Makeup, Skincare, Fragrance and a Bit of Fashion
Back in 2008, I reviewed Water Face Color in 100 from Albion Eprise. It was my first purchase from the Eprise range as well as from Albion. Today, I will be sharing my thoughts on Blush Impression in PK100, which is my first purchase from Albion’s Excia AL range.
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Back in 2007, I mentioned that Lunasol‘s fall 2007 Dual Glowing Purification makeup collection was one of the brand’s most stunning makeup collections. Nine years and thirty-four seasonal collections later, I still think this collection, inspired by jewel-toned hues, is one of the best from the brand. Today, I will be reviewing Geminate Eyes in 05 RB from the collection.
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(image from www.iswii.net)
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SUQQU‘s Loose Powder was released as part of the brand’s fall 2007 base makeup collection. It is available in two shades, Natural and Deep. The two shades work together to create highlight and contour for the face. Today I am reviewing the shade in Natural.
Color-wise, Natural is a sheer off-white cream. It has a subtly pearly finish. When I tested it on the back of my hand, I thought the finish might be too pearly for me. I was also worried that the luminous finish might make my pores look more obvious. But when worn on the face, it imparts a softly luminous finish that is neither pearly or frosty. It doesn’t accentuate the look of pores. Also, the powder is very light and fine.
The enclosed powder puff is relatively soft and easy to use.
Compared with Lavshuca Face Powder and Kiss Mat Chiffon Powder, this product doesn’t have any efficacy in shine control or pore coverage. (It also has the least amount of coverage among the three.) It will not work as a setting powder for those with combination or oily skin.
Among the loose powder products that I have reviewed, it is the closest to Crème de la Mer’s The Powder in Translucent. The main difference is that SUQQU’s finish is more natural and less shimmery and it doesn’t have the pink iridescence that the Crème de la Mer powder has. Overall, as a highlighting powder (particularly for daytime makeup), I prefer SUQQU’s.
Essentially, this is a finishing powder that works as a subtle highlighter, as it adds a soft and very natural glow for the face. It is also subtle enough to be used all over the face if the softly glowy finish is what you would like to go for. (It is able to help create the “brilliant skin” that is very popular in Japan right now.)
(SUQQU is currently available in Japan, Thailand, and the UK. Check here to see the information on all the SUQQU retail points.)
Updated on July 26th 2009:
Examples of “Brilliant Skin”, requested by reader Tamtam. (I am also considering writing up a separate post on this trend.)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)
(image from www.biteki.com)
More on SUQQU’s fall 2007 base makeup collection:
Foundation Face-Off: Chanel vs. SUQQU
Other related posts:
SUQQU Fall 2009 Point Makeup Collection
SUQQU Fall 2009 Base Makeup Releases
Japanese Beauty Brand Profile: SUQQU
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(Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation)
The packaging is beautiful and very princessy, and it has almost become a permanent fixture on my dressing table.
Here is how it performs for me:
The Basics
SPF 18, PA +++, 30ml, 5 shades
(Mine is 103 Nude, a neutral light-to-medium beige. Ethanol is seventh on ingredient list, but this foundation doesn’t irritate my skin.)
Texture & Consistency
It has a light-cream consistency. The very smooth texture largely comes from talc, and the richness of the consistency is mainly down to squalene (which is a very effective moisturizing ingredient used in many moisturizers). The foundation is not very liquid-y and the bottle has to be tapped against the back of my hand to slowly dispense the foundation.
Slip & Blendability
The foundation has a good slip and blends relatively easily. It dries a little fast so swift blending is ideal.
Finish
The finish is smooth and satiny (neither matte or luminous), and it has a pleasing soft-focus look to it.
Coverage
This foundation gives a natural medium-to-full coverage. The level of coverage is a lot higher than Paul & Joe’s Light Cream Foundation reviewed earlier.
Pore Coverage
For me, among non-powder foundations (which almost always cover pores less effectively than powder foundations), the pore coverage is fairly good.
Lasting Power
The lasting power is relatively satisfactory. It doesn’t have an optimal lasting power for me only because it is quite emollient for my oily skin for most part of the year. Other than that, the color does stay true and does not darken overtime.
Overall, liquid foundations are more suitable for me in winter no matter whether they are spring/summer or fall/winter releases.
This one is no exception. In colder days and when I need more coverage than what Paul & Joe’s Light Cream Foundation can give me, this is definitely the one I’d go for.Related Posts:
Loving Japanese Brands – Jill Stuart
(my personal take on Jill Stuart)
Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes in 04 Gem Amethyst
(my very first lilac-based eye palette)
Jill Stuart Powder Foundation Compact S
(the latest member of my foundation case collection)
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(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)
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)
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!
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(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
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It is time to round up my top 10 makeup collections for fall 2007, in reverse order, throughout the rest of this week. This time I have included photos of the seasonal makeup catalog from the September 2007 issue of Biteki magazine.
#10: ettusais
Ettusais has re-packaged its makeup collection. Everything still looks minimal and simple to show off the variety of colors. I especially like the vibrant shades of the Eye Color (top right).
Another interesting item is the Cheek Color (far right). All the 7 shades are packaged in a round compact with a spongy puff applicator attached to the bottom of the compact. I wonder how well the applicator works…
#9: Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown doesn’t appear on my top 10 lists very often (I have been doing the lists for a while for some of my friends.) But this collection caught my eyes. The Stonewashed palette has a great selection of brown, taupe, and grey shades. I nearly considered buying it, but the battle was won by Dior’s Diorissime palette. I am also intrigued by the eyeshadow trios. It is a slight departure from their usual neutral tones.
#8: Elégance
Elégance’s latest collection is in tune with the fall 2007 makeup trend. The eyeshadow palettes feature lovely shades of muted green and grey. They also include some lilac shades, which I always like.
(photo from www.elegance-cosmetics.com)The lip glosses look scrumptious. All the shades look very wearable and appear to have delicate shimmers. Love the gold packaging as well. Very Glamorous.
#7: Anna Sui
(photo from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
Stay tuned for the rest of the round-up in the following days!
Related Posts:
Fall 2007 Makeup Round-Up Part 2
Fall 2007 Makeup Round-Up Part 3
If I Could Go To Japan RIGHT NOW
(with more on ettusais and Elegance.)
Summer 2007 Makeup Round-Up Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3
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(Les 4 Camélias de Chanel)It is quite the opposite. Chanel is one of my favorite brands for makeup. I love the low-key and glamorous packaging and I enjoy using their items.
I adore this palette as well. The beautiful colors, in the shape of feminine and delicate camellias, are wearable for most people.
*BUT*, the second my lip brush is dipped into the colors, I won’t have all the four perfect camellias anymore! Sigh. As much as I want to keep looking at them, I want to use them too! So I will just have to satisfy myself by looking at the photo here…
Relate posts:
Chanel: The Perfect Black
(my take on Chanel cosmetics)
Chanel Contrast Lumième Palette in Aquarelles
(I don’t have a problem with this beautiful palette. I am happily using this.)
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(Lavshuca Color Conc Rouge PK-1)— 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.)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)
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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Kanebo Milano Collection 2025 for Holiday 2024 (image from www.fashion-press.net)
