(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
Anna Sui Cosmetics has updated its website to feature the spring 2009 collection. There are also new desktop wallpaper and screen saver for downloading.
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2009 Spring
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
I collected my February 2009 issue of Biteki last week, among the huge winter sale crowd in central London.
I almost always like Biteki’s covers. The makeup looks are elegant and never over-the-top. But I was particularly drawn to this cover upon seeing it. I like the relaxed long wavy hair and the lilac off-the-shoulder top. The makeup looks fresh, feminine, and very wearable.
I flipped through the magazine to see the behind-the-scene photos and the products used, and I was pleasantly surprised that this look was created by Dick Page, the artistic director for Shiseido The Makeup, with items from the line*. (Usually the covers showcase works of Japanese makeup artists that regularly work with the magazine, and the products used are from a selection of brands.)
Items used:
– Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow H1
– Accentuating Cream Eyeliner 2
– Accentuating Color Stick S1, S3 and S5
– Perfect Rouge OR418 and PK419
The lovely touch is the orange-toned Perfect Rouge OR418 layered on top of PK419 on the inner rims of the lips. (Please click on the image above for a larger version.) The finish looks natural and seamless and brings a subtle vibrancy to the complexion.
By the way, this information-filled Biteki February 2009 issue is worth getting. February issues usually feature poll results of readers’ favorite products. Also, for the first time, Biteki’s main spring makeup feature is in the February issue (instead of March). This time, the booklet features photos of 973 new shades from 52 brands.
* The new Perfect Rouge and Smoothing Lip Pencil are now simply under the brand name Shiseido and not Shiseido The Makeup.
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(images from www.sofina.co.jp/aube)
When Raycious was no longer releasing new products, I thought it was possible that Sofina would go down the route that Shiseido, Kanebo, and Kosé did and come up with a mega-brand that carries both base and point makeup. (At the time, Maquillage has already proven to be successful, and consumers continued to embrace Coffret D’Or in 2008.)
Then came news of Primavista in July, Raycious’ successor, and I wasn’t sure if Sofina would actually do anything with Aube. Later, we heard about the launch of Aube Couture in December, and everything seems to be in place for the moment.
Nothing seems very different…the name, the spokespersons, or the look of the products. So where is the identity of Aube Couture?
Product design is a huge strength in Japanese consumer goods. When we think of electronic products such as mobile phones and digital cameras and simple stationary items, it is all about those nice touches that make the products user-friendly and intuitive to use.
Every day, there are people new to makeup who find the application a little daunting. Aube Couture’s products are designed with them in mind. They are designed to make makeup application easy, efficient, and effortless.
Some Japanese makeup lines include an eye chart for eye palettes (like the one for Coffret D’Or’s 3D Lighting Eyes), but Aube Couture goes one step further. The color layout of the new Designing Eyes palettes shows where each shade goes on the lid (apart from the lining shade on the right), so we are looking at the colors and the eye chart at the same time.
I also like the design of Designing Cheek. The powder is pressed into a (roughly) half-cylinder shape. When the brush goes over the powder, the center of the brush picks up more powder than the two ends. This should make it easier to achieve a natural, flawless and dimensional finish, and it can especially help those who find blending a little tricky.
Over the last few years, Kao, among other Japanese beauty companies, has done well in coming up with new concepts and connecting with consumers on different levels, from the blue-based particles in Raycious to Est’s philosophy of emotional beauty. Now Sofina shows that a makeup range with a “couture” concept doesn’t need to carry hundreds of shades. Instead, the products give consumers the confidence and comfort in knowing that they can create a beautiful makeup look on their own.
I wonder what Japanese makeup brands will have to offer in 2009? In the meantime, I wish all of you a very happy New Year!
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(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/)
The Lunasol website has been updated with full information on the spring 2009 collection.
The beautiful Layer Bloom Eyes palette in Purple Gradation fronts the print ad campaign and is used on one of the two spring 2009 makeup looks. I have been going back and forth about whether to purchase some other spring 2009 makeup items, but I am fairly certain that I will pick up this palette.
Please check out this post for more information on the collection (including all the updates and links to various images).
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(images and info from www.cosme.net)
Elégance will release its spring 2009 collection in Japan on February 18th. The items feature beautiful red, orange and berry tones. The Radiance Quartet blusher looks particularly lovely.
The lineup includes:
– Confiture Gloss: 6 new shades
– Sweet Dew Rouge: 3 new shades
– Radiance Quartet: 3 variations
– Eyeshadow: 4 new variations
– Nail Color: 3 new shades
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(images and info from www.nikkei.co.jp)
Sofina Primavistawill release its spring/summer 2009 base makeup collection in Japan on February 21st. The lineup includes:– Powder Foundation Long Keep (SPF 25, PA++)
– Liquid Foundation (SPF 25, PA ++)
– Clear Cover Base (SPF 20, PA ++)
– Concealer Spots Cover (SPF 27, PA++)
– Face Powder Keep & Reset (SPF 15, PA++)
Primavista’s first powder foundation from fall/winter 2008, Powder Foundation Moist Touch, doesn’t really suit me due to its glowy finish. I am expecting the Fresh Keep version to have a somewhat similar (or very slightly less glowy) finish and better sebum control.
The new Face Powder reminds me of the very first version of Raycious’ pressed powder, which has a very good matte flesh-toned powder and a highlighter. I will be putting the new Primavista version on my spring 2009 shopping list and I am hoping that it works just as well.
Updated on February 17th, 2015:
Read my review of Face Powder (Keep & Reset).
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(images and info from www.iswii.net)
Anna Sui Cosmetics is known for bright colors, especially for spring, and there will be more vibrant shades for spring 2009.
The Anna Sui spring 2009 collection includes 3 new shades of Face Color Accent and 5 limited-edition shades of Nail Color N.
The collection also features 5 new shades of Sui Lip Gloss as well as new eyeliners and eyebrow mascaras.
A limited-edition brush set will also be released. It includes a blusher brush, lip brush, a double-ended eyeshadow sponge tip and a pouch.
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(images and info from www.iswii.net)
For spring 2009, it seems that we will be enveloped by soft pastel shades from Japanese brands. We’ve seen those from Lunasol, Coffret D’Or, Beauté de Kosé and Shu Uemura, and now here is another collection that defines one of the major trends of spring 2009 makeup.
RMK‘s spring 2009 collection, titled Spring Translucence, incorporates soft colors inspired by floral shades from spring. As you can see in the ad image, the finishes of these colors are gentle and ethereal.
Available in two variations,
Translucent Cheeks & Eyes is the beautiful star item of the collection. The shades in the center of the floral patten and at the bottom right are for the eyes, while the rest of the palette is for the cheeks.
The new Translucent Eyes duos and Translucent Cheeks will also help create a natural and gentle look. All these three items are limited editions.
The rest of the collection includes 3 new shades of Irresistible Lips B, 2 new shades of Irresistible Lips C, 2 new shades of Gloss Lips, and 3 new shades of Nail Color N. (They are permanant items and not limited editions.)
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(images and info from www.iswii.net)
Earlier, I posted a link to a preview of Shu Uemura’s spring 2009 collection. Now, here are some more images for you to enjoy.
All the items in the collection are limited editions. I am liking these soft floaty pastel shades!
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(image and info from www.cosmedecorte.com)
The Cosme Decorte website has been updated to feature the spring 2009 collections of Magie Deco and AQ.
Magie Deco‘s spring 2009 collection includes a new Shadow Brilliance palette as well as new shades of Lipstick, Lipstick Luxual Color, Fairy Rouge (lip gloss), Pure Color (eyeshadow single), and Nail Color. Pink, purple, and green seem to be the main shades of the collection.
(new Pure Color eyeshadows for spring 2009)
Green is also one of the key colors in AQ‘s new Shadow Supreme palettes for spring 2009. The collection also features new shades of Rouge Supreme and Nail Supreme.
Many thanks to Betsy at Autumn Masquerade for informing me of the website update!
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