-Sofina

Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Sofina Beauté

by PJ on Friday, April 17, 2009

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Kao, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics, skincare

(image from www.sofina.co.jp/beaute)

A few readers have requested that I highlight one of Sofina’s latest skincare ranges, Sofina Beauté. Here is a brief profile of the line, which I hope would be helpful for you.

Sofina Beauté was launch in January 2008. It is positioned as Sofina’s anti-aging skincare range for those in their 30s and 40s. (Meanwhile, Vital Rich is targeted at those in their 40s, and Grace Sofina is marketed towards those in their 50s and beyond.)

The main claim of the line is that the products are formulated to improve the penetration of the ingredients and to be able to reach the “core” of the skin. According the press release from Kao, some of the ingredients in the products are ginger extract, citron extract, and eucalyptus extract.

The range features a full lineup of basic skincare products, which include:

– four makeup removers (oil, cream, gel, and foam)
– two face washes (foaming and non-foaming)
– four toners (I being the least emollient and IV being the most emollient)
– one skin-firming serum
– four night-time moisturizers (three emulsions and one cream)
– four daytime moisturizers (two with SPF 24, PA+++ and two with SPF 50, PA+++)
– eye mask sheets

The prices of the products are similar to those of the existing Sofina skincare products. (The night-time emulsion is 3675 JPY (about 37 USD).)

I haven’t tried products from this range so I don’t really have any first-hand experience. One reason is the alcohol, which is a recurring issue with many Japanese skincare products. (You can see the ingredient lists of the night-time emulsion (II) and the makeup removal cream here and here. The emulsion has too much alcohol and my skin will certainly not be able to tolerate the product.) I have not had a chance to see all the ingredient lists so I don’t know precisely which other products also contain alcohol.

If you have had a chance to try products from Sofina Beauté, do please leave your comment and let us know what you think of them. Thank you very much!

Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Kanebo Freeplus

Skincare Genre Focus: Whitening Products

Can’t Live Without – RMK Cleansing Oil

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Spring 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 2)

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.

Aube Couture Summer 2009 Collection

Lavshuca Summer 2009 Collection

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Aube Couture Summer 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, March 2, 2009

in -Aube (Couture), -Kao, -Sofina, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics

(images and info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Aube Couture will release its summer 2009 makeup collection in Japan on April 11. The collection will include:

– Cream & Liner Shadow (6 shades, limited editions)
– Designing Gloss (6 shades)

User-Friendly Makeup: Aube Couture

Holiday Flashback: Aube Astral Rouge

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User-Friendly Makeup: Aube Couture

by PJ on Wednesday, December 31, 2008

in -Aube (Couture), -Kao, -Sofina, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images from www.sofina.co.jp/aube)

When Raycious was no longer releasing new products, I thought it was possible that Sofina would go down the route that Shiseido, Kanebo, and Kosé did and come up with a mega-brand that carries both base and point makeup. (At the time, Maquillage has already proven to be successful, and consumers continued to embrace Coffret D’Or in 2008.)

Then came news of Primavista in July, Raycious’ successor, and I wasn’t sure if Sofina would actually do anything with Aube. Later, we heard about the launch of Aube Couture in December, and everything seems to be in place for the moment.

Nothing seems very different…the name, the spokespersons, or the look of the products. So where is the identity of Aube Couture?

Product design is a huge strength in Japanese consumer goods. When we think of electronic products such as mobile phones and digital cameras and simple stationary items, it is all about those nice touches that make the products user-friendly and intuitive to use.

Every day, there are people new to makeup who find the application a little daunting. Aube Couture’s products are designed with them in mind. They are designed to make makeup application easy, efficient, and effortless.

Some Japanese makeup lines include an eye chart for eye palettes (like the one for Coffret D’Or’s 3D Lighting Eyes), but Aube Couture goes one step further. The color layout of the new Designing Eyes palettes shows where each shade goes on the lid (apart from the lining shade on the right), so we are looking at the colors and the eye chart at the same time.

I also like the design of Designing Cheek. The powder is pressed into a (roughly) half-cylinder shape. When the brush goes over the powder, the center of the brush picks up more powder than the two ends. This should make it easier to achieve a natural, flawless and dimensional finish, and it can especially help those who find blending a little tricky.

Over the last few years, Kao, among other Japanese beauty companies, has done well in coming up with new concepts and connecting with consumers on different levels, from the blue-based particles in Raycious to Est’s philosophy of emotional beauty. Now Sofina shows that a makeup range with a “couture” concept doesn’t need to carry hundreds of shades. Instead, the products give consumers the confidence and comfort in knowing that they can create a beautiful makeup look on their own.

I wonder what Japanese makeup brands will have to offer in 2009? In the meantime, I wish all of you a very happy New Year!

Remembering Raycious

Primavista Powder Foundation Moist Touch

Primavista Spring/Summer Base Makeup Collection

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Sofina Primavista Spring/Summer 2009 Base Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, December 22, 2008

in -Kao, -Primavista, -Sofina, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

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

Sofina Primavistawill release its spring/summer 2009 base makeup collection in Japan on February 21st. The lineup includes:– Powder Foundation Long Keep (SPF 25, PA++)

– Liquid Foundation (SPF 25, PA ++)

– Clear Cover Base (SPF 20, PA ++)

– Concealer Spots Cover (SPF 27, PA++)

– Face Powder Keep & Reset (SPF 15, PA++)

Primavista’s first powder foundation from fall/winter 2008, Powder Foundation Moist Touch, doesn’t really suit me due to its glowy finish. I am expecting the Fresh Keep version to have a somewhat similar (or very slightly less glowy) finish and better sebum control.

The new Face Powder reminds me of the very first version of Raycious’ pressed powder, which has a very good matte flesh-toned powder and a highlighter. I will be putting the new Primavista version on my spring 2009 shopping list and I am hoping that it works just as well.

Updated on February 17th, 2015:

Read my review of Face Powder (Keep & Reset).

Sofina Primavista Creamy Compact Foundation

Sofina Raycious Foundation Case Galore

Holiday Flashback – Sofina Aube Astral Rouge

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Aube Couture Launches in December

by PJ on Friday, November 14, 2008

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Aube (Couture), -Kao, -Sofina, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from www.sofina.co.jp)

Some of you might already know that Sofina’s makeup line, Aube, will be discontinued in December and replaced by Aube Couture on December 6th.

This is a somewhat similar overhaul to the ones that Shiseido and Kanebo had with PN and T’Estimo. But, with Primavista just launched, Aube Couture will probably not be a megabrand like Maquillage or Coffret D’Or. (Both feature base as well as point makeup items.)

For me, this is a very similar packaging update that Aube has done every two or three years. But the new name does suggest that customers will be able to choose shades that really suit and flatter their facial features.

The new packaging looks slightly more grown-up than the look of the current Aube. Again, this is the same case with Maquillage (from PN) and Coffret D’Or (from T’Estimo).

Currently, the Aube Couture page on the Sofina website only has information on the new lipstick range, Designing Rouge. But you can see an image of the five Designing Eyes palettes on the Biteki website. (I am liking the thicker cases.) According to Voce, Aube Couture’s launch lineup will also feature blushers, mascaras, eyeliners, eyebrow pencils, and a bi-phase makeup remover.

I am looking forward to seeing more images of the products, and I might think about picking up a few later on.

Remembering Raycious

Primavista Powder Foundation Moist Touch

Holiday Flashback: Sofina Aube Astral Rouge

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Sofina Primavista Powder Foundation Moist Touch

by PJ on Monday, October 13, 2008

in -Kao, -Primavista, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation

(Sofina Primavista Powder Foundation Moist Touch:
Ochre 03 (left) and Ochre 05)

On September 1st, Sofina‘s Primavista was officially launched as Raycious went into history. Since Raycious had a solid fan base, I think many people have been looking forward to seeing how Primavista will live up to the expectation.

I received trial samples of Powder Foundation Moist Touch and the two primers (Smooth Coat Base and Bright Up Base) some time ago, and today I am sharing my thoughts on the foundation. (I will probably talk about the primers later.)

In short, if you like Raycious powder foundations (especially the later versions), you probably won’t have problems liking this one.

Regardless of how the powder is formulated and the new technologies involved in the production, Primavista’s first powder foundation performs similarly to ones from Raycious, in good ways and bad.

Generally, you will see the same strengths that made Raycious so popular. The staying power is very good and the color of the foundation does not turn dull overtime and pretty much lasts the whole day. However, the glowy finish might not suit people with oily skin or those who want powder foundations to work hard to make pores less visible. (This is the reason why I had to stop buying Raycious foundations as the later versions were too glowy for me.)

I use #22 in ZA Two-Way Foundation and find Ochre 05 a relatively good match.

Overall, I think this powder foundation will suit people with no problem with excessive sebum. But one interesting thing is that, back in the Raycious days, there were no powder foundations released for fall/winter. (It was always a liquid foundation.) So maybe we’ll see something slightly more matte and more sebum-absorbent in spring 2009. This fall/winter release is called Powder Foundation Moist Touch…maybe the spring/summer 2009 release will be (predictably) called Fresh Touch? We’ll see!

You can read another review of this foundation at Autumn Masquerade.

Sofina Primavista Creamy Compact Foundation

Creating Your New(ish) Foundation Refill

Paul & Joe Fall 2008 Base Makup Collection

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Est Holiday 2008 Release

by PJ on Thursday, September 18, 2008

in -Est, -Kao, -Sofina, 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Est will release the Diamond Splash Eyes palette on November 1st in Japan for the holiday 2008 period.

The palette will include three eyeshadow shades of pink and brown. Again, as with most Japanese holiday releases, it is an ultra-wearable color combination for virtually any party outfit you choose to put on in the festive season. The palette design itself certainly has a festive vibe as well.

Capturing Your Emotional Beauty
(Profile on Est)

Est Fall 2008 Makeup Collection

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Sofina Primavista Creamy Compact Foundation

by PJ on Thursday, September 18, 2008

in -Kao, -Primavista, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce/)

Back in the Raycious days, I don’t recall a creamy compact foundation being released. (The (remotely) closest product was probably the Stick Foundation, which has a cream-to-powder consistency.)

On October 14th, Primavista, Raycious’ successor, will release Creamy Compact Foundation (SPF 33, PA++), which follows the launch collection released on September 1st. It claims to be able to create a smoother and softer appearance for the skin.

My skin is usually too oily for any liquid or cream foundation, so I am not personally excited by this. (Bare in mind that many technically “oil-free” products use waxy substances instead to help the product glide, and they can feel equally greasy for people with oily skin.) But I will still be interested to read about feedback for any Primavista release.

Paul & Joe Fall 2008 Base Makeup Collection

SUQQU Fall 2008 Base Makeup Collection

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Remembering Raycious

by PJ on Thursday, August 21, 2008

in -Kao, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation, stash focus

(Sofina Raycious Frosty Loose Powder (left)
and Ray Crush Powder (right))

As I mentioned previously, when Raycious didn’t release any new item for spring/summer 2008, I suspected that the line was going to be discontinued. When news about Sofina’s new base makeup line, Primavista, arrived last month, it was obvious the line would be Raycious’ successor.

As Sofina‘s webpage for Raycious has been updated with the official announcement that the sales of Raycious will be terminated on August 25th, I would like to take a look back at one of my favorite base makeup lines.

(This post is not meant to be a product review, since the items you see here (except Frosty Loose Powder, which I only have the case of) were released quite some time ago and are not sold anymore. Also, for hygiene reasons, I have not been using these items (apart from Ray Crush Powder).)

(image from www.sofina.co.jp/raycious)

Raycious, debuted in 2000, is the base makeup line of Sofina. (Raycious is not a brand in itself. It is one of Sofina’s two base makeup lines, alongside Finefit.) Looking back, I think Raycious was one of the reasons why I started to be drawn into Japanese cosmetics (particularly foundations) because the line clearly offered something that western brands hadn’t come up with. (For more information on this (and on Sofina in general), please have a look at this previous post.)

One of Raycious’ best-selling products was the powder foundation, whose formula was updated every year (in spring). People seemed to either love it or hate it, and I wasn’t surprised. Raycious’ powder foundation didn’t try to please everyone, and I believe this was one of the reasons for its success. (I suppose when we try to please everyone, we please no one.)

(Glamorous Skin Powder, Raycious’ last powder foundation release,

along with a limited-edition pink case)
(image from www.sofina.co.jp/raycious)

Raycious’ powder foundation is generally a lot more suitable for people with oily skin or people living in a warm climate. While people with dry skin can find it dry and chalky, those with oily skin (like me) tend to find it effective in sebum control. What I also love about it is that the foundation shade doesn’t darken or turn dull overtime. It is one of the very few foundations that wear better and better for me throughout the day. (By the way, Raycious’ powder foundations are meant to be applied dry and are not two-way foundations.)

The first few editions of the powder foundation are the ones I particularly love, as the finish of the later ones seems so luminous that it can look a little too glowy/shiny for me. However, their pressed powder and loose powder have constantly been part of my base makeup routine up until today (with all the extra refills I got). The Ray Crush Powder (seen above, on the right) was my sole favorite loose powder until I tried Lavshuca’s Face Powder (I now like both equally). The pressed powder does everything that a pressed powder should do in terms of gently mattifying the skin and diffusing the appearance of pores.

As I have alluded to, not all Raycious items are equally fantastic. For instance, people seem to complain that its liquid foundation (updated annually in fall) often lacks coverage.

One item I do also like is Stick Makeup, which is the kind of stick foundation that many major brands (both western and Japanese) were releasing one after another many years ago. The lovely cream-to-powder formula blends very easily and has a lovely matte and subtly luminous finish.

(great-looking skin in a stick)

On the other hand, Beads in Gels are not really for me. They are color-adjusting primers (available in soft green, blue and purple). The colored particles are crushed during the application to form a very subtle light-reflective pearlescence.

(They don’t really suit me…)

Unfortunately, they have quite a lot of alcohol. (This is fairly typical of Japanese primers.) I happened to get the one in blue (above the green one in the photo) in a gift with purchase (after I tried the green one), and I never opened it. It is still in the box in the unwrapped cellophane. It will probably always stay unopened in its “brand new in box” condition. A nice time-capsule candidate for the history of Japanese cosmetics, I suppose…

If you have also seen my Raycious foundation cases and pressed powder items, you have now seen pretty much all my Raycious collection…

Even though I think this is probably my last post on Raycious, I don’t think this is my last time mentioning the line. Various products from Raycious are among my favorite base makeup finds, and I am sure I will compare others with them in the future. In the meantime, let’s hope that Primavista will live up to the expectation of all the Raycious fans as well as surprise a few others!

Related Posts (my recent base makeup favorites):

ZA Two-Way Foundation

Coffret D’Or Makeup Powder

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