stash focus

Bring It Back! Nina Ricci Cosmetics

by PJ on Wednesday, October 17, 2007

in _Bring It Back, makeup, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss, makeup - mascara, stash focus

(Nina Ricci Cosmetics seasonal looks)

I think most of you might still remember the curvy and quirky original packaging of Nina Ricci‘s makeup and skincare items. It was fairly cute but I wasn’t particularly a fan of that. But, around 2002, the packaging went through an overhaul and personally I think it came out so much better. Using both reflective and frosty finishes, the new look was sleek and modern.

The two items I have from the revamped range were the Tender Lacquered Lipglaze in #2 Rose Jupon and Extension Lashwear in #01 (black). The Extension Lashwear mascara does a good job in separating and defining the lashes, while the lipglaze is one of the best lip glosses I have ever used thanks to the richness of the color and the syrupy and glassy finish.

(my two Nina Ricci items)

What I also like about the new Nina Ricci makeup line is that each season they released a beautiful seasonal look. Like the packaging, the seasonal looks were modern and with a slight editorial edge which varied from season to season. Each seasonal look was on a leaflet featuring the key items. The styling of the leaflets was consistent, which made it fun to collect and compare them. You can see some of the beautiful seasonal looks above.

Sadly, Nina Ricci left the UK a couple of years ago. (Now only the fragrances are sold here.) The website is functioning but the beauty section has not been updated for a long time. It makes me wonder whether they are still coming up with new items in other countries. I don’t think so, but if you have any information on Nina Ricci where you are, I’d be very interested to know!

Some other “Bring It Back!” Posts:

Inoui ID
Cynthia Rowley
Bulgari Skincare (which IS coming back!)
Helena Rubinstein
Calvin Klein Cosmetics (which has come back!!)

{ 2 comments }

A Splash of Color — Girlie Pink

by PJ on Sunday, October 14, 2007

in _I Love Colors, -Ayura, -Kao, -Lavshuca, -Paul & Joe, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics, bodycare, makeup, makeup - base makeup, skincare, stash focus

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.

————————–

Alexander McQueen for MAC Eye Shadow in Haunting Tested

by PJ on Thursday, October 11, 2007

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

(Alexander McQueen for MAC
Eye Shadow in Haunting…
Loving the McQueen logo)

I have bought this on Monday and I have tried it on today. I think I am liking it…

As I said on my last post on this eyeshadow, I spent quite some time deciding whether to get this or not. The main reason is that I have a similar shade, the turquoise shade in Dior’s two-color eyeshadow in DiorLagoon. While in the store, I went over to the Dior counter to put the turquoise shade on the back of my hand and then put Haunting next to it. They looked very similar and I decided at the time not to buy it and left the store.

But, under the natural sunlight, I immediately noticed a difference. Haunting is more blue than DiorLagoon and is a tad lighter. As a lover of turquoise shades, I decided that this particular shade was different enough to justify the purchase, so I went back to get it.

(This is actually my first MAC eyeshadow
in several years…)

One of the things I have noticed from comparing the actual item with how it looks on the promotional images is that Haunting is darker when seen in person. I thought it would be a light aqua-ish turquoise but it is basically a proper turquoise with a subtle blue undertone.

I tried it on today and I do like it. I like the very slight blue undertone compared with the usual turquoise shades. I also think MAC’s Satin is a finish I like. It has a smooth and mildly luminous finish, not shimmery or glittery.

So I am glad I got this. Also, I like the Alexander McQueen Fall 07 print on the lid. Very chic!

Update (October 15, 2007)

Beauty Anonymous also picked up Haunting. Do have a look at her review!

Some of my other eyeshadows:

The Allure of Blue Eyeshadows
(Do you think blue is a scary color to wear?)

Calvin Klein Eyeshadow in 06 Ivory
(an unexpected discovery)

Lavshuca Eye Color Select in PU-2
(another of my recent favorites)

{ 2 comments }

Alexander McQueen for MAC Eye Shadow in Haunting

by PJ on Monday, October 8, 2007

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

(Alexander McQueen for MAC
Eye Shadow in Haunting)

The Alexander McQueen for MAC collection is exclusive to Harrods in the UK and was out on October 3. The eyeshadow in Haunting was the item I looked forward to the most. I stopped by Harrods today and decided to buy it after being so indecisive about whether to get it or not. (I shall explain more later.)

I will post a review of this after I try it on. Do come back!

(See images of the items and the swatches of the collection on Specktra.Net Forum.)

MAC Holiday 2007 – Antiquitease
(already on my shopping list…)

{ 4 comments }

A Touch of AYURA Blusher: Aura Veil α in Sweet Pink

by PJ on Sunday, October 7, 2007

in -Ayura, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - blusher, stash focus

(another of my favorite blushers)

AYURA is one of my all-time favorite brands and it would be the brand of my choice if I could only live on one cosmetics brand. I will certainly bring you more AYURA items one by one later on. (See the Japanese site for all the more current information and images of the products. Both sites, like most other websites for Japanese cosmetics brands, are for information only and don’t offer on-line ordering.)

AYURA Aura Veil α was out in spring 2006 to replace the previous AYURA blushers. It comes in four shades and mine is PK-11 Sweet Pink. It is a gradation blusher with the shade running from a light peach on the right to a soft coral pink on the left.

The blusher is fairly well-pigmented and with minimal shimmer.

I love the very understated and elegantly curvy packaging (which is always the case with AYURA products):

(the tulip-shape packaging)

There is a separate compartment for the brush. It is a good-quality brush and I can sometimes simply use this one to apply the blusher instead of my usual blusher brush. (The case/brush set is sold separately and the quality doesn’t disappoint.)

The blusher goes on the bottom layer:

The colors stay fresh, don’t darken overtime, and last well. They are girlie and playful shades that I enjoy using from time to time to create a warm complexion. Also, in recent issues of some Japanese cosmetics magazines, I have noticed that soft warm blushers like this are often used to accompany minty green eyeshadows to create a very fresh look. Overall, like Anna Sui’s Face Color Accent, it scores good points in many aspects!

Do have a look at my personal take on AYURA if you are interested.

My "Sensational Seven" Makeup Brushes

by PJ on Wednesday, September 26, 2007

in -Ayura, -Shu Uemura, all about Japanese cosmetics, beauty tools/accessories, makeup, stash focus

(my most used brushes…)

Last week, a reader asked whether I could talk about the makeup brushes I use. Then I realized I had never mentioned these “hairy” friends who have been helping me putting together my makeup.

One of the reasons that I haven’t talked about them is simply that I don’t have a lot of them. All I have are the basics, and I make do with them. Also, some of them are not really available now, but I will focus on what you can get your hands on.

First of all, a couple of years ago, I bought an Ayura set that included a limited-edition brush set. The brushes came in this lovely brown holder:

(my Ayura brush set)

The set has 6 brushes, for cheeks, eyes, and brows. These are not the kind of sparse, scratchy, and coarse brushes often included in many gifts with purchases. They are soft and fluffy, and they have proven to be durable and easy to use.

(the six brushes in the set)

I use the four on the right very regularly. They and three others make up my “sensational seven”:

(the Sensational Seven)

(a close-up)

(numbered for you)

— #1, #3, #4, and #5 are from the Ayura brush set. I don’t think the set is available anymore so I’ll be brief with these. #1 is a soft blusher brush that I have been counting on for all my powder blushers. #3 and #4 are solid and bouncy eyeshadow brushes that never feel scratchy. #5 is a great flat brush for lining the eyes.

— #2 is Ruby & Millie Eye Brush [Large]. (I remember it costs about £9 (about 18 USD).) Ruby & Millie is a makeup line sold exclusively in Boots stores in the UK. Last year and this year, the Ruby & Millie makeup brush collection is chosen by InStyle Magazine UK as “the best inexpensive brush line“. I can definitely see why. Budget brush hunters will love some of these brushes. In particular, this eyeshadow brush is thick and dense (thicker than #3). It is good for eyeshadow application for larger areas and for overall blending.

— #6 is Shu Uemura eyebrow brush (6 OB). I’ve had this for at least 7 years and it still performs well. This eyebrow brush is slightly softer than those from MAC and Bobbi Brown, both of which I think are too hard. The brush tip is nicely slanted for easy application.

— #7 is RMK Lip Brush. This one is retractable and very easy to carry around. The very flat tip allows a precise application. I’d like the hair to be shorter and slightly denser, but it is a minor complaint for a brush that I have been very used to for years.

I have some other brushes but these are the ones I depend on the most. I am not really on the lookout for any new brush, but sometimes I fancy an alternative blusher brush (I am a blusher person) and an angled face shading/contouring brush. Any suggestions? Let me know!

{ 8 comments }

I Got It! Calvin Klein Eyeshadow

by PJ on Thursday, September 13, 2007

in _Bring It Back, -Calvin Klein, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(Calvin Klein Eye Shadow in 06 Ivory)

Back in May, I wrote about Calvin Klein Cosmetics to mark the start of my Bring It Back! series. I mentioned I was aware that some on-line shops still carried the line and that I was concerned about the quality (since the line has been discontinued for quite a while).

But, during my trip to Nottingham in June, I was roaming around in a shopping mall and I came across some Calvin Klein makeup products in a cosmetics store! The store had a slightly similar feel to The Company Store in London, which is the Estée Lauder Group outlet store.

I checked the quality of some of the stock, and I was relatively happy. As most of the colors were too dark for my liking, I picked up this matte ivory shade, which is good as a base for other eyeshadows. It can also work as a subtle brow-bone or face highlighter.

This is the only Calvin Klein Cosmetics item I have, and it is a very welcome addition to my white eyeshadow collection!

Fashion City: Nottingham, UK
(Read about a fabulous fashion show I attended there.)

{ 28 comments }

Fall 2007 Makeup Focus: Lavshuca Color Conc Rouge

by PJ on Monday, August 27, 2007

in -Lavshuca, 2007 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss, stash focus

(Lavshuca Color Conc Rouge PK-1)

Color Conc Rouge (10 shades) is part of the Lavshuca fall 2007 line-up. It is supposed to be a lip color that is between a lipstick and a lip gloss. It promises to have:

— the level of pigmentation of a lipstick
— a highly viscous consistency of a lip gloss
— good staying power

So, a long-lasting syrupy and pigmented lip color. Sounds very special. (I think “conc” stands for “concentration”. But please correct me if I am wrong.)

Does it fulfill the promises? No.

It is a nice gloss nonetheless, with a natural watery shine I love, and PK-1 is a very cute pink shade. But it doesn’t fair very differently from some of the other glosses I have.

I think a better description of this product is that It is a mildly syrupy and lightly pigmented gloss that imparts a watery shine with minimal shimmer, with reasonable staying power. (But some other shades could be more pigmented than PK-1.)

(the cute heart-shape dispenser)

For me, a lip gloss that is actually very close to what Color Conc Rouge promises to be is Nina Ricci‘s Tender Lacquered Lipglaze:

(Nina Ricci Tender Lacquered Lipglaze)
(photo from www.ninaricci.com)

I have #2 Rose Jupon, which is a peachy pink. Exceptionally syrupy and glassy, it is quite pigmented as a lip gloss and can cover a good deal of my natural lip color. Too bad Nina Ricci cosmetics is not available in the UK anymore.

Also, I find that Dior’s DiorKiss has a very syrupy consistency as well and some of the shades are quite pigmented.

A-Mused at Musings of a Muse has a review of Lavshuca Color Conc Rouge as well. I understand what she means by the gloss not gliding well. For me, it does take a couple more seconds to get a perfectly even finish but the application is still relatively easy. I think it is down to the combination of the applicator and the particular consistency of the gloss, since there is no problem with Lavshuca’s Gloss Stick (with almost the same applicator).

Overall, Color Conc Rouge is still a fairly good gloss, even though it doesn’t particularly stand out from the rest of the field…

Fall 2007 Makeup Focus: Dior Diorissime Palette

by PJ on Sunday, August 26, 2007

in -Dior, 2007 Fall, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss, stash focus

(Dior Diorissime Palette for fall 2007)

(with Dior Detective Chic palette from fall 2006)

In recent years, Dior has successfully merged fashion and cosmetics by bringing fashion elements into the design of seasonal limited-edition items. The Diorissime palette for fall 2007 is yet another example.

The design of the beautiful case is based on both the classic and the current Dior designs:

(Dior Pink Leather Lady Dior Bag)
(photo from fashion.dior.com)

(Dior Pink Leather Cannage Bag)
(photo from fashion.dior.com)

The one I got is 002 Seduction Drama:

(after some testing…)

From left:

Eyeshadows –
deep copper, medium grey, medium brown, sheer light beige
(All have metallic shine.)
Lip Colors –
sheer frosty pink with subtle green shimmer
pale blue-tinted gloss with minimal shimmer

I went for 002 (Seduction Drama) instead of 001 (Daylight Madonna) because I wanted to have a couple of darker neutrals to play with and because I am a fan of blue-tinted lip glosses. (But 001 Daylight Madonna does feature some cute pink shades as well as soft neutrals.)

As with all the Dior eyeshadows, the texture is so smooth and blending is a dream.

I was worried that the deep copper shade (on the very left) would be too warm for me as an eyeliner shade. But, blended with the grey, it becomes a very natural brown.

The grey shade is a great addition to my eyeshadow colors. It goes well with my very dark eyes and lashes, not to mention it is a trendy color for fall 2007. (Replace this with the medium brown next to it for the classic neutral look.)

The frosty pink lip color has a texture between a very creamy lipstick and a syrupy lip gloss. Very glossy and shimmery. The blue-tinted gloss goes on completely sheer. It feels like a very moisturizing lip balm which happens to have a lot of shine.

While 001 Daylight Madonna is more for daytime, 002 Seduction Drama is definitely for evening glamor.

I have been loving most of Dior’s seasonal limited-edition items. This one will also be joyfully displayed on my dresser top!

Fall 2007 Makeup Focus: Lavshuca Eye Color Select PU-2

by PJ on Sunday, August 19, 2007

in -Lavshuca, 2007 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus

(Lavshuca Eye Color Select PU-2)

Part of the Lavshuca Fall 2007 collection, this is the only new Eye Color Select palette for this season. In a way, it replaces the discontinued PU-1. (Also, a new line of eyeshadow palettes, Grade Color Select, has been released this fall.)

(top-left: pale lilac, with shimmer
top-right: lilac taupe, with shimmer and fine glitters
bottom-left: warm lilac, with shimmer
bottom-right: dark plum purple, with minimal shimmer)

This palette creates a sensually elegant look. For me, the bottom-left warm lilac shade is the star of this palette and the key to its elegance. A medium plum lilac, it has a warm neutral edge and is particularly wearable for me, as warmer purples suit me slightly better than cold blue-ish ones. It is a very beautiful soft and natural color.

All the shades are a great match and blend seamlessly together. Overall, I love this palette!

The instruction for all the Eye Color Select palettes indicates that the top-right shade, the one with fine glitters, can be worn as a base or on top of the finished look to add sparkles. But for this palette, I find that the top-right lilac taupe is slightly too dark to be used as a base shade. It goes on much darker than it looks in the palette and is almost darker than the bottom-left shade.

I actually think it works very well as a replacement of the bottom-left shade for a very sophisticated look. The fine glitters are not really a problem here. They bring a touch of vibrancy to this neutral color and don’t look over-powering.

In comparison, another purple palette, T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes 03 (read my earlier post for a full review) is able to create a slightly edgier look. It has a wider range of purples and includes a dark purple cream eyeliner.

(Kanebo T’Estimo Frame Impact Eyes 03)

Released this spring with relatively colder lilac shades, this T’Estimo one is fresh and upbeat, while the Lavshuca one is soft and sensual. I do love both!

Next week, I will review another item of the Lavshuca Fall 2007 collection, Color Conc Rouge.

Don’t miss these related posts:
Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes palette in 04 Gem Amethyst
(another of my lilac-based palette)

Lavshuca Eye Color Select palettes in PK-1 and BU-1
(spring 2007 releases)

stash focus

Bring It Back! Nina Ricci Cosmetics

A Splash of Color — Girlie Pink

Alexander McQueen for MAC Eye Shadow in Haunting Tested

Alexander McQueen for MAC Eye Shadow in Haunting

A Touch of AYURA Blusher: Aura Veil α in Sweet Pink

My "Sensational Seven" Makeup Brushes

I Got It! Calvin Klein Eyeshadow

Fall 2007 Makeup Focus: Lavshuca Color Conc Rouge

Fall 2007 Makeup Focus: Dior Diorissime Palette

Fall 2007 Makeup Focus: Lavshuca Eye Color Select PU-2

Looking for a post?

Recent Highlights!

Recent Stash Focuses!

Fall 2024 Collections

Categories

Follow Me!

Loving Your Comments!

My Skincare Essentials

My Makeup Favorites

Archives

Loving These Sites

Wealth of Information