-SUQQU

Fall 2010 Makeup Trend Round-Up

by PJ on Wednesday, September 8, 2010

in -Addiction, -AQ, -Chanel, -Coffret d'Or, -Cosme Decorte, -Dior, -Est, -Estée Lauder, -Guerlain, -Helena Rubinstein, -Kanebo, -Kao, -Kosé, -Max Factor, -Paul & Joe, -RMK, -Sonia Rykiel, -SUQQU, -THREE, -YSL, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup trend reports

(image from www.rmkrmk.com)

Color-wise, the fall 2010 makeup trends seem to be a natural progression from the last few seasons. Beiges and browns dominated spring 2010, and they are still a key trend in fall 2010, (Gone are the grays, which were prominent in fall 2009, as a major color trend.) Meanwhile, purples shone last fall and they have taken on a few varied hues this season.

Beiges & Browns

RMK puts browns firmly on center stage with the Autumn Brown collection. The limited-edition Brown Eyes palettes feature various brown tones. (The palettes are called Deep Brown, Dark Brown, Red Brown, Yellow Brown and Beige Brown.) Guerlain‘s new Écrin 6 Couleurs palettes are also based on a variety of neutral tones, while SUQQU‘s revamped makeup line lays the groundwork with six Blend Color Eyeshadow palettes, all with neutral hues.

(image from www.iswii.net)

(image from www.guerlain.co.jp)

(image from www.biteki.com)

Pinks, Mauves, Purples & Plums

Biteki (September 2010) calls them the berry tones, and those who are not enticed by the skin-tonal colors and who are interested in more vibrant shades might want to look into these mouth-watering colors.

Dior‘s 5 Color Design palette in Pink Design includes a dusty pink and a sophisticated muted purple. Estée Lauder‘s Pure Color 5 Color Eyeshadow Palette in Surreal Violet offers some delicious berry shades. Addiction‘s fall 2010 makeup collection includes berry-toned items for eyes as well as lips. (Refer to the link for the new items for lips.)

(image from www.dior.com)

(image from www.sephora.com)

(image from www.esteelauder.com)

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Mix & Match

What is interesting is that many brands feature both color trends in their fall 2010 makeup collections (either in one single item or in various items in the collection). Here are some of the highlights:

[Click to continue reading…]

{ 2 comments }

Thoughts in Brief & Stash Update: Paul & Joe, Burberry Beauty and SUQQU

by PJ on Saturday, August 14, 2010

in -Burberry, -Paul & Joe, -SUQQU, 2010 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, stash focus

(image from www.iswii.net)

Some thoughts after the visit to Harrods and Selfridges a few days ago:

Paul & Joe

I tested some of the items from the fall 2010 Clair de Lune collection. The colors in the limited-edition Face & Eye Color CS palettes look as pretty as they do in the promotional images. However, even for me, many of the colors are too sheer. The three lighter shades in Paper Moon (the neutral palette) are mainly shimmer and don’t have much pigment.

Burberry Beauty

The line was launched on July 12th in Harrods, which is the line’s only retail point in the UK at the moment. All the powder-based items (powder foundations, blushers, bronzers, and eyeshadows) have a beautifully silky texture and a velvety matte finish. (None of the eyeshadows has visible shimmer.) I also like the classy packaging. (I will post a more detailed review of the line later on.)

SUQQU

One of the sales assistants confirmed that the fall 2010 collection would be launched in the UK in September. Since Powdery Cheeks is one of the products to be discontinued next month, I decided that it was time to pick up 11 Ashibi, which caught my eye during my first encounter with SUQQU in 2006 . I have a feeling that it will soon be among my favorite blushers. I also went for 14 Oshiroibana, which is more vibrant. Even though they will be discontinued soon, I am still planning to post my thoughts on them for those who are interested in this exquisite Japanese beauty brand.

{ 2 comments }

SUQQU Brand Renewal (Items Discontinued)

by PJ on Monday, August 9, 2010

in -SUQQU, 2010 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

It is not rare for Japanese beauty brands to go through a thorough overhaul every few years (either all in one season or in several seasons over a year or so). Last year, both RMK and Elégance revamped their makeup lines. (See the links for the relevant posts.) For fall 2010, SUQQU will renew its makeup and skincare lineups as well. All the items featured here are brand new items, not new shades/variations of existing items. They will be released in Japan on September 3rd, and I assume they will arrive in the UK soon after that.

The new items include:

[Click to continue reading…]

{ 0 comments }

Skincare Review: SUQQU Musculate Massage Cream

by PJ on Monday, June 7, 2010

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others

SUQQU is more renowned for its makeup range than for its skincare lineup, as the brand has a variety of sublime color and base makeup items. But today I am featuring one of SUQQU’s key skincare products, Musculate Massage Cream.

Those who are familiar with SUQQU might know about the brand’s signature Gankin Massage, which is claimed to help ease the tension of facial muscles, stimulate blood flow, and re-define facial contours. The massage can be administered by staff members at the SUQQU counter or at home, with the help of Musculate Massage Cream.

The massage is performed after cleansing and before toning and moisturizing. Ideally, it is performed daily both in the morning and in the evening. There are specific steps in the Gankin Massage routine, which are available on the “How to Massage” page on SUQQU’s Japanese website. (These steps are not presented on SUQQU’s global website.)

After the massage, the massage cream is wiped off with a sponge cloth, which comes with the massage cream. (The sponge cloth can be purchased separately, and so can a fiber cloth (as an alternative for the same purpose).) SUQQU also recommends using Face Refresher to remove any residue of the massage cream. As far as I can remember, it contains quite a lot of alcohol and might cause skin irritation for some people.

The massage cream has a very emollient texture. It is designed not to sink into the skin entirely so that the emolliency stays on the skin to facilitate the massage. It contains rich emollients such as mineral oil, beeswax, petrolatum, and squalane. It also contains moisturizing ingredients such as dipropylene glycol, stearic acid, cetearyl alcohol, methylserine, xylobiose, and sodium hyaluronate. (I have noticed that methylserine and xylobiose don’t seem to be commonly used in skincare products from western brands.)

Because of all the occlusive emollients in this product, it is a lot more suitable for those with dry or very dry skin and I would not recommend this product for those with oily skin. If you have combination skin, do avoid using this product on the oilier parts of your skin. (Otherwise you are simply pushing mineral oil and petrolatum into the skin which is already very sebaceous and this might create more problems than benefits.)

The Musculate Massage Cream pictured above is the limited-edition jasmine-scented Matsukasoukou version (available in the UK from January), while the original version (without the leaf details on the jar) has the brand’s signature eastern orchid scent. From June 4th, a limited-edition 300ml version (of the original (eastern orchid) version (200ml)) will be available in Japan.

(The product featured in this article is provided by SUQQU.)

News & Thoughts in Brief

by PJ on Wednesday, May 12, 2010

in -Dior, -Paul & Joe, -RMK, -SUQQU, 2010 Spring, 2010 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics

(SUQQU Noble Nuance Face Color)
(image from www.suqqu.com)

Dior: I came across Dior’s summer 2010 collection in Harrods. (It doesn’t seem to be available in other department stores or Dior counters in Boots at the moment.) I am slightly underwhelmed by Addicted to Dior mainly because it is smaller than what I imagined. But I think I still like it enough to want to use my Boots points for it.

Paul & Joe: As I mentioned earlier, Select Eye Colors are now available in the UK. None of the shades has grabbed me. At the moment, I am looking forward to the new Lip Gloss G from the summer 2010 collection.

RMK: Spring Modern Eyes in 04 Rosy Purple from the spring 2010 collection has been sold out.

SUQQU: I finally had a chance to see SUQQU’s spring 2010 collection in person. Noble Nuance Face Color has a subtle luminous glow that should be appealing for many people. Among other items in the collection, I like Noble Nuance Eyeshadow in EX-01, Noble Nuance Cheeks in EX-01, and Noble Nuance Lipstick in EX-02.

{ 4 comments }

Spring 2010 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Thursday, May 6, 2010

in -Elégance, -Kanebo, -Kate, -SUQQU, -YSL, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

Here we go, in reverse order:

10. Kate

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

(Diamond Cut Eyes in BR-3)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.co.jp)

Kate is far from a regular on my seasonal top ten lists, but the line’s Gradical Eyes A series, with five tone-on-tone shades in each palette, has some soft-neutral options that appeal to me. (Also new for spring 2010 is Diamond Cut Eyes in BR-3, which is the kind of light-to-medium neutral palette that I would consider trying.)

9. SUQQU

(image fromwww.suqqu.com )

One of the things SUQQU is known for is its range of neutral-toned eye palettes. For spring 2010, the new additions are in the form of the limited-edition Noble Nuance Eyeshadow palettes. On the other hand, the star item of the collection is the multi-toned Noble Nuance Face Color.

8. YSL

(image from www.ysl.com)

Many major western brands, such as Chanel and Dior, have released relatively muted shades for spring 2010. This makes YSL‘s spring 2010 makeup collection stand out from the crowd. There are still wearable pinks and browns, but there are also more vibrant shades such as turquoise and deep violet. Lilac makes an appearance in the new Ombre 5 Lumières palette and the new La Laque nail color.

7. Elégance

(image from www.elegance-cosmetics.com)

The spring 2010 makeup collection from Elégance is also quite colorful. There are some interesting color combinations in the three new variations of the Phantom Eyes palettes (cool turquoise and warm pale pink, bright pink and mint green, and yellow and lilac). Eight shades of Eye Crayon also join the brand’s makeup lineup.

(The countdown continues in Part 2 and Part 3.)

Spring 2009 Makeup Top 10 Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

{ 2 comments }

Natural Makeup Recommendations (2 of 3): Cheeks & Lips

by PJ on Friday, March 26, 2010

in -Bobbi Brown, -Boots, -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, -Maquillage, -RMK, -Shiseido, -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - blusher, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss

My natural makeup recommendations continue with items for cheeks and lips. (See my recommendations on eye makeup here.)

Items for Cheeks

Sometimes, when you don’t have time to deal with eye makeup, using a blusher can really give the face an instant lift. The key is to use a shade that is as close to your natural flush as possible. I personally prefer moderately pigmented blushers without visible shimmer and those that are either matte or luminous matte.

– RMK Ingenious Powder Cheeks in MT-02 Light Pink (top)

It is marginally the lightest and the most cool-toned of the three blushers featured here. The brush included in the compact is very soft and easy to use, making this item very suitable for touch-ups away from home.

– Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1 (left)

This is the kind of default PK blusher shade which we expect from most Japanese makeup lines. The sparse pink-toned shimmery particles visible in the pan is not visible when worn.

– Boots No. 7 Cheek Colour in 25 Petal (right)

It is slightly warmer than the other two and has a very soft peach undertone. It is among my favorite blushers from non-Japanese brands. This shade is particularly good for spring and summer when most of us pick up a little bit of warmth on our complexions.

Items for Lips

– SUQQU Blend Lipstick in 16 Mizuka (upper left)

Go for this shade if you like a warm milky nude-pink for the lips. I usually dislike nude shades for the lips (I don’t think they are flattering), but this shade has enough pink in it so that it looks gentle and natural.

– Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310 (right)

Go for this shade if you want more color for the lips. It is a warm-toned rose and is more pigmented than the SUQQU lipstick featured here. It can be layered for more vibrancy.

– Makemania Curvy Lip Silicone in 501 (bottom left)

The ultimate clear lip gloss. It has a very good lip-magnifying effect. (It does not achieve the effect with skin-irritating ingredients that dilate the blood vessels.) I also like the spatula applicator.

– Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss in Popsicle (bottom)

This is one of Bobbi Brown’s new items for spring 2010. It is a gentle warm pink that should be flattering for most people. It is softly pigmented but the color does show up on the lips. It has a long-lasting glossy finish with a touch of shimmer.

The final part features my recommendations on base makeup.

(Items from Bobbi Brown, RMK, and SUQQU featured in this post are provided by their respective companies.)

Natural Makeup Recommendations (1 of 3): Eyes

by PJ on Sunday, March 14, 2010

in -Clinique, -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyebrow, makeup - eyeshadow, makeup - mascara

Late last year, one of my readers suggested that I recommend items for a complete makeup look. I thought that I would recommend items that create a natural look that is suitable for daily wear. Today, I will focus on eye makeup items.

– Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Purple Variation (right)

Released in December 2007, it is still one of my favorite eye palettes. The dusky pink and the light lilac are a winning combination. The violet lining shade is one of the most beautiful lining shades I have come across.

– Coffret D’Or Trance Deep Eyes in Rose Variation (left)

Try this one if you want a palette that is similar to 3D Lighting Eyes in Purple Variation but with more warmth. (Do note that this palette is more shimmery.)

– Magie Deco Shadow Brilliance II in Foxy Lady (top)

This is my recent favorite. It includes soft warm neutrals that create a natural depth for the eyes.

– Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara in Jet Black

It is one of the most natural-looking mascaras that I have come across. It creates subtle length and volume for the lashes, and it has never clumped on my lashes.

– SUQQU Eyebrow Brush L

I think this is one of SUQQU’s finest creations. Use this brush with any eyebrow powder that suits you. I like the fact that the brush is able to enhance the structure of the eyebrows without leaving any hard edges.

More recommendations for cheeks & lips as well as the complexion!

(The SUQQU Eyebrow Brush L featured in this post is provided by SUQQU.)

SUQQU Spring 2010 Website Update

by PJ on Saturday, January 23, 2010

in -SUQQU, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

SUQQU’s Japanese website has been updated with information on the brand’s spring 2010 collection. (See details of the collection here.)

I have always loved SUQQU’s seasonal ad images. For spring 2010, the elegant neutral shades that the model is wearing contrast the colorful watercolor hues, which echo the new Noble Nuance Face Color (top left in the image below). I am eager to see this multi-colored pressed powder in person.

The collection will be launched in Japan on February 5th, and all the items in this collection are limited editions. According to the SUQQU website, the pre-ordering will start on January 29th.

SUQQU Spring 2010 Collection

by PJ on Monday, January 11, 2010

in -SUQQU, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

SUQQU will release its spring 2010 collection in Japan on February 5th. The collection features the new Noble Nuance range, in addition to the Blend range (with Blend Eyeshadows, Blend Cheeks, and Blend Lipsticks). The new items include:

– Noble Nuance Eyeshadow (above, 3 variations)

– Noble Nuance Cheeks (3 variations)

– Noble Nuance Lipstick (5 shades)

– Noble Nuance Face Color

On March 5th, more base makeup items will be released:

– Pore Covering Base Clear (1 shade)

– 2010 Base Makeup Kit

The 2010 Base Makeup Kit includes:

– Liquid Foundation Aqua (24ml, full-sized)
– Makeup Base Creamy (7g)
– Loose Powder Natural (5.5g)
– Loose Powder Deep (5.5g)
– original pouch

Except the pouch, the contents of the kit appear to be the same as those in the 2009 version of the Base Makeup Kit. (You can see my review of Makeup Base Creamy here and my review of Loose Powder Natural here.)

One of the items in this collection I am very interested in is Noble Nuance Face Color. According to the photo and the text in the February 2010 issue of Biteki, the mosaic pressed powder has shades of beige, lilac, pink, yellow, and coral. I am looking forward to seeing it in person.

(All the items are limited editions, except Pore Covering Base Clear.)

Japanese Beauty Brand Profile – SUQQU

SUQQU Blend Eyeshadow in 10 and Blend Lipsticks in 16 & 18

SUQQU Clear Veil Powder

{ 2 comments }

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →