-Kanebo

Kanebo Coffret D’Or Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, May 27, 2009

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Coffret D’Or‘s summer 2009 collection has not been officially released yet, but now we have news of the line’s fall collection, out in Japan on August 1st.

The lineup includes:

– Mix Essence Rouge (8 shades)
– Eye Color (16 shades)
– Brow Make Compact (2 variations)
– Eyebrow Mascara (2 shades)

Coffret D’Or seems to be following a similar product release pattern to T’Estimo’s (Coffret D’Or’s predecessor), with eyeshadow palettes for spring and summer and eyeshadow singles for fall. The new Eye Color is Coffret D’Or’s first single powder eyeshadow range, with the first batch of shades mainly basic light and dark ones. (Fluffy Shine Eyes, a mousse-type eyeshadow, was released on July 16th 2008.)

Coffret D’Or Shine Accent Eyes 02 Pink Variation (spring 2009)

Coffret D’Or Spring/Summer 2009 Base Makeup Collection

Cosme.Net 2008 The Best Cosmetics Awards

{ 4 comments }

Chicca Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, May 18, 2009

in -Chicca, -Kanebo, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Chicca (owned by Kanebo) will release its fall 2009 collection in Japan on August 19th. The seasonal theme is “Secret Story”, and new items aim to create a balanced look for eyebrows, eyes, and cheeks to achieve a face-shaping effect.

The lineup includes:

– Enthralling Eyebrow Pencil W (1 shade)
– Enthralling Eyebrow Gel (1 shade)
– Enthralling Eyebrow Cake (eyebrow powder with two shades)
– Enthralling Powder Eyeshadow duos (5 new variation)
– Enthralling Soft Pencil Eyeliner (2 new shades)
– Flush Blush cream blusher (1 new shade)
– Enticing Lipstick (4 new shades)
– Enticing Lip Gloss (3 new shades)
– Perfect Readiness Tweezer

The Enthralling Eyebrow Pencil W features a round shaped tip and a naginata (Japanese halberd) shaped tip. The latter helps create softer edges for the eyebrow outline.

Chicca Summer 2009 Collection

Chicca Spring 2009 Collection

New Brand Profile – Kanebo Chicca

{ 0 comments }

Kanebo Coffret D’Or Shine Accent Eyes 02 Pink Variation

by PJ on Tuesday, May 12, 2009

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

Coffret D’Or‘s Shine Accent Eyes is part of the brand’s spring 2009 collection and the brand’s third series of eye palettes. Having good experiences with the previous two, I decided to try one palette from the new series. Of course I went for the one with lilac.

02 Pink Variation includes:

Top: very sheer white with soft fine shimmer
Left: sheer light pink with pearly shimmer
Right: moderately-pigmented medium lilac with a pink-plum undertone and pearly shimmer
Middle: a gel-cream liner with off-white sparkles

As with other Coffret D’Or eye palettes, the powder is soft and very easy to blend. The colors have a good staying power.

The pink is on the sheer side and it shows up less on my eyes than on the back of my hand, which is slightly lighter than my face. It should show up more on a fair skin tone than on my light-to-medium skin tone. (It is still more pigmented than the off-white pinks in Lunasol’s Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral and Coffret D’Or’s Trance Deep Eyes in Rose Variation.)

The lilac is a soft shading color that goes on warmer than it looks in the pan as it has a pronounced soft muted pinkish (but not reddish) plum undertone. It is warmer than the main lilac in Lunasol’s Layer Bloom Eyes in Purple Gradation.

The gel-cream liner has a dense consistency. According to the eye chart on the back of the outer packaging, it is applied along the lower lashline. The shimmery flecks are larger than the shimmery particles in the other three shades, and the finish is quite sparkly.

This palette creates a soft daytime look with a beautiful shimmery finish. (But I would go easy on the gel-cream liner for daytime.) Compared with the previous Coffret D’Or releases, the overall finish (of the three powder shades) is slightly more shimmery than 3D Lighting Eyes (between pearly and shimmery) and less so than the Trance Deep Eyes (quite sparkly). I also like the pinkish lilac, which is different from the (many) ones I have.

However, because there is no dark lining shade, I personally feel that this palette is less versatile than those from the previous series. Also, I would prefer the pink to be slightly more pigmented so that I could create more looks.

(I have been using the deep violet from 3D Lighting Eyes’ Purple Variation as an eyeliner to go with this palette.)

I think I have more or less formed the habit of trying Coffret D’Or’s new eye palette series, and I am looking forward to the upcoming Color Mixing Eyes, out next month.

Betsy at Autumn Masquerade has reviewed Shine Accent Eyes in 04 Blue Variation. Do have a look!

Lunasol Layer Bloom Eyes in 03 Purple Gradation

by PJ on Tuesday, April 28, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

Another season, another lilac palette joining my collection…

Lunasol‘s Layer Bloom Eyes* palettes are part of Lunasol’s spring 2009 Floral Purification collection. 03 Purple Gradation is inspired by wisteria (fuji) and includes (anti-clock-wise from top-left):

– sheer white with multi-colored sparkles
– medium lilac with a soft pearly finish (moderately pigmented)
– predominantly matte cool-toned dark grey with sparse shimmer (well-pigmented)
– light lilac with a mildly shimmery finish (moderately pigmented)

All the shades are very soft and easy to apply, and the finish lasts well.

According to the eye chart that comes with the palette, the sheer white is used as a base, the medium lilac is used as a shadowing shade, and the dark grey is for the upper lashline and the outer 1/3 of the lower lashline. The light lilac is applied on the inner 2/3 of the lower lashline.

I really like how the two lilacs work together. The medium lilac has an exceptionally soft texture, and blending is effortless. I can go as sheer or intense as I want with this shade. When applied on the lower lashline, the light lilac seems to look more intense (slightly darker) than it does in the pan. It has a delicate iridescence and brightens the eyes very effectively without creating a stark look.

What I also like about the two lilacs is that the beautiful color seems very long-lasting. After 12 hours of wear, it is not uncommon for some lilacs to take on a very mild bluey-grey hue as the color starts to fade (and I don’t usually take this to be an indication of inferior quality). But the two lilacs here are able to stay fresh almost throughout the day, which impresses me.

Compared with Lunasol’s Lavender Coral palette from spring 2008, I think Purple Gradation is a lot more elegant and understated. The colors are less sparkly and the overall finish is more pearly than shimmery. (Between the two main lilac shades, the one in Purple Gradation is slightly warmer than that in Lavender Coral. I like both equally.) On the whole, Purple Gradation is more similar to Scent Form Eyes in 02 but it is marginally more vibrant due to the mild iridescence. (Scent Form Eyes in 02 is certainly the most low-key of the three.)

Overall, this is a beautiful lilac palette which is very easy to wear, in terms of both the colors and the superb texture of the powder. If you are looking for something as vibrant as the Sheer Contrast Eyes and the Geminate Eyes series, then this palette might not be for you. But if you want a sophisticated eye palette that is not overly shimmery, then the Layer Bloom Eyes series is a must-see.

(It appears that, since the fall 2008 Red Purification collection, Lunasol’s eye palettes are returning to the elegant and understated finish that the brand started off with. It would be interesting to see whether the trend will shift again.)

You can read my friend Betsy’s review of this palette here on Autumn Masquerade.

* Though this palette series is officially called Layer Bloom Eyes, the English name on the outer boxes of palettes sold outside Japan is Blooming Eyes. Check out the photo on this post for the difference.

Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

Lunasol Summer 2009 Collection
(more Layer Bloom Eyes palettes)

My Personal Take on Lunasol

{ 0 comments }

Coffret D’Or Summer 2009 Collection Update

by PJ on Wednesday, April 22, 2009

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

Coffret D’Or has updated its website to include information on its summer 2009 collection.

The uniqueness of the new series of eyeshadow palettes, Color Mixing Eyes, is that the top two colors are designed to be mixed together for the upper lids (while the left one of the two is used for the inner corners of the eyes).

The series features five variations:

01 Orange Brown Mix
02 Blue Green Mix
03 Silver Pink Mix
04 Lavender Purple Mix
05 Beige Black Mix

I like all the Coffret D’Or eyeshadow palettes I have, so I would certainly be interested in trying this upcoming series.

Updated on June 9th 2009:

Do have a look at the photos of all the Color Mixing Eyes palettes on this blog post.

I am still liking 04 Lavender Purple Mix and I am planning to try it. If I like its texture and finish, I might also get 01 Orange Brown Mix.

Posts on my Coffret D’Or eye palettes:

3D Lighting Eyes in Purple and Gold Variations

Trance Deep Eyes in Rose and Grey Variations

{ 4 comments }

Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

by PJ on Monday, April 20, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

One reader (and a fellow Lunasol fan), Gemilay, kindly posted a comment under my post on Lunasol’s summer 2009 collection. (Thank you, Gemilay!)

She mentions that the Lunasol fall 2009 collection will have a “starry sky” theme. This seems to have already generated much excitement and anticipation among Lunasol fans. (Rich deep colors with dreamy shimmer and sparkles?)

Lunasol released the “Moonlight Purification” collection back in fall 2006, with five Lighting For Eyes palettes among other items. As Lunasol’s seasonal makeup themes have been revolving around the idea of “purification”, perhaps the official theme for fall 2009 could be “starlight purification”.

I can’t wait to see the collection…

(Starry Night over the Rhode, Vincent van Gogh, 1888)

You can also see some sneak-peek photos of some of the items from Lunasol’s summer 2009 collection on Gemilay’s recent blog post. (The collection won’t be released in Japan until May.)

Updated on June 9th 2009:

Please check out some further information on the collection here.

Updated on June 18th 2009:

More information on the collection here.

Updated on July 6th 2009:

More collection update here.

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Cora l
(Color Purification, spring 2008)

Lunasol Scent Form Eyes 02
(Scent Purification, fall 2006)

Lunasol Full Glamour Gloss in Bright Pink
(Light Purification, spring 2006)

{ 2 comments }

Coffret D’Or Late Summer (Early Fall) 2009 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, April 8, 2009

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2009 Fall, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Coffret D’Or will release the 2009 late summer collection in Japan on June 16. The lineup includes:

– Color Mixing Eyes palettes (5 variations)
– Eye Clear Up Base
– Double Action Mascara (2 shades)
– Full Keep Gel Liner (2 new shades)
– Quick Liner (2 shades)
– Juicy Memory Rouge (12 shades)
– Control Lip Base

In addition, Coffret D’Or’s early summer collection, out on April 16 in Japan, features eight new nail colors.

(image/info from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

I have got the Shine Accent Eyes in 02 Pink Variation from Coffret D’Or’s spring 2009 collection. I will share my thoughts with you later on!

Updated on April 22 2009:

Check out the update here.

Spring 2009 Makeup Top Ten

Coffret D’Or Spring/Summer 2009 Base Makeup Collection

Cosme.Net 2008 The Best Cosmetics Awards

{ 8 comments }

Kanebo Chicca Summer 2009 Collection

by PJ on Tuesday, March 31, 2009

in -Chicca, -Kanebo, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Chicca will release its summer 2009 collection in Japan on May 13th. The seasonal makeup theme is Mysterious Blue.

The lineup includes:

– Enticing Lipstick (4 new shades)
– Enticing Lip Gloss (1 new shade)
– Enthralling Powder Eyeshadow duos (4 new variations)
– Enthralling Powder Eyeliner (1 new shade)
– Enthralling Gel Eyeliner (1 new shade)
– Enthralling Waterproof Mascara (new, 1 shade)

If you enjoy wearing blue eyeshadows, summer collections from Japanese brands are usually worth looking into. I quite like the strong reds that go with the blues in this collection, particularly the shade of the bright lip gloss.

Spring 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 3)

by PJ on Saturday, March 21, 2009

in -Coffret d'Or, -Dior, -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

(continued from Part 1 and Part 2)

3. Coffret D’Or

(Coffret D’Or Shine Accent Eyes)

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

Just a year after the launch, Coffret D’Or has become one of my favorite makeup lines. Among the spring 2009 collection, the new palette range, Shine Accent Eyes, includes another array of pretty and wearable colors. The palettes don’t have an intense eyelining shade, but I can do without it for my daytime makeup. I am planning to getting 02 Pink Variation, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you.

2. Dior

(image from www.dior.com)

For me, the star of Dior’s spring 2009 collection is obviously the Lady Dior palette. However, the collection has other gorgeous items, including some soft milky neutrals. Both 5-Color Eyeshadow in Elégante and 5-Color Iridescent Eyeshadow in Parisian Lights are beautiful and very covetable. This is a collection that shows that neutrals don’t have to be dull.

1. Lunasol

(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

(Lunasol Layer Bloom Eyes palettes)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

Lunasol has always been a front runner for me among the spring 2009 collections. Since the Red Purification collection in fall 2008, Lunasol has gone full circle and returned to the more sophisticated look that Lunasol started off with in 1999. The spring 2009 Floral Purification collection is less shimmery than the Brilliance Purification collection in fall 2007 (featuring Geminate Eyes palettes) and less vibrant than the Color Purification collection in spring 2008 (featuring Sheer Contrast Eyes palettes). While some of those who fell in love with Lunasol in the last couple of years might not find this collection as appealing, I do think this is one of Lunasol’s finest seasonal collections.

The Purple Variation palette is now on my way, and I will be posting my thoughts later on.

Lunasol Summer 2009 Collection

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Purple Variation (spring 2008)

{ 2 comments }

Lunasol Summer 2009 Collection Update

by PJ on Friday, March 20, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Here is an update on Lunasol’s summer 2009 collection, which will be released in Japan on May 8th. The two flowers chosen to continue the Floral Purification theme from spring 2009 are hibiscus and plumeria, which inspire the two mini collections you see above and below. (Please check this post for a quick reference for the two flowers.)