The Weekend Beauty Read (October 20, 2007)

by PJ on Saturday, October 20, 2007

in Weekend Beauty Read

From The Beauty Blog Network:

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic:
How Hair Is Damaged and What You Can Do to Prevent It

A Touch of Blusher (That’s me!):
Bring It Back!! Nina Ricci Cosmetics

All Lacquered Up: South African Nail Trends

Etailers Mall – The Blog: Box o’ Black Death

Face Candy: Yves Saint Laurent White Gold Collection ’07

Makeup Loves Me: Urban Decay’s Liquid Liners Review

Makeup Moxie:
Get Rid of Pimples Fast: The ThermaClear Review

Makeup and Beauty Blog:
Makeup and Beauty Tips for Breast Cancer Patients: Staying Beautiful Inside and Out!

Musings of a Muse:
MAC Antiquitease Color Reivew, Pictures, and MuseTV Video Presentation of the Color Story!

Mytical Beauty’s Musings:
RareMinerals Blemish Therapy Review Part 3

Savvy Skin: Anti-Aging Skin Care Checklist

Temptalia: Antiquitease Review, Product Photos, and Swatches

The Life of A Ladybug:
Toya wants to know about your beauty staples!

Enjoy reading!!

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James Brown London Haircare Review

by PJ on Friday, October 19, 2007

in haircare

(Kate Moss for James Brown London)
(image from www.jamesbrownlondon.com/)

James Brown, a noted British hairdresser and session stylist, launched his own haircare range on October 1.

The James Brown London haircare range is a collaboration between James Brown and his long-term friend (and once housemate) Kate Moss. James Brown is in charge of the formulation while Kate Moss has input in packaging, fragrance, and marketing (as the model).

(James Brown London haircare range)
(From left: Dry Hair Conditioner
Styling Balm, and Dry Hair Shampoo)


I do like the packaging, in terms of both aesthetics and practicality. The minimal and sophisticated packaging looks great on bathroom shelves. (If all my products in my bathroom look like these, the shelves will appear much less cluttered.)

I also like the design of the shampoo and conditioner dispensers. The swivel caps (seen below) make it very easy to dispense the product. No fiddling when your hands are wet in the shower. Also, the tube design means there is very little waste at the end.

(the swivel caps)

Performance-wise, Dry Hair Shampoo cleanses gently and doesn’t strip the hair. It also foams exceptionally well so I need less per use than usual. In a way, it justifies the cost. (All James Brown items are sold at 5.99 pounds. They are affordable but are still more expensive than many other haircare ranges.)

The main selling point of Dry Hair Conditioner is that it is silicone-free. If you don’t like any silicone derivatives in your conditioner, then this one might be worth considering. But it is slightly too weak for my liking. I personally don’t mind a little bit of silicone on my hair and I would like my conditioner to be more heavy-duty and more emollient.

As for Styling Balm, I have been enjoying using it. The very balmy and waxy texture keeps my unruly ends at bay. The scent is very subtle, so it is particularly good if I am wearing any fragrance.

(the Styling Balm)


Overall, Styling Balm is my favorite among the three, followed by Dry Hair Shampoo. As for Dry Hair Conditioner, it would not be hard for me to find other products that suit my hair a lot better.

Currently, the James Brown London range is sold exclusively in Boots stores in the UK.

Related Post:

Dove Haircare Review

(where you can also see a profile of my hair if you’d like to know the criteria of my haircare reviews)

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(My three Sofina Raycious pressed powder compacts:
Left: Raycious Lucent Powder
Middle: Raycious Ray Blend Powder
Right: Raycious Ray Contrast Powder)

After showing you all my Sofina Raycious powder foundation cases (you can read both Part One and Part Two of the post), I am now bringing you more items from my Raycious collection.

This time it is all about the pressed finishing powder.

Apart from powder foundations, Sofina Raycious also releases pressed finishing powder compacts, which are mainly used with Raycious’ liquid foundations. But I do use them after my powder foundation to create a polished look.

The one on the left (in the photo above) is the first edition (Raycious Lucent Powder), released several years ago. It comes in two finishes. The upper section is sheer and completely matte. It is simply the best finishing powder I have ever used in term of controlling shine and concealing pores. The polished look is also long-lasting. The lower section is a wonderful highlighting powder. It imparts a natural luminous glow without being shimmery or glittery. (I have several refills of Lucent Powder and I put in a new one for the photos.)

The middle one is the second edition (Raycious Ray Blend Powder) and the right one is the third and (the only) currently available edition (Raycious Ray Contrast Powder). (Just like the Raycious powder foundations, when a new edition is released, the previous one is discontinued.) The second edition gives more overall luminosity while the third edition has a section for subtle shading.

All of them have SPF 14 and PA+.

The first edition comes with a square puff, and the other two come with a brush:

As for the packaging (seen below), the first edition is on the left and the third is on the right. (I only bought the refill of the second edition at the time. The second-edition case is in the same shape as the first one. The only difference is that the case is semi-transparent.)

Overall, most Raycious foundations really suit me and the finishing powder is no exception. I will always look forward to any new edition.

I have some more Raycious items to come in the future!

.

Related Posts:

My Foundation Routine
(See my other favorite foundation products.)

Loving Japanese Brands: Sofina
(Read about my personal take on Sofina.)

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(Nina Ricci Cosmetics seasonal looks)

I think most of you might still remember the curvy and quirky original packaging of Nina Ricci‘s makeup and skincare items. It was fairly cute but I wasn’t particularly a fan of that. But, around 2002, the packaging went through an overhaul and personally I think it came out so much better. Using both reflective and frosty finishes, the new look was sleek and modern.

The two items I have from the revamped range were the Tender Lacquered Lipglaze in #2 Rose Jupon and Extension Lashwear in #01 (black). The Extension Lashwear mascara does a good job in separating and defining the lashes, while the lipglaze is one of the best lip glosses I have ever used thanks to the richness of the color and the syrupy and glassy finish.

(my two Nina Ricci items)

What I also like about the new Nina Ricci makeup line is that each season they released a beautiful seasonal look. Like the packaging, the seasonal looks were modern and with a slight editorial edge which varied from season to season. Each seasonal look was on a leaflet featuring the key items. The styling of the leaflets was consistent, which made it fun to collect and compare them. You can see some of the beautiful seasonal looks above.

Sadly, Nina Ricci left the UK a couple of years ago. (Now only the fragrances are sold here.) The website is functioning but the beauty section has not been updated for a long time. It makes me wonder whether they are still coming up with new items in other countries. I don’t think so, but if you have any information on Nina Ricci where you are, I’d be very interested to know!

Some other “Bring It Back!” Posts:

Inoui ID
Cynthia Rowley
Bulgari Skincare (which IS coming back!)
Helena Rubinstein
Calvin Klein Cosmetics (which has come back!!)

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Beauty Duty for October 16, 2007

by PJ on Tuesday, October 16, 2007

in Weekly Beauty Duty

Enjoy!

A Touch of Blusher: I Love PINK!

Beautiful Makeup Search:
Clinique Holiday 2007 – Touches of Gold Elizir

GlamBlush:
Code Red: Does Your Favorite Lipstick Contain Lead?

KRiSTOPHER DUKES: The Four-Letter Shoes

Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint: Behnaz Sarafpour – Spring Look

Makeup Bag: Recap of Holiday 2007 Collections

Make Her Up:
Natalie Portman sporting some lavender lipstick, hot – or not?

Product Girl: Playing with the Cat-Eye Look

The Makeup Girl: Kinerase Skincare Review (with Fabulous Results)

We Love Beauty TV:
Insider Beauty Tips from Renowned Skin Expert Kate Somerville: How to Extract

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I thought it would be fitting to do another A Splash of Color post on another of my favorite colors, pink.

I’d also like to invite you to have a look at the website of Breast Cancer Care, UK’s leading organization which provides information, practical assistance, and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer. You can read more about exactly what Breast Cancer Care does.

————————–

Featured Items:

Makeup

Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1
Lavshuca Eye Color Select in PK-1
AYURA Aura Veil α in PK-11 Sweek Pink
AYURA lip gloss PK60
Paul and Joe lip gloss 04
Sofina Raycious Glamour Skin Powder (limited-edition pink case)
Clinique Glosswear for Lips in Cosmic Pink
Dior Diorissime Palette in 002 Seduction Drama
Dior Princess Ring in 001
Chanel Irréelle Blush in Tea Rose

Fragrance

Lancôme Miracle

Skincare

Rose & Co. Apothecary Rose Petal Salve

Bodycare

Boss Femme shower gel

Enjoy Other Splashes of Colors!

New-Leaf Green

Aqua Blue

Citrus Orange

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Here are the best posts from around the Splendicity network this week.
graphic_splendid_reads


Beauty
Face Candy
has a sneak peek at Dior’s Holiday Romantic Collection.
A Touch of Blusher dishes More on Dior Holiday 2007 with TOTALLY DIOR Cannage.
Makeup Loves Me is holding a contest. The prize? A Mineral Fusion Makeup Kit.
The Scented Life shares her thoughts on the latest Bond no. 9 Fragrance and it’s bottle.
Beauty Banter knows all about the hair to die for this season.
eBeautyDaily received an advanced copy of the book Beauty Confidential. See her initial thoughts.
Aging Fabulous introduces us to the RejuvaWand.
Let’s Go Shopping found the Make Up Trends for Fall.
Style It Less published a video to show us how to apply the Incoco Nail Applique’s.
Fashion
Well-Heeled Society
says to Come Out with your Gunmetal Blazing.
Snarkstress teases us with a Very Sex-y Wedding.
Teen Style Lounge found her cutie outfit of the week and on the cheap.
Style Tots discovers the Anne Geddes Baby Clothing Collections.
The Fashionable Kiffen says that the new 3Luxe is Simply the Best.
Shopping
The Latest Luxe
dreams about this Burb erry Beaton Shopper.
Shopalicious gushes about this new Cello Corto Leather Handbag.
Haute and Bothered shares her latest Gotta Have It Dresses.

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(Jill Stuart Holiday 2007 Collection:
Christmas Rose Collection)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

I have just noticed that there is now an English version of the Jill Stuart Beauty website. (It might have been there for a little while, but I have just noticed it…)

Do enjoy browsing! You can read all about the Jill Stuart Holiday 2007 collection here.

Maybe the English site is a sign of something……

We’ll see!

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The Weekend Beauty Read (October 13, 2007)

by PJ on Saturday, October 13, 2007

in Weekend Beauty Read

From The Beauty Blog Network:

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic: Amazing 2-Minute Mask from Become

A Touch of Blusher (That’s me!):
First Thoughts After Seeing Some Holiday 2007 Collections in Store

Beauty Blabber: Create Tang Wei’s Look

Beauty and Fashion Tech: Tropez, a great value cosmetics line!

Beauty and Personality Grooming: Correcting a Gummy Smile

Etailers Mall – The Blog: What etailer products do you use?

Face Candy: Dior Holiday Romantic Collection 2007

Hello Dollface: You Don’t Have to Spend a Fortune on Skincare

Makeup Moxie: Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara

Makeup and Beauty Blog:
Everything You Ever Needed To Know About Boyfriends That Secretly Wear Your Eyeliner

Musings of a Muse:
Givenchy’s Diamantisimme Holiday Collection Review and Pictures

Mytical Beauty’s Musings: Lipsticks Contain Lead

Savvy Skin: Savvy Skin’s Best of Summer 2007

Temptalia: Alexander McQueen Review, Product Photos, and Swatches

Makeup Loves Me: Mineral Fusion kit Contest at Makeup Loves Me!

Have a lovely weekend!

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(Roxy Eau de Toilette 100ml)


Roxy is a fun fashion line which focuses on women’s outdoor apparel, and it is only fitting that its first fragrance, Roxy, reflects the brand’s outdoorsy edge.

The bottle is designed to emulate the shape of a pebble at the beach. The fragrance smells like a sunny tropical beach surrounded by fruit and flowers. For me, the combination of the notes gives a scent of freshly squeezed pineapple juice.

Top notes:
citrus, berries, pink grapefruit, white peach, lemon leaves, organic ylang-ylang

Middle notes:
magnolia, lily of the valley, violet

Base notes:
salty amber, musk, sandalwood, Frangipani flower

I love the two body products. The Delicate Shower Gel is mildly scented and doesn’t dry out the skin. The Delicate Body Lotion is more liquidy than most of my body lotions, but it is very moisturizing and leaves the skin smooth. The scent is pleasantly light but long-lasting.

(Roxy Delicate Body Lotion
and Delicate Shower Gel)

Even though Roxy is only an eau de toilette, the sweet notes can be slightly overpowering. For me, the best way to wear this fragrance is to have only one or two very gentle sprays after the use of the body products. The typical way of layering really brings out a soft, breezy, and floaty feel of the fragrance.

Overall, this is a pleasantly summery scent and I shall go back to enjoy it when the weather gets warmer here in the UK again.

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