(I want it back!)
(image from www.sephora.com)
According to WWD, Sephora has been in talks with Marks & Spencer regarding opening shop-in-shops in the UK’s leading highstreet department store.
This is very exciting news, and it would certainly be great to see Sephora back in the UK!
If you also want to see Sephora back in the UK, you can still sign the petition started by Charlotte at Kiss and Makeup in August last year.
Updated on January 29th 2008:
Charlotte at Kiss and Makeup has posted additional information on the possible re-launch. Have a look!
Related Posts:
The “Bring Back Sephora” Campaign
(Umm…has it actually been working? Keep it going!)
A Touch of Blusher’s “Bring It Back” Series
(brands and products I want to see again…)
(my Miss Elégance item and catalog)
Owned by Albion, one of Japan’s largest cosmetics companies, Miss Elégance is the little sister of and a more girlie alternative to Elégance, which is gloriously glamorous in a slightly old-school kind of way. On the other hand, Miss Elégance, a bit like Cynthia Rowley, is soft, fresh, and cute. I love the delicate floral theme on the packaging and as part of the brand image.
Price-wise, Miss Elégance was in the medium-low range in Japanese cosmetics, as the price-point was between brands like T’Estimo and budget lines like Majolica Majorca. It was generally an affordable line of makeup items.
I found out that it had been discontinued in Japan earlier this year (on May 31, 2007) as I was planning my shopping list for Japan. I was quite disappointed. Miss Elégance didn’t have the same cache as Dick Page’s Inoui ID (discontinued earlier this year as well, which stunned many of its fans.) But I really like the fact that the brand was always very low-key and unassuming, as I don’t think it was that widely available and was advertised that much.
The Miss Elégance item I have is Powder Color in 16, which I bought in Tokyo years ago. It is a nice medium brown which I bought during my neutral-tone phase. It is smooth and nicely pigmented, but, as you can see, I have been very precious about it and haven’t used it very much. (I love the two flowers on the eyeshadow. So pretty.)
(Miss Elégance Powder Color in 16)
The case looks equally lovely, to say the least:
(the Powder Color case,
with floral and jewel detail)
The Powder Color was available in 35 shades, which offered a wide range of neutral and vibrant hues:
(Miss Elegance Powder Color -
for eyes and cheeks)
The floral motif continues to grace the packaging, as seen here with Liquid Rouge (love that lavender shade):
(Miss Elegance Liquid Rouge)
Elégance has been doing relatively well over the years against all the new competitors. On the other hand, it was a pity that Miss Elégance was discontinued. Maybe, Albion will bring out something new in the next few years. Who knows, but I’d certainly hope so!
Related posts:
All About Japanese Cosmetics
(Do you like Japanese cosmetics as well?)
Other Bring It Back posts:
Nina Ricci
Helena Rubinstein
(Boots Botanics Essential Oil Wash Off Cleanser;
with a separate pump dispenser)
This time, in my “Bring It Back!” Series, I am not going to talk about a whole line of cosmetics. Instead, I am focusing on a very good and affordable makeup remover that has been discontinued.
Boots has various lines of skincare and makeup ranges. While one of my favorite Boots lines is No. 7, it doesn’t have a cleanser that I really like. On the other hand, the slightly cheaper Botanics line used to have the Essential Oil Wash Off Cleanser (seen above), which is a great overall cleanser for me.
It works just like other cleansing oils like Shu Uemura’s, as it takes off all the makeup, including water-proof items, at one go. I tend to like cleansing oils because they involve much less tugging and massaging than most cleansing milks, and they are much more gentle on my sensitive skin.
What was also fantastic about this cleansing oil is that it used to only cost 2 GBP (about 4 USD). Even though I slightly prefer RMK’s cleansing oil, this one only cost about one-tenth of its price at the time and I would gladly keep using this if this were still available.
I stocked up quite a few when it was being phased out, and now I am on my last bottle. My only minor complaint is that if it gets into the eyes, it can sometimes make them feel a little dry afterwards. (This is why I slightly prefer RMK’s.) But it is not something that bothers me very much.
The Boots Botanics line seems to still be doing well and there have been new items added to the lineup every now and then. I do hope Boots will consider adding a cleansing oil back to Botanics or any other skincare line…
Related post:
Another Boots product that I love using:
Boots No. 7 Gentle Renewing No Grains Exfoliator
(Find out how it actually works.)
Some “Bring It Back!” highlights:
Shiseido’s Inoui ID
Cynthia Rowley
Calvin Klein (See the new counter in Hong Kong!)
(Nina Ricci Cosmetics seasonal looks)
I think most of you might still remember the curvy and quirky original packaging of Nina Ricci‘s makeup and skincare items. It was fairly cute but I wasn’t particularly a fan of that. But, around 2002, the packaging went through an overhaul and personally I think it came out so much better. Using both reflective and frosty finishes, the new look was sleek and modern.
The two items I have from the revamped range were the
Tender Lacquered Lipglaze in #2 Rose Jupon and Extension Lashwear in #01 (black). The Extension Lashwear mascara does a good job in separating and defining the lashes, while the lipglaze is one of the best lip glosses I have ever used thanks to the richness of the color and the syrupy and glassy finish.
(my two Nina Ricci items)
What I also like about the new Nina Ricci makeup line is that each season they released a beautiful seasonal look. Like the packaging, the seasonal looks were modern and with a slight editorial edge which varied from season to season. Each seasonal look was on a leaflet featuring the key items. The styling of the leaflets was consistent, which made it fun to collect and compare them. You can see some of the beautiful seasonal looks above.
Sadly, Nina Ricci left the UK a couple of years ago. (Now only the fragrances are sold here.) The website is functioning but the beauty section has not been updated for a long time. It makes me wonder whether they are still coming up with new items in other countries. I don’t think so, but if you have any information on Nina Ricci where you are, I’d be very interested to know!
Some other “Bring It Back!” Posts:
Inoui ID
Cynthia Rowley
Bulgari Skincare (which IS coming back!)
Helena Rubinstein
Calvin Klein Cosmetics (which has come back!!)
(the new Calvin Klein ad display in Hong Kong)
Here is the first look of the new Calvin Klein Beauty!
A generous reader of mine, Sin, from Hong Kong, sent me these photos of the new Calvin Klein Beauty ad and counter display in Hong Kong. She has very kindly let me post them on my blog.
(the Calvin Klein counter)
(the Calvin Klein counter…
that blusher looks rather cute)
These are great photos, showing the printed ad as well as the makeup line-up. (I can feel my eyes getting closer and closer to the screen…)
Sin also mentioned that the Calvin Klein skincare line will be launched in Hong Kong in December.
Since I wrote about my memories of Calvin Klein cosmetics back in May, I have had some informative comments and e-mails. (Thank you all!) As many of you might already know, Calvin Klein Beauty is re-launching globally. You can read this post for further information. (The post mentions that it will be launched in the UK. Fantastic!)
Again, my sincere thanks goes to Sin for these exciting images! (The photos are from her on-line album. The two other ones, if you are interested, show items of Shiseido Inoui ID.)
Recommended Post:
Beauty Anonymous beautifully recounts her Calvin Klein memories and shows us her very elegant Calvin Klein eye shadow.
Related Post:
Calvin Klein Eyeshadow in Ivory
(My only Calvin Klein item so far…things might change soon!)
(Calvin Klein Eye Shadow in 06 Ivory)
Back in May, I wrote about Calvin Klein Cosmetics to mark the start of my Bring It Back! series. I mentioned I was aware that some on-line shops still carried the line and that I was concerned about the quality (since the line has been discontinued for quite a while).
But, during my trip to Nottingham in June, I was roaming around in a shopping mall and I came across some Calvin Klein makeup products in a cosmetics store! The store had a slightly similar feel to The Company Store in London, which is the Estée Lauder Group outlet store.
I checked the quality of some of the stock, and I was relatively happy. As most of the colors were too dark for my liking, I picked up this matte ivory shade, which is good as a base for other eyeshadows. It can also work as a subtle brow-bone or face highlighter.
This is the only Calvin Klein Cosmetics item I have, and it is a very welcome addition to my white eyeshadow collection!
Related post:
Fashion City: Nottingham, UK
(Read about a fabulous fashion show I attended there.)
(one of the beautiful seasonal ad images from Inoui ID)
(photo from www.inouiid.com)
When I heard about Shiseido’s Inoui ID being discontinued earlier this year, my heart sank. (I also read that, upon knowing this, a shell-shocked Japanese Inoui ID fan felt that her nose was almost bleeding.)
I was transported back to Tokyo several years ago. I was in a Shiseido boutique in Shinjuku and sampled many beautiful lines like Emerger, Dignita, and Inoui ID. I picked some Emerger and Dignita items, but somehow decided to skip Inoui ID at the time.
What was I thinking??
Inoui ID was on my shopping list since the beginning of this year when I started to have the vaguest plan to go to Japan again. But sadly I had to cross it out from my list…
I love the bold red packaging. So chic and memorable. Some of their most popular products were the eyeshadow palettes, which featured smooth texture and some great color combinations (I want #30!):
(photo from www.inouiid.com)
I like many of the ad images as well. The one above is one of my absolute favorites. Soft, simple, airy, but still striking and stunning. (Loving the blue eyeshadow!)
I think the discontinuation is simply a marketing decision (a wrong one in my opinion), since Shiseido has been trying to cut down the number of lines by discontinuing some and merging some others. I hope that, Dick Page, the creator of Inoui ID and Shiseido’s current creative director, will come up with something even better!
If you are interested, read about the mourning of a like-minded.
Related Post:
What are your favorite Japanese brands?
(Inoui ID was mentioned!)
Other Bring It Back! posts:
Calvin Klein Cosmetics, Cynthia Rowley, Helena Rubinstein, Bulgari Skincare, and Sephora (back to the UK)…
(Click on link to sign the petition.)
Oh…Sephora…why did you leave us in the UK?
There were several Sephora stores in the UK, but they all disappeared in 2005…and I miss them!!
Charlotte at Kiss and Makeup has started a “Bring Back Sephora” campaign. You can simply click on the banner above and sign the petition. (It really just takes about 10 seconds…)
It doesn’t matter where you are. Please support us! (Imagine how you might feel if the Sephora shops where you are all disappear suddenly…)
It might not make a huge difference, but we want the voice to be heard!
(At least, like Charlotte said, a Sephora.co.uk would be a great addition!)
(My all-time favorite fragrance:
Bulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert )
First, let me indulge myself and take you through the Bulgari world…
It is a brand that appeals to me on so, so many levels.
Its jewelry is bold and striking but classic and elegant. The contrasts are sublimely complimentary. I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than the Sapphire Flower Collection. (Do have a look through the link above and through Jewels -> Collections -> Sapphire Flower.)
(the cover of the Bulgari jewelry catalog 2005/2006,
featuring a necklace from the Sapphire Flower Collection)
(the front cover/in-fold and back cover of the catalog)
Bulgari’s hotels in Milan and Bali (not that I have been there) look…familiar. I have seen them in my dreams, I think. It is as if the architects and interior designers knew me. Angular and masculine, but somehow feminine and cozy. Again, I love contrasts that gel together.
The staff in Bulgari boutiques are so polite, friendly, and professional, even though all I have done is marvel at the shining things I can’t afford and, once or twice, picked up a fragrance. If I ever have the good fortune and privilege to afford something luxurious, I will not look anywhere else.
I am wearing Bulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert as I am writing this. It is Bulgari’s first attempt, back in 1992, to enter the world of fine fragrance, and it is still very popular today. With notes from green tea, lemon, orange, lily, rose, and coriander, it is fresh, uplifting, straightforward, and uniquely romantic. It is my perfect daytime scent.
(I love the design of the bottles as well.)
Also, I am wearing it because I am trying to remind myself of the wonderful sensation I got from their skincare line, HydraThé Vitalisant, in which all the items were infused with my favorite scent.
(the Bulgari skincare calalog)
(the Bulgari HydraThé Vitalisant skincare line-up,from the catalog)
One of my favorite items is Neutralizing Cleansing Gel. Price-wise, it was as expensive as cleansers from Chanel and Dior, but this foamed so incredibly well with so little amount that no other cleanser has lasted longer.
(Bulgari HydraThé Vitalisant Neutralizing Cleansing Gel,from the catalog)
As for makeup, I don’t think many people remember that Bulgari used to have foundations. (I think the whole skincare/foundation line was discontinued soon after the foundation was launched.) I happen to have samples of Total Performance Cream Foundation SPF 15 PA ++. They will always be part of my Permanent Collection.
(samples of Bulgari Total Performance Cream Foundation)
Unfortunately the line was discontinued several years ago. There are still websites that carry some of the products, but I am simply not interested because the stock must be very old.
Back in June, I planned to write about Bulgari Skincare for my Bring It Back! series. (Two more are planned for September and October.) Interestingly, a few days ago, I was surprised and delighted to find on Women’s Wear Daily that Bulgari will release a new skincare line!
After some brief googling, I found a post on Fashionese Daily (with a photo of part of the line) and another one on CCP Management Consultants Ltd. blog (with some relevant background information). In summary, the line will be launched in October and will only be available in Italy until next year, and there are no plans at the moment to expand the line into color cosmetics. (But I shall remain hopeful.)
I don’t think I will find my favorite scent in the upcoming skincare line, but I am still eagerly waiting for Bulgari to appeal to me on yet another level……
Related Posts:
My Fragrance Favorites
Sheer Stella 2007
Bring It Back: Calvin Klein Makeup, Cynthia Rowley, and Helena Rubinstein
(pictured: my HR items…and I want more!)Helena Rubinstein is the one that said “There are no ugly women, only lazy ones.” Whether you agree with it or not, it cannot be denied she more than made her mark in the beauty industry.
I always think there is a sense of sophistication and intelligence in her makeup line. The packaging during the 1990′s incorporated colors and finishes that resembled marble and gold. There was a great deal of quiet confidence and assertiveness about it, which really appealed to me. The current reflective copper-tone packaging has a very glamorous edge.
Helena Rubinstein’s mascaras (along with Lancome’s Extencil) started the craze for ultra long, voluminous, and curly eyelashes in Japan about a decade ago, lasting all the way until today. HR’s various mascaras have continued to be on the best-selling lists there as well.
Skincare-wise, I used to really like their cleansing and toning products, as they were gentle to my sensitive skin.
I am aware that her cosmetics line is still available in many countries (see the list on the Helena Rubinstein website), but it is no longer available in the UK or US. I really hope it will be available again soon! (By the way, it is available in Japan…that’s one more reason to go to Japan for……)
Any HR product that you have used and liked? Let me know!
(I want it back!)
