Today and in the next few days, I will be counting down my 10 favorite holiday 2008 makeup collections. We’ll start from #10 to #7 today.
10. RMK
(image from RMK)
The 2008 edition of RMK’s Christmas Palette is probably one of the best holiday palettes from RMK in recent years, particularly in terms of the packaging. I like the two-tier design as well as the metallic gold pouch. (On the other hand, I didn’t like the animal-print palette from last year, even though it had some very nice colors.) The colors are wearable and the sparkles in the three pastel eyeshadows add a festive vibe to the party makeup look.
Please have a look at my review of the palette here.
9. Magie Deco
(image from www.iswii.net)
This is Magie Deco’s second holiday coffret. While I prefer the first one, this year’s version still looks gorgeous and glamorous. It is a good continuation of the deep-red theme from the line’s fall 2008 Bordeaux Magic collection.
8. Jill Stuart
(image from www.urcosme.com)
I have to say I am slightly underwhelmed by Jill Stuart’s holiday set for this year. It does have a beautiful vintage look, but, again, I prefer last year’s Christmas Rose Collection, with rosette details and a more different design for the eyeshadow palette. But the Solid Perfume Ring did tempt me a little bit when I first saw it.
7. Shu Uemura
(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)
I really like the cases of these eye palettes and some of the colors in them. The colorful photos are by Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa, and they also feature in Gloss Unlimited Mini Trio, Portable Brush Set and Makeup Box. Shu Uemura’s products usually have a simple and minimal look, and these images inject a lot of vibrancy to these holiday items. (You can see the rest of the collection here.)
The countdown continues in Part 2 and Part 3!
Related Posts:
My Fall 2008 Makeup Top 10:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
(image from i-voce.boxerblog.com/newsflash/)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce/)
Shu Uemura will release its holiday 2008 collection in Japan on November 1st. The collection features colorful works by Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa.
The collection includes:
- Palette Christmas Collection 2008 (or “Holiday Collection Eye Color Palette” in the US, 3 variations)
(Midnight Winter Sakura)
(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)
(Adorned Marguerite)
(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)
(Secret Luscious Rose)
(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)
- Gloss Unlimited Mini Trio Delicious Rose
(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)
- Makeup Box
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce/)
- Portable Brush Set
(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)
- Rouge Unlimited (3 new shades)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce/)
- Nail Enamel Supplement Mineral (2 new shades)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce/)
- Christmas Set:
Fluid Foundation or Cream Foundation (full size)
UV Under Base Mousse or Under Base Cream (full size)
Depsea Water Rose (13ml)
Pedal Sponge
Original Sponge Case
Original Vanity Pouch
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce/)
These are the items that will be launched in Japan (all limited editions). To see/purchase the products currently available in the US, please check out the Shu Uemura US site.
You can read the interview with Mika Ninakawa on The Japan Times.
Related Posts:
Viktor & Rolf for Shu Uemura
Time-Travel Through Japanese Cosmetics
My post on the Viktor & Rolf for Shu Uemura collection has been updated to include an additional photo as well as launch information in Japan.
Also, on May 1st, Shu Uemura will release the Premium Edition Collection 2008. The two pairs of false eyelashes (at 5250 yen each (about 50.5 USD)) will be exclusive to Shu Uemura’s flagship Beauty Boutique on Omotesanto in Tokyo.
(Shu Uemura Premium Edition Collection 2008)
(image from woman.excite.co.jp)
(Shu Uemura Premium Edition Collection 2008)
(image from woman.excite.co.jp)
(Viktor & Rolf for Shu Uemura)
(image from www.cosme.net)
In January, WWD reported on the Dutch designer duo Viktor & Rolf‘s collaboration with Shu Uemura and the release of three limited-edition pairs of false eyelashes.
This collaboration coincides with the 25th anniversary of Shu Uemura’s flagship Beauty Boutique on Omotesanto, Tokyo, where the false eyelash collection was unveiled.
According to WWD, the three pairs are called Wing, Wing 2, and Rhombus, and each pair will retail at 75 euros (about 119 USD at the current exchange rate).
So far I have not come across information on the launch date and availability. I will update this post later on with more information.
Updated on April 20th, 2008:
Here is an additional photo of the three pairs of false eyelashes:
(image from woman.excite.co.jp)
In Japan, the collection will be launched on June 19th and the booking will start on May 1st.
Related Posts:
Time-Travel Through Japanese Cosmetics
If I Could Go to Japan Right Now
by PJ on Thursday, February 21, 2008
in -Albion,-Ayura,-DHC,-Kanebo,-Kao,-Kosé,-Shiseido,-Shu Uemura,-Sofina,all about Japanese cosmetics
(Loving Japanese makeup)
As a fan of Japanese cosmetics, apart from all the colorful products available, I am also interested in knowing more about the history behind the various brands and companies. So I was delighted to come across a time-line featuring the launches of many major Japanese cosmetics companies in Biteki‘s January 2008 issue. Let’s have a look:
1872 Shiseido
1887 Kao
1929 Pola
1936 Kanebo
1946 Kosé
1956 Albion
1959 Menard
1967 Shu Uemura
1972 DHC
1981 Fancl
1987 IPSA
1991 Ettusais
1995 AYURA
1996 Equipe (which now owns RMK and SUQQU)
(Biteki, January 2008, p. 102-125)
It is interesting that, like many western cosmetics brands, some of the recent major Japanese cosmetics companies in the last couple of decades have also been acquired by more established ones. For example, IPSA, Ettusais, and AYURA were acquired by Shiseido. Kanebo now owns Equipe, while Kosé owns Albion. Also, in early 2006, Kanebo was sold to Kao.
I will be equally interested in these slightly more corporate and behind-the-scene developments and in all the shiny new releases from these brands…
Related Posts:
All About Japanese Cosmetics
(consolidating my passion)
“Loving Japanese Brands” Series
(my favorite seven)
Japanese Brands in the UK
(featuring where to get them from outside the UK)
(image from www.shu-uemura.com.tw)
Shu Uemura, one of the most celebrated makeup artists in the world, died of pneumonia on December 29, at the age of 79 [from WWD].
He, along with his inspirational sense of aesthetics and style, will be truly missed.
by PJ on Friday, November 23, 2007
in -2008 Spring,-Anna Sui,-Chanel,-Dior,-Guerlain,-Helena Rubinstein,-Jill Stuart,-Kanebo,-Kosé,-Lunasol,-Shu Uemura,all about Japanese cosmetics,makeup
Exciting spring 2008 makeup preview!
(image from i-voce.boxerblog.com/contents/index.html)
The Voce website has a page from the January 2008 issue, featuring a preview of some spring 2008 makeup collections.
I see Dior, Chanel, Jill Stuart, Lunasol, Anna Sui, Givenchy, Guerlain, Coffret D’Or, Beauté de Kosé, and perhaps Helena Rubinstein, Sofina Est and Shu Uemura…just to name a few.
I think I have already seen some items I want…and it is still November!
I am loving the look of the Chanel and Lunasol lilac eyeshadow palettes (as if I didn’t have enough lilac palettes…with my T’Estimo, Jill Stuart, and Lavshuca lilac bonanza).
What has grabbed your attention?
Updated on Friday, November 23, 2007:
Bjooti has kindly confirmed that the zebra-printed one towards the top left is indeed from the Helena Rubinstein spring 2008 collection. Take a look at the full collection on her blog!
Related Posts (let’s go back to holiday 2007):
Dior DiorLight Jewelled Makeup Necklace
(another beautiful Dior seasonal item)
Lavshuca Christmas 2007 Makeup Palette
(as cute as a box of chocolates…)
(my most used brushes…)
Last week, a reader asked whether I could talk about the makeup brushes I use. Then I realized I had never mentioned these “hairy” friends who have been helping me putting together my makeup.
One of the reasons that I haven’t talked about them is simply that I don’t have a lot of them. All I have are the basics, and I make do with them. Also, some of them are not really available now, but I will focus on what you can get your hands on.
First of all, a couple of years ago, I bought an Ayura set that included a limited-edition brush set. The brushes came in this lovely brown holder:
(my Ayura brush set)
The set has 6 brushes, for cheeks, eyes, and brows. These are not the kind of sparse, scratchy, and coarse brushes often included in many gifts with purchases. They are soft and fluffy, and they have proven to be durable and easy to use.
(the six brushes in the set)
I use the four on the right very regularly. They and three others make up my “sensational seven”:
(the Sensational Seven)
(a close-up)
(numbered for you)
— #1, #3, #4, and #5 are from the Ayura brush set. I don’t think the set is available anymore so I’ll be brief with these. #1 is a soft blusher brush that I have been counting on for all my powder blushers. #3 and #4 are solid and bouncy eyeshadow brushes that never feel scratchy. #5 is a great flat brush for lining the eyes.
— #2 is Ruby & Millie Eye Brush [Large]. (I remember it costs about £9 (about 18 USD).) Ruby & Millie is a makeup line sold exclusively in Boots stores in the UK. Last year and this year, the Ruby & Millie makeup brush collection is chosen by InStyle Magazine UK as “the best inexpensive brush line“. I can definitely see why. Budget brush hunters will love some of these brushes. In particular, this eyeshadow brush is thick and dense (thicker than #3). It is good for eyeshadow application for larger areas and for overall blending.
— #6 is Shu Uemura eyebrow brush (6 OB). I’ve had this for at least 7 years and it still performs well. This eyebrow brush is slightly softer than those from MAC and Bobbi Brown, both of which I think are too hard. The brush tip is nicely slanted for easy application.
— #7 is RMK Lip Brush. This one is retractable and very easy to carry around. The very flat tip allows a precise application. I’d like the hair to be shorter and slightly denser, but it is a minor complaint for a brush that I have been very used to for years.
I have some other brushes but these are the ones I depend on the most. I am not really on the lookout for any new brush, but sometimes I fancy an alternative blusher brush (I am a blusher person) and an angled face shading/contouring brush. Any suggestions? Let me know!
(image from RMK)
(image from www.iswii.net)
(image from www.urcosme.com)
