April Editors
Every year, even if you’re usually indifferent to the makeup trends, it’s extremely hard not to be excited about the limited editions beauty brands create for the holiday season. From the casually affordable street brand to the splurge-worthy luxury name, they do their best to seduce you with their collectible designs and exciting collaborations. You can be sure that the Korean and Japanese brands, already famous for their wits, will certainly captivate you this year as well.
Shu Uemura – Cosmic Blossom collection
Shu Uemura collaborated with the world famous artist Takashi Murakami for the 2016 holiday collection. Murakami imagined the stars of winter’s night blossoming like flowers, visualizing the cosmic wonder in daily life. The outcome is this eye & cheek palette with 7 hues inspired by the shades of blooming stars.
Etude House – My Little Nut collection
It’s no wonder Etude House, famous for girlish pink and fairy-tale themes, chose Nutcracker as the theme of the holiday season. From Lucky Cheek Beam to the pen with a snowball on it, every item makes you go ‘awww,’ but our choice is the mascara and eye palette set (they come with a pouch!).
Innisfree – Green Christmas 2016 collection
Innisfree made its name with nature-friendly skincare using ingredients from clean and bright Jeju Island. Now their makeup line is catching up, and this year they came with a Christmas nail color set including Christmas-y colors, party-perfect glitters, and lovely stickers.
Laneige – Milkyway Fantasy collection
You know Laneige for their brightening base makeup and waterful skincare. Laneige’s Milkyway Fantasy Collection is also inspired by the sparkles in the night sky. The two-tone lip bar lets you make color gradation that looks like it was done by a professional.
Anna Sui – 2016 Limited Edition Hair Color Chalk Set
Oh, Anna Sui! It’s unmissable signature scent and dreamy designs inspired by Central Europe or the Middle East or a vague Orient! Like the Anna Sui dress, the makeup line is suitable for a party season when you want to feel a bit special, and what better way to go extra out-of-the-ordinary than colorful hair chalk!
Sulwhasoo – Shineclassic Colorpact
Luxury skincare brand Sulwhasoo presented a limited edition of handmade powder compact decorated with mother-of-pearl. The soft pink color inspired by the plum flower enlightens your facial tone, and the case looks like the classy party accessory it is.
Clé de Peau – Les Années Folles collection
Clé de Peau drew inspiration from the Roaring 20s, the perpetual party season of Paris. The eye palette has art deco design and free spirited party colors, and is wrapped with package art by Ashley Longshore.
The Face Shop x Kakao Friends
With a collaboration between cosmetic brand and pop culture characters it is easy to go tacky, but The Face Shop collection with Kakaotalk, the most popular messaging app in South Korea, is just too cute to miss. We’re especially smitten by Ryan Handcream, which will occupy our desks even after winter, even after we use up the whole cream.
Missha x Line Friends
Talking about the messenger characters, you can’t miss Line Friends. Missha, the ultimate rival of The Faceshop, presented a broad collection from lip gloss to sun block, but the cushion blusher seems to have the best idea and the cutest design.
Hera x Nicholas Kirkwood 2016 Limited
Hera’s cushion foundation is always reliable and comes with special edition every year. In 2016 Hera collaborated with Nicholas Kirkwood, the designer known for architectural shoe designs. Kirkwood was inspired by 70s and 80s disco fashion and metallic textures and expresses the energetic beauty of modern women.
Tatcha – Indigo Lover Spa Set
After the hustle and bustle of the holiday party, you need to pamper yourself in a serene spa. If you can’t, bring the traditional Japanese spa to your home with this special edition from Tatcha. It comes with black sugar body scrub, body butter, and a traditional Tenugui towel.
Andrea Centeno
Guest Writer
Vi Nguyen
Youjin Lee