Plaza Spring '08

Each year,Plaza Style, (formerly known as Sony Plaza), releases a line of top-selling makeup products from various brands in a limited edition packaging that is exclusive to Plaza Style stores. The new collection for Spring '08 features a pretty floral print that reminds me of Cath Kidston.

1. Excel Gradation Cheek: G1 Rose Pink, G4 Chocolate Brown and G5 Apricot Peach (1890yen)
2. Love Clover Marshmallow Fit Base UV N (1890yen)
3. Ettusais Strong Separate Mascara (1890yen)
4. Dejavu Fibrewig Mascara (1575yen)
5. Palgantong Theatrical Powder (798yen)
6. Artisan & Artist Eyelash Curler (1029yen)

Paul & Joe Spring Launch

The Paul & Joe spring collection will be launched on 7 March in Singapore and the Isetan Orchard counter is offering 20% off from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on that day. Call 6235-1610 for reservation!

Susie NY Website Update

Promo visual for the new Susie NY Spring '08 collection. Check out the new collection here.

Integrate Spring '08

New promo visual featuring the incomparable Angelina Jolie for Integrate's new Spring '08 makeup collection. Check out the new collection on the official website.

Jolie is wearing:
1. Glamorous Rouge OR202
2. Prismalise Eyes #8
3. Slim Liquid Eyeliner BK999
4. Eyeliner Pencil BK999
5. Separate & Curl Mascara EX BK999
6. Eyebrow & Nose Shadow BR631
7. Eyebrow Pencil BR641
8. Forming Veil WT100
9. Forming Cheeks RD310
10. Nail Polish YE102

Fancl Harusaki Make

Fancl's website has been updated with its Spring '08 makeup collection, including makeup tutorials for the 2 featured looks, Harusaki Pink and Harusaki Mint.

Armani Caffe Collection

Armani's Caffe Collection was launched in Japan on 13 February. Armani's promo visuals always feature impossibly glamorous and classically elegant made up models that make me want to snap up the entire collection in the vain hope of replicating some of that magic. I simply love the look on the model, with a clean bare face and a very modern sexy deep red lip. The model is wearing Armani Silk Lipstick #62 Frost Espresso. But the prohibitive prices (3150yen for a nail polish?! Get real...) mean that great restraint is a must in order to avoid financial ruin.

Here are the details on the collection. All items are limited edition except for the 5 Lip Shimmers.

1. Armani Silk Lipstick (3990yen): #16 Vanilla Fudge, #59 Frosted Mocha, #61 Fozen Cocoa and #62 Frost Espresso


2. Armani Shine Lipstick (3990yen): #43 Dolce Rose


3. Armani Sheer Lipstick (3990yen): #28 Almond Latte and #29 Cafe Americano


4. Armani Lip Shimmer (3675yen): #44 Light Beige, #45 Satin Beige, #46 Almond, #47 Hazel and #48 Dark Brown



5. Fluid Shine Nail Polish (3150yen): #36 Praline and #37 Dark Brown




Here's a preview of Armani's forthcoming Face Fabric collection, due out on 20 March, which will feature a new series of nude foundations.

According to WWD.com, Armani recently opened its first freestanding travel retail beauty Boutique in Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1. Armani also has 4 other beauty outlets in Hong Kong, comprising 3 freestanding boutiques and one counter in Seibu department store. Armani's first beauty store in Taiwan also opened 4 months ago.

Kose Precious Beauty

Not to be outdone by Shiseido, Kose also publishes a seasonal magalog, Precious Beauty. The Spring '08 issue can also be viewed online. The main feature is on Esprique Precious' new base makeup collection and it also features tutorials for applying powder foundation and tips for prepping your skin for makeup with toning lotion and makeup base. According to the interview with one of the scientists responsible for developing Esprique Precious Dramatical Stay UV Pact Foundation, the secret of the foundation's Zero Shine Powders ability to prevent oxidisation (i.e. foundation turning darker after a few hours of wear) iss because when the powder absorbs sebum, it turns clear instead of greyish or chalky unlike other foundations. Sounds very promising!

Shiseido Spring '08 Beauty Book

The Spring'08 issue of Shiseido Beauty Book is now available to view online. It has good swatches of the new Maquillage Lasting Climax Rouge lipsticks and Neo Climax Lips shades, which are a useful reference if you're ordering online without being able to view the shades in person.


It also previews the upcoming new Spring/Summer '08 base makeup products to be released on 21 February, such as the Climax Lasting Liquid UV Foundation, Climax Water Compact UV Foundation, Pre-Makeup Smooth Fix primer and Pore Perfect Cover.

Kiss Website Update

Kiss has updated its website with its new Spring '08 "Happy Blooming" collection. The collection, which will arrive in stores on 17 February, introduces a new Fairy Veil Pact (1785yen), 3 new shades of Nail Enamel R (630yen) and 2 new shades of Pure Jelly Drop (1260yen).


Fairy Veil Pact is a pressed powder that helps to cover up pores and redness. Formulated with moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, amino acids, chamomile extract and apricot oil, it comes in 3 shades, #1 Pearl Beige, #2 Light Beige and #3 Natural Beige. It is non-fragranced with SPF20 and PA++.



The model in the promo visual is wearing:
1. Pure Jelly Drop #8
2. Eye Prism Gradation #1
3. Mascara Premium Long #3
4. Dual Eye Pencil #1
5. Pure Bloom Cheeks #2
6. Mat Chiffon UV Whitening Base #2
7. Fairy Veil Pact #2

Kesalan Patharan Summer '08

The first sneak peek of the Summer '08 makeup collections comes from Kesalan Patharan. Kesalan Patharan seems to be bringing back its Face Color N trios in a big way, with 2 just released for Spring'08 and another 3 due out for Summer '08 on 18 April in Japan. Personally, I would have preferred to see more of the Eye Color Palettes that they had released for Fall '07 as those had a superior texture that was much softer, silkier and pigmented than the Face Color N trios. The Face Color N trios also tend to feature more muted and pastel shades that are just not as attractive to me. The Face Color N trios retail for 2625yen each.


You can also check out the two new Face Color N #306 and #307 that KP is releasing for Spring '08.

Bloom in Dior

My pal, The Muse, was curious about the products used in the Dior "Bloom in Dior" promo visual. Here's a breakdown of the products used, according to the Japanese Dior website.

Face
1. Dior Flower Blossom applied with powder brush from the centre of the face outwards

Eyes
1. Crayon Eyeliner #597 to line the eyes

2. Cinq Couleurs Iridescent #909 Pink May: Apply lavender shade (bottom right) at the outer corners. Apply light pink shade (bottom left) from the inner corners towards the centre of the lid. Apply the golden beige shade (top left) as a wash over the browbone area. Apply light beige shade (centre) at the inner corners. Apply the pale lilac shade (top right) at the highest part of the cheekbones.

3. Mascara DiorShow #909

Lips
1. Lip Liner #143

2. Rouge Dior #255

3. Dior Addict Ultra Glos Reflect #247

Cheek
1. DiorSkin Shimmer Star #001 Rose Diamond



The US Dior website has a couple of makeup application videos featuring the spring collection that are also worth checking out.

Dior Lovely

Continuing the pink theme of its Spring '08 makeup collection, Dior will be releasing a "Lovely" makeup set on 1 March in Japan. The set will retail for 23,100yen and it includes:

1. Cinq Couleurs Iridescent #819 Lovely Pink (limited edition)

2. Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect #167 Lovely Pink (limited edition)

3. Mascara DiorShow Black Ultra (full size)

4. Mini Dior Vernis #108 Coconuts Ribbon

5. Dior Addict 2 (5ml)

6. Dior Lovely Pochette: 22cm x 12cm x 7.5cm

Dior will also be releasing 6 new Cinq Couleurs Iridescent palettes, of which 2 are limited edition.
#009 Sky Glow
#409 Tropical Light
#609 Ice Reflection
#809 Petal Shine
#819 Lovely Pink (LE)
#909 Pink May (LE)

Do also check out The Muse's detailed review of the "Bloom In Dior" spring makeup collection. I've been trying my hardest to resist getting this collection which has my favourite promo visual out of all the Spring '08 collections but I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out!

Fancl Spring Collection

Fancl will be launching its Spring '08 makeup collection on 21 February in Japan. It features a color palette of soft pinks and mint green and a sweet flower motif.

1.Cheek Color: Peach Pink with gold pearl shimmer (950yen)

2.Lip Gloss: Peony Pink and Azalea Red in a limited edition design tube (1350yen)

3.Colorful Eye Color: Pink and Green in a limited edition design case (1160yen)

4. Lucent Face Powder: Very finely milled loose face powder for covering up skin unevenness and discolorations for a smooth, translucent finish. (2360yen for refill, 530yen for the limited edition powder case)