Olay Touch of Sun Gradual Tanner: Review, Photos

Since summer is slowwwlyy approaching in Toronto, we girls must get our fake tans on! I've tried a number of 'gradual sunless tanners' in the past and Olay Touch of Sun ranks as a reliable go-to, though not so much for getting the job done quickly.

My HG Loose Powder: Palgantong Powder Clear White Review, Photos

Before I started using loose powder, no matter what foundation I used would run and smear off by mid-day. I then started using powder, and it has made a HUGE difference in the way my base looks. My makeup looks translucent and has a 'finished' quality than with just foundation alone and it prolongs the wear of my foundation too.
However, the powder itself is important and today I am reviewing my HG loose powder (my HG pressed powder will be coming soon!) and that is my used and abused Palgantong Make-Up Theatrical Powder in Clear White. Palgantong means "red box" in korean and their extensive line of powders have been frequently used in the Korean newscast and entertainment businesses to powder an actress' face for the camera. Although they don't say their powder has 'HD' qualities (like MUFE HD Powder), it gives the face a slight brightening effect that is especially pretty on film!

My Wallet: Louis Vuitton Damier Koala

The splendor of Damier canvas on film <3....

Spring/Summer 2012 Trends: Japanese Makeup Tutorials/How-to's Part III

Part III today will veer away from fashion trends to some useful makeup tutorials for Japanese makeup techniques, from base makeup to lips to have you looking sweet and cute for the summer <3. Enjoy!

Natural Easy Golden Eye Look with Urban Decay Naked 2

Sundays are always 'lazy' days, so I did this look this past Sunday for running errands and getting some froyo :)

Just add some peach blush and pink lipgloss and you're ready to go!

Nars Lipstick in Catfight: Review, Swatches, Photos

 

One day as I was finishing up a taupe-y eye look, I realized I didn't really have exactly what I needed to achieve the full look I wanted to achieve. A red or pink lip would be okay, nude definitely not, but what I really needed and realized I was missing was a demure dusty rose-plum. 

Interim

Hi all! Sorry for the lack of updates over the weekend, it just flew by. I'm in the process of upgrading my photos for this blog as well as designing and changing the interface of the blog so that's eating up a lot of time.
When all that is done with the pictures will be even clearer and layout less boring...
Have a GREAT rest of the week! I will be doing a tiny bit of traveling this week but hopefully will still be able to update!

Take care ~~ <3

Guess Warehouse Sale Haul: Pictures

I managed to restock one of my favourite summer staples: curve hugging graphic tee's:

$31.99 -> $21.99 -> $15

Same as above

These types of graphic tees are great because they're so casual, go with everything, and hugs the S-line very well, which is perfect for a lazy summer day with a pair of heels thrown in. I think sometimes shirts that have too much going on draw too much attention away from the person, so these tees are very basic but charming. (Plus, they retain shape and last longer than Forever 21 tees).

One of my favourite purchases from the day is this shoulder-baring sweat top. It's casual enough without being boring.

$59.99 -> $15

$68 -> $49.99 -> $15

This batwing paisley blouse was my favourite from yesterday. It looks really flowy and elegant and pairs well with a pair of dark skinny jeans and some nice sleek high heels.

$58 -> $20

It's a little hard to see the shape of this one because the fabric is so slouchy (and soo soft <3) but it's another peekaboo shoulder top from Marciano. I'll try to get some full body shots of these shirts as I wear them.

I hope this gives a better sense of the selection (as far as tops go) at the event to see if it's worth going next time! If you would like to be on the VIP list, you can head to Premium Retail Group and sign up for their mailing list, which entitles you to first day access to the sale and 10% off.

Hope this week has been stellar for everyone !! Weekend is here soon and tomorrow will be a whopping 16 degrees here!

Spring/Summer 2012 Trends: Japanese Fashion and Makeup Scans Part II

Hi again! Today I went to the Guess Warehouse Sale down at the International Centre. It's my second time going and it was MADNESS! Last year I went on one of the last days of the sale and although there were still quite a lot of people it definitely felt more zen than today. As soon as people stepped in they ran to the bag 'bins' (where the Guess handbags are kept) and shoes!! I actually saw two women pulling at something they both wanted :O I didn't care for the bags but did manage to find a few tops which I'll post soon.
However, today we'll get onto the second part of magazine scans from Japanese magazines, I think most of these ones are from Sweet. Enjoy! (You can click on any of the images to enlarge)

Neon Colours

 

 

 

 

Neutral brown makeup look featuring Kate Real Create Eyes Palette

What do you think of this year's current trends for Spring/Summer? I like it but everything seems like a rehash of ..every spring :) But then again girls will be girls and want to wear frilly girly white tops with platform sandals and a neutral eye and a red lip every Spring right? ;)

*Part III coming your way*

Spring/Summer 2012 Trends: Japanese Fashion and Hair Scans Part I

Two ways to curl different length hair

Easy cute side bow for summer

Girly side braid, Bohemian curls

High-low skirts and tunics, paired with slouchy cropped sweaters

White girly blouse & striped shorts

Slouchy cardigans, creamy beiges, circle skirts

Spring summer trend hair and colour

What are your favourite styles? Definitely getting myself some high-low skirts and super high wedges! Stay tuned for Part II!

MAC Tres Cheek: Full of Joy Blush review and swatches

I was really excited to hear that MAC was coming out with a lavender coloured blush as part of their Tres Cheek Collection, as I think it looks especially cute on light skintones and gives a light pink flush.

Full of Joy is a light lavender with a frosted finish.

As usual, comes in standard powder MAC blush casing and includes 6 g / 0.21 US oz of product. 

These pictures are taken in daylight but looks a little darker than actual product.

A close-up of the texture, which is amazing! The powder is so soft and super finely milled so that there is very little dusting and disturbance of powder when you run your blush brush over the surface. It goes on light, but pigmented enough in the first few swipes and has a slight sheen (which is the frost finish).

Sunlight: Left - light, Right - heavy

Indoors: same swatches

This blush lasted 4-5 hours on me and did not seem to oxidize:)

If you're looking for a light pink flush for Spring and don't already have something similar (only similar blushes I can think of are Korean or Japanese brands like Melliesh, Canmake, Etude House, etc. or Shu Uemura might have a similar colour) this is a great value choice. I think it's one of MAC's most well made products to date. Love!

Easter Weekend Haul: Skirt, heels, makeup

Hellooo! This has been a great Easter Weekend, lots of running around. Yesterday my mother and I went to the 'Petite Sample Shoe Sale' and she picked up three pairs, including a pair of Stuart Weitzman's for $60 !! Went to Pmall afterwards and picked up a maxi skirt from a store called 'ViVi' named and styled after the popular Japanese magazine. Original price was $98 but ended up getting it for $20. The particular style and length is more suited for Asians than the huge giant maxi skirts at Forever21!

A pair of white heels, also from Pmall...

Nars lipstick in "Catfight" and blush in "Sex Appeal" during 15% off week...

Hope everyone is having a great long weekend as well!!

Nars Gaiety: Review, swatches, comparisons

Nars Gaiety was newly released Spring 2012, and is a cool-toned candy pink. I think it complements their current line of blushes well as most of the pinks and other colours definitely lean warmer, and they tend to turn ruddy on my skin tone as the day progresses…

It has very small particles of glitter distributed throughout which I can see under fluorescent lighting and direct sunlight which creates a sheen, and it is definitely not as gritty as New Order, which many of us with noticeable pores will appreciate!

Consistent with other Nars blushes, the powder is finely milled and soft to the touch. When I swatch this on my arm it shows as a light pink with a 'whitish' sheen in certain angles (which I think can be attributed to the small amount of light reflecting sparkles).

Before I bought this, I wondered if it would be too similar to Nars Desire, which was suggested to me by a Sephora SA when I told her I wanted a dolly pink.

Left - Gaiety, Right - Desire

Sunlight: Left - Gaiety, Right - Desire

Indoors lighting: Left - Gaiety, Right - Desire

 Desire is definitely way warmer in undertones so it is one of those blushes that can turn ruddy on me. I still love it though as it gives more of a dramatic look which I want in the F/W seasons. I have to apply Desire with a fan brush, a lot of blowing and dusting, and a very light hand for it to not turn clownish on me!

Gaiety though is for those that want a light innocent pink flush, that leans almost almost to lavender/lilac. I can actually apply this with a blush brush and not overdo it. I think it's a great buy and an unique product in the North American market (Shu Uemura blushes are probably comparable). I can't wait to see how this blush compares to Mac Full of Joy!

Update: I've reviewed MAC Full of Joy, and it can be found here.