Too Cute – Daisy Marc Jacobs pour Sephora

by PJ on Wednesday, April 16, 2008

in -Marc Jacobs, beauty tools/accessories, fashion, fragrance

(Daisy Marc Jacobs pour Sephora)
(image from www.sephora.com)

When I saw the items from the Daisy Marc Jacobs pour Sephora collection, I found myself clicking on each of the items and doing that all over again…

Daisy is not my favorite Marc Jacobs fragrance, but I like the design of the bottle and these items are also seriously cute.

I think the two cases appeal to me the most, especially the round Treasure Beauty Case:

(Daisy Marc Jacobs pour Sephora
Treasure Beauty Case)
(image from www.sephora.com)

I know it is a borderline cuteness overload, but I really like the look of it. I wish Sephora could specify the dimensions of this case, so I can visualize it right in front of me…not that I haven’t been doing that enough already…

This is not my first time to write about Marc Jacobs, and it probably won’t be the last. I enjoyed my trip to the first Marc Jacobs boutique in the UK last year, and I think I will talk about one of my favorite Marc Jacobs fragrances later on…

(Thank you, Betsy (at Autumn Masquerade), for letting me know about this collection!)

Some doses of fashion:

“The new way of selling clothes seems to be not wearing them.”

Budget Favorite: River Island

UK Fashion Hotspot: Nottingham

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Sophisticated Elegance – Lunasol Scent Form Eyes

by PJ on Tuesday, April 15, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(Lunasol Scent Form Eyes in 02, under sunlight)


Lunasol‘s Scent Form Eyes palettes were released in fall 2006. The brand’s eye palettes have always been popular, but, as I remember, the beautiful Scent Form Eyes made Lunasol an even more coveted brand.

(Lunasol Scent Form Eyes)
(image from /www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

Out of the five, #03, with olive green and dusty warm rose, has been by far the most popular. It was also voted as Biteki readers’ favorite eye palette in the annual survey (Biteki, February 2007).

I nearly decided to have #03, but I settled for #02 instead.

The colors:

Bottom left: white with a very faint lilac undertone
(with silver, pink, lilac, blue, green sparkles)
(cream-to-powder texture)

Top left: sheer and pale lilac
(subtly iridescent with very fine shimmer)

Top right: dusty rosy pink with a faint lilac undertone
(luminous matte with almost no shimmer)

Bottom right: dark grey with an eggplant undertone
(with sparse sparkles)

Below is the palette under artificial lighting. This is mainly to show the level of shimmer in each shade. (The colors look a lot warmer here. Please refer to the photo above for the actual shades.)

(under artificial lighting)
(Please click on the photo to see a large version.)


Out of all my lilac eye palettes, this is perhaps the most understated one. If you want intensely pigmented colors, then you will be disappointed with this palette. Apart from the dark eye-lining shade, the other three are relatively sheer. (The top-right dusty rosy pink, as a shadowing shade, goes on slightly darker and is more opaque than the top-left pale lilac.) But all the shades do stay on very well.

Even though the look is subtle, it has its range of versatility. Since two main shades are not particularly shimmery, I can create a soft luminous matte look with them. But when I do want shimmer, I can apply the highlighter to top up as much shimmer as I want.

The cream-to-powder highlighter can be applied with a brush or with fingers. When applied with fingers, it gives a more intense finish. The subtle lilac undertone of the highlighter wonderfully complements the other colors, which show through from underneath and merge seamlessly with the multi-color shimmering particles. (The highlighter can also be used as a base.)

Overall I like the elegant subtlety of this palette. My only minor complaint is that the rosy pink goes on slightly more red. But this is nonetheless a beautifully arranged palette, and I think the Scent Form Eyes series really shows that Lunasol is one of the most sophisticated and elegant brands in Japan.

(In case you are wondering, the powder does have a faint scent. But it is not as strong as the scent in the Jill Stuart eye palettes.)

Some of my other lilac palettes:

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in 04

Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Stage Lights

{ 6 comments }

Beauty Duty for April 15, 2008

by PJ on Tuesday, April 15, 2008

in Weekly Beauty Duty

Enjoy!

Beautiful Makeup Search finds an alternative way to use the Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil.

KRiSTOPHER secretly loves the Uggs of sandals.

Makeup Moxie conceals her beauty boo-boo’s with Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector.

Product Girl asks the question… to prime or not to prime?

SugarShock Beauty is channelling her inner feisty screen siren with Glamour Glaze LipGloss by Pink Beauty.

Looking for some natural products for your man this spring? OBE did a little Q & A with co-creator of Organic Grooming to introduce you to the future of organic body care for the guys!

TheMakeupGirl has partnered with Milani Cosmetics for a giveaway of massive proportions!

WE LOVE BEAUTY.com got a sneak peek at Benefit Cosmetics new fragrance – B Spot – and boy does it smell good!

A Touch of Blusher is putting gold on the lips.

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24-Carat Shine – YSL Golden Gloss in 03 Golden Pink

by PJ on Sunday, April 13, 2008

in -YSL, makeup, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss, stash focus

(YSL Golden Gloss in 03 Golden Pink)
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Golden Gloss from Yves Saint Laurent was launched in summer 2006. I still remember walking past the YSL counter and the dazzling golden shimmer from these glosses was calling out to me. After testing the various shades, all with golden shimmer, I decided to pick up 03 Golden Pink.
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As I mentioned in my very first post on YSL, I love the brand’s classy and opulent gold packaging. In the case of Golden Gloss, the packaging echoes the product perfectly. (According to the YSL website, each gloss contains 24-carat gold (a very tiny amount of course), and gold is indeed listed in the ingredient list.)
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(YSL Golden Gloss)
(image from www.ysl-parfums.com)
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03 Golden Pink is a warm red pink with mainly very sparkling gold shimmer as well as some subtle shimmer in other hues. It has a fairly good amount of color and is not overly sheer. The gold shimmer works well with the shade, and it is sparse enough so the finish doesn’t look frosty.

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The overall look is vibrant and glamorous, and the beautiful finish lasts well. The enclosed brush applicator is easy to use and quickly creates a very glossy shine on the lips.

The gloss has a subtle fruity scent. Normally I like my lipsticks and lip glosses to be scent-free, but I do find this scent quite pleasant.

If you like very sparkling (but not glittery) lip glosses to add pizazz to your lips, Golden Gloss is certainly a range to consider!

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Some of my other favorite lip glosses:

Lunasol Full Glamor Gloss in Bright Pink

Paul & Joe Lip Gloss N in Black-Tie

Lavshuca Gloss Stick in PK-3

Sony Curvy Lip Silicone in 501

{ 12 comments }

Splendid Weekend Reads for April 13, 2008

by PJ on Sunday, April 13, 2008

in Weekend Splendid Read

Hope you have been enjoying the weekend!

From Splendicity:

FASHION

Haute & Bothered says The Hills Are Alive with…Fashion Lines! Check out Whitley’s new collection here.

eye4style hates Bluefly but is open minded enough to check out their newest site concept, b*fly, anyway. Check it out here.

She Knows Best continues it’s month long weekly contests with 2 free shirts from The Ryde.

My Wardrobe Today sends out a special dedication to all those who have inspired her in regard to fashion.

STYLEnosh starts a ruckus by asking, “Do we dress too casually?“

Snarkstress thinks Fergie could make Bootylicious an entry in the dictionary.

SHOPPING

CelebLOOK tells you where to get an affordable and casual outfit that was recently seen on Jessica Simpson.

Let’s Go Shopping says Forzieri is a one stop destination for Italian Designer Handbags, Shoes, Jewelry and Accessories.

Wardrobe Oxygen offers suggestions on where to purchase supportive yet flattering swimwear.

Style It Less lets you in on the best bras according to a Consumer Reports research.

Style Tots picked uber-cute Hello Kitty accessories from Claire’s for your Little girl.

The Latest Luxe enjoys some rainbow RX with the Fendi Multicolored B Bag.

BEAUTY

Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search finally made a visit to Space.NK in Soho.

A Touch of Blusher continues the feast of vibrant colors.

Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint appreciates a quick and easy beauty routine and Bobbi Brown’s Quick Face Collection will help take minutes off your makeup routine.

Style Goodies has the scoop on the new fragrances from Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers line!

makeup loves me has an exclusive discount code to get you 20% off on tarte, cargo, philosophy and so much more.

Beauty Banter reviews the BEST lippies with SPF for summer protection and a hydrated pout!

Raging Rouge kicks off an introduction to Urban Decay’s 2008 Summer collection with a review of Big Fatty Mascara in a rainbow of colors!

eBeautydaily explores how to look better in photographs and avoid common mistakes.15 Minute Beauty Fanatic gives herself a facial in 1 minute!

TheScentedLife is suspicious about Gwen Stefani’s new fragrance, Harajuku Lovers.

Teen Style Lounge rolls out the first of 4 weekly Clean & Clear skin care giveaways. Don’t miss your chance to win this week’s prize: an In-Shower facial.

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Weekend Beauty Read for April 12, 2008

by PJ on Saturday, April 12, 2008

in Weekend Beauty Read

Enjoy!

From The Beauty Blog Network:

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic tries out a mineral mascara.

SugarShock Beauty has found a blush with greatness: Pop Beauty’s Rose Belle. It’s perfect for achieving that healthy, rosy glow that’s so now.

StyleBell shows how to create a fab Bridal half up half down hairstyle.

Want long, lush lashes? The Beauty of Life offers you the chance to win some with an amazingly lash-tastic contest, courtesy of Ardell Fashion Lashes!

The Beauty Bug gushes about a heat activated exfoliator that let’s you know when your exfoliation is complete by changing colors!

Beauty Blogging Junkie has identified fashion items that do beauty duty. Find out which allows her to channel Elvira Hancock from Scarface.

The Muse reviews the Kiss Spring 2008 Collection directly from Japan!

Beauty Anonymous wonders if you also like to collect small sample containers.

The Makeup Divas reviews and recommends this sunless tanning lotion.

Beauty and Fashion Tech finds some great values when she compares the four new Milani mascaras.

Beauty Junkie in SF has Jumped on the Mineral Bandwagon with Laura Mercier.

Beauty Banter offers you 10 fabulous and practical TIPS for healthy, clear skin.

When you think of L’Oreal do visions of Nestle Crunch bars dance in your head? Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog ponders the speculation surrounding Nestle’s possible takeover of the company and gives you some random L’Oreal fun facts.

Cybelesays found another liquid mineral makeup that rocks!.

Makeup Moxie is intrigued with the new Mineral Water Eye Brightening Pencil by Too Faced.

Mischo Beauty is pleasantly surprised after using natural skincare and mineral makeup by Erth.

Glossypink has found a website that takes virtual makeovers to a whole new level!

Mineral makeup is a huge hit, what about mineral eyeshadows? Pursebuzz.com does a review on Beauty From the Earth mineral shadows. Is it a hit or a complete miss?

Spoiled Pretty is giving away products that AG Hair Cosmetics contributed to the 2008 official Grammy Awards gift bag. Presenters and performers like Rihanna, Carrie Underwood and Kanye West were recipients of these amazing products – and now you can be too! Enter the contest today!

Toya is looking for makeup artists and beauty mavens of color who’d like to be featured on her site!

All Lacquered Up lets you in on this Summer’s Nail Trend, Orange Polish, and suggests 6 hot colors.

A Touch of Blusher continues the feast of vibrant colors.

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Product Review: Crème de la Mer The Powder in Translucent

by PJ on Friday, April 11, 2008

in -Crème de la Mer, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder

(Crème de la Mer The Powder)
(image from www.cremedelamer.com)

When a luxury skincare line goes into makeup, it does get my attention. I was intrigued when Crème de la Mer launched the foundation line, just as I was when SKII launched their first foundation many years ago.

The Powder, a loose face powder, is part of Crème de la Mer’s Skincolor range, which also includes Fluid Foundation and Crème Foundation along with Foundation Brush and Powder Brush.

Apart from the lid, the large jar is made of glass. The heaviness of it does have a very luxurious feel.

This talc and mica based powder is very light and soft, and it almost has a fluffy feel. The enclosed puff is plush and soft to the touch.

The shade in Translucent is sheer and does not have any substantial coverage. It is quite a shimmery loose powder that has little efficacy in controlling shine or diffusing the appearance of pores.

Under artificial lighting, quite a lot of fine silver and pink shimmer and some pale pink iridescence are visible. Under natural sunlight, the pink iridescence can look more intense, so care must be taken when you use this for your daytime look. Less is definitely more.

Personally I prefer matte loose powder with no or minimal shimmer, and I would use this very sparingly as a highlighter. But if you enjoy both shimmer and iridescence in your overall setting powder, then this is definitely worth a look.

More Loose Powder!

Lavshuca Face Powder in Lucent

Paul & Joe Face Powder

Prescriptives Magic Liquid Powder

{ 6 comments }

"Can’t Live Without" Update: Garnier Hand Cream

by PJ on Thursday, April 10, 2008

in _Can't Live Without, -Garnier, bodycare

(Garnier Hand Sensitive Soothing Restorative Hand Cream
& Hand Repair Intensive Restoring Hand Cream)

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Last November, I posted about Garnier’s Hand Cocoon hand cream in my “Can’t Live Without” series. But, earlier this year, I discovered that Garnier had discontinued Hand Cocoon and replaced it with two new products, which you see above.
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I checked the ingredient lists of these two items in the shop, and it appeared to me that the Hand Repair Intensive Restoring Hand Cream had a much more similar list of ingredients (to that of Hand Cocoon) than the other. But I decided to buy the two anyway and see how they would work for me.
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As I expected, the Hand Repair Intensive Restoring Hand Cream works much better for me. (The Hand Sensitive Soothing Restorative Hand Cream feels a little greasy and doesn’t absorb as well.)

(my chosen one)
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Essentially, my comments on Garnier Hand Cocoon apply to this hand cream. The texture is very similar, and all the great attributes remain. The only slight difference is the scent.
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I am relieved that the formula is basically kept, and I enjoy using this as much as Hand Cocoon. I am happy to say that the affordable Garnier still produces the hand cream that I can’t live without!
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Related Body/Hand Care Posts:

Dove Body Silk

E45 Endless Moisture Range

Neutrogena Body & Hand Care


{ 6 comments }

Coffret D’Or Makeovers

by PJ on Wednesday, April 9, 2008

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

Continuing with Coffret D’Or from yesterday…

FAnet has put up photos and information on two makeovers featuring items entirely from Kanebo’s Coffret D’Or, from primer to lip gloss. Have a look!

There are also links (just above the two photos) to other brand-based makeovers from Stila, Paul & Joe, and RMK.

Enjoy!

More on Coffret D’Or:

Spring/Summer 2008 Base Makeup Collection

Summer 2008 Nail Color Collection

{ 2 comments }

Elegant Roses – Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge RS-241 & RS-242

by PJ on Tuesday, April 8, 2008

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2008 Spring, makeup, makeup - lip color, stash focus

(Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge Color
in RS-242 (left) and RS-241 (right))

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Coffret D’Or has been growing on me more and more, and today I bring you two lipsticks from their launch collection.
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Coffret D’Or currently has two ranges of lipsticks. Full Styling Rouge Glow is a range of sheer lipsticks with a glossy shine, while Full Styling Rouge Color features more pigmented lipsticks with a natural watery sheen.
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(Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge Glow,
packaged in glossy and reflective cases)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)
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(Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge Color,
packaged in textured matte cases)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)
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(RS-242 (left) and RS-241 (right))

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RS-241 and RS-242 are from the Color range. They are well-pigmented and have a beautiful natural sheen. There is very fine shimmer in both shades, and it doesn’t look obvious when worn. Both stay on well and are fairly non-drying. (But I always wear a lip balm before I wear any lipstick or lip gloss.) Like most lipsticks from Japanese brands, they are scentless (which I like).

RS-241 is a soft and feminine rose petal shade. It is the shade used on Nakatani Miki, one of the five brand ambassadors for Coffret D’Or (and one of my two favorites of the five, along with Tokiwa Takako). (Below, Nakatani Miki is also wearing 3D Lighting Eyes in 04 Purple Variation.)

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(Nakatani Miki for Coffret D’Or )
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp)

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RS-242 is a much deeper rose shade that looks slightly more vibrant and a tad warmer when worn. This more dramatic shade is great for an evening look.

In many Japanese beauty brands (particularly major ones like Shiseido, Kao, Kanebo, and Kosé), lipsticks are named according to various color families (PK (pink), RD (red), OR (orange/peach), RS (rose/cool pink), BE (beige), and BR (brown)). When I started buying makeup, I often bought PK shades. But, later on, I began to pay more attention to RS shades and the more muted and rosier PK shades.

Even though I slightly prefer the lighter RS-241, my favorite way to wear them is to gently dab the darker RS-242 onto my lips and then softly glaze RS-241 on top. The mixture of the two gives me the kind of rose coloration I like. (The Full Styling Rouge Color lipsticks seem to be more pigmented than most lipsticks I have, and I try to be light-handed with them.)

Overall these two shades will suit people who love lipsticks in rose tones and enjoy pigmented lip colors with a natural sheen and very subtle shimmer. They will give you a sophisticated and feminine look.

(One of my friends kindly gave these two lipsticks to me, so I was able to enjoy them. (I know you are reading this, and thank you very much!))

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Related Posts:

Lavshuca Jewelry Lips
(another two great lip shades,
slightly less pigmented than the two reviewed above)

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in 04
(one of my favorite items for spring 2008)

Coffret D’Or Beauty Lasting Pack UV
(a great powder foundation for the warmer months)

{ 6 comments }

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