Shu Uemura Instinct Fall Mode Makeup Collection Haul

image from shuuemura-usa.com

Shu Uemura has a new fall line and during my trip to Chicago I managed to pick up a few pieces from this collection while I was shopping with a friend from MUA MrsCliveOwen!
We walked into Saks Fifth Avenue and the Shu Uemura Makeup Counter called to us. We made a bee line to the counter and the most awesome and fun Makeup Artist (MA) helped me pick up a few item. A few days later I waled to Barney's and while I was disappointed that there was no BECCA counter, a very friendly Sales Associate (SA) by the name of Bernadette applied some of the new fall line eye shadow & blush on me, and with her expert application I was sold...again!

Shu's marketing for the new Instinct Fall Mode Makeup asks us to "Stimulate your instincts with shu uemura's Fall Mode Makeup Collection! Explore these layerable, sensual and iridescent shades of Fall to discover your own make-up expression! Staying true to Shu Uemura's heritage of innovative and conceptual design, each item is encased within palettes of silver, gold and black motifs, expressing the modernism and elegance of the collection's femininity."
OK. That sounds good to me!

And wow. It looks as good as it sounds.

The duo's are 1/2 cream eye shadow and 1/2 pressed powder eye shadow.
I purchased 2 of the 3 duos.
At Saks I got Mesmerizer described as violet in cream and powder formulas....however the powder formula color is taupe. Taupe as plummy-taupe can be... and it's freakin' gorgeous!

Mesmerizer - interior light/no flash

Mesmerizer - daylight/no flash

At Barney's I has the SA apply Tantalizer on my and WOW! Olive & bronze shimmery duochrome goodness! Of course Shu describes it in more rational terms as green and goldish bronze in cream and powder formulas.

Tantalizer - interior light/no flash

Tantalizer - daylight/no flash

While at Barney's I also picked up the limited edition blush from the collection called Pulse. Now Shu describes it as "Warm, elegant pink with fine pearls that stimulates you to pulsate." Well...I would call it peachy-orange rather than pink but whatever. It works for me. It gives a lovely glow and when I add Chanel Nude JC Blush it gives me nice sunkissed glow without the sun damage!

Pulse - interior light/no flash

Pulse - daylight/no flash

Here is the palette in which I put Tantalizer and Pulse:

interior light/no flash

daylight/no flash

I plan to put the Mesmerizer in a palette too with a blush...I just haven't decided which one yet. :-)

As to the wearability of the shadows. I think they look great on. the cream is applied first and then the powder layered over it. The end result is a lovely duochrome that changes color in different light...HOWEVER. I am disappointed that the cream/shadow does not wear well enough to last the whole day. I have used both Mesmerizer and Tantalizer and both creased on me within 5-6 hours of wear. I have worn both using a primer underneath. Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Urban Decay Primer Potion and MAC Paint Pot in Painterly all did not stop the shadows from creasing. I don't find it a failure of the primers as I have worn many other shadows without any creasing problems. So I am a tad disappointed in the durability, however since the look the duos create can be fairly dramatic for work I will usually wear these on the weekends so a shorter "shelf life" is OK since I'm not staying 9-10 hours in once place all day.

Both shopping experiences were great and both gave me Gift With Purchases (GWP)
At Barney's I received a set of False lashes, lash adhesive, lip gloss in a squeeze tube, and the Basic Mascara.
Here is the lovely GWP I got from the MA at Saks

All in all. I think I may be addicted to Shu Uemura makeup. I want it all now!