-Clé de Peau

Spring 2009 Makeup Trend Report

by PJ on Monday, January 26, 2009

in -Ayura, -Chanel, -Clarins, -Clé de Peau, -Cosme Decorte, -Dior, -Elégance, -Esprique (Precious), -Giorgio Armani, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kosé, -Lancôme, -Lunasol, -Magie Deco, -Shiseido, -Shu Uemura, -YSL, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup trend reports

Partly due to the current world economy, many people are not spending as much money on makeup as before. It is also not surprising that many of us are looking for classic, wearable and trend-resistant colors.

If you are the kind of makeup fan that looks forward to unique shades, you might have already been disappointed with most of this season’s lineups. It seems that, for spring 2009, many brands are coming up with wearable colors that don’t easily date. But I find it very interesting to look into how various brands interpret “wearable colors”, and here are three shades from spring 2009 collections.

– Soft neutrals

(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)

Brown-toned neutrals will probably never date. This season, neutrals are soft, milky, and not overly intense. Neither too bronze nor too gray, these neutrals have maximal appeal for most complexions.

Some of the loveliest neutral palettes I have come across are from Clé de Peau and Dior. They are soft, elegant, chic, and easy to wear.

(Shiseido Clé de Peau Eye Color Quad
in 121 (top) and 120 (bottom))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)

(Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow in 553 Elégante)
(image from www.iswii.net)

If you want something slightly more intense, try Chanel‘s Les 4 Ombres (Quadra Eye Shadow) in Mystic Eyes from the spring 2009 Bohemian Fantasy collection.

(image from www.iswii.net)

– Pinks

(image from www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com)


If you think neutrals are too predictable, try a little bit of pink. Soft light-to-medium pinks that are very slightly on the cool side should give you a youthful and gentle look, as seen above in the ad image from Giorgio Armani‘s Pink Light collection for spring 2009.

Like Giorgio Armani, YSL includes pink in the brand’s only new quad for the season. (Check my previous post to see the main makeup look).

 

(Palette D’Artiste Colletor Powder for the Eyes)
(image from www.cosme.net)

Jill Stuart regularly brings out pink shades, and this season’s Blossoming Pink collection adds two pink-toned palettes to Jill Stuart’s eye palette lineup.

(Seductive Eyes in 06 Romantic Goddess)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

 

(Illuminance Eyes in 06 Blossoming Shine)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

For an edgier look, try Lancôme‘s Irreverent Madame palette from the brand’s Pink Irreverence collection.

(image from www.lancome.co.uk)

– Lilacs

(image from ep-bko.com)

I think lilacs are just as wearable as neutrals and pinks. Like how we find the right neutrals/pinks, as long as we find the shades with the right color intensity and the right amount of warmth/coolness for our complexions, lilac can be a great everyday eyeshadow color.

Lilac was part of the spring 2008 makeup trend, and, as a lilac fan, I am pleased that it is still a very prominent shade this season, especially in Japanese beauty brands. Beauté de Kosé’s Esprique Precious is using the lilac-toned palette (from the new True Impact Eyes range) in the ad campaign. Lunasol‘s Layer Bloom Eyes in 03 Purple Gradation is also the feature item in the brand’s Floral Purification collection. (In the image below, it seems that the palettes are blossoming under the fresh spring sun.)

 

(www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

In addition, AYURA‘s only new eye palette for spring 2009 is a cool-toned lilac/gray palette, somewhat reminiscent of Maquillage’s Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844.

 

(image from www.ayura.co.jp)

– Mix & Match

 

(image from woman.excite.co.jp)


There are quite a few collections that feature two or more of the three colors mentioned above. For example, all four of Elégance‘s eye palettes incorporate pinks, lilacs, and neutrals. (There are one neutral palette, one pink palette, one lilac palette, and one with an off-white pink and an off-white lilac.)

Beauté de Kosé‘s two new Eye Fantasist liquid eyeshadows are of pink and lilac hues:

 

(image from www.iswii.net)

If you want pink and lilac in the same product, look into Shu Uemura‘s Spring Mode Makeup Eye Palette in Fantasia and the Nature Temptation Eye Palette from Clarins, which also includes some neutrals. (The picture below shows the version sold in Asia. The European/American version also has a pink and a lilac, which are paired with slightly darker shades.)

 

(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

If the pinks and lilacs above are too pale for your complexion or if you want a more striking look, try Magie Deco‘s Shadow Brilliance palette in 022 Flower Show.

 

(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

So, do you like this spring’s trend (or non-trend…), and what colors will you be wearing this season?

More information on the spring 2009 collections featured above:

AYURA
Beauté de Kosé
Chanel
Dior
Elégance
Esprique Precious
Jill Stuart
Lunasol
Magie Deco
Shu Uemura
YSL

{ 6 comments }

Spring 2008 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Sunday, March 16, 2008

in -Anna Sui, -Ayura, -Clé de Peau, -Maquillage, 2008 Spring, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

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 palette combines the very trendy grey from fall 2007 and the spring 2008 leading color lilac. It can also be seen as a monochrome palette with lilac as the accent color. It can create a variety of looks, from gentle and fresh to intensely smoky.

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…)

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Shiseido Clé de Peau Spring 2008 Collection – Blue Takes Center Stage

by PJ on Sunday, February 17, 2008

in -Clé de Peau, -Shiseido, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Eye Color Quad in 116 (left) and 117 (right))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)

Ever since I saw Clé de Peau‘s spring 2008 lineup on Japanese beauty magazines, I had been looking forward to seeing if the blue-purple eye palette would be featured for the main ad campaign and what the look would be like.

I was not disappointed when I saw this, to say the very least.

(Shiseido Clé de Peau Spring 2008 Collection)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)


There is a sense of softness and serenity, and the aqua blue eyeshadow doesn’t look out of place at all. The whole image has a water-painting quality to it.

I also feel that the blue worn on a large section of the lids conveys a quiet touch of confidence, assertiveness, and maturity that I find very appealing. It shows that a warm blue like this is not just a youthful and funky color. It can also look sensual and feminine.

Even though Clé de Peau has quite a low-key brand image, its recent collections have been very trend-sensitive. An edgy monochrome eye palette was featured in the fall 2007 collection. For this spring, Eye Color Quad in 117 combines the two hottest shades at the moment, blue and purple.

As I mentioned in the Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report, while western brands are doing a lot of cold blues this season, Japanese brands are coming up with warmer blues. Clé de Peau’s spring 2008 lineup is just one example.

If I may, I am going to appreciate this beautiful image a little more…

Related Posts:

The Allure of Blue Eyeshadows
(Everyone can wear blue.)

Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette in Seascape
(featuring a beautiful warm blue)

Must-Try Look for Spring 2008
(Are you wearing it?)

{ 6 comments }

Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report

by PJ on Sunday, December 23, 2007

in -Anna Sui, -Chanel, -Clé de Peau, -Dior, -Givenchy, -Guerlain, -Lunasol, -MAC, -Shiseido, -YSL, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup trend reports

I am sure many of you have seen some of the upcoming spring 2008 collections. Apart from returning guests like pink and beige, it seems that cool tones will be stealing the show.

Two major makeup trends for spring 2008:

– blue eye colors
– lilac eye colors

First, blue. Chanel‘s spring 2008 makeup collection, Aurora Blues Accent, is now out in the US, and blue takes center stage.

(part of Chanel’s spring 2008 collection, Aurora Blues Accent)
(images from Bjooti.Net)

The new Chanel eyeshadow palette, Les 4 Ombres in Blue Cèlestes, includes a dark cold blue and a pastel blue. It also features grey, which is carried over from the makeup trend from fall 2007. The collection has a distinctive look, but I personally feel that it lacks a bit of warmth.

Givenchy‘s new denim-themed spring 2008 collection, Denim Fétiche, is also blue-oriented, right from the packaging to the shades.

(part of the Givenchy spring 2008 makeup collection,
Denim Fétiche)
(images from www.cosme.net)

Compared with Chanel’s collection, there seems to be a little more balance between cooler and warmer shades, which should make these palettes wearable for more people.

Coincidentally, the MAC for A-Mei collection, out in January 2008, includes a brighter, bolder, and slightly warmer blue. I have to say this is the kind of blue that I enjoy playing with more.

(MAC for A-Mei Eye Palettes)
(image from www.urcosme.com)

The warm and cool palettes are also put together to complement each other to create more possibilities.

Let’s move on to purple. I have always loved soft purple shades like lilac/lavender as well as darker purples like violet. Since this fall, we have seen rich bright purples in fashion, especially in accessories. Mulberry‘s Bayswater patent leather bag in purple is just one example of a hot fashion trend in fall 2007.

(Mulberry Bayswater bag in purple)
(image from www.mulberry.com)

Dior’s spring 2008 collection is very pretty in pink. It has a great mixture of warm and cool pinks, with mauves and lilacs as wonderful accent colors.

(Dior spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce/)

The 5-Color Eyeshadow Palettes in 470 Spring Bouquet and 909 Pink May both look beautiful and feminine. Pink May (the lower of the two palettes in the photo above) seems to be a great assembly of pink, peach, soft lilac, and purple. This certainly carries more of a spring atmosphere than Chanel’s Blue Cèlestes palette.

Apart from blue, Givenchy‘s spring 2008 collection also incorporates elements of purple. I will be interested in seeing the actual color and finish of the blusher (pictured in the middle).

(part of Givenchy’s spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.cosme.net)

One of YSL‘s two new Ombre Duo Lumière palettes also features a plum-purple:
(YSL Ombre Duo Lumière)
(image from woman.excite.co.jp)

There are also collections and individual items that put blue and purple together to create a pleasing mix. Among them, Chanel’s 4 Fleurs de Chanel includes pale pink, blue, and lilac.

(Chanel 4 Fleurs de Chanel)

(image from uma.chanel.com)

Anna Sui‘s latest eyeshadow addition, Glitter Eye Color Stick, features bright blue and purple. The two colors also jump out from the limited-edition items, Sui Lip Gloss and Eye Color Accent J palettes.

(Anna Sui Glitter Eye Color Stick)
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
(Anna Sui’s Sui Lip Gloss and Eye Color Accent J)
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)

Guerlain‘s new array of 4-color eyeshadow palettes for spring 2008 includes a soft and sensual lilac palette and a cool blue palette. The blue one seems similar to the Chanel Blue Cèlestes in terms of the color combination.
(image from woman.excite.co.jp)

Clé de Peau‘s upcoming eyeshadow palette has a warm aqua blue and a stunning violet. A winning combination for me.

(part of Clé de Peau’s spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.biteki.com)

Finally, Lunasol‘s Sheer Contrast Eyes palettes include 03 Blue Coral and 02 Lavender Coral, two vibrant palettes with warm blues and very pretty purples. Lavender Coral looks particularly alluring to me.


(Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/)

It is worth mentioning that Lunasol’s existing eyeshadow palette ranges are doing extremely well this year. Skin Modeling Eyes (released spring 2007), Geminate Eyes (fall 2007), and Scent Form Eyes (fall 2006) occupy the top three positions in the eyeshadow category of @Cosme’ Best Cosmetics Award. I think the Sheer Contrast Eyes range, with the selection of both wearable and on-trend colors, is very likely to continue the immense popularity of Lunasol’s eyeshadows and Lunasol the brand itself.

I am personally very pleased to see more lilacs at makeup counters, as it is a very wearable color for me. As for blues, I am more excited about the warmer ones that seem to appear more from Japanese brands like Clé de Peau and Lunasol that we’ve just seen above.

I am probably going to pick up some (more) lilac eyeshadow palettes, and I will be reviewing them later on!

What about you? Are you happy with these spring 2008 makeup trends?

Related Posts:

The Allure of Blue Eyeshadows
(Everyone should try a bit of blue.)

A Splash of Color – Lilting Lilac
(one of my favorite colors)

T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes in Purple
(out this spring and even more on-trend in spring 2008)

{ 8 comments }

Fall 2007 Makeup Trend Report

by PJ on Tuesday, August 14, 2007

in -Chanel, -Clé de Peau, -Cosme Decorte, -Dior, -Estée Lauder, -Givenchy, -Integrate, -Kanebo, -Kate, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, -Majolica Majorca, -Maquillage, -Shiseido, -SHISEIDO (Global Brand), -Shiseido The Makeup, -SUQQU, -YSL, 2007 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup trend reports

Some distinctive trends in the fall 2007 makeup releases:

– olive green / grey eyeshadows
– intense lip colors
– retro Audrey Hepburn look

Which trend are you going to experiment with this fall?

—Grey Areas—————

In fashion, grey has been hailed as The New Black for a while. I am surprised that it didn’t trickle down to makeup earlier. This fall, grey eyeshadows will be big, among all the neutral tones.

One palette that epitomizes this trend is Shiseido Clé de Peau‘s Ombres Couleurs Quadri palette in 114 (seen below):

(Clé de Peau fall 2007 makeup ad,
Biteki magazine September 2007, p. 152-153)

(Clé de Peau fall 2007 makeup ad,
Biteki magazine September 2007, p.152)

Also, Dior‘s 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette in 060 Silver Goddess features an array of grey hues along with a sensual light blue.

Other servings of grey eyeshadows:
-Shiseido Maquillage: Sparkle Contrast Eyes 2 GY851
-Majolica Majorca: Shadow Customize BK922
-Kate: Gradical Eyes S BK-1
-Integrate: Live Fix Eyes GY812
–SUQQU: Blend Eyeshadow 04

In a way, grey (especially in metallic finishes) is simply a darker silver. The look reminds me of an old-school silver-screen goddess. Very nostalgic and glamorous.

—Green with Envy—————

Another trendy color this season is olive green. Paired with pink, olive green is featured in Lush & Lovely, Chanel fall 2007 makeup collection, as it appears in the latest eyeshadow palettes: Garden Party (Les 4 Ombres Quadra) and Lotus-Cactus (Irréelle Duo).

(photo: from Chanel
at www.bergdorfgoodman.com)

Also, YSL fall 2007 makeup collection features olive green eyeshadows in a couple of the new Ombres Duo Lumières palettes.

In Japanese cosmetics, Cosme Decorte’s new line, Magie Deco, uses pink and olive green in the opposite way, with olive green above the eyes and pink along the lower lash line:

(Magie Deco ad, backcover of makeup booklet,
Biteki September 2007)

Apart from Magie Deco, olive green eyeshadows are also used in:

Kate‘s fall 2007 TV ad (with Gradical Eyes S GN-1)
SUQQU‘s fall 2007 printed ad (with Blend Eyeshadow 01).

Olive green seems to be a relatively masculine color as an eyeshadow, which might be why it has been paired with pink to create a balanced look. But, worn alone, it can be very edgy.

—A La Audrey—————

Givenchy‘s fall 2007 collection, Camouflage Chic, pays tribute to the classic Givenchy muse, Audrey Hepburn. A search in Google Images comes out with photos of what I think is one of the most beautiful people ever, with clean, crisp, and defined eye makeup. Intense color fills between the lash line and the crease line and it is kept clean everywhere else. No smoky eyes here.

Givenchy’s latest Prismissime Eyes in 54 Cache Cache can get you this classic look:

(photo: from www.sephora.com)

Shiseido The Makeup‘s new Silky Eye Shadow Quad in Q9 Lunar Phases is based on the same trend.

Again, this is definitely a very retro look. I think “Less is more” is the key here. Don’t overdo it and keep it nice and simple.

—Strong Lips—————

What if you don’t want to pile on intense eye colors? You can channel the intensity to the lips. Keep the eye makeup fuss-free and choose a rich satiny (not glossy) lip shade. The cover of Biteki September 2007 shows how it’s done:

(cover of Biteki, September 2007)

It can be a wine red, berry red (as in the Chanel ad above), or a warm brownish red. With careful coordination, they can go with grey or olive green eyeshadows, as in Estee Lauder’s fall 2007 look:

(photo: from esteelauder.co.uk)


I quite like this look. Chic and timeless.

What other trends have you spotted?

{ 9 comments }

Cosmetics Best-Sellers Across Japan: 2006

by PJ on Sunday, March 18, 2007

in -Anna Sui, -Biotherm, -Bobbi Brown, -Chanel, -Clarins, -Clé de Peau, -Clinique, -Dior, -Helena Rubinstein, -Lancôme, -Paul & Joe, -RMK, -Shiseido, -SK-II, -YSL, all about Japanese cosmetics, bodycare, makeup, makeup - base makeup, skincare

I came across an interesting feature on the January issue of Biteki magazine. It lists best-sellers in each major department store throughout Japan and compares what customers like in different parts of the country. Today I am listing some of them as a whole (non-areal-specific) for you to have a look and I am focusing on products from brands available internationally.

*Skincare/Bodycare*

Shiseido Cle de Peau: Lotion Tendre
Clinique: Turnaround Concentrate
Origins: Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Serum
Dior: Capture Totale Multi-Protection Correction Serum
RMK: Skin Smoother
RMK: Face Protector SPF 31
Biotherm: Celluli Peel
Clarins: Total Body Lift
SKII: Skin Treatment Essence

*Base Makeup*

RMK: Makeup Base
RMK: Creamy Makeup Base Mat
RMK: Liquid Foundation
YSL: Touche Eclat
Clinique: All About Eyes Concealer
Clinique: Perfectly Real Makeup

*Color Makeup*

Bobbi Brown: Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Helena Rubinstein: Lash Queen Water-Proof

Lancome: L’Extreme Water-Proof

Lancome: Juicy Tube 17
Chanel: Rouge Allure 04, 13, 30
Dior: Rouge Dior 434
RMK: Ingenious Cheeks 29
RMK: Water Color Eyes 04
Anna Sui: Nail Color 333
Paul & Joe: Nail Color 26

(from Biteki January 2007)

One thing I have noticed is that there is one lipstick that tops virtually all the department store top-selling lists: Dior Addict Ultra Shine 2 in 340 Shiniest Peach. Ultra Shine 2 is only available in Asia at the moment, but the very exclusive Harvey Nichols in London actually has it!

Coming up in my next post, I will be sharing my daily foundation routine.

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