all about Japanese cosmetics

Jill Stuart‘s Jelly Eye Color was a very popular item in the brand’s makeup lineup. Earlier this year, the new Jelly Eye Color N was released. I was instantly drawn to the lovely container. The previous version was cute, while the new one is more ornate.


08 Crystal Sky is a medium-to-dark mauve that has a slight grey undertone, and it is a color that I didn’t have before. (The purples I tend to go for are lighter than this.) It has a lot of sparkly particles, which are silver-toned under sunlight and beautifully multi-colored under certain kinds of artificial lighting. The particles are sparkly but not glittery.

It has a spongy jelly texture and is relatively easy to apply with fingertips. It dries up quite quickly, so blending has to be swift. Once it sets, the color is very long-lasting and it doesn’t crease on my eyes. The sparkly finish holds well too.

It has the same light floral scent as that in many of Jill Stuart’s makeup products. It is subtle and not overpowering.

For me, the shade is a little too dark and too sparkly to be worn as a shadowing shade on the lids (especially for daytime makeup). It is the kind of shade that I would usually only wear near the lashlines, and obviously it is difficult to keep the color very close to the eyes when I apply it with my fingertips. I find it much easier to use a cotton bud or a sponge eyeshadow applicator to apply the shade exactly where I want. Then I use the fingertips to blend and blur the edges.

I do really like it very close to my lashlines. As a soft eyelining shade, it is dark enough to gently frame and accentuate the eyes while still looking natural. The sparkles also look subtler this way.

I have mentioned before that I do prefer powder eyeshadows to non-powder ones. It is still the case with Jill Stuart’s Jelly Eye Color N and my powder eyeshadows, but I think Jelly Eye Color N’s formula does help hold the sparkly particles on the eyes. (There is almost no sparkle fallout.) If you like sparkly or very shimmery eyeshadows, Jelly Eye Color N is certainly worth your consideration.

Related posts:

Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact in 01 Baby Blush

Jill Stuart Holiday 2009 Collection

Jill Stuart Fall 2009 Collection & 5th Anniversary Jewel Collection

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(images/info from fanet.jp)

Aube Couture will release 4 Designing Jewel Compacts for the holiday 2009 season in Japan on November 1st. Each compact includes 4 eyeshadows (arranged in the same way as those in the Designing Eyes palettes) and 3 lip colors.

The four variations are:

– Pink (lip)/ Brown (eye) Variation (above)

– Rose/Purple Variation

– Red/Gold Variation

– Beige/Silver Variation

Other seasonal collections from Aube Couture:

Spring 2020 Collection

Fall 2009 Collection

Summer 2009 Collection

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(images/info from www.cosme.net)

On November 18th, Elégance will release a vast array of new items. It seems to me that this could be a revamp of at least part of Elégance’s makeup line, and the new packaging looks quite gorgeous. (I am filing this post under “Holiday 2009 Collections” only because of the timing of the release.)

The new items include:

– Phantom Eyes (10 variations)

– Aurora Storm (8 variations)

– Spice Shot Rouge (20 shades)

– Lip Liner (9 shades)

– Black Star Lash Mascara (4 shades)

– Volume Lash Fixer

– Curl Lash Fixer

– Stellar Night Eyeliner (7 shades)

– Eyeliner Perfect (1 shade)

– Eyebrow Slim (6 shades)

– Eyebrow Mascara (4 shades)


Updated on October 13th, 2009
:

The lineup will also include a collection of false eyelashes:

– Lavish Lash Sparkle (4 shades: silver, gold, pink, blue)

– Lavish Lash Color Mix (4 shades: hazel, indigo, jade, papillon)

– Lavish Lash Feather (three shades: green, red, blue)




Related posts:

Elégance Fall 2009 Collection

Elégance Summer 2009 Collection

Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Elégance

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(images/info from www.paul-joe-beaute.com)

A few days ago, I happened to see Paul & Joe‘s holiday collection in Harrods. (I didn’t expect such an early launch in the UK.) I spent some time testing out the items, and I think most of them are quite wearable. The eye palette in 001 and the two loose powder eyeshadows should be great for creating smoky eyes .




According to the Paul & Joe (English) website, the eye palettes and the eyeliners as well as the loose powder eyeshadows and the face powders are sold as sets in Japan while all of them are sold separately in the UK and the US.

All the makeup items (and the two makeup pouches and the jewelry box) are currently available in Harrods, except the new Lip Lacquer. It will be launched later, along with the repackaged fragrances (Paul & Joe Bleu & Blanc) and the two bodycare items (Body Milk and Body Treatment Oil). (I have had Paul & Joe Blanc for a few years and I am planning to review it later.)

I quite like the colors of the packaging, as purple and gold do make a lovely combination. (But I think I would like the packaging even more if the patterns were a little more delicate.) By the way, the jewelry box retails for 15 pounds, which I think is relatively reasonable.

Other seasonal collections from Paul & Joe:

Fall 2009 Collection

Summer 2009 Collection

Spring 2009 Collection

Holiday 2008 Collection

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(image/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Coffret D’Or will release its spring 2010 point makeup collection in Japan on December 16th. The seasonal makeup theme is “Romantic Pleasure“, and the lineup includes:

– Jewelcious Eyes (5 variations)
– Aqua Rouge (12 shades)
– Innocent Color Blush (2 shades)
– Pencil Eyeliner (2 shades)
– Long Power Mascara (2 shades)

Related posts on Coffret D’Or:

Holiday 2009 Collection

Color Mixing Eyes in Lavender Purple Mix
(summer 2009)

3D Lighting Eyes in Purple Variation
(still my favorite Coffret D’Or eye palette so far)

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(images/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Sofina‘s Aube Couture will release its spring 2010 collection in Japan on December 5th. The collection includes:

– Designing Premium Rouge (16 shades)
– Designing Highlight (1 shade, used for the under-eye area)



The shapes of the powder in Aube Couture’s compacts usually indicate where the powder is used. (See my post “
User-Friendly Makeup: Aube Couture” for an example.) In the case of Designing Highlight, the half-moon areas (as in the shape of the powder in the compact) under the eyes are where the powder is supposed to be used.

Related posts:

From My Treasure Chest: Sofina Aube Rouge Dressious

Aube Couture Fall 2009 Collection

Aube Couture Summer 2009 Collection

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(images from www.iswii.net,
info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Jill Stuart will release a limited-edition Sweetness Collection set for holiday 2009 in Japan on November 6th. The set includes:

– original pouch

– Mix Face Powder Compact

– Jelly Eye Color N

– Jelly Lip Gloss

– Nail Lacquer N

– Emery Board

– Nail Art Sticker

Also, Jill Stuart will release a limited-edition Bath & Body Collection set in Japan on November 20th. The set features:



– Bath & Body Oil 85ml
– Body Cream 50g
– Shower Gel 85ml
– Sugar Body Scrub 100g
– bath puff
– original pouch

Related posts on Jill Stuart:

Mix Blush Compact in 01 Baby Blush

Fall 2009 Collection & 5th Anniversary Jewel Collection

Summer 2009 Collection

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(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

I have got Jill Stuart’s Jelly Eye Color N in 08 Crystal Sky a while back. It is a color that I haven’t really tried before, and I will be posting my thoughts in the next few days.

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(image/info from www.cosme.net)

RMK will release its holiday 2009 collection in Japan on November 6th. The limited-edition Christmas Palette 2009 includes:

– Eye Color (4 shades)
– Cheek Color (2 shades)
– Gloss Lips EX-12 (mini-size)
– (pressed) Powder
– applicators
– mini bag

Related posts:

RMK Ingenious Powder Eyes

RMK Ingenious Powder Cheeks

RMK Powder Foundation EX

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(image from woman.excite.co.jp)

Earlier, I wrote about Lunasol’s holiday 2009 items that will be released on November 14th. On the same day, Lunasol will also release the limited-edition Party Coffret 2009. The set includes:

– Lighting for Eyes EX-05
– Geminate Liner EX-03
– Full Glamour Gloss N EX-11
– Shining Powder N EX-03
– original pouch

I like the white color theme used for this set. It is a refreshing change from the usual copper-brown cases, and it reminds me of the two Illuminating Eyes palettes that Lunasol released for holiday 2004.

Related posts:

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral (Spring 2008)

Lunasol Scent Form Eyes in Leak (Fall 2006)

Loving Japanese Brands: Lunasol

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