I've been doing a little in-anticipation-of-spring-cleaning, and have some makeup and nail polish to destash. Head over to my blog sale to check it out!
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Saturday, January 9, 2016
2015 Beauty Favourites
Happy New Year!
I'm not sure how 2015 went by so fast. I honestly wore nail polish just a few times last year, but I still wanted to post my 2015 Beauty favourites here for posterity. If you're interested in my non-makeup favourites (clothes, household, movies & TV), you can head over to my other blog.
THREE Emotional Rescue (discontinued)
I long put off purchasing this blush, and when I finally got it, I kicked myself for not getting it sooner! Despite its appearance, these blushes are sheer and easy to layer. I recently read online though that this formula is being discontinued though, so if you are keen on this shade, get it before it's gone for good! The replacement blushes seem to be of a different formula, and are also debossed with a logo (so you should be able to tell it apart).
Addiction Eye Kohl in Night Dive (discontinued)
I had my eye on this eye kohl for a while, and I'm so glad I pulled the trigger, because just a couple weeks after I ordered it from Ichibankao, they were discontinued. This eye kohl is an amazing eyeliner, and gives the soft look of shadow applied as eyeliner, but much more opaque and long-wearing. It quickly became HG status for me. I just wish I had also ordered Arabian Nights (the burgundy-black split pan)!
Koyudo C008P (CDJapan)
I also have the regular Black one, but the pink one is a little shorter and easier for me to use (and it's pink!). This is perfect for use with the Addiction Eye Kohl. Very soft, but still firm, and makes applying a little eyeliner wing super easy.
Shu Uemura Brow Sword in Stone Grey (shuuemura-usa.com)
I pounced on this as soon as it showed up on the Shu Uemura USA site, and it does not disappoint. The colour is fantastic for me, and it's easy and quick to use. My only complaint is that after a few months, pulling the cap off the brush end actually pulls out the sharpener, as the threads are not that deep. Oh well. Small annoyance.
Sonia Rykiel Glowing Powder Blusher Color 01 (discontinued)
I purchased this blush purely because of the cute stripes in the pan, and because Sonia Rykiel makeup was being discontinued, but this actually turned out to be a favourite purchase of the year. The formula is nice, but I especially like that it comes with a little flat brush (not THE softest, but not scratchy) -- making it perfect for travel.
Paul & Joe Spring 2015 Protective Pressed Powder in 002 Nude Beige (aka Sean Connery Cat Compact) (limited edition)
I won't lie; I bought this purely for the packaging. The powder is awful (extremely fragranced and looks very powdery on), but I still love it. Eventually, I will put out the existing pan (it's easy to remove, since it's only that Japanese soft glue) and put something better in it.
Benjabelle Tulip Brush Tree (Benjabelle, Beautylish)
For a long time, I resisted buying this, thinking it would just be another piece of plastic junk in my home. When I decided to just give it a try, I realized I was completely wrong about it! It is substantial feeling and sturdy, cuts brush drying in half, and disassembles easily to store flat. I can't recommend it enough. I purchased one of the smallest sizes though, as I don't have that many brushes.
I'm not sure how 2015 went by so fast. I honestly wore nail polish just a few times last year, but I still wanted to post my 2015 Beauty favourites here for posterity. If you're interested in my non-makeup favourites (clothes, household, movies & TV), you can head over to my other blog.
THREE Emotional Rescue (discontinued)
I long put off purchasing this blush, and when I finally got it, I kicked myself for not getting it sooner! Despite its appearance, these blushes are sheer and easy to layer. I recently read online though that this formula is being discontinued though, so if you are keen on this shade, get it before it's gone for good! The replacement blushes seem to be of a different formula, and are also debossed with a logo (so you should be able to tell it apart).
I had my eye on this eye kohl for a while, and I'm so glad I pulled the trigger, because just a couple weeks after I ordered it from Ichibankao, they were discontinued. This eye kohl is an amazing eyeliner, and gives the soft look of shadow applied as eyeliner, but much more opaque and long-wearing. It quickly became HG status for me. I just wish I had also ordered Arabian Nights (the burgundy-black split pan)!
Koyudo C008P (CDJapan)
I also have the regular Black one, but the pink one is a little shorter and easier for me to use (and it's pink!). This is perfect for use with the Addiction Eye Kohl. Very soft, but still firm, and makes applying a little eyeliner wing super easy.
Shu Uemura Brow Sword in Stone Grey (shuuemura-usa.com)
I pounced on this as soon as it showed up on the Shu Uemura USA site, and it does not disappoint. The colour is fantastic for me, and it's easy and quick to use. My only complaint is that after a few months, pulling the cap off the brush end actually pulls out the sharpener, as the threads are not that deep. Oh well. Small annoyance.
Sonia Rykiel Glowing Powder Blusher Color 01 (discontinued)
I purchased this blush purely because of the cute stripes in the pan, and because Sonia Rykiel makeup was being discontinued, but this actually turned out to be a favourite purchase of the year. The formula is nice, but I especially like that it comes with a little flat brush (not THE softest, but not scratchy) -- making it perfect for travel.
Paul & Joe Spring 2015 Protective Pressed Powder in 002 Nude Beige (aka Sean Connery Cat Compact) (limited edition)
I won't lie; I bought this purely for the packaging. The powder is awful (extremely fragranced and looks very powdery on), but I still love it. Eventually, I will put out the existing pan (it's easy to remove, since it's only that Japanese soft glue) and put something better in it.
Benjabelle Tulip Brush Tree (Benjabelle, Beautylish)
For a long time, I resisted buying this, thinking it would just be another piece of plastic junk in my home. When I decided to just give it a try, I realized I was completely wrong about it! It is substantial feeling and sturdy, cuts brush drying in half, and disassembles easily to store flat. I can't recommend it enough. I purchased one of the smallest sizes though, as I don't have that many brushes.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Shu Uemura Shu:Palette 16-pan nude eyeshadow palette swatches and comparisons
I probably didn't need this eyeshadow palette, but when there was a 15% off Lunar New Year code a couple weeks ago (the code was "SHEEP" -- double entendre?!), I couldn't help but jump on it! Retail is $89 USD (and 12000 JPY, or $160 Singapore dollars). It looks like the palette is sold out on the website, and I'm not sure if it's going to come back in stock or not. I figured I would throw my swatches here on my blog since I didn't find too many online when I was deciding whether or not to get it.
The pans are the same as the full size singles, and the palette also comes with a double ended synthetic hair brush (but I didn't use it). The palette itself is huge! And it's hefty (in a good way) and has a really nice, big mirror. That said, I don't think I would travel with it, as I like to travel light.
It ended up being around $80 USD with tax after the code. Shipping was about 1 week (faster than I expected).
Palette on a pile of makeup and brushes
After getting my fingers and sponge tips into the pans - the pans wiggle around easily, so I suspect they are extremely easy to depot (though my experience with Shu pans is that they are not magnetic)
Back of the palette info
Spongetip swatches (2 swipes each)
Since I'm sure most makeup addicts would have dupes, I did a few comparison swatches:
taupes
lighter shades
matte light-medium browns
variety of browns (not too much overlap here in my collection)
Random Thoughts
Hope this helps someone, and if you're interested, that it comes back in stock!
It ended up being around $80 USD with tax after the code. Shipping was about 1 week (faster than I expected).
Palette on a pile of makeup and brushes
After getting my fingers and sponge tips into the pans - the pans wiggle around easily, so I suspect they are extremely easy to depot (though my experience with Shu pans is that they are not magnetic)
Back of the palette info
Spongetip swatches (2 swipes each)
Since I'm sure most makeup addicts would have dupes, I did a few comparison swatches:
taupes
lighter shades
matte light-medium browns
variety of browns (not too much overlap here in my collection)
Random Thoughts
- I like all the matte shades very much. The shades are very flattering on my skintone (NC25, very yellow). Quite smooth and silky textures, but not the butteriest (better than my Inglot mattes, not creamy like RBR mattes).
- Blend easily on the lids, but do not overblend or get muddy
- Some of the lighter shades are similar on my skin, so maybe not a lot of different looks in this palette - The blue shade is a little sheer to swatch, but I haven't tried it on the eyes yet
- The silvery shade (ME471) is quite cool toned, and I haven’t tried it yet
- The warm brown creamy shade P 875 goes on my eyes a lot warmer than it swatches
- The palette is quite large, has a big mirror, and has a hefty weight to it. I haven’t used or tried the double ended brush (and I don’t plan to). The pans are not glued in that securely (probably glued in with that gooey glue used by many Japanese brands)
- I find the shadows look very different on the skin than how they look in the pan, so I’m still trying to giro out combinations. Of the 4 times I wore it so far, I loved 2 of the looks, and didn’t are for 2 others. - Some shades are too shiny/light catching for my preferences (doesn’t look great on my eyelid texture).
- Overall, it’s a very complete palette. I like that there’s a big range of light to dark, including a blending shade similar to my squinting, a darker matte brown to deepen my outer corner, and a black matte that works for liner AND (when used lightly) works for my brows as well.
- The shadows last well on my lids with primer all day; no complaints here!
Hope this helps someone, and if you're interested, that it comes back in stock!
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Blog sale updated!
'ello friends!
Sorry to post and run, but I updated my blog sale finally! I thought I was going to have it up in November, but now look at the date >.<
Here's the link! Blog sale - updated February 2015
And a random picture I took this weekend at a farmer's market in Seattle! ♥
Here's the link! Blog sale - updated February 2015
And a random picture I took this weekend at a farmer's market in Seattle! ♥
Saturday, January 10, 2015
2014 Beauty Favourites
Happy New Year! I finally finished putting together my 2014 Favourites. The non-beauty favourites (household, kitchen, apparel, TV, anime/manga, apps, etc.) are over on my non-beauty blog: Opinionated Homebody.
Muveil Empty Cat Tin: I got this maybe a couple years ago as a free GWP on a Japanese beauty magazine. It's just a little tin I like to use to hold little knick knacks when I travel!
Canmake Lasting Multi Eyebase WP: I ordered this from Ichibankao after reading selphia's positive review of it on MUA, and I like it very much! I find it quite similar to the NARS eyeshadow base, but a bit thicker. I like the packaging (squeeze tube) and price a lot better though!
Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Lover: I've had this for a while, but really loved wearing it this year. Lovely matte peachy-apricot blush!
Suqqu Nuancing Loose Powder Glow in Natural: I've had this for a while now too, but especially enjoyed it this year - even with no base. It does nothing to control my oilies, but that's OK. I like that it doesn't make my face feel dry, but has an overall blurring effect.
Hakuhodo B163BkSL Eye Brow Brush angled: This eye brow brush has been a revelation for me this year. I wish I discovered it before my wedding so I could have done my brows better! This is my first water badger brush, and it is AWESOME for brows. It applies brow powder (and even picking up product from an eyebrow pencil) diffusely and naturally. Never looks overdone. Love it.
Dior Addict Extreme in 536 Lucky: This is a mini I got as a Sephora perk a while back (I put the cap on the back to keep it from rolling away), and have almost finished it up! I really like that there is no white base at all to this lipstick. I will purchase a full size when I use this up!
Guerlain Rouge Automatique in 164 Chamade (discontinued): I think I bought this as a potential wedding lip colour, but ended up liking it more for every day wear (and ended up with the more MLBB Surratt Lipslique in Perfectionniste). I kind of hate Guerlain scented lipsticks, but the colour and formula is so perfect, I even purchased a backup when I ran across one in Canada over the holidays! This is easily my most used lipstick.
Moroccanoil Treatment: This is just a mini bottle I use for travel. I started straightening my hair in the mornings, and I love using this to protect my hair and smooth out any fly aways. A little goes a long way, and the smell has grown on me! I always order from eBay, to be honest, though!
Colortrak Tools The Croc Clip: I use these to section my hair when straightening, and I think these are awesome. They are much sturdier than the same style of clips I purchased from Sephora (which broke very quickly). They feel a little like NARS packagining, and the hinge feels very substantial. Highly recommend these clips!
OPI GelColor in You're Such A Budapest: I chose this nail colour for my wedding manicure for my first and only pro manicure, and liked the colour so much, I bought my own bottle and an OPI LED lamp! I'm still getting the hang of gel nails, but I love wearing this colour.
Persistent Favourites from 2012-2013 (Not pictured): Suqqu Cheek brush, Hakuhodo G537s, Hakuhodo K005, Shu Uemura 10N, GA LuSF, GA Master Corrector, Suqqu Himesango, Fiberwig mascara, Dollywink eyeliner, Holika Holika Wonder Dot liner, Biore UV Aqua Rich watery essence
Muveil Empty Cat Tin: I got this maybe a couple years ago as a free GWP on a Japanese beauty magazine. It's just a little tin I like to use to hold little knick knacks when I travel!
Canmake Lasting Multi Eyebase WP: I ordered this from Ichibankao after reading selphia's positive review of it on MUA, and I like it very much! I find it quite similar to the NARS eyeshadow base, but a bit thicker. I like the packaging (squeeze tube) and price a lot better though!
Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Lover: I've had this for a while, but really loved wearing it this year. Lovely matte peachy-apricot blush!
Suqqu Nuancing Loose Powder Glow in Natural: I've had this for a while now too, but especially enjoyed it this year - even with no base. It does nothing to control my oilies, but that's OK. I like that it doesn't make my face feel dry, but has an overall blurring effect.
Hakuhodo B163BkSL Eye Brow Brush angled: This eye brow brush has been a revelation for me this year. I wish I discovered it before my wedding so I could have done my brows better! This is my first water badger brush, and it is AWESOME for brows. It applies brow powder (and even picking up product from an eyebrow pencil) diffusely and naturally. Never looks overdone. Love it.
Dior Addict Extreme in 536 Lucky: This is a mini I got as a Sephora perk a while back (I put the cap on the back to keep it from rolling away), and have almost finished it up! I really like that there is no white base at all to this lipstick. I will purchase a full size when I use this up!
Guerlain Rouge Automatique in 164 Chamade (discontinued): I think I bought this as a potential wedding lip colour, but ended up liking it more for every day wear (and ended up with the more MLBB Surratt Lipslique in Perfectionniste). I kind of hate Guerlain scented lipsticks, but the colour and formula is so perfect, I even purchased a backup when I ran across one in Canada over the holidays! This is easily my most used lipstick.
Moroccanoil Treatment: This is just a mini bottle I use for travel. I started straightening my hair in the mornings, and I love using this to protect my hair and smooth out any fly aways. A little goes a long way, and the smell has grown on me! I always order from eBay, to be honest, though!
Colortrak Tools The Croc Clip: I use these to section my hair when straightening, and I think these are awesome. They are much sturdier than the same style of clips I purchased from Sephora (which broke very quickly). They feel a little like NARS packagining, and the hinge feels very substantial. Highly recommend these clips!
OPI GelColor in You're Such A Budapest: I chose this nail colour for my wedding manicure for my first and only pro manicure, and liked the colour so much, I bought my own bottle and an OPI LED lamp! I'm still getting the hang of gel nails, but I love wearing this colour.
Persistent Favourites from 2012-2013 (Not pictured): Suqqu Cheek brush, Hakuhodo G537s, Hakuhodo K005, Shu Uemura 10N, GA LuSF, GA Master Corrector, Suqqu Himesango, Fiberwig mascara, Dollywink eyeliner, Holika Holika Wonder Dot liner, Biore UV Aqua Rich watery essence
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Surratt Artistique Blush consolidated picture
Ok, I'm just putting this out there because I could not find a combo pic like it anywhere. I grabbed the promo pics directly from Barneys and made the collage in Picasa. They are (as of December 2014) $32 each.
I'll repost my two blush pictures from August here too, I guess
I'll repost my two blush pictures from August here too, I guess
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