-Cosme Decorte

Kosé Cosme Decorte AQ Website Update

by PJ on Thursday, August 7, 2008

in -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Cosme Decorte AQ Shadow Supreme)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/aq)

Cosme Decorte AQ has updated its website to feature the fall 2008 collection in the revamped packaging. (Please check my previous post for quick details of the lineup.)

Overall the palettes look good. Each of them combines a more vibrant color (blue, green, violet,…) and dark/light neutrals. I am happy that there is one palette with purple, but the shade, beautiful as it is, looks just a little bit too warm and dark for me. I should not be surprised, since we are entering fall. (AQ items are pricey, so I have to be picky.)

Please be aware that the price of the palette itself does not include the two sponge/brush applicators, which are sold separately for 525 JPY (about 4.8 USD) each. (This is not uncommon with Japanese cosmetics. For example, with Lunasol’s blushers, the refill, the case, and the brush are sold separately as well.)

The collection will be available in Japan on August 21st.

Related Posts:

Beauté de Kosé Fall 2008 Collection

Esprique Precious Fall 2008 Collection

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Summer 2008 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Tuesday, June 17, 2008

in -Albion, -Anna Sui, -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Giorgio Armani, -Kosé, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

To me, it feels as if the spring collections just came out and we were expecting more summer makeup news. But, as many of the fall 2008 collections have been unveiled, it is time for me to look back and present you with my summer 2008 top ten makeup collections. (Part 2 and 3 will be up later this week.)

10. Albion Excia AL

(Albion Excia AL Eye Color Impression)
(image from www.albion.co.jp)

(Albion Excia AL Rouge Impression)
(image from www.albion.co.jp)

Available at Albion counters in Japan, Excia AL is a top-end skincare and makeup line that aims to create timeless and confident beauty. This season sees a new range of eye palettes, Eye Impression, and three new shades of Rouge Impression (as well as new liquid eyeliners and eyebrow pencils). Perhaps not the most eye-catching collection, it did grab my attention with its understated simplicity.

9. Anna Sui

(Anna Sui Mini Rouge W)
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)

Anna Sui’s summer 2008 collection shows us again that the brand still does cute and princessy very well. I am sure some people who are collecting the Mini Rouge in black (released last fall) would love to take home these limited editions in white. The collection also includes hair and body products which are equally nicely packaged.

8. Giorgio Armani

(Eye Mania in 11 (top), 12 (left), and 13 (right))
(image from www.isetan.co.jp)

I have been interested in the Giorgio Armani Beauty line for a while, and I almost always stop by its counter when I am in London’s Selfridges or Harvey Nichols. (In the UK, Giorgio Armani Beauty is also available in Selfridges Birmingham and Heathrow Airport Terminal 3. The link above takes you to the Giorgio Armani Beauty UK online store.)

The three beautiful Eye Mania palettes above, however, appear to be exclusive to the Japanese market. I particularly like #12 and #13. #12 seems to be a wearable blue-grey palette, possibly even for people who find blue hard to wear. #13 looks like a nice neutral palette and the shades don’t look overly warm or bronze.

(If you are interested, please head over to Autumn Masquerade for a great brand profile on Giorgio Armani Beauty and for a look at the brand’s past Bronze Mania collections.)

7. Cosme Decorte AQ

(Pure Grace Lipstick in RD432
and Pure Grace Eyeshadow in 032)
(image from www.biteki.com)

There are not a lot of lilacs for summer 2008, and this beautiful palette with soft lilac and muted cool teal attracted my attention. I think these two shades are well-coordinated, as the muted teal complements rather than overshadows the lilac. (Please check out my previous post on Cosme Decorte AQ‘s summer 2008 collection to see the fresh tropical eye makeup look created with this palette.)

This is the last AQ eye palette released in the current packaging, as the brand’s point makeup line will be revamped in time for the release of the fall 2008 collection.

The top-ten countdown continues tomorrow.

Related Posts:

Spring 2008 Makeup Top 10
(Part 1, 2, and 3)

Loving Japanese Brand – Anna Sui

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Cosme Decorte AQ Color Makeup Renewal for Fall 2008

by PJ on Monday, June 9, 2008

in -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(part of Cosme Decorte’s fall 2008 collection)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)


AQ (Absolute Quality) is Cosme Decorte‘s (owned by Kosé) top-end skincare and makeup line. AQ’s point* (color) makeup line was launched in 2000 and features some of the most expensive makeup items in Japan.

On August 21st, the existing AQ point makeup line will be replaced by new items with brand new packaging.

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

The new AQ makeup collection for fall 2008 includes:

– Rouge Supreme: 10 shades
– Shadow Supreme (eye palettes): 5 variations
– Light Focus (base/highlighter): 3 shades
– Nuance Glow (highlighter): 3 shades
– Face Color (blusher): 5 shades
– Mascara Excellent: 2 shades
– Liquid Eyeliner: 5 shades
– Pencil Eyeliner: 2 shades
– Pencil Eyebrow: 4 shades
– Lip Liner: 7 shades
– Nail Supreme: 10 shades

With Japanese cosmetics, renewals (particularly with makeup) are usually more about updating the packaging than the actual formulation of products. In Japan’s fiercely competitive beauty market, product packaging has to stay fresh and up-to-date, and many brands revamp the look of their products in their own time frames and either minimally (like Anna Sui and Lunasol) or drastically (like Sofina Aube). Replaced items are either phased out quickly or discontinued immediately.

(part of Cosme Decorte’s summer 2008 collection)
(image from www.biteki.com)

For me, AQ’s packaging renewal is successful. The current packaging (seen above) looks clean and sophisticated but slightly lacks character. The new look is opulent and glamorous. I think Cosme Decorte has worked out a look for AQ that goes with its prices. The lipsticks and blushers are particularly pricey:

Rouge Supreme: 6300 yen (about 59 USD)
Face Color: 7350 yen (about 69 USD)

In contrast, the Shadow Supreme eye palettes (6825 yes, about 64 USD) almost seem relatively reasonable. (The price is about the same as that of a Dior 5-color eye palette in the UK.) If I decide to try an item from AQ, the eye palette will probably be my choice.

* In Japanese cosmetics, the term “point makeup” (constantly written as “point make” in Japan) refers to color makeup items like eyeshadows, mascaras, lipsticks and lip glosses. On the the hand, “base makeup” (“base make”) refers to items such as primers, concealers, foundations, and loose/pressed powder (and not just bases (primers)).

Other Fall 2008 Makeup Collections:

Chanel

CHICCA

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Update: EST, Magie Deco and Cosme Decorte AQ Summer 2008 Collections

by PJ on Monday, March 31, 2008

in -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Est, -Kao, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, -Sofina, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

My posts on the EST, Magie Deco, and Cosme Decorte AQ summer 2008 collections have been updated to include additional images and information.

Have a look!

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Cosme Decorte AQ’s Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, March 21, 2008

in -AQ, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(part of Cosme Decorte AQ’s summer 2008 collection)
(image from www.biteki.com)

AQ (which stands for “Absolute Quality”) is the top-end skincare/makeup line from Kose’s high-end brand Cosme Decorte. It will release the summer 2008 collection in Japan on April 16th. The collection features:

– Eye Shadow (palette): 1 new variation (#032)
– Lipstick: 3 new shades

One of Cosme Decorte AQ’s spring 2008 palettes (#030) includes a lilac and a rosy pink. Their summer 2008 eye palette also features a lilac, this time paired with a blue. The two shades look very good together.

Cosme Decorte AQ’s lipsticks are some of the priciest in Japan. They cost 6300 yen each (around 63 USD), the same price as Clé de Peau’s Rouge a Lèvre in Japan.

Updated on March 31st, 2008:

The Cosme Decorte AQ website has been updated to include information on the summer 2008 collection.

The makeup theme for the collection is Turquoise Lagoon, and the core of the collection is the Pure Grace Eyeshadow palette in #032, which includes turquoise and lilac (seen above). The Cosme Decorte AQ website also shows how to use this palette to create the look in the ad. (Both images are from www.cosmedecorte.com/aq.)





Apart from the eyeshadow palette and the lipsticks mentioned above, the collection also includes three new Nail Colors.

You can check the Cosme Decorte AQ website for more information on the collection.


Other upcoming summer 2008 collections:

Lunasol Summer 2008 Collection

Kate Summer 2008 Collection

EST Summer 2008 Collection

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Magie Deco Summer 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, March 21, 2008

in -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, 2008 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(part of Magie Deco’s summer 2008 collection)
(image from www.biteki.com)

Magie Deco will launch the summer 2008 collection in Japan on April 16th. The collection includes:

Shadow Brilliance eye palettes: 2 new variations
Luxual Long Mascara Waterproof: 2 shades

The Shadow Brilliance palettes seem to be selling well in Japan and the palette in 014 Believe in Magic is seen on the readers’ favorite eyeshadow palette list in Biteki (February 2008 issue). Shadow Brilliance’s color combinations are slightly more original than eye palettes from Maquillage, Aube, and Coffret D’Or, and I am sure there will be more lovely items to come from Magie Deco.

Updated on March 31st, 2008:

The Magie Deco website has been updated to include information on the summer 2008 collection. (All images are from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/.)

The full Magie Deco summer 2008 collection includes:

– Shadow Brilliance eye palettes: 2 new variations


– Fairy Eyes cream eyeshadows: 4 new shades


– Fairy Rouge glosses: 3 new shades



– Lipsticks: 3 new shades
– Gem on Liner Waterproof (new): 2 shades
– Luxual Volume Mascara Waterproof (new): 2 shades
– Luxual Long Mascara Waterproof (new): 2 shades
– Nail Colors: 5 new shades
– Eye Makeup Remover (new)

You can see all the new product images on the Magie Deco website.

(I’d like to thank Betsy at Autumn Masquerade for the alert!)

Related Posts:

Magie Deco Spring 2008 Collection

Magie Deco Holiday 2007 Collection

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Holiday 2007: A Touch of Blusher’s Seasonal Top 10 (Part 2)

by PJ on Tuesday, December 18, 2007

in -Ayura, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -MAC, -Magie Deco, 2007 Holiday, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

My Holiday 2007 Top 10 List continues from Part 1!

6. Magie Deco

(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)

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Magie Deco Spring 2008 Collection

by PJ on Thursday, November 29, 2007

in -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Magie Deco Spring 2008 Collection)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/index.html)

Magie Deco will release its spring 2008 color makeup collection in Japan on December 16.

The new line of product will be Pure Color eyeshadow singles, in 18 shades. Most of them are soft pastel shades for the spring.

New additions to the lineup include:

Shadow Brilliance 5-color eyeshadow palettes (2 new variations)
Lipsticks (6 new shades)
Fairy Rouge lip gloss (2 new shades)
Nail Color (5 new shades)

One of the new items that instantly caught my eye is the new Shadow Brilliance palette in 016 Cool Wind:

(Magie Deco Shadow Brilliance in 016 Cool Wind)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/index.html)

When Magie Deco was launched this fall, none of the five Shadow Brilliance palettes caught my attention right away. But this one above certainly did. I think it is the combination of the soft lilac and the minty green. Also, as an eye-lining shade, soft grey suits me better than brown.

Some of the Pure Color eyeshadow singles look great as well, especially the lilacs and pinks. I look forward to seeing the packaging of the quad case. (The website doesn’t have a photo of it at the moment.)

Do have a browse at the Magie Deco website to see all the existing and the spring 2008 items. The website is easy to navigate in itself and half of the site is in English. Plus it has good photos of all the products and the various shades.

(Thank you, Betsy, for letting me know about the site update!)

Related Posts:

Magic Deco Christmas 2007 Coffret
(one of the most beautiful holiday sets for 2007)

Dior Spring 2008 Makeup Collection

Lunasol Spring 2008 Collection

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Magie Deco Holiday 2007 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, November 7, 2007

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, 2007 Holiday, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(Romantic Illuminate:
Magie Deco Holiday 2007 Collection)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/)

Kosé’s top-end line, Cosme Decorte, released a new makeup line in August called Magie Deco. Price-wise, it is cheaper than Cosme Decorte’s existing makeup collections but it is still a high-end line.

Naturally, these are Magie Deco’s first limited-edition seasonal items, and they are certainly keen to make an impression.

The two items, Shadow Brilliance and Face Powder, are sold as a set. As with many other holiday items for Japanese brands, they feature wearable and shimmery shades, great for the party season. (I think the Face Powder will be a straightforward sheer face powder with some shimmer.)

I really like the prints on one of the eyeshadows and on the gold lid of the Face Powder case. Feminine, flowy, and glamorous.

Magie Deco’s sophisticated brand image has been grabbing more and more of my attention. This is certainly a line I will pay attention to in the coming seasons and it will be very interesting to see how it develops.

Related posts:

Magie Deco Loose Powder
(one of the shortlisted items on my loose powder list)

Holiday 2007 Collection Galore
(photos and more photos…)

Holiday 2007 Collection: First Thoughts
(after I saw some of the items in the shops)

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Loose Powder: A Reemerging Phase?

by PJ on Sunday, October 28, 2007

in -Anna Sui, -Cosme Decorte, -Kanebo, -Kosé, -Lunasol, -Magie Deco, -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder

I always find myself in various “phases” when it comes to makeup purchases. Powder foundations, eyebrow powder, lipsticks, lip glosses, and blushers are some of the major phases in the last few years. Recently there is a recurring phase emerging: loose powder.

There is something very elegant about using a loose powder to lightly set the foundation to create that wonderfully polished complexion. Usually, it takes less time to achieve it with a pressed powder, but a nice loose powder sitting on the dressing table always carries an air of glamor.

I tend to choose a sheer loose powder that is either totally matte or with very little fine shimmer. It is even more ideal if the loose powder can effectively diffuse pores.

Meet the candidates vying for my attention:

Anna Sui Loose Powder

(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)


I have used the very first version of Anna Sui Loose Powder. Since then, it went through two packaging changes and now we are looking at the third version. (I do like the previous gold case.)

There are six shades available, which offer a good range of choices. The best selling shade in Asia is #200, which is a very sheer lavender with quite a lot of pearly shimmer. I have tested it and it doesn’t really suit me. I think a light beige (either #700 and #701, both matte) would suit me better.

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

I have read some good reviews of this loose powder, praising the fineness of the powder in particular. I also like the simple round case with the reflective copper-tone lid. #01 Translucent is an off-white with shimmer while I will be considering #02 Natural Beige, a light beige without shimmer.

Magie Deco Face Powder
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco/)

Kosé’s top-end brand Cosme Decorte has launched a slightly more affordable (but still high-end) makeup line this fall, Magie Deco. The packaging draws part of the inspiration from the symmetric and structural Art Deco era. I have come across some magazine coverage of this loose powder and its pore-diffusing ability grabbed my attention. Four shades are available (Lucent/ Pearl Nuance/ Natural Beige/ Pink Sparkle), and I will be considering Lucent, a sheer matte pale beige.

(image from www.suqqu.com)

I like the deep violet packaging of the new SUQQU foundation line. The Loose Powder comes in two shades, Natural and Deep. The idea is to use both shades, with Natural for highlighting and Deep for contouring. Priced at 35 pounds (around 70 USD), it is unlikely that I will pick up both. Next week I will visit the SUQQU counter and see which one suits me better overall.

It is very likely that I will pick up at least one of these four. Which one will it be? I will keep you posted!

Read more about the featured brands:

Anna Sui
(Gothic Princess)

Lunasol
(Polished Sophistication)

SUQQU
(Pure Class)

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