Sucker Punched

Had a really great weekend, hope you all did too!  Got to spend a lot of time with my boyfriend and hang out with my girls~

Yesterday I met up with Eden, Ain, Jean, and Erin in Flushing for some bubble tea & purikura.  Finally all five of us together!!

Afterwards, we went to the movies to see Sucker Punch~ I LOVED IT!!

I don't know why it's getting such horrible reviews.  People are taking it a little bit too seriously.  Yeah, the storyline isn't spectacular...but it's so visual & fun to watch!  Gorgeous girls kicking ass & taking names...I couldn't get over how awesome their makeup looked, I spent the entire movie staring at their eyelashes!

I think I'll probably even go see it again.  Girl power, baby~

mukuCHU Review - EOS Max Ring Series in Violet, G-204

It's time for another exciting circle lens review, sponsored by mukuchu~

 

EOS Max Ring Series in Violet, G-204

 Natural Light

 With flash

Color 4/5 - There's only a small amount of color on these lens, but they're really beautiful.  I kind of like how my natural green color peeks out a little, it's such a unique and pretty look.  I do wish that the color was a bit more vibrant though!  It's so strange seeing myself with dark eyes~

Comfort 4/5 - These are so extremely comfortable!  They're super thin, I don't even feel them when they're in.  They feel so natural that Mike tricked me into thinking they fell out, and I actually believed him!

Enlargement 4/5 - The enlargement on these 14.5mm lens is decent.  It's definitely noticeable.  The thick ring is dramatic and creates an illusion of maximum enlargement.

Overall 4/5 - I love that these are so comfortable!  They're actually so thin that I had a ton of difficulty putting them in, but I guess it'll just take practice.   The color isn't vibrant enough for my liking, but they're still really pretty!  Overall, this is a super nice pair of lens...my favorite that I've tried so far!

Disclaimer:  I received a product in exchange for this review.  All opinions stated here are 100% my own. 

A Visit (or two!) to the Anna Sui Boutique

I've made two trips to the Anna Sui boutique this month~

I've always had a strong appreciation for Anna Sui but ever since meeting Marie-Eve of Rock on! Anna Sui last month during her visit to New York, I've become addicted!  Marie-Eve insisted that since I live so close to the boutique, I should visit.  So I did...twice!

Tiny me, in front of the Anna Sui boutique!

The window display~

I couldn't take any photos inside the store, what with all the millions of salesgirls hovering around (I'm totally not used to shopping in high end boutiques so this was really weird for me!)...but everything, EVERYTHING inside the boutique is absolutely beautiful.

I wish that I could afford an Anna Sui dress, handbag, or shoes...but they're ridiculously out of reach for me.  Instead, I bought some cosmetics!  An Anna Sui fix and expansion of my makeup collection all in one shot~

Haul #1

 Anna Sui Eyeshadow Duo
Isn't the packaging just gorgeous?  These duos come with two colors - one super shimmery powder shadow, and a darker cream shadow that blends so nicely!  I've been using them without an eyeshadow primer and their staying power is really great!  Long-lasting with no creasing.

 Eyeshadow Duo #05
This is my favorite eyeshadow palette at the moment!  These shades of purple are so complimentary to my eye color & skin tone,  and I can use them with pretty much any outfit or makeup look.

 Eyeshadow Duo #06
I honestly haven't even tried this one yet because I'm too much in love with the #05, but these colors are so beautiful!

 Anna Sui Lip Rouge G #302
I love this lipstick!  The formula is really creamy and sheer, it gives just a hint of pink color with some sparkle! 

Haul #2

 Mike came with me this time around, so I didn't wanna get too crazy hehe~

 
Anna Sui Lipgloss C #701
A shimmery, long lasting lipgloss.  This color is actually very similar to Too Faced's Pillow Talk, but I really can't decide which one I like better!  They have very different qualities, so I love them both!

Did I mention that all of these cosmetics, even the eyeshadows, are rose-scented?  So heavenly!  I've gotta get my hands on an Anna Sui fragrance so that I can smell like Anna Sui full-time!! 

I'm loving all of my new cosmetics and I can't wait to collect more!  Some day, I will own a beautiful Anna Sui dress~

Pray for Japan

I've been devastated by the news of the earthquake & tsunami in Japan.  My heart aches every time I see the images and video of what has happened there.

When I read that there was a second separate earthquake, NOT an aftershock, near Niigata...my heart stopped and I wanted to cry.  I thought of my host family living in Niigata, and was so worried about whether or not they were okay.  I'd lost touch with them for a few years, and the thought of something happening to them was too much for me.  Luckily I was able to contact them and they are okay.  My host mother, Michiyo, wrote to me:

"Thank you very much for your mail.  We are fine.  The earthquake took place at the other side of Niigata. But at the time of the big earthquake, we were shaking for a long time.  We were very surprised and went out of the house.  I am very happy that the U.S.A. 150 rescue team has just arrived in Japan to help us.  We are going to get over the disaster to get a beautiful Japan again."

My host sister, Mamiko, also wrote to me:

"Thank you so much for your e-mail ;-) 
I wish we have ordinary life as soon as possible. 
Nowadays I am interested in American music!
So I'm very happy to hear that a lot of American musicians support us.
I miss you!"

I was so happy to hear from them. Talking to them has made me realize how much I really love and miss Japan.  I really want to make more of an effort to keep in touch with my host family.  I also really want to go back to Japan.  I've always said that I want to go back, but this time I want to make an effort to save money & go as soon as I can.

Anyway, many people have been affected by this disaster and they need our support!  So I want to share with you some ways that you can help~


American Red Cross

Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.


Lady Gaga 

Lady Gaga has designed a prayer bracelet that is being sold for $5 with all proceeds going directly to Japan relief efforts.  You may also choose to include an additional donation.  Lady Gaga and her little monsters have already raised a quarter of a million dollars in just 48 hours!


Poupee Girl

For you girls that play Poupee, you can now buy items from a special shop to raise funds for the earthquake & tsunami victims.  All proceeds will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.

I wish there was more that I could do to help.  For now, I'll be keeping Japan in my thoughts. 

Seeing Stars

Finally went for another gel manicure at Marie Nails this past weekend~

Here are my current nails, done by the adorable Junko.  She did an awesome job!

Cal-gel glitter gradation with star design on six fingers~

They're so freaking sparkly!  This design came out to $58, I'm going to try to make them last two months.

I don't know if I can live without gel on my nails now!  It's so hard to go back to having normal nails after having a gel manicure.  After getting my last gels removed, my nails all broke instantly.  I was really heartbroken, since my nails had grown out so nicely after a month of being protected by the gels.

I really love the fact that the gel makes nails invincible!  No breaking, splitting, or chipping, EVER!  And they look beautiful every day~

You might argue that it gets boring having the same nail design for a month, but I don't see it that way.  I enjoy the design, and I get excited thinking about what I want to get done next!

I'm already thinking up my next design...

Marie Nails
155 Prince Street
(between West Broadway and Thompson Street)

New York, NY 10012 

646-370-4170

mukuCHU Review - EOS 3D Series in Green, G-212

It's time for another circle lens review, courtesy of my lovely sponsor mukuCHU~

 EOS 3D Series in Green, G-212

Color 5/5 - I love the color of these lens!  The jewel-toned hue is so vibrant.

Comfort 3/5 - These actually feel quite comfortable but what I'm noticing about the 3D Series is that the clear part in the middle of the lens doesn't seem to match up exactly with my pupil.  I'm not sure if all circle lens are like this (to date the 3D Series are the only lens I've tried), but as I move my eyes around I feel as if I have blind spots.  If I look down or focus straight ahead my vision is fine, but if I try to look to the side or up it gets a little blurry.  This is a huge concern for me.  I don't feel comfortable driving in them so to me they're not really practical. 

Enlargement 5/5 - Again, the enlargement on the 14.5mm 3D Series is really noticeable.  They're great for achieving that dolly-eyed look.  A little bit too great, actually....

Overall 2/5 - I'm really happy with the color payoff of these lens and I wore them comfortably around the house for a few hours.  I dared to make the 10 minute drive to Mike's house so he could take pictures for me, but the blurriness in my vision is really frustrating & enough to make me lower the rating by one number.

I'm still a noob with circle lens, haha...but I hope that this review will be helpful.  I have a bunch more to try out and I'm really excited to share them all with you~

Disclaimer:  I received a product in exchange for this review.  All opinions stated here are 100% my own. 

Dolly Wink's Liquid Eyeliner

Lately I've been really fed up with my liquid eyeliner, so I decided to try something new.  I'd been eyeing Dolly Wink's liquid eyeliner for a while, and since I was feeling desperate I grabbed it off eBay (impulsively...I probably could've gotten it a little cheaper elsewhere).  It's about time I got some Dolly Wink in my life! 

It's designed by Japanese model Tsubasa Masukawa, so of course the packaging is super cute!

"Every girl can become a doll!  For the girl who wants to be "otono kawaii", it's a present from Tsubasa." 

My main gripe about my previous liquid eyeliner by Avon is that it was too difficult to control and always ended up looking sloppy.  So I was immediately impressed by how easily & precisely Dolly Wink's eyeliner just glides on.

The color is a deep, dark, pigmented black.  It's waterproof, doesn't smudge, and has all-day staying power.

One thing I really love about this eyeliner is that it's so lightweight.  My old eyeliner was so thick & heavy on my eyelids but I can't feel this one at all!

Here's the everyday makeup look I've been doing lately, featuring the Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner~

Eyes:
Too Faced Eyeshadow in Pillow Talk
Too Faced Eyeshadow in In the Buff
Too Faced Eyeshadow in Unmentionables
Too Faced Eyeshadow in Stiletto
Avon Professional Kohl Eyeliner in Black
Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner in Deep Black
Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara in Very Black
Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost Mascara in Very Black 
Shisem Lashes

Face:
Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream in #21
Bare Minerals Mineral Veil
NARS Blush in Super Orgasm

Lips:
 Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Sheer Naturale
Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Soft Nude

Such a quick & easy everyday look!  Simple enough to wear to school & work but it still makes me feel pretty.  If I'm really feeling lazy pressed for time, I just go with eyeshadow and mascara~