Aromaleigh is one of the many well-known mineral makeup lines. It carries a vast number of shades with various finishes. Today I am featuring some of the line’s eyeshadows.

The shades in the Opulent Lustre range layer well and can look very intense. The powder has a very good adherence to the skin and the lasting power is outstanding. But the drawback is that it is not very easy to blend. (These descriptions apply to the shades in the Valentine 2009 and the Eye Lustre ranges featured further below.)

Tamarind, Camellia, and Jasmine are soft pale shades that look slightly different in the packets. Tamarind looks the coolest and Jasmine looks the warmest. But, when worn, they look virtually the same. They show up as a silvery cool pink with a richly metallic finish that is very light-reflective. These shades are much more suitable for evening makeup since the metallic finish is very dramatic.



Color-wise, Sweet Nothings, from the Valentine 2009 collection (which is still available), looks virtually the same (when worn) as the three shades above. The main difference is that the finish (which is even more light-reflective) looks less flat and more dimensional due to the more varied sizes and colors of shimmery particles. (Based on how it looks in the packet, color-wise, it is between Tamarind and Camellia.)

The Les Papillions range features bright colors with the same staying power. Dormant Dream is a vivid orchid purple and Morphing Moon is a green-toned turquoise. They are less metallic than the shades from the Opulent Lustre range, and I find them to be a lot more blendable. Between the two, Morphing Moon is more shimmery and metallic than Dormant Dream.


Circé from the Eye Lustre range and Chocolate Heart from the Valentine 2009 range are medium-to-dark brown-toned shades that are suitable as shadowing/contouring shades as well as lining shades. Circé is more bronze-toned and Chocolate Heart is more red-toned. Both are quite easy to wear but I personally find Chocolate Heart to be slightly more wearable.


Overall, these are relatively solid products with a great staying power (in terms of both color and the shimmery/metallic finish). The darker and the more vibrant colors show up on the eyes as they look in the packets. On the other hand, it would be great if the lighter colors could show their differences when worn as well and if the metallic shades were more blendable.

(The products featured in this review are provided by Aromaleigh.)

Other posts on mineral makeup:

Lily Lolo

Alima

Afterglow

{ 0 comments }

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.)

Related posts (other wearable items):

For Cheeks:

Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact in 01 Baby Blush

Albion Eprise Water Face Color in 100

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in 04 Mauve

For Lips:

SUQQU Creamy Lipstick in 22 Benikoji

Lavshuca Jewelry Lips in PK-1 & RS-1

YSL Golden Gloss in 03 Golden Pink

Blue-Tinted Lip Glosses

{ 0 comments }

(image from Jergens)

About this time last year, Jergens was launched in the UK and I reviewed Extra Softening Body Moisturiser. Since then, the line seems to have been enjoying a good presence in the UK and it has been bringing out more items. Today I am highlighting Total Nourishment Body Moisturiser, which was launched in the UK last month.

The product has a soft creamy texture and spreads well. It feels more emollient than Extra Softening Body Moisturiser, but it still feels relatively lightweight on the skin. It is easily absorbed and the moisture is long-lasting. What I like the most about this moisturiser is that it leaves a velvety, cushiony, and almost powdery finish on the skin. There is no greasy residue.

Some of the main moisturizing ingredients in this product are glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, glycine soja oil, stearic acid, helianthus annuus seed oil (sunflower seed oil), simmondsia chinensis seed oil (jojoba seed oil), and hydrogenated cottonseed oil.

The product does not contain alcohol, mineral oil, or parabens. The only silicone ingredient in this product, cyclopentasiloxane, is far down in the ingredient list.

The product has a fruity scent that is not too sweet. For me, the scent is not subtle but it is not too overpowering either.

Overall this is a well-formulated body moisturizer that moisturizes well and leaves a very pleasant finish on the skin. It should be suitable for a variety of skin types, including drier skin types.

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


Other Bodycare Reviews:

Nivea My Silhouette! Gel-Cream

Dove Body Lotions & Body Cream Oil

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Mineral Renewal Body Lotion

{ 0 comments }

(image from Elizabeth Arden)

Produced by Allergan, Prevage is a premium line of anti-aging skincare products sold via Elizabeth Arden. Today I will be featuring one of the latest additions to the line, Prevage Face Advanced Anti-Aging Serum.

According to Allergan and Elizabeth Arden, the star ingredient of the serum (and of the whole Prevage line) is the antioxidant Idebenone (listed as hydroxydecyl ubiquinoyl dipalmitoyl glycerate in the ingredient list). Also, according to Elizabeth Arden, it is superior to some other antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10 and is the most effective antioxidant.

On the other hand, according to Paula Begoun’s review of Prevage Day Ultra Protection Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 30, idebenone is a good antioxidant but it is not the best or the most potent. (Also, see the entry on idebenone in Paula Begoun’s Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary.)

Prevage Face Advanced Anti-Aging Serum has a lightweight lotion consistency. (It does not have the kind of consistency that many skincare serums have.) It is very spreadable and it feels quite hydrating on the skin. Some of the moisturizing ingredients in this product are butylene glycol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, caprylyl glycol, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, propylene glycol, sodium PCA, trehalose, urea, and phospholipids.

Apart from Idebenone, this product also contains antioxidants such as ergothioneine and dimethylmethoxy chromanol.

The product is alcohol-free.

Overall, this is a decently formulated product with skin-benefiting ingredients. (It is up to individual consumers to decide whether it is worth 155 USD (its retail price in the US).) If you have combination or oily skin, it can be used as a lightweight moisturizer (instead of a serum). If you have normal, dry, or very dry skin, then it can be used as a serum (underneath a moisturizer).

(In the US, Prevage Face Advanced Anti-Aging Serum has replaced Prevage Anti-Aging Treatment. It will be released in the UK in April.)

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

Related posts:

Elizabeth Arden Intervene Radiance Serum & Night Cream

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Gentle Line Smoothing Exfoliator

Can’t Live Without: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

{ 0 comments }

More Summer 2010 Makeup Releases from YSL

by PJ on Thursday, March 25, 2010

in -YSL, 2010 Summer, makeup

(images from www.joseishi.net/voce,
info from www.joseishi.net/voce &
www.cosme.net)

Here are some more summer 2010 makeup releases from YSL. Notice that some items are exclusive to Asia.

The new items are:

– Ombres 5 Lumières (above, one new variation, limited edition, Asia-exclusive)

– Rouge Pure Shine (one new shade, limited edition)

– Golden Gloss (three new shades, two of which limited editions)

(Cosme.Net lists the two limited-edition Golden Gloss shades as Asia-exclusives.)

Related posts:

YSL Summer 2010 Makeup Releases

YSL Golden Gloss in 03 Golden Pink

My Personal Take on YSL

{ 4 comments }

Bodycare Review: Palmer’s Body Butters

by PJ on Saturday, March 20, 2010

in -Palmer's, bodycare

To me, Palmer’s seems to be a relatively low-key brand with a solid following. The Cocoa Butter Formula range is among the brand’s most extensive ranges, and it includes the Cocoa Body Lotion, which is probably one of the brand’s best-selling items. (I will be reviewing it later on.) Today I am highlighting Palmer’s Coconut Body Butter and Cocoa Body Butter.




Both body butters are very emollient and are suitable for areas that require extra moisture. The Coconut Body Butter has a slightly thicker consistency, but both are more or less equally moisturizing. What I particularly like about these two body butters is that they sink into the skin quite easily and that they leave very little greasy residue. The skin feels soft, nourished, and velvety, and it looks semi-matte (with little oily sheen).

The Coconut Body Butter contains moisturizing agents such as urea, isopropyl palmitate, shea butter, propylene glycol, glycerin, coconut oil, cocoa seed butter, mineral oil, mango seed butter, and sweet almond oil. The Cocoa Body Butter contains moisturizing agents such as urea, propylene glycol, isopropyl palmitate, cocoa seed butter, and mineral oil.

The Coconut Body Butter has a fresh coconut milk scent while the cocoa scent in the Cocoa Body Butter is warm with a touch of smokiness that I find surprisingly appealing.

Overall, these two body butters are a pleasure to use. While I like both, I marginally prefer the Cocoa Body Butter. It is slightly easier to spread and I really like the warmth in the scent of the product.

Palmer’s Body Butters are also available in Shea Body Butter and Olive Body Butter.

(The products featured in this review are provided by Palmer’s.)

Related posts:

Korres Japanese Rose Body Butter

Dove Body Butters

Neutrogena Deep Moisture

{ 4 comments }

YSL Summer 2010 Releases

by PJ on Friday, March 19, 2010

in -YSL, 2010 Summer, makeup

(images/info from www.cosme.net)

YSL will renew the eyeshadow single range by releasing Ombre Solo N, which will be available in 10 shades.

Also, YSL will release several limited-edition summer 2010 items in Japan on April 16th. They will be exclusively available in Isetan Shinjuku in Tokyo and Hankyu Umeda Flagship Store in Osaka. The items are:

– Terre Saharienne


– Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow (2 new shades)

– Mascara Aquarésistant (in #7 Blue Lagoon, re-release)

– La Laque (2 new shades)


Updated on March 25th 2010: See more items here.

Related posts on YSL:

Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils

{ 4 comments }

(images/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Lunasol will release its summer 2010 makeup collection in Japan on May 14th. The collection continues the theme of Scenic Purification, and the new items include:

– Nature Color Eyes (2 new variations)
– Shining Water Eyes (2 new shades)
– Full Glamour Lips G (2 new shades)
– Full Glamour Gloss N (2 new shades)
– Nail Finish (3 new shades)
– Modeling Face Color (1 shade)
– Control Makeup Base (SPF 25, PA++, with gold-toned pearly shimmer)

(Modeling Face Color)


All the items in this collection are limited editions.

{ 6 comments }

(images/info from www.cosme.net)

Sofina‘s Aube Couture will release its summer 2010 makeup collection in Japan on April 13th. The collection includes:

– Designing Premium Rouge (above, 4 new shades)

– Designing Mascara (1 shade)

Related posts:

Aube Couture Spring 2010 Collection

User-Friendly Makeup: Aube Couture

From My Treasure Chest (2) : Aube Rouge Dressious

{ 0 comments }

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

Addiction will release its summer 2010 makeup collection in Japan on April 23rd. The collection features:

– Limited Compact Le Mépris* (above, with two eyeshadows and a blusher)

– Eyeshadow (1 new shade)

– Eyeliner Pencil (1 new shade)

– Lipstick (1 new shade)

– Lip Gloss (1 new shade)

– Blush (1 new shade)

All the items in this collection are limited editions.

(*I am guessing that the name Le Mépris is based on the 1963 French film Le Mépris (Contempt), starring Brigitte Bardot. Have a look at the movie poster, which might possibly be part of the inspiration of the palette.)

Related posts on Addiction:

New Japanese Beauty Brand: Addiction

Spring 2010 Collection

Product Swatch Galore

{ 0 comments }