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

SUQQU Summer 2009 Collection

by PJ on Monday, March 23, 2009

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

(image/info from www.biteki.com)

SUQQU will release a few lip items for summer 2009. They include three new shades of Creamy Lip Stick (two of them in the photo) and one new shade of Lip Liner Pencil.

All the items are limited editions and will be released in Japan on April 17th.

SUQQU Creamy Lip Stick in 22

Review: SUQQU Spring 2009 Collection (1)

Review: SUQQU Spring 2009 Collection (2)

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Weekend Beauty Read for March 22, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, March 22, 2009

in Weekend Beauty Read

The Makeup Divas reviews the new Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal and is giving away two boxes to two lucky winners. Contest is ending on Saturday so hurry on over and enter today!

A Touch of Blusher counts down the best spring 2009 makeup collections.

Beauty Anonymous shares her recent nail polish purchase from Essie and OPI.

Jenn from Beauty in Real Life reviews Tarte’s new Perfect Whirled Cheek Stain. Check it out here.

Check this post from Beauty and Personal Grooming to know the reason why women love makeup.

Felicia from ThisThatBeauty was like a kid in a candy store at The LA Makeup Show Check out ThisThatBeauty’s inside scoop from the Beauty Blogger’s Sneak Peek.

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Sass, Style & Substance for March 22, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, March 22, 2009

in Weekend Sass Style and Substance

Beauty Match
Free Trial Offer: Cosmetyn Cellulite Removal

eye4style
eye4style wants to know what YOU think of jelly shoes. Lust or bust?

STYLEnosh
STYLEnosh is calling for an end to recession bashing.

Style Manila
Style Manila asks who is the modern Filipina?

Beauty and Fashion Tech
Beauty and Fashion Tech is impressed with DermaDoctor Poetry in Lotion and will give one away next week.

Girl Gloss
Girl Gloss has swatches of the MAC Hello Kitty Lip Conditioners.

Splendicity Accessories
Need a hand figuring out which trendy Spring handbag you want? Check out these popular trends and see which one you like best.

image: Stock.xchg

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Spring 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 3)

by PJ on Saturday, March 21, 2009

in -Coffret d'Or, -Dior, -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

(continued from Part 1 and Part 2)

3. Coffret D’Or

(Coffret D’Or Shine Accent Eyes)

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

Just a year after the launch, Coffret D’Or has become one of my favorite makeup lines. Among the spring 2009 collection, the new palette range, Shine Accent Eyes, includes another array of pretty and wearable colors. The palettes don’t have an intense eyelining shade, but I can do without it for my daytime makeup. I am planning to getting 02 Pink Variation, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you.

2. Dior

(image from www.dior.com)

For me, the star of Dior’s spring 2009 collection is obviously the Lady Dior palette. However, the collection has other gorgeous items, including some soft milky neutrals. Both 5-Color Eyeshadow in Elégante and 5-Color Iridescent Eyeshadow in Parisian Lights are beautiful and very covetable. This is a collection that shows that neutrals don’t have to be dull.

1. Lunasol

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

(Lunasol Layer Bloom Eyes palettes)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

Lunasol has always been a front runner for me among the spring 2009 collections. Since the Red Purification collection in fall 2008, Lunasol has gone full circle and returned to the more sophisticated look that Lunasol started off with in 1999. The spring 2009 Floral Purification collection is less shimmery than the Brilliance Purification collection in fall 2007 (featuring Geminate Eyes palettes) and less vibrant than the Color Purification collection in spring 2008 (featuring Sheer Contrast Eyes palettes). While some of those who fell in love with Lunasol in the last couple of years might not find this collection as appealing, I do think this is one of Lunasol’s finest seasonal collections.

The Purple Variation palette is now on my way, and I will be posting my thoughts later on.

Lunasol Summer 2009 Collection

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Purple Variation (spring 2008)

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Elégance Summer 2009 Collection

by PJ on Friday, March 20, 2009

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

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

Elégance will release its summer 2009 collection in Japan on April 18th. The lineup includes:

– Lustre Crush Eyes (bi-phase liquid/powder eyeshadow, 5 shades, seen above)

– Lagoon Mascara Duo (2 variations, limited editions)

– Nail Bijou (4 new shades)

It is a very colorful and summery collection. I especially like the look of the Lustre Crush Eyes, and I look forward to seeing more close-up photos of them in Japanese beauty magazines later.

Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Elégance

Elégance Spring 2009 Collection

Spring 2009 Makeup Top 10

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Lunasol Summer 2009 Collection Update

by PJ on Friday, March 20, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

Here is an update on Lunasol’s summer 2009 collection, which will be released in Japan on May 8th. The two flowers chosen to continue the Floral Purification theme from spring 2009 are hibiscus and plumeria, which inspire the two mini collections you see above and below. (Please check this post for a quick reference for the two flowers.)

The full collection includes:

– Layer Bloom Eyes (Summer White Gradation and Summer Pink Gradation)

(images/info from www.cosme.net)

– Shining Face Color (1 new variation)

– Full Glamour Lips S (2 new shades)

– Full Glamour Gloss N (2 new shades)

– Shining Pencil (2 shades, sharpener included)

– Curling Mascara (1 shade)

– Nail Finish (2 new shades)

Note that all the items in this collection are limited editions except Curling Mascara.

Loving Japanese Brands – Lunasol

Lunasol 10th Anniversary

Lunasol Spring 2009 Collection

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Spring 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 2)

by PJ on Thursday, March 19, 2009

in -Aube (Couture), -Kanebo, -Kao, -Lavshuca, -Sofina, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

(continued from Part 1)

6. Max Factor

(image from www.maxfactor.jp)

Many of the Max Factor releases in Asia are very different from those in the west. In the case of the spring 2009 collection, these colorful palettes have a particularly Japanese feel and look very much like the tone-on-tone palettes that have constantly been brought out by Japanese brands. (The purple-toned palette reminds me of my Lunasol Lavender Coral.)

Do check this post for a great review of the green-toned palette (with swatches of all the palettes). The writer pointed out the improvement in the powder’s pigmentation level and lasting power. (The low pigmentation level from previous releases was mentioned by one reader under my initial post on this collection.)

5. Lavshuca

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)

“Cute” is still the best word to describe Lavshuca‘s makeup, but I do like the fact that the brand doesn’t try to be overly girlie. (The plum cases look quite elegant.) The spring 2009 collection includes a new range of lipsticks and eye palettes. I nearly decided to get Grade Color Eyes in PU-1 (top right in the photo above), but the colors are a little too pale and don’t seem warm enough for me. On the other hand, I am still interested in trying the new Finish Powder.

4. Aube Couture

(Aube Couture Designing Eyes)
(image from www.sofina.co.jp/aube)

I wasn’t really a big fan of Aube’s last few collections, but the new Aube Couture‘s debut collection got my attention. A lot of design went into some of the items to make them as user-friendly as possible. (Please see this post for examples and more discussion.) I’d think that the packaging was still kept very simple so that it wouldn’t overtake the actual design features, and Aube Couture certainly gets extra points from making makeup application a little bit easier for us.

The countdown continues in Part 3.

Aube Couture Summer 2009 Collection

Lavshuca Summer 2009 Collection

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Spring 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Monday, March 16, 2009

in -Elégance, -Esprique (Precious), -Kosé, -Maquillage, -RMK, -Shiseido, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

Spring makeup collections tend to be my favorites as compared with collections from the rest of the year, since the colors are usually soft, fresh, and wearable. This week, I will be counting down my top ten spring 2009 makeup collections.

10. Maquillage

(Maquillage Eyes Creators 3D)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)

(Maquillage Face Creators 3D)

(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)

Maquillage rolled out a large collection for spring 2009, changed a few of the brand ambassadors, and modified the packaging. The collection focuses on creating dimension for the face and the facial features. The Face Creator 3D includes highlighters, contourers and a blusher and aims to create depth for the face and a delicate jawline.

9. RMK

(image from www.rmkrmk.com)

RMK‘s spring 2009 collection, Spring Translucence, is full of soft ethereal hues. The idea is to use moderately pigmented shades with a gently luminous finish to enhance the lucidity of the complexion (rather than to cover the face with opaque colors). The star item is the Translucent Cheeks & Eyes, with one warmer and one cooler variation. The other items in the collection are also well-balanced and features both warmer and cooler shades.

8. Elégance

(Elégance EyeShadows)
(image from www.elegance-cosmetics.com)

(Elégance Radiance Quartet)

(image from www.elegance-cosmetics.com)

Like Sonia Rykiel and Paul & Joe, Elégance is a French fashion line with its beauty range mainly available in Asia. I particularly like the glamorous and opulent golden cases for many of its products. (Please see my profile of the brand here.) For spring 2009, the four new Eyeshadow palettes reflect all the main seasonal color trends (pinks, purples, and neutrals). The new Radiance Quartet is among the three cheek items from Elégance that I really want to check out in person.

7. Esprique Precious

(Esprique Precious True Impact Eyes)
(image from ep-bko.com)

Usually, spring is when most Japanese brands bring out the largest point makeup collection, but Kosé’s Esprique Precious‘ spring 2009 collection is very concise and consists of four eye palettes, two lipsticks and two lip glosses. The purple eye palette (True Impact Eyes in T-3) is featured as the main item of the collection. (Please see the ad image here.) I am still a little tempted to try this palette, as the purple seems to have the right tone for my complexion.

The countdown continues in Part 2 and Part 3.

Spring 2009 Makeup Trend Report

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844

Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 52

RMK Water Colors Eyes in 02 Lavender

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Weekend Beauty Read for March 15, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, March 15, 2009

in Weekend Beauty Read

The Makeup Divas is giving away some fabulous Chella anti-aging skin care products valued at $175.00! So hurry on over and enter today!

Whoa, there are a lot of beauty products coming out right now! Cybelesays.com just started an on-going feature picking their favorite ones. Click here to check them out.

Beauty Anonymous shares Paul & Joe Summer 2009 Makeup Collection.

Beauty Junkie in SF adds another face serum by Murad to her skincare routine. A true junkie can never just stick to one!

Check out Beauty and Personal Grooming’s giveaway!

ThisThatBeauty shows off NEW!!! Prescriptives U-PICK Refillable Compacts…Check out ThisThatBeauty’s chosen compact combo and Felicia’s FACE OF THE DAY.

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having a giveaway with Shecky’s Girls Night Out. Click here to enter to win 2 tickets and 2 goodie bags to a GNO event near you!!!

Face Candy is giving away 2 items from MAC’s new Well Defined Collection. Enter to win here.

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