Gomen nasai!

Hello all!  I'm still alive, just waiting to get a new ISP at home again so I can continue blogging.  I'm so sorry for the lack of updates lately but life has gotten in the way a bit.
I spent Easter with my family and had a lot of good food and fellowship.  I hope you all had a lovely Easter and are enjoying this early spring.  I've just been going to school, studying Japanese, working, and playing a little Skyrim here and there :)  I've started working out and eating healthier and I feel much better already.  Looking forward to the future and reconnecting with old friends.
I can't wait to get back to my blog but, in the meantime, take care and enjoy all that's kawaii! :)

~~Rachel <3

Today's Random Kawaii - Too Cold for Snow Cat

If you're living in a winter wonderland right now like me, you know exactly how this poofy lil guy feels.  I'm pretty sure I have this exact same expression on my face while trying to dig my car out of the snow :P

Today's Makeup Look - Golden Sage

I'm really loving the new L'Oreal Infallible 24HR eyeshadows!  So for this look, I wanted to feature one of my favorite shades from the collection: Golden Sage.  These shadows have a very unique formula that requires a little extra care in application. 
Using a stiff shading brush, I applied Golden Sage on the outer 2/3 of my eyelids and blended it up a little into the crease.  I also used some under the outer corner of my lower lid.  For the inner third, I applied a shimmering gold shadow and blended it into the inner corners of my eyes.  I also applied the gold above the sage on my crease and blended it up towards my brows.

I used a pearl white shade to highlight my browbones and finished with brown gel liner and lots of black mascara.  I gave my cheeks a natural flush and used a plum-colored lip tint to complete the look.
(Sorry for the poor lighting. I'm still working on that)

Products used:
L'Oreal Infallible eyeshadow in 333 Golden Sage
Wet n Wild Color Icon shimmer single in C303 Golddigger
Ulta eyeshadow in Iceland
Revlon Colorstay gel eyeliner in 002 Brown
Maybelline Smoked Kohl eyeliner in Smoldered Chestnut
Revlon Double Twist mascara in 01 Blackest Black
CG Cheekers in Natural Twinkle
Maybelline Baby Lips in Grapevine

Today's Random Kawaii - Basket Bella

A basket right next to the heater, what more could a kitty want?

"Well if you're going to take my picture, at least let me move in for my closeup."

L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm Swatches and Review

Lipstick-lipbalm hybrids have been all the rage in the makeup world over the past few months.  Hard Candy has had colored balms out for awhile, but more recently Maybelline, Revlon, and Wet-n-Wild have joined in the trend.
One of the most recent hybrid lip products to hit the scene is L'Oreal's Colour Riche Balm.  Currently available in 8 shades, Colour Riche Balm offers SPF 15 in a smooth, moisturizing formula that promises 8 hours of hydration and lasting softness, even after the product has been removed.

Right: Caramel Comfort, Left: Pink Satin

You can see the two shades I tried - Caramel Comfort and Pink Satin - swatched above. True to L'Oreal's claims, the formula is extremely moisturizing and feels smooth as silk on the lips. 

They are not highly pigmented, but offer a wearable tint while making your lips look and feel very hydrated.

However, in my experience, the color and shine doesn't last anywhere near 8 hours.  I find myself reapplying at least a few times over the course of an average day, which doesn't bother me, but those hoping for 8 continuous hours of color and moisture may be disappointed.

Caramel Comfort

Caramel Comfort

Pink Satin

Pink Satin

Out of all the different tinted lipbalms I have tried, L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm are by far my favorite so far.  Depending where you buy them, they can be a little pricier than other brand's versions, but for anyone looking for subtle color and hydration without the heavy feel of a full lipstick, you can't go wrong with these. 

TokyoChel Rating: A-



DISCLAIMER: This product was purchased myself for the purposes of review and the above opinions are my own.

Test Shots From My New Canon Camera



My sweet Mario Kart bedspread in Vivid Color mode

Also Vivid Color mode



Sleepy Jake

Miniature mode

Color Select mode (pic is in black & white, but the pillow is in color)

I finally have a camera!!  My blog is back in business :D  I recently picked up a Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS and I'm trying out all the different shooting modes. 
These are just a few of the pics I've been taking to try out the different features.  So far I really like it.  I wish it had in-camera photo editing options like the Nikon I tried first, but overall, the Canon has way more features and takes far better pictures. 
Stay tuned for more fun posts! :)

More Beautiful Kimono

Last March, I did a post featuring some lovely kimono.  Here are a few more artistic pics I have collected for you to enjoy! 
You can get a better idea of the traditional makeup style in these shots. Notice how the red in the kimono pics up the red of their lip and eye makeup.

Happy 2012!

I hope you all had a wonderful, safe New Year.  I spent the holiday with my family this year and had a really nice time. 
I seriously can't believe how fast 2011 went!  It wasn't my best year, and unfortunately had more downs than ups, but I'm staying positive and confident that this year will be better.

My resolutions for 2012 are:
1) Take better care of myself (eat and sleep better, and get in better shape)
2) Get back into blogging frequently like I used to
3) Get back in touch with long lost friends and relatives
4) Find a good, local church and read the Bible more often
5) Learn to better let go of old hurts and disappointments

I have other goals and plans, but those are the big ones.  Here's wishing you all a bright and prosperous New Year!  And because I can't post without a pic, here's a bunch of cute kitties crammed in a sink! lol

Gonna need some major drain cleaner after this!