cosmeddicted

Weekly Reads #46: January 26, 2012

2012-01-26T20:34:00.000+09:00

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone that celebrates it! I hope that the year of the dragon will bring you lots of happiness!

Strange things that beauty bloggers do, via Beautyholics Anonymous. I'm guilty of several on this list!
How to curl your hair using a hairband, via Mayaari. VERY interesting technique! I love to wear my hair curly but I hate using a hair iron!
What to wear for a hospital vigil, via Wardrobe Oxygen. Although I hope you never have to face a situation like this, these are really good tips to know. BEST wishes to Allie's sister, who just had major surgery!
You too can look perfect, via Youtube. "My skin feels like plastic!" Hilarious!!
Bread soup, via Simply Recipes. This looks soooo good to try on freezing cold days!

xoxo, K

Review: Nanoce BB Sorbet - a sherbet-like BB cream

2012-01-23T10:00:00.000+09:00

This is a review of the Nanoce BB Sorbet. This was a gift from Yuming from Beauty Box when we met up in November. The shade I received was #2 Natural Ochre, the darker of the two shades.

What it does: (From ishizawa-lab.co.jp, the makers of this product. Translated by me)
Like a sherbet! This cooling BB foundation will tighten your pores, and prevent makeup from melting in the summer.

Yuming has a detailed post on how to use this product. It comes with a sponge, which you spray the product onto and use to apply to your face.

Price: 1890 JPY, about $25. This may sound expensive to you, but this is a pretty normal price range for a drugstore foundation in Japan. For reference, Revlon Color Stay liquid foundation is 2100 JPY (=$27) in Japan, compared to $8-10 in the US.

Pros:

The coolness of the product was very interesting
Good for those who want sheer to medium coverage

Cons:

I still needed a concealer with this product
This product stayed "wet" forever and never set on my face. Hence, it transferred a lot (Interestingly, Yasumi felt it was too dry for her).

Note: To avoid the sponge from absorbing too much of the product, I would dampen it with water first.

Would I repurchase: Unfortunately, this did not work for me. It was just too moist and made me overly conscious about transfer. I will continue to try to make it work, since the "sherbet" was a very interesting concept!

I'm really curious why this product did not set on my face, while it was too dry for Yasumi. This goes to show you that the same product may work differently on different people!

Hope you enjoyed this review!

xoxo, K

Weekly Reads #45: January 20, 2012

2012-01-20T17:29:00.000+09:00

2011 Cheapie Awards, via Nouveau Cheap. I love how everything is under $10, and I'll be sure to pick up some of these when I go to New York in the spring!
Beauty tips for job interviews, via Pink Sith. Totally useful!
Allie's Kitchen, via Wardrobe Oxygen. I love seeing what other people's homes are like!
Chocolate chip monkey bread, via Macheesmo. I am seriously considering buying a Kitchen Aid mixer for this purpose!

Hope you enjoy the links!

xoxo, K

Review: MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator - one of the most hyped MAC products

2012-01-18T17:45:00.000+09:00

This is a review for the MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator. This was released as part of the Style Black collection in the summer of 2009. I have reviewed it here in case it is rereleased in the future.

What it does: (from Nordstrom.com)
A highly effective, dual-purpose foaming, cleansing and exfoliating scrub blending natural volcanic ash with fine sugar crystals. Refines and unclogs the skin, adds instant moisture, leaves skin feeling soft and comfortably clean. Mineral-rich. May be used effectively on any part of face or body. Rinses off with warm water.
Pink Sith has a very detailed breakdown of the ingredients and what they do.

Price: $19.50/3.4 oz. This product was originally released in 2008, but the 2009 version has a different formula and the container/size/cost is different.

Scent: smells like charcoal. I really appreciate that MAC didn't give this product a "fake" scent.

Pros:

Exfoliates well using sugar and silica
Absorbs facial oils without making my skin feel stripped

Cons:

This product is MESSY
This is one of the most hyped products that MAC releases, and can be difficult to find even if it is rereleased. Is it really worth the craze?
This feels exactly the same as a product with charcoal in it, such as the Lush Coal Face Cleanser or the Lush Dark Angels

Would I repurchase? Maybe. If I found it at a CCO, I would definitely pick it up, but I wouldn't want to face the craze to get it. There are other products that use volcanic ash or charcoal.

Note: Remember that you can Back to MAC this and many other skin care containers!

Hope you enjoyed this review!

xoxo, K

Review: Canmake Color Stick Concealer - cheap and very popular!

2012-01-16T21:11:00.000+09:00

This is a review for the Canmake Color Stick Concealer. This concealer is pretty popular in Japan, and is consistently in the top favorites lists in several magazines. This concealer comes in several different colors, including white for highlighting.

I have this in 02 Natural Beige.

What it does: (from canmake.com)
This is not only a concealer that will cover flaws in your complexion; it is a multi-purpose cosmetic stick in a range of colors that can be used to cheeks and as highlighters to provide luster, translucence and definition. Moderately hard, it clings tightly to your skin and can be spread thinly over your face for a natural-looking complexion that looks even more beautiful than bare skin.
Apply directly with the stick or apply to your fingers and spread thinly over areas that have flaws or that you want to look more attractive. This product is considerably more effective if applied thinly and then reapplied with a patting motion.

Price: 609 JPY, about $8 USD.
The Canmake website lists these as 580 JPY, but the price does not include the country-wide tax of 5%. This price may seem very high if you are used to American drugstore products, but it is in fact extremely cheap compared to most Japanese drugstore products.

Pros:

very affordable
creamy and easy to blend
light to medium coverage

Cons:

this concealer does not have enough coverage for me
this concealer must be set with a powder or it will transfer easily
I would not recommend this for concealing blemishes since it is quite oily.

Would I repurchase? No. This concealer just doesn't have enough coverage for me. I can make it work by setting it with a powder foundation, but that is just too much work for me.

After trying this concealer, I'm surprised that it is so popular in Japan. I think there are several drugstore brand concealers that are better than this one!

Hope you enjoyed this review!
xoxo, K

Weekly Reads #44: January 13, 2012

2012-01-13T18:23:00.000+09:00

Thanks to everyone who voted in my poll last week about which mug I should buy. When I went to go buy one last weekend, they were all sold out, even though I went to 2 different Starbucks!

Oh well, on to my Weekly Reads!

5 myths about skincare products busted, via Beautiful with Brains. Great post on what products are "safer".
Have you ever had such a bad experience with a brand that you stopped using it?, via Temptalia. Please read the comments, three brands come up as having super horrid customer service (NYX, elf, and OPI)
Products to protect your hair from sun, sea, and chlorine, via Makeup for Professional Asian Women. See which products Jamilla loves!
How to save dried out nail polish strips, via Of Faces and Fingers. An interesting way to save those half used nail polish strips.
Caramelized Onion Tart, via Simply Recipes. This looks like a great recipe to whip up when friends drop by.

xoxo, K

Review: Steamcream - the packaging!!!

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000+09:00

This is a review of the much-hyped Streamcream. This was a gift from Yuming from Beauty Box when we met up in November.

What it does: (from steamcream.co.uk)
We handmake STEAMCREAM in the UK and Japan with fresh natural ingredients, fused together with a shot of steam. Our unique method means that STEAMCREAM gives your face instant refreshment the moment you use it. It’s super-moisturising, sinks deep down and revives your skin straight away. Use it to soften your body, hands and feet too.

Price: 10.50 GBP or 1500 JPY. At this price, the British version is about $3 cheaper.

Pros:

Lightweight moisturizer that absorbs quickly into the skin.
Skin feels moisturized after use, but not sticky or greasy
The scent disappears soon after applying.
Because of the above three points, I liked using this on my hands. I hate it when my hands are greasy or when they smell too strongly of my hand lotion!
Steamcream often comes out with different designs which are super cute!

Cons:

Steamcream suggests to use this everywhere, including on your face and body. It was too heavy for me to use on my face, but too light for me to use on my body during the winter.
Dipping your hands repeatedly into a tin is not very sanitary.

Would I repurchase? Maybe. I think the price point of this hand lotion is not really worth it, but the packaging is amazing. I might repurchase this if I find a cute design. This is a great item to give as a gift, since it's something that most people wouldn't splurge on! Thanks again to Yuming for this!

Hope you enjoyed this review!

xoxo, K

Review: L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara - a volumizing mascara without the clumps

2012-01-09T09:45:00.000+09:00

This is a review for the L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara. I bought this when I went to Hawaii last year. I have this in the color Blackest Black.

This mascara has a rubber wand with thin spikes.

What it does: (from L'Oreal's website)
For lashes that look a million times multiplied and perfectly defined, there’s only one mascara – NEW Voluminous Million Lashes. The built-in Clean-Sweep Wiping System wipes the brush free of clumps leaving the perfect amount of mascara for an ultra-volumized clean lash look. The Millionizing Brush evenly thickens lashes from root to tip. The result? Lashes look so multiplied, so clean, it’s like seeing millions.

Price: Will vary, just like all other US drugstore products. L'Oreal's website lists the price as around $9, but I see it online for $7-8.

Pros:

This product defined my lashes without making them clumpy!!!
The formula is smooth and the brush is great for applying mascara evenly
I did not get smudges under my eyes, even though this is not the waterproof formula.
The tube clicks shut. When I twist the wand to close the product, it clicks when it is shut. I really like this because then I know when it's closed properly.

Cons:

Obviously, I did not get a million lashes

Would I repurchase? Yes! This product is great if you want mascara that will give your lashes volume without making them thick and clumpy. My lashes look like they have natural volume with this product. However, don't count on getting a million lashes! Only falsies will help you do that. I also really liked that this product didn't smudge, since most mascaras smudge LIKE CRAZY on me!!!

Hope this review helped! What is your favorite mascara?

xoxo, K

Weekly Reads #43: January 6, 2012

2012-01-06T05:00:00.000+09:00

I'm thinking of buying one of these two Starbucks mugs for Chinese New Year. This year is the year of the dragon! Please vote on which one you think is better! (not my pics)

1. Flying Dragon

2. Dragon Face

Worst of Beauty 2011, via Beautiful with Brains. Many bloggers have done a favorites list (including myself!), but I also love to read about products that bloggers didn't like!
Zoya Fleck Effects Reviews, via Temptalia. I am excited to see flakies since Sally Hansen reformulated their much loved Hidden Treasures!
How to fill a bachelor pad, via Ask Metafilter. What do you buy when you are living by yourself for the first time?
Steamed squash salad, via Macheesmo. This is a refreshing recipe to help you recover from holiday eating.
Chicken Liver pate, via Simply Recipes. LOOOVE pate, but canned pate is extremely expensive in Japan!

By the way, you might want to take a look at Beautiful with Brain's Best Posts of 2011. A lot of these have been featured on my Weekly Reads. This is such an amazing blog!

xoxo, K

Yet another Project 20 Pan

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000+09:00

I seem to be doing a Project 10 Pan every 6 months. The reason is that I no longer buy cosmetics. It sounds horrible to be saying that as a beauty blogger!

Many of you may know the reason why I do not buy many cosmetics anymore. I live in a part of the world where mail is very unreliable, so I no longer buy things on the internet. I could buy local cosmetics, but all of the good brands are either from Japan, Taiwan or Korea, and are heavily marked up.

I do buy a few things every time I am back in Japan, and some of my very kind friends send me a few things when I am on vacation. It's a little sad not to be able to try out all of the new products on the market, but it also gives me a chance to really think about what products I really want. For example, right now I'm really coveting the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. But since I can't get it, I'll wait until my next trip to the US. By then, I may have forgotten all about it!

I have a separate blog post where I shared some tips on how to complete Project 10 Pan. Please take a look if you are interested in Project 10 Pan but don't know how to make it work!!

On to the products! (If I have reviewed the product before, you can click on the product name to go to the review)

MAC Naked Honey Body Wash

As I mentioned in my review, I loved the scent of this product but I thought it was severely overpriced.

Bath & Body Works Body Lotion in Twilight Woods

I have several bottles of this product, and so I'm still getting through my collection!

Yet another bottle of Bath & Body Works Body Lotion in Twilight Woods.

This is the travel sized bottle, while the bottle above was full sized. It still takes me over a month to go through the travel bottles!

Lush Snow Globe Soap

As I mentioned in my review, I loved the lemongrass scent of this product. It is still strange to me that Lush considers lemongrass to be a winter scent.

This product was a limited edition product for the holidays. It is currently being rereleased!

Bath & Body Works Body Lotion in Enchanted Orchid
I did not enjoy this scent as it was too floral for me.

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny

One of my favorite youtubers, emilynoel83, highly recommends this product. It is not highly pigmented, plus it is very cheap, so I recommend it if you are new to bronzers.

Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel

As I mentioned in my review, this is a great dupe for a silicone-based face primer such as Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, at 1/9 the price.

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer

I have also reviewed this product before. This is my favorite non-silicone face primer. I heard that Rimmel has a new Fix & Perfect primer, so I'm looking forward to trying that out!

Lush Lip Scrub in Bon Bon

I loved the product, I loved the scent, but I did not love the price for something I could easily make at home!

Lush Angel's Delight Soap

I had an interesting time trying to use both sides of the soap evenly!

H2O+ Marine Daily Hydrator

This was an oil-free moisturizer that I received as a gift. It was a great light moisturizer, but I did not feel it was anything special.

VOV Castledew Watershot Foundation

This is currently my favorite foundation and was on my 2010 favorites list. This foundation is light on the skin, but has pretty good coverage.

Lush It's Raining Men Shower Gel

This shower gel was very popular when it came out, since it supposedly smells similar to the Lush Honey I Washed The Kids soap. It was originally limited edition, but has now been made permanent.

Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Hand Lotion in Twilight Woods

I reviewed this product quite recently. It is a great hand lotion, but I prefer not to scent my hands so strongly.

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel

I received the largest size bottle (17 fluid ounces) as a gift, and it took nearly a year to use up! Of course, I didn't use it continuously. Still, it reminded me of why I always buy the smallest bottle.

Lush Godiva Solid Shampoo

I also reviewed this product recently. If you have not used one of Lush's solid shampoos before, I suggest you try this one.

Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser

As I mentioned in my review, I felt this product was really overpriced for what it did. It also smelled cheap.

Clarisonic Gentle Hydro Cleanser

Another cleanser I reviewed recently. Hint: Cetaphil is very similar and less than 1/4 of the price!

The Face Shop Wrinkle Stop Eye Cream

This was a great hydrating eye cream, but I really did not see any difference in my eye area.

Bath & Body Works Body Lotion in Butterfly Flower

I remember not liking this scent so much, but it wasn't so bad this time. It is a little too much like perfume, though.

Bath & Body Works Shower Gel in Butterfly Flower

Yes, I'm slowly getting through my stash of Bath & Body Works products!

What products have you used up recently?

xoxo, K

Favorite Products 2011

2012-01-01T23:09:00.000+09:00

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2012 is a fantastic year for you!

Here are my favorite products of 2011. As many of you know, I bought almost nothing last year. It has helped me make a dent in my huge stash. I brought 3 full boxes of beauty products with me when I moved in October of 2010, but now I'm down to about 1 box.

Please also check out my favorites of 2010 and 2009. I still love a lot of those items!

Best Skin care item

St Ives Green Tea cleanser

Review here

This is the only new skin care item that I loved. It is a great daily cleanser that exfoliates gently. I love the scent as well!

Best makeup items

Mezaik

In 2011, I started to use Mezaik to change the shape of my double eyelids. Now, it is a must have product for me!

Maybelline the Colossal Volum Express Mascara

Review here

Drugstore companies come out with so many new mascaras that it s difficult to tell which one is which. This was a great volumizing mascara.

Gosh Lipstick in Darling

I picked this up in London only because it was so hyped on the internet. It is too flesh-toned for me and makes me look dead. However, I love it to tone down lipsticks that are too bright for me. A lot of Japanese girls use concealers for this purpose, which dry out my lips and make them flake. This is a very creamy lipstick, and I wish I had picked up some different colors. It is also super affordable!

Best tools

Sonia Kashuk blush brush

This is a great brush - it is soft and affordable. Unfortunately, I ruined mine, so I really really need to buy a new one!

Clarisonic

I love my Clarisonic, but I only use it during the warmer months!

Favorite new tips/tricks

How to get through Project 10 Pan

I've done quite a few rounds of Project 10 Pan in the past. In this post, I shared with you my tips and tricks to be able to stick to it.

How to pack skin care and makeup for traveling

I used to travel a lot for work, so I've picked up a few tips on how to pack beauty products so that you don't either over- or under-pack.

How to get the most out of your bath bombs and bubble bars

Who doesn't want to squeeze out more uses from their bath bombs? By using this technique, you can get more from your bath bombs without feeling like you've sacrificed anything.

Most reviewed brand on Cosmeddicted in 2011

Lush (14 times)

You may not be surprised, but I am! I had no idea I reviewed 14 different Lush products this year, since I bought only 1 new item. This is an increase from 2010, when I reviewed 8 Lush products!

Favorite Lush item

Brazen Honey Fresh Face Mask

review here

This has been one of my favorite products for a very long time. It is also super expensive in Japan, so I take every opportunity to buy it in the US or in the UK!

(stock photo)

Favorite blog post of 2011

How to make a lotion face mask with cotton

This is my favorite post because it took so long before I got around to doing it. Originally, I planned to post this as my very first blog post, back in March of 2009! I had a lot of fun making the picture above as well!

Most viewed blog post

Canmake Melty Nude Lip swatches

Amazing - I posted this in the August 2010, and it continues to be the top viewed post on this blog!

Please leave a comment letting me know what you would like to see more of this year!

xoxo, K

Weekly Reads #42: December 30, 2011

2011-12-30T22:44:00.000+09:00

6 tips on how to build self-esteem, via Beautiful With Brains. Self-esteem is probably the best beauty product ever.
Suave $3 Dry Shampoo, via Makeup and Beauty Blog. A $3 dry shampoo that gets an A+ mark? You bet I'm trying it!
Sally Hansen "rereleases" their popular Hidden Treasures nail polish, via Polarbelle. This is a must read because the name is so misleading!
Peppermint Ice Cream, via Pioneer Woman. LOOKS DELICIOUS.

Hope you all have a safe and happy New Year's!

xoxo, K

Review: Clarisonic Gentle Hydro Cleanser - do you need a cleanser for the Clarisonic?

2011-12-28T20:00:00.000+09:00

This is a review of the Clarisonic Gentle Hydro Cleanser. Just like for the Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser, I received a trial size of this as part of a special set when I bought my Clarisonic.

What it does: (from clarisonic.com)
Gentle Hydro Cleanser Naturally scented with cucumber, this pH-balanced, gentle, non-foaming skin cleanser is a full-body hydrogel that removes impurities while soothing and comforting. Contains natural ingredients and is paraben-free. Natural Active Ingredients Sucrose Cocoate (a patented mixture of sucrose and coconut derivatives)—gently cleanses sensitive skin Algae & Aloe Vera Gel—hydrate and soften skin Vitamin E & Japanese Green Tea—soothe and protect skin

Price: $25 for 6 oz

Pros:

Cleans well
Gentle, and not drying

Cons:

This cleanser is extremely similar to the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. It has the same creamy gel texture, and it cleans in the same way. The Cetaphil cleanser is around $6 for the 8 oz bottle (according to Target.com).

Would I repurchase? No. I did like this cleanser, but as I mentioned, it is too similar to the Cetaphil cleanser. Considering the Cetaphil cleanser is less than 1/4 of the price, I don't think this product is worth the price. On the plus side, this product reminded me on why I enjoyed the Cetaphil cleanser so much!

Notes: You can really use any cleanser you want with the Clarisonic! I've used both liquid cleansers and bar soaps. I would avoid using anything with exfoliating particles in it, though, since it might be too abrasive!

Hope this helped!

xoxo, K

Review: Philosophy Gingerbread Man / Gingerbread Girl Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath

2011-12-26T21:46:00.000+09:00

This is a review for the Philosophy Gingerbread Man and Gingerbread Girl Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath (or 3-in-1). I bought this product in Hawaii last year and had forgotten to post the review!

Gingerbread Man

Gingerbread Girl

What it does: (from Sephora.com)

A multitasking Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath infused with the refreshing scent of ginger spice. This luscious, lathering gel sweetens any day with its extra rich and creamy formula that gently cleanses and conditions, leaving skin and hair feeling ultra soft.

Price: A full sized bottle of Philosophy's 3-in-1 is $16 for 16 oz (480ml). In this set, each bottle was 8 oz (240 ml), and the set was $20 for the 2 bottles. A full sized bottle is a good value for money, but I personally think that 480 ml is much too big to use without getting bored!

Scent: Both products smell like ginger. Gingerbread Man smells like Ginger with Lemon added, and reminds me strongly of lemon iced tea. Gingerbread Girl smells sweeter.

Pros:

Foams well, and cleans well without stripping my body of moisture
I really enjoyed both scents
Gingerbread Girl does not leave obvious glitter on my body

Cons:

This was my first Philosophy 3-in-1, and I found the product to be very runny, unlike Bath & Body Works' shower gels. Be careful when you pour out the product.

Notes: Although this can be used as a shower gel, bubble bath, or shampoo, I use it solely as a shower gel.

Would I repurchase? Maybe. I really liked the Philosophy 3-in-1s, and I hope I can try out some other scents next holiday season!

Have you tried Philosophy products before? Please let me know of your favorites!

xoxo, K

Weekly Reads #41: December 23, 2011

2011-12-23T21:05:00.000+09:00

3 homemade beauty fixes that really work, via Beautiful With Brains. This reminds me - I need to do an aspirin mask!
A review on Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo, via Product Girl. I doubt this product will come to Japan (dry shampoos are unheard of here), but I'm really looking forward to picking it up in the US!
I like window shopping for fake MAC, via Musings of a Muse. I know several girls in China who have bought MAC "sets" online which are obviously fake!
Mulled Apple Cider, via Pioneer Woman. What is the difference between American apple cider and unfiltered apple juice? Either way, this looks delicious!
How to host a (healthy) party, via Summer Tomato. Read these tips to ensure that you stay stress-free!

Hope you are getting ready for the holidays! Unfortunately, I'll have no presents this year!!

xoxo, K

Review: Lush Candy Cane soap - washing yourself with candy cane scent

2011-12-19T21:22:00.000+09:00

This is a review for the Lush Candy Cane soap. This is a limited edition product for the holidays which I picked up in Japan. In Japan, this is called "スウィーツシェフの野望" (Sweets Chef no Yabou, "The Ambition of the Sweets Chef"), which is yet another Japanese Lush product name which is unrelated to the original name!

In my experience, if I buy a Lush soap in the US or the UK, the SA will cut off a piece and weigh it for you. In Japan, most of the time the soap is already precut and prepackaged. This helped me make sure that I got both the light pink part and the dark red part of the soap.

What it does: (from lushusa.com)
Inspired by all the candy shops in New York City (and with just the slightest of nods to a certain Charlie in a certain factory), Candy Cane Soap is everything you could ever want from a bar of soap. Our perfumer Simon captured the fragrance of a candy cane perfectly using English peppermint oil and the sweet, cherry scent of almond oil. It was probably thanks to the fact that he consumed his body weight in candy canes whilst making it. All in the name of research! Anyone who loves candy canes will love the scent of this soap. Invigorating and comforting at the same time; perfect for waking up in the shower on a winter morning. The aroma of English peppermint oil refreshes and revitalizes.

Price: 2.75 GBP/100g, 6.95 USD/3.5oz, 650 JPY/100g
This translates to $0.04/g in the UK, $0.07/g in the US, and $0.08/g in Japan. Please remember that the Japanese Yen is currently at an all-time high.

Scent: Minty-herbally-sweet? Take the sweet-minty smell of a candy cane and mix it with the herbal scent that all Lush products have. That's what this smells like.

Pros:

This soap really smells like candy canes to me. It smells not only of peppermint, but it also smells sweet
Like all Lush soaps, this is a good cleanser

Cons:

The peppermint oil is a little strong, so be careful if you have sensitive skin
Like other Lush soaps, this does not have moisturizing properties. During the winter, I definitely need another moisturizer. Considering this is a limited edition product for the winter, it would have been nice if it were more moisturizing.

Note: The dark red part of the soap contains more water and will melt faster than the pink part. Be careful to store this in a dry place.

Would I repurchase? Yes! I really liked the scent and it got me into a holiday mood!

This was the only Lush holiday product that I bought this year, but you can check out the other reviews that I've done in the past.

Angel's Delight Soap

Buche de Noel Cleanser

Gingerbread House Bubble Bar

Glogg Shower Gel

Snow Fairy Shower Gel

Snowcake Soap

Snow Globe Soap

Hope you enjoyed this review!

xoxo, K

Weekly Reads #40: December 16, 2011

2011-12-16T20:06:00.000+09:00

Wow, it's been 3 weeks since I did a Weekly Reads. I've been really behind on blogging!

I hope your holiday shopping is going well. One of the interesting things about living in a part of the world that has very bad postal service is that the holiday shopping craze is not a part of life! I probably won't be doing anything this Christmas, including any shopping for myself!!

On to the weekly reads!

8 things I learned from beauty blogging, via Beauty with Brains. I've read a lot of lists like this one, but this was the one I most agree with with!
How to eat healthy while traveling, via Summer Tomato. This is specifically about eating healthy on airplanes and at airports.
3 ways to wear red lips for the totally terrified, via Makeup and Beauty Blog. My favorite way is to wear it as a stain
Products provided for consideration reviews, via Beautyholics Anonymous. I do almost none of these! 99% of the products reviewed on my blog are either bought by me, or gifted by friends who have no affiliation with makeup companies.

Hope your week is going well!

xoxo, K

Review: L'Oreal De-crease eyeshadow base (vs Urban Decay Primer Potion)

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000+09:00

This is a review of the L'Oreal De-crease eyeshadow base.

Many people have been saying this is a great alternative to Urban Decay Primer Potion, being cheaper and easier to get a hold of. I've been using UDPP religiously for the past year or so, and I wanted to compare the two.

What it does: (from lorealparisusa.com)
Crease-proof your eyes and get longer lasting eye color with De-Crease Eye Shadow Base. Smooth eyelids, even skin tone, and create a flawless canvas for application of powder or cream eye shadow, or wear alone for a clean, natural look.

Price: will vary, but L'Oreal's website lists this for $8.50/0.20 oz of product. Urban Decay seems to be reducing their prices, since I found UDPP on the Urban Decay website for $10.

The applicator is a slanted sponge tipped applicator, similar to the UDPP.

Here is a swatch.

Pros:

the price is very slightly cheaper, especially if you can get it Buy One Get One Free (or Half Off)
smoother, easier to spread.
the container is mostly straight, and should be easier to use up completely, unlike the infamous genie bottle (or the very stiff tube) that UDPP has.

Cons:

this product is not very tacky, and my pigments did not stick very well
this product did not keep my eyeshadow vibrant/crease-free as long as UDPP does
I would not use this product by itself, as the claim says (although this is my very personal opinion)

Would I repurchase? No. Considering my lids are fairly oily, plus I love to use pressed pigments, I prefer UDPP. My tube of UDPP has lasted me about a year, so the difference in price is not so huge for me.

All in all, this isn't a bad product. If your eyelids aren't as oily as mine, or you don't use pigments, this eyeshadow primer might work well for you. For me, the effort to hack my bottle of UDPP open is worth the price difference!

What is your favorite eyeshadow primer?

xoxo, K

Review: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Quick Sand - one stroke nail polish?

2011-12-06T09:25:00.000+09:00

This is a review for the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Quick Sand. This was a gift from Eki.

What it does: (from sallyhansen.com) One stroke, one coat, done.
This product claims that it can be applied with just one stroke, and will dry in 60 seconds. It also claims that it can be worn with only 1 coat.

Price: Will vary, depending on where you buy it. Most online stores have it at around $4.50

Pros:

The color is a warm beige with a very tiny hint of sparkle. This color is very flattering on my skin and very appropriate for work.
This product dries very fast, although it took longer than 60 seconds.
The brush is very wide, flat and short, so that it can be applied in only one stroke. It took more than 1 stroke to cover my entire nail, but I felt that this brush is very easy to use.

Cons:

I still needed 2 coats of application
Depending on how I applied it, it could get streaky. This nail polish takes some getting used to.
This nail polish chipped on me on Day 3 (but be aware that most nail polishes last only 2-3 days on me, so this does not mean that this particular nail polish chips easily)

Would I repurchase? Yes! I'm very uncoordinated with nail polish, but this was very easy to apply. I would repurchase this color, and I'm also interested in trying other colors!

What is your favorite nail polish brand? Hope this review helped!

xoxo, K

Review: Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Lotion in Twilight Woods.

2011-11-29T18:11:00.000+09:00

This is a review of the Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Lotion in Twilight Woods. This was a gift from Sarah.

This product is a watery lotion, and has little blue specks in it.

What it does: (from bathandbodyworks.com)
This moisturizing hand lotion softens and soothes as it kills germs - leaving hands scented with a hypnotic blend of enticing fruits and warm cypress inspired by a romantic walk in enchanted woods.

Price: $4.00 for 2 fluid ounces

Scent: Um... similar to Twilight Woods body lotion?

Pros:

I love the scent!
This product left my skin moisturized but not oily or greasy
The scent lasts on my skin for a while
Affordable

Cons:

This is a little watery for my personal taste
The scent is too strong for me. I cannot eat or handle food for 1-2 hours after putting on this lotion. It also bothers me if I do makeup after I put on this lotion.

Would I repurchase? Probably not, since it smells too strong for me! I realized that strong smelling hand lotions bother me because I use my hands a lot.

Hope you enjoy this review!

xoxo, K

Weekly Reads #39: November 25, 2011

2011-11-25T18:09:00.000+09:00

Magnetized nail polish, via Makeup Wonderland. These nail polishes are so cool! Too bad they aren't available over here!
Top 10 things to do in Macau, via Little Miss Kessa. I've been to Hong Kong many times, but I've never been to Macau!
Spicy Pork Stew with Chickpeas, via Simply Recipes. This stew sounds delicious and just right for cold nights.
Overcoming Bloggers' Block, via Beautyholics Anonymous. What do you do when you don't have anything to blog about?
How does a girl find her style, via Ask Metafilter. I have a huge problem in that I don't really like the current fashion in Japan. I wish Ann Taylor was available here!

Review: Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque - a staple in your skin care routine?

2011-11-23T22:00:00.000+09:00

This is a review for the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque. This is a very popular drugstore mask in the US, and seems to be a staple in a lot of people's skin care routines.

What it does: (from queenhelene.com)
Mint Julep Masque is the original natural home treatment to help dry up pimples, rinse away blackheads and shrink enlarged pores. Simply apply Mint Julep Masque to your clean face and neck. As it firms and hardens within minutes, it draws out impurities from your pores. After the masque is removed, your skin will feel clean, refreshed and smooth.

Price: will vary, depending on where you buy it. According to walgreens.com, it was $4.29

Pros:

Dries up pimples. I saw a significant reduction in swelling and redness
Cheap and easy to find (in the US)

Cons:

This product is very minty, and contains kaolin (clay). It may be too drying for people with sensitive skin.
If you move your face after the product dries, it will flake off
The product is very thick and hard to apply or wash off

Because this product is very drying, I like to apply it only to my pimples, not to my entire face. I don't like to use this product regularly, but I like to have a tube on hand in case of breakouts!

Would I repurchase? Yes, this is a cheap product and great to have in case of pimples

Hope you enjoyed this review!

xoxo, K

Review: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner - a drugstore brand liquid eyeliner

2011-11-21T21:00:00.000+09:00

This is a review for the Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner. I have this in the color Blackest Black.

Revlon ColorStay has 2 other eyeliners, and their names are a little confusing.

Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner = the pencil eyeliner
Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen = the liquid eyeliner that looks like a sharpie
Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner = the liquid eyeliner that has a brush

What it does:
Elegant, sexy and sophisticated, Revlon® Colorstay™ Liquid Liner allows you to emphasize your eyes with precision. Dries quickly and lasts all day.
(from revlon.com)

Price: will vary on where you buy it. I spent about $7.

Let's check how this product lasts!

Here are two swatches on my arm. I tried to make them equal, but you can see that the left line is a little less dark than the right one. This eyeliner is not super black in a swatch, but I could not see any difference when I applied it to my eyes.

I rubbed the left swatch with my finger to see how it smudges.

Unfortunately, you can see that it is wearing off.

Next, I splashed the swatches with water.

You can see that it washed off. Unfortunately, this eyeliner isn't waterproof.

Pros:

When I use it on my eyes, it lasts fairly well
The applicator is like a felt tip pen and is easy to use. I can make the line as thin or as thick as I want

Cons:

Does not always apply evenly
In the test that I did above, you can see that it wears off

Would I repurchase? I have, but there are so many good products in the drugstore now that I want to try other products first!

What is your favorite liquid liner from the drugstore? Please let me know because I'm interested in trying them out!

xoxo, K

Weekly Reads #38: November 18, 2011

2011-11-18T19:40:00.000+09:00

How to blend eyeshadow, via Makeupgeek. She applies color to the lid last, while I usually apply color to my outer V last. Which way do you apply your eyeshadow?
Beauty bloggers are bizarre, via Beauty's Bad Habit. Yes, I've bought products specifically to blog about them!
Clinique comes up with a way for shoppers to tell them if they want help or not, via Lipglossiping. I hope all beauty counters start doing this!
Holy Grail Drugstore Beauty Products from Nouveau Cheap. I'll be checking out these products next time I'm in the US!
Chicken Soup, via Macheesmo. It's getting to be colder, plus whole chickens are much cheaper here than in Japan, so I don't have an excuse not to try this!

I really want to change up my blog. What kind of posts would you be interested in? More reviews, more FOTDs, more personal talk? I'm bummed that I can't do as many giveaways as I used to do, since mail here really sucks. Please let me know!

xoxo, K

Review: Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser - a cleanser designed for the Clarisonic

2011-11-16T21:31:00.000+09:00

This is a review of the Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser. I received a trial size of this as part of a special set when I bought my Clarisonic. I thought this would be an interesting review to write since I've never seen a review of this product.

The cleanser is the blue tube on the right.

What it does:
Specially formulated for sonic cleansing, this pH-balanced, foaming gel cleanser gently balances and clarifies to relieve and protect oily, congested skin. Contains natural active ingredients and is paraben-free.
Contains Natural Active Ingredients: Willowbark—a natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, Bearberry—promotes bright, even skin tone, Japanese Green Tea—soothes and protects skin
(from clarisonic.com)

Price: $25 for 6 oz

Scent: This product has a very generic cleanser scent, similar to the liquid soap you can find in public restrooms. I don't dislike the scent, but I don't think it's a great scent.

Pros:

Cleans well

Cons:

This was a very generic cleanser.
I did not see any difference between using this cleanser and any other cleanser with my Clarisonic

Would I repurchase? No. While this isn't a bad cleanser, it really isn't worth the $25. I'm glad I got this trial size for free!

Like I said, this is really just a generic cleanser. Even if it were $10, I wouldn't spend money on this product since there are so many better cleansers on the market.

Hope this helped!

xoxo, K

**cosmeddicted **

Weekly Reads #46: January 26, 2012

Review: Nanoce BB Sorbet - a sherbet-like BB cream

Weekly Reads #45: January 20, 2012

Review: MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator - one of the most hyped MAC products

Review: Canmake Color Stick Concealer - cheap and very popular!

Weekly Reads #44: January 13, 2012

Review: Steamcream - the packaging!!!

Review: L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara - a volumizing mascara without the clumps

Weekly Reads #43: January 6, 2012

Yet another Project 20 Pan

Favorite Products 2011

Weekly Reads #42: December 30, 2011

Review: Clarisonic Gentle Hydro Cleanser - do you need a cleanser for the Clarisonic?

Review: Philosophy Gingerbread Man / Gingerbread Girl Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath

Weekly Reads #41: December 23, 2011

Review: Lush Candy Cane soap - washing yourself with candy cane scent

Weekly Reads #40: December 16, 2011

Review: L'Oreal De-crease eyeshadow base (vs Urban Decay Primer Potion)

Review: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Quick Sand - one stroke nail polish?

Review: Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Lotion in Twilight Woods.

Weekly Reads #39: November 25, 2011

Review: Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque - a staple in your skin care routine?

Review: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner - a drugstore brand liquid eyeliner

Weekly Reads #38: November 18, 2011

Review: Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser - a cleanser designed for the Clarisonic

cosmeddicted