2/27/2015

It's Always Milk Tea Time...Daily Delight Rich Milk Tea Lip Balm

Back on January 30th, I had a funny twitter conversation with the gorgeous Monika from Rocaille Writes, about our love of all things tea, Roman Polanski creepiness, and the possibility of racist bacon...the latter topic was interjected by my sissy Jane from Wondegondigo.

In that conversation, I mentioned the Daily Delight Lip Balm in Rick Milk Tea. I'm a huge lover of Royal Milk Tea, so, when I saw this milk tea scented lip balm, I had to try it.

The Daily Delight Lip Balm in Rick Milk Tea has a slightly waxy, slightly firm, petroleum jelly consistency, giving the lips a smooth, glossy sheen with a delcious, sweey milk tea scent that lasts for a few hours; shame that the balm isn't flavored as well.

The balm does a good job of keeping my pout moisturized. But, what's most impressive is, once the glossy sheen is gone, I found this lanolin beewax-based product leaves a film on the lips (a good kind of film) that acts as a barrier, preventing the loss of moisture and protecting my lips from the elements.

Daily Delight Rick Milk Tea Lip Balm is housed in a cute, aluminum pot with the brand's name embossed on the screw lid, and it contains 10g of product and retails for 626 yen.

Which lip balms are you using at the moment?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

2/26/2015

Words To Live By...Panda Express Edition

I posted this image on twitter, but it's too darn adorable that I had to also post it on the blog. I'll take them both :)

2/25/2015

A Musky Scent That Spoke Of Opulence...Sabon Musk Body Scrub

I've been lackadaisical with my exfoliation routine this Winter...and boy, has my skin paid the price. My skin has been incredibly itchy this season, and although I moisturize, I should have also been exfoliating to expose healthier skin cells to the surface.

So, being in the market for a body scrub, I, of course, turned to my favorite brand: Sabon. This time around, I went with an uncharted scent and choose Musk.

Musk scents can come across as being very abrasive and smelling "old." However, with their luxurious, quality ingredients, Sabon's Musk has this crisp, rich, woody fragrance without being overwhelming.

I'm not sure when this started, but the body scrubs (at least in Japan) now come with a cute little wooden scoop. It isn't as nice as the one they sell for 200 yen, but it get the job done.

Sabon Body Scrubs retail for 5,500 yen and contain 600g of product.

If you would like to read my post on Sabon's Lemon Mint body scrub (such a yummy scent), please click here.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

2/24/2015

Lady In Red...Loving MAC's Red, Red, Red Collection

Whether it be red lipstick, red eyeshadow, red blush, red nail polish, red colored clothing, red shoes, or red hair, my adoration for all things red is boundless. Actually, I've been contemplating dyeing my hair red again.

MAC's Red, Red, Red Collection is/was a gorgeously seductive, well-edited release, with a stunning promotional image that captivates your gaze. I really love everything about the promotional image.

From left to right: Give Me Fire, Strike While Haute, Red Alert Eyeshadow.

From left to right: Out for Fun, Secret Admirer, Hot Sensation, 5 Alarm.

Aside from Valentine's Day, I've worn the look below four times last week.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 in NC25.

MAC Sculpting Powder in Bone Beige (to lightly contour).

MAC Casual Colours in Secret Admirer (placed in the hollows of the cheeks, blended up and towards the apples of the cheeks).
MAC Casual Colours in Out for Fun (on the apples of the cheeks and blended outwards the hair line).
MAC Beauty Powder in Hot Sensation (blended on the forehead, bridge of the nose, under the eyes, cupid's bow, and chin).

Eyes:

Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.
MAC Mineralize Concealer in NC30 (placed under the eyes).

By Terry Touche Veloutee Highlighting Concealer in 02 Cream (placed on top of the MAC Mineralize Concealer).
MAC Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (eyeshadow base).
MAC Eyeshadow in Give Me Fire (on the lid).
MAC Eyeshadow in Red Alert (blended into one-third of the outer corner).
MAC Eyeshadow in Strike While Haute (in the crease, blended out and extended to a point, and on the lower lashline).
MAC Eyeshadow in Sketch (in the outer corner).
MAC Studio Chromagraphic Pencil in NW25/NC30 (on the lid as a base, inner corner and waterline).
Smashbox Limitless Eye Liner in Onyx (on the lashline and used to tightline).
MAC In Extreme Dimension Lash Mascara in Black Extreme (upper and lower lashes).
Super Doll Natural Wink False Lashes in No.02
Lips:
MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Trust in Red ((used to line and fill in the lips) .
MAC Lip Pencil in Burgundy (used in the corners of the lips and lightly along the inner part of the top and bottom lip).

MAC Lipstick in 5 Alarm.

From the playfully demure to the fiery seductive, I adore all the variations of reds within the collection.

Every single piece in this collection is a little seductress; the eyeshadows have a mesmeric allure (I love their names); the lipstick products deliver an enticing pout; the Casual Colours give an unabashed flush to the cheeks; and, the beauty powder provides the complexion with a coy afterglow.

The Red, Red, Red Collection was a limited edition release, but I just checked on maccosmetics.com, and all items are still available. I may just pick up some backups :)

What were your thoughts on MAC's Red, Red, Red Collection? Did you pick anything up?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

2/21/2015

Instantly Attracts Attention...MAC Red, Red, Red Studio Nail Lacquer

Sorry for the lack of posts, but February is always a busy month for me. I was going to post my Valentine's mani and look on Valentine's evening, but after Aki and I's v-day outing (went to a Vermeer Exhibition) and early dinner (I was wondering why we were dining so early), he surprised me with a 3-night getaway (he even packed a bag for me). I got home late Tuesday night, and was booked the remainder of the week...coming home at awful hours.

My Valentine's Day mani was MAC's Red, Red, Red Studio Nail Lacquer. Normally, I'm not a fan of the wear time of MAC nail lacquers, but, every now and then, I do pick up a polish, or two, from each of the million collections the brand releases each year.

Red, Red, Red is a beautiful, creamy, primary red, that is practically opaque (in one coat!), with a lovely glossy finish. Red, Red, Red went three days without a chip; a big feat since MAC polishes usually chip to the high heavens by the end of the first day.

Overall, I enjoy catching glimpses of my Red, Red, Red manicure, and I love how the polish looks on my nails.

What are your thoughts on MAC Lacquers?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

2/14/2015

Happy Valentine!

Domo-kun and I want to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day <3

2/11/2015

Forever Red, I Want To Be Forever Red...Bath & Body Works' Shower Gel

February's Shower Gel is a first time acquisition, Bath & Body Works' Forever Red. The first time I used the shower gel, I thought, "what took me so long to buy Forever Red?" because it smells amazing!

First off, I love the design of the bottle, and the way it feels in my hands. The shape of the bottle reminds me of the gems from the Capcom video game, Super Puzzle Fighter (I love that game).

Just like the bottle, forever Red's shower gel is red-colored; another pleasant surprise the first time I used it.

The fragrance notes in Forever Red are as follows:

Top Notes: Fiery Pomegranate, Rare French Peach, Luminous Apple.

Mid Notes: Red Peony, Night Marigold, Red Osmanthus.

Dry Notes: Rich Vanilla Rum, Velvety Marshmallow, Oak Wood.

The shower gel lathers nicely, leaving my skin clean, smooth, and smelling divine.

I definitely pick up all the fruity notes in Forever Red, along with the vanilla rum, oak wood, and red osmanthus. I love the smell of red (sweet) osmanthus, and you'll find it throughout Tokyo. Sweet osmanthus blooms in Autumn, so, whenever I'm walking around, and I catch a whiff of the flowers' scent in a breeze, it truly signifies Fall to me.

Forever Red has this crisp, seductive, sensual scent that, with each use, makes me fall deeper in love with it...quickly becoming one my favorite scents from BBW.

Have you tried the Forever Red Collection?

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.

2/11/2015

The Reflector Will Capture The Beams Of The Purple Crystal...Suqqu EX-21 Murasakisuishou Blend Color Eyeshadow

Yes, I've had this palette for several months now, and I'm just getting to posting on it now...but, I buy a LOT of makeup, and use things when I feel inspired to use them. Now, on with the wordy show!

I was besides myself, with excitement, when I saw the promo images for Suqqu's EX-21 Murasakisuishou Blend Color Eyeshadow Palette. I had set a reminder on my cellphone to ensure I wouldn't miss the pre-order date. I didn't have time to visit the counter, so I had to do a send-sale. When I received my parcel, I tore into the exterior packaging like a savage. The Palette was wrapped in this beautiful white paper, which I carefully took my time to unwrap. With pent-up anticipation, I opened the palette, and my first reaction was, "oh."

I had high hopes for the pink and gold in the palette, and I was a little disappointed because they were not as deep or rich in person as they were in the promotional postcard. Yes, colors tend to vary in photos than in person, but I was still a little let down.

Suqqu EX-21 Murasakisuishou Blend Color Eyeshadow Palette.

EX-21 Murasakisuishou translates to purple crystal in Japanese, and that theme is captures beautifully with the colors, and finish, of the eyeshadows.

Each pan, in the quad, is divided in half, so there are eight eye shadows in EX-21 Murasakisuishou, (twelve, if you mix both shadows in the pan together, and so on, and so on). Basically, this palette offers countless mixing, blending, and layering possibilities.

As with all Suqqu's Blend Color Eyeshadow palettes, the quality and performance of EX-21 Murasakisuishou is superb. Six of the eight shadows are an orgy of shimmer and sparkles, whereas the other two have a satin finish.

EX-21 Murasakisuishou swatches.

Color description from left to right:

A white-based, purply-pink with multi-colored shimmer.

A pale, warm, golden-yellow with multi-colored shimmer.

A warm, bronzed, fawn-taupe-brown shimmer.

A cool, plummy, taupe-brown with silver shimmer.

EX-21 Murasakisuishou swatches.

Color description from left to right:

A dark, khaki-brown shimmer.

A dark, plummy-grey shimmer.

An extremely pale, ballet-pink satin.

A pale, golden-cream satin.

From left to right: Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist 07 Sangoseki, 09 Zakuroseki.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (Medium 2).
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.

Bobbi Brown Face & Body Bronzing Duo (applied as a barely-there bronzer).

Suqqu Balancing Cheeks N 02 Usuzakura (both shades mixed together).

Eyes:

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

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
By Terry Touche Veloutee Highlighting Concealer in 02 Cream (placed under the eyes, and used to highlight).
MAC Paint Pot in Layin' Low (eyeshadow base).
Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow in EX-21 Murasakisuishou:
The golden-yellow shadow (placed in the inner one-third of the lid and inner corner).
The purply-pink shadow (patted on the center lid and blended into the center crease).
The bronzed, fawn-taupe-brown shadow (blended into the outer corner, crease and lower lashline).
The ballet-pink satin shadow (on the brow bone).
L'Oreal Le Grande Kohl Line & Define Pencil in Le Plum (used to tightline, on the waterline and upper and lower lashline).
Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara in 5 Violet Etonnant.
Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Feline Extravaganza Mascara in 01 Black Black.
Lips:
MAC Lip Pencil in Stripdown.
Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist in 09 Zakuroseki.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe (Medium 2).
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.
Bobbi Brown Face & Body Bronzing Duo (applied as a barely-there bronzer).
Suqqu Balancing Cheeks N 01 Momoshuiro (both shades mixed together).

Eyes:

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

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW25.
By Terry Touche Veloutee Highlighting Concealer in 02 Cream (placed under the eyes, and used to highlight).
MAC Paint Pot in Layin' Low (eyeshadow base).
Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow in EX-21 Murasakisuishou:
The plummy, taupe-brown (all over the lid).
The khaki-brown shadow (the outer V and blended into the crease).
The plummy-grey shadow (on the upper and lower lashline).
The golden-cream shadow (on the brow bone).
Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Feline Extravaganza Mascara in 01 Black Black.
Lips:
Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist in 07 Sangoseki.

EX-21 Murasakisuishou offers a well-executed, refined form of jewel-toned shimmer and sparkle. And, although I love this palette, and wouldn't be without it in my collection, if the pink and gold shadows were a little deeper, it would have taken my feelings for EX-21 Murasakisuishou from love to LOVE.

Please checkout my beloved Belly's stellar post on Suqqu's EX-21 Murasakisuishou here.

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time.