(from www.cosme.net)
Dior Light, a lip-gloss enclosed pendant, is part of the Dior Holiday 2007 Collection line-up. I have to say I am loving the look of this and will definitely consider getting it.
Some other Dior Holiday 2007 Collection items to get you excited:
Eye palette (two versions):
(from www.cosme.net)
Lip Palette (two versions):
(from www.cosme.net)
You probably have seen Dior palettes like this below in airport duty-free shops. I have seen one in pink and it looked really lovely. Now we don’t need to be going somewhere to get this…
(from www.cosme.net)
This looks like a very exciting collection, with glamorous packaging as usual. I thought it was about time that they brought out a pendant, after they did bracelets, rings, ID plates, charms, and clutch palettes.
The shades look wearable. It is not surprising since of course many people will be buying these items as gifts. But the shades are on trend as well (I am seeing some grey eyeshadows.)
Again, the packaging of the palettes is inspired by their fashion accessory lines. This time, it is from one of my favorite Dior accessory collections, Trotter Romantique:
(Dior Trotter Romantique Wallet)
(from fashion.dior.com)
(Dior Trotter Romantique Bag)
You should start seeing some of the Dior Holiday 2007 makeup collection items in October.
Related Posts:
Lancôme Holiday 2007 Collection
YSL Holiday 2007 Collection
Dior Diorissime Palette
(See how it resembles other Dior fashion accessories.)
(my most used brushes…)
Last week, a reader asked whether I could talk about the makeup brushes I use. Then I realized I had never mentioned these “hairy” friends who have been helping me putting together my makeup.
One of the reasons that I haven’t talked about them is simply that I don’t have a lot of them. All I have are the basics, and I make do with them. Also, some of them are not really available now, but I will focus on what you can get your hands on.
First of all, a couple of years ago, I bought an Ayura set that included a limited-edition brush set. The brushes came in this lovely brown holder:
(my Ayura brush set)
The set has 6 brushes, for cheeks, eyes, and brows. These are not the kind of sparse, scratchy, and coarse brushes often included in many gifts with purchases. They are soft and fluffy, and they have proven to be durable and easy to use.
(the six brushes in the set)
I use the four on the right very regularly. They and three others make up my “sensational seven”:
(the Sensational Seven)
(a close-up)
(numbered for you)
— #1, #3, #4, and #5 are from the Ayura brush set. I don’t think the set is available anymore so I’ll be brief with these. #1 is a soft blusher brush that I have been counting on for all my powder blushers. #3 and #4 are solid and bouncy eyeshadow brushes that never feel scratchy. #5 is a great flat brush for lining the eyes.
— #2 is Ruby & Millie Eye Brush [Large]. (I remember it costs about £9 (about 18 USD).) Ruby & Millie is a makeup line sold exclusively in Boots stores in the UK. Last year and this year, the Ruby & Millie makeup brush collection is chosen by InStyle Magazine UK as “the best inexpensive brush line“. I can definitely see why. Budget brush hunters will love some of these brushes. In particular, this eyeshadow brush is thick and dense (thicker than #3). It is good for eyeshadow application for larger areas and for overall blending.
— #6 is Shu Uemura eyebrow brush (6 OB). I’ve had this for at least 7 years and it still performs well. This eyebrow brush is slightly softer than those from MAC and Bobbi Brown, both of which I think are too hard. The brush tip is nicely slanted for easy application.
— #7 is RMK Lip Brush. This one is retractable and very easy to carry around. The very flat tip allows a precise application. I’d like the hair to be shorter and slightly denser, but it is a minor complaint for a brush that I have been very used to for years.
I have some other brushes but these are the ones I depend on the most. I am not really on the lookout for any new brush, but sometimes I fancy an alternative blusher brush (I am a blusher person) and an angled face shading/contouring brush. Any suggestions? Let me know!
Every Tuesday I’ll be bringing you Beauty Duty, a selection of beauty and fashion related posts for you to enjoy.
This week’s helping:
–99Products hits you with a little beauty biology…
–Style Dash: The new four-blade Schick Quattro just doesn’t cut it with twice the number of blades.
–GlamBlush: A Candid Chit-Chat with P. Diddy on His Newest Scent, Unforgivable Women
–Kristopher‘s a working girl when her nightie for day time doesn’t get the job done.
–Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint: All About The Boys: The Art of Shaving
-See a preview of Chanel’s holiday collection at Makeup Bag
–TheMakeupGirl tells it like it is and lets you know where to get discontinued beauty goodies before they are gone…
–WE LOVE BEAUTY.COM Giveaway: 100 pieces of BENEFIT Her Glossiness lip gloss.
(all photos from woman.excite.co.jp)
The YSL Holiday 2007 Collection presents itself in chic silvery packaging.
But I still prefer the gold packaging that YSL does so well, as the title of my personal take on YSL has noted. Not that I don’t love these items…every year I anxiously wait for the first glimpse of the YSL holiday collection, which always has the most gorgeous items around. But, after the initial seconds of sudden blood-rush upon seeing these photos, I quickly calmed down (and didn’t reach for my shopping list).
I know I am being very picky here (for my bank balance’s sake)…they look glamorous but I am not overly excited by the shades or the packaging. In a way that’s a good thing…since the final quarter of the year is always the time when I spend the most money and I already have some makeup purchases lined up.
I still look forward to seeing all these in person, but it is unlikely that I will take them home with me…
Related Post:
What did you buy for the holidays…for yourself?
(featuring the YSL Holiday 2006 Gold Celebration palette)
I have updated the post on Stella Velvet Edition again with a photo, if you have been waiting for it. (Please scroll down toward the end of the post to see the photo.)
(from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
Out in spring 2006, Face Color Accent was a new line of blushers for Anna Sui. As a lover for Anna Sui (and for blushers), I decided to check out the shades as soon as I had a chance.
Before testing them, I was more drawn toward lighter shades like #300. But, at the counter, I was recommended #400 as a naturally flattering shade. I was not convinced when I heard this, since it looked very bright and almost neon-ish. But I was pleasantly surprised when I tested it. I decided to go for this and it was definitely a good decision.
(my Anna Sui Face Color Accent in #400…
love the packaging)
(The brush, which I don’t really use,
is actually not too shabby.)
This is a cute bouncy bright matte pink that can create natural and beautiful rosy cheeks. It is slightly more pigmented than most of the other blushers I have. It can go on sheer and impart a light flush of color and it can be built into a more vibrant finish with little effort. The powder is solidly pressed so it is easy to control how much powder you want the brush to grab.
Overall I really like this. When applied lightly, it really matches and complements the natural flush of my cheeks. I also tend to like matte blushers, so this is something I constantly go back to!
Related Posts:
Still feeling cheeky?
Lavshuca Cheek Color PK-1
My personal take on Anna Sui:
Loving Japanese Brands: Anna Sui
(from www.woman.excite.co.jp)
The Lancôme Holiday 2007 collection will include the star item Precious Carat, a gloss-enclosed ring housed in a jewelry box.
Other items include a blusher, a mini eyeshadow duo, and a mini lip liner.
These items are sold as a set (Precious Carat Coffret) in Japan, as holiday items are sometimes sold there. The Precious Carat ring and the blusher are likely to be sold separately elsewhere.
I will update this post with more information later on!
Update (September 28 2007):
Some close-up images of the collection!
Related Post:
MAC Holiday 2007 Collection
(I want some of these!)
(continued from Part 1 and Part 2)
#3: Jill Stuart
(from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)
(from Biteki September 2007)
When I knew there was going to be a new pressed powder blusher for Jill Stuart, I was trying to imagine what it would look like. I have to say the actual packaging doesn’t disappoint me, to say the least. Very ornate and princessy. (I will review this later on.)
The limited-edition Point Crystal II loose eyeshadow (pictured mid-right) rides on the success of the previous Point Crystal from last fall. This time, the shades are slightly more intense. Overall this is such a pretty collection.
#2: Dior
(from www.dior.com)
(from Biteki September 2007)
The 5-color eyeshadow palette in 060 Silver Goddess (the right one of the two palettes) is so fall 2007, with great shades of grey and silvery copper. If you have tested the blue shade in this palette, you know that it has vivid pink shimmer. So very pretty. The two eyeshadow palettes also complement the two Diorissime palettes (far right).
Currently only two Dior Blush shades are sold in Japan, while a larger selection is available in the US and the UK. There is actually a shade called A Touch of Blush. Well, not exactly the name of my blog, but close enough. (And it is a great natural shade!)
The Diorissime palettes finish off the collection beautifully. I have 002 Seduction Drama (the one available in the US) and I love it.
#1: Lunasol
(from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
(from Biteki September 2007)
This is the best collection for fall 2007 in my opinion. It is also one of the most stunning collections from Lunasol.
All the items for eyes, lips, and nails coordinate with one another and come in five mini collections. Each features a 5-color eyeshadow palette, an eyeliner, a lipstick, a lip gloss, and a nail color. Among the eyeshadow palettes, the one in blue (04 Saphire) and pink (05 Ruby) are very popular in Asia right now, and they certainly tickle my fancy!
(continued from yesterday)
#6: Guerlain
(from www.guerlain.co.jp)
(from Biteki September 2007)
Continuing from a gorgeous collection in summer with Pucci, Guerlain puts forward some more great items. I like the gorgeous Ombre Eclat Duo & Liner palettes. The eyeshadows are smooth and silky, and so is the cream-to-powder eyeliner. The color selection is spot on, with blue and grey, pink and plum, and an array of neutral and golden shades. The shiny gold compact has a great sense of substance to it.
#5: Chanel
(from www.chanel.com)
(from Biteki September 2007)
Chanel stays right on trend with olive green, featured in Les 4 Ombres (Garden-Party) and Irréelle Duo (Lotus-Cactus). Les 4 Camélias de Chanel (that I won’t be buying) has some pretty and wearable colors. The blushers are kept muted to go with the sultry eyes and intense lips.
#4: Lavshuca
(from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)
(from Biteki September 2007)
Lavshuca has been doing well since its debut last year. The collection is expanding with more and more lovely items. This season, I love the new Eye Color Select palette in PU-2. The new Grade Color Select eye palettes (mid-right) are soft and sensual. The new Color Conc Rouge (bottom) does not live up to the promise, but they are still competent glosses in very cute packaging.
Come back for the final part of the count-down later!
Related posts:
Fall 2007 Makeup Trend Report
Fall 2007 Makeup Round-Up Part 1
(from www.cosme.net)
(from www.cosme.net)
(from www.cosme.net)
(from www.cosme.net)
(Dior Trotter Romantique Wallet)
(Dior Trotter Romantique Bag)
