I managed to get 3 beauty-related Japanese magazines straight from Japan.
1) Maquia - May issue launched in Japan on 23 March. This month's focus is all about creating the small/sharp 'ideal' face.
The magazine came with an oval toothbrush-type brush and 3 samples from Obagi. There was even a section showing how you can use the brush as part of skincare routine or to apply base and blusher.
2) Voce - May issue launched in Japan on 23 March. Voce's focus this month was all about base products. They had a section on how to make your complexion glow (as opposed to making it look shallow) and a detailed review of base products launched recently where they put them through a detailed analysis). Some brands were also selected to feature their spring eyeshadows.
3) &Rosy - May issue launched on 23 March. This was my first time buying &Rosy and it was a great decision. Targeted at ladies over 35 yrs old, the May issue came with a deluxe sample of Kose Decorte Whitelogist Bright Express (Whitelogist is the premium whitening line from Kose Decorte) and a cute feline zippered pouch.
Pony, a celebrated Korean makeup artist, has launched her
own line called Pony Effect. She has previously collaborated with Memebox for 2
collections and that experience has informed her on what works.
Pony Effect’s first offering is a limited edition holiday
2015 collection – 1 eyeshadow palette, 1 contouring palette, 3 lipsticks and 4
nail polishes. I decided to get the eyeshadow palette from Korea the day the
collection launched and this palette arrived at my home within 10 days.
The palette consists of 3 matte shadows (In City, All Night, Bad or Good), 4 shimmers (Overdose, Beautiful Liar, Ready to Party, Drunk Dial) and 2 glitters (Just 10 Seconds, All That Glam).
At this point in time, I have only tried Overdose, Ready to Party, Drunk Dial and All That Glam on my lids. I have to say I find the colors very wearable despite its shimmer and glitter.
Taken in diffused daylight (swatched palette - the marks are there due to my swatching)
Taken in bright daylight - colors look a little washed out due to the lighting (they look better under white light, but I lost that file)
Comparing the white glitters - Pony Effect shade Just 10 Seconds vs Shu Uemura G White Rainbow (on their own, no base color below the powders)
Comparing the white glitters over colored base (1 black base and 1 turquoise base)
Original colored swatches without any glitter
Swatches under white light
Swatches under bright daylight
Pony Effect's Just 10 Seconds is a fine white glitter with violet sparkles compared to the bigger holographic sparkles of Shu Uemura's G White Rainbow. I personally find that Just 10 Seconds will change the original base eg black becomes a purplish black, so this is something to consider before you use it as a glitter overlay.
I couldn't find the photograph file of this swatching - In City and All That Glam so please rely on the video for swatches.
Pony has also released her own video tutorial for this collection here.
Disclaimer: I received no payment or payment in kind for writing this blog post. All opinions expressed and products featured here are my own.
Kanebo Lunasol's 2014 Autumn Collection is set around a Baroque theme.
This autumn collection is quite extensive with the following:
A) 5 [Limited Edition] eyeshadow duos called Dual Contrasting Eyes (retail price before tax 3500 yen)
- EX01 Icy Gray
- EX02 Tender Brown
- EX03 Warm Pink
- EX04 Modern Olive
- EX05 Chic Bordeaux
B) Eyeliner (retail price before tax 2500 yen)
- 01 Nuance Black
- 02 Deep Brown
C) 2 eyeshadow quads called Grace Contrasting Eyes (retail price before tax 5000 yen)
- 01 Antique Gold
- 02 Romantic Pink
D) Day Treatment Eye Essence (10g) (retail price before tax 3500 yen)
E) Creamy Matte [Limited Edition] Crayon Lips (retail price before tax 2500 yen)
- EX01 Brown Red
- EX02 Dark Red
- EX03 Smokey Beige
- EX04 Rose Beige
F) Glamour Lips (retail price before tax 3000 yen)
- #29 Pure Red
- #30 Smokey Rose
- #31 Mauve Pink
- #32 Light Smokey Beige
