(continued from yesterday)
#6: Guerlain
(from www.guerlain.co.jp)
(from Biteki September 2007)
Continuing from a gorgeous collection in summer with Pucci, Guerlain puts forward some more great items. I like the gorgeous Ombre Eclat Duo & Liner palettes. The eyeshadows are smooth and silky, and so is the cream-to-powder eyeliner. The color selection is spot on, with blue and grey, pink and plum, and an array of neutral and golden shades. The shiny gold compact has a great sense of substance to it.
#5: Chanel
(from www.chanel.com)
(from Biteki September 2007)
Chanel stays right on trend with olive green, featured in Les 4 Ombres (Garden-Party) and Irréelle Duo (Lotus-Cactus). Les 4 Camélias de Chanel (that I won’t be buying) has some pretty and wearable colors. The blushers are kept muted to go with the sultry eyes and intense lips.
#4: Lavshuca
(from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)
(from Biteki September 2007)
Lavshuca has been doing well since its debut last year. The collection is expanding with more and more lovely items. This season, I love the new Eye Color Select palette in PU-2. The new Grade Color Select eye palettes (mid-right) are soft and sensual. The new Color Conc Rouge (bottom) does not live up to the promise, but they are still competent glosses in very cute packaging.
Come back for the final part of the count-down later!
Related posts:
Fall 2007 Makeup Trend Report
Fall 2007 Makeup Round-Up Part 1
(Lavshuca Color Conc Rouge PK-1)
Color Conc Rouge (10 shades) is part of the Lavshuca fall 2007 line-up. It is supposed to be a lip color that is between a lipstick and a lip gloss. It promises to have:
— the level of pigmentation of a lipstick
— a highly viscous consistency of a lip gloss
— good staying power
So, a long-lasting syrupy and pigmented lip color. Sounds very special. (
I think “conc” stands for “concentration”. But please correct me if I am wrong.)
Does it fulfill the promises? No.
It is a nice gloss nonetheless, with a natural watery shine I love, and PK-1 is a very cute pink shade. But it doesn’t fair very differently from some of the other glosses I have.
I think a better description of this product is that It is a mildly syrupy and lightly pigmented gloss that imparts a watery shine with minimal shimmer, with reasonable staying power. (But some other shades could be more pigmented than PK-1.)
(the cute heart-shape dispenser)
For me, a lip gloss that is actually very close to what Color Conc Rouge promises to be is Nina Ricci‘s Tender Lacquered Lipglaze:
(Nina Ricci Tender Lacquered Lipglaze)
(photo from www.ninaricci.com)
I have #2 Rose Jupon, which is a peachy pink. Exceptionally syrupy and glassy, it is quite pigmented as a lip gloss and can cover a good deal of my natural lip color. Too bad Nina Ricci cosmetics is not available in the UK anymore.
Also, I find that Dior’s DiorKiss has a very syrupy consistency as well and some of the shades are quite pigmented.
A-Mused at Musings of a Muse has a review of Lavshuca Color Conc Rouge as well. I understand what she means by the gloss not gliding well. For me, it does take a couple more seconds to get a perfectly even finish but the application is still relatively easy. I think it is down to the combination of the applicator and the particular consistency of the gloss, since there is no problem with Lavshuca’s Gloss Stick (with almost the same applicator).
Overall, Color Conc Rouge is still a fairly good gloss, even though it doesn’t particularly stand out from the rest of the field…
Related posts for your lips:
Sony Curvy Lip Silicone
(million-selling sensation)
Lavshuca Gloss Stick
(a cute and lovely Lavshuca gloss which doesn’t make empty promises…)
Lavshuca Jewelry Lips
(Such little gems!)
Also, don’t miss these doses of fall 2007 makeup:
Fall 2007 Makeup Trend Report
Lavshuca Eye Color Select
Dior Diorissime palette
(clockwise from top:
Elégance Purity Eyes 11
Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow 250 Seascape
Lavshuca Eye Color BG-1
Lavshuca Eye Color Select BU-1)
Blue eyeshasows divide views. People either embrace them or stay away from them…
The shades of human complexion, from pale beige to dark brown, are all warm tones. Blue is perhaps the furtherest away from human skin-tones. So what can blue eyeshadows do for us?
By definition, they create contrast. They add depth, create dimension, and enhance definition. Blue eyeshadows make eyes pop.
A dust of light blue eyeshadow wakes up the eyes and makes them look brighter and more energetic. It seems to me that there are many more beautiful choices of easily wearable light-blue eyeshadows in Japanese cosmetics. Could it be that consumers in Japan understand the essence of blue more than the rest of the world?
Play It Safe
If you haven’t tried blue, want to give it a go (please do!), but don’t really know which “safe” shade to go for, I think a good starting point is to look at your own skin-tone. The darker your skin-tone is, the darker shade of blue for you. (When in doubt between two shades, try the lighter one.)
Make It Work
To make the best of blue, layer different shades of blue to maximize blue’s potential to create dimension for your eyes. For a glamorous or edgy look, try teaming blue with neighboring shades like green and lilac (as in Dior’s 5-Color Eyeshadow palette in 250 Seascape, seen above).
Take It Forward
The trendy way to wear blue for fall 2007 is to wear it with a coordinating grey, which is the color of the season and acts as a great accent color. Pair pastel blue with silvery grey and dark blue with charcoal grey. Below, we see a subtle, modern and almost effortless way to wear blue, which really brightens the eyes:
(cover, Biteki August 2007)
On the whole, blue is a great friend for our faces. A blue-tinted primer cancels out sallowness, a blue-tinted lip gloss creates depth and makes lips appear more plumped, and a sheer pastel-blue loose powder (which you can find in Shu Uemura) can give a luminous transparency to your face.
Some people think blue is back because the 80’s is back (and some people stay away from it exactly because of this). But I think blue is ever so wearable today because there is a great variety of textures (powder, cream, mousse,…), finishes (from velvety matte to ultra-shimmery), and shades.
This is what I think about blue, one of my favorite colors. What’s your view and observation?
(A big thank-you goes to Tammy, who started a mini discussion on blue eyeshadows under my post on Kanebo’s Kate and inspired me to write a post about them.)
More for the fans of blue:
Lavshuca Eye Color Select in BU-1
(a closer look at the Lavshuca palette seen in the photo above)
Blue-Tinted Lip Gloss?
(Well, I am not giving up until everyone has tried it…)
Sofina Raycious Foundation
(with fine blue-based particles to liven up your complexion)
(Lavshuca Eye Color Select PU-2)
Part of the Lavshuca Fall 2007 collection, this is the only new Eye Color Select palette for this season. In a way, it replaces the discontinued PU-1. (Also, a new line of eyeshadow palettes, Grade Color Select, has been released this fall.)
(top-left: pale lilac, with shimmer
top-right: lilac taupe, with shimmer and fine glitters
bottom-left: warm lilac, with shimmer
bottom-right: dark plum purple, with minimal shimmer)
This palette creates a sensually elegant look. For me, the bottom-left warm lilac shade is the star of this palette and the key to its elegance. A medium plum lilac, it has a warm neutral edge and is particularly wearable for me, as warmer purples suit me slightly better than cold blue-ish ones. It is a very beautiful soft and natural color.
All the shades are a great match and blend seamlessly together. Overall, I love this palette!
The instruction for all the Eye Color Select palettes indicates that the top-right shade, the one with fine glitters, can be worn as a base or on top of the finished look to add sparkles. But for this palette, I find that the top-right lilac taupe is slightly too dark to be used as a base shade. It goes on much darker than it looks in the palette and is almost darker than the bottom-left shade.
I actually think it works very well as a replacement of the bottom-left shade for a very sophisticated look. The fine glitters are not really a problem here. They bring a touch of vibrancy to this neutral color and don’t look over-powering.
In comparison, another purple palette, T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes 03 (read my earlier post for a full review) is able to create a slightly edgier look. It has a wider range of purples and includes a dark purple cream eyeliner.
(Kanebo T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes 03)
Released this spring with relatively colder lilac shades, this T’Estimo one is fresh and upbeat, while the Lavshuca one is soft and sensual. I do love both!
Next week, I will review another item of the Lavshuca Fall 2007 collection, Color Conc Rouge.
by PJ on Sunday, July 8, 2007
in -Anna Sui, -Aube (Couture), -Ayura, -Integrate, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kao, -Kate, -Kosé, -Lavshuca, -Lunasol, -Majolica Majorca, -Maquillage, -Paul & Joe, -RMK, -Shiseido, -Shu Uemura, -Sofina, -T'Estimo, -Visée, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, readers' polls
Majolica Majorca, with cute packaging, good quality, and affordable prices, edged Shu Uemura out at the last minute to become A Touch of Blusher readers’ favorite Japanese makeup line!
Shu Uemura, one of the ultimate professional makeup brands, also captured the heart of many of you.
Lunasol, Lavshuca, and Kate (all by Kanebo) shared the third place.
Here is the full result:
What are your favorite Japanese makeup lines? (Tick all that apply!!)
(from June 27 to July 8, 2007)
Majolica Majorca (13 votes)
Shu Uemura (12 votes)Lunasol, Lavshuca, Kate (11 votes each)Paul & Joe (9 votes)Maquillage, T’Estimo, Jill Stuart, Anna Sui (8 votes each)Visee (3 votes)Aube, Ayura, RMK (2 votes each)Integrate (1 vote)
Other favorites mentioned include Inoui ID and Canmake. Great choices!!
Thanks for everyone that has voted and left comments!! There will be more polls to come. (Suggestions are welcome!)
(pictured: my Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1)
I’ve realized that, even though my blog is called A Touch of Blusher, this is actually the first time I am properly reviewing a blusher (even though I have mentioned Lavshuca’s blushers in my seasonal top-10 countdown). I promise there will be more to come. (I do have quite a few of them…)
Lavshuca’s Cheek Color is part of its summer 2007 collection. There are four different shades.
The one I got is PK-1, which is a slightly cool pink. It has that usual Lavshuca packaging. Very cute and princessy.
The finish is predominantly matte, which is what I usually go for.
The pigmentation is medium to sheer. If you love to sport very rosy cheeks, you might want to pass them up because the layering might take forever. But if you prefer a light blush on your cheeks, this would be a great choice. I’d also say this is one of those perfect daytime blusher shades. It is very natural and should go with most colors you wear.
If you happen to have both Cheek Color and Cheek Select (which Lavshuca released last year), please do let me know how they compare with each other. I have heard some negative comments on Cheek Select regarding its complete lack of pigmentation. I suspect that some people might say the same about Cheek Color. (I already know a friend of mine who did.) I am quite interested in knowing which one people prefer.
I have not tried Cheek Select but I like the Cheek Color that I have. The slightly cool pink is just right for my skin-tone and I like both the finish and the level of pigmentation.
More lovely items like this from Lavshuca, please…
(continued from the previous post)
—————#3: Guerlain————————-
The Look: Colors in Pucci style
Key Item: Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Meteorites Powder. Put the colors from the cherry-pink and turquoise powder balls onto your face to add some bright radiance. The gorgeous packaging will add some pizazz to your dressing table as well.
—————#2: Chanel————————-
The Look: Sheer beauty.
Key Items: Contraste Lumiere palettes in Aquarelles (cool tones, reviewed here) and Morderees (warm tones). With sheer and lightly shimmery shades, these are some of the best and the most wearable lip/eye palettes from Chanel in recent seasons. The Aquarelles palette is my personal favorite, while Mordorees definitely reflects the demand for the sun-goddess look every summer.
—————#1 (Winner!): Dior————————-
The Look: Polar Contrast — water and desert.
Key Item: 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette in 130 Blue Croisette. This a beautiful palette that epitomizes this season’s trend with blue eyeshadows. Adorable pastel blue shades, some cooler and some warmer, form a lovely spectrum. Great to create a subtle gradation of tones of this season’s hottest color. If you usually stay away from blue eyeshadows but are tempted to give them a go, then this palette can be a great start.
Related Posts:
Dior Summer 2007 Collection
Chanel Summer 2007 Collection
Guerlain-Pucci Collaboration for Summer 2007
Beautiful Lips — with Blue Lip Glosses?
(pictured: part of my Lavshuca stash)
As we are still getting ready for some hot weather, Lavshuca has already released news on their fall 2007 collection, in store on August 1st 2007.
See a photo of part of the collection here.
The collection features:
a new line of liquid lip colors (10 shades, seen in link above)
6 eyeshadow palettes (2 seen in link above)
1 liquid eyeliner
2 new shades of Jewelry Lips lipsticks
1 new shade of Eye Color Select palette
The attention grabber of the new collection is the revolutionary liquid lip colors, which will have a highly viscous consistency. I imagine it is between a very syrupy lip gloss and a very creamy lipstick (half-liquid and half-solid). The twist-dispenser with the delicate heart-shape opening will really showcase this consistency.
Who knows?
Some people think that the makeup and skincare innovations in Japan are at least one decade ahead of the Western counterpart*. Maybe this is the perfect formula of combining the color intensity of lipsticks and the shine of lip glosses.
Lip colors that are both highly pigmented and ultra-glossy? Can’t wait to try them!
*Next week I will talk about a certain pressed powder that has taken the Japanese market by storm.
by PJ on Sunday, May 20, 2007
in _I Love Colors, -Anna Sui, -Dior, -Kao, -Lavshuca, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics, fragrance, makeup, makeup - base makeup, skincare, stash focus
The sun is shining and you are lying on the beach, busy being lazy.
But there’s a masquerade by the sea after sunset. You have your dazzling mask and all your powder and potion to bring out your radiance. All that’s left is to find that perfect floaty summer frock, maybe in blue as well……?
—————————-
Makeup
Sofina Raycious: Glamorous Skin Powder
Lavshuca: Eye Color Select BU-1
Lavshuca: Eye Color BG-1
Dior: DiorKiss 198 Plum Tart
Dior: DiorKiss 208 Mint Lemonade
(limited edition for summer 2007)
Gerlain: Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Lip Gloss 03 Sparkling Sea
(limited edition for summer 2007)
Maybelline: Volume Express Waterproof
Fragrance
Anna Sui: Sui Dreams
Skincare
Lancome: Tonique Douceur
KissMe: Lip Care Menthol
Previous Splash of Color: New-Leaf Green
Even more Splashes of Colors to come!
(from www.guerlain.co.jp)
(from Biteki September 2007)
(from www.chanel.com)
(from Biteki September 2007)
(from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)
(from Biteki September 2007)
