brows, brows, brows

I am personally scared of those ultra -hyper-defined drawn-in eyebrows that are so popular with some girls. It can looks harsh and artificial , take away from the beauty of those girls and I worry since my eyebrows are naturally sparse and have no shape and I definitely have to do something about them. Sometimes I wish my sister or friends were eyebrow experts and did my brows every morning for me...but it is a fantasy. So in the search for presentable brows I have read that powder gives the most natural look. From trying, I have found that the sheerness of Japaneses eyebrow products helps to achieve a decent look without much expertise, as is hard to go the wrong Groucho Marx way.
Looking at fashion...I realized that most "natural looks" in runway shows feature perfect brows that are almost bare...but enhance the face. Silly as I am, I looked around and got it : eyebrow gel!!
There are clear ones, dark ones to enhance color, golden toned ones, to lighten up...ohh and they help the look so much. Now I can do without brow gel, specially when I have to get pictures taken, it just makes my brows look much better . Not as good as Snejana's ( cle de peau's face ) though!
Right now my favorite one is DiorBrow, it does not make the hairs crunchy!
Credit: picture property of style.com

Skincare favorites part 1

This post is about the products that I currently use and suit my dry to normal-sometimes breakout prone skin and changed it to a normal supple and bright complexion. I believe it is not just the products but also a switch in my eating and sleeping patterns. As a college student sometimes I just do not find time to sleep among all the tests, homeworks, papers, presentation and ordinary life events day by day.


The mild soothing aroma of hinoki in this wash is so comforting in the mornings. I have no idea where to buy it, usually I ask my japanese friend to get it for me. Since I received it as a gift I feel in love with the scent, and the fact that no matter in which stage my skin is ( dehydrated from bad schedule, sleep deprived, stressed, moisturized, summer, winter ) I can rely on it not to break me out, not to dry me up. Bonus, it relaxes me, and it transforms my morning facial routine into something enjoyable and healing. I really think that positive aromas and environment influence people. I just wish I could buy this whenever I want it. If you happen to know where to get this product, please let me know...right now I have only one back up left ;_; until my friend returns to japan.



My saver in those seasons of all nighters and the reason why I think I have no obvious fine lines around my eyes ( sadly most of my class already has numerous under eye lines...school is aging!!!!) is because of the Kose Awake Eye Concentrate Eye Mask . The most efficient mask I have tried ( and I have tried lots) so far and the one with the most visible effects.
It is not cheap at all, for a college student, but I only buy it for final's season, the rest of time I take care of my eyes very well, but they are not nearly as abused as when I do not get to have a proper night's sleep for...weeks. I think is worth it. It delays the aging of my eyes and I can see the difference when I look at my classmates.
I can clearly see my skin plumped up and moist just after I take the eye masks off, the glowy effect is so healthy looking. This is the eye-youth mask!.I wish to put this on my entire face....mmmm. It is easily available in the us at the kose awake website (http://www.kose-usa.com/awakecosmetics/ )

Another skincare love, is an everyday product that I can not live without. Is the DHC deep cleansing oil . It is truly marvelous at taking off all impurities and leaving my skin soft and cleansed. It feels a little thick and the smell is not so great...but it is truly gentle and it does what it promises. Since I used this I have never felt the tight sensation that other cleansers give me. Also the price point is really reasonable and affordable considering you only need so little to make your face pure and dirt-free. It is available in us at the DHC website (http://www.dhccare.com/ )

Deep dark purple

Mac's eyeshadow in "graphology" took me by surprise. Considering my love for eye lining, I had to try this shadow as a escape from my everyday black cat eyes.

The color is described by mac as a " dark black grey with a hint of purple" ( mmm just say black and gray and it has to be mine ) and it belongs to their matte collection. I just have to say that is great for defining the eyes for a soft yet striking look. I apply it with a short bristle angle brush which I have moisten just a bit. It is perfect for changing the routine of boring and safe black or brown liner. I also like that is matte because I have plenty of shimmery shadows to layer on, or I can just leave let it be and my aunt would have no complains about my makeup.
Some days, when I do not have to show up to class, I wear this with mac "beautiful iris" shadow on the lid for a fairy lilac look.

see you Revue?

I have heard that the Kanebo Revue range was being discontinued, but lately I have also read in rouge deluxe that the consumers demanded kanebo to keep the line. I hope they do.
One of the products from revue that I have used ( three tubes so far) is the Essence in Moisture Liquid Foundation.
First of all, the package is pink!!!! , then...it is not really a liquid foundation, but more of a cream texture. It covers the skin beautifully, really giving that soft-focus effect.
The only problem that I have had with these foundation, is that if I use everyday for a week ( yes, I wear makeup all the time!) I will see my skin to raise small irritation bumps..effect which I get with any formulation high on the silicones. So I rotate this one with my other foundations, depending on how my skin feels and voila.

lovely gloss

Majolica Majorca rouge majex be 706
This warm muted beige -red gloss is pigmented enough for those, like me, with natural red lips. It does not wash -out the face but rather tone down the color of the lips... so it is not that nude, more like a mlbb. It goes with so many looks <3>

A delicious cream

Perfect skin is a quest!

I really agree with the general japanese beauty ideal that emphasizes a perfect complexion above other concerns. If the skin is not in good shape, it will look dull, have a bad texture and the overall finish of makeup will be poor. Sometimes makeup can cover up those problems, but the better the skin is the more beautiful is the look.
So...I will be posting on my quest for such a skin...which I do not have. ;_;

One product that I like to use as a makeup primer in the very dry days of winter is Kenzo's Creamy White Day Cream. I accidentally found it while I was shopping for some " Amour " parfum.
Ohhh...it is so fluffy..and a nice makeup-primer for those days where the heating and winds just want to strip all moisture off the face.
The cream has a nice scent ( ahem...kenzo!) but this might be an issue for those allergic to fragrance.
I have also have to say that this cream contains silicones so it is best to be used by day , rather than as a night cream. Because of the silicones, the makeup would go on nicely. As well, I can not use this during summer as is too emollient for such a time, but is a staple morning cream of mine during winter.

First post

Hello
This is my first post and thank you for stopping by and reading.
I will be blogging about everyday small interests, and random beauty things. I much prefer to read blogs rather than write my own, but I will try!
So to start....
The spring collections that I am looking forward to see [ ahem, shop..] are:

- Lunasol : such gorgeous colors... I have seen a great look in a jp magazine using coral color shadows and the orange palette from this collection might just be perfect. I will post on that look later ;)( when I find my camera).
- Maquillage : I have to check out the cream shadows in dark and light tones.
- Dior: the new blush looks just perfect.
- Guerlain: more kisskiss lippies! never have enough of them!
- Visee: affordable smoky eyes palettes...
Ahh..I will not end this list!