BEAUTY /
THE EXPERTS
January 15, 2015
Series: Michiko Fujiwara, December 2011 | My Personal Best Cosmetics Awards of 2011!
December 2011 | This Year, My Quest Was for "Vibrant and Lively"
My Utterly Personal Cosmetic Awards!
2011, a year marked by a great disaster and hardship, is drawing to a close. It feels as though time has simply flown by in a flurry of activity. How was this year for you?
To wrap up the year, I'd like to announce my "Utterly Personal Cosmetic Grand Prix," just as I did last year!
Photo & Text by FUJIWARA Michiko
Looking back, I can clearly see the kind of beauty I was seeking this year!
Typically, such awards focus on products released within the year. However, this year's column deviates from that norm. The theme is "cosmetics I encountered this year that became indispensable to my skin and makeup," hence the addition of "Utterly Personal."
Still, as I compiled this list, I gained a clear understanding of the beauty I was pursuing this year: "vibrant and lively." Perhaps it was precisely because it was such a challenging year that I was drawn to an impression of "looking vibrant and lively."
To achieve this, I relied on skincare products that lend firmness and radiance to the skin, and face powders. Concealers that naturally and flawlessly cover uneven skin tone while leaving a moist finish. Liquid eyeliners essential for lively eyes. Blushes that create a vibrant impression. These cosmetics, indispensable for crafting skin, cheeks, and eyes that convey a "vibrant and lively" impression, are the winners of my Cosmetic Grand Prix this year.
The products that have earned the prestigious (or perhaps not so prestigious!?) Grand Prix are──♪
Lancôme Visionnaire Serum
This is a serum that I can confidently say has revolutionized my skin, marking a "before and after." The morning after I first used it, my skin looked so dewy and vibrant that I found myself checking my reflection in the mirror repeatedly, exclaiming, "No way!" It has since become an indispensable part of my routine. While Visionnaire also offers a toner and emulsion, I genuinely recommend using the entire line. One day, when I ran out of the toner and used another product, I noticed a difference in the results... To achieve its full potential, using the line together is highly recommended!
24h cosme 24h Concealer UV
This concealer makes my skin tone irregularities, a result of sun exposure in my younger days, disappear as if they never existed, with a nonchalant "Oh, those? They're completely gone!" Yet, its coverage is never heavy; it astonishingly creates a moist, beautiful skin finish! A tip for achieving a flawless cover with concealer is to choose a shade slightly lighter than the uneven tone or dark spots, and the right color in this two-shade set was a perfect match for me, which is another reason for its high ranking. Of course, by mixing the two shades, you can achieve a blend suitable for various skin tones.
LISSAGE BEAUE Dual Face Color WT
This product, which combines alucent powder and a gloss, has become indispensable not only for my personal use but also for photoshoots. The 'lucent' refers to a highlighting powder. Applying it to the highlighting zone beneath the eyes instantly creates a bright, beautiful skin impression. When having my photo taken for interviews, I meticulously apply it to the sides of my nose and even the entire nose; this effectively covers pores and imparts a significantly brighter, more special look. The 'gloss' is a moist-finish powder that provides a beautiful sheen. Applying it along the outer corners of the eyes and the upper cheekbones or bridge of the nose creates a dimensional radiance on the face, adding vibrancy, youthfulness, and even a sense of happiness! Naturally, it also serves to camouflage fine lines around the eyes.
*Photo shows Smile Up Cheeks 02
COFFRET D'OR Smile Up Cheeks 03
The key to a "vibrant and lively" makeup look is blush. For this, it's important to choose a color that appears naturally flushed, apply the blush broadly to the inner cheeks, and opt for a dewy finish. This blush offers a moist, dewy texture, creating naturally cute, radiant cheeks. To use it, first swirl your brush in the darker inner color, lightly tap off the excess on the inner lid, and then apply to your cheeks. This tapping step ensures a natural application, so don't skip it. Next, take the lighter outer color and apply it along the outer edges of the blush to achieve the same effect as the gloss in the "Dual Face Color" mentioned earlier. If you're short on time, you can simply swirl and tap the entire product for application. This blush is also very user-friendly for those new to applying blush.
ettusais Liquid Eyeliner WP Black
As someone quite particular about liquid eyeliners, I was delighted to find a product that truly impressed me after a long time. It's incredibly easy to draw with and achieves a natural finish. While this might sound obvious, it's surprisingly rare to find one that fulfills both these conditions. The brush might be too thick or too thin, too long or too short. The ink flow might be too much, or it might not blend naturally... Small differences can significantly impact the performance of a liquid liner. Try using this liner to fill in the roots of your lashes and create lively eyes!
Lancôme
http://www.lancome.jp/
24h cosme
http://www.24h-cosme.jp/
LISSAGE BEAUE
http://www.lissage.jp/beaute/
COFFRET D'OR
http://www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor/
ettusais
http://www.ettusais.co.jp/ja/
