(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.
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
by PJ on Monday, March 31, 2008
in -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Est, -Kao, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, -Sofina, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup
My posts on the EST, Magie Deco, and Cosme Decorte AQ summer 2008 collections have been updated to include additional images and information.
Have a look!
(part of Cosme Decorte AQ’s summer 2008 collection)
(image from www.biteki.com)
AQ (which stands for “Absolute Quality”) is the top-end skincare/makeup line from Kose’s high-end brand Cosme Decorte. It will release the summer 2008 collection in Japan on April 16th. The collection features:
– Eye Shadow (palette): 1 new variation (#032)
– Lipstick: 3 new shades
One of Cosme Decorte AQ’s spring 2008 palettes (#030) includes a lilac and a rosy pink. Their summer 2008 eye palette also features a lilac, this time paired with a blue. The two shades look very good together.
Cosme Decorte AQ’s lipsticks are some of the priciest in Japan. They cost 6300 yen each (around 63 USD), the same price as Clé de Peau’s Rouge a Lèvre in Japan.
Updated on March 31st, 2008:
The Cosme Decorte AQ website has been updated to include information on the summer 2008 collection.
The makeup theme for the collection is Turquoise Lagoon, and the core of the collection is the Pure Grace Eyeshadow palette in #032, which includes turquoise and lilac (seen above). The Cosme Decorte AQ website also shows how to use this palette to create the look in the ad. (Both images are from www.cosmedecorte.com/aq.)
Apart from the eyeshadow palette and the lipsticks mentioned above, the collection also includes three new Nail Colors.
You can check the Cosme Decorte AQ website for more information on the collection.
Other upcoming summer 2008 collections:
Lunasol Summer 2008 Collection
Kate Summer 2008 Collection
EST Summer 2008 Collection
(part of Magie Deco’s summer 2008 collection)
(image from www.biteki.com)
Magie Deco will launch the summer 2008 collection in Japan on April 16th. The collection includes:
Shadow Brilliance eye palettes: 2 new variations
Luxual Long Mascara Waterproof: 2 shades
The Shadow Brilliance palettes seem to be selling well in Japan and the palette in 014 Believe in Magic is seen on the readers’ favorite eyeshadow palette list in Biteki (February 2008 issue). Shadow Brilliance’s color combinations are slightly more original than eye palettes from Maquillage, Aube, and Coffret D’Or, and I am sure there will be more lovely items to come from Magie Deco.
Updated on March 31st, 2008:
The Magie Deco website has been updated to include information on the summer 2008 collection. (All images are from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/.)
The full Magie Deco summer 2008 collection includes:
– Shadow Brilliance eye palettes: 2 new variations
– Fairy Eyes cream eyeshadows: 4 new shades
– Fairy Rouge glosses: 3 new shades
– Lipsticks: 3 new shades
– Gem on Liner Waterproof (new): 2 shades
– Luxual Volume Mascara Waterproof (new): 2 shades
– Luxual Long Mascara Waterproof (new): 2 shades
– Nail Colors: 5 new shades
– Eye Makeup Remover (new)
You can see all the new product images on the Magie Deco website.
(I’d like to thank Betsy at Autumn Masquerade for the alert!)
Related Posts:
Magie Deco Spring 2008 Collection
Magie Deco Holiday 2007 Collection
by PJ on Thursday, February 21, 2008
in -Albion, -Ayura, -DHC, -Kanebo, -Kao, -Kosé, -Shiseido, -Shu Uemura, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics
(Loving Japanese makeup)
As a fan of Japanese cosmetics, apart from all the colorful products available, I am also interested in knowing more about the history behind the various brands and companies. So I was delighted to come across a time-line featuring the launches of many major Japanese cosmetics companies in Biteki‘s January 2008 issue. Let’s have a look:
1872 Shiseido
1887 Kao
1929 Pola
1936 Kanebo
1946 Kosé
1956 Albion
1959 Menard
1967 Shu Uemura
1972 DHC
1981 Fancl
1987 IPSA
1991 Ettusais
1995 AYURA
1996 Equipe (which now owns RMK and SUQQU)
(Biteki, January 2008, p. 102-125)
It is interesting that, like many western cosmetics brands, some of the recent major Japanese cosmetics companies in the last couple of decades have also been acquired by more established ones. For example, IPSA, Ettusais, and AYURA were acquired by Shiseido. Kanebo now owns Equipe, while Kosé owns Albion. Also, in early 2006, Kanebo was sold to Kao.
I will be equally interested in these slightly more corporate and behind-the-scene developments and in all the shiny new releases from these brands…
Related Posts:
All About Japanese Cosmetics
(consolidating my passion)
“Loving Japanese Brands” Series
(my favorite seven)
Japanese Brands in the UK
(featuring where to get them from outside the UK)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/)
Kose’s Magie Deco was launched in Japan in fall this year, and this is its debut holiday collection. I like the fact that the packaging is a variation of the usual Magie Deco look. It is different but instantly recognizable. I also like the rich red color scheme.
The two items are sold as a set, and both of them look so glamorous and beautiful, with an appropriate festive vibe.
If you like the look of this collection, you may want to check out Magie Deco’s spring 2008 collection.
5. MAC
(image from www.iswii.net)
MAC’s holiday 2007 collections (including Royal Assets, Antiquitease, and others) are some of my favorite MAC collections for 2007. The packaging looks good, and there are a very wide selection of items.
But when I saw the items in person for the first time, I was slightly underwhelmed by the details of the packaging. I think they looked just a little bit rough around the edges and they could have been slightly more refined.
Nonetheless, these collections present a pleasant departure from MAC’s usual dark and minimal look and I am sure many MAC fans have been enjoying collecting some of the goodies.
4. Ayura
(image from www.ayura.co.jp/jp/)
I haven’t really talked about this adorable holiday set from my personal favorite brand, which I am doing in this post.
Ayura’s holiday sets usually include best-selling items in limited-edition travel sizes as well as some one-off creations. The set for holiday 2007 includes:
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Bath Powder (X2, limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Treatment Oil (for hair and body, limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Body Powder (limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Hands (30g, limited-edition size)
-Shiny Face (face highlighter, limited-edition, choice of blue and pink)
-Nail Color (choice of 23 shades, including limited-edition pink and violet shades)
-Cosmetics Box
Spirit of Ayura is Ayura’s one and only fragrance, and, apart from the hand cream, the three Spirit of Ayura items in the set are one-off creations based on this wonderful scent.
I really love the look of this collection (and I like the combination of all the fresh colors), not to mention that Spirit of Ayura is one of my favorite fragrances, But I already have quite a few somewhat similar limited-edition items based on this fragrance and this is the only reason why I didn’t consider getting this set.
The final part of my Holiday 2007 Top Ten List will be coming soon!
Related Posts:
Loving Japanese Brands: Ayura
(my all-time favorite brand)
MAC A-Mei Color Collection
(another exciting collection from MAC)
(Magie Deco Spring 2008 Collection)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/index.html)
Magie Deco will release its spring 2008 color makeup collection in Japan on December 16.
The new line of product will be Pure Color eyeshadow singles, in 18 shades. Most of them are soft pastel shades for the spring.
New additions to the lineup include:
Shadow Brilliance 5-color eyeshadow palettes (2 new variations)
Lipsticks (6 new shades)
Fairy Rouge lip gloss (2 new shades)
Nail Color (5 new shades)
One of the new items that instantly caught my eye is the new Shadow Brilliance palette in 016 Cool Wind:
(Magie Deco Shadow Brilliance in 016 Cool Wind)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/index.html)
When Magie Deco was launched this fall, none of the five Shadow Brilliance palettes caught my attention right away. But this one above certainly did. I think it is the combination of the soft lilac and the minty green. Also, as an eye-lining shade, soft grey suits me better than brown.
Some of the Pure Color eyeshadow singles look great as well, especially the lilacs and pinks. I look forward to seeing the packaging of the quad case. (The website doesn’t have a photo of it at the moment.)
Do have a browse at the Magie Deco website to see all the existing and the spring 2008 items. The website is easy to navigate in itself and half of the site is in English. Plus it has good photos of all the products and the various shades.
(Thank you, Betsy, for letting me know about the site update!)
Related Posts:
Magic Deco Christmas 2007 Coffret
(one of the most beautiful holiday sets for 2007)
Dior Spring 2008 Makeup Collection
Lunasol Spring 2008 Collection
by PJ on Friday, November 23, 2007
in -Anna Sui, -Chanel, -Dior, -Guerlain, -Helena Rubinstein, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kosé, -Lunasol, -Shu Uemura, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup
Exciting spring 2008 makeup preview!
(image from i-voce.boxerblog.com/contents/index.html)
The Voce website has a page from the January 2008 issue, featuring a preview of some spring 2008 makeup collections.
I see Dior, Chanel, Jill Stuart, Lunasol, Anna Sui, Givenchy, Guerlain, Coffret D’Or, Beauté de Kosé, and perhaps Helena Rubinstein, Sofina Est and Shu Uemura…just to name a few.
I think I have already seen some items I want…and it is still November!
I am loving the look of the Chanel and Lunasol lilac eyeshadow palettes (as if I didn’t have enough lilac palettes…with my T’Estimo, Jill Stuart, and Lavshuca lilac bonanza).
What has grabbed your attention?
Updated on Friday, November 23, 2007:
Bjooti has kindly confirmed that the zebra-printed one towards the top left is indeed from the Helena Rubinstein spring 2008 collection. Take a look at the full collection on her blog!
Related Posts (let’s go back to holiday 2007):
Dior DiorLight Jewelled Makeup Necklace
(another beautiful Dior seasonal item)
Lavshuca Christmas 2007 Makeup Palette
(as cute as a box of chocolates…)
(Romantic Illuminate:
Magie Deco Holiday 2007 Collection)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/)
Kosé’s top-end line, Cosme Decorte, released a new makeup line in August called Magie Deco. Price-wise, it is cheaper than Cosme Decorte’s existing makeup collections but it is still a high-end line.
Naturally, these are Magie Deco’s first limited-edition seasonal items, and they are certainly keen to make an impression.
The two items, Shadow Brilliance and Face Powder, are sold as a set. As with many other holiday items for Japanese brands, they feature wearable and shimmery shades, great for the party season. (I think the Face Powder will be a straightforward sheer face powder with some shimmer.)
I really like the prints on one of the eyeshadows and on the gold lid of the Face Powder case. Feminine, flowy, and glamorous.
Magie Deco’s sophisticated brand image has been grabbing more and more of my attention. This is certainly a line I will pay attention to in the coming seasons and it will be very interesting to see how it develops.
Related posts:
Magie Deco Loose Powder
(one of the shortlisted items on my loose powder list)
Holiday 2007 Collection Galore
(photos and more photos…)
Holiday 2007 Collection: First Thoughts
(after I saw some of the items in the shops)
by PJ on Tuesday, October 30, 2007
in -Anna Sui, -Ayura, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kao, -Kate, -Kosé, -Lavshuca, -Lunasol, -Majolica Majorca, -Paul & Joe, -Shiseido, -Sofina, -SUQQU, -T'Estimo, all about Japanese cosmetics, announcement
(You can tell that I love my Japanese cosmetics…)
Most of you who read my blog certainly know that I have a passion for Japanese cosmetics. While I do try to keep a balance between western and Japanese cosmetics on my blog, I do think, for me, Japanese cosmetics items do better on my scoreboard in most areas.
If you would like to look through my posts related to Japanese cosmetics, I have made it a bit easier for you by adding the category “All About Japanese Cosmetics“ on the sidebar (under “Read by Topics”). As of now, there are 96 posts under this category, and the number will certainly grow week by week.
Please enjoy!
Here are just a few highlights:
Loving Japanese Brands
(where I highlight 7 wonderful Japanese brands)
Japanese vs. Western…Who’s Winning?
(Which side are you on?)
If I Could Go to Japan RIGHT NOW
(I share my dream shopping list.)
A couple of the items featured in the photo above:
Kanebo T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes 03
Lavshuca Eye Color Select PK-1
More to come!!
(part of Cosme Decorte’s fall 2008 collection)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)
