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

Weekend Beauty Read for May 3, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, May 3, 2009

Decorative Diva shows you how to make a cute and inexpensive makeup brush holder for under $10!

Beauty Junkie in SF is cleaning out her makeup case, one product at a time. Stila’s Bronzer may not be her favorite choice, but it does the job and needed to be used up!

A Touch of Blusher reviews SUQQU’s transparent Clear Veil Powder.

Raging Rouge pulls together a list of favorite beauty items for Moms.

Elke shows how to contour cheekbones, the new way.

The Makeup Divas reviews Prescriptives Mineral Bronzer in Warm.

ThisThatBeauty is giving away a Liz Earle Travel Overnight Travel Kit. Check it out!

Cybelesays.com took a trip to a perfume apothecary to really learn how to pick out a fragrance. Click here to learn how to pick the right one out for yourself.

Beauty Anonymous brings you Anna Sui’s summer 2009 hair & body care collection.

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life share David Babaii’s secrets for great summer hair. Check them out here!

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Sass, Style & Substance for May 3, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, May 3, 2009

in Weekend Sass Style and Substance

eye4style
eye4style is keeping tabs on designer Rachel Roy via Twitter!

Raging Rouge
Stumped about what to buy for Mom? Check out this list of beautiful gift ideas!

My Women Stuff
Pictures of the Dior Corail Cristal Shine Lip Palette.

STYLEnosh
Wear shorts and feel good about it!

Beauty Match
Free Trial Offer: Gleaming White Smile Teeth Whitener.

Eat Smart Age Smart
7 good reasons why you should detox your body?

Splendicity Accessories
Have fun with bold, bright jewelry this summer – it’s time to shine baby!

image: Stock.xchg

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Makeup Review: Illamasqua

by PJ on Friday, May 1, 2009

in makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, makeup - mascara

(image from www.illamasqua.com)

In a typical department store in the UK, most of the beauty (especially makeup) brands are from either the US or Continental Europe. This is why, when the British makeup line, Illamasqua, launched its counter in London’s Selfridges (which has probably the largest beauty department in the UK), it is hard not to get excited.

(image from www.illamasqua)

Illamasqua positions itself as a professional makeup brand that encourages expression and experimentation. As the brand’s slogan is “make-up for your alter ego”, many of the makeup looks on the brand’s website are dramatic, edgy and editorial. Price-wise, it is a medium-to-high end line, with lipsticks priced at £14 and eyeshadow singles priced at £15. Today, I am sharing my thoughts on some of Illamasqua’s products.

– Powder Eye Shadows in Feel and Lick

(Powder Eye Shadow in Feel)

(Powder Eye Shadow in Lick)

Currently, most of Illamasqua’s 107 Powder Eye Shadows that the brand was launched with are matte, and Feel and Lick are among the matte shades. Feel is a light-to-medium taupe while Lick is a bright warm reddish pink. Both are moderately-to-well pigmented, and the texture is relatively smooth, partly down to the talc-based formula.

Feel is a good shade for adding soft depth to the eyes for those with a light or light-to-medium complexion. It goes on a little cooler, and I think it would suit cooled-toned complexions a lot more. (It may be on the ashy side for warm-toned complexions.)

You have to be quite bold to wear Lick on a daily basis, but I find that, used light-handedly, it works well as a blusher. (I also like the fact that it happens to be matte, which is my preferred finish for a blusher.) It blends easily as a blusher and should suit most complexions, particularly warm-toned ones.

– Volume Mascara in Harness

Volume Mascara is currently Illamasqua’s sole mascara product. It is available in three shades, Harness (black), Nocturnal (brown) and Lewd (blue), and it is a non-waterproof mascara.

Harness is a nice black that doesn’t look greyish or ashy. The formula appears to be quite lightweight, as it doesn’t feel heavy on the eyes or weight down the lashes. It creates more volume than length, though the volume might not be as dramatic as some might hope for. A light-handed application with gentle layering is essential to stay clump-free. Once set, it has a satisfactory staying power.

Overall, Illamasqua seems to be a solid brand with a lot of potential, and it has created buzz among makeup lovers in the UK. It would be interesting to see how well it will do in the next few years and whether it will acquire a more international presence.

(Check here for the list of retail points in the UK and Ireland. Illamasqua’s on-line store delivers within the UK as well as internationally.)

Beauty City Guide – London

Barry M Dazzle Dusts for Spring 2009

Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara

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Chanel No. 5 with Audrey Tautou

by PJ on Thursday, April 30, 2009

in -Chanel, fragrance

Since Chanel No. 5 debuted on May 5th, 1921, it has acquired an iconic status and a cultural significance. Famous faces, such as Marilyn Monroe, Catherine Deneuve and, more recently, Nicole Kidman, have been spokespersons for this timeless creation.

On the coming May 5th, French actress Audrey Tautou will become the new face of Chanel No. 5. The campaign certers on the short firm directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who also worked with Tautou on Amélie and A Very Long Engagement.

Here is a behind-the-scene preview of the short firm, which will be shown at www.chanelno5.com from May 5th:

(from Chanel)

My Personal Take on Chanel

Chanel Spring 2009 Makeup Collection

Chanel Tokyo-Exclusive Makeup Collection

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Lunasol Layer Bloom Eyes in 03 Purple Gradation

by PJ on Tuesday, April 28, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

Another season, another lilac palette joining my collection…

Lunasol‘s Layer Bloom Eyes* palettes are part of Lunasol’s spring 2009 Floral Purification collection. 03 Purple Gradation is inspired by wisteria (fuji) and includes (anti-clock-wise from top-left):

– sheer white with multi-colored sparkles
– medium lilac with a soft pearly finish (moderately pigmented)
– predominantly matte cool-toned dark grey with sparse shimmer (well-pigmented)
– light lilac with a mildly shimmery finish (moderately pigmented)

All the shades are very soft and easy to apply, and the finish lasts well.

According to the eye chart that comes with the palette, the sheer white is used as a base, the medium lilac is used as a shadowing shade, and the dark grey is for the upper lashline and the outer 1/3 of the lower lashline. The light lilac is applied on the inner 2/3 of the lower lashline.

I really like how the two lilacs work together. The medium lilac has an exceptionally soft texture, and blending is effortless. I can go as sheer or intense as I want with this shade. When applied on the lower lashline, the light lilac seems to look more intense (slightly darker) than it does in the pan. It has a delicate iridescence and brightens the eyes very effectively without creating a stark look.

What I also like about the two lilacs is that the beautiful color seems very long-lasting. After 12 hours of wear, it is not uncommon for some lilacs to take on a very mild bluey-grey hue as the color starts to fade (and I don’t usually take this to be an indication of inferior quality). But the two lilacs here are able to stay fresh almost throughout the day, which impresses me.

Compared with Lunasol’s Lavender Coral palette from spring 2008, I think Purple Gradation is a lot more elegant and understated. The colors are less sparkly and the overall finish is more pearly than shimmery. (Between the two main lilac shades, the one in Purple Gradation is slightly warmer than that in Lavender Coral. I like both equally.) On the whole, Purple Gradation is more similar to Scent Form Eyes in 02 but it is marginally more vibrant due to the mild iridescence. (Scent Form Eyes in 02 is certainly the most low-key of the three.)

Overall, this is a beautiful lilac palette which is very easy to wear, in terms of both the colors and the superb texture of the powder. If you are looking for something as vibrant as the Sheer Contrast Eyes and the Geminate Eyes series, then this palette might not be for you. But if you want a sophisticated eye palette that is not overly shimmery, then the Layer Bloom Eyes series is a must-see.

(It appears that, since the fall 2008 Red Purification collection, Lunasol’s eye palettes are returning to the elegant and understated finish that the brand started off with. It would be interesting to see whether the trend will shift again.)

You can read my friend Betsy’s review of this palette here on Autumn Masquerade.

* Though this palette series is officially called Layer Bloom Eyes, the English name on the outer boxes of palettes sold outside Japan is Blooming Eyes. Check out the photo on this post for the difference.

Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

Lunasol Summer 2009 Collection
(more Layer Bloom Eyes palettes)

My Personal Take on Lunasol

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Sass, Style & Substance for April 26, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, April 26, 2009

in Weekend Sass Style and Substance

eye4style
Get glowing with eye4style’s Glowelle giveaway. Don’t forget to enter!

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher loves the look of Dior’s Lilas Addict Collection.

My Women Stuff
Peek at the new Dior Designer Artistry palettes and Dior Rose Brazilia bronzer blush for Summer 2009.

Beauty Match
Would you spend $26,426.80 per year on your beauty and body upkeep?

Eat Smart Age Smart
Gwyneth Paltrow’s favourite foods.

STYLEnosh
STYLEnosh susses out the best shopping sites to register for.

Beauty and Fashion Tech
Beauty and Fashion Tech Takes a Look at DHC Eye Bright.

Splendicity Accessories
Top 10 picks for must-have jewelry classics.

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Weekend Beauty Read for April 26, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, April 26, 2009

in Weekend Beauty Read

Cybelesays.com investigates an organic nail polish remover. Does it work? Click here to find out.

Decorative Diva investigates a new mineral makeup company, Obsessed Minerals. Read here to see what she thinks about them.

Enter to win Elke’s ONline Eyebrow Makeover and $30 in brow products. Hurry! Contest ends April 31st.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Elizabeth Arden’s Intervene Timefighting Radiance Serum and Stress Recovery Night Cream.

Melissa of The Makeup Divas reviews the new Prescriptives Motor-Eyes Instant Action mascara.

Win a Hana Professional Flat iron worth $89 at Beauty and Personal grooming. Click here to enter the giveaway!

Beauty Junkie in SF reviews Kenzo’s Limited Spring Edition of FLOWERBYKENZO.

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life let you in on Bobbi Brown’s new Nautical Collection. Check it out here!!

Kyle at Face Candy tells you which limited edition MAC Dazzleglass is going to be a cult classic.

ThisThatBeauty is giving away three VICHY Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care. Click here to check it out !!!

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Makeup Review: SUQQU Clear Veil Powder

by PJ on Friday, April 24, 2009

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder, makeup - base makeup - primer/concealer

(SUQQU Clear Veil Powder in 101 Clear (refill))

In this post, which I wrote in 2007, I mentioned SUQQU’s Clear Veil Powder. It was launched in fall 2006 and became an instant sensation.

It is a semi-transparent pressed powder. According to SUQQU, the main function of this product is that it sets the foundation without altering the foundation color or leaving any powdered finish. It is also claimed to be able to cover pores and deliver an oil absorption effect.

(It is available in 101 Clear (matte) and 102 Clear Pearl (very slightly shimmery). The case, refill, and brush (similar to the flat powder brush of RMK’s Powder Foundation EX) are all sold separately.)

When I touch the surface of the powder, it feels like a piece of frosted soft plastic. I can’t hardly pick up any powder with my fingers. It does seem considerably different from nearly all the other pressed-powder products I have come across.

The application can be slightly tricky, and, over the last couple of years, I have noticed that the SUQQU sales assistants’ application techniques have changed. I remember they used to advise that we sweep the brush gently across the powder (as we normally would with any pressed powder), but it appeared to me then that the brush was not really able to pick up the powder this way. Now the sales assistants seem to apply a lot more pressure with the brush to sweep up the powder, which I think is the only way to pick up the powder from the pan.

When the powder is applied on the skin (after I apply my powder foundation), the particles are invisible. Therefore, it is certainly true that it is able to set the foundation without leaving any trace of it (no alteration of foundation color or powdered finish). What I see is that the finish of my powder foundation becomes a little more matte and that the appearance of pores is more blurred, and this is obviously down to the semi-transparent silicone particles.

The pore-diffusing efficacy is decent, but I do feel that the oil-control ability is somewhat on the weak side.

In my post two years ago, I mentioned that I imagined Clear Veil Powder would be a pressed-powder equivalent of a silicone-based liquid/gel primer (think Smash Box’s Photo Finish) and that it would probably work as a “post-primer” (something with the same purposes as those of a primer but applied after the foundation). After I have tried it, I do still think of the product in the same way. But I do find that I can also use it as a primer and apply it before my powder foundation, so the product is more versatile than I expected.

Whether Clear Veil Powder serves all of our needs would vary from person to person. If you have finally found a foundation that offers the perfect match with your skin tone and think all the loose/pressed powder products that you come across interfere with the perfect match, then this setting powder is definitely worth looking into. If you use a setting powder to diffuse the look of pores, then this product may work well for you too. But if you rely on a setting powder to keep you shine-free, then this might not be the product you are looking for.

Overall, I commend the design of the product. In Japanese cosmetics, there are a lot fewer multi-purposed products, and, especially within Japanese base makeup, it seems to be mostly about one product serving one very specific purpose.

As I was reminded of all the Japanese office/kitchen/storage gadgets that faithfully and effectively serve their sole duties, I think Clear Veil Powder is another prime example of this sophisticated simplicity of consumer product design that Japanese brands (not just beauty brands) excel at. It also exemplifies the unique quality of Japanese makeup that will always keep me curious and fascinated.

SUQQU Contour Shadows
(another example of a unique and specialized product)

SUQQU Spring 2009 Collection Review

My Personal Take on SUQQU

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