A Splash of Color – Lilting Lilac

by PJ on Thursday, December 13, 2007

in _I Love Colors, -Ayura, -Chanel, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, -Maybelline, -T'Estimo, all about Japanese cosmetics, bodycare, makeup, nail color/care, stash focus

Among all my favorite colors, pastel purple (lilac/lavender) has always been near the top of the list. Thanks to the delicate mixture of red and blue, purple, to me, is an elegant color with the right amount of warmness and coolness.

It has been a great accent color in my wardrobe for years (be it pastel lilac or rich violet), but it is only fairly recently that I discovered that soft lilacs look good on my face as well!

Keep pretty:
-Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes in 04 Gem Amethyst
-T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes in 03
-Lavshuca Eyecolor Select in PU-2
-Chanel Contraste Lumière palette in Aquarelles
-Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Color in Divine Lilac
-Clinique Glosswear for Lips in 333 La La Lilac
-AYURA Pure Nails (limited-edition lilac shade)

Keep clean:
-Radox Clean & Pamper Handwash with lavender & magnolia

Keep warm:
-Hat by Fred Bare
(My teddy bear pulls this off much better than I do…)
-Sweater by Sisley

Keep organized:
-Beauty Diary by Biteki & Albion
(from Biteki January 2007 issue)

I have noticed that Chanel, Lunasol, and Guerlain are featuring lilac in their spring 2008 collections, and I am predicting that lilac is a key spring 2008 makeup trend!

I have more lilacs on my spring 2008 shopping list, and I am sensing an arrival of Lilting Lilac Part II!

More splashes of colors!

–Girlie Pink

–Citrus Orange

–Aqua Blue

–New-Leaf Green

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DHC UK Website Launched!

by PJ on Wednesday, December 12, 2007

in -DHC, all about Japanese cosmetics, all about Japanese cosmetics (overseas availability information), skincare

(image from www.dhcuk.co.uk)

One of my readers, Humming, left a comment on my blog a couple of days ago and told me that the DHC UK website had been launched. (Thank you, Humming!)

DHC now joins RMK, Paul & Joe, SUQQU, Shiseido International, and Kanebo International as Japanese brands available in the UK.

DHC is a major cosmetics brand in Japan, where, as far as I understand, still only runs mail/phone/on-line ordering and does not have a physical shop.

But, as we all know, word of mouth has its place in retailing, and when people say something is good, it gets our attention.

(Updated in July 2011: DHC has physical shops throughout Japan.)

DHC’s cult product is Deep Cleansing Oil. Not only is it DHC’s cult product, it is one of the cult skincare products in Japan. It would be slightly bizarre not to see it on a readers’ favorite skincare product list in any Japanese cosmetics magazine. (In the readers’ poll results in Biteki‘s February 2007 issue, it was placed second in the favorite makeup cleanser category, one place above Shu Uemura’s cleansing oil.)

It works just like Shu Uemura’s cleansing oil and removes all makeup, including waterproof makeup, in one go. (There is a good review of it on Beauty Anonymous if you are interested!)

I tried the Deep Cleansing Oil many years ago, but I personally didn’t like it. It did cleanse very effectively, but I was fairly certain that it gave me breakouts. (I have also tried Shu Uemura’s various cleaning oil formulas, but I usually find that they don’t emulsify well enough. For years, I have remained loyal to RMK’s Cleansing Oil and Boots Botanics Cleansing Oil.)

But, since that was many years ago and I live in a different climate now, I might consider giving it another go. Also, many DHC toners are alcohol-free and have simple formulations that have the potential to suit my sensitive skin. They will be the products I will pay more attention to.

So far, only the basic skincare items are sold on the DHC UK site. I hope the stock will be expanded later on. In the meantime, if you would like to see the vast array of DHC skincare and makeup products, do head over to the DHC US website. (But…do ignore the fact that the prices are, yet again, lower in the US…)

Related Posts:

My Daily Skincare Routine
(featuring RMK Cleansing Oil)

All About Japanese Cosmetics
(My love for Japanese cosmetics will never end…)


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Finally! FDA Regulates UVA Labeling

by PJ on Wednesday, December 12, 2007

in skincare


(image from U.S. Food and Drug Association)


I am sure many of you who are skincare-savvy know the importance of UVA protection. UVA rays cause premature aging of the skin, and sunscreen products as well as daytime moisturizers that have adequate anti-UVA ingredients can help prevent it.

I am surprised that FDA is only doing this now. Most Japanese brands have been specifying the strength of UVA protection of sunscreen products for quite some time, using the scale from PA+ to PA++++. Also, several European brands like Boots No. 7 and Garnier have been labeling the level of their sunscreen products for a number of years.

But better late than never. After all, adequate labeling on all sun-protection products is by far the best way to make people more aware of the importance and necessity of using adequate sun protection. I hope the new labeling system will be put into practice as soon as possible.

Related Posts:

10 Golden Skincare Rules
(Let’s try to follow all 10 of them.)

The Only Words You Need to Know About Anti-Aging
(Make sure you know them before your next trip to the drugstore.)

New Sunscreen Regulations for UVA Protection
(from cosmeticsdesign.com)

FDA Aims to Upgrade Sunscreen Labeling
(from U.S. Food and Drug Assiciation)

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MAC A-Mei Color Collection – More Update

by PJ on Tuesday, December 11, 2007

in -MAC, makeup

The MAC A-Mei Color Collection post has been updated with a link to an image featuring A-Mei wearing shades from the collection. The image was released to the Taiwanese press but I am not certain whether this would be one of the official promotional images.

Please go to the end of the post for the link, and enjoy!

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Can’t Live Without: Dove Body Silk

by PJ on Tuesday, December 11, 2007

in _Can't Live Without, -Dove, bodycare, stash focus

(Dove Body Silk Beauty Body Cream)

Today I am bringing you another product that I can’t live without!

I first bought Dove Body Silk simply because I decided I was not going to buy a body moisturizer that came in a bottle. With or without a pump, it could be quite a pain at the end with all the scraping to get the last bit.

I remember trying Boots Botanics Nourishing Body Butter, which came in a jar. It was very moisturizing but slightly too greasy. I then bought a Garnier one (which has been discontinued) but I later thought the per-ml price was a bit too high for a budget line.

Then I bought Dove Body Silk and this turned out to be one of my favorite body moisturizers ever.

It smells pretty good. (It is hard to really love a body moisturizer if I don’t like the smell.) I wouldn’t say it smells absolutely heavenly, but it has a faint soft comforting smell that I like very much. Apart from body products from a fragrance range, I don’t usually like those with a strong smell. So this one is absolutely fine with me.

It has a light cream texture and spreads so easily and evenly. It takes less time to apply than many other body moisturizers I have tried. The skin is left very effectively and delicately moisturized with no greasiness or heaviness.

But I think what I love the most about this body cream is how the skin feels after each application. I still remember how surprised I was after I put it on for the first time. I was just making sure that everything was absorbed, and I felt that the skin was so delightfully silky smooth. My skin never felt like this before, I have to say.

The product is named Body Silk, which, for me, is quite spot-on. I think I will definitely continue to enjoy it (and all the silkiness) as long as it is available.

Related Posts:

I also can’t live without: Garnier Hand Cocoon
(top-notch hand cream)

Haircare Review: Dove Cool Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner
(a great match)

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Beauty Duty for December 11, 2007

by PJ on Tuesday, December 11, 2007

in Weekly Beauty Duty

Enjoy!

A Touch of Blusher takes a sneak peek at MAC’s upcoming celebrity collaboration.

Still on the hunt for the hautest beauty gifts to give this season? GlamBlush to the rescue!

KRiSTOPHER wants you to win a Fendi “Hologram” clutch.

Candles always make a lovely gift for friends and family…or just for a little ambiance at home. Here are Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint’s Holiday Candle choices.

Makeup Moxie picks the Top Ten Fragrance Gifts of the year.

WE LOVE BEAUTY stylemaker and celebrity makeup artist, Fiona Stiles fills us in on her must-have Holiday gifting ideas.

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Loving It – Lavshuca Face Powder in Lucent

by PJ on Sunday, December 9, 2007

in -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder, stash focus

(Lavshuca Face Powder in Lucent)

First of all, I admit that this item caught my attention ever since I saw the packaging. Very few loose powder containers (possibly part from Jill Stuart’s) look dreamier than this. With Lavshuca being an affordable shelf-top brand, I had to get this.

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


I bought this soon after it was released in fall 2006. The packaging looks as good as it appears on-line and in magazines. I was very pleased with that.

When I tested the powder on the back of my hand for the first time, I was slightly concerned. Even though the shade was the pale translucent beige that I usually went for, there seemed to be some shimmer. As I normally only used a completely matte loose powder, I was not sure if this was going to be something I would use regularly.

But when I put it on my face for the first time, all worries disappeared. The shimmer was relatively sparse and extremely fine. The finish is still basically matte, but it is not chalky. It is silky and almost satiny.

What I also love (perhaps the most) about this loose powder is its ability to disguise pores. It is able to make my skin look smoother and more even. As I usually wear a loose powder mainly to make pores less visible and to get a polished complexion, I am very happy with what it can do.



I also like the puff that comes with it. Apart from looking so adorable. it feels quite soft and puffy on the skin. The hair is not too long so it grabs the powder and places it on the skin evenly. I usually press (instead of sweep) the powder onto the skin, and the puff works very well for me.

I have another loose powder by Sofina Raycious. It is essentially matte and does a fairly good job in controlling shine. I shall review it in more detail a bit later!

Related Posts:

Which loose powder will win my heart?
(I have already decide to get one of them…)

Loving Japanese Brands: Lavshuca
(a brief profile on Kanebo’s successful budget line)

Lavshuca Spring 2008 Collection
(featuring some more lovely packaging)

Lavshuca Eye Color Select in PU-2
(another of my Lavshuca Favorite)

{ 22 comments }

Weekend Beauty Read for December 8, 2007

by PJ on Sunday, December 9, 2007

in Weekend Beauty Read

Enjoy your weekend!

From The Beauty Blog Network:

Enter the giveaway for Milani Mineral Makeup at Bionic Beauty.

Kyle shows you the wonderful world of Chantecaille Gift Sets.

“And what Sephora has joined together, let no man put asunder…” The Glitterati is just about ready to marry Dior’s new Crème de Gloss.

Beauty and Personality Grooming shares a few homemade hydrating masks.

Mystical Beauty’s Musings reviews the MAC Heirlooms:5 Basic Brush Set.

A multi-tasking cheek and lip color that actually works? Makeup Moxie reviews Sukicolor Cream Stain mineral makeup.

A Touch of Blusher previews YSL spring 2008 makeup collection.

SugarShock has found a hall-of-fame hand cream.

makeup loves me checks out the new orgasm products (by Nars of course).

Beauty Anonymous reviews DHC Deep Cleansing Oil.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog gives you 10 Ways to Winter-Proof Your Hair.

Savvy Skin presents Savvy Skin’s Best of Fall 2007

Vote for your favorite nail products of the year in the All Lacquered Up Fanatic’s Favorites 2007.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic checks out the hype behind Kinerase and reviews the product.

Girl Gloss rounds up some luxury lip items for holiday gifts

The Muse shares her Lush UK Order Featuring Snowcake Shower Gel!

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MAC A-Mei Color Collection: Further Update!

by PJ on Saturday, December 8, 2007

in -MAC, makeup

The MAC A-Mei Color Collection post has been updated yet again, this time featuring a sneak peek at some of the packaging and colors.

Take a look!

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MAC A-Mei Color Collection Update!

by PJ on Friday, December 7, 2007

in -MAC, makeup

One of my readers, CK, has kindly left a comment under my post on A-Mei’s Collaboration with MAC with a link to some great footage featuring A-Mei sporting the shades from her color collection in the photo shoot!

Click on the link above to watch the clip!

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