Autumn Brown by rmk for Fall 2010 is all about smoky brown eyes.

If you are bored with the traditional fall colors for fashion and makeup – grays, blacks and purples – then this year’s browns, camels and animal prints will be a welcoming change! Even the traditional smoky eyes are getting a new twist – instead of the cool tones, smoky brown eyes are in! One great thing about browns is that they look good on almost everybody and most skin tones, and another is that even for a smoky eye makeup novice, browns are a lot more forgiving and you are less likely to end up looking like a panda or raccoon. more…

I wrote this several years ago when I first operated Joseibi.com as an Asian beauty online store. If you are new to Asian skincare and makeup, you may find this useful!

Did you panic when you receive a product from Joseibi.com and the date on the product has already passed? Not sure what a Charmzone Control Cream is? In general, the naming of many typical Japanese/Korean beauty products differs from the products produced in North America. Read on to find out more. more…

The gorgeous Song Hye Kyo modelling for Laneige. (Click to enlarge)

The Laneige fall 2010 makeup look is fairly traditional: a little bit of smoky purple shadow and nude lips. But does any of this matter when it is Song Hye Kyo, who, by now, must be the longest serving spokesmodel for Laneige, who models the look? more…

Blush Blossom Look for Fall 2010 by Jill Stuart

How refreshing not seeing yet another dark rimmed eye and purple lip for Fall 2010! You can always count on the Japanese brands. Not all of us are into the smoky eye look and it’s nice to have options for fall and still look trendy and chic. more…

Although the new fashion trend for fall 2010 is camel colored jackets and animal prints, it looks like Dior will go the traditional route – smoky eyes and purple shades. Yes, it’s pretty, but I was hoping for something slightly different, since the new smoky eyes are less intense (with brown shades rather than black and purples), but Dior is still Dior, and for most people, fall is still about purple and grays. more…

Fall 2010 Limited Edition Collection Sparkles by Paul & Joe Beaute (Click to enlarge)

I’m back!! Sorry I haven’t posted much this summer. But Fall is almost here and I found quite a few beautiful collections from my favorite brands, and discovered another great Japanese beauty magazine (called Maquia). Since Fall is my favorite season (for everything – the weather, makeup colors and clothes) I always find – and overspend on - makeup with really extraordinary, gorgeous packaging that I will cherish for the entire season! more…

Origins Brighter by Nature™ High-potency brightening peel with fruit acids, 40 pads, US$37.50

Even though I tend to review products after one month of usage, I decided to wait for 3 months with this one. Generally I don’t find whitening products all that dramatic when it comes to visible results so I wanted to give this a fair try, to completely use up the whole jar (40 pads). The instructions said to use this twice a week, but because I have very thin and dehydrated sensitive skin, I used this once every 5 days instead of twice a week (hence I give this a little longer before reviewing). more…

With every major fashion house having its own makeup brand nowadays, it’s almost natural that the famed British classic Burberry gets its own. But unlike most other designer brands that seem to get caught up in trendy colors, Burberry’s beauty line will stay just as classically muted according to Christopher Bailey, chief creative officer of Burberry. more…

Shiseido Eyelash Curler, CAD$20.00

I cannot stress how important it is to have the right tools! At first, I thought that all eyelash curlers were the same. They look the same to me, and because my lashes are not too straight, I didn’t think I need to buy an expensive eyelash curler.

I remember using a Maybelline and a Revlon eyelash curler in my early twenties when I wasn’t very knowledgeable about makeup and such. These cost less than CAD$8.00 each and I thought, at the time, they were fine. They got the job done, with some pinching, but I thought that was meant to pinch. more…

Aube Couture Designing Highlight, 3,700 JPY

While complexion enhancers may not be an everyday necessity for westerners (who typically have relatively more prominent bone structures and don’t need as much contouring as we do), they certainly are essential in Japanese makeup. Every Japanese brand has at least a few luminizers (or highlighters) in their lineup. If you are afraid of using luminizers, you really shouldn’t be; after all, they will only give you a nice, natural glow if used correctly. more…

Lancome Definicils Precious Cells mascara, US$29.00

Suddenly there are quite a few lash-regenerating mascaras on the market! From Revlon to Dior, there is one at every price range nowadays. Is it from the popularity of RapidLash? But if you experience major lash fallout during makeup removal, this may be a good product to try. more…

Lancome DÉFINICILS - High Definition Mascara, US$24.50

Among one of Lancome’s cult hits, Definicils is one of the most popular mascaras in the world – with Julia Roberts reportedly being a devoted fan. Why? Nothing separates your lashes and gives them definition this good! more…

Paperself false lashes

Inspired by traditional Chinese paper art and launched by London-based Chinese designer Chunwei Liao, Paperself unites artists, designers and manufacturers from East to West. Challenging conventions of product design, Paperself offers a stylish alternative in furniture, homeware and accessories for eco-conscious living. more…

Caffeine is an effective ingredient in treating puffy eyes. Choose Black Tea for best results.

We all have to deal with puffy eyes at one time or another. Here are the known solutions for treating the common puffy eyes: more…

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash, US$18.50

I have this particularly regimen in summer – I use Origins Checks and Balances every year from June to August. I may not change the rest of my routine (my skin is dry so I still use moisturizer and night cream at night) but somehow this habit of using Checks and Balances sticks. Especially after all the recent boom of anything organic and non-toxic skin care, Origins appeals to me more and more. more…

M.A.C. Studio Sculpt Concealer, 5.5g, CAD$20.00

I don’t normally wear any foundation or powder (I am not acne-prone or anything) but because of allergies some days I will have redness around my eyes close to my cheeks and I need a wear-alone concealer. If you suffer from the same thing you would know that most concealers offer limited shades, the closest match still standing out too much to wear alone. Not so with M.A.C.’s range of concealers! Am I glad that there is actually one brand that will do the same range of shades for its concealers as in its foundations! more…

Benefit High Beam, 0.45 oz., US$24.00

This is one of Benefit’s most adored cult favorites – a luminescent complexion enhancer that gives your skin a rosy pink glow. The pink hue isn’t obvious though – it just goes on your skin and makes it radiant. It didn’t take me very long to more…

Benefit "That Gal", 0.37 oz, US$28.00

Benefit isn’t one of my ‘staple’ brands but there are a few products I like (including High Beam). This brightening face primer is pink-tinted to give your skin a nice rosy glow and has a very mild sweet fragrance. more…