.I’ve been working in the cosmetic industry long enough to know colours attract people but… also kawaii makeup packaging does! A 3D blusher, a printed eyeshadow palette, a cat-shaped lipstick… everything works especially if a limited edition!
There’s makeup and makeup. Products that are functional and also pleasing to the eyes: beautifully kawaii makeup that’s a real pity to apply.
3D-printed makeup
There’s makeup that’s more tempting than others. It’s easy to end up with many cute eyeshadows still intact in their original case and lipsticks never swatched and used in real life. The temptation is real and I won’t make this easy for you. Here are some examples…
Eyeshadows and multipurpose powders with marbled effect (mark., Clionadh Cosmetics) and intricate printed designs in waves and knitted frames (essence, Hourglass, and the list goes on); multichromatic nebulae in blushes, bronzers and highlighters that must be sadly mixed to show their real power (Chanel, Clinique …).
Face pearls are too ordinary! Forget your usual bronzing pearls because the new thing in town is pearl stars for highlighters (essence), delicate rose petals and heart confetti for your blusher (Ladurée and Etude House). Peace to the sophisticated Météorites by Guerlain, they’re definitely outdated.
Makeup pans and whole palettes become miniature works of art with printed decorations and 3D cameos (Chantecaille, Clé de Peau). Lip colours turn into vanity prizes and girly toys with Paul&Joe’s cat lipsticks and Anna Sui star-shaped lippies. Or alluring rarities like Kailijumei crystal lipsticks with golden leaves and flowers.
Skincare has the same fascination, and most of this ‘beautiful skincare’ couldn’t come from any other country than South Korea. You can choose among a wide variety of face sheet masks and wear a new funny identity: an animal (Berrisom), a Kabuki character or a Venice carnival attendant with a glorious lace mask (Dermovia).
The price for these beautiful sins varies copiously, hence it’s relatively easy to spend just a few pounds, euros or dollars for a tiny treat or an extra sum for a collectable palette. Nothing stops you from actually using your ‘beautiful makeup’. I did but felt incredibly guilty so I used with extreme caution a hot red prism-shaped lipstick. I gently swiped through this PUPA hypnotic golden highlighter and a limited edition Avon U by Ungaro eyeshadow. Then I followed the circles and swirled my brush to save the pattern
– Clockwise from the top: Cynthia Rowley for Avon, all-over face powder; U by Ungaro for Avon mono eyeshadow in Khaki; Pupa Milano Like a Doll Golden Infusion highlighter –
If your makeup is from a rare limited edition, touching it with a sole finger would condemn you to eternal flames. Example: I haven’t even tried this flower embossed all-over face powder designed by Cynthia Rowley for Avon. I just stared at it…
If this is your sin, ego te absolvo!
Valentina Chirico aka Valens
