Deep Red...Hollywood 825 Artic Red Nail Polish

I'm 99.999% sure that I purchased this nail polish from my nail salon in Miami. I know nothing of this brand named Hollywood, nor have I seen the brand outside of my nail salon, or heard of it since. With that being written, this unsuspecting, unknown little bottle of polish surely is a dark horse among all of my polishes.

Oddly, the first coat of Hollywood's nail lacquer in 825 Artic Red is a beautiful dark, pink-red, but after a second and third coat (third coat not needed, I was just overzealous with the polish's application, color, and high shine), Artic Red turns into this dark, seductive, virile brown-blood red with a new sports car shine jelly finish; I live for these shades of red.

What's even more impressive about Hollywood 825 Artic Red is how well it performs. With its effortless application, opacity, glossiness, and seven-day-wear time, Artic Red checks off all the "what I love in a lacquer" boxes.

If you are into dark, blood-red polishes, I would definitely recommend trying to get your hands on Hollywood 825 Artic Red.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Out Of The Ashes...Salon de Pro 5A Hair Dye

Last week, I was out of the country for a friend's wedding and, as soon as I returned, I had loads of work awaiting me. Also, on Friday my friend, Koen, arrived from the Netherlands; so, I've been showing him around town. Today is a national holiday, so, finally, I have a day to myself, and I have many things to post.

First up: I dyed my hair. I'm very much inspired/influenced by the seasons, as I like to change my perfume, makeup color scheme, and hair-color based on the time of year.

Salon de Pro is a foam-type dye that doesn't require any mixing. Just shake the metal bottle thoroughly, connect the plastic nozzle to the bottle, and squeeze.

Hassle-free dispenser. 

Due to my lighting, the color looks warm. In person, the color is a lot darker, and the grayish-green tinge is more prominent. 

This Fall, I wanted to go darker, so I chose Salon de Pro hair dye in 5A dark ash brown. I am infatuated with the rich, grayish-green tinge of this dark ash color. I've received many compliments since I've dyed it...and that never hurts.  

Do you seasonally change your hair color?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

YSL Beauty Friends & Family Event

Go get yourself something pretty!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Giorgio Armani Beauty Friends & Family Event

I know what I'm going to be purchasing...Orient Excess Holiday Collection.

Are you eyeing anything from Armani Beauty?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

All The Holiday Cheer...Japanese Cosmetic Holiday Sets

Hey darlings, here is a sneak peek of the Japanese cosmetic brands Holiday sets I've picked up:

Suqqu Christmas Makeup Kit A (8,640 yen).
Suqqu Christmas Makeup Kit B (8,640 yen).
THREE Shimmering Color Veil Bijoux Box 01 (5,940 yen).
THREE Shimmering Color Veil Bijoux Box 02 (5,940 yen).
Addiction Tokyo Jazz Holiday Set (7,776 yen).
Les Merveilleuses Laduree Makeup Coffret 2014 (8,100 yen).

Review, swatches and looks coming soon!

What Holiday Sets have you picked up?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

When Paired With Oranges...Tasty Related, Not Beauty Related!

Another refreshment find from the convenient store is Orange Coca-Cola. I'm not sure if this is a new flavor pr not, but it's the first time I've seen it in Japan. Orange Coke tastes like a carbonated, orange-flavored Otter Pop (if you know what an Otter Pop is, give yourself two stars). 

I don't know if Orange Coca-Cola is limited edition or here to stay (pending its sales), but it's a flavor that I enjoy. 

Have you tried Orange Coca-Cola? 

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

My Little Peony...Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow EX-20 Natsubotan

When Suqqu released the Blend Color Eyeshadow in EX-20 Natsubotan (Summer Peony in Japanese) last Summer, I put it aside because the color arrangement didn't inspire me during the sweltering weather.

 Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow EX-20 Natsubotan. 

I finally cracked Natsubotan open a few weeks ago, and what a gorgeous palette it is! 

 Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow EX-20 Natsubotan swatches.

I totally adore the plummy-brown shadow in Natsubotan.

 Suqqu Balancing Cheeks N 02 Usuzakura.

 From left to right:  Balancing Cheeks N 02 Usuzakura, Bright Up Lipstick 02 Hanabeni.

Look Breakdown:

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

Suqqu Balancing Cheeks N 02  Usuzakura (the darker shade on the apples of the cheeks and the lighter shade to highlight).
Eyes:

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

Mac Mineralize Concealer in NW20.
Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (used to prime the lids).
Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow in  EX-20 Natsubotan:
The plummy-brown shade (all over the lid, blended into the inner crease and three-fourths of the lower lashline). 
The peony-pink shade (used to lightly blend out the edges of the plummy-brown shadow, and in the outer V). 
The barely-there ballet pink shade (in the inner corner)
The frosty pale pink shade (lightly patted on the arch of the brows). 
The ivory shade (in the inner corner and lightly dusted on the brow bone).
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar (used on the upper and lower lashline, to tightline, and on the waterline).
Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout.
Lips:

Mac Lip Pencil in Dervish.
Suqqu Bright Up Lipstick in 02 Hanabeni.

EX-20 Natsubotan will be getting a lot of use during this season, the next, and also Spring...I LOVE it!

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

I've Become A Captive Of My Own Enamel...Revlon Captive Coral Nail Enamel

Don't all these magnificent colors in the bottle remind you of an Autumn leaf?!  

What a glorious nail polish Captive Coral is! The colors are so complex, that I don't know where to begin in its description. Captive Coral is a mixture of a captivating, dark antiqued-gold, russet orange, dark coral pink duochrome with flashes of green, purple, and dark mustard; the only thing this nail enamel is missing is the kitchen sink!

To date, I have to say that Captive Coral is the MOST DIFFICULT polish to capture in photograph, and begrudgingly, I failed.

Although none of these picture show the true beauty that is Captive Coral, I hope you can see a small glimpse of it. 

 Not satisfied with these images, once I get my new lens (yes, I finally ordered it!), I most likely will revisit the photos.

Captive Coral was a limited edition nail enamel, and I have no idea how old it is. I just know I've had it for a long time. But, it truly is one of the most unique polishes in my collection.

Have you heard/seen/ or have Captive Coral?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

Mascara Is Essential! Givenchy Noir Couture 4-in-1 2 Brown Satin Mascara

I've written about this mascara before, in it's other colored reincarnations, and, whether it's the standard or waterproof formula, Givenchy's Noir Couture 4-in-1 Mascara never lets my lashes down (pun intended)!

Noir Couture 4-in-1 adds volume, it lengthens, and it holds an amazing curl, while conditioning the lashes.

2 Brown Satin is a warm, dark chocolate brown.

If your eyelashes are fair, or want definition, without the harshness that black mascaras can sometimes give, Brown mascaras are a great alternative.

Have you tried the Givenchy Noir Couture 4-in-1 Mascara?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

'In Another Dimension With Voyeuristic Intention. Well Secluded I see all...' The Rocky Horror Picture Show Collaboration.

Michael Rennie was ill
The Day the Earth Stood Stll
And Flash Gordon was there
in silver underwear
Claude Rains was The Invisible Man
Then something went wrong
For Fay Wray and King Kong
They got caught in the celluloid jam
Then at a deadly pace
It Came From Outer Space
And this is how the message ran...

What was meant to be a quartet, turned into a duo...but, I'm happy to do my first collaboration with my pal, the stunning Monika from Rocaille Writes. So, why don't you pay her a visit, or maybe a bite and checkout her Columbia.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show holds a special place in my heart.

As a kid, in the month leading up to Halloween, I would watch snippets of the film (particularly those of the time warp scene). I was captivated by the makeup, costumes, music, and overall dark, yet camp, tone of Rocky.

When I finally watched the entire film, it tapped into my subconscious, and I was hooked. I studied the movie incessantly, participated in the midnight showings, and in my senior year of high school, I got to play one of my favorite characters, Magenta, in our group musical ensemble. I swore, if I didn't get the part, I was going to have to Tanya Harding someone.

It's been well over 10 years since I've seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show. So, in remembrance of the spirit of the characters and film, I popped in the DVD...and this girl still has it! I remembered everything; reciting each line, and singing along, as I did things around my apartment. A fun way to get your cleaning done.

No need to adjust your monitors, this is my natural hair. I just combed out the curls to give it that Magenta flare. 

Also, this collaboration was very last minute. So, I wasn't able to get a costume mailed out to me on time.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
dr.brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer.
Dolce & Gabbana The Foundation Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation in Natural Glow 100.
Faceatelier Ultra Foundation in Zero Minus (mixed in with the Dolce & Gabbana Foundation).
Clinique Blended Face Powder in 08 Transparency Neutral (slapped on heavily to give the skin that extra powdery look).

Eyes:

MAC Paint Pot in Quite Natural (used as a base to create the half circular shape. Also used to fill in my brows).
MAC Eyeshadow in Corduroy (patted on the lid).
MAC GreasePaint Stick in Brown, Now (used on the edges)
MAC Blush in House Wine (layered over Brown, Now).
The Body Shop Shimmer Cube 03 Shade Snow White from the Cubes Palette 20 (used to highlight the shape and on the brow bone).
Italia Ultra Fine Eye Liner in Black (blended out on the upper and lower lashline, and used to tightline and on the waterline).

Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout.
Red Cherry False Lashes in #16 (top).
Dolly Wink False Lashes in 1 Dolly Sweet (bottom).

Lips:

MAC Lip Pencil in Auburn.
MAC Lipstick in Viva Glam.
Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick in 136 Balistic.

Hope you enjoyed this Halloween collaboration as much as I did. And don't forget, Don't Dream It, Be It!

Did you do anything for All Hallows' Eve? If you, what did you dress as?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time