makeup

Viktor & Rolf for Shu Uemura – First Look

by PJ on Thursday, April 17, 2008

(Viktor & Rolf for Shu Uemura)
(image from www.cosme.net)

In January, WWD reported on the Dutch designer duo Viktor & Rolf‘s collaboration with Shu Uemura and the release of three limited-edition pairs of false eyelashes.

This collaboration coincides with the 25th anniversary of Shu Uemura’s flagship Beauty Boutique on Omotesanto, Tokyo, where the false eyelash collection was unveiled.

According to WWD, the three pairs are called Wing, Wing 2, and Rhombus, and each pair will retail at 75 euros (about 119 USD at the current exchange rate).

So far I have not come across information on the launch date and availability. I will update this post later on with more information.

Updated on April 20th, 2008:

Here is an additional photo of the three pairs of false eyelashes:

(image from woman.excite.co.jp)

In Japan, the collection will be launched on June 19th and the booking will start on May 1st.

If I Could Go to Japan Right Now

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Voce Magazine 10th Anniversary Monthly Feature

by PJ on Thursday, April 17, 2008

in -Dior, makeup, skincare

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

In 2008, the popular Japanese beauty magazine, Voce, is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

From March 2008 and for 12 months, each monthly issue includes a book-in-book titled The World Beauty Heritage, featuring a prestigious western or Japanese beauty brand.

Thankfully, Voce is putting pages of this feature on the official website. Even though the texts are in Japanese, the beautiful images are definitely worth checking out. (If you do read Japanese, many featured products include links to their entries in the Voce on-line beauty product database.)

So far the brands featured are:

March 2008: Dior
April 2008: Estée Lauder
May 2008: Cosme Decorte

The webpage is updated monthly as each printed issue is published. So do go back later for more.

Japanese Beauty Magazine: Biteki

My Ultimate Cosmetics Archive

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24-Carat Shine – YSL Golden Gloss in 03 Golden Pink

by PJ on Sunday, April 13, 2008

in -YSL, makeup, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss, stash focus

(YSL Golden Gloss in 03 Golden Pink)

Golden Gloss from Yves Saint Laurent was launched in summer 2006. I still remember walking past the YSL counter and the dazzling golden shimmer from these glosses was calling out to me. After testing the various shades, all with golden shimmer, I decided to pick up 03 Golden Pink.

As I mentioned in my very first post on YSL, I love the brand’s classy and opulent gold packaging. In the case of Golden Gloss, the packaging echoes the product perfectly. (According to the YSL website, each gloss contains 24-carat gold (a very tiny amount of course), and gold is indeed listed in the ingredient list.)

(YSL Golden Gloss)

(image from www.ysl-parfums.com)

03 Golden Pink is a warm red pink with mainly very sparkling gold shimmer as well as some subtle shimmer in other hues. It has a fairly good amount of color and is not overly sheer. The gold shimmer works well with the shade, and it is sparse enough so the finish doesn’t look frosty.

The overall look is vibrant and glamorous, and the beautiful finish lasts well. The enclosed brush applicator is easy to use and quickly creates a very glossy shine on the lips.

The gloss has a subtle fruity scent. Normally I like my lipsticks and lip glosses to be scent-free, but I do find this scent quite pleasant.

If you like very sparkling (but not glittery) lip glosses to add pizazz to your lips, Golden Gloss is certainly a range to consider!

Some of my other favorite lip glosses:

Lunasol Full Glamor Gloss in Bright Pink

Paul & Joe Lip Gloss N in Black-Tie

Lavshuca Gloss Stick in PK-3

Sony Curvy Lip Silicone in 501

{ 12 comments }

Product Review: Crème de la Mer The Powder in Translucent

by PJ on Friday, April 11, 2008

in -Crème de la Mer, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder

(Crème de la Mer The Powder)
(image from www.cremedelamer.com)

When a luxury skincare line goes into makeup, it does get my attention. I was intrigued when Crème de la Mer launched the foundation line, just as I was when SKII launched their first foundation many years ago.

The Powder, a loose face powder, is part of Crème de la Mer’s Skincolor range, which also includes Fluid Foundation and Crème Foundation along with Foundation Brush and Powder Brush.

Apart from the lid, the large jar is made of glass. The heaviness of it does have a very luxurious feel.

This talc and mica based powder is very light and soft, and it almost has a fluffy feel. The enclosed puff is plush and soft to the touch.

The shade in Translucent is sheer and does not have any substantial coverage. It is quite a shimmery loose powder that has little efficacy in controlling shine or diffusing the appearance of pores.

Under artificial lighting, quite a lot of fine silver and pink shimmer and some pale pink iridescence are visible. Under natural sunlight, the pink iridescence can look more intense, so care must be taken when you use this for your daytime look. Less is definitely more.

Personally I prefer matte loose powder with no or minimal shimmer, and I would use this very sparingly as a highlighter. But if you enjoy both shimmer and iridescence in your overall setting powder, then this is definitely worth a look.

More Loose Powder!

Lavshuca Face Powder in Lucent

Paul & Joe Face Powder

Prescriptives Magic Liquid Powder

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Coffret D’Or Makeovers

by PJ on Wednesday, April 9, 2008

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

Continuing with Coffret D’Or from yesterday…

FAnet has put up photos and information on two makeovers featuring items entirely from Kanebo’s Coffret D’Or, from primer to lip gloss. Have a look!

There are also links (just above the two photos) to other brand-based makeovers from Stila, Paul & Joe, and RMK.

Enjoy!

Elegant Roses – Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge RS-241 & RS-242

by PJ on Tuesday, April 8, 2008

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2008 Spring, makeup, makeup - lip color, stash focus

(Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge Color
in RS-242 (left) and RS-241 (right))

Coffret D’Or has been growing on me more and more, and today I bring you two lipsticks from their launch collection.

Coffret D’Or currently has two ranges of lipsticks. Full Styling Rouge Glow is a range of sheer lipsticks with a glossy shine, while Full Styling Rouge Color features more pigmented lipsticks with a natural watery sheen.

(Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge Glow,
packaged in glossy and reflective cases)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

(Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge Color,
packaged in textured matte cases)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

(RS-242 (left) and RS-241 (right))

RS-241 and RS-242 are from the Color range. They are well-pigmented and have a beautiful natural sheen. There is very fine shimmer in both shades, and it doesn’t look obvious when worn. Both stay on well and are fairly non-drying. (But I always wear a lip balm before I wear any lipstick or lip gloss.) Like most lipsticks from Japanese brands, they are scentless (which I like).

RS-241 is a soft and feminine rose petal shade. It is the shade used on Nakatani Miki, one of the five brand ambassadors for Coffret D’Or (and one of my two favorites of the five, along with Tokiwa Takako). (Below, Nakatani Miki is also wearing 3D Lighting Eyes in 04 Purple Variation.)

(Nakatani Miki for Coffret D’Or )
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp)

RS-242 is a much deeper rose shade that looks slightly more vibrant and a tad warmer when worn. This more dramatic shade is great for an evening look.

In many Japanese beauty brands (particularly major ones like Shiseido, Kao, Kanebo, and Kosé), lipsticks are named according to various color families (PK (pink), RD (red), OR (orange/peach), RS (rose/cool pink), BE (beige), and BR (brown)). When I started buying makeup, I often bought PK shades. But, later on, I began to pay more attention to RS shades and the more muted and rosier PK shades.

Even though I slightly prefer the lighter RS-241, my favorite way to wear them is to gently dab the darker RS-242 onto my lips and then softly glaze RS-241 on top. The mixture of the two gives me the kind of rose coloration I like. (The Full Styling Rouge Color lipsticks seem to be more pigmented than most lipsticks I have, and I try to be light-handed with them.)

Overall these two shades will suit people who love lipsticks in rose tones and enjoy pigmented lip colors with a natural sheen and very subtle shimmer. They will give you a sophisticated and feminine look.

(One of my friends kindly gave these two lipsticks to me, so I was able to enjoy them. (I know you are reading this, and thank you very much!))

Related Posts:

Lavshuca Jewelry Lips
(another two great lip shades,
slightly less pigmented than the two reviewed above)

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in 04
(one of my favorite items for spring 2008)

Coffret D’Or Beauty Lasting Pack UV
(a great powder foundation for the warmer months)

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Update! Lunasol Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Monday, April 7, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, announcement, makeup

My post on Lunasol’s Summer 2008 Collection has been updated to include photos of the two new eye palettes as well as a link to swatches of the new palettes and the two new Geminate Liners.

Enjoy!

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A Splash of Color – Terrific Turquoise

by PJ on Sunday, April 6, 2008

in _I Love Colors, -Ayura, -Dior, -Ettusais, -MAC, -Maybelline, makeup

(Enjoying the sunshine while I can…)

In the UK, I think summer is the best season, with warm sunshine and soft breezes.

But we had a fairly disappointingly cool summer in the UK last year, with very little sunshine. This year, under the influence of La Niña, we probably won’t have a warmer summer…

For me, bright turquoise is one of the most summery colors. Thanks to the pleasant (and rare) sunshine today, my turquoise looked brighter and more tropical!

For eyes
– Dior Eyeshadow Duo in DiorLagoon
– Ayura Finger Touch Eye Shadow in GR (limited-edition, fall 2006)
– MAC Eye Shadow in Haunting (Alexander McQueen Collection)
– MAC Paint Pot in Rollickin’ (Fafi Collection)
– Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Color in Fabulous Turquoise

For lips
-Ettusais Lip Gloss in CL

For skin
– Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher

Please enjoy more splashes of colors!

– New-Leaf Green
– Aqua Blue
– Citrus Orange
– Girlie Pink
– Lilting Lilac

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Brand New Makeup Line: Kanebo’s Twany Glamacy

by PJ on Sunday, April 6, 2008

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Glamacy, -Kanebo, -Twany, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Twany Glamacy)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/twany/newitem/glamacy/)

Sold in Japan, Twany is a beauty brand under Kanebo. It carries a wide range of products (skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrance, and dietary supplements). On April 16th, Twany will launch a new line of point (color) makeup, Glamacy. (I am not sure if Glamacy will replace Twany’s two existing point makeup lines, Century and Century Technical, but it doesn’t seem so.)

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/twany/newitem/glamacy)

According to Nikkei Net, “Glamacy” is a combination of the words “glamor” and “supremacy”. The brand targets those in their thirties, and the items are more about bringing out the dimension of the face than about keeping up with the trends.

Their eyeshadows and blushers have already been featured in Biteki magazine (May 2008), and I am liking the look of the blushers.

(Twany Glamacy Cheek Color)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/twany/newitem/glamacy)

I, for one, don’t mind large cases at all, and I like blushers packaged like this. Both PK-01 and RS-01 look very wearable for me. I think PK-01 is a definite maybe……

Other recent brand launches:

From Kanebo: CHICCA & Coffret D’Or

From Kao: EST (Point Makeup)

From Kosé: Magie Deco

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Product Review: EcoTools Makeup Brushes

by PJ on Saturday, April 5, 2008

in beauty tools/accessories, makeup

(From left to right: EcoTools Powder Brush, Blush Brush,
Foundation Brush, Eye Shading Brush,
Eyeliner Brush, and Lash and Brow Groomer)

When it comes to makeup brushes, I don’t mind if the hair is natural or synthetic. As long as the bristles are well-shaped, soft to the touch, and with the right bounce for the particular purpose, I think both natural and synthetic hair can potentially make good makeup brushes.

EcoTools is a line of makeup brushes and bath accessories made of materials that minimize the negative impact on the environment. With their makeup brush collection:

– The brush hair is made of animal-free taklon bristles.
– The handle is made of bamboo (which has a low impact on the environment and is highly sustainable).
– The metallic ferrule is made of recycled aluminum.

My favorites among them are the Blusher Brush and the Eye Shading Brush. The hair of the Blush Brush is very soft and dense and the brush picks up blusher powder easily and evenly. The brush is well-shaped so the blusher goes on very naturally and evenly.

The bristles of the Eye Shading Brush are soft and have a good bounce. I also like the fact that the tip of the brush is quite flat so it can help with a more precise eyeshadow application where needed.

I also like the Eyeliner Brush. The brush tip picks up powder easily and allows a fairly precise application. I generally find an angled eyeliner brush easier to use than a flat one. Plus the width of the brush tip is narrow enough for an easy application around the lash line.

The Foundation Brush and the Powder Brush are of fair quality, but I think it would be better if the Foundation Brush had a flatter tip and if the hair of the Powder Brush could be slightly denser.

The only item that might need some substantial improvement is the Lash and Brow Groomer. I feel that the bristles are quite hard to the touch and a little too stiff compared with some other brow brushes (even though a brow brush is meant to be relatively stiff).

The brushes are reasonably priced. The most expensive piece, the Powder Brush, is priced at 7.99 USD.

Overall, most of the EcoTools makeup brushes offer good choices at affordable prices. Whether your eco-friendly mindset extends to your beauty regime or not, these brushes are worth a look.

(Please check their website (link above) for the US stock list.)

My Makeup Brushes
(the sensational seven)

The Only Eyelash Curler I Ever Need
(precise and thorough)

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