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!

Where Have I Been? Here...

...in Skyrim.  And I'm never coming back! ;)
Played it yet? How bout any of the Elder Scrolls series? Do tell.

Step Out in Style with Hello Kitty

Sanrio.com has updated their catalog for the holidays with some awesome new products, including some sophisticated pumps and flats us big kids at heart.  While they're not cheap, they are so chic and I love the details!  (P.S. Santa, I've been super good this year! lol)
Click here to browse or buy!

Today's Random Kawaii - Kitty-Pup Snugglethon

Words have not yet been invented to describe this level of cuteness.  Well, I guess there is one word: "aaaaawwwwww..."

My 200th Post! TRK - Cats Can Sleep Anywhere

Wow, 200 posts since I started this blog and it's only been like 8 months!  Hard to believe how time flies.
I've really enjoyed having this blog and sharing with the world some of my favorite things.  Here's to many more years of TokyoChel! :D

"What a great view from up...zzzzzz..."

"Man I really gotta go....zzzz..."

If you have cats, or know people who have cats, you probably know that they can get comfy and sleep literally anywhere.  Above are a couple funny examples of the unusual sleeping habits of these crazy kitties.

Today's Random Kawaii - PikaPup

Dogs this strangely cute have to be manufactured in Japanese Kawaii Labratories.  It doesn't even look real.  But somehow I want one...

Happy Birthday Hello Kitty!

Kitty-chan turns 37 years old today!  This beloved icon of all things kawaii was first introduced way back in 1974 in Japan, and is today just as stylish and popular as ever!

Pictured above is the first item Hello Kitty every graced: a small plastic coin purse.  It's now very rare and valuable.  Someday, I would LOVE to have this lil baby in my Hello Kitty collection!
Happy Birthday, Kitty-chan :D

Today's Random Kawaii - Not Your Average Dog-Bed

This poor pup may be snoozing on a cold bed of snow, but the smart kitties above him got the right idea.  Looks pretty comfy.  If my dog, Houdini, was big enough, I'd sleep on him too ;)

Kawaii Hair Color Ideas from Japan

Here are a few Japanese magazine scans I wanted to share because of the awesome hairstyle/color ideas they've given me.  Enjoy :)

This one shows you how to apply uber-trendy
colored extensions to your hair. So pretty!

Here's a cool take on the two-toned hair look.
Check out the small pics at the bottom - I love
the big blonde chunk on the side of her hair!

More cute hairstyles. Again loving the blonde chunk of
hair you can see in the small pics at the bottom.
Pretty makeup too!

This kawaii girl has the most unique haircolor I've seen in awhile!
Pinkish-purplish-greyish? Really cool!

After looking at all these pics, I'm really wanting to dye my hair two-toned or just get a big blonde streak on the side of my hair.  Leave it up to Japan to come up with the coolest beauty ideas! :)

Today's Random Kawaii - Basket Cat Loves Baskets

Awwww...
My kitties love sleeping in boxes and baskets too, but this is redonkulous!  She looks like the comfiest cat in the world!

Maybelline Baby Lips Review & Swatches

Left: Peach Kiss, Right: Pink Punch

You may have seen these in the Maybelline makeup section of your local drug store or Walmart lately.  Baby Lips is a new tinted lipbalm offering SPF 20 sunscreen and promising 8-hour moisture and more supple, "better looking" lips after 4 weeks of use. 
Of the 6 available shades, I tried 2: Pink Punch and Peach Kiss.  As you can see from the blurry swatch (sorry, camera phone :P) below, Pink Punch is a cool, matte, cotton candy pink offering medium color coverage.  Peach Kiss is a warm, sheer, and slightly sparkly peach tone. 

Right swatch: Pink Punch, Left: Peach Kiss

Although Pink Punch offers a higher color payoff, I found that it dried, or stopped feeling moist on my lips, faster than Peach Kiss.  Pink Punch also tends to highlight any dry, flaky patches on your lips more than Peach Kiss which, in my mind, kind of defeats the purpose of a lip "balm."  Both colors do provide a glossy finish that fades faster than the color.

I really liked both colors, but overall, Peach Kiss was the winner for me.  I haven't been using it for 4 weeks yet, so I can't speak to the product claims of more supple, better looking lips over time, but I do really like it.  The color is very subtle so will work with any makeup look (or no makeup at all), and the balm gives my lips a nice, moist feeling and shine.  Although I wouldn't say Baby Lips provides 8-hour moisture, it definitely lasts for a couple hours, maybe more if you're not eating or drinking anything.

Overall, despite some negative or mediocre reviews of Maybelline Baby Lips I've read online, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality, and for about $3 a pop, you can't beat them!

Disclaimer:  I purchased this product myself for the purposes of review.

Today's Random Kawaii - Catnap

This cute kitty knows how to stay cool and avoid harmful UV rays during sunny afternoon catnaps.  Ahh, the sweet life...

Today's Makeup Look - Orange Fall Look

I haven't done a TokyoChel Look in forever because I only have my camera phone at the moment, but I really wanted to do a quick autumn look featuring this unique burnt orange shade in my 32-pan e.l.f. palette.  Although it's an unusual color, I'm really happy with how it turned out!

I covered the whole lid to the crease in the orange shade, then blended a medium brown into the crease and up towards the brow.  I pulled a little of the brown down under my lower lash line, then highlighted my inner corners and browbones in a white-gold.
After lining my eyes in deep brown liquid eyeliner, I applied mascara and false lashes, coral blush, and cool, nude lip gloss.  Done! :)  Easy to do and perfect for autumn.

Products used:  e.l.f. 32-shade palette (deep orange, med brown, and white-gold)
Revlon ColorStay liquid eye pen in Blackened Brown
Ulta Lash Blow Out mascara
Sally Girl brow powder palette in Brunette
Jordana blush in Coral Sandy Beach
Stila Lip Glaze in Seashell