Must-Try Look for Spring 2008: Lilac Eyes

by PJ on Tuesday, February 5, 2008

in -AQ, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

(item used: Maquillage
Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)


In the last couple of years, I have been enjoying wearing eyeshadows of various lilac hues. I find them easy to wear for both daytime and evening, and they look flattering in a natural way.

For spring 2008, I have been excited to see some major cosmetics brands (many of them Japanese) featuring lilac eyeshadows. (You can read more about spring 2008 makeup trend in one earlier post.) I thought I’d share with you some of the looks that I have come across that represent distinct variations of this season’s trendy look.

One of my favorite lilac looks this season is from Shiseido Maquillage (above). Accompanied by a silvery grey to create a soft contrast, the lilac shade in Clean Contrast Eyes 2 palette in SV844 is relatively pale. I think the whole look is clean and very pleasantly fuss-free.

(item used: Coffret D’Or
3D Lighting Eyes in 04)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

Kanebo’s Coffret D’Or also has a lilac palette in their debut collection for spring 2008 (which I have reviewed earlier). It is also a very subtle look (above), mainly because, apart from the violet for lining the eyes, the other shades are a pale blue and a dusty pink that have a subtle lilac undertone and not true lilac themselves. But all the shades in this palette complement one another so well that this palette is joy to use.

Next we see a more classic lilac look from (Kosé’s) Cosme Decorte AQ‘s latest look:

(item used: Cosme Decorte AQ
Pure Grace Eyeshadow palette in 030)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com)


This is lilac as an ultra feminine and elegant shade for the eyes. But it is not stealing the show, as it is worn with a beautiful cherry-red lipstick (Pure Grace Lipstick in RO620) to create a superbly exquisite and polished look.

Now, we see a very colorful way to wear lilac.

(cover of Voce’s March 2008 issue)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

(from Biteki’s latest TV commercial)
(image from www.biteki.com)


Biteki’s latest TV commercial
(via Dailymotion)
Coincidentally, both Voce and Biteki, two of the top cosmetics magazines in Japan, are featuring lilac worn with green under the eyes in their March 2008 issues. As you can see, the look can be edgy or feminine. (At the moment, I don’t know what items are used to create these two looks, but I will certainly update this post when I have more information.)

In contrast to the elegant look from Cosme Decorte above, where all the shades are of a cooler tone, RMK incorporates warm shades for lips and cheeks for spring 2008.

(item used: RMK
Shiny Mix Eyes in 03 Silver Purple)
(image from www.rmkrmk.com/global)

I think this is quite a modern way to wear lilac. At first I was not sure if I liked it, but then I realized that another possible way to look at it is to see it as a more intense version of Maquillage’s spring 2008 look.

(images from RMK & Maquillage)

So, of all the looks that we have seen, which one is your favorite?

Related Posts:

A Splash of Color: Lilting Lilac
(from my “I Love Colors” series)

Lavshuca Eye Color Select in PU-2

(warm and sophisticated)

Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes in 04 Gem Amethyst
(my first lilac eye palette)

{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }

ilovecheese Wednesday, February 6, 2008

I love your blog and have been religiously following it since last month!
I love the Cosme Decorte look the most – especially the cherry lips! My second favourite would be the Voce magazine cover..looks like a very fun way to wear lilac and green.

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Emma Wednesday, February 6, 2008

ould never think of combining lilac and green but it looks so pretty!

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Anonymous Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Hey,do you happen to know what lipstick that maquillage model is wearing?Thanksss!=)

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CC Wednesday, February 6, 2008

The new set hasn’t arrived to HK yet.

I’ve just attended Shiseido smoky eyes make up class today. The tutor taught us to use white and brown to make the smoky eyes.

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Fabu-less Beauty Wednesday, February 6, 2008

I really love this look especially for Spring!

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the Muse Wednesday, February 6, 2008

I LOVE that commercial!

I really love the lips on the model!

I wanna try this as an FOTD ;)

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Ta and Kan Wednesday, February 6, 2008

I like the first look best because of the brightness and fresh look compared to others.
I was wondering where you get your JillStuart products, I looked up adambeauty and they only had 2 items, I’m thinking of getting some eyeshadows. Thanks!

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mrslanielovesmac Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Hi! Great great post! I love the looks on the first picture and the commercial. I think I’m going to trust those two looks. Thank you for sharing! BTW, I haven’t asked you but I linked your blog.

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Sandy Wednesday, February 6, 2008

I love the Macquillage look best! It’s the most natural looking and what I would do for myself :)

The lilac and green looks really good too but I’m not a fan of bright makeup so the Cosme Decorte look with bright eyes and lips don’t do it for me.

I love your blog btw :)

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PJ Thursday, February 7, 2008

Hello Ilovecheese,

Thank you very much for reading my blog! I hope you’ve found it interesting and worth your time. :)

I like the Cosme Decorte look as well. It is very classic and polished. The lipstick color is quite strong but the whole look is far from overpowering.

I haven’t tried anything like the Voce look, but I might have a go at it and see how it looks…

Thank you for posting your comment. Hope to hear from you again soon! :)

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PJ Thursday, February 7, 2008

Hi Emma,

Good to hear from you again!

It is quite an interesting look I think. The Voce one particularly has a bit of an edge…

Thank you again for leaving your comment! :)

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PJ Thursday, February 7, 2008

Hello there,

In the Maquillage ad, the lipstick the model is wearing is Lasting Climax Lip in RD226.

Thank you for stopping by, and let me know if you have any other question! :)

Reply

PJ Thursday, February 7, 2008

Hi CC,

Good to hear from you again! I hope the collection will arrive in Hong Kong soon!

I have not been to a makeup class before, but I think it would be a lot of fun, aside from all the tips I can pick up…

Thanks for stopping by again! :)

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PJ Thursday, February 7, 2008

Hello Fabu-less Beauty,

I am definitely loving the lilac look for spring as well….a very nice season to wear lilac!

Thank you very much for visiting my blog! :)

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PJ Thursday, February 7, 2008

Hello The Muse,

I really like the color of her lips too! I’d love to see you re-create this look as well!

Thank you for commenting again! :)

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PJ Thursday, February 7, 2008

Hi Ta and Kan,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the lilac looks!

There used to be someone in Hong Kong that does customer purchases for Jill Stuart in Japan, but I don’t think she is doing it anymore.

Apart from eBay, one site you can try is Ichibankao (ichibankao.com), which is based in Japan. I have bought from the site and the service is very good.

Thank you for posting your comment again! :)

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PJ Thursday, February 7, 2008

Hello Mrslanielovesmac,

You are welcome. Thank you for reading the post!

I think the first two looks are probably my favorites. Very fresh and clean…

Thank you very much for posting your comment and for linking to my blog! :)

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PJ Thursday, February 7, 2008

Hi Sandy,

The Maquillage look is among my favorites too. It is indeed very natural and pretty.

The palette itself has a pale lilac and a silvery grey, as I mentioned, and I think they work well together here.

Thank you for visiting my blog and sharing your thoughts! :)

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Gloria Thursday, February 7, 2008

I like Maquillage’s look the most. I’m more partial to cooler violet tones than warm ones. Actually lately I’ve just been digging cool tones more (for eyes).

Tomorrow I might rock the silver purple look. If it turns out well I’ll take pix. =D

Reply

PJ Thursday, February 7, 2008

Hi Gloria,

I am the same…I also tend to prefer cooler lilac shades to warmer ones. They actually look more natural on my eyes.

The same is true with pink for me. Cooler pinks tend to look better than warmer ones…

Hopefully the silver lilac look will work for you! :)

Thank you very much for posting your comment again! :)

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Ebontien Sunday, February 10, 2008

The lilac and green combination reminds me of something I’ve seen recently in a Western advertisement, except it was in reverse. It’s from Revlon’s newest limited collection where one of the looks is called Inner Spirit. It combines using a turquoise eyeshadow (with greenish tones from what I can see) over the lid while the lilac is used as the highlighter and liner.

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psychoexgirlfriend Monday, February 11, 2008

Hey PJ… I love this post! Lilac shadows are so pretty. After reading this post, I actually did a lilac look to go shopping. I think I may try the modern, edgy look you described as well with the green on the bottom.

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PJ Monday, February 11, 2008

Hi Ebontien,

The look you described sounds very good to me. I love turquoise as well, but I haven’t been wearing it with lilac very often. I might start trying these two colors together a bit more…:)

(I have just googled “Revlon Inner Spirit” and found the look you were talking about. It looks soft and feminine, and I find it very beautiful. )

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for your inspiration! :)

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Im Monday, February 11, 2008

Sorry if I have missed this, but other than eBay, where do you buy your Maquilage and Cosme Decorte products? I have tried ichibankao, but I didn’t see the new products listed. Thanks!

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PJ Monday, February 11, 2008

Hi Psychoexgirlfriend,

Thank you for reading this post!

I am glad that you like lilac too. I have been very happy to see all the various lilac looks for this season. Hope you will continue to enjoy all the experimenting. I know I will!

Thank you for posting your comment again! :)

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PJ Monday, February 11, 2008

Hi Im,

If there is something you want but don’t see on Ichibankao, you can try e-mailing the seller. She is usually very efficient with responses and should be able to help you get the Maquillage and Cosme Decorte items that you would like to have.

(Apart from Ichibankao, you can also find Maquillage items on Adam Beauty (www.adambeauty.com).)

Thank you for your question! Let me know if you would like to know about anything else. :)

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MeganBrynn Tuesday, February 12, 2008

I just loved the Cosme Decorte look so much that I hopped on eBay and bought the eyshadow palette! And your blog is SO fabulous! I can’t believe I only just found it today!

Does an alternative lipstick or gloss perhaps come to mind that would also work with those eyes? I am quite fair, and bright colors can look dreadfully clown-y on me…

Reply

PJ Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Hi MeganBrynn,

Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your kind words!

I hope you’ll like the Cosme Decorte eye palette! Do let me know about the palette when you’ve tried it. I’d love to know what you think.

I think semi-sheer lip glosses in cool-pink tones might suit you well and go with the lilac eyes. I am thinking about Chanel’s Glossimer for Lips (or Chanel’s Christalle Gloss if you want less shimmer). I don’t have particular shades in mind, but I remember seeing some nice cool-pink shades that should go well with lilac shades for the eyes.

I hope it helps a little bit. Do let me know if you have any other question.

Thank you again for dropping by. Hope to hear from you again! :)

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yun1986 Monday, February 18, 2008

I love this post!!!
I think the Maquillage look would be my choice to wear on a casual outing, but I do really love the look on the Biteki commercial, especially that gorgeous sparkling lilac!
I have a copy of this month’s Biteki, and I’m truly surprised by the great host of products used to create that single look on the commercial @.@! Right now I’m totally lemming for that lilac shade, but the cheek colors are awesome too ^.^

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PJ Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Hi Yun1986,

Yes, the Maquillage look is very good for a casual outing.

On the other hand, I think the silvery grey and the dark-grey eye-lining shade can also help you get a more intense look from the palette.

I am thinking about buying this palette at the moment! :)

Thank you for posting your comment. Hope to hear from you again soon! :)

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Anonymous Thursday, February 28, 2008

I really, really love the lilac and the green. have u found out what shades those are called?

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PJ Friday, February 29, 2008

Hi there,

I like the lilac and the green as well!

But, unfortunately, the March 2008 issue of Biteki did not mention which items were used for the look in the TV commercial. Also, I didn’t manage to get the March issue of Voce, so at the moment I don’t know which items were used for the cover.

I am sorry about this. But if I come across any information, I will definitely post an update.

Thank you for posting your question! :)

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Fabuloso Thursday, June 19, 2008

has anyone figured out what those lilac and green shades are?

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PJ Friday, June 20, 2008

Hi Fabuloso,

Thank you very much for your question.

It appears that the makeup data for the Biteki ad look has never been released. I thought the March 2008 issue of Biteki would list the makeup items used, but it doesn’t. So at the moment I don’t really know exactly which lilac and turquoise eyeshadows are used for the look. (But perhaps someone might comment on this later on if there is some more information.)

Thank you for stopping by my blog! :)

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lisa (Makeupandlife*) Monday, March 1, 2010

the magazine covers, I love reading those magazine. get lots of good ideas from them =)

Came across your blog and it is very interesting. Will come by again soon =)

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PJ Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Hi Lisa,

Thank you for your kind words! :)

I certainly love beauty magazines from Japan as well. They are full of information and lovely images.

Thank you very much for posting your comment, and I hope you will continue to stop by my blog! :)

Reply

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