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.
– Shiseido Co., Ltd. will acquire Bare Escentuals, Inc. through a US subsidiary (Blush Acquisition Corporation). You can read more about the acquisition at Yahoo! Finance. (information from Nikkei Net and Yahoo! Finance)
Last week I featured two body moisturizers from Neutrogena that would be suitable for winter. Today I will be looking into two facial moisturizers from Pond’s.
Pond’s Hydro-Nourishing Cream has a light-cream consistency. The consistency of the cream is probably predominantly shaped by propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate (second on the ingredient list), which, according to Paula Begoun, is an emollient with a gel texture and is used in many lightweight moisturizers.
Some of the other moisturizing ingredients in this product are
The product also includes tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C), and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), all of which are anti-oxidants.
This product does not contain alcohol. Those who are sensitive to fragrance might want to know that It contains parfum and quite a few other scenting agents. (I do find that the scent of this product is slightly on the strong side.)
Compared with Hydro-Nourishing Cream, Dry Skin Cream is more emollient. One thing I have noticed is that when it is applied on damp/moist skin (after cleansing), it appears to almost float over the skin. Then it seems to switch positions with the water, as it sticks to the skin, leaving a layer of watery moistness on top of it. I am suspecting that this is due to the hydrophobic nature of the ingredients that this product contains, such as paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum, and paraffin/synthetic wax.
Some of the other moisturizing ingredients in this product are isopropyl palmitate, glycerin, stearic acid, persea gratissima oil (avocado oil, with anti-oxidant properties), glyceryl stearate, cetyl alcohol, and lecithin. The product also includes anti-oxidants (tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) and tocopherol (vitamin E)).
Like Hydro-Nourishing Cream, it does not contain alcohol and it contains parfum and many other scenting agents. (I personally find that the fragrance in this product is more pleasant.)
Overall, both moisturizers are decent products with skin-benefiting ingredients, although some might not enjoy the occlusive feel of Dry Skin Cream. I think Hydro-Nourishing Cream will suit those with slightly dry skin and that Dry Skin Cream will suit those with dry skin.
(I am not opposed to mineral oil or petrolatum in skincare products. Mineral oil is unlikely to cause skin irritation, and petrolatum has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. But those with oily skin should avoid these occlusive emollients in skincare products, especially when they are towards the top of the ingredient lists.)
(The products featured in this article are provided by Pond’s.)
According to the BBC, the UK has been seeing its worst cold spell in the last 20 years. The cold weather, the drying heating, and the sudden changes between indoor/outdoor temperatures can be quite testing for the skin, which can be easily neglected while we are concerned about other parts of our lives affected by the weather. Today I am highlighting two body moisturizers that could be helpful for the skin during this time of year.
Neutrogena Deep Moisture Body Lotion Sensitive has a rich lotion consistency. It doesn’t spread as easily as some of the other body lotions that I have tried, but it is absorbed pleasantly easily. The skin feels silky and the moisture is long-lasting. It doesn’t leave the skin sticky or slippery.
Some of the main moisturizing ingredients are glycerin, isononyl isononanoate, cetearyl alcohol, paraffinum liquidum, cetyl alcohol, anhydroxylitol, xylitylglucoside, xylitol, and glyceryl stearate.
This product is fragrance free.
Deep Moisture Comfort Balm sounds like a very thick and butter-like body moisturizer for very dry areas only, but it is actually lightweight enough to be used all over the body. (It is denser than Dove’s Body Silk and lighter than the two Dove body butters I reviewed last November.) As a cream (as opposed to a lotion), it spreads relatively easily and it is absorbed very quickly (almost surprisingly so). The finish is similar to that from Deep Moisture Body Lotion Sensitive. It is non-sticky and leaves the skin silky and nourished.
Some of the main moisturizing ingredients are glycerin, cetyl alcohol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, glyceryl stearate, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), and stearyl alcohol.
The product contains fragrance. (It is the last ingredient on the list.) The scent is quite subtle and comforting.
Overall, both products would be competent enough to be used for winter and they should be suitable for most of the year if you have very dry skin.
Take care, and keep warm!
(The products featured in this article are provided by Neutrogena.)
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.)
It has been a while since I last added an article to the “Japanese Brand Profile” series, and today I am going to talk about Ettusais.
Ettusais was launched in 1991 and I believe it is still owned by Shiseido. The name of the brand comes from “Et tu sais?” (“And you know?”) in French. The brand includes skincare, bodycare, base makeup, and point makeup products. The Ettusais Homme sector features an extensive range of male grooming products.
One area that Ettusais focuses on is the skincare regime for those with acne-prone skin. Quite a few years ago, I purchased a trial set of basic skincare products for acne-prone skin. The set included a gel makeup remover, a face soap, a toner, and a moisturizer, and I later on purchased full-sized products of the makeup remover and the face soap.
(I don’t think I would be able to use the face soap now, since my skin is less acne-prone than how it used to be and I live in a generally cooler and drier climate. Most face soaps would be far too drying for me now.)
Ettusais’ current makeup remover designed for acne-prone skin is Medicated Acne Gentle Make Off, which is a cleansing oil. I have been using RMK’s Cleansing Oil for many years, and I am quite interested in seeing how well this one works.
(Medicated Acne Gentle Make Off)
Many of Ettusais’ base makeup products are also designed for those with acne-prone skin. Some of the products are claimed to be able to neutralize redness and to make the skin look smoother and more polished.
One item that I have tried is a yellow-toned concealer which is able to neutralize redness. It is applied on redness-prone areas such as the nose and the cheeks. The texture is a little bit too much on the thick side for me, but the coverage is natural and long-lasting. The current version is called Flat Design Color Changer (SPF 12, PA++).
(Flat Design Color Changer)
Ettusais’ point makeup range includes basic as well as vibrant colors. The packaging is simple and youthful. You can see Ettusais’ spring 2010 collection here.
(Ettusais Eye Colors)
Over the years, Ettusais seems to be doing steadily well. I like the fact that the brand didn’t reach success through glamorous ad campaigns or fancy packaging. Apart from the brand’s clear identity (skincare/makeup items for acne-prone skin), the reasonable pricing may be one of the reasons for the brand’s popularity. (Melty Touch Rouge, new for spring 2010, is priced at 1890 JPY (12.7 GBP/ 20.4 USD).)
(one of Ettusais’ retail points in Hong Kong)
According to Ettusais’ official website, apart from Japan, Ettusais is available in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Ettusais’ Japanese official website offers on-line ordering but it is only available to customers in Japan.
Other posts in the “Japanese Brand Profile” series:
In one of my earliest blog posts, I talked about my three favorite fragrances. Stella by Stella McCartney is among them, and it is still one of my favorite scents. Late last year, Stella McCartney released StellaNude, which joins the Stella family. It is also a continuation of the Stella McCartney Lingerie Collection.
(StellaNude UK TV ad, via YouTube)
Top notes: Moroccan rose, grapefruit Middle notes: white peony, pink pepper Base notes: Ugandan vanilla, grey amber
For me, the easiest way to talk about StellaNude is to compare it with Stella. While both are sensuous scents which feature the beautiful rose note, one element that really differs StellaNude from Stella is the pink pepper. It makes StellaNude sharper, spicier, and more bouncy. (Interestingly, this is not the way I expected StellaNude to be when I was looking at how the scent was visually marketed.) On the other hand, Stella is relatively more sedate, rounded and grounded.
StellaNude has a strong opening and a subtle drydown, and the punchy pepper note gives StellaNude a youthful and playful edge. Stella is softer and carries a feminine elegance, and its intensity is released more steadily.
Stella is an eau de parfum and StellaNude is an eau de toilette, and I do think that Stella lasts longer.
(image from www.stellamccartney.com)
The bottle has the same shape as that of Stella but it features facets in pale blush pink (instead of deep plum).
Overall, I prefer Stella. But what I like about StellaNude is that, while it is certainly instantly recognizable as part of the Stella family, it is different enough from all the other members to warrant its own identity. I think it is another successful modern interpretation of a rose fragrance. Compared with Stella, it will probably appeal to slightly younger consumers.
StellaNude is currently available in Eau de Toilette (30ml, 50ml, and 100ml) and Linen Scented Mist (125ml).
(The product featured in this article is provided by Stella McCartney.)
(images from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)
