When it comes to variety, you cannot beat Shiseido’s widely popular line, Maquillage. It is simply phenomenal in terms of shade selection and quality! I love how they give you at least 5 looks per season. If you aren’t into smokey eyes for fall, for example, there is always a few other looks you can go for:
As we come closer to August, in the heat of summer (even though it doesn’t feel like summer in Toronto so far), I came across the new fall colors from my favorite brands. It looks like it will be smokey eyes that will dominate the fall season.
Long been a big fan of Shiseido makeup, here is another Shiseido product I cannot live without! An Allure Editor’s Choice Award winner, this dewy cream eye shadow transforms into powder that creates a glaze of brilliant shimmery color. Intense, and lustrous, this is also crease resistant and long wearing.
When it comes to skin care, I find that even the more affordable lines by major Japanese brands are better than a lot of the Western department store brands. I had enjoyed Kanebo’s Freshel lines (White C and Moist Lift), various Shiseido FT (FT stands for Fine Toiletries) lines and also, Kose’s Cosmeport lines.
The latest line I had tried from Kose Cosmeport is Hyalocharge – a line that has hyaluronic acid as a key ingredient for dehydrated skin. Since I have dehydrated dry skin, I am interested in trying this line. There are various brands in Japan that use Hyaluronic Acid as a key ingredient (e.g. Juju) at a mass market level, but I love Kose so I bought the Lotion (toner), Skin Milk (emulsion) and cream.
The Hibutan line is the top end line by Charmzone – it is for firming, moisturizing and whitening the thirtysomething (and up) skin. I have been using the Hibutan Essence (CAD$70 for 60ml) for more than 2 months now – the reason why I didn’t review it sooner is because I find that with whitening products the effects are generally not visible within the first 4 weeks (with few exceptions).
Coreana is one of the more popular Korean brands eclipsed by the cosmetics giant AmorePacific (Laneige, AmorePacific, Sulwhasoo, Mamonde, Iope, Hera, etc.), at least internationally. A relative young company (20 years old), Coreana is a less recognizable brand than some other notable Korean brands such as Laneige, Sulwhasoo, Sooryehan, etc. There are times I feel that Amore brands are more hype than anything (with the exception of Sulwhasoo and AmorePacific), and brands like Charmzone and Coreana didn’t get the recognition that they deserve simply because their respective companies didn’t spend as much money on marketing outside Korea (or even inside) the way LG Debon and AmorePacific do (and can afford).
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This star product by Estee Lauder has many versions over the years, each promising stronger anti-aging and age corrective functions. This new version, called Synchronized Recovery Complex, contains Chronolux technology. The product claims to repair past visible damage and protect from future damages.
Here in this part of the world, we aren’t having much of a summer yet. With temperatures barely reaching 23 on a good day, we have to wonder whether Toronto will see a raging hot summer this year, something we get to enjoy only 2 months a year (if we are lucky)!
As summer rages on elsewhere, so does makeup. Although recession hits globally, there are still some major summer releases by major brands. Here are some of the highlights of new releases:
When I first saw Yu-Be at Sephora, I thought that it would have be a cult favorite for Sephora to carry it. I am just happy to see more Japanese and Korean brands being made available at mass market level in North America!
What it is:
“Invented in 1957 by a Japanese pharmacist, Yu-Be is the #1 selling medicated, vitamin-enriched skincare cream in Japan today. Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream soothes and moisturizes dry skin. This glycerin-based cream is enriched with vitamin E, vitamin B2, and camphor. It has a uniquely high glycerin content and absorbability achieved through a special manufacturing process which makes Yu-Be so effective. Use it to smooth rough, dry patches on hands, elbows, knees, and feet. It softens and reduces tough calluses, including hard, cracked heels, and helps heal and prevent split cuticles. It replenishes lost moisture from water damage or frequent hand washing, helps heal and minimize scarring from burns, and protects and moisturizes skin exposed to cold, wind, and water.”
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