announcement

A Touch of Blusher is one year old!

by PJ on Wednesday, November 7, 2007

in announcement, blog anniversary

(Would you like some homemade chocolate brownie?)

One year ago today, I was browsing through some fashion magazines in a bookstore. Then, after having the idea of writing my own blog for a few weeks, I decided to make it a reality.

I’d say that it started as an act of self-indulgence, since I love reading about and discussing with my friends about beauty and fashion. Then, little by little, it has almost become a conversation between all of you and me.

I’d like to thank everyone that has stopped by my blog as well as all the regular readers and subscribers. Anyone that blogs or writes for any medium knows how great it feels to know that there are people who are interested in what he or she has to say. I have been enjoying getting all the comments and e-mails, and many of the discussions have given me ideas of new topics to talk about. keep them coming!

Also, thanks to my other half, Andrew, who, after my failing attempts to think of a decent name for the blog, came up with A Touch of Blusher, which instantly felt right…(and he made the brownie as well……)

Now, do please allow me to indulge myself again and bring you through some of the posts that mark the first twelve months of A Touch of Blusher. Enjoy!

November 2006:
I talked about Gemma Ward fronting Kosé’s new line, Esprique Precious.

December:
I shared one of my great finds in Japan (and one of my favorite makeup items, ever): Clarins’ Palette Impression.

January 2007:
I compared western and Japanese cosmetics.

February:
I talked about Lavshuca Eye Color Select palettes, two of my favorite makeup purchases of the year.

March:
It was an interesting experience to know that I would be writing about it on my blog before stepping inside the beautiful Marc Jacobs’ first boutique in the UK.

April:
I shared all my various versions of Sheer Stella fragrances.

May:
I wrote about Calvin Klein Cosmetics as the start of the Bring It Back! series, where I talk about cosmetics lines that I wish would make a comeback. (It is fantastic to know that Calvin Klein has re-launched the makeup line in Hong Kong and Taiwan in September.)

June:
I traveled to Nottingham for an inspirational fashion show and found out the fashion blood of the city.

July:
A reader’s comment inspired me to talk about Kate, Lavshuca’s edgier, darker sister.

August:
I devoted one week to anti-aging skincare.

September:
Plans to visit Japan again have been underway, and I share my dream shopping list.

October:
I introduced A-Mei, who will collaborate with MAC for a collection in January 2008.

There will be more interesting things coming up on my blog, one of which is a new series where I reveal my own must-have cosmetics items. The first post will be up next week. So do stay tuned and do consider subscribing to my blog via e-mail to keep track on my future posts! Thank you!

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(You can tell that I love my Japanese cosmetics…)


Most of you who read my blog certainly know that I have a passion for Japanese cosmetics. While I do try to keep a balance between western and Japanese cosmetics on my blog, I do think, for me, Japanese cosmetics items do better on my scoreboard in most areas.

If you would like to look through my posts related to Japanese cosmetics, I have made it a bit easier for you by adding the category All About Japanese Cosmetics on the sidebar (under “Read by Topics”). As of now, there are 96 posts under this category, and the number will certainly grow week by week.

Please enjoy!

Here are just a few highlights:

Loving Japanese Brands
(where I highlight 7 wonderful Japanese brands)

Japanese vs. Western…Who’s Winning?
(Which side are you on?)

If I Could Go to Japan RIGHT NOW
(I share my dream shopping list.)

A couple of the items featured in the photo above:

Kanebo T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes 03

Lavshuca Eye Color Select PK-1

More to come!!

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The "Bring Back Sephora" Campaign

by PJ on Thursday, August 16, 2007

in _Bring It Back, announcement

Bring_back_sephora

(Click on link to sign the petition.)


Oh…Sephora…why did you leave us in the UK?

There were several Sephora stores in the UK, but they all disappeared in 2005…and I miss them!!

Charlotte at Kiss and Makeup has started a “Bring Back Sephora” campaign. You can simply click on the banner above and sign the petition. (It really just takes about 10 seconds…)

It doesn’t matter where you are. Please support us! (Imagine how you might feel if the Sephora shops where you are all disappear suddenly…)

It might not make a huge difference, but we want the voice to be heard!

(At least, like Charlotte said, a Sephora.co.uk would be a great addition!)

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Since I started this blog, I have not touched upon a hot topic: anti-aging skincare.

This will be my focus throughout next week. All the five posts (one for each day, from Monday to Friday) will be about the idea of anti-aging. Here is a preview:

You’ll read about what my mother does to keep her skin healthy, radiant, and dewy and to keep her looking younger than her (jealous) school friends.

You’ll read about a moisturizer that tops a consumer test in a popular British TV program and why I have been using it for years. (It is not Boots No. 7’s Protect & Perfect (named Restore & Renew in the US).)

You’ll read about what I refer to when I choose moisturizers and about relations between price and quality.

I am not a skincare expert, but there are simple things I believe in and I look forward to hearing what you think next week!

(Do subscribe to my e-mail updates so you won’t miss out!)

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Announcement: New Category and Links Added

by PJ on Tuesday, July 31, 2007

in announcement

I have added a new category on the sidebar, which features posts with great comments. Have a look (and keep them coming)!!

I have also reorganized the links under “Loving These Sites!”. Since the latest links are no longer toward the top, I’d like to bring your attention to my latest links:

Musings of a Muse: A-Mused shares her stash with the world. Also, check out her YouTube channel MuseTV (loving this name). (Caution: Ask someone to hide your credit cards first.)

My Women Stuff: Paris writes about a wide range of beauty-related topics. I also like the clean and calming design of her blog.

Rouge Deluxe: Haru brings you first-hand information on the latest gems from Japan. (It makes me want to fly to Tokyo immediately…)

Enjoy!

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Announcement: A Touch of Blusher on the Go!

by PJ on Saturday, July 14, 2007

in announcement

Now, A Touch of Blusher features podcast!

It is supported by Odiogo. After I listened to some posts on Elke Von Freudenberg’s blog, I was happy with the general quality and decided to bring podcast to my blog.

The near-human text-to-speech generation is by no means perfect, but I have to say it is pretty good. (It is also kind of fun to hear my own writing being read out…)

You can click on the icon below to subscribe to the podcast feeds:

Subscribe to the Odiogo podcast

It is like getting the audio broadcast of my blog…

Also, each post now comes with the Listen Odiogo icon, by clicking which you can listen to the post.

You can try listening to this post right now. Enjoy!

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I’d like to invite all of you to vote on my first-ever poll (more polls to come). Please find it on the side bar.

If I miss any of your favorite lines, drop a comment and let me know!

Poll closes on July 8th. I will post the result here. So come back and see which line takes the crown!

Edited on July 8th, 2007:
See the results here!

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Comments for a Cure: Final Tally

by PJ on Tuesday, June 12, 2007

in announcement

Thank you all very much for the lovely and supportive comments left on June 4th, 5th, and 6th for Comments for a Cure!

I received 35 comments in total during these three days and I have donated 15 pounds (roughly equivalent to 30 US dollars, the maximum amount I set in the beginning) to Cancer Research UK.

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Our charity cause continues with eBay auctions of some fabulous goodie bags. All the auctions start today and will last for seven days.

Please go to the Comments for a Cure Beauty Goodie Bag Auction page for all the information and links to the individual auctions.

Here are just some of the brands that are featured in the various auctions:

Bourjois
Max Factor
Kenzo
Tarte
Duwop
Zoya
Nubar
Skin MD
Flirt
Skinactives
Dermacia
Alterna
Head & Shoulders
Clairol Herbal Essences
China Glaze
Gena SpaCaviar
Sharon Bolton Scents

Please continue to support us by checking out all the auctions!!

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Comments for a Cure: Keep Them Coming!

by PJ on Wednesday, June 6, 2007

in announcement

Wednesday is the third and final day of Comments for a Cure. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have left comments on my blog in the last two days. You have helped a great cause.

If you haven’t done so, please take a minute and leave a comment. Thank you so much!

Every comment counts!

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