all about Japanese cosmetics

To Buy or Not To Buy – Anna Sui Makeup Color Collection D

by PJ on Thursday, June 19, 2008

in -Anna Sui, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Anna Sui Makeup Color Collection D)

(image from www.cosme.net)

Can I afford this?

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the launch of Anna Sui Cosmetics, a special Makeup Color Collection D will be released in Japan on August 21st. (New nail colors will also be released then.)

The collection includes the brand’s past signature and popular items all in one ornate (and very Anna Sui) set (eyeshadow, face color, lip color, lip balm, powder puff, lip brush, and eyeshadow tip & brush). It measures 21.6cm (length) x 20.0cm (width) x 19.0cm (height).

18,900 JPY is the price tag, which is about 175 USD and 89 GBP. Even though we may say that it is not that expensive if we break down the cost to all products included (and the one-off packaging), a makeup set that costs this much money is always going to be a considered purchase.

I am sure this is a dream come true for many serious Anna Sui fans. It is the ultimate collector’s item, with Anna Sui’s signature look all over it.

But this rather large set is not something you can put anywhere you like. Also, there is almost no point in buying it and storing it away. It has to be very proudly displayed to show your love of Anna Sui.

As much as I really like the look of it, I am not sure I would go for it. Apart from the price, I have no good space on my dressing table at the moment to do this set justice. Also, I would probably hesitate to use any of the colors, making this a very pricey can-admire-but-can’t-touch collectible. I would probably rather spend the money on things I will actually use……

Updated on July 23, 2008:

More images of Makeup Color Collection D:

(image from www.iswii.net)

Upper drawer: puff and brushes
Middle drawer: two blushers and three eyeshadows
Lower drawer: four lip colors and one lip balm

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Updated on September 4th, 2008:

Please check out this blog post to enjoy some actual photos of this set.

Loving Japanese Brand – Anna Sui

We Love Anna Sui – Limited-Edition Official Book

Anna Sui’s Sui Gloss in 100

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Summer 2008 Makeup Top 10 (Part 2)

by PJ on Wednesday, June 18, 2008

in -Glamacy, -Magie Deco, -Sonia Rykiel, -Twany, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

(continued from Part 1)

6. Twany Glamacy

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/twany)

Kanebo’s Twany Glamacy is about classic basics, and this summer 2008 lineup is the line’s launch collection. Within the basic shades, I like the way the line gets into the specifics. Among the pale shades for the eye area, Eyecolor UB (Under-Brow) is for highlighting the brow bone while Eyecolor UE (Under-Eye) is for the inner corner of the eye and the immediate under-eye area. It is all about getting the everyday look right, and I enjoy the brand’s sense of precision and the attention to detail.

5. Sonia Rykiel

(Divines Vacances:
Sonia Rykiel’s summer 2008 collection)
(image from www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com)

Sonia Rykiel‘s beauty line is sold in Asia and has been doing well over the years. Its colorful summer 2008 collection includes eyeshadow trios, cream eyeliners, and nail colors (all limited editions). Some of these vibrant shades do stand out among the neutrals for this season.

The eyeshadow trios are very petite and should be the same size as their Mono Eyeshadows, and they are great for travelling light. (Divine indeed……)

4. Magie Deco

(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

Besides Twany Glamacy’s debut collection, Magie Deco‘s summer 2008 lineup is also quite extensive, with eye palettes, cream eyeshadows, lipsticks, lip glosses, eyeliners, mascaras, and nail colors. (Please check out the latter link above for more information and to see the seasonal makeup look.)

Two new palettes join the Shadow Brilliance lineup, one warmer and one cooler:

(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

So far, I have been liking the color combinations of Magie Deco’s Shadow Brilliance palettes. The line has stayed away from tone-on-tone palettes that many Japanese makeup lines constantly come up with, which does give the line an edge. Even though I do like nice tone-on-tone palettes, it is great to see some originality.

Please check back later for my thoughts on the top three!

Other summer 2008 collections:

Jill Stuart

Kate

Majolica Majorca

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Summer 2008 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

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.

Spring 2008 Makeup Top 10
(Part 1, 2, and 3)

Loving Japanese Brand – Anna Sui

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EST Fall 2008 Collection

by PJ on Monday, June 16, 2008

in -Est, -Kao, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

The Kao-owned EST will release its fall 2008 collection in Japan on July 26th. The collection includes:

– Emotional Aura Eyes (3 new variations)

(Updated on June 24, 2008: According to Cosme.Net, the three new variations are khaki x beige, purple x grey, and brown x blue.)

– Emotional Aura Lips (3 new shades)

– Advanced Lips (8 shades)

– Double Side Mascara (2 shades)

– Pencil Eyeliner (2 shades)

(all images from i-voce2.com)

Please note that Advanced Lips is a new product and is different from the Emotional Aura Gloss released for EST’s summer 2008 collection.

EST is a brand that I have been very interested in. I nearly decided to buy the Emotional Aura Pact and one of the Emotional Aura Eyes palettes, but I decided to hold on a little more since they are not limited-edition items. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of their fall lineup. Maybe I am not too far away from meeting EST in person…

Updated on June 25, 2008:

Image of the 3 new Emotional Aura Eyes palettes and Advanced Lips:

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Capturing Your Emotional Beauty
(a brand profile on EST, Kao’s most sophisticated makeup line)

Sofina Aube’s Late Summer/ Early Fall 2008 Collection
(with an updated link to swatches)

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Agyness Deyn for Shiseido Maquillage

by PJ on Saturday, June 14, 2008

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Agyness Deyn for Shiseido Maquillage Fall 2008)
(image from Shiseido via www.iswii.net)

On an earlier post, I mentioned that British model Agyness Deyn will join the four Japanese brand ambassadors for Maquillage‘s fall 2008 campaign. The collection features collaboration with British fashion designer Christopher Kane, including 6 of the 12 new shades of Lasting Climax Rouge.

Here is the first look at one of the ad images, featuring two fall 2008 items, Forming Shiny Eyes in 55 and Lasting Climax Rouge in BE305. According to Iswii, Agyness Deyn will continue to appear on Maquillage’s seasonal collection ads.

Apart from the new Lasting Climax Rouge shades, the Maquillage fall 2008 collection will also include Forming Shiny Eyes (5 variations), Designer Cheek Colors (two shades), and Soft Brow Liner (3 shades.)

The collection will be released in Japan on July 21st. Later, on August 21st, a new powder foundation case designed by Christopher Kane will be released.

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes in SV844

Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310

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Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Kanebo Freeplus

by PJ on Friday, June 13, 2008

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Freeplus, -Kanebo, all about Japanese cosmetics, skincare

(Kanebo Freeplus)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/freeplus/)

Very early on (in my post Japanese vs. Western), I have mentioned that even though I have a passion for Japanese makeup products, I don’t particularly prefer Japanese skincare products over western ones. My biggest complaint is that many Japanese toners and moisturizers have alcohol and that some have way too much of it. This is why Kanebo‘s Freeplus seems like a welcome breath of fresh air to me.

Freeplus is a mid-range skincare line sold at the Kanebo counter (in Japan and some other Asian regions), alongside many other skincare lines targeted at different needs and age groups. The line appeals to people with sensitive skin which reacts negatively to common irritants.

(Shiseido’s equivalent (skincare line for sensitive skin) is d program.) The line also features base makeup products.

According to the brand’s website, the name “Freeplus” represents the two major aspects of the products:

“FREE“:

All products are free from parabens, fragrance, and chemical sunscreen ingredients, and most (skincare) products are free from alcohol, colourants, and mineral oil. (The four products that still have alcohol are Fresh Soap Bar, Acne Spots, UV Day Protector, and UV Body Protector.)

“PLUS“:

The products are formulated with six oriental herbal extracts (Chinese date (jujube), citrus unshiu peel, cape jasmine (gardenia jasminoides, also known as gardenia florida)), Japanese honeysuckle, peach kernel, and job’s tears). They are supposed to moisturize the skin and support its protective barrier. (These claims are mainly for your reference, since beauty companies make all kinds of claims, some of which have no scientific backup. But a brief mention of cape jasmine follows below.)

The item I have tried from Freeplus is Comfortable Lotion 1, which is a toner for combination and oily skin. It is colorless and has a near-water consistency which is very mildly emollient. It is one of the most calming and soothing toners I have used ever since I started using skincare products (along with Lancôme Tonique Douceur, Shu Uemura Refreshing Lotion (discontunued), and AYURA Balancing Primer AF1 (also discontinued)).

One thing worth mentioning is that the fragrance in the herbal extracts mentioned above seems to have been removed during the manufacturing process, as the toner doesn’t have any scent. This is good for people with sensitive skin, as fragrance (artificial or natural, such as that in fragrant plant oils like lavender oil) can be a possible skin irritant. (According to Paula Begoun, gardenia florida extract can be an antioxidant but its fragrant component can be irritating for some. Based on the (lack of) perceivable scent, it seems to me that most of the fragrant components in the plant extracts in the products have been removed.)

The Comfortable Loiton 1 is now called Barrier Repair Lotion 1 and the packaging differs very slightly. I have not tried this, but I believe it should be virtually the same product. The main traits and the plant extracts used remain the same.

For the past few years, in terms of skincare, I try to use what is available here in the UK. (It is much easier to keep everything in stock. Plus I get to earn Boots points.) But when I go to Japan next time, I think I will definitely pick up Barrier Lotion 1 and perhaps some other Freeplus products.

Updated on July 14th, 2008:

You can read a review of Freeplus’ loose powder on Autumn Masquerade.

Updated on November 16th, 2011:

Information on Freeplus’ skincare renewal.

Recent Beauty Focus Posts:

Elégance

Sony Vecua

Sonia Rykiel

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Love Clover PonPonCheek PC N

by PJ on Thursday, June 12, 2008

in -Love Clover, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - blusher

(Sony B&C Laboratories
Love Clover PonPon Cheek PC N)
(image from woman.excite.co.jp)

Love Clover, like Makemania and Vecua, is a Japanese beauty brand co-owned by Sony. The drugstore brand has a very young and girlie feel.

Love Clover currently features two adorable-looking blushers, PonPonCheek N and PonPonCheek PC. On June 5th, the brand released PonPonCheek PC N, which is a two-toned blusher. It is available in 4 shades.

Love Clover is a brand that I have been interested in but haven’t bought from. I will certainly share my thoughts on their products if I pick up some later!

My Makeup Shopping List for Japan
(featuring Love Clover and other brands)

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush

Albion Eprise Water Face Color

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A Class Act: SUQQU Creamy Lipstick

by PJ on Thursday, June 12, 2008

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - lip color, stash focus

(SUQQU Creamy Lipstick in 22 Benikoji)

Ever since I visited the SUQQU counter (English site here) in London’s Selfridges for the first time, the brand has a special place in my makeup-loving heart.

The quality of some of their makeup items is sublime. Apart from their base makeup products, which SUQQU is renowned for, the texture of their eyeshadows and blushers (and the way the powder melts into the skin) is unparalleled. (I am just waiting for a lilac palette to be released…)

(However, some SUQQU’s skincare products feature excessive alcohol. I personally don’t recommend them.)

Today I am focusing on the SUQQU Creamy Lipstick I have. I very briefly mentioned it earlier, but I think this item more than deserves its own post.

The defining characteristic of SUQQU’s Creamy Lipsticks is the wonderfully rich emolliency. It feels very creamy (but not heavy) on the lips and the color glides on with tremendous ease. Out of all my lipsticks, this one is the most moisturizing. (But I do still always apply a lip balm underneath all lipsticks and lip glosses. It has been a habit of mine for years.) Even when my lips are sometimes not as conditioned as they normally are, especially in winter, the color still goes on quite evenly.

#22 Benikoji is a soft beige pink. I don’t really like nude lipsticks, and this shade is probably as nude as I would ever go. It is moderately pigmented but can be layered for more intensity, and it has no multi-colored micro shimmer that a lot of lipsticks from Japanese brands have. It goes on slightly lighter and imparts a beautiful sheen that does not look greasy. The soft sheen looks classy and understated.

The moisture, finish and color are all long-lasting. Also, for me, apart from the lovely color, this lipstick makes the lips both look and feel ultimately conditioned.

The Creamy Lipstick costs 5250 yen in Japan (about 50 USD) and 24 pounds in the UK. It is expensive, but, for the outstanding quality, I think it is worth it. I have not been planning on getting another color (since I would love to have a SUQQU eye palette first), but I would still be interested in getting a slightly darker and cooler lipstick color.

If you are going to Japan, Thailand, or the UK this summer (SUQQU is currently only available in these three countries), do have a look at SUQQU’s items. You can find all the current SUQQU retail points in the three countries here.

– Please head over to Autumn Masquerade for a brief review of Blend Eyeshadow palette in #06 Touryoku from SUQQU’s spring 2008 collection.

– If you are interested (and read Chinese), please check out this great post on various SUQQU makeup products, including the Creamy Lipstick. I fully agree with the writer that, again, even though this lipstick is expensive, it is absolutely worth it.

SUQQU Breaks Records
(a brand profile with my personal take)

SUQQU Makeup Base Creamy & Brightup

SUQQU Spring 2008 Collection

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Japanese Cosmetics Brand Profile – New Category Added

by PJ on Wednesday, June 11, 2008

in all about Japanese cosmetics, announcement

A new post category, Japanese Brand Profile, has been added to the “Read by Topics” list on my blog sidebar.

Under this category, you will find my recent brand-focus posts, posts on news of brand launches, and others where I briefly profile a brand within a product review.

The posts in my Loving Japanese Brands series, which highlights my seven favorite Japanese beauty brands, are also placed in this category for your ease of navigation.

More posts will be added to this category as I continue to highlight other Japanese beauty brands. Some future posts include profiles on Kanebo Freeplus (up later this week), Ettusais, Kesalan Patharan, Lissage, and ECM. Please stay tuned!

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Kanebo Lissage Fall 2008 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, June 11, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lissage, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(part of Lissage’s fall 2008 collection)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

The currently Kanebo-owned Lissage was launched in 1992 and remained a predominantly skincare-focused (high-end) brand. (The pricings are similar to Lunasol’s.) Last fall, the brand went through a revamp and a readjustment of brand focus, and its products have been getting more print media coverage in Japan.

(Lissage Ltd. also owns ECM and Bath Tours. I will post more detailed brand profiles of Lissage and ECM later on.)

On August 16th, Lissage will launch its fall 2008 makeup collection, which includes:

– Nuance Fit Eyes (eye palette): 4 variations
– Long Curl Mascara: 1 shade
– Long Curl Mascara Base: 1 shade
– Contrast Eyeliner: 2 shades
– Slim Eyebrow: 3 shades
– Creamy Fit Rouge: 6 shades
– Lip Base Liner: 3 shades
– Lip Repair Serum
– Blush Veil: 2 new shades

(The holders of Contrast Eyeliner, Slim Eyebrow and Lip Base Liner refills are sold separately.)

(Lissage Blush Veil for spring 2008)
(image from www.lissage.jp)

Many Japanese makeup lines are quite specific about the consumers they are trying to appeal to. Somewhat similar to Twany Glamacy, the Lissage point makeup line focuses on understated basics that suit makeup-wearing consumers in corporate settings in Japan that tend to go for clean and low-key colors (as well as packaging).

Items of these two brands might not look as impressive on magazine pages as those from the dreamy Jill Stuart and the trend-setting Dior, but I think they do have a reasonably wide appeal to those who (have to) wear makeup on a daily basis but don’t necessarily use makeup to express themselves in certain sterile office environments. If you regularly stock up trust-worthy essentials, this line is worth following up on.

Fall 2008 collections from other Kanebo-owned brands/lines:

CHICCA

Lavshuca

Kate

Coffret D’Or (early fall 2008 collection)

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