Showing posts with label cosmetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cosmetics. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

NARS summer makeup essentials




Battling the summer humidity in Japan has always been a topic of frustration for me for the past 4 years. And over the years, having my makeup done by professionals at work and reading beauty blogs and articles has opened up my eyes about how to do makeup the "right" way. It's not just the "right" foundation - it's also about how your prep and finish your face, too. So here are the tools I use to keep my face put together on a hot, summer day:


The thing I love most about NARS is that a little goes a long way, especially their foundations. The Velvet Matte is a recent favorite, as it glides on so smoothly and effortlessly, and I'll just add some concealer on problem spots if the foundation doesn't do the trick. And I probably wouldn't use two different finishing powders in the winter, but I find it a must for me in the summer heat. 

What do you use for your summer makeup routine?


日本へ着てからの4年間、夏の湿気との戦いは今でも一番の困難です。そして、この数年間、現場でたくさんのメイクさんにメイクやってもらったり、ビューティーブログや記事を読んだりして、「正しい」メイクのやり方を徐々に学びました。「これ」といったファンデーションだけでは、化粧崩れしにくい顔を作ることはできないと思います。下地とセットするパウダーも大事なんです。この夏、私のメイクルーティーンで役立っているNARSのメイク道具を紹介します:



NARSの商品の一番好きなところは、少量でもすごい効果があることです。特にファンデーション!伸びが良く、仕上がりもいいし、ファンデーションで隠しきれない部分があったらコンシーラーを使えばオッケーなんです。冬の間はセッティングパウダーを2つ使わないと思いますが、夏は欠かせません!

あなたはの夏のメイク必勝品は何ですか?

Thursday, March 5, 2015

My NARS makeup haul





I wasn't always a NARS fan, but within the last 2 years I have slowly but surely converted to NARS cosmetics. I also had the amazing opportunity to model for their artists' summit a couple months ago and received a lot of makeup goodies, including the lipgloss and lipsticks pictured above. My most recent NARS craze is their Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. I literally never have to retouch my makeup after using this at the end of my morning makeup routine. I used to get shiny on my T-zone, but even at the end of the day, I barely do anymore. I also love their blushes (gorgeous colors!). And I mean, who can resist their sleek and modern-looking compacts?

Do you use any NARS products? If you have any recommendations, let me know in the comments!

ここ数年、NARSコスメにハマっています。数ヶ月前も、アーティストサミットでモデルをさせて頂いた以来、更に好きになってしまいました。チークやリップの色も豊富だし、私の敏感肌にも優しいです。特に、ライトリフレクティングセッティングパウダープレストは欠かせないです。どんなファウンデーションを使っても、一日中テカらない。Tゾーンがテカりやすい私でも、夜までほぼマットの状態ですよ!皆さんもNARSのコスメはお使いになっていますか?


Saturday, November 22, 2014

BEAUTY | a NARS holiday






I mentioned in a previous post that I received some NARS cosmetics after modeling for their artist summit in Tokyo. What I didn't mention was they sent me more beautiful shades of lip colors, blush and eyeliner. I am truly in (NARS) makeup heaven right now. Even the packaging was perfect for the holiday season.

I've been using NARS blush for over a year now, and I really recommend those - the colors look beautiful on the skin and they are so easy to blend. I'm not huge fan of lipgloss, but adding a bit of gloss over a lipstick adds the right amount of shine (or that's what Mr. Nars himself told some of the artists at the summit). So that's what I've been trying :)

最近、NARSのコスメにすごくハマってます。東京のNARSアーティストサミットでモデルをやらせてもらった以来、メイクにも以前より興味を持ちました。そして嬉しいことに、NARSジャパンからリップやチークをもっと頂きました!本当にありがとうございます!使うのがとても楽しみです♪



I'm currently looking for a new makeup bag to fit my newest additions. I'm really liking this Ezra small striped cosmetic pouch by Kate Spade, the medium dome cosmetic pouch in gold by Lesportsac, and the Marc by Marc Jacobs preppy nylon small cosmetic pouch in black. I don't really like noisy prints when it comes to small accessories like a makeup bag. So hard to decide! Shopbop has a big selection of cosmetic pouches here.




Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway with The Golden Heart Store here, and PLEASE check out my new song on Youtube here!! I would really appreciate it <3


是非、新曲も聴いて下さいね!




Love,

Samantha

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

a hint of color



Yesterday, I happened to arrive at my station for work a bit early, so I browsed through the cosmetics counter at the department store. I had been wanting a new blush since I changed my hair style, and I only had pinks and other shades I thought were too dark for my fair skin. When I approached the NARS counter, I asked the sales associate what shade would best accentuate my cheekbones and would look best with my black hair. She immediately pointed to this pretty beige shade that I ended up buying. I tried it on this morning with my normal makeup routine, and I am extremely satisfied with how it looks on me. It's subtle, but adds a hint of color to my cheeks. Plus, I can pair any lip color and it won't clash. Today, I opted for L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipcolour. I bought this shade almost 2 years ago for my senior piano recital and hadn't used it since. Good thing I kept it because now it's my go-to lip color for day and night.

Some of the other items in the first photo:
1. Botanics Mineral Eye Colour (I only use the nude shade)
2. NARS blush in 4026
3. Maybelline Falsies Volum' Express mascara in black
4. KATE Super Sharp Liner in black
5. L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipcolour in Mulberry 710


Do you have any blush recommendations? Let me know in the comments!:)


I also have exciting news that has nothing to do with makeup... My cousin just had a healthy baby boy last week! This is her second child, so I'm sure her eldest daughter is beyond excited to have a little brother. I'm pretty sure I was, too, when my brother was born (I was 3 years old then). I am extremely happy for my cousin and her family - can't wait to meet the little one!




Love,

Samantha Mariko


Monday, June 18, 2012

Artistry cosmetics



Yesterday, I had my makeup done for my graduation by Ami Kuroda, a multi-media makeup artist from Los Angeles. She did my makeover using Artistry cosmetics, a quality skin-care and cosmetics line exclusively from Amway. 

Ami used toner, moisturizer, foundation, concealer, etc... but it felt like I had nothing on. The makeup was so light, but it made a huge difference visually. The selection of eye shadow and lipstick colors were great, and their application was really easy. I was also surprised at how affordable Artistry cosmetics are (if I remember correctly, a lip gloss was about $10 and concealer about $15). Ami told me that Artistry cosmetics can be compared to department store brands, so you can pay less for quality makeup. 

On me:
Foundation - Bone
Eyebrow - Brown
Eyeliner - Ebony
Eye shadow - Fusion, Drift, Rich, Magic
Lip Liner - Pink nude
Lip Color - Neutrale


You can check out Ami's Facebook page here and her Tumblr here.

Photos from my graduation coming soon :)



Love,

Samantha Mariko