My post on EST’s fall 2008 collection has been updated with an image of all the new Emotional Aura Eyes palettes and Advanced Lips. Have a look!
{ 0 comments }
-Sofina
(Gel & Shine Eyes)(image from www.cosme.net)
Sofina Aube usually releases an early fall collection in June. This year, it will be released in Japan on June 14th, and it includes:
– Gel & Shine Eyes (above, six shades, limited edition)
– Rouge Purely Stay (10 new shades)
(image from www.cosme.net)
– Dual Color Eyeliner (six shades, limited edition)
(image from www.cosme.net)
– Coil & Comb Mascara (2 shades, water-proof)
(image from www.cosme.net)
The new Gel & Shine Eyes looks quite interesting. Each pot has a gel eyeshadow and a loose-powder eyeshadow in a coordinating shade. The gel eyeshadow is relatively sheer and provides a base for the sparkling loose-powder eyeshadow. I look forward to seeing the other four shades!
I will update this post when I have more information.
Updated on June 16, 2008:
Please check out this link for swatches!
More Upcoming Collections:
Coffret D’Or Early Fall 2008 Collection
Chanel Fall & Holiday 2008 Collections
{ 4 comments }
My posts on the EST, Magie Deco, and Cosme Decorte AQ summer 2008 collections have been updated to include additional images and information.
Have a look!
{ 0 comments }
(a tearful diva)(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)
A reader once asked me why, regardless of the generally consistent quality, certain Japanese makeup lines (under the same company) are more expensive than others. To summarize my answer for her, apart from the fact that price-points and target consumer groups define each other, more prestigious makeup lines tend to have a fuller philosophy behind their creations.
One prime example is Sofina EST.
Sofina‘s EST is not new. It has been a skincare line under Kao’s Sofina for many years, and it is Sofina’s most expensive line. In fall 2007, EST launched a full color makeup line, following the earlier debut of the base makeup range. (While, obviously, the brand name reminds people of the superlative suffix “-est”, Sofina also advocates that it is an acronym for “Essence of Sofina Technology”.)
The over-arching concept of EST’s color makeup is Emotional Beauty. As our faces are always displaying various feelings and emotions, EST attempts to use colors and finishes to enhance our day-to-day expressions of emotions. So, our beaming smiles look even more dazzling, our focused determination is even more infectious, and our sorrow melts the hardest of hearts.
(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)
I love EST’s recent ad images. They are beautifully and subtly compelling, with colors that enhance the facial features rather than overtake them. To embody the essence of the line, the model (April) displays a much wider range of emotions than what we usually see in makeup advertisements. The image on the top of this post is by far my favorite. As for the two below, I call them “despair & hope”:
(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)
(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)
However, all this ethos will be hollow if it can’t translate to product designs. So how does EST carry out their promise?
One item that defines the line is Emotional Aura Pact. Essentially, this is a highlighter for the eye area. It includes four subtly different shades of various finishes and opaqueness, and each of them is used on a specific part of the eye area.
(Emotional Aura Pack)(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)
Apart from the eye area, this multi-purpose item can also be used around the lips to sculpt your pout. So, when you feel surprised, happy, curious, excited, inspired, or moved, this item is designed to capture your million faces and help them make a lasting impression.
(Emotional Aura Eyes palettes)
(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)
Apart from the eye area, this multi-purpose item can also be used around the lips to sculpt your pout. So, when you feel surprised, happy, curious, excited, inspired, or moved, this item is designed to capture your million faces and help them make a lasting impression.
Also, so far, I have come across good comments on Emotional Aura Eyes, the eye palette range:
(Emotional Aura Eyes palettes)(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)
After the huge success of Kanebo’s Lunasol in the last couple of years, Kosé’s Magie Deco and Sofina’s EST were two of the major makeup launches in late 2007 that posed as rivals. Similarly priced and packaged with a sophisticated flair, they appeal to similar demographics. With a strong and distinctive concept behind it, Sofina EST’s development and evolution will be immensely interesting to chart and will serve as an indication of the future of Japanese cosmetics.
[Even though Sofina is available in Japan and several other countries in Asia, the EST line is currently only available in Japan as far as I know. The EST website is for information only and does not offer on-line ordering.]
Related Posts:
Loving Japanese Brands – Lunasol
(my current favorite Japanese brand)
Brand Profile: SUQQU
(a reverse strategy that works)
Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes
(replacing the beloved T’Estimo)
{ 13 comments }
(Loving Japanese makeup)
As a fan of Japanese cosmetics, apart from all the colorful products available, I am also interested in knowing more about the history behind the various brands and companies. So I was delighted to come across a time-line featuring the launches of many major Japanese cosmetics companies in Biteki‘s January 2008 issue. Let’s have a look:
1872 Shiseido
1887 Kao
1929 Pola
1936 Kanebo
1946 Kosé
1956 Albion
1959 Menard
1967 Shu Uemura
1972 DHC
1981 Fancl
1987 IPSA
1991 Ettusais
1995 AYURA
1996 Equipe (which now owns RMK and SUQQU)
(Biteki, January 2008, p. 102-125)
It is interesting that, like many western cosmetics brands, some of the recent major Japanese cosmetics companies in the last couple of decades have also been acquired by more established ones. For example, IPSA, Ettusais, and AYURA were acquired by Shiseido. Kanebo now owns Equipe, while Kosé owns Albion. Also, in early 2006, Kanebo was sold to Kao.
I will be equally interested in these slightly more corporate and behind-the-scene developments and in all the shiny new releases from these brands…
Related Posts:
All About Japanese Cosmetics
(consolidating my passion)
“Loving Japanese Brands” Series
(my favorite seven)
Japanese Brands in the UK
(featuring where to get them from outside the UK)
{ 0 comments }
(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!)
{ 2 comments }
(You can tell that I love my Japanese cosmetics…)
Most of you who read my blog certainly know that I have a passion for Japanese cosmetics. While I do try to keep a balance between western and Japanese cosmetics on my blog, I do think, for me, Japanese cosmetics items do better on my scoreboard in most areas.
If you would like to look through my posts related to Japanese cosmetics, I have made it a bit easier for you by adding the category “All About Japanese Cosmetics“ on the sidebar (under “Read by Topics”). As of now, there are 96 posts under this category, and the number will certainly grow week by week.
Please enjoy!
Here are just a few highlights:
Loving Japanese Brands
(where I highlight 7 wonderful Japanese brands)
Japanese vs. Western…Who’s Winning?
(Which side are you on?)
If I Could Go to Japan RIGHT NOW
(I share my dream shopping list.)
A couple of the items featured in the photo above:
Kanebo T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes 03
Lavshuca Eye Color Select PK-1
More to come!!
{ 43 comments }
(My three Sofina Raycious pressed powder compacts:Left: Raycious Lucent Powder
Middle: Raycious Ray Blend Powder
Right: Raycious Ray Contrast Powder)
After showing you all my Sofina Raycious powder foundation cases (you can read both Part One and Part Two of the post), I am now bringing you more items from my Raycious collection.
This time it is all about the pressed finishing powder.
Apart from powder foundations, Sofina Raycious also releases pressed finishing powder compacts, which are mainly used with Raycious’ liquid foundations. But I do use them after my powder foundation to create a polished look.
The one on the left (in the photo above) is the first edition (Raycious Lucent Powder), released several years ago. It comes in two finishes. The upper section is sheer and completely matte. It is simply the best finishing powder I have ever used in term of controlling shine and concealing pores. The polished look is also long-lasting. The lower section is a wonderful highlighting powder. It imparts a natural luminous glow without being shimmery or glittery. (I have several refills of Lucent Powder and I put in a new one for the photos.)
The middle one is the second edition (Raycious Ray Blend Powder) and the right one is the third and (the only) currently available edition (Raycious Ray Contrast Powder). (Just like the Raycious powder foundations, when a new edition is released, the previous one is discontinued.) The second edition gives more overall luminosity while the third edition has a section for subtle shading.
All of them have SPF 14 and PA+.
The first edition comes with a square puff, and the other two come with a brush:
As for the packaging (seen below), the first edition is on the left and the third is on the right. (I only bought the refill of the second edition at the time. The second-edition case is in the same shape as the first one. The only difference is that the case is semi-transparent.)
Overall, most Raycious foundations really suit me and the finishing powder is no exception. I will always look forward to any new edition.
I have some more Raycious items to come in the future!
Related Posts:
My Foundation Routine
(See my other favorite foundation products.)
Loving Japanese Brands: Sofina
(Read about my personal take on Sofina.)
{ 6 comments }
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I thought it would be fitting to do another A Splash of Color post on another of my favorite colors, pink.
I’d also like to invite you to have a look at the website of Breast Cancer Care, UK’s leading organization which provides information, practical assistance, and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer. You can read more about exactly what Breast Cancer Care does.
————————–
Featured Items:
Makeup
Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1
Lavshuca Eye Color Select in PK-1
AYURA Aura Veil α in PK-11 Sweek Pink
AYURA lip gloss PK60
Paul and Joe lip gloss 04
Sofina Raycious Glamour Skin Powder (limited-edition pink case)
Clinique Glosswear for Lips in Cosmic Pink
Dior Diorissime Palette in 002 Seduction Drama
Dior Princess Ring in 001
Chanel Irréelle Blush in Tea Rose
Fragrance
Lancôme Miracle
Skincare
Rose & Co. Apothecary Rose Petal Salve
Bodycare
Boss Femme shower gel
Enjoy Other Splashes of Colors!
{ 10 comments }
(The fest continues…)(continued from yesterday)
Today, I bring you the Raycious cases from 2004 through to today.
The Raycious 2004 case has dynamic zig-zag patterns:
(Raycious 2004, 5th)The Raycious 2005 case is more slender and wider, with bubble details. I really like this one.
(Raycious 2005, 6th)Raycious brought out an interesting case in 2006. The color is the lightest of all the Raycious cases so far. It is also the thickest because it has to accommodate three pieces of mirrors.
(Raycious 2006, 7th)Let’s open it up and have a look:
(It is like a mini dresser…)A three-way mirror powder case is obviously not a necessity, but it is fun to use. Also, this design goes with the 7th-generation Raycious foundation for 2006, named Perfect Angle Powder. It claims to enhance the definition of facial contour. I guess you have all the mirrors to appreciate the new you!
We are back to one piece of mirror for the current Raycious 2007, Glamorous Skin Powder. The mirror is fitted almost right along the rims of the lid and is larger than most other mirrors in the previous cases.
(Raycious 2007, 8th)In between the releases of the annual cases, Raycious sometimes brings out limited-edition ones. I don’t usually collect them, but I decided to go for this one earlier this year:
(Raycious 2007 limited-edition case)Also, Haru over on Rouge Deluxe featues the latest limited-edition case. It is quite a bold design, using my favorite color.
These are all the cases I have from the powder foundations throughout the years so far. (When a new case is released, the previous one will go off the shelves. So I think it will be quite difficult to track down the older editions. In a way, all these cases are limited editions…)
Apart from releasing a new powder foundation each spring, Raycious also brings out new liquid foundations in fall. It also carries various primers, concealers, loose powders and pressed powders. I have several of Raycious pressed powders and a loose powder, and I will feature them in the near future!
{ 4 comments }
