10/26/2014

Stealing Beauty: Sonia Rykiel Beaute Counter Swatches

Here is the continuation of my swatching rampage from last Thursday: Since Sonia Rykiel is taking a bow from the cosmetic sales floor, it's urgent that I upload these swatches to help those of you, interested in the brand, make a better decision on what items you would like to pick up. The only items I didn't swatch were the Glowing Powder Blushers, the Perfect Eyeshadow, the Eyeshadow Duos (I will be swatching my personal collection), and the Foundations (after almost two hours at the counter swatching, I was a little delirious at that point, and I forgot).

From top to bottom: Perfect Eyeshadow, Compact Eyebrow 02, 03.

Eyeshadow Duo.

Mousse Eyeshadow.

From left to right: Mousse Eyeshadow 05, 06, 11.

From left to right: Perfect Eyeliner 01, 02 03 04, 05, 06.

Glowing Gel Blusher.

From left to right: Glowing Gel Blusher 01, 02, 03.

Glowing Cream Blushers.

From left to right: Glowing Cream Blusher 01, 02, 03, 04.

From top to bottom: Highlight Powder, Glowing Powder Blusher.

From left to right: Highlight Powder 01, 02.

In the following images, you may (or not) notice a difference between arms; that's because, Hiroko, my girl at the Sonia Rykiel counter, jumped in on the action, and helped swatch the products on her own arm. I think we made a great team ;)

Also, I'm a lefty, so, I always swatch from left to right, but I guess Hiroko is a righty, because her swatches are right to left.

From left to Right: Sublime Rouge 05, 04, 03, 02, 01.

From left to right: Sublime Rouge 10, 09, 08, 07, 06.

From left to right (my arm!): Sublime Rouge 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

From left to right: Sublime Rouge 20, 19, 18, 17,16.

From left to right: Matte Sublime Rouge 01, 02, 03, 04, 05.

From left to right: Matte Sublime Rouge 06, 07, 08, 09, 10.

From left to right: Sublime Lip Lacquer 05, 04, 03, 02, 01.

From left to right: Sublime Lip Lacquer 06, 07, 08, 09, 10.

From left to right: Sublime Lipgloss 01, 02, 03, 04, 05.

From left to right: Sublime Lipgloss 06, 07, 08, 09.

From left to right: Sublime Lipliner 06, 05, 04, 03, 02, 01.

Fresh Gel Foundation.

From left to right: Touch-Up Pen 03, 02, 01.

Hope you find the swatches useful. In the upcoming weeks, I will be posting more on the brand, until then, have a great Sunday!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

10/24/2014

Stealing Beauty: THREE Cosmetics Flawless Cream & Flawless Ethereal Fluid Foundation Counter Swatches!

Yesterday, I went on a counter swatching rampage, and first up (requested by Faye): all shades of THREE's Flawless cream and Flawless Ethereal Fluid Foundations.

I deplore swatching products at the counter; the lighting is terrible, you have to rely on someone else's assistance to take pictures (usually, the SA looming over your shoulder), and, although I have a great rapport with all the sales associates at the counter I frequent, it just feels awkward. I prefer the comfort of my own beauty cave to provide you all with, what I hope are, good quality swatches.

Anyway, I don't mind doing these counter swatches, I just want to give you something of better quality.

From left to right: MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation NC15 (Faye requested it be swatched for shade comparison); THREE Flawless Cream Foundation 101, 102, 202, 203, 204, 205.

From left to right: THREE Flawless Ethereal Fluid Foundation 101, 102, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206.

In regards to both foundations, the 101 and 102 are pink based, and the rest are yellow based. I'll be writing an in-depth review of each foundation in the near future.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

10/22/2014

An Execrable Mango...Tasty Related, Not Beauty Related!

Mango Fanta is a noxious creation; seriously, I almost gagged at first sip. Admittedly, I don't like mangoes. However, during the Summer of 2012, Starbucks had this delicious Mango Passion Tea Frappuccino with Mango Pudding that was absolutely scrumptious (I wonder if I have a picture of it?); thus, flavor preferences aside, I can still be objective.

Mango Fanta has this offensive artificial mango scent and flavor; it tastes just like those "kiddie" flavored liquid medicines (that actually tastes like sweetened poison), my mom would give me as a child.

Taste test verdict: pored it directly down the drain.

Have you tried Fanta's mango flavor?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

10/20/2014

Her Heart Belongs To Tangerine...Sonia Rykiel Beaute

In the upcoming months, there is a malicious, inevitable meteor that is hurling its self towards all the Sonia Rykiel beauty counters in Japan; making the brand go the way of the dinosaur. In the words that Kate and I have expressed to one another, "why can't we have nice things?!" Sonia Rykiel Beauty IS one of my favorite Japanese cosmetics brands...it's definitely in my top three and that is a profound statement because I don't like "categorizing" things. With that said, it's shameful that I haven't posted anything on said favorite brands until now.

From left to right: Eyeshadow Duo 12, Perfect Eyeliner 03, Glowing Powder Blusher 03, Sublime Rouge 03.

In the next several posts, I will be showcasing/reviewing on each product I own; so this more of a "look" post than a proper review. That being written, if there is something you've been eyeing from Sonia Rykiel, buy it! Because the brand is truly amazing, and it pains me that it's folding.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.

Sonia Rykiel Fresh Gel Foundation SPF25 PA++ in 30.
Sonia Rykiel Glowing Powder Blusher in 03.
Eyes:

Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener.

Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer in NW20 (under eyes and brow bone).
Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (all over the lid).

Sonia Rykiel Eyeshadow Duo in 12:
The Champagne shade (in the inner corner and blended onto the inner half of the lid).
The atomic tangerine shade (at an angle, blended down on the outer half of the lid and crease, and lower lashline).
Sonia Rykiel Perfect Eyeliner in 03 (on the upper lashline, used to tightline, and dotted along the lower lashes).
Mac Chromagraphic Pencil NC15/NW20 (waterline).
Mac Opulash Mascara in Bad, Bad, Black.
Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout.

Lips:

Mac Lip Pencil in stripdown.
Sonia Rykiel Sublime Rouge in 03.

EVERY PRODUCT from Sonia Rykiel is a gem; there isn't a single dud in the entire line. I use many Sonia Rykiel products professionally, and personally...I've been purchasing multiple backups of everything before the line goes bye-bye at the end of December or January.

Have you tried Sonia Rykiel Beauty?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

10/15/2014

I Don't Think You're Ready For This Jelly! China Glaze Are You Jelly? Nail Lacquer

Are You Jelly? is a beautiful, vivid (yet, deep), red-based medium-purple with a glossy, jelly finish.

The formula is extremely thin, so application can be a bit laborious. After two coats there are still signs of unevenness that was corrected after a third coat, but I applied a fourth coat for good measure. Aside from minor patchiness and multiple coats, Are You Jelly? gives my nails a gorgeous, pop of color.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

10/14/2014

Goin' Coconuts...Tasty Related, Not Beauty Related!

Seijo Ishii Supermarket is a grocery chain, throughout Japan, that offers a wide array of domestic and international foods and drinks.

My recent love is Seijo Ishii's Coconut Jam. My goodness, this jam is so delicious that I fear for my waist line. I've had it every which way, including straight out of the jar. However, my favorite way to have the jam is over one or two spoons of cream cheese. If you can get coconut jam...try it...it's awesome!

Have you tried Coconut Jam?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

10/13/2014

The Light At The End Of The Palette

Yves Saint Laurent's Limited Edition, Bleus Lumiere, was my first introduced to the restyled 5 Colour Couture Palettes, and I'm working my way to add them all to my collection.

Bleus Lumiere 5 Colour Couture Palette.

I was over the moon infatuated with the harmonious pairing of the Summery blues and corals in Bleus Lumiere...nothing but love!

Bleus Lumiere 5 Colour Couture Palette Swatches.

I was going to pass on 12 Bleu Lumiere and 13 Bleu Egee Dessin du Regard Waterproof Eye Pencils, but once I swatched them, and realized their beauty, I had to buy them. These long-lasting, creamy, vivid liners define the eyes, and make great eye shadow bases.

From left to right: 12 Bleu Lumiere, 13 Bleu Egee, 01 Fuchsia Desinvolte, 04 Ornage Fougueux, 12 Moca Garconne.

Another new product that I tried was YSL's Baby Doll Kiss & Blush. There were several colors I wanted to pickup, but I refrained, and settled for 01 Fuchsia Desinvolte, 04 Ornage Fougueux, and 12 Moca Garconne for Summer. Always a sucker for a multi-tasking product, I love the airy, mousse-like formula, that performs wonderfully on, both, lips and cheeks. I will definitely be purchasing more, if not all. Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (medium 2).
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus.
Yves Saint Laurent in 12 Moca Garconne.
Eyes:

Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.
Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener.

Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer in NW25.
Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (on the brow bone).

Yves Saint Laurent 5 Colour Couture Palette in Bleus Lumiere:
The minty-turquoise blue shadow (blended into the inner crease up to the brow, the inner corner and inner lower lashline).
The shimmery, golden, pinky-peach shadow (middle of the lid).
The orange-coral shadow (in the crease, outer v and the outer half of the lower lashline).

Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner (upper lashline).

Yves Saint Laurent Dessin du Regard Waterproof Eye Pencil in 12 Bleu Lumiere (used as a base in the inner crease and corner).
Yves Saint Laurent Dessin du Regard Waterproof Eye Pencil in 13 Bleu Egee (used to tightline).
MAC Pencil in O-J (in the waterline).
Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara in 01 High Density Black.

MAC In Extreme Dimension Lash Mascara in Black Extreme.

Lips:

Mac Lip Pencil in stripdown.
Yves Saint Laurent in 12 Moca Garconne.

 





Look Breakdown:

Face:

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. 

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (medium 2).

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus.

Yves Saint Laurent in 01 Fuchsia Desinvolte.

Eyes:

Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener.

Mac Mineralize Concealer in NW25.

Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (on the brow bone).



Yves Saint Laurent 5 Colour Couture Palette in Bleus Lumiere:

The shimmery, golden, pinky-peach shadow (on the lid blended into the crease).

The royal blue with purple undertones shadow (along the upper and lower lashline). 

Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner (upper lashline).

Yves Saint Laurent Dessin du Regard Waterproof Eye Pencil in 13 Bleu Egee (used to tightline and waterline).

Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara in 01 High Density Black. 
MAC In Extreme Dimension Lash Mascara in Black Extreme. 
Lips:

Mac Lip Pencil in stripdown.

Yves Saint Laurent in 01 Fuchsia Desinvolte.









Hope you enjoyed these looks, and don't forget my giveaway.




Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

10/06/2014

Romance of Celadon...YSL La Laque Couture 50 Bleu Celadon

YSL's La Laque Couture in 50 Bleu Celadon is a beautiful, celadon-blue with a glossy creme finish.

The formula is absolutely superb in consistency, finish and performance. Bleu Celadon is a magnificent, airy, yet sophisticated Summer shade, and one of my favorite lacquers released last season.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

10/04/2014

Patriotic Package From Bellyhead

I received another package from my sista Jane, aka Bellyhead, ake Wondegondigo. Jane, you may not believe this (actually, you should), but you are one of my blogging muses.

Look at all the new, fun toys I have to play with :D

This note is my favorite thing from the box. I just heart you Jane <3

And my second favorite item was the Chanel Illusion D' Ombre in 86 Ebloui. Ebloui is one of my favorite Illusion D' Ombre EVER! Last fall, while I was on a job, I gave mine to a client. I meant to pick another one up; however, I kept putting it off until I decided to repurchase it two weeks ago. I couldn't find it ANYWHERE online. I called the Chanel counter at Isetan, and discovered that my beloved 86 Ebloui had been discontinued. After exhausting all my avenues, and several anxiety attacks, I asked (more like pleaded) Jane, if she could try and track one down for me. I don't know who or what she sacrificed, but my sissy found one for me! Oh, happy days!!!

What have your received in the mail recently?

Don't forget my giveaway.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.