by PJ on Wednesday, November 18, 2009
in -Cosme Decorte, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kosé, -Lunasol, -Magie Deco, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10
(continued from Part 1 & Part 2)
3. Jill Stuart
(image from www.iswii.com)
(image from www.iswii.com)
Jill Stuart’s fall 2009 items include the seasonal additions plus the 5th anniversary collection. The 5th anniversary collection items are certainly worth collecting but the packaging of some of the items can look a little fussy. Among the fall additions, I particularly like the new Seductive Eyes palette, which has some nice warm neutrals. There are also two new variations of the popular Mix Blush Compact.
2. Magie Deco
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)
I didn’t pay too much attention to Magie Deco’s fall 2009 collection until I saw the full lineup in the September 2009 issue of Biteki and some of the Shadow Brilliance II palettes being featured in the following issue. I actually like almost all the variations, and LC028 Lovable Muse, with lilac and green, is quite an unusual color combination in Japanese cosmetics.
This might surprise you, but the Shadow Brilliance II palette that has really grabbed my attention is DC025 Foxy Lady, not DC026 Real Madonna. The light-to-medium neutrals look very soft, wearable, and sophisticated. If I decide to pick up more neutral shades, I might seriously consider this palette.
1. Lunasol
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
For me, it has been quite a good year for Lunasol. Last fall, I didn’t really warm to Lunasol’s red-toned collection, which wasn’t among my seasonal top ten then. This year, I like all of Lunasol’s seasonal collections (including the holiday 2009 collection), and, with the fall 2009 collection, the idea of capturing the changes of light from dusk to dawn appeals to me a lot.
Overall, Lunasol’s eyeshadow palettes for this year are relatively understated in terms of color and shimmer (especially when they are compared with palettes from previous series such as Geminate Eyes and Sheer Contrast Eyes). In a way, they are similar to palettes from Lunasol’s early days, but it seems that shimmer will be back for spring 2010.
My holiday 2009 top ten will be posted next month.
Related posts (on spring 2010 collections):
Coffret D’Or
Aube Couture
Esprique Precious
(continued from Part 1)
6. Lavshuca
(Light Mix Eyes palettes)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)
As I mentioned before, Lavshuca has been placing its brand emphasis on lip products in the last few seasons. The new Full Balloon Rouge for fall 2009 aims to make lips appear fuller and reduce vertical lip lines. The new Light Mix Eyes palettes look very easy to wear, and I think there might be other color variations to be released next year. (There are two new Dual Prism Eyes variations and one new Grade Color Eyes variation this season.)
5. Helena Rubinstein
(www.helenarubinstein.com)
I am still not pleased with the fact that Helena Rubinstein is no longer available in the UK. (Have a look at my Bring It Back! post on Helena Rubinstein.) Every now and then, there are products in its seasonal collections that I really want to try. In fall 2009, Helena Rubinstein is among the very few brands whose new lip glosses reflect the current purple trend, as two of the four new Wanted Gloss shades are purple-toned.
4. Three
(image from www.threecosmetics.com)
by PJ on Tuesday, November 3, 2009
in -Addiction, -Dior, -Kosé, -Paul & Joe, -YSL, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10
A couple of weeks ago, I presented the Fall 2009 Makeup Trend Round-Up. Today, I start the countdown of my favorite fall 2009 makeup collections. I hope you will enjoy these posts.
10. Addiction
(image from www.addiction-beauty.com)
I think Kosé’s Addiction is one of the most exciting launches in Japanese cosmetics this year. As many of the mainstream Japanese makeup lines aim to be as wearable as possible, Addiction is a lot edgier, with items like various black eyeshadows that help create intense smoky eyes.
(image from www.addiction-beauty.com)
The launch lineup is very coherent and looks quite warm-toned to me, and I look forward to seeing their spring 2010 collection.
9. YSL
(image from www.ysl.com)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)
Among the items in YSL’s fall 2009 makeup collection, I like the Ombres 5 Lumières in 18 (above, Japanese release) and the limited-edition Cream Blush. The Cream Blush has more of a mousse texture, which is a pleasant surprise. It appeals to me more than blushers with a cream texture, as I think mousse blushers are easier to apply and blend. They also tend to look velvety/semi-matte (which I like) rather than shiny.
8. Dior
(image from www.iswii.net)
(image from www.iswii.net)
Dior’s seasonal makeup collections are usually great trend indicators, and the fall 2009 collection is no exception. The collection features purples, plums, pinks, and greys for the eyes and warm-toned shades for the lips. The 5-Color Eyeshadow in 173 Night Butterfly (above) has virtually all the seasonal trends in one compact.
The Dior Jazzclub palettes look very chic but they don’t wow me as much as many of Dior’s past seasonal limited-edition items. Otherwise, Dior would place higher on my list.
7. Paul & Joe
(image from www.iswii.com)
I think Paul & Joe’s seasonal makeup collections are always worth looking forward to, particularly the items with the original prints by the designer behind the brand, Sophie Albou. While I am not as crazy about the prints from this collection as I was about some of the previous ones, I like the new design of the eyeshadow cases, which have an oval shape instead of the usual round shape. Paul & Joe doesn’t do loud colors, and the eyeshadows for this season are soft, elegant, and wearable as usual.
(image from www.iswii.com)
(continued from Part 1 & Part 2)
3. Jill Stuart
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)
Jill Stuart’s summer 2009 collection includes a new Illuminance Eyes palette as well as items for lips and nails, but I am particularly interested in the new Jelly Eye Color N.
Jill Stuart’s (original) Jelly Eye Color is among the brand’s most popular products, but I have never tried it. (I much prefer powder eyeshadows.) Now that Jelly Eye Color N features an even more princessy packaging, there is almost no reason for me not to try at least one of the shades.
2. Lunasol
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
Lunasol’s summer 2009 collection continues the Floral Purification theme from spring. The plumeria series includes warm neutrals while the hibiscus series features vibrant cool pinks. The EX02 Summer Pink Gradation from the hibiscus series may be the last vibrant eye palette from Lunasol before fall’s slightly more sombre Stardrop Purification collection sets the scene for the rest of the year.
1. Coffret D’Or
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)
Coffret D’Or’s summer 2009 collection is quite a sizable one, with a new lipstick range (Juicy Memory Rouge, 12 shades) and a new palette series (Color Mixing Eyes, 5 variations) among other items. Also, the early summer 2009 collection includes 8 new nail colors.
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)
(continued from Part 1)
6. Majolica Majorca
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mj)
I have not been paying a lot of attention to Majolica Majorca’s seasonal collections in the last couple of years, as the new items generally don’t excite me. But the new Jewelling Eyes, featuring a nice range of palettes, did catch my eye. The color combinations are on the basic side, but the wearability of them will always appeal to me.
5. Maquillage
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)
Maquillage’s summer 2009 collection is, in a way, a typical summer makeup collection from Japanese brands, with colorful eyeliners and mascaras as well as a collection of nail colors. Two more Eyes Creator 3D palettes (limited editions) join the five launched in spring. The one in GD831 (left in photo), among all the seven palettes, appeals to me the most. I also like the limited-edition gold and silver cases for the two palettes. (I wish they were not limited editions so that I could have more time to think about whether to get GD831…)
4. Sonia Rykiel
(image from www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com)
The weather in the UK in the last couple of weeks has been pleasantly warm on the whole, so it seems to be a good time to count down my favorite summer 2009 makeup collections. (Let’s hope that the good weather will continue.)
10. Paul & Joe
(image from www.paul-joe-beaute.com)
Paul & Joe’s summer 2009 collection captures the beach holiday feel with gold-toned neutrals and soft cool pinks for eyes, lips and nails. The wearable colors have a subtly vibrant look, and I like the limited-edition champagne gold packaging.
9. Dior
(image from www.dior.com)
With the launch of the Lilas Addict collection (in some countries) and the new 5-Color Design Eyeshadow palettes, Dior’s summer 2009 collection seems a little drowned among all the new products. The seasonal star item, Dior Cristal Shine, is a slight disappointment for me, since it doesn’t have the luxurious feel that many of Dior’s past star items have. The real stars of this collection for me are the two 5-Color Iridescent Eyeshadow palettes. The cool-toned iridescent shades look vivid and edgy.8. RMK
(image from www.rmkrmk.com)
RMK’s renewal collection was released in time for summer 2009. I like the fact that the 35 shades of Ingenious Powder Eyes are categorized into five groups: DR (Dark), BR (Brown), P (Pearly), SH (Shimmery), and ME (Metallic). I particularly like the dimensional finish of the SH shades I tested at the counter. Also, if you like very sparkly eyeshadows, the ME shades are a must-see. They are seriously sparkly. (They are definitely more sparkly than metallic.)
7. Elégance
(image from www.elegance-cosmetics.com)
Many Japanese beauty brands release colorful items for summer, and Elégance’s summer 2009 collection is a good example. The new Lustre Crush Eyes looks very lovely. (Many Japanese consumers seem to see blue and green as summer colors for eyes.) Since it is not a limited-edition item, I am hoping that there will be more shades in the future.
Please check out Part 2 and Part 3.
Related posts:
Spring 2009 Makeup Top 10: Part One, Two & Three
(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)
by PJ on Thursday, March 19, 2009
in -Aube (Couture), -Kanebo, -Kao, -Lavshuca, -Sofina, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10
(continued from Part 1)
6. Max Factor
(image from www.maxfactor.jp)
Many of the Max Factor releases in Asia are very different from those in the west. In the case of the spring 2009 collection, these colorful palettes have a particularly Japanese feel and look very much like the tone-on-tone palettes that have constantly been brought out by Japanese brands. (The purple-toned palette reminds me of my Lunasol Lavender Coral.)
Do check this post for a great review of the green-toned palette (with swatches of all the palettes). The writer pointed out the improvement in the powder’s pigmentation level and lasting power. (The low pigmentation level from previous releases was mentioned by one reader under my initial post on this collection.)
5. Lavshuca
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)
“Cute” is still the best word to describe Lavshuca‘s makeup, but I do like the fact that the brand doesn’t try to be overly girlie. (The plum cases look quite elegant.) The spring 2009 collection includes a new range of lipsticks and eye palettes. I nearly decided to get Grade Color Eyes in PU-1 (top right in the photo above), but the colors are a little too pale and don’t seem warm enough for me. On the other hand, I am still interested in trying the new Finish Powder.
4. Aube Couture
(Aube Couture Designing Eyes)
(image from www.sofina.co.jp/aube)
I wasn’t really a big fan of Aube’s last few collections, but the new Aube Couture‘s debut collection got my attention. A lot of design went into some of the items to make them as user-friendly as possible. (Please see this post for examples and more discussion.) I’d think that the packaging was still kept very simple so that it wouldn’t overtake the actual design features, and Aube Couture certainly gets extra points from making makeup application a little bit easier for us.
The countdown continues in Part 3.
Related posts:
Aube Couture Summer 2009 Collection
Lavshuca Summer 2009 Collection
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)
(continued from Part 1 and Part 2)
Happy Holiday everyone! Today I will conclude my holiday 2008 makeup countdown.
3. Paul & Joe
(image from www.paul-joe-beaute.com)
I do like an abundant holiday collection, and Paul & Joe shows us how to bring out one. The collection includes a good range of makeup items as well as fragrance and body products. I saw these items in person last month, and both the Eye Gloss and Pearl Powder have a beautiful finish.
2. Guerlain
(image from www.guerlain.co.jp)
I think Guerlain’s 2008 holiday collection, with the beautiful silvery lilac cases and some gorgeous shades, is even more stunning than last year’s gold-themed collection. I like all the shades in the eye palette, but, in order to stay under my annual makeup budget, I decided not to buy it. But I might see it again in the summer/winter sale next year. (I found it surprising that I still saw items from Guerlain’s Pucci collection (from summer 2007) at the summer sale this year…)
(In Japan, the lipstick and the eye palette above are sold as a set, with a limited-edition clutch bag.)
1. Dior
Dior’s seasonal star item is always among the makeup products I look forward to the most, and this year Dior has done it again. Even though last year’s DiorLight pendant is equally nice and sparkly, I find it hard to display with its wobbly round shape and the non-detachable strap. (So it is stored in my makeup drawer at the moment). Not this compact, which is displayed next to some of my other Dior stash.
The rest of the collection, including some eye-catching palettes, is just as beautiful. The two 5-color eye palettes have also been selling well in the UK. I am quite sure that, in 2009, Dior’s new releases will still be worth waiting for.
Related posts:
Spring 2009 collections from:
Paul & Joe
Guerlain
Dior
(image from www.iswii.com)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
