makeup

Shiseido Maquillage Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, May 20, 2009

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

Shiseido’s Maquillage will release its fall 2009 collection in Japan on July 21st. The lineup includes:

– Eyes Creator 3D: 5 new variations (2 limited editions, see information below)
– Eye Color N (Powder): 6 new shades
– Eye Color N (Cream): 3 new shades
– Perfect Gloss: 8 shades
– Moisture Rouge (Color-on type): 6 new shades
– Moisture Rouge (Sheer type): 6 new shades (limited editions)
– Face Creator 3D: 2 new variations
– Powder Touch Eyebrow: 3 shades

Maquillage’s fall 2008 collection featured collaborations with fashion designer Christopher Kane, This year, the fall collection will feature collaborations with Chinese-American fashion designer Alexander Wang. The collaboration items include:

– Eyes Creator 3D: BR364, BR365 (limited editions, with cases designed by Wang)
– Perfect Gloss in OR264, PK445, RD536, and RS587
– Moisture Rouge (Sheer type): all 6 shades (limited edition)

Dolce & Gabbana Makeup Line in Selfridges

by PJ on Monday, May 18, 2009

in -Dolce & Gabbana, makeup

(Scarlett Johansson, brand ambassador)

(images from www.dolcegabbanamakeup.com)

Some of you might already know about the new makeup line from Dolce & Gabbana. According to the line’s official website, it is currently only available in Milan’s la Rinascente Duomo, New York’s Saks Fifth Avenue, and London’s Selfridges. Last week, I stopped by the counter in Selfridges and spent some time playing with the colors.

As soon as I came across the first photos of the line some time ago, I was drawn to the luxurious gold cases. However, I wasn’t sure how they would come across in person. (Some gold packaging photographs well but looks much less opulent in person.) At the counter, it was nice to see that the packaging looked as good as it appeared on the website. Compared with YSL’s gold packaging, Dolce & Gabbana’s has no hard edges and conveys a more sensuous feel but it looks equally glamorous.

The launch lineup features essential makeup items, including eyeshadow palettes (quads and duos), mascara, eyeliner, lipsticks, lipliner, lip gloss, powder foundation, bronzer, and nail color.

I was impressed with the soft texture of the eyeshadows. Most colors are either moderately or well pigmented, and they glide (on the back of my hand) very easily. (I never use counter testers on my face.) At the moment, none of the duos or quads took my fancy, but I will definitely keep an eye on future releases.

(Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Stromboli)

Another item that left a fairly positive impression is Perfect Finish Powder Foundation. Available in 12 shades, it has a soft and smooth texture. It seems to impart a subtly luminous finish, and I think it will probably suit those with a drier skin type better. Shade-wise, I think Caramel and Cinnamon are relatively good yellow-toned shades for light-to-medium complexions.

Four of the five Luminous Cheek Color shades are on the warm side, with Provocative being the only cool shade. Hopefully there will be other cool or neutral-to-cool shades in the future.

Both Classic Cream Lipstick and Shine Lipstick have a rich and creamy texture. Shine Lipstick is slightly sheerer and glossier than Classic Cream Lipstick, which has a satiny and subtly glossy finish.

Price-wise (in the UK), Dolce & Gabbana Makeup is in the same category as other designer beauty brands such as Chanel, Dior and YSL. Here are the prices of some of the items:

Smooth Eye Colour Quad: £35
Smooth Eye Colour Duo: £22
Lipsticks (Classic Cream & Shine): £20
Perfect Finish Powder Foundation: £33

(Classic Cream Lipstick)

Overall, this is a promising makeup line and the standard of the current products appears to be good. Dolce & Gabbana obviously wanted the launch to be exclusive, but, with popular Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson chosen to front the ad campaign and Pat McGrath (one of the world’s best-known makeup artists) sharing application tips on the line’s website, it seems that the line is aiming at a broader appeal. It would also be interesting to see if the line will try to enter the East Asian market, which is not the easiest market to crack due to its sheer competitiveness.

Makeup Review: Illamasqua
(also available in Selfridges)

Viktor & Rolf at Barbican Centre

Beauty City Guide: London

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Aube Couture Early Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, May 18, 2009

in -Aube (Couture), -Kao, -Sofina, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images/info from www.cosme.net)

Sofina’s Aube Couture will release its early fall 2009 collection in Japan on June 16th. (The brand’s summer 2009 collection is available now.) The upcoming early fall items include:

– Designing Eyes (above, two new variations)

– Designing Stay Rouge (16 shades)

– Designing Eyebrow Compact (2 variations)

– Designing Liquid Eyeliner (2 shades, according to Voce)

User-Friendly Makeup: Aube Couture

Aube Early Fall 2008 Collection

Holiday Flashback – Aube Astral Rouge

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Max Factor Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, May 18, 2009

in -Max Factor, 2009 Fall, makeup

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Max Factor will release its fall 2009 collection in Japan on July 21st. The new items include:

– Eye Gradation Colors palettes (2 new variations)
– Angelic Lips (3 new shades)
– Angelic Lips Brilliant (3 new shades)
– Lipfinity Pro (3 new shades)
– Lash Artist Waterproof (2 shades)

All items are limited editions. (Please note that items in Max Factor’s seasonal makeup collections outside Japan do vary.)

Max Factor Spring 2009 Eye Gradation Colors

Packaging Matters – Maybelline in Japan

Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

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Chicca Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, May 18, 2009

in -Chicca, -Kanebo, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

Chicca (owned by Kanebo) will release its fall 2009 collection in Japan on August 19th. The seasonal theme is “Secret Story”, and new items aim to create a balanced look for eyebrows, eyes, and cheeks to achieve a face-shaping effect.

The lineup includes:

– Enthralling Eyebrow Pencil W (1 shade)
– Enthralling Eyebrow Gel (1 shade)
– Enthralling Eyebrow Cake (eyebrow powder with two shades)
– Enthralling Powder Eyeshadow duos (5 new variation)
– Enthralling Soft Pencil Eyeliner (2 new shades)
– Flush Blush cream blusher (1 new shade)
– Enticing Lipstick (4 new shades)
– Enticing Lip Gloss (3 new shades)
– Perfect Readiness Tweezer

The Enthralling Eyebrow Pencil W features a round shaped tip and a naginata (Japanese halberd) shaped tip. The latter helps create softer edges for the eyebrow outline.

Chicca Summer 2009 Collection

Chicca Spring 2009 Collection

New Brand Profile – Kanebo Chicca

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Ayura Fall 2009 Collection

by PJ on Friday, May 15, 2009

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

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

Ayura will release its fall 2009 makeup collection in Japan on July 23rd. The lineup includes:

– Aura Feel Shadow Soufflé (above, 4 shades, limited editions)

– Aura Feel Shadow (1 new variation)

– Aura Feel Rouge (3 new shades, limited editions)

– Aura Feel Gloss (2 new shades)

Loving Japanese Brands – Ayura

Ayura Spring 2009 Collection

Ayura Veil in Sweet Pink

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Jill Stuart 2009 Summer Collection Update & Future Release

by PJ on Friday, May 15, 2009

in -Jill Stuart, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, fragrance, makeup

(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

Jill Stuart has updated its website to feature the summer 2009 makeup collection (out in Japan on June 5th). The main eye makeup item for the seasonal ad image (below) is Jelly Eye Color N in 08 Crystal Sky (pictured above). It seems to be a very pretty medium purple shade and I am seriously considering getting it.

(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

Also, on July 3rd in Japan, Jill Stuart will release Jill by Jill Stuart Perfumed Body Powder (7g). It is an addition to the Jill by Jill Stuart Eau de Toilette range.

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

(Jill by Jill Stuart EDT)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

Jill Stuart New Bodycare Items

Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact in 01 Baby Blush

Loving Japanese Brands – Jill Stuart

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Kanebo Coffret D’Or Shine Accent Eyes 02 Pink Variation

by PJ on Tuesday, May 12, 2009

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

Coffret D’Or‘s Shine Accent Eyes is part of the brand’s spring 2009 collection and the brand’s third series of eye palettes. Having good experiences with the previous two, I decided to try one palette from the new series. Of course I went for the one with lilac.

02 Pink Variation includes:

Top: very sheer white with soft fine shimmer
Left: sheer light pink with pearly shimmer
Right: moderately-pigmented medium lilac with a pink-plum undertone and pearly shimmer
Middle: a gel-cream liner with off-white sparkles

As with other Coffret D’Or eye palettes, the powder is soft and very easy to blend. The colors have a good staying power.

The pink is on the sheer side and it shows up less on my eyes than on the back of my hand, which is slightly lighter than my face. It should show up more on a fair skin tone than on my light-to-medium skin tone. (It is still more pigmented than the off-white pinks in Lunasol’s Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral and Coffret D’Or’s Trance Deep Eyes in Rose Variation.)

The lilac is a soft shading color that goes on warmer than it looks in the pan as it has a pronounced soft muted pinkish (but not reddish) plum undertone. It is warmer than the main lilac in Lunasol’s Layer Bloom Eyes in Purple Gradation.

The gel-cream liner has a dense consistency. According to the eye chart on the back of the outer packaging, it is applied along the lower lashline. The shimmery flecks are larger than the shimmery particles in the other three shades, and the finish is quite sparkly.

This palette creates a soft daytime look with a beautiful shimmery finish. (But I would go easy on the gel-cream liner for daytime.) Compared with the previous Coffret D’Or releases, the overall finish (of the three powder shades) is slightly more shimmery than 3D Lighting Eyes (between pearly and shimmery) and less so than the Trance Deep Eyes (quite sparkly). I also like the pinkish lilac, which is different from the (many) ones I have.

However, because there is no dark lining shade, I personally feel that this palette is less versatile than those from the previous series. Also, I would prefer the pink to be slightly more pigmented so that I could create more looks.

(I have been using the deep violet from 3D Lighting Eyes’ Purple Variation as an eyeliner to go with this palette.)

I think I have more or less formed the habit of trying Coffret D’Or’s new eye palette series, and I am looking forward to the upcoming Color Mixing Eyes, out next month.

Betsy at Autumn Masquerade has reviewed Shine Accent Eyes in 04 Blue Variation. Do have a look!

Jill Stuart Jelly Eye Color N for Summer 2009

by PJ on Tuesday, May 12, 2009

in -Jill Stuart, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from www.iswii.net)

In my post on Jill Stuart’s summer 2009 makeup collection, I mentioned that the existing Jelly Eye Color would be replaced by Jelly Eye Color N. Here is a quick look at the ten new shades.

I think this is a fairly good selection of shades, with a nice range of lighter and darker colors. I am sure more shades will be released later on.

Jill Stuart Breaks Record

Jill Stuart Spring 2009 Makeup Collection

Foundation Face-Off – Jill Stuart vs. SUQQU

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RMK Makeup Renewal

by PJ on Saturday, May 9, 2009

in -RMK, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images from www.rmkrmk.com)

The RMK website (the Japanese site) is now featuring the information on the brand’s revamp of eyeshadows and blushers. The new items include:

– Ingenious Powder Eyes (35 shades)
– Ingenious Jelly Eyes (8 shades)
– Ingenious Powder Cheeks (23 shades)
– Ingenious Jelly Cheeks (6 shades)

(RMK’s cases for eyeshadow and blusher singles used to be sold separately. Now customers don’t have the choice of buying the refills anymore.)

I haven’t seen the new colors in person, but I am suspecting that some of the colors are probably very similar to or the same as the old ones. I was comparing the new Ingenious Jelly Eyes with the old Jelly Eye Color (the RMK English site hasn’t been updated with the new lineup), and it appears that the middle six of the new eight shades look more or less the same as the previous shades of Jelly Eye Color.

At the moment, it seems that the renewal features repackaged items with some new additions. I will bring you more observation and thoughts when I have a chance to see the new lineup.

Updated on May 27th 2009:

Check out a link to some very good product photos and swatches here.

RMK Powder Foundation EX

RMK Spring 2009 Collection

Can’t Live Without – RMK Cleansing Oil

Cosme Decorte Makeup Renewal for Fall 2008

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