(Dior Impression Cuir)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)
I was waiting to bring you the information on Dior’s fall 2008 makeup collection, and I was especially looking forward to the limited-edition star item.
Impression Cuir features three neutral shades in crocodile prints. The case seems to be only slightly larger than Dior’s eyeshadow single.
The rest of the collection is also dominated by neutrals. After a predominantly neutral collection from Dior for summer, I was looking forward to something different. I have to say I am a little bit disappointed, and Impression Cuir also doesn’t look very appealing to me. (At the moment, it seems that gold and dark neutrals are the makeup trends of fall 2008.)
Please do enjoy the photos of the rest of Dior’s fall 2008 collection. (More information and observation follow below. All images are from the Voce website.)
– The collection also includes two lip liners and one eyeliner.
– The new Couleur Duo is available in two variations.
– All items are limited editions, except the Couleur Duo, the lip liners and the eyeliner.
Just one more thing. One of the two new eyeshadow palettes (the first one seen above) really reminds me of Lunasol’s Scent Form Eyes in Black Tea, which is released in fall 2006 and is one of Lunasol’s most popular items to date. Both feature the unique combination of soft plum-red and warm green, paired with neutrals.
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
(continued from Part 1 and 2)
3. Dior
(Dior’s summer 2008 makeup collection)
(from Biteki, June 2008, p. 138)
Dior’s summer 2008 lineup has a very coherent look, as warm hues dominate the collection. Even though I am not particularly fond of very warm neutrals, I generally like collections with a strong identity.
I decided to get the Golden Dior Makeup Jewel (in Lamé Pink), which looks as good as it appears on all the magazine pages.
The look of the 5-Color Eyeshadow palette in 589 (the lower one in the photo above), but the finish of almost all the shades is too metallic for my liking. If you like metallic finishes, many of Dior’s recent eye palettes would be must-sees. But I do hope Dior would cut back on intense shimmer just a little bit and go back to the more satiny and softly shimmery finishes.
2. Lavshuca
(Summer Gradually Compact in Windy Aqua Beach)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)
(Summer Gradually Compact in Shiny Sandy Beach)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)
With two very nicely packaged six-color eye palettes for summer 2008, Lavshuca consolidated its position as a drugstore-brand princess for me. (The collection also features two new shades of Rouge Essence Bar.)
Some of you were surprised (and rightly so) that I went for the neutral Shiny Sandy Beach rather than the cool-toned Windy Aqua Beach. (Hmm…some of you seem to know my makeup likes and dislikes very well…) I was in a short neutral phase earlier (which is gradually coming to an end now), and I did need to add more medium neutrals to my collection.
I was very happy with this palette, since I like soft medium neutrals that are not overly pigmented (or overly warm). I particularly like the shades second and third from the right. (Please check out the link above for my review.)
1. Lunasol
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)
To me, in the last few seasons, Lunasol’s makeup collections appear to be invincible. Superb quality, stunning colors, and a clear story behind every collection.
Lunasol’s Summer 2008 collection continues the “Color Purification” theme with inspiration from colorful corals of the sea. The shades look bouncy and vibrant but still wearable. The collection features the Bronze Coral palette, but it is not ruled by neutrals.
I have the Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral from the spring 2008 lineup, which I adore, and I don’t plan to pick up palettes from this collection. But I am quite interested in the Full Glamour Gloss in EX-01 (fourth from the bottom in the photo above, a limited edition). But I will have to act fast if I do decide to get it, since Lunasol’s limited-edition items for summer do tend to sell out.
You can see reviews of items from this collection on Autumn Masquerade and Lotus Palace. For swatches, please check out this post.
My summer top 10 brands’ fall 2008 offerings:
Lunasol
Lavshuca
Twany Glamacy
Cosme Decorte AQ
by PJ on Monday, May 26, 2008
in _I Love Colors, -Anna Sui, -Clarins, -Coffret d'Or, -Dior, -Kanebo, -Lunasol, -MAC, -Maquillage, -Paul & Joe, -Shiseido, makeup, makeup - base makeup, nail color/care
The Golden Dior Luminizing Makeup Jewel is priced at £39 in the UK, not £49 as stated in my previous post.
My apology!
(Dior Golden Dior Luminizing Makeup Jewel)
As I mentioned yesterday, I got the Golden Dior pendant. At my local Boots Dior counter, the summer 2008 display was not out yet. But, to be honest, since this would be strictly a collector’s item for me (which I probably will never use), it didn’t really matter. (I also trusted Dior’s packaging enough to not have seen the actual pendant before buying it.) I picked Lamé Pink, one of the two shades available in the UK.
Let’s see the name on the outer packaging, which pretty much shows what this item is for:
Golden Dior
Luminizing Makeup Jewel
(Bijou Enlumineur D’Été)
Touch-on Luminizer for Eyes, Cheeks, and Lips
(Enlumineur Crème Yeux, Joues, Lèvres)
156 Lamé Pink
(Rose Lamé)
(Please note that this shade might not be available globally. 166 Lamé Gold (Or Lamé) is the shade sold in North America.)
This is a multi-purposed item that you can use wherever you want. On the look of it, Lamé Pink is a warm pink with frosty gold shimmer.
(I will update this post when I have a chance to play with the testers.)
Today we will focus on the packaging. There are two things I particularly like about this pendant. First, the dark surface makes fingerprints less apparent. Usually, Dior’s limited-edition items have reflective silver or gold finishes throughout which make fingerprints very visible. But, with this one, I worry less about it.
Also, the pendant has a nice thickness, which I didn’t expected. It gives a more substantial look to it.
Here are two photos of the interior of the pendant and the shade of Lamé Pink:
I like the inside of the pendant as well, especially the shape of the mirror, which goes with the overall design.
At the moment, I am liking it more than I thought I would. It is less blingy and has a slightly more understated look, but it is bold enough not to look boring. Even though it cost me 3900 points on my Boots Card (it retails for £39), it was worth it.
Related Posts:
How I Get Dior “For Free”
(including Golden Dior)
DiorLight Jeweled Makeup Necklace
(from holiday 2007)
DiorLagoon Eyeshadow Duo
(the perfect turquoise)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)
In 2008, the popular Japanese beauty magazine, Voce, is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
From March 2008 and for 12 months, each monthly issue includes a book-in-book titled The World Beauty Heritage, featuring a prestigious western or Japanese beauty brand.
Thankfully, Voce is putting pages of this feature on the official website. Even though the texts are in Japanese, the beautiful images are definitely worth checking out. (If you do read Japanese, many featured products include links to their entries in the Voce on-line beauty product database.)
So far the brands featured are:
March 2008: Dior
April 2008: Estée Lauder
May 2008: Cosme Decorte
The webpage is updated monthly as each printed issue is published. So do go back later for more.
Related Posts:
Japanese Beauty Magazine: Biteki
My Ultimate Cosmetics Archive
(Enjoying the sunshine while I can…)
In the UK, I think summer is the best season, with warm sunshine and soft breezes.
But we had a fairly disappointingly cool summer in the UK last year, with very little sunshine. This year, under the influence of La Niña, we probably won’t have a warmer summer…
For me, bright turquoise is one of the most summery colors. Thanks to the pleasant (and rare) sunshine today, my turquoise looked brighter and more tropical!
For eyes
– Dior Eyeshadow Duo in DiorLagoon
– Ayura Finger Touch Eye Shadow in GR (limited-edition, fall 2006)
– MAC Eye Shadow in Haunting (Alexander McQueen Collection)
– MAC Paint Pot in Rollickin’ (Fafi Collection)
– Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Color in Fabulous Turquoise
For lips
-Ettusais Lip Gloss in CL
For skin
– Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher
Please enjoy more splashes of colors!
– New-Leaf Green
– Aqua Blue
– Citrus Orange
– Girlie Pink
– Lilting Lilac
(the
Golden Dior pendant
for summer 2008)
Please enjoy the images from Dior’s summer 2008 collection!
(Dior summer 2008
Asia-only release)
(images from woman.excite.co.jp.)
Apart from the bronzing items, the rest of the collection ranges from warm pink to peach and beige. Overall, I think most of the colors are too warm for my complexion. But if you are a bronzed goddess, this collection is definitely worth a closer look when it hits the counters.
I am liking the look of the Golden Dior pendant at the moment. Since I didn’t use my Boots points on any of Dior’s spring 2008 collection, I might use them to get it. It contains a cream color that can be used on the eyes, cheeks, and lips.
It is available in Pink and Gold, and I will probably get the one in Pink…
(If the same thing happens again with Dior’s limited-edition items, only the one in Gold would be available in the US.)
Some of my Dior items:
DiorLight Jeweled Makeup Necklace
(from Holiday 2007)
Diorissime Palette
(from Fall 2007)
5-Color Eyeshadow Palette in Seascape
(purple, blue, and mint green…)
(image from www.dior.com)
Dior’s makeup collections tend to capture the trend very well, and this season’s release has done it again, with gorgeous pinks, lilacs, and warm neutrals to add depth.
(Dior spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce/)
Visually stunning as well as wearable, the collection is a feast for the eyes. I always like a seasonal collection with a strong identity, and all the variation of pinks, along with the ad campaign, create a distinct look for this collection.
Dior’s eye palettes have been getting more and more shimmery. (Almost all the shades in this season’s two palettes are very shimmery.) Even though I am not sure I like this direction, the finishes of these shades are still flattering.
2nd: Coffret D’Or
(part of Coffret D’Or’s spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)
Like EST, Coffret D’Or‘s spring collection is another sublime debut collection. I know some people were not looking forward to seeing T’Estimo being discontinued and replaced by Coffret D’Or. But I simply chose to see Coffret D’Or as the same line (plus base makeup products) being marketed under a new name and new packaging.
I do like the new packaging. It looks more gown-up than T’Estimo and I like the jeweled details on the eye palettes.
The 3D Lighting Eyes palettes are definitely the core of this collection. I have read more reviews where people choose not to buy the spring 2008 palettes from Maquillage or Aube (both of which are similarly priced) and go for Coffret D’Or instead (than the other way around). Even though the color combinations are not particularly unique or striking (see one of my other Coffret D’Or posts for the image of the five palettes), the texture, finish, and lasting power are what make them stand out.
(Please check out my review on 3D Lighting Eyes in 04.)
Overall, this is a very exciting debut collection, and Coffret D’Or has probably already created many future loyal followers.
1st: Lunasol
(Lunasol Full Glamor Lips G)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/)
Since Coffret D’Or is already so good, why makes Lunasol’s spring 2008 collection even better?
It is the core concept, which is what makes a collection memorable. It is also the visual impact of the whole lineup and how it translates to daily wear.
The colors of the sea and the shades of coral reefs provide the inspiration for this collection. The five Sheer Contrast Eyes palettes are simply gorgeous.
(Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes palettes)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/)
While the Sheer Contrast Eyes palette in Blue Coral (above, bottom left) is used for Lunasol’s main ad campaign and is heavily featured in Japanese beauty magazines, I chose Lavender Coral, which I reviewed earlier. The superb quality has consolidated Lunasol’s position as one of my favorite cosmetics brands.
With a distinctive concept and a beautifully wide range of vibrant yet wearable colors, this is the best collection for me in spring 2008.
This concludes my seasonal roundup for spring 2008. What about you? Which spring 2008 collection/item is your favorite?
More Thoughts on Spring 2008
When I was doing my “seasonal top ten” features in the last few seasons, I did feel that the brands I talked about might be a little repetitive for my readers. Since the top-ten countdown is only meant to reflect my own preferences, I never intend to feature a widely varied selection of brands from season to season.
But it is very refreshing to see Eprise, Clinique, Clé de Peau, and Maquillage come up with appealing collections. Also, Coffret D’Or‘s and EST‘s strong debut color makeup lineups prove to be serious competitors.
On the other hand, for me, the spring 2008 collections from Chanel, YSL, Jill Stuart, and Lavshuca are relatively disappointing. But I am sure these favorite brands of mine will wow me later this year.
Related Posts:
Coffret D’Or’s Spring/Summer 2008 Base Makeup Collection
(The loose powder is on my shopping list.)
Foundation Face-Off – Lunasol vs. Coffret D’Or
(Is Lunasol still winning?)
Loving Japanese Brand – Lunasol
(my personal take on Lunasol)
(Dior Eyeshadow Duo in DiorLagoon)
I started this blog in November 2006. If I had started it several months earlier, many of my initial posts would have probably been about finding the best turquoise eyeshadow for myself.
That was a major quest in the summer of that year. I got Dior’s Seascape a couple of months earlier. While loving the purple and the blue, I decided I wanted a nice turquoise. Not a soft pastel turquoise…a real turquoise. So the search began.
I soon found that many turquoise shades had yellow and/or green shimmer. While I see how it balances the blue undertone of the shade and makes the finish more dynamic, I think it is a little distracting, and I really just wanted a nice straightforward rich turquoise. (Bourjois’ Mono Eyeshadow in Turquoise Ensoleillée is one that has the yellow/green shimmer that doesn’t appeal to me.)
After auditioning many turquoise contenders during that time, I found myself going back to Dior.
Apart from the fact that Dior’s eyeshadows are consistently silky and easy to blend, I like the satiny finish in the eyeshadow duo range. DiorLagoon features a cream white with soft pearlescent sheen and a semi-matte turquoise which is slightly more matte than the cream white. It is a true turquoise with no trace of yellow/green shimmer. Both shades are nicely pigmented and last well.
It has become my gold standard for turquoise shades as it still remains one of the nicest I have ever seen.
Related Posts: (featuring two other lovely turquoise shades)
Maybelline Dream Mousse Eyecolor in Fabulous Turquoise(my second turquoise eyeshadow)
Alexander McQueen for MAC: Eyeshadow in Haunting
(with a little more blue undertone)
Loving Dior
(my personal take on Dior)
(Dior Impression Cuir)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
