all about Japanese cosmetics

Magie Deco is a point (color) makeup line that is part of Kosé’s high-end brand Cosme Decorte. It was launched in fall 2007 and the products’ price points are similar to those of Lunasol’s. Shadow Brilliance II in DC025 Foxy Lady, which is part of Magie Deco’s fall 2009 collection, is my first item from the line.

One thing I like about Magie Deco is that it often brings out eye palettes with interesting and unusual color combinations. (In Japanese cosmetics, many mainstream brands constantly release tone-on-tone eye palettes.)

One palette that helps define the line’s character is Shadow Brilliance in 014 Believe in Magic, which is part of the line’s launch collection in fall 2007. The palette includes a plum pink and an olive green, which don’t usually appear together in eye palettes from Japanese brands.

The new Shadow Brilliance II series, launched in fall 2009, also features some interesting color combinations. (LC028 Lovable Muse includes a lilac and an aqua green.)

The main reason why I went for Foxy Lady, a tone-on-tone neutral palette (instead of one with a more unusual color combination), is that I was looking for an eye palette with soft warm latte-like neutrals. Foxy Lady is the one I decided to try.




The five colors in this palette are (clock-wise from bottom right):

– off-white with a hint of gold
– light-to-medium warm beige
– soft warm yellow gold
– light warm beige
(subtly lighter than the light-to-medium beige)
– dark brown

All the shades have subtle shimmery particles. They show up predominantly as a veil of gold-toned shimmer under sunlight while they look more multi-colored under artificial lighting. They have a smooth texture and are very easy to blend. The staying power is good.

The eyeshadows are very gently scented with a floral-fruity fragrance.

The three lightest shades are softly pigmented. Even among eyeshadows in Japanese cosmetics, they are on the sheer side. Because I wanted soft neutrals in the first place, I don’t mind them being sheer. The light-to-medium warm beige at the bottom left is moderately pigmented and is not overly sheer. Overall, I like the ethereal look that these shades create.

The dark brown is a lot more pigmented than the other four, but, as a lining shade, it is also slightly less pigmented than most other lining shades in eye palettes from Japanese makeup lines.

The two beiges create a delicate gradation. I particularly like the darker one of the two. It is not always easy to find light-to-medium neutrals that are able to create depth, as light neutrals are usually made to be light-reflective. But this shade, while softly shimmery (not frosty or overly light-reflective), is able to create a natural depth for the eyes.

The soft yellow gold imparts a touch of vibrancy. It can replace (or work with) the off-white as a base, a highlighter for the brow bones, and a highlighter for the inner corners of the eyes.

I also like the case of the palette. Surprisingly, the pink case never looks overly saccharine. The pink and the gold work delightfully well together, and the faceted gem-like shape is feminine and regal at the same time.

Overall I really like this palette. I will certainly go back to it again and again, and I will continue to look forward to Magie Deco’s new releases. If you like your neutrals to be pigmented and intense, then you can safely skip this palette. If you want very wearable neutrals that are suitable for daytime, then this palette may be worth your consideration.

Related posts:

Magie Deco Summer 2009 Collection

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Gold Variation

Lavshuca Summer Gradually Compact in Shiny Sandy Beach

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