Inspired by Shiseido Artistic Director Dick Page’s travels around the globe, SHISEIDO just came out with some new Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trios ($33 @ macys.com). Just gazing at these colors, I can only imagine where Mr. Page even went! The amazon with the deep, rich greens? Or the Orient with the golds and coppers? The world truly is his oyster.

I have to admit, it was hard to delve into these two eye shadow trios because they look nice just in the compact (yup, I’m filing this post under my on-going feature of Product As Art that are too pretty to touch) but I’m glad I did. They apply so smoothly and blend really well and so worth the price tag.

Each color has a satiny finish and includes Micromatic Color Pigments, which reflect light, giving a bolder look. And the shadows also contain their signature moisturizing agent, Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE, but as I’ve stated before on my site, I’m not sure an ingredient like this in such a low amount can make a difference in a product.

So let’s take a closer look at each trio!

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Let’s get down with some pink lippies from SHISEIDO’s Spring 2013 Collection. I was able to get my paws on a Lacquer Rouge, Perfect Rouge and Perfect Rouge Tender Sheer from the collection and it seems that there has been some formula changes. Which one/s? Click after the jump to find out!

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You think you’re old? Try turning 140 year-old, which is what SHISEIDO is doing this year. Can you believe it? I don’t know of any other makeup brand that is that old. To celebrate they just put out Zen Secret Bloom Eau de Parfum Intense and if this isn’t the most sexiest scent I’ve smelled in some time. The limited edition eau de parfum was created by the same nose at their Zen fragrance back in 2007 and this is the third edition of the fragrance.

This one is called a chypre-floral blend with notes of jasmine absolute, freesia, patchouli, incense and black vanilla. And actually, as I sniff-sniff away at my wrist, this one seems quite fitting for a man too.  

$68/1.6oz @ nordstrom.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

SHISEIDO just came out with some new makeup additions for their Spring 2012 and I got myself a hold of a few of the products for review and swatching.

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Woo-hoo, loving SHISEIDO’s new Shimmering Cream Eye Colors. The shades are really smooth, blendable and just really nice to look it. The 12 colors were inspired by makeup artist Dick Page’s photography and travels around the globe. These creams are not like your average cream shadows. It contains three key traits - each container uses their patent-pending emulsification technology to remove excess water and oil after applying the shadow, so the color stays truer, longer. Each formula contains a jewel reflecting powder that reflects different colors from different angles; each contains their own technology called Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE, which helps with keeping the color moist on lids so it doesn’t dry up and flake off. Color picks: Purple Dawn (VI305) and Angel (BL711), a deep teal blue. $25/6g @ nordstrom.com.

Here are some new lippies I’m loving these for totally different reasons.

SHISEIDO Shimmering Rouge Lip Color ($25 @ macys.com) – Sometimes lipstick bothers my lips in that it feels sufficating. I know I have mentioned this before on the site but I feel the need to mention that this one does not make my lips feel anything but stifled! It contains a Super Bio-Yeast Extract that helps produce collagen and also hyaluronic acid. But regarding the feel and look, the colors seem to be between a sheer and full feel almost like I wearing nothing, which I love! Color picks (shown here): RD 406 (Desire) and RD 709 (Lounge). I call the RD 709 on MLBB! I really wanted to pick RS308 because it’s called Iron Maiden “Up the Irons!!” but I haven’t tried it just yet!

BARE ESCENTUAL bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor ($16 @ bareescentuals.com) – combines the coverage of a lipstick with the high shine effects of a gloss and these are really pigmented so go easy on the application or you might want to consider using a lip brush the first few times to get used to it. Have not seen a lippie this pigmented like this in a long time.
And it’s about time a company really put some thought into a lip gloss application wand. I mean, I’ve come across just a handful but this one is really tops and really hugs the lip when applying. Color picks (shown here): Fuchsia and Pink Nude.

Click below to see the swatches!

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After mascara, my other favorite category to try out is foundations. Powder, cream, liquid, gimme them all! SHISEIDO The Makeup Perfect Smoothing Compact Foundation SPF 15 ($30/powder $9/compact @ nordstrom.com) is not a super hard one to get and what it gives is a smooth flawless finish. This powder, of course, contains the latest technology for making your skin look natural and not cakey. And it seems to work best if I apply face moisturizer and then wait a while for it to fully sink in before applying. This one is getting great reviews and I’m giving it thumbs up too. Available in 10 shades.
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The picture does not do justice for this The Makeup Shimmering Lipstick in SL 16 ($22.50) from SHISEIDO. I tried shooting it myself but it just didn’t look right. It has to be the shiniest lipstick I have ever seen! And if you turn it around in the light, it is almost mirror-like. I really hated to break-the-seal, so to speak! So how does this SL 16 look on the lips? Pretty shiny light pink. It looks glittery in the tube but this color just gave my look a little kick and the glimmering agent just makes lips look glossier and not at all kid-like. Definitely YLBB.

Speaking of shimmery-glimmery, I just got their Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow in Languid Lagoon ($23) from the new Spring 2008 Color Collection. This dewy cream doesn’t crease on the eyes and the pastel greeny light blue color is sooooo now. Both @ sephora.com.

We’re always so head over heels with SHISEIDO’s cosmetics that we have not really devoted the time to their skin care line, until now. Their White Lucent Intensive Brightening Mask ($66/6sheets @ nordstrom.com) seems especially made for this time of year. Not only do these somewhat Friday the 13th looking sheets hydrate but they also claim to penetrate deep enough to fade pigment spots in the skin. From what I read, it just says that it fades them; it doesn’t get rid of them altogether. To what degree are they washed out? No concrete evidence on that or from what my naked eye could see in trying them out. I don’t think using one of these masks for 10-minutes a week for 6-weeks would be powerful enough to rid the skin of them anyway.

If you are looking for a refreshing boost to your sallow skin this season, this is a good one to use. It uses a Multi-Target Vitamin C, Spot Deacti-Complex, and Asian plant extracts that Shiseido developed especially for this line of White Lucent products and these really seemed to plump up my skin.

This is our last installment of Red, Red Lips and we have some serious ones on this list. Just do me one favor when it comes to red lipsticks, don’t let the look in the tube deceive you from trying what could be, your perfect shade!

1. NARS Lipstick in Jungle Red ($23 @ net-a-porter.com) – this is one bright red! It’s matte and very pigmented.
2. MAC new Mattene Lipstick in You Say Tomato ($14.50 @ nordstrom.com) – semi-matte bright orange-red. For the experienced only!
3. SHISEIDO The Makeup Perfecting Lipstick in Red Luxe ($22 @ sephora.com) – you need sunglasses when you put this shade on. Bright and creamy. Proceed with caution.
4. DIANNE BRILL COSMETICS Lip Lingerie Lipstick in Cuban Heel ($28 @ beautyhabit.com) – when I think of this line, I think of this rich cocoa red. Deeply pigmented and it’s one of those that is lighter red on lips than it appears.
5. URBAN APOTHECARY Big Fat Kiss in Smirk ($20 @ urbanapothecary.com) – part gloss part lipstick. This is a warm glossy red that will make your lips look wet.
6. SCOTT BARNES Lip Suede in Crystal ($24 @ scottbarnes.com) – thick and rich pigment. Scott doesn’t mess around with sheers. This is a serious girls’ red lipstick.
7. OPI Lip Color in St. Petersburgundy ($10 @ opi.com) – this is a deep burgundy red, like a shade you see on a model in a magazine. Pair with a pearl necklace and your look is ready.
8. TRISH McEVOY Flawless Lip Sheer Lip Liner in Rouge ($20 @ nordstrom.com) – for perfect precision with any red, use a pencil to line. This rosy red is not too dry or oily and it stays put.
9. LIPSTICK QUEEN Lipstick in Rouge Sinner ($18 @ bloomingdales.com) – "all pigment and no shimmer or frost" is their tag line. This is a serious dark red.
10. SHU UEMURA Rouge Unlimited Red Collection in #195 ($23 @ shuuemura.com) – they are so confident about their formula for red, they came out with a whole collection of them. This one is silky and on the sheerer side.
11. SUKI COLOR Pure Cream Stain in Vermillion ($36.50 @ sukipure.com) – this glass pot is filled with pure deep burgundy wine pigment. Swipe this creamy mineral color on lips, cheeks, everywhere. Very sheer.