(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)
Elégance will release its summer 2009 collection in Japan on April 18th. The lineup includes:
– Lustre Crush Eyes (bi-phase liquid/powder eyeshadow, 5 shades, seen above)
– Lagoon Mascara Duo (2 variations, limited editions)
– Nail Bijou (4 new shades)
It is a very colorful and summery collection. I especially like the look of the Lustre Crush Eyes, and I look forward to seeing more close-up photos of them in Japanese beauty magazines later.
Related posts:
Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Elégance
Elégance Spring 2009 Collection
Spring 2009 Makeup Top 10
(images/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)
Here is an update on Lunasol’s summer 2009 collection, which will be released in Japan on May 8th. The two flowers chosen to continue the Floral Purification theme from spring 2009 are hibiscus and plumeria, which inspire the two mini collections you see above and below. (Please check this post for a quick reference for the two flowers.)
The full collection includes:
– Layer Bloom Eyes (Summer White Gradation and Summer Pink Gradation)
(images/info from www.cosme.net)
– Shining Face Color (1 new variation)
– Full Glamour Lips S (2 new shades)
– Full Glamour Gloss N (2 new shades)
– Shining Pencil (2 shades, sharpener included)
– Curling Mascara (1 shade)
– Nail Finish (2 new shades)
Note that all the items in this collection are limited editions except Curling Mascara.
Related posts:
Loving Japanese Brands – Lunasol
Lunasol 10th Anniversary
Lunasol Spring 2009 Collection
by PJ on Thursday, March 19, 2009
in -Aube (Couture), -Kanebo, -Kao, -Lavshuca, -Sofina, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10
(continued from Part 1)
6. Max Factor
(image from www.maxfactor.jp)
Many of the Max Factor releases in Asia are very different from those in the west. In the case of the spring 2009 collection, these colorful palettes have a particularly Japanese feel and look very much like the tone-on-tone palettes that have constantly been brought out by Japanese brands. (The purple-toned palette reminds me of my Lunasol Lavender Coral.)
Do check this post for a great review of the green-toned palette (with swatches of all the palettes). The writer pointed out the improvement in the powder’s pigmentation level and lasting power. (The low pigmentation level from previous releases was mentioned by one reader under my initial post on this collection.)
5. Lavshuca
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)
“Cute” is still the best word to describe Lavshuca‘s makeup, but I do like the fact that the brand doesn’t try to be overly girlie. (The plum cases look quite elegant.) The spring 2009 collection includes a new range of lipsticks and eye palettes. I nearly decided to get Grade Color Eyes in PU-1 (top right in the photo above), but the colors are a little too pale and don’t seem warm enough for me. On the other hand, I am still interested in trying the new Finish Powder.
4. Aube Couture
(Aube Couture Designing Eyes)
(image from www.sofina.co.jp/aube)
I wasn’t really a big fan of Aube’s last few collections, but the new Aube Couture‘s debut collection got my attention. A lot of design went into some of the items to make them as user-friendly as possible. (Please see this post for examples and more discussion.) I’d think that the packaging was still kept very simple so that it wouldn’t overtake the actual design features, and Aube Couture certainly gets extra points from making makeup application a little bit easier for us.
The countdown continues in Part 3.
Related posts:
Aube Couture Summer 2009 Collection
Lavshuca Summer 2009 Collection
by PJ on Monday, March 16, 2009
in -Elégance, -Esprique (Precious), -Kosé, -Maquillage, -RMK, -Shiseido, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10
Spring makeup collections tend to be my favorites as compared with collections from the rest of the year, since the colors are usually soft, fresh, and wearable. This week, I will be counting down my top ten spring 2009 makeup collections.
10. Maquillage
(Maquillage Eyes Creators 3D)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)
(Maquillage Face Creators 3D)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)
Maquillage rolled out a large collection for spring 2009, changed a few of the brand ambassadors, and modified the packaging. The collection focuses on creating dimension for the face and the facial features. The Face Creator 3D includes highlighters, contourers and a blusher and aims to create depth for the face and a delicate jawline.
9. RMK
(image from www.rmkrmk.com)
RMK‘s spring 2009 collection, Spring Translucence, is full of soft ethereal hues. The idea is to use moderately pigmented shades with a gently luminous finish to enhance the lucidity of the complexion (rather than to cover the face with opaque colors). The star item is the Translucent Cheeks & Eyes, with one warmer and one cooler variation. The other items in the collection are also well-balanced and features both warmer and cooler shades.
8. Elégance
(Elégance EyeShadows)
(image from www.elegance-cosmetics.com)
(Elégance Radiance Quartet)
(image from www.elegance-cosmetics.com)
Like Sonia Rykiel and Paul & Joe, Elégance is a French fashion line with its beauty range mainly available in Asia. I particularly like the glamorous and opulent golden cases for many of its products. (Please see my profile of the brand here.) For spring 2009, the four new Eyeshadow palettes reflect all the main seasonal color trends (pinks, purples, and neutrals). The new Radiance Quartet is among the three cheek items from Elégance that I really want to check out in person.
7. Esprique Precious
(Esprique Precious True Impact Eyes)
(image from ep-bko.com)
(SUQQU Blend Eyeshadow in #10)
Last week, I reviewed three of the five Contour Shadows, which are the main items of SUQQU‘s spring 2009 collection. Today, I will highlight several items from the rest of the collection.
The Blend Eyeshadow range (SUQQU’s 4-color eye palette range) was launched in fall 2007 with five variations. Three more were introduced in spring 2008, and another three were added to the range this season. Pictured above, Blend Eyeshadow #10 is a very wearable neutral palette. The shades include (anti-clockwise from bottom right):
– luminous cream white with very sparse and fine shimmer (used as a base)
– softly pearly warm taupe with a very faint mauve undertone and fine multi-colored shimmer
– pearly cool silver with a very faint cool lilac undertone and fine multi-colored shimmer
– predominantly matte dark chocolate brown
The base shade does a good job at brighting up the eye area and making it even-toned (which helps create a base for a clean (rather than muddy) neutral eye look). The warm taupe and the cool silver are moderately pigmented for a delicate and elegant finish. The powder is soft and easily blendable.
When it comes to the texture, the brown eyelining shade reminds me of the purple in Shiseido Maquillage’s Forming Shiny Eyes in 52. Compared with the other shades in their respective compacts, the two shades don’t have as much movement and the powder seems slightly dryer. I think they are formulated like this so that they stay in place for longer.
I find that the warm taupe and the cool silver can work together to create subtly different hues. When I apply a soft layer of the silver underneath the taupe, the taupe looks cooler. As it can sometimes be difficult to get the tones of neutral shades exactly right for a certain complexion or a certain makeup look, this palette, perhaps inadvertently, offers a good solution for at least certain complexions for which taupes are generally suitable.
Overall the colors in this palette are very easy to wear, and the palette is versatile in its own ways.
(SUQQU Blend Lipsticks in #18 (left) & #16 (right))
The Blend Lipstick range was also launched in fall 2007. Various shades were added to the range over the last few seasons and five more were introduced for spring 2009. (Please have a look at my review of Blend Lipstick #14 from SUQQU’s fall 2008 collection.)
Both Blend Lipsticks in #16 and #18 are cooler than #14. #18 is a very pretty cool pink that goes on slightly more vibrant than it looks in the tube. Like Contour Shadow in 02, it really reflects the sakura theme of the collection and it is definitely a very lovely spring-like color. #16 is a light medium pink that applies lighter than it looks in the tube. If you are looking for a nude lipstick with a hint of pink, this shade is worth looking into.
Between the two, #18 seems to be a little more pigmented and can be easily layered for more intensity. # 16 is more about a soft nude look.
Both shades are subtly glossy and create a sophisticated finish. Like all the lipsticks from SUQQU, they have a very creamy texture and glide on effortlessly. (As I mentioned before, SUQQU’s lipsticks are some of the most moisturizing lipsticks that I have come across so far.)
Most of SUQQU’s makeup products radiate sheer quality and sophistication, and these certainly do too. The items reviewed here (along with the Contour Shadows, apart from EX-02) are part of the permanent lineup and are not limited editions. If you do have a chance to stop by a SUQQU counter in Japan, Thailand (Bangkok), and the UK (Selfridges, London), do enjoy testing out these items.
Related posts:
My Personal Take on SUQQU
SUQQU Creamy Lipstick in 22
SUQQU Makeup Base Creamy & Brightup
(images/info from www.iswii.net)
Here is a quick look at Paul & Joe‘s summer 2009 collection. Including items for face, eyes, lips, and nails, the gold-toned limited-edition collection (with champagne-gold packaging) features:
– Bronzer (001 Goddess and 002 Deity, above)
– Eye Color G (001 Nugget, 002 Gold Rush, 003 Fortune)
– Lip Gloss S (001 Byzantine, 002 Bullion, 003 Lustre)
– Nail Enamel S (001 Golden Slumbers, 002 Goldfinger, 003 All That Glitters)
– Blotting Paper 2009
The collection will be out in Taiwan on May 1st. According to Rouge Deluxe, it will be out in Japan on the same day.
Related posts:
Paul & Joe Spring 2009 Collection
Paul & Joe Fall 2008 Base Makeup Collection
Paul & Joe Eye Color in 05
A Taiwanese blogger, Gemilay, has posted information on Lunasol’s summer 2009 collection on her blog.
If you are familiar with Lunasol‘s spring 2009 collection and how Lunasol develops some of the summer collections based on the concept of the spring collections, you might have been speculating which flowers would be the inspiration for the summer 2009 eyeshadow palettes.
I will let you check out the post yourself and not spoil your fun. I will talk more about the collection as I have more information.
By the way, if you are a Lunasol fan, be sure to check out the links under Gemilay’s post. (Have a look at her amazing stash of Lunasol eyeshadow palettes.)
(Many thanks to my reader Littlewing for telling me about this post. Do check out her blog, The Rainbow Star.)
Updated on March 20, 2009:
Please see the update on the collection here.
Related posts:
Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral
Lunasol Scent Form Eyes in 02
Loving Japanese Brands – Lunasol
(image/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)
(image/info from www.cosme.net)
Dior has released a new range of 5-color eyeshadow palettes in Japan, which are called 5 Couleurs (5-Color) Design (as opposed to 5-Color and 5-Color Iridescent). (The full name is 5 Couleurs Design All-in-One Artistry Palette.)
Four variations are in the initial lineup. Two of them have already been released (408 and 508) alongside the launch of Pro Eye Creators.
The range features tone-on-tone palettes. The main difference from the existing Dior eyeshadow palettes is that the darkest shade in each palette is a cream eyeliner. One of the two applicators included in the compact has a flat brush for applying the cream eyeliner.
The other two variations will be released in Japan on April 10th.
Related posts:
Dior Lady Dior in 002 French Chic
Dior Night Diamond
From My Treasure Chest – Dior Princess Ring
(image and info from www.nikkei.co.jp)
Part 5: My Favorites (& Yours)
(One of my favorites:
Kiss Mat Chiffon Powder)
Some of you who have been reading my blog probably already know some of my favorite Japanese base makeup products, but I thought I’d present them in one round-up post for your future reference. Links to previous posts on products which are still available are provided below.
– Primers
I actually tend not to use primers at all. For my oily skin, I use as few base makeup products as I can after skincare and before point makeup. I used to use primers a long time ago, and I did find a couple of products from Ettusais (a yellow-based color-adjusting primer and a pore-concealing primer) to be quite effective. Among the primers I have talked about so far (that are currently available), I have been relatively pleased with SUQQU’s Makeup Base Creamy and Makeup Base Brightup. If you are interested, please have a look at my post on Coffret D’Or’s Beauty Lasting Veil UV and Lunasol Smoothing Makeup Base as well.
– Powder Foundations
I have been a fan of Shiseido ZA’s Two-Way Foundation for many years. I think the product has been revamped once since I started using it (while the product name remained the same), but the change is (fortunately) minimal. (It has very slightly less coverage and the finish is marginally more luminous.)
Other than ZA Two-Way Foundation, I think one of the best powder foundations I have tried in the last couple of years is Coffret D’Or’s Beauty Lasting Pact UV, which has very good sebum-control efficacy. (The link above will also take you to my thoughts on Lunasol’s Skin Fusing Powder Foundation.) Some of my other posts on Japanese powder foundations include those on SUQQU’s Powder Foundation Glow, Jill Stuart’s Smooth Silk Powder and SUQQU’s Powder Foundation Fresh, and Primavista’s Powder Foundation Moist Touch.
– Pressed/Loose Powder
At the moment, all my favorite pressed powders are from Raycious, and they have been discontinued. In terms of loose powder, my favorite is Lavshuca’s Face Powder (in Lucent). Mat Chiffon Powder from Kiss is almost equally good too. I also enjoy using Coffret D’Or’s Makeup Powder, but it slightly falls short on pore coverage and sebum control compared with the previous two.
(Lavshuca has launched Finish Powder (in two shades) on February 1st. It is replacing Face Powder, but Face Powder might still be available for a little while.)
To finish off the series, I’d like to mention the wave of mineral makeup (particularly foundations) arriving in Japan at the moment.
Since last year, I have started to notice that more and more Japanese beauty blogs are covering mineral foundations from the west. While I like some of the mineral eyeshadows I have tried, I have not yet been a fan of mineral foundations. There is very little doubt that mineral foundations have attractive appeals, as true mineral-based foundations can be saviours for people with very sensitive skin. However, I feel that, compared with some of the best (Japanese) foundations that I have used, they generally lack sebum control and pore coverage and they often lack staying power. For me,
purely in terms of the quality of the finish (not of their skincare benefits), mineral foundations are generally mostly about coverage and not much else, as their straightforward ingredients do not seem to provide multi-faceted results.
It seems that many Japanese consumers are very open to trying out new products, so I think the novelty factor will work its magic for a while. But I do wonder, compared with some of the best foundations that one can buy in Japan, whether most of the mineral foundations will continue to hold consumers’ attention in the next few years. I guess this will depend on future product developments from both sectors.
So that’s it from me now, and I hope you enjoy this series. Now I would love to know your favorite Japanese base makeup products. You could simply drop in a short comment with the name of the item(s), and it would be really helpful if you would tell us your skin type as well. Of course, if you have any comment on this series or any question, do please feel free to post a comment here too.
I look forward to hearing from you!
(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)
