makeup

Since SUQQU was launched in September 2003, some products have, one after another, become the brand’s most talked-about items. Among them, one that some of you have told me about is the Eyelash Curler. Currently, it is included in SUQQU’s Eyelash Kit, which I am reviewing today.

The SUQQU Eyelash Kit includes:
– Eyelash Curler
– Mascara Volume Long in EX-01 Green
– Screw Brush
– Eye Makeup Remover (travel-sized, 50ml)

The items come in a roll-up folder, which is presented a bucket pouch. The curler doesn’t come with refills but they are available separately at the SUQQU counter.


First, the Eyelash Curler. The problem I have with eyelash curlers of this design is that they simply do not get to the two ends of my lashes, and it seems that SUQQU’s version has the same issue. The curler does give a flattering curve to the lashes and the rubber pad seems very sturdy and durable, but I have to position the curler in so many angles to get to the two ends of the lashes that it takes a lot of time to achieve a finished look. Also, my middle lashes end up being curled for too many times and the curl looks slightly less natural.



According to what I have heard in the past few years, this curler does work well for most people, but unfortunately it doesn’t perform well enough for me. I have to say I still much prefer the precision lash curler that I previously talked about. It is much more efficient to use and I can achieve a natural fan-like curve in a very short amount of time.

SUQQU has three kinds of mascaras: Volume, Long, and Volume Long. (All three are water-resistant.) The one in this kit is a Volume Long version in a limited-edition green shade. On my dark lashes, the green pigment doesn’t show up very much, but I do like the soft look and it doesn’t clash with eyeshadows of other shades. For me, this mascara, which contains fibers, does a better job at building up length than adding volume. (The Separate Curl Mascara in RMK’s Christmas Palette 2008 delivers more volume.)

The Screw Brush and Eye Makeup Remover are very good additions to the kit. The brush is surprisingly soft and separates lashes nicely. (It is also a very good eyebrow brush if you find the bristles of most eyebrow brushes to be too hard and scratchy.) The Eye Makeup Remover has a bi-phase formulation, which I always like. It takes off the Volume Long Mascara very easily, and it doesn’t feel greasy or irritate my eyes.

Overall, this is a good kit to try if you are interested in both the Eyelash Curler and the mascara. (The Kit is priced at £40, which is the prices of the two items combined.) This kit is a limited edition and is currently still available at the SUQQU counter in Selfridges on London’s Oxford Street.

Related Posts:

SUQQU Holiday 2008 Collection

SUQQU Spring 2009 Collection

Review: SUQQU Fall 2008 Collection Part 1 & Part 2

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Shimmer Brick is probably one of
Bobbi Brown‘s most popular items. For holiday 2008, Bobbi Brown has released a limited-edition Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick Compact.

The five subtly different shades are packaged in a very glamorous gold case with a decent-sized mirror, although the case always seems slightly lighter than how I’d like it to be (especially when I compare it with Dior’s Night Diamond, which is smaller and thinner but a lot heavier).

The compact includes various shades of beige and light bronze. The combination of these shades is a warm beige with hints of gold that should suit most skin tones (unless you have a cool-toned fair skin tone, in which case a platinum-toned highlighter would be more complementary). When applied with a powder brush, the finish is shimmery with visible multi-colored shimmery particles. When used as eyeshadows, they can be built up to a metallic finish (with a low pigmentation level.)

I personally find this compact to be the most useful as a highlighter for cheek bones. (For me, it is almost too shimmery for the T-zone.) I use it over my powder foundation and under my (predominantly matte) loose powder. This way, the finish is more glowy than shimmery and suits me a lot better.

Apart from a face highlighter, it can be easily used as a body shimmer to add a bit of pizazz to your party looks.

For swatches and FOTDs, please check out this post by The Muse at Musings of a Muse.

Related Posts:

Bobbi Brown Basics Eye Palette

Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadows

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(images and info from www.cosme.net)


Ettusais will release its spring 2009 collection in Japan on January 22, 2009. The relatively small collection includes three shades of Sweet Marble Cheek Color (seen above) and three shades of Sweet Marble Gloss. Both items are limited editions.

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

The Coffret D’Or website has been updated to feature new TV commercials for the spring 2009 point makeup collection.

Also, my post on Lunasol’s spring 2009 collection has been updated to include more images.

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(images and information from www.iswii.net)

It seems that pinks and lilacs are going to be a big part of makeup collections from Japanese brands in spring 2009. Reflecting the trend, Beauté de Kosé will release two new Eye Fantasist cream eyeshadows, in pink and lilac.

The collection will also include:

Rouge Fantasist: two new shades

Mascara Fantasist Long Show: 1 shade

More lilacs from other spring 2009 makeup collections:

Esprique Precious

Lunasol

Maquillage
(Eyes Creator in VI367)

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(images and info from www.iswii.net)

Here is a look at Jill Stuart‘s spring 2009 makeup collection. Titled “Blossoming Pink”, the collection features feminine pink tones and a couple of shades with a hint of purple. The lineup includes:

Illuminance Eyes: 1 new variation (seen above)

Seductive Eyes: 1 new variation

Mix Blush Compact: two new variations



Jelly Eye Color: two new limited-edition shades



Jelly Lip Gloss: 12 shades (2 limited-edition shades, product name translated by Haru at Rouge Deluxe)



Nail Lacquer N: 5 shades (2 limited-edition shades)

I was expecting more eye palettes from Jill Stuart’s spring 2009 lineup, but it seems that the collection is more about the launch of Jelly Lip Gloss, which is a new product. But if you are a fan of Jelly Eye Color, I think you are probably pleased to see the two long-awaited new shades. (The other is of a dark-grey tone.)

Related Posts:

Jill Stuart Available in Hong Kong in December

Jill Stuart Available in the US in 2009

Jill Stuart Holiday 2008 Collection

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(image and info from www.cosme.net)

Max Factor usually releases different products for the Japanese market with different colors and packaging to appeal to Japanese consumers. The new Eye Gradation Colors palettes for spring 2009, which seem to be Japan-only releases, are a good example.

They are very similar to the kind of palettes released by mass-market lines such as Maquillage and Coffret D’Or. First of all, the 4-color palettes include a base color, a light color, a darker shading color, and a lining color. Also, easy-to-wear gradation palettes like these are still very popular in Japan.

I haven’t been paying a lot of attention to makeup from Max Factor lately, but these palettes look very pretty, with some gorgeous purples and pinks. Hopefully we’ll see some close-ups of them in Japanese beauty magazines later on.

Related Posts:

Packaging Matters – Maybelline in Japan

Coffret D’Or Spring 2009 Collection

Maquillage Spring 2009 Collection

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(image and info from www.cosme.net)

Cosme.Net (@Cosme) has posted the feature on The Best Cosmetics Awards 2008. The results are based on reader reviews of products released between November 1, 2007 and October 31, 2008.

Two things that caught my attention are the Best Eyeshadow and Best Newcomer awards. My two favorite eye palette series in 2008, Coffret D’Or’s 3D Lighting Eyes and Lunasol’s Sheer Contrast Eyes (both from spring 2008) are number 1 and 2 on the list. (Sofina Aube’s Impression Eyes took the number 3 spot.) 3D Lighting Eyes also won the Best Newcomer award.

I am happy that it seems many other people agree that the two ranges offer fantastic products. The two 3D Lighting Eyes palettes I have, Purple and Gold Variations, are among my favorite eye palettes, while Sheer Contrast Eyes’ Lavender Coral is also among my favorites and is probably my favorite lilac palette at the moment.

These items are undoubtedly some of the makeup highlights for me in 2008, and I am certainly looking forward to what these two brands have to offer in 2009!

Looking Ahead:

Coffret D’Or Spring 2009 Collection

Lunasol Spring 2009 Collection

Aube Couture Launches in December

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(image and info from www.nikkei.co.uk)

The Kao-owned Est will release its spring 2009 collection in Japan on January 10, 2009. The lineup includes:

– Emotional Multiple Eyes palettes: 4 variations
– Emotional Aura Pact (for face and eyes): 1 new variation
– Emotional Aura Gloss: 3 new shades (limited editions)
– Emotional Aura Lips: 3 new shades

I have not tried anything from Est yet and I am really looking forward to making my first purchase. But at the moment I am not sure I would go for any item in this collection. Perhaps some more photos from Japanese beauty magazines will change my mind.

Related Posts:

Capturing Your Emotional Beauty
(a profile on Est)

Est Holiday 2008 Collection

Est Fall 2008 Collection

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My post on Lunasol’s spring 2009 collection has been updated with a link to some great images, including photos of two of the actual palettes on a Japanese auction site as well as photos of Lunasol’s spring 2009 promotional leaflet.

I am still loving the lilac palette (03 Purple Gradation (Wisteria)). It is a must-have for me next season. (I am also thinking about getting the lip gloss that goes with the palette.) The pink palette (01 Pink Gradation (Sakura)) is looking delicious as well!

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