L'Occitane Holiday 2012

For this holiday season, L'Occitane will release the Fleurs Merveilleuses (Marvellous Flower) collection on 25 October in Japan, followed by the Luminous Leaf collection on 15 November. Both ranges will be limited edition. Fleurs Merveilleuses will include an eau de toilette (75ml, and 10ml roller ball), Shimmering Body Oil (75ml), Shower Gel (250ml), Body Cream (250ml) and Hand Cream (30ml). The sparkling citrus, winter verbena scented Luminous Leaf collection will feature an Eau de Toilette (75ml, and 10ml roller ball), Scrub Jelly (200ml), Body Milk (250ml) and Hand Cream (30ml).



Info and pics from Kokusaishogyo. See more pics on Beautist.

Lush Holiday 2012

According to Kokusaishogyo, Lush will release its holiday collection of 29 limited edition products and 38 gift sets in two batches in Japan.

1 October: Noriko soap, Snow Dome soap, Angel's Orchestra, Snow Taffy, Fairy Candy shower gel, Twilight Moon Shower Gel, Snow White & The Big Apple, Celebrate Body Lotion, Golden Wonder Bath Bomb, Christmas Table

1 November: Cocktail In The Soap, Artic Explorer, Secret Cracker, Party Hopper, Mister Noel, Bippity Boppity Boo, Go Party Hopper, Go Go Rocket, Magic Beard, Magic Wand Bubble Bar, Candy Mountain 2, Christmas Eve, Melting Snowman, Sand Santa Claus, Fruit Punch Shower Gel, Midnight Fantasy, Lip Scrub Pop Corn Flavor, Aurora Tour, Snow Cake and Midwinter Dinner.

These are completely unofficial translations of the Japanese product names, and the official names in English could be different. See more pics on Beautist.

Anna Sui Holiday 2012

Here's a pic of the Anna Sui holiday collection tweeted by Abe Sawako. Looks like there will be a gold shimmer powder spray, a pink/beige/gold Rose Cheek Color, a holographic flakie nail polish, a tissue box and lace pouch. That would make quite an unusual coffret, although some of the products could be sold individually.

She has also posted pics of the Dior holiday "Grand Bal" collection here and here, and Chanel holiday.

I'm also looking forward to the Guerlain holiday collection and the Paul & Joe Unicorn Set.

Avon Super Shock Gel Eyeliner in Golden Fawn - dupe for Chanel Rose Platine?

today just a quick eyeliner-review. i bought this Avon Super Shock Gel Eyeliner some months ago after i saw a review on Cream's Beauty Blog. not only is Golden Fawn a light metallic taupe, it also  seemed to be a dupe to Chanel Stylo Yeux in Rose Platine - a beloved, but limited edition eyeliner that i only use sparingly to not run out of it.
this has a creamy and soft texture and glides smoothly on the skin for a highly pigmented line without any dragging. just as Chanel Rose Platine, i like to wear this on the lower lashline. the silver taupe subtly defines the eye but also opens it because of its reflective quality. it contains tiny crystal flecks, so i don't use it on the waterline. staying power is medium, it does set but i still notice some smudging at the outer corner after 2 or 3 hours (doesn't seem to be sebum-proof). since the colour is so light, i don't mind it, though.
i bought mine on ebay for about 6-7€.

tihilw

for both looks, i wore Avon Golden Fawn on the lower lashline.

 so let's see if it's a dupe for Chanel Rose Platine at all...

Avon Super Shock Gel Eyeliner in Golden Fawn - Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof in #47 Rose Platine

 Avon Golden Fawn - Chanel Rose Platine

they are very close, but Chanel is a bit more golden compared to Avon. also, Rose Platine is made of  tiniest glitter particles which gives it a lot of complexity while Golden Fawn is a smooth metallic that has less dimension to it.

after the rub test...

 Avon Golden Fawn - Chanel Rose Platine

as you can clearly see, Chanel is still there but Avon is not. the same result i experienced on the eye.


overall, i think Golden Fawn is not a spot-on dupe to Chanel Rose Platine, but applied, they have a very similar effect so i don't think you can tell if you don't look very closely.

IPSA Premier Line

IPSA will launch its new Premier Line of anti-aging skincare on 7 September in Japan. Formulated with a "Amino A5 Gene" moisturising complex, the Premier Line works to enhance skin firmness and translucency. Pic below from the Seibu x Elle Beauty & Style Book for fall.

The range consists of:

1. Cleansing Warm Gel: make-up remover that warms on contact with skin (4725yen, 100g)

2. Cleansing Creamy Paste: facial cleanser (4200yen, 170g)

3. ME Serum: Available in three formulas. (10,500yen)

4. Lotion Serum: Improves absorption of the ME Serum by enhancing skin turnover. (9450yen, 180ml)

5. Lift Up Roller: Massage "lift-up roller" designed to be used after applying the ME Serum (3990yen) for improving skin firmness. See the application video clip here.

Maybelline Superstay 10h Tint Gloss #540 Endless Ruby.

because i was too shy to wear it, right after buying the Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stain #1 Violet Edition i went to the drugstore and got this Maybelline Superstay 10h Tint Gloss in #540 Endless Ruby as a transition colour to get used to the bold lip.
i also thought the two products were similar, so i wanted to try this cheaper alternative and compare them.

the Maybelline gloss comes in a bulgy tube, the packaging is really tasteless. the wide oval applicator is flexible and applies relatively precise, i don't find it as precise as the YSL Glossy Stain, but i also didn't need a lip brush to apply. with 10.5ml i think there is quite a lot content, i don't remember the exact price but it must have been something around 7-8€.

1 layer & 2 layers

Endless Ruby is a rich ruby red. the texture is gel-like, thinner and more watery than i expected, this is more a very pigmented tint and less of a gloss.
it has a strong artificial fruity scent of grapes, think grape candy. it applies evenly, a second layer can be added after the first is dried to intensify the colour and add a tiny bit of shine. the overall finish is not too shiny, maybe only like a creamy lipstick. the lip colour dries slightly sticky but not uncomfortably. my lips don't chap wearing this although there is no balmy phase to it like the Glossy Stains. wearing time is remarkable for a lightweight lip product like this, i had to retouch after about 4 hours to keep the intense colour. it fades down gradually when eating&drinking are involved because there's no glossy layer like in the YSL Vernis à Lèvres to keep the colour from dissolving when it comes in contact with liquids. that's my main complaint with how this stain wears - the colour fades mostly in the center of the lips and since this shade is so dark, i end up with a funny contrasting lip and its upgrade version: the "dark-lipliner-only" pout - if i focus on my beverages and cocktails too much and on my outer appearance too little ;)
all in all a really beautiful bold lip stain from the drugstore. i swatched them all and this might be the best in intensity and colour. it's not so much a dupe for the unique texture of YSL Glossy Stains (very excited to try the new L'Oreal Shine Caresse - these should be the perfect dupes), but one of the acceptable alternatives.
now that i'm uploading i notice that i don't have close up lip swatches. if you want to see them, please let me know so i will do some ;)

tihilw

Jill Stuart 5th Anniversary Big Apple Collection in Taiwan

For the 5th anniversary of Jill Stuart in Taiwan, the brand is releasing two limited edition Mix Blush Compacts and a Petite Lip Stick Trio with a Big Apple motif, as a nod to the brand's New York roots. This will not be available in Japan. See pics of the various sets available on Iswii.net.

Below is the new Body Milk that will be launched in October.

Majolica Majorca Cream de Cheek

Here's a pic of the Majolica Majorca Cream de Cheek which will be released on 21 October in Japan, along with four other products, as part of a circus-themed winter collection.

Le Métier de Beauté Crème Fresh Tint in Tenné.

i want to show you Le Métier de Beauté Crème Fresh Tint in Tenné, one of 5 available shades of these cheek&lips creams. for comparisons and more reviews of them and other Le Métier blushes, check my overview post. these cream blushes come in rubberized plastic screw pots which contain 5g each. they retail for 28$/£24 and are available at usual suspects like Nordstrom, Saks 5th Ave., Bergdorf Goodman, etc. in the US and on zuneta.com for Europe.

the shade Tenné is a caramel brown with strong rose tinge. it looks so boring in the pot but is such a beautiful, natural blush colour on the cheeks so please don't ditch it by the first impression. in this case, i'm quite happy that my skintone plays up the pink in each blush colour, making this a soft nude blush for me. it doesn't contain any shimmer but the creaminess creates a slight dewy sheen. the texture is quite soft compared to other cream blushes (not as soft as Illamasqua, though), but a bit more compact and drier than the other Crème Fresh Tints by LMdB. i apply my creamy cheek products with the Hakuhodo G5552 duo fibre brush, it applies and blends out effortlessly with the fingers, too. although these are so creamy, i don't have any problems with the staying power. on my oily skin, the colour doesn't melt off or become blotchy and starts to fade gradually after about 6-7 hours. this shade applies evenly and looks nice on my lips. it feels a bit dry but is not drying. Tenné looks lighter on my pigmented lips and appears as a beige nude on me, slightly too pale but ok to go with smokey eyes. i don't have similar shades in my cream blush arsenal, so i don't have comparisons for you. if you wish to see comparison swatches with particular powder blushes, please let me know.

Le Métier de Beauté Crème Fresh Tint in Tenné, swatched heavily and blended out

tihilw

bare lips

Tenné on my lips

without & with Tenné on cheeks and lips

Perfume Palate: A Matter of Taste [Mary Ellen Lapsansky]

I've been happy to work with Mary Ellen Lapsansky for the past year or so on The Fragrance Foundation's Indie Fragrance Committee, and have learned some basic (but increasingly rare in people) truths about her during that time. She is very down-to-earth, she's the picture of grace under fire (though she's too humble to accept that, I think), extremely reasonable and she really listens. She extends kindness and consideration where one may never even expect it. As committee co-chair, perfumer, author and my friend Mandy Aftel once put it to me, "she's a good egg".

I had to smile a little bit as I read Mary Ellen's answers to my questionnaire, because she responded  much in the same way I would. Perhaps she simply expresses herself from the perspective of someone whose life is largely focused on fragrance, as is mine. So without further ado, read on for a glimpse into the preferences of a pro (and a very cool lady).

First of all, please state your name and occupation:

Mary Ellen Lapsansky, Vice President, The Fragrance Foundation

What is your favorite perfume at the moment?

L'Artisan's Mure et Musc- I've rediscovered it!

What is your favorite fragrance house or brand of perfume?

There are so many that I am partial to that I cannot list them all.  Many of them are niche brands but some big houses as well. 

How often do you wear perfume, and under what circumstances do you wear it?

I wear fragrance every day and reapply throughout the day. If I am going out in the evening, I reapply the fragrance worn during the day or switch to another favorite.

Is it important to you to know who the perfumer or creator is behind the perfumes you wear?

Since I am in the fragrance business, I do like to know the perfumer/creator behind the fragrances I wear. But even if I weren't, I'd like to know the creator/artist of the perfumes that capture my attention. It is the same as knowing who wrote my favorite song(s) and painted favorite pieces of art. With fragrance I find that if I like a particular perfumer's creation, I usually like all of his/her other creations.

Do you follow the work of certain perfumers, and if so, who?

I do. Right now I am following the work of Ralf Schweiger of Mane since we just interviewed him for The Fragrance Foundation's website: www.fragrance.org

Think of an iconic perfume bottle design from the past. What is it?

Schiaparelli's Shocking.

How many times a day do you estimate that you think about perfume?

Quite often-- it's hard to give a number. 

Think of the last time you complimented someone on the fragrance they were wearing. Did you ask them what it was, and if so, did they tell you?

I am always curious about what other people are wearing. So when I smell something delicious on someone else I always ask them what they are wearing if I don't recognize it already. They usually do tell me because they are thrilled that someone noticed and appreciates the scent. 

In just three words, describe your ideal fragrance:

An "olfactive love affair".

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Silk Eye Shadow #27.

yet another belated review of my recent Giorgio Armani order, at least the one i'm talking about today is still available on douglas.de - if you order, don't forget to check frau-shopping.de for all the goodie-codes! shade #27 is one of six Eyes To Kill Silk Eye Shadows released with the Acqua Collection for summer 2012, i have already shown you shade #28 here.

the loosely pressed hybrid cream/powder eyeshadow crumbles house in a glass pot with a plastic stopper inside. i store my pots upside down to see the colour that's inside. it contains 4g of product and costs 32$/30€.

GA ETK #27 swatched heavily & sheered out

#27 is a mix of steel grey and reddish pink crumbles, as a result you'll get a complex smokey mauve with crystal flecks and tons of pink shimmer. this colour swatches with a strong pink tinge but turns to a mauvey taupe on my lids (it was a difficult task for my camera to capture the effect, it flashes between a taupe and dusty mauve in my swatches). i really like how it looks with my eye colour, the purple tinge only slightly contrasts the brown in my eyes but enough to bring it out. it's smooth and intensely pigmented with a highly metallic finish. i get the best pigmentation by using a firm, flat brush. fluffier or softer brushes don't always apply evenly and can cause fall outs. it blends out easily to a sheer glimmering veil (really beautiful effect). this is made for lazy people like me, it's creates a good portion of drama without the need of additional eyeshadows. the staying power didn't disappoint me - just like the other ETK Silk Eye Shadows i've used, it wears the whole day brilliantly without creasing or fading. luckily it's not like any of my existing grurples, it's shinier and more pink than any grey/purple cream- or powder eyeshadow i compared it to.
another winner from this line, i really love these hybrid shadows and can totally recommend them. used sparingly (for example as accent colour only on the center of the lids), they even look great on those who swear by matte shadows.

comparison

Chanel Illusoire - L'Oreal Metallic Lilac - GA ETK #27 - GA ETK #4 - MUFE Aqua Cream #2

Chanel Illusoire - L'Oreal Metallic Lilac - GA ETK #27 - GA ETK #4 - MUFE Aqua Cream #2

Chanel Illusoire - L'Oreal Metallic Lilac - GA ETK #27 - GA ETK #4 - MUFE Aqua Cream #2

tihilw

for this eye makeup i applied the eyeshadow all over the lid and on the lower lashline, a light champagne on the inner corner and purple eyeliner (forgot the combo, might be Max Factor Metallic Lilac with GA ETK #27 dabbed over it?).
on the cheeks some combo from Le Métier de Beauté's Blush Kaleidoscope and on the lips Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in #57 Imaginaire.

together with my other ETKs: #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - #6 - #9 - #27 - #28