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

Many of you who read my blog probably already know my view on moisturizers which carry anti-aging (or anti-wrinkle) claims. (You can see some of my related posts here.) In almost all cases, I review them simply as moisturizers just like any other moisturizer (because this is simply what they are). Today, I am reviewing two of the latest products from RoC.

Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correxion Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Serum (pictured above)

This is quite a heavily silicone-based serum that has a slightly thick consistency. On the ingredient list, after water, the next five ingredients are all silicones.

Some of the emollients it contains are stearyl heptanoate, strearyl caprylate, caprylyl glycol, squalane, and hyaluronic acid. It also contains retinol, which, according to Paula Begoun, is a cell-communicating agent (which is able to work at the cellular level) and an antioxidant. It is not easy to say whether there is enough retinol in this product to really bring significant benefits to the skin, but, at least, for the amount that this product does have, RoC tries to keep its efficacy by packaging the product in a opaque container with a pump dispenser. (Retinol can lose its efficacy when it is in contact with air or sunlight.)

The product is alcohol-free and paraben-free.

As with most other silicone-based serums, it leaves a silky finish on the skin. The silicones that it contains can temporarily make the skin look smoother and more even. Personally, I think it feels a little too filmy on the skin.

Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correxion Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Cream

This is a relatively light-weight nighttime moisturizer that has a lighter consistency than that of the serum reviewed above. Also, it contains less silicone, and the finish is less filmy.

Some of its moisturizing ingredients are glycerin, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, butylene glycol, and hyaluronic acid. Like the serum, this product contains retinol, and the description of the product above regarding retinol applies here. Again, the opaque tube with a pump dispenser is an ideal packaging in terms of the attempt to preserve the efficacy of retinol and other skin-benefiting ingredients.

I feel that the texture and emolliency of this product do suit my Type-4 skin (oily but dry underneath). It moisturizes my skin effectively and the skin feels smooth and supple (not filmy or greasy). I think one of the reasons for this ideal level of emolliency for my particular skin type is that the product doesn’t contain many occlusive moisturizing ingredients, such as mineral oil, shea butter and other plant oils (like jojoba oil, sesame oil, and avocado oil). Even though these non-fragrant occlusive emollients are generally good for the skin and are unlikely to cause skin irritation, skin that tends to get oily doesn’t really need too much of occlusive emolliency.

The product is alcohol-free.

Overall, these two products are well-formulated and well-packaged. The serum should particularly suit those with normal or normal-to-dry skin, while the night cream should suit those with normal, normal-to-dry or normal-to-oily skin.

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

RoC Hydra+ Bio Active Anti-Oxidant Moisturising Cream SPF 15

Amatokin Emulsion for the Face

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream & Oxygenating Night Cream

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Bodycare Review: EcoTools Body Lotion & Hand Cream

by PJ on Saturday, October 24, 2009

in bodycare

(images from
www.parispresents.com/EcoTools_s/36.htm)

Last year, I reviewed some of EcoTools’ makeup brushes and I was very impressed by their quality. Today I am reviewing two products from EcoTools‘ new Bath & Body Collection.

Sustainable Softness Body Lotion

The body lotion has a creamy consistency and a soft berry scent. Some of its main moisturizing ingredients are sunflower seed oil, glycerin, shea butter, mango seed butter, cocoa seed butter, jojoba seed oil, and aloe leaf juice. The product does not contain mineral oil, silicones, or parabens.

What I like about this body moisturizer is that it is very nourishing while not being greasy. Also, there doesn’t seem to be any potent skin irritant in this product. Therefore, in terms of what a moisturizer should do and its ingredients, I think it is a successful product. Having said that, I do think the proportions of the ingredients could perhaps be slightly tweaked so that the lotion might create a smoother and silkier finish on the skin. (The finish, while never greasy, could be somewhat filmy.)

This body lotion should suit those with dry or very dry skin.

One Hand Helps the Other Intensive Hand Cream

The hand cream’s consistency is thicker than that of the body lotion reviewed above. Ingredient-wise, the two products are very similar, as the hand cream also contains sunflower seed oil, glycerin, jojoba seed oil, shea butter, mango seed butter, and aloe leaf juice. It doesn’t contain mineral oil, silicones, or parebens, and it has a light citrusy scent.

This is a fairly decent hand moisturizer with a pleasant consistency for hands and nails. It leaves a nice amount of emolliency so the hands feel protected and not greasy. However, sometimes, when my hands are very dry, it seems that the hand cream does not sink in deep enough to rescue the dry patches. Personally, I feel that it would be an even better product if it were more deeply hydrating and had a better skin-softening effect.

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

Related posts:

Johnson’s Baby Softwash

Bobbi Brown Beach Body Lotion

Elemis Exotic Lime & Ginger Duo

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Fall 2009 Makeup Trend Round-Up

by PJ on Wednesday, October 21, 2009

in -Chanel, -Clé de Peau, -Dior, -Guerlain, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kate, -Lunasol, -Max Factor, -Paul & Joe, -RMK, -Shiseido, -SUQQU, -YSL, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup trend reports

(image from www.cledepeau-beaute.com)

Looking through the fall 2009 makeup collections released in the last couple of months, I think the main spring 2009 makeup trends, such as purples and soft neutrals, have taken on a more season-appropriate dimension and continued to dominate the makeup scene. Some palettes featured below feature pinks, which also continue the makeup trends earlier this year.

– Purples

Even as a fan of purples, I have been surprised to see how enduring the trend has been. I think it shows the wearability and versatility of the color. For fall 2009, most of the purples are darker, although there are still some lighter options.

(Shiseido Clé de Peau Satin Eye Color
in 108 Purple Amethyst)
(image from www.cledepeau-beaute.com)

(Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow
in 173 Night Butterfly)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(Dior Jazzclub palettes)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(YSL Ombres 5 Lumières
in 18 (Japanese release))

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

(YSL Ombres 5 Lumières
in 8 Midnight (UK/US release))
(image from www.ysl.com)

(Max Factor Eye Gradation Colors
in Violet Mauve (Japanese release))
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

– Warm Neutrals

(image from www.guerlain.co.jp)

As I tend to favor light-to-medium purples which are usually released in spring, warm neutrals are probably (very marginally) my favorite trend of this season. Among neutrals, I like beiges and browns with a warm tone. (Taupes generally suit me less.) This season, many warm neutrals have a pink, peach, soft-copper or warm-gold undertone.

(Estée Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad
in 15 Rose Gold)
(image from www.esteelauder.co.uk)

(Guerlain Ombre Eclat 4 Shades
in 406 Tsarina)
(image from www.guerlain.com)

(Jill Stuart Seductive Eyes
in 07 Mysterious Queen)
(image from www.iswii.net)

– Greys

(image from www.rmkrmk.com)

Greys are usually too cool for my slightly warm-toned complexion, but they are generally great for creating classic retro looks as well as smoky eyes.

Some of the greys for this season are more green-toned, like those from Chanel, and some of them, like those from RMK, are more blue-toned.

(Chanel Les 4 Ombres de Chanel
in 16 Murano)
(image from www.chanel.com)

(Dior 2-Color High-Contrast Eyeshadow
in 055 Cocktail Look)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(Paul & Joe Color Powder CS in 062)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(RMK Mystique Eyes in 03)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

One collection that hits the grand slam is Kate’s fall 2009 collection. Apart from the new Reflect Mirror Eyes series, Kate released a purple palette, a warm-brown palette, and a grey palette.

(Kate Diamond Cut Eyes in PU-1)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(Gradical Eyes S in BR-4)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(Deep Trap Eyes in PU-1)
(image from www.iswii.net)

Also, Dior’s and YSL’s eye palettes (above) include both purples and greys.

– Warm Lips

(image from www.suqqu.com)

Last but not least, it seems that many of the lip colors released for fall 2009 are on the warm side. Many of them are warm pinks and reds with a peach, beige, or brown undertone. (It appears that there are a lot fewer rose-toned lipsticks for this season.)

(Dior Addict High Colors)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(Lunasol Full Glamour Lips S)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

(SUQQU Lip Color Pencils & Dual Gloss Colors)
(image from www.suqqu.com)

Onto the holiday season, it seems that some major brands are still releasing purple shades. Look out for those from Dior, Sonia Rykiel, and Clinique.

(image from www.iswii.net)

More on the fall 2009 collections featured above:

Chanel
Dior
Jill Stuart
Kate
Lunasol
Max Factor
Paul & Joe
RMK
SUQQU
YSL

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Sonia Rykiel Holiday 2009 Collection

by PJ on Monday, October 19, 2009

in -Sonia Rykiel, 2009 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from fanet.jp)

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

Sonia Rykiel will release its holiday 2009 makeup collection in Japan on November 1st. The collection includes:

– Palette Yeux Couleurs (2 variations, above)

– Eyeliner Pencil WP 2009 (3 shades)

– Crayon Gloss (3 shades)

All the items are limited editions.

Updated on November 11, 2009:

See more of Sonia Rykiel’s holiday 2009 releases here.

Chicca Holiday 2009 Collection

by PJ on Monday, October 19, 2009

in -Chicca, -Kanebo, 2009 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

Chicca will release its holiday 2009 collection in Japan on November 11th. The collection includes:

– Enthralling Powder Eyeshadow duo (1 variation)
– Enthralling Soft Pencil Eyeliner (1 shade)
– Flush Blush (1 shade)
– Enticing Lipstick (1 shade)
– Enticing Lip Gloss (1 shade)

All the items are additional shades of existing products, and they are all limited editions.

Sass, Style & Substance for October 18, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, October 18, 2009

in Weekend Sass Style and Substance

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher reviews Jill Stuart Jelly Eye Color N.

STYLEnosh
Easy ways to add color to your fall wardrobe.

Raging Rouge
Raging Rouge reviews the most lengthening mascara she has ever sampled! Hint: It’s Estee Lauder!

Bags, Bling & Beauty
BB&B discovers a chic way to keep warm this winter, courtesy of Wallaroo.

NY $pender
NY Spender is giving away a free pair of ymi jeans!

Splendicity Accessories
Here are three budget-friendly options for one of the season’s hot trends – gray slouch boots.

image: Stock.xchg

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Weekend Beauty Reads for October 18, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, October 18, 2009

in Weekend Beauty Read

StyleBell is giving away 3 CHI 1 Inch Ceramic Flat Irons. Enter today!

Fresco Phyrra shows you how to do a great look with MAC’s Greasepaint Stick in a step-by-step tutorial.

Raging Rouge is loving the super-chic AND super-comfortable Liz Ballet Flat by Lindsay Phillips.

Elke reviews the Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil.

Beauty Anonymous reviews La Mer The Radiant Concealer SPF25.

The Makeup Divas is having another giveaway. Enter to win a Maybelline Great Lash Big Gift prize pack that is valued at $75!

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Makeup Review: SHISEIDO Luminizing Satin Eye Color

by PJ on Wednesday, October 14, 2009

in -Shiseido, -SHISEIDO (Global Brand), all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

The Shiseido international line has been going through a revamp this year. The new makeup line, created in collaboration with Dick Page, is simply called Shiseido (instead of the original Shiseido The Makeup). In January, the line debuted with Perfect Rouge and Smoothing Lip Pencil. In August, the fall 2009 collection was released. The collection includes 15 shades of Luminizing Satin Eye Color. Today I am reviewing two of them.

(Luminizing Satin Eye Color in BE202 Caramel)

(Luminizing Satin Eye Color in WT907 Paperwhite)

BE202 Caramel is a medium bronze-toned beige and WT907 Paperwhite is a cream white. They are moderately pigmented and they have very fine shimmery particles. They impart a satiny finish that looks soft and understated. The lasting power is good.

The powder is exceptionally fine and has an almost-creamy texture. Apart from talc (2nd on the ingredient lists of both shades), Luminizing Satin Eye Color uses petrolatum (4th on the ingredient list of WT907 and 6th of BE202) to create the silky and almost-creamy texture. I find this to be slightly unusual, as most eyeshadows rely on a combination of talc and silicones to create the smooth and silky texture. (Silicones are further down the lists of these two shades.)

WT907 is good for brightening the eye area and as a base for other eyeshadows. I also prefer it as a brow highlighter to more shimmery off-whites, as the effect is a lot more natural. BE202 is a gentle shadowing shade as it is able to give a very natural depth to the eyes. (This relatively light shade is able to be depth-enhancing because it is not too shimmery.) Since it is more of a warm neutral, I think it should suit those with a warm complexion better. (It may look quite bronze on those with a cooler complexion.)

The 15 Luminizing Satin Eye Color shades are elegant and understated (except YE306 Solaris, which is a vibrant yellow). I would be curious to see whether more vibrant shades will be added to the range and whether a new range of eyeshadow singles, perhaps with a different finish, will join the line.

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

Posts on Shiseido’s other lines:

Clé de Peau Fall 2009 Collection

Maquillage Fall 2009 Collection

Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 52

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844

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