makeup – lip color

(Lavshuca Christmas 2007 Makeup Palette)

I have written about my first impression of this palette when I heard about it and upon receiving it. Now that I have tested the colors, I can share with you more of my thoughts. (But I haven’t tried the lip color yet because I don’t want to mess up the heart shape…)

(No, I still haven’t put them in the case…)

The palette includes three eyeshadows, a lip color, and a lip gloss. The eyeshadow shade I like the best is the shimmery white one on the left. It is fairly well-pigmented with nice multi-color shimmer and it joins my white-eyeshadow lineup as a major member.

The pink in the middle appears to be very pale when it goes on and it doesn’t look very different from the white shade. The only two differences between the two are that the texture of the pink one seems chalkier and that it has less shimmer.

The dark shade at the right is a dark charcoal grey that works well as an eyeliner and for a smoky-eye effect. It has some sparkles but they don’t look obvious when it goes on.

The lip gloss looks very pretty in the container, again with multi-color shimmer. But the shimmer looks much more subtle when applied. I was trying to layer it to see if I could create a glossy finish, but it doesn’t seem possible. The finish is similar to that of a shiny lip balm, as it imparts a very natural sheen, which looks more balmy than watery.

As I mentioned before, holiday palettes (especially those from Japanese brands) are mostly about packaging and wearability. In terms of these two, this palette has done well. (Plus it is relatively affordable.) I am sure there are people who think the shades are not very interesting. But, for me, I will always consider picking up nice wearable shades which are beautifully packaged. Overall this is a nice little gem to have.

Related Posts:

Chanel Contraste Lumière Palette
(great palette for eyes and lips)

Loving Japanese Brands: Lavshuca
(my personal take on the successful Kanebo line)

Lavshuca Cheek Color
(Need a blusher to go with the palette?)

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(Paul & Joe Lip Gloss N in 001 Black-Tie,
part of Paul & Joe’s Christmas 2007 collection)

We all know that makeup items very often look disappointingly less impressive than how they appear on glossy fashion magazines. But this lip gloss is one of those welcome surprises.

Paul & Joe Lip Gloss N in 001 Black-Tie is part of the limited-edition Holiday 2007 Collection, titled Invitation.

(Paul & Joe Holiday 2007 collection: Invitation)
(image from www.paul-joe-beaute.com/en/index.html)

(Paul & Joe Lip Gloss N)
(image from www.paul-joe-beaute.com/en/index.html)

What grabbed my attention (and the reason it looks much better in person) is the multi-color shimmer. It has pink, yellow, green, and lilac shimmer. It also has very little blue-ish shimmer which is in a warm turquoise-y shade.

The shimmery particles look beautiful, but I won’t describe them as very delicate since they are just a little bit larger than those in some of my other glosses. But they are not glittery at all and are very fitful for the holiday season.

Upon seeing the photo on the Paul & Joe website for the first time, I thought the shade might be too dark for my liking and that I would not want to wear it. (I tend to prefer lip glosses that are not too densely pigmented.) But it is actually a very nicely and delicately pigmented shade (not too sheer) with subtle transparency.

The only thing I can imagine that might bother some people is that the texture of the gloss is slightly more liquidy than some of my other glosses. When it is on my lips, occasionally it travels just a little bit. I avoid it simply by not over-layering it too much.

Overall I love this gloss, and it is now among my favorites. I will surely be reviewing some of my other lip gloss favorites later on, so do stay tuned!

Related Posts (for Paul & Joe lovers):

Loving Japanese Brands: Paul & Joe
(my personal take on Paul & Joe)

Paul & Joe Holiday 2006 Collection

(with stunning hummingbird prints)

Related Posts (for lip gloss lovers):

Sony Curvy Lips Silicone
(million-selling lip gloss…for a reason)

Beautiful Lips…with Blue Lip Glosses?
(See all the great things they can do for you.)

DiorLight Jewelled Makeup Necklace
(sparking inside and out)


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(Lavshuca Holiday 2007 Palette)

I just got my Lavshuca holiday 2007 palette a couple of days ago. The first thing I did was to take some photos so I could show you this cute palette.

I have not actually used it yet. (Unlike the DiorLight necklace that I also just got, I WILL be using this.) I will post a review after I have used the eyeshadows and the lip colors.

I was surprised to find that all the bits were outside the case when I received this. This is Lavshuca’s first eye-and-lip palette so they seem to be having a bit of fun with it. Also, since the case is not transparent, it makes sense to present everything like this so the customers in the drugstores can instantly see all the colors and the front of the case. Overall I like the whole presentation.

The case is made of cardboard but it is relatively sturdy.

(the case and the colors presented separately)

(Complete the puzzle!)


Obviously all the bits go into the case. But, I think perhaps some people will be quite happy just to leave them where they are so everything can be displayed as it is in the cute box. Umm…it is not a bad idea actually……



Related posts:

Straight onto my Shopping List: Lavshuca Holiday 2007 Palette
(my first impression of the palettes along with the new lip glosses)

Chanel Contraste Lumière Palette
(another great eye-and-lip palette)

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(Dior DiorLight Jewelled Makeup Necklace for the Lips)

Priced at 54 pounds in the UK (about 112 USD), it is not cheap. But since I had enough Boots advantage points and I really liked the look of this necklace, I decided to use my points on this after it was launched in Boots on November 6th. (It was launched in some department stores earlier.) So I didn’t spend any money on this.

(I will write another post later on to explain to my readers outside the UK how the popular and uniquely generous Boots Advantage Point system works.)

Here, Dior’s seasonal limited-edition items are usually priced at 35 pounds (about 73 USD). I suppose this one is pricier because of the Swarovski crystals used on the pendant (not on the “Dior” logo though).

The gloss comes in two choices, pink and beige. (Only the beige is available in the US.) I picked the prettier pink one.

(the “default” pink)


As I mentioned in my initial report on the various Christmas 2007 collections, this pendant is larger than what I expected. The total length of the necklace is about 82 cm. It comes with a black draw-string pouch for storage and protection.

The lip gloss is what I call a “default” pink, a universally wearable pink with some shimmer that should suit most people.

Having said that, I will probably not use it, as it joins my permanent Dior collection…

Related posts:

Dior Pretty Charm
(Dior Holiday 2006 item)

Diorissime Palette
(Dior Fall 2007 item…this one I am happily using……)


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(Sofina Aube Astral Rouge)

Sofina Aube Astral Rouge lip palette is among the first holiday items I have ever purchased, back in 2000. (Obviously I have not been using it for quite some time. But this very pretty item will always be among my permanent collection.)

(Sofina Aube’s original navy blue packaging)


Sofina Aube has gone through at least three major packaging overhauls, and the packaging of this palette reflects what Aube (Sofina’s color makeup line) used to look like around 2000, with a deep navy blue color scheme. (I do have to say I prefer the Aube packaging back in the “old” days…)

(loving the shades…and the star)


The palette includes four lip colors (wearable pink shades with various tones) and two lip glosses (a very sheer pink with minimal shimmer and a pearly white with more intense shimmer).

This palette does bring back memories of the occasions where I had some of these shades on. It is interesting that some of my makeup purchases punctuate the various phases in my life. I know it sounds slightly silly and overly sentimental, but I am sure you know what I mean.

I will bring you more of my past holiday items every now and then. But if you want more of them now, do stop by Musings of a Muse for some more past holiday delights.

Related Posts:

Holiday 2006 Items
(See what made the cut last year.)

Holiday 2007 Items
(See them at a glance!)

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(Nina Ricci Cosmetics seasonal looks)

I think most of you might still remember the curvy and quirky original packaging of Nina Ricci‘s makeup and skincare items. It was fairly cute but I wasn’t particularly a fan of that. But, around 2002, the packaging went through an overhaul and personally I think it came out so much better. Using both reflective and frosty finishes, the new look was sleek and modern.

The two items I have from the revamped range were the Tender Lacquered Lipglaze in #2 Rose Jupon and Extension Lashwear in #01 (black). The Extension Lashwear mascara does a good job in separating and defining the lashes, while the lipglaze is one of the best lip glosses I have ever used thanks to the richness of the color and the syrupy and glassy finish.

(my two Nina Ricci items)

What I also like about the new Nina Ricci makeup line is that each season they released a beautiful seasonal look. Like the packaging, the seasonal looks were modern and with a slight editorial edge which varied from season to season. Each seasonal look was on a leaflet featuring the key items. The styling of the leaflets was consistent, which made it fun to collect and compare them. You can see some of the beautiful seasonal looks above.

Sadly, Nina Ricci left the UK a couple of years ago. (Now only the fragrances are sold here.) The website is functioning but the beauty section has not been updated for a long time. It makes me wonder whether they are still coming up with new items in other countries. I don’t think so, but if you have any information on Nina Ricci where you are, I’d be very interested to know!

Some other “Bring It Back!” Posts:

Inoui ID
Cynthia Rowley
Bulgari Skincare (which IS coming back!)
Helena Rubinstein
Calvin Klein Cosmetics (which has come back!!)

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(FACE Atelier lipsticks in Pink Sizzle (front)
and Pink Cashmere (back))

Out of the 7 mini lipstick collections of FACE Atelier, Rhapsody in Pink is a collection of five pink-based lipsticks.

Both Pink Cashmere and Pink Sizzle are richly-pigmented. Pink Cashmere is a girlie peachy pink that goes on slightly cooler and has a frosty finish, while Pink Sizzle is a glamorous cherry magenta that has a very smooth and velvety matte finish.


(Left: Pink Cashmere; Right: Pink Sizzle)
(from www.faceatelier.com)


I personally prefer Pink Sizzle, simply because the finish is more versatile. (On my lips, a frosty lipstick will always only look frosty.) Just putting it on will create a velvety matte finish. Blotting the lips with a tissue makes the finish completely matte (while the intense pigment is retained). Layering on a clear gloss makes the magenta even more electrifying.

In October 2007, FACE Atelier is donating 20% of the sales of the Rhapsody in Pink lipstick collection to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

More lipsticks?

Lavshuca Jewelry Lips
(the cutest little lipsticks ever)

Rich and Creamy: Milani Lipsticks
(great shades at even greater prices)

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(Bella Il Fiore Powder Room)
(from bellabeauty.net)


Considering the size of
Bella Il Fiore‘s Powder Room (10.5cm x 9.5cm x 6.5cm), the fact that there are 6 lip colors, 4 blushers, and 9 eyeshadows is fairly impressive. Apart from that, all the compartments fit snugly together and never feel fiddly.

It comes in a matching pink/black box (right):

(love the packaging…)

(all out in display)


The 6 lip glosses are my favorites in this set. They have a glassy vinyl finish and last well. All shades have understated shimmer and fair color density (not too sheer). I like the fact that the selection includes both warmer and cooler shades.

(six lip glosses)

The blushers are velvety and well-pigmented. They all have shimmer but it is not too over-powering. Some of these shades are good for bronzing and shading as well.

(the blushers)

The easy-to-wear eyeshadows are also smooth and pretty well-pigmented. The only matte shade is the cream-white toward bottom right. All others have fine shimmer. All the shades go on as they are in the pans, except that the olive (upper right) goes on much greyer.

(the eyeshadows)

Overall, this set should work for people with both warm and cool skin-tones, although the blushers will work much better for warm skin-tones and I would love to see one cool pink blusher among the four. Other than that, this nicely packaged set is versatile and is suitable for both daytime and evening. I have been enjoying playing with all the shades (as well as opening and closing all the drawers)!

Related Posts (some of my favorite palettes):

Dior Diorissime Palette

Lavshuca Eyecolor Select in PU-2

Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes in 04 Gem Amethyst

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(Les 4 Camélias de Chanel)
(photo from www.chanel.com)


No, I won’t be buying this…not because I don’t like Chanel or because I don’t like the look of this palette.

It is quite the opposite. Chanel is one of my favorite brands for makeup. I love the low-key and glamorous packaging and I enjoy using their items.

I adore this palette as well. The beautiful colors, in the shape of feminine and delicate camellias, are wearable for most people.

*BUT*, the second my lip brush is dipped into the colors, I won’t have all the four perfect camellias anymore! Sigh. As much as I want to keep looking at them, I want to use them too! So I will just have to satisfy myself by looking at the photo here…

Relate posts:

Chanel: The Perfect Black
(my take on Chanel cosmetics)

Chanel Contrast Lumième Palette in Aquarelles
(I don’t have a problem with this beautiful palette. I am happily using this.)

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(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

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