A Touch of Blusher — Makeup, Skincare, Fragrance and a Bit of Fashion

Dior Addicted to Dior for Summer 2010

by PJ on Saturday, May 22, 2010

in -Dior, 2010 Summer, makeup, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss, stash focus

Addicted to Dior Jeweled Lip Gloss Duo is the limited-edition star item of Dior’s summer 2010 makeup collection. I first saw it in Harrods and then in my local John Lewis, and I got it with my Boots points after the collection was finally launched in Boots. (Its retail price in the UK is 42 pounds.)

The front of the palette is engraved with the Dior logo and the address of the House of Dior (30, Avenue Montaigne Paris). There are decorative jewels on the Dior logo and on the four corners. The palette comes with a drawstring velvet pouch.

The palette contains two lip glosses. Two variations are available, and I went for 002 Addicted to Pink, which includes a medium bronze with soft shimmer and a vibrant pink with no shimmer. Both shades go on quite sheer. (001 Addicted to Coral includes a warm gold and a coral.)

(I tested the colors at the counter. I am pretty sure I will keep my palette in an unused condition.)

Even though I decided to get it as soon as I saw the image of it on-line, I don’t think it is among my favorite limited-edition star items from Dior that I have. It is not as glamorous as Lady Dior or Cristal Boréal and it is not as princessy as Dior Princess Ring.

I mentioned earlier that I thought it was slightly on the small side when I saw it in person for the first time. I was mainly comparing it with Dior Sparkling (in the photo above), which is the limited-edition star item from Dior’s holiday 2003 makeup collection. (I can’t quite believe that it is from nearly seven years ago.) Even with the delicate engravings, I think I prefer Dior Sparking. I like the fact that it is bigger and chunkier, and I like the beautifully glimmering pink decorative jewels on the Dior logo.

Having said that, I still think Addicted to Dior is certainly worth collecting. Dior’s limited-edition items that double as accessories almost always get extra points from me, and I do prefer Addicted to Dior to items like Poudrier Dentelle from Dior’s spring 2010 makeup collection. I am probably going to display it alongside some of my other limited-edition items from Dior on my dressing table.

(See images of 001 Addicted to Coral on My Women Stuff.)

Makeup Review: Max Factor Vibrant Curve Effect Lip Gloss

by PJ on Saturday, May 22, 2010

in -Max Factor, 2010 Spring, makeup, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss

Max Factor‘s latest lip gloss range, Vibrant Curve Effect, is co-designed by the brand’s Global Creative Design Director, Pat McGrath. The range promises to deliver vibrant colors, high shine, and fuller lips. Today I am featuring the shade in 11 Fashion Leader.

One of the features of the range is the slanted ridged ShineSculpt applicator, which is designed to pick up more gloss and to hug the lips better.

In the tube, the shade looks like a soft peach with mild shimmer. On the lips, it is a very sheer peach with soft shimmer. It has a subtle watermelon scent.

Even though the range is claimed to create high shine, I find it very difficult to create substantial shine or gloss with it. With a couple of layers, the product imparts a subtle and natural moist sheen on the lips. I had to layer the gloss for five or six times to get a soft gloss. The application picks up a decent amount of product, but it is not as effective as a brush or a spatula applicator.

In comparison, Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipglosses which I recently reviewed are able to create a very glossy finish with two layers. They are also more pigmented and the colors are much more vibrant.

If you are looking for a lip gloss that has an ultra-natural finish, then Vibrant Curve Effect is worth a look. Also, if you like non-sticky lip glosses that don’t feel heavy on the lips, this range will probably appeal to you too.

However, if you want substantial shine and gloss, you are likely to be disappointed with the range and I would recommend looking into lip glosses from Dior, YSL (Golden Gloss), Lunasol (Full Glamour Gloss, one of my favorite lip gloss ranges), Paul & Joe, Makemania (Curvy Lip Silicone), Revlon, and Bobbi Brown (Brightening Lip Gloss).

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

NARS Lip Glosses in Supervixen & Sunset Strip

Barry M Lip Gloss Wands

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

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Fragrance Friday Review: SJP NYC

by PJ on Friday, May 21, 2010

in fragrance

(image from Coty Prestige)

Sarah Jessica Parker is among the many celebrities that are part of the celebrity fragrance empire. Following the success of Lovely, she brought out Covet and The Lovely Collection. This year, SJP NYC has been launched to coincide with the release of Sex and the City 2.

Top notes: wild red strawberries, Italian mandarin, white osmanthus
Middle notes: gardenia, honeysuckle, red rose damascenia, mimosa
Base notes: rum flavor, sandalwood, creamy musks

The scent is classified as a fruity floral. It opens with a sweet and citrusy sensation with strawberries and mandarin. The sweetness carries through and joins the middle notes as it subtly takes on a floral dimension. The base notes are light and not too woody or musky. On me, the sweetness of the strawberry note lasts all the way to the drydown.

The scent somewhat reminds me of Escada’s Moon Sparkle. They share a few notes (strawberries, citrus accord, sandalwood, and musk), and I think it is the sweetness of the strawberries that is mainly responsible for the resemblance.

Overall, SJP NYC is a fresh and sassy scent that is very suitable for summer. It is more fruity than floral and it has a vibrant and tropical feel. Compared with Parker’s other fragrances, I think it will probably be popular with slightly younger consumers.

SJP NYC Eau de Toilette is available in 15ml, 30ml, and 60ml (with slightly varied bottle designs). The range also includes a 200ml Body Lotion.

(The product featured in this article is provided by Coty Prestige via The Perfume Shop.)

Marc Jacobs Daisy in the Air

Sheer Stella 2010

Michael Kors Very Hollywood

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Jill Stuart Night Jewel Solid Perfume

by PJ on Wednesday, May 19, 2010

in -Jill Stuart, 2010 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics

(image/info from www.cosme.net)

Jill Stuart will release Night Jewel Solid Perfume (1.4g) in Japan on July 2nd. This limited-edition item is an extension of Night Jewel Eau de Toilette, which was launched in Japan in December 2009.

(Jill Stuart Night Jewel Eau de Toilette)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

Chicca Fall 2010 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, May 19, 2010

in -Chicca, -Kanebo, 2010 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

Chicca will release its fall 2010 makeup collection in Japan on August 18th, and the theme of the collection is Modern Romance. The berry-red magenta shades look quite striking.

The collection includes:

– Enthralling Powder Eye Shadow (4 new variations)
– Enticing Lipstick (4 new shades)
– Enticing Lip Gloss (2 new shades)
– Enticing Lip Pencil (2 new shades)
– Flush Blush (1 new shade)

Skincare Review: Avène Extremely Rich Compensating Cream

by PJ on Tuesday, May 18, 2010

in skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others

(image from Avène)

Back in 2007, I reviewed Avène‘s Thermal Water, which I enjoyed using. Today I am highlighting one of Avène’s latest products, Extremely Rich Compensating Cream.

Designed for sensitive skin that happens to be very dry, the cream has a thick creamy consistency. (It is among the thickest facial moisturizers that I have come across.) It spreads relatively easily and it is effective in keeping the skin nourished and hydrated.

Some of the moisturizing ingredients in this product are shea butter, cetearyl isononanote, glycerin, safflower seed oil, isododecane, arachidyl alcohol, and glyceryl stearate. (Shea butter is second on the ingredient list (after Avène Thermal Spring Water), which is probably part of the reason for the cream’s dense consistency.)

The product is free from alcohol and parabens, but it contains fragrance, which might irritate certain types of sensitive skin. (Aside from the fragrance, there doesn’t seem to be any obvious skin irritant.)

This is potentially a very good moisturizer for those with dry or very dry skin. On the other hand, it would be far too rich and emollient for those with combination or oily skin.

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

Chanel Ultra Correction Lift & Line Repair

Pond’s Dry Skin Cream & Hydro-Nourishing Cream

Crème de la Mer The Moisturizing Lotion

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Ayura Fall 2010 Collection

by PJ on Monday, May 17, 2010

in -Ayura, 2010 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, fragrance, fragrance - room fragrance, makeup

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

Ayura will release its fall 2010 makeup collection in Japan on July 23rd. The collection includes:

– Aura Feel Oriental Eyes (6 variations)
– Aura Feel Colored Black Mascara (4 shades)
– Aura Feel Gloss Pot (2 shades)

On the same day, Ayura will also release an incense burner with two types of incense.

All the items above are limited editions.

Fragrance Friday Review: L’Occitane Paeonia

by PJ on Friday, May 14, 2010

in -L'Occitane, fragrance

I don’t really have a favorite fragrance note, but the ones that tend to appeal to me are rose, lily, citrus notes, and berry notes. After trying L’Occitane‘s latest fragrance, Paeonia Eau de Toilette, I think I might be adding peony to the list.

Stella in Two Peony is one of the fragrances that I have tested that use peony as one of the predominant notes. Overall it is a rose-peony accord, and, on me, it is mainly a rosy scent with a hint of peony. With L’Occitane’s Paeonia, peony is the key note while rose takes on a supporting role.

Top notes: bergamot and grapefruit
Middle notes: peony and rose
Base notes: sandalwood and white musk

As with most other fragrances from L’Occitane, it is superbly wearable and not overly complicated. It is fresh, light (though perhaps not the longest-lasting), and very spring-like. Woody and musky notes are not my favorites, and the fact that, on me, the base notes happen to be very subtle does appeal to me.

The peony note has a blissful and uplifting quality, and it also has a warm roundness, fullness, and completeness to it, which doesn’t always exist in floral notes. The shape of the bottle, which is based on the fullness of the flower, seems to echo the feel of the note itself too.

The Paeonia Beauty Milk is one of the bodycare products in the range. It is a lightweight lotion that is lightly scented with the Paeonia fragrance. Some of the main moisturizing ingredients in this product are glycerin, grape seed oil, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil.

It spreads effortlessly and it leaves the skin adequately hydrated with no sticky residue. Both the scent and the texture of the product are suitable for spring and summer.

Other items in the Paeonia range includes Shower Cream, Intense Eau de Toilette Roll-on, and limited-edition makeup items.

(The products featured in this article are provided by L’Occitane.)

Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace
(with black currant and lily of the valley)

Sheer Stella 2008
(with peony)

Aways Alfred Sung
(with pink poeny)

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Spring 2010 Makeup Top 10 (Part 3)

by PJ on Friday, May 14, 2010

in -Coffret d'Or, -Cosme Decorte, -Kanebo, -Kosé, -Lunasol, -Magie Deco, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

(continued from Part 1 and Part 2)

3. Magie Deco

(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

Earlier this year, I finally got my first item from Magie Deco (Shadow Brilliance II in Foxy Lady). It didn’t disappoint me, and I will definitely look out for other things to try. For spring 2010, there are blue, green, and purple as well as more soft neutrals. I particularly like LC033 White Crystal Opal and DC031 Pink Opal. (White Crystal Opal looks a lot warmer in photos in Biteki than it does in the image above.)

2. Lunasol

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

I tend to be more excited about Lunasol’s palette series for spring than those for fall, and Nature Color Eyes from the spring 2010 collection is another beautifully colorful range from one of my favorite makeup lines in the last ten years. I like the warmth in 03 Nature Brown and the soft colors in 05 Nature Colorful. (If the liner shade in Nature Colorful were a deep purple, I would probably consider buying it.)

1. Coffret D’Or

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

Among Coffret D’Or’s purple eye palettes, 3D Lighting Eyes in 04 Purple Variation (from the spring 2008 collection) is my favorite and Jewelcious Eyes in 05 Purple Amethyst from the spring 2010 collection is my second favorite. The tone of the purple in Purple Amethyst suits me well and I like its moderate pigmentation level and pearly shimmer. I also like the case design of this palette series.

The Innocent Color Blush reminds us again that Coffret D’Or is the successor to T’Estimo, which released Pure Layer Blush, a loose-powder blusher, for spring and summer 2007. (The cases look nearly the same.)

As I mentioned before, Coffret D’Or overall appeals to me a lot more than T’Estimo. This collection is one of the many reasons why the line has kept me interested for the last few years.

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

Lunasol Summer 2010 Collection

Coffret D’Or Late Summer/ Early Fall Collection

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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.

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