YSL Spring/Summer 2009 Base Makeup Releases

by PJ on Monday, February 23, 2009

in -YSL, 2009 Spring, makeup - base makeup

(image from www.biteki.com)

YSL will be releasing the spring/summer 2009 base makeup items in Japan on March 6th.

Matt Touch Compact Foundation SPF 20 has already been launched in the US. I didn’t see it the last time I walked past my local YSL counter, and I am looking forward to seeing it soon.


(image from www.cosme.net)

YSL’s Tient de Pearle (from nearly 10 years ago) is one of the very few foundations from western beauty brands that I actually liked. Even though it was not among the most sebum-controlling powder foundations for my oily skin, the powder was so silky and smooth that I did enjoy using it. I am hoping that Matt Touch will have a similar smooth texture with better sebum control. (Plus, Matt Touch is housed in a similar case to the opulent golden case for Tient de Pearle.)

In addition, YSL will release Matt Touch Radiant Base, in three color-adjusting shades, with SPF 12 and PA++.

{ 4 comments }

Weekend Beauty Read for February 22, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, February 22, 2009

in Weekend Beauty Read

Beauty Anonymous features a preview of Paul & Joe Summer 2009 Makeup Collection.

A Touch of Blusher reviews Deluxe Eyeshadow Kit from Barry M.

The Makeup Divas reviews Gillette Venus Embrace & Spa Breeze shavers.

Raging Rouge raves about the latest fragrance by CLEAN, Simply Soap.

Face Candy gives you the details on Les Noirs de Chanel.

Check out Christine‘s picks for bringing some Spring to your toes. Head on over to Beauty in Real Life to get the details!

{ 0 comments }

Sass, Style & Substance for February 22, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, February 22, 2009

in Weekend Sass Style and Substance

Beauty Match
Norman Sands reveals a few well-guarded secrets to the perfect wedding makeup!

Raging Rouge
Raging Rouge raves about the latest CLEAN fragrance, simply soap.

Bags, Bling and Beauty
In the inaugural post of Bags, Bling and Beauty, read about the best thing to happen to pedicures since quick-dry.

STYLEnosh
Start to build your own timeless wardrobe: how to shop for a classic black blazer.

Beauty and Fashion Tech
Beauty and Fashion Tech begins a comprehensive review of the Nintento Wii Fit!

Girl Gloss
Girl Gloss looks at Lumene Beauty Base, a lip makeup base.

Splendicity Accessories
Here are the top 10 reasons why Chloe would prefer to invest in accessories over the stock market.

Steeping Beauty
Once upon a time Steeping Beauty saw a fashion show…

image: Stock.xchg

{ 0 comments }

Bodycare Review: ESPA Detoxifying Salt Scrub

by PJ on Sunday, February 22, 2009

in bodycare

(image from www.espaonline.com)

Last December, I reviewed the 24 Hour Moisture Complex from ESPA. Today, I am reviewing Detoxifying Salt Scrub from the Renew bodycare range.

This is essentially a two-in-one product, which works both as a salt scrub and bath salt. The salt particles are mainly of two sizes. Most of them resemble finely ground table salt and some resemble coarse sea salt. When applied onto the skin, it is the smaller salt particles that are doing the exfoliating job. The larger salt particles drop into the bath as they are meant to be bath salt.

The product features a mixture of plant oils, which include sweet almond oil, sunflower seed oil, and coconut oil. They moisturize the skin during the exfoliating. Some might find them to be a little too emollient. In this case, a small amount of cleanser can be used afterwards just to take off the extra emolliency.

The product has a fairly long-lasting citrusy scent, which is from added fragrant components.

Overall this is quite a heavy-duty body scrub that leaves the skin smooth and conditioned. I would suggest using very soft and gentle circular motions and avoid any sensitive area of the skin.

Related posts:

Can’t Live Without: Dove Body Silk

Nivea My Silhouette

E45 Endless Moisture

{ 0 comments }

Coming Up: Japanese Base Makeup Week

by PJ on Friday, February 20, 2009

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

To me, one of the most fascinating aspects of Japanese cosmetics is the generally outstanding quality of the base makeup*.

In the first week of March, I will be posting five articles on Japanese base makeup. These posts are largely based on the questions that I have often been asked in the past two years by readers new to or interested in Japanese makeup. I hope these articles will be helpful to some of you as well as any future reader who might have similar questions.

The first article will go up on Monday March 2nd. If you have any question on Japanese base makeup or suggestions on what you would like to see covered, please feel free to leave a comment or send me an e-mail.

Thank you very much, and stay tuned!

* In Japan, “base makeup” (or “base make”) refers to items applied before any color is added. They include primers, concealers, foundations, highlighting/contouring items, and loose/pressed powder. With some Japanese brands, they can also include delicately pigmented blushers.

Items featured in the photo:

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Foundation

Paul & Joe Light Cream Foundation

Anna Sui Fluid Foundation

{ 10 comments }

Skincare Review: Själ Mineral Källa & Kura Intuitif

by PJ on Friday, February 20, 2009

in skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning, skincare - moisturizing/others

(images from www.sjalskincare.com)

Själ is a high-end skincare line featuring a concise range of products, with a cleanser, toner, a serum, two facial moisturizers, and an eye cream. (“Själ” is a Swedish word meaning soul.) Today I am reviewing the Mineral Källa Energy Tonic and Kura Intuitif Cellular Repair Cream from the range.

– Mineral Källa Energy Tonic (above)

Currently the only toner from Själ, Mineral Källa comes with a spray dispenser. Some of the key ingredients are rice bran extract and ginseng extract.

The product contains benzyl alcohol. When it is towards the top of the ingredient list, it can irritate the skin. But, as it is second to last on the ingredient list of this product, it is very unlikely to cause skin irritation.

Overall the toner sinks in fairly easily, but, compared with one of my favorite toners, Lancôme’s Tonique Doucer, I feel that Mineral Källa is slightly less calming.

The product does not contain parabens.


– Kura Intuitif Cellular Repair Cream

It is the more emollient one of the two facial moisturizers from Själ. Some of the moisturizing agents are squalane, borage seed oil, glycerin, grape seed oil, and a small amount of shea butter and mango butter. It is alcohol free.

Even though the product is targeted at those with dry or very dry skin, the texture is not overly dense or balmy.

One thing worth noting is that both products contain a small amount of gold and silver. Even though it is one of Själ’s main selling points, there are some potential issues with these ingredients. Gold could be a skin irritant and there is no research showing that it has benefits when applied topically on the skin. Also, while silver does have disinfecting properties, it should not stay on the skin for a prolonged period of time. (Information from Paula Begoun.)

I think the two products would have been better formulated had these two ingredients been left out. The Energy Tonic would have suited most skin types and the Cellular Repair Cream, with its soft and smooth texture, would have suited those with normal or dry skin.

Related posts:

Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Kanebo Freeplus

Skincare Review: Crème de la Mer

Redefining Skin Types

{ 4 comments }

Update: SUQQU Base Makeup Kit

by PJ on Wednesday, February 18, 2009

in -SUQQU, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup - base makeup

(images and info from www.cosme.net)

Earlier this month, I posted information on SUQQU‘s Base Makeup Kit, which will be released in Japan on March 6th.

Since then, a few readers have asked me whether the kit will be available in the SUQQU counter in London’s Selfridges. According to SUQQU, the limited-edition Base Makeup Kit will be available at Selfridges from May 7th. It is priced at £60, and customers will be able to choose among the six shades of Liquid Foundation Aqua, which is included in the kit.

Please check the link above to see the contents of the Base Makeup Kit.

{ 8 comments }

RMK for London Fashion Week

by PJ on Wednesday, February 18, 2009

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

(image from www.rmkrmk.com)

RMK will be hosting an event for London Fashion Week from 19th to 25th of February.

The RMK makeup artists will give you a makeover using RMK’s base makeup products as well as items from the spring 2009 “Spring Translucence” makeup collection.

Also, on the 19th and 21st, you can also book to experience the latest catwalk hairstyles with Wella, Schwarzkopf and Frédéric Fekkai hair stylist Dawn Wellam, who will demonstrate the spring hairstyle trends to go with RMK’s spring makeup looks.

The booking fee is £20, which is redeemable against purchases on the day. Booking customers will receive a skincare trial kit, and those with purchases over £50 and £70 will also receive, respectively, the RMK spring/summer 09 scented candle and a handy cheek brush.

For more information and for booking an appointment, please call RMK at Selfridges on 0207 318 3538.

(information from RMK)

Related posts:

RMK Water Color Eyes in 02 Lavender

Beauty City Guide: London

{ 4 comments }

Makeup Review: Barry M Deluxe Eyeshadow Kit

by PJ on Monday, February 16, 2009

in makeup, makeup - eyeshadow



Founded by Barry Mero in 1982, Barry M has been quite a popular UK makeup line here. Its vibrant colors, reminiscent of the 80s when the line started, always seem to stand out among other drugstore lines in Boots and Superdrug stores. Today I am reviewing the Deluxe Eyeshadow Kit.

The cardboard compact comes with a mirror and a double-ended sponge applicator.

From top to bottom, left to right:

– dark royal blue, yellow gold, warm purple
– aqua blue, dark grey, cool green
– beige gold, silver, medium brown

The finish and the pigmentation level seem unified across the board. All the colors are well-pigmented. They have a subtle pearly finish with very fine shimmer. None of the shades looks overly frosty.

The colors go on quite smoothly and blend well, and the staying powder is good

I like the fact that the nine colors range from the neutral and office-friendly beige gold and brown to the more 80s-tastic blue, green, and purple. (These three colors go on very slightly lighter, but they are still very vibrant.)

The bright shades complement one another. The aqua blue and the green (with a hint of light turquoise) blend with each other well when I try to wear both of them at the same time. Also, the neutrals can create quite a seamless gradational look.

To have fun with the palette, you can take the three colors from each row or column and see what look you can come up with. (I find that most of the combinations do make sense, and I particularly like the top row, with blue, purple, and gold.)

Considering the fact that Barry M’s eyeshadow singles (Dazzle Dust) cost 4.50 GBP each, the Deluxe Eyeshadow Kit’s price tag (9.95 GBP) seems modest. I think this is a good palette to go for either if you would like a versatile palette at an affordable price or if you want to experiment with colors that you don’t really wear very often.

(The Barry M website ships internationally.)

Related posts (other good items at affordable prices):

– Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush

– Simple Moisturising Facial Wash

– Olay Complete Care Night Enriched Cream

{ 10 comments }

Sass, Style & Substance for February 15, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, February 15, 2009

in Weekend Sass Style and Substance

Style Manila
Earrings are a personal style fetish. These babies have found a new nest.

Raging Rouge
Who couldn’t use perfect skin this Spring? Head over to the Raging Rouge tarte cosmetics giveaway for a chance to win one of three complexion prizes with a retail value of $83 each!

Beauty Match
Celebrity Smile Teeth Whitener Free Sample Giveaways.

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher tries out Jill Stuart’s Mix Blush Compact

eye4style
Here Kitty, Kitty. eye4style is loving the new MAC Hello Kitty video. Have you seen it yet?

Her Accessories
Here are a few of my shoe picks for red-carpet worthy style.

Gleaming Things
Bring on the bling at the Grammys! Celebrities went bold and bright on the red carpet for the Grammy Awards.

STYLEnosh
Take a simple Target dress from casual to chic!

image: Stock.xchg

{ 0 comments }

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →