Nothing sets our hearts a flutter like a neutrals palette. Am I right? Ever since the eyeshadow palettes from the Brave Beauty collection, I have eagerly awaited more glorious colours and formulations from Shu Uemura so I was NOT expecting the shu:palette 16 Shades of Nude*($105 CDN)! I was expecting even more bright colors to grace my eyelids, but you know what? If any brand should have a neutrals palette, it should be shu! The shu:palette contains 16 nude shades in six different finishes that have been specifically chosen to compliment Asian skin tones and define Asian eyes. The blend of light, medium and dark shades allow for a 3-step gradation technique that brings a natural dimension to the Asian eye. Yes, we Asians do not have the largest of eyes. I am grateful for what little double eyelids I have, but often wish I had more surface area to work with.
This is one of the largest palettes I own (about the size of a large wallet) as the 16 eyeshadows are FULL SIZE making this palette an incredible value.
There is also a new double-ended eyeshadow brush that allows for easy and precise gradation application. The roundness of the brush head mimics a fingertip and the thickness optimized for applying just the right amount of eyeshadow. While I liked the shape of the brush head, I found that it picked up too little eyeshadow when wanting to apply to a larger area. It was perfect for inner corners or small areas.
The six finishes are: S- satin, M – matte, ME – metallic, G – Glitter, IR – Iridescent and P – Pearl with the glitter being my least favourite even with primer. Application was somewhat patchy and I am glad there was only one glitter shade in this palette.
You can see that every shade swatched beautifully!
GET THE LOOK! I call this look “Unwashed Neutrality”
Face:
Shu Uemura Tsuya Skin UV Under Base Youthful Radiance Mousse in Peach*
Shu Uemura Lightbulb Foundation 764 Medium Light Beige*
Shu Uemura Pampearl-Me Face Powder in Pearl*
Brows:
Shu Uemura Brow Ink Liquid Eyebrow in Ash Brown*
Eyes:
Apply Mary Kay Eye Primer all over the lid followed by M 851 all over the lid up to the brow bone. Use a small brush and apply ME 862 on the first half of lid. Using a fluffy brush, add P 875 to other half of lid, blend with ME 862 and bring up to crease. Using a smudgebrush, repeat same colours on lower lash line in patting motions to reduce fallout. Highlight inner eye corners with G 821.
Line the lower waterline with Shu Uemura Drawing Pencil in M Black 01* and M 990.
Apply Shu Uemura Petal Lash Mascara*.
Cheeks:
Shu Uemura Tint in Gelato Lip and Cheek Color in CR 01* applied in patting motions with fingers and blending. I absolutely adore these as both cheek and lip colours!
Lips:
Shu Uemura Brave Beauty Rouge Unlimited in Rose*
Final Verdict: I know this palette is targeted towards Asian skin tones, but there is absolutely no reason other ethnicities can’t enjoy this palette too! I especially love the inclusion of both a black and iridescent dark blue shade as I feel like navy blue gets neglected when it is really a gorgeous smoky or liner shade. There is a great mix of textures so that both the matte and shimmer shadow lovers will get their fill. I don’t think I used the palette in the “gradation” way that was intended, but I have plans for the other shades…how could I have settled on just a FEW shadows when there was a whole palette to choose from? This palette is totally worth it just based on the sizes of the actual shadows (1.4g each) as a single eyeshadow is normally $19. Doing some beauty math, this palette should be $304! With such a fantastic array of nudes in all sorts of textures…could this be the palette an entire nation has been waiting for?
The shu:palette is NOW back in stock online! Get it while you can at Shu Uemura Canada!
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