Cat-eyes and Red Lips

Like an updated version of this post, but I was actually inspired by this simple look from the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2013 runway. Clean face, thick brows, a smudge on the eye, and a bold red lip:

Image via

The beauty of this look is it's so simple. The only trick that needs to be elaborated is the cat-eye: I love how her cat-eye wasn't precise, like it was more of a smudge (note the blended out edges). I recreated it using the Shu Uemura Kolinsky Brush 10f dipped in black eyeshadow, flicking it out from the outer corner of my eye. Instead of a q-tip, I used my fingers to straighten out the edges (this could get messy, but since it's black eyeshadow instead of liner, the mess wouldn't stay on skin if you rub it off quickly. Or if it does, clean up with a q-tip dippped in makeup remover!).

As for the rest, I applied foundation and highlighted my face, painted on eyebrows, tight-lined my eyes, swiped on mascara, and made sure that red lip stayed within the lines.

Products Used:
Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow in 40 Brown Black
Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation N 102
Le Metiér de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer Shade 1
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil 08 Eye On
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Le Metiér de Beauté Nouvelle Vague
Clinique Cheek Pop in Plum Pop
Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancer in Delicate Pink
Burberry Lip Velvet in Military Red
Chanel Le Vernis Dragon

Tatcha Indigo Skincare Collection

Can I go one month without talking about Tatcha at least once? If you follow me on my various social media platforms (Instagram! Twitter! Facebook!) you'll know I simply don't have it in me. But that's okay. This blog is a diary of pretty things, and pretty things shall be spoken of!

Tatcha's newest pretties are part of the Indigo Skincare Collection, which marks Vicky's first foray into body care (huzzah!). Firstly, though it shows my lack of education, I never knew "indigo" was ever more than the name of a color. How pleasantly surprised I was to find that it was also a flower, and an extremely vibrant one at that. It makes me want to bring the plant to various deli owners in New York City as explanation of why it's not okay to dye flowers into unnatural hues.

I have a funny story to illustrate how good these products are. My boyfriend and I have been using Haus of Gloi Pumpkin Butter to alleviate our dry skin woes with much satisfaction for the past two winters. Then I received the Tatcha Soothing Silk Body Butter and hastened to test it because Vicky Tsai is like my fairy godmother of miraculous skincare. The blue cream literally seeps into your skin as soon as you apply it. There is credence to its name, because it really does soothe the skin upon touch. My nose is not discerning, so I can't really tell you what it smells like, but I can assure you that it's wonderful.

Back to the actual funny: my boyfriend is as most boys are – ambivalent about his grooming routine (though particularly attached to Dove Beauty Bar. He has a stockpile of it in his bathroom closet). He started moisturizing when we started dating because I was concerned about the cracked skin on his knuckles, but was largely unconcerned which moisturizer we used. When I was testing the Tatcha butter, I also applied it on him, and since then, he asks me if we can "use the nice stuff."

The Tatcha Soothing Silk Hand Cream, by the way, is basically the body butter in portable form.

One of the many reasons I love the brand is because of its commitment to quality and craft. Each Tatcha product is packaged exquisitely and with care, and while that is the norm in Japan, you rarely see it in companies based in the US, even those with Japanese roots. I've also been lucky to receive one of the brand's signature gifts last Christmas, namely the Obon Tray featured in the pictures above. It adds a touch of glamour to my nightstand and makes my cluster of candles look much more organized.

Tatcha Soothing Silk Body Butter retails for $48 and the Soothing Silk Hand Cream goes for $38. Available at tatcha.com and select Barney's locations.

Full disclosure: This entry contains sample products sent by PR or the manufacturer for editorial consideration.

A Punch of Pink from Clinique

It was a whopping 13C/55F in New York City today. It's incredible what gentler weather does to the spirits – I haven't seen as many smiles on the street since... fall, probably? – and I suppose the evidence is in this blog post. After all, it got me writing.

Something bright was in order, so I reached into my ever-growing pile of Make Up I Should Test. Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Plushest Punch emerged, so here we are.

Firstly, I knew it was called intense, but I didn't know how intense it was going to be (this is an occasion where the brand team got the product name totally right). One swipe and I was like woah!, and then obviously, I went all out.

Plushest Punch goes on glossy and dries to a stain-like finish in an hour, though color is as vibrant as ever. Wear time is a solid 3-5 hours, but with the pen shape, reapplication is a breeze. I love lip products that make coloring outside the lines virtually impossible.

I have not taken hi-res pictures of myself in almost six months, and I have to say my skin surprised even me in these pictures. It behooves me to inform you about the two products I used: the newly acquired Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation (from Japan, or *wince* ichibankao.com) and Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancer in Delicate Pink, which has acquired HG status in my stable of highlighters. I use it on cheekbones, nose, cupid's bow, below/above eyebrows, and with my ring finger, dab the beige-ish shade on the inner corners of my eye. This palette is so magnificent it brings tears to my eyes.

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Plushest Punch retails for $21 and is available at Clinique counters everywhere!

Products Used:
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation N 102
Le Metiér de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer Shade 1
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
Clé de Peau Beauté Eye Color Quad 212
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil 05
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Clinique Cheek Pop in Ginger Pop
Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancer in Delicate Pink
Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Plushest Punch

Full disclosure: This entry contains sample products sent by PR or the manufacturer for editorial consideration. This entry also includes affiliate links.

Shiseido Lacquer Gloss Swatches

Top L-R: Mocha (BR301), Debut (BE102), Baby Doll (PK304), In The Flesh (OR303)
Bottom L-R: Lust (RD305), Plum Wine (RS306), Nebula (VI207), Phantom (VI708)

I had the immense fortune of having the opportunity to preview this a couple months ago. Unfortunately, this also meant that I had to sit on these swatches for as long a time. Following the success of its Lacquer Rouge release, Shiseido decided to release a line of Lacquer Glosses. The concept is similar: liquid, pigmented shades that glide on lips and lasts a good long while.

What I found with the Lacquer Gloss is one layer gives it a "traditional" gloss finish (sheer color), while two layers makes the product truly shine (full pigment). It's lightweight and non-sticky and immense fun to wear. The packaging is sleek and light, and unlike most other liquid lip things, showcases the colors on the outside (if only Lacquer Rouge would take notes). My personal experience was mostly with the slightly shimmery beige Debut, which wears like a concealer nude with two layers on my lips.

Shiseido Lacquer Gloss retails for $25 and is newly available on shiseido.com.

Full disclosure: This entry contains sample products sent by PR or the manufacturer for editorial consideration.

Happy 2014

When the clock struck twelve on New Year's Eve, I hadn't made any resolutions nor had any significant revelations about the past year. I was at a house party drinking champagne out of a red solo cup, kissing my boyfriend and hoping that 2014 would be a better year than before.

In many ways, 2013 was the year of biggest change in my life. I settled into a much more meaningful relationship with my boyfriend, finally got out of the cycle of internships and secured a "real" job, which in turn led me to the US working visa I'd been worried about getting for the past year. It took six months before the visa was finally approved, but it was in my hands. I was allowed to travel outside the country again, and now have at least three more years to figure things out here.

There are also other less life-changing, but still beautiful things: reconnecting with an old friend from home (who is now one of my best friends in New York), snowboarding (and loving it) for the first time, being able to visit home in October and see my entire family – reunited after 2+ years of separation – again in December. I didn't realize the extent I've missed my family until I basked in the warmth of just being in their presence for eight glorious days while we traipsed through Taiwan, and sometimes I wonder why I chose a path that would take me so far away from them in every way.

My life in New York has made me a stronger, more independent person. I have become more prone to speaking my mind, and less inclined to enduring injustices. For 2014, I wish to continue to strive to become a better person every day.

May we all be happy, loving, and kind to each other.

The Scent of Fresh Meadow - kai

Mood lighting!

As someone who wasn't already acquainted with the signature Kai fragrance, I expected it to be something clean and simple based on the brand's aesthetic, and what a pleasure it was to find out that it was true. It smells like a spring meadow filled with fresh, dewy grass – no flowers, just grass.

(For those who require something more precise, the official description for the fragrance is a "light and intoxicating scent of gardenia wrapped in white exotics.")

What I didn't know was that Kai didn't only produce perfume, but a whole line of bath, body, hair, and even home products, and suddenly I was intrigued. As mentioned numerous times on the blog, I am not a fragrance person, so when something I like finally appears, I cling onto it like my nose depends on it. A quick peruse through the web catalog shows that yes, if I'd like, I could coat myself and everything I own with this fragrance if I so wish. Believe me, I'm very tempted by the Fine Linen Wash.

That said, what I received in the mail was a more sensible starting tester product: their shampoo and conditioner. I brought it over to my boyfriend's apartment and the both of us have been enjoying it steadily for the past two months. He tells me he loves how easily the shampoo lathers and I tell him I love that it smells like clean grass. We both agree that it's a very pleasant product to have in our bathroom.

For all the upcoming holiday travel that you'll be doing, there's also a nifty travel set containing the shampoo and conditioner, body wash and lotion, and bubble bath that'll meet your basic needs. I took this with me on my trip to Chicago two months ago and the entire set – down to the see-through pouch (yay, TSA...) – served me well. I will be flying to Taiwan in a couple of days for a family trip and will once again be checking this in.

Unfortunately, Kai does not have a dedicated e-shop. However, you can find Kai products online at Barneys.com!

Full disclosure: This entry contains sample products sent by PR or the manufacturer for editorial consideration.

Beauty PSA: Tatcha Friends & Family Event

I have a very important announcement! Tatcha is currently offering a rare 20 percent off all purchases on their website. I cannot stress how awesome this is (I've never seen them on sale) and how imperative it is for you to go forth and stock up.

If you are a beginner to the brand, I envy you. You are about to embark on a truly amazing skincare journey. I have extensive reviews on (almost) every single Tatcha item, below:

• Tatcha Beauty Ritual (Cleansing Oil, Rice Enzyme Powder, Deep Brightening Serum, Moisture Rich Silk Cream)
• Tatcha Eye Cream
• Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist
• Tatcha Deep Hydration Lifting Mask
• Tatcha Gold Collection Camellia Oil and Lip Balm

I would suggest first-time users to go for the Dewy Skin Mist, Cleansing Oil, Deep Brightening Serum and either the Moisture Rich Silk Cream or the Enriching Renewal Cream. While I intersperse my own skincare routine with products from other brands, I can safely say that the majority of skincare I use is still from Tatcha. If my skin acts up, I retreat to their products and know that all will be well again in a day or two.

If you're feeling generous to yourself, go for gold and order the Complete Kiri Collection, pictured above. I've never seen it myself, but the description says it comes in a custom-made keepsake box. I've received my share of exquisite boxes from Tatcha and I've kept and re-used every single one of them.

Lastly – and this is probably not needed, but – I just wanted to say that none of the above links are affiliate links. I genuinely love this brand and will champion it for as long as anyone would listen to my beauty recommendations.

The Tatcha Friends & Family sale ends December 11. Use code FF2013 at checkout to receive the discount. If you do end up trying Tatcha skincare, let me know what you think!