Mika for Shu: Sneak Peak at Shu Uemura’s Latest Collection

Oh my gosh, I am so excited to share about this collection! This is the newest collection from Shu Uemura, and is a collaboration with Shu and artist Mika Ninagawa. There are four different packaging designs, and I have the Melting Sweet Dreams collection to share with you today. This  set is all candy and sweet things.

This part collection includes 4 eyeshadows, the Eyeshadow Spiral Duo, 2 Tint & Gelatos, special false lashes and nail stickers. There is also a Cleansing Oil called POREfinist anti-shine, which has the cute candy packaging as well.

Here is a look at the products I have from this. My favorite here is the Eye Shadow Spiral Duo.. it’s like creamy candy in eyeshadow form!!

 Eyeshadow IR 115

Eyeshadow IR 115

Eyeshadow P 611

Eyeshadow P 611

 Eyeshadow ME 155

Eyeshadow ME 155

Eyeshadow ME 785

Eyeshadow ME 785

Shadow Spiral Duo Color 01

 Eye Shadow Spiral Duo Color 01

Eye Shadow Spiral Duo Color 01

Shadow Spiral Duo Color 01

Shadow Spiral Duo Color 01

 Mini Neo Star-Gliz False Lashes

 Mini Neo Star-Gliz False Lashes

 Mini Neo Star-Gliz False Lashes

Tint & Gelato PK01

Tint & Gelato PK01

Tint & Gelato PK01

Tint & Gelato PK03

Tint & Gelato PK03

Tint & Gelato PK03

What’s also cool about this collection is that I was asked to collaborate with Shu Uemura to create a look using the products for their website! Check back later today for a video tutorial on how to get this look :)

MAC, Naturally Collection- Summer Haze Mineralized Eyeshadow

Four Mineralized Eyeshadows were introduced in the MAC, Naturally Collection that came out earlier this month. The one I have to show you in this post is called Summer Haze, But I just want to call it Jupiter :) It has shimmery beiges and strong, bronze veining, it reminds me so much of the big red giant! What do you think?

Also- apologies for the not-as-clear-as-usual photos in this post! I swear, sometimes pictures look super clear on my camera, and it isn’t until AFTER I upload them that I see they aren’t. Live and learn I guess!

See what I mean? Maybe? no? :D

And of course, the aftermath of just one swatch-

Bye Bye pretty veining!

This swatches to a warm, golden bronze shade. If you’ve never used Mineralized Eyeshadows before, they are definitely interesting. You can use them wet straight from the pot (if you did this to a normal eyeshadow it would create a hardened area that wouldn’t pick up color and would have to be scratched away to use the shadow underneath). I kinda have a love/hate relationship with mineralized shadows. They are really fun to look at and I always think there is so much potential because they are all unique looking, but the results when actually USING them are always.. meh. It’s pretty, yes, but it isn’t nearly as nice as it is when you buy it and it’s untouched. For the price, I don’t think this shade is really worth it unless you collect mineralized products, or you just loooooove bronzes.

Snoe White Clay Mask Review and Meeting Liz of Project Vanity

Snoe White Clay Mask Review and Meeting Liz of Project Vanity

Snoe is a local brand that has been around for almost 3 years. They're most famous for their 12 varieties of whitening soap bars, the popular Hair Heroes hair care line, and of course their cute and creative packaging.

I stopped by a Snoe kiosk to ask about their sun protection products but walked away with the Snoe White Vitamin C-Rich Calamansi Whitening Detox Clay Mask. I was attracted to the clay part of the label, because kaolin clay is badass at sucking out oilies and comedones.

This mask is to be washed off after 5-10 minutes, and used once a week or as often as needed (thrice weeky in my case). After rinsing, skin feels lifted, tight but not dry. It feels like the mask preps my skin for moisturizing. Within 2 uses my face was noticably softer and more even-toned. Pimples threatening to burst to the surface were averted. And the blackheads on my nose had melted away! I was hooked.

I can't say much about the whitening properties because I wasn't after them. (My face is paler than the rest of my body!) My skin did appear brighter immediately after using the mask, but the effect was temporary and probably due to capillary vasoconstriction.

I tend to use it more just before my menses, when my hormone levels are elevated, and this helps calm my skin. Of course, I always moisturize after washing off the mask.

A word about the scent: lately I'm more sensitive to smells, and the sharp smell of the charcoal and clay gives me a headache and nausea. You'll notice that I've avoided the area around my nostrils. This minimizes the effects of the scent.

Don't let the small size of the tin fool you. A little goes a long way. It's taking me forever to finish this tin. Two months and it's still half full.

There was an Cosmetics Fair at Landmark Trinoma that month so I got this at 20% off. But even without the discount, this mask is value for money!

THE WRAP

Pros

• Helped with my acne
• Lifts and softens skin
• Affordable and locally available (online and in malls)

Cons

• Acrid smell may be a deal-breaker for sensitive noses