2010 Spring

Stash Debut (9): Est Emotional Multiple Eyes in 11

by PJ on Thursday, August 13, 2015

in _Stash Debut, -Est, -Kao, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

Est was launched by Kao in 2000. Excluding brands from companies acquired by Kao Corporation (such as Kanebo Cosmetics Inc.), Est is currently Kao’s only department-store beauty brand in Japan. It was launched as a high-end range under Kao Sofina and it used to be sold at Sofina counters in department stores. (“Est” used to stand for “Essence of Sofina Technology”.) Since it became independent from Sofina a few years ago, it has been having its own department-store counters. (Sofina is now mainly available in drugstores and pharmacies in Japan.)

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Paul & Joe Winter Sale 2013

by PJ on Monday, July 21, 2014

in -Paul & Joe, 2010 Spring, 2012 Summer, 2013 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, beauty tools/accessories, fashion, makeup, makeup - blusher, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(So many cats in this photo……)

Since the Paul & Joe counter at Fenwick closed in May and there was nothing on sale at Paul & Joe at Harrods this summer, I thought I’d post about my winter sale 2013 purchases last December, which I didn’t manage to write about at the time.

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Paul & Joe Winter Sale 2012

by PJ on Monday, January 7, 2013

in -Paul & Joe, 2007 Spring, 2010 Spring, 2012 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - blusher, makeup - eyeshadow, makeup - lip color, stash focus

It was the sale time again, and I had to stop by the Paul & Joe counters in London to see what was on offer. (See my Paul & Joe sale purchases in 2010 and 2011.)

Paul & Joe’s sale items are usually past limited-edition items, discontinued (replaced) products, soon-to-be-discontinued products, and overstock. For this winter sale, many Lipstick N shades and Face Color variations were on sale, since the new lipstick lineup was released in fall 2012 and the new range of blushers (Cheek Color) will be launched soon as part of the brand’s spring 2013 makeup collection.

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Stash Debut 2012 (7): Kate Gradical Eyes A in GD-1

by PJ on Monday, December 31, 2012

in _Stash Debut 2012, -Kanebo, -Kate, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

If you happen to be a regular reader of my blog, then, yes, this is finally my first ever item from Kate!

As mentioned in my post back in 2007, Kate, owned by Kanebo, is a popular Japanese drugstore makeup line. It is generally as widely available in Japan, East Asia, and Southeast Asia as other popular drugstore makeup lines from Japan such as Majolica Majorca and Lavshuca. However, as a fan of Japanese cosmetics for many years, I had never bought anything from Kate. Earlier this year, I looked through Kate’s products in person again and decided to go for Gradical Eyes A in GD-1, which was released in Japan in spring 2010.

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(NEW SERIES) Stash Debut 2012 (1): Elsia Luxe Shine Eye Color in E-5

by PJ on Monday, May 7, 2012

in _Stash Debut 2012, -Elsia, -Kosé, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

Today I am launching a new series: Stash Debut 2012. In the last few months, I purchased a few items from Japanese beauty lines I had never purchased from before and I also bought eyeshadow palettes from Japanese lines which I hadn’t previously own eyeshadows from. I have been trying these items, and, in the next few months, I will be sharing my thoughts on them. First up in the series, I am reviewing Elsia‘s Luxe Shine Eye Color in E-5.

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Paul & Joe Sale Haul & Additional Sale Information

by PJ on Thursday, December 30, 2010

in -Paul & Joe, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, bodycare, fashion, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others, stash focus

Joining the winter sale madness, I stopped by Paul & Joe at Harrods and Fenwick a couple of days ago. (Paul & Joe’s sale items are usually recently discontinued products, soon-to-be discontinued products, and surplus stock, and they are usually (almost always) 50% off their full retail prices. (Have a look at this post for more information on seasonal sales on cosmetics in the UK.))

All the items I got this time are 50% off retail prices. I would not have purchased these items at their full prices (possibly with the exception of the Body Milk), but, with the considerable discounts, I was very happy to bring home and try these products:

(Towards the end of this post, there is a list of items that I remember are on sale in Harrods and Fenwick.)

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Coffret D’Or Spring/Summer 2010 Powder Foundation Case

by PJ on Monday, November 1, 2010

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation, stash focus

Since Sofina Raycious was discontinued, I have not been adding many foundation cases to my collection. But when I saw this case on-line, I thought I might decide to have it at some point.

Kanebo Coffret D’Or‘s spring/summer 2010 base makeup collection doesn’t feature a new powder foundation, but it does include this powder foundation case, which can house powder foundations from Coffret D’Or (Lasting Power Pact UV and Silky Fit Pact as well as previous versions such as Beauty Lasting Pact UV and Beauty Essence Pact). It can also house some of the powder foundations from some other Kanebo-owned brands/lines.

When I received the case, I thought that the colors of the jewel embellishments were not as vibrant as how they looked in magazines. But when I photographed it, I noticed that the colors did come alive on photographs. I guess this difference is by chance, not by design.

When light hits the case from certain angles, there is some soft blue iridescence, which is quite a nice design detail.

I do like makeup items with jewel details, and this case is a good addition to my stash of foundation cases!

Related posts:

Other foundation cases:

Foundation Cases from Anna Sui & Jill Stuart

My Anna Sui Foundation Cases

Bring It Back! Cynthia Rowley Cosmetics

Other items with jewel details:

Dior Night Diamond

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation

Visée Dual Shine Rouge Palette

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Stash Update: Coffret D’Or & Integrate

by PJ on Monday, October 25, 2010

in -Coffret d'Or, -Integrate, -Kanebo, -Shiseido, 2010 Fall, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, stash focus

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

I received Integrate’s Rainbow Grade Eyes in BE303 and Coffret D’Or’s spring/summer 2010 powder foundation case. A short post on the case will be up later this week, and the review of the palette will be up in a couple of weeks’ time.

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Fragrance Friday Review: Acqua di Gioia by Giorgio Armani

by PJ on Friday, June 4, 2010

in -Giorgio Armani, 2010 Spring, 2010 Summer, fragrance

I was expecting Giorgio Amarni’s latest fragrance, Acqua di Gioia, to be a very aquatic scent. It turns out to be sweeter and more floral, but it still presents a balance between a marine sensation and floral sweetness.

Top notes: mint, Italian lemon
Middle note: water jasmine
Base notes: cedarwood, brown sugar, labdanum

I would describe the scent as a fresh floral aquatic (though I nearly decided to describe it as an aquatic floral). The scent starts with a citrusy, effervescent, and cooling feel, as both the mint and the lemon have a clear and defined presence. The body of the scent is sweeter, and the water jasmine provides the scent with gentle sweetness and powderiness. But the overall composition remains relatively fresh and not overly syrupy.

I like the drydown of the scent. The floralness seems to be slightly reined in and the marine tone of the scent re-presents itself. The overall feel is quite intriguingly serene and comforting.

Compared with the previous two summery scents that I featured, SJP NYC is the sweetest of the three while Elemis Eau de Parfum is the least sweet. Acqua di Gioia is in the middle of the two, both in terms of sweetness and aquaticness.

Acqua di Gioia, available in eau de parfum in 30ml, 50ml, and 100ml, will be launched in the UK in July.

(The product featured in this article is provided by Giorgio Armani.)

Bulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert

SUQQU Sanzekan

Bond No. 9 Astor Place

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Makeup Review: Max Factor Vibrant Curve Effect Lip Gloss

by PJ on Saturday, May 22, 2010

in -Max Factor, 2010 Spring, makeup, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss

Max Factor‘s latest lip gloss range, Vibrant Curve Effect, is co-designed by the brand’s Global Creative Design Director, Pat McGrath. The range promises to deliver vibrant colors, high shine, and fuller lips. Today I am featuring the shade in 11 Fashion Leader.

One of the features of the range is the slanted ridged ShineSculpt applicator, which is designed to pick up more gloss and to hug the lips better.

In the tube, the shade looks like a soft peach with mild shimmer. On the lips, it is a very sheer peach with soft shimmer. It has a subtle watermelon scent.

Even though the range is claimed to create high shine, I find it very difficult to create substantial shine or gloss with it. With a couple of layers, the product imparts a subtle and natural moist sheen on the lips. I had to layer the gloss for five or six times to get a soft gloss. The application picks up a decent amount of product, but it is not as effective as a brush or a spatula applicator.

In comparison, Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipglosses which I recently reviewed are able to create a very glossy finish with two layers. They are also more pigmented and the colors are much more vibrant.

If you are looking for a lip gloss that has an ultra-natural finish, then Vibrant Curve Effect is worth a look. Also, if you like non-sticky lip glosses that don’t feel heavy on the lips, this range will probably appeal to you too.

However, if you want substantial shine and gloss, you are likely to be disappointed with the range and I would recommend looking into lip glosses from Dior, YSL (Golden Gloss), Lunasol (Full Glamour Gloss, one of my favorite lip gloss ranges), Paul & Joe, Makemania (Curvy Lip Silicone), Revlon, and Bobbi Brown (Brightening Lip Gloss).

(The product featured in this article is provided by Max Factor.)

NARS Lip Glosses in Supervixen & Sunset Strip

Barry M Lip Gloss Wands

Natural Makeup Recommendations (2 of 3): Cheeks & Lips

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