Shu Me The Palette

Shu Uemura's Gem Glams Summer 2010 Collection

Shu has released a summer collection online. I found G White Rainbow Pressed eye shadow at my local Nordstrom counter. Of course, it was just a tester and there were no pans to be found in the drawers. White Rainbow is a shimmer extraordinaire. Fire power is "off the hook". I wanted it instantly even though I had two glimmery Addiction shadows in my bag. I am a shimmer glutton. It is a glistening sheer snow white shade. It has all the sparks of fresh snow on a bright sunny day. It retails for $20. The other summer shades are G Gold and G Silver.

Another product that caught my eye was the Gem Glam Glowing Powder. The palette has a shattered design inspired by gemstones. Shu Palettes are always so damn cool. Inside are handy skin correctors and what appears to be a set of "kiss of sun" bronzers. It retails for $55.00.

The collection also has 3 cream eye shadows in Light Pink, Light Purple, and Ivory. They retail for $30.

You can purchase Shu cosmetics at:
http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/_us/_en/makeup/lip-gloss/gem-glam-vinyl-unlimited.htm

You might want to visit your local Shu counter to pick up the remaining stock. The are no discounts but the SA's at Nordstroms were throwing in samples and a lipstick with a purchase. I have not heard of a final pull out date in the stores. Shu will be available only online in the US.

I will miss my Shu counter.
Tell us your favorite Shu Uemura products in the comments.

She Will Always Be Darla To Me...

Inspiration from MA Kelsey Deenihan :
“The Golden Globes is clearly one special occasion and Dexter's leading lady, Julie Benz, couldn't risk having anything but a prefect glowing complexion on that red carpet. When deciding what look Julie was going to be wearing at the Globes this year, her fashion stylist, Joey Tierney, and I talked about a pretty, muted, monochromatic look. Julie's dress is champagne color and we wanted to keep the makeup pretty subtle with some highlights to just bring out a little sparkle.”

How To:

PREPARE: To begin, I applied intense moisturizing concentrate on Julie's skin to give a bit of extra hydration before applying her makeup. The added bit of moisture allows her skin to stay radiant and carry the makeup throughout the night without getting dry or feeling heavy. Next, I brushed on a small dab of the depsea hydrability moisturizing lip balm to soften her lips. There’s nothing worse than dry cracked lips under a natural lipstick when it’s easily avoidable.

FOUNDATION: Julie likes to have a full coverage foundation, especially on big event days. The Shu Uemura Face Architect remodeling cream foundation is perfect for her skin. Face Architect gives buildable coverage without looking too heavy allowing the skin to keep a natural radiance while looking flawless. To set the foundation I took a large powder brush and lightly brushed on Shu Uemura loose powder in 5YR medium light. With a little power behind the brush and circular motions on the skin I buffed the powder into the foundation setting it and allowing Julie's flawless canvas to be ready for color!

EYES: Julie's inner eye and eyelids are highlighted with Shu Uemura eye shadow in white 906. This shimmery white shadow picks up light and brightens her eyes. Above the shimmer is a natural matte color (Shu Uemura beige 835) that I brushed into her crease to give a hint of definition to the lids.

BLUSH: After the eyes I began to start sculpting the face by contouring Julie’s cheeks and temples. I used Shu Uemura Amber 82 blush as a natural contour. I applied the peachy rose blush just under the cheek bone to give added definition to Julie's facial structure. I then took my blush brush and lightly dusted Shu Uemura Peach 43 blush over the apples of her cheeks to softly blend the contour and add a bit of healthy color.

LIPS: The natural lip is Shu Uemura lipstick in BG 907 and lipgloss OR 580N over it.

All the products can be purchased at your local Shu counter or online at http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/_us/_en/skincare/product-family/depsea-hydrability.aspx

Credits: Shu Uemura and Julie Benz's twitter
http://twitter.com/JulieBenz

Peaches and Cream

Celebrity Makeup Artist, Vanessa Scali for Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks at 2010 Golden Globes

I am always amazed at the perfection of her skin. It must make people weep. Not a pore. Not a sun spot. Not a wrinkle. Just pure porcelain perfection.

The makeup for this event was shu uemura with an appearance by Lancome.

Inspiration:
“Effortless and chic: sheer satin eyes, pink milk-maid cheeks and a siren mouth. Christina’s dress has a sexy, yet soft look. We mirrored this with her make up. I love the contrast of the angelic, innocent face with the sexy edge of a strong mouth.”

How To:

PREPARE: I used shu uemura’s new Depsea Hydrability Moisture Cream. This cream seriously hydrates, yet disappears into the skin leaving the skin feeling fresh and smooth.

UNDEREYE: Lancôme’s Effacernes in Porcelain.

FOUNDATION: Applied minimal foundation, because Christina has nearly flawless skin. I used shu uemura’s Nobara Cream Cover Stick foundation.

BLUSH: I used shu uemura’s brand new Satin Radiant Stick Blush on the apples of the cheeks.

HIGHLIGHTER/EYESHADOW: I used Satin Radiant Stick in Highlight all over the eye (from lash line to brow) then swept it down to highlight the very peak of the cheekbones.

EYE LINER: To define and elongate the lashline, I used shu uemura’s Drawing Pencil in Black. Also, to open up the eye, I lined the inside rim of the eye with shu uemura’s Eye Light White.

LASHES: For luxurious lashes we added shu uemura’s Flare eyelashes in Black and finished with a coat of Ultimate Expression Mascara.

LIPS: I used shu uemura’s Rouge Unlimited #134

Credit: photo by Frazer Harrison via fashionspot and shu uemura

Friends and Family: Shu Uemura

“Black Friday” November 27th through Tuesday, December 1st
Enjoy free shipping and 20% off purchases of $50 or more made at www.shuuemura-usa.com.
Enter the promotion code WISH09 upon checkout.

“Cyber Monday” November 30th
For an extra special treat, shu uemura will give 7 deluxe samples to customers who spend $125 or more plus free shipping and the 20% discount! The deluxe items include (see picture attached):
mesh bag
mini-gloss
brightening cream
red:juvenus intense vitalizing concentrate
pleasure of Japanese bath – hinoki
cleansing beauty oil premium A/O
depsea water mist in chamomile
powder foundation
Enter the promotion code WISHDELUXE09 upon checkout.

A Clutch Worthy For The Lash Bar

I was supposed to spend the day working on my blog to get it up to code for FTC guidelines.

Guess what sidetracked me?

A clutch with Shu-worthy lashes!

It is from French Connection and it retails for $78.

http://usa.frenchconnection.com/product/

womens+accessories+handbags/SBDD2/lashes+clutch.htm

Bat For Lashes

You know I am a sucker for any of the wild and insane Shu lashes.

At the Ace Wards, Makeup Artist Frances Hathaway, gave model Agyness Deyn some fierce lashes. She applied shu uemura’s Black Velvet Feather False Eyelashes to the bottom of the Miss Deyn's eyes. “Agyness is a cutting edge girl,” said Hathaway. “I needed a fashion forward lash with an architectural influence.”

What’s Hathaway’s tip for pulling off such a look? “When making such a big statement, keep it simple; just make one lash.”

You can purchase the Black Velvet Feather False Eyelashes for $25 at http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/_us/_en/accessories/false-eyelashes/fantasy/black-velvet-feather-false-eyelashes.htm

This puts me in the mind of Miss Peggy Moffitt. What is everyone's thoughts?

And that means I need to post a scene from Blow Up.


Photo Credit:fotoglif.com, myspace and youtube(Blow Up)
Info from Shu

Catalog Lemmings

My Current Lemmings from the Barneys Fall Beauty Catalog.

Shu-ssudio

Shu Uemura's White Recovering EX+ Brightening Cleansing Oil is part of the Shu Uemura’s 2009 artist
collaboration series, the limited edition Tokyo Kamon Girls Cleansing Oils. This bottle was created by Moyoco Anno. I purchased it for the graphics and color. How could I resist the wide eyed imp on the bottle?
Plus, I have always wanted to cave on a Shu cleansing oil. I had been lollygagging for no good reason.

The ingredients range from Sakura Leaf and Prune extracts. These swiftly remove makeup and impurities to reveal smoother, brighter, more clarified skin. I will vouch that my face has undergone an improvement since my first use. It fixed my current dryness issue and helped kicked some blemishes to the curb. I do not look any brighter according to my critical eye. The fragrant scent is quite lovely. I can not pinpoint any note.

The oil's texture is fairly creamy to the touch. It is not heavy like cooking oil nor does it leave any slippery residue on the skin. It takes just 2 to 4 pumps of the oil and it is recommended to be smoothed over a dry face. Wet your face to emulsify the oil and then rinse with water. Then pat dry.

You can purchase this at http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/_us/_en/skincare/limited-edition-moyoco-anno-cleansing-oils.aspx for $75.

I have included the video for Sussudio by Phil Collins. This is the song I play in my head at the Shu counter. I replace the lyric "There is a girl that has been in my mind" with " There is a lash that has been on my mind."
There really has never been a question concerning my dorkiness.

Disclaimer(my first!): This product was a personal purchase.
Yes...I paid this much.
Yes...I am weak as water.
It is worth the price due to the incredible cuteness factor and the 15.2 oz size.

Photo Credits: Blogdorf Goodman and youtube

Shu Stops

Madonna’s makeup artist and shu uemura Artistic Director Gina Brooke is making several personal appearances to share her celebrity tips and tricks with women across the country.

I am "triple daring" my readers into attending and getting wild looks. No safe "work time friendly" faces or smoky eyes. Go for the gusto and get looks based around the paper clip lashes.

Once again Cleveland in Ohio is not on the list of stops. She might fly over us after Hawaii.
Cleveland will never be on the short list(or any list) for the Olympics or famous makeup artist events. We do have things to offer such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Michael Simon.

Here are the cities that have been chosen on the Shu tour:

Saturday, October 10, 2009 – GARDEN CITY!
Nordstrom Roosevelt Field
630 Old Country Road Garden City, NY 11530(516) 746-0011
11am – 7pm– Book an appointment where you will meet Gina and get personalized recommendations for your look!
For a personalized look by Gina Brooke and to reserve your space for this exclusive appearance, simply call 516-746-0011 extension 1429.

Saturday, October 17, 2009 – NEW YORK CITY!
Bloomingdales 59th Street
1000 Third Avenue
New York, NY‎ 10022
(212) 705-2000‎
11am – 7pm– Book an appointment where you will meet Gina and get personalized recommendations for your look!
For a personalized look by Gina Brooke and to reserve your space for this exclusive appearance, simply call 212-705-2000.

Saturday. November 14, 2009 – HONOLULU!
Neiman Marcus Ala Moana
1450 Ala Moana Boulevard Honolulu, HI 96814(808) 951-8887
11am – 7pm – Book an appointment where you will meet Gina and get personalized recommendations for your look!
For a personalized look by Gina Brooke and to reserve your space for this exclusive appearance, simply call 808-951-8887.

Saturday, November 21, 2009 – NEW YORK CITY!
Barneys Madison
660 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10021(212) 833-2007
11am – 7pm – Book an appointment where you will meet Gina and get personalized recommendations for your look!
For a personalized look by Gina Brooke and to reserve your space for this exclusive appearance, simply call212-833-2007.

Rumours swirl that there will be appearances in San Francisco, Atlanta, Short Hills, New Jersey and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania!

Let us know if you attend and what beauty look you received.
Let us live vicariously through your experience!

Shu Contest

Grand Prize: One year’s worth of Shu Uemura Art of Hair products, retail value approximately $1680.00.

This Sweepstakes begins at 12:00:00 AM Eastern Time (“ET”) on June 16, 2009 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on June 30th, 2009.

To enter, go to http://www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com/. Existing Shu Uemura Art of Hair registrants and Salon Professionals are not eligible for the sweepstakes. Consumer non–registrants must register by completing their online profile, providing their complete name, birth date, zip code and a valid e-mail address to be entered. Registration is free and you can cancel your membership at any time. All entries must be received by 11:59:59 PM ET on June 30th, 2009. Limit one entry per person/e-mail address.

Shu Uemura Palette Online Offer

Shu Uemura is offering customers who purchase a customized palette using the new and exclusive online “customized palette feature”, a beautiful limited edition compact compliments of the brand. The white palette is adorned with a reflective gold and pale gray motif.

This email reminded me that I purchased a white palette from the Shu store in NYC....years ago.
I have never used it.
I am such a horrible blogger and beauty addict.

Anyway...visit the Shu site to play and create the ultimate palette.
http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/_us/_en/makeup/custom-palette/index.aspx
Let us know what you create!

Lashapalooza: New Lashes Coming in June

She Uemura's artistic director, Gina Brooke, shuttles around the world for photo shoots (she glammed up Madonna in W's March issue), preps her celebrity clients for the red carpet, and, of course, creates the most stunning lashes for the company. The Toyko Lash Bar's 2009 Lashes in Nature collection (which hits stores in June) is a gorgeous mix of dramatic plumes, rainbows, and furlike materials.

Read the interview at The Cut:
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/04/gina_brooke.html

Credit: Blogdorf Goodman

Day 28: Pink Lippies of the future

Sneak peek of Shu Uemura's pink lippie collection

Shu Uemura's Rouge Unlimited Pink Collection, is a series of lipsticks
and glosses made with a Pink Hybrid Pigment, one of the purest pink pigments
ever discovered and patented by the cult Japanese beauty company. Thanks to
this breakthrough, this lip collection boasts the most vibrant hues available,
creating new and unique shades of pink never seen before.

Based on the photographs these pinks look lit from within. They appear bolder almost neon-like. This is very appealing to this pink lippie fan!

Here is the deets to the technology of the lippie series:

Until now, pink’s color palette was limited due to the
conventional way in which shades were processed and created.
This standard method mixes red and white pigments, which
create irregular shaped and sized particles that produce dull,
muddy pinks.

The Pink Hybrid Pigment, which was discovered by shu uemura
laboratories, is made up of a fusion between a mineral core
and an organic shell, which produces particles that are
perfectly round and regular in shape. This consistency is what
makes the hues of the lipstick so bright and pure. This is what
creates the new and unique hues of pink seen in the collection
with shades that range from never before seen light, yellowish,
dark and bluish pinks.

Light pinks with yellow tints

PK321, PK322, and PK323 rouge unlimited lipsticks

PK310N gloss unlimited lip gloss

Light pinks with blue tints

PK343 and PK355 rouge unlimited lipsticks

PK325N and PK333S gloss unlimited lipglosses

Dark pinks with yellow tints

PK 312 and PK316 rouge unlimited lipsticks

PK315N gloss unlimited lip gloss

Dark pinks with blue tints

PK 359 and PK369 rouge unlimited lipsticks

PK378S gloss unlimited lip gloss

Credit: Shu Uemura

Best Lippie Packaging: Clean clear and modern, acrylic packaging of Shu Uemura

Credit: Storybookheroine

Angelina Jolie SAG Beauty Breakdown

Celebrity makeup artist Mary Burton wanted to create a 60’s look and chose to focus on Angelina’s eyes by applying lots of eyeliner and mascara. She used a liquid eyeliner (Lancôme Artliner in Noir) just above the lash line. To compliment Angelina’s eye color and to make her eyes really stand out, she applied a bluish grey eyeshadow (YSL Ombre Solo Double Effect Eyeshadow in #3 Blue Silk) to the eyelid. Finally, she applied several coats of Lancôme Courbe Virtuôse Mascara in Black. Mary added a touch of pink to the apples of the cheeks using Shu Uemura blush in M Pink 31. To create ultra-shiny and luminous lips, Mary used Lancôme Color Fever Gloss in Rose Jolie.

I think I need that Rose Jolie gloss!

I fell in love with this picture! Look at how he is looking at her.

***Swoon***

Credits: Celebutopia and Lancome

Lashpalooza: My First Shu Lashes

Golly jeepers
Where'd you get those peepers?Peepshow, creepshow
Where did you get those eyes? (Siouxsie Sioux)

The Bergdorf Goodman SA sold me on the Smoky Layers Lash set by a uttering a simple sale pitch.

Madonna wears this set every day.
Sold.

I have no clue on application techniques. If you have any helpful advice please share in the comments.
I am a false eye lash virgin.

40 Days and 40 Nights Of Beauty Cult Classics
Day 23, Shu Uemura's Eyelash Curler

Once upon a time there was a girl with short, stubby and lackluster lashes.
She dreamed of having lashes that held a curl and were fabulous.
She went through life suffering the indignities that short lash people go through. The girl knew that one day a dashing gay man would come and make her lashes sweep to the heavens.
As fate would have it, she met her "Lash Godmother" while wandering the beauty floor at Barneys in New York City. She loitered at the various makeup stalls looking for an answer or a cure.
A young dashing man at the Shu Uemura counter took one look at her and felt inspiration.
He was about to make all her dreams come true.
He snapped her lashes in a medieval looking device called an eyelash curler.
Little did the girl know that this is what Shu was known and famous for.

When he finally produced a mirror the girl was startled to see lashes that resemble fans. They swept upwards to the angels and the saints in the sky.

The curl was tight and secure.
The girl was so grateful that she whipped out her credit card and bought every product used in her transformation.

Today the girl attempts to replicate that magical moment every day in front of her mirror. She stuffs her cursed lashes into the contraption and gives a good squeeze.
The girl has never achieved the results and magic of that fateful day at Barneys but her lashes are not as sad and frumpy.

Have you had magical moments with the Shu Eye Lash Curler? Or do you think it is all hype?

Let us know in the comments.

Credit: Shu Uemura

http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/

The Curler retails for $19

Disclosure: This product was purchased by me at the Barneys cosmetic floor.

40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Cult Classics....
Day 3, Shu Uemura's Pressed Eye Shadow ME Brown 850

Hunting Down a Shu Silver ME 945 was an impossible task. My hands almost scored one at Takashimaya in NYC. The last one slipped through my fingers by mere minutes. Those type of beauty moments can be almost painful. Every gush on Makeupalley delivered a painful stab in my wounded heart. I felt like I had missed the boat on this cult classic.

Then Shu launched ME Brown 850. This was rumored to be an exact replica.
It is not.
The difference is the depth and oomph factor.
However...I was willing to take what I could get.
Once again it was a challenge to score one. At first glance it looks fairly innocent. Not the kind of shadow that would cause a brouhaha. On the eyes it transforms into something special. This is not your ordinary taupe.
This is a mushroom shade with pewter flashes.
Shu shadows are superior in pigment and texture. They feel and apply like velvet.
Lasting power is outstanding. There is no fading or turning.
The color stays true even without a primer product.

Shu can be found at Takashimaya in NYC, Bergdorf Goodman, and Barneys. I love the Shu staff at Barneys(they give fast and fab makeovers) but Bergdorf's area is so well stocked and lovely.
Visit the Shu site for some lovely spring MU porn....
The pressed shadows retail for $20.
http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/

Let us know in the comments what you think of this eye shadow and if it is worth cult classic status.

I would love if owners of the original Silver ME 945 would weigh in.....

Credits: Blogdorf Goodman

Graphic: Melanie Parker

Disclosure: I purchased my Shu at Barneys.

Brushed With Greatness Project

Shu brushes by Cavewoman

My collection of brushes from Shu Uemura isn't as large as some of my other brand collections, but what I have chosen from Shu are mostly brushes for special applications. Shu Uemura brushes are legendary, the standard by which most people judge excellence in quality and craftsmanship, durablilty and versatility.

Some of the brushes you see in the photo were purchased by me at the Shu Uemura store in SoHo. The first time I went to that store, with Cousin Elaine, we were delighed to see the beautifully organized displays, the huge assortment of brushes, and the comfy chairs and magazines for taking a little shopping-spree rest. Elaine chose the chair and a copy of Vogue, while I tested lipsticks at the tester counter (next to a young man who was also testing, we were asking each other's opinions on colors!)

From the top, the most unusual of my Shu brushes, because the handle says "Made In France." All my other Shu brushes are made in Japan. This slant brush has blue squirrel bristles and it is a good shape for working crease color precisely. The small flat liner brush, the flat tapered brush and the perfectly-shaped foundation brush are made for cream-based products, and what I love the most about these is they do not separate or clump together like some brands' synthetics.
The #17 pony-squirrel fluffy brush is just the right size for either highlighting powder or loose powder, not too big or overwhelming, and I tend to reach for this as a finishing powder brush quite often. I like that it fits well into my smaller loose powder jars! Sometimes a jar of powder is too small for those huge powder brushes, so you might want to try a smaller brush if your powder jar is small.
Recently I took a little shopping trip with a buddy, over to the outlet stores near here. I haven't stopped into the Designer Fragrance And Cosmetics store in a year. Rumors of Shu products at the store (a Lancome outlet) were only rumors to me, our store never had anything but a purple-bristle powder blush and the Shu lash curler in the past. But into the store we went, and there they were on the counter, Shu brushes! I bought the #17 pony-squirrel, the #10 kolinsky sable shadow brush (be still my heart, this is a $60 brush that I got for $19!) and the synthetic liner brush that I mentioned earlier. I sure hope that our local store continues to offer Shu brushes at such great prices.
Moving on down. The #14 pony blush brush is a bit longer than the NARS blush brush, and I think it gives a softer application than the NARS. This Shu is unbelievably soft, a pleasure to hold and to use.

The five small brushes are travel size and I bought the four black-handle brushes at the Shu store in SoHo. I have no idea where I found the one with the silver handle! Can anyone shed some light on this, have you seen any silver-handle Shu brushes anywhere?

I'd love to add to my Shu Uemura brush collection in the future. From basic application brushes to highly-specialized styles and shapes, it doesn't get any better than Shu.

Disclaimer: These products were purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman

40 Days and 40 Nights Of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 35 , Shu Uemura

"Touch your inner expression with cosmetics." Mr Uemura

Cavewoman: One of the best and biggest cosmetic lines I've ever discovered is Shu Uemura. I was shopping in SoHo with my cousin Elaine about ten years ago, and we found this little store with the exotic name. When we entered, we found beautiful items from basic, everyday shadows and lipsticks to truly unusual and theatrical colors. And brushes. I had never seen such an array of brushes, tiny liner brushes and fluffy powder brushes and everything in between. We started to browse. Elaine headed over to the eyeshadow display, and I was going to try on a few lipstick shades at a counter with a huge mirror. When I decided on a color to try, I noticed a nice young man next to me, testing out a lipstick on himself. We chatted color and helped each other to decide which to buy.
I also bought a palette that day, and several of the beautiful brushes. I've filled and refilled that same palette over the years, and it still serves me well.

But I had not paid much attention to the skincare line, until I started to read about Shu Uemura cleansing oils. I've had oily skin almost all my life until recently, so the idea of adding oil to my face seemed rather unappealing. But people kept telling me to try it, it would not make my face oilier, and in fact it would cleanse off my makeup better and more thoroughly than just my usual facial cleanser alone. So, I caved. They were right, and I am a believer.

Shu Uemura cleansing oils come in many types and strengths, in convenient pump bottles of different sizes. I tried the Skin Purifier and was delighted with the results. I tap the cleansing oil onto my face and then gently massage it over my skin. Adding a bit of water after that, I continue to massage lightly, and the cleanser foams up a bit and becomes water soluble, removing all my makeup and rinsing off easily. It leaves my skin feeling totally refreshed and moist. Sometimes I use my Payot cleansing gel after using the Shu oil. In colder weather, when I want as much moisture on my face as I can get, I omit the second cleansing. Shu cleansing oils clear the pores of all makeup and primer, even the most stubborn oil-based foundations. Sometimes when I want a quick makeup removal, I pump out some of the cleansing oil onto a cotton pad and just wipe it over my face. It does not cause breakouts, in fact it seems to keep my pores very clean and clear. A bottle of Shu cleansing oil lasts forever, too. Now that I am a regular user of Shu Uemura cleansing oils, I can't imagine being able to remove my makeup completely without it. If you head to the Shu counter, try out one of the oils, and maybe you'll find a lipstick testing buddy there, too.

Storybookheroine: Shu's a brand of spacial economy and ingenuity. Blushes and eye shadows are housed in tiny pans pact with highly pigmented color and delivered in clear plastic squares and rectangles. At first the packaging seemed cheap to me but I have come to appreciate the design and idea of this products. The clear plastic cases literally look like they suspend the pans. The coolest thing is they a made to be depotted so you yourself can custom design you own personal palette of blushes, eye shadows and powders. Shu is a fantastic way to have many colors in a small amount of space and the quality and range of colors are wonderfully wide.

My favorite item from Shu is the summer 2006 Amaterasu palette. This premade compact is a golden bronze metallic square containing a mirror , three buttery soft eye shadows (snuck into the equivalent of 2 e/s pans or one glow on) and a second pan containing a glow on (blush). The entire thing is so small I can easily fit it in the palm of my hand. It's close to 2 inches by 2 inches! Can you imagine? The glow on in Coral Flush, a nude coral color perfect for glowing summer flushed cheeks, is my favorite of all my Shu blushes. It brings my complexion to life and adds a bit of a sheer sunny glow with shimmer. The eye shadows are no disappointment to either. P Nude is hands down my favorite Shu eye shadow color and so underrated. It's a super sheer nude golden shimmery glow that brightens my eyes and glistens in the sunlight. It's a funny color because indoors it's not so pronounced but the second light hits it the shimmery pearl takes over and WOW! I wish Shu made this color in their permanent line (are you reading this Shu?). This is one of those wash colors you can do so much with. P Sunset is a warm bronzy color with a faint hint of orange and compliments the P Nude perfectly. It's not as sheer as the Nude but still a stunner. IR Azure flat out it the prettiest bright blue I have tried. As a rule I am not a blue eyeshadow fan for myself but this is a fantastic color! It has this really cool iridescent shimmer/glow and can be layered (as can the others) to be very sheer to a strong solid blue without loosing the properties that make it special. The eye shadows are a funny combo, but they make my blue/green/gray eyes pop like notice else I have. When I first got Amaterasu it took me a few times to get the hang of it but now I can do really pretty summery makeup with the shadows. I love the blue as a liner, nude as an all over wash and sunset on the outer third of the eye lid. It used the Nude and Sunset under my eyes as liner and I even can pass off Azure in the crease (I big deal for my as I have a hard time with doing my crease). The glow on is a great combination of sheer blush and bronzer for me. The shimmer is subtle and the color can be layered. The best way for me to describe the overall look is a sunset at the beach. I absolutely adore it for summer. Sadly the palette was limited edition but check ebay as these things pop up from time to time. (for reference I am Becca Sand or Cashmere, Nars Mont Blanc, Fresh Northern Light and MAC N4 (but I think we all know how well they do at color matching....).


I know the Shu shadows and Glow On's are very popular but something most over look at the lipsticks. These are so amazing you must run to your nearest counter and buy on RIGHT AWAY! The LOLISHINE ROUGE is describe on the shu ws as "the ultimate sheer and shine lipstick. Exclusive thermo-active Shine Amplifier delivers gloss as it comes into contact with skin temperature. Aqua-Lock system ensures adequate moisture to the lips all day. Crystal Clear Pearl reflects and refracts light, so lips are coated in sparkling shine that is clear as crystal" and ROUGE 4 is "a lipstick that provides a smooth moisturizing feel in a lightweight texture while promoting color intensity and vivid shine." LOLISHINE REFLECTS "sheer color with kaleidoscope shine. Exclusive thermo-active Shine Amplifier delivers gloss as it comes into contact with skin temperature. Aqua-Lock system with Ceramide and Depsea Water ensures adequate moisture to lips all day. Crystal Clear Pearl with tri-color confetti pearls coats lips in maximum sparkling shine." Yes you really need to try them! They are so glossy and moist and the colors are unbelievable. Some are solid color, some have shimmer or frost but my favorites have the "tri-color confetti pearls" or the micro glitter/shimmer (these come in silvers, golds, bronzes and even multi-color!). These are truly unique colors and textures for lipsticks.

So my quick favorites in Shu lipsticks are--------

Summer 2006 Amaterasu Lolishine Reflects in 920 and 962 (these are so shiny, glossy and moisturizing it's almost like a gloss in lipstick form).

-920 is a gorgeous sheer bronze nude with reflective micro shimmer particles. A fantastic summer nude bronze. Love it! Formula is creamy, moisturizing and rather lasting for being so creamy and sheer. A must have summer lipstick. Very unique.

-962 is a beautiful sheer pink nude with reflective micro shimmer particles. Normally nudes look like absolute poop on me but this is a fantastic nude. Love it, Love it! The formula is creamy and moisturizing and rather lasting for being so creamy and sheer. Gorgeous and glossy!

Rouge 4 731 (from Holiday 2005). My holy grail warm bronzy, chocolaty brown lipstick with tons golden pearls. It's so shimmery, shiny and lovely I wish this was a permeant lipstick.

Overall Shu is a wonderful brand with many really nice products (but I hate the skin care).

Annieytown: Out of all the makeup lines I love, Shu is the one that I covet the most. There is no local counter so I have to wait to see the products in NYC. The minute I see that display with all the lovely shades of eyeshadows my heart starts to flutter wildly. I have never worn an acid yellow eyeshadow but Shu Uemura makes me want too. All the eyeshadow shades look interesting and wearable. My personal favorite shades are ME Gold 390(the best gold shade on the planet), ME Blue 638(the best MAC Parrot dupe) and ME Brown 850(a taupe that borders on a silverish mushroom color). The shadows are rich in texture and heavily pigmented. They apply buttery smooth and last all day without creasing.

The variety of shades is impressive with gorgeous metallic wines, deep olives, glittery strawberries, and celery greens.

My other favorite product from Shu is their face powders. I have tried a lot of face powders and can judge them harshly Janice Dickinson-style.

I expect and demand a lot from my powders.

Shu powders are among the best in the market. They are not as finely milled as Caron and La Mer but they work just as well. It sets your makeup and gives your face a luminous glow. The matte formula in colorless works very well with La Mer foundation.

It looks fresh for hours.

Shu eyeshadows retail for $20 and the powders go for around $33. They are sold at Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman. Visit the website to see the full range of products along with fairly accurate swatches for the eyeshadows. If you spend $75 or more on the site, you qualify for free shipping.

http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/default.aspx

What are your favorite Shu Uemura products? Let us know in the comments!

Photos: Cavewoman, Storybookheroine and Blogdorf Goodman

Disclosure: The products featured in this blog post were reviewed by the reviewers; Cavewoman, storybookheroine and me!