Oct 19, 2014

KOSÉ Visée Smoky Rich Eyes GY-7

A while ago, I ordered this eyeshadow quint from Ichibankao. I know many beauty bloggers recommend this online seller for Japanese goodies, but unfortunately I never received my order. After the frustrating lack of communication, I got my refund and the case was closed. Maybe that was the sign that I shouldn't have gotten it. But what did I do? I went ahead and ordered another one from eBay. Sometimes curiosity is worse than the lemmings themselves.


KOSÉ Visée Smoky Rich Eyes GY-7



Honestly, there is nothing wrong with this adorable quint - Reasonable price even after a bit of markup, the cute packaging, the great color composition consisting of all my favorites, and the beautiful satiny finish. Color payoffs are not bad at all if not intense like some, but I don't like that kinds anyway.



I never use 4-5 shades in one look, but the suggestion on the back is still appreciated.


(From L to R)
Pearly White (this is a creamy silicone base. I assume it can be used under other colors as well as a highlighting shade.)
Yellow-y Beige
Satiny Taupe
Shimmery Grey
Matte Charcoal


Pigmention is better than decent and all colors sit very well on skin.
But don't you think they look less pretty than from the palette?


That is exactly how this quint plays on my face as well.
This is a grey palette with yellow hues, which isn't all that flattering on me.
I've tried them in different looks hoping to find a way that works for me, but nope, every time the colors blend into absolute nothingness. The finished look is harmless and safe, but I have so many neutral eyeshadow palettes that are much more exciting than this.


Ironically I ended up with a nice FOTD pic, but that's the fake glow from the NARS Orgasm blush and the shimmery strawberry lip color, I think.


I've had nicer experience with Kanebo KATE eyeshadows, for example. Maybe it was the color choice since I like the way how KOSÉ Visée Smoky Rich Eyes goes on. Or is it the quality of the pigment used? I am still puzzled.


Have you tried Japanese drugstore eyeshadows?
What is your experience?










Join the conversation!

  1. I've never heard of that website before but I definitely understand the frustration of poor customer service! Especially when you *really* want that product! The quality seems to be there given the swatches seen here - it's too bad the colours don't really work together :\ I hope you have better luck with it - maybe try combining it with cream shadows as a base?

    Stephanie | theFantasia.com

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    1. I think the site has a good reputation for nice selections and reasonable price, but I was very frustrated communicating with them. Maybe the language barrier or something.
      The swatches are much yellower than the pan colors. This kind of thing only comes out when applied on skin. The quint does work for minimal eye makeup paired with dramatic lips, though. :)

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  2. I haven't tried anything from Visee, but we have Kate here. I remember liking them when I first started makeup, but as I experiment more with better quality makeup, these just don't cut it anymore. So while Japanese drugstore brand makeup looks really pretty, I never purchase them anymore, knowing they don't work on me or that my expectations are different >_<

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    1. Maybe you're right. Now I have different expectation for eyeshadow palettes. I think I like colors with gradation but with some accents or something.
      I'm not even into glitters but I am fond of the typical Asian glitters from my KATE duos. It's not like I can get these from downstairs, I think I'm good for now. ;-)

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  3. That's too bad! I haven't tried much Japanese Drugstore makeup, but I did have a lipstick from a friend and liked it!

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    1. I still like their sunscreens and cleansing oil, etc. It's been a while I got makeup items. It may be really just the color choice but I guess I'm discouraged to get more. ;-/

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  4. I think the only Japanese shadow was singles from Anna Sui (they are made in Japan by Albion...so) and they were sheer and kind of foolproof...I think I might try a quad by majolica majorca some day. Now I am more interested in Japanese mascara and blush.

    P.S. To answer your question from last comment. Nope, I don't play violin (I do want to start learning viola if I have time though), more like those typical Asian who took piano lessons...When I signed up for blogger, most composer name was taken at the time and I just went with wieniawski. I guess most American can't spell it or something.

    And HAH, you added classical songs! In Trutina totally brought back some college choir memories...On the day of our end-of-term concert (John Adams for the band and Carmina Burana for us. I sang alto), I went through the score one last time by my desk before heading out...and went ahead and left it on my desk. Since they couldn't find extra score for me last minute, I ended up going on stage with my glossy black folder (tucked inside was loose sheets of physics homework).

    We did plenty rehearsal so I have pretty memorized the whole thing, the only problem was O Fortuna. My memory was forever contaminated by a misheard lyrics video on youtube (which I watched back in high school and cannot unheard/unlearn after all these years). So for the beginning and end I was going

    "Salsa cookies, windmill cookies, they give you gonorrhea.
    This octopus, let's give him boots, send him in carburetor ... "

    The girl next to me was like "WTF is she singing?!"

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    1. Oh, I like Anna Sui stuff. Nowadays I am drawn to harder/sheer textured eyeshadows with clear pigmentation. AS usually fits the bill. Albion makes Paul & Joe makeup too, right? ;)

      Wieniawski is great but not someone that everyone knows of like Mozart, so I was quite sure you were a violinist. LOL
      I've never sung In Trutina until I collaborated with my guitar partner. It was just an idea. I tossed the score at him and he started playing..and I did not sing it in a full-blown(?) operatic voice, either. It was actually harder that way. We're experimenting! :)
      Your story made me smile for a long time! ;D The lyrics are not only witty but also have some resembling sound to the latin. You must be smart as a whip!

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  5. I am always careful when it comes to japanese eye shadows as they usually appear sheer and shimmery.. I am very pleased with the KATE Kanebo eye shadows though, and the higher end versions like Sonia Rykiel, Lunasol or Shiseido are not bad either..
    This kose palette reminds me of the Kate kanebo, from the packaging and how it looks on the pan.. too bad the shade is not what you expected. x(
    Btw, thank you for the head up about Ichibankao.. I actually was going to order some Addiction and Three make up but the shipping cost and prices still make me hesitate..

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    1. I actually love the sheerness and shimmery finish of Japanese eye makeup, but the problem I have with this quint is the muddiness! Nothing like Lunasol or Shiesiedo. I'd love to try Sonia Rykiel someday, by the way. ;)

      I guess it was just an international mail mishap, but they did not return my email, which was very frustrating. If it's for Addiction/Three, maybe you'd want to wait until your next visit home? ;)

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  6. Lena you look gorgeous!!

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    1. Hi Sarah! Thank you! Hope you well! :)

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  7. Aw, yeah, I know what you mean when the shadow in the pan doesn't translate onto eyes - so disappointing! I rarely use more than three shadows in a look, too (and it's usually more like two), so all these super complicated eye charts just get an eyeroll from me, lol.

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    1. Exactly! And it is so pretty from the pan, I kept trying to figure out a way to make a good use out of it.
      But sometimes I do need that "nothingness", so I will keep this one. ;)
      LOL at eyeroll, but you're right. It's up to the brows! ;D

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  8. I've never heard of this brand but one of my girlfriends brought me a few Kanebo Kate products on her last trip to Asia. I don't know about their eyeshadows but I do love their brow pencils.

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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    1. I love Japanese ds brow stuff, too! Most importantly, the colors are very natural and they are easy to use!
      I might look at KATE some other time, but maybe not another Visee. ;-)

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  9. Sorry to hear it didn't live up to your expectation! Such a nice color combo, though! I have used Dolly Wink eyeshadow palettes (they are small like this one) and I actually like them! :) I love so many things from Dolly Winks - quality is there and I just love the bow and polka dots. Haha.

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    1. I've heard good things about Dolly Wink lashes and eyeliners. It is good to know their eyeshadow palettes are nice as well. There is something about Japanese makeup packagings! I easily open my wallet for those. Not drugstore, but my favorite is Paul & Joe. Luckily the quality is quite up there, too. ;)

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  10. The palette is very pretty but nothing amazing like you said. I love love the gradical palettes from kate, they are rich, filled with micro shimmer and are buttery. I think these palettes are right for those who are starting off in make up. It's a safe and good choice but nothing too special.

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    1. Many seem to like KATE! I'll go for them next time I am shopping for Japanese ds eyeshadows.
      I love the micro shimmer and smooth texture of this palette, but the color payoffs are just disappointing. It is actually about the clarity of the colors. ;-/

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  11. Aw, it doesn't look that bad, really!

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  12. This eyeshadow has beautiful shades, I love it because is that type of product that I really want on my wishlist, I must say Satiny Taupe & Shimmery Grey are perfect for use everytime for me. Thank your for your detailed review~
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com

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    1. Thanks, Raimar. I think the yellow undertone would make this grey palette easier to wear for warmer toned girls. It looks quite plain and almost muddy on me but I am still keeping it because I like how it applies. :)

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  13. I've bought a japanese eyeshadow from a pushy salesperson from Hong Kong and it seemed to be ok, since I bought a palette that had a combination of purple and gold, which makes a great combo. The palette's shadow packaging IS indeed attractive, but I guess the colours are of the norm; nevertheless you look great! That reminds me, I should use nars orgasm more often ><

    Macarons and Mischief

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    1. Maybe I have different expectation when it comes to eyeshadows, but Asian ds makeup still excels in many ways. Packaging is definitely one thing. ;D
      The NARS Orgasm glow is hard to beat. I myself was reminded to use it more often. <3

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  14. Are the other shades in this palette worth using though? So sorry to hear it didn't work out after all that trouble. I like the way you relentlessly hunt though. ;D

    I haven't tried Japanese drugstore shadows and I don't think that I'm about to w/o testing them out first. I recently tried Anna Sui for the first time and those are very good, but AS is more prestige here rather than drugstore.

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    1. They are okay, really. Maybe I had too much expectation especially because I went through the trouble getting it. It is still useful to define the eyes and lasts pretty well with primer, which is why I have decided to keep. Maybe I can carry it around in my pouch since it is so lightweight.

      I really like Anna Sui, too. Especially the harder sheerer yet clear color payoffs are nice. If I'm not mistaken, AS is manufactured by Albion who also makes Paul & Joe stuff. At this point, I'd spend a little more for them rather than exploring the ds. :)

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  15. Very beautiful colours!! ^^

    恵美より ♥
    www.emi-doll.blogspot.jp

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  16. For me I think the problem is that once the colours are swatched, they get that kind of 'oil' look - like motor oil. You know, that slightly orange/green/brown undertone that looks strange against the top note of a colour that you expect to be kind of cooler rather than warmer? Am I making any sense here? :-P That was what I thought when I saw the swatches after the palette pic anyway. It makes total sense what you say about the 'yellow' note to them in the swatch. But I'm rambling. :-P

    The look is pretty - especially that strawberry gloss! Isn't is weird how photos make things turn out sometimes - they're actually a lot more forgiving than we usually give cameras credit for, LOL!

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    1. Yeah..you pretty much summed it up! The colors kind of look "dirty" and no fun. It doesn't look chic or sophisticated, either. After using it a few more times, I've found it is still useful when I want all the focus on my lips or something. I just ordered Ruby Woo set from MAC and this quint might come in handy. ;D

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