Musings of a Muse

A Blog of Musings from a Cosmetic Whore

Nov 18, 2008

Lavshuca Holiday 2008: Lavshuca Anqitue Collection Antique Sepia Review, Swatches, & FOTD

Mmmm the fire in my blood is slowly dying out for Japanese brand Lavshuca. What is going on with these releases lately? They either all have similar colors to previous collections or they just suck in a major way! And hello? How many shades of brown and natural brown can we possibly have? Every single palette has brown, brown, and more brown! What happened to the rather lovely pinks and aquas that Lavshuca used to release?! I know, I know, shocking how candid the Muse is on voicing her opinion when she's been known to express her undying love and appreciation for all things Lavshuca!

I purchased both coffrets from the Lavshuca Antique Collection for Holiday 2008 and I must say that they are nice but lord knows that the colors are absolutely boring and the same colors released over and over and over again from Lavshuca lately!







The Lavshuca Antique Collection comes in two flavors, Antique Sepia and Antique Monochrome. I'll be reviewing Antique Sepia today and bringing you Antique Monochrome later this week. Each collection comes housed in a tiny, sturdy cardboard box and includes one Lavshuca Dual Eyeshadow and one Lavshuca Liquid Rouge. I paid retail for each set which was 1,890 yen plus the normal promotional discount (30% or so) that applies to Japanese drugstore cosmetics. I've seen the sets on E-bay for around $21 USD plus shipping if you're wanting to indulge and of course Adams Beauty will probably have them for considerably less so do shop around before settling on one spot to buy from!







I think my two favorite items from the collection are the box and the gloss. Taking into consideration that Lavshuca's Winter Make palettes were very delicately made last year it came as a shock that the box with this year's collection is so sturdy and nice. It's quite a cute little pull out draw that will hold around three or four MAC lipsticks. I was actually expecting something large as the pics make it look HUGE however it is tiny! As you can see below I placed a Clinique eyeshadow palette beside the box to show the size.





The second item that I really enjoyed with the collection was the Lavshuca Liquid Rouge. For some odd reason or another this particular Lavshuca Liquid Rouge seemed to have a bit more sparkle and shimmer than the normal range. The color included with Antique Sepia is a nice beige with golden shimmer and hints of peach! It completes my nude look beautifully when I use the included shadow duo!











The shadow is a bit on the boring side sadly as it includes a rather crummy nude brown shade with hints of gold shimmer and a base color of white gold that contains a bit of sparkle with a slightly iridescent finish. I will say that once I completed my look I did like the effects of combining the beige gloss with the nude eye look however it's not what I'd want for the Holiday in all honestly. Right now it goes rather well with the Fall weather however I do love a festive eye look come the Holiday that's vibrant, full of shimmer, and most importantly doesn't shout natural! The duo is quite tiny and far from regular size. Although the gloss is regular size do brace yourself for a mini shadow!



As you can see below a MAC eyeshadow is even bigger than the little Lavshuca duo!










I did have a hard time deciding how I wanted to use the shadow. Sadly, I don't read Japanese and the diagrams that I've come to rely on, on the back of the package are just never around on Lavshuca packaging. They must do this to irritate me, honestly. Between Jill Stuart and Lavshuca I'm unsure which brand annoys me the most when they fail to include the handy dandy eye diagram most Japanese brands favor on the back of their packaging!

In the end I decided that I'd use the white creamy gold shade as an all over color wash on my entire eye and follow up by blending the brown into my crease and on my lid. The look comes out very natural and yes, I begrudging admit, lovely but I still call it as being hells boring for the Holiday Season! Sorry it is what it is and this doesn't shout "fun, shimmery Holiday!" to this Muse!











Aside from my major ranting about the shades and the lack of festive feel to the collection I did like the items included and especially enjoyed the very cute packaging! Overall, they are worth picking up if you can nab them at a good price but not so much if you're paying more than retail!

I'll give you the good (or bad) word on the second coffret shortly so stay tuned!

How about you?

Love these?

Want 'em?

Not loving all the nudes from Lavshuca lately?

Tell the Muse!



Lavshuca Creamy Liquid Foundation Review

Lavshuca Holiday Collection 2008 Coffrets

Lavshuca Perfect Base Moist and Lavshuca UV Review

Lavshuca Holiday Collection 2008: Lavshuca Winter Make Palettes Review

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22 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's flattering but definitely in a safe zone! Not a Muse look!

Your cheeks look very natural though, like you just came in out of the cold, or from running.

November 18, 2008 at 2:51 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

very safe and boringggggggg :P

I liked the cheeks too! Thanks babe :)

It's NARS Taos :) lovely shade!

November 18, 2008 at 3:27 PM  
Blogger birkinbagbeauty said...

The products are really tiny. I like that Lavshuca made a sturdier box this Chrismas. I remember the summer palette and it was really made of cheap plastic (but the colors were adorable, which counts)

I think you look adorable in that look, but just as decorative diva said, I kind of miss the Muse-ness of the look...the xtra sparkle and shine.

November 18, 2008 at 3:30 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hi birkinbagbeauty!

I was pretty shocked the shadow was so small but I liked the box too..it was quite nicely made. The summer palettes I wasn't too disappointed with as the plastic was considerably better than the Winter Make cardboard packaging yak!

and I agree the shades made it all the better..those shades were some of the best I've seen in a while from lavshuca :)

Totally with you :-) too nude for me! I like it ok but I prefer something bolder for the Holidays :)

Thanks for the lovely comment!

November 18, 2008 at 3:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think you look super fresh! Wish I looked like that first thing in the morning, lol.

November 18, 2008 at 5:10 PM  
Blogger plue said...

Lavshuca is playing it too safe! :(

Honestly, other than the higer brands offering better packaging and stuff, the drugstore like Kate, MJ and Lavshuca is going really boring...

It's like... it's a part of the permanent line. It doesn't make me feeling wanting to get one. In fact, I think their regulars are better!

November 18, 2008 at 8:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i agree its not the best for the holidays but taking into account that christmas is not a holiday in japan, i think its good for office wear ^_^ [yes i have to work on christmas day]

but to be honest, i swatched it at the store with all the other lavshuca products and i thought the cream color was different and really nice heehee

November 18, 2008 at 9:40 PM  
Blogger MiuMiu said...

i must agree with you...this year's collection looked so blah...i was thinking..this must be a joke. last year i was going nuts for the palette and i would have went crazy if i didn't buy it. however..i was a bit sad that the colors weren't so pigmented.
what is up with lavshuca lately? the last thing i remember that was a must get was the powder foundation..but now it's blah hehe. but i must say that the gloss is rather pretty =p

November 18, 2008 at 10:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know you don´t like it so much, BUT it does suit you fine!!!!!
But I understand about the boring part...;)

November 19, 2008 at 1:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

They're are so tiny! Colours look boring too. :( But at least you managed to get a very nice neutral look!

Hugs!!!

November 19, 2008 at 7:13 AM  
Blogger Laura said...

Hi Muse!

How have you been doing?

I think the nude look goes well for you! I must agree with you that the 2 coffrets do lack the festive feel to it, but I think you look delightful when you pair the nude colors with the lace trimmed blouse! I do wonder if Lavshuca was trying to stand out by releasing these 2 collections which are less frosty and glitery as compared to the releases from other brands? Their current theme is "dramatic old beauty" afterall! If so, I do applaud them for trying to be different!

Cheers!

November 19, 2008 at 8:19 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

thanks dancinggal :)

Oh lord knows it takes alot of coverup to make me look this fresh lmao :)

November 19, 2008 at 9:19 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

morning plue!!!!!!

Yes very safe sadly sigh!

I agree. I think many have taken to doing very safe nudes and naturals..but I am pretty excited about the new KATE palettes...they look fab however the colors are repetitive to releases we already have sadly!

I kinda feel like the regular items are better too but I honestly can't deny that I kinda like the look it created :) but yes totally with you on the yawn factor!

November 19, 2008 at 9:25 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hi there yumeko!

Your FOTD was fabs with this set!

It's true! I shouldn't expect festive since Christmas isn't even something they are factoring into the look :)

It's def great office wear! Totally agree with ya!

Awww that's crummy..working on xmas even in Japan stinks :(

the cream color is quite nice..it's like a white gold dontcha think? I just wanted something a bit more..sigh :( I like shimmery and sparkly hehe!

Thanks for the comment lovie!

Talk soon!
Hugs!

November 19, 2008 at 9:28 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hi there MiuMiu!

I was the same with last year's palettes and actually when I think back it was amazing at the time but somewhat disappointing color wise as well :P

I dunno..I swear...Spring sucked, summer was fantastic, and fall was back to sucking...now this..sigh :( we want color and shimmer please hehe!

I dig the gloss too! :) I admit the completed look is very nice but just not very me :P

November 19, 2008 at 9:29 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hiya nell!

Thanks so much :) I think it's not too too bad but not what I am used to either :P I like bolder :)

November 19, 2008 at 9:30 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hiya serene!

They are quite small :) and yes boring :( brown brown brown..sigh! Thanks ;) I thought it didn't look half bad either..it's very nice once completed...I just wanted a bit more ;)

Hugssssss!

November 19, 2008 at 9:31 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hi Laura!

I'm great hun and you!?

Thanks!!!!!! :)

I think you have a valid point considering that the theme is for a classical nude look then yes they have successfully created a beautiful look and kept with the theme plus as yumeko mentioned xmas really isn't taken into consideration when creating these coffrets. I really liked the finished results but I'm a tiny bit bored of all the browns lately :(

But yes I think you're very right :)!

Thanks for the comment!

Hope you're well lovie!

November 19, 2008 at 9:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ever since I looked at BB natural eye palette I got bored. There aren't a lot of exciting colors for me to shell out big bucks for that. Let alone this. I'll stay tuned for other holiday collections. thanksy for the review!

November 19, 2008 at 1:00 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hey vivian...the nudes are totally making me snore lately :P Oh well! It does look good on just the colors are like oh man not again :)

I don't blame ya ;)

Stay tuned for the Book of Shadows review that you'll love!!!!!!!!!!

November 19, 2008 at 3:03 PM  
Blogger Ghoulina said...

I agree that Lavshuca is playing it a little too safe these days, but I actually really love/want this set! Probably because 98% of my makeup wardrobe is comprised of wild colours though so I'm on a big neutral kick at the moment! ^_^

November 27, 2008 at 1:01 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

ya :( but at least Summer was awesome right?

I kinda feel like the goldish brownish is growing on me :)

Mine too mine too :) so going a bit natural is a good thing for us both!

December 1, 2008 at 4:47 PM  

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