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

Fragrance Review: Tsi-La Iland Ilang Natural Eau de Parfum Mini

by PJ on Saturday, December 29, 2007

(Tsi-La Ilang Ilang Natural Eau de Parfum Mini)

(image from www.tsilaorganics.com)

Skincare-wise, I react negatively to alcohol. Sometimes, I think the alcohol in perfume can slightly irritate my skin as well. The skin with perfume on can get slightly itchy and it does occasionally bother me.

if you have similar concerns, then you might want to try alcohol-free perfume. The Natural Eau de Parfum Mini range from Tsi-La (pronounced “chee-la”) uses plant-based oil to carry the fragrance instead of alcohol and provides a good alternative for people who find alcohol irritating on the skin.

There are six fragrances in this range and the one I tried is Ilang Ilang. The 4ml bottle comes with a roller applicator. When I apply it, there is not any of the typical waft of fragrance, which is obviously due to the absence of alcohol. The subtle aroma spreads very slowly and steadily.

This is a very good fragrance for winter. It has a mellow ginger-like spiciness which I find very warm, cozy, and calming. The scent is quite gentle, but it lasts relatively well and dries to a slightly creamy finish.

Apart from being suitable for people who have an issue with alcohol in perfume, this fragrance is a good choice for people who simply like a comforting and stress-relieving scent. I, for one, certainly find it soothing and calming…

(The Tsi-La Natural Eau de Parfum in 50ml (not the mini ones) does have alcohol, which is organic and GMO-free.)

Weekend Beauty Read for December 29, 2007

by PJ on Saturday, December 29, 2007

in Weekend Beauty Read

Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

From The Beauty Blog Network:

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic checks out Prevage’s New Anti-Aging Night Cream.

Makeup Moxie reviews Sara Happ Lip Scrub and finds a solution for dry Winter lips.

Say NO to clumping. Beauty Anonymous recommends Kate Magical Long Gel Mascara.

Jeni from Savvy Skin writes about her Favorite Makeup.

Beauty and Personality Grooming – Lemon As Beauty Aid

Enter Spoiled Pretty’s latest giveaways, sponsored by J.R. Watkins and The Body Shop.

The Muse’s Boxing Day Steals and Deals: Tarte, Vincent Longo, Bath & Body Shop, and many more sales to be found online!

Have a look at A Touch of Blusher’s favorite Chanel blusher!

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Bring It Back! Miss Elégance

by PJ on Thursday, December 27, 2007

in _Bring It Back, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(my Miss Elégance item and catalog)

Owned by Albion, one of Japan’s largest cosmetics companies, Miss Elégance is the little sister of and a more girlie alternative to Elégance, which is gloriously glamorous in a slightly old-school kind of way. On the other hand, Miss Elégance, a bit like Cynthia Rowley, is soft, fresh, and cute. I love the delicate floral theme on the packaging and as part of the brand image.

Price-wise, Miss Elégance was in the medium-low range in Japanese cosmetics, as the price-point was between brands like T’Estimo and budget lines like Majolica Majorca. It was generally an affordable line of makeup items.

I found out that it had been discontinued in Japan earlier this year (on May 31, 2007) as I was planning my shopping list for Japan. I was quite disappointed. Miss Elégance didn’t have the same cache as Dick Page’s Inoui ID (discontinued earlier this year as well, which stunned many of its fans.) But I really like the fact that the brand was always very low-key and unassuming, as I don’t think it was that widely available and was advertised that much.

The Miss Elégance item I have is Powder Color in 16, which I bought in Tokyo years ago. It is a nice medium brown which I bought during my neutral-tone phase. It is smooth and nicely pigmented, but, as you can see, I have been very precious about it and haven’t used it very much. (I love the two flowers on the eyeshadow. So pretty.)

(Miss Elégance Powder Color in 16)

The case looks equally lovely, to say the least:

(the Powder Color case,
with floral and jewel detail)

The Powder Color was available in 35 shades, which offered a wide range of neutral and vibrant hues:

(Miss Elegance Powder Color –
for eyes and cheeks)

The floral motif continues to grace the packaging, as seen here with Liquid Rouge (love that lavender shade):

(Miss Elegance Liquid Rouge)

Elégance has been doing relatively well over the years against all the new competitors. On the other hand, it was a pity that Miss Elégance was discontinued. Maybe, Albion will bring out something new in the next few years. Who knows, but I’d certainly hope so!

All About Japanese Cosmetics
(Do you like Japanese cosmetics as well?)

A Touch of Chanel Blusher – Irréelle Blush in Tea Rose

by PJ on Tuesday, December 25, 2007

in -Chanel, makeup, makeup - blusher, stash focus

(Chanel Irréelle Blush in 80 Tea Rose)

Merry Christmas everyone!

Today I share my thoughts with you about one of my favorite makeup items. Chanel’s Irréelle Blush in Tea Rose is undoubtedly one of my favorite blushers. (I really like the Chanel Irrèelle items, and I have the eyeshadows (single and duo), bronzing/shading powder, highlighter, and this lovely blusher.)

Tea Rose was out in spring 2005. I decided to use my Boots points on this after I tested it at the counter for many times. Initially, it looked either a bit too pink or a bit too pale. (I don’t really like putting counter testers on my face.) But, after even more testing, I decided that this shade should look good on me. (This is the Chanel blusher I mentioned in the post where my friend thought I was hypnotizing the sales assistant, who gave me all the skincare samples I asked for.)

When I put this blusher on my face for the first time, it actually looked better than I thought, and I wished I had made my decision a little sooner. It is a sheer and delicate pink with an essentially matte finish and a very subtle luminosity. It looks very natural and the finish doesn’t appear chalky.

For my complexion, this blusher stands on a great position in the cool-warm spectrum, and this is usually the blush I go for when I want a soft and effortlessly natural look. (I tend to go for soft matte pinks just slightly on the cool side anyway, but this shade suits me particularly well.)

One small complaint about this blusher is that the powder seems almost too firmly pressed, and, after a while, my blusher brush is not really able to pick up the powder very well. So, even for a sheer finish, it needs a bit of building up. But, simply because of this, the look is almost always very natural, as the powder goes on a little bit at a time. So the finish is even and seamless.

The brush that comes with the compact is quite coarse and I never use it. I hope Chanel will improve this.

Overall I love this blusher, and this is the one I usually travel with. The compact is not the slimmest by far, but, for me, I can’t go wrong with the look it gives me. Plus, the pouch protects the compact from scratches. A win-win for me indeed!

Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1
(another very delicate pink)

Ayura Aura Veil α in Sweet Pink
(a slightly warmer pink)

Anna Sui Face Color Accent in 400
(looks naughty, but surprisingly wearable)

Chanel: The Perfect Black
(my personal take on Chanel)

{ 6 comments }

Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report

by PJ on Sunday, December 23, 2007

in -Anna Sui, -Chanel, -Clé de Peau, -Dior, -Givenchy, -Guerlain, -Lunasol, -MAC, -Shiseido, -YSL, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup trend reports

I am sure many of you have seen some of the upcoming spring 2008 collections. Apart from returning guests like pink and beige, it seems that cool tones will be stealing the show.

Two major makeup trends for spring 2008:

– blue eye colors
– lilac eye colors

First, blue. Chanel‘s spring 2008 makeup collection, Aurora Blues Accent, is now out in the US, and blue takes center stage.

(part of Chanel’s spring 2008 collection, Aurora Blues Accent)
(images from Bjooti.Net)

The new Chanel eyeshadow palette, Les 4 Ombres in Blue Cèlestes, includes a dark cold blue and a pastel blue. It also features grey, which is carried over from the makeup trend from fall 2007. The collection has a distinctive look, but I personally feel that it lacks a bit of warmth.

Givenchy‘s new denim-themed spring 2008 collection, Denim Fétiche, is also blue-oriented, right from the packaging to the shades.

(part of the Givenchy spring 2008 makeup collection,
Denim Fétiche)
(images from www.cosme.net)

Compared with Chanel’s collection, there seems to be a little more balance between cooler and warmer shades, which should make these palettes wearable for more people.

Coincidentally, the MAC for A-Mei collection, out in January 2008, includes a brighter, bolder, and slightly warmer blue. I have to say this is the kind of blue that I enjoy playing with more.

(MAC for A-Mei Eye Palettes)
(image from www.urcosme.com)

The warm and cool palettes are also put together to complement each other to create more possibilities.

Let’s move on to purple. I have always loved soft purple shades like lilac/lavender as well as darker purples like violet. Since this fall, we have seen rich bright purples in fashion, especially in accessories. Mulberry‘s Bayswater patent leather bag in purple is just one example of a hot fashion trend in fall 2007.

(Mulberry Bayswater bag in purple)
(image from www.mulberry.com)

Dior’s spring 2008 collection is very pretty in pink. It has a great mixture of warm and cool pinks, with mauves and lilacs as wonderful accent colors.

(Dior spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce/)

The 5-Color Eyeshadow Palettes in 470 Spring Bouquet and 909 Pink May both look beautiful and feminine. Pink May (the lower of the two palettes in the photo above) seems to be a great assembly of pink, peach, soft lilac, and purple. This certainly carries more of a spring atmosphere than Chanel’s Blue Cèlestes palette.

Apart from blue, Givenchy‘s spring 2008 collection also incorporates elements of purple. I will be interested in seeing the actual color and finish of the blusher (pictured in the middle).

(part of Givenchy’s spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.cosme.net)

One of YSL‘s two new Ombre Duo Lumière palettes also features a plum-purple:

(YSL Ombre Duo Lumière)
(image from woman.excite.co.jp)

There are also collections and individual items that put blue and purple together to create a pleasing mix. Among them, Chanel’s 4 Fleurs de Chanel includes pale pink, blue, and lilac.

(Chanel 4 Fleurs de Chanel)

(image from uma.chanel.com)

Anna Sui‘s latest eyeshadow addition, Glitter Eye Color Stick, features bright blue and purple. The two colors also jump out from the limited-edition items, Sui Lip Gloss and Eye Color Accent J palettes.

(Anna Sui Glitter Eye Color Stick)
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)

(Anna Sui’s Sui Lip Gloss and Eye Color Accent J)
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)

Guerlain‘s new array of 4-color eyeshadow palettes for spring 2008 includes a soft and sensual lilac palette and a cool blue palette. The blue one seems similar to the Chanel Blue Cèlestes in terms of the color combination.

(image from woman.excite.co.jp)

Clé de Peau‘s upcoming eyeshadow palette has a warm aqua blue and a stunning violet. A winning combination for me.

(part of Clé de Peau’s spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.biteki.com)

Finally, Lunasol‘s Sheer Contrast Eyes palettes include 03 Blue Coral and 02 Lavender Coral, two vibrant palettes with warm blues and very pretty purples. Lavender Coral looks particularly alluring to me.

(Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/)

It is worth mentioning that Lunasol’s existing eyeshadow palette ranges are doing extremely well this year. Skin Modeling Eyes (released spring 2007), Geminate Eyes (fall 2007), and Scent Form Eyes (fall 2006) occupy the top three positions in the eyeshadow category of @Cosme’ Best Cosmetics Award. I think the Sheer Contrast Eyes range, with the selection of both wearable and on-trend colors, is very likely to continue the immense popularity of Lunasol’s eyeshadows and Lunasol the brand itself.

I am personally very pleased to see more lilacs at makeup counters, as it is a very wearable color for me. As for blues, I am more excited about the warmer ones that seem to appear more from Japanese brands like Clé de Peau and Lunasol that we’ve just seen above.

I am probably going to pick up some (more) lilac eyeshadow palettes, and I will be reviewing them later on!

What about you? Are you happy with these spring 2008 makeup trends?

The Allure of Blue Eyeshadows
(Everyone should try a bit of blue.)

A Splash of Color – Lilting Lilac
(one of my favorite colors)

T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes in Purple
(out this spring and even more on-trend in spring 2008)

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Weekend Beauty Read for December 22, 2007

by PJ on Saturday, December 22, 2007

in Weekend Beauty Read

Enjoy!

From The Beauty Blog Network:

Got dry cow udders OR dry feet? Makeup and Beauty Blog finds Bag Balm Udderly Fantastic.

Temptalia reviews MAC’s latest launch — The Originals and has the swatches and product photos to entice you!

Makeup Loves Me gives you a sneak peak at Lancome’s last pout-a-porter, pixel pink!

The Muse reviews Guerlain’s Forever Gold from Guerlain’s Holiday Collection!

Savvy Skin is having a contest: Win Yourself A Holiday Gift

Beauty Anonymous is loving Lilac Collection’s Cosmetics Case and Makeup Brush Roll from Smythson.

Elke visits Space.NK for the Total Beauty Event.

Stylish Opinion approves the Body Shop’s Holiday Gel Set as a gift giving do.

The Beauty Blog Network welcomes Purse Buzz as it’s newest member.

A Touch of Blusher recaps the 10 best Holiday 2007 collections.

It will be a white Christmas for Spoiled Pretty, thanks to Aquafresh White Trays.

Beauty and Personality Grooming – 11 things you can do with olive oil

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic spends the day with Max Factor & Makeup Artist Jake Bailey

Makeup Moxie gets her holiday face on with the Tarte We Wish You Health gift set.

Bionic Beauty reviews Boots No. 7 Volumizing Mascara after a two week trial.

The Beauty of Life falls in love with products from Space NK for the holidays.

All Lacquered Up’s Nail Tip Of The Week – Fake a Pedicure

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Product Review: Von Natur Complete Hair and Body Wash & Complete Hair Conditioner

by PJ on Friday, December 21, 2007

in bodycare, haircare

(Von Natur Complete Hair and Body Wash in Citrus
& Complete Hair Conditioner in Citrus)

For me personally, I don’t particularly look for sulfate-free cleansing products or paraben-free cosmetics products. (Parabens are more of a necessary evil.) But if you have concerns about sulfates and parabens in hair and body products, you might be interested in the two Von Natur items I am reviewing below.

The Complete Hair & Body Wash in Citrus has quite a natural grapefruit scent, which is different from the artificial citrusy scent from daily toiletries that we are familiar with. The product has a liquidy consistency and I find that it doesn’t lather as well as some other cleansing products. So I do need a little more than the usual amount per use.

As a shampoo, I find it slightly drying and I would prefer something more moisturizing. As a body wash, it leaves the skin fresh and squeaky-clean, but it does not dry out the skin. (However, if you have very dry skin, you might not enjoy the squeaky-clean feeling as much.) It also leaves the skin with a delicate and pleasant scent. Overall this is a generally competent body cleansing product.

The Complete Hair Conditioner in Citrus has the same grapefruit scent. The product is in a greyish color. It reflects the inclusion of activated charcoal, which has absorption properties.

It lightly conditions the hair, but I would usually go for something more emollient. I am suspecting that the moisturizing properties of the emollients are overtaken by the charcoal, as the conditioner leaves the hair light and fresh rather than moisturized and nourished.

Overall, I enjoy using the Complete Hair and Body Wash as a body wash alone. The light conditioner should be more suitable in hotter weather, as I would go for something more nourishing for the rest of the year.

Related Posts:

Profound Beauty Haircare Review

James Brown London Haircare Review

Dove Cool Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner Review

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Holiday 2007: A Touch of Blusher’s Seasonal Top 10 (Part 3)

by PJ on Thursday, December 20, 2007

in -Dior, -Lavshuca, -Paul & Joe, 2007 Holiday, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

(continued from Part 1 and Part 2)

My Holiday 2007 Top Ten List concludes today!

3. Lavshuca

I realized a while ago that Lavshuca achieved grand slam for me in 2007, as I purchased items from all the four seasonal collections this year. Its affordability means I am able to pick up great items from each season without spending too much money.

The Lavshuca Christmas makeup palette is a sweet finish of the year. It is a cute little palette with three eyeshadows, a lip color, and a lip gloss. It is also the first eye/lip palette since Lavshuca’s launch in spring 2006.

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

See my other Lavshuca items throughout 2007:

Spring–
Eye Color Select in PK-1 & BU-1 (my favorite Lavshuca items for 2007)
Jewelry Lip in PK-1 & RS-1
Gloss Stick in PK-3

Summer

–
Cheek Color in PK-1

Fall

–
Eye Color Select in PU-2
Color Conc Rouge in PK-1

Paul & Joe

(image from www.paul-joe-beaute.com)

Paul & Joe is another brand that is always visually very pleasing. Last year, Paul & Joe’s holiday collection reached number 3 with an absolutely stunning hummingbird-themed lineup. This year’s collection is weaker for me, but, among an overall weaker collection of holiday products across brands this year, it grabbed the runner-up spot.

The Lip Gloss N in 001 Black-Tie is perhaps my favorite holiday item for 2007, with an mouth-watering berry-red shade plus beautiful multi-color shimmer.

Dior

(image from www.dior.com)

Overall, Dior’s holiday collection has won it for me. First of all, the limited-edition item, DiorLight Jewelled Makeup Necklace, is another very pretty piece of collectible makeup item created by Dior. Secondly, I love the fact that Dior usually comes up with a full collection of makeup items for the holiday season.

Readers in the US might not feel that Dior’s holiday lineup this year is a full-on collection, and I think it is because only half of the collection is available in the US.

For holiday 2007, Dior has come up with two makeup looks, each featuring a set of Jewelled Makeup Necklace, 5-color eyeshadow palette, Rouge Dior Crème de Gloss, Rouge Dior lipstick, and nail color. One is a beige-brown look (with the #360 Amber Treasure eyeshadow palette) and one is a pink-plum look (with the #340 Secret Charm palette). I might be wrong, but I think only the beige-brown look is available in the US, while both looks are sold in Asia and Europe. (I am aware that only the beige Jewelled Makeup Necklace is available in the US.)

Below, you can see that the Dior Japan site has two sets of everything (apart from Style Liner and DiorShow Powder in Dreamlight), whereas the Dior US site only has the beige-brown look.

(image from Dior Japan)

(image from Dior US)

I had a chance to test out shades from both looks last week. Both are very good, but, as usual, I am partial to the pink/purple/plum hues.

With a relatively complete collection featuring various items and different color tones and fronted by an adorable limited-edition item, Dior, for me, has the best holiday collection of 2007!

Dior Pretty Charms
(holiday 2006 limited-edition item)

Loving Japanese Brands: Lavshuca
(the latest addition to my favorite Japanese brands)

Loving Japanese brands: Paul & Joe
(my personal take on Paul & Joe)

{ 6 comments }

Coffret D’Or Spring 2008 Base Makeup Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, December 19, 2007

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2008 Spring, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(Kanebo Coffret D’Or spring 2008 base makeup collection)
(images from www.nikkei.co.jp)

The Coffret D’Or spring 2008 base makeup collection will be launched in Japan on March 1, 2008.

Coffret D’Or is replacing the color makeup line T’Estimo and the base makeup line Revue, so I have been waiting to see the base makeup lineup. As expected. the collection consists of the usual basics:

(top-down from left)
-Beauty Lasting Pack UV (powder foundation)
-Beauty Lasting Pack UV Case
-Beauty Lasting Liquid UV foundation
-Beauty Lasting Veil UV (foundation primer)
-Makeup Concealer (2 shades)
-Makeup Powder (loose powder refill, 1 shade)
-Makeup Powder Case
-Prismal Blush (4 shades)

The packaging is in keeping with the color makeup line, as some of the items look like presents wrapped up in pink ribbons.

Coffret D’Or has been growing on me. The packaging has been appealing to me more and more, and I have been reading positive reviews of their color makeup items.

Currently I am interested in the eyeshadow palette (3D Lighting Eyes) in 04 Purple Variation. I would love to try it and compare it with my T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes in 03, which is also a lilac-based eyeshadow palette (out in spring this year).

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

I am also slightly interested in Full Styling Rouge (Glow), which is a collection of sheer lipsticks (as opposed to Full Styling Rouge (Color)).

(Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge (Glow))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

If I do pick up anything from Coffret D’Or, I will surely share my thoughts with you here!

Coffret D’Or Spring 2008 Collection
(more goodies from Coffret D’Or, plus more of my thoughts on the brand)

Other new collections under Kanebo:

Lunasol Spring 2008 Collection

Lavshuca Spring 2008 Collection

Kate Spring 2008 Collection

Which one tickles your fancy?

{ 6 comments }

Holiday 2007: A Touch of Blusher’s Seasonal Top 10 (Part 2)

by PJ on Tuesday, December 18, 2007

in -Ayura, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -MAC, -Magie Deco, 2007 Holiday, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

My Holiday 2007 Top 10 List continues from Part 1!

6. Magie Deco

(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/)

Kose’s Magie Deco was launched in Japan in fall this year, and this is its debut holiday collection. I like the fact that the packaging is a variation of the usual Magie Deco look. It is different but instantly recognizable. I also like the rich red color scheme.

The two items are sold as a set, and both of them look so glamorous and beautiful, with an appropriate festive vibe.

If you like the look of this collection, you may want to check out Magie Deco’s spring 2008 collection.

5. MAC

(image from www.iswii.net)

MAC’s holiday 2007 collections (including Royal Assets, Antiquitease, and others) are some of my favorite MAC collections for 2007. The packaging looks good, and there are a very wide selection of items.

But when I saw the items in person for the first time, I was slightly underwhelmed by the details of the packaging. I think they looked just a little bit rough around the edges and they could have been slightly more refined.

Nonetheless, these collections present a pleasant departure from MAC’s usual dark and minimal look and I am sure many MAC fans have been enjoying collecting some of the goodies.

4. Ayura

(image from www.ayura.co.jp/jp/)

I haven’t really talked about this adorable holiday set from my personal favorite brand, which I am doing in this post.

Ayura’s holiday sets usually include best-selling items in limited-edition travel sizes as well as some one-off creations. The set for holiday 2007 includes:

-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Bath Powder (X2, limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Treatment Oil (for hair and body, limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Body Powder (limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Hands (30g, limited-edition size)
-Shiny Face (face highlighter, limited-edition, choice of blue and pink)
-Nail Color (choice of 23 shades, including limited-edition pink and violet shades)
-Cosmetics Box

Spirit of Ayura is Ayura’s one and only fragrance, and, apart from the hand cream, the three Spirit of Ayura items in the set are one-off creations based on this wonderful scent.

I really love the look of this collection (and I like the combination of all the fresh colors), not to mention that Spirit of Ayura is one of my favorite fragrances, But I already have quite a few somewhat similar limited-edition items based on this fragrance and this is the only reason why I didn’t consider getting this set.

The final part of my Holiday 2007 Top Ten List will be coming soon!

Loving Japanese Brands: Ayura
(my all-time favorite brand)

MAC A-Mei Color Collection
(another exciting collection from MAC)

{ 4 comments }

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