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

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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Sass, Style & Substance for May 24, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, May 24, 2009

in Weekend Sass Style and Substance

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher stops by Dolce & Gabbana’s makeup counter in London.

My Women Stuff
1 Month 1 Eyeshadow 1 Blush – Take the challenge!

Bags, Bling & Beauty
Bags, Bling and Beauty invites you to check out swimwear tips from Shoshanna Gruss.

Raging Rouge
Raging Rouge blows her diet with a 2,000 calorie treat by MAX Factor.

eye4style
eye4style has the scoop on the new contemporary collection from Badgley Mischka – Mark & James!

Beauty Match
Kylie Minogue’s behind the scene U.K. Elle shoot.

Eat Smart Age Smart
Win $10,000 to get in shape!

STYLEnosh
THIS is the problem with cropped pants!

Splendicity Accessories
Have you heard about the new reality tv show that’s all about shoe designers?

image: Stock.xchg

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Weekend Beauty Read for May 24, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, May 24, 2009

in Weekend Beauty Read

Raging Rouge blows her diet with a 2,000 calorie treat by MAX Factor.

Your chance to win ‘The Swerve’, the world’s first “full body groomtool” at Beauty and Personal Grooming. Click here to enter the giveaway!!

Beauty Anonymous loves the fresh floral scents of Bond No.9 Astor Place Eau de Parfum.

The Makeup Divas reviews the new Prescriptives Exhilarating lipgloss in Guava and lipstick in Raspberry.

StyleBell reviews the latest Damp to Dry Flat Iron by HAI Elite, the HaiDraStik. Read if StyleBell gives it a thumbs up or a thumbs down.

ThisThatBeauty has found her signature RED lipstick. Check out Lipstick Queen Red Sinner.

Beauty in Real Life is having a giveaway with Beautyfix, click here to enter to win one of 15 sets up for grabs!!!

Decorative Diva‘s reviews a new sweet treat, The Body Bakery’s Arm Candy Deodorant.

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Fragrance Review: Always Alfred Sung

by PJ on Sunday, May 24, 2009

in fragrance

(image from Elizabeth Arden)

Known for his bridal wear, Alfred Sung was inspired to create Always by Grace Kelly’s biography and its depiction of her iconic wedding. The creation aims to capture the love, joy and passion of a beautiful wedding day as well as to radiate a timeless sophistication.

The fragrance was created in collaboration with perfumer Clement Gavarry, who is, along with Laurent Le Guernec, behind the popular and critically acclaimed Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker.

Top notes: waterlily, kumquat, neroli
Middle notes: pink peony, honeysuckle petals, orris
Base notes: sandalwood, patchouli, ambrette seeds

The scent opens with a floral and citrusy effervescence, which feels light, fresh and bright. Then it takes on a warm, smooth and almost milky dimension, but the warmth is never overpowering and the scent manages to remain lilting and uplifting.

To me, this is a very pleasant floral scent with subtle and welcoming warmth and a touch of sweetness, and it successfully captures the imageries of a joyous and romantic wedding. Feminine, elegant and graceful, it is tactfully crafted to suit both daytime and nighttime as well as various seasons (which seems to somewhat echo the name of the fragrance). It is a very wearable scent but it is by no means generic.

Always Alfred Sung is available in 50ml and 100ml Eau de Parfum Sprays and a 7ml Eau de Parfum Rollerball. The range also includes a 200ml Luminous Body Lotion.

The Lovely Collection by Sarah Jessica Parker
(Twilight, one of the three scents in the collection, was also created by Clement Gavarry and Laurent Le Guernec.)

Bond No. 9 Astor Place

Sheer Stella 2009 by Stella McCartney

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Makeup Review: Prescriptives Summer 2009 Collection

by PJ on Friday, May 22, 2009

in -Prescriptives, 2009 Summer, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, makeup - lip gloss

(image from Prescriptives)

Prescriptives‘ summer 2009 makeup collection, Exhilarating, is inspired by the brand’s Calyx fragrance. The colors are fresh and vibrant, and the ad image conveys a carefree and sensuous feel. Today I am reviewing the three new eyeshadows as well as one of the three new lip glosses from the collection.

(U-Pick Eye Colors in Teal, Calyx Green, and Lemondrop)

– U-Pick Eye Colors

Lemondrop (right) is a cream white with a pale champagne undertone and a softly metallic finish, Calyx Green (middle) is a predominantly matte vibrant warm yellow-green, and the softly metallic Teal goes on warmer than it looks in the pan with its yellow-green undertone.

Teal is among the most wearable teals that I have come across in terms of creating a soft daytime look. It works well with Lemondrop, which has a similar warm pale yellow undertone and the same soft metallic finish.

Calyx Green can be a strong accent color when the three shades are used together. It can look quite bold and funky for those with a fair complexion, while I think it can work even better and look really gorgeous for those with a dark complexion.

All the shades go on easily, layer well, and have a good staying power.

– Calyx Exhilarating Lip Gloss in Pink Grapefruit

Pink Grapefruit is one of the three lip gloss shades in the collection, along with Mango and Guava. It is a sheer warm pink-red with nicely sparse shimmery particles, which are mostly red and gold. (I personally prefer lip glosses with sparse shimmery particles to those with intense shimmer.)

It has a pleasantly light watery-gel and non-sticky texture. It goes on smoothly and imparts a wet glossy finish that lasts well. I like the juicy and translucent look that it creates.

It has a very light fruity scent that is not overpowering.

Prescriptives’ summer 2009 collection also includes four shades of Exhilarating Lip Color and Calyx Sheer Exhilarating fragrance (50ml). All items in the collection are limited editions.

Related posts on Prescriptives:

Spring 2008 Makeup Collection

Creamy Eye Color, Plush Blush & Magic Liquid Powder

Flawless Skin & AnyWear Foundations

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