"I AM" Manicure...Lancome Saint Germain Vernis In Love

In addition to using this polish on my nails, Saint Germain is so stunning, I want to paint my walls, furniture, my hair, my lids, and just about everything, with this beauteous shade.

Saint Germain A44 is a rich, dark teal blue, with a high shine creme finish. Sublime in consistency and application, the formula is faultless after two coats. Also, with an average of five days of wear, the wear-time doesn't disappoint.

 Although part of the limited edition Sonia Rykiel Collection (on lancome-usa.com I've seen this polish called Rive Gauche, but my box reads Saint Germain), Saint Germain is still available online. 

We're All Mad For Sabon Here...Exploring Wonderland Shower Oil & Body Scrub

The fantastical promotional imagery, in-store displays, and product packing from Sabon's Exploring Wonderland 2016 Christmas Collection had the Alice in Wonderland lover in me wondrously captivated.

The delicately, rich brew of Bergamot, Mandarin, Musk, and notes of Rose and Violet gives the Exploring Wonderland Collection a dark, seductive scent that is spellbinding. The fragrance lingers on the skin (at stays on my towels) for a long time, and couples marvelously with my winter perfume (post coming soon).

The thick, heavy, sleek, opaque obsidian black glass bottle, along with the patterned print label, of the shower oil is absolutely gorgeous.

cvcvc The shower oil is available in two sizes, 330ml and 650ml. When I saw how massive the 650ml bottle was, I thought to myself, "I'm gonna need a bigger bath, " and went with the 330ml.

After using Wonderland for over two weeks now, I want the 650ml.

Continuing with the stunning packaging, the Wonderland Body Scrub comes in a comely, red frosted glass jar. Again, I love the patterned design of the label.

I'm infatuated with the entire Exploring Wonderland collection. The packaging and scent have an enchanting appeal, making an exquisite coupling perfect for winter. 

Cushion The Blow...Sonia Rykiel x Lancome 021 Sorbet Rose Cushion Blush Subtil

I love my blushers, and all of the incarnation they come in: powder, cream, liquid, or gel. Be that as it may, I'm in a bit of a quandary over my feelings towards cushion blushes. I don't know if it's an issue with the formula, application, and performance or the selection of shades I've tried so far, but I'm not buying the theory and/or function behind these cushion blushers, at all.

The Shu Uemura for Kye Fresh Cushion blushers were a big disappointment...and, the Lancome Blush Subtil Cushion Blush has done very little to change my opinion.

Both, 021 Sorbet Rose (the white background with illustrated doodles compact) and 032 Splash Corail (the signature Rykiel stripes), of the Sonia Rykiel x Lancome Blush Subtil Cushions were repromoted shades; of the two prints, the stripes are my favorite.

In support of Sonia Rykiel, I wanted to buy both blushes. However, when I tried them on, I was let down because they looked almost identical to one another. Oddly, Sorbet Rose was slightly warmer and more coral, and Splash Corail was rosier. I think someone at the Lancome lab may be cockeyed.
Nevertheless, I couldn't justify purchasing both. Although I favored the striped case, I had to go with 021 Sorbet Rose given its deeper, warmer, more coral tone suited my complexion a tab bit more.

The Blush Subtil Cushion has a "moist," slightly tacky consistency that feels cooling on the skin. At first, when you apply the product using the included puff or your fingers, it seems very pigmented. Yet, once blended out, the color is very sheer; however, the pigmentation can be built up. I liked the soft, "fresh faced,"dewy flush the cushion blush gave my cheeks. In regards to its longevity, I found it would fade after an hour. With all the reapplications throughout the day, I can see myself finishing this product rather quickly.

I'm going to give Sorbet Rose another chance, and keep it because it's part of the Sonia Rykiel collection. However. as far as cushion blushers go, I think I'm done!

What are your thoughts on cushion blushers? 

The Joy You Bring...Lancome Joie De Vivre Vernis in Love

Although slightly muted, Joie De Vivre A33 is a vibrant persimmon, with a glossy creme finish. This shade can be worn year round, but it's a particularly nice pop of color, and shade departure, for fall and winter.

Again, I loved the packaging. Here's the other print used in the collection. 

A cinch to apply, Joie De Vivre is flawlessly opaque in two coats. I own a fair amount of Lancome's Vernis in Love nail polishes, and every time I wear them, I'm reminded how creamy, smooth, and impressive the formula is; I need to showcase them more often. Anyhow, I almost get a full week of wear from Joie De Vivre , but for some minor tip wear creeping in around day 5 and 6.

As for should it stay or should it go, Joie De Vivre is a definite stay. 

Should it Stay or Should it Go?

Living in Tokyo is very similar to living in New York, or any part of the world were space is a luxury. Although it pains me to write this, I am running out of space in my designated makeup storage area.

With a new year underway, all the spring collections are beginning to sprout up online and at counters, and I'm already making my purchases. However, I'm not in the mindset for spring yet. I want to take advantage, and maximize, the entire Winter season since we still have 76 days left, and I'm still using (and loving) all my fall and holiday booty.

Hence, enter last year's series "Should it stay or should it go?" which was introduced in the Shu Uemura for Kye Collection. I'm going to try and use whatever sparse room I have left for products I really love and enjoy using.  So, before cataloging last year's acquisitions, they'll either be incorporated, or expelled, before I move onto all the products from my existing collection. I don't think I'll me parting with many items, but I'm exciting to document whatever progress I make, albeit as small as it may be. Wish me luck! 

Yeah, Here Comes The Rooster

Happy New Year! One great thing about living in the future (Japan) is that I get to celebrate all the holidays, twice. I don't do New Year's resolutions. But, for 2017, whatever comes my way or I set out to accomplish, I want to push myself even harder, take myself out of any comfort zone, and choose the most challenging path.

I have several ideas of what I want to do with the blog, but instead of writing about them, I'll just show you through the posts.

I hope you had/are having a wonderful, sparkly celebration with the ones you love. May every day of 2017 glow as brilliantly as your highlighter, and be filled with many joyous wonders, like a new beauty collection.

Enjoying a cup of hot cocoa and these adorable bear coasters I purchased at this home goods boutique near my place. 

And It Was All Yellow...Adore Bi-tone Yellow Colored Contacts

Again, another damaged box spoiling all hopes of nice exterior packaging photographs.

Adore's Bi-tone colored contacts are my favorite! They really feel like nothing on the eyes, and they give the most "natural" look. Normally, I rotate between the shades hazel and honey, but this time, I decided to try the yellow shade. If you would like to read my post on Honey, please go here.

The yellow Bi-tone contacts turn my cow brown eyes a hazelish-green (but more on the green spectrum). I think the color looks pretty, but it's not a shade I'm used to; nothing a few couple of wears can't fix. Anyway, I asked my assistant for his opinion (a.k.a., Aki) for his opinion, and he said they look natural and realistic.

Au naturel.

Adore Bi-tone Yellow.

The Adore Bi-tone's are 3-month contact lens, and  retail for $35.95. I used to by them from lensmarketplace.com, who have changed to visionmarketplace.com.

Have you every tried Adore colored contact lens?