My first article for Cosmopolitan Japan

My first article as contributor for Cosmopolitan Japan is now up on their website! Introducing 5 bold lip colors from 5 different brands for an easy fall makeup look. The article is in Japanese, but there are photos and links for all the lip colors I recommend. You can read the article here on Cosmopolitan Japan.

この度、コスモポリタンジャパンオンラインの記事を書かせていただきました！「サマンサ麻里子が教える、ポイントで取り入れる簡単モードメイク」で、お気に入りのリップを５色紹介しています。コスモポリタンはずっと読んでいて、こういう形でお仕事ができて、本当に夢がまた一つ叶いました！こちらで是非チェックして見て下さい！

Matte liquid lipsticks

My recent obsession: liquid lipsticks with a matte finish. I always thought lipsticks were the only option for anything close to a matte lip color, but these are just revolutionary. Japanese girls tend to gravitate towards really glossy lip colors, but I'm a "matte" girl through and through. 

Some brands I picked up: Maybelline New York, Revlon, Limecrime and M.A.C. My favorite shade is the Limecrime Velvetine in Buffy, but I think the Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid has the best staying power. And the most important thing - it is SO easy to apply! No need for a lip brush, allowing for vivid lips on the go. 

Do you use liquid lipsticks? Let me know in the comments!

最近ハマっているアイテム：マットの仕上がりのリキッドリップカラー。マット仕上げのリップカラーをつくるには、口紅しかないと思っていたので、リキッドリップは本当にコスメの中で大革命です。日本人の女性はグロス系のリップを仕勝ちなのですが、私はマットに仕上がるコスメが好きです。

ピックアップしたブランドは、メイベリン、レブロン、ライムクライムとマック。一番お気に入りの色はライムクライムのベルベティーンでBuffyです。でも、発色がよく、長持ちするのはメイベリンのビビッドマットリキッド達なんです。そして一番大事なのは、とても塗りやすいこと！リップブラシも必要なしなので、急ぎの時でもすぐにビビッドなリップカラーをつけることができますよ！

リキッドリップカラーは使ったことありますか？コメント欄で教えて下さい♪

lipstick frenzy

If you follow me on Instagram (@samanthamariko), you may have noticed that I have been a bit lipstick crazy recently. I mean, its the holiday season and what better way for a girl to make her look a little more festive than with vivid lip color? Above is my lipstick collection, most of which I've received as gifts :) From left to right: MAC, Kate Moss for Rimmel, L'Oreal, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, and Avon (in the back).  

Here are 3 different shades of lipstick I used this week:

(Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Intense Lipstick #1 Bright Fuchsia)

(L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Sunset Red)

(Avon Color Premium Lipstick in Pink Ribbon)

Out of these 3, I would have to say the Avon lasted the longest and kept my lips moisturized all day. 

When I use lipstick, I make sure to apply using a lip brush first, then add more color with the lipstick, and then I finish off by blotting with a tissue. I recommend the lip liner/ lip brush combination from Sephora - the brush works really well. And always make sure you moisturize before applying lipstick! So important.

What's your favorite brand of lipstick? Have fun with your makeup, girls!

Love,

Samantha Mariko