Shu Uemura will release a new S Curler (1470yen) on 1 August in Japan. Described as a multi-functional eyelash curler, this was reportedly 13 years in the making and went through 100 test designs. The name is derived from the eight key words that drove the project: small, spot, special, safe, simple, side-bar free, sophisticated and shu uemura. The side-bar free design is supposed to enable it to fit all eye shapes.
The holiday collections are always a special time of the year for the amazing sets that companies release. I used to be a fan of Tarte's holiday blockbuster sets but eventually stopped purchasing them as I wasn't using them often enough. This year, I could not resist getting a couple of their holiday sets as they offer great value for money and a good range of shades.
Through MyUS.com's personal shopper service, I purchased from the Tarte website the Fantastic Foursome 4-Piece Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush Enthusiast Set (US$35), Statement Lips 5-piece LipSurgence Collectors Set (US$34) and Picture Perfect Curler & Deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara set (US$16). I skipped the Carried Away Collector's Set as the eyeshadow shades looked too bland and lacklustre for my liking.
The LipSurgence set is amazing value as these lip tints usually retail for US$24 each. You can split up the set to use as gifts to a few people. I already own a couple (True Blood and Spirited) and reach for them frequently as they are so user-friendly (no sharpening required) and wear comfortably on the lips. There is a minty tingling sensation for the first few minutes.
The set includes two Lip Lusters (Escape, Sweet), two Lip Tints (Enchanted, Elite) and a Matte Lip Tint (Exposed). These are made in the US and are free of parabens, mineral oil, phthlates and synthetic fragrance.
The shades are all easy to wear and would suit most skin tones. Personally, I would have preferred a couple of more vibrant or intense shades to add more spice and variety.
The Lip Tints usually provide about 3-4 hours of wear. They are easy to remove and don't leave my lips parched or peeling.
I already own a number of eyelash curlers but this special edition of the Picture Perfect curler looked appealing with its snazzy handles.
The spring mechanism enables one to curl the lashes with minimal strength. This curls my lashes quickly with just a couple of squeezes.
It also comes with a plastic grip that is handy to keep around if you travel a lot like I do, so that the curler takes up less space.
Compared to the Lunasol (left) and Shu Uemura curlers (right), the Tarte curler has a shorter width.
The Fantastic Foursome blush set sold out very quickly on Sephora.com so I snapped it up once it appeared on Tarte's website. The blushes contain half the product of the regular blushes (0.1oz/3.03g versus 0.2oz).
Do share what you have purchased from the holiday collections! I'm still waiting for my Paul & Joe unicorn set to arrive. Fingers crossed, I should be getting the Addiction coffret as well.
At Boots in London, I found the Ruby & Millie line of beauty tools were all going for under £3, as the line is being discontinued.
The Lip Brush was the most amazing deal ever, as it was originally priced at £7.66 and was marked down to £1.91. When I got to the till, it rang up at just 47pence! The cashier was just as surprised as I was, and declared it a great bargain. The synthetic bristles feel nicely firm and smooth. After discovering this, I stocked up several more at other Boots stores.
The i-Lash Curler is designed without any side bars so as to avoid pinching the eyelids, much like Urban Decay's new Revolution Curler. This was just £2.17, down from the original price of £8.68. Unlike the Revolution Curler, it does not have a spring mechanism.
The curler definitely takes some getting used to. The black plastic makes it hard to see one's lashes against the curler, unlike with, say, Shu Uemura's silver metal curler. The lack of side bars doesn't really help that much because I found it hard to get the curler to grip the lashes at the inner and outer corners of my lids. It did curl my lashes but not as well as my trusty MAC eyelash curler.
I also picked up a pack of foundation sponges. Again, this was very affordable at £1.53, down from £6.13.
Over at Harvey Nichols, I came across the Louise Young line of brushes. I've never heard of the brand but was immediately impressed by how incredibly soft the brushes felt. The prices weren't too exorbitant, thanks to the low pound. Anyway, good brushes are always worth investing in as they last many years with proper care.
I picked up the Super Fan Brush (£26.50), Super Blusher Brush (£26.50), Tapered Shadow Brush (£17.50) and Mini Socket Brush (£11.50). Both the Super Fan Brush and Super Blusher Brush feel wonderfully plush and luxurious.
The Tapered Shadow Brush (right in pic below) reminds me of the MAC #226 Small Tapered Blending Brush. The MAC #226 brush was a very popular limited edition brush released previously as part of the Brunette, Blonde, Redhead and Colour Craft Collections. It will be re-appearing again in the upcoming MAC Me Over collection for fall.
