Lancome Butterflies Fever Blush

It's March already, and I'm going to start off the month with this pretty Lancome Butterflies Fever Blush in Glowy Ballerine ^.^ This came out last spring, but then you know what happened last spring, and I just wasn't in the mood for anything remotely pretty then...But here it is, finally, and it's very pretty to look at. Too bad the purple butterflies are just spray-ons considering the lavender rose and pink bows are pressed in colors, but either way the powder is very soft and smooth. Did I mention it's beautiful? Yes, it is.

Lancome Butterflies Fever Blush in Glowy Ballerine

The Body Shop Matte & Shimmer Cheek Colour

Right before I packed up and moved to Japan I saw these Body Shop Matte & Shimmer Cheek Colour on sale for a ridiculous 3/$10 at my local store, so I picked up both colors 01 Pink & Gold and 02 Bronze & Gold as they were gorgeous. Then I proceeded to pack them away think I wasn't going to need them anytime going, moving to the land of cosmetics and all. It wasn't until this past holiday that I finally brought them back to Japan with me.

Unfortunately, these pressed powder blusher/bronzer didn't turn out as I had expected. My first and foremost complaint is the quality of their packaging, and apparently I'm not the only person with a broken, crushed, shattered Matte & Shimmer Cheek Colour compact. This seemed kind of odd, because it's not like The Body Shop to put out such flimsy packaging, and I know this because I own a lot of Body Shop eye and cheek compacts. But not the case with these, I guess. Not only the powder pan was not glued well to the compact, the powder itself wasn't pressed firmly enough. 

01 Pink & Gold and 02 Bronze & Gold. All pictures taken indoor with flash unless otherwise noted.

Stila Cheek Duo

The Lip Glaze Sticks, makeup brushes, and Kajal Eye Liners revived my interest in Stila recently, which compelled me to dig out this Cheek Duo in Sugarloaf. Then I remember why it'd been buried away in my stash in the first place - it's huge! I mean, the compact is thin and isn't as bulky as it can get, but it's still pretty large, it covers up my entire palm and then some!

Stila Cheek Duo in Sugarloaf. All pictures taken indoor with flash unless otherwise noted.

Castledew Diacut Eyes 9 Colors

Wow, I'm totally in love with these Castledew Diacut Eyes 9 Color palettes! They're absolutely stunning! These came out prior to the Diacut Eyes 6 Colors, so I've had them, or at least first 5 palettes, on hands for a while now but had been shying away from using them for the longest time. Having 9 colors in each palette just add up to too many color combos and that was jut too many decisions for me ^.^ But shy no more as I'm determined to try and wear every single color in each palette at least once. They're just too pretty for me to keep ignoring and now that I've used them, I can't wait to get my hands on that brand new palette #E907 Pure Angelism as well! Want!!!

Castledew Diacut Eyes 9 Colors

***Picture from VOV Korea.

Anyway, as mentioned before this line currently has up to 7 palettes, from 901 to 907, each consists of 3x3 square block powder shadows that are either baked into the same pan (BE901, BE903, BE905, and BE906) or pressed into 9 separate pans (E902, E904, and the newest E907). I am only reviewing 3 palettes today, the E904 Romatic Garnet Dia, BE905 Blackish Smoky, and BE906 Airy Bloom Dia as their overall color schemes seem most appropriate for the spring season with the few greens and blues. I usually avoid greens and blues for eye shadows as it is difficult for me to find the right shades of green and blue that would go well with my skin tone, but for some reason I was curious to try these ^.^ 

Pictures taken indoor with flash, unless otherwise noted.

Visee Glam Glow Eyes

So after getting d*cked with the Visee x Smacky Glam Glam Glow Eyes limited edition palettes, perhaps karma took pity on me and gave me an even better story to tell about this Visee Eye Color and Liquid Eye Liner Sets from Don Quijote. 

Playing around with the limited edition palettes finally got me to think about the permanent line again, and I stopped by Don Quijote one afternoon after class to check out the testers one more time. That was when I saw these sets, each containing a deluxe 30mL sample jar of Fasio Oil Cleansing EX, a small 2.5mL tube of Fasio Mascara Easy Remover, a mini 70-sheet booklet of Kose Selecty Glitter Aburatorigami Oil Blotting Paper (retails 420yen), a Visee Glam Glow Eyes palette in either BR-3 or PK-1 (retails 1,680yen), and a full size Visee Liquid Eye Liner in BK001 (retails 1,050yen). Each set was priced at 1,964yen each with actual retail value at 3,150yen, not counting the cleansing oil and mascara remover samples, and of course I had to grab at least one. The question was which, BR-3 or PK-1, or both. 

My Colorful Valentine

This post is a little late, but I got these interesting Colorful Mince Chocolates from my boss and I thought I'd post it for fun ^.^ In Japan, Valentine's Day is strictly a ladies giving gentlemen chocolates day (the other way around is White Day, March 14), so I was really surprised when my boss handed this to me. These are her favorite chocolates from Hokkaido. I had no idea of course, thinking these were just your average chocolates. What the hell is Colorful Mince anyway? Didn't sound like anything close to chocolate, let alone flavored chocolates.

Colorful Mince

Ettusais Cheek Color

Speaking of Plaza, I was there a few weeks ago looking for the newest addition to the Kiss Kiss My Eyes Glamorize Shadow line, palette 06 Pink Beige PK-2. Well, it wasn't out yet, but let's just say my trip wasn't wasted because I saw these adorable Ettusais Cheek Color on display and came home with them instead ^.^

These are my very first Ettusais blushes. I've seen their others blushes, but they all look kind of blah and they cost a little more than what I'd be willing to pay for a blah blush, 1,680yen each, so I never look their way. That is, until these Cheek Colors came along. They are the same price, yes, also I do think their packaging is kind of bulky being in a jar-like container, but I just couldn't resist the adorable heart swirls that reminds me of the cappuccino foam art. So yeah, I splurged a little ^.^ Thank goodness there were only 2 colors available, Orange and Pink, because I probably wouldn't be able to justify buying more of these, not even to myself.

Ettusais Cheek Color in Orange and Pink. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.


Orange


Pink

Kiss Twinkle Angel Highlight

Okay, I admit this Kiss Twinkle Angel Highlight has a very, erhh, funny name, but I promise it's a really nice highlighter ^.^ This was a limited edition from the holiday season of 2008, but it took my sister at least half a year later to track one down for me while she was still living in Shizuoka. 

I really love Kiss blushes (Pure Bloom Cheeks, will get to these later...hopefully), not just because each compact comes with 2 colors to mix and play with, but also because of their sleek and simple packaging, and especially so because of the tiny heart pattern that is embossed onto their surface. So when there's a highlighter made in a similar fashion, I had to get my hands on it! 

All pictures taken indoor with flash, unless otherwise noted.

Maikohan Cheek Color

Too bad Sana discontinued their Maikohan line, because these Maikohan Cheek Colors rock! They only come in 2 varieties: Akane (Madder, reddish orange) and Benisakura (Red Cherry Blossom, pink). I bought the Benisakura first, loved it, then went back and bought Akane later but didn't get a chance to take photos before having to pack everything up for the big move. So here they are, finally.

Outer packaging for Maikohan Cheek Colors. All pictures taken in natural light without flash unless otherwise noted.

Visee x Smacky Glam Glam Glow Eyes

When these gorgeous Visee x Smacky Glam Glam Glow Eyes were released around the middle of last October, I was preoccupied with school and whatnot. About a month or so later, I finally stopped by a drugstore I don't frequent and spotted these, but by then they were already sold out at this location, leaving only the testers for me play with while kicking myself for not paying attention sooner.  

I put up a good chase for these palettes, of course, but it was exhausting having to go to (and get disappointed with) several stores. Finally, it took a trip in the opposite direction of my train line, which I don't usually take because it's so out of the way, for me to get a hold of them. I then begrudgingly paid the full price of 1,680yen each, because I wasn't about to go bargain hunting after spending all that time just merely searching. And then just when I breathed a breath of relief, on a random trip up to Shibuya with hubby a few days later for a friend's birthday bash, we happened to walk by a drugstore across the street from the JR Shibuya Station with a bunch of these on display for - guess how much - 1,090yen each! Yep, was I pissed, or as the folks here like to scream, むかつく!!! Better yet, #$%^*&%#!!! Grr...

Visee x Smacky Glam Glam Glow Eyes in PK-6 Sweet Pink (left) and BR-7 Bitter Brown (right). All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Maybelline ColorSensational Lip Gloss Part II

Since my last post on Maybelline ColorSensational Lip Gloss in which I reviewed the color 953 Hi-Tech Plum, I've been chasing down a different color, 945 Salsa Sun. Along the way, I've stumbled onto a couple others in the same series, namely 943 Tangerine Tango and 944 Sangria Sunrise, and picked them up too since they all look orangey.

Top to bottom: 943 Tangerine Tango, 944 Sangria Sunrise, and 945 Salsa Sun. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Canmake Cheek Gradation Part III

Just got around to using this Canmake Cheek Gradation 06 Candy Stripes recently. After having discontinued 01 Pink Stripes, Canmake replaced it with this 06 Candy Stripes, which is an excellent move if you ask me! Yes, I like this 06 Candy Stripes a lot. Actually, I like it the best out of all the Cheek Gradations, and I even made a convert out of my mum ^.^ She was a long time loyal fan of the 01 Pink Stripes, as in she wouldn't use any other blush I sent and stuck with just 01 Pink Stripes. When I told her that color had disappeared from all the drugstores I frequent, understandably she freaked and made me go on a hunt for a backup source online. And then along the way I snuck in one of these 06 Candy Stripes for her and what do you know, Pink Stripes? What Pink Stripes?

So what is so special about this 06 Candy Stripes, you may wonder. Well, the concept of these Cheek Gradations is that each has 4 bars of color that are more or less in the same scheme. Together they form a (duh) gradient, from the darker and more pigmented bars at the top for coloring to the lighter and much sheerer bars at the bottom for highlighting. The most obvious feature that sets this 06 Candy Stripes apart from all the other Cheek Gradations is that it doesn't quite follow this gradation concept, having two very distinct and equally pigmented color bars at the top, one a bright tropical orange and the other a bright hot pink. Also the very bottom bar, instead of being a pale pink or pale beige that goes well with the over all color scheme, it's a stark chalk white.

06 Candy Stripes. All pictures taken indoor with flash, unless otherwise noted.

Castledew Diacut Cheek Marble

While I was wavering back and forth on whether I should get the Castledew Diacut Cheek #902 Jewel Highlight, I spotted these Diacut Cheek Marbles and this decision was an easy one to make ^.^ There are only 2 varieties available for these so far, #1 Shine Dia and #2 Lovely Dia. I bought both of them, despite guessing they would both be baked and frosty again. I'm such a sucker -.-'

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.


Both of these come in the exact same pearly white compacts as the Diacut Cheek 9-Colors, and I was right again that they are baked. However, they have very different texture and finish than the Diacut Cheek 9-Colors. They feel softer and not as dry as baked powder would normally feel, which is interesting. Even more intriguing is that neither have any hint of metallicity in them! Instead, they both have a satiny pearl finish that gives a very gorgeous soft focus glow with some shimmers. Finally, these are scented, which is a huge departure from most baked product that has no fragrance at all. It's very mild, but is definitely a feminine powder scent which I don't mind but not exactly thrilled about. I just prefer my makeup to stay unscented in general, especially with face powders.

#1 Shine Dia and #2 Lovely Dia

Castledew Diacut Cheek Part II

This #902 Jewel Highlight is the second of the Castledew Diacut Cheek lineup that also includes #901 Planet Love Dia that I had review a couple of years ago. I actually held out on getting this highlighter for the longest time, a couple of years actually. I was thinking that if it is anything like the baked 9-colored #901 Planet Love Dia, all the color would be either metallic pearl or metallic, or a mix of both, and as a whole, it would be way too frosty for a highlighter. 

But in the end, I gave in :P I love the #901 Planet Love Dia, and I use it for both my cheeks as well as my eyes. So I figured if I can't use this #902 Jewel Highlight to, well, highlight, at least I can use it as eye shadows. Yes, all 9 colors are light and can only be used as base or highlighter, but I'd still rather have it than not.  

Castledew Diacut Cheek #902 Jewel Highlight. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser

I'm almost 2/3 of the way through this 50 mL/1.7 fl oz. pump bottle of Instant Foaming Cleanser from the Caudalie Limited Edition Favorites Collection, which also includes 30 mL/1 fl oz. Beauty Elixir, 75mL/2.5 fl oz. Hand and Nail Cream, and a full size Lip Conditioner. 

Oro Gold Cosmetics 24K Golden Body Scrub

I received this huge tub of 300mL of Oro Gold Cosmetics 24K Golden Body Scrub as a gift from mum in law and have been using it off and on whenever I come home for a visit. I guess it's about time I review it. I'm sure I have at least one picture of this scrub somewhere, but until I go through my library again and find it, a stock picture will have to do for now. Sorry!

***Picture from Oro Gold Cosmetics USA.

The Body Shop Exfoliating Skin Towel

I bought this Body Shop Exfoliating Skin Towel because hubby likes shower scrubs but hates the fruity or sweet scents that usually comes with the body exfoliators I buy (think The Body Shop Body Polishes, L'Occitane Polishing Shower Gels, Caudalie Crushed Cabernet Scrub, etc.). I don't blame him, as I agree some of those scrub are overly perfumy as well. So when I spotted these, I knew he'd like them and he does. I do too ^.^

***Picture from The Body Shop USA.

Kate Dual Carat

I had these Kate Dual Carats on hand for the longest time but have only been using them recently. There were quite a few color combinations for these duos available back then, but I bought only 8, skipping the ones I thought I wouldn't like. Looking back now I wish I hadn't skipped them, especially that PU-1 purple combo. Oh well...

Texture wise these are smooth and blend well, though with some inconsistency in pigmentation. The finish is sparkly of course ^.^, though there are variations here too. Some colors have more shimmers than others, some are sparkly top washes even and aren't meant to be used all over the lids. I have experienced some shimmer fall outs from the sparklier colors, especially the top washes, but otherwise no fall outs from the others. They last for several hours on me before creasing, however for some reason they crease within 30 minutes when I use Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Eye Creme underneath my sunscreen. Something in the Estee Lauder eye cream just breaks down both these eye shadows as well as my sunscreen like nobody's business.

Kate Dual Carats in BK-1 and BR-1. All pictures taken indoor with flash, unless otherwise noted.

BR-2 and BR-3

GD-1 and GD-2

SV-2 and WT-1

Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Eye Creme

Just started using my deluxe 5 mL GWP jar of Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Eye Creme about a month ago. I started using this simply out of boredom, because a jar or bottle of eye cream lasts me for a very long time. After more than a year of daily use, I'm still only half way through my huge 1 fl. oz. pump bottle of BeautyMate Nano Eye Essence! If that's any indicative, the current 0.5 fl. oz. pump bottle of Body Shop Nutriganics Soothing Eye Cream will also last for at least a year with my nightly use. So I was bored out of my mind and was itching to try something new, so I did!

Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Multi-Pencils

Saw these Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Multi-Pencils on clearance and my curiosity got the best of me (it always does, I haven't gotten very far from meenke roots). These are double-ended pencils, one end for eyes, the other for cheeks and lips. Sounds pretty neat, no? I only saw 3 color variations, Twice the Spice, Raspberry Radiance, and Sugar Plum, and I bought all 3 to play with.

Twice the Spice and Raspberry Radiance. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Herbal Essence Touchable Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner Set

Here's a shampoo I miss! After finishing my bottle of Sea Breeze Shampoo, I picked up this Herbal Essence Touchable Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner Set at my local drugstore. 

Steady January 2012

My last January issue! This is Steady January 2012 which comes with a large Agnes B. tote ^.^ 

I really like Agnes B. freebie totes for their cute signature heart and logo print as well as the fact that they are often made with washable cotton canvas or cotton polyester mix rather than just polyester (like the makeup/toiletry travel case that came with June 2011 issue), so this was a must get for me.

Sweet January 2012

This is Sweet January 2012 that comes with a set of Marc by Marc Jacobs pouches and matching calendar. I didn't intend to pick this up, but walking by a Tsutaya with these freebies on display made it extremely difficult to resist.