Beauty Duty for April 8, 2008

by PJ on Tuesday, April 8, 2008

in Weekly Beauty Duty

Enjoy!

All About the Pretty has fallen in love with a new red for spring with Dashing Diva Polishes.

Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search got to experience first hand what it is like to live the life of a New York City beauty editor for a day.

KRiSTOPHER says the “eco-friendly” label is affirmative action for fashion.

Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint just cannot get enough of the new Daisy Marc Jacobs for Sephora collection. Checkout some of their favourite daisies…

Makeup Bag deals with damage at the Warren Tricomi Salon in LA

Makeup Moxie reviews Le 2 de Guerlain mascara.

SugarShock Beauty is crushing on Gwen Stefani’s super-cute Harajuku Lovers fragrance dolls.

TheMakeupGirl is crazy for Ojon’s Green Beauty Initiative….

WE LOVE BEAUTY.com wants you to VOTE on Look of the Month for March!

A Touch of Blusher continues the feast of vibrant colors.

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Update! Lunasol Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Monday, April 7, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, announcement, makeup

My post on Lunasol’s Summer 2008 Collection has been updated to include photos of the two new eye palettes as well as a link to swatches of the new palettes and the two new Geminate Liners.

Enjoy!

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A Splash of Color – Terrific Turquoise

by PJ on Sunday, April 6, 2008

in _I Love Colors, -Ayura, -Dior, -Ettusais, -MAC, -Maybelline, makeup

(Enjoying the sunshine while I can…)

In the UK, I think summer is the best season, with warm sunshine and soft breezes.

But we had a fairly disappointingly cool summer in the UK last year, with very little sunshine. This year, under the influence of La Niña, we probably won’t have a warmer summer…

For me, bright turquoise is one of the most summery colors. Thanks to the pleasant (and rare) sunshine today, my turquoise looked brighter and more tropical!

For eyes
– Dior Eyeshadow Duo in DiorLagoon
– Ayura Finger Touch Eye Shadow in GR (limited-edition, fall 2006)
– MAC Eye Shadow in Haunting (Alexander McQueen Collection)
– MAC Paint Pot in Rollickin’ (Fafi Collection)
– Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Color in Fabulous Turquoise

For lips
-Ettusais Lip Gloss in CL

For skin
– Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher

Please enjoy more splashes of colors!

– New-Leaf Green
– Aqua Blue
– Citrus Orange
– Girlie Pink
– Lilting Lilac

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Brand New Makeup Line: Kanebo’s Twany Glamacy

by PJ on Sunday, April 6, 2008

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Glamacy, -Kanebo, -Twany, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Twany Glamacy)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/twany/newitem/glamacy/)


Sold in Japan, Twany is a beauty brand under Kanebo. It carries a wide range of products (skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrance, and dietary supplements). On April 16th, Twany will launch a new line of point (color) makeup, Glamacy. (I am not sure if Glamacy will replace Twany’s two existing point makeup lines, Century and Century Technical, but it doesn’t seem so.)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/twany/newitem/glamacy)

According to Nikkei Net, “Glamacy” is a combination of the words “glamor” and “supremacy”. The brand targets those in their thirties, and the items are more about bringing out the dimension of the face than about keeping up with the trends.

Their eyeshadows and blushers have already been featured in Biteki magazine (May 2008), and I am liking the look of the blushers.

(Twany Glamacy Cheek Color)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/twany/newitem/glamacy)

I, for one, don’t mind large cases at all, and I like blushers packaged like this. Both PK-01 and RS-01 look very wearable for me. I think PK-01 is a definite maybe……


Other recent brand launches:

From Kanebo: CHICCA & Coffret D’Or

From Kao: EST (Point Makeup)

From Kosé: Magie Deco

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Product Review: EcoTools Makeup Brushes

by PJ on Saturday, April 5, 2008

in beauty tools/accessories, makeup

(From left to right: EcoTools Powder Brush, Blush Brush,
Foundation Brush, Eye Shading Brush,
Eyeliner Brush, and Lash and Brow Groomer)

When it comes to makeup brushes, I don’t mind if the hair is natural or synthetic. As long as the bristles are well-shaped, soft to the touch, and with the right bounce for the particular purpose, I think both natural and synthetic hair can potentially make good makeup brushes.

EcoTools is a line of makeup brushes and bath accessories made of materials that minimize the negative impact on the environment. With their makeup brush collection:

– The brush hair is made of animal-free taklon bristles.
– The handle is made of bamboo (which has a low impact on the environment and is highly sustainable).
– The metallic ferrule is made of recycled aluminum.

My favorites among them are the Blusher Brush and the Eye Shading Brush. The hair of the Blush Brush is very soft and dense and the brush picks up blusher powder easily and evenly. The brush is well-shaped so the blusher goes on very naturally and evenly.

The bristles of the Eye Shading Brush are soft and have a good bounce. I also like the fact that the tip of the brush is quite flat so it can help with a more precise eyeshadow application where needed.

I also like the Eyeliner Brush. The brush tip picks up powder easily and allows a fairly precise application. I generally find an angled eyeliner brush easier to use than a flat one. Plus the width of the brush tip is narrow enough for an easy application around the lash line.

The Foundation Brush and the Powder Brush are of fair quality, but I think it would be better if the Foundation Brush had a flatter tip and if the hair of the Powder Brush could be slightly denser.

The only item that might need some substantial improvement is the Lash and Brow Groomer. I feel that the bristles are quite hard to the touch and a little too stiff compared with some other brow brushes (even though a brow brush is meant to be relatively stiff).

The brushes are reasonably priced. The most expensive piece, the Powder Brush, is priced at 7.99 USD.

Overall, most of the EcoTools makeup brushes offer good choices at affordable prices. Whether your eco-friendly mindset extends to your beauty regime or not, these brushes are worth a look.

(Please check their website (link above) for the US stock list.)

Related Posts:

My Makeup Brushes
(the sensational seven)

The Only Eyelash Curler I Ever Need
(precise and thorough)

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Weekend Beauty Read for March 5, 2008

by PJ on Saturday, April 5, 2008

in Weekend Beauty Read

Enjoy!

From The Beauty Blog Network:

“Might as well face it, you’re addicted to love…” Flash back to the 80s and see Lilan from The Daily Cookie recreate a look from a popular music video!

Check out Beauty Anonymous‘ Current Favorite Lippy – Einstein Lip Therapy Hydrating Lip Cream.

A Touch of Blusher puts on more blusher……

The Beauty Bug previews the new products that hit the counters and shelves this month.

Looking for affordable high quality makeup brushes? Check out The Makeup Divas‘ review on these cosmetic brushes.

Girl Gloss loves Maybelline Volume XL Seduction Plumping Lip Gloss.

Product Girl tries out Avon’s Supershock Mascara and gets shockingly plump lashes.

The Muse features her very favorite, holy grail mascara from Japan (Nope, not Fiberwig!)!

Mischo Beauty has a fabulous reader who wrote in to share why she loves Sunsilk’s De-Frizz 24/7 Crème.

The Beauty of Life hearkens back to her childhood with Bonne Bell LipSmackers. Check out her favorites!

See what products Beauty Blogging Junkie has deemed promtastic.

Savvy Skin is having a contest where you can win the zit zapping tool ThermaClear. Win a ThermaClear!

In need of an awesome hair mask? Glossypink found one!

Cybelesays has found some winning makeup brushes with the new ones from Sonia Kashuk.

Embarrassed by dark marks, sun damage, or age spots? Don’t get mad. Spoiled Pretty tells you how to get even!

Is your hair showing signs of frizz? StyleBell has discovered the secret to keeping those locks soft, shiny and frizz free all on a budget! Hint: Apple Cider Vinegar.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic starts off her sunscreen review series by looking at Neutrogena’s UltraSheer with Helioplex.

Elessa of Pursebuzz.com gets a makeover by Glamour. Beauty Pro’s transform’s youtube “web stars” see it all here. Check out newsstands for May’s issue, can’t wait, go to Glamour.com.

Makeup Moxie feeds her faux glow addiction with Fake Bake Tantalizing Self-Tanning Butter.

Elke asks, if runway makeup has gotten too creative. Plus, the April Issue of The Beauty Ideal is out!

Stylish Opinion finds these truly stylish headbands.

The Beauty Blog Network spotlights their ‘post of the day’.

Toya tries 100% Pure Cosmetics – with real fruit pigments!

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog loves Gazelle, Chanel’s hottest and newest lipgloss.

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Maquillage Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, April 4, 2008

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Maquillage summer 2008 collection)
(image from www.cosme.net)

Maquillage will launch the summer 2008 collection on May 21st. The collection includes:

– Nail Color: 4 new shades
– Full Vision Mascara: waterproof, 1 shade
– Full Vision Lash Base
– Mascara Combing Remover
– Nail Protect & White
– Cuticle Dry Oil

I think the interesting item from this collection is the Mascara Combing Remover. It is designed to remove waterproof mascara and probably works best with the new Full Vision Mascara.

(Mascara Combing Remover)
(image from www.cosme.net)


It seems that the attached comb is used to brush the remover liquid from the tube onto the lashes to dissolve the waterproof mascara. It will be interesting to hear about how well it works.

Other summer 2008 collections:

Dior

Magie Deco

EST

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RMK Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, April 4, 2008

in -RMK, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(RMK Eye Crayon)
(image from www.cosme.net)

(RMK Gloss Crayon)
(image from www.cosme.net)

If these items seem familiar to you, it is because RMK released both Gloss Crayons and Eye Crayons in spring and fall 2003 respectively.

Back then, the Eye Crayons were all neutral shades and most of the Gloss Crayons were very vibrant. This time, the eye colors are softer and the gloss shades seem a little deeper.

The RMK summer 2008 collection will also include two new nail colors.

They will be launched in Japan on May 16th and should be available in the UK a month after that.

Related Posts:

Japanese Beauty Brands in the UK
(with information on how to buy from some of them from outside the UK)

RMK Cleansing Oil N
(one of my favorite cleansing products)

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CHICCA Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, April 4, 2008

in -Chicca, -Kanebo, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

CHICCA will launch the summer 2008 collection in Japan on May 7th. The collection includes:

– Enthralling Powder Eye Shadow: 6 new shades, 4 of which limited editions
– Enthralling Powder Eyeliner: 1 new shade
– Enthralling Gel Eyeliner: 1 new shade
– Enticing Lipstick: 5 new shades
– Enticing Lip Gloss: 2 new shades
– Beauty Light Body Glow: new item, 2 shades

CHICCA, a top-end beauty brand under Kanebo, was launched in Japan on March 5th. It is already seen in Biteki’s (May 2008) mini-feature on three classy high-end beauty brands (along with Clé de Peau and SUQQU).

The summer 2008 collection mainly includes new shades of existing items. I am still waiting for CHICCA to release items like powder blusher and loose powder, which are items I often buy from a new brand. We’ll see what happens in fall…

Related Posts:

CHICCA Launches in March 2008
(with a brief brand profile)

SUQQU: Sensuality with an Attitude
(a profile on this popular high-end brand in Japan)

Clé de Peau Spring 2008 Collection
(soft and feminine)

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Summer Is Approaching – Sheer Stella 2008

by PJ on Friday, April 4, 2008

in -Stella McCartney, 2008 Summer, fragrance, stash focus

(Sheer Stella 2008 takes center stage.)

In my earlier post on Sheer Stella 2008, I mentioned that it would be launched in the UK (in Debenhams stores) on March 16. It was a Monday, and I went to a Debenhams store the day before, thinking that it might already be there. It was, and I happily took it home.

Considering Sheer Stella 2007 and 2006 were launched in mid-April, the mid-March launch of Sheer Stella 2008 seemed unexpectedly early to me (especially since Sheer Stellas are meant to be summer fragrances).

The bottle design is quite different from all the previous versions. The semi-opaque glossed cream-white glass bottle features a large rose motif. For the first time, the cap is white and has white dots spelling out “STELLA”.





As expected, the scent is a lighter and fresher version of Stella and is not too different from all the previous Sheer Stellas. However, this year’s version no longer uses green apple, lemon, or orange as a top note to give that zesty vibe. Instead, the scent opens with more sweetness, thanks to white freesia and raspberry.

(From left to right: Sheer Stella 2004 – 2008)
(My favorite bottles are the 2005 and 2007 ones.)

Sheer Stella 2008 is perhaps the sweetest Sheer Stella of all, but only marginally so. It is still a very pleasing rose fragrance with a modern edge, which is why I fell in love with Stella in the first place.

Related Posts:

Sheer Stella 2004 – 2007
(See all the bottles up-close.)

My Fragrance Favorites
(the tremendous three)

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