stash focus

Coffret D’Or Color Mixing Eyes in 01 Orange Brown Mix

by PJ on Tuesday, June 1, 2010

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2009 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

The Color Mixing Eyes (カラーミキシングアイズ/幻妝眼彩盒) series is part of Kanebo Coffret D’Or‘s summer 2009 makeup collection. Even though 04 Lavender Purple Mix, which I tried first, was not my favorite Coffret D’Or palette, I liked it enough to want to try another one. Also, I was looking for eye palettes with warm neutrals, so I decided to pick up 01 Orange Brown Mix.

The four shades in this palette:

Bottom left: sheer off-white with soft shimmer
Top left: moderately pigmented warm champagne gold with a mildly sparkly finish
Top right: moderately pigmented light-to-medium bronze with soft shimmer
Bottom right: pigmented dark brown with mild shimmer

One of the reasons I decided to go for Orange Brown Mix is that I wanted to try something a little warmer than Coffret D’Or’s 3D Lighting Eyes in Gold Variation. Orange Brown Mix did turn out to be substantially warmer. Between the two champagne golds, the one in Orange Brown Mix is slightly warmer. The bronze in Orange Brown Mix is also warmer than the neutral (not too warm/cool) gold in Gold Variation.

(Even though, with Color Mixing Eyes, the two colors on top of the palettes are supposed to be mixed together, I tend to use them separately for more versatility.)

The light-to-medium bronze can look a little too bronze-y on me at first. But after half an hour or so, the color relaxes and merges with the skin tone. Still looking very warm, it is more of a soft orange-toned bronze than a true bronze.

When the champagne gold and the bronze are mixed together, the champagne gold adds a touch of coolness to the bronze. Plus, the different sizes of shimmery particles give the mixture a nice dimension.

It is hard to decide whether I prefer Orange Brown Mix or Gold Variation. Orange Brown Mix is more vibrant and summery, while Gold Variation is more understated and elegant. They suit different needs and different moods. But, in terms of the texture of the powder and the overall finish, I slightly prefer Gold Variation. The powder is very silky and the gold shade has a beautiful pearly finish.

Overall, Orange Brown Mix is a nice eye palette for warmer months, as the shades bring a summery warmth to the eyes and help brighten up the face. But I think some people will like the palette for winter for exactly the same reason. While I will go back to this palette (regardless of the seasons) from time to time, I will continue to explore warm neutral-toned palettes.

Magie Deco Shadow Brilliance II in DC025 Foxy Lady

RMK Spring Modern Eyes in 03 Orangy Brown

SUQQU Blend Eyeshadow in 10 Sakuragi

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Dior Addicted to Dior for Summer 2010

by PJ on Saturday, May 22, 2010

in -Dior, 2010 Summer, makeup, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss, stash focus

Addicted to Dior Jeweled Lip Gloss Duo is the limited-edition star item of Dior’s summer 2010 makeup collection. I first saw it in Harrods and then in my local John Lewis, and I got it with my Boots points after the collection was finally launched in Boots. (Its retail price in the UK is 42 pounds.)

The front of the palette is engraved with the Dior logo and the address of the House of Dior (30, Avenue Montaigne Paris). There are decorative jewels on the Dior logo and on the four corners. The palette comes with a drawstring velvet pouch.

The palette contains two lip glosses. Two variations are available, and I went for 002 Addicted to Pink, which includes a medium bronze with soft shimmer and a vibrant pink with no shimmer. Both shades go on quite sheer. (001 Addicted to Coral includes a warm gold and a coral.)

(I tested the colors at the counter. I am pretty sure I will keep my palette in an unused condition.)

Even though I decided to get it as soon as I saw the image of it on-line, I don’t think it is among my favorite limited-edition star items from Dior that I have. It is not as glamorous as Lady Dior or Cristal Boréal and it is not as princessy as Dior Princess Ring.

I mentioned earlier that I thought it was slightly on the small side when I saw it in person for the first time. I was mainly comparing it with Dior Sparkling (in the photo above), which is the limited-edition star item from Dior’s holiday 2003 makeup collection. (I can’t quite believe that it is from nearly seven years ago.) Even with the delicate engravings, I think I prefer Dior Sparking. I like the fact that it is bigger and chunkier, and I like the beautifully glimmering pink decorative jewels on the Dior logo.

Having said that, I still think Addicted to Dior is certainly worth collecting. Dior’s limited-edition items that double as accessories almost always get extra points from me, and I do prefer Addicted to Dior to items like Poudrier Dentelle from Dior’s spring 2010 makeup collection. I am probably going to display it alongside some of my other limited-edition items from Dior on my dressing table.

(See images of 001 Addicted to Coral on My Women Stuff.)

Fragrance Friday – Sheer Stella 2010 by Stella McCartney

by PJ on Friday, April 30, 2010

in -Stella McCartney, 2010 Summer, fragrance, stash focus

From today and throughout the next few weeks, I will be looking at a different fragrance each Friday. The series begins with Sheer Stella 2010.

Stella by Stella McCartney is one of my favorite fragrances. Since 2004, a limited-edition Sheer Stella Eau de Toilette has been released each summer. The notes of these Sheer Stella editions are more or less the same, and each edition features a different packaging. I came across the 2010 edition in my local Boots earlier this month, and, again, I decided to get it with no hesitation.

Most editions of Sheer Stella feature citrusy/fruity top notes. The 2010 version does too, but I find that its fruity top notes are subtler than those of many other editions. It features notes of organic rose and amber, and, overall, Sheer Stella 2010 seems rosier and more mellow than most other editions.

The bottle is designed by Philip Jones, a British painter and sculptor. I like the soft and quiet elegance of the design. It also reminds me of Chinese ink landscape painting.

As lighter versions of Stella, most editions of Sheer Stella are relatively long-lasting. I tend to wear Sheer Stella in spring and summer and Stella (and Stella Rose Absolute, the deepest of all the Stella McCartney fragrances) in fall and winter.

I hope that we will have a warm summer this year in the UK. It is always nice to enjoy Sheer Stella on a lovely summer day…

(The fragrance is my own purchase. The press information is courtesy of Stella McCartney via The Perfume Shop.)

StellaNude

Sheer Stella 2008 & 2009

Sheer Stella 2004 – 2007
(The bottle designs of the 2005 and 2007 editions are still my favorites.)

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Coffret D’Or Jewelcious Eyes in Purple Amethyst

by PJ on Monday, April 19, 2010

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

In the last few seasons, I have been picky about what makeup items to buy. However, I couldn’t resist Coffret D’Or‘s Jewelcious Eyes in 05 Purple Amethyst. Firstly, it is purple, and, secondly, it is Coffret D’Or.

The Jewelcious Eyes series is part of Kanebo Coffret D’Or’s spring 2010 collection, and there are five variations available. I was also interested in 04 Amber Beige, but, after seeing some photos of the palette, I thought that it might be too cool-toned for me.

The four shades in 04 Purple Amethyst are:

Left: sheer off-white with subtle shimmer
Right: moderately pigmented medium purple with pearly multi-colored shimmer
Bottom: well-pigmented dark charcoal-toned purple with sparse shimmer
Center: multi-colored sparkles (with little pigment)

All the colors have a good staying power.

I thought the medium purple might be a little too cool for me, but it actually goes on warmer than it looks in the pan and it turns out to be a shade that suits me quite well.

One of the selling points of this series is the “Jewel Shower” shade in the center of the palette. It is meant to be used over the eyelids as well as along the inner corners of the eyes to add some intense sparkles. I was worried that the sparkles would not stay put on my lids, but they do have a good adherence to the skin and there is very little fallout. The sparkling effect lasts throughout the day. (Personally, I think the shade is better suited for evening makeup.)

(I like the design of the case.)

In terms of the purple shades in the Coffret D’Or palettes that I have, the one in this palette is warmer than the one in Trance Deep Eyes in 04 Grey Variation and cooler than the one in Shine Accent Eyes in 02 Pink Variation. Overall, I prefer this palette to the other two, but I think 3D Lighting Eyes in 04 Purple Variation is still my favorite Coffret D’Or palette.

Magie Deco Shadow Brilliance II in DC025 Foxy Lady

by PJ on Tuesday, March 9, 2010

in -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

Magie Deco is a point (color) makeup line that is part of Kosé’s high-end brand Cosme Decorte. It was launched in fall 2007 and the products’ price points are similar to those of Lunasol’s. Shadow Brilliance II in DC025 Foxy Lady, which is part of Magie Deco’s fall 2009 collection, is my first item from the line.

One thing I like about Magie Deco is that it often brings out eye palettes with interesting and unusual color combinations. (In Japanese cosmetics, many mainstream brands constantly release tone-on-tone eye palettes.)

One palette that helps define the line’s character is Shadow Brilliance in 014 Believe in Magic, which is part of the line’s launch collection in fall 2007. The palette includes a plum pink and an olive green, which don’t usually appear together in eye palettes from Japanese brands.

The new Shadow Brilliance II series, launched in fall 2009, also features some interesting color combinations. (LC028 Lovable Muse includes a lilac and an aqua green.)

The main reason why I went for Foxy Lady, a tone-on-tone neutral palette (instead of one with a more unusual color combination), is that I was looking for an eye palette with soft warm latte-like neutrals. Foxy Lady is the one I decided to try.

The five colors in this palette are (clock-wise from bottom right):

– off-white with a hint of gold
– light-to-medium warm beige
– soft warm yellow gold
– light warm beige
(subtly lighter than the light-to-medium beige)
– dark brown

All the shades have subtle shimmery particles. They show up predominantly as a veil of gold-toned shimmer under sunlight while they look more multi-colored under artificial lighting. They have a smooth texture and are very easy to blend. The staying power is good.

The eyeshadows are very gently scented with a floral-fruity fragrance.

The three lightest shades are softly pigmented. Even among eyeshadows in Japanese cosmetics, they are on the sheer side. Because I wanted soft neutrals in the first place, I don’t mind them being sheer. The light-to-medium warm beige at the bottom left is moderately pigmented and is not overly sheer. Overall, I like the ethereal look that these shades create.

The dark brown is a lot more pigmented than the other four, but, as a lining shade, it is also slightly less pigmented than most other lining shades in eye palettes from Japanese makeup lines.

The two beiges create a delicate gradation. I particularly like the darker one of the two. It is not always easy to find light-to-medium neutrals that are able to create depth, as light neutrals are usually made to be light-reflective. But this shade, while softly shimmery (not frosty or overly light-reflective), is able to create a natural depth for the eyes.

The soft yellow gold imparts a touch of vibrancy. It can replace (or work with) the off-white as a base, a highlighter for the brow bones, and a highlighter for the inner corners of the eyes.

I also like the case of the palette. Surprisingly, the pink case never looks overly saccharine. The pink and the gold work delightfully well together, and the faceted gem-like shape is feminine and regal at the same time.

Overall I really like this palette. I will certainly go back to it again and again, and I will continue to look forward to Magie Deco’s new releases. If you like your neutrals to be pigmented and intense, then you can safely skip this palette. If you want very wearable neutrals that are suitable for daytime, then this palette may be worth your consideration.

Magie Deco Summer 2009 Collection

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in Gold Variation

Lavshuca Summer Gradually Compact in Shiny Sandy Beach

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Stash Update: Coffret D’Or

by PJ on Saturday, January 30, 2010

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, 2009 Summer, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

I have got Coffret D’Or’s Jewelicious Eyes in 05 Purple Amethyst (from spring 2010) and Color Mixing Eyes in 01 Orange Brown Mix (from summer 2009).

I will review the Jewelicious Eyes palette first later on since it is this season’s item.

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MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo in Odd Couple

by PJ on Monday, January 25, 2010

in -MAC, 2008 Summer, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

As many of you might already know, I don’t buy products from MAC very often. The main reason is that makeup products from Japanese brands appeal to me a lot more. But, once in a while, some items do attract my attention.

MAC’s Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo in Odd Couple was from the Electro Flash collection back in July 2008. As far as I know, the Mineralize Eye Shadow Duos in this collection were limited editions in the US. But they seem to be regular items in the UK.

I was back and forth about Odd Couple for quite a while. I swatched the colors at the counter for several times since a few months ago, and I was speculating that the warm gold might be too bronze for me. Plus the violet was very similar to the one in Shiseido Maquillage’s Forming Shiny Eyes in 52. The lilac veins in the warm gold were what made me decide to get it in the end, as they created an interesting lilac undertone.

I was surprised at how understated the warm gold turned out to be. It is not too warm, too bronze, or too vibrant. It goes on sheer in the beginning but it can be layered. I do think the lilac veins tone down the bronze quite nicely, and the lilac undertone does show up on the eyes.

I like wearing the violet close to the lashlines as a lining color. The shade is warmer and more purple than how it looks in the photo above, and it is less shimmery than the warm gold. The vibrancy of the shade lasts well.

I am glad that I did go for it. The warm gold with lilac veins is a shade I didn’t have, and it turned out to be more wearable than how I expected it to be. I certainly think I will be paying a little more attention to future Mineralize Eye Shadow releases in the future.

Alexander McQueen for MAC Eye Shadow in Haunting

Fafi for MAC

A Splash of Color: More Lilting Lilac

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News, Update, & Stash Addition

by PJ on Wednesday, January 20, 2010

in -Cosme Decorte, -Kosé, -Magie Deco, -Paul & Joe, -Shiseido, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, mineral makeup, stash focus

(image from www.bareescentuals.co.uk)

– Shiseido Co., Ltd. will acquire Bare Escentuals, Inc. through a US subsidiary (Blush Acquisition Corporation). You can read more about the acquisition at Yahoo! Finance.
(information from Nikkei Net and Yahoo! Finance)

– My post on Paul & Joe’s spring 2010 makeup collection has been updated with more images of the Disney collection. Do have a look!

– I have got my first Magie Deco item (Shadow Brilliance II in DC 025 Foxy Lady) and my first impression of it is very good. I will be reviewing it later on.

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Holiday 2009 Focus: Dior Cristal Boréal

by PJ on Saturday, November 21, 2009

in -Dior, 2009 Holiday, makeup, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss, stash focus

I always look forward to Dior’s seasonal makeup collections, especially the limited-edition Star Products. Sometimes I am excited by the Star Products, and sometimes I am underwhelmed. For me, Dior’s holiday 2009 collection is probably one of the best holiday collections that Dior has brought out, and Cristal Boréal Crystal Gloss Jewel is certainly one of the reasons why I love the collection.

One thing I like about Cristal Boréal is that it is housed in a proper box, which does justice to the Swarovski crystals on the oval-shaped pendant. I am not really a fan of the velvety pouches that Dior’s seasonal limited-edition items usually come in, as they get dusty very easily. It is good to see Cristal Boréal much better presented. (As one of my readers, Kiks, so rightly said, this time it is more Dior than Dior Beauty.)

Four of the crystals are Aurore Boréale crystals. They reflect the light in colorful hues and they all have a nice depth to them.

According to the information leaflet (that comes with the pendant), the pendant features 52 Swarovski crystals.There are 52 crystals on the pendant itself already (I have counted them), so I am not entirely sure whether the one on the metal tag is also a Swarovski crystal.

(the back of the pendant)

The pendant contains a lip gloss, which is available in two shades (silver and pink). I went for the pink one (#251 Pink Crystal). Both shades are quite sheer and they mainly show up as subtly multi-colored shimmer.

The pendant flips open on both sides. There is no mirror, but the inside of the lid and the back of the pendant can work as mirrors.

Dior’s makeup accessories are usually statement pieces, and Cristal Boréal continues the tradition. While the Princess Ring is still my favorite seasonal Star Product from Dior, Cristal Boréal is among my favorites too.

I also like some of the other items in Dior’s holiday 2009 collection. (It is a very purple-toned collection.) The two 5-Color Iridescent Eyeshadow palettes are quite stunning. I prefer the softer Purple Crystal (which looks similar to 129 Pearly Lilac in the Lilas Addiction collection, which has not been available in the UK), even though the orchid purple in Smoky Crystal is my favorite shade in the whole collection.

(Purple Crystal)
(image from www.dior.com)

(Smoky Crystal)
(image from www.dior.com)

Another item I tested is Cristal Boréal Cristal Eyeshadow in Purple Gem. It is a low-key medium purple with sparse glitters. Personally, I would like it better if it didn’t have the glitters.

(image from www. dior.com)

Overall, with purples and greys, this is another trend-sensitive collection from Dior. (It is a good extension from Dior’s fall 2009 collection.) The two Cristal Boréal shades might not be very original, but I think they do have a solid collectibility factor.

Updated on November 23rd, 2009:

Blogger.com seems to have failed to publish one of the comments for this post. If you believe it to be yours, I am sorry about this and please, if you would, kindly consider posting it again. Thank you very much!

Lady Dior in French Chic
(spring 2009)

Dior Night Diamond
(holiday 2008)

Golden Dior Luminizing Makeup Jewel
(summer 2008)

DiorLight Jewelled Makeup Necklace
(holiday 2007)

Dior Diorissime Palette
(fall 2007)

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Stash Update: Dior Holiday 2009

by PJ on Tuesday, November 3, 2009

in -Dior, 2009 Holiday, makeup, stash focus

(image from www.dior.com)

I stopped by my local Boots to see Dior’s Holiday 2009 collection yesterday, and I was very pleased that the Cristal Boréal Crystal Gloss Jewel did look lovely in person. I didn’t have enough Boots points to use on Lady Dior back in spring, but I did this time with Cristal Boréal. (I got the one in 251 Pink Crystal.)

I haven’t opened it yet (I am trying to savor the anticipation), but I will be bringing you my thoughts on it and some of the other items in the collection within the next couple of weeks.

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