Random Acts of Swatching- The Shu Uemura Edition

The mad swatcher strikes again, this time raiding my traincase and highlighting the newest members of my Shu Uemura makeup family. Aren't they precious?

Painting Liner in Vivid Blue

Makeup Quickies, Shu Oil and Lancome Bi-Facil Revisited

Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Art of Hair and Shu News

First, some Shu-related news.

Many of you have heard by now that our beloved Shu Uemura will no longer be sold in stores in the US. If this news is new to you do not panic, do not despair, and for goodness sakes do not call 911. You will still have full access to the Shu Uemura line (including all the new launches) on the Shu Uemura website. Shu Uemura's Art of Hair line will still be available both in salons and on the Art of Hair Website.

Shu Uemura Spring 2010 Egerie Collection- Lips and Nails

Shu Uemura Spring égérie

Part 2 of my Shu spring review focuses on the lips and nails, two categories most definitely not overlooked when bringing spring and the égérie collection to life.

 

  

For swatches, pictures, and my thoughts, take the jump!

Shu Uemura Spring 2010 Egerie Collection- Face and Eyes

Shu Uemura Spring égérie Collection

Now that we have thoroughly confused ourselves as to what season it is (a la fall fashion in February!), let us take a step back and get better acquainted with spring.

Bringing forth a gorgeous dichotomy that plays with both texture and color, Shu Uemura brings us both intense metallics and airy pastel sparkles with their 130th anniversary spring égérie collection.

For a look at the face and eye products, take the jump!

Red Carpet Beauty- Jenna Fischer by Shu Uemura at the SAG Awards

Jenna Fischer brought forth the classic glamour with her beautiful SAG Awards look. Settling nicely into her role as glamorous starlet, Jenna looked absolutely stunning with her frothy Marchesa violet gown, classic sideswept bun, and soft smoky eyes.

Photo Credit: WireImage

To find out what Jenna's makeup artist, Jennifer Pitt used, take the jump!

Golden Globes Beauty- Julie Benz by Shu Uemura

 Source

Julie Benz is a blonde bombshell that knows how to play up her best features. For the Golden Globes, her look was all soft smoke and glowing skin.
To find out how to get the look, take the jump!

Golden Globes Beauty- Christina Hendricks by Shu Uemura

 Source

Christina Hendricks is a busty beauty after my own heart, looking positively glowing with her alabaster skin, red lips, and stunning red locks. To get the look Celebrity Makeup Artist, Vanessa Scali sought a look that was “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.”

To get the look, take the jump!

Its Sale Time- Bare Escentuals and Shu Uemura!

As you know, Black Friday is THE time to get all of your shopping done. Here are two special sales going on this week.

Bare Escentuals

Shu Uemura

“Black Friday” November 27^th through Tuesday, December 1^st

• 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 30^th

• 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. 

Who else is feeling the urge to haul? ;) The fun begins as early as Thursday, so get thy credit cards ready.

Spotted- Whats New At Sephora

Just in time for the Friends and Family Sale, Sephora has updated it's stock with fun new things to try. Just remember, code FF2009 gets you 20% off!

Shu Uemura Tsumori Chisato Holiday Collection

From the Sephora website: World-renowned Japanese fashion designer Tsumori Chisato creates the limited-edition "wish upon a star" Holiday collection exclusively for shu uemura. Tsumori's favorite Japanese icons, "twinkle star" and "lucky cat", add a playful spirit and tidings of luck throughout the collection.

Tsumori Chisato for Shu Uemura Planet Ribbon Palette- A palette featuring 3 eyeshadows, 1 cream liner, 1 cream highlighter, 1 blush, and 2 dual-ended applicators. Planet Ribbon appears to be the more demure of the 2 palette choices, with shades of peach, plum, and gold.

 

Tsumori Chisato for Shu Uemura Planet Cat Palette- A palette featuring 3 eyeshadows, 1 cream liner, 1 cream highlighter, 1 blush, and 2 dual-ended applicators. Planet Cat appears to be the more dramatic of the 2 palette choices, with shades of silver, blue, and pink.

 

Tsumori Chisato for Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Lipstick- A shade described as 'Jupitor Brown'

 

Tsumori Chisato for Shu Uemura Mini Lipgloss Set with Pouch- A trio of miniature glosses in shades Venus Peach, Moon Gold, and Scorpion Red

 

OPI for Sephora Nail Color Trio- A trio of polishes including Metro Chic, A True Romantic,and Domestic Goddess

Ed Hardy Love Kills Slowly Gift Set- I have a great disdain for Ed Hardy clothing in general, but I must say that this all-in-one palette has me intrigued.

Have you hauled from the Sephora sale yet? Who else is feeling inspired?

Meet Shu Uemura Artistic Director, and Madonna's Makeup Artist, Gina Brooke

Listen up beauty bunnies. I have news of an amazing event, coming to a Shu Uemura counter near you!

WHO

Gina Brooke, shu uemura artistic director. Gina has worked on some of the most beloved faces in the world including Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Anne Hathaway, Eva Longoria, Britney Spears, Naomi Campbell, Giselle Bundchen, Fiona Apple, Jewel, Cindy Crawford, Dania Ramirez, Justin Timberlake and David Beckham.

WHAT

Personal Appearances and Meet & Greets across the country!

WHERE, WHEN & HOW

TOMORROW, Saturday, October 3, 2009 – SEATTLE!

Nordstrom Downtown Seattle

500 Pine Street

Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 628-2111

9:30am—11am – Meet and greet Gina at the brand new shu uemura counter!

12pm – 5pm – 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 (206) 628-2111.

Bonus: With a $250 purchase, receive a portable brush set (while supplies last).

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 59^th 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 call 212-833-2007.

This is an event that is not to be missed. You know I am booking my appointment, how about you?

Get The Look- Elisabeth Moss at The Emmys by Shu Uemura

GOLDEN GODDESS

Jenna Fischer by Vanessa Scali for the Emmy's

The Office’s Jenna Fischer and her makeup artist Vanessa Scali designed a look that was easy and sexy: Pale, gold skin and a smoky bronze eye. Here’s how to get the look:

SKIN: I first applied spot foundation only where it was needed using shu uemura’s Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation. It gives clean, fresh, flawless coverage. I then used Lancôme's Effecernes in Light Bisque and Blush Subtil in Sheer Amourose. I highlighted her cheek and brow bones with Armani's Fluid Sheer #2. In the T-zone only, I used shu uemura’s Face Powder in Colorless - matte formula.

EYES: For a soft, smoky effect, I used shu uemura’s Pressed Eye Shadow in ME Gold #350 from the lash line to the crease and under the lower lashes. For a bit more depth, I added shu uemura’s ME Brown #855 to the outer corners of the lid. To define and elongate the lash line, I used shu uemura’s Painting Liner in black. I love luxuriously full lashes and gave Jenna's a boost by adding shu uemura’s Flare False Eyelashes in Black followed by a few generous coats of Kiehl’s Marvelous Mineral Mascara in Black.

LIPS: I used shu uemura's Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine in Beige 911.

Elisabeth Moss by Lauren Kaye Cohen for the Emmy’s

Elisabeth Moss looked stunning on the red carpet last night and as she took stage with her fellow cast members to receive the award for “Best Drama”, for “Mad Men”, the hit series in which she stars. Celebrity makeup artist, Lauren Kaye Cohen shares how she created Elisabeth’s ethereal look:

SKIN: To get Elisabeth’s radiant-looking, flawless skin, I began by using a combination of shu uemura’s Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation and the new Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation (in areas that needed more coverage) both in shades 784. I applied both foundations with shu uemura’s Natural 18 Goat Brush. I then dabbed a bit of YSL Teint Parfait Complexion Enhancer in 02 Rose Pearl with my fingertips across the tops of her cheekbones. I finished with shu uemura’s Face Powder in Matte 5yr Light, applying it just to the center of the face with shu’s Natural Brush 27.

EYES: For eye shadow, I used YSL Fard Lumière Aquarésistant Cream Eyeshadow in Pink Sands and Copper Brown and then layered Giorgio Armani Maestro Eye Shadow Quads in 02 Floral and 05 Desert with shu uemura Portable Natural Brush 10. I wanted to keep the eyes very clean and really make them all about the lashes, so I applied Lancôme’s new Ôscillation Powerbooster lash primer followed by Ôscillation Mascara in Black, which looked beautiful!

LIPS: For lips, I used shu uemura Lip Drawing Pencil in PK 382 and then combined the Rouge Unlimited OR 531S lipstick with shu’s gorgeous new Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine lipstick in OR 520. I gave this lipstick to Elisabeth for touch-ups throughout the night.

How do you feel about Jenna and Elisabeth's look? I think they both look radiant, and not at all overdone!

Get their looks with the following Shu Uemura products, all available on the website:

Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation
Nobara Cream Cover Stick Foundation
Natural 18 Goat Brush
Face Powder Matte
Natural Brush 27
Natural Brush 10
Drawing Lip Pencil
Rouge Unlimited
Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine
Pressed Eye Shadow
Painting Liner
Flare Eyelashes

Shu Uemura Tokyo Kamon Girls Cleansing Oils by Moyoko Anno

I have blogged before on the magical Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils, now feast your eyes on the hi-res images and full collection story from Shu's limited edition collaboration with Moyoco Anno, a Tokyo-born manga artist.

Each bottle was designed by Moyoco Anno herself, and takes on its own distinctive personality with a different Tokyo Kamon girl on each one. Capturing the essence of emotion and femininity, each bottle is a work of art.

CLASSIC CLEANSING OIL

• Excellent for all skin conditions, the formula’s Camellia and Ginger Root Oils help to
maintain skin’s moisture, leaving it feeling comfortable and as soft as a petal.
• Leaves and vines playfully intertwine in the design, which also features heartshaped
flower petal icons.
• Wanting to communicate the idea of “brilliance”, Moyoco depicts a serene girl who
embodies the essence of happiness and true fulfillment.

CLEANSING OIL FRESH

• A light oil that refreshes and refines oily to combination skin.
• Formulated with Cherry Extract to remove excess skin cells and tighten pores.
• A cherry blossom and chrysanthemum, Japan’s most symbolic bloom, kamon adorn
the bottle.
• The pink motif and image of a very cute, charming girl complements the pink
colored formula and represents the pure and innocent qualities in a woman.

CLEANSING OIL ENRICHED
• Bitter Orange Peel, Tomato Extract, Red Pepper Extract enrich, nourish and comfort
dry skin.
• The checkered pattern on the packaging is drawn from traditional kimono textiles.
• Inspired by the formula’s orange tone, the kamon symbol is formed of the leaves of
a mandarin fruit.
• Moved by the energetic and strong-willed female, Moyoco depicted a girl whose
long hair and bangs hark back to powerful traditional images of Japanese female
beauty.

CLEANSING OIL A/O
• Fatigued and aging skin is purified, moisturized and revitalized with Green Tea
Extract, which contains Catechin known for its anti-oxidant properties that restore
radiance.
• Decorated with a magnificent Japanese pine and a woman who lovingly manicures
her bonsai plant, the bottle’s images were inspired by the deep green of the
formula as well as the reserved, elegant and graceful disposition of a highly
revered Japanese woman.

BRIGHTENING CLEANSING OIL
• Sakura Leaf and Prune extract swiftly remove makeup and impurities to reveal
smoother, brighter, more clarified skin.
• The design’s green accents bring to mind the youth and vitality of fresh leaves,
while the purple wisteria is known for its longevity and fertility in ancient Japanese
poetry.
• A popular color combination in Japan, these hues brought to mind the coquettish,
mysterious and alluring aspect of women and can be seen in the Moyoco’s image
of the girl whose parted hair covers one eye in a flirtatious way.

No matter what your personality or skincare needs, you are bound to find the cleansing oil for you. Me? Well I am gravitating towards fresh, cause I am a sucker for pink. ;)

Shu Uemura Primitribe Collection for Fall 2009

Shu Uemura has quietly sat on details of its release for fall, until now.

Ugh, I just can't take all these amazing new releases for fall. Tough times ahead, for my wallet that is. Here are the details, courtesy of Swipe Some Gloss

Here is what Shu has in store for us:

Matte Beige Eyeshadows in 800, 802, and 804

Painting Liner in Citrine

Painting Liner in Spinel

Painting Liner in Turqouise

Primal Color Sticks, which appear to be a creamy eyeshadow crayon. Shades are Blazed Gold, Misty Grove, Night Maroon, and Rich Earth

Primal Lashes

Lipsticks in PK300, BG942, and WN296

Primal Mix Blush in Echo

Primal Mix Blush in Rhythm

Primal Mix Blush in Soul

This launch has me all kinds of giddy, and I am definitely thinking the painting liners, primal color sticks, and lashes shall be coming home with me.

:Swoon:

Shu Uemura Coupon Code

This image says it all: I haven't had the chance to purchase from Shu Uemura for quite a while, but encourage you all to take advantage of my 10% off coupon code! Simply enter code "Back" upon checkout for 10% off your purchase!

For those of you who are members, you get free shipping with your purchase over $50, and a deluxe sample!

Go shopping, and tell me what you pick up ;) This expires July 20th, so don't delay!

Oh, and your welcome :)

Shu Uemura Limited Edition Cleansing Oils

You read my review, now its time to get excited over brand new, limited edition packaging on the fabulous Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils.

From the website:

"In collaboration with renowned manga artist and beauty expert Moyoco Anno, Shu Uemura introduces playful new packaging. the oils remain the same; the bottles are more beautiful than ever. These new presentations are available for a limited time only, while supplies last."

Available in Premium, Brightening, Fresh, Balancing and Classic, these cleansing oils come in formulations to suit every skin type. I can imagine these quirky and unique bottles adorning my bathroom quite nicely. They are pricey- ranging from $65-$75, each, but the quality is exceptional and they last forever. I am sure you can also refill the bottle with handsoap (or even lotion) when you are done with the oil, making this an excellent multitasker.

The Shu Uemura cleansing oils are available right now, so Go Shopping! Tell me if you indulge, because I just might, Fresh is calling my name I say...

Shu Uemura Lashes in Nature- Tokyo Lash Bar for Summer 2009

Source for Promo Image: Glossy-Kiss

Every year, Shu Uemura releases a special limited collection of luxe couture lashes in avant garde styles. Appropriately called the Tokyo Lash Bar, these iconic collections have fashion and beauty junkies alike chomping at the bit to get their hands on them!

Well I have come across some snippets of information on this summer's upcoming release: Lashes in Nature. This collection doesn't disappoint, and includes feather, rainbow, and plumed lashes.

Playing up trends, and pushing the envelope; these lashes are absolutely gorgeous and sure to catch attention!

Source: New York Magazine

So what do we think? I am swooning for the last pair!

Get Naked

Allow me to introduce you to rule number 1 in my personal list of Beauty Commandments:

1. Thou shalt never go to bed with makeup on.

I am almost positive that some of you are guilty. No worries, I am here to introduce you to the most amazing makeup remover ever. This one is guaranteed to clean off even the most stubborn mascara, leaving your face squeaky clean in no time flat.

Introducing Shu Uemura Skin Purifying Cleansing Oil.
I know, it seems counter intuitive that an oil will actually clean your face, but I assure you this is a serious cleanser.

How does it work? Well. you start with 5 pumps of the orange stuff in your hands. You then proceed to apply this to your dry face, rubbing the oil all over your face in circular motions. Then wet your hands and proceed to rub your wet hands over your face in the same circular motions. Wet your hands again, and continue to rub. Keep doing this until all the oil is off. Yot face will be make up free and radiant looking, I promise.

I use the oil cleansing method every night without fail, and it leaves my skin glowly and makeup free. There are other versions and brands that make the oil, but Shu is the best in my opinion. It is pricey for sure, but one large container lasted me over half a year!

What do you use to remove your makeup?