5/30/2016

A Trip Down Lavender Lane

This weekend, Aki and I took a mini-getaway to our favorite spot near Mt.Fuji and, as I always do whenever I'm in the area, I had to visit Kawaguchiko Herb Kan. If you're a lover of lavender (as I am), you have to visit Kawaguchiko Herb Kan. Not the most luxurious spots, but what it lacks in sophistication, it makes up with a large selection of herbs and flowers. Here are the lavender goodies I picked up:

A nice departure from L`Occintane's Lavender Cleansing Hand Wash, the Aroma Dew Lavender Hand Soap has a lovely scent.

Whenever I used the Lirttyish Gel hand sanitizer in Lavender, I can't help cupping my hands to my face and inhaling, deeply, to breath in this gorgeous scent. I should have purchased an entire case of these babies.

A wax-like consistency, Leaf & Botanics Lip Cream Lavender smells, and feels, great of the lips. Again, I wish I had bought more.

I was really excited when I saw this box of lavender-flavored chocolates...

Unfortunately, I thought they would be lavender-flavored, cream-filled chocolates. Instead, I got these little cubes. They're still tasty, but not what I expected, or even hoped for.

Finally, these lavender candies.

These sweet lavender candies taste like pure lavender. As a matter of fact, I'm enjoying one as I write this post.

There were so many lavender goods I wanted to purchase; however, by the time we arrived at Kawaguchiko Herb Kan, I was feeling tired, and Aki was (ever so politely) rushing me throughout the store.

Hope you had a great weekend!

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5/29/2016

Ism, Sakuraism...THREE Sakuraism Collection

This spring, I was thrilled to see several brands showcasing the splendor of the cherry blossoms; I just wish they would continue with this theme every spring. Don't you?

I must say, I was patting myself on the back for showing restraint and only purchasing four (of the fourteen) items released in THREE's Sakuraism Collection. 

The "squee worthy" sakura emblem, decorating the product's packaging, completes the Japanese-centric theme.

When I saw the beautiful sakura emblem, embossed on the pretty, pale sakura-pink colored exterior packaging, I heard myself let out the awkward chortle.

Cheeky Chic Blushes in S01 Sakuraism Rising and S02 Sakuraism Awakening.

Just when you thought you couldn't take anymore sakura amazingness, the blushes also have the emblems on them. THREE's refined, silky smooth, pigmented blushes are my favorite among all the Japanese beauty brands. And, I'd like you to know, both the Cheeky Chic Blushes in S01 Sakuraism Rising and S02 Sakuraism Awakening, are getting along well with their other siblings. 

Shimmering Lip Jams in S02 Sakuraism Spirit and S03 Sakuraism.

The Shimmering Lip Jams give the lips a comfortable, juicy, pigmented pout, without any stickiness; one of my favorite lip glosses in the market! S02 Sakuraism Spirit and S03 Sakuraism Scent are absolutely gorgeous shades. I love both of them equally <3

From left to right: S01 Sakuraism Rising, S02 Sakuraism Awakening, S02 Sakuraism Spirit, S03 Sakuraism Scent.

S01 Sakuraism Rising: a bright, cherry pink with a luminous sheen. 

S02 Sakuraism Awakening: a warm, muted, coral with a luminous sheen.

S02 Sakuraism Spirit: a bright, medium, magenta-cherry-pink. 

S03 Sakuraism Scent: a bright, medium, lavender purple. 

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer in Adjust.
Sonia Rykiel Fresh Gel Foundation SPF25 PA++ in shade 30.
THREE Cheeky Chic Blush in S01 Sakuraism Rising.
Eyes:

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

By Terry Touche Veloutee Highlighting Concealer Brush in 2 Cream.
Le Metier de Beaute Eye Brightening & Setting Powder in Revive. 

MAC Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (eyeshadow base).
THREE Shimmering Glow Duo in 01:
The darker shade all over the lid, crease and lower lashline.
The lighter shade in the inner corner and brow bone.
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil in 06 Eye Kon (blended out along the upper and lower lashline).
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Black.
Lips:
THREE Shimmering Lip Jams in S02 Sakuraism Spirit.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer in Adjust.
Sonia Rykiel Fresh Gel Foundation SPF25 PA++ in shade 30.
THREE Cheeky Chic Blush in S02 Sakuraism Awakening.
Eyes:

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

By Terry Touche Veloutee Highlighting Concealer Brush in 2 Cream.
Le Metier de Beaute Eye Brightening & Setting Powder in Revive. 

MAC Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (eyeshadow base).
THREE Shimmering Glow Duo in 01:
The darker shade all over the lid, crease and lower lashline.
The lighter shade in the inner corner and brow bone.
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil in 06 Eye Kon (blended out along the upper and lower lashline).
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Black.
Lips:
THREE Shimmering Lip Jams in S03 Sakuraism Scent.

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5/20/2016

Bloom Where You Are Painted...Hello Kitty by O.P.I Cheery Blooms

Happy Friday, everyone! The weekend is finally here, and I'm so looking forward to not having any set engagements. Over the next two days, I'll be channeling Howard Hughes and become a total recluse.

Anyhow, here's the second of the three nail lacquers I got from the Hello Kitty by O.P.I Collection, Cheery Blooms.

Cheery Blooms is a juicy (can a nail polish be juicy?), bright, maraschino cherry red, with a crelly finish.The "Windex Streak-free" shine of the polish makes me love it even more. With its smooth consistency, Cheery blooms' formula is perfect as well as a joy to apply. 99% opaque with one coat, I applied a second to deepen the color a tad more. I got a full six days of wear, before retiring Cheery Blooms for another polish.

Granted, Cheery Blooms isn't an original shade, but it's the kind of color that makes me happy whenever I look at my manicure.

What red polishes are you currently loving?

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5/19/2016

Where The Cherries Bloom...Diorsnow Cherry Bloom Rosy Glow Powder Face & Cheeks 001

"I felt like destroying something beautiful," that's what I say to myself whenever I deface the beautifully designed surface of a beauty product.

Part of the Spring 2016 Snow Blooming Beauty Color Collection, the limited edition, Diorsnow Cherry Bloom Rosy Glow Powder Face & Cheeks 001 offers a succession of four shades of face powders, embossed with cherry blossoms blooming on branches.

The light gray, velvet sleeve has a little cute marsupial pouch to houses the adore pink brush included with the powder.

Each row of this velvety smooth "gem" of a luminous face powder can be worn individually, or mixed, to customize a color. Some of my favorite ways of using the Cherry Bloom Rosy Glow Powder Face & Cheeks is to use the first two shades (both semi-translucent) to highlight, or as a setting powder, and the third and four shades as blushers. I particularly love layering the third shade over the fourth. Being that the fourth shade is very pigmented, I was a little hesitant of swirling all the shades together and wearing it allover my face. Yet, those concern were put to rest after seeing the beautiful, brightening, rosy glow the four shades gave my complexion.

Shade description from left to right:

A shimmery, ivory white.

A satin, peach-nude.

A shimmery, cool-toned pink.

A satin, soft, muted, reddened-pinkish-coral.

The dip that's already formed in the middle of the powder, as well as in the lower third and fourth colors, is making me nervous...but, it's been hard to put the Diorsnow Cherry Bloom Rosy Glow Powder Face & Cheeks 001 down.

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5/18/2016

Blush, Blush Baby Giveaway

83 days left in the Blush, Blush Baby Giveaway!

The first place winner receives one blush of your choice from each brand: Addiction, THREE, Laduree, Suqqu, and Chicca.

The second place winner gets a blush of their choice from one of the following brands: ADDICTION, THREE or LADUREE.

 The third place winners get a blush of their choice from one of the following brands: THREE or LADUREE.

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.

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5/14/2016

Stop And Bathe In The Lavender...Sabon Lavender Shower Oil

I know it's a little premature, but when May rolls around, my keenness for Lavender becomes compulsory.

Sabon's Shower Oil in Lavender is a refreshing, delicate, soothing scent of lavender that is wrapped in a luxury synonymous with the brand. 

I love the heavenly fragrance, and silky feel, of this shower oil so much, I have to stop myself from going overboard on the pump. In the mornings, Sabon's Lavender is a perfect boost to help me start the day, as well as unwind, and ease into my evenings. 

If you're enamored with all things lavender, as I am, I highly recommend checking out Sabon's Lavender Shower Oil as well as the brand's entire Lavender line.

What are some of your favorite Lavender products?

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5/11/2016

Le Metier De Beaute Makes Your Soul Blossom

Le Metier De Beaute and I used to be in a hot and heavy romance with all it's limited edition counter releases (which I found annoying and stressful being that I live overseas, and I had to stay up and make sure I had enough money on Skype for my beauty drunk dialing), and then one day the phone just stop ringing.

I still love the brand, and continue to purchase whatever new releases trickle down onto the web or LMDB counters.

Anyway, I've been meaning to start cataloging all my Kaleidoscopes, and since my recent posts have been heavy on the Sakura theme, what better Kaleidoscope to start with then, Cherry Blossom.

Cherry Blossom was one of those Kaleidoscopes I almost passed up, thinking the color combinations were a little meh. But, I said "what the hey", and got it anyway. I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong, and my judgement of Cherry Blossom was so wrong, because theses shades pairing beautiful with one another.

Color description from left to right:

A shimmery, champagne-peach.

A shimmery, golden, spring green.

A matte, cool-toned, mauvish-pink.

A matte, yellow-based brown.

I wore the look below a several times this and last month, as well as to the Hanami party.

Look Breakdown:

Face:
Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer in Adjust.
Sonia Rykiel Fresh Gel Foundation SPF25 PA++ in shade 30.
Le Metier De Beaute Cherry Blossom Kaleidoscope Eye Kit:
The mauvish-pink shade (applied on the cheeks).
The champagne-peach shade (applied as a highlight).
Eyes:

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

By Terry Touche Veloutee Highlighting Concealer Brush in 2 Cream.
Le Metier de Beaute Eye Brightening & Setting Powder in Revive. 

MAC Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (eyeshadow base).
Le Metier De Beaute Cherry Blossom Kaleidoscope Eye Kit:
The brown shade  (all over the lid blended into the crease and lower lashline).
The spring green shade (patted over the brown shade on the inner half of the lid, and inner corner).
The mauvish-pink shade (place out the outer corner of the lid).
The champagne-peach shade (on the brow bone and used to blend out the brown along the lower lashline).
Le Metier De Beaute Dualistic Eye Pencil in Tamarack (used to tightline, blended softly along the upper lashline and waterline).
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Black.
Lips:
The second shade from the top of the Le Metier De Beaute Spring Lip Kaleidoscope Prototype #2 ( a comparable shade is LMDB's Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss in Bondi Beach).

I had a lot of fun writing this first installment on my Le Metier De Beaute Kaleidoscopes. I hope you enjoyed reading it.

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5/05/2016

Sitting Under Cherry Blossoms...O.P.I Nail Lacquer

At the beginning of April, when all the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, Tokyo always has me seeing pink. And for this year's Hanami (flower viewing), I specifically bought "Sitting Under Cherry Blossoms" from the Hello kitty by O.P.I. Spring Collection.

Of the four polishes belonging to the Collection, Sitting Under Cherry Blossoms is my favorite; a warm, yellow-based, deep sakura pink that is littered with fine, minuscule soft fuchsia and golden sakura pink shimmer. The soft fuchsia and golden sakura pink Shimmers compliment the sakura pink beautifully, giving it a charming uniqueness.

Sitting Under Cherry Blossoms' crelly formula is extremely thin and sheer. This lacquer looks stunning worn sheer, layered over other shades or built up to achieve a solid hue. Nevertheless, you'll need about five coats to completely conceal the nail line. I've worn Sitting Under Cherry Blossoms several times now, and it's gone a full four to five days without any incidents. 

What O.P.I Nail Lacquers are you loving this Spring? 

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5/02/2016

Love Me, Scrub Me...Sabon Lavender Apple Body Scrub

With an occasional infidelity (solely based on curiosity of a scent), SABON Body Scrubs' are the only ones I use.

Depending on the season, I like to route between all the SABON scents, and Lavender Apple (one of my favorite scents from the brand) is a definite Spring must have! 

A delightful combination of soothing lavender and sweet apple
(saying it smells AMAZING is an understatement!), Lavender Apple is an engaging delicate scent that lingers on the skin; I can't help sniffing my forearms throughout the day. Also, I find the scrub's salmon-pink color adorable. 

And, because you'd like to read my other SABON Body Scrub posts, please read here, here, and here. 

Which SABON Body Scrubs have you tried?

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5/02/2016

The Platine Rule... Dior Addict It-Lash 062 It-Platine Mascara

Part of the Glowing Gardens Spring 2016 Collection, 062 It-Platine is wonderful for Spring.

I never miss a new shade release of the Dior Addict It-Lash mascaras. Combine the creamy, "mousse-like" formula with the tip to base multi-bristled wand, It-lash separates, defines, gives modest volume, and subtle length, all while delivering a lovely curl. Bascially, 062 It-Platine is everything last year's Lancome Virtuose Doll Eyes Doll Lash Effect Mascara Wide-Eye look in Gris Rivoli 06 wasn't.

When I pulled out 062 It-Platine's "morning star" rubber wand from the tube, I was instantly smitten with the color.

062 It-Platine is a metallic, taupish-platinum-grey with a hint of lavender; such a beautiful color, how can you not be mesmerized by it?!

I tried 062 It-Platine on my friend's ginger lashes, and all I can say is, this baby is pigmented! On my black lashes, the taupish-platinum-grey, with a hint of lavender, shade is much deeper, giving them a gorgeous frosted effect.

Did the Dior Addict It-Lash Mascara in 062 It-Platine make a cameo at your Dior Counter?

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