Musings of a Muse

A Blog of Musings from a Cosmetic Whore

Aug 29, 2008

Shu Uemura Instinct Fall Mode Makeup Review

Shu Uemura Instinct Collection has my heart for the upcoming Fall season. The palettes in particular are so versatile and unique you can't help but fall in love and lust with them!

I've been testing out some of the Shu Uemura Instinct Collection this week and I'm excited to finally tell you all about. I did a look a day for the past week using the shadow duos and I can probably get a week more of different looks from them. The palettes are interesting little pieces that you can get a nice array of eye looks from. You'd think two colors wouldn't offer much in the way of variety but in fact they do indeed offer a good deal of selection.

Each palette consists of a heavily pigmented powder shade and a cream base which doubles up as a liner. The powders are extra silky and have a similar consistency to many popular Japanese eye shadows I've come across which is a cross between a cream and a shadow. The texture is wicked smooth and blends extremely well. Pigmentation is amazing, simply amazing even better than a MAC shadow. The finish is cross between a stunning shimmer and a beautiful metallic.

The cream base is smooth and creamy. The cream base can work as a prep for your shadow or as a liner. I was very impressed with how easy it was to blend these onto my lid. I normally hate using MAC paint pots or any cream shadows in general as you may have read in my prior posts however this particular base has just the right consistency to create a sheer layer that you can build up without fearing the shadow will dry before you can put your second coat on. The base adheres wonderfully to the eye and allows a perfect prep for the shadow. It allows the shadow to glide effortlessly onto the eye while preventing major fall out plus it deepens the powder shadow and morphs the color lending an air of mystery to the color. I noticed the base intensifies the shadow in a particularly beautiful way.

I'm partial to these new duos because as I mentioned above I love how versatile they are. I can easily get several looks from two shadows.

Some looks you might attempt with your own palette:

Eye Look 1: Cream Shadow on Lid
Creates an air of mystery and a uniquely goth look that's both elegant and fun.

Eye Look 2: Powder Shadow on Lid
Beautifully rich and pigmented color on the lid creates a beautiful daytime and evening look for Fall!

Eye Look 3: Powder Shadow on Lid plus Line bottom and lower lash line with Cream Shadow
A great evening look for eyes!

Eye Look 4: Prep lid with Cream Shadow and Blend Powder Shadow onto lid!
This morphs the color of the shadow and deepens it allowing the look to go from simple to stunning!

Eye Look 5: Powder Shadow on Lid and Cream Shadow Used as a Liner on lower lash liner!
This opens the eye up and gives a simple yet unique look to your eyes!

Looks I created using the Shu Uemura Instinct Fall Collection:

Eyes: Shu Uemura Duo Eye Shadow Palette in Mystifier (Cream Base with Powder Shadow Layered on Top)
Cheeks: Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in Pulse
Lips: Shu Uemura Rogue Unlimited Crystal Shine in Brown Dazzle

Eyes: Shu Uemura Duo Eye Shadow Palette in Mesmerizer (Powder Shadow on lid and cream shadow used as a liner on upper lash line)
Cheeks: Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in Pulse
Lips: Shu Uemura Rogue Unlimited Crystal Shine in Brown Dazzle

Eyes: Shu Uemura Duo Eye Shadow Palette in Mystifier (Powder Shadow on lid and Cream Base used as a liner on lower lash line)
Cheeks: Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in Lust
Lips: Shu Uemura Rogue Unlimited Crystal Shine in Brown Dazzle

Eyes: Shu Uemura Duo Eye Shadow Palette in Mesmerizer (Cream Base with Powder Shadow Layered on Top)
Cheeks: Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in Lust
Lips: Shu Uemura Rogue Unlimited Crystal Shine in Crimson Dazzle

These are just some of the ways I've used my palette this week and I must say I'm duly impressed with the many looks I've created with it so far.

The two palettes I tried out were Mystifier and Mesmerizer. Out of the two Mesmerizer was my favorite which is a beautiful blend of purples. Mystifier contains a hunter green cream base and a beautiful brassy bronze shadow.

As for the blushes in this collection I really love Shu's Glow On Blushes and I'm particularly pleased with the two shades released with the Instinct Collection. The colors are both very pretty peach shades which offer cheeks a warmth for the Fall season. Each shade goes extremely well with the eye palette duos and offer the perfect contrast of color to cheeks against the back drop of such an intense eye look. I got both Lust and Pulse. I was slightly worried about Lust as it appears quite sheer and chalky but I quickly realized it would soon become my favorite of the two colors. Lust is actually quite a natural peach that gave my cheeks just a hint of color without overpowering the rest of my look. Pulse is a deeper shade of peach and offers a bit more pop when compared to Lust but still remains quite natural. Both are truly gorgeous shades. Each blush is embellished with a shimmering gold floral design which quickly disappears with one swipe of the brush! Le sigh! Oh well all good things must one day come to an end I guess!

Now another favorite piece for me in Shu Uemura Instinct Collection were undoubtfully the Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine. I've tried these previously and was quite excited about them but I must say that the colors I tried were nothing like the two shades released with Shu's Instinct Collection!

The shades are Crimson Dazzle and Brown Dazzle. Now the formula is outstanding! It simply glides on leaving pigmented, moisturizing lip color behind. It's like having a gloss and lipstick all in one tube! You can wear gloss on top for a bit of extra pop but the finish has enough of a shiny, glossy look to it that you may just want to skip on the gloss. Beautiful! Crimson Dazzle is particularly beautiful with touches of both red and a little tinge of orange and faint traces of golden shimmer. Brown Dazzle is just as nice with similar traces of tiny gold shimmer and deep, off chocolate coloring. Each shade is truly flattering for the Fall.

I had so much fun creating different looks with the entire collection. I can't help but label the Shu Uemura Instinct Fall Mode Makeup Collection another favorite of mine for the upcoming Fall season!

With touches of brown, peach, and popping shades of shadow it's a unique selection and combination of colors that no other collection has yet duplicated this season.

Instinct is made up of several other pieces that I do not have available to review for you sadly but I see myself buying more of the collection soon so keep your eyes peeled for another review shortly! Click on over to Shu's site for a visit and a peek at the Shu Uemura Instinct Collection as there are several other awesome items that are part of this Muse Approved collection!

I love this one and I see myself making proper use of it all season long!

Tried any of the Shu Uemura Instinct Collection?

Want to?

Love the palettes?

What's your favorite pieces from the collection?

What items do you want to try?

Tell the Muse!

Check out some other great Fall Collections reviewed by the Muse!

Bobbi Brown Mauve Collection Review

Clinique Modern Matte Sneak Peek (Review coming soon!)

Prescriptives Fall Dimensions Eye Color Quad Review

MAC Colour Forms Review

MAC Cult of the Cherry Review

Majolica Majorca Fall 2008 Collection Review: Majolook Trick On Palettes

Urban Decay Lipstick Review

Labels: Face of the Day, Reviews, Shu Uemura, Swatches

Aug 28, 2008

Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer Review

I promised a review on Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer to you earlier this week! And here it is! Love me much?

Now is a good time to head on over to Sephora and grab some of these primers because the Muse is about to blow you out of the water with all my raving.

Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer is a product you have to try in store. At first glance I wanted to order two or three colors but I quickly realized I'd have to test this in store.

I only got one because I was trying so hard to be good but I really wanted three of the selections available. Damn. But after all tomorrow is another day!

The colors I wanted to try were Pink 7, Mauve 2, and Yellow 6 and as I said I only walked out of the store with one shade which was Yellow 6.

Before I begin my review here are the details what each color is used for:

0 Neutral-Adds natural luminosity to the complexion
1 Green-Minimizes redness
2 Mauve-Counteracts sallow undertones
4 Caramel-(Make Up For Ever needs to learn to count, what happened to three?)-Combats ashiness in medium to dark skin tones
5 Blue-Adds radiance to fair skin and reduces minor imperfections
6 Yellow-Lightens dark complexions
8 Pink-Brightens the complexion and counteracts sallow undertones

My review is reserved to Yellow but since I am going back shortly for the other colors I will most definately be giving those a review of their very own!

For obvious reasons I picked up Yellow because as you may already know I'm terribly obsessed with whitening my skin as much as humanly possible without looking like Michael Jackson of course.

Shudders in fear.

I'm happy to report that Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer does exactly what it promises to do. It lightens up my complextion very naturally while prepping my skin for my foundation. Funny thing is that the primer works so well I actually feel like I don't need foundation after application of the primer! Fantastic!

The formula is not a silicon base as per the normal range of primers. It happens to be a lovely creamy, moisturizing blend that feels like a tinted moisturizer and offers coverage like a light set foundation. Although some may be slightly scared of the idea of lightening up your skin tone this effectively leaves behind a semi-matte very natural finish that doesn't necessarily lighten but more along the lines of evens out and brightens your skin. I'm absolutely thrilled with the finished result.

I'm unsure what the results would be if you're looking to fill in deep lines or pores this felt more along the lines of a treatment for evening out my dull skin while prepping the skin for foundation or as I mentioned you can easily get away using it on it's own! I tried it out in several ways one of which happened to be by itself with a bit of blush on top and it looked great. It lends my skin a dewy, creamy look that eases shadowing I have on my skin while brightening up dullness.

The formula isn't greasy nor is it oily it's actually beautifully moisturizing and absorbs quickly into the skin while keeping the promise of lightening my skin tone. As I mentioned this isn't going to bring your skin down an entire shade but it will cast a certain light off your skin giving the illusion of a lighter look.

The product comes in a pump style bottle which I'm sure those anal of germs will simply love (like me!). One squirt should do the job but I personally went ahead and used three on the day I was using it as my sole foundation. I like how it creates a nice flawless finish for my other makeup and I absolutely love how it works as a simple prep for just blush or a cheek stain!

I didn't notice any difference when worn with my foundation as far as wear goes. It seemed my foundation lasted the normal four to five hours before melting away and crying for a touch up however I can honestly say that when used without foundation my face did remain fresh, bright, and dewy for at least 7-8 hours sans touch ups in between.

Overall, I'll most definately be indulging in other colors from the line and I'm very pleased with the results this produces. It delivers on it's promises which is sometimes rare in the cosmetic world. I'm Muse Approving this one for purchase and highly recommending you go out and try it for yourself. I'm particularly curious for those that suffer from redness as Green is recommended for banishing redness on the skin. This could very likely offer a great option for covering that particular woe right up!

I like these. Alot. Expect to hear more raves about other colors soon!

These are available now from Sephora for $35 USD each! Grab 'em! The Muse thinks you'll love 'em!

Tried these?

Love 'em?

Want to try 'em out?

Tell the Muse!

Reader's Request: Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer Face of the Day

Labels: Fall Collections 2008, Make Up For Ever, Reviews, Swatches

Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Wax Review

My excitement about Giorgio Armani Lip Wax in my previous blog entry is warranted as after testing out one for my very self I must say it's quite a gorgeous little product.

Giorgio Armani Lip Wax is comparable to a MAC Mattene but if you've used any of the Mattene's before you're probably very familiar with how difficult they are to apply and blend. Giorgio Armani Lip Wax blends flawlessly onto the lips leaving behind seriously pigmented color and gorgeous lips.

The formula is matte however it's so silky and smooth it feels like you're applying a powder to your lips. They call the finish a patina satin effect, I call it perfection. The texture is virtually weightless on your lips and it feels as if you're lips are bare of any color at all but when you look in the mirror there is no doubt that you're wearing a gorgeous shade of Lip Wax. The formula is very long wearing with little need for touch ups in between.

I tried the shade selection 6 which is a beautifully popping red with a touch of maroon to it. I normally don't fair to well with reds but lately I've indulged my need for red with some rather great shades and I'm very excited to have this color added to my selection of sexy reds.

One of the things I absolutely loved about this product is the fact that color is buildable and versatile. You can go very sheer, very deep, extremely dark, or add a bit of gloss to really get an outstanding look. If you're scared of bolder shades you can easily tone it down by using a lighter hand but if you crave a wicked, sexy look you can easily take the color up a few notches by building color up.

Each Lip Wax is housed a slick black lacquered compact with mirror. I've never indulged in Giorgio Armani Beauty do to the lack of kawaii packaging but I must admit that the design of the compact is quite elegant and posh. Loves it!

The only minor rant I have is that the colors are limited to six shades but honestly that's actually plenty since the colors will work with pretty much any eye or makeup look you'll be doing. The selections are both work friendly and of course they'll spice up any evening look!

Simplicity won out for the look I created below because I wanted my lips to be the star of the show. I did two separate finishes with the Lip Wax, one I'm wearing gloss and the other I am not.

Without Gloss:

With Gloss:

Honestly, if you're looking to indulge your need for a super pigmented lip product that's both sexy and elegant this is something to seriously consider adding to your beauty arsenal.

The Muse likey...alot! Muse Approval for purchase!

Simply adoring Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Wax and heading to my local counter to see more of the color selections available today! Expect some new face of the day photos as soon as I spoil myself with some more colors.

See more of the color selections available by clicking here.

Purchase some at Giorgio Armani Beauty (You can get Free Shipping with your purchase of $75! Don't forget to check out the stunning Fall eye palette while you're visiting the site! The Muse likey!)