makeup

Coffret D’Or Color Mixing Eyes in Lavender Purple Mix

by PJ on Friday, August 7, 2009

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

The Color Mixing Eyes series is part of Kanebo Coffret D’Or‘s summer 2009 collection. Today I am sharing my thoughts on 04 Lavender Purple Mix.

The four colors in this palette are:

Bottom left: sheer off-white with soft shimmer
Top left: moderately pigmented light cool lavender with a mildly sparkly finish
Top right: moderately pigmented light-to-medium purple with soft shimmer
Bottom right: pigmented dark plum-purple

All shades have multi-colored shimmer. They go on easily and have a decent staying power.

The interesting thing about Color Mixing Eyes is that the top two shades are designed to be mixed together for the eyelids, and the two shades in this palette do work well together. With two slightly different finishes (the cool lavender on the left is more sparkly), the two shades together are able to create a dimensional look and the overall color is a soft cool purple.

(According to the eye chart on the back of the outer packaging, the cool lavender is also used along the inner 1/3 of the lower lashline.)

Compared with the previous series of Coffret D’Or’s eyeshadow palettes, Color Mixing Eyes is sheerer than Trance Deep Eyes (fall 2008) and 3D Lighting Eyes (spring 2008, marginally the most pigmented among the four series) and is more or less as sheer as Shine Accent Eyes (spring 2009). Among the four, Trance Deep Eyes is still the most shimmery/sparkly.

The look that this palette creates is fresh, cool, and summery, mainly due to the cool-toned lavender. For me, the color from mixing the two purples is a little too cool for my liking. I have tried using the purple on the right on its own on my lids, and I think this look suits my slightly warm-toned complexion better.

Overall, this is a satisfying palette and I should be going back to it quite often. If you would like a light and cool look for the eyes for summer (instead of the warm bronze look), this palette will be a very good choice. Also, if the purples you usually go for are medium-to-cool ones, then this palette would also be quite ideal.

Coffret D’Or Fall 2009 Point Makeup Collection

Coffret D’Or Fall 2009 Base Makeup Collection

Coffret D’Or Makeup Powder

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Anna Sui Fall 2009 Website Update

by PJ on Friday, August 7, 2009

in -Anna Sui, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)

Anna Sui has updated its official website to feature the fall 2009 point and base makeup collection. Have a look at the site to see larger photos of the new items than those I posted earlier.

The ad campaign features British model Agyness Deyn.

The update also includes limited-edition wall paper, screen saver and blog parts.

Agyness Deyn for Shiseido Maquillage

Anna Sui Makeup Color Collection D

My Latest Anna Sui Foundation Case

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Newsflash: Pola & Lunasol Fall 2009

by PJ on Friday, July 31, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, -Pola, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, skincare

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

– On October 3rd, Japanese beauty brand Pola will be releasing a limited-edition item, B.A The Cream Edo Kiriko, to commemorate the brand’s 80th anniversary. (Edo Kiriko is a form of traditional Japanese glass craft.) The 30ml cream will retail for 207,900 JPY (about 2,196 USD). (B.A is Pola’s most top-end line, with a face wash (Wash B.A Extra) retailing for 12,600 JPY (about 133 USD).)

– If you are interested in swatches of the Star Shower Eyes palettes and Star Dust on Eyes from Lunasol’s fall 2009 collection, please take a look at this post on Taiwanese blogger Tingjp’s blog.

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Dior Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, July 27, 2009

in -Dior, 2009 Fall, makeup

(images from www.iswii.net)

I am sure most of you have seen or tried items from Dior’s Jazz Club fall 2009 makeup collection. Here is a quick look at the lineup, and hopefully it might be helpful for your future references.

The new items include:

– Dior Jazzclub (2 variations)

– 5-Colour Eyeshadow (1 new variation)

– 2-Color Eyeshadow (1 new variation)

– Diorliner (1 new shade)

– Diorshow Brow Styler (1 new shade)

– Diorblush (1 new variation)

– Dior Addict High Color (4 new shades)

– Rouge Dior Crème de Gloss (2 new shades)

– Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect (2 new shades)

– Contour Lip Liner (1 new shade)

– Dior Vernis (2 new shades)

– Diorskin Poudre Libre (1 new shade)

The star item, Dior Jazzclub, looks quite chic and there are some nice colors in both palettes. But I don’t think I will be picking up either of the variations since I personally think the designs of Dior Diorissime and Dior Detective Chic palettes (from fall 2007 and fall 2006, respectively) appeals to me more and the colors suit me better. (Dior Detective Chic is a multi-toned face powder.)

From My Treature Chest: Dior Princess Ring

Dior Lady Dior in 002 French Chic

Dior Summer 2009 Makeup Collection

Foundation Face-Off: Dior vs. Esprique Precious

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SUQQU Fall 2009 Website Update

by PJ on Monday, July 27, 2009

in -SUQQU, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)

The SUQQU Japanese website has been updated to feature the fall 2009 collection. Do have a look if you are interested in the full lineup. (SUQQU’s English website hasn’t been updated with the information on the collection.)

Overall this is a very sophisticated neutral-toned collection with a lot of wearable items. I personally like the fact that many of the neutral shades are softly warm neutrals which would suit my complexion a little more. (Cool neutrals can look a little ashy and greyish on me.)

Among the three new Blend Eyeshadow palettes, I like the look of EX-03 and EX-05. (EX-04 might be very slightly too cool-toned for me.) Both seem to have a couple of shades with a subtle gold undertone. I am also interested in the Polish Face Color (top left in the second photo). I am looking forward to seeing these three items in person.

(A reminder: SUQQU’s fall 2009 collection will be launched in Japan on August 7th and all the items in the collection are limited editions.)

Many thanks to Betsy at Autumn Masquerade for telling me about SUQQU’s website update. You can read about her thoughts on the collection here.

Anna Sui Fall 2009 Point & Base Makeup Collecion

by PJ on Friday, July 24, 2009

in -Anna Sui, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

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

Anna Sui will release its fall 2009 makeup collection in Japan on August 20th. The items include:

– Eye Color Accent B (above, 3 shades)

– Lipstick B (3 shades)

– Nail Color N (5 shades)

All the items above are limited editions.

On the same day, new base makeup items will be launched. They include:

– Moisture Rich Fluid Foundation (6 shades)

– Moisture Rich Powder Foundation (5 shades)

– Moisture Rich Foundation Primer

A limited-edition Moisture Rich Foundation Kit will be available as well. It consists of the new primer (full-sized), (presumably) either the fluid or the powder foundation (full-sized) and an original pouch. Th kit retails for 7350 JPY, which means customers receive the pouch for free when purchasing the primer (3150 JPY) and either of the foundations (both 4200 JPY).

Anna Sui Summer 2009 Hair & Body Collection

Anna Sui Spring 2009 Collection

Anna Sui’s Sui Lip Gloss in 100

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Sonia Rykiel Fall 2009 Base Makeup Collection

by PJ on Thursday, July 23, 2009

in -Sonia Rykiel, 2009 Fall, makeup, makeup - base makeup

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

Sonia Rykiel will release its fall 2009 base makeup collection in Japan on September 4th. The new items include:

– Soin Teinte Hydratant Treatment Cream Foundation (above, 5 shades)

– Poudre Suprême (4 variations)

(Multi-toned pressed powder probably
doesn’t get much prettier than this…)

Sonia Rykiel Fall 2009 Point Makeup Collection

Beauty Brand Focus: Sonia Rykiel

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Lunasol Fall 2009 Website Update

by PJ on Thursday, July 23, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(images/info from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

Lunasol has updated its website to feature its fall 2009 collection. Have a look at all the items, including the new Star Shower Eyes palettes.

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

Also, on August 28th, the limited-edition 2009 Base Makeup Kit will be released.

The kit (8925 JPY) includes:

– Water Cream Foundation (full-sized)
– Creamy Makeup Base (full-sized)
– Morning Wakening Massage (10g)
– Night Refining Cream (10g)
– Lotion II (21ml)
– Emulsion II (21ml)
– Lunasol Original Pouch

(Customers can choose to purchase a full-sized refill of the Skin Fusing Powder Foundation instead of Water Cream Foundation. In this case, the kit retails for 7875 JPY.)

Lunasol 2008 Base Makeup Kit

Lunasol Skin Fusing Powder Foundation

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Makeup Review: SUQQU Loose Powder in Natural

by PJ on Wednesday, July 22, 2009

in -SUQQU, 2007 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder

SUQQU‘s Loose Powder was released as part of the brand’s fall 2007 base makeup collection. It is available in two shades, Natural and Deep. The two shades work together to create highlight and contour for the face. Today I am reviewing the shade in Natural.

Color-wise, Natural is a sheer off-white cream. It has a subtly pearly finish. When I tested it on the back of my hand, I thought the finish might be too pearly for me. I was also worried that the luminous finish might make my pores look more obvious. But when worn on the face, it imparts a softly luminous finish that is neither pearly or frosty. It doesn’t accentuate the look of pores. Also, the powder is very light and fine.

The enclosed powder puff is relatively soft and easy to use.

Compared with Lavshuca Face Powder and Kiss Mat Chiffon Powder, this product doesn’t have any efficacy in shine control or pore coverage. (It also has the least amount of coverage among the three.) It will not work as a setting powder for those with combination or oily skin.

Among the loose powder products that I have reviewed, it is the closest to Crème de la Mer’s The Powder in Translucent. The main difference is that SUQQU’s finish is more natural and less shimmery and it doesn’t have the pink iridescence that the Crème de la Mer powder has. Overall, as a highlighting powder (particularly for daytime makeup), I prefer SUQQU’s.

Essentially, this is a finishing powder that works as a subtle highlighter, as it adds a soft and very natural glow for the face. It is also subtle enough to be used all over the face if the softly glowy finish is what you would like to go for. (It is able to help create the “brilliant skin” that is very popular in Japan right now.)

(SUQQU is currently available in Japan, Thailand, and the UK. Check here to see the information on all the SUQQU retail points.)

Updated on July 26th 2009:

Examples of “Brilliant Skin”, requested by reader Tamtam. (I am also considering writing up a separate post on this trend.)

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

(image from www.biteki.com)

More on SUQQU’s fall 2007 base makeup collection:

Foundation Face-Off: Chanel vs. SUQQU

Makeup Base Creamy & Brightup

Lunasol Fall 2009 Eye Care and Base Makeup Releases

by PJ on Wednesday, July 22, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, skincare

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

Lunasol will release items for the eye area in Japan on September 18th. Two new shades will be added to the popular concealer, Under Eyes Base N. (It currently features 3 shades.) The shade in Natural Yellow will help conceal brown-toned dark circles, while Natural Orange will help cover up blue-toned dark circles.

Also, the Eye Essence Kit will be launched. The Kit includes eye moisturizers for day and night. The night-time one can be used as an eye mask once a week.

Lunasol Eyeshadow Palette Swatch Galore

Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

Lunasol Layer Bloom Eyes in Purple Gradation

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