stash focus

Shimmering Away – Paul & Joe Pressed Powder

by PJ on Sunday, March 30, 2008

in -Paul & Joe, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - powder, stash focus

(Paul & Joe Pressed Powder in 03)

Like the Paul & Joe Loose Powder and Light Cream Foundation, I bought this at half price during the winter sale in London.

As I have mentioned previously, Paul & Joe’s foundations are known for being sheer and ultra-natural. This item is no exception.

03 is a translucent pale beige that goes on relatively sheer. The powder is sooth and fine, and it has a fair amount of shimmer. Even though the shimmer is very fine, I feel that it works a lot better for me as a highlighter than as an overall finishing powder. Since my face develops shine quite easily, a shimmery pressed powder can make shine look even more obvious. But for people with drier skin or for those who want extra luminosity, this shimmery (and by no means glittery) pressed powder could work well as a finishing powder.

Apart from using it as a subtle highlighter, I also like to dust a bit of it in the eye area to add a touch of luminosity.

Compared with the Loose Powder, the Pressed Powder is slightly more opaque and has a little more shimmer.

What is a little different about the kind of shimmer used in Paul & Joe’s base makeup items is that it is a pale gold shimmer of various subtle (but visible) tones (very pale pink, peach, green, blue,…). I have come across Paul & Joe counter leaflets that describe this shimmer as “nine-color gold powder”. Recently the Paul & Joe English website has named it “Secret D’Or“, which consists of “select varieties of champagne gold frost, each with different, subtle overtones and light reflective properties”.

I tried to capture the multi-color shimmer on camera:

(Please click on the image to see a much larger version.)

This kind of multi-color shimmer is quite subtle but is still visible up-close. Overall it does create a relatively natural luminosity that is in tune with the ultra-natural essence of Paul & Joe’s base makeup range. (Obviously many other brands feature something similar, but Paul & Joe uses this multi-color shimmer uniformly in their base makeup items, from primers to loose powder, in various amounts.)

However, for me, a downside of this pressed powder is that it is not particularly good at diffusing the appearance of pores. As a finishing powder for the whole face, I’d prefer something more matte and with a better pore coverage.

(At the moment, the Pressed Powder has almost been completely phased out (hence the discount) and is replaced by Pressed Powder N. I have tested the new version at the counter, and it seems that it is not drastically different. The powder is still relatively sheer, and the multi-color shimmer is still there.)

Loving Japanese Brands – Paul & Joe
(my personal take on Paul & Joe)

Paul & Joe Foundation Primer N
(one of my favorite primers)

Sofina Raycious Pressed Powder
(more matter and with better pore coverage)

{ 4 comments }

Anna Sui & Jill Stuart Latest Foundation Cases

by PJ on Thursday, March 27, 2008

in -Anna Sui, -Jill Stuart, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation, makeup - base makeup - powder, stash focus

Today I am sharing two latest additions to my foundation case collection.

First up is the case of Anna Sui‘s Loose Compact Powder UV, which is part of Anna Sui’s spring/summer 2008 base makeup release. This case is for the new loose powder refills and is designed to make Anna Sui’s loose powder slightly more travel-friendly. (Remember that Anna Sui’s original large loose powder case doesn’t have a screw lid and is very tricky to travel with.)

Even though white is my least favorite color for Anna Sui’s packaging, I like the thickness of the case compared with other Anna Sui’s foundation compacts.

The case comes with a purple powder puff which is very soft to the touch.

Please notice that the sift is included in the refill and not in the case. So this is not the kind of portable loose powder case in which you can put your own loose powder. But, size-wise, all the round Anna Sui foundation refills can fit into this case.

Next is the Jill Stuart‘s Powder Foundation Compact S, which is released with the new Smooth Skin Powder Foundation. Compared with the original Powder Foundation Case (released in spring 2006), the new case has a different design for the lid and features a charm with floral details.

Let’s see the two designs side by side. The spring 2006 case is on the left and the spring 2008 one is on the right:

All the Jill Stuart powder foundation and pressed powder refills are the same size, and the cases are sold separately. So what case to pick when you purchase a Jill Stuart foundation refill is entirely up to you.

Furthermore, since both Anna Sui and Jill Stuart (and Paul & Joe as well) commission Kosé (which owns Albion, commissioned by Anna Sui and Paul & Joe) to produce the makeup (and skincare) line, all their round foundation refills can fit into all cases.

My case collection does take up a bit of space. But, for me, it is a slightly less pricey way to chart the development of a brand’s image and there is no need to worry about products expiring. I shall continue to pick up the cases I like from my favorite brands.

More cases:

Sofina Raycious Foundation Case Galore

My Anna Sui Foundation Case Collection

{ 12 comments }

Shiseido Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844

by PJ on Tuesday, March 25, 2008

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Maquillage, -Shiseido, 2008 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(Shiseido Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844)

I haven’t really been very interested in Maquillage since it was launched in fall 2005. But sometimes, it only takes one item to start my interest in a makeup line, and you are looking at it now.

Maquillage replaced PN (the color makeup line) and Proudia (the base makeup line) and was what Shiseido called a “Super Brand”. The expectation at the time was extremely high, since PN, in particular, was very successful at bringing young people to Shiseido and rescuing the brand’s then aging image. Over the last couple of years, Maquillage, with a more mature image, has proven to be delivering the sales figures.

For those of you that might not be familiar with the multi-layered branding concept in Japanese cosmetics, Maquillage is not a fully fledged brand and is simply the name of Shiseido’s main color/base makeup line. It does not have its own counters and is sold at Shiseido counters in Japan and some other Asian countries (where you will find many other lines like Elixir Superior (skincare/base makeup), UVWhite (whitening), Anessa (suncare), Revital (anti-aging), and Beauty Voltage (youth skincare)).

Back to Maquillage. Since I have been very interested in lilac for the past year or so, I am often excited to see lilac being featured as the main eyeshadow color for a seasonal collection. For spring 2008, this look (modeled by Ebihara Yuri, one of the four brand ambassadors for Maquillage) really grabbed my attention.

(image from www.shiseido.co.jp)

(from www.shiseido.co.jp

via xuzer at Dailymoiton)

After checking some more images of this palette on-line and on magazines, I decided to try it.

Initially, being (a bit overly) excited to try a lilac that was much cooler than most of the other lilacs I had, I used it as the main shade on my eyelids and I used the silvery grey around my lash line. It didn’t work well. Worn alone, the lilac is almost too pale for my eye area and the whole look is not optimally flattering.

When I tried the palette for the second time, I wore the silvery grey as the main color with most of the lilac showing through from underneath and around the silvery grey. This time, it worked a lot better.

A couple of days ago, I happened to find the following application steps on the Shiseido website. They show more or less how I used the palette for the second time. (They are similar to those on the back of the outer packaging of the palette, but the images below give a clearer idea.)

(image from www.shiseido.co.jp)

My own shade descriptions:
1. sheer white with mainly pale multi-color shimmer and relatively little pigment
2. pale blue-ish lilac with very fine and subtle shimmer and an overall satiny finish
3. silvery grey with a semi-metallic shimmery finish and a very slight warm copper undertone
4. dark matte charcoal with very sparse shimmer

With some eye palettes from Japanese brands, the second darkest shade is usually meant to be worn under the crease. But I think one of the best ways to use this palette is to follow the steps above and use the second darkest shade (silvery grey) both under and around the crease and over most of the lilac applied beforehand. (If you don’t have a crease, use the silvery grey as the main shadowing shade over the lilac, which is applied on a slightly broader area on the lids.)

The key is to layer the two shades. Since the silvery grey has a touch of sheerness, the lilac is able to show through and the two colors together create a lovely and subtle depth for the eyes.

Since many eye palettes in Japanese brands are named after the main shade, I was later able to understand why this is a (well-justified) SV (Silver) palette and not a VI (violet), which I did wonder initially. (Note: Kanebo brands would use PU (purple) instead of VI.)

The practical strengths are there as well. The powder is smooth and goes on easily, and the colors are long-lasting.

Essentially, this is a silvery-grey palette with lilac as the accent color. The concept is different from that of my other lilac palettes with gradations of lilacs. For me as a lilac lover, this alone makes the palette worth purchasing. (But I do have to control my fondness for lilac and try not to over-layer it!)

The “silver-greyish lilac” look it creates is subtle and natural, as you see in the ads. It is very good for daily wear. If you want a more dramatic look, layering the silvery grey and putting more emphasis on the dark charcoal will easily give you a smoky effect.

(By the way, in the ad, Ebihara Yuri is also using the new Gel Liner in SV854.)

I did spend quite a few weeks deciding whether to buy this palette or not. But I am very glad I did!

My other two lilac palettes for spring 2008:

Coffret D’Or 3D Lighting Eyes in 04

Lunasol Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral

Other related posts:

Must-Try Look for Spring 2008

Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report

{ 4 comments }

Can’t Live Without: Shiseido ZA Two-Way Foundation

by PJ on Sunday, March 23, 2008

in _Can't Live Without, _Japanese Brand Profile, -Shiseido, -ZA, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation, stash focus

(Shiseido ZA Two-Way Foundation)

This favorite foundation of mine got a very brief mention in my post on my foundation routine almost precisely a year ago (the one in the cherry-pink case). After I did a couple of Foundation Face-Offs (SUQQU vs. Chanel and Lunasol vs. Coffret D’Or), I thought I should highlight my favorite foundation for the past few years.

Launched in 1997, ZA is a drugstore brand from Shiseido that is targeted at those in the mid-20’s. What is interesting about ZA is that it is a Shiseido line that is not sold in Japan. According to ZA’s website, it is available in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Indonesia, and Hawaii.

(ZA Two-Way Foundation)
(I wear #22.)
(image from www.za-ny.com)

Even though Sofina’s Raycious is also one of my favorite foundation lines, its annual powder foundation releases over the past few years seem to be getting paler and a lot more luminous. (I prefer a satiny matte finish.) Despite their very good sebum-control efficacy, the overly luminous finish doesn’t really suit me. This is where ZA comes in (while I use Raycious foundations mainly for highlighting and precision concealing).

For me, a good foundation should even out my skin-tone (particularly the mild redness), offer a medium coverage, create a matte finish, control shine, and minimize the look of pores. ZA’s Two-Way Foundation does all of these relatively well.

Basics

SPF 20, PA ++, 8 shades (see above)

Finish

The finish is predominantly matte with a very subtle and natural luminosity.

Texture

The texture is more on the dry side (which is good for sebum control). Among major Japanese cosmetics lines that release different powder foundations for spring/summer and fall/winter, this foundation’s texture is more like that of a spring/summer release.

Coverage

The coverage is around medium, and it covers mild redness and minor imperfections quite well. (I wear #22, a light-to-medium shade with a subtle yellow undertone. It evens out my mild redness effectively and gives a very natural look.)

Pore Coverage

It offers relatively good and pleasantly long-lasting pore coverage.

Shine Control

The shine-control ability is fairly good. The slightly drier texture makes the powder absorb sebum well, and the absence of shimmery particles means that the shine does not look more pronounced than it already does. (But it is worth mentioning that Coffret D’Or’s new Beauty Lasting Pack UV has an even better shine control ability.)

Lasting Power

It has a very good lasting power, which manifests in two ways. Firstly, what happens with some powder foundations I have tried is that, after I blot out the shine for several times during the day, the foundation starts to look patchy and cakey. But I have rarely experienced this with ZA. Also, the shade of the foundation darkens very minimally and only after a very long day. Sometimes I have to have my makeup on for more than 12 hours and this foundation still looks pretty good right before I take my makeup off.

Overall, this foundation really suits me. Even though there are a few other powder foundations I’ve tried that perform better in one or two categories above, this is by far one of the most well-rounded foundations that I have used so far in terms of my personal foundation-wearing preferences.

Unfortunately, for those of you that might be interested in ZA but don’t live in the regions mentioned above, I have not yet come across a website that carries ZA and delivers internationally. But I will keep you updated if I have more information.

Updated on April 2nd, 2008:

– Two readers have told me that ZA is no longer available in Hawaii.

– A reader has noticed that some ZA items are sold on-line. Please refer to the comment section for the link.

Thank you all for the alerts!

Paul & Joe Foundation Primer N

Raycious Pressed Powder

Lavshcua Loose Powder

(For me, all of these work well with ZA Two-Way Foundation.)

Other items in my “Can’t Live Without” series:

Dove Body Silk

RMK Cleansing Oil N

{ 46 comments }

SUQQU Makeup Base Creamy & Brightup

by PJ on Thursday, March 13, 2008

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup - base makeup - primer/concealer, stash focus

(samples of SUQQU Makeup Base Creamy (left)

& Makeup Base Brightup)

SUQQU Makeup Base Creamy and Makeup Base Brightup are part of SUQQU’s Fall 2007 base makeup lineup.

For me, they are very welcome additions, since SUQQU’s then only primer, simply called Makeup Base, is loaded with alcohol and I simply wouldn’t put it on my face.

According to the SUQQU website and the counter staff, Makeup Base Creamy is designed to be used before SUQQU’s (cream) Foundation and Makeup Base Brightup is used before Powder Foundation Glow. For me, I have been trying out these two primers under my usual Shiseido ZA Two-Way Foundation (which I will review later this month.)

(SUQQU Makeup Base Creamy)

(image from www.suqqu.com)

Makeup Base Creamy has a light cream texture. It has a nice slip and goes on very easily. Unlike most primers, which impart luminosity and/or carry pigments to even out the skin-tone, this primer seems to disappear into the skin as it goes on more or less transparent and without any visible shimmer.

However, after application, the skin feels very moisturized and well-conditioned and is ready for all the powdering action. My powder foundation goes on more smoothly, and, more importantly, it helps the foundation last a lot longer.

As it has relatively little efficacy in concealing pores and it doesn’t really control shine, I position it as a skin-conditioning primer that helps the foundation stay fresh for longer.

(SUQQU Makeup Base Brightup)

(image from www.suqqu.com)

Compared with Makeup Base Creamy, Makeup Base Brightup has a creamier consistency. It also has some subtle shimmer to add luminosity and brightness. (I can understand why this is marketed as a primer for a powder foundation, since the powder needs something to stick to.)

Having said that, the two share most traits in terms of their performances. Again, Makeup Base Brightup successfully helps the foundation last longer.

Overall, I prefer Makeup Base Creamy, since the texture is lighter and it has no shimmer. It suits my oily skin better and it is more in tune with the matte finish I want from my foundation.

Note that neither of the two primers has any SPF.

If you have a powder foundation that is spot-on for your skin-tone but your skin is often too dry for a powder formula to wear well, then either of these two primers could be worth considering.

[I haven’t checked the outer packaging of full-size products to see if these two primers contain alcohol. But they don’t smell of alcohol or irritate my skin. Even if they do contain alcohol, the portion should be relatively minimal.]

Superbly Blendable – Paul & Joe Light Cream Foundation

by PJ on Sunday, March 9, 2008

in -Paul & Joe, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation, stash focus

(Paul & Joe
Light Cream Foundation in 03 Clair)

Most of the time, I wear a powder foundation, and my favorite by far is Shiseido ZA’s Two-Way Foundation (which I will be talking about in two weeks). In short, it has good coverage, controls shine fairly well, covers pores effectively, and is long-lasting.

But, occasionally, mostly in winter, I am tempted to play with liquid or cream foundations. At 26 pounds in the UK (around 51 USD), Paul & Joe‘s Light Cream Foundation (SPF 15 PA ++) would be a little too expensive as something to experiment with from time to time. But when I saw it at 13 pounds during the winter sale after Christmas last year, I decided to take it home.

I have used it for quite a few times, and here are my thoughts:

Texture & Consistency: The name “Light Cream” is not a very accurate description of the consistency, but almost in a good way. It is actually a lot more fluidy than many liquid foundations I have tried. I tend to go for a light and liquidy texture rather than a creamier texture, so I am very happy with the smooth double-cream consistency.

Slip & Blendability: There are some quite liquidy foundations that don’t have enough slip and dry too quickly to be blended evenly. Not this one. Out of all the liquid/cream foundations I have tried, this one probably has the best slip. It spreads and blends so easily that it feels like a smooth moisturizer.This is by far the best aspect of this foundation.

Finish: It imparts a luminous sheen, without any visible shimmer. Even though the finish is not overly shiny, I’d still set the foundation with a matte loose/pressed powder. (Also, please note that this foundation is not formulated to control shine.)

Coverage: I have come across a couple of reviews of this item where users praise the good coverage. But I suspect that this observation is based on the comparison with other Paul & Joe foundations, as the brand is known for sheer and ultra-natural foundations. I would still describe Light Cream Foundation’s coverage as light (not even light-to-medium).

Pore Coverage: I have very rarely come across a liquid/cream foundation that gives the pore coverage I want, and I always use a loose/pressed powder afterwards for that purpose. So I didn’t expect much. But because it has a superb texture and slip and it adheres to the skin well, the pore-diffusing ability is fair.

Lasting Power: Due to the sheer coverage, it is not easy to tell how good the lasting/staying power is. Considering the coverage does retain for a good number of hours, the lasting power appears to be relatively satisfactory.

Even though this foundation has an exceptionally pleasing texture and slip, it falls short on coverage. After using it for several times, I actually decided to use it more as a primer and then use a powder foundation to gently add coverage and matte out the shine. For me, this item works the best this way.

(Light Cream Foundation was replaced by Light Cream Foundation N, which is why this original version was being reduced. Currently it is not available at UK Paul & Joe counters anymore. But, several authorized on-line retailers still carry it. Please check the shop list on Paul & Joe’s global website for details. Some shops ship internationally.)

Foundation Face-Off – Lunasol vs. Coffret D’Or

by PJ on Tuesday, March 4, 2008

in -Coffret d'Or, -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2007 Spring, 2008 Spring, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation, makeup - base makeup - primer/concealer, stash focus

(Coffret D’Or Beauty Lasting Pack UV
& Lunasol Skin Fusing Powder Foundation)

After my first “foundation face-off” post (SUQQU vs. Chanel), some readers were wondering if I would do more. So here is another one, focusing on Lunasol’s current powder foundation, Skin Fusing Powder Foundation (referred to as “Lunasol” below), and Coffret D’Or’s debut powder foundation, Beauty Lasting Pack UV (referred to as “Coffret D’Or” below).

I have also tried the matching primers. I will review how the primers work with the foundations later on. The following comparison is based on the foundations worn without the primers (and right after my Olay daytime moisturizer/sunscreen).

Basics

– Lunasol: SPF 20 PA ++, 6 shades, released in spring 2007
– Coffret D’Or: SPF 24 PA ++, 7 shades, released in spring 2008 (March 1st)

Finish

Lunasol gives a luminous and almost glowy finish, while Coffret D’Or has a predominantly matte finish with subtle luminosity. Neither has visible shimmer.

Texture

Lunasol feels very pleasingly soft and velvety, while Coffret D’Or is slightly drier (but not chalky).

Coverage

Lunasol gives a very good above-medium coverage and successfully covers minor imperfections and redness. Coffret D’Or has a slightly below-medium coverage. In terms of how the coverage maintains throughout the day, both have a good staying power.

Pore Coverage

Lunasol has a relatively good pore-diffusing ability mainly due to the exceptionally velvety texture that adheres to the skin very well. Coffret D’Or’s pore-concealing ability is satisfactory but not outstanding.

Shine Control

All along, it seems Lunasol is winning. However, Coffret D’Or’s sebum-controlling ability is so impressive that I prefer it to Lunasol overall.

First of all, with Coffret D’Or on, it takes noticeably longer for my oily skin to appear visibly shiny than it does with some of my favorite foundations, like Sofina Raycious (earlier versions) and Shiseido ZA. Also, after gentling matting out the shine, the face looks nearly as matte as when foundation is first applied, which is not always the case with most foundations I’ve tried.

As for Lunasol, the soft powder (which has an almost-moist feel) does not seem to absorb sebum very well. The luminous and glowy finish makes the shine look more pronounced as the day goes on. Also, the face still looks somewhat shiny after I matte out the shine.

Between the two, I prefer Coffret D’Or for its exceptionally good shine-control ability. For me, the finish can look a little dry during the first hour of wear. But after that, the finish looks natural for the rest of the day with little maintenance. If you have combination or oily skin or if you live in a warm climate, Coffret D’Or is worth considering.

However, if you have dry skin with no issue of excessive sebum, then Lunasol’s soft and velvety powder will probably suit you better and give you a beautifully luminous finish.

With the primers:

(Coffret D’Or Beauty Lasting Veil UV
& Lunasol Smoothing Makeup Base)

Coffret D’Or’s Beauty Lasting Veil UV (SPF 20, PA ++, alcohol-free) has a very pleasing light milky texture and is easy to apply. Designed to add luminosity to the skin, it goes on almost completely sheer and it has visible shimmer. With this primer, Coffret D’Or’s finish turns considerably more velvety, almost like Lunasol (when worn without any primer) and the level of pore coverage is also increased slightly.

However, for me, the huge drawback is that the shine-control ability considerably lessens, which is very disappointing.

Lunasol’s Smoothing Makeup Base (no sunscreen factor, with some alcohol) is designed to diffuse the appearance of pores. It is slightly thicker than Beauty Lasting Veil UV but it is still easy to apply. It goes on almost completely sheer and does not have shimmer.

When worn with this primer, Lunasol’s smooth and velvety texture remains but the finish turns slightly more matte. Even though I don’t think the primer and the foundation worn together conceal pores better (then the foundation alone), the primer does seem to help control shine to a small extent.

While I would see Beauty Lasting Veil UV as a moisturizing primer for those who think Coffret D’Or is too dry, Smoothing Makeup Base seems to be for those concerned about Lunasol’s lack of shine-control ability.

Overall, in terms of the four options (two foundations with/without the primers), I would still prefer Coffret D’Or worn without primer. The winning attribute is definitely the outstanding shine-control efficacy.

Related Posts:
(spring/summer 2008 base makeup lineups)

Coffret D’Or
(loving the look of the loose powder)

SUQQU
(known for good-quality foundations)

Anna Sui
(very tempted to pick up the loose powder compact)

{ 32 comments }

Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Stage Lights

by PJ on Sunday, March 2, 2008

in -Chanel, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Stage Lights)

Lilac eyeshadows are some of the most on-trend items for spring 2008, and I have been a fan of them for a while. Today I bring you another lilac palette that can create this season’s hottest look.

Chanel’s Quadra Eye Shadow in Stage Lights is perhaps the softest (in terms of color) and the sheerest lilac eye palette that I’ve had so far.

– Top left: white with substantial pearly shimmer
– Top right: pale lilac with soft shimmer
– Bottom left: medium lilac with soft shimmer
– Bottom right: a very pale pink with substantial pearly shimmer

Stage Lights is part of Chanel’s spring 2006 collection. While I distinctively remember liking the look of this, I had no intention of buying it at the time. My minty-green-and-turquoise phase was just about to start back then, and I picked up the Irréelle Duo in River-Light later that year.

My lilac phase started later that year and this palette was under the radar several months ago. After testing the shades many times recently and seeing the colors under different lighting conditions, I decided to have it.

The colors go on lighter than they appear in the container. Initially this was one of my reasons against buying it, but then I thought the soft and gentle finishes are great for a barely-there veil of lilac for the eyes. Also, I like the fact that the two lilacs and the pink are on the cool side and that they look more flattering on me than warmer ones.

Compared with many other eyeshadows from Japanese cosmetics brands, the texture of Chanel’s baked eyeshadows can be a little dry and the pigmentation level would disappoint many people. (The Irréelle range seems to fare better on these.) While a smoother texture would be more ideal, I don’t do a lot of layering for a daytime look so the sheerness is not a negative attribute. Obviously this palette can be worn wet for added intensity, but I simply reach for my other lilac palettes for that.

For spring 2008, Chanel released 4 Fleurs de Chanel, which is a very pretty item.

(4 Fleurs de Chanel,
from Chanel’s spring 2008 collection)
(image from www.chanel.com)

When I saw it for the first time last November (here), I thought I would definitely get it. But later on I got less and less excited, hearing that the colors are all very pale and very similar. (The collection was released a lot later in the UK than the US and Asia.) So I actually took a small risk and bought Stage Lights before 4 Fleurs de Chanel was released here. At least Stage Lights has two lilac shades, whereas 4 Fleurs de Chanel only has one.

When I finally got to try 4 Fleurs de Chanel, things I heard were confirmed. They are essentially white eyeshadows with various undertones (blue, lilac, and pink). While I do think the texture is very smooth and that the shimmer is quite intense but still sophisticated, I have no intention to buy it. I am still very happy with my Stage Lights.

Although, among all my lilac eye palettes, it does not rank as highly as my Coffret D’Or or Lunasol, the fact that the tones of the two lilacs are also spot-on for my skin-tone is enough for me to go back to it from time to time.

[A reader kindly reminded me that I didn’t actually describe my skin-tone in the last paragraph of my review. I have a medium-to-light skin-tone, with a pink undertone. The foundation I have been using in the past few years is ZA Two-Way Foundation in 22. It has a slight yellow undertone and I use it to neutralize my pink undertone. With foundation on, I would still describe my facial skin-tone as having a very slight touch of pink undertone.]

Spring 2008 Makeup Trend Report
(not just about lilac…)

Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes in Gem Amethyst
(diamond-dust shine)

Kanebo T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes
(discontinued but not forgotten)

{ 16 comments }

New Side Bar Categories Added!

by PJ on Monday, February 25, 2008

in announcement, makeup, skincare, stash focus

I have added two new categories on my side bar so you can locate my past posts more easily:

— My Current Makeup Favorites

— My Skincare Essentials

The items in “My Current Makeup Favorites” include both some of my long-term staples and seasonal favorites. “The Skincare Essentials” feature items I am using on a daily basis now.

I will update these two categories constantly to reflect my current preferences (especially regarding my seasonal favorites), so do check back!

{ 0 comments }

Turquoise Delight – Dior Eyeshadow Duo in DiorLagoon

by PJ on Wednesday, February 20, 2008

in -Dior, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(Dior Eyeshadow Duo in DiorLagoon)

I started this blog in November 2006. If I had started it several months earlier, many of my initial posts would have probably been about finding the best turquoise eyeshadow for myself.

That was a major quest in the summer of that year. I got Dior’s Seascape a couple of months earlier. While loving the purple and the blue, I decided I wanted a nice turquoise. Not a soft pastel turquoise…a real turquoise. So the search began.

I soon found that many turquoise shades had yellow and/or green shimmer. While I see how it balances the blue undertone of the shade and makes the finish more dynamic, I think it is a little distracting, and I really just wanted a nice straightforward rich turquoise. (Bourjois’ Mono Eyeshadow in Turquoise Ensoleillée is one that has the yellow/green shimmer that doesn’t appeal to me.)

After auditioning many turquoise contenders during that time, I found myself going back to Dior.

Apart from the fact that Dior’s eyeshadows are consistently silky and easy to blend, I like the satiny finish in the eyeshadow duo range. DiorLagoon features a cream white with soft pearlescent sheen and a semi-matte turquoise which is slightly more matte than the cream white. It is a true turquoise with no trace of yellow/green shimmer. Both shades are nicely pigmented and last well.

It has become my gold standard for turquoise shades as it still remains one of the nicest I have ever seen.

Related Posts: (featuring two other lovely turquoise shades)

Maybelline Dream Mousse Eyecolor in Fabulous Turquoise
(my second turquoise eyeshadow)

Alexander McQueen for MAC: Eyeshadow in Haunting
(with a little more blue undertone)

Loving Dior
(my personal take on Dior)

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