L'Oreal L'Or Electric Collection

Came across the L'Oreal L'Or Electric collection yesterday in France. This is a limited edition collection done to coincide with the Cannes film festival. L'Oreal is the official Makeup Artist for Cannes.

The version released in France is a smaller collection than what is available on FeelUnique.com. There were only two Color Infallibles in #37 Metallic Lilac (right) and #40 Cosmic Black (left). These didn't swatch well, coming off patchy and dry but I'm not sure if that is because the testers were not capped.

Two nailpolishes in coral pink and bright lime.

The Color Riche lipsticks in #406 Neonic Orange and #407 Metallic Coral impressed me with their good payoff and smooth texture. Made in France, these have a bit of a sheen without looking frosty. They have a faint scent that remind me of baby powder. The gold case is slightly cheap-looking as all the units have a tiny dent/nick on one side and the shade number is printed on top of the cap while there is another product number printed on the side.

The pics below show #407 Metallic Coral.


Below is #406 Neonic Orange.



Compared with the other orange lipsticks in my stash, Neonic Orange is clearly the most pure orange-toned while Metallic Coral is slightly more pink than Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate #12 and not as sheer as RMK Irresistible Lips C #27 Orange. The Dior Addict Ultra Gloss #542 Orange Pareo is from the new summer collection. Neonic Orange, Metallic Coral and the Rimmel lipstick left faint stains on my arm after wiping the swatches off with tissue.

Susie NY Exoticism & Resort collection

The Susie NY website has been updated with the Exoticism & Resort collection which features three limited edition eyeshadow duos in vibrant shades and some new nailpolishes.

http://www.susie-ny.com/news/news1_0706.html
http://www.susie-ny.com/news/news2_0706.html

Canmake Summer collection

I stumbled upon the new Canmake summer collection displays in the store today and immediately fell in love with the new limited edition Cheek Gradation #4 Chocolate (840yen). It is a gorgeous mix of rich red-toned brown, medium rosy pink, a light baby pink and pinkish white that you can mix and blend as you like. It's not so dark that it looks like dirt on my skintone like most brown blushes/bronzers. Instead, it gives a lovely rosy wash of colour. Each of the shades are also quite pretty on their own and would be great as eyeshadow too. The texture is excellent, pigmented and shimmery without being too garish or loud.

The collection also includes two highlighters in the same style as the Cheek Gradation. One has four different shades of white and the other has four shades of very pale pink and white. There are also two bronzers with in a round compact, each with a small strip of a shimmery highlighter shade, plus a few new nailpolishes.

Also snapped a pic of the Kiss summer collection display. Loved the Nail Enamel RS #Mermaid Dress (shimmery light pink) and #8 Goldfish (bright cherry red) but restrained myself from getting them since I already have a ton of nailpolishes.

Kesalan Patharan Summer Innovation

Kesalan Patharan's Summer Innovation collection will be released in Japan on 22 June. It includes:

1. Face Color N #11 Brown Beige (for shading; 2625yen)

2. Nail Color N S17 Bright Gold, S18Sunset Pink, S19 Hibiscus Orange, S20 Sea Green, S21 Golden Black. 1575yen each.

3. Lip Jellee S11 Rose Coral, S12 Golden Orange, S13 Florida Gold.

All items are limited edition.

http://www.kesalanpatharan.co.jp/

Aube Summer Booklet

The Aube summer collection testers were out in the stores today. I also picked up the new pamphlet which I've scanned below. The drugstore I went to was taking reservations for the collection and if you reserved one item, you get an Aube pink terry cloth handkerchief studded with some crystals; if you reserved two items, you also get a beige makeup pouch (not that exciting) so I reserved the Jewellery Shower Eyes #36 Pink and Mix Veil Cheek 811 Rose. The collection is expected to arrive in the stores on 26 June (although the official release date is 4 July). The #36 quad is quite different from #34. The shades in #36 are sweet cotton candy pastel pinks whereas the shades in #34 are darker and more plum toned. The darkest shade in #36 is a medium pink whereas the darkest shade in #34 is a dark pinkish burgundy.

The new Mix Veil Cheek comes in the same compact packaging as the Jewellery Shower Eyes which for me is great because then my collection looks much neater! I also tried out the new Loose & Line Eyes but was not impressed with these. The eyeliner has a a pointed rubber (?) tip instead of the usual brush and the testers all seemed to get gunky easily. Application was also not as easy as the typical slim brush applicator. The loose eyeshadows were too sheer for my liking and the rounded applicator was also not the easiest to work with.

The new Rouge Aqua Dress lipsticks were ultra glossy and moisturising with fairly good color payoff. My favourite was RD530 Glace Rose.

The products used for the each of the looks in the booklet are as below:

(A) Summer Memory: Loose & Line Eyes 73, Rouge Aqua Dress PK522, Mix Veil Cheek 813 Orange, Gloss & Impact Mascara BK961, Lipliner & Concealer S BE61

(B) Autumn Dew: Loose & Line Eyes 75, Rouge Aqua Dress PK523, Mix Veil Cheek 812 Red, Gloss Impact Mascara BR962, Lipliner & Concealer S BE61

(C) Rosy Fairy: Loose & Line Eyes 72, Rouge Aqua Dress PK524, Mix Veil Cheek 811 Rose, Gloss & Impact Mascara BK961, Lipliner & Concealer S BE61

Jill Stuart Summer Night's Angel

The JS website has been updated with the Summer Night's Angel collection! I think this must be the prettiest promo image from JS to date. Even though it's probably airbrushed to death, it just looks so gorgeous althought I must say that I actually like the soft wavy hair more than the makeup which looks just alright.

The only thing I really dislike about JS (aside from some of their snooty SAs) is when they release limited edition collections with insufficient quantities to satisfy customer demand that you either need to rush down to the counter on the first day that they start taking reservations (because it's impossible to get through the phone lines) or queue up before the store opens on the day that the collection goes on sale. Even though JS has been opening up counters in Tokyo at quite a rapid pace, I just don't understand why they don't make the new items permanent, earn more profits and most importantly, make it easier for everyone to be able to buy their products instead of artificially inflating demand for one stupid day. Japanese women go so ga-ga for anything that JS puts out. Even when it's ridiculously overpriced, like the lipglosses that came in the tiny square compacts last Xmas, they buy it anyway for the princessy packaging. Makeup companies should be treating their customers much better than this!

http://www.jillstuart-beauty.com/products/summercollection/index.html

Lunasol summer collection haul

Check out my new babies! I'm not a Lunasol addict but for some reason, I just fell hard for this summer collection even though my previous Lunasol purchase (Scent Form Eyes quads in #3 Black Tea and #2 Leak) did not work out as well as I had hoped (hated the glittery cream shade in the bottom left corner of the quads). The Skin Modelling Eyes series that first debuted in Spring 2007 didn't appeal to me much as I'm not a neutral kind of girl. I like my eyeshadows vibrant and colourful! What made me decide to get the two new LE Skin Modelling Eyes in EX01 Beige Bronze and EX02 Beige Cool was probably a combination of a few factors: I actually like all the shades in these two quads, the gorgeous promo image and of course, the LE factor that just makes them all the more collectible. Believe it or not, I have been thinking about this collection since the beginning of this week and had to restrain myself from running down to the counter yesterday to grab them. Today, I went by the Lunasol counter first thing in the morning and to my delight, the whole collection was still available.

I also bought the Full Glamour Gloss in #6 Soft Beige (2625yen) which is a great nude (but not so pale that it doesn't show up) shade with some shimmer. #7 Light Pink was an average light candy pink that didn't look like it have much colour payoff and #5 Clear is for me, just useless since ordinary lip balm would give you the same effect.

On a whim, I also caved and bought the Jelly Eyes EX02 Sheer Beige (2310yen) which is a light metallic gold that is not too yellow or brown toned. The texture is actually more creamy than jelly-like so it's actually more similar to Lavshuca's Jelly Pot Eye Color rather than Jill Stuart Eye Jellies. The Lunasol Jelly Eyes feels more creamy to touch but dries down quite nicely with a smooth metallic shimmer that is not gritty and has no big chunky glitter which I hate. I haven't used any of the items yet but will definitely post a review later!

http://www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol/

Esprique Precious Summer 2007

I was at the drugstore today and to my surprise, the Esprique Precious summer collection testers were already out :-) I already knew about the knock-off of Beaute de Kose's Eye Fantasist cream eyeshadows but I was surprised to find that there is a new series of cream gel eyeliner (like those by MAC, Bobbi Brown and Kate) which Beaute de Kose does not have. The collection includes the following:

1. Liquid Eye Color Stylish in 8 shades, GD002, BR301, WT001, PU100, BE300, PK800, BR302 and BL900. 2100yen.

2. Matte Lasting Cream Eyeliner in 5 shades, BK001 (standard matte black), BR300 (dark brown), RO600 (red-toned brown, IIRC but I may be wrong), BK002 (greyish black), BL900 (dark blue). 2940yen.

3. True Black Mascara WP in Curl Long and Volume Separate

4. Illuminate Nuancer #2 (the Meteorites knock-off powder balls). This shade includes brown balls for a warmer mix than #1 which contains mostly very light pastel shades.

5. Nail Color in 10 shades, Nail Base Coat and Nail Top Coat.

The makeup breakdown for each of the promo images is as follows:

Girlie Splash (described as "cool, dreamy and cute") - Liquid Eye Color Stylish BL900 and GD002, Matte Lasting Cream Eyeliner BR300, True Black Mascara WP (Volume Separate) BK001, Eyebrow Pencil BR300, Rouge Stylish Liquid Type BE621 or Rouge Stylish Stick Type BE301, Cheek Color RD400, Illuminate Nuancer #2 and Nail Color PK802.

Virgin Stream ("romantic, passionate, cute") - Liquid Eye Color Stylish BR302 and PK800, Matte Lasting Cream Eyeliner RO600, True Black Mascara WP (Volume Separate) BK001, Eyebrow Pencil BR300, Rouge Stylish Liquid Type PK822 or Rouge Stylish Stick Type RD401, Cheek Color RO600, Illuminate Nuancer #1 and Nail Color PK800.

I only tested the Liquid Eye Color Stylish and the texture is identical to Beaute de Kose Eye Fantasist. But I was slightly disappointed with the colour range which was mostly brown, beige and gold shades with hardly any dramatic, smokey or dark shades. It's not a bad selection by any means as the shades are all very wearable, shimmery shades. But you can probably find very similar shades in the Beaute de Kose Eye Fantasist line-up, which to me kind of defeats the whole purpose of putting out a new brand if it's just to rehash the same shades. Even the packaging is almost identical except that the Eye Fantasist tubes are more heart shaped. For me, PU100 is the most interesting shade in the line-up as it is a lovely medium lilac. The Liquid Eye Color Stylish is also very similar to Visee's Aqua Shining Eyes but Visee (which is targeted at a younger crowd) has a more diverse colour range. I don't have the prices yet for these products as Esprique Precious is a "no print price" brand (another stupid practice).

http://ep-bko.com/

Edited to add: someone posted this photo of a sample card of the Liquid Eye Color Stylish in GD002 and BL900 on 2Channel.

http://imepita.jp/20070512/084420

Beaute de Kose Summer Fantasist

Beaute de Kose's Summer Fantasist collection will be debuting on 1 June in Japan. The collection includes:

1. 2 new LE shades of Eye Fantasist in GD058 Cool Gold and GR753 Green Gleam, 2625yen.

2. 2 new LE shades of Rouge Fantasist Aqua Vinyl in BR382 Golden Glow and PK886 Twinkle Pink, 2940yen.

3. 3 new LE shades of Nail Dramatist in SV011 Silver Gleam, GD012 Golden Beam and PU108 Sparkling Grape, 1575yen.

4. Mascara Fantasist Volume Show WP Blackest Black (curved comb applicator), 2940yen.

Starting 1 June, there will also be a limited edition Perfect Volume set of the new Mascara Fantasist Volume Show WP in Blackest Black with another tube of the mascara with a shorter spiral brush that is meant for those hard to reach lashes. The set will retail for 2940yen so it's quite a good deal.

The model in the promo image is wearing: Eye Fantasist in GD058 and GR753, Liquid Eyeliner Fantasist BK001, Mascara Fantasist Volume Show WP Blackest Black BK001, Eyebrow Pencil BR301, Rouge Fantasist Aqua Vinyl PK886, Lipliner Pencil PK800, Blush Color OR200, Face Highlight SP001 and Nail Dramatist SV011.

The official website hasn't been updated with the summer collection yet but it should be up soon.

http://www.kose.co.jp/bko/

K-Palette summer collection

K-Palette's blue-themed summer collection will launch on 1 June in Japan. All items are limited edition.


Star Tears Eyeliner #5 Mercury Blue (with silver, red and blue glitter) 1470yen

Star Tears Mascara #5 Mercury Blue (with silver, red and blue glitter) 1470yen

Crystal Powder #6 Sky Lustre, 1785yen

Giorgio Armani summer

Giorgio Armani summer collection due out in Japan on 1 June:

1. Bronze Mania Summer Foundation SPF20 in 2 shades (LE), 5775yen

2. Lip Shimmer in 2 LE shades, #34 Red Orange and #35 Copper Red, 3675yen

3. Maestro Mascara in #3 Brown, 4200yen

4. Shine Lipstick in #37 Orange Red (LE), 3360yen

5. Bronze Mania Gel (LE), 6300yen

6. Gold Eye Shadow (with a gradational effect) in 3 shades (LE), 3675yen

7. Bronze Mania Face Duo (LE), 6825yen

8. Golden Mediterranean Palette (LE), 8925yen

Testimo website update!

The T'estimo official website has been updated with the new summer collection which has the dual themes of "Pure" and "Modern". There are 2 very useful makeup videos on the website that show in great detail how to apply the new eyeshadow palettes. They make the steps look very easy. I highly recommend checking these out to pick up useful application techniques for Asian eyes, even if you're not interested in T'estimo products.

http://www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/testimo/

For the Gorgeous Modern look, the products used are:

1. Grand Shine Eyes #3 Brown

2. Shining Eyeliner EX02

3. Attractappeal Mascara BK-30 (first coat)

4. Strongproof Mascara 38 BK32 (used as top coat)

5. Grand Shine Rouge BE175

For the Pure Brightness look, the products used are:

1. Grand Shine Eyes #2 Grey
2. Shining Eyeliner EX01
3. Attractappeal Mascara BK-31 (first coat)
4. Grand Shine Rouge PK225

5. Lasting Gloss Coat

I also saw the testers for the two new shades of Pure Layered Blush, PK21 and OR21. PK21 is the typical light baby pink, most similar to Jill Stuart blush #1. It is paler and less rosy than PK20. PK-21 is used on the model in the Pure Brightness look while OR21 is used on the model for the Gorgeous Modern look. OR21 is a light apricot orange, quite similar to Jill Stuart blush #5. The new Grand Shine Eyes palettes are made with a new "Grand Shine" pearl formula that includes a highly reflective glass powder that has been coated with iron oxide for extra shine.

Shiseido The Makeup Quad Q8 Ocean Shimmer

Went to the stores today to do some JS CPs and chanced upon the Shiseido The Makeup's new limited edition summer Eye Shadow Quad Q8 Ocean Shimmer (4200yen). I had seen it in the magazines earlier and was already lemming the gorgeous white and red packaging of this quad. When I saw the eyeshadow shades at the counter, I immediately knew I had to have it as all the shades are just the type of vibrant shimmery colours that I love to use. There is a black cream eyeliner shade and three shimmer powder eyeshadow shades.

I don't usually care for STM makeup but this was a great exception. The black cream eyeliner shade has a deep blue-green shimmer while the light baby blue shade has a mint green shimmer. What I love about the blue shade is that it's not so pale that it's comes out looking more white than blue. The green shade is a vibrant leaf green, not too lime or yellow-toned. And the purple shade is a gorgeous deep lilac with pink shimmer. The texture is excellent, smooth with great colour payoff. My only quibble is that for such a big palm-sized compact, the eyeshadow pans look quite a bit smaller compared to most other brands! *Edited to add* Wore the new quad today and I'm loving the purple shade the best. It has a slight pink tone so my eyes don't end up looking bruised like with some other dark plum shades. The light blue shade applies as an icy minty pale blue that is just lovely. The shimmer is fine and elegant, not as sparkly as the Aube Jewellery Shower Eyes palettes. My only disappointment was the black cream eyeliner which creased and faded on me within a few hours and I had to re-apply them. The cream eyeliners in the Testimo Fresh Clear Eyes palettes were much longer lasting than that. So I'll probably go back to using the Opera Magical liquid eyeliner instead as that is totally budge-proof.

http://www.shiseido.co.jp/themakeup/summer/index.htm

I also found a great deal on Masaki Matsushima Orange Mat EDP, a fresh citrus scent that just smells deliciously fresh for only 980yen. I was very tempted to get the Anna Sui Secret Wish perfumes which were going for less than half the original retail price but I still have a shelf full of perfumes to use up so perhaps next month ;-p Also picked up 3 bottles Fancl Washing Powder Light (3460yen for 3 bottles; 1260yen if you buy only one) in the limited edition poppy design packaging today. All in all, a very satisfying haul!

Lola Color Play summer collection

Lola is another of my favourite niche brands. It's quite similar to Tarte in that its new makeup collections often have innovative, fun and multi-functional products that are easy to use. The new summer collection is already up on Sephora.com and will launch in Japan on 22 June. It includes:

1. Lola Laptop (US$36, 5670yen): Four shades of richly pigmented, creme-to-powder shadow/blush, two shades of the smoothest high-shine lip gloss, and a complementary highlighter - all in an ingenious, swivel-top compact.

2. Socialeyes Gel Eyecolor (US$20, 3150yen): Waterproof, smudge-resistant shadow/liner that comes in Sand (shimmer beige), Fiji (teal), Bora Bora (bronze) and Tahiti (khaki).

3. Double Play (US$26, 3990yen): Duo that includes a matte cream-to-powder blush shade and a complementary shimmery highlighter. Comes in Riviera (rose), Calypso (warm plum) and Sunset (coral)

4. Balm Quad (US$22, 3360yen): Balm Shell (bronze shimmer), Balms Away (coral), Balm Fire (red), and Balm Voyage (plum brown), plus a mini retractable lip brush