-YSL

Oscars 2010 Fashion: Best-Dressed Three

by PJ on Sunday, March 14, 2010

in -Giorgio Armani, -YSL, fashion, fashion - award fashion

(all images via www.picapp.com)

3rd: Cameron Diaz (Oscar de la Renta)

I think Cameron Diaz’s red carpet style is sometimes too casual, but this look is great for her. The shimmery Oscar de la Renta gown is glamorous without being too fussy, and the relaxed hairstyle suits her well.

2. Kate Winslet (Atelier Yves Saint Laurent)

Like last year, Kate Winslet chose to wear an Atelier Yves Saint Laurent gown for the Oscars. It is another simple and elegant look that works for her. The Tiffany & Co. necklace finishes the look beautifully, and her warm-toned makeup looks stunning too.

1st: Jennifer Lopez (Armani Privé)

I like a bit of visual impact on the red carpet, and this Armani Privé dress has it. Jennifer carries off the structured look well and the soft color complements her skin tone. It is a good move to keep the jewelry simple.

Besides, I also like Queen Latifah‘s dusky pink (some say lavender) gown by Badgley Mischka with asymmetric jewel details and Anna Kendrick‘s romantic blush pink number by Elie Saab.

More Award Fashion

Fashion City: Nottingham, UK

“The new way of selling clothes seems to be not wearing them.”

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YSL Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, November 30, 2009

in -YSL, 2010 Spring, makeup

(images/info from www.cosme.net)

Here is a look at YSL’s spring 2010 makeup collection. Personally, I prefer this collection to Chanel’s spring 2010 collection. There is a good balance between soft feminine shades and more intense colors.

The collection includes:

– Palette Y Mail Highlighter (above, limited edition)

– Palette Y Mail Blush (limited edition)

– Ombres 5 Lumières (1 new variation)

– Ombres Duolumières (2 new variations)

– Rouge Volupté (2 new shades)

– Gloss Volupté (2 new shades)

– Golden Gloss (1 new shade)

– Touche Blush (1 new shade)

– La Laque (2 new shades)

YSL Holiday 2009 Collection

YSL Fall 2009 Collection

YSL Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils

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Fall 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

by PJ on Tuesday, November 3, 2009

in -Addiction, -Dior, -Kosé, -Paul & Joe, -YSL, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10

A couple of weeks ago, I presented the Fall 2009 Makeup Trend Round-Up. Today, I start the countdown of my favorite fall 2009 makeup collections. I hope you will enjoy these posts.

10. Addiction

(image from www.addiction-beauty.com)

I think Kosé’s Addiction is one of the most exciting launches in Japanese cosmetics this year. As many of the mainstream Japanese makeup lines aim to be as wearable as possible, Addiction is a lot edgier, with items like various black eyeshadows that help create intense smoky eyes.

(image from www.addiction-beauty.com)

The launch lineup is very coherent and looks quite warm-toned to me, and I look forward to seeing their spring 2010 collection.

9. YSL

(image from www.ysl.com)

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Among the items in YSL’s fall 2009 makeup collection, I like the Ombres 5 Lumières in 18 (above, Japanese release) and the limited-edition Cream Blush. The Cream Blush has more of a mousse texture, which is a pleasant surprise. It appeals to me more than blushers with a cream texture, as I think mousse blushers are easier to apply and blend. They also tend to look velvety/semi-matte (which I like) rather than shiny.

8. Dior

(image from www.iswii.net)

Dior’s seasonal makeup collections are usually great trend indicators, and the fall 2009 collection is no exception. The collection features purples, plums, pinks, and greys for the eyes and warm-toned shades for the lips. The 5-Color Eyeshadow in 173 Night Butterfly (above) has virtually all the seasonal trends in one compact.

The Dior Jazzclub palettes look very chic but they don’t wow me as much as many of Dior’s past seasonal limited-edition items. Otherwise, Dior would place higher on my list.

7. Paul & Joe

(image from www.iswii.com)

I think Paul & Joe’s seasonal makeup collections are always worth looking forward to, particularly the items with the original prints by the designer behind the brand, Sophie Albou. While I am not as crazy about the prints from this collection as I was about some of the previous ones, I like the new design of the eyeshadow cases, which have an oval shape instead of the usual round shape. Paul & Joe doesn’t do loud colors, and the eyeshadows for this season are soft, elegant, and wearable as usual.

(image from www.iswii.com)

The countdown continues in Part 2.

Summer 2009 Makeup Top 10: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

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Fall 2009 Makeup Trend Round-Up

by PJ on Wednesday, October 21, 2009

in -Chanel, -Clé de Peau, -Dior, -Guerlain, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kate, -Lunasol, -Max Factor, -Paul & Joe, -RMK, -Shiseido, -SUQQU, -YSL, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup trend reports

(image from www.cledepeau-beaute.com)

Looking through the fall 2009 makeup collections released in the last couple of months, I think the main spring 2009 makeup trends, such as purples and soft neutrals, have taken on a more season-appropriate dimension and continued to dominate the makeup scene. Some palettes featured below feature pinks, which also continue the makeup trends earlier this year.

– Purples

Even as a fan of purples, I have been surprised to see how enduring the trend has been. I think it shows the wearability and versatility of the color. For fall 2009, most of the purples are darker, although there are still some lighter options.

(Shiseido Clé de Peau Satin Eye Color
in 108 Purple Amethyst)
(image from www.cledepeau-beaute.com)

(Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow
in 173 Night Butterfly)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(Dior Jazzclub palettes)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(YSL Ombres 5 Lumières
in 18 (Japanese release))

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

(YSL Ombres 5 Lumières
in 8 Midnight (UK/US release))
(image from www.ysl.com)

(Max Factor Eye Gradation Colors
in Violet Mauve (Japanese release))
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

– Warm Neutrals

(image from www.guerlain.co.jp)

As I tend to favor light-to-medium purples which are usually released in spring, warm neutrals are probably (very marginally) my favorite trend of this season. Among neutrals, I like beiges and browns with a warm tone. (Taupes generally suit me less.) This season, many warm neutrals have a pink, peach, soft-copper or warm-gold undertone.

(Estée Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad
in 15 Rose Gold)
(image from www.esteelauder.co.uk)

(Guerlain Ombre Eclat 4 Shades
in 406 Tsarina)
(image from www.guerlain.com)

(Jill Stuart Seductive Eyes
in 07 Mysterious Queen)
(image from www.iswii.net)

– Greys

(image from www.rmkrmk.com)

Greys are usually too cool for my slightly warm-toned complexion, but they are generally great for creating classic retro looks as well as smoky eyes.

Some of the greys for this season are more green-toned, like those from Chanel, and some of them, like those from RMK, are more blue-toned.

(Chanel Les 4 Ombres de Chanel
in 16 Murano)
(image from www.chanel.com)

(Dior 2-Color High-Contrast Eyeshadow
in 055 Cocktail Look)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(Paul & Joe Color Powder CS in 062)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(RMK Mystique Eyes in 03)
(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

One collection that hits the grand slam is Kate’s fall 2009 collection. Apart from the new Reflect Mirror Eyes series, Kate released a purple palette, a warm-brown palette, and a grey palette.

(Kate Diamond Cut Eyes in PU-1)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(Gradical Eyes S in BR-4)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(Deep Trap Eyes in PU-1)
(image from www.iswii.net)

Also, Dior’s and YSL’s eye palettes (above) include both purples and greys.

– Warm Lips

(image from www.suqqu.com)

Last but not least, it seems that many of the lip colors released for fall 2009 are on the warm side. Many of them are warm pinks and reds with a peach, beige, or brown undertone. (It appears that there are a lot fewer rose-toned lipsticks for this season.)

(Dior Addict High Colors)
(image from www.iswii.net)

(Lunasol Full Glamour Lips S)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

(SUQQU Lip Color Pencils & Dual Gloss Colors)
(image from www.suqqu.com)

Onto the holiday season, it seems that some major brands are still releasing purple shades. Look out for those from Dior, Sonia Rykiel, and Clinique.

(image from www.iswii.net)

More on the fall 2009 collections featured above:

Chanel
Dior
Jill Stuart
Kate
Lunasol
Max Factor
Paul & Joe
RMK
SUQQU
YSL

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YSL Holiday 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Saturday, September 12, 2009

in -YSL, 2009 Holiday, makeup

(images/info fromwww.joseishi.net/voce )

Here is a quick look at YSL’s holiday 2009 collection. (It will be available in Japan from October 30th.)

The collection includes:

– Your Lovely Palette for Eyes (above)

– Your Lovely Palette for Lips

– Radiant Touch Collector (2 shades)

– Mini Touche Blush (2 shades)

– Rouge Pur Pure Lipstick (2 new shades)

– Sparking Lip Gloss (2 shades)

– Golden Gloss (1 new shade)

All the items are limited editions except the two Pure Lipsticks and the Golden Gloss.

It’s nice to see some nice purple shades for the holiday season. I do like the Golden Gloss I have, and I am looking forward to seeing the purple one.

YSL Fall 2009 Collection

YSL Holiday 2008 Collection

A Splash of Color – Gorgeous Gold

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YSL Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Friday, June 12, 2009

in -YSL, 2009 Fall, makeup, skincare

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Here is a quick look at YSL’s fall 2009 makeup collection. I like the look of the eye palette below, but this might be an Asia-exclusive release as it looks slightly different from the palette posted at Temptalia.

The new items includes:

– Palette Y Face Powder (above, limited edition)

– Ombres 5 Lumières 5 Colour Harmony for Eyes (2 new variations)

– Ombres Duolumières Eye Shadow Duo (2 new variations)

– Cream Blush (3 shades, limited editions)

– Gloss Volupté (4 shades)

– Rouge Volupté (4 new shades)

– Volume Effect Faux Cils Luxurious Mascara (1 new shade)

– La Laque (2 new shades, limited editions)

– Top Secret Refining Skincare Brush (Primer)

Two new skincare/pre-makeup items will be joining the Top Secret range:

– Top Secret Instant Eye Patch

– Top Secret Lip Plumper Essence

Updated on July 6th 2009:

More images of the collection:

(images from www.cosme.net)

YSL Spring/Summer Base Makeup Releases

YSL Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils

YSL Golden Gloss in Golden Pink

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YSL Summer 2009 Asia-Exclusive Collection

by PJ on Monday, March 23, 2009

in -YSL, 2009 Summer, makeup

(image/info from www.biteki.com)

YSL will release a few limited-edition items exclusive for the Asian market for summer 2009. In Japan, they will be released on April 3rd.

The items include:

– Ombres 5 Lumières (1 new variation)

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

– Radiant Pressed Powder (1 new shade)

– Gloss Pur (2 new shades)

Oscars 2009 Fashion: Best-Dressed Three

by PJ on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

in -Giorgio Armani, -YSL, fashion, fashion - award fashion

I was watching the Oscars 2009 red carpet coverage on E! on late Sunday night, and there were a lot of beautiful gowns. I liked Angelina Jolie‘s simple Elie Saab gown with striking emerald green jewels from Lorraine Schwartz, Freida Pinto‘s blue John Galliano gown with all the exquisite details, and Sarah Jessica Parker‘s “barely mint” Christian Dior Haute Couture number. But below are my top three:

3. Anne Hathaway (Armani Privé)

I don’t think I have ever seen Anne Hathaway dressed badly on the red carpet. Even though I don’t think this Armani Privé gown was as glorious as the red Marchesa gown she wore at last year’s Oscars, it was still stunning. The only pitfall is that, from certain angles, it seemed that the bodice was not fitted as perfectly as it could.

2. Kate Winslet (Atelier Yves Saint Laurent)

Kate Winslet looks every inch of a goddess in this beautifully fitted YSL gown with asymmetric designs. The silhouette looks relaxed and not overly fussed. The unique color choice makes her stand out, but the overall look is somewhat low-key and very sophisticated.

1. Penelope Cruz (vintage Pierre Balmain)

In contrast to Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz doesn’t often do low-key at the Oscars. Some people might think this gown looks too bridal, but I think Penelope Cruz looks classic and regal with tremendous flair. The hairdo and the accessories successfully complete my favorite Oscars look this year.

Apart from the ones mentioned above, I think Marisa Tomei and Tilda Swinton deserve a mention.

– Marisa Tomei (Atelier Versace)

Marisa Tomei has never looked better on the red carpet. She always has a unique style, which I like, but sometimes it is a little too casual at award ceremonies. This time, everything comes together as she pulls off this complex but very stylish origami gown. I am not usually a fan of a relaxed hairdo on the red carpet, but it does suit her and she looks chic and fresh.

– Tilda Swinton (Lanvin)

2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter - Arrivals

Tilda Swinton is in a category of her own, and only Tilda Swinton can do Tilda Swinton. (Imagine Tilda Swinton and Penelope Cruz swapping outfits. Both would have been total disasters.) Her avant-garde style is not to everyone’s taste, but I love her remarkbly distinctive sense of style. Her fashion choices are never random, contrived or purposefully attention-seeking (think Björk’s swan dress). They are always right for the occasion (without compromising her own sense of style and personality) and there is a refeshing coherence to them. A class act.

Golden Globe 2009 Fashion: Best-Dressed Three

Oscars 2008 Fashion: Best-Dressed 5

Viktor & Rolf at the Barbican

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YSL Spring/Summer 2009 Base Makeup Releases

by PJ on Monday, February 23, 2009

in -YSL, 2009 Spring, makeup - base makeup

(image from www.biteki.com)

YSL will be releasing the spring/summer 2009 base makeup items in Japan on March 6th.

Matt Touch Compact Foundation SPF 20 has already been launched in the US. I didn’t see it the last time I walked past my local YSL counter, and I am looking forward to seeing it soon.

(image from www.cosme.net)

YSL’s Tient de Pearle (from nearly 10 years ago) is one of the very few foundations from western beauty brands that I actually liked. Even though it was not among the most sebum-controlling powder foundations for my oily skin, the powder was so silky and smooth that I did enjoy using it. I am hoping that Matt Touch will have a similar smooth texture with better sebum control. (Plus, Matt Touch is housed in a similar case to the opulent golden case for Tient de Pearle.)

In addition, YSL will release Matt Touch Radiant Base, in three color-adjusting shades, with SPF 12 and PA++.

(image from www.cosme.net)

YSL Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils

YSL Golden Gloss in 03 Golden Pink

A Splash of Color: Gorgeous Gold

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Spring 2009 Makeup Trend Report

by PJ on Monday, January 26, 2009

in -Ayura, -Chanel, -Clarins, -Clé de Peau, -Cosme Decorte, -Dior, -Elégance, -Esprique (Precious), -Giorgio Armani, -Jill Stuart, -Kanebo, -Kosé, -Lancôme, -Lunasol, -Magie Deco, -Shiseido, -Shu Uemura, -YSL, 2009 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup trend reports

Partly due to the current world economy, many people are not spending as much money on makeup as before. It is also not surprising that many of us are looking for classic, wearable and trend-resistant colors.

If you are the kind of makeup fan that looks forward to unique shades, you might have already been disappointed with most of this season’s lineups. It seems that, for spring 2009, many brands are coming up with wearable colors that don’t easily date. But I find it very interesting to look into how various brands interpret “wearable colors”, and here are three shades from spring 2009 collections.

– Soft neutrals

(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)

Brown-toned neutrals will probably never date. This season, neutrals are soft, milky, and not overly intense. Neither too bronze nor too gray, these neutrals have maximal appeal for most complexions.

Some of the loveliest neutral palettes I have come across are from Clé de Peau and Dior. They are soft, elegant, chic, and easy to wear.

(Shiseido Clé de Peau Eye Color Quad
in 121 (top) and 120 (bottom))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/cpb)

(Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow in 553 Elégante)
(image from www.iswii.net)

If you want something slightly more intense, try Chanel‘s Les 4 Ombres (Quadra Eye Shadow) in Mystic Eyes from the spring 2009 Bohemian Fantasy collection.

(image from www.iswii.net)

– Pinks

(image from www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com)

If you think neutrals are too predictable, try a little bit of pink. Soft light-to-medium pinks that are very slightly on the cool side should give you a youthful and gentle look, as seen above in the ad image from Giorgio Armani‘s Pink Light collection for spring 2009.

Like Giorgio Armani, YSL includes pink in the brand’s only new quad for the season. (Check my previous post to see the main makeup look).

(Palette D’Artiste Colletor Powder for the Eyes)
(image from www.cosme.net)

Jill Stuart regularly brings out pink shades, and this season’s Blossoming Pink collection adds two pink-toned palettes to Jill Stuart’s eye palette lineup.

(Seductive Eyes in 06 Romantic Goddess)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

(Illuminance Eyes in 06 Blossoming Shine)
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)

For an edgier look, try Lancôme‘s Irreverent Madame palette from the brand’s Pink Irreverence collection.

(image from www.lancome.co.uk)

– Lilacs

(image from ep-bko.com)

I think lilacs are just as wearable as neutrals and pinks. Like how we find the right neutrals/pinks, as long as we find the shades with the right color intensity and the right amount of warmth/coolness for our complexions, lilac can be a great everyday eyeshadow color.

Lilac was part of the spring 2008 makeup trend, and, as a lilac fan, I am pleased that it is still a very prominent shade this season, especially in Japanese beauty brands. Beauté de Kosé’s Esprique Precious is using the lilac-toned palette (from the new True Impact Eyes range) in the ad campaign. Lunasol‘s Layer Bloom Eyes in 03 Purple Gradation is also the feature item in the brand’s Floral Purification collection. (In the image below, it seems that the palettes are blossoming under the fresh spring sun.)

(www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

In addition, AYURA‘s only new eye palette for spring 2009 is a cool-toned lilac/gray palette, somewhat reminiscent of Maquillage’s Clean Contrast Eyes 2 in SV844.

(image from www.ayura.co.jp)

– Mix & Match

(image from woman.excite.co.jp)

There are quite a few collections that feature two or more of the three colors mentioned above. For example, all four of Elégance‘s eye palettes incorporate pinks, lilacs, and neutrals. (There are one neutral palette, one pink palette, one lilac palette, and one with an off-white pink and an off-white lilac.)

Beauté de Kosé‘s two new Eye Fantasist liquid eyeshadows are of pink and lilac hues:

(image from www.iswii.net)

If you want pink and lilac in the same product, look into Shu Uemura‘s Spring Mode Makeup Eye Palette in Fantasia and the Nature Temptation Eye Palette from Clarins, which also includes some neutrals. (The picture below shows the version sold in Asia. The European/American version also has a pink and a lilac, which are paired with slightly darker shades.)

(image from www.shuuemura-usa.com)

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

If the pinks and lilacs above are too pale for your complexion or if you want a more striking look, try Magie Deco‘s Shadow Brilliance palette in 022 Flower Show.