Shu Uemura Spring 2011 Collection - Morphorium Spring Mode

I still think that pulling Shu Uemura out of all the United States stores and counters was one of the worst beauty moves of the past few years for Estee Lauder. They have had some fantastic but this is one of the biggest lows in ages. The Morphorium collection consists of the brightest hues that I have seen so far this season, butterflies come to mind when I look at the promo picture of the model. Since butterflies morph throughout the seasons, I feel that this is where Shu got the idea for the collection.

From the Shu Uemura website, "'Morphorium' - metamorphose yourself with the mesmerizing glory of nature, just like a mysterious morpho butterfly landing softly onto your shoulder... 132nd Shu Uemura Mode makeup collection created by international artistic director Kakuyasu Uchiide, invites you to the world of untouched treasures in deep, tropical jungle. Unleash your curiosity and indulge yourself in inimitable, mysterious beauty by nature." I thought I was right and the descripition just confirmed it. This collection is quite small but it is very powerful and ranks as one of the top collections of the season.

Here is the newest collection from Shu...

Shine Mystique Eye Color - Loose powder eye color with extraordinary shine and outstanding color-traveling effect, to morph your eyes into the beauty of mysterious morpho butterfly wings. The olive khaki and silver reflection go in harmony with both morphorium limited edition palettes. Play with earthy colors and feel the power of nature.

- Khaki Silver - olive khaki shimmer with silver reflection

Morphorium Blue Palette - Pressed Eye Shadow/Cream Eye Shadow-Liner/Powder Blush. Unleash your curiousity and indulge yourself in inimitable, mysterious beauty of nature with this limited edition palette. Transform yourself with fascinating, vibrant hues of the blue morpho butterfly for wild, mystic beauty. The vivid blue shadow layered over the deep purple shadow will reflect the vibrant surface of the morpho butterfly's wings. Add a hint of delicate light sparkle on the eyes with the cream shadow and finish the look with a swipe of the fresh pink blush to the cheeks for an enticing beauty look. The palette is complete with three Pressed Eye Shadows, one Cream Eye Shadow/Eye Liner and a Powder Cheek Blush as well as two applicator brushes.

- Pressed Eye Shadow in M Deep Purple - deep matte purple

- Pressed Eye Shadow in P Vivid Blue - bright pearly blue

- Pressed Eye Shadow in IR Fresh Green - iridescent lime

- Cream Eye Shadow in P Light Brown - pearly bronze

- Glow On P Pink - pearly true pink

Sunset Gold Palette - Pressed Eye Shadow/Cream Eye Shadow-Liner/Powder Blush. Unleash your curiosity and indulge yourself in inimitable, mysterious beauty of the nature with this limited edition palette. Warm sunset tones of the gold shadow matched to the fertile field of the brown shadow embodies the seductive beauty of the wildlife. A touch of shimmering white shadow is added as accents to emphasize the glow of the sophisticated earthy spirit. The look is finished with a swipe of the warm peach blush to emulate the warmth of the rising sun. This palette evokes a fertile forest with its enchanting wildlife. The palette is complete with three Pressed Eye Shadows, one Cream Eye Shadow/Eye Liner, and a Powder Cheek Blush as well as two applicator brushes.

- Pressed Eye Shadow in M Deep Brown - matte deep chocolate brown

- Pressed Eye Shadow in P Brick Gold - medium pearly gold

- Pressed Eye Shadow in IR Creamy White - iridescent warm white

- Cream Eye Shadow in P Beige Pink - warm pearly pink gold

- Glow On P Peach - pearly pink peach

The Morphorium palette is way too much for me. The blue eye shadow in it would be one of teh worst possible shades for me and throws the whole palette off. I do like the other shades in it and I really like the pink blush but I don't think this one is the palette for me. The Sunset Gold is a much better choice, I love the all the eye makeup shades in it and initially thought the blush was too peach for me. But when I saw the picture on the website, the blush appears to be more on the pink side. It reminds me of NARS Orgasm, the way the pink and peach are combined. Hopefully the shade won't let me down and be too warm for my skintone. Last but not least, I love the Shine Mystique Eye Color in the Khaki Silver shade, this will work with tons of eye shadows that I already own.

This is collection that only Shu Uemura could create and turn art into makeup. This eye makeup is right on trend with much of the makeup that went down the runways this season.

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura