National Oceans Month 2009


Part of Sonia Rykiel Summer 2009 Lagoon Collection

I am a water person. I love playing with water. Laying on the seashore to see the open water and listening to the sound of rolling waves at twilight always gives me calm and serenity.

The oceans have always been one of the beautiful inspirations behind cosmetics brands' makeup collections. Season after season, especially in the summers, there have been so many makeup collections inspired by the beauty of our water that accounts for 74% of the Earth's surface.



Nars Tropic Single Eyeshadow

For summer 2009, both Guerlain Summer Splash Color Collection and Sonia Rykiel's Lagoon Collection bring us ocean-inspired colors in sea blue, sun-kissed bronze, lush coral and white shimmer. Nars summer 2009 collection is another beach-toned makeup collection. Among these collections, I am particularly dazzled by Single Eyeshadow Tropic (in silver-flecked teal), which is created by Nars Creative Director François Nars to capture the reflective and rolling waves of the tropical oceans.



Left: La Baleine Blanche Right La Baleine Bleue
(From Chantecaille Spring 2009 La Baleine Collection)

Chantecaille is one of the cosmetics brands dedicated to raise the awareness of environmental issues. In spring 2009, Chantecaille launched two limited-edition compacts, La Baleine Bleue eyeshadow trio and La Baleine Blanche illuminating face powder trio embossed with the images of a blue whale and calf. Five percent of the proceeds from the sale of the two compacts goes to International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) to help protect the high seas.

While June as the National Oceans Month is slowly coming to the end, I can't help but wonder how we can help protect our precious oceans.

If you are interested to learn more about our oceans and how we can preserve the ecosystems, head over to The Reef Tank's Community Blog that I recently started reading.

[Photo credit: www.iswii.net, www.chantecaille.com, www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com]

Related posts:

La Mer "World Oceans Day" Crème 2009


Total Beauty Web Tour

Enjoy the weekend beauty reads from Total Beauty Web Tour!
  1. The Informed Makeup Maven talks Stila, MAC and Terra Firma Cosmetics giveways and reviews Make Up For Ever's HD primer and Camouflage Palette, and MAC's Moistureblend Foundation.
  2. The Clinique Bamboo Pink Collection Giveaway at An Indian's Makeup Blog - ENTER TODAY !
  3. Check out A Little More Beautiful for great giveaways like a LUSH Sweetie Stack Gift set and BB Dakota Pink Dress-Perfect for Summer!
  4. If you are a blonde you'll want to check out The Advice Sisters review of Redken's Blonde Glam salon treatments and at-home products they are a must-have for Summer and all year long!
  5. Beauty Anonymous gives you a look into the latest haute couture-inspired makeup collection by Chanel.
  6. addicted to lipstick is having a Mac Honey Collection Giveaway hop on over to enter for you chance to win.
  7. Fabulous Over Forty falls in love with a new Dior Designer Eye Palette.
  8. eye4style loves the long lasting shine of Dashing Diva's new Gelife manicure!
  9. Dao from My Makeup Blog found a good dupe of the coveted MAC 188 brush for cheap!
  10. Glossypink shows you how to get The Hills' star Audrina Patridge's smoldering makeup look!
  11. The girls over at Beauty in Real Life have another fab giveaway this week. Head on over to enter to win Perricone MD's Advanced Face Firming Activator, valued at $120!!!
  12. Visit Lipgloss Break and enter to win Barielle Summer Sugar Rush Nail Polish Collection!

Weekend Beauty Reads from the Beauty Blog Network

Enjoy the weekend beauty reads from the Beauty Blog Network!
  1. Decorative Diva shares her thoughts on the SkinCareRx Travel Kit.
  2. Elke finds, big hair with 7 hair items for $15.00.
  3. A Touch of Blusher counts down the best summer 2009 makeup collections.
  4. ThisThatBeauty is partnered with Diane von Furstenburg and giving away Limited Edition Lipstick "Foreign Affair".
  5. Beauty Junkie in SF is giving away a POP beauty kit that will make everyone one say "HELLO GORGEOUS!". Enter Today!
  6. Face Candy reviews Sonia Kashuk's coral themed Spring Treasures Collection.
  7. The Makeup Divas reviews The Body Shop's HotBrights Collection.
  8. Beauty Anonymous gives you a look into the latest haute couture-inspired makeup collection by Chanel.

Shu Uemura Eyebrow Gel

Promo Image of Shu Uemura Eyebrow Gel

Shu Uemura's Japanese website has been updated with the upcoming release of Eyebrow Gel, which is set to be launched on July 1st in Japan. Available in 5 shades, Eyebrow Gel is a waterproof powder gel formula.


Swatches of Shu Uemura Eyebrow Gel

The brow products I use are Shu Uemura Hard Formula eyebrow pencil in 02 Seal Brown and Kate Designing Eyebrow N palette in EX5. Shu Uemura's Hard Formula eyebrow pencil has always been my favorite since I started using it in college. It allows for easy and even application for well-defined brows.


I recently had my hair dyed, and I have been on the lookout for eyebrow products in lighter shades. Shu Uemura's waterproof Eyebrow Gel seems like a good candidate!

[Photo credit: www.shu-uemura.co.jp]


Related posts:

Shu Uemura Summer 2009 Collection

Shu Uemura Spring 2009 Collection

Clé de Peau Fall 2009 Collection


Clé de Peau fall 2009 collection will be launched on July 21st in Japan. The lineup includes:
  • Touche de Rouge Extra Silky Lipstick: 4 new shades
  • Ombre Couleur Solo: 10 shades
The colors of the new range of single eyeshadow look bright and vibrant! I look forward to seeing how Clé de Peau translates these eyeshadows to the spokesmodel!

[Photo credit: www.biteki.com/]


Related posts:
Clé de Peau Spring 2009 Collection

Clé de Peau Fall 2008 collection

Chanel Limited-edition Collection for Summer 2009

Chanel will release a small limited-edition collection on June 26th in Japan. The collection is inspired by the noble and elegant spirit of the pure white floral designs in Chanel's spring 2009 haute couture collection, and features a soft white color scheme.


The lineup include:
  • Fleurs Célestes de Chanel Natural Finish Face Highlighter (limited edition)
  • Les Quatre Ombres de Chanel: in White Whisper (limited edition)
  • Le Vernis Nail Colour: in Blanc Petale (limited edition)

Lancôme Fall 2009 Declaring Indigo Collection


Close-up of Lancôme fall 2009 Declaring Indigo Collection

Entitled "Declaring Indigo", Lancôme fall 2009 collection is all about free spirit and intense, saturated colors. Created by Lancôme's artistic director Aaron De May, the collection is inspired by the colors of the coat of arms of Paris and the French Revolution, and features a predominantly royal blue color scheme accented with vivid reds and gold brilliance.

Lancôme Artistic Director Aaron De May

The collection includes:

Palette Liberté: 2 variations (limited editions)


Crayon Khôl: 2 shades (limited editions)

Art Inkliner: 1 shade


Virtuôse Divine Lasting Curves Mascara: 2 shades (limited editions)


L'Absolu Rouge: 2 shades (limited editions)


Color Fever Gloss: 2 shades (limited editions)


Cover Fever Matte: 2 shades (limited editions)


Liberté Rose: golden shimmer face powder (limited edition)


Le Vernis: 2 shades (limited editions)


Face Brush


Eyeliner Brush

[Photo credit: www.cosme.net, www.dailynews.sina.com/bg, www.fashion.ifeng.com/]

Related posts:
YSL Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

Giorgio Armani Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

Weekend Beauty Reads from the Beauty Blog Network

Enjoy the weekend beauty reads from the Beauty Blog Network!
  1. The Makeup Divas reviews Philosophy Beach Party.
  2. Decorative Diva just found the new summer essential! Head over to find out what it is!
  3. A Touch of Blusher reviews Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum.
  4. The girls over at Beauty in Real Life want you to have the perfect at home pedicure. Click here to enter their giveaway with Ms. Pedicure and China Glaze!!
  5. Beauty Anonymous shares a preview of Jill Stuart's upcoming 5th Anniversary Collection for fall 2009!

Total Beauty Web Tour

Enjoy this week's Total Beauty Web Tour!
  1. The Informed Makeup Maven discovers Votre Vu and Terra Firma Cosmetics, talks summer faves and hosts MAC, Stila and Maybelline giveaways.
  2. Beauty Anonymous shares a preview of Jill Stuart's upcoming 5th Anniversary Collection for fall 2009!
  3. Boutique Flair is offering 2 chances to win some swag. Enter here and here by 06/21/09!
  4. The Beauty Couch shares some ideas for getting that sexy 60's Star Trek-inspired look.
  5. Meilily talks Fitness Shoe Skepticism: Are FitFlops & MBTs Just Glorified Platform Shoes?
  6. Neon Bible experiments with Japanese nail art
  7. A Little More Beautiful is giving away 1 LUSH Sweetie Stack Gift Set which includes 3 of their most popular soaps.
  8. eye4style keeps her tootsies in tip top shape with THIS Farmhouse Fresh product.
  9. Dao from My Makeup Blog has a gorgeous makeup tutorial for nighttime and clubbing.
  10. The Makeup Divas reviews Philosophy Beach Party.
  11. Beauty Banter gives you the secret beauty tips and products of Parisian ladies... straight from 2 gorgeous frenchies!
  12. Beautiful With Brains reviews Clynol Play With Me Powder Punch.
  13. The girls over at Beauty in Real Life want you to have the perfect at home pedicure. Click here to enter their giveaway with Ms. Pedicure and China Glaze!!
  14. LA Pretty is having two giveaways of new releases from Target beauty lines Pixy by Petra and Napoleon Perdis. Get the details here!
  15. Monique from Beauty Girl Musings reviews LaVaque Tweezers!
  16. Enter to Win Several of Lipgloss Break Giveaways, including Borghese B Gloss in sold out Fuchsia!
  17. Hot Beauty Health shows you 5 organic hair care products that works and stylish pics of rihanna at Carol's Daughter Spa in NYC.
  18. The Advice Sisters reviews Beauty Fix a season's worth of beauty bargains in a box!.

Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

Promo Image of Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

Here is a follow-up for Lunasol fall 2009 makeup collection, which is set to be released on August 21st in Japan. It has been reported that the collection is themed with the changing colors of the sky and twinkling stars from dusk till dawn.

Based on this inspiration, the new range of eyeshadow palettes, Star Shower Eyes, captures how the sky and stars change the colors and light at different times from nightfall until daybreak. It is available in red, green, blue, lilac and beige brown variations. You can view the close-ups of these eyeshadow palettes in this post.

The collection includes:


01 Star of Night


02 Medium Night 03 Dazzling Night


04 Star River 05 Close of Night
Star Shower Eyes


Star Dust on Eyes: 2 shades (limited editions)


Contrasting W Eyeliner: 5 variations



High Stylize Mascara N: 01 Clear Black

Coloring Cheeks: 03 Soft Red and 04 Soft Beige


Full Glamour Lips S: 10 new shades


Full Glamour Gloss N: 5 new shades



34 Shining Sheer Pink


35 Shining Sheer Rose 36 Shining Deep Black


37 Shining Milky Clear 38 Shining Sheer Gold

Nail Finish

At this point, I do not know the individual names of the five Star Shower Eyes palettes. But I guess the blue variation represents the midnight starry sky and the green variation might be the sky at dawn. What is your guess?

[Photo credit:www.nikkei.co.jp/, www.kanebo-cosmetics.co.jp/]

Images and product information updated on July 7th, 2009

Related posts:

Preview: Lunasol Fall 2009 Eyeshadow Palettes

Giorgio Armani Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

Here is an overview of Giorgio Armani 's fall 2009 makeup collection. All the items in the collection are limited-edition, including:


Manta Ray Eye Shadow Duo: 5 variations (limited editions)


Silk Liquid Eyeliner: 2 shades (limited editions)


Sheer Blush: 1 new shade (limited edition)


ArmaniSilk Lipstick: 2 new shades (limited editions)


Lip Shimmer: 1 new shade (limited edition)


Fluid Shine Nail Polish: 1 new shade (limited edition)

The collection will be released on July 24th in Japan.

[Photo credit: www.joseishi.net/voce]


Related posts:

Giorgio Armani Spring 2009 Collection

Preview: Jill Stuart Happy 5th Anniversary Jewel Collection

Part of Jill Stuart Happy 5th Anniversary Jewel Collection

Jill Stuart Beauty will release its Happy 5th Anniversary Jewel Collection in fall 2009. The collection consists of two parts that will be released separately. The first part, due out on August 31st, includes Crystal Diamond Powder (in 2 shades) and Diamond Sparkle Nail Collection.


Crystal Diamond Powder is a pressed sparkling powder fo
r the eyes, decollete and body. It has a chain, and is designed to be worn as a necklace. Diamond Sparkle Nail Collection includes white, pink and black nail polishes in a jewelry box. The nail polishes have subtle glitters for a brilliant shine finish.

The second part will be released on October 9th. The release includes Diamond Dew Lip Color (in 2 shades) and rhinestone-studded Vintage Jewel Compact Mirror.

All the items are limited-edition! I am especially eyeing Diamond Sparkle Nail Collection because the jewelry box (shown in the picture above) looks so princessy and sophisticated. The enclosed white, pink and black nail polishes seem like a wearable and stylish color combination for fall.

I will update this post when I have more images and information about Jill Stuart's Happy 5th Anniversary Jewel Collection. Stay tuned!

[Photo credit: www.joseishi.net/voce/]

Updated on July 08th, 2009:

Jill Stuart Happy 5th Anniversary Jewel Collection

Here are the images of Jill Stuart's Happy 5th Anniversary Jewel Collection, which includes Crystal Diamond Powder and Diamond Sparkle Nail Collection in the first part as well as Diamond Dew Lip Color and rhinestone-studded Vintage Jewel Compact Mirror in the second part. All the items are limited-edition.

Crystal Diamond Powder: 2 shades
Diamond Sparkle Nail Collection
Diamond Dew Lip Color: 2 shades

Vintage Jewel Compact Mirror


[Photo credit: www.urcosme.com]

Related posts:

Jill Stuart Summer 2009 Collection

Jill Stuart Spring 2009 Collection