(pictured: my Lunasol items)Lunasol’s official website has not been updated with the fall collection yet, but have a look at shots of the Lunasol fall 2007 collection from the printed catalog on a Japanese blog.
The collection will be out in Japan on August 17th, 2007.
I love that there are five different looks in the collection. (It has been done for their spring 2007 collection, where each of the four looks includes coordinating eyeshadow palette, lipstick, lip palette, and nail color.) Named Cat’s Eye, Alexandrite, Diamond, Sapphire, and Ruby, they are like five mini collections.
For fall 2007, each look includes a five-color eyeshadow palette (a first for Lunasol), a liquid eyeliner, a lipstick, a lip gloss, and a nail color. Among them, I am particularly excited about Sapphire and Ruby, which are very striking and distinctive. (See my pattern here? I am adding another member into my blue-tinted lip gloss collection.)
Packaging-wise, Lunasol’s simple and sophisticated style never fails to impress me. When Lunasol was launched in 1999, it featured bronze and silver checked-pattern cases (see powder case on top and lipstick on bottom of the photo above). In 2003, the color scheme changed into a low-key dark brown. Several seasons ago, the finish became much more reflective, as what we see now. I like the fact that the packaging never changes drastically. Instead, it evolves with the time.
Aside from its superior quality and consistently great seasonal collections, the distinctive but understated image is part of Lunasol’s appeal.
Related Article: Loving Japanese Brands (7 of 7): Lunasol
Now, A Touch of Blusher features podcast!
It is supported by Odiogo. After I listened to some posts on Elke Von Freudenberg’s blog, I was happy with the general quality and decided to bring podcast to my blog.
The near-human text-to-speech generation is by no means perfect, but I have to say it is pretty good. (It is also kind of fun to hear my own writing being read out…)
You can click on the icon below to subscribe to the podcast feeds:
It is like getting the audio broadcast of my blog…
Also, each post now comes with the Listen Odiogo icon, by clicking which you can listen to the post.
You can try listening to this post right now. Enjoy!
(pictured: my Jill Stuart items…
more joining my collection soon)
Finally, Jill Stuart’s fall collection has appeared on the official website.
This fall for Jill Stuart, it is all about the cheeks. Following the success of what is now the cult product, Blush Powder, the new pressed powder blusher (Mix Blush Compact) will debut on August 3rd, 2007. (It’s about time!)
Each compact includes four coordinated shades. Five versions are available, one of which is a limited edition. Each compact comes with a cute retractable brush.
I usually go for cool-pink blushers, so #01 (Baby Blush) and #02 (Rose Bloom) look like my kind of blushers.
The collection also includes (check link above to see the shades):
Brilliance Eyes: two new palettes (slightly more sedate and low-key than the spring 2007 shades)
Jelly Eye Color: two new shades (to join the line-up of this best seller)
Lip Lustre: three new shades
Liquid Eyeliner: two new shades
Nail Lacquer: three new shades (limited editions)
Point Crystal II: five shades (out on August 24, 2007, limited editions)
Pouch II: out on August 24, 2007, limited edition
I love the packaging of the new blusher. It is just too adorable to pass up. You will probably see a review of it later!
by PJ on Thursday, July 12, 2007
in bodycare
For me, handcare is almost as important as skincare. I am quite obsessed with keeping my hands clean, but, with all the washing, they can often feel dry and tight.
Gloves In A Bottle, as the name suggests, moisturizes and protects hands. According to their website, it is “a shielding lotion that rapidly absorbs into, and bonds with, the outer layer of skin creating a protective layer while retaining the natural moisture from within“.
One of the good aspects of this product is that the ingredient list is short and simple, which is great for people with sensitive skin or with skin conditions. There is no fragrance or skin irritants like certain types of essential oils. (Apart from what is listed on the website, the ingredient list on the bottle also lists M&F paraben (a preservative) as an ingredient.)
It is an effective moisturizer for the hands. Light and non-greasy, it is suitable for repeated uses during daytime (no slippery fingers). I actually use it more as a body moisturizer, as I personally prefer my hand cream to be slightly more emollient, especially for the last application before bed.
It can also be used on the face as a light-weight moisturizer.
If you have very sensitive skin (face or body), this straight-forward no-fuss lotion might be something you want to try.
(pictured: my HR items…and I want more!)Helena Rubinstein is the one that said “There are no ugly women, only lazy ones.” Whether you agree with it or not, it cannot be denied she more than made her mark in the beauty industry.
I always think there is a sense of sophistication and intelligence in her makeup line. The packaging during the 1990’s incorporated colors and finishes that resembled marble and gold. There was a great deal of quiet confidence and assertiveness about it, which really appealed to me. The current reflective copper-tone packaging has a very glamorous edge.
Helena Rubinstein’s mascaras (along with Lancome’s Extencil) started the craze for ultra long, voluminous, and curly eyelashes in Japan about a decade ago, lasting all the way until today. HR’s various mascaras have continued to be on the best-selling lists there as well.
Skincare-wise, I used to really like their cleansing and toning products, as they were gentle to my sensitive skin.
I am aware that her cosmetics line is still available in many countries (see the list on the Helena Rubinstein website), but it is no longer available in the UK or US. I really hope it will be available again soon! (By the way, it is available in Japan…that’s one more reason to go to Japan for……)
Any HR product that you have used and liked? Let me know!
by PJ on Sunday, July 8, 2007
in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Majolica Majorca, -Shiseido, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation, makeup - blusher, stash focus
(pictured: my Majolica Majorca foundation and blushers)For me, there are two Japanese brands that combine ultra-princessy packaging and superb pocket-friendliness: (Kanebo’s) Lavshuca and (Shiseido’s) Majolica Majorca.
I haven’t really talked about Majolica Majorca very much because Lavshuca has really edged Majolica Majorca out for me in the last couple of seasons.
I do remember how excited I was when it was first launched in July 2003, which was way before some of my current favorites (like Lavshuca and Jill Stuart) took to the stage. At the time, packaging for Japanese drugstore lines was never about being maximally appealing…until Shiseido launched Majolica Majorca, which targeted consumers in their late teens and early twenties. (There were always lines with cute packaging, but they were never packaged to the point of being invincibly dreamy.)
Gold is the predominant color for most of the casings, with filigree patterns, emblems, words written in fancy styles, and other decorative details. It has a royal and antiquey feel, and it was all very cute and princessy.
Their liquid eyeliners and mascaras have always been very popular. As for me, I have got two of their blushers and a powder foundation.
Both blushers are medium to sheer. PK333 is a cool pink (similar to Lavshuca Cheek Color PK-1) and OR211 is a light orange. I prefer PK333 because OR211 is a bit too warm for me.
The two-way powder foundation (Skin Remake Compact) is quite different from the ZA two-way foundation (also made by Shiseido) that I have been using for years. Relatively, Majolica Majorca’s powder foundation has a more moist feel, has a slightly better coverage, but controls shine much less effectively. (Because it controls shine rather poorly, I only wear it when the weather is very cold.) But if your skin-type is combination or slightly dry, this might be a good choice for you as it does give a smooth and almost satiny finish.
Recently, Majolica Majorca’s packaging has not been appealing to me. I think it is because brands like Lavshuca and Jill Stuart are really pushing it in this area. Also, for me, the recent products are just a little less than exciting.
But I still want Majolica Majorca to wow me again!
I’d be interested to know your view of Majolica Majorca and your favorite Majolica Majorca products.
by PJ on Sunday, July 8, 2007
in -Anna Sui, -Aube (Couture), -Ayura, -Integrate, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kao, -Kate, -Kosé, -Lavshuca, -Lunasol, -Majolica Majorca, -Maquillage, -Paul & Joe, -RMK, -Shiseido, -Shu Uemura, -Sofina, -T'Estimo, -Visée, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, readers' polls
Majolica Majorca, with cute packaging, good quality, and affordable prices, edged Shu Uemura out at the last minute to become A Touch of Blusher readers’ favorite Japanese makeup line!
Shu Uemura, one of the ultimate professional makeup brands, also captured the heart of many of you.
Lunasol, Lavshuca, and Kate (all by Kanebo) shared the third place.
Here is the full result:
What are your favorite Japanese makeup lines? (Tick all that apply!!)
(from June 27 to July 8, 2007)
Majolica Majorca (13 votes)
Shu Uemura (12 votes)Lunasol, Lavshuca, Kate (11 votes each)Paul & Joe (9 votes)Maquillage, T’Estimo, Jill Stuart, Anna Sui (8 votes each)Visee (3 votes)Aube, Ayura, RMK (2 votes each)Integrate (1 vote)
Other favorites mentioned include Inoui ID and Canmake. Great choices!!
Thanks for everyone that has voted and left comments!! There will be more polls to come. (Suggestions are welcome!)
Here is a preview of Esprique Precious fall 2007 collection ad campaign. The spokesperson is still the very popular Gemma Ward.
The collection includes lipsticks, liquid lip colors, lip liners, single-color eyeshadows, and eyeshadow palettes. There will also be new foundation products, including liquid foundations, powder foundations, and two primers.
The collection is officially out in Japan on August 21.
Even though I am not a Gemma Ward fan, I do think Kose picked a spokesperson who successfully appealed to the target consumers and created buzz for the line.
Watch her TV ads here and here.
Related post: Gemma Ward Fronts New Cosmetics Line in Japan
(pictured: my Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1)
I’ve realized that, even though my blog is called A Touch of Blusher, this is actually the first time I am properly reviewing a blusher (even though I have mentioned Lavshuca’s blushers in my seasonal top-10 countdown). I promise there will be more to come. (I do have quite a few of them…)
Lavshuca’s Cheek Color is part of its summer 2007 collection. There are four different shades.
The one I got is PK-1, which is a slightly cool pink. It has that usual Lavshuca packaging. Very cute and princessy.
The finish is predominantly matte, which is what I usually go for.
The pigmentation is medium to sheer. If you love to sport very rosy cheeks, you might want to pass them up because the layering might take forever. But if you prefer a light blush on your cheeks, this would be a great choice. I’d also say this is one of those perfect daytime blusher shades. It is very natural and should go with most colors you wear.
If you happen to have both Cheek Color and Cheek Select (which Lavshuca released last year), please do let me know how they compare with each other. I have heard some negative comments on Cheek Select regarding its complete lack of pigmentation. I suspect that some people might say the same about Cheek Color. (I already know a friend of mine who did.) I am quite interested in knowing which one people prefer.
I have not tried Cheek Select but I like the Cheek Color that I have. The slightly cool pink is just right for my skin-tone and I like both the finish and the level of pigmentation.
More lovely items like this from Lavshuca, please…
(pictured: my Dior items,
including the Dior Detective Chic palette from fall 2006)
There is no way that I am NOT going to get this palette!
This is the new limited-edition Diorissime Palette from the Dior Fall 2007 makeup collection, and I love it. I have my own reasons:
1. It has some lovely neutral shades that I have recently been very interested in.
2. It has a blue-tinted lip gloss.
3. It is even prettier than the Dior Detective Chic palette (or see photo above) from fall 2006.
4. It is pink! (Well, I don’t have a link to pink, but I do love pink. I’ll do a post on pink in my “I Love Color” series later on.)
It is as if the palette were made for me……
In the UK, the Dior fall 2007 collection will be out in early August.
(pictured: my Lunasol items)
