A Re-Introduction

HELLO. This post is less informative and more celebratory – I finally managed to find a limited window of time where enough sunlight filters into my apartment and allows me to take photos worthy of the blog. I haven't been in front of the camera in such a long time, so I've forgotten many of its caveats (foundation, or at least a dusting of Guerlain météorites, is a must for better-looking skin).

That said, we've never shied away from the ugly here at Messy Wands. Try though I might – exfoliating, then layering face mist, serum, oil and cream – I haven't been able to fully rectify my dry skin woes and parts of my face remain scaly. The only respite I've had was when I used the Tatcha Deep Hydration Lifting Mask (review here), but the beauty and curse of a mask is that it's super effective only for a day.

Perhaps because of all that, I've been favoring the neutral, contoured look. It has just enough color so I'll look polished but not so much that I'll draw attention to problem areas. Here, I'm glad I'm finally able to show you a clearer picture of the recently reviewed Guerlain Météorites Perles De Blush and Ellis Faas Glow Up in action.

Products Used:
Shu Uemura Mechanical Brow Pencil
Shu Uemura Pressed Eye Shadow Refill M 864
Clé de Peau Concealer in Ocher
Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara
Three Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil 07
Guerlain Météorites Perles De Blush
Ellis Faas Glow Up
Shiseido Lacquer Gloss in VI708 Phantom

Shiseido Sheer Eye Zone Corrector – A Touche Éclat Substitute

In my humble opinion, that is.

Amongst the spring offerings by Shiseido (see my coverage here, here, and here), the one that I've most constantly used is the Sheer Eye Zone Corrector. When I attended the event, the brand representative told me that this is basically their version of YSL's famed Touche Éclat. I have an aversion toward most YSL products due to the brand's penchant for heavy fragrance (I mean, even their mascara is overwhelmingly scented), so while I have been intrigued by Touche Éclat, I could never bear to wear it beyond the testing counter.

True to its name, the Sheer Eye Zone Corrector is not meant for heavy concealing. In the picture below, I applied the Sheer Eye Zone Corrector around the usual culprit areas – under eyes, sides of nose, around the mouth – and it tones down the gray and red, but doesn't completely mask it.

In fact, I tried concealing the pimple on the bridge of my nose with it and was met with failure. Instead, I had to top that area off with my HG Le Metiér de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer (a quick search tells me I've never reviewed it on the blog, but have done a guest post on Makeup And Beauty Blog).

That said, the Sheer Eye Zone Corrector has steadily become my on-the-go concealer. I am lucky to not need much concealing for my skin, so barring bad pimply days, the little stick usually provides enough coverage for me.

I'm also starting to seriously reconsider my stance on the Dior Fluid Sticks (now available everywhere else but most importantly Nordstrom). I just can't get over that finish.

Shiseido Sheer Eye Zone Corrector retails for $30. I use shade #103 Natural.

Products Used:
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Suqqu Balancing Eyebrow Palette 01 Moss Green
Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation N 102
Le Metiér de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer Shade 1
Shiseido Sheer Eye Zone Corrector
Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancer in Delicate Pink
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil 08
Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Pale Barley and Midnight Brown
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Addiction Cheek Polish in Fresh
Chanel Joues Contraste Fleur de Lotus
Dior Addict Fluid Stick in 639 Artifice

Full disclosure: This entry contains sample products sent by PR or the manufacturer for editorial consideration. This entry also contains affiliate links.

Liquid Lipsticks Done Right: Shiseido Lacquer Rouge

This past winter may have been long and harsh , but the (grudging) arrival of Spring means COLOR. Let's take a moment to rejoice, and to celebrate Shiseido's wise decision in expanding its Lacquer Rouge line.

L-R: RD320, PK425, VI324

I was gifted three of the new shades when I attended the launch months ago. RD320 is a coral red, PK425 is a cool candy pink, and VI324 is a bold violet.

The Shiseido Lacquer Rouge formula is lightweight and comfortable to wear. I estimate the wear at 4-6 hours, after which it fades marginally. What I like is it doesn't stain the lips even though it is long wearing, and even better, non-drying. It is also not sticky and has no fragrance. With the palatable price point, I'd say it's easily one of the best liquid lipsticks in the market and I couldn't recommend it enough.

For the difference in formula between Lacquer Rouge and Lacquer Gloss, shimmy on over to this post.

VI324

PK425

RD320

To break the monotony of "deer in headlight" photos, here's a smile instead. Enjoy the weekend ahead!

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge retails for $25 and is available at Sephora, Nordstrom and Shiseido.com.

Products Used:
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Suqqu Balancing Eyebrow Palette 01 Moss Green
Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation N 102
Le Metiér de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer Shade 1
Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancer in Delicate Pink
Guerlain Crazy Paris Meteorites Radiance Powder Compact (Holiday 2013)
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil 08
Le Metiér de Beauté Nouvelle Vague Kaleidoscope
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Look 1: Burberry Earthy Blush / Shiseido Lacquer Rouge VI324
Look 2: Addiction Cheek Polish in Rose Bar / Shiseido Lacquer Rouge PK425
Look 3: Addiction Cheek Polish in Fresh / Shiseido Lacquer Rouge RD320

Full disclosure: This entry contains sample products sent by PR or the manufacturer for editorial consideration. This entry also contains affiliate links.

Two Purples from Shiseido

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge VI324

Did you know my favorite color throughout my adolescent years was purple? I gradually moved on to maroon, then white, to refusing to name just one shade, but I will always have a soft spot for mixing red and blue.

I'm not sure what reignited my fervor in purple, but it is all I want to put on my face now (a stroll through Saks last weekend yielded an arm full of purple swatches). For eyes, I've been revisiting this Rouge Bunny Rouge trio; for cheeks, Clinique Plum Pop. For lips, two shades in particular have snuck into my rotation of products: Shiseido Lacquer Rouge VI324 and Shiseido Lacquer Gloss RS306.

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge VI324

Lacquer Rouge VI324 is, I quote the Sephora description, a bold and sexy violet. No sparkles. Lacquer Gloss RS306 is violet with a tinge of rose. Also no sparkles.

The biggest difference between the Lacquer Rouge and Lacquer Gloss formula is the amount of shine you get from the products. Obviously, the latter is wetter. While it makes sense that Lacquer Rouge would have more coverage, don't write off Lacquer Gloss either. The first layer goes on semi-sheer, but two layers yield some mighty pigment. I prefer the Lacquer Gloss formula because it's lighter and feels more comfortable on my lips, and it's arguably more pliable.

Shiseido Lacquer Gloss RS306

Shiseido Lacquer Gloss RS306

Along with color, I'm rediscovering other old favorites, like Burberry Earthy Blush used above. Many lighting setups ago, I called it my go-to contour shade. While I no longer sculpt with Earthy (well, I no longer sculpt, period), I find it to be a great barely there blush that accentuates my bone structure just so.

Also, I'm really digging the smudged out cat-eye look lately. So simple and quick, but makes me look infinitely more made up.

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge and Lacquer Gloss retail for $25. They are available at Sephora, Nordstrom and Shiseido.com.

Products Used:
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Suqqu Balancing Eyebrow Palette 01 Moss Green
Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation N 102
Le Metiér de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer Shade 1
Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancer in Delicate Pink
Guerlain Crazy Paris Meteorites Radiance Powder Compact (Holiday 2013)
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil 08
Le Metiér de Beauté Nouvelle Vague Kaleidoscope
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Burberry Earthy Blush
Shiseido Lacquer Rouge VI324
Shiseido Lacquer Gloss RS306

Full disclosure: This entry contains sample products sent by PR or the manufacturer for editorial consideration. This entry also contains affiliate links.

Shiseido Lacquer Gloss Swatches

Top L-R: Mocha (BR301), Debut (BE102), Baby Doll (PK304), In The Flesh (OR303)
Bottom L-R: Lust (RD305), Plum Wine (RS306), Nebula (VI207), Phantom (VI708)

I had the immense fortune of having the opportunity to preview this a couple months ago. Unfortunately, this also meant that I had to sit on these swatches for as long a time. Following the success of its Lacquer Rouge release, Shiseido decided to release a line of Lacquer Glosses. The concept is similar: liquid, pigmented shades that glide on lips and lasts a good long while.

What I found with the Lacquer Gloss is one layer gives it a "traditional" gloss finish (sheer color), while two layers makes the product truly shine (full pigment). It's lightweight and non-sticky and immense fun to wear. The packaging is sleek and light, and unlike most other liquid lip things, showcases the colors on the outside (if only Lacquer Rouge would take notes). My personal experience was mostly with the slightly shimmery beige Debut, which wears like a concealer nude with two layers on my lips.

Shiseido Lacquer Gloss retails for $25 and is newly available on shiseido.com.

Full disclosure: This entry contains sample products sent by PR or the manufacturer for editorial consideration.

Sneak Peek: Shiseido Lacquer Rouge

L-R: RD203 Portrait, RD305 Nymph, BE306 Camel, RS404 Disco, RD501 Drama, OR508 Blaze, RD607 Nocturne, RD702 Savage

Such is the perils of guerilla swatching, but I take what I can get! For a quick review (and better swatches), visit Ars Aromatica.

I couldn't test it at the counter because the SA was absent and I didn't want to use the included wand. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so I finger-applied them to my lips. My initial impression is they feel very comfortable and moisturizing. From the way they swatched on the back of my hand, I am quite certain these could be sheered out easily if you want an alternative to full coverage. 

Shiseido Lacquer Rouges retail for $25 and is available at most major department stores and Sephora. The downside is they look tiny at 0.2oz, but that is the same size as a Chanel Rouge Allure Laque that used to go for $32, and those things take a long time to run out.

Lipstick Bandits: Summer Brights

The happiest of days are Lipstick Bandit days, and today we are tackling summer brights. It's a topic Larie and I have been raving about since our last post and of course by now I've already blogged about most of my favorite brights of the season (NARS Mexican Rose and Moscow, for example).

But if there's anything to be expected from lipstick, it's that you can never run out of great ones!

My pick is more about formula than color, though it's pretty amazing on that front too. I first tried Shiseido's 'Perfect Rouge' Lipstick line a few weeks ago, and I believe I exclaimed (to myself, because I talk about makeup to myself that way) "why did I wait so long?!" and shook my head laughing. I love getting pleasant surprises. 

L-R: Shiseido Perfect Rouge PK417, OR418

I think the Japanese has lips down pat when it comes to formula. These remind me of Suqqu lipsticks (less creamy) but are infinitely more accessible. It goes on with the feel of a sheer lipstick but is actually opaque and lasts way longer. If there is any consolation to falling asleep with my makeup on, it's knowing that the lipstick I applied six hours before is still completely intact when I wake up (yay involuntary makeup testing!). The formula is scent-free, taste-free, and moisturizing as well. I don't remember the last time I found so much win in one lipstick.

Below I'm showing you the two colors I mysteriously found in my stash. PK417 is a neutral light pink and OR418 is an orange with strong yellow undertone.

PK417

OR418

The best part? Shiseido 'Perfect Rouge' Lipsticks retail for $25, which is not inexpensive by itself, but less of a shocker compared to half the things I rave about.

As usual, the best part of Lipstick Bandit posts is finding out what everyone else picked, so mosey on over:

• Bloomin' Beauty Blog
• Call It Beauty
• Eye Heart It
• Getting Cheeky
• Makeup Morsels
• Musing on Beauty
• My Women Stuff
• Rocaille Writes
• theNotice: a beauty blog‎