Ayumi represents Rimmel in AsiaTue, July 28, 2009 (3:59am EDT)Pop star Ayumi Hamasaki (30) has been chosen to represent popular London-based cosmetics brand Rimmel, joining Kate Moss, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Lily Cole. Ayumi will be the brand's first "image character" in Asia. Founded in 1834, Rimmel's products are now readily available in 56 countries around the globe. By appointing Ayumi as the brand's newest face, Rimmel hopes that her beauty and popularity can help capture more of the Asian market. She is already a fashion leader in Japan and has served as a model for other major brands.Starting in early August, the singer will begin appearing in advertisements throughout Asia. In particular, the initial ads will use Ayumi's attention-catching eyes to promote the eye color product "Sparkling Gradation Eyes," set to go on sale in Japan on August 7. "I've never been to England, so I'd like to use this an opportunity to go there," Ayumi said.
Charts: Ayumi Hamasaki sets singles recordWed, August 19, 2009 (1:37am EDT)Ayumi Hamasaki's 46th single, "Sunrise / Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~," was released last week. With over 75,000 copies sold, it ranked #1 on the sales charts, becoming her 21st consecutive (33rd total) number-one single. Overall, it is also her 44th single to enter the Top 10, putting her ahead of Southern All Stars, SMAP, ZARD, and B'z for the current record. At #2 was Morning Musume with their latest song, "Nanchatte Renai," selling 55,000 copies. The rest of the top ten included GACKT (#4), supercell (#5), Toshihiko Takamizawa (#6), a new "K-On!" character single (#9), and Motohiro Hata (#10). On the albums chart, Kobukuro remained at #1 for the second week in a row, but Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi ranked highest out of the new releases with 72,000 copies of "FRIENDS" at #2. Crazy Ken Band (#4) and Kaori Mochida (#9) also made the top ten.