Shiseido, founded more than 140 years ago as a pharmacy in Tokyo’s Ginza district, is the most successful Asian cosmetic company in the world. Thanks to the modern digital strategy that focuses on its prestige category, whose 13 brands include NARS, Dolce & Gabbana, Serge Lutens, Clé de Peau, Drunk Elephant, Narciso Rodriguez and its namesake Shiseido, the Japanese conglomerate has become one of the most important players in the beauty industry. Therefore, the big question is: which products, trends and innovations is Shiseido going to introduce this spring? Which are the best imminent Shiseido Group Beauty Launches 2021?
THE CHANEL BRIDE IS THE NEW FACE OF MUSC NOIR
Narciso Rodriguez’s for her fragrance collection was conceived over eighteen years ago to celebrate the power of femininity and to embrace the intriguing nature of female expression.
The collection continues to be inspired by women. Lola Nicon (above), a young French model who hit the catwalk for Chanel three times in the past six months, is the new face of Narciso’s latest fragrance, for her MUSC NOIR. Two weeks ago, Lola had the honour to close Chanel’s haute couture show wearing a retro wedding dress (video). Sitting on a white horse, she entered the catwalk of the Grand Palais revealing a dress inspired by the photographs of the 1920s.
Fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez describes MUSC NOIR as a tribute to the powerful mystique of a woman’s inner beauty and her innate sensuality. Inspired by the original for her fragrance, MUSC NOIR includes a darker musc with a rich olfactory depth, both mysterious and extremely sensual. Leathery suede accords transform the heart of musc and intensify the skin-on-skin sensuality of the fragrance. Along with the rich leather suede accords, the heart of musc is further emboldened with heliotrope and enhanced by white cedar and rose. A hint of luscious plum adds light and harmony.
SHISEIDO’S NEW FOUNDATION AND PRIMER
The medium-to full-coverage Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation features light-adjusting technology that addresses the three major obstacles that impede radiance: fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and lack of collagen. A combination of transparent pearls, radiant microcrystals, and advanced optical filters balances and adapts to any ambient lighting condition, while an exclusive blend of humectants binds moisture to the skin for 24-hour hydration. Infused with collagen-supporting beech tree bud extract, and vitamin C-rich mandarin peel extract, this smudge-, transfer-, and crease-resistant foundation offers lasting luminosity.
VERTIGO’s Review of the Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation, which is available in 30 shades: Shiseido’s new foundation has a slightly thicker consistency than the Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation, which I reviewed in detail 15 months ago (article). Therefore, it has a better coverage, which might be ideal for women who need to cover hyperpigmentation and discoloration. It blends very well and looks natural. I especially liked the skin hydration effect of this foundation. For this review, I applied it directly after a hyaluronic serum and skipped the day cream. For women who have normal to combination skin, this works perfectly well. After three hours, I had to use some blotting paper. Afterwards, the complexion looked great again. In summer, I’d rather opt for the lighter Self-Refreshing Foundation. Given the fact that the shade of the foundation I was given was too dark and too yellow for my fair complexion, I can’t comment on the quality of the colour, but the employee at the Shiseido counter will certainly help you to find out which of the 30 shades of the collection best suits your complextion.
The colourless Synchro Skin Soft Blurring Primer for all skin tones uses advanced light diffusion technology to refine the appearance of pores, erase excess shine, and blur imperfections for a soft-focus finish. The cream-to-powder formula features mattifying peptides to decrease sebum production and minimize the appearance of pores, as well as sebum catch powder that prolongs make-up’s wear by absorbing oil and sweat throughout the day.
Snowflake powder scatters light to create a natural-looking glow and smooth the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and rough skin. Moreover, the non-comedogenic formula keeps skin hydrated for up to eight hours. Apply it to the T-zone, the tops of the cheekbones, or anywhere else you want to smooth, blur, and diffuse light.
3 NEW ANTI-AGEING SKINCARE PRODUCTS
Shiseido’s new intensive-care formulas target signs of aging in the lower half of the face. Three products were developed with ReNeura Technology to revitalize skin. The formulas brighten the skin, diminish the appearance of skin concerns and create a firmer look.
The Intensive Wrinkle Spot Treatment reduces the appearance of age-related concerns, such as deep wrinkles, dark spots and loss of firmness. It is formulated with pure retinol, one of the most potent skincare ingredients.
The V-shaped Vital Perfection Lift Define Radiance Face Mask helps to create a luminous, even complexion. It is formulated with 4MSK, an exclusive brightening ingredient developed by Shiseido. The packaging contains two masks: the Serum-Infused Full-Face Mask and the Jawline-Lifting Mask.
The Vital Perfection Lift Define Radiance Serum is very similar to the new face mask: it helps to create a luminous, even complexion. It targets wrinkles, brightness, firmness and smoothness.
VERTIGO’s Review: Shiseido’s anti-ageing lines are excellent. I’ve been using them for years and I’ve always been very satisfied. Nevertheless, the sagging of the lower face is a problem that can’t be solved without the help of a dermatologist or a surgeon. If the skin sagging is not too advanced, the best combination is skincare, for instance the new Shiseido products I’ve mentioned above, plus fillers injected by a board-certified dermatologist or a surgeon in chin, jawline, nasolabial fold and cheeks. This year, VERTIGO will produce a series of Youtube videos on skincare and anti-ageing in collaboration with dermatologists. Stay tuned!
3 NEW MEN’S SKINCARE PRODUCTS
The desire for great skin is universal, but men and women don’t have the same skin type. Therefore, men shouldn’t use the skincare products they find in their wife’s or girlfriend’s bathroom cabinet. Men’s skin is slightly thicker than women’s, and boasts higher collagen levels. Therefore, it reacts better to skincare products specifically formulated for men, for instance the three new Shiseido Men products.
In the morning and in the evening, use the Shiseido Men Face Cleanser, which can also be used as a shaving foam. It removes dirt, oil, creams and other skincare products. Skin feels fresh, clean and moisturized after washing it with this product.
Continue with the Shiseido Men Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate. It improves fine lines, roughness and dryness, providing long-lasting hydration without causing any stickiness. Apply the product after washing or shaving your face.
Finally, apply Shiseido Men Energizing Moisturizer Extra Light Fluid. The lightweight emulsion, which also works as an eye cream, absorbs immediately, promotes skin’s revitalizing power and maintains an optimal moisture balance. It also improves the look of fine lines, dullness and dryness.
LA DOMPTEUSE ENCAGÉE BY SERGE LUTENS
For the creation of La Dompteuse Encagée, Serge Lutens has imagined a female tamer he has encaged. He writes: “Just as Joan of Arc, at her trial, could not swear to her judges whether her apparitions were clothed or naked, I cannot swear to it either. Her determination is like marble: cold and powdery white. Nonetheless, I sense the snow – so dreaded, yet desired – the avalanche is on its way.” She provokes him by reminding him his injuries: “All the screams you swallowed, and suffered in silence, will come pouring out! But they will barely be recognisable to themselves any more than to you, or perhaps in a past caught in the mirror, where you lose sight of yourself.”
Serge Lutens presents a dual olfactory creation, caught-in between darkness and hope. Frangipani, almond and ylang-ylang are the dominant notes, while floral, almond and bright best describe the olfactory impressions. A gourmand and solar perfume that can be savoured right on the skin! From shadow to light, from confinement to freedom, to reveal the unsuspected.
VERTIGO will review La Dompteuse Encagée in a Youtube video in March. Stay tuned!
A LOVE & ROCK STORY FOR ADULTS, A ZIGGY STARDUST FLASH FOR KIDS
The unisex perfume This Is Us! by French fashion house Zadig & Voltaire is the perfect choice for free-spirited Parisians and cosmopolitans with a rock attitude. The new vanilla scent gives a comforting sensation. Sandalwood beats its bewitching heartbeat while patchouli provides a rock ‘n’ roll edge. And in the background, we let ourselves be surprised by musky notes, for a zaddictive sensation.
Chic and casual. Young, arty, Feminine, masculine. No gender, no age, no boundaries! In a word: universal.
This Is Us! is also available as a fragrance for kids in a 30 ml bottle. It features a cool yellow Ziggy Stardust flash on the bottle. A lovely gift for happy kids and little rock ‘n’ rollers!
One of the highlights of the Shiseido Group Beauty Launches 2021 will be available in Japan and China only. This spring, the Group will launch Effectim, an anti-ageing brand that combines skincare, beauty devices and 3D skin analysis.
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