My post on EST’s fall 2008 collection has been updated with an image of all the new Emotional Aura Eyes palettes and Advanced Lips. Have a look!
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makeup
(AYURA Aura Feel Shadow)(image from www.cosme.net)
When AYURA revamped its packaging in spring 2008 (please see the photos in my previous post), the collection didn’t feature eyeshadows. I was expecting them for fall, and here they are.
(Aura Feel Aroma Paper,
with the “Tree of Life” emblem)
Aura Feel Shadow (4 variations) is a 4-color palette packaged in the new dark cases with AYURA’s “Tree of Life” emblem (which has always been featured prominently on product boxes but not previously on product cases). The packaging continues to reflect AYURA’s style of incorporating elegant curves for all the product cases.
The rest of AYURA’s fall 2008 makeup collection includes:
– Aura Feel Rouge (3 new shades, limited editions)
– Aura Feel Liquid Eyeliner (2 shades)
– Aura Feel Eyebrow Pencil (3 shades)
– Aura Feel Mascara (2 shades)
– Aura Feel Aroma Paper (blotting paper, 60 sheets)
– Eyelash Curler
(Aura Feel Aroma Paper,with the “Tree of Life” emblem)
(image from www.cosme.net)
The collection will be launched in Japan on July 23.
I have been interested in the new gradation blushers (Aura Feel Veil) from spring, but I have also been waiting to see the eye palettes. Now, I think it might be the time to get ready for my next AYURA item…
(image from www.cosme.net)
I have been interested in the new gradation blushers (Aura Feel Veil) from spring, but I have also been waiting to see the eye palettes. Now, I think it might be the time to get ready for my next AYURA item…
Updated on June 30, 2008:
Photo of AYURA’s fall 2008 collection, showing the shades of the Aura Feel Shadow palettes and the Aura Feel Rouge lipsticks:
(image from www.cosme.net)
Related Posts:
AYURA Aura Veil α in Sweet Pink
AYURA Nail Oil & Nail Essence
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(Dior Impression Cuir)(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)
I was waiting to bring you the information on Dior’s fall 2008 makeup collection, and I was especially looking forward to the limited-edition star item.
Impression Cuir features three neutral shades in crocodile prints. The case seems to be only slightly larger than Dior’s eyeshadow single.
The rest of the collection is also dominated by neutrals. After a predominantly neutral collection from Dior for summer, I was looking forward to something different. I have to say I am a little bit disappointed, and Impression Cuir also doesn’t look very appealing to me. (At the moment, it seems that gold and dark neutrals are the makeup trends of fall 2008.)
Please do enjoy the photos of the rest of Dior’s fall 2008 collection. (More information and observation follow below. All images are from the Voce website.)
– The collection also includes two lip liners and one eyeliner.
– The new Couleur Duo is available in two variations.
– All items are limited editions, except the Couleur Duo, the lip liners and the eyeliner.
Just one more thing. One of the two new eyeshadow palettes (the first one seen above) really reminds me of Lunasol’s Scent Form Eyes in Black Tea, which is released in fall 2006 and is one of Lunasol’s most popular items to date. Both feature the unique combination of soft plum-red and warm green, paired with neutrals.
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
Related Posts:
Chanel Fall 2008 Collection
(featuring shades of gold)
My Personal Take on Dior
Lunasol Fall 2008 Collection
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(Dior’s summer 2008 makeup collection)
(from Biteki, June 2008, p. 138)
Dior’s summer 2008 lineup has a very coherent look, as warm hues dominate the collection. Even though I am not particularly fond of very warm neutrals, I generally like collections with a strong identity.
I decided to get the Golden Dior Makeup Jewel (in Lamé Pink), which looks as good as it appears on all the magazine pages.
The look of the 5-Color Eyeshadow palette in 589 (the lower one in the photo above), but the finish of almost all the shades is too metallic for my liking. If you like metallic finishes, many of Dior’s recent eye palettes would be must-sees. But I do hope Dior would cut back on intense shimmer just a little bit and go back to the more satiny and softly shimmery finishes.2. Lavshuca
(Summer Gradually Compact in Windy Aqua Beach)(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)
(Summer Gradually Compact in Shiny Sandy Beach)(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)
With two very nicely packaged six-color eye palettes for summer 2008, Lavshuca consolidated its position as a drugstore-brand princess for me. (The collection also features two new shades of Rouge Essence Bar.)
Some of you were surprised (and rightly so) that I went for the neutral Shiny Sandy Beach rather than the cool-toned Windy Aqua Beach. (Hmm…some of you seem to know my makeup likes and dislikes very well…) I was in a short neutral phase earlier (which is gradually coming to an end now), and I did need to add more medium neutrals to my collection.
I was very happy with this palette, since I like soft medium neutrals that are not overly pigmented (or overly warm). I particularly like the shades second and third from the right. (Please check out the link above for my review.)
1. Lunasol
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)
To me, in the last few seasons, Lunasol’s makeup collections appear to be invincible. Superb quality, stunning colors, and a clear story behind every collection.
Lunasol’s Summer 2008 collection continues the “Color Purification” theme with inspiration from colorful corals of the sea. The shades look bouncy and vibrant but still wearable. The collection features the Bronze Coral palette, but it is not ruled by neutrals.
I have the Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral from the spring 2008 lineup, which I adore, and I don’t plan to pick up palettes from this collection. But I am quite interested in the Full Glamour Gloss in EX-01 (fourth from the bottom in the photo above, a limited edition). But I will have to act fast if I do decide to get it, since Lunasol’s limited-edition items for summer do tend to sell out.
You can see reviews of items from this collection on Autumn Masquerade and Lotus Palace. For swatches, please check out this post.
My summer top 10 brands’ fall 2008 offerings:
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Elégance, the Albion-owned top-end beauty line, will release its fall 2008 collection on August 18th in Japan. It is a predominantly neutral-toned collection with wearable warm hues for eyes and lips.
The lineup includes:
– Eye Shadow (3 new variations)
– Sweet Dew Rouge (3 new shades)
– Confiture Gloss (3 new shades)
– Crayon Gloss (6 shades)
– Nail Color (3 new shades)
(images from www.cosme.net)
Some of the items do appear a little plain in these images. But the Elégance website tends to present their seasonal collections very well. I will update this post with more images later on.
Other Fall 2008 Collections:
EST
Coffret D’Or
(with link to swatches)
Maquillage
(featuring Agyness Deyn)
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(Anna Sui Makeup Color Collection D)(image from www.cosme.net)
Can I afford this?
(image from www.iswii.net)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)
Updated on September 4th, 2008:
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the launch of Anna Sui Cosmetics, a special Makeup Color Collection D will be released in Japan on August 21st. (New nail colors will also be released then.)
The collection includes the brand’s past signature and popular items all in one ornate (and very Anna Sui) set (eyeshadow, face color, lip color, lip balm, powder puff, lip brush, and eyeshadow tip & brush). It measures 21.6cm (length) x 20.0cm (width) x 19.0cm (height).
18,900 JPY is the price tag, which is about 175 USD and 89 GBP. Even though we may say that it is not that expensive if we break down the cost to all products included (and the one-off packaging), a makeup set that costs this much money is always going to be a considered purchase.
I am sure this is a dream come true for many serious Anna Sui fans. It is the ultimate collector’s item, with Anna Sui’s signature look all over it.
But this rather large set is not something you can put anywhere you like. Also, there is almost no point in buying it and storing it away. It has to be very proudly displayed to show your love of Anna Sui.
As much as I really like the look of it, I am not sure I would go for it. Apart from the price, I have no good space on my dressing table at the moment to do this set justice. Also, I would probably hesitate to use any of the colors, making this a very pricey can-admire-but-can’t-touch collectible. I would probably rather spend the money on things I will actually use……
Updated on July 23, 2008:
More images of Makeup Color Collection D:
(image from www.iswii.net)Upper drawer: puff and brushes
Middle drawer: two blushers and three eyeshadows
Lower drawer: four lip colors and one lip balm
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)Updated on September 4th, 2008:
Please check out this blog post to enjoy some actual photos of this set.
Related posts:
Loving Japanese Brand – Anna Sui
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(continued from Part 1)
6. Twany Glamacy
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/twany)
Kanebo’s Twany Glamacy is about classic basics, and this summer 2008 lineup is the line’s launch collection. Within the basic shades, I like the way the line gets into the specifics. Among the pale shades for the eye area, Eyecolor UB (Under-Brow) is for highlighting the brow bone while Eyecolor UE (Under-Eye) is for the inner corner of the eye and the immediate under-eye area. It is all about getting the everyday look right, and I enjoy the brand’s sense of precision and the attention to detail.
5. Sonia Rykiel
(Divines Vacances:Sonia Rykiel’s summer 2008 collection)
(image from www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com)
Sonia Rykiel‘s beauty line is sold in Asia and has been doing well over the years. Its colorful summer 2008 collection includes eyeshadow trios, cream eyeliners, and nail colors (all limited editions). Some of these vibrant shades do stand out among the neutrals for this season.
The eyeshadow trios are very petite and should be the same size as their Mono Eyeshadows, and they are great for travelling light. (Divine indeed……)
4. Magie Deco
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)
Besides Twany Glamacy’s debut collection, Magie Deco‘s summer 2008 lineup is also quite extensive, with eye palettes, cream eyeshadows, lipsticks, lip glosses, eyeliners, mascaras, and nail colors. (Please check out the latter link above for more information and to see the seasonal makeup look.)
Two new palettes join the Shadow Brilliance lineup, one warmer and one cooler:
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)
So far, I have been liking the color combinations of Magie Deco’s Shadow Brilliance palettes. The line has stayed away from tone-on-tone palettes that many Japanese makeup lines constantly come up with, which does give the line an edge. Even though I do like nice tone-on-tone palettes, it is great to see some originality.
Kate
Please check back later for my thoughts on the top three!
Related Posts:
Other summer 2008 collections:
Jill StuartKate
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To me, it feels as if the spring collections just came out and we were expecting more summer makeup news. But, as many of the fall 2008 collections have been unveiled, it is time for me to look back and present you with my summer 2008 top ten makeup collections. (Part 2 and 3 will be up later this week.)
10. Albion Excia AL
(Albion Excia AL Eye Color Impression)(image from www.albion.co.jp)
(Albion Excia AL Rouge Impression)(image from www.albion.co.jp)
Available at Albion counters in Japan, Excia AL is a top-end skincare and makeup line that aims to create timeless and confident beauty. This season sees a new range of eye palettes, Eye Impression, and three new shades of Rouge Impression (as well as new liquid eyeliners and eyebrow pencils). Perhaps not the most eye-catching collection, it did grab my attention with its understated simplicity.
9. Anna Sui
(Anna Sui Mini Rouge W)(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
Anna Sui’s summer 2008 collection shows us again that the brand still does cute and princessy very well. I am sure some people who are collecting the Mini Rouge in black (released last fall) would love to take home these limited editions in white. The collection also includes hair and body products which are equally nicely packaged.
8. Giorgio Armani
(Eye Mania in 11 (top), 12 (left), and 13 (right))(image from www.isetan.co.jp)
I have been interested in the Giorgio Armani Beauty line for a while, and I almost always stop by its counter when I am in London’s Selfridges or Harvey Nichols. (In the UK, Giorgio Armani Beauty is also available in Selfridges Birmingham and Heathrow Airport Terminal 3. The link above takes you to the Giorgio Armani Beauty UK online store.)
The three beautiful Eye Mania palettes above, however, appear to be exclusive to the Japanese market. I particularly like #12 and #13. #12 seems to be a wearable blue-grey palette, possibly even for people who find blue hard to wear. #13 looks like a nice neutral palette and the shades don’t look overly warm or bronze.
(If you are interested, please head over to Autumn Masquerade for a great brand profile on Giorgio Armani Beauty and for a look at the brand’s past Bronze Mania collections.)
7. Cosme Decorte AQ
(Pure Grace Lipstick in RD432and Pure Grace Eyeshadow in 032)
(image from www.biteki.com)
There are not a lot of lilacs for summer 2008, and this beautiful palette with soft lilac and muted cool teal attracted my attention. I think these two shades are well-coordinated, as the muted teal complements rather than overshadows the lilac. (Please check out my previous post on Cosme Decorte AQ‘s summer 2008 collection to see the fresh tropical eye makeup look created with this palette.)
This is the last AQ eye palette released in the current packaging, as the brand’s point makeup line will be revamped in time for the release of the fall 2008 collection.
The top-ten countdown continues tomorrow.
Related Posts:
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The Kao-owned EST will release its fall 2008 collection in Japan on July 26th. The collection includes:
– Emotional Aura Eyes (3 new variations)
(Updated on June 24, 2008: According to Cosme.Net, the three new variations are khaki x beige, purple x grey, and brown x blue.)
– Emotional Aura Lips (3 new shades)
– Advanced Lips (8 shades)
– Double Side Mascara (2 shades)
– Pencil Eyeliner (2 shades)
(all images from i-voce2.com)
Please note that Advanced Lips is a new product and is different from the Emotional Aura Gloss released for EST’s summer 2008 collection.
EST is a brand that I have been very interested in. I nearly decided to buy the Emotional Aura Pact and one of the Emotional Aura Eyes palettes, but I decided to hold on a little more since they are not limited-edition items. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of their fall lineup. Maybe I am not too far away from meeting EST in person…
Updated on June 25, 2008:
Image of the 3 new Emotional Aura Eyes palettes and Advanced Lips:
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)
Related Posts:
Capturing Your Emotional Beauty
(a brand profile on EST, Kao’s most sophisticated makeup line)
Sofina Aube’s Late Summer/ Early Fall 2008 Collection
(with an updated link to swatches)
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(Agyness Deyn for Shiseido Maquillage Fall 2008)(image from Shiseido via www.iswii.net)
On an earlier post, I mentioned that British model Agyness Deyn will join the four Japanese brand ambassadors for Maquillage‘s fall 2008 campaign. The collection features collaboration with British fashion designer Christopher Kane, including 6 of the 12 new shades of Lasting Climax Rouge.
Here is the first look at one of the ad images, featuring two fall 2008 items, Forming Shiny Eyes in 55 and Lasting Climax Rouge in BE305. According to Iswii, Agyness Deyn will continue to appear on Maquillage’s seasonal collection ads.
Apart from the new Lasting Climax Rouge shades, the Maquillage fall 2008 collection will also include Forming Shiny Eyes (5 variations), Designer Cheek Colors (two shades), and Soft Brow Liner (3 shades.)
The collection will be released in Japan on July 21st. Later, on August 21st, a new powder foundation case designed by Christopher Kane will be released.
Related Posts:
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