TOP 10 | Best of J-Beauty Review

We continue Asia Week with a top ten edit, specifically for all those who have been waiting to hear about Japanese beauty exclusives! Narrowing down this list to just ten products was much more difficult than I imagined, but I truly believe this review will steer you in the right direction when shopping in Japan. I've spent an obscene amount of money on testing phenomenal, mediocre and even downright awful products since my first trip to Tokyo this year (in January), so I'm going to share what I've learned and highlight the most memorable of the lot. Get ready for J-Beauty heaven after the jump!

My Epic Japanese Beauty Haul featuring ADDICTION, THREE, SUQQU, Ladurée and more!

It has been a couple months since my trip to Tokyo, but I can't stop missing it. Instead, I will have to settle for dreaming of when I can visit again and share all the incredible beauty purchases I made! I saved up for months because my wish list was a mile long. Now, makeup shopping in Japanese department stores is a time-consuming adventure so prepare yourself! Swatching seemed to be highly discouraged, and there is strict 'no returns' policy. The sales associates will open up every box to confirm that you are taking home the color(s) you requested. More details after the jump!

EYELINER 101: The Best Liquid, Pencil, and Gel/Cream Eye Liners [Comprehensive Shopping Guide]

This post is for anyone who has previously asked me the question, "What eyeliners are the best?"As many of you very well know, my favorite makeup products to try are foundations, eyeliners, and nail polishes. So it should come to no surprise that this comprehensive shopping guide is thorough, with lots of options! I love variety, whether it is in finish, color, or texture.. don't we all? I hope you find the reviews helpful, text breakdowns of Top 3 at the end! Enjoy :)



Eyeliners Reviewed:
Lancome Artliner in Noir
Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Liner
MUFE Aqua Liner Waterproof Liquid in Navy
Stila Sparkle Liquid Liner in Electric [and for those asking, the Stila All-Day Pen liner smudges on me]
Lancome Waterproof Artliner in Beach Bum
Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Liner in Woodstock
Giorgio Armani Smooth Silk Waterproof Pencils
Lancome Kohl in Love Pencils in Chocolate Affair, Deepwater Blue, and Jade Crush
Chanel Stylo Yeux Long-Lasting Waterproof Pencil in Rose Platine [DCed]
MAC Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner Pencil in Undercurrent
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil in 8
Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in Black Ink
MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack
YSL Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils in Gold [LE]
Inglot AMC Matte Eye Liner Gels in 90 and 77

Makeup Worn:
YSL Teint Touche Eclat Foundation
Cle de Peau Powder Foundation in O20
Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in Natural Grey
Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave Princess
Burberry Eye Shadow in Dark Sable
MAC Eyeshadows - Blanc Type and Era
Lancome Color Design Infinite 24H Eye Shadows - Tremendous Turquoise & Boundless Blue
Lancome Artliner in Noir and Hypnose Drama WP Mascara
Tom Ford Lip Colour Shine Lipstick in Quiver

Nails:
Zoya Pixie Dust in Vespa

Tank:
Soft Joie from HauteLook

Soft Smoky Valentine's Day Makeup Tutorial [Photogenic Makeup Look]

In the last two months, I received several inquiries about what makeup is best for flash photography purposes. And I figured Valentine's Day was the most appropriate time to share these makeup tips and produce this tutorial, since many of you will be going on romantic dates in dimly lit restaurants. If you're celebrating Single's Awareness Day, however, you can still rock this look! Add more liner and take the color higher up the lid for more fun :)

Hope you enjoy!



After the jump, the makeup worn list and other details like nail polish worn can be found!

Makeup Used:
Temptu Smooth & Matte Makeup Primer
Burberry Sheer Cover Liquid Foundation in 05 applied with BeautyBlender Sponge
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC20
Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick in 03 Fawn
Bobbi Brown Sheer Loose Finish Setting Powder in Pale Yellow
Chanel Sculpting Veil in Notorious [Try Kevyn Aucoin Medium or D&G's Taupe if you don't have the SC]
Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in Natural Grey
By Terry Eye Primer in 002
Giorgio Armani Heat Summer '11 Eyeshadow Palette
Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eyeshadow in Black Velvet
MAC Eyeshadows in Beautiful Iris and Idol Eyes
Lit Cosmetics Glitter in Barbie Shops Size 3
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil in 08
MAC Pearlglide Eyeliner in Designer Purple
Lancome Hypnose Drama WP Mascara
Red Cherry False Eyelashes in 47 & 747
Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick in Rose Piquant
Burberry Spring '13 Lip Glow Lipgloss in 19

Blouse Worn:
J.Crew [old]

Nails:
Essie Blanc [right hand]
Essie Mod Square [left hand]
Butter LONDON Lillibeet's Jubilee [ring fingers]

Hair:
Natural, no product

THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencils in 01, 03, 08 - Reviews, Photos, Swatches

I discovered the highly exclusive, luxury Japanese brand THREE through the lovely Reika of Front Row Beauty. You can find her review of these waterproof Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencils HERE, but I am going to add my two cents and show you swatches of the three shades I own. These buttery smooth eye pencils glide on far more smoothly than Urban Decay's 24/7 liners, which I find rather overrated, and they even give my Holy Grail Giorgio Armani Waterproof Smooth Silk liners a run for their money!