Etude House Play 101 Stick Line: Blush 14, Brush, and Contour/Highlight Duo Stick

I'm a bit late on this review but better late than never right? Today I'm here to talk about the Play 101 Stick line that Etude House has been promoting via Pony. As soon as I saw the demonstrations done, I was absolutely in love. The blush colors were vibrant and the highlight/contour duo stick looked clever. The blush line especially reminded me of the NARS Multiple sticks that are so popular and I decided to invest to see what the hype as about. 

I didn't get the foundation sticks because I wasn't sure how I would feel about them and honestly, I'm a heavy coverage type of girl. But the blushes and contour was what I was all over. I wanted a really unique blush shade and also wanted to get a contour shade in a cooler tone since my Naked Flushed one is pretty warm toned. 

My first concern with this line was, "Fuck is this going to streak my face the fuck up and take off my foundation with it?"

Which brings me to the brush. The brush is designed especially for this line and you *can* use the blushes and everything without them no problem but I played it safe not knowing how the texture was going to be. The brush is a small angled brush that is incredibly soft. I was so impressed. This is probably one of the nicer brushes that I own. The angle helps get into all the hard to get places, helps control your blending, covers a wide area where you need it to, and is soft enough not to tamper with your make up. Best part is; IT DOESN'T SHED. omfg even my MAC Travel brushes that I get with Christmas sets tend to shed and it's a pain picking that shit off of your face. So I super appreciate that this brush doesn't do that. Also, this brush for me at least, came with a zip back and the brush's size is extremely travel friendly. Personally I didn't have to touch up anywhere but I suppose if you were going to do things overnight this is a handy brush to have. 

Going onto the blush color. I got the raspberry color because I thought it stood out a lot. I did get my friend one of the sticks as well and it was really pretty and reminds me of the NARS Orgasm/Super Orgasm line (I almost regret not getting it for myself as well lmao)  but number 14 is extremely pretty as well. I mainly got it because spring is coming and this color has been extremely popular for gyaru. Especially for the Rady and Emiria Wiz line. I've seen raspberry lips, cheeks, and eyes and while it might not be as trendy this year I still wanted to rock this color. 

When you think of the NARS Multiple sticks or the Maybelline Master Glaze...you think of a blush as extremely creamy. You'd think it would slip and slide everywhere and not exactly set. Well Etude House just one upped the low end and high end; because this stick is an extremely unique texture. What's also cool about this product is that it's multi-function. The Play 101 line is meant to be used for everything. At first they released pencils and this just happens to be the bigger version of this. Because of this I was able to use this as a lip and cheek color and if I didn't have the Look at my Eyes Cafe series in Berry Soda, I would certainly try using it on the eyes. I don't think it would melt or crease. The product is extremely blendable and sets to a powder finish after a couple of moments. 

Don't let the creamy looking swatch intimidate you because it certainly doesn't set that way. Blended you can build color or keep it natural. I really love this color and in the future, I'll most likely invest in more of the colors. I'm absolutely in love. I hope they eventually also release more color selections of this one too. 

The contour/highlight duo stick is absolutely amazing as well.  I mainly wanted to get this stick because of gyaru make up too. While I don't need to contour (I have kind of a thin face) I do like to when I'm doing crazier and heavier looks. For some reason nose contour has been a bit of a pain for to me to do and I thought using a highlight/contour for this area would be a way to make this method easier. I'm pretty excited to eventually go all out and do a super crazy gyaru look this this. Like d.i.a craziness and shit. 

Much like the blush, this shit starts out creamy, blends well, and SETS. Which is great because who the hell wants to walk around with a cakey and greasy face? Not me. The contour color is nice and cool toned which is really great for me because I'm so pale. Some contour shades in bronzers can be super orange looking on me. The fact that this shit blends out greatly is highly appreciated as well because I don't want to look like I have dirt streaks on my face. I can gradient my contour and it look fine. 

Onto the highlight.... This amazed me. I wasn't expecting much *at all*. Mainly because I'm so pale and usually I get the reflective quality of a high light when I buy them but they almost have to be tinted with something to show up. It's why I was so keen on the Nars Liquids Illuminators because Super Orgasm has a sheen that shows up on me. But sometimes that shit is a straight out a liquid blush and sometimes, I don't want that. You KNOW a highlight is good when it shows the fuck up on ghost skin. That's exactly what this shit did. 

Etude House, you have shocked me. Not that I should be shocked because pale skin is such a huge deal over there but let's face it. Most beauty products from Asia straight out cater to people who have specific undertones... Even BB Creams sometimes while they can be "pale" straight out give me a gray cast. When you're a girl who has legit ghost skin you deal with two problems. Redness is an issue even when you don't have a red undertone and when you have no undertone everything looks tinted or even better, you have a nice line streak when it comes to foundation. So I seriously thought this highlighter was NOT going to show up on me. Matter of fact, other people have been complaining that this highlight shade is too light. This works out so perfectly for me. It legit looks like I have a high light and not like I have shimmer powder or my cheeks or some shit. So very pleased. 

Basically, I really love this line. I want to get more from this Play 101 stick line in terms of the blushes because they're awesome looking. Like I said before, I really hope they release more colors in the future because I really like these a lot. 

They're super portable as well. Like where the fuck was this when I forgot my brushes at SacAnime?! This is perfect to place in your bag and use for multiple purposes. Hell you can use your FINGERS to blend and this shit with blend and set. The brush is worth the investment as well though. It helps really define things a bit more and like the other products it's portable which is highly appreciated! 

Traveling Tips for the High Maintenance Girl In Your Life

Today we're going to be a bit of a generalized post because I thought this would be nice to share. While I don't go to cons or sleep over at places not nearly as much as I used to, I for sure remember packing and making due being a huge struggle. Why? I'm high maintenance as fuck. Like most girls I bring fuck tons of make up but ontop of that my hair's to my waist and my shampoo containers are jumbo sized, I have to bring different shoes to match my outs, I have an iron and hairspray to bring, face wash, skin care....you name it. It's literally the biggest mess. So I am about to share with you ladies some serious traveling tips that I have learnt in the past year.

-First comes first-have a fucking check list.

If you're that type of girl that has to somehow pack her entire life in her travel bag? Most likely you need a list or you'll be half way to your destination and will forget something. It happens to be EVERY SINGLE time. Mainly with make up because that gets used the day of and packed last.

-Don't be afraid to have a separate bag for your shoes. 

Shoes take up a fuck ton of room in a suit case. Plus if you're wearing nice clothes, white clothes, or chiffon/delicate fabric? Most likely you don't want to fuck that shit up. Bring a little travel duffle with a zipper for your shoes, hairspray, and flatiron. That way bigger objects are out of your suit case and not taking up as much room.

-Pack your palettes between your clothes. 

Nothing is worse than discovering an eyeshadow palette broken. Like holy shit could you have been any rougher with my bag people? Regardless, if can't be their fault because they don't know what's exactly in your bag. So play it safe, pack your make up palettes between your clothes to cushion them.

-Invest in a good travel make up bag

I'm not meaning those tiny little suckers you get on the check out display at Forever21 or the freebies in magazines. I mean, GET A BAG. I spent around..60.00 on my Liz Lisa home/travel make up bag and I swear to you it was the best investment I made while working. Decent sized shit will fit in there if you take your huge ass palettes out and all of it's cushioned hopefully. May your blushes and pressed pigments be protected. <3

-Foaming Face Cleanser is a God Send

Say you're the girl who takes a shower every other day (oh hush it's not gross. there's plenty I know who do it lol they grew up in a big family or just have too much fucking hair and shit to deal with/not enough time in a day). Most likely you have make up CAKED on your face and make up wipes won't cut it. Gets a good ass cleanser. That shit will come right off. I've been using the 100% Pure Cucumber Cleanser and the packaging is ideal for traveling. Gel cleansers tend to make a fucking soapy watery mess on your shirt, on the counter...everywhere. Save yourself the pain. Get a foaming cleanser. Your hair, counter space, wet clothes, ect will thank you.

-Contact Lense Cases are the Best

Say you don't have travel sized bottles or....your hair isn't to your waist like mine is. Most likely you'll be able to get away with putting your shampoo in a lense case. Some brands just don't make travel size and if you don't have bottles this is the way to go. I had to do this with my Ichikami and load a couple lense cases up for a couple days. I use both sides for one shampoo unfortunately. This is also good for your conditioner and if you MUST (I use and wash my face with two cleansers like a nut when i shower) throw your gel face cleanser in it. This is also good for face moisturizer. Contact lense cases are your friends.

-If you have travel sized brand bottles-don't throw them away

This is a god send for my thickass hair. Ichikami in travel size is ridiculous. Get a big cheap ass sized travel bottle of shampoo with a TWIST CAP (I see ones with those press open caps and that's a damn mess in your suit case waiting to happen) and throw your nicer shampoo in there.

-Keep your contacts/pads/lipgloss/pills/chargers/contact solution/safety pins/bandaids/eyelash glue ect. in your purse

Anything small or shit that you'll be taking out a lot, just leave in your purse. There's no need to throw it in your suitcase because that shit without a doubt will get lost. Especially if there's multiples of them. Anything to save room in your travel bag.

-Buy a damn decent mirror

Daiso mirrors you're okay but when I have to use shit at an angle, you screw me over big time. Do yourself a favor. Buy yourself an adjustable mirror. I don't know if brands in the States do it but I've seen Rady, Liz Lisa, ect. make some cute ass mirrors that have adjustable settings and are padded so they do not break.

-Roll Your PJs/Under stuff, Fold Your Nicer Clothes 

This is a space saver.

-Bring a rollerball perfume 

Full sized perfumes will bust. Along with other toiletries a good rollerball perfume is a great touch.

-Paddle Brush/Tease Brush

You never know what the hell you're going to do with your hair. Do yourself a favor. Bring both.

-Keep your wig caps and bobby pins in your bag automatically

I'm not an avid wig wearer anymore so I have forgotten wig caps and such plenty of times. Just automatically have one in your bag with a hair tie.

-On that note bring hair ties

This should go without explaining.

-For the love of god don't unpack your shit

If you're anything like I am, it's good to keep your shit in ONE SPACE. You are less likely to lose things this way. I can't tell you how many times someone's left their shit at a hotel or went on a wild goose chase trying to find shit. Just leave your shit in your bag. In YOUR corner of the room. That way all you have to usually worry about is your make up in terms of packing. Keep track of what you're taking out of your bag. Consider it a trunk or drawer. What comes out MUST go back in after it's been used. It should be a damn requirement that every roomie has their damn corner of the room and nobody is allowed in that space without asking first. It's like having a room except it's a corner.

-Bring a nail kit

You never know when you're going to break a damn nail.

-Bandaids are life

If you wear heels like me this goes without saying.

-Bring a good compact with a mirror/eyeliner/eyelash glue and leave that shit in your purse 

I can't tell you how many times my friends have had make up dysfunctions and I've saved the day. If you just make this your routine you'll thank me later.

-Keep your wallet in your purse

How the hell are you going to go out at night without the sufficient cash or cards right? This goes without saying.

-If you know you take two hours to get ready, don't be inconsiderate. 

Wake up early and get ready before people wake up or take a short time to clean up. If you take the longest most likely people will be waiting for you and it's rude and inconsiderate to take longer when you have plans with people or shit to do.

-Bring all the chargers/charging cables

Because if you're an SMS person like me, your phone probably dies midday without. You're also probably everyone's god send with your portable charger when they jack it from you. Bring two.

-DO NOT FORGET YOUR MAKE UP

This is literally most likely the last thing to go in your bag. Do not forget anything. I forgot my make up brushes last con I went to and wanted to kill myself.

-Leave enough time for your irons to cool

If you're checking out of the hotel or using your irons before you pack and leave for your destination, give them sufficient cooling time. This should be common sense but you'd be surprised at how I've seen people's stuff melt.

-Toothbrush Cases are the Best

Most likely you have a little cup at home and then you have to pack and you're like oh man wtf. These little hard cases are awesome. You can find them for a dollar. Just clean them out or they'll get gross.

Etude House: Look At my Eyes Series (Berry Soda, Marigold Clutch, BR407)

As most people on social media have figured out, lately, I've been on a huge ass Etude House fix. I don't know what it is-the affordability, the cute packaging, how they market this shit, the bloggers who swear by it, or the quality but all my money has been going there. It's quite literally this season, been my alternative to high end brand make up. Being a college student makes it sometimes difficult to get your fix and sometimes you can find some really good alternatives. 

The Etude House Look at My Eyes series eye shadow singlets are absolutely no exception to this. I do highly recommend that you research the colors/look at swatches before investing just in case you're looking for a certain pigmentation. Regardless some of these eye shadow are super worth the investment for 4.00-5.00 a pop.  

These all are very cutely packaged and compact eye shadows. What's also really amazing about this line is the fact that Etude House sells empty eye shadow palettes. Take off the sticker at the bottom and push up with a pin and you'll have depotted your eye shadow to place in the palette!

I got the sought after and very popular Look at my Eyes Cafe series' "Berry Soda" eye shadow first off. It was a color that I actually didn't have in my collection and I really liked it. I really wish I could have got the "Deep Berry Soda" color to pair with it but that one tends to be even more popular and was sold out. The berry color is so so pretty. It has a nice matte finish and let's just say I'm all about the glitter and never usually opt for matte eye shadows. I've been grabbing at this color again and again however! It's so pretty!! Super pigmented for the price and incredibly blendable. You can go for a really crazy bright pink or opt for a softer colorful touch to the eye. 

The next color I got was by accident, and it's BR407, I'm not exactly sure what the actual name of this one is but do note; THERE ARE THREE BR407s in the Etude House Look at my Eyes Range (Etude House wtf?). This one is a bit of a camel brown color with a slight shimmer to it. It's a great all over the lid color but you can definitely place this as a crease color for when you have lighter eye shadow on or use it under the eye for a bit of color. This was such an unexpected like. 

Marigold Clutch is the next BR407 color that I had actually intended to purchase but had made the accidental mistake. I had seen a beautiful swatch of this one online and HAD to have it. This color is more of a cool toned brown with chunky bits of glitter. It can be worn all over the lid or placed ontop of eye shadows for a pretty glitter effect. I absolutely adore this eye shadow. It's so so so gorgeous and is one of my favorites out of the three. 

In all I really enjoy these eye shadows a lot. It's a great alternative to MAC or Urban Decay singlets depending on the colors you choose. I've used all three on my eye lids for a whole look. I didn't wear  any eye lashes just so I could show how they show up with opened eyes. 

Here are swatches used with primer to show the shadows at their most vibrant state

Top to Bottom: Berry Soda, BR407, Marigold Clutch

Sayo Hayakawa Motto Eye No. 001 Eyelashes Review

Hello! It's been a slight second since my last blog post and I decided this was a perfect time to bust this one out while things are pretty busy on my end. This review has been long overdue. I've had these eyelashes since September and am just now reviewing them. These have been the eyelash I've used for my Popteen gal inspired looks where I want that innocent droopy eye.

These are eyelashes produced by ex-Koakuma Ageha model Sayo Hayakawa. They're called Motto Eye and they're actually quite hard to find. I consider this a rare find of sorts because you can't just look these up on eBay and find them. I found these at an online thrift shop and I'm actually regretting stocking up in a sense. These lashes have actually grown on me quite a bit.

They do give you the innocent doe-eyed look that was really popular a couple of years ago. The lashes are really fluffy and have a nice gradient thin to thick on the ends. I was wondering for a really long time how models were getting this type of look and it for sure, takes this style of eyelash to achieve it. While Dollywink 01 eyelashes are similar in style, they're not nearly as long or as fluffy as these. This really give a dramatic look if applied right.

They have a comfortable clear band to help you align your eye make up just right with your eyelashes too which is great.

However there are some cons to these eyelashes. I can see why these didn't sell as well and were in bulk at a thrift shop online.

First off while the band is nice and clear, the band is incredibly flimsy. It's so difficult to ensure you're placing your eyelash in the right area and are getting the right shape. Also forget layering other lashes ontop of these because you will royally fuck these over and ruin them. They're not meant for it. Don't try it. I learnt the hard way.

ALSO let's talk about not only how flimsy the band is but the LENGTH in terms of WIDTH in these lashes. When it comes to eye shapes I am more or less blessed in terms of not having to worry about crazy eye make up/colors showing up/eyeliner being the biggest pain in the ass. I have hooded lengthy eyes so I have plenty of room for plenty of crazy eye make up-eye shadow colors, liners, and extremely long lash bands. While sometimes eyelashes don't show up on me because my lid crease is so high at times, I've learnt to combat it. But if an eye lash band is TOO LONG FOR ME? Can you imagine what a bitch these must be for Japanese girls or even just any girl with smaller eyelids in general? Like how the fuck do you manage that?! Because I barely did..........

Sure you could cut the lashes down but if these are expensive as Dollywinks or Diamond Lash you almost cringe doing it because of how much you paid for them. Not to mention sometimes you like that volume but what makes this difficult wouldn't be the width length of this band if it weren't for how fucking flimsy the band was.


Do any of you have those pairs of lashes you reserve for days when you're going out and in a hurry and then ones you use during special occasions and where you have time to spare? I am that person!! These are the ones I wear when I have to have time on my hands. Why? Because I have to maneuver these around my fucking eyelid to make sure they are stuck and even because the band can potentially pop off or you can have them slightly crooked/uneven easily.

However, you did see me mention above why I regret not buying more. Let me tell you guys why.

If you DO have the time and patience to rig these up? They look absolutely amazing. You want those cute gyaru eyes with the fluffy droopy parts at the end? This is the secret and the ones to get. I've worn these a couple of times for events and haven't regretted it. A lot of people have asked me where I got these or what I am wearing and I get super sad when I'm unable to tell people where, because like I said. I've looked on ebay and a couple other places, these are impossible to find. Which is really saddening because occasionally I like having lashes or looks like these.

Here is one look where the lashes completely showed up. If you look at the blog video I did for my massive make up haul, I'm wearing those there and they looked so amazing in that video. I truly felt like I had achieved eye make up model status with them. I had such cute eyes there!!

If you CAN find these I highly suggest you snag them. Especially if you tend to be a make up junkie/collector/eyelash queen like myself. These are really fun to experiment with if you have the time to play around and aren't afraid of trial and error!