/19/2013

Shu Uemura's Friends & Fans Event!

Enjoy the savings!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/18/2013

Whose Cuisine Reigns Supreme? Chicken Quesadillas!

Thursday night I had some friends over for dinner, decided to go with a crowd pleasure, and made Chicken Quesadillas.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of vegetable oil.
3 tablespoons of lemon juice.
3 tablespoons of lime juice.
3 minced cloves of garlic.
3 teaspoons of ground cumin.
1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
1 teaspoon of onion powder.
1 teaspoon of salt.
1 teaspoon of black pepper.
1 1/2 pound of meat (chicken breast, shrimp or steak) cut into small pieces.
1 yellow pepper.
1 orange pepper.
1 red pepper.
1 medium onion (optional, I'm not a fan of onions, so i omit it).
Flour tortillas.
Shredded cheese.

Not the most appetizing photo, but trust me, it's delicious!

In a heavy duty plastic bag, combine the meat, vegetable oil, lemon and lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper. Shake the bag to make sure all the meat is coats, place it laying flat in the refrigerator, and marinate for 30 minutes.

While the meat is marinating, chop the peppers and optional onion into small squares. Add them to a lightly vegetable oil coated frying pan, sprinkle some salt and pepper, and heat until tender.

Add the meat to the peppers, cook over medium heat until done, then set aside in a bowl.

Place a flour tortilla in the pan, and spread some shredded cheese over it.

Arrange the meat and peppers mixture over the shredded cheese.

Add another layer of cheese.

Then place another flour tortilla on top.

Carefully flip each side until golden brown or desired crunchiness.

Guacamole is a MUST topping for my quesadillas! It's the perfect accent, and really enhances all the flavors.

Guacamole recipe:

4 Avocados.

2 minced cloves of garlic.

2 Chopped tomatoes.

1 chopped onion (Once again optional. I don't like onions, and raw ones even less).

Lemon juice (add to taste).

Salt and pepper (add to taste).

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl to desired consistency.

Hope you enjoyed this foodie post, and if you try this recipe, please let me know!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/15/2013

One Fine Spring Day Look

Hey guys, how's your week going so dar? This is the look I wore yesterday, for swatches of the products, please click here.

Products used:
Face:
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Punjab (Medium 1).
Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.
Les Merveilleuses Laduree Mini Face Color Trio 103:
The peachy-beige shade in the hollows of the cheeks and blended upward.
The neon hot pink on the apples of the cheeks.
The lavender-blue shade applied over the neon hot pink.
Eyes:
Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30.
Les Merveilleuses Laduree Creamy Eye Color 05 (all over the lid).
Les Merveilleuses Laduree Mini Face Color Trio 103 (the peachy-beige shade in the crease and inner corner).
Les Merveilleuses Laduree Pencil Eyeliner 101 (on the upper and lower lashline and waterline).
Chanel Inimitable Intense Multi-Dimensionnel Sophistique Mascara in 10 Noir.
Lips:
Les Merveilleuses Laduree Lip Lacquer in 01.

After using Laduree's Creamy Eye Color for a while now, I have to say that the product didn't perform as I had hoped. If you have any dry flare ups on your lids, stay away from this product! It goes on patchy, has a mind of it's own, and only performs well when it wants to...GRRRR! Shame, I love the color, and when it works, it's really lovely, but once it's gone, I won't repurchase.

If you've tried the Creamy Eye Color, please let me know what you think :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/14/2013

Refresh Your Mani With China Glaze's Re-Fresh Mint Nail Lacquer

Released back in 2010's Up & Away Spring Collection, Re-Fresh Mint is creamy, pastel, mint green. The formula is somewhat thick,yet runny, so, three coats are a MUST to erase any imperfections.

I love wearing this color for Spring, and as a result, I've learned to turn a blind eye to Re-Fresh Mint's tricky formula.

What are some of your favorite mint greens?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/12/2013

Oh, Thou Doth Teach The Torches To Burn Bright!

Just got home from a birthday party, it's almost midnight, and I have to go to bed. But before I do, here's tonight's look (inspired my the Eye Candy nail lacquer) featuring some items from Guerlain's Spring 2013 collection.

The swatches:

Guerlain Ecrin 4 Couleurs 502 Coup de Foudre.

My love for Coup de Foudre knows no bounds!

From left to right: Rose Aux Joues Blush Duo 05 Golden High, Rouge G Gisele 08.

Products used:

Face:

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

Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow Pencil in Seal Brown.

Guerlain Rose Aux Joues Blush Duo 05 (the darker blush in the hollows of the cheeks blended upward and the lighter side on the apples of the cheeks).

Eyes:

Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30.

Guerlain Ecrin 4 Couleurs 502 Coup de Foudre:

The coral shadow on the center of the lid and lower lashline.

The light mint green shadow in the inner corner,

The dark pine green shadow in the crease, outer v, and one-third of the outer lashline.

The golden khaki green shadow used to blend out the dark pine green in the crease.

Mac Kohl Pencil in Ivy ( the waterline).

Chanel Inimitable Intense Multi-Dimensionnel Sophistique Mascara in 10 Noir.

Lips:

Mac Lip Pencil in Stripdown.

Guerlain Rouge G in Gisele 08.

Hope you enjoyed this look as much as I did wearing it!

Have you tried any of these products?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/11/2013

The Polish With No Name, Eye Candy Nail Lacquer

I've had this polish for well over eight years, and as hard as I try, I can't remember where I purchased it. All I know is that I got it somewhere in the southeastern part of the United States.

Indoors.

I have a soft spot for duochrome polishes, and this polish is an exotic gem in my collection.

The Eye Candy nail lacquer is a pale, murky, bronzed chartreuse, with peach shimmers, and a radiant, slime green (sounds unattractive, but it works) duochrome finish. You have to see this beauty, in person, to admire it in all its wonders.

Sunlight.

Apparently, this obscure brand thought it would be a great idea to NOT have the name/number of the polish printed ANYWHERE on the bottle...doesn't it drive you up the wall when brands do that?! The only thing I do know is that I paid $3.49 (the price sticker was still on) for this unique nail lacquer.

Have you heard of this brand, or know of this color? Do you have any Jane Doe polishes in your collection?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/06/2013

Addiction Summer 2013 Ready to Wear Eye Palette Finger Tip Swatches!

Okay, you've asked, and I've answered...Sort of...

Today, Aki and I had to go to Shinjuku; so, being the opportunist that I am, I schlepped him to the addiction counter, and had him aid me in taking pictures. I thought today (being Monday and all) would be a great day to swatch the palettes...WRONG! When I got to Shinjuku, and saw they were doing Hokousha Tengoku, I quickly realized it was a national holiday...when will I have my place in the sun!

Unrated (why do my fingers look like plump, little Vienna Sausages?!?).

Unfortunately, the swatches of Unrated suffered from poor lighting, and no ipad case background. You can kinda see some sheen on the first finger, whereas the other three a matte.

Tuxedo Moon.

I'm so disappointed with the way this palette photographed; the picture doesn't do Tuxedo Moon any justice. Aki and I were taking pictures, huddled in a tiny corner at the Addiction counter, trying not to obstruct anyones shopping, and Tuxedo moon paid for it. Gomen Tuxedo Moon, I know you're beautiful!

Sugar Rusk.

Wow, where did the bronze and gold come from?! In person, the shadows on the first and third fingers are much more taupe.

Mudd Club.

I wanna party at Mudd Club! The shadows in this photo are pretty accurate to what they resemble in person.

Soda Lunch.

Damn you Blurry photo! The white shadow is not flakey, I just picked up too much. The yellow is matte, and the other three have a beautiful sheen. You can see a little bit of the blue sheen in the purple shadow.

Black or White.

With the Black or white palette you get, one gorgeously fantastic, tarnished greenish-black shadow, one terrible, flakey, pearled white with a barely-there pinkish-lavender sheen, and a shimmery white and black. three out of four can't be bad right? WRONG! Not with a ¥6,510 price tag!

All the shadows are new, and not existing in single form. Also, with the exception of the white flakey dud in the Black or White palette, all the other eye shadows are of the same quality and performance as the permanent line.

Hope this helps!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/05/2013

Parsley, Sage, Lemon, & Thyme...The Body Shop's Earth Lovers Lemon & Thyme 100% Biodegradable Shower Gel

This is my first time trying the Earth Lovers line from The Body Shop; and although I've only used the shower gel twice, I must say, I'm impressed!

When I saw Lemon & Thyme, I hoped the fragrance would be similar to that of my favorite Yankee Candle scent, Sage & Citrus, and it's close enough.

Lemon & Thyme is a harmonious blend of fresh herbs and zesty citrus. A scent that works for both men and women. The consistency is thinner than most shower gels I've tried, and despite being soap free, you only need a small amount to achieve a good lather. After use, my skin feels clean, soft, and smells great.

Another reason (the main reason) I like this product, is that it's Eco-conscious, and animal friendly. The packaging is 100% recycled plastic, the product is not tested on animals, and contains no Sulfates, Parabens, or Colorants.

The Body Shop's Earth Lovers Lemon & Thyme 100% Biodegradable Shower Gel (250ml/8.4 us fl oz) retails for ¥1,260.

Have you tried Earth Lovers line?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/04/2013

So Lonely In Gorgeous is Ready To Wear Addiction's Summer 2013 Ready To Wear Eye Palettes!

Here you have it, photos of the upcoming Addiction Summer 2013 Ready to Wear Eye Palettes! It was SO packed that I wasn't able to provide you with any swatches. To be honest, I don't like taking photos of swatches at the counter. I rather purchase the items and give you good quality swatches( or try to), then some rushed images (like you'll see below...sorry).

Unrated: This palette comes with four matte shadows. The texture is a tiny bit stiff, but still smooth, if that makes since. A nice basic quad for every days looks and blending out other shadows. I'll be passing on Unrated.

Tuxedo Moon: Isn't that the name of Sailor Moon's boyfriend :P Okay, focus Liz...Tuxedo Moon comes with three buttery mattes, and a stunning pearlized shadow (bottom left corner). All the shadows are great, but that bottom left corner shadow has a life of its own. Tuxedo Moon WILL BE MINE!

Sugar Rusk: Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! If you love taupes, violet/purply taupes, then you need this in your collection! All the shadows are stellar! One of the MUST (you listening Iris and Claire) haves out of all six. You know this is going into my shopping cart :)

Mudd Club: I was tempted to pull out my tweezers, and pry Mudd Club from the display. Mudd Club offers two of my favorite eye shadow colors, green and purple. When I played with this palette, I had a smile from ear to ear. That upper right green has so much dimension and character, words can't describe it; and that purple, WOW. Another MUST GET OR DIE (again, that means you Claire) from the collection.

Here's where the quality went down hill. I had three other ladies pushing themselves in my way.

Soda Lunch: If you love color, this is the palette for you. The same yummy buttery matte textures with that ohhhh Ahhhh factor(Ahem Claire :P). The colors are vivid and pop! I'll definitely be getting Soda Lunch.

Black or White: The final palette in the collection, and one I won't be getting. Don't get me wrong, the shadows are just as fantastic as the shadows in other palettes, I just wasn't blow away by the two variations of silver and black. For now, I'm going to have to pass on Black or White.

So in my opinion, the must-haves (and the four I'll be getting) are: Mudd Club and Sugar Rusk, followed by Soda Lunch and Tuxedo Moon.

Addiction's Summer 2013 Ready To Wear Eye Palettes will launch on May 10th, and retail for ¥6,510.

Which palettes will you be getting?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

5/04/2013

Running On Empty: April Empties!

Redken All Soft Shampoo & Conditioner: I switched to Redken's All Soft after Tsubaki's Damage Care line stopped working its moisturizing wonders. All Soft leaves my curls soft, bouncy, and most important, frizz free. I would repurchase, but I like to rotate my shampoos and conditioners.

Lux Super Damage Repair: In general, I don't care for the Lux hair care line, but this hair masque really does live up to the "Super" in its name. This mask leaves my hair feeling hydrated and soft. I was very impressed with this drug store hair mask, and I will buy it again!

Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Gel Flirty Mango: A staple in my shaving regimen.

Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Shower Gel: One of my favorite BBW's scents, and I'll always repurchase.

Mac Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator: A good exfoliator(not the best), but it works well at smoothing my dry skin. I would repurchase, if I didn't have two backups.

Colgate Maxfresh Toothpaste: wouldn't brush my little choppers with anything else!

Dior Top Coat: This top coat came with Dior's Electric Tropics Summer 2011 Aloha lacquer. It's a decent top coat, not the most glossy, but it does the job. I have another bottle from my purchase of the Paradise polish; so, I have one more bottle to use up until I move on to another top coat.

Bath & Body Works Wallflower Fragrance Bulb in Winter: My all-time favorite Bath & Body Works Wallflower! I always stock up on this scent every Holiday season.

Cocoa Puffs Cereal: I'm a big Cereal junkie, and whenever a friend visits the states, I always ask them to bring me cereal; not makeup, cereal (or salad dressing) because I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs! I asked my friend to bring me the chocolaty goodies that is Cocoa Puffs, and sadly, between Aki and I, the box only lasted one day :(

What did you finish this month?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.