Let's Talk Make-Up! Cosmetic Recs for Gals and Lolitas (NARS, MAC, Dollywink, Maybelline, Kat Von D)

Hello guys! Long time no see right? I've been incredibly busy lately with work finally starting up for me along with a bit of traveling plans and events that I've attended. Instead of talking about all of that I wanted to do another informational blog since I haven't done one in quite a while! Before I start now, I've noticed I've gained new followers here! Hello new followers! I've also hit a 1,000+ hits which doesn't sound like a lot but considering the fact that I thought nobody would read this blog at all, I feel like it's a huge accomplishment. -is super petty- Regardless, THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!! I'm super shocked and crazy flattered that anyone would follow this silly thing or even lurk on this blog! I means a lot and motivates me to work even harder.

Anyway, enough of my sap; onward to the cosmetics. I've gotten asked a lot of times on how I do my make up for both gyaru and lolita. and there are a couple of key items that I use for things and a couple of key items for signature looks! Lately I've had a lot of new purchases and things that I generally just never go without so let's get onto it!

1. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (using Monte Blanc)

This is by far THE BEST liquid foundation I have ever used. I highly suggest this for fair pigmented girls especially because if you have a very cool undertone and look zombie-fied half the time? This foundation will brighten your skin and make it glow! It's a bit shiny but set it with powder and you're good to go! It also hasn't broken me out and doesn't smother my face. The only con TO this foundation is that it doesn't come with a pump, but you can buy one for an extra charge. This foundation is definitely on the pricey scale of things but a little goes along way. How does this work well with Japanese fashion?

I've seen a lot of girls in Japan go to a couple of different products. NARS is one of them whether it's the lipstick, the infamous blushes, or the foundation. This foundation is really good for both lolitas and gyaru. Especially gyaru-because it will give you a really gorgeous high lighted dewy complexion. For lolitas, your skin will look flawless and moisturized because this foundation is high coverage and will make your skin glow!

2. NARS Blush (using Angelika)

I know everyone rants about Orgasm and Super Orgasm. They're the gods/goddesses of the coral blushes. We get it. But I'm about to rant about a different color of blush By no doubt, I am SET when it comes to saying NARS blushes are by far the fucking best blushes I have ever used. They're powdery, pigmented, and come with the option of shimmer. A lot of the Harajuku girls are using the cherry colors.

But gals and lolitas? If you want a baby pink blush? You have well damn found it. I know people rave about Canmake's and  Candy Doll's blushes but this has a big more product for your bank and as I said, a whole lot of pigment. It will instantly give you those dolly pink cheeks that we're always seeing the gals especially wear. Again, NARS products are on the pricey side but good quality make up makes a difference and goes a long way! 

3. Kat V Don Concealer (using Porcelain) 

I discovered this concealer around my senior year in high school. I was big on the J-Rock/Visual Kei scene and what caught my attention first about this line was the packaging. It was down right badass. But as soon as I swatched the concealer you guys? It was all over. I have really blotchy bad skin and this tattoo concealer made miracles occur. 

Yet again this is a bit pricey, way back when I only needed to use this and I doubled this for foundation. But that's before I found the joys of liquid foundation so I'm using if you weren't like me in high school and using both, your money is going to go a very long way. You want flawless skin like the girls in the J-Fashion magazines? This is your answer a long with plastering yourself to a window when you take your selcas. 

4. MAC Lipstick: (using Angel)

A lot of gyaru girls are going the more toned down/casual' route. Personally I dislike it. I asked the lady at the counter for a recommendation on nice baby pink color. I had just got Dollywink lashes and decided to aim for getting Tsubasa-esque lips as well since I currently am trying to find a lippie that's as gorgeous as Candy Doll's Ramune pink but in a MAC color. Never trust a counter girl who is as western plain jane as it gets. She probably recommended me the right thing; if I wasn't essentric as fuck as a glam gal. 

I could care less about the lip color standing out, hell that's what I was aiming for! But if you are going for the 'mode style' gal look that's been taking over the the J-Fashion magazines lately, this color is for you. It's sheer and a frost color. It might do something for a girl that doesn't have my lip color but it looked like I just put frost sheen on my lips and didn't the color. Lolitas? This is great for you because you're aiming for a more natural look with your sweet and classic coords! This is also a work friendly color, as this is the color I've been using for work. 

5. MAC Viva Glam Lipstick (using Nicki II)

So here comes the essentric color I got awhile back. We all know Nicki Minaj is really out there and I'm honestly not big on her at all, but I have to give her props on her lip color. Her first one was the perfect 'Barbie' pink. The second go around of her collab with MAC was still gorgeous. This lipstick is bright, pigmented, and has a lavendar undertone. If you want your lips to make a statement? Go for it. Depending on your skin/hair/mouth this could either be extremely wearable or extremely tacky. So approach this lipstick with EXTREME caution because I kid you not, it IS extreme. 

Gals, this is perfect for you-its an eye turning color. I can see Popteen gals and EGG gals abusing the shit out of this in magazines because its so bright and makes a bold statement with what you wear.  Lolitas? I'd stay away from it unless you can get away with it with your pastel coordinates. I've seen the other Nicki II color be used and widely be popular in Japan right now. 

6. Maybelline Eye Stiletto Eyeliner

A lot of girls in general have been really digging the fine tipped liquid eye liners. This is super popular for lolita and gals alike because we don't need or want raccoon eyes unless you're aiming for the rock gal or gothic style. Other than that, live that all to the v-kei peeps. This eyeliner I feel is like the Western Version of Asia's Dollywink liquid eyeliner. I'm pretty sure Dollywink's tip is finer but I honestly feel from seeing swatches that Maybelline's formula is stronger and more pigmented. This stuff absolutely doesn't budge off of your eyes and I've been using this since my senior year of high school and refuse to use any other brand. So I feel like that says a little something about how good this eyeliner really is! Perfect for thin lines in the inner corners of your eye to a thick winged end at the outer corner. Especially good for winged eyes and cat eyes! 

7 Maybelline's Colossal Mascara

I have seen this mascara the most in Japanese magazines, and if there's anything J-Fashionistas in Japan are obsessed about other than perfect skin? It's eyelashes. So a while back (more like a wayyy while back) I decided to see what the hype was about this mascara was myself. Boy was I in for a surprise. No wonder girls in Japan ate this stuff up. It really lengthens your lashes and doesn't make your eyes feel uncomfortable/itchy like some mascaras do. It really defines each lash and you know how some mascaras like to clump up your bottom lashes? I get perfect defined thick Dollywink-esque bottom lashes each and everytime (because I actually have bottom lashes and thick lashes and just like to add on even more). Totally worth the money. I think even 2NE1 was promoting this stuff last I checked too! 

8. Dollywink Eyelashes: 1 Dolly Sweet and 2 Sweet Girly 

Idolizing Tsubasa Masuwaka for a long time; of course I wanted Dollywink lashes. I saw them all over Gothic Lolita Bible even and Kera.. They were all over Egg, Ageha, and Popteen. There was obviously something super great about these falsies. However, for awhile? I just couldn't justify the price. Who the fuck would bust 15-20.00 on two sets of fake eyelashes? 

My friends, I now know why. These are the MOST COMFORTABLE falsies ever. They're so comfortable that I don't even feel these bitches ON MY EYE. I've always used Daiso lashes and after awhile they can be tiring or I start having eyelash malfunctions. First off, these lashes are so soft. Seriously, they feel crazy natural. They don't feel plasticy at all. They seriously feel like my real eye lashes. Secondly, they have a clear band. For those of you who DO wear fake lashes, you realize that with a band, you usually have to make your eyeliner thicker to hide it unless you're just a boss at putting those babies on. And with the cheaper IchibanKan brand? The clear band is actually super apparent. So that hasn't helped me either. The band is crazy thin, I was so shocked when I saw how thin the band was. You'd think it would be delicate and just kind of be hard to get off the casing but not even! It's a crazy sturdy band!

So I was sold just from that. And then my god...the glue. If I ever get around to using other eyelashes, I'm about to bust big bank on Dollywink glue or glue by the Koji line in general. It's like a thick paste. It's SO great. You can put it on wet and it not irritate or seep onto your eye...and it doesn't feel cold at all. Some eyelash glues even burn and it doesn't even do that! I was so fucking thrilled. No residue. I didn't even have an eyelash malfunction. 

The packing is super cute and great, even the GLUE is packaged super nice. Because the lashes were so thin however, they're a bit challenging to get on but within time I'm super sure I'll figure out how to maneuver around these and get Tsubasa-status eyes. After the use, I was a bit afraid of pulling the thickish band of glue off but came right off perfectly. I will probably get a lot more uses out of these lashes than the usual Daiso brand I use.

I can totally justify the price of spending bank on these lashes. Even if only once, all lolitas and gals should definitely treat themselves to the Dollywink lashes! I already spent 40.00 on two sets alone but I'm sure I'll be using these for a long time! The wear and tear looks so minimal and they look crazy natural. I wonder if I can 'doll' these up without destroying the lashes. I really want to buy the bottom sets now too!

With that said, this has been my recent cosmetic obsession/recent make-up purchase list. I hope some of this gives you an idea of not only what I use to achieve the look I create but also helps you make a decision/base a decision on what you buy-especially coming from someone who aims for the gyaru look but has also been down the lolita route as well. I look at a lot of Japanese fashion magazines to see what Japanese brands and Western brands are popular among the lolita and gyaru crowd. Not everything on here appears in the magazines but a couple do and a couple of the other products are really good alternatives! So I hope that I've made good recommendations for those interested, based on all of this! I'll probably do a couple more of these as I try out more make-up brands and products! Until next time guys!