Japanese Brands
By the Muse on October 14, 2008
You do realize I’m not NEARLY done with my concealer reviews right?
I got a ton more up my sleeve, I’ve just been giving you a breather in between!
I now have my eye on Sana Make Essence Concealer which is a yellow based concealer for concealing dark circles.
Sana Excel already makes a compact concealer for 800 yen that I have yet to try however the regular Sana brand has this new Make Essence Concealer that caught my eye since it has such a strong yellow base which is good for reflecting off of dark shadows and circles while concealing them up.
I’ll have to get my hands on some of this soon and review because I’m curious how good it is! The normal Sana line up is pretty good so I suspect that perhaps Sana Make Essence Concealer will be just as good.
If you live in Japan this is available now for 950 yen at a local drugstore! I believe it’s brand new as this is the first time I’ve seen it.
Review to follow shortly!
Sana Curler Review
Update: Read the Sana Make Essence Concealer Review
By the Muse on September 22, 2008
I’ve been wanting to try out Lavashuca Perfect Base for a long time now just because of it’s cute yet elegant packaging. The product comes in a heavy glass jar that’s beautifully vanity worthy and reminiscent of Lavshuca’s Jelly Eye Creams from a while back ago (I don’t believe they make these anymore). I liked the packaging so much I decided to get both the Moist and UV selections.
I know, crazy. Buying something because I love the packaging is ridiculous but since I’m on my quest for the perfect skin prep and primer I might as well try out Lavshuca with the added benefit of gorgeous packaging right? Indeed, the Muse’s mentality on choosing makeup does borderline on the strange and unusual.
My favorite of the two primers would be the Lavshuca Perfect Base UV. UV is a heavy duty cream that does have a slight whitening effect to it. Yes, I’m one of those crazy girls that believes in the miracles of a whitening agent. The cream is a thick consistency so I’m unsure if I’d recommend it for oily skin types considering the formula however if you have dry skin especially with the upcoming colder weather this will be a god sent. The cream is very lightly pigmented and casts a certain glow onto your face. It’s not a ghostly effect by any means but just lightens up certain dullness and gives a nice rested look to your skin however it’s not pigmented enough to forgo foundation. It’s super moisturizing and a little goes a very long way at filling pores, smoothing skin, and doing a general prep prior to foundation. It also has the benefit of containing ingredients to protect skin from harmful UV rays which is always a bonus. Although it offered fantastic moisture and prepped my skin wonderfully well for the rest of my foundation, I did not notice any really difference when it came to the length of wear on my foundation. My foundation lasted the normal 4-6 hours after use of this particular base however in defense of the product I don’t think it promises anything in regards to setting foundation for longer wear. I’d recommend this base for those who seek extra moisture even after use of their normal moisturizer, anyone who’s looking for a thicker primer to fill in pores, and finally someone who seeks UV protection.
The second base I tried was Lavshuca Perfect Base Moist base which is considerably different when compared to the UV version. This base is much lighter and the formula is completely different. The formula is water based, with a lighter consistency and a gel like texture that has a faintly pink iridescent finish that’s not completely visible on the skin. I like this base for prepping the skin prior to foundation because it makes my foundation glide on and blend easier however as far as filling pores or extending the life of my foundation I wouldn’t recommend it as it does neither. I enjoyed the consistency of the product and think it makes a rather great prep for warmer weather however right now, when my skin craves added moisture, I think the UV wins out. The base will make a rather great primer for my Summer skincare and I imagine I’ll reach for this when I’m using lighter makeup.
As you can see from my swatches below UV has a slightly white cast once blended and Moist contains a tiny amount of pink shimmer. Although each has an unique finish once blended onto my face I didn’t notice any shimmer from moist nor did I notice a noticeable change in my skin tone when using UV aside from dullness disappearing.
Both are generally good bases and I liked them alot but I found nothing particularly exciting or unique about either aside from the packaging. If you don’t have a ton of primers and bases around I’d recommend picking one of the two that would suit your skin however I’m not particularly partial to either. They performed well enough and I liked them very much but the Muse isn’t in love!
All in all a rather nice set of bases to add to my every growing collection of skin prepping items!
Tried these?
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What base or primer do you use?
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MuseTV Presents: Spotlight on Lavshuca
Lavshuca Rouge Star Classic Lipstick Review
Lavshuca Creamy Liquid Foundation
Lavshuca Spring Collection 2008 Roundup Review
Lavshuca Winter Make Palettes Review
By the Muse on September 17, 2008
Jill Stuart’s Illuminance for Fall was rather tempting this year. It’s been quite a while since I indulged in any of Jill Stuart’s offerings but I must admit that this year the eye palettes had a special place in my heart!
MuseTV Presents: Jill Stuart Illuminance
As I mentioned in my video I was really tempted to purchase all five of the Jill Stuart Illuminance Eye Palettes but I ended up asking for three in total. Sadly, the LE palette was sold out but I am somewhat thankful that happened because it doesn’t appear as lovely as I had imagined after viewing pics of it on various blogs.
I’ve been much more reserved with my purchases lately and I settled on a total of two eye palettes and one blush for this collection.
One of the first things I noticed about this particular collection is the fact that both the eye palettes and the blush compact have had a slight revamp in packaging. Jill Stuart eye palettes normally have a smooth mirror finish in this case the compact has a slightly raised floral motif that I really think adds a little something extra and special to each palette. I’m hopeful they’ll keep this style of packaging as new palettes are released. The new powder blush compacts also have a brand new design with beautiful lace overlay and the brush handle now sports a rather cute “J” initial charm. These small yet pretty touches really made the packaging even more girlish and more princess-like than it’s predecessors.
Old Jill Stuart Eye Palettes Versus New
Old Jill Stuart Blush Compact Versus New
I’m not the biggest fan of Jill Stuart’s compact blushes (it goes without saying what a big fan I am of the loose powder blushes though!) but I adore the packaging and when I seen the new colors I had to have at least one. The shimmering gold spray on top of the powder (which quickly disappears with one swipe of your blush) was definately a key selling point for me. Although in the end this shimmer quickly disappears it still had me hopeful that the powder would actually have a fine mill of glitter straight through. Sadly, that’s not the case. The color I got was Gold Illuminance which is made up of cream, bright pink, and two shades of peach. The effect of the powder is a peachy glow do to the dominate peach shades in the palette. Color payoff isn’t
fantastic but it’s decent and pretty.
With Flash
Without Flash
The two eye palettes I got were Jewel Dress and Brocade Gold. I am tempted to revisit the collection and get the other two palettes but for now I’m playing good girl as I’m hopeful Christmas will bring somthing particularly wonderful. Brocade Gold is my favorite of the two colors for the Fall. The shades are a stunning array of golds, peaches, bronze, and taupe. Jewel Dress contains more Summer friendly colors featuring hues of pinks, lilac, and taupe. The palettes contain a healthy amount of shimmery, glittery overspray that pretty much follows straight through to the shadow. Pigmentation is medium but can easily built up in intensity leaving behind a beautiful shimmery eye look.
With Flash
Without Flash
With Flash
Without Flash
Although all the colors are easily duped or replicated from past palettes I was still thrilled to pieces with this collection. The colors seemed deeper, more vibrant, and some had faint unique touches that weren’t completely identical to past shades. I particularly loved the eye palettes in this collection!
I’m very happy I did indulge and I wasn’t disappointed in the least! I highly recommend nabbing these if you have the means! I’m Muse Approving the Jill Stuart Illuminance Fall Collection for purchase!
The Muse loves it!
Love Jill Stuart?
Did you buy any of this collection?
Planning to?
Excited about Jill Stuart’s US Debut?
Tell the Muse!
MuseTV: Spotlight on the Muse’s Jill Stuart Collection
Jill Stuart’s US Debut
Further Information on Jill Stuart Illuminance Collection
Jill Stuart Seductive Eyes Summer 2008
Jill Stuart Perfume Review
Jill Stuart Christmas Coffret Review
By the Muse on September 10, 2008
As reported by Makeup Moxie, Jill Stuart will be launching it’s US debut!
FINALLY! AHHHHHHHHHH!
How exciting is that?!
During Jill Stuart’s recent runway show attendees were given a blush compact and glosses. The line will soon launch within the US which will include an estimated 30 products for eyes, lips, and face. Since the Jill Stuart line collection is so vast I’m making the assumption they are keeping with a cosmetic theme and not yet introducing the skincare line up. I assume they are doing only a few products to test the waters out and see how well it sells. Prices will range from $15-$50 USD which sounds quite nice considering the prices within Japan at the moment are a bit higher.
Last year, the company sold $40 million dollars in cosmetics in Asia, 1 million of which belonged to the Muse hehe!
I’m curious to see if the release will go with colors already available within Asia or if they’ll do some LE shade selections available exclusive to the US. I think it’s safe to say at this point they’ll be testing all this out prior to diving fully in. I should hope the launch is successful as many eager Jill Stuart fans will be most happy about this situation!
Read more about the US Launch by clicking here.
All in all some very, very, very exciting news for Jill Stuart fans everywhere!
Jill Stuart Fall Collection 2008 (Review coming soon….)
Jill Stuart Christmas Collection 2007 Review
Fake Jill Stuart Eye Palettes!
MuseTV Presents: Spotlight on Jill Stuart Cosmetics
An Introduction to Japanese Brands
By the Muse on September 4, 2008
Since Lavshuca Fall Collection for 2008 failed to impressed me this year I actually avoided purchasing anything aside from one lonely lipstick.
If you’re not in the know Lavshuca released a full size lipstick this season entitled Rouge Star Classic. I believe this is the first time Lavshuca has ventured into doing a full size lipstick so it definately had me wanting to try it.
It’s mmm…ok…nothing to write home.
It got mine in the color RD-2 and I’m particularly glad I only got one color because the formula isn’t excactly fantastic. It sports an identical formula as the regular mini-size Jewel Lips which honestly I do adore however I’m not completely in love with the texture on either the Jewel Lips or the Rouge Star Classic.
The formula is slightly gritty and although they promise to be major moisturizing and contain “moisture wrapping oil” whatever the hell that is, I fail to see any of that during application. They glide on well enough with a very slight gritty feel but I’ve just tried better. I think I might have fell out of love with Lavshuca’s lippie selection when I discovered much better Japanese lipstick options.
RD-2 is a deeper pink shades with a bit of a red tinge and fine gold shimmer. It looks quite classical on the lips but this fails to redeem the crummy texture and formula of the actual product. Props goes to the packaging for the interesting slim line tube that matches with the newer Lavshuca packaging.
14 shades are available of this new line but I don’t see myself indulging in anymore than this one. The novelty of Jewel Lips is most definately the size which is why I own so many however Rouge Star Classic has nothing special to offer and is just a mediocre lipstick. For a few dollars more you can get yourself one of Urban Decay’s outstanding lipsticks. Each lipstick retails for 1,575 yen.
Size Comparison: Lavshuca Jewel Lips Mini, Lavshuca’s New Rouge Star Classic, and MAC Lipstick
The Muse enjoyed the packaging, liked trying this out, but definately will not indulge in further colors. Cute but fails to hold my interest!
Wearing Lavshuca Rouge Star Classic Lipstick in RD-2
Tried this?
Love it?
Favorite lip products from Lavshuca?
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Lavshuca Creamy Liquid Foundation Review
Lavshuca Spring Collection 2008 Reviewed
Lavshuca Winter Make Palettes 2007 Review
Lavshuca Color Conc Rouge Review
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