Still praying for Japan

The devastating earthquake that occurred last Friday, March 11, and the tsunamis that followed have affected millions.  What has gotten to me the most though, is how the foreign media has blown this nuclear crisis out of proportion.  The U.S., France and Great Britain are strongly advising their citizens to leave the country.  Even those who live and work in Tokyo are fleeing to countries that their governments deem 'safer' for the time being.  I don't want this to be a negative rant...but it irks me to see that the attention on the nuclear crisis has taken focus away from the woeful plight of those in the Tohoku region.  It worries me when the foreign media can't differentiate the Tohoku and Kanto regions.  It aggravates me to see people begging their friends in Tokyo to come back to wherever they're originally from.  If you didn't know this, understand this now: TOKYO IS SAFE.

Please let me take this opportunity to share a little story.

My grandmother lives in a small town in Miyagi prefecture named Shiogama.  As you all know, Miyagi prefecture was hit the hardest by the earthquake and tsunami.  When the earthquake hit, my dear obaachan was outside, on her way to the local clinic.  The ground began to shake violently, yet she thought she was just feeling dizzy.  Then she heard people on the street shouting at her "Run, run home, run now!".  So she ran.  Ran past swerving cars, ran down her gravel walkway, ran to her beautiful house.  My 84 year-old obaachan ran two blocks in the 9.0 magnitude eartquake, unscathed.  Then came the rushing ocean water.  It swept away much of her town, her neighborhood.  The supermarket she likes to frequent is under water.  The hospital where I was born is destroyed.

My grandmother lost many things over the last 60 years.  She lived through WWII, but saw many of her loved ones leave this earth.  She lost her husband, my grandfather to lung cancer.  She lost many of her belongings in this earthquake.  But she did not lose her spirit, nor her strong faith that the Japanese have the wisdom and power to rebuild the country.  She finds joy in little things everyday, even at a time like this, even when she has no running water, electricity or gas.  She was happy that a young Japanese Self-Defense Force officer helped her carry home her daily ration of three bottles of water.  Her 74-year old friend who owns an electric appliance store in her neigborhood lost his store.  All the brand-new TV's he was planning to sell were washed away in the tsunami.  Yet they hold on to hope, and faith that he will re-open his store, and sell the same TV's someday.

I would do ANYTHING to go back to Shiogama now.  But the roads to her town are under water or demolished.  So until I can reach her, I can only call my obaachan and cheer her up.  Not that she needs it...before I hung up last time I called, she said happily, "Aya-chan, tsuyoku ikiru no yo!"  It means, simply, "Live strong!"

That's what we can do.  Be strong, continue praying for the people in Tohoku.  If you have a little bit of money to spare, please donate to any of the following charities (all links from National Geographic News Watch http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2011/03/japan-needs-our-help.html) :

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
http://www.ifrc.org/
According to the IFRC: "Your gift will support the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Funds will be utilised for the on-going provision of immediate relief and for eventual recovery support to the affected population."

Save the Children: Emergency Relief for Japan Quake

www.savethechildren.org/japanquake
Toll free: 800-728-3843
Text JAPAN or 20222 to donate.
The American Red Cross: Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief
http://www.redcross.org/
Text REDCROSS or 90999 to make $10 donation by text message.

Salvation Army

donate.salvationarmyusa.org
Toll free: 800-SAL-ARMY
Text QUAKE or 80888 to donate $10

International Medical Corps
http://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org/
Text MED or 80888 to donate $10
Doctors Without Borders
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
World Vision
http://www.worldvision.org/
Toll Free: 888-56-CHILD Text 4JAPAN to 20222 to donate $10

I've missed you...

This is my feeble attempt at making up for lost time. I believe I must breathe new life into my blog, as my tastes, interests and lifestyle have changed tenfold since it's creation.

I still love makeup, and sadly have yet to outgrow my habits of buying new foundation and skincare like it's going out of style. I think if you grow up having bad skin (as I did and still do for the most part), you will always be on an endless search for the 'it' product that will disguise every picked pimple, sun spot and scar, but ensure a finish that will remind you that there's flesh beneath the layers.

I can't believe I'm concocting these ridiculous sentences that no one will probably read...but this was my sanctuary for a while, and I've decided to return to it and see what inspiration it will reap.

A few of my latest must-haves, some beauty-related, some not:

• KOPIKO 3 in ONE instant coffee. Whoever thought of packaging coffee, sugar and creamer is Godsent. I have a very limited choice when it comes to getting my daily caffeine fix as I live in Malaysia. Apparently Malaysians are not coffee-drinkers. Well, not the ones in Cyberjaya.
• Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm. It took me 2 years to finish the Rose-scented one.
• Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20. Because foundation is overrated. Seriously though, this actually covers the Rosacea on my cheeks but manages to look natural, never cakey. I suggest you all check it out next time you're at a Laura Mercier counter.
• Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Blackberry. Black is sexy, but deep plum is more wearable and office-appropriate. It's also flattering for golden-brown eyes like mine. This eyeliner does NOT BUDGE. AT ALL. Since I have a corporate job where I'm required to wear collared button-downs and pressed bottoms, my makeup must match my alter ego, "I am educated and know how to count IP addresses". Sometimes I wish I worked in fashion just so I could wear a smokey eye everyday.
• Benefit Silky Finish Lipsick in Skinny Dip. Described as a 'nude pink (cream)' on their website, I'd say its more mauve than pink. I love it because it makes my lips look like I've devoured a grape popsicle...
• Zara Basics Organic Cotton Tee's. I am a sucker for black and white striped cotton tees. Thank God Zara cranked out a few in different colors. I have yet to figure out how to dress them up though. Maybe a gold-sequined bib necklace?

I hope this post was remotely enjoyable. I shall be back with some self-depreciating photos of my outings in this strange/beautiful/crowded/ethnically-confusing oasis that I now bid as home.

Reader Questions

A lovely reader named Sindy sent me an e-mail a few weeks ago. Her inquisitive questions were fun, so I thought I'd answer then in a post.

Ms. Sindy U., this is for YOU dahlin'! Check out her blog, SINDYLICIOUS'S ADDICTION

Q. Are the L.A. colors palettes worth buying? I guess you know it already but Makeup mix shop have 20% off until Jan20 :)

A. Yes and No. They're under $5 USD/palette so you get what you pay for. The color payoff is fairly good, but they are VERY shimmery. They're not intended for long wear either. If you're stepping out for cocktails, it'll last...but if you plan on staying out after happy hour, dancing afterwards or engaging in other sweaty activity that I don't need to spell out for you, I would recommend you wear a good base underneath. Or use different eyeshadows altogether.

I have the green palette and the multi-colored one (rainbow colors). I left them at my ex's place and I don't miss them. If you're a frugal beauty mogul, I'd still save money and skip on these palettes. Spend your money elsewhere...like NYX. Which brings us to the next question...

Q. What do you think about the quality of NYX's e/s?

A. LOVE AT FIRST SWIPE. Most of them are not chalky, vibrant color payoff and are definitely intended for long wear. I have over 20 colors and I love them all. The matte ones are on the powdery/chalky side, but nothing you couldn't work with. My favorite color is 'Sahara', frosted yellow-toned neutral; it's great as a highlight. It's a believable dupe of MAC's 'Ricepaper' (I own both). I also love 'Eggplant'. It rings true to it's name, it's a shimmery deep eggplant color.

Q. I'm a huge fan of EDM!! Do you still use them?

A. NOPE. I've realized that EDM foundation does not suit my combination/sensitive skin. I've tried most of their formulas, and even the matte formula applied over a quality base can make my skin look like an oil slick. I speak from experience but everyone who's interested should try their products on their own. I do like their marketing strategy (all those inexpensive sample-sized products!), the wide range of colors, their cruelty-free brushes and their revamped website.

Q. Any mascara to recommend for stubborn short asian lashes? I am currently loving the Majolica Majorca mascara. It perfectly holds and volumizes my lashes.

A. Last May my friend in Texas turned me on to Maybelline's The Colossal Volum' Express mascara. She has short, stubby eyelashes, but with this wonderproduct on, she bats her lashes like a seasoned pro. My lashes are neither short or stubby, but I use this mascara like a crackwhore uses her drug of choice. I fiend for it, I feel naked without it! The magic lies within the formula. It's neither too watery or too waxy. The fat brush helps volumize and never clumps, no matter how many times you swipe the product on. People who usually don't come up to me at work have complimented my spider leg-esque lashes.

Q. I've fallen in love with MAC lovelorn lipstick since I saw it on your blog. I will try to go to check it at the store!! It's such a nice wearable pink that is not NUDE! Have you found other lipsticks similar to this color?

A. Lovelorn is a fun bubble-gum blue-based pink! Sadly, I haven't worn it much. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, Wet 'n Wild's 'Tokyo A-Pink-Pink' really delivers! It's creamy and pigmented, not to mention DIRT CHEAP. I'd wear it with neutral shadow and dark, winged liner!

Q. Are there any other MAC lipsticks that you can recommend or your favs...

A. I have many favorites but here are my top 6 faves. All the descriptions are from the M.A.C website

• Honeylove (Matte, light beige toned with rose) --> A wonderful matte nude that will never wash out pale skin. Stays put, and looks great under clear or colored gloss as well.
• Blankety (Amplified Creme, soft pink beige) --> Very similar to Honeylove, but a creamier version.
• Creme D'nude (Cremesheen, pale muted peach beige) --> A very wearable peach-nude. If you want to erase the natural pigmentation of your lips but don't want to wear a matte nude, try this one out.
• Freckletone (Lustre, neutral peach) --> A tad more on the beige side than any of the above. Great to wear under gloss or to mix with pink-toned lipsticks for that perfect pink-beige.
• Nude Rose (Lustre) --> From the DSquared2 collection. The color rings true to it's name. It's not too bright, I'd describe it as a dusty muted rose.
• MAC Red (Satin, vivid bright bluish-red) --> The only red that doesn't make me look forty-five.

Q. I am loving Stila's e/s right now and I don't own any MAC e/s. If I were to get, let's say 2 quads (one neutral and one with colors), which colors do you think I should pick?

A. Wow this question makes my brain hurt...just because there are SO many colors I recommend. But here are two quads I would create for those who don't own any yet (again, all finish and color descriptions are from their website):

Neutral Quad: You want a tint, a tone, a mid-tone and a shade.

• Vanilla (Velvet, peachy ivory with reflects) --> I use this as a highlight. Not too shimmery or white either.
• Soba (Satin, gold brown with gold shimmer) --> Great alone on the lids or under darker shadows. Works well in the crease if you're using a bright hue on your lids.
• Cork (Satin, muted golden brown) --> Slightly darker than Soba, and not as shimmery.
• Carbon (Matte, intense black) --> A must to smoke out any look. Also works great as a liner, just use a stiff brush to apply.
• Print (Satin, muted grey with shimmer) --> For those of you who don't like or are afraid of using dark shades such as black, try Print. It works well with beige and brown shades as well.

Bright Quad: Pick your favorite colors! There are NO rules here! Actually there are no rules when applying makeup, but when experimenting with bright hues, I say go all out! Here are my tried-and-true faves from M.A.C:

• Beautiful Iris (Veluxe Pearl, lavender with sheen) --> For a purple smokey look, I wear Beautiful Iris on my lids and smoke it out with Carbon or Print in my outer-corner/crease.
• Gorgeous Gold (Veluxe Pearl, muted yellow-gold) --> Goes well with browns.
• Freshwater (Veluxe Pearl, bright summer blue) --> A beautiful aqua, very cute with darker blues or pastels!
• Humid (Frost, intense green with shimmer) --> Brings out hazel and dark brown eyes.

Thanks for reading. Have a safe weekend y'all. Chuck deuuuuces, I'm out.

I'm alive, thanks for asking.

Well hello there. Do you remember me? The ex-avid beauty blogger with a potty mouth and a tendency to drop off the face of the earth without providing any witty insight as to why. Hey, it's none of your business anyway. But you love me, right? RIGHT?

I almost got rid of this thing. But I worked so hard on it, and back when I started blogging, it was one of the few outlets I had. I can't bring myself to hit 'DELETE BLOG' just yet. So until I find better hobbies than ogling at beauty/fashion blogs, drinking heavily and working overtime like an unhappy, undersexed middle-aged man, I will share with whatever readers I have my sporadic mind spray.

Today, I leave you with Mr. Hornet, or the Asian Giant Hornet, or Vespa mandarinia Japonica...colloquially known as the yak-killer. He followed me home on a very windy day and decided to take his fury out on my middle finger. Fucker got me GOOD! Doc told me if I ever get stung again I might die.

Random Brain Fart: The Japanese Failure of Medicine
Doctors are so full of sh*t sometimes, especially Japanese ones. They feed you nonsense or don't explain your malady, and prescribe you the wrong drugs. I can't tell you how many times I've passed out from overdosing on my doctor's account. They'll prescribe a dangerous cocktail of anti-inflammatory pills with lung-opening asthma patches. Yeah, one time I had the shakes like a heroin addict for weeks, and all I had was bronchitis! Since many of the doctors at smaller 'inner organ' or '内科' clinics lack the skill or are unequipped to diagnose a patient, they'll draw blood, send the sample to a lab or a University hospital, and ask you to come back for the result in seven to ten days. Of couse you have to pay for the blood exam...but you also have to pay them to get your results! I could go on and on about how Japanese health care sucks, but I'll do that some other time.

Enough mind-barf. Here's the sucker who got me on the day of the typhoon. Roughly ten minutes after my sister took these pictures, excruciating pain spread through not only my finger but my entire hand and my arm. Since a typhoon was raging through Tokyo, all public transportation had stopped...so I had to RUN my ass to the closest hospital, which is luckily only ten minutes away. But STILL. By the time I got to the hospital my hand was ice-cold. But anyway I lived to tell the tale and have pictures to share. ENJOY.

Hello, stranger!

It's blazing hot outside today.
I woke up at 4 p.m.  My mom was stir-frying sliced eggplant, and warned me, "It's a sauna outside.  No breeze."  F**K!!!
 
The past few days have been a huge blur.  I wake up, go to work either in the morning or at night.  If there isn't enough caffeine pumping through my icy veins I don't mesh very well with my colleagues.
 
So I drink a Red Bull and two soy lattes during each shift.  I am such a caffeine addict.  I am an insomniac.  I am a vampire.  I am also such a mean bitch at work.
 
Recently (damnit, last night), this guy I like and am kind of involved with told me that though it doesn't really bother him, I should probably tone down the attitude or the bitchiness.  He slurred, 'You gotta remember that when you with me or around my friends, you can't act the way you do at work.'
 
Thanks asshole.  I KNOW. 
 
I wish he didn't lie to me and tell me my attitude doesn't bother him.
Well, maybe it genuinely doesn't bother him.  I don't know how to feel about that one.  It's a mixture of embarassment and annoyance at the fact that his friend had to point out to him that I kind of act like I'm above everyone else.  Like I care.  But damnit, I kind of do.
 
It's just my nature to f**k with people.  I like to joke around and talk shit.  Thats why I have a lot of guy friends.
 
HEY, I don't necessarily think or act like I am better than the rest of the planet.  But I didn't get this far by letting old farts walk all over me like a freakin' doormat.  I guess it's not an everyday thing where Japanese women speak their mind freely.  I don't put people down or tell them they're useless.  I'm not an asshole.  But I will push people to be able to think for themselves.  I don't nag them if they make mistakes.  I point their mistake out and explain WHY it's wrong.  Then I discuss (meaning I let them throw ideas in the pot) ways to avoid the same mistake or improve certain skill(s) that need improvement.
 
WHEW!  I needed to get that out. 
 
I got wasted at home last night.  I had a drink or two after work and old colleague.  While we were catching up we spotted another guy from work so we joined them.  There were a bunch of people from my office drinking at the same izakaya.  Cool.  So we talked shit, drank, smoke, forgot about the office for a few hours.
 
I went home feeling like crap after having the depressing aforementioned conversation with the boy.  I cracked open a few beer cans and scribbled nonsense on my sketchpad.  I usually don't drink at home but the mood served the purpose.  God, I'm glad my mom gives me lots of privacy at the house.
 
We're moving in 11 days!  To Meguro!  For you non- city slickers, that's two stops from Shibuya.  That puts me 19 minutes away from Tokyo station (my office).  I can't wait.  We're moving from a huge two-story house with 25 years worth of furniture and crap to a three-bedroom apartment.  The apartment itself is old...built in 1970.  But the inside is nice!  Decent!  All wood flooring with an industrial-style kitchen.  My room has these light pastel sea green shelves on three of the four walls.  I'll post pics after I move in.  I'll have space to store my heels, my makeup, my books, photos and god knows what else!  Any ideas? 
 
I'm looking forward to being able to stay out late downtown and WALK home.  Shoot, I could cab it home too, but I like walking aimlessly when I'm drunk, harhar.
 
Thank YOU for reading.
 
LOVEAYA

Mini-update.

So if any of you have noticed, I've been away for a bit. I WANT to update my blog. I even have vivid dreams where I'm uploading pics on this thing. So at least my subconscious self wants to continue blogging for the time being.

Here's what I've been gettin' myself into lately. Not interested? TOO BAD!

一。Going out on Wednesday nights and Friday's or Saturday nights. Liver is getting used to the constant abuse. Drink of choice: Champagne, Bellini, Red Bull and Vodka aaaaand Mojito (not too sweet please).

二。Brushing shoulders with artists, photographers with larger-than-life egos, and Tokyo's dirty, crazy, creative elitists.

三。Working constant night shifts. I know this is vain, but I'm so f*cking worried that my skin will break out badly like it used to, since my body pumps a lot more adrenaline when I'm trying to stay awake. During work I try to drink 2 liters of green tea to flush out toxins.

四。Diggin' at record stores. Always on the look out for rare Beatnuts and Alkoholics cuts.

五。Throwing out sh!t I don't need. I have ACRES of paperwork and JUNK to go through still. My fam bam and I are trying to move this year. Ladies, I have a LOT of makeup and Japanese magazines I want to sell. Interested? Let me know, I shall post!

Zat eeeez it. Jyaaane!

Early Summer Smokey Eyes

Lately I've been obsessed with dewey skin. You can achieve dewey-looking skin without using a ton of liquid based products...just use a highlighting powder with very fine sparkles. I LOVE MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in 'Soft And Gentle' for this technique. You don't want your face to be too matte in the summer...especially when you're glistening in sweat! You'll end up looking like a grandma wearing baby powder on her face!

I actually saw an old wrinkly lady at Wendy's last summer who had suspicious white powder all over her face. She was swatting imaginary flies while she sipped her hot coffee...all the same time jumping through invisible hoops...I wasn't sure if the powder was yayo or if she was so cracked out and cooky that she decided that it was a good idea to dip her face in a can of baby powder...I mean, all the high points of her face (cheekbones, forehead, nose) were chalky-white...

Sorry, I totally went off on a different tangent there...I've seen and befriended a lot of crazies in my hayday! I think I only remain close friends with people who are a little crack-ish anyway...people who would probably benefit from anger management classes (including myself at times, haha). Anyway, moral of story = TOO matte skin will make you look like
cracked-out Grandma.

So here's my ode to dewey skin, as well as a different take on smokey brown eyes. I used KATE Deep Trap Eyes palette in BR-1. They're browns and taupes with some red undertones...works surprisingly well with my ghost white complexion.

Most of what I used to create the look (clockwise from top left)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in 'Perfect Topping'

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in 'Soft And Gentle'

MAC Beauty Powder in 'Smooth Harmony'

KATE Deep Trap Eyes in 'BR-1'

MAC Powder Blush in 'Melba'

DHC Q10 Powdery Foundation

Not shown:
KATE Super Sharp Liner (liquid eyeliner)
Katie B. Faux Lash Mascara
Tarte 24.7 Lip Sheer in 'Summer Fling'

P.S. Food For Thought...
The old wrinkly lady with coke/baby powder all over her mug finished her coffee, and proceeded to pass out at Wendy's...I think she was homeless...or she just had a lot of crap with her and needed a loooong nap. I got out of the movies that evening, and she was slumped against the window seat. So sad how our economic spurt created a generation of children who neglect their elders, and gave birth to a corrupt system where it's getting harder to collect the pension we are entitled to...

My everyday look

Hello guys and dolls....how y'all doin'? I've been battling a cold for the past week. It all started with a sore throat, then the bodyache, then the fever....I went to the doctor's yesterday and they gave me SIX different kinds of meds....I was like 'WTF, how am I going to remember when to take what?' Anyway, I'm feeling a lot better today. Damn I need to get better QUICK. The weekend is comin' up, and there is no way I am staying home like I did last weekend. I missed sippin' alcohol so much, I had a strawberry mojito with my bacon cheeseburger I had for dinner...It was soooooooooo goooooood.....Verrrry rum-y. Sis helped me drink some of it though...

I also went to Forever21 today. They FINALLY opened a store in Japan. There's only ONE so far, and it's next to the H&M in Harajuku. I hope they open more stores in Japan, and not only in Tokyo....I swear it's crowded because girls from other prefectures make day trips down here, just to shop at Forever....I saw b*tches in the store with SUITCASES....C'mon now, is it THAT serious? Seems like some of us Japanese girls are very desperate for fast fashion...
Haha, anyway I spent about $170 on 2 dresses, a baby blue-and-white checkered shirtdress, a pair of light blue skinny jeans, a sequined white tank, a sexy off-the-shoulder white tee with a black floral print, undies, bras and jewelery. I think I'll just shop online from now on...I hate how crowded it was there! I swear I yelled 'MOVE!' to several girls....a lot of them were'nt paying attention to where they were walking.... @__@

Anyway, enough ranting, here's a look I did today before I headed downtown. I wear this look a lot lately, just because it's so simple yet, gives my eyes enough definition. I'm all about saving time nowadays...I can't stand sitting still in my stuffy room for too long!

MOST of the stuff I used. Clockwise from top left:

• NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Kalahari (I only used the color on the left)
• MAC TRIP in Neutral Eyes (again, only used the color on the far left)
• MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Fun & Games
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Perfect Topping
• DHC Q10 Powdery Foundation
  
  

Congratulations Hana!!!

My youngest sister Hana graduated high school on June 6th. All three of us Takada sisters graduated from The American School in Japan....reppin' MUSTANGS to the fullest! *slaps self for even attempting to have corny school pride* Unlike her rebellious eldest sister (me), Hana is a very very very gifted girl. She will be attending Colgate University come fall....on a full scholarship!!!

華ちゃん、卒業おめでとう！よくここまで頑張った！中には辛い日もあったけと、楽しい思いでもいっぱいつくったね。I'm going to miss you beyond words when you leave for college....LAAAABBB YOUUUUUU!!!

Pics from my L.A. and San Antonio trip coming soon....but some of them are up on my facebook page, in case any of y'all want a sneak peak.....

Anyway, here are some pics from the grad...vid to come soon.
Enjoy :]

Rei and I waiting for the ceremony to begin
Hana in her cap and gown....*wipes tears*All the kids had glowsticks
I have the same diploma tooooo.

高田一家 The Takada Family

Some people think Rei and I look alike. We're actually not blood sisters. I came home from school one day, and she was sitting at my seat at the dining table eating all my food. She was a hungry baby. My mom and dad felt bad for her so they decided to keep her.

JUST F*CKING KIDDING. Of course she's my (kinda cool) sister. She cracks me up!!! Here we are waiting for my mom and Hana to show up at the Thai restaurant where we had the graduation dinner.

I'm alive!

Hey errrr'one! I'm still alive and well....got back from my vacay in L.A. and San Antonio a few days ago....back on tha grind...I had over 14,000 e-mails to sort through the first day back...I just love working at a huge corporation....*rolls eyes hard*

Here's a quick pic of my friend and I at a pool hall in San Antonio....dont'cha just love the stars on the walls? How very TEXAS...

I'll be posting pics from my trip soon....I bought a lot of makeup while I was in Cali....let's just say I made a trip to Melody's Makeup place as well as several Sephora's...oooooh the damage it did to my bank account.....J/K.

Mata ne! (Talk soon!)

Kreativ Blogger Tag!

Arigato to my dear Amanda-chan for awarding me with the Kreativ Blogger Award!

So here are the rules...
List 7 things that you love, and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you love! Be sure to tag them and let them know that they have won.You can copy the picture of the award and paste it on your sidebar letting the whole world know...you are Kreativ!

1. Soy lattes from Starbucks...mmmmm :)
2. Champagne
3. My mom and two younger sisters
4. God
5. MAC lippies
6. My no-nonsense, non-judgemental male friends (I owe my career to some of them!)
7. My iPhone

I will tag people later...gotta get back to work. Thanks again Amanda!

タレ目メーク：Tare-me Me-ku

I'm back with a vengeance! With a REAL post with REAL makeup-related content! Thanks to my new camera, I have finally pooped out a new FOTD. I was inspired by all the tare-me me-ku (doe-eyed makeup) that's all the rage here...Two years ago, Japanese girls were all about the sleek, cat-eye. Now we're embracing our droopy almond-shaped eyes and going for the puppy-dog look....

All you have to do is make sure the color you choose for the inner corners of your eyes are at least two shades lighter then the outer third (outer corner)...and line the bottom lids halfway...

If you have any Q's, ask away! I'll do my bestest to respond :D

Too close? (-__=)

Contour, Blush and Highlight...all from one palette...

Face Products...(click each picture if you want a closer look)

Skin Food Mushroom BB Cream, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Light Medium and Sweets Sweets Mixing Palette

Eye Makeup...

Revlon Quad in In The Buff, KATE Diamond Cut Eyes in BR-2, Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Hazel Eyes, KATE Super Sharp Liner, K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner and MAC Shadestick in Butternutty

I still haven't figured out how to style my hair...it seems to look okay when I actually DON'T have time to do anything to it...which is like every morning when I have to work a day shift.

So I just wash it, let it air-dry for the most part, then blow dry the ends and curl them under...the whole process takes less than ten minutes. Aaaaah, I love minimalism! (Only when it comes to hair!)

Pooped

I wanted to do a FOTD post tonight...but I am pooped, so I'll have to do it tomorrow after work. I went to the orthodontist today around noon. My orthodontist is a great guy. He's probably the same age as my Dad...well if he were here anyway. BUUUUTTTT he talks a LOT. And I mean a LOT. Like while he's replacing a wire on my brackets, he'll start talking about schools or his family, and will stop what he's doing to explain something or crack a joke. I don't mind, I usually go after a night shift where I'm dead tired....but if I had to be somewhere.....that wouldn't be cool...LOL.

Soooo I bought a camera today! A Sony Cybershot....I hope it's not a fake.......You can never be too sure these days. The outside part of the camera is a little........how can I explain.....it feels too light, like it could break easily if I dropped it or threw it at someone. (WHAT? I would never do such a thing.) It's all good though, I only paid 20,000 yen ($200) for it, including a 4G memory stick. I'm going to need it for my trip....which is in less than 2 weeks!!!!!!!!! 12 days to be exact! I am so so so so so so so excited. I went to Cali two years ago, and I haven't been since! There's so much I want to do and see, but I'm only there for a week :/ Val, if you're reading this, I want to go to Disneyland...can we go pleeeeeaaaassseeeee???? Hehehe.

I have to pack when I have time....My work schedule is looking busy until I leave....no lunch breaks for me......*banging head on monitor*

Okay I'm sleeeeeeepy and I have to wake up in 5 hours for work. I love you all :)

Chu chuuuu <3

Hair Flower FOTD

Here are some pics of my 'ol mug...rockin' the hair flowers Ms. Neeyuh made for me ;)
Thank you again sweetie!

I got my hair permed today. Instead of the regular method where they just saturate your hair in chemicals (I forget what it's called), they saturate your hair, rinse it off with water, then blow hot ionized air at your head for 30 minutes...it's called 'air wave' and it's really popular in Japan because it lasts longer then the regular perm, and the curl doesn't stretch after you blow-dry your hair.

Enough talk...here ya go.







My hair before....taken in January-ish.

And after....

All Things Pink...

So I'm kind of on a pink high now. Everything I buy nowadays is pink. If the product itself 'aint pink, the packaging is....I wonder if it means anything...do single girls tend to buy a lot of pink sh*t? What the fff is wrong with me? Hehehehe.

It's Laaaaaaaaaav!



L to R: Marie Claire Glamorous Rich Rouge, Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect, Orbis Moist Lip Essence, Lancome Juicy Tube, DHC Lip Cream, NYC Ultra Last Lip Wear, NARS Lip Lacquer

Swatches:

Left
top: NYC Ultra Last Lip Wear in Fragile Pink
bottom: NARS Lip Lacquer in 1903 (they use four-digit codes here, not names. WTF!)

Right
top: Marie Claire Glamorous Rich Rouge in BE64
middle: Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect in Satin Pink
bottom: Lancome Juicy Tubes in Frozen Punch

Last but not least, Kose Moisture Mild Lotion-L (toner) and Moisture Mild Cream. They can be found at most drugstores in Tokyo for a thousand yen each (about USD $10). Both are alcohol-free and make my skin unbelievably SOFT! If you want a nice moisturizing base underneath your makeup, try this. It works on my combination/oily skin. It helped get rid of the dry patches yet didn't turn my face into an oil slick.

The cream is not really a cream per se....more like a lightweight gel. It sinks right in and doesn't leave a filmy residue like other moisturizers do. I've been using both for the last three weeks, and my skin is noticeably softer to the touch...and it stays that way the entire day after putting it on!


I hope y'all are having a great weekend...I'm actually staying in...on a Saturday night!!!!!!! I've been partying non-stop almost every weekend since Valentine's....I got off work this morning(freakin' two consecutive night shifts!), so I need some rest. I am itching for some ah-ah-ah-ah -ah-alcohooooool though....maybe I'll make a run to the convenience store by my station for some beer and chu-hi's.....alkie! LOL. I'll be back soon :)

Swap with Neeyuh-chan

Neeyuh is one awesome b*tch. We did a swap and she sent me hand-made hair flowers. No one ever gives me hand-made things anymore...I was touched :)
I received her box a few days ago, after a night of debauchery out in town. I came home hungover....thought I was going to pass out from alcohol poisoning (grow up, I know, I know...).
My day got so much better after I opened the box....PACKED with goodies...and love! These hair flowers are like nothing I've seen before....girl went out of her way to make me FIVE of them! How sweet is she? Mahalo, Neeyuh chan!



Byoootiful!

Neeyuh sent me snacks too...the pixie sticks and trail mix were gone in a few hours.....

Check out the goods!


Queen Helene Apricot Moisturizing Facial Masque
Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminiating Daily Scrub
Last Call Hair Masque
CO Bigelow Cinnamint Mentha Lip Shine
Victoria's Secret Liplicious gloss in Fresh Mulberry
Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara
ICING nail polish
Clean and Clear Faicial Cleansing Wipes (not shown)


Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara


ICING nail polishes
From L to R: Lucky 7, Cosmo Cutie, Purple PJ's and 7th Inning Stretch


Beyond the Zone Last Call Hair Masque...smells like Cherry Coke...yummmm!

Thank you Neeyuh-chan! I hope you'll love everything I sent too :)