-Maquillage

Spring 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Monday, March 16, 2009

in -Elégance, -Esprique (Precious), -Kosé, -Maquillage, -RMK, -Shiseido, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

Spring makeup collections tend to be my favorites as compared with collections from the rest of the year, since the colors are usually soft, fresh, and wearable. This week, I will be counting down my top ten spring 2009 makeup collections.

10. Maquillage

(Maquillage Eyes Creators 3D)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)

(Maquillage Face Creators 3D)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)

Maquillage rolled out a large collection for spring 2009, changed a few of the brand ambassadors, and modified the packaging. The collection focuses on creating dimension for the face and the facial features. The Face Creator 3D includes highlighters, contourers and a blusher and aims to create depth for the face and a delicate jawline.

9. RMK

(image from www.rmkrmk.com)

RMK‘s spring 2009 collection, Spring Translucence, is full of soft ethereal hues. The idea is to use moderately pigmented shades with a gently luminous finish to enhance the lucidity of the complexion (rather than to cover the face with opaque colors). The star item is the Translucent Cheeks & Eyes, with one warmer and one cooler variation. The other items in the collection are also well-balanced and features both warmer and cooler shades.

8. Elégance

(Elégance EyeShadows)
(image from www.elegance-cosmetics.com)

(Elégance Radiance Quartet)
(image from www.elegance-cosmetics.com)

Like Sonia Rykiel and Paul & Joe, Elégance is a French fashion line with its beauty range mainly available in Asia. I particularly like the glamorous and opulent golden cases for many of its products. (Please see my profile of the brand here.) For spring 2009, the four new Eyeshadow palettes reflect all the main seasonal color trends (pinks, purples, and neutrals). The new Radiance Quartet is among the three cheek items from Elégance that I really want to check out in person.

7. Esprique Precious

(Esprique Precious True Impact Eyes)
(image from ep-bko.com)

Usually, spring is when most Japanese brands bring out the largest point makeup collection, but Kosé’s Esprique Precious‘ spring 2009 collection is very concise and consists of four eye palettes, two lipsticks and two lip glosses. The purple eye palette (True Impact Eyes in T-3) is featured as the main item of the collection. (Please see the ad image here.) I am still a little tempted to try this palette, as the purple seems to have the right tone for my complexion.

The countdown continues in Part 2 and Part 3.

Related posts:

Spring 2009 Makeup Trend Report

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844

Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 52

RMK Water Colors Eyes in 02 Lavender

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Shiseido Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 52

by PJ on Wednesday, January 7, 2009

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

Maquillage‘s Forming Shiny Eyes was part of the line’s fall 2008 collection, which radiates an international flavor. (The collection was created in collaboration with fashion designer Christopher Kane and the ad campaign featured model Agyness Deyn.) Among the five variations, I liked the combination of purple and gold in #52 (which happened to combine two major makeup trends in fall 2008) and I received this as a birthday gift last year from a dear friend.

The product comes in a two-tier pot with a storage slot for the sponge applicator at the bottom.



The top tier has the cream base and the bottom tier has the gold and purple.


The cream base is very easy to apply with a finger. It leaves a nice veil of off-white shimmer that softly glistens (rather than glitters), and it actually looks quite pretty on its own. It can be applied from the lashline and taken all the way under the brow bone.

The gold imparts a beautiful shimmer, which doesn’t look too frosty or sparkly. (There are also some fine multi-colored particles to help the shimmer look more vibrant and dimensional.) The flattering yellow-toned gold doesn’t look too white-ish or bronzy.

The purple is a well-pigmented muted medium-to-dark shade that has less shimmer than the gold. Used as a lining shade (which is more or less what the application instructions on the packaging suggest), it frames the eyes very well.

Once, I thought I’d bring it further from my lashline, but it didn’t work well mainly because it didn’t seem to be blendable enough. Unlike the gold, which is very soft and easy to blend, the purple seems to be purposefully made to have less movement and to set more quickly. My suggestion is to only wear it close to the lashline or as a lining shade. (It does hold very well overtime.) Since the shade is less intense than most eyeliner colors, it adds a nice definition to the eyes without making the look too dramatic.

The image below shows the look that this item can create. Again, the purple is worn quite close to the lashline to define the eye contour.

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



Overall, I like this trio very much. (I almost slightly prefer it to Maquillage’s Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844.) It should be a very nice daytime item if you want something easy to wear and something effective in adding dimension to the eyes. The gold is light and fresh enough for daytime but vibrant enough to brighten the eyes, and the gold and purple make a well-coordinated pair.

For another item that has a similar color combination (though the colors are worn differently) plus a gorgeous medium lilac, please take a look at my review of Lunasol’s Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral.

Related posts:

Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Gold Variation

Maquillage Spring 2009 Point and Base Makeup Collection

A Splash of Color: More Lilting Lilac

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Shiseido Maquillage Spring 2009 Point/Base Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, November 24, 2008

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

Maquillage will release its spring 2009 point makeup collection in Japan on January 21 and base makeup collection on February 21, 2008.

The new point makeup collection includes:

– Moisture Rouge (Color-on Type): 12 shades (including 6 Clear-Fit Colors)
– Moisture Rouge (Sheer Type): 9 shades
– Lip Essence EX (lipstick base)
– Eyes Creator (3D): 5 variations
– Face Creator (3D): 4 variations
– Eye Color N (Powder): 15 shades
– Eye Color N (Cream): 10 shades (as base or eyeliner)

The cases (which include the brush/ sponge tip) of Face Creator/ Eye Color N are sold separately.

The Eyes Creator (3D) palettes include four powder eyeshadows and a cream eyeliner. (I will pay attention to VI367, presumably a lilac palette.) The Face Creators feature a blusher as well as shades to highlight and contour the face.

The new base makeup items include:

– Lasting Powdery UV (SPF 25, PA++)
– Lasting Liquid UV (SPF 25, PA++)
– Styling Keep Base UV (SPF 24, PA++)
– Concealer Stick EX (SPF 25, PA++): 3 shades

Maquillage is quite widely available in Asia. According to Nikkei Net, it is sold in Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. It will launch in China in 2009.

Related Posts:

Maquillage Holiday 2008 Collection

Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844

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Maquillage Holiday 2008 Collection

by PJ on Friday, October 17, 2008

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2008 Holiday, makeup

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

Maquillage will release its holiday 2008 collection in Japan on November 21st.

The collection will include two Jewelling Palettes, again featuring collaboration with British fashion designer Christopher Kane. Both the Noble Glamorous palette (in the gold case) and the Princess Tiara palette (in the black case) will have four eye colors and a face color.

The collection will also include:

– Dramatical Gel Liner (in RD632 and GY831 (I know “dramatical” isn’t a real English word…))


– Jewel Rich Gel (for face and body, 16g)

Related Posts:

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844

Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310

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Shiseido Beauty Book Autumn 2008

by PJ on Wednesday, August 27, 2008

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics

(Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp)

If you are interested in seeing how Maquillage‘s fall 2008 items look like when worn and the step-by-step guides to on-trend makeup looks, do head over to the Autumn 2008 edition of Shiseido’s Beauty Book Cyber Edition. The Beauty Book also features information on fall 2008 releases of many of Shiseido‘s skincare and base/point makeup lines.
(image from /www.shiseido.co.jp)

If Japanese beauty magazines are not easily available where you are, this mini site should be quite useful if you are thinking about picking up some of the items. (Even if you don’t read Japanese, I think you will enjoy the photos.)

Related Posts:

Agyness Deyn for Shiseido Maquillage

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844

Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310

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Fall 2008 Makeup Trend Report

by PJ on Wednesday, August 13, 2008

in -AQ, -Chanel, -Cosme Decorte, -Dior, -Est, -Kanebo, -Kao, -Kosé, -Lancôme, -Laura Mercier, -Lavshuca, -Lunasol, -Magie Deco, -Maquillage, -Shiseido, -SHISEIDO (Global Brand), -Shiseido The Makeup, -SUQQU, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, seasonal makeup trend reports

(image from www.chanel.com)

If there is one word that sums up the makeup trends for fall 2008, it is “warmth”. We had grey from fall 2007 and cool lilac and blue from spring 2008, and now we are greeted by opulent gold and red.

Fields of Gold

Chanel leads the pack with a collection with gold in the eye palette, lip gloss, face highlighter, and nail color. It is a decadent shade of gold, although it can be too warm for some complexions. If this is the case with you, items from Lavshuca (Grade Color Select in GD-1) and Shiseido The Makeup (Lip Gloss in G29 Mellow Gold) might suit you better.

(Lavshuca Grade Color Select in GD-1 (among swatches))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)

(Shiseido The Makeup Lip Gloss in G29 Mellow Gold)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/themakeup)

Gold is also seen in Vernis Crème de Nacres, two nail products in Lancôme‘s fall 2008 collection that are applied with a special applicator. (I am not entirely certain whether they are sold in North America, but they are already available in the UK.)

(Lancôme Vernis Crème de Nacres)
(image from www.lancome.jp)

Shades of Red

If you are fans of purples, there are still some nice shades from Givenchy, Clarins, Awake and Sonia Rykiel as these beautiful hues continue the trend in spring 2008. But many purples are taking on a much warmer tone for fall 2008 and turning into plum purples. We are also seeing shades of burgundy and red, which, just like gold, are the key shades for this fall.

For plum and burgundy, which still somewhat echo the spring trend, look into the palettes from Laura Mercier, EST, and Magie Deco:

(Laura Mercier Eye Color Trio in Mauve Sunset)
(image from www.lauramercier.com)


(EST Emotional Aura Eyes in 07)
(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)

(Magie Deco Shadow Brilliance in 021 Bordeaux Shadow)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

Apart from gold, Chanel‘s fall 2008 collection also features delicious plums in Rouge Hydrabase in Fantastic Plum and Nail Colour in Fantastic.

While warmer reds are seen in major Japanese brands (like Lunasol and SUQQU below), Dior, always a trendsetter, features a muted warm red in 5-Colour Eyeshadow in #673 Earth Tones:

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
(image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)
(Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow in 673 Earth Tones)
(image from www.sephora.com)


Mix & Match

If you love experimenting with makeup trends, why not try wearing gold and warm purples/reds to sport both trends at the same time?

(Magie Deco Pure Color in GD076 and RD470)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

(Cosme Decorte AQ Shadow Supreme in 015)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/aq)
(Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 54)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)

If reds around the eyes don’t suit you, try gold with deep cool violets. It is a beautiful and modern way to wear violets. I am thinking about trying the items below:

(Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 52)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)
(Lavshuca Dual Prism Eyes in PU-1 (among the swatches))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)

Last but not least, the two makeup looks for fall/holiday 2008 from Shiseido The Makeup epitomise the key trends for the coming seasons:

(Eyeshadow Quad Shimmer in Q11 (left) and Q12 (right))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/themakeup)

This season, I think I will be trying slightly deeper purples (than the ones I have been wearing) as well as platinum golds (not bronze golds). What about you? What shades are tempting you?

Related posts (more red, plum, and lilac):

Coffret D’Or Trance Deep Eyes in Grey Variation
(with a cool medium lilac)

NARS Fall 2008 Collection

ck Calvin Klein Fall 2008 Collection

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Maquillage Website Update

by PJ on Tuesday, July 22, 2008

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

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

Shiseido Maquillage has updated its website to include information on the fall 2008 collection.

The collection is titled Mode Mix, and the website has launched Mode Mix TV, which features a dynamic presentation of the fall collection. Check out the backstage footages of the TV commercial shoot, profiles on Christopher Kane (who collaborated with Shiseido on the collection) and Agyness Deyn, and key makeup looks modelled by all five brand ambassadors.

Related Posts:

Agyness Deyn for Maquillage Fall 2008

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844

Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310

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Shiseido Maquillage Fall 2008 Base makeup Collection

by PJ on Tuesday, July 15, 2008

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(Shiseido Maquillage fall 2008 base makeup collection)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Shiseido Maquillage will release its fall 2008 base makeup collection in Japan on August 21st. The collection includes:

– Climax Moisture Liquid (8 shades, SPF 12 PA+)
– Perfect Remake Compact (3 shades, SPF 15 PA+, case and puff sold separately)
– Moisture Retouch Gel (moisturizing primer)

The collection will also feature a foundation case designed by British fashion designer Christopher Kane, who collaborated with Shiseido for Maquillage’s fall 2008 makeup collection. (The case takes rectangular refills from the existing Maquillage powder foundations, not those from the new Perfect Remake Compact.)

Related Posts:

Agyness Deyn for Maquillage Fall 2008

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844

Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310

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Agyness Deyn for Shiseido Maquillage

by PJ on Saturday, June 14, 2008

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Agyness Deyn for Shiseido Maquillage Fall 2008)
(image from Shiseido via www.iswii.net)

On an earlier post, I mentioned that British model Agyness Deyn will join the four Japanese brand ambassadors for Maquillage‘s fall 2008 campaign. The collection features collaboration with British fashion designer Christopher Kane, including 6 of the 12 new shades of Lasting Climax Rouge.

Here is the first look at one of the ad images, featuring two fall 2008 items, Forming Shiny Eyes in 55 and Lasting Climax Rouge in BE305. According to Iswii, Agyness Deyn will continue to appear on Maquillage’s seasonal collection ads.

Apart from the new Lasting Climax Rouge shades, the Maquillage fall 2008 collection will also include Forming Shiny Eyes (5 variations), Designer Cheek Colors (two shades), and Soft Brow Liner (3 shades.)

The collection will be released in Japan on July 21st. Later, on August 21st, a new powder foundation case designed by Christopher Kane will be released.

Related Posts:

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes in SV844

Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310

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Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310

by PJ on Wednesday, May 28, 2008

in -Maquillage, -Shiseido, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - lip color, stash focus

(Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310)

Since I tried Maquillage‘s Clean Contrast Eyes in SV844, I had wanted to try something else from the line. I decided to go for one of their lipsticks and picked up Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310, from Maquillage’s spring 2008 lineup.

RS310 is medium warm rose and goes on a little more vibrant. It has a natural and slightly glossy finish. It goes on easily and the color and finish last well. While it is not the most moisturizing lipstick I have, it is not drying. (So far, my SUQQU lipstick is probably the most moisturizing lipstick I’ve had.)

I was expecting the Lasting Climax Rouge range to be quite sheer, and I was surprised by the medium pigmentation level when I tried the sample card, which contained five shades (but didn’t contain RS310). RS310 also has a medium color pay-off, while its pigmentation level is slightly lower than that of Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge Color.

In terms of the finish, compared with Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge Color and Lavshuca Jewelry Lips, this one is slightly glossier and has a tad more micro-shimmer. But it doesn’t have a frosty/metallic finish, which I don’t like.

Shade-wise, it is lighter, warmer and slightly more vivid than Coffret D’Or Full Styling Rouge Color in RS-241 and Lavshuca Jewelry Lips in PK-1. It is quite a girlie color.

Overall, as an RS (Rose) shade, Lasting Climax Rouge in RS310 is relatively vibrant, and I feel it is more of a cool PK (Pink) shade than a typical RS shade from Japanese brands. (Many RS shades I have seen are more muted.) I personally prefer to wear it for the evening (without layering it too much). For daytime, I simply gently dab it on for a mild stained look.

For another review (written in Chinese, with this very shade worn on lips), please check out this post.

Updated on June 6th, 2008:

Please check out the review of RD359 on Autumn Masquerade.


————

Thoughts on photographing lipsticks: I have personally observed that capturing the actual color of a lipstick is a lot trickier than showing that of, for example, an eyeshadow. I think it is because the lipstick itself is more dimensional. A friend of mine commented that it might also be because it is in a semi-liquid form. (Interestingly, I don’t really have this issue with lip glosses. Maybe it is because they are inside solid containers.) The lipstick color in the photo you see above is closest to its actual color under sunlight. (I don’t tend to digitally fine-tune color, brightness, or contrast of my photos for my reviews.)

The two photos below are taken within minutes of the one above. As you can see, in terms of the lipstick color, the first one looks slightly warmer (than the one above), while the second one looks darker and cooler.



(You can see that, in the second one, less light is reflected back to the camera and the lipstick shade looks darker. When it comes to photographing other makeup items, there is usually not this degree of difference (when the amount of light reflected back to the camera slightly varies).)

Based on my experiences, I have also come to understand why a lipstick (in the container, not worn on a model’s lips), compared with other makeup items, can look so different in different magazines or even in different features in the same issue of a magazine.

————

Other Shiseido-Related Posts:

Maquillage Summer 2008 Collection

Can’t Live Without – ZA Two-Way Foundation

Budget Princess: Majolica Majorca


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