Les Merveilleuses by Laduree and Lancome New Base Makeup

Les Merveilleuses by Laduree will launch their new Powder Foundation N (5300yen) and Touch Up Crayon (2800yen) on 4 March in Japan. Pic by Naonaozou. See real-life close-up pics of their spring makeup collection on Tokila.

Lancome will add this CC Cream SPF50 PA+++ to its Absolue Precious Cells range in early March as well. Pic by Abe Sawako.

Lancome UV Expert CCCover

Lancome will launch this UV Expert XL CCCover SPF50 PA++++ (5800yen, 30ml) in 4 shades (01 Flawless Bright, 02 Fresh Rose, 03 Natural Nude and 04 Light Beige) on 17 February in Japan. It is supposed to help protect from the damaging effects of blue light emitted from devices such as LCD TVs, PCs and smartphones, in addition to the usual UVA and UVB rays. The three "C"s stand for Cell, Coloration and Cover.

There will also be a new Blanc Expert Beauty Skin Tone Cream (12000yen, 50ml).


Other products debuting on 13 Jan in Japan:

1. Absolue Teint Sublime Radiance Compact Foundation SPF32 PA+++ (13000yen, 6 shades)


2. Absolue Teint Precious Cell Sublime Cream Foundation SPF26 PA+++ (13000yen, 6 shades)


3. Absolue Sublime Glow Base (9000yen, 24ml)

Pics below from Maquia.

Esprique Cool BB Spray

Esprique is bringing back a revamped version of its Cool BB Spray Foundation (2100yen, 60g) this summer as a limited edition release. Originally launched last May, the new version boasts increased sun protection levels of SPF50+ and PA++++ (the maximum level in Japan), and is available in two shades whereas the original version was only available in one shade.

Described as a spray-type essence foundation, it comes with a sponge for spraying the foundation onto before applying to the face. It is fragrance-free, meant for all seasons and contains hyaluronic acid, collagen, mint extract, amino acids and silicones such as dimethicone. The BB aspect is based on its five functions as a beauty essence, sunblock, primer, foundation and face powder. Aside from promising to vanquish the appearance of pores, it also cools the skin by 5°C upon application. Due out on 16 May in Japan, there will also be a limited edition set that includes the BB Spray, Loose Face Powder in Lucent Beige 1.5g and a loose powder puff. Check out the TV commercial featuring actress Ueto Aya here.

This will also be available in Taiwan. I seem to recall reading somewhere that it will be available in Singapore too. Kose counters in Singapore are now selling the new Pore Cover Perfect Base CC in these limited edition base makeup kits for just S$39. Their other promotions for May can be found here.

Video tutorials on how to use the Pore Cover Perfect CC under a powder foundation, applied with a sponge or brush.

Shu Uemura Poreraser CC UV Under Base Mousse

Hopping on the CC bandwagon next is Shu Uemura with its upcoming POREraser CC UV Under Base Mousse SPF35 PA+++ in four tones of Ivory, Pink, Beige and Deep Beige. Shu Uemura's spin on this is that conventional color correctors use synthetic pigments, such as green to correct skin redness, which can often result in a thick, uneven or artificial looking finish. Shu Uemura's CC UV Under Base Mousse provides an ultra light airy mousse texture with an innovative color technology for beautiful, natural-looking skin.

Esprique Pore Cover Perfect Base CC

Esprique is slated to launch this Pore Cover Perfect Base CC SPF50 PA++++ (30g), along with a foundation kit (with a limited edition case and sample of the CC cream) and a Pore Cover Perfect Base CC kit (with a loose powder in lucent beige and a powder puff) on 16 February in Japan. The Pore Cover Perfect Base promises coverage of pores for up to 13 hours through its 'super flat powder EX' and amino-acid coated 'pore cover powder' which reflects light.

SK-II Auractivator CC Cream

Up next from SK-II is this Auractivator CC Cream, launching on 5 March in Japan. It performs 5 functions of moisturising, concealing, brightening, protecting and nourishing. Formulated with two types of micro pearl to enhance the skin's glow and a "Day Soft Aura White' complex composed of pitera, niacinamide and plum extract, it boasts SK-II's highest ever level of sun protection level at SPF50 PA++++.

Ettusais Premium Makeup Line

Ettusais will release a new Premium line designed for ladies in their 30s on 11 September in Japan. Designed to meet their typical skin concerns such as the lack of skin translucency and obvious pores, the Amino Caviar Cream (3200yen, 90g) is supposed to be all-in-one gel cream with seven functions including lotion, beauty serum, pack mask, primer etc. It is formulated with an 'amino premium 7 complex' that includes collagen, hyaluronic acid, royal jelly and three types of amino acids for hydrating benefits. The range also includes a CC Amino Cream (2300yen, 35g), Chiffon Foundation Set SPF20 PA++ (3800yen, 3 shades) and two-toned Luminous Powder (2800yen).

Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream and CC Eye Cream

Bourjois has hopped on the CC Cream bandwagon with the release of its new 123 Perfect CC Cream and CC Eye Cream this winter.

The CC Cream SPF15 is available in four shades and retails at CHF18.90 for 30ml in Switzerland, which is quite a bit cheaper than Bourjois' foundations which retail for around CHF27 over here. Made in France, it promises a luminous finish and smooth skin, plus 24-hour hydration. The oil-free formula contains three color correcting pigments: apricot for anti-fatigue, green for anti-redness and white for dark spots. In comparison, the 123 Perfect liquid foundation has SPF10, yellow pigments for anti-dark circles, mauve pigments for anti-dullness and green pigments for anti-redness.

The CC Eye Cream SPF15 comes in 3 shades and retails at CHF14.90. It is also oil-free and promises 24-hour hydration and is described as an illuminating eye care concealer.

The CC Cream comes in a convenient, travel-friendly squeeze tube with a fine nozzle, that makes controlling the amount dispensed a breeze.


In contrast, the CC Eye Cream's twist mechanism is terribly designed as one click always dispenses way too much product. The amount of product contained in the CC Eye Cream is miserably paltry at just 1.5ml/0.05fl oz.

Ingredient list for the CC Cream below.

And for the CC Eye Cream below.

I purchased the lightest shades of both the CC Cream (#31 Ivory) and the CC Eye Cream (#21 Ivory).

Compared to the 123 Perfect liquid foundation, the CC Cream has a lighter, more liquid texture. I also find the shade #31 Ivory to be a better match for my MAC NC20 skintone, whereas the 123 Perfection liquid foundation #51 Light Vanilla applies with a more yellow tone on me. The foundation offers slightly more coverage than the CC Cream but the foundation also has a greater tendency to emphasise dry patches. The first couple of times that I tried the CC Cream, it also applied patchily on my skin which was prepped only with Ren Clarifying Toning Lotion. The patchiness vanished when I added La Mer Moisturizing Gel-Cream into my skincare routine. The CC Cream dries quickly to a matte powder finish.

Although the CC Cream is supposed to provide 24 hour hydration, I did not find it to be hydrating at all and would not recommend it for dry skintypes. It works quite well with my oily skin in the winter weather here, helping to reduce the appearance of pores. After five hours without blotting, there was a slight sheen on my T-zone. It provides good coverage and makes skin look more even-toned and polished. However, if you prefer a more natural bare skin look, this CC Cream is not for you as it does look quite obvious that one is wearing makeup with this.

The CC Eye Cream is rather unremarkable and pretty much a miss for me. Contrary to the product description, it was not particularly hydrating or illuminating, .

Below is a look I did with the CC Cream, CC Eye Cream, Three Art of Parties palette, Chantecaille Persimmon Hydra Chic Lipstick.

Also in stores now is the Arctic Chic winter makeup collection.

Jill Stuart Airy Tint CC Cream

Looks like the BB/CC Cream wave is not abating anytime soon. Jill Stuart will launch its first CC cream, Airy Tint SPF30 PA++ in two shades 01 Light Floral Beige and 02 Natural Floral Beige on 7 March in Japan. Retailing at 3200yen for 33g, the CC cream has a floral scent and contains a "pore focus powder" to help camouflage skin unevenness, cover pores and skin imperfections, and polarized pink pearl powder for a soft, natural brightening veil. Designed to be both skincare and base makeup in one convenient product for creating peach-like skin, it also contains peach juice for moisturising benefits.


Jill Stuart will be offering this elegant lip tray as a gift with purchase of 7350yen starting 10 January in Japan, with the launch of the Thumbelina in Petal Chiffon Wonderland collection. Now that's a true collector's item!