Phew!

This weekend was hectic, to say the least, with a couple of things to attend to and boyfriend's birthday falling on the Sunday. The good would be that everything was a joyous occasion so while it included zipping around Singapore, dumping our bags and clothes at the back of the car, it was all good and everything was merry and happy!

These days, I seldom wear full out makeup looks but as I was attending a wedding over the weekend, what better time to finally try out the Shu Uemura Wong Kar Wai Palette I had received. Check out my full mention about the Shu Uemura x Wong Kar Wai collection here if you've missed it.

I received the Drowning in Flame palette (which was plum toned) and while I initially had my eyes on Burning in Water, this palette is lovely in its own way too.

I attempted to incorporate all the colors (save the cheek/lip cream - bottom left) in the palette within my look. I muted out some shades with blending because I didn't want too 'colorful' a look but here's how the final looks:

• I used the skintone shade as an overall base before the colors and also as the brow highlight because I wanted something more natural.
• The pale purple was placed on the inner corner and the dark plum on the outer corner.
• I used the bright pink to blend away the edges of the dark plum and to add a hint of color so everything wasn't too dark and smokey.
• For a touch of bling I dabbed the white-gold glitter shade (with my fingers) on the inner corner but it wasn't quite the neatest to deal with and I experienced a bit of fall out. Nothing too bad because it added a nice glitz to my cheeks but just thought to mention.

Products Used:

FACE/BROW
K-Palette Brow Liquid in 01
Maquillage Brow Wax in 77
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer in Luminizing
Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation
Lumiere Invisi-veil (to set)

EYES
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Shu Uemura Wong Kar Wai Palette in Drowning in Flame
Black eyeshadow from 88 Palette
Hour Glass Liquid Liner in Black
MAC Powerpoint Liner in Engraved
Dollywink Volume Mascara
Lancôme Fatale Mascara
Majolica Majorca Frame Plus Mascara

CHEEKS
Sleek Glo Peach Shimmer
Smashbox blush in Prism

LIPS
Estee Lauder Lipstick in Bois de Rose

Highlighted products were provided by companies/distributors,
I was not obliged to use/feature them in LOTDs.

If you do read through the Products Used list, I know it seems kinda crazy that I listed 3 different mascaras but I didn't feel like false lashes yet I still wanted that effect so... layering!

If anything I'm still more familiar with mascara and if it can give me a good enough effect, then I'm set. I know some might not like that clumpiness at the base but I find that's what gives a nice smoldering voluminous look. Plus, look at Dollywink work it's magic on my lower lashes! (Scroll up again to observe the lower lashes :p)

I have to admit, I honestly might be ditching my neutral lipstick stash for a little while to party with the bolds. I wouldn't say I would go full out with a vibrant hot red shade just yet but I'm taking baby steps to it!

Am also trying and liking the Smashbox Photo Finish primer in Luminizing right now but I shall give it some more uses before I pass my verdict. One thing's for sure is that I'm reaching for Luminizing over Hydrating!

Are you ditching your neutrals for reds or perhaps reds for neutrals?

Last but not least, CONGRATULATIONS to Claudia & Yusri and thank you for inviting me to join in their celebratory occasion! I didn't manage to get a good shot at the wedding, so here's nicking Jayden's shot of the lovely bride and groom!

Thanks for reading!

With Christmas just around the corner (2 months will practically fly by), most counters would most likely putting out their glammed-up, party-ready holiday collections.

This year, Shu Uemura is collaborating with renowned film director Mr Wong Kar Wai to put together a holiday collection that is bursting with character and festivity.

Wong Kar Wai is a master of colors, very much like Mr Shu Uemura himself, hence a collaboration like this can only be seen as a grand affair. Aside from the fusion of glitz and glam, this collection also carries a certain emotion and aura to it. Inspired by a poem written by Charles Bukowski, Wong Kar Wai created an exclusive short film for Shu Uemura.

Titled 'Mask', Wong Kar Wai's short film depicted the emotions he had drawn from the peom in a rich visual format, infused with red for the heat of passion and blue for the sea of calm. The glittery showers and sprays throughout the video also add to the intense mood which would instantly have you feeling ready for the festive season!

❧

A couple of bloggers and I had the privilege of previewing the collection in mid-October. Held at a small preview lounge in the vicinity of movie theatres, the setting and mood we had for the event was somewhat perfect.

The event started off with a special makeup demonstration. The way each move was made to be it blending the eyeshadow or brushing on the lipstick was done in a dramatic manner, in time with the background music. It was an artistic performance befitting of Shu Uemura's image.

After the demonstration and a brief introduction, the collection was unveiled to us.

The set up for this was beautiful but sadly we had to destroy it for the purpose of swatching and photos!

For this Shu Uemura 2011 Holiday Collection, we have:

• Eye & Cheek Palette – Burning in Water / Drowning in Flame
• False Eyelashes – Dance in Glitter / Jeweled Love
• Glittery Mascara
• Lustrous Glow Powder
• Rouge Unlimited – Rouge Luster / Pink Flush / Glitter Fuse
• Mini Nail Duo – Festive Rouge / Bleu Splendor
• Flashing Gold Mini Brushset
• White Recovery EX Brightening Cleansing Oil

For the last product listed (Brightening Cleansing Oil), it is the same formula as their permanent one except with the glamourous packaging. You can spot it peeking out at the back of the first group shot.

One major focus and emphasis with the packaging was movement. A film-like effect was portrayed across some of the products through lenticular printing, something I can't exactly capture and represent with my camera.

The above is a 'sleeve' that comes with the Premium Dance in Glitter Eyelashes (S$125)

The other lash alternative, Jeweled Love (S$45) comes in the usual Shu Uemura casing except with a stylized background.

The mini brush set (S$125) in this collection comes with 4 'default' face, eye and lip brushes and a cushy zip pouch with the Holiday Collection visuals.

Another product that shares the same holographic effect on the packaging would be the Eye & Cheek Palettes (S$115). Named with direct relations to the poem, these palettes come in 2 tones - a red/maroon and a blue.

Drowning in Flame

Burning in Water

Both palettes consist of gorgeous shades and have a good color pay-off to them. The cream cheek color products found in the palette swatch and pick up pretty well too. The highlighters might blend in a little when swatched but it depends on your skintone though generally they should do their job of highlighting.

Another variety to this collection with be the inclusion of 3 Rouge Unlimited lipsticks (S$39).

L-R: Rouge Luster, Pink Flush, Gltter Fuse

Be it if you love your pinks, peach-neutrals or reds, if some shimmer and glaze is what you're looking for then give these lipsticks a look!

I was a little disappointed with the Lustrous Glow Powder (S$65) because the pretty design you see scrawled across the pan is but an overspray.

After one swatch the bulk of it does vanish, though the powder beneath is still fairly decent. I didn't get a swatch shot because it was quite natural and would be a nightmare to photograph under the dim yellow lighting.

Nail polish is not an area that Shu Uemura tends to play up but in light of the festive mood, they are putting out 2 Nail Polish Sets (S$49).

And last but certainly not least, one item I was quite fascinated by is the Glitter Mascara (S$45).

I am mainly intrigued by how well it would perform. Hopefully it does not disappoint and contributes an obvious amount of bling to the lashes!

❧

So thats the round up for the Shu Uemura 2011 Holiday Collection, in collaboration with Wong Kar Wai. We got to walk away with some items and I will be sure to feature them when I get to playing around with them.

This collection will be available island-wide at Shu Uemura counters from the 11th of November.

Promotional Image Credits:
(C) 2011 Wong Kar Wai, BLOCK 2 Pictures Inc. All rights are reserved.
I am not affiliated to Shu Uemura. All opinions expressed are my own.