A Touch of Blusher — Makeup, Skincare, Fragrance and a Bit of Fashion

Jill Stuart Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Tuesday, May 13, 2008

in -Jill Stuart, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Jill Stuart Seductive Eyes in 05)
(image from www.iswii.net)

Jill Stuart will be releasing a limited-edition Seductive Eyes palette (#05) and two limited-edition Lip Lusters (#20 & #21) for summer 2008.

(Lip Luster in #20 Marguerite Glow)
(image from www.iswii.net)

The new Seductive Eyes palette, with a purple and a beige gold, should appeal to me, as I have been loving these two colors and I don’t have a palette with both shades.

However, the purple here looks a bit too warm for my liking. Also, perhaps more importantly, compared with most of my other eyeshadow singles and palettes, there is more glitter fallout (experienced by many, it seems) from the Brilliance Eyes series from 2007. It seems that things haven’t improved with the Seductive Eyes palettes this year, so it is hard for me to feel the heat from this new addition…

The collection will be in store in Taiwan on June 1st. At the moment I don’t have the information on the release date in Japan. But I will get my June issue of Biteki later this week, and I will then update this post with more information.

Jill Stuart Breaks Record

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation

Jill Stuart Birthstone Nail Collection

Loving Japanese Brands – Jill Stuart

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Beauty Duty for May 13, 2008

by PJ on Tuesday, May 13, 2008

in Weekly Beauty Duty

Enjoy!

All About the Pretty believes in pretty karma.

KRiSTOPHER is wanting, wearing, hating playsuits.

Makeup Moxie reviews the new Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Brush bronzing gel.

Product Girl is giving away 4 goodie bags from the upcoming Sex and the City movie!

SugarShock Beauty finds that everything’s coming up roses in the fragrance world.

Lianne at TheMakeupGirl is loving Prescriptives latest for Summer 2008 Urban Heat.

A Touch of Blusher can’t decide which new eye palette to get…

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Coffret D’Or Trance Deep Eyes – Decisions, Decisions!

by PJ on Sunday, May 11, 2008

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2008 Fall, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

(part of the Coffret D’Or late summer/ early fall collection)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor/)

Coffret D’Or has updated its website with information on the late summer/ early fall collection. (Please see my previous post for some quick detail and a link to swatches.) It is another beautiful collection, with lipsticks, eyeliners, and eyebrow pencils, but my eyes have been drawn to the new Trance Deep Eyes palettes.

First, let’s remind ourselves of 3D Lighting Eyes, released in December 2007:

(Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor/)

01 Pink Variation

02 Blue Green Variation
03 Silver Variation
04 Purple Variation
05 Gold Variation

Now check out the new variations:

(Coffret D’Or Trance Deep Eyes)

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

01 Rose Variation
02 Blue Variation
03 Khaki Green Variation
04 Grey Variation
05 Beige Variation

I think I am definitely going to try the new palette series, but the question is which one I want. Or, to be precise, which ONES?

This time, no single palette is jumping out at me, and I am liking three at the moment. After looking at the swatches, I have been lured by Rose, Grey, and Beige Variations. Here are my initial thoughts:

Rose Variation: The top-right shading color looks similar to the cool dusty pink in my Purple Variation, which is one of my recent favorite eyeshadow shades. I would love to try the new palette to see how everything works.

Grey Variation: My first reaction is that it looks similar to my Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes in SV844, which I like. But there are differences. Maquillage SV844 has a medium grey, which Grey Variation doesn’t have. Also, from the swatches, it seems that the lilac is very slightly warmer than that in SV844. This could be my next lilac palette!

Beige Variation: I am happy with my Gold Variation and my Summer Gradually Compact from Lavshuca, but the top-right soft taupe seems lovely and far from plain. The bottom-left peach gold is not usually one of my favorite colors, but I think it will be on the sheer side and can work well with the cool taupe.

At the moment, my favorite is Rose Variation. But I can’t let go of the soft lilac, and I am still in my mini neutral phase.

Will I be getting all three? You will have to find out later!

Which one is appealing to you at the moment?

Sofina Aube Early Fall Collection

Chanel Fall & Holiday Collections

A Splash of Color – Lilting Lilac
(I am sensing a Part Two might be coming up…)

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Splendid Weekend Reads for May 11 2008

by PJ on Sunday, May 11, 2008

in Weekend Splendid Read

Enjoy!

From Splendicity:

SHOPPING

Style Tots has Suri Cruise’s Ladybug shoes that Oprah liked so much.

Style It Less gives you 10 Cameron Diaz’s red pumps for less.

Let’s Go Shopping finds some Great Deals at Ferro Cosmetics.

My Wardrobe Today reviewsvarious popular foundation and face products.

eye4style loves Balenciaga bags AND the trend of invite-only, online sample sales, so she offers up an exclusive invite to Rue La La for readers.

Teen Style Lounge shares a must-have workout DVD for a summer slim bod.

BEAUTY

Raging Rouge announces the MAX Factor May Makeover Giveaway. Over $750 of MAX Factor products will be divided among TEN winners!

Beauty Banter dishes on the most important moisturizer for oily/ acne prone complexions… and it’s less then 10 dollars!

Get to know marina from makeup loves me a little bit better, as she shares all her beauty secrets with you!

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic gives you the products that Billy B uses on SATC’s Kristen Davis!

This mascara ended A Touch of Blusher‘s mascara search…

FASHION

She Knows Best thinks A Little Shoe Change Didn’t Hurt John Mayer.

The Latest Luxe is having Double the Fun in Christian Louboutin Slingbacks.

The Fashionable Kiffen has a whole bunch of Mother’s Day gift ideas.

Wardrobe Oxygen suggests some ways to look polished at work during the summer heat.

STYLEnosh is asking, “Are you a style hater?“

Why did Michelle Tractenberg, J. Lo, Lauren Bush and Fergie Have all give the cold shoulder at the Costume Institute Ball? Haute and Bothered’s got the dish.

Have you voted in the Snarkstress’s Fashion Icon poll yet? Katie Holmes and Reese Witherspoon are neck and neck, but after recent photos of Katie Holmes in NYC, you just may be swayed.

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Product Review – Johnson’s Baby Lightoil Spray & Eye Makeup Remover

by PJ on Saturday, May 10, 2008

in bodycare, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning

(Johnson’s 3-in-1 Eye Make-up Remover)

Johnson’s 3-in-1 Eye Makeup Remover

Most of the time, I use a cleansing oil to remove my makeup all at once, including waterproof mascara. (I am currently using RMK’s Cleansing Oil N.) But when I play with my eyeshadows and don’t have a full face of makeup, I use an eye makeup remover before the usual face wash.

I almost always use bi-phase eye makeup removers. I’ve had good experiences with them as I like their efficiency and gentleness. Johnson’s 3-in-1 Eye Makeup Remover is no exception. It removes waterproof mascara efficiently and thoroughly. (I tested it with Maybelline’s Volum’ Express Waterproof.)

I also like how this makeup remover is dispensed. The hole is small enough and I can gently squeeze the bottle to dispense exactly the amount I want. Also, I personally don’t feel that this product leaves the skin dry or greasy, which is a plus. Overall I think this is a very effective and user-friendly cleansing product.

(John’s Baby Lightoil Spray)

Johnson’s Baby Lightoil Spray

I think most of you have tried or tested the original John’s Baby Oil. I have used it as a body moisturizer and even as a makeup removing oil. (I simply used it as a tissue-off cleansing oil and followed with a face-wash.)

If you like the simple and skin-friendly formulation of the original Baby Oil but think the texture is too greasy, then the Lightoil Spray is worth considering. Unlike the original formula, it actually does not contain mineral oil. Its main ingredients are water, glycerine, and polysorbates (fatty acids used as emollients). The watery texture is indeed substantially lighter, and it absorbs well and moisturizes the skin effectively. (The two products have the same scent.)

It comes with a spray nozzle, but it can be a little slippery to use. I usually remove it and pour the oil in my hand during application.

Even though the texture is a lot lighter than the original Baby Oil, I would still say a little goes a long way. An overzealous application will still leave a little shine on the skin that some people might not like. I would recommend this to people with dry (but not very dry) skin who are not sensitive to fragrance.

Can’t Live Without – Dove Body Silk
(my favorite body moisturizer)

E45 Endless Moisture Bodycare Range
(featuring two body moisturizers)

Prescriptives Better Off Fast Acting Waterproof Makeup Remover
(another bi-phase eye makeup remover)

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Weekend Beauty Reads for May 10, 2008

by PJ on Saturday, May 10, 2008

in Weekend Beauty Read

Enjoy!

From The Beauty Blog Network:

Product Girl is giving away 4 goodie bags from the upcoming Sex and the City movie! Check out Product Girl for more information.

StyleBell shows you how to make some serious waves with your flat iron.

Beauty Anonymous reveals the jelly pinkness of the Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Spring 2008 Salon Collection!

Raging Rouge announces the MAX Factor May Makeover giveaway. Over $750 of MAX Factor products will be divided up between TEN winners on May 17th. Good luck!

SugarShock Beauty has a newfound love for foundation: the makeup artist- and Madge-approved Face Atelier Ultra Foundation.

The Muse whispers in your ear about Benefit’s Newest Cheek Stain for Summer! Pssttttt! Enjoy the first ever images, product photos, and swatches from a link available at Musings!

Beauty411 reviews Soaptopia, a bath line that promised to be “100% junk free”! Check it out!

Beauty Blogging Junkie schools you on how to avoid snaggy, dry lips.

Looking for skin care products that deliver results? Read The Makeup Divas review of the Somme Institute Skin Care Line.

Beauty and Fashion Tech is giving away two sets of John Frieda Lustrous Touch Shampoo and Conditioner. One for blonde hair and one for brunette.

At Girl Gloss, you can win a set of seven Classic Badger Balm Lip Balms.

Beauty Junkie in SF is on her way to a flawless face with the help of a new high-tech skincare system.

The Beauty of Life brings you the highs and lows from the celebs’ beauty looks at the Costume Institute Gala.

Beauty Banter dishes on the new Spring Hair Style and actress Shiri Appleby models the look!

Need a nail intervention but can’t afford regular trips to the salon? Glossypink goes there to get great nails.

What makes you feel your most beautiful? Toya at The Life of A Ladybug wants to know!

Kitiya from Mischo Beauty helps you determine if you’re a candidate for microdermabrasion!

A reader at makeup loves me claims to have gone up one cup size by using victoria’s secret bust enhancer!

Makeup Moxie finds Complexion Perfection when she reviews the foundation and concealer duo compact by Global Goddess.

Face Candy reviews NARS Orgasm Multiple, Lip Gloss and Nail Polish.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog Gets a Surprise Stage Makeup Makeover with Kryolan Professional Makeup.

Pursebuzz.com does a step by step tutorial on how to create that extra dramatic smokey eye look as seen on Gwen and Fergie and everyone on the red carpet.

What has a delectable chocolate fragrance when you smooth it on that morphs into a fresh, powdery scent once it sinks in? Spoiled Pretty tells you what it is and why you need to try it!

Cybelesays gets to the Shea of Things with their picks of the best Shea Butter products out there.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic gives you the low down on Kristin Davis’s makeup for the SATC publicity tour!

This mascara ended A Touch of Blusher‘s mascara search…

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Japanese Brand Focus: Sony Vecua

by PJ on Thursday, May 8, 2008

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Sony, -Vecua, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, skincare

(Vecua’s spring 2008 makeup collection)
(image from www.vecua.com)

Many of you familiar with Japanese cosmetics know that Sony Group plays a part in the Asian beauty stage. Very briefly, Sony co-owns* StylingLife Holdings, which owns six companies. Currently, among them, B&C Laboratories is the one that carries Makemania (where we get the Curvy Lip Silicone from) and Vecua, which is what I am talking about today. (StylingLife Holdings also owns CP Cosmetics**, which I will talk about in another post.)

Vecua is the most developed brand under B&C Laboratories. It features several skincare lines catering to different needs, a base and color makeup line, a bodycare line, and a selection of dietary supplements. (It is one of the two high-end brands under B&C, beside the skincare line Restgenol.)

(Vecua Smooth, a new skincare line for oily skin,
launched on May 1)
(image from www.vecua.com)

Vecua’s brand image is refined and clean-cut, and the product packaging, almost always featuring gentle curves, is simple but not plain. Its pricepoint is somewhat similar to Lunasol’s, which means it is above Coffret D’Or’s and Sofina Aube’s but below SUQQU‘s and CHICCA‘s.

Vecua’s main focus is on skincare, but the recent spring 2008 makeup collection (seen above) did catch my eye. The new white cases look a lot more refreshing than the previous slightly dated black cases. The new colors look soft and wearable.

One of the makeup products that have often been featured in Japanese beauty magazines is the Honey Luster N lip glosses (in 10 shades), and I have been interested in them for a while. From what I have read, they appear to be very lip-conditioning lip glosses.

(Vecua Honey Luster)
(image from www.vecua.com)

Apart from department stores in Japan, I’ve recently found that Vecua has two salons in the US, one in San Jose, California and the other in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Check out their website, which is available in English.) There are some customer reviews here if you are interested.

Now, when is it coming to the UK?

(The main Vecua website is only available in Japanese and on-line ordering is for Japanese residents only.)

* Sony used to own StylingLife Holdings outright, but it sold the majority of its stock in June 2006 and now co-owns StylingLife Holdings.

** In January 2006, CP Laboratories was renamed B&C Laboratories as CP Cosmetics was set up as an independently-run company. I think this is the reason why most people in Asia still habitually say products like Makemania’s Curvy Lip Silicone are “Sony CP” products, even though Makemania is now officially under B&C Laboratories.

Updated on June 18th, 2014:

There are some updates on relevant corporate information in my post on Vecua Honey Wonder Honey Honey Dew Hand Creams.

Japanese Brand Focus: Elégance

New Line! Kanebo Glamacy

Japanese cosmetics in the UK
(with notes on buying them from abroad)

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Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Gold Variation

by PJ on Tuesday, May 6, 2008

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

(Kanebo Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes
in 05 Gold Variation)

I like a bit of variety in my makeup collection. I tend to pick up one shade from an eye palette series and that is it. No matter how much I like what I have, I often look elsewhere for my next gem. There usually has to be a compelling reason for a second purchase.

I have quite a few eyeshadows in blue, purple, turquoise, and pinks. But when it comes to neutral tones, what I had were mostly either very pale or quite dark. It didn’t bother me before, since I like a bit of color. But, sometimes, to go with what I wear, soft neutrals are by far the best choices. So, weeks ago, I finally decided not to make do with dusty pink and soft peach and get some nice neutrals.

The color I decided to look for is a medium gold with subtle shimmer (not overly metallic shimmer) that is not bronze or orangey, and I planned to pick up a palette with the shade and other coordinating ones.

As I was looking through my recent Biteki and Voce seasonal makeup catalogues, I remembered that, when Coffret D’Or was launched last December, I was allured by the 3D Lighting Eyes palette in Gold Variation used on Tokiwa Takako. (The full-page ad appeared on Biteki (February 2008) and showed the makeup look a lot more clearly than the (same) image below.)

(Tokiwa Takako for Coffret D’Or)
(image from http://www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

Also, the texture and the finish of my Purple Variation appealed to me so much that I thought it would be great to pick up a second one. So I did.

(The sun was out, so I decided to take a few more shots.
Later I found that this photo shows the actual shades a lot better.)

From left to right:

The top two:
– a sheer off-white with fine sparkles
– a moderately pigmented pearlescent white with fine shimmer

The bottom three:
– a medium gold with smooth shimmer and fine sparkles (moderately pigmented)
– a very shimmery sheer pale champagne gold with slightly larger sparkles
– a subtly shimmery well-pigmented medium brown with some fine sparkles (which goes on a little cooler than it looks in the pan)

(All the sparkles and shimmer are multi-colored.)

The texture of the powder is wonderfully soft and silky. The application is effortless and blending is a breeze.

The look it creates is just like what you see in the ad above. The soft gold and the coordinating pale champagne enhance the dimensions of the eyes very effectively, but the whole look is still elegant and understated. (The soft gold is exactly what I wanted. It is a subtle but effective shading color.)

The colors from 3D Lighting Eyes are very long-lasting. Once I wore Purple Variation (without any eye primer) and my eye makeup surprisingly more or less survived heavy wind and rain (the kind where an umbrella is basically useless…well, it’s the unpredictable British weather…).

I am very pleased that I got this palette so that I can enjoy all the great things about 3D Lighting Eyes when I am not wearing lilac for the day!

(For the clear instructions on where each shade is applied, my thoughts on the eye-sculpting concept of the 3D Lighting Eyes series, the look of the palette case, and the other color variations, please refer to my post on the Purple Variation.)

Coffret D’Or Late Summer/ Early Fall Collection
(with link to swatches)

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

Shiseido Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes in SV844

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Beauty Duty for May 6, 2008

by PJ on Tuesday, May 6, 2008

in Weekly Beauty Duty

Enjoy!

Beautiful Makeup Search has discovered the best tinted moisturizer with SPF for the Summer.

KRiSTOPHER has a marriage-mirage in Vegas.

Makeup Moxie reviews the Complexion Perfection Foundation and Concealer Duo by Global Goddess.

SugarShock Beauty will forgive Josie Maran of her Backstreet Boys-groupie past, because the former model’s Fingerpaints from her new cosmetic line are to die for.

Lianne at TheMakeupGirl invites you to peer into her handbag…

WE LOVE BEAUTY.com chatted up celebrity makeup artist, Jake Bailey to get the 411 on Cameron Diaz’s sexy British GQ cover look!

This mascara ended A Touch of Blusher‘s mascara search…

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Clinique (Truly) Naturally Glossy Mascara

by PJ on Sunday, May 4, 2008

in -Clinique, makeup, makeup - mascara, stash focus

(Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara in Jet Black)

So far, I have not been talking about mascaras very much. One reason is that I don’t really use them often and I have not tried many of them. But another reason is that Clinique‘s Naturally Glossy Mascara pretty much ended my search for a good mascara a long time ago.

If you want a false-eyelash effect from a mascara that gives dramatic volume and length, then this product will definitely disappoint you. As the name rightly suggests, the effect is natural, and that is why I like it.

In terms of application, the great thing about this mascara is that it has never clumped on my lashes (not even just a little bit). Also, the bristles are dense and evenly placed on the wand, and the mascara goes on very smoothly and evenly.

It delicately enhances the lashes by adding some length and a bit of volume. Overall, it creates a very natural “no-mascara” look. (The shade in Jet Black is very dark and doesn’t look greyish or ashy.) The effect is long-lasting as the mascara stays put all day for me, and I think it is a very good mascara for a minimal daytime look. (It is not water-proof.)

Naturally Glossy Mascara has been around for quite a long time, and deservedly so. I hope Clinique will not be thinking about discontinuing it.

If you want a mascara that adds considerable length and volume, then the mascara I will talk about later this month might appeal to you. Stay tuned!

MAMEW Mascara Kit
(cult product in the making)

You Mean That’s NOT Real?
(What do you think?)

Lash Out While Looking Your Best
(by Livia Mercer)

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