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

Ayura will release a limited-edition 15th Anniversary Memories Coffret in Japan on March 5th. (The pre-ordering started on February 5th.) The coffret includes:

– Meditation Bath α (700ml, limited-edition size)
– Aromatic Body Powder
– Meditation Oil
– Meditation Body Serum (50ml, limited-edition size)
– Ayura Orgel

Meditation Bath α and Meditation Body Serum are available as regular items, whereas the other items are only available in this coffret. The orgel plays Debussy’s Clair de Lune. (You can listen to the actual rendition from the Ayura Orgel on Ayura’s website.)

I adore Ayura’s hair and body products. Meditation Oil was available in one of the sets some years ago. It is a very lightweight body oil that absorbs well and is beautifully scented. I occasionally add a couple of drops of the oil in the hand cream I use to make the cream even more nourishing.

Meanwhile, Meditation Bath α has been Ayura’s best-selling product, and it is by far the best bath product I have ever used. The clear bath essence turns into a milky lotion in the bath and has one of the most gorgeous scents I have ever come across. The mildly minty scent with a hint of oriental herbs is fresh, uplifting, and calming all at the same time.

Related posts:

Loving Japanese Cosmetics (1 of 7): Ayura

Ayura Spring 2010 Collection

My Beauty Weakness: Cute Cuticle Oils

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Alexander McQueen, 1969 – 2010

by PJ on Saturday, February 13, 2010

in -MAC, fashion, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

(Alexander for MAC Eye Shadow in Haunting,
released in fall 2007)

British fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen CBE passed away on February 11th, at the age of 40.

He was awarded British Designer of the Year four times (1996, 1997, 2001, 2003) and was known for his rebellious ideas and dramatic designs. His talent and contribution to fashion will be long missed.

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Bodycare Review: Korres Japanese Rose

by PJ on Friday, February 12, 2010

in bodycare

(images from Korres)

Last December, I reviewed the Materia Herba skincare range from Korres. Today, I am focusing on two of the three products from the brand’s new Japanese Rose bodycare range.

Japanese Rose Showergel has a liquidy (but not watery) consistency and is very easy to dispense. It foams very well with a relatively small amount and the lather is pleasantly dense. It doesn’t dry out the skin and it leaves the skin gently conditioned.

The scent of the product is not a typical rose scent. There is a hint of rose, but I actually find the scent to be gently warm and milky. It should be an enjoyable scent for both summer and winter.

The product does not contain silicones or parabens. It contains a small amount of benzyl alcohol but I don’t find the product to be irritating.



Japanese Rose Body Butter is lighter than most of the other body butters I have come across. It is essentially a dense body lotion with a creamy texture. It comes with a pump dispenser.

Some of the main moisturizing ingredients in this product are cetearyl alcohol, sweet almond oil, glycerin, coco caprylate/caprate, dicaprylyl carbonate, sunflower seed oil, squalane, shea butter, and avocado oil.

The product leaves a delicate sheen on the skin but it doesn’t feel sticky. It hydrates the skin well and the moisture is long-lasting. (It has the same fragrance as that of the Showergel.)

The product does not contain silicones or parabens. It contains alcohol and benzyl alcohol (which are not major ingredients) but it does not cause irritation on my skin.

The Japanese Rose range also includes Body Milk.

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

Related posts:

Imperial Leather Skin Bliss Shower Lotion

Neutrogena Deep Moisture Range

Dove Body Butters

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STYLEnosh
Can you really trust that online review?

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher reviews Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser.

Splendicity Accessories
Do you like to shop with a conscience? Then you’re definitely going to want to check out these gorgeous silk scarves from Mekong Blue – a Cambodian group of silk weavers.

image: Stock.xchg

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(image from www.elemis.com)

Launched this year, Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser is one of the latest products from Elemis.

The cleanser has a very creamy texture and is applied onto dry skin. It is then left for one minute and removed with the cotton mitt (which comes with the cleanser) and warm water. (The cotton mitt also gently exfoliates the skin while removing the cleanser.)

(The Elemis website mentions that warm water can be mixed with the product before application. I think this way of applying the product may suit those who think it is too densely creamy.)

The product contains quite a few ingredients that are in many typical moisturizers, such as caprylic/capric triglyceride, shea butter, cetearyl alcohol, and beeswax. It is mainly these emollients that help dissolve makeup.

The cleanser removes light makeup effectively. However, it is not able to remove waterproof mascara. (I tested it on Maybelline’s Volum’ Express Waterproof, and it was not able to remove it.)

After removing the cleanser with the cotton mitt and warm water, I find that there is an emollient film on the skin, which would not fare well with my oily skin. (I use a face wash to wash off the residue.)

Because of the occlusive emollients that this cleanser contains, I would suggest this cleanser to those with dry or very dry skin. Also, because of the exfoliating action of the cotton mitt, I would suggest this cleanser to those whose skin is not particularly sensitive and can cope with gentle daily exfoliation. (The cleanser itself is relatively gentle. It is the exfoliating action of the cotton mitt that may not appeal to those with sensitive skin.)

(During the launch period, Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser and the cotton mitt come with a 15ml Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (reviewed earlier here).)

(The product featured in this review is provided by Elemis.)

Posts (on other facial-cleansing products):

Can’t Live Without: RMK Cleansing Oil

My Current Staple: Simple Moisturising Foaming Facial Wash

L’Oréal De-maq Expert Velvet Creme Wash Expert Make-up Remover

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(image/info from www.cosme.net)

Sofina Primavista will release Long Keep Base (SPF 10, PA+) in Japan on February 22nd as the line’s spring/summer 2010 base makeup item. Like many of the foundation bases released by Japanese makeup lines, it is claimed to be resistant to sebum and perspiration.

Related posts on Primavista:

Fall/Winter 2009 Base Makeup Collection

Spring/Summer 2009 Base Makeup Collection

Powder Foundation Moist Touch

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(image/info from www.urcosme.com)

RMK will release Gel Emulsion Compact (7 shades, SPF 27, PA++) as the spring/summer 2010 base makeup item.

It is a gel-cream foundation that is claimed to have a light-weight consistency as well as a good coverage. It is also supposed to be both moisturizing and long-lasting.

Related posts on RMK:

Powder Foundation EX

Ingenious Powder Eyes

Spring 2010 Point Makeup Collection

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(images/info from www.cosme.net)

Paul & Joe will release its spring/summer 2010 base makeup items in Japan on March 1st. The new items include:

– Protective Powder Compact Foundation (above, 6 shades, SPF 22, PA++)

– Protective Foundation Primer UV (1 new shade (02 Honey), SPF 40, PA++)

Related posts on Paul & Joe:

Spring 2010 Point Makeup Collection

Holiday 2009 Collection

Loving Japanese Cosmetics (3 of 7): Paul & Joe

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Beauty Match
Drew Barrymoore make-up 2010 SAG Awards.

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher decided to get MAC’s Odd Couple.

Splendicity Accessories
The fashion community has banded together to help raise funds for Haiti. Here are a few different sites that are donating proceeds from their sales to help.

image: Stock.xchg

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

I have got Coffret D’Or’s Jewelicious Eyes in 05 Purple Amethyst (from spring 2010) and Color Mixing Eyes in 01 Orange Brown Mix (from summer 2009).

I will review the Jewelicious Eyes palette first later on since it is this season’s item.

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