-Kanebo

Lavshuca Holiday 2008 Release

by PJ on Thursday, September 4, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Lavshuca will release Stick Eyeshadows on November 1st in Japan. Eight shades will be available.

They are mostly various tones of neutrals, plus a pastel pink and blue and quite a striking violet.

Their main appeals are the ease of use and the dual function. Apart from being eyeshadows, they can double as eyeliners.

Last year, Lavshuca released a cute lip and eye palette for the holiday season. I am hoping there will be more to come from Lavshuca later on!

Updated on October 21st, 2008:

Please check out this post to see more of Lavshuca’s holiday 2008 collection.

Related Posts:

Loving Japanese Brand – Lavshuca

Lavshuca Fall 2008 Collection

Lavshuca Face Powder

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Kate Holiday 2008 Release

by PJ on Thursday, September 4, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Kate, 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Riding on the success of Gel Eyeliners, Kate will release Gel Eyeshadows on November 1st in Japan.

Eight shades are available, with two different finishes among them. The pastels have a translucent feel, while the three darker shades are more pigmented. All shades have shimmer.

It might have already occurred to you that they seem similar to Coffret D’Or’s July release, Fluffy Shiny Eyes. Both Kate and Coffret D’Or are Kanebo lines, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a similar texture and finish. But notice that Kate’s lineup features the three darker colors not available in Fluffy Shiny Eyes.

Updated on November 11th, 2008:

Please see more of Kate’s holiday 2008 releases here.

Kate – Lavshuca’s Darker, Edgier Sister

Kate Fall 2008 Collection

Kate Summer 2008 Collection

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Luxury Bodycare: Sensai Premier The Body Cream

by PJ on Tuesday, August 26, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Sensai, 2008 Fall, 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, bodycare

(Kanebo Sensai Premier The Body Cream)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Kanebo has been marketing Sensai as a “Super-Prestige” brand. As part of the plan to expand Kanebo’s western market and to probe the luxury bodycare niche in the west, Sensai will debut the Sensai Premier range on September 1 by releasing Sensai Premier The Body Cream.

The product (200ml) will retail at 300 euros and will be available in Europe, Middle East, and the US (37 countries in total). This item will not be officially available in Japan.

It claims to feature 20 moisturizing ingredients that will help prevent signs of aging.

If you are a beauty trivia buff (as I am), you might be interested to know that Sensai debuted in London’s Harrods department store in 1979 and was introduced to France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland a year later. It was launched in Saudi Arabia in 1997 and New York’s Bergdorf Goodman in 2000 (information from Nikkei Net).

Japanese Cosmetics in the UK

CHICCA Fall 2008 Collection

Kanebo Dew Superior Base Makeup Debut

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News in Brief – Lunasol Swatch Galore; More Skincare Brands in the UK

by PJ on Thursday, August 21, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, skincare

For fellow Lunasol lovers-

My post on Lunasol’s fall 2008 collection has been updated with a link to an extensive array of swatches. Have a look!

For all my UK readers-

According to WWD, while La Roche-Posay has recently been introduced to the UK, another pharmacy line, Lierac, will be available in the UK in September.

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Kanebo Freeplus New Releases

by PJ on Wednesday, August 20, 2008

in -Freeplus, -Kanebo, all about Japanese cosmetics, skincare

(Freeplus Maintenance Lotion and Maintenance Emulsion)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Kanebo‘s skincare range for sensitive skin, Freeplus, will release two new items for fall 2008.

The new toner, Maintenance Lotion, and the new moisturizer, Maintenance Emulsion, will be added to the range. Apart from the six oriental herbal extracts featured in Freeplus’ lineup (please see my brand profile on Freeplus to find out more), Jezo Spruce and Chinese Peony extracts will be included in the two new products. They are said to be able to improve skin’s elasticity.

The two products will be available in Japan from October 16th.

Related Posts (skincare items I am currently using):

Lancôme Tonique Douceur

Olay Multi-Radiance Daily Illuminating UV Fluid

Olay Complete Care Night Enriched Cream

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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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More Coffret D’Or Trance Deep Eyes Reviews

by PJ on Wednesday, August 6, 2008

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2008 Fall, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

If you are looking for reviews of other palettes in the new Trance Deep Eyes range than the ones I’ve talked about (Rose and Grey Variation), here are reviews of two other palettes for you:

– Khaki Green Variation on Beauty Anonymous

– Blue Variation on Autumn Masquerade

Enjoy!

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Kanebo Dew Superior Base Makeup Debut

by PJ on Thursday, July 31, 2008

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Kanebo, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(image form www.nikkei.co.jp)

Dew Superior is a high-end line sold at Kanebo counters in many Asian countries. (A brief profile of the line follows below.) On October 16, Dew Superior will launch its base makeup range in Japan. The lineup includes:

– Pact Concentrate (powder foundation, 6 shades, SPF 23, PA++)
– Liquid Concentrate (liquid foundation, 6 shades, SPF 19, PA++)
– Pre-Make Concentrate (moisturizing primer, SPF 16, PA++)
– Finish Concentrate (loose powder, 1 shade)
– Designing Concentrate (highlighter/contourer, 1 variation)

(Earlier this year, the line also launched two primers, Protect Essence Concentrate I and II, both of which have SPF 26 and PA++.)

Dew Superior was launched in 2007 to replace the original Dew line, which debuted in 2004. Dew used to carry a range of base makeup as well as skincare items, but Dew Superior was launched with skincare items only. The line’s main claim is to bring moisture and elasticity to the skin, and the target consumers are those in their late twenties and above. In line with the main selling point of the skincare items, the new base makeup line claims to have moisturizing properties which help give the skin a glowy look.

(www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/dewsuperior/)

I have only used trail samples of a toner and a moisturizer from the original Dew line. Perhaps not too surprisingly, they both contained too much alcohol to do anything positive to my skin. I doubt Dew Superior is very much different in this aspect. (As I mentioned before, even though there are some Japanese skincare products that work well for me, the allure of Japanese cosmetics for me lies mainly in base and point makeup, not in skincare.)

There are a couple of loose/pressed powder items on my shopping list at the moment, so I will probably skip Finish Concentrate. But if you are looking for foundations that have a dewy/glowy finish, then some of these products might worth looking into.

Other upcoming base makeup items:

Kanebo Coffret D’Or

Shiseido Maquillage

Sofina Primavista

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Exuding Quality – Coffret D’Or Makeup Powder

by PJ on Wednesday, July 30, 2008

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder, stash focus

(Coffret D’Or Makeup Powder)

Coffret D’Or released its debut base makeup collection earlier this year, and this loose powder is part of the lineup. It may not be the best loose powder I have ever used, but it is a lot better than almost all others that I have talked about on my blog.

The refill and the case are sold separately. (The case comes with a nice fluffy puff.) There is no sifter in the refill so you will need a case (any case) for an easier application. I have a couple of loose powder cases, but I decided to get both the case and the refill.

The sifter is designed in such a way that the powder can easily go in and out of the case (if you want to remove some into a smaller container for travelling). A very nice touch.

Currently the powder is available in one shade. It is a semi-translucent off-white powder with the slightest hint of pink. It has very fine shimmer but it doesn’t really show up very much when applied. The overall finish is semi-matte and gently luminous.

What I like the most about this loose powder is that it is nearly impossible to over-apply it. The powder is very fine and seems to melt into the skin, and there is no chalkiness even after some layering.

Even though, for my oily skin, Lavshuca’s Face Powder (in Lucent, currently my favorite loose powder) has a better pore-diffusing and oil-absorbing efficacy, Coffret D’Or’s loose powder does well enough in both areas to be a suitable product for me. But I would probably use it more in colder months.

Overall, I think this powder should appeal to various skin types. People with combination or oily skin will appreciate how it subtly mattifies the skin, while those with drier skin will probably like how it effortlessly merges with the skin without looking powdery. I think this is one of the products that show off the great quality in Japanese brands’ base makeup items.

(You can see another review of this loose powder at Autumn Masquerade.)

Foundation Face-Off: Coffret D’Or vs. Lunasol

L’Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Powder

ck Calvin Klein Mineral Based Loose Powder

Can’t Live Without – ZA Two-Way Foundation

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Lunasol Website Update

by PJ on Thursday, July 24, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Lunasol Noble Shade Eyes for fall 2008)

Lunasol has updated its website to include information on the fall 2008 Red Purification collection.

According to the writer of this blog post, the overall finish is a lot closer to that of the Scent Form Eyes series from fall 2006 and is very different from the shimmery look of Geminate Eyes (fall 2007) and Sheer Contrast Eyes (spring 2008). The overall eye makeup look echoes what Lunasol used to be like a couple of years ago, which is sophisticated and low-key. It makes sense to me, since the key emphasis for Lunasol this season is on the red lips.

The collection will be available in Japan on August 22.

Related Posts:

Lunasol Summer 2008 Collection

Lunasol Full Glamor Gloss in Bright Pink

Foundation Face-Off – Coffret D’Or vs. Lunasol

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