2008 Spring

Foundation Face-Off – Lunasol vs. Coffret D’Or

by PJ on Tuesday, March 4, 2008

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2007 Spring, 2008 Spring, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation, makeup - base makeup - primer/concealer, stash focus

(Coffret D’Or Beauty Lasting Pack UV
& Lunasol Skin Fusing Powder Foundation)

After my first “foundation face-off” post (SUQQU vs. Chanel), some readers were wondering if I would do more. So here is another one, focusing on Lunasol’s current powder foundation, Skin Fusing Powder Foundation (referred to as “Lunasol” below), and Coffret D’Or’s debut powder foundation, Beauty Lasting Pack UV (referred to as “Coffret D’Or” below).

I have also tried the matching primers. I will review how the primers work with the foundations later on. The following comparison is based on the foundations worn without the primers (and right after my Olay daytime moisturizer/sunscreen).

Basics

– Lunasol: SPF 20 PA ++, 6 shades, released in spring 2007
– Coffret D’Or: SPF 24 PA ++, 7 shades, released in spring 2008 (March 1st)

Finish

Lunasol gives a luminous and almost glowy finish, while Coffret D’Or has a predominantly matte finish with subtle luminosity. Neither has visible shimmer.

Texture

Lunasol feels very pleasingly soft and velvety, while Coffret D’Or is slightly drier (but not chalky).

Coverage

Lunasol gives a very good above-medium coverage and successfully covers minor imperfections and redness. Coffret D’Or has a slightly below-medium coverage. In terms of how the coverage maintains throughout the day, both have a good staying power.

Pore Coverage

Lunasol has a relatively good pore-diffusing ability mainly due to the exceptionally velvety texture that adheres to the skin very well. Coffret D’Or’s pore-concealing ability is satisfactory but not outstanding.

Shine Control

All along, it seems Lunasol is winning. However, Coffret D’Or’s sebum-controlling ability is so impressive that I prefer it to Lunasol overall.

First of all, with Coffret D’Or on, it takes noticeably longer for my oily skin to appear visibly shiny than it does with some of my favorite foundations, like Sofina Raycious (earlier versions) and Shiseido ZA. Also, after gentling matting out the shine, the face looks nearly as matte as when foundation is first applied, which is not always the case with most foundations I’ve tried.

As for Lunasol, the soft powder (which has an almost-moist feel) does not seem to absorb sebum very well. The luminous and glowy finish makes the shine look more pronounced as the day goes on. Also, the face still looks somewhat shiny after I matte out the shine.

Between the two, I prefer Coffret D’Or for its exceptionally good shine-control ability. For me, the finish can look a little dry during the first hour of wear. But after that, the finish looks natural for the rest of the day with little maintenance. If you have combination or oily skin or if you live in a warm climate, Coffret D’Or is worth considering.

However, if you have dry skin with no issue of excessive sebum, then Lunasol’s soft and velvety powder will probably suit you better and give you a beautifully luminous finish.

With the primers:

(Coffret D’Or Beauty Lasting Veil UV
& Lunasol Smoothing Makeup Base)

Coffret D’Or’s Beauty Lasting Veil UV (SPF 20, PA ++, alcohol-free) has a very pleasing light milky texture and is easy to apply. Designed to add luminosity to the skin, it goes on almost completely sheer and it has visible shimmer. With this primer, Coffret D’Or’s finish turns considerably more velvety, almost like Lunasol (when worn without any primer) and the level of pore coverage is also increased slightly.

However, for me, the huge drawback is that the shine-control ability considerably lessens, which is very disappointing.

Lunasol’s Smoothing Makeup Base (no sunscreen factor, with some alcohol) is designed to diffuse the appearance of pores. It is slightly thicker than Beauty Lasting Veil UV but it is still easy to apply. It goes on almost completely sheer and does not have shimmer.

When worn with this primer, Lunasol’s smooth and velvety texture remains but the finish turns slightly more matte. Even though I don’t think the primer and the foundation worn together conceal pores better (then the foundation alone), the primer does seem to help control shine to a small extent.

While I would see Beauty Lasting Veil UV as a moisturizing primer for those who think Coffret D’Or is too dry, Smoothing Makeup Base seems to be for those concerned about Lunasol’s lack of shine-control ability.

Overall, in terms of the four options (two foundations with/without the primers), I would still prefer Coffret D’Or worn without primer. The winning attribute is definitely the outstanding shine-control efficacy.

Related Posts:
(spring/summer 2008 base makeup lineups)

Coffret D’Or
(loving the look of the loose powder)

SUQQU
(known for good-quality foundations)

Anna Sui
(very tempted to pick up the loose powder compact)

{ 32 comments }

Prescriptives Spring 2008 Makeup Review

by PJ on Friday, February 29, 2008

in -Prescriptives, 2008 Spring, makeup, makeup - blusher, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss

(Prescriptives Lip Strips in Techno Cool
& Blush More or Less in Thai Orchid)

Prescriptives’ spring 2008 collection, The Technotropics, features vibrant-looking but very wearable colors. Here I review two items from this collection.

Lip Strips in Techno Cool (limited-edition)

This compact includes five lip glosses with mostly cooler pinks. (Tropical Warm features five warmer shades.) The darkest shade (second from the top) is relatively pigmented as a lip gloss while the rest four are quite sheer. The top shade has no shimmer, and the middle three shades have subtle shimmer. The bottom white-ish shade has a lot of quite sparkling shimmer, and the finish is too intensely shimmery for my liking. But the product design does allow the user to easily mix two or more colors together, particularly any two adjoining shades.

My observation of most lip glosses in this semi-solid form is that they don’t usually give a watery or glassy shine. The finish tends to be more of a luminous sheen, which sometimes can look a little oily. While the finishes of these glosses are more balmy than greasy, personally I’d prefer a more watery shine.

Blush More or Less Creamy Cheek Color in Thai Orchid

I find that the Prescriptive website seems to have quite an accurate description of the texture of this product. This cream blusher is described to have “the smoothness of a cream and the lightness of a mousse”. Indeed, this is not like most cream blushers which can feel a little greasy, and the texture is light and almost mousse-like. (But it is not as mousse-y or spongy as, for example, Maybelline’s Dream Mousse Cheek Color.)

What impresses me about this formulation is that the mousse-like texture makes blending very easy, which is particularly vital for a blusher. It dries to a smooth semi-powdery finish with very subtle luminosity. It has a fairly satisfactory staying powder.

Thai Orchid appears to be a very intense rosy red. But it can easily be worn with varying intensity and it looks very natural worn sheer.

Between the two items, I much prefer the blusher. But the lip compact, which is the size of a typical round foundation case, can be a competent space-saver during traveling and go with various eye and cheek looks if you enjoy the balmy finishes.

Blushers:

Albion Eprise Water Cheek Color
(another non-powder formulation that works well)

Ayura Aura Veil α in Sweet Pink
(perfect for spring)

Lip Glosses:

Lunasol Full Glamor Gloss in Bright Pink
(one of my favorites)

Rimmel Underground Light Beam Lip Gloss
(natural watery sheen)

{ 4 comments }

Shiseido The Makeup Spring 2008 Collection

by PJ on Thursday, February 28, 2008

in -Shiseido, -SHISEIDO (Global Brand), -Shiseido The Makeup, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Radiant Pastels –
Shiseido The Makeup Spring 2008 Collection)
(image from www.shiseido.com/themakeup)

With Dick Page as the artistic director, Shiseido The Makeup‘s spring 2008 collection is looking fresh and colorful. (On the Shiseido website, the collection is billed as a (Dick Page) “inspired collaboration”.) While there are no new product designs, this is a visually very pleasing collection, from the shade selection to the ad image.

The collection includes:

— Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow: 4 new shades (seen below)
— Shimmering Lipstick: 4 new shades
— Multi-Shade Enhancer: 2 shades, Terra-Cotta Glow and Sunset Glow (Sunset Glow is a limited-edition item from summer 2007 and is now a regular product.)

(Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow)
(image from www.shiseido.com/themakeup)

I have tested Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow in H10 Languid Lagoon at the counter. The actual color is darker than what we see in the image above. It also looks greener and is less aqua-ish. I have to say, for me personally, it looks slightly better on the website and in magazine pages.

I might not pick up any item from this collection, but I will still look forward to more creations from the master.

Shiseido Clé de Peau Spring 2008 Collection
(another gorgeous ad image)

Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report
(featuring key items for this season)

Must-Try Look for Spring 2008
(trendy and wearable)

{ 8 comments }

SUQQU Spring/Summer 2008 Base Makeup Collection

by PJ on Tuesday, February 19, 2008

in -SUQQU, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(part of the SUQQU spring/summer 2008
base makeup lineup)
(image from www.suqqu.com)

As SUQQU is one of the few Japanese brands available in the UK (in London’s Selfridges), I always look forward to all the new releases.

Following the spring color collection, released earlier in Japan and launching in the UK later, SUQQU will release the spring/summer base makeup collection on March 15th.

With many Japanese cosmetics brands, the spring/summer base makeup releases, mostly in March, tend to focus on sebum-controlling and maintaining a fresh complexion. On the other hand, the fall/winter lineups (launched around September) are more about combating dryness and creating a luminous look.

SUQQU’s base makeup collection for fall 2007 features a very delicately smooth and luxuriously velvety Powder Foundation Glow. It goes on beautifully, has a good coverage, and covers pores well, but it lacks the sebum-controlling ability. So it will be interesting to see what the new Powder Foundation Fresh can do.

The SUQQU spring/summer 2008 base makeup lineup includes:

Powder Foundation Fresh: 6 shades, 11g, SPF 27 PA++

Liquid Foundation Aqua: 6 shades, 24ml, SPF 26 PA++

Face Protector N (daytime sunscreen): 30g, SPF 30 PA+++

I am expecting these to be launched in the UK in April, and I look forward to testing all the items, especially Powder Foundation Fresh. If it has all the merits of Powder Foundation Glow plus a decent shine-controlling ability, it could be an all-round winner for me!

Loving SUQQU
(my personal take on SUQQU)

Anna Sui spring/summer 2008 base makeup collection
(featuring a cute loose powder compact)

Kanebo Coffret D’Or spring/summer 2008 base makeup collection
(More loose powder for me to try?)

{ 0 comments }

Shiseido Clé de Peau Spring 2008 Collection – Blue Takes Center Stage

by PJ on Sunday, February 17, 2008

in -Clé de Peau, -Shiseido, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Eye Color Quad in 116 (left) and 117 (right))

(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)

Ever since I saw Clé de Peau‘s spring 2008 lineup on Japanese beauty magazines, I had been looking forward to seeing if the blue-purple eye palette would be featured for the main ad campaign and what the look would be like.

I was not disappointed when I saw this, to say the very least.

(Shiseido Clé de Peau Spring 2008 Collection)

(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)

There is a sense of softness and serenity, and the aqua blue eyeshadow doesn’t look out of place at all. The whole image has a water-painting quality to it.

I also feel that the blue worn on a large section of the lids conveys a quiet touch of confidence, assertiveness, and maturity that I find very appealing. It shows that a warm blue like this is not just a youthful and funky color. It can also look sensual and feminine.

Even though Clé de Peau has quite a low-key brand image, its recent collections have been very trend-sensitive. An edgy monochrome eye palette was featured in the fall 2007 collection. For this spring, Eye Color Quad in 117 combines the two hottest shades at the moment, blue and purple.

As I mentioned in the Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report, while western brands are doing a lot of cold blues this season, Japanese brands are coming up with warmer blues. Clé de Peau’s spring 2008 lineup is just one example.

If I may, I am going to appreciate this beautiful image a little more…

The Allure of Blue Eyeshadows
(Everyone can wear blue.)

Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette in Seascape
(featuring a beautiful warm blue)

Must-Try Look for Spring 2008
(Are you wearing it?)

{ 6 comments }

Deciphering the Superiority – Lunasol’s Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

by PJ on Sunday, February 10, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(Loving the lilacs:
Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral)
(under sunlight and minimal artificial lighting)

The Sheer Contrast Eyes palettes are part of Lunasol‘s spring 2008 collection. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant colors of the ocean, the collection captures the rich and diverse hues and the rippling glimmer of the world below the sea level.

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

The alluring shades are based on those of the coral reefs, and the palettes are aptly named Blue Coral, Green Coral, Lavender Coral, Orange Coral, and Coral Coral.

(Lunasol’s Sheer Contrast Eyes)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

Lunasol’s eye palettes are probably the brand’s most popular items. (Last year’s @Cosme reader survey reflected this, as the top three eye palettes are all from Lunasol.) Even though Lunasol had been one of my favorite brands, I never tried their eyeshadows. With Sheer Contrast Eyes’ eye-catching lineup, I thought it was time for me to dive in.

(under artificial lighting,
where shimmer is a little more visible on camera)

There was very little decision-making involved in which palette I wanted to try, and I am very pleased with what I got. Lavender Coral is a box full of prettiness…

— bottom right: very sheer pale yellow with a subtle gold undertone and plenty of sparkles
— top right: sheer pale pink with intense but fine shimmer
— top left: well-pigmented soft cool lilac with delicate shimmer
— bottom left: semi-matte deep warm violet with sparse shimmer

(All the shimmering particles are multi-colored. The sizes of the particles vary slightly among the four shades.)

The cool lilac is obviously the main shade in this palette. Not only is it one of the most visually beautiful lilac shades I have, it suits me very well. The pale pink is very sheer and mainly goes on as shimmer, but the abundant ultra-fine light-reflective particles and the superbly smooth texture make it both a competent base and a subtle but effective highlighter. (As a highlighter, this shimmery pale pink doesn’t have that harshness that some white or silvery highlighters may have.) The deep warm violet is a good eye-lining shade and isn’t so dark that it can look grey on the skin.

My only very minor issue is with the pale yellow, as the sparkles are a little bit on the big side for my personal liking. But this is not to suggest that it looks glittery or tacky. In fact, if you like high-voltage multi-colored sparkles with a pale-gold base tone, then you might really like this particular shade.

All the shades have a smooth and silky feel and are very easy to apply. They are also satisfactorily long-lasting.

I always tend not to over-layer my eyeshadows and keep the finish relatively sheer. For me, this palette, worn in this way, really stands out, because the subtle shimmer almost creates a unique wet finish. It resembles the surface of the glimmering sea under the sun and echoes so well the ocean theme of this collection.

I also came across a user’s comment on Lunasol’s eye palettes. Obviously from a Lunasol lover, her theory is that the only way to show that we are wearing the stunning Lunasol’s eyeshadows (and not possibly anything else) is to wear them sheer. Only by wearing them sheer can we do justice to the ultimate strength of Lunasol’s eye colors, which is the magical transparency showing through the rich pigments. Wonderfully said!

Even though I have several lilac eye palettes, each one is unique and different and this one is no exception, to say the least. I’ve understood first-hand why Lunasol’s eye palettes are able to draw people into the brand, make the brand more and more coveted, and widen the age range of loyal fans. I will continue to explore the possibilities of this palette and the essence of Lunasol.

Must-Try Look for Spring 2008
(loving all the variations)

Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report
(featuring the hot colors of this season)

Loving Japanese Brands: Lunasol
(how things got started…)

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Purple Variation
(as fantastic as the Lunasol one, but in a very different way)

{ 24 comments }

Must-Try Look for Spring 2008: Lilac Eyes

by PJ on Tuesday, February 5, 2008

in -AQ, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

(item used: Maquillage
Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)

In the last couple of years, I have been enjoying wearing eyeshadows of various lilac hues. I find them easy to wear for both daytime and evening, and they look flattering in a natural way.

For spring 2008, I have been excited to see some major cosmetics brands (many of them Japanese) featuring lilac eyeshadows. (You can read more about spring 2008 makeup trend in one earlier post.) I thought I’d share with you some of the looks that I have come across that represent distinct variations of this season’s trendy look.

One of my favorite lilac looks this season is from Shiseido Maquillage (above). Accompanied by a silvery grey to create a soft contrast, the lilac shade in Clean Contrast Eyes 2 palette in SV844 is relatively pale. I think the whole look is clean and very pleasantly fuss-free.

(item used: Coffret D’Or
3D Lighting Eyes in 04)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

Kanebo’s Coffret D’Or also has a lilac palette in their debut collection for spring 2008 (which I have reviewed earlier). It is also a very subtle look (above), mainly because, apart from the violet for lining the eyes, the other shades are a pale blue and a dusty pink that have a subtle lilac undertone and not true lilac themselves. But all the shades in this palette complement one another so well that this palette is joy to use.

Next we see a more classic lilac look from (Kosé’s) Cosme Decorte AQ‘s latest look:

(item used: Cosme Decorte AQ
Pure Grace Eyeshadow palette in 030)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com)

This is lilac as an ultra feminine and elegant shade for the eyes. But it is not stealing the show, as it is worn with a beautiful cherry-red lipstick (Pure Grace Lipstick in RO620) to create a superbly exquisite and polished look.

Now, we see a very colorful way to wear lilac.

(cover of Voce’s March 2008 issue)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

(from Biteki’s latest TV commercial)
(image from www.biteki.com)

Biteki’s latest TV commercial
(via Dailymotion)

Coincidentally, both Voce and Biteki, two of the top cosmetics magazines in Japan, are featuring lilac worn with green under the eyes in their March 2008 issues. As you can see, the look can be edgy or feminine. (At the moment, I don’t know what items are used to create these two looks, but I will certainly update this post when I have more information.)

In contrast to the elegant look from Cosme Decorte above, where all the shades are of a cooler tone, RMK incorporates warm shades for lips and cheeks for spring 2008.

(item used: RMK
Shiny Mix Eyes in 03 Silver Purple)
(image from www.rmkrmk.com/global)

I think this is quite a modern way to wear lilac. At first I was not sure if I liked it, but then I realized that another possible way to look at it is to see it as a more intense version of Maquillage’s spring 2008 look.

(images from RMK & Maquillage)

So, of all the looks that we have seen, which one is your favorite?

A Splash of Color: Lilting Lilac
(from my “I Love Colors” series)

Lavshuca Eye Color Select in PU-2
(warm and sophisticated)

Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes in 04 Gem Amethyst
(my first lilac eye palette)

{ 36 comments }

Spring 2008 Makeup Focus: Anna Sui’s Sui Lip Gloss in 100

by PJ on Sunday, February 3, 2008

in -Anna Sui, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss, stash focus

(full of goodness…)

This is the first post to highlight some of the spring 2008 makeup items that I have got. There will be more to come later!

Even though I love Anna Sui, my last purchase was almost two years ago (Face Color Accent in 400). But after I saw some photos of the three limited-edition lip glosses for the spring 2008 collection, I decided to get the blue-tinted one.

(part of Anna Sui’s spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)

I have several blue-tinted lip glosses and I love all of them. But if I have to be picky, I prefer the ones that are simply blue-tinted and with very sparse shimmering particles to the ones with more blue shimmer. I also tend to favor ones that have a deep warm aqua blue shade in the tube. (It is just for my visual pleasure…)

This lip gloss by Anna Sui has these particular aspects that I like in a blue lip gloss. It has a pleasing blue color in the tube, but it goes on very sheer. It looks like it has a lot of shimmer, but the particles look quite sparse on the lips.

The gloss has the signature Anna Sui scent. I don’t normally like scented lip glosses, but I am okay with this one.

It imparts a wet glossy shine that lasts well. As with my other blue lip glosses, this one also adds subtle depth and transparency to my lips, making them look fuller and more dimensional.

Plus, l simply enjoy looking at the warm tropical shimmery blue in the container. It is like Maldives in a tube…

Loving Japanese Brands: Anna Sui
(my personal take on the brand)

Lunasol Full Glamor Gloss in Bright Pink
(It is not too bright at all and is one of my favorite lip glosses.)

Lavshuca Gloss Stick in PK-3
(See how Lavshuca does cute.)

{ 12 comments }

Anna Sui Spring/Summer 2008 Base Makeup Collection

by PJ on Friday, February 1, 2008

in -Anna Sui, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(Anna Sui Spring/Summer 2008
base makeup collection)
(images from woman.excite.co.jp)

March is the time when various Japanese cosmetics brands release their new base makeup items. (In Japanese cosmetics, “base makeup” refers to products including primer, concealer, foundation, pressed/loose powder, and highlighter…all the things to get that perfect canvas.) On March 1st, Anna Sui will launch its spring/summer base makeup collection in Japan. The collection includes:

– Control Color Primer UV (SPF 35, PA ++; containing “micro lucent powder” to brighten up the skin)

– Loose Compact Powder UV (six shades; 001, 002, 200 with SPF 15 PA ++, 700, 701, 702 with SPF 14 PA ++)

– Oil Control Paper

The Loose Compact Powder UV has caught my eye. The case (sold separately) can potentially be a beautiful and practical item to have. I look forward to seeing the detail of the packaging later on in some Japanese cosmetics magazines.

Kanebo Coffret D’Or Spring/Summer 2008 Base Makeup Collection
(Loving the look…)

Anna Sui Spring 2008 Collection
(I have got one of the lip glosses, which I will review very soon!)

My Anna Sui Foundation Cases
(Case galore…)

{ 10 comments }

SUQQU Spring 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, February 1, 2008

in -SUQQU, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics

(SUQQU Spring 2008 collection ad image)
(image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)

SUQQU‘s spring 2008 collection will be launched in Japan on February 15th. It should be launched in the UK (in London’s Selfridges) about a month later.

(part of the SUQQU spring 2008 lineup)
(image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)

The collection looks very fresh, and I am seeing shimmer in both the eye and lip items, which is not very typical of SUQQU.

The lineup includes:

– Blend Eye Shadow (eye palettes; three new versions)
– Eye Lucent (loose-powder eyeshadow; two shades) [new item]
– Blend Cheeks (one new version)
– Blend Lip Stick (six new shades)
– Gloss & Lip Color (three versions) [new item]
– Nail Color (three new shades)

In sharp contrast to last spring’s blue eyeshadows and beige lipsticks, SUQQU’s spring collection for this year has green for eyes and pink for lips. It has a slightly more youthful and vibrant feel.

The Gloss & Lip Color looks quite…girlie, and this is the first time I am using this word to describe SUQQU, which, for me, epitomizes grown-up elegance.

Is SUQQU taking on a new dimension? Or is it re-positioning itself to compete with (or make way for) CHICCA? (Both are ultimately owned by the Kanebo Company.)

Japanese Cosmetics Brands in the UK
(What else is available apart from SUQQU?)

Sensuality with an Attitude
(my personal take on SUQQU)

Loose Powder: A Recurring Phase
(featuring SUQQU and others)

{ 4 comments }

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