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

Kanebo Milano Collection 2010

by PJ on Tuesday, June 2, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Kanebo Milano Collection, 2009 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, fragrance, makeup, makeup - base makeup

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

The 2010 edition of Kanebo’s Face Up Powder Milano Collection 2010 will be out in Japan on December 16th. This is a pre-order-only item, and the pre-order period will be between mid-June and September 17th.

The powder (24g, SPF 14 PA++) retails for 12600 JPY. Like the 2009 edition, it includes a powder puff with silk produced in Kyoto.

(motif on the powder case)

Since 1991, Kanebo has been releasing the Milano Collection each year (except 1994 and 1995). You can see all the different case designs below. You can also check out the page on the Kanebo website to see larger photos of the cases.

Updated on June 15th 2009:

The collection will also include a 30ml eau de parfum. It will be available from November 16 and the pre-order period ends on August 20th.

(image/info from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/milano-collection)

Raycious Foundation Case Galore

My Anna Sui Foundation Cases

Foundation Face-Off: Lunasol vs. Coffret D’Or

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Product Review: Prescriptives Motor-Eyes Instant Action Mascara

by PJ on Monday, June 1, 2009

in -Prescriptives, 2009 Summer, makeup, makeup - mascara

There are now a few mascaras with a vibrating brush (Estee Lauder TurboLash, Lancôme Ôscillation, and the very recent Maybelline Pulse Perfection). The main claim of these mascaras is that they can coat the lashes evenly and build up length and volume more easily. Today I am reviewing Prescriptives‘ vibrating mascara, Motor-Eyes Instant Action Mascara.

The mascara comes with a battery, which is inserted into the back of the brush handle before the first use. The mascara wand starts to vibrate when the brush handle is twist-opened.

According to Jullian Veran, Prescriptives’ Director of Artistry, the mascara wand vibrates 125 beats per second and this helps lift, curl and separate the lashes. (See the video clip on Prescriptives’ US site.)

This mascara adds more length than volume, and it separates the lashes effectively. The look it creates is more natural than dramatic. For me, it is not easy to tell how much is achieved by the vibration. (I think the success of a mascara is essentially down to the shape of the brush and the formulation of the pigment.) Nonetheless, this mascara performs relatively well, with no flakes or smudges after a day’s wear. Clumps are very minimal during the application with a sweeping motion.

Motor-Eyes Instant Action Mascara is currently available in one shade (Black, which is a dark grey-black and not an intense black) and is a non-waterproof formula.

YSL Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils

Illamasqua Volume Mascara

SUQQU Mascara Volume Long

RMK Separate Curl Mascara

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Weekend Beauty Read for May 31, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, May 31, 2009

in Weekend Beauty Read

The Makeup Divas reviews Too Faced Locked Down Cream Eyeshadows plus the new summer lip bronzer in Pink Leopard.

A Touch of Blusher comes across some of the best makeup brushes.

Beauty Junkie in SF happily tested out a ton of H20 + Sun products last weekend. Out on a lake in the sun all day long… someone had to do it.

Face Candy shares 2 of her favorite Orange products.

Decorative Diva visits a hidden gem of a day spa and has her first professional facial!

Getting ready to hit the pool? Check out Beauty in Real Life’s review on Redken’s Color Extend Sun Collection.

Beauty Anonymous brings you Essie summer 2009 collection.

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Sass, Style & Substance for May 31, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, May 31, 2009

in Weekend Sass Style and Substance

eye4style
eye4style reviews the chic Delirium & Co. Candle collection.

My Women Stuff
Takes the new Dove Visibly Smooth deodorant for a test drive.

Beauty Match
A few summer 2009 make-up collections that will turn heads!

Eat Smart Age Smart
American diets versus European diets.

STYLEnosh
Can you really have too many handbags?

Style Manila
PROMOD SS09 introduces French street style to Manila streets.

Splendicity Accessories
Chloe is on the hunt for a stylish diaper bag that can pass as a great purse.

image: Stock.xchg

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Chanel "Tokyo Happening" Collection Available in the US

by PJ on Friday, May 29, 2009

in -Chanel, makeup

(image from www.iswii.com)

Back in March, I posted about Chanel‘s Tokyo-exclusive collection that celebrated the opening of Chanel’s flagship beauty boutique in Tokyo’s Aoyama area.

Two months later, quite surprisingly, it is now available at the Chanel US site. The limited-edition Tokyo Happening collection is identical to the collection in Japan.

The link here will take you to the collection main page. If you are in the US and have been wanting to get your hands on the collection, it might be the time to start clicking…

(Many thanks to my friend Betsy for telling me about this. She has also posted the news and her thoughts on her blog Autumn Masquerade.)

Updated on June 10th 2009:

According to Autumn Masquerade, the Tokyo Happening page on the Chanel US site has been taken down as most items in the collection are out of stock.

Beautiful Lips with Blue Lip Glosses

Chanel No. 5 with Audrey Tautou

Chanel Spring 2009 Makeup Collection

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New Japanese Beauty Brand: Addiction

by PJ on Thursday, May 28, 2009

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Addiction, -Kosé, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

Since I started my blog in November 2006, we have seen quite a few new beauty brands/ranges from Japan, such as Esprique Precious, Magie Deco, Coffret D’Or, Chicca, Primavista, Integrate Gracy, and Twany Glamacy. Soon we will witness the birth of another brand.

In a few weeks’ time, Kosé will reveal more information on Addiction, its latest department store brand since Jill Stuart (launched in 2005 and licensed under Kosé)*. The creator behind it is Japanese US-based makeup artist Ayako, who has worked with various fashion designers and photographers including Karl Lagerfeld and Annie Leibovitz as well as celebrities such as Naomi Campbell and Penelope Cruz.

The brand will be launched at Tokyo’s Isetan Shinjuku this fall and then expanded to a few more department stores in Tokyo and Osaka.

The launch lineup will feature 27 products in 108 items/shades. The eyeshadow singles and lipsticks will retail for 2100 and 2940 JPY respectively.

Fans of Japanese cosmetics might immediately be reminded of Japanese makeup artist Rumiko, who is also US-based and started RMK in the 90s. (It is owned by Kanebo.) It has been a very popular brand over the years, and I look forward to seeing how Ayako can emulate Rumiko’s success, especially in today’s economy.

There are no product images at the moment, but I expect there to be some in the coming weeks. I will try my best to keep you posted.

(information from www.nikkei.co.jp and www.business-i.jp)

* Esprique Precious (launched in 2006) and Magie Deco (launched in 2007) are launched after Jill Stuart, but Esprique Precious is sold at Kosé counters and Magie Deco is available at Cosme Decorte counters in Japan. They are considered to be among the various makeup ranges of Kosé and the Kosé-owned Cosme Decorte respectively. On the other hand, I am assuming that, like Jill Stuart, Addiction will have its own department store counters with its own fully-fledged brand identity.

Updated on June 10th 2009:

Please have a look at this post for images and further information.

Updated on June 16th 2009:

Please check out this post on Voce’s blog for photos taken at Addiction’s press launch.

Updated on July 8th, 2017:

Read my review of Blush in 04 Amazing.

More on some of the new Japanese beauty brands/ranges in the last couple of years:

Coffret D’Or (Kanebo)

Twany Glamacy (Kanebo)

Chicca (Kanebo)

Magie Deco (Kosé)

Integrate Gracy (Shiseido)

Primavista (Kao Sofina)

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RMK Ingenious Powder/Jelly Eyes Swatches

by PJ on Wednesday, May 27, 2009

in -RMK, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from www.rmkrmk.com)

If you are interested in RMK‘s new Ingenious Powder Eyes and Ingenious Jelly Eyes, Taiwanese blogger, Sharon, has posted product photos and swatches of all the new eyeshadows.

For more information on RMK’s makeup range renewal, please have a look at my previous post.

RMK Powder Foundation EX

RMK Super Basic Liquid Concealer

RMK Spring 2009 Makeup Collection

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Kanebo Coffret D’Or Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, May 27, 2009

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

Coffret D’Or‘s summer 2009 collection has not been officially released yet, but now we have news of the line’s fall collection, out in Japan on August 1st.

The lineup includes:

– Mix Essence Rouge (8 shades)
– Eye Color (16 shades)
– Brow Make Compact (2 variations)
– Eyebrow Mascara (2 shades)

Coffret D’Or seems to be following a similar product release pattern to T’Estimo’s (Coffret D’Or’s predecessor), with eyeshadow palettes for spring and summer and eyeshadow singles for fall. The new Eye Color is Coffret D’Or’s first single powder eyeshadow range, with the first batch of shades mainly basic light and dark ones. (Fluffy Shine Eyes, a mousse-type eyeshadow, was released on July 16th 2008.)

Coffret D’Or Shine Accent Eyes 02 Pink Variation (spring 2009)

Coffret D’Or Spring/Summer 2009 Base Makeup Collection

Cosme.Net 2008 The Best Cosmetics Awards

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Product Review: SUQQU Cheek Brush & Eyebrow Brush L

by PJ on Monday, May 25, 2009

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, beauty tools/accessories

(SUQQU Cheek Brush and Eyebrow Brush L)

When I first stopped by SUQQU‘s counter in London’s Selfridges in 2006 (which happens to be around the time I started my blog), I was very impressed with the brand’s makeup brush range. The hair of some of the brushes is luxuriously soft, and the range has a good attention to detail. (There are four types of eyebrow brushes and eyeliner brushes.) Today I am reviewing Cheek Brush and Eyebrow Brush L.

– Cheek Brush

This is probably the softest blusher brush that I have ever come across. It is impossible to show the softness of the bristle-heads in the photo, so I will try to describe it in words. The sensation felt from running through the brush hair through the fingers is somewhat similar to that from a gentle breath on the back of the hand. The fingers almost feel a sense of soft, airy and velvety warmth.

In terms of application, there are two things I like about this brush. Firstly, it is smaller than most blusher brushes. The widest part of the brush measures about 2.6 cm, while the longest part (of the brush hair) measures about 3.4 cm. (It is not a blusher brush that can double as a powder brush or a contouring brush.) The fact that it is not too big makes it very easy to focus on the cheek bones and gradually blend the blusher outwards to create a delicate and natural finish.

Secondly, the bristle-heads pick up the blusher powder gently, so it is suitable for applying a very pigmented blusher (especially for someone like me, who can often be (accidentally) heavy-handed with blushers).

– Eyebrow Brush L

SUQQU has four eyebrow brushes. Eyebrow Brush S is the usual small angled brush, and the other three are soft-edged ones, which I think are quite unique. Eyebrow Brush L is the largest one of the four.

I don’t often use the usual eyebrow brushes. I think the hair tends to be rather hard and the lines it creates is usually quite harsh. (I also don’t use an eyebrow pencil.) I usually use a small eyeshadow brush to run through the core/bones of the eyebrows. The look is softer, more natural but still defined.

Eyebrow Brush L is very similar to the eyeshadow brush I use to apply eyebrow powder. It looks like an eyeshadow brush, but the hair is harder so the brush can still give ample core structure to eyebrows.

The photo above is taken from another angle to show the bulk of the brush and the shape of the bristle-heads. There are no hard edges so the brush doesn’t create any harsh lines. It blends the eyebrow powder seamlessly, and it also makes it very easy to fill in gaps in the brows.

Without a doubt, SUQQU’s most popular makeup tool is the Eyelash Curler. However, with their superb quality, I personally think these two brushes, which are beautifully shaped and sized, are definitely among SUQQU’s best products. If you have a chance to stop by a SUQQU counter, do have a look at the brush collection.

(The SUQQU counter in Selfridges regularly holds events for the seasonal makeup collections. You will have a chance to experience the brushes when you book a makeover session during the event.)

EcoTools Makeup Brushes

Purple Dot Makeup Brushes

The Only Lash Curler I Ever Need

Can’t Live Without – Starbucks Napkins

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