-Lunasol

Lunasol Spring 2009 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, October 29, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, -Shiseido, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

One of the editors at Voce magazine has posted photos of Lunasol’s spring 2009 collection taken at the press event. Do have a look!

The purification theme continues with “Floral Purification” for spring 2009, as the inspiration of the collection is drawn from the light and feminine shades of cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, wisteria, magnolia and azalea.

In the photos, you will see two eye palettes, three lipsticks, one lip gloss, and one nail color. (There are obviously more in the collection.) The light lavender-plum palette looks particularly alluring to me. So does the lilac dress that the model is wearing in the ad image! (Is spring 2009 another lilac season?)

It seems that this collection will be soft, airy, feminine, and definitely very spring-like. The color combinations in the palettes might not be as colorful as Lunasol’s spring 2008 collection, but this simple color concept will give Lunasol to show off the wonderful texture and finish of their eyeshadows.

In short, I am excited.

By the way, in the same blog entry, you will see all the 20 shades of Shiseido’s Perfect Rouge, which I mentioned yesterday.

Loving Japanese Brand – Lunasol

Lunasol Holiday 2008 Collection

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

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Lunasol Website Update – Holiday 2008

by PJ on Thursday, October 16, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2008 Holiday, makeup

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/)

The Lunasol official website has added a page for the holiday 2008 Soft Silver Lighting collection. The Party Coffret 2008 (seen above) will be out in Japan on November 15th, and pre-ordering starts on November 1st.

At the bottom of the page, you will find links to the pages on holiday sets for 2006 and 2007.

Please check out my previous post for a link to photos of the actual items in the 2008 Party Coffret.

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

Lunasol Full Glamour Gloss in Bright Pink

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Holiday 2008 – More on Coffret D’Or and Lunasol

by PJ on Wednesday, September 17, 2008

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

Please see more photos of Coffret D’Or’s The Party Makeup Collection on this blog post.

The compact is looking prettier already (than what we see in the photo earlier.) The cool palette (Sweet Dress) reminds me very slightly of the Lavshuca holiday 2007 palette I have. Both the eyeshadows and lip colors are looking somewhat similar.

Also, have a look at photos of Lunasol’s upcoming holiday 2008 makeup coffret. It includes an eyeshadow palette, a blusher, an eyeliner, a nail color, and a clutch bag (which is just beneath the items in the first photo). Not surprisingly, the colors are very neutral-toned.

The blog photos in both posts are taken by blogger Sharon at a Kanebo press event in Taiwan. She notices how similar Lunasol’s holiday 2008 eyeshadow palette is to the 2007 one (the photo of which is just above the eyeshadow swatch photos). She mentions that one minor difference is that the shimmer is more gold-based in the 2007 palette and mainly silver-based in the 2008 one.

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Lunasol Holiday 2008 Release

by PJ on Wednesday, September 10, 2008

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

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Lunasol will release items for the holiday 2008 period on November 15th in Japan. The lineup includes:

– Full Glamour Lips S: 3 shades
– Full Glamour Gloss S: 3 shades
– Shining Face Color: 1 shade (a shimmery lavender-toned pressed powder)
– Lip Essence (for Night) Kit: a lip moisturizer and a treatment lip mask

The “moonlight purification” themed collection will feature “soft silver” shimmer in Full Glamour Lips S and Full Glamour Gloss S.

If things remain the same as previous years, there will also be a coffret coming out. I will be looking forward to that.

Also, Lunasol has released the (limited-edition) 2008 Base Makeup Kit on August 28th.

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

The kit includes:

– Water Cream Foundation (30g, full size)
– Creamy Makeup Base (30g, full size)
– Micro Finish Powder N (3.5g)
– Morning Wakening Massage (10g)
– Night Refining Cream (10g)
– Makeup Pouch

The kit is priced at 8925 JPY, which is the prices of Water Cream Foundation and Creamy Makeup Base combined. If you would like to try some key base and skincare products from Lunasol, this would be a good opportunity. (The foundation would be more suitable for drier skin.)

Lunasol Fall 2008 Collection

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

Lunasol Full Glamour Gloss in Bright Pink

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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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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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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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Summer 2008 Makeup Top 10 (Part 3)

by PJ on Saturday, June 21, 2008

in -Dior, -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, -Lunasol, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

(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:

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Lunasol Fall 2008 Collection – Red Purification

by PJ on Monday, June 9, 2008

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

(part from Lunasol’s fall 2008 collection)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Many of Lunasol‘s past makeup collection themes are based on the idea of “purification”. So far, we’ve had:

“Scent Purification” for fall 2006 (Scent Form Eyes)
“Brilliance Purification” for fall 2007 (Geminate Eyes)
“Color Purification” for spring 2008 (Sheer Contrast Eyes)

The clear brand philosophy and the individual yet coherent seasonal makeup themes are what set Lunasol apart from the other Japanese makeup brands, and their brand image has always been very appealing to me.

For fall 2008, it will be all about red, as Lunasol brings us the theme “Red Purification“. For a change, Lunasol’s latest collection will focus on the lips, and 16 red lipsticks take center stage.

All the items are brand new and are not new shades added to the existing items. The full Lunasol fall 2008 lineup includes:

– Full Glamour Lips S: 16 shades
– Contrasting W Lip Liners: 2 shades
– Noble Shade Eyes: 5 variations
– Noble Shade Liner: 3 shades
– Brow Styling Compact: 2 variations
– Coloring Cheeks: 2 shades (refill only, case and applicator sold separately)

Apart from the color makeup items, the fall lineup will also include Nuance Change Foundation B (2 shades), which is supposed to be Lunasol’s equivalent of YSL’s Touche Éclat. The new skincare addition will be Lip Essence, with SPF 20 and PA+.

The collection will be launched in Japan on August 22nd.

I would describe this collection as both classic and edgy, with beautiful red lipsticks and rather bold red-toned eyeshadows. (It seems that each of the five Noble Shade Eyes palette will feature a shade of red.) I am really looking forward to seeing how these red eyeshadow shades will be worn on models in Japanese makeup magazines. Also, for those who look for the ultimate red lipstick, this collection is worth a serious look.

This seems to be another seasonal makeup collection from Lunasol that has a tremendously unique identity, and I think Japanese makeup fans will remember this collection for a long time.

I will update this post when I come across more information.

Updated on July 24th, 2008:

The Lunasol website has been updated.

Updated on August 21st, 2008:

Please check out this link for swatches of nearly all the items from Lunasol’s fall 2008 collection, including all the eye palettes, lipsticks, blushers, and eyeliners (from a Lunasol press event in Taiwan).

Other Posts on Lunasol:

Lunasol Summer 2008 Collection

Lunasol Full Glamour Gloss in Bright Pink

Loving Japanese Brands – Lunaso l

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A Splash of Color: More Lilting Lilac

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

My post on Lilting Lilac was back in December, and how time has flown. One of my readers predicted that there would be a Part 2, and she is right.

Here I share with you new faces (since last year), old favorites, and generosity from friends.

Above:
– Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes in SV844
– Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Stage Lights
– Paul & Joe Eye Color in 05 (to be reviewed later)
– MAC Pigments in Violet and Frozen White (off-white with blue/lilac iridescence), in small pots from a lilac-loving friend