Project Make A Dent #1: Third Progress Check

Time for the third progress update in my Project Make A Dent #1 series! In case you haven't been following this stash-reducing challenge, Project Make A Dent is an idea originated by Lola from Lola's Secret Beauty Blog (here's her latest update) where you try to focus on using certain make-up products from your stash, albeit not at the exclusion of other things from your collection. The project is more about giving your forgotten products some love rather than trying to use them up completely, but I'm not gonna lie - I'd love to see most of these in my empties bag.

Here's a shot of what I've been working with right now; I did use up two products completely at my last progress check (here - click!), so this is the updated version with more products added, and the usage on the rest of the items as of my last check-in. If you're curious, this (click!) is what I started with at the very beginning of the Project in January.

And here's my progress! I have used up one more item - the Gosh Waterproof Eyeliner in Black Ink, also shown in my latest empties post, and the Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in Soft Coral is VERY nearly used up as well. The Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Whiskey is shorter by maybe two or three sharpenings, but I'll try to focus more on using it from now on. Again, not much progress with the blushes or the NYX Tea Rose lipstick, though I'm starting to reach for the latter a bit more now that the weather is cooling down. I'm estimating that my tube of  Estee Lauder Double Wear Light foundation has about 1/3 left in it now (last time it was half full), and if you look closely (uhm, very closely), the naked pan winking from the Annabelle Vanilla Chilla eyeshadow is slightly bigger now. All in all, not too bad.

To be perfectly honest, I AM rather tired of using the same products over and over again; I'm quite an ambitious individual so I don't let myself stray too far from my Project Make A Dent selection. Perhaps Lily has the right of it - if you decide to switch up your products a bit more often, then it's not as painful to commit to using these select few. However, I now have less than three more months left to go, so I'm stubbornly sticking to my yearly version - and then in January next year, I'll decide what I want to do.

How are you guys faring with your stash-reducing challenges? I've heard of so many different versions making the rounds on blogs and YouTube right now, like 'Commit To Five Before The Snow Flies', lol. But overall, it makes me happy that so many people want to take control of their collections and use what they already have - what do you think?

New In My Skincare Routine

As my stash downsizing progress continues, I'm now getting down to skincare back-ups and otherwise abandonded products from the back of my drawers. Some of them are surprisingly good, and thus restore my faith in trying deluxe samples and gifts with purchase. Some of them are meh; they'll get used up in due time, but the excitement levels are running low. And some of them... NO. Just no. But anyway, all of these serve the purpose of reviewing them for you, lovely people, so that you know what to try and what to avoid.

While I do most of my face washing with the Emma Hardie Moringa Lift & Sculpt Cleansing Balm, I sometimes prefer something lighter and quicker for the mornings: enter MyChelle Dermaceuticals Apple Brightening Cleanser ($14.25 for 2.1 fl oz) with malic and gallic acids, which was part of a GWP from drugstore.com. A quick shopping tip: if you're subscribed to their email offers, they sometimes do these amazing GWP bags with a $75 beauty purchase that come loaded with deluxe samples AND full-sized products. But back to MyChelle: I find this sulfate, gluten and cruelty-free face wash to be a decent low-foaming option; quite gentle but a bit more drying than an oil/balm cleanser. I haven't noticed any improvement in my hyperpigmentation, but I've recently been experiencing less breakouts and less overall congestion in my skin - not quite sure if it's thanks to just this cleanser, but I think it's helping along. A tentative thumbs-up.

To remove my make-up at night, I've switched to using the Eau Thermale Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-up Remover ($20 for 6.76 fl oz/ 200 ml) after finishing the beautiful TATCHA One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil. In short: I ultimately prefer using cleansing oils for make-up removal. Not that the Avene micellar water is bad: non-irritating, subtly scented, doesn't leave a sticky residue. But in terms of really getting that black mascara and eyeliner off, nothing beats a solid cleansing oil. I now have to do multiple passes with a cotton pad saturated with the Avene lotion, and I still get smudges of mascara under my eyes in the mornings - so from now on, I won't be repurchasing micellar make-up removers (even Bioderma!) and sticking to my cleansing oils.

Tempted by rave reviews from Sandra and other bloggers, I splurged on the Paula's Choice Resist BHA 9 Treatment For Stubborn Imperfections ($40 for 0.3 fl oz/ 8.4 ml). First off, let's discuss the price: this is forty bucks for a product smaller than most of my deluxe samples. But whatever, it's supposed to be used as a spot treatment, so the tiny bottle should last a long time - EXCEPT the pump makes it impossible to get just a small amount, squirting product left and right. To get the amount I need, I barely touch the pump a couple times, and then a drop oozes out... but misshaps still happen. I could maybe suck it up if this clear oil (sic!) made any difference in my skin - but it doesn't. On me, it doesn't really prevent breakouts from rearing their ugly heads, doesn't dry them out, doesn't help with clogs and blackheads, nor post-inflammatory marks... Yeah. It's just annoying. Needless to say, I'll use it up but won't be repurchasing.

On days I'm at home and don't feel the need to wear SPF, I like to use just a plain, lightweight moisturizer to give my skin some much needed hydration, which is why I busted out the Dermo Face Sebio Light Mattifying Correcting Cream (32,99 PLN/ ~$10 for 40ml) from a Polish brand Tołpa. The moisturizer was a gift from a family member, and while a lot of Polish skincare products are great quality and a pleasure to use, this is unfortunately a dud. It has a strong, citrus bathroom cleaner scent and a glue-like consistency that eventually absorbs into the skin, but feels heavy and fails to both effectively hydrate my face or keep the oils at bay. Thank God it expires next month so that I won't have any second thoughts about throwing it away.

Lastly, the surprising hero of this post, the Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream with Super 7 Complex* ($42 for 1.7 oz or $16.50 for 0.5 oz, which is the size I'm using). I didn't have high hopes for this, especially after sniffing the jar: to me, it smells like a fermented/pickled cucumber with a touch of rose, and while I like both pickles and roses, I don't want them together in my moisturizer. But that is the only downfall of the Lotus Face Cream - otherwise, it's a lovely, lightweight, fast-absorbing, hydrating and soothing cream that leaves my face soft, plump and happy. I can't comment on longterm anti-aging results, but I like that it has ingredients to soften fine lines, improve elasticity and boost radiance. Two thumbs up - I may repurchase a full size in the future.

Have you recently added anything new to your skincare routine? Any interesting discoveries, positive OR negative? Come on, you guys know I love me a good product rant ;)

Disclosure: Product marked with an asterix (*) is a press sample I received as a part of a complimentary Glossybox. The remaining products were either gifts from family, gifts with purchase or my own purchases. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as free press samples. Thank you for reading!

My Fall Color Palette: Eyes, Lips & Cheeks

Even though I'd been planning this post for about a month, there aren't really any totally unexpected product picks in here: just your usual berry, purple and plum shebang, with a couple warmer blushes and some greys thrown in for a good measure. What can I say? I like what I like.

I also haven't bought any make-up from fall/winter collections this year, so all of the products I'm featuring have been hiding in my stash and not getting the love they deserve - time to rectify the situation. In a way, think of this post as 'shopping my stash for fall'; let me know in the comments whether you're also sorting through your existing collection for seasonally appropriate hues, or if you've purchased some new products this month - I'd love to know!

Let's start with the eyes. While summer was all about wash of color on the lids with some smudgy eye pencils (read as 'couldn't be bothered to use more than one eyeshadow and be super precise with eyeliners'), I'm now craving some more put together looks. I haven't used my purples in a really long time and I like how they compliment my brown eyes, so I've unearthed a small GWP quad from Clinique with Frosted Blossom (light shimmery pink), Stone Violet (matte medium warm purple), a darker shade from Beach Plum duo (medium warm purple with gold shimmer) and Night Plum (matte aubergine). I'm wearing all four shades in the second FOTD below.

 

Illamasqua Powder Eyeshadow in Forgiveness is another matte purple (very similar to Stone Violet) I like to use in the crease to give my eye more definition. The texture of the Illmasqua matte is far superior to the dinky Clinique quad: smooth, creamy, more pigmented and blendable. On a cooler side of the color spectrum, I've been playing around with some greys from my collection: that's MAC Vex and MAC Hocus Pocus. Two of my cream eyeshadow sticks pair really well with both greys and purples: Avon Extra Lasting Eyeshadow Pencil in Amethyst and Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Grey Pearl.

L-R: Clinique GWP quad, Illamasqua Forgiveness, MAC Vex, MAC Hocus Pocus, Avon Amethyst, Laura Mercier Grey Pearl.

I tried to reign in my lip product picks a little bit: that's usually the one element of my make-up routine I like to change out the most often. But here's an interesting detail: I haven't actually been that much into deep pinks and berries so far this fall (exhibit A: the first FOTD. Not digging that lip shade - it's Inglot Gel Lipstick no. 58 by the way, and as you can see, pointedly omitted from my lipstick picks). I'm all about the vampy blueberry shades, and deeper reds; and when I'm not feeling a dark lip, I reach for a sheer mauve gloss by way of Buxom Lip Polish in Dolly, which also pairs beautifully with those vampy lipsticks.

I like to wear all three of my deeper lipsticks either full strength or dabbed on as a stain: especially Revlon Superlustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry requires some careful layering and general cajoling to apply evenly - I'm wearing it as a stain in the second FOTD, with more product layered in the center of my lips. Maybelline Color Sensational in Plum Perfect has a lot more reddy brown tones, so if you're into the 90s trend but you're a bit more cool-toned like me, it's a very nice shade for the colder months. Both Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Grandest Grape and fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Passion are the most moisturizing of the bunch, so a more practical choice when the lips get chapped thanks to the freezing temperatures outside.

L-R: Clinique Grandest Grape, Buxom Dolly, fresh Sugar Passion, Maybelline Plum Perfect, Revlon Black Cherry

Lastly, blush: oh, how I love thee. The skin on my cheeks has finally started to clear up, so I can have more fun with cheek products again! All three of my picks have a sculpting effect on my face, but additionally I've been pairing them with Benefit's Hoola bronzer, used as a contouring powder. I am now the most tan I've been this whole year (despite daily SPF application), so I'm milking it by using some darker cheek products in my stash.

NARS Sin blush in particular gives my face a lot more definition thanks to the very fine gold sheen which highlights my cheekbones (second FOTD below), while NYX Powder Blush in Mauve and NARS Douceur warm up my coloring and will compliment my fading tan - yes, I'm giving it another month tops. A bronze goddess, I am NOT...

L-R: NARS Sin, NARS Douceur, NYX Mauve

I've also returned to liquid eyeliners and cat flicks - they just pair so well with a bold lip. In terms of foundation, I'm still trying to make a dent in my Estee Lauder Double Wear Light; having used it for a solid couple months non-stop now, I have to say I've grown quite tired of it, even though the shade Intensity 1 is my perfect match right now. Nails in the first photo are Zoya Payton, which will be featured in an upcoming fall nail polish picks post.

I rarely use pencils in my waterline or to tightline, but I've been experimenting with slightly lighter shades, like the shimmery taupe of Sephora Contour Eyeliner in Flirting Game, which you can see in the photo below. I'm also into bolder brows, making good use of my Shu Uemura Seal Brown pencil - but I'm thinking of investing in a tinted brow gel (Benefit Gimme Brow?), and maybe even a brow powder (Anastasia?). Do you have any favorites you could recommend?

And that's a wrap! I feel like this post is a bit all over the place, but hopefully you guys enjoyed it nonetheless. How do you change up your make-up for fall? Are there any specific shades, placements or techniques you like to use in the colder season?

Summer's Last Hurrah: Lunasol Cream Cheeks in EX04 Tender Glow Pink

Continuing on with my reviews of products which are obscure, seasonally inappropriate and generally difficult to get hold of... Although having said that, at the time of writing it's 82°F/ 28°C in New York City, and it definitely does not feel like fall yet; but worry not, after this review, I'll try to fall in normal beauty bloggers' footsteps and post something with a more autumnal color scheme. Ekhm.

This Kanebo Lunasol Cream Cheeks liquid blusher in EX04 Tender Glow Pink (~$40 for 12g) was a lovely gift from Jenni (thank you!) and a quick Google search tells me it was released as a part of Lunasol Limited Edition Christmas 2011 coffret (here's a review from BirkinBagBeauty). While it seems that this product is not available at this time, it may get re-released - and then this review might, just might, become even remotely helpful. Failing that, my hair looks really shiny in the FOTD shot at the end, so you can at least pretend to enjoy this post.

I don't have huge experience with Japanese cheek products; I've only tried the Canmake blushes so far (reviewed here) and still really enjoy them. From what I've gathered though, Asian blushes usually tend to be highly shimmery (unlike the Canmake Clear cream blushes), and this Lunasol Cream Cheeks is no different: it's a (surprise surprise!) peachy pink with lots of refined gold shimmer that gives an almost reflective glow on the skin, which you can see in the close-up shot of a blush dollop on my finger.

Compared to my other peachy pink blushes, Lunasol Tender Glow Pink is the closest to NYC Blushable Creme Stick in Plaza Pink, although a bit cooler and with a gold rather than silver sheen. Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Color in Lotus Pink is a bit redder and deeper in tone but also not too far off, while both The Face Shop Pastel Cushion in Coral Cushion and NYX Powder Blush in Peach are a lot lighter (more pastel) and more peachy.

L-R: Lunasol Cream Cheeks in Tender Glow Pink, NYC Blushable Creme Stick in Plaza Pink, Laura Mercier Lotus Pink, The Face Shop Coral Cushion, NYX Powder Blush in Peach

The consistency of the Lunasol blush is a bit more runny than I expected (I've seen this described as a liquid rather than a cream like the name suggests), and due to the squishiness of the tube, it's quite difficult to control the amount you squeeze out. The blush is pigmented, so a small dab is enough to cover both cheeks; the dollop you've seen in the second photo is perhaps too much already. While I'm usually not a fan of very shimmery blushes, I have to admit that I like the refined finish of Tender Glow Pink; I do however have some issues with the formula. For whatever reason, Lunasol Cream Cheeks goes a bit patchy on my skin and pools in my pores right from the application. I also find that it fades quite fast throughout the day, and I usually have no problem with cream blushes lasting on my skin.

All in all, a beautiful shade, but a somewhat underwhelming formula. I think I'll try to experiment with this one a bit more again in the spring, but for now, I'm putting it back in my blusher drawer. Have you started swapping out your make-up for fall already? I'm quite excited for the deeper shades again!

Beauty Product Empties: 3rd Quarter 2014

It's hard to believe we're now almost into the last quarter of the year; I'm saying this not to bore you with the usual surprise at the inevitable passage of time, but rather the change of heart from when I first embarked on my stash downsizing project at the beginning of the year. In January, the challenge loomed ahead like a great commitment and immediately caused nervous doubts of the 'Can I do this?!' variety, but now it has come to feel almost like second nature; it feels good to throw away more than to buy. And it feels really, really good to enjoy using fantastic products I had stashed away as multiple back-ups, and then buy new things only when the old ones run out. Simple, right? ;)

The reason I'm doing the empties round-up a little bit early is because I've had so many that they started spilling from the bag and overtaking our apartment (well, that is a *slight* exaggerration, but I do dislike clutter). Because of the amount of products and your comments after my last empties post, I'm continuing with the same mini review format.

Bodycare and perfume. Some progress in using up my collection of bar soaps, and a big achievement by way of finishing a small bottle of L'Occitane Rose et Reines EDT. I'm hoping to use up one more full-sized bottle of perfume by the end of the year, and continue downsizing my collection of fragrance minis.
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: The Body Shop Honeymania Bubble Bath Melt (scent was meh, not enough bubbles), Sande Cocoa Mint bar soap and Archipelago Pomegranate bar soap.
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Neom Three Nights of Peace Bath Oils (reviewed here, loved it but it's a bit pricey to indulge in on a regular basis), The Body Shop Coconut Shower Cream, L'Occitane Rose et Reines Eau de Toilette.
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too): The Body Shop Body Butter in Brazilian Nut, Haus of Gloi Bubbling Scrub in Plotter's Breakfast (my HG body scrub formula but this scent wasn't my favorite).

Haircare - not a lot of progress for now, but I'm very nearly out of both shampoo and conditioner, as well as dry shampoo, all of which you'll see in my next empties post. I wouldn't repurchase either of these products, and while KMS Sea Salt Spray and Redken Powder Refresh Dry Shampoo were decent but not spectacular, I absolutely hated Pureology's Radiance Amplifier (a shine mist): it managed to be both greasy and drying at the same time, and smelt atrocious.

Skincare - so many things running out at the same time! But fear not, of course I had multiple back-ups waiting to be used, so no new purchases were made. I've linked reviews here for you in case you're curious, as most of these things deserved a post of their own.
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate - tossed, check out Larie's mini review here; in short, it contains plastic micro beads that end up polluting the Great Lakes, and I have no interest in using or ever purchasing a scrub that's harmful to the environment.
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Wedderspoon Raw Manuka Honey (used as a cleanser and a mask, reviewed here), Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water, Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion (reviewed here), Murad Essential-C Night Moisture (mentioned here), Murad Renewing Eye Cream (review and comparison of different Murad eye creams here), Osmia Honey-Myrrh Lip Repair (reviewed here).
Products I would repurchase (but am probably trying out other things too): TATCHA One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (reviewed here), Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil (mentioned here and here).

Make-up! Is this what you've all been waiting for?
Products I disliked and wouldn't repurchase: Everyday Minerals Jojoba Base (tossing, mentioned here), Benefit They're Real mascara, fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Honey (tossing because it's turned, but the shade is also wrong on me. I do like Rose and Passion though), bareMinerals Original Foundation deluxe sample (I much prefer Laura Mercier's Mineral Powder SPF 15 for a mineral foundation).
Products I enjoyed, but I'm trying out other things: Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Slippin n' Dippin (dried out, I liked the shade okay), Gosh Waterproof Eye Liner Pencil in Black Ink (there are better black eyeliners out there).

Now, for a plethora of sample packets: you can read my detailed review of Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule and First Treatment Essence here, the various Asian sheet masks are reviewed here, and my overview of exfoliating pads can be found here. Most of these samples were pretty unremarkable, although I do have a full size of L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream - I'm quite unsure whether it's worth the rather high price tag, as it does very little when my hands are suffering from eczema flare-ups.

Well, that's a lot of empty containers headed for the trash can, which makes me quite happy indeed. Have you been using up or stocking up on more products recently?

The Autumn Tag

Blogging is NOT coming easy this month for some reason - sorry, folks. Which is why I'm even happier to have been tagged by Marianna from Marianna's Beauty Room over in the land of YouTube to do the Autumn Tag, which will hopefully bring some of the mojo back. If you're looking for an honest, sweet and relatable beauty YouTuber to watch for a change from all the popular gurus, who are all currently whipped into frenzy over various Fashion Weeks (yawn), do check out Marianna's channel - she's great :)

1. OK, we're talking coffee's - what's your favorite seasonal drink from Starbucks or another coffee shop?
The only reason I now go to Starbucks is when I'm stuck in the airport; I don't rate their coffee at all and don't patronize any other big chain coffee shop, although I admit Pumpkin Spice Lattes have their own spicy sugary charm that's far removed from the taste of actual coffee. I make simple lattes in our Breville Espresso machine at home, using the Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountain whole beans, and I very much enjoy Stumptown's lattes in their NYC locations in the Ace Hotel and West Village. Other coffee shops that have recently impressed me: Toby's Estate Coffee in Brooklyn, where you can watch the roasting process, and Thinking Cup in Boston's Back Bay area - they have delicious almond croissants too.

2. Accessories - what do you opt for: scarf, boots, or gloves?
Scarves are my biggest love, and I have quite a collection - I just find them to be the easiest way to dress up a simple outfit of skinny jeans and a T-shirt. Here's a little unsolicited tip, in case you have limited closet space like me and you're looking for an idea to display your scarves: I attached a big 3M damage-free hook on the inside of our closet door and put a scarf hanger on it (like this one from The Container Store), looping my favorite pieces through for easier access, and to save some space on the closet rod. I have way more scarves than the ones you can see in the photo, so I store the rest of my collection folded on a shelf, and rotate the scarves seasonally.

3. Music - what's your favourite music to listen to during Autumn?
Strange question; do people really alter their music choices seasonally? I don't, but for the sake of answering the question, here's what I've been listening to recently: Sylvan Esso (I especially like 'Hey Mami'), Fleet Foxes (mostly their eponymous first album), Haim and St. Vincent.

4. Perfume - what's your favorite scent for this time of year?
The heavier fall/winter perfumes are actually my preference year round, and this season I'll mostly be wearing TokyoMilk by Margot Elena Dead Sexy No. 6, which is a 'romantic and ethereal' scent with notes of vanilla, exotic wood, white orchid and ebony. I don't find it ethereal in the least; to me, it's lingering, heady, sweet woods with a sexy cologne feel. I'm also working on finishing my bottle of Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly fragrance mist (better than expected), and when those two become too boring, I reach for a cute mini of Kenzo Amour, which is definitely worthy of a full-sized bottle purchase.

5. Candles - what scents will you be burning this season?
I haven't been massively into candles recently; I've started to find the usual Bath & Body Works offerings a bit too artificial-smelling, although I enjoyed burning Leaves and Marshmallow Fireside in the past. I still have a few candles left from last year so I'll try to satisfy myself with what I have - I'd love to explore other candle lines but I'm not looking forward to spending my money on home fragrance. In the meantime, I also like to burn essential oils in our wax warmer; my favorites for colder weather are orange & cardamom and vetiver.

6. What do you love most about Autumn?
Lots of things to love about fall: the colors, the air, the scents, the cozy-up-under-a-warm-blanket-with-a-good-book-and-a-cuppa weather. But if I had to choose just one thing, it'd be the quality of sunlight in early fall - the warm orange glow and slightly more diffused rays that make autumn walks the best in the whole year.

Wearing some greys and the light blue from Shiseido's Static eyeshadow trio on the eyes, NARS Sin on the cheeks and Buxom Dolly on the lips.

7. Favorite makeup look?
Nothing new here: vampy berries for the lips and tips, nudes and plums for the cheeks, and cool taupes and greys on the eyes. I'm actually planning a separate post with my fall make-up palette, so this general answer will have to suffice for now. Recently, I've also rediscovered neutral mauve shades for my lips; Buxom Lip Polish in Dolly has been a firm favorite.

8. What are you looking forward to most in Autumn?
We'll be entertaining a lot of house guests in the next month and a half, and I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of September with my brother (especially our upcoming trip to Chicago!) and October with my best friend, Mariya. I'm also looking forward to leisurely walks in Central Park and watching the trees change colors from green to gold to copper. What more could you want?

Tell me - what are your favorite things about fall? Or maybe you hate the cold, the grey and the drizzle?

Spring in September: Shiseido Eye Color Trio in BL215 Static

It hasn't been very long since I reviewed my first Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in BE213 Nude, and now, via a passed-on PR sample gifted by a blogging friend, I have a second one to show you: a delicate pastel trio in BL215 Static ($33 for 3g/0.1 oz), which is part of Shiseido's Fall/Winter 2014 Collection.

Yes, I know: pale pastels for Fall. I'm really not sure where Shiseido was going with this combo, as the rest of the collection is decidely more autumnal; check out Larie's review and swatches of the Floracouture trio here. Given their mostly Asian customer base and the usual cold season trends, I can't see Static being a huge hit at the counters - quite undeservedly so, as this trio is beautifully executed in its own right. Once you get over the dark A/W palette, Static shines with its understated elegance, evoking wispy, cotton candy clouds lit by a sunrise, or the polished mother of pearl glow on the inside of a seashell.

In terms of texture/formula of the eyeshadows in this trio, I find it very similar to Nude - meaning excellent: soft, dimensional, easily blendable. In my experience, pastel eyeshadows are tricky to get right: either sheer and patchy, or pigmented and chalky, looking forced and unflattering on the lids. Static somehow manages to meander these obstacles, adhering to the skin evenly, and giving eyes a subtly luminous, fresh quality; mind you, Shiseido's formula isn't the most pigmented, but I have no problems whatsoever getting these to show up on me. All three shades have a soft opalescence (mint green, pale violet and light purpley pink respectively) and a strong white base, which manages to cover my veiny lids without looking too heavy. I don't have any comparison swatches for you this time as I don't really own many comparable pastels, but for reference sake, the shades in Static remind me strongly of the Fyrinnae 'Ghost' eyeshadow series, only with less duochrome and sparkle.

I concocted a simple eye look using the light pink on the lid, the beige brown from the Nude trio in the crease, and the mint green in the inner corners and along the lower lashline. This is inadverently a very similar placement to the one suggested by Dick Page himself (here's a link to his 'Soft Look' tutorial using the Static trio), only substituting the light blue in/above the crease with a more neutral shade. I also used a warm blush on the cheeks (Laura Geller in Boysenberry) and the Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine in PK331 in on the lips - but I like the sheer mauve worn by Shiseido's model much better than this light pink.

Not much more to say about the awesomeness of Static; if you like pastel eyeshadows, I strongly recommend you check it out. I know that for some of you, especially of the darker and warmer complexions, pastels are extremely hard to work with; but for those who have similarly cool/neutral fair skin, the pastel shades in Static make for a beautiful accent on the eyes, in case you're not into using all three together. For some more ideas on using pastel eyeshadows, check out some of my other looks featuring Lancôme Color Design Infinité 24H Eyeshadow in Evermore Lilac here, bareMinerals Eyecolor in Celery here, and a general lower lashline accent placement here.

Have you picked anything up from the Shiseido Fall collection? Do you ever wear pastel shades on the eyes?