All posts tagged: beauty

My Addiction Addiction: Spoils from Japan, 2014

I did it again. Here are some of the things I picked up from Addiction on my last trip to Jay-pan. With the intention of possibly picking up the new quad in Departure, I ended up walking away with three single eyeshadows (Rigoletto, Sand Dune, and Truffle), a cheek stick (Rose Bar), and a lipstick for my sister (Vamp). I’m a big fan of Addiction’s Cheek Sticks, and Rose Bar brings the number I have to 5. Cheek Sticks are multi-purpose products for use on the eyes, cheeks, and lips, but I found that all of them work best as cheek products. Rose Bar is a beautiful neutral shade that’s a great deal pinker than Tea Rose, which I already have. As for the eyeshadows, which everyone knows I can’t resist, I picked up 3, bringing the total of my Addiction E/S singles to 8. Rigoletto is a beautiful sheeny pale peach. It is absolutely gorgeous. I was not ever intending on getting this, ever, except swatching it was like a revelation. I could just …

Stylenanda 3CE Under Eye Flash in #6 African Sunset*

I’m not going to lie—getting 3CE products in these boxes is always my favorite part! 3CE or 3 Concept Eyes is a cosmetics brand by Korean fashion line, Stylenanda. I first heard about them from Wiji, who posted about them nearly a year ago. There’s something really attractive about their branding and identity, and I think it comes across in their campaigns and their products. The 3CE Under Eye Flash* is a liner designed to “brighten and add depth to your eyes.” It is long-lasting, and can be used for definition and sparkling complexity. “EYE FLASH EFFECT”: The name “eye-flash” given to this under-eye makeup is most proper for its soft colors. Retain and brighten up the eyes and adds depth to the eyes for a gorgeous appearance. “LONG-LASTING WATERPROOF EYE LINER”: This water-proof liner is built to last on both moist and oily lids maintaining a smudge-free, clean, neat look all day long. “RICHNESS AND DEPTH OF COLOR”: Maintain a sensual color without having to reapply the makeup due to excellent color fixing ability. …

Quickie: One Way I Wear a Bold Lip

Whenever I get the urge to wear a bold lip color, I remember to try and keep my face minimal but clean. What do I mean by that? Well, I mostly use colors and techniques that aren’t bold so that they don’t contend or clash with my already dramatic lip. In this photo, I’m wearing a beautiful, super-opaque vampy red lipstick that has strong purple tones by Addiction called Lady in the Lake. I left my brows natural and defined, kept my eye makeup neutral and defined, and focused on making my base as flawless and spotless as I could. The cheeks are also quite understated, again so as not to detract from the red lip. Et voilà! A easy look done with minimal effort, but one that packs a punch and makes a statement. What’s your favorite way to wear a bold lip? Follow me: Bloglovin' • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube • Facebook

Swatch Post: NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Kauai

I mentioned on my Instagram (follow me: @presidents!) a few weeks ago that I had finally gotten NARS Kauai in the mail, after ordering it in January. Kauai is part of their Spring 2014 collection, High Seize, and is the more coveted one of the two duos released. One side is “gold lame;” the other, “iridescent smokey orchid.” I swiped the leftovers of each shade on top of each other in the third swatch. To be honest, these shadows are pretty buttery and smooth and all of that, but I’m not sure how I can wear them without looking all blinged out. It’s pretty weird that I actually took to China Seas, essentially a blue and purple duo, a little bit better. Here’s a fuzzy swatch: The gold is kind of… flake-y? It’s pretty, for sure, but it’s a bit messy to use, in my opinion. I have to play around with it more, though. The orchid side is really pretty. You can see the undertones via sparkle in this fuzzy swatch. As of now, …

Current Nail Routine

I’m not a nail polish fiend, but lately I’ve been enjoying painting them. Here’s my usual routine: — Base Coat: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails — Chosen Nail Lacquer — Top Coat: China Glaze No-Chip Top Coat I’m a big fan of the Sally Hansen Hard as Nails, but I’m not too sure how I feel about the China Glaze top coat. I mentioned before that nails aren’t really my thing, and I’m terrible at nail art or even just regular application. What I’ve been doing lately is having an accent nail, usually the ring fingers. This pretty hot pink is by Butter London, and it’s called Primrose Hill Picnic. It’s a fabulous cream and goes on opaque in one coat. The rest of the nails are painted in Barry M’s Countess, which Laala gave to me via her swap. Butter London and Barry M are cruelty-free. Follow me: Bloglovin' • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube • Facebook

Rouge Bunny Rouge Prelude in the Clouds Aqua Primer

I know, I know. I said no more primers. But I am a stupid bint. A lucky one, though, because the Rouge Bunny Rouge Prelude in the Clouds Aqua Primer is quite good. Not the best I’ve tried, but certainly not the worst. I got it at about 40% off the retail price. Product Description: “This water-based texture is so light and refreshing on your skin that you will feel like floating through the clouds, but it contains plethora of active ingredients. Sea-Buckthorn Berry Extract serves as a superb-antioxidant and anti-ageing ingredient that promotes cell tissue regeneration. Iris Florentina Root Extract smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles to create a perfect canvas for other products to be applied to the skin. Saccharide Isomerate provides intensive hydration, firming and smoothing; Bisabolol is used for its anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. Vitamin E Acetate and Retinol Palmitate improve skin texture. Now you know why we are so excited to bring you this miracle in a bottle.” The bottle is actually quite pretty. It’s in a frosted white glass …

FOTD: Neutral Natural with NARS Charade

Look! An FOTD from a few days ago. 🙂 It’s just a pretty neutral look since I wanted to use a hot pink blush. I basically just used the NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Charade—the rosy shade all over the lid and the purple to deepen the outer corner and smoke out the lower lid a little bit. I used a bit of the rosy shade as a gradient, too. I used a liquid liner and mascara, and that’s mostly it for the eyes. For the lips, another NARS product, the Satin Lip Pencil in Decanso, which is limited edition and gorgeous. I kind of want to buy a backup, but I don’t want to be that kind of person anymore. I chiseled out my cheekbones a little with the Illamasqua Cream Foundation, then added a pretty blended out application of Tarte’s Flush on my cheeks. I tend to apply blush higher up on and towards the edges of my face and not on the apples because my cheeks are quite full. Here are some of …