Shu Uemura Shine Mystique Eye Color in Khaki Silver for Spring 2011

Steady my heart, Shu Uemura's Shine Mystique Eye Color in Khaki Silver ($30) is exquisite! Introduced for spring, it's a loose powder eye color with extraordinary shine and outstanding color, described by Shu Uemura as a complex mix of olive/khaki and silver. I'm not a fan of loose pigments, but I adore this one. The color is stunning.

I was so smitten with the color, shown in the photo at top left from the Shu Uemura Web site, that I ordered a loose powder shadow - something I seldom do. The moment I opened the shadow, I knew I had made a good decision. The color looks great on me (she says humbly), and it's going to look good on most of you. It's one of those colors everyone can wear.

What you see when you open the pot is a convenient inner cap with a narrow opening that controls the flow of the powder - nice for messy gals like me. I plan to leave it on.

My swatch photos (taken indoors in sunlight) at left and below show how complex - and gorgeous - the shade is. To my eye, it's a shimmering combination of khaki, gold, and silver, with a hint of brown. I am showing you two photos so that you can see all the nuances of the shade. Note that there's a difference in the tone of my arm in the two shots. For each, I applied the powder with a sponge-tipped applicator, probably not the best way to apply it evenly on the eyelid, but that method works well for swatch photos. The powder adheres nicely to my skin, without fallout.

Shu Uemura pays attention to details. I should have mentioned this morning that the company puts a nice little "handle" on each of its boxes. Makeup items usually come in individual boxes, and sometimes it's hard to pull open the top without a letter opener or something to pry up the envelope-like lid. Shu Uemura puts a little gizmo that sticks out at the top of each box, making opening it a snap. Little details can be exciting. When added to incredible makeup, the whole experience is a joy.

Give this one a look. You can find it at Shu Uemura's Web site. I love it!

Shu Uemura Sunset Gold Palette for Spring 2011

Shu Uemura continues to dazzle, even if the company no longer has an in-store presence in the U.S. The "Morphorium" Collection was created by International Artistic Director Kakuyasu Uchiide to "invite us to the world of untouched treasures in a deep tropical jungle" and change us like butterflies into"inimitable, mysterious" beauties.

Beyond the hype, which has a lovely theme, there's some fabulous makeup. Gaia at The Non-Blonde selected the Morphorium Blue Palette. I chose the more conventional Sunset Gold ($69).

The limited-edition palette is a work of art on the outside. On the inside, it's filled with three warm, sunset-inspired tones of eye shadow, cream shadow/liner, and powder blush. There are two small applicator brushes included in the compact.

The palette was designed to evoke a fertile forest with its enchanting wildlife. Warm tones of the gold and brown shadow, accented with a touch of shimmering white, were designed 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.

My swatch photo was taken indoors in direct light. I applied all shades with a sponge-tipped applicator and swatched in a clockwise direction, starting at the upper-left side of the palette. You can see that the deep brown is a nice chocolate brown. The "brick gold" shade is gold - a pretty gold. The white is nice. It has color (as opposed to the sparkly "platinum" in a neutral trio I featured recently). The cream/shadow is a beautiful, extremely wearable pink-beige shade. I think it's too light to use as a liner, but I love the shade for the eyelid. The blush is gorgeous. It's pink with some shimmer. The pretty design is sprayed on, so you'll lose it as soon as you use the palette, and the shimmer that comes with it will also go away. That will leave you with a lovely daytime blush. No fears of being a glitter bomb with this one!

Here's how Shu Uemura suggests you use the colors.

• Pressed eye shadow M deep brown - use as a shading color at the lash line for dimensional effect
• Pressed eye shadow P brick gold - use as a main/nuance color on the eyelids
• Pressed eye shadow IR creamy white - use as a accent/highlight color
• Cream eye shadow P beige pink - use as a base/shading color before applying a powder eye shadow
• Glow-on P peach - use as a blush to exude a feminine look/healthy complexion

This is a lovely palette. I'm very pleased with it. I am smitten with the Shine Mystique Eye Color in Khaki Silver I purchased. I'll tell you about it soon. You can find Shu Uemura's Spring 2011 Collection online.

Photos at top courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Fall Florescent Collection

Now that Shu Uemura has been pulled from counters in the U.S. and is available only online, there are discount promotions to tempt us. Through September 26, you can receive 20% off the purchase of any product from the company's Fall Florescent Collection (and free shipping on orders over $50). Use the code FLORESCENT at checkout from Shu Uemura.

I'm having trouble visualizing this "blooming" collection for fall. The shades don't strike me as typical fall shades, even though they're very pretty.

Of the two new palettes, the Dreamy Petal Palette ($65), shown at right, could suggest fall chrysanthemums. This limited edition eye and cheek palette contains "floral shades" formulated with 100% natural and mineral pigments. There are four pressed eye shadows, two cream eye shadow/eyeliners, and a cream cheek blush - as well as two applicator brushes.

Shu Uemura promotes the palette with this description.

The fusion of warm tones brings out the gentle affection of flowers and illuminates your eyes with its sunny sparkling metallic gold. Let your imagination bloom with endless feminine look possibilities.

The Graceful Bloom Palette (also $65) at left reminds me of a spring garden, brimming with irises and fresh green stems ready to burst into bloom. This palette also includes four pressed eye shadows, two cream eye shadow/eyeliners, a cream cheek blush, and two applicator brushes. Inspired by the elegance of flowers in full bloom, this palette features a chic floral gradation of lavender shades with an accent of green tints.

Graceful Bloom appears to be the palette featured on the model's eyes in the advertisement above.

What do you think? Do either of these palettes sing fall to you? Should we buy and hold until spring? Do you like what you see?

Photos courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Ample Angora Volumizing Light Foam

Last week, I ordered a new hair product - totally an impulse purchase - while I was ordering the highly praised Essence Absolue from Shu Uemura Art of Hair. Ample Angora Volumizing Light Foam ($33) looked interesting. I always need something to add volume to my flat, fine hair, and I was game to try a new potion. I'm happy to report that it works - really well!

While I had used it before today, today gave it the ultimate test. It was destined to be a bad hair day. It rained overnight, and this morning the ground and air were saturated with water. That usually means hair style death to me. On top of that, it was windy. I expected to look something like a bedraggled puppy by the time I got into my office. Ample Angora saved me! Literally. My style withstood the elements, and it looked no different than it did when I had finished blow drying. My hair had volume, my bob was intact, and my hair had movement and shine. How much more can you ask?

On Shu Uemura's Art of Hair Web site, I had read that it has a green floral fragrance enveloped in lily of the valley. If you read my lily of the valley fragrance post last weekend, you will know that I love that scent! I was hooked on the description, even though I am not a fan of scented hair products. I'm not at all disappointed to tell you that the fragrance is nondescript. The mousse has almost no fragrance, and what little it had was gone in a flash. That's fine. I can add my florals with perfume.

Ample Angora is enriched with Japanese cedar bud, known for fortifying properties. It promised to offer volume as ample and silky as angora. It also said it would offer medium hold to my fine hair without crunchiness, leaving it nicely soft. It met its promises - and then some.

It's definitely a lightweight mousse in texture. When I pushed down on its applicator the first time, I got what I feared was too much - a big pouf of airy mousse. I spread it across both hands, lightly ran it through my hair, and then combed and styled as I always do (including the obligatory "head upside down" part of the routine for volume). When I finished, I could feel virtually no trace of "product" left. It was nicely integrated into my hair. What I did have was volume, and I've had it each time I've used it, which brings me back to today. For full disclosure, I need to tell you I used Pureology hair spray, but I always use spray to finish. It doesn't always help me fend off weather disasters.

I am home from work, and if I may say so, my hair looks pretty darn good. It's got volume and bounce, and it was destined to be a bad hair day. I'm happy with my impulse purchase! If you are looking for a new hair product, give this one a try. I think it's a keeper!

You can purchase Shu Uemura Art of Hair products at the Web site. You can also use the company's locator for a salon near you. My only criticism? Their Web site is a little slow and annoying (probably because of the razzle-dazzle), and navigation isn't entirely intuitive. Small price to pay to find a keeper.

Photo courtesy of Shu Uemura Art of Hair

Happy Valentine's Day from Shu Uemura

I like to pass along great deals, and I think this Valentine's Day offer from Shu Uemura qualifies. Just spend $75 or more at Shu Uemura's Web site, use the code LOVE at checkout, and you will receive a deluxe sample set of three mini lip glosses. The offer is valid through February 14.

What a great time to try the Égérie Satin Radiant Sticks ($40), two stick-style blusher-highlighters with a soft, creamy texture for the cheeks! You can see the recent BTiB posting on the them at this link. I'm enjoying mine.

Photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Égérie Satin Radiant Sticks for Spring 2010

Égérie..."a rebellious and daring spirit who never loses her sense of elegance and sophistication." Shu Uemura's Spring 2010 collection is inspired by rock 'n roll. Flashy, glimmering shine is complemented with delicate satin-sheen finishes to transport you to the spotlight of the captivating rock stage.

I would have gladly jumped onstage with the Beatles at their first U.S. live appearance at the old Uline Arena in Washington, D.C. I was so starstruck that night! John, Paul, George, and Ringo stole my heart and kept it. Who hasn't imagined themselves onstage with their idols?

Did the rock 'n roll theme attract me to the Shu Uemura makeup? Not really - maybe I'm too old! I'm not much of a rebel, and I'm more interested in cool makeup than rock music! The makeup reeled me in.

When I first saw the new Shu Uemura collection online, I was immediately attracted to the Égérie Satin Radiant Sticks ($40), two stick-style blusher-highlighters with a soft, creamy texture for the cheeks. Shu Uemura promised a delicate satin veil for my face. Sold! Then I read about the tiny particles of pearls that would add a satin-shimmery finish. I ordered them sight unseen - Translucent for highlighting and Blush, a peachy-pink blusher.

When my Shu Uemura order arrived, I tore into the box with glee! There's something about stick products that I can't resist - maybe because I have so many great ones, like Ramy's Multiples! for Eyes, Cheeks, and Lips; NARS The Multiple; or Bobbi Brown's Sheer Color Cheek Tints.

Do I love the new Satin Radiant Sticks too? Yep! Like most stick products, you do have to blend them after application. It's not really swipe and go. You can blend with your fingers or a foundation brush - they both work. I use my fingers with the Satin Radiant Sticks. The Translucent one is truly colorless. It leaves a sheer, subtle shine wherever you use it. This is a really versatile product. I may even throw it in my overburdened makeup bag. Blush is a fabulous peachy-pink color. It's a shade that's going to appeal to a lot of you. Even the containers are attractive, with their silver, pink, and white design.

The ingredients are fascinating! The first ingredient, always the most highly concentrated, is dimethicone, a silicone-based polymer that gives a soft, velvety glide to skin products. Because it stays on the surface of the skin, dimethicone provides a protective barrier. It's an excellent ingredient for someone whose skin barrier is challenged, such as someone with rosacea whose epidermis is thin and needs added protection or someone with dry skin. Dimethicone helps prevent transdermal water loss. Another ingredient is canola oil, which is moisturizing. In short, the sticks have good slip, and they are protective and moisturizing. They rock!

You can see the collection and the rock 'n roll looks created for it at Shu Uemura's Web site or wherever you normally check out the line. Today (literally), you can receive free shipping with the purchase of any Égérie product at Shu Uemura. Registered members always get free shipping and a deluxe sample with a purchase of $50 or more.

Photos courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura's Tsumori Chisato Collection for Holiday 2009

This one's hot off my e-mail!

Shu Uemura partnered with Japanese fashion designer Tsumori Chisato to create the limited-edition "Wish upon a Star" holiday collection. Tsumori’s favorite Japanese icons "twinkle star" and "lucky cat" add a playful spirit and tidings of luck throughout the collection. You know I would be intrigued by makeup with a cat motif, right?

The Planet Cat Couture Palette ($65), shown here, contains three pressed eye shadows in Black Glitz, Shiny Silver, and Copper (nice colors!), one cream eyeliner in Black Purple, one cream highlighter in Gold Iridescent, one blush in Apricot Pink, and two dual-ended applicators. I think I have to have this! For the makeup, of course. I really don't collect cutesy cat things, even though I love our feline friends. These are great colors.

The Radiant Ribbon Couture Palette ($65), wrapped with a pretty bow, looks like a perfect spring look. It has three pressed eye shadows in Rose Pink, Shiny Gold, and Pale Purple, one cream eyeliner in Dark Brown, one cream highlighter in Diamond, one blush in Salmon Pink, and two dual-ended applicators.

For the face, Shu Uemura offers a darling Duo Color Highlighter in Duo Snow shimmering powders (yep, a cat in the powder) for $45. For your lips, the Gloss Unlimited Mini Trio Set with a pretty pink pouch is $45, and includes Gloss Unlimited shades Venus Peach, Moon Gold, and Scorpion Red. There's also a new Rouge Unlimited shade in Jupiter Brown ($25).

Completed with a mini brush set ($69) and a makeup bag ($29), which can be seen at this link, the collection has some pizazz.

Until November 4, you can get free shipping from the Shu Uemura Web site on any of these holiday products.

Photos courtesy of Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura Primitribe Fall Mode Collection

A bit too edgy for my taste, the Primitribe Fall Mode Collection is Shu Uemura's latest. Although they urge us to "be wild and go beyond ordinary," this look is just too theatrical.

Acknowledging that the "look" is often not totally representative of a collection, I dug into their Web site with interest. I ordered only two pieces and tried them out yesterday.

First...a description of some of what's available. For eyes, there are turquoise and citrine Painting Liners - both shown on the model. I'm not that brave!

What did interest me were the the Primal Color Stick eye shadows ($30). They apply as cream, but dry as powder. Given their shape, they are very fast and easy to apply. I bought Blazed Gold and would describe it (on me) as a darkish gold that has a bit of sparkle in it. Not too glittery, but sparkly for sure. It is also available in Rich Earth (brown), Misty Grove (dark green), and Night Maroon (purple). If you like long-lasting cream eye shadows, give one of these a try. The shadow was still there 12 hours after application.

For cheeks, there are three Primal Mix Blush ($24) colors: Rhythm, Soul, and Echo. I ordered Rhythm, which is not as pink as it appears on the Web site. It still works for me, but I would describe the on-cheek color as a pinky peach (with both colors mixed).

There are two very nice Rouge Unlimited ($23) lip colors, either of which I would have ordered if I had won the lottery last week. The highly pigmented lipsticks are creamy, and I love the see-through cases. No fumbling for the right color with these!

This is a unique Fall collection - not much "Fall" about it. Nonetheless, there are always season-free pieces in every collection, and I think I found them.

Photo courtesy of Shu Uemura.

Shu Uemura Unlimited Pink Collection

This spring, Shu Uemura introduced a beautiful collection of pink glosses and lipsticks. The Gloss Unlimited Pink Collection is perfect for these beautiful summer days when you want some bright "pretty in pink" color, but not too much. They offer five shades. The lipstick, called Rouge Unlimited Pink Collection, is offered in nine shades - something for everyone.

The Shu Uermura Web site says, "Gloss Unlimited is formulated with special shimmer and glitter to maximize color and shine," and it's suitable for all skin tones.

I like a little pigment in my gloss so that I can wear it without lipstick or lip liner underneath. The line offers us numbers, not names, which are hard to remember, but my favorite gloss is pk378S ($22), shown in the photo here.

The lipsticks have several lovely shades for my fair skin. Number pk343 ($23) has enough color to brighten me up and enhance my blue-green eyes. The highly pigmented shades range from light to bold and are all true pinks.

You can purchase these online from Sephora or Shu Uemura. If you can only have one, I recommend the gloss. Remember it next time you need that single extra purchase to reach 100 points in your Sephora Beauty Bank.

Photo courtesy of Sephora.