-Kosé

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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Magie Deco Fall 2008 Collection

by PJ on Thursday, August 7, 2008

in -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(All images are from
www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

Magie Deco has updated its website to feature its fall 2008 collection – Bordeaux Magic.

This is yet another interpretation of red by a Japanese brand for fall 2008, and the color figures in the eye palette, eyeshadow single, cream eyeshadow, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara and nail color. The collection therefore has a very coherent look.

(the two new Shadow Brilliance palettes)

Compared with SUQQU and Lunasol, the red used in Magie Deco’s collection is deeper and has a plum-purple tone, which fits the theme. #21 Bordeaux Shadow palette looks especially striking.

I think the wine-reds in this collection can be more wearable for some people than warmer reds, but I am only judging by the colors themselves, not finish or pigmentation level.

Again, Magie Deco has come up with interesting color combinations for the eye palettes to give itself an edge over wearable but somewhat safe palettes from Maquillage and Coffret D’Or, although I didn’t expect its seasonal theme to be so similar to those of Lunasol and SUQQU.

Personally, neither of the two palettes suits me enough to tempt me for a purchase. But Magie Deco is a brand that I really want to try and I hope there will be a good palette for me soon. (When it’s love at first sight, I’ll know it.)

Related posts – a quick look back at Magie Deco:

Summer 2008 Collection

Spring 2008 Collection

Christmas 2007 Collection

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Kosé Cosme Decorte AQ Website Update

by PJ on Thursday, August 7, 2008

in -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

Cosme Decorte AQ has updated its website to feature the fall 2008 collection in the revamped packaging. (Please check my previous post for quick details of the lineup.)

Overall the palettes look good. Each of them combines a more vibrant color (blue, green, violet,…) and dark/light neutrals. I am happy that there is one palette with purple, but the shade, beautiful as it is, looks just a little bit too warm and dark for me. I should not be surprised, since we are entering fall. (AQ items are pricey, so I have to be picky.)

Please be aware that the price of the palette itself does not include the two sponge/brush applicators, which are sold separately for 525 JPY (about 4.8 USD) each. (This is not uncommon with Japanese cosmetics. For example, with Lunasol’s blushers, the refill, the case, and the brush are sold separately as well.)

The collection will be available in Japan on August 21st.

Related Posts:

Beauté de Kosé Fall 2008 Collection

Esprique Precious Fall 2008 Collection

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Kosé Website Update Galore

by PJ on Sunday, August 3, 2008

in -AQ, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Beauté de Kosé Metallic Luster Eyes)
(image from www.kose.co.jp/bko)

Some websites of the Kosé lines have been updated in the last couple of days to feature the fall 2008 collections. (Please check the sites for Cosme Decorte AQ and Magie Deco for details.) I will mention Beauté de Kosé very briefly today and share my thoughts on AQ and Magie Deco later this week.

If you are interested in Beauté de Kosé’s fall 2008 collection, just out on August 1st, please note that all items are limited editions.

The collection includes two Metallic Luster Eyes palettes (seen above), two new shades of Eye Fantasist, two new shades of Rouge Fantasist Aqua Vinyl, and three new shades of Nail Dramatist. Please check the Beauté de Kosé website for swatches.

Other new collections from Kosé:

Esprique Precious

Elsia

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Beauté de Kosé Fall 2008 Collection

by PJ on Monday, July 21, 2008

in -Kosé, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Beauté de Kosé fall 2008 collection)
(image from www.iswii.net)

Here is a quick preview of Beauté de Kosé‘s fall 2008 collection. The lineup will include two new eye palettes (limited editions) as well as new shades of Eye Fantasist (in grey and light beige), Rouge Fantasist, and Nail Dramatist.

Kosé Cosmenience Elsia Fall 2008 Foundation Collection

by PJ on Saturday, July 19, 2008

in -Elsia, -Kosé, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(Elsia fall 2008 foundation lineup)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Elsia is a Kosé Cosmenience line that is mainly a base and point makeup line. (Kosé Cosmenience is the name of the group of Kosé‘s drugstore lines such as Fasio, Whitist, Junkisei Prime, and Happy Bath Day.) On August 21st, Elsia will release six brand new foundation products in Japan. They include (anti-clock-wise on photo above):

Powder-type:
– Moist Foundation (SPF 22, PA++)
– Lift Foundation (SPF 22, PA++)
– White Foundation (SPF 26, PA++)

Liquid/cream-type:
– Moist Cream Foundation N (SPF 25, PA++)
– White Liquid Foundation (SPF 26, PA++)
– White Liquid Foundation Quick Finish (SPF 26, PA++)

(All items are available in 4 shades.)

Among them, the White Liquid Foundation Quick Finish seems particularly interesting since Kosé claims that it is able to create an ideal finish without help from a primer or a setting powder (hence the “quick finish” in the name).

Kosé also mentions the items’ amount of coverage and the finish as relative to one another within the power and liquid/cream types:

Powder-type:

Coverage: Lift > Moist > White
From matte to glowy: White – Most – Lift

Liquid/cream-type:

Coverage:
Moist Cream > Quick Finish > White Liquid

From matte to glowy:
White Liquid – Quick Finish – Moist Cream

Apart from the six new foundation products, Elsia will also release Cheek Color N (4 shades), Quick Dry Nail Color (20 shades), and Cleansing Milk.

Many thanks to Betsy at Autumn Masquerade for alerting me to the news!

Other posts on fall 2008 base makeup collections:

Shiseido Maquillage

Kanebo Coffret D’Or

Sofina Primavista

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Kosé Esprique Precious Fall 2008 Collection – First Look

by PJ on Tuesday, July 15, 2008

in -Esprique (Precious), -Kosé, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Esprique Precious fall 2008 collection)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Kosé’s Esprique Precious will release its fall 2008 collection in Japan on August 21st.

Detailed information of the new items is not yet available on Nikkei Net, but it is known that the collection will include seven new products, including the new eye palette range, lipstick range, and the powder foundation seen above.

Also, as we can see, the line will have its first major image overhaul after it was launched in 2006. The new look features clean off-white cases with decorative details. I think it has a grown-up look but it seems to lack style and character. I would still love to see close-ups of some of the items on the official website and in Japanese beauty magazines later on.

Gemma Ward for Esprique Precious
(from fall 2006)

Visée Dual Shine Rouge Palette

Cosme Decorte AQ Revamp for Fall 2008

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Summer 2008 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Tuesday, June 17, 2008

in -Albion, -Anna Sui, -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Giorgio Armani, -Kosé, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

To me, it feels as if the spring collections just came out and we were expecting more summer makeup news. But, as many of the fall 2008 collections have been unveiled, it is time for me to look back and present you with my summer 2008 top ten makeup collections. (Part 2 and 3 will be up later this week.)

10. Albion Excia AL

(Albion Excia AL Eye Color Impression)
(image from www.albion.co.jp)

(Albion Excia AL Rouge Impression)
(image from www.albion.co.jp)

Available at Albion counters in Japan, Excia AL is a top-end skincare and makeup line that aims to create timeless and confident beauty. This season sees a new range of eye palettes, Eye Impression, and three new shades of Rouge Impression (as well as new liquid eyeliners and eyebrow pencils). Perhaps not the most eye-catching collection, it did grab my attention with its understated simplicity.

9. Anna Sui

(Anna Sui Mini Rouge W)
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)

Anna Sui’s summer 2008 collection shows us again that the brand still does cute and princessy very well. I am sure some people who are collecting the Mini Rouge in black (released last fall) would love to take home these limited editions in white. The collection also includes hair and body products which are equally nicely packaged.

8. Giorgio Armani

(Eye Mania in 11 (top), 12 (left), and 13 (right))
(image from www.isetan.co.jp)

I have been interested in the Giorgio Armani Beauty line for a while, and I almost always stop by its counter when I am in London’s Selfridges or Harvey Nichols. (In the UK, Giorgio Armani Beauty is also available in Selfridges Birmingham and Heathrow Airport Terminal 3. The link above takes you to the Giorgio Armani Beauty UK online store.)

The three beautiful Eye Mania palettes above, however, appear to be exclusive to the Japanese market. I particularly like #12 and #13. #12 seems to be a wearable blue-grey palette, possibly even for people who find blue hard to wear. #13 looks like a nice neutral palette and the shades don’t look overly warm or bronze.

(If you are interested, please head over to Autumn Masquerade for a great brand profile on Giorgio Armani Beauty and for a look at the brand’s past Bronze Mania collections.)

7. Cosme Decorte AQ

(Pure Grace Lipstick in RD432
and Pure Grace Eyeshadow in 032)
(image from www.biteki.com)

There are not a lot of lilacs for summer 2008, and this beautiful palette with soft lilac and muted cool teal attracted my attention. I think these two shades are well-coordinated, as the muted teal complements rather than overshadows the lilac. (Please check out my previous post on Cosme Decorte AQ‘s summer 2008 collection to see the fresh tropical eye makeup look created with this palette.)

This is the last AQ eye palette released in the current packaging, as the brand’s point makeup line will be revamped in time for the release of the fall 2008 collection.

The top-ten countdown continues tomorrow.

Spring 2008 Makeup Top 10
(Part 1, 2, and 3)

Loving Japanese Brand – Anna Sui

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Cosme Decorte AQ Color Makeup Renewal for Fall 2008

by PJ on Monday, June 9, 2008

in -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(part of Cosme Decorte’s fall 2008 collection)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

AQ (Absolute Quality) is Cosme Decorte‘s (owned by Kosé) top-end skincare and makeup line. AQ’s point* (color) makeup line was launched in 2000 and features some of the most expensive makeup items in Japan.

On August 21st, the existing AQ point makeup line will be replaced by new items with brand new packaging.

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

The new AQ makeup collection for fall 2008 includes:

– Rouge Supreme: 10 shades
– Shadow Supreme (eye palettes): 5 variations
– Light Focus (base/highlighter): 3 shades
– Nuance Glow (highlighter): 3 shades
– Face Color (blusher): 5 shades
– Mascara Excellent: 2 shades
– Liquid Eyeliner: 5 shades
– Pencil Eyeliner: 2 shades
– Pencil Eyebrow: 4 shades
– Lip Liner: 7 shades
– Nail Supreme: 10 shades

With Japanese cosmetics, renewals (particularly with makeup) are usually more about updating the packaging than the actual formulation of products. In Japan’s fiercely competitive beauty market, product packaging has to stay fresh and up-to-date, and many brands revamp the look of their products in their own time frames and either minimally (like Anna Sui and Lunasol) or drastically (like Sofina Aube). Replaced items are either phased out quickly or discontinued immediately.

(part of Cosme Decorte’s summer 2008 collection)
(image from www.biteki.com)

For me, AQ’s packaging renewal is successful. The current packaging (seen above) looks clean and sophisticated but slightly lacks character. The new look is opulent and glamorous. I think Cosme Decorte has worked out a look for AQ that goes with its prices. The lipsticks and blushers are particularly pricey:

Rouge Supreme: 6300 yen (about 59 USD)
Face Color: 7350 yen (about 69 USD)

In contrast, the Shadow Supreme eye palettes (6825 yes, about 64 USD) almost seem relatively reasonable. (The price is about the same as that of a Dior 5-color eye palette in the UK.) If I decide to try an item from AQ, the eye palette will probably be my choice.

* In Japanese cosmetics, the term “point makeup” (constantly written as “point make” in Japan) refers to color makeup items like eyeshadows, mascaras, lipsticks and lip glosses. On the the hand, “base makeup” (“base make”) refers to items such as primers, concealers, foundations, and loose/pressed powder (and not just bases (primers)).

Other Fall 2008 Makeup Collections:

Chanel

CHICCA

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