-SUQQU

Skincare Review: SUQQU Lip Essence Cream

by PJ on Thursday, January 29, 2009

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others

In winter, my lips and hands are constantly dry and I have to moisturize them every now and then throughout the day. For lips (especially in the evening), I usually prefer something quite emollient, and SUQQU‘s Lip Essence Cream is a product that does the job.

Lip Essence Cream comes in a glass jar with a plastic lid. I quite like this design, as I am not particularly fond of lip balm in a metal container, which can rust. (With my Rose & Co. Apothecary Rose Petal Salve, I usually fill a small plastic container with it and use it from there.)

It has a solid balm consistency. Some of the main moisturizing ingredients include various fatty acids, polybutene (from mineral oil), petrolatum, squalane, and vitamin E. It is quite a simply (in a good way) formulated lip product that doesn’t contain fragrance or parabens.

SInce the consistency is very dense, it does not really glide on the lips when I apply it with my finger. I think the best way to apply the product is to very gently press it onto the lips. A little goes a long way.

Compared with Rose Petal Salve, which leaves a soft sheen, Lip Essence Cream leaves a glossy shine. Some might think it can feel a little sticky, but, as the SUQQU website (link above) suggests, it is a night treatment product. (Also, it doesn’t have any sunscreen ingredient so I don’t suggest using it during daytime.) I usually use it right before going to bed, and my lips still feel moisturized when I get up the next day.

If you have really dry lips and need a very emollient lip moisturizer, or if you are looking for a fragrance-free lip moisturizer, this is certainly a product to consider.

Related posts:

SUQQU Spring 2009 Collection

Review: SUQQU Fall 2008 Collection Part 1 & Part 2

Beauty City Guide (3) – London

{ 0 comments }

Makeup Review – SUQQU Eyelash Kit

by PJ on Friday, December 5, 2008

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, beauty tools/accessories, makeup, makeup - mascara, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning

Since SUQQU was launched in September 2003, some products have, one after another, become the brand’s most talked-about items. Among them, one that some of you have told me about is the Eyelash Curler. Currently, it is included in SUQQU’s Eyelash Kit, which I am reviewing today.

The SUQQU Eyelash Kit includes:
– Eyelash Curler
– Mascara Volume Long in EX-01 Green
– Screw Brush
– Eye Makeup Remover (travel-sized, 50ml)

The items come in a roll-up folder, which is presented a bucket pouch. The curler doesn’t come with refills but they are available separately at the SUQQU counter.


First, the Eyelash Curler. The problem I have with eyelash curlers of this design is that they simply do not get to the two ends of my lashes, and it seems that SUQQU’s version has the same issue. The curler does give a flattering curve to the lashes and the rubber pad seems very sturdy and durable, but I have to position the curler in so many angles to get to the two ends of the lashes that it takes a lot of time to achieve a finished look. Also, my middle lashes end up being curled for too many times and the curl looks slightly less natural.



According to what I have heard in the past few years, this curler does work well for most people, but unfortunately it doesn’t perform well enough for me. I have to say I still much prefer the precision lash curler that I previously talked about. It is much more efficient to use and I can achieve a natural fan-like curve in a very short amount of time.

SUQQU has three kinds of mascaras: Volume, Long, and Volume Long. (All three are water-resistant.) The one in this kit is a Volume Long version in a limited-edition green shade. On my dark lashes, the green pigment doesn’t show up very much, but I do like the soft look and it doesn’t clash with eyeshadows of other shades. For me, this mascara, which contains fibers, does a better job at building up length than adding volume. (The Separate Curl Mascara in RMK’s Christmas Palette 2008 delivers more volume.)

The Screw Brush and Eye Makeup Remover are very good additions to the kit. The brush is surprisingly soft and separates lashes nicely. (It is also a very good eyebrow brush if you find the bristles of most eyebrow brushes to be too hard and scratchy.) The Eye Makeup Remover has a bi-phase formulation, which I always like. It takes off the Volume Long Mascara very easily, and it doesn’t feel greasy or irritate my eyes.

Overall, this is a good kit to try if you are interested in both the Eyelash Curler and the mascara. (The Kit is priced at £40, which is the prices of the two items combined.) This kit is a limited edition and is currently still available at the SUQQU counter in Selfridges on London’s Oxford Street.

Related Posts:

SUQQU Holiday 2008 Collection

SUQQU Spring 2009 Collection

Review: SUQQU Fall 2008 Collection Part 1 & Part 2

{ 4 comments }

SUQQU Spring 2009 Collection Update

by PJ on Friday, November 14, 2008

in -SUQQU, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

Do have a look at Voce’s press event blog for more photos of SUQQU’s spring 2009 collection.

(Check out my previous post on the collection here.)

{ 0 comments }

SUQQU Spring 2009 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, November 5, 2008

in -SUQQU, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from i-voce.boxerblog.com)

Some initial images of SUQQU‘s spring 2009 collection can now be seen on the Voce blog.

In one of the two images in the blog entry, showing the sakura-themed collection, I think I see some new Blend Lipsticks, Blend Eyeshadows, and Nail Colors. The new product for the season is Contour Shadow, which is used generally in the under-browbone area to highlight and to contour the eyes.

For me, it is always good to see a brand that thinks outside the box and comes up with interesting products with very specific purposes. (SUQQU has done it before with Clear Veil Powder.)

I will keep you updated as I come across more information on the collection.

Updated on November 14th, 2008:

Please see more photos of the collection on Voce’s press event blog.

Related Posts:

SUQQU Holiday 2008 Collection

SUQQU Fall 2008 Collection Review Part 1 & Part 2

SUQQU Creamy Lipstick

{ 0 comments }

SUQQU Holiday 2008 Collection

by PJ on Thursday, October 30, 2008

in -SUQQU, 2008 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images and info from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)

SUQQU had updated its Japanese website to feature the holiday 2008 collection, which will be released in Japan on November 7th.

The collection features two Makeup Kits. Kit A includes a Blend Eyeshadow palette and a travel-size Volume Long N Mascara in Silver Black (all limited-edition colors). Kit B includes a special-edition Gloss & Lip Color Palette and a travel-size Loose Powder in Natural. The two sets come with different makeup pouches as well as different designs for the palette cases.

Other Holiday 2008 Collections:

Paul & Joe

Lavshuca

Jill Stuart

{ 2 comments }

Makeup Review: SUQQU Fall 2008 Collection (2)

by PJ on Wednesday, October 29, 2008

in -SUQQU, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - blusher, makeup - lip color

(continued from Part 1)

Today I am continuing the review of SUQQU’s fall collection and will be looking at the blusher and a lipstick from the collection.

.

.

– Blend Cheeks in 05 Kasanebeni

This face color duo includes a pale warm pink blusher and an off-white highlighter. Both shades are predominantly matte and have very minimal shimmer.

The blusher shade is sheer and the finish is very subtle. If you like pigmented blushers or if you have a medium or dark complexion, I definitely wouldn’t recommend this item. Even among Japanese blushers, which are generally sheerer than most western blushers, this one is still on the sheer side and is sheerer than SUQQU’s blusher singles.

However, if you are heavy-handed and tend to over-apply blushers, then this can be a good choice (especially if you like to go dramatic on eyes and lips and want a very subtle blusher). Also, I remember that a reader asked me for suggestions on very pale and subtle blushers for her very fair complexion. If you are looking for the same type of blushers, I would suggest this one as well.

One thing also worth mentioning is that the brush in this compact is very soft and a pleasure to use. The hair is obviously not as dense as SUQQU’s Cheek Brush (which costs £80), but the luxurious softness is very similar.

.

.

– Blend Lipstick in 14 Kaki

It seems to me that the products in the Blend series (Blend Cheeks and Blend Lipsticks) are sheerer than those in the original SUQQU lineup. I suppose the idea is that the colors would blend into and enhance the facial features. Kaki is quite a sheer warm pink with very minimal shimmer, and it is less pigmented than the SUQQU Creamy Lipstick that I have.

It is creamy and moisturizing (as moisturizing as the Creamy Lipstick), which, to me, is probably the most important thing about a lipstick. The finish is subtly glossy, which looks understated and elegant. The color and the gloss last relatively well.

In terms of color and level of pigmentation, this is among my favorite lipsticks, and, in terms of texture, it shows again that SUQQU makes some of the best lipsticks around.

Both items here create an understated look. They might not offer drama or intensity, but they will suit most people who want high quality for their wearable everyday makeup.

.

More wonderfully wearable items:

Lavshuca Cheek Color in PK-1

Lunasol Full Glamour Gloss in 04 Bright Pink

Chanel Irréelle Duo in Désert-Rose

{ 0 comments }

Makeup Review: SUQQU Fall 2008 Collection (1)

by PJ on Thursday, October 23, 2008

in -SUQQU, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

(image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)

SUQQU‘s fall 2008 makeup collection, Kokoroiro – Himeaka (I very roughly translate it as “the mysterious red of the heart“), puts red on the center stage and shows what it can do for the eyes. For this season, many Japanese brands have come up with deep warm red eyeshadows, as we have seen in the lineups of Lunasol, Cosme Decorte AQ, and Magie Deco. Let’s now look at SUQQU’s red eyeshadow and some other items from the collection. (The second part of this review, which will focus on items for cheeks and lips, will be up next week.)


– Dual Eyeshadow in 01 Koushi

I have mentioned before that the texture of SUQQU’s eyeshadows is among the smoothest and silkiest that I have ever come across. (The same description applies to SUQQU’s lipsticks.) The Dual Eyeshadow range is new to SUQQU, but the lovely texture remains the same.

01 Koushi is used for the print ad campaign (seen above). It includes a very pale warm beige (with mild shimmer) and a well-pigmented deep warm red (with subtle shimmer). The pale beige is quite sheer and can work as a base and a highlighter. The deep red actually doesn’t go on nearly as red as what you see in the ad. It is essentially a warm red-toned brown, with red as the main color of the subtle shimmer. It is also a lot more wearable than it looks. I find that it gives a very sensual look, which is not attention-seeking but still carries impact.

If you do want a deep-red shade for the eyes, this color might not be red enough for you. On the other hand, if you find most browns to be too greyish for your complexion, this neutral-with-a-twist is worth considering.

– Dual Eyeshadow in 02 Chaki

This duo includes a very luminous and glowy off-white (which is more pigmented than the pale beige in 01 Koushi) and a well-pigmented medium-to-dark brown with subtle shimmer. I like the fact that the brown doesn’t turn ashy overtime and the richness of the color holds very well.

As shadowing shades, both the deep red-brown and the brown can be quite dark for those with light or light-to-medium complexions. (I tend to wear them quite close to the lashline.) But the shades can easily be blended into a smoky look if you want a more intensity.

For me, in terms of quality, SUQQU’s eyeshaows are some of the best I have come across. Regarding the dark shades, the well-pigmented powder works very efficiently, and a gentle dab of the brush into the powder picks up a lot of color. But when it comes to dispensing, the color is actually released very gently, evenly, and steadily. Also, the powder has what I call a fluffy adherence. During the application, the powder doesn’t stick too firmly on the lid, and layering and blending are wonderfully effortless. But once the application is completed, the finish lasts very well.


– Eyelid Base

Currently available in one shade, this product works similarly to other eye-base products. However, because of its powder texture, it is applied after the (powder or liquid/cream) foundation. I also use it as a concealer elsewhere on my face after my powder foundation.

It has a matte finish with no hint of shimmer, but the light-reflective particles and the subtle coverage cancel out uneven skin tone and create a fresh canvas for the eyeshadow application. (It helps even out both redness and darkness, but I find it to be particularly useful in evening out redness). Even if you don’t wear eyeshadows, this product can help brighten up the eye area. (It can also be used in the under-eye area.)

However, I wouldn’t recommend this product if you have noticeable lines around the eyes, as this powder-type product can emphasize the look of them.

SUQQU’s makeup products used to be in white cases. When the brand brought out dark ones, I thought they were almost black at the very beginning. But they are actually in a deep violet shade, which I find beautiful, sophisticated and quite unique. I tried to capture the color of the case in the photo above. (The inner panels of the cases are black.)

On the other hand, some SUQQU’s cases are in dark red, such as those for the spring/summer 2008 base makeup collection.

I will return with the second part of the SUQQU fall 2008 review next week. Do come back!

Related Posts:

SUQQU Brand Profile

SUQQU Spring 2008 Collection

Foundation Face-Off: Chanel vs. SUQQU

{ 2 comments }

SUQQU Fall 2008 Event in London

by PJ on Thursday, September 18, 2008

in -SUQQU, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)

SUQQU’s fall 2008 makeup collection has been released in the UK (in London’s Selfridges). From September 25th until 28th, there will be a fall 2008 makeup event at the counter. For a £30 booking fee (redeemable against any SUQQU purchase on the day), you will experience SUQQU’s unique gankin (facial) massage followed by a makeover using items from SUQQU’s fall 2008 collection.

(I got the information from the September 4th edition of Weekly Journey, which is a weekly paper mainly for Japanese people living in London. (Check here for its website.) Many thanks to my reader, Yasumi, for reminding me that Weekly Journey regularly features news of Japanese cosmetics in London!)

Related Posts:

Japanese Brand Profile – SUQQU

Japanese Cosmetics in the UK

Beauty City Guide – London

{ 2 comments }

SUQQU Fall 2008 Base Makeup Collection

by PJ on Tuesday, August 19, 2008

in -SUQQU, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(SUQQU Dual Pressed Powder)
(all image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)

SUQQU is renowned for its base makeup, and the brand will release its fall 2008 base makeup collection in Japan on September 5th, 2008. (It should be available in the UK about a month later.)

The main new item is Dual Pressed Powder, which is essentially the pressed version of the two shades of Loose Powder released in fall 2007.

With the Loose Powder, the two shades (Natural and Deep) are meant to be used together. Natural is for the T-zone and the eye area as a subtle highlighter while Deep contours the face. I think this is how it works with the two shades (also named Natural and Deep) in Dual Pressed Powder as well.

All the parts (Natural (refill), Deep (refill), case, and brush) are sold separately.

If you simply want to see how the two shades work together and don’t care about the amount of powder you get, getting the pressed versions (even along with the case and the brush, all together 10500 JPY) will work out cheaper. (The Loose Powder costs 6300 JPY each (puff included).)

The fall 2008 release will also include a new shade for Powder Foundation Glow and Foundation (a cream foundation). Both products were first released in fall 2007. (Please see my review of Powder Foundation Glow here.)

(Powder Foundation Glow)

{ 6 comments }

Fall 2008 Makeup Trend Report

by PJ on Wednesday, August 13, 2008

in -AQ, -Chanel, -Cosme Decorte, -Dior, -Est, -Kanebo, -Kao, -Kosé, -Lancôme, -Laura Mercier, -Lavshuca, -Lunasol, -Magie Deco, -Maquillage, -Shiseido, -SHISEIDO (Global Brand), -Shiseido The Makeup, -SUQQU, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, seasonal makeup trend reports

(image from www.chanel.com)

If there is one word that sums up the makeup trends for fall 2008, it is “warmth”. We had grey from fall 2007 and cool lilac and blue from spring 2008, and now we are greeted by opulent gold and red.

Fields of Gold

Chanel leads the pack with a collection with gold in the eye palette, lip gloss, face highlighter, and nail color. It is a decadent shade of gold, although it can be too warm for some complexions. If this is the case with you, items from Lavshuca (Grade Color Select in GD-1) and Shiseido The Makeup (Lip Gloss in G29 Mellow Gold) might suit you better.

(Lavshuca Grade Color Select in GD-1 (among swatches))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)

(Shiseido The Makeup Lip Gloss in G29 Mellow Gold)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/themakeup)

Gold is also seen in Vernis Crème de Nacres, two nail products in Lancôme‘s fall 2008 collection that are applied with a special applicator. (I am not entirely certain whether they are sold in North America, but they are already available in the UK.)

(Lancôme Vernis Crème de Nacres)
(image from www.lancome.jp)

Shades of Red

If you are fans of purples, there are still some nice shades from Givenchy, Clarins, Awake and Sonia Rykiel as these beautiful hues continue the trend in spring 2008. But many purples are taking on a much warmer tone for fall 2008 and turning into plum purples. We are also seeing shades of burgundy and red, which, just like gold, are the key shades for this fall.

For plum and burgundy, which still somewhat echo the spring trend, look into the palettes from Laura Mercier, EST, and Magie Deco:

(Laura Mercier Eye Color Trio in Mauve Sunset)
(image from www.lauramercier.com)


(EST Emotional Aura Eyes in 07)
(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)

(Magie Deco Shadow Brilliance in 021 Bordeaux Shadow)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

Apart from gold, Chanel‘s fall 2008 collection also features delicious plums in Rouge Hydrabase in Fantastic Plum and Nail Colour in Fantastic.

While warmer reds are seen in major Japanese brands (like Lunasol and SUQQU below), Dior, always a trendsetter, features a muted warm red in 5-Colour Eyeshadow in #673 Earth Tones:

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)
(image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)
(Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow in 673 Earth Tones)
(image from www.sephora.com)


Mix & Match

If you love experimenting with makeup trends, why not try wearing gold and warm purples/reds to sport both trends at the same time?

(Magie Deco Pure Color in GD076 and RD470)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

(Cosme Decorte AQ Shadow Supreme in 015)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/aq)
(Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 54)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)

If reds around the eyes don’t suit you, try gold with deep cool violets. It is a beautiful and modern way to wear violets. I am thinking about trying the items below:

(Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 52)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)
(Lavshuca Dual Prism Eyes in PU-1 (among the swatches))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)

Last but not least, the two makeup looks for fall/holiday 2008 from Shiseido The Makeup epitomise the key trends for the coming seasons:

(Eyeshadow Quad Shimmer in Q11 (left) and Q12 (right))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/themakeup)

This season, I think I will be trying slightly deeper purples (than the ones I have been wearing) as well as platinum golds (not bronze golds). What about you? What shades are tempting you?

Related posts (more red, plum, and lilac):

Coffret D’Or Trance Deep Eyes in Grey Variation
(with a cool medium lilac)

NARS Fall 2008 Collection

ck Calvin Klein Fall 2008 Collection

{ 12 comments }

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →