Lunasol Summer 2007 Collection

by PJ on Friday, April 13, 2007

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2007 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(pictured: my Lunasol stash)


Blue is going to be so in for this coming summer, and Lunasol’s summer 2007 collection reflects this trend. Aqua and navy blue take the center stage among a shimmering beige and bronze backdrop. It is a collection with a clear identity.

The collection includes:

two eye palettes (beige and blue)
three eye colors (jelly-texture; white, beige, and blue)
one bronzing powder
three mascaras
three lipglosses
three nail colors

I think the blue eye palette will be a hit. All the jelly eye colors will probably be hugely popular too, as jelly- or mousse-textured eyeshadows are selling very well in Asia at the moment.

The collection is out on May 11 in Japan. All are limited-editions apart from the lipglosses and nail colors.

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Lavshuca Summer 2007 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, April 11, 2007

in -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, 2007 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup


(pictured: my Lavshuca stash)


One of the summer launches that I am really looking forward to is Lavshuca‘s collection. Without a clear color scheme, the main focus is on the 11 new colors of Jewel Lips and the launch of a new blusher collection (packaged in the same way as the single eye color).

The collection includes:

Two Jelly Pot Eye Colors (brown and silver)
Four Cheek Colors
Three Nail Colors
Eleven Jewel Lips

As always, the packaging is cute and princessy, just how I love it!

The launch of the cute little Jewel Lips this spring has obviously been so successful that Lavshuca is bringing out 11 more colors. I have got two of them and I will be reviewing them later this month.

As a blusher lover (hence the name of my blog!), I am also excited about the new blushers. I wasn’t keen on the previous Cheek Select. I think I might get one of these new ones.

More new summer 2007 items next time!

(Edited: You can read my Lavshuca brand review here.)

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YSL Summer 2007 Collection

by PJ on Sunday, April 8, 2007

in -YSL, 2007 Summer, makeup

(pictured: my YSL stash)


It is the time of year again when major brands start to launch the limited-edition summer items.

Summer collections can be a bit dull (bronzers and more bonzers…surely we haven’t finished whatever we might have bought last year…or the year before that). But YSL’s summer 2007 collection features some interesting products.

It is an all-around collection to give you the polished sun-goddess complexion. There are a face (bronzing) palette, an eye palette, lip glosses, lip plumpers, eyeliner, mascara, among others. One interesting item is Nail Touche, which is a nail color pen.

Here are some photos for you to drool at:

Face palette, eye palette, eyeliner, and nail color pen

Lip glosses and mascara

Lip plumper (SPF 10)

(Edited: If you use Firefox, turn off Adblock Plus to view the photos.)

Some of the colors seem a bit too dark for my liking, as I usually go for light and sheer colors in summer. However, I will be interested to check out the eye palette. I love anything aquamarine and turquoise!

More summer items later this week!

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Sofina Update: Raycious 2007 Glamorous Skin Powder and Aube 2007 Summer Collection

by PJ on Friday, April 6, 2007

in -Kao, -Sofina, 2007 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, stash focus


(my latest Raycious cases)

(part of my Raycious case collection)

Sofina is one of my favorite brands and I love collecting some of their cute stuff.

Within the brand, Raycious, the foundation line, launched Glamorous Skin Powder, its 8th-generation powder foundation. (Read the full review of their new base products here.) I have got the cases. (I didn’t get the foundation cakes because I still have several ones of previous generations…but I am an avid Raycious foundation case collector and I put the cakes in the new cases.)

The new case is, as always, a blue one. Gone is the three-way mirror in the 7th-generation and now there is jewel-like detail on the edge of the case. The pink one is a limited-edition and it looks so gorgeous.

The color makeup line, Aube, will launch the summer 2007 collection. The Gloss Fruitina feature 8 sparkling, fresh, and fruity colors. It includes the third minty/aquamarine lipgloss that is going to be lunched this summer (along with those from Dior and Guerlain), and I am very eager to check it out.

Next week, I’ll review more summer 2007 collections.

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Guerlain – Pucci Collaboration for Summer 2007 (available in the UK from April 14)

by PJ on Wednesday, April 4, 2007

in -Guerlain, 2007 Summer, fashion, makeup

Both owned by LVMH, Guerlain and Pucci have put together a makeup collection that is going to be the talk of summer 2007.

Most items feature the iconic Pucci print. Look out for Guerlain’s equally iconic meteorites powder sporting the classic pattern.

I am not really a Pucci fan. But I will be very interested in checking out the collection, especially the new lipgloss in Sparking Sea, which is a sheer aquamarine lipgloss (the sort of sheer, blue/green lipgloss I love to collect).

In the UK, the collection will be out on April 14 in Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and Harrods, and will be available nationwide on May 19 (information from Grazia magazine).

(Edited on April 24, 2007: The collection is now available online at Harrods.)

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Key Item for Spring/Summer 2007: White Eyeshadow

by PJ on Sunday, April 1, 2007

in -Boots, -Lancôme, 2007 Spring, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus


White eyeshadows are some of the key items this season. In Shu Uemura’s Spring 2007 makeup look, white is the only color around the eyes. This season, a white eyeshadow is not only used as a browbone highlighter but also all round the eyes to create a clean, sophisticated and edgy look.

I have some eyeshadow palettes that feature a white eyeshadow but I decided to experiment different finishes, so over the last couple of weeks, I have bought some more:

1 Rimmel Color Rush Mono Eye Shadow (241 Matte White)
2 Rimmel Color Rush Mono Eye Shadow (244 Moonstone)
3 Boots Natural Collection Eyeshadow (Sea Shell)
4 Boots No. 7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow (25 Opal)
5 Lancome Color Design (904 Pearly Angel)

(I was tempted to buy Maybelline Dream Mousse Shadow (in 00 Vanilla Veil) just to try a different texture, but the finish was a bit too glittery for my liking.)

Finish-wise, 1 & 3 are completely matte, and 2 & 4 have a pearly finish. 5 also has a pearly finish but with minimal glitter.

Between 1 & 3, 1 is completely white, while 3 is a very pale beige, which doesn’t show very much on my skin.

Out of these five, I am particularly impressed with the texture of the two Rimmel ones. Very smooth and velvety.

So far, I like 1 the most. The matte white looks very good on me and I think the matte finish is the concept in Shu Uemura’s seasonal look as well.

Don’t go overboard with white eyeshadows, though. It should look like there is a soft and flattering spotlight around your eyes, which makes your eyes pop.

Also, sporting too much of a glittery white eyeshadow all around the eyes can backfire spectacularly under heavy pale florescent lighting…You don’t want the reverse-panda look!

I think it is best to use a matte white eyeshadow as an overall base and to use any pearly or glittery white eyeshadow sparingly and strategically (on the browbones or in the inner corners of the eyes), especially when you have to switch between daytime and nighttime looks.

White eyeshadows have always been very basic items, but now you can use them to create a whole new (and flattering) look!

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One of a Kind: SUQQU Spring 2007 Eyeshadow in Daichi (Mother Earth)

by PJ on Wednesday, March 28, 2007

in -SUQQU, 2007 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

I have talked about SUQQU several times, and I have praised its strong themes and stunning ad campaigns for its seasonal makeup collections.

Sometimes it only takes a single unique product in the collection to warrant all the building up to it:

Powder Eye Shadow in Daichi (EX-51)

Why? On the website and on the leaflet I got, it just looked like any ubiquitous deep brown eyeshadow. But when I tested it on the back of my hand, I realized that I had never tried anything else like this before.

The smooth (almost-creamy) texture, typical of SUQQU’s eyeshadows and blushers, is still there, but this brown eyeshadow has twinkly deep midnight blue sparkles. The finish is so absolutely gorgeous. It is still predominantly matte, while the sparse diamond-dust deep-blue particles really stand out and shine against the matte brown background.

It must be like a clear night in the desert.

If you happen to be near a SUQQU counter, you simply have to try it.

Again and again, SUQQU shows that their products epitomize Japanese sensitivity and sensuality. It’s all very subtle but it is enough to have you in awe.

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Marc Jacobs Boutique in Mayfair, London

by PJ on Sunday, March 25, 2007

in -Marc Jacobs, fashion

(Marc Jacobs boutique in London)

When I knew that Marc Jacobs opened his first UK boutique in London, I just had to go there and have a look.

It is not on Bond Street or Sloane Street, where fashion boutiques cluster. It is on the quiet and quaint Mount Street in the center of Mayfair, although it is not too far from the hustle and bustle of Bond Street and Oxford Street.

(London’s Mayfair)

It is a modest-sized boutique and everything is conveniently on one floor. The layout is neat, with women’s fashion on the left side and menswear on the right, accessories in the front and clothings in the back. There are also fragrances (Blush being one of my favorites) and home-ware between accessories and clothing.

The approachable staff members were exceptionally friendly and helpful, answering all my questions, as I was browsing all the luxurious handbags. The atmosphere was very easy and relaxing.

Just as I was going through to the men’s clothing section, I noticed some funky T-shirts with bright colors and catchy prints. To my surprise, they were only 14 pounds. (Some of them were made for charity.) I was not planning to buy anything, but if I could find something I liked at 14 pounds by Marc Jacobs…why not? And I did. I found a salmon-pink top with nice subtle patterns. There were also some affordable hats and belts (around 30 pounds) to choose from.

Overall it was a very good experience. I didn’t expect to stay for almost 45 minutes and I didn’t expect to buy something without seriously damaging my bank balance. I will definitely go back again. Even though I still won’t be able to afford any quilted handbag, at least I know the service and atmosphere will be enjoyable.

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Ultimate Most-Treasured Cosmetics 2007

by PJ on Friday, March 23, 2007

in -Anna Sui, -Chanel, -Dior, -Paul & Joe, -YSL, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, skincare

In every February issue of Biteki magazine, it reveals the ultimate favorite cosmetics products as voted by the readers. It is always very interesting to see how some veterans battle with the newcomers.

Again, I will only list products sold internationally. (Also, I will not list what I have listed on my previous post about 2006 best-sellers in Japanese department stores.)

*SKINCARE*

Cleansing/Toning
Shu Uemura: Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O

Serum
Guerlain: Super Aqua Serum
Clarins: Contouring Facial Lift
Estee Lauder: Perfectionist
SKII: Eye Treatment Serum

Moisturizer
Creme de la Mer: Moisturizing Cream
Shiseido Cle de Peau: La Creme
SKII: Advanced Signs Treatment
Dior: Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Creme
Clinique: Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream

Treatment
Estee Lauder: Perfectionist Power Correcting Patch
Clinique: 15-Minute Facial

*BASE MAKEUP*

Primer
RMK: Creamy Makeup Base 02
Paul & Joe: Foundation Primer N 02

Concealer
Laura Mercier: Secret Camouflage SC-3

Foundation
RMK: Creamy Foundation

*COLOR MAKEUP*

Eye:
Chanel: 4 Powder Eyeshadows 27 (Golden Eyes)
Dior: 5-Color Eyeshadow 970 Stylish Move
RMK: Metallic Powder Eyes 11
Clinique: Cream Shaper for Eyes

Cheeks:
RMK: Ingenuous Cheeks 30
Anna Sui: Face Color Accent 300
YSL: Touche Blush 4
Shu Uemura: Glow on P Amber 83

Lips:
Estee Lauder: Pure Color Crystal 303
Chanel: Aqualumiere 67
Stila: Lip Glaze (Passion Fruit)
Dior: DiorKiss 758

(from Biteki February 2007)

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My Foundation Routine

by PJ on Wednesday, March 21, 2007

in -Kanebo, -Kao, -Lavshuca, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation, makeup - base makeup - powder, stash focus

As requested by a reader, I am going to talk about my daily foundation routine.

Every foundation product I use is in powder form (loose or pressed). I have oily skin, and anything liquidy or creamy (liquid foundation, creamy concealer,…) doesn’t stay on very well.

I try to make everything simple. I almost never use a primer. I only use a daytime moisturizer with sunscreen (like Estee Lauder DayWear Plus for Oily Skin SPF 15). Then:



1. I put on my ZA 2-way foundation (pictured mid-left).

Well, 70% of the time, that’s actually it. But if I want a more polished look:

2. I put on some transparent loose powder. My favorite two at the moment are from Raycious (mid-right) and Lavshuca (top). They are both very good in disguising pores. They both have minimal shimmer but it is barely visible on the face. Or I use Raycious pressed powder (bottom-left), which is completely matte.

Occasionally, if I need to conceal a pimple (here comes the big trick):

3. I use Raycious powder foundation (bottom-right) as a concealer with the corner of a rectangular sponge and gently press the powder onto a breakout. The light-defusing particles in Raycious powder foundations (especially the earliest generations) are fantastic for precision concealing. Not only is the redness covered, the shadow around the bump is instantly less visible (so the pimple looks much flattened). I want the powder to stay absolutely put on my breakout so it is applied last.

(This trick works wonder for my friends as well when I help them with makeup.)

My suggestion is to always take time doing the foundation. The foundation from a rushed application never stays on well. Taking time and doing everything slowly, gently, and carefully makes a huge difference, even with exactly the same products. (My routine is straightforward enough so it takes 10 minutes from 1 to 3, but I always make sure I don’t rush things through.)

My next post will be about some favorite cosmetics products as voted by Japanese consumers.

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