-Jill Stuart

Jill Stuart Pouch Large (Sweet Ribbon)

by PJ on Wednesday, February 11, 2009

in -Jill Stuart, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, beauty tools/accessories

(images and info from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

Designer beauty brands like Anna Sui and Paul & Joe often cash in on their fashion roots and release beauty accessories featuring original designs. On February 20th, Jill Stuart will release Pouch Large (Sweet Ribbon). It is a set of a bag pouch and a mini pouch with pink-ribbon pattern and Jill Stuart’s signatures. It will join the brand’s beauty tool lineup, which includes the very popular Compact Mirror and Hand Mirror. (However, the pouch, priced at 4725 JPY, will be a limited-edition item.)

(Jill Stuart Beauty is currently available in Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. It is scheduled to be launched in the US with a small selection of products.)

Jill Stuart Available in the US

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation

Loving Japanese Brands – Jill Stuart

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Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact in 01 Baby Blush

by PJ on Monday, February 9, 2009

in -Jill Stuart, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - blusher, stash focus

Since Jill Stuart‘s Mix Blush Compact was launched in fall 2007, it has become one of the brand’s most popular products. Currently, there are six shades available. (01, 02, 03, and 04 were out in fall 2007, 06 was released in spring 2008, and 07 and 08 were recently available for spring 2009. 05 was a limited-edition item in fall 2007.) Today I am sharing my thoughts on 01 Baby Blush.

Like all the other variations, the blusher comes in a very pretty and princessy compact. A retractable brush is attached to the compact. (It can be detached.)

All Mix Blush Compacts feature four shades that can be used separately or together. I decided to go for 01, which contained an off-white pink, two cool pinks, and one warm pink with a hint of coral.

The powder is very fine and silky. The lightest shade has a pearly finish and some fine shimmery particles, while the other three have a subtly luminous finish. Used together, they give a glowy finish to the cheeks. I personally think it is a little too glowy for me, so I usually skip the lightest shade. The lasting power is fairly good, and the fresh cool-pink shade doesn’t turn dull overtime.

I am sure many of you have read other reviews of Mix Blush Compacts, and opinions seem to vary with regard to the quality of the brush and the pigmentation level of the colors. I think the quality of the brush is decent. The hair is nicely dense and the bristle-heads are soft to the touch, but the hair is slightly stiff. The brush is on the small side but it can be very useful in picking up individual colors from the compact.

In terms of the color intensity, I would say the blusher is moderately pigmented. You will be likely to think it is quite sheer if you are used to some of the highly pigmented blushers from MAC and Bobbi Brown. But Japanese blushers, overall, tend to be subtle and are more about recreating the natural flush, and Mix Blush Compact is actually more pigmented than items like Lavshuca’s Cheek Color in 01 and SUQQU’s Blend Cheeks in 05. (Personally, I prefer lightly-to-moderately blushers, and I actually have to be slightly light-handed with it.)

Overall, Mix Blush Compact is a very good item, as it combines beautiful packaging and a solid performance of the colors. Last year, I came across the news that Jill Stuart Beauty would be launched in the US this year. If you are interested in trying out the line, I think Mix Blusher Compact is a good item to go for.

Related posts:

A Touch of Blusher talks…blushers!

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in 04

Chanel Irréelle Blush in Tea Rose

Western vs. Japanese…Who’s Winning?

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Spring 2009 Makeup Trend Report

by PJ on Monday, January 26, 2009

in -Ayura, -Chanel, -Clarins, -Clé de Peau, -Cosme Decorte, -Dior, -Elégance, -Esprique (Precious), -Giorgio Armani, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kosé, -Lancôme, -Lunasol, -Magie Deco, -Shiseido, -Shu Uemura, -YSL, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup trend reports

Partly due to the current world economy, many people are not spending as much money on makeup as before. It is also not surprising that many of us are looking for classic, wearable and trend-resistant colors.

If you are the kind of makeup fan that looks forward to unique shades, you might have already been disappointed with most of this season’s lineups. It seems that, for spring 2009, many brands are coming up with wearable colors that don’t easily date. But I find it very interesting to look into how various brands interpret “wearable colors”, and here are three shades from spring 2009 collections.

– Soft neutrals

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

Brown-toned neutrals will probably never date. This season, neutrals are soft, milky, and not overly intense. Neither too bronze nor too gray, these neutrals have maximal appeal for most complexions.

Some of the loveliest neutral palettes I have come across are from Clé de Peau and Dior. They are soft, elegant, chic, and easy to wear.

(Shiseido Clé de Peau Eye Color Quad
in 121 (top) and 120 (bottom))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)

(Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow in 553 Elégante)
(image from www.iswii.net)

If you want something slightly more intense, try Chanel‘s Les 4 Ombres (Quadra Eye Shadow) in Mystic Eyes from the spring 2009 Bohemian Fantasy collection.

(image from www.iswii.net)

– Pinks

(image from www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com)

If you think neutrals are too predictable, try a little bit of pink. Soft light-to-medium pinks that are very slightly on the cool side should give you a youthful and gentle look, as seen above in the ad image from Giorgio Armani‘s Pink Light collection for spring 2009.

Like Giorgio Armani, YSL includes pink in the brand’s only new quad for the season. (Check my previous post to see the main makeup look).

(Palette D’Artiste Colletor Powder for the Eyes)
(image from www.cosme.net)

Jill Stuart regularly brings out pink shades, and this season’s Blossoming Pink collection adds two pink-toned palettes to Jill Stuart’s eye palette lineup.

(Seductive Eyes in 06 Romantic Goddess)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

(Illuminance Eyes in 06 Blossoming Shine)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

For an edgier look, try Lancôme‘s Irreverent Madame palette from the brand’s Pink Irreverence collection.

(image from www.lancome.co.uk)

– Lilacs

(image from ep-bko.com)

I think lilacs are just as wearable as neutrals and pinks. Like how we find the right neutrals/pinks, as long as we find the shades with the right color intensity and the right amount of warmth/coolness for our complexions, lilac can be a great everyday eyeshadow color.

Lilac was part of the spring 2008 makeup trend, and, as a lilac fan, I am pleased that it is still a very prominent shade this season, especially in Japanese beauty brands. Beauté de Kosé’s Esprique Precious is using the lilac-toned palette (from the new True Impact Eyes range) in the ad campaign. Lunasol‘s Layer Bloom Eyes in 03 Purple Gradation is also the feature item in the brand’s Floral Purification collection. (In the image below, it seems that the palettes are blossoming under the fresh spring sun.)

(www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

In addition, AYURA‘s only new eye palette for spring 2009 is a cool-toned lilac/gray palette, somewhat reminiscent of Maquillage’s Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844.

(image from www.ayura.co.jp)

– Mix & Match

(image from woman.excite.co.jp)

There are quite a few collections that feature two or more of the three colors mentioned above. For example, all four of Elégance‘s eye palettes incorporate pinks, lilacs, and neutrals. (There are one neutral palette, one pink palette, one lilac palette, and one with an off-white pink and an off-white lilac.)

Beauté de Kosé‘s two new Eye Fantasist liquid eyeshadows are of pink and lilac hues:

(image from www.iswii.net)

If you want pink and lilac in the same product, look into Shu Uemura‘s Spring Mode Makeup Eye Palette in Fantasia and the Nature Temptation Eye Palette from Clarins, which also includes some neutrals. (The picture below shows the version sold in Asia. The European/American version also has a pink and a lilac, which are paired with slightly darker shades.)

(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

If the pinks and lilacs above are too pale for your complexion or if you want a more striking look, try Magie Deco‘s Shadow Brilliance palette in 022 Flower Show.

(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

So, do you like this spring’s trend (or non-trend…), and what colors will you be wearing this season?

More information on the spring 2009 collections featured above:

AYURA
Beauté de Kosé
Chanel
Dior
Elégance
Esprique Precious
Jill Stuart
Lunasol
Magie Deco
Shu Uemura
YSL

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Holiday 2008 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Wednesday, December 17, 2008

in -Cosme Decorte, -Jill Stuart, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, -RMK, -Shu Uemura, 2008 Holiday, seasonal makeup top 10

Today and in the next few days, I will be counting down my 10 favorite holiday 2008 makeup collections. We’ll start from #10 to #7 today.

10. RMK

(image from RMK)

The 2008 edition of RMK’s Christmas Palette is probably one of the best holiday palettes from RMK in recent years, particularly in terms of the packaging. I like the two-tier design as well as the metallic gold pouch. (On the other hand, I didn’t like the animal-print palette from last year, even though it had some very nice colors.) The colors are wearable and the sparkles in the three pastel eyeshadows add a festive vibe to the party makeup look.

Please have a look at my review of the palette here.

9. Magie Deco

(image from www.iswii.net)

This is Magie Deco’s second holiday coffret. While I prefer the first one, this year’s version still looks gorgeous and glamorous. It is a good continuation of the deep-red theme from the line’s fall 2008 Bordeaux Magic collection.

8. Jill Stuart

(image from www.urcosme.com)

I have to say I am slightly underwhelmed by Jill Stuart’s holiday set for this year. It does have a beautiful vintage look, but, again, I prefer last year’s Christmas Rose Collection, with rosette details and a more different design for the eyeshadow palette. But the Solid Perfume Ring did tempt me a little bit when I first saw it.

7. Shu Uemura

(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)

I really like the cases of these eye palettes and some of the colors in them. The colorful photos are by Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa, and they also feature in Gloss Unlimited Mini Trio, Portable Brush Set and Makeup Box. Shu Uemura’s products usually have a simple and minimal look, and these images inject a lot of vibrancy to these holiday items. (You can see the rest of the collection here.)

The countdown continues in Part 2 and Part 3!

My Fall 2008 Makeup Top 10:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

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Jill Stuart Spring 2009 Collection

by PJ on Tuesday, December 2, 2008

in -Jill Stuart, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images and info from www.iswii.net)

Here is a look at Jill Stuart‘s spring 2009 makeup collection. Titled “Blossoming Pink”, the collection features feminine pink tones and a couple of shades with a hint of purple. The lineup includes:

– Illuminance Eyes: 1 new variation (seen above)

– Seductive Eyes: 1 new variation

– Mix Blush Compact: two new variations

– Jelly Eye Color: two new limited-edition shades

– Jelly Lip Gloss: 12 shades (2 limited-edition shades, product name translated by Haru at Rouge Deluxe)

– Nail Lacquer N: 5 shades (2 limited-edition shades)

I was expecting more eye palettes from Jill Stuart’s spring 2009 lineup, but it seems that the collection is more about the launch of Jelly Lip Gloss, which is a new product. But if you are a fan of Jelly Eye Color, I think you are probably pleased to see the two long-awaited new shades. (The other is of a dark-grey tone.)

Jill Stuart Available in the US in 2009

Jill Stuart Holiday 2008 Collection

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Jill Stuart – Price Comparison

by PJ on Friday, November 14, 2008

in -Jill Stuart, all about Japanese cosmetics

(Where can you get this for the lowest price?)

Earlier I mentioned that Jill Stuart Cosmetics will be available in Hong Kong in December. Later, one of my readers, Sweet Tiramisu, kindly let me know about the prices in Hong Kong. (You can see her comment here.) Thank you, Sweet Tiramisu!

I decided to compare the prices of some popular Jill Stuart products in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Have a look!

Loose Powder
Japan: 4725 JPY
Taiwan: 1350 NTD (3955 JPY)
Hong Kong: 330 HKD (4132 JPY)

All eye palettes
Japan: 5250 JPY
Taiwan: 1450 NTD (4248 JPY)
Hong Kong: 370 HKD (4633 JPY)

Jelly Eye Color
Japan: 2310 JPY
Taiwan: 680 NTD (1992 JPY)
Hong Kong: 160 HKD (2004 JPY)

Mix Blush Compact
Japan: 4725 JPY
Taiwan: 1300 NTD (3809 JPY)
Hong Kong: 330 HKD (4132 JPY)

Blush Powder
Japan: 4410 JPY
Taiwan: 1250 NTD (3662 JPY)
Hong Kong: 310 HKD (3882 JPY)

Compact Mirror
Japan: 2625 JPY
Taiwan: 650 NTD (1904 JPY)
Hong Kong: 170 HKD (2129 JPY)

(based on today’s exchange rate:
1 JPY = 0.34 NTD = 0.08 HKD)

It seems that Jill Stuart products are currently the cheapest in Taiwan, but the prices in Hong Kong are quite good too. (Japanese beauty products do tend to be slightly cheaper in Taiwan, but currently the prices seem particularly good in the relative sense since Taiwanese Dollar has recently been quite weak against Japanese Yen.) It will be interesting to see the prices of Jill Stuart’s spring 2009 items in Taiwan later on…

Jill Stuart Breaks Record

Jill Stuart Holiday 2008 Collection

Jill Stuart Fall 2008 Collection

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Jill Stuart Available in Hong Kong in December

by PJ on Tuesday, November 11, 2008

in -Jill Stuart, all about Japanese cosmetics, bodycare

(Jill Stuart Flower Bath Salt,
from the new Bath & Body Collection)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

One of my readers, CC, has very kindly told me that Jill Stuart Beauty will be launched in Hong Kong on December 5th. (Thank you for letting me know, CC!) It is definitely great news for Jill Stuart fans in Hong Kong, who won’t have to travel to Japan or Taiwan to see the products in person.

As I mentioned earlier, a selection of Jill Stuart items will be available in the US next year. I also think it is somewhat possible that the line will be available in a couple of other countries in Asia. Singapore seems to be more than a reasonable choice. We’ll see!

(By the way, Jill Stuart Beauty’s website has been revamped. Do have a look (through the link above) if you are interested.)

Updated on November 26th, 2008:

Please check out this blog post for the price list of Jill Stuart’s items in Hong Kong.

Jill Stuart Breaks Record

Jill Stuart Holiday 2008 Collection

Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes in 04 Gem Amethyst

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Jill Stuart Holiday 2008 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, October 15, 2008

in -Jill Stuart, 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(image and info from www.urcosme.com)

Like many other Japanese brands, Jill Stuart will release a makeup set for the holiday season.

The set will include an eye palette (Vintage Glaze), a lip gloss (Deep Bordeaux), a solid perfume ring, a hand mirror, and a vintage-style clutch bag.

As with all the limited-edition holiday items from Jill Stuart, I think this set will sell exceptionally well. So far, the Jill Stuart holiday set I have is from 2005 and is the brand’s first holiday collection. It includes a shimmery face powder (similar to Guerlain Meteorites) and a lip gloss, packaged in a little round box. You can see the items (minus the box) here.

The set will be released in Japan on November 21st (according to Rouge Deluxe) and in Taiwan on December 1st.

Also, Jill Stuart released a base makeup set in Taiwan. The contents differ slightly from those in the Japanese release, but the clutch bag in the set is the same. Please see the photos of the actual items on this Taiwanese blog.

Jill Stuart Fall 2008 Makeup Collection

Jill Stuart Moist Silk Liquid Foundation

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Fall 2008 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Monday, September 29, 2008

in -Jill Stuart, -Sonia Rykiel, -YSL, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

It is time to count down my favorite fall 2008 makeup collections. In the next week or two, as usual, I will present them in reverse order (in three posts).

10. Awake

(image from www.awake.co.jp)

Purple shades will probably always get my attention, and Awake‘s fall 2008 collection certainly is very purple. Apart from the eye palettes, Awake’s Moon Illusion collection includes lip glosses and nail colors, both of which feature a purple shade. This is a small seasonal lineup with a very coherent look.

You can see a review of some of the items from this collection at Autumn Masquerade.

9. Jill Stuart

(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

Packaging-wise, this is probably the prettiest makeup collection this season. The eyeshadow palette and blusher cases manage to look even more divine than the previous releases. But the color combinations are slightly predictable. Nevertheless, I will be looking forward to the spring 2009 collection.

Check out a review of some of the items (along with packaging comparison) at Musings of a Muse.

8. YSL

(images from www.ysl.com)

Even though I am disappointed with the Lilac Sky palette, which doesn’t suit me enough to worth a purchase, it doesn’t affect my view on this stunning-looking new range of 5-color eyeshadow palettes. The colors are rich and vibrant, with a mix of matte and shimmery shades. Whenever a magazine page features one of these, my eyes are usually immediately drawn to it.

7. Sonia Rykiel

(images from www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com)

Sonia Rykiel‘s Actrice fall 2008 collection aims to capture the sophisticated glamour of silver-screen heroines. The colors seem lively but still easy to wear. The Quatre Eyeshadow Collection in 01 and 04 feature a soft lilac and violet respectively, while the limited-edition 06 has gold and silver in one palette. I haven’t tried anything from Sonia Rykiel after they changed the packaging from deep silver cases to striped ones, and I will definitely keep a mental note on the eye palette series.

The countdown continues in Part 2 and Part 3.

Summer 2008 Makeup Top 10 –

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

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Jill Stuart in Department Store Anniversary Event in Taiwan

by PJ on Friday, September 19, 2008

in -Jill Stuart, all about Japanese cosmetics, all about Japanese cosmetics (overseas availability information)

(all images from www.iswii.net)

As I mentioned in my post Beauty City Guide – Taipei, the best time to shop for cosmetics in Taipei is during the department store anniversary event (between late October and late December), where each department store takes turns to hold the event. During the event, in terms of cosmetics, there are GWPs and exclusive sets, many of which are good value for money. With Japanese brands, some sets are exclusive to the Taiwanese market.

The people behind Jill Stuart cosmetics (launched in Taiwan earlier this year) are certainly making sure they are part of the action this year. The picture above shows an exclusive set that will be available in SOGO Zhongxiao Branch’s anniversary event (November 6 -17). It includes a Mix Blush Compact (you can choose the shade you like), Lip Color Compact, Glitter Eye Color (in gold, the one that looks like a mini lip gloss), and an original box (which I think is exclusive to Taiwan). The set is priced at 1850 NTD (about 57 USD), which is very good value for money.

If you are a long-term Jill Stuart fan, you have probably just had a déjà vu moment (or maybe you already have some of these items). The Lip Color Compact and the Glitter Eye Color were part of Jill Stuart’s holiday collection in 2006. They could have been (re-)produced for the event in Taiwan, but I am not certain.

But I will worry less about the vanity case and the pouch below, both GWP items in the event.

You have probably seen both the case and the pouch as well. The round vanity case was originally a GWP in Japan which celebrated openings of two Jill Stuart counters. The pouch was part of the holiday 2006 set in Japan (that included the Glitter Eye Color above).

It seems that some of my readers in Asia have friends or relatives living in Taiwan. If you are interested in Jill Stuart and the event offers, here is some relevant information:

– Jill Stuart Cosmetics is currently available in Taipei’s SOGO Zhongxiao Branch (anniversary event: November 6 – 17) and Taipei’s Mitsukoshi New Life Square A8 Building (anniversary event: October 23 – November 24). (See contact information on Jill Stuart’s Taiwanese website.)

– You can see all the Jill Stuart event Information here. (It seems that there will be either a new counter or a temporary one at Kaohsiung’s Hanshin Arena.

Loving Japanese Brands – Jill Stuart

Foundation Face-Off – Jill Stuart vs. SUQQU

Jill Stuart Cosmetics Available in the US Soon

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