makeup

Spring 2009 Makeup Trend Report

by PJ on Monday, January 26, 2009

in -Ayura, -Chanel, -Clarins, -Clé de Peau, -Cosme Decorte, -Dior, -Elégance, -Esprique (Precious), -Giorgio Armani, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kosé, -Lancôme, -Lunasol, -Magie Deco, -Shiseido, -Shu Uemura, -YSL, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup trend reports

Partly due to the current world economy, many people are not spending as much money on makeup as before. It is also not surprising that many of us are looking for classic, wearable and trend-resistant colors.

If you are the kind of makeup fan that looks forward to unique shades, you might have already been disappointed with most of this season’s lineups. It seems that, for spring 2009, many brands are coming up with wearable colors that don’t easily date. But I find it very interesting to look into how various brands interpret “wearable colors”, and here are three shades from spring 2009 collections.

– Soft neutrals

(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)

Brown-toned neutrals will probably never date. This season, neutrals are soft, milky, and not overly intense. Neither too bronze nor too gray, these neutrals have maximal appeal for most complexions.

Some of the loveliest neutral palettes I have come across are from Clé de Peau and Dior. They are soft, elegant, chic, and easy to wear.

(Shiseido Clé de Peau Eye Color Quad
in 121 (top) and 120 (bottom))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)

(Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow in 553 Elégante)
(image from www.iswii.net)

If you want something slightly more intense, try Chanel‘s Les 4 Ombres (Quadra Eye Shadow) in Mystic Eyes from the spring 2009 Bohemian Fantasy collection.

(image from www.iswii.net)

– Pinks

(image from www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com)

If you think neutrals are too predictable, try a little bit of pink. Soft light-to-medium pinks that are very slightly on the cool side should give you a youthful and gentle look, as seen above in the ad image from Giorgio Armani‘s Pink Light collection for spring 2009.

Like Giorgio Armani, YSL includes pink in the brand’s only new quad for the season. (Check my previous post to see the main makeup look).

(Palette D’Artiste Colletor Powder for the Eyes)
(image from www.cosme.net)

Jill Stuart regularly brings out pink shades, and this season’s Blossoming Pink collection adds two pink-toned palettes to Jill Stuart’s eye palette lineup.

(Seductive Eyes in 06 Romantic Goddess)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

(Illuminance Eyes in 06 Blossoming Shine)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

For an edgier look, try Lancôme‘s Irreverent Madame palette from the brand’s Pink Irreverence collection.

(image from www.lancome.co.uk)

– Lilacs

(image from ep-bko.com)

I think lilacs are just as wearable as neutrals and pinks. Like how we find the right neutrals/pinks, as long as we find the shades with the right color intensity and the right amount of warmth/coolness for our complexions, lilac can be a great everyday eyeshadow color.

Lilac was part of the spring 2008 makeup trend, and, as a lilac fan, I am pleased that it is still a very prominent shade this season, especially in Japanese beauty brands. Beauté de Kosé’s Esprique Precious is using the lilac-toned palette (from the new True Impact Eyes range) in the ad campaign. Lunasol‘s Layer Bloom Eyes in 03 Purple Gradation is also the feature item in the brand’s Floral Purification collection. (In the image below, it seems that the palettes are blossoming under the fresh spring sun.)

(www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

In addition, AYURA‘s only new eye palette for spring 2009 is a cool-toned lilac/gray palette, somewhat reminiscent of Maquillage’s Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844.

(image from www.ayura.co.jp)

– Mix & Match

(image from woman.excite.co.jp)

There are quite a few collections that feature two or more of the three colors mentioned above. For example, all four of Elégance‘s eye palettes incorporate pinks, lilacs, and neutrals. (There are one neutral palette, one pink palette, one lilac palette, and one with an off-white pink and an off-white lilac.)

Beauté de Kosé‘s two new Eye Fantasist liquid eyeshadows are of pink and lilac hues:

(image from www.iswii.net)

If you want pink and lilac in the same product, look into Shu Uemura‘s Spring Mode Makeup Eye Palette in Fantasia and the Nature Temptation Eye Palette from Clarins, which also includes some neutrals. (The picture below shows the version sold in Asia. The European/American version also has a pink and a lilac, which are paired with slightly darker shades.)

(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

If the pinks and lilacs above are too pale for your complexion or if you want a more striking look, try Magie Deco‘s Shadow Brilliance palette in 022 Flower Show.

(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

So, do you like this spring’s trend (or non-trend…), and what colors will you be wearing this season?

More information on the spring 2009 collections featured above:

AYURA
Beauté de Kosé
Chanel
Dior
Elégance
Esprique Precious
Jill Stuart
Lunasol
Magie Deco
Shu Uemura
YSL

{ 6 comments }

Stash Update – Lady Dior

by PJ on Monday, January 26, 2009

in -Dior, 2009 Spring, makeup, stash focus

(image from www.iswii.net)

After a lot of consideration (including three visits to my local Dior counter and deleting a few items on my spring makeup shopping list), I picked up Lady Dior from Dior’s spring 2009 collection last week.

I will be sharing my thoughts on it with you next week, so do stay tuned!

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Lavshuca Website Update – Spring 2009

by PJ on Monday, January 26, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

The Lavshuca website has been updated to include information on the spring 2009 collection.

The layout of the website has been slightly revamped for easier navigation. Many of the items feature how they look when worn, including all the new shades of Dramatic Memory Rouge and Grade Color Eyes palettes from the spring 2009 collection.

Also, the “Lav Lip Collection” link (from the homepage) will take you to a chart where you can see the differences among all the currently available Lavshuca lip items in terms of how pigmented and how glossy they are.

pigmented
↑
matte←—————————————→glossy
↓
translucent

Further down the same page, under each lip product, you can also see how shimmery it is (indicated by the number of stars on the third row).

As some of you have commented over the last two years, Japanese cosmetics websites tend to have more pleasing visual designs, and I think the Lavshuca website is certainly a great example.

Kate Spring 2009 Collection

Ettusais Spring 2009 Collection

Anna Sui Website Update – Spring 2009

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Sonia Rykiel Spring 2009 Collection

by PJ on Friday, January 23, 2009

in -Sonia Rykiel, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images and information from
www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com)

Sonia Rykiel‘s website has been updated to feature the spring 2009 makeup collection. The lineup includes:

– Glossy Lip Color (10 shades)

– Cheek Color Powder (4 variations)

– Eyeliner Pencil WP (Waterproof)

– Mono Eyeshadow (13 new shades)

It is quite an eye-catching collection, with three new products and colorful additions to the Mono Eyeshadow range. The new lip gloss has a nice range of shades (I am drawn to the cooler end of the lineup), while the iconic Sonia Rykiel horizontal stripes are again used for the blushers.

The collection will be out in Japan on February 6th, 2009.

Brand Focus – Sonia Rykiel Cosmetics

Sonia Rykiel Holiday 2008 Collection

Sonia Rykiel Fall 2008 Collection

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Esprique Precious Spring/Summer 2009 Base Makeup Collection

by PJ on Thursday, January 22, 2009

in -Esprique (Precious), -Kosé, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp,
info from www.nikkei.co.jp
and www.joseishi.net/voce)

The Kosé-owned Esprique Precious will release the spring/summer 2009 base makeup collection in Japan on February 16th, 2009. The collection includes:

– Dramatical Stay Pact UV EX (7 shades, SPF 25, PA++)
– Dramatical Stay Base (SPF 20, PA++)
– Face Styling Powder (for creating highlight and lowlight)
– Cleansing Lotion (makeup removal water)

According to Nikkei Net, Kosé has developed the new Film Fix Powder to be used in the new version of Dramatical Stay Pact UV (out in spring 2008). The powder particles are designed to have enhanced lipophilic and hydrophilic properties. Instead of fighting against perspiration and sebum, which are the two main issues in wearing a foundation in summer, Film Fix Powder is supposed to merge seamless with them so the finish stays even overtime.

According to Voce, Film Fix Powder will work hand in hand with Pure Cover Powder (for natural coverage) and Zero Shine Powder (for translucency) in Dramatical Stay Pact UV EX.

Esprique Precious Holiday 2008 Collection

Coffret D’Or Spring/Summer 2009 Base Makeup Collection

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A Splash of Color – Sensuous Plum

by PJ on Tuesday, January 20, 2009

in _I Love Colors, -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, -MAC, -Prescriptives, -Stella McCartney, bodycare, fragrance, makeup, makeup - base makeup

Plum is not really one of my favorite makeup colors to wear, as it is a little too warm and dark for my complexion. (I prefer more purple shades for eyes and slightly lighter shades for lips.) But I do have a few plum-colored sweaters and scarves, which I enjoy wearing in winter.

For me, plum is a beautiful color to look at. I love its richness and elegance as well as its understated femininity.

Makeup
Lavshuca Jewelry Lips
Lavshuca Face Powder in Lucent
MAC Paint Pot in Nice Vice (from the Fafi collection)
Prescriptives Colorscope Eye Color in plum (right of photo)
Prescriptives Colorscope Eye Color in Aubergine (bottom of photo)

Fragrance
Stella McCartney STELLA Eau de Parfum
Stella McCartney Sheer STELLA Eau de Toilette 2004 & 2005

Bodycare
Stella McCartney STELLA Precious Body Cream
ESPA Detoxifying Salt Scrub (to be reviewed next month)

Home Fragrance
Stella McCartney STELLA Scented Candle

More Splashes of Colors:

Gorgeous Gold

Lilting Lilac

Girlie Pink

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Makeup Review: RMK Water Color Eyes in 02 Lavender

by PJ on Friday, January 16, 2009

in -RMK, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

Many Japanese makeup brands feature a liquid or light-cream eyeshadow that is applied with a sponge (or occasionally a brush) applicator and blended with a finger. (One of the most popular ones is perhaps Beauté de Kosé’s Eye Fantasist.) RMK‘s version is Water Color Eyes, which is more liquidy than creamy. It comes in 7 shades, and today I am reviewing #02 Lavender.

It is a light lilac with subtle multi-colored shimmer. One layer creates a mildly pearly finish with no obvious sparkle (which is the finish I tend to go for with this item). More layers create a more intense/pearly look.

When worn lightly, it can brighten up the eyes naturally without looking obvious. Once when I wore it, a friend commented that my eye area looked brighter and she wasn’t aware that I was wearing makeup on my eyelids until I told her.

Apart from the lids, it can also be worn under eyebrows and in the inner corners of the eyes. For the latter, simply take off the excess on the applicator (which is a sponge applicator that we usually see for a lip gloss) and apply the color with very minimal blending.

The color is easily blended with a finger. The liquidy texture allows just enough time for blending, and, once it dries, the color sets quite firmly. I am very impressed with the staying power. After a whole day, the finish stays put and doesn’t fade. (I don’t usually use a primer under eyeshadows.)

If you want to brighten up the eye-lid area with an item that works subtly and effectively, this is a good item to consider. Also, if you are looking for eyeshadows that are more resistant to creasing, this range should be worth looking into.

RMK Spring 2009 Collection

Can’t Live Without – RMK Cleansing Oil

Review: RMK Fall 2008 Collection

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NEW SERIES: From My Treasure Chest – Dior Princess Ring

by PJ on Tuesday, January 13, 2009

in _From My Treasure Chest, -Dior, makeup, makeup - lip color

As promised in my two-year anniversary post, I am launching a new series. “From My Treasure Chest” will take you through some of my favorite items in my makeup collection. It will give me a chance to share with you my thoughts on some of my makeup items that I got before I started my blog.

(This series is mainly an extension from my posts on Clarins’ Palette Impression and Aube’s Astral Rouge. It is also partly inspired by Betsy’s Archive series at Autumn Masquerade and The Muse’s posts on past holiday collections at Musings of a Muse. Do check out their wonderful posts.)

I decided to start the series with possibly my favorite Dior limited-edition item, Dior Princess Ring.

Dior Princess Ring was part of Dior’s summer makeup collection in 2005. It was not the first seasonal limited-edition item I bought from Dior, but it was probably the one I bought with the least planning and hesitation. I hadn’t come across any information on the collection before I saw them at a Dior counter, and I immediately went for the pink one (#001), which included a plum lip color and a pink lip gloss. (The blue one (#002) featured two eyeshadows.)

I remember that statement jewelry was very popular in that year, which is possibly partly why Dior came up with this design. As the princess cut is my favorite cut, I particularly like the shape of the ring. The tiny crystals and the mirror in the middle nicely bounce the light off, making this ring a lovely item to play with under the light.

The satisfyingly heavy and substantial-looking ring also comes with a short chain so the ring can double as a bag charm (although the face of the ring always faces downward when the chain is attached to a bag).

After the Princess Ring (and a few previous items), Dior continued to release “wearable” makeup products, which I have collected quite a few of, but this one has remained my favorite. Every season, I look forward to the new limited-edition star item, but, at the same time, I like this ring so much that, in a way, I almost don’t want Dior to come up with something even more lovely…

(However, I should be seeing Dior’s Lady Dior in person in a couple of days, and I do have high hopes for something that is about twice as expensive as the Princess Ring…)

Dior Night Diamond (Holiday 2008)

Dior Golden Dior (Summer 2008)

Dior DiorLight (Holiday 2007)

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Update: Lavshuca Spring 2009 Collection

by PJ on Friday, January 9, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

The Kanebo website has posted images of Lavshuca’s spring 2009 items. The various Grade Color Eyes palettes are what I am particularly interested in.

(PK-1)
(images from www.kanebo-cosmetics.co.jp)

(BR-1)

(BR-2)

(GN-1)

(PU-1)

PU-1 looks very cool-toned to me here. It looks more lilac-y on the February 2009 issues of Biteki and Voce, but I still think the second darkest shade, supposedly the main shade for the lids, looks a little too pale for my liking. I will probably not go for this.

(Finish Powder)

The dark-plum lid of the new loose powder is not surprising, since plum is currently the main color for Lavshuca’s packaging. Even though it looks quite elegant (and there is still the puff with the cute bow), I would have liked a slightly more ornate case. The current Face Powder is available in Lucent (which I have) and Glow, and the new Finish Powder will be available in Lucent and High Cover. I am still intrigued in how High Cover performs.

A Splash of Color – Girlie Pink

Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1

Lavshuca Jewelry Lips

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Update: Coffret D’Or Spring/Summer 2009 Base Makeup Collection

by PJ on Friday, January 9, 2009

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

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

Earlier I posted a link to an image of Coffret D’Or’s spring/summer base makeup collection as well as my initial thoughts. Now, here is more information on the individual items:

– Lasting Power Pact UV (7 shades, SPF 22, PA++)
– Lasting Power Soft Gel Foundation UV (7 shades, SPF 23, PA++)
– Lasting Power Veil UV (primer)
– Magical Flat (pore-smoothing concealer)
– One-Touch Gloss Powder (loose powder with a brush applicator)

The collection will be out in Japan on March 1st, 2009.

Coffret D’Or Makeup Powder

Coffret D’Or Spring 2009 Point Makeup Collection

Coffret D’Or Trance Deep Eyes in Rose Variation

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