New: Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color

Shiseido introduced new Shimmering Cream Eye Colors ($25) this month, and they are luscious. The lightweight cream eye shadows have a radiant, lustrous finish that will maintain a just-applied, fresh look for 16 hours without smudging or creasing. They apply easily with your fingertip or a cream shadow brush (or concealer brush) for a smooth, even finish. You can wear the shades separately or blend them to create a custom look.



The formula adds a luxurious bonus to the color. Shiseido's Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE hydrates the lids. The shadows contain a jewel-reflecting powder that emits an intense radiance to morph to your surroundings. A patent-pending emulsification technology allows excess oil and water to be removed after application, leaving behind only the hydrating and jewel-reflecting powder on the lids. That's how the shadows stay crease-free for the duration. They apply like a dream come true.



The 12 shades range from the vibrant Purple Dawn, shown on the model above, to a discreet Sable. I purchased two shades to start my collection. I love cream shadows, so I was on the lookout for the new shades. Actually, I had seen them at Nordstrom, but it was during the crazy Anniversary Sale days, so I skipped out of there quickly. The shadows are now available online at Sephora. That's where I bought mine.



The two shades I purchased are shown above: Meadow (BE204), a gorgeous antique gold - and Patina (GR707), a silvery khaki or olive green. I adore them both!



I took a few swatch photos in full sun. You can see that these shadows are shimmering beauties. Yes, the sun makes them look especially sparkly, but you can always count on Shiseido for totally wearable makeup. On my lids, they are magnificent. For these photos, I applied the shadows with a cream eye shadow brush.



You can see that Meadow is a gorgeous, shimmering gold. I love gold shadows on my lids, and Meadow is going to replace a very old one (another brand) that has finally given up the ghost. Patina is an interesting, muted green with a silver shimmer. It's beyond flattering. It brings out the green in my eyes, which is fun.



I think the pots are really well-designed. Instead of being perfectly round, they have a contour that allows for an easy grasp and turn (as you can see in Shiseido's photo of Meadow above).



I am a huge Shiseido devotee, and I'm passionate about cream eye shadows. I am totally delighted with my new Shimmering Cream Eye Colors. Now I have Techno Gold and Sable on my must-have list. Perhaps I'll even buy Leather. I need to see that one in person, but I could order the other two from the online photos. I know I'll love them.



You can find Shiseido's gorgeous new Shimmering Cream Eye Colors at Shiseido's Web site (click on the little circle and a fabulous photo will display), Sephora online, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's. Go look at them!



Photos at top courtesy of Shiseido; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

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Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow in H4

Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow ($25) is one of my favorite cream shadows. Intense and lustrous, this dewy cream eye shadow transforms into powder that creates a glaze of brilliant, shimmery color. It's crease-resistant and long-wearing.

There I was, a few months ago, lusting after some gold and copper eye shadows I saw in a magazine. H4 had been swatched. I wanted it. When I want something, I'm relentless in searching for it. I looked online at first. I couldn't find it. Then I started prowling the Shiseido counters. Every time I went in a store with a Shiseido counter, I looked at every Hydro-Powder shade on display (testers) and asked someone to check the stock in case the H4 tester was missing. No one had it. No one at a Shiseido counter knew the shade. I had almost given up when I found H4 at Bloomingdale's at Tysons Corner Center. I think the sales associate (someone I didn't know) was surprised when I told him I wanted it within seconds of picking up the tester. It was worth the search.

H4 is called Spring Plum. This shade is not plum to my eyes. Maybe I should be worried about my vision. Not only that, the color swatches online make it look mauve pink. You be the judge; I swatched it.

On my arm at right is a heavy application at the top and a lighter, blended application below. I applied the cream with my fingertips (my bad - I was in a hurry, but I washed my hands before I touched it). I would describe the color as a rose-tinged copper. When applied heavily, the rose is more dominant than it is when applied lightly and blended. Either way, I can wear it. I don't look like an albino bunny in it. The shade is extremely flattering to my pale skin and blue eyes, and I think women with other skin/eye combinations will find it very pleasing.

Last night, I looked online, and now suddenly the shade is "everywhere." Go figure! No matter what it's called, it's gorgeous! I verified H4 today with the lovely ladies who represent Shiseido. They see a soft plum with some shine; I see another color. It's not new, so I have no idea why many counters don't display it. Browsers would pick up this beauty in a heartbeat.

You can find Shiseido at Sephora, Macy's, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and other Shiseido counters, as well as online at the Shiseido Web site. See if you can find H4 more easily than I could.

Photo at top courtesy of Nordstrom

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New: Shiseido Oil-Free Powder Bronzer

I've been in a bronzer kind of mood. Maybe it's because summer will be upon us before we know it. Maybe it's because I am always impressed with the year-round contouring power of bronzers. They can make your cheekbones pop. Whatever the reason, I saw Shiseido's Oil-Free Bronzer ($35) at Sephora online and ordered it right away. I love everything Shiseido.

This pressed powder, oil-free bronzer creates a natural, radiant, sun-kissed look. Its formula ensures a perfectly even, natural, air-brushed finish. For those who find that oil in beauty creates a problem for their skin, this bronzer should be a delight.

It's available in three shades: Dawn Light, Desert Rose, and Dusk. All three looked gorgeous in the color swatches at Sephora, but I ordered Dawn Light. I know that the others - despite their beautiful tones - would probably be too dark for my fair skin. I still plan to play with them when I go to a department store that carries Shiseido.

This is a short feature because there's not much more to tell you than, "I love it." The compact comes with a brush (nice touch) that is separated from the bronzer by a plastic insert. The color works nicely for me. Even though I swatched it using a sponge-tipped applicator to get a saturated rendering of the shade, it looks pretty, natural, and sheer on my face when applied with a powder or blush brush. I haven't used the little brush that comes with it, but I could. It's nice.

Here's a swatch photo, purposely created with a dark, heavy application to the left of the swatch, fading to a lighter application at the right. My photo was taken outdoors in full sun, accounting for my shiny skin. This bronzer is not sparkly. I hope you can see that.

The soft, airy texture is perfect, and it applies and blends with ease for an air-brushed look. It's an excellent bronzer for anyone who wants a bronze tone that appears extremely natural. While I can only testify to Dawn Light, I know Shiseido so well now, I can predict that the darker shades are equally gorgeous.

When applied with a brush, it leaves a warm tone on my fair skin without making me look like a mud puddle. In fact, the bronzer, when applied with a blush brush is barely discernible as a bronzer, which is fine with me! I don't want people to look at me and think I am wearing a pretty bronzer. I want them to look at me and think I look good - healthy.

As always, I am delighted with my Shiseido purchase. You can find this lovely bronzer at Sephora, Macy's, and other Shiseido counters.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora

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Shiseido Replenishing Body Cream

Drawing on its expertise in Western science, Shiseido created its body care line with today’s advanced technology, along with inspiration from Eastern philosophy and medicine. Shiseido believes the key to a beautiful body is to provide vital nutrients, while effectively removing impurities and unwanted substances. "Shiseido body care combines the newest technology with the science of aromachology to create two high-performance products that redefine skin care."

The two new body care products are Shiseido Refining Body Exfoliator and Replenishing Body Cream. Both products are formulated to maximize the synergistic effect of the ingredients. Based on the philosophy of balancing “skin’s natural renewal cycle,” Shiseido body care products include a skin microcirculation-improving complex to eliminate impurities, while evening skin tone.

I had an opportunity to try the Replenishing Body Cream ($72). What a nice, rich body cream! It's worth every cent of its price. This "high-peformance" body cream is specifically designed to help moisturize, firm, and improve the overall look of the skin. Its moisturizing properties are fabulous.

It has a unique set of ingredients. Yuzu seed extract is a traditional Japanese citrus fruit that is typically added to baths during the winter in Japan to improve microcirculation. Yuzu seed extract maintains the skin’s natural moisture while stimulating the production of collagen (from in vitro data). It also has a divine fragrance.

Cherry blossom leaf extract is a natural antioxidant. Agar Gel, an algae-based compound, helps to leave skin deeply hydrated with no sticky residue. Then there's the fragrance ingredients that make no sense to me. Shiseido says that Kuroho, an ancient, traditional fragrance composed of clove, musk, sandalwood, frankincense, and agallach, combined with relaxing jasmine, scents the cream. I hate the scent of cloves and frankincense, and I have no idea what agallach smells like. What I smell is jasmine, rose, and a touch of the crisp, fruity yuzu. It's delicious!

Replenishing Body Cream comes in as large container, so you get a lot for your money. It also spreads with ease, meaning it doesn't take much to cover all the dry areas of your body. I've been using it on my legs, which came out of surgery with an alligator look. Now, they are smooth.

I love applying this luxurious body cream before bed. It has become a ritual. See what you think! It should be available at Shiseido counters soon.

Photo courtesy of Shiseido

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Shiseido Shimmering Rouge for Spring 2011 - Part 2

Women everywhere are going to love Shiseido's new Shimmering Rouge ($25), a sheer lip color that feels and looks great. There are 13 new shades. On Sunday, I told you about my first four. Please pop over to that feature by clicking on the "Sunday" link. Today, I want to show you the second four, ordered from Sephora, that arrived this week.

To recap quickly, Shimmering Rouge offers sheer, brilliant color that infuses the lips with lasting moisture and makes them appear full. These sheer lip colors feel good and look great.

For the first round, I had selected three shades from Sephora, and Shiseido sent me a fourth. I loved all of them, so I had to have more shades. I'm a sheer lipstick lover - maybe an addict. The four colors I ordered in the second round are listed here.

• PK 311, Pink Champagne
• RS 312, Iced Rose
• RD 406, Desire
• RD 601, Golden Dragon

The shades are shown on my arm at right in the same order, with PK 311, Pink Champagne at the top. My photo was taken outdoors in sunlight. The first three shades are perfect for me. Golden Dragon at the bottom may be a little bit darker than my "comfort zone," but I applied several coats of each of these shades to make sure I got a good photo. Applied with a lighter hand, it looks good.

Shimmering Rouge has a very reasonable wear time for a sheer lipstick. I don't mind reapplying throughout the day. I would rather have the brilliant, glowing, unfaded color than a long-lasting lipstick that looks like a stain in an hour - and feels like chalk. Another benefit to Shimmering Rouge, there's no detectable fragrance or taste - yippee!

You can purchase Shiseido makeup at Macy's, Nordstrom, Sephora, Bloomingdale’s, Saks, and Dillard’s. To get more information or to find a store location near you, just pop over to the Shiseido Web site. Make sure to get yours before the stores start to sell out of the most popular shades!

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora

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Shiseido Shimmering Rouge for Spring 2011

One hit followed by another - that is how I think about Shiseido now. The new introductions for Spring 2011 are fabulous. From skin care to makeup, there's something for everyone. Women everywhere are going to love the new Shimmering Rouge ($25), a sheer lip color that feels and looks great. There are 13 new shades. Make sure to get yours before the stores start to sell out of the most popular shades!

I'm a sheer lipstick addict, and the moment I saw Shimmering Rouge at Sephora, I ordered three shades. After I received them, Shiseido sent me a fourth. I felt very special to have these four new goodies in my makeup bag. Shiseido says they offer sheer, brilliant color that infuses lips with lasting moisture and fullness. "Lips have never looked so all-day sensuous." I don't know about the sensuous part. "Sensuous" is not high on my priority list on most days, but I care as much about looking good as most glamour girls. I can verify the rest of the description!

Apply these lipsticks, and you will be immediately pleased by how you look. I put on Discretion (RD713) first, and I jumped for joy. You know I love sheer and transparent lip colors. They can be semi-sheer or completely sheer; I love their natural look. Wearing them makes you look like yourself, only better. I know that's becoming a hackneyed description, but it's true.

All of the shades add semi-sheer, gleaming (not glittery or sparkly), and just-pretty color to the lips. At right, there's a photo of my four shades (so far). My photo was taken indoors in sunlight. From top to bottom, the shades are Iron Maiden (RS308), Lounge (RD709), Discretion (RD713), and Sizzle (OR405). If you compare these shades to the Sephora color swatches, you'll see significant color differences.

Hands down, my favorite among four great shades is Discretion. The mauve-rose shade is perfect for my coloring, and I adore it. I was surprised at how much I like Sizzle, the shade Shiseido sent me. Normally, I wouldn't gravitate to a shade with "OR" (meaning orange family) in its preface. I think this peach shade is gorgeous on the lips. Iron Maiden is bright blue-pink. If you can wear blue-pinks, you will like this one. Lounge is a hard color to nail in a description. It has elements of apricot, rose, and brown. On the lips, it's a very natural color.

Shimmering Rouge has a very reasonable wear time for a sheer lipstick. I don't mind reapplying throughout the day. I would rather have the brilliant, glowing, unfaded color than a long-lasting lipstick that looks like a stain in an hour - and feels like chalk. Another benefit to Shimmering Rouge, there's no detectable fragrance or taste - yippee!

Next Shimmering Rouge purchases? I am sure to order Champagne (PK311), Desire (RD406), Golden Dragon (RD601), and Iced Rose (RS312). I had a hard time selecting only three on my first pass, but I knew I would get a better feel for the shades after trying a few. I may be headed to Sephora online today. I'm feeling housebound anyhow. I will show them to you when they arrive.

You can purchase Shiseido makeup at Macy's, Nordstrom, Sephora, Bloomingdale’s, Saks, and Dillard’s. To get more information or to find a store location near you, just pop over to the Shiseido Web site.

Photo at top courtesy of Shiseido

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Shiseido Luminizing Eye Color Trio for Spring 2011

Dick Page has done it again. The Artistic Director for Shiseido Makeup always has his fingers on the pulse of color. His spring introductions for Shiseido are trendy - and gorgeous.

The new Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trios ($33) are available. Inspired by brilliant landscapes as well as the simplest moments of daily life, the newest color additions to the Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Colors reflect places that have captured Page's imagination. These tri-color palettes consist of naturally contrasting and highlighting shades that brighten the eyes. The luxurious powder, with the ultimate in smooth texture, spreads evenly onto the eyelids (as smooth as silk), making it easy to apply the exact texture and color you desire with their blendable sheerness. Each shade can be worn together or separately for a wide variety of looks and effects.

The delicate luster of satin-smooth pearl provides a superb, stunning finish. Micromatic color pigment reflects light that conventional pigments would normally absorb, making it possible to create vivid, yet translucent colors. "Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE" improves dryness and roughness to give eyes a moisturized look all day long. Dual optimizing powder provides true color and a natural sheen for all-day wear.

There are three new shades of Luminizing Eye Color.

• Bouquet (VI308), a purple-violet palette inspired by the sculptural impression of a wild bouquet of flowers (shown below)
• Voyage (BR209) with colors inspired by a photograph of Shiseido model, Raquel Zimmermann, crossing the Venetian lagoon by motoscafi (how romantic - shown above right)
  
• Punky Blues (BL310), a cheeky, spontaneous picture taken in London representing aggressively bright colors (shown above left)

The neutral connoisseur in me said, "Order BR209 from Sephora!" So, I did. I was thrilled when it arrived. I took a lot of swatch photos. The photo below is the only one that came close to showing the richness of the shades in the trio - all of which are magnificent. My photo doesn't show how beautifully pigmented the lightest shade is. It's a very light golden beige, not as sparkly as the indoor photo, taken in sunlight, makes it appear. All of the shades shimmer, but they don't sparkle. Simply put, they are perfect. Golden bronze, antique gold, and the perfect light gold base/highlighter shade - stunning!

Hopefully, I've tempted you enough to make you seek out the new Shiseido trios. Wish I could show you the other two, but they don't live at my house - yet. The are available nationwide at department and specialty stores where Shiseido products are sold, beginning mid-February 2011 - although Sephora has them now. Shiseido is also available online at Macys, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Saks, Barneys, and Dillards. For more information or to find a store location near you, just visit www.sca.shiseido.com.

I've got more to show you. Stay tuned!

Photos of trios courtesy of Shiseido

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