(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
Anna Sui Cosmetics has updated its website to feature the spring 2009 collection. There are also new desktop wallpaper and screen saver for downloading.
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makeup
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
Maquillage‘s Forming Shiny Eyes was part of the line’s fall 2008 collection, which radiates an international flavor. (The collection was created in collaboration with fashion designer Christopher Kane and the ad campaign featured model Agyness Deyn.) Among the five variations, I liked the combination of purple and gold in #52 (which happened to combine two major makeup trends in fall 2008) and I received this as a birthday gift last year from a dear friend.
The product comes in a two-tier pot with a storage slot for the sponge applicator at the bottom.
The top tier has the cream base and the bottom tier has the gold and purple.
The cream base is very easy to apply with a finger. It leaves a nice veil of off-white shimmer that softly glistens (rather than glitters), and it actually looks quite pretty on its own. It can be applied from the lashline and taken all the way under the brow bone.
The gold imparts a beautiful shimmer, which doesn’t look too frosty or sparkly. (There are also some fine multi-colored particles to help the shimmer look more vibrant and dimensional.) The flattering yellow-toned gold doesn’t look too white-ish or bronzy.
The purple is a well-pigmented muted medium-to-dark shade that has less shimmer than the gold. Used as a lining shade (which is more or less what the application instructions on the packaging suggest), it frames the eyes very well.
Once, I thought I’d bring it further from my lashline, but it didn’t work well mainly because it didn’t seem to be blendable enough. Unlike the gold, which is very soft and easy to blend, the purple seems to be purposefully made to have less movement and to set more quickly. My suggestion is to only wear it close to the lashline or as a lining shade. (It does hold very well overtime.) Since the shade is less intense than most eyeliner colors, it adds a nice definition to the eyes without making the look too dramatic.
The image below shows the look that this item can create. Again, the purple is worn quite close to the lashline to define the eye contour.
(image from image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)
Overall, I like this trio very much. (I almost slightly prefer it to Maquillage’s Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844.) It should be a very nice daytime item if you want something easy to wear and something effective in adding dimension to the eyes. The gold is light and fresh enough for daytime but vibrant enough to brighten the eyes, and the gold and purple make a well-coordinated pair.
For another item that has a similar color combination (though the colors are worn differently) plus a gorgeous medium lilac, please take a look at my review of Lunasol’s Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral.
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(images from www.sofina.co.jp/aube)
When Raycious was no longer releasing new products, I thought it was possible that Sofina would go down the route that Shiseido, Kanebo, and Kosé did and come up with a mega-brand that carries both base and point makeup. (At the time, Maquillage has already proven to be successful, and consumers continued to embrace Coffret D’Or in 2008.)
Then came news of Primavista in July, Raycious’ successor, and I wasn’t sure if Sofina would actually do anything with Aube. Later, we heard about the launch of Aube Couture in December, and everything seems to be in place for the moment.
Nothing seems very different…the name, the spokespersons, or the look of the products. So where is the identity of Aube Couture?
Product design is a huge strength in Japanese consumer goods. When we think of electronic products such as mobile phones and digital cameras and simple stationary items, it is all about those nice touches that make the products user-friendly and intuitive to use.
Every day, there are people new to makeup who find the application a little daunting. Aube Couture’s products are designed with them in mind. They are designed to make makeup application easy, efficient, and effortless.
Some Japanese makeup lines include an eye chart for eye palettes (like the one for Coffret D’Or’s 3D Lighting Eyes), but Aube Couture goes one step further. The color layout of the new Designing Eyes palettes shows where each shade goes on the lid (apart from the lining shade on the right), so we are looking at the colors and the eye chart at the same time.
I also like the design of Designing Cheek. The powder is pressed into a (roughly) half-cylinder shape. When the brush goes over the powder, the center of the brush picks up more powder than the two ends. This should make it easier to achieve a natural, flawless and dimensional finish, and it can especially help those who find blending a little tricky.
Over the last few years, Kao, among other Japanese beauty companies, has done well in coming up with new concepts and connecting with consumers on different levels, from the blue-based particles in Raycious to Est’s philosophy of emotional beauty. Now Sofina shows that a makeup range with a “couture” concept doesn’t need to carry hundreds of shades. Instead, the products give consumers the confidence and comfort in knowing that they can create a beautiful makeup look on their own.
I wonder what Japanese makeup brands will have to offer in 2009? In the meantime, I wish all of you a very happy New Year!
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(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/)
The Lunasol website has been updated with full information on the spring 2009 collection.
The beautiful Layer Bloom Eyes palette in Purple Gradation fronts the print ad campaign and is used on one of the two spring 2009 makeup looks. I have been going back and forth about whether to purchase some other spring 2009 makeup items, but I am fairly certain that I will pick up this palette.
Please check out this post for more information on the collection (including all the updates and links to various images).
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(images and info from www.cosme.net)
Elégance will release its spring 2009 collection in Japan on February 18th. The items feature beautiful red, orange and berry tones. The Radiance Quartet blusher looks particularly lovely.
The lineup includes:
– Confiture Gloss: 6 new shades
– Sweet Dew Rouge: 3 new shades
– Radiance Quartet: 3 variations
– Eyeshadow: 4 new variations
– Nail Color: 3 new shades
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(images and info from www.nikkei.co.jp)
Sofina Primavistawill release its spring/summer 2009 base makeup collection in Japan on February 21st. The lineup includes:– Powder Foundation Long Keep (SPF 25, PA++)
– Liquid Foundation (SPF 25, PA ++)
– Clear Cover Base (SPF 20, PA ++)
– Concealer Spots Cover (SPF 27, PA++)
– Face Powder Keep & Reset (SPF 15, PA++)
Primavista’s first powder foundation from fall/winter 2008, Powder Foundation Moist Touch, doesn’t really suit me due to its glowy finish. I am expecting the Fresh Keep version to have a somewhat similar (or very slightly less glowy) finish and better sebum control.
The new Face Powder reminds me of the very first version of Raycious’ pressed powder, which has a very good matte flesh-toned powder and a highlighter. I will be putting the new Primavista version on my spring 2009 shopping list and I am hoping that it works just as well.
Updated on February 17th, 2015:
Read my review of Face Powder (Keep & Reset).
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(images and info from www.iswii.net)
Anna Sui Cosmetics is known for bright colors, especially for spring, and there will be more vibrant shades for spring 2009.
The Anna Sui spring 2009 collection includes 3 new shades of Face Color Accent and 5 limited-edition shades of Nail Color N.
The collection also features 5 new shades of Sui Lip Gloss as well as new eyeliners and eyebrow mascaras.
A limited-edition brush set will also be released. It includes a blusher brush, lip brush, a double-ended eyeshadow sponge tip and a pouch.
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(images and info from www.iswii.net)
For spring 2009, it seems that we will be enveloped by soft pastel shades from Japanese brands. We’ve seen those from Lunasol, Coffret D’Or, Beauté de Kosé and Shu Uemura, and now here is another collection that defines one of the major trends of spring 2009 makeup.
RMK‘s spring 2009 collection, titled Spring Translucence, incorporates soft colors inspired by floral shades from spring. As you can see in the ad image, the finishes of these colors are gentle and ethereal.
Available in two variations,
Translucent Cheeks & Eyes is the beautiful star item of the collection. The shades in the center of the floral patten and at the bottom right are for the eyes, while the rest of the palette is for the cheeks.
The new Translucent Eyes duos and Translucent Cheeks will also help create a natural and gentle look. All these three items are limited editions.
The rest of the collection includes 3 new shades of Irresistible Lips B, 2 new shades of Irresistible Lips C, 2 new shades of Gloss Lips, and 3 new shades of Nail Color N. (They are permanant items and not limited editions.)
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(images and info from www.iswii.net)
Earlier, I posted a link to a preview of Shu Uemura’s spring 2009 collection. Now, here are some more images for you to enjoy.
All the items in the collection are limited editions. I am liking these soft floaty pastel shades!
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(images and info from www.joseishi.net/voce)
Here is a quick look at Paul & Joe’s spring 2008 collection.
On January 9th, 2009, the limited-edition items will be released in Japan. They include two variations of Eye Color Palette CS (above) and two shades of Lipstick C (below).
The rest of the collection will be released on February 6th. They include 3 new shades of Eye Color, 6 new shades of Lipstick N, 5 new shades of Nail Enamel, and 3 shades of the new Eyebrow Liner.
A limited-edition Nail & Hand Care Kit will also be available on February 6th. The set includes Nail Protect Coat, Hand Cream, and Hand Gloves.
Updated on December 16th, 2008:
Photo of the two eye palettes:
(image from woman.excite.co.jp)
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