Oh gosh! Can you believe that I actually remember when Maquillage was first launched as a brand? I remember all the hype and next thing you know, you’re *ahem* older.I think they’ve been around 10 years already, if that. I’d only ever tried 1 eyeshadow palette from the brand in all this time. I’m not quite sure why.
2 more little tidbits before I show you a couple more photos from the Maquillage Spring/Summer 2012 collection
- Shiseido celebrates its 140th anniversary this year. 140 years is a heck of a long time to be around in the cosmetics business and this cosmetics giant must have gotten it right. So Happy Birthday, Shiseido!
- Japanese makeup lines tend to do 2 big collections a year – Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter. You see their collections around a lot longer, and the colours transition easily into each season. This is by contrast to the Western brands that do 4 collections a year and leaves us all breathless.
Now onto Shiseido Maquillage Spring/Summer 2012 and that new True Rouge lipstick 🙂
The True Rouge lipstick (RM90) is permanent. Hurrah! 😛 Its a long lasting lipstick that is infused with moisturizing qualities. I can never resist me a Japanese lipstick. I love my Diors and Chanels but for consistent quality in flattering, wearable colours and beautiful smooth, glossy textures, I stand by the Japanese lipsticks every time. Interestingly, I have noticed a trend of the higher end cosmetic brands heading down the route of the lipstick textures popularized by the Japanese. So yes, the Japanese hit it out of the park with this one.
There are 12 colours available in this range and what makes this outstanding is that each lipstick is cut in a distinctive shape to fit your lips, as well as the pretty packaging it comes in. Japanese lipsticks. You can never go wrong. Trust me on this one 🙂 I’m going to check this one out and bring a report soon.
The limited edition item is the Styling Eyes palette (RM135) which comes in 4 shades. It says M on it not W. I took this upside down 😛
The shadows are pretty much what you will expect of eyeshadows from a Japanese brand. They are sheer and are infused with pearl shimmer. Some people find Japanese eyeshadows too sheer and too shimmery. I will agree and disagree. I agree that they are shimmery but they aren’t glittery. So in many ways, they are flattering on many skins and brighten up the eye area for a natural perky sort of look. I disagree that they are sheer and unpigmented. It usually can be layered and when I played around a bit with these palettes, they are pigmented. Just that they tend to be light so those who prefer something with more pigment and impact will not like these. I will also say that the colours and textures are more suited to those who have fair to medium toned skin. Dark skintones need not apply for you will likely only see shimmer. Its just the market they are targeted to.
And finally, new for Spring/Summer is the Multi Compact Foundation (RM152 – refill RM95, case RM40, puff RM17).
The powder foundation has 3 shades in it to contour, and highlight, and comes in 3 shades. Again, this being a Japanese brand, foundation shades fit only the fair to medium skintones. The compact is pretty and I am reminded a little of the Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Sculpting powder foundation. Its got that sort of vibe going on.
Base or foundation is another Japanese makeup strength that I find little fault with. I am a big big fan of base products from Japanese brands and for powder foundations, they are almost always fine milled, with a lovely velvety finish. Rarely have I ever gone wrong with a Japanese branded powder foundation!
Listen to me. I should be going back to my roots, eh? Time for me to start taking a look at the Japanese makeup I fell in love with and sharing it with you 😉
To be honest, out of the new items for the Maquillage Spring/Summer 2012 collection, I’m most enamoured with the True Rouge lipstick and the Perfect Multi Compact foundation. The eyeshadows are a bit too sheer and shiny even for me.
Does anything from the Maquillage Spring/Summer 2012 collection catch your eye? Have you tried anything else from Maquillage and have a recommendation? You know me. I’m always up to hearing your recs because you never know when I might act on them! 😉
Paris B
Maquillage Spring/Summer 2012 collections are available at all Shiseido counters. Styling Eyes compact (RM135) is limited edition. True Rouge lipstick (RM90) and Multi Compact Foundation (Refill RM95) are permanent.
Lily says
April 6, 2012 at 3:06 pmNever been ooh and aah about Shiseido makeup but I’ve heard good things about their mascara and foundation. Tried a few things from their line, but not wowed. I prefer Lunasol, but that’s just me ;-p
Paris B says
April 8, 2012 at 11:41 amYup! Shiseido mascara and foundation are 2 staples in my arsenal. Love them! I like Lunasol for their shadows and blush. Its got more of a Japanese vibe than Shiseido Makeup but is better (to me) than Maquillage.
ysk says
April 6, 2012 at 4:36 pmHuh??!!Maquillage has been around for 10 years??that time I was just a primary school student.Thought it’s in the market for only 3-4 years..
Jyoan says
April 7, 2012 at 1:01 am=P Same thought here. You’re much much younger than even me! I thought it’s 4-5 years… haha, cos that was when I started makeup.
Paris B says
April 8, 2012 at 11:48 amThanks to Iris, i’m corrected to just 8 years. Its been out quite a while.
S. says
April 6, 2012 at 4:46 pmI’ve never really tried Shiseido cosmetics, I own a couple of cream shadows -the old version- and I like them.
I’d love to try the lipsticks, you make them sound so tempting!
xxx
Paris B says
April 8, 2012 at 11:49 amLOL Actually you don’t have to try the Shiseido lipsticks. Any Japanese brand will give you a similar sort of quality 😀 The new Shiseido cream shadows are quite nice. I was quite surprised!
Jan S says
April 6, 2012 at 5:48 pmI own quite a few maquillage eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks. I am very fond of them. The eyeshadows give a very natural and understated look (no extremes of dark or bright colors). Some of the light shades are practically pure shimmer, even on my med-fair skintone so I avoid those. I adore the lipsticks, they are so moist and (almost) all the shades are very pretty and wearable. I have my eye on True Rouge BE748 which is supposedly the “universal shade”. I tried it out and it truly is moist and long lasting…but the price! I have to go save up for this one 🙂 you must check out Shiseido’s shimmering rouge, those are great too! My other fave is Lunasol. My poor wallet…lol
Paris B says
April 8, 2012 at 11:50 amThanks so much for sharing, Jan! You’re right about the shadows being quite understated. It might be why I tend to overlook them because once I have one, then it doesn’t make sense to own another in similar shades hehe… 🙂 I love the Shiseido Shimmering Rouge. I think I have a review up somewhere. Lunasol is great too but their lipstick prices quite scare me >.<
Julia says
April 6, 2012 at 6:56 pmI don’t have a lot from Maquillage, only their Dual Glow Eyes, actually, but those I love. I showered with them on and they didn’t move at all. Oh, and I have one of those little nail polishes.
For Shiseido brands, I love me some Majolica Majorca because they’re more budget-friendly, but I definitely want to try a Maquillage lipstick some day.
Paris B says
April 8, 2012 at 11:51 amAh Majolica Majorca! The princess makeup, as I call it hehe… they are great quality for the price. I’ve never come across the Dual Glow Eyes. Tells you how much attention I’ve paid to Maquillage 😛
lavender says
April 6, 2012 at 6:57 pmThe eye shadow looks sheer. I never tried any Shiseido makeup before. Not sure why.
Paris B says
April 8, 2012 at 11:52 amYes it is. I was not too keen on the shadows. I think I’ve seen better in the Maquillage stable. The Shiseido Luminizing Trio shadows are very good though. Lovely and pigmented.
Iris says
April 6, 2012 at 9:17 pmMaquillage debuted in August 2005 to replace Pied Nus, as part of Shiseido’s new focus on building up mega-brands. I like their base makeup, lipsticks and lipglosses but their eyeshadow palettes always look too bland and OL-ish for my tastes.
Paris B says
April 8, 2012 at 12:04 pmThanks for the correction Iris! I remember Pied Nus shadows and I liked them and wasn’t too impressed with Maquillage. Still am not, but I’ll look at the face and lip products then – thanks for the tip!
Sherry says
April 6, 2012 at 11:41 pmNo try this brand before
Jyoan says
April 7, 2012 at 12:59 amYou make the lipsticks sound so good! haha. I don’t have a single thing from Shisedo.
Paris B says
April 8, 2012 at 12:07 pmActually, I was refering to all Japanese lipsticks, not just Shiseido or Maquillage 😀 I love Shiseido’s Perfect Mascara. My go to mascara that works, every single time!
Rahainah says
April 7, 2012 at 10:50 amI’ve never been much intrigued with Japanese make-up…maybe because of the sheer-ness? But my first lipstick purchase was from Shu Uemura (eh?)
Paris B says
April 8, 2012 at 12:12 pmLOL! I find Shu Uemura more Western than Eastern 😀 But the sheerness of Japanese makeup doesn’t appeal to everyone, I know 🙂 I do love it though 😉
milktea says
April 8, 2012 at 5:01 pmBefore Maquillage, there was the time Shiseido was doing “The Makeup” if I remember right. Funny how it feels like a few years only. I do remember seeing a Japan-only TV commercial being screened at the Maquillage launch area in 1Utama (ok, it must be 8 years ago :). I have not forgotten the sight of perfectly grown young women erm, frollicking in a spring garden making ooh, ah, happy noises while wearing Maquillage makeup. I think this was a culture thing, what’s ok as an advert in Japan would be not so well received or understood here. It struck me as odd and slightly disturbing – but that was 8 years ago.
Paris B says
April 8, 2012 at 5:03 pmLOL!! I don’t remember that ad but the idea of it made me laugh. I do think the Japanese appreciate “cute” more than the rest of the world does 😉 Shiseido is still doing The Makeup except its no longer called The Makeup. Its just Shiseido Makeup 🙂 Its the one that carries the Shiseido only name in the slightly metallic purple tint packaging. Maquillage replaced Pied Nus 🙂
milktea says
April 8, 2012 at 6:11 pmOh yes.. How could I have forgotten PN! 😀
Mari Ohira says
April 8, 2012 at 10:21 pmTo tell you the truth, the only thing I own from Shiseido is sunscreen. I used to swoon over their cream eyeshadows, but since I heard they last next to nothing, I got over them. I think I’ll try something Shiseido next time I travel abroad… though I’m hooked on Ellis Faas. <3
Paris B says
April 8, 2012 at 10:56 pmHaha guess what? I quite like the texture and on me, the cream shadows last! But I do not have oily lids 😉 I have a post going up in these shadows. I like Ellis Faas but will not get anymore because the packaging kills me!
kuri says
April 14, 2012 at 3:02 pmOh, I need to check out the lippies! I’ve been focused on Addiction lately but Shiseido lipsticks are always high quality and last; I’ve never been disappointed by anything except the price 🙂
plue says
April 17, 2012 at 3:50 pmwould love to hear your thoughts on True Rouge, quite a few Taiwanese bloggers are in love with it, but I still trust your review better 😉
Paris B says
April 17, 2012 at 5:51 pmHaha Ok I try to oblige soon 🙂