HAPPY TRAVELS YUMEKO!

Hallo! (^_^)  I hope ya'll had a wonderful holiday!  Now onto the New Year!!!

I had to do a quick post to say good-bye to Ms. Yumeko.  If you've been followin' her blog, she is movin' to Hong Kong tomorrow for two years!  *INSERT SAD FACE*  I am a bit bummed out because toward the end of this year, we've been able to get together and enjoy each others' company (eatin' at Buffets, singin' and shoppin')!  I don't need to say too much as I know she is a mystery to many of you... LOL.  I'm just glad she isn't a mystery to me.  HA!

I met up with Yumeko last Monday in Yokohama (along with Danni) for lunch, shopping and a gift exchange.  We practically spent the entire together shootin' tha'shit and shoppin' for shoes and clothes!  Since Yume is goin' to be walkin' tons in Hong Kong, she asked me if I could help her out with finding some comfy, fashionable kicks.  You know I had to do her that favor!  XD  She gave me her criteria and what colors she could do and not do so here's what I picked out for her:

Def Jam Adidas. HAAA!

I ended up gettin' a pair of Reebox but I'll post that up for ya'll later because some of ya'll are askin about my shoe collection so I am hopin' to do a video soon.  Trust me, it ain't much... I really just get things randomly but I do have a lot of favs! (^_^)

I mentioned before that we had a lil gift exchange, here is what I got from Yume:

  EDWARD!  LOL, Etude House lipgloss & eyeshadow, Faux eyelashes, and Fig Lychee & Pink Clay Shaping Soap (it smells sooo delicious)!

A closer look at the lipgloss - she knows me all too well and got me a very pretty pink.

 

Now for my virtual note...

Yume!  I wish you nothin' but safe travels and success in Hong Kong!  I know you will be back every few months and I hope we all can get together again, especially before I leave back to the States!  You owe me a "Girls Night Out" and your "Birthday Bash" remember?  *wink wink*  Take care of yourself and keep in touch!!!

Lastly, I leave ya'll with our photo memories:

 

See you next year Yumeko!!! XOXO!

~L

FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS...

Merry Christmas! 

May you enjoy this holiday with good company and better eats!  Go hard with the 'itis!!!

 

Love ya'll! XOXO, ~L

KATE PALETTE GD-1 REVISTED W/ TUTORIAL

Per request by Ms. Stephanie aka DSK Jewelry.  I posted the following LOTD last week (via Twitter) and she asked me to do a toot.  (^_^) 

And yes, I've done this look before (noted in the video as well) but used different bases.  I would have to say that the difference that I remember from last year with using the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils as bases is that those were more thick and creamy which made the look more "oily".  MAC is definitely NOT as creamy so it was a lil easier to work with even though my skin is mad dry during this Winter cold. 

Anyway, here is what I used:

UDPP
MAC Paint Pot in Fresco Rose
MAC Greasepaint Stick
Kate palette - Pink/Inner, Brown/Mid, Black/Outer
*Pink and Black used for water line
UD Eyeshadow in Sin for highlight
Milani Color Brilliance Eye Liner in Black
K-Palette Liner in Black (Japanese)
Red Cherry Faux Lashes #15 w/ Duo Adhesive
Katie B. Faux Lashes Mascara
NARS Blush in Super Orgasm
Chapstick
MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer (used on lips)
MAC Lipglass in Starlet Kiss

My apologies in advance, my bangs are in the way! (O_o)

Front/Eyes open.

 

Lookin' down.

 

Peace.

YouTube - Video Tutorial

Take care! XOXO, ~L

Ps. I will be doin' another KATE Tutorial with a Smokey Eye Palette that I have, this week.  Stay tuned!

FIMO NAIL ART CANES - CHANEL & MY MELODY

I got these in the mail today and am really excited to put them to use!!! (^_^)

Thanks to Ms. Stephanie over at Makeup Babble, she directed me to these nail canes and ignited my nail art needs.  LOL  Take a look at her recent nail art!  It's gorg!

I am lookin' into getting a UV lamp and other nail gel necessities so I can start doin' my nails from home.  What's funny is that when I was back home this past October, I visited the lady that use to do my nails and she kept telling me that she would help me purchase everything I would need so I could do it myself.  She didn't want me spendin' dough in Japan because she knew it was ridiculously expensive!  Good lookin' out right?  Too bad I didn't have time to link up with her before I came back.  Boo!  Anyway, time to get started up again so be on the lookout for the next coming weeks.

Here are the goods!

I ordered them on Dec. 1st and received them about two weeks later... from China.  LOL

Closeup of the Chanel canes.

Closeup of the rabbit (I call 'em My Melody ones).

Sliced and diced!

Stored in lil round containers that I use to use for pigments!

Total FAIL on the slicin' & dicin'!  Whatta waste!  LOL

Stay tuned!

XOXO, ~L

MISSHA - THE STYLE SOFT CRAYON LIP ROUGE in PK01

A favorite, new product of mine. (^_^)

I received this from a friend (who is also a military wife) that is currently stationed in Korea.  She knows I love pink lips so she sent me this:

Name Brand:  Missha The Style Soft Crayon Lip Rouge in PK01

You can find them here.

There are five colors on the website and ALL of them are sold out!  I was eye'n the BE01 one but it's not "nude" enough.  PK02 looks pretty as well as it looks more rose-colored.

I love the consistency of this lip crayon.  It's not too dry or creamy.  It applies very well and is matte.  The other great thing about this product is that the packaging includes a sharpener (not pictured).    

The product.

Close up.

Swatch.

Lip swatch.

I applied Chapstick before applying the product.

I personally love shiny lips so decided to choose a clear lipgloss to apply over it.  My choice?

Victoria Secrets Sweet Talk in Watermelon.

This lipgloss is VERY sticky.  I hate the sticky but love the smell and shine.

Lip Rouge + Lip gloss.

I love it.  I can't wait to use it with MAC's lip glass in Sugar Trance next!  I will definitely be asking my friend in Korea to pick me a few more!  (^_^)

XOXO, ~L

MS. IVY - CHRISTMAS PARTY 2009

I actually did two other people but didn't take photos of them due to time constraints.  Ivy wasn't in a rush so I was able to take pictures of her before she ran out the door. (^_^)

For her look, I used the following:

MAC Graphic Garden, Fresh Cut Palette
MAC Eyeshadow in Jest for highlight
MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Perfect Topping for blush
MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Shimmer for face highlights
K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner
Milani Color Brilliance Eyeliner for waterline
Elise Faux Eyelashes
Covergirl Lash Blast for lower lashes and lash blend
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lipgloss in Hush & Clear

This will probably be my last time doing Ivy's makeup for an event.  She is leaving back to the States this coming August 2010.  I will miss her!

Ps.  I also cut her bangs before I left for the States in October.

XOXO, ~L

KATIE B. COSMETICS - FAUX LASH MASCARA TEST RUN #1

Hello all! Happy Saturday night from Japan!  (^_^)/

Before I begin, I'd like to let ya'll know what I plan to have as future posts during Dec. 22nd thru Jan. 2nd.  I won't be workin' then so I really want to catch up and get the following posts up:

1. vLog
2. HerStyler curling wand tutorial
3. Lipstick/Lipgloss lip swatches from my collection
4. New, favorite items
5. Studio Sculpt Foundation and Concealer Review
6. Updated Skin Regimine
7. More photos from my vacation back home to CA/NYC
8. Favorite Things

I will really try to get at least half of these done!

Oh, and I did not intentionally mean to forget my mini HK giveaway from before I left to the States.  I just, honestly, forgot so... I will have a redo shortly!  My apologies!

❤❤❤

Okay, onto the mascara!!!

As most of you know, I am all about the false eyelashes.  The addiction started back in 2002 when I started modeling (and I use that term lightly).  A friend of mine needed me to model some clothes for her and she sent me to the MAC counter where I had my first pair of falsies put on.  Since then, putting falsies on is like second nature.  It's easier for me to do that than to put on mascara but every now and then, I get an itch to try it again.  I had always used Maybelline New York's Great Lash because it didn't weigh or uncurl my non-existent lashes.  Last year, I moved onto Covergirl's Lash Blast.  It is currently the one that I normally use on my lower lashes.

Time for something new?

Hell yes!  Especially after hearing Ms. Joey and Ms. Kimberly Tia rave about it.  I had to see what the fuss was about...

Tha'fuss:  Katie B. Faux Lash Mascara

Description:  Made of 100% natural ingredients; thickens, lengthens, and separates without having the clumpiness of other mascara and without wilting your lashes.

Price:  $13.50 USD

Out the box; it's packaging

Cone-shaped brush

Pre-application.

Look at my pitiful, down-turned lashes! (-_-)

After.

I applied 2 coats.

Whatcha think?

I think it did a pretty good job with both lengthening and thickening.  I don't have a consistent technique on application yet so I am going to practice a bit more with that before I give ya'll a final verdict, but for now I am pretty happy with it because it did NOT weigh down my lashes.  To me, that's the most important - not losing the curl!

I'll be doin' a full-face look using this mascara shortly and will add to this post.  Stay tuned!

XOXO, ~L

HERSTYLER BABY CURLS CURLING IRON 13mm

Howdy! (^_^)/  Just poppin' in real quick to show you the curler I've been playing with for the past two days.  I bought this about 2 weeks ago via Amazon.com and received it last Thursday.  I've been wanting really tight curls without having to get a perm since this past Summer!  "Mufasa" hair, to be exact! LOL  Okay, well maybe this isn't exactly "Mufasa" hair but I am sure by tomorrow morning, it WILL be. (~_^)  Lemme introduce this here thing to'ya...

Name Brand:  HerStyler

Type:  Baby Curls Professional Curling Iron

Size:  13mm

Features:  Tourmaline barrel; ceramic technology; quick heat recovery without sudden increase of heat; Slim, rubberized handle; Suitable for all hair types; Ultra-light and ultra-fast, Ergonomic design

The wand and heat glove.

Straight vs. (first set of) tight curls.

 

All curled...

 

No products were added to my hair prior to curling.

I did this at 8pm tonight and finished in a half an hour.

The curls are bouncy and soft.

 

Verdict:  LOVE IT and am gettin' the 25mm in the mail soon!

Buy the Baby Curls 13mm wand here or choose your own poison here.

Leave me a comment if you have any questions! (^_^)  I may put up a tutorial if enough people request it.  Here is my MINI demo.

XOXO, ~L

GRANDPA & GRANDSON AT THE PARK - FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA

A day in sunny California.

The pictures speak for themselves...

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

"...there is no Grandfather that does not adore his Grandson..." ~ Victor Hugo

I miss my Father.  I had a great time talking with him while walking at the park.  It was also very surreal to see him playing with my son.  Time just keeps flyin' by... before you know it, ima be playin' with MY grand kids!  (O_o)  LOL.

XOXO, ~L

CANMAKE NUDY GLOW LIPGLOSS - #02 & #05

Yumeko is a bad influence.  She totally enabled me (this time) while we were shopping in Harajuku this past Friday.  We started talking about quality of brands and that  resulted in me stating Yumeko's wide range of experience with cosmetics in general.  She's a veteran! (^_^)V  Haha.

I had mentioned in one of her latest posts regarding the Japanese brand, CANMAKE, and we chuckled about how most of their products are duds.  But this time... she showed me some lip gloss winners!  I couldn't pass it up, so I got the following:

CANMAKE Nudy Glow in #02 - Strawberry Whip
CANMAKE Nudy Glow in #05 - Honey Latte

Note: Yume said that "Honey Latte" would be one of the best nude lip glosses I'll ever find. 

Here are the swatches:

Top - #02 Strawberry Whip

Bottom - #05 Honey Latte

Here are the lip swatches.  Please excuse my dry ass skin and lips.  Damn cold weather.   No primer was applied before the product; I will do the lip swatches again with some sort of base and probably MAC's lip stick in Fleshpot.

#02 Strawberry Whip

#05 Honey Latte

 

Yumeko also stated that it has great consistency that is comparable to NARS.  I swatched them in the store and could tell that they were not sticky.  I'll have comparison photos up shortly.

Stay tuned! (^_^)

Happy Sunday from Japan! XOXO ~L