Love Clover PonPonCheek PC N

by PJ on Thursday, June 12, 2008

in -Love Clover, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - blusher

(Sony B&C Laboratories
Love Clover PonPon Cheek PC N)
(image from woman.excite.co.jp)

Love Clover, like Makemania and Vecua, is a Japanese beauty brand co-owned by Sony. The drugstore brand has a very young and girlie feel.

Love Clover currently features two adorable-looking blushers, PonPonCheek N and PonPonCheek PC. On June 5th, the brand released PonPonCheek PC N, which is a two-toned blusher. It is available in 4 shades.

Love Clover is a brand that I have been interested in but haven’t bought from. I will certainly share my thoughts on their products if I pick up some later!

Related Posts:

My Makeup Shopping List for Japan
(featuring Love Clover and other brands)

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush

Albion Eprise Water Face Color

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A Class Act: SUQQU Creamy Lipstick

by PJ on Thursday, June 12, 2008

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - lip color, stash focus

(SUQQU Creamy Lipstick in 22 Benikoji)

Ever since I visited the SUQQU counter (English site here) in London’s Selfridges for the first time, the brand has a special place in my makeup-loving heart.

The quality of some of their makeup items is sublime. Apart from their base makeup products, which SUQQU is renowned for, the texture of their eyeshadows and blushers (and the way the powder melts into the skin) is unparalleled. (I am just waiting for a lilac palette to be released…)

(However, some SUQQU’s skincare products feature excessive alcohol. I personally don’t recommend them.)

Today I am focusing on the SUQQU Creamy Lipstick I have. I very briefly mentioned it earlier, but I think this item more than deserves its own post.

The defining characteristic of SUQQU’s Creamy Lipsticks is the wonderfully rich emolliency. It feels very creamy (but not heavy) on the lips and the color glides on with tremendous ease. Out of all my lipsticks, this one is the most moisturizing. (But I do still always apply a lip balm underneath all lipsticks and lip glosses. It has been a habit of mine for years.) Even when my lips are sometimes not as conditioned as they normally are, especially in winter, the color still goes on quite evenly.

#22 Benikoji is a soft beige pink. I don’t really like nude lipsticks, and this shade is probably as nude as I would ever go. It is moderately pigmented but can be layered for more intensity, and it has no multi-colored micro shimmer that a lot of lipsticks from Japanese brands have. It goes on slightly lighter and imparts a beautiful sheen that does not look greasy. The soft sheen looks classy and understated.

The moisture, finish and color are all long-lasting. Also, for me, apart from the lovely color, this lipstick makes the lips both look and feel ultimately conditioned.

The Creamy Lipstick costs 5250 yen in Japan (about 50 USD) and 24 pounds in the UK. It is expensive, but, for the outstanding quality, I think it is worth it. I have not been planning on getting another color (since I would love to have a SUQQU eye palette first), but I would still be interested in getting a slightly darker and cooler lipstick color.

If you are going to Japan, Thailand, or the UK this summer (SUQQU is currently only available in these three countries), do have a look at SUQQU’s items. You can find all the current SUQQU retail points in the three countries here.

– Please head over to Autumn Masquerade for a brief review of Blend Eyeshadow palette in #06 Touryoku from SUQQU’s spring 2008 collection.

– If you are interested (and read Chinese), please check out this great post on various SUQQU makeup products, including the Creamy Lipstick. I fully agree with the writer that, again, even though this lipstick is expensive, it is absolutely worth it.

Related Posts:

SUQQU Breaks Records
(a brand profile with my personal take)

SUQQU Makeup Base Creamy & Brightup

SUQQU Spring 2008 Collection

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Beauty Bloggers’ Summer Must-Haves

by PJ on Thursday, June 12, 2008

in bodycare, makeup, nail color/care, skincare

Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search is featuring three must-have summer products of 15 beauty bloggers plus her own picks.

Please head over and have a look!

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Japanese Cosmetics Brand Profile – New Category Added

by PJ on Wednesday, June 11, 2008

in all about Japanese cosmetics, announcement



A new post category, Japanese Brand Profile, has been added to the “Read by Topics” list on my blog sidebar.

Under this category, you will find my recent brand-focus posts, posts on news of brand launches, and others where I briefly profile a brand within a product review.

The posts in my Loving Japanese Brands series, which highlights my seven favorite Japanese beauty brands, are also placed in this category for your ease of navigation.

More posts will be added to this category as I continue to highlight other Japanese beauty brands. Some future posts include profiles on Kanebo Freeplus (up later this week), Ettusais, Kesalan Patharan, Lissage, and ECM. Please stay tuned!

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Kanebo Lissage Fall 2008 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, June 11, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lissage, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(part of Lissage’s fall 2008 collection)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

The currently Kanebo-owned Lissage was launched in 1992 and remained a predominantly skincare-focused (high-end) brand. (The pricings are similar to Lunasol’s.) Last fall, the brand went through a revamp and a readjustment of brand focus, and its products have been getting more print media coverage in Japan.

(Lissage Ltd. also owns ECM and Bath Tours. I will post more detailed brand profiles of Lissage and ECM later on.)

On August 16th, Lissage will launch its fall 2008 makeup collection, which includes:

– Nuance Fit Eyes (eye palette): 4 variations
– Long Curl Mascara: 1 shade
– Long Curl Mascara Base: 1 shade
– Contrast Eyeliner: 2 shades
– Slim Eyebrow: 3 shades
– Creamy Fit Rouge: 6 shades
– Lip Base Liner: 3 shades
– Lip Repair Serum
– Blush Veil: 2 new shades

(The holders of Contrast Eyeliner, Slim Eyebrow and Lip Base Liner refills are sold separately.)

(Lissage Blush Veil for spring 2008)
(image from www.lissage.jp)

Many Japanese makeup lines are quite specific about the consumers they are trying to appeal to. Somewhat similar to Twany Glamacy, the Lissage point makeup line focuses on understated basics that suit makeup-wearing consumers in corporate settings in Japan that tend to go for clean and low-key colors (as well as packaging).

Items of these two brands might not look as impressive on magazine pages as those from the dreamy Jill Stuart and the trend-setting Dior, but I think they do have a reasonably wide appeal to those who (have to) wear makeup on a daily basis but don’t necessarily use makeup to express themselves in certain sterile office environments. If you regularly stock up trust-worthy essentials, this line is worth following up on.

Fall 2008 collections from other Kanebo-owned brands/lines:

CHICCA

Lavshuca

Kate

Coffret D’Or (early fall 2008 collection)

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Beauty Duty for June 10, 2008

by PJ on Tuesday, June 10, 2008

in Weekly Beauty Duty

Enjoy!

KRiSTOPHER gets instacheekbones with NARS blush/bronzer duo in Sin Casino.

Makeup Moxie has beauty lust for the new Rice Ultra-Matte Face Fluid by L’Occitane.

SugarShock Beauty sounds off on the now-legendary Cor Silver Soap. Is it worth $125?

Strappy sandals and Croc pumps… Get your feet ready for summer naturally with The Organic Beauty Expert.

Enter TheMakeupGirl’s latest contest for a chance to win Estee Lauder’s new fragrance Sensuous…

A Touch of Blusher adores this face wash!

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Cosme Decorte AQ Color Makeup Renewal for Fall 2008

by PJ on Monday, June 9, 2008

in -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(part of Cosme Decorte’s fall 2008 collection)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)


AQ (Absolute Quality) is Cosme Decorte‘s (owned by Kosé) top-end skincare and makeup line. AQ’s point* (color) makeup line was launched in 2000 and features some of the most expensive makeup items in Japan.

On August 21st, the existing AQ point makeup line will be replaced by new items with brand new packaging.

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

The new AQ makeup collection for fall 2008 includes:

– Rouge Supreme: 10 shades
– Shadow Supreme (eye palettes): 5 variations
– Light Focus (base/highlighter): 3 shades
– Nuance Glow (highlighter): 3 shades
– Face Color (blusher): 5 shades
– Mascara Excellent: 2 shades
– Liquid Eyeliner: 5 shades
– Pencil Eyeliner: 2 shades
– Pencil Eyebrow: 4 shades
– Lip Liner: 7 shades
– Nail Supreme: 10 shades

With Japanese cosmetics, renewals (particularly with makeup) are usually more about updating the packaging than the actual formulation of products. In Japan’s fiercely competitive beauty market, product packaging has to stay fresh and up-to-date, and many brands revamp the look of their products in their own time frames and either minimally (like Anna Sui and Lunasol) or drastically (like Sofina Aube). Replaced items are either phased out quickly or discontinued immediately.

(part of Cosme Decorte’s summer 2008 collection)
(image from www.biteki.com)

For me, AQ’s packaging renewal is successful. The current packaging (seen above) looks clean and sophisticated but slightly lacks character. The new look is opulent and glamorous. I think Cosme Decorte has worked out a look for AQ that goes with its prices. The lipsticks and blushers are particularly pricey:

Rouge Supreme: 6300 yen (about 59 USD)
Face Color: 7350 yen (about 69 USD)

In contrast, the Shadow Supreme eye palettes (6825 yes, about 64 USD) almost seem relatively reasonable. (The price is about the same as that of a Dior 5-color eye palette in the UK.) If I decide to try an item from AQ, the eye palette will probably be my choice.

* In Japanese cosmetics, the term “point makeup” (constantly written as “point make” in Japan) refers to color makeup items like eyeshadows, mascaras, lipsticks and lip glosses. On the the hand, “base makeup” (“base make”) refers to items such as primers, concealers, foundations, and loose/pressed powder (and not just bases (primers)).

Other Fall 2008 Makeup Collections:

Chanel

CHICCA

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Lunasol Fall 2008 Collection – Red Purification

by PJ on Monday, June 9, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(part from Lunasol’s fall 2008 collection)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Many of Lunasol‘s past makeup collection themes are based on the idea of “purification”. So far, we’ve had:

“Scent Purification” for fall 2006 (Scent Form Eyes)
“Brilliance Purification” for fall 2007 (Geminate Eyes)
“Color Purification” for spring 2008 (Sheer Contrast Eyes)

The clear brand philosophy and the individual yet coherent seasonal makeup themes are what set Lunasol apart from the other Japanese makeup brands, and their brand image has always been very appealing to me.

For fall 2008, it will be all about red, as Lunasol brings us the theme “Red Purification“. For a change, Lunasol’s latest collection will focus on the lips, and 16 red lipsticks take center stage.

All the items are brand new and are not new shades added to the existing items. The full Lunasol fall 2008 lineup includes:

– Full Glamour Lips S: 16 shades
– Contrasting W Lip Liners: 2 shades
– Noble Shade Eyes: 5 variations
– Noble Shade Liner: 3 shades
– Brow Styling Compact: 2 variations
– Coloring Cheeks: 2 shades (refill only, case and applicator sold separately)

Apart from the color makeup items, the fall lineup will also include Nuance Change Foundation B (2 shades), which is supposed to be Lunasol’s equivalent of YSL’s Touche Éclat. The new skincare addition will be Lip Essence, with SPF 20 and PA+.

The collection will be launched in Japan on August 22nd.

I would describe this collection as both classic and edgy, with beautiful red lipsticks and rather bold red-toned eyeshadows. (It seems that each of the five Noble Shade Eyes palette will feature a shade of red.) I am really looking forward to seeing how these red eyeshadow shades will be worn on models in Japanese makeup magazines. Also, for those who look for the ultimate red lipstick, this collection is worth a serious look.

This seems to be another seasonal makeup collection from Lunasol that has a tremendously unique identity, and I think Japanese makeup fans will remember this collection for a long time.

I will update this post when I come across more information.

Updated on July 24th, 2008:

The Lunasol website has been updated.

Updated on August 21st, 2008:

Please check out this link for swatches of nearly all the items from Lunasol’s fall 2008 collection, including all the eye palettes, lipsticks, blushers, and eyeliners (from a Lunasol press event in Taiwan).

Other Posts on Lunasol:

Lunasol Summer 2008 Collection

Lunasol Full Glamour Gloss in Bright Pink

Loving Japanese Brands – Lunasol

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Kanebo Twany Glamacy Fall 2008 Collection

by PJ on Monday, June 9, 2008

in -Glamacy, -Kanebo, -Twany, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(part of the Twany Glamacy Fall 2008 Collection)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Twany Glamacy was launched in April with a full range of wearable basics. For fall 2008, more shades will be added to the existing items of the lineup, plus the new Mascara EU (Under-Eye), a mascara specifically for lower lashes.

The fall 2008 additions include:

– Eye Color UE (Under-Eye): 2 new shades
(luminous powder eye colors for the under-eye area)
– Eye Color Set (palette): 2 new variations
– Eyeliner Pencil: 1 new shade
– Gel Eyeliner: 1 new shade
– Mascara UE (Under-Eye): 1 shade
– Lipstick: 5 new shades
– Lip Liner: 2 new shades

(Apart from Eye Color and Eye Color UE, Twany Glamacy also has Eye Color UB (Under-Brow), which currently includes two eye colors specifically for highlighting the under-brow area.)

The collection will be launched in Japan on August 16th.

Other Fall 2008 Collections:

Coffret D’Or

Lavshuca

Kate

Sofina Aube

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Splendid Weekend Reads for June 8, 2008

by PJ on Sunday, June 8, 2008

in Weekend Splendid Read

From the Splendicity Community, comes this week’s best in Beauty, Fashion and Shopping. Check out the very splendid best!

BEAUTY

Teri from Aging Fabulous has been testing the Lancome Absolue Premium bx Cloth Masks and the results are in.

Viva Woman takes a look at sunscreen ingredient Helioplex from Neutrogena and compares its Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch with La Roche-Posay Anthelios containing Mexoryl.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to get a silver and pink eye look with eyeshadows from MAC Cosmetics.

Beauty and Fashion Tech tries the Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Foundation, Concealer, and Powder and loves them!

Beauty Secrets Revealed is Giving Away Bramble Berry’s DIY Eyeshadow Kit Worth $45.

Youthful skin is IN! Beauty Banter dishes on Jurlique’s new anti-aging collection! After all, who doesn’t want to look younger?!

Raging Rouge gets lipstick tips and tricks from the Lipstick Queen herself, Poppy King! You won’t want to miss her advice, or information about her new book!

Krizia from Beauty Match Network highlights her Interview with Lancôme’s makeup artist and Beauty at Every Age Expert.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic continues to add to her summer bright nail polish options with Essie’s Summer Neons!

Steeping Beauty rediscovers the Pleasure of a Japanese Bath with Shu Uemura.

The Scented Life can’t believe that Lindsay Lohan is finally going to launch her own perfume!

A Touch of Blusher‘s guest reviewer reports on the new Thierry Mugler makeup line.

FASHION

Style…a work in progress‘s husband has found his summer muse…but can they find the right pants? Find out why she says No white after Labor Day (and not much before either).

Snarkstress doesn’t recommend taking Office Wear style cues from the ever-so-classy Amy Winehouse, but notes there are moments when the fashion forces of Kat Von D may take over – right, Charlize?

Petite Fashionista is all shiny and new and invites you to check out all the new features, plus to celebrate there will be lots of contests in the next few weeks!

The Space Between My Peers describes three color combining techniques for blondes who want to wear black.

SHOPPING

Over at NY Spender, Bullitt the cat points you to some great online deals. This week he has found some cool bermuda shorts!

Shopalicious has found a place to score cute summer dresses for under $50!

Her Accessories is loving the vintage style of these metal and enamel pendants from designer Peggy Li.

Indie Style File is is looking for a brave soul to try these Hammertime Pants.

ShopDiary has invites to The Top Secret, a private online sample sale site.

eye4style tells lucky readers how to get their hands on an iconic piece of Sex and the City movie memorabilia.

STYLEnosh asks readers to weigh in with their opinion on Wear or Return these heels?

Style It Less took time to find 5 Under $50 Father’s Day gifts to show Fathers how we appreciate and love them this Father’s Day.

The Latest Luxe is playing Lady in Red with the Donna Karan Crossover Gown.

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