7/31/2015

A Scarlet Poppy Grew...Chanel 717 Coquelicot Le Vernis Nail Colour

I'm totally enamored with Chanel's 717 Coquelicot. I sometimes find myself cradling Coquelicot in my hands, thinking, how I almost passed it up...what a loss and shame, that would have been for my collection?!

Befitting its name, 717 Coquelicot is a sightly peppy, warm poppy (got a little tongue twister there) with a glossy, creme-jelly finish. The formula is absolutely dreamy! With it's "no hassle" application, 717 Coquelicot is almost opaque in one coat, and flawless after two.

Although not terrible unique, 717 Coquelicot is still a gorgeous shade, and its great formula and finish just adds to its vibrant, summertime beauty.

7/30/2015

Always Coca-Cola...Tasty Related, Not Beauty Related!

I'm a Pepsi girl, btw, and can I tell you how hard it is to find regular Pepsi in Japan?! And, I'm not talking about Pepsi Next Zero or whatever it's called (gosh, I can't handle diet soft drinks; they give me migraines).

Anyhow, I wanted to show you the neat packaging of this Coca-Cola tin bottle. I'm nor sure if this is new, or not...for all I know, it's been around for years, and I just got around to finally noticing it.

Have you seen this tin Coco-Cola bottle in your hemisphere?

7/30/2015

From The Belly Of The Unicorn Beast...Parcel From Bellyhead!

This package must have been delivered by Hermes, because Belly sent it last Friday (from the states), and luckily, I was off to receive it today. If you do the math, that's only 5 days!

Sissy, thank you for allowing me to use your mailbox to procure these goodies. Be on the lookout...you have a mystery parcel coming your way...don't worry, it doesn't tick :P

7/30/2015

Me And My Shaaaadows...Addiction Eyeshadow Swatches Part Ichi

A few months ago, as I was doing a celebratory dance after purchasing the last four shadows and completing my Addiction eyeshadow collection, the brand goes ahead and announces a total overhaul of their shadows...just once, can a girl ever catch a break?!

In lieu of the Addiction's upcoming August 7th release of the brand's new and revamped, 99 shade eyeshadow lineup, I'm going to post in four installments, swatches of the Addiction eyeshadows in my collection (80 in total).

Addiction eyeshadows come in four finishes: Matte (M), Metallic (ME), Pearl (P), Sparkle (S).

From left to right: Paper Doll 001M, Sugar Angel 002P, Snow Magic 003S, Snow Bouquet 004S.

Paper Doll 001M: a snow white.

Sugar Angel 002P: a wedding dress-white.

Now, the next four shadows are categorized as "Sparkle." But, instead of having a dry texture, they have a petroleum-like-gel consistency. These are some of the shades going bye-bye; a shame because, whether worn alone or over another shadow, they add a mesmerizing, multidimensional sparkle to the lids.

Snow Magic 003S (discontinued): a semi-gray-clear base, loaded with silver and gunmetal glitter.

Snow Bouquet 004S (discontinued): a semi-pink-clear base, loaded with silver, pink and red glitter.

From left to right: Snow Bird 005S, Snow Venus 006S, Beige 007M, Ice Wall 008ME.

Snow Bird 005S (my favorite of the four, and discontinued): a semi-chartreuse-clear base, loaded with silver, yellow-gold, lime-green and baby pink glitter.

Snow Venus 006S (discontinued): a semi-platinum-clear base, loaded with silver, gold and platinum glitter.

Beige 007M: just that, beige.

Ice Wall 008ME: a pearlized-beige.

From left to right: Sandcastles 009P, Magic Flute 010P, Sandbar 011P, Rigoletto 012ME.

Sandcastles 009P: a pale, muted, mustard-yellow.

Magic Flute 010P: a pale, wheat-yellow.

Sandbar 011P: an icy, pale, pinkish-peach-flesh-tone.

Rigoletto 012ME: a coppery-peach.

From left to right: Truffle 013M, Chocolat 014M, Nostalgia 015P, Dolce Vita 016P.

Truffle 013M: a muted, mauvish-berry-reddish brown.

Chocolat 014M: ochre-based brown with tiny gold sparkles.

Nostalgia 015P: a warm, taupe-brown with tiny silver glitter.

Dolce Vita 016P: golden-yellow-based, antique-brown, with copper and gold shimmer.

From left to right: Fudge 017ME, Bagdad Cafe 018P, Joker 019M, Keshi 020P.

Fudge 017ME: a deep, rusty-brown with copper shimmer.

Bagdad Cafe 018P: an ash-bark-brown with gold and copper shimmer.

Joker 019M: a coal-black.

Keshi 020P: a deep graphite with blue shimmer.

Addiction eye shadows contain 1.2g of product and retail for 2,160 yen. I hope you enjoyed the first installment of my Addiction eyeshadows. If you have any questions, please feel free to email or tweet me.

7/29/2015

F is For FREE, But It's Also For Fantastic!

Hello guys, I hope everyone is fairing well. To all my International darlings, for the nest 48 hours, Rescue Beauty Lounge is offering FREE WORLDWIDE shipping on rescuebeauty.com. So, if you've ever wanted to try their polishes, or, like myself, want to expand your RBL collection (already have six lacquers in my cart), now is as good of a time as any!

7/28/2015

Enabling Your Beauty Habits...Addiction By Ayako Giveaway!

Who said 13 was an unlucky number? We only have 13 day left in the Addiction giveaway, and I bet you can't wait to see who the winner will be; I know I can't.

Once again, the Prizes (all items are paid for by moi):

One Addiction Compact Case II.
Four Addiction Eyeshadows.
One Addiction Blush.
One Addiction Cheek Stick.
One Addiction Lipstick.

What you have to do and how to increase your chances to win (same method as one of my older giveaways):

1. All gorgeous members (via the members section on the blog) automatically get one entry. So, don't forget to click the "Join this site" button.

2. In the comment section, please write what items you would choose if you won. This will earn you two entries.

3. If you blog about/or tweet this giveaway, you'll earn another three entries into the hat. (please link the post in the comments, thank you!).

The Enabling Your Beauty Habits Giveaway ends on August 9th, 11:59 (GMT+9).

7/28/2015

Red Sky At Night, Lizzy's Delight...Suqqu EX-01 Benikakesora Eye Color Palette

Suqqu's Summer 2015 limited edition Eye Color Palettes in EX-01 Benikakesora and EX-02 Yosaizora (my first trios from the brand), were a refreshing aesthetic (and monetary) twist from the usual quad collection releases. And, today post is all about EX-01 Benikakesora (red tinted sky in Japanese).

I love when mirrors share the same length, and width, of the palettes they're housed in.

I had pre-ordered both trios sight unseen...risky, I know, but I like to live on the wilder side of beauty.

After the usual, googly-eyed, response of seeing both palettes in the flesh, those initial affections turned into a severe crush as I swatched them.

A deep, red-based, purple-plum with a satin finish.

A medium-peach, with a coppery-golden sheen and satin finish.

A semi-sheer white loaded with micro-shimmer.

I accompanied Aki to an informal work-related event yesterday, and this is the look I wore:

Don't worry, my hair is still golden olive. It's just this reddish hue.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer.
Suqqu Lighting Liquid (mixed with foundation, and also applied on the forehead, center of the bridge of the nose, cupid's bow, chin and cheekbones).
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Medium 3 (Stromboli).
Les Merveilleuses Laduree Mixed Pressed Cheek Color in 103.

Eyes:
Shu Uemura Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil in Walnut Brown 07.

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30.
By Terry Touche Veloutee Highlighting Concealer Brush in 2 Cream.

MAC Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (eyeshadow base).
Suqqu Eye Color Palette in EX-01 Benikakesora:
The plum shade (all over the lid, and into upward into the inner crease then downward towards the outer corner, and on the lower lashline).
The peach shade (used to diffuse the plum shadow in the crease, in the inner corner, center lid and lower lash line.
The white shimmer shade (on the brow bone).
Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Onyx (used to tightline).
Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Amethyst (on the waterline).
Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Mystic Blacks Mascara in 01 Mysterious Black.
Lips:
MAC Lip Pencil in Stripdown.
Visee Creamy Lipstick in PK804 (patted on the lips then blended out with a lip brush).

I've never understood the popularity of the garishly-juvenile, "turn the beat around" disco ball, no-holds-barred glitter shadows in Japan; basically, the main reason I rarely purchase Japanese drugstore eye shadows. However, higher-end brands, like Suqqu, execute glittery-based shadows beautifully; hence giving them a sophisticated texture as with the shimmery white in EX-01 Benikakesora.

I love the pairing of various shades of purple and oranges; and EX-01 Benikakesora's plum and peach shades are stellar! both of these eyeshadows have an "I can't believe it's not butter", buttery-smooth texture that is absolutely AH-MAZ-ING! I wonder how they would taste on some toast?

So, whether wearing you're two of the eyeshadows from the palette, or layering all three, the shades in EX-01 Benikakesora, create a gorgeous, harmonious union.

I checked suqqu.com and both limited editions are still available. The Suqqu Eye Color Palettes retail for 5,184 yen.

7/25/2015

How To Paint Your Dragon(Fruit)...Paul & Joe 008 Nail Polish

There's no need for a siesta with the, highly intoxicating, Sangria-colored packaging and enlivening eye shadow duos, lip glosses, and nail polishes from the Paul & Joe Summer 2015 Midnight Sangria Collection...it really stuck a bandurria chord with me.

Paul & Joe always do an outstanding job with their packaging, and I'm really loving the Spanish tile inspired print of the exterior packaging.

As awkward as it is to hold, and photography, I really love the sculpted chrysanthemum detail and the retro shape of the nail polish bottles.

I always appreciate the little details.

Dragon Fruit 008 is a punchy, dragon fruit-pink; a fun shade for Summer. The formula of Dragon Fruit is to die for! After two coats, the jelly-creme formula gives your nails a flawless, undiluted pigmentation with a high-gloss shine. I started to experience tip wear on the fifth day...very good, indeed! For those sensitive to scents, when dry, Paul & Joe polishes do have a soft scent that I want to say/write is floral. But, I can't exactly pinpoint the fragrance, so we'll stick with the floral scent description. I never understood the point of scented polishes. I mean, just visualize the awkwardness of you, with your fingers pressed up against your nostrils, sniffing at your nails as someone passes by...no...no, thank you.

Anyway, enough of my babble, Dragon Pink is a lively, tropical, summer pink and I love it!

Btw, I checked online, and the entire collection is available on beautyhabit.com and b-glowing.com.

What pink polishes are you enjoying this Summer?

7/24/2015

An Unsightly Lip...Visee PK804 Creamy Lipstick

Question: do you have products floating around in your collection, with the hopes of one day liking them or finding a way to make them work for you?

Ignore the brush marks on the lipstick.

Well, that's my predicament with the Visee Creamy Lipstick in PK804. I got PK804 back in Spring of 2014, when my beloved Kate, asked me to pick one for her (one for her, one for me).

Having only worn PK804 four times, I found the lipstick's excessively slippery formula didn't lend itself to be applied directly from the tube; doing so results in an exorbitant amount of product on the lips and unevenness. Also, this lipstick made its home into ever single line on my lips, dried them out, and left them a chapped, patchy stained mess. The only way to get PK804 to work for me is to: prep the lips with loads of balm, and either apply with a lip brush or pat it onto the lips.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with Visee's PK804 Creamy Lipstick...but for now, I'm going to keep trucking and give it a few more chances.

Do you have any lipsticks in your stash that you have issues with?

7/21/2015

Battle Of Rivoli...Lancome Virtuose Doll Eyes Doll Lash Effect Mascara Wide-Eye look Gris Rivoli 06

As I was putting away a box (filled with the accumulation of three weeks worth of makeup back in their proper homes), I came across Lancome's limited edition Spring 2015 Virtuose Doll Eyes Mascara in Gris Rivoli 06 (4,720 yen).

To be fair, I rarely fall for a mascara at "first coat"; it takes about a week or two, allowing the formula to dry out a bit, in order for me to become all wrapped up and taken (or not) with a mascara.

Sadly (and, notably for the price point), this was not the case with Lancome's Virtuose Doll Eyes Doll Lash Effect Mascara Wide-Eye look. I've tried SO hard to make myself like this mascara, really, I have. I fell in love with the patina-dark grey with a slight taupey-lavender sheen; absolutely gorgeous! However, from the wand to the formula, every aspect of this mascara was an all-time fail!

The wand is flimsy; it doesn't hold onto the lashes, provides zero resistance when combing through, and barely (if at all) deposits any product.

And, the formula...the formula did absolutely NOTHING! Forget giving your lashes a doll-like effect and wide-eyed look (that's laughable), instead, it caused my lashes to stick to one another; thus, creating one giant mess of a lash. Heck, I even tried using one of MAC's disposable wands to see if I could get this mascara to work, and koka ga nai (that's "no effect" in Japanese. See, I taught you some Japanese :P).

The only thing the Virtuose Doll Eyes Mascara was able to do was hurt my eyes. When combing at the base of my lashes, the mascara's fibers would get into my eyes, causing me a world of pain. If you want to punish your lashes, and like the watery, irritated red eye look, then Lancome's Virtuose Doll Eyes Mascara in Gris Rivoli 06 is for you.

7/20/2015

Olive it! L'Oreal Paris Feria 3D Color 87 Provence Olive

I can't believe I haven't dyed my hair since November of last year. For someone who changes her hair color ever few months, that's just downright unacceptable!

The usual suspects.

I wanted to go back to the greenish cast from Beautylabo's Royal Brown and L'Oreal's Feria 3D Color 81 Pearl Ash that I loved, but also go a little lighter for Summer; hence, enter in L'Oreal Paris Feria 3D Color 87 Provence Olive.

My indoor lighting is too yellow to capture the true color of 87 Provence Olive (can someone send me daylight bulbs, that don't exist in Japan). So, here I am sitting in front of my sliding doors today.

I'm in love, love, LOVE with the golden olive, with a kiss of ash color of 87 Provence Olive (btw, I use four boxes to dye this mane of mine). I dyed my hair two days ago, and I've received tons of compliments...I even got stopped by someone on the Aoyama platform. I think I'll be keeping this color for a while ^-^

A little tip (a.k.a what I do when I go lighter), when dyeing your hair, don't forget the eyebrows. I just dip a disposable spoolie into whatever is left in the bottle, and carefully comb the dye through the brows (make sure not to get any in your eyes...no bueno!). I usually keep the dye on my brows for 10 to 20 minutes, then wipe it off with a damp cotton bud.

Do you dye your hair? If so, What color are you sporting now?

7/19/2015

I'm Just Well Mixed...Les Merveilleuses Laduree Summer 2015 Mixed Pressed Cheek Color Swatches

When Laduree released their 2015 Summer Collection, I gave a sigh of monetary relief at the modest selection of beauty products in the collection; four Mixed Pressed Cheek Colors (103, 104, 105 and 106) and the Pressed Cheek Color Case III (all limited edition of course).

Pressed Cheek Color Case III (1,620 yen) with Cinderella-blue colored cameo and border.

From left to right: 103 & 104 (4,104 yen).

From left to right: 105 & 106 (4,104 yen).

And being a fanatic of blushers, you know I had to buy them all. I find that the mixed pressed blushers have more of a satiny finish than the blushers in the permanent range; thus, giving the cheeks a pretty, translucent, soft luminous flush.

7/19/2015

Enabling Your Beauty Habits...Addiction By Ayako Giveaway!

Only 22 days until we have a winner!

Once again, the Prizes (all items are paid for by moi):

One Addiction Compact Case II.
Four Addiction Eyeshadows.
One Addiction Blush.
One Addiction Cheek Stick.
One Addiction Lipstick.

What you have to do and how to increase your chances to win (same method as one of my older giveaways):

1. All gorgeous members (via the members section on the blog) automatically get one entry. So, don't forget to click the "Join this site" button.

2. In the comment section, please write what items you would choose if you won. This will earn you two entries.

3. If you blog about/or tweet this giveaway, you'll earn another three entries into the hat. (please link the post in the comments, thank you!).

The Enabling Your Beauty Habits Giveaway ends on August 9th, 11:59 (GMT+9).

7/16/2015

The Exclusive Goal Of Taste

We're almost one month into Summer, and the weather as been everything but Summery. We had three days of sun, and of course, I decided to take the next few days off and we're back to cloudy skies.

Lately, I've been giving a lot of love to Chanel's Rouge Allure in 152 Insaisissable, and here's a look of me wearing Insaisissable on a casual outing.

I took this photo well-over five months ago, and trust me, it no longer looks this way.

Are you are much of a sucker for pattern designs on products as I am? I'm like a "hungry hippo," gobbling them up at the beauty counters. I don't mean to sound like an ingrate because I do like the Jardin de Chanel Blush Camelia Rose Blusher. However, as precious as the two-tone Camellia Rose design is, and as pretty as the warm,muted rosy-pink flush is, I must be frank, the shade isn't terribly unique.

Swatches of the beauty products used in the look below:

From left to right: 82 Emerveille Illusion d' Ombre, 417 Beige Lame Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow, 62 Ambre Le Crayon Khol, 69 Clair Le Crayon Khol, 152 Insaisissable Rouge Allure.

Jardin de Chanel Blush Camelia Rose swatched individually, third swatch is the two shades combined.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer.
Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Sheer Illuminating Fluid Sunkissed (applied under foundation and to highlight).
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Medium 3 (Stromboli) switched to my Summer shade.
Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Luminous Bronzing Powder in 907 Sable Beige.
Chanel Jardin de Chanel Blush Camelia Rose .

Eyes:
Shu Uemura Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil in 02 Seal Brown.

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30.

MAC Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (eyeshadow base).
Chanel Le Crayon Khol in 69 Clair (used to shade the brows and highlight the brow bone).
Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint For Eyes in 04 Ample Amber (on the lid and blended into the crease).
Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow in 417 Beige Lame (applied over 04 Ample Amber).
Chanel Illusion d' Ombre in 82 Emerveille (patted over the center of the lid and lower lash line).
Chanel Le Crayon Khol in 62 Ambre (used to tightline and winged-out on the upper lash line).
Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Mystic Blacks Mascara in 01 Mysterious Black.
Lips:
Chanel Rouge Allure in 152 Insaisissable.

7/08/2015

Seems Like Without Tenderness There's Something Missing...Chanel 641 Tenderly Le Vernis Nail Colour

What's the weather like on your side of the world? For the last month (yes, an entire month), I've been plagued with grey skies and/or heavy rains; the rainy season this year has been merciless.

The weather has been all gloom and showers, with a few sparse days of sunshine (on days I work of course. Curse Murphy and his law!).

Anyway, a large amount of the Summer Collections I've purchased are waiting to be shipped from the states (love you sissy), and what I do have here, I have them tucked away, waiting for brighter days for swatching.

Until then, and more fitting for the current weather, I've continued using many of the muted colored products from previous Spring Collections.

I own all three of the Le Vernis Nail Colours from the Reverie Parisienne Spring 2015, but I must say, 641 Tenderly is my favorite. I adore mute shades, and Tenderly is a beautiful muted, medium grayish-plum-mauve. I found Tenderly had a great formula and had a long wear time (about five days). Also, I loved the "no need for a top coat" high shine of the creme-jelly finish.

7/05/2015

A Work-Beauty Balance...THREE Balancing Cleansing Oil

THREE's philosophy of balance of mind, body and skin permeates throughout the entire brand. Yet, it's ethos is particularly evident in it's skincare line.

Through the years (and tons of THREE purchases), I've probably tried about three months worth of the Balancing Cleansing Oil sample packets. After finishing the SK-II's Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil, it was finally time to purchase a full size bottle.

My aesthetic is far from being minimalistic, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the smooth surface and edges of the simplistically sleek, semi- transparent frosted bottle.

THREE's Balancing Cleansing Oilcleanser has an ambrosial bouquet of lemon and rosemary, giving it an invigorating aromatherapy effect.

Primarily, I use the Balancing Cleansing Oil to remove my makeup; btw, it does a fantastic job at dissolving the most stubborn waterproof makeup. With dry hands, I massage (in circular motions) 2 pumps onto dry skin, beginning at the center, working outwards, then use one more pump on the eyes. After a few minutes, I lightly wet my hands and continue to massage, emulsifying the product. After rinsing, all traces of makeup are gone and my face feels firm and looks clear and toned.

As provided of the THREE website, the components of the Balancing Cleansing Oil are:

Grape seed oil, tri (caprylic acid / capric acid) glyceryl, tea seed oil, squalane, ethylhexyl palmitate, triisostearate PEG-20 glyceryl isostearate, pentylene glycol, rose hip oil *, jojoba seed oil *, Rose Marie oil *, Alga near spinosa kernel oil *, shea butter *, beeswax *, orange peel oil *, bergamot fruit oil *, Nyuukouju oil *, marjoram leaf oil *, meadowfoam oil, olive oil, theobroma grunge Furoru seedless fat , isostearate PEG-12, tocopherol, phenoxyethanol * Soil Association Certified and organic raw materials

THREE's Balancing Cleansing Oil retails for 4,320 yen (200ml).