Hello, everyone! Apologies for the month long lapse of posts. Although I was stressing the fact that I hadn't posted in a while, I didn't realize it had been this long...how time truly does escape us?!

The past month has been a string of untimely, and unfortunate, events. First, I was really busy with work; then, Aki and I had to attend a family member's funeral in Akita (my first Japanese funeral). When we got back to Tokyo, I caught the plague (getting sick in summer is the pits!). Once I was back to somewhat good health, I had to jump back onto the hamster wheel that I call work. I'm really sorry, and I want to thank you all for your patience during my absence. Also, I want to give a special thank you to Susan K; I appreciate for the comment, and thank you for your concern. It means a lot to me knowing that you are out there :)


I was lucky enough to get Suqqu's Isetan exclusive Blend Color Eyehadow in EX-29 Koukiori and the Bright Up Lipstick in EX-02 Somezakuro, after they both sold out within 10 minutes on the Isetan online store. Since then, I know EX-29 Koukiori made a short lived cameo on selfridges.com.


As pretty as the other three shadows of EX-Koukiori are, I'm annoyed (and feeling gypped) that the two shades that drove me to buy the palette, have to share the same pan. I would have preferred a split pan of the two highlight shades, and two proper pans of color, sorry, Suqqu, but I'm calling you out on being stingy on this one.

From left to right swatches of EX-29 Koukiori. 

A metallic, slightly taupish-silver, with a sheen of pink and green with pink and silver micro-shimmer.

A shimmery soft pink.

A muted, purplish-blue satin, with shimmer.

A greyish-taupe-brown satin, with shimmer.

A shimmery yellow-peach, with a pink sheen.

Moving on to the Bright Up Lipstick in EX-02 Somezakuro, I love everything about this lipstick.

Swatch of EX-02 Somezakuro.

A neutral, strawberry-red.

Between these two products, EX-02 Somezakuro is my favorite. the fact that EX-29 Koukiori's greyish-taupe-brown and muted, purplish-blue shadows were split and not given their own pans really annoys me and is keeping me from loving it, wholeheartedly.



Look Breakdown:
Face:
Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer in Blend.
Suqqu Sheer Glow Liquid (applied over the Smashbox primer).
Sonia Rykiel Fresh Gel Foundation SPF25 PA++ in shade 30.
Les Merveilleuses de Laduree Mini Face Color Rose in 106.
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).
Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow in EX-29 Koukiori:
The greyish-taupe-brown shadow (all over the lid, blended into the crease, and along the lower lashline).
The purplish-blue shadow (along the upper lashline and one-third of the outer lower lashline).
The yellow-peach shadow (patted on the brow bone).
The soft pink shadow (in the inner corner).
Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Graphite (used to tightline and on the waterline).
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Black.
Lips:
Suqqu Bright Up Lipstick in EX-02 Somezakuro.


Between these two products, EX-02 Somezakuro is my favorite. the fact that EX-29 Koukiori's greyish-taupe-brown and muted, purplish-blue shadows were split and not given their own pans really annoys me and is keeping me from loving it, wholeheartedly.

9 comments:

  1. Sorry for your recent loss :(

    Both of these look stunning on you. And I'll be honest, I've not purchased a Suqqu compact yet because I'm baffled by the split pan. No other reason - I just don't understand why it's there...

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    1. Those split pans are really getting on my nerves. I mean if you're going to split a shades, split the accent colors.

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  2. Yay! You are back! That does sound like a really awful month and my condolences on the loss of your hubby's family member. I'm happy you are feeling better. I love your blog. I find it unique with the products you cover, the excellence of your swatches, the variety of topics you cover, and it also really makes me miss Tokyo. Thanks for sharing with us.

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    1. It's great to be back Susan. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your comment have really inspired me, and I hope you continue to enjoy my posts. How long has it been since you were in Tokyo? Ever planning to visit again?

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  3. I'm so sorry for your loss.

    I missed your blog and I'm so happy to see you back! Your swatches are among the best, but now I'm gutted I didn't pick up Somezakuro lipstick. I also did a review of Koukiori recently and I must say I like this quad very much. I rarely go for very dark shadows, so I don't mind they chose two darkest shades for the split pan.

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    1. Thank you Laura <3 I'm happy to be back as well. I'm not sure about you, but I always get anxious when I haven't blogged in a while. Somezakuro is a gorgeous shade. Maybe it'll pop up again in the near future :) I really like Koukiori, but i'm still miffed at the dark shadows sharing a pan >:(

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  4. You look gorgeous as always! Sorry to hear you've had a lot on your plate recently but I'm really happy to see you back. For me with this LE Suqqu quad, I'd be annoyed that the light pink and peach are so close in tone - but I love that green/ taupe/ silver shade. Sending hugs!

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    1. Monika, can I just say how grateful I am to know you. Thank you for your constant support, I truly appreciate you.

      The pink and peach shadows could have easily shared a pan. The other shades are so gorgeous, that it sucks you get so little of them. Suqqu, just stop playing with my emotions.

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