-Cosme Decorte

Holiday 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 2)

by PJ on Thursday, December 24, 2009

in -Anna Sui, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, -Max Factor, 2009 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

(continued from Part 1)

6. Max Factor

(image from www.maxfactor.jp)

Some beauty lines in Japan let customers choose what they want in the holiday makeup kits. For holiday 2009, Max Factor offers the Foundation Set and the Color Makeup Set. With the Foundation Set, customers can go for one foundation and one makeup base, while they can choose one eyeshadow palette and one mascara for the Color Makeup Set. There are also two makeup pouches to choose from, and I think both look very lovely.

5. Anna Sui

(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)

There are some very collectible items in Anna Sui’s holiday 2009 collection. The Hand Mirror Eye Color Palette and the Hand Mirror Lip Color Palette are especially eye-catching. (I am sure they are popular with Anna Sui fans.) The makeup case also looks quite princessy.

4. Magie Deco

(image from www.cosme.net)

Since Magie Deco was launched in 2007, it has been bringing out makeup sets for the holiday season. For 2009, Magie Deco Coffret III includes a very pretty eyeshadow palette, with colors such as beige gold, light pink, and deep purple. The set also contains a pressed powder and a powder brush. This is probably my favorite holiday makeup set from Magie Deco, which is very closely followed by the 2007 coffret. (See the 2007 coffret here and the one for 2008 here.)

Max Factor Eye Gradation Colors

Anna Sui Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

Magie Deco Fall 2009 Collection

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Fall 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 3)

by PJ on Wednesday, November 18, 2009

in -Cosme Decorte, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kosé, -Lunasol, -Magie Deco, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

(continued from Part 1 & Part 2)

3. Jill Stuart

(image from www.iswii.com)

Jill Stuart’s fall 2009 items include the seasonal additions plus the 5th anniversary collection. The 5th anniversary collection items are certainly worth collecting but the packaging of some of the items can look a little fussy. Among the fall additions, I particularly like the new Seductive Eyes palette, which has some nice warm neutrals. There are also two new variations of the popular Mix Blush Compact.

2. Magie Deco

(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

I didn’t pay too much attention to Magie Deco’s fall 2009 collection until I saw the full lineup in the September 2009 issue of Biteki and some of the Shadow Brilliance II palettes being featured in the following issue. I actually like almost all the variations, and LC028 Lovable Muse, with lilac and green, is quite an unusual color combination in Japanese cosmetics.

This might surprise you, but the Shadow Brilliance II palette that has really grabbed my attention is DC025 Foxy Lady, not DC026 Real Madonna. The light-to-medium neutrals look very soft, wearable, and sophisticated. If I decide to pick up more neutral shades, I might seriously consider this palette.

1. Lunasol

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

For me, it has been quite a good year for Lunasol. Last fall, I didn’t really warm to Lunasol’s red-toned collection, which wasn’t among my seasonal top ten then. This year, I like all of Lunasol’s seasonal collections (including the holiday 2009 collection), and, with the fall 2009 collection, the idea of capturing the changes of light from dusk to dawn appeals to me a lot.

Overall, Lunasol’s eyeshadow palettes for this year are relatively understated in terms of color and shimmer (especially when they are compared with palettes from previous series such as Geminate Eyes and Sheer Contrast Eyes). In a way, they are similar to palettes from Lunasol’s early days, but it seems that shimmer will be back for spring 2010.

My holiday 2009 top ten will be posted next month.

Related posts (on spring 2010 collections):

Coffret D’Or

Aube Couture

Esprique Precious

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New Japanese Beauty Line: Cosme Decorte Maquiexpert

by PJ on Monday, September 14, 2009

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -Maquiexpert, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image/info from www.isetan.co.jp)

On October 16th, Kosé’s Cosme Decorte will launch a new line, Maquiexpert. The debut lineup includes base makeup and skincare items.

The line has a minimal and professional look. The packaging is very Giorgio Armani, and Covering Makeup Foundation (above) reminds me of Max Factor’s pancake compact foundation.

Maquiexpert’s debut lineup includes:

– Covering Makeup Foundation (10 shades, sponge sold separately)

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

– Face Powder

– Covering Makeup Base

– Textuner (primer)

– Deep Cleansing Oil

– Balancing Mist

Maquiexpert’s price point will be somewhat similar to those of Jill Stuart and Lunasol. Both Covering Makeup Foundation and Face Powder retail for 5250 JPY.

A limited-edition debut kit was available in Isetan Shinjuku in Tokyo from September 6th to 10th. Also, you can check out this post on a Japanese blog for the promotional image of the line.

Cosme Decorte Magie Deco Fall 2009 Collection

Cosme Decorte AQ Fall 2009 Collection

New Japanese Beauty Brand: Addiction

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Kosé Cosme Decorte Magie Deco Fall 2009 Collection

by PJ on Thursday, July 16, 2009

in -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce/)

Magie Deco will release its fall 2009 collection in Japan on August 21st. The new version of Shadow Brilliance, Shadow Brilliance II, will be launched.

The lineup includes:

– Shadow Brilliance II (above, 6 variations)

– Fairy Eyes (2 new shades)

– Lipstick (6 new shades)

– Lipstick Luxual Color (2 shades)

– Fairy Rouge (2 new shades)

– Nail Color (6 new shades)

Kosé Cosme Decorte AQ Fall 2009 Point & Base Makeup Collection

by PJ on Thursday, July 16, 2009

in -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce/)

Cosme Decorte AQ, one of Kosé’s top-end lines, will release its fall 2009 collection in Japan on August 21st.

The new point makeup items include:

– Shadow Supreme (above, 3 new variations)

– Rouge Supreme (5 new shades)

– Nail Supreme (5 new shades)

– Lip Brush

The new base makeup items (which will be housed in the new packaging launched last year for AQ’s fall 2008 point makeup collection) include:

– Cream Foundation Supreme (7 shades, SPF 20, PA++)

– Powder Foundation Supreme (7 shades, SPF 15, PA++)

– Makeup Base (2 shades, SPF 18, PA+)

– Concealer (2 shades, SPF 25, PA+++)

– Modelling Nuancer (pressed powder/ highlighter, 2 shades)

– Face Powder N (1 shade)

– Lip Glosser (lip treatment, lipstick base and lip gloss)

Cosme Decorte AQ Summer 2008 Collection

Beauté de Kosé Spring 2009 Collection

Foundation Face-Off (4): Dior vs. Kosé Esprique Precious

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Magie Deco Summer 2009 Collection

by PJ on Monday, March 23, 2009

in -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image/info from www.biteki.com)

Magie Deco (from the Kosé-owned Cosme Decorte) will release its summer 2009 collection in Japan on April 16th. The lineup includes:

– Brilliance Eyes palette (1 new variation)

– Fairy Eyes (3 new shades)

– Lipstick (3 new shades)

– Eyebrow Mascara (3 shades)

(Eyebrow Mascara)
(image and info from www.cosme.net)

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

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Holiday 2008 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Wednesday, December 17, 2008

in -Cosme Decorte, -Jill Stuart, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, -RMK, -Shu Uemura, 2008 Holiday, seasonal makeup top 10

Today and in the next few days, I will be counting down my 10 favorite holiday 2008 makeup collections. We’ll start from #10 to #7 today.

10. RMK

(image from RMK)

The 2008 edition of RMK’s Christmas Palette is probably one of the best holiday palettes from RMK in recent years, particularly in terms of the packaging. I like the two-tier design as well as the metallic gold pouch. (On the other hand, I didn’t like the animal-print palette from last year, even though it had some very nice colors.) The colors are wearable and the sparkles in the three pastel eyeshadows add a festive vibe to the party makeup look.

Please have a look at my review of the palette here.

9. Magie Deco

(image from www.iswii.net)

This is Magie Deco’s second holiday coffret. While I prefer the first one, this year’s version still looks gorgeous and glamorous. It is a good continuation of the deep-red theme from the line’s fall 2008 Bordeaux Magic collection.

8. Jill Stuart

(image from www.urcosme.com)

I have to say I am slightly underwhelmed by Jill Stuart’s holiday set for this year. It does have a beautiful vintage look, but, again, I prefer last year’s Christmas Rose Collection, with rosette details and a more different design for the eyeshadow palette. But the Solid Perfume Ring did tempt me a little bit when I first saw it.

7. Shu Uemura

(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)

I really like the cases of these eye palettes and some of the colors in them. The colorful photos are by Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa, and they also feature in Gloss Unlimited Mini Trio, Portable Brush Set and Makeup Box. Shu Uemura’s products usually have a simple and minimal look, and these images inject a lot of vibrancy to these holiday items. (You can see the rest of the collection here.)

The countdown continues in Part 2 and Part 3!

My Fall 2008 Makeup Top 10:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

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Cosme Decorte AQ & Magie Deco Spring 2009 Collections

by PJ on Monday, December 15, 2008

in -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics

(image and info from www.cosmedecorte.com)

The Cosme Decorte website has been updated to feature the spring 2009 collections of Magie Deco and AQ.

Magie Deco‘s spring 2009 collection includes a new Shadow Brilliance palette as well as new shades of Lipstick, Lipstick Luxual Color, Fairy Rouge (lip gloss), Pure Color (eyeshadow single), and Nail Color. Pink, purple, and green seem to be the main shades of the collection.

(new Pure Color eyeshadows for spring 2009)

Green is also one of the key colors in AQ‘s new Shadow Supreme palettes for spring 2009. The collection also features new shades of Rouge Supreme and Nail Supreme.

Many thanks to Betsy at Autumn Masquerade for informing me of the website update!

Magie Deco Holiday 2008 Collection

Magie Deco Fall 2008 Collection

AQ Fall 2008 Collection

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Fall 2008 Makeup Trend Report

by PJ on Wednesday, August 13, 2008

in -AQ, -Chanel, -Cosme Decorte, -Dior, -Est, -Kanebo, -Kao, -Kosé, -Lancôme, -Laura Mercier, -Lavshuca, -Lunasol, -Magie Deco, -Maquillage, -Shiseido, -SHISEIDO (Global Brand), -Shiseido The Makeup, -SUQQU, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, seasonal makeup trend reports

(image from www.chanel.com)

If there is one word that sums up the makeup trends for fall 2008, it is “warmth”. We had grey from fall 2007 and cool lilac and blue from spring 2008, and now we are greeted by opulent gold and red.

Fields of Gold

Chanel leads the pack with a collection with gold in the eye palette, lip gloss, face highlighter, and nail color. It is a decadent shade of gold, although it can be too warm for some complexions. If this is the case with you, items from Lavshuca (Grade Color Select in GD-1) and Shiseido The Makeup (Lip Gloss in G29 Mellow Gold) might suit you better.

(Lavshuca Grade Color Select in GD-1 (among swatches))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)

(Shiseido The Makeup Lip Gloss in G29 Mellow Gold)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/themakeup)

Gold is also seen in Vernis Crème de Nacres, two nail products in Lancôme‘s fall 2008 collection that are applied with a special applicator. (I am not entirely certain whether they are sold in North America, but they are already available in the UK.)

(Lancôme Vernis Crème de Nacres)
(image from www.lancome.jp)

Shades of Red

If you are fans of purples, there are still some nice shades from Givenchy, Clarins, Awake and Sonia Rykiel as these beautiful hues continue the trend in spring 2008. But many purples are taking on a much warmer tone for fall 2008 and turning into plum purples. We are also seeing shades of burgundy and red, which, just like gold, are the key shades for this fall.

For plum and burgundy, which still somewhat echo the spring trend, look into the palettes from Laura Mercier, EST, and Magie Deco:

(Laura Mercier Eye Color Trio in Mauve Sunset)
(image from www.lauramercier.com)

(EST Emotional Aura Eyes in 07)
(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)

(Magie Deco Shadow Brilliance in 021 Bordeaux Shadow)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

Apart from gold, Chanel‘s fall 2008 collection also features delicious plums in Rouge Hydrabase in Fantastic Plum and Nail Colour in Fantastic.

While warmer reds are seen in major Japanese brands (like Lunasol and SUQQU below), Dior, always a trendsetter, features a muted warm red in 5-Colour Eyeshadow in #673 Earth Tones:

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

(image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)

(Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow in 673 Earth Tones)
(image from www.sephora.com)

Mix & Match

If you love experimenting with makeup trends, why not try wearing gold and warm purples/reds to sport both trends at the same time?

(Magie Deco Pure Color in GD076 and RD470)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

(Cosme Decorte AQ Shadow Supreme in 015)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/aq)

(Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 54)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)

If reds around the eyes don’t suit you, try gold with deep cool violets. It is a beautiful and modern way to wear violets. I am thinking about trying the items below:

(Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 52)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)

(Lavshuca Dual Prism Eyes in PU-1 (among the swatches))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)

Last but not least, the two makeup looks for fall/holiday 2008 from Shiseido The Makeup epitomise the key trends for the coming seasons:

(Eyeshadow Quad Shimmer in Q11 (left) and Q12 (right))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/themakeup)

This season, I think I will be trying slightly deeper purples (than the ones I have been wearing) as well as platinum golds (not bronze golds). What about you? What shades are tempting you?

Related posts (more red, plum, and lilac):

Coffret D’Or Trance Deep Eyes in Grey Variation
(with a cool medium lilac)

NARS Fall 2008 Collection

ck Calvin Klein Fall 2008 Collection

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