Every season, I count down my ten personal favorite makeup collections. This week, I present my top ten for spring 2008. In reverse order:
10: Clé de Peau
(Eye Color Quad in 116 (left) and 117 (right))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)
This is Clé de Peau‘s first time in my top ten in the last few years. I love the ad image and the gentle and feminine look with the blue eyeshadow. The Eye Color Quad in 117 is a delicious combination of purple, aqua blue, and mint green. Apart from capturing the trend, I think this versatile palette can take you right through the summer months.
9. Maquillage
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)
Maquillage is another line that hasn’t been featured in my seasonal top ten very much. But there is something very striking about their latest seasonal look, which is my favorite look for spring 2008. One of the key items of the collection is Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844, which is used to create the soft lilac eyes we see above:
(Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)
This shade combination is not the first for Maquillage. Contrast Eyes in SV862, released in spring 2006, is quite similar (but the lilac looks warmer). T’Estimo’s Grande Shine Eyes in 02, from summer 2007, also has a similar concept. But the release of this color combination in spring 2008 as a key item of the collection reflects Maquillage’s attempt to interpret the current trend. (Teaser: A full review of Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844 is coming up next week!)
8: Ayura
(part of the Ayura spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.ayura.co.jp)
Ayura‘s spring 2008 collection is very visually appealing. I am sure some of the people familiar with Ayura were delighted to see the brand take on a new color scheme for the packing. The intricate patterns against the black cases look exquisitely classy.
The collection includes 4 blushers, 21 lipsticks, and 18 nail colors. There is no item for eyes, but it is almost certain that we are going to see some beautiful eye colors in the new black cases.
7. Anna Sui
(part of the Anna Sui spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
Anna Sui is probably the princess of vibrant colors. The spring 2008 collection features bright hues for eyes and nails. The three limited-edition Sui Lip Glosses (above) appear to be very bright, but they all go on naturally sheer. (Have a look at my review of the blue-tinted Sui Lip Gloss in 100.)
This is one of the more memorable seasonal collections from Anna Sui in the last couple of years, and I hope there will be more lovely items to come!
See you in Part 2!
Related Posts:
Magie Deco Spring 2008 Collection
(A great collection that just missed the cut…)
Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report
(before we move into summer…)
by PJ on Thursday, February 21, 2008
in -Albion, -Ayura, -DHC, -Kanebo, -Kao, -Kosé, -Shiseido, -Shu Uemura, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics
(Loving Japanese makeup)
As a fan of Japanese cosmetics, apart from all the colorful products available, I am also interested in knowing more about the history behind the various brands and companies. So I was delighted to come across a time-line featuring the launches of many major Japanese cosmetics companies in Biteki‘s January 2008 issue. Let’s have a look:
1872 Shiseido
1887 Kao
1929 Pola
1936 Kanebo
1946 Kosé
1956 Albion
1959 Menard
1967 Shu Uemura
1972 DHC
1981 Fancl
1987 IPSA
1991 Ettusais
1995 AYURA
1996 Equipe (which now owns RMK and SUQQU)
(Biteki, January 2008, p. 102-125)
It is interesting that, like many western cosmetics brands, some of the recent major Japanese cosmetics companies in the last couple of decades have also been acquired by more established ones. For example, IPSA, Ettusais, and AYURA were acquired by Shiseido. Kanebo now owns Equipe, while Kosé owns Albion. Also, in early 2006, Kanebo was sold to Kao.
I will be equally interested in these slightly more corporate and behind-the-scene developments and in all the shiny new releases from these brands…
Related Posts:
All About Japanese Cosmetics
(consolidating my passion)
“Loving Japanese Brands” Series
(my favorite seven)
Japanese Brands in the UK
(featuring where to get them from outside the UK)
(cuticle oil from Paul & Joe (left)
and Ayura (middle and right))
I have to admit in the beginning that, to moisturize my cuticles, I prefer very emollient and dense cuticle creams and that I also use very thick lip balms on my cuticles. In general, cuticle oil, on its own, does not do a lot for me.
But I do have a weakness for cute-looking cuticle oils. A big reason why I bought these three is that they look so adorable. They are like little treats, and I don’t really use them regularly. But, when I do, I use them as a nail/cuticle conditioner underneath my hand cream and cuticle cream.
The Ayura one in the middle is what started this weakness. It was a limited-edition item included in a set a few years ago and it was never sold on its own. The three layers of oil (of pink, peach, and lime-green shades) are mixed together before use. It is well-absorbed and smells divine. (This cuticle oil was a one-off creation based on the scent
of Spirit of Ayura, one of my favorite fragrances.) I stopped using it after I decided I wanted to keep these colorful layers close to their entirety.
When Ayura’s nail items changed their packaging a couple of years ago, they released After Bath Nail Essence (a general item, not limited-edition). It is not an oil and has a serum texture. The inclusion of alcohol in this prevents it from being more moisturizing, and I make sure I apply a hand cream right afterwards.
The Paul & Joe Nail Treatment Oil (pictured left) has the same light oil texture as the Ayura limited-edition one. It penetrates well and conditions the nail area nicely before I apply my hand cream and cuticle cream.
The link to the Paul & Joe Nail Treatment Oil above shows the new version (Nail Care Oil), out on February 1st. I will be checking it out and see how different it is from the one I have…
Related Posts:
Can’t Live Without: Garnier Hand Cocoon
(one of my favorite hand creams)
Ayura Spring 2008 Collection
(a new look for my all-time favorite brand)
Paul & Joe Foundation Primer N
(tried and tested…and loving it)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/)
Kose’s Magie Deco was launched in Japan in fall this year, and this is its debut holiday collection. I like the fact that the packaging is a variation of the usual Magie Deco look. It is different but instantly recognizable. I also like the rich red color scheme.
The two items are sold as a set, and both of them look so glamorous and beautiful, with an appropriate festive vibe.
If you like the look of this collection, you may want to check out Magie Deco’s spring 2008 collection.
5. MAC
(image from www.iswii.net)
MAC’s holiday 2007 collections (including Royal Assets, Antiquitease, and others) are some of my favorite MAC collections for 2007. The packaging looks good, and there are a very wide selection of items.
But when I saw the items in person for the first time, I was slightly underwhelmed by the details of the packaging. I think they looked just a little bit rough around the edges and they could have been slightly more refined.
Nonetheless, these collections present a pleasant departure from MAC’s usual dark and minimal look and I am sure many MAC fans have been enjoying collecting some of the goodies.
4. Ayura
(image from www.ayura.co.jp/jp/)
I haven’t really talked about this adorable holiday set from my personal favorite brand, which I am doing in this post.
Ayura’s holiday sets usually include best-selling items in limited-edition travel sizes as well as some one-off creations. The set for holiday 2007 includes:
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Bath Powder (X2, limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Treatment Oil (for hair and body, limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Body Powder (limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Hands (30g, limited-edition size)
-Shiny Face (face highlighter, limited-edition, choice of blue and pink)
-Nail Color (choice of 23 shades, including limited-edition pink and violet shades)
-Cosmetics Box
Spirit of Ayura is Ayura’s one and only fragrance, and, apart from the hand cream, the three Spirit of Ayura items in the set are one-off creations based on this wonderful scent.
I really love the look of this collection (and I like the combination of all the fresh colors), not to mention that Spirit of Ayura is one of my favorite fragrances, But I already have quite a few somewhat similar limited-edition items based on this fragrance and this is the only reason why I didn’t consider getting this set.
The final part of my Holiday 2007 Top Ten List will be coming soon!
Related Posts:
Loving Japanese Brands: Ayura
(my all-time favorite brand)
MAC A-Mei Color Collection
(another exciting collection from MAC)
by PJ on Thursday, December 13, 2007
in _I Love Colors, -Ayura, -Chanel, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, -Maybelline, -T'Estimo, all about Japanese cosmetics, bodycare, makeup, nail color/care, stash focus
Among all my favorite colors, pastel purple (lilac/lavender) has always been near the top of the list. Thanks to the delicate mixture of red and blue, purple, to me, is an elegant color with the right amount of warmness and coolness.
It has been a great accent color in my wardrobe for years (be it pastel lilac or rich violet), but it is only fairly recently that I discovered that soft lilacs look good on my face as well!
Keep pretty:
-Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes in 04 Gem Amethyst
-T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes in 03
-Lavshuca Eyecolor Select in PU-2
-Chanel Contraste Lumière palette in Aquarelles
-Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Color in Divine Lilac
-Clinique Glosswear for Lips in 333 La La Lilac
-AYURA Pure Nails (limited-edition lilac shade)
Keep clean:
-Radox Clean & Pamper Handwash with lavender & magnolia
Keep warm:
-Hat by Fred Bare
(My teddy bear pulls this off much better than I do…)
-Sweater by Sisley
Keep organized:
-Beauty Diary by Biteki & Albion
(from Biteki January 2007 issue)
I have noticed that Chanel, Lunasol, and Guerlain are featuring lilac in their spring 2008 collections, and I am predicting that lilac is a key spring 2008 makeup trend!
I have more lilacs on my spring 2008 shopping list, and I am sensing an arrival of Lilting Lilac Part II!
More splashes of colors!
–Girlie Pink
–Citrus Orange
–Aqua Blue
–New-Leaf Green
(AYURA spring 2008 collection)
(image from woman.excite.co.jp)
(image from www.ayura.co.jp)
Even though, for me, AYURA is my all-time favorite brand, I have not been talking too much about its makeup collections in the past few seasons. The previous few collections have been slightly lackluster and I have not been picking up new AYURA makeup items for a while.
But, finally, there is a pleasant change. While the sensual curves of the packaging remain, this is the very first time AYURA is using an intensely dark color scheme for its products. (Usually AYURA uses various pastel shades.)
I think the dark color scheme works very well here, alongside a touch of intricate pattens. Visually, this is definitely a new AYURA.
The AYURA spring 2008 “Aura Feel” collection includes:
Aura Feel Rouge: 21 shades (3 of which limited editions)
Aura Feel Veil blusher: 3 shades
Aura Feel Brush
Aura Feel Nail: 18 shades
The collection will be launched in Japan on January 23, 2008.
Related Posts:
Loving Japanese Brands: AYURA
(Find out why I love the brand so much.)
AYURA Veil α in Sweet Pink
(Gorgeous blusher!)
My Fragrance Favorites
(Featuring Spirit of AYURA)
by PJ on Tuesday, October 30, 2007
in -Anna Sui, -Ayura, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kao, -Kate, -Kosé, -Lavshuca, -Lunasol, -Majolica Majorca, -Paul & Joe, -Shiseido, -Sofina, -SUQQU, -T'Estimo, all about Japanese cosmetics, announcement
(You can tell that I love my Japanese cosmetics…)
Most of you who read my blog certainly know that I have a passion for Japanese cosmetics. While I do try to keep a balance between western and Japanese cosmetics on my blog, I do think, for me, Japanese cosmetics items do better on my scoreboard in most areas.
If you would like to look through my posts related to Japanese cosmetics, I have made it a bit easier for you by adding the category “All About Japanese Cosmetics“ on the sidebar (under “Read by Topics”). As of now, there are 96 posts under this category, and the number will certainly grow week by week.
Please enjoy!
Here are just a few highlights:
Loving Japanese Brands
(where I highlight 7 wonderful Japanese brands)
Japanese vs. Western…Who’s Winning?
(Which side are you on?)
If I Could Go to Japan RIGHT NOW
(I share my dream shopping list.)
A couple of the items featured in the photo above:
Kanebo T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes 03
Lavshuca Eye Color Select PK-1
More to come!!
by PJ on Sunday, October 14, 2007
in _I Love Colors, -Ayura, -Kao, -Lavshuca, -Paul & Joe, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics, bodycare, makeup, makeup - base makeup, skincare, stash focus
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I thought it would be fitting to do another A Splash of Color post on another of my favorite colors, pink.
I’d also like to invite you to have a look at the website of Breast Cancer Care, UK’s leading organization which provides information, practical assistance, and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer. You can read more about exactly what Breast Cancer Care does.
————————–
Featured Items:
Makeup
Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1
Lavshuca Eye Color Select in PK-1
AYURA Aura Veil α in PK-11 Sweek Pink
AYURA lip gloss PK60
Paul and Joe lip gloss 04
Sofina Raycious Glamour Skin Powder (limited-edition pink case)
Clinique Glosswear for Lips in Cosmic Pink
Dior Diorissime Palette in 002 Seduction Drama
Dior Princess Ring in 001
Chanel Irréelle Blush in Tea Rose
Fragrance
Lancôme Miracle
Skincare
Rose & Co. Apothecary Rose Petal Salve
Bodycare
Boss Femme shower gel
Enjoy Other Splashes of Colors!
New-Leaf Green
Aqua Blue
Citrus Orange
(another of my favorite blushers)
AYURA is one of my all-time favorite brands and it would be the brand of my choice if I could only live on one cosmetics brand. I will certainly bring you more AYURA items one by one later on. (See the Japanese site for all the more current information and images of the products. Both sites, like most other websites for Japanese cosmetics brands, are for information only and don’t offer on-line ordering.)
AYURA Aura Veil α was out in spring 2006 to replace the previous AYURA blushers. It comes in four shades and mine is PK-11 Sweet Pink. It is a gradation blusher with the shade running from a light peach on the right to a soft coral pink on the left.
The blusher is fairly well-pigmented and with minimal shimmer.
I love the very understated and elegantly curvy packaging (which is always the case with AYURA products):
(the tulip-shape packaging)
There is a separate compartment for the brush. It is a good-quality brush and I can sometimes simply use this one to apply the blusher instead of my usual blusher brush. (The case/brush set is sold separately and the quality doesn’t disappoint.)
The blusher goes on the bottom layer:
The colors stay fresh, don’t darken overtime, and last well. They are girlie and playful shades that I enjoy using from time to time to create a warm complexion. Also, in recent issues of some Japanese cosmetics magazines, I have noticed that soft warm blushers like this are often used to accompany minty green eyeshadows to create a very fresh look. Overall, like Anna Sui’s Face Color Accent, it scores good points in many aspects!
Do have a look at my personal take on AYURA if you are interested.
More posts on my blushers later!!
Some of my other blushers:
Budget Princess: Majolica Majorca
(featuring two Majolica Majorca blushers)
Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1
(my most used brushes…)
Last week, a reader asked whether I could talk about the makeup brushes I use. Then I realized I had never mentioned these “hairy” friends who have been helping me putting together my makeup.
One of the reasons that I haven’t talked about them is simply that I don’t have a lot of them. All I have are the basics, and I make do with them. Also, some of them are not really available now, but I will focus on what you can get your hands on.
First of all, a couple of years ago, I bought an Ayura set that included a limited-edition brush set. The brushes came in this lovely brown holder:
(my Ayura brush set)
The set has 6 brushes, for cheeks, eyes, and brows. These are not the kind of sparse, scratchy, and coarse brushes often included in many gifts with purchases. They are soft and fluffy, and they have proven to be durable and easy to use.
(the six brushes in the set)
I use the four on the right very regularly. They and three others make up my “sensational seven”:
(the Sensational Seven)
(a close-up)
(numbered for you)
— #1, #3, #4, and #5 are from the Ayura brush set. I don’t think the set is available anymore so I’ll be brief with these. #1 is a soft blusher brush that I have been counting on for all my powder blushers. #3 and #4 are solid and bouncy eyeshadow brushes that never feel scratchy. #5 is a great flat brush for lining the eyes.
— #2 is Ruby & Millie Eye Brush [Large]. (I remember it costs about £9 (about 18 USD).) Ruby & Millie is a makeup line sold exclusively in Boots stores in the UK. Last year and this year, the Ruby & Millie makeup brush collection is chosen by InStyle Magazine UK as “the best inexpensive brush line“. I can definitely see why. Budget brush hunters will love some of these brushes. In particular, this eyeshadow brush is thick and dense (thicker than #3). It is good for eyeshadow application for larger areas and for overall blending.
— #6 is Shu Uemura eyebrow brush (6 OB). I’ve had this for at least 7 years and it still performs well. This eyebrow brush is slightly softer than those from MAC and Bobbi Brown, both of which I think are too hard. The brush tip is nicely slanted for easy application.
— #7 is RMK Lip Brush. This one is retractable and very easy to carry around. The very flat tip allows a precise application. I’d like the hair to be shorter and slightly denser, but it is a minor complaint for a brush that I have been very used to for years.
I have some other brushes but these are the ones I depend on the most. I am not really on the lookout for any new brush, but sometimes I fancy an alternative blusher brush (I am a blusher person) and an angled face shading/contouring brush. Any suggestions? Let me know!
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)
(Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844)
(part of the Ayura spring 2008 collection)
(part of the Anna Sui spring 2008 collection)
