(Lavshuca Color Conc Rouge PK-1)

Color Conc Rouge (10 shades) is part of the Lavshuca fall 2007 line-up. It is supposed to be a lip color that is between a lipstick and a lip gloss. It promises to have:

— the level of pigmentation of a lipstick
— a highly viscous consistency of a lip gloss
— good staying power

So, a long-lasting syrupy and pigmented lip color. Sounds very special. (I think “conc” stands for “concentration”. But please correct me if I am wrong.)

Does it fulfill the promises? No.

It is a nice gloss nonetheless, with a natural watery shine I love, and PK-1 is a very cute pink shade. But it doesn’t fair very differently from some of the other glosses I have.

I think a better description of this product is that It is a mildly syrupy and lightly pigmented gloss that imparts a watery shine with minimal shimmer, with reasonable staying power. (But some other shades could be more pigmented than PK-1.)

(the cute heart-shape dispenser)


For me, a lip gloss that is actually very close to what Color Conc Rouge promises to be is Nina Ricci‘s Tender Lacquered Lipglaze:

(Nina Ricci Tender Lacquered Lipglaze)
(photo from www.ninaricci.com)


I have #2 Rose Jupon, which is a peachy pink. Exceptionally syrupy and glassy, it is quite pigmented as a lip gloss and can cover a good deal of my natural lip color. Too bad Nina Ricci cosmetics is not available in the UK anymore.

Also, I find that Dior’s DiorKiss has a very syrupy consistency as well and some of the shades are quite pigmented.

A-Mused at Musings of a Muse has a review of Lavshuca Color Conc Rouge as well. I understand what she means by the gloss not gliding well. For me, it does take a couple more seconds to get a perfectly even finish but the application is still relatively easy.
I think it is down to the combination of the applicator and the particular consistency of the gloss, since there is no problem with Lavshuca’s Gloss Stick (with almost the same applicator).

Overall, Color Conc Rouge is still a fairly good gloss, even though it doesn’t particularly stand out from the rest of the field…

Related posts for your lips:

Sony Curvy Lip Silicone
(million-selling sensation)

Lavshuca Gloss Stick
(a cute and lovely Lavshuca gloss which doesn’t make empty promises…)

Lavshuca Jewelry Lips
(Such little gems!)

Also, don’t miss these doses of fall 2007 makeup:

Fall 2007 Makeup Trend Report
Lavshuca Eye Color Select
Dior Diorissime palette

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(Dior Diorissime Palette for fall 2007)



(with Dior Detective Chic palette from fall 2006)

In recent years, Dior has successfully merged fashion and cosmetics by bringing fashion elements into the design of seasonal limited-edition items. The Diorissime palette for fall 2007 is yet another example.

The design of the beautiful case is based on both the classic and the current Dior designs:

(Dior Pink Leather Lady Dior Bag)
(photo from fashion.dior.com)


(Dior Pink Leather Cannage Bag)
(photo from fashion.dior.com)


The one I got is 002 Seduction Drama:

(after some testing…)

From left:

Eyeshadows
deep copper, medium grey, medium brown, sheer light beige
(All have metallic shine.)
Lip Colors
sheer frosty pink with subtle green shimmer
pale blue-tinted gloss with minimal shimmer

I went for 002 (Seduction Drama) instead of 001 (Daylight Madonna) because I wanted to have a couple of darker neutrals to play with and because I am a fan of blue-tinted lip glosses. (But 001 Daylight Madonna does feature some cute pink shades as well as soft neutrals.)

As with all the Dior eyeshadows, the texture is so smooth and blending is a dream.

I was worried that the deep copper shade (on the very left) would be too warm for me as an eyeliner shade. But, blended with the grey, it becomes a very natural brown.

The grey shade is a great addition to my eyeshadow colors. It goes well with my very dark eyes and lashes, not to mention it is a trendy color for fall 2007. (Replace this with the medium brown next to it for the classic neutral look.)

The frosty pink lip color has a texture between a very creamy lipstick and a syrupy lip gloss. Very glossy and shimmery. The blue-tinted gloss goes on completely sheer. It feels like a very moisturizing lip balm which happens to have a lot of shine.

While 001 Daylight Madonna is more for daytime, 002 Seduction Drama is definitely for evening glamor.

I have been loving most of Dior’s seasonal limited-edition items. This one will also be joyfully displayed on my dresser top!

More on fall 2007 makeup:

Fall 2007 Makeup Trend Report
(Have you noticed the same trends?)

Lavshuca Eye Color Select PU-2
(I am loving this!)

Read more about the fall 2007 collections from Anna Sui, Guerlain, Lunasol, Jill Stuart, and Esprique Precious.

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The Weekend Beauty Read

by PJ on Saturday, August 25, 2007

in Weekend Beauty Read

From The Beauty Blog Network:

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic: My First MAC

Beauty and Fashion Tech:
Girl Gloss, a New Blog Devoted to Lip Products

Beauty and Personality Grooming:
Natural Remedies for Undereye Dark Circles

Beautynomics: Unwrinkle Your Eyes with Venom!

Elke Von Freudenberg: Elke’s Latest Makeup Pet Peeves

Etailers Mall – The Blog: Valente Lane Candles Review

Kiss and Makeup: Review: Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss

Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint:
Bombshell Bargain’s New Delicious Line of Bath and Body Goodies

Makeup and Beauty Blog: Dinner at SF Fashion Week with MAC

Mystical Beauty’s Musings: Manor Hall Soap Company Minty Minty Review

The Mineral Makeup Blog:
Mineral Makeup 911 : My Minerals Wreaked Havoc!

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(Zensation Healing and Soothing Mask)
(photo from: Zensation Beaut
é)


I don’t use facial masks regularly, but I always keep a moisturizing mask in the bathroom whenever I need an SOS treatment. (My current choice is Avène’s Soothing Moisture Mask.)

Zensation‘s Healing and Soothing Mask, by the sound of the name, seems to be something perfect for sensitive skin. But, as the packaging states, it is a deep cleansing mask designed for oily and blemish-prone skin.

The ingredients include tea tree oil, witch hazel distillate, myrrh extract, and neem extract, which are common ingredients in products for blemished skin due to the anti-bacterial properties. But they can be skin irritants as well.

I have Type 4 (oily-dry) skin, not prone to blemishes. I tried this mask twice (with a week apart) and it left my skin slightly dry and tight both times. I can see this might work for teenagers with oily and blemished skin who live in hot and humid climate. (It may heal blemishes and soothe oil secretion, so it is not “healing and soothing” in the usual sense.) But for all others, it may not heal or soothe the skin in any way…

(Zensation Brightening Mask)
(photo from: Zensation Beaut
é)

Zensation’s Brightening Mask works better for me, as a moisturizing mask. It includes sweet almond oil, which is a good natural moisturizing ingredient. The product’s claim of “preventing and reducing unwanted and excessive pigmentation” comes from mulberry extract, which may have the merit in preventing melanin production.

Regardless of whether it can achieve any visible result of reducing skin pigmentation, I find it to be a fairly good moisturizing mask which suits my sensitive skin. It will be a nice addition to my bathroom line-up, as summer has come to an (early) end in the UK…

More skincare posts:

Olay Multi-Radiance Daily Illuminating UV Fluid SPF 15

Estee Lauder DayWear Plus SPF 15

(my two favorite daytime moisturizers)

A New Way to Look at Skin Types

(which might be different from what beauty salespeople try to tell you…)

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(clockwise from top:
El
égance Purity Eyes 11
Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow 250 Seascape
Lavshuca Eye Color BG-1
Lavshuca Eye Color Select BU-1)


Blue eyeshasows divide views. People either embrace them or stay away from them…

The shades of human complexion, from pale beige to dark brown, are all warm tones. Blue is perhaps the furtherest away from human skin-tones. So what can blue eyeshadows do for us?

By definition, they create contrast. They add depth, create dimension, and enhance definition. Blue eyeshadows make eyes pop.

A dust of light blue eyeshadow wakes up the eyes and makes them look brighter and more energetic. It seems to me that there are many more beautiful choices of easily wearable light-blue eyeshadows in Japanese cosmetics. Could it be that consumers in Japan understand the essence of blue more than the rest of the world?

Play It Safe
If you haven’t tried blue, want to give it a go (please do!), but don’t really know which “safe” shade to go for, I think a good starting point is to look at your own skin-tone. The darker your skin-tone is, the darker shade of blue for you. (When in doubt between two shades, try the lighter one.)

Make It Work
To make the best of blue, layer different shades of blue to maximize blue’s potential to create dimension for your eyes. For a glamorous or edgy look, try teaming blue with neighboring shades like green and lilac (as in Dior’s 5-Color Eyeshadow palette in 250 Seascape, seen above).


Take It Forward
The trendy way to wear blue for fall 2007 is to wear it with a coordinating grey, which is the color of the season and acts as a great accent color. Pair pastel blue with silvery grey and dark blue with charcoal grey. Below, we see a subtle, modern and almost effortless way to wear blue, which really brightens the eyes:

(cover, Biteki August 2007)

On the whole, blue is a great friend for our faces. A blue-tinted primer cancels out sallowness, a blue-tinted lip gloss creates depth and makes lips appear more plumped, and a sheer pastel-blue loose powder (which you can find in Shu Uemura) can give a luminous transparency to your face.

Some people think blue is back because the 80’s is back (and some people stay away from it exactly because of this). But I think blue is ever so wearable today because there is a great variety of textures (powder, cream, mousse,…), finishes (from velvety matte to ultra-shimmery), and shades.

This is what I think about blue, one of my favorite colors. What’s your view and observation?

(A big thank-you goes to Tammy, who started a mini discussion on blue eyeshadows under my post on Kanebo’s Kate and inspired me to write a post about them.)

More for the fans of blue:

Lavshuca Eye Color Select in BU-1
(a closer look at the Lavshuca palette seen in the photo above)

Blue-Tinted Lip Gloss?
(Well, I am not giving up until everyone has tried it…)

Sofina Raycious Foundation
(with fine blue-based particles to liven up your complexion)

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Newsflash! ShopVogue.TV Goes Live Tomorrow

by PJ on Monday, August 20, 2007

in fashion

(image from ShopVogue.TV)

ShopVogue.TV, launched tomorrow, will be one of the ultimate on-line fashion destinations.

The virtual press conference earlier today revealed all the exciting features:

Shop
Locate your next fashion find by trend, brand, or even price. You will be able to go straight to all major designers’ on-line shops.

Watch
Watch the catwalk shows and behind-the-scene footages. The great thing is that the featured items (clothes and accessories) in the footages are individually displayed alongside, with all the information you need.

Share
Upload images of your fashion exploration. That is, fashion in the most general sense — a vintage handbag, a perfect red lipstick, or a stunning holiday destination.

Beauty fanatics can watch 60 Seconds to Chic, featuring on-trend makeup tips. Also, the beauty section under Share will be a new place to share your stash with the rest of the world!

ShopVogue.TV is launched on August 21st. I will surely have a good browse tomorrow…

Other fashion topics:
Full Fashioned 2007, Nottingham UK
Marc Jacob in London

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(Lavshuca Eye Color Select PU-2)

Part of the Lavshuca Fall 2007 collection, this is the only new Eye Color Select palette for this season. In a way, it replaces the discontinued PU-1. (Also, a new line of eyeshadow palettes, Grade Color Select, has been released this fall.)



(top-left: pale lilac, with shimmer
top-right: lilac taupe, with shimmer and fine glitters
bottom-left: warm lilac, with shimmer
bottom-right: dark plum purple, with minimal shimmer)

This palette creates a sensually elegant look. For me, the bottom-left warm lilac shade is the star of this palette and the key to its elegance. A medium plum lilac, it has a warm neutral edge and is particularly wearable for me, as warmer purples suit me slightly better than cold blue-ish ones. It is a very beautiful soft and natural color.

All the shades are a great match and blend seamlessly together. Overall, I love this palette!

The instruction for all the Eye Color Select palettes indicates that the top-right shade, the one with fine glitters, can be worn as a base or on top of the finished look to add sparkles. But for this palette, I find that the top-right lilac taupe is slightly too dark to be used as a base shade. It goes on much darker than it looks in the palette and is almost darker than the bottom-left shade.

I actually think it works very well as a replacement of the bottom-left shade for a very sophisticated look. The fine glitters are not really a problem here. They bring a touch of vibrancy to this neutral color and don’t look over-powering.

In comparison, another purple palette, T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes 03 (read my earlier post for a full review) is able to create a slightly edgier look. It has a wider range of purples and includes a dark purple cream eyeliner.

(Kanebo T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes 03)


Released this spring with relatively colder lilac shades, this T’Estimo one is fresh and upbeat, while the Lavshuca one is soft and sensual. I do love both!

Next week, I will review another item of the Lavshuca Fall 2007 collection, Color Conc Rouge.

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Weekend Beauty Read

by PJ on Saturday, August 18, 2007

in Weekend Beauty Read

From The Beauty Blog Network:

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic: Revlon 3D Extreme Mascara

All Lacquered Up: Creative’s Fall Lacquer Collection

Beauty and Fashion Tech: Everyday Minerals Review

Beauty and Personality Grooming:
Do-It-Yourself Conditioners for Dry Hair

Beautynomics: Zensation Healing and Soothing Mask

Canadian Beauty: The Newest Shampoo from L’Oreal

Elke Von Freudenberg: Bronze Is All the Rage This Summer

Lipstick, Powder ‘n Paint:
Whether MAC’s New 3D Collection Is Just an Illusion

Makeup and Beauty Blog:
More MAC Mulch Shadow Fun – A Tutorial for an Easy Day Look

The Mineral Makeup Blog: Multi-Purpose Mineral Makeup

Have a good weekend!

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(The fest continues…)

(continued from yesterday)

Today, I bring you the Raycious cases from 2004 through to today.

The Raycious 2004 case has dynamic zig-zag patterns:

(Raycious 2004, 5th)

The Raycious 2005 case is more slender and wider, with bubble details. I really like this one.

(Raycious 2005, 6th)

Raycious brought out an interesting case in 2006. The color is the lightest of all the Raycious cases so far. It is also the thickest because it has to accommodate three pieces of mirrors.

(Raycious 2006, 7th)

Let’s open it up and have a look:

(It is like a mini dresser…)

A three-way mirror powder case is obviously not a necessity, but it is fun to use. Also, this design goes with the 7th-generation Raycious foundation for 2006, named Perfect Angle Powder. It claims to enhance the definition of facial contour. I guess you have all the mirrors to appreciate the new you!

We are back to one piece of mirror for the current Raycious 2007, Glamorous Skin Powder. The mirror is fitted almost right along the rims of the lid and is larger than most other mirrors in the previous cases.

(Raycious 2007, 8th)

In between the releases of the annual cases, Raycious sometimes brings out limited-edition ones. I don’t usually collect them, but I decided to go for this one earlier this year:

(Raycious 2007 limited-edition case)
Also, Haru over on Rouge Deluxe featues the latest limited-edition case. It is quite a bold design, using my favorite color.

These are all the cases I have from the powder foundations throughout the years so far. (When a new case is released, the previous one will go off the shelves. So I think it will be quite difficult to track down the older editions. In a way, all these cases are limited editions…)

Apart from releasing a new powder foundation each spring, Raycious also brings out new liquid foundations in fall. It also carries various primers, concealers, loose powders and pressed powders. I have several of Raycious pressed powders and a loose powder, and I will feature them in the near future!

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(Raycious Case Assembly)

I have talked about why I love Raycious foundations in an earlier post, so I won’t be going there today. (But mainly, it features fine blue-based particles that even out sallowness and redness to make skin bright and alive.)

Today it is all about all the cases since Raycious was launched in 2000. Each year, the foundation formulation changes slightly, and so does the case design.

I have been collecting these cases throughout the years. (I don’t have all the different foundations. The refills fit all the cases apart from the very first edition.)

Here we go!

The 1st-generation Raycious was launched in 2000. It is probably still the best-selling edition to date. This simple case is also my favorite. I also love this shade of blue. (You can see the difference above in the photo.) All the lines are slightly curved. Very subtly elegant. (This is the only Raycious case for a round refill, which, by the way, fits Anna Sui foundation cases as well.)

(Raycious 2000)
Riding on the success of the original Raycious, the 2nd-generation was launched in 2001.
(Raycious 2001)

It has a very reflective sheet in the lid. It is very shiny and colorful when I play it around the light:


The back of the lid can be opened:


I remember this sheet was given to purchasing customers in a very limited period of time:


This pattern was downloaded from the Sofina website in 2001:


You can put anything in the lid. For example, now I am doing some shameless self-promotion:


Onto 2002…the case has a minimal look:

(Raycious 2002)

Cell phone charms can be attached to the back:



The Raycious 2003 case is gadget-free and features soothing patterns:

(Raycious 2003)
It is quite a cutie!

Tomorrow I’ll come back with the ones from 2004 to 2007. You will have a closer look at the one with a three-way mirror. See you then!!

(See the cases from 2004 to 2007!)

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