Burberry will launch its new Bright Glow Compact Foundation SPF25 PA+++ (8000yen; 5800yen for refill) on 29 March in Japan. Designed for Asian skintones, it will be available in four shades. Formulated with white peony and white water lily extracts as well as hyaluronic acid, it promises to brighten up the complexion while providing a longlasting smooth finish.
Guerlain will release this Japan-exclusive limited edition Parure Blanc Light Booster Compact The Flowers By Przemek Sobocki SPF20 PA++ (9000yen) on 25 March in Japan. Sobocki is a Tokyo-based Polish illustrator and art director. This will be available in only one shade, 01 which was supposedly developed specially to match any Asian skintone (a rather astounding claim). The foundation is the 2016 formula with 'weather fit technology' that allows the foundation to last well regardless of the temperature and humidity level. The matching pouch is a gift with purchase of 10,000yen and above.
Suqqu has just launched this limited edition Designing Color Eyes 102 優紫 and Extra Glow Lip 103 艶朱 exclusively at Isetan Shinjuku in Tokyo on 8 March to commemorate its new store opening. Pic below by Voce.
Pic below by kozakura5.
Ettusais will launch its first ever BB Mineral Cushion SPF 30 PA++ (2500yen, 2 shades) on 2 March in Japan. It is composed of 62% skincare ingredients with sebum-absorbing 'foggy powder' for a poreless, baby skin-like finish. Pic by Maquia.
There will also be a new limited edition CC Loose Mineral Compact (2000yen) in PK (baby pink) and BE (sheer beige). These are designed to help colour correct and provide an even-toned, natural finish.
Les Merveilleuses by Laduree is celebrating its 5th anniversary with this trio of Face Color Rose Laduree (Mini) (3200yen) in chiffon pink, red rose and lavender pink launching on 22 March in Japan.
These will also be available in the regular pink packaging below.
Launching slightly earlier on 5 March is this limited edition rose and iris-scented Merveilleuses Face & Body Powder (12000yen) and Limited Edition Rouge (3500yen, 3 shades).
Jill Stuart will launch this limited edition Aqua Chiffon Protector EW SPF50+ PA++++ (2800yen) with a floral print packaging (right in pic below) on 3 March in Japan. The gel-based sunblock has sebum-absorbing powder for a non-greasy finish and rooibos extract.
Esprique will release its new base makeup range on 16 February in Japan. It includes:
1. Pure Skin Pact UV SPF26 PA++ (7 shades, 2900yen for 9.3g refill, 1000yen for case)
2. CC Base Natural SPF50+ PA++++: Lasts up to 13 hours with moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, squalene, trehalose and Vitamin C derivative. (30g, 2800yen)
3. CC Base Cover SPF50+ PA++++: Lasts up to 13 hours with moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, squalene and trehalose. (30g, 2800yen)
4. Fit Up Concealer UV SPF30 PA+++ : Contains squalene, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E (2.8g, 3 shades, 2300yen)
5. Make Refresh Mist (900yen)
Limited edition kits with the foundation and CC Bases will also go on sale starting 16 February.
Majolica Majorca has announced model/actress Tamashiro Tina as its new spokesmodel starting from 21 February. Previously ViVi magazine's youngest exclusive model at the age of 14, Tamashiro starred in the short video clip released by Majolica in November 2016. It racked up over 1.2 million views within 3 days. What's odd is that there does not appear to be any new products for Spring 2017 and the campaign will merely re-promote the Lash Expander Long Long Long mascara. It befuddles the mind why the brand continues to spend more on fancy marketing instead of actual product development to satisfy its massive fan base.
Jill Stuart will debut its new base makeup collection on 3 March in Japan.
It includes:
1. Crystal Perfection Foundation SPF25 PA++(5 shades, 3500yen for 10g refill): Formulated with 'crystal powder' for a soft focus finish with a natural glow while covering up skin imperfections, the foundation bears the brand's signature crystal floral scent. The compact is designed like a clutch purse with a Swarovski crystal on the clasp.
2. Powder Foundation Compact C (1500yen)
3. Lasting Tone-Up Base SPF35 PA+++: 3 shades 01 Pure, 02 Translucent and 03 Fresh (3000yen, 30ml)
4. Crystal Lucent Face Powder 09 Fairy (5000yen)
For this launch, there will be a limited edition Crystal Polish Foundation Kit (4000yen) that is essentially the new foundation and case with a sponge, which is 1000yen cheaper than the regular retail price of the foundation refill and case.
There will also be a Crystal Polish Foundation Brush Kit (5500yen) that includes an extra limited edition brush that helps to provide a more translucent, glowy finish. The ad visual shows a white brush but this is not listed for sale at the moment, while the brush in the kit has a black handle and ferrule.
Coffret D'Or is slated to release the following base and color makeup products for Spring 2017:
16 February
1. Nudy Cover Liquid UV Foundation SPF30 PA++ (3500yen, 7 shades)
2. Lucent Finish Powder (3500yen for 15g powder in tub; 2500yen for refill sachet)
3. Foundation Case (1000yen)
Coffret D'Or will be progressively revamping its product packaging starting with this collection. The new design theme emphasises a simple form in a nude pink color scheme with golden pleats, to convey the impression of opening a treasure box.
16 March
1. Purely Stay Rouge (8 shades, 2500yen): Clear, glossy colour with a moisturising finish thanks to ingredients such as olive oil, jojoba oil, squalene and water-soluble collagen.
Pic below by Maquia.
Pic below by Voce.
Lunasol will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its bestselling Skin Modelling Eyes Beige Beige palette with a special collaboration with illustrator WALNUT. This collection debuts on 24 February, and includes the palette in a limited edition case together with a Creamy Cheeks & Lips EX01. The Skin Modelling Eyes Kit will retail for 5000yen.
There will also be a new Skin Modelling Powder Glow foundation SPF20 PA++ (4000yen, 9.5g, 6 shades)and a Base Make Kit (7500yen to 9000yen) that includes a choice of any liquid/cream/loose foundation, and a choice of either the Modelling Control Base or Smoothiung Light Makeup Base, plus a mini nail polish and zip pouch. The limited edition Powder Foundation Compact will retail at 1500yen.
Pic below by Biteki.
RMK is celebrating its 20th anniversary with this limited edition collection launching on 10 March in Japan. It includes an eyeshadow palette with six shades, three limited edition shades of Ingenious Powder Cheeks N and five new shades of Ingenious Powder Eyes N. Pic by Abe Sawako.
The bestselling Liquid Foundation and Makeup Base will also be available in new packaging. The formulas have remained unchanged since their introduction.
Rimmel is launching this pair of highlighters for Spring 2017 on 17 February in Japan. Priced at 1200yen, these could be Asia-exclusive as Rimmel Japan offers a different product line-up than that for the USA and Europe. Pic by Voce.
Shu Uemura will debut its new Petal Skin Fluid Foundation SPF20 PA++ (5000yen, 30ml) on 24 February in Japan. Available in 11 shades, it promises poreless coverage that does not feel heavy on the skin, and a softly radiant semi-matte finish like the surface of a flower petal. Pic by Voce.
The accompanying Petal 55 Foundation Brush (6000yen) is designed for speedy application of foundation. It is designed to sit at an angle so that water does not pool in the base when the brush is drying off after a wash. Pic below by Tokyo Beauty News.
Suqqu has posted a couple of makeup application videos featuring their new Designing Color Eyes quads on their Facebook page. Below is a behind-the-scenes clip on the shooting of the ad campaign. With the introduction of the Designing Color Eyes, the much beloved Blend Color Eyes palettes have been discontinued and are no longer available on the Suqqu online shop for Japan. A select few are still available on Selfridges and Harrods but these will eventually be phased out as well. Selfridges has also stopped carrying Suqqu brushes on their website, a rather odd decision given how popular these were despite the high price tags. The Spring 2017 collection will launch in Selfridges on 2 February.
The Guerlain Happy Rosy Glow Collection for Spring 2017 has just started to arrive online. It is available now on Nordstrom.
The star product is naturally the Meteorites Happy Glow Pearls, described as "shimmering pink with multicolored reflection for the ultimate glow, soft mauve to catch light and matte pink to revive the complexion. Combined with mini champagne pearls, they create a universal harmony that enlighten the complexion with radiance and a perfecting halo." It sure is pretty but do be aware that Guerlain has hiked up the price significantly for this Meteorites. The Meteorites from the permanent line-up retail at US$62 for 0.88oz/25g while the recent LE Météorites Perles de Légende from the Holiday 2016 collection was US$65 for 25g. In contrast, the Meteorites Happy Glow Pearls are a whopping US$74 for 1 oz (vs 9400yen in Japan). That's almost a 20% increase in price compared to the regular Meteorites, albeit for a tad more product. My Meteorites collection is vast enough that I think I can safely pass on this (unless a nice discount pops along) without regret.
Also part of the collection is the Meteorites Blush Happy Glow (6800yen), Meteorites Brush (5200yen) and KissKiss lipsticks #564 and #565 (4400yen). All items are limited edition.
