samedi 31 mai 2014

The Beauty Spotlight Team: Mostly Sunny's Favorite Lippies for Spring/Summer




It is not easy for Sunny at Mostly Sunny to pick favorites. After all, she keeps hoarding lipsticks! She took a good look at her collection when the Beauty Spotlight Team asked her to feature some of her favorites, and she picked out 10 perfect lippies for spring/summer! Take a look at the corals, hot pinks, and reds that grace her lips when the sun starts blazing down!

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Operation Use It Up

Here's a quick rundown of the products that I used up in April and May.

If I had to use only one bodycare brand for the rest of my life, it would probably be Rituals, a Dutch brand that offers a delightful range of scents and is pretty easy on the pocket. It's available on FeelUnique and Barneys.

1. Rituals Happy Buddha Organic Mandarin & Yuzu Foaming Shower Gel Sensation: Rituals' shower gels provide the most bubblelicious experience, foaming up almost straight out of the can. The refreshing mandarin and yuzu scent was an instant favourite. Ingredients list below.

2. Rituals Magic Touch Cherry Blossom & Rice Milk had a lovely comforting scent and hydrated my dry skin well without feeling greasy.

3. Rituals Dragon Mud Organic Bamboo and Volcanic Clay gave good exfoliating action and had a lovely minty scent.

4. Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream didn't leave much of an impression. This was a gift with a magazine, not something that I would purchase.

5. Liberty Helly Kitty Body Butter: This was from Liberty's holiday collection some time ago. This takes some serious massaging for it to absorb fully but it does hydrate quite well.

6. L'Occitane Rose Body Milk is a light textured lotion that absorbs well and hydrates nicely but the rose scent wasn't that special.

7. Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil works very effectively at melting all makeup off and doesn't leave any residue on the skin.

8. Paula's Choice Clear Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution with 2% salicylic acid didn't do much for my skin. I also hated how long it takes to absorb and the tacky feeling it left on my skin. I think it also dried out my skin and had me reaching for Avene Cold Cream which I use only as an emergency treatment.

9. Ettusais Puru Puru Mist: I use this in place of a toner in the mornings. I spritz five or six times and then follow up with a moisturiser to seal in the moisture. It freshens up the skin nicely and is fragrance and colorant free. Ettusais is releasing another version in a green bottle (Puru Puru Mist F) with rosemary extract this summer on 19 June in Japan.

10. Shiseido Ibuki Refining Moisturizer was a surprise hit for me. Shiseido's moisturisers are usually too heavy for my skin but since having a baby, my skin has become more dehydrated and this works wonders for drenching the skin and priming it for foundation. I would purchase this. Ingredients list below.

11. Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask left my skin feeling plumped up and more even but the effect was just temporary. I vastly prefer Fresh Rose Face Mask to this.

12. H2O+ Deep Sleep Recovery Cream felt a bit thick and did not absorb as nicely as the Ibuki Refining Moisturiser.

13. Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum was quite watery and lighter than the typical serum. It provides decent hydration but otherwise, it was nothing special. Ingredients below.

14. Ren Vita-Mineral Day Cream was another magazine freebie. It worked alright on my skin but didn't impress like Ibuki Refining Moisturizer did.

15. Schwarzkopf Brillance Intensiv Color Creme 842 Rouge Cachemire and Palette Deluxe 6-88 Intensive Ruby Red: This is my favourite brand for hair color. This combination turned out as a deep rich red that really brightens up in the sun. All my white hairs were completely covered. It does stain towels for a week so I have to be careful when my hair is still damp.

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jeudi 29 mai 2014

Addiction 5th Anniversary Palette

Addiction celebrates its 5th anniversary this autumn with an unusual red and taupe Ready To Wear palette. Pic from Maquia.

Looking back over the five years since Ayako launched Addiction with an unusual line-up of six white and six black eyeshadows, it's impressive how the brand has grown. Makeup-artist driven brands have been successful in the fiercely competitive Japanese market previously, with the best example being RMK, but Addiction stood out from the beginning with their brilliantly-executed creative vision, diverse color palette and fresh product innovations every season. If RMK is the epitome of fresh, pink-cheeked prettiness and Paul & Joe is the quirky bohemian French chick, Addiction is the cool leather-clad rock chick who's partied all over the world that Lunasol, the beige-suited office lady can only watch in envy. Hopefully, Kose will finally take the brand international and give it the exposure that it deserves.

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Chanel Fall 2014 Rouge Coco Shine

Here's a pic from Voce of the four limited edition Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks from their upcoming Fall 2014 collection, due out on 22 August in Japan.

Another pic of the new eyeshadow singles by Frau.

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mercredi 28 mai 2014

Jill Stuart Crystal Bloom Eau de Parfum

Jill Stuart will launch Crystal Bloom Eau de Parfum on 5 September in Japan. Inspired by the eternal beauty of diamonds, the innocent yet sexy fragrance is created by Christine Nagel, who is also Hermes' in-house perfumer and creator of several Jo Malone scents. Crystal Bloom will be available in 50ml (7500yen) and 30ml (5500yen). The crystal floral accord has top notes of sweet pea, snowdrop, neroli, orange; middle notes of edelweiss, magnolia, rose, freesia, jasmine and raspberry; and end notes of tulle accord, orange osmanthus, gardenia, ylang ylang, moss, cedarwood, musk and amber.


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Shu Uemura Fall 2014 Brave Beauty

Shu Uemura used to term its seasonal color makeup collections as part of its "Mode Makeup" series. The very first was called "Flaggy", released in 1968 by brand creator Uemura. Chocolat Donna from Fall 2012 was #135. The upcoming Brave Beauty collection will be the first 'volume' in a new Vision of Beauty Collection by Artistic Director Kakuyasu Uchiide.


Set for release on 1 August in Japan, the collection includes:

1. Eye Palette: Three palettes in pink, green and orange variations (6500yen)



2. Lasting Soft Gel Pencil: 3 shades (2000yen)


3. Rouge Unlimited: 6 shades in maroon, fuchsia, orange hues (3000yen)


4. Satin Radiant Stick: 4 shades

5. Brave Beauty Lashes (2500yen)

6. Brave Beauty Face Stars (2200yen)

All products are limited edition. See more pics from the press preview on Kire no Hone, here and Biplivoce.

Also set for release on 1 August are the Tsuya Lotion (4800yen, 150ml) which comes in three types: I Fresh Watery, II Watery and III Rich Jelly; and The Lightbulb Oleo Pact Foundation SPF25 PA+++ (5500yen, 16 shades) and The Lightbulb Dome Sponge (650yen). The Oleo Pact Foundation is formulated with a jellified oil complex that is more translucent than the conventional wax complex for an enhanced color effect. It promises a lightweight sensation and effortless touch of glow on a fresh complexion. See the ad visual here. There will also be a new cotton pad with a silk side and a cotton side for use with the Tsuya Lotion.

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mardi 27 mai 2014

tarte Pure Maracuja Oil For Summer Skin Care

[note: this post contains non-affiliate sponsored links from tarte]

I never get tired of talking or writing about oils. Ever since they first came into my life, my perspective on skin care in general has been forever changed. One of the things some people wonder about come summer time is how an oil might benefit their skin in place of a traditional moisturizing cream, or even if an oil would be appropriate for their skin type at all. That's when an extremely versatile, light and vitamin-packed natural oil like tarte's Pure Maracuja Oil (which is passion fruit seed oil) comes in handy, because it suits practically everyone.

When your goal is to create the perfect canvas for your makeup, the smooth application of Pure Maracuja Oil melts seamlessly into the skin and layers well with other products. It won't ever pill or feel thick and heavy on the skin, and it makes blending your foundation and concealer much easier. Hot, humid summer weather can change the consistency of your makeup and how it wears on the skin, and a judiciously used natural oil is one of the best equalizers.

When a vitamin and antioxidant infused natural botanical oil goes down on the skin first, it protects the skin and brightens the complexion all day long underneath your makeup. It helps to prevent skin aging by deterring cell oxidation- a crucial step in any anti-aging protocol.

Maracuja oil in particular has several valuable benefits for the skin:

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antibacterial
  • Anti-itch
  • High in Vitamin A (a natural form of retinol) and Potassium
  • High in skin-brightening, antioxidant Vitamin C 
  • High in beta-carotene, phosphorus, flavonoids and calcium
  • Balances sebum production
  • Leaves skin feeling satiny without any greasiness
  • Essential fatty acids replenish and rejuvenate the skin
  • Skin looks and feels firmed

As you can see from the list above, there are quite a few benefits for acneic and sensitive skin, as well as combination, oily, mature and dry/dehydrated complexions. There aren't a whole lot of oils which satisfy the needs of so many different skin types simultaneously. It's brilliant.

tarte is responsible for really popularizing maracuja oil. It's one of the brand's strongest signature ingredients, alongside Amazonian clay. tarte is very particular about how their oil is produced: the passion fruit is sustainably harvested, and then the nutrient-rich seeded pulp (referred as the "alma" or soul of the maracuja fruit) is extracted. The oil itself is cold-pressed to maintain all of its powerful natural nutrients. I feel very heartened by tarte's mainstream popularity and that of their Pure Maracuja Oil-- it has served as another bright spotlight on the benefits of using natural oils for skin care.


Ready to take your maracuja a step further?
tarte has a slew of gorgeous products infused with their maracuja oil, but the Maracuja Creaseless Concealer ($24) comes in 8 shades and really shows the enduring strength of the marriage between skin care and cosmetics. It delivers a shot of lightweight moisture to keep the delicate undereye skin hydrated all day long while blending away dark circles and other imperfections. What this means is that the concealer will work more effectively because the oil helps to plump up any fine lines around the eyes.




Using Pure Maracuja Oil underneath your makeup or infused into it is a really smart way to give your skin its daily vitamins. For grab-n-go convenience, Pure Maracuja Oil also comes in a handy Rollerball (0.60 oz, $17), which is perfect for dabbing anywhere on the face for an instant glow or for blending into your favorite lip products, cream blush or bronzer for totally customized looks which cater to your particular skin care needs. It works wonderfully for dry cuticles, hands and flyaway hairs as well.




It didn't used to be feasible to walk into your local department or beauty store and be able to buy a beautifully packaged, all-natural botanical skin oil that would please even the most discerning natural skin care aficionado. I, for one, am totally tickled by that fact, and tarte has definitely done their part to make this a reality.



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Three Fall 2014 Future Noir

Here are more details of the Three fall collection, "Future Noir". The collection includes a new line of Refined Control Lip Pencils in three shades. Pics below tweeted by Osadanna.

The Shadow Lining Performance Eyeliner (2800yen) comes in five shades: black, red brown, grey, black purple and blue green. Two of these are limited edition.

Velvet Last Lipstick #10, one of four new lipsticks.

Pic below by Abe Sawako.

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lundi 26 mai 2014

Three Fall 2014

Three did not release a makeup collection for this summer, focusing instead on their new nail lacquer range. For Fall 2014, Three will introduce a new Shadow Lining Performance Eyeliner and mascara in various hues. Pics below tweeted by Kanzaki Megumi. Due out on 13 August in Japan.

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Lunasol Fall 2014 麗浄化

Lunasol just held its autumn collection press preview in Tokyo, unveiling a gorgeous line-up of eyeshadow quads and duos with a baroque design. Set for release on 22 August in Japan, the collection features softly muted neutrals and dusky tones perfect for the season. Typical of Lunasol, the shades have a certain translucency. The collection theme is 麗浄化 (Rei jouka/refined beauty). Pics below tweeted by Abe Sawako.

The Dual Contrasting Eyes and Soft Contrasting Cheeks EX01 Soft Coral and EX02 Soft Pink are limited edition and come with a dome-shaped puff (see it here).

Pics below tweeted by Kanzaki Megumi.


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samedi 24 mai 2014

Canmake June Releases

Canmake will release the following new products on 2 June in Japan:

1. Juicy Pure Eyes: No. 1 Classic Pink Brown, No.2 Happy Sunny Brown, No. 3 Antique Gold and No. 4 Sweet Beige (600yen)

2. Dual Eyebrow Stick: No. 1 Natural Brown (beige brown and dark brown) and No. 2 Light Brown (orange beige and ash brown) (600yen)

3. Effect Nails: No. Z10 Creamy Melon, No. Z11 Sugar Lemon and No. Z12 Sakura Macaron (280yen)





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