Elegance Cruise Brand Launch

Elegance will launch a new makeup sub-brand called Elegance Cruise on 16 March in Japan. With a relaxed casual summer beach vacation vibe and priced more affordably than the main Elegance line, what's notable is the extensive shade offerings with 50 eyeshadow singles and 20 lipsticks. These are divided into three theme categories of Nature, Mer (French for 'sea') and Soleil (meaning 'sun'). The Nature shades are natural hues while the Mer shades are vivid and fresh, and the Soleil shades have a translucent seashell-like shimmer. The product packaging is similarly beach-inspired. Pics below from Biteki.



The lineup is as follows:

Cruise Fine Color (50 shades, 1800yen, 1g)


Stain Rouge SPF20 (20 shades, 2500yen, 3.7g)


Ruddy Water (6 shades, 2000yen, 5.5ml): Liquid face color.


Nail Lacquer (20 shades, 1500yen, 6ml)


Nail Glitter (10 shades, 1500yen, 6ml)


Base & Top Coat (1500yen, 6ml)


Color Creation Case I (1200yen) - fits 3 Cruise Fine Colors


Color Creation Case II (1400yen) - fits 4 Cruise Fine Colors


Collection Journal Cote D'Azur (5800yen) - Includes Cruise Fine Color X01 (1g), Stain Rouge X01 (3.7g), Nail Lacquer X01 (6ml), Ruddy Water RD301 (2.2ml) and a makeup brush. The X01 shades are all limited edition.

The official website will be launched on 16 February. Elegance is owned by Albion Cosmetics, which also makes Anna Sui, Paul & Joe, Sonia Rykiel (about to be discontinued). Albion is in turn owned by Kosé.

Pics below from 4Meee!.


Pics below from Vitaminef.


See more pics on Albion, Elle and Spur.

Paul & Joe Makeup Pouch and Sale

Paul & Joe is finally adding a new makeup pouch design to their line-up with this horse-print case debuting on 1 April in Japan. Retailing at 3800yen and measuring H11×W18×D6.5 cm, it has inner pockets and slots for brushes. Pic from Eclat.


More pics of the Protecting Pressed Powder SPF25 PA+++ (in 2 shades, 5000yen) due out on 1 March.


The Menagerie spring makeup collection is now on 20% discount over at ASOS.com so do hurry over there if you've been eyeing it. Do be warned that ASOS ships beauty products without any protective wrapping so accidents and breakage have been known to happen.

Starbucks Sakura Collection 2015

Starbucks will launch its annual sakura (cherry blossom) collection in two batches this February. The first part debuting on 15 February features designs of freshly bloomed sakuras in a yellow and pink design. It includes the Sakura sleeve tumbler 250ml (1600yen), Sakura white mug 430ml (1600yen), Sakura Handy Stainless Tumbler 480ml (4200yen), Sakura Handy Stainless Tumbler 360ml (3630yen), Sakura pink mug 360ml (1500yen) and Sakura card in Sakura Breeze.


The second part, to be released on 27 February, showcases sakuras in full bloom with a more vibrant color scheme. It includes the Sakura Tumbler 240ml (1430yen) and 350ml (1530yen), Sakura Sunny Bottle 500ml (2100yen), Sakura Handy Stainless Bottle 500ml (4200yen), Sakura Handy Stainless Bottle 350ml (3630yen) and Starbucks card in Sakura Brilliant. In previous years, the Sakura collection of tumblers and mugs have been available in Singapore as well but these are usually released without any publicity so if you want these, start stalking the stores soon as there's no telling when they will quietly turn up. These are guaranteed to always sell out in the blink of an eye.

The new seasonal drinks are Caramel Sakura Chocolate Latte and Caramel Sakura Chocolate Frappucino.

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.

Addiction Lipstick Sheer

Addiction will debut its new Lipstick Sheer formula on 3 April in Japan. Available in 10 shades and retailing at 2800yen, many of the shades are taken from the existing Addiction Lipstick line-up while others are repromotes of previously limited edition shades.

Desert Rose, Poupee, Baby and Amarranto


Cassis, Endlessly and Day Trip


Superwoman, Last Scene and Cherry Cherry

Shiseido Tsubaki Brand Renewal

Shiseido is renewing its bestselling Tsubaki haircare range in late March in Japan, with the introduction of the Extra Moist, Damage Care and Volume Touch series focusing on improving the moisture level and texture of hair. The new stripped down packaging unfortunately looks distinctly cheaper and less classy than the current line-up.

RMK Vintage Sweets Collection at Takashimaya

Here are quick snaps of the RMK Vintage Sweets collection currently available at Takashimaya, Ngee Ann City. While delicately pretty in conception and very much what one has come to expect from RMK with plenty of translucent, shimmery shades, nothing really stood out to me as a must-have.


All the eyeshadow singles and blushes are limited edition. These contain microfine shimmer.


The mascara duos (S$65) are intensely pigmented with some truly avant garde shade combinations, just not something that I would wear at my age.

The striped face powders looked cute but when swatched, there wasn't anything really special about these. At S$79 a pop (with no brush included), it was an easy pass for me.




The scented lipglosses (S$30) are also on the sheer side. These are mostly clear without any glitter or visible shimmer reflects. I ended up purchasing 04 which has a coffee aroma.



RMK is offering a pink vintage book-like keepsake box with S$120 purchase, or a skincare or makeup sample set with S$200 purchase. In addition, if you spend S$150, you get lifetime membership which entitles you to 20% off during your birthday month. Both the Holiday 2014 makeup and foundation sets are still available as well.

THREE Advanced Smoothing Concealer

THREE will release its new Advanced Smoothing Concealer (3500yen) on 11 March. Composed of 80% natural ingredients include eight botanical oils/essences, it will be available in 5 shades: YE (for concealing brown and red spots, skin redness and acne), OR (for concealing black and blue marks), 01, 02 and 03. 01-03 are the 'basic colors' for concealing around the lips and eyes and covering up fine lines. See swatches of YE and OR here and 01-03 here.

Pic below tweeted by Osadanna.

There will also be a Fluid Foundation and loose powder kit.