makeup

(continued from Part 1 and Part 2)

My Holiday 2007 Top Ten List concludes today!

3. Lavshuca

I realized a while ago that Lavshuca achieved grand slam for me in 2007, as I purchased items from all the four seasonal collections this year. Its affordability means I am able to pick up great items from each season without spending too much money.

The Lavshuca Christmas makeup palette is a sweet finish of the year. It is a cute little palette with three eyeshadows, a lip color, and a lip gloss. It is also the first eye/lip palette since Lavshuca’s launch in spring 2006.

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca/)

See my other Lavshuca items throughout 2007:

Spring
Eye Color Select in PK-1 & BU-1 (my favorite Lavshuca items for 2007)
Jewelry Lip in PK-1 & RS-1
Gloss Stick in PK-3

Summer


Cheek Color in PK-1

Fall


Eye Color Select in PU-2
Color Conc Rouge in PK-1

2.

Paul & Joe

(image from www.paul-joe-beaute.com)

Paul & Joe is another brand that is always visually very pleasing. Last year, Paul & Joe’s holiday collection reached number 3 with an absolutely stunning hummingbird-themed lineup. This year’s collection is weaker for me, but, among an overall weaker collection of holiday products across brands this year, it grabbed the runner-up spot.

The Lip Gloss N in 001 Black-Tie is perhaps my favorite holiday item for 2007, with an mouth-watering berry-red shade plus beautiful multi-color shimmer.

1.

Dior

(image from www.dior.com)


Overall, Dior’s holiday collection has won it for me. First of all, the limited-edition item, DiorLight Jewelled Makeup Necklace, is another very pretty piece of collectible makeup item created by Dior. Secondly, I love the fact that Dior usually comes up with a full collection of makeup items for the holiday season.

Readers in the US might not feel that Dior’s holiday lineup this year is a full-on collection, and I think it is because only half of the collection is available in the US.

For holiday 2007, Dior has come up with two makeup looks, each featuring a set of Jewelled Makeup Necklace, 5-color eyeshadow palette, Rouge Dior Crème de Gloss, Rouge Dior lipstick, and nail color. One is a beige-brown look (with the #360 Amber Treasure eyeshadow palette) and one is a pink-plum look (with the #340 Secret Charm palette). I might be wrong, but I think only the beige-brown look is available in the US, while both looks are sold in Asia and Europe. (I am aware that only the beige Jewelled Makeup Necklace is available in the US.)

Below, you can see that the Dior Japan site has two sets of everything (apart from Style Liner and DiorShow Powder in Dreamlight), whereas the Dior US site only has the beige-brown look.

(image from Dior Japan)

(image from Dior US)

I had a chance to test out shades from both looks last week. Both are very good, but, as usual, I am partial to the pink/purple/plum hues.

With a relatively complete collection featuring various items and different color tones and fronted by an adorable limited-edition item, Dior, for me, has the best holiday collection of 2007!

Related Posts:

Dior Pretty Charms
(holiday 2006 limited-edition item)

Loving Japanese Brands: Lavshuca

(the latest addition to my favorite Japanese brands)

Loving Japanese brands: Paul & Joe
(my personal take on Paul & Joe)

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(Kanebo Coffret D’Or spring 2008 base makeup collection)
(images from www.nikkei.co.jp)

The Coffret D’Or spring 2008 base makeup collection will be launched in Japan on March 1, 2008.

Coffret D’Or is replacing the color makeup line T’Estimo and the base makeup line Revue, so I have been waiting to see the base makeup lineup. As expected. the collection consists of the usual basics:

(top-down from left)
-Beauty Lasting Pack UV (powder foundation)
-Beauty Lasting Pack UV Case
-Beauty Lasting Liquid UV foundation
-Beauty Lasting Veil UV (foundation primer)
-Makeup Concealer (2 shades)
-Makeup Powder (loose powder refill, 1 shade)
-Makeup Powder Case
-Prismal Blush (4 shades)

The packaging is in keeping with the color makeup line, as some of the items look like presents wrapped up in pink ribbons.

Coffret D’Or has been growing on me. The packaging has been appealing to me more and more, and I have been reading positive reviews of their color makeup items.

Currently I am interested in the eyeshadow palette (3D Lighting Eyes) in 04 Purple Variation. I would love to try it and compare it with my T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes in 03, which is also a lilac-based eyeshadow palette (out in spring this year).


(Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

I am also slightly interested in Full Styling Rouge (Glow), which is a collection of sheer lipsticks (as opposed to Full Styling Rouge (Color)).

(Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge (Glow))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)


If I do pick up anything from Coffret D’Or, I will surely share my thoughts with you here!

Related Post:

Coffret D’Or Spring 2008 Collection
(more goodies from Coffret D’Or, plus more of my thoughts on the brand)

Other new collections under Kanebo:

Lunasol Spring 2008 Collection

Lavshuca Spring 2008 Collection

Kate Spring 2008 Collection

Which one tickles your fancy?

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My Holiday 2007 Top 10 List continues from Part 1!

6. Magie Deco

(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/)

Kose’s Magie Deco was launched in Japan in fall this year, and this is its debut holiday collection. I like the fact that the packaging is a variation of the usual Magie Deco look. It is different but instantly recognizable. I also like the rich red color scheme.

The two items are sold as a set, and both of them look so glamorous and beautiful, with an appropriate festive vibe.

If you like the look of this collection, you may want to check out Magie Deco’s spring 2008 collection.

5. MAC

(image from www.iswii.net)

MAC’s holiday 2007 collections (including Royal Assets, Antiquitease, and others) are some of my favorite MAC collections for 2007. The packaging looks good, and there are a very wide selection of items.

But when I saw the items in person for the first time, I was slightly underwhelmed by the details of the packaging. I think they looked just a little bit rough around the edges and they could have been slightly more refined.

Nonetheless, these collections present a pleasant departure from MAC’s usual dark and minimal look and I am sure many MAC fans have been enjoying collecting some of the goodies.

4. Ayura

(image from www.ayura.co.jp/jp/)


I haven’t really talked about this adorable holiday set from my personal favorite brand, which I am doing in this post.

Ayura’s holiday sets usually include best-selling items in limited-edition travel sizes as well as some one-off creations. The set for holiday 2007 includes:

-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Bath Powder (X2, limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Treatment Oil (for hair and body, limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Body Powder (limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Hands (30g, limited-edition size)
-Shiny Face (face highlighter, limited-edition, choice of blue and pink)
-Nail Color (choice of 23 shades, including limited-edition pink and violet shades)
-Cosmetics Box

Spirit of Ayura is Ayura’s one and only fragrance, and, apart from the hand cream, the three Spirit of Ayura items in the set are one-off creations based on this wonderful scent.

I really love the look of this collection (and I like the combination of all the fresh colors), not to mention that Spirit of Ayura is one of my favorite fragrances, But I already have quite a few somewhat similar limited-edition items based on this fragrance and this is the only reason why I didn’t consider getting this set.

The final part of my Holiday 2007 Top Ten List will be coming soon!

Related Posts:

Loving Japanese Brands: Ayura
(my all-time favorite brand)

MAC A-Mei Color Collection
(another exciting collection from MAC)

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Today I feature a post by my guest blogger Vicky Zhou, who brings you 10 Beauty Tips for the First Date.

Vicky Zhou is a part-time journalist, writer and blogger as well as co-founder and lead writer of GotACrush.com. Her writing voice is friendly and engaging, and I have certainly enjoyed reading her tips!


10 Beauty Tips for the First Date

Looking good on your first date is important because first impressions matter. Regardless of what you may have heard before, people do formulate an opinion of you when they first see you and it’s no secret that attractiveness will factor in.

Luckily, you don’t need to be the next Miss America to get a positive reaction, you just need to learn the correct beauty approach and then emphasize the good qualities you have.

Here are some points to consider.

1. Emphasize One Key Area on the Face

Far too many women will go with bold eyes and bold lips, creating a look that is just a little too overwhelming. Instead, focus on playing up your eyes, whether you choose to make them smokey or really open them up with bright colors and then play down your lips with a barely-there color.

2. Add Some White Shadow in the Corner of Your Eye

As long as you are not going for something very dark with your eye color, try adding a small amount of white to the very corner. This will really give your eyes a wide-eyed look and help set them out, showing off your beautiful eye color.

Many men say the first thing they notice about a woman is her eyes, so why not use this to your advantage?

3. Always Go for the Gloss

Whether you’re using lipstick or not, a gloss is a must on a first date. It’ll make your lips look softer, moister, and definitely more kissable. Do watch that you don’t put on too sticky of a gloss, as this is a turn-off for most men, but go with something that lays on the shine and potentially even tastes great for his added benefit.

4. Leave Curls by Your Face

When it comes to your hairstyle, one that’s a can’t-miss by most men is half of it pulled back with a few delicate, curly tendrils framing the face. This further enhances the eyes and gives you a playful yet sexy appearance.

5. Go Easy on the Perfume

While you definitely do want to make sure you smell good for your first date, try not to overload yourself. At this point you won’t entirely know what types of scents your date finds attractive and if you happen to choose wrong and are overwhelmingly strong, this could really impact how long he wants to stay near you.

Choose a fresh scent since most people find these appealing and apply with ease.

6. Don’t Overlook Gold

Gold is a great make-up color that many women never make use of. You don’t necessarily have to use strictly gold on any part of your face, but rather, enhance the look you already have with a small amount of gold powder.

It’ll give you a nice tanned appearance as well, that’ll really glow when you hit the light.

7. Take the Occasion into Consideration

Make sure when you are applying your make-up that you take into consideration the location of your date. For an evening date at a classier restaurant you will want to wear a different look of make-up for example than if you were meeting at a local coffee house for lunch.

Always ensure that your look is appropriate, not only so that you give off the right impression, but also so that you feel comfortable yourself. If you feel as though you’re out of place, this will come across in the confidence level you project.

8. Make Sure It’s ‘You’

Next, you want to make sure the make-up you do wear is ‘you’. If you get all done up for your first date and it doesn’t even resemble how you normally prefer to wear your make-up, you’ll be sending a false impression to your date.

While it’s fine to add a few extra touches to really enhance yourself, don’t go for a complete opposite look of that that you normally use.

9. Use Jewellery Selectively

Make sure the jewellery you choose isn’t too overdone. This can lead some men to think of you as more high-maintenance so it’s best to error on the side of caution for this.

If there is one piece you definitely do want to go for, it’s a really nice dangling pair of earrings. These help to draw more attention to your face, especially if you’ve used the principles mentioned above.

10. When in Doubt, Use the Less-Is-More Approach

Finally, when you’re prepping for your first date, if you are even in question as to whether you should put on more make-up, chances are you should leave it off.

The vast majority of men actually prefer women who look more natural and whose make-up isn’t noticeable rather than women where it’s clearly obvious they’ve painted the colors of the rainbow on their faces.

Keep eye make-up natural and use a fresh lipstick color that’s not too overwhelming. You’ll likely find this is what turns the most heads – particularly that of your date.


So, keep all of these points in mind next time you find yourself preparing for your first date.
While it shouldn’t make or break whether he wants to see you again, if you enhance your natural beauty just right, it might add a little something extra to that ‘spark’ of excitement he feels when he lays his eyes upon you.

Looking for more dating/relationship tips? Read more women lifestyle articles here.

Related Posts:

Based on Vicky’s tip, A Touch of Blusher recommends:

Rimmel Light Beam Lip Gloss
(natural and glossy)

Lavshuca Eye Color Select in PU-2
(elegant and feminine)

Ayura Aura Veil α Blusher in Sweet Pink
(soft and youthful)

White Eyeshadows
(brightening your eyes)

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We have already seen many spring 2008 makeup collections, and I am sure some favorites have emerged on your list. But let’s look back, just in time in the midst of the holiday season, at my own top 10 holiday 2007 collections.

10. Lunasol

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)


2007 is a great year for Lunasol, which brought out fantastic collections for spring and fall. Lunasol’s Christmas 2007 coffret presents the usual dose of neutral and wearable colors as seen in Lunasol’s previous holiday sets. Some might say they are unimaginative, but this doesn’t stop Lunasol fans from collecting this sophisticated coffret for lips, eyes, and face.

9. Guerlain

(Forever Gold)

(image from www.guerlain.co.jp)


Guerlain’s holiday 2007 collection did not get my full attention until I tested Forever Gold (pictured above) and a couple of other items. Forever Gold delivers a sheer and fine mist of very sparkling shimmer. The finish is quite even, and the sparkles are very glamorous without being over the top. A star item for this holiday season indeed. (You can read more about my thoughts of Forever Gold here.)

8. YSL

(image from www.yslbeautyus.com)

I mentioned in my initial review of the YSL holiday 2007 collection that I preferred the usual gold packaging. But, compared with many other holiday collections, this is still a strong one. The collection is well-themed with memorable designs. The heart-shaped necklace is very pretty even though I don’t think this is the best makeup necklace for this season.

This is the first time in five years that YSL’s holiday collection didn’t make the top five on my holiday top 10 list, as the overall collection didn’t impress me as much as the previous ones did. (Read about YSL’s Gold Celebration Palette from the 2006 holiday collection if you are interested.)

7. Jill Stuart

(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

Jill Stuart’s holiday 2007 set is instantly appealing, with the kind of feminine and princessy packaging that Jill Stuart is famous for. Like Lunasol’s holiday 2007 coffret, the set features universally flattering shades.

According to this blog post, all the slots were full within an hour after one department store started to take pre-orders for this set, while the set was completely sold out in another department store within two hours after the set was officially launched. I am not really surprised. Since the Jill Stuart beauty line was launched in Japan in 2005, the holiday sets in 2005 and 2006 have been extremely popular. (This post also features a swatch video, in which you can actually see how the eyeshadow shades shimmer!)

(Continue to read Part 2 and Part 3!)

Related Posts:

Loving Japanese Brands: Jill Stuart
(featuring my Jill Stuart Christmas 2005 set)

Loving Japanese Brands: Lunasol
(one of my three favorite Japanese brands for the moment)

Keep It Gold: YSL
(my personal take on the glamorous YSL)

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MAC A-Mei Color Collection – Fantastic Update!

by PJ on Friday, December 14, 2007

in -MAC, makeup

The MAC A-Mei Color Collection has some more exciting updates, this time with links to a beautiful official product image and some great stock images.

Do check them out!

Thank you, Janice, for your great work!


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Among all my favorite colors, pastel purple (lilac/lavender) has always been near the top of the list. Thanks to the delicate mixture of red and blue, purple, to me, is an elegant color with the right amount of warmness and coolness.

It has been a great accent color in my wardrobe for years (be it pastel lilac or rich violet), but it is only fairly recently that I discovered that soft lilacs look good on my face as well!

Keep pretty:
-Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes in 04 Gem Amethyst
-T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes in 03
-Lavshuca Eyecolor Select in PU-2
-Chanel Contraste Lumière palette in Aquarelles
-Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Color in Divine Lilac
-Clinique Glosswear for Lips in 333 La La Lilac
-AYURA Pure Nails (limited-edition lilac shade)

Keep clean:
-Radox Clean & Pamper Handwash with lavender & magnolia

Keep warm:
-Hat by Fred Bare
(My teddy bear pulls this off much better than I do…)
-Sweater by Sisley

Keep organized:
-Beauty Diary by Biteki & Albion
(from Biteki January 2007 issue)

I have noticed that Chanel, Lunasol, and Guerlain are featuring lilac in their spring 2008 collections, and I am predicting that lilac is a key spring 2008 makeup trend!

I have more lilacs on my spring 2008 shopping list, and I am sensing an arrival of Lilting Lilac Part II!

More splashes of colors!

Girlie Pink

Citrus Orange

Aqua Blue

New-Leaf Green

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MAC A-Mei Color Collection – More Update

by PJ on Tuesday, December 11, 2007

in -MAC, makeup

The MAC A-Mei Color Collection post has been updated with a link to an image featuring A-Mei wearing shades from the collection. The image was released to the Taiwanese press but I am not certain whether this would be one of the official promotional images.

Please go to the end of the post for the link, and enjoy!

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(Lavshuca Face Powder in Lucent)

First of all, I admit that this item caught my attention ever since I saw the packaging. Very few loose powder containers (possibly part from Jill Stuart’s) look dreamier than this. With Lavshuca being an affordable shelf-top brand, I had to get this.

(Lavshuca Face Powder)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca/)


I bought this soon after it was released in fall 2006. The packaging looks as good as it appears on-line and in magazines. I was very pleased with that.

When I tested the powder on the back of my hand for the first time, I was slightly concerned. Even though the shade was the pale translucent beige that I usually went for, there seemed to be some shimmer. As I normally only used a completely matte loose powder, I was not sure if this was going to be something I would use regularly.

But when I put it on my face for the first time, all worries disappeared. The shimmer was relatively sparse and extremely fine. The finish is still basically matte, but it is not chalky. It is silky and almost satiny.

What I also love (perhaps the most) about this loose powder is its ability to disguise pores. It is able to make my skin look smoother and more even. As I usually wear a loose powder mainly to make pores less visible and to get a polished complexion, I am very happy with what it can do.



I also like the puff that comes with it. Apart from looking so adorable. it feels quite soft and puffy on the skin. The hair is not too long so it grabs the powder and places it on the skin evenly. I usually press (instead of sweep) the powder onto the skin, and the puff works very well for me.

I have another loose powder by Sofina Raycious. It is essentially matte and does a fairly good job in controlling shine. I shall review it in more detail a bit later!

Related Posts:

Which loose powder will win my heart?

(I have already decide to get one of them…)

Loving Japanese Brands: Lavshuca

(a brief profile on Kanebo’s successful budget line)

Lavshuca Spring 2008 Collection
(featuring some more lovely packaging)

Lavshuca Eye Color Select in PU-2
(another of my Lavshuca Favorite)

{ 22 comments }

MAC A-Mei Color Collection: Further Update!

by PJ on Saturday, December 8, 2007

in -MAC, makeup

The MAC A-Mei Color Collection post has been updated yet again, this time featuring a sneak peek at some of the packaging and colors.

Take a look!

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