(image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)

SUQQU‘s fall 2008 makeup collection, Kokoroiro – Himeaka (I very roughly translate it as “the mysterious red of the heart“), puts red on the center stage and shows what it can do for the eyes. For this season, many Japanese brands have come up with deep warm red eyeshadows, as we have seen in the lineups of Lunasol, Cosme Decorte AQ, and Magie Deco. Let’s now look at SUQQU’s red eyeshadow and some other items from the collection. (The second part of this review, which will focus on items for cheeks and lips, will be up next week.)


Dual Eyeshadow in 01 Koushi

I have mentioned before that the texture of SUQQU’s eyeshadows is among the smoothest and silkiest that I have ever come across. (The same description applies to SUQQU’s lipsticks.) The Dual Eyeshadow range is new to SUQQU, but the lovely texture remains the same.

01 Koushi is used for the print ad campaign (seen above). It includes a very pale warm beige (with mild shimmer) and a well-pigmented deep warm red (with subtle shimmer). The pale beige is quite sheer and can work as a base and a highlighter. The deep red actually doesn’t go on nearly as red as what you see in the ad. It is essentially a warm red-toned brown, with red as the main color of the subtle shimmer. It is also a lot more wearable than it looks. I find that it gives a very sensual look, which is not attention-seeking but still carries impact.

If you do want a deep-red shade for the eyes, this color might not be red enough for you. On the other hand, if you find most browns to be too greyish for your complexion, this neutral-with-a-twist is worth considering.

Dual Eyeshadow in 02 Chaki

This duo includes a very luminous and glowy off-white (which is more pigmented than the pale beige in 01 Koushi) and a well-pigmented medium-to-dark brown with subtle shimmer. I like the fact that the brown doesn’t turn ashy overtime and the richness of the color holds very well.

As shadowing shades, both the deep red-brown and the brown can be quite dark for those with light or light-to-medium complexions. (I tend to wear them quite close to the lashline.) But the shades can easily be blended into a smoky look if you want a more intensity.

For me, in terms of quality, SUQQU’s eyeshaows are some of the best I have come across. Regarding the dark shades, the well-pigmented powder works very efficiently, and a gentle dab of the brush into the powder picks up a lot of color. But when it comes to dispensing, the color is actually released very gently, evenly, and steadily. Also, the powder has what I call a fluffy adherence. During the application, the powder doesn’t stick too firmly on the lid, and layering and blending are wonderfully effortless. But once the application is completed, the finish lasts very well.


Eyelid Base

Currently available in one shade, this product works similarly to other eye-base products. However, because of its powder texture, it is applied after the (powder or liquid/cream) foundation. I also use it as a concealer elsewhere on my face after my powder foundation.

It has a matte finish with no hint of shimmer, but the light-reflective particles and the subtle coverage cancel out uneven skin tone and create a fresh canvas for the eyeshadow application. (It helps even out both redness and darkness, but I find it to be particularly useful in evening out redness). Even if you don’t wear eyeshadows, this product can help brighten up the eye area. (It can also be used in the under-eye area.)

However, I wouldn’t recommend this product if you have noticeable lines around the eyes, as this powder-type product can emphasize the look of them.

SUQQU’s makeup products used to be in white cases. When the brand brought out dark ones, I thought they were almost black at the very beginning. But they are actually in a deep violet shade, which I find beautiful, sophisticated and quite unique. I tried to capture the color of the case in the photo above. (The inner panels of the cases are black.)

On the other hand, some SUQQU’s cases are in dark red, such as those for the spring/summer 2008 base makeup collection.

I will return with the second part of the SUQQU fall 2008 review next week. Do come back!

Related Posts:

SUQQU Brand Profile

SUQQU Spring 2008 Collection

Foundation Face-Off: Chanel vs. SUQQU

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Dior Holiday 2008 Update (4)

by PJ on Thursday, October 23, 2008

in -Dior, 2008 Holiday, makeup

Just in case you haven’t seen them on-line or in the shop, here are some more images of Dior’s holiday 2008 collection. (All images are from woman.excite.co.jp.)







Please see my first post on the collection to see all the photos and the updates.

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(image from www.biteki.com)

The December 2008 issue of Biteki magazine has been published in Japan and it includes full coverage of the Christmas 2008 collections from major Japanese and western brands. All the 17 pages of the feature are now up on Biteki’s website. Enjoy!

Related Posts:

Japanese Beauty Magazine: Biteki

My Ultimate Cosmetics Archive

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(image and info from www.iswii.net)

After the very first holiday set from Magie Deco in 2007, the Kosé line will release another lovely coffret for holiday 2008.

It includes a cream eye color, a lip gloss, a face powder, and a face brush. They continue the deep-red theme of Magie Deco’s Bordeaux Magic collection for fall 2008, and they certainly have a Christmas feel.



Like the 2008 Esprique Precious holiday set, the release date in Taiwan is November 16th and it should be earlier in Japan.

Related Posts:

Magie Deco Summer 2008 Collection

Magie Deco Spring 2008 Collection

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(images and info from www.iswii.net)

For holiday 2008, Kosé‘s Esprique Precious will release Party Couture Collection, a makeup set that includes items for eyes, lips, and nails.

The pink-toned set features an eyeshadow trio, an eyeliner, a lip gloss, and a nail color. Like Lavshuca’s Winter Make Collection (for holiday 2007) and Summer Gradually Compact, the eyeshadows are not packaged in the case and come in a disposable container like this:

You can see the actual packaging of the set and all the swatches in the article written by an on-line beauty editor. (The set will be released in Taiwan on November 16th and it should be launched slightly earlier in Japan.)

Related Posts:

Esprique Precious Fall 2008 Collection

Beauté de Kosé Holiday 2008 Collection

Visée Dual Shine Rouge Palette

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Bourjois Gloss Bijou for Holiday 2008

by PJ on Wednesday, October 22, 2008

in 2008 Holiday, makeup


(image and info from www.joseishi.net/voce/)

Bourjois will release Gloss Bijou in Japan on November 27th, which I suppose is meant to be a limited holiday release. I think it will be sold in other countries.

It is available in one shade, a wearable coral-toned pink. It reminds me of some of the limited-edition items that Dior has released, especially the DiorLight Jewelled Makeup Necklace from holiday 2007.

I haven’t been very interested in most of the Christmas items so far. Maybe this (presumably relatively reasonably priced) will win me over when I see it in person.

Related Post:

Dior Luminizing Makeup Jewel

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(image from Jo Malone)

For the Beast Cancer Awareness Month, Jo Malone (see the UK site here) has launched the Red Roses collection, which includes cologne, bath oil, and body lotion. The scent includes notes of lemon, spearmint, violet leaves, Bulgarian roses, and beeswax.

In the US, $15,000 will be donated to The Beast Cancer Research Foundation in connection with the sale of the Red Roses range. In the UK, for every sale of the Red Roses Cologne 100ml, £5.00 will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s research program at the Royal Marsden Institute of Cancer Research, based in London and Sutton, Surrey.

Related Posts:

Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Collection

Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne

BBN_BCA

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

Lavshuca has updated its official website to include information on the November releases for holiday 2008, which include the Stick Eyeshadows and the Antique Collection (seen above).

Also, Kate has updated its website to feature the upcoming Gel Eyeshadows, available on November 1st as well.

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New Skincare Range: Shiseido Elixir Prior

by PJ on Tuesday, October 21, 2008

in -Shiseido, skincare

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

Shiseido‘s skincare and base makeup range, Elixir Superior, targets those in their thirties and forties. On November 21st, a new Elixir range, Elixir Prior, will be launched in Japan and will target consumers in their sixties.

According to Nikkei Net, in 2007, the beauty market for those over sixties occupies 19% of the whole beauty market in Japan and shows a remarkable 104% increase from 2006. The launch of Elixir Prior is responding to this market shift.

The launch lineup will include a face soap, a toner, a moisturizing lotion, a moisturizing cream, and a daytime sunscreen (SPF 30, PA+++). I am sure the line will be expanded later on.

This launch happens to echo what I mentioned earlier about the launch of Voce Platinum, the beauty magazine for more mature readers. It seems that we are witnessing a new dimension in the Japanese beauty scene.

Related Posts:

Shiseido d Program Revamped

Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Kanebo Freeplus

Genre Focus: Whitening Skincare Products

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(CARGO Essential Eyeshadow Palettes)

CARGO‘s Essential Eye Palettes are part of the brand’s fall 2008 collection, which focuses on wearable basics for the eyes. Today I am reviewing two of the three neutral palettes from the collection.

Essential Eyeshadow Palette in Warm Neutral

The palette includes:
– sheer matte ivory
– sheer pale beige with moderate shimmer
– matte light brown with very sparse shimmer
– matte dark brown with sparse shimmer

The powder is very fine, goes on relatively easily, and lasts well. The two light shades are very sheer. The ivory smoothes out the skin rather than highlighting it, and the pale beige adds shimmer more than color. The two dark shades are well-pigmented and add nice depth to the eyes. The overall look is softly matte without looking chalky. This palette will suit those with light and light-to-medium complexions.

Essential Eyeshadow Palette in Cool Neutral

The palette includes:
– sheer pale beige with a subtly luminous finish
– light taupe with very sparse shimmer
– matte cool chocolate brown
– matte dark charcoal grey

The tones in this palette are generally a lot cooler. The shades for the crease and outer corner are also a lot darker, and the lid color here is slightly more pigmented than the one in the Warm Neutral palette above. Again, the finish is matte instead of shimmery. Overall this palette creates a more intense look and is a lot more suitable for evening makeup.

I personally prefer the Warm Neutral palette, since I tend to prefer medium neutrals to darker ones and I like slightly warmer neutrals better. The light brown crease color also suits me well. But if you have a medium or medium-to-dark complexion and prefer cooler neutrals, I would recommend the Cool Neutral palette.

More neutral palettes:

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Gold Variation

RMK Fall 2008 Makeup Collection

Lavshuca Summer Gradually Compact

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