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!