6/25/2014

The Sweat Off My Brows...B & C Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown

This Season, B & C Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow puts all my other brow products to bed, since it's my "go to" brow product for Summer. But, as I was about to open this Summertime fav, I realized that I've never featured it.

This dual-sided brow product offers a pencil on one end, and a liquid formula on the other. Now, the thing that has my OCD working overtime is the fact that the pencil side doesn't have a cap. I have no clue why they wouldn't provide a cap for the pencil side, regardless, it's irksome. 

The pencil side has a powdery formula that lines and shades the brows beautifully; and depending on application, you can create an effortless natural or defined brow.

The liquid side is pigmented without looking stark, and works as wonderfully as the pencil. The thin brush tip allows you to emulate hairs, fill-in tiny bald patches, and draw a more precise brow tip.

The B & C Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow comes in two shades: Natural Brown and Grey Brown. I prefer cooler toned brows, so I purchase the shade in Grey Brown. The Pencil side is an ashy-grayish-brown, and the liquid is a soft, grayish-black brown with a tinge of green.

The humidity levels in Tokyo from June to September are insane, and the Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow is truly smudge-proof, long lasting (the only time I experienced minor fading was on inhumanly hot and humid days), water, sweat and sebum resistant. I'm obsessed with B & C Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown, and doing your brows has never been so much fun!

B & C Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow retails for ¥1,290.

Do you switch your brow products for Summer?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

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6/24/2014

8 Oils A Week... Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil

Admittedly, I'm still bitter at Shu Uemura for discontinuing my beloved Skin Purifier High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Enriched cleanser (I believe it was retired to introduce the Ultime8 cleanser). Despite this, I do fancy the brand's remaining oil cleansers.

After having used the other four formulations, this Summer I decided to try the Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil. As described on the website, the Ultime8 cleansing oil contains "8 exquisite oils from botanical origin for ultimate solution to 8 skin benefits powerful yet gentle botanical origin removal system for superb cleansing." I've only been using this cleanser for five days, but, so far, so good. However, unlike the other Shu oil cleansers, I have found that the Ultime8 does sting a little, if the product gets into my eyes.

The Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil retails for ¥4,200.

Have you tired the Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

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6/22/2014

YSL & Giorgio Armani Beauty Friends & Family Event!

Now that I'm up and running again, I wanted to share these savings with you.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

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6/22/2014

Number Five Is Alive!

I don't know who I've angered, but I'm starting to believe someone has put a hex, or something, on me. :P

It's been a rough few months, and to top it off, my Laptop's AC Adapter died in the middle of writing a post. Although we have two other PCs, and an Apple Computer (Aki's territory...so, I avoid it like the plague), all the images were on my laptop...and I don't feel comfortable working on anything else.

My new AC Adapter arrived today...PRAISE HIM!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

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6/16/2014

Pretty Little Nylon...Marc By Marc Jacobs Knapsack

When I'm running around doing errands (and shopping), I can't be bothered with a shoulder handbag, especially during Summer. Wanting something more stylish, lightweight, and with an "animal-friendly" material, I purchased the Marc By Marc Jacobs "Pretty Nylon" Knapsack in Quartz Grey.

The quartz grey is a pretty mushroom-taupe. The knapsack is made from a durable, soft nylon fabric. In the photo above, you get a better view of the Marc Jacobs lettering that's embroidered
throughout the bag.

Roomy front pouch compartment. 

On each side of the knapsack there is a slip pocket; perfect for water bottles, retractable umbrellas, etc...

I like the top-knot detailing on the two handles of the backpack; the handles allow you to carry the backpack like a handbag. 

I love the knots on the ends of the padded adjustable straps...which brings me to my only complaint with the knapsack; I would have liked for the straps to have been longer.

Still love them knots :) 

The inside of the bag, along with both slip pockets, and the front pouch compartment are lined with the Marc Jacobs logo print. 

And finally, the Marc by Marc Jacobs signature plate on the front of the zippered pouch. 

To date, the Marc By Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Knapsack has met all my handbag needs. without having me look too juvenile or ready to go camping (and, unless it's Winter, that will never happen!). The Pretty Nylon is roomy, fashionable and perfect for the upcoming season.

What bag will you be using this Summer?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

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6/15/2014

Lashes & Roses...Givenchy Noir Couture 4 Rose Pulsion Mascara

Released this Spring, as part of the Over Rose Collection, Givenchy's Noir Couture Mascara in 4 Rose Pulsion is truly an exquisite shade as well as mascara. Without a doubt, my favorite makeup product is blush. However, I also have a love for colored mascaras, especially shades in the burgundy family. So, I was excited to get my hands on Rose Pulison.

Noir Couture is one of my favorite mascaras. The 3-tiered orb-shaped wand (that I love) and formula creates volume, length, and curls the lashes amazingly! I've said this before, but you really don't need to use an eyelash curler with this formula.

Rose Pulsion is a breathtaking, deep burgundy-rose that enhances all eye colors, while giving any look an eye-catching twist; a pigmented mascara that can be layered to reach the desired color intensity. Basically, I'm smitten with Rose Pulsion!

 Givenchy's Noir Couture Mascara in 4 Rose Pulsion retails for ¥4,620 ($43.65)

What are some of your favorite colored mascaras?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

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6/12/2014

Refresh The Body...L'Occitane Green Tea Shower Gel

June's body wash is L'Occitane's The Vert Green Tea Shower Gel. I picked up the two-in-one hair and body wash last year in Hokkaido at one of the duty free shops. I loved the fresh and clean unisex scent of the Green Tea shower gel so much, I went to L'Oocitane.com to order a few more bottles. However, to my dismay, the entire green tea line has been discontinued...just my luck!

Have you tried any of the products in Green Tea line?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time. 

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6/11/2014

Flowers In The Palette...ETUDE HOUSE & Rose Flowering Eyes Palette

I can't believe it has been almost a month since my last post...where does the time go?! My beauty blogging absence first started when I came down with a really bad cold. Then, add a hectic work schedule, my immune system was quickly reminded that it wasn't completely recovered; thus, causing me to come down with an even worse flu/fever that morphed into this "space alien cold" from the far reaches of the galaxy that resulted in an eye infection. I've never had an illness cause an eye infection, have you?

I purchased Etude House's & Rose Flowering Eyes Palette back in September, but I finally cracked it open last month since I felt the shades in the palette were more to my liking for Spring.

This is my first eye shadow palette from Etude House and, I must admit, I had zero expectations. Actually, in all honesty, the sole reason I picked up the & Rose Flowering Eyes Palette was for the eyeshadow shades Blossom, Gloomy and Poison; that deep wine red and those purples were just shouting my name. After using the & Rose Flowering Eyes Palette, I must say, I really like this little dark horse of a palette. The texture of the shadows are way better than expected; surprisingly, they're somewhat buttery, soft and pigmented.

 From left to right: Falling, Fade, Innocent, Delight, Pure.

 From left to right: Romance, Blossom, Petal, Gloomy, Poison. 

From left to right: Drawing Show Creamy Pencil PP501, RD304, Rose Tint Lips 07 Tea Rose, 08 After Blossom.

As always, the photo above are additional swatches of other Etude House products used in the looks featured in this post. 

Look Breakdown:

Face:

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (medium 2).
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Power.
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful.
Eyes:

Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow (post coming soon).

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder #1.
Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (used to prime the lids).
Etude House & Rose Flowering Eyes Palette:
Fade Eye Shadow (all over the lid, crease and lower lashline).
Delight Eye Shadow (used to blend out the crease)
Innocent Eye Shadow (on the brow bone and inner corner).
Make Up For Ever La Boheme Gypsy Aqua Eyes Pencil (used to tightline and along the upper lash line).
Mac Chromagraphic Pencil in NW25/NC30 (on the waterline).
Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black.
Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout.
Lips:

Mac Lip Pencil in stripdown.
Etude House Rose Tint Lips in 07 Tea Rose.

Look Breakdown:

Face:

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (medium 2).
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Power.
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful.
Eyes:

Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow (post coming soon).

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder #1.
Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (used to prime the lids).
Etude House & Rose Flowering Eyes Palette:
Falling Eye Shadow (all over the lid, crease and lower lashline).
Pure Eye Shadow (placed on the center of the lid).
Innocent Eye Shadow (on the brow bone and inner corner).
Make Up For Ever La Boheme Gypsy Aqua Eyes Pencil (along the used to tightline, on the upper and lower waterline).
Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black.
Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout.
Lips:

Etude House Rose Tint Lips in 08 After Blossom.

Look Breakdown:

Face:

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (medium 2).
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Power.
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful.
Eyes:

Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow (post coming soon).

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder #1.
Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (used to prime the lids).
Etude House & Rose Flowering Eyes Palette:
Gloomy Eye Shadow (all over the lid, crease and lower lashline).
Poison Eye Shadow (In the crease).
Petal Eye Shadow (on the brow bone and inner corner).
Super Quick Liquid Eyeliner EX in Black.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Zero (used to tightline).
Etude House Drawing Show Creamy Pencil in PP501 (on the lower waterline).
Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black.
Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout.
Lips:

Etude House Rose Tint Lips in 08 After Blossom.

This photo came out orange, but it's the only one that wasn't blurry. 

Look Breakdown:

Face:

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (medium 2).
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Power.
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful.
Eyes:

Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow (post coming soon).

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder #1.
Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (used to prime the lids).
Etude House & Rose Flowering Eyes Palette:
Poison Eye Shadow (all over the lid, inner crease and lower lashline)
Gloomy Eye Shadow (in the inner corner and used to blend out the crease).
Blossom Eye Shadow (in the outer corner).
Romance Eye Shadow (on the brow bone).
Super Quick Liquid Eyeliner EX in Black.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Zero (used to tightline).
Etude House Drawing Show Creamy Pencil in RD304 (on the waterline).
Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black.
Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout.
Lips:

Mac Lip Pencil in stripdown.
Etude House Rose Tint Lips in 07 Tea Rose.

Grrrrr, in the last two photos, Blossom looks like a deep magenta pink, but it is actually beautiful deep wine red in person.

What products have you tried from Etude House?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

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