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

Dior Lilas Addict Collection Available in Japan

by PJ on Thursday, May 21, 2009

in -Dior, 2009 Summer, makeup

(image from beauty.dior.com/fra)

Earlier I wrote about Dior’s Lilas Addict Collection in France (which includes the 5-Color Iridescent Eyeshadow in 129 Pearly Lilac that is available in the US). Now, according to Voce, the collection will be available in Japan on June 5th.

Now I am even more seriously hoping that Pearly Lilac will make its way to the UK…

A Splash of Color – More Lilting Lilac

Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette in Seascape

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Shiseido Maquillage Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, May 20, 2009

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

Shiseido’s Maquillage will release its fall 2009 collection in Japan on July 21st. The lineup includes:

– Eyes Creator 3D: 5 new variations (2 limited editions, see information below)
– Eye Color N (Powder): 6 new shades
– Eye Color N (Cream): 3 new shades
– Perfect Gloss: 8 shades
– Moisture Rouge (Color-on type): 6 new shades
– Moisture Rouge (Sheer type): 6 new shades (limited editions)
– Face Creator 3D: 2 new variations
– Powder Touch Eyebrow: 3 shades

Maquillage’s fall 2008 collection featured collaborations with fashion designer Christopher Kane, This year, the fall collection will feature collaborations with Chinese-American fashion designer Alexander Wang. The collaboration items include:

– Eyes Creator 3D: BR364, BR365 (limited editions, with cases designed by Wang)
– Perfect Gloss in OR264, PK445, RD536, and RS587
– Moisture Rouge (Sheer type): all 6 shades (limited edition)

Dolce & Gabbana Makeup Line in Selfridges

by PJ on Monday, May 18, 2009

in -Dolce & Gabbana, makeup

(Scarlett Johansson, brand ambassador)

(images from www.dolcegabbanamakeup.com)

Some of you might already know about the new makeup line from Dolce & Gabbana. According to the line’s official website, it is currently only available in Milan’s la Rinascente Duomo, New York’s Saks Fifth Avenue, and London’s Selfridges. Last week, I stopped by the counter in Selfridges and spent some time playing with the colors.

As soon as I came across the first photos of the line some time ago, I was drawn to the luxurious gold cases. However, I wasn’t sure how they would come across in person. (Some gold packaging photographs well but looks much less opulent in person.) At the counter, it was nice to see that the packaging looked as good as it appeared on the website. Compared with YSL’s gold packaging, Dolce & Gabbana’s has no hard edges and conveys a more sensuous feel but it looks equally glamorous.

The launch lineup features essential makeup items, including eyeshadow palettes (quads and duos), mascara, eyeliner, lipsticks, lipliner, lip gloss, powder foundation, bronzer, and nail color.

I was impressed with the soft texture of the eyeshadows. Most colors are either moderately or well pigmented, and they glide (on the back of my hand) very easily. (I never use counter testers on my face.) At the moment, none of the duos or quads took my fancy, but I will definitely keep an eye on future releases.

(Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Stromboli)

Another item that left a fairly positive impression is Perfect Finish Powder Foundation. Available in 12 shades, it has a soft and smooth texture. It seems to impart a subtly luminous finish, and I think it will probably suit those with a drier skin type better. Shade-wise, I think Caramel and Cinnamon are relatively good yellow-toned shades for light-to-medium complexions.

Four of the five Luminous Cheek Color shades are on the warm side, with Provocative being the only cool shade. Hopefully there will be other cool or neutral-to-cool shades in the future.

Both Classic Cream Lipstick and Shine Lipstick have a rich and creamy texture. Shine Lipstick is slightly sheerer and glossier than Classic Cream Lipstick, which has a satiny and subtly glossy finish.

Price-wise (in the UK), Dolce & Gabbana Makeup is in the same category as other designer beauty brands such as Chanel, Dior and YSL. Here are the prices of some of the items:

Smooth Eye Colour Quad: £35
Smooth Eye Colour Duo: £22
Lipsticks (Classic Cream & Shine): £20
Perfect Finish Powder Foundation: £33

(Classic Cream Lipstick)

Overall, this is a promising makeup line and the standard of the current products appears to be good. Dolce & Gabbana obviously wanted the launch to be exclusive, but, with popular Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson chosen to front the ad campaign and Pat McGrath (one of the world’s best-known makeup artists) sharing application tips on the line’s website, it seems that the line is aiming at a broader appeal. It would also be interesting to see if the line will try to enter the East Asian market, which is not the easiest market to crack due to its sheer competitiveness.

Makeup Review: Illamasqua
(also available in Selfridges)

Viktor & Rolf at Barbican Centre

Beauty City Guide: London

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Aube Couture Early Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, May 18, 2009

in -Aube (Couture), -Kao, -Sofina, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images/info from www.cosme.net)

Sofina’s Aube Couture will release its early fall 2009 collection in Japan on June 16th. (The brand’s summer 2009 collection is available now.) The upcoming early fall items include:

– Designing Eyes (above, two new variations)

– Designing Stay Rouge (16 shades)

– Designing Eyebrow Compact (2 variations)

– Designing Liquid Eyeliner (2 shades, according to Voce)

User-Friendly Makeup: Aube Couture

Aube Early Fall 2008 Collection

Holiday Flashback – Aube Astral Rouge

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Max Factor Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, May 18, 2009

in -Max Factor, 2009 Fall, makeup

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Max Factor will release its fall 2009 collection in Japan on July 21st. The new items include:

– Eye Gradation Colors palettes (2 new variations)
– Angelic Lips (3 new shades)
– Angelic Lips Brilliant (3 new shades)
– Lipfinity Pro (3 new shades)
– Lash Artist Waterproof (2 shades)

All items are limited editions. (Please note that items in Max Factor’s seasonal makeup collections outside Japan do vary.)

Max Factor Spring 2009 Eye Gradation Colors

Packaging Matters – Maybelline in Japan

Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

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Chicca Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, May 18, 2009

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

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

Chicca (owned by Kanebo) will release its fall 2009 collection in Japan on August 19th. The seasonal theme is “Secret Story”, and new items aim to create a balanced look for eyebrows, eyes, and cheeks to achieve a face-shaping effect.

The lineup includes:

– Enthralling Eyebrow Pencil W (1 shade)
– Enthralling Eyebrow Gel (1 shade)
– Enthralling Eyebrow Cake (eyebrow powder with two shades)
– Enthralling Powder Eyeshadow duos (5 new variation)
– Enthralling Soft Pencil Eyeliner (2 new shades)
– Flush Blush cream blusher (1 new shade)
– Enticing Lipstick (4 new shades)
– Enticing Lip Gloss (3 new shades)
– Perfect Readiness Tweezer

The Enthralling Eyebrow Pencil W features a round shaped tip and a naginata (Japanese halberd) shaped tip. The latter helps create softer edges for the eyebrow outline.

Chicca Summer 2009 Collection

Chicca Spring 2009 Collection

New Brand Profile – Kanebo Chicca

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Weekend Beauty Read for May 17, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, May 17, 2009

in Weekend Beauty Read

Beauty Anonymous reviews Shiseido’s Tiss Deep Off Oil.

Decorative Diva reviews a new hair accessory find, the Flexi-8 hair clips.

Find out what Smashbox product The Makeup Divas uses to achieve a perfect smoldering smoky eye.

A Touch of Blusher adds another lilac eye palette to the stash.

ThisThatBeauty reviews Lipstick Queen’s latest collection, CHINATOWN. It is PURE FIRE!!! Check it out.

Don’t forget to enter the neuLash/Anastasia Giveaway over at Beauty in Real Life!!

Beauty Junkie in SF Lindsey Lohan moves into the realm of beauty with her Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist.

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Sass, Style & Substance for May 17, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, May 17, 2009

in Weekend Sass Style and Substance

eye4style
eye4style is ready for summer with the chic new POOL swimwear line.

Eat Smart Age Smart
Madonna and Gwyneth’s personal trainer reveals all.

Beauty Match
Pedi Pistol for home pedicures.

STYLEnosh
STYLEnosh delivers scary tales from the fitting room.

Splendicity Accessories
Inspirational accessory picks from Pantone’s Fall 2009 color forecast.

image: Stock.xchg

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Ayura Fall 2009 Collection

by PJ on Friday, May 15, 2009

in -Ayura, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

Ayura will release its fall 2009 makeup collection in Japan on July 23rd. The lineup includes:

– Aura Feel Shadow Soufflé (above, 4 shades, limited editions)

– Aura Feel Shadow (1 new variation)

– Aura Feel Rouge (3 new shades, limited editions)

– Aura Feel Gloss (2 new shades)

Loving Japanese Brands – Ayura

Ayura Spring 2009 Collection

Ayura Veil in Sweet Pink

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Jill Stuart 2009 Summer Collection Update & Future Release

by PJ on Friday, May 15, 2009

in -Jill Stuart, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, fragrance, makeup

(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

Jill Stuart has updated its website to feature the summer 2009 makeup collection (out in Japan on June 5th). The main eye makeup item for the seasonal ad image (below) is Jelly Eye Color N in 08 Crystal Sky (pictured above). It seems to be a very pretty medium purple shade and I am seriously considering getting it.

(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

Also, on July 3rd in Japan, Jill Stuart will release Jill by Jill Stuart Perfumed Body Powder (7g). It is an addition to the Jill by Jill Stuart Eau de Toilette range.

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)