Suqqu Extra Glow Lipstick Part III

Towards the end of December, my direct order with the Suqqu UK counter at Selfridges arrived, and I got a hold of two more Suqqu Extra Glow Lipsticks in 09 宵果実 (Yoikajitsu) Deep Midnight Berry and EX-03 蜜柘榴 (Mitsuzakuro) Juicy Bordeaux.

These photos are from early January, so while I'm all caught up with all the Japan stuff, I'm still almost 4 months behind when it comes to makeup photos. See, not running out of things to post about anytime soon...

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Comparison Swatches

Here's my equally collection of Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick.

From left to right: 02 京鹿子 (Kyoganoko), 10 潤朱 (Urumishu), 18 唐紅花 (Karakurenai), and EX-01 冴薔薇 (Saebara).
All pictures taken in natural light without flash. Click to zoom.

Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Part II

After 18 唐紅花 (Karakurenai), I wasn't sure I needed another Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick, but I saw swatches of 02 京鹿子 (Kyoganoko) online and thought it's a pretty color, so I picked it up. Then I had a swap with a reader, Caty, and got 10 潤朱 (Urumishu) also (thanks, Caty!).

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Suqqu Bright Up Lipstick Comparison Swatches

Here are my Suqqu Bright Up Lipsticks. I won't be able to add anymore to these colors so these I are it, I think.

Top row: 02 花紅 (Hanabeni), 03 薔薇色 (Barairo), and 04 桜桃色 (Outouiro).
Bottom row: 06 夕映 (Yuubae), 07 朱杏 (Akaanzu), 08 澄橙 (Sumidaidai), and 09 薊映 (Azamibae).

All pictures taken in natural light without flash. Click to zoom.

Suqqu Bright Up Lipstick Part III

After purchasing Suqqu Bright Up Lipsticks in 02 花紅 (Hanabeni), 03 薔薇色 (Barairo), and 07 朱杏 (Akaanzu) at an incredible discounted price of GBP17.46 (~$22.25 at the current rates) during the Selfridges UK online annual sales event, I went back for more knowing these would be discontinued and gone for good. I'm so happy to have them now, because they're indeed no longer available, not even at cut-throat prices on E(vil)bay.

The second time around, I picked up 04 桜桃色 (Outouiro), 06 夕映 (Yuubae), and couldn't resist adding 08 澄橙 (Sumidaidai) to my direct order with the Suqqu UK counter at the Selfridges physical store.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist Comparison Swatches

Here's my tiny Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist collection. My favorites are 07 珊瑚石 (Sangoseki) and 13 茜薔薇 (Akanebara). What, don't you play favorites?

Top row, left to right: 06 春撫子 (Harunadeshiko), 07 珊瑚石 (Sangoseki), 12 紅蜂蜜 (Benihachimitsu), and 13 茜薔薇 (Akanebara).
Bottom: EX-19 艳茜 (Tsuyaakane) Crimson Red.
All pictures taken in natural light without flash. Click to zoom.

Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist Part II

Within a short time, Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick Moist has become one of my favorite lipstick formula, right up there with the former and long-discontinued Lavshuca Dramatic Memory Rouge and Lipstick Queen Saints. They're like a glossy lip balm in a stick with sheer and wearable colors. They're long-lasting and feel fabulous on my lips. What's not to love?

So when I spotted more colors available on Selfridge UK online, I didn't think twice and snatched up three more: 06 春撫子 (Harunadeshiko), 07 珊瑚石 (Sangoseki), and 12 紅蜂蜜 (Benihachimitsu).

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Lipstick Queen Lipsticks Comparison Swatches

Here are swatches for my Lipstick Queen lippies collection, which I love with all my heart. Note the absence of all the two Sinners (Red and Pink) and Red Metal. I've passed them on because I don't touch them at all. Medieval isn't pictured because it perpetually lives in my purse and isn't subjected to any rotation.

No, I'm not doing comparison swatches of my collections because I'm running out of topics. It's actually the opposite. Since coming home, I've realized that my lippie collection has grown drastically. I've been going nuts with lippies and am appropriately behind with photos and posts ^.^"

All pictures taken in natural light without flash. Click to zoom.

Kiku-Masamune Sake Skincare Essence

Finished the bottle of Kuramoto Bijin Komeyu Rice Oil Serum a couple of weeks ago and eagerly moved on to this Kiku-Masamune Sake Skincare Essence.

I'm sticking to the combination of layering a sake-based skincare essence/serum beneath Boscia Sake Balm because it's been working so well for my skin. Kiku-Masamune is a new brand for me, a recommendation from a reader, Caty (thank you, Caty!). While at it I also picked up a 150g jar of Kome and Hakko Moisture Gel, an all-in-one moisturizing gel for hubby. Will review later when he gets to it, because how else will I "borrow" some? ^.^

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter

I have two 59mL/2fl. oz. jars of this Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Vanilla Apricot, one from the Sephora Favorites 2015 Skin Wonderland and the other from Josie Maran Whimsical Wonder Argan Oil Skincare Essentials Set. I've been using them over the past few weeks, because the tiny jar of Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Body Creme didn't last very long ^.^

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Body Creme

Finished this 15mL/0.5floz. jar of Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Body Creme within two weeks, so here's a short review for it.

This was a body cream scented in the Pomegranate Noir cologne line. I don't wear perfume so I was rather weary, thinking this body cream would be heavily scented. It turned out not so bad. The scent was a slightly tart fruit with lots of woodsy notes and a touch of musk. The first time I used this cream, hubby took a sniff of my arm and said, "You smell...different." xD The scent was pretty mild but super long-lasting, as in I could smell it throughout the next day, until I showered and it washed off!

The cream itself was great though! Thick, creamy, and moisturizing but left a velvety finish on my skin and wasn't greasy at all. If it were unscented I'd definitely repurchase. I used it exclusively on my arms.

Paul & Joe Lipstick and Lipstick CS Comparison Swatches

Here's my humble Paul & Joe Lipstick and Lipstick CS collection so far, along with their Lipstick Case CS. These aren't all of them as I've passed on several colors I don't use to family and friends, but I'm pretty happy with those that remains.

What I've noticed over the years is that the collection gets repetitive. There are few exceptions like the 2016 fall collection with different and lovely colors that were still seasonally appropriate. Otherwise, there's always a shade of pink, coral or orange, and red, and while I love those colors I'm getting bored seeing the same stuff over and over. So I'll probably stop here unless P&J comes up with something really fresh.

Lipstick Case CS. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Tea Time! Part III

More teas, hooray, now that I'm reunited with my tea shelf ^.^ Here are some new acquisitions since moving home last October. After spending a few years sampling extensively from numerous vendors, I now only purchase very specific favorites that I haven't found elsewhere. There are many other favorites that aren't featured in this post, but I figured I'll run out sooner or later and will have to restock, at which point I'll take photos and post about them.

***Disclaimer: I'm *not affiliated* with any of these vendors. Just sharing the goodies I enjoy is all.

I like a few things from American Tea Room of Beverly Hills, CA. Their teas are of decent quality but are on the pricier side, so I don't buy anything else from them other than these 4 teas: Anastasia, Brioche, Madam Bergamot, and Victoria.

Paul & Joe Lipstick CS Part VI

Yes, even more Paul & Joe Lipstick CS ^.^ I told you I'd gone back for the last of the 2016 spring collection, namely 096 In Bloom, and while at it I also picked up the three colors from the 2016 fall collection, 099 Autumn Sun, 100 Kiss in the Park, and 101 Snuggle Up.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

And of course I needed more Lipstick Case CS for those refills, so I got another 011 having given my previous one away, 034, and 036. The duplicate 011 was an accident, a total goof on my part when I was placing the order.

Kamatora Delivery Part III

One of my most favorite Japanese foods is kamameshi, basically rice cooked in an iron pot with various pre-cooked toppings added at the last minute. So of course coming back to Tokyo means seeking out our favorite kamameshi delivery--Kamatora. Thank goodness they were still around and like Nabezo and Botejyu, they'd only gotten better over time. 

We were thrilled, as you can tell ^.^ And I tried to branch out and try different things on their menu too.

Missha Aqua Gel Tint

This Missha Aqua Gel Tint in Scarlet Orange was a cart filler when I went back for more of the Moisture Coating Tint in Hollywood Pink and Dream Orchid. It has been a while since my last lip stain anyway (Etude House Dear Darling Tint AD), so I thought I'd give it a try.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Only in Japan... Part V

I've caught up with my Japan food photos but there are still several Japan-related posts lining up in draft form, like this one in the Only in Japan series for example. I didn't do a post in this series throughout our time in Tokyo but it's better late than never.

Spotted this cool-dude-who-gives-zero-f*ck outside the Marunouchi Cafe Kai on the ground floor of the Kitte Building, across the street from Tokyo Station. Let's just say when you were minding your own business and then looked out the door to see guy sporting samurai hair, outfit, and hiking shoes, you just couldn't help but sneak a photo or two. I do wonder if there were a theater or film studio of some sorts nearby. Then again, he didn't look like he had any stage or film makeup on.

Tarte Skinny SmolderEyes Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner

J. and I were huge fans of Three Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil. It boggled our minds that Three would discontinued these, only to replace them with the Meh-smerizing Performance Eyeliner Pencil so bland not even the LE colors could tempt either of us!

In the end, I moved to secure my favorite Flash backups while J. moved on to these Tarte Skinny SmolderEyes Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner. She really liked them and recommended them to me, so I picked up four colors when they went on sale last summer: Deep Amethyst, Emerald, Jade, and Slate.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Tokyo Eats - Shibuya Area

Shibuya was another under-explored area for me and hubby. Believe it or not, we went to Shibuya more often while living in Yokohama than we did while living in Tokyo. I blame the same big, dense city exhaustion, because being a suburb Yokohama was nowhere as crowded as Tokyo.