-Dior

Dior Luxury Holiday Collection 2008

by PJ on Tuesday, November 18, 2008

in -Dior, 2008 Holiday, makeup

(image and info from woman.excite.co.jp)

For the holiday season in Japan, Dior usually releases a luxury set which allows customization of part of the contents. Last year, customers were able to choose the lipstick and nail varnish they liked for the TOTALLY DIOR Cannage set. This year, the Shimmering Party Makeup collection includes:

– any lipstick (from Dior Addict High Shine, Dior Addict High Color, or Rouge Dior range)
– eyeshadow single (limited-edition shade only available in this set)
– Diorshow Powder in 001
– silver mirror
– silver pouch

The set is priced between 8400 (87 USD) and 8610 JPY, depending on the choice of lipstick. It is a lot cheaper than the Cannage collection in 2007, which was around 300 USD and featured a much more luxurious-looking bag. Maybe this is partly due to the current economic climate…

Dior Holiday 2008 Collection

Dior Night Diamond for Holiday 2008

Golden Dior Luminizing Makeup Jewel

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Holiday 2008 Focus – Dior Night Diamond

by PJ on Monday, November 17, 2008

in -Dior, 2008 Holiday, makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder, stash focus

As some of you might already know, I like many of Dior’s seasonal limited-edition items. For holiday 2008, after seeing the initial images of Night Diamond Allover Diamond Dust, I was pretty sure I would be getting it. (Please also check the link above to see all the collection updates.)

Dior’s holiday 2008 collection was out in the US much earlier than in the UK. It was released here about two weeks ago and I got the Night Diamond powder as soon as it was available.

In the US, only 001 Beige Diamond is sold, but in the UK (and the rest of Europe, I think) and in Asia, there is also 002 Pink Diamond. The one I have is Beige Diamond.

Beige Diamond is a pale champagne gold with multi-colored shimmer. The finish is shimmery without being overly sparkly. (I also tested Pink Diamond at the counter. It goes on as a very shimmery platinum and looks noticeably more sparkly than Beige Diamond. It doesn’t look particularly pink when worn.)

I actually haven’t used Beige Diamond on my face yet. (Unlike a few other Dior seasonal limited-edition items, I will be using this one…but I will wait until a bit later to dip in.) Based on the light swatches on the back of my hand, it seems that the shimmery particles are quite fine and the effect looks dimensional rather than flat.

I also like the design of the case. With all the bling, the case still manages to look elegant and it definitely oozes glamour. The metal case is also quite heavy, which I like. It certainly has a very substantial look and feel.

The compact also comes with a brush (which is not stored in the compact). Both have their own velvet pouches.

Usually, Dior releases items for lips for the holiday season (wristband-style bracelet for 2002, ID tags for 2003 and 2004, dice charm for 2005, heart charm for 2006, and necklace for 2007). This is the first time in years that we are getting something pure and simple (although very bejewelled) that doesn’t double as something else. But my other half did say that it is heavy enough to be a paper weigh. (What a luxurious paper weigh it would be…)

(Both my friends The Muse at Musings of a Muse and Betsy at Autumn Masquerade have reviewed Night Diamond Beige Diamond on their blogs. It seems that we all like it!)

My Personal Take on Dior

Dior Eyeshadow Duo in DiorLagoon

Dior Diorissime Palette

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Dior Holiday 2008 Update (4)

by PJ on Thursday, October 23, 2008

in -Dior, 2008 Holiday, makeup

Just in case you haven’t seen them on-line or in the shop, here are some more images of Dior’s holiday 2008 collection. (All images are from woman.excite.co.jp.)

Please see my first post on the collection to see all the photos and the updates.

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Dior Holiday 2008 Update (3)

by PJ on Saturday, September 27, 2008

in -Dior, 2008 Holiday, makeup

(all images from www.iswii.net)

Here are a few more photos from Dior’s holiday 2008 collection. The photo above is a close-up of the Holiday Collection Makeup Palette that I mentioned in an earlier post.

The photos below show more palettes from the collection. These are similar to the ones from last year. I am not certain if they are global releases. If the ones from last year were available where you are, chances are that you are probably going to see these new ones later. (By the way, the 2007 ones were sold in the UK, and I’d say I will be expecting to see them in October.)

Dior Holiday 2008 Collection

Dior Holiday 2008 Update (1)

Dior Holiday 2008 Update (2)

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Dior Holiday 2008 Collection Update (2)

by PJ on Friday, September 19, 2008

in -Dior, 2008 Holiday, makeup

(image from www.cosme.net)

Continuing with all the holiday releases, Dior will release Holiday Collection Makeup Palette in Japan on December 1st. (See some of the November releases here.)

The palette includes six eyeshadows, a blusher (DiorBlush #939 (Rosebud)), a pressed powder, a Dior Addict gloss (#257) and a mini DiorShow Blackout mascara (#099).

It is likely that this palette will be available outside Japan. (The holiday 2007 version of the palette was available in the UK for around £45.)

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Dior Holiday 2008 Collection Update (1) – More Items and Images

by PJ on Sunday, September 14, 2008

in -Dior, 2008 Holiday, makeup

Please have a look at the post at Steph’s Closet for more images of Dior’s holiday 2008 collection.

The Night Diamond compact (Black Diamond Diamond Effect Powder, according to the site) is still looking good!

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Dior Holiday 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, September 12, 2008

in -Dior, 2008 Holiday, makeup

(Dior Night Diamond
from the Holiday 2008 Collection )
(all images from i-voce2.com)

I always look forward to Dior’s holiday releases, and the packaging of this year’s star item, Night Diamond, is yet again inspired by Dior’s couture designs.

Dior‘s holiday 2008 collection will be released in Japan on November 1st. There should be more items to come. So far some of the items include:

– Night Diamond (pressed powder, 2 shades)

– J’Adore Absolu (50ml, this seems to be already available in many countries)

– J’Adore Absolu Fragrance Compact (solid perfume, 4g)

I do like the case of Night Diamond, and I am really looking forward to seeing the product in person.

I will update this post when there is more information.

Updated on September 14th, 2008:

There are more images of the jewelled powder compact and some other items at Steph’s Closet.

Updated on September 19th, 2008:

Please see the updated post here for more product information.

Updated on September 27th, 2008:

Please see the updated post here for more product information.

Updated on October 23rd, 2008:

Please see more photos of the collection here.

Updated on November 17th, 2008:

My review of Dior Night Diamond is up.

Updated on November 18, 2008:

Image and information of the Shimmering Party Makeup collection.

Dior Fall 2008 Makeup Collection

Dior Holiday 2007 – DiorLight

Dior Holiday 2006 – Dior Pretty Charms

How I Get My Dior (for Free)

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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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Dior Cleansing Gelee for Face, Lips, and Eyes

by PJ on Monday, July 28, 2008

in -Dior, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning

(Dior Cleansing Gelee for Face, Lips and Eyes)

I have disliked almost all the cleansing creams that I have tried. Most of them either are too thick to manoeuvre (too much massaging involved) and/or leave some greasy residue. But Dior‘s Cleansing Gelee for Face, Lips and Eyes is one of the very few cream-based cleansers that I like. (I used a couple of 7ml trial samples before and I was glad to get a 50ml one from a gift with purchase.)

It has a very pleasant light-cream texture. With minimal massaging, it melts into a watery lotion consistency. It rinses off nicely and does not leave a greasy film. I still use a little bit of face wash after that, but I’d think some people probably don’t need that extra step as the cleanser does leave the skin quite refreshed.

It did remove lipstick and waterproof mascara when I tested it on the back of my hand (I tested it on Maybelline Volum’ Express Waterproof), but I usually still use an eye/lip makeup remover before using any cleansing gel/cream. (I don’t like any massaging/rubbing in my eye/lip area.)

This product is alcohol-free but contains fragrance.

Generally, I still prefer a cleansing oil, which is quick and easy to use and removes everything at one go. But if you are looking for a light gel/cream-based makeup remover for this summer (and are not sensitive to fragrance), this can be a good candidate.

Can’t Live Without – RMK Cleansing Oil N

Simple Moisturising Foaming Facial Wash

Johnson’s Eye Makeup Remover

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A Splash of Color – Gorgeous Gold

by PJ on Monday, July 7, 2008

in _I Love Colors, -Anna Sui, -Coffret d'Or, -Dior, -Elégance, -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, -Majolica Majorca, -YSL, all about Japanese cosmetics, fragrance, makeup, stash focus

I used to like gold more as a (glamorous and opulent) makeup packaging color scheme than as a shade to be worn. But I have tried a couple of gold-toned eye palettes this summer, and I have been enjoying seeing how various shades of gold can do for my eyes.

It seems that gold will be leading the makeup trend for fall and winter 2008, and I think there will be more dazzling hues of gold all the way through the holiday season.

Base
Anna Sui Fluid Foundation
Majolica Majorca Skin Remake Powder Foundation
Versace Concealer & Highlighter Duo

Eyes
Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Gold Variation
Lavshuca Summer Gradually Compact in Shiny Sandy Beach
Elégance Purity Eyes 11

Cheeks
Anna Sui Face Color Stick 302

Lips
Dior Sparkling Lip Gloss Duo
YSL Golden Gloss 03 Golden Pink

Multi-purposed
Dior Golden Dior Luminizing Makeup Jewel
YSL Gold Celebration Palette “Star Glow”

Fragrance
Dior J’Adore Eau de Parfum

Other splashes of color:

Lilting Lilac (Part 1 and 2)