by PJ on Tuesday, June 17, 2008
in -Albion, -Anna Sui, -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Giorgio Armani, -Kosé, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10
To me, it feels as if the spring collections just came out and we were expecting more summer makeup news. But, as many of the fall 2008 collections have been unveiled, it is time for me to look back and present you with my summer 2008 top ten makeup collections. (Part 2 and 3 will be up later this week.)
10. Albion Excia AL
(Albion Excia AL Eye Color Impression)
(image from www.albion.co.jp)
(Albion Excia AL Rouge Impression)
(image from www.albion.co.jp)
Available at Albion counters in Japan, Excia AL is a top-end skincare and makeup line that aims to create timeless and confident beauty. This season sees a new range of eye palettes, Eye Impression, and three new shades of Rouge Impression (as well as new liquid eyeliners and eyebrow pencils). Perhaps not the most eye-catching collection, it did grab my attention with its understated simplicity.
9. Anna Sui
(Anna Sui Mini Rouge W)
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
Anna Sui’s summer 2008 collection shows us again that the brand still does cute and princessy very well. I am sure some people who are collecting the Mini Rouge in black (released last fall) would love to take home these limited editions in white. The collection also includes hair and body products which are equally nicely packaged.
8. Giorgio Armani
(Eye Mania in 11 (top), 12 (left), and 13 (right))
(image from www.isetan.co.jp)
I have been interested in the Giorgio Armani Beauty line for a while, and I almost always stop by its counter when I am in London’s Selfridges or Harvey Nichols. (In the UK, Giorgio Armani Beauty is also available in Selfridges Birmingham and Heathrow Airport Terminal 3. The link above takes you to the Giorgio Armani Beauty UK online store.)
The three beautiful Eye Mania palettes above, however, appear to be exclusive to the Japanese market. I particularly like #12 and #13. #12 seems to be a wearable blue-grey palette, possibly even for people who find blue hard to wear. #13 looks like a nice neutral palette and the shades don’t look overly warm or bronze.
(If you are interested, please head over to Autumn Masquerade for a great brand profile on Giorgio Armani Beauty and for a look at the brand’s past Bronze Mania collections.)
7. Cosme Decorte AQ
(Pure Grace Lipstick in RD432
and Pure Grace Eyeshadow in 032)
(image from www.biteki.com)
There are not a lot of lilacs for summer 2008, and this beautiful palette with soft lilac and muted cool teal attracted my attention. I think these two shades are well-coordinated, as the muted teal complements rather than overshadows the lilac. (Please check out my previous post on Cosme Decorte AQ‘s summer 2008 collection to see the fresh tropical eye makeup look created with this palette.)
This is the last AQ eye palette released in the current packaging, as the brand’s point makeup line will be revamped in time for the release of the fall 2008 collection.
The top-ten countdown continues tomorrow.
Related Posts:
Spring 2008 Makeup Top 10
(Part 1, 2, and 3)
Loving Japanese Brand – Anna Sui
We have already seen many spring 2008 makeup collections, and I am sure some favorites have emerged on your list. But let’s look back, just in time in the midst of the holiday season, at my own top 10 holiday 2007 collections.
10. Lunasol
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
2007 is a great year for Lunasol, which brought out fantastic collections for spring and fall. Lunasol’s Christmas 2007 coffret presents the usual dose of neutral and wearable colors as seen in Lunasol’s previous holiday sets. Some might say they are unimaginative, but this doesn’t stop Lunasol fans from collecting this sophisticated coffret for lips, eyes, and face.
9. Guerlain
(Forever Gold)
(image from www.guerlain.co.jp)
Guerlain’s holiday 2007 collection did not get my full attention until I tested Forever Gold (pictured above) and a couple of other items. Forever Gold delivers a sheer and fine mist of very sparkling shimmer. The finish is quite even, and the sparkles are very glamorous without being over the top. A star item for this holiday season indeed. (You can read more about my thoughts of Forever Gold here.)
8. YSL
(image from www.yslbeautyus.com)
I mentioned in my initial review of the YSL holiday 2007 collection that I preferred the usual gold packaging. But, compared with many other holiday collections, this is still a strong one. The collection is well-themed with memorable designs. The heart-shaped necklace is very pretty even though I don’t think this is the best makeup necklace for this season.
This is the first time in five years that YSL’s holiday collection didn’t make the top five on my holiday top 10 list, as the overall collection didn’t impress me as much as the previous ones did. (Read about YSL’s Gold Celebration Palette from the 2006 holiday collection if you are interested.)
7. Jill Stuart
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)
Jill Stuart’s holiday 2007 set is instantly appealing, with the kind of feminine and princessy packaging that Jill Stuart is famous for. Like Lunasol’s holiday 2007 coffret, the set features universally flattering shades.
According to this blog post, all the slots were full within an hour after one department store started to take pre-orders for this set, while the set was completely sold out in another department store within two hours after the set was officially launched. I am not really surprised. Since the Jill Stuart beauty line was launched in Japan in 2005, the holiday sets in 2005 and 2006 have been extremely popular. (This post also features a swatch video, in which you can actually see how the eyeshadow shades shimmer!)
(Continue to read Part 2 and Part 3!)
Related Posts:
Loving Japanese Brands: Jill Stuart
(featuring my Jill Stuart Christmas 2005 set)
Loving Japanese Brands: Lunasol
(one of my three favorite Japanese brands for the moment)
Keep It Gold: YSL
(my personal take on the glamorous YSL)
(Albion Excia AL Eye Color Impression)
(Albion Excia AL Rouge Impression)
(Anna Sui Mini Rouge W)
(Eye Mania in 11 (top), 12 (left), and 13 (right))
(Pure Grace Lipstick in RD432
