Sunday, February 19, 2012

Les Merveilleuses de LADURÉE + Life

Hello again!
I just can't seem to stay away from my blog, lol.

But this is kind of a special entry, because I've recently discovered the most princess-iest princess brand of makeup that I've seen since Jill Stuart, and wouldn't you know it, the brand that makes Jill Stuart AND Anna Sui makeup is working on this as well!

Les Merveilleuses de LADURÉE
http://www.lm-laduree.com/

Now, Ladurée is originally a pastry shop that specializes in macarons.  Don't ask me how they got involved in makeup, but I'm really glad they did!  They just came out last January.  I only discovered them because one of the Jesus Diamante girls got the set for their birthday.  Man, they get some expensive things at their store for their birthdays.

Take a look at some of their products!



Their pressed powder which as of right now comes in 20 colors and is 1,575 yen.
Cream based blush currently available in 5 colors and is 4,410 yen.
Lipstick, available in 7 colors and is also 4,410 yen.
But the product that really floored me was this unique and gorgeous addition:
What is it?  Why, this is blush powder, carefully pressed into the shape of rose petals, currently available in 3 colors, a pale pink, an azalea color (the one above) and a dusky violet color.  Can you believe that??  It's no wonder that the price for this product is over 10,000 yen!  (7,350 yen for the blush refill, 3,150 for the Faberge egg container).  They're also running a special where you can get a smaller amount for 3,360 yen.  Now how many of you would be too afraid to use it because of how pretty it is?  I think if I had it, I'd still use it.  Just veeeeery carefully, lol.

They've got lots of other products, like some makeup supplies and base makeup, so be sure to check out the website.  If you can read Japanese, you can even get the ingredients, and they've got a cute little brand story layout that even if you can't speak Japanese, you can interact with it, lol.  I want to say this brand is inspired by 18th century France, but I'm not much of an art buff, lol.  If it's not, I hope someone will come along and narrow it down for me.

But here's the absolute best thing:  they plan on releasing this series to the west!  Europe is expected to see this hit shores near the end of this year, and North America (and apparently the rest of Asia, but I've only seen this information on one blog so far) is expected to see it by next year.  No word on other continents, but hopefully, they won't be forgotten.  Seriously, can you imagine walking up to the makeup counter and walking away with this?  Hey, if it does open world-wide, do you think they'll provide darker colors for darker-skinned people too?  I guess we'll just have to wait and see!


Anyway, as for me, I'm still looking.  I got an interview Monday, but I won't stop there.  I've also been collecting clothing coordinates, and I've recently learned to stop limiting my inspirations to other Hime-kei coords.  Seriously, other Gyarus have like 85 bajillion different ways to wear things, why are we stuck with a one piece and a cardigan across the board?  I've seen Lolitas do amazing things with a one piece to make it look different, and it didn't involve just putting on a sweater either!  So I've learned to stop worrying about whether it's Gyaru or not.  I've found a lot of inspiration in Dolly-kei, Mori-kei, Onee-kei, Fairy-kei, Classic Lolita and Otome-kei (in fact, it was Blackkoi's Otome coordinate that got me thinking this in the first place).  I'll save things if I like the color scheme, the layering, the textures, and of course, because I like the coorde.  I've decided that I just like cute things in general, regardless of where it comes from so if I put something on, and someone screams "Not Gyaru!" so be it.  My first priority will be whether I'm happy with it.

Have I decided to leave the Hime-Gyaru life?  Not even close.  I still swoon at Jesus Diamante and Liz Lisa on a daily basis.  I just won't allow myself to be boxed in with the same outfit idea over and over.  What's the point of buying different dresses if you're just going to wear them all the same way?  It's kind of difficult for me, because I'm used to having a hard set of rules to everything, and having so much freedom without much structure sometimes causes me to be at a loss, but I'm working on it, and slowly becoming comfortable in the idea.  I guess if there's one thing that hasn't changed, I still love the big hair and makeup, lol.

Also, met my first Gyaru outside of this blog!  Though it was still through Facebook, lol.  Turns out, she's a friend of my friend Niki who used to live out here and was even part of a Chicago gal cir, a few nice members of whom I've spoken to through this blog.  She's really friendly, though I worry that I might bother her sometimes, lol.  Ah, that's just how I am around new people.  I don't think I'll ever learn how to properly interact with others! XD

Anyway, I'm keeping positive.  I'm doing what I can do, and enjoying my days.  My wishlist is now, like, 3 miles long though, lol!


As always, thank you all for sticking with me.  I always read my comments, and I'm always thinking of you guys!  Tell yourself you're beautiful for me!

7 comments:

  1. Just wanted to let you know that I've been seriously in love with your blog since I first discovered it last year! I'm an aspiring Himegyaru myself and you're one of my biggest inspirations! >w< Sorry for fangirling~ ; u ;

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    1. I know I already replied to you on your own blog, but man, I just love reading comments like these <3 They really keep me going~!

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  2. After browsing through their website and seeing their product line, all I have to say is WOW! You were not kidding at all when you said that the makeup is very Princessy. It is possibly even more princessy than Jill Stuart! Of course I'm not surprised at all when you had mentioned that one of the JD shop girls received one of these sets as a birthday gift. Since they sell expensive stuff on a daily basis (not to mention the princess lifestyle), it is befitting of them to receive expensive stuff as well.

    Anyway, I can quickly see why and how this makeup set had become so outrageously expensive. The astronomical amount of detail that they had put into the packaging alone (such as the cameo design) is enough to warrant a high price. I really like what they had done to the blush powder. That is definitely one interesting and unique way of putting on blush. I really hope that this makeup line really does come to North America. I am quite interested in seeing the actual products in store and seeing how they work.

    I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours. I think that's how all fashion styles branched out anyway. Some people just adopt a certain style they like and then they put their own spin onto it. :)

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    1. Thank you! It's pretty freeing being able to choose what I like without worrying. ^_^

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  3. Ooh! I also am a "fangirl"! XD

    I found your blog last June and I've really adored it since, but I was way too shy to make a comment anywhere. >.< Your hiatus made me so sad because even though you are having hard times, you really inspired me since I'm also a "princess in training". Even though I don't have the dream wardrobe or life that I'd like, I'm in the midst of starting my own blog about it because of you. :3 [/end fangirling(ish)]


    Congratulations on deciding to make your own style rules! I just read your December entry in which you said, "I haven't done much in the way of Gyaru makeup (especially since I have no reason to wear it if I'm not wearing anything fashionable)"

    I think that, if you wanted, you could totally do Gyaru makeup regardless of what clothes you're wearing. I've seen plenty of girls, Gyaru or otherwise, wear even 'frumpy' clothes and still style their hair, wear their signature makeup and favorite accessories. There was a girl in a class of mine months ago who might have come in wearing Ugg boots, track pants, and a hoodie (all in drab colours, too), but her hair and makeup were always done -- falsies and all. She even wore sparkling jewelry and elaborate nails to top it off. It may sound like a weird combination, but she actually looked stylish and cute. She wasn't Gyaru, but I just had to respect her for always doing what she wanted to look and feel pretty for herself -- even if maybe she didn't feel like dressing to the nines one day.
    So, however little it may be (simply wearing Gyaru makeup and ordinary clothes, for instance), I think you should do whatever it takes to feel even a teeny bit like the princess, or just the cute girl, you want to be! It's ok to have a slow, gradual metamorphosis.

    And to comment on that makeup line, omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg. If I could, I would consider selling one of my kidneys just for that rose blush, haha! I would definitely be afraid to use it at first, but I would then be very, very careful using it; it would break my heart if a petal crumbled. What a gorgeous addition it would be on a vanity, as well. I love that the top is frosty and translucent so you can still see the flower when it's not in use. I hope the line branches out to other countries because I think I would feel more comfortable buying it in-person than buying it online and risk finding the blush cracked or broken at arrival. 3X

    I hope you blog a bit more soon. When you do, I am going to be braver and comment more. ^.^

    p.s. I'm sorry, I feel so creepy for not having any kind of URL yet to make me seem more of a real person and less of a strange ghost suddenly emerging from the shadows. +_+

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    1. Thank you so much! I truly do appreciate such kind words. And please, don't be afraid to comment to me ^^ I love getting sweet comments such as these. Knowing that I've helped anyone in any way, even if only a little, is my absolute favorite feeling. Let me know when you get your blog up and running. I'd love to see your own progress <3

      I'll let you in on a secret: I'll be returning soon! I don't have a specific date just yet, only that I've accomplished my main goal and that now it's only a matter of getting the things I need. Once I get the final thing I need (which as long as nothing major comes up, should be sometime around the end of next month/beginning of June), I can finally come back. Which is great, because I really miss blogging, lol. I've been writing down future plans for this place for months!

      Thank you for the advice. I probably should go back to practicing my makeup at least, especially now that I don't have to worry about running out and not being able to replenish. I've learned a lot and have figured out the hows and whys, and now it's just a matter of mastering application. I have to start somewhere.

      It really is gorgeous, isn't it? I wish I could just hire someone to go over there, buy it, and carry it by hand all the way back, lol. I can't wait to see what else they come up with, and I really hope they're successful enough to make it out overseas.

      Also, I don't think you're creepy at all ^_^

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