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！

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:

1. NARS Pore Refining Primer // 2. NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base // 3. NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 // 4. NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder // 5. NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder // 6. NARS Dual-Intensity Blush - Craving

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：

1. NARS Pore Refining Primer // 2. NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base // 3. NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 // 4. NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder // 5. NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder // 6. NARS Dual-Intensity Blush - Craving

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？

happy valentine's day

It's Sunday, it's Valentine's Day, and I'm getting ready for my day with these makeup essentials. NARS is always an absolute favorite, but I love Maybelline for eyes and the NAKED 2 eyeshadow palette makes a perfectly subtle smokey eye. When I want something different with my eyeliner, I go with my red RMK liquid liner. And a new favorite of mine is this YSL Lumiere Divine highlighting face powder. It sets my foundation just right.

I'll be getting lunch with some of my girlfriends for Japan Restaurant Week (sort of like Dine LA, where participating restaurants have special courses prepared for lunch and dinner). I'll be posting photos later :) I hope ya'll enjoy your Valentine's Day as well! 

今日は日曜日、バレンタインデー。待ちに待った日なので、メイクに気合いが入ります♡ NARSは前から好きなブランドなのですが、アイメイクはMaybelline が好きです。やりすぎないスモーキーアイはUrban Decay のNAKED 2 のアイシャドーパレットがオススメですよ！アイラインを違う色にしたい時は、RMKの赤いリキッドラインを引いたりします。そして、最近気に入っているのはYSL ルミールディヴァインシリーズのフェースパウダーです！ベースをちゃんとセットしてくれてる気がします。

今日は、Japan Restaurant Week に参加しているレストランで、友達とランチしてきます！またあとで写真載せます！皆さんも良いバレンタインデーを♡

NARS favorites

If you didn't know already, I am a huge NARS fan, especially skin makeup. Ever since I participated as a model at NARS Tokyo artist summit, I was immediately hooked - their foundation and concealer worked really well with my acne-prone skin and stayed put all day, which is like a miracle for me.

私はNARSのコスメが大好きです。去年、NARSのアーティストサミットでモデルとして参加した以来、大ファンになりました。私の肌はとても敏感ですが、NARSのベースメイクとは相性がいいんです。

Recently I'm using / 最近使っているもの:

All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation - has a matte finish to it, and a little goes a long way

Radiant Creamy Concealer - the best concealer I have ever used, period. 

Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder - sets your foundation beautifully, I use it with a powder puff

Christopher Kane x NARS Blush - such a pretty and subtle color for your cheeks

The Multiple stick blush in Orgasm - I use a little bit of this on the apples of my cheeks for a touch of color

Do you use NARS? What are you favorite makeup products?

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？

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

NARS

I got a sneak peek of the NARS Modern Future Holiday Collection after modeling for the NARS artists summit in Tokyo. NARS Japan was kind enough to give these to all the models that participated. I'm lucky pink is my favorite color <3

先日NARSのアーティストサミットでメイクモデルとして参加しました。モダンフューチャーコレクションのチークとリップをギフトとして頂きました。ピンク大好き！

Love,

Samantha