2/29/2016

From Dusk Till Aoi

I adore the pairing of Suqqu's EX-26 Yuuaoi Blend Color Eyeshadow, 12 Benihachimitsu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist, and Ex-01 Mizudaidai Gradation Cheeks (released in Fall 2012. Kicking myself for not buying a backup).

Every single shadow of EX26 Yuuaoi is a dream. At first, I had reservations about the cream shadow, but after applying it on my lids, I was soon eating my hat. The cream base looks stunning on its own, under or over eye shadows, and even as a highlight; absolutely gorgeous, folks.

Color description from left to right:

EX26 Yuuaoi:

A soft, warm, peachy-pink with a shimmery, pearl finish.

A mid-toned, warm, bronzed-copper-rose with a shimmery, pearl finish.

A mid-toned navy blue, with multi-colored micro-shimmer and a semi-matte-satin finish.

A soft, pink-undertoned, ivory cream shadow with a gold sheen.

12 Benihachimitsu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist: a muted, coral-peach with brown undertones.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Medium 2 (Santa Fe).
Suqqu Gradation Cheeks in Ex-01 Mizudaidai (the deeper shade on the cheeks, and the lighter shade used to highlight and under the eyes).
Eyes:

B & C Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30.
MAC Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (eyeshadow base).
Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow in EX-26 Yuuaoi:
The ivory cream shadow (used as a base).
The bronzed-copper-rose shadow (applied on the lid, blended into the crease and along the lower lashline).
The peachy-pink shadow (used to blend out the crease, up to the brow bone and the inner corner).
The navy blue shadow (blended on top of EX-02 Navy on the upper and lower lashline).
Suqqu Eyeliner Creamy in EX-02 Navy (along the upper and lower lashline and used on the lower waterline).
Dolce & Gabbana Passion Eyes Mascara in Blu Indaco 3.

Lips:
Mac Lip Pencil in Stripdown.
Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist in 12 Benihachimitsu.

I love EX26 Yuuaoi and 12 Benihachimitsu to pieces! Both products can be worn throughout the year without a hitch <3

2/28/2016

Sending Smoke Signals...Butter London Big Smoke Nail Lacquer

A sultry swirl of smoke and the twilight of a midnight sky, Butter London's Big Smoke is a radiant, deep, sapphire-blue with a semi-metallic finish.

Perfect after two applications, Big Smoke has a great formula. The finish isn't as glossy as I would like, so, it does require a top coat. I do experience chipping on the fourth day, but hey, that's still a good amount of wear time.

Big Smoke is a beautiful shade of deep blue, and it reminds me of a stunning Starry night.

2/25/2016

Blue Never Smelled so good...Sabon Blue No.533 Body Scrub

Sabon's Motto is "The Essence Of Pleasure" and the brand's Body Scrubs (along with all their products) are just that, an experience in pleasure and luxury.

Funny, the last time I posted something on a Sabon Body Scrub was exactly one year ago to date. When Winter started, I choose the scent Blue No.533 from the brand's men's collection.

Blue No.533 has more of a masculine scent. Even so, its fragrance notes of Fresh Citrus Tree, Sandalwood, Rose, Patchouli, and others, make Blue No.533 a lovely fragrance for both sexes.

I use Sabon's body scrubs about two to three times a week; and, they contain finest natural ingredients of Dead Sea Salt, and some natural oils, like Vitamin E, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Borage Oil. These scrubs keep my skin impeccably moisturized and soft, keeping all itchiness at bay, as well as smelling divine!

If you would like to read my other Sabon Body Scrub posts, please read here and here.

2/25/2016

Blush, Blush, Baby Giveaway

29 weeks and six day reminder of my Blush, Blush, Baby Giveaway.

The prizes...one blush of your choice from each brand: Addiction, THREE, Laduree, Suqqu, and Chicca.

What you have to do: in the comments, please list your favorite blushers, what upcoming blushes are you pining for, and what Addiction, THREE, Laduree, Suqqu, and Chiccs blushers would you choose.

To increase your chances of wining (same method as all my previous giveaways):

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.

For every blog post, tweet, or whatever form of social media you use, mention the giveaway, and you'll earn another two entries per mention (please link the post in the comments, thank you!).

The What Makes You Blush Giveaway ends on August 9th, 11:59p.m. (GMT+9).

This giveaway is open internationally.

If you have any questions, feel free to message me in the comments.

2/25/2016

Breaking The Waves...Bath & Body Works' Freshwater Waves & Sandalwood Shower Gel

Blue, in both, packaging and liquid, February's Shower Gel, Bath & Body Works' Freshwater Waves & Sandalwood fits perfectly with my whole "blue" theme.

The key notes: Drenched Lime, Sunkissed Sandalwood, Sea Breeze, and Water Blossom.

Freshwater Waves & Sandalwood's unisex scent is that of the salty ocean air during the Winter. The Fragrance kinda reminds me of Frederic Fekkai's Marine Summer Hair Beach Waves Spray.

At first, I liked the scent, but now I've grown sick of it...and, I find myself using more product, just so I can be done with it quicker.

2/24/2016

Leaving Paris Behind

Continuing with my blue series, I present to you, Marc Jacobs' Style Eye-Con No.7 in The Parisienne.

Have you ever had a palette in your collection that you didn't recall why it was only used once, and upon using it again, you knew why? That's Marc Jacobs' The Parisienne Style Eye-Con No.7 Palette for me.

When Marc Jacobs Beauty first launched, I wasn't rushing to the virtual checkout. However, I was enticed by the limited edition moniker on some of the products, and I thought it would be a good time to give the brand a go.

The blush and lip products are great, and the nail vernises are fantastic, but the eyeshadow palette?... not so much, and I'd almost say it was a disappointment.

The eyeshadows are pigmented and swatch beautifully, but some of the shadow are drier in texture, and those shadows apply and blend like a patchy mess; thus, causing me to not reach for the palette. I'm trying to give all the palettes in my collection more "one-on-one" time, therefore, I used The Parisienne for my Valentine's Day look as well as the rest of last week. Here are two of the looks I wore more than twice.

Swatches of all the products used:

The Parisienne Style Eye-Con No.7.

The Parisienne Style Eye-Con No.7 (cont.), 218 Tantalizing Shameless Bold Blush, 146 Cabaret Lovemarc Lip Gel, 316 Shooting Star Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyl .

My Valentine's look.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Medium 2 (Santa Fe).
Marc Jacobs Shameless Bold Blush in 218 Tantalizing.
Les Merveilleuses Laduree Shimmering Pressed Powder in 103 (dusted all over the face).
Eyes:

B & C Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30.
MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre (eyeshadow base).
Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No.7 in The Parisienne:
The burgundy shadow (patted onto the inner half of the lid, and used to blend the grayish-blue shadow along the lower lashline).
The grayish-blue shadow (patted on the outer half of the lashline and along the lower lashline).
The grayish-beige shadow (in the inner corner and brow bone).
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Blacquer 42.
Dolce & Gabbana Passion Eyes Mascara in Blu Indaco 3.

Lips:
Marc Jacobs Lovemarc Lip Gel in 146 Cabaret.

Look Breakdown:

B & C Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30.
MAC Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (eyeshadow base).
Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No.7 in The Parisienne:
The blue shadow (patted onto the inner half of the lid, and used to blend the grayish-blue shadow along the lower lashline).
The murky-olive shadow (patted on the outer half of the lashline and along the lower lashline).
The vanilla-white shadow (patted on to the center of the lid, in the inner corner, brow bone and along the waterline).
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Blacquer 42.

Dolce & Gabbana Passion Eyes Mascara in Blu Indaco 3.

Lips:
Marc Jacobs Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyl in 316 Shooting Star.

There are three other palettes I want to buy, but they'll have to wait until my next trip to the states (so I can swatch them in person, or the next promotional savings).

What Marc Jacobs Beauty products have you tried, loved or were disappointed with?

2/14/2016

Before Midnight...Marc Jacobs 184 Midnight in Paris Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Polish

It's grey and rainy this valentine's. Therefore, in keeping with the ambiance (and the holiday), this year's V-day mani is Marc Jacobs' Midnight in Paris.

I love the sleek design and heft of the bottle.

Midnight in Paris was my first Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Polish, and I was very impressed at how incredibly pigmented, and smooth, the formula was; the application was a breeze.

184 Midnight in Paris is a rich, blackened-indigo cream polish, with a superior shine. Extremely dark, it almost looks black, yet there's a gorgeous depth to the indigo that it gives an edgy-sophistication to the nails.

Not only is the formula, the shade, and the finish great, but the performance is also top notch. I usually get a full seven days of flawless wear from Midnight in Paris.

Although a limited edition shade from a year and some-odd months ago, Midnight in Paris is still available on marcjacobs.com.

2/14/2016

When You're Feeling Blue...Dolce & Gabbana Blu Indaco 3 Passion Eyes Mascara

From the inception of this blog, I've had a list of several conceptual post series I want to do. Finally, I'm bring one of those ideas to fruition.

Inspired by one of my favorite artists, Picasso, and one of my favorite periods of his work, So Lonely in Gorgeous is entering into her own blue period.

I've been on a dark blue kick recently, especially pertaining to mascaras; I guess this series couldn't have come at a better time.

I love wearing Dark blue mascaras; they're a great way to define the lashes, enhance and brighten my eye color and give a vibrant, little "something special" to the usual focal point of my face other than the standard, stark, black mascara.

Over the last two years, Dolce & Gabbana's Passion Eyes Mascara has become one of my favorite mascaras; both, the formula and wand are incredible!

First, the wand. The wand has a modest curve that hugs the lashes perfectly; thus, allowing you to get very close to the root. Each of the bristles are tailored to emulate the length of the lashes, with the inner bristles being shorter, longer throughout the middle, and tampering again towards the end. The combination of the wand's curvature and the various lengths of the densely packed bristles allows for perfect separation, and definition, while coating each individual lash.

Blu Indaco 3: a deep, midnight-indigo blue.

The formula has a thick, creamy consistency and runs on the drier side (that's a good thing). I don't believe this mascara is waterproof , but it doesn't smudge or flake. Passion Eyes claims to be a "no need for a eyelash curler" mascara, and being that my lashes are naturally curled (and thick and long), I can't really attest to that claim. However, I will say, it did seem to enhance the curl, and I don't get the random "wonky" lash with Passion Eyes. Also, the formula provides some extra length and fullness; giving my lashes a long-lasting, beautiful, natural-looking, flared-out effect. I love applying this mascara, and no matter how many times I comb through my lashes, the formula never clumps...ever!

Dolce & Gabbana's Passion Eyes Mascara retails for $29.50 and comes in two other colors: Nero 1 and Terra 2.

2/13/2016

Blush, Blush Baby Giveaway

Last week was rough, but my bout of the seven day plague has finally lifted! Here's a reminder of my blush giveaway.

The prizes...one blush of your choice from each brand: Addiction, THREE, Laduree, Suqqu, and Chicca.

What you have to do: in the comments, please list your favorite blushers, what upcoming blushes are you pining for, and what Addiction, THREE, Laduree, Suqqu, and Chiccs blushers would you choose.

To increase your chances of wining (same method as all my previous giveaways):

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.

For every blog post, tweet, or whatever form of social media you use, mention the giveaway, and you'll earn another two entries per mention (please link the post in the comments, thank you!).

The What Makes You Blush Giveaway ends on August 9th, 11:59p.m. (GMT+9).

This giveaway is open internationally.

I'm really excited for this giveaway, and I'm look forward to your entries!

2/11/2016

Dance Through The Masquerade

I don't want this entrancing dance with Cle de Peau's Collection Bal Masque Makeup Coffret (Gemma), to ever end!

Cle de Peau describes the radiant and lavish colors of the limited edition coffret as "inspired by the magical, opulence of a glamorous Venetian Masquerade ball." The set includes: an eye color quad in 314, a perfect lash mascara in 3, and the extra rich lipstick in 314.

The Gemma mask design on each of the products, the palette and lipstick's beveled-cut exterior packaging, exudes elegance.

Keeping in fashion with the whole masquerade ball theme, the shadows themselves are embossed with a mask design.

All four eye shadows have a shimmery, semi-metallic finish. When applied thinly, these finely milled, silky shadows have a beautiful translucency; however, they are pigmented, and only require a few layers to achieve opaque radiance.

A dark, smoky, brownish-plum.

A antiqued, amber-gold.

A olive green with a golden sheen.

A taupish-platinum with a lavender sheen.

As you well know, I have an affinity for colored mascaras, and the deluxe-sized Perfect Lash Mascara in 3 was an nice treat. The wand has a subtle curve, and applies the right amount of product onto the lashes. The Perfect Lash Mascara defines, lengthens, and curls.

The Extra Rich Lipstick is the proverbial red bow of the coffret. With its creamy texture, and brilliant pigmentation, the lipstick has a beautiful velvet-satin finish.

From left to right: Perfect Lash Mascara 3, Powder Blush Duo 105, Extra Rich Lipstick 314.

3: A deep, glossy, more-plum-leaning Bordeaux.

314: is a bold, deep, crimson red.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Medium 2 (Santa Fe).
Cle de Peau Powder Blush Duo in 105 (both shades mixed together).
Eyes:

B & C Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30.
MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre (eyeshadow base).
Cle de Peau Eye Color Quad in 314:
The gold shade placed in the inner corner and along the brow bone.
The platinum shade placed on the inner half of the lid and along the lower lashes in a "V" shape.
The green shade placed on the outer half of the lid.
The brownish-plum in the outer V and patted over the liner along the upper lashline,

Random black kohl eyeliner from Italy.
Cle de Peau Perfect Lash Mascara in 3.
Lips:
Daily Delight Rick Milk Tea Lip Balm.
Cle de Peau Extra Rich Lipstick in 314 (lightly blended into the lip balm).
Cle de Peau Eye Color Quad in 314: the gold shade placed on the center of the lower lip.

Cle de Peau's Collection Bal Masque Makeup Coffret retailed for 16,200 yen and is/was one of my favorites among all the holiday sets. I just wish these items were not limited edition. I've made a substantial dent in all the items, and it'll be a sad day when they're gone.