makeup

My natural makeup recommendations continue with items for cheeks and lips. (See my recommendations on eye makeup here.)

Items for Cheeks

Sometimes, when you don’t have time to deal with eye makeup, using a blusher can really give the face an instant lift. The key is to use a shade that is as close to your natural flush as possible. I personally prefer moderately pigmented blushers without visible shimmer and those that are either matte or luminous matte.

RMK Ingenious Powder Cheeks in MT-02 Light Pink (top)

It is marginally the lightest and the most cool-toned of the three blushers featured here. The brush included in the compact is very soft and easy to use, making this item very suitable for touch-ups away from home.

Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1 (left)

This is the kind of default PK blusher shade which we expect from most Japanese makeup lines. The sparse pink-toned shimmery particles visible in the pan is not visible when worn.

Boots No. 7 Cheek Colour in 25 Petal (right)

It is slightly warmer than the other two and has a very soft peach undertone. It is among my favorite blushers from non-Japanese brands. This shade is particularly good for spring and summer when most of us pick up a little bit of warmth on our complexions.

Items for Lips

SUQQU Blend Lipstick in 16 Mizuka (upper left)

Go for this shade if you like a warm milky nude-pink for the lips. I usually dislike nude shades for the lips (I don’t think they are flattering), but this shade has enough pink in it so that it looks gentle and natural.

Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310 (right)

Go for this shade if you want more color for the lips. It is a warm-toned rose and is more pigmented than the SUQQU lipstick featured here. It can be layered for more vibrancy.

Makemania Curvy Lip Silicone in 501 (bottom left)

The ultimate clear lip gloss. It has a very good lip-magnifying effect. (It does not achieve the effect with skin-irritating ingredients that dilate the blood vessels.) I also like the spatula applicator.

Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss in Popsicle (bottom)

This is one of Bobbi Brown’s new items for spring 2010. It is a gentle warm pink that should be flattering for most people. It is softly pigmented but the color does show up on the lips. It has a long-lasting glossy finish with a touch of shimmer.

The final part features my recommendations on base makeup.

(Items from Bobbi Brown, RMK, and SUQQU featured in this post are provided by their respective companies.)

Related posts (other wearable items):

For Cheeks:

Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact in 01 Baby Blush

Albion Eprise Water Face Color in 100

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in 04 Mauve

For Lips:

SUQQU Creamy Lipstick in 22 Benikoji

Lavshuca Jewelry Lips in PK-1 & RS-1

YSL Golden Gloss in 03 Golden Pink

Blue-Tinted Lip Glosses

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More Summer 2010 Makeup Releases from YSL

by PJ on Thursday, March 25, 2010

in -YSL, 2010 Summer, makeup

(images from www.joseishi.net/voce,
info from www.joseishi.net/voce &
www.cosme.net)

Here are some more summer 2010 makeup releases from YSL. Notice that some items are exclusive to Asia.

The new items are:

– Ombres 5 Lumières (above, one new variation, limited edition, Asia-exclusive)

– Rouge Pure Shine (one new shade, limited edition)

– Golden Gloss (three new shades, two of which limited editions)

(Cosme.Net lists the two limited-edition Golden Gloss shades as Asia-exclusives.)

Related posts:

YSL Summer 2010 Makeup Releases

YSL Golden Gloss in 03 Golden Pink

My Personal Take on YSL

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YSL Summer 2010 Releases

by PJ on Friday, March 19, 2010

in -YSL, 2010 Summer, makeup

(images/info from www.cosme.net)

YSL will renew the eyeshadow single range by releasing Ombre Solo N, which will be available in 10 shades.

Also, YSL will release several limited-edition summer 2010 items in Japan on April 16th. They will be exclusively available in Isetan Shinjuku in Tokyo and Hankyu Umeda Flagship Store in Osaka. The items are:

– Terre Saharienne


– Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow (2 new shades)

– Mascara Aquarésistant (in #7 Blue Lagoon, re-release)

– La Laque (2 new shades)


Updated on March 25th 2010: See more items here.

Related posts on YSL:

Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils

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(images/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Lunasol will release its summer 2010 makeup collection in Japan on May 14th. The collection continues the theme of Scenic Purification, and the new items include:

– Nature Color Eyes (2 new variations)
– Shining Water Eyes (2 new shades)
– Full Glamour Lips G (2 new shades)
– Full Glamour Gloss N (2 new shades)
– Nail Finish (3 new shades)
– Modeling Face Color (1 shade)
– Control Makeup Base (SPF 25, PA++, with gold-toned pearly shimmer)

(Modeling Face Color)


All the items in this collection are limited editions.

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(images/info from www.cosme.net)

Sofina‘s Aube Couture will release its summer 2010 makeup collection in Japan on April 13th. The collection includes:

– Designing Premium Rouge (above, 4 new shades)

– Designing Mascara (1 shade)

Related posts:

Aube Couture Spring 2010 Collection

User-Friendly Makeup: Aube Couture

From My Treasure Chest (2) : Aube Rouge Dressious

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(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Addiction will release its summer 2010 makeup collection in Japan on April 23rd. The collection features:

– Limited Compact Le Mépris* (above, with two eyeshadows and a blusher)

– Eyeshadow (1 new shade)

– Eyeliner Pencil (1 new shade)

– Lipstick (1 new shade)

– Lip Gloss (1 new shade)

– Blush (1 new shade)

All the items in this collection are limited editions.

(*I am guessing that the name Le Mépris is based on the 1963 French film Le Mépris (Contempt), starring Brigitte Bardot. Have a look at the movie poster, which might possibly be part of the inspiration of the palette.)

Related posts on Addiction:

New Japanese Beauty Brand: Addiction

Spring 2010 Collection

Product Swatch Galore

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(images from www.cosme.net,
info from www.cosme.net
& www.joseishi.net/voce)

Elégance will release its summer 2010 makeup collection in Japan on April 18th. The collection includes:

– Glam Up Gloss (above, 7 shades)

– Lasting Color Mascara (5 shades)

– Lasting Eyeliner (5 shades)

Also, on May 18th*, Elégance will release two limited-edition bodycare items:

– Body Makeup Milk (SPF 15, PA+, with a watery consistency and pearly shimmer)

– Fragrance Body Powder (with shimmer)



(*According to Cosme.Net, the release date of the two bodycare items is April 18th.)

Related posts:

Elégance Spring 2010 Collection

Elégance Makeup Collection Revamp

Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Elégance

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(image/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

On May 23rd in Japan, Ayura will release Aura Feel Oriental Gel Nails. Three limited-edition sets will be available, and each set will include three nail colors and a nail art sheet.

Related posts on Ayura:

Ayura 15th Anniversary Memories Coffret

Spring 2010 Collection

Night Harmonition

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Late last year, one of my readers suggested that I recommend items for a complete makeup look. I thought that I would recommend items that create a natural look that is suitable for daily wear. Today, I will focus on eye makeup items.

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Purple Variation (right)

Released in December 2007, it is still one of my favorite eye palettes. The dusky pink and the light lilac are a winning combination. The violet lining shade is one of the most beautiful lining shades I have come across.

Coffret D’Or Trance Deep Eyes in Rose Variation (left)

Try this one if you want a palette that is similar to 3D Lighting Eyes in Purple Variation but with more warmth. (Do note that this palette is more shimmery.)

Magie Deco Shadow Brilliance II in Foxy Lady (top)

This is my recent favorite. It includes soft warm neutrals that create a natural depth for the eyes.

Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara in Jet Black

It is one of the most natural-looking mascaras that I have come across. It creates subtle length and volume for the lashes, and it has never clumped on my lashes.

SUQQU Eyebrow Brush L

I think this is one of SUQQU’s finest creations. Use this brush with any eyebrow powder that suits you. I like the fact that the brush is able to enhance the structure of the eyebrows without leaving any hard edges.

More recommendations for cheeks & lips as well as the complexion!

(The SUQQU Eyebrow Brush L featured in this post is provided by SUQQU.)

Related posts (other wearable items):

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Gold Variation

SUQQU Blend Eyeshadow in 10 Sakuragi

Chanel Irréelle Duo in Désert-Rose

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Dior Summer 2010 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Thursday, March 11, 2010

in -Dior, 2010 Summer, makeup

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Here is a quick look at Dior‘s summer 2010 makeup collection. The star item of the collection is Addicted to Dior. The lid features the address of Dior’s Paris store (30 Avenue Montaigne, Paris). The lip gloss palette will be available in two variations, and I think I will be getting one of the two.

The rest of the collection includes:

– 5-Colour Iridescent palette (2 new variations, including 1 limited edition)

– 1-Colour Eyeshadow (1 new shade)

– Dior Addict High Shine (2 new shades)

– Dior Addict Crystal Gloss (1 shade, limited edition)

– Diorskin Nude Glow (1 shade, SPF 10, limited edition)

Related posts on Dior:

Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

Cristal Boréal for Holiday 2009

My Personal Take on Dior

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