Shu Uemura Spring 2013 Collection - Blossom Dream

Shu Uemura is a makeup company that can produce either some of the best seasonal color collections or one of the worst.  This is not a company that produces a collection that ever looks like any other from the season, every collection from this company is very unique and like no other collection that will come out for the season.  I haven't really been in love with a Shu Uemura collection since the beginning of 2009 when I loved their spring collection and I could still order it very easily in the United States.  The past few collections from this company have been pretty much unwearable for me especially since I don't use false eyelashes and would never be able to pull off some of the more dramatic lash looks that this company creates.  So I can't say that I have been really ordering much from this company lately...

Maybe the spring collection will change my lack of love for this company.  I loved their spring collections more than any others in the years past and I have been all about adding more color to my makeup collection this season.  Blossom Dream is the name of the new collection and it is inspired by all shades of spring flowers.  If there ever was going to be a collection that I will love from Shu Uemura, this is the one.

"From the moment colors are added to her purified canvas, beauty blooms from her face. A unique personal beauty lies within you and blooms like spring flowers along with your hopes, dreams, and ambitions, just like Mr. Shu Uemura’s colors filled dreams in Hollywood.  The atelier’s secret color recipes are now shared with the entire world. Soothing shades in every possible combination abloom with infinite beauty inspiration to fuel the dreams that exists in every woman."  The eye makeup look on the model is a bit on the extreme side for me but I would be more likely to purchase the palettes and then only use two or three of the shades at once (instead of five or more).

The Blossom Dream collection!

High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula - The #1 cleansing oil legacy started with Unmask, our first magic oil since 1967. Today, through half a century of continuous innovation, its superior performance has captured the trust of women from around the world.  In 2013, Shu Uemura goes back to its origin. the legendary Unmask is re-expressed in a modern touch, creating a range of limited edition cleansing oils.  For all skin conditions - Camellias embody the elegance of Unmask’s origins. Infused with Asian Botanical Oils such as Camellia Oil and Ginger Root Oil, this formula cleanses with gentle touch and maintains skin’s moisture balance. Leaves skin feeling comfortable with a fresh and sensuous rosemary aroma.

Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil - The #1 cleansing oil legacy started with Unmask, our first magic oil since 1967. Today, through half a century of continuous innovation, its superior performance has captured the trust of women from around the world.  In 2013, Shu Uemura goes back to its origin. The legendary Unmask is re-expressed in a modern touch, creating a range of limited edition cleansing oils.  For pore concerns-floating cherry blossom petals evoke the fresh sweetness of spring.  A light-textured oil for complete pore cleansing with Sakura Complex.  Washes away pore concerns for refined, smooth, visibly poreless skin.

Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil - The #1 cleansing oil legacy started with Unmask, our first magic oil since 1967. Today, through half a century of continuous innovation, its superior performance has captured the trust of women from around the world.  In 2013, Shu Uemura goes back to its origin. the legendary Unmask is re-expressed in a modern touch, creating a range of limited edition cleansing oils.  For global skin concerns- the luminous sparkle of gold, delicate yet bold, expresses the ultimate in modern luxury. 8 exquisite oils are infused with botanical ingredients. A cashmere-like cocooning oil to fight all skin concerns for supreme skin quality.

Whitefficient Clear Brightening Gentle Cleansing Oil - The #1 cleansing oil legacy started with Unmask, our first magic oil since 1967. Today, through half a century of continuous innovation, its superior performance has captured the trust of women from around the world.  In 2013, Shu Uemura goes back to its origin. The legendary Unmask is re-expressed in a modern touch, creating a range of limited edition cleansing oils.  For brightening -bursting with fruity harmony of prune harmonize- so airy and fresh.  This light-textured oil effectively removes dead skin cells containing melanin and heavy make-up enabling effective brightening. Empowered with Vitamin C derivative and Fruit Acid Mix, the Ultimate Removal System with higher removability swiftly removes make-up and impurities. After cleansing skin looks clarified, and more even toned.

Glow On Refill Blush - 5 new shades in pearl and matte texture for a complexion abloom with fantasy. From blissful pink to vibrant oranges, the range is newly enriched with vibrant dreams and feminine delight.
- p light yellow 020 - warm yellow highlight for a glowing shine day and night
- p soft pink 324 - lively sweet pink for the most blissful complexion
- p soft coral 332 - a softly delicate shade that blends rose and peach
- m soft orange 542 - warm sunny orange gives that lit-from-within glow
- p vivid orange 551- vivid blooming orange to brighten your facial impression

Unmask Palette Blue - Re-discover the joy of Shu Uemura’s professional atelier of color with three new special edition matte textured refills in charming pastel shades in a refillable quad custom case.  “Matte texture gives a more soothing, warm, and soft impression than pearl or glitter textures. even when exposed to a strong light, matte texture maintains its true color. Pale, soft, and warm colors are best suited to matte textures.” As soothing as a dreamy blue sky-an amplified aqua blue and delicate lilac shade that will leave a cool, feminine impression. Blue and violet gradation creates a rather cool spring look. Use yellow as the highlight and accent.

Unmask Palette Pink - Re-discover the joy of Shu Uemura’s professional atelier of color with three new special edition matte textured refills in charming pastel shades in a refillable quad custom case.  now everyone can easily achieve pro-level make-up gradation, color payoff, and ultra-smooth matte texture.  “Matte texture gives a more soothing, warm, and soft impression than pearl or glitter textures. even when exposed to a strong light, matte texture maintains its true color. pale, soft, and warm colors are best suited to matte textures.”   A beautiful combination of sweet pink rose petal flush and vibrant bright pink that instantly charms. The neutral pink shade may also be used as a base. Apply faintly around the eyes to create a cute impression.

Unmask Palette Green - Re-discover the joy of Shu Uemura’s professional atelier of color with three new special edition matte textured refills in charming pastel shades in a refillable quad custom case.  Now everyone can easily achieve pro-level make-up gradation, color payoff, and ultra-smooth matte texture.  “Matte texture gives a more soothing, warm, and soft impression than pearl or glitter textures. even when exposed to a strong light, matte texture maintains its true color. pale, soft, and warm colors are best suited to matte textures.”   A variety of fresh pastel greens- light minty tint of spring green and bright grassy green that evoke the ripe fields of spring. not pop, but an active, energetic femininity.

Rainbow Feather False Lashes - Dreamy lashes maximize your colorful make-up fantasy festivities.  Dramatize your look with fluffy, colorful feathers or accentuate your eyes with feather-light lashes!   A pair of lashes with exploding with fluffy green, pink, orange, blue and yellow feathers. Colored feather tips are hinged by pink and white nylon lashes.   “Feather adds new textures for even richer make-up expression. These are to add a sense of fun and playfulness, liberate your mind. I designed them to create a colorful and soft impression. Bending the band a little will make them softer and easier to apply and wear. ” Yuki Asano, International Make-up Director.

Rainbow Feather False Lashes - Dreamy lashes maximize your colorful make-up fantasy festivities.  Dramatize your look with fluffy, colorful feathers or accentuate your eyes with feather-light lashes!  A rainbow of colored feathers graphically accented by black lash hair.  “Feather adds new textures for even richer make-up expression. These are to add a sense of fun and playfulness, liberate your mind. I designed them to create a colorful and soft impression. Bending the band a little will make them softer and easier to apply and wear. ” Yuki Asano, International Make-up Director.

Drawing Pencil Gold - Play with a pearly colorful eyeliner to draw defining lines. Matches eye shadow colors perfectly for both monochromatic color coordination and vibrant enhancement.  Define with a glamorous pearly golden accent.

Drawing Pencil White - Play with a pearly colorful eyeliner to draw defining lines. Matches eye shadow colors perfectly for both monochromatic color coordination and vibrant enhancement.  Attention-getting white brightens eyes in the most unexpected way.

Rouge Unlimited Blossom Dream - The prelude to a beauty dream begins by adding an alluring tint to lips, the ultimate symbol of femininity. A combination of nudey pastel colors in 2 dreamy limited edition shades are offered.
- Bright Orange - stain lips with this unusual subdued tangerine orange to make your dream brighter
- Dark Beige - warm beige with a hint of pink is a sensual neutral, to enhance your natural glow from within

Gloss Unlimited - The rebirth of gloss unlimited.  This new shape memorizing lip gloss is designed to create unlimited mirror shine with “3D shape-memory technology” to give lips a high shine veil that maintain voluminous shine. The new applicator traps gloss inside the circle and slant oval shaped applicator fits perfectly with the lip shape to achiever precise application in one stroke by gradually evening out the gloss on your lips providing a new and sophisticated gloss experience.  The comfortable, light texture melts into lips through a moisture active complex formula that includes a new lotus flower extract nourishes and protect fragile lips and a special rich blend of botanical oils for moisture comfort. Lips feel moisturized all day long.
- at 10g - sparkling silver
- at 20g - dazzling gold
- or 20s - light creamy coral
- pk 40g - sparkling fuchsia
- pk 10g - sparkling baby pink

Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Blossom Dream - The prelude to a beauty dream begins by adding an alluring tint to lips, the ultimate symbol of femininity. a combination of nudey pastel colors in 2 dreamy limited edition shades are offered. 
- Bright Pink - supreme matte pink will turn heads and ignite your deepest desires
- Light Beige - say it with texture with this barely there.  Supreme matte nude lips to highlight a glowing beauty canvas

Hello rainbow colored false eye lashes - of course I will be skipping over this product since there is just no way that I would be able to pull this look off in any situation of my life.  Maybe Halloween...  That being said, there are a lot of shades in this collection that I will be skipping over this spring season, I might love the shades in the palette or in the tube but I could never wear them so there is no point in me ordering shades that I know already that I will not wear.

I think with this collection it will just be much easier for me to write about the handful of products that I love rather than go into why I will skip over half of the collection.  Anyone that has read this blog for the past few months or longer will know that I would never wear coral lipstick or bright blue eye shadow.  I like both of the Pink and Green eye shadow palettes, I think that I would be more likely to purchase the Pink.  The Pink palette contains a series of matte shades in deep pinks and neutrals and I would get a lot of wear from these shades this spring.  The Green palette is another mix of greens and neutrals, I would get use from this one and I like it but I think that if I had to pick a favorite then I would go for the Pink palette.  I have been all over pink eye shadows this spring and this palette would be a very solid accent to my collection. 

The rest of the products that I am attracted to in this collection are mostly pink shades, I love the bright pink shade of the Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte lipstick, I want to add this shade to my collection very soon.  I also really like the pale pink shade of the Gloss Unlimited, this is another shade that I will use a lot over the spring and summer.  I also like the silver lip gloss but I don't know how much I would use it, either on its own or applied over lipstick so I will table this decision for a few weeks.

This is a stronger collection from Shu Uemura but I have been finding that ever since this company was pulled from United States distribution, the shades and products are getting harder and harder to wear.  The eye lashes in this collection would work best on a Japanese cartoon character and I feel that this will be the way the company continues to trend in the future...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Holiday 2012 Collection - Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura

The holiday collection from Shu Uemura is another one of the most hyped collections of this season, this collection was designed with famed designed Karl Lagerfeld and has been featured in nearly every single beauty magazine in their November and December issues.  I got very excited about this collection the second that I saw one product from it in Allure.  I still continue to grumble about Estee Lauder dropping this brand from their American line up but I am used to having to order the products that I love the most from Japan.  I haven't loved the last few of their seasonal collections but I think that this collection will change the losing streak that this company has been on for me over the past few months!

The packaging on these palettes and single products are so lovely that they barely even need to be wrapped up in order to give as gifts.  Karl Lagerfeld was very active in designing the packaging and I know that many ladies will want these products just for packaging.  I am just hoping that the formulas and shades inside are just as good as the outside.  From Shu Uemura, "Once upon a time, while the town was being decorated for Christmas with ornaments a small miracle took place in the atelier of Karl Lagerfeld’s castle.“mon shu girl” escaped from his sketchbook - a “dessin” come to life! Spreading colorful times and holiday sparkle to girls around the world. mon shu girl dons Karl Lagerfeld’s iconic look and awakens the sleeping beauty that lies deep within. this holiday season, shu uemura and Karl Lagerfeld send a miracle of color and beauty that is a gift for every girl."  I am so excited right now and it is time to start looking at all the products in this magical collection!

The newest from Shu Uemura!

Karl for Shu Eye and Cheek Palette Smoky Velvet - Chic colors, velvety smooth textures.
Create a mesmerizing beauty inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s fashion designs. Transform yourself with this mix of classic and modern colors with a luxurious mood. limited edition colors and case, inspired by Karl Lagerfeld himself, features an inner mirror with a charming touch - mon shu girl’s shadow appears as a translucent silhouette. The ‘SUKL’ logo, and graphic red and black dots are embossed on eye shadow.  Mon shu girl appears against a classic red background on the palette case setting the tone for this moody palette.  the smoky shades include: silky smooth eye shadow in glitter black and deep khaki; pressed eye shadow accents in elegant light silver, mint green, glitter beige; dusty rose glow-on blush on the cheek give an impression of sophistication.

Karl for Shu Eye and Cheek Palette Prestigious Bordeaux - Chic colors, velvety smooth textures.
Create a mesmerizing beauty inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s fashion designs. Transform yourself with this mix of classic and modern colors with a luxurious mood. Limited edition colors and case, inspired by Karl Lagerfeld himself, features an inner mirror with a charming touch - mon shu girl’s shadow appears as a translucent silhouette. The ‘SUKL’ logo, and graphic red and black dots are embossed on eye shadow.  “Mon shu girl” appears against a cool silver backdrop on the palette case of this gorgeous array of coordinated colors that revolves around rich bordeaux. Silky smooth eye shadow in glamorous glitter wine and deep brown; pressed eye shadows in pale purple, soft brown, and brick gold add sensual accents to your eyes; coral rose glow-on blush for a sparkling allure on cheeks.

Karl for Shu Eyelash Curler -  The renowned eyelash curler now features the magifique K touch!  A special edition eyelash curler with with an adorable Mon shu girl charm.  A festive red pad ensure placement with the lash roots.  An upward looking eyelash propels your happiness upward!  Take this lovely charm along in your favorite bag to bring you good luck wherever you go.

Karl for Shu Premium Eyelashes - Shu uemura’s iconic false eyelash go artistic and extravagant, introducing a series that features the red and black key colors from the collection that are also shu uemura’s iconic brand colors. Eyelashes to add a flutter of flamboyance to holiday parties and draw everyone’s attention.  Striking premium edition tailor-made false eyelashes decorated with small red crystals on black and white fabric are the perfect gift. Each exquisite hand-made pair takes hours to create.

Karl for Shu Mini Lashes - Shu uemura’s iconic false eyelash go artistic and extravagant, introducing a series that features the red and black key colors from the collection that are also shu uemura’s iconic brand colors. Eyelashes to add a flutter of flamboyance to holiday parties and draw everyone’s attention.  Mini natural false eyelashes that add a festive charm to eyes.
a mix of silver sequins and beautiful black hair with a red accent add a holiday spirit. 

Karl for Shu Painting Liner - Sophisticated blackish satin purple shade enhances eye definition and adds a dash of sultriness to the holidays.  Cream eyeliner formula.
- Blackish Satin Purple - deep black plum

Karl for Shu Rouge Unlimited - From iconic red to cute coquettish pale tones, tint your lips with rich moisture and long lasting comfort. A stylish black box outfits the lipstick package which features the cute mon shu girl character.
- Mon Shu Red - vivid coral red cream
- Luxe Burgundy - deep cool burgundy cream
- Parisienne Pink - cool neutral pink beige cream
- Celebrity Beige - medium warm beige cream

Karl for Shu Nail Color - Karl Lagerfeld dares you to tint your nails with iconic colors and velvety smooth and shimmery textures, or go a step further and play with specially designed nail stickers. neutral shade that goes with any outfit and make fingers look long and luxurious.  Take your lucky charm “mon shu girl” with you. Customize your nail color with Karl Lagerfeld’s artwork, a nail sticker for each nail! Unwrapping presents will be so much more fun! And maybe they will even bring you lucky powers!?
- Royal Beige - pale shimmering beige
- Karl Black - deep black with lots of silver shimmer
- Shu Shu Red - medium blue toned red cream

Karl for Shu Mini Brush Set Mon Shu - Compact size silver brush case that features the SUKL logo and mon shu girl illustration. The smart black interior with graphic accents includes a multi use pocket and 4 silver handle brushes- one goat hair cheek brush, two eye shadow brushes in nylon and sable, one lip/eyeliner brush-all made in Japan.

Karl for Shu Premium Mini Makeup Box - Shu uemura’s professional make-up box, hand crafted one by one by artisans, dress-up with a premium silver color and the cute mon shu girl. With mon shu girl on your side, your wishes may even last for long!

Is is bad that the first thing that I am attracted to is the red lipstick from this collection?!  It continues to amaze me sometimes that I can look at all kinds of palettes and limited edition sets and I still want the red lipstick.  I haven't been wearing red lipstick as much as I would like to lately so perhaps that is why I am so attracted to new shades of it.  I just hesitate to order this shade, it appears pretty wamr based on the photo on the website and I hate to have to return this to Japan if I don't like the shade.  I think that I will hold off on this lipstick this time around...

The product that I am the most likely to order is the Prestigious Bordeaux Eye and Cheek Palette, this contains a great series of bronzes for the eyes and I will use all of the shades inside of it.  I love the packaging and I have to say that I can't be sure that I would be as in love with this palette if the packaging wasn't as pretty.  But I just really want this set and I will try to order it before it sells out.

The last two products that I really want in this collection is the Nail Colors in Karl Black and Shu Shu Red.  I love both of these shades and I would wear them for the rest of the holiday season and then all through the winter.

I love the packaging on this collection but I just find many Shu shades and products to be choices that won't really work for my skin.  Shu is made for Asian skin, tones that are totally opposite of mine and I can't pull off any of the fake eyelashes.  This company has been very hit or miss for me lately, the hits are huge but the misses are just as huge...

photo courtesty of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Fall 2012 Collection - Precious Chocolate Exquisite Raspberry

I still have very fond memories of visiting the Shu Uemura store that used to be on Newbury Street in Boston, however as this brand is no longer available in the United States, I will never again have this same opportunity.  This store was amazing, products and shades from the ceiling to the floor...this store was one of my versions of heaven.  Visiting the company's website is still nice however it will never have the same charm as the store did.  I wish that I could visit a store or a counter just one more time so that I can see all the shades in real life and play around with all the great products that this company has to offer...

The newest collection for fall is now available on the United States website for Shu Uemura, this collection is named Precious Chocolate Exquisite Raspberry.  This collection holds some promise for me, it contains a full range of browns for every facial feature.  I am hoping for some great new eye makeup to order from this website, I own a large range of browns and would love to add a few more to my collection.  I currently am in search of a good deep brown with a matte finish, I already own Werewolf from the Tarte and True Blood Eye Palette and I have application issues with it.  I want a matte brown that applies well and has full pigmentation, it would be nice if my search was over after looking at the products in this collection!

"Chocolate paired with raspberry and mocha creates such a delightfully rich palette.  For the fall season, create sensual smoky brown eyes using metallic warm shades and rich matte brown shadows."  Rich matte brown shadows?!  These four words are music to my ears!!

Here is the fall collection from Shu Uemura!

Stage Performer Instant Glow - Glow from the inside out!  Stage-inspired multi-functional beauty cream to enhance makeup finish and deliver a natural glow.  Contains ginkgo leaf extract to fight oxidation.  Instantly, skin appears more luminous, translucent and smooth.  Provides 24-hour lasting moisture.

Face Architect Illuminating Moisture Fluid Foundation - Capture the glow.  This liquid foundation is designed to achieve an illuminating glow finish.  With its pleasantly rich texture, this foundation spreads to conceal skin imperfections flawlessly while maintaining a complexion that glows as from within.  The formula is enriched with high concentrations of naturally derived ingredients including macadamia seed oil to support the glowing finish as well as moisturizing benefits.  Provides a high comfort wear to the skin that lasts all day.  Available in a wide range of shades for all skin tones.

Pro Gel Cealer - Ultimate fit and fix for perfect coverage.  Seamlessly cover any imperfections with a concealer that lasts all day long.  Thanks to the gel texture, the formula blends naturally onto the skin, fitting precisely on the imperfection area.  Available in a range of shades to suit all skin tones.

Glow On - Create appetizing complexion with fruity autumnal cheek colors.  Two limited shades inspired by delicious fruit flavored chocolate. 
- Framboiser - deep cool raspberry
- Apricot - medium warm peach

Synthetic Brush 10 - Designed with synthetic fiber, this brush is ideal for powder, cream, and liquid eye shadow application.  It is also suitable for light applications as well as covering/blending blemishes and discolorations.  The brush size is made especially for easy control of makeup application.

Natural Brush 18r Red - Goat bristles have the ideal intensity for face powder and cheek color application, bronzing, as well as dusting off excess powders.

Natural Brush 20 - Made with pony hair, this brush is ideal for face powder face color application.  The soft, flexible bristles are best for sharply defined cheeks and precise, delicate shading.  Also suitable for applying face powder.

Compact Powder (Refill) - Loose powder softeness in a compact.  Compact powder with a soft feel on skin.  Glides smoothly on the skin, achieving lasting transparency and comfort.  Comfortable texture.  Soft as loose powder, this product provides a smooth, silky and non-heavy feeling to the skin.  The micro cushion powders fit perfectly to the skin and creates a fine satiny feel.  Beautiful lasting finish.  Particles to absorb serum and sweat are wrapped in a clear gel network to prevent makeup fading without any drying effect.  Natural glow from within.  Natural shine powder coating has the same index of refraction as skin sebum so that the powder blends in perfectly with skin color, creating lively natural glow to the skin.  Includes a sponge made with an extra smooth surface for application.

Raspberry and Mocha Palette - Choco-inspired six eye shadows are assorted in the limited edition refillable custome case quad, which design is inspired by a box of luxurious chocolates. 
- sparkling bronze/pearl petal pink/pearl soft peach/pearl purple aubergine/matte reddish brown/creamy dark brown

Choco-Lash - Limited edition false eye lashes inspired by fine design of decorative chocolate.  Brown feather with gold and silver accents melts naturally into any shade of eye makeup.

Eye Lash Curler - The emblematic, best-selling and award-winning Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler featuring enhanced design and upgraded features for ultimate precision that delivers the perfect curl.  Upgraded silicone pad in a new "mushroom" shape provides a protective, stay-put edge for improved safety and optimum curl.  Upgraded patented hinge with precise engineering applies perfect amount of pressure on eyelashes.  Curved angle suits all eye shapes.  Calculated shape and size of frame length and ergonomic handles ensure stability and control.

Eye Light Pencil White - Highlight and enhance.  Dual-ended soft crayon pencil ideal for use as an eye liner or highlighter.  Two finishes, matte white and pearl white, to achieve brighten, lighten, and lifted look.

Natural Brush 10 - A basic eye shadow brush for bringing out various effects, it is suitable for a powder, cream, and liquid eye shadow.  The brush size is made especially for easy control of eye makeup.

Painting Liner - A range of eyeliners for precise application on the eyes.  The formula has an ultra-smooth, soft, creamy texture with vivid color payoff that allows you to draw long, continuous lines without flaking.  The freshly applied color is waterproof and smudge-proof.  All shades are blendable to create a unique custom look.
- Black - black

Natural Brush 5f - Made with sable hairs, this brush is ideal for powder, cream, and liquid eye shadow and eye line application.  5f can also be used for making gradations on small areas such as the lower eye lid and to correct fine areas on the lips.

Natural Brush 4f - Made with sable hairs, this brush is ideal for powder, cream, and liquid eye shadow and eye line application.  It is suitable for drawing eyelines, or blending along the eye line.

Natural Brush 2r - Made with sable hairs, this brush is ideal for powder, cream, and liquid eye shadow and eye line application.  The soft bristles are suitable for drawing eye lines in delicate areas with precision and perfection.  By wetting the brush tips, the powder eye shadows can be drawn as fine lines.

Synthetic Brush 12 - Designed with synthetic fiber, this brush is ideal for powder, cream, and liquid eye shadow application and concealer.  The easy to control brush creates delicate to strong application.

Kolinsky Brush 10f - The flat brush is suitable for contouring, accentuating lines, and smudging colors.

Kolinsky Brush 11 - For use with powder, cream, and liquid eye shadow application.  The long, spread out bristles provide a light touch that is best for blending and building color.

Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine - A fusion of breakthrough watery dewy shine and rich color payoff.  Revolutionary film keeping capsule, ultra shine oil and Shu Uemura's signature hybrid pigment create a smooth, thick film on lips that glides on easily to deliver unforseen shine and vibrant pure color payoff.
- BR760 - shimmering cocoa

Gloss Unlimited - Easy-to-wear vivid shades in vibrant color.  Each shade delivers intense color fidelity and brightness, 3 dimensional shine effect in a non-sticky formula that keeps lips hydrated and soft, sheer coverage.
- 283s - rich golden mauve (cool undertone)

Nail Color - Tint your nails with melted dark chocolate and decorate with delicious sprinkles.  Nail color in two limited edition shades of the collection.  Dark chocolate shade gives chic yet feminine allure to your fingertips.  Icing glitter can be used iteself or on top of other nail color to add accent.
- Icing Glitter - gold glitter
- Dark Chocolate - deep rich chocolate brown

My initial thought when I was looking at this collection is that there are way too much brushes that will be needed to create the look on the model.  Shu Uemura brushes are top rated in the industry and I am aware that most makeup artists swear by all the brushes from this company however very few people (with the exception of makeup artists) own the full complement of Shu brushes in order to create this look as suggested.  If I really need all the brushes listed with this collection to create the look, I would be more likely to find another version of this look rather than purchase every single type of brush.  I am willing to bet that not every single one of the listed brushes are needed and I could get away with creating a very similar look with my normal rotation of eye makeup brushes.

But I digress...I love the eye shadow palette that seems to be the star product of this collection.  This is the only product that I would be likely to order from Japan.  I will have to find a few reviews and pictures of this palette before I order it but it looks very promising and has a deep, creamy brown shade that I have been looking for.  I am also interested in the cream eye liner and I might order it in more shades than just the black that is suggested with this collection, there is really nothing else that is catching my eye in this collection.

This is one of my least favorite collections of the season, I love the eye shadow palette but nothing else catches my attention and I would never be able to buy and use (on a daily basis!) all the brushes that seem to be needed to create the look on the model.  I want to order the eye shadow palette but that's about it...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Spring 2012 Collection - Celestial Garden Spring Mode

Three springs ago, Shu Uemura had my favorite collection of the entire season and I received some of the eye makeup from a friend who was currently in Japan at that time.  I have not been that obsessed with one of their collections ever since but I am so excited about this spring collection since it is a series of lovely pale hues that are inspired by an ethereal garden.  I have fantasies of pale pinks, lilacs, and seafoam shades to add to my eye and lip collection.  Oh how I wish that this line was still carried in the United States...

"The world above the clouds, surrounded by overflowing positive energy, full of colours and full of light.  The same scenery, the same world can look so different, if seen with all your senses wide open.  Unchain yourself, play with the colours, enjoy make-up, and above all enjoy precious moments that exist in your life."  No comments on the super-flowery collection description, this might be one of the worst collection descriptions that I have heard all spring, it tells us nothing about the collection itself and hides behind unecessary verbage that hinders more than aids in describing the collection products.  When looking at the collection products, it seems that the look revolves around the two brand new eye shadow trios that are introduced this season.

Here is the Celestial Garden collection from Shu Uemura...

Eye Shadow Trio - Precious colors and radiance in the limited edition refillable custom case.  Colors are inspired by the breath of fresh air and the embrace of warm light found in the spring season.  The three eye shadows found in the limited edition case may be replaced to fit on Glow On Blush refill or two Pressed Eye Shadow refills.
- Air - metallic light sky blue with hints of glitter/pearl medium lavender purple/pearl medium cool earth brown
- Light - metallic light grass green with hints of glitter/pearl light yellow canary/pearl medium warm earth brown

Double-End Eye Crayon - Double-End Eye Crayon that can be used as eyeliner or eye shadow.  Two different tones of brown shadess perfectly suit the Eye Shadow Trio.
- Misty Brown-Earthy Brown - medium brown/deep brown

Ultimate Natural Mascara - A mascara that will give you an extremely clean and natural look with a wand that will give you a curl that will last all day long.  This limited edition deep brown shade will give a subtle accent to your lashes.
- Dark Brown - deep natural brown

Rouge Unlimited Supreme - A fusion of breakthrough watery dewy shine and rich color payoff.  Revolutionary film keeping capsule, ultra shine oil and Shu Uemura's signature hybrid pigment create a smooth, thick veil on the lips that glides on easily to deliver unforseen shine and vibrant pure color payoff.
- PK 337 - baby pink (cool undertone)
- PK 340 - soft pink (warm undertone)

Celestial Garden Gloss Unlimited - Tint your lips with fresh and pure colors of spring.  Apply alone to add a natural luster on your lips or use together with Rouge Unlimited to create pure dewy lips.
- Blooming Pink - bright pink
- Corona Orange - bright warm coral

Creamy Dome Blusher - Dome-shaped blusher in a creamy texture which glides smoothly on your face.  You can easily create a natural gradiation by tapping on your cheeks.
- Fairy Pink - cool blue pink
- Sunlight Peach - warm light peach

Based on the model's makeup for this collection, nothing in the collection seems to be very pigmented or ultra-dramatic.  This is a very different look from a company that is know for their dramatic stylings and very pigmented makeup products, I am willing to bet that many of these shades can be built up to be very pigmented and create a whole different look than the model's. 

My favorite piece of the collection is the one that is currently sold out, the Creamy Dome Blusher in the Fairy Pink shade.  This is a very interesting concept and packaging and I would love to get my hands on this product (however much of a challenge that will prove to be).  My second favorite product in the collection is the Eye Shadow Trio in Light, I love that grass green shade.  I will wear that shade all through the spring and summer and the other shades in the trio will complement both it and many other shades that I already own.  I can see myself getting so much usage from this trio, I have to order this one from the website.

The last pieces that I like from the collection are from the lip shades, I love the pinks in both formulas in this collection.  From the Rouge Unlimited Supreme in PK 337, I wonder how light this shade actually is and if it is dupe of the original MAC Viva Glam Gaga.  From the glosses, I like the Blooming Pink shade, this is complement my porcelain skin when I wear it right now and then my bronzed skin later on in the summer.

This collection isn't as amazing as the one that I opened the post by telling you about but this is still a very nice collection.  The piece that I must own the most is the Eye Shadow Trio in the green shade, it is very flattering and on trend for the season.

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Holiday 2011 Collection - Holiday by Wong Kar Wai

Christmas is in less than a week and a half and therefore that means that this is the last of holiday collections.  I was reading magazines last night and I am completely ready for the spring season to begin.  I saved one of the best holiday collections for last, I have heard raves about the holiday collection from Shu Uemura and now we are going to check it out.  Looking back on it, I should have put this collection first since it takes this company forever to ship the products over from Japan and they won't arrive in time to give for gifts if that is your intention.  So next year, I will learn from this and put this collection first in the season...

The holiday collection from Shu Uemura was made in conjunction with film maker Wong Kar Wei.  "For the holiday 2011 season, Shu Uemura comes together with internationally renowned film director Wong Kar Wei.  Shu Uemura introduces a holiday rich in emotions and atmosphere, with beautiful package decoration inspired by Wong Kar Wei's special short film for Shu Uemura 'Mask'.  Indulge in sensuous emotions, experience the essence of beauty, and boldly express your own passion this 2011 holiday season."  This collection contains mostly single products with two sets of nail polish shades and I am looking forward to seeing if this collection is as great as I read that it would be.

The last of the holiday collections for 2011...

Rouge Unlimited Holiday Collection by Wong Kar Wai - Drown in the sensuality of glimmering lips.  Three classy yet playful colors for alluring feminity.  A brightly glittering shade to add a fun, festive shine to lips.
- Rouge Luster - express the heat of passion with this deep, tender red shade and a delicate gold shimmer.
- Pink Flush - caress your lips with this bright, warm pink with a fresh, glossy finish.
- Glitter Fuse - an innocent beige shade with a heavenly splash of golden dust full of hope.

Mini Nail Duo - A set of 2 mini bottles to enjoy rich, glamorous colors alone or to create original nail art to accessorize your fingertips with sparkling drama.
- Bleu Splendor - a set of cool and classy yet playful colors.  S Starry Shine in a midnight blue Christmas sky.
- Festive Rouge - a pair just right for the festive season.  Pearly warm and deep rouge meets golden charm.

Flashing Gold Mini Brush Set - This brush set includes the following brushes.  Cream Color Brush: designed for the application of cream or liquid eye shadows.  It is also an ideal brush for covering/blending blemishes and discolorations.  Powder Brush: ideal for face powder and cheek color application.  Eye Shadow Brush: a basic eye shadow brush for bringing out various effects and provides easy control of eye makeup.  Precision Brush: depending on preference this may be used as a lip or eye liner brush and is ideal for powder or emollient textures.

Limited Edition Wrex+ Brightening Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula - Like watching a scene from "Mask", an exquisite image decorates this edition of Brightening Cleansing Oil.  The perfect way to end a festive day - gently remove your makeup with this cleansing oil for beautiful luminous skin.

Lustrous Glow Powder - This warm, rosy powder with shimmering gold pearls enhances a lustrous glow.  Use to create a natural, transparent complexion or to add a little brush to cheeks.

Pressed Eye Shadow Refill - Experience the infinite color choice for your ever-evolving style.  Truest color payoff and a non-fading finish.  Blends effortlessly for ideal coverage control.  The powders capture light, absorbing and reflecting it for multi-dimensional effect.  Full color spectrum.  Five different textures.  Matte (m): A velvety, even finish gives vivid color with a smooth finish.  Pearl (p): A silky shimmer of light for luminous radiance.  Iridescent (ir): Captivating shades offer glimmering reflections of changing colors.  Metallic (me): Smooth like liquid with a metallic glow.  Glitters (g): Abudant sparkles for glistening glamour.
- g Gold - sparkling gold
- m Light Beige 813 - matte light beige
- me Soft Purple 735 - metallic lavender
- p Dark Purple 781 - sparkling purple aubergine
- g Silver - sparkling silver
- me Medium Blue 686 - metallic denim blue
- ir Medium Blue 675 - iridescent denim blue
- p Dark Blue 696 - pearl midnight blue

Quad Custom Case Black - For 4 Eye Shadow refills or 2 Glow On blush refills or 2 Eye Shadow refills and 1 Glow On Blush refill.  Shu Uemura's pursuit of perfection takes form in this innovative palette case.  The jet black palette has a rich, lacquered finish, but the lid and base of both have slightly different tones, this color scheme is inspired by the harmony of the "wa", or traditional Japanese style art.  An eco-concept, seeking a design without glue, plastic frames or other elements that may end up in a landfill.  Shu Uemura's refill palette is like a game, with one small movement you can change your eye shadow selection to match your every desire.

Glittery Mascara - Sparkling glitter creates a mysterious golden veil and a hologram reflection on your eye lashes.  Use as a topcoat over mascara for maximum glamour, or use alone for subtle, sparkling finish to make your heart dance.
- Glorious Masquerade - golden glitter

Jeweled Love Accent False Eye Lashes - Enhance your feminity with these partial eye lashes to cast a tender and alluring gaze.  Lashes blended with fluttery, classical bordeaux feathers to create a soft, gorgeous look.  Decorated with gold crystals, it is perfect for a holiday celebration.

Dance in Glitter Premium Edition False Eye Lashes - Raceful and luscious eye for special nights.  Dancing in a shower of shining glitter, entice all those around you with these delicate, ravishing lashes.

This is the most unique collection that I have seen this season and since this is the last one, I know that it won't be topped at all.  Actually the look created by this collection seemed to inspire what Cosmopolitan stated was the "perfect" look for getting dressed up on New Year's Eve.  The glittering false lashes and glitter polish are perfect for getting very dressed up and celebrating.  The eye lashes are too out there for me to pull off but I do like the glittering blue nail polish set that it is used on the model.  That set would be my favorite piece of the collection and I am very tempted to order it from Japan. 

My other favorite pieces are the Rouge Luster lip shade, I have heard great remarks about Shu Uemura's lipstick shades and I really want to try one out.  I also love the eye shadows from this company so I want to order a few shades from this collection: I want the silver, gold, and lavender shades. 

I love this collection and I am glad that many of the products are still in stock so that I can order a few.  Holiday is always fun but I must say that I can't wait for the spring collections to begin!

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Fall 2011 Collection - Novadiva

Novadiva is the newest collection from Shu Uemura, a company that produces some of the best quality makeup products but is among the hardest to find in the United States.  At this point, their products are available only on the company's website but they are so worth any type of shipping charge and the wait that has been involved when ordering from the company.  Novadiva is another strong eye makeup collection, I seriously feel that this is all that we are seeing this fall and I am hoping that just a few companies will release strong lip collections.  Especially since I read in this month's Allure that lipstick sales are up 11% in the last year and yet everything seems to be eye makeup this year...

"In the complete silence and darkness, her single gesture breaks the tension with her aura.  They see the diva.  Suddenly the stage lightens, the spotlight shines on her from different angles, her "face" and "role" diversity: coquettish, sweet, sensual, even evil, driving the audience to a different time and space.", states the Shu Uemura website when describing the overall collection.

Here is the Novadiva collection...

Prima Palette Quad Custom Case - For 4 Eye Shadow refills or 2 Glow On Blush refills or 2 Eye Shadow refills and 1 Glow On Blush refill.  Refillable empty custom quad, decorated with a delicate pattern of shimmering lace.  Play and customize the palette to create infinite looks, just like the diva diversifies her face on the stage.  An eco-concept, seeking a design without glue, plastic frames, or other elements that may end up in a landfill.  Shu Uemura's refillable palette is like a game, with one small movement you can change your eye shadow selection to match your every desire.

Shimmer Eye Liner - Accentuate the eye contour with a glittery line in a waterproof formula.
- Silver - light gray with silver shimmer

Tutu Laceflare False Eyelashes - Tutu-inspired lashes with waving layers of black lace.  With a touch of gold glitter, these lashes give sparkling winks.

Pressed Eye Shadow Refill - Experience infinite choice for your ever-evolving style.  Truest color-payoff and a non-fading finish.  Blends effortlessly for ideal coverage control.  The powders capture light, absorbing and reflecting it for a multi-dimensional effect.  Full color spectrum, 5 different textures.  Matte: a velvety, even finish gives vivid color with a smooth finish.  Pearl: a silky shimmer of light for luminous radiance.  Iridescent: captivating shades offer glimmering reflections of changing colors.  Metallic: smooth, liquid-like with a metallic glow.  Glitters: abundant sparkles for glistening glamour.
- P Dark Blue 696 - pearl midnight blue
- ME Medium Olive 472 - metallic golden khaki
- P Light Pink 125 - pearl delicate pink
- IR Light Beige 811 - iridescent nude
- IR Dark Blue 690 - iridescent midnight sky
- ME Medium Plum 761 - metallic reddish plum brown
- G White Rainbow - sparkling rainbow
- M Soft Brown - matte golden brown

Cream Cheek Refill - Glow On Blush in a extra smooth, creamy texture.  Capture the light and shadow to create a multi-facet dimensional face as if you are in the spotlight.
- Gentle Amber - tawny medium nude
- Radiant Pearl - iridescent pearl

Nail Color - Embellish your fingertips this fall with this rich colored nail polish.
- Coquettish Brown - deep plummy brown shimmer
- Mysterious Green - deep forest green shimmer

Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte - The debut of extremely matte yet comfortable lipstick.  A range of distinctive shades reveals the many facets of your personality.
- Evil Pink - light matte blue pink
- Angelic Pink - deep berry pink
- Darling Beige - neutral medium beige

Hang on, why is Evil Pink the lighter of the two shades and Angelic Pink the darker of the two shades?  I feel like most companies would reverse the names of the two shades.  My thinking is the Shu Uemura would pair the lighter of the two shades with the dramatic eye makeup that is shown on the model in this picture, making that the "evil" look and that the deep berry shade would be paired with minimal eye makeup, making that the "angelic" look.  That is only my theory though...  However the model looks as though she is wearing the darker of the two shades with the dramatic eye makeup.  I don't get this...

That being said, I like many products from this collection but find the model's look totally unwearable and the false eyelashes way too out there for me to ever pull off.  I really wonder how many of these lashes get sold and how people pull them off.  I love the Medium Olive and Medium Dark Plum shades, the others are nice but I already own something just like them and I don't need another version of the same shade.  Neither of the blush shades appeal to me so it looks like I will be skipping over these and the only Nail Polish shade that I like is the Mysterious Green.  However, Mysterious Green is not all that unique so I will skip it since I could find one close to it from China Glaze or O.P.I. (who really knows what it is going to look like in person anyway?).  I really hate not being able to see any of these shades in person since it is such a hassle to return product through the mail...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Summer 2011 Collection - Sakura Collection

Sakura is the newest collection from Shu Uemura and it is based on the Japanese festive of the cherry blossoms.  It is the second collection that was made with Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa, the first of which you might remember from Holiday of 2008 (I am 99% sure this was the season, it might have been 2009 but I doubt it.).  That collection was a group of palettes all inspired by roses and containing many lovely pink shades.  This only is based on the cherry blossom but I am willing to bet that it will be very similar and that this might be one of my favorite collections of the summer. 

"Shu Uemura reunites with Mika Ninagawa in a special package design collaboration.  Celebrate the ephermal joy of spring sakura blossoms with the vivid images created by world-renowned photographer and film-maker Mika Ninagawa.  Experince the dream-like, kaleidoscope vision of prettiness created by Mika's lens."  The packaging on the foundation palette in this collection is very beautiful and might just push me toward buying this whole collection.  I hope the shades are just as lovely...

The collaboration with Mika Ninagawa...

Special Edition Powder Foundation Case by Mika Ninagawa - Encase the Face Architect Glow Enhancing Powder Foundation in limited edition case specially designed by Mika Ninagawa.  This new-edition compact welcomes the coming season adorned with Mika's sweet and playful spring floral delights.  Includes a sponge made with an extra smooth surface for application.  Foundation sold separately.

Face Architect Glow Enhancing Powder Foundation - Achieve the finish of a liquid foundation with the convenience of a fine textured powder foundation.  Formulated with clear glow enhancer, for an exquisite glow enhanced finish and fresh lasting color.  The thin layer of powder smoothes and evens the skin for a natural flawless complexion.  The beautiful makeup finish has a long lasting formula which makes skin feel light and comfortable throughout the day.  SPF 26.  Available in a range of shades to suit all skintones.

Rouge Unlimited Sakura Collection - Shu Uemura introduces the new "Sakura hybrid pigment" to express the pureness and delicacy of the new cherry blossom colors.  A sakura blossom changes its expression from day to day.  In the glory of sunlight, it shines pure white with a tint of pink, white with twilight, it gradually changes to a mauve tone.  Six shades embody the subtle changes in sakura colors.  Limited package, tinted sakura pink.
- PK 319 - pastel lavender pink - cool undertone
- PK 356 - stylish fushcia - cool undertone
- PK 332 - modern neutral pink - warm undertone
- PK 339 - bright pastel pink - cool undertone
- PK 341 - elegant medium pink - warm undertone
- BG 932 - peachy pink - warm undertone

Supreme Shine Sakura Collection - Shu Uemura introduces the new "Sakura hybrid pigment" to express the pureness and delicacy of the new cherry blossom colors.  The Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine is a lipstick with the combination of rich, dewy shine and signature hybrid pigment.  The shade reflects that of a dewy sakura petal.
- PK 314 - shimmery baby pink - warm undertone

I just love all the pinks in this collection, this one almost looks more like a spring collection than a summer collection but I'm not complaining either way.  I really want the foundation compact and I am willing to give the foundation a chance even though I don't always have the best of luck with powder foundations.  This one does have an emphasis on a "glow finish" instead of a matte finish so maybe this one will work better for me.  My favorite lip shade is the PK 314 from the Supreme Shine, this one seems like it will have more of a sheer finish and will be very easy to work with this summer.  From the Rouge Unlimited, I want to buy the PK 319, PK 332, and PK 339. 

This is one of the best pink collections that I have seen so far this year.  Trust in Shu Uemura to make a lovely collection...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

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

Shu Uemura Holiday 2010 Collection - Abracadabra Fantasy

The prize for the most unique and unusual collection this season goes to Abracadabra Fantasy from Shu Uemura. This collection looks to be bright and girly with lots of pink and color in it. "Cast a spell of wonder and joy this Christmas, with a bewitching collection decorated by magical symbols that will transform your beauty experience. Abracadabra, abracadabra... Aya Takano enchants and delights with her fantasy world. Let the mysticism of her magic spells and symbols take you to another world. Get in touch with your magical side and become a mesmerizing 'New You'. Makeup is the ultimate way to wear your wishes." I am so happy that a company has done something different this season, I can only look at some many red lipsticks.

The new collection...

Sparkly Purple Paint Crayon - This new waterproof formula, long-lasting, creamy mechanical eye liner in a fantastical color will add festive accents to your eyes. The intense color liner is soft to apply with an easy glide, allowing you to draw a defined line but also blend easily right after application. The Sparkly Purple Paint Crayon is a dark purple liner with sparkly gold glitters which adds a fun or seductive accent to your eyes.

Magical Windfalls Partial False Eye Lashes - Easy-to-wear, sophisticated partial lashes in black with some pieces pre-decorated with glittery and shiny magical hearts and star symbols for a cute accent.

Dream Coaster Premium False Eye Lashes - A dreamy pair of customizable eye lashes! With a variety of Abracadabra symbol stickers enclosed, create your very own pair of eye lashes for the festive season. Premium double-layer eye lashes with 2 long white feathers that bounce at every blink. Designed to enchance the size, dewiness, and sparkle of the eyes for a "doll-like" gaze.

Bowwow! Magic Queen Palette - Pressed Eye Shadow/Cream Eye Shadow-Liner/Glow On Blush. A warm-toned color palette for a peaceful holiday season. Feel relaxed, curled up in the magic queen's cozy home that is redolent with the fresh pine scent of her enormous Christmas tree filled with luxurious decor of silver, gold, and bronze. This limited edition Eye & Cheek Palette is complete with three Pressed Eye Shadows, one Cream Eye Shadow-Liner, a Cream Highlighter, and a Glow On Blush as well as two applicator brushes.

- consists of warm shades of golds, bronzes, and peaches

Reindeer Kiss XXX Palette - Pressed Eye Shadow/Cream Eye Shadow-Liner/Glow On Blush. The colors of this palette evoke a frosty winter land covered in crystalline snow that sparkles in the light, frolic in a dreamy winter wonderland where animals and humans play together in the snow. Are you lucky enough to find the reindeer and get a kiss? The limited edition Eye & Cheek Palette is complete with three Pressed Eye Shadows, one Cream Eye Shadow-Liner, and a Glow On Blush as well as two applicator brushes.

- consists of cool shades aquas, silvers, and pinks

Love Apricot Lip Duo Tint & Gloss - Say Abracadabra and cast a spell of love with this duo. Enjoy the matte finish of the tint alone or add gloss for a sweet, youthful look. Apricot gloss gives a rich, sparkly shine with gold and silver glitters, while the rouge is a seductive coral beige.

Harmony Pink Lip Duo Tint & Gloss - Say Abracadabra and cast a spell of love with this duo. Enjoy the matte finish of the tint alone or add gloss for a sweet, youthful look. Enter a world of floral harmony in this vibrant fuchsia gloss with a transparent finish, rouge in a sweet, girly pink.

High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula - Limited edition. An exclusive art piece created especially for the cleansing oil. A fantasy princess rides her magic stallion, their secret rhapsody sealed with a kiss! For all skin conditions. Shu Uemura's Signature Cleansing Oil. A gentle formula for moisturized, balanced, petal-soft skin to prepare for beautiful makeup. Cleanses gently and maintains the skin's moisture balance with advanced hpo system, Asian botanical oils such as Camellia oil and Ginger Root oil. Leaves skin feeling comfortably balanced and petal-soft with a long-cherished fresh and sensuous aroma.

Miracle Cherry Blush Tint - A unique lightweight gel blush that instantly adds a natural glow to your cheeks. Inspired by that distinctive blush on cheeks, elbows, and legs of Takano's sexy-cute characters. A tint as juicy as a cherry that miraculously adds a blossoming blush to your cheeks, the sweet cherry tint glides on ultra-smoothly and melts into skin for a natural-looking glow. The fresh blossoming finish lasts all day with comfort.

Peace & Harmony Mini Brush Set - Gorgeous portable brushes with a triangular case for a beautiful makeup finish. The triangle-shape of the brush case represents "harmony". The brush set includes a beautiful assortment of four essential brushes: Lip Brush which has soft but firm bristles to create precise lines on the lip; Shader Brush for use of powder, cream, and liquid eye shadow application, the long spread out bristles provide a light touch that is best for blending and building color; Tapered Blending Brush is perfect for shading and blending the crease line with powder shadows; Powder/Blush Brush has the ideal density for face powder and cheek color application, bronzing, as well as dusting off excess powders.

I like everything in this collection but I am thinking that since I don't live in Tokyo, I will not be able to pull many of these items off. Like the False Eye Lashes, they won't be happening for me anytime soon. I'm not really into either of the palettes but I love the Sparkly Purple Eye Crayon, the Miracle Cherry Blush Tint, and the Lip Duo in the pink shade. I am also looking at trying the Cleansing Oil from this company because the limited edition princess bottle is just too pretty to be believed.

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Fall 2010 Collection - Florescent Fall Mode

My last fall collection! This season, I am going off the term "Save the best for last" since this column is about the newest Shu Uemura collection. Since this collection cannot be purchased in the United States anymore, I was hestitant as to whether or not I wanted to write about it since it will need to be ordered from Shu Uemura directly. But I decided that with how beautiful their makeup is, shipping and handling is a small price to pay for beauty.

"131st Shu Uemura Mode makeup "Florescent" created by international Artistic Director Kakuyasu Uchiide blooms transcendent elegance that exists only in a woman. Deeply colored petals of the flower symbolize eternal elegance, gracefulness, and tenderness; the intrinsic beauty of a woman. Soft and velvety texture of petals is gentle and beloved, like a warm embrace".

Here is the collection...

Graceful Bloom Palette - This limited edition eye & cheek palette contains floral shades formulated with 100% natural pigments and mineral pigments. Complete with four pressed eye shadows, two cream eye shadows/eye liners, and a cream cheek blush as well as two applicator brushes. Bloom your regard with dramatic colors and enhance your natural glow with cream cheek blush. Inspired by the elegance of full bloom flowers, this palette features a chic floral gradation of purple shades with an accent of green tints. Let your imagination bloom with endless feminine look possibilities.

Dreamy Petal Palette - This limited edition eye & cheel palette contains floral shades formulated with 100% natural pigments and mineral pigments. Complete with four pressed eye shadows, two cream eye shadows/eye liners, and a cream cheek blush as well as two applicator brushes. Bloom your regard with dramatic color and enhance your natural glow with cream cheek blush. The fusion of warm tones brings out the gentle affectation of flowers and illuminates your eyes with its sunny sparkling metallic gold. Let you imagination bloom with endless feminine look possibilities.

Partial Floral Feather - Partial eye lashes with red and purple feathers to accentuate your floral eye makeup as if petals were fluttering down your lashes.

I love these palettes, I must have both of them! The false lashes aren't quite my cup of tea but the palettes are just too pretty to be imagined.

Well that's the end of fall... Time for the holidays!

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Summer 2010 Collection - Gem Glam

The summer collection from Shu Uemura was only released online (to my knowledge - if anyone knows any different, please comment and correct me). Shu Uemura will be pulled from all United States counters in July of this year, a very sad occurence since this company contains some of the highest quality makeup items available today and the highest quality eye shadows that can be purchased. This company will still have all the items available on their website for purchase so they should still be releasing new collections and I will still be coveting many of their items.

The collection for summer is named Gem Glam and this is the description from Shu Uemura, "Indulge in the dazzling brillance and alluring colors of precious gems. Sapphires, emeralds, rubies, amethysts... Let your flawless, crystalline summer beauty sparkle. Flawless complexion glows with absolute clarity and dimension. Eyes with piercing colors reflect and dazzle. Lips shine like polished gems". I am really looking forward to this collection.

Let's check it out!

Gem Glam Pressed Eye Shadow - Discover the brand-new, limited edition glitter pressed eye shadow in our Gem Glam collection. Collection also features a pearlescent blue-green perfect for spring/summer.

- P 450 - pearl pastel sea green

- G silver - sparkling silver

- G gold - sparkling gold

- G rainbow - sparkling pink tone white

Gem Glam Cream Eye Shadow - Our soft-blend, waterproof cream eye shadow formula is now available in 3 limited-edition pearl shades for the Gem Glam collection. This unique formula can be layered with pressed eye shadow for a textured, high-impact look, applied alone for a smooth natural finish or blended with another cream eye shadow shade.

- P pearl ivory - pale white

- P pearl light purple - pale lilac

- P pearl light pink - pale pink

Gem Glam Flawless Glow Powder - A gorgeous multi-color face duo for the perfect complexion. Achieve a flawless, glowing, multi-dimensional finish. Suitable for all skin tones, the fine powder minimizes the look of pores and evens skin tone. Upper set highlights the luminous transparency of the skin while the lower set enhances the natural contours of the face. Set in a luxurious compact inspired by the brillance of gemstones. Use the upper section as a highlighter and the lower section for contouring. Alternatively, swirl your brush across both sections for an overall healthy, luminous glow.

Gem Glam Vinyl Unlimited - Two limited-edition full coverage full coveage lip glosses for the Shu Uemura Gem Glam collection. Fresh colors with dramatic gem-shine to complete a glamorous summer look. Vibrant shades and vivid colors with an extreme lacquer-sheen finish.

- Pk 327 - soft pink

- Or 521 - coral pink

I love this collection! I think that the Gem Glam Pressed Eye Shadows are my favorite product of the season so far. I must get all four shades, but especially the gold and silver shades. I also want the Gem Glam Cream Eye Shadow, also in all three shades. The Flawless Glow Powder is beautiful and I must get this one too. From the new lip glosses, I want the pink shade but not the coral shade. I wish this collection would be much easier to get my hands on...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Spring 2010 Collection - Egerie Spring Mode

Last year, I was crazy for the Spring Mode products from Shu Uemura. Hopefully this year I will feel the same way. So far this spring has had some amazing collections and Shu has never ever let me down before for amazing collections and superb artistry. "The 130th Spring Mode Makeup collection invites you to be an "egerie": a rebellious and daring spirit who never loses her sense of elegance and sophistication. The collection is inspired by the glamour of rock n roll. Flashy, glimmering shine is complemented with delicate satin sheen finishes to transport you under the spotlight of the captivating rock stage." This collection looks as though it will be very different than every other collection that I have looked at so far.


Let's check it out...

Egerie Eye Shimmer Duo - Duo color eye shadow that includes a shimmering creamy liquid and hyper sparkling glitter powder. After applying the liquid base, layer on the soft crushed glimmering powder which stays perfectly for sparkling and enchanting eyes.
- Glint Blue - pale blue duo
- Shiny Mint - pale mint green duo
- Starry Violet - pale violet duo

Egerie False Eyelashes Black Leather - Thick black lashes with eye liner made from faux snake pressed leather. Add a hint of rock accessories for a wild and sexy look.

Egerie Satin Radiant Stick - Soft creamy texture for the cheeks in a stick style to create a delicate satin veil on the face. Blush and highlight colors with tiny particles of pearls for a shimmery finish.
- Pink - shimmering rose blush
- Translucent - clear shimmer highlighter

Egerie Rouge Unlimited Nude Beige - A nude beige tone for coolly elegant, slightly rebellious expression that adds a hint of feminity with shimmering shine.

Egerie Nail Enamel - Vivid colors inspired by a spectrum of stage light to go with rock n roll style.
- Pa 010 - black
- Pa 935 - pale pink

Well this one certainly is unique, with all the shimmer in the products this collection could easily be a Holiday collection instead of a Spring one. My favorite product from this collection is the Egerie Eye Shimmer Duo in Shiny Mint, followed closely behind by the same product in the Starry Violet shade. I also love the Egerie Satin Radiance Blush Stick and both of the new nail polish shades.

I'm glad that Shu Uemura dared to be different this season. And it's their 130th Spring Mode collection?! Wow...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Holiday 2009 Collection - Tsumori Chisato Holiday Collection

Back to the Holiday makeup collections. Today we are looking at one from Japan, the newest offerings from the renowned House of Shu Uemura. This collection is based on the night sky and all of the twinkling stars that it contains. Here is the description from Shu Uemura, "World-renowned Japanese fashion designer Tsumori Chisato creates the limited-edition 'wish upon a star' collection exclusively for Shu Uemura. Tsumori's favorite Japanese icons 'Twinkle Star' and 'Lucky Cat' add a playful spirit and tidings of good luck throughout the collection".

Here is the collection...

Tsumori Chisato Limited Edition Planet Cat Couture Palette - Limited Edition Couture Compact Palette that contains 3 pressed eye shadows (black glitz, shiny silver, and copper), 1 cream eyeliner (black purple), 1 cream highlighter (gold iridescent), 1 blush (apricot cream), and 2 dual-ended applicators (wide tip/narrow tip and cheek brush/liner brush) - everything you need for the perfect holiday look.

Tsumori Chisato Limited Edition Radiant Ribbon Couture Palette - Limited Edition Couture Compact Palette that contains 3 pressed eye shadows (rose pink, shiny gold, and pale purple), 1 cream eyeliner (dark brown), 1 cream highlighter (diamond), 1 blush (salmon pink), and 2 dual-ended applicators (wide tip/narrow tip and cheeck brush/liner brush) - everything you need for the perfect holiday look.

Tsumori Chisato Limited Edition Duo Color Highlighter Golden Snow - Limited Edition Highlighter that includes two shimmering powders that are pressed in one for a perfect golden glow.

Tsumori Chisato Limited Edition Gloss Unlimited Mini Trio Set + Pouch - Limited Edition Mini Lip Gloss Trio Set includes three Gloss Unlimited in Venus Peach, Moon Gold, and Scorpion Red in an original Tsumori Chisato satin pouch.

Tsumori Chisato Limited Edition Rouge Unlimited Jupiter Brown - Rouge Unlimited Lipstick in a limited edition shade of Jupiter Brown and encased within Tsumori Chisato's exclusive 'lucky cat' packaging design.

Tsumori Chisato Limited Edition Mini Brush Set - A chic brush with an exclusively designed case - perfect for the on-the-go touch ups! Set includes: 1 essential face/cheek brush, 2 eye shadow brushes, and 1 lip/eyeliner brush - all hand-crafted in Japan of the highest quality.

Tsumori Chisato Limited Edition Cosmetics Pouch - Store your make-up in Tsumori Chisato's world with this limited edition cosmetic pouch decorated with lucky stars.

Tsumori Chisatio Limited Edition Compact Mirror with Pouch - Compact Mirror exclusively designed with Tsumori Chisato's 'lucky cat' adds a playful spirit to the holiday season and comes with a convenient pouch.

I really like this collection, I love the theme of the twinkling stars and all the products that have black cats on them. Since I adore my little black cat, all of those items are on the top of my shopping list. I really want both of the palettes and the mini lip gloss set. Also, I really want the black cat compact mirror to keep in my bag. I can't say that I think that the lipstick will work out for my skintone and I don't really want any of the other sets, so I guess those couple of items are all that I will be getting this collection.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Shu Uemura Fall 2009 Collection - Primitribe Fall Mode

The Fall Collection from Japanese brand Shu Uemura is the most unique collection that I have seen so far this entire season. This collection has bright eye makeup colors and really reminds me of many of the collections that were offered over the summer, especially with the bright aqua and yellow eye makeup shades. This collection looks very tribal and just not what my idea of what fall makeup should look like. This almost looks like a later summer collection even though it was labeled as "Fall/Winter". Maybe this means that another collection will be coming out a bit later in the season.

Here is how Shu Uemura describes the collection, "Take a trip to a primitive land! Shu Uemura's Fall Mode Collection invites you to explorate make-up with unexpected colors found in the primitive tribe. Be wild and go beyond ordinary."

Here are the products...

Painting Liner - A range of eyeliners for precise application on the eyes. The formula has an ultra smooth, soft, creamy texture with vivid color payoff that allows you to draw long continuous lines without flaking. The freshly appiled color is waterproof and smudge-proof. All shades are blendable to create a unique custom look.

- Turquoise - bright aqua

- Citrine - yellow

Primal Mix False Eyelashes - Accessorize with the intricate handcraft work of the primitribe! The long eyelashes boast varying lengths dark hair with vibrant color accents of yellow, green, blue, and pink.

Primal Color Stick - New eye shadow sticks have a creamy texture that dries to a powdery finish. The formula glides on easily allowing for smooth application and blendability on the eyelids. The unique slant tip of the color stick enables precise control of application and the twist-top packaging makes it easy to apply color and go.

- Blazed Gold - gold

- Rich Earth - brown

- Night Maroon - purple

- Misty Grove - green

Primal Mix Blush - Duo-color blush palette combines fresh, soft shades that add a healthy, warm, and natural glow to the skin. The unique color combination can be blended and applied to the face in one stroke or used as individual shades for further accents.

- Echo - amber

- Rhythm - pink

- Soul - peach

Rouge Unlimited - Breaking all boundaries in color creation. High-tech, high-pigment lipstick for unlimited color variation and colors achieve the truest color payoff with rich texture and ultra-smooth application. Enjoy up to eight hours of moisture and color.

- 296 - wine

- 942 - beige

Nail Enamel Supplement Mineral - Glossy shine with a strong color payoff. Quick drying. Long-lasting finish. Formaldehyde and toulene-free formula. Protects against dryness.

- g 960 - pale nude pink

- p 980 - bright pink

I have a love/hate relationship with most of the products in this collection. I hate the bright colored liners and I think that the fake lashes are awful. Other than that, I would like to get several pieces of the collection. I love both of the lipstick shades and the g 960 polish shade. I would also like to get the Primal Color Sticks in the Rare Earth and Blazed Gold shades. I'm not that into any of the blush shades so I will be skipping over them this time.

I guess I am just not really into taking summer makeup shades into fall...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Summer 2009 Collection - Eternal Gold

This summer's collection from Shu Uemura is called Eternal Gold and promises to be yet another collection that will be beautiful for perfectly bronzed skin. Maybe this collection will contain several shades of golden eye shadow that would work for me since Shu's quality is second to none in the eye shadow area. Golden shades for lips and cheeks really don't work out well for me but hopefully this collection can wow me in the eye area.

Here is the description of the collection from Shu Uemura, "In this 2009 Summer Mode Makeup Collection, Shu Uemura is influenced by the shimmering gold sunshine that enlightens true beauty. The eternal golden sun collection utilizes the golden rays of the sun that reflect on the skin to enhance glow and create a beautifully bronzed tan. This shimmering range brings out pure and natural beauty in every woman."

Here are the products...

Pressed Eye Shadow - Truest color pay-off and a non-fading finish. The powders capture light absorbing and reflecting it for a multi-dimensional effect.

- ME Gold 350 - metallic true gold

- ME Brown 850 - metallic bronze

Cream Eye Shadow - The unique formula can be layered with pressed eye shadow for a textured, high-impact look; applied alone for a smooth, natural finish; or blended with another shade. 9 blendable and buildable shades in two textures: matte: specially selected shades by specific function for artistic needs - light and shadow control, hue, and complexion control. Pearl: light, neutral shades with pearly effect, perfect for base and for usage with pressed eye shadow. Silicone oils provide a confortable glide, long-wearing and non-creasing.

- P Pink - pearly pale pink

- P Brown 7a - pearly medium brown

UV Under Base Shimmer - Limited Edition. Legendary UV Under Base with a shimmering texture for a natural glow. A weightless mousse makeup base with a ultra thin veil of shimmering pearls that helps even out skintone and texture, reduce redness and minimize the appearance of pores. Use before makeup application to prepare the face for flawless makeup.

Bronzing Powder - Get a sun kissed glow with these summer must-have bronzers in light and warm tones.

- Light - designed for fair skintones

- Medium - designed for medium skintones

- Dark - designed for deep skintones

Natural 50h Goat Brush - Compact-sized brush angled for highlighting and contouring of the face area. Composed of two types of goat hair ideal for the application of pressed powder. The diagonal shape of the brush is intended for multiple usage and the rounded mount is ideal for even application.

Glow On Blush - Enhance and glow. Boundless blush colors to enhnace the cheeks or overall natural glow of the face. Long lasting and great blendability. Can be used wet to intenstify the color payoff. Available in pearl and matte shades.

- P Amber 83 - pearly pale bronze

- P Pink 31 - pearly pale pink

Gloss Unlimited - Easy-to-wear vivid shades in vibrant color. Each shade delievers intense color fidelity and brightness. 3-dimensional shine effect in a non-sticky formula that keeps lips hydrated and soft. Sheer color.

- Br 755n - brown based neutral

Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine - Crystal brillance with dimensional shine. Enhance the lips with luminous colors and crystal-like shine. The light gliding formula melts onto lips, wrapping them in delicate veil of comfort. Satin finish.

- Bg 901s - pale burnished gold

- Pk 301s - pale pinkish gold

Hmmm...I actually have some loves from this collection. I want all of the eye shadows, from both the pressed and cream shadow lines. I would like to try the bronzer in the lightest shade that they make and see how warm it really is. The UV Under Base Shimmer looks like nothing that I have ever used before and is getting me really excited just thinking about how it might work. I also want the P Pink 31 shade of blush, I have heard raves about their blushes from other bloggers and MUA boards so I have high hopes here. I think both of the lipstick shades are beautiful but I feel that they will have too much gold in to suit my skintone.

By the end of this summer...I better have found the perfect shade of bronzer...Every collection has a bunch for me to choose from...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura