beauty tools/accessories

More from Jill Stuart Summer 2010

by PJ on Tuesday, April 6, 2010

in -Jill Stuart, 2010 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, beauty tools/accessories, makeup

(images/info from www.cosme.net)

On June 4th, Jill Stuart will release several more items for summer 2010 in addition to the two new variations of Mix Blush Compact. Jill Stuart’s items usually look very girlie and dreamy, and these upcoming items seem even more so.

The items include:

– Forever Brilliance Eye Pencil (4 shades)

– Double Ring Nail Collection (Diamond & Pearl)

– Flower Bouquet Hand Mirror

All the items are limited editions.

Makeup Review: SUQQU Christmas Makeup Kit A for Holiday 2009

by PJ on Thursday, December 17, 2009

in -SUQQU, 2009 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, beauty tools/accessories, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

Earlier I posted the information on SUQQU‘s holiday 2009 collection. The collection features three limited-edition makeup kits, two for eyes and one for lips/nails. Today I am reviewing Christmas Makeup Kit A.

SUQQU Christmas Makeup Kit A includes Blend Eyeshadow in EX-06, Eye Lucent in EX-03, and a makeup bag.

Blend Eyeshadow in EX-06 is a cool-toned neutral palette. The case has the same deep violet shade as that of the other SUQQU Blend Eyeshadow palettes plus the snowflake details.

The four shades are (clock-wise from bottom right):

– moderately pigmented off-white with a pale yellow-toned pearly finish (base shade)
– pigmented dark brown with soft shimmer and a copper undertone
– sheer pale mauve with fine multi-colored shimmer
– pigmented medium warm grey with a soft pearly finish

SUQQU’s eyeshadows are renowned for their beautiful blendability, and, again, these shades blend seamlessly. Most of SUQQU’s eyeshadows are not very shimmery, and the Blend Eyeshadow palettes usually have either a softly glowy or a gently shimmery finish. EX-06, however, is overall more shimmery than many other Blend Eyeshadow palettes. If you like SUQQU eyeshadows but prefer them to be more shimmery, this palette is worth a look.

Compared with Blend Eyeshadow in #10 that I reviewed earlier this year, all the shades in EX-06 are more shimmery or pearly. The base is a lot more pearly, the lining shade looks a lot less matte, the lightening shade has more shimmer than pigment, and the warm grey has marginally more shimmer than the soft taupe in #10.

Also, the warm grey is more pigmented than the soft taupe in #10. This makes EX-06 more versatile, and it is easier to create a smoky-eye look with it. (But #10 is overall warmer and suits my warm-toned complexion better.)

The look that EX-06 creates is both chic and sophisticated. You can create a clean and demure look or a very sensuous look, depending on how you work the warm grey in particular.

If the finish of EX-06 is still not shimmery enough for you, you can layer Eye Lucent in EX-03 on top of EX-06. Eye Lucent is a loose powder eyeshadow, and it is one of the most shimmery eye makeup items from SUQQU. Two limited-edition shades (EX-01 and EX-02) were available back in spring 2008. EX-03 is a pale pink with a very pearly finish and very dynamic multi-colored shimmer.

One little nice touch I want to mention is that the seal stretches to the wall and the edge of the sifter (at the upper right edge of the pot in the photo above) with no glue underneath the extended part. With many seals that are firmly glued to the bottom of the sifters, I sometimes have to work hard to peel them off (and make a tiny mess). Little touches like this (at which Japanese consumer products excel) make things just a little bit easier.

The powder comes with a mini puff. It is particularly useful if you want to pack on the shimmer. If you want a sheer veil of shimmer, use an eyeshadow brush instead.

Christmas Makeup Kit A also includes a makeup bag. (It measures 12.5cm x 16.5cm x 6cm approximately.) I like the fact that the zippers come all the way down to the sides, which makes the bag easier and much less fiddly to use.

SUQQU’s holiday 2009 collection also includes Christmas Makeup Kit B (with a lip color palette, a nail color, and a makeup bag) and Christmas Makeup Kit C (with a mascara, a cream eyeliner, the popular eyelash curler, and a makeup bag).

(The product featured in this article is provided by SUQQU.)

SUQQU Clear Veil Powder

SUQQU Cheek Brush & Eyebrow Brush L

Japanese Beauty Brand Profile – SUQQU

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Makeup Review: Paul & Joe Pearl Powder & Holiday 2009 Collection

by PJ on Thursday, December 10, 2009

in -Paul & Joe, 2009 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, beauty tools/accessories, fashion, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

(Pearl Powder in 01)

In October, I featured information on Paul & Joe‘s holiday 2009 collection, which includes makeup, fragrance, and bodycare products. Today I am reviewing two items from the collection as well as Pearl Powder in 01 (released in 2008).

Pearl Powder is a loose powder eyeshadow that feels soft and lightweight. 01 is a sheer pale beige with a very light-reflective pearly finish and multi-colored shimmer. It goes on much lighter than how it looks in the jar, and it is a brightening color that doesn’t create a shadow. It mainly shows up as a veil of pearly shimmer.

It can be used as an eyeshadow base if you like quite shimmery eyeshadow bases. Also, as a pale beige that happens to be quite sheer, it can also be used very light-handedly as a highlighter for the face or as a shimmering powder for the body.

Pencil Eye Liner in 001 is a dark blue-black. It has a velvety finish with a hint of shimmer. It goes on relatively smoothly and is waterproof. The staying power is satisfactory. (There can be minimal movement after a day’s wear.)

It is lovely to see purple, one of my favorite colors and a trendy makeup/fashion shade in the last few seasons, used in Paul & Joe’s holiday makeup pouch for 2009 (Pouch C IV). The purple goes well with the gold, and it nicely shows off the satiny sheen of the fabric. As I mentioned in the earlier post on the collection, I would have liked the gold pattens to be a little more delicate.

Paul & Joe’s holiday 2009 collection also includes two eyeshadow palettes, two new Pearl Powders, the other (of the two) Pencil Eye Liner, and two highlighting powders, and all these items, along with those two reviewed above, are limited editions. On the other hand, the new Lip Lacquer, the re-launched fragrances (Blanc and Bleu), the new bodycare items, and Cosmetic Pouch III are regular items.

(The products featured in this article are provided by Paul & Joe.)

Paul & Joe Spring 2010 Collection

Paul & Joe Fall 2009 Collection

Japanese Cosmetics in the UK

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Makeup Review: Lancôme Fall 2009 Collection (Part 2)

by PJ on Wednesday, July 1, 2009

in -Lancôme, 2009 Fall, beauty tools/accessories, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss

Last week, I reviewed some of the eye makeup items in Lancôme’s fall 2009 collection. Today, I will share my thoughts on some items from the rest of the collection.

(Color Fever Matte in (from left to right)
151, 152, and 153)

A new range of Color Fever lipsticks, Color Fever Matte, is introduced to Lancôme’s lipstick lineup. Aaron De Mey wanted to create lip colors that would be richly pigmented as well as matte in order to maximize the color impact, and Color Fever Matte is the result.

To formulate Color Fever Matte, Lancôme tried to combine a matte finish and a smooth and nourishing texture, two things that don’t always co-exist. I think the end result is quite successful. While delivering a velvety matte finish, they glide on easily and don’t make lips feel or look dry.

Among the three shades, 151 Red Avant-Garde (left) is the most vivid and the closest to cardinal red. 152 Red Paris Paris (middle) is slightly cooler and more rose-toned, and it goes on slightly darker than 151. 153 Red Libertine (right) is the most muted and is perhaps the most wearable for those who don’t usually wear rich reds for the lips.

You can wear these colors with a lip liner for a defined and classic look, but my favorite way to apply them is to keep them just inside the lip line and use the fingertip to blend the color gently towards the lip line to create a softer edge and a more sensual look.

The two new Color Fever Gloss shades in this collection are 026 Pure Gold and 125 Aaron’s Red. Aaron’s red is a vibrant cool-toned shimmer-less red. (It goes on cooler than it appears in the tube.) While imparting a glossy transparency, the color (when worn alone) is very intense and the overall look resembles a lipstick-plus-gloss combination. I think the shade can be compared to that of strawberry jelly, which is color-rich but still transparent. Plus the shade does look mouth-watering…

Pure Gold has a completely different finish. It is a semi-opaque gold with fine multi-colored shimmer, and the richness of the color does resemble liquid gold. One coat of it gives the lips a yellow-based neutral tone. (It is a nice way to create a natural neutral tone for the lips without making them overly pale or ashy.) Two or more coats will start to create a rich gold-foil shine.

Both shades complement Color Fever Matte well. Aaron’s Red adds lip-plumping glossiness to the matte finish, while Pure Gold on the center of the lips makes the lips look stunningly luxurious. (If you don’t want any glossiness on the lips but still want a touch of gold, Aaron suggests using one of the golds in the eye palettes for a glistening gold-dust finish.)

Rose Liberté is created to add a veil of gold to the complexion. Some might be disappointed to know that the vibrant shimmer is an overspray, but I think the softly luminous gold-toned beige powder underneath is much more user-friendly. (I think the overspray, which has the same multi-colored shimmer as that in the Pure Gold Color Fever Gloss, is more suited as an eyeshadow.)

Also in this collection is the Powder Brush, which is designed to help apply not only Rose Liberté but also other loose and pressed powder products. The large fluffy brush feels soft on the face and is angled for more flexibility in the application.

Here are my personal picks from the collection:

– Palette Liberté in Bleu Royauté (signature item of the collection)
– Palette Liberté in Or Liberté (chic and wearable)
– Color Fever Matte in Red Paris Paris (vivid but elegant)
– Color Fever Gloss in Pure Gold (versatile and ultra-glamorous)

One of the demanding tasks of an artistic director of an international beauty brand is to express his/her unique vision as an artist and to create products with a mass-market appeal on a global scale. I think Aaron De Mey has done a great job with Lancôme’s fall 2009 collection. The creative vision is crystal-clear, and the products, thorough which we are able to see his original ideas, not only aim to set trends but also attempt to create classics. I wonder what is going to wow us in spring 2010…

Other fall 2009 makeup collections:

YSL

Clé de Peau

SUQQU

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Product Review: SUQQU Cheek Brush & Eyebrow Brush L

by PJ on Monday, May 25, 2009

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, beauty tools/accessories

(SUQQU Cheek Brush and Eyebrow Brush L)

When I first stopped by SUQQU‘s counter in London’s Selfridges in 2006 (which happens to be around the time I started my blog), I was very impressed with the brand’s makeup brush range. The hair of some of the brushes is luxuriously soft, and the range has a good attention to detail. (There are four types of eyebrow brushes and eyeliner brushes.) Today I am reviewing Cheek Brush and Eyebrow Brush L.

– Cheek Brush

This is probably the softest blusher brush that I have ever come across. It is impossible to show the softness of the bristle-heads in the photo, so I will try to describe it in words. The sensation felt from running through the brush hair through the fingers is somewhat similar to that from a gentle breath on the back of the hand. The fingers almost feel a sense of soft, airy and velvety warmth.

In terms of application, there are two things I like about this brush. Firstly, it is smaller than most blusher brushes. The widest part of the brush measures about 2.6 cm, while the longest part (of the brush hair) measures about 3.4 cm. (It is not a blusher brush that can double as a powder brush or a contouring brush.) The fact that it is not too big makes it very easy to focus on the cheek bones and gradually blend the blusher outwards to create a delicate and natural finish.

Secondly, the bristle-heads pick up the blusher powder gently, so it is suitable for applying a very pigmented blusher (especially for someone like me, who can often be (accidentally) heavy-handed with blushers).

– Eyebrow Brush L

SUQQU has four eyebrow brushes. Eyebrow Brush S is the usual small angled brush, and the other three are soft-edged ones, which I think are quite unique. Eyebrow Brush L is the largest one of the four.

I don’t often use the usual eyebrow brushes. I think the hair tends to be rather hard and the lines it creates is usually quite harsh. (I also don’t use an eyebrow pencil.) I usually use a small eyeshadow brush to run through the core/bones of the eyebrows. The look is softer, more natural but still defined.

Eyebrow Brush L is very similar to the eyeshadow brush I use to apply eyebrow powder. It looks like an eyeshadow brush, but the hair is harder so the brush can still give ample core structure to eyebrows.

The photo above is taken from another angle to show the bulk of the brush and the shape of the bristle-heads. There are no hard edges so the brush doesn’t create any harsh lines. It blends the eyebrow powder seamlessly, and it also makes it very easy to fill in gaps in the brows.

Without a doubt, SUQQU’s most popular makeup tool is the Eyelash Curler. However, with their superb quality, I personally think these two brushes, which are beautifully shaped and sized, are definitely among SUQQU’s best products. If you have a chance to stop by a SUQQU counter, do have a look at the brush collection.

(The SUQQU counter in Selfridges regularly holds events for the seasonal makeup collections. You will have a chance to experience the brushes when you book a makeover session during the event.)

EcoTools Makeup Brushes

Purple Dot Makeup Brushes

The Only Lash Curler I Ever Need

Can’t Live Without – Starbucks Napkins

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Jill Stuart Pouch Large (Sweet Ribbon)

by PJ on Wednesday, February 11, 2009

in -Jill Stuart, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, beauty tools/accessories

(images and info from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

Designer beauty brands like Anna Sui and Paul & Joe often cash in on their fashion roots and release beauty accessories featuring original designs. On February 20th, Jill Stuart will release Pouch Large (Sweet Ribbon). It is a set of a bag pouch and a mini pouch with pink-ribbon pattern and Jill Stuart’s signatures. It will join the brand’s beauty tool lineup, which includes the very popular Compact Mirror and Hand Mirror. (However, the pouch, priced at 4725 JPY, will be a limited-edition item.)

(Jill Stuart Beauty is currently available in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. It is scheduled to be launched in the US with a small selection of products.)

Jill Stuart Available in the US

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation

Loving Japanese Brands – Jill Stuart

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Makeup Review – SUQQU Eyelash Kit

by PJ on Friday, December 5, 2008

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, beauty tools/accessories, makeup, makeup - mascara, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning

Since SUQQU was launched in September 2003, some products have, one after another, become the brand’s most talked-about items. Among them, one that some of you have told me about is the Eyelash Curler. Currently, it is included in SUQQU’s Eyelash Kit, which I am reviewing today.

The SUQQU Eyelash Kit includes:
– Eyelash Curler
– Mascara Volume Long in EX-01 Green
– Screw Brush
– Eye Makeup Remover (travel-sized, 50ml)

The items come in a roll-up folder, which is presented a bucket pouch. The curler doesn’t come with refills but they are available separately at the SUQQU counter.

First, the Eyelash Curler. The problem I have with eyelash curlers of this design is that they simply do not get to the two ends of my lashes, and it seems that SUQQU’s version has the same issue. The curler does give a flattering curve to the lashes and the rubber pad seems very sturdy and durable, but I have to position the curler in so many angles to get to the two ends of the lashes that it takes a lot of time to achieve a finished look. Also, my middle lashes end up being curled for too many times and the curl looks slightly less natural.

According to what I have heard in the past few years, this curler does work well for most people, but unfortunately it doesn’t perform well enough for me. I have to say I still much prefer the precision lash curler that I previously talked about. It is much more efficient to use and I can achieve a natural fan-like curve in a very short amount of time.

SUQQU has three kinds of mascaras: Volume, Long, and Volume Long. (All three are water-resistant.) The one in this kit is a Volume Long version in a limited-edition green shade. On my dark lashes, the green pigment doesn’t show up very much, but I do like the soft look and it doesn’t clash with eyeshadows of other shades. For me, this mascara, which contains fibers, does a better job at building up length than adding volume. (The Separate Curl Mascara in RMK’s Christmas Palette 2008 delivers more volume.)

The Screw Brush and Eye Makeup Remover are very good additions to the kit. The brush is surprisingly soft and separates lashes nicely. (It is also a very good eyebrow brush if you find the bristles of most eyebrow brushes to be too hard and scratchy.) The Eye Makeup Remover has a bi-phase formulation, which I always like. It takes off the Volume Long Mascara very easily, and it doesn’t feel greasy or irritate my eyes.

Overall, this is a good kit to try if you are interested in both the Eyelash Curler and the mascara. (The Kit is priced at £40, which is the prices of the two items combined.) This kit is a limited edition and is currently still available at the SUQQU counter in Selfridges on London’s Oxford Street.

SUQQU Holiday 2008 Collection

SUQQU Spring 2009 Collection

Review: SUQQU Fall 2008 Collection Part 1 & Part 2

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Newsflash: EcoTools Available in the UK

by PJ on Wednesday, November 12, 2008

in beauty tools/accessories, makeup

(EcoTools makeup brushes)

Earlier in April, I reviewed makeup brushes from EcoTools, which are made of animal-free bristles and recycled aluminum. I particularly like the Blush Brush and Eye Shading Brush, as they are dense and very soft for the face. Now these products can be purchased in the UK at Tesco and Superdrug stores.

Purple Dot Makeup Brushes

The Only Eyelash Curler I Ever Need

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Can’t Live Without: Starbucks Napkins

by PJ on Thursday, May 15, 2008

in _Can't Live Without, beauty tools/accessories

(Face savers…)

“Why is PJ showing a photo of paper napkins?” you may ask…

These napkins are a hugely indispensable part of my daily beauty-maintenance routine, because they are the best oil-blotting paper I have ever used and only Starbucks has the kind that I like.

It all happened more than 10 years ago when I forgot to carry oil-blotting paper and I had to make do with one of these napkins to matte out the shine. But, to my surprise, it was so absorbent and worked so efficiently that my remaining stock of blotting paper was then left untouched for years.

Made with 100% recycled paper in a bleach-free process, these napkins work very well as blotting paper and normal tissue paper simply can’t compare. One sheet is more than enough for a whole day running around outdoors during summer.

If you have oily skin and need several sheets of blotting paper at a single “blotting session”, do try one of these next time. But do be gentle, since these napkins are obviously not designed for the face and the texture is coarser than the usual blotting paper. (But, interestingly, I have noticed that the Starbucks napkins are getting thinner and softer over the years…)

Other things I can’t live without:

ZA Two-Way Foundation

RMK Cleansing Oil N

Garnier Hand Cream

Dove Body Silk

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Product Review: Purple Dot Makeup Brushes

by PJ on Friday, May 2, 2008

in beauty tools/accessories

(From left to right:
Small Powder Brush, Foundation Brush,
Flat Blender, Lip Brush)

Purple Dot is a UK-based professional makeup brush and bag line. Today I am reviewing four makeup brushes from their collection.

First of all, all the brushes are very sturdily made, and there has been no hair fallout in the last few weeks of trial. Among the four, the Foundation Brush and the Lip Brush are my favorites. The Foundation Brush (with synthetic hair) is very well-shaped, as the tip is flat enough for a precise application around the eye, nose, and lip area. (With a foundation brush, I usually use a combination of very short strokes and gentle taps to avoid brush marks and foundation settling into the pores. This brush works well with this particular way of application.)

When I saw the Lip Brush (with sable hair), I knew it would be right for me. Some lip brushes have hair that is too long and slightly too soft and they make it hard to pick up color from a lipstick. The hair of this brush is short and has a good bounce, making lip color application efficient and precise.

The Small Powder Brush (with raccoon hair) and the Flat Blender (with sable hair) do their jobs decently, but I feel that some improvement will make them a lot better. Despite the good density, the hair of the Small Powder Brush (which I mainly use to apply a blusher) is a little too hard for a powder brush.

Even though the Flat Blender is ideally shaped, the bristle-heads are not optimally soft to the touch for the delicate eye area.

Overall the quality of the brushes is fair and there are a couple of very good ones. If you regularly use a foundation brush or a lip brush and want to invest in a good one, the ones from Purple Dot are definitely worth considering.

EcoTool Makeup Brushes
(If you are looking for a medium eyeshadow brush or a blusher brush, then do check out this review.)

My Seven Most-Used Makeup Brushes

The ONLY Eyelash Curler I Ever Need

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