Panda! Go, Panda! TonyMoly Panda's Dream Brightening Eye Base

Who could deny this precious panda chubby stick?! He's even holding bamboo leaves, for Pete's sake!

If you are new to TonyMoly Products, TonyMoly is a South Korean based cosmetics brand with a flare for excessively cute packaging.

Encased in his plastic bamboo-printed jungle.

I appreciate the cap securing the products freshness and protecting it against germies.

With key ingredients of Bamboo Sap, Bamboo Shoot Extract, Pearl Extract, and Chrysin, TonyMoly's Panda's Dream Brightening Eye Base is meant to relieve dark circles, brighten, and prime under the eyes. Hoping the Panda's Dream would have more substance to it than its gwiyeoun packaging, I was really rooting for this product. Alas, unsurprisingly, it proved to be more frivolous than functional.

The creamy, balmy consistency glided nicely, without tugging; it blends easily, creating a smooth base. The Panda's Dream Brightening Eye Base white coloring gave me pause to use for the under eyes. But, it did brighten when used alone, and gave an extra brightening boost under concealers. Albeit, liking the lightening effect, it only lasted for about 30 minutes; and, this is were the problem lies. What's the purpose of doing an extra step, as well as applying an extra layer, if the product's longevity doesn't make it to the end of my makeup application?

On a positive note, this product was not a total waste, since I'll most likely mail the TonyMoly Panda's Dream Brightening Eye Base to my nieces to play with. 

In Mint Condition...RMK Basic Skincare Kit

Knowing nothing about this limited edition RMK Basic Skincare Kit, or its release date (except that it was released this year), I saw all the travel-sized products were chocolate mint scent; thus, I was sold.

Retailing for 2,700 yen, the Basic Skincare Kit comes with: Cream Soap (facial cleanser), Skintuner Smoother Moist (lotion/toner), Herb Mist, and Lipstick Balm. All these products are available in full size in the RMK Skincare line.

I wish RMK would keep the chocolate mint scent because it is incredible! All the products smell like the delicious Keebler Grasshopper Cookies (making my mouth water). Every time I use these products, I want to eat them. Now, I have a hankering for Grasshopper Cookies, but no way to get my hands on a bag. If anyone wants to do a Japanese beauty-for-cookies swap, please let me know...I'm serious!

All the products are great, and the kit is a nice introduction to those who may not be familiar with the brand's skincare line. Also, they're great for gift giving, and the mini-sizes make this kit perfect for travel or throwing one in your bag for on-the-go use.

I got the RMK Basic Skincare Kit at the Isetan Mirror in the lumine Shinjuku Store. I was there a week ago, and they still had several boxes... I may need to pick up some more.

A Passage To India...Bausch & Lomb India Soflens Natural Colors

Bausch & Lomb's Soflens Natural Colors in India were a big ol' disappointment. I understand "colors look different online than in person, and colored contact results vary, based on the individuals eye color." But, shouldn't the product have a smidgen of likeness to its visual image?

The Soflens Natural Colors are monthly colored-contacts, with a 8.7 base curve and 14.0 Diameter. Comfortable to wear, they enlarge the eyes while still looking natural. Though the lens do cloud my vision from time to time.

Image taken from visionmarketplace.com

"Softlens Natural Colors Lenses are created for all eye colors, especially dark eyes." Did you read that, "especially dark eyes." Based on the image, I was expecting a color somewhere within the warm, chestnut brown spectrum. Yet, the effect I got is NOWHERE near resembling the photo provided by the company. I don't know what color you would call this? A warmish, muddy brown? Although, in person you can't really notice the color, I'm not mad at it, it's just not what I envisioned.

I'll use the lens until they've expired, but I'm not sure I'll be repurchasing. 

Give It Away, Give It Away, Give It Away Now

A reminder that we have a little over a month left in the giveaway. 

What you'll win: 

Celvoke Voluntary Eyepalette in 04 and 05.

Celvoke Infinitely Color (can be used on the eyes, cheeks, and lips) in 01 and 02.

Celvokes Dignified Lips in 08 and 09.

Also:

A black Celvokes bag, and two travel samples of the Intensive Serum and Concentrate Oil.

All you have to do is tell me what your favorite Autumn beauty products are in the comments, or share images of them on Instagram. Easy and simple!

Open internationally, you have to be a member of the blog under "The Enablers," as well as my Instagram. Because I started the giveaway a day late, I will be announcing the winner on the blog and instagram on October 10th.

Okay, I'm heading off to bed. See you in the morning!

If You Like Pina Coladas...The Body Shop Pinita Colada Shower Gel & Fresh Body Sorbet

Oh, how I miss virgin pina coladas. There are few places here that make them...and the ones that do, serve a sugarless, watered-down pineapple juice, with a drop of coconut milk with way too much crushed ice. I'm going to have to repurchase a blender.

So, as I was walking past the The Body Shop entrance on my way to Isetan, I saw the Pinita Colada products, and I couldn't help but stop and pick a few items.

While meandering around the store, I checked The Body Shop's US site, and saw there was also an exfoliating body scrub. I looked, and looked, and looked, but it wasn't offered over here...curses!

Pinita Colada Shower Gel: August is the hottest month in Tokyo. So, I thought this would be a perfect Summery scent to start my day, before everything turns into a sweltering hell. The shower gel has a creamy lather that feels luscious. The skin is left clean, soft with a delicious, tropical coconut and pineapple fragrance that lingers for an hour or two.

Pinita Colada Fresh Body Sorbet: I was going to get the Body Butter, but found the Body Sorbet had a truer pina colada scent. The body Sorbet has an interesting lightweight, pureed-gel-like consistency. What I liked most about the body sorbet was how quickly it absorbed into the skin. I could get dressed right after applying, without any icky stickiness.

Although I liked the Pinita Colada Shower Gel and Fresh Body Sorbet, there was this synthetic scent that would peek through when using both products. It wasn't a deal breaker, or off-putting, but it did lessen my overall pina colada enjoyment of the collection.

Come Rushing Over Me...Revlon Tidal Wave Top Speed Nail Enamel

This bottle has received so much love, the lettering has rubbed off. 

I'm aging myself right now, but I've had Revlon's Top Speed Tidal Wave for 15+ years. I'm amazed at how well the formula has held up.

And still, I wasn't able to capture Tidal Wave is all its glory. 

Tidal wave is an electrified, metallic, deep teal duochrome with flashes of blue and turquoise, and is loaded with micro turquoise shimmer. A fun, flashy, and fetching shade to wear, Tidal Wave will definitely get your nails noticed (and in a good way).

After all these years, I'm amazed at how well the formula has help up. With the way it applies and wears, you wouldn't think this polish was over 15 years old. I wish some of my newer lacquers performed as well as Tidal Wave.

What are some of the oldest polishes in your collection?

I Feel This Buring Flame... Estee Lauder Heat Wave Illuminating Powder Gelee

Believing I owned Estee Lauder's Heat Wave Illuminating Powder Gelee, I ignored it's relaunch early this year. Yet, as I was searching for it, I realized, "Whaaaat?! Nope, it's not here. I don't own it." Heat Wave was sold out in Tokyo, but, thankfully, still available in the states. Now my Estee Lauder Gelees are complete.

The compact's retroesque design is made of a lightweight plastic, with a sturdy magnetic closer.

With all these overseas packages, statistically speaking, I guess I was due for a causality. There's a fissure on the top half of the product going from one end to the other.  

I was grateful that the gold glitter in the ridges of the vector sun-ray pattern was an overspray. The highlighter is shimmery enough that I don't need glitter thrown into the mix.

Heat Wave is a warm, yellow-gold with a shimmery, metallic sheen. Strikingly pigmented, a fan brush can be used to soften the intensity or you can go full on visible, via Google satellite, with a damped brush. Finely milled, and buttery smooth, the highlighter blended well, and is void of emphasizing or creating any unsightly texture to the skin.

The Illuminating Powder Gelee can also be worn on the decolletage, shoulders, knees and toes (okay...maybe not the last two). Heat Wave gave me about six hours of wear, but on hotter day less than two hours.

Nature Is A Language...Naturaglace Sunshine Orange EX01 and Bloom Pink EX02 Cream Lip & Cheek

Naturaglace is a 100% nautral, high-end Japanese beauty brand that offers a modest array of UV Care, Base and Point Makeup products.

Smitten with the quality of the paper stock and the watercolor floral prints, I was equally impressed that they color coordinated, both, the exterior and interior packaging, as well as the product to match one another; it's those small nuance that I love so much. 

I always forget the compact doesn't have a mirror (a minor annoyance when trying to touch-up).

From left to right: Sunshine Orange EX01, Bloom Pink EX02.

The two limited edition 2017 Summer Cream Lip & Cheek, in Sunshine Orange EX01 and Bloom Pink EX02 are my second purchases from the brand; the first (way before starting the blog) being one of their Honey Rouge lip glosses.

From left to right: Sunshine Orange EX01, Bloom Pink EX02.

Sunshine Orange EX01: a yellow-based, muted, brownish-orange.

Bloom Pink EX02: a muted, deep English rose-pink.

Bloom Pink EX02 looks fine on my lips, but definitely not Sunshine Orange EX01. On the lips, Sunshine Orange had this milkiness to it, and it definitely didn't work for me. Ergo, I'll most likely be using both colors exclusively on the cheeks.

With great pigmented on both, lips and cheeks, the product has a creamy petroleum jelly texture that is free from feeling greasy or tacky. The Cream Lip & Cheek has a lot of slip, making it easy to blend to your desired opacity. Application with a flat foundation brush, or any synthetic brush, was not ideal. I preferred using my fingers, or a sponge, in a bouncing motion on the apples of the cheeks. The finished result is a pretty flush, with a skin-like sheen. As for the wear time, the product needs to be retouched every three hours. I'm curious to see if it will wear longer in the colder seasons.

Born On A Bayou...O.P.I I'm Sooo Swamped! Nail Lacquer

I was checking the O.P.I website to see if  I'm Sooo Swamped! is still available. I found the polish, as well as "I Manicure for Beads," were both part of the New Orleans Collection. I can already hear you saying, "well, duh Liz!" But, I haven't been keeping up with collection releases (side note: O.P.I's

Iceland Collection looks interesting). Despite the fact that I had purchased the polishes on two separate occasions, I now see the correlation of their names to New Orleans.

I'm Sooo Swamped! is a bright (yet muted) grassy-green creme. The lacquer just about applies itself; it's 99.5% opaque in one coat, with a creamy, glossy finish that last an entire week! I should have just  copied and pasted (and, I kinda did) what I wrote about I Manicure for Beads because the formula, application, finish and wear are identical.

Another remarkable five-star  nail lacquer from O.P.I, I'm Sooo Swamped!is a lively and attractive color for Summer.

A Hodgepodge Of Hair Things

Tokyo's hot and humid Summers have me sweating like a man-beast. Normally, I can go every other day to every two days between hair washes. But, with all the perpetual perspiration, I have no choice, but to wash it everyday. Therefore, I need to use products that will keep my hair in great condition.

Paul Mitchell Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo: the invigorating, summery scent of lemon and sage is perfect for the season. The shampoo lathers exceptionally well, and I love how it feels in my hair. After rinsing, my scalp feels refreshed, and the hair squeaky clean, moisturized, soft and fuller. Also, the shampoo is safe for color treated hair.

Redken Frizz Dismiss Conditioner: It's always humid in Tokyo, even during the Winter season. But, the humidity levels reach their zenith in Summer. So, I was really excited to try some products from the Frizz Dismiss line. I find the consistency of Frizz Dismiss thicker than other Redken conditioners; It distributes well throughout the hair. I like to leave it on for about 3-5 minutes, and afterwards, my locks are tangle-free, moisturized (but not weighed down), soft and shiny. The conditioner does have a floral scent, but I can't pinpoint what it smells like.

Redken Frizz Dismiss PFP 40 Rebel Tame: a humidity-resist complex, you say? When I'm home, my hair looks amazing! Not a frizz in sight. But, once I cross the sanctity of my habit, it's the elements beyond the door that wreck my Salon Selective moment. Anyway, the Rebel Tame is a lightweight, non-greasy, leave-in, heat-protectant, smoothing cream that contains Brazilian Pracaxi Oil (btw, so does the conditioner). I like to squeeze about a quarter size of the Rebel Tame into my palm and mix it with 4 pumps of the Wella SP Luxeoil Reconstructive Elixir. First, I apply the product from the mid-lengths to the ends and, then, work my way up to the roots. The product does a great job at smoothing out my tresses without weighing them down; thus, leaving it very soft, manageable, shiny, with almost no to minimal frizzing on days when the humidity level's are at 100.

Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Daily Boost: With all the perpetration, my hair can go limp, and that's when Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Daily Boost saves the hair day. Before Applying the Redken Frizz Dismiss PFP 40 Rebel Tame and the Wella SP Luxeoil Reconstructive Elixir cocktail, I first spray the Daily Boost all over the roots. It does give all-day volume and lift to the roots minus any heaviness or stickiness. 

Wella SP Luxeoil Reconstructive Elixir: A new bottle for the season. I will NEVER be without this product, and it's an absolute must in the Summer. I spoke about this product last year. So, if you would like to read my thoughts, please read here.

Alterna Bamboo Volume 48-Hour Sustainable Volume Spray: This is a repurchased product. I like to use Alterna's Bamboo Volume 48-Hour Sustainable Volume Spray to refresh my roots on day two, and hopefully day three. I think Alterna bit off more than they could chew with the 48-hour claim. However, in the mornings, I'm done with my hair around 6:00am, and by the time I get home which is about 10:30ish-11:00pm, the roots are still thick and voluminous. Just like the Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Daily Boost, the 48-Hour Sustainable Volume Spray keeps my roots, soft, and easy to comb, without any pull; never, sticky, stiff or crunchy.

The combination of all these products keep my hair in great condition. Even after going blonde, it looks and feels healthy, smooth, soft, manageable with body and shine.

Just Peachy! Too Faced Sweet Peach Collection

Inundated with images of the Too Faced Sweet Peach Collection all over instagram, and promo pictures of the model and her makeup in the ad (I don't know who she is, but she's stunning!), I had to see what all the peach fuss was about.

Now, I'm sure everyone from here to Timbuktu has reviewed this collection, but I'm going to briefly give MY two yen.

Delectably cute packaging that is reminiscent of my elementary tin pencil case.

Again, adorable product packaging. I like the color gradient of the eye and face tin cases as well as the color coordinating lip products.

The Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Collection comes with a variation eye shadow finishes. With the exception of Tempting, Delectable and Talk Derby To Me (all three shades applied a little patchy, skipped on the lid and required extra work), all the shadows are pigmented and apply and blend fairly well. They wore well throughout the day without any fading or unevenness. The eyeshadows have an synthetic peach scent (all the products in this collection do), but it is tolerable.

While using the palette, I inhaled some of shadow particles floating about and accidentally discovered that, not only are the shadows scented, but they are also sweet. Now, please, do not start licking the shadows.

The Sweet Peach Glow Illuminating, Blushing, and Bronzing Palette is an all-in-one for your face product needs.

The blush and bronzer have a satin finish; whereas the highlighter is shimmery, with micro gold glitter. Nicely pigmented, with a silky texture, all three products give a subtle sheen.

A pretty blush on its own, I also love layering Papa Don't Peach over other blushers. 

A pigmented formula that glides on the cheeks, Papa Don't Peach Blush's silky, luminous finish allows you to forgo the highlighter.

The Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Oil Lip gloss is pigmented, but I'm not a fan of the way it applies, looks, or feels. The lip gloss goes on streaky, feels uncomfortably heavy on the lips, and migrates outside of the borders of my lips.

Also, if I eat, drink or digest a little of the product that gets into my mouth, it sends me into mini-fits of needing to clear my throat. The only way I've been able to bear wearing the gloss is by removing the excess with a tissue.

Sorry guys, these swatches were taken an a partially cloudy day.

From left to right: White Peach, Nectar, Peaches 'N Cream, Luscious, Cobbler, Georgia.

White Peach: a warm, pale vanilla satin with a slight peachy-undertone.

Nectar: a frosted, warm, peachy-golden yellow.

Peaches 'N Cream: a matte, warm, peachy-beige.

Luscious: a metallic, warm, muted, brown-based, coppery-peach.

Cobbler: a metallic, warm, brown-based, dark, bronzed rose-gold.

Georgia: a matte, medium beige-y pink.

From left to right: Just Peachy, Candied Peach, Caramelized, Bless Her Heart, Bellini, Puree. 

Just Peachy: a shimmery, medium, coral-rosy pink with a gold duochrome.

Candied Peach: a matte, muted, orange-coral with micro hot pink glitter.

Caramelized: a frosted, deep warm bronze.

Bless Her Heart: a frosted, murky, warm grayish-brown based olive.

Bellini: a frosted, medium, warm, muted, pinky-peach with a gold duochrome.

Puree: a matte, deep. muted sepia.

From left to right: Tempting, Peach Pit, Summer Yum, Charmed, Delectable, Talk Derby To Me. 

Tempting: a shimmery, muted, blackened tarnished khaki-brown.

Peach Pit: a shimmery, dark, muted maroon with a plummy shift.

Summer Yum: a matte, deep, muted reddened-terracotta.

Charmed, I'm sure: a matte, muted, warm deep, brown-based taupe.

Delectable: a satiny-matte, dark, warm reddened-eggplant purple.

Talk Derby To Me: a satin, blackened, dark plum with micro violet glitter. 

From left to right: Illuminating, Blushing, and Bronzing Palette, Papa Don't Peach Blush. 

A frosty, golden peachy-pink champagne with micro gold shimmers.

A satin, peachy-coral. 

A satin, warm, golden brown with yellow undertones. 

A frosted, warm, coppery-pink-coral with a golden sheen. 

From left to right: Papa Don't Peach, Peach Tease, Poppin' Peach, Tickle-Me-Peach. 

Papa Don't Peach: a muted, pinkish-peach-brown. 

Peach Tease: a warm, pinky-coral.

Poppin' Peach: a warm, yellow-based orange.

Tickle-Me-Peach: a warm, coral-red.

Unfortunately, I don't have some of the Sweet Peach looks, as they were on my SD card, which Aki borrowed, and took with him on his business trip. I'll upload them to this post as soon as he emails me. Until then, here is one look I wore yesterday. 

Look Breakdown:

Eyes:
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream: Used to prep the lid and under-eyes).

B & C Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.
Nars Soft Matte Creamy Complete Concealer in Custard (used under the eyes).
MAC Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (used as an eyeshadow base).

Too Faced Sweet Peach Eye Shadow Collection:
Summer Yum Eye shadow (blended all over the lid to a feline-point in the outer corner, as well as the lower lashline).
Bellini Eye Shadow (patted on the center of the lid and below the iris on the lower lashline)
ADDICTION Eyeliner Pencil in Rabbit Hole (used to tightline).
MAC Technakohl Liner in Plank (on the water line and along the lower lashes).
Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Feline Extravaganza Mascara in 01 Black Black.

Overall, I like all the products minus the Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Oil Lip gloss (those will probably be going on a blog sale). So, if you're interested, each of the glosses have been swatched. I have not put the doe-foot applicator directly on my lips (each used once with a disposable applicator), and you can have them all for 4,500 yen...and, that includes shipping.