So, I have a Pink Nintendo Switch

With Pokemon Go Pikachu and Go Eevee announced, I decided now was the best time to justify purchasing a Nintendo Switch. Though, if I wanted a Switch, I knew I would only find it worth it if it was one I actually liked the look of. I mean, the initial investment is pretty high, especially coming from me who isn't used to buying games or consoles. 

After some googling and review searching, I decided to purchase my Switch though ColorWare Inc.

ColorWare Inc. is a website that sells different gaming consoles, mobile accessories, and other bits of miscellaneous technology~ but with the option to customize the colourway it can come in. With a lot of positive reviews and photos of their handiwork, I happily and confidently decided to order my own pink edition of the Switch from them.

The colours I decided on were an arrangement of the metallic shades, diamond and glamour, but in a matte finish (I read multiple opinions online of people recommending and pushing matte finishes for hand gaming accessories because apparently they're easier to keep looking clean/finger print free).

I ordered my switch on June 26, and it arrived July 18th~ which was just within the 2 month estimation given to me upon ordering. 

The Switch arrived in it's original packaging and nicely put back together. I was happily surprised with the extremely professional way it was presented, and doubly surprised at the high quality work my Switch had upon opening it!

Dun dadun dun~ Let me officially show off my pink Switch!

I have to admit that it looks prettier than anything I could have ever imagined (especially from my assumption that it may be a deeper pink, from the product colour generator and that there weren't many examples of what glamour pink looked like).

ColorWare Inc.'s work is absolutely superb. The colours are clean, with no blemishes or imperfections. Every line is crisp, and every surface completely opaque. Especially with my tough handling of my console, there are no external signs of ware that would belie that pink wasn't it's original colour.

Some of the first accessories I purchased for my console were thumb grips. Since I play Splatoon 2 quite often, I figured it would give me a bit more traction and control on the joysticks. Also, with all my game hours, the pads of my thumbs were starting to turn red and a bit raw from unnecessary friction. So far, it's been a decent aid in saving my thumbs, well, in addition to newfound moderation. I also have a Vanfit screen protector to keep my screen scratch free, extremely handy when my Switch is tossed into my bag and finds it's way next to my keys...

With other games, like Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Smash out and coming out, I figured that getting some extra Joycons might be a good idea. Plus, it would bring forth more enjoyment from those games, as I could include more friends into the game. So, I went back to ColorWare Inc. to order a complimentary pair to my Switch console. 

My Joycons arrived just 2 weeks after placing my order and they were just as beautiful as my main system. I ordered an opposite set to my original Joycons, so I can switch out the colours if I ever wish too play around with the look of my system.

With new Joycons, I started looking for some Joycon grips to have for myself and a +1. With my own Joycons, I haven't really liked the standard grip that came with my system, so I wanted to find a set that had a smaller profile (since I have small hands) and that matched my Joycons. I found the perfect set from Dream3DPrinting on etsy. 

The grips arrived in roughly 3 weeks from the date I ordered them. The grips are 3D printed, and very smooth to the touch. They have a slot where the Joycon slides in smoothly and fits very securely. In addition, something I absolutely adored was there was an additional slot in the back to also hold the Joycon straps, which makes storage very convenient. 

To account for my extra Joycons, I needed a way to charge them when apart from the main system. So, I found the PowerA Nintendo Switch Charging Dock, which conveniently charges all 4 of my Joycons.

When docked, a LED light showcases the status of my Joycons and when they're fully charged. Plus, it serves as convenient storage for when my system isn't in use.

Though it may not look it, I have done a small additional add on to my Switch dock. With all the research I did, I've found people have had issues with the front section of the dock scratching the glass of the Switch. Viable popular options to negate this issue seem to all be types of dock sleeves, but since a sleeve would cover up my pink dock, I wanted to find another option in prevention.

I then came across SwitchSafetyStrips on etsy, who sells pre-cut felt strips that apply to the inside of the Switch and cover up the area that has been said to scratch the screen of the hand held console. I like that it's subtle, effective and it keeps my Switch firmly in place within the dock. I ended up only applying the strips for the front segment, as having felt strips on both sides felt too tight on my switch as it had the extra bulk of the screen protector.

As I'm on the subject of the dock, I want to move into talking about how I connect my Switch to my television.

My TV only has one HDMI port, and originally I used it for my Chromecast. So, I needed an option to have both hooked up, and convenient to access (since my port is behind my TV and accessing it requires me fully dismantling my television stand). Thus, I was forced to figure out my own way to solve this issue. 

My solution was the Sewell IBIS 4k HDMI Switch Box and Rose Gold Male to Male HDMI Cable. The HDMI Switch Box connects to the HDMI port, and gives it an accessible dual extension. Though, it only connects one device at a time, but switching back and forth between devices is as easy as pressing a button, pictured above. 

Also, the Sewell IBIS is extremely small, and is easily hidden from view.

My newest accessory addition, is a casing for my Switch. I still haven't found the perfect case, but as of right now, I have settled on a clear bumper for my console.

The clear casing works just fine, but it doesn't protect the front of my system and my joysticks do get a bit jostled about in my purse. Though, I do enjoy that the case is segmented in 3 parts, so when I go to disassemble of the Switch or go to place it into the dock, it's very convenient. Still, it would be great if there were better cute storage options available for the Switch console.

At the end of the day, I'm so happy with my Switch, and that I've finally joined the new Nintendo bandwagon! If only Nintendo released an official pink system initially~ but at least attaining one was possible. Regardless, I'm so satisfied with just how well it all turned out!

I know that there was a lot of curiosity about my Switch and my accessories, so I hope I was able to answer any questions that were initially sent my way. Though, I wish I could properly answer this question, but I can't say I have many game recommendations~ As of now,I only have Mario Kart, Splatoon2, and Breakforcist Battle (which is a cute block busting game). Besides, Pokemon and the upcoming group game releases, the only title I'm eagerly awaiting is Katamari. Outside of those, I actually have no idea what type of games I would like;; I'm still very much a newbie outside of MMORPG's..

So, any games for the Switch you love/recommend!? I'm actually very curious to what other people enjoy!

<3CarisseIris

Cardcaptor Sakura Hairdryer~ Review

Earlier this summer I purchased the Cardcaptor hairdryer by Super Groupies, which is a Japanese company that specializes in making anime fashion merchandise like luggage, high heels and also hairdryers.

I have never really needed a hairdryer since I tend to air dry my hair, but this summer I had multiple times I washed my hair a bit to late and was mourning the fact that I didn’t own one. Also, I was styling my Halloween wig and needed a hairdryer to set some pieces, so it was the perfect time to look into purchasing one.

While looking around I saw that there was a Cardcaptor hairdryer now on the market, so I contacted a  Japanese buyer to purchase one for me. [as of writing this blog post I’ve found multiple sellers online and on eBay but there’s also a huge influx of knock offs so purchase with your own discretion] 

The hairdryer came as one complete piece packed nicely in a cute themed box. It has the ability to fold in half into a compact size for storage or travel. As a whole, it’s incredibly sturdy and well structured. The wings feel very secure on the unit, with no flex. The hairdryer’s head, though clear, has no issues with overheating and is also firmly attached to the casing. Which I did honestly have slight doubts about for some reason, but thankfully those doubts were unfounded.

The hairdryer has 3 settings; Cool, Haircare, and Quick Dry. Cool and Haircare both operate on a medium air pressure while Quick dry has the faster air speed. Cool, as it implies, is just cool air which is what I use for my own hair and I’ve had no issues with additional hair damage. Haircare is a low heat setting at 50 °C that I’ve actually used for multiple things like helping to dry some paint, for different art projects, and most recently my Succubus horns! The Quick dry setting is the highest heat setting at 60 °C with the addition of a faster air speed, which I’ve only used on my wig project to help melt the plastic hairs a bit to set the style. It really works wonderfully for every task I’ve used it for. Which makes it a nice basic hairdryer. No over heating, easy to control and operate, and a nice air flow.

The details of the hairdryer are really the biggest draw to the unit and the reason I decided to purchase it. I may not be that vocal about it but I adore Cardcaptor Sakura, it was one of the shows I grew up watching so I definitely look back on it fondly and enjoy the aesthetic of it’s merchandise. The attention to the details and contours of the hairdryer is really quite lovely in person. The main pink colour is a nice semi matte pink and the head has beautiful metallic detailing. The bottom of the hairdryer also has a slight gem like connection to the plug, which needs 100 V 50/60 Hz and can fit into a standard US plug. 

Is it the best hairdryer on the market, I highly doubt it, but it does what it’s intended to do. So, it is what it is. A nice good hairdryer with a cool, low and high setting. The main advantage is that it’s so cute and definity a nice addition for someone that may enjoy the Cardcaptors aesthetic as much as I do. I definitely feel like a magical girl when I pull it out of my hairtools drawer, hehe!

Do you own any niche merchandise? Its actually my first time purchasing something not Disney related but I have such a soft spot for nostalgia related items!

<3CarisseIris

Urban Decay Naked Skin Glow, Cushion Foundation~ Review

 SO, if you haven't heard, Urban Decay released a cushion foundation!
(or at least in select countries in Asia as of right now, 2017) 

Those who may be familiar with my blog, I love my Urban Decay Naked foundation and have used it in most of my makeup tutorials~ So of course, I was absolutely thrilled when I read that Urban Decay was releasing this cushion option into their line! Especially, since as of recently, I've been quite a fan of cushion foundations.

The line comes equipped with a pretty sizable amount of shades (at least for an Asian cushion line). I believe there are 6 options in total for light to medium skin tones but all with varied undertones; olive, neutral, and ruddy~ I quite enjoy that they have the multiple options since most cushions tend to be more on the neutral side and sometimes cast as grey on me. The shade I chose was 2.75 which is a golden undertone light/medium shade in the line, which, for comparison, I am a 3.0 in Urban Decay's Naked Skin line. The undertone match is pretty close to mine and just a hair lighter in shade than my skin which isn't even noticeable since it does match my neck and chest.

According to the packaging, the product boasts that it will deliver a flawless and luminous 'naked glow' that is buildable and will keep skin hydrated for 18++ hours with the addition of a SPF 50+ PA+++.  It also contains added skin benefits like most other cushion foundations including; Rose centifolia extract, for toning and firming, Gentian root extract, the provides skin soothing, and peppermint extract, which conditions the skin. 

I do have a slight grievance, in that one must purchase the compact and the refill, separately, in order to make a complete set, which is a bit frustrating since the cost does add up. I paid roughly $20 for the compact and $40 for the foundation itself not adding shipping/shopping service fee. I do own more expensive cushions but I guess I feel less taken advantage of since those come as a complete set with refills usually available for purchase direct from the brands.

The packaging  on the compact is a beautiful iridescent cover which looks amazing on my vanity and a metallic lavender case. The pouf is decent... Nothing special about it, I don't find it amazing and I could easily interchange it with say my Etude House pouf and I wouldn't be able to tell a difference with application. I do like the closure of the cushion since I can feel it lock into place and I'm not just applying a ton of pressure onto my cover to ensure I have a solid seal on my foundation so it wont dry out.

Taking a look at the cushion, it's actually my first air/mesh style in my collection which is a change. In all honesty, I don't quite get the mesh style cushion but from what I do understand, it helps control the amount of product used and apparently is more sanitary? Regardless, it seems to work just the same as my normal cushions. The constancy of the foundation isn't that runny, if anything I'd almost describe it as a gel or jelly texture and when applied feels a bit tacky. The formula has no strong scent which is nice, but I do tend to enjoy when cushion foundations smell medicinal or herbal but the lack of a scent isn't a make or break issue with me.

Application of the formula is where the problems become quite apparent. Above, is a photo of just the foundation itself. 

So the foundation starts off okay on the first pounce, but once I started blending it into my skin, it would stick to any uneven surfaces which I have quite a few such as excema spots and I was having a couple breakouts this time of month too. Also, a bit of an overshare, but I did pick at a spot ( or 2) and the application of foundation on the scab was HORRENDOUS, the foundation caked into my fine lines and any small crevices on my face and just sunk into my pores and made them look even more noticeable.

Besides the textured skin issue, I found that it could barely cover my hyperpigmentation spots nor give any semblance of an even skin tone. I tend to have sallow skin near the corners of my lips and under my eyes and all my foundations have been able to even them out but not with this one!

The foundation says buildable but I found that it 'built up' and accentuated the patchiness, and even started to look a bit chalky. By the time I decided to just let it rest, the ending result left my skin in a state of disarray! Even the dry down texture was so sticky and made my skin feel so oily, which is quite odd because I have normal/combo skin that doesn't ever tend to feel immediately greasy upon initial foundation application. Moreso, the end result was quite matte which belied the sensation on my skin.

To salvage the look of my skin, it became a test on how much work my concealer could do. Then to make my skin feel less gummy I set my makeup with translucent powder which I don't usually tend to do with cushion foundations because the main point of them, or at least the reason why I prefer them, is to retain a natural dewy sheen to my skin. So, the point to even wearing this foundation was moot.

If I were to say a positive, it did even out the colour of my skin, if anything. Any redness I had was covered, so if anyone has super clear and smooth skin and only had issues of red spots of slight discolourations, maybe it could work for them..

I  really do have to share this photo immediately after the initial application photo. This was taken 4 hours after I finished my makeup and all I did was shoot this review, put away my lighting, and do some laundry. So, nothing too strenuous nor anything that would make me sweat excessively. Again, I'm not even excessively oily, but the foundation separated so extremely and so quickly! I've never ever had a foundation do that and I've put many of my foundations though the test though spin classes, hot yoga, going swimming and I've had a few patches but never such a noticeable break down of the formula on my skin. Even with setting powder and even my Ben Nye setting spray which I've used on stage/musical performances, though gym sessions and even to waterproof my makeup it couldn't even hold this together, which is maybe even a bit amazing. Really though, my skin looked and felt so oily and caked that I couldn't stand it.

I actually gave this foundation a chance! I used it for a whole week, and just barely pushed it by only wearing it for maybe an hour or two while out each time. So, shooting this tutorial was the longest I have warn it during a day. First day I used it was for dinner on my birthday and even just approaching my mum in low natural light she remarked on how bad my foundation looked, 'You're trying a new foundation aren't you, it looks horrible!' was pretty much an exact quote from her. Even my friend said it looked a bit patchy when I asked her opinion.

I mean, even with my lightly edited shots and from afar in the above pictures, you can see texture a pretty uneven finish with dark sallow patches!

Never have I given such a scathing review on my blog, but it's hard to give even a neutral opinion when I absolutely loathed a product as much as this, which is a shame because of all the makeup products that debuted this year this was the one I was so excited about and one I bullheadedly went out of my way to obtain as soon as I could after it's launch. So, it was quite disheartening that it failed in all aspects for me.

Would I recommend the foundation? Not unless one had almost perfect skin, or if someone wants to blow their money to just add it to their makeup collection. Otherwise, I'd say to stay clear of it.

Hopefully if it does release state-side, here in the US, they will fix the formula, but as it stands, two thumbs WAY down on this foundation.

<3CarisseIris

The Ultimate Magical Girl Accessories ~ ZALO Toys Review (18+)

Hey~ Your local ethereal entity here bringing the best magical girl accessories (18+) to you!

If you're under 18, please disregard this review as it's not my intended viewer base for this specific post/topic. 

Thank you for understanding!

Fenty Cushion Foundation~ DIY Cushion Foundation (I'm back!)

 Well, hello again my lovelies! It's been longer than awhile hasn't it~ and I promise I'll update you on my life and my future aspirations and goals for myself and my blog! All in due time! Right now I am back and here with a proper DIY and also slightly review the new Fenty foundation which is now in makeup collection.

I'm sure everyone online or attached to their phone is aware of the recent Fenty makeup line launch, so I don't think I need to go into detail of the new line. I was definitely drawn to investing in a few pieces and am happy with my purchases, which include; two contours, two concealers, one cream highlight, and the foundation. The foundation is the only product that I love and yet also wish was a bit kinder to my skin. The shade, 190, is the best matching foundation I have found for my skintone to date which is exciting, but the only issue is the super matte formula and how it sits on my skin. My skin is combo with the tendency to rough patches due to excema. So, no matter how I worked the foundation, it liked to exaggerate my dry areas. So, I had a thought~ Why not try mixing the foundation and at the same time turn it into my favourite type of foundation, cushion!

This past year, I've been loving how cushion foundations have been applying onto my skin, they minimize my pores and give me nice even coverage while letting my skin look like my skin and gives it a very natural dewey-ness that looks fresh and effortless. Oh, not to mention how they're usually have nice additives to enhance your skin!

Products you will need:

Foundation of your choice, mine as titled, will be the Fenty 190 foundation

Serum
Ampoule
[optional] cream/liquid highlight

Additional items:
Cushion foundation compact [mine I bought from amazon]
Tweezers
Bowl
Spatula or spoon
[optional] extra cushion puffs

Let's get started!

 First step will be to mix up your foundation to your liking! This may take some trial and error, but hopefully I experimented enough to take out some of the guess work in this process. I did actually buy an extra foundation in case my experimenting was disastrous... So after some bad batches the recipe I ended up liking was more diluted than I expected it to be~

 As pictured, I ended up using 40 pumps of foundation, 10 pumps of serum, 4 full 'pumps' (dropper worth) of ampoule.
Which sounds like a lot, so I broke it down to:
Every 10 pumps of foundation it would be 4 pumps of serum and one full 'pump' of ampoule.
Or:
2:1 ratio of foundation to skin treatment
Optional, I also added a pea size amount of cream highlighter to add a light dewy sheen of the foundation.

 The next step will be to gently remove the sponge inside the cushion compact with the tweezers, to make sure you don't introduce extra bacteria into your foundation.
Upon removal, pour most of your foundation mix into your compact, then drop the sponge into the bowl and squish it around to absorb some of the remaining product into it.
When you've squished enough foundation into your sponge, pick it up with your tweezers and place it back into your compact and press the sponge down and squish in some more of the product placed inside it until your sponge is nice and product laden.

If you have a bit of overflow, you can easily clean it up with a napkin of q-tip.

 Then, that's it! A DIY cushion foundation~ Or, in my case, a Fenty cushion foundation.

 My cushion foundation has a light weight feel coming from the foundation it's self, the coverage is light to medium but it is definitely build-able. The dry down texture lays somewhere between semi-matte and dewy. It has a light sheen to it, but I wouldn't go far enough to say it is actually dewy.
The added bonus is it doesn't settle into my dry patches and it looks even more like my natural skin but just vastly improved!

Pictured above is my end product without any setting powder or concealer~ It looks quite nice on it's own for those no-makeup, makeup days. But with a full look, it really just looks like how I envision my ideal foundation!

I really couldn't be happier with how it turned out~ Hair flip  ♡

So, yeah! It's definitely been a long while, but I hope this has been of some use, or could bring some inspiration on how to work with a foundation product that is just short of perfect for your skin!

<3CarisseIris