Shiseido Spring 2011

Well, all work and no play can make you oh so dull, so the staff took a break down at the local Shiseido Bar to check out Spring 2011.  Our Shiseido Technician, Cambow Chan has work at Shiseido counters around the world, and is an expert in her field. Who better to give the 411 on new releases for the season?

Refining Make Up Primer, SPF 21, $30
Not a new product, but really amazing! Primed skin and erased imperfections for a beautiful, natural finish! The one must have item that the entire staff agreed upon.
 

Perfect Refining Foundation, $38.50 
A light liquid foundation that blends seamlessly to instantly erase conspicuous pores, acne scars, and skin roughness for perfectly even, long-lasting coverage. Minimized shine while optimizing the moisture balance of the skin. Offers an exquisitely smooth, refined finish for 15 beautiful hours. Formulated with Micro-Smoothing Complex, a Shiseido-exclusive ingredient that protects against the enzyme that causes skin roughness. 
Having previously used the Lifting Foundation, this provided a nice alternative with a light feel and great coverage.
Shimmering Rouge, $ 25.00
 Sheer, brilliant color infuses lips with lasting moisture and fullness.Not heavy or overwhelming,
definitely not your grandmas lip product.. Ten colors run the gamut from demur to diva.

Smoothing Lip Pencil, $ 20.00

 The Smoothing Lip Pencil is the ideal compliment to Perfect Rouge.

The rich pigment and light, comfortable feel are a surprising combination that goes on effortlessly and wears beautifully hour after hour. Smudge-resistant formula maintains a refined and beautiful look for hours.

Translucent Pressed Powder, $ 32.00

 If you like the loose translucent powder, here is the perfect portable version. An extraordinarily smooth powder that matches every skin tone.  Maintains foundation finish while keeping skin moist. Applies as an even, light veil that minimizes the appearance of lines and pores.   Contains a "Super Oil Absorbing Powder " to absorb excess oil and prevent makeup from creasing for a beautiful finish that lasts all day.

Bronzer, $ 35.00

An oil-free bronzing powder that provides an all-day, air-brushed finish.  Creates a natural, radiant sun kissed look, formulated with"soft Airy Powder" for a perfectly, natural finish. Available in three shades. The So Cal Staff didn't love this product,  but only because we usually are already bronzed by the sun.

Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio,  $ 33.00

Three new color palettes show up for spring- Bouquet (vibrant purples), Voyage (warm sand tones),  and Punky Blues (pink/royal). A really smooth formula with incredible wear. Even 8 hours later, it was crease free and fresh. Eyebrow and Eyeliner   Compact, $29.50 The favorite product of the day. Soft or definite lines with out a harsh or artificial look. Staff felt that this was the big find of the day! It added just enough color, for a natural subtle look.

Winter Fairy Images Are In!!!!

Joseph Carroll Photography

Oh they make our work look so Amazing!!

We are always thrilled to see our work shot by Carroll, but these images are so amazing that the workroom has been silenced in awe of her work!  The silver corset with AB stones, paired with the Titania Robe becomes a sparkly confection of glimmer and glamour.

Grommets, Grommets, Grommets!!
 Grommet Fairies brought magic ribbons when they visited the workroom late one night.

Elves actually spent HOURS hand setting tiny iridescent stones to mimic ice crystals on the silvery corset. A deconstructed tutu adds a touch of whimsy for our Icy Sprite.

Shiseido Zen "White Heat"

 I

Last month it was reported that Shiseido introduced Zen White Heat Edition, a new duo of limited edition spring scents to the Zen collection. While press releases are posted with  images, the elusive product has yet to be found in US stores. When inquired, inside sources did not know of the product.  Shiseido describes the pair on the  Shiseido European web site and features a tantalizingly beautiful video clip which makes the absence of the product even more intriguing. Excerpts form the Euro web follow-

"Zen White Heat Edition Eau de Parfum for women, 50ml~ A pure, sensual fragrance which adds brilliance to life. Fluidly elegant, and feminine with a nuance of floral-chic bouquet.

Top note: Bright and fresh notes of bergamont, black currant, and raspberry, set the magnetic tone of its fragrance, embodied by the allure of coriander.
Middle notes: A complex floral -bouquet of white peony, magnolia, freesia, blue rose, hyacinth, and jasmine, pays tribute to femininity.
Bottom notes: A sense of warmth and depth is achieved by the elegant patchouli note, with an attractive and sensual character created by sandalwood, musk and amber.
Recommended for:

• new age woman, both dynamic and glamorous
• Fresh, floral, elegant and feminine"

Well, oh my goodness, who would not want to smell like that? Just reading the description makes  our staff feel more beautiful.  The delicate purple liquid is reportedly encased by the classic style Zen bottle, updated with a  frosted opal iridescence. When released for sale in theUS an updated review will be posted.

image owned by Shisiedo

And for the Gentlemen-

"Zen White Heat Edition Eau de Toilette~ A fragrance  which adds spice to life. A free dynamic, vigorous feel with Absinthe accord.  From surprisingly icy freshness to and extreme bitterness elegancey. Wickedly seductive from start to finish.
 Top note: Icy mint leaves and crunchy green apple accord for enduring powerful freshness lift a blend of sparkling zesty lime and hassaku.
Middle notes: The elegance of the woody rhododendron, twisted with sparkling nashi, elegant and spicy cardamon.
Last note: An addictive absinthe bitterness underlining a sensual masculine trail of musk, sandalwood and sage leaves.

Recommended for:

•  Perfect for passionate and dynamic gentleman.
• Fragrance with zest,cool, intense, vibrant and powerful perfume."

Where is that  man? He sounds absolutely fabulous, a modern day hero.  Perhaps application of  White Heat  will transform even the most mundane partner into an amazing energized  specimen of manhood.. The world will be changed forever the day the product is available to the general public.  Until them we must remain mere mortals, awaiting the arrival of  these powerful potions. If you have found this product at your local Shisiedo counter please post a comment letting us know your location and how the product performs.


Update 2/6/11
While unfound here in So Cal, it has been spotted online at Houseoffraser.com  (Ireland, no US delivery), Shiseido Malaysia, and amazingly Sears and Roebuck Canada online priced at $68.

Update 2/20/11
A possible release date of March 14, has come across our desk. The design room staff has had discussions as to why Zen White Heat was not on the shelves for Valentines day sales.The price point at $68 would have been a perfect match for gifting.
Our Shiseido technician  Cambow Chan has promised to keep us informed.
 

Amazing vintage textiles arrive in the workroom!!!

Somehow, some days are just good, and other days OK. But yesterday was in the "GREAT!" category.
An unexpected arrival if vintage interior design fabrics made the workroom buzz with excitement..  From the '60s, '70s. and a few '80s, an incredible collection of  retro prints and color combinations has the designers immersed in  a glorious bout of nostalgia. Some how the iconic prints of previous decades have found there way through some mysterious portal and landed in the work room.  Waverly, Sears & Roebuck, and 5th Avenue are just a few of the names.  The happy optimistic colors of the '80s.  The earthy grass roots of the '70s, and the Americana of the '60s have come to inspire us us. A bit like "The Sound of Music" where Maria looks at the curtains and envisions play clothes for her charges.

Late one rainy evening......

 

"Hmmmm.... I have an idea..."

The next morning....

"...And voila! I am genius!"

Although these fabrics may not be destined for children's clothing, as in the Von Trapp story, they will most definitely become some of the most sought after pieces of our collection in Spring 2012.And if you are lucky enough to find one at your local boutique, mark down the date, snatch it up quick, and save it to show your grand children, as it is a piece of the past, to made to to make us relish the present.

Winter Fairies

 "Ice Queen" photo by Joseph Carroll, Costume by xvmonarose.com

Starting on a new project! A friend, Carroll, is an amazing photographer. Not just "good" but "great", as in world renown. One of her most famous sessions is called "Winter Fairies".  She commissioned 2 new Winter Fairie costumes, wings, and headpieces.  We have built many, many, many Fairies in the past for her, but this year we wanted to do something really special.


" Midsummer's Eve" , Rebbeca Steir Reber, John Clark, 
SITV 2010. Woodland style LED wings/ headpeices w/ leaves

We decided to do our Fairies with LED Fairy wings and head pieces. We had built a group for Shakespeare in the Vines 2010 production of  "A Midsummer's Night Dream". The LED Fairy wings and headpieces were worn by Titania and her court, and were quite spectacular. The wings were so bright that we had to use less  LED's because they were so bright, to the point of distraction.

For the actual costume, a simple chemise with 3/4 sleeves and a drawstring neck  made of pale ice blue chiffon, with several long icicle appliques in various fabrics in silver, grey and white. This is worn over pantelets trimmed with iclcles as well.the effect is chillingly simple and elegant, as not to overpower the delicate Fairies they will adorn.  Photos to come soon!