Spring Shades

I'm done with school. Yay! I have had an amazing ride. It has been a year and a half of late nights and early mornings. Tears and fits of rage. Happiness and personal triumphs.

A Blonde Half Jap stemmed from a school assignment. However, now that I finally have some free time. I have decided to continue writing. I enjoy it. It's an escape from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. It also reminds me that yes, I do still like to look like a lady. Even if I am perpetually existing in chef pants. Which also look very reminiscent of MC Hammer pants. They are not flattering.

On my day off today I ran various errands. Popped into Buffalo Exchange, and I didn't follow my own advice. I did not dress like a "hipster". Which is why I only received $9.00 in store credit from trying to sell my prized clothing. Don't be alarmed! I only gave away my thread bare summer clothing that doesn't fit anymore. On my travels, I also stepped into Sephora.

Sephora, where do I begin. It is a mecca of makeup. Yet, when I am at Sephora. I am as frustrated as a dog shitting glass. I stand around. Not in a passive aggressive way haphazardly picking up random makeup. Acting like I am interested. I'm staring people in the eyeballs begging for help. Today I have been educated on the ways of Sephora.

I worked at Nordstrom for almost five years. Nordstrom takes pride in their customer service. It is a standard of excellence in the retail industry. Customers are greeted immediately and taken care of with a level of expertise and professionalism. It is extremely dissatisfying standing in Sephora. I feel abandoned. Like standing in a room full of hologram images portraying individuals with the latest styles of makeup. Even if I wave my hand in front of their faces. I feel invisible.

Today, I finally was informed about the Sephora "culture". It is more of a "help yourself" establishment. There are stations where the customer can sanitize the various merchandise to sample it. Their are throw away mascara wands and eye shadow applicators hidden away only to the trained eye. Once I was shown how to utilize this establishment. I was elated. For all of you who know me. I am an introvert! I would prefer to help myself. I just didn't know the Sephora etiquette.

Once I was perceptive of the ins and outs of Sephora. I went to town! My goal was to find a new shade of lipstick. I am getting tired of the orange coral shades. My Mom is too. Swatches!

I then amused myself by walking to the sanitizing station. Wiping the germs off lipstick and applying them to myself. Seriously, for at least an hour. Every employee probably thought I was a weirdo. I tried on Smashbox Be Legendary Pink Posy, Nars Dolce Vita, Sephora Collection Rouge Shine No. 16 Sweetheart and many more. Then I found my calling, Marc Jacobs Beauty Lovemarc Lip Gel. 

Which of the colors above did A Blonde Half Jap choose? I tried three of them. The finish was glossy but held onto a little bit of the matte characteristics which I prefer. It was a cool pink which is completely different then my normal hue. It deviates away form the traditional peony petal pink that is normally associated with spring colors. The color I am wearing here is Happy Ending. Honestly, I don't think it is the best shade for me. I need to invest in a cooler blush if I plan on wearing it. However, I chose it with my husband in mind. When I tell him the name of the color. It will make him smile. 

Orange is the New Lipstick

It's official! The first day of spring was a mere three days ago. Oh, how time flies! It seems only yesterday we were all cowering inside with our heaters on full blast. We would wake up. Go to work in the dark and come home from work, in the dark. Now the weather is getting nicer. The sun is shining longer. We are getting our fill of Vitamin D, whenever the opportunity beams.

This also means we need to deviate away from our knit beanies, classic patterns, boots and pants, turtlenecks, slouchy pants, and folk inspired outerwear. Spring means, COLOR! Colorful clothing, colorful fingernail polish, and colorful makeup. Most importantly colorful lipstick! This spring is all about a matte orange pop color to your lips! Which dismays A Blonde Half Jap. I tried rocking the coral/orange trend this last summer, and A Blonde Half Jap's Japanese Mother was not a fan. Whenever I would see her. And I was rocking the Maybelline Vibrant Madarin. She would comment, "I don't like your lipstick." However, she was a fan of Maybelline Shocking Coral. It looks orange in the tube, but pink once it is applied to lips.

Here is a comparison of the two colors on yours truly.

Mandarin

Coral

I find them both fitting and satisfying. I LOVE lipstick. I still have not mastered the art of eyeshadow. So I express myself through lip color. I do pinks. I crave oranges. I lust after crimson. I dabble in the purple. They're fun! They can make or break an outfit. They can say, "I feel sultry." Or, "I feel sexy." Also, "I feel HAPPY!"

This spring, the color is matte crimson orange. Tangerine, Satsumas, 7 o'clock sunsets, Oompa Loompa's, you name it. Orange is in. Rock it, put it on your lips, add some gloss, and go. The orange lip is a night and day shade. In the day time. Beautify the bright lip with neutral eyes and neutral cheeks. At night, give yourself subtle eyeliner and peachy cheeks. This is a versatile and "booshtastic" color that makes a statement and is completely wearable from work to play.

Spring is here! Go big and go bold Blonde Half Jap's. You have the skin tone, pigment, and hair color to do anything you please. Go crazy. When the sun is out. Embrace the shine and shine from within.