(images and info from www.ayura.co.jp/jp/)
AYURA usually brings out a set of products for the holiday season, and I was wondering why I hadn’t come across any news for this year. Then I realized that the two sets, both including the new Night Meditation fragrance (full size, 20ml) are probably what AYURA has brought out for the holiday period.
The Night Meditation Room Collection (seen above), launched on the same day as the fragrance itself, includes:
– Night Meditation Natural Spray
– Night Meditation Aroma Oil
– Night Meditation Aroma Pot
The set, out now, is priced at 5250 JPY.
The much pricier Night Meditation Bath Collection includes:
– Night Meditation Natural Spray
– Meditation Bath α
– Aromatic Wash
– Meditation Body Cream
– Juke Tower (water-resistant MP3 player)
The set, out on November 23rd, is priced at 12600 JPY.
(AYURA Night Meditation)
(images and info from www.joseishi.net/voce)
AYURA will release its spring 2009 collection on January 23rd, 2009. As with most spring makeup collections from Japanese brands, it is quite a wide collection. However, quite disappointingly, there is only one new eye palette.
The lineup includes:
– Aura Feel Gloss (6 shades)
– Aura Feel Lipliner Pencil (3 shades)
– Aura Feel Eyeliner Pencil (3 shades)
– Aura Feel White Pencil (for highlighting)
– Aura Feel Shadow (1 new variation, above)
– Aura Feel Rouge (3 new shades, limited editions)
– Aura Feel Nail (7 new shades)
– Aura Feel Top Coat
– Aura Feel Base Coat
– Nail Color Remover
(Aura Feel Gloss)
(Nail Color Remover)
(AYURA Night Meditation)
(image from i-voce2.com)
On October 23rd, AYURA will release a brand new fragrance, Night Meditation. Featuring notes of sandalwood and bamboo, Night Meditation aims to be a calming scent that is used in the evening, particularly at bedtime.
This cologne will be available in 20ml. I think the portable size is meant to be suitable for travelling as it can help create a feel of familiarity and comfort (if the scent appeals to you, of course).
I personally think this is a significant release from AYURA as well as something I am really looking forward to. Since AYURA was launched in 1995, Spirit of AYURA has been AYURA’s only fragrance. Not only has it been one of my favorite scents, it has consistently been listed on readers’ favorite fragrance lists on Japanese beauty magazines over the years (while other scents come and go).
(part of the Spirit of AYURA range)
(image from www.ayura.co.jp)
If you are interested, you can get a sense of the scent from the note chart (on AYURA’s English site), which was added to the site only very recently. It is a beautiful light floral with a hint of green tea, but, for me, the stroke of genius is the very subtle addition of Chinese ink.
I always thought the scent was so wonderfully unique but I couldn’t figure out exactly why it was so. Then, I read more about it several years ago and realized it must have been the inclusion of Chinese ink. (It was one of those “That’s it!” moments.) According to the AYURA website, the addition of Chinese ink is “to express a noble translucence”. Indeed, the note is very sheer, but it can never be ignored.
But, however much I love Spirit of AYURA, I wouldn’t assume I will like Night Meditation. I will have to wait and see.
Related Posts:
My Three Favorite Fragrances
AYURA Fall 2008 Makeup Collection
Loving Japanese Brands – AYURA
(AYURA Aura Feel Shadow)
(image from www.cosme.net)
When AYURA revamped its packaging in spring 2008 (please see the photos in my previous post), the collection didn’t feature eyeshadows. I was expecting them for fall, and here they are.
Aura Feel Shadow (4 variations) is a 4-color palette packaged in the new dark cases with AYURA’s “Tree of Life” emblem (which has always been featured prominently on product boxes but not previously on product cases). The packaging continues to reflect AYURA’s style of incorporating elegant curves for all the product cases.
The rest of AYURA’s fall 2008 makeup collection includes:
– Aura Feel Rouge (3 new shades, limited editions)
– Aura Feel Liquid Eyeliner (2 shades)
– Aura Feel Eyebrow Pencil (3 shades)
– Aura Feel Mascara (2 shades)
– Aura Feel Aroma Paper (blotting paper, 60 sheets)
– Eyelash Curler
(Aura Feel Aroma Paper,
with the “Tree of Life” emblem)
(image from www.cosme.net)
The collection will be launched in Japan on July 23.
I have been interested in the new gradation blushers (Aura Feel Veil) from spring, but I have also been waiting to see the eye palettes. Now, I think it might be the time to get ready for my next AYURA item…
Updated on June 30, 2008:
Photo of AYURA’s fall 2008 collection, showing the shades of the Aura Feel Shadow palettes and the Aura Feel Rouge lipsticks:
(image from www.cosme.net)
Related Posts:
AYURA Aura Veil α in Sweet Pink
AYURA Nail Oil & Nail Essence
Loving Japanese Brand – AYURA
(Enjoying the sunshine while I can…)
In the UK, I think summer is the best season, with warm sunshine and soft breezes.
But we had a fairly disappointingly cool summer in the UK last year, with very little sunshine. This year, under the influence of La Niña, we probably won’t have a warmer summer…
For me, bright turquoise is one of the most summery colors. Thanks to the pleasant (and rare) sunshine today, my turquoise looked brighter and more tropical!
For eyes
– Dior Eyeshadow Duo in DiorLagoon
– Ayura Finger Touch Eye Shadow in GR (limited-edition, fall 2006)
– MAC Eye Shadow in Haunting (Alexander McQueen Collection)
– MAC Paint Pot in Rollickin’ (Fafi Collection)
– Maybelline Dream Mousse Eye Color in Fabulous Turquoise
For lips
-Ettusais Lip Gloss in CL
For skin
– Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher
Please enjoy more splashes of colors!
– New-Leaf Green
– Aqua Blue
– Citrus Orange
– Girlie Pink
– Lilting Lilac
Every season, I count down my ten personal favorite makeup collections. This week, I present my top ten for spring 2008. In reverse order:
10: Clé de Peau
(Eye Color Quad in 116 (left) and 117 (right))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)
This is Clé de Peau‘s first time in my top ten in the last few years. I love the ad image and the gentle and feminine look with the blue eyeshadow. The Eye Color Quad in 117 is a delicious combination of purple, aqua blue, and mint green. Apart from capturing the trend, I think this versatile palette can take you right through the summer months.
9. Maquillage
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)
Maquillage is another line that hasn’t been featured in my seasonal top ten very much. But there is something very striking about their latest seasonal look, which is my favorite look for spring 2008. One of the key items of the collection is Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844, which is used to create the soft lilac eyes we see above:
(Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)
This shade combination is not the first for Maquillage. Contrast Eyes in SV862, released in spring 2006, is quite similar (but the lilac looks warmer). T’Estimo’s Grande Shine Eyes in 02, from summer 2007, also has a similar concept. But the release of this color combination in spring 2008 as a key item of the collection reflects Maquillage’s attempt to interpret the current trend. (Teaser: A full review of Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844 is coming up next week!)
8: Ayura
(part of the Ayura spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.ayura.co.jp)
Ayura‘s spring 2008 collection is very visually appealing. I am sure some of the people familiar with Ayura were delighted to see the brand take on a new color scheme for the packing. The intricate patterns against the black cases look exquisitely classy.
The collection includes 4 blushers, 21 lipsticks, and 18 nail colors. There is no item for eyes, but it is almost certain that we are going to see some beautiful eye colors in the new black cases.
7. Anna Sui
(part of the Anna Sui spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
Anna Sui is probably the princess of vibrant colors. The spring 2008 collection features bright hues for eyes and nails. The three limited-edition Sui Lip Glosses (above) appear to be very bright, but they all go on naturally sheer. (Have a look at my review of the blue-tinted Sui Lip Gloss in 100.)
This is one of the more memorable seasonal collections from Anna Sui in the last couple of years, and I hope there will be more lovely items to come!
See you in Part 2!
Related Posts:
Magie Deco Spring 2008 Collection
(A great collection that just missed the cut…)
Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report
(before we move into summer…)
by PJ on Thursday, February 21, 2008
in -Albion, -Ayura, -DHC, -Kanebo, -Kao, -Kosé, -Shiseido, -Shu Uemura, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics
(Loving Japanese makeup)
As a fan of Japanese cosmetics, apart from all the colorful products available, I am also interested in knowing more about the history behind the various brands and companies. So I was delighted to come across a time-line featuring the launches of many major Japanese cosmetics companies in Biteki‘s January 2008 issue. Let’s have a look:
1872 Shiseido
1887 Kao
1929 Pola
1936 Kanebo
1946 Kosé
1956 Albion
1959 Menard
1967 Shu Uemura
1972 DHC
1981 Fancl
1987 IPSA
1991 Ettusais
1995 AYURA
1996 Equipe (which now owns RMK and SUQQU)
(Biteki, January 2008, p. 102-125)
It is interesting that, like many western cosmetics brands, some of the recent major Japanese cosmetics companies in the last couple of decades have also been acquired by more established ones. For example, IPSA, Ettusais, and AYURA were acquired by Shiseido. Kanebo now owns Equipe, while Kosé owns Albion. Also, in early 2006, Kanebo was sold to Kao.
I will be equally interested in these slightly more corporate and behind-the-scene developments and in all the shiny new releases from these brands…
Related Posts:
All About Japanese Cosmetics
(consolidating my passion)
“Loving Japanese Brands” Series
(my favorite seven)
Japanese Brands in the UK
(featuring where to get them from outside the UK)
(cuticle oil from Paul & Joe (left)
and Ayura (middle and right))
I have to admit in the beginning that, to moisturize my cuticles, I prefer very emollient and dense cuticle creams and that I also use very thick lip balms on my cuticles. In general, cuticle oil, on its own, does not do a lot for me.
But I do have a weakness for cute-looking cuticle oils. A big reason why I bought these three is that they look so adorable. They are like little treats, and I don’t really use them regularly. But, when I do, I use them as a nail/cuticle conditioner underneath my hand cream and cuticle cream.
The Ayura one in the middle is what started this weakness. It was a limited-edition item included in a set a few years ago and it was never sold on its own. The three layers of oil (of pink, peach, and lime-green shades) are mixed together before use. It is well-absorbed and smells divine. (This cuticle oil was a one-off creation based on the scent
of Spirit of Ayura, one of my favorite fragrances.) I stopped using it after I decided I wanted to keep these colorful layers close to their entirety.
When Ayura’s nail items changed their packaging a couple of years ago, they released After Bath Nail Essence (a general item, not limited-edition). It is not an oil and has a serum texture. The inclusion of alcohol in this prevents it from being more moisturizing, and I make sure I apply a hand cream right afterwards.
The Paul & Joe Nail Treatment Oil (pictured left) has the same light oil texture as the Ayura limited-edition one. It penetrates well and conditions the nail area nicely before I apply my hand cream and cuticle cream.
The link to the Paul & Joe Nail Treatment Oil above shows the new version (Nail Care Oil), out on February 1st. I will be checking it out and see how different it is from the one I have…
Related Posts:
Can’t Live Without: Garnier Hand Cocoon
(one of my favorite hand creams)
Ayura Spring 2008 Collection
(a new look for my all-time favorite brand)
Paul & Joe Foundation Primer N
(tried and tested…and loving it)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/)
Kose’s Magie Deco was launched in Japan in fall this year, and this is its debut holiday collection. I like the fact that the packaging is a variation of the usual Magie Deco look. It is different but instantly recognizable. I also like the rich red color scheme.
The two items are sold as a set, and both of them look so glamorous and beautiful, with an appropriate festive vibe.
If you like the look of this collection, you may want to check out Magie Deco’s spring 2008 collection.
5. MAC
(image from www.iswii.net)
MAC’s holiday 2007 collections (including Royal Assets, Antiquitease, and others) are some of my favorite MAC collections for 2007. The packaging looks good, and there are a very wide selection of items.
But when I saw the items in person for the first time, I was slightly underwhelmed by the details of the packaging. I think they looked just a little bit rough around the edges and they could have been slightly more refined.
Nonetheless, these collections present a pleasant departure from MAC’s usual dark and minimal look and I am sure many MAC fans have been enjoying collecting some of the goodies.
4. Ayura
(image from www.ayura.co.jp/jp/)
I haven’t really talked about this adorable holiday set from my personal favorite brand, which I am doing in this post.
Ayura’s holiday sets usually include best-selling items in limited-edition travel sizes as well as some one-off creations. The set for holiday 2007 includes:
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Bath Powder (X2, limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Treatment Oil (for hair and body, limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Body Powder (limited edition)
-Spirit of Ayura Aroma Hands (30g, limited-edition size)
-Shiny Face (face highlighter, limited-edition, choice of blue and pink)
-Nail Color (choice of 23 shades, including limited-edition pink and violet shades)
-Cosmetics Box
Spirit of Ayura is Ayura’s one and only fragrance, and, apart from the hand cream, the three Spirit of Ayura items in the set are one-off creations based on this wonderful scent.
I really love the look of this collection (and I like the combination of all the fresh colors), not to mention that Spirit of Ayura is one of my favorite fragrances, But I already have quite a few somewhat similar limited-edition items based on this fragrance and this is the only reason why I didn’t consider getting this set.
The final part of my Holiday 2007 Top Ten List will be coming soon!
Related Posts:
Loving Japanese Brands: Ayura
(my all-time favorite brand)
MAC A-Mei Color Collection
(another exciting collection from MAC)
(images and info from www.ayura.co.jp/jp/)
(AYURA Night Meditation)
