(both images from voce-platinum.jp)
Many of us are aware of the fact that Japan has a very vibrant beauty market. Apart from people’s pursuit of flawless skin and exquisite makeup, I think another reason for this is the strong media support.
Biteki, Voce, and Maquia are considered to be the top-three mainstream magazines that focus on skincare and makeup. Also, among many others, FRAU runs a great Best of Beauty issue in November, and Makeup Magazine is a solid quarterly publication.)
Beauty magazines in Japan also have specific target age groups. The three main ones mentioned above are mainly for those in their thirties and late twenties, while the ones like Bea’s Up are for slightly younger readers.
In October, Kodansha (which publishes fashion magazines like With and Vivi) launched Voce Platinum, a sister magazine to Voce. The tagline is “beauty magazine for mature women”, which clearly indicates the target age group.
The tagline may not appeal to all readers, but, based on the pages on the Voce Platinum website, it seems that the magazine is essentially a slightly more upmarket version of the mainstream ones. (But I am sure there are features that specifically interest more mature readers.) Overall, I think this magazine will appeal to whoever is interested in quality beauty brands presented in a sophisticated and elegant editing style.
But I think the birth of this magazine does reflect a trend. Apart from the age makeup of the Japanese society, we have seen recent launches of both top-end and drugstore brands, such as like (Kanebo’s) CHICCA and (Shiseido’s) Integrate Gracy, which are targeted at the more mature customers. Voce Platinum fills in the gap in the market and will probably give these brands the coverage they deserve for a lot of readers.
I certainly hope the magazine does well, because variety benefits all of us in the long run.
Related Posts:
Biteki – My Ultimate Cosmetics Archive
Voce 10th Anniversary Monthly Feature
(image and info from www.urcosme.com)
Like many other Japanese brands, Jill Stuart will release a makeup set for the holiday season.
The set will include an eye palette (Vintage Glaze), a lip gloss (Deep Bordeaux), a solid perfume ring, a hand mirror, and a vintage-style clutch bag.
As with all the limited-edition holiday items from Jill Stuart, I think this set will sell exceptionally well. So far, the Jill Stuart holiday set I have is from 2005 and is the brand’s first holiday collection. It includes a shimmery face powder (similar to Guerlain Meteorites) and a lip gloss, packaged in a little round box. You can see the items (minus the box) here.
The set will be released in Japan on November 21st (according to Rouge Deluxe) and in Taiwan on December 1st.
Also, Jill Stuart released a base makeup set in Taiwan. The contents differ slightly from those in the Japanese release, but the clutch bag in the set is the same. Please see the photos of the actual items on this Taiwanese blog.
Related Posts:
Jill Stuart Cosmetics Available in US Soon
Jill Stuart Fall 2008 Makeup Collection
Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation
(image and info from www.urcosme.com)
(all images from www.cosme.net)
Sonia Rykiel will release its holiday 2008 collection in Japan on November 14th. The collection includes:
– Rouge à Lèvres (above, 3 variations)
– Ombre à Paupières Crème (2 shades)
– Nail Color L (3 shades)
– Poudre Visage (1 variation)
All items are limited editions. The rich and vibrant magenta-toned packaging is also unique to this collection, as the brand currently features striped cases that reflect the classic Sonia Rykiel designs.
Updated on October 23, 2008:
Please check out photos of all the shades available. (All images are from woman.excite.co.jp.)
Related Posts:
Beauty Brand Focus: Sonia Rykiel
Sonia Rykiel Fall 2008 Makeup Collection
(Sofina Primavista Powder Foundation Moist Touch:
Ochre 03 (left) and Ochre 05)
On September 1st, Sofina‘s Primavista was officially launched as Raycious went into history. Since Raycious had a solid fan base, I think many people have been looking forward to seeing how Primavista will live up to the expectation.
I received trial samples of Powder Foundation Moist Touch and the two primers (Smooth Coat Base and Bright Up Base) some time ago, and today I am sharing my thoughts on the foundation. (I will probably talk about the primers later.)
In short, if you like Raycious powder foundations (especially the later versions), you probably won’t have problems liking this one.
Regardless of how the powder is formulated and the new technologies involved in the production, Primavista’s first powder foundation performs similarly to ones from Raycious, in good ways and bad.
Generally, you will see the same strengths that made Raycious so popular. The staying power is very good and the color of the foundation does not turn dull overtime and pretty much lasts the whole day. However, the glowy finish might not suit people with oily skin or those who want powder foundations to work hard to make pores less visible. (This is the reason why I had to stop buying Raycious foundations as the later versions were too glowy for me.)
I use #22 in ZA Two-Way Foundation and find Ochre 05 a relatively good match.
Overall, I think this powder foundation will suit people with no problem with excessive sebum. But one interesting thing is that, back in the Raycious days, there were no powder foundations released for fall/winter. (It was always a liquid foundation.) So maybe we’ll see something slightly more matte and more sebum-absorbent in spring 2009. This fall/winter release is called Powder Foundation Moist Touch…maybe the spring/summer 2009 release will be (predictably) called Fresh Touch? We’ll see!
You can read another review of this foundation at Autumn Masquerade.
Related Posts:
Sofina Primavista Creamy Compact Foundation
Creating Your New(ish) Foundation Refill
Paul & Joe Fall 2008 Base Makup Collection
(all images from ecm-cosme.jp)
ECM is a relatively young brand launched around two years ago. Owned by Lissage Ltd. (which is part of the Kanebo Company), ECM is unique in the sense that it started out only with a base makeup line and then recently branched out to skincare.Now ECM also features a fragrance, but the brand is still best known by far for its array of
base makeup items, all packaged in deep magenta cases. The range includes primer, cream foundation, two-way foundation, loose powder, concealer (in cream and crayon forms), and a pressed powder specifically for covering pores.
(ECM base makeup lineup)
The first time that ECM caught my attention was in 2006 when its Tsuya Cream Foundation was chosen as Foundation of the Year by beauty experts for Japan’s FRAU magazine. One of the experts described it as “the queen of natural finish“.
(ECM Tsuya Cream Foundation)
I don’t usually wear a cream foundation, so I haven’t been very interested in it. But I think I will definitely check out the loose powder and the pore-covering pressed powder when I go to Japan again.
(ECM is available in Japan only, as far as I am aware. In Tokyo, it is available in Keio Shinjuku, Seibu Shibuya, and Seibu Yurakucho, among other places. The ECM website is for information only and does not offer on-line ordering.)
Related Posts:
Beauty Shopping Guide – Tokyo
Japanese Cosmetics Focus – Kanebo Freeplus
Japanese Cosmetics Focus – Sony Vecua
(continued from Part 1 & Part 2)
3. Maquillage
(images from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq/)
2008 is the year when Maquillage started to grow on me. The fall collection includes shades of purple, plum, gold, and gentle neutrals, which happen to be the shades I have been wearing the most lately. Later on I will be trying out Forming Shiny Eyes in 52 (seen above), with an alluring combination of purple and gold (with a pale pink cream base). The collection also features twelve new shades of Lasting Climax Rouge, which debuted in spring and has been selling well in Asia.
2. Lavshuca
(images from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca/)
When you don’t want to spend too much on makeup but still want quality and all the prettiness, you can almost always count on Lavshuca. A couple of items have been on my shopping list for a while (Dual Prism Eyes in PU-1 and Rouge Star Classics in (probably) PK-1). There are no limited-edition items in this collection so I will think about getting them after deciding which holiday 2008 items to have.
1. Coffret D’Or
For me, at this point, I think I can say that 2008 is the year of Coffret D’Or in terms of Japanese makeup. Launched just before the beginning of 2008 with a lot of expectation, Coffret D’Or has done well this year, both as T’Estimo’s successor, which continues to help shape the overall image of Kanebo, and for me as a makeup fan.
(images from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor/)
Coffret D’Or’s solid fall 2008 collection does what the line is supposed to do, which is to create beautifully wearable shades with dependable quality for a wide range of consumers, from those wearing makeup on a regular basis to those new to makeup. With a price point lower than those of brands like Lunasol, it does have its own advantage.
Coffret D’Or is still expanding, and I think in 2009 we will see more new products. (The point makeup range hasn’t included basic items such as pencil eyeliners, and there will probably be more base makeup products. I am expecting to see an under-eye concealer pen that Revue used to have.) I certainly hope it will be worth the wait.
Related Posts:
Loving Japanese Brands – Lavshuca
Coffret D’Or Trance Deep Eyes in Rose Variation
Coffret D’Or Trance Deep Eyes in Grey Variation
(all images from www.paul-joe-beaute.com)
Paul & Joe has updated its (English) website with full information on its holiday 2008 collection. Paul & Joe fans will be delighted to know that this is not a half-hearted collection, as there are a lot of goodies and collectibles! (I can’t believe it is coming close to a year since I bought the Lip Gloss N from Paul & Joe’s holiday 2007 collection.)
The collection includes:
– Body Fragrance Collection (two sets, limited editions, with Fragrance Body Powder, Solid Fragrance, Fragrance Body Cream, and Original Drawstring Bag)
– Eye Makeup Collection “Neige“
Eye Gloss N (5 shades)
Pearl Powder (5 shades)
Pencil Eye Liner (4 shades)
– Face Color & Lipstick Kit (two sets, limited edition, with Face Color M, Lipstick G and Original Pouch)
– The Red Velvet Collection (Lipstick L, limited edition, three shades)
– Cosmetic Pouch II and Body Treatment Oil
The Paul & Joe English site has swatches of all the colors available, so I shall leave you to explore the site!
According to Cosme.Net, the collection will be launched in Japan on November 7th. On the other hand, the Paul & Joe English site seems to suggest that it is out on October 1st (in some countries at least). I will certainly keep a close eye on the collection when I stop by the Paul & Joe counter next time.
Other Holiday 2008 Collections:
Chanel
Dior
YSL
(continued from Part 1)
6. Anna Sui
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of its makeup line, Anna Sui has brought out Makeup Color Collection D as well as a new range of nail colors. (Please check this post for relevant information and a link to some actual photos of the makeup set.) Pricey as it is, it is one of those ultimate collectible items and I think it will only get more expensive as we come across it on auction sites.
5. Paul & Joe
(image from www.paul-joe-beaute.com)
Paul & Joe has been releasing the seasonal Sparkles collections in the past few years with original prints from designer Sophie Albou’s fashion collections. I don’t always love all the prints or the colors, but I like the overall look of this collection. I had a chance to test the items at the counter, and almost all the colors are pleasantly elegant and wearable. I was thinking about buying the eyeshadow and the lipstick in the cases with the pink bouquet print, but I personally think the print photographs slightly better than it looks in reality.
You can check out this blog post for more photos of some of the items.
4. Kesalan Patharan
(image from www.kesalanpatharan.co.jp)
It is time to count down my favorite fall 2008 makeup collections. In the next week or two, as usual, I will present them in reverse order (in three posts).
10. Awake
(image from www.awake.co.jp)
Purple shades will probably always get my attention, and Awake‘s fall 2008 collection certainly is very purple. Apart from the eye palettes, Awake’s Moon Illusion collection includes lip glosses and nail colors, both of which feature a purple shade. This is a small seasonal lineup with a very coherent look.
You can see a review of some of the items from this collection at Autumn Masquerade.
9. Jill Stuart
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)
Packaging-wise, this is probably the prettiest makeup collection this season. The eyeshadow palette and blusher cases manage to look even more divine than the previous releases. But the color combinations are slightly predictable. Nevertheless, I will be looking forward to the spring 2009 collection.
Check out a review of some of the items (along with packaging comparison) at Musings of a Muse.
8. YSL
(images from www.ysl.com)
Even though I am disappointed with the Lilac Sky palette, which doesn’t suit me enough to worth a purchase, it doesn’t affect my view on this stunning-looking new range of 5-color eyeshadow palettes. The colors are rich and vibrant, with a mix of matte and shimmery shades. Whenever a magazine page features one of these, my eyes are usually immediately drawn to it.
7. Sonia Rykiel
(images from www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com)
Sonia Rykiel‘s Actrice fall 2008 collection aims to capture the sophisticated glamour of silver-screen heroines. The colors seem lively but still easy to wear. The Quatre Eyeshadow Collection in 01 and 04 feature a soft lilac and violet respectively, while the limited-edition 06 has gold and silver in one palette. I haven’t tried anything from Sonia Rykiel after they changed the packaging from deep silver cases to striped ones, and I will definitely keep a mental note on the eye palette series.
The countdown continues in Part 2 and Part 3.
Related Posts:
Summer 2008 Makeup Top 10 –
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
(both images from voce-platinum.jp)
