all about Japanese cosmetics

Esprique Precious Fall 2007 Collection (Featuring Gemma Ward)

by PJ on Friday, July 6, 2007

in -Esprique (Precious), -Kosé, 2007 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

Here is a preview of Esprique Precious fall 2007 collection ad campaign. The spokesperson is still the very popular Gemma Ward.

The collection includes lipsticks, liquid lip colors, lip liners, single-color eyeshadows, and eyeshadow palettes. There will also be new foundation products, including liquid foundations, powder foundations, and two primers.

The collection is officially out in Japan on August 21.

Even though I am not a Gemma Ward fan, I do think Kose picked a spokesperson who successfully appealed to the target consumers and created buzz for the line.

Watch her TV ads here and here.

Related post: Gemma Ward Fronts New Cosmetics Line in Japan

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Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1

by PJ on Friday, July 6, 2007

in -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, 2007 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - blusher, stash focus

(pictured: my Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1)

I’ve realized that, even though my blog is called A Touch of Blusher, this is actually the first time I am properly reviewing a blusher (even though I have mentioned Lavshuca’s blushers in my seasonal top-10 countdown). I promise there will be more to come. (I do have quite a few of them…)

Lavshuca’s Cheek Color is part of its summer 2007 collection. There are four different shades.

The one I got is PK-1, which is a slightly cool pink. It has that usual Lavshuca packaging. Very cute and princessy.

The finish is predominantly matte, which is what I usually go for.

The pigmentation is medium to sheer. If you love to sport very rosy cheeks, you might want to pass them up because the layering might take forever. But if you prefer a light blush on your cheeks, this would be a great choice. I’d also say this is one of those perfect daytime blusher shades. It is very natural and should go with most colors you wear.

If you happen to have both Cheek Color and Cheek Select (which Lavshuca released last year), please do let me know how they compare with each other. I have heard some negative comments on Cheek Select regarding its complete lack of pigmentation. I suspect that some people might say the same about Cheek Color. (I already know a friend of mine who did.) I am quite interested in knowing which one people prefer.

I have not tried Cheek Select but I like the Cheek Color that I have. The slightly cool pink is just right for my skin-tone and I like both the finish and the level of pigmentation.

More lovely items like this from Lavshuca, please…

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Lilac Bouquet: Kanebo T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes Palette

by PJ on Sunday, July 1, 2007

in -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -T'Estimo, 2007 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(pictured: my Kanebo T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes in 03)
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I have mentioned a couple of times that I am loving lilac/mauve/lavender eyeshadows. After I have tried Jill Stuart’s Brilliance Eyes palette (04 Gem Amethyst), I went for this Kanebo T’Estimo palette (part of the T’Estimo spring 2007 collection). This is actually the first T’Estimo item I bought, and I love it!

Mono-color gradation eye palettes have been very popular in Japan in 2007. Apart from Kanebo T’Estimo, Jill Stuart, and Lavshuca (Eye Color Select), there are also similar creations from Shiseido Maquillage (Clean Contrast Eyes) and Sofina Aube (Jewelry Shower Eyes).

This one by T’Estimo is gorgeous. (The range includes 4 palettes.) The far right slot is a cream eyeliner. This is the only cream eyeliner that I have at the moment, so I don’t know how it compares with popular ones by Stila, MAC, and Bobbi Brown. But I have no problem with it myself. It goes on smoothly and doesn’t smudge. (I am also okay with the little applicator for the liner. Though fiddly at times, it allows me to get very close to the mirror.)

The middle two shades are actually very different from each other. (From almost all the photos I have seen, they appear to be quite similar.) The right one of the two is much darker, as you can probably see from one of the corners near the eyeliner (the part my brush has been dipping into).

So, from the highlighter (with a touch of lilac sparkles) to the deep purple eyeliner and with the two perfect shades in between, this palette is great for creating both a fresh daytime look and a smoky evening look.

I’ll compare it with Jill Stuart’s Brilliance Eyes (in 04 Gem Amethyst), as both are purple-based palettes:

Pigmentation:
The T’Estimo one is certainly more pigmented, especially the shade next to the eyeliner. The Jill Stuart one is noticeably sheerer.

Shimmer:
Both are full of it, but the Jill Stuart one is more glittery than just shimmery (with larger multi-color sparkles). I think for big glitters, people either love it or hate it. But, used effectively, the Jill Stuart one can really make the eyes pop and give your eyes a floaty and airy ambiance.

Shade:
The T’Estimo palette has a wider range of shades (from the lightest to the darkest). It is much easier to achieve a smoky-eye look with it.

Versatility:
Even though the colors in the Jill Stuart palette are sheerer, it might be more suitable for evening makeup (unless you don’t mind big glitters in daytime). The Kanebo one is perhaps more versatile in this respect.

So, there you go. I love both and I have tried mixing colors from the two. They complement each other well and I can create even more looks and more sophisticated finishes. Fantastic!

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Sneak Peek: Fall 2007 Collections from Kate, Lavshuca, and Tiffa

by PJ on Sunday, July 1, 2007

in -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, 2007 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

Kanebo has updated its website to include the report (and photos) from the pre-launch party for some of its makeup lines: Kate, Lavshuca, and Tiffa.

Everything looks yummy…and I am still loving Lavshuca’s lip colors and eyeshadow palettes.

Relate Post:
The Search for the Perfect Pout Is Over?! Lavshuca Fall 2007 Collection

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My First Poll: What Are Your Favorite Japanese Makeup Lines?

by PJ on Wednesday, June 27, 2007

in all about Japanese cosmetics, announcement, makeup, readers' polls

I’d like to invite all of you to vote on my first-ever poll (more polls to come). Please find it on the side bar.

If I miss any of your favorite lines, drop a comment and let me know!

Poll closes on July 8th. I will post the result here. So come back and see which line takes the crown!

Edited on July 8th, 2007:
See the results here!

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PJ’s Top 10: Summer 2007 Makeup Roundup (#4 – #6)

by PJ on Tuesday, June 26, 2007

in -Kanebo, -Shu Uemura, 2007 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

(continued from the previous post)

—————#6: Shu Uemura————————-

The Look: Juxtaposition of warm and cool hues.

Key Items: Sunrise Prism and Sunset Prism Eyeshadow Palettes. (Another interpretation of the sunrise/sunset theme is Chanel’s two Contraste Lumiere palettes, billed as “dawn and day” in Japan.) Not as bold as MAC’s C-Shock Collection, they are still richer than most pastel shades around. The combinations of colors are very interesting and enticing (turquoise, emerald and yellow for Sunrise Prism and orange, lilac, and gold for Sunset Prism). I’d be tempted to mix the colors from the two eye-catching palettes.

—————#5: Lavshuca————————-

The Look: A Touch of Blusher (Umm……)

Key Items: Cheek Colors. If you like to go heavy on the blusher, then they might not be right for you. (They do layer fine, but it takes time.) They impart a light wash of color. It is predominantly matte, which I like as well.

(I am not really sure how these are compared with the striped Cheek Select, which, from what I have gathered, is too sheer for most people’s liking. I think the Cheek Colors are probably more pigmented, as they certainly can’t be used as an overall face powder…)

—————#4: Lunasol————————-

The Look: Azure eyes.

Key Item: Skin Modeling Eyes in EX02 Beige Cool. This is a great palette for creating the hot look of this season: blue eyes. Instead of the bright and bold cobalt blue, the palette features a light pastel blue and a deeper and more understated dark blue. A very wearable blue eye palette.

To be continued……(see who wins the medals…)

Related Posts:
Lunasol Summer 2007 Collection
Lavshuca Summer 2007 Collection

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PJ’s Top 10: Summer 2007 Makeup Roundup (#7 – #10)

by PJ on Sunday, June 24, 2007

in -Kanebo, 2007 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

(Pictured: my summer 2007 makeup additions)

This week, I will present three posts that round up 2007’s summer collections, in the form of my usual Top Ten list.

We’ll start from number 10 today:

—————#10: Kate ——————–

The Look: Glistening and iridescent eyes.

Key Items: Loose Eyeshadows. All the four shades (pink, blue, gold, and silver) are quite light. The emphasis is on the sparkles. Loose eyeshadows are not commonly seen for budget brands in Japan (Majolica Majorca did have some in spring 2007), and they have been quite popular.

(I haven’t featured Kate very much in my blog. I am planning to talk more about it next month.)

—————#9: Jill Stuart ——————–

The Look: Airy and feminine.

Key Item: Brilliance Eyes in 05 Mauve Pearl. A limited edition palette from the Brilliance Eyes eyeshadow palette collection. (Two more are coming this fall!) There are soft pastel shades of pink and blue with a bold shimmery black to frame the eyes. It is a contrasting palette that works seamlessly.

—————#8: Maquillage ——————–

The Look: Eyes with soft creamy colors.

Key Items: Double Shiny Eyes. Fans of the previous PN collection will recognize this reincarnation, this time with a matching highlighting shade. Love the little drawer that holds the applicater.

—————#7: Aube (Sofina)——————–

The Look: Juicy lips bursting with shine and sparkles.

Key Items: Gloss Frutina. Sheer shades of pink, red, orange, and mint green…it is like a refreshing summer fruit bowl. If the sparkles in the lip glosses are not enough for you, the applicators are also decked with Swarovski crystals. Affordable luxuries!

To be continued…

(Note: Western brands are doing well on the list this season and they will be appearing later on. Well, the clue is in the photo……)

Related Posts:
Aube Summer 2007 Collection
Jill Stuart Summer 2007 Collection

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"An Unprecedented Masterpiece": SUQQU Clear Veil Powder

by PJ on Wednesday, June 13, 2007

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder

(SUQQU Clear Veil Powder)
(photo from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)

I have mentioned innovation in Japanese cosmetics last week in another post. Today I am talking about another product exemplifying this.

SUQQU’s Clear Veil Powder, launch in fall 2006, has created a sensation. “Magical”, “unbelievable”, “shocking”, and “an unprecedented masterpiece” are some of the expressions that Japanese beauty experts used to describe this finishing pressed powder (Frau magazine, November 2006).

What is unprecedented about this pressed powder is that each powder particle is see-through. Yes, we’ve all used loose powder that is translucent and doe not add color, but this one is almost totally “transparent”.

You can see that there seems to be the word “SUQQU” on the powder. But the word is in fact indented at the bottom of the tin case holding the pressed powder. It is for the sole purpose of showcasing this ingenious innovation.

It is able to mattify and smooth the skin without making it chalky. The powder particles are transparent so the face simply won’t look chalky.

Primers are a huge business in Japanese cosmetics, and there have been many innovative products. I would imagine SUQQU’s Clear Veil Powder is a silicone-based mattifying liquid primer — in pressed powder form and used as a finishing powder. If this is the case, I’d call it a post-primer. (I know it is sort of an oxymoron, but I am sure you get the idea.) Since it is applied after the foundation (unlike a primer of course), it has the potential of giving (and keeping) a really even, smooth, and matte appearance.

I haven’t actually tried it, but the people at the SUQQU counter in Selfridges in London told me a couple of months ago that it might appear in the UK in the coming fall. I am very excited about this! If I do get to try it, I will follow this up with another report.

Updated on April 24th 2009:

Please check out the review of Clear Veil Powder here.

Related posts:
—SUQQU: Sensuality with an Attitude
—Review: SUQQU Makeup and Skincare
—One of a Kind: SUQQU Spring 2007 Eyeshadow in Daichi (Mother Earth)

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Newsflash! Possible Jill Stuart Cosmetics Launch in the US

by PJ on Tuesday, June 12, 2007

in -Jill Stuart, all about Japanese cosmetics

(Pictured: my Jill Stuart products)


One of my readers from New York City visited a Jill Stuart boutique the other day, and she kindly told me afterwards that she was told there had been talk about Jill Stuart cosmetics (which is currently exclusively sold in Japan) being launched in the US in a year.

This is quite exciting. If it does materialize, it confirms my speculation that when the Jill Stuart fragrances were launched in the US a while ago, they were probably testing the water before they would consider bringing in the beauty line.

So far, I don’t see it happening in the UK anytime soon. First of all, her fragrances are not sold here. Also, Jill Stuart seems to be less known in the UK. (Her designs are only sold in one private boutique here.)

I am going to make a prediction here. If it is launched in the US, I have a feeling that they might slightly lower the pricing on some of the items. Right now, Jill Stuart’s pricing in Japan is very similar to Lancome’s and slightly below Chanel’s in the US. To market Jill Stuart’s dreamy and girlie packaging and their glittery and shimmery eyeshadows to their potential customers in the US, maybe it would be a good move to lower the pricing to gain the maximal appeal. (It has happened to Paul & Joe before and it can certainly happen again.)

If you feel excited about this, please spread the word! Maybe it will help make it happen just a little bit sooner!

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The Search for the Perfect Pout Is Over?! Lavshuca Fall 2007 Collection

by PJ on Friday, June 8, 2007

in -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, 2007 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss

(pictured: part of my Lavshuca stash)

As we are still getting ready for some hot weather, Lavshuca has already released news on their fall 2007 collection, in store on August 1st 2007.

See a photo of part of the collection here.

The collection features:
a new line of liquid lip colors (10 shades, seen in link above)
6 eyeshadow palettes (2 seen in link above)
1 liquid eyeliner
2 new shades of Jewelry Lips lipsticks
1 new shade of Eye Color Select palette

The attention grabber of the new collection is the revolutionary liquid lip colors, which will have a highly viscous consistency. I imagine it is between a very syrupy lip gloss and a very creamy lipstick (half-liquid and half-solid). The twist-dispenser with the delicate heart-shape opening will really showcase this consistency.

Who knows? Some people think that the makeup and skincare innovations in Japan are at least one decade ahead of the Western counterpart*. Maybe this is the perfect formula of combining the color intensity of lipsticks and the shine of lip glosses.

Lip colors that are both highly pigmented and ultra-glossy? Can’t wait to try them!

*Next week I will talk about a certain pressed powder that has taken the Japanese market by storm.

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