12/28/2011

Your Addiction Starts Here..Caution, This May Be Habit Forming :D Addiction by Ayako Eyeshadows

Hello sweetie darlings, 

Back in 2009, while stalking the makeup counters at one of my favorite cosmetic hunting grounds (the Isetan in Shinjuku of course) hidden in one of the corners, I came upon the brand 'Addiction by Ayako'. In fear of what damage I may inflict onto my pocket book, I decided to flee and avoid another brand obsession.  Now fast forward to 2011, I decided to take the plug and delve into this brand. I purchased 12 eye shadows back in November (Yes, I'm writing a review 6 weeks after the fact, but I wanted to test the product out first) as a little birthday gift to myself  :)

Addiction is a high end Japanese cosmetic brand by the New York based makeup artist Ayako. The brands creative director's portfolio ranges from international fashion magazines, Advertising Campaigns, to music videos. Ayako has work with several prominent photographers, including Steven Meisel, Karl Lagerfeild, and Terry Richardson. Her celebrity clientele includes, Naomi Campbell, Penelope Cruz, and Jennifer Lopez. Also, Ayako formally worked as the International Makeup Director for Nars Cosmetics.

Now onto the 12 eye shadows, their names, color description and swatches :)

 From left to right:  Sandbar, Nostalgia, Flash Back, Singita (natural lighting)

                    From left to right:  Sandbar, Nostalgia, Flash Back, Singita (with flash)

Sandbar: an icy pale pinkish peach flesh-tone shade with a pearl finish.

Nostalgia:  A warm brown taupe with tiny silver glitter.

Flash Back:  A shimmery taupe with a slight grayish plummy mauve undertone and tiny green, pink and silver glitter.

Singita:  Similar to Flash Back minus the shimmeer and glitter. A taupe with a grayish plummy mauve tinge with a pearl finish.

  From left to right: Safari Mode, Arabian Ruby, Bagdad Cafe, Twig (natural light)

From left to right: Safari Mode, Arabian Ruby, Bagdad Cafe, Twig (with flash)

Safari Mode: A midtone olive green (reminds me of Spanish olives) with an tarnished gold sheen.

Arabian Ruby: A brown based deep plum with a pink sheen and micro pink glitter.

Bagdad Cafe: A dark chocolate brown with gold and copper glitter.

Twig: A satin finish charcoal grey with pink and green sparkles.

 From left to right: Thriller, Yesterday, Crow, Pink Python (natural light)

  From left to right: Thriller, Yesterday, Crow, Pink Python (with flash)

Thriller: A pink tinged pewter with multi-colored shimmer.

Yesterday: A slate grey with multi-colored shimmer.

Crow: A metallic sooty black based midnight blue with multidimensional blue/green overtones. The exact beautiful bluish/ black sheen of a crow.

Pink Python:  An ash black with multi-colored shimmer.


Addiction eye shadows are housed in sleek,glossy, lightweight black plastic cases. These shadows retail  at 2,100 yen ( that's $ 26.97) for 1.2 grams of product. This is a bit steep, if you compare it to Nars Single Eye Shadows at 2.5 grams for $23.00, but I love these shadows and I'm a cosmetic masochist  : O

These eye shadows are luxuriously outstanding!! Finely milled, satiny smooth in texture, and the wear time is PHENOMENAL!  The quality and pigmentation of Addiction shadows can easily be compared to that of Nars and Inglot eye shadows. So, within the last 7 weeks of using these eye shadows, Addiction is tied with Shu Uemura as being my Favorite Japanese cosmetic brand. Sadly, Addiction by Ayako is currently only sold in Japan, but if you're interested in this brand, just let me know and maybe we can work something out :)

Looking gorgeous one lipstick at a time