Back to Kate with Kanebo Kate Forming Edge Eyes in GD-1

Hiya Kate Kanebo, 

I've missed you...

I started Birkinbagbeauty with a strong interest in Asian Makeup. Through the years I have developed new interests like organic beauty and other. My love for a well-balanced eye-palette from Japanese crafship has never died... 

In current times when more is absolutely too much in makeup (My own opinion), where contouring has gone to slightly "Prisilla, Queen of the Desert" proportions, lips are plump and matte and eyes are never seen without falsies, I started to long for a fresh face with a cute bit of blush and a delightfully soft but sparkly eye.

That does not mean I compromise on quality: just look at the photo above and see that perfectly pressed state of eyeshadow-ness.

I picked the golden and warmer toned palette: There's something typically summery about a golden hue on the eyes.

 

For the subtle fun, some microshimmer:

I am both impressed of the soft and buttery quality. However, for becoming more and more spoiled with strong and vivid pigments, I do find this palette a tad sheer. The mixture of a slightly bronzy gold, nice neutral brown and a buttery cream makes it easier for me to go eyeshadow again.

The effect on eyes is similar as the promotion photo:

I'm glad to have reunited with Kanebo Kate again. Although we never left (think Mascara primer), I've gone too neutral on the eyes lately with just a bit of pencil. A small palette like this makes eyeshadow not intimidating, but a fun way of bringing the eyes into focus again....

Best of 2014: Makeup

Last year has been an adventure in makeup, and in beauty-stuff in general. I thought I finally had it figured out looking quite pretty...Then winter came and I gotten into the "why I look like this? I'm so healthy, use such great products, etc" phase. Either way,  makeup has helped me in getting my extra-pretty on in the good phase, and taking of the edges on the 'blah'-moments.

Blush:

Surratt, especially La Vie en Rose & Grisaille

I started out with a little number called "la Vie en Rose" and ended up with 4 more! I would say that Surratt makes the most unobtrusive blush around...I can either shade it in gently, or give it a bit of 80s exaggeration. Basically: LOVE.

Bronzer:

Ellis Faas Glow Up in S503.

Originally, I was send the wrong colour and tried it before I noticed (mind, Dutch shops are less forgiving on returning policies). I ended up loving this little number for being a supergorgeous bronzer, though the season for bronzing has not really arrived yet.

Foundation:

Edward Bess  Ultra Dewy Complexion Perfector

 Actually, a tinted moisturizer with the right kind of build-up level. My healthy lifestyle gave me the liberty to go lighter on foundation (until winter came...sight).

So for winter I went for Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer Fluid Foundation. It reminds me of Armani Designer Lift Foundation in terms of being powdery/velvety, only better. I don't have a full review yet but Monsieur Alex has a good review going on and foundation-pro The Beauty Professor too.

Powder:
Koh Gen Do Natural Lighting Powder
Light, airy and a beautiful finish without loosing radiance.

Concealer:
Dolce & Gabanna in Creamy has been both brilliant in concealing pesky spots as eliminating undereye circles.

I liked Charlotte Tilbury retoucher for blurring out undereye circles. But I'm still smitten with Givenchy Mr. Light.

Highlighter:

Charlotte Tilbury wins it on the liquid front.

Surratt is the perfect powder highlighter.

Primer: 

No real winners either. I'd be curious for By Terry Densiliss if only it was not claimed to be so fraganced.

Mascara:

Makeup Forever smoky Extravagant Mascara.....

I received a mini-size in the Sephora Happy Birthday set. I just love everything: from the way the brush is shaped to it's glossy but still 'grip-py' formula. I pair in over my lash-primer Kanebo Kate Maximizer in black (review here) which will keep my lashes long, strong and weatherproof until I take it off.

Eyeliner: 

Kanebo Kate Supersharp Liner

I rediscovered it again for being thin & foolproof for dummies like I am. Also, it stays on until you take it off.

Eyepencils:

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayons

I still really like Pixi Endless but the Marc Jacobs wins by convenience: the twist-up formula!

Eyeshadow:

 Chanel Poésie

Chanel is not my ultimate eyeshadow formula around but I reached most for this palette for having the perfect balance of neutral colours.

Eyebrows:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Blonde. The right colour for my light brows and the cream is a breeze to apply with the right brush.
 
Special Occasion:
Velours 'Are those Real' Fake Eyelashes

There are times a girl needs some extra flutter and these held up quite well with a bit of clear eyelash glue.

Lipstick:

Tom Ford Lips & Boys

The boys won from NARS female stars (Audacious): The formula is more my cup of tea, the packaging, and what about the brilliant selling point?

Lipgloss:

2014 was such a lipstick year but Marc Jacobs Lust for Life Lip Vinyl won me over for feeling so minty fresh and having that superb multisparkle that only a lipgloss can really pull off.

Nails:

Burberry nails in Nude Pink has been my favourite for being so effortlessly neutral, having good coverage and a longer wear than most nailpolishes.
 
 In general, I have had some changes since my Best of Makeup 2013, but I still love plenty from that year. I rotate my Koh Gen Do Maifanshi foundation and the RBR Time Defying foundation with my newer loves. NARS concealer is still one of my favourites.
 I somewhat lost my love for organic makeup, which I made up in skincare. I did try out some newer formulas and I still rely on Kjaer Weis & RMS Uncover when my skin is acting up. I hope to find some newer organic makeup loves in 2015 so I can have a cleaner choice when I want/need to.

Eye Prime me up: Kanebo Kate Lash Maximizer Black vs Diorshow Maximizer lash Plumping Serum

Out with the new, in with the newer! 

 That might sum up the review I will bring about on 3 eyelash primers. There's actually an old one too, but it performs similarly as the newer, only in a different colour.

For reviewing sake let me introduce: Kanebo Kate Mascara Base, Kanebo Kate Lash Maximizer Black & Dior Diorshow Lash Plumping Serum.

Starting with 'old': Kanebo Kate Eyelash Base. It has been on the market for more than 6 years. Eyelash primers have only taken a more prominent role on the Western market recently but they have been favourite tools among Asian lash-afficionados for a longer time. I only know it for about 6 years but it has been a miracle tool for keeping my curl and having made-up lashes.

Recently Kate introduced a newer version of the lashbase that I reviewed here. I picked the white version that I used up quite efficiently. Afterwards I went for the rave-reviewed Western Diorshow Lash Maximizer.

Though lovingly moisturizing for my lashes, it did not keep my eyelashcurler-primed lashes into a decent curl.

Thus out with the new...in with the newer:

Comparing the different brushes & colour of the primer:

My oldest version of Kanebo Kate Lash Base comes with a straight but soft-haired brush. The formula is supposed to be totally white, but sometimes I transfer the black of the tightliner into the tube again. I do clean up my brush after priming by removing everything with a tissue, but sometimes a tiny bit of black eyepencil stays on and it turns into a greyish mass. That's also a reason I replace eyeprimers oftenly, for hygienic reason.

As said in the earlier review: I love how it performs. Length & keeps the curl in it's form. The only thing is that you have to coat every lash with mascara afterwards to stop the white base from appearing. 

That's when the newer version Kate Lash Maximizer in Black makes such a fantastic primer: you can either plump up your lashes with extra mascara or keep the coat for as it is.

Kate Lash Maximizer Black has a sparse amount of fibres included. They are fewer than in the white version of the Lash Maximizer's series. That might be a relief for people not liking over-fibre-ish bases.

As for the black colour: it appears rather glossy on the eyelashes. Perhaps not the blackest of black but I do think it appears in the truest colour most mascara brands would market they colour 'black'. Only few brands like Hourglass Film Noir make an inky black glossy version that almost glistens from your eyelashes; the rest somewhat varies in colour and gloss factor.

The brush is a classic, slightly bend one with synthetic but bendable hairs. The formula holds up really long: I'd say it hold like a waterproof version. At least, the base survives a shower whereas the 'topping' mascara on top lovingly merges on my cheeks. So I suggest a good waterproof mascara cleanser for removing every trace.

Which brings me why Diorshow was not really into my alley: I already mentioned the formula not lenghtening my lashes enough, nor keeping my curl in place. Then there's the brush:

Brushes are a matter of taste and perhaps of the type of eyelashes you have. I never really liked the plastic brushes with their short but stiff ends. That is precisely the type of brush on the Diorshow Lash serum.

On the positive side: it removes a lot easier than Kate's formula. I guess that makes it perfect for lashes that are easier to be curled/already curly. 

I cannot say too much about the lash-serum effect. I've used it too sporadically to notice a difference.

Conclusion: I prefer the cheaper & more effective Kanebo Kate and love the new black version of it.

Kanebo Kate Colouricious Diamond in BR-3

I seem to have a penchant for mauve-toned palettes:  When Kanebo Kate reworked something 'Beyonce'-liciously named  palette and added some Diamonds (hi Rihanna) I caved again...

The palette is in Kate's neutral and more grown-up theme and has some excellent glow-factor:

The palette exist of some flat pans (1 & 2) and some heaved pans (2, 3, 4) that remind me of baked eyeshadows. I actually think that they are baked eyeshadows, at least peachy shade no 3 gives that flecksy "baked eyeshadow" quality.

I thought the colour-scheme was most similar to my Chanel Seduction palette  and Burberry Plum Pink 06.

My intuition has been right, however, the glow/lustrous/flecks/glimmer factor is a different story.

cool winter light ouside, no sun

The difference in glowiness if most visible under flash-light:

This is what makes Japanese eyeshadows so desirable in my opinion: they bring an amount of glow to the eyeshadow that brings eyes and forward.

Visuals:

• Kate CL Diamond shade 1, the whitest. It has a fleck-sy texture which shimmers silvery cool. It absolutely doesn't compare with either Burberry nor Chanel. Chanel lightest colour is sandy brown and opaque with a hint of a glow. Burberry is a peachy sand with some opacity and a low amount of shimmer.
• Kate CL Diamond shade 3 is a fleck-sy peach with a cooler undertone. I think this one layers well in the middle of the moving eyelid for an extra hint of light. Again, Chanel & Burberry do not compare at all. Both Chanel & Burberry are opaque. Chanel's 'peach' lingers towards terracotta sand and Burberry's directs towards a brownish mauve.
• Kate CL Diamond shade 4 is a gorgeous shimmery mauve with a silvery undertone. I think it is opaque but nowhere near the matte-ness of Chanel & Burberry.  I like how shade 3 lingers between Chanel & Burberry's 2 & 3 colours.  Burberry's 3 shade hints towards a burgundy mauve and has a gorgeous glow, but not as shimmery as Kate. Chanel 3 is a couple of tones deeper and has a hint of pinkish glow over it.
• Kate CL Diamond Shade 5 is the strongest colour qualitywise with a high opacity and still a good amount of interesting, multidimensional glow. It looks like a cool brown in the pan but on the skin it is almost a greyish black. Perhaps the multiflecks have something to do with it. Chanel's 4 shade comes close to it but only a more matte & a one-dimensional glow. Burberry is definitely more brown.

Texture/quality:

Kate Colouricious Diamond applies almost creamy but as you can see from the swatches (with crappy brushes -> my good brushes were getting a wash) they do need a bit of work and an extra layer. There is a difference in opacity which makes some colours more prone to fade than others (colour 1 & 2). The darkest colour is a dream in both texture, blending and the multiflecked quality that is still office appropriate.

Overal:

The theme of a mauve-based palette is similar to the likes of Chanel & Burberry but the colour payoff and the glow is quite different. I really like this palette because the sublime shimmer brings my eyes more alive and it blends a bit easier. I mix Kate up with either Burberry or Chanel for a mauve-ish eye.

Conclusion:

Fame isn't always better and the shyer sisters of the cosmetic branches have some good values out there1

Availability:

I got mine from adambeauty.com for $17 
 

1Ofcourse, when living in Japan Kate might be just as big as Chanel or Burberry but hey...for the Western posse

Kanebo Kate lash Maximizer Eyelash Plus base (vs older formula Kate Lash Base)

The Queen is dead: Long live the new Queen!

really?

Let's read on...

Plump & lenght is what I needed: Or,  since I've been in post-eyelash-extension Limbo of really short eyelashes for a couple of weeks. 

Kate Mascara base (old version, shorter name) has been my saviour for the last time I went real-lashes again. Naturally I wanted to try out their newestestestest version too: Kate Lash Maximizer Eyelash Plus.

In the first place it was Tomato/Tomato: what's the difference?

Ahh, Fibers...Like fibers in my bread I actually think they can benefit the health looks of a person. But not all fibers have the same fiber-ness so let's discuss Kate's Eyelash Plus (New) for this.

The key to a good eyelash product with fiber is that they

1. should adher right WITHOUT mid-day flaking
2. should lenghten the lashes in a similar direction (no droopiness, and do not have a dirty mind over this remark)
3. Not too long nor too short (or thick)
4. No irritation from wearing them
5. adher quite coherently to most lashes

And Kanebo Kate also added a version that has a black fiber on a whitish base: Brilliant.

Does it work (or do 1-5 apply?)

First I think the white base in both primers are exactly the same: that's a good think as I really like the formula to keep the curl, add length and thickness too.

1. Yes, perhaps because of the white base or the mandatory normal mascara on top, but it stays (and I've been having crumbly fiber symptoms with MM Lash Meister, blah)
2. Sorta, I pre-curl my lashes and it follows the upward movement, only with a tiny droop. Now you can say that I'm too perfectionist and nobody else would notice...but then I'm a beautyblogger so I do notice.
3. Yes, quite miniscule that gives about 1 mm extra
4. Irritant-free
5. Somewhat, it misses some lashes and it is not that easy to focus on each lash because they are so miniscule. 

Do I prefer the new formula (with fibers) over the old?

Yes & No

The new formula with fibers does add more lenght than the older formula: For the time being I needed extra lenght to compensate for the eyelash-extension breakage. The lenght that the eyelashes give is not dramatic but just enough to have longer eyelashes. However, seen in step 1-5 I do not think the lashes give the most perfect extension as they are 1. slightly droopy and 2. do not adher to every single lash by themselves: and manipulating them by tweezer is almost impossible. 

Thus when my eyelashes are their original length again I prefer the older formula Kate lash base: The white formula is already quite lenghtening & thickening and keep the curl like no other base I encountered. Minus the possible irregularity of the fibers.

Conclusion:

I will stick to the older formula when my lashes are their original length again, but it still makes a reasonable alternative to lengthen & plump your eyelashes when they are on the shorter side.

Availability:
I bought both on Adambeauty: The new Lash Maximizer formula over here & the older lash base over here

Kanebo Kate Long & Curl mascara vs Kose Fasio Curl & Lock

I would like to discuss two mascaras I have been testing lately: Kose Fasio Curl & Lock mascara and the latest Kanebo Kate long & Curl mascara:

I was able to skip on the superduper curl-holding Asian mascaras as I'd been faking it for a while. That is, I gotten eyelash extensions and they come with their own curl...almost every mascara will do if you have them.

Only, I wanted a break from the "doll-eyes" because they left my original lashes quite sparse and thin:

And I do not have the cute face this adorable one has above...

Both mascaras have the name "curl" in their description and that was my main goal: keeping the curl in the miniature eyelashes.

Ofcourse, length is my second and perhaps a shared first place desire for me! 

And with Kate's promise to give a "lash extension" effect:

So there's the first difference in promise. Fasio promising to "lock" in your curl. Kate works on two levels for keeping your "curl" and making them "long". 

This aspect is visible in the texture of the mascara:

Fibres, you either love them or dislike them in mascaras. I sort of like them when I have natural lashes. I consider Kate's fibers to be one of the thinnest varieties I have come across.

Colour:

Kate Long & Curl has an inky blackness in it's texture. Similar to Fasio Curl & lock. Fasio dries up in a slighter glossier way whereas Kate brings out a softer and more natural opaque black.

Verdict:

• Fasio keeps the curl longer than Kate. Kate is slightly droopy after 10 hrs.
• Fasio Curl & Lock feels like a sort of superglue: perhaps too much on really thin lashes (I'll will use it with another brush soon to see if I get a finer result)
• Kate Long & Curl brings about a soft fluttery, longer lash with a beautiful curl
• Kate's fibers extend the lashes in a natural way 
• Both last the whole day until the super-removers step in 
• The colour of Kate is a soft, candlelight black: Fasio has a glossier black colour.

Conclusion:
If both would be combined it would be the best of worlds. I prefer Kanebo Kate Long & Curl for thin and short lashes: it has a natural, fluttery look, only does not keep the curl as long. I think that Fasio Curl & lock is a better choice for thicker eyelashes, when you want a glossier black, a longer-lasting  curl, and for people who do not like fibres in their mascaras.

Availability:
Both are to be found on Adambeauty: Kate Long & Curl over here and Fasio Lock & Curl over here

"How about Brow?": Kanebo Kate vs Laura Mercier eyebrow pot

Must be Clara Devingue...but brows are a hot topic lately.

I have been using them a bit more to draw the attention upwards. Not that I have an ample busum, au contraire. Women who do often notice that few men stare into their eyes at first glance:

"how ya like my eyebrows?"

Dolly Parton always has the funniest and most self-ironic quotes about beauty:  1. “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap” | 2. “I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb - and I'm not blonde either.” | 3. “I was the first woman to burn my bra - it took the fire department four days to put it out.” (more quotes here) 

Ok, enough about the rack and lets go to the frame for eyes instead.

I bought the Kanebo Kate Gel Eyebrow in 2011 (review here) and the Laura Mercier about 3 months ago. The 3rd one is a Inglot Brow Wax that I have since 2011. It's not a real colour but a coloured gloss to make brows look shinier.

Swatches: daylight, no sun.

Visuals: 

• Kanebo Kate has the most pigmentation (after 1 1/2 year!)
• Laura Mercier is not so pigmented
• Laura Mercier Fair is slightly cooler & ashier 
• So Kate is warmer in colour
• The Inglot eyebrow wax is transparent with a hint of ashy brown

I feel meh about the pigmentation of Laura Mercier. I have been storing it with the lid closed and it is already so underpigmented after 3 months.

The next test: After rinsing the arm with lukewarm water:

Laura Mercier dissapeared into a sad shadow, whereas Kanebo Kate is still there!

Conclusion:
 Kanebo Kate is almost the best in every aspect: price ($10 vs $24), pigmentation, durability, waterproof-ness and the smoother way it disperses on my eyebrow brush. The only thing Laura Mercier is better at is the colour match: the slightly cooler hue suits me better.

Kanebo Kate Goldish Eyes PK-1

Happy Valentine's Day! Today I'll feature two of valentine's fave colours, pink & gold (the diamonds will not be present, but there is a diamond-esque sparkle around)

Sometimes I get a slight fascination with colours that are not the most universally flattering nor the easiest to use, but still I am intrigued or beautified by them.

peachy pinks, golden pinks, pinks for lips or eyes...I'm intrigued

Peach is one of them, pinks are the other.

You might say: "well, these are easy to use on lips & cheeks" but there you go: I want them on my eyes.  I love the easiness of most taupe eyeshadows, but a bit of peach or pink has the quality to make various eyecolours a lot more interesting.

Hence, introducing: Kate Kanebo Goldish eyes in PK-1:

Kate's minimalistic black packaging

I have liked Kanebo Kate in the past for a couple of products that are both of good quality and reasonably priced. It's not that everything they launch is a complete hit with me. I can remember some sticky lipglosses that are not up my alley: 

Their eyeshadow palettes are often a (facebookian) LIKE  with me: they come with easy instructions, even if they aren't in English: the illustrations are easy to follow and most of the colours are useable and of good texture/colour.

And now I was curious if their latest release of palettes would live up to this.

"ohhh, shimmery shiny golden goodness!!"

I really like golden hues in eyeshadows so the whole gold line looked really up my alley. As for my pick of the PK-version, well, explained above, I like 'difficult' pinks and I really liked the idea of trying out a pinkish gold, like the variety they have in golden jewellery ♥

So, let's see how that pretty palette above will look SWATCHED (no primer):

VISUALS:

• all colours have a metallic (often golden) idirescence, only the "white" is slightly stark
• "GOLD-yellow" lacks pigment, but is lovely for a hint of glow or layering
• "GOLD-pink" has light to medium pigmentation, also suitable for layering (see most right swatch over "brown"
• "Brown" is the most pigmented
• "Brown"is that cooler sort of brown mixed with a taupe, metallic  hue, so lovely and quite safe universally flattering again ;-)
• "Brown" has the best texture of the 4: buttery and smooth, even after 2 or 3 layers
• Palette: the 2 Golds have that "baked eyeshadow" raised idea in the palette, see picture below:

Side-angle Swatches for different view upon idirescence:

VISUALS:

• "GOLD-yellow" is more of a flecked quality and applies irregularly
• "White" has a slight glow.
• "Brown"(alone) has that soft metallic glow that looks like lit-from-within
• GOLD-pink looks more like a rosy, coppery gold instead of pink.
• Layering "GOLD-pink" over "Brown" makes it more sparkly, more nightime-suitable & gives it a slight rosy edge without making that dramatic pink eye.

VERDICT:

When I first swatched this palette, I was slightly dissapointed for the lack of pigmentation of some colours. After playing with them, layering and wearing them for a while, I found them to be fun and adding that bit of glow on the safer more neutral colours. They wear quite long! I wore only the GOLD-pink without primer (they add similar colour-depth with or without primer, I've tried!) and they even lasted after a shower. That made the boyfriend comment why I wore eyeshadow in bed (proving a. it's visible b. it stays on c. clean eyes better!). The only colour I really find unhandy is the "white", but that's personal preference: it layers on as an equal white with a slight glow so other people might like it as a base for the GOLD-yellow or GOLD-pink.

The only negative is that the GOLDS are raised in the palette, making it slightly messier and spill-prone to the sides of the palette when swiping over.

eyeshadow spill-prone due to raised platform GOLDS

CONCLUSION
I really like this palette and I have nothing in my stash that comes close to it. I didn't expect Kate to come up with the most theatrical type of pink golds which is a good thing for being office-appropriate or just liking fun, glowy makeup without going pantomine. So not all colours are evenly pigmented, however, they have a different function to layer or to add a glow. Even the best rated palettes such a DIOR have some *meh* colours/textures of the ones included in their palettes, so for a reasonable price you get a fun and original type of palette.

Availability:
I bought mine via ichibankao (here) for appr. €16.30 and they have 3 more varieties in Gold, white & blue.

PS: Speaking about DIOR, the lipgloss featured as a partner-in-crime on the pictures has been the DIOR Addict lipgloss in 157, which has a bit of pinkish-gold flecks inside as well: