makeup

Makeup Review: SUQQU Fall 2008 Collection (2)

by PJ on Wednesday, October 29, 2008

in -SUQQU, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - blusher, makeup - lip color

(continued from Part 1)

Today I am continuing the review of SUQQU’s fall collection and will be looking at the blusher and a lipstick from the collection.

– Blend Cheeks in 05 Kasanebeni

This face color duo includes a pale warm pink blusher and an off-white highlighter. Both shades are predominantly matte and have very minimal shimmer.

The blusher shade is sheer and the finish is very subtle. If you like pigmented blushers or if you have a medium or dark complexion, I definitely wouldn’t recommend this item. Even among Japanese blushers, which are generally sheerer than most western blushers, this one is still on the sheer side and is sheerer than SUQQU’s blusher singles.

However, if you are heavy-handed and tend to over-apply blushers, then this can be a good choice (especially if you like to go dramatic on eyes and lips and want a very subtle blusher). Also, I remember that a reader asked me for suggestions on very pale and subtle blushers for her very fair complexion. If you are looking for the same type of blushers, I would suggest this one as well.

One thing also worth mentioning is that the brush in this compact is very soft and a pleasure to use. The hair is obviously not as dense as SUQQU’s Cheek Brush (which costs £80), but the luxurious softness is very similar.

– Blend Lipstick in 14 Kaki

It seems to me that the products in the Blend series (Blend Cheeks and Blend Lipsticks) are sheerer than those in the original SUQQU lineup. I suppose the idea is that the colors would blend into and enhance the facial features. Kaki is quite a sheer warm pink with very minimal shimmer, and it is less pigmented than the SUQQU Creamy Lipstick that I have.

It is creamy and moisturizing (as moisturizing as the Creamy Lipstick), which, to me, is probably the most important thing about a lipstick. The finish is subtly glossy, which looks understated and elegant. The color and the gloss last relatively well.

In terms of color and level of pigmentation, this is among my favorite lipsticks, and, in terms of texture, it shows again that SUQQU makes some of the best lipsticks around.

Both items here create an understated look. They might not offer drama or intensity, but they will suit most people who want high quality for their wearable everyday makeup.

More wonderfully wearable items:

Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1

Lunasol Full Glamour Gloss in 04 Bright Pink

Chanel Irréelle Duo in Désert-Rose

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Coffret D’Or Spring 2009 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, October 29, 2008

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

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

Kanebo‘s Coffret D’Or will be one year old in December. Its spring 2009 collection will be released in Japan on December 16th.

The lineup includes:

– Shine Accent Eyes palette (5 variations)
– Beauty Effect Mascara (2 shades)
– Full Keep Gel Liner (3 shades)
– Shine Drape Rouge Color (8 shades)
– Shine Drape Rouge Glow (8 shades)
– Lip Make Liner (6 shades, holder sold separately)
– Shiny Carat Gloss (3 new shades)
– Essence Lip Base
– Color Blush (1 new shade)

The colors in the eye palettes are looking a little washed out in the photo. I am suspecting the actual shades will be slightly richer.

I am overall very pleased with Coffret D’Or’s eye palettes. As with the two seasonal releases of eye palettes last year, I think I will pick up at lease one from the new collection, and I will certainly keep you posted on my thoughts.

Updated on November 14th, 2008:

More information on the collection.

More on Coffret D’Or’s eye palettes:

3D Lighting Eyes in Purple Variation and Gold Variation

Trance Deep Eyes in Rose Variation and Grey Variation

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Lunasol Spring 2009 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, October 29, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, -Shiseido, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

One of the editors at Voce magazine has posted photos of Lunasol’s spring 2009 collection taken at the press event. Do have a look!

The purification theme continues with “Floral Purification” for spring 2009, as the inspiration of the collection is drawn from the light and feminine shades of cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, wisteria, magnolia and azalea.

In the photos, you will see two eye palettes, three lipsticks, one lip gloss, and one nail color. (There are obviously more in the collection.) The light lavender-plum palette looks particularly alluring to me. So does the lilac dress that the model is wearing in the ad image! (Is spring 2009 another lilac season?)

It seems that this collection will be soft, airy, feminine, and definitely very spring-like. The color combinations in the palettes might not be as colorful as Lunasol’s spring 2008 collection, but this simple color concept will give Lunasol to show off the wonderful texture and finish of their eyeshadows.

In short, I am excited.

By the way, in the same blog entry, you will see all the 20 shades of Shiseido’s Perfect Rouge, which I mentioned yesterday.

Loving Japanese Brand – Lunasol

Lunasol Holiday 2008 Collection

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

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SHISEIDO Perfect Rouge

by PJ on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

in -Shiseido, -SHISEIDO (Global Brand), 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

As part of Shiseido‘s series of efforts in the next few years to strengthen its global market (in 69 countries, including Japan), a new series of makeup, in collaboration with Dick Page, will be released in all the countries where the brand is available.

The new line will start off with two new items, Perfect Rouge (in 20 shades) and Smoothing Lip Pencil (in 7 shades). The case of Perfect Rouge cleverly incorporates Shiseido’s logo, which is part of the brand’s plan to enhance its image on the global stage.

(Shiseido’s brand logo)

Australian model Christina Carey is chosen to front the international ad campaign.

(photography by Nick Night)

These two products will be released in Japan on January 1st, 2009.

The dark reflective packaging is very similar to that of Shiseido The Makeup, but, according to Nikkei Net and as I understand it, the new line is simply called SHISEIDO (as you see in the ad campaign). Again, it is about building up global brand awareness. It is also great to see Dick Page’s involvement in Shiseido’s product creation. I will certainly look forward to more future releases.

Bring It Back! Shiseido’s Inoui ID

Maquillage Holiday 2008 Collection

Agyness Deyn for Maquillage

Japanese Cosmetics in the UK

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Esprique Precious Spring 2009 Collection

by PJ on Tuesday, October 28, 2008

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

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

On December 1st, Kosé‘s Esprique Precious will release its spring 2009 collection. I am sure some of you won’t be surprised that the lavender palette did catch my attention. It is always nice to see purple shades featured in the ad campaign as key colors for the season.

The full lineup includes:

– True Impact Eyes (4 variations: brown, blue, purple, and beige)

– Dress on Moist Rouge (2 new shades)

– Rouge Stylish (liquid lip color, 2 new shades)

Also, since fall, British model Karen Elson has replaced Gemma Ward as Esprique Precious’ spokesperson.

Esprique Precious Holiday 2008 Collection

Espreique Precious Fall 2008 Collection

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Anna Sui Holiday 2008 Collection

by PJ on Monday, October 27, 2008

in -Anna Sui, 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(all images from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)

Anna Sui Cosmetics has updated its website to feature the holiday 2008 collection, which will be released in Japan on November 6th. The collection includes bright colors very typical of Anna Sui, instead of neutrals that many other Japanese brands release for the holiday season.

The lineup includes:

– Eye Color Accent S (three variations)

– Color Powder (four new shades)

– Nail Color Collection 2008 (two versions)

The Eye Color Accent S and Nail Color Collection 2008 are limited-edition items.

The website also has a new wallpaper and screen saver available for downloading for a limited period of time.

Updated on November 24th:

Second part of the collection.

Fall 2008 Makeup Top 10

Anna Sui Summer 2008 Makeup Collection

Anna Sui Sui Lip Gloss in 100

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Sonia Rykiel Holiday 2008 Collection Update

by PJ on Friday, October 24, 2008

in -Sonia Rykiel, 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

My post on Sonia Rykiel’s holiday 2008 collection has been updated to include photos of all the colors available. Do have a look!

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Makeup Review: SUQQU Fall 2008 Collection (1)

by PJ on Thursday, October 23, 2008

in -SUQQU, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

(image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)

SUQQU‘s fall 2008 makeup collection, Kokoroiro – Himeaka (I very roughly translate it as “the mysterious red of the heart“), puts red on the center stage and shows what it can do for the eyes. For this season, many Japanese brands have come up with deep warm red eyeshadows, as we have seen in the lineups of Lunasol, Cosme Decorte AQ, and Magie Deco. Let’s now look at SUQQU’s red eyeshadow and some other items from the collection. (The second part of this review, which will focus on items for cheeks and lips, will be up next week.)

– Dual Eyeshadow in 01 Koushi

I have mentioned before that the texture of SUQQU’s eyeshadows is among the smoothest and silkiest that I have ever come across. (The same description applies to SUQQU’s lipsticks.) The Dual Eyeshadow range is new to SUQQU, but the lovely texture remains the same.

01 Koushi is used for the print ad campaign (seen above). It includes a very pale warm beige (with mild shimmer) and a well-pigmented deep warm red (with subtle shimmer). The pale beige is quite sheer and can work as a base and a highlighter. The deep red actually doesn’t go on nearly as red as what you see in the ad. It is essentially a warm red-toned brown, with red as the main color of the subtle shimmer. It is also a lot more wearable than it looks. I find that it gives a very sensual look, which is not attention-seeking but still carries impact.

If you do want a deep-red shade for the eyes, this color might not be red enough for you. On the other hand, if you find most browns to be too greyish for your complexion, this neutral-with-a-twist is worth considering.

– Dual Eyeshadow in 02 Chaki

This duo includes a very luminous and glowy off-white (which is more pigmented than the pale beige in 01 Koushi) and a well-pigmented medium-to-dark brown with subtle shimmer. I like the fact that the brown doesn’t turn ashy overtime and the richness of the color holds very well.

As shadowing shades, both the deep red-brown and the brown can be quite dark for those with light or light-to-medium complexions. (I tend to wear them quite close to the lashline.) But the shades can easily be blended into a smoky look if you want a more intensity.

For me, in terms of quality, SUQQU’s eyeshaows are some of the best I have come across. Regarding the dark shades, the well-pigmented powder works very efficiently, and a gentle dab of the brush into the powder picks up a lot of color. But when it comes to dispensing, the color is actually released very gently, evenly, and steadily. Also, the powder has what I call a fluffy adherence. During the application, the powder doesn’t stick too firmly on the lid, and layering and blending are wonderfully effortless. But once the application is completed, the finish lasts very well.

– Eyelid Base

Currently available in one shade, this product works similarly to other eye-base products. However, because of its powder texture, it is applied after the (powder or liquid/cream) foundation. I also use it as a concealer elsewhere on my face after my powder foundation.

It has a matte finish with no hint of shimmer, but the light-reflective particles and the subtle coverage cancel out uneven skin tone and create a fresh canvas for the eyeshadow application. (It helps even out both redness and darkness, but I find it to be particularly useful in evening out redness). Even if you don’t wear eyeshadows, this product can help brighten up the eye area. (It can also be used in the under-eye area.)

However, I wouldn’t recommend this product if you have noticeable lines around the eyes, as this powder-type product can emphasize the look of them.

SUQQU’s makeup products used to be in white cases. When the brand brought out dark ones, I thought they were almost black at the very beginning. But they are actually in a deep violet shade, which I find beautiful, sophisticated and quite unique. I tried to capture the color of the case in the photo above. (The inner panels of the cases are black.)

On the other hand, some SUQQU’s cases are in dark red, such as those for the spring/summer 2008 base makeup collection.

I will return with the second part of the SUQQU fall 2008 review next week. Do come back!

SUQQU Brand Profile

SUQQU Spring 2008 Collection

Foundation Face-Off: Chanel vs. SUQQU

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Dior Holiday 2008 Update (4)

by PJ on Thursday, October 23, 2008

in -Dior, 2008 Holiday, makeup

Just in case you haven’t seen them on-line or in the shop, here are some more images of Dior’s holiday 2008 collection. (All images are from woman.excite.co.jp.)

Please see my first post on the collection to see all the photos and the updates.

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Biteki’s Holiday 2008 Feature

by PJ on Thursday, October 23, 2008

in 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, fragrance, makeup

(image from www.biteki.com)

The December 2008 issue of Biteki magazine has been published in Japan and it includes full coverage of the Christmas 2008 collections from major Japanese and western brands. All the 17 pages of the feature are now up on Biteki’s website. Enjoy!

Japanese Beauty Magazine: Biteki

My Ultimate Cosmetics Archive

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