Pantone Color of The Year 2013 - Emerald

After 2012’s highly successful Tangerine Tango, Pantone has announced 2013 color of the year… Emerald!

I personally find Emerald super easy to work with… it is cheerful enough for spring/summer outfit and makes you get noticed during grey cooler months. To tone it down, pair up with beige or navy. When I feel like adding splash of color, I pair my emerald with a little sunflower. Emerald is one of those versatile colors which make both silver and gold jewelries pop equally.

In my beauty beauty & make up universe, I loved a little emerald eye liner in rotation with my staple jet black – like Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Covet. Or, apply little green eye shadows from Lancome’s Color Design 5 Palette in Vert Tendresse.

My personal Asian drugstore pick would be Kanebo Kate’s Eye Blend Zone Eye Shadow palette in GN-1 and Majolica Majorca Jeweling Eyes palette in GR 780.

Nails… ah… there are thousands, if not millions, of gorgeous emeralds out there- in variety of finish too! Like China Glaze Exotic Encounter if you like crème or China Glaze Deviantly Daring for duochrome lovers.  

So, are you going to embrace emerald next year?

(pictures from pantone.com, Sephora.com, chinaglaze.com, adambeauty.com, shiseido.co.jp/mj, head2toebeauty.com). 

Kanebo Ichikami Hair Treatment Oil

Hair oils… I am in love with them right now. Previously, I tried Ma Cherie’s Hair Oil, and now I am trying Ichikami’s version. I am so intrigued with this one, as this baby promises tsubaki oil. I have been dying to try the buzzed up tsubaki oil. In fact… I purchased this one because of the tsubaki oil content.

As with other Ichikami’s products, they uses ingredients that’s used since ancient Japan for haircare; such as black rice extract, tsubaki oil, hiougi (a kind of iris), mukuroji and walnut. Ichikami says this oil prevents and repairs serious hair damage.

I do love the packaging, small plastic pump bottle with small nozzle. Making it a breeze dispense small amount of oil at a time.

The light clear oil has no discernable fragrance. It is not sticky and get absorbed easily. This oil doesn’t add any weigh on my hair, it just add softness and sheen. I don’t notice any stark result difference when I applied it on my damp towel dried hair or fully dried hair.

Bottomline,

Another pleasant to use light hair oil. I love the small plastic bottle and tiny nozzle for easy dispensing. It is light and makes my hair feel so soft, I think this would be nice for finer hair or normal hair. I won’t repurchase as it doesn’t add moisture as much I want my hair oils to. 

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...

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 Freshel White C Cleansing Oil

Ah...yes, another cleansing oil review... This time, it is from Freshel a brand of Japanese cosmetic giant, Kanebo.

Wont talk much about the packaging design here. simple clear plastic bottle with convenient pump. all boxed in clear plastic box, which you will have to rip to open.

the texture itself is just like regular oil, more heavy than FANCL's version. Dont worry... it does not feel heavy at all once you have massaged it on your face and emulsify/wash the residue off with water. it makes my face feels fresh and clean.

Is it potent enough for me? apparently yes! it easily took off my stubborn MAC liquidline eyeliner. wonderful.

it doesnt sting my eyes if i accidentally opened my eyes during washing. but it makes my vision blurry for a second or two but blinking my eyes quickly clears up the problem.

Bottomline...
another pleasant, economical find from japanese brands. Now I realize I am not going to be forever attached to FANCL! yay!

Kanebo Kate Real Create Eyes in BU 1

Lately not much of Kate's product launches interest me... Nearly forgot about the brand, until I saw real create eyes in adambeauty.com.

Real create eyes is designed looking like other Kate eye shadow palette. Housed in black plastic case. It is light, yet doenst feel flimsy at all. This palette comes with five color combinations raining from browns to blue, pink and green. From the website swatches, the colors looks pretty safe and versatile for daily office use.

This palette color is meant to make your eyes look bigger naturally. It contain glow jelly color, Clear color (accent color) and range of pretty neutrals. You are supposed to use the clear glittery jelly color as base. Unlike other eye shadow bases included in Japanese drugstore palettes, this one feels really like soft jelly. I was shocked by it's softness when I first swatched it. The glitter in this jelly is so fine and not gritty at all. The tiny glitter sparkles in pastel rainbow colors.

Clear color in this palette is, well, clear blue. It is sheer and shimmery baby blue. Reminds me of clear blue lagoon water in midday. This color has the hardest texture of all colors in the palette. But don't get me wrong,it is still easy to blend , to pick up. Just, not as butter velvety as the other 3 neutral contouring colors. I was pretty surprised with the contouring colors here. i find them more pigmented than I expected it to be. Color c is pretty ivory with golden sheen, color d is pale brown-gray and color e or the liner is deep brown. All three are shimmery but not glittery.

I enjoyed this palette so much, the texture is just lovely. But I won't be tempted to get the other palettes. I am partial to the jelly base. Do love the shimmer and all, but since my eye lids are oily enough, I dont think I need additional jelly to make it more moist. The colors appear stronger and last longer with the jelly base underneath, but it is just not for me. Beauties with drier skin may enjoy this more than I do.

Bottomline,
Enjoyable purchase, nice palette to have. Lovely texture. But I do think owning one is enough.

Lavshuca Moist Melting Rouge in PK 5

Another cute, princessy lippie from Japanese brand Lavshuca. I grabbed this partially because of the shape of the tube (very Dior serum de rouge –like) and the word ‘moist melting’ in its name. sounds like something my lips would love. 

Just like its doppelganger, Dior Serum de Rouge, this one is very soft and has melting-when-applied texture. The slim tube contains 1.6 gr of product… very tiny if you asked me. Even though I tried turning the dial little more than I need – and successfully retract the bullet, I do not recommend turning the bullet out too much. The product is so soft, so could smush it upon application. 

PK 5 is crème mauve-pink, an MLBB color for me! Glides nicely and smoothly on my lips. it gives my lips nice gloss, the color is sheer and coverage is minimum. As it is very moisturizing and soft- it gets transferred to my cup rim very easily. The color is pretty much gone after 2 sips of tea- the glossiness persist up to 1 hour. 

Purchased mine from Watsons Taipei.

Bottomline…

Not for those who doesn’t like reapplying their lippie. Deeper shades might perform differently, but I don’t think this is very useful beside to make pretty addition to my lippie tube collection.

Lavshuca Lipstick Jewel (Shiny) in PK-2

I do think Lavshuca is one Japanese drug store brand that offers most various lipsticks. One product that I see them re promote a lot is the Jewel lippie line.

Packaged in clear plastic box with hologram effect, this one certainly is different looking from other Lavshuca lipstick. And it is tiiiinnyyyyy. Only 1.8 gram. 

The lippie tube itself is adorable- pearly pink plastic with jewel-cut like deep purple plastic cap. It has very princess-y silhouette. 

PK-2 is blue toned baby pink with silver shimmer. Applies easily and feel comfortable enough on me. But it doesn’t provide much pigment or coverage. On me, it just gives my lips glossy/balmy with shimmer look. Wear time is very short- I got 1 hour of light pigment & shimmer.

Like most Japanese brand lippie, it has no fragrance or flavor.

Bottomline…

It is just something cute for your ultra tiny make up pouch- to add little glossiness and shimmer for your lips. Personally, I am not interested to try the other shades.

Purchased mine from Watson's in Taipei.

Kate Rouge HG in RS11

I havent been a fan of Kate’s lip products since the last time I tried their lipgloss. But upon bumping to Kate Rouge HG’s sleek design, I decided to give this a try.

Kate comes from Kanebo – it is a drug store brand with edgy flair. I like their gel eyeliner the most!

Rouge HG promises rich, long lasting moisture. Something I am looking for in lipsticks.

Like most Japanese drugstore products, it comes packaged in clear plastic box. The tube is black square with stripey texture. Simple, sleek and pretty to look at. Instant love for me. It is light, but doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy.

I picked up RS11, cool toned pink-magenta with a dash of shimmer. The rouge itself is rather sheer, allowing your lip natural color peek thru. RS11 makes my lips appear glossy without too much shimmer-in fact, I cant really see the shimmer once I applied it on my lips. I adore the color as I think it instantly brightened up my complexion. I’m wearing RS11 with little dark eyeliner and light blush. Perfect for lazy days. 

Now the texture… I feel little drag when applying, but don’t it doesn’t feel waxy at all. It feels light, yet I can still feel im wearing lipstick. It doesn’t dry my lips, but I don’t feel like it gives moisture or protection as much as my lipbalm does.

After a while (2-3 hours) the color just faded and the lipstick feeling faded too… but…it leaves pretty light stain on my lips. I love the resulting stain!

Like many Japanese lipsticks… it has no fragrance or taste.

Overall… I like this one, the color and the texture and the price! Wished it gives more no-lipstick feeling, but I cant complain, looking at the price!

Should have gotten more colors back then!

Purchased mine in Sasa during my travel.

Kanebo MFC Color Accent Eyes in EX01

Got this one just because it is from Japanese cosmetic giant – Kanebo.

I heard MFC is sold in Japanese drugstore only, I got mine online. The color attracted my attention. Mine is combo of glittery pink-mauve, brownish wine, pale yellow and white.

Packaging is very simple clear and black plastic, with some design on top. I kinda like the design. It was not luxe at all, but good enough. As usual, Japanese palettes almost always has easy to follow diagram to create look with the palette:

The pink, yellow and white are very glittery, while the wine was not as glittery. Too bad it is not pigmented at all. I don’t fancy the colors when I tried to layer or build up the intensity. So, most probably I’m gonna use them only as glitter top coat for less glittery shadows.

Now the liner color – the wine... it is so sheer and somehow fades easily. By lunchtime, I cant see if Im wearing any eyeshadow...



In summary... not my cup of tea...