all about Japanese cosmetics

Brand New Makeup Line: Kanebo’s Twany Glamacy

by PJ on Sunday, April 6, 2008

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Glamacy, -Kanebo, -Twany, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Twany Glamacy)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/twany/newitem/glamacy/)

Sold in Japan, Twany is a beauty brand under Kanebo. It carries a wide range of products (skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrance, and dietary supplements). On April 16th, Twany will launch a new line of point (color) makeup, Glamacy. (I am not sure if Glamacy will replace Twany’s two existing point makeup lines, Century and Century Technical, but it doesn’t seem so.)

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

According to Nikkei Net, “Glamacy” is a combination of the words “glamor” and “supremacy”. The brand targets those in their thirties, and the items are more about bringing out the dimension of the face than about keeping up with the trends.

Their eyeshadows and blushers have already been featured in Biteki magazine (May 2008), and I am liking the look of the blushers.

(Twany Glamacy Cheek Color)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/twany/newitem/glamacy)

I, for one, don’t mind large cases at all, and I like blushers packaged like this. Both PK-01 and RS-01 look very wearable for me. I think PK-01 is a definite maybe……

Other recent brand launches:

From Kanebo: CHICCA & Coffret D’Or

From Kao: EST (Point Makeup)

From Kosé: Magie Deco

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Maquillage Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, April 4, 2008

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

(Maquillage summer 2008 collection)
(image from www.cosme.net)

Maquillage will launch the summer 2008 collection on May 21st. The collection includes:

– Nail Color: 4 new shades
– Full Vision Mascara: waterproof, 1 shade
– Full Vision Lash Base
– Mascara Combing Remover
– Nail Protect & White
– Cuticle Dry Oil

I think the interesting item from this collection is the Mascara Combing Remover. It is designed to remove waterproof mascara and probably works best with the new Full Vision Mascara.

(Mascara Combing Remover)
(image from www.cosme.net)

It seems that the attached comb is used to brush the remover liquid from the tube onto the lashes to dissolve the waterproof mascara. It will be interesting to hear about how well it works.

Other summer 2008 collections:

Dior

Magie Deco

EST

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RMK Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, April 4, 2008

in -RMK, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(RMK Eye Crayon)
(image from www.cosme.net)

(RMK Gloss Crayon)
(image from www.cosme.net)

If these items seem familiar to you, it is because RMK released both Gloss Crayons and Eye Crayons in spring and fall 2003 respectively.

Back then, the Eye Crayons were all neutral shades and most of the Gloss Crayons were very vibrant. This time, the eye colors are softer and the gloss shades seem a little deeper.

The RMK summer 2008 collection will also include two new nail colors.

They will be launched in Japan on May 16th and should be available in the UK a month after that.

Japanese Beauty Brands in the UK
(with information on how to buy from some of them from outside the UK)

RMK Cleansing Oil N
(one of my favorite cleansing products)

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CHICCA Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, April 4, 2008

in -Chicca, -Kanebo, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

CHICCA will launch the summer 2008 collection in Japan on May 7th. The collection includes:

– Enthralling Powder Eye Shadow: 6 new shades, 4 of which limited editions
– Enthralling Powder Eyeliner: 1 new shade
– Enthralling Gel Eyeliner: 1 new shade
– Enticing Lipstick: 5 new shades
– Enticing Lip Gloss: 2 new shades
– Beauty Light Body Glow: new item, 2 shades

CHICCA, a top-end beauty brand under Kanebo, was launched in Japan on March 5th. It is already seen in Biteki’s (May 2008) mini-feature on three classy high-end beauty brands (along with Clé de Peau and SUQQU).

The summer 2008 collection mainly includes new shades of existing items. I am still waiting for CHICCA to release items like powder blusher and loose powder, which are items I often buy from a new brand. We’ll see what happens in fall…

CHICCA Launches in March 2008
(with a brief brand profile)

SUQQU: Sensuality with an Attitude
(a profile on this popular high-end brand in Japan)

Clé de Peau Spring 2008 Collection
(soft and feminine)

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Update: EST, Magie Deco and Cosme Decorte AQ Summer 2008 Collections

by PJ on Monday, March 31, 2008

in -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Est, -Kao, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, -Sofina, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

My posts on the EST, Magie Deco, and Cosme Decorte AQ summer 2008 collections have been updated to include additional images and information.

Have a look!

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Shimmering Away – Paul & Joe Pressed Powder

by PJ on Sunday, March 30, 2008

in -Paul & Joe, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder, stash focus

(Paul & Joe Pressed Powder in 03)

Like the Paul & Joe Loose Powder and Light Cream Foundation, I bought this at half price during the winter sale in London.

As I have mentioned previously, Paul & Joe’s foundations are known for being sheer and ultra-natural. This item is no exception.

03 is a translucent pale beige that goes on relatively sheer. The powder is sooth and fine, and it has a fair amount of shimmer. Even though the shimmer is very fine, I feel that it works a lot better for me as a highlighter than as an overall finishing powder. Since my face develops shine quite easily, a shimmery pressed powder can make shine look even more obvious. But for people with drier skin or for those who want extra luminosity, this shimmery (and by no means glittery) pressed powder could work well as a finishing powder.

Apart from using it as a subtle highlighter, I also like to dust a bit of it in the eye area to add a touch of luminosity.

Compared with the Loose Powder, the Pressed Powder is slightly more opaque and has a little more shimmer.

What is a little different about the kind of shimmer used in Paul & Joe’s base makeup items is that it is a pale gold shimmer of various subtle (but visible) tones (very pale pink, peach, green, blue,…). I have come across Paul & Joe counter leaflets that describe this shimmer as “nine-color gold powder”. Recently the Paul & Joe English website has named it “Secret D’Or“, which consists of “select varieties of champagne gold frost, each with different, subtle overtones and light reflective properties”.

I tried to capture the multi-color shimmer on camera:

(Please click on the image to see a much larger version.)

This kind of multi-color shimmer is quite subtle but is still visible up-close. Overall it does create a relatively natural luminosity that is in tune with the ultra-natural essence of Paul & Joe’s base makeup range. (Obviously many other brands feature something similar, but Paul & Joe uses this multi-color shimmer uniformly in their base makeup items, from primers to loose powder, in various amounts.)

However, for me, a downside of this pressed powder is that it is not particularly good at diffusing the appearance of pores. As a finishing powder for the whole face, I’d prefer something more matte and with a better pore coverage.

(At the moment, the Pressed Powder has almost been completely phased out (hence the discount) and is replaced by Pressed Powder N. I have tested the new version at the counter, and it seems that it is not drastically different. The powder is still relatively sheer, and the multi-color shimmer is still there.)

Loving Japanese Brands – Paul & Joe
(my personal take on Paul & Joe)

Paul & Joe Foundation Primer N
(one of my favorite primers)

Sofina Raycious Pressed Powder
(more matter and with better pore coverage)

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Update: Majolica Majorca & Coffret D’Or Summer 2008 Collections

by PJ on Saturday, March 29, 2008

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, -Majolica Majorca, -Shiseido, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

My posts on Majolica Majorca‘s and Coffret D’Or‘s summer 2008 collections have been updated to include additional images.

Have a look, and enjoy!

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Anna Sui & Jill Stuart Latest Foundation Cases

by PJ on Thursday, March 27, 2008

in -Anna Sui, -Jill Stuart, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation, makeup - base makeup - powder, stash focus

Today I am sharing two latest additions to my foundation case collection.

First up is the case of Anna Sui‘s Loose Compact Powder UV, which is part of Anna Sui’s spring/summer 2008 base makeup release. This case is for the new loose powder refills and is designed to make Anna Sui’s loose powder slightly more travel-friendly. (Remember that Anna Sui’s original large loose powder case doesn’t have a screw lid and is very tricky to travel with.)

Even though white is my least favorite color for Anna Sui’s packaging, I like the thickness of the case compared with other Anna Sui’s foundation compacts.

The case comes with a purple powder puff which is very soft to the touch.

Please notice that the sift is included in the refill and not in the case. So this is not the kind of portable loose powder case in which you can put your own loose powder. But, size-wise, all the round Anna Sui foundation refills can fit into this case.

Next is the Jill Stuart‘s Powder Foundation Compact S, which is released with the new Smooth Skin Powder Foundation. Compared with the original Powder Foundation Case (released in spring 2006), the new case has a different design for the lid and features a charm with floral details.

Let’s see the two designs side by side. The spring 2006 case is on the left and the spring 2008 one is on the right:

All the Jill Stuart powder foundation and pressed powder refills are the same size, and the cases are sold separately. So what case to pick when you purchase a Jill Stuart foundation refill is entirely up to you.

Furthermore, since both Anna Sui and Jill Stuart (and Paul & Joe as well) commission Kosé (which owns Albion, commissioned by Anna Sui and Paul & Joe) to produce the makeup (and skincare) line, all their round foundation refills can fit into all cases.

My case collection does take up a bit of space. But, for me, it is a slightly less pricey way to chart the development of a brand’s image and there is no need to worry about products expiring. I shall continue to pick up the cases I like from my favorite brands.

More cases:

Sofina Raycious Foundation Case Galore

My Anna Sui Foundation Case Collection

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Shiseido Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844

by PJ on Tuesday, March 25, 2008

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(Shiseido Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844)

I haven’t really been very interested in Maquillage since it was launched in fall 2005. But sometimes, it only takes one item to start my interest in a makeup line, and you are looking at it now.

Maquillage replaced PN (the color makeup line) and Proudia (the base makeup line) and was what Shiseido called a “Super Brand”. The expectation at the time was extremely high, since PN, in particular, was very successful at bringing young people to Shiseido and rescuing the brand’s then aging image. Over the last couple of years, Maquillage, with a more mature image, has proven to be delivering the sales figures.

For those of you that might not be familiar with the multi-layered branding concept in Japanese cosmetics, Maquillage is not a fully fledged brand and is simply the name of Shiseido’s main color/base makeup line. It does not have its own counters and is sold at Shiseido counters in Japan and some other Asian countries (where you will find many other lines like Elixir Superior (skincare/base makeup), UVWhite (whitening), Anessa (suncare), Revital (anti-aging), and Beauty Voltage (youth skincare)).

Back to Maquillage. Since I have been very interested in lilac for the past year or so, I am often excited to see lilac being featured as the main eyeshadow color for a seasonal collection. For spring 2008, this look (modeled by Ebihara Yuri, one of the four brand ambassadors for Maquillage) really grabbed my attention.

(image from www.shiseido.co.jp)

(from www.shiseido.co.jp

via xuzer at Dailymoiton)

After checking some more images of this palette on-line and on magazines, I decided to try it.

Initially, being (a bit overly) excited to try a lilac that was much cooler than most of the other lilacs I had, I used it as the main shade on my eyelids and I used the silvery grey around my lash line. It didn’t work well. Worn alone, the lilac is almost too pale for my eye area and the whole look is not optimally flattering.

When I tried the palette for the second time, I wore the silvery grey as the main color with most of the lilac showing through from underneath and around the silvery grey. This time, it worked a lot better.

A couple of days ago, I happened to find the following application steps on the Shiseido website. They show more or less how I used the palette for the second time. (They are similar to those on the back of the outer packaging of the palette, but the images below give a clearer idea.)

(image from www.shiseido.co.jp)

My own shade descriptions:
1. sheer white with mainly pale multi-color shimmer and relatively little pigment
2. pale blue-ish lilac with very fine and subtle shimmer and an overall satiny finish
3. silvery grey with a semi-metallic shimmery finish and a very slight warm copper undertone
4. dark matte charcoal with very sparse shimmer

With some eye palettes from Japanese brands, the second darkest shade is usually meant to be worn under the crease. But I think one of the best ways to use this palette is to follow the steps above and use the second darkest shade (silvery grey) both under and around the crease and over most of the lilac applied beforehand. (If you don’t have a crease, use the silvery grey as the main shadowing shade over the lilac, which is applied on a slightly broader area on the lids.)

The key is to layer the two shades. Since the silvery grey has a touch of sheerness, the lilac is able to show through and the two colors together create a lovely and subtle depth for the eyes.

Since many eye palettes in Japanese brands are named after the main shade, I was later able to understand why this is a (well-justified) SV (Silver) palette and not a VI (violet), which I did wonder initially. (Note: Kanebo brands would use PU (purple) instead of VI.)

The practical strengths are there as well. The powder is smooth and goes on easily, and the colors are long-lasting.

Essentially, this is a silvery-grey palette with lilac as the accent color. The concept is different from that of my other lilac palettes with gradations of lilacs. For me as a lilac lover, this alone makes the palette worth purchasing. (But I do have to control my fondness for lilac and try not to over-layer it!)

The “silver-greyish lilac” look it creates is subtle and natural, as you see in the ads. It is very good for daily wear. If you want a more dramatic look, layering the silvery grey and putting more emphasis on the dark charcoal will easily give you a smoky effect.

(By the way, in the ad, Ebihara Yuri is also using the new Gel Liner in SV854.)

I did spend quite a few weeks deciding whether to buy this palette or not. But I am very glad I did!

My other two lilac palettes for spring 2008:

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in 04

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

Other related posts:

Must-Try Look for Spring 2008

Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report

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Majolica Majorca Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, March 21, 2008

in -Majolica Majorca, -Shiseido, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Majolica Majorca 2008 summer collection)
(image from www.biteki.com)

Majolica Majorca will release the summer 2008 collection in Japan on April 26th. The collection includes:

Powder Heat Metallic: 1 shade (limited edition)
Lash Heat Metallic: 1 shade (limited edition)

My last Majolica Majorca purchase was about two years ago. Since then, I haven’t been impressed by their seasonal releases. The summer 2008 collection is still not cutting it for me…

Interestingly, I haven’t bought anything from Majolica Majorca since Lavshuca was launched in spring 2006. At least for the past two years, I think Lavshuca does cute a lot better than Majolica Majorca…

Updated on March 29, 2008:

Here is another photo of the Majolica Majorca summer 2008 collection, which includes the three limited-edition nail colors.