Etude House Etoinette Crystal Shine Lips in PPK004

Princess Etoinette release from winter 2012 is just so pretty. They are pink and girly - obviously inspired by french princesses of the past! I picked up a few colors from the lipstick collection for myself. This color, PPK004 arrived earliest. 

My box arrived a little dented, but it's okay, since the lippie itself was intact. As usual, the tube is made of plastic - but this time it has matte finish. Adding luxurious finish to the otherwise regular lip tube. I am just loving the tube design here... it definitely look pretty on my desk!

The texture of Crystal Shine Lips is butter and lovely when applied. It pretty much melted when applied. The color itself is super sheer and glossy. 

PPK004 looks like mauvey-tea rose pink. No worries, the color doesnt appear as dramatic as the tube when applied. As I mentioned earlier, the color is sheer and glossy - it just added a little blush and shine on my lips. Longevity wise, this doenst last very long. Especially that it looks so similar to my regular lip pigmentation, I cant really asses how long does the color itself lasts. 

Bottomline, 

Pretty packaging, lovely color selection and comfortable texture making this an easy pick for daily lipstick. PPK004 just added nice blush and sheen on my lips. But I dont think this is extraordinary enough to make me wanting to collect more colors so badly. 

Etude House Dear My Essence Lips Talk in EPK002 Bursting Pink Heart and EPK003 Swaying Pink First Love

What a mouthful name! Anyways, this is part of Etude House’s release for Summer 2012, along with the super cute Dear My Lipsticks. This launch of lip essence consists of 8 colors with good mix of wearable pinks, corals and nudes.

(picture from etude.co.kr)

The packaging totally reminds me of Etude House’s lippie from Miss Tangerine Sweet Shower Lips collection from 2011. Here’s  both lippie side by side… same tube design, just different color and design.

I picked up cool toned EPK002 and EPK003. Both colors are sheer and provide glossy sheen. EPK002 is cool magenta pink, sheer yet buildable. When I’m not in the mood for strong toned lips, I wear my trusty Badger Balm underneat and swipe EPK002 lightly on top – the result is glossy pretty pink! EPK003 is MLBB (my lips but better) pretty girly pink. It is sheer, and it might not show up well on beauties with more pigmented lips.

Both has the same feel and formula. Glides nicely on lips, glossy and not drying. I do think this formula is better than Miss Tangerine.

As with most sheer, glossy lippie… these wont stay long on your lips. Carry them on your purse for later touch up. With no tea sipping this last 3 hours on me. But with tea sipping and occasional snack nibbling, it is gone by an hour.

Bottomline,

Pretty colors, easy formula and pretty design. Good choice during uninspired days when I don’t know which lippie to wear. I do think this makes a good choice for lippie beginner or gloss ladies out there- as the formula is light and colors are super easy to wear. 

Etude House Hair Wax & BB Cream for Men

Yes, I don’t need any wax… but I just cant take my eyes of these cute wax packaging by Etude House. Cant believe this products are meant for the boys!

These cute babies comes in 3 variants:

Magenta – Shiny Dandy is glossy wax for short hair

Blue – Natural Two Cut is designed to add volume for medium/longer hair

Grey – Matte Mohican is matte clay for short/medium hair

I am so tempted to get one of these for myself!

Not only that, they also released BB cream for guys: Good Guy -moisturizing BB cream for  natural look and Bad Guy for Sebum control & coverage. Fun!

(picture from etude.co.kr)

Etude If Story Nail Kit Winter 2012

Another winter launch from Etude House! 

I always enjoyed Etude's nail kits. The kits always offer me the chance to get few colors in smaller bottles at once(which I might not wear as often). Good way to experiment new style or out-of-comfort-zone colors!

If story Nail Kit offers 2 colors in each set. Christmas tree snow falls is the one with black base multi color glitter and clear base heart glitter. Melted ice in love is the more cooler toned of the set. Christmas tree certainly reminds me of Deborah Lippman's famous Happy Birthday!

(picture from etude.co.kr)

Majolica Majorca Cream de Cheek Kiichigo Cream Blush in RD 411

Cream de Cheek is part of Majolica Majorca Autumn Winter 2012 launch titled Circus Ecstasy.  This collection contains liquid blush Cream de Cheek, nail polish, new perfume, liquid eyeliner Trick On Liner and hand cream. Of all, I am only interested with the liquid blush.

Majolica Majorca is Japanese drugstore brand from Shiseido. They always come up with pretty seasonal stuff. I have been in love with most of their products...good quality, buttery eye shadow, well pigmented powder blushes and all...

As usual, the packaging is pretty- frosted glass bottle with black cap and golden MJ logo on top. Lovely. It reminds me of nail polish! The brush style is just like nail polish too!

RD 411 is creamy warm red which applies sheer and lovely. It makes my cheek glows nicely – like baby cheek!

The consistency is similar with nailpolish too… minus the nail polish-y smell. Little goes a long way here… a single dot is enough to make my cheek blush nicely. Even though it is well pigmented, Cream de Cheek is easily blended.

Bottomline,

Lovely liquid blush! Pigmented and easy to blend. Just how I want my liquid blush to be! Too bad they don’t come with more colors.

(pictures from shiseido.co.jp/mj/)

Etude House Princess Etoinette Winter 2012 release

I checked out etude.co.kr today, and guess what I saw... new Christmas release from Etude House. Well, of course this is kinda late, considering most Western and Japanese brands has released their Spring 2013 visuals. 

Anyways, better late than never, rite? This year's theme is Princess Etoinette. The release includes Floating Crystal Shine Lips lippies, blush, highlighter, Crystal Powder finishing powder, nail polish collections, brushes and make up pouch, scented candle, bath bar, mirror and a cute comb. 

This collection is inspired by French princesses from Versailles Palace... Think Kirsten Dunst's Marie Antoinette !

 vs.    

The design of the blush and powder containers totally reminds me of Les Merveilleuses Laduree's powders! Okay, not that similar, but the idea is there... Similar cuteness level, less price, anyone?

Usually I would be drawn to lippies... somehow this collection doesnt call my name... The color seems to be more repetition than new colors to my eyes. 

Not only China Glaze has jumped in to the previously-indie-polish-territory of milky glitters, Etude has joined the bandwagon by releasing a set with milky glitter polish in it. I like the reverse-french with pattern idea thrown here. 

I'm looking forward to try one of those powders. Love the idea... heart shaped pearls and all... I do hope they perform well!

(pictures from etude.co.kr and lm-laduree.com)

Lavshuca Girly Whip Cheek in PK-1

I was super duper excited every time creamy/liquid cheek product arrives in my doorstep. This baby from Lavshuca is not an exception. Whip Cheek comes in options of pinks, orange and red. This baby was launched in together with Lavshuca’s Double Color Lipstick.

The packaging really looks like lipgloss don’t you think? Even the sponge tip applicator reminds me of Revlon’s Colorburst gloss. Similarities to gloss aside, the material used here is good. The plastic tube is clear and feels sturdy despite being plastic. What I don’t fancy as much is the detailing on the mouth of the tube… the printing is tad rough… gives the cheap look.

The product promises natural looking flushed cheeks. The creamy-mousse transforms to powder upon application.

PK-1 is classic baby pink which I think, most Japanese cosmetic offers. While the color is not unique at all, I do love the lipgloss tube idea.

The sponge tipped applicator carries enough product each time. You just have to apply and blend. Blending was a breeze and the color buildable. It does immediately turns into powdery consistency upon application. However, I do think it feels a little silicone-y. for me personally, it doesn’t matter as much.

Bottomline,

I adore the practical applicator, makes it super travel friendly. I do wish they come up with more pigmented color variations. Repurchase? Most probably ;)  

Lavshuca Double Color Lip Stick in PK-1 (model color)

Who wouldn’t be intrigued with the idea of two tone lip color? It should help define the lips without the need of having multiple shade in hand. Plus, it means I’m carrying 2 colors of lippie in a small tube! Such a space saver!

This baby was launched together with Girly Cheek Whip, which I also purchased. 

The idea is each lipstick consists of 2 matching colors, deeper one meant for the outer lips and lighter one (Lavshuca calls it 'glow color') for the inner. This will create illusion of fuller lips. PK-1 is combo of super wearable pinky mauve and light shimmery warm pink. Looks like a great combo. 

 yes... I was not patient enough to try this. I've forgotten to take the unused bullet picture before trying it on...

You can see the difference of light and deep color in my hand swatch here... the line is clearly visible. I do think it looks way better and much more wearable after blending.

Like most Japanese lip products, this baby is not fragranced or flavored. 

First, I tried to apply it as Lavschuca intended to: the darker outside and lighter inside. I find that I still need to blend to make my lipcolor look natural. Else, you will end up with dark lipliner look that’s on the rage in the 90s. not a look I am coveting right now. A little blending by pursing your lips will suffice. The light color is too light compared to the darker shade. In my lip swatch here, I simply blended the colros inward with my fingertip. 

I find the darker color to finish faster than the lighter shade when applied as intended. May be it is just the way I handle my lipstick… but for me, that’s what happened.

Unfortunately, this lippie is not moisturizing for me. Makes sense, since they have to have sturdy bullet for this 2 colors in one bullet idea. Harder bullets are usually more drying. Plus, it makes my dry lips look even drier. But balm on top or underneath will help tremendously. I also find the color a little staining. In the end of the day my lips looks pretty pinkish.

bottomline, 

as much as i love the novel idea, i dont think the formula is cutting it for me. it is simply not moisturizing enough. the color is pretty though...

The Body Shop Pure natural Lip Roll On in Rose

I cant say no when I see ‘rose’…  

This flavored roll on balm is supposed to moisturize and leave lips soft with no tacky waxy feel. Of course, made with 100% natural ingredients.

 Here’s the list…rinicus communis seed oil, glycine soja oil, lanolin, helianthus annuus seed oil, olea eurupeaea fruit oil, aroma, helianthus annuus seed waz, aqua, tocopherol, persea gratissima oil, prunis amydalus dulcis oil, sammondsia chinensis seed oil, stevia rebaudiana leaf/stem extract, linalool, citronellol, geraniol, citral, limonene, citric acid. 

Basically: castor oil, sunflower wax and oil, avocado oil, olive oil, almond oil amongst others. I don’t fancy castor oil feeling on my lips… had I known there’s castor oil in there, I don’t think I will purchase this. 

Packaged in plastic tube with roll on top, this is practical. Yet, I have bad experiences with roll on stuff… so I am kinda worried to have this in my bag. 

The product itself is textured like light lip gloss. It goes on clear and makes my lips look glossy. Is it moisturizing? Not moisturizing enough for me. I still prefer my traditional lip balm…

Bottomline…

I wont repurchase, give me my regular lip balm please…

Kanebo Kate Mineral BB Gel Cream SPF 30 PA++ in OC-C

I have been making this baby a staple of my daily make up routine for a while now… yet I haven’t made a proper review… so, here it is…

Honestly, I couldn’t remember when did Kate launched this one… I think it is part of their spring 2012 release. It contains mineral powder, moisturizing complexes and collagen. Oh, it’s alcohol free too! Like any good Japanese base make up … it has SPF and PA thrown in.

The texture is … well… gel cream. Easily blended, easily set, with sheer coverage. 

What I love the most about this Gel Cream is the matte yet fresh look it gives me. My face still get oily as usual ( I can feel it), but it somehow still manage to make me look fresh. No grayish cast too.  Lovely. 

Unfortunately it only comes in 3 shades OC-B, OC-C and OC-D. this wont be suitable for those with deeper skin tones…

Bottomline…

I am loving it. Unless something better comes along, I will repurchase this when I run out.

Kose Visee Mineral Liquid Cheeks Baby Finish in RD 401 and PK 800

I have been waiting for this product for ages to appear in my favorite e-retailers…but I didn’t see any sign of it appearing… when my bestie, the wonderful Astrid happen to visit Japan. She grabbed me RD 401 and PK 800! Thanks a lot, angel!

Now the product… it is a recent spring 2012 launch which is part of the mineral series. Previously they also offered blusher in compact powder form. I have to say, the compact powder blusher is hit and miss. Sometime they give you wonderful color payoff, sometimes not.

Not so for this baby! This light thin cream packs a lot of pigment. A little goes loooonng way… see here, I blended out a little of the product, and you can still see how pigmented it is. 

The light cream texture is lovely. Easy to spread and blend. But once it sets (after 30 seconds-1 minutes) it wont budge. After swatching this product, I went off and did some cleaning and washing chores. To my surprise, the pigment was still there until I wash it off properly with soap and water.

I am so super loving this product… even though each tiny tube only pack 10gr of the product… considering the pigmentation, these can lasts me long time.

Bottomline…

Instant love…