Paul & Joe Website Update: Carousel

The Paul & Joe website has been updated with the Carousel spring collection and new Cheek Colors. There's also a new cat-print wallpaper available to download here. Do also check out the P&J Japan Facebook page. The elephant print is so adorable, so I'll probably snag the lipstick case and Eye Color CS 082 Calliope with that print.

The new blush duos also look very tempting!

In Japan, this Happy Makeup Kit (6300yen) will be available starting 1 February. It includes any choice of a Cheek Color and Lipstick, plus a 10ml sample of the Protecting Foundation Primer 01 SPF39 PA+++ which will be released on 1 March.

Spring x Jill by Jill Stuart

Here's a close-up pic of the Jill by Jill Stuart vanity pouch that comes with the June issue of Spring. It has strawberry and leaf plastic charms at the zip in a pink print that's perfect for spring. There are also slots under the cover for brushes and mascara tubes. You can also watch a video clip of the publicist showing off the pouch here.

Majolica Majorca Majolook Trick On Review

I've been test-driving the new Majolica Majorca Majolook (Trick On) GR741 and revamped Lash Enamel Glamour Neo BK999 over the past week and I'm happy to report big huge raves for both!


First, on the Majolook GR741. It's a nifty little quad that contains 4 very wearable shades of pale bluish white, teal, dark emerald green and a pale gold Trick On Powder. I'm glad that MM has done away with the cream base/liner shades that were in previous versions of the Majolooks as those were never any good, especially the cream liners which creased and faded very quickly. MM rarely releases a green/teal-themed quad so this immediately caught my eye. Plus, it had the added allure of being limited edition. Although it's a royal shame that MM picked the prettiest quad to be limited edition, I can understand why the other two Trick On quads which are pink and brown-themed will probably sell better than the GR741. Overall, the Trick On quads are a vast improvement and return to form for MM after the lacklustre collections that MM released in 2007, some of which were too difficult to pull off for anyone over 25 years old.

I liked the silky and soft texture of the shades in the GR741 quad, which apply a bit sheer at first but can be easily layered for the desired intensity. The teal shade is not too loud or garish that it makes one look like a clown. It's actually easier to wear than MAC's famous Parrot which has more bright blue tones. The dark emerald shade in the quad is super gorgeous and a nice change from the usual black and brown liners. I didn't find anything particularly unique or special about the Trick On shade but it's still useful for adding a bit of extra sparkle at the corners or in the middle of the lid. I also liked the butterfly motif on the lid and the fact that you basically have everything you need in an ultra-light and portable compact for creating a complete eye look.

At only 1575yen (4g), this palette is great value for money and I highly recommend getting it before it sells out. GR741 is currently available on Adambeauty.com for US$19.50 inclusive of postage. That's cheaper than Ichibankao.com which is selling it for US$22.


Moving on to the Lash Enamel Glamour Neo, this is MM's volumising waterproof mascara. (Lash Expander Neo is the fibre-based lengthening mascara.) The Lash Enamel Glamour Neo comes printed with the tagline "Hope my lashes are full and smooth" on the tube. It has an unusual fine-toothed curved comb applicator that took some getting used to but it turned out to be excellent for reaching those shorter lashes at the inner corners. I also liked the fact that it was easy to build up length with the comb applicator. It also did a decent job of adding volume without the lashes looking too exaggerated or fake.

Thanks to its secret "Gloss Oil" ingredient that helps to ensure that lashes continue to look glossy even after the mascara dries, the mascara is a true glossy jet black without any greyish tones that applies very smoothly unlike Western brand mascaras which often have a dry almost-clumpy texture. Although I did have some problems with a bit of clumping but it was pretty easy to correct as all it took was a quick press of my lashes with my thumb and index finger to remove the excess mascara. Another impressive aspect of Lash Enamel Glamour Neo was that my lashes stayed curled for several hours after application of the mascara without any flaking or smearing. This is actually the first MM mascara I've ever tried so I can't say how it compares to previous MM mascaras.

Overall, I still preferred my current HG mascara, Awake All Direction Mascara which is even better in term of building long pretty lashes, but the Lash Enamel Glamour Neo comes a close second. Also, Lash Enamel Glamour is only 1260yen compared to the Awake mascara which costs a whopping 3150yen.


Check out my buddy, the Muse's blog posts on her FOTD created using Majolook GR741 and her review of the Spring collection!

Aube Spring 2008

Few of the Christmas collections have really caught my fancy this year so I've been impatiently awaiting news of the Spring 2008 collections as spring is usually the season in which most Japanese brands launch their largest collections for the year and introduce new product lines (such as a new eyeshadow palette series). Well, here's the very first glimpse of a Spring 2008 collection from Aube, which is Sofina's flagship mid-end makeup brand that is retailed in both drugstores and department stores in Japan. Aube is one of the few remaining makeup brands that are still regularly discounted by up to 30% in Japanese drugstores so its products are much more affordable compared to its competitors in the same price range such as Maquillage and Esprique Precious.

The collection will include:
1. Rouge Pure Stay longlasting lipstick
2. Impression Eyes: 5 palettes in brown, green, blue, purple and pink
3. Pon Pon Cheek: 3 shades in pink, red and orange (basically a knock-off of the YSL blush pots with the sponge applicator)
4. Mascara

The above are all permanent. There will also be a small limited edition collection that includes Jewellery Shower Eyes EX02 (white, brown and smokey grey ), Rouge Moisture lipgloss and a highlight powder. Unfortunately, one of my favourite Aube products, Glamorous Jewel Powder will be discontinued with the launch of the new Pon Pon Cheeks so do grab these before they are gone.

Coffret D'Or: Close-Up Look

This author of this Japanese blog has uploaded close-up pics of the testers for Coffret D'Or's spring collection, including all 5 eyeshadow palettes and lipstick series. She gave the line a positive review overall, noting that the eyeshadow palettes are easier to wear as they are not as intensely shimmery as T'estimo eyeshadow palettes. But personally, these are not tempting me at all as the shades look lacklustre and I hate it when palettes have the same white base shade in every palette...such a waste of space!

http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/mothimothi/diary/200709220000/

Cosme.net Spring Products Ranking Pt.2

Cosme.net has published the second part of their new spring products ranking. Part 2 focuses on eyeshadows as ranked by different age groups. I've included the average star rating for each product. Reviewers can award between 1 to 7 stars.

For teens:

Kate Glam Trick Eyes (4.8 stars)

Aube Jewellery Shower Eyes (4.9 stars)

Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes (4.8 stars)

Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes (5.3 stars)

For ladies in their 20s:

Lunasol Skin Modelling Eyes (5.6 stars)

Esprique Precious Light On Eyes (4.9stars)

Dior single eyeshadow (4.6 stars)

Jill Stuart Brilliance Eyes (5.3 stars)

For ladies in their 30s:

Lunasol Skin Modelling Eyes (5.6 stars)

Testimo Frame Impact Eyes (4.6 stars)
Kate Glam Trick Eyes (4.8 stars)

For ladies in their 40s:

Esprique Precious Light On Eyes (4.9stars)

Lunasol Skin Modelling Eyes (5.6 stars)

Aube Jewellery Shower Eyes (4.9 stars)

The palettes are also ranked in terms of how shimmery and pigmented they are:

For a shimmery effect

#1 Lunasol Skin Modelling Eyes (5.6 stars)

#2 Aube Jewellery Shower Eyes (4.9 stars)

#3 Esprique Precious Light On Eyes (4.9stars)

In terms of intensity of colour:

#1 Aube Jewellery Shower Eyes (4.9 stars)

#2 Kate Glam Trick Eyes (4.8 stars)

#3 Testimo Frame Impact Eyes (4.6 stars)