(FACE Atelier lipsticks in Pink Sizzle (front)
and Pink Cashmere (back))
Out of the 7 mini lipstick collections of FACE Atelier, Rhapsody in Pink is a collection of five pink-based lipsticks.
Both Pink Cashmere and Pink Sizzle are richly-pigmented. Pink Cashmere is a girlie peachy pink that goes on slightly cooler and has a frosty finish, while Pink Sizzle is a glamorous cherry magenta that has a very smooth and velvety matte finish.
(Left: Pink Cashmere; Right: Pink Sizzle)
(from www.faceatelier.com)
I personally prefer Pink Sizzle, simply because the finish is more versatile. (On my lips, a frosty lipstick will always only look frosty.) Just putting it on will create a velvety matte finish. Blotting the lips with a tissue makes the finish completely matte (while the intense pigment is retained). Layering on a clear gloss makes the magenta even more electrifying.
(Bella Il Fiore Powder Room)
(from bellabeauty.net)
Considering the size of Bella Il Fiore‘s Powder Room (10.5cm x 9.5cm x 6.5cm), the fact that there are 6 lip colors, 4 blushers, and 9 eyeshadows is fairly impressive. Apart from that, all the compartments fit snugly together and never feel fiddly.
It comes in a matching pink/black box (right):
(love the packaging…)
(all out in display)
The 6 lip glosses are my favorites in this set. They have a glassy vinyl finish and last well. All shades have understated shimmer and fair color density (not too sheer). I like the fact that the selection includes both warmer and cooler shades.
(six lip glosses)
The blushers are velvety and well-pigmented. They all have shimmer but it is not too over-powering. Some of these shades are good for bronzing and shading as well.
(the blushers)
The easy-to-wear eyeshadows are also smooth and pretty well-pigmented. The only matte shade is the cream-white toward bottom right. All others have fine shimmer. All the shades go on as they are in the pans, except that the olive (upper right) goes on much greyer.
(the eyeshadows)
Overall, this set should work for people with both warm and cool skin-tones, although the blushers will work much better for warm skin-tones and I would love to see one cool pink blusher among the four. Other than that, this nicely packaged set is versatile and is suitable for both daytime and evening. I have been enjoying playing with all the shades (as well as opening and closing all the drawers)!
Related Posts (some of my favorite palettes):
Dior Diorissime Palette
Lavshuca Eyecolor Select in PU-2
Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes in 04 Gem Amethyst
(Lunasol Holiday 2007 coffret)
(from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/)
Lunasol will be releasing the Holiday 2007 coffret on November 16. The Lunasol Holiday Party 2007 Coffret includes a 4-color eyeshadow palette, a liquid eyeliner, a lip gloss, a pressed powder, and a gift box (seen below).
(Lunasol Holiday 2007 coffret)
(from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/)
I feel ambivalent about this collection. I think many Lunasol fans would want to see some more striking shades and more “collectible” items. The eyeshadows are all very neutral, the gloss is a universally flattering cool pink, and the pressed powder should be sheer and with a bit of shimmer. So, for Lunasol fans (including me), maybe some of us won’t be excited by these items.
However, Lunasol holiday sets usually sell out fast. Objectively, as a gift, this set is flawless, as these shades won’t look wrong on most people. Also, it is great for people who have never tried Lunasol and are interested in experiencing some of the items.
The coffret costs 6,825 yen in Japan (about 59 USD).
Looking back at some of the previous holiday releases, we see that the feel of the collections has been quite consistent. The Holiday 2006 set had more of a golden edge:
(Lunasol Holiday 2006 collection)
(from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/)
The Holiday 2003 coffret was mostly for the lips:
(Lunasol Holiday 2003 collection)
(from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/)
But I do remember the Holiday 2004 collection, which featured two eyeshadow palettes, one with turquoise and one with purple shades, in one-off ivory-white packaging. Those were items worth some serious consideration!
Nevertheless, Lunasol is known for quality and has some great items, and I always look forward to its new releases!
Related Posts:
Loving Japanese Brands: Lunasol
(my personal take on Lunasol)
If I Could Go to Japan RIGHT NOW
(featuring Lunasol and nine other great Japanese brands)
Fall 2007 Makeup Round-Up (Part 3)
(Lunasol fall 2007 collection wins my seasonal ranking.)
(the new Calvin Klein ad display in Hong Kong)
Here is the first look of the new Calvin Klein Beauty!
A generous reader of mine, Sin, from Hong Kong, sent me these photos of the new Calvin Klein Beauty ad and counter display in Hong Kong. She has very kindly let me post them on my blog.
(the Calvin Klein counter)
(the Calvin Klein counter…
that blusher looks rather cute)
These are great photos, showing the printed ad as well as the makeup line-up. (I can feel my eyes getting closer and closer to the screen…)
Sin also mentioned that the Calvin Klein skincare line will be launched in Hong Kong in December.
Since I wrote about my memories of Calvin Klein cosmetics back in May, I have had some informative comments and e-mails. (Thank you all!) As many of you might already know, Calvin Klein Beauty is re-launching globally. You can read this post for further information. (The post mentions that it will be launched in the UK. Fantastic!)
Again, my sincere thanks goes to Sin for these exciting images! (The photos are from her on-line album. The two other ones, if you are interested, show items of Shiseido Inoui ID.)
Recommended Post:
Beauty Anonymous beautifully recounts her Calvin Klein memories and shows us her very elegant Calvin Klein eye shadow.
Related Post:
Calvin Klein Eyeshadow in Ivory
(My only Calvin Klein item so far…things might change soon!)
(from www.cosme.net)
Dior Light, a lip-gloss enclosed pendant, is part of the Dior Holiday 2007 Collection line-up. I have to say I am loving the look of this and will definitely consider getting it.
Some other Dior Holiday 2007 Collection items to get you excited:
Eye palette (two versions):
(from www.cosme.net)
Lip Palette (two versions):
(from www.cosme.net)
You probably have seen Dior palettes like this below in airport duty-free shops. I have seen one in pink and it looked really lovely. Now we don’t need to be going somewhere to get this…
(from www.cosme.net)
This looks like a very exciting collection, with glamorous packaging as usual. I thought it was about time that they brought out a pendant, after they did bracelets, rings, ID plates, charms, and clutch palettes.
The shades look wearable. It is not surprising since of course many people will be buying these items as gifts. But the shades are on trend as well (I am seeing some grey eyeshadows.)
Again, the packaging of the palettes is inspired by their fashion accessory lines. This time, it is from one of my favorite Dior accessory collections, Trotter Romantique:
(Dior Trotter Romantique Wallet)
(from fashion.dior.com)
(Dior Trotter Romantique Bag)
You should start seeing some of the Dior Holiday 2007 makeup collection items in October.
Related Posts:
Lancôme Holiday 2007 Collection
YSL Holiday 2007 Collection
Dior Diorissime Palette
(See how it resembles other Dior fashion accessories.)
(my most used brushes…)
Last week, a reader asked whether I could talk about the makeup brushes I use. Then I realized I had never mentioned these “hairy” friends who have been helping me putting together my makeup.
One of the reasons that I haven’t talked about them is simply that I don’t have a lot of them. All I have are the basics, and I make do with them. Also, some of them are not really available now, but I will focus on what you can get your hands on.
First of all, a couple of years ago, I bought an Ayura set that included a limited-edition brush set. The brushes came in this lovely brown holder:
(my Ayura brush set)
The set has 6 brushes, for cheeks, eyes, and brows. These are not the kind of sparse, scratchy, and coarse brushes often included in many gifts with purchases. They are soft and fluffy, and they have proven to be durable and easy to use.
(the six brushes in the set)
I use the four on the right very regularly. They and three others make up my “sensational seven”:
(the Sensational Seven)
(a close-up)
(numbered for you)
— #1, #3, #4, and #5 are from the Ayura brush set. I don’t think the set is available anymore so I’ll be brief with these. #1 is a soft blusher brush that I have been counting on for all my powder blushers. #3 and #4 are solid and bouncy eyeshadow brushes that never feel scratchy. #5 is a great flat brush for lining the eyes.
— #2 is Ruby & Millie Eye Brush [Large]. (I remember it costs about £9 (about 18 USD).) Ruby & Millie is a makeup line sold exclusively in Boots stores in the UK. Last year and this year, the Ruby & Millie makeup brush collection is chosen by InStyle Magazine UK as “the best inexpensive brush line“. I can definitely see why. Budget brush hunters will love some of these brushes. In particular, this eyeshadow brush is thick and dense (thicker than #3). It is good for eyeshadow application for larger areas and for overall blending.
— #6 is Shu Uemura eyebrow brush (6 OB). I’ve had this for at least 7 years and it still performs well. This eyebrow brush is slightly softer than those from MAC and Bobbi Brown, both of which I think are too hard. The brush tip is nicely slanted for easy application.
— #7 is RMK Lip Brush. This one is retractable and very easy to carry around. The very flat tip allows a precise application. I’d like the hair to be shorter and slightly denser, but it is a minor complaint for a brush that I have been very used to for years.
I have some other brushes but these are the ones I depend on the most. I am not really on the lookout for any new brush, but sometimes I fancy an alternative blusher brush (I am a blusher person) and an angled face shading/contouring brush. Any suggestions? Let me know!
(all photos from woman.excite.co.jp)
The YSL Holiday 2007 Collection presents itself in chic silvery packaging.
But I still prefer the gold packaging that YSL does so well, as the title of my personal take on YSL has noted. Not that I don’t love these items…every year I anxiously wait for the first glimpse of the YSL holiday collection, which always has the most gorgeous items around. But, after the initial seconds of sudden blood-rush upon seeing these photos, I quickly calmed down (and didn’t reach for my shopping list).
I know I am being very picky here (for my bank balance’s sake)…they look glamorous but I am not overly excited by the shades or the packaging. In a way that’s a good thing…since the final quarter of the year is always the time when I spend the most money and I already have some makeup purchases lined up.
I still look forward to seeing all these in person, but it is unlikely that I will take them home with me…
Related Post:
What did you buy for the holidays…for yourself?
(featuring the YSL Holiday 2006 Gold Celebration palette)
(from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
Out in spring 2006, Face Color Accent was a new line of blushers for Anna Sui. As a lover for Anna Sui (and for blushers), I decided to check out the shades as soon as I had a chance.
Before testing them, I was more drawn toward lighter shades like #300. But, at the counter, I was recommended #400 as a naturally flattering shade. I was not convinced when I heard this, since it looked very bright and almost neon-ish. But I was pleasantly surprised when I tested it. I decided to go for this and it was definitely a good decision.
(my Anna Sui Face Color Accent in #400…
love the packaging)
(The brush, which I don’t really use,
is actually not too shabby.)
This is a cute bouncy bright matte pink that can create natural and beautiful rosy cheeks. It is slightly more pigmented than most of the other blushers I have. It can go on sheer and impart a light flush of color and it can be built into a more vibrant finish with little effort. The powder is solidly pressed so it is easy to control how much powder you want the brush to grab.
Overall I really like this. When applied lightly, it really matches and complements the natural flush of my cheeks. I also tend to like matte blushers, so this is something I constantly go back to!
Related Posts:
Still feeling cheeky?
Lavshuca Cheek Color PK-1
My personal take on Anna Sui:
Loving Japanese Brands: Anna Sui
(from www.woman.excite.co.jp)
The Lancôme Holiday 2007 collection will include the star item Precious Carat, a gloss-enclosed ring housed in a jewelry box.
Other items include a blusher, a mini eyeshadow duo, and a mini lip liner.
These items are sold as a set (Precious Carat Coffret) in Japan, as holiday items are sometimes sold there. The Precious Carat ring and the blusher are likely to be sold separately elsewhere.
I will update this post with more information later on!
Update (September 28 2007):
Some close-up images of the collection!
Related Post:
MAC Holiday 2007 Collection
(I want some of these!)
(FACE Atelier lipsticks in Pink Sizzle (front)
